I used the acid test for considering how well written a technical book is about my business - I gave it to my wife when she asked me some questions one day.

I have had this book on my shelf for several months and found it extremely valuable in doing some quick general research and in exploring a variety of concepts dealing with planned giving. Written for the small shop (in my opinion) that needs to develop a planned giving program, this is a well-written and easily read book covering A to Z.

Topics start with what is planned giving, move through defining and discussing philanthropy, setting up a planned giving program (first steps), pitfalls to avoid, marketing planned giving and even sample gift instruments. These are but a few of the chapters in what I think is an excellent starting point for someone new to planned gifts and how to promote them (or even a pro looking for some fresh ideas).

Ah yes, my wife. For her, this was a bit of a liberating experience - she now has a good grasp of what I do. She can converse with friends about the business of planned giving very comfortably with a much better understanding of the basics.

This is an excellent primer on planned giving. The author provides definitions and examples of many useful terms in an easy-to-read format. The examples clarify the different options available and the benefits of each. The emphasis on planned giving as a GIFT to charitable institutions is refreshing in a field that talks often of tax advantages. Mr. Sharpe highlights the human side of planned giving, noting the importance of establishing a relationship with donors, and acknowledging gifts.

As a former life insurance salesperson, the author is somewhat biased in favor of life insurance products, However, he does provide numerous illustrations of all types and realistic scenarios, as well as a wealth of experience.

The format is clear, and topics are covered well and methodically. Mr. Sharpe's organization of subjects makes this an ideal primer - think of it as a textbook for Planned Giving 101. This is a good source for the professional or organization just starting to consider planned giving, and a wonderful reference for those with more experience.

I read this terrific workbook in one sitting - it is very readable, interesting and well-designed. The worksheets are very clear and practical. I can't wait to put the tips and information into practice. I learned a lot and I feel inspired. I know I'll be referring to this book continuously. Major gifts fundraising doesn't seem quite so intimidating now!

I have to admit I had noticed this book in the book stores long before I ever bought it. I was looking for something that would bring Lao politics and cultural insights together (by "Lao" I mean all the people of Laos,) and this appeared to be a rather dry account of current Lao politics. How wrong I was. The book turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. It brings together insights about Lao culture and the thinking of Lao people from the whole spectrum of Lao society, Lao politics both before and after the revolution, and gives enormous insights into how the cultural and political landscape of Laos have influenced each other. For a book that claims to be about the politics of Laos, very deep cultural insights are given, yet remain relevant to the subject of the book as Mr. Evans illustrates how the revolution influenced the culture of Laos and (far more often) how Lao culture shaped the course of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in the past decade-and-a-half. Furthermore, he gives us a certain amount of insight into the royal Lao government.

The book does not contain the same wit and human interest as "Stalking the Elephant Kings," but there was never any suggestion that it would. Despite having fewer personal anecdotes (not that it didn't have a fair number,) I found this book even more insightful.

The book answered a number of questions I had always had about Laos that several other books, and three weeks in the country, could not answer. I recommend it to anyone interested in this mysterious country, even casual tourists or business people investing in Laos.

If you want to make the most of your resource budget this year, be sure that you add the "HELP" Series from St. Mary's Press to your library. I am always looking for materials that motivate my volunteer teachers to design their own programs and processes. The HELP ( Heads up, Easy, Low cost, Purposeful) series does just that.

The HELP book series contains a broad range of activities. They are great filler material for current curriculum or better yet, use them as my teachers did to create your own meetings, classes and retreats. There is plenty of commentary and advice on creating prayer and community in each book.

Even the most experienced among us will probably find some surprises as they read along. In the "Prayer" book we found the creative and inexpensive "God Can" prayer which was a fine closing service where we could use all those empty aluminum cans we had collected after lunch at a recent retreat. And for my older teens I will be using the "Post Card Journals" found in the same book.

Fascinating book by Forrest on a special place at a special time in southwestern history. Very well researched. Very well written. Wonderful foreword by acclaimed New Mexican writer, conservationist, and historian deBuys. A delight all around.

This book is a wonderful primer for any foundation considering making program-related investments.

Easily the best reference on prospect research. Jane Kokernak is the Shakespeare of prospect research and this is her "Hamlet."

Once again prima comes out with a book that rocks. Thanks to this book I actually beat the game I was Stuck in a level and it showed me where the chaingun was this book is a god send for all quake maniacs. This book is the greatest you rock prima

This workbook is aimed at the leader of a nonprofit organization that is raising funds or plans to engage in fundraising. I read it from the perspective of a board member for a nonprofit that desperately needs to raise more funds, and I found it very helpful. I recommended that our executive director get and use this workbook.

The workbook is jointly sponsored by the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Department of Public Administration at Baruch College/The City University of New York. It was tested anonymously with organization executives to help them improve their fundraising before being published.

As the author states, "This guide is for nonprofit leaders who are not satisfied with the amounts of money their organizations are raising." That must be about everyone.

The book works in three areas: (1) assessing your present fundraising to see what you can do to improve on it (2) using your analysis to convince your board or other executives that spending time and money to improve long-term fundraising capability is a good investment and (3) getting in the habit of using self-assessment of your fundraising.

The initial self-assessment is broken up into three parts: your general structure and management; your fundraising readiness; and the effectiveness of your fundraising efforts now.

You then use the results of the initial self-assessment to get support based on what was learned. If your assessment is strong enough, you can go on to look more closely at various areas for fundraising in the second set of self-assessments: directors, major donors, direct mail campaigns, corporations, foundations, government agencies, special events, federated fundraising organizations like The United Way, bequests and planned giving, and telethons. Each area has its own set of self-assessment questions.

I found the questions to be very effective in diagnosing why the nonprofit I serve with makes progress in some areas and doesn't in other areas. If we choose to, we can use these lists to pick our opportunities and organize our actions. I hope we do that.

Even if you plan to use a fundraising consultant, I think this workbook would be a good background to use first to put yourself in perspective for the advice your consultant will give you.

The book also has a very thorough appendix of resources (tied to each subject), an extensive bibliography, list of periodicals, and resource groups you can draw on. My only concern was how up-to-date this information is, given the age of the book. One of the resource organizations can probably help you with that if you cannot find something or someone.

Overcome your stalled thinking about how you should raise funds, become more effective, and serve all humanity more effectively as a result!