This is a fun and informative book. I bought it for a class on the American Presidency that I will be teaching next year, but my family has been enjoying it now. I put a trivia question up on the whiteboard in our kitchen each day, and we enjoy great discussion about possible answers.

Who knows, if any of us appear on a TV quiz show, it might save the day to know that Richard Nixon ate cottage cheese with catsup, or that Harry Truman considered himself a sissy when he was a child!

This book gives little stories and great knowledge about the presidents. It is really easy to read, but fun. I mean, who really knows that Andrew Jackson married his wife TWICE, and that Thomas Jefferson taught his birds to feed him!!! For anyone who wants to know the little things about who our Commanders in Chief really were, this is a must. Hope you enjoy it! Oh, and be sure to tell your friends just which president had his horses' teeth brushed daily!!

I thought that this book was cool. It combined the short biographies of each president with other fun and interesing facts. This was the first book I bought about the presidents, and now I buy any that I can get my hands on. My two best friends and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Plus, I got to bug everyone by asking them questions about the presidents.

A must have book for any serious analog / mixed signal IC designer. Very detailed and hands-on approach to design tradeoffs. The book was THE Reference for an Austin-based IC company which is already making its 18th year.

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Especially for undestanding OP-AMP's and Comparators, this book is the best with application and solved examples. Additional to
this , explanations about CMOS structures are very usefull...

This is one of the best books on CMOS circuit design. Not a lot of theory stuff, but a lot of practical stuff. I would highly recommend this book. For basic this book would be more than sufficient. Although it does not has any chapters on Low voltage design. This will become very important because as the geometry gets smaller, the power supply also reduces. For 0.18u the power supply is about 1.8V.

This book and author surprised me. Depoy has a real gift for writing dialogue and character development. Fun to read. I laughed out loud. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good story. I will look for Depoy's name from now on.

Philip Depoy is the thinking man's mystery writer. I hesitate to say "private eye" writer, because Flap Tucker insists that he is not a detective, merely a "finder of lost things", and it's something he does very well.

In other mysteries, coincidences are the bane of the reader and the deus ex machina of the writer. It's often too hard to believe that such disparate events have a common root. In this novel, Depoy hands it all over with a wink & a nudge and makes it all believable.

Flap is looking for the wife of one of Atlanta's nouveau riche. Only problem? The guy is possibly slow and probably imagining her. He's also asked to uncover the truth behind the "devil man" or demon who is terrorizing the proprietor of a local Asian restaurant. Are they related? Sure! How? Read the book.

Depoy's Atlanta is an almost fairy-tale place, where angels and demons walk with equal impunity. I know from experience that it sounds better here than it really is.

Easy? Yeah...easy read, easygoing characters, easy to fall in love with the Flap Tucker series. After reading EASY, I flapped onto Amazon and ordered the next and the next. It was...uh...easy.

Phillip Depoy can write as many of these stories as he wants to and I will always be ready for the next one. He writes Southern characters like nobody else - not even Grisham can capture the flavor of the South like Depoy. His books are charming, witty and a pleasure to read and the more I read the stronger the images of Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock form in my mind's eye when I think of Flap and Dally. I'm about done with 123 and ready for 4 Phillip - hope you're writin' it! You readin' these son?

I read the first of the Flap Tucker series, EASY, and was on Amazon minutes after the last page ordering another in the series, EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE. I really like this good ol' boy with a feng shui brainpan. These are readable, clever mysteries in the style of Lawrence Block. The only problem is...after number 4, you're Tucker'd out. We need more of this great series.

This book is a real page-turner. It's the characters that keep me looking for the next Flap Tucker book. You don't need to be a mystery buff to enjoy this series. The writing is elegant and the characters interesting and well-developed.

As an entreprenuer and consultant I found this book fascinating. It is so up-to-date with a theme we all are familiar with and most of us try to win over: uncertainty. Two factors make of this book a practical working tool: its writing flows, examples are fitting; it's a kind of flow that gets you thinking and relate the topics to issues you are working on. Good job Dr.Clampitt! A few years back I found attending your courses mind opening, this book takes the concepts to the next level: practice.

With bookshelves full of books written by instant management
McGurus selling their own flavors of the month,"Embracing Uncertainty" is a breath of fresh air. This book actually makes sense. It deals with the real world not theoretical models. If you enjoy reading academic mumbo-jumbo, this book is not for you.The old axiom:"the only sure things in life are taxes and death" should be changed.It should read:"the only sure things in life are taxes,death and uncertainty." You can cheat on your taxes, cheat death for a while, but you cannot avoid uncertainty. Embrace it!

The dynamic combination of real-world business examples along with research produces a powerful book. Clampitt and DeKoch's study of over 1,000 employees revealing that those who work for organizations that embrace uncertainty have more job satisfaction and are more committed to their organization is a powerful testament to the importance of this subject.
But, they go beyond just acknowledging uncertainty; they offer concrete ways to enhance leadership skills.

Of particular mention is the portion of the book dedicated to communicating about uncertainty. The authors convinced me that at times it may be just as important to talk about what you do NOT know as it is to discuss what you DO know.

Maggie Phillips is a fantastic therapist and teacher. I really believe this book is not only a very suitable and pratical book for therapists who wishes to improve their neuro-emotionnal therapy practice, but the result of several years of personnal research and intelligence !

I had an opportunity to review this book prior to its publication; that's how I first came to know Maggie Phillips. She is a highly accomplished psychologist and psychotherapist, and in this book she expertly integrates the best of traditional practice with cutting edge therapeutic processes. She also offers useful strategies for when to choose and how to combine hypnosis, EMDR, ego-state therapy, somatic therapies, imagery, and thought field therapy. An evolved perspective on energy psychology, "Finding the Energy to Heal" is required reading for therapists who take their craft seriously. --Fred P. Gallo, Ph.D., author of "Energy Psychology", "Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Methods", and "Energy Tapping."

This is an excellent book, outstanding, thank you Maggie. For the first time I understand what this Energy Therapy business, I've been hearing about, is all about and where and when it is advantageous to use it.

This book is great for getting started. If your first thought is,"do I really wanna go all the way up to the pool, get in my swimming trunks and jump into the cold wet?", just open this book and you'll already be in the water. Dr. Whitten has so much enthusiasm for the sport, that he could probably even convince a cat to take up swimming. I bet there are better books for competitive swimmers, which have more complete work-outs or are more technical, but this book gives you a bit of everything and it also explains WHY you should take up swimming.

I really love this book. It's full of great motivational stories and excellently illustrated techniques. I have only two complaints. Whitten, like authors of most books on swimming that I've come across, doesn't address what to do when you've been out of the pool a long time and are struggling to get back. As someone who was very much afraid of the water until I took some excellent classes in my county, it's hard for me to get back into the pool after a long layoff. I really need to revisit basic breathing techniques and overcome some deep-seated fears. I also question some of the studies on body fat and swimming. Not that I question swimming's benefits, but all the studies Whitten quotes have been done on Master's swimmers, a sport that like cycling and running is somewhat self-selective. Most successful Master's swimmers are long, lean body types that move along quickly in the water. I wish someone would do body fat studies on the effects of swimming on the normal, non-athletic physique. Other than that, Whitten has written, in my opinion, an excellent book for most beginner and intermediate swimmers.

As a regular runner, I have often thought of using swimming as a great cross-training exercise but always hesitated because I am a weak, inexperienced swimmer. This book was a wonderful find to give tips on improving each stroke and has a wonderful set of workouts in the back for beginners to improve their skill level. I am now swimming a couple of times every week and consult this book regularly for ideas to improve and inspire.

A review by Eric Newell
April 10, 2002
The Crisis of Care is moving away from the technological, managerial aspect of caring. The need is to restore the concern and compassion for the need of the care receiver. Persons care for the wrong reasons. If it is not the aspect of filling the prescribed attention to a patient, very often there is the one who is interested to help or assist because they feel a sense of moral commitment or the sense that it will make them feel good. The editors quote Wuthnow's survey report that 42% of Americans were interested giving themselves for the benefit of others. The percentage dropped to 15% when asked if they were willing to sacrifice to help another person." (1994, p.23)
"From the time we were children, we were told by our parents and our grammar school teachers to "Pay Attention!" Even though we have grown inured to this injunction and shrug it off, there are few things in life more important." (1994, p. 28) Restoring those concerns for the individual, the context of their situation and what it is that needs to be protected for the care receiver is important.
Steven Covey in his writing cautioned against responding to the "Tyranny of the Urgent". In "The Crisis of Care," the chapter, "Teach Us to Care and Not to Care," says the caregiver who offers standardized responses to the needs or responds to that which gives only immediate relief, is not giving the full extent of care. There needs to be the caregiver who is will not only to pray for the receiver only, as an immediate answer to the problem, but who is willing to take the time to teach the receiver how to pray. This awareness of how to pray helps the person begin to understand that value can be found even in the experience of their suffering.
Creating a context of care, listening and reducing isolation are all important in care giving. It is not enough to know the facts about a person or even the facts about their situation. The concern is that one knows the issues and reasons, which surround those facts. This is important whether it involves the student in the school or the patient wrestling with the quality of life. "From a theological standpoint, any notions of caring we might have grow out of our divine vocation, to reflect in our lives together in the world the character of God, manifest in his covenant love, (the compassionate behavior of God)."
Phillips and Benner blend the use of narrative, dialogue and instruction to emphasize the strengths and weaknesses in present day care giving. The reoccurring issues of finding the context, the willingness to listen and the autonomy of the care receiver emphasize the point of the writing that care giving needs to move beyond the mechanical and technological response.

Phillips and Benner have edited nine narratives written on "redesigning the structures and processes of our public caregiving institutions in order to better facilitate practices of caring," (vii) an excellent resource for those in the helping professions and for those who care. The narratives are actual circumstances with real people who practice within the caring professions. The authors invite the reader to examine the narratives in terms of the practices of care illustrated by them (vii). Because the narratives are written by practitioners and theorists who are experts in their field (10), each has spoken out against the objectification and commodification of persons and practices that mask contemporary helping professions (11).
These are examples of the experts. Robert Bellah, a sociologist, argues for a rich, interpersonal world as he pleads for Americans to listen and see, by adopting an ethic of responsibility, of moral discourse, instead of control and commodification (13).
Patricia Benner, a professor of physiological nursing, advocates that, "effective caregiving requires more than intent or sentiment. It requires skill and knowledge and being in relation with others in ways that foster mutuality, empowerment, and growth" (45).
As a pastor and theology professor, Eugene H. Peterson describes the difference between genuine caring and control veiled as caring. Dr. Peterson believes that we are meant to open out toward our neighbors and open upward towards God, and that we can be whole and healthy humans only to the degree that we do this (69).
Pediatrician E. Dawn Swaby-Ellis states that "whatever the competing factions my challenge is the same: to be effective, efficient, and empathic" (84). Furthermore, she believes that caring for patients must come out of true concern and love for them (90). Her personal caring relationship with her patients was deeply validated by her exposure to the biopsychosocial model proposes by George Engel and expanded by Paul Tournie to include the spiritual dimension. Although, Dr. Swaby-Ellis praises many of her teachers, she declares the Holy Spirit to be her greatest teacher. "It is one thing to be a Christian who wishes to live a life of obedience to God by showing love to mankind. It is another thing to integrate our faith into the fabric of our being so that our actions mirror our spiritual belief" (93).
To Anna Richert, an educator, all teaching practice must help kids to grow through caring. Although there are increasing challenges and dangers educators deal with daily as they attempt to care by teaching in urban chaos, still "children need care and they also need to learn to care for one another. Ultimately they need to learn to care for themselves" (109). I agree with Richert that fundamental to teaching children to care is the fact that children "need to feel and be safe" which includes "needing to trust others, and having a sense that others believe in them" (109).

Insightful, humane, challenging, reflective, and practical are words that describe, The Crisis of Care: Affirming and Restoring Caring Practices in the Helping Professions, edited by Susan Phillips and Patricia Benner. The nine chapters followed the format of a story narrative followed by a pertinent and complimentary discourse. Phillips wrote: "Teaching, nursing, medicine, psychotherapy, and pastoral ministry are written of from the inside in terms of excellent practice" (vii). Inevitably, "care is relational, creating more than we expect and at other times showing us the limits of 'helping'" (10).
Phillips' book is a positive example of how ritual and relationship can fuse to embrace the unique personhood of students, patients, clients, and parishioners; thereby, humanizing what has been viewed as merely objective clinical processes and procedures. The distinguished practitioners and scholars who contributed stories and essays are to be commended for their efforts in providing authentic care themselves and in sharing their insights.
The stories are powerful. A Holocaust descendant's anxiety is relieved because the psychotherapist heard with an inner ear, the patient's real and heretofore unexpressed need. Attention to the not said and the unseen on the part of the caregiver is of terrific value when providing care. An abortion case is reviewed with some of the multiplicity of implications that are involved. "Sammy," a six years old Amish boy, kicked by a mule, is restored to health. The preparation of a simple meal and the opportunity to learn the history of an African-American woman's family (Ambrosia Jones) helped pave a road to recovery. Death by choice in a chapter of the same name is provocative. Blake's story is about the unattractive child. It presents the compassionate value of a mother's love, and reveals a doctor's openness to in-seeing and in-hearing, and thereby some profound learning occurs. Mrs. Clark's paralysis and the visiting male nurse's ritual and relationship pastoral care story are inspiring.
The insights are powerful. Benner wrote: "If we were able to replace our disease care system with caring practices that foster illness prevention and health promotion so that clinical wisdom could be fostered from caregivers and receivers alike, we would alter dramatically how we are spending our health care dollar" (59). Eugene Peterson described the pastor's task: "Pastors identify God in the action, God in the language" (74). Peterson's challenge was to learn when to care, and not to care. The Atlanta, Georgia pediatrician, Dr. E. Dawn Swaby-Ellis learned: "My greatest teacher in learning how to care has been the Holy Spirit" (93). Clinical Psychologist Mima Baird echoed the sentiment by contributing: "To care is to listen; to hear is to care" (96). Teacher Anna Richert noted that it lies within the ability to make authentic connections that the capacity for care is enhanced, and by implication, the significant educable moment can be realized. Professor Joel Green draws attention in his summary statement: "Just as we know the character of God only in the concreteness of our lives, especially within the community of God's people, so we recognize the threads and hues of human reflection of God's character only in the fabric of social life in the everyday world" (165).
Quickly paced, tightly written, and imaginative stories, and longer, but nevertheless interesting reflections and observations, make The Crisis of Care an excellent addition to every caregivers memory storehouse and personal library.

I love Phillips' writing style in this historical fiction. I read it ten years ago, and it is still one of my favorites that I lend out to friends with positive response.

Eventhough the book is composed by four different unrelated stories, of a black evaegelist in Liberia, a black woman heading for a new life in California during the pilgrimage of the XIX century, the Captain of a slaves trading vessel, and a G.I in England during the II World War; for me there is a phrase that encompass most of the sadness and despair that goes with a life that other persons have damaged and limited due to the shade of your skin and not because of your actions and omissions.

"The young evangelist preached with all his might, but Marta could not find solace in religion, and was unable to sympathize with the sufferings of the sun of God when set against her own private misery".

Caryl Phillips' Booker Prize shortlisted "Crossing The River" (CTR) about the emergence of an African diaspora arising from the slave trade with the African colonies is a collection of seemingly unrelated vignettes spanning over 100 years which share the same emotional core. Each of the four segments making up CTR is a cry from the soul, which poignantly if not bitterly captures the essence of the cultural dislocation suffered by those sold to foreign lands. Some, like Nash in "Pagan Coast", imbibe the Christian values of their colonial masters but experience the pull of their native calling when they are set free and returned as missionaries. Others like Martha, from "West", suffer the misery, indignity and hopelessness that only chattels should know. Phillips isn't out to demonise the white man. He leaves it to us to judge. How do we doubt do-gooder Edward's sincerity in making Nash into a new man ? But then there is also skipper James Hamilton's indifference to the cruelty meted out to slaves in the title segment. The final segment "Somewhere in England" doesn't seem to belong but it does. The strong emotional resonance that these stories evoke is what binds them together. Phillips also displays his literary genius and stylistic versatility in using different styles for the different segments. His Conrad-influenced prose in "Pagan Coast" boasts some of the most beautiful and fluent writing ever. On "Somewhere in England", he comes across like a contemporary novelist using prose punctuated by thought fragments. "CTR" brings four separate but all desperately heartrending stories together. The names of the three children - 2 boys and a girl - sold to slavery by their father in an act of desperate foolishness and named Nash, Martha and Taylor, all make their appearances. They are the countless nameless who consititute the African diaspora today. CTR is a brilliantly constructed and devastatingly powerful piece of work. Nobody interested in serious literature should miss it !

"Dead Easy" is my first excursion into the Atlanta of Flap Tucker and Dalliance Oglethorpe. My thinking was that I might have missed something for not having read the first four installments of their (mis)adventures. How wrong I was!
"Dead Easy" is a joy from first word to last. DePoy's characters are wittily conceived and drawn. His plot twists are delightfully innovative. His style is filled with excellent craftsmanship, humor, sparklingly clear prose, and great concern for his readers. And I loved his snappy dialogue.
"Dead Easy" is an easy read, un-put-downable, and enormously entertaining. In spite of the mystery, you'll find yourself smiling, sometimes with amusement, always with appreciation.
Give yourself a gift. Buy "Dead Easy," enjoy it as thoroughly as I have, and then look forward to the other four in the series.
I can't wait to head for my recliner and invite Phillip DePoy into my den for diverting hours of reading entertainment of the first order. If you're a fan of the detective mystery, get set to be a fan of Phillip DePoy.

What happens when Nick Charles drops his martini, pours himself a glass of Cotes de Rhone and starts studying Zen? He becomes Flap Tucker, one of the most engaging detectives it has been my pleasure to find. Replacing urbane zingers with southern-fried wit, in this 5th of the delightful series, Flap learns as much about his galpal Dalliance as about a murder-by-body-parts. Disembodied hands, great "perps" like Jersey Jakes, and past lives keep you from putting this book down except to refill your wineglass.

I've loved all this series and this was one of the best. Dalliance still walks into a bar like she was on ball bearings and Flap...well...he still manages to make detecting look Zen-Easy. Pick up a great bottle of red, buy this book, and turn your phone off. It won't disappoint.

Phillip De Poy brings Flap Tucker back with a complex plot and entertaining characterization. Flap is stuck between a rock and hard place as many signs point to Dalliance (his love interest) as being intimately involved in murder. As Flap discovers more about Dally's 'past lives' he becomes more troubled. The locale (Atlanta, Georgia) is brought alive as Flap tries to make sense of the nonsensical.

Great characterization and plot creation. The best Flap Tucker yet. Don't miss it!