Factor

Great book! It was a fun and easy read. Derek has a wonderful gift of story telling that takes me out of reality and makes me feel part of the adventure. It is very easy to get wrapped up and totally into the story. I also enjoy when I can read about strong female characters who can be more than just a pretty face. Two thumbs up and keep up the good work.

I finished Crooked Cross Factor within days after my arrival in Ireland. The more Guiness I drank the more I enjoyed the novel. It was easy and "FUN" to read, shades of John Grisham. I am most anxious to move on to another Derek Hart novel!

"Crooked Cross Factor" is a well-written fascinating
novel about the efforts to raise a sunken German World
War II submarine that has been lying in cold waters
off the coast of Iceland for more than 25 years. Not
only has this U-boat been there for all that time, but
it contains an undisturbed load of gold bullion. Into
this scene comes a U.S Embassy security chief, thrust
there by a spiraling sequence of events that have been
spearheaded by a mutinous crew of a Russian submarine.
Looking for lots of action, intrigue, even a gorgeous
female Minister of Icelandic Roads? You've got it with
this very entertaining and thrilling plot line.

I knew it was time to think about adding to my exercise routine when my daughter started playing with my developing triceps wattle. I've hiked and biked regularly for many years, but it clearly wasn't giving me whole-body fitness, and wasn't enough to counteract the effects of moving through middle age. So when I saw this book reviewed and strongly recommended in the New York Times, I thought I'd give it a try.

It definitely was a good choice. The most important things I have gotten from this book are:

(1) Motivation. Callahan stresses that, as with housework (my little addition here), doing *something*, however little, is always better than doing *nothing*. This mindset helps overcome the 'all-or-nothing' perfectionist attitude that if you're going to exercise, you must go all out and learn everything there is to know about it before even starting, which inevitably leads to procrastination and excuses. Callahan gets an A+ in motivating her readers and patients to just get on with it, and to stick to a regular program.

(2) Method. I wanted to know where to start, and what to concentrate on. Callahan focuses on the needs of women in various situations (e.g. more or less athletic to start out with), particularly as we grow older. She recommends specific exercises for flexibility, strength, and endurance training, all of which are important in an effective fitness program. Clear and attractive line drawings are a big aid in picking up the how-to quickly. There is also lots of useful information on equipment, clothing, and shoes.

(3) Benefits of exercise. The author explains clearly why fitness is important not just for weight loss, firmness or improved appearance, though these are welcome benefits as well, but for a healthy heart, dense bones (exercise can help prevent osteoporosis), and to maintain strength for things like being able to get out of a chair when you're older.

(4) Dealing with injury. Several chapters are devoted to how to avoid atheletic injury, and how to deal with it if you do get injured. This includes important warnings like not to keep exercising when you feel pain, and not to leave an ice compress on too long.

(5) Diet. Callahan talks a lot about diet, though there was less that was new here for me, since I already try hard to follow a healthy diet, and am a vegetarian cookbook junkie. But I appreciated her comment on how overdoing vegetarianism can be unhealthy if it limits one's food choices too much.

Callahan cites anecdotally several case histories of her patients, which add interest to the point she's making, and help make the connection with real-life needs and situations of real people.

In her closing chapter, Callahan reminds the reader of how a woman's attitude towards health and exercise can set the tone for better fitness for the whole family, just by example. Kids definitely are more likely to do what you do rather than what you say.

This book was very carefully produced; I found no typos, and only a bit of repetition at the end. It is nicely bound, with a pleasant dust jacket design - the photo of the author reveals her to be in excellent shape and very attractive herself. Best of all, the font style and size is large and comfortable to read, the paper snow-white and glare-free, and the margins generous.

In short, I highly recommend this to any woman who wants quick, to-the-point, quality information that won't overwhelm you on how to become more fit. And make sure you pass this one onto your daughters when you're done.

The Fitness Factor's appeal is in its use as a tool for the development of a personal health and wellness plan. Having the book is like having your own personal trainer, one who is knowledgeble as well as motivating. It is based on sound eating and exercise principals and provides insight and ideas for its readers.

"The Fitness Factor" should be a bible for women of all ages. "It is never too late to start" is Dr. Callahan's message. She details concrete and gradual steps, free from fads and quick fixes, to follow in order to achieve realistic goals. Dr. Callahan gives hope and encouragement, especially to older women and those who have never made fitness an important part of their life.

Once again the motivational writer Ken Blanchard proved that he can motivate people very much. This time he chose to talk about GENEROSITY through three characters : a driver, a broker and an executive which is our morale story from this wonderful book.
The excecutive advices the Broker that "there are actually four things one can give and in my mind they are all of equal significance = Time,Talent,Treasure and Touch". And then he makes it easier for the Broker by deciding to demonstrate an example of each mentioned above.
Reading this book you'll get the opportunity to meet some of the nicest human beings on earth. Don't miss out...it will only take you about 1 and a half hours to read it all and a lifetime to live by what you're gonna learn inside this remarkable book.

A fable, a modern fiction, a true story - who cares.....the real story is about you and what you can do.

Great wrap at the end. And if you can get past any nervousness you may have (like me) on the subject of unconditional faith then it's well worth reading and passing on - inspiring sounds too corny a word nowadays for what is, actually, an old fashioned book - but i've taken the day off to read it again so it must have hit me good.
Thank you Ken and Truett - i will try, hard, you have reached me.
XX

I loved reading the real-life stories of people who "made it" and then gave something back. It made me want to help people no matter what station in life I'm at. The desire to give it all - all the time comes from knowing who we are and there's an awareness deep inside that just spills over. It makes us view the world as an opportunity to care, not just a place to get mine. I think a lot of executives are missing this ingredient in their lives and this book would be of great assistance.

I found this a dense book and difficult to read (that may have been my depression, which makes it hard to think)
AND WORTH PERSISTING WITH.

Such a relief to find someone who understands and explains.

THANK YOU David - this is the first book i have read that makes sense. So many ideas in this book here are
some of the gems -

*You can survive suicidal feelings if you do either of two things: (1) find a way to reduce your pain, or (2) find a way to increase your coping resources. Both are possible.

* He describes accurately a symptom that my doctors, and psychiatrist, have ignored.
AND explains this symptom:- exhaustion -as being from the struggles with pain and trying to live when living is too hard. Now i dont have to feel guilty for sleeping "too much" anymore :).

*he also explains why my drs are looking at me blankly when i ask for a rehabilitation team.... ingrained prejudice against the suicidal. (they cannot believe i might know what i need )

*treatment of physical pain and illness / disability is important.

* everyone who is depressed/suicidal is feeling that way for different reasons and will need different distress relief. (confirming my idea that i need a "rehab team" - and giving me ideas of how to start forming it)

*there really is prejudice and fear about the suicidal - which explains so much about why i have had so much trouble getting help that HELPS.

THANK YOU DAVID - i am not mad or bad or weak or even mentally ill, - i am in pain from many sources and i can relieve my pain bit by bit. (it is do able !!!)
NOW i have realistic, concrete hope. this is the greatest gift.

Dr. David Conroy's Book "Out of the Nightmare - Recovery from Suicidal Pain" was the definitive source of "reason" for me, at a time when nothing made sense. The idea that people caught in suicidal pain could break out of their own hell to see some light by removing social stigma and aversion one piece at a time was as remarkable as it was refreshing. Now that I have this information, I can see through the accusations that the suicidal are manipulative, vengeful, aggressive people choosing between life and death like deciding which shoes to wear. That pain, be it physical or psychological, can be relieved through careful selection of coping resources. I agree that the book appears to attack mainstream psychology, and could be initially distressing to someone in suicidal pain, but the reader will quickly discover that the attacks are not about them but about the fears that drive society to such hostile aversion for those in pain. Once the reader realizes the absurdity of society's notion that "every human being has sufficient will power to tolerate any level of pain for any length of time" then the book takes on a new perspective. The author systematically addresses each pain, laying it bare and exposed for the myth that it is, and offers clear direction on how to remove their power of hopelessness and despair. It also provides excellent information about how to get the most from your psychologist meetings, and how to know when it's time to find better help. Suicide, for the majority of humanity, is not a solution with motives and goals that are ruthlessly pursued. Depression, driven by psychological pain, is not the cognitive thought process as so many "experts" try to model. There are no successes or failures when it comes to self-harming events. If you really want to find out what is driving the madness, this book will guide you into the nightmare head on, but won't let you go until you've reached the shore of life and recovery. As much as you want to reduce pain for life and love again, I recommend Dr. Conroy's guide as the ultimate processing session to supplement your medication(s). Be sure to take a highlighter along - by the time you've finished the book, I guarantee that 40% will be colored in!

We have a cultural mythology that oppresses the suicidal. The mythology adds to their pain, makes it harder for them to get help, and greatly contributes to suicide. Suicidal people suffer pain on more than one level: not only the emotional pain that makes them consider ending their lives, but pain that is unintentionally inflicted on them by well-meaning people who say terribly unhelpful things to them. "That's not enough to be suicidal about." "He only took 15 pills, he wasn't serious." "Anyone who tries to kill himself has got to be crazy." "I thought you were stronger than that." "You're just looking for attention." "Cheer up, it's a beautiful day." As if suicidal persons weren't feeling bad enough already, our thoughtless attitudes can cause them to feel guilt and shame, and keep them from getting help in time. Dr. Conroy blasts apart the myths of suicide, and looks at suicidal feelings from the inside, in a down to earth, non-judgmental way. This is a book that will save lives by washing away the stigma of suicide and opening the door to a real way out of the nightmare.

Conroy ruthlessly debunks suicide myths: that it is volitional, that it is morally wrong, that the suicidal are weak and selfish. He helps us understand the fears of the suicidal - and our own fears that drive the stigma of suicide.

The book is a pretty dense read. It requires patience because there are a lot of ideas packed into this book. If you are a suicidal person, read it in small bites; the ideas are so radical that they may send you reeling with relief. But you will know right away that the author understands, and doesn't blame you for what you are feeling. And you'll find out that there are people out there who really can help.

I'm not normally a reader of non-fiction war stories, especially in first person, but "Pucker Factor 10" caught my attention from the beginning all the way to the very end. Joyce brings the reader into the realm of realism, from family history, personal apprehensions, his somewhat inadvertant role as a helicopter pilot during the heat of battle, his impressions of soldiers and his humanity toward the enemy which brings chills to the reader. Meanwhile, just when I least expected, I found myself belly laughing his wit. This book is a must for anyone who enjoys true-to-lie accounts of how it was in the air trenches.

i think this is the best book ever

There are few books I would read in one sitting. This is one of them. The recollectionns of Jim Joyce may open the hearts and minds of other vets who had similar experiences. Jim Joyce is an excellent writer and his recollections of the war will certainly help other vets to deal with past memories, bad and good. The book would make a fine play or even a movie. I hope he continues writing.

I am so happy that I read this book. I was fresh out of a relationship and was really hurting. I picked this book up as a suggestion from a friend and it showed me exactly what I needed to do for myself to get ready to love again. I took some time to do the work on myself for myself and I now have a wonderful new relationship and I am very happy. Kudos to the author!

This easy to read, well written book is the perfect self-help manual for those persons seeking a healthy fulfilling relationship. This book helps you understand what steps you must take in order to find a partner who is right for you in every way.

I have first heard of Dr.Thompson and her book in Upscale magazine. I ordered the book,took the quiz at the back of the book, and it was an eyeopener for me. Recommended to those looking to get back in the dating game or looking for a husband

Mr. Lane's excellent use of detail to capture a world that we can only dream of is incredible! He leaves no gaps and answers all your questions. Think we're not alone in the universe? This book is for you!

When I finally got enough time to sit down and read Mr. Lane's book, I was enthralled from the beginning. I really appreciate books that take familiar plots and shape them into something knew and completely different. His imagination and creativity made this one of the best books I've read in a really long time. I highly recommend it to all!

If I had to describe "Redeeming Factors" in a word, it would be "FUN." James Lane has taken a fantasy/science fiction idea and turned it into one of the most interesting works I've ever read. As I followed the adventures of protagonist, Jack Ross on a trip in and out of fantasy land and to Hell and back, I found myself reveling in Mr. Lane's dry wit, dark humor, and literary genius.

It is difficult for me to describe the book without giving away too much of the plot, but I would like to stress that the combination love story and exciting adventure can only be described as a 'must read page-turner.' Mr Lane's most original similes are right up there with Stephen Kings's.

This is a serious work on Web Usability that attempts to define in detail the user context and to construct a user-centred methodology based on that context.

There are so many books on web usability these days and most of them are about web pages first and people second. Doctor Badre's approach, though, is firmly grounded on the human side of HCI and some of the material in this book is outstanding.

The chapter on "Older Adults" is a great example. Badre is fastidious enough to consider the different cognitive needs of people in this group and to consider the implications of those needs for the designer. Elsewhere he considers personality variations, the role of affect (or emotion), and many other individual differences.

In contrast, however, Badre has a strong leaning toward standards and predictability, which seems to contradict his comments elsewhere. Having identified the myriad reasons the web audience is uniquely diverse he nevertheless finds traditional HCI evaluation techniques attractive, and sometimes fails to bite the bullet.

For example, Badre insists that "Testing conditions ... should approximate the actual situation in which ...visitors are likely to find themselves." Yet he does not display any distrust of laboratory testing, questionnaires and all the artificialities of user testing that would suggest a more ethnographic approach.

The material on the test methodology is therefore somewhat weaker, but does not detract in any way from the main part of the book, where Dr Badre's experience in Human Factors allows him to illustrate with considerable skill the way design features can be adjusted to meet the cognitive abilities of real human users. In this arena, Dr. Badre is a leading authority, and it is for this, the main body of the work, that I would strongly recommend this book to web and usability professionals alike.

What use is a Web site if no one uses it? Too many Web design books and development tools provide cut-and-paste solutions to design problems without providing the developer with an understanding of fundamental principles.

This is where Dr. Badre's book enters the scene - in a big way. "Shaping Web Usability" does just what it promises, providing clear, cogent instruction in designing sites for people in all their needs and diversity. It promotes a robust methodology for Web design that can adapt to user requirements without sacrificing logic or cohesion. Badre's process also helps one communicate methodology and design issues to others. This book gave me the grounding I needed to explain to clients exactly why I had made a particular design decision and how it would benefit the site users.

If you are concerned about your site being used once it is published (and who isn't?), take a look at this book. It can't make your Web site for you, but it can help you identify and satisfy an online audience better than any other book on the shelves.

This book is unlike many other web usability books. It goes well beyond the cookie-cutter guidelines for fast web usability, and gets the reader thinking deeply about contexts of web usability. It focuses on the real important issues and concepts. However, it is not an abstract or theoretical book. The author illustrates the concepts and explanations with numerous real examples from the web. This book is a must read for web designers, information architects, and web usability engineers.

An excellent book about the essential discipline of flight.

I had three minor problems with the book which would not keep me from recommending it to others as a must read. I will focus on these rather than the positives because the other reviewers have done an excellent job

Several incidents would benefit from a little more data which would give the reader a better understanding of the situation.

I found the discussion of the Ron Brown crash implausable. That a crew with limited experience in ADF flying would not have selected the beacon at the airport which lay ahead and defined the MAP.

Finally , a nunber of the incidents are duplications of those in A Darker Shade of Blue. My guess is that there are enough lumps of smoking aluminum around to offer fresh meat for each of the book ie The AA 965.

These minor comments aside it is a must read

This is certainly a must read book for pilots, from students like myself, to those on the top of the aviation food chain. Mr. Kern provides the WHY pilots MUST follow procedures like using checklists to making good decisions on when and when not to fly or the need to be in strict compliance with FAR/AIM's. His points are illustrated with numerous mishaps and close calls when pilots chose to break the rules. There is nothing more riveting than to "stand on the shoulder of giants" and learn from countless mistakes from both the military and civilian arenas of aviation. This most certainly will make me a better informed pilot. Thanks Lt. Col. Kern

If you're a student or recently licensed pilot, this book should be on your must read list. In spite of it's heft, it's a pretty quick read.

Tony Kern (a former B1 instructor pilot) does an excellent job of conveying the importance (necessity) of discipline in safe flying, as well as explaining some easily overlooked points such as: how to tell when you're missing it, how to acquire it and how to maintain it. Though he focusses on aviation, most of the book's points are generally applicable to any sizeable undertaking.

My only criticism (and it's a minor point) is that some of the impact of the cases will be lost unless you're familiar with instrument flying.

We both read the entire book and did the exercises which are challenging and really give your brain a workout, and some of them can be done while driving. It seemed to be saying the brain needs exercise regularly to keep it healthy just as the body does, and the book contains numberless exercises. There is something in it for everyone.

The authors blended together (in eloquent prose) concepts, strategies, and techniques to sharpen the mind. This book is not merely one to read, but a book to study and review periodically. It contains valuable information that one needs, and should know about the human brain. The authors did their research and it shows. They combined substance, style, and wit in presenting their imformation in a manner that makes the material "unforgettable". If you are looking for a gift that just about anyone can benefit from, this is it! It was a terrific gift I gave myself!

This book has provided the most interesting games and exercises for practice and entertainment. It has accomplished the goal of inspiring me to continue such activities to keep my aging brain healthy. Positive results from having read it are already noticed. However, this book is more than a book of games. The chapters which involve the development, styles of learning, and processes of the brain are presented in most understandable an dmeaningful ways.