Something is missing in this book...
358436
The Handbook of Large Group Methods: Creating Systemic Change in Organizations and Communities
by Barbara Benedict Bunker

I have read the earlier book, 'Large Group Interventions: Engage the Whole System for Rapid Change', by the same authors, in the late nineties. This book actually led me to their new book.

Although I find it very educational to read about how large group methods have been applied to deal with the six major challenges organisations & communities would face in the 21st Century:

- Working with widely dispersed organizations, & the problem of involvement and participation;
- Working with organizations facing a serious business crisis;
- Working with organizations in polarized & politicized environments;
- Working in community settings with diverse interest groups;
- Working at the global level & adapting these methods for cross-cultural use;
- Embedding & sustaining new patterns of working together in organizations and communities;

the part of the book that interests & fascinates me most is essentially the third section, covering Resources for Large Group Methods, as follows:

- Tools for Effective Transitions Using Large Group Processes;
- Graphic Facilitation & Large Group Methods;
- Using Interactive Meeting Technologies: Overcoming the Challenges of Time, Commitment & Geographical Disperion;

It goes to show that the collaborative technologies & tools to support large group interventions have made tremendous progress over the last few years.

I am quite intrigued as why the innovative work in embracing group genius of other consultants are not featured in the book, e.g. Jim Channon (large system imagineering with virtual reality experience) & Matt Taylor (creative augmentation with the artful integration of visual space technologies, collaborative environments & knowledge-intensive work processes). I have read about their respective exemplary work in 'Fortune' & 'Fast Company' magazines as well as in some other business books. This is my only adverse comment about the book.

On the whole, the book is a good resource to have in your personal library.
279507
The book was something of a disappointment.  There are
many bells & whistles near the beginning indicating that
something great is going to happen, but at the end it is
not a great event.
Fred & George Weasley's humour is perhaps the best part
of the book.  Zacharias Smith also intrigued me, but
Rowling apparently forgot he was there after a few
chapters.
Professor Umbridge is funny and (nastily) interesting.
But the real conflict is not between Harry & Voldemort,
but between Harry's friends who know Voldemort is a real
threat, and the corrupt and incompetent politicians in
the Ministry of Magic who want to deny that, because it
might upset their own comfortable applecart.
I don't think JKR was quite in control of her own
materials for some part of this book; perhaps too much
fame too soon, or maybe the story I heard about dis-
covering a character who shouldn't be there yet and
having to revise the book from the beginning.  (Not sure
if that's a true rumor, but I heard it.)
Anyway, I hope books 6 & 7 will be better.  In my opinion,
books 3 (Prisoner of Azkaban) & 4 (Goblet of Fire) are
the best in the series so far.  Also, I love the charac-
ters, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid, McGonagall,
etc.  I wonder what the books would be like if they
hadn't achieved so much fame so early on?  I suspect they
would all 7 be published by now, and they might be a bit
shorter.
Anyway, all good wishes to J.K. Rowling.  Is she perhaps
just a bit similar to Sybill Trelawney?
3554924
I love the concept of this book, but there was so much lacking.
There was very little relational development between any of the characters, no building of relationships. And I'm not just talking about romantic relationships, either. It felt like none of the characters really connected with each other, and when scenes that could have been so emotional and heart wrenching occurred, I couldn't bring myself to care because I never had a chance to get attached to them in the first place.
Also, I didn't like the lack of explanation for a lot of the actions. Things start happening, and the reader just kind of has to muddle through without knowing Why this thing is happening. Its kind of annoying.
I wish that I had been more invested in the story, because like I said, the concept is intriguing. But I probably won't be buying any following books in the series, unfortunately.
283361
The cover promises the prospective reader might hold a "a complete guide" to self-hypnosis in his hands. Various methods are offered indeed but one - and in my opinion the most practical and effective - is missing: the work of Dave Elman. I don't know why the name of Elman is left out in this book?
3574145
I bought this book based on it's title.  Unfortunately, it fails to meet the expectations.  I'm sorry I paid for it in hardback.
What I liked about this book.  Lots of interesting an inspiring quotes.  So many infact, that this book might be improved by removing the remaining content, and turning this into a quote a day calendar.  It's too much of a good thing, and often the quotes are included for no apparent reason.
To be fair, the stories are interesting, but the writing is not compelling.  I could not identify with the author or the people who chose to write about, because they all seemed so priveledged.
Furthermore, although the author is supposedly trying to illustrate the ethical and humanistic evolution of the people he describes, he validates their experiences with the same values system.  Money, status, prestige.  He never transcends this.
Despite all this, there's something essential in this book, that makes me want to read it again, make some notes, and then give the book away.  There is a certain noble spirit of possibility.
If I were the editor of this book, I would ask the author to remove over half the quotes, since less is more.  I would also suggest that he reduce the number of stories, since by the end, the way he tells the stories is formula.  In fact, I think that the strongest part of the book is "Judy Wick's Ministry," and perhaps this book could have used her as a single example.
I would suggest two other books, to people attracted to this book by the title.  One is Zen and the art of making a living and the other is Think and Grow Rich
4430787
This is not a bad book, it just didn't meet my expectations.
1892031
The book is well written - the author has a gifted use of the English language.  I was surprised at how well I was able to follow the timeline - he is a good author.

There are some good insights into issues related to adoption, identity theft, and schizophrenia, however I felt the author only delved into it part-way.  Yes, beyond surface level, but not enough for anyone to truly understand what the characters were dealing with in a meaningful way.  There were many parts of the book that seemed completely irrelevant to the story or the language of the book.  It seemed like there was "filler" descriptions of things just to be there - no point really.

I was very disappointed in this book - hoping for much more from it.  I can't complain - it's a decent read.  It's just not something I would look forward to again.
4188577
This book, like all of the others in this series, is well-written and very engaging.  But...  You knew there would be a but.  But this one doesn't seem to go anywhere.  Not on it's own.  Rather than being a major addition to the series, this book seems like more of a transition.  Or a breather between major chapters in the series as a whole.  The entire book seems to be the characters taking stock of their situations, some back story for the reader, and some shading for what is going to be coming in future installments.  The major plot point that everything is supposedly building up to is resolved in a matter of pages at the end of the book.  Without much fanfare, just the possible loss of a minor character in the process.  Throwing herself nobley on the grenade, so to speak.  Or rather, snake, as the case may be.  But that is it.  You get a lot of cryptic remarks made by all kinds of people.  But no outright statements, that would fill the reader in as to what was happeneing, and to who.  Think of it along the lines of an old Saturday matinee serial.  That is what the whole book is like.  One giant teaser for things to come, with the plot tossed in like an afterthought.  And of course it ends with yet another cliff-hanger.  Or series of cliff-hangers in all of the sub-plots.  While I am sure that it makes for good sales, it is really annoying for us readers.  This one was good for exposition, but lacked the meat found in the other books.  Personally I think it would have been better to release this as part of a larger book.  It was too short and too lacking for a stand-alone novel.  I gave it a 4 out of 5 because while it may not be at the same level as the other books in this series, his wrting is still well worth the time.
2942905
In perusing the book, I found it to be somewhat of a dissapointment.  Technologies and terminologies which were present during its publication  are not listed (snp's, est's).  In addition, other terms I find are  innapropriate for the book which, regardless of a persons background,  should be obvious (dissatisfaction, five-line address, Netscape Navigator).  Hopefully a revised/expanded edition is planned for 2000/01.
1758307
Ok, i have no idea where to start. i have been reviewing books for the Orgonian for ages, but I feel it hard to review this book for the fact that i find it incomplete. it is only part of a book, as are all the books in this series, for they will not be complete until joined tgether in the end... but the faults of this harry potter book are classic mistakes made by all authors, and i knew that at this point in the writing of the seiers, this was going to happen. This, my friends, is your classic middle series book. it lacks a true begining and end, and really doesn't make any new definaitions in ther series, it is just telling a story that is incomplete, for it has not happend yet. such books as the subtle knife, and the two towers also had the same fate, but this book has other problems that seperate it from any other middle series books, and that is the length...
  I was thrilled to see rowling had written a whoping 870 pages, because after the amazing goblet of fire, i figured that she was an author who operated better with more pages, adn the ability to give readers time to adjust, but i find myself in-correct, as i realize there is about enough content in this book, to last only a lucky 400 pages, which makes one wonder what she does with the other 470 in the book that i claim non exsistant story. well it's her doing several things...
- turning harry into my 3 year old after breaking into the candy drawer
- turning cho chang into an emotional crying mess
- elimantating some charecters completely from the story in order to make room for much more boring, less interesting ones
- giving harry fits of rage
- turning sirius into a semi-hateful person
- more tantrums
- hermione turns into harrys love doctor
- harry cries some more
- etc...
  There just isn't enough in this book, and she spent too long trying to get to the school. though as you can see i still give it 3 stars... thats because i see that the story faults are just what reviews call "middle series syndrome," and other that that my only other problem is the horrible length... there are things that will keep ytou interested, but just not enough... all i can say is that if j.k's editor's are too afraid to edit the prodigy that is harry potter, than i hope she learns how to do it herself before she ruins two more books...
4458042
SPOILER ALERT: I really enjoyed the previous books in the series but I thought this one fell a bit short.  The idea is a great one...a workaholic pediatrician meets a man with a special needs child and they need to find a way to make it work.  First, there was never any reference to Jillian's actual work in the book.  There was talk of her working long hours but there was never a mention of the patients she saw or any that touched her heart.  Suddenly her biological clock goes off and she wants a man and lots of sex.  Enter a man from her past with whom she had a sizzling one night stand.  He is a single father dealing with his son's autism and feeling as though he isn't doing enough.  This could have been a much better story if they had introduced Jillian to the man's son in more than just the last few pages of the book.  She wants to be part of his "real life" but the introduction, when it FINALLY happens, goes too smoothly and there are no scenes where she experiences the trials that he has to go through.  I think it could have  been much better.  Also, in the previous books, each of the men was supportive of the woman's hopes/dreams.  That wasn't the case in this book at all.
3604888
not sufficient information. missing many things of importance
623811
I wanted to love this book. At least, I wanted to like it.

However, I don't feel that it delivers what the title suggests. The tone inside the book isn't as inclusive as I'd like. In some passages, it's downright dogmatic.  Like another reviewer, I wanted to ask the author, "Okay... where did THAT come from?"

If it had been simple prayers, chosen from the Bible -- even a very modern version -- that would have made me happy.  Really, a seven-page book of powerful Psalms would have been fine.

Unfortunately, the tone and the opinions (even if the author feels they're inspired)... they turned me off just a few pages into this book, and I'm someone who reads Scripture daily.

The cover of the book is lovely. The title of the book drew me right in.

But then the contents lost me pretty quickly.  I'm glad it's inspiring and meaningful for others, but it wasn't right for me.
2925922
I found through using this book for a few weeks that there are missing items on the shopping list and recipes plus it's super tiny and some of the recipes didn't turn out so well.  I also think a susitution list would have been nice.  Example....dinners..i hate curry so if the author would have added a list of dinners, lunches and breakfasts (eat in any combo or don't eat more then x amount of day) it would make it a bit easier.  A list of snacks would have been helpful too. I also think the book is missing a lot of information.  Like why is there a fat bomb coffee...what is a fat bomb, why do you need it.  What I'm trying to say is I wanted more information about how it works, why it works, lists of meals so I can make me own choices and what i do after the 30 days are up.
3445090
My two kids (as well as their father and I) LOVE Erica Silverman's other books about Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa.  We couldn't wait for this one to come out.  Well, it arrived the other day and I have to admit that we're all a bit disappointed.  Unlike her other books which is written so sweetly to accompany the terrific pictures, this one seemed to be a book that Erica "cranked out" just to get another book out on the market.  It's a bit lacking in its story-line.  Had I no read her other books, I'm not sure if I would have run out to purchase another one by her.

As for her first two books, "Cowgirl Kate/Cocoa" and "Partners", they can't be beat!  They are first rate and simply wonderful!
2282073
I am in the minority here but that's ok. Different strokes for different folks. :-) Let me start by saying that I think this book had loads of potential. I always love books that revolve around music but this book was just lacking something for me. I like that Deacon and Eli had a bit of a history and that was very sweet but I feel like once they met again that it all just happened so fast. I get they had a connection and they were super attracted to each other but they seemed to have met (again), had sex and moved in together (yes he went home on weekends but he basically lived with Eli). I also feel like the situation involving Tony, Vito and Angela was missing something as well. I came away from this book not feeling emotionally attached to either Deacon or Eli. I do intend on reading other titles from this author in the future.
2 stars
2369224
Feels like it is missing a few additional closing chapters (even as a novella) - kinda ties into Book 3, but needs a secondary adventure.