I'm fortunate to have been a student in two of Al Casey's courses at Southern Methodist University, so remember-- I'm biased!

Al provides a refreshing view on business because of his diverse experience; within any single position someone could have built a career-- whether it's CEO of American, Times Mirror, Postmaster General, head of Resolution Trust, etc...

I'll warn you: don't buy this book if you are looking for tips on how to play dirty in business-- Casey believes that good principles mean good business. Few can say that and be credible. The collections of maxims and career advice, found at the end of the book, is itself reason enough to purchase this book. I've read the book twice. Here's a sampling:

*Never do or say anything that you wouldn't want to read in tomorrow's paper.

*Be confident, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Especially when the odds seem stacked against you.

*Hire talented people; hopefully, one of them will be your successor.

*Play fair. Too many people forget the first word, and often the second.

*Never slam a door so hard that you can't open it again.

*The harder you work, the luckier you get.

*Always question people, starting with yourself.

*Leadership lasts only as long as it's exercised.

*Meet weekly as a group with all who report to you; meet one-on-one each week as well.

*Balance out social situations; if you invite one key staff member to your home, invite them all.

*When all else fails, get down on your knees. Amen.

Every once in a while a classroom textbook will capture the attention and cause a student to read beyond the chapter assigned. Understanding the Film is one of those books. Its many quotes and anecdotal passages, along with its profiles of well known people in the film industry, would have me engrossed before I'd realize that what I was "supposed" to be reading was on the other end of the book.

WARNING TO STUDENTS: If you browse this book, you'll never make it to your assigned reading.

The authors, Bone and Johnson, cover every aspect of film, from the people who make movies to the people who review them to the people who go to see them. The chapters are digestible segments outlining each element of the film experience, yet overlap enough to give the whole thing unity.

As a budding filmmaker, I particularly enjoyed the profiles, which were the first person accounts of actors, directors, special effects artists, and other industry professionals. Cutting through the Hollywood mystique, which has long made the movie business seem inaccessible to us mere mortals, the profiles allow us to see that there are real people behind the hype - people with dreams and aspirations that we can identify with.

What didn't I like? Not much. The book did get off to a tedious start. In showing that film was "big business", the first chapter seemed like an endless string of statistics and figures. And, as with most textbooks, I thought it was a little pricey. I paid $35 at the university book store (I should have shopped Amazon), which is a little high for a paperback.

All said, I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in movies and the film industry.

When I prepared to introduce film appreciation to my 9th graders, I found this book a good teacher resource. It not only gives a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the film industry (history, production and editing techniques, profiles of actors, directors, producers, film reviews and studies, list of good films, etc), but also provides compellings reasons for why film should be studied in the classroom. Movies are indeed the novel of 21st century, and this book is helpful for understanding why.

I found precious little here. You might think that with the glowing reviews from famous people that this would be a useful book, but in fact the reviews aren't wrong - if you're a senator or a TV personality you'll find this book useful.

The rest of us can give it a miss.

Valenti may be a great speaker, but in terms of a book for everyone he offers little. You should remember your speech pretty much word for word. You should think of the cadence of how you'll deliver it. There really isn't much more, apart from long reminiscences about famous speeches and speakers. The book has a strange almost Victorian tone.

To misquote one of the reviews - this is a dispensible resource. Spend your money on one of the books that teaches you a lot.

This outstanding book is a rare gem that stands out amongst so many books on public speaking. Jack Valenti knows his stuff and demonstrates with finesse the skills and techniques required for successful public speaking. Even the experts, like Barbara Walters, are taking tips from this prolific writer and respected public speaker. His stories and eloquent illustrations are vivid and memorable, drawing both from his personal experience and real life examples of top public figures.

Valenti was a speechwriter for US President Johnson and is currently president of the Motion Picture Association of America. What can you say for a book that former US President George H.W. Bush recommends as a must-read for those who take their case to the public. This book is a brilliant achievement indeed. Once you start reading, it is hard to put it down.

Valenti assures us with his words:
"Let us be clear: If you want to be able to rise before an audience, large or small, and speak to them so that they will listen to you, you can do it."

As a former teacher, I think this book is an excellent resource for teaching a skill that is becoming a lost art. Whether your career routinely includes public speaking or not, people in every walk of life could benefit from the ability to organize thoughts and communicate better. And who better to teach confidence? To see him speak is to admire him.