"This fieldguide is for all change champions who are learning about, seeking to, or who are in the midst of leading social or organizational change...The purpose of this fieldguide is to provide you with all of the necessary elements to implement a best practice change or leadershiip development initiative within your organization or social system. Contributors in this book are widely recognized as among the best in organizational change and leadership development. They provide invaluable lessons in succeeding during crisis or growth modes and economies...Within the forthcoming chapters, you will learn:

*Key elements of leading successful and result-driven change

*Tools, models, instruments, and strategies for leading change

*Trends and research on innovation, change and leadership

*Critical success factors and critical failure factors

*How to design, implement, and evaluate change and leadership initiatives (pp.viii-xi)".

In this context, D. Ulrich, M. Goldsmith, L. Carter, J. Bolt, and N. Smallwood (the editors) divide this invaluable book including twenty-two chapters of 'best practice' into three sections: (1). Transformational and Large Scale Change, (2). Fundamentals of Leading Change, (3). Transformational Leadership and Sustaining Results. They say, "we have different interests, clients, and approaches. We have each experienced successes and failures while hoping only for success. The failures were almost always failures to make correct assumptions about the fit between type of intervention, organizational system, and situation. It is these failures that help us learn; they make us humble and open our minds to different approaches...This fieldguide presents you with an array of choices for how to approach many complex situations. You will find many ideas that you can adapt to your own situation and needs. And, when you do lead change, lead with the same passion, humility, creativity, and commitment to stakeholders, customers, and excellence that have been exhibited by the change champions contributing to this book (from the Introduction)."

In the last chapter of the fieldguide, 'You Can't Be a Champion Unless You Keep Score,' John Sullivan focuses on importance of measuring results. He says that "If this were the Olympics, it would be obvious to all that you couldn't become a champion without measuring results. In fact, the definition of a champion is 'the one with the best results.' In the general business world the use of numbers and metrics is part of life...Within all major firms all projects, products, and business units are evaluated on the basis of numerical results. However, in direct contrast, we within HR resist using metrics, almost like developing them was the equivalent of a root canal...The Watson Wyatt Human Capital Index study demonstrated that the potential impact of people programs on a firm's overall market value could be as high as 47 percent. The road is clear and the time is right. HR must now seize this unprecedented opportunity to adopt metrics and to become the next 'corporate hero' (pp.279-283)"

Therefore, after saying "metrics are the fastest and the cheapest way to change behavior in business," he demonstrates:

I.Nine reasons to utilize metrics: (1). Meeting your goals, (2). Driving improvement, (3). Obtain funding, (4). Early warning a.k.a 'smoke detectors,' (5). Understanding critical success factors, (6). Shift to fact-based decisions, (7). Metrics change behaviors, (8). Eliminate confusion, (9). Builds coordination/cooperation.

II.Eight steps in developing metrics: (1). Select a metric for each program goal, (2). Choosing between soft and hard metrics, (3). Understanding the different categories of business impact, (4). Selecting simple but attention-getting metrics, (5). Understanding the characteristics of great measures, (6). Selecting from standard HR metrics, (7). Selecting from advanced metrics, (8). Building the business case for increased HR funding.

III.Eleven decision factors for approving HR projects: (1). A low initial investment, (2). The project has a high ROI, (3). Similar projects implemented elsewhere have a high success rate or a low risk of failure, (4). The project starts right away without a long delay, (5). There is a short payback period, (6). The project has a complete set of accurate results metrics and a method for collecting metric information, (7). No new headcount is required, (8). The project has negative consequences for failure built in, (9). The program gives us a competitive advantage over other firms, (10). The program can demonstrate that it increases worker productivity, (11). A project team is credible and has high success rate on previous projects.

Finally, Sullivan writes, "HR professionals understand that the world of business has recently lost its tolerance for decisions made without facts and for programs that don't produce measurable results...Metrics can provide you with the opportunity to be superior performer by letting you know unambiguously where you are and how far you have to go. Your future path is clear; you can't become a champion...without measuring your results (pp.297-298)."

I highly recommend this invaluable fieldguide to all change champions of the future.

This is like a conference within a book without the travel and expense - I learned from the top thought leaders in the field such as David Cooperrider - the creator of Appreciative Inquiry, Marshall Goldsmith - one of the world's top coaches and experts on behavioral change, Jerry Sternin - the founder of applied positive deviance, Louis Carter - one of the foremost experts in best practices in leadership and organization development, Kathleen Dannemiller - the creator of whole scale change, Dave Ulrich - one of the world's top 5 management educators ranked by Business Week, Lawrence Susskind - the Director of the Consensus Building Institute at MIT/Harvard, the well known futurist Ryan Matthews, the world's leading expert in succession planning Dr. William Rothwell, Dr. W. Warner Burke, the award winning teacher and consultant and many more! Any organization that does not have a copy of the fieldguide in their organization will seriously lack competitive advantage.

This book is an absolute steal for the price. It is extremely generous in the information it provides. There are 22 chapters of the best theories, practices, and examples in change/business management and leadership/organization development -- with an eye towards getting results that matter for you and your organization. This book has already helped me to make my job more valuable inside of my organization - as well as helped me to better understand how to get my ideas implemented faster - and improved my chances of getting a promotion! Thank you to the publisher and editors for providing me with a book that has far exceeded my expectations.

Mary Hoyt's new memoir is the story of her personal and professional journey and it is truly a profile in courage. She shows that when armed with determination, a woman who strives to be independent can achieve the career of her choice. Hoyt has my greatest admiration for her humorous insights as she leads us on an intimate fast-paced journey through the highs and lows of her career. A single parent of two young children, she was determined to carve out a future for herself and her sons. Without any formal introductions, she uprooted her family from the west coast to the Washington political scene and established herself as a political journalist. In the early days of the women's movement when political partners created their own roles as players in national campaigns, she served as press secretary to the wives of presidential nominees and then to First Lady Rosalyn Carter. She reminds us that each American First Lady copes in a different way with her unelected, unpaid, and often unrewarding job. East Wing is a real contribution to 20th century social and political history. Beautifully written, this book tells it like it was through themes of courage, hard work, risk, and fulfillment. A must read!

Mary Hoyt's "East Wing" was a thoroughly enjoyable read. For those who care about public policy, politics and history it is a wonderfully up close and personal look at a time of rather dramatic change. At the same time it is every bit as lively and intimate as the highly acclaimed "West Wing" television series.

"East Wing" takes an interesting approach in its look back at the significance of the changes taking place in the 70s. The author does this through the prism of her own life and an activist First Lady. Capturing the changing times and how they impacted her life and then played out on one of the leading stages in the world -- the White House -- was informative and entertaining.

A tip of the hat to the book's author Mary Hoyt for reminding us just how much we have all changed and the significance of those changes. It is a book I want my daughter to read.

The insider views, from the Press Secretary of the McGoverns, Muskies and Carters are illuminating as we can see the evolution of the women's roles in their husbands political lives. After I started the book, I bagged the rest of my TO DO List for the weekend. It's a great read--present tense, short crisp sentences, make your feel like you are there, and moving as fast as Mary Hoyt must have been at the time! The book is even more enjoyable and meaningful, because the author's personal life--full of challenges to say the least-- is interwoven into story. Hers is a rather inspiring story of one woman's "evolution."

In this excellent overview of current research (2003) into the brain, Rita Carter, a medical journalist, certainly has her finger on the pulse (or is that prefrontal cortex?). Although dealing with very difficult concepts, Ms Carter has done an admirable job in simplifying it for the non-brain specialist, like myself. Nevertheless it can still be a challenging read at times.

The book begins by introducing the idea that our experience is not necessarily the same as the external world. The first chapter concerns discussion of "the stream of illusion". Like 'constant vision', our experience of 'constant consciousness' appears to be a merging of projected separate experiences -as in a film. (The quality thereof partly depending on the acting, one of which incidentally, is you). "The construction of our experience depends on merging the consciousness of one moment into the next" (p18). In both our experience of vision and consciousness therefore, some processing selection, by the brain, is implied. There is also a time gap. 1/5 of a second apparently passes between vision received by the brain, and our experience of it (p25). It is similar with our experience of consciousness, ie the 'illusion of immediacy' (p27). It is stated here that we apparently experience our lives (ie consciousness) 1/2 second out of sync with the external world (p29). (If you don't understand how tennis players return serves under this arrangement-don't worry-the brain just projects the real-time (but unconscious) return to us, and then backdates our experience of it, apparently (p29)).

Our tendency to miss things in our visionary field we are not 'primed' for is termed "inattentional blindness", whilst "change blindness", is when one fails to notice any change in their visual field, which can be surprisingly significant. (Sound like someone you know?). Similar 'misses' also apply to consciousness, and therefore also to beliefs etc.

At least 6 main ideas of consciousness are outlined-'property dualism' that mind is an aspect of matter, 'identity'-that mind=matter, 'agnostic'-that consciousness and matter are the one thing but not understood, 'emergence-that mind emerges from physical processes but is not identical to them, 'functionalism'-that mind is a process, and 'Cartesian dualism'-that mind and matter are two different things. Add to this 'panpsychism-everything has a 'spark' of life' or 'mind', elimativism, identity theory (eg Searle), and mysterians-those who believe we just can't figure out what consciousness is because we don't have the equipment to understand it, like a cat just can't do calculus (at least we don't think so)- the list goes on and on, providing endless hyper-activity for many philosophers, which is not altogether a bad thing.

Monism-the idea that consciousness and the observed universe are one, (and send your money to the following address to receive this Holy Oneness...sorry couldn't resist) is opposed to dualism -consciousness and the external world being two different things. Simple, except that The Matrix Has You.

First order and higher order theories of consciousness are discussed, in which 'doubling up' of knowledge is suggested to generate the experience of consciousness-the higher order of 'awareness' essentially being a representation of a representation. (The problem of infinite regress here could be nullified by the brain (?)).

Despite some contrary views, words are not essential for self-monitoring (p36). Einstein once said something like-"most of my thoughts are in concepts, not words". I happen to agree entirely-implying that words are essential for thought seems like ... nonsense to me.

One intriguing concept brought out by recent research is whether something that is emergent can have effects that work *downwards*, a concept sort of new to science. p69-"But if consciousness is something else- the non- physical thing it seems to be, there is no obvious way, given what we know of the material universe, that it can affect a change in the underlying brain state". (I actually disagree).

Other discussions include: consciousness as an emergent brain property, the concept of the quale (experience of eg 'red'), the Chinese Room, the self, 'backrooms of the brain', (eg autistic savants and enhanced special abilities), the delayed maturity of the human prefrontal cortex (making us rather silly as teenagers?), bottom up and top down processing within the brain (similar to how social organisations function), petit mal (temporary unconsciousness), 'free will' and readiness potential (sounds like 'free will battery' to me-p85), spandrels (Mr Gould) and consciousness are also given punctuated adaptive discussion (yours truly), and are we ultimately super egotistical zombies-that is machines which have the contrived vanity to think they are something other than machines? p96-99. I'll let you decide.

And finally, spirituality. Suggested here to be just another brain function (I agree, but a small kernel of doubt remains), despite much emotive appeal to the contrary. And what about formalised (and politicised) spirituality, ie 'religion'? Hardly gets a mention in this book, as it also didn't in Ms Carter's other very good book 'Mapping the Mind'. ('The God Part of the Brain' is a useful read in this field, incidentally). Methinks the neuroscientists are avoiding discussing this topic-too many thorns in that briar patch- evidently. And yet, spirituality and religion IS one of the things the brain consistently does, and this book IS about brain research. (Whether one is for or against 'religion' is not the issue, understanding brain processes behind it can only help to reduce obvious problems associated with it). There is a gaping vacuum here in brain research, I suggest. And we know what nature thinks of vacuums.

Something to think about. I also would have liked to see more evolutionary biology, but otherwise a very good overview.

The nature and purposes of human consciousness and thought are probed in Exploring Consciousness, a superbly prensented academic inquiry which deftly blends science and philosophy to consider whether consciousness is an illusion or a byproduct of brain functioning. This scholarly discussion blends the latest hypotheses on consciousness, using the latest discoveries of how the brain functions to provide insights on how consciousness creates time and perception. A lively discourse, recommended for a wide range of interdisciplinary studies.

I loved every page of this book! It really opened my "eye" to the field of consciousness. A great read!

This book is a great introduction to Psalms for you to share with your children. I bought this right away because since I was very young Psalm 139 has been very close to my heart. Oh but when I opened the book and read it to my child I had to read through tears. This is such a beautiful book with delightful yet simple illustrations. (Way to go Kristi!) Keep in mind the book is paraphrased from the Bible and not verbatim but a fantastic translation!

When your child is older and can read Psalm 139 (from the HOLY BIBLE) on his or her own it will make even more sense and beauty. The entire book is enthralling but especially the illustration inspired from verses 14-15 of Psalms 139! This particular illustration has a see-through version of a Mother's tummy with the baby inside. How perfect!

I highly recommend this book for parents to read to their child regularly! It's a very special book that illustrates a glimmer of our OMNIPOTENT AND OMNIPRESENT GOD! You won't be disappointed!

Thank you Joel!

I loved this book just as much as my 3 year old children! It is a great depiction of this very special verse in the Bible that reveals how wonderful God made each one of us. The pictures (computer- generated) draw you into the story of God's beautiful creation of the human body. Every parent should buy this book and start reading it to even the very very young.

What a fantastic job Mr. Anderson does in taking a Pslam that has always brought me great comfort and peace and bringing it down to the world of a child. Even I was awed by the simple words, "God knows me." I plan on reading this to my boys every night at bedtime. What a wonderful last thought before turning out the lights: that to God "even the darkness would be as bright as daytime..." The illustrations are warm and colorful. Showing things that aren't there as if they were. Great way to show kids how the hands of God hold you. And I like the fact that the child in the book could be either a boy or a girl. Great for both! Overall, I plan on giving this book as a gift to every family I know. It's a MUST have!

A lot of people suffer -- and I do mean suffer -- from one or more phobias, and a lot of techniques are offered by various therapists to treat phobias. Unfortunately, while some of these treatments may reduce phobic symptoms somewhat, relatively few phobics are actually cured. In this excellent book, Dr. Harold Levinson explains the reasons for this situation. One is that there are three different types of phobias, a fact not generally recognized. About 5% or so of phobias are caused primarily by a neurotic condition of some sort. These phobias often respond to conventional psychotherapy whereas most phobias do not. Another 5% or so of phobias are caused by a severe trauma, such as being bitten by a dog or being in a plane that almost crashes. These phobias are often helped by desensitization therapy. But if phobias that are caused primarily by neurosis or trauma account for only about 10% of all phobias, what is the primary cause of the other 90%? Dr. Levinson's brilliant discovery is that the root cause of most phobias is a disorder of the cerebellar-vestibular sustem, called in lay terminology "the inner ear." Dr. Levinson also found that inner ear disorders are the primary cause of dyslexia and that there is a very high correlation between dyslexia and phobias. About 90% of people who are phobic or dyslexic are both phobic and dylexic. Fortunately, Dr. Levinson has found that about 80% of cases of both phobias and dyslexia respond to at least one of the inner ear medications currently available, including dramamine, scopolamine, and Benadryl. Inner ear disorders are relatively easy for trained audiologists to detect and verify by the battery of tests available to them, but they seldom are detected by routine examinations made by general practitioners or even ear, nose, and throat specialists. If you suffer from phobias and/or dyslexia -- as I do -- please read this book with an open mind. It may literally change your life for the better. In my case, thorough audiological testing -- as described in this book -- revealed that I do indeed have an inner ear disorder which was not detected by routine examinations. Based on this finding, my physician tried the inner ear medications listed by Dr. Levinson and found one that has given me significant relief. Therefore, I am recommending this book from personal experience.

I Have been phobic for the last five years, i've been hospitalised and housebound. My phobias started on a day trip in the country with what I know now as a panic attack,it was the most frightening exprience of my life as I thought I was going mad and or had a brain tumour. After psychiatry, hypnotherapy,counciling and reiki healing. After numerous amounts of medication and none to my relief,my phobias incresed and I was desperate I could see no way out of this living nightmare. I got the book and finished it in an evening it was brilliant I'am now on the medication 3 weeks and everyday I lose a phobia its a miracle and I would just like to thank Dr Harold Levinson for giving me what i can only say is my life back--

This is beneficial information for those suffering from OCD. Dr. Levinson's theory has led to my complete recovery. His theory attributes the disorder to a "medical" condition of the inner-ear called a cerebellar-vestibular dysfunction and is easily treated and corrected with a combination of antihistamines, antimotion-sickness, and antianxiety medications that he prescribes. Soon after starting the medication, the disorder was gone. Calmness and total control were shortly established. Prior to this were many months of unsuccessful behavioral therapy treatment with no relief occuring. Dr. Levinson's treatment doesn't just give some relief from OCD, it rids it! His book "Phobia Free" is extremely helpful and describes in depth how the cv-dysfunction is related to all anxiety. It describes why obsessive thoughts occur and how they are thoughts that are just not being properly filtered. The title of this book, "Phobia Free," is truly ! ! a perfect description of how an OCD sufferer feels after being treated by Dr. Levinson for this "medical" condition called the cv-dysfunction.

Up Country is probably one of the most treasured books I own. I can relate to Carl's feelings and emotions, and every time I read it, the same situational segments of the story still make me laugh out loud. I would recommend Up Country to anyone, based on it's superb characterization and thought.

I used to not like books this book changed my mind! a must read. Very touching and a great wake up call to life!

I read this book for an 8th Grade book report, and I have read it over and over again. Everytime I read it I get the same feelings I had the first time I read it. Carl Staggers feels what a real 16 year old boy would feel if he were in that same situation and it amazes me how well the auther expressed that.

A very comprehensive structured analysis of one's training and sparring agenda. Excellent for the novice, and very beneficial for the advanced fighter.

This book is a must for the serious tournament fighter. Darin Waugh offers a comprehensive, yet easy to understand, analytical tool for those who wish to excel. A cobmination of work sheets and sound advice makes this a highly usable book. I highly recommend it!

Learning more about yourself, not only your fighting style, is a major strength in this work. The book is extremely detailed, and gives one plenty of food for thought. The charts and graphs included are very helpful, and the book's unsual format allows the reader to easily copy and use the information given so freely. This is indeed a quality work. The author's years of experience and rational mind shine through. Anyone intersted in martial arts, from beginner to black belt can use and benefit from "Analyze Your Fighting' by Darin Waugh. I can't wait to check out his software package. I give it a big thumbs up, and 5 stars.

As a premedical student, I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of work...It examines the physical and emotional aspects of a first year med student quite well. A must-read for anyone contemplating a career in medicine.

In the fall I will begin my first semester as a medical school student. I find the prospect of gross anatomy terrifying, and this book did an excellent job of lessening my anxiety towards the course and towards the ordeal that is medical school itself.

The author provides the reader with an opportunity to experience something unique and different -- human dissection.For those involved in medical education, the dissectioin experience is portrayed in a sensitive, insightful and accurate manner. The author's essays and illustrations of the dissections by Versalius provides a sensory of history and meaning that any health propfessions student about to take gross anatomy would find fscinating. This book is must reading for any first year medical student and should be on anyone's list who is concerned with the education of health professionals.

This book is great. It has a lot of great exercises and advice, and is very supportive. I did find that this book has been written for a narrow audience, a white closeted lesbian in her 30's. This is an audience that I just don't fit into. This book does try to address other audiences such as gay men, but does not handle it well. For those of you who fit into this book's audience, BUY IT! It's a great book. If you don't fit into this audience, you can buy it but might find that you can't relate to it as well.

Are you a homosexual? Then this book will guide you on learning more about yourself. If you are not a homosexual, then it is an amazing opportunity for you to learn that the gay community has a sense of humor too. It makes fun of itself better than anyone else ever can.

Judy helps you confront the fears of coming-out with humour and sound advice. Most of the stuff is quite obvious, but you`ll have to get the basics right however simple and/or foolish the exercises may seem to you. You`ll probably be able to avoid some of the stupid mistakes each and everyone of us seem to make while stepping into gay life on our own, and that alone is well worth the price.

Certainly useful if you are closeted, alone and scared, but also worth a look or two if you have rushed out without getting organized first (as I, and probably many others did!).

This book is absolutely adorable!!! A very sweet valentine book with fun, colorful pop-ups and a sweet valentine poem!! Such a great book!!!

I bought this book years ago for my now 9 yr old,. Now my 3 yr old has rediscovered all of Carter's books & loves them. She is a girly girl & is usually afraid of bugs but these bugs are so cute, she loves them. Of course as with most pop-up books,it is short & fragile-not for the very young to play with on their own. But it is a must-have for anyone with kids.

The cutest valentine book ever! The pop ups are wonderfully designed and it is a real attention getter! My only complaint is that the book isn't longer!! I would love to see more!