I think this is one of the better books explaining various types of manufacturing and the possible strategies the companies would use. This book also details vertical integration pros and cons. The person reading this book should have some knowledge of strategic planning and cost accounting to get the full impact. A required reading for the APICS Systems and Technology test. I would not have passed the test without this book.

There is an argument that the most successful president in American History was James K. Polk, who ran on a four point platform (e.g., get the northwest territory), achieved all four of his objectives, and retired after a single term in the White House. An argument could be made that in the last half of the 19th century the most successful president was Rutherford B. Hayes (must have something to do with middle initials). Of course any young students looking over this volume in the Encyclopedia of Presidents series is going to be struck by the parallels between the disputed election of 1876 and what happened in Florida in 2000, especially since Florida was one of the four southern states in dispute back then. But a careful reading of this juvenile biography by Zachary Kent will show that Hayes, like Polk, achieved most of his political objectives, despite being disparaged by disgruntled Democrats as "his fradulency."

As is usually the case with the volumes in this particular series, Kent begins his story in media res, with Hayes as a Colonel of the Twenty-Third Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Civil War (where he was the only future president to be wounded during the war, albeit five times). Then we go back and look at Hayes education and marriage, his service during the war, and his entry into politics. Of course an entire chapter is devoted to the disputed election between Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden, but the following chapter devoted to Hayes's presidency indicates he left the nation more united and more prosperous than when he entered the White House. Although he ended Reconstruction by pulling Federal troops out of the south, Hayes also had an impact by embracing new technology, have a telephone and running water installed in the White House. However, Kent does not going into detail on some of Hayes's other success, both at home and abroad, so I do think more space should have been devoted to his accomplishments in office. Hayes extensively toured the nation in a Pullman car and the term "First Lady" was first used to refer to his wife, Lucy. The book is illustrated with historic photographs and some choice political cartoons from the period, the latter being one of the chief assets of the series. As always, the Encyclopedia of Presidents series provides considerably more information than young readers or their teachers will find in a standard American history textbook.

This book is another well done look at Rutherford B. Hayes by Dr. Ari Hoogenboom. In this volume the author tells the story of Hayes' Civil War experiences.

Before joining up Hayes was not enthused about the War. But as a soldier he quickly became convinced of the value of his mission. By the end of 1861 he had come to see the war as "a crusade against slavery."

Hayes started out as a major in the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He soon rose to colonel. By the end of the war he was a general. He served four years in all (1861-1865). Hayes last battle was in October, 1864. While still on active duty the voters of Cincinnati elected him to Congress.

Hayes' war action was mostly in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. William McKinley stated that when Hayes was in battle he was "intense and ferocious." He was wounded five times in action but maintained his enthusiasm for being a soldier. He proved himself a capable officer who earned the respect of his men. He often defeated the enemy and helped achieve ultimate Union victory.

Hayes had the luxury of seeing his family several times during the War. He wrote numerous letters home and kept a diary. These writings proved invaluable sources for this book.

This book provides numerous detailed maps of the battles which Hayes fought in. There are also several bios given of the various generals Hayes served under or against.

Dr. Hoogenboom clearly understood Rutherford B. Hayes and described him accurately. The reader gets a clear picture of the 19th President before he attained that office.

Superromance author Morgan Hayes crosses over to Intrigue with "Tall, Dark and Wanted." When the safe house he was staying in is bombed, witness Mitch Hayes goes on the run. His first love, Officer Molly Sparling, is the only one who can find him. Can she bring him in before the killers on his tail catch up to him?

"Tall, Dark and Wanted" is a book for those who love emotional, action-packed romantic suspense. I liked how it was the heroine who was the police officer, not the hero, a nice twist on the expected. Mitch is also not a cowboy, despite what the cover art makes it look like (he's an architect), and Molly isn't a weak, vulnerable heroine. She's a strong, capable woman who can take care of herself. That doesn't mean Mitch is weak either. He's smart and tough-minded, and he and Molly make a great pair.

Although the solution to the mystery is obvious and the villain's identity clear, Hayes provides good action sequences and exciting moments to keep readers engaged. The dangerous moments the characters find themselves in are some of the best of the book. The beginning of the story is also slow, burdened with too much narrative and back story that slows down the plot. The payoff is worth it though. Mitch and Molly's relationship is defined and explored well. It's not hard for us to think they are meant to be together.

"Tall, Dark and Wanted" is an excellent romantic suspense novel and an entertaining read I thoroughly enjoyed.

I smell a rat. Sid Rat, that is. In this enchanting Otto andUncle Tooth adventure, Otto tries to teach his friend, Ducky Doodle,the values of honesty and good, clean fun. Sid Rat has other ideas, however. When Otto and Doodle discover a sunken treasure chest, Sid Rat and his gang of weasals trick Doodle into believing that they will help him retrieve the treasure from the bottom of Lost Lagoon and let Doodle claim it all for himself. The plan changes, of course, as soon as Doodle brings Sid to the place where the treasure is buried. Will Doodle's true friends, Otto and Uncle Tooth, save him? What will they find in the treasure chest? It is worth reading this charming tale to find out. The story combines just the right amount of mystery and adventure, so kids will be intrigued, but not necessarily frightened. It also touches upon such lessons as friendship, hard work, honesty and responsibility. The story is perfect for the 6-8 year old set. It is simple, yet exciting. As a parent, I appreciated the fact that the story amused, yet taught valuable lessons. My daughter, on the other hand, liked the story because it was fun to read and it kept her in suspense. We both enjoyed the story because it left my daughter wanting to READ more. We would both definitely recommend it!

Every year thousands of self-help books are published promising you can be smarter, richer, thinner, happier and/or better pleased with yourself even without all of the above. The majority of these books have one basic assumption: that the reader knows what he or she wants.

Authors Kenney Hayes and Marlene Hamilton, however, know there are some --women in particular -- who may have a feeling there's something missing in their lives but aren't quite sure what. What may be missing, they say, is an understanding of one's life's purpose, a dream. Everyone has such a purpose, they advise, but may have either lacked the courage to pursue it or lost faith in their ability to do so. What Do We Want to Be When We Grow Up is for them.

"Get ready," writes Ms. Hamilton, "to visualize the invisible Dream God has for you, or the one tucked down deep within your heart."

In a breezy, wry style, Ms. Hayes and Ms. Hamilton offer the kind of "you can do it" encouragement one gets from good friends, and that is totally intentional. Although both are active in church ministry, they aren't out to preach a sermon. Instead, by using events in their own lives as examples, they show how even the negative events in our lives can further our path goalward. Each chapter is followed by a single page of exercises intended to build confidence and aid in self-discovery, making their slim volume an potentially excellent group study guide.

WHAT DO WE WANT TO BE WHEN WE GROW UP might almost be subtitled "An Introduction to Self-Help," because that is essentially what it does. It's a place to start if one is dissatisfied without quite knowing why, a first step on the road to finding out just what one is here for presented in an easily digested, uplifting way that never accuses or condemns. And it is well worth reading just for the pleasure of knowing the authors.

My thirst for knowledge of the beautiful game means that a chance to learn more about the team I support is too good a chance to turn down! This indispensable guide to a club with a glorious history is packed with equally glorious information. From Hoddle to Tottenham High Road, from Greaves to Klinsmann, this book has all the information you could want. A treat for long suffering fans and newcomers alike.

It was his child... it had to be

Bittersweet experience had taught J.D Satterly that rich women were shallow and materialistic. But when he discovered that his ex-wife had left town with their child- the one she'd never told him about- he added "viscous" to the list. Rage gave way to fierce determination . He would find his child- no matter what it took.

When his search landed him on Kate Randolph's doorstep, he knew real trouble was ahead. her mischievous adopted litle boy had to be his. Yet watching them together made him realize that the warmth they shared would make it painful to take Danny away. Even worse, despite her moneyed background, beautiful Kate was the woman he'd always dreamed of. And like his sone- he had fallen in love....

I just saw this coffe-table book while snooping around a bookstore, and had to thumb through it: beautiful wood boats -- of course there's ChrisCraft, but many others I had never heard of.

Get this book for yourself, and/or your favorite "captain" and "crew": in my case, for my father-in-law, who owned such boats, and for my wife, who continually spins yarns about growing up with these beauties.

Considering I rarely read 'Westerns' I was delighted to find that the writer had crafted a story that was both engaging & interesting. Unlike the majority of works avaliable today the plot was well thought out, the characters believable & the ending a wonderful surprise. To be honest, I've re-read the ending severial times. Even the more adult areas were softly spoken, one is not forced into a graphic rendation of love but a wonderful rendation. This is a book I can very much suggest you read, even with its adult orintated sections. One is left wondering what happened after the last page. It is a book I will give to my daughter to read when she is old enough. Quite honestly, I rarely like sequals yet in this case I very much hope she writes one. I very much look forward to reading it.