Landrum has figured out 8 key behavioral traits critical to success that the truly great possess -- and says they can be learned. His descriptions of great people according to these traits, such as charisma, self-confidence, drive and intuition are fascinating and illuminating. He doesn't hold back on what the downside of some of these traits are, and some of those descriptions were sobering. A taxonomy of "greatness," it's a wonderful read. It's worth reading just to know that when he considered starting Disneyland, Disney had to go against the recommendations of his Board of Directors and experts such as the Stanford Research Institute. All the reasons they gave why the park would fail, turned out to be the reasons why it succeeded. Uh oh!

This is an exta ordinary book, which opened my eyes. It taught me that greatness is learned not inherited. Also it tells you the eight keys that can make one great. This book is inspirational and most importantly it teaches everyone who is ready to listen, how to become great..Invesment well worth..

This is definetly one of the best books that i've read so far. It has made me see things about myself in a different light. Truly amazing. I recommend it to everyone out there.

This is a good overview of how and why people create. Lots of good and varied case studies.

Landrum has selected and then examined "thirteen creative men who have changed the world." You may disagree with some of the selections and with portions of Landrum's discussion of each selection but there should be no disagreement with the value of this book as an analysis of creative genius at work in a wide range of global organizations. The first five chapters examine:

Creative Genius -- What Makes the Difference?

Innovation, Change, and the Creative Personality Ten Reasons Why Traditional Management Types Are Inept at Innovation

The Paradox of Innovation

The Inno-visionary Personality

Inno-visionary and Creative Behavior

These five chapters and the final chapter alone are well worth the price of the book. Landrum devotes a separate chapter to each of 13 men, beginning with Steven Jobs (Apple) and concluding with Ted Turner (CNN). To each he assigns a dominant characteristic. For example, for Jobs "autocratic" and for Turner "risk-taking." According to which criteria did Landrum make his selections? He explains in his Preface: Father of the Industry, Five-Year Market Dominance, Technology or Market Created by the Entrepreneur, Mass-Market Appeal, and Contemporary Development (ie since 1950). I rate this book as highly as I do for three reasons. First, Landrum defines his standards of measurement with meticulous care. Second, he resists the obvious temptation to manipulate his subjects to achieve a snug fit with those standards of measurement. Finally, he provides a wealth of information about each of the 13 which reveals their personal qualities as well as their extraordinary achievements.

In the final chapter, Landrum suggests that "The inno-visionary personality is necessary for the making of the consummate entrepreneur and change master. This personal style is available to anyone inclined to pursue it. These visionary leaders had it, which gave them an ability to focus on goals and dreams, a macro vision to see their dreams through to fruition, and the passionate energy to persevere when all seemed lost." These are indeed men with exceptional vision and courage, determination and self-assurance, charisma and intuition, passion and persuasiveness. How easy it is to list such descriptives. How difficult it is to be worthy of them. As Landrum makes abundantly clear, the 13 "creative men" are certainly worthy. Buy the book, read the first five chapters with an open-mind, and then join the company of those who have helped to create a world we are only now beginning to understand.

If you admire this book as much as I do, you are encouraged to read another of Landrum's books, Profiles of Female Genius. These 13 "creative women" can not only hold their own with Steve Jobs, Fred Smith, Tom Monaghan, Nolan Bushnell, Bill Gates, Marcel Bich, Solomon Price, Howard Head, William Lear, Soichiro Honda, Akio Morita, Arthur Jones, and Ted Turner....they can hold their own with anyone.

The book is in a word, fantastic! In crisp detail it tells the reader exactly how the creative genius thinks, acts and what specific character traits enabled him to reach the pinnacle in the area he decided to conquer. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. However it's not for the faint of heart. It is in no way a pop psychology feel good "you can do it" type of book. Out of the hundreds of psychology, business and self improvment books I've read this is at the top. Bravo Gene Landrum!

This autobiographical tale told by one of two young American sisters on a year-long vacation in Italy in 1938 was a non-stop read for me. I couldn't put it down. How much of it was written by Becky Landrum, how much by her son Michael, is anybody's guess because the story is seamless, but my estimate is that most of it is Becky's, not only because she is listed as lead author but because it has the quality of a journal--not one of the academic and pretentious travel journals of Henry Adams and his ilk, but the kind you or I might keep: innocent, unafraid to report embarrassing and potentially dangerous situations, eager to take a childlike joy in new sights and new people.

Let's critique it first and get that out of the way. My criticism doesn't amount to much. Perhaps being overly faithful to a girlish diary, the book has a few too many modifiers, many of which could have been deleted, and there are some misspellings and typos--usually duplicated or misplaced commas or periods. But in our age of spell checkers, we're lucky to get as clean a copy as this. I didn't see a single "not" for "now" or vice versa, or any other horror affecting our understanding of the text.

Becky's succinct prose, while not polished and professional, was the perfect way to tell her story. (Here the trip diary worked for the narrative in a positive way.) In 216 pages she offers a travelogue not only of Italy and a corner of Switzerland, but also of the train stops and ship ports between Joplin, Missouri and her dream vacation in Europe. Her description of the peoples and locales were right on the money. Once in Italy, her observations frequently made me laugh, not only her explanation of the meaning of "Americanata" (you should have the amusement of reading that for yourself) but also shrewd comments on society and the differentness of living in a foreign land.

I want to share two of these. The first appears on page 89, observations of a society "high tea" by a no-nonsense young woman from the American Midwest. No one could have better described the harried and underrated servants of prewar Europe:

"We were waited on by a starched, gloved, and uniformed team of servants who whirled silently around us as though on roller skates."

Those not fortunate enough to have traveled in Italy have heard of its wild road traffic, yet the following passage on page 111 took me joyously by surprise and the final sentence must be one of the best one-liners I've ever read:

"[We sat] at a small outdoor café on a busy street. Bicycles made up half the traffic, and many of them were delivering merchandise. The most unusual were two men on bicycles holding an arm chair between them, balancing it like a circus act. It was the most entertaining traffic I had ever seen."

The dark side of this tale is the presence of Mussolini, the rumbling backdrop of Hitler's thrust toward war, and the result it had on several of Becky's friends, including one young Englishman she fell half in love with. But by and large AMERICANATA is book full of joy, beauty, and rollicking good story-telling! Highly recommended.

--Sandra J. Fulton (author of The Path of Knowledge)

A trip of a lifetime, a one year sojourn into a world that would soon vanish, is the experience that Becky Landrum relates in this warm, lively memoir.

Two sisters in their early twenties travel from their home in America's heartland--Joplin, Missouri--to pre-WWII Italy, where their elder sister lives with her husband and children. But travel in 1938 is not a matter of several hours in the air over the Atlantic. The trip itself is exciting and glamorous, first by train to New York, then by ocean liner to the Mediterranean and exotic ports before reaching Genoa. Once at their sister's home in Milan, the American "girls" (as Ms. Landrum refers to herself and her sister, Blossom) become part of the social whirl for foreigners there.

Ms. Landrum's story (co-authored by her son, Mike) is about more than the cocktail parties, "dressing" for dinner, and nightclubs (though that is pretty fun stuff, to be sure). She is a lively tour guide, taking the reader along as she and Blossom climb the dome at St. Peter's, eat at Alfredo's and see Mussolini address the crowd from his balcony in Rome; or as they live every tourist's nightmare and discover in the middle of nowhere that they are on the wrong train. She also writes about family and the strength that comes from that bond. Most appealingly, Ms. Landrum writes with candor and fondness about her young self. Her style is both direct and friendly--what you would expect from a plain-spoken Missourian.

The world as it was in 1938 is gone forever, but Ms. Landrum gives us a glimpse of it through young American eyes. It's a great view.

Who are they? Lillian Vernon, Oprah Winfrey, Golda Meir, Jane Fonda, Estee Lauder, Madonna, Ayn Rand, Gloria Steinem, Margaret Thatcher, Mary Kay Ash, Liz Claiborne, Maria Callas, and Linda Wachner. Landrum devotes a separate chapter to each but first, in Chapters 1-7, he discusses the following:

Self-Esteem, Self-Image, and Self-Confidence

Birth Order, Childhood Transience, Role Models, and Mentors

Education, Intelligence, and Knowledge

Creative Renegades Go Where Others Fear to Tread!

Professional versus Personal Dichotomy

Crisis, Mania, and Creativity

Personality Traits and Temperament

As he did in another book (Profiles of Genius), Landrum's strategy is to create a cohesive and comprehensive frame-of-reference within which to discuss his selections. (These first seven chapters, all by themselves, are well worth the cost of the book.) He assigns to each a dominant characteristic. For example, Mary Kay Ash is "A Confident Charismatic"), Madonna is "Psychosexually Driven", and Linda Wachner is a "Type A Workaholic." All 13 are peak performers within their respective careers. All have exceptional intelligence, talent, energy, determination, and (perhaps most important of all) clearly defined goals and objectives. All had to overcome all manner of obstacles, many of them gender-specific. Also, as Landrum explains very well, each has a unique, indeed compelling personality. As each overcomes obstacles, her unique personality is most evident.

Some readers may disagree with the selections and/or with Landrum's definition of "genius" as applied to each of his selections. I rate this book so highly because it is well written, because it provides so much information of which I was not previously aware, and because (with great skill) Landrum allows each of these remarkable women to reveal herself through what she has said and done. After you read the 13 "profiles", I suggest that you re-read Chapters 1-7 to gain even more value from what those introductory chapters offer.

I thought the book was very intriguing in the way it portrayed these women as visionaries and fearless. When I read the book I was very fascinated by each of the women's background and how they started from nothing to going all the way to the top. I have recommended the book to many of my friends that carry the same spririt as these women in the book. I was impressed with the author's presentation of their background which made me respect these women more for doing what is usually not encouraged among women.

This will be your child's favorite Cinderella book. He or she will adore making sound effects as you read along. If you also own the Cincerella video tape, your child will have fun making sound effects as they occur in the video. Your child will be enchanted by this book

One of my pet peeves is when a parenting book is general, and I'm left asking "But what should I do in *this* situation?" Dr. Brandt gives lots of examples of how his principles work in specific situations, with stories from various families he's worked with. It was refreshing to get such clear advice from someone who was telling me that first and foremost I need to love my children and treat them with the respect they deserve just because God made them. Thank you, Dr. Brandt! I gave away my "Growing Kids" book years ago. I read the Sears sitting on my shelf, but Brandt's book is one that I have gone out and raved about to all my family and friends! It's off my shelf and on my table right next to Shepherding a Child's Heart!

"How To Stay Married & Love It! Solving The Puzzle Of Soulmate Marriage" is a response to the high and climbing divorce rate in America. It was conceived as the result of the difficulties that the authors had as a married couple and how they overcame those struggles. After arriving at what they feel is a soulmate marriage they realized that the lessons they learned may prove helpful for other marriages. From that idea the book was born.

The book does a good job of covering the most common relationship problems and offering constructive advice to move through those problems. While there are many chapters on specific items, the book can basically be divided up into four primary areas (the areas referred to as "corner puzzle pieces"). These areas are 1) point of view/perspective, 2) communication, 3) respect and 4) commitment. Sometimes the book seems more like a workbook with exercises, checklists, skits and other teaching devices. But going through the skits, exercises, etc. can be illuminating. While there is really nothing new here that is not in other relationship and marriage books, some will find this a particularly easy to read and understand book compared to others. No fancy theories or long drawn out psychological descriptions of techniques, just good, direct information and techniques that anyone can work through.

I read this book a total of three times, one right after the other. Let me explain:

The first time: for myself
The second time: to write down all the exercises and create a workbook of sorts
The third time: with my husband while each of us worked through our make-shift workbooks

Each time I read this book, How to Stay Married & Love it: Solving the Puzzle of a Soul Mate Marriage (Nancy Landrum with Jim Landrum) I was able to grasp something different. I found myself thinking with a more positive attitude while working to apply this knowledge.

This book is set up in a very reader-friendly format filled with charming illustrations and inspirational quotes. I was reminded while creating my own workbooks to accompany this book that it isn't about being perfect, but rather making all the "pieces of the puzzle" fit . . . finding harmony.

My husband isn't one who finds reading at the top of his list of interests, so getting him involved with this project was no easy task. Before long, however, he began initiating our time together with this book. While our marriage isn't in danger of ending, finding tools necessary to keep that from becoming a reality has always been important to both of us. This book proved to be quite useful in that venture.

How To Stay Married & Love It! Solving The Puzzle Of Soulmate Marriage by Nancy and Jim Landrum is an informed and informative guide written in response to today's regrettably high divorce rate. Individual chapters focus on communication difficulties, motivating oneself to be respectful to one's partner even when inwardly seething, and learning to devote one's heart to a relationship. How To Stay Married & Love It! is a highly recommended, "reader friendly" guide that offers a multitude of new insights into the conflicts, difficulties, and rewards of married life.

Graham Landrum writes a droll novel of murder and mayhem in a small town, with the DAR ladies in hot pursuit of a ruthless killer. Sprinkled with lots of delicious recipies, you get the feeling that life has an order and cadence despite the horrific events in the story. A wonderful who-dun-it, and a fast-paced read. I enjoyed every minute of it, and wish Graham Landrum was still with us to work his magic again and again.

If you always thought the DAR was for little old ladies, you really should read about them here! If you belong, you'll appreciate this even more.

The late Mr. Landrum has written an interesting puzzle regarding the theft of a valuable painting and the murder of a local "character". The chapters of the book are written by different members of the town of Borderville - Tennessee and Virginia. You will probably enjoy chapters by some of the authors more than others (I personally enjoyed the chapters by Henry Delaporte and Harriet Gardner Bushrow the best), but the charm of the book is the way it fleshes out the interesting community of Borderville. The mystery begins when Helen Delaporte, president of the local historical society discovers that the valuable painting left to the society is a fake, and a recent one at that. Having a million-dollar painting stolen from the society while she is president is too much for Harriet, so she goes to work trying to figure out how and who forged the painting. Shortly after the theft of the million-dollar painting is announced in the local newspaper, musician and friend to local artists, Randy Hartwell is found murdered in his home. Does the murder have anything to do with the theft, or is it merely a crime of passion as the local police believe? Harriet and her friends work to solve this interesting puzzle, giving us an amusing look at the town of Borderville and its residents. The mystery portion of the book is actually a small reason to read this story, much more involving is Borderville and its residents with their quirks, foibles and follies - just like any other small town. A perfect book to enjoy with a nice cup of tea.

Graham Landrum Slips on a Peale, Otherwise Known as the Historical Society Murder Mystery/// Carolyn Schafer/// I feel compelled to warn you that when Mrs. Helen Delaporte asked me to write up this book report (the Old Orchard Fort chapter of the NSDAR is serious about getting its inches of publicity), I balked. I had so many things to do--a thunderstorm had blown branches all over the yard, the cat needed to be taken to the vet, well, you get the picture. And that is precisely the point. Helen, her husband Henry, and their friends had solved, rather cleverly I think, the disappearance of a Charles Willson Peale portrait (bequeathed by Mrs. Alberta Chamberlain to the Ambrose County Historical Society--Helen was elected president, of course), and that nice Mr. Landrum agreed to help them, once again, write it up. God rest his soul. Helen told me to forget about everything for just one afternoon and sit down with this manuscript and a toddy and enjoy, and I did just that. Now some people might think ladies of our generation don't know how to live, but I assure you we do. And so do our men. In fact, I'm writing this report while my husband is lunching with the new regional governor at Rotary Club. Now, I don't want to expose any surprises or red herrings, but I do believe readers will enjoy the rolicking romps of Mr. Landrum's arthritic sleuths and artistic suspects, roaming about Borderville, Tennessee and Virginia. And you might learn a thing or two about art, music, and manners along the way. There's plenty of poetry, ballet, and mayhem during this puzzling predicament to spice the story up just like a country stew. I'll admit I was rather shocked by the waterbed, skinnydipping, nude photography, and gum chewing, but dear Harriet Gardner Bushrow insists those parts, no pun intended, were necessary to help her discover who purloined the Peale portrait and replaced it with a fallible forgery. And Harriet was rather clever in baiting her traps; her grasp of local genealogy served her well as she figured out how to procure DNA samples (and I'm sure no one will turn her in for mail fraud). Well, I've got to go. Helen and Harriet are knocking at my door. We have a busy afternoon planned. First, we have a music recital to attend, and then we must go by the florist to pick up patriotic petals to place on DAR markers at the cemetery (I do hope we don't find any corpses like last time . . . ) I just wish that sweet Mr. Landrum could ride along with us just one more time for a new adventure. He has such a way of understanding us ladies. Now you treat yourself right and take an afternoon to enjoy this book and a nice toddy. It really is something nice.

well- we are gonna give this method a try. We have a wonderful little boy almost 3 yrs old. We would really love to have a girl for our next child and we are attempting to conceive this coming February. I have read this book- and it is very informative and interesting. Our bodies are amazing! Even if this method fails (which i cannot see happening) it was wonderful to learn all about reproduction and how my body works. I will be happy to just have another child for they are little miracles no matter what the sex. It is easy to understand- and there are not a lot of steps to follow. You have to be dedicated to following his proceedure though- and you can't skip steps. I will write back and let you know if/when i get pregnant and what we will be having. Wish me luck!

A Wonderful and Successful System - My wife read this book long before we attempted to have any children and I was skeptical. She explained the process, which is envolved. It was completely worth the effort to follow the formulas as described in the book. We now have four children, two older boys and two younger girls, exactly as planned. This book was 100% successful for us and our family.

After reading and understanding the theories that were explained in the book, we tried it and it worked. The instructions were based on the fact that the baby's gender is primarily based upon the Ph (acid/alkalinity) of the bodies of the male and female at the time of conception. I think there were 5 to 10 different factors that could be pushed in one direction or the other to make it more likely your baby would be a boy or a girl. And for us, it worked each time.

I have recommended this book many times over the years and if you want to achieve a special desire in terms of the sex of your offspring, follow the steps in this book and I wish you all the happiness you desire for yourself and your loved ones. Good Luck!

My sister introduced me to this book when she and her husband decided to have their fourth and last child (1st three are boys)She followed the book to a tee and had a little girl.I was blessed as well with a son and three years later with a daughter after following the suggestions.This book is a useful tool to really understanding the mechanics of your reproductive system.It is not MAGIC(approx.80% success rate), But is based on scientific evidence that will greatly improve your ability to conceive the gender of your choice.It describes about how to chart your ovulation and learn WHEN you actually ovulate.You need to do this for several months before actually implementing the plan.In a nutshell,it all has to do with the TIMING of your intercourse in relation to the time you ovulate(three to four days prior to ovulation for a girl and as close to ovulation as possible for a boy).It is described in detail and the scientific data supplied.Not everyone ovulates on day 14 of a menstrual cycle.Understanding factors such as stress,illness,diet on your ovulation are explained and will help you learn to know your body.Remember, ALL CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING, GOOD LUCK!!!