What the title promises, but no more
353529
O'Neill turns out a serviceable record of notable bits of China's history from the Stone Age up until the immediately post-Mao era.  A long collection of brief articles, this book is not suited to being read all the way through in one sitting; it is meant to be consulted as a reference.  It is quite serviceable in that role, though it doesn't really excel.  If you were reading a more detailed work, O'Neill's book would be useful as something to consult if the more detailed work didn't explain its references.  Its internal cross-referencing could be a little better, but it's not useless.  If you have no knowledge of Chinese history, this is not a good place to start - but if you have a little and you're looking for help, this is a bargain.  Serious students of Chinese history, though, will probably not find it useful.
4538171
Much of the same as with the other book, "surpassing certainty" in which the title does not make sense to me, but what ever I guess it sells.
4371779
I found the title to be a bit misleading. I admit I didn't do any research before buying the book ,but the title led me to believe the book was about methods for the individual creative person to overcome creative blocks but in actuality it was about how to manage a company in a way that fosters creativity. It was, however, still interesting to learn about the history and methods of Pixar as both a former student of animation and as someone who admires Pixar's consistent excellence in a field where many companies seem to let quick profits dictate their creative decision making. I enjoyed reading about Pixar's dedication to the art of storytelling.

Catmull has written a great book that reads effortlessly. There is no technical jargon to distract the reader from the philosophical principles of management which allows them to shine through. If I ever own my own business, I will most likely come back to this book for advice. Ultimately though I had to give it three stars for the misleading title and personal narratives that felt tangential and excessive at times.
1904874
Although the book title leads us to believe that Dr. Duke will focus on 13 herbs, he includes about three times that many in his book and discusses them in detail. He tells what the herbs are, how they should be taken and in what quantities, and what possible drawbacks there are.

This sounds like a very interesting book, but I question the validity of some of the author's claims. First, he emphasizes quantity. All herbs he suggests should be taken "as much as you can stand", and "lots of it" (his favorite words). Second, he believes that (low-cost) herbal teas are inferior to (expensive) herbal pills. Third, he uses the same language as the pharmaceutical industry. While pharma-companies, for example, advertise that you need not worry about heartburn from hot Mexican meals as long as you take their pills that prevent it, Dr. Duke says that you can go on an alcohol binge and not worry about a gout attack as long as you take celery seeds. Not a very responsible advice. Fourth, Dr. Duke tells us throughout the book which herbs he himself takes and in what quantities. Considering the amounts he takes, I  wonder if there is any room left in his stomach for actual food. Fifth, the book's title makes you think that Dr. Duke can disease-proof your body, but Dr. Duke admits that he suffers from quite a number of common ailments. So, obviously, the title is inflated. And so may be some of his claims inside the book.

Some of his information is quite useful, especially when he makes cross-comparisons with other edible/medicinal plants, for example horse chestnut, buckwheat, and gingko and tells us how they could help reduce or prevent spider and varicose veins. I was fascinated though, that his own wife does not seem to trust his herbal knowledge and prefers to look for help elsewhere.
4800565
Steven has put forwards some lasting principles which if well imbibed, will lead to a much better and satisfied life. I would like to point out though that ALL his ideas are a degenerated form of deeper true spiritual writings of the Hindu Vedas. I read 7 habbits first, and several years later I read the teachings of the Vedas. And with every passing page of the Vedas I was more and more  convinced how Steven has moulded these teachings to a material form which the ordinary man, that he has become today, can grasp. The advice is good and help one improve: the principles are the DHARMAS of social life. They are the first step towards the Ultimate...but definitely not the solution. If you want to know and live the Truth, I suggest:

"Essays on the Gita" by Sri Aurobindo. It is timeless, in the truest sense.
3617565
I haven't read the book the title looks interesting though. I will read it once I finish my other book. :)
1309893
In addition to delivering what she promises in the title, the author uses web links in her references. Well worth the read.
4539629
Interesting title. However, the book is only tangentially related to such a concept. One has to wonder if the title was chosen intentionally to sell copies to readers of Hitchens, Dawkins, Demmett, et. al.

I did find the book interesting, but really wasn't planning on reading a rearranged text from speeches the author has given (the introduction states that that is what the book is). Given who the author is, the book of course is highly focused on issues of communism and economics. Again, not what I was really looking for.

Admittedly, when Mr. Avakian DID address the connection between religion and economics, he made some VERY interesting points; many of which I'd not considered. Sadly, those sections of the book amounted to only a few pages here and there. A good blog post could cover those concepts.

If I'd wanted to read about communism and religion, this would be a good book. I didn't, so I felt that I'd been intentionally mislead by the choice of title.
2530001
The subtitle pretty much sums up the book. Growing from his love for VIC AND SADE, the author explores some of the deeper meanings and themes beneath the absurdity and humor. The book has what you are probably looking for and expecting to find: A brief biography about Paul Rhymer and the origin and early years of Vic and Sade. A study of mass culture during the 1930s and 1940s and how it influenced the characters on Vic and Sade, is explored in detail. A history of motion-pictures during the era, reading on the porch, community service and other aspects are explored as they relate to the radio program. The closing chapter covers an aspect of the series that has been undocumented in prior publications: the later efforts to revive the series -- including the COLGATE COMEDY HOUR.

This book features a history of the radio program, but only interlaced throughout the book, sprinkled with excerpts of script reprints. There is no episode guide or chronological documentation with a date-by-date broadcast schedule (network, broadcast time, cast changes, etc.). I know that would be a major challenge to any author, especially when you have to consider how large the book would become if there was an episode guide, but since most books about old-time radio published in the last decade include some sort of episode guide or broadcast log, it was expected. Taking on such a challenge would be both exhausting and rewarding at the same time. Such an effort would overshadow all future books people may be inspired to write about VIC AND SADE. I have two others such as the late Bill Idelson, a cast member, who wrote THE STORY OF VIC AND SADE in 2007 for Bear Manor Media, and a book of scripts published prior.

If what you are seeking is a "cultural history," in what many describe as a "critical analysis," which McFarland statistically publishes more of every year, or want to explore the program deeper than it has ever been explored, this is a great book. If you are looking for a historical perspective of documentary nature, covering minute details ranging from the sale of screen rights, salary costs and exclusive memories and recollections from cast and crew, you will find it in small doses sprinkled throughout the book.

One such example is a chapter that opens with pages 106 to 108 devoted to the history of motion-pictures and the industry of Hollywood. VIC AND SADE is not referenced until page 109. And the two photographs on page 108 and 109 are of old movie palaces and theaters from 1935 and 1939 -- and have nothing to do with the radio program VIC AND SADE. I only criticize (briefly) because the title of the book is VIC AND SADE ON RADIO. A friend of mine looked over the book and said it was "padded." But I disagree. The book is a cultural look at a time gone by when life seemed innocent and cheery and folks were friendly instead of hostile. VIC AND SADE captured the essence and the book captures VIC AND SADE. Don't let my "opinions" convince you to avoid this superb book. After all, I did give it five stars. If you are a fan of VIC AND SADE, this is the book for you. Buy it today.
3526050
Gene Lalor has written an erudite and concise work, called A Immodest Proposal for Ending and Winning the War on Terror: A Curmudgeon's Plan for Survival, which is more a critique of our politically correct culture than it is a book concerning foreign policy, however, so the title is somewhat misleading. The "immodest proposal" is a reference to Jonathan Swift's "modest proposal" which Lalor uses to illustrate that what he's saying is far from extreme (by comparison). He offers a two phase plan for winning the war, but does not do so until the text's final 25 pages. Thus, what he really seeks to do is cure a sick society. There's no question, in my mind at least, that he's 100 percent right with the diagnosis. The author is a retired teacher who has spent considerable time observing our public square. He has read voluminously and incorporates his learning into his narrative without making the pages burdensome. The world has changed much since he was a young man and mostly for the worse. Lalor peers into the future and he sees what Pippen sees when he gazes into the Palantr in The Lord of the Rings. His analysis is not charred by bitterness though. Lalor has a sense of humor and practices what he preaches. The achievements of his sons Bill and Kieran suggest to me that he's a fine father and a good man. I hope he writes more in the future.
1236870
An alternate sub-title for this book could be: "Leaving Supernatural Beliefs Behind."  Caught in the Pulpit should be widely read for the issues it raises about the roles of the clergy and the future of churches in an increasingly secular, pluralistic society.  Its major value is in stimulating the kinds of conversations that need to be ongoing among believers, non-believers, atheists, humanists, Christians, adherents of the world's religions, and all those who care about creating a humane world for all peoples.  The authors describe many kinds of faith and unfaith, focusing on both 1) clergy who struggle to maintain their integrity in institutions that are changing and who are supported by their members even when their understandings differ; and 2) churches that are evolving in a cultural context that no longer provides a "sacred canopy" to support their world views. (Full disclosure: I was "Rick," one of the original five "subjects" in the study in 2010; I was an "outlier" who never felt "caught").
  Neither clergy nor religious communities have a clear blueprint for how to adapt.  The authors prescribe strong doses of honesty, but they do not provide many positive or practical suggestions for moving beyond the ancient "atheist versus theist" debates, or how churches as social institutions might be helped to change.  But they do give an inside glimpse into some of the problems that must be confronted if religious communities and their leaders are to evolve into cultural movements capable of continuing to contribute to creative human transformation and ecological flourishing.
  Dennett and LaScola persuasively describe the discomfort of clergy who can no longer affirm "acceptable" orthodoxy.  They also consider the potential evolutionary extinction of churches.  They wonder whether removing supernatural elements from beliefs about God, the Bible, Jesus, creeds, and doctrines might help churches evolve into more relevant social movements in our increasingly secular scientific culture.
  While the purpose of the study was to raise questions, I wish they could have done more to identify already existing non-supernatural ways to interpret and re-construct religions that honor the humane values that non-believers and believers alike can affirm.  Some theologians, biblical scholars, church bodies, and progressive clergy are contributing to these efforts of reimagining, drawing on the core historical principle of many churches: "reformed and always reforming."
  Yet the authors are correct in their assessment that while many liberal and evangelical churches have made significant contributions to ethical discourse, social justice, human rights, and equality for gays, women, and racial/ethnic communities, most of them have not updated their statements of faith to reflect our modern scientific world view (which, it must be admitted, has itself not been free from violence, war, repression and bloody conflict).  Finally, the book leaves open the question of whether the churches will evolve or die.  That may be partly up to courageous clergy like those in this study, to the religious communities which formed them, and to whether there can be cooperation between them and the emerging communities of humanists and freethinkers that are evolving alongside them.
  -Mark Rutledge
575520
Great title, grand concept, but this book is neither a serious policy analysis nor something the consumer can employ to improve their access to health care.  Dr. Beauchamp has made some acute diagnoses on what's wrong with the health care system, but fails to provide credible prescriptions.
2511253
A good book. Has a lot of good information, but falls short of the promise they make on the cover
4348921
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. However, be forewarned. This claims to be "a clear, easy-to-understand guide to reinventing yourself", but where is the "you" in the title? It's all about the Gussins and no direct advice. Basically, it's a book about how THEY did it; changing gears and moving from work you have to do to work you want to do. I would have appreciated some practical advice along the way. Also, the two authors retired from upper management positions at a major pharmaceutical company, probably making mid-six figures a year between the two of them. Certainly not the average American retiree salary, which I believe is closer to $45,000. A more relevant read would be Stan Hinden's "How to Retire Happy (3rd Ed.)", also available at Amazon
1867171
The title is very long and can be misleading: permanently seems quite a long shot, as we all have several factors that occur and can help change our diet/routines (ie age, health, et al). The book starts of good, telling the readers how habits work, and you'll need to have a goal in order for the program to work. Thing is, in order for a goal to work, you'll need to establish your mindset first, which requires further reading/information. If you don't have that mindset yet, then this book will just be another one you might just skim over and try for a few days, and ultimately fail.

The red font in some areas of the book can get quite annoying, but this is another book that you may want to consider if you are looking for alternate means of dieting/getting slimmer
3762506
I gave the book three stars rather than four or five because it doesn't deliver what the title promises and the cover is all hype -- but the book does deliver some very worthwhile guidance.
What to Do (WTD) will be best suited to the midlife career changer with valuable skills -- self-motivated folks who just need direction. I like the book's down-to-earth no-nonsense tone.
Good parts:
List of career-killers -- not new to anyone who's been out in the world, but well-stated and worth reviewing
Discussion of interviewing for information and network: very realistic
Discussion of internet job search is right on!
Discussion of starting a business is better than average (but I like my own "are you ready" checklist better!)
Salary negotiations section is excellent
Weak parts:
Self-assessment (lists of values and skills were very ordinary and won't be helpful to most)
Recommendation to take tests: rarely useful for mid-career managers or professionals
Relocation section: My book on this topic, Making the Big Move, is two hundred pages long -- two pages can't do justice to the topic and may be misleading.
I wish the author had focused more on interview and resume strategies; interestingly, she does not include a discussion of resumes at all.  I suspect that her strength lies in the nuts-and-bolts of job search and I wish she had included more on those topics.
I had to smile when I read her section on how to find a career counselor. Everyone who writes a book includes a  list of "must have" qualifications for an advisor and, amazingly, those qualifications are all held by the author!
With a degree in counseling, this author urges us to find a vocational counselor. However, vocational counseling experience helps younger job seekers. Midlife, mid-career professionals need different sources of help.  Recent books that target this market tend to be written by experienced professionals who have advanced degrees and life experience.
There are valuable nuggets here  and I wish the author would write a meaty book, based on what she knows well, rather than an overview that is too sketchy in some places to be a useful guide.
906120
Delivers on the title promise and useful, but not a complete user guide. It heps a lot to be able to quickly look up a menu item and learn what it does. Contains some useful setting suggestions as well. This plus Google searches on a topic may be all you need.