Book Description
This commonsense guide lets you develop your brand with the same techniques and technologies as the big players—but without all the cost. You’ll learn to master the same three-step plan the big advertisers use and discover the secret to brand continuity from product to product. This valuable resource will help you connect your products with your customers, no matter how small your brand.
Customer Reviews:
Marketing 101 from your crazy uncle.......2007-09-22
Mack has some very interesting and relevant content in this book, but wasn't too impressed overall. I felt like an experienced, drunk uncle was talking to me about marketing while reading this book. I think Mack would agree that that the ideas in the book aren't new or revolutionary, but I think he does a good job of condensing marketing to a few points. Since this book is primarily for small business owners, that's a good thing. I'd like the book more if he had stayed away from the rum.
Plenty of useful brain food.......2007-05-21
Ben Mack has taken the concept of branding and made it accessible to even small business owners. He demystifies just what branding is (hint: it's not just about the logo), and takes it from being a dirty word to something useful. Rather than placing it at the polar opposite of direct marketing, he instead shows that it can be used by those who also use DM advertising, and that you don't necessarily have to be limited to one or the other.
Mack shows the value of the brand--what your company stands for, what it offers--and most importantly, the relationship with the customer. He outlines the various stages the customer goes through, from initial contact with your product, through interest and consideration, all the way to purchase--and beyond. He then gives further advice on improving your brand, mixed with anecdotes from his own experience, as well as that of others.
What I got mostly out of this book was a series of exercises and thought processes that helped me to really think about how I and the small businesses I am a part of/owner of are presented to the public, and what that entails. People often take that for granted, especially once you start hitting microbusinesses--but the concepts are useful regardless.
Unless you're working in corporate marketing, you probably won't have a use for everything in this book. But take from it what you can get. Mack's writing style is excellent and he explains concepts with clarity, humor, and occasional subcultural references (RAW, anyone?).
Think Two Products Ahead.......2007-05-06
I have so much interest in read this book for comments. Unfortunate Amazon don't delivery my purchase until today (50 days after).
It will make you rethink how you market everything.......2007-05-01
Think Two Products is an excellent book that will have you not only rethinking how you brand your products, but will even get you to reconsider how you brand and market yourself. I found this book to be informative, intriguing and highly useful for getting me to really think carefully about how I market and promote my products. The exercises were especially helpful for demonstrating the practice behind the theory.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who runs a business, big or small, because you really will be thinking two products ahead by the end of reading it!
You have a brand whether you think you do or not..........2007-04-16
It's relatively easy to get someone to make a single purchase from you. But how do you instill that long-term loyalty and love that causes people to refuse to buy from anyone else? Ben Mack talks about that and many other branding issues in the book Think Two Products Ahead: Secrets the Big Advertising Agencies Don't Want You to Know and How to Use Them for Bigger Profits. It's an unconventional book that doesn't mince words...
Contents:
Pool Hall Wisdom; Brand Misinformation versus Back-End Thinking; The Common Thread and Thinking Two Products Ahead; Branding? Be Good to Your Gander; Branding Processes Are Strikingly Similar; What's a Brand Essence?; Legendary Branding; Extracting a Brand Essence; The Kama Sutra of Marketing - Five Basic Positions; Framing to the Right Target Audience; Structured Creativity - Framing Tools; Creativity on Demand - Why Ad Agencies Can't Brainstorm; Feed Their Passions; Plan to Have Many Conversations; Everything Communicates; Storytelling - Letting the Genie Out of the Bottle; Branding and Thinking Two Products Ahead; Myth, Magic, and Making Money the Old-Fashioned Way; AKS; Jeff Lloyd's Secret to Commercial Residential Real Estate Sales; How to Turn Every First Sale into a Residual Stream of Income; Direct Response Branding; Acknowledgements; Index
Mack states that successful branding comes when you start thinking two products ahead of the current sale. In other words, you need to be thinking about the overall story and impression that your company and product leaves with a customer. This collection of legends and perceptions defines your brand, not the cute logo or corporate colors you stick on your products. What that means is that you *have* a brand whether you think you do or not. You need to bring your customer into the "marketing funnel", which is a four stage process: intrigue, consider, interested, and buy. When you get them to buy, then the "two products ahead" mindset turns them from one-off buyers to loyal customers. It's all a matter of managing your brand... the story that your customers tell about your company and product.
This book started off as an e-book that the author marketed himself (for a much higher price). His style of writing and communication is frank and blunt, with no room for dancing around an issue. As such, it's a lot of fun to read. Since I don't have a marketing background, I found it a little difficult to keep the finer points of marketing vs. branding vs. selling straight at times. But overall, I got the message that your brand is a priceless asset, and it's important to do everything you can to make sure that brand says the right thing to your customer.
A valuable read for any business, but especially for the small business owner who doesn't think he has a brand... he does.
Average customer rating:
- Think Big
- Think Big
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- awesome reading
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Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
Manufacturer: Zondervan
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Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
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We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Led to Success
ASIN: 0310214599 |
Book Description
After telling the story of how he overcame an inner-city background to become a world renown neurosurgeon (Gifted Hands), Dr. Ben Carson now gives an inspirational look at the philosophy of life that helped him meet life's obstacles and leap over them.
Customer Reviews:
Think Big.......2007-09-30
Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
This is an awesome book. It is a must read for students struggling in school or struggling with life.
Think Big.......2007-09-29
Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence
This is a MUST book for young people of all types and ages. The philosophy expressed herein is essential to their success. We have ALL our students read and absorb it. Mary Kessler, Beehive LDS Schooling, LLC. St. George, Utah
Solid Stuff........2007-07-13
Inspired by Gifted Hands, I wanted to learn more of Dr. Carson's insights.
Think Big, a book that can be read by novice readers, offers very practical advice and insights that can help anyone be their best. The title is an acrostic for the things that Ben Carson considers essential for success. He defines success as, essentially, knowing you have done your best.
I gave the book four stars because I felt Gifted Hands was much more engaging in giving the same advice - I find Gifted Hands more intriguing because you follow his growth as he realizes and implements the things that turn around his life. However, this book is still highly positive and worth a read - it is highly practical, inspiring, and spells out the advice very plainly for us all to readily apply in our own lives!
Great Book.......2007-03-08
I work with kids and I am reading this book with one of the teens and he is also enjoying the book. It is easy to read and it has a great message.
awesome reading.......2007-02-07
great book for young and old challenges your faith and push to greatness
Book Description
Is it possible for a company to grow its revenues and profits by 10 percent or more for at least ten consecutive years, not counting acquisitions? ThatÂ's an incredibly high bar for growth and profitability, one that 99.99 percent of American companies canÂ't meet— including the famous ones that routinely land on magazine covers.
Management expert Jason Jennings screened 100,000 companies to identify nine little- known firms that have delivered stellar performance for a full decade or more, despite the ups and downs of the economy. And, as he reveals in his new book, these superstars have a lot in common despite their wide range of industries, which includes software, food services, medical supplies, and sporting goods.
It turns out that the best long-term performers all combine the strengths of a big organization with the hunger of a start-up. They build excellent relationships with their customers, suppliers, workers, and shareholders. They groom future leaders at all levels. They balance their short-term goals with their long-term visions. And they teach their managers to get their hands dirty.
Jennings did extensive interviews at his nine featured companies to find out exactly how they consistently increase revenue and profits without using manipulation or gimmickry. He reveals their unique approach to leadership and shows how any company, no matter what size or industry, can benefit from following their examples.
Think Big, Act Small may be the most powerful management book since Good to Great and Execution.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!.......2007-08-23
I loved this book. It's an easy, enjoyable read, and very rich in information on how companies we know and love have made it through difficult times and the habits and beliefs they live on a day-to-day basis. Very interesting and insightful. I plan to re-read it in case I missed anything the first go-round.
10 successful companies explain what makes them great........2007-05-30
The book covers the study of 10 companies that have had an increase in revenue and profit of 10%, or more, for 10 consecutive years. There are many similarities with "Good to Great", however, this book deals with smaller companies and the leader at the helm is written about in more detail than "Good to Great". Like any great book on leadership and business you will find that the key to greatness is, you guessed it, FUNDAMENTALS. I particularly enjoyed the study of Koch Industries. Mr. Charles Koch guiding principles are outlined well in this book and I believe they are worth studying and implementing. They certainly have produced incredible results for his business conglomerate. Overall this book was well written and I was able to get some great nuggets of practical information from all 10 of the companies studied. I really enjoyed it, and got enough out of it to give it the 5 stars.
Stories of Business Practices, Culture, & Philosophy of Nine Successful Companies.......2007-01-20
This is a great business practice/philosophy book. It doesn't throw numbers at you or tell you how to hit your quarterly target. Instead, the stories of nine culturally healthy and monetarily profitable companies are told. The format is interviews with the company leaders and other key players. Jennings expounds on the interviews and builds similarities among the companies. For instance, these companies don't acquire customers or clientèle, they build communities and fans.
The stories are inspiring because they truly start from the beginning. For example, Dick Cabela purchased fishing flies in Chicago for only pennies apiece. When he returned home to the Midwest, he put an ad in a sportsmen magazine and the orders started to roll in. He and his wife filled orders on the kitchen table and their first warehouse was the shed in the backyard. Today, Cabela's is one of the largest outdoors specialty merchandisers/retailers in the US, grosses more than $1.5B, and their stores are considered tourist attractions.
One more story: Charles O'Reilly and his son Chub worked at an automotive parts store for years. Charles was let go at the age of 72 and Chub was transferred out of state by some higher-ups, as I like to call them. So Charles decided to open a competing store. Chub was a cofounder and they also hired 10 employees from their competitors under one condition, "anyone joining the new company had to make an investment and become and owner."
These companies don't make big 5-10 year plans, instead they focus on today through next year and sometimes two years ahead. They claim making big plans never work because trends, business, technology, etc. change too often and you lose site of the fundamentals and current goals and neglect suppliers (partners) and customers (the community). Additionally, resources are wasted trying to achieve something that might never be. However, they do focus on being extremely adaptable; ready to refocus the entire company or invent new businesses in short notice.
Bottom line, all the stories and lessons are inspiring and invaluable. Considerable focus is placed on the cultures of these companies. Basically, they don't worry about making money and acquiring customers. They concentrate on building a healthy culture, make sure employees are happy, and provide solutions to problems; gaining wealth and customers is only an axiomatic consequence.
The nine companies interviewed are PETCO, Koch Industries, Sonic, Cabela's, Medline Industries, O'Reilly Automotive, Dot Foods, SAS Institute, Strayer Education. The companies presented have grown revenues by at least 10% for 10 consecutive years.
Great.......2007-01-10
This book reminds us to set aside our own egos when managing a business or a department. It is a quick read with a clear message. I would recommend that all senior managers and those who aspire to be a senior manager read this book.
Model Organizations, Outstanding Leadership.......2007-01-09
What stands out about this Think Big, Act Small is that the ten companies the author highlights are not only model organizations and true to their mission, they also have the benefit of outstanding leadership. What struck me, especially in light of the culture of the rock star CEO is that for the most part, those who lead these organizations wants no part of that star mystique. Instead, they are interested in building organizations that stay true to their employees, their partners, and ultimately, to their customers.
KnightofGod spoke about some of the common sense lessons, that surprisingly enough are not as common place as you would think. I think that's the crux of how these companies operate. They adopt a common sense approach to their business, placing little bets along the way, quietly go about building their reputation, and where I think most companies truly fall short, give their employees a sense of ownership, either emotionally or by giving them a piece of the company.
For the CEO's that think a part of their job is to be on CNBC, it certainly is refreshing to read about executives who to a certain extent shun the spotlight. Not only are they averse to being on stage, they also shun the trappings of CEO-life. It is in stark contrast to the stories we have all read about.
Jenning's lays out ten "Building Blocks" to think big, but act small. In each of his ten cases, to one degree or another, these building blocks were a cornerstone or some component to their success. He also provides the reader with an evaluation to determine where their companies fall in a "The Quad," or the four types of companies (TSAS, TSAB, TBAB, TBAS - See Robet Morris' excellent review for further details).
Ultimately, Think Big, Act Small, is a great book on how ten companies did things their own way, shunning the advice of investment bankers and the demands of wall street. In most cases it gave each company the liberty to do what they thought was best for them, their partners and their companies. And in each case, the beneficiary has been the client.
I highly recommend Think Big, Act Small. If you are a commuter like me, reading this book is time well spent as you wait for your stop.
Book Description
Although nanotechnology deals with the very small-the art and science of manipulating and rearranging individual molecules to create useful materials, devices, and systems-its impact on business will be very big. Within a decade, nanotechnology should account for $1 trillion worth of products in the United States alone.
This groundbreaking book provides you with:
The steps you MUST take to assess and profit from the nanotech market
Relevant information on more than 100 leading public and private nanotech companies-and how to distinguish the real players from the "nano-pretenders"
A comprehensive methodology for prudently investing in-and profiting from-nanotechnology in a way that yields market-beating returns while minimizing risk.
Customer Reviews:
The book is a beginning in Nano knowledge.......2007-02-06
If you want to get involved into the knowledge of nanotechnology, this is a good beginning. Mr. Uldrich will explain you what is nanotechnology, what are the current applications of the R&D in this industry and which are the companies globally working on it.
He presents his outlook (bullish or bearish) in every publicy traded company. Nevertheless is is your job to search for up to date information on companies you are interested.
More than likely the only people who are..........2006-08-31
...going to make money on nanotechnology within the next fifty years are stockbrokers and people like Jack Uldrich who -- for a fee of course -- will unveil their nanotechnology "expertise" and proffer advice accordingly...unfortunately, at this point, nanotechnology is little more than a fancy term -- practically speaking there is no tangible nanotechnology outside of research labs and what does exist is years away from commercial development...more pertinent in this particular case, Mr. Uldrich really provides no evidence to support his claim for "expertise" in the field of nanotechnolgy -- his resume shows only that he was a former naval intelligence officer and Defense Department official and also served as the Director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning under Governor Jesse Ventura...Jesse Ventura?...hmmmm, I'm not quite clear on how one acquires nanotechnology experience working for Jesse Ventura...moreover, his advice is basically free via columns he publishes every week on the "Motley Fool" website...no, I have to say this book is not recommended.
Investing in Nanotechnology Think Small, Win Big........2006-02-23
As a person in the industry I thought that it was well written and informative. The reserch into the companies was basic but accurate. I was most impressed that the author found some gems in several of the start ups that are not widely known, till now. If you are not aware of the world of nanotech and what its upside could mean to you, this is an excellent way to get that knowledge.
I enjoyed the book and found it a quick read.
Product Description
There are times in our lives when forces collide to produce life changing events. This book is one of them. Twenty coauthors from all around the globe have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will take you to new levels in every area of your life. Get ready to be inspired to greatness!
Contributors include Jack Canfield,Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Johnny Wimbrey, International Motivational Speaker, Bryan Flanagan, President of Flanagan Training, Bobby Minor, Author of "Dream Big, Win Big" Joel and Kathy Davisson, Authors of "The Man of Her Dreams/The Woman of His!" and 15 other celebrity authors.
You can WIN BIG in life. Let the wisdom found in the pages of "Multiple Streams of Inspiration" show you the way!
Customer Reviews:
Great read! Very inspirational!.......2007-04-10
I read the book and loved it! I especially liked chapter 10 with the kid who made a million before he turned 20 years old! Wow!
Incredibly Inspiring! An Awesome Compilation of Inspiration! .......2007-04-06
Life at best is a series of change, as we bravely encounter these changes we learn how to use our intrinsic power to evolve into more dynamic, creative beings. That's the premise of this book! It's about life's challenges and the incredible, inspiring ways in which we can successfully overcome them. A must read if you desire to be encouraged, inspired and empowered to live a bigger, more fulfilling life. The many talented writers, each provide an insightful approach to living a life of unlimited success.
Quite possibly one of the greatest Compilations of Inspiration of our time!
Outstanding!!!.......2007-04-06
This is truly an oustanding book of true sories and inspiration! I highly recommend it for anyone interested in what is possible in their lives!!
Wonderful Motivation and Information. Very Inspiring. Recommended by the authors of "The Man of Her Dreams/The Woman of His!".......2007-04-06
Multiple Streams of Inspiration is a great compilation of life experiences.
The Amazon listing of authors is not complete. The TWENTY authors have each overcome tremendous odds to reach their status in life today.
Every reader will find food to fuel their own dreams. Dreams that lie dormant will be revived as you read about people who overcame their own personal "great odds" to achieve success.
Our contribution is a most powerful chapter on marriage that will change your life forever. To see our two complete books, click on The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His! and The Man of Her Dreams The Woman of His 2 - Livin' It and Lovin' It! (Volume 2)
Order this book today, you will NOT be disappointed! We offer brand new copies from seller name, godkindoflife
Blessings,
Joel and Kathy
Book Description
A big little book filled with things to think about. For years, readers have cherished the tiny Think books from Dr. Robert Anthony, a leader in the field of inspiration and self-help. Now, for the first time, these five titles are available in one volume: Think; Think Again; Think and Win; Think On; and Think Together. Motivating, compelling, and thought-provoking, the Think books are true gems-and this omnibus edition will prove a real treasure.
Customer Reviews:
Where did I hear that before?.......2006-02-06
This is a little book of huge ideas.4"X6" and about 300 pages,that can easily fit in your pocket.It is full of sayings,maxims,aphorisms,dictums,adages old saws,proverbs,epigrams or quite simply one line bits of wisdom.
The is no mention as to whether the author has created them or simply taken them from the "Sages of the Ages";I suggest the latter is the case.
So,what does one make of this little book? First of all,the 300 pages is very misleading as there is only one saying per page,where there is plenty of space for 10 per page,or 3,000 in all.This would be more comparable to other books of this nature.The pages are not even numbered,nor is there even an index.I suppose one can thumb through the book ,like picking little papers from a bowl with each having a saying on it.There is no rhyme or reason to the order.For instance,a page with ""Therapists are expensive friends" is followed on the next page by, "The biggest lie on the planet:"When I get what I want I will be happy.";and the next page."God doesn't make faulty products." As I said,no order or connection.
So to answer the question ,I would have to say this book seems to be just cranked out;and for the same money,one can find a much better book of sayings for the same or less money.
Totally unexpected.......2005-08-09
Dr. Robert Anthony gives page after page of totally unexpected advice that just makes sense. You will be offended by some, inspired by others, but in either case, you'll love the collection he gives. NOTE: this is not the same material in his other books, like Beyond Positive Thinking, and The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence so be sure to grab a copy of those while they are still available.
Eye Opener.......2003-02-15
This is a book of excellent quotations. Some we may not like to admit. Dr. Robert Anthony's books are wonderful and if you are willing to take responsibility for your actions (and your thoughts) your life *will* turn around!
OK but not great.......2002-10-12
There are lots of little wise sayings in this book. Some are great, some not so great. For instance, "We attract those we feel we are worthy to be with". Nonsense. My whole ... life, I only attract gurlz I despise. How bout this one, "The only thing we 'have to' is we have to die when the time comes and we have to live until the day we die". Very inspirational, I guess. But I require something more full-proof to totally believe in it. We HAVE TO pay taxes. We HAVE TO eat, therefore we HAVE TO work. I read many self-help books because I need alot of help, personally, and this was by far the worst one. What does the author hope to accomplish by giving us a bunch of quotes. We will never remember all of them. The only way to remember each one is if there is a story attached to each of them. That is why I recommend Wayne Dyer's Wisdom of the Ages if you want something more meaningful. Again, not everything in that book will be accepted by everyone, but at least you will be able to remember the ones you do treasure.
Conventional wisdom.......2001-04-27
This little book of thoughts is a compilation of the author's previous 4 little books. It is filled with many excellent items of conventional wisdom concerning the things we all deal with in daily life. For those who appreciate books of thought, I recommend this book, as well as a similar little book of gems called "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom" by Taro Gold.
Book Description
By promising same-day delivery and delighting customers, "thinking big" Mack turned an ordinary business into an all-American success story. At the same time, he earned a reputation as a consummate promoter, a civic contributor, and a devoted philanthropist. Mack's many accomplishments enable him to provide a powerful message, including seven principles for business owners, managers, and employees at every level. Always Think Big provides Mack's tips, pointers, and principles that anyone can use to improve his or her approach to customer service, marketing, and managing.
Customer Reviews:
Great Story - Fun Read.......2007-07-14
This is a great story! Mattress Mack is an impressive business person and such a positive contributor to his community and society. Gallery Furniture is like no other store in the country. It is truly a must see experience.
No that great.......2003-11-14
Mac is just another rich jerk with an inflated ego. He got rich by employing young pushy kids who won't leave you alone until you buy something or leave. If you decide to buy, his sales rats try to push you to not buy with cash, but instead apply for credit (with super high interest)from Gallery. This just lines Mac's pockets even thicker. What's the big secret? There's not one. He does sell quality furniture, but it's not cheap like his ads claim. His motto is "Gallery Furniture Really Will Save You Money! I save myself money and a major headache by not shopping there anymore.
By the way, Mac lost millions on bad investment deals like the Sam Houston Race Park. Then cried about it like a little girl.
He's a sore loser in my opinion.
For those who would think big in their own businesses.......2002-07-08
A Texas entrepreneur who produced the most productive singlesite retail furniture store in America, Jim McIngvale is justifably known as 'Mattress Mack'. By promising - and delivering - extraordinary service and thinking big about the future, McIngvale built his empire. Always Think Big incorporates the basics of his approach for those who would think big in their own businesses.
A "must-read" for investors and successful entrepreneurs.......2002-05-29
"Always Think Big--How Mattress Mack's Uncompromising Attitude Built the Biggest Single Retail Store in America" provides a fascinating, well-written account of Mattress Mack's rise from penniless salesman to multi-millionaire businessman and philanthropist. Mack's combination of attitude, perseverance, and successful marketing techniques have made him a legend in Houston, but "His "Treat Everyone Like a Movie Star" techniques are valuable in any location or arena: small businesses, large corporations, schools, government, charitable organizations.
Average customer rating:
- A Great Read for the Married and Unmarried Alike
- Super Funny and REAL
- An "altaring" experience
- Took me back
- Fun Read
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Altared: Bridezillas, Bewilderment, Big Love, Breakups, and What Women Really Think About Contemporary Weddings
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Other Woman: Twenty-one Wives, Lovers, and Others Talk Openly About Sex, Deception, Love, and Betrayal
ASIN: 0307277631
Release Date: 2007-05-08 |
Book Description
Original essays by Top Women Writers
Julianna Baggott _ Curtis Sittenfeld _ Catherine Ingrassia _ Elizabeth Crane
Lara Vapnyar _ Lisa Carver _ Carina Chocano _ Rory Evans _ Jennifer Armstrong _ Elise Mac Adam _ Janelle Brown _ Daisy de Villeneuve _ Meghan Daum _ Amy Sohn _ Samina Ali _ Farah L. Miller _ Gina Zucker _ Kathleen Hughes _ Jacquelyn Mitchard _ Ruth Davis Konigsberg _ Lori Leibovich _ Julie Powell _ Jill Eisenstadt _ Anne Carle _ Amanda Eyre Ward _ Amy Bloom _ Dani Shapiro
Anyone who is intimated by the prospect of planning a wedding will laugh out loud and take solace in Altared. In this unexpected, heartwarming, thought-provoking collection, more than two dozen of our most perceptive and entertaining writers offer a wide range of takes on the modern wedding. It's all here. Fantasies. Realities. Fond memories. A few regrets. From planning it to doing it and everything in between.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Read for the Married and Unmarried Alike.......2007-08-14
I'm not part of the target demographic for Altared, since I've never dreamed of "the big day" or really imagined I'd ever get married. So I'm not really sure what drove me to pick it up save for the names of some of my favorite writers, like Lisa Carver. What I liked most about Altared is that it's not just anti-bridal industry or full of horror stories, but features women grappling with both their weddings and the countless issues weddings make us question. Even when the bulk of the essay is about the actual wedding day, the authors manage to say something more profound as well. The authors certainly don't escape their own barbs or criticism, but they are ultimately hopeful and humorous (of her gay wedding, Anne Carle writs: "What I remember is panic, worry, cold feet, and sometimes total and utter numbness. A coworker asked whether I felt like Bridezilla...but I actually felt more like Groomzilla.")
Jill Eisenstadt's "To Have or Have Not: Sex on the Wedding Night" looks at a topic I'd never have thought was a question and humorously breaks down the myth that wedding night sex is a triumphant celebration. Even though there's a little bit of repetition about the evils of Bridezilla-mania, wedding magazines, and the like sprinkled throughout the anthology, those pale in comparison to the many diverse and touching stories here, from Anne Carle's "Weddings Aren't Just for Straight People Anymore" to Gina Zucker's tale of crashing her mother's wedding and Samina Ali's tale of two weddings, one arranged marriage, one chosen. Carle's piece also touches on children, who are woven throughout these essays as either future hopeful possibilities or already born family members, but her reasons for not having children with her wife, and instead opening up their circle to a wider community, made her vision of marriage and family quite an expansive one. My favorite section was "Getting Hitched," where Jacquelyn Mitchard gives any fiction writer a reason to believe in the power of words, intuition, and creative visualization in "First, Reader, I Made Him Up, and Then I Married Him." What's interesting is how for many of these women marriage and their weddings seemed to sortof spring up, rather than be endlessly plotted, making them aware only at the last minute that they have specific ideas and dreams for their big day (as do their mothers). There's a kind of lackadaisical approach, at least at the beginning, that immediately sets them at odds with their more perfection-focused peers. As they explain just when the hysteria sets in, or wryly laugh at their own ability to get sucked in, such as Janelle Brown's "The Registry Strikes Back," they show that while weddings are events that are planned (even in very brief spurts of time), part of the process can still sneak up on you.
Lisa Carver's uniquely solitary approach in her trademark style (she starts her essay thusly: "For me, getting married has always been like throwing up. I do it as alone as possible, feeling sick, drastic, and doomed.") makes for one of the best essays here, by a woman who's been there, done that, and come back again to both wedding planning and attending. Several essays such as Carver's and Lori Leibovich's, question whether being an "anti-bride" or an "indie bride" is not its own form of capitulation to opposition to the salesmanship that's been built up around weddings. And anyone who liked Julie and Julia must read Julie Powell's take on what goes into making that wedding standby, "Rubber Chicken" (hint: it's not chicken). Taken together, these essays are about, yes, weddings, but moreso about love, family, and figuring out what the essentials are when it comes to each. As Jennifer Armstrong's essay about her slowly fading, much-postponed engagement and eventual breakup, sometimes the best wedding of all is the one you don't have.
Super Funny and REAL.......2007-08-06
This collection of real life stories is absolutely hilarious! Almost every story leaves you chuckling a little at the rediculousness that is the wedding industry and our society. I think I could relate to something in almost every story as well. I am giving it to my sister in law who is recently engaged to help her see what people go through that she is not alone and hopefully show her how rediculous things can be and to not let it get out of control.
An "altaring" experience.......2007-06-09
This book is funny, and very informative. It confirms the idea that each bride is individual whether they succumb to the pressures of the multi billion dollar bridal industry or prefer a private ceremony with their closest friends and family. I really enjoyed reading the wedding stories of these fresh new authors; a very interesting selection!
Took me back.......2007-06-02
My husband and I have been married for 12 years now, but this took me back...and in so many different and authentic and enjoyable ways. I loved Colleen's introduction and felt each essay was like a friend sitting down over coffee and sharing her wedding story. This is not just for those about to be married since it invites so much reflection on what marriage means to modern women, and how we are redefining it with our partners as we go.
Fun Read.......2007-06-02
Great, fun read. This book is a collection of amusing and touching essays
about weddings and relationships and the extensive culture and traditions
surrounding weddings. These women writers offer a wide variety of personal
experiences sprinkled with a lot of humor, wisdom and insights. Enjoyed it
immensely. Great gift to all my women friends.
Average customer rating:
- Garfield RULES!
- GARFIELD RULES!
- I cant stop reading
- A great book; only missing one thing....
- This is a grrrrrrreeeeeeeeaaaaaatttttttttt book!
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Garfield Thinks Big (Garfield (Numbered Paperback))
Jim Davis
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Garfield: Life to the Fullest: (#34) (Garfield (Numbered Paperback))
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Garfield Tons of Fun (Garfield (Numbered Paperback))
ASIN: 0345416716
Release Date: 1997-10-07 |
Book Description
BIG THOUGHTS FROM AN EVEN BIGGER CAT
GARFIELD is a true Aristotle of cats, pondering such tough questions as: How many plates of lasagna can a cat consume in a single sitting? That's a lot of food for thought, but you can bet this feline philosopher will gobble his way to an answer--and still find room for dessert! It's nothing less than side-splitting fun, so don't miss out as GARFIELD thinks (and eats) BIGGER than ever before!
Customer Reviews:
Garfield RULES!.......2002-09-14
Garfield is the best!
i have read all his books and can't stop reading them.
cause Garfield is #1!
This particulary book is so far the funniest one i have ever read.
GARFIELD RULES!.......2000-06-24
Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!
I cant stop reading.......1998-10-29
I loved theis book because it has graet jokes.This book has a nice use of words.You wont stop laughing it gots lots of good jokes.And you have to read this book its graet for children of all ages.
A great book; only missing one thing...........1998-06-12
...And that thing is COLOR! Call me crazy, but I hypothesize that daily comics sections that are still in b/w are rather primitive, and the colors in the comics (especially in Garfield) are a small part of the context. So, I think the next Garfield book - #33 Garfield Pigs Out (I guess that's going to be the next title) should be in full color, rather than black and white like its predecessors.
This is a grrrrrrreeeeeeeeaaaaaatttttttttt book!.......1998-04-27
"Garfield Thinks Big" is a book with lots of laughs inside it. Garfield does lots of things to annoy people. He sheds all over, kicks Odie off of and onto the table, puts snowballs in Jon's pants, and makes fun of dogs. He eats continuously and sleeps whenever he can. He hates Mondays, diets, and family get togethers. He can never get enough lasagna and he loves desserts. This is a great book and I highly recommend it.
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