Economic-Life Books

This review refers to the Penguin Classics edition of Henry Mayhew's 'London Labour and the London Poor' which is an abridged version of the original four volume version published in 1851-52.

Though Henry Mayhew wrote several novels, his name is primarily remembered as the author/complier of this journalistic work 'London Labour and the London Poor.' The present selection gives the best part of the original four volume book, which captures exactly what the title says -- London labour and the poverty-stricken people living there.

The selction includes some figures or statistics about the working class people, such as the estimated amount of money these workers gain every day (and meagre one), but the most interesting part is the first-hand records about the ways of life of various lines of works in London, directly taken from the people engaged in these works.

The jobs (and some of them hardly deserve the name 'jobs') recorded here are, to name a few, street-sellers such as fried fish, watercresses, matches, baked potatoes, etc.; street-buyers such as old clothes or 'dust'; street-performers like 'conjurors,' musicians, or fire-eaters (with his own descriptions about how to eat fire), but the most fascinating is the records about boys (and some girls) who run away from parents, and lives in the street of London, who literally lives by begging or stealing.

Many interesting facts are recorded by Mayhew (or his assistants), directly from the persons the book deals with, and the original words spoken by there labourers are preserved as much as possible. To read, or to listen to them is one of the greatest merits of the book, for the languages of the interviewees retain the peculiar speeches you find in many Dickensian characters, and in fact you will realize that Dickens didn't exaggerate when he created Sam Weller.

And the London you see here is the London Charles Dickens knew. What did Jo in 'Bleak House' was sweeping in the street? Who gave that permission? What is the nature of 'the dust' you hear in 'Our Mutual Friend'? What was the regulations of the 'workhouse'? All these thing are answered in this vividly realized collections of the Victorian working class portraits.

This book is still a valuable source for anyone who is interested in Victorian period, and will be. Buy one now.

Henry Mayhew, having created this delightful encyclopoedia of humanity, has probably been ripped off more frequently than any writer since Shakespeare. His characters are so animated they have jumped full-fleshed from the pages of his books into the works of many another humorist or novelist, and we all owe more to him than we can know.

While the living conditions suffered by the poor were truly deplorable, Mayhew might have enjoyed the company of street people more than that of his peers. He put so much life into his characters we can see them, hear them, smell them. I only wonder what the street people thought about Mr. Mayhew, the journalist who bought them beers,inveigled invitations to tea, listened tirelessly to their stories. Mayhew is neither sentimental nor brutal, but rather a true and tolerant humourist, and I believe that, for all the misery depicted, his work was undertaken with great, and contagious, joy.

Henry Mayhew, founder of Punch magazine, wrote this four-volume sociological classic during the 1850's. If you are at all interested in the Victorian era, in British history, in London, or in urban history in general, this is a must-read. The Penguin version is abridged and is a distillation of the "best" of the multiple-volume set. This distillation is itself over 500 pages, so imagine the impact of the entire set! The utter destitution of the London poor is set out in such vivid detail than one cannot help being shocked at the conditions human beings were forced to live in in the greatest city of its time. The only fault I find with this book is Mayhew's occasional lapses into preaching. Otherwise a fine book

This is a great book. Not only does it help you to sort out what you really want to do in life, it provides an easy to follow series of actions you can take to help you get there.

I found that the hardest thing about finding a new job or career is knowing where to start and how to get moving in a new direction. This book is set up in such a way that you can read a page or two at a time, get some food for thought and put it down. Then, Later you can do a "fill in the blank" quiz or checklist and get a new piece of information to fit in to your plan. Bit by bit, idea by idea, suggestion by suggestion it gets you moving and that's half of the battle to finding and keeping a job you can love at least it was for me. I highly recommend this book.
Scott Rassoulian, Brookine, MA.

I got my first copy of "Love Your Job" after I saw Dr. Powers on CNN and enjoyed his upbeat message for those in a down job market. Since then I have recommended it to many clients in my organizational consulting practice. The exercises and mini-tests (self assessments really)alone are worth the price of the book and are both motivational and practical. I have found this book to be as helpful to an executive or manager as it is to someone new in the job market. I'm on my third copy now because they keep getting "borrowed." Timeless wisdom!
Dr. Edward Deevy, North Andover, Massachusetts.

Easy/simple to read. Extremely helpful for any employee, specially those working in personnel departments. Also recommend contacting author regarding her workshops, which are also very usuful.

What is great about this book is that is very short in pages but at same time full with content. I got a lot of insigths on how the human relation works and how this applies in the working place. It is easy to read specially for me that have an engineering background. GREAT BOOK IT MUST BE READED AND KEEPED!!!

Dr. Jane Allen Petrick in Making the Connection gives the reader practical and logical techniques for being more effective at work,as well as ideas for helping others to do the same. I especially like the emphasis on feeling good about work and in turn feeling good about yourself and those you work with.

I have learned so much, and I am so thankful for people like Bishop Ulmer and their faithfulness.

I really enjoyed this book. Some chapters are better than others of course, but overall it is excellent.

What a clear and concise message about proper money management. It is refreshing to finally be find a book about financial responsibility that helps a regular person immediately "get it", to quickly grasp an understanding of handling money matters the right way, no matter how much or little money or income a person has. This guy writes in a way that not only explains the basic how-to's and the why's, but also the consequences of dealing with money the wrong way. For anyone who wants to build a lasting financial legacy.

This book is a must have. It will change your life with respect to the way you view money and finances. If you are a newly wed, a person in business, or even a student, this book has fundamental principles that will change your financial status for the better.

This is terrific introduction to Tibetan Buddhist ideas that are easier to understand because they are expressed in the anecdotal situations of running a printing business in the 90's. The author is candid and unpretentious, speaking clearly about the ups and downs of applying some ancient wisdom to his work, ideas that have come from a genuine buddhist master, but still had to be applied by someone who, despite considerable experience in business, was still a student of applied Buddhism. I like the genuineness of the author, and the feeling of the relationship with the teacher...this book is fun for those of us convinced there is something in Buddhism of great value, but not sure how to bring that something directly into our daily lives.

This is a great book because of how it brings together ideas that are usually kept in separate compartments. The author is the student of a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, and about ten or twelve years ago he and some other students started a printing business. The idea was to use Buddhist teachings in the business, especially some principles that they call "skillful means," and to see if they could make the business more successful.

It seems like it worked. The business did really well, even though they started with a few strikes against them, and they had a good time too (not fun exactly, but a sense that their work had real value and was part of their spiritual path.)

All that makes for interesting reading. But the real point of the book is to share some of the lessons they learned. That's the part that seemed really rewarding. Skillful Means involves a whole approach to time and to taking responsibility for your life and for getting the results you want, in your work or anywhere else. I'm already experimenting with some of the ideas, and they make good sense, and have an immediate impact.

I don't know if all this will translate well into everyone's job, but I can see the benefit, and I feel like I've just scratched the surface. The author is really excited about the ideas in this book, and I am too.

Once you discover a really good book that works well & easy for you, all you want to do is RAVE about it!! With this outstanding book from one of America's greats - Brian's Tracy, why not? It really "does exactly as it says on the label" (or front cover in this case.)

You only have to briefly scan all of the reviews below to see that this is a powerful book that works. His message in simple & obvious, but with this book Brian shows you why & how so many of us don't or can't succeed in our ambitions to be happy & successful, when it is the right of everyone to enjoy life to the full.

If you've read his other book "GOALS!" first, then don't despair. This book has exactly the same message but goes much deeper into the workings of how health, wealth, happiness & peace of mind can all be achieved, providing you with a dearth of inspiration & motivation to try it out instantly & get going straight way.

This book is a little larger & a little harder going than "Goals!", only in that the chapters aren't broken down into convenient sections where you can pause & take a breath/ Nonetheless, it is written in such an enthusiastic way that keeps you interested all the way.

This ought to be the very last book you buy on the subject, but before you read (& more importantly re-read) it, please make sure you have a fresh note-book (preferably A4) & pen to hand. The book is jam packed with all the essential information to kick you off in the right direction the minute you start reading.

If you've got this far already then you need this book, look no further, your intuition was right in looking here. You won't be disappointed. It's quite a long book but with a little perseverance, you too will be glad you bought & read it. Check out the Amazon sales ranking to see how high this book is valued by thousands of likeminded customers.

From Joe Catal, author of the book " Telesales Tips From The Trenches". Being a national phone sales trainer, I constantly see the difference between high producing people and low producers by the way they see themselves.
This is a book about life and how to live it. It has hundreds upon hundres of tips and strategies that you can apply today.
If you've been wondering why things never seem to go your way or as much as you try things never seem to workout, this book will tell you EXACTLY why thihgs are happeing to you.
An excellent book and I highly recomend it.
I would find it hard to believe that this couldn't improve your life. A definite read and book for your collection.

I've read several hundred books about self improvement and reaching my potential. This is one of the top five! He takes us through a down to earth, easy to relate to process of moving toward becoming the person you are supposed to become. Isn't it time to make your life a masterpiece

Bob Briner has done an exquisite job of crafting an easily accessible, thought provoking devotional guide for men in leadership. Some of the lessons are like a shot to the solar plexus - they will startle the reader. Each day's lesson provides ample insights for reflection and prayer. Clean design includes scripture, insights, lesson and a miniscule space for a written response. An index of scripture lessons is provided, along with lined pages for notes. The book delivers on the subtitle promise: "90 proven leadership principles."

The approach Bob had taken in making this devotional truly reflects that kind of lifestyle that Christ would want for us to have. It has definitely centered my attention and focus on how to deal with responsibility, leadership, attitude, and willingness to make a change. I encourage readers to purchase this book and share it with those in the leadership role.

Enjoy!

Bob Briner combines an experienced, time-tested businessman's background with an unwavering commitment to and deep knowledge of God in this devotional. I have found his practical insights very useful in living out a daily commitment to growing in my faith. I am giving this book to all my Stanford buddies! It is by far the best devotional that I have ever come across.

Few books that I have read put it all together as well as "Mentally Tough." I saw it in the used book pile for just 18 cents. That would be the best money you ever spent. Forget all the exercise, diet and other self-help books. Take a look at this one. I find myself, after reading many similar books, coming back to "Mentally Tough."

I attended a workshop by the author and read his book following the seminar. Both focused on the fact that one must have balance in ones life to be successful. It pointed out that to be mentally tough you must also work on physical fitness. As a result, I lost over 20lbs., ran a marathon, have more time and energy to accomplish more in my life than I ever have. This program is realistic and attainable for the busiest person.

This book was used in seminars at Apple to keep employees at peak performance mentally and physically. It outlines a detailed strategy for adjusting your body chemistry through a combination of diet, exercise, and laughter. I've just finished a weight-loss diet that dropped me 20 pounds to my ideal weight. Now I am going on the mentally tough program to maintain myself at peak performance

In clear prose Jo Condrill outlines an incredible plan to improve the quality of your life. Developing a support team and strategic alliance sections contain amazing insights and suggestions. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Jo Condrill's book is easy to read and filled with valuable information. The material shared by Condrill inspired me to make changes in my own life. Condrill gets directly to the point and provides practical and sound advice. Her book offers simple instructions that are guaranteed to improve your circumstances. I have also benefited from other books written by Condrill and look forward to reading future publications.

Finally a book on "How" to reach those dreams. If you are a first time supervisor, a seasoned manager, or an individual that wants to take your vision from concept to reality, this is an inspirational instruction manual.

I've read scores of financial wealth books, dozens of mental transition books, and WOW amounts of management books and these are BY FAR the GREATEST I every read and all that you need...

In this order;
1. Think and Grow Rich
2. Millionaire Handbook
3. One Minute Manager
4. Leadership Secrets of Attilla the Hun
5. The Tao of Leadership

If these books don't change your life, no book will.

I read this book every week. Seriously.

The one commonality they have found in 90% of all Millionaires is that they had mentors. Mentors, people who have SUCCEEDED ALREADY and guide us along the path.

Reading through this book is like having hundreds of Mentors each telling you the one idea which encompasses all of their success.

BEST money I have spent on a business book, period.

This is the best business philosophy book since The Art of War by Sun Tzu. I can't say enough good things about it. It takes about an hour to read the whole thing, but you will learn SO MUCH from people who are already financially successful.

What you'll find in this book is excellent business wisdom such as the fact that making millions of dollars is easy--it's making the first $500,000 that's the tricky part. After that you just hire smart people and they make the rest for you. I learned that you should always schedule a meeting in the other person's office because it's much easier to leave when the meeting doesn't go your way, than to get them to leave. I learned that if you aim for an eagle and miss, you hit a rock, but if you aim for the moon and miss, you might hit an eagle. I learned that people who live from paycheck to paycheck are sacrificing wealth for pleasure. It goes on and on. It's like a new spiritual understanding of the mindset of wealthy people, and the mindset it takes to build wealth.

If you like philosophical approaches to business, or if you are a person who understands philosophical concepts and would like to learn more about business and wealth-building, you will love this book. I seriously believe that what I learned in this one little book will ultimately make me a millionaire.