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I enjoyed this book, but I am writing this review to warn some of you that this probably shouldn't be the first book you read after a tough break-up or divorce. The first section of the book is sometimes harsh and negitive about the value of love and it's importance in your life. Most things said are very true, but it sometimes comes across blunt and a hard manner to absorb if you are still very emotionally tender, or rather depressed. I would recommend a more light/positive book first, such as "Mars And Venus: Starting Over." Again, it's a good book, the case studies are very helpful but it may be a little hard for some of us who have seen our significant other just walk out the door. Hope this helps, but then again it's just my two cents!

After my breakup, I read this book and found the source of why I was attracted to someone who made me so unhappy. Apparantly, our negative childhood patterns can sometimes haunt us and lure us into unhealthy and unhappy relationships. The author gives many case studies, and examples from many different types of situations, which was helpful to read. She is a bit cold and impersonal at times in her writing. Yet, she makes up for those shortcomings with the depth of her understanding of the nature of failed relationships. This part was the best piece of advice: She writes "Cultivate detachment. Separate your needs from your wants. Wanting and needing are two different things. The intensity of your wants may, in fact, thwart your efforts to attain what you desire. Everything is a process. Remind yourself that whatever happens, you'll survive-you're strong and you stand on your own two feet. If the relationship or job you want doesn't work out, you'll still survive. You're an independant person. You aren't at the mercy of other people's whims. You're comptetent and resourceful within yourself, so you'll survive no matter what." Being so terribly sad, these words were priceless. Read this book. It could be the one that helps you turn the corner and move on.

When I recently went through a very painful break-up, I ended up purchasing approximately 10 books to read to help me through it. THIS was the one that helped me the most. It is a compassionate, realistic look at how you're feeling, what you're going through and how you may avoid repeating these mistakes again, again and again all of them. The author reminded me throughout of my own self-worth and helped me to come to an understanding of who I am and why I chose this relationship to begin with - and what I could gain by letting it go, yeah!! living through the pain, and seeing a new life on the other side. I hope I NEVER experience this kind of pain again. With the valuable words of Ms. Koman's I could see a light at the end of the tunnel and a greater understanding of who I am and what kind of life I could provide for myself in the future.

The strength of this book, its detailed coverage of the legal process, is spoiled by the implied control (see title) and "successful conclusion" (see introducton). The legal system is a game of chance with much beyond the control of the average person (easy examples: the judge and jury). The odds are improved by money which you probably don't have if you're reading this book. A contingency arrangement is unlikely judging by the book's content devoted to paying a lawyer. The odds are also improved by finding a lawyer who will pursue a case with a vengeance, also unlikely given this book's cautions and the fact that lawyers without contingencies get paid regardless of outcome. This book is one source of information to help you decide whether to get involved in a legal matter; counter to its title, it actually advises against legal action. If the choice is not yours, you may be looking for referrals and pointers from your financial advisor and other individuals who have been through court.

I reviewed this book in June and I feel just as strongly about this book NOW as I did then. In fact, were it not for the helpful information contained in this book, I would not have had the knowledge nor the motivation needed to pursue my lawsuit.

Thanks to the information contained in this book, I have successfully filed a strong civil complaint with damages exceeding [ten] million.

I was able to find a lawyer to take my case on a contingency arrangement that included a nominal retainer fee and a requirement that I cover all court costs.

I cannot imagine my case will actually go to trial, as the evidence against the defendent is quite overwhelming; however, thanks to the knowledge contained in this book, I am confident that I have taken every conceivable means possible to adequately prepare to defend my rights!

If you have been harmed due to someone else' negligence and/or malice, I highly recommend that you purchase this book. It will show you exactly how to defend your rights in a U.S. Court of Law.

I am a first time Plaintiff with a strong civil action that has a high probability of success. Nevertheless, because of the negative connotation attached to "filing a lawsuit", I seriously considered not taking legal action. Thank God I found this book!

If you have been unfairly attacked and/or injured by someone, you are compounding the injury by not taking action to repair the damage. To illustrate, imagine breaking your arm; and deciding not to get a cast, because of the negative connotation attached to "wearing a cast". That would be ludicrous!

If you have been harmed due to someone's negligence and/or malice, you are entitled and maybe even obligated to protect your best interest. Filing a legitimate lawsuit does not make you "opportunistic" or "vindictive"; just like wearing a cast to repair a broken arm, does not make you "opportunistic" or "vindictive", it makes you INTELLIGENT! My grandaddy always told me to "BE INTELLIGENT".

This book shows you the INTELLIGENT way to represent your legitimate interests in a U.S. court of law. Read it, and then by all means... SUE ...

Here come the Maples, John Updike's fictional representation of a typical married couple in mid-to-latter twentieth century America. The Maples fight, drink, and sex their way through life, somehow still managing to find a little happiness. This book, comprised of a number of related short stories, is highly evocative of the mood of the early sixties. The gender roles and sexual repression of earlier decades was giving way to a new kind of freedom, but there was still an awful price to be paid in anger, in jealousy, in heartbreak. Yet somehow, this book explains, life goes on; stands are taken, moves are made, and children are raised, despite all the unpleasantness. The stories are told from the husband's point of view, so it seems odd that we don't get a very clear picture of the 'other woman' who causes so much trouble. But the really big question that hangs over this melancholy little volume is: Why are these people so hung up on sex? Updike takes pains to show how much these people care for each other, but somehow they still can't seem to be satisfied with each other. No answers are offered here, but no judgments are passed, either. Essentially, we're presented with a novel of manners that documents (for future generations) a particular time and lifestyle.

As always, Updike's prose is as flawless as his characters are flawed. Confused, weak, vacillating, frequently suffering from some self-inflicted or psychosomatic ailment, Richard is the everyman we don't want to glorify even though we see much of ourselves in him. His more conservative wife Joan feels herself trapped in a pit of self-righteous indignation. Together they feed off each other's neuroses until the inevitable occurs. This is not a happy book, but it doesn't have a powerfully tragic feel either. It's almost as though Updike had written these stories about his own failed relationships, from which he'd since moved on, but which still bore a kind of nostalgic, wistful glow. A lovely book, although not a spectacular one, aimed at those who enjoy analyzing relationships, rather than those who expect big things to actually happen.

Of all the scientific works that have dealt with the subject of love, marriage, divorce, children, parents, and care, none can truly explain the complex emotional waves that crash into lives of people when love is born. John Updike's Too Far Too Go is an astonishing work of literary fiction dealing with the early love and eventual separation of a young man and woman. Using simple language that is refined and beautiful, Updike masterfully explores the complex emotions that arise out of marital conflict and the stress it can cause on others, especially children. Updike's characters are so real that it becomes hard not to feel true sympathy for them. They are flawed as any human being, which makes them so wonderful.

His best work in Too Far To Go is "Separating", the end of the road for the Maples who have been dealing with marital troubles and are contemplating a short separation. Being the child of a divorced family, I found his account so accurate that it felt as though the words and actions of the characters were lifted word for word from a real conversation. It brought tears to my eyes as Richard, who seems always to be the collected father, break down and cry at dinner and confess his own shortcomings to his family. Every couple considering marriage and every child whose life has been so hurt by a divorce should read Updike's work in Too Far To Go. He is truly an American treasure and a master of the English language.

And so there I was, having just finished the latest of the Rabbit series, sad to be leaving a group of people with whom I had spent many entertaining hours, when I came upon this book in the store. Terrific, I thought, another series in which to immerse myself, even if for much less time. I was not disappointed. This is excellent.

In addition to the storytelling, it is interesting in that it gives one a picture of an artist in development. As with the Rabbit series, the writing improves with each story, as the writer matures over a period of years. I highly recommend this collection.

Also of interest: this contains "Gesturing," selected by Updike himself for inclusion in "The Best American Short Stories of the Century."

This is one awesome book! My eyes were glewed to the pages ever since i picked it up at the local bookstore!It is about this boy named Matt and he hates sleeping in his bedroom wich is so tiny its the size of a closet!! Then one night when his brother and sister Pam and Greg and his Mom are sleeping he sneaks down to the guest room and he falls asleep...and the next morning wakes up as a teenager! And soon enough his whole life is a nightmare! Now he has to sleep in his old room before time runs out and..OOPS!Im not giving out the rest!You have to read this R.L. Stine thriller to find out the rest.

I personally like this book.
Everytime Matt went t sleep, it
all turned into a different story.
This book kept my eyes stuck on it!

I read the book Don't Go to Sleep by R.L. Stine.

It was about this kid named Matt. At the beginning of the story, he was twelve. Each time he went to sleep, something different happens. My favorite part was Matt turning into a teenager. I liked the part where he goes to high school. I liked the book. I like the part where he is riding a lion at a circus. On the tape he was at some place with a locked door. I enjoy reading the book. He was like a prisoner. At the end of the story he turned twelve.

If you're thinking about entering into a partnership, you're probably too close to your new venture to be able to see the pitfalls clearly - much like the early stages of a romance. The "partnership is like a marriage" theme may seem a trifle hackneyed, but when something is basically true it tends to get repeated. Azriela Jaffe's straightforward, easy-to-read book includes checklists you can use to see if you're really ready for partnership. You need objective advice to face the reality that you are entering a relationship that, no matter how exciting in the beginning, holds real potential for turning ugly later. This book will help you navigate territory that may be more hazardous than you think. We [...] recommend it to entrepreneurs who are considering a partnership, as well as to those wearing their current partners around their necks.

The book is very useful for small partnerships. For bigger partnerships it offers only a good step-by-step framework. All the very helpful lists how to select a good partner, how to discover your own and your partners motivation and how to define your values are not really useful for companies. However most of the secrets Azriela offers the reader will lead you to tranferable ideas and maybe solutions.

There's a cute expression that people use today, particularly when others share details of their personal lives: "That's more information than I wanted to know." These words express my feeling as I read this book. It's jam-packed! There's so much stuff in these pages, I found myself wanting some illustrations or graphics to break up the text.

Jaffe likens forming a business partnership to getting married. There are a lot of similarities, since the partners have to live with each other for-hopefully-a long time. Leaping into marriage without being very sure is a recipe for disaster . . . or divorce. The same situation faces anyone entering into business with another-for any reason. And there are more reasons laid out in this book than I'd ever thought of. In fact, there was a lot of material in this book that was new to me . . . which is good!

Before I tell you more about the book, I'll list the eight secrets. 1. Look before you leap. 2. Know yourself. 3. Know your partner. 4. Clarify your mission and vision. 5. Formalize your agreements. 6. Two heads are better than one. 7. Safeguard against conflicts. 8. Breaking up is hard to do.

The book is an interwoven combination of information, illustrative vignettes, and check-yourself quizzes. There is so much, I found myself wanting a summary. Aha! Chapter 10: The Secrets to a Successful Partnership in a Nutshell. Eight pages of recommended resources precede the index.

If you're considering going into business with someone else-anyone else, read this book first. Get a pad out before you read: you'll be taking a lot of notes. Jaffe's book may be more information than you wanted to know, but it will be just what you need to know.

Dr. Broder's book is more than 'interesting'. It pulls you in and makes you take a deep look at any troubling relationship. Although the focus is on love relationships; marriages and romances, the assessment and analysis can also be applied to friendships and work related discontent. Dr. Broder is always optimistic and has a 'can do' attitude whether you choose to stay or to leave.

He does not let you 'beg' the question, but elicits what to keep in mind when you are not yet ready to make the decision to stay or go! Either way there is 'work' to do: affirmations, visualizations, note taking and checklists.

The reader is invited to read this text cover to cover or to go to the chapters that apply today, once you have completed the self-assessment. "Can Your Relationship be Saved?" is also a reference book to go back to time and time again to review just how far you've progressed.

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> One of the latest self-help series is aimed at clients who are experiencing troubled relationships. The work is by Dr. Michael Broder, a highly experienced and visible (radio, TV) marital and relationship therapist who practices in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania not Mississippi). The title "Can Your Relationship Be Saved? How to know whether to Stay or Go" describes the content well which systematically focuses on first assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship, then explores the pain of staying vs. the pain of leaving, then the consequences of either decision.
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> A major focus is on feelings of ambivalence in persons in troubled relationships. This may also be translated as conflict and involves all the typical combinations - approach/approach,
avoidance/avoidance, double approach/avoidance etc. each of which leads to indecision and unhappiness and instability in the relationship. Dr. Broder helps chart pathways through the ambivalence and provides guidance in deciding whether to stay in the relationship or to leave. He weaves in meaningful case examples illustrating problems, insights and solutions based on his extensive experience.

Dr. Broder offers a 50 item true/false test to help readers evaluate their relationship and aid in determining whether their relationship can be saved. He raises interesting and critical questions the answers to which he provides in detail and with supporting examples. For those of us who are more scientifically inclined, I wish that he had provided statistical analyses for this instrument as well. Their absence in no way diminished the value of the instrument or its use in clarifying the thinking of the person seeking help. The remaining Chapters (6 & 7) guide the reader through the healing process related to either decision: yes, the relationship can be saved or conversely how to adjust to the single life. This work, as with others in the series offers an inexpensive, meaningful and helpful supplement to ongoing psychotherapy or as a guide to those who are merely in the contemplative stage. It may also serve as a gentle reminder to the busy therapist regarding questions needing asking and issues to be addressed.
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Written by an experienced psychologist, media personality and popular speaker Michael S. Broder, Can Your Relationship Be Saved? is a no-nonsense book about when a relationship needs to end, and when it is capable of weathering trouble with perseverance, balance, and possible professional help. Specifically intended for the friends and family of those in troubled relationships, as well as people who don't understand why their relationship is in such strife, Can Your Relationship Be Saved? is a thankfully direct and steady take and complicated human situations recommended for the non-specialist general reader concerned with salvaging and strengthening their relationships, friendships, and familial bonds.

I just attended one of Laura's seminars in Tampa. She is a top-notch speaker that provided excellent advice. I have already applied her methodology with success here...and it has only been a week! I would highly recommend her book, sales package and seminar to anyone looking to increase their sales!!! Thanks, Laura, for documenting your secrets of success so we can all benefit!

This is one of the best books I have read on sales - it covers all the main areas in a very readable and simple way. It is broken into 24 lessons - each of them covered in their own chapter. The book is about 160 pages allowing for an easy read.
This book will be one of our core books to be read and studied by our sales people for the future.

"As an owner of a sales company, if any one of my salespeople mastered half of these competencies, their sales would double." Another great book from Laaman...

Having worked through the first two volumes of this series, the enterprising young player is anxious to start playing Go and stop reading about it. In addition, for some time and many players, that is sufficient. Certainly one has learned enough to live happily in the moment of conflict and capture, more than many players do. With concentration, comes a fair share of the victories and steady improvement.

Alas, this is not a perfect world. Go is a vast game, and few ever completely understand it. If a player is to improve, a time will come when he or she must study the game itself if they are to develop. Subtle bad habits of play become self destructive when facing stronger players. These latter also seem to have a magical ability to pull victory out of despair even under handicapping.

Now is the time to address the third volume 'The Dragon Style.' Despite the magical title, the purpose of this volume is to make a player aware if good and bad habits, and to begin to teach the fundamentals of strategy. To learn now one must begin to read. Read positions, read the games of others, sometimes even try to read minds. The majority of this book walks a play through several games in detail, carefully explaining the purposes of each move.

Really, this isn't hard work. With enough information to understand what each player is trying to do much can be learned from this study, It is, after all, far easier to see the whole game when it isn't the one you are playing right now. The problem, of course, is finding a source of games that are annotated intelligibly and enjoyably. Janice Kim and Jeong Soo-hyun provide some good examples. These will provide the basis for studying others.

There is nothing especially draconic about the 'dragon style.' It is sensible, thoughtful play that considers everything. Of course, this is easier to say than to accomplish. This book provides a good start along the path of reading games. If it has a failing, it is that it does not provide a list of good sources of games for study. Many are available, but not all analyses are suitable for all levels of players.

I learned(?) how to play Go 45 years ago. I've read all the beginners' books available in English, many in Japanese, and most of the advanced books in English. There is nothing better for learning than a good teacher -- the subtleties are "impossible" to discover by yourself. This series is as close as you can get to having an expert teacher right there with you. This is the book (series) I loan (or give) to friends who are interested in learning Go. Nothing is left out. The style of this series is intended to not be overwhelming to anyone interested. I think that the "Dummy" and "Complere Idiot" books are not really intended for dummies!!! - rather they are intended for people who don't yet have enough relevant background to appreciate books meant for "serious" students. With that understanding, this set of books really fills the bill. Plus lots of stuff to help the serious student understand this very interesting game -- easier to learn than chess, but harder to get good at.

This book is great for the beginning player who wants to learn good strategy. Lots of great content. I liked everthing about it.

Go West Young Women is about a family that goes on a trip through the West and the have the same thing to eat day after day, and they are sick of it. Phoebe is starting to get sick of her dad and they keep arguing. They have to keep track of the cattle and a stampede begins and they want to keep going but don't know if they should! My opinion on this book was that it was a little boring and the writing was hard to read sometimes. I wouldn't recommend this to an eighth grader because I think it would be more of a fifth grade book. The reader that likes adventure through the country will enjoy this book.

This book is an fascinating and colorful look at crossing the plains from a girl's perspective. It is very entertaining, and Phoebe is an interesting and engaging main character. We really get to know how she feels and thinks. Boys may not find the book quite as enjoyable; there aren't any sympathetic male characters, and most of the women don't seem to fond of men in general. This is a good book to get the favor of the early westward movement.

This book is one of the few available that are adventurous, appeal to girls in a period where self-confidence is constantly threatened, and has a splash of learning tossed in. Not enough to make it boring, of course.

DEAR AUDIENCE-AT-LARGE:

While the 90's saw a new wave of body piercings, increasingly associated with alternative culture, I'd like to point out one significant exception...

I am Indian. I come from a culture of 5,000 years of recorded history. We've been wearing nose rings for literally thousands of years. It is as cultural as ear piercing is for the Western world.

While I understand the connotation here in the States, I wish people would realise that when an Indian woman wears a nose ring it takes on a much different, cultural and traditional meaning.

I definitely do NOT need to take out my nose ring when I visit my Grandma!! ;)

Thanks for hearing me.

If you are a parent of a teen and think you are alone, then think again. If you ever have humorous thoughts as you watch your teen and want to discover what others in your shoes see, then get this book.

Definately a good, positive read. Yep there are places in that are even funny and will make you chuckle. Only parents of teens can get the inside jokes. The funny side of life is also an inspiration.

Get this book and you will not feel alone. In fact you will see how normal you are.

I bought this book for my sister and brother, both of whom have boys on the verge of adolescence, but I read it before I gave it to them. Cooke and Kendrick have done a wonderful job of bringing us back to our own adolescence as a way of helping us cope with our childrens'. As a parent of a 31 year old, I remember the power of this connection as being critical to my working with my daughter's emotional ups and downs and managing to enjoy most of her teenage years. Cooke and Kendrick LIKE teenagers and understand them in a way that is bound to help all parents.

Dr. Lois Rudnick, Director, American Studies Program, UMass Boston