The basic premise (cf. Len Sperry) stated in the first few pages of this book is not the premise or ethic held by myself or my peer executive coaches: "coaching does not require a deep level of self-disclosure on the part of the executive nor is there a need for a close personal bond coupled with confidentiality."

Confidentiality is the primary ethic to which we subscribe and is what allows the necessary self-disclosure.

Another flaw of this book is that it wavers between coaching as a peer relationship and a professional (external professional) one. No doubt one peer could provide support and expert advice to another, but that is not the essence of executive coaching.

This book also uses and renames models developed by others without credit to those others. eg. the Johari window and Situational Leadership.

On the positive side, Appreciative Inquiry is a valid way to approach coaching, and not utilized often enough. We coaches have traditionally tended toward assessments which seek to identify flaws and deficits.

I would be concerned if this book were seen as a guide to executive coaching, especially for executive coach wannabes (and they are numerous these days). It is, at best, a very abridged primer or collection of readings for OD (Organization Development). OD skills are prerequisite to executive coaching, but only part of the skill equation. Psychological training and business experience are the others.

There is much controversy among coaching professionals today about executive coaching, and numerous "certification" programs that have none of the above prerequisites.

For another view of executive coaching ethics and practices, email me for our (Executive Coaching Forum of Boston) handbook available electronically at no cost. Given the concerns about qualifications, ethics, and practices of executive coaches, our group wrote and distributes this handbook as a service for executive coaches and clients alike. judyotto@mindspring.com

Whether you are an executive with a Fortune 500 company, a Human Resource manager, or an entrepreneur, you have become aware of executive coaching. It is nearly impossible to go to a conference or any business meeting and not come across some discussion of coaching. Many consider coaching as the helping relationship for management in the postmodern corporate and business world.

Executive Coaching: An Appreciative Approach, is more than a book about the methodology of coaching with executives. Although it is that, too, it is about being a coach almost as a way of being. It is not quite the Zen of coaching that John Whitmore speaks of in his book, Coaching for Performance, but, note the less, it is a philosophy about how to approach the coaching experience with executives. Even though it is basically written for the "want-to-be" executive coach, its depth will add important new material for experienced coaches as well. Most importantly it provides for coaches, leaders, managers, or supervisors, a way of relating to their colleagues and clients who want a coaching relationship.

The authors look at how adults learn and emphasize that coaching focuses on developing awareness through questioning. Questions compel attention for an answer and focus attention for reflection and feedback. Instruction does none of these. The coaches' use of questions are to raise awareness and responsibility for transformational change. Coaching becomes one of the more formal ways that learning can take place along with counseling and consulting. The authors differentiate between coaching, consulting, and counseling in providing learning experiences for the executive. Although there is a great deal in common between the three disciplines, the key differences are made explicit, one of which is that in coaching you can easily switch places the your colleague or client whereas in counseling and consulting that role shift cannot take place.

In difference from other books on coaching (Whitmore, 1997; Stowell and Starcevich, 1998) they emphasize that an "appreciative perspective" must undergird any executive coaching program. They state that in essence an "appreciative perspective" concerns a willingness to engage in dialogue with another person from an assumption of mutual respect and the mutual search for the discovery of distinctive competencies and strengths. This becomes the theme of the entire book and is imbedded in their three models for coaching. A manager who has not become familiar with Appreciative Inquiry, or has not developed an appreciative approach my find their models too non-directive. Traditional models of management, where confrontation and feedback directed at deficits are the basis of learning, would be antithetical to this approach. The quote David Cooperider's suggestion, "People and organizations do not need to be fixed. They need constant reaffirmation." In this approach, compassion and real caring for a colleague are expressed within the appreciation of their values, goals and intentions. This does not imply a loss of discipline nor a loss of boundaries between one's own problems and perspectives and those of another. Every counselor is familiar with the dangers of over identification and enabling the avoidance of responsibility, and every coach needs to be aware of this as well.

In this book readers will not only learn about three models of coaching but also about a model for viewing executives and organizations. The writers present four executive styles and organizational cultures that provide the coach with a frame of reference from which to examine executive functioning. These four styles of executive functioning (assertive, inspiring, thoughtful and participating) are said to "...represent quite different notions about the purposes, functions and values associated with executive functioning in today's organizations." These are based on assumptions about ways in which executives can be effective in leading an organization. They suggest that each can be effective in certain situations and ineffective in others. Their illustrations suggest that for a style to be effective the executive must have the ability to relinquish his "home base" or preferred style and assume a less comfortable style in order to succeed. A preferred style might be considered a strength but if exaggerated it becomes a weakness. It is clear that no one style fits all situations and it behooves the coach to be aware and assist the executive in developing the options and choices necessary for effectiveness. The appreciative approach again comes to the rescue as the coach uses inquiry to assist the executive toward increased awareness through self-reflection and responsibility. The book provides some "preliminary guidelines" for helping the executive discover his/her "preferred style." Strengths in each of the non-preferred styles are needed for the multiple contexts that the executive might find himself or herself dealing with. The reader will find explanations of appropriate and inappropriate uses of the strengths of each style. It is important that the coach be as nimble and flexible as the "coachee" in order to move from one style to another, and be willing and able to engage another colleague who has the appropriate style needed for change.

The formulation of the executive styles and the offering of models for coaching is unique to this work and offers the "budding coach" as well as the experienced one a new and exciting perspectives on executive coaching. Within the context of their three models, Reflective Coaching, Instrumental Coaching, and Observational Coaching, the work guides the reader through basic skills and the obstacles that block the process. There is a great deal more to this book than the outlining of skills and methods because it offers a way of being a coach and a philosophy of leadership. Even though their discussion of the models contained familiar material, some of which can be found in other books on coaching, much of the material is new and will enlighten the most experienced coach. This work is a must read for anyone entering the field and equally so for the experienced coach.

This book may seem like the way to go. BUT DON'T DO IT! It is 3 days before the PE exam and I am so frustruated with all of the Academy of Environmental Engineering Materials that I had to write this review.

Throughout the entire book, there are mistakes in the formulas and practice problems that are given. It can not be trusted.

This book covers all aspects of air quality issues. Both the theory and practical application sections are very well written. This book should become the the standard text for air quality engineering.

Kenneth William wrote a series of five books on Ulysses S. Grant in the 1950's. He died before he could complete his supposedly "definitive treatment" of Grant the general. Williams' books are well-researched and you will find few factual gaffes. However, his writing style is often torturous and his passion for meaningless minutiae will probably drive you crazy. He excels in listing every detail of a battle until you're shaking your head or holding it as you reach for the aspirin bottle.

Williams' reverence for Grant is evident throughout. He is also peculiarly defensive about the issue of Grant's occasional over-indulgence in whiskey and in his footnotes he becomes almost hysterical on this topic. This type of hagiography is misplaced in a serious work and seriously undermines the credibility of the work. William's five volumes have been pretty much forgotten in the modern era and for good reason. He tells the reader almost nothing about Grant as a human being, his private life (pivotal in Grant's story) is regally ignored throughout.

If you are interested in examining Grant as a general, opt for the much superior books by J.F.C. Fuller, available on Amazon. This is a lifeless and boring treatment of a highly complex and fascinating man.

I think the book is better than the other review gave it credit for. I will agree that he does go out of his way to discredit Grant's drinking. But on the whole these are pretty informative books not as dry as the other review says they are. The two new editions by the University of Nebraska Press have great introductions by Grimsley and Simpson. Simpson gives more credit to Williams than the review here gives. These introductions are excellent. But the volumes are not always about Grant. The Kentucky Invasion is covered in the second volume as is the battle of Murfreesboro. I recommend these books to anyone interested in Grant and/or the Western Theater of the Civil War.

I had great expectations for this book. I respect Dr Cooper and his work. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the book. There are 115 pages of nutriton related information mostly suggested menus and recipes - there are lots of good nutrition books for kids. The fitness evaluations were mostly for kids 10 and older. He recommends an active lifestyle and sports, but that's not worth the money to me. I'd say check this book out at the library for the fitness test information but keep your money in your pocket on this one.

every year there are 3 - 5 new adaption of Shakespear-plays for the silverscreen. Good written book but not the lexica-type reference work. Only a few pictures. a complete filmographie with credits is unfortunately missing. other books about Shakespear on screen: "Shakespeare on Film" by Robert Shaughnessy; "Shakespeare in the Movies: From the Silent Era To The Present Day" by Douglas Brode, "Shakespeare, the Movie" by Lynda E. Boose

McConnell sheds light on the real story behind Kenyon, Hagin, and the Word of Faith movement. As someone who grew up in the movement, it is good to see a fellow charismatic believer give a rebuke to the utter unchristian doctrines that are flaunted within this movement. McConnell gives a well-balanced perspective on faith, healing, and prosperity. God Bless McConnell

This is a book that tells the truth. I have always believed that truth is truth, even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is falsehood, even if everybody believes it. The word-faith movement is big, what with the TBN television network and other big names promoting it, but that doesn't make it truthful. It is almost embarassing to say that I was raised a Pentecostal, because most of Christendom today (and non-Christians, for that matter) identify me with this movement. It is indeed an heretical movement, based on the teachings of Kenyon, who was steeped in the Eastern idea of there being a god within each of us, and the idea that Jesus was someone who needed a regeneration of his own heart after the death on the cross (discounting the orthodox Christian idea of a sinless man having broken the chains of death, hell, and the grave). This movement is based on Eastern concepts, but because it has taken on the terminology and outward appearances of Pentecostalism (speaking in tongues, on-the-spot translation, faith healing), many believe it to represent Pentecostalism. Nothing could be further from the truth. One only needs to ask an older member of a mainstream Pentecostal church (Church of God, Assembly of God) to find out this isn't so.
Classic Pentecostalism has always maintained that there is no such thing as a "free lunch" in this fallen, sinful world, even for saints. We will all grow old and die (the death rate is still one per person, as Hank Hanegraaf says), and there is no guarantee of wealth in this life. Just because someone is a "child of God" is no guarantee of continued health and wealth. Both the godly and ungodly include the poor and sick. In fact, Jesus himself claims that his disciples "shall be hated of all men for my name's sake". The important things of life are not bound up in trying to surpass Bill Gates' bank account, nor in visiting the plastic surgeon past the age of 90.
As we have all heard of "get rich quick" schemes, if it "sounds too good to be true, it probably is". In this case, some of these word-faith teachers are becoming wealthy off people's desire to have God's promises in this life (health and wealth forever), and are using the ploy of religious fervor to do it.
McConnell has done a fantastic service by writing this book, even though sincere, dedicated Christians are unknowingly involved in this movement. He details the history of the movement to the present day, something that Hanegraaf's book didn't do. Very interesting and convincing. Would that there were more brave souls as McConnell to step forward.

My summary above is a brief review of people named and judged, in writing, by the Apostle Paul for one reason or another. Why didn't Paul just read his Bible and not judge anyone else? "A Different Gospel" is one of the most important treatments of the Faith Movement, as it is written by a charismatic graduate of Oral Roberts University. One reviewer attacks Hanegraaff, who only wrote the forward to this edition of McConnell's book. McConnell wrote this book in the 80s before Hanegraaff was known.

The single most damaging fact shown by this book is that the "Father of the Faith Movement," namely self-proclaimed prophet Kenneth Hagin, plagiarized the writings of no less than three ministers (including E. W. Kenyon) throughout his own ministry. When he was caught and confronted, Hagin blamed God for it. Since Hagin and others were long ago confronted individually and by groups, it is certainly proper to go and "Tell it to the church." For Hagin fans, I'll make it simple: plagiarism is theft; saying that God made you do it unwittingly is lying. This is the root of the fruit.

Speaking of the fruit, if healings validate the spirit behind a ministry, then those in the Faith Movement should feel well at home in a Christian Science reading room. This is a fitting observation, because McConnell discovered that Kenyon has direct educational, doctrinal, and testimonial links to the metaphysical cults (Christian Science, New Thought, etc.). Thus, Hagin has plagiarized and popularized, via Kenyon, key Christian Science ideas unknowingly. These ideas have become so entrenched in modern charismatic thought (although they are not inherently charismatic in nature), it is difficult to get adherents to see the forest through the trees.

Other people, including but not limited to Gordon Fee, Walter Martin, Michael Horton, Curtis Crenshaw, Richard Abanes, James White, Chuck Smith, Michael Moriarty, John MacArthur, Joni Eareckson Tada, Ron Rhodes, and Elliot Miller have written and spoken against the spiritual dangers of the Faith Movement and its teachers. Rest assured, the Apostle Paul would be proud. But I'm also sure that the followers of Philetus viewed the Apostle Paul with the same measure of contempt that most of the one-star reviewers feel toward the brave people listed above.

I was disappointed to learn that, despite the title, this is not really the "diary" of William Byrd II. Sections of his diary are included, but this is more properly understood as a biography, with relatively little primary material. The conclusions of an academic historian may be interesting, but if the book is billed as a "diary," I would prefer to see the primary material in its entirety, and then conclude whether or not the professor has it right!

I really hate to say it , but this book is just not worth 1/20th of any other major respiratory care book (for example Egan's fundamentals of RC or Dean Hess et al, RC: principles and practice) I feel bad saying it since I know how much hard work it takes to get a book to be printed. The whole design, bad fonts,cheap paper, and organization of the book is really bad. You could gather 2 or 3 chapters that are decent, but we all know that for the book to be successful it must have at least 3/4 of its material acceptable to read and enjoy. I doubt this book will make it into 2nd ed.

Kenneth William wrote a series of five books on Ulysses S. Grant in the 1950's. He died before he could complete his supposedly "definitive treatment" of Grant the general. Williams' books are well-researched and you will find few factual gaffes. However, his writing style is often torturous and his passion for meaningless minutiae will probably drive you crazy. He excels in listing every detail of a battle until you're shaking your head or holding it as you reach for the aspirin bottle.

Williams' reverence for Grant is evident throughout. He is also peculiarly defensive about the issue of Grant's occasional over-indulgence in whiskey and in his footnotes he becomes almost hysterical on this topic. This type of hagiography is misplaced in a serious work and seriously undermines the credibility of the work. William's five volumes have been pretty much forgotten in the modern era and for good reason. He tells the reader almost nothing about Grant as a human being, his private life (pivotal in Grant's story) is regally ignored throughout.

If you are interested in examining Grant as a general, opt for the much superior books by J.F.C. Fuller, available on Amazon. This is a lifeless and boring treatment of a highly complex and fascinating man.

This is an attempt to understand the psychology of the late 18th century Virginia gentry by exploring the writings of some of its more prominent male menbers. Lockridge culls his evidence from the commonplace books of Thomas Jefferson and William Byrd, in which the subjects collected jokes, quotations, and parables that they found to be particularly illuminative. While Lockridge acknowledges that the perspectives of two men cannot be wholly transferable to their entire class, he hopes that his subjects are representational enough that some insight into the general beliefs of the gentry can be found in their writings. However, by focusing on narrow periods in the authors' lives in a strictly constructed context, while adding a heavy dose of his own (questionable) psychoanalysis, Lockridge excludes much evidence that could provide a more balanced assesment of gentry values.

Lockridge rests his case on the belief that the personality failings of Jefferson and Byrd were somehow representational of a broad misogynistic conviction among upper-class Virginia men. While continuously undermining his own argument by admitting that among the scores of commonplaces he has read, he found nothing similar to the "misogynistic rage" uncovered in the writings of these two men, he is nonetheless certain that these aberrations were somehow deeply reflective of true patriarchal hatred for women. Despite the fact that his own sources make clear that these expressions of misogyny appeared in response to personal failures with women (Byrd was spurned in romance, and Jefferson was unhappily controlled by his mother during his rebellious teenage years) Lockridge argues that it is not enough to agree that these outbursts were reflective of bad personal experiences with women, but that we need to "understand what mental categories are invoked on such an occasion." Understanding what Lockridge means by this would be far more enlightening, however. He goes on to insist that because entries concerning women appear in the same time frame as those about power and rebellion, they must be indisputably connected in the authors' minds, despite the fact that the two men had much to say about these themes in other contexts.

Despite the problems in the work, the conclusions Lockridge ultimately draws about patriarchy are rather convincing, though more concrete evidence than he has presented would be required to prove them. He argues that rather than fearing women for their sexual or political power, it was economic control that most consternated gentrymen, as widows had the ability to control their own property (though Jefferson's attempts to change the legal code so that females could inherit property from their parents would seem to contradict the idea that he personally felt this way.)

Lockridge claims that the point of his study was simply to show that males were under pressure from women because female economic power had the potential to undermine male hegemony in controlling the structure of their newly created world. This is certainly a valid and interesting point; it is thus all the more unfortunate that the body of his essay does little to reinforce it.