Amazon.com
David J. Pelzer's mother, Catherine Roerva, was, he writes in this ghastly, fascinating memoir, a devoted den mother to the Cub Scouts in her care, and somewhat nurturant to her children--but not to David, whom she referred to as "an It." This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures she inflicted on him, told from the point of view of the author as a young boy being starved, stabbed, smashed face-first into mirrors, forced to eat the contents of his sibling's diapers and a spoonful of ammonia, and burned over a gas stove by a maniacal, alcoholic mom. Sometimes she claimed he had violated some rule--no walking on the grass at school!--but mostly it was pure sadism. Inexplicably, his father didn't protect him; only an alert schoolteacher saved David. One wants to learn more about his ordeal and its aftermath, and now he's written a sequel, The Lost Boy, detailing his life in the foster-care system.
Though it's a grim story, A Child Called "It" is very much in the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul and the many books in that upbeat series, whose author Pelzer thanks for helping get his book going. It's all about weathering adversity to find love, and Pelzer is an expert witness.
Book Description
This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it." Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.
Customer Reviews:
A Child Called "It" review.......2007-10-01
A Child Called "It" is an amazing book about the struggles of a young boy and his abusive mother. Though this book was disturbing and cruel, I thought it was very well written and the author had a great writting style. I thought some of the most disturbing parts were when David would be burned on the stove or locked in the bathroom for gas chamber sessions. I also hated that some of his greatest memories were at his favorite vacation spot and his mother ruined those for him. I think it is important that Dave let out his feelings and experiences in this book. I hope that he has found a way to move on with his life and not let the past ruin his present and future life.
Will make you cry, a must read.......2007-10-01
A Child Called it is and insperational true story about a young boy named David Pelzer being physically abused in his own home by his own Mother. The book shows how David made his way through life dealing with his horrific mother. He keeps his motivation through being drown, being burned, beat, forced to eat the contents out of a babies diaper, and countless other things while fighting for food in order to avoid starvation. He eats food out of trash cans, steals from students, and eats out of freezers in order to survive. This child's life was a living hell, but ahd the dedication to make his way through it with courage and bravery. This story is a must read that will bring you to tears and keep you motivated
I couldnt put the book down.......2007-09-27
I could not put this book down I read it in an hour and a half without stopping for anything. This story although so heart breaking needed to be told.. For the man who wrote this telling book 5 STARS and for the book aswell
Dave Pelzer is one courageous guy.......2007-09-24
I really have to speak up here. This review is for anyone who might be tempted to think that Dave made this stuff up. I am relatively sure it's all true because my childhood was similar to his.
Child abuse by parents really only came out of the closet, so to speak, in the 1990s. The myth was, and is, that ALL adult females are ALWAYS motherly. We now know that mothering is a learned skill, and is NOT instinctual in humans.
Take the story of Cinderella. It is too grotesque to think that a biological mother could be evil to a child, therefore the mother-figure is downgraded to "stepmother." For anyone who has been abused by one's mother such as myself, it is patently clear that this story is not about a stepmother -- it's about a biological mother. European culture could not face that a biological mother could betray her girl-child as in the story.
My experience of my biological mother (whom I call "anti-motter") was not unlike Dave's, only having occurred ten years earlier and in upstate New York. When I was about 18 months' old, she picked me up out of my crib and smashed me into a wall. I shouldn't be alive. By the early 1990s, these memories came flooding into consciousness. She never 'fessed up. If I did some small infraction like didn't finish my veggies, my anti-motter sent me to the cellar for 3-6 hours, and it was one scary cellar with its cold dirt floor, damp sump corner, and spiders. While other kids were out learning social skills by playing with other kids, I was forced to spend Saturdays scrubbing floors, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, starting in 5th grade.
There were no protections back then for kids. Abuse was not seen as abusive, and people in schools, libraries, neighbors, extended family did not put two and two together, and certainly did not "out" it. As the saying goes, when abuse was seen, people "minded their own business," and it just wasn't respectable to INTERFERE with other families' child-rearing techniques, and it was perceived as interference. Spanking was common. Until World War II, beatings were typical. Society in general thought nothing of treating kids harshly and without compassion. Child abuse was not on the map at all as a possibility. The "caregiver" (that is, abusive parent) could quite literally get away with murder. If a toddler fell downstairs breaking her neck and died, it was not investigated -- it was assumed to be "a terrible accident."
Anyone who doubts Dave's accounts and experiences has not been what I went through living with a brutal biological mother in the 1960s. A person could not think this stuff up if it were not true. Dave Pelzer does not seek attention -- he wants people to listen up and prevent it from happening to other kids. And it *will* happen to other kids unless we know the signs and risk stepping in as powerful adults. So just learn from Dave's many side-tales, and become aware.
Females are no more "motherly" than a rock unless they had nurturing females who treated them with dignity and kindness growing up. My anti-motter was herself battered as a child, never recovered from it, and did pass it on to her kids. Thank God neither my brother nor I had kids because we likely would have passed the hatred to the next generation. Not having kids was the only way we knew how to "break the chain of violence." Some lineages deserve to die out.
Dave Pelzer is a life-saver. He has said what I had not the courage or awareness to. He is an amazing fellow for bringing his stories into the light of day. He deserves respect, not ridicule. He is hero. If I were Catholic, he'd be a saint.
h-oookay............2007-09-23
All these five star reviews and the apparently wet faces of the readers was an impetus for me to seize the book and read it the first chance I got. I'm a sucker for tear-shedding novels, so you could understand my excitement and my all-too-ready sorrow for this "non-fictitious" little boy. Unfortunately, for my great regret, for both the work and my wasted time, what I read from that book was not at all what I expected. From the first page the story just barfed at me "I'm fabricated, synthetic as can be." The whole story has no point whatsoever, except that of morbid, preposterous describtions of events that we can't even prove to be true. Even if it were true, why would the author write about something like that? Who is he writing to anyway? What kind of helpful message is THAT to anyone? A story about falling off your bicycle & breaking your arm and learning a lesson about caution and attentiveness is more practical and useful than this piece of dross.
I could never undestand why some particular people's minds function the way they do. If you really want to read stories about survival, skip this one and read actually a book from this world, that can actually be put to use, starting from The Diary of Anne Frank.
Book Description
From the bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea—winner of the National Book Award—the startling story of the Plymouth Colony
From the perilous ocean crossing to the shared bounty of the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrim settlement of New England has become enshrined as our most sacred national myth. Yet, as bestselling author Nathaniel Philbrick reveals in his spellbinding new book, the true story of the Pilgrims is much more than the well-known tale of piety and sacrifice; it is a fifty-five-year epic that is at once tragic, heroic, exhilarating, and profound.
The Mayflower's religious refugees arrived in Plymouth Harbor during a period of crisis for Native Americans as disease spread by European fishermen devastated their populations. Initially the two groups—the Wampanoags, under the charismatic and calculating chief Massasoit, and the Pilgrims, whose pugnacious military officer Miles Standish was barely five feet tall—maintained a fragile working relationship. But within decades, New England would erupt into King Philip's War, a savagely bloody conflict that nearly wiped out English colonists and natives alike and forever altered the face of the fledgling colonies and the country that would grow from them.
With towering figures like William Bradford and the distinctly American hero Benjamin Church at the center of his narrative, Philbrick has fashioned a fresh and compelling portrait of the dawn of American history—a history dominated right from the start by issues of race, violence, and religion.
Customer Reviews:
Educational book.......2007-09-26
This is a very informative, accurate writing of our history. More people should read and know the real history of our country.
Not what I expected, but.......2007-09-16
the book was still a captivating piece of literature. I read this directly after reading In the Heart of the Sea by Philbrick, and was expecting the same type of story. That was not the case however. The title is a bit misleading in that one thinks they are going to be reading (or at least I did) a story of the journey. The subtitle should have cued me in. The book is about the struggle between the settlers and the natives more so than it is about the voyage to the new world. All that being said, I still loved the book. I gave the book four stars because I wish there was more about the actual voyage, and I think the title is a little misleading. All in all though, it is a superb piece of literature.
Clear & Interesting narrative of a difficult and complex period.......2007-09-13
There really aren't very many good, recent books about the early years in Massachusetts. This is an exceptional treatment...very engaging and clear. The number of Indian tribes, the various Pilgrims, Puritans, etc. can be a real mess to understand. And of course, there is usually a biased or pointed perspective you have to deal with. Philbrick has genuine regard for the good on both the English side and the various Indian sides and heartfelt disdain for the vicious and stupid acts on both sides that caused this war and ultimately turned it into a 14 month blood bath throughout New England. Makes me want to do some real research here in my New Hampshire home town.
Myth History and Real History.......2007-09-13
Every American teen should read this book. Myth-busting, rich in suggestion and detail, comprehensively researched. The defining text for this country's first sixty years.
Teaches you something not learned in elementary school........2007-09-12
Would have preferred more maps, a Summary timeline of key events and Summary of all key individuals, especially relationships of all the Indian tribes and geographical locations. Occasionally the skipping around between times is a little confusing. But, the index is helpful.
Map of Southern New England and New York during King Philip's War should be brought forward to "Kindling the Flame Chapter," so that the battles could be followed with the map.
Mayflower: September 6, 1620 to November 9, 620 (65 day voyage)
102 members is cut to 50 by spring of 1620)
William Bradford (- 1657) - Leader, Wife falls off the Mayflower upon the arrival.
Christopher Jones - Mayflower Captain returns to England April 5 - May 6 1621
Pastor John Robinson ( - 1625) - Left in England influences Mayflower Compact
Miles Standish ( - 1656) - Strict/Brutal Military Captain for pilgrims, which laid the base of strength for the pilgrims position amongst the Indians
Thomas Weston & the Merchant Adventurers - Investment backers of the mayflower - Finally paid off in 1648. First payment lost to the French
King Philip's War
Josiah Winslow, Plymouth Leader
Mary Rowlandson, he Sovereignty & Goodness of God (Feb 10, 1676)
Captain Samuel Moseley, Massachusetts Bay most ferocious Indian fighter. The only good Indian is a dead Indian
Benjamin Church, Key military leader during the King Philip War, style opposite of Moseley
Treat the enemy like a human being
Learn as much as possible from the enemy
Bring the enemy to your way of thinking
Loyal Indians: Mohegans, Pequots, Niantic (subset of the Narragansetts)
Tri-axis: Nipmuck-Narragansett-Pokanoket
King Philip, Son of Massasoit (Pokanokets) King Philip's War 1675 - 1676
Killed in battle, quartered, head is placed as a fixture at Plymouth for over 2 decades; hand is a showcase through New England
July 1675: Pease Field Fight
Sept 3, 1675: Richard Beers Ambush 21 of 35 killed
Sept 1675: Bloody Brook, Captain Thomas Lathrop 57 of 65 killed, Moseley joins battle and saved by arrival of Major Robert Treat and friendly Mohegans
Dec 1675: Jireh Bull's Garrison 15 killed
Dec 19, 1675: Great Swamp fight Winslow, Church (injured) and Moseley and Pequots and Mohegans against the Narragansetts: Critical battle injuring the Narranansetts. Fort built by the Narrangansetts destroyed. Defensive stance questions the involvement o the Narranansetts in the war.
March 1676: Clark's Garrison Massacre
March 1676: Pierce's Massacre
April 9, 1676: Canonchet killed, beheaded, quartered and burned, Charismatic leader of the Narragansett with Philip
July 1676: King Philip's death: Church and his men. Caleb Cook and Pocasset named Alderman
Times called for brutal discipline. Fighting against odds of weather, food, Indians and other Europeans.
Similarities to "Praying Indians" & Japanese internment camp
1863 Abraham Lincoln officially established Thanksgiving
Amazon.com
As a spiritually inspirational book for teachers, The Courage to Teach is one of the best. The premise is concise and unarguable: good teaching comes from the identity and the integrity of the teacher. Teachers are encouraged to turn their inquiring minds inward--developing a deeper understanding of what it means to fulfill the spiritual calling of teaching. Good teachers share one trait, says author Parker Palmer, they are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students, so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves. The connections made by good teachers are held not in their methods but in their hearts--the place where intellect and emotion and spirit and will converge in the human self. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
"This book is for teachers who have good days and bad -- and whose bad days bring the suffering that comes only from something one loves. It is for teachers who refuse to harden their hearts, because they love learners, learning, and the teaching life."
- Parker J. Palmer [from the Introduction]
Teachers choose their vocation for reasons of the heart, because they care deeply about their students and about their subject. But the demands of teaching cause too many educators to lose heart. Is it possible to take heart in teaching once more so that we can continue to do what good teachers always do -- give heart to our students?
In The Courage to Teach, Parker Palmer takes teachers on an inner journey toward reconnecting with their vocation and their students -- and recovering their passion for one of the most difficult and important of human endeavors.
Customer Reviews:
A Book to Re-Read.......2007-09-09
Some books speak so deep to our soul that they help facilitate some type of life-change. We will always cherish these books for their ability to speak directly to us, no matter our life stage, for they carry in them principles that transcendent time. As if magical, each time we re-read these books they renew a fire within us or produce new truths that we missed in our first encounter. Some of have said Deitrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship and Augustine's Confessions are an example of these type of books. In my opinion, this book, The Courage to Teach, is one of them for me. Palmer's emphasis upon the inner life of the teacher is refreshing and enlightening. Palmer explicitly acknowledges that his book builds on the simple premise that states, "good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher" (p. 10).
Without giving a full summary of the book I found chapters 4-5 the most meaningful. His discussion about "the community of truth" and "subject-centered teaching" greatly impacted my ongoing understanding of teaching and education psychology. His words are sure to continue their impact for many years to come, particularly in my development as a thinker, minister and teacher.
As an intellectual extra, I thoroughly enjoyed his analysis of "movements" in chapter 7.
Necessary.......2007-07-20
Palmer's writing evokes the inner being. He offers a lot of humility and personal experience which calls a person to respond from the inside. I was stirred in numerous ways by his writing and applaud this one like I applaud many of his books. Its a necessary additon to the library of anyone serious about their teaching or in the business of teacher training.
Great insights........2007-03-22
An excellent book on what it takes to really connect with students.
Deals with unusual topics like vulnerabilities, openness, and subject oriented teaching versus student or teacher oriented teaching. Celebrates the inherent wisdom within people, even those who are callous and cynical on the surface.
An important contribution to the field
Wasn't what I was looking for.......2007-02-14
I read this book with a group of teachers as part of our book club. I had high hopes that it would provide some great discussion. After the first few chapters nobody liked it. Out of the 8 of us that read it, not one of us actually enjoyed the book. There were some good points, but too philisophical for our taste.
The Courage to Teach-Text book.......2007-01-30
The book was new and was in very good condition. I am happy about the purchase.
Book Description
The Courage to Heal is an inspiring, comprehensive guide that offers hope and encouragement to every woman who, was sexually abused as a child -- and those who care about her. Although the effects of child sexual abuse are long-term and severe, healing is possible. The authors weave personal experience with professional knowledge to show the reader how she can come to terms with her past while moving powerfully into the future. They provide clear explanations, practical suggestions, a map of the healing journey, and many moving first-person examples of the recovery process drawn from their interviews with hundreds of survivors.
Definitive in scope, The Courage to Heal speaks directly to the survivor in a warm and personal way:
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TAKING STOCK -- outlines the effects of child sexual abuse and the ways women cope over time.
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THE HEALING PROCESS -- explores each stage from the decision to heal and remembering through breaking silence, knowing it wasn't your fault, nurturing the inner child, and grief and anger, to resolution and moving on.
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CHANGING PATTERNS -- offers in-depth guidance for shifting self-defeating patterns in specific areas of one's present life, including self-esteem, feelings, intimacy, sexuality, and dealing with families.
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SUPPORTERS OF SURVIVORS -- provides insight and strategies for partners of survivors, family members, and counselors.
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COURAGEOUS WOMEN -- profiles survivors who share the challenges and triumphs of their own healing journeys.
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HONORING THE TRUTH -- a substantial new Afterword that refutes the "false memory" argument and presents a thorough and enlightening response to the backlash.
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RESOURCE GUIDE -- fully updated for this edition -- informs readers about therapy, healing activities, recommended reading, support groups, self-help programs, and services and organizations.
Customer Reviews:
self healing.......2007-10-08
This book has given me the courage to heal. It along with my therapy has help me overcome my past.
Help for the hopeless.......2007-09-16
I used this book in conjunction with a counselor, which I highly suggest. I recently bought this for my sister-in-law. I hope that she gets as much use out of it as I did. I didn't realize that the flashbacks and nightmares could stop, and that when they did, my whole life would improve. What a difference!
If I could give 0 stars, I would.......2007-09-12
Frightening. Don't give others this kind of power over your thoughts or feelings. Don't trust any therapist that recommends this book, especially if he/she claims that even though you don't remember being abused, you must have been because you are depressed, having trouble in a relationship, etc. The authors have no qualifications whatsoever to diagnose you or to give advice on how to heal anything. Their methods discourage healing -- how can you heal a relationship if you cut the person off and refuse to speak with them merely because they have a hard time believing that abuse occurred? It's in human nature and in our system of justice to be skeptical, to demand proof before believing abuse happened that we never witnessed.
These authors and their publisher ought to be sued for the damages they have caused to countless patients, families and falsely accused on the basis of "recovered memories." Recovered memories have been proven unreliable at best, and it has been proven time and time again that memories can be fabricated by means of suggestion, hypnosis, etc. In addition, therapy that results in "recovered memories" has been shown to cause an increase in the suicide rates of those patients, increased duration of treatment, decreased success rates in treatment, increased divorce rates among patients, alienated family and friends. How is any of that healthy?
This book and related "recovered memory" therapy is all about mining for gold among patients' insurance benefits by keeping them messed up as long as possible. Don't be fooled -- there is a serious conflict of interest at play when a therapist suggests that your common problems, often effectively dealt with by discussing healthy thought and behavior modifications in short-term treatment are caused by some sinister event that you can't remember, and that will take 3 sessions a week for 7 years at $120 a visit to uncover them and "cure" you (or whatever your health insurance will pony up for).
Before you buy this book, Google "recovered memory therapy" "false memory syndrome" and read the articles written by scientists and psychiatrists that know that recovered memory therapy is "bad therapy". This book has contributed to countless destroyed lives and families, so you should be aware of the risks of reading it before you do.
A Must-Have for Women Survivors.......2007-07-17
The Courage to Heal is not an easy read. It doesn't sugarcoat, nor does it shy away from the most difficult aspects of being an abuse survivor. However, it's been an invaluable tool in many a woman's recovery, including my own. Later editions are not gender-specific, but I found this one to be particularly helpful to me because it was geared towards women, and that helped me feel "safer" somehow. Your mileage, of course, may vary.
a very good place to start.......2007-07-16
I read this book a very long time ago. is there more written now? yes. Are there more deep and perhaps stronger texts out there for folks really wanting to wretch thru it all. Yes.
Are you just getting started on your journey and need the basics while protecting yourself from completely falling apart? What is a flashback? what is happening to me? the first questions you ask. This book has been the "bible of CSA" for many years and probably will be the "bible" for years to come. It will always have it's place amoung those just beginning to "gently" begin to understand what has happened to them.
Really, the best place to start...then get the "spouses/significant other" version, read it also, maybe underline the parts that really speak to you and have your partner read it when you and they are ready. it can open many doors for understanding without you having to find the words. I really don't believe in re-inventing the healing wheel. It there is something out there that makes any of this easier for you...go for it.
BA
Book Description
In this groundbreaking companion to The Courage to Heal, Laura Davis offers an inspiring, in-depth workbook that speaks to all women and men healing from the effects of child sexual abuse. The combination of checklists, writing and art Projects, open-ended questions and activities expertly guides the survivor through the healing process.
- Survival Skills -- Teaches survivors to create a safe, supportive environment, ask for help, deal with crisis periods, and choose therapy.
- Aspects Of Healing -- Focuses on the healing process: gaining a capacity for hope, breaking silence, letting go of shame, turning anger into action, planning a confrontation, preparing for family contact, and affirming personal progress.
- Guidelines For Healing Sexually -- Redefines the concept of "safe sex" and establishes healthy ground rules for sexual contact.
Customer Reviews:
A Must if you were sexually abused.......2007-07-26
This book is a true gift - to me and to anyone that was abused in any way, not just sexually.
A workbook for a journey.......2007-01-19
This workbook is paperback and has lots of room for notes and comments. Well construsted and felxable for use as a workbook. For any survivor this is a very needful journey. This book and its author has gathered the tools that many have but don't know how to use and helps us understand what to do and how to do it. I have greatly benefitted from this. It is a book well recieved by my therapist. For all survivors and their partners and families this is a book that gives hope, understanding and reassurance. Well worth it.
Workbook is my Guide to Healing.......2006-07-01
Just as The Courage to Heal was my Bible in helping me get through the crisis stage of sexual abuse revisited, helping me to decipher what it was I was feeling, and that it was perfectly normal, probably more normal than anything in my life ever had been, and letting me know what I may be going through next, and how people might react to me, ect.....This Courage to Heal Workbook is my homework in learning to become the person I should have started out as. I do a chapter a day, but you can do it a chapter a week, or at your own pace. Pre-reading The Courage to Heal is not necessary, either. It's all self-explanatory. Encourages one to give lots of deep thought to differing topics and to answer honestly and in depth. I strongly recommend this workbook to anyone struggling to heal the wounds of childhood sexual abuse. It allows you to get to know the real you inside all of the protective layers that have been unconsciencously piled on over the years....not who you want people to know, but who you really are, and who you were really meant to be. A bright shining star!
This book is hard work but good.......2006-06-01
I am not sure why people whose lives are being "ruined" or hurt by "unfounded" repressed memories are being so hard on the authors of this book. Sounds like the psychiatric professionals that their loved one or they themselves are seeing need to be held to task for the "bringing forth the memories" problem - not the authors of this book.
I WAS sexually abused by my father and stepbrother and remember every last memory that was made over a span of 7 years. Courage to Heal HAS helped me with it and has helped me work on the issues that I thought confrontation of my abusers would heal immediately. Yea right.
I don't think anyone should use this book without the consultations of a counselor or therapist and getting help from them while going through it. Self diagnosis is and can be dangerous. I think, however, it is a good book to help a person work through the issues that surround actual abuses.
Be your own therapist.......2006-03-20
It is a great compliment to the textbook 'Courage to Heal'. As much as we trust (or should trust) our therapists, some things will always be left unsaid. Allow this book to fill in the gaps. When I write about what upsets me, I feel somewhat relieved. This is a difficult book to work with, it will change your world forever, and it will change for the better. Once you get to the point of no return, hopefully, like me, you will feel that something inside of you just let go. It is OK to be angry, it is OK to cry, it is OK to fight back. Remember: long after your abuser is out of your life, he or she still controls you through the memories. This book guides you through all the hard work you have to do to control those memories and have a happy life.
Book Description
Professional firms are forever trying to get their people to act like professionals -- to do the right things. Though their various incentives may create employee compliance, these don't often encourage excellence. David Maister, the world's premier consultant to professional service firms, vigorously challenges professionals to examine this essential, yet under-addressed question: What is true professionalism? His answer is clear: It is believing passionately in what you do, never compromising your standards and values, and caring about your clients, your people and your own career. In clear and compelling terms, Maister shows that this approach is not only ethical but also conducive to commercial success.
Download Description
Professional firms are forever trying to get their people to act like professionals - to do the right things. Though their various incentives may create employee compliance, these don't often encourage excellence. Taking issue with such methods, David Maister, the world's premier consultant to professional service firms, vigorously challenges professionals to examine this essential, yet under-addressed question: What is true professionalism?
Customer Reviews:
True Professionalism.......2007-10-11
This is a must read for any managing partner of a law firm. I bought 20 copies and gave them to our partners as a must read.
Business people are not professionals........2006-11-04
This is a feel good book attempting to make an argument that people in business can be "professionals." By definition, business people exist to create and manage a business entity inorder to generate a profit. Professionals are licensed individuals. They are mandated by law is to protect the public's health, safety and welfare through the services that they provide to the community. This book is an attempt to corrupt and diminish the definition of professionalism.
Maister Raises The Bar....Again! .......2006-03-04
Should be required reading for anyone aspiring to develop themselves professionally in a professional services firm. Especially pertinent for leaders and managers.
As Maister points out, some of his recommendations require the courage of ones' convictions to be realized. Yet, this book provides inspiration (along with wonderful advice) to achieve its ends.
Maister is simply the best in this niche...and this book, once again, demonstrates that.
Bill Wiersma, Author, The Big AHA
Essentials Needed To Become a Successful Leader.......2004-04-21
David Maister does a great job of explaining the fundamentals essential to anyone that has a job or is looking for a job in consulting. Splitting the book into three sections made it flow well and easy to follow and comprehend. Furthermore, Maister really focuses on the things that you should look for within yourself as well as the firm and clients. He makes you think about what one should really focus on in your career and the benefits you can receive from your job. This book also guides an employee in explaining situations that will probably occur at some point in their working career. David Maister gives you the tools that you need to be successful; all the person has to do is apply it to their everyday life.
The principles that Maister discussed in his book showed me that there is a balance between the client, the firm, and yourself. This balance is important because it dictates how successful you will become. It is also important to value your client as well as engage with them so that you really know who the client is and what their needs and wants are. Even though you must achieve your goals, you should help others to do the same by establishing a relationship, which in turn will make the working environment healthy and successful.
There is so much information you take a way from this book that will help you in your career as well as your life. I advise everyone to buy this book, because it is very beneficial to the success of anyone's career. Through the use of catchy phrases and clear, practical explanations, I feel that anyone can read this book and take something from it to apply to their career.
Excellent Book - Speaks directly to consultants.......2003-03-08
Finally a book that speaks to the heart of what consulting is(or professional services in general), with no hype, no distractions or flavor-of-the-month thoughts. I had heard David Maister at a recent consulting conference and was quite struck by his focus on people and 'execution of strategies' as being the core of successful consulting firms.
This book is pithy without being trite and if you have been in consulting a while, you can directly relate to what the author is referring to. There are many suggestions in this book that are insightful, practical and feel right on the money to a practictioner.
While by no means a classic, it is certainly a must read.
Book Description
A noted clinical psychologist, speaker, and radio host, Dr. Henry Cloud is ready to break out to a whole new audience with this book that explains the central importance of character and integrity in success—and how you can develop yours.
Customer Reviews:
An exercise in well intentioned mediocrity.......2007-10-02
First things first, Henry Cloud deserves praise for putting the subject of Integrity on the table. Integrity, or as our grandparents called it, Character, seems to have acquired an almost quaint, musty old time patina of days gone by.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In contemporary language, the central failing of our age is what clinical psychologists call Character Disorder. The endless litany of leadership breakdowns, the Enrons, the WorldComs, ad infinitum, the narcissistic exhibitionism of reality TV, the oily relativism of modern politics, are all manifestations of the Character Disordered personality.
This stands in contrast to the preceding generation which seems to have labored greatly under the weight of excess repression and neurotic anxiety. The Baby Boom in its impatience decided that "repression" was a blanket social ill, and all that need be done was remove the repression and by an unspecified magic, an inner goodness would be liberated.
In this philosophical adventure, the Baby Boom generation was terribly misguided, and then swerved in the opposing direction with a velvet fascism of their own design, Political Correctness. But neither the cult of the liberated self nor the shaming of the compliant self would lead to a resolved state of Character.
The reason for this is that the concept of Character rests on the idea of being tested by adversity. We wanted Character minus the adversity, resolution with challenge, the bargain basement Hero's Journey, and then we'd "put lipstick on the pig" and pretend we'd had some great Soul shaping life adventure.
Here I wish Dr. Cloud had delineated his subject with more brimstone and less soft soap. As timely as his book is, and as welcome as it is, and as useful as I am sure it will be until something more gripping hits the shelves, it still comes across as something of a bland scoutmaster's talk to the boys around the campfire.
Integrity.......2007-07-12
Excellent reading! You don't want to put it down. Down to earth principals for everyone. It should be read by all Management and they should encourage employees to read.
Theory meets practice.......2007-07-05
This is rare book in terms of solid theoretical insight into human behavior, coming essentially from Dr Cloud's extensive experience as a clinical psychologist combined with analysis and inference drawn from his consulting experience with business leaders and CEOs.
The introductory chapters however lack the punch and clarity on what the book is about does not emerge initially. This is perhaps because in my opinion, the approach and definition of the topic of integrity of character is radically new and takes some time to understand. The definition that integrity is much beyond and higher than just honesty and ethics and is about the courage to meet the demands of reality is difficult to comprehend at the beginning. Thereafter the book devotes one part each to the six dimensions of integrity - Establishing trust, Orientation toward reality, Getting results, Embracing the negative, Orientation toward increase and Orientation toward transcendence. Each of these facets as I like to call are like the sides of a hexagon; equally important to create the whole.
The depth of discussions of each of the six dimensions is accompanied by actual case studies and quotes from some of the best business books. In the part devoted to Establishing Trust, Dr Cloud narrates a situation in which a CEO completely fails to convince his people on the benefits of a merger. In fact the meeting intended to get the buy-in of the folks turns counter productive. The CEO was talking, but not communicating. He failed to empathize to some of the genuine concerns of the people thereby ending up alienating the team.
In the chapter `In touch with reality" Dr Cloud starts with the story of the CEO of a dog food company who obstinately tries all possible ways to increase the sales of the company's product except in finding out what his ultimate customers really want. When finally explained to the CEO by an employee "Sir... the dogs don't like it", reality finally dawns. Dogs bark, but reality bites!
In many chapters I found commonality in inferences to CEOs' achieving corporate results and to success of marriages. Perhaps this is a reflection of Dr Cloud's typical mix of clientele.
The six dimensions are well sequenced and are interrelated. Ignorance or failure of one dimension can lead to overall nonperformance explains Dr Cloud. The "gap" in a person who lacks the wholeness of character is bound to result in failure in three specific ways and to quote from the book (page 38):
1. Hitting performance ceiling that is much lower than ones aptitude
2. Hitting an obstacle or situation that derails you
3. Reaching great success only to self destruct and lose it all.
This book was presented to me by a colleague. While I thank him for the wonderful gift, trust me, I loved it and shall do my best to put it into practice to fill in my gaps.
A Really Good Book that will help you tremendously!.......2007-04-24
In my view some of the reviews are a bit hyped up. One is far too negative. This is a really good book aimed at bringing up the integrity factor for corporate leaders. We all know this is a problem.
I think Dr. Cloud has offered up a number of great concepts in a very readable form that will help many CEO's 'get it'. Many of his illustrations bring a sense of healthy reflection and conviction to the reader. Many (but not all) of his illustrations feed the concept he is making well. I found myself agreeing with him because of the pure logic of his points (over and over).
A few problems some of my buddies pointed out with this book are:
He has redefined the word integrity to include a lot more than the word normally means. The problem with this is that many readers will tend to forget his nuanced definition over time and therefore may forget what he is saying they need to do. Whenever someone takes a common word and expands it's definition to mean more than the dictionaries give for that word, we risk cultivating a short term memory of the concepts given.
For myself, I think I found nagging questions left unanswered in my mind.
How does he know these are the keys? What has research shown? What are the real priorities of a great or successful leader?
I think the research I am aware of points to different factors, and this is why I was a little unconvinced that he has hit on 'the key' for success. One can have integrity and still not be a great leader. Leadership and integrity are two different things. To bring success to a corporate organization requires more than integrity. It requires inspiring and equipping leadership. This is the 'inspirational factor'. Hasn't research proven these are keys that cannot be overlooked for success? I think so. I think that integrity in the soul of a powerful leader then becomes inspiring, partially because of the integrity, but also because of the leadership and competence of the leader.
So I found myself asking the question...why has he chosen these things. He says that he chose them because they occured to him in a conversation. That was unconvincing for me. Now the points he makes seem really important, but how do we know that they are really the keys for success that he claims they are? Surely some studies could be developed to bear this theory out or to show if it needs adjusting. Having said all this, Integrity is a really good book. It's packed with great points and will help you tremendously.
So I would suggest that this book be read as it really is, a proposal on what we need to bear in mind for success in our ventures. With that in mind, I think this book is very helpful, it is very creative and it is fun to read. He challenges us in six essential areas that all feed into integrity in one way or another. One of his concepts is that success requires us to finish well. Another one is that we must connect well with others and gain their trust. The intrinsic logical quality of the points is as solid as it can get. This book is also packed with a steady stream of great illustrations. If you are a reader who loves illustrations, you will absolutely love this book.
I think this book is good for owners, presidents of corporations or managers of people in various settings.
I highly recommend Integrity for developing great leadership talent in churches as well. There are a lot of great ideas in this book that any trainer of leaders can use. I hope you enjoy it thoroughly. I certainly have.
Required Reading for Recruiters, Hiring Managers and Human Resources -- Crisis-Resistant Personality Traits .......2007-04-04
Your candidate may have the skills and experience to succeed -- but do they possess the character traits to rise above times of crisis? I've seen enough "can't miss candidates" crash and burn to be skeptical. However, this book provided clarity on many a bad hiring decision I've made in the past, as well as how unlikely stars can emerge in "interesting times". It won't stop me from ever making a poor personnel decision, but I'm certainly better armed to assess the intangible traits that can make or break job performance in changing times -- whether the change signals crisis or success.
Book Description
From the passages of Scripture that helped her cope with and survive her divorce from professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, Kristin Armstrong has crafted a year-long daily devotional designed to help women through one of life's most difficult times. In this intensely personal book, Armstrong urges readers on with disarming candor. Each entry contains a pertinent Scripture with inspirational and empowering reflections from the author on topics such as forgiveness, trusting God, confiding in God at every stage of grief, and maintaining an open heart through the pain. A vital travel companion on the road to recovery, this book encourages readers to choose a path of peace in the wake of a painful experience.
Customer Reviews:
Words of Encouragement for All Disappointments.......2007-09-16
This may seem a little odd, but I am neither divorcing nor divorced; and I am a guy. I will tell you that this book of daily thoughts and meditations does have a perspective geared toward women and toward divorce. I would also say that men can benefit from this book too and about 95% of what is in the book is geared toward God's blessing and provision in any challenging situation or life disappointment. Ours happened to surround an adolescent daughter; and everything that accompanied that entire situation. If you think about it, there are lots of situations in life that involve unexpected change, loss, separation, etc. Divorce is only one of them.
I would recommend this book to anyone - male or female; who is or has walked through a "valley of the shadow". It will change you and help restore you. You will learn that no matter how hard you tried or what walk of life you are from, that you are not alone, and you are not the first person something bad has happened to. You will also learn, in small readings that take 3-5 minutes each day to get through, that you have a watchful, loving and caring God, who sees, knows, helps, and understands.
God bless you in your journey.
A great book to read during a difficult time.......2007-07-08
I am a fan of Kristin Armstrong's articles in Runners World magazine, and I had seen her on Good Morning America promoting this book. Two days after being diagnosed with breast cancer, I bought this book since I had heard that it was a great book for anyone going through a difficult time. I've been reading a few pages of the book every day, and much of what is written can be used to get through any tough time -- it's not limited to divorce or a broken relationship. Kristin is a great inspiration since she went through a terrible time of trial and used the time to delve into her spirituality, and she refused to wallow in bitterness and regret. The book has shown me light on some dark days.
Readings will help and encourage women as they journey through their first year of divorce.......2007-06-06
Kristin Armstrong's divorce from professional cyclist Lance Armstrong led her to write HAPPILY EVER AFTER: Walking with Peace and Courage Through a Year of Divorce, a personal 365-day devotional geared toward women (especially with children) whose marriages are dissolving.
"I never imagined that divorce would be part of my life history or my family's legacy," writes Armstrong, mother of three, whose marriage to Lance lasted five years. "I have walked this path, from the trenches of despair, through pitfalls of anger, bottlenecks of blame, along the cliffs of loneliness and fear."
As she navigated through her divorce, Armstrong kept a journal of the scriptures that were most encouraging to her. The result is this book, she writes in the introduction. The scriptures are a mixed bag, with such gems as the Isaiah 40:31 passage "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength..." to more obscure ones like Amos 6:1: "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion."
The book begins on Day 1 as Armstrong acknowledges the tough road ahead. "This year will be epic for you...Every day, many times a day, you will make decisions that determine the rest of your story...Eventually you will be surprised to find yourself healed, whole, and happily living your brand-new life." As the devotional continues, she addresses difficult issues such as the need for forgiveness, letting go of retaliation and gossip, and letting go of the worry over preserving your reputation. "To practice silence and discretion in these situations is wise," she advises.
There is a welcome tone of quiet and resolve that permeates the pages. "The path of sour bitterness, crusty resentment, and cold regret breeds generations of despair. The path of righteousness grants generations of peace, quietness and confidence," she writes in an early devotion. Many readers longing for comfort and kindness will find them in Armstrong's words, as she reminds them in the persona of a close girlfriend: "Now is not the time to make sense of this mess.... Sweetheart, now is the time to trust in the Lord with all your heart."
There is an occasional question mark. Armstrong says in one essay that she believes it is important to experience your pain fully rather than numbing it with "remedies" --- therapy, coping pills, exercise, massage. Does she believe these are wrong things to do? Or that they are not enough? A little more context here would be helpful, as it would in the devotional telling of the story of a couple who refused to accept their cancer diagnosis: "She and her husband, Bob, are both cancer free today." (What about those who are not healed?) Occasionally, there is some repetition, such as two devotionals centered on the word "betrothed" (Day 251 and Day 92).
But overwhelmingly, Armstrong's soothing essays prompt women toward growth, resilience and an opportunity for reinvention while acknowledging their pain and need for God. Repeatedly, she affirms the reader and assures her of God's love: "(God) loves you, cherishes you, is faithful to you, is honest with you, and will never leave you." She includes glimpses into her own divorce, such as the pain of walking through grocery store checkouts and seeing the tabloid headlines, but laudably these are asides rather than the focus. One of the most moving devotions tells of her baptism as an infant, and then her "baptism" as an adult in a rainstorm.
What repeatedly comes through is her unquestioning faith that God will bring something good out of divorce. The devotions are peppered with the phrase, "I am blessed...." Her gratitude and seeming lack of visible bitterness keep the devotions centered squarely on God and healing. "It's natural to lament the death of a marriage, but in our grief let us not lose sight of or appreciation for the fact that we are still betrothed, still desired, still vital to the one Being who will never fail us."
Armstrong writes, "I found my unshakeable compass in the Lord... May you find your center, a strength and courage you did not know you could summon.... The terrain ahead is rough, but there are gifts hidden along your path of faith."
This moving and encouraging collection of readings will help and encourage women as they journey through their first year of divorce.
--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
A Wonderfully Spiritual Book.......2007-05-21
Kristin Armstrong has written a fantastic book that goes beyond being a spiritual devotional for women going through a divorce, it is a book for anyone who is facing hardships (and who does not face difficulties at some point?). In this book she bares her soul through sharing bible scriptures that helped her get through the tough times. In addition to the 365 scriptures, she shares her personal journey of growth during the year following her divorce.
I am neither a woman, nor am I going through a divorce, but I found her book to be inspirational and very uplifting.
I purchased the book because I know the author, and have a policy of reading any book written by someone I know....but this is really an exceptional work. I know you will enjoy reading this book.
not what I expected.......2007-05-13
I saw the author advertising this book on a talk show - it was not quite what I imagined. It was ok, inspirational, but it was written as a journal and was from a very religious perspective (something not mentioned at all or in the reviews I read).
Average customer rating:
- Inspired to Volunteer
- Well received
- Love it so far
- An Insightful Invitation to Volunteers
- Thanks to everyone who read!
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Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul: Stories to Celebrate the Spirit of Courage, Caring and Community
Jack Canfield ,
Mark Victor Hansen ,
Arline Oberst ,
John Boal ,
Tom Lagana ,
Laura Lagana ,
Arline McGraw Oberst ,
John T. Boal ,
Mark Victor Hansen ,
Arline McGraw Oberst ,
John T. Boal ,
Tom Lagana , and
Laura Lagana
Manufacturer: HCI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Volunteer Work
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Motivational
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Personal Transformation
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Canfield, Jack
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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The Heart Of A Volunteer
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The Volunteer Recruitment (and Membership Development) Book
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Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul: Stories to Inspire Caregivers in the Home, the Community and the World (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
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Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them
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To Lead Is To Serve: How to Attract Volunteers & Keep Them
ASIN: 0757300146 |
Book Description
Deep within each one of us lies the ability to step up and care for those in need, even though we often feel overwhelmed by a complex world. In fact, more than 200 million people throughout the world offer their time and love to volunteering. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul highlight the efforts of everyday people in the United States and around the globe who volunteer with the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, the Peace Corps, Points of Light, Rotary and many, many other nonprofit organizations. Lovingly chosen from more than six thousand stories, poems and cartoons, these tales will inspire readers to do everything in their power to help those in need. Chapters include: The Rewards of Volunteering, Giving Back, Making a Difference, New Appreciation, Love and Kindness, Defining Moments, A Matter of Perspective, Overcoming Obstacles and On Wisdom. Readers will cherish the story of a community that rallied together to send warm winter coats to refugee families in Kosovo. They'll be moved by the tale of a woman with a "smiley voice" who made audiotapes for the visually impaired despite a losing battle with cancer. They'll never forget the eight-year-old boy without arms or legs who fearlessly wielded a tennis racquet to propel a ball down the length of a room. And they'll be charmed by a rabbit named Cadberi who brings boundless joy to residents of a nursing home. Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul will leave an indelible imprint on the heart of readers and inspire them to go forth and care for others.
Customer Reviews:
Inspired to Volunteer.......2004-06-08
I just finished "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer Soul," which is an excellent and inspirational book. Also, a few weeks ago, I went on a Social and Service Justice Retreat. Since reading this book, making the retreat, and other inevitable signs, I feel inspired to find a place to volunteer.
Sarah
Gurnee, Illinois
Well received.......2004-01-20
'Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul' was well received by our volunteers, and it has also touch many people's hearts.
Marion Jones
The Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill
Love it so far.......2003-10-23
I am a volunteer my self at the my cities animal shelter. And I am going to let the president of the volunteers borrow it after I am done. I hope they make more about volunteering.
An Insightful Invitation to Volunteers.......2003-01-11
I would recommend reading "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul" to anyone who has a sincere interest in his fellowmen and possesses the capacity to relate to the needs, sorrows, and joys of others. I was impressed by the work's intent, format, and content. The selections are comprehensive and meaningful, offering a wide range of volunteer experiences for the information, delight, compassion, and consideration to the book's readers. Hopefully, this publication will encourage countless individuals to find the necessary reason and desire to give of their own time, talents, and hearts to those in need in our society. For others, it will provide an understanding of the wonderful gifts of volunteering for the volunteer.
Thanks to everyone who read!.......2002-10-31
I contributed a story to this book about my daughter's tender heart for others. I have always been proud of her desire to help others and Chicken Soup gave me the opportunity to share it with the world. This book made me proud to be an American and to be allowed to live in this wonderful country that cares about it's neighbors. This collection of stories will enlighten anyone to give unselfishly to the needy or to those who have less. What a great feeling inside to be a part of it all!
Denise Peebles
Book Description
The bravery displayed by our soldiers at war is commonly recognized. However, often forgotten is the courage required by veterans when they return home and suddenly face reintegration into their families, workplaces, and communities. Authored by three mental health professionals with many years of experience counseling veterans, Courage After Fire provides strategies and techniques for this challenging journey home.
Courage After Fire offers soldiers and their families a comprehensive guide to dealing with the all-too-common repercussions of combat duty, including posttraumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. It details state-of-the-art treatments for these difficulties and outlines specific ways to improve couple and family relationships. Courage After Fire also offers tips on areas such as rejoining the workforce and reconnecting with children.
Customer Reviews:
2 tours and it nearly killed me.......2007-10-04
It wasn't the war, it was when I returned home and could not function. I applaud this book for it's intent and gratitude that it gives to our young warriors. It is one of the few written for "our" generation. Thank you
-Timothy Kendrick author-PTSD: Pathways Through the Secret Door
Great Book.......2007-09-01
I was skeptical when purchasing this book, but the topics are discussed in such a way that you do not feel like you're reading "self-help". The focus is not on PTSD (although that is one of the topics covered), but more on a healthy transition from a chaotic environment. I would recommend this to any serviceman, spouse, parent, or close friend.
Compelling and pragmatic.......2007-05-13
As a disability service provider, I found this book particularly helpful. It is practical and to the point. Veterans can find tips on everything from how to sleep better to how to relax and cope with stressors. The triggers of anxiety are explained well, as are the ways veterans typically handle their pain. At the end of each chapter are helpful tips for family members. After I read it, I ordered ten copies of this book to give away to student veterans and their families.
Courage After Fire.......2007-04-02
Books such as these are essential for the friends and family of returning Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as for those who have experienced war firsthand.
Very Accurate and Helpful to returning troops & families.......2007-01-06
This is a must read for all service members exposed to combat and or traumatic situations. It will help individuals and families adjust to civilian life again. It should be required reading by the Department of Defense. Great Job
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