Strategy

Schell takes the most compelling subject imaginable -- the very real possiblity of nuclear annihilation -- and puts it into gripping, passionate prose. Anyone with a concern for the human race should read Schell's account of the effect of nuclear weapons on nature and civilization. And anyone afraid of being humbled or disturbed needs Schell's reality check all the more.

This book attempts to conceptualize the idea of a full scale nuclear exchange between the cold war superpowers, since the idea itself is now "unthinkable". To explore this lack of understanding the author first explains in detail the immediate and long lasting effects of full scale nuclear war. Then, he comments on the situation, making a bid for sanity in an insane situation. The author believes that self-destruction and even planetary destruction "is not something that we will pose one day in the future... it is here now" (182). Schell believes that only a fundamental change in the belief system of the people of the entire planet can erase the danger currently hanging over the world; no amount of arms limitation or reduction will end the threat of total annihilation.

MLR Smith did an extrodinary job of portaying the military history of the IRA. He explicates the Anglo-Irish Treatry and implores the pragmatic achievments of Michael Collins. From the Civil War and hencforth, Smith examines the lapse of political ends in the IRA or the irregulars. He compares the fallacies in the bombing campaigns throughout the fifties to the philiosophies on Von Clausewitz' "On War." Never were there any political motives in the campaigns led by Sean Russel. Furthermore, One cannot expect to be victorius in limited warfare in Northern Ireland where the Protestants make up two-thirds of the population. An excellent military analysis of the IRA. Recommended to all readers.

An interesting, dispassionate analysis of IRA strategy from 1969 onwards. Smith is not concerned with moralizing, and takes no position on the justness of the IRA's campaign. Rather, he looks at the methods and strategy of the IRA and how well they have (or haven't) advanced the IRA's interests. He doesn't seem to consider the IRA's goal of a united and free Ireland as realistic, and continually evaluates the IRA's position in the most pragmatic terms possible. This can be somewhat off-putting for someone wrapped up in the principles of Irish Republicanism, but it is thought provoking and these are probably the kind of arguments that were used to bring the IRA's campaign to an end by pragmatists within it and within its political allies in Sinn Fein. For this reason it is a valuable book for Irish Republican supporters to read.

For people not very familiar with the struggle in the north of Ireland, this book is probably not the best place to start. I would suggest reading a broader and more general history first, such as "The IRA" by Tim Pat Coogan, which is excellent for those with no previous knowledge of the subject (and even for those of us who do have some). Then come back to this book.

Often we believe we must keep on waiting until we accumulate a large amount of coin before we can invest. However, Chuck dispells that notion and shows you can start with as little as $5 a day (or 150 dollars a month) and he emphasizes small consistent starts. Remember most successful people had to start somewhere, most people didn't inherit their wealth, you must earn it; Chuck shows you the tools. I suggest you read the book more than once, have work book and plan things. Perhaps, you should open a separate bank account so you can put the 150 per month that won't be touched, but make sure you have an emergency fund somewhere so you won't be tempted to dip into that investment fund.

I have read Financial Freedom and the Wealthy Barber in the last few weeks. Financial Freedom was great, straightforward, and focussed. Meant for the small investor, he assumes you are starting with no savings or knowledge of investing. The message is: for $5 a day and an hour per month you can retire very well.

I was excited about saving when I finished this book. He explains why mutual funds are the vehicles of choice, gives detailed information on which funds to investigate further, including telephone numbers and addresses for companies in both the US and Canada.

He also offers a few strategies to use with mutual funds to maximize returns in up and down markets. It was so good I have convinced my book club to read it for our next book.

By the way, I am saving $5 a day. You will too.

Who would have thought that "Financial Strategies for Today's Widow" would be a book I'd enjoy reading? I'd picked up a copy for a friend, and - curious - began to page through it... Eminently readable, the book surprised me with its great stories, and excellent advice.

All true, the stories in the book are poignant, eye-opening and presented in such a way that I truly didn't feel as though I was reading a self-help book. And yet all the lessons were clear. I'd imagine that everyone could benefit from reading "Financial Strategies for Today's Widow," but that the women for whom the book is written will especially appreciate it. The key thing is - not only is it important for women to have this information available to them - it has to be readable. And this book is, quite literally, hard to put down. A quality rarely found in arid self-help books these days.

I'd originally intended to give this book to a friend who *is* a widow, but I kept reading - till I'd gone cover to cover. There's so much information in here that I'm keeping it for myself even though I don't fit the title's market. But I do promise to pick up a pristine copy for my friend.

The second hardest day of my life came less than a month ago, when one of the best friends I've ever had --or ever will-- died suddenly at age 34. But the hardest came two days later, when I arrived at his wake and attempted to offer condolences to his widow, a lovely woman whose eyes were now far too aged for a woman of her years.

"What do I do now?" she asked, though I know now she was probably not addressing me. "What can I do now?"

I had no answer to give her. At the time, I believed that perhaps no one did.

But that was before I discovered David Latko's new book, FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR TODAY'S WIDOW. It's a book that should be given to every woman, regardless of age or situation, who faces the lose of her spouse.

Latko provides an effective (and better: a workable) life-plan for the modern widow, layout out an easy-to-understand framework on which to build ongoing financial security. But almost as importantly, he does so through the true stories told by women who have experienced the same devastating loss that the intended reader is facing. Seldom have I been so moved by the words of any book-- but never have I been so touched by a book from the financial or self-help genres.

Of particular note was the chapter that told the story of the Mortons. Husband Bill comes to visit Latko shortly after being informed of his impending death. The way the Mortons work through the end-stage planning --both financial and that of personal leave-taking-- is something every married couple should experience.

This is no dry, dogmatic "how-to" advice book. Latko is obviously a skilled storyteller as well as a financial expert who knows his business. And just as obviously, he is a man who cares.

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR TODAY'S WIDOW is the perfect book to give every widow, and every woman-- be it wife, mother or friend. I've just sent my copy to my deceased friend's widow, and I'm ordering another copy today.

--AT, San Francisco

After reading Koch's "80/20 Principle", I was convinced that he's a mind of his own. His non-conform thinking and writing is extraordinary. Had I only read this book on Strategy before entering my MBA, business school life would have been much easier. Koch's book on strategy is a foundation book, covering the crucial basics for "understanding" business strategy (roughly 80%). It helps espcially the student of strategy not to get (too) confused by providing basic understanding what business stratetgy is all about. The chapters:

INTRODUCTION Koch states wonderfully the use and abuse of strategy and the swings in strategic thinking.

BUSINESS UNIT STRATEGY A do-it-yourself guide with excellent examples.

CORPORATE STRATEGY Very critical Mr Koch argues about the value creation of corporate strategy.

STRATEGIC THINKERS A guide to some of the most useful and important 40 strategic thinkers and their ideas.

STRATEGIC CONCEPTS, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES An A-Z glossary. The key words (or rather Consulting & MBA buzzwords)used in the world of strategy.

STRATEGIC SHIFTS IN THE 21 CENTURY Forward lookin Koch claims that the tools of strategy are particular valuable for understanding and exploiting shifts of increasing returns, networks, and the net in our new century.

Are you a MBA student? Management scholar? If yes, then this book is definitely for you. The book is not meant for everyday management decision makers because it lacks practical insight. But the theory side is excellent. The author of renown "80/20 principles" has written a good outline of strategic management theories through decades as well as about the latest developments in this area. In the introductory part he gives an overview about overall theoretical background of the subject starting from the teachings of Igor Ansoff. In the first part of the analysis goes mainly around book business unit strategy drawing parallels to BCS-s and Porter's positioning methodology. In the second part the attention is given to various possibilities of corporate strategy. The third part gives an alphabetic overview of all the main strategic thinkers. The fourth part speaks about main concepts, methodologies and techniques used in strategic planning process. The final fifth chapter tries to predict the future of the strategic planning by analysing the latest developments in this area.

This was the first activity guide I purchased after graduating from OT school and it remains a mainstay of my professional library. The author covers it all and does an excellent job. The book provides excellent reproducible pages. If you're new to school-based OT buy this book if you don't buy any others. It's one of the best values out there. Consider the CD rom version. I wish I had it.

This book is actually a huge three ring binder, filled with reproducible pages to provide to parents or teachers. It is organized into 15 skill areas such as muscle tone or forearm, hand and finger control. Then those areas are broken down further and include handouts for home and school listing both remediating activities and possible adaptations/compensations. Each skill area also has an explanation of what it is in laypersons terms, and what functional problems a child might have if they are delayed in that area.

I rely heavily on these sheets for home programs during the school year and over summer. There is ample room to add your own ideas to each handout.

I have received lots of positive feedback from both parents and teachers, on how easy the handouts were to follow and how well it explained the skill area for them.

Honestly worth every penny it costs!

Clayton (see below) is a friend and classmate of mine so I also bought this book on his recommendation. What a superb resource for taking the Baby Bar! I would highly recommend you get this book, and condense the introduction down to about five or six strategies to use while taking the test.

I used the Finz book to prepare myself for the California First Year Law Students' Exam (FYLSX, commonly known as the 'baby bar') and benefited much! I scored an 89% on the MBE portion of the test, which gave me an A on the exam. While I only used the book last year for Torts, Contracts, and Criminal law, Finz Multistate Method includes questions on Property, Constitutional Law, and Professional Responsibility for the bar candidate. Steve has some great tips for approaching MBE questions, and writes in an entertaining and logical manner. I highly recommend this book!

A very concise how-to book on strategic planning for today's fire department whether it is volunteer or paid. Step by step plans as well as forms and other useful information to use. Very helpful for first time strategic planners as well as those updating their plans.

More often than not, we look to business and industry for answers to fire service problems. Most business strategic planning models have limited application to our profession. Mark Wallace has developed a fire department specific model that provides an excellent template in identifying medium and long range strategic planning issues. I have read this text and highly recomment it to the proactive planners of the future.

I would give this book 6 stars if I could. This is the best resource for helping prospective firefighters pass the written test.

The written test used to strike fear into my bones. I began using Barron's book and found myself understanding the content more. This book covers every aspect of the written test in great depth. I used this book with two others and found this to be superior, by far. There are 7 sample tests included in this book and they are all very helpful. The book also walks the reader through the form of the written test and how to prepare for it. I strongly recommend using this book with at least one other. That way you can get the most of the sample tests that each of these books offer.

All the major areas of Fire Department written examinations are thoroughly presented in a clear and easy to understant method. Skills that you'll need on the test are mentioned, study techniques, sample questions, hints, and score percentage meanings. Some of the memory passages were long and just like what many departments use. The mathematic portion is excellent, though if you're our of the loop it'll take a little time before you get it fully.

After using this book for about a month, on a steady basis, I scored 85% on my first written exam.

This is an excellent selection for an aspiring firefighter. The book gives sample tests to test your skills and also will improve your skills in idle areas. My favorite part of the book is the sample test because after taking and grading the test I would know where I stand. And anything I had trouble on I could study up on. It also provides great information on the physical exam and essential guidlines for the content of the physical exam. It will let you train for the specific area's and concentrate on certain criteria. Overall this is an excellent book that will make your chances of becoming a paid firefighter greater.

Terrific book composed with attention to detail. Extremely informative from beginning to end. Excellent reference book and teaching tool addressing every facet of the Fire Service. Another excellent written contribution to the Fire Service by Co-author, Chief Gregory C.Berk.

Greg Berk does an excellent job of portraying the classroom skills of firefighting into this book. He is an excellent firefighter and is an excellent chief officer. I highly recommend this book to new firefighters.