Amazon.com
Martha Stewart's new home reference book is a must-have for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it's gorgeous. Printed on thick, glossy pages covered with subtle sepia photos and that perfect Martha-blue as an accent color, Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook is a pretty and practical package for everyone: "all mothers and daughters, fathers and sons who have a room, an apartment, or a home to care for." Stewart's exhaustive handbook features a handy "how to use this book" introduction; a room by room guide with weekly, monthly, and seasonal checklists; tips for cleaning, creating a comfortable and safe home, and moving; and a guide for identifying and caring for materials in your home. Curious? Take a look at some excerpts below. You'll be sweeping and shelving your way to a happier home in no time. --Daphne Durham
How to Use This Book: An Excerpt
When the first issue of Martha Stewart Living was published in 1990, I could not have begun to anticipate how wide-ranging our readers' homekeeping concerns would be. Since then, we have discovered new solutions to age-old problems, brought in experts to advise us on very specific questions about very specific?c concerns, and experimented with all the new (and not so new) home-care products. Over the years, I've brought these lessons home with me, too, which has made me more organized and made my homes better cared for and maintained.
Households are busy places, works in progress where there is always something needing immediate attention and always something more that can be done. With that in mind, I have organized this book to address the tasks at hand and also to address the "more that can be done" for when you have the time and the inclination go beyond the essentials.
It starts with the big picture--an examination of every room and everything you will find within each. The eleven chapters in the "Room by Room" section take you on a tour through the house, focusing on the surfaces and furnishings you might find in any room, and offering strategies for their care and maintenance. Starting with the kitchen, the central staging area in any home, these chapters open with practical space-planning advice, followed by the golden rules of organizing. This information is intended to help contain your belongings and make each room clutter-free and functional. Relevant homekeeping concerns particular to each room are explored in depth--so stain-removal basics appear in "Laundry Room," the best way to clean grout in "Bathroom," and easy sewing repairs in "Utility Spaces." The equipment essential to each room is also addressed, so if you are considering what kind of bathtub to install during a bathroom renovation or whether a gas or electric range would best suit your style of cooking, you will have the information necessary to make such an investment with confidence.
Organize Your Kitchen: Martha's Golden Rules
Book Description
Whether your home is small or large, an apartment in the city or a country cottage, it is a space that should be at once beautiful and livable. The key to that is managing the upkeep without feeling flustered. Until now, there has never been a comprehensive resource that not only tells how to care for your home and everything in it, but that also simplifies the process by explaining just when. With secrets from Martha Stewart for accomplishing the most challenging homekeeping tasks with ease, this detailed and comprehensive book is the only one you will need to help you keep your home looking its best, floor to ceiling, room by room.
In Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook, Martha shares her unparalleled expertise in home maintenance and care. Readable and practical–and graced with charts, sidebars, illustrated techniques, and personal
anecdotes from Martha’s decades of experience caring for her homes–this is far more than just a compendium of ways to keep your house clean. It covers everything from properly executing a living room floor plan to setting a formal table; from choosing HEPA filters to sealing soapstone countertops; from organizing your home office to polishing your silver and caring for family heirlooms.
Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is organized for clarity and maximum practicality:
Room by Room covers the upkeep of the appliances, tools, furnishings, and surfaces found in each room, from the entryway to the kitchen, from the attic to the laundry room.
Throughout the House instructs the reader on the proper ways to routinely clean and periodically maintain everything in the home, including dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, polishing, scrubbing, waxing and much more.
Comfort and Safety focuses on techniques to ensure your home is running properly and safely, such as recognizing when to clean vents, fixing a leaky faucet, and eradicating pests.
A-to-Z Materials Guide provides an invaluable resource that explains the unusual materials that many favorite objects are made of–from abalone to zinc–
and how to care for them so they last.
Encyclopedic yet friendly, Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is a seminal work–a must-have for everyone who wants a well-cared-for home that will endure for generations.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book - But Amazon Sells Low-End Editions.......2007-09-07
The book is fantastic, I give it for housewarming gifts and use it myself for info on how to clean and take care of all kinds of things in my home. BUT - This is the second time I've had an issue with Amazon's books. Yes, it was a little bit less expensive than the other online booksellers, but it is a lower-end version of the book. The little fabric bookmark is not on this copy and the dust jacket is made of cheap clear plastic. I will not buy any more books from Amazon unless they are soft covers and I don't care what they look like. The other book I purchased from this site was missing the dust jacket completely and they never figured out how to order one for me You get what you pay for I suppose. Disappointed.
Protect Your Investments.......2007-08-20
There are many hidden costs to owning your home and preserving its value. Proper maintenance and care is key to protecting this investment. This book is the ultimate guide in caring for every aspect of your home from room to room. Detailed instructions on routine cleaning, periodic maintenance to providing comfort and saftey are included in typical Martha fashion of simple articulation and common sense logic. Easy to read, easy to find information. This really is not a handbook however, it is more encyclopedic in portion and size. Worth having in every home. Also makes a nice gift for new home owners.
Lots of useful information.......2007-08-20
I refer to this book often for ideas on how to take care of my home. We use it to settle a lot of disputes in our house. If my husband and I argue on how to do something in the house, we can refer to this. A few examples would be: how much laudry detergent to use, how long to run the washer, how to do dishes, how to keep floors clean & the frequency that things need to be washed/cleaned. It gives lists on what chores to do and when & how to do many other things. It's like a bible of housekeeping.
I enjoy it. It motivates you to be a little less domestically challenged & to take care of your home.
Martha Stewart's homekeeping handbook.......2007-08-17
An excellent resource to have on hand. I wish I had it twenty years ago. A definite good gift for newly weds of any age.
Outstanding.......2007-08-15
This book is virtually an encyclopedia of how to keep a home.
Martha is the Mother I always wished I had! I have no more lingering homekeeping questions on what to do, or how to do it.
Customer Reviews:
Flipping homes.......2007-10-10
Two books that I think really are helpful if you're learning about real estate investing are this book, FLIP: How to Find, Fix, and Sell Houses for Profit and Dean Graziosi's Be A Real Estate Millionaire: Secret Strategies for Lifetime Wealth Today
Chock full of knowledge.......2007-08-15
I bought this and another highly reviewed book on flipping and this book was vastly superior. It contains a wealth of information about every phase of flipping a property, including detailed information on how to calculate quiet costs, good rules of thumb for rehab costs, and detailed lists of what is involved in a rehab and the correct order to undertake them in. They have obviously flipped a lot of houses and have condensed their experience into extremely helpful lists and formulas that anyone can benefit from.
I could have done without the fictional storyline that accompanies each chapter, but since you can skip it without losing anything, I'm not docking their score.
This Book Is An Excellent Investment.......2007-08-08
I've been interested in flipping houses since I first heard of the concept about 10 years ago. I just never knew where to start. This book walks you through the entire flipping process. It's written in an easy to follow, logical start to finish format. There are formulas for calculating all your costs and your profit before you even make an offer on a house. Outstanding book! I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to get started in house flipping.
Good reference, not very well written.......2007-07-12
First, I must say that this is so far the best book I have read on this subject. The authors seem to be very experienced and knowledgeable in the field of rehabbing homes. I am very pleased with what I got for $15 (or whatever I spent). I feel that with this book, I could successfully FLIP homes. My first primary home was a fixer upper, and I did pretty much all of the work myself. I turned a nice profit when I sold it, but I think that I could have done better had I known then what I know now.
There was not a lot of information that was new to me, but the book did bring together a variety of related topics. Likewise, the authors presented a few smart systems for completing the project.
The reason I gave this book only 4 stars is that I don't like the writing style of the authors. This book could have easily been 150 pages or less. The font was a little big, and there was WAY too much worthless text, random anecdotes, and stupid analogies. One page in particular was about Punxsutawney Phil...it wasn't until the third or fourth paragraph that the author crafted some way of connecting that to flipping houses.
Overall an excellent book worth every penny (the authors need to stick to flipping houses though). I wish I could get my friend who has recently jumped headlong into rehabbing houses to read this book...
Best book of it's kind.......2007-06-14
I am a small time real estate fix and flip investor. I have read many books on this subject and this is by far the best.
Book Description
With his characteristic investigative eye and Menckenesque prose,
R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. sheds new light on Bill Clinton's post-presidential emotional depression, globe trotting and international deal-making, financial ties to China and the United Arab Emirates, ongoing womanizing, vital support role in Hillary Clinton's anticipated run for the White House, and possible role as America's first "First Man."
Customer Reviews:
Tyrell: American Sphincter.......2007-09-19
Moron Tyrell is yet another wingnut who can't accept that Clinton is gone. They must all have a secret yearning for Hillary in '08 to make their pathetic lives seem worthwhile. Maybe they're all in denial after seven years of G. W. Dumbass and the weekly scandals of his crooks and cronies.
Clinton Crackup.......2007-09-19
While I hated to see Clinton move into the presidency, and, of course, hated his actions even more following Lewinsky, it's a wonder that we still have a country at all. I most certainly would not buy anything that might give him (or her, for that matter) any type of grace, and only scanned the pages at a local bookstore. That was quite enough for me, thank you very much. Now, unfortunately, it looks as though Miseries Clinton might be our next president. Hold onto your wallets, people!
Well done - Emmett needs a thesaurus though.......2007-09-07
No secret that Tyrrell does not like the Clintons. Somehow, those supporting Clinton have a big problem with a book like this and have NO problem with books claiming Bush knew about 9/11, Bush is in tight with the Saudis, etc.
If nothing else, this book is VERY thorough. There were times when I was reading it that I thought "How did the editor let THAT stay in the book?"
Tyrrell has a habit of writing to an MBA level. Which I guess is ok but there are those of us who, while having a complete control of the English language, we don't feel the need to try to impress people with it.
So many times, I read this thinking the author could have used a different word to mean the same thing and not come across as high-brow. Bill Buckley can get away with - he's about the only one.
Bottom line - the book is solid reading, powerful, and damning to Bill and Hillary.
Too Much of the Clintons is Never Enough.......2007-08-30
Sure, the title is hyperbolic, the writing has little of that flinty incisiveness of muckrakers like Tarbell and Sinclair, a good deal of the material is old news, the editing could have been better, but, oh, what fun! For political junkies like me, Our Bill and his lovely Life Partner are simply the gifts that keep on giving. As the wide diversity and vigor of reviewers' reactions demonstrate, love 'em or hate 'em, they are simply fascinating.
Now, one can't expect the shenanigans of Post-Prez Bill to be as interesting as his time in the Oval Office if only because, for instance, there has bobbed to the surface no stained women's clothing--yet. Nonetheless, the mind reels and the spirit soars as Tyrrell not only revisits the low crimes and misde-wieners of the Clintons' time in the Arkansas governor's mansion and the White House, but takes us on a poignant tour of Our Bill's meanderings in the real world, i.e., the world where his only power derives from political suasion and the relentless pursuit of greater wealth. If nothing else, Tyrrell's listing of the President's last-minute pardons and commutations, complete with the crimes committed by those receiving those astonishing absolutions, is worth the price of admission. No one, least of all Bill himself, has ever explained or rationalized how these low-lives deserved legal reclamation, justifying the inevitable conclusion of critics then and now that they were exchanged for past, present, or future consideration, much of it brokered by the Clinton and Rodham siblings.
And then there's Hillary. Just as I conclude my reading, what breaks but another campaign contribution imbroglio involving The Hill. Turns out that Norman Hsu, one of the Mrs.'s large contributors for the last several years, is a wanted fugitive from California justice and is somehow related to the Paw family of Daly City, several members of whom have made contributions coincident with those of Mr. Hsu which may or may not have been illegally funded by the latter. Mr. Paw, also Chinese, is a mail carrier, and yet the family has somehow found 45 G's to give to The Hill. The eyes tear and the throat constricts with mirth as one of the Paw family members turns out to be named Winkle. (Does the Supreme Being stay up at night devising names for those involved in Clinton scandals, you know the rich Marc Rich, et al? Does Winkle have siblings named Blinkle and Nod? But I digress.)
Astute readers will recall that Our Bill had some problems with Chinese contributors during his reign. One might have thought that those painful experiences would have convinced the Clintons they should limit their Chinese contacts to calling for take-out, but I guess not.
I'm not saying your life won't be complete if you don't read this book, but I found it a very enjoyable meander through these troubled lives. Think of it as a between-meal snack as we await The Hill's nomination for the presidency. Then it can serve as a reference point for the inevitable--and entirely justified--dredging up of the Clinton scandals by the Hillary Haters. Pray with me to the political gods that all this comes to pass: it will be a great 2008!
The Clinton Crackup.......2007-08-23
I have read the book. Tyrell is a gifted writer who records the continuing docu-drama of Bill Clinton's life. Coming away from this book there is the sense of flawed personality aspects outweighing good ones. I,too, wonder why people continue to find Clinton viable, attractive and charming. He is much to be pitied. Are Bill and Hillary a sign of the times - the narcissistic epitome of anything goes?
What Bill does fascinates us all - some love him, some don't. He "is" a national security leak and the continuing saga confirms it. One thing the book makes clear - if you set your sights on a particular goal and then
work towards it you will achieve it. Bill and Hillary had been working a long time to achieve their ambition. Though he did not win by a majority, other forces helped in the achievement of Bill's amibition.
These 2 people are very focused individuals. The truth of their lives is appallingly clear. If we are a product of our times, what does that say
about the kind of people we elect to high office. And how did we get to this cultural state of affairs.
Book Description
Change the way you clean and keep your family's home wholesome and healthy with the help of expert and activist Deirdre Imus.
We all grew up thinking chemical smells like bleach and ammonia signaled "clean." But as Deirdre Imus reveals, some of the chemicals we use to maintain our homes are doing us and our families much more harm than good. In Greening Your Cleaning, the first in her Green This! series, Deirdre shows how cleaning house the environmentally responsible way can be as effective and often cheaper than the more traditional, toxic, means. This volume includes:
- Simple, efficient cleaning methods for every room of the house
- Spotlights on everyday products (all purpose cleaner, glass/window cleaner, laundry detergent) and the toxic ingredients you should be wary of
- Summaries of the latest research on the toxic effects of ordinary chemicals
- Resource lists of widely available "green cleaning" products and retailers
Filled with tips and testimonials, Greening Your Cleaning will show you how to streamline your cleaning products and practices, and how easy it is to make "living green" your way of life.
Customer Reviews:
Green Your Lives and Live Healthy and Longer!!!1.......2007-10-05
Deirdre Coleman Imus is married to sharp-tongued fired radio broadcaster, Don Imus. She is the mother of Frederick Wyatt Imus better known as Wyatt. Mrs. Imus has done her homework. She was an aspiring actress before meeting Don Imus and she has turned his whole world around for the better. With her in his life, they have created and built a working cattle ranch for children with cancer, siblings of SIDS, and other diseases. While the children only get to spend a week, the Imuses go the extra mile when they hear of a child's loss from cancer by attending their funerals. Deirdre and Don are truly genuine people and this book came out at the worst time. The proceeds from this book benefit charities and not the pockets of the Imuses. This book is her promotion of household cleaning products because they contain cancer-causing effects. Deirdre started this greening craze when she learned that hospitals used toxic products for cleaning materials. Her idea morphed into something far beyond our imaginations because she has developed with the assistance of others in the field to use non-toxic and healthier products for us to clean our homes. The Imuses practice what they preach. They are vegeterians and use the products in their own home. Unfortunately, her husband's spoken phrase got him fired at a time when they raising money for children's charities including cancer, the CJ Foundation for kids with SIDS, and another charity in a radiothon. The Imuses have paid dearly but they still enjoy their lives in New Mexico and New York City. Deirdre Imus is no trophy wife. She might be younger and more beautiful but she has always spoken her mind with Don and everybody else. Buy this book, maybe it will help clean up your life and home for the better.
Perfect information for environmental cleaning.......2007-09-14
Not only is this a extremely useful book, Deirdre and Don Imus do fantastic work with everything they are involved with. Especially the Imus Ranch!
Buy this book!
Not the whole story..........2007-09-05
I'm a huge fan of cleaning with more natural products, and use baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, etc to do so. In that way, I totally agree with the author's message. However, I don't agree with the presentation of the book. An example is the section on fabric softeners and dryer sheets. The author warns that these commercial products may contain limonene and linalool...as suggested alternatives, she mentions essential oils, such as lemon, lavender, bergamot, and rosewood. Throughout the book, she states that these chemicals, limonene and linalool, are scary and toxic...and then suggests essential oils which themselves have these chemicals in their makeup. (The recommendation of rosewood is another issue altogether as the author recommends it (several places) despite environmentalists' growing concerns for its endangered status and for the protection of the rain forests. Not a very "green" thing to do, IMO.) Her own commercial line of cleaning products contain essential oils as well, and I'm betting limonene and linalool can be found in them as a result.
There are dangerous products on the market, no doubt about that. And we as a society are guilty of "over kill" when it comes to "germs". And natural alternatives versus "man-made" chemicals are likely safer and better. I don't disagree with any part of that message.
Again, I am a fan of essential oils, however one must also understand that anything can be dangerous if applied incorrectly or without due care. I felt that many of the suggestions were overboard and failed to include proper warnings. For example, there are some essential oils that shouldn't be used around pets. Most, if not all, shouldn't be used around cats due to a cat's special physiology and the cumulative toxic effect the oils can have on a cat's liver. I didn't see this mentioned anywhere.
The author talks about the dangers of artificial fragrances, but doesn't acknowledge that many of the "dangers" can and do apply to essential oils as well. She constantly mentions "dousing" and "saturating" items with essential oils...which I makes me wonder if she has really ever been around them. Essential oils are powerful and I can't imagine ever having to "douse" anything with them. Generally, a few drops will do. I could go on and on, unfortunately. In the end, I was left feeling that the "homework" the book was based on had been incomplete and that it failed to tell the whole story. A shame as I said I do agree with the author's basic message. But regardless of where the profits go, I have to be honest with my review. I hope that it will be appreciated.
Do this for your family's health.......2007-09-01
I have always been concerned with the 'fumes' that I inhale when I am cleaning with the products you buy in the supermarket/chemists... although we have started to convert our various cleaning products to e-friendly; but after reading this wonderfully educating book - I just binned all the other products and went straight to my health store and replaced them with ecover. we love ecover products- the creme cleaner really cleans the greasy parts of the kitchen without scratches and it is e-friendly too. I always wondered why this country has such high rates of cancer and illnesses and could never pin down a reason ... our inside environment is so toxic and we thought we were keeping a clean house! I love this book as it re-educates you on what clean really means and that it is really quite simple. I have wasted so much money on toxic products and harming our health! Thank you for re-educating us and keeping life simple. I wish the supermarkets would stock -efriendly products as well. I am lucky that I have access to over four health shops within easy access to home.
Very useful!.......2007-08-12
I saw Diedre Imus promoting this book on the Today Show, and was only able to get a few tips out before the went onto the next guest. So I went onto Amazon and checked out the book, and it seemed interesting enough to order. I have gotten so many ideas that I rarely use any chemicals in the house anymore. I have killed insects naturally. I rarely see a roach, when I had a big roach problem, I clean rust and my drains naturally, and even my laundry. A great book overall. If not for the evironment, do it for your own health.
Book Description
Natural swimming pools rely on the correct balance of plants and microorganisms to clean and purify the water. They are a safe place for children to play and birds to drink, and are a dramatic example of ecological design, combining the natural and man-made worlds while creating beauty. These pools offer enjoyment not only in the warm months, but during winter, too, when they can be used for ice skating and other activities. Often the focal point of a garden, natural swimming pools blend into their environments, flowing into the surroundings with plants and rocks.They reflect the changing seasons and they enhance the environment naturally. They are easy and less costly to maintain than chemical pools, providing significant savings in water. Chlorine and other common pool chemicals are hazardous to human health and are not used. This book is a necessary resource for anyone interested in having a natural swimming pool and shows how a natural swimming pool system works, as well as the environmental, health, and safety benefits it offers. Drawings, diagrams, and charts cover planning, design, biology, materials, construction, planting, and maintenance. Over 300 beautiful color pictures feature projects that will inspire you to have your own natural water garden where you can swim in harmony with nature at any time.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect book.......2007-09-04
Great book for all aspects of creating a variety of green/natural pools. Beautiful pictures and good illustrations and copy to help in decision making.
YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK .......2007-08-22
Simply put this book is a MUST READ for anyone intersted in any aspect of Sustainable and Ecological Design. It should be read right along with Permaculture by Mollison, the Passive Solar Handbook by Mazria, Rainwater Harvesting by Lancaster, and ecocities to Living Machines by Todd. Even if you aren't specifically interested in making a swimming pool (which you will be after reading it) the insights into the workings of hydro-ecologies and how to design natural systems are invaluable!
If you aren't interested in the whole range of sustainability but just this particular topic of pool design then this book is STILL A MUST READ. If you're an ecologist who wants to make a pool, or a pool designer who wants to do something ecological this book provides an excellent layman's understanding of ecological design, with good technical and artistic advice for how to do it, and good technical and artistic advice for swimming pool construction.
I would still advise you to also purchase the book Poolscaping as a companion to this one.
This is an all around excellent book buy it now.
Beautiful photos; strange text.......2007-08-01
Thumbing through the book will make you want to move to Austria or Germany where beautiful "natural" pools are somehat established. Why is the U. S. so environmentally backward? Unfortunately, the text is awkwardly translated at times such that one has to struggle to figure out what is meant with limited success.The assumption is that one is swimming only in the summer, but in California we may want to swim year round. Useful especially since so little information is available. Can't understand why the publisher didn't insist on professional proofreading.Buy it for inspiration, or wait for the next edition, or wait for one more applicable to your area. It does provide info in the back about two U.S resources, one in CA.
Very complete book .......2007-02-24
Is the book i need for learning on natural swimming pool. Now i can make my own pool
Surprisingly COMPREHENSIVE!.......2007-02-09
This large sized book covered the subject exceedingly well in lots of color photos with explanations and, more importantly, in lots of diagrams and nuts and bolts descriptions. I only read sections here and there but what I did read clearly indicated to me that you could actually use this book to build a natural swimming pool. At the least, you could definitely make a solid decision whether or not you could build or would want to build such a pool on your property. These pools are basically like salt water aquariums in that you have to make a biosphere and monitor it. In some ways it's not as easy as it sounds but also not as hard as it sounds. However, start up takes time and it can be tricky to finally reach environmental stabilization. I am not going to build a natural pool but I still found this book very useful. At the end this book are MANY pages of water plants and trees recommended for certain types of water areas. There are zone maps of the US included for reference. So even if you just want to make a little ornamental fountain in a big pot on the patio deck or a pond or a bog out back, this book has a VERY comprehensive set of plant lists you will find exceedingly useful. 18 pages of them. Categories include Submerged Plants, Floating Plants, Floating Leaved Plants, Shallow Marginal Plants, Deep Marginal Plants, Moisture-loving Plants, Bog/Marsh Plants, Waterside Plats-Trees & Shrubs, Ferns, Grasses Sedges Reeds and Rushes. Botanical and Common Names are listed along with height, spread, water depth, flower color, flower period, foliage, position, comments and plant zone. It's the best I've seen in any book so far.
Book Description
A Mormon in the White House? is the first book on Mitt Romney, his unusual faith story, and his viability as a Republican presidential nominee. Inside are exclusive interviews with the governor, his family, and closest associates, mixed with candid conversations with some of the country's shrewdest political observers and Christian leaders. Radio host and blogger Hugh Hewitt sets out to explain Romney, his faith, and the importance of that debate in a headline-making and election-shaping opening shot in the campaign before the campaign.
Customer Reviews:
A Mormon in the White House.......2007-09-16
This is one of the best books I have ever read since I have been studying about the candidates for 2008 President. Mitt's qualifications are excellent except the concern of his religious background. This book helps me to recognize him as a human being-- a noble citizen, just like anyone else in the country. I love this book. It gives a very specific explanations about Mitt. I highly recommend every American read this book if he/she really cares about the future of his/her country.
A Mormon in the White House.......2007-09-04
An excellent insight into the man running for President, his character and his qualifications. It is very positive presentation. Before discounting this candidate, every voter should read this book.
A Political Advertisement - Nothing More.......2007-08-30
A far more interesting book would be the Top Ten political issues Mitt has flip-flopped on to win the Republican nomination (granted, it may be difficult to narrow the list down to 10!).
A smart and slick politician, Mitt Romney is.
A man of principles and integrity, Mitt Romney ain't.
I LUV THE GOV........2007-08-29
Absolutely! And so does my mom.
I once said, I don't love the Gov, when I lived in Massachusetts for 13 years. I have since changed my views 180 degrees. The transformation has come about gradually and no one has tried to change my previous affiliation through argument. When Romney says Massachusetts is a blue state, I can verify that he is telling you the absolute truth!
A few years before I moved to Georgia, I met with others in my community about a local business that I had had dealings and was terribly upset, wanted to join others in speaking out, etc. The business was in Belmont, the town where Mitt Romney and his family live. I said something negative about him and a gentleman who was sympathetic to my grievances said simply that he was a good man and that he had done a lot for the community, the schools, one of his children knew one of his kids, but he didn't try to coerce me or argue and the subject was changed. That sort of response had a big impact on my thinking. I think back on that a lot. I could 'count the ways' for you of how I have come to the conclusion that I will not vote for a Democrat for President in 2008, but the real icing on the cake has happened since I moved to Georgia. Frankly, the Democrats scare me these days what with Jimmy Carter's racially provocative book titled Peace, Not Aparteid implying the embattled, bloodied jews are racist, etc. etc. and finally Nancy Pelosi getting cozy with the most rabid terrorist regimes in the Mideast. Those two let fly the foulest, foul balls, that any truly American umpire would not only end the inning, but end the game.
The world is too dangerous right now to have such delicate matters as terrorism and peace be influenced by people whose motivation is political power and front page photos and news interviews. The Hank Aaron home run for me for the Republicans and Mitt Romney in particular was a few years back when I either heard or read that Mitt Romney was good friends with Benjamin Netanyahu. I thought they went to school together, but actually Romney was studying at Harvard getting his MBA/JD degree while Netanyahu was at MIT studying architecture.
This book is written by a christian friend of Romney's and, of course, is written to influence votes and so is biased in that regard. However, my mother and myself have not really heard anything out of Romney's mouth to make us uneasy, and the more we hear and see him speak, the more impressed we are of him. He is quietly confident and is inspiring. He has made his millions turning companies around and getting them to succeed financially and not by playing the stock market and thereby forcing companies to fold.
I was surprised and pleased by the interviews the author had with two doctorate in theology students who reasoned why a christian could vote for a Mormon who's theology is a bit off. To me, he has lived what he believes, and in my mind, has lived the christian life as Christ taught. His record is spotless, and I'm convinced he could handle the Presidency. My mother always has commented on how that job takes a toll on whoever has it. You can see how they age so much in four years, and Bush these days looks pretty bushed. He's had a rough time with this congress.
Anyway, I do love the Gov and do your homework. I'm going to this time around and expect to see some more reviews from me about Giuliani and McCain and maybe Thompson. I consider myself now an independent!
good book about great candidate.......2007-08-29
Hewitt if fair and balanced in his analysis of Mitt Romney's candidacy. The book is about more than just Mormonism, it addresses many of Romney's strengths and weaknesses as we approach these upcoming elections. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about Mitt Romney
Book Description
Told in a series of vignettes stunning for their eloquence,
The House on Mango Street is Sandra Cisneros's greatly admired novel of a young girl growing up in the Latino section of Chicago. Acclaimed by critics, beloved by children, their parents and grandparents, taught everywhere from inner-city grade schools to universities across the country, and translated all over the world, it has entered the canon of coming-of-age classics.
Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous,
The House on Mango Street tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, whose neighborhood is one of harsh realities and harsh beauty. Esperanza doesn't want to belong--not to her rundown neighborhood, and not to the low expectations the world has for her. Esperanza's story is that of a young girl coming into her power, and inventing for herself what she will become.
Customer Reviews:
Great Writing, But Lackluster Characters.......2007-09-22
The House on Mango Street tells the story of Esperanza, a Mexican-American girl growing up in a "ghetto" area of Chicago.
But instead of being your typical novel, this book is a collection of vignettes, each focusing on one specific character or event, with few of them mentioned in future chapters. And instead of being in a typical prose style, the book is more of a combination of standard writing and poetry together.
With the way the book is written, we are allowed a very intimate contact with Esperanza's mind. Sandra Cisneros blends that with a skillful use of metaphors to create a very detailed and personal world.
But that's pretty much what I like about it.
On the other hand though, I was very disappointed with who was telling the story - Esperanza. Despite the writing, I didn't really care for her that much.
Even worse was the Esperanza got very whiny towards the end of the book. For some reason I can't fathom, she simply decides to hate her house, insisting that it isn't her home. But even before that, Esperanza continually self-pities herself for a variety of things, falling into a boring humdrum of angsty teenage melorama. And then we have the (vaguely described) rape scene.
I didn't find the other characters very rememberable, either. Most of them just them were one shot characters who wouldn't affect the story at all if they were removed.
In conclusion, I think this is a good book to read, but not really that great as everyone else says it is. (It's a good thing that it's short.)
Horrible.......2007-09-07
This book is most overrated. Yes it is a great remark on culture and growing up Latino, but ignorance of simple writing styles and grammar is no excuse. Not to mention that the book is not even remotely interesting. The main character is confusing, rambles on, and Cisneros always tries to draw pity for her. This is the worst book I have ever read.
a classic young adult novel.......2007-09-03
I first encountered this book while scoring tests for an educational testing company... the first chapter was used as a prompt for a reading test. The kids saw the author's Hispanic name and jumped to the obvious conclusions... that the family is desperately poor and oppressed (and also many kids concluded that the family lived in the Southwest or even in Mexico, whereas Mango Street is in fact a real street on the North Side of Chicago.)
This is in fact very much a structured novel, even though it is written in an episodic and impressionistic manner: it is a classic coming of age story. The family is certainly not wealthy, and they go through crises like any other family --- but this is actually a fairly happy and average American family.
Disappointed.......2007-08-23
After reading the positive reviews on this book, I was disappointed. I found the book boring and a waste of my time.
I liked it.......2007-08-22
I had to read this in my English Composition class and I thought it was very good and interesting. The characteres and story are both well-told. Cisneros is a good writer and she doesn't bore the reader to tears like cough cough John Steinbeck cough. This was the first book by Cisneros that I read and I am interested in her other works. Hopefully they will be as good as hers.
Average customer rating:
- Great Book
- A go-to book on coaching.
- What everyone needs to know
- the best coaching book
- Your Gate way to Coaching profession
|
Co-Active Coaching, 2nd Edition: New Skills for Coaching People Toward Success in Work and, Life
Laura Whitworth ,
Karen Kimsey-House ,
Henry Kimsey-House , and
Phillip Sandahl
Manufacturer: Davies-Black Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Human Resources & Personnel Management
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Leadership
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Interpersonal Relations
| Relationships
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Success
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Counseling
| Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Motivation
| By Topic
| Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Physical Education
| Education Theory
| Education
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Coaching
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Taming Your Gremlin (Revised Edition): A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way
-
Coaching : Evoking Excellence in Others
-
Getting Started in Personal and Executive Coaching: How to Create a Thriving Coaching Practice (Getting Started in)
-
Changing for Good: A Revolutionary Six-Stage Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively Forward
-
Coaching for Performance, Third Edition (People Skills for Professionals)
ASIN: 0891061983 |
Book Description
A newly revised edition of the book that helped define the coaching profession, Co-Active Coaching captures the essence of what it takes to design and maintain successful, collaborative, and empowering coaching relationships. The authors describe in detail their flexible and adaptive model-placing the client's agenda at the heart of the coaching partnership, define the skills required for success, provide dozens of sample coaching conversations, and a power-packed Coach's Toolkit of over 35 exercises, questionnaires, checklists, and forms to make these proven principles and techniques eminently practical and immediately actionable.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2007-09-16
This was a gift for my boss and he LOVED it! It arrived very soon after ordering. Thanks for everything.
A go-to book on coaching........2007-08-28
This is one of the few go-to books for coaches, or those who want to become coaches. Very, very helpful. Lots of ideas, tips, etc. The CD that comes with the book is worth the price alone!
Buy this book and read it! One of my favs on the topic of coaching!
What everyone needs to know.......2007-08-05
This book opened great ways to honor myself and others. It is well written and expanded my idea about coaching.
the best coaching book.......2007-06-29
This book is the best and most comprehensive coaching book I have on my shelfs.
Co-active coaching is what my profession is about and I've found so many answers to my questions about how-to and what-is-next .
Captures the wisdom of co-active coaching and it's a must read if you want to tap into the real power of coaching.
Your Gate way to Coaching profession.......2007-05-28
It's an amazing book that groups theories and practice for a profession that needs alot of practice. It's a necessity for all new professionals in the field.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome help with home buying and sales!.......2007-01-06
Vitt's book has been a tremendous help to us with the complicated and emotional process of buying and selling our homes. We knew we wanted to move, but each of us had very different ideas of what the "perfect home" would be like. Our differences sometimes seemed insurmountable. Also, it was often hard to understand why we were looking for certain characteristics in a home, and why we wouldn't compromise. Fond memories of homes that we had loved mixed and collided with current and future needs. For example, one of us wanted a wooded lot on a quiet street above all else; the other didn't care about location but wanted the home to be big enough to meet our need for interior space. We couldn't find a property that suited us both; how could we resolve this potential pitfall? Ms. Vitt gave us a structure for examining our motives and hopes, as well as a way to resolve our differences and find a home we can both love.
Also, the financial aspects of the decision-making process were important, and "10 Secrets" gave us a very clear path for avoiding potential financial disasters.
A home is so important, both emotionally and financially. "10 Secrets" gave us the tools and information we needed to navigate our way to successfully buy a home.
Also, we were so impressed with Vitt's book, that we gave a copy to our realtor, who frequently has to negotiate between couples, as well as between buyers and sellers. A Must-Buy for Realtors, too!
Have given copies to friends who are thinking about moving. Great gift.
Well-written, well-organized, an awesome book!
Yippee!! I made the decision..........2005-01-25
to stay in my house! Having recently gone through a divorce, and somewhat uncomfortable with my neighborhood, which has a very different demographic from mine, I struggled with how I could manage the house on my own, and finance numerous small and large repairs without taking on too much debt.
After taking the quiz, I realized that the financial stability of my house is the most important factor I needed to satisfy. Once I realized that...it was much easier to invest a few thousand dollars to update the furnishings and to make the house more like a home that reflected my personality. I was also able to take on additional debt to make some costly, but necessary repairs, such a new foundation and sewer line. In doing so, I found a way to restructure my entire debt load that allows me one smaller monthly payment, leaving me with a greater monthly cash flow.
I can honestly say that I wouldn't have had the courage to undertake the repairs, and take on the additional debt, if I hadn't read this book. Having a clear insight into my issues surrounding "home" and understanding more clearly my emotional profile, I was able to make my need structure work in my favor, instead of against me. Without this book, I would probably have sold the house at a discount, and made another, equally unsatisfying move.
Housing and Happiness.......2005-01-05
I purchased this book on the advice of a friend. After determining my housing profile I purchased ten additional copies as holiday gifts for colleagues. This book is the first of it's kind and will assist you in understanding how your housing decisions are made and how to make your home a place of happiness and not only financial but emotional security. I found myself highlighting passages as I went along for quick future reference. I would highly recommend this book to anyone - no matter what your living/financial situation.
Housing Decisions.......2004-12-28
At last a book that entertains you while giving solid information. I especially like the way this author uses flesh and blood real people to illustrate her points. I'm halfway through already in one day --maybe I'll write another when I finish it.
A Remarkable Effort.......2004-12-27
I have worked with Dr. Vitt for many years, and I am always amazed when the final product arrives. This book is just one of many of the remarkable things she has written, but this book alone has been the greatest help to me in deciding to refinance my home, an idea I had been toying with for a long time. After rereading it for pleasure and learning, rather than editing, I have learned a great deal more about the dynamics of buying, selling or refinancing my own home, and for this I am grateful to Dr. Vitt. This book should be a great help to anyone who is considering any kind of housing change.
V. Karen McMahon
Book Description
Internationally celebrated designer Lotta Jansdotter collects 24 of her most popular sewing patterns into one irresistible collection. Our innovative packaging makes for easy use reusable pattern sheets are neatly tucked into a folder inside this full-color, lay-flat spiral bound book. Lotta has included patterns for handy tote bags, smart aprons, chic bed linens, and much more. Each project is paired with step-by-step instructions, charming photographs, inspiring design ideas, and helpful, hand-drawn how-to illustrations everything you need to make whimsical pieces for the home and beyond. Best of all, there's nothing complicated about the projects. Never has simplicity looked so sophisticated.
Customer Reviews:
"Simple" projects- but not necessarily the same ones you always see!.......2007-09-18
Just starting to sew? I bet the first projects you come across in any book or magazine involve pillows and/or tea towels. It gets so old; that sort of thing is a good starting project but it's in every book as though people imagine that new sewers HAVEN'T come across an actual pillow pattern before.
You'll find lots of pattern staples for new sewers here- apron, tote bag, pillowcase, etc but the catch is that you actually get patterns and, in addition to the usual suspects, there are lots of patterns you wouldn't expect. The placemat with a chopstick holder? A placemat isn't necessarily unique, but the chopstick holder is interesting and it gives you a chance to try something more than just a simple rectangle shape. The picnic placemat is really fun too and again, it's something that seems like it's easy to think up but not quite. I also get a kick out of the doorstop pattern; just recently I saw a picture of one almost exactly like that and thought I'd try it and when the book came in, I realized I wouldn't have to search for a pattern.
I'm an intermediate sewer at best but I think I can tackle every project in here, though some might take a little more effort than others. The fabric guide at the beginning was pretty helpful, too. I often pick fabrics based on patterns, not based on the makeup of the fabric itself, and that's lead to problems. Knowing the right fabric to pick for a project is helpful and care instructions are even better. Again, like much of the book, it's something that seems like a no-brainer but is actually really important for people who are just getting into sewing.
Lacks Important Details.......2007-09-15
I'm a relative beginner sewer and started with Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style - made the shoe bags and found the instructions concise. I bought the Lotta book because of the doorstop pattern but found the end product was HUGE and required alot more than 5# of beans! Naturally, I thought I'd made a mistake but this project had paper patterns so I did not mis-calculate the size.
Another project was a, at first glance, very simple bag - it did work out in the end but after realizing that many details were missing in the directions.
Overall, not enough great projects to warrant the struggle involved in figuring out how to put them together!
Serious pattern flaw.......2007-08-30
I would have given it three or even four as it's very cute, but the instructions are a bit too BRIEF..... I can't see how it's marketed as simple, when I was baffled - and I am in no means a beginning sewer. I've been sewing for 30 years, made my own wedding dress, coats, jackets etc.-.... I love these project books though - when they're good! I bought this book mainly for the inspiration and partly for the hat pattern - I love hats. The brim doesn't fit the crown, and the crown doesn't fit the top. It is impossible to fit them together. Whether the crown is turned with the slightly wider circumference towards the brim or the other way. Furthermore, the whole thing is enormous. Something is very wrong with this pattern, and it ruins the whole book for me. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Edited to add - there are huge amounts of people out there who have had problems with this hat, as I found out after doing a search on the net. And I am REALLY unimpressed with the author - I wrote to her website early August and a very sweet assistant told me she couldn't help but perhaps I would find a flickr group that could - they couldn't - and that Lotta would issue corrections or contact me after she came back from her holidays - she hasn't!
Fun and easy!.......2007-08-20
This book really helped me gain some confidence with my new sewing machine. I managed to make some very cute and functional things without worrying about zippers, buttonholes, etc. I turn to this book when I want some instant gratification with no frustration! I also like that a lot of these projects are perfect for the cute fabric remnants that I can't resist rescuing from the clearance bin; a lot of the patterns require a yard or less.
Lotta good ideas.......2007-08-06
At first glance the projects presented in Lotta Jansdotter's book might seem almost too simple, but do not be fooled! I think that both the beginner and experienced sewer will enjoy the variety of processes used on things like quilted potholders and tote bags with applique (if you chose to add it). Very good ideas, very clear instructions, great photos of the work that make you want to try out the projects immedietly.
Books:
- May Bird Among the Stars: Book Two (May Bird)
- Night Games: And Other Stories and Novellas
- Nightmare House
- One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books)
- Pants on Fire
- Penny Arcade Volume 2: Epic Legends Of The Magic Sword Kings (Penny Arcade)
- Pocket Medicine: The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine (Pocket Notebook)
- Prep: A Novel
- S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)
- Saturday
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Medicaid Planning Handbook: A Guide to Protecting Your Family's Assets from Catastrophic Nursing
- Sink Reflections: Overwhelmed
- Mae West: An Icon in Black and White
- MUSTANG DESIGNER: Edgar Schmued and the P-51
- Paper Tiger: An Obsessed Golfer's Quest to Play with the Pros
- Speaking Spanish Like a Native
- Sweet Lavender a Domestic Drama in Three Acts
- What Rich People Know & Desperately Want to Keep Secret
- On the Rampage: Corporate Predators and the Destruction of Democracy
- Beware of God: Stories
Good Things for Organizing (Good Things with Martha Stewart Living)
Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook
You: On A Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management
Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again
Simple Home Solutions: Good Things with Martha Stewart Living
