Lead

It is an excellant music book for trumpet players grade 5+. It has some great pieces from glen miller in it and they are all very fun to play

Ashley Lanning is a widow, alone with an
infant son to raise, she is not looking to complicate her life.
Major Kit Garrett is a career officer in the Army. Thrust unwillingly into being a single
parent and harboring some resentfulness towards strong willed women, he is certainly not looking for any commitment.
Why then do these two have an instant attraction for each other?

"Where The Heart Leads" is a perfect title for Ms. McBlain's tender novel of lost and found love. Living in the times we are now, nothing
maybe the same tomorrow. The author brings this fact out in both the characters lives and shows that we cannot close our hearts to any happiness, even if it only lasts
a moment.

A love story that is timely and forever at the same time. A story that will touch your hearts
and perhaps let you reach for that star before the night fades away, and one with a happy ending.
My favorite kind of read. Good job Ms. McBlain.
A very good read.

This is an excellent effort by a first-time author. It is a sympathetically written account of growing up in a troubled family. The writing style is clear easy reading and the plot moves at a steady pace. It is hard to put down once you start reading. Among its nicer features is that it is clean and still manages to stay interesting. I was especially impressed by the depth of the characters.I look forward to her future books.

This slim, plain looking, little book is evidence that you can't judge a book by its cover. A wealth of information awaits the reader of this book. I was looking for an instruction guide for new group leaders and this book is a stand-alone resource. Initially, it describes the different types of groups. It then goes on to give a very solid foundation in group dynamics and psychology. However, unlike many books it goes beyond the theoretical and addresses the step-by-step practical issues for group leaders including opening, designed and ending group discussions. Finally it gives solid, simple methods for dealing with problems that might arise. Bottom line....this book is 99 pages full of useful facts and info on group leadership...best for the beginner but will provide experts with great tips too.

I actually picked this book up in a thrift store and wasn't sure how it would be so I was really surprised by how good it was! You could actually lead a Bible study from this book. It's in depth and you learn things about these women that you never knew before. People who I've told about this book want to get a copy and I plan to buy a few for Christmas presents.

Knowledgeably written by Nancy Francis, Loose Lead: The Life And Dog-Training Secrets Of Texas Legend Adelene Pardo condenses a lifetime's work of handling show-winning dogs into easy-to-understand chapters featuring renowned canine handler Adelene Pardo's "loose lead" technique. A solid and thoroughly "user friendly" guide for what to expect when dealing with show dogs (including judging; ring patterns; the importance of time, patience, and love while training future champions, and more), Loose Lead is a "must-read" for anyone seriously considering participating in a dog show with their favorite canine companion.

An incredibly light-hearted, yet focused and well written read about arguably, one of the most famous, if not notorious, pillars of the Texas Dog Show circuit: Adelene Pardo. I think the author must have used her experience from Adelene's training course, for without even realizing it, I had been happily "baited" into devouring the whole book. Words of wisdom and sage advice are found woven throughout the entertaining, sometimes side splitting, real life adventures. Breeder, Handler, Trainer, Judge, she's done it all! Her dogs are her life, and they respond to her likewise. Her reputation speaks for itself.

Personally, I have always loved Dog Shows, but they can be incredibly intimidating, especialy to novices. Finding anyone with experience willing to completely open up to "dumb" questions is nearly impossible. I speak from experience. For years we have bred the most breath takingly beautiful Doberman Pinschers, and have always been overwhelmed at where to even start at professionally showing them. Until now. Loose Lead is filled with inside tips not only on showing dogs, but on the complex interactions of the dog show scene. The one section included on "stacking" your dog, was enough to justify the cost.

This book was an absolute "find" for me. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about showing dogs and you'll get to know a mighty incredible lady along the way!

This book was well written. It will be a useful guide to use for learning how to show your dog, no matter what breed it is. With the dog show circuit being extremely competitive, it is nice to have the inside scoop and know what is correct and what not to do. I found the illustrations well done and matching the breed standards quite nicely. This would be a very good reference for someone who is considering the thought of showing dogs. A big thank you to Ms. Francis for putting Ms. Pardo's words in print for everyone to benefit from.

There are some wonderful ideas in the profit zone and many reminders of things we have heard about for years and often forget. For example, the real focus on the customer is critical to success and we must always identify which parts of the business generate the profits, or are THE PROFIT ZONE. I remember a study done in the 1970s which found that most of a brand's profit came from the smallest size can that the product could be purchased in. There are lots of other examples here. The author's are correct in that the most successful companies have been innovators in business design. Ten companies are profiled, althugh surprisingly, Dell Computer is not one of them, having innovated a new profitable business model based on their "Customer Initiative". The authors get into a little trouble when they try to get quantitative. The Value Growth Curves have too few points to draw useful long-term conclusions, but the Business Design Tables are interesting because they will make you think about your business structure. The two best parts of the book are the Pilot's Checklists of questions to ask yourself and Chapter 15, the "How To" section to get discussion and hopefully agreement going inside your company to find and grow THE PROFIT ZONE. For more ideas on how to develop new business models that allow you to achieve twenty times the usual benefits or get there twenty times as fast, I also recommend you read THE 2,000 PERCENT SOLUTION. THE PROFIT ZONE may just be one of your solutions.

In Part One, the authors argue that "market share is dead" as an overall strategy goal. Instead, to achieve sustained growth in profits and shareholder value, companies need a "customer-centric business design" which anticipates and addresses constantly shifting customer priorities. There is no single design which fits all circumstances. but the most effective designs will start with customer priorities.

In Part Two, the co-authors shift their attention to several "reinventors" who have achieved extraordinary success. Most are familiar: Welch, Hayek, Goizueta, Schwab, Grove, Eisner, Hatsopoulos, Barnevik, and Gates. However, and this is an excellent example of the book's unique and substantial value, Slywotzy & Morrison note that "the principles and techniques of reinveniting a company's business design to get it into the industry's profit zone...apply with equal force to small companies, to divisions of larger companies, and to the middle managers who run them. In fact, the reinventors we will be reading about in the future are already honing their skills at innovative business designs today." The authors then examine several smaller firms such as Madden Communications, Cardboard Box, Inc., and Clozaril Patient Management System.

In Part Three, the authors provide a "handbook" which explains in detail how innovation works.This book is relevant to all organizations (both for-profit and non-profit) which seek to increase their economic value. Non-profits must also make critically important decisions (such as those involving allocation of resources) if they are to achieve their objectives. The appendices provide additional guidance so that the reader can implement whichever of the book's ideas and suggestions are most relevant.

If optimizing your organization's profits is your destination, here's a map to get there.

EXCELLENT BOOK! One of thee best business books. The book is well structured. All the strategic business models are well detailed with real world applications. Clearly illustrates how the most formidable business gurus have used various strategy models to migrate to profitability and isolate competitors. You will go into the realm of overpowering companies such as Microsoft, Intel, Coca Cola, to name a few.
When you have a book that is highlighted and filled with scribbled notes in almost every page than you know you have a winner. Can hardly wait for the next book by these two great authors.

"The Tripods" is patterned after The War of the Worlds, but given the target audience, it is naturally up to the children to battle the aliens. The invaders with their shadowy intent use devices implanted in the skull to control humans, who appear to have reverted to a medieval agrarian style of life. The children, however, cannot be safely "capped," and thus have the window of opportunity.

Christopher's achievement here is not so much the now-classic plot, but creation of interesting key characters who unlike most series shift in and out of view from sequel to sequel. The descriptions of the people enslaved by the Tripods contrast with the resistance in a way Christopher might have observed in many an authoritarian state. They are drawn so sharply that I recalled the plot twists and character conflicts 25 years after reading the trilogy.

The trilogy? But there are four books? As others note, "When The Tripods Came" is a prequel written long after the others. It is a decent and readable but gratuitous book. Reading it first will undermine from the most compelling storytelling device of "The White Mountains" -- its gradual demystifying of what the devil happened to these people and what's inside those tripod things, from the perspective of children with no memory of technology.

Note that this very much a male-driven story. The few females are lightly sketched and far between. Thus the books are a harder sell to girls for lack of connection, but I would encourage the attempt. It might also be worthwhile for children to read or reread the books when they are old enough to appreciate the themes of tyranny and rebellion. (Certainly all teenagers do. :)

This boxed set is an excellent buy.

Ten years ago I read the tripod series for the first time, and i still can't put them down! These books take you to a time in the not so distant future where the world as we know it is entirely changed. Starting with the "When the Tripods Came" we view the destrucion of our cities, homes, but most frigtening- the control of our own minds to the outside invaders we know as the "tripods". Through the next three novels, we witness life in this time through the eyes of a young boy, and his two friends- and their fight for freedom from the horrors of these invaders. There is never a dull second in these books! Check 'em out! I reccomend this to anyone- especially those of you out there who liked "Harry Potter"!

I read these books over 20 years ago when I was a young girl. I loved them! I don't remember Little Women, I remember both The Tripod Series and The Chronicles of Narnia.

I've recently bought the books for my son (9), and I have enjoyed rereading the books. He loves the books even more than the Harry Potter books.

Just remember it's great for both boys and girls.

I am an intermediate player and this guitar book is meant for shredders only. If you like poison, whitesnake, or guns n' roses and want to emulate the intense guitar solos of the mid 80s, then this book is for you. I saw all the positive reviews for this book and purchased it but I must say that I just threw it out because it is just too overwhelming. I know all I would need to do is practice slowly day in and day out but the exercises are all just speed exercises. Granted, I'm sure you will perfect all aspects of your guitar playing, but if you are a beginner or an intermediate player, I think you will find this book just to be too much. That is my opinion.

Speed Mechanics consists of 3 parts: Mechanics (44 pages), Rhythm (12 pages), and Creativity (13 pages). My ratings for each section is Mechanics - 5 stars, Rhythm - 4 stars, Creativity - 2 stars.

Mechanics: This section has a lot of exercises that will help you master the technique being covered. Subjects covered include Trills, Finger Indepenence, String bending, Alternate picking, Cross-string Picking, Dynamics, Cyclic patterns, Sequence Patterns, Sweep Picking, and MUCH more. Almost every aspect of Lead guitar is covered here. There are about 3-12 exercises per subject.

Rhythm: This section will help you 'feel' the beat or meter instead of thinking it. This is necessary because when you are playing a technically demanding piece, you have to focus more on the motions your hands are making and less on the rhythm aspect.

Creativity: This is where the book fails. It does give a few good insights about how to create a lead 'style'. But, most of the section is wasted on Intervals. The Intervals part might have been good, but the diagrams and examples are poor and confusing. Although the rest of the book has been straightforward and logical, some of this is just plain confusing and pointless.

Pros: The exercises are laid out in logical order so that you will feel improvement as you 'complete' EACH exercise. There is TONS of info packed inside the mere 80 pages of this book. As long as you want to keep improving, there's no way you could ever 'finish' this book. (The speed exercises could always be played faster, etc.) The book also teaches you how to create your own exercises to suit you own personal needs.

Cons: This isn't your book if you want to learn how to compose solos or learn about theory.

I barely got this book 3 to 4 days ago. I was expecting a bunch of speed exercises in the book and lightning fast runs played on the CD. This is definitely NOT what I got. The book actually teaches you Synchronization of Both Hands, Finger Independence, Practicing In Bursts, Isolating Mistakes, but also has a thorough section dedicated to Speed Exercises.

If you're not sure whether this book is too difficult for you, click on the 'Look Inside' option to preview a few pages of this book. You should come across Exercises #1-5. If you can play #1-5 with the metronome set to about 100 bpm with each note played as a quarter note (one note for each beat), then you might want to consider buying this book if you really want to shred

DON'T buy this book if you're NOT planning on practicing the exercises with a metronome. The book will almost be worthless without a metronome.

Hmmmmmm. I hope this review wasn't too long. I only wanted to write this because the other reviews kinda gave me the wrong idea about this book. Hope this was helpful.

This is the MECHANICS of speed playing.

This book is a great aid for developing speed and accuracy in your lead guitar technique, regardless of personal tastes. But it is not fun. It is difficult to maintain motivation over long periods of time, because the focus is on the fundamentals of technique, not on creativity.

However, it is a solid collection of exercises, and makes a fine addition to a balanced practice regime that includes more expressive, enjoyable practices such as learning from the tablature of your favourite pieces. Use the exercises in this book as warm-ups at lower tempos, and looks for ways in which they relate to sections of the solos you are trying to learn. Then incorporate them into your practice that way.

You know what they say, a a spoonful of sugar...

John Christopher did a really great job with the sequel to 'The White Mountains'.

In 'The City of Gold and Lead' the White Mountain's leader, Julius comes up with a plan to stop the Tripods. They will go to the 'Games" and compete, hopefully winning, and go to the City of the Tripods to study them. Will, Beanpole and a new character named Fritz are chosen to go and compete in the Games. Fritz and Will are winners and are carried in a Tripod to the City. The two boys are separated and become servants for different Masters. The Masters are what control the Tripods. During his time in the City, Will learns a lot- why the Tripods invaded Earth, why they capped people, what happened to Eloise, and where the Masters and the Tripods came from.

This was a really good book to answer questions about 'The White Mountains'.

"The White Mountains" is fine as a stand alone book; but any reader who enjoyed it will want to find out the answers to so many questions left unanswered. What would happen to the main characters: Will, Beanpole, and Henry? Will we ever learn more about the Tripods? And, of course, will the Tripods ever be defeated?

"The City of Gold and Lead" answers some of these questions. It explains the Tripods and how they came to dominate the world and enslave mankind. It informs us of the new lives that Will, Beanpole, and Henry have in the White Mountains. It introduces us to the characters of Fritz and Julius who become major figures in the struggle against the Tripods.

It also answers the question of the fate of Eloise, the beautiful girl who Will befriended in "The White Mountains." (It is disappointing that the ONLY female characters of any importance in the entire trilogy are Eloise and her mother, the Comtesse.) Personally, my favorite part of the series was Will's temptation by the good life at the Castle of the Red Tower where he met Eloise. In "The White Mountains" Eloise said goodbye to Will forever because she had been chosen to serve the Tripods in their city and would remain there as a slave for the rest of her life. One of main reasons I felt compelled to read "The City of Gold and Lead" was to find out what happened to Eloise and would she ever be freed from that slavery. The reader will discover the answer to that question at the Pyramid of Beauty in "The City of Gold and Lead."

Although "The City of Gold and Lead" answers many questions left from "The White Mountains," it also leaves the reader with new questions about the fate of a major character, the conflict with the Tripods, and the future of mankind. There are so many unanswered questions that most readers will have to read "The Pool of Fire," which is the last book of the series, to fully enjoy "The City of Gold and Lead."

John Christopher's "Tripods" trilogy is
simply the purest science fiction you can
get your hands on. Fremantle and the BBC
made a superior adaptation of it which
aired on public TV in the U.S. and then
vanished. (PAL format DVD only.) I've
read most everybody's sci-fi books, but I
can't honestly recommend another author any
higher. This book (part 2 of the trilogy)
really goes the distance.