I recently put together a box of childrens books to give as a baby shower gift for a new mother. Enlisting the help of my children (17 and 18 now) I asked that they give me a list of the titles they remembered and loved the most. Katie the Kitten topped both their lists! I still have the little golden book locked away with all the other favorite childhood possessions. I will love reading it to my grandchildren someday....

My son, who is almost 18 years old, still to this day can recite the entire book from beginning to end! It made that strong of an imprint in his mind and in his heart. Thank you for writing this book. I have sent it to every new mother that I have ever known.

I Love this book

Enjoy this book. Be gripped by it. Learn from it. I did all three. LEADING AT THE SPEED OF CHANGE is a different kind of business book: it almost reads like a novel. It's a riveting tale of vision, courage, and perseverance, with action guides after each chapter to nail the main points and help you be the hero of your own business story. Authors Capodagli and Jackson cheer Rick Roscitt and his maverick AT&T Solutions team as they Dream, Believe, Dare, and Do their way to phenomenal start-up success. AT&T CEO Mike Armstrong is praised for blessing and nourishing the breakaway unit, and he is also fairly and frankly assessed for re-shaping the corporation into a global communications one-stop shop, and then recently dividing it into four parts. Throughout, Capodagli and Jackson are passionate but clear-eyed observers, and masterful teachers, too. This will be no surprise to readers of their previous books THE DISNEY WAY and THE DISNEY WAY FIELDBOOK which established their business-as-show business approach. In the close, overstuffed warehouse of business books today, Capodagli and Jackson are a welcome and invigorating breath of fresh air.

In Leading at the Speed of Change, Capodagli and Jackson combine artful storytelling with hard hitting facts about AT&T and its prize division, AT&T Solutions. The book begins with a flashback to 1993, where AT&T vet Rick Roscitt had a profound vision. And from this creative burst of business energy he, and a team of 12, pioneered Solutions into a model that can potentially alter the way things are done throughout all of AT&T. In a time where AT&T bashing is the norm, it was refreshing to read this book and find a bright spot. But don't think that Capodagli and Jackson were blind to what was happening just down the road. In fact, they pay considerable attention to the impending break up, and what CEO Michael Armstrong and AT&T could have possibly done to avoid this fiasco. In this chapter, I also found that it served as a wake-up call to any business. A small organization can falter as well (or perhaps more easily) from the same mistakes made by this telecommunications behemoth. Capodagli and Jackson rely on their management consulting background to provide criticism as well as prescriptive advice, breaking things down into eight simple, but essential, categories: Vision, Values, Alliances, Acculturation, Predictable Problems, Failing Forward Fast, Quintessential Teams, and Customer Intimacy. For those of you unhappy with the status quo, from the corporate CEO to the small business owner, Leading at the Speed of Change is a must read.

Read this book. Enjoy it. Be gripped by it. Learn from it. I did all three. LEADING AT THE SPEED OF CHANGE is a different kind of business book: it almost reads like a novel. It's a riveting tale of vision, courage, and perseverence, with action guides after each chapter to nail the main points and help you be the hero of your own business story.

Authors Capodagli and Jackson cheer Rick Roscitt and his maverick AT&T Solutions team as they Dream, Believe, Dare, and Do their way to phenomenal start-up success. AT&T CEO Mike Armstrong is praised for blessing and nourishing the breakaway unit, and he is also fairly and frankly assessed for re-shaping the corporation into a global communications one-stop shop, and then recently dividing it into four parts. Throughout, Capodagli and Jackson are passionate but clear-eyed observers, and masterful teachers, too. This will be no surprise to readers of their previous books THE DISNEY WAY and THE DISNEY WAY FIELDBOOK which established their business-as-show business approach. In the close, overstuffed warehouse of business books today, Capodagli and Jackson are a welcome and invigorating breath of fresh air.

I have followed Cindy Jackson since I first saw her on American TV. Not only is her physical transformation fascinating, but her lifes journey is equally fascinating.
Cindy has lived an incredible life, growing up on a farm, never really fitting in. Instead of doing the 'right thing', Cindy did want she wanted and moved to London. She made an exciting life for herself in London singing in a rock band.
The books takes you through all phases of Cindys life, childhood, boyfriends, family, but the book really takes off after she arrives in London. The book has sex, drugs, rock n' roll, and alittle royal gossip, but I enjoyed reading about her surgeries and why she choose to do what she did.
I check her website ... regulary to read the 'latest news' of what she has been doing. I also recommend her Plastic Surgery Guide and Video as well, both invaluable for those considering surgery.
Thanks Cindy for sharing your life with us, finally.

I have followed Cindy for many years, never missing any American TV show she was to be on, and I have followed her remarkable transformation. I have been interested in plastic surgery long before I knew anything about Cindy, I have read every article, watched every TV show regarding PS. Maybe someday I will work with Cindy, ha.
To finally read the life story of someone you have followed is a great journey. I learned that Cindy did not have an easy childhood, but overcame her adversities and took control of her life, never taking no for an answer. Cindy has lived the kind of life that I dream of, and reading her book gives me the inspiration to have the surgeries I want, and to do the things I want, and stop listening to what others expect of me.
Cindy has lived, and will continue to live, an amazing life.

Woman turns herself into a living Barbie Doll!

I have been following Cindy in the press since I first heard about her in 1994 while living in England. I suppose in some ways it was almost like a car wreck, where you are involuntarily compelled to slow down to take a look. While I didn't actively search out info on her, if I saw something in the paper or on a talk show, I looked at it. It was always pretty much the same article or interview, 'American spends over $50k, $75k or $100k to look like a Barbie Doll'. As time went on, she really did go from being pretty in 1994 (about 2/3 of the way through her body morph plan) to being absolutely stunning in 1997. That really intrigued me as I would not have thought it was possible for someone to change themselves so much through cosmetic surgery and not look like the NYC 'cat woman', Cher, or Michael Jackson. Cindy looks completely 'normal', albeit beautiful.

I ordered her 'how to' cosmetic surgery guide and video last year and it was very interesting, describing what she had done. It is a useful guide for anyone considering cosmetic surgery. This book, Living Doll, is really her full story, beginning way back when she was a child, through her rock & roll days, to her cosmetic surgery, being in the public eye and how the press can distort the facts to make a better headline. I thought the book was well written and honest, well worth the read (especially for anyone contemplating multiple cosmetic surgeries).

This is not the first book Ms. Orgill has written about musicians. In this, as in the others, her passion for, and knowlege about music shines through her words.
MAHALIA is not only a meticulously researched biography, but also an excellent portrayal of the times in which Mahalia lived. It is definately not just a book to be pulled out during Black History Month. It's a well told, important story for everyone, and should be in every library and school library in the country.

This is a wonderful look at the determination of the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. She not only brought Gospel singing to the world, she was a force in the civil rights movement as well. Ms. Orgill has written a compelling biography and writes in a style that practically "sings" like Mahalia herself. This beautifully written book with its wealth of photographs bring Mahalia and that time in history vividly back to life.

I couldn't wait for this book to hit the bookstores! It was refreshing to read a "new" book on this incredible woman. Mrs. Orgill included many photos to help the reader sense what the times were like for Mahalia during her growing up years right on through to the high point in her career. The book showed photos of the home Mahalia grew up in and also the first home she owned. Mahalia lived a very hard life but her faith in God saw her through. She devoted herself to a life in Gospel music and never let anything or anyone tempt her to change her mission in life. Mahalia was one of Gospel music's pioneers and no one since has been able to fill her shoes. This book was a job well done. Excellent reading...

Melaine first broke into the romance field with this super historical. I love how she makes the characters come alive. She is a lyrical writer, with a fine eye to accurate history. Her characters are well definited and involve the reader from the start. If you have not found Melanie before and you enjoy romance, then take the opportunity to get to read one of the rising stars in the romance genre today.

Manon is innocent of treason, but was forced to leave Scotland to stay alive and out of the hands of the English king. Disguised as a man, she maker her journey. She was used to living alone, but, she is tempted by and English Baronet.

A knock out of a debut book!!!

The editorial review might be cliched, but Ms. Jackson's book certainly isn't.

Manon might just get me back to reading romance. Ms. Jackson's writing skills are top-notch, flawless. She manages to place the reader in the era without making you feel you're in a history class. Wonderful dialogue with realistic characters who act rationally.

I really liked this book, and wouldn't hesitate to read anything Ms. Jackson writes.

I would recommend Manon to anyone! This is a well researched, highly detailed, amazingly written novel. The hero and heroine are charming and brave and the plot enthralling. The reader will feel as if they are actually seeing the same sights and smelling the same smells as these characters. I loved it! It is well worth reading!!

If you like StoneWall Jackson, You'll love this book. There are so many famous quotes here. Many the Civil War buffs know, many they may not be aware of. From his most quoted lines to some very obscure ones.

You can't go wrong with this book

So much has been written about Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson that at times it become hard to separate the reality from the myths. This isn't a criticism but rather just a fact - history is interpreted in so many ways and this applies to Stonewall as it can to any other historical figure.

This little book of quotes, both by Jackson and by those who knew him give us a better understanding of Jackson - the man and the soldier. There are quotes by Lee and McClellan, Garnett and Ewell, but it is the words of Jackson himself, which come across with power and passion. Indeed, at times you can almost feel the piercing blueness of his gaze as he moved into battle.

This is a good little book, it gives a depth of insight into Jackson without having to read longer biographies. I recommend it to you.

I love learning about the Stonewall Jackson. By reading this book you found out that everytime Jackson won a battle he did not take credit for the victory he would give it to God. Stonewall Jackson would do anything for his contury and God. When reading this you found out how religous he is. My favorite quote would be, "Our God was my shield. His protecting care is an additional cause for gratitude." This book really shows the true Stonewall Jackson. I learend a lot about how even his enemys love him. This is a great book for anyone to read that loves the Civil War or Stonewall Jackson.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about
marrying. In fact, the best time to read it is before you
begin dating seriously, as opposed to just socializing with
the other gender. It will make it possible for you to spot
unsuitable people and break it off before the trouble comes.
Be warned, however: The book is going to contradict all of
the TV hype and general malarkey that passes around, and it
may at first seem disorienting. And people with oversized
egos probably will not get past the first chapter.

The last generation has seen an onslaught of pop psychology "How To" and "Fix It" books on marriage. The advice rarely deviates, and the emphasis is almost always on changing (and often leaving) the spouse. "The Mirages of Marriage" is not a book for the timid, as it examines the issues that face all marriages, in cold hard detail. One finds out that others really are like "us", thus, is what we're doing so unusual? The book is a reprint from the 1968 printing, and the advice is just as valid today. It is not "politically-correct" in the least, and is dated in some places (would love an updated version!). Overlook that and understand the message, and you'll put the book down with a contended sigh of relief knowing you're not the only ones, and there is great hope for most marriages. Kudos to the authors for being so brave....

Analyzes many of the everyday contacts we have as people. NOT JUST FOR MARITAL SITUATIONS! I read this back in the early seventies, and still feel it's one of the best books for anyone in any kind of personal relationship. Very 'down to earth' in helping get past the confusion and frustration we find in argumentative situations and everyday expectations. Especially, if you're involved in a close personal situation (or want to prepare for one), this book is a must. Great book to be able to loan to friends that are having marital/friend trouble. But, make sure you get it back!!

When the "founding fathers" wrote the constitution, it brought about great change. Today great change is needed...so what else ought we do but change the constitution? Jackson makes that notion convincingly clear. As i read this book, I kept thinking "I wish I had this book in college." In college, the dynamics of social and political thought were always about programs and policies....it was the bandaid solution. This book lays out the treatment and, most importantly, the diagnosis! Where have we been as a nation? The answer to that question is the real diagnosis....it is the diagnosis no one wants to hear, that Jackson has exposed. But we must acknowledge the diagnosis so we can identify the proper treatment and know how to apply it. How do we heal? The answer to that question is the treatment -- changing the constitution is so fundamental that it is largely ignored by politicos and scholars. Perhaps it is ignored because the constitution has been held as an immovable object. But, as Jackson explains, the constitution can be changed, and any changes (or amendments) become as rock solid as the constitution itself. Jackson has laid out a strategy that has rarely (in part and never in toto) been suggested for our nation -- a new idea -- that fact alone makes this book a MUST HAVE. Jackson has also laid out a strategy that will yield a prognosis for the nation that is desireable to all -- that fact makes this book a MUST DO!

This book is must reading for anyone who desires to understand how politicial idealogy has developed in the US. Additionally, the book offers a clear agenda for moving the United States towards a more perfect union. I predict that we will see the issues raised in this book edvident in the next presidential election.

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.in his newest book " A More Perfect Union" has proven that he is so much more than the beneficiary of great civil, social, political and theolological pedigree. In this his, chef doeuvre, along with contributor Frank Watkins, he provides the reader with a sweeping commentary of not merely race but racism in all of its legislative origin.

Imagine not stumbling upon the word racism until 1936 and finding no rise of the African American experience. Preposterous. Is it not? But truth. Congressman Jackson not only reveals why we must be outraged, not in the riotous form, but further demonstrates, in this important piece how we must engage our outrage by "economic reform."

Reader do not be discouraged by the book's smallprint or numerous pages. This plethora of information only lends itself to the extensive research and detail the author and his contributor insisted upon. Welcome these pages as they are wealthy. FINALLY there exists an "inclusive textbook" which it resembles and rally for it soon to be.

The reader will delight in a discovery of previously undocumented
yet factual pieces of African-American history "as American as apple pie." Congressman Jackson Jackson exhibits how African-Americans significantly shaped America and its politics. Furthermore, he examines how each American President, past and present viewed(s)and dealt(s) with the race problem and provides the reader with deriviations of words such as Jim Crow, locates and defines for his reader new political buzz words and delves into how "A More Perfect Union" can be achieved through Equal Opportunity, Human Rights,Full Employment, Universal and Comprehensive Health Care, Affordable Housing, Quality Public Education, Fair Taxes, Foreign Policy, Politics, and Moral Responsibility. Congressman Jackson actually dissects each of the above-mentioned and provides VIABLE solutions to their achievement.

Congressman Jackson and his contributor Frank Watkins must be applauded for preaching more than just "high sounding benevolent social rhetoric" as some of his counterparts. A section of the book is semi-autobiograhical and gives the reader perspective into his personal experiences and his subsequent growth. In it he reveals his humanity and there is substantial evidence that he has not taken his political responsibility lightly.

Readers add this book to your shelf only after reading and re-reading. It must "court" your dictionary and your other reference material. This book will invite you to consult it time and time again. It is indeed reference-WORTHY. Although it is a lofty, thought-provoking, brave and maybe even an unpopular undertaking, it is brillantly and perfectly executed. As Lincoln stated "the hen is the wisest of all animal creation because she never cacles until the egg is laid". Congressman Jackson is no hen but an egg he has laid-and "A More Perfect Union" is clearly Faberge'. We recognize if we never did before, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. as one of our most heady, intellectual statesmen of the 21st century. A must Read!!! BRAVO!!!!

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Finally, a compilation of Howe's fantasy, and 144 pages, at that! I admit that this review is premature, but I am totally excited to snag this new arrival...

John Howe and Alan Lee are the indisputed masters of "Lord of the Rings" artwork. And this fantastic compilation of Howe's artwork, of all kinds, is a wonderful collection of artwork by an immensely talented artist. (And a cute part at the end has photographs of Howe in armor)

A great deal of the book is devoted to Middle-Earth and J.R.R. Tolkien's works. There are the creepily reptilian dragons, spiders chasing hobbits, the majestic Elves, several different incarnations of the Balrog and its battle with Gandalf, the black-armored and evil Morgoth, the dwarves dining in Bilbo Baggins' hole, a misty Treebeard, Smaug asleep on his glowing gold, the Dark Tower of Mordor with a hissing Fell Beast in front of it... all sorts of goodies. The pictures come from book covers, book illustrations, game boxes, and so forth.

But Howe's artwork is not just for "Rings" and Middle-Earth. Oh no. There are sketches (uncolored) and previously unpublished artwork. There are illustrations from picture books like "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Rip Van Winkle," Howe's fascination with armor and Arthuriana, which includes lots of solid horses, armor, and sword-wielding knights; his illustrations for books by Anne McCaffrey, Robin Hobb, Charles de Lint, Guy Gavriel Kay, Jan Siegel, Margaret Weis, a compilation of Merlin-related stories, and much more.

Howe's artwork has a lot of variety, and many of them look almost like photographs. While you can tell that they're paintings, they're frozen in one second, often in the middle of an action scene. So you almost expect them to start moving. He uses light and shadow expertly, such as in the pic where we see Smaug on his gold -- under his wings, the golden reflection of his treasure is lighting up his face and scales. Or when he is shown attacking Laketown, where everything is dark and shadowy except the fire.

When the "Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy was given the go-ahead, Howe (along with Alan Lee, ) was hired by filmmaker Peter Jackson to help with the sets and landscaping and other designs. Now Jackson has written a foreword to this book, in which he talks about what a fan he is of Howe's artwork (and was, even before the movies!), and how his artwork served as a guide of sorts to how certain things should look. (Such as Ian McKellen's "Gandalf" look, which was based on Howe's famed picture of the wise old wiz) And the afterword was by fellow artist and friend Alan Lee, who describes how they met in New Zealand in 1998, starting work on the movies, and praises Howe for his energy and skill.

This is a fantastic read for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, not to mention people who enjoy good artwork and fantasy/SF pictures. A lush, fantastical book of dragons, halflings, Elves and suits of armor. Marvelous.

I shall just get right to the point: if you are fascinated by the world of Tolkien or just like to read books with some extraordinary fantastic art, this is the book for you.

This book shows you a collection of the art of John Howe, a well-known artist of fantasy art, and someone who designed a lot of visual aspects in the Lord of the rings movies. It contains lots of artwork that has to do with the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, but also some of Howes other work with various subjects.

I can really recommend this almost everybody,because it's just fun to have this for the pretty pictures. The impressive things are not only the detail, the design and the colorscheme, but also the fact that the work really seem to show a certain greatness and movement. They make you believe that those moments were keymoments in the history of some other world.

This a MUST-HAVE.

The book was awesome! I couldn't put it down! It was very well written. I was also impressed with the inclusion of such detailed historical facts. It was very evident that major research went into this work.

My major take away was the fact that both Ricky and Ben started off as normal children. One twist was that Ben actually was born into a very religious Mennonite family. For some reason, it seems like Ben was left on his own to develope his own philosophies. Ben was a prime target for the enemy to mold. Ricky however, didn't grow up in a Christian family (only nominally so). Though Ricky was exposed to biblical principles, he did not fully embrace those principles until later in life.

The book made me realize even more how important it is to pay attention to our children as well as our neighbor's children (and everyone is our neighbor). Whenever we have a chance to share God's truths and to nurture, we need to do it. We can no longer take anything for granted.

What happened to Ben can happen to anyone. Also, what happened to Ricky can happen to anyone.

...

Ricky Byrdsong is a Christian martyr, gunned down because he was such a vibrant, courageous,
witnessing Christian. Dave and Neta Jackson have done a great job in making the testimony of
his life available to us all in their latest book, No Random Act.

Ben Smith, the man who shot him, didn't know who Ricky was. Ben was on a hate crimes
shooting spree and Ricky just happened to be one of many who became his target. But for the
dark spiritual powers who war against us, this-- as the book title indicates--was 'No Random
Act'.

Dave and Neta actually tell us two stories, both of which converge on a single event in July,
1999. One is the story of the World Church of the Creator, the white supremacist organization
to which Benjamin Smith belonged. The other is the story of Ricky Byrdsong and his wife
Sherialyn, who emerges as an incredible woman of faith.

How the Jackson's managed to piece together all this complex history is truly awesome. They
take us back 70 or 80 years on both sides of this tale. The book develops with alternate chapters
devoted to one and then the other. The story is fascinating, thought-provoking and in the case of
the Byrdsong family, absolutely inspiring.

This collision of good and evil forces brings us once again to some of the most profound
questions of our human experience. The crucifixion of Jesus was an event like that. Where is
God when these things happen?

This story, like the story of Jesus, makes it clear that God is intimately involved. And just when
the powers of darkness think they have won a great victory, they have actually suffered a
tremendous defeat. God and Ricky Byrdsong definitely emerge victorious from this encounter.

This victory was celebrated in First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, a few days after Ricky's
martyrdom as people from all churches and walks of life crowded into the sanctuary to give
thanks to God for the faithful witness of a truly great man.

The story of this victory continues to unfold in the ministry of Sherialyn Byrdsong and many
others who have joined with her. This gets brief coverage at the end of No Random Act but that
of course, is the topic for another book.

Ironic and tragic alike is the fact that the Church of the Creator was founded by Ben Klassen, the
alienated son of Mennonite parents. Dave and Neta trace the sad story of his life. The family
suffered at the hands of communist revolutionaries in Russia. They fled to Mexico and later
immigrated to Canada, along with many other Mennonite refugees.

If you read the book you will be amazed to see how the Spirit of God prepared Ricky, Sherialyn
and the Worship Center congregation in Evanston to face this terrible confrontation.

.

I don't know what I expected when I first picked up No Random Act: Behind the Murder of Ricky Byrdsong, but I was drawn immediately into the story and the power of this just released book. I HAD to read it straight through, then a second time to absorb the sobering, sometimes frightening realities it revealed.

First, this is the story of the life of former Northwestern University basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong. He was a community and church leader and the vision behind a basketball-based outreach to inner city kids. Just two years ago he was murdered by a white supremacist while walking home with his children.

Second, this is the story of Benjamin Smith, the murderer. It also tells - and perhaps most powerfully - the story, history, vision, and organized recruitment efforts of the white supremacist movement in America.

I'd never heard of RAHOWA - Racial Holy War - the battle cry of these hate groups. I didn't know white supremacist groups actively recruit on college campuses. I didn't know they set up shop in small towns. I didn't know there is a summer camp for hate less than a half-day's drive from my Wisconsin home!

Like Osama bin Laden, leaders in the white supremacist movement actively recruit, groom, and "turn loose" young men to further their agenda of hate and RAHOWA. And, like the fundamentalist Islamic terrorist movement, the white supremacists target vulnerable young people. Where kids are unemployed, poorly educated, and marginalized, groups like the World Church of the Creator or the Aryan Nation welcome them with open arms.

I kept thinking as I read, "Even the army doesn't want these kids...they're easy pickings for these violent hate groups!"

I recommend this book highly. The story of Ricky Byrdsong's life is a grace note of hope in the midst of this truly sobering book.

In the end, I had to wonder whether anyone notices or cares about these working poor, marginalized white young men. With sadness, I realized Ricky Byrdsong would have cared.

READ THIS BOOK. It really is a wake-up call.