Elephants Books

My university suggested to all students that they read this book. I agree very much with their focus on why students should learn how to manage and lead. IBM was once a has been corporation in the early 1990s until Lou Gerstner showed them how to be nimble and respond to customer needs. IBM lost its focus because it did not focus its energies on exploiting the innovations of its labs. They were losing money faster than at anytime in the past. Only Gerstner showed how they could focus their energies on creating value in the marketplace. Gerstner's sage advice and guidance helped IBM survive this struggle to become profitable again. IBM is such a huge technological company that one wonders how Gerstner turned around this company. His leadership saved IBM. One wonders if he could save a company like GM or Chrysler now.

This is a great book to read on leadership and common sense. You don't have to be a genius to be a leader. What you need is the ability to focus on your organization's strengths and weaknesses. Improve your weaknesses and exploit your strengths.

A fun book, well written in the spirit of Robert Ruark. If you enjoy Ruark's writing and story telling, you will be very pleased with this. Well done. Enjoy.

When paleontologist Richard Leakey took over the Department of Wildlife and Conservation in Kenya in 1989, rampant corruption, theft, absenteeism, and a don't-care attitude were hallmarks within the department. How Leakey, transformed Kenya's extraordinary game parks into refuges, rather than the corrals for government-sanctioned poaching that they were, is the subject of this fascinating book.

The Kenyan government had historically lacked a real commitment to conservation, and the burgeoning population exerted pressure on national park borders, clearing land for farming and threatening wildlife, unimpeded. Poaching, patronage, a general ripoff mentality, and collusion between park rangers, politicians, blackmarketeers, and smugglers, were so interconnected and seemingly so ineradicable that the department resembled a many-headed hydra. Tribal rivalries within Kenya, a porous border through which Somalian thieves made forays, and a lack of agreement between Kenya and neighboring African countries about the best way to conserve animals made this one of the most daunting management challenges imaginable.

In prose that is direct and to the point (and sometimes self-congratulatory), Leakey tells how he managed a multimilliondollar corporation in a country in which everyone wants a piece of the pie, usually under the table. As Leakey tells of cleaning up the department and conserving the elephants, the reader also learns about the economics of the ivory trade, the tug-of-war between immediate political realities and long-term goals, the role of the World Bank in African development, and the politicking involved in deciding what is an endangered species under the U.N.'s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Postscript: In 1993, Leakey was piloting his plane when it developed engine trouble and crashed, costing him both legs. Because Leakey never hesitated to challenge government authority, sabotage was always suspected but never proven. When his former "friend," President Daniel Arap Moi then announced that the Kenyan government had found evidence of "corruption" in Leakey's department, Leakey resigned, only four years after his appointment. International funding for the Kenyan Wildlife Service ended with his resignation, and the political climate, with its murders, corruption, and "legal" executions, ended most western aid to the country. Leakey has continued his conservation efforts, despite political upheaval, through independent organizations funded internationally. n Mary Whipple

The Origin Of Humankind (Science Masters Series)
Origins Reconsidered: In Search of What Makes Us Human
The Sixth Extinction: Patterns of Life and the Future of Humankind
Richard Leakey: Africa's passionate voice for nature.(Interview): An article from: E

Anyone who has ever been to Kenya's extraordinary game parks to see the elephants, or dreamed of doing so, will be fascinated by this story of how these parks came to be the refuges they are and not the corrals for government-sanctioned poaching that they were. When paleontologist Richard Leakey took over the Department of Wildlife and Conservation in 1989, rampant corruption, theft, absenteeism, and a don't-care attitude were hallmarks within the department.

As Leakey tells us here, the Kenyan government lacked a real commitment to conservation, and the burgeoning population exerted pressure on national park borders, clearing land for farming and threatening wildlife, unimpeded. Poaching, patronage, a general ripoff mentality, and collusion between park rangers, politicians, blackmarketeers, and smugglers, were so interconnected and seemingly so ineradicable that the department resembled a many-headed hydra.

Tribal rivalries within Kenya, a porous border through which Somalian thieves made forays, and a lack of agreement between Kenya and neighboring African countries about the best way to conserve animals made this one of the most daunting management challenges imaginable.

In prose that is as direct and to the point (and sometimes as self-congratulatory) as he is, Leakey tells how he set up and managed a multimilliondollar corporation in a country in which everyone wants a piece of the pie, usually under the table.

As Leakey tells of cleaning up the department and conserving the elephants, the reader also learns about the economics of the ivory trade, the tug-of-war between immediate political realities and long-term goals, the role of the World Bank in African development, and the politicking involved in deciding what is an endangered species under the U.N.'s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It's a fascinating tale, equally intriguing to the lover of wildlife, the student of management, and the East African history buff. Mary Whipple

Cooper Edens is a true artist, and With Secret Friends doesn't fail to live up to the standard set by If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow. With Secret Friends isn't as handily pocket-sized, but the larger book provides larger pictures. And the art in this book is just as surreal and gorgeous as any other of Cooper Edens. The wandering poetic narrative captures both the loneliness and the magic of childhood in an astute and lovely way. Anyone who was ever a child will revel in this book about imaginary friends.

If you know a gal who loves dogs, this is the book. It is a sweet & touching volume with lovely illustrations. I bought several for gifts. I've never seen anything like it. It's a winner!

This little gem of a book offers a concise, step-by-step guide to spiritual development, drawing on both Yogic and Taoist traditions. Qigong master Larry Johnson reveals the patterns that connect Indian and Chinese Medecine with spiritual alchemy. This inspiring overview ties all these disciplines together, and can help you deepen your own practice - whether you study Yoga, Qigong or other forms of moving meditation. It was an eye-opener for me, and gave new meaning to ancient practices, along with the "big picture" I was looking for in my own life.

Good book....well researched information by the author. I am a true animal lover and it was a little gut-wrenching to read some things, knowing that they held truth...but it was a good read and a deep storyline. Intrigues me enough to want to go beyond the book and read more about circuses in the present and the post-Depression Era.
I recommend this book, it is rich in substance and will surely touch your heart.

Not having had any knowledge of the inner workings of the circus during this time period I found this book to be very informative and entertaining all at once. It was an easy read and I was able to finish it in about 2 days. I loved the way it was written, the author did a great job of painting a picture. BUT the only thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars were the parts that were written from the perspective of the 93 year old Jacob. Not that these parts were poorly written, they were actually very well written and made you feel like you were right there in the nursing home it just that well, one minute your enjoying circus life and the next minute BOOM your in a nursing home. I felt she could have used those pages to tell us a couple more circus adventures. I would certainly recommend this book! (Although, not to anyone in their teens there are a lot of sex scenes and most of them are quite graphic)

I read 3-4 books a month - and this is one of the best books I have read all year. Great characters in a amazing and detailed setting (a circus train during the depression). The author did a great job describing the sights and sounds I could literally see what I was reading. I think this story could easily be adapted into an amazing film.

At times it was a little more sexualy graphic then I would prefer(so not good for younger teens), but other than that it was a truly interesting and enjoyable book.

The author opens the story very well, grabbing your attention immediately. I love the way the story moves from the present, a 93 year old man in a nursing home, to his past and then back again. The story is well written in terms of circus life in the depression era and life as an elderly man in a nursing home.

I could not put this book down. It gave me an affirmation for why I dislike the circus and reminded me that the elderly are to be respected. Having worked with the elderly, I know they have many interesting stories to share with us. The book is very well-written, fast moving, surprising, and mysterious. I loved it!

This is an "Indiana Jones" action packed novel. Some things predictable, some things not. Great descriptions and an emotional attachment.

This could change the world...if everyone read it...wow, how great it would be if we would learn to communicate better.

This is a book by one of the world's pre-eminent linguists about the way current political issues are framed by the parties. Republicans, Lakoff asserts, are much better at framing the issues, thanks to years of well-funded think tank work, skillful planning and organization. The model he uses to describe the underlying belief systems of the Republican and Democratic parties are based on types of parenting. The GOP philosophy is based on the "strict parent model," where the father of a family protects the family in a dangerous world, supports the family, teaches them right from wrong, and enforces punishment when necessary. The Progressive metaphor is that of the nurturant parent, who believes that the world is basically good and that it and people can be made better through cooperation and empathy.

I was a bit skeptical at first when Lakoff set up this metaphor. It seems like a stretch as the overarching narrative of our political system, but it fits the debates as he lays them out. What I found more interesting and useful, however, was when he gets into specifics. He makes the point that, counterintuitively, people do not vote in their self-interest. They vote their identities. This is why you have poor rural people in Kansas voting for candidates who hurt them economically--because they identify with that candidate's beliefs.

In terms of the issues, Lakoff gives examples of how specific issues have been framed so that in discussing them, with the language we use, the debate is already slanted in favor of conservatives. For instance, tax cuts sound like a good thing. Who wouldn't want less taxes? That's because we speak of them as tax cuts. Why not, instead speak of it as an investment in our future? After all, that's money that goes to building our infrastructure, maintaining our healthcare system and educating the people who will one day run this country. He also points out that tax cuts are one of a number of conservative strategic initiatives--issues that affect other issues. Because by cutting taxes, you're basically starving progressive programs--education programs, homeless initiatives, environmental programs, for example--of funding. Taxes is an issue that is stacked for conservatives. Conversely, alternative energy is a potentially great progressive strategic initiative, because along with it come jobs, environmental protection, and a decreased dependence on foreign oil and big oil corporations.

Lakoff covers all the major issues and discusses the current framing and how those frames can be shifted. He also gives good concrete examples of how these issues have played out in recent politics. Because the book is a collection of essays, it is at times a little disjointed and repetitive. But overall, what he's saying makes a lot of sense. And although it is written for progressives, and Lakoff is himself a progressive, it felt fairly non-partisan considering our current political environment. You get the impression that, had he wanted to, Lakoff could have just as easily written a guidebook for conservatives.

I didn't understand why John Kerry win 3 out of 3 debates and lose the election till I read this....

It's all about the languages used in the debate......

and Framing is one of them....the other is use of fallacies....(not in this book)

a good book for any debater or law school students.

This is essentially just a poorly-written, watered-down version of Lakoff's "Moral Politics". If you're seriously interested in Lakoff's theory of politics, skip this and read "Moral Politics" instead. But, if you want just a brief summary of the highlights of Lakoff's theory, without having to read the (much longer and more in-depth) "Moral Politics", then this book will serve the purpose. However, I will warn you that it is not well-written at all. It appears to have been hastily thrown together and poorly edited.

This book is aimed at progressives; and attempts to explain why progressives have struggled politically in recent decades while conservatives have had tremendous success. According to Lakoff, it has a great deal to do with differences in how conservatives and progressives communicate their ideas. Lakoff encourages progressives to adopt many of the same communications strategies that conservatives have been using. However, Lakoff's suggestions tend to lean toward abstract principles rather than practical advice. This is not a step-by-step "how to" guide for communicating progressive ideas and winning elections. It's really more of a "here's-where-we've-gone-wrong" critique of progressive campaign strategies. There are some useful insights here; but this is certainly not Lakoff's best work.

I was one of millions of people who watched Faux News only-just 'for fun'.

Now I understand why 9 million dollar salary of Bill O'reilly worth every penny.

I love this book. It starts a tiny bit slow, but is so engaging once you get into it. I gave it to everyone one Christmas. Great book.

This book is a "must read". An incredible, true story! I've shared this book with at least 15 people.

I discovered this book by accident and must say it was such a pleasant surprise. The story catches you from page one and takes you on an unbelievable journey with Bram and Modoc. I found myself sobbing when I read the chapter on the two of them being separated and the cruel treatment Modoc underwent. Their love for each other was overwhelming. Whether the book has elements of truth in it or not, it doesn't matter. Anyone who has been touched by an animal with find themselves falling in love with Modoc. What a magnificent animal and what a lovely story.

This is a fantastic book and stands as the only book outside of Murakami's Hard-Boiled Wonderland and McCarthy's The Road that I've actually felt compelled to buy and give to others. I read the book solely because it too was pushed my way by someone urging me to read it despite it not being my typical cup of tea. The story was fantastic and every bit the tear-jerker you've read about elsewhere. A triumph of spirit and the bond that can be built between man and animal. I cried like a blubbering baby in my backyard while turning the pages of this book - and have enjoyed inflicting the same upon others. It's really, really good - and not just for animal lovers. Beats the heck out of stinker Life Of Pi too.

Much of the book is imagined dialogue between the elephant trainer and various characters. The relationships with parents, girlfriend and elephant are unrealistically idealized. The theme is pantheism and the trainer even assumes he was also an elephant in another life. I was not even able to finish this book.