Book Description
Amazing Grace tells the story of the remarkable life of the British abolitionist William Wilberforce (1759-1833). This accessible biography chronicles Wilberforce's extraordinary role as a human rights activist, cultural reformer, and member of Parliament.
At the center of this heroic life was a passionate twenty-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, a battle Wilberforce won in 1807, as well as efforts to abolish slavery itself in the British colonies, a victory achieved just three days before his death in 1833.
Metaxas discovers in this unsung hero a man of whom it can truly be said: he changed the world. Before Wilberforce, few thought slavery was wrong. After Wilberforce, most societies in the world came to see it as a great moral wrong.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade, HarperSanFrancisco and Bristol Bay Productions have joined together to commemorate the life of William Wilberforce with the feature-length film Amazing Grace and this companion biography, which provides a fuller account of the amazing life of this great man than can be captured on film.
This account of Wilberforce's life will help many become acquainted with an exceptional man who was a hero to Abraham Lincoln and an inspiration to the anti-slavery movement in America.
Customer Reviews:
An outstanding person that we desperately need more of..........2007-09-27
When I first started reading this book, the way the author wrote was so different from so many of the science and histories that I usually read, I was prepared to give the book four stars. It seemed like such a serious topic about the efforts made by English gentlemen to curtail the slavery trade, that Metaxas (author) seemed to be almost flippant. But as I read further in the book, and realized what a good, humorous, and loveable person that Wilberforce was, I could understand why the author chose to write in this vein.
I have yet to see the movie, but from reading the book it definitely aroused my interest in the movements of that time period and the people involved. Wilberforce could not have picked a harder social ill to try to bring to the right conclusion, that of stopping the slave trade with the eventual goal which he did not live to see, of freeing the slaves in the Americas. That he worked on this tirelessly for 40 years, through own personal trials and illness, and saw it to its conclusion is a testimony to the strength of his character. Where are those men and women today? Did they all come during that time period from 1750 through the early 1800s? Like our own American heroes from the Revolutionary War and men like LIncoln, who though fallible, did the very best they could to alleviate the sufferings of others? I wish we could clone a few of these people now to fix the many wrongs of our society, including the ongoing pestilence of slavery.
I eventually learned to enjoy Metaxas writing. It's different to be sure, but a nice relief from the overly serious tomes that I usually read.
Karen SAdler
Amazing.......2007-09-21
A highly readable book about an amazing man who optimisitically believed he could make a difference, and did! Like Frank Capra's Mr. Smith, William Wilberforce was a politician who stuck to his ideals. He was very conscientious about living out his faith and seeking God's will. He believed in the humanity of others and the responsibility to better society and help the less fortunate. Highly recommended!
A small man with a great impact.......2007-09-06
Though the name "William Wilberforce" is hardly at the tips of our collective tongues anymore, author Eric Metaxas thinks it should be. In "Amazing Grace," Metaxas relates the story of Wilberforce -- a slight, stooped and sickly man -- whose physical frailty disguised a great strength of character and soul. Wilberforce, as a member of the British Parliament, was (at least according to Metaxas's telling) the driving force behind both the end of the slave trade in the British colonies in 1807 as well as the abolition of British slavery itself in 1833.
The book covers all of Wilberforce's life, from the controversies between Anglicanism and Methodism of his boyhood, through his indolent college days, to his conversion in 1785 at age 24, to his parliamentary career and his death in 1833. Metaxas tells a rousing story of a young man in search for meaning and relevance, in an age of barbarity toward animals, criminals and "lower" races that is shocking to the modern ear. Metaxas sets the stage by discussing animal cruelty -- bull, horse and bear-beating -- that were popular pastimes of the era. His catalog of the evil done to black slaves is chronicled by those who had first-hand familiarity with the infamous Middle Passage or the treatment of slaves on the sugar plantations of the West Indies. Wilberforce's voice is heard through excerpts from his personal diaries, bringing this now-obscure person to life.
I truly enjoyed the book, though with a few reservations. Metaxas's Wilberforce is a man whose worldview would be recognizable to moderns. As a man born of a racist and vicious era, he used his religious views in ways that ran counter to his society. He took seriously the scriptural dictum that humanity is created in God's image, resulting in the inevitable conclusion that people of color deserved the same treatment as whites. A sickly man, he showed great compassion for the poor and the weak, even extending this soft heartedness to animals. Among many other works, Wilberforce was a founding member of the then-named Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The reservations. Metaxas's style is usually staid, punctuated with the occassional tic -- he suddenly gets overly-cute or uses faux-Elizabethan anachronistic turns of phrase. He also tends to give Wilberforce solitary credit for opposing slavery, when this work started long before he appeared on the scene and ended after he left it. Metaxas's evidently sympathetic view of Wilberforce's spiritual life was another problem. In many passages, Metaxas presumes a conservative Christian worldview, lauding Wilberforce for making decisions that are in line with God's will, as though this was self-evident to the reader. Metaxas clearly roots for young Wilberforce to find God, and he speaks from with seeming familiarity with a convert's stages of maturation through during his conversion experience. There's nothing wrong with religious experience, but I found this overt tilt surprising and a bit troubling in a biography. Appallingly, Metaxas describes Anglicanism as a religion practiced in name only by bishops and clergy who no longer believed in its tenets. Metaxas even notes which bishops of the period are "orthodox," as though the reader understands and agrees to his meaning of the word. Metaxas may also be guilty of painting Wilberforce in too-bright colors. His subject's distrust of Roman Catholicism is minimized and his opposition to the right of labor to organize is left unmentioned. Wilberforce is sometimes portrayed as the most eloquent of speakers and other times as having a rather rambling and disconnected style. These inconsistencies and biases diminished the book's impact.
Nevertheless, I do recommend "Amazing Grace". In an age in which the wounds of racism and cruelty are still borne by too many, it is encouraging to read of a man who, though borne to wealth and privilege, put his faith into practice in a way that benefited so many and is still admirable today. "Amazing Grace" makes the strong case that William Wilberforce ought to merit at least a mention when the roll of the history's great humanitarians is read.
Yes he ended slavery.......2007-08-08
William Wilberforce did more than end slavery, he changed Western Civilization. He created the campaign button, used today to elect mere politicians, but he did it to end slavery and bring Christianity to India. He also helped recreate non-governmental organizations for schools, and widows and orphans of war and poverty. He helped change the penal code of Great Britain and bring back the use of morality to effect change for how small crimes corrupted society. (Note, this was the same tactics used by Giuliani to change the crime rate in New York.) Wilber ( his nickname among friends) was a short sickly man, gifted with a a superb speaking voice, great charisma, and the ability to be a great Christian leader without looking like a "stick in the mud" Puritan. He also had a strong backbone that allowed him to let insults, death threats, and 40 years of frustration slide by the way side. One day I hope to read his sons' 3 volume biography of his life, but in the mean time, you can't go wrong reading this well written and entertaining biography of his life.
Amazing book!.......2007-07-25
This book should have been called The Amazing Book. This is really an uplifting book and a must read. We all should have William Wilberforce as our role model.
William Wilberforce was the man to end slavery. More importantly, he is the man who made slavery unacceptable in our minds. Who today can honestly tell you that slavery is not evil or indeed needed for a country's economy? Merely two centuries ago, slavery was not only accepted but deemed necessary. William Wilberforce was the man who extinguished this belief forever! As a side note, I find it interesting that no prophet of any religion has ever succeeded or even tried to end slavery. A mere mortal by the name of Wilberforce not only succeeded in ending slavery, but succeeded into changing our minds into completely rejecting slavery as immoral. As the author says, Wilberforce truly changed the world! An amazing feat, and truly an amazing grace to befall upon us!
Wilberforce was a religious man, but at no time did he claim that he was chosen by God or claimed of ever receiving a vision or message from God. He was a simple good-hearted person who cared about the well-being of others, especially the less fortunate ones. He was kind and generous, and gave a lot of his wealth to the poor throughout his life. Even though at the start of his life he was indeed very rich, he died poor, and not even owning his own house. He lived the rest of his life living in the homes of his children. Yet he never felt cheated by life. He accomplished something that no one has ever achieved. He is indeed fortunate to be receiving prayers from so many till this day!
The book will expose the horrors of slavery, and how at the time the British (and the Europeans, but emphasize was on the British) viewed the African blacks as inferior beings, if beings at all. At the time, killing a black person, whether child or adult, was no different to the British as killing a rodent. Slaves were viewed as a material object to own and to discard of at any time as fit (usually by murdering and torturing the slave).
After reading this book, you will wonder how it was ever possible to accept the concept of owning slaves. What went through the minds of the Europeans at the time to accept such an abhorrent practice as the ownership and trade of slaves? And why do we think differently about this subject today than we did for the past thousands of years? What suddenly changed in our minds? Read the book, and find out how Wilberforce was able to change our minds on slavery. Don't be surprised if you shed a few too many tears.
However, Wilberforce, a member of the British parliament, had to endure many insults and opposition to finally pass the bill to end slavery. In fact, it was a twenty-year fight just to abolish the British slave trade, a battle Wilberforce won in 1807, and a fierce battle in parliament to abolish slavery itself in the British colonies, a victory achieved just three days before his death in 1833.
Wilberforce was hated by many and often called a hypocrite for caring more for the slaves and less for the poor working class. But as the author says, this accusation against Wilberforce was like saying that Christopher Columbus was a hypocrite for not discovering Australia as well. No one man or woman can ever end all the ills of man and woman, but together we can! If each man and woman today accomplishes just one great humane achievement, that's 5 billion humane achievements during our lifetime! If Wilberforce can do so much for so many millions, why can't we?
The author, Eric Mataxas, did an excellent job bringing to life a man who is truly immortal. Throughout the narrative of this book you will feel as if William Wilberforce is right there besides you. No other author could have written about Wilberforce as beautifully as Metaxas. This book is a real piece of art to be treasured in your library for the next generation, and makes an excellent bedtime story for our children.
Amazon.com
Originally written by Campbell in the '40s-- in his pre-Bill Moyers days -- and famous as George Lucas' inspiration for "Star Wars," this book will likewise inspire any writer or reader in its well considered assertion that while all stories have already been told, this is *not* a bad thing, since the *retelling* is still necessary. And while our own life's journey must always be ended alone, the travel is undertaken in the company not only of immediate loved ones and primal passion, but of the heroes and heroines -- and myth-cycles -- that have preceded us.
Book Description
Joseph Campbell's classic cross-cultural study of the hero's journey has inspired millions and opened up new areas of research and exploration. Originally published in 1949, the book hit the New York Times best-seller list in 1988 when it became the subject of The Power of Myth, a PBS television special.
The first popular work to combine the spiritual and psychological insights of modern psychoanalysis with the archetypes of world mythology, the book creates a roadmap for navigating the frustrating path of contemporary life. Examining heroic myths in the light of modern psychology, it considers not only the patterns and stages of mythology but also its relevance to our lives today--and to the life of any person seeking a fully realized existence.
Myth, according to Campbell, is the projection of a culture's dreams onto a large screen; Campbell's book, like Star Wars, the film it helped inspire, is an exploration of the big-picture moments from the stage that is our world. It is a must-have resource for both experienced students of mythology and the explorer just beginning to approach myth as a source of knowledge.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-25
In the Hero with a Thousand Faces Joseph Campbell traces the myths and stories associated with the heroic archetype through all the varied cultures and types, also looking at a psychological viewpoint at times. Very interesting from a storytelling point of view, and at something that resonates so strongly around the world.
This book changed my perspective on "Life, the Universe, and Everything".......2007-05-12
Wow. Now that I've read this book I can't believe that I'd never heard of Joseph Campbell before. I started this book slowly, taking in the general idea and getting the point Campbell is making: all myths, religions, epic tales, etc. follow the same basic over-arching pattern. The pattern is plotted out in extreme detail in the book, so I won't go into it here, but it is spot on.
Anyone who has any interest in religion, philosophy, psychology, or the human condition needs to read this book. ALthough it starts out a bit slow and self-evident, by the end you realize that you are reading a book written by a true master teacher. Campbell's clearcut objective explanations are superb and unarguably true. Using examples from the Bible, the Iliad, the Koran, native American folklore, Hindu tales, fairy tales, Eskimo tales, Chinese legends, African tribal rituals, and too many more cultural tales to mention, Joseph Campbell definitively lays out the monomyth and its structure.
The beauty of Campbell's writing is how it sneaks up on you. I was following the general theme of the book and feeling as if I was learning something until around the middle of the book it all clicked. This book is not just about myth, philosophy, or religion, it is about mankind's constant struggle to nail down and explain the human condition. What troubles us is that we can't ever do it.
For this reason, in every culture, there is always a hero story. A hero story that describes the life and adventures and discoveries of one man who broke through the confusing walls of this world we live in and became truly enlightened. What makes this book so perfect, though, is the painstaking detail with which Campbell recounts different parts of different myths, religious tales, legends, and folklore to illustrate the "monomyth" that all these stories are telling.
Be sure to also read the footnotes, as valuable information and references to other interesting novels are often found there as well.
Not sure what all the fuss is about this book.......2007-04-24
I got this book because many people mention that it is the way to learn how people tick. It has been mentioned that this can help with character development in writing.
I couldn't read it.
Maybe I am just not cerebral enough because I thought it was full or obscure references and difficult passages that lost me time and again. I could boil down what I got out of it, which is basically Freud's doctrine about how we all want to sleep with our mother's (or fathers).
There has to be something better out there than this.
If you don't enjoy Psychology / Mythology textbooks you won't like this.
I give it 3 stars because I didn't read the whole thing. Maybe all of the good stuff is after the first 100 pages...
A Master Teacher .......2007-02-22
The master teacher's words live on... It's amazing how Campbell's writings and teachings gain greater power and meaning over time. I recently watched a library rental tape of the PBS aired talks he did with Bill Moyers in 1987. I now plan to purchase these tapes as well as his books.
a piece of the puzzle........2006-12-29
Campbell has got it all figured out. He and Jung are a must read for any one looking to see religion for what it is rather than the misinterpreted mumbo jumbo that has been handed down as fact. This book is also important for writers. Since I am now a writer, and have been devoting myself to that, Campbell's works have been very helpful. Lucas used this book when creating Star Wars. Some of his characters seem plucked from this book. It is a must have for almost any writer, especially fantasy writers looking to create a complete myth/world.
Average customer rating:
- The Mysterious Benedict Society
- A sure winner for middle grade readers, boys and girls
- A fine leisure library pick.
- Great Book!
- page turner alert!
|
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Trenton Lee Stewart
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Action & Adventure
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
School
| Issues
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Adventure & Thrillers
| Literature & Fiction
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
-
Horns and Wrinkles
-
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
-
The Alchemyst (Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)
-
Rules (Newbery Honor Book)
ASIN: 0316057770 |
Book Description
Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them.Only four children-two boys and two girls-succeed.Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete.To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies.So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help.
Customer Reviews:
The Mysterious Benedict Society.......2007-10-04
The adventure begins when orphan Reynard Muldoon (Reynie) answers an advertisement in the paper - "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?"
Answering the ad leads Reynie to a strange building that opens at odd times and is filled with classrooms of children taking bizarre tests. I found myself taking the tests along with him, and although I was utterly confused by the questions, I was extremely relieved when Reynie was able to ace every test.
At the end of the testing, only four children are picked to take the final exam. Reynie, Sticky (George Washington), Kate Wetherall (who would really like to be called The Great Kate Weather Machine) and Constance Contraire master a maze, well let's say they all almost master a maze, and after some soul searching, they each decide to be part of a team that will embark on a dangerous adventure.
This story was wonderful to read. It gave me the same feeling as when I was reading the Harry Potter series. A little bit of science fiction, with a lot of mystery and a very warm and happy ending is my best "short" synopsis. I loved the description of the places and people throughout the story and it was complete with big spooky houses, bridges over troubled waters and creepy laboratories.
I also recommend this book as a gift. Middle school, high school and adults will enjoy this story. I'm sure it will be added to their collection of "read more than once" or "listen to many times" category.
A sure winner for middle grade readers, boys and girls.......2007-09-27
The Mysterious Benedict Society begins when eleven-year-old orphan Reynie Muldoon responds to a newspaper ad that asks: "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?" The ad leads Reynie to a series of examinations, to which he applies intelligence, ingenuity, and ethics.
Following the exams, Reynie finds himself part of an elite team of children. Children whose mission is nothing less than to save the world. With only a smattering of adult guidance, the children go undercover at a mysterious school, where they find horrors almost beyond comprehension. But they also learn to be resourceful, and to be loyal to one another. They become a sort of surrogate family, and learn that the unique strengths that they each bring to the problem are all necessary for its solution.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is an adventure novel with an old-fashioned feel (clear from the very picture of a mysterious house on the cover). There are Morse code messages, creepy laboratories, and secret tunnels. The school is even set on an island. But it's also a highly entertaining book, aimed squarely at the middle grade set, too, with humor at various levels (from irony to slapstick). Trenton Lee Stewart is very very funny. I flagged some dozen passages, and had a difficult time pruning it down to my favorite two.
Team member Kate, challenging the cliche "know it like the back of your hand":
Kate again, poking fun at her team in witty fashion:
"Aren't we a depressing bunch?" said Kate. "If we continue like this, we'll have to start calling it remorse code." (Codes and Histories)
A leader at the school, informing the children about the somewhat irrational rules:
"You can wear whatever you want, just as long as you have on trousers, shoes, and a shirt. You can bathe as often as you like or not at all, provided you're clean every day in class. You can eat whatever and whenever you want, so long as it's during meal hours in the cafeteria. You're allowed to keep the lights on in your rooms as late as you wish until ten o'clock each night." (Traps and Nonsense)
The four children are clearly drawn, and each arouses the reader's sympathy in a different way. The character of Constance, the smallest and crankiest of the children, is a delight, even as she's clearly annoying to the others. I also loved the brilliant but shy and insecure Sticky (he has a sticky memory). Kate is the epitome of bravery and resourcefulness. And Reynie is everyone's conscience, doing the right thing, and thinking clearly, until the end.
The Mysterious Benedict Society includes small illustrations at the start of each chapter. Carson Ellis's pen-and-ink drawings support, in tone, the old-fashioned feel of the book. But they also add to the book's humor, and capture the distinct personalities of the children.
I would have adored this book when I was 10 or 11. The Mysterious Benedict Society is a sure winner for middle grade readers, boy and girls, especially if they like puzzles, or reading about mystery and adventure. I think it could also be a fun read for their parents, too. Recommended for anyone, ages nine and up.
A slightly longer version of this book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on September 26, 2007.
A fine leisure library pick........2007-09-07
An ad for 'gifted children seeking special opportunities' invites dozens of children to take a series of mind-bending tests - but the winners, four special children, are to go on a secret mission which proves dangerous and compelling, introducing them to new worlds in THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY. Advanced teen readers will quickly become absorbed in the challenging adventure which holds plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing, making it a fine leisure library pick.
Great Book!.......2007-08-22
I bought this on a whim at a book fair. Captivating. Great characters, nice plotting, really good. Beware, tho, my book was missing ~30 pages in the middle.
Also try "The Penderwicks" by Birdsall, also a really well written kids' book.
page turner alert!.......2007-08-18
an 11 year old orphan answers an ad for "gifted children looking for special opportunities". the book is a worlwind of activity and mystery. when reynald ends up investigating a school of children run by a criminal mastermind he might just be up to his ears in trouble. his fellow benedictians are also all orphans and are just as loveable as he is. the ending has a surprise twist that is really fun. you won't be able to put this down!
Average customer rating:
- Inspiration to be your best - Psychology of the Hero Soul delivers!
- OK
- Essential Reading for Ways to Unlock Your Inner Genius
- A Wonderfully Inspirational Book!
- Empowering!
|
Psychology of the Hero Soul
Sharif Khan
Manufacturer: Diamond Mind
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Leadership
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Motivational
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Personal Transformation
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0973192208 |
Book Description
Psychology of the Hero Soul is an inspirational book on awakening the hero soul within to rekindle your passion for greatness. It is based on over ten years of research of what makes great leaders, combining elements of psychology, human potential, mythology, the dramatic arts, and spirituality to document the genesis of greatness.
"Psychology of the Hero Soul will leave you inspired by the triumph of the human soul and show you how to harness the forces within you to live your highest life," writes
Debbie Ford, author of # 1 N.Y. Times Bestseller, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers
Customer Reviews:
Inspiration to be your best - Psychology of the Hero Soul delivers!.......2007-09-19
I read this book in one sitting - it was uplifting and inspiring! I have read many of the works Sharif Khan refers to in this book as part of a continuing journey to find life purpose and reach my highest potential. Sharif takes these works from mythology, psychology, spirituality, philosophy and creatively weaves them into inspiration and practical advice. His own passion for living a hero's life is evident throughout the book. The language is simple yet eloquent. I've also had the pleasure of speaking to Sharif as a consultant for my own book project. I can tell you first hand that he walks his talk.
OK.......2006-11-04
I thought it was OK. I bought it as I thought the excerpts on Amazon sounded really good, and it had great reviews, but I haven't yet figured out why it got such great reviews. Apparently, the excerpt I read was the best part of the book. I have nothing bad to say about it as there is nothing bad about it; I've just read better.
Essential Reading for Ways to Unlock Your Inner Genius.......2005-09-09
Eye for the Future Magazine Volume 9 Issue 2
book review
With power and vision, Sharif Khan does a masterful job of documenting the genesis of greatness by exploring the winning psychology of heroes. Khan's new book, Psychology of the Hero Soul, is an original work on developing leadership specifically designed to unlock readers' inner-hero potential to achieve success on a large scale.
As an inspirational book on awakening the hero within, The Hero Soul distinguishes itself from other leadership books by a remarkable breadth and scope. The book cuts across many disciplines as a highly integrative, holistic work on the concept of Hero. The author combines studies in psychology, philosophy, mythology, spirituality, the dramatic arts, business and human potential development in order to capture the essence of the universal hero.
The book's important subject does not deter it from being a surprisingly fun and quick inspirational read. You can read it anywhere anytime. The message is simple: there is greatness within each of us, and from the boardroom to the bedroom, we can all strive to be heroes in our daily lives; Sharif ties it all together in an extraordinary way.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, creative type, business executive or student, you will find this book valuable and productive; it will take you on your own hero's journey. The Hero Soul is poised to become an inspirational classic for years to come and to take its place among other great books.
A Wonderfully Inspirational Book!.......2005-09-02
Sharif Khan is President and founder of Diamond Mind Enterprises, an organization devoted to transforming coal minds into diamond minds through the applied pressure of higher knowledge, wellness education, and leadership training. Sharif has dedicated over ten years of research in the field of human potential development and studying great leaders. He is a very dynamic, highly engaging, and much sought after public speaker who lectures about topics on what makes great leaders, the winning qualities of leadership, success, and what makes a hero, to a wide range of audiences from university students to associations to the corporate world. The author now also serves as a book consultant specializing in helping people successfully produce, sell, and market their information products. After finishing his Bachelors in Psychology at York University, he went on to successfully manage and operate a Bestsellers Franchise for over five years selling, marketing, and promoting.
Many names of a hero come to mind from history to pop culture. This book captures the essence of the universal `hero soul'. By combining the wisdom of over 10 years of research the making of great leaders along with studies in psychology, human potential, philosophy, mythology, the arts, and comparative religions, Sharif Khan has revealed the inner makings of heroes around the globe.
This book is for anyone who wants to embark on the hero's journey: a remarkable adventure that will inspire you to awaken and illuminate the hero soul within, rekindling your passion for greatness. This book is also for political, business, and religious leaders who wish to promote heroes in the workplace and everyday life. Finally, this book serves as an ideal foundation for writers, playwrights, screen writers, actors, creative directors, marketing executives, producers, and anyone who needs to develop a heroic figure, brand, or protagonist in their creative work.
Khan's method is to connect readers with historical and well known hero figures. He examines their journey to success and builds an understanding about their role in society and their role as a hero. He discusses the elements that make a hero. The book is written for a complete look at the hero from outside to understand the hero within.
His wealth of knowledge in so many areas allows readers from all walks of life to see a little of themselves in the author. Khan makes it clear that this book is about seeing the vision of a hero and emulating it yourself.
Figures in the book span all time periods, all walks of life and people that span the globe. It's global prospective is important to its appeal in building not only today's heros but future heros.
Being an enjoyable and easily readable book, it is suitable for people from university aged to senior. People with an interest in finding a higher ethical living standard or role model to inspire should make this book a top priority read.
Each chapter is written independently and although enjoyed read as entire book, it is set up in a format to be read by chapter out of sequence all at once or over a long period of time. Each chapter delivers a different angle to the same theme. In the end, Khan book allows readers to really acknowledge the heros of our time and times past. It also helps us to be a hero and inspire other prospective heros too.
This is a highly recommended book for helping to achieve that higher sense of self. And with a portion of the book's proceeds going towards the non-profit organization, Artists Against Racism, you can't go wrong purchasing this book.
About The Reviewer:
Diana Rohini La Vigne has been a journalist for 10+years with a focus on the South Asian Market. Her work has been featured in Couture Asia, India New England, Rivaaj Magazine, Lokvani and Sulekha. She can be reached by email at Lavigne@post.harvard.edu.
Empowering!.......2004-11-10
This is a superb collection of the attributes that are embedded in true heroes. Sharif did a fantastic job portraying what the hero soul is and how you can become a true hero.
In today's environment, with so much negative mental programming coming from the media and television, many of our young have a distorted view of what a true hero really is. On the outside their lifestyles look awesome, but on the inside their lifestyles are corroded and filled with despair. That's why you see `super successful' rock stars committing suicide. Books like Sharif', which demonstrate what a true hero is should be made a required reading for all our young.
Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works and Founder of www.EmpoweringMessages.com
Customer Reviews:
Heavenly........2007-09-25
A very nice book.
The fiction is simply amazing. I love the way they portray Eric so similar to the Legendary Thor.
Teh concept for this book is amazing, and a tip of the hat to American Gods and Anansi boys.
Thye mechanics are fairly simple, if you've ever played Exalted, or the old WoD games. Weapon selection could be larger, though.
Only thing that could have made this better, would be to introduce more Pantheons. The Hindu gods were visibly absent here.
Not too shabby.......2007-08-23
Scion: Hero is a product that sets out to do something very specific, and it does it pretty well. You won't find advice on how to run an "American Gods" sort of game here, and you won't find a lot of information about the social machinations of the gods, but you will find a good and solid action role-playing game that gets the job done.
There are, obviously, some flaws in this book. For one thing, a lot of pages are spent (wasted is too strong a word) on opening fiction and a starting adventure. While the opening fiction is pretty good, and delivers the theme and mood of the game very tastefully, it is still almost a 40 page opening fiction. And the adventure is too simplistic and boring to be worth around the same amount of pages. Besides that, some rules are missing (throwing rules, for example), and there are several problems with the system that make gaming a little slow (combats take forever, but not because of the Exalted-type system, but because of insane amounts of soak and defense values, which make hurting a character nigh-impossible).
But, otherwise, Scion is a very inspiring game, which sets out to create a mythological action thriller with an infinite budget, and does that part very good.
Scion also showcases excellent production values - it's a gorgeous book, not badly edited, and with solid writing.
If you wanted a modern version of exalted, or a modern mythological action game, this one's for you. Be sure to check out Scion: Demigod, that raises the roof on Scion's power levels and style.
A great start for a new game series.......2007-08-16
This is a roleplaying game designed by the good folks at White Wolf games. The premise is simple: The Titans from ancient mythology have woken up and are getting ready to destroy the world. The players of the game take the roles of 'scions', or children of the Gods, and it's their job to help defend the world from the Titans and their kin.
I've been reading the book 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman. American Gods is about the nervous middleground between modern dark fantasy and ancient mythology. I loved the book and the idea of the setting. I picked up Scion:Hero because I had heard that it created a role playing setting with strong similarites to the Gaiman novel. As I read the intro story to Scion:Hero I thought that this was very much in the style of 'American Gods'. White Wolf has managed to come up with a rare thing... a truly inventive new role playing game with a fresh perspective.
Fun but incomplete.......2007-06-09
I bought this game after seeing the sales pitch for it on the White Wolf website. It's a good game with a medium level of complexity. There are some rules gaffs which hopefully WW will correct quickly. An example being: no chart or rule for how far a character can throw something with superhuman strength. But, the biggest weakness of the game for me, as a GM, was a 30+ page adventure. I would have preferred that space to have been given over to more antagonists for my use and maybe more setting flavor. And it has an awful index.
It's a good game and fun. But far from perfect.
Great idea, bad way of doing it.......2007-06-08
Scion had what i considered to be one of the most interesting ideas for a new game in some time. The idea had my friends and I drooling and we all snatched up copies of the book. Now we made our characters and thought of back stories and such, and that was all well and good.
It was when we got to the combat during play that things started getting annoying. We tried under three different Storytellers running things, and we still would take a good hour to get a combat done. For me, HUGE turn off to a game. One of us insists that we just need to get used to the very Exalted-esque tick system. The rest of us have agreed a different system needs to be used for combat. Whether you use Old World of Darkness or New World of Darkness, i highly recommned AGAINST the included combat methods.
Not only does it take forever for even one turn, let alone a whole combat, but you use HUGE amounts of dice. you can have a brand new character rolling 15 dice WITHOUT using any Willpower or Legend to /punch/ someone. A simple punch. Plus with Epic Attributes you may or may not get some automatic successes thrown in.
White Wolf recommends you get a "tick counter" or make one of your own. Frankly, if Im paying good money for /their/ game it should COME WITH ONE. If you know it should have one, make it! White Wolf makes some of the best and most imaginative games out there, but this one was ruined solely by its combat issues. Again, great game, awesome idea, bad combat. Here's an example of a combat roll. Youre shooting a gun. Dexterity+Firearms. Then if your character has Epic Dexterity 2, you get two free successes. Now, add the weapons Accuracy, 4-6 seems to be average. Now add +1 simply because youre a Scion. Now subtract the targets Dodge Value, which is twice his Defense. If the target is making a Dodge Action, its his DVx 2. Now roll your dice. Add in your 2 successes for Epic Dex 2, and then any 7s,8s,or 9s and 10s count as two successes. Thats just to roll to hit. Im not going to go through a whole turn or youd shoot yourself from boredom.
Rant over.
Customer Reviews:
Wilberforce with balance.......2007-05-11
This was a fabulously written and researched book. The depth of the original documents that were touched made it authoritative and the writing style was captivating. The descriptions of his personal and family life and how he related to his peers was particularly valuable to me. I also gained any insights into the reading list of Wiliam Wilberforce which is always a window into a man's soul. Highly recommended.
Wilberforce was an amazing man!.......2007-05-08
This is a great introduction to the life and pursuits of William Wilberforce. His deep love and concern for humanity is fantastic.
A Fantastic Read.......2007-05-02
I was truly unaware of who William Wilberforce was before reading "Amazing Grace" by Metaxes. Then I found "Real Christianity" by Wilberforce and now I am almost finished reading "William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity." The book, "William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity", is a can't put-it-down kind of read. It brings in notable contemporaries of Wilberforce which richly adds to the fiber of the text. Wilberforce's "Great Change" made him a mighty force for Biblical Christianity. I believe it should be a strongly suggested read for all politicians at every level of government (village, town, city, state, and federal). We need to see a moral turnaround in our beloved U.S.A. seen in the hearts of its citizens. Morality cannot be legislated. I give the book a five stars (thumbs) up.
A wonderful book and a marvelous hero for any and all ages!.......2007-03-01
Kevin Belmonte meticulously researched the facts and the emotion of this biography. It is pure and simply delicious reading with insights that touch the heart and move the senses. Awesome!
Book Description
On New Year's Eve 1972, following eighteen magnificent seasons in the major leagues, Roberto Clemente died a hero's death, killed in a plane crash as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. David Maraniss now brings the great baseball player brilliantly back to life in Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero, a book destined to become a modern classic. Much like his acclaimed biography of Vince Lombardi, When Pride Still Mattered, Maraniss uses his narrative sweep and meticulous detail to capture the myth and a real man.
Anyone who saw Clemente, as he played with a beautiful fury, will never forget him. He was a work of art in a game too often defined by statistics. During his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he won four batting titles and led his team to championships in 1960 and 1971, getting a hit in all fourteen World Series games in which he played. His career ended with three-thousand hits, the magical three-thousandth coming in his final at-bat, and he and the immortal Lou Gehrig are the only players to have the five-year waiting period waived so they could be enshrined in the Hall of Fame immediately after their deaths.
There is delightful baseball here, including thrilling accounts of the two World Series victories of Clemente's underdog Pittsburgh Pirates, but this is far more than just another baseball book. Roberto Clemente was that rare athlete who rose above sports to become a symbol of larger themes. Born near the canebrakes of rural Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, at a time when there were no blacks or Puerto Ricans playing organized ball in the United States, Clemente went on to become the greatest Latino player in the major leagues. He was, in a sense, the Jackie Robinson of the Spanish-speaking world, a ballplayer of determination, grace, and dignity who paved the way and set the highest standard for waves of Latino players who followed in later generations and who now dominate the game.
The Clemente that Maraniss evokes was an
idiosyncratic character who, unlike so many modern athletes, insisted that his responsibilities extended beyond the playing field. In his final years, his motto was that if you have a chance to help others and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on this earth. Here, in the final chapters, after capturing Clemente's life and times, Maraniss retraces his final days, from the earthquake to the accident, using newly uncovered documents to reveal the corruption and negligence that led the unwitting hero on a mission of mercy toward his untimely death as an uninspected, overloaded plane plunged into the sea.
Download Description
"""On New Year's Eve 1972, following eighteen magnificent seasons in the major leagues, Roberto Clemente died a hero's death, killed in a plane crash as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. David Maraniss now brings the great baseball player brilliantly back to life in Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero, a book destined to become a modern classic. Much like his acclaimed biography of Vince Lombardi, When Pride Still Mattered, Maraniss uses his narrative sweep and meticulous detail to capture the myth and a real man. Anyone who saw Clemente, as he played with a beautiful fury, will never forget him. He was a work of art in a game too often defined by statistics. During his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he won four batting titles and led his team to championships in 1960 and 1971, getting a hit in all fourteen World Series games in which he played. His career ended with three-thousand hits, the magical three-thousandth coming in his final at-bat, and he and the immortal Lou Gehrig are the only players to have the five-year waiting period waived so they could be enshrined in the Hall of Fame immediately after their deaths. There is delightful baseball here, including thrilling accounts of the two World Series victories of Clemente's underdog Pittsburgh Pirates, but this is far more than just another baseball book. Roberto Clemente was that rare athlete who rose above sports to become a symbol of larger themes. Born near the canebrakes of rural Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, at a time when there were no blacks or Puerto Ricans playing organized ball in the United States, Clemente went on to become the greatest Latino player in the major leagues. He was, in a sense, the Jackie Robinson of the Spanish-speaking world, a ballplayer of determination, grace, and dignity who paved the way and set the highest standard for waves of Latino players who followed in later generations and who now dominate the game. The Clemente that Maraniss evokes was an idiosyncratic character who, unlike so many modern athletes, insisted that his responsibilities extended beyond the playing field. In his final years, his motto was that if you have a chance to help others and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on this earth. Here, in the final chapters, after capturing Clemente's life and times, Maraniss retraces his final days, from the earthquake to the accident, using newly uncovered documents to reveal the corruption and negligence that led the unwitting hero on a mission of mercy toward his untimely death as an uninspected, overloaded plane plunged into the sea. """
Customer Reviews:
On "Clemente".......2007-09-17
Because he played his entire baseball career in Pittsburgh, Roberto Clemente never received the attention he deserved from sportswriters whose worlds revolved around New York. Perhaps for the same reason, the Pirates rightfielder was also overlooked by top biographers until recently. When David Maraniss published Clemente in 2006, it was time that someone of stature wrote about the first great Latino ballplayer who later achieved heroic status after dying in an earthquake relief effort.
Maraniss' effort is solid, though not quite perfect. He appropriately devotes enough pages describing life in Clemente's homeland, Puerto Rico, and the segregated cities and towns where Clemente spent his early years in the major leagues. Maraniss serves up a reminder of the Jim Crow south and shows that it also affected black Latinos. At Pirates spring training in Fort Myers, Florida, Clemente and the other black players were barred from the downtown hotels, pools and golf clubs where white ballplayers and their families went. Maraniss even recalls there was a designated "colored night" at a county fair, and whites stayed away. Maraniss also describes Schenley Heights, the small but tight-knit black neighborhood where Clemente lived in Pittsburgh. Schenley Heights was also home to the offices of the Pittsburgh Courier, the black newspaper that focused on covering black ballplayers. Appropriately, the Courier's coverage of Clemente is also a focus of Maraniss' biography.
As for Clemente himself, Maraniss succeeds in showing more than the skilled hitter and speedy rightfielder with a shotgun arm. He reveals a proud, yet idiosyncratic, Latino who is frustrated with the white sports establishment. He shows Clemente spouting off about white sportswriters who tended to quote him in broken English. And in a chapter titled "Alone At the Miracle," Maraniss poignantly shows Clemente celebrating the 1960 World Series victory by slipping out a side door of Forbes Field and finally "radiating happiness" after he is mobbed by his fans.
Maraniss devotes about 350 pages to Clemente--roughly 150 less than he needed for his acclaimed biography on Vince Lombardi. It seems fair to wonder if Maraniss would have delved even deeper into Clemente's life if the author were a Pittsburgher rather than a Wisconsin man. At times Clemente's story seems dependent on those who weren't among those who were closest to him--namely affable ex-pitcher Steve Blass, now a sportscaster. There are moments when Maraniss relies on Blass' point of view when it doesn't seem natural, such as when Blass, who is white, seeks to explain Clemente's fear of being misinterpreted when speaking English.
In the end, Maraniss does his homework and writes thoroughly about the plane crash that killed Clemente while he was on the way to help victims of the earthquake in Nicaragua. Clemente died in a shoddy plane that was overloaded with relief supplies, and many of the details are gleaned from government records. So in all, Maraniss crafted a fine book, though not a flawless one, about a man who finally deserved the extra recognition.
Tragedy Relived.......2007-09-13
Did you ever have trouble reading a book (particularly biography) because you knew that it would end tragically? This was my problem with David Maraniss's excellent biography of the late baseball star and Puerto Rican icon, Roberto Clemente. You see, near the end of his fabled career, Clemente rode on a plane carrying relief supplies from Puerto Rico to earthquake-ravaged Nicaragua. The charter flight didn't make it half a mile off the runway before crashing into the shark-infested waters off the island. I knew of the tragic death, and still felt that by delaying reading about it, I could somehow delay its reality, or at least its renewed emotional impact on me.
One of the most gifted, dedicated and competitive athletes ever to play the game, Clemente was often tormented by the lack of recognition given him in the days of stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson, and made no bones about his displeasure. His strong Hispanic accent was lampooned in the press, and his dedication to playing only in top form was ridiculed as "jaking" by some, creating a prickly relationship between writers and Roberto in most cases.
But in his private life, Clemente was a charming and generous man, dedicated to improving the lives of children on his home island, and to reaching out to a variety of fans/strangers, who became friends and then like part of the Clemente family. Maraniss describes well Clemente's growth into this persona from the often embittered young man who one time slugged a bystanding fan out of frustration.
Clemente's growth from a talented, but somewhat immature youth to baseball elder (and heroic MVP of the Pittsburgh Pirates 1971 World Series championship) and Puerto Rican statesman (one friend said after Clemente's death that he knew that Roberto's life would consist of "playing baseball as long as he wanted to and then becoming governor of Puerto Rico."), makes the historical certainty of his tragic death all the more distressing. To pile on even more pain, the airplane crash was essentially inevitable, the combination of greed and oversight on the ground in Puerto Rico with the plane, its operators and its pilot, and the corruption of the Somoza regime in Nicaragua, who commandeered a majority of imported relief supplies for their own enrichment. Clemente boarded the doomed plane so that his presence in Nicaragua could insure that the supplies would reach the needy.
By the time of his death, Clemente was so revered on his home island that locals believed that he would walk tattered out of the sea to safety. But all that was found of him was one sock. Having read Maraniss' detailed account of these events, I feel worse about Clemente's death than I did when it happened (I was still a callow 18-year old American League fan at the time.) What a loss to humanity and for all the wrong reasons--greed and sloth ending a philanthropic act and the life of a great man. I wasn't around when Jesus supposedly died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, an overreaching tragic story that I still have trouble relating to, but I was alive on New Year's Eve in 1972, when Roberto Clemente died trying to relieve the suffering of people in Nicaragua.
Did I mention that I had a hard time finishing the book? I did all right until the last section, as Maraniss includes plenty of baseball action, including Bill Mazeroski's famous home run that beat the New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series (I was six at the time and didn't know or care). He also includes a retrospective on baseball in Puerto Rico, and the pioneers that first played in the U.S major leagues--Hiram Bithorn, for whom the main stadium in San Juan was name (I visited there in the late '80s) was the godfather of Puerto Rican baseball. Maraniss also handles the twin subjects of U.S racism against blacks (unknown in Puerto Rico) and Hispanic "ethnicism" in the U.S.
There is an bittersweet upside to story, as indicated by Maraniss's subhead "The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero". It's enriching to read the story of a such a deep and giving soul in the world of baseball at a time when most of what we read about outside the foul lines relates to contract negotiations and allegations regarding use of performanc enhancing drugs. I emotionally recommend this book to Clemente's fans (who've probably already read it), to baseball fans in general, and to all readers who want to learn more about what makes up a great man.
Great gift idea.......2007-08-09
Recommended by a friend who got the book as a b-day gift. Bought it as a b-day gift for my husband who really loved it. He said he learned a lot about Clemente even though he was a lifelong fan.
A great baseball player and a great person.......2007-08-07
David Maraniss's biography (hagiography?) of the great Puerto Rican baseball star Roberto Clemente is destined to become a classic of the genre. I grew up outside of Pittsburgh but was too young to have any memories of Clemente as a boy. I just remembered him as a great player who died tragically trying to help others. There is, of course, so much more to his career and his life, and I think that Maraniss has captured the essence of his complex personality. Whether you are a baseball fan, a Pirates fan, or just want to learn more about Clemente, you'll enjoy this book.
Unlike many other sports superstars, who are little more than pampered, whiney, self-centered egomaniacs, Clemente was a great man both on and off the field. He certainly had his dose of ego and pride, and his feathers were easy ruffled by reporters who didn't show him due respect, but as I was reading this book I couldn't help but compare Clemente's life to that of Mickey Mantle. There is no question that Mantle was, on the field, an all around better player than Clemente, but rose-colored Billy Crystal myopics aside, Clemente was everything off the field that Mantle wasn't. Clemente was a fiercely proud man who spent his off seasons playing in the Puerto Rican league and playing/coaching Latin American teams because he felt he owed it to his native land and people. He was a family man and father who wanted to raise his children right so that (in Maraniss's words) they were respected and they respected others. Mantle spent his non-baseball time drinking and chasing women, all five of his sons growing up to be alcoholics like their father. Ultimately Clemente died trying to help others in need.
There are two things about this book that really annoyed me. First, Maraniss goes out of his way throughout the book to insert his own political views (Clintonian/big city liberal) into the story. Whether you agree with his views or not, it really detracts from the story as it has nothing to do with Clemente. There is a long discussion on the chapter about the earthquake in Managua where Maraniss describes Howard Hughes's selfish and heartless retreat from Managua to a luxury hotel in London. Hughes's links to Richard Nixon, the dictator Somoza (which Maraniss points out is a West Point grad), and the general corruption in Nicaragua are inserted in the story to belittle Nixon, Republicans, and the wealthy. These are certainly interesting issues in their own right, but contribute absolutely nothing to Clemente's story. The other thing that I didn't like was that Maraniss wrote the biography in such a manner that Clemente's tragic death hangs over the whole tale, as in some type of Greek tragedy where the hero's ultimate destiny is pre-ordained. More drama than biography.
The bottom line though is that this is a great biography of a sports superstar who is worthy of our admiration whose off the field character far exceeded anything he did on the field. Clemente was the kind of man that we would like our heros to be. Maraniss has captured his essence, and I think that you'll like this book even if your aren't a big Pirates or baseball fan.
Great!.......2007-08-02
I was always a Roberto Clemente fan, but only knew of his baseball exploits. I want to thank Mr. Maraniss for this book that showed me what type of man Roberto Clemente really was. Now I'm beginning to think that his personal behavior far outdid his baseball exploits. This book will become a "must read" for my grandchildren. Superb! There is no need for me to review or retell the story here, Mr. Maraniss has done this, but I surely will re-read the book.
Book Description
A brand’s meaning—how it resonates in the public heart and mind—is a company’s most valuable competitive advantage. Yet, few companies really know how brand meaning works, how to manage it, and how to use brand meaning strategically. Written by best-selling author Carol S. Pearson (The Hero Within) and branding guru Margaret Mark, this groundbreaking book provides the illusive and compelling answer. Using studies drawn from the experiences of Nike, Marlboro, Ivory and other powerhouse brands, the authors show that the most successful brands are those that most effectively correspond to fundamental patterns in the unconscious mind known as archetypes. The book provides tools and strategies to:
• Implement a proven system for identifying the most appropriate and leverageable archetypes for any company and/or brand
• Harness the power of the archetype to align corporate strategy to sustain competitive advantage
Download Description
Using studies drawn from the experiences of Nike, Marlboro, Ivory and other powerhouse brands, the authors show that the most successful brands are those that most effectively correspond to fundamental patterns in the unconscious mind known as archetypes.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-09-14
I was disappointed by the lack of rigorous thinking in this book.
Sure, different companies have different personalities and personality is part of the brand. We could even create our own set of Jungian archetypical brand personalities, and go about attaching them to different brands.
But now for a test. Is Coca Cola a Creator -- helping inspire its users to do great bubbly things? Is it a Caregiver -- showing care for others? Maybe it's a Ruler -- a tough competitor and long the top dog in Cola Wars? How about a Jester -- always at the center of a good time? Or just it's just the drink for Regular Guys and Gals? Look at the ads -- maybe its a Lover or at least a drink for Lovers sharing a soda with two straws? Or, how about an almost Heroic presence, again from ads? Sometimes, it has a sort of Outlaw feel (with folks like Mean Joe Greene playing Robin Hood handing a Coke to a kid). In the old days Coca Cola ads praised it both for giving energy and a calming effect -- though there's no archetype for either of those. So, maybe it is more a Magician -- think of some of those magical ads past and animated present and its ability to give both energy and calm the soul. Given Coca Cola's global ubiquity and appeal, it might well be the drink of Explorers. It might even be (given the caffeine) the energy drink for yuppie Sages? Well, it turns out (according to the authors), that Coke is clearly so successful because it's an "Innocent." The toughest competitor in the Cola Wars, a mixture of caffeine, water, and sugar, almost wizened from a century of success -- yeah, it's clearly an Innocent and that explains everything.
My point is that the book lacks any sense of rigor, proof, or science-like basis in fact. The authors do a clever job of retrofitting achetypes to brands, and several of the cases are interesting, but the whole thing appears to work better in hindsight than proven principles for brand success. One could equally well, in this reviewers opinion, talk about aligning your brand with top-rated TV shows, Tarot cards, signs of the Zodiac, or (with at least a tiny bit of science) Myers-Briggs personality types --- "proving" the case with stories about how GE, Toyota, Google, etc. etc. all fit some stellar or personality pattern.
The kernel of truth in the book is that people like their brands, products, and companies to have a predicatable, attractive, and aspirational subtext. Creating an enduring and attractive personality makes sense, at least as long as the personality remains relevant.
Speaking of personalities, what's the Jungian archetype for the Maytag repair man? Is he a Regular Guy, sidekick to a Hero, or a Jester? Is the Ultimate Driving Machine (BMW) a Hero or an Explorer . . . with maybe the 3 Series for Regular Guys and Gals with higher aspirations than Honda and Toyota owners? No doubt the authors could tell us, though I doubt their hindsight would be of much value in predicting past or future business success.
What might be of value to some readers, especially those who think Jung had the last meaningful words on human decision making, is that some structure (almost any structure, even the Yellow Pages or TV guide) can be useful in brainstorming product and brand alternatives.
Wow, a new archetype!.......2007-08-06
Amazing... discover some (partial) new knowledge of psychology for the sole purpose of manipulating and profiting from others!
While this is standard for advertising types, it would only be fair of Pearson to discuss the other core archtypes at work here: the Crook, the Scam Artist, the Amoral Profiteer. These are real archetypes, that most readers of this book are living. Make money Peason, ok, but face your shadow and dont be part of the human problem; be part of the solution.
Dry but valuable.......2007-07-28
Alright, I'll be the first to admit it; this book is not an easy read. In fact, I'd call it a slog (and I'm a readaholic who can't put down the back of a cereal box!). But, the concepts presented are worth the work. The authors explain what's so darn compelling about Apple's logo, what type of client you want to speak to, and what they need you to say to make a connection with them. Plus much, much more.
So if you're trying to get a handle on branding and figure out what will work for you, grab this book. Thankfully, although it is dry as bone, it's fairly skim-friendly. So do what I did and skip the parts that don't apply or get too boring, and just look at the handy call-out boxes of bulleted info. You'll get the meat of the book without having to work so hard.
A Brand Is Never Just A Logo.......2007-03-08
If you're in the business of building brands. positioning products and adding value to organizations, this is a must-read. Simply organized, easy to follow and full of insight and thought, this book belongs on the office desk of every one who's involved in the science and art of marketing and brand development.
Insightful.......2006-11-11
This book draws some rock-solid suggestions about how companies can build successful brands by tapping into the fables and stories that are hardwired into our DNA. Uses insightful examples and makes what could have been a pretty dry read into a book that I actually read cover to cover on a cross-country flight. That's an achievement as generally five minutes spent reading on an airplane puts me into a deep sleep.
Book Description
Kurt Muse handed over his passport at Torrijos International Airport, just as he'd done countless times. Instantly, he sensed that something was wrong. Rather than the cursory glance followed by the whack of the entry stamp, the bureaucrat held the little book in both hands. He seemed to be studying it. And then he smiled. Kurt followed the clerk's gaze to a piece of paper taped to his partition. The sign was handwritten in Spanish:
Kurt Muse American Citizen Arrest Him
His life was over.
Born in the United States, raised in Panama, Kurt Muse grew up with a deep love for his adopted country. But by the late 1980s, Panama was suffering under the regime of Manuel Noriega. Innocent people disappeared. Beatings and murders became commonplace.
For Kurt Muse, accepting such a dictator was not an option. For two years, Kurt and a few friends operated clandestine radio stations on low-tech equipment smuggled into Panama. At first, they broadcast on a small scale. But in late 1987, the group realized that they could override any transmission from a government-run radio network, and Radio Constitucional was born.
Muse and his compatriots chose Noriega's Loyalty Day address, simulcast on every radio station in the country, for its first transmission. Just as Noriega began his self-serving message, Radio Constitucional seized the airwaves, urging the people to rise up in defense of their freedom. Kurt knew that if his identity was revealed, he and his family would be in grave peril. But he had no idea what kind of terror, confusion, and betrayal lay in store for all of them.
Six Minutes to Freedom spins the remarkable tale of Kurt's arrest by Noriega's henchmen and his months of imprisonment; the squalid conditions he faced in Panama's infamous Modelo Prison; his eyewitness accounts of his fellow inmates' torture; and the plight of Kurt's family as they fled for their lives. And it reveals, for the first time, the astonishing details of the long-awaited day when helicopters arrived in a firestorm of bullets to whisk Kurt Muse from under the noses of thugs who had been ordered to kill him.
This is Kurt's thrilling and highly personal story—the story of an American hero on foreign soil, who risked his life for his beliefs and for freedom…and became the only American civilian ever rescued by the elite Delta Force.
Customer Reviews:
Ron, Redding CA.......2007-08-24
I had seen this book once in a book store and passed it up. From reading the description and review on [...] I decided to buy it. The book was well written and very informative. I knew of the incident, Operation Urgent Fury and the rescue of Muse, but knew very few details. My attention was held until the very end. Although somewhat limited or shrouded I especially enjoyed th details of the rescue and the rescuers. This is one of those books that just make you proud to be an American.
Riviting.......2007-05-25
I rate this book right up there with my favorites "Endurance", "Touching The Void" and "Blackhawlk Down". I had a tough time putting this book down. Kurt Muse is one strong willed indivdual.
Edmund Burke said it best with "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"
Amazingly true story.......2007-05-13
What an amazing story to be told. I can't believe this really happened - I couldn't put down this book until the very end. A very fast & enjoyable read.
Could not put the book down.......2007-01-16
I am from the Canal Zone but was not there when Noriega was in power. The book is very well written and I am glad I purchased it. I would recommend the book to anyone who wants a book that is exciting and historical. I think Kurt has accurately described this period in the history of Panama and the Canal Zone.
6 Minutes to Freedom.......2007-01-15
Good book. Outlines situation in Panama prior to departure and capture of Manuel Noriega. Author was imprisoned by Noriega's administration and only rescued through the use of US Special Forces.
Average customer rating:
|
The Unsung Hero (Seal Team 16, Book 1)
Suzanne Brockmann
Manufacturer: Ivy Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Literary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Suspense
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Contemporary
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Literary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Suspense
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Contemporary
| Romance
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Romance
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Defiant Hero
-
Over the Edge
-
Out of Control
-
Into the Night
-
Gone Too Far
ASIN: 080411952X
Release Date: 2000-06-06 |
Book Description
After a near-fatal head injury, navy SEAL lieutenant Tom Paoletti catches a terrifying glimpse of an international terrorist in his New England hometown. When he calls for help, the navy dismisses the danger as injury-induced imaginings. In a desperate, last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorist team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly war veterans, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton-the sweet "girl next door" who has grown into a remarkable woman. The town's infamous bad boy, Tom has always longed for Kelly. Now he has one final chance for happiness, one last chance to win her heart, and one desperate chance to save the day . . .
Books:
- Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
- Ancient Shores
- Bartholomew and the Oobleck: (Caldecott Honor Book) (Classic Seuss)
- Beyond Ender's Game: Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind
- Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac)
- Black Males Left Behind
- Blue Book of Gun Values
- Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant
- Contact USA: A Reading and Vocabulary Textbook
- Crisis at Crystal Reef (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights, Book 14)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Diana: An Extraordinary Life
- The Cathedral Within: Transforming Your Life by Giving Something Back
- Maximizing Baseball Practice
- Mega Man X Command Mission
- Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
- Pro/MECHANICA Tutorial Wildfire 2.0
- The Brandenburger Commandos: Germany's Elite Warrior Spies in World War II
- Creative Women of Korea: The Fifteenth Through the Twentieth Centuries
- Life on Matagorda Island
- Maryland Investment and Business Guide
Real Christianity
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce
Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It
Out of the Depths
William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity
