I was just at the point in my life where believing in Santa Claus seems extrememely childish, but then I read this book by Robert Sullivan. Pretty soon it had me convinced that Santa does exist and reindeer really do fly. The pictures are very interesting and the context is quite convincing, esp. the interviews. Many people (or Helpers) are questioned in this book. Some people that give testimonies are George Bush Sr. and Al Roker. Will Steger relates his conversation with Santa Claus to Robert Sullivan, who, fortunately, wrote it down in this book. Sullivan finds a lot of useful evidence too. Glenn Wolff illustrates the book wonderfully, and I like the fact that there is at least one picture or photo on every page. I do love the format of the book and all the extraordinary photos Sullivan puts in The Flight of the Reindeer From Santa's finding of Rudolph to Santa's current sleigh, this book gives an explanation for just about everything. Every Christmas season, I read this book. Without this book, I would probably be a non-believer.

This book is great! If you need help believing in Santa, read this book. It has an interview w/Santa, curtousy of Will Steger, the only man to visit Santa's viliage. Also, there are amazing pictures of Santa's Villiage, Reindeer flying, and much much more! This is a must have book. Totally.

This book uses various experts and historical data to prove there is a Santa Claus. After reading this book even my wife (a non-believer) was convinced he is real.

Man....I dunno where to begin with this book. Yeah its that awesome! I've just started reading it and I'm abt 80 pages into it but lemme tell ya , Its just as good if not better than the rest of them in the "Stories 4 the Teens heart" series! I don't think the stories are just for teens either , anyone can read them and they are sure to enjoy them. The stories talk about real life situations and how others have coped with them. This book can really cheer a person up and help them out. I hope anyone who veiws this would read it and enjoy it! Best wishes to all ya'll out there!

This book was an inspiration to me. I am going through a lot of hard times right now and this book has helped me see that my problems aren't as bad as I thought they were. One of my favorite stories would have to be "Miracle at the Mall" on page 314. There's always a different way God lets people know he cares and loves us. I look forward to future books by Alice Gray. Also, I would like to thank the people who allowed their stories to be published.

THIS BOOK IS A GREAT READ FOR TEENS.THE STORIES ARE FUNNY,HEART
WARMING AND AT TIMES SAD.MOST OF THE STORIES TEACH VAUABLE LESSONS ON LIFE.MY FAVORITE STORY IN THE BOOK WAS DUMP BOY.THE LESSON THE CHILDREN LEARN AT THE END WAS REALLY TOUCHING.ANOTHER
FAVORITE WAS A POEM CALLED MAKING SARAH CRY(WHICH WILL HAVE ALL
YOU SCHOOL BULLYS WISHING FOR A SECOND CHANCE.BUY THIS BOOK AND LOVE THE STORIES JUST LIKE I DID.YOU WON'T BE DISAPPIONTED.

Any entrepreneur who contemplates buying or selling a business or who wonders what their company might be worth should read "What Every Business Owner Should Know About Valuing Their Business" by professional business valuation experts Stanley Feldman, Timothy Sullivan, and Roger Winsby.

Feldman, Sullivan, and Winsby tell us that most small businesses are too small to be sold for anything more than net asset value. We learn that of the 24.5 million businesses in the U.S., 17.1 million are owned by only one or two people and are often part-time endeavors operated from home.

These ultra-small businesses typically have zero value as a going concern, because they are often highly dependent upon the owner's labor and they have limited income potential. These ultra-small businesses have little "goodwill" value beyond the value of their net assets.

Small businesses with several employees and an established client base often have value as a going concern. These companies often sell for more than net asset value. The amount paid above the net asset value is called "goodwill."

Because buying or selling a company is probably the biggest financial decision you'll ever make, you should understand the valuation process and consider utilizing the assistance of professional business appraisers. The authors tell us that professional business appraisal is costly, often ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to appraise a company.

Using several case studies, Feldman, Sullivan, and Winsby discuss the main business valuation methods used today, including:

1) Valuation based upon earnings, which typically involves adjusting reported earnings appropriately and determining a proper industry-specific multiple of earnings for which the business should sell. Often, "similar" businesses are examined to see the valuations given to those companies.

2) Valuation based upon revenue, which usually involves determining an appropriate number that is multiplied by the company's revenue to determine company value.

3) Valuation based upon discounted cash flow, which involves estimating the future stream of free cash flow the business is expected to provide and then discounting this stream of cash flow to the present. Sometimes, the basic discounted cash flow calculation is further adjusted to allow for a small company's lack of liquidity or other factors.

Feldman, Sullivan, and Winsby write: "There is a growing consensus among professional valuation experts that the discounted cash flow method produces the most accurate valuation results for an ongoing, established business if there are no current transactions of very comparable businesses."

"What Every Business Owner Should Know About Valuing Their Business" shows the valuation of several specific businesses, including an insurance agency, an environmental consulting business, a law firm, and a metal fabrication company.

Each case study provides a current tax return for the business (one company is a C-corporation; two are S-corporations; and one is a partnership), and each company valuation demonstrates several aspects about the valuation of different types of businesses.

For example, for O'Toole Insurance Agency, we learn several things:

1) An important part of valuation is convincing the other party that there is a reasonableness to your valuation.

2) Large expenses can be incurred in valuing a business and preparing it for a sale. In one failed transaction, the buyer and seller collectively spent $44,880 in accounting, appraisal, and legal fees, and, in the end, the deal fell through.

3) Sometimes, it's important to separate different parts of a company for valuation purposes. O'Toole Insurance Agency owned its building and rented space to other occupants. If the potential buyer only wished to purchase the insurance business, the insurance business would need to be separately valued from the property and rental business. Also, because the new agency, sans building ownership, would need to pay rent, the insurance company earnings would need to be lowered by the new rental expense.

4) Discretionary expenses and "missing" expenses must be examined, and adjustments might need to be made to reported earnings when valuing the company. Feldman, Sullivan, and Winsby point out that many business owners incorporate discretionary expenses into their business in an attempt to lower taxation. These expenses reduce taxable income, but can be eliminated without compromising the earnings power of the company. (Some buyers might be willing to accept that the true earnings of the company are higher than taxable earnings due to these discretionary expenses, thus increasing the true value of the business.)

Feldman, Sullivan, and Winsby include a solid chapter about maximizing the value of a business. The authors say business owners planning for the sale of their businesses must start thinking less about minimizing taxes and more about maximizing company value. Over a period of several years, owners should prepare for the eventual sale of their company by making their operations more transparent and disentangling personal expenses from business expenses.

Suppose, for example, an entrepreneur incorporates $30,000 in discretionary expenses in his business, including expensive club memberships, that really aren't necessary business expenses. Assume these "expenses" generate little or no added sales and don't really help customer retention nor benefit non-owner employees. If the business sells for eight times earnings and we use the taxable earnings for valuation, this $30,000 in discretionary expenses will reduce the company valuation by $240,000.

Feldman, Sullivan, and Winsby write: "A dollar saved on taxes can cost $$$ in lost value."

The authors also discuss the possibility that expenses the owner claims are "discretionary" are, in fact, necessary. For example, the club memberships may be crucial to meeting potential clients. The authors tell us that a new owner who does less networking might need to increase advertising expense appropriately. And, thus, it's useful to examine the advertising expenses of similar companies.

"What Every Business Owner Should Know About Valuing Their Business" discusses other "life business events" such as divorce, death, transition planning, and portfolio diversification. There is also an excellent discussion of the different types of business structures, such as S-corporations and C-corporations.

Overall, I highly recommend "What Every Business Owner Should Know About Valuing Their Business" to entrepreneurs buying or selling a business.

Peter Hupalo, Author of "How To Start And Run Your Own Corporation: S-Corporations For Small Business Owners"

I found this book to be logical and informative about many matters that I've had trouble getting good information about. We small business people may often find ourselves going it alone, wandering about in the wilderness, so to speak.

This book offers education and guidance about matters very relevant to the management of one's business in order to make it more profitable and ultimately more valuable at the time of sale. The ramifications of various decisions about what to include as tax deductible necessities are spelled out. I recognized how many times my desire to minimize my taxes had driven my decisions rather than looking at the larger picture--my need for an adequate retirement income. This is an even bigger issue for someone who hopes to ultimately sell their business to fund their retirement than for me as a professional practitioner.

I especially liked the fact that the authors explained the various methods of business valuation and their underlying assumptions. They spelled out the pros and cons of each so that they could be selected for appropriateness as well as weighted if they were all combined to provide a ballpark figure.

The examples were detailed, varied, and interesting. They seemed very realistic. They were effective at illustrating various points the authors wished to make. While this book is targeted more to owners and sellers, it would be very beneficial for any potential business buyers to read. It makes clear many areas to be probed so that there are not unpleasant surprises later on.

... The book is quite inexpensive and the valuation service, although it sounds expensive at ... is inexpensive and fast compared to any other alternatives. The ways in which the information the valuation process yields can be used are amply demonstrated in the various examples. The authors are also available for consultation as part of the package and there are options to tailor services to meet a specific legal need.

This book has the potential to save a business owner a tremendous amount of money if he or she plans to maximize the value of their business for 3-5 years prior to a projected sale, rather than manage their business in their usual way. It's a great resource to help business owners (and/or their families)prepare for transitions! Buy it and read it if you are a small business owner now or are considering becoming one!

I just picked up a copy of this book because I needed to know the value of a family business. I thought I could just pick a formula and presto that would be the number. After reading this book, and going over the case studies, I now know differently. There is a lot more involved than randomly assigning a value to your company. And this book showed me how. Its straight forward approach and readability will now let me see what I need to do in order to maximize the value of the company. Thanks for the tips!

Wayne Gretsky once said, (as quoted in Rob Sullivan's book) "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Sullivan, a one time recruiter, in his new book Getting Your Foot in the Door When you Don't have a Leg to Stand On, gives you new strategies, ideas and steps to take to make those "shots" that will eventually land you the job you want. He has concrete examples for making your cover letter and resume really work and stand out in a sea of resumes.

This book has a wealth of ideas. For example, once you have a contact or lead into a company, ask for help rather than asking for a job. Getting an "informational" interview may be much easier than getting an interview for a job that may not even exist yet. In an "informational" interview, you have the opportunity to share your strengths and show how you might help the organization. If there is still no job at that company, your new contact will know you personally and be more likely to give you other leads or recommendations.

Sullivan's chapters on resumes and cover letters, in a very clear and concise manner, will give you concrete ideas on how to be more effective in your one and only contact with either a recruiter or a company. His advice in how to establish a "clear chain of events" is excellent. A resume that leaves more questions than answers in the readers' minds may well eliminate you from the start. Sullivan says, "Unlike your resume, every word of your cover letter will probably be read." Of course, then, crafting a cover letter with punch is critical, and Sullivan's book will give you clear steps to do this.

Sullivan's self-assessment exercises and his guidelines on the interview process, like how to field tough questions, how to prepare, and how to close the deal, are all valuable tools for the job seeker. Check this one out! You will not be disappointed.

Rob Sullivan has created a wonderfully complete and enlightening source for landing your dream job. From discovering what careers and companies are right for you to negotiating the perfect salary, this book has it all. In addition to the wealth of practical knowledge contained in this volume, Rob has included numerous real life stories and quotes to lend character and authenticity to his work. I especially like the chapter on resume creation...great ideas for putting yourself on paper in a way that will definitely get you noticed. For anyone in the job market today and for anyone who will ever look for a new job in the future, get your hands on this book.

While I'm not a recent college graduate, I'm looking at possibly transitioning into a different career or revitalizing my career in the same field. I found the book very informative and interesting--particularly as it relates to the need for self-analysis to be successful not only in a job search/interview, but in life. It's amazing what our thinking can do to us (or for us)in terms of developing positive expectations or prompting negative consequences. I also found the author's discussion of his overcoming social anxiety--as it relates to interviews, meetings, public speaking, etc.--to be refreshingly honest and inspiring. A book that offers more than the usual "say this, say that" fare.

I bought this book for my nephew but decided to wait to give it to him for several reasons. The main one being that I absolutely LOVE the book myself! LOL! However, while the story is good and I know he'll enjoy it, he's still a bit young (not even 2); it seems more appropiate for 4 years old or older.

In the story, Young Kate uses her wits to save her family and her village with an ending I never saw coming -- not your typical 'Fairy Tale Ending' but an excellent one nonetheless especially for our modern times. I fell in love with the illustration's ton of detail that kept me looking at each page long after the reading was over.

My one complaint is that, while the book itself is good sized so you can see the pictures, the paperback edition seems a bit flimsy. If this story is to be loved (and thus read) as much as I think it will then I may have to order another copy or two to last through the years. Perhaps the school binding edition is more sturdy?

Both girls and boys will enjoy this story and I think you grown ups will, too.

The Irish have long memories, and even longer tales to reflect that. This book is a wonderful way to get children caught up in the excitement and tension of a classical tale, while also giving them a resourceful and modern heroine to admire. The book is everything a children's story should be: it's funny, the languish reads well and beautifully, and the illustrations are well done. This is a must-have.

"O'Sullivan Stew" is a rollicking book with a truly heroic female protagonist. The pictures are both lovely and funny--if you pay special attention to facial expressions I guarantee you'll be laughing out loud. Kate, the heroine, spins yarns with a skill beyond her years, painting pictures with her inventive tales. Her speech is like music--you can practically hear her brogue while you're reading. And if her storytelling doesn't convince you that she's painting pictures with her words, then the illustrations will. They vary from dreamy pastels to muted and murky to bold and bright depending on the nature of the tale she's telling. And when she stops, the world turns black and white.

Not only does this book contain excellent illustrations, a strong, believable heroine, and a captivating story line, but there are several surprises and an unexpected ending. I hope you'll read it... it would be a shame to miss out on such a marvelously fun book!

I really enjoyed reading this book it was very interesting and adventurious. It was an average reading book and the words were not that hard to understand. I wuold recomand this book for sixth grade and up. I hope William Durbin writes more books like this I really enjoy reading them.

This fictional journal centers around 15 year old Sean Sullivan. Coming from Chicago, he meets his father. His father works for the Union Pacific Railroad in Nebraska. Soon, Sean encounters Old West Towns, mean workers, and prejudice towards Chinese and Irishmen. You'll also learn about the Transcontinental Railroad, one of our history's interesting subjects. This book takes you from Omaha to the meeting of the Central Pacific at Promontory Summit. Hop on board and enjoy for yourself, The Journal of Sean Sullivan. I assure you, you won't be disappointed!

The book was really interesting. Sean Sullivan like everyone else had to start as a water boy and work his way up: he worked as a butcher, then he shot rattlesnakes, then he laid down the rails, then finally he became a spiker. This way the reader could see what it was like to work at each job. Sean wrote in detail, but not so much as to be unrealistic. I liked the letters he got from his brother in Chicago as well.

This is definitely a Duet worth reading!

Cathie Linz' story, "Between The Covers" tells the tale of Paige Turner, a woman destined by her name to become a librarian. She's a "nice" woman, and becomes friends with Detective Shane Huntington, the Huntington family's black sheep. It seems he turned his back on his family's tradition of becoming proctologists by joining the police force, and they've never quite forgiven him. In order to meet conditions of an inheritance, he has to get married to a woman who meets a set of exacting conditions. Of course he turns to Paige the librarian for help in finding the perfect wife.

This was an amusing and fast-paced story. It had some classic themes of the genre - Paige's transformation in designer gowns, snobbish family members, the answer to Shane's dilemma being right before his eyes, etc. - but they were all done with style and wit. It was a very enjoyable story.

Jane Sullivan's "The Matchmaker's Mistake" is another excellent example of why I'm always on the lookout for one of her books. Her stories never fail to entertain. This story tells the tale of Mark McAlister, accountant. He's up for a coveted partnership in his firm, but he can see his chances slowly diminishing because he has neither the style nor the connections nor the trophy wife to advance the interests of the firm. Mark is not a one-dimensional character; he's overcome a lot in his earlier life to get where he is today, and it has scarred him. He goes to a bar to try to meet his perfect future wife, and is ultimately taken under the wing of Liz Prescott, the bartender. Liz takes pity on him and decides to take him in hand and help him achieve his goal.

This story was a version of Pygmalion in reverse. Liz is the free spirit who is trying to loosen up up Mark and recreate his image. Both characters were wonderful, the writing sharp and humorous, and the romance lovely. This book is definitely a keeper.

I've heard some people say romance doesn't represent "real life." Well, those people haven't read this book. We all know this hero and heroine. We like them. And we're pulling for them the whole book through. This author really made me care for the couple. And I loved her writing. It's funny and intelligent. It isn't often that an author can make me really laugh out loud when I'm reading, but Jane Sullivan accomplished it. Brava! I'll be picking up the rest of her books in a skinny minute.

Jane Sullivan has turned the Pygmalion tale upside down! Liz and Mark are two characters readers will adore.

Too bad the story had to end. Thank you, Jane Sullivan, for such a great beach read!

This is just the best of several annotated G & S libretto collections that have been published over the years. It is actually a republication (with revisions) of two paperbacks by Bradley published some years earlier. They are listed as out of print, which they are, but that doesn't matter with this excellently produced single volume now available. Bradley doesn't have space to give us the last word on all aspects of the operas, but he is exhaustive on the texts, and no real G & S fan can afford not to have this on the shelf. The only other one to look for (it is out of print) is the volume by Martyn Green because his notes include a lot of valuable information about staging.

This is the only book for a true Gilbert and Sullivan fan, especially since it literally is the only complete collection of their works available today for purchase. Luckily, it's a good one: it includes all of their Savoy operettas as well as their lesser-known later works such as Utopia Ltd. The real jewels of the collection, however, remain their best operas: HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, The Sorcerer. This book is especially helpful because it contains all of the lyrics to all of the songs, and most CD recordings of the operas do not come with the lyrics (for many of the songs, it is impossible to catch all of the words simply by hearing them). Ian Bradley's notes, printed off to the side, are also interesting and help shed light on obscure words and phrases. Enjoy!

This contains all the Gilbert & Sullivan librettos (excepting Thespis, the only opera whose music has not survived), complete with exhaustive notes, anecdotes and text varients by enthusiastic fan and scholar Ian Bradley. I found Bradley's introductory essays on each of the operas especially informative and rewarding, and the convenient layout of the libretto-on-the-right,-notes-on-the-left is a perfect format for this project as it saves the reader the trouble of constant page-turning. Utopia Limited and The Grand Duke are given somewhat briefer treatment, but these operas have been performed far less than the others (though nowadays it seems inexplicable, and Utopia Limited is my second-favorite of the Canon). I only wish Thespis had been included, as well as some more information about the original casts. For example, I would like to know why George Grossmith did not appear in the Gondoliers. Anyway, this is probably the most complete treatment Gilbert and Sullivan are likely to receive for some time, and it is certainly one of the most enthralling.

"Jesus and the Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church" is one of those rare books that hooks you as an entertaining novel before you realize that it is really a thought-provoking social/religious commentary. It is a gripping story of hatred, racism, forgiveness, redemption, and faith. As a parable, it is something that Jesus him/herself would have been proud to tell.

I listened to it on tape while in college, and I'm thrilled to see that it is being re-released.

This novella just makes you feel good...I hope to see more fiction work from Clayton Sullivan. I have ordered his other non-fiction books, but this remains his best. I hope he publishes more fiction work soon.

This book made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. And in the end it made me cry because the writer was so absolutely right! Unfortunately, I lent my copy to a friend who lent it to a friend -- and now no one knows where it is. I want it back because it's the kind of book you read over and over, and catch new levels of meaning in each reading...and you can finish it in one sitting -- rare indeed!

Reading Kathleen Sullivan's RECURRING DREAMS was so satisfying. She courageously uses her specific and recurring dreams to understand, on many levels, what is going on in her life. This is a fascinating, colorful and creative process. She lets us know that the unconscious can be accessible through dreams and once brought out into the open, is a useful tool to help understand out present day realities.

Each chapter begins with interesting information about dreams in general. This is then followed up by an insightful quote relevant to the presented material. From page l67, on a chapter titled "Imperfection", by Joan Borysenko,Ph.D.: "It takes a lot of nerve to believe that we can or should be able to outwit natural laws, but perfectionism requires just that. As a strategy evolved to ensure love and approval, (perfectionism) is rooted deep in the fears and longings of childhood, making it an emotional need, not an intellectual choice."

I found RECURRING DREAMS to be not only satsifying but exciting as well. Through dreams, we can get to know ourselves from the inside out. How intimate and how necessary!

The above reviews say a lot of what I would say. So I'll just add that it's refreshing to read an author who is candid about her own challenges and lessons.This book is really two in one. First a fascinating story and then practical, clear directions for doing your own dreamwork. It's a must for those who want to discover their own truth and guidance. (offered up into consciousness through the dream) This author walks her talk. The proof is in the transformation she's achieved in her life.

I've been in a dream group for the past 3 years and have read numerous books on dreams. Yet, when I stumbled across Recurring Dreams: a Journey to Wholeness a few months ago, I felt that it illuminated dreamwork for me in a whole new way -- perhaps because I hadn't learned a lot about recurring dreams and their meanings until now. I was mesmerized with Kathleen's transformation out of a life of struggle and pain -- and into the authentic and passionate life she is now living. Her life gradually transformed from cocoon to butterfly as a result of working with a recurring dream character who came to her in different scenarios over a span of 35 years, showing her what she needed to work on in her conscious life. Her courage to take a hard look at herself and make healthier choices as a result of the dream character's messages was both inspiring and motivating. Her story really made me look at my own journey and commit to my own dreamwork on a much deeper level. I can't recommend this book highly enough.