Future

A well researched, laid out and engrossing guide to the vast Star Trek universe. You stop to look up one thing and next thing you know it is 30 minutes later and you've read through an entire letter's worth of entries.

My ONLY complaint about this book (and what keeps it from it's fifth star) is that the new entires weren't integrated, but simply stuck in the back as add on. So let's say you want to read the complete entry on Capt Sisko. First you have to read the original entry and then flip to the back of the book to read the additional information. And since you are never sure what got an additional entry, you have to constantly flip to the back to make sure you aren't missing something.

Luckily the Pros far out weigh the cons, and this is still a must have for any die hard fan!

I can't imagine being a die-had Trekker without this book: the ultimate reference to people, places, things, events in the entire Star Trek universe from the original series of 1966 through all the movies and series right up to Voyager. This updated edition is not quite as smoothly integrated as previous updates--the last couple season's worth of shows and Star Trek: Insurrection are all treated in a separate (but extensive) section at the back, but a decent cross-referencing system lessens the inconvenience. I find it the ultimate can't put-down book-start to look up a subject of interest and you'll find yourself drawn from entry to entry until you've forgotten exactly what it was you were looking for but find yourself seized with the intense desire to rewatch several episodes. Unless you're the most serious Trek fan, you probably don't need the updated edition if you have an earlier one...but for those who do, it's a wonderful guide.

I am a "part-time" fan of Star Trek, having always been interested in the world, but not exactly a know-every-registry-number-of-every-ship kind of fan. But, having bought this very rich and detailed book, I must say my interest in Star Trek has multiplied tremendously. As an encyclopedia, it doesn't quite bear reading page-to-page, but flipping through it makes for very interesting reading. I am grateful to the authors for additional notes made to many entries, attempting to explain side-points or discrepancies; also, the many diagrams, pictures, dates, episode references, and even the occasional off-beat entry like, well... "mashed potatoes" for one! The appendixes, including gorgeous pics of the ships of Star Trek, episode timelines, historical timelines, and so on, are absolutely wonderful.

The best way I can summarise my rating is: the dedication and love for Star Trek demonstrated by all the writers/contributors in this book is ample and obvious. Congrats.

to the spirit of healing and power of love for all of us" While Joan Boryesnko Author: Fire in the Soul, calls Signals " A testament to the lights of love that shine in the darkest nights of suffering and loss, waking us to a universe of grace and wonder" Brian Weiss author: Many Lives Many Master "I urge you to read this book" and Neale Donald Walsch says in his forward, " Signals will be your lifes greatist gift.... take this book home with you it is a gift you are meant to have"

There is a reason so many famous writers have embraced this true story. It is a book that shines with true hope, courage and love. If you read the first chapter you will not stop. It will change your life forever.

Joel Rothschild's book SIGNALS is truly a gift as is so eloquently stated in the forward by Neale Donald Walsch. I came upon the book in a very roundabout fashion, having never heard of Joel or his book previously. I feel I was destined to read it as it has changed my life. Joel has written a very powerful and moving story of loss, love and hope. I have read his book twice so far and am sure will read it again and again. I have passed it on to friends and relatives because I know what and incredible book it is and how helpful it is to those who have lost someone close to them. Thank you, Joel for sharing your heart and your incredible gift with the world.

I didn't realize until reading this book that I know the author. I loved the fact that the author is my age, and similar in that we are both men in our 40s and HIV POZ, and we both are living with AIDS. I love the fact that Joel writes about his coming to terms with his disease and his mortality, and more important used this find his own spirtuality and God. Very moving, I'm proud to say I have met Joel in my journey in life, and thank him for giving me the inspiraiton to write my own story. Joel, you've inspired me!

Truly, first impressions are lasting; from lust to disgust, they trigger a reaction, a judgement, a bias. But, if life teaches you anything sensible, it's that that first blush evaluation is more often skin deep, rather than the heart of the story.

My first encounter with J. California Cooper's writing--a title recommended by an acquaintance several years ago--was like a blind date with someone you swear's not your type. It was over practically at the beginning. All I recall of the book is that it didn't grab or impress me in those first ten pages, so I closed and dismissed it, and any thought of ever taking up this author again, from my mind.

So I try to be more expansive--go out of my way a little, be more patient, perceptive--as I grow older. THE FUTURE HAS A PAST was a selection of my local library's book club for adults. I balked at reading it--the reflex of a lasting impression!--at first, but then, because I wanted to be in on the discussion, decided, Why not? Why not give it a chance?

The worst thing you could say about the four longish-to-lengthy short stories here is that they come from an "old-fashioned" sensibility. Neither in tone, vision or perspective are any of these stories hinting at pragmatic, expedient or "moral relativist" values. No, sir and no, ma'am, Ms. Cooper offers no other than timeworn, tried-and-true life learned lessons.

The narrative tone she takes on is the front porch storyteller: a grandmotherly sort, or a real or "pretend" great-aunt, the kind who of an evening, gently rocking in a porch swing, might chitchat, or, better yet, regale you (if you were "grown" enough to appreciate it) with stories that edged on gossip, but were actually instructive, moral tales about how people, neighbors and friends even, handled their chances and choices. "Home truths" and downhome homilies gussied up as mini-biographies.

The literary landscape of these stories lies in the shadow of Zora Neale Hurston--the archetypal questions of how workingclass women empower or disable themselves, and just what do they settle or strive for--in territory between Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, between Toni Cade Bambara and Terry McMillan. By and about women, but not necessarily restricted to being for women.

There's the woman compelled to count her blessings when she compares her conventional life to the fettered and unfettered lives of her childhood friends. The young woman, enriched yet emotionally isolated by her mother, told she's ugly and unlovable so long and hard she believes it, who craves the opportunity to live and love. The hardworking single mother approaching middle age who's got to decide where her grown children's needs end and her own begin. The longsuffering comeuppance the young, single mother gives her "player" boyfriend, the would-be father of her children.

These are earnest, plainspoken stories--not without humor, and a tear or two of hard-earned pathos--that usually take a bit to get started, but are then mostly straightforward.

In a sense, this book provided conversation that engaged me. It also offered this man some sound advice about the real stuff of love and marriage, making a relationship right and workable. Stuff to think about, live by. It was worth that second look.

I have completed one of the stories in The Future Has a Past, and I am still reeling at what an amazing story teller this woman (J. California Cooper) is.

Yes, tears did flow a bit after completing her first tale; I have never seen anyone write so simply but with as much feeling as Ms. Cooper does. EVERY tale she relays will cause you to pause for a moment (or two) and think about your life and how you run it. You end up analyzing the way you handle your business--and everyone else's. There is no story without a gentle, yet intensely powerful moral. I love Ms. Cooper, she cares about what she places in her reader's souls; I have never read another author's works that were able to touch me in the way her writing does. She is purely magnificent.

I have read everything Ms Cooper has written and everytime I think she has done her best work she has proven me wrong.I learned a long time ago that reading can take you to new places and sometimes make you understand where you have been. In The Future has a Past I find myself wondering how she knows me so well when we have never met. The stories are real no matter what time or place they are centered around. As in the Matter is Life I related to the stories because I had lived the stories or knew someone who has.From her first novel Family to Wake of the Wind, Ms Cooper has again brought reality to real situations by telling a fiction story. The future has a Past will take you inside yourself and make you think about what life and love means to you. The women have all been friends of mine. Louella in the Filet of Soul makes you look at yourself and wonder how many times have someone told us something about ourselves and we believed it. How many time have you thought of yourself as worthless or unloveable. This book is a great read and the stories are fictional but the characters are so very real. Again I must wait for something even more amazing then The Future has a Past. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Ms. Cooper.

When my brother died suddenly 2 weeks ago, my sister pulled this book out of a closet of books. A former teacher, she had saved it for years and now I know why. It was so comforting and beautifully written, magnificent. Geared toward children, the book was powerfully moving for the adults gathered as well. We read it at my brother's funeral by request of friends and family. This book opened up a dialogue about the afterlife between people of all ages and beliefs. Unintimidating, masterfully written and awesomely illustrated.

I WAS SO ATTRACTED BY THE BOOK'S COVER THAT I OPENED THE BOOK AND BEGAN TO READ IT. (I HAD BEEN AGONIZING OVER MY FATHER'S ILLNESS AND KNEW IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I WOULD BE FACED WITH HIS DEATH.) AS I CONTINUED TO READ "THE NEXT PLACE" WHILE STANDING IN THE BOOKSTORE, I BEGAN TO FEEL PEACE I HAD THOUGHT WOULD NEVER RETURN. EACH PAGE WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED AND EACH PHRASE SO COMFORTING. I BOUGHT THE BOOK. I READ IT TO MY FAMILY AS WE WERE GATHERED AROUND MY FATHER'S BED, JUST MINUTES AFTER HIS DEATH. I ALSO READ IT DURING HIS FUNERAL MASS. IT SAID ALL THAT NEEDED SAYING BECAUSE DAD WAS, AT LAST, "PERFECT". I HAVE SENT "THE NEXT PLACE", IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES. THE REACTION IS ALWAYS HUGS, TEARS AND GRATITUDE.

Warren Hanson's book, The Next Place is one of the most profoundly moving and spiritually uplifting children's books;I have ever read as a educator or a parent.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for all children and adults whose lives have been touched by the death of someone they have loved.

Buy this book, keep it on your shelf, and every once in a while,
sit down and re-read it. It will remind you of the joy of living and what it means to be a loving, caring human being.

As the title says, this is one of the best books I Have ever read. A Clarevoyant told me I had the psychic ability and it needed developing, he said I should read every book on mediumship I could get my hands on and this was the first book I read, it truely inspired my and answered many question. Rosemary is a wonderful gifted person and you feel as if you know her personally by the end of the book, she really opens her heart up to you. A must read for everyone, my husband and children would enjoy me reciting some of the storys from this book and it even got my 8 year old son interested in the spirit world

What a wonderful way to confirm my belief in life after death. I now am a believer that modern-day miracles are indeed real. Anyone who had any doubts must read this book. Rosemary has given the world proof that our loved ones who have passed away are safe and happy. I am confident that one day, with the help of a sincere medium, I will be able to contact my beloved son who died at the age of 19. Rosemary, thank you for sharing your gift with the world and giving us peace. Please contact me if possible.

When I was a young teenager I could read a book straight through without putting it down. I've been missing that and then when I came to reading this book it re-occured; I couldn't put it down and there was that wonderful feeling again.

Most of the time I am not on good terms with religion, it creates war if you ask me and therefor I also normally have a hard time reading books that mention God continously through out. However Rosemary has managed to get around my defenses when it comes to that and I could read this book openmindedly.
Reading openheartedly is quite easy for me, but keeping an open mind about things, can be hard sometimes. I found myself respecting her description of what she felt was a God, it was opened enough for me to think of it as something else, anything that my mind wouldn't despise so much. Maybe it helps that her descriptions of certain happenings reminded me of my own experiences. In particular I liked her description of the ether body and then when she went on to tie that together with the "out of body experiences" when you are looking down on your own body - I thought it was phenomenal how well she described it.
-If my words are different than the words used in the book, it's because I have read the Swedish translation of the book..

This is a book to discover yourself in, or to accept and respect yourself for who you are!

Niki Shanahan has been truly guided to find the hidden key in the Bible that provides the kind of answer that all animal lovers are seeking. Her book is extremely well researched at the human level and clearly Divinely Guided at the Spiritual level to help those who need to know that "There is Eternal Life for Animals." Niki's research is helpful because it affirms for us all that the opposite of death is not "life", but rather "birth". We, humans and animals, enter into this earthly experience for a limited period of time. To be sent here in human or animal form is a great privilage - an experience to be savored and cherished and then released - comforted by the fact that there is more to come. "There is Eternal Life for Animals" is an inspired and loving work that will lift the pain from many hearts in our world.

Many people tell me how important their animals are to them. Some confide that they are closer to their pets than to family members. Many people take the loss of a dog or cat very hard. One way to work through the grief is to read about pet loss.

There is Eternal Life for Animals is based on Bible scripture. The Bible tells us that God loves animals and that there are animals in Heaven.

This book provides fascinating reading and consolation to those suffering from pet loss.

As the author of
The Older Cat; Recognizing Decline and Extending Life,
I have done a lot of research and writing in this area. I can testify to the need for this book.

Dan Poynter, ParaPublishing.com

when we lost our male Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Nov. '03, and while i was struggling with understanding if doing rescue (which i was/am very actively involved in) was one of my God given gifts, one of my callings, or just my own thinking........i went to amazon.com searching. searching for books that would help me and my 3 children see God's instructions ........ on how to deal with our loss, to understand that our beloved pet was not actually gone forever, and to help us all better understand our role as rescuers. was there anything in the Bible that reinforced what i already felt so convicted about?

i bought five different books that came up in my search! however, 'There is Eternal Life for Animals' was all i needed. It was/is an answer to my prayers. it was all right there! everything i've been searching for. everything that i've been asking for from our own church, from other church leaders that were also actively involved in rescue, as well as from fellow church members, and fellow rescuers! it was all right there for me and for me to share with those i asked who had no specific answers. now, i have the answers!

thank you so much, Niki Behrikis Shanahan, for hearing your own calling and sharing your gift with others. I will be forever grateful that you took the time and patience, and researched through the Bible, so others could see where God has supplied plenty of scripture for the animals He created. Now we have the knowledge, and scripture, at our fingertips, to share with others as well. God Bless you and your ministry.

Sincerely,
Christy, President - Chessie Rescue VA, Inc.
chessierescueva.org

I found this book difficult to accept. Anderson claims to be in communication with various saints (St Teresa and others) but emphatically states that there is no such thing as the hell, the devil, evil spirits, etc. and that everyone (including murderers, rapists, suicides, etc.) goes to 'the garden', which is a direct contradiction of Biblical teachings. He expresses surprise that some people question his sources as possibly being evil spirits even though the Bible clearly warns against mediums, soothsayers and the like. He repeatedly refers to God as 'the Infinite Light', which sounds too close to Lucifer (from the Latin 'lucem ferre', or bringer of light) for my comfort.
I don't doubt Anderson's 'gifts' and I suspect that he is a compasionate individual, but as a Christian I cannot accept many of his statements, including that he is in communication with various saints.

Having lost my son, Adam, to a car accident almost two years ago, I appreciate the messages of love, hope, and support that George Anderson shares in this book. I am still desparately trying to make sense out of the loss of a child, and found this book extremely helpful on my path toward understanding. It is very well-written, enjoyable, and has so many messages to absorb that I will be re-reading it over and over again. It would make a wonderful gift for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.

I have read all the books written about and by George Anderson and have found this one to be the most helpful by far. I have met people who have had readings with him, who testify to his ability, and have attended one of his seminars. He is an incredible man with an incredible gift.

I have read all the books from the so called "big" mediums, and most seem more intent on fame than their vocation. Not with George Anderson. There are not enough words to describe how well written, thoughtful, poignant and funny (yes, funny) the story that this man has crafted with the help of some sage advice from the spirits on the other side. This is a MUST HAVE for anybody who finds themselves living through disappointment, hopelessness or grief. This book will bring you hope. The spirits could not have found a more humble, kind and self effacing man to speak their wise words to.

"After Man" is one of the most engaging, creative books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. While one might think from its outlandish illustrations that it is a book for children, this is simply not the case. That's not to say a ten or eleven year old wouldn't enjoy this book, but there's plenty an adult can take away from it as well.

Beginning with a basic review of the principles of biology and evolution, Dixon proceeds to apply them across a range of environments on an Earth 50 million years removed from mankind. The result is a menagerie of remarkable creatures. Remarkable in that they are frequently unique, even bizarre, but even more remarkable because they represent the result of a familiar creature's evolution. Dixon's world isn't a fantasyland, every creature in it holds true to the principles he so effectively explains in the first chapter. Moreover, they all fill an important ecological niche; he hasn't created 150 pages of carnivores. Rather, he presents a balanced, albeit limited, ecosystem that sheds light on the state of our own environment today.

Beautifully illustrated and highly engaging, "After Man" is a must read for anyone interested in evolution and anthropology. Furthermore, this book is educational without being heavy handed. One by no means needs to be an expert to learn from and enjoy this very unique work.

This Dougal Dixon guy knows his stuff. I really enjoyed this book because the creatures in it could easily evolve alongside the ones from "The Future is Wild." Sure, they may look like Pokemon, but there'd be no reason or method for most Pokemon to actually evolve. These creatures actually *could* very well exist one day, if the Earth changes the way science predicts it will. There really isn't much to say except: 1) Good pictures, lousy cursive captions. They're tiny and hard to read. 2) IT'S A GOOD BOOK! You should read it.

Now, to comment on some of the animals depicted within its pages.
---In the future, I might want to get reincarnated as a Rabbuck. These tall giraffe/deer/rabbit cross-looking things are cool, especially the Arctic one, which looks like some kind of llama mixed with a sheepdog and an Afghan hound.
---The Falanx is a brutal predator with the legs of a hound dog and the body of a very large weasel.
---The reedstilt, seen on the cover, is one fantastically imagined animal: using its thin legs to stand in the water and fish, it catches prey by pretending its legs are simply reeds. An interesting body with many extra neck vertebrae make this one of my favorites in the book.
---Hornheads are moose/mammoth looking creatures with large bony growths on their heads.
---The pamthret looks like a pine marten or some other creature from that family, mixed with a lion.
---The chiselhead is a bizarre squirrel with enormous teeth and jaws.

---My favorite animal in "After Man" is the Shurrack, which strikes me as a cheetah crossed with a Scottish Deerhound. Its thin legs, long striped tail, leopard pattern, and short, bristly grey coat give it a super-cool look. Reincarnate me as a Shurrack, if you please!
---But *whatever* you do, don't bring me back as a Desert Leaper! These kangaroos look disgusting both when their bodies are bloated with fat, and then when it fluctuates and they become emaciated, with wrinkly folds of skin all over...and they do NOT look like cute little Shar Peis or Sphynx cats!
---Horranes are weird; they have the head of a gorilla on the tiger-striped body of a cheetah. Try to imagine this. *nuumm*
---The Striger looks like something out of T.S. Eliot's Book of Practical Cats.
---Khiffahs look like the Warner Brother's interpretation of the Tasmanian Devil with blue chests.
---Okay, NEVER EVER EVER do I wish to reincarnate as a Slobber! This aptly named "sloth of the future" is truly a vile imaginary creature.
---The Gurrath is another cheetah-looking thing, but it's not the coolest form the cheetah will take on in the future (go Shurrack! That honor rests with you, buddy!)
---Wakkas look like two-legged giraffes. They also remind me of something out of a Salvador Dali painting.
---The Flooer disguises itself as a flower but is still ugly with those beady little eyes and teeth. On the other hand, the Night Stalker is just plain hideous, looking like a monstrous explosion of other random animal parts thrown together. With a face not even a mother could love and a pair of "legs" that look like arms, this has more of a Pokemon appearance than anything else in "After Man."
---If I get reincarnated as every other animal in this book, please let there be one that I NEVER become, and I must save this for last because it is so revolting. The poor, miserable creature that is (or will be, rather) the Cleft Back Antelope is truly something to pity. First of all, their vertebrae have large "clefts" that grow upwards and form a "nest" along their backs for birds to lay eggs in. If I were a Cleft Back Antelope, I'd say, "Forget you, birds!" and shake the eggs from my back, then try to remove those ugly protrusions. Symbiosis, whatever. It's just too unsightly. But that's not even so bad when you consider this: They grow warts on their bodies that ooze pus. Flies lay their eggs in the pus. The baby birds hatch on the backs and eat the fly eggs. Can you imagine all this happening on the poor Antelope?!

"After Man" is a great book.

This is an excelent book. I've only had this book for a day now and I love it. It has pitures on every page and goes into great detail on each animal. Some of the creatures in this book look fake, but when he starts to describe them, they seem real. One of the many animals in this book is the striger. It's a monkey like cat. It evolved to be like the monkeys it hunts. It's long ape like arms and legs, and it's long skinny body make it the perfect preditor of the trees.

Other animals in this book are llama like rabbits, killer walking bats, and giant swimming penguins. each one adapting to a new way of life. This book is so simple to understand, that young childern could read it. This is one of Dixons best pieces of work. I also recomend you to read "The Future is Wild" and "The Wild World of the Future", also by Dougal Dixon.

I have read several books before regarding NDEs and the subject is always truly astounding. Moody gives examples from many different people who have experienced NDEs. This book makes a believer out of me that there is life after life on earth. Moody doesn't try to sell his viewpoint - he simply presents the facts as they were presented to him. He doesn't try to sell the phenomena as brains deprived of oxygen; he doesn't try to sell any scientific reasons as to what really happens. He lets the peoples stories speak for themselves. If you know someone who is a non-believer in the hereafter (and may be dying), this book should make them less afraid of death.

This book is a wonderful gift for our recently bereaved friends, or those who have not yet accepted the loss of a loved one. It is compatible with most religious outlooks and doctrines. This very original work is a joy to read, and is a great solace and comfort to anyone who has ever had to deal with death of friend or family. Insights are given as to the true nature of death as a sequel to life, and the reality of a glorious afterlife. Largely due to improvements in medical technologies, many people are now brought back from near-death, often with reports of their experiences upon entering and glimpsing another world just over the threshhold between life and death...Their first hand reports are thrilling. The manner in which Dr. Moody presents these experiences, shared with him over the years by his patients, is sensitive and meaningful, never morbid or frightening. Upon completion, the reader may well exclaim, "Death, where is thy sting?". This is a "must read"!

One day in 1995 I died, and had a NDE. Ever since then, I've been reading everything I can on the subject. According to most stories I've read, I had an unusual one, not going down a tunnel, but experiencing many interesting phenomena all the same. It seems to me that there are some NDE books and magazine articles that are just hype, and published just to give recognition. I have found, through my many years and multitudes of books on the subject, that there is an underlining truth and spirit that pervades the true experiences. So, I have compiled a list of my best reads for NDE books - ones that I consider genuine and adding validating light to the personal NDE experience. I have left out compilations, these are personal narratives. I hope you enjoy them too.
Embraced by the Light ------by Betty J. Eadie
Psychic Gifts ---------by Tiffany Snow
Saved by the Light --------by Dannion Brinkley
4 Days in Eternity ---------by Wayne F.A. Marentette
After the Light -------------by Kimberly Clark Sharp

1. Synopsis:

Corbin's foresee that by 2010 great leaders must be at what she calls level 2 leaders, and in order to operate at this level these leaders must: Orchestrate a 360 degrees worldview, Order the chaos, blend multiple organizational, engage the whole person, and ignite innovation.

Orchestrate a 360 degree worldview includes two steps:1. Gather organizational intelligence by overcoming worldwide trends that occurs during periods of opportunity (or windows) and foresee the outcome (or issues); and 2. Understand the dyna-forces (interesting concept) created by these worldwide trends that originate systematic change. These dyna-forces are: globalization, marketization, informatization and democratization.

In order to overcome chaos, level 2 leaders need to figure out the root cause of the chaos (changes in speed, changes in rules or changes in structure), be aware of the new century organization models and be prepared for the role of the 21st century leader (level 2).

Level 2 leaders need to foresee the blending of multiple organization models during the next Century, foresee the driving of the 21st Century worker and be aware of the present blending of organizations and the strategies applied to blend those organizations.

Level 2 leaders will need to engage the 21st Century worker as a whole person and not by his/her skills and ignite innovation at any cost.

Corbin foresees a hermaphrodite workplace (androgynous) where man (FINALLY) will learn soft skill (typically considered feminine) by engaging in a spiritual search.

Final Comment:

This last statement along with numerous stereotypes, sexist and deeply Christian religious remarks, casts big doubts about the seriousness of the book. What a shame!

Carolyn Corbin intertwined her future predictions of the 21st Century with leader/worker development to become a viable workforce in the future she predicted. While not outside the realm of common sense, her predictions are still eerily thought-provoking.

This book outlined the five steps to becoming a leader in the 21st Century. In Step One, she discussed assessing one's own leadership effectiveness and compared that to what skills will be needed for the future. She summarized major world changes into four "dynaforces" of the 21st Century...globalization, marketization, informatization, and democratization. Step Two was order the chaos. Many futures books discuss how to adapt to change or how to go with the flow...so I was exceedingly curious what exactly she proposed to "order" this. She thoroughly explained the future factors that will lead to change and chaos, and the more we understand these factors we can pro-actively work to diffuse as many chaotic factors as possible. Step Three provided many examples of blending multiple organizational models of profit, non-profit, government, religious, higher education, and more. She shows the limitless possibilities of applying successful models from organizations that have already dealt with issues to different types of organizations that will be confronting similar issues in the future. Steps Four and Five have to do with the individual-engaging employees on all levels of their person and providing a workforce that fosters their innovation.

She illuminates the skills we can develop today to prepare for tomorrow. Whether intentional or not, her description of the future makes one re-examine everything you think about current leadership training and how it does not adequately prepare employees for what is to come.

Carolyn Corbin's: Great Leaders see the Future First: Taking Your Organization to the Top in Five Revolutionary Steps, balances practical how-tos (in just about every paragraph) with great stories. Her bottom line: if you don't change from being what she calls a Level 1 leader (reactionary, always busy, focus on gathering & analyzing information, sacrifice innovation to pursue continuous improvement) you will be obsolete by 2010! To survive you must be moving to Corbin's Level 2 (strategizing, focusing on the whole person, leading at warp speed, improve through innovation).

Most of the book covers a quick way for moving from a level 1 to a level 2 leader by applying the following 5 steps:

1) Orchestrate a 360 degree worldview (use strategies to be "tossed" high in the air to see 5, 10, 25 years into the future)

2) Order the chaos (by controlling it)

3) Use a blend multiple organizational models (like for-profits, nonprofits, universities, military, religious institutions - because one will not longer do)

4) Engage the whole person (meet employee's physical and spiritual needs like day care, elder care, and providing work-place Chaplains)

5) Ignite innovation (via creativity, remove inhibitors, add humor)

You might think that 214 pages would go fast. But the book had an uncanny ability of slowing me down as I focused on my own style of leadership, my own organization's shortcomings. Every page is packed with something to move the reader from Level 1 to Level 2. For example, in the chapter 6 on "The Role of the 21st Century Leader" ideas included crafting an organizational mission statement in 10 (5 is preferable) key words, really listen to workers and act on their requests, understand other cultures, and move from a 20th century leader to a 21st century leader by changing from being:

boss --> coach
authoritarian --> participatory
tough --> tough and tender
informs --> listens
status from position --> status from working harder

Late in the book Corbin asks the reader to spend time going through two self-assessment exercise: 1) exploring your soul and 2) assessing your preferences and core competencies. My only critique of the work is the lack of more of these kinds of reflective exercises earlier in the book.

Although Great Leaders may not be as holistic as Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People which deals more deeply with all aspects of one's personal, business and professional life, I do recommend it for any leader who influences the future of their organization. I recommended it to two of our Human Resources personnel after they gave a "How to Managing Our Institution's Way" seminar.

Dave Harmeyer
Pepperdine University doctoral student (Ed.D. Educational Technology)