Profit for Life: How Capitalism Excels

Average customer rating:

Review of Profit for Life: How Capitalism Excels by Joseph H. Bragdon

Book Review for Profit for Life: How Capitalism Excels

An Extraordinary Book: A Must Read

Excellent, highly readable information

Profit for Life: How Capitalism Excels
Joseph H. Bragdon
Manufacturer: SoL, the Society for Organizational Learnaing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Learning for Sustainability

Theory U: Leading from the Future as it Emerges

The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter

The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization

The Triple Bottom Line: How Today's Best-Run Companies Are Achieving Economic, Social and Environmental Success -- and How You Can Too

ASIN: 0974239038
Release Date: 2006-10-26

Product Description

Two fundamentally different business models of capitalism are operating in the business world today. One is self-destructive and increasingly corrupt. The other is emergent, flourishing, and inspirational. The author explains the differences between the two and reveals the extraordinary results of the more successful model. Profit for Life draws on nearly forty years of research on the empirical connections between stewardship and profitability.

Customer Reviews:

Review of Profit for Life: How Capitalism Excels by Joseph H. Bragdon.......2007-04-08

Profit for Life shatters the old paradigm that success in business means sucking the life from people and natural resources by viewing both as dispensable commodities. By showing us how success in business--including big business--goes hand-in-hand with respect for human and natural communities, Bragdon frees us from the wrenching misconception that profit and citizenship represent a kind of zero-sum game.

Bragdon unites head and heart in one of the most uplifting books I have ever read. Profit for Life offers hope with a firm footing. I recommend Profit for Life to anyone with an interest in business management, strategic investment, or corporate citizenship.

Daniel D. Dutcher, J.D., Ph.D.
Project Director
The Clean Energy Group
Montpelier, Vermont

Book Review for Profit for Life: How Capitalism Excels.......2007-01-31

Book Review for Profit for Life: How Capitalism Excels
by Ann McGee-Cooper

How do you measure the value of servant leadership in business? How can we know it works? These have been two of the most frequently asked questions in our consulting practice over the past 30 years.

In Profit for Life, Jay Bragdon provides us with some compelling answers. He does this by setting aside much of the linear cause-and-effect thinking that drives business these days, and adopts a more rounded, holistic approach that gives us deeper insight into the firm.

The book is based on the experiences of 60 companies - Bragdon's "learning lab" - that broadly represent the industry/sector diversity of the world economy. Throughout the text he describes 16 of these pioneering companies, called the Focus Group. The distinguishing feature of all these firms is their effort to mimic living systems - in the ways they organize, manage and add value. This mental model is radically different from the traditional one that views the firm as a money making machine.

Although it may seem counter intuitive, the living system approach yields vastly superior results than the traditional one. For example, the average equity return of learning lab companies was nearly double the S&P 500 over the past decade; and their excess performance continues as this review is written. Bragdon expects such premium returns will diminish over time as the more effective methods of the living system model become copied and enter the mainstream. Nevertheless, these results are a strong affirmation of the milieu in which servant leadership normally operates.

Servant leadership, to Bragdon, is all about relationships. He says "relational equity" is the foundation on which companies build financial equity. When companies care about people and the things people care about, Employees become inspired and their inspiration cascades into everything they do, including their relationships with customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders.

The raison d'etre of these servant-led firms is value creation - value that permeates all relationships. Companies that excel at such value creation pursue a strategy Bragdon calls "living asset stewardship" (LAS). The fundamental premise of LAS is: Profit arises from life, and must therefore serve life if it is to be sustainable.

To understand the strategic value of living asset stewardship, Bragdon makes a critical distinction between living assets (people and Nature) and non-living capital assets (buildings, equipment and financial reserves). We see this in three contexts. First, people are closely bonded to Nature - genetically, physically and spiritually - in ways that capital assets are not. Second, living assets are the source of non-living capital assets. And third, because living assets are inherently creative and emergent, their value grows over time rather than depreciating as capital assets do.

The operating leverage in the learning lab and the 16 Focus Group companies resides in the human heart rather than in mechanistic financial gearing. This is supported by the fact that they generate consistently higher returns on equity while carrying substantially lower debt ratios.

Although traditionally managed companies have been adopting some stewardship practices in the past decade, Bragdon finds their approach differs fundamentally from those in his study. In the mechanistic view of these firms, stewardship is an add-on that is subservient to their drive for profit. By contrast, in companies that have adopted the living system model, LAS is deeply woven into the value creation process - reflecting the fact that they see themselves as "living" and therefore integral to, rather than separate from, Nature and society.

Profit for Life builds on the brilliant work of Arie deGeus, former coordinator of Group Planning at Royal Dutch/Shell, and Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson. DeGeus' classic, The Living Company, noted that long-lived companies had a collective consciousness, were sensitive to their environments, tried to work in harmony with the world around them, and strove to leave a legacy to future generations. Wilson tells us this collective consciousness is an expression of humanity's deep affinity for life, which he calls "biophilia," and that our biophilic instincts have evolved over thousands of generations of natural selection.

In my work as a teacher of servant leadership, I would highlight the paradigm shift Bragdon describes. The mission of leaders in LAS organizations is to serve and grow their people because that is the source of the firm's liveliness and capacity for growth. As Robert K. Greenleaf said: "The first order of business is to build a group of people who, under the influence of the institution, grow taller and become healthier, stronger and more autonomous." That seminal quote is used twice in the book to describe the power and generative capacity of LAS.

I highly recommend this book and will be using it regularly in our practice.

Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D., Business Consultant & Executive coach
in the field of Servant Leadership & growing Learning Organization.
Ann McGee-Cooper & Associates, Inc.

An Extraordinary Book: A Must Read.......2006-11-26

I intend to recommend Profit for Life to all my current MBA students. Next fall I am team teaching an MBA core course that combines Operations Management and Managerial Accounting. I intend to make the case that your book should be required reading and part of the course.

I became familiar with the work of W. Edwards Deming in 1990 and attended one of his four day seminars a year later. I also began to follow Peter Senge's work and later read Margaret Wheatley's book, Leadership and the New Science. Tom Johnson's book, Profit Beyond Measure, has been required reading in my Advanced Managerial Accounting elective at the MBA level.

Bragdon's book has brought the ideas, theories, and concepts discussed by these individuals together for me in a way that I could not have imagined. More importantly, he has not only taken their ideas to the next level, but done it in a way that provides a tangible blue print for how to change our current style of command and control management with its focus on profit maximization to a LAS Theory of Management.

The use of the sixteen focus companies from the LAMP INDEX and the author's ability ability to clearly show the distinctions in their style of management from the traditional management models that continue to be taught in almost all business schools, and the success these companies have achieved not just financially, gives those of us hoping to change management education and core business curriculums a new hope.

Thank you for such an outstanding book.

Joseph F. Castellano
Professor, Department of Accounting
University of Dayton Business School

Excellent, highly readable information.......2006-11-18

This is not one of those lightweight business books that repeats its Chapter 1 message over and over. It's chock full of research-based information that anyone involved in the sustainability movement should have. The publisher is Peter Senge's non-profit, so if you're familiar with his excellent work over the years, this would make a great addition to your library. The author's passion for his subject is obvious from page one.

All-Audio German: Compact Disc Program (LL(R) All-Audio Courses)

Average customer rating:

Perfect for advanced beginners
So Far I'm Impressed
Good starter tapes!
It Works! Slow But Sure!
Just OK

All-Audio German: Compact Disc Program (LL(R) All-Audio Courses)
Living Language
Manufacturer: Living Language
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0609811266
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Book Description

Speak German Fluently with the Most Complete, Up-to-date All-Audio Course Available

LEARN GERMAN ON THE GO–LEARN ANYWHERE
If you have trouble finding time to fit in language lessons, All-Audio German is the perfect solution. Developed by the experts at Living Language®, this program is designed for people on the move. You can learn German as you drive, work around the house, or exercise at the gym.

SHORT, EASY-TO-FOLLOW LESSONS–NO READING REQUIRED
An English-speaking narrator guides you through 35 short lessons–just listen and repeat after native German speakers.

VOCABULARY–GRAMMAR–DIALOGUES–CULTURE
Begin with vocabulary and grammar basics before hearing a lively dialogue that includes the most current German idioms and usage. Interactive exercises reinforce what you’ve learned. You’ll also learn some intriguing facts about German customs and culture.

HANDY LISTENER’S GUIDE
No reading required, but our newly expanded 112-page listener’s guide is a handy visual reference for spelling and text of all the dialogues. The guide also provides a brief grammar summary and a glossary of grammatical terms.

Includes:
·6 compact discs
·Listener’s guide

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for advanced beginners.......2006-11-03

For those new to learning German, this program may move too fast to fully understand the content (especially CD 2 onwards), however it would be recommended to sit down with the handbook and move through the exercises in accordance with the CD to gain a fuller understanding. The content is great and covers various important areas of the German language (especially situations that may arise when travelling in a German speaking country). Therefore great as a 'do-at-home' resource but too intense for the car.

So Far I'm Impressed.......2006-03-20

My German is very rusty. I'm not a beginner but chose to start at disc 1. The pace is good, the lessons varied and its not too tedious. Grammar is covered but in such a way that its not overbearing. I wish there were a few more drills at each section but I realize they can't do everything. I've only finished 2 discs and for me while there is much that is already familiar, there is still enough new to keep me interested.

Be careful and check your package. My original set came with 6 CDs but I had discs 1-3 twice (4-6 were missing). This was replaced no problem, but I'm glad I discovered it up front, not when I needed disk 4!

Good starter tapes!.......2002-07-06

This was pretty good, listened to it in my car for a few weeks before I went to Germany for my first visit. It is an easier way to learn. Just pop it in and learn. Won't make you an expert, but very helpful.

It Works! Slow But Sure!.......2002-05-26

I listen only when I drive, but it works. I didn't try to understand everything at once, but more to first understand the dialogues which were entertaining. Each time I replayed I heard things (grammar points etc.) I hadn't noticed before. At first I understood such points only in the context of the specific lesson. After going back to the CD's after a break of a few months, I realized that I was now understanding the grammar in a general sense and cross-referencing automatically with other lessons.
I have studied French and Russian quite thoroughly in the past and recognize from those experiences that my German has progressed to a quite practical level, i.e. I could now say most things I want to say in German, although badly and with odd construction based on my limited vocabulary.
I am happy to have reached a practical stage through "all audio" and believe that the use of real conversation and pleasant speakers makes it not unpleasant or hard work to play the CD's over and over.
I have now purchased a more advanced German audio course and credit "all audio" with the progress I have made to reach that next stage.

Just OK.......2001-08-25

I was disappointed by this CD set. For the most part there is no apparent method to the madness. You are given a random english word or phrase and the german translation. Most of the time with no to give you time to repeat the phrase in german. Some sections have a little order. It takes you through days of the week, counting, months. And all of the information was accurate. But overall it seems like I was listening to an audio english to german dictionary. I would recommend checking out Pimsleur's language program. It is a much better program...though much more expensive. Cheers.

All-Audio Spanish: Compact Disc Program (LL(R) All-Audio Courses)

Average customer rating:

Not really for beginners
An Amazing Deal for the Price!

All-Audio Spanish: Compact Disc Program (LL(R) All-Audio Courses)
Living Language
Manufacturer: Living Language
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

Nonfiction | Books on CD | Formats | Books

General | Books on CD | Formats | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0609811304
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Book Description

Speak Spanish Fluently with the Most Complete, Up-to-date All-Audio Course Available

LEARN SPANISH ON THE GO–LEARN ANYWHERE
If you have trouble finding time to fit in language lessons, All-Audio Spanish is the perfect solution. Developed by the experts at Living Language®, this program is designed for people on the move. You can learn Spanish as you drive, work around the house, or exercise at the gym.

SHORT, EASY-TO-FOLLOW LESSONS–NO READING REQUIRED
An English-speaking narrator guides you through 35 short lessons–just listen and repeat after native Spanish speakers.

VOCABULARY–GRAMMAR–DIALOGUES–CULTURE
Begin with vocabulary and grammar basics before hearing a lively dialogue that includes the most current Spanish idioms and usage. Interactive exercises reinforce what you’ve learned. You’ll also learn some intriguing facts about Spanish customs and culture.

HANDY LISTENER’S GUIDE
No reading required, but our newly expanded 112-page listener’s guide is a handy visual reference for spelling and text of all the dialogues. The guide also provides a brief grammar summary and a glossary of grammatical terms.

Includes:
·6 compact discs
·Listener’s guide

Customer Reviews:

Not really for beginners.......2007-02-05

This CD won't help much if you really are a beginner. I find it reasonably helpful, but only because I have done about 12 months of courses and am using it for revision.
One irritant is some of the questions and answers they teach you. Things like:
How much do you earn? I earn a large salary.
Very bizarre. A bit too American for most people's tastes.

An Amazing Deal for the Price!.......2004-03-19

This is a really comprehensive CD set - 6 cd's that take you from the basics to almost an intermediate level. Native speakers, clear concise dialogue, interesting cultural facts, VERB CONGUGATIONS (!) and enough time for you to listen and repeat after the prompts (eschuca et responde!)- I was pleasantly surprised! There is a little book with this set, although it does not cover all the 'dialogues' or lessons, it gives you just enough of the right information to see you through the next lesson. I have already recommended this to several friends! Just got through the 1st cd and I already feel more confident speaking!!

Holy Bible: New Living Translation, Durable Bonded Leather Tutone, Brown-brown, Compact,

Average customer rating:

Excellent Bible
Very nice
Great value for quality

Holy Bible: New Living Translation, Durable Bonded Leather Tutone, Brown-brown, Compact,

Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1414309708

Book Description

This is the perfect Bible for either gift giving or personal use at a very inexpensive price. Now available in new fashionable TuTone designs.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Bible.......2007-03-24

This is a great Bible. I love this translation because it's very readable and it just seems to connect with me better when I'm reading for myself. I wouldn't reccomend this for hard study, but that's not the reason I gave it four stars. I understood that this Bible is a paraphrase and is made specifically for readability and not for in depth study. The reason that I gave it four stars was because it is so small. Yes, I read that it was a compact Bible, but I didn't read the dimensions of it. I expected something about the same size as a gift bible, about 12 in. tall and 8 in. wide. Contrary from what the picture led me to think, is indeed a pocket bible; it fits into my pocket easily. So, if you have reading problems, this is probably not the Bible for you, but if you're able and just want a small, readable bible to carry around, this one is great.

Very nice.......2006-11-10

I have two copies of the NLT Bible already but this one was of interest to me because it was small in size and easy to carry around. When it arrived, I was very pleased in the quality. The price was low and I was not expecting this level of quality. I decided to give it as a gift to a friend. If you want a small and very portable NLT Bible, this is a good choice. Be warned, as with all small Bibles, the print is small! Don't expect to get LARGE PRINT in a small package. This one contains the Old and New Testaments.

Great value for quality.......2006-08-31

Beautiful edition of the NLT in a (big) pocketsize for taking with you. Make sure you have your reading glasses!

The One Year Bible: New Living Translation, Compact Edition

Average customer rating:

THE WORD - TRAVEL SIZED
Cherryville, NC
Compact = Small Print
A great tool to keep me in the word of God every day
Perfect size for study on the go!

The One Year Bible: New Living Translation, Compact Edition
Tyndale House Publishers
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1414302525

Book Description

The best-selling One Year Bible, which helps customers read the entire Bible in as little as 15 minutes a day, has been updated in a new look and comes in both portable compact size and full size. The One Year Bible divides God's Word into daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, creating an achievable, unforgettable devotional experience.

Customer Reviews:

THE WORD - TRAVEL SIZED .......2007-07-03

Our pastor asked us to read the One Year Bible. This year I decided to commit to something and stick with it. (I need all the help I can get). And I need easy. So I purchased the compact paperback NLT One Year Bible to carry/read/review during my everyday activities. I am so glad I did! It is small, but is not so small where I can easily misplace it. Fits into most of my everyday handbags. The print is a little small, but it is an excellent purchase. Highly recommended!

Cherryville, NC.......2007-03-08

I have really enjoyed this Bible as well as my family has. Would recomend it highly.

Compact = Small Print.......2007-01-25

The version is what I wanted. I am disappointed that the compact edition is small print - I didn't realize that it was, or I would have ordered the large print. I am enjoying reading anyway (although a magnifying glass is helpful)!

A great tool to keep me in the word of God every day.......2007-01-12

Two years ago I received this little gem as a birthday gift. I wasn't real keen on the NLT to be honest with you. They make some really good translations that open the text up, but they also make some really BAD translations of the original text (Image becomes Statue...).

That said, I decided I would give it a try. I learned after only a month that I was assimilating some of the text in a way I had never done before. Sometimes the NLT caused me to pause and check with my NKJV and my NIV to see how it compared. I felt it was making me a better Bible student.

The size of the Compact version makes it very portable. I take it with me every day to read at lunch or at home or work. Because you get an OT and NT with a Psalm and Prov every day, you begin to see how the Bible fits together, and how relevant it is to our daily life.

My summary is that it is a great tool to keep me in the word of God every day, and to direct my prayers. I have been through it (almost) twice and have no regrets that I took a chance on the Compact, NLT translation.

BTW - The Leather version isn't really leather. It is a hardback cover with a material they call "Leatherlike" over it. Still looks nice, but it isn't a leather cover like I wanted.

Perfect size for study on the go!.......2006-12-28

Picked up this item for my best friend who is always running to her next stop. The cover is beautiful and the size is perfect for keeping in you purse or car. She will be reading it on her "down time" which is rare so it needs to be handy. Only reason for 4 stars is the tiny size of the print which comes with the handy size.
GIFT SUGGESTION: You may want to think about getting one each for a group of friends. I got this one for her and a larger version for me and it's nice to know we will be studying "together" no matter where we are!

Compact Bible: New Living Translation, Burgundy, Black Leather, Promo Edition

Average customer rating:

Good shipping good product
Great translation for young people
Compact / Pocket NLT Bible

Compact Bible: New Living Translation, Burgundy, Black Leather, Promo Edition
Tyndale House Publishers
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1414301723

Book Description

The NLT Compact Bible offers great features such as bonded leather, a ribbon marker, gilded edges, red letter, and more at an incredible price. Its compact size and bonded leather binding make it a great companion Bible. The sale price makes it a great gift Bible.

Customer Reviews:

Good shipping good product.......2007-05-12

Very satisfied with Amazon purchasing, this bible is compact, fonts is too small for poor eyesight.

Great translation for young people.......2007-01-03

My husband and I purchased this bible for one of the junior high youth at our church who is a new believer. The translation is easy for him to digest. The lack of commentary keeps it clean and focused on God revealing His Word to the youth, rather than someone else's perspective. (Not that commentary is bad, I do find great value in commentary.) I would recommend this bible to anyone who does not own a NLT bible.

Compact / Pocket NLT Bible.......2005-09-19

Great cover! The black / brown leatherlike cover gives this bible a classy and yet modern touch. It's presented in an everday easy to read and understandable version - NLT. I find the text a little bit small, but its expected on a bible this small (6.5" x 4.25" x .75").

Average customer rating:

Lots of structural solutions
read ALL of the reviews
Title should be "Compact living... on a limitless renovation budget."
Lives up to its title And very useful
Too technical . . . but fares ok in designing

Compact Living
Jane Graining
Manufacturer: Soma Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000KEHMAC

Book Description

If only I had an extra bedroom...bigger closets...a larger kitchen...more storage! We all want more space, but frankly, the size of our home is restricted by what we can afford. And what people can afford these days is getting smaller and smaller.

Compact Living lets you expand your space without moving. Room by room, this book reveals how to achieve stylish results on any budget. It contains over 300 color photographs of real homes designed by architects who bring verve and style to tiny areas.

Urban dwellers, who often live in closets called "apartments," will appreciate advice on how to best utilize wall and floor space, lighting, and color. Problem areas can be transformed by planning inventively, cheating perspective, and playing with new technology. The book also includes unusual diminutive country homes, and sheds and beach huts that have been transformed into vacation homes, home offices, or playrooms.

The simplicity of a tiny home really can be an advantage, and Compact Living shines as an inspiring guide to the possibilities of a small space.

Customer Reviews:

Lots of structural solutions.......2007-05-31

Many cool examples of small homes with sound advice on how to maximize your space--if you can make structural adjustments to your home. Almost all the rooms feature new contemporary furnishings and therefore might be better suited for people with a chunk of change to spend. Although I like this book to some extent it doesn't fit my needs as a renter.

read ALL of the reviews.......2007-01-24

Whether they found the book helpful or not, what the other reviewers have to say is true. Graining's remedies for compact living are expensive, professionally designed, and professionally installed . The materials are cutting-edge and the taste is ultra-modern.
But there are some truly innovative solutions for living in a small space (which may inspire you to get creative about your own space). And some basic and practical ideas are sprinkled throughout.

What makes this a 5 star book for me, however, is that it includes something the others don't: FLOORPLANS. There are illustrations of the entire layout, including furniture placement and photos of every room in the house. While these apartments may not resemble anything like your own home, getting to see the individual rooms and how they fit together in the whole space to form a cohesive design IS useful. I've seen some of the photos in this book in other design books (as an isolated room, photographed from one angle). Being able to see how they work with the rest of the space and flow with adjoining rooms is immeasurably helpful.

Title should be "Compact living... on a limitless renovation budget.".......2006-03-22

Title should be "Compact living... on a limitless renovation budget."

Everything is designer showroom-perfect on these pages, like an Ikea or Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel catalog.

However the spaces lack human reality, such as quirky collections or individualized space needs or child friendly design. You don't even meet the inhabitants.

Yes, invest in built in cabinets and fold away stair cases if you own and have the money. Again, these options are unattainable for many struggling to pay the mortgage or are renting.

A much better book is Bartolucci's "1000 sqft or less." That features real people with real budgets.

I wanted real advice, not catalog advertisements for perfect unattainable ideal design. I was disappointed. But perhaps idealism and extravagance, not realism and cash poor budgets are what most readers want... Hence the popularity of ARchitectural Digest, and why I am so turned off by such mags.

Lives up to its title And very useful.......2006-02-15

As someone who is designing a new place that I want to make small but open, as well as environmentally friendly and energy efficient I found this book a good reference book for those of us wanting to build on a small lot in the most cost effective as well as land efficient way.

Loved how on page 79 she shows how structural pillars in a bedroom area act as both a full height headboard with a full height mirror panel which makes a small room seem vastly bigger and brighter. Its the use of these overlooked areas like pillars that often are sheet rocked enclosed, but instead are used to make the bed work better as well.

Or all the examples of spaces between studs in all rooms that can be designed to hold CD's. books, cooking items, files etc. All discretely as well. O of my favorite bathrooms is featured beginning on page 90 where clean space lives up to its name. Loved this example so much I am making it my own.

Too technical . . . but fares ok in designing.......2005-08-12

Compact living reads like a college text . . . you'd rather be doing something else but know you've got to read it to pass the class. That's how I see this book. It wasn't one that grabbed my attention from the beginning (a main criteria for me with books) but sticking with it unto the 32nd page (The Living section) made it worth the purchase. It gives great information such as the use of pattern in painting - it eats up visual space quite greedily. Also, on creating space - think in threes (redecoration, reorganization, and lightning). But I would have loved to see more real-life examples, less wording and more practicality. If you're a new apartment owner, I'll recommend "First Home with Style," it's perhaps the best home design book I've bought so far.

Modern Retro: Living With Mid-Century Modern Style (Compact Paperbacks)

Average customer rating:

Modern Retro: Living With Mid-Century Modern Style (Compact Paperbacks)
Neil Bingham , and Andrew Weaving
Manufacturer: Ryland Peters & Small
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Decoration & Ornament | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1841728675

Book Description

"Modern Retro" will inspire you to combine modern classics by names such as Eames, Jacobson, and Aalto, with flea-market finds and contemporary designs. The book begins with an introduction to key design innovations of the mid-twentietn century. Ingredients of the Retro Look explores the elements of the style: furniture, lighting, textiles and rugs, ceramics, and glass. Creating the Retro Look, the third part of the book, shows how to combine these elements to create a stylish home. -This bestselling title sold over 65,000 copies in hardcover. -By mid-century experts Neil Bingham and Andrew Weaving.

All-Audio Italian: Compact Disc Program (LL(R) All-Audio Courses)

Average customer rating:

Not a great learning tool
Very impressed
I really enjoyed it
Excellent value for use in car or on treadmill.
A great way to learn conversational Italian in your car.

All-Audio Italian: Compact Disc Program (LL(R) All-Audio Courses)
Living Language
Manufacturer: Living Language
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

Nonfiction | Books on CD | Formats | Books

General | Books on CD | Formats | Books
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ASIN: 0609811282
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Book Description

Speak Italian Fluently with the Most Complete, Up-to-date All-Audio Course Available

LEARN ITALIAN ON THE GO–LEARN ANYWHERE
If you have trouble finding time to fit in language lessons, All-Audio Italian is the perfect solution. Developed by the experts at Living Language®, this program is designed for people on the move. You can learn Italian as you drive, work around the house, or exercise at the gym.

SHORT, EASY-TO-FOLLOW LESSONS–NO READING REQUIRED
An English-speaking narrator guides you through 35 short lessons–just listen and repeat after native Italian speakers.

VOCABULARY–GRAMMAR–DIALOGUES–CULTURE
Begin with vocabulary and grammar basics before hearing a lively dialogue that includes the most current Italian idioms and usage. Interactive exercises reinforce what you’ve learned. You’ll also learn some intriguing facts about Italian customs and culture.

HANDY LISTENER’S GUIDE
No reading required, but our newly expanded 112-page listener’s guide is a handy visual reference for spelling and text of all the dialogues. The guide also provides a brief grammar summary and a glossary of grammatical terms.

Includes:
·6 compact discs
·Listener’s guide

Customer Reviews:

Not a great learning tool.......2007-02-22

the italian responses are too fast and are only stated once. I was continually hitting rewind. I found the Mark A. Frobose tapes much more helpful.

Very impressed.......2005-05-18

I found this program very useful. I've been studying Italian on my own on and off, so I'm not a complete newbee. However, last time I picked up a course book/took a class was 3 years ago. I don't have time to read books, so I needed something I could do in the car, and this program is perfect for that!!! They start with really basic vocab and grammar and provide words and phrases for various situations. The speakers are easy to understand. They give you plenty of time to repeat phrases/words after them. Explanations are very understandable. They don't "bombard" you with a lot of new words at a time. The vocab in the dialogues and excercises is always explained first (i.e., they don't suddenly use new words). They even give cultural tips and info. The best thing - you don't have to read anything!!!

I really enjoyed it.......2005-01-25

I have been listening to these CDs every morning and night on my commute, and it's been amazing how quickly I'm grasping Italian. It takes a certain amount of concentration, and you have to review the little handbook to figure out some of the words and phrases that the Italian speakers are saying on the CD, but before you know it, you start to figure it out. I'm amazed now how well I understand some of the earlier lessons when I go back and listen to them. With some commitment, this program can really teach you to speak.

Excellent value for use in car or on treadmill........1999-07-01

What I like about this is that it presents materials and then prompts in English for the learner to translate to the target language. The quality of sounds is good enough to listen to on a treadmill while jogging. (I wish though that there were a slightly longer pause between the prompt and the response.)

A great way to learn conversational Italian in your car........1999-01-30

Logically organized (for tourists) with a consistent lesson-to-lesson format which includes essential grammar, listening to, then practice in pronunciation. Very useful vocabulary included. Helpful cultural/custom tidbits add to its practical value and help to keep it interesting. Doesn't "bog down". If you are a visual learner, you'll need some other companion workbook or text because, except for a small, relatively useless pamphlet, it's true to its title "All-Audio Italian". Get a dictionary, too. Molto buono.

Holy Bible: New Living Translation, Tutone Pink-Brown Leather, Compact, Promotional

Average customer rating:

it rocks

Holy Bible: New Living Translation, Tutone Pink-Brown Leather, Compact, Promotional
Tyndale House Publishers
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1414309716

Book Description

This is the perfect Bible for either gift giving or personal use at a very inexpensive price. Now available in new fashionable TuTone designs.

Customer Reviews:

it rocks.......2007-02-07

This bible is a great take-around bible. I highly recommend the NLT because it's so understandable. it got me saved because i could finally understand it! This bible in particular is super-cute, actually real leather-bound and could fit in most purses. It also seems to be bound really well (which i cant really say for the larger tu-tone version : ( (mine is falling apart)
typeface is a bit small, i think that's the only downfall. I bought one for my sis, and i think i may buy another one for myself. U cant beat the price either!

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