This wonderful book captures the memories and spirit of the Polk Brothers retail establishment. Long before Circuit City and Best Buy, Polk Brothers sold hard goods (TV's, Radios, etc) to the families of Chicagoland. It was quite the event for my father to pile the family into the stationwagon to go to Polk City and purchase a counsole Zenith television for several hundred dollars. As a child I remember receiving a toy premium after a purchase. We received inflatable airplanes, 7-UP, and Ann Landers books. Our family home was furnished by Polk City. Polk City was a warm, chaotic, intoxicating place to make a purchase. The book reflects this and brings Polk Brothers alive. The author paints a warm, interesting story of a Chicago institution and captures the family event of what it was to go to Polk Brothers. A real connection to Chicago and its families. A nice read even if you are not from Chicago.

This story tells the story of the Polks (which was not the original name), who were a family that came to the USA from Europe with big dreams and hopes. These dreams were fulfilled when Polk Bros., the first retailer of its kind became successfull. Polk Bros. set the tone for all future retailers with its new ideas. My favorite part of the book, was reading about the many big and weird promotions Polk Bros. had, including renting out the Chicago Stadium for a humungous b-day celebration. Read this book (of course) to find out more.

I'd like to give twice as many stars to this book, even though its probably the most challenging one I have read since college. The whole layout is very sophisticated. The vocab is sometimes way above my head, but the concepts are pretty intense. The way the whole thing is weaved together is really amazing, even though it takes some concentration to go at it and figure it out. I met this author at a conference -- I don't knwo how he put all this together but I think it is genius. Some kind of modern-day Jefferson. I go section by section and the red summary boxes help.

This book was startling to me - I've never seen anything like it. And I really hadn't been able to see all this information change in our society in this way before. The book has a rhythm, sort of like poetry, but the author uses well-developed academic principles to show how to see the individual in his entirely new way. That whole idea of the Humanterprise seems so right and so clear. I think the way several types of knowledge and insight were tied together is most impressive. I am a nurse, so I heal people's bodies. This offers a philosophical basis and a way to let people heal their own minds and souls. I really felt challenged but refreshed by it.

This is an excellent book with an extremely insightful and fascinating chapter written by Mark I. Gruhin. He is a very skilled writer and lawyer, and I look forward to his future writings.

Being a lawyer in NYC, I was very impressed with some Inside the Minds: Interne Lawyers. Although it is impossible to cover every Internet related topic, the book does a good job at covering some very interesting topics. In addition, the individuals portrayed in the book represent a good cross sampling of different talents related to Internet law. I particularly enjoyed the interview with Mark Fischer at Palmer & Dodge. If you are a woman, make sure to also check out Inside the Minds: Leading Women.

Ken Burke's book shows that he really "gets it", which is clearly why his company has built a growing stable of recognizable, national clients who will attest to the success of his Company's MarketLive application, which is driven by the methodologies spelled out in this book. Ken is obviously a dynamic entrepreneur who is sharply focused on providing an e-commerce selling platform that will drive sales results - in the real world, not in theory. A great tool for any firm considering how to increase their online sales.

This book is an outstanding, comprehensive guide to online sales strategies. It is full of very practical, real-world strategies to increase conversion rates and average order size while reducing cart abandonment and customer service costs. There are lots of great examples about what works and what doesn't, and useful advice on how to keep your online customers happy and returning for more. Highly recommended!

     With the development of the Internet into a full-blown marketing success, a number of college courses and other instructional materials have surfaced to offer entrepreneurs hope of succeeding with their online businesses. Charles F. Hofacker has written Internet Marketing as a textbook for such a course.     This book covers a broad spectrum of topics related to Internet marketing. Concisely written, it's packed with key marketing principles and strategies for productive Website design, Website promotion, developing content, targeting audiences, advertising, generating revenue, online communications, and legal and ethical matters, to name a few. The author raises a number of important issues that require attention. A helpful glossary of terms is provided at the back of the book.     The author has created an innovative educational opportunity by designing interactivity between the book and its companion Website. Each chapter, a lesson by itself, is linked to the Website for additional course materials on its topic. Furthermore, students are able to capitalize upon the resources found on the Internet for live examples of the main points covered in the book. This approach allows students to work at their own pace at a time and location more convenient for them.      If you are looking for a detailed explanation of all the in's and out's of Internet marketing, this book is not for you. However, this book in conjunction with its companion Website does offer a concise education in Internet marketing principles. The content is on target. This book would make a great primer and resource tool when time is short!

Hofacker's brief book provides an excellent quick introduction to the topic. Unlike many texts in this field, Hofacker is both up to date on the Internet and in touch with marketing fundamentals. Hofacker directly applies basic concepts from fields like consumer behavior to the field of Internet marketing. If you are starting from Square One, Hofacker's work is the weekend read you've been looking for. If someone were going to write a full-fledged textbook in this area, Hofacker's work would provide the essential core.

Marketing on the Internet can lead you down a series of complicated and confusing paths. But, if you're in charge of marketing a destination or lodging, gain the upper hand by reading Susan Sweeney's "Internet Marketing for Your Tourism Business."

As soon as you begin thumbing through this 562-page resource, you¹ll want to begin highlighting important passages. Whatever you do, resist that temptation. Why? Because if you start highlighting the important stuff, the entire book will be yellow before you know it!

Sweeney discusses basic marketing principles, web site design, the importance of search engine placement, targeting tourism newsgroups and mailing lists, building web site traffic, using e-mail effectively, developing link strategies with complementary businesses, advertising on line, accepting online reservations, maximizing media relations, and determining if webcasting is right for your site.

I love the fact that Sweeney uses real world examples from the travel industry to illustrate her points throughout the book. You¹ll learn how the Expedias of this world made it to the top.

"Internet Marketing for Your Tourism Business" is packed with tips that any tourism professional can use to enhance his or her company's presence on the web. Even if you don't have time to read the book thoroughly, it's worth the cover price for the massive Appendix. It¹s got a great section defining web terms, as well as a comprehensive list of Internet marketing resources.

This book is incredible. I am a bed and breakfast operator and I wanted to have a serious online presence, but didn't know how. I searched was looking for an Internet marketing book and was astonished when I found this book which was written specifically for my industry. This book is fantastic and was just the tool that I needed to begin implementing my online marketing strategy. I would recommend this book to all Tourism operators who have an online presence, or are considering going online.

This Yellow Pages is a great resource for online shopping! If you are looking for great Internet guides for Kids & Family, High School, and College students, check out the You Are Here Internet series!

I loved the convenience of shopping on the Internet but I had trouble finding the sites that sell what I want. Not any more! This book lists over one thousand sites that sell everything you can imagine. Where else could you find sites that sell spy and security goodies, decorator umbrellas and ladies lingerie all in the same book? You can even go to to the author's Internet site to find reviews of new shopping sites and, more importantly, the sites that have gone belly-up since the book was published.

Pareciera que en muchos casos, las revistas y los libros sobre Internet y Marketing, satisfacen al autor, a la editorial que lo publica, y a un selecto grupo de expertos que deciden leer más sobre lo que ya saben bastante. Por eso, en mi humilde opinión de usuaria frecuente, curiosa y ambiciosa, no especializada en Internet, "Introducción al Marketing en Internet", de Fabián Feld, merece un comentario especial. Es un libro diferente porque logra achicar la brecha entre lo que sé y lo que necesito aprender para crear, diseñar, subir, mantener, difundir y evaluar mi propio sitio web (ya casi listo). Aún trabajando en esto sola, me siento acompañada en cada paso del proceso, a través de un lenguaje sencillo, claro, entretenido y fresco. (Como si estuviera interactuando con el autor y sus secretos de especialista). Se ofrecen cantidad de direcciones, definiciones, estrategias de acción, atajos, advertencias para evitar obstáculos, y básicamente un modelo de análisis y de trabajo, del cual me voy apropiando con cada consulta, con cada re-lectura. Empiezo a mirar cada página web, con menos inocencia y con un espíritu crítico más enriquecido. Creo que este material responde a lo mejor del espíritu de Internet hoy: Mucho contenido, abordajes multifacéticos y lenguaje accesible. Estoy convencida de que es un libro útil para todos.

El libro "Introducción al Marketing en Internet", de Fabian Feld, llego a mis manos, en el momento en que, conjuntamente con otras personas, estabamos estudiando el lanzamiento de un Sitio de turismo en la Web para Latinos. Si bien los desarrolladores que estan preparando el mismo nos informaban sobre los distintos aspectos y caracteristicas tecnicas de la futura pagina, la lectura del libro nos ilustro ampliamente sobre los principales componentes y conceptos a tener en cuenta para una exitosa Web. Especialmente en mi caso, que como profesional estoy a cargo de la gerencia comercial y financiera del proyecto, la lectura de los distintos capitulos del libro, me puso en conocimiento de aspectos tecnicos y estrategicos minimos y basicos, como el significado de las herramientas de internet, los sitios mas exitosos, la promocion en los buscadores, el e- commerce en el pais y en el exterior,etc.; todo ello en un lenguaje claro y comprensible para los "no tan" especialistas del tema.

En resumen, para mi y mis allegados, dicho libro nos resultó un gran asesor, al que recurrimos sin dudar.

THE KISS GUIDE TO ONLINE INVESTING
By Theresa W. Carey
Reviewed by Jay Palmer

This is not a recycled collection of Theresa W. Carey's "Electronic Investor" columns for Barron's; it's a book chock-a-block with material to help novice investors morph into seasoned experts who can run their own portfolios on a home computer with confidence.

Comprehensive, copiously illustrated, and featuring an introduction penned by our own Edwin A. Finn Jr., the Kiss Guide is a road map to valuable investment know-how.

This review appeared in the December 3, 2001 issue of Barron's, and was written by Jay Palmer:

This is not a recycled collection of Theresa W. Carey's "Electronic Investor" columns for Barron's; it's a book chock-a-block with material to help novice investors morph into seasoned experts who can run their own portfolios on a home computer with confidence.

Comprehensive, copiously illustrated, and featuring an introduction penned by our own Edwin A. Finn Jr., the Kiss Guide is a road map to valuable investment know-how.

The book's Table of Contents give a good idea of this book's coverage. Here's a list of chapter titles:

- The Benefits of Online Marketing
- Attracting Your Target Audience
- Create Effective Content
- Generate Free Advertising
- E-mail Marketing
- Building an Online Community
- Co-Branding Strategies
- Getting to the Top of the Search Engines
- Buying Traffic through Banner Ads
- Basics of Good Web Design
- Working with your Web Developer

This book is a quick read because there is no filler. It is an easy and entertaining read, that you will find yourself returning to time and again as a reference.

I like the way the author used case studies to add interest and humor to the book while providing justification for best practices it recommends.

Don't overlook this book because of its low price. It provides complete coverage and serves as an easy to follow "blueprint" for getting the maximum bang for the buck from your online marketing campaign.

This book will not steer you wrong.

I just this book from front to cover for the second time and plan to use it as "the plan" to publicize my web site.