"Duel Between the First Ironclads" is probably the best book I have read about the historic clash between the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) and the USS Monitor. It relates the fascinating tale of the development and fight between the two great ironclads and their meeting on March 9, 1862.

William C. Davis is both a historian and a storyteller. He expertly weaves memoir and journal accounts from actual participants to reveal a human side to what many would consider 'dry' history. That Monitor and Virginia were the first Ironclads to meet in battle is notable. But it is the men who commanded those ships, fired their guns and worked their engines who were behind it all. Davis expertly captures that and brings it to life. It is this mesh of human drama and military might that makes this book so valuable.

Then there's the fact that it is simply well written, well paced and just entertaining. While this subject has been covered before in countless books on Civil War Naval history and military, none I have seen has gone into this much depth, both for the human side and the historical background.

I really enjoyed this one. I think it's written well enough that I could suggest this book to just about anyone who has an interest in military history, or just likes a good story.

Wiliam C. Davis chronicles the race to build the ironclads as well as the dramatic battle that ended unresolved. All of the colorful charactors on both sides of the war are portrayed as both human and visionary, in their desperate gamble to win.. More importantly, however, Mr. Davis places this battle into its proper context as a crucial turning point in military and naval history. The chapter on the development of ironclad technology after the battle and war is the proper ending. For the first time, the true importance of this battle and the race to build the ironclads was brought home to me. Highly recommended.

The USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (ex-Merrimack) were not the "first" ironclads... rather, it was the First Duel of Ironclads. It can only be supposed that the title was forced on Mr. Davis by the publisher. Still... this is perhaps the best of all books on the historic fight between the Monitor and the Virginia, stirringly re-created and well annotated, and is a vital work for anyone wanting to know what really happened on the water in the Civil War. Highly recommended.

Eldercare in Texas presents the basic information family caregivers need to know to care for their aging spouse, parent or relative. Davis covers legal & financial concerns, housing options and end-of-life issues in a no nonsense way. The glossary is particularly helpful. Her personal anecdotes show the reader she doesn't just write about eldercare, she has lived it. A must read for any family caregiver in Texas.

I am a social worker and work just with Texans. This book is the most resourceful book I have had in years. The elderly in Texas did not know that half of these resources are available to them. I encourage family caregivers to purchase this book.

This is by far the best reference book for eldercare in Texas I've ever read. Thorough, informative, easy to read & understand. Covers everything a caregiver for the elderly could need. A++

John Davis takes a simple step-by-step approach in describing the transformation of a plant from a typical troubled operation to a lean operation. Davis focuses on basics and "how-to", not buzz words and jargon. Davis provides a framework that can be used by any plant manager who is trying to implement lean manufacturing concepts in a 'traditional' manufacturing setting. This can be used in high volume opertaions but is especially useful in low volume or job shop manufacturing, where the Toyota model with its manic focus on tact time is not always applicable. Davis focuses on workplace organization (using a 6C model which is an adaptation of the familiar 5S concept) as the basis of any lean transformation. This perspective alone is worth the price of the book because many lean efforts fail due to lack of fundamental workplace organization. If you are a plant manager or GM tasked with turning around a low performing operation, or you simply want a primer on Lean, this is the one to buy.

Having worked as a facilitator, manager, and consultant transitioning fortune 500 manufacturing companies from batch to lean manufacturing operations since 1991, my hat is off to Mr. John Davis on his superb book "Fast Track to Waste Free Manufacturing." In my travels and teachings I have been exposed to hundreds of teachers, managers, and authors who profess to be experts in the tools, techniques, and principles of the Toyota Production System and lean organizational skills. However, few if any, have the true experience of being in a position responsible for the success of failure of its implementation. Having had the privilege of working with Mr. Davis in the early 90's as he developed his expertise in waste free manufacturing, I can attest that in this book, Mr. Davis does what he always did best. "He walks the talk." In this book, he takes you on a journey of successful implementation of waste free manufacturing and profitability. This is a must read for managers and associates who understand and belief in the tools, principles, and techniques of a waste free manufacturing organiztion and want to learn how to do it. In this book, Mr. Davis demonstrates the importance of focus, commitment, communications, and leadership in transforming a batch organization to a waste free, profitable organization. "For when a true leader has successfully completed his task....They will say we did it ourselves.

I've been researching and reviewing dozens of books on Suzaki, Womack and Jones, Liker, Hamel and Prahalad, Treacy and Wiersema, Womack, Jones and Roos, Schonberger, Imai,Shingo,Monden, et. al. This book is the first one I've found that provides both rationale for change and, most importantly, step by guidance on "how to" implement the necessary changes. Written in a style that is at times reminiscent of "The Goal", Mr. Davis offers suggestions, recommendations,and guidelines in an easily readable 264 pages that contain no unnecessary jargon, disconcerting statistics, nor is it part of a doctoral thesis meant to impress the academic community. One gets the feeling from reading this book that Mr. Davis has actually "been there"; that he has worked in a career in manufacturing and is truly speaking from experience. Take my word for it; if you want to read one book or recommend one book to your subordinates on the subject, this is the one! I am pleased to write this review and would be willing to communicate with anyone regarding my impressions

I bought this book about 7 years ago and its been my Bible
ever since! I read at least one chapter everyday. This book
is so uplifting. Its been a great guidance for me. When Im
feeling blue, I reach for this book. I simply can't live
without this book!!!!

Charlotte Davis Kasl, has hit the nail on the head! Want to change your life for the better? Want to really enjoy your days and learn to get through the rough ones? This book can help. She has thought of everything from finances, to love, to kids to your entire outlook on life. The sections are broken into 101 mini topics explained through anecdotes and therapy techniques. She uses teqhniques from many cultures and religions without pushing any religion on you. Easy to read and comprhend. Read a section a day (If you can put it down afer just one!) and you will feel the difference as you internalise the beauty of true Joy in your life. (Can you tell this is my favorite book?)

I was recently browsing through the local library and wanted to find something "uplifting". The title "Finding Joy" sounded like it would fit the bill, so I checked it out. I was amazed at how each chapter seemed to be written about my situation. Things that I felt & thought in my mind were actually written on paper. At the end of each chapter, there is a section entitled "Excercises for the soul" which are very soul-searching techniques.

The author uses the teachings of Jewish mysticism as a guide on subjects such as "making sense, not excuses" (a big one for me since I am quite a procrastinator!) & "getting your attitude adjusted". Our library allows you to check out a book for three weeks at a time & also renew once by phone. I have had the book for six weeks and hated to part with it, so I am placing an order today through Amazon to purchase it. I feel it is a great reference guide to pick up and read over and over.Daniel I. Schwartz has written a truly insperational book!

I have owned Tennessee walking horses for years, but I never understood exactly what they went through in the industry's notion of "show training." Now I do. I felt like I came to know the young horse. I read the book in one sitting and then passed it on to another horse owner. It is hard to put down, and even harder to get over the anger it engenders. But it is not all hard reading. It captures the feelings of the show barn and the trainers and owners. Others have told me that this book speaks the truth.

Finally, a book that is sensitive and sympathetic to the horse abuse that goes on behind closed-doors everyday in horse barns all over the country, but especially the south. The Tennessee Walking Horse has generated millions of dollars for the economy, and is 'hushed' by powerful lobbyists that contribute to higher political powers. The Tennessee Walking Horse has never had a 'voice', until now. This book exposes the dirty secrets of the trainers and stables through the voice of the horse, as told by the horse. Its about time! An animal lover's book at its finest!

Although this well written book is fiction, it is based upon the SAD facts that many horses in the Tennessee Walking Horse show industry must endure. Very educational for those that are not aware of the abuse these poor horses suffer.

Jon:Boys,It's a beautiful day!Why don't we drive out to the beach?Jon:Besides,the TV is broken.Garfield:Surf's up!That was a comic from bigger and better.

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

Garfield Bigger & Better is a Great Book!!!!!!!!! I like because all Garfield does is sleep and eat, exactly like me. READ THIS BOOK,YOU'LL LOVEIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

Then this is not the book for you. But if you want a backache from rolling around on the floor, laughing so much, Then this IS the right book.

This book, like every other Garfield book in the numbered series, is great because of all the jokes, but this one is very special because of a story inside. SWALLOWS HIS PRIDE was great because of the Run-Away-From-Home story, while ROLLS ON was special for the Garfield-Gets-United-With-His-Mom story, but this one goes over the top for the Christmas-on-the-Farm storyline, which is clever, hip, and funny.

This is the first and best Garfield book I've ever read. I've grown up with it, and know many cartoons by heart. A few of the best ones are when Garfield wakes up Jon, telling him that Garfield will do ALL the napping, and when he chases a giant hot dog and ice cream trucks, hoping they are meals to his proportion. If comic books could win Newbery award, this would be it.

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

Garfield Fans. This is a truely great book!

A very funny Garfield TV Special! When Garfield and his pals Jon and Odie win a pet show they go to Hollywood for a really tough competion!

I read this book at my cousin's house when I was eight years old, and never forgot it. It made a Garfield fan out of me. The plot, characters (which were new to me at the time) and funny drawings all appealed strongly to me.

Words cannot convey my feelings for this book

Here's a comic in the book:Garfield:POISONOUS SPIDER!Get me a chair and a whip!Get me a ten-gallon drum of bug spary!It's a venom-spewing hairy legged killer!Or a piece of lint.That was a comic stript from life in the fat line.

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

This is a must read for any Garfield fan