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- Another take on the origins of Sherlock Holmes
- Bell tolls for justice!
- Conan the Victorian
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Mr. Doyle and Dr. Bell
Howard Engel
Manufacturer: Overlook Hardcover
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The Patient's Eyes: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes
ASIN: 1585674176 |
Book Description
Howard Engel is the award-winning writer whose Benny Cooperman mysteries garner rave international reviews-fans stretch to thirteen countries: from Canada to Japan, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and the United States. His latest, Mr. Doyle and Dr. Bell, is a brilliant departure from the Cooperman series, set in the Edinburgh of late 1800s and peopled with such illustrious historical figures as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Benjamin Disraeli.
The year is 1879 and Alan Lambert has been tried, convicted, and sentenced to hang for the murder of a dazzling opera star and her lover. But Lambert's brother believes in his innocence and pleads with Dr. Bell, a celebrated professor of anatomy, to uncover the truth. Dr. Bell agrees and sets out to crack the case, with his keen powers of deduction and the help of his young student, Arthur Conan Doyle.
Customer Reviews:
Another take on the origins of Sherlock Holmes.......2004-09-06
Another author (in addition to David Pirie) has chosen the Conan Doyle - Joseph Bell relationship as the basis for a novel. The story hangs together well, and the book is well written, after the reader gets past a few glaring problems - primarily the misinterpretation of Arthur Conan Doyle's name. Conan Doyle is a Welsh surname, and I doubt seriously anyone would ever seriously call him 'Conan'. Joseph Bell as the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes is well documented, and this conjectural work provides an interesting look at how it may have worked to influence Conan Doyle.
Bell tolls for justice!.......2004-04-09
Arthur Conan Doyle's inspiration for Sherlock Holmes really did come from one of his mentors at Edinburgh University, Dr. Joseph Bell, a surgeon who discerned amazing information from strangers by observing minute details about them.
While Doyle came to weary of his association with the world's most famous literary detective, he shared many of Holmes's qualities, including the abilities of observation and deduction learned from Dr. Bell, and he actually did lend his efforts to the consideration of real-life mysteries from his own time.
Howard Engel's novel is a clever tribute to Doyle, his mentor, and his creation. He ingeniously sets his murder mystery not in London, as might be supposed, but in Edinburgh and even more ingeniously (but inevitably, given the pecking order between Doyle and his professor) makes the youthful Doyle play Watson to Bell's Holmes. Gratefully, Bell is a little less brusque with minds less active than his own than is Holmes.
Most ingeniously of all, the murder mystery that Mr. Doyle and Dr. Bell are called upon to solve is based upon a genuinely celebrated murder case from Doyle's mature years that Doyle played a principal role in resolving - though again, in this setting, as a student in the year 1879, he plays an acolyte's role.
Which murder case? I leave it to the reader to see if he recognizes it from the book, if he doesn't recognize it already. Engel himself provides the answer in his afterword.
I am only familiar with one other novel in which this device is used and that would be Bruce Alexander's "Person or Persons Unknown", the fourth in Alexander's Sir John Fielding Series, in which the Jack-the-Ripper slayings are moved backward 100 years in time from the late 19th century to the late 18th century.
Robert Louis Stevenson also makes a few cameo appearances as Doyle's college chum, and Doyle and Bell are also granted an interview with the great Disraeli ("Mr. Dizzy"). There are some annoying diversions that do not contribute to the story, and I assume that these are historical allusions that I failed to recognize. There are certainly a number of allusions to the Sherlock Holmes stories that Doyle will later write that the reader WILL recognize.
I'd like to see more murder mysteries in this vein - though I'm not sure that the world is ready for a story about Oliver Stone, as a precocious fourth-grader (in Donald J. Sobol's "Encyclopedia Brown" vein), solving a mysterious shooting at a presidential motorcade in downtown Fresno during the Eisenhower years.
Conan the Victorian.......2003-08-09
I read this almost immediately upon completing David Pirie's "The Night Calls", another novel that uses the characters of Arthur Conan Doyle and Dr. Joseph Bell as "real-life" stand-ins for Doyle's illustrious Sherlock Holmes, and the variations are fascinating.
Whereas Pirie paints a dark moodish piece with all of his characters (including the leads) as sombre, haunted individuals caught in a web of horror and intrigue, Engel's picture is bright, snappy, and breezy (or as much so as possible given that it details a wrongly convicted man facing the gallows). Pirie is rich in minute detail and atmosphere, Engel skips from scene to scene, plot point to plot point, like a runner trying to break the hundrde yard dash. In sum, I must confess that Pirie's book, the second in his Doyle/Bell series, is much more literary and engrossing but Engel's, originally published in paperback in 1997, is simply, a lot more fun. As they say in the ads though; "even better, try them both!"
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Mr. Doyle and Dr. Bell
Manufacturer: DUCKWORTH G
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GYXNL8 |
Book Description
A force for good. . . or evil?
Destiny and tragedy placed an awesome power in the hands of young Mathew Lewin. But is he its master -- or its pawn?
Needing shelter from his enemies, Mathew Lewin has come to a kingdom neighboring the one he saved by harnessing the might of the ring. The haven he has chosen, however, is anything but safe. Treachery and mysterious murder plague this land and its giant king, threatening a devastating civil war and giving rise to dangerous suspicions aimed at the boy who seeks sanctuary. But Mat fears the destructive resources at his fingertips -- he must learn their secrets or be destroyed by them -- and his quest has led him here. Now, to find the answers he covets, he must confront another who wields the power . . . and venture into an enchanted place of darkness where the truest and most terrible of evils dwells.
Customer Reviews:
Great follow up to "The Fifth Ring".......2007-05-19
Another very good fantasy read from Mitchell Graham.
This book is the second in a continuation of the "The Fifth Ring" series. I actually enjoyed this book more than the first; the pace was better (there was a slow, drawn out section in the middle of the first book that, I found, tedious to get through). As with most good fantasy there was magic, battles, friendship and betrayals; all of which made for page turning interest. While the first book was good, this one was even harder to put down.
The only negative, as with the first book, was the map; (and although I'm grateful for a map) it is poorly drawn and of limited use (a little more detail would have helped immensely).
A good story, well told; I look forward to book 3. 5 Stars.
Not as good as the first.......2005-05-14
Mitchell Graham debuted in 2001 with "The Fifth Ring", a book that was lambasted by many, but I liked it. I found that book to have a quaint and innocent charm that certain others are missing. While other authors write alleged fantasy novels that are just thinly veiled pornography, Graham's rural farmboys were so artless that they could only stare wide-eyed upon encountering a whorehouse in a provincial town. Well, "The Emerald Cavern" for the most part maintains the same sensibilities. Indeed the opening chapter has Mathew Lewin gawking in disbelief after learning that his girlfriend has posed nude for a local artist. So that's not the problem.
The problem, rather, is that this is a thuddingly boring book. It opens, after a gap of several months, with Mathew and his friends in Sennia, living under the guardianship of King Gawl. But trouble is brewing, in the form of evil priests, power-hungry sorceresses, and other menacing cliches. Anyone with a clue will certainly be able to figure out who the bad guys are and what they're up to as soon as these unfortunate klutzes arrive on stage. Regrettably, that category doesn't include the main characters, who walk into obvious traps time after time. Beyond that, "The Emerald Cavern" comes with all the trappings of formula fantasy. Minor characters get sliced and diced while major ones are invariably saved by off-the-wall plot devices. The bad guys screw up their plans through stupid mistakes. (Hint: never keep anyone alive just so you can torment them a little longer.) Add to that a load of grammar and punctuation errors and some sloppy writing, and you've got a recipe for tedium.
A Totally Fun Read.......2004-10-23
I've been reading fantasy for the last twenty years and I have yet to find a better set of books. Mitchell Graham is a master at crafting a fight scene and developing characters with all too human qualities.
The Emerald Cavern is a sequel to The Fifth Ring. Lest you start comparing them to Tolkien . . . STOP. Outside of the heroic journey and an older man guiding a younger one, they don't touch on many levels. What makes these books go are the characters and their incredible friendships.
Mathew Lewin, the story's hero, appears here as older, wiser, and less naive. Like most teenagers he is growing into his own, yet he doesn't do it without bumping his head, as we all do from time to time.
The book has high action, a dragon that can't exist, and even a murder mystery thrown in. To top it off it has an ending that will leave your mouth open.
I give this one top marks.
Great read.......2004-08-19
This was a really good read. I'm always glad when a book touches on my emotions. I was laughing, crying, getting all worked-up and stressed out, and I was clinging to the edge of my seat throughout these volumes. I really enjoyed the read, and I was sad to see that I have to wait for the 3rd book in his series. The characters are very well developed.
The only complaint I had was the editing was not done very well. I found several typographical errors and it bothers me when I'm reading. My mind always stops and ponders why the editor didn't catch such errors. I noticed more towards the end of the book.
That's insignificant really I would highly suggest this series.
Better than the original.......2004-08-18
Along with several other customer reviewers, I have no idea which book Publisher's World was reading when they wrote the review for The Emerald Cavern. The very things PW complained about made this book more enjoyable for me. With the power available to the main character, is it a surprise that he would be drawn into political intrigues?
The character development in this second novel of the series is both realistic and in-depth. Mathew's transformation from akward teenager into manhood is believable and touching. The characters in this novel are actually likeable! I know this is a step backward from more recent popular fantasy, but I found it charming. There is also plenty of action, so get a copy and dig in!
Product Description
Beating Cancer with Nutrition Sugar feeds Cancer: diet and supplements can starve tumors
Nutrition makes chemo and radiation more toxic to the tumor while protecting the patient
Nutrition changes underlying causes of cancer, improving outcome for cancer patients regardless of other therapies. Why Beating Cancer with Nutrition is unique: The book was developed after working with over 500 cancer patients and organizing 3 international symposiums on the subject. The information contained in BCN is both scientifically backed with references and clinically proven in the hospital with patients. This information helps cancer patients to improve quality and quantity of life. BCN had been translated into Japanese and Chinese and is being translated into Korean. BCN had become a home study continuing education course for registered nurses. BCN 2001 version will contain a 72-minute audio CD version in response to the requests from tired cancer patients who said they needed and audio version of the book to get started. BCN had sold 110,000 copies in 7 years in print, which is impressive for small publishers. Why Patrick Quillin is Unique: For the past 10 years, Dr. Patrick Quillin has served as the Director of Nutrition for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. He is an internationally respected expert in the area of nutrition and cancer. He has earned his bachelor's, Master's and doctorate degrees in nutrition and is a registered and licensed dietitian ( RD & LD) and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) with the American College of Nutrition.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing Nutritional Book.......2007-10-03
Amazing , must read book!!!!! I am using the book in my Integrative Practice everyday!
"Beating Cancer with Nutrition" review.......2007-09-10
I thought the book would have more straight ahead recipes in it that I could follow, but overall it was educational.
So-so.......2007-09-10
I flip through this book every so often when someone asks me for cancer health tips. Although it's an easy read and has bountiful information, I do feel it may provide unrealistic hopes to cancer patients. However, keep in mind that you can never go wrong with a healthy patient.
I am a huge supportive of carrot juice! Drink up (cancer or not)!
Undoubtably the best cancer book ever.......2007-07-14
This book is unbelieveable.I am a naturopath. This book outlines, comprehensively and in well referenced form, exactly what one should do from a holistic and balanced approach. The book is easy to follow and very practical in it's application. If all people with cancer followed the principles in the book, far more people would beat this modern plague.
It's selling well because of its title.......2007-07-07
The book at times is laid out in such a consumer unfriendly manner as the label on Dr. Bronner's soap bottles. Confusing little boxes, obscure charts, a highly incomplete index. The writing style is a bit pedestrian, too. There is some fine information, but also much that is irrelevant. And as several other reviewers here have noted, you wind up wondering at times whether all of the author's arguments are objective views based on good science or the rantings of a man obsessively beating his own drum. Still, this tome can be helpful if bought with an additional text.
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Supportive Cancer Care: The Complete Guide for Patients and Families
Ernest H. Rosenbaum , and
Isadora Rosenbaum
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
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Oncology & Cancer
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Oncology
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ASIN: 157071696X |
Book Description
Eagerly anticipated by new and old Pembroke enthusiasts alike, “The New Complete Pembroke Welsh Corgi” updates the breed's story. This volume features the breed's history and development in Britain and the U.S. It provides important information on performance activities (obedience, tracking, herding) and more.
Customer Reviews:
Definitive Corgi Book.......2002-02-11
There are a number of "breed" books out there on the Pembroke, but this is the official one. Mostly geared toward people who are interested in conformation showing and breeding, it is the only book with extensive photographs and discussions of bloodlines which have influenced the breed. Like all books by breed fanciers, it does not say anything critical about anything. If you want to find out about problems in the breed or in certain lines, you won't find it here (for example, temperament, genetic health, over-popularity). It does have short but informative sections on other topics besides showing and breeding. It is an excellent example of its kind. Certainly all Pembroke breeders should have a copy (but they probably do).
The best corgi book out there.......2001-10-30
This is the most complete corgi book I've found. There's so much information I can't begin to do it justice - from history of the breed to prime examples of corgis, this book blows away every other dog book I've ever had my hands on (for any breed). Though this book might cost more, it is well worth it - I bought 5 or 6 Corgi books and this one makes the rest look like cheap info pamphlets.
a very informative text on the pembroke corgi.......1998-02-06
The new complete pembroke welsh corgi offers quite a bit of information for fanciers of the breed. The history of the breed is well documented and includes rare photos of champion corgis. The text is written so as to interest both those who breed and show corgis, as well as those who are just interested in owning one as a pet. The health care information is informative and provides pet owners with important insight into corgi care. This is definitely one of the best references for the breed that I have seen.
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The Family Handyman: Wordless Workshop
Roy Doty
Manufacturer: Readers Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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General
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Outdoor & Recreational Areas
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Home Repair
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ASIN: 0895778750 |
Book Description
A comprehensive do-it-yourself tiling book that includes planning, designing, selecting, installing, and repairing.
Customer Reviews:
Could have been a free pamphlet.......2006-04-14
I bought this book at Home Depot and returned it after a few hours upon finishing it. I could have got the same information from a free pamphlet. They ought to be ashamed. However, there were some nice pictures and I did learn a little bit, but it was just a super easy primer for the real thing. I didn't buy another book before tiling 900sf in my house. I wish I had bought a better book, as I learned all kinds of tricks "the hard way." Hint: Swimming after tiling all day can return your back to normal when it doesn't seem like anything else will help. I am now going to buy John Bridge's book before my next tiling job.
good.......2005-10-22
This is a good book for people who want to start tiling or for people who have stated but would like to get more ideas, help or tricks.
Ooooo... Pictures..........2005-03-17
This book is more or less useless on it's own. It tries to make tiling look really simple and straightforward. Tiling is actually not rocket science at all, but you really do need to spend time up front deciding what you are going to do. It isn't a weekend project. Get a real book written by someone who actually lays tile professionally and not just by people who sell the latest half-baked do it yourself supplies. I recommend "Tile Your Word" or "Setting Tile". Both top notch books. In fact, get both - given how expensive tile is it'll be worth the money.
This book does have some nice pictures of some steps though. That's about all I can recommend it for.
Book Description
Detailed photos and easy-to-follow presentation for tiling floors, walls, countertops, and showers guide novices and experts.
Two-tiered design offers instruction for common tiling situations plus additional information for unusual circumstances.
Comprehensive guide covers basic and advanced tile techniques to plan patterns, measure and cut tiles, seal finished surfaces, and repair broken tile.
Prestart Checklists detail the tools, materials, skills, and time needed to complete each job.
Stanley Pro Tips offer shortcuts to work easier, faster, and safer.
Includes installation instructions for all types of ceramic tile, plus vinyl, laminate, carpet, and parquet tile products.
Book Description
Clear, step-by-step instructions and photos that illustrate techniques to select, install, maintain, and repair tile.
Dozens of stunning photos and projects for floors, walls, countertops, showers, backsplashes, and fireplaces.
Practical advice and tips help DIYers choose colors, patterns, add decorative tiles, apply grout, and more.
Materials, time, skills, and tools needed are listed for each project.
An essential book for do-it-yourselfers who seek the elegance and durability of tile for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and patios.
Book Description
Presents a variety of tile options, practical tips for choosing tile, and step-by-step guidance for installing tile indoors and out.
More than 40 inviting, inspirational photographs of tile installed in a variety of environments.
Thorough instructional copy and more than 200 illustrations.
Tips from the experts on properly installing tile floors, walls, backsplashes, and patios.
Simply and clearly explains tile composition, grouting, and sealing.
Tips for properly fitting tiles in difficult places and choosing the right accent tiles.
Customer Reviews:
Tiling - One Step at a Time.......2001-05-03
My first time tiling and this book definately takes you through step by step. Talks about tiling floors as well as walls and countertops. Mostly illustrations but done well enough to understand what each procedure entails. Packed with tips and experts' insights. I high recommend this book and "Setting Tile (Fine Homebuilding)" by Michael Byrne.
Excellent Book.......2000-06-11
Grerat book with lots of step-by-step procedures. Easy to understand, but very laborous steps!
Average customer rating:
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Tiling (Time-Life Do-It-Yourself Factfiles, 4)
Julian Cassell , and
Peter Parham
Manufacturer: Time-Life Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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| Home Design
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Carpentry
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Floors
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ASIN: 073700312X |
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The Complete Book of Home Improvement
Manufacturer: Hermes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
Floors
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ASIN: 0681891580 |
Product Description
Great book re ideas and techniques for decorating your home, a complete step-by-step guide. Over 850 color photos and 50 diagrams. Covers painting, paperhanging, tiling, floor coverings, storage, maintainance, repairs, etc., all aspects of decorating. Large colorful book.
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Home Decorating: Floors and Tiling (Home Decorating)
Mike Lawrence
Manufacturer: Hermes House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
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Decoration & Ornament
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General
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ASIN: 1901289133 |
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Home Tiling (Diy Essentials)
Mike Lawrence
Manufacturer: Southwater Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Do-It-Yourself
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Floors
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General
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General
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ASIN: 1842154095 |
Book Description
This hardworking and collectable book is filled with tips and detailed techniques for doing-it-yourself around the home.
Average customer rating:
- Bummer - also burned
- DONT BUY THIS BOOK
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Tiling: The Installation Handbook
Edward L Lipinski , and
Edward Lipinski
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Do-It-Yourself
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Floors
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ASIN: 0806961155 |
Book Description
Using ordinary tools and keeping special purchases to a minimum, you can do your own tiling. Inexpensive and simple to install in a few hours, tile affords durability and texture simultaneously. From tile types to materials, from planning a layout to pouring a slab outdoors, this huge guidebook has it all. “The reader will be left with a thorough understanding of what goes into a tiling job.”—Woodshop News.
Customer Reviews:
Bummer - also burned.......2004-04-13
I read a review of this book at woodworker's gazzette and it was really positive. So I ordered the book and it arrived last week.
This book is cursury in its treatment of the topic and has no answers to any of the questions I was interested in. For example there is no discussion of stone tiles, heating systems for tiles, width of groutlines. This book is embarrasing. I have a book from Home-Depot on tiling that is superior to this one in simple answers to simple questions.
My advice - avoid this book and look elsewhere for your info.
DONT BUY THIS BOOK.......2003-01-08
A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. THERE ARE NO PICTURES FOR IDEAS AND THERE ARE BASICALLY NO HOW TO'S FOR THE DO IT YOURSELFER. I WISH I COULD GET MY MONEY BACK. I ACTUALLY TOSSED THE BOOK BECAUSE IT WONT BE USEFUL IN ANYWAY. I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO A BOOK STORE. LESSON LEARNED.
Average customer rating:
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CHAGALL LITHOGRAPHS V
Robert Marteau
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Lithography
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Printmaking
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General
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General
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ASIN: 051755514X
Release Date: 1984-08-20 |
Book Description
A controversial and persuasive analysis of addiction
A tour de force, a spectacular effort of research and understanding. This book gives us the courage to bypass disease notions to deal with intrapsychic, family system, and social and cultural dynamics in addiction.
?David Cook, Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Wisconsin
This compelling and controversial book challenges the widely accepted belief that alcohol and drug addiction have a genetic or biological basis. The so-called disease theory
suggests that a substance or activity can cause the addict to lose control of his behavior. Stanton Peele demonstrates how this notion fails to make sense of scientific observations.
Analyzing studies of drug and cigarette addiction, alcoholism, obesity, and other potential compulsions such as running and sex, Peele reveals the surprising frequency of self-cure as part of the evidence. The author finds that compulsive habits and depAndency are a way of coping that individuals can reverse as their life circumstances change. This brilliantly argued book is sure to provoke discussion and stimulate new approaches to treatment.
Customer Reviews:
Master's Student.......2006-11-05
This book is very useful for those looking outside of traditional addiction theories. It shows that the theories that have been previously presented are limited and not as comprehensive as it they need to be. Excellent book for an addictions class or a review of recent theories.
Book Description
Once the world's most admired corporation, IBM stumbled badly in the early 1990s. At the depth of the crisis, the company suffered its first-ever operating loss and eliminated nearly 200,000 jobs. What went wrong? Contrary to popular wisdom, the authors argue that the root cause of IBM's difficulties was not that it fell behind in technology, but rather that it disregarded its customers and misled its employees.
In
Broken Promises, Mills and Friesen draw on extensive interviews with IBM executives, access to company files, and surveys of the company's customers to explain why, despite its advantages, IBM's executives failed to maintain its leadership. The authors show that IBM:
* developed an overly optimistic strategic plan based more on pride than reality;
* made a financing decision that eventually crippled its industry-leading marketing franchise;
* destroyed its long-term relationship with customers, to whom it had guaranteed high-quality product and close service support;
* broke its implied commitment to employees of lifetime employment security; and
* executed a massive corporate reorganization that left the subsequent strategic crisis unresolved.
Telling the story of IBM's downfall in the context of the company's history, the authors also outline the challenges that lie ahead for current leadership, even in the face of IBM's apparent rebound.
Broken Promises is a cautionary tale of strategic miscalculation, managerial error, and a loss of confidence that demonstrates for executives at any large company the risks of neglecting customer and employee relationships in the face of large-scale change.
Customer Reviews:
What Happened to IBM?.......2005-06-22
This book presents one viewpoint on IBM during the 1980s and 1990s. The authors claim that a choice of IBM "could not be faulted" (p.9). [Was that because IBM, unlike some competitors, did not offer kickbacks to customers?] The authors claim IBM broke its promises of high-quality technology and excellent service to customers, and job security to its employees. But no company can guarantee jobs when losing money.
IBM's "incompatible small computers" may have deviated from the S/360 model, but followed industry standards of that era (p.11). One of IBM's mistakes was to listen to its critics (p.15), who could have ulterior motives. The world economy affects IBM (p.24). The discussion about personal computers missed the point (pp.35-40). IBM did not pioneer microcomputers and mass market them. It did give an imprimatur to what some sneeringly called "toy computers". The problem noted by T. V. Learson is common to bureaucracy (but didn't he retire then?). Did IBM really give away control of personal computers to Intel and Microsoft (p.62)? Such an opinion can only show ignorance of the history from 1976 to 1982. Chapter 5 talks about "loyalty". Can any corporation offer "employment security" (p.66) in a cyclical economy where management's first priority is to the share owners? No, but its a good idea. [The only way to guarantee job security is to be the owner-operator of your own business. But even then you can have problems.] The authors state IBM's hiring policy (p.68) but don't say how this was implemented. Did family connections ever trump this ideal? The "Open Door" policy is one way for top management to find out what is really happening, and avoid filtered feedback (p.69). Was there really no management favoritism (p.76)? Does "scientific management" work (p.77). Is "scientific management" just special pleading for the managerial class? Don't employees pay for management's mistakes (p.82)?
The authors say IBM's big mistake was to sell equipment rather than lease it. It brought in cash which was used to enlarge manufacturing plants (pp.90-91). But this plan soon failed; they liquidated their assets and squandered the money. No mention of the Board of Directors! The authors tell of IBM engineers forming "their own company" in 1967, but not of the venture capitalists behind them (p.92). The authors say IBM failed to drop "poor performers" (p.94), but don't explain any errors in hiring practices. The author's comments on page 104 show credulity. Watson Sr. sold cash registers, which recorded and tabulated money. Hollerith cards were a more general form of recording and tabulating data. Did IBM spend too much time on executive politics rather than profit and loss (p.123)? I don't believe the authors on the F/S project failure, since they overlook customer acceptance. Did customers want another new system that would obsolete all their existing software (p.130)? The story of Stalingrad sounds like an urban legend (p.131)! This all seems as if the authors didn't do their homework. Chapter 9 considers the advice of "Wall Street"; but Wall Street produces nothing, it profits from other people's money. Wall Street's own management is marked by failures, scandals, and mergers of failed firms. Wall Street's special pleading is listed (p.135); they have hidden agendas (p.136). Inflation is caused when the Federal Reserve (a private banking cartel) prints and distributes paper money for its purposes. The authors correctly question the wisdom of following Wall Street's advice. Wall Street can benefit by selling short, and promoting "high tech" stock to gain from a company's distress (p.149).
Chapter 11 asks about the future of large corporations, given the reports of financial losses for many old companies (p.179). I think the authors drew the wrong conclusions about IBM's selling and not leasing; its what they did with the money. Lloyds of London had "great losses" (p.183) on computer equipment that became obsolete. The comments on small vs. large staffs (p.185) overlooks the rate of administrators to production workers. This is called "bureaucracy" (p.187) but it could also be called "patronage". What about special relationships (like nepotism), or if personal whims decided on projects. Was there an abuse of overtime? Could an outside organization have members inside to influence policy?
Could anti-trust enforcement have prevented the IBM debacle? When difficulties arose, IBM did split away functions (like Lexmark). Real innovation comes from a small group (p.189). You can add the 1930 invention and patent of the transistor by a long-extinct company.
Average customer rating:
- My Take
- Spiritually Enriched
|
AN UNCONVENTIONAL VIEW
Linsey Savage
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
African-American & Black
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ASIN: 1414014023 |
Customer Reviews:
My Take.......2004-10-09
Linsey Savage takes us on a spiritual journey of his life in AN UNCONVENTIONAL VIEW. Beginning with his childhood in Philadelphia and into adulthood, Savage lays out the trials and tribulations that have shaped him to be the man that he is today. Born into a strict Pentecostal family, he was the second youngest child of seven children. His childhood was one of school and church, nothing more. His friends were church associates; the world he knew was his immediate family and church family. Over the course of time different issues and the behavior of the pastor and parishioners slowly became warped and Linsey watched as his brothers and sisters and the younger generation of the church rebelled and subsequently left the church and its teachings. What church teachings could propel a young man to flee his home church and the city of Philadelphia for Chicago?
AN UNCONVENTIONAL VIEW is laid out chronologically beginning with an introduction explaining the author's reasoning, desire and need to write about his life. The introduction alone is profound and heartfelt and begs you to keep reading. The chapters that follow take us through each phase of his life and the offerings are peppered with his spiritual connection with God. Regardless of his circumstance, Savage had faith and that faith sustained him. The author's writing is mature and quickly grabs your attention. One thought continuously came to mind as I read about his childhood - out of the mouths of babes. Some of the chapters that follow are a bit repetitive as he seeks love in all the wrong places only to find infatuation, lust, selfishness and deceit. Despite Savage's trials, to some he may offer a thoughtful and emotional lesson and to others, an incomprehensible and perplexing message. AN UNCONVENTIONAL VIEW is a heart wrenching and sad, but spirit-filled account of one boy's life into manhood and his dealing with the hand he was dealt.
Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Spiritually Enriched.......2004-05-25
Linsey Savage's Unconventional View is more than just another same sex relationship book. Linsey shows the reader of the ups and downs of being interested in sex with other males as he struggles with the church and his family.
Brought up in the City of Brotherly Love and attending church his entire life Linsey had to find a spiritual belief on his own. The church that he attended in Philadelphia was more of cult than a church and as many folks church gossip was ever so present. He was taught that he had to confess to the pastor in order to get into the pearly gates at the end of the road. He did as the pastor instructed, he told her all his feelings towards other men and how he wish he didn't feel the things that he was feeling and how he prayed feverishly for God to relieve him of these feeling. Instead of holding this information in silence the pastor being a woman decided it was best that the congregation knew of this information and it spread like wild flower. Ultimately he was not only embarrassed but also fed up with the cult like activities and not only left the church but left the city headed for the mid west.
The west brought about a different set of wins and loses. He found a platonic friendship in another male who also was engaging in same sex activities for him to only leave him. His dear friend suffered from AIDS and sent Linsey into a slight depression. He found solace in his spiritual being and a female friend from church. When she fell in love with him and he explained his same sex issues with her she took a breathing period but yet remained his closet confidant
I must say that I enjoyed this book, it is more a book about spirituality than it is about same sex relationships. I enjoyed reading the different ways different churches practices Christianity. I gave this book a four because It was not only educational for me but I also enjoyed watching him grow from a boy to a man. It was real; by the time the book ended I felt that I knew this gentleman personally. I would recommend Unconventional View to anyone who is dealing with sexual frustration and spirituality.
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Book Description
Throughout history, the people who have made a difference those whose names we know and remember have marched to a different drummer and have seen the world from a decidedly different point of view. "Failure and mediocrity are the norm. Success, in sharp contrast, is exceptional and quite rare."
One obvious conclusion we can draw from these facts is that, to achieve success, it is necessary to leave the security and comfort of conformity to set aside the widely held views and accepted behaviors that surround us and at least begin the process of looking at our personal and business lives from creative new vistas from Contrarian Perspectives.
Successful, ultra-creative, world-altering individuals are not completely different from everyone else. Their differences are subtle and few. But, within these seemingly fine distinctions lie the great secrets for achieving success and prosperity in business and in life. The Contrarian Perspectives focus on these critically important differences and show you how to use them to produce life-altering transformations in thought and action.
Then, these principles take you further, suggesting new approaches to personal and business success and prosperity without risk. It's as easy as learning to identify and capitalize upon contrarian opportunities whenever they appear. These simple, yet powerful philosophies will astound you. For those who will dare to use them, the results can be dramatic and immediate.
Books:
- Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha
- Murder of a Sweet Old Lady (Scumble River Mysteries, Book 2)
- Murder Unleashed (Dead-End Job Mysteries, Book 5)
- Nicotine Kiss: An Amos Walker Novel (Amos Walker Novels)
- Night Train to Memphis
- Our Girl in Washington: A Kate Boothe Novel
- Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos (A Meg Lanslow Mystery)
- Rutland Place
- Savage Run: A Joe Pickett Novel (Joe Pickett Novels)
- Sentenced to Die: Until Proven Guilty, Injustice for All, Trial by Fury
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