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The Power of a Positive Attitude: Discovering the Key to Success Review

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(More customer reviews)Attitude affects all facets of our lives, from how we handle stress and communicate at work to how we view difficulties. This book is for any library strong in business and conflict resolution: it translates a positive attitude to a business pursuit and shows how to achieve by becoming a better listeners, handling bosses and subordinates better, and how to conquer factors that work against positive results.

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Attitude affects every facet of our lives - from the way we handle stress to how we communicate in our everyday lives. The way we view difficulties and setbacks can make the difference between success or failure. Roger Fritz has devoted his career to helping people overcome obstacles and achieve their goals by changing their outlook on life. In "The Power of a Positive Attitude", he shows readers how to develop a deeper understanding of the affects of their attitude and how it influences not only their performance but the results achieved by others. Now, everyone can learn to defy obstacles, overcome misfortune, and increase their ability to succeed. Life-affirming and authoritive, this is an invaluable book that will empower anyone to face life with confidence and joy.

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The Optimism Advantage: 50 Simple Truths to Transform Your Attitudes and Actions into Results Review

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(More customer reviews)I have read and loved a couple other books by this Author. I mean I really liked them so when I saw this new work I snapped it up. I'm very disappointed. I can't say it is an awful book obviously other people on here love it. But what I found was chapter after chapter of the same message packaged in a different way. When it said 50 Simple Truths to Transform Your Attitudes and Actions into Results, that is what I expected. To me I found a few simple truths and no actions for results. But then again I'm not big on optimism or pessimism per se, I think being a positive realist works best. Just not for me.

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Snail Started It Review

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(More customer reviews)I use this book in my first grade classroom. It is great for predicting and for discussing cause and effect. I use it to help build my classroom environment at the beginning of the year as we discuss how our actions and words affect others.

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See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Recommend this to everyone ~ it will help motivate you to reach your goals.
The premise is simple: We all hold the keys to our own success, and we deserve it. It is not accidental but deliberate and takes hard work.
1) Success starts with self-image because you are the only one who can make that possible. Before you convince anyone else, you have to convince yourself.
2) Successful people are ¡°Good Finders¡±; they look for the good in other people. ¡°You can have anything in your life, if you help others get what they want¡±. (page 57)
3) No goals = no game. Activity is not accomplishment. Don¡¯t be a wandering generality. Goals should be big, long range, daily and specific.
4) Unlimited possibilities. Records were meant to be broken. Until Roger Bannister ran the four-minute mile, most thought it was physically impossible. After his achievement, people broke the record constantly.
5) Work as a team. There is a limit to what you can accomplish by yourself. Example: Geese fly 72% farther by flying together.
6) Attitude is everything. It determines the outcome. While you cannot control the environment, you (and only you) can control your attitude. The pessimist says. ¡°I will believe it when I see it.¡± The optimist says, ¡°I will see it when I believe it.¡± (page 206)
7) Create good habits because habits define our lives. Example: The average teenage student watches 17,000 hours of television before they graduate high school.
8) Successful people enjoy their work.
9) Keep going. "The price of success is less than the price of failure". (page 33)

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The 25th anniversary edition of the classic motivational and self-improvement book that has sold more than 1.6 million copies in hardcover. For more than three decades, Zig Ziglar, one of the great motivators of our age, has traveled the world, encouraging, uplifting, and inspiring audiences. His groundbreaking best-seller, See You at the Top, remains an authentic American classic. This revised and updated edition stresses the importance of honesty, loyalty, faith, integrity, and strong personal character.

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Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership Review

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(More customer reviews)Our contemporary society may have eclipsed the past in terms of science, medicine and technology, but in some things we are "well below par" when compared to the ancients, according to John Dickson in this book. Real wisdom in life and leadership can be found by opening yourself up to centuries of human thinking on subjects such as communication, ethics, human nature, romantic love and natural human rights.
There are plenty of books which have been written about the virtues of humility, but I was intrigued to find out what a historian might have to say about the virtue of humility as applied to leadership. Humility, according to the author, is the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself. Thus true humility presupposes that a person has status and influence, and is not to be confused with low self-esteem or being a doormat.
In subsequent chapters, the author asserts that:
*It is common sense for us to use humility to keep our pride in check.
*We are more attracted to great people who are humble than to those who are not.
*The ancient world admired honour, not humility, but Jesus of Nazareth caused a humility revolution.
*Humility generates learning and growth, and provides a firm basis for self-esteem.
*The humble are frequently more persuasive and inspiring than the arrogant.
*Humility inspires and lifts those around us.
*Humility means treating those who hold contrary beliefs with respect and friendship.
The book is reasonably brief and written in an entertaining style. The author admits that his perspective is that of a historian and not an experienced leader, and the scope of his references to leadership books is fairly narrow, with Jim Collins, John Kotter and the Harvard Business Review getting a fairly good workout, but that does not detract from the validity of what he has to say. I highly recommend this book to business and church leaders.

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Speaker and historian John Dickson shows how the virtue of humility was an important character trait for the 'greats' of history and figures prominently in the findings of psychology and sociology. Developing humility can transform your personal relationships and professional dealings.

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Beyond Wealth: The Road Map to a Rich Life Review

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(More customer reviews)I met Alexander Green a little over four years ago. As we got to know each other, we found we had similar interests: conversation, music, books, reading, and writing. He's a master at the latter, and I owe him a lot for mentoring me.
Alex's new book, "Beyond Wealth" can be read in the normal fashion, from front to back. But you can also pick it up, turn to any chapter, and just start reading.
There's no question you will learn something... perhaps even something about yourself you didn't know. Best of all, it will cause you to think and wonder, and you'll be a better human being for it. I know I am.
You see, I love being outside, in the woods... on a mountaintop... walking along a deserted beach... or on the water. Anywhere I can be alone... with my own thoughts. It's all very personal to me.
Perhaps that's why I enjoy Alex's new book Beyond Wealth so much. After pouring over endless financial data and company reports every day, picking up Beyond Wealth, kicking back, and reading a chapter or two is just the ticket for me... just when I need it.
There's a message in every chapter. Sometimes it's something we know we should be doing, but haven't been... or something we are doing, but shouldn't be.
Or something about a subject we haven't given much thought to. He always has something interesting to say. The world, indeed the universe, holds many mysteries. Alex explores many of them, one at a time.
With an incredibly articulate command of the English language... indeed, akin to Bill Bryson... Alex puts together a message in a few pages that always moves me in some way.
Beyond Wealth causes me to pause... take a step back... think differently about myself... about others... my family... my kids... my friends... the universe... my belief system... what I value most in life... the list goes on and on.
I can tell you with all sincerity you won't regret picking up a copy of Beyond Wealth. And you'll be all the richer for it.
David Fessler

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Leo Tolstoy said, "Nobody knows where the human race is going. The highest wisdom, then, is to know where you are going." Yet many today chase the false rabbits of success:status, luxury, reputation and material possessions. In the quest to "have it all," our lives often lack real meaning and purpose. Beyond Wealth is the antidote.
New York Times bestselling author Alexander Green takes things right down to brass tacks:We are here for a short time. Knowledge is limitless. Therefore, the most critical knowledge is not any particular skill but rather wisdom about "how to live." Fortunately, men and women have had several thousand years to think about what it means to live "the good life." And the answers found here, from Plato and Aristotle to Mahatma Gandhi and Stephen Hawking, will both surprise and delight you.

Beyond Wealth provides insightful commentary on the most important aspects of our lives: love, work, honor, trust, freedom, death, fear, truth, beauty and other timeless issues. The book is both a thought provoking read and the ideal gift, guaranteed to ennoble, uplift and inspire.

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The Blue Day Book for Kids: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up Review

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(More customer reviews)My children (ages 7 and 4) stumbled across this book at our favorite bookstore recently, and I can't say enough about the smiles and cheer it has brought them. I now plan to buy this book as a gift for every child I know (and even a few adults). Adorable black and white photos have managed to capture our animal friends in the most peculiar poses, opening wonderful dialog opportunities in our family. Even if you aren't "blue" this book will elevate the mood of anyone, any age. It's destined to be a favorite for many families.
(For the record, this is my first Amazon review. I usually don't post reviews, although I do write them professionally. When I noticed this book had no shopper reviews yet, I couldn't help but share my opinion with viewers. If you're wondering whether or not this book is a keeper, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't love it! Enjoy!)

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How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids Review

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(More customer reviews)Just bought this today on a trip over to Gallup University in Omaha. I read it to my kids tonight (daughter, 7 - son, 4). They both really liked it and we had a great little discussion about the meaning of buckets and how it feels to fill and spill your bucket and the buckets of others. They both understood it very well. I recommend it for kids of all ages. I bought one for my mom too - she's a very inspirational person, mother, teacher, grandmother. It makes a great gift. I'm thinking it will make a great teacher's gift for my daughter's teacher too!

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Through the story of a little boy named Felix, this charming book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them, too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people - his sister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some people are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix' grandfather explains why the happy people make Felix feel good, while the others leave him feeling bad - and how Felix himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not. This beautifully illustrated adaptation takes the original book's powerful message - that the way we relate to others has a profound effect on every aspect of our lives - and tailors it to a child's unique needs and level of understanding.

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Learning to Fly Review

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(More customer reviews)If children's book publishers are on top of things then they know that there's been a shift in the wind. The hot new source of children's book reviews and reviewers? Weblogs, my friends. Weblogs are incredibly important in getting people aware of the hot new titles and trends in the field. And no picture book makes this any clearer than Sebastian Meschenmoser's, "Learning To Fly". If you look at the review of this book in Publisher's Weekly, you'll see that the professional reviewer hadn't a CLUE what to do with this book or (for that matter) any understanding of how popular it could become. Myself? I first heard about "Learning to Fly" because of weblogs. Several of them, entirely of their own accord, started reviewing this book and they were practically drooling all over it. Now if I had just looked at PW's review ("Don't penguins' actual talents, like deep-sea swimming, compensate for flightlessness?") I might have eschewed "Learning to Fly". Fortunately, I had a variety of sources from which to cull my information and the result was that I have had the delight of reading "Learning To Fly" for myself. And boy oh boy is it lovely. It's succinct, deeply silly (in all the right ways), and perhaps one of the best German picture books ever to grace our American shores.
One day, a man meets a penguin. The two start to talking and the penguin reveals that not too long ago he was flying. The man points out that penguins can't fly and the bird accedes the point. Just the same, it didn't know that before it began flying on its own and it wasn't until a passing flock of birds alerted it to the fact that it crashed. Determined to help the little fellow out, the man takes it home, cleans it up, and together they set out to prove whether or not penguins are or aren't able to fly. This means testing the penguin in a variety of ways. Everything from a training program and exercise to attaching goggles and fireworks to its back. Then one day, as the penguin sits in a makeshift trebuchet, a flock of other penguins fly above. "Suddenly, my penguin stretched out his wings, pushed off, and joined them in the air". The last words as the man stands looking at his departing friend? "He flew pretty well... for a penguin".
The book has several elements all working in its favor. You have the plot itself, which is charming. It could be cutesy or overly sweet, but there's something in Meschenmoser's tone that never allows the book to be anything but a straightforward record of the events that led to his penguin friend's boost in confidence. I don't know if it's the translation or if the author really is this dry a wit, but the book reads with a kind of deadpan humor you almost never get in children's books. This is complemented perfectly by the art. Instead of something cartoonish or childlike, all the artwork in this book is done in graphite. The penguin looks like a real penguin and the man looks like the author himself. There's always a splash of color here or there, but for the most part these illustrations are black and white. Meschenmoser is also obviously a big big fan of American superhero comic books and graphic novels so he sneaks in references to Superman and Batman here and there. Some people adore the shot of the penguin asleep in the sink. Personally, I much preferred the two-page spread of the man indicating to the penguin all his designs, blueprints, and plans for getting the flightless fowl airborn. You haven't lived till you've seen Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man reimagined as a penguin (but with a curly mop of hair still on its head).
There were several things about the Publisher's Weekly review of this book that amused me deeply. At one point the reviewer notes huffily, "even true believers must admit that his premise is silly". Oh me! Oh my! A book for kids that's silly? Martha, fetch me my smelling salts... I'm feeling a touch of the vapors! Sheesh. Come on, people! Of course it's a ridiculous premise. It's also, I should note, not exactly a new one. Fans of "Bloom County" will recall Opus the penguin's many repeated attempts to fly, always ending with his rump in the air and his nose squashed flat. There are also several children's books in which dodos and ostriches try to fly. Are we going to get indignant over their presumption as well? If you're going to find fault with this book you're going to have to do a lot better than saying it's "silly". Perhaps, and bear with me here, that's exactly the point. The reviewer might have made a bigger deal about the penguin flopping around the dryer, but since she didn't I'm sure as heck not going to either.
As one children's literature blogger pointed out, "penguins are the `it' animal right now". All the more reason why a realistic looking book with a fabulous penguin hero should garner itself the attention it so desperately deserves. Now this year there are going to be a couple picture books for whom I shall "go to the mats" (as my colleagues put it) to get them recognized in some way. Consider this book one of the few. A rare title that will delight kids, entice adults, and make anyone who fancies penguins a deeply satisfied soul. One of the few must-buy children's titles of 2006.

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The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur (Valuetales) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had this book when I was little and I used to beg my mom to read it to me over and over. I loved it. It got me interested in science and research. It is at least partially due to this book that I entered college as a biology major. Highly recommended- I wish it was still in print.

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Retells the story of Louis Pasteur, whose unwavering belief in the concept of germs led to a cure for rabies.

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Have You Filled a Bucket Today? Review

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(More customer reviews)The concept of bucket filling is one that kids can really understand and relate to. I read it to my three-year old, and now he asks for it every night. He loves the pictures and has even begun talking about bucket filling when he says something nice to someone. This book is a wonderful tool for families and teachers to give kids a visual way to think about kindness toward others. And it's a good reminder for adults, too!

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Self-Reliance Review

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(More customer reviews)The first time I read "Self-Reliance," I didn't. It was assigned summer reading before my senior year AP English class and I was too busy golfing and playing pick-up basketball to waste my summer on a book written by a dead guy with weird sideburns. At age 23, I read it the second time, printing out a public domain edition using a temp job's laser printer then plowing through it on my lunch break. This week was my third time to read it and by far the most valuable thanks to the Domino Project's beautiful new special edition.
Stunning design by my friend Alex Miles Younger places all of Emerson's original text on the right side of the page in this slim 73 page volume, with notable pull-quotes from the book as well as complementary and supplementary quotes from famous people on the left side. OK, fine, it's a bit ironic that a book that preaches you needing to think for yourself highlights the lines that you SHOULD think are the most important. Except for the fact, those ARE the most important lines. They were to me at least.
I somewhat always dismissed and ignored Emerson because I thought he was like his friend Thoreau, who I kind of hate. But, whether it was because of my age or this special edition, "Self-Reliance"--finally!--resonated with me on this third read like few books have ever before. (It could be a fitting companion to my beloved Meditations (Modern Library) even.)
"Self-Reliance" is truly a book about artistic confidence and belief in one's own genius: "To believe your own thoughts, to believe what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius." It's a book about not sitting around waiting for someone else, someone anointed, to say the things you want to say: "Else, tomorrow a stranger will say with masterly sense what we have thought and felt all time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another." Devastating, and often so sadly true.
"Self-Reliance" preaches that one force himself to reject the conformity around him if he truly wants to live: "...for he who does not postpone his life, but lives already." It wonders why we're scared to bring our deepest, most private thoughts out into the real world: "These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world."
You're betraying yourself when you're not letting your voice be heard and I'm reminded of both poet Alexander Pope and pimp Iceberg Slim.
Alexander Pope who said: "Whatever is, is right."
Iceberg Slim who said: "Chumps prefer a beautiful lie to an ugly truth."
Don't be a chump. Quit lying to yourself. We all lie to ourselves and to the public far too often. We need to stop doing that. We need to believe in ourselves, worship at our own altar, be our own philosopher. No one can do a better job of teaching you to be you...than YOU.
"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."
This book could have been written yesterday.

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