essential resource, accessible and comprehensive
592934
Harvard law professor Michael Klarman contributes an outstanding resource to our understanding of our country's origins with The Framer's Coup. The title refers to the events and attitudes that might have derailed the document, and the author's approach is not limited to the discussions inside Liberty Hall, but begins with chapters on the flaws in the Articles of Confederation and the economic turmoil in the states prior to the constitutional convention.

Fittingly, Klarman devotes a chapter to the issue of slavery and the Constitution, and I found this very interesting. Later chapters address anti-federalist opinion, the ratification process and the Bill of Rights.

Besides its authoritative and comprehensive nature, this book is valuable because it is eminently readable and accessible, perhaps because there are 182 pages of notes, which contain nuanced material that might have bogged down the text, yet are essential for deeper understanding.

The book concludes with a bibliography and excellent index. And it smells good!
3135428
well worth the read, excellent reference source
2032857
The clear organization and broad scope of this handy reference book make it pretty much an essential resource for both radiology students and practitioners outside the field who need to understand more.
4057628
Essential research  presented in a clear, understandable style
565759
When I began reading this book, I knew it was a textbook and expected the normal dry, wordy textbook in which information is buried under an avalance of prose.  I was delighted to find a work that was clear, complete, informative, and interesting to read.  I found that I looked forward to each chapter and subject.  The information is presented in prose, lists of important topics, and highlighting of certain need-to-know material in such a way that cross-refencing and finding previously studied material are amazingly accessible.  Added bonuses are the quotes before each chapter and the personal experiences at the end of each chapter.
The suggestions about organization, multitasking, and people management are so original and all-encompassing that I heartily recommend this book for everyone -- not only those interesting in planning events.
1300311
This book is an exceptional resource.  It gives both traditional dating and Oxfordian alternatives without prejudice.  The lists of established and possible sources that influenced the writing of the plays are generally quite thorough.  This is the only available resource of its kind and breadth but works hard for its readers nonetheless.
4557006
This is a useful text covering three facets of information, 1)the history of the development of library instruction in schools; 2)the research and implications as it applies to searching for information; and 3)trends, models, and strategies for teaching information literacy in schools. The last facet, being the largest in volume, is naturally the most practical; and it will be the reason to select this book. The research presented includes old and new ideas and conclusions that build upon one another to form a cohesive and sensible approach.

On a more personal note, I found the material very helpful to get up to speed in an area that can be neglected in public librarianship training.
122007
As CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) has changed, grown, and matured in recent decades, it has become synonymous with practical teaching and learning methods in many parts of the world. This book, which is a collection of essays from authorities in the field, serves as a great reference for those who want to learn more about the different contexts CALL currently applies to, how CALL has developed through history and how it exists in different learning environments, and how it is utilized in language education.

Clocking in at close to 400 pages, this is a massive tome that will surely have something for everyone who is interested in different aspects of CALL research, methodology, and practical applications. The text is broken up into three main parts, each with individual, easily accessible chapters that cover a wide array of CALL-related topics. Contemporary Computer-Assisted Language Learning will be a fine addition to any library or collection of texts that deal with this broad topic. I could not give it a higher recommendation!
1860563
As a practicing speech-language pathologist in the public school setting, I have found Joan Green's book to be a wealth of knowledge  for colleagues, parents, and students.  Staying current in technology can be overwhelming for busy professionals.  The format of the book, with the addition of the index, provides an organized, easy-to-read compilation of affordable tools for all ages of learners.
As an adjunct professor at a local university, I  encouraged my Special Education graduate students to use the book as a reference tool and to share the book with mentoring  SPED teachers in school settings.  The book is "user-friendly" for adults who have not embraced technology as a teaching tool or who rely on the "specialists" to implement assistive technology.  The universal design for learning agenda within the Common Core State Standards, requires  all  educators to increase knowledge of affordable technology and strategies. The book is the bridge for all educators to apply differentiated instruction via technology.  Each chapter has a standalone capability to empower educators with a plethora of technology resources for all types of learners.
1883535
A superbly edited and illustrated comprehensive volume.
4614564
Although not the latest (10th) edition, this book satisfies my information needs. It is an invaluable resource for the expert or the dabbler. This volume is a source of concise, complete information and is easy to use.
4396494
Expert, comprehensive and really useful resource.  Highly recommend
4325693
A very useful resource to have at hand, The Strategy Book by Dr. Max McKeown is an engaging and readable framework for strategists who desire to reflect on the nature of strategy and improve one's strategic judgement.

In the early parts of the book, Dr. McKeown takes up the big questions of strategy - What is it? Where did it come from? How has strategic thinking evolved from ancient time to todays modern corporate world? In reflecting on the varied perspectives and thoughts about strategy, McKeown presents how a strategist can further strengthen the link between their intentions and their desired outcomes. One way he does this is by challenging the reader to ask what he considers "questions of analysis (relating to quantifiable data) and "questions of creativity (relating to the human process of intention and innovation). He emphasizes that, in practice, a balanced approach to applying these perspectives is the most successful approach - in a proportion that is a matter of individual preference as well as situational variables.

He wraps this introductory section by pointing out how critical it is for a successful strategist to be agile and not tied to any single approach or method. This is an excellent bridge to the balance of the book, which begins with a series of useful practices at the individual strategist level. With that in place as a foundation, the book expands its scope to focus on the external environment: strategic choice at the enterprise level towards sustainable competitive advantage. Part 5 is a practical look at the process of bringing strategy to life in the real world - a process which is very much social and emergent. Consequently, McKeown focuses on modeling strategy and how to best create a set of strategic disciplines within the organization.

The Strategy Toolkit section - Part 6 in the edition I have - is what really separates this book. It alone is worth the price of the book! By presenting an accessible overview of the critical strategy tools from the leading thinkers in the space, Dr. McKeown offers his readers a practical glimpse into the most important academic thinking about creating desired outcomes. This gives readers basic familiarity with a broad set of strategic concepts and an excellent "jump-off point" for further in-depth research and analysis by the reader into the individual works referenced.

For instance, in my career, as it relates to strategy, the leading thinkers I have been most influenced by include Ralph D. Stacey (who - over the course of his many critically important books on strategy as a complex/adaptive/socially-emergent process of human interaction - directly challenges most of the rest of the material featured in strategy books such as this one!) and Stephen Cummings and David Wilson (who, particularly in their excellent book 'Images of Strategy, make the case that being strategic" is primarily a matter of orchestrating an ongoing process of orientation, animation, integration, and adaptation).

Both of these - and dozens more - are included and briefly introduced here by Dr. McKeown.

Throughout The Strategy Book, Max McKewon offers checklists and other tools to enable the reader to quickly dive in and out of the book without losing context. He covers the broad and highly complex topic of strategy and strategy-making with a light touch, thereby making it accessible and readable. Ultimately, that is what makes this a successful text - that it will be read and put into use!

Highly recommend.
3488725
Good practical theology resources are often hard to find, with a generalist approach, making real-world application problematic. But every once in a while an author pens a resource that is an essential field guide. Messaging is one of those essential works with immediate application for all types leaders of Christian organizations. Thoroughly researched, the author takes the time in a couple of chapters making a solid case for a New Testament theology of proper communication in context. Its an illuminating journey thats easily accessible all types of students.

If you are a professor teaching a practical ministry (PMIN) course at a recognized institution, such as a Bible college, seminary or university, you should request an examination copy of this book for class adoption.
4475169
I found the book to be very clear and comprehensive, covering the main theoretical orientations and the common diagnostic categories.  It integrates the science and art of therapy by providing user-friendly summaries of outcome research with clinically practical instruction in how to work with kids.  The critical case materials and examples of therapeutically useful words to use with children in a variety of clinical situations are very helpful. I was pleased by the lively and interesting writing and inspired by the satisfaction that can be achieved in this work.
2689355
This book is an invaluable resource that fills an important gap in the probability literature. There are numerous excellent books on probability theory and stochastic processes. These books focus primarily on the introduction and exposition of key concepts with relatively limited emphasis on real-world applications. Moreover, most of the fundamental books dedicate limited to no time to numerical studies and simulations that are based on such applications.

This excellent book, written by one of the giant researchers in the areas of probability, optimization, and control, fills all these gaps by organizing all the key probability concepts from an application point of view. It covers topics that span web searches, speech recognition, tracking, communication, networking, etc., with clear connection to all the crowning concepts of probability, including Markov Chains, limit theorems, stochastic optimization, optimal control, inference. Each application area is presented at two levels (basic and advanced) that make their study and presentation very accessible adaptable to the background and the interests of the reader(s). Also, the matlab coding exercises allow the reader to actively engage in investigating the applications that we benefit from on a daily basis.

This is an exceptional resource that every probability enthusiast at every level (beyond high school) can enjoy and learn deeply from. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
373443
Finally a resource that is both readable and thorough!  This book answers all the questions that stymie health practitioners, pain sufferers, and their families/friends alike. Doug Nelson tackles very technical, cutting edge research, and breaks it down into very manageable and understandable pieces. Not only does he deftly explain the neuroscience of pain, but he also sensitively and compassionately unveils the psychological and emotional suffering that accompanies chronic pain. I currently have my copy out on loan to one of my patients!  This book definitely fills a void amongst the myriad of less-than-helpful texts out there.