Enterprise Books

to get out from the kitchen. This book had the answers to make a start-up a success. Thankfully, it even addressed situations that I had not really considered, nor found in other books. I wish I would have found this book first!

I highly recommend this book. If you are considering, or even if you are already in the restaurant business, take a look at what this book and set of resources has to offer. I'm glad I found it when I did.

This is the best ... bucks I ever spent!
I bought this book. Registered it. Logged on to the Web site that comes with the book. Edited the sample business plan; and got financinig. All within 3 weeks.

Simple. Clean. Concise. Got for it!

A must read for any entepreneur wishing to start up a business in the food industry. It is packed with great tools, from the business plan to spread sheets for site surveys.

I have had very good results after buying this book. It is easy to read and digest. The Web site is easy to get into and is a great help. Therefore, I recommend this book for anyone starting a restaurant.

I'll let all the others leave more wordy reviews. Suffice it to say that I feel this book takes you to an entirely higher level of understanding on the topic of going public with your company.
The author is THE MAN in the entire world on this subject.
He is in a class by himself and does an outstanding job of breaking it down into layman terms.
BUY THIS BOOK!

I liked this book. It's probably not one that a small business owner would be particularly interested in reading. But I think it would be relevant. I found it to be well written and well outlined. And it didn't take me all that long to get from page one to the end. But I am a CPA and attorney. That might have helped me out a little.

The author is a securities attorney. He consults to companies that are not public, but would like to be. He advises them how to do what are called "Reverse Mergers" so their nonpublic company can merge into an already public company and voila - be a public company. This book explains how a reverse merger works - both from a business and a legal perspective.

Without a doubt this book is a marketing piece for the author and his 23-attorney law firm. If a client approaches him and doesn't know much about reverse mergers, then the author can either charge by the hour for an explanation, or hand the prospect a copy of this book. The prospect would be well advised to accept this book and read it and save a ton of money.

From reading the book it appeared that reverse mergers are not all that popular these days. It's difficult or expensive to find a target in which to merge. And then there are the legal fees. But it certainly is an option. And one that should be considered when planning to take a company public. 5 stars!

PS. Examine the Search Inside feature provided by Amazon for this book. It includes the book's Table of Contents which will tell you more specifically than I what is included in this book.

With this book, David Feldman takes the mystery out of reverse mergers. Going public via an APO (alternative public offering) is a legitimate way to take a micro-cap company public while raising the necessary funds to grow the business. His strategies and insights, written in plain English, are invaluable for any CEO/CFO who is contemplating a reverse merger, especially after the recent SEC rulings. I would, however, caution that the book is not a do-it-yourself "how-to-guide" but rather a starting point to get acquainted with the reverse merger process. My biggest take-away is to make sure you bring in a capable and experienced team of advisers to make the reverse merger process a seamless transaction.

Well, maybe it didn't exactly change my life, but it gave my law firm a new direction. My firm specializes in strategic transactions - initial public offerings, private placements, mergers & acquisitions - but we had steered clear of reverse mergers because of the uncertainty and confusion. Feldman and Dresner cleared up that confusion we now offer reverse mergers as part of our services.

This book showed the mechanics of structuring a reverse merger, how to create shell corporations and guidelines on financing. It covers due diligence, securities filings and and plenty of mistakes to avoid.

Whether you're an attorney, accountant, investment banker, business owner or private investor, this book will offer you an new strategy for growth and finance by way of reverse mergers.

Only a few years ago, it seemed that nearly every company was going public with an IPO. Now many quality companies are locked out of the IPO market, but companies have other ways to go public. One of the most popular paths is a "reverse merger." In this transaction, your private company merges into a public company (often a "shell") and controls it, giving you a public stock with which to raise capital. This may sound shady, but it's not: many well-known companies have gone public through reverse mergers, including Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Turner Broadcasting System, Occidental Petroleum and Blockbuster Entertainment. Experienced Wall Street securities attorney David N. Feldman takes you through the reverse merger process in detail. The book is wonderfully clear and thorough, and should become the definitive textbook on reverse mergers. It is, however, a dry read. A profusion of technical rules and especially acronyms (SPAC, SOX, Form 10-B, Rule 419, Regulation A, SB-2, PIPE) make the book slightly MEGO (My Eyes Glaze Over) for the uninitiated - but then, they are not its target audience. We enthusiastically recommend this book to sophisticated investors, lawyers, accountants, investment bankers and executives who want all the details on this increasingly popular financing technique.

101 Saints for Every Occasion is more than a patron saints book. Choc full of fascinating historical and biographical bits, it makes enjoyable reading for anyone. Those who have read patron saints books will find the contemporary adaptations interesting and first-time patron saints readers will undoubtedly wish to continue reading on this subject. We've recommended 101 Saints to friends and given several copies as gifts.

Saints For Every Occasion: 101 Of Heaven's Most Powerful Patrons by Catholic commentator and author Thomas J. Craughwell tells the fascinating, compelling, and inspiring stories of Catholicism's patron saints, with special attention to their aspects and relevance today. Each canonized individual is presented with a brief but memorable summary of their lives, to aid those seeking the right words for prayer in the medley of problems faced in this complex world. Highly recommended for personal, seminary, and parish library reference collections, Saints For Every Occasion is a thoughtful, serious, expansive reference that makes for intent browsing in times of inner turmoil.

I have a few saints guides already, but nothing to match the thoroughness, timeliness, and charm of this one. The book has a lot of fun surprises (such as a saint for rock climbers), and a great deal of truly useful information. Craughwell makes saints more "relevant" by including saints for AIDS sufferers and the environment, but he never trivializes or cheapens his subject. And the entries are wonderful to read, a definite cut above the often dry, over-earnest style of other books. Highly recommended!

I am definitely not religious, but I found this book to be so entertaining and enriching that I have to recommend it. It's full of history and culture, and the author's sly style (which sometimes made me laugh out loud) doesn't interfere with the nourishment he gently makes available through the stories of the saints he's selected. It's the kind of book you love to dip into from time to time, to learn something and be amused and maybe feel a bit better about the world.

Most of us were introduced to the saints while we were children. As we grew up, our idea of saints has remained on immature level. Thomas Craughwell's book re-introduces us to the saints from an adult person's point of view. The result is refreshing. It is such a relief to know that these 101 saints were not statues in real life. I now feel that Thomas Aquinas is someone I would like to know in real life -- and that Aloysius Gonzaga would be a little scary for his intensity! I left the book by my bed and read two or three capsule biographies each night for over a month. Interestingly, the most moving lives were those of the young saints -- but seen from the adult vantage point of wanting to reach out and protect these youths from harm's way. At the end, I was sorry the book was over. Then on the last page I saw that there is the possibility of a sequel. Let it be!

Lori Lake's writing truly does defy categoration, and this splendid collection of 14 stories, some of them lesbian themed, some of them not, perfectly illustrates that point; but if there is a common theme that runs through them, it is that of pain and loss, and coming through it better, stronger, wiser. She looks unflinchingly at some little-discussed and very difficult subjects - domestic abuse in lesbian relationships, a parent's difficulty in accepting a lesbian daughter, a father's loss of his son - and does so with great compassion and profound insight. These stories from one of today's best authors will make you think - and make you care. Victor J. Banis, author of Spine Intact, Some Creases

Ms. Lake definitely continues the tremendous style of writing displayed in her earlier books: Gun Shy, Under the Gun, Different Dress and Ricochet In Time.

Stepping Out: Short Stories takes the reader on a terrific journey through a gambit of emotions with each of the stories: sympathy, dismay, shock, anger, fright, empathy, anger, loss, laughter, and love. Although Jumping Over My Head and Vagabond are my personal favorites, each story will move you in its own unique way. While each story may not be long in length, there are 14 stories total, each is quite impactful. You will feel like you are right there with each of the characters, sharing their feelings - whether crying with them or laughing with them - helping them fight their way through their trials and troubles.

Already a fan of Ms. Lake's work, Stepping Out: Short Stories just reinforces the reasons why. It is a great book and will be one picked up and read time and time again!

With Stepping Out, popular lesbian author Lori L. Lake has crafted a charming and impressive collection of short stories. The name of the book was inspired by the fact that the characters in each story have reached a turning point in their lives, and they must now choose to step out in a new direction. Each story touched me in some way, but some more than others.

"The Bright Side" tells of a young woman faced with the inevitability of aging parents. "Everything You Learn in Kindergarten Can Ruin Your Life" takes us back to grammar school and the world of bullies. "Propane" is a powerful tale of domestic abuse in a same-sex relationship. In "Mouse", we come face-to-face with a homeless woman, forced onto the street when her partner passes away and the family refuses to acknowledge their relationship.

Lake isn't afraid to tackle the tough issues-alcoholism, physical and mental abuse, self-esteem issues, aging parents, homophobia-in her stories, but she does so without ever feeling preachy or confrontational. Her stories are filled with grace, second chances, and self-discovery. All of her characters are fully-realized, even when their stories are sometimes less than ten pages. You feel as if you are being afforded brief (sometimes too brief!) glimpses into the lives of real people-people who could be your neighbors, your friends, or even your relatives. Her writing style is very accessible; the stories quickly draw you in and make you care about their protagonists.

Everyone who reads this book will have their favorites. Mine were "Busybody", "Defending Angels", and "Jumping Over My Head." In "Busybody", an aging lesbian couple tries to live their lives in peace and privacy while fending off the well-meaning but unwelcome interference of loved ones and neighbors. However, the couple gains a new perspective by the story's end. "Defending Angels" tells the emotionally charged story of a young man trying to rebuild his life in the aftermath of an abusive father and an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Of the fourteen stories in this collection, "Jumping Over My Head" felt the most personal to me. It is a story of overcoming self-perception, of the power of having one person who believes in you-and having faith in yourself.

While those three especially stood out to me, I believe this book will have something for everyone. In these fourteen short stories, Lori L. Lake, also the author of the popular Gun series, as well as her most recent novel, the well-received Different Dress, shows off her versatility and considerable talent. I highly recommend this book.

I finished "The Big Eddy" in the wee hours this morning and I sobbed. What a heart rending journey for the father in the loss of his son. I'm so impressed with the writing. Each story captures a person right from the beginning. What comes through so clearly to me is the love and understanding that is needed between all of us.....and how premature judgments are haunting at any point in our lives. The "Bright Side" really examined family relationships and the ending was tender between the two sisters. And, "Busybody" truly made me stop and think about importance of not prejudging where someone's coming from....and then realizing the importance of sharing one's life with others. "Propane" hit home too because of the abusive marriage my sister was in years ago. At least the character had the guts to finally deal with it. All of these stories have left openings for future writings.

I'm keeping the book by my bedside.....it's so great when I wake up at 4:00 a.m. and can't get to sleep. I pick up the book and read as much as I like before I get ready to sleep again. I hope this author keeps those beautiful, meaningful messages coming to all of us. It is needed.

Lori L. Lake has written an insightful collection of short stories in her latest book, "Stepping Out: Short Stories". If you are not familiar with her other best-selling books, "Different Dress", "Under the Gun", "Gun Shy", and "Ricochet In Time", "Stepping Out," will have certainly whet your appetite.

Each story brings forth interesting characters and situations you long to know more about. Lori Lake can easily have fourteen more novels to write and the reader is left hoping that is her intention.

It is much more difficult to write a short story than a novel because the writer has limited time and space to expand upon the characters and story line. There is little time to develop the plot - it has to be there and be there quick. Lori Lake does an excellent job with this task.

Each of the short stories is timeless and authentic in its portrayal of real people and their lives. I appreciate how Lake mentions the feelings of elderly parents about having their independence interfered with, even from well meaning children, as in, "The Bright Side". This is a point that hits home for any baby boomer currently worrying about who will take care of their aging parents. And more importantly, how will they get their parents to accept their help? In this story we also see a mother who is so critical of her daughter she compliments her on her weight loss even though it is due to chemotherapy for breast cancer! This is in addition to her disappointment that her daughter is gay and throwing it in her daughter's face even during a family crisis. Anyone who has a critical mother and most of us do in one way or another can relate to this story. This is not to say that we don't love our mothers, but our mothers' unfavorable comments can hurt the worst.

"Afraid of the Dark", is about a mother and daughter who get lost while driving to an American Quilt Exhibit and end up stuck in a bad neighborhood. The author so perfectly shows the ignorance and potentially dangerous side of prejudice. It is a sad story about a mother who can't get past her prejudices enough to love or trust people who are different from her. The daughter, Marin, allows herself to be set up for the verbal abuse her mother consistently dishes out while secretly hoping her mother will change and accept her for who she is and accept people for who they are and not based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. Unfortunately, this is not a new story with racial profiling and homophobia ridiculously ingrained in our society so that even many parents have trouble accepting their own children. Like Marin, we hope this will change in our lifetime.

I also enjoyed, "Busybody" because it is so true that you cannot judge a book by its cover. What we perceive in a person may not be what is really there. In fact you may be pleasantly surprised with what you find if you open up your heart.

Each story brings forth a wisdom that we all should possess as we go through life. Lake reminds us of society's short-sightedness to allow discrimination of overweight or obese people while glorifying anorexic models and actresses and paying them millions. It is no wonder that most girls have distorted body images and that eating disorders are prevalent.
"My Lifesaving Journal" is about a girl who dreams of being a hero because she has a low opinion of herself. She is fat and feels unworthy of love - even life. Isn't it about time society learns that a person's size is not what matters; it is what is inside that counts? It is about time we moved away from being so beauty and weight conscious and concentrate on being happy and healthy by exercising, eating right, and feeling good about ourselves.

The father who writes to his daughter in "A Letter from Father", pleading forgiveness for any homophobia he may have possessed in the past while hoping to regain her presence in his life, is heartwarming. These are just a few examples of what you may find in this book. Something positive can be said about each story but I prefer you read it for yourself and come to your own conclusions and choose the ones that hold the most meaning for you. Each reader will find something that they can relate to or learn from in this fine collection of short stories. I highly recommend this book and will add it to my collection of favorite authors.

I found The Sword & The Star: Temple Mount a very fast paced and enjoyable read. I found the political setting and the military detail very interesting. I look forward to the next Daymon Andrews effort.

Religion affects people strangely, to the point of self-destruction. "The Sword & The Star: Temple Mount" is a political thriller set in the near future. NATO is gone, Europe is at odds with the United States, and Israel has attacked Iran. With all this grim events, it is shocking that peace could be the result. An aide to the president also hopes for this, but what lies beneath the secrets and motives of these players could create World War III yet. "The Sword & The Star" is an awesome political thriller, sure to keep readers glued as they read from the first page to the last.

This book begins with a story line which could be cut from any day's news and it gets more interesting from there. With petro-dollars unleashing mighty forces in the world, this book opens a range of possibilities that would not have been imaginable even three years ago.

The Sword & The Star is an intriguing read that cannot be put down once started. It is historically timely; filled with the employment of current technology impacts; and prompts one to think of consequences if wrong leaders are placed in positions of leadership at the wrong time. Best book read in 2008!

I have really enjoyed The Sword & The Star: Temple Mount. It is fast paced with some new twists on what could be yet ahead. Scenarios that are clearly believable with our current global neighborhood. Hot for the days we live in.

As a fellow endurance rider, I really loved reading all of Dodie's stories. Sometimes sitting there on the couch yelling out loud, "No, don't do that." I am sure my husband was tired of having to wait to get his chance at the book after listening to me explain why I was laughing, yelling or snorting. And after reading Dodie's stories, I didn't feel too bad about some of the crazy things that have happened to us over the years getting our start in endurance riding.

I have loved horses all my life. I think if I had read this book years ago, before I started Endurance riding, I would have enjoyed this book and possibly started in the sport much earlier. There is very good information in this book on what to do and what not to do. Thankfully the info is wrapped up in entertaining stories that any horse lover should love to read.

Opening the cover of this book is exactly like that - once you open that bag of good chips (not the cheap-o store brand!), you HAVE to finish it! Dodie's writing style is fast, fun, furious. She truly makes you feel like you are out on the course, in the camper, waiting in line with her at events. No matter your riding style, you will laugh to the point of tears for most of the book. A non-horsey person would get a good laugh from the book, but would scratch their head in wonder and think aloud "and they think this stuff is FUN?". A great gift idea. Get more than one copy, because once you loan it out, it may not come back! Can't wait for the next one, Dodie!

To Finish is to Win is not a polished narrative on a lesser known sporting event, but more a series of campfire stories told between close friends. Each chapter stands well on it's own, but together they form an inside look at one woman's harried life and the demanding sport of endurance riding. I think that anyone who loves horses will get more out of the book than a non-horse person. Horse people, no matter what their sport, are a crazy bunch and are more likely to see the humor in these stories. One person's humor is another's insanity. I went into the book knowing that the sport existed and came out with the burning desire to know more. Any book that can entertain, educate and instill desire is well worth the read.

I am the Connie of the book and it is all true. I started with Dodie 5 years ago when she said 'you can do this'. Read the book to learn the serious side of the sport and the hilarious things that happen to make is even more fun

This was a wonderful and fabulously fun book. I could not wait to get to the next story to see what adventures Dodie & her crew got into. It made me laugh out loud and has inspired me to get myself into training for this great sport. Thanks Dodie!

This book is fantastic. Compared to numerous other business school and do-it-yourself books I own, this book is hands-down the most relevant and referenced on my shelf.

Venture Management Handbook: An Entrepreneur's Practical Guide To Stock, Finance And Contracts by entrepreneur Cliff Conneighton's is a clearly written, nicely organized, experienced based, informative instructional guide to the often complex and confusing subject of financing business ventures. Conneighton's Venture Management Handbook is a very highly recommended, complete-in-one-volume, "user friendly" reference.

I have read a few books on how to do startups, but no other book came close to explaining the concepts in as precise a manner as this book does. While other books talk about concepts like equity sharing and common and preferred shares in a general sense, this book gives exact definitions and examples.

The best book for an entrepreneur who dreams of raising money and taking his enterprise to places!

The rest of us not being financiers, accountants or lawyers!

I opened the book expecting another of the usual business help books. The ones that spend half the book telling you why you should read it and the second half trying to sell the next in the series.

This book is different. Venture Management Handbook gets right to the point on every subject and is entirely written for the totally uninformed yet driven entrepreneur. I'm only a quarter through, and with skipping to subjects I need now, I may not ever actually finish. But, who ever finishes a reference book, and Venture Management Handbook will surely find its way to the reference shelf of your local library.

Thanks for taking the time to compile such a great resource. You've done a great job and I appreciate the honest, real world, advice. You cover all the things that I didn't learn in business school...and in a thoughtful, approachable style.

Without a doubt, the best book on software startups that I have ever encountered. Each chapter is immediately useful, practical, and concise.

Thanks for all of the help and for sharing your experience and thoughts. Super!

Peyton

As always Angus McBride's color plates are as lifelike as can be. Especially, plates A,E,F, & G. These elite series are more in depth than the usual armor, weapons, & uniforms. The text is more varied. From their origins in the eigth century to all their adventures from all compass points, we get little gems of information. A refreshingly wide range of sources are used. Norse sagas, English, Arab, Byzantine, Frankish, & Irish chronicles. Most areas are touched on to varying degrees. From their tactics, well known campaigns, & the Varangian guard to the less known "Jomsvikings." The latter being independent, strictly run mercenary companies.

Also, some interesting anecdotes: Did you know that dark hair was much more common among the Danes than the Swedes & Norwegians? That certainly would explain the physical appearance of the Normans on the Bayeux Tapestry. If it had a dozen more pages I would have given it five stars. For 63 pages it was well worth the price.

This is by far the best book on the Vikings from a military perspective, Osprey or otherwise. The text is concise and is both exciting and informative. The plates depict the Viking warriors as well as their enemies and their women with lifelike expressions and poses, and include several spirited battlescenes.

One of the best books I have seen on the Vikings. The Text does a brief but good & concise job about the history of the Norsemen. That & the illustrations of these barbarian slavers is 1st rate and worth the price alone.
Well done to all hands involved!

Like other books in the Osprey Elite series, this one held my interest throughout. Therefore I finished it very quickly. The illustrations help me visualize what real life Vikings must have looked like.

The description of the Viking rite of "carving-the-blood-eagle" was something that I had never read anywhere before. Imagine the terror of seeing these guys arriving from over the horizon ca. 950 A.D.

I have always been a big fan of the Osprey series books, and a fan of Angus MacBride's work.
This book is a good overview of the evolving nature of Viking warfare, from the first raids on the British isles, to the end of the Viking period.
Included is a useful collection of photos of Viking weapons, armour annd other artifacts. But for me, the star of the show was the colour plates, what amazing work! MacBride gives us a diversity of glimpses, such as Viking home-life, building a long ship, the aftermath of a raid, and a great sea-battle, and the end of the Norse adventure in North America.
This is a great book for anyone interested in the Viking period!

I bought this for a friend. He's a train enthusiast and always wanted this book. But it was so hard to find--and usually cost an arm and a leg. This is going to make for a great Christmas gift. Amazon is a great place for those hard to find items. And quick shipping as well.

I consider myself an expert on Disneyland; I'm a former Imagineer and a collector of Disneyland information. Michael Broggie is not exaggerating his father's importance to the realization of Walt's dream. This book goes slightly beyond the sanitized "official" version that the Disney company promulgates and includes some stories and details that haven't been widely known. It's a beautiful coffee table book, complete and accurate (except for one or two nits someone like me might pick). I love it particularly for all the never-before published photos--you get so tired of seeing the same old approved shots when you collect Disneylandiana.

In case Amazon doesn't provide links, I would also recommend "Walt Disney Imagineering" by David Mumford, et.al. and "Inside Story" by the late Randy Bright. Both are "official," but just as authoritative as Broggie's.

Having been a "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour guide at Disneyland AND an engineer on the Steam Trains, I can say with full confidence that this is THE best book written about Walt Disney and his vision of Disneyland, and his love of trains.

The photographs are outstanding, the writing is wonderful, interesting, and easy to read, and the the stories, history, and facts are amazing.

Buy this book for yourself, and get an extra copy to give to someone who likes Disney - they'll be very thankful!

I have always loved the trains at Disneyland more than any other attraction. I always had dozens of questons about the trains that I wished I could get answers to. When I found out about this book I ordered it immediately. (My first experince with "one-click" ordering by the way, and WOW how easy!!) The book arrived on a Friday and I sat down to read it as soon as I got home from work. I could not put it down! I read straight through until 4am the next morning and finished it. It answered all the questions I ever had about the trains at Disneyland. It is a wonderful glimpse into the life of Walt Disney, and the group of incredibly talented people who worked for him. If you love trains, this book is a must. If you love Disneyland, this book is a must. If you could care less about trains and Disneyland, but you love a good story, this book is a must. Thank you Michael Broggie, for sharing this wonderful story.

I normally only read technical books. I picked this book up just to look at the pictures. Then I started to read the short articles within the chapters. I found them so fasinating that I found myself reading the main articles. My son asked my wife "what is Dad doing reading?". Walt Disney said that it all started with a mouse, but after reading this book you will realize that it all started with a train.

WOW!!! What a wonderful book!!! A friend told me about this book and the upcoming series. I wish there had been something like this series when I was thinking about what I wanted to be when I grow up. I bought this for my daughter, she's a little young to read it by herself but we are reading chapter books at night before bed, she loves it! We've already voted on the next title and signed up for the newsletter on the Work It Club website.

My good friend is a teacher and she told me about this book. I immediately went out and bought it for my niece, who is a voracious reader, she finished it in one weekend and my sister told me she could not put it down. She also said that the book totally inspired Maggie (my niece), because she loves animals and is also very driven for a girl her age.

This was a great book for my 13 year old daughter. At her age, she is beginning to develop a sense of what she wants to do with her life. This book, and others in the Work It! series, will help her understand what it takes to follow an inspiring career path that uses her specific interests and talents. I remember desperately wanting to be a veterinarian when I was her age. How I would have loved a book like this. We are both looking forward to other books in the Work It! series.

This book series is an inspired and fun way to get young girls to start thinking about their wide-open futures...ingenious!

The book is excellent. I have given it as a gift to 3 different 12 year old girls and they loved the book. They asked for the next in the series. The concept is innovative, fresh and inspiring. It is about time we give these girls role models and guidence to follow their dreams!