Good book for everyone - well worth the time invested
935632
Great book for beginners and experts alike.  I'm a fairly experienced programmer, so the first few chapters to me were fairly boring, but I was still able to pick up a lot of little tips and tricks throughout the book.  It's all laid out in a very intuitive manner and it builds on concepts very well.  The projects are fun and can be accomplished by anyone without much other than a basic Arduino Uno Starter kit.
1083358
Buy this book, read it and share it with your spouse. You will find is very much worth your time and effort. If you are busy, read the first chapter and talk about it with your spouse. Then ask your spouse to read the next chapter and talk about it with you until you complete the book which won't take long as Mark has done and great job making it a fun read.

The book explains through a story how to arrange your finances in a fundamentally sound way to create a bright and fun financial future for the reader(s). The appendices have detailed information for the reader to explore the topics covered in the story.

And to be completely transparent, I've met Mark in person and found him to be a reliable and valuable source of knowledge who is really passionate about helping people build a bright financial future. Plus, he not only writes about the topics, he utilises them on his own.
4566239
I'm writing this review because I'm grateful to the author for writing this book.  He has a lovely approach to self improvement.  The book is smart, very well researched, collaborative (i.e. it's not a book that foregrounds his own genius but his genius for working with others), and it is *effective* as all get-out.  I mean, I can't believe how great some of this advice is!  But what I find profound about it about it is the generous ground on which it's based--it seeks to empower people and to make people's lives better.  Most weight loss/muscle-y books are profoundly oriented around SELF-improvement -- as in the SINGLE the INSULAR the ONE.  This book and the accompanying website feel like a big party where everyone's invited and everyone has something to offer.  The approaches are all open-ended too...you don't get the sense that the experiment is over.  You have the feeling we're all researchers here and we're in this together and that even though he's compiled a few amazing levers that make some aspects of life that are famously tricky and difficult  (like feeling vibrant and controlling one's weight)  feel really easy (or at least within one's control), there is still room for improvement. Too, I think his heart is in the right place--and I think the fact that a lot of the book's info is free (online) and a lot of key proceeds (from product placement etc) go to his education non-profit are testament to that fact.
1575219
excellent book written very well. The concepts are very carefully explained in detail and supplied with many examples. As you read it, you can immediately start to implement the ideas into your daily work life. great book for all ages and experience as there is something new for you to learn. Finished it and immediately let a friend barrow it before he bought it as well.
3017234
I have to say I really enjoyed this book! It was good to see the author gently point out the heavy hand and unconscious actions humans inflict on the planet, but in a non-judgmental way. The best part was how she offered the idea that it's not too late to change our ways and live more consciously and to do no (additional) harm to nature and our earth. We can act thoughtfully and consciously -- and move ahead. Focus on the solution, not the problem.

I can see this being a great bedtime book that a parent can share, explain and discuss with their kids to develop awareness of their actions in a non-finger pointing way. The Abraham-Hicks messages were very clear to me, and my new-found education from Seth as to there being consciousness in everything -- be it an animal, a rock, a tree or the smallest cell, gave me an interesting perspective on the message as well.

I really enjoyed the illustrations too. I hope the book sells well, if only for the sake of us raising generations of kids that are more thoughtful, considerate of nature and earth conscious.
2995732
Harold Kushner writes in a style that is engaging. This was not a book that requires you to muscle through a difficult opening to get to a good book, it's good from cover to cover...and at times, great.

I've read several of his books now, and this one is my favorite to date and has inspired me to track down the rest of his work to study.

His assesment of the pull of two worlds, the struggle between being good and being successful, is right on and was very helpful for me as I walk the tightrope of business and family.

We all need an occasional reminder of what matters, and I highly recommend you take this book along to read on the plane on your next business trip to give you some perspective and renewed resolve to LIVE A LIFE THAT MATTERS!
593645
I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this book.  I have been in business for 10 years and I have a MBA. This book was tremendously valuable to me. I like how the authors put a marketing campaign together in 30 steps. Some steps were not covered as well as others, but it gave you enough information to do your own research if you wanted to use a tactic in more detail.  I have used many of these steps over the years and I really like the idea that they were all introduced in one book and in coherent logical steps.

I particularly like using the first few days just to get you and your employees in a marketing frame of mind. One of the hardest things that I have found over the years is to get your employees to recognize that your business is a money-making proposition.  This book gave me numerous ways to instill this doctrine in the workplace and I am still using many of them. I must confess that I also work in an Engineering company and I have used some of the concepts just to get people motivated to do their work properly. Marketing a good product can be easy.

I can just say that I give this book an enthusiastic thumbs up, five stars and I plan to evangelize about this book to other business owners as well as continue to use some of these concepts myself.
1235603
I consider reading this book to be well worth the investment of my time. I am sure you will also find yourself deliberating each of Mr. Turner's wide range of thoughts and opinions concerning both our personal and societal shortcomings.
3382973
This book is a valuable experience for anyone who reads it.  As Hilda  faced her challenges, she learned about herself and her spirituality.  It  is a great example for each and everyone.  Once you read it,  you'll want  to share it with friends, family and strangers.  Well worth the time.
3433855
A concise, worthwhile read author Christopher Michaels'  Positive Words imparts readers with some importantly relevant information and strategies focusing on using positive words in order to awaken ones positive thinking and thereby improving the quality of their lives.

Positive Words was an engaging and informative read, that although brief, contained some of the most crucial points about the power of words and their effect on people's psyche and lives. The book is fairly well organized and offers easy and reliable strategies for readers to use. I particularly enjoyed chapter 2, How Negative and Positive Thoughts Work, as it provided pertinently plausible information that most people do not realize but with the author's work in this book will understand and  be able to consciously implement. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book and will certainly refer back to it for future use. The information presented was compelling and author Michaels has a personable writing style that made this not only a thought provoking read, but pleasurable as well. I have Just one point of contention with this book and that is that the display is somewhat askew at times, however it does not interfere with the overall read. Contention aside, I do recommend this book to readers looking for an insightful read that can lead to improving their lives.
3535467
This year has been a transitional one for me and my family, so I found myself really looking forward to reading this book.  I think there are things in life that we kind of know, but then another voice articulates it in such a way that it really connects.  There were several of those moments for me in this book.

The premise isn't earth shattering, but Andy Stanley explores the difference between laws and principles and unpacks thoughts surrounding his thesis: "Direction - Not Intention - Determines Your Destination."  Shifting our thinking about why and how we end up wherever we are in life can help us chart a better course, or path.  The author contends that all of life is connected...every decision, choice, impulse, whatever...and that Todays Choices = Tomorrows Experiences.  He brings the discussion to a close by suggesting that what we pay attention to, where we place our focus, will ultimately determine our destination.

There are quite a few personal anecdotes and stories from scripture used to make his case.  I never felt like I was being condemned for bad choices, everyone has made plenty.  I was encouraged to consider the weight of even seemingly inconsequential moments in life and how they can have dramatic outcomes later on.  We're all on a path to somewhere and we can influence our destination through being intentional.  I also thought it was very cool that the author was honest enough to recognize that some dreams may never be reached because of old decisions.  I appreciated the fact that he took some time to help readers digest that and suggest some ways to deal with discouragement and chart a new path to finish well.

There is a study guide at the end of the book that you can go through alone or in a group setting.  After reading this book there is plenty of room for self-evaluation.  You'll probably want to reconsider your own direction a bit and this study guide can serve as a helpful resource.

Overall the book is a relatively easy read and was definitely thought provoking for me.  I will be keeping this one and probably referencing it in my personal life from time to time.

Publisher's Info:

Your Direction, not Your Intention, Determines Your Destination. There is often a tension between where we want to end up in life and the path we choose to get there. We fail to see that having good intentions is never good enough. Like Charlie Brown, we wrongly believe there's something to be said for trying hard. We need to understand why, in spite of our good intentions, we may have ended up at the wrong destination with our finances, our marriages, our careers, or a host of other dreams. So how do we get from where we are to where we truly want to be? The Principle of the Path is a road map to proper direction and discipline.

*I was given this book to review by booksneeze.com. The opinions in this review are mine alone and are not the opinions of the publisher.
4338725
I picked this book up on a whim, and it turned out to be one of the better books I have found on dealing with productivity as related to people. I found myself thinking about colleagues, administrators and even my students as I read through. I don't enjoy re-reading books but this is one that will benefit me more the second time around.

This is a book to add to your arsenal if you are seeking ways to get people motivated, and keep them producing at a high level. I am certain some people might misinterpret what I am writing as some might read my words as a sort of nod in favor of manipulation. However, productivity is not always about meeting some company's projected profit, it is more than that. This book is about meeting people where they are at, understanding that they just might want to do better, but simply lack the necessary tools required to effect more desirable outcomes.

Because of that, I suggest that anyone reading this review assume best intentions. More than that, we live in a world of broken and wounded people, I see nothing wring with understanding what motivates people and what hinders their chance at social, emotional and economic success. Everyone may not start out in the same situation, but we all have the potential to do well for ourselves.

Again, I am not seeking to correlate what Jeff Toister has articulated in very understandable terms, on how to get people to optimize a company's bottom line. My focus is on making them feel better about themselves and if they happen to be better employees, parents, children, students and scholars, then so much the better. The world will be better for it.

Read the book and see if it doesn't help you understand Human nature just a little more.
2855977
It's a book about time management. I know what you're thinking--better time management is just applying common sense. If it's so simple, though, why aren't I better at it?

As a husband, father of two, full-time employee, and nursing student, it's safe to say that time management ranks high on my list of priorities. But reading books about it? Not so much. Nevertheless, I received a copy of Peter's Bregmans' 18 Minutes some time back and somehow managed to make it through all 46 bite-sized chapters.

One of the many things I appreciate about 18 Minutes is its specificity. Eighteen minutes. Makes you curious, doesn't it? Maybe skeptical. The Grapefruit Diet is specific, too. But this is specific in ways that are actually useful beyond preventing scurvy. And that's a big part of what pulled me in.

Another thing I liked was the fact that this wasn't simply a plan to help you cram more into your day. It went much deeper. Bregman pushes you to evaluate what's really important in your life--really narrow it down--and make sure that your time and energies are directed toward those things.

A couple of my favorite chapters were later in the book: "Does Obama Wear a Pearl Necklace? Creating Productive Distractions" and "It's Not the Skills We Actually Have That Matter: Getting Over Perfectionism." Being prone to both distractions and perfectionism, they spoke to me. Great titles, too, eh?

I won't spoil the significance of the 18 minutes, except to say that they add up to some useful disciplines. The great thing is that even without the 18 minutes, there are still enough valuable insights and strategies to make this book a worthwhile and engaging read. To me that says a lot about the author.

If I had to identify one shortcoming of the book, it's that it seems geared toward white collar workers. Honestly, that seems to be the demographic most in need of help in this area, but I think the lessons are relevant to everyone. 18 Minutes is an entertaining, useful, and entertaining read. You couldn't go wrong making it part of your New Year's resolution.
450365
A recommend read for everyone who is will to open their mind to learn how to be better, or simply trying to improve their work experiences and their life. The author of this book, Senge points out scenarios which one would commonly encounter but never give much thought to, and their importance. He also showed the flaws that come from the common choices one will make in these situations, and explains how they are flawed. Like every good book, it's easy to understand and easy to learn from.

  The first half of the book was the most exciting part for me. The author talked about the well known scenarios like the Cold War and explained the influences that lead up to the Arms Race. Senge also talked about a very interesting experiment called the Beer Game. Much like a psychology or behavior study experiment, the beer game explained how a very simple change in the system can have a dramatic effect on the whole, simply due to overreacting. These examples showed how much a simple misunderstand of the system at works will produce drastic differences, either on a global scale or a local scale.

  As for the five disciplines, they are well explained in the book, from simple concept to deep understanding. For the example of System thinking, Senge actually explain it from the action of filling a cup with water, how to see this simple action as a system of events, rather than a simple picture. For personal mastery, he talked about it with the stretching of a rubber band. One hand represents the vision of a desired future, and one hand represents the present reality, how each is pulling the other closer due to the tension in the rubber band. A person will strive towards his/her vision, which pulls his/her present reality higher, or doesn't strive towards his/her vision, which will pull his/her vision lower to a more achievable standard. It was examples like these that make the book very easy to understand and a relaxing yet very informative read.

  The only negative thing for me is that the second half of the book could get a bit dull. As he begin to explain in depth with many, many examples of each discipline. Many examples I can relate to, but some just feel like I'm reading someone else's story.

  Overall I would recommend this book. I would even say the idea Senge is trying to get across is essential for modern society. See your vision of a future you truly wanted, and work towards it with a group that shares your vision, while making the right decision based on system thinking, and with enough practice, you will arrive at that vision. That's what Senge is trying to make us see with this book, and that is why I would recommend it, not just to people in management or Corporations, but to everyone. Senge is called the Strategist of the Century for a reason, and this book shows it.
3959282
I had great time reading this book.
I mainly liked it because

- it is different than the 'usual' security books
- it never gets boring
- the historical parts were very interesting and educational
- it is extremely well structured
- it gives you a good sense of what is possible in hacking today
- it transports the methods and concepts of the ninjas into today's security (and hacking) world.

All in all I think it is a very good book to read and worth the time spend.
The combination of both parts (the technical and the historical) encourages the out-of-the-box thinking.
2574939
I liked this book, in fact, I liked it more than I had expected to. When I first saw this, the description sounded interesting, but I wasn't sure it was my type of book. It turned out that it was very enjoyable and worth the time to read.

Eve is a great character. She is well thought out and had a lot to offer the reader. I love emotional characters that can produce feeling in me when I am reading, and you can't help but love her.

At seventeen, Eve is still a bit naive about the way the world works. She wants to think the best about everyone, especially the members of her own family and their life together. She must learn some valuable lessons in order to understand what the bond among them truly means.

I found this to be the type of coming-of-age story that leaves you thinking about the history of the subject matter and makes you want to learn more. Although it is fiction, the author did such an amazing job researching her material that at times, you forget you are reading a made up story at all.

The pacing of this novel is difficult to explain. There are some pretty long stretches where there isn't a tremendous amount happening, but you get so interested in the family and the plot that you want to keep turning pages regardless. The author's writing style is always pleasant and I never lost interest. The detailed history of this family and their struggles kept me coming back for more.

This would be a perfect book for an afternoon reading escape. I would recommend this to anyone.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.
1336424
Before I started reading this book, I thought it will be more likely educational, and many theories in the academic way. As I kept reading, I found it really engaging. It shows an easy to follow pass and down-to-earth approach to discover yourself, face who you really are, and learn practical tools on how to better deal the relationship, actively handle the challenging situations. 

I moved to the states nearly two years ago, and experienced a lot of struggles and stresses. My case may be a little unusual, but I believe everyone got more or less issues happened in daily life, struggled sometimes on decisions making, hesitated to take risks and uncertainty, dwell in the comfort zone, etc. All the frustrations and anxiety will have a negative impact on our experience and even cause un-desired results. I hope I could had read this book 2 years ago, to better prepare myself before the life changing event.  This book is inspiring, and get myself more equipped. I am very glad that I read it and like to share my reading experience. Hope many more can also benefit from it.