The Peebles Principles: Tales and Tactics from an Entrepreneur's Life of Winning Deals, Succeeding in Business, and Creating a Fortune from Scratch

The Peebles Principles: Tales and Tactics from an Entrepreneur's Life of Winning Deals, Succeeding in Business, and Creating a Fortune from Scratch
Average customer rating:

Should Be Required Reading!

Must read for ANYONE aspiring to do big deals!

I love the Peebles Principles

Can this genius possibly have more fun?

Real People, Real Stories, Real Lessons
The Peebles Principles: Tales and Tactics from an Entrepreneur's Life of Winning Deals, Succeeding in Business, and Creating a Fortune from Scratch
R. Donahue Peebles , and J. P. Faber
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0470099305

Book Description

Praise for The Peebles Principles

"Don Peebles is an example of what entrepreneurs are all about. In this engaging and witty book, Peebles shares insights from his own success in the world of high- powered real estate. What makes this book different is Peebles doesn't just focus on the positive, he discusses the failures too—something every entrepreneur can expect in his journey to success. This book should be on every aspiring business- person's bookshelf to be read again and again."
—Robert L. Johnson, Founder, BET and Owner, Charlotte Bobcats

"The Peebles Principles provides a fun read and a bird's-eye view of the ever- changing world of a real estate entrepreneur. It is a good gut check for would-be entrepreneurs to ask if they have what it takes."
—Dr. Peter D. Linnemann, Albert Sussman Professor of Real Estate, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania

"Wow! What magnificent inspiration The Peebles Principles is for anyone seeking to be involved in business. The ground rules found in each chapter are absolute gems, and those alone make the book worth buying."
—Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Radio One, Inc.

"This book is a brilliant example of entrepreneurship, creativity, and principles. Peebles walks you through many of his successful deals, from their inception to their completion. Once you start the book you won't be able to put it down until you've finished the last page."
—Dr. Sanford L. Ziff, Founder and Chairman, Sunglass Hut International Inc.

Customer Reviews:

Should Be Required Reading!.......2007-09-24

I can't stop talking about this book! I first heard Mr. Peebles on the Steve Harvey morning show. I was impressed. Then, I had the pleasure of hearing him speak at a Michigan Minority Business Development Council/General Motors event. I was even more impressed. I took home my autographed copy of his book that day and began reading it. I was addicted! I could not put it down! Every spare moment I had, I was in this book! He literally becomes your mentor. This book is a practical application manual. He shares what went wrong and what went right, he names names and pulls no punches! Mr. Peebles has put to shame many other authors, claiming to want to teach us how to become rich in real estate or other industries, for holding out on us!

Must read for ANYONE aspiring to do big deals!.......2007-09-23

This is a very easy to read, step-by-step book of the anatomy of a deal. Often we say that we would like to be the lamp in the room of a big deal and Peebles puts us there time and time again! The candor and honesty expressed regarding the deal structure and his thoughts behind the decisions made was nothing short of generous! I have been in business for seven years. I could not figure out why my firm had not advanced to the next level... Now I understand! For a man, independently wealthy, he charitably gives the rest of us some insight to advancing our own goals and closing our own deals! I have recommended the book to at least 10 colleagues in two weeks!

I love the Peebles Principles.......2007-09-04

I read books all the time about very successful people, most happen to be in industries other than in the Real Estate industry that I am in. I have also read about a lot developers like Donald Trump, but until know this is one of the most successful Minority Developers I have the pleasure of studying. The ability to stand fast with no legs to stand on is a lesson in itself. You have to believe you are adding value in any relationship for all to feel a certain equality.

His vision and tenacity to follow through, seems to be a trait a lot of Entrepreneurs lack. This is a real How To Book, most will try to cafeteria style it, and do it there way, bit it will not work. From the moment I finished reading it,I started trying to build political contacts. I will be giving my first campaign donation this year. I never understood the importance of who you know, not what it is that you know, until I read The Peebles Principles. I would just like to congratulate Mr. Pebbles on his massive success.

It seems as if Mr. Peebles is unstoppable know, I just recently read that he is constructing the most expensive Minority Owned hotel in Las Vegas as we speak. This just gives the average person that does not have a Harvard Degree the confidence that you can do it if you want it bad enough. In closing I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever wanted to pursue a career as a Real Estate Investor. It gives you a different path to the promised land.

Darrick H Scruggs

Can this genius possibly have more fun?.......2007-08-01

Read this book. It will force you to completely rethink just how you can operate within the free-market business world. My once forgotten career dreams of yesteryear have been rediscovered and are now being fulfilled with a renewed vigor. Mr. Peebles has an astute business mind coupled with a tireless desire to succeed with his ethics intact.

Real People, Real Stories, Real Lessons.......2007-06-12

The Peebles Principles is an excellent, but at the same time, easy read. I recommend it to anyone in business or thinking about going into business. His story should be an inspiration to all who want to succeed in business and in life, regardless of race or economic background. It is a must read for everyone in my family.

Average customer rating:

[2 stars out of four, or three out of five] Trump, trumps himself and fails sports 101 in the process
I just really enjoyed it
Oldie but a Goodie
Ahhh The Donald.....
I'm not a big fan of Trump

Trump: The Art of the Deal
Donald J. Trump , and Tony Schwartz
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345479173
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Book Description

From the Impresario of NBC’s hit show The Apprentice

TRUMP ON TRUMP: “I like thinking big. I always have. To me it’s very simple: if you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”

And here’s how he does it: the art of the deal.

Beginning with a week in Trump’s high-stakes life, Trump: The Art of the Deal gives us Trump in action. We see just how he operates day to day—how he runs his business and how he runs his life—as he chats with friends and family, clashes with enemies, efficiently buys up Atlantic City’s top casinos, changes the face of the New York City skyline . . . and plans the tallest building in the world.

TRUMP ON TRUMP: “I play it very loose. I don’t carry a briefcase. I try not to schedule too many meetings. I leave my door open. . . . I prefer to come to work each day and just see what develops.”

Even a maverick plays by rules, and here Trump formulates his own eleven guidelines for success. He isolates the common elements in his greatest deals; he shatters myths (“You don’t necessarily need the best location. What you need is the best deal”); he names names, spells out the zeros, and fully reveals the deal-maker’s art: from the abandoned property that became the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to the seedy hotel that became the Grand Hyatt; from the race to rebuild Central Park’s Wollman Skating Rink to the byzantine saga of the property that became Trump Tower. And throughout, Trump talks—really talks—about how he does it.

TRUMP ON TRUMP: “I always go into a deal anticipating the worst. If you plan for the worst—if you can live with the worst—the good will always take care of itself.”

Donald Trump is blunt, brash, surprisingly old-fashioned in spots—and always, always an original. Trump: The Art of the Deal is an unguarded look at the mind of a brilliant entrepreneur and an unprecedented education in the art of the deal. It’s the most streetwise business book there is—and a sizzling read for anyone interested in money and success.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

[2 stars out of four, or three out of five] Trump, trumps himself and fails sports 101 in the process.......2007-09-27

Unless your a fan of this braggard, who's gone
bankrupt more times than O.J., the N.Y. and N.J
markets are gonna be oblique to most. But the sports
parts are not that good. Yes, I was glad to see the
USFL challenge the overrated NFL and yes, I was glad
to have trumps high priced lawyers stick it to the
Corporate Fascist Alvin H. Rosencranz (who euphanis-
tically called himself 'Pete' Rozelle. But Trump
makes so many wrong statements in here that one has
to wonder if there was an illiterate ghost-writer
afoot. No, the American Football League did NOT
start in 1962, it was 1960-69. No the 1970's old
World Football League didn't start in 1973, it was
1974-75. He also lied about Don Shula, Miami's
legendary Coach about to come Coach the USFL's
New Jersey team. Trump claims Shula nixed the deal
because he wanted an apartment in Trump's building
- Free! He claims Larry Csonka's idea to merge the
CFL (is something like that were posible) was a
bad idea caliming that the CFL had a bunch of nobody
players - totally untrue! They still to this day have
many great players. NFL QBs like Trent Green, Jeff
Garcia and others have CFL experience. Trump's sign-
ing of Doug Flutie was a highlight to be sure. It was
the third straight Heisman winner the USFL beat out
the NFL from getting in their league although they
all went there later. Get Flutie's book entitled
Flutie for the real story. It took Flutie until 1988
to get all his money owed him. Trump's main loss in
a USFL sense was bribing the other USFL owners to
going to the fall. Yes, this artsie-fartsie dealer
is slick. But is always comes back around and now
he is on the Apprentice. And dumb commercials.R.I.P.

I just really enjoyed it.......2007-09-10

So this book is not a plain "how to" book. That's fine. If you have just enough skill, you'll find that this is not only great story telling about how he put all these deals together that made him millions upon millions, but also how he did it. He throws bits of his psychology around through out the book, those are easy to catch, and if you look just a little deeper you'll see all the other points that helped make him so rich, things like: persuasion, hard work, calculated risk, being involved in your business, don't leave things to chance, work with the best, don't be afraid of something you don't know, find ways to make things work for you, etc. I could go on and on.

Don't expect this to be your "how to make deals manual" but if you are the right person, you just might get more pointers than you expect. Like I said in the title, I just really enjoyed this book, regardless of what it is not.

Oldie but a Goodie.......2007-09-03

This book may be 20 years old, but the practices explained are as timely today as they were then. The basics rarely change, whether you are dealing in real estate or producing a product. The chapters are concise, solid stories on how deals were put together, obsticles overcome and politics played. Mr. Trump's style is an easy read and explains the game that he loves and makes no apologies for; making money. I found it a fascinating book.

Ahhh The Donald............2007-07-25

Dont expect to get much advice on how to negociate a deal.. even though the book is titled "The art of the deal" The book is more so about Trump, his life and his business dealings. Its still pretty good reading none the less. 4 Stars.

I'm not a big fan of Trump.......2007-07-01

But I have to be honest; I thought the book was great. Mostly, I'm not a big fan because I find him to be vein, pompous, arrogant, and a blatant self-promoter. You have to give it to him though, this is what works for him, and this is what has made Donald Trump a household name. I think he'd be successful regardless, but like most successful developers he wouldn't be a celebrity (how many millionaire developers do you know?). The beautiful thing about it is he's pretty honest about his strategy in the book. This book was written 20 years ago, and even then he was the same guy. He understands the power of promotion, even if it's self-promotion.

There are several things I loved about the book. First, his blatant honesty about himself, the reason why he does the things he does, and his opinions on his rivals. He comes clean about his strategy for calling everything he does the best, greatest, or biggest "in the world". He knows it may or may not be true, but he's just after the effect of those powerful words, and not whether or not they can be contested.

Second, I enjoyed the journey of traveling through his mind, as he contemplates the pros and cons, and finally the reason for moving forward with or declining the deals described in his book.

Lastly, I really felt like you get a better understanding of what his day-to-day is like. Even thought this is 20 years ago, his routine is probably about the same, doing a thousand things at once. All of which must meet his standard for tremendous scale and proportion.

Trump has a strategy, and his arrogance is part of it. He has reached his many goals and for him, life is really about these challenges, and the fun of surpassing them and getting to the finish line. This hobby of his has amounted to a tremendous personal fortune. But in the end, it's clear that it's not so much about the money, as it is about winning. You can take away some pretty valuable lessons from this book.

So regardless of how you feel about the guy, the book is worth checking out. It's no masterpiece (thus my 4 stars), but it is entertaining, insightful, somewhat motivating and instructive, and a very easy read. Definitely recommend.

Investing in Real Estate With Lease Options and "Subject-To" Deals : Powerful Strategies for Getting More When You Sell, and Paying Less When You Buy

Average customer rating:

Great Book! Great Author!
The best from the East works even in the West!!!
GO Slowly and Know What You are Doing
Great info.
Her book is simply an advertisement

Investing in Real Estate With Lease Options and "Subject-To" Deals : Powerful Strategies for Getting More When You Sell, and Paying Less When You Buy
Wendy Patton
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 047171836X

Book Description

With lease options and subject-to deals, investors can control properties worth much more than what they could normally afford to purchase. The potential for profit is great and the costs of getting started are low.

This book shows novice investors how author Wendy Patton and thousands of other Americans—including well-known real estate developers and business moguls—use lease options and subject-to deals to control valuable property without necessarily owning it. The cost of purchasing an option or subject-to deal is a fraction of what it costs to buy a home. That's why these kinds of deals are typically found in every serious investor's portfolio. Sharing the secrets and strategies investors use to profit from low- and no-money-down deals, Patton gives investors all the information they need to succeed.

"Finally, a book that explains lease option and subject-to deals in depth and detail. This book is essential for anyone who wants to make money in real estate without using a lot of cash or taking on a lot of risk. A gold mine of great information."
—Robert Shemin, New York Times bestselling author of Secrets of Buying and Selling Real Estate¿Without Using Your Own Money!

"Few can rival Wendy's knowledge and experience with lease option and subject-to deals. This is a must-read for beginning and advanced investors and the real estate agents who serve them."
—Gary Keller, New York Times bestselling author of The Millionaire Real Estate Investor

"The techniques Patton teaches here are invaluable—especially for working with Realtors and still getting properties for little- or no-money-down. The detail in this book will make you want to read every page."
—Albert Lowry, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of How You Can Become Financially Independent by Investing in Real Estate

Customer Reviews:

Great Book! Great Author!.......2007-09-14

This book is very well written. Excellent. Three months after reading her "Lease Option/Subject To" book I was able to do a lease option deal with a motivated seller. Now that I am ready to exercise my option, I was having problems finding a mortgage broker that can refinance a lease option deal. I emailed Wendy Patton and she responded in less than 24 hours with 5 mortgage brokers that can do the refinance. Bottom line, this is a Great Book! and a Great Author!

The best from the East works even in the West!!!.......2007-08-30

As Real Estate Investors, when we hear of different ways to make money in this business, usually the first question always is "Will this work for me?" or "Will this work in my area?" or even better, will it work now "in this type of market?" Well, I say that Wendy has techniques that will answer YES to all three questions. My eyes really lit up when I learned how to combine methods--such as buying "Subject-To (getting the deed) and then Lease Optioning!!! Boy talk about a million dollar idea!! And these methods work -NO MATTER WHAT YOUR MARKET IS DOING!!! It was once said by a very popular and wealthy individual that we should "Own nothing and CONTROL everything"--well you got it right here!!! CONTROL WITHOUT OWNERSHIP!!! And you can get wealthy doing it. How would you like to own (control) over 100 homes at one time and have THREE sources of income from EACH house!!!! How many checks can you handle? That is what this book will do for you!!! GO GET IT NOW!!! RIGHT NOW!!!

GO Slowly and Know What You are Doing.......2007-07-26

As a Realtor, I get a little nervous when my investor clients come to me and want to try things they read about or saw on the web or on tv. Most of those things are illegal in the state I practice in.
However, this is a good primer for beginners in Lease Options and Subject-to deals, both Realtors and investors can profit from this read.
I do have clients who use variations of these strategies, but it is very important that you fully understand how these work and what can happen if they don't work. This book is a good addition to every investor and Realtor's reference library.
A word of caution: Before you attempt any of these proceedures discuss it with a very knowledgable real estate attorney, preferrably one who is also a real estate investor.

Great info........2007-07-05

I have a hard time believing that it is quite as easy as this book makes it sound but some very interesting and useful info.

Her book is simply an advertisement .......2007-06-28

How to Invest in Real Estate using Lease Options and Subject To's is nothing but an advertisement for her more expensive $700 course which includes all the scripts, contracts, forms, CD's, DVD's, powerpoint presentations to Realtors and so forth. I am really disappointed that she refuses to allow you to download these scripts, contracts and forms she mentions in her book for free off her website. Her book is worthless until you are willing to shell out $700 for her course. I love the content of the book but if you are a broke unemployed salesman you will continue to stay broke because it always takes money to make money. There is no such thing as free anymore. No such thing as compassion for those trying to get a brake here.

Building Wealth One House at a Time: Making it Big on Little Deals

Average customer rating:

Great Value
Building Wealth One House at a Time Describes the Big Picture
Great Read for All RE Investors
If you 're flipper or interested in flipping
Entry level info

Building Wealth One House at a Time: Making it Big on Little Deals
John W. Schaub
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Strategies for creating real estate wealth by star ting small--and always making the right moves

Nationally known real estate expert John Schaub learned his craft in the best way possible--on the job, and through every kind of market. Over three decades, he learned to bank consistent profits as he built an impressive real estate mini-empire. Building Wealth One House at a Time reveals how virtually anyone can accumulate one million dollars worth of houses debtfree and earn a steady cash flow for life.

Unique in that it focuses on buying houses in good-quality neighborhoods, Schaub's nine-step program includes:

Renting to long-term tenants, with financial incentives to pay on time
Avoiding the temptation of bigger deals, which invariably include bigger problems
A 10-year plan to pay off debt and own houses free and clear

Customer Reviews:

Great Value.......2007-09-11

This is just great basic but very valuable information, and a keeper for a long term reference for anyone investing in houses. I've been a student of John's (and also Peter Fortunato, who has also commented here), for years and always continue to learn from his good quality advise.

I've bought several and give them away to folks that ask about how to invest in real estate and has been a great start for several and a good reference for experienced investors that often find themselves venturing into high risk, marginal properties instead of staying with a good old house.

Building Wealth One House at a Time Describes the Big Picture.......2007-07-31

This is one of the outstanding real estates investment books on the market. John Schuab writes as one who has years of experience and knows the ropes.

The advice in this book is rock solid: buy good houses in good neighborhoods, learn to buy at wholesale prices, and attract long-term low-maintenance tenants who will pay off your loans and improve your property value.

One thing I really like about this book is that John Schuab sees the big picture. He may act in the short-term, but he always has a view of the long-term consequences. So, he doesn't' buy a house because it is priced well, or near a school or a shopping mall. He's thinking 20-30 years ahead to what that house's value and rental desirability will be way down the line.

You have to admire that kind of thinking. That's the kind of thinking that invests in houses that will pay big dividends. Good investments and patience pay off in John Schuab's world. Patience is more than a virtue with John Schuab, it's a commandment. The guy still has the first house that he bought 30 years ago, and its one of his best rentals.

Lincoln said, "I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come." "Building Wealth One House at a Time" is one book worth studying.

Terry Sprouse -- author of the forthcoming book "Fix 'em Up, Rent 'em Out: How to Start Your Own House Fix-up and Rental Busines in Your Spare Time"

Great Read for All RE Investors.......2007-07-24

John Schaub's book is a must read for all Real Estate Invesotrs. From the beginner to the experienced investor, all will gain some very useful insight from this book.
It is not a get rich quick book hyping up Real Estate, but rather a very
low no nonsense way to wealth build through Real Estate one house at a time. John Schaub is not just a promoter, he still buys and sells houses for his own portfolio today.
It's great to learn from such a pro. He also does a couple of seminars a year on Real Estate. They are also a must for any one wanting to get into the Business (I've been to several of them-they are great!).
Bottom line-Great Book, a must read.
Reggie Lal, Be The Smart Investor . com

If you 're flipper or interested in flipping.......2007-03-31

I didn't expect to learn much from this book, and I wasn't disappointed. I only read the book because it was available from the local libarry. This book is for those interested in acquiring rental houses and accumulating over a lifetime. That aside, I didn't find any value to the book. You could learn more on finding, negotiating, inspections are several flipper books, even if you interested accumulating rental properties. The author pays too much for his houses. He should be more selective, even if he intends to hold onto the houses.

Entry level info.......2007-03-10

I was hoping for a text with more than the very basic, very repeated information in most books of this subject. If it's your first book on real estate investing, it will be great. If you're seeking more advanced subject matter, look elsewhere.

The Teenage Guy's Survival Guide: The Real Deal on Girls, Growing Up and Other Guy Stuff

Average customer rating:

Great book
Great book for teens
Font changes make book practically unreadable
Mom! God! You're weird for buying this for me!
1 of the best books ive read

The Teenage Guy's Survival Guide: The Real Deal on Girls, Growing Up and Other Guy Stuff
Jeremy Daldry
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316178241

Customer Reviews:

Great book .......2007-09-10

I got this book for my twelve year old son who is turning 13 at the end of the year. Although I did not read it myself, it was certainly a conversation starter between my son and I about sexuality, drugs and other stuff kids are usually too scared to ask their parents. He read the book fairly quickly, which was great because it is hard to get him to read on his own. He told me he enjoyed the book and it had provided him with information on a lot of the things that he was interested in(scared about or anxious about). I would definitely recommend this book to others of his age category.

Great book for teens.......2007-08-30

We bought this book for our son who is now a freshman in high school. It covered alot of information and he seemed to be more receptive of some of it coming "from someone else" other than his parents. It's a great book!

Font changes make book practically unreadable.......2007-04-19

The random font changes throughout this book are simply ghastly, making the book practically unreadable and detracting from the seriousness of the topic.

Much better are: "What Smart Teenagers Know...About Dating, Relationships & Sex" by Deborah Hatchell, "The Guy Book" by J. Mavis, and my 15 year-old son's choice, "Doing it Right" by B. Pardes.

Mom! God! You're weird for buying this for me! .......2007-01-10

That's the phrase I heard from my son when I gave this to him. He also informed me that his cousin, whom I also gave this book to, thinks I'm weird. But guess what?? THEY ARE READING IT!
So does it bother me to be the weird mom/aunt? Heck no! This book is very informative and gives them the info in a humor-filled and age appropriate way. It's an easy read.
I suggest parents read it through first and address issues as they see fit.

1 of the best books ive read.......2006-12-12

first off i have bad spelling so excuse that.... any way i laughed thru the whole book i got it in the school library and spent a whole period reading it..... i recomend this book it goes thru every thing from dating to drugs from sex to materbating to porn to depression... it helps alot with all those embarsing questions.... you should defently get it

Insider Secrets to Financing Your Real Estate Investments: What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Finding and Financing Your Next Deal

Average customer rating:

The book is too basic for experienced investors
Great info on how the loan process works
Lakewood, CA
One of the better real estate investment books
Excellent Book

Insider Secrets to Financing Your Real Estate Investments: What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Finding and Financing Your Next Deal
Frank Gallinelli
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know about Cash Flow... And 36 Other Key Financial Measures
The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties: How to Analyze Any Single-Family, Multifamily, or Commercial Property
The Pre-Foreclosure Property Investor's Kit: How to Make Money Buying Distressed Real Estate -- Before the Public Auction
The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings
Investing in Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quads: The Fastest and Safest Way to Real Estate Wealth

ASIN: 0071445439

Book Description

Everything real estate investors need to know about finding, financing, and closing real estate investment deals

Navigating the complexities of real estate financing can be a major obstacle for the real estate investment novice. Now this quick-reference guide arms them with a road map for finding, evaluating, and financing golden investment opportunities. From due diligence made easy, to writing winning loan proposals, to successfully negotiating with sellers, to making sense of closing statements, Insider Secrets to Financing Your Real Estate Investments covers all the bases. Using dozens of annotated forms and checklists, Frank Gallinelli tells you what you need to know about:

Selecting the best real estate investments for individual investor needs
What lenders are really looking for in real estate investors
Creating winning loan presentations
Closing statements and what to expect when the deal is sealed

Customer Reviews:

The book is too basic for experienced investors.......2007-05-24

If you are new, this book might offer more insights, but for the experienced investor there was very content to justify buying it. The only gem I took away from this was preparing a presentation binder on a property for a bank when seeking financing.

Great info on how the loan process works.......2007-04-09

This is much better than his cash flow book. Really provides insight about the borrowing process and what lenders expect. Great for understanding the terms. Covers Loan to value, Debt Coverage ratio, Different types of lenders and uses. He compares zero down deals, all cash deals, and the mix of both and points out the real deal of all the scenarios. Also gives good instruction on how to be prepared when going to a lender.

This book is not motivational type at all. Just facts and info about what I mentioned above. It made a lot of things very clear to me. A must read if you are not familiar with the loan process and terms.

Lakewood, CA.......2006-12-28

Buy this book and the "What every real estate investor needs to know about CASH FLOOW" by the same author, you are well armed in the field of commercial real estate. Both books are easy to read and you will learn a wealth of practical information that can be put to use immidiately. I don't normally write comment for books I purchased, but these two books are special. It is my way to say thanks to the author.

One of the better real estate investment books.......2006-02-03

No fluff or filler, this book tells you what you really need to know in concise and certain terms. It's a refreshing break from all the "No Money Down" motivational seminars in book form. This is the real stuff... highly recommended. After reading the first few pages, I got back online and bought his Cash Flow book.

Excellent Book.......2005-10-17

I read this book as a follow up to Frank's other book, "What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow".

Overall, I found the book to be an excellent summary of analytical ways to evaluate your alternative investments in real estate.

The book contains numerous tables, reference charts and tools that one can use in analyzing investments.

Frank has a unique [i.e., simple) way of taking the reader through an analysis or example of what otherwise would be a complicated discussion.

Again, all in all, a great book. I refer to it frequently. Highly recommend it.

The Real Deal: My Life in Business and Philanthropy

Average customer rating:

No Deal at All
Good Read but nothing New and Quite Biased
GREED CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS
The Real Deal is really a well written book.
Horrendous - self excusing with no real content

The Real Deal: My Life in Business and Philanthropy
Sandy Weill , and Judah S. Kraushaar
Manufacturer: Business Plus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Business | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Corporate Finance | Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Money Management for Women | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Tough Choices: A Memoir
Work Hard, Study...and Keep Out of Politics! Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life
Tearing Down the Walls : How Sandy Weill Fought His Way to the Top of the Financial World. . .and Then Nearly Lost It All (Wall Street Journal Book)
Andy Grove: The Life and Times of an American
Mellon: An American Life

ASIN: 0446578142

Book Description

The Sandy Weill story is truly one for the ages. Starting with$30,000 in borrowed cash in 1960, and relying on uncanny entrepreneurialinstincts in the corporate world, he made himself a billionaire and becameone of the most powerful bankers in the world. After rising to become thepresident of American Express, Weill saw his empire crash and burn.Undaunted, he started over with a second-tier consumer loan company calledCommercial Credit, which eventually led to his position as CEO and thenchairman of Citigroup. While at Citigroup, Weill delivered an astounding2,600% return to investors--better than legendary CEO Jack Welch orinvestor Warren Buffett during that same period. But success is never aneasy path, and Weill shares all the high and low points along theway--warts and all. His ascent to power has been documented by the businessmedia over the years, but never before has Weill gone on the record,revealing his brutally honest and unvarnished side of his astounding lifeand career trajectory.

Customer Reviews:

No Deal at All.......2007-05-16

For all its girth, this book is shockingly shallow and a huge disappointment for anyone hoping to learn real secrets behind the author's successful business career. There is a lot of score-settling and finger-pointing at those who he felt mistreated him (like proteges Peter Cohen and Jamie Dimon), but very little in 'take-away' value about what to look for in building a successful business. I was reading this book simultaneously with Danny Meyer's "Setting the Table" and the contrast could not be more striking. In a much shorter but infinitely richer and more rewarding volume, Meyer painstaking reveals all his business success secrets; the reader feels totally cared for which emulates the experience of being in his restaurants, whereas the Weill volume left me feeling that Mr. Weill cared not one whit for his readers because it imparted so few useful insights.

Good Read but nothing New and Quite Biased.......2007-03-02

This is actually quite an interesting book and a fairly good and fast read. However compared to the previous two books on Weill, this offers maybe only 5% new information and some extra personal view on events that were reported by other authors.

My main grip with this book is that it shows everything in a very biased view. Everyones "leaving" Sandy for whatever reason gave him a feeling of betrayal and someone who did not appricate what was done for them.
Jamie Dimon is depicted as a strong personality, maybe inflexible (Joan Weill also cites this as reason for why everyone close to Jamie left him), but this is not the view for why everyone (and really everyone) close to Sandy did not continue working for him.
While a lot of associates were described as people who could not change the way they worked, Sandy himself writes about having "issues" leaving day to day runnning of Citibank to Chick Prince.

Maybe the only way for a really different perspective on this will be if other executives (especailly Jamie Dimon) ever pen down their side of the story.

GREED CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS.......2007-02-21

I have read in the past biographies of famous businessmen of the 19th/early 20th century. Names of businessmen that can be easily recognized because their names were immortalized with their products and/or services (Chrysler, Gillette, Ford, Edison, Marconi, etc.). The driving force behind the success of those men was innovation/creativity in their products and services that resulted in great benefits to the public in general.

After reading this book, you can only conclude that Sandy Weill's driving force in life has been Greed. The only innovations and creativities displayed by Sandy where those directed to play or manipulate the stock market, and those for self-promotion. Create, merge, inflate the stock value and profit from the above.

It did not matter what the name of the company was, or the benefits to the customers, just merge make a big name, inflate stock value and reap the benefits of that. His practices were investigated by the Federal Trade Commission. He says he was exonerated, but very likely Feds were unable to put a case together.

Family life with his children did not appear to have any meaning. Although he names and blames many others for having poor inter-personal skills for team work within the company, I think he top them all. People who helped him to progress in his "career" within the company ended without jobs.

His name will be forgotten soon, if ever recognized. His only legacy will be the billions of dollars left to his progeny. Money created in a quite bizarre way, jumping from company to company, morphing in this and morphing in that. Is that business?

Good psychotherapy book for those who value other things in life, beside money and power.

Frank (bids2005@aol.com)

PS. The "philanthropy" word in the title of this book is deceiving. Philos= Love; Anthopo= Humans. Love for Humans, this is the only thing lacking in this book. He only loves money.

The Real Deal is really a well written book........2007-01-22

Sandy Weill is very open about details, both business and personal, regarding his rise from an insecure youth with bad school grades to Ivy School grad and creation and subsequent loss of a business empire. Mr. Weill then relates his discomfort in failed attempts to re-enter the business world, which he finally realizes one year later. Remarkably, he creates another business empire, which eclipses the prior empire. I liked that Mr. Weill was very open about his relationships in business, both positive and negative, as well as personal relationships. He often discussed his relationship with his wife and her support of him, as well as the hardships she endured, and also the hardships his children endured, as a result of his career. Having previously worked for Aetna, I had hoped for details in the background of the purchase of that company. Unfortunately, I was disappointed, because only two or three sentences in the booked mentioned it. It was not one of his major accomplishments.

I would recommend this book not only for people seeking insight into successful business tactics, but also for enjoyment of the historical background of how some of the biggest business deals evolved in the last quarter century.

My hat is off to Joan, Sandy's wife. She appears to be not only a true sweetheart to her man, but also a successful business/charity executive in her own right.

Horrendous - self excusing with no real content.......2007-01-11

Sandy spends all his time blaming others for the problems he encountered with personal interactions and does not give any insight as to how he made and negotiated the actual M&A deals. 6 discs of Sandy patting himself on the back with no real content. Don't waste your time and money.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul : The Real Deal School

Average customer rating:

A Teen's Best Resource
Chicken Soup For the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal School
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal School
A MUST READ FOR TEENS
AWESOME!!

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul : The Real Deal School
Jack Canfield , Mark Victor Hansen , and Deborah Reber
Manufacturer: HCI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Teens | Subjects | Books

Inspirational | Religion & Spirituality | Teens | Subjects | Books

Chicken Soup for the Soul | Series | Teens | Subjects | Books

Teenagers | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Friends (Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: the Real Deal)
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff: Stories of Tough Times and Lessons Learned (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges: Stories about Disses, Losses, Messes, Stresses & More (Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: the Real Deal)
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love & Friendship
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV: More Stories of Life, Love and Learning (Canfield, Jack)

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0757302556

Book Description

The Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul books have sold more than 15 million copies, and they continue to be the strongest selling Chicken Soup backlist. Now, with the help of Scholastic book clubs, we've developed a new series that keeps the best of the old (the stories teens love) with the best of the new. The Real Deal books will feature approximately 50 Chicken Soup stories, combined with text and sidebar material that talks about issues relevant to teen lives. This isn't a lessons book or straight-talk from adults, but teen-friendly conversation about important topics like gossip, bad haircuts, getting cut from the team, and the pain of breaking up (even if you've only been together two weeks). The first book in the new series tackles all the tough questions and fun times associated with that cornerstone of teen life: school. From taking tests to dealing with cliques, from teachers to crushes and all the other relationships teens have to deal with on a daily basis, teens will see themselves (and their friends and enemies) in this honest and fun book. And keep your shelf open for the next book in the series, The Real Deal: Friends, publishing for Christmas 2005. Key Features With 15 million copies sold, there is nothing like the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul brand. This new branded series updates the topics and design without losing the core appeal for the market. This is not a dry or didactic book. The focus is on the relationships and tensions that school creates in the lives of tweens and teens, not in the classroom. The material between stories, written by a professional tween/teen writer, will reinforce the teen-to-teen nature of the stories, without the adult perspective that ruins so many YA nonfiction titles.

Customer Reviews:

A Teen's Best Resource.......2006-07-31

Reviewed by Cathy Yanda for Reader Views (07/06)

This book will remind everyone who reads it that we all have challenges in our lives and even when they seem like more than we can handle, we can face them and overcome them. True to the Chicken Soup series, this book full of beautifully written, true-life stories and poems. "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul's The Read Deal: Challenge" lets you read what other teenagers have to say about disses, losses, messes, stresses and more. This book should be on every teen's bookshelf - just in case they want to read it. If there had been a resource like this when I was a teenager, I'd have been more prepared for many things - from peer pressure to have sex and use drugs to my parents' divorce. This is not an advice book. It is a book written by teens for teens in their own words, and they touched me deeply. One of my favorites, titled `Silent Scream', written by Ashley, a 16 year old, about being an emotional basket case. This poem could have been written about me when I was her age. I cried when I read `Chain Reaction' written by 19-year-old Megan about the mugging and death of her best friend.

Challenges are a part of each of our lives. It is difficult enough to be a teenager with raging hormones without having to also forgive your best friend for being with the guy who broke your heart or having your dad die or being the shortest kid in class or failing a class. Each chapter includes stories, poems, self-quizzes, and tidbits about movies to see and books to read. Topics include everything from anorexia, cutting yourself, abuse, peer pressure, being stabbed in the back by a friend and much more. This book is not one to be read straight through but to savor the writing on each page, to be referred to when the need arises. It is a valuable resource for parents to help you understand what your teenagers and tweens might be going through. It is well-written, composed of just enough information to be valuable and yet not be overwhelming, and on a level that will easily speak to the teenager in your life.

Chicken Soup For the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal School.......2006-05-22

After reading this book, I found all of the stories included in this compilation very touching. I liked how each short story aimed to teach a little life lesson. The inspiration that these stories carried along with them made me realize how much this book was worth reading. I also enjoyed reading the quizzes and tidbits of information on various topics. The only complaint I would have against this book would be the authors' anecdotes from their own lives. They attempted to relate to teens, but fell short when it came to accuracy. It has been a while since they have been teenagers, and many things have changed in high school. Not only that, but their stories proved to be a bit dull. Other than that, I really did enjoy reading this book, and I look forward to reading other books in this series.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal School.......2006-05-18

Are you a teen looking for some answers? Well if you are then I have the perfect book for you.
When I read the book Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal it changed my way of thinking.
I started understanding life more and why it is so hard. And now I better understand when people say it's a rough world out there. I am only twelve and I have a lot more to learn about the world and this book has help me understand a little more about it.
This book has a lot you can learn from for example this book has poems, sort stories, and even some facts. This book is written by different teenagers that wished to share some stories.
The book has stories of friendships, body changes, and even dating. So I reccommend this non-fiction book to everyone who's ready to grow up... P.S This Is Your Home Girl Joslyn Diaz Saying PEACE OUT!!!
Age 12

A MUST READ FOR TEENS.......2005-10-25

I think that this book is better then some of the other Chicken Soup books because it specializes on one topic instead of being so broad like the other books. Also, I could definitely relate to this book more then other teenage Chicken Soup books, making this book more enjoyable for me. Being a younger teen, school was one of the few topics I could relate to in the other Chicken Soup books, so to produce a book like this, it was really helpful.
This book still contains stories from teens, but the author contributes more to book. It has many more side bars, and is much more colorful (although it still doesn't have any pictures). This book contains easy to read information about peer pressure, best friends and fighting with them, making new friends, moving away, cliques and much, much more. I would really recommend this book to anyone over the age of eleven years old. You don't necessarily have to be struggling in school to read Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Real Deal: School, it's a good read for anyone who likes reading this kind of material.

AWESOME!!.......2005-10-22

If you are like me, and are really careful with your money and aren't sure if u want this book because your worried your going to waste your money. TRUST ME, you will not waste it!! This is a MUST READ!!
As I was reading this book, the whole time I was going "EXACTLY!! FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERYDAY!!!" because seriously, teen life has MAJORLY changed from when the adults were teens. Its nothing like it use to be. And this is coming from a teen who has been through it all, stress, evil teachers, annoying parents, depression, bullying, a crap load of homework, evil coaches, peer pressure AND MORE!! I think teachers, parents, concelors, coaches, etc...should all read this so they know exactly what us teen have to go through everyday of our life!! Let's face it, TEEN YEARS SUCK!!!!

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges: Stories about Disses, Losses, Messes, Stresses & More (Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: the Real Deal)

Average customer rating:

Being a Teen-ager
Amazing stories
Bad Soup

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges: Stories about Disses, Losses, Messes, Stresses & More (Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: the Real Deal)
Jack Canfield , Mark Victor Hansen , and Deborah Reber
Manufacturer: HCI Teens
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Teens | Subjects | Books

Inspirational | Religion & Spirituality | Teens | Subjects | Books

Chicken Soup for the Soul | Series | Teens | Subjects | Books

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff: Stories of Tough Times and Lessons Learned (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul : The Real Deal School
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love & Friendship
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Friends (Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: the Real Deal)
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV: More Stories of Life, Love and Learning (Canfield, Jack)

ASIN: 0757304079

Book Description

What's teen life without problems and worries? Teens will find validation, comfort and answers in this hip new book in the breakthrough Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Real Deal series Misery loves company. Whether it's bratty brothers, befuddled parents, unfair teachers, sky-high expectations or more serious problems like divorce, illness or death, teens want and need to hear that their experiences are not uniquely horrible and that life is going to be all right. And who better to hear it from than other typical teens? Chapters Include: Family Freak Outs (bratty brothers, strict parents, divorce, etc.) Who Am I? (self-esteem, self-image, wanting to be different, wanting to be accepted) EBC: Emotional Basket Case (emotional issues, depression, loneliness, etc.) Stabbed in the Back (by friends, teachers, coaches, etc.) Pressure (peer pressure, let yourself down, too high expectations) Losing It (illness, death, unexpected tragedy) What's Happening Out There? (outside issues like war, the environment, poverty, etc.)

Customer Reviews:

Being a Teen-ager.......2007-02-21

I liked the book cause it gives you good advice, and it gives you tips, tells how to get your-self out a bad situation to a good situation. It also tells you the importance of being in love. Also explains groups, cliques, classes, clubs and more. It let you yest your-self as if you were doing good or bad. I also liked the book because it gives you poems that will make your day feel better. Tells you about the Social Scene, Everyday Life, Outsiders, Grown up Factor, Tough Stuff, Life Outside the Classroom, Love, Getting Real, being a Teen-ager, and last but not least... The Real Deal!!!

Amazing stories.......2006-09-05

Well, I don't know what the other reviewer was reading, but this was the best collection of stories in a Chicken Soup book yet. All of these stories are written by teens, and they talk about some of the grittiest stuff I've ever read. I mean, imagine being kidnapped by your own mother, or helping your friend through a suicidal breakdown. It doesn't get any more real than that. It's just great to know that there are other teens experiencing the same kinds of craziness I see every day. I take this book with me everywhere. I like the quizzes and other stuff too when I need a break from reading.

Bad Soup.......2006-08-20

Like I've said I really like Chicken Soup Books.I love the storys.So when this book came out I could'nt wait to read it.
Yet this book was a real dissapiontment.Their were'nt enough stories.There was to much commentary by the author,little tidbits and addons.The only story I can say I liked was Chain Reaction.It's a story about not judging people to quickly.Other than that nothing esle.

The Real Deal: A Spiritual Guide for Black Teen Girls

Average customer rating:

The Real Deal
Good, "darlin"....
Keeping it Real
Let Your Spirit Soar
You must read this!

The Real Deal: A Spiritual Guide for Black Teen Girls
Billie Montgomery Cook
Manufacturer: Judson Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Teens | Subjects | Books

Born Beautiful: The African American Teenager's Complete Beauty Guide
Stay Strong : Simple Life Lessons for Teens
Staying Pure (Payton Skky Series, 1)
True Friends (Carmen Browne)
Sober Faith (Payton Skky Series, 2)

ASIN: 0817014586

Book Description

Navigating life can be a challenge for any teenager, but some issues and struggles are unique to African American teens. This book offers some real life guidance that many African American teen girls need. Billie Montgomery Cook addresses a wide range of topics—including body image, self-esteem, sexuality, friendship—that are of particular importance to teens.

All of the subject matter is framed within the context of a young woman's developing Christian faith. Using a trendy language and style that will appeal directly to young African American girls, the author offers comfort, counsel, advice, and hope. Each chapter concludes with a short, faith-affirming prayer from the author to her readers as well as space for readers to write a prayer of their own. This book is based on the author's communication with her own teenage daughter.

Customer Reviews:

The Real Deal.......2007-08-26

This book provided real life scenarios that I used to teach teenaged girls. It is an excellent matter-of-fact reference tool. Thanks!

Good, "darlin"...........2007-05-08

My daughter (14) said that she liked the book, with the exception that the author's use of "darlin'" was overused. As a parent, I appreciated the focus and sentiment behind the book's concept.

Keeping it Real.......2006-11-26

Keeping it Real
Billie Montgomery Cook, a drama ministry coordinator at Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth Virginia, writes a concise book, The Real Deal A Spiritual Guide for Black Teen Girls, that can help teen girls get through this transitional period.

Starting with the premise that the body is a temple, Cook divides the book into three parts: Part One is good temple design. Part Two is temple construction. Construction Challenges is Part Three. A final part is finishing touches for your temple. In each section, she writes short chapters on the subjects that aid in the designing and building of the temple. For example, in the temple design section, self-esteem, truth, gratitude, faith, hope and love set the foundation. In the temple construction part, friendship, knowledge, spiritual discipline, prayer and work builds the temple. Part three, the construction challenges include such subjects as ingratitude, revenge, negativity, insecurity, sex, fear and lack of confidence.

Cook begins each chapter as though she is writing a letter to a daughter. Each letter is written in an informal and conversational style and language that teens can easily read and understand. Each letter presents the world's views and lifestyles. Cook counters this lifestyle by showing how God wants His people to live. Cook provides just enough information on both sides for the teen to think before she acts. At the end of each letter is a prayer, questions and a space for the teen to write or say her own prayer.

I find this book very interesting because some of those issues she wrote to teen girls could very well apply to the 21+ age group, too. Her straight-forward writing keeps your attention, and, her biblical references will get you reading the Bible. She says her chapters only touch the surface. She is correct. She could say much more. However, touching the surface works for teen girls who need short, simple and real information. For those teens who want to read more, she suggests some additional resources. A bibliography at the end of the book would have been helpful. Bible stories that address the issues presented would be useful, too. Without the bibliography and the biblical stories, the book is still a good read and it is certainly a good guide for teens girls. I would certainly recommend this book as a resource for a teen girl bible study group. With the mass of print and electronic media portraying girls as anything but Godly and virtuous, Cook's book establishes a different and higher standard of living.

Karen Lemmons
APOOO BookClub

Let Your Spirit Soar.......2004-10-10

THE REAL DEAL: A SPIRITUAL GUIDE FOR BLACK TEEN GIRLS by Billie Montgomery Cook is a book that advises teen girls how to overcome any and every obstacle that comes their way. In a society where how you look determines who you are, it is essential for impressionable black teen girls to know that their appearance should not validate who they are. Important topics covered consist of: body image, self-respect, sex and friendship which allows girls to see how a young Christian woman should handle these situations. Girls learn how to indulge in self-love, self-respect and self-worth. Each chapter is told in a way that's easy for teens to understand and at the end of each chapter is a prayer, a section which asks questions that require the reader to do a little soul-searching and a section for the reader to write their own prayer.

An essential part to every household with a teen girl, THE REAL DEAL enables teens to dig deep inside their spiritual selves to find answers to life's most common problems. What I enjoyed most about this book is that although it was written with teen girls in mind, it can also be used by adult women who suffer esteem issues or who aren't sure how to overcome various hurdles that come their way. Reading this book enabled me to do a little soul-searching and because of it I am stronger in my faith.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

You must read this!.......2004-07-13

This book is simply an essential tool in guiding you or your teen to a stronger level of self-respect, self-love, and a true relationship with Christ. I highly recommend it as a tool to engage in dialogue at home as well as at church or school. It easily bridges the gap between any age group, and proves that parents can, indeed, understand!

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