Leader

The most important thing about this book is that it helps readers (as do other books of its ilk) understand the world through dogs' eyes. Some of the biggest problems that arise among dogs and their owners stem from owners' human-centered perceptions of canine behavior. We love to ascribe human motivations and dispositions to our dogs - this makes us feel like they are even more a part of our family (I know plenty of childless people, for example, who treat their pets, which are clearly surrogate children, exactly like human parents treat their own offspring). So, books that give us a "dog's eye view" on the human world are essential for promoting good pet-human relations.

On the other hand, I think any book that focuses so much attention on dominance relations as central to the lives of dogs (and I'm not denying that they are very important), itself falls victim to anthropocentrism, and, more specifically, ethnocentrism. American society feeds on the myth that people who eat first, control interactions, maintain a dominant posture, go first, control their space and possessions, are aggressive towards outsiders, and exude confidence and, well, social dominance, SHOULD be leaders. In truth, this is only one model for human leadership and it may not be the only model used in dog society either.

On a related note, one of the reviewers below claims authoritatively that dogs don't have a neocortex.

CORRECTION: Dogs DO have a neocortex. Humans (and other primates) have a larger neocortex with greater surface area, but they are not the only creature blessed with the faculties that a neocortex affords. The reviewer who made this claim is attracted, for whatever reasons, to literature and folklore that identify a clear boundary between humans and the rest of animal-kind. However, like it or not, neurological research shows us that this boundary is fuzzy at best.

Anthropocentric worldviews abound and we should take them all with a grain of kibble!

I was very impressed with this book. It manages to list and illustrate ways to deal with all the major difficulties that arise from people assuming dogs think the same way we do. Its' case studies describe dogs that display antisocial behaviours, and then not only gives excellent advice on how to redeem them without resorting to physical discipline, but also shows how to train a dog from the beginning so it will be a happy, stress and aggression-free member of the family 'pack'.

I babysit dogs in my home.
This book is an excellent source for anyone who works or plays with more than one dog. It is extremely accurate on how dogs think/don't think, and then behave. It is an excellent source for a new dog owner or one that has had a dog for years.

If you do not understand what is explained in this book, then do not expect your dog to understand how to behave around people and other dogs that are not already a part of your household; nor how to conduct itself at a babysitters. And everyone needs a dog sitter eventually.

In addition, understanding the breed you have/want is key to being a leader of the pack. The book gives great examples of how seemingly harmless behavior on our part can have drastic consequences for our dog(s), and these outcomes affects different breeds.

I found "Bringing Out the Best in Others" to be a powerful, yet simple read of how to 'bring out the best' with it's three key points of:

Expectations
Accountability
Feedback

Dr. Tom's simple, yet comprehensive approach to the subject of 'bringing out the best' has already worked in my professional and personal conversations. My business partners, friends (and even mom) appreciate the fresh, clear perspective that I have gained and applied after reading "bringing out the best."

As with all books, there is nothing new inside it's pages, but this book offers such a fresh, understandable, useable and SIMPLE approach that I highly recommend "Bringing Out the Best in Others!" I have already started giving copies away to those around me.

Like one of the author's other books, "Inside the Magic Kingdom," this book is a classic and one that everyone on the team will benefit from reading. Enjoy this book and pass it on to those around you; it makes a difference!

After reading Connellan's book, I was eager to apply the principles he expounded upon and see if I could deliver the same kind of results he displayed in the book.

After a couple weeks, surely enough, I did start to see the kind of results! My subordinate began to really respond and her performance began to improve dramatically.

I highly recommend the quick read, and am sure you'll get life long benefits from bringing out the best in others!

I've read too many "self-help" and "help-others" type books to list, and this one honestly rates among one of the most useful.
I work not only as a marketing director for my company, but also serve in leadership positions in numerous professional, civic, and non-profit organizations, and across the board, one of the greatest challenges is in helping others to perform at the level which you know they are capable. This easily read resource imparts some great information, both in theory and in practical application. I've already applied just a few of the concepts with much greater than expected results.
In life, there really are only two motivational factors: love and fear. With fear, you will only go so far. This book focuses on bringing out the best in others, not just for what they can do for you, but for what they will then be able to accomplish for themselves. I strongly recommend it.

Hi, I have just concluded a one year evaluation (Masters Thesis)of Mark Mittelberg's six stage evangelsim model. It works! Not just in the mega-church, but in the church around the corner. You need to buy the book and spend time digesting it with the leaders and evangelists in your church. We found that once the leadership caught the vision- others joined quickly. For the first time, this model gives churches a well defined plan for evangelism. Now, evangelism becomes driven by values and vision rather than events and strategy. The model is practical and does not require complicated analysis. Mark Mittelberg has done all the work for you. Several benefits we have seen: 1. The senior pastor was energized. 2. Gifted evangelists were more effective 3. Outreach events were better and more numerous 4. More members were evangelisitcally energized 5. More people were praying for unbelievers 6. Leadership watched God work and relied less on human effort.

It's the best investment that your church could ever make. In Christ, Marc Harrienger (mch906@aol)

While Canadians highly value their neighbours to the south, we can also be a bit reluctant to embrace ideas developed in the U.S. We wonder if they fit the Canadian context. Mark Mittelberg's Becoming a Contagious Church is a book that crosses the border with ease. The author communicates Biblical values that transcend culture. He does so not with lofty ideals and methods suited only for a resource-rich U.S. mega church...but with highly transferable and effective strategies that can be applied to various church contexts. I have been pleased to use Mittelberg's book to successfully train young pastors starting new churches on both sides of the border. I have also heard a variety of my Canadian colleagues in established churches comment on the book's effectiveness.

My highest recommendation, however, comes from the impact this book is having on our local church's evangelism planning. Our leadership is sold on the concepts the book teaches. Mittelberg's six-step strategy is a brilliant addition to our thinking and promises to be our strategic guide for years to come.

I have never read such an exhaustive and encyclopedic work on evangelism. The book is 386 pages long and you will not have a quick read but you will feel as you have been in school.

Nothing is left unexplained and there are many pertinent lists. The book is divided into 3 sections: 1. A Contagious Plan 2. A Contagious Change Process and 3) Contagious Diversity. Each section is an in depth study in the stages and steps that will challenge and explain how to be effective and efficient in leading souls to Jesus.

I personally found the 3rd. section the must liberating in understanding that there are 6 different styles of evangelism. Working together will give you a team that will not only be much more efficient but also you can relax in your style which will make you much more effective.

Though the book is long you will probably need to read it twice with highlighter and notepad if you want to get it all. You and your team will get greater understanding if it is discussed chapter by chapter.

This book asumes the Theology of Soteriology and therefore you will not find sections stating how you must depend on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So if you need to see these types of words before sanctioning this book as Christian you're better looking somewhere else. This book is solid meat and leaves those basics to be assumed.

My final statement is that this book has excited me once again to become a better student of evangelism and I am anxious to apply all that I have learned.

This is a book that uses anecdotes and copious quotations from famous people to tell us to be ourselves, express ourselves, and learn to live with integrity. Although it pretends to be a book about leadership, it is not. For example, it claims that Lincoln was a good leader, while Hitler was a bad leader. No matter how horrific and evil Hitler may have been, he was one of the greatest leaders of all time. To say that he was a poor leader is to deny reality. The first quarter of the book rants about how the world has lost all its great leaders. That is why it is in such a mess, and if only we could go back to the good old days... What good old days! He claims that we don't have any Kennedys or Lincolns, but he fails to mention that we don't have any Hitlers or Stalins either. Is the world really as bad as Bennis claims? Sure there are problems but overall I think we are a lot better off than we were. He talks about all the scandals in politics and business that show how we have lost our morals and ethics. Au contraire! The truth is that we live in a world where scandal can be laid bare rather than covered up. You don't think politicians were crooked 100 or 1000 years ago? You don't think that clergy were abusing children 100 or 1000 years ago? I think we live in a pretty good world and Bennis' polemic about the lack of leadership in the world is misplaced at best. After all that, Bennis says "the ingredients of leadership cannot be taught." (p.73) If that is so, why does he expect anyone to read this book?

On the positive side, I did like the parts of the book that dealt with the importance of taking control of your life and following your dreams. If you want an easy to read motivational book, this one isn't bad. If you want to learn how to be a leader, look elsewhere.

Charles SmithSubmitted 2/18/99

Bennis, W. (1989). On Becoming A Leader. Reading, Massachusetts: Perseus Books

This book deals with leadership, how one becomes a leader, and the many people the author knows with leadership qualities. It is written in an easy to understand format that uses many formulas which people have used to obtain strong leadership qualities. Bennis points out three reasons for the importance of effective leadership. Leaders are responsible for organizational effectiveness, leaders must also provide stability to an organization and the need for integrity within an organization. Norman Lear, writer and director, is often referenced by Bennis. He believes that society is suffering from what he calls a "societal disease" of short-term thinking. This can be a stumbling block in the pursuit of total leadership. One of Bennis' premises is that that the context of leadership is a breaker not a maker and that most people fail to realize the difference. To be an effective leader one must see it as an end result, not a beginning. Learning from failure is also an important theme in the book. The author points out a person fictitiously called Ed and how he never really understood what it took to be an effective leader. While he had wonderful management skills, he was not trusted because he was unable to make people feel willing to follow. He had followers but they were not always willing followers. Norman Lear again provides insight to what he calls mastering the context of leadership. A leader must be self-expressive, listen to the inner voice, learn from the right mentors and give oneself over to a guiding vision. Bennis defines three ingredients that encompass leadership. A guiding vision is to know where one wants to go and how to get there. Another ingredient is passion. This occurs when a leader loves what he does and loves doing it. The third component is integrity. This follows the "know thyself" concept. If you know your strengths and weaknesses you will better know how to deal with certain tasks. There is great value in separating what people think and expect of you from what you think and expect of yourself, according to the author. Bennis discusses three types of learning that mold potential leaders. The first is maintenance learning described as using fixed methods and outlooks to deal with "recurring situations." The second is shock learning in which people are overwhelmed by events. These two types of learning are said to be more about accepting other's philosophies than about true learning. Bennis acknowledges the need to replace maintenance and shock learning with what he calls innovative learning, which requires one to be imaginative, an active listener and to participate in shaping events, instead of letting events shape you. Another concept is dealing with oneself. Bennis talks about learning from mistakes and looking back to see how mistakes could make a better future. These concepts are conducive to future growth. He also points out how failure is part of becoming an effective leader. It is necessary for growth and a lack of failure could indicate an unwillingness to take risks. Leaders must be able to deal with different personalities. Bennis discusses right-brained people, identifiable as intuitive, conceptual and artistic. He also identifies left-brained people who are logical, analytical and have technical backgrounds. In other words, a leader must be able to see through the eyes of an accountant as well as a researcher and mesh the two into a vision. Bennis calls this being whole brained. The author also talks the importance of trust building. He points out four traits necessary for trust to develop: consistency, congruity, reliability and integrity. With these characteristics, true leadership can take place. These important components of leadership are what kept Ed from being an effective leader. The author points out that trust is the foundation in which true leadership can be cultivated.

I picked up Bennis' classic for my management/leadership library several months ago and I've already read it, highlighted it, and written notes in it twice!

Bennis' research and interviews with several leaders he selected from various industries provides some very insightful advice to leaders of all levels. The direction from this book will not steer you wrong. The information presented seems common sense, but when all told, if the direction given were followed, we'd have better leaders in place than we do now.

I can truthfully say that this book has inspired me to be a better leader. If you have some guts, take a chance and pick this book up and evaluate yourself. If you don't gain some insight into yourself as a leader, you're probably missing the boat somewhere along the line.

The book is easy to read, and you'll finish it rather quickly the first time through. Do yourself a favor though, pause and reflect after each chapter. The information provided compells you to do some reflecting.

This book will remain on my top 10 reading list for some time to come!

Any accurate portrayal of Robert E. Lee, certainly one of our country's finest leaders, should definitely move anyone with an ounce of common sense to an enormous appreciation for this most outstanding human being. Lee's inspiring faith in God, his leadership by example, and lifelong message is one of love and honor. His own words and letters best exemplify this fact, and this author's liberal use of them brings it all home in this short, succinct work. However, be forewarned that Wilkins adds his own additional preaching far removed from the Gospels, most sadly detracting from an accurate historical perspective on Lee by adding his own self-serving distortions on slavery. The historical record is clear: Lee found slavery objectionable and looked forward to the day when it would end. None-the-less, Wilkins tries very hard to rationalize slavery as something good, as if his sad excuses are necessary in order to make Lee look acceptable.... so far from the truth! Wilkins does our great man, Lee, along with the rest of America, a dis-service by his disgusting blabberings. Let's hear it for Robert E. Lee, and not taint his image with such dribble. Most other Lee biographies will serve us more fairly and honorably.

If ever there was a man who followed Christ's example it was Robert E. Lee. This book illustrates such a man. This book illustrates the sort of gentleman that is lacking in our society today, lacking even in our churches. Truly an example for all to follow. Well done Reverend Wilkins.

If ever there was a man who followed Christ's example it was Robert E. Lee. This book illustrates such a man. It illustrates the strength of character that men lack in our society today....lacking even in our churches. This book is a must read for all men who are interested to know what a Christian gentleman is. Well done Reverend Wilkins. May Lee's example, which you have illustrated, set an example for others as it has for me and bring glory to God.

I tried reading this book, but then quickly found myself wishing the author would simply get too the point! Because the book consists mostly of anecdotal evidence and many tangents, I ended up skimming most of the book, only reading in-depth the sections where she actually discussed exercises and gave practical advice. It is mostly new-age/alternative medicine kind of thinking and I'm not sure how those with a more scientific or critical mind would take to it. Some ideas and advice the author presents as fact seems fairly silly to me. While there is some good information in this book, you'll have to weed it out from the various stories, quotes and questionable research studies presented to support the author's ideas on charisma. I guess if you find that the exercises work to better you, it doesn't matter how long-winded or far out her explainations are. I would recommend this book, but it does not consist entirely of the practical advice on improving communication and developing charisma that I had hoped it would.

I'm writing this review because I disagree strongly with the review of Darryl Porter, who says that this book is just filled with "silly exercises." He's missed the point entirely. I've had the book for several months now, and though I'm only half-way through it, I reap the benefits of the exercises everyday.

If you're looking for "insight" by just flipping through the pages, as Porter apparently did, you will be sadly disappointed by this book. To really get the full benefit of what this book has to offer, it's not enough to pass judgment on the exercises and call them "silly." Once you give them a try, and apply them to your daily life, the value of this book will become clear. The exercises might make you feel silly--at first. But if you can bring yourself get past that, you'll experience your true charisma beginning to break through.

I think that this was a great book to read. You could learn a thing or two even if you didn't learn anything else throughout the whole book. It has alot of motivational words it has to say and i tried some of the exercises that it suggested. Some seemed strange and odd to do but others seemed like it was a great thing. I adjusted some of the exercises to fit me better.

I think in order to read this book and to fully enjoy it you must come to it with an open mind and to let yourself feel not to shy to try some exercises.

i found this to be a very helpful and readable work. in his preface, mr metzger states that this book was intended primarily for nontheological readers; i think it is valuable to readers on any level. i believe that reading and teaching revelation in a purely literal way robs us of some of the great insights available therein. even if one does not agree with a given person's viewpoint, he/she can learn from the interaction. afterall, we're all on the same side. good job dr. metzger!

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the Book of Revelation, not only as a divinely inspired message to the Church of Jesus Christ filled with words of comfort and beauty, but also (in some circles) as a predictor of the events, sequence and date of the end times.

The mistaken idea that Revelation is a sort of Cook's Tour to the last days of the earth has entered into the popular culture in such a way that the actual portent of the book has been partially or even totally obscured by creative writers.

As a helpful corrective it is always good to ask, "What have Christians for the better part of 2000 years believed about Revelation?"

When we seek for answers, we cannot have a better guide than Bruce Metzger, who is an internationally acclaimed New Testament scholar and who has taught for many years at Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Metzger is also the chairman of the New Revised Standard Version (of the Bible) Translation Committee.

With all of his academic credentials, you might think, "Oh dear this is going to be a dry book." But that is not the case. Dr. Metzger has written a book that is easily understood, targeted not for the professional theologian but rather for the general reader.

While some books about Revelation err on the side of rigid timetables and several quotations from the first chapter may serve to illustrate Dr. Metzger's approach. He says, "The book of Revelation is unique in appealing primarily to our imagination... Many of the details of the pictures are intended to contribute to the total impression, and are not to be isolated and interpreted with wooden literalism." (page 11). Such a statement shows the reader the straightforward and sensible approach Dr. Metzger utilizes throughout the study.

The reader is indebted to Dr. Metzger for insights that help make the Book of Revelation less of a mystery and more of an inspiration. He reminds us that people are represented by animals, that historical events are portrayed in terms of natural phenomena and that colors and numbers have a coded or secret meaning. The key to understanding Revelation comes not only in breaking the code for which all of these things stand, but also, in Dr. Metzger's words, remembering that: "such features in the books should make us wary of turning Revelation into a kind of almanac or time chart of the last days based on the sequence of visions that John experienced." (Page 19). It serves as a corrective, both for those who have avoided Revelation, and for those who focus all of their Biblical attention upon it.

There is a leader's guide in the back of the book which is very helpful to the reader, whether or not the book is being used in a Bible Study Class.

Though short, this book introduces the reader to the dominant interpretation of the book among scholars without using language too complex for the average reader. The book's brevity inevitably limits how much it can convey, but is a good introduction for people to a book which is so commonly misunderstood and poorly taught.

This book can be divided into two main parts. The first half is comprised of short summaries of key events in Winston Churchill's life and political career. These include his adventures during the British/Boer war of South Africa to his more famous role as head of England during WWII.

The second half of the book is a group of short (most being 4 pages long) stories and descriptions of Churchill's perspectives on elements of human life and character. These chapters have titles such as: the Bible, family, loyalty, marriage, death, etc.

For an in-depth biography of this amazing leader, you will need to find another book. But for a short, interesting background on the mind and beliefs of Winston Churchill, this is the perfect buy.

This is a wonderful small book that describles how a man could overcome overwhelming difficulty and oppositions with a firm belief and an exemptional moral courage. In this book you will find Churchill was a fallible, ordinary man who mistakes, but yet achieved extraordinary things despite his limitations. The development of his life shows us how a weak, self-doubted, shy boy to become a strong, energetic, effective leader with nothing but a deep inside guidance to do good. Never give in is the main theme of this book and each chapter reinforces the theme. This is not a "self-help" book that usually tells you how to feel good about yourself. This is a book on character development that takes duty, pain, responsibilities, and more importantly, a deep inside moral guidance. These concepts are quite foreign nowsday and that's what it makes this small standing out.

I found this book to be a superb look at the man and what made him succeed against all odds. This is an inspirational book and I enjoyed it so much that I have re-read it a second time.
Not only is the book full of insightful and moving comments about Churchill but, it gives a deeper perspective on what made him the undaunting leader that he was. The book is short but wonderful. It does have a Christian perspective and I assume that this is why some readers are putting it down. Nevertheless, Churchill's faith was an important part of his life and ultimately why he sensed his destiny. I love this book.

Who hasn't wanted to communicate with God better? Well, I have, and now I am able to after reading this small, delight- ful book by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson. It is not preachy, dull or long. In a short time, you can read the whole book, and find yourself hungry to know what the author is talking about. So you keep on reading it over and over and finally you start to get it! Then you make copies of the Prayer and tape them on your bathroom mirrors to remind you. Then you start praying this prayer every morning and evening. Pretty soon it is in your sub- conscious and you are praying all day long when something comes up. This is so great! What more could you want than to be in touch with your Heavenly Father? Well, so try it!

First, let me say that I found the book, "Prayer of Jabez", very inspiring. So much so that I have read it six times. Using the devotional and the original book, I led a morning bible study for five days that everyone participating enjoyed greatly. Our church in in the midst of using the book for an eight week Sunday night study.

As for the criticism voiced in "Mistake-ridden", I can only say that the Bible Study and Leaders Guide were probably rushed to press without taking necessary time to check out all the references. The Jude reference mentioned is obviously Judges.

All other thoughts aside, it is wonderful to see a Christian book capture the attention of so many readers that it have been on the best seller lists as long as Jabez has. I might add that "Secrets of The Vine" is better than Jabez, and I look for great blessings from it.

This little book was referred to me by a friend. It took about one week before I actually picked it up and began reading it. My life has not been the same. I found myself glued to the book and sharing passages of it with friends. At the time that I purchased the book, it was on sale buy two get one free and I kept one for myself and gave away the others. I recently interviewed with a company and found that the owner was very familiar with the prayer and found myself repeating the prayer with him. I recommend this book to anyone who is in search of a deeper relationship with their creator.

The unabridged version was the first major work dealing with Hitler in the English speaking world. As such it was widely read for years and made compulsory for many university students.

Hitler is not that difficult a person to write a biography of. This can be contrasted with figures such as Stalin who was able to control the materials about his life and manufacture a range of untruths. The defeat of Germany and the discrediting of Nazism meant that little was hidden.

Despite that there are some things which have occurred since this book came out which date it a little. Kershaws recent book on Hitler is thus superior simply because of this but Bullocks work is by no means badly dated.

These are to some extent a matter of emphasis but they include.

(a) Hitler seems to have falsified some aspects of his background. He exaggerated his poverty in Mein Kampf which was the source of Bullers material. (b) Hitlers rise to power depended more on the circumstances around him rather than his own actions. Hitler seemed to be rather lazy (c) During his last years Hitler spent most of his time with military personal. They portrayed him as a man who was the archetypal mad dictator. A good deal of this seems to have been made up to shield military leaders from their own actions.

Despite that Bullers work is readable and comprehensive

Having read several books about the Nazis, I was interested in picking this title up for a couple of reasons. First of all, in William L. Shirer's book "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," Mr. Shirer made a couple of references to Alan Bullock. And second, I couldn't pass up a book written by another of the "Bullock" type (ha ha).

I've got to say this was one of the better written books I've read that concerned the Nazis. He gave detail about the different players in the Nazi Regime (Goring, Goebbels, Himmler, etc) which was nice to finally put some historical information to the infamous people. His vocabulary was sometimes written in simple-man terms, which makes this a good read for people who don't know much about the "Thousand Year Reich."

Another thing Bullock did so well was spanning all of the history of the Third Reich equally throughout the book. Although the ending wasn't quite so extensively written as the beginning or middle, I still felt it was satisfactory.

In conclusion, "Hitler: A Study in Tyranny" is a great book for both beginners that are learning about the Third Reich and people who already know information about the Nazis.

Although Bullock is somewhat detached as an orator, there are condemnations of various people/events which seem unnecessary at times - though considering the material it's forgivable. But chapter seven alone made this a great read for me: Bullock, veering a bit from the historical oratory, apologetically proceeds to dissect Hitler's psyche with a surprising depth. It's one chapter worth reading a few times.