Book Review  James Linderman
919201
Simply put, to know Pat's work is to revere it. He is the absolute master of the craft of lyric structure and it's consequential impact on the quality of a song. Period!
Pat Pattison has been teaching lyric song writing and poetry at Berklee College of Music since 1975, and has played an integral part in developing Berklee's songwriting program, which was the first complete songwriting degree program to be offered anywhere, and is arguably the best in the world. Among the many other vast contributions Pat makes to the music industry, he also spends a lot of time writing in Nashville, works for TV and film, and does a ton of workshops and clinics all over the world.
In the forward of "Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure" Pat indicates that "This is not a general book on lyric writing...it's specific purpose is to help you handle your lyric structure more effectively."
This is great because, instead of trying to deal with all aspects of lyric writing in a diluted overview, Pat instead, offers a very concentrated and detailed discourse on the aspect of song craft that seems to be most absent in most songwriters background...the deliberate use of structure.
Throughout the book Pat uses an analogy, comparing lyric writing to juggling. When you juggle, you start with one ball and work on attaining that skill before adding a second, third or fourth ball, or before attempting to juggle with flaming batons or chainsaws.
The first "ball" we want to try and juggle in our lyric development is the identification, study and manipulation of a lyric phrase. Pat is very skilled in providing perfect examples to show; how to match lyric phrases with the musical ones they sit on, how to write sections of a song with balanced or unbalanced sets of phrases, and how to contrast balanced and unbalanced sections to create a feeling in your listener that the song is moving forward to another section, or is resolving; coming to rest to end that collection of ideas.
This is very cool to know, especially if you are like me and really struggle with lyrics and usually find that, after a lot of frustration, that a structural oversight or flaw is often the problem.
Enough about me...back to the book.
The remaining chapters in the book break your lyric into syllables, rhyme schemes, song parts like; verses, choruses and those dreaded bridges. It then takes a concentrated look at song form and where to place the hook...you know, the part that makes your listener remember that you have a song.
The thing that Pat Pattison's books do better than any other books out there, is that they make people write purposefully objective rather than aimlessly subjective. He does it in a way that channels creativity rather than controlling it and he does it with a sense of style and humour that is very engaging.
I can now see why the publisher decided to name this book, Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure because essential is just how I would describe it.
2828036
Review:
Throughout his baseball career, both as a player and later as the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tommy Lasorda was known as much for his positive spin on anything related to the team or his players.  These traits come to life in this book written by Colin Gunderson.  The author worked as the press coordinator for Lasorda for 12 years, so he knows many of these stories first hand.

The writing shows the in-depth knowledge as each topic covered, from loyalty to competitiveness to determination is rich with details from many players who Lasorda coached or had as a teammate. Of course, his Dodger loyalty is discussed in depth as he bleeds Dodger blue. Lasorda provides many quotes as well, and they add even more substance to traits that are shown to be important to him.  Even for those readers who may not be fans of Lasorda or the Dodgers will enjoy the humor and genuine love Lasorda shares about many of these topics and people.

Those who are looking for something new or some previously unknown facts or characteristics will be disappointed as the public persona of Lasorda is proven to be completely true about the man. While at times it seems to be a bit excessive, both in Lasordas praise and the writing that makes him seem just too good, it at least is an accurate reflection. It is also very entertaining as the reader will often be laughing and smiling at some of the stories.

My favorite topic in the book was the chapter on patriotism. While this was a point he has made public before, many people may not realize that Lasordas favorite baseball moment did not involve the Dodgers. He has said that his proudest accomplishment in his career was when he was the manager of the United States Olympic baseball team in 2000 when the US won its only gold medal in baseball.  He talks about that tournament with the excitement of a kid and it was the chapter that I felt was filled with the best baseball writing, especially when describing the game in the medal round when Doug Mientkiewicz hit the game winning home run against South Korea.

This is an entertaining, fun-to-read book on one of the most recognizable figures in recent baseball history.  Readers will never be bored while reading this and should enjoy each story about this legendary manager.

Pace of the book:
This is a very quick read as I completed it in under two hours of total reading time.  The stories come fast and furious and are never dull.

Do I recommend?
Most baseball fans will enjoy reading this book, but it is especially recommended for Dodger fans or fans of Lasorda as this will bring back many good memories.
3848627
The book was received in a timely fashion and in excellent condition as promised.  Part of a book club selection for the year.  We won't read it till later.
1362474
Title: She Calls Me Daddy
Author: Robert Wolgemuth
The book was about: This book was about the seven things that every man must know about raising and building a complete daughter. Robert Wolgemuth frames each chapter as if he was a carpenter or construction worker and was building a daughter. I liked this approach because it was his attempt at connecting to his audience that would be reading the book. The book goes through the basics of raising a daughter, but also goes through some specific examples of how raising a daughter would be different from that of a son.

I loved: I loved the fact that he has some great advice. I have 2 sons and his parenting advice really does stand up against the test of time. My sons are raised with a lot of the advice and techniques that he offers up and some that I hadnt thought about before. Things I didn't love: he often talks about why spanking is a good idea and why he feels that it is a successful way to discipline. I don't agree with that, BUT it does not take away from the value of this book.

Reading this book made me wonder about: I really appreciated that the author has update the book. Sounds like he wrote the original before social media, texting and the like were a thing. So the fact that he went back through the book and rewrote many of the sections showed me how much he cares. I was wondering how his daughters are doing now, but he often references them and how they took this advice and transformed it for their families.

Overall, the book was: I give the book 4 stars out of 5!
1997520
this was an excellent book.  I like Frederick Forsyth although his plots are usually very convoluted I still enjoy reading his books.  I would purchase this book again
756261
This is a very good counter punch to James White. James White come across as an arrogant ***. Sometimes the book is a little tedious but it's a great answer not just to James White but also his brand of Calvinism. It would be a difficult book to read if one isn't familiar with James White. Dave shows a lot of wisdom in not debating James live where James has the edge in being a bully. James falls apart in writing.
4382099
It is a very good book. I would recommend others to read it .
4481909
I rated this book because it was a really interesting books.

I liked this book. One reason is that I never knew that there was a such as an flying frog.

I really really really really really liked this book.
939357
Great Book...... Very detailed as one knows from the very beginning that Mr. Linton has done much research in his development of this book. I love Mathematics and I am very interested in reading and studying how Mathematic was developed. This book shows that the need for many Mathematical Concepts was the reason for the development of many of our mathematics concepts that we may take for granted. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the development of mathematics.
1968696
Title: Mission to Teach: The Life and Legacy of a Revolutionary Educator
Author: Dipak Basu
Reviewer: George Shadow

Summary:
This is the story of the life of an outstanding teacher and educationist, Jhumki Basu, who excelled in her teaching goals despite her having to battle cancer towards the end of her memorable life. This is a heart-wrenching testament to a brilliant woman told by those who loved her most of all and who she had to leave behind in the end.

Social/Historical Context:
Homeless and disadvantaged children need our help. Jhumki is the type of person who never meets and leaves any helpless child without trying to improve his or her life. She fought to introduce the teaching of science to the homeless kids of New York and California. This book dwells on her achievements as well as her challenges in life as told by the father. A foundation had been initiated in her honor.

Writing Style:
Written in first person narration, there is no typographical or grammatical error. The sentences are simple ones and the book is a historical journey into the exemplary life of the author's daughter while she trived to bring education to the slums of New York.

My Thoughts:
This is a very inspirational story and needs to get into the hands of every child educator on this planet.

George Shadow is the author of THE BLACK BOOK.
2058695
Kate Ludeman and Eddie Erlandson have made an important contribution to the field of human resources management with their examination of the Alpha Male Syndrome.  (Business) history is made by alphas, most of them being male.  Ludeman and Erlandson sub-divide the alphas in four categories that are not mutually exclusive: Commander, visionary, strategist, and executor.

The Alpha Male Syndrome represents a mix of positive and not-so-positive behavioral patterns.  Ludeman and Erlandson point out that the talent, drive, and energy that make alphas so effective become their downfall when they are overused, excessive, or misplaced.

Ludeman and Erlandson conclude from their research that hard-driving competitiveness, interpersonal impatience, and difficulty controlling anger are the three major risks against which alphas have to be guarded.  Ludeman and Erlandson also discover in their study that the difference between alphas who progress and alphas who regress is most pronounced in the area of interpersonal relations.  Family, colleagues, and companies can pay a heavy price for the dysfunctional behavior of alphas.

More conscious of the emotional climate, female alphas are more likely than their male alter egos to search for consensus and buy-in rather than impose their will.  This finding is not so surprising when one knows that on average, women are better at empathy and men are better at systemizing.

To their credit, Ludeman and Erlandson give alphas and those who work for alphas tools to polish the sharp edges existing in their relationships.  Finally, Ludeman and Erlandson make recommendations about the well-being of alphas.  Alphas can be their own worst enemies if they do not know how to properly channel their talent, drive, and energy.  Qualified coaching can help alphas make the necessary changes to their benefit and for the well-being of the people around them.
4544207
Found a new author.  I was unfamiar with James Hayman but bought this book through a Kindle special and loved it.  I'm only sorry James Hayman has only written 3 books that I can find but hope he writes more.  I just finished this last night but have already purchased the next one.
3369525
I just finished Larry's book. I thought it was great, really easy to read and funny. I knew Larry was a good storyteller, but I never knew he had such a good story to tell. Now I will sit and wait for the movie.
628686
I have this book.  If you are interested in purchasing it contact me:
Jane Lemerise
4189044
This rating was choosen because the book was in very good condition. I liked it very much. I would recommend this book to anyone. I was really surprised to be able to find this book at all.
2442713
I just wanted to say that I am very happy with my purchase of the book James and the Giant Peach. My daughter needed the book for a class assignment and I received the book sooner than I expected. My daughter absolutely loves the book and says "Mom, you should read this book. It is very funny.". Overall my experience with ordering products through amazon.com has been wonderful. I will continue to fulfill my online services via amazon.com. Thank you.

Jocelyn
3932973
I enjoyed the Lindbergh Case by Jim Fisher.  Some other reviewers found it frustrating because they have difficulty squaring it with some versions of alternative history presented by other authors.  However, as an exhaustive account of the official investigation taken directly from the investigative files, this book can't be beat.  So in that respect it should be a starting point for people interested in this case.

The purpose of research is to review the historical record and available evidence and other author's interpretation of the evidence and to come to each person's own conclusion.  Some people get frustrated because so many different author's have offered different conclusions.  Only if you look at history as black and white should such a conundrum be upsetting.  Surely the purpose of examining the evidence yourself is to come to an independent conclusion.  For example, the answers to the Kennedy puzzle are available if you sift through much of the work on the subject(hint: elements within the CIA carried out the assissination w/operational assistance from individuals linked to the Mafia).  The Lindbergh case is similar in that many author's have written books with alternative conclusions; this book is an excellent and entertaining way to become familiar with government's version of events.  Recommended.