Durkin does a great job making the case for the importance of a ...
351260
This is an invaluable book for not only martial arts school owners but business owners in general.  Mr. Durkin does a great job making the case for the importance of a customer-centric model of business that so many give lip service to but often fail to execute.  The business literature is swamped with ample texts advocating the importance of great customer service.  Where this book excels is in its authenticity.  As you read through the stories and anecdotes, you get the sense that 1) the author really walks his talk and 2) this is not management theory d'jour but time tested, disciplined, well executed advice.  As far as the applicability to martial arts school owners, a notoriously independent group with a wide variety of business backgrounds, this is a must read.  There are no short cuts or get rich quick schemes in this wonderful read, only solid advice from a professional.  Enjoy!
3774787
A "must read" for the election year. This book makes a convincing case for retiring America's use of the GDP. While many European countries can demonstrate economic growth and stability, their people can also boast the highest quality of life and the greatest levels of happiness (health care for all, employment with sustainable wages, top level education.) By comparison the Unites States, which has a high GDP, is economically unstable and the quality of life for the average American has declined dramatically over the past 30 years (high infant mortality, low education achievement, and declining life expectancy). Among the many recommendations in the book, the authors believe that it is time to replace the GDP with a new set of measures - ones that will allow us to do the most good, for the most people for the longest period of time. We can put the lessons from the Great Depression, modern Europe, our recent financial collapse and measures like Gross National Happiness to good use as a basis for beginning this process
3280274
David Silverman does a very good job of presenting his case for the need of the secular community to be direct, in the face of overwhelming religiosity.
1613408
David Faris's prescriptions for the ills of America are worth thinking about seriously.  He makes a plausible argument that if Democrats can deny Trump legislative victories, and if Democrats take back the House in 2018 and the Senate and the Presidency in 2020, they can restructure American politics so that the playing field is not tilted by 5% to 12% against Democrats. They can do this with a series of reforms which do not require Constitutional amendments. Here's what he suggests:

  Democrats must erase the structural voting advantage Republicans have in the House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court by
  - granting statehood to Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico
  - dividing California up into six or seven new states
  - increasing the size of the House to, say, 870 members
  -increasing the size of the Supreme Court to eleven or thirteen members, and passing legislation along the lines of Gabe Roth's Fix the Court proposal
  - replacing the first-past-the-post voting system for members of Congress with something along the lines of the Fair Representation Act (HR 3057)
  Democrats must pass a new modern Voting Rights Act which would
  - invalidate all voter-ID laws
  - mandate expansive early and absentee voting practices
  - implement an opt-out, automatic voter registration system
  - restore the voting rights of all ex-felons
  - create a National Election Holiday, preferably not in the middle of winter, and ideally for an entire weekend

Faris lays out his argument in the 25 pages of the "Introduction" in some of the best calling-a-spade-a-spade prose I have ever seen. He fleshes out his argument in the remaining 159 pages. (I wish there were an index)

I blasted through the book in just 2 days, so it's an easy read  and a fun read. But make no mistake, it won't be easy, but it's also necessary.

BTW, Faris makes it clear that his focus is structural reform, not public policy. He doesn't deny the need for many new policies to make America great again; he just thinks that those policies have zero chance of passing until the playing field is leveled so that Republicans don't have an effective veto over policies that in fact the majority of Americans favor.
3224168
This is a very exciting book.  Brettschneider takes a controversial position and succeeds in making it extremely plausible, addressing our fears of Big Brother, state propaganda, and totalitarianism by showing that if the message it sends is appropriate, state education in values is not only permissible but really what makes the most sense. In some ways the state already expresses values by its actions, but too often that message is muted, and we see in the too common instances of political hate-mongering a general failure to understand what democracy is really about. Brettschneider recommends making the implicit explicit, so the state creates a public with a much better understanding of the values of democracy and respect for the individual.  The book is clearly written, and directly pertinent to current affairs.  I recommend it highly.
4337651
Mackin's book provides a concise assemblage of historical events which contribute to the current state of economic affairs. It seems to be not meant to be political, but rather points out the urgent need for a new set of priorities so as to stabilize and improve the American economy. Mackin's view is valuable when determining what each of us can do to right the national ship. I'm recommending the book to my friends who care about the country, and aren't too "busy" to ignore their opportunity/responsibility.
964933
Although I'm not a proponent for Wilson's position, I read this book for the same reason Wilson wrote it:

To hear the case for Why Minister Must be Men.

And to that point I feel Wilson has done a great job of presenting the case, giving Christians a lot of things to think about. Which is a very good thing.
3897832
A compelling argument for an  issue vitally important for all of us.  It costs nothing to accept the premises but it could cost a lot to reject it.
1336655
Dr. Wiley has written a concise primer on many of the social issues that, particularly in this very contentious political year, should be carefully evaluated by every American. Whether one is of voting age or not, the topics presented in the twelve chapters in his book should be reflected on as these are items that everybody who wishes to be a productive citizen who wishes to contribute to the common good of society should address. The book offers the subjects in a logical manner and each chapter includes talking points that would facilitate discussion groups for those wishing to seek answers to why certain events are happening that seem to decrease our quality of life and what might be done to change our lives for the better.  This would be an excellent book for those who have not read a lot on these topics and want an introduction to critical thinking without having to enroll in a course at an educational institution.  It is a true primer and will encourage the reader to seek out other sources of information to expand on the topics discussed in the book.  Please read it before you vote this year.
97060
This is much more than the usual pop psychology self help pulp. It analyses decision making from instantaneous "gut" reactions through to strategic planning for organizations. As an inveterate procrastinator it was not only validating but reassuring to know that it is worth taking those extra seconds/minutes/days when possible, and the value of a decision that is not only timely but well informed. The author makes a valid distinction between speed for its own sake and speed within the limitation (or generosity) of the circumstances. A good read with a valid message - in the rush to be seen as decisive, slow down and make the right decision, lest you end up being decisively wrong!
1001455
This is an extremely important contribution to health care policy debates. In a nutshell, he provides a clear case against the intense focus on reducing the 30% "waste" in the U.S. healthcare system that has been an organizing principle among policymakers for at least the last decade, if not more. I agree with other reviewers that one flaw in the book is that it skews too much towards absolving providers of the responsibilities of delivering high quality, efficient health care. However, Cooper makes the compelling case that even if providers are held to the absolute highest standards, there is only so much that can be done if deep poverty persists. I also appreciate his commentary on how the solution to high health care spending in the U.S. may not be solved by changing the health care system. Addressing poverty requires much more holistic interventions that increase economic and educational opportunities, and ensure safe and healthy living environments.
1933133
There's a whole lot to think about in this book.  Most of us have been raised believing that giving to charities is noble and valuable.  Indeed, it is.  However, not all charities are equal.  Choosing where to give is important.

William MacAskill has given us a trustworthy guide.  The first half of his book studies five questions we should ask and have answered before choosing.  In the second half, we see altruism in action.

This is an important book and recommended to all.
1866266
Tough's book combines detailed studies with anecdotal narrative making it a compelling read. One learns about brain studies as well as numerous approaches to working with severely economically disadvantaged students from middle school through college. He also focuses on The  Riverdale School in NYC, a school for very bright and economically advantaged students, to show how many of the same strategies used to support and develop "character" work as well there as they do in KIPP schools and schools in the poorest sections of Chicago. Through these studies, Tough makes a compelling case for perseverance, conscientiousness, staying focused (or "grit") as well as optimism even in the face of failure as crucial to success in school, college and life. The last chapter details a plan that would change the face of public health & education. i wish it existed now. The part I most remembered from my first reading, other than the basic premise of the book, were the chapters on chess, a game I don't play, that showed graphically the effect of hard work combined with sometimes brutally honest feedback challenging the player to think even more strategically, to avoid impulsivity, and to believe in him/herself. I would recommend this book (and have) to teachers, school boards (I am a trustee of a school in Maine), parents, and students (in high school and college). That is, I feel EVERYONE should read this book. It is that important. It also is quite short:197 pages.
3870530
Gerry Spence explained in this book how to define one's case and argue it.  He gets down to the greater fundamentals, looking at the big picture.  The issues at hand are often part of a larger theme.  One does well to uderstand the larger theme.  Whether in or out of the courtroom, this book has served to remind me of the greater issues of life.
3703093
George Friedman takes an almost entirely strategic view of the world, which is refreshing in an American environment in which virtually everything has become highly politicized.  His focus is on what the United States will need to do in the next decade in maintaining a "balance of power" in the world.  His premise is that--like it or not--America remains the world's lone super power, and thus its focus needs to be on fostering a strategic advantage through actions that maintain balance in the world's major regions.  As an avid reader especially of world and U.S. politics, I confess his perspective was in some ways new to me.  While I don't agree with every conclusion, this book provides much food for thought and I would recommend it highly for any student of America and its place in the world.  Mr. Friedman differentiates between "moral" decisions and "strategic" decisions, if I understand him correctly.  Occasionally he steps on my sensibilities but once I understood his framework what he says makes far more sense than what we currently read and hear in our politically charged environment.  This is no nonsense reading!  I liked it so well that I plan to read his book on the next hundred years (which perhaps I should have read first)!
3405087
Professor Hale's history of the American jury system is well organized and expressed in layman's language. If you question whether our government serves the citizenry and wish to support those institutions that will strengthen our democracy, this is required reading. We take for granted that all citizens are equal under the law, that the executive branch diligently executes the laws faithfully and that criminals will be energetically prosecuted but we see examples that those time-honored principles are ignored when the well-connected are found out. At a time when there is no draft, a small percentage of citizens actually vote, less than half pay taxes and the media is mistrusted, the jury is an effective institution, populated by ordinary citizens.  Jury verdicts affect not only particular cases, but often ripple throughout the polity and have an impact far beyond the particular case. The power of the ordinary citizen sitting on a jury cannot be ignored and the decline of the use of the jury must be monitored.  Professor Hale explains how the jury came to be, how it developed into a crucial portion of our governance and why it must be protected.

Professor Hale clearly traces the sources and history of  issues influencing the use of juries and explains why the jury system is important to Americans.  The basis for intelligent analysis and debate is presented. Indeed, most of us may not become alarmed when we read that our appellate courts are asked to consider foreign law when the issues are purely American nor is there a general outcry when there is a movement to avoid American law by permitting residents to use non-state tribunals like religious courts that apply religious principles at odds with American values; but those who recognize what is at stake are alarmed.

At a time when the Federal government operates through a vast bureaucracy; administering thousands of pages of detailed regulations, levying huge fines and deciding issues that impose substantial costs that cascade through the economy, the small businessman is rolled over.  Only a jury of his or her peers can empathize with that predicament and make a decision based on community concepts of justice. The jury is thus a fundamental part of the political process and it has the last word; the courts may not ignore its findings of fact and verdicts.

From its inception a critical issue was whether the jury was a mere finder of facts and bound to accept the law as instructed by the judge or whether the jury also had the right to apply the facts to a legal principle as the jurors may believe is more fair and just. When I took a course in the Development of Legal Institutions at Columbia Law School in 1963 I was disappointed in its failure to cover the history and importance of the jury.  This book answered all of my questions.  I recommend the book to all who love reading about out wonderful nation and I also recommend that Columbia Law School adopt the book as part of program.
676439
This is a wonderful study of judicial independence - from the judges point of view. Vanberg tries to show that judges require the cooperation cooperation of the other branches of government in order to enforce their rulings, and hence they are vulnerable if elites try to evade the court's decision. Vanberg shows that public opinion can be the crucial link that compels the elite to abide by the court's decision. What I really like about the book is that Vanberg combines game theoretic, statistical, and qualitative methods in making his case. While the sections on Germany did not interest me as much, Vanberg is very good about generalizing his argument so it can be applied anywhere. Highly recommended.