I bought this book to use as a anthropological reference as an undergrad. Good anthropological dictionaries were non-existent at that time. Anyway, I found this book very useful. Since then, I have purchased a few more sociological dictionaries, but this one is still the best that I have come across. It gets four stars because it has some shortcomings, like the fact that it doesn't have listings for living theorists. Their theories are covered under other headings and in discussion of other theorists, which makes it sometimes hard to find.

This book is a great place to start if you or a family member is experiencing loss of sight. It covers the eye, its diseases, feelings, and services. Very helpful!

I liked this book. The text is presented in an alternative fashion that really makes you think. Marshall McLuhan portrays his philosophy that the written language and industrial technology lead to a non-tribal life style, and a less feeling society, and that the new information age (television and computers) are leading society back to a tribal, verbal, more feeling society. In Counterblast, McLuhan uses an unorthodox style of text, text as an artform, versus text that is read left to right, to make his point. This book may have been written in the sixties, but a lot of what he has to say is still pertinent to today's information society. I do not agree with all his views on Television. In that some of the things he saw as benefits, thirty years later I see them as blights. It does make me wonder though, if thirty years from now the things I currently veiw as benefits of the PC, will still be viewed as benefits.

Before flying and working in the Marshall islands, the only information that I had about them was that it was a cluster of islands far from any remote western civilization. The only geographic information that I knew was that the highest point was the bridge in the middle of the island. Country Review dramatically helped me in preparation for my wonderful encounter with such an interesting and mysterious culture. Since my position entailed a great deal of work on the environmental factors of the islands, Country Review greatly prepared me by explaining the marine and ecological problems that the islands are facing. In addition, this book explained the background of the government system (i.e. levels of power and political views within the country and its ties to neighboring countries including the US). I think that this book did an exquisite job of preparing me for my work and I have recommended it to several colleagues that are preparing to work in the islands this year. It is an excellent tool to have when traveling there.

This book is a fun read. McLuhan puts forth his philosophy of technology and the information age through the use of magazine advertisements from the sixties. It was interesting and fun to read the old advertisements, and compare the advertising methods and values of the sixties to today. Some of the advertisements were just down right funny.

This is one of the most used books on our shelf. The kids love to hear it and I love to read it. Anyone who has suffered through unwanted childhood lessons (piano, dance, etc) will relate to the cut-ups predicament.

the cycle jumpers is a great book. It tells who the cycle jumpers are and what makes the do almost impossible things. There are two stories in this book about Gary Wells and Evel Knievel. Plus there are really good photos that are black and white.

Nice synthesis of decision making problems in a triadic framework of data collection, forecasting and decision making. The tools for decision making such as influence diagrams, decision trees, and analytical hierarchy process discussed with rich examples. The book title is a misnomer as far as forecasting techniques since it lacks any discussion of appropriate forecasting techniques. Otherwise, it is a novel presentation on decision analysis. A must for all management scientists with an inquiring mind.

Each chapter is a short historical description of related discoveries followed by individual descriptions of the elements themselves. There is some repetition in this (which would have been hard to avoid).

Marshall has included a huge amount of fact in a small space without the book becoming too text-book like or disjointed.

It is both a historical reference and an interesting read and a very good way to get familiar with the elements without "trying"... so that shiny stuff in the top of valves (vacuum tubes) must be ceasium... and what a curious group the "rare earths" are! You really get a feel for the characteristics of the elements and the amazing achievement that the periodic table is.

After reading the book Effective Coaching, by Marshall J. Cook, I now have some helpful insights about the role of coaching. I initially wanted to see how closely the role of coach and mentor was, and decided to see if this could help make that distinction. As I soon discovered the many hats that coaches wear, I began to see that all the "hats" started to look very similar. Coaching and mentoring are similarly focused disciplines.

Coaching is not about control; it is empowerment, and leading by example. The role of coach is very dynamic. Many good intentions drive a coach to reach the learner, and depending on what situations are presented, the coach must be prepared and skilled to handle it. This book illustrates effective coaching techniques through the use of various scenarios.

The chapters are organized into sub groups of the different roles a coach can be. "As a coach, you must be problem solver, trainer, teacher, mentor and corrector." Some of the skills covered are good questioning, being a good listener, problem solving, addressing change, overcoming obstacles, and valuable communication strategies. Plus bonus principles for good coaching and good living. All chapters have smart management tips that incorporate these skills to help you avoid potential real-life roadblocks and to put you into the Coach's and learner's perspectives.

Throughout the book, the margins have helpful keys to the terms and the author has flavored each chapter with cases that relate to the chapter's theme. I enjoyed the voice the author used to express himself in each chapter. You find yourself quickly acknowledging the main points that are introduced. Each chapter concludes with a coach's checklist where all the pertinent points are restated. This is a book that I have underlined and highlighted for future reference.