The Journalist's Craft is writers writing for writers -- and aspiring writers. Mark Bowden writes about how he researched his best-selling Blackhawk Down. Jim Naughton, a legend at the New York Times and at the Philadelphia Inquirer, talks about writer insecurity. John Sweeney, whose innovative writer's workshops made excellent coaching affordable even for small newspapers, explains how to tell a story so your listeners will stick around till the end. I especially loved Dennis Jackson's explanation of cadence. It was worth the price of the paperback just to read reporter extraordinaire Hugh Mulligan's recounting of the writing tips James Jones and John Steinbeck gave him.

How can writers produce better stories? The Journalist's Craft provides a writing toolbox filled with tips, first person insights into nonfiction story writing, guides to narratives and influential works of nonfiction, and general surveys of the craft. An important, revealing handbook for any aspiring writer.

I have adored this book since I was a child. It was given to my mother, by the author, when she was three. It's a cousin of her's on her mom's side of the family. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to read fun, imaginative and adventurous books with their children. I'm looking for another copy so that I can share it with my children too. (My mom still has her copy!)

I loved this book as a child! It is the story of a girl and her sloth, which she somehow acquires (I don't exactly remember how) and keeps a secret until she can't keep him a secret anymore. It details the devotion of children to their pets and provides a rollicking, amusing account of dealing with an animal. "Samson" is eventually given to the zoo where Julie can visit him.

La Toya did what many people today wish they could: reveal, and then heal from an abusive relationship(s). She opened the gates of the Jackson's homes in Gary, Indiana and at Hayvenhurst in CA for the world to see. This very informative book shed light on the hidden, the quiet or even the most beautiful Jackson of them all. In it 'Toy, Toy' (a name she hates to be called) reveals the family struggles with abusive parents, her relationship with her siblings and their spouses, the life in captivity behind the gates of their CA mansion, her meeting of her manager and then husband Jack Gordon and...Playboy. Even a botched kidnap attempt is addressed.

Michael, the prodigal son, is portrayed in a wonderful light, as he should be. They shared very special times growing up and Toya displays each of them. Michael was ordered by the elders at the Witness to NEVER speak to Toya again because she missed (in their opinion) too many meetings. This left Michael sobbing on Janet's bed, when Toya came in, he ran into Janet's bathroom bawling! He also supported Toya against her brother's wives (wives can be so cruel) and supported her when her PLAYBOY PICTORIAL came out.

Joseph Jackson, the family patriarch, is portrayed as twisted and evil, and as an ogre who delighted in the suffering of his family. In Michael's live interview with Oprah Winfrey, he claimed that even in his late 30's he's still afraid of 'Joseph'. He confessed to Oprah that he even regurgitates when 'Joseph' comes by for a visit. La Toya gives much; much more details into the horrors they all faced. La Toya was badly beaten by the hands of her father at a very young age and was left bleeding on the bathroom floor whilst her brothers walked over her, much to afraid to offer any support. He threatened to throw her out of a window repeatedly for just asking a simple question.

Katherine Jackson, the family matriarch, is certainly... some piece of work. A devout Witness, she raised her family, especially La Toya and Michael, to be very spiritual and was Toya's very best friend. When the Jackson 5 was busy with their careers, it was Toya and baby Janet who kept Mama busy. But as you read, she too could be as, if not more wicked than Joseph. Delve into the part when EVEN Joseph confronts Kate about her treatment of Toya regarding medication Kate knows could kill her!!!...SHOCKING! There are two very different (jekyll--and-- hyde) sides to Kate, which Toya talks in detail about. Abused herself by Joseph's womanizing and keeping a second 'FAMILY' right down the road, their was little she could do to stop the abuse of her children...or could she Hmmmm...?
I praise Toya and Romanowski for bringing this book to light simply because of the courage it took. Going up against the Jackson's, even if you are one, must have been frightening. Writing this part of the book must have been so painful for her. Whilst other young girls were becoming women, Toya was still a 'little girl' beside her 'mommy'. She never went on dates because of all the publicity it would garner and never mentioned having ANY boyfriends or many friends. You truly get a sense of her innocence-how could she not be growing up to sheltered-and so shackled.

La Toya also discusses Jermaine's attitudes towards Michael's success and Jermaine's decision not the leave Motown (which was disaster for him.) She also talks about the brother who received the worst treatment from 'Joseph'--the first-born-Jackie. Toya says that Jackie would only stop bye the house if he KNOWS 'Joseph' is not there and would leave immediately if 'daddy' came back. Toya once asked Katherine why Joseph treated Jackie so terribly. Katherine replied "Joe just never liked him." Sad isn't it?

This book gives an excellent insight into the most intriguing music family around told by one of it's most intriguing members...pick it up today.

I read this book when it first came out, in the early 90's, and was fascinated by it then, at the inside peep at one of Pop Music's most famous families! The Jackson's are rich, they are black, and have more #1 and platinum records between them than any other family in the Pop Music business, (The Jackson 5, Michael and Janet) and have been around forever, it seems! Any and all of this makes us interested in what their lives are really like. I was and still am interestred in their story, and it is still developing. LaToya's book gives us an insider's view to the beginning. I believe her story, it is very convincing. Other facts that I have read backs up most of what she says in her book. Joseph is not shown in a good light, but Katherine is, as well as Michael and the rest of her siblings. One thing this book will do is leave you with a feeling of sympathy for not only LaToya, but all of the Jackson children, and bring home the fact that having oodles of money and being rich as King Midas does not necessarily bring happiness. I really enjoyed this book and would like an update on LaToya in the present. In some ways, she is the most interesting of all the Jackson's, because she is the most mysterious of the clan and not heard of much at all today. She is in every way as interesting as Michael and she is an absolutely beautiful Lady!

"Leading for a Change" by Ralph Jacobson is like having your own consultant working with you. Ralph makes the book "user friendly". He presents the reader with a "bag of tools" from which he/she can pick and choose those that meet their specific needs. Mr. Jacobson has brought together sound theory on leadership with practical approaches for operationalizing change. I would guess he has been able to synthesize theory and practice because he himself has worked both in HR and as a consultant...he seems to know both sides of the equation. This book gives the reader some special insights into "what may work" and what won't in your specific circumstance. He organizes the book in a way that makes it a handy reference book...one you can pull off the shelf and remind yourself as to how you may want to approach a leadership issue. I would recommend this as reading to anyone who has concerns about how to maximize leadership potential...either on a personal basis or for your company.

Ralph Jacobson is among the very top thinkers in organizational and leadership development today. Working in Customer Relationship Management, where organizational change and leadership challenges are everywhere, I appreciate both the wisdom and practicality he offers. I'm going to make this book required reading for all my clients.

I was so stressed about going to college in the fall that I couldn't sleep - even before I graduated from high school. It may sound cheesy, but after reading this book, I feel so much more ready to tackle college and all of its social and academic mountains. The student essays and interviews are really amazing and the book feels like a good friend helping you get ready. I definitely recommend it!

If you are currently in public school and are thinking about trying to get into a top university, YOU NEED THIS BOOK. The advice is very practical and backed up with so much detail and common sense. The book is also so inspirational! I bought copies for all of my friends' children!

Candy Moulton gives the reader an excellent historical review of the Jackson Hole, Wyoming area, back when it was being homesteaded. We get to see and feel the hardships of what these people went through in the 1800's...from how they built their homes, plowed their fields, put up with inclement weather... along with a major natural disaster in the 1920's which affected many of the folks in the valley. I've been to the beautiful Teton area a few times, and never really gave it a thought as to what went on there so long ago. I enjoyed the book a bunch. Good job Candy!

I found this a "good read", fascinating history of the Old West. The author truly takes the reader back to "just the way it was" during homesteading days. I would recommend this to young and old alike. Like Candy Moulton's other titles this one is a winner.

Anybody with any viewpoint whatsoever on the subject of the death penalty will want, and need, to review the hard anecdotes that are interspersed within this brief but wide-ranging overview. For those of you who oppose the death penalty on moral grounds, you will fine augmentation for the foundations of your feelings. For those who aren't sure but who are afraid that innocent people might be executed under an imperfect system, the authors provide you with frightening evidence that you're right. And for those looking toward a legislative reconsideration of the entire subject, the appendix is invaluable.

This book is outstanding in its analysis of this important issue. Particularly insightful is the work of editors (ghost writers?) Denis Gaynor and John McFarlane. Mssrs. Gaynor and McFarlane outline in glorious, living detail the horrors of a death penalty culture. Highly recommended.

Two to three thumbs up!

This is a must read for those who appreciate interdisciplinary studies and want to understand the global economy, law, and politics. It offers an excellent balance; big enough to offer a lot of detail yet not too ponderous. Although it is very readable (not too technical), it's not a lap read.

This book is one of the best texts about international economic law. This book will help those who study international economic law to understand what is the legal problems of this world of globalization.

Several years ago, my brother gave me LIFE'S LITTLE
INSTRUCTION BOOK by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. . . . it contained
fatherly advice that the author gave to his son, Adam, before he
left for school . . . I loved it; so much so, in fact, that I gave a copy to my daughter before she began college.

Volume II came out sometime thereafter, but I've only managed
to track it down within the last few weeks . . . and am I glad
that I did . . . although none of the advice is particularly

earth-shattering, virtually all of it makes sense.

I found myself reading each idea once, then revisiting it
a second and sometimes even a third time as its wisdom
hit home . . . there were many memorable bits of advice;
to cite just a few:

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the
only way to live life completely.
Create a little signal only your wife knows so that you can show her you love her across the room.
Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves
something, and has lost something.
Remember that just the moment you say, "I give up," someone else seeing the same situation is saying, "My, what a great opportunity."
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Don't marry a woman who picks at her food.
Never miss a chance to dance with your wife.
Ask yourself if you would feel comfortable giving your two best
friends a key to your house. If not, look for some new best friends.
Take the stairs when it's four flights of less.
When talking to your doctor, don't let him or her interrupt or end the session early. It's your body and your money. Stay until al your questions are answered to your satisfaction.

I bought this books once. It is a lovely design book with a hardcover and bookjacket. This is the second book which was revised and upgraded by J. Brown. The book bears the same tittle the first one did:"Life's little Instruction Book" , which was meant for his son in college. Somehow, it became a bestseller. Now he come up with more words of wisdom, he offer us volume 2. There are so much incouraging and practical sentences in the book which I found them tremendously helpful for anybody who are willing to practice them. I am sure you will want to read them everyday, if you want to be a better person. I gave my first one to a friend. She loved it. Now I feel I need to buy another copy for myself. I highly recommend this one to anybody. PS. They have another book tittle "The Complete life's little instruction book". I don't know if it is the combination of the two. If it is, I think you should order it instead of this one. One more thing, this version is the nicest lookin one I found in store. Don't go for the paper back version although they are at half the price of this hardcover.

I found this book to be a wonderful little volume filled with thoughts and ideas that are designed to challenge us to a better, more fulfilling life. You can't help but recognize the wisdom and truth in these pages. If you were to only apply 1/8th of this book to your life, you would find yourself to be one of the happiest and most fulfilled people you know. I guarantee it.

After visiting my boyfriend this past weekend, I seen this book. As I started to read it, I could not put it down. It is a great insperation when you need a quick pick me up when you are in a "different" mood or confronted by a situation. I am getting a book of my own.