Book Description
The Only Three Questions That Count is the first book to show you how to think about investing for yourself and develop innovative ways to understand and profit from the markets. The only way to consistently beat the markets is by knowing something others don’t know. This book will show you how to do just that by using three simple questions. You’ll see why CNBC’s Mad Money host and money manager James J. Cramer says, "I believe that reading his book may be the single best thing you could do this year to make yourself a better investor.
In The Only Three Questions That Count, Ken Fisher challenges the conventional wisdoms of investing, overturns glib theories with hard facts, and blows up complacent beliefs about money and the markets. Ultimately, he says, the key to successful investing is daring to challenge yourself and whatever you believe to be true. Packed with more than 100 visuals, usable tools, and a glossary, The Only Three Questions That Count is an entertaining and educational experience in the markets unlike any other, giving you an opportunity to reap the huge rewards that only the markets can offer.
Customer Reviews:
Great book, one of the best I've read in a while .......2007-09-03
I consider myself fairly well read when it comes to investing, but I was really suprised by this book.
I've poured through books by and about Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, Jim Rogers, some of the new classics (Market Wizards by Schwager) and some of the old classics that never go out of style (Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, Money Game). I was actually just browsing through my local bookstore when I saw this.
Fisher's well known for his advertising. His ads though, and his style turned me off (somewhat analogous to a doctor that advertises on a bus stop or a lawyer advertising in the back of a phone book, you just don't quit trust it).
He's got some real gems in here though. The book could have been about 150 pages shorter, but the essence of it, that the only way to beat the market is to know something that others don't, is spot on.
If you answer his 3 questions before investing (especially #3, what is your brain doing to mess you up), you'll be well ahead of the game.
It's amazing that people will invest huge sums of money in the market, and not even know what the biases are that cause misjudgement. Fisher does a beautiful job of reducing things down to "primitive man", and what was great for hunter gatherers 50,000 years ago hunting lions is terrible for your portfolio.
Still, I think the book falls into some traps that most other investment books fall into:
-Some of it is too neat, too ivory tower, too clean and mathematical. There's no people in the book, there are no memories.
For example, he thinks stocks have no correlation to past results. The odds of a stock moving tomorrow up or down are 50-50.
But investors have memories. Investors got scarred for life after the '29 crash, they never felt the same way about stocks again. I don't think stocks have a 50-50 chance of moving up or down after that. It also doesn't take into account where companies are in their life cycle. It doesn't take into account competitive advantage (or lack thereof).
-A direct quote from the book..."Since 1926, there have been 66 15 year rolling time periods. In 61 of them (92%), stocks beat bonds, returning an average of 481% while bonds returned 150%"
He then adds to the arguement, and basically says stocks always outperform bonds, buy stocks. But most people get into stocks at the wrong time! There's no mention of valuation, there's no mention that people buy stocks when everyone else is buying them.
People can and do lose money...if you bought stocks in the mid 20's or later, you didn't break even for 20 years. If you bought stocks during the raging bull market of the 60's and held, you got killed. The DOW was at 700 in the early 60's and 800 in the early 80's, after some grueling declines. Business Week ran their famous (infamous) cover in 1979, "The Death of Equities". People were putting their retirement money into gold and diamonds back then.
People do not buy stocks equally during all time periods. There's some other arguements made that can be a little dangerous. Some of the arguement made about the deficit, the declining dollar, I don't know.
Fisher is obviously brilliant, he's on the Forbes 400, but no one should be above questioning or critical thinking. Absolutely come to your own conclusions. I don't think some of the arguements will hold up in 15-20 years.
But still, it's well worth adding to your library. Some of the key chapters should be re-read many times to get all the nuances.
No real help here!.......2007-09-03
Fisher describes a number of interesting stock market fallacies and why they should be ignored in any serious investing plan, and also illustrates some common emotional problems that plague a large percentage of investors. He describes several admittedly outdated fundamental indicators which, although possibly of some academic interest, are no longer useful, as they now have been discounted by the market.
He suggests that the individual investor select an index and track his or her performance with respect to this index, presumably taking advantage of knowing what most other investors do not. Most unfortunately, the methodology of attaining this precious knowledge is not made clear, at least to me. If an investor knows important details about equity issues that are not generally known, then he or she has no need of this book!
The writing style of Fisher, while occasionally entertaining, contains a good deal of self-serving statements, and, as commented by others, the basic information could be provided by perhaps one quarter the number of pages.
very informative.......2007-08-28
I've read a lot of finance books in my day but this one takes a whole other approach. Instead of the same old conventional methods of analyzing the stock market through ratios and fundamentals, this book takes you through how to look at the market differently. The Only Three Questions shows you the power of sentiment on the market and specifically how to gauge investor sentiment and use it to your advantage. While the book is full of data and graphs, it also is a surprisingly humorous and enjoyable read. If you're looking for a completely different investment strategy, this book is for you.
Needed an editor.......2007-08-26
A well constructed book cries out for discipline, particularly one dealing with investment. There is little discipline here, and this may stem from the way it was written. It reads in a disjointed, jaunty, disconnected way, very much as if dictated while working out on treadmill. Also hard to say what role the other two writers had in the making of the book.Aside from being far too long for the wisdom the book imparts, and it does provide some interesting insights, there are some rather questionable conclusions that other reviewers have pointed out, such as the irrelevance, presumably, of US debt, of debt in general. He makes light of other methods of selecting stocks, such as (his own) discovery of the importance of the price to sales ratio. His advice is, on the whole, fairly vague. One gets out of the market when one knows more than others.... Right. But the tables and graphs are well worth perusing, more than once. On that basis I reconsider and would recommend the book to those who have a fair amount of investing experience. Not for beginners!
Think before you act.......2007-08-23
Managing money is not my strong suit. Because I don't have any in the first place. This may explain why I am right now so "house-rich and cash-poor". I therefore bought this book out of sheer curiosity. How do "big predators" behave? How do they reach their ultimate goal: BEATING THE MARKET ?
M. Ken Fisher gives us a clear, perfectly documented answer ( think before you act), thereby debunking some hard-dying myths like the "gold haven". M. Fisher's book is crystal clear, strongly worded, often very funny and on the whole totally convincing. I simply love the visuals. I recommend without reservation this book to any investor trying like me to avoid a further decline of his (hardly worth mentioning) savings.
Even with Mr. Fisher's invaluable assistance, I will probably never beat the market. But I might want to take advantage of his most interesting tips: watch for prospective buy-outs !
Amazon.com
Personal-finance author and lecturer Robert Kiyosaki developed his unique economic perspective through exposure to a pair of disparate influences: his own highly educated but fiscally unstable father, and the multimillionaire eighth-grade dropout father of his closest friend. The lifelong monetary problems experienced by his "poor dad" (whose weekly paychecks, while respectable, were never quite sufficient to meet family needs) pounded home the counterpoint communicated by his "rich dad" (that "the poor and the middle class work for money," but "the rich have money work for them"). Taking that message to heart, Kiyosaki was able to retire at 47. Rich Dad, Poor Dad, written with consultant and CPA Sharon L. Lechter, lays out his the philosophy behind his relationship with money. Although Kiyosaki can take a frustratingly long time to make his points, his book nonetheless compellingly advocates for the type of "financial literacy" that's never taught in schools. Based on the principle that income-generating assets always provide healthier bottom-line results than even the best of traditional jobs, it explains how those assets might be acquired so that the jobs can eventually be shed. --Howard Rothman
Book Description
Personal-finance author and lecturer Robert Kiyosaki developed his unique economic perspective through exposure to a pair of disparate influences: his own highly educated but fiscally unstable father, and the multimillionaire eighth-grade dropout father of his closest friend. The lifelong monetary problems experienced by his "poor dad" (whose weekly paychecks, while respectable, were never quite sufficient to meet family needs) pounded home the counterpoint communicated by his "rich dad" (that "the poor and the middle class work for money," but "the rich have money work for them"). Taking that message to heart, Kiyosaki was able to retire at 47. Rich Dad, Poor Dad, written with consultant and CPA Sharon L. Lechter, lays out his the philosophy behind his relationship with money. Although Kiyosaki can take a frustratingly long time to make his points, his book nonetheless compellingly advocates for the type of "financial literacy" that's never taught in schools. Based on the principle that income-generating assets always provide healthier bottom-line results than even the best of traditional jobs, it explains how those assets might be acquired so that the jobs can eventually be shed. --Howard Rothman
Download Description
A #1 New York Times bestseller, 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' is a true story on the lessons about money that Robert Kiyosaki learned from his two "dads." One dad, a Ph.D. and superintendent of education, never had enough money at the end of the month and died broke. His other dad dropped out of school at age 13 and went on to become one of the wealthiest men in Hawaii. 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' will . . .· Explode the myth that you need to earn a high income to become rich · Challenge the belief that your house is an asset · Show parents why they can't rely on the school system to teach their kids about money
· Define once and for all an asset and a liability · Teach you what to teach your kids about money for their future financial success. In 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad', Robert Kiyosaki explains how to make your money work hard for you instead of you working hard for money.
Customer Reviews:
Great Information.......2007-10-03
This book was everything that I heard it was. Great for anyone trying to become rich!
Shameless in its Amorality .......2007-09-25
A book whose philosophy is near perfect in its amorality. In this self-help business book, Kiyosaki (a Japanese American who grew up in Hawaii) talks about his poor dad (his biological father, a public school teacher who tried to teach the values of honesty and hard work to his son during his life and who never became wealthy) and his rich dad (a local businessman who became his mentor and is probably something of a fictional figure). Kiyosaki admires his amoral rich dad: he even boasts how he paid less taxes than his biological father even though he was far richer. Many of this sort of pop business books end up claiming that personal greed ends up in a bigger public benefit, but this book doesn't even try to make this claim (because of this honesty, I rate this book two stars instead of a single one). As if that wasn't enough, Kiyosaki's business "advice" (mainly dealing with real estate) is vague and run of the mill (no one will get rich by following this book, but he did get rich rich from writing it, much more than from his business deals).
Great book to change the way you think about making money!!!.......2007-09-23
I was told to buy this book from someone whom I skate with who has a house that looks like a hotel. Ok enough said on that.
This book is for the person who's lived their life believing that they have to work for someone else and get a salary and be productive their whole life. The average working way to think about making money. This book tells you how to think differently about whole the idea of making money. This book won't tell you how to make a single cent, but rather how to notice opportunities and strike when the average person would stand back and say "you're crazy for doing this". Notice a trend in thinking here, the crazy people who did stuff when no one else did are the ones who are usually wealthy in a short period of time compared to the one who's tied to their office hoping for a raise of some kind or recognition.
Excellent philosophy and ideas and pretty good reading.......2007-09-19
I had to start this book 3 times because I wasn't too impressed with the beginning and kept putting it aside, but once I got to about page 34 I had gotten a couple of good ideas and by page 100 I was hooked. The beginning was a lesson that made sense later. I don't necessarily agree with everything in the book, but I think it has thought provoking ideas how different people think and gives excellent information and philosophy.
Good for motivation, BAD for instruction.......2007-09-19
This book really opened my eyes to the fact that you can't be a wage slave all your life, so thanks for that. BUT, and this is a big but, Kiosaki is at heart a huckster. Research it online and you find "Rich Dad" doesn't exist. Kiosaki made him up. Once you realize this you realize that there's no lessons from a genius entrepreneur/investor but rather the whimsical musings of one man who made his fortune giving speeches and taking people's money in seminars. In interview after interview, he refuses to cite a single real-estate deal or concrete comapny he invested in - it's all nebulous and contradictory, just like his life story. So go ahead, buy a used copy for a buck or two, be inspired, but don't be sucked in. And whatever you do, don't pay for his "Rich Dad Coaching" scam through his website. I would, however, recommend getting the Cashflow 101 game, but NOT 202.
Amazon.com
The rich are different from the rest of us, if for no other reason than U.S. tax and securities laws allow them to invest in ways that keep us from catching up to them. That's why 90 percent of all corporate shares of stock are owned by 10 percent of the people. Kiyosaki believes it's possible for anyone to move up into that 10 percent, but it takes a different view of investing than most people have: it takes a plan to be a successful investor. And a plan is more than simply buying and selling, or collecting "assets" that bring in no cash and are thus more akin to liabilities. The way most people invest, "they might as well be pushing a wheelbarrow in a circle," he writes. A plan is "mechanical, automatic, and boring," a formula for success that has worked historically for most of those who've used it. Kiyosaki's "rich dad" (actually, the father of his best friend) tells him the simplest analogy is the game Monopoly: buy four green houses, trade them for one red hotel, and repeat until you become rich.
The overall message of Rich Dad's Guide to Investing is that this is an abundant world, full of opportunity for the sophisticated investor. However, it sometimes takes a while to find this point. Much of the book is told in dialogues between young Kiyosaki and his rich dad, and these conversations can ramble. There are rewards for the careful reader--for example, in the middle of a section on the basic rules of investing, Kiyosaki's rich dad compares investor education to toilet training: difficult at first but eventually automatic. But getting to these inspired metaphors means wading through a lot of repetitive dialogue. It's a bit ironic that someone who advocates investor discipline should show so little as a writer. But by the end of the book, even the rambling starts to make sense. By the hundredth time you read that the rich don't work for money, and that you don't need money to make money, both concepts start to make sense. It still looks difficult to apply these ideas, but Rich Dad's Guide to Investing certainly makes the case that they'll work for anyone bold and smart enough to practice them. --Lou Schuler
Book Description
The rich are different from the rest of us, if for no other reason than U.S. tax and securities laws allow them to invest in ways that keep us from catching up to them. That's why 90 percent of all corporate shares of stock are owned by 10 percent of the people. Kiyosaki believes it's possible for anyone to move up into that 10 percent, but it takes a different view of investing than most people have: it takes a plan to be a successful investor. And a plan is more than simply buying and selling, or collecting "assets" that bring in no cash and are thus more akin to liabilities. The way most people invest, "they might as well be pushing a wheelbarrow in a circle," he writes. A plan is "mechanical, automatic, and boring," a formula for success that has worked historically for most of those who've used it. Kiyosaki's "rich dad" (actually, the father of his best friend) tells him the simplest analogy is the game Monopoly: buy four green houses, trade them for one red hotel, and repeat until you become rich. The overall message of Rich Dad's Guide to Investing is that this is an abundant world, full of opportunity for the sophisticated investor. However, it sometimes takes a while to find this point. Much of the book is told in dialogues between young Kiyosaki and his rich dad, and these conversations can ramble. There are rewards for the careful reader--for example, in the middle of a section on the basic rules of investing, Kiyosaki's rich dad compares investor education to toilet training: difficult at first but eventually automatic. But getting to these inspired metaphors means wading through a lot of repetitive dialogue. It's a bit ironic that someone who advocates investor discipline should show so little as a writer. But by the end of the book, even the rambling starts to make sense. By the hundredth time you read that the rich don't work for money, and that you don't need money to make money, both concepts start to make sense. It still looks difficult to apply these ideas, but Rich Dad's Guide to Investing certainly makes the case that they'll work for anyone bold and smart enough to practice them. --Lou Schuler
Download Description
'Rich Dad's Guide to Investing' follows the New York Times bestsellers 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' and 'Rich Dad's CASHFLOW Quadrant'. Most of us know that the best investments never make it to market. This book discusses what the rich invest in that the poor and middle class do not. What follows is an insider's look into the world of investing, how the rich find the best investments, and how you can too. Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter show . . .· Rich Dad's basic rules of investing · How to reduce your investment risk · Rich Dad's 10 Investor Controls · How to convert your earned income into passive and portfolio income · How you can be the ultimate investor!
Customer Reviews:
Uri Gofman reviews Rich Dad's Guide to Investing.......2007-08-08
i happen to be a big fan of Kiyosaki. while light on specific acts to do or procedures to follow, this book helps one "think" in a manner that is compatible with creating wealth and success. it is unquestionably inspirational and inspiring. the next step is up to you!
ANOTHER HOMERUN BY RICH DAD!!!.......2007-07-23
Robert Kiyosaki has done it once again!!! Being an avid reader of business/ personal development and finance books for years, I always love reading the Rich Dad books. Robert's style is straight forward, friendly, and highly coversational. Anyone interested in understanding the mindset that one needs to create before beginning their personal conquest down the roads to wealth and freedom should read every Rich Dad book they can get their hands on!
Make Kiyosaki Rich and Yourself a Little Poorer.......2007-06-30
Make Kiyosaki Rich and Yourself a Little Poorer by buying this book. It amazes me how people buy the dream of becoming rich, yet make themselves poor. Kiyosaki certainly takes advantage of this by catering to greed and desire.
Case point: you are reading this book because you are poor. People rich in money and knowledge do not buy his junk.
Interesting read.......2007-05-22
Pros:
- easy to read
- keeps you interested
- you find some good info here and there
Cons:
- too vague about the subject
- repetitive
- too situational to US market
Fine read for a holliday.
Rich Dad's Guide to Investing is EXCELLENT! A MUST HAVE!.......2007-05-22
If you are wanting to find financial freedom, independance, would like to get rich, or just want to be educated on how to manage you finances, this book is for you.
I buy the whole series on cd,and you can fly through them and take notes. It is much easier to learn from the audio than to try to read a huge, long book. I listened to all of these books so far during car trips and during the drive to work. A great way to fill waisted time.
Product Description
Targeted specifically to DIBELS users, this resource contains strategies that work with any core reading or intervention program. Using this book, teachers can learn to analyze DIBELS data, organize effective student groups, link strategies to student needs, design focused interventions, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
very useful activities.......2007-05-13
I have found this book to be very useful for providing my elementary school students with a variety of activities which build phonemic awareness. I had borrowed a coworkers copy and kept it so long I decided to buy my own. My only issue with this book is that I have not had luck with the websites offered in the book for materials and it relies so much on outside commercial materials and other books/programs. I've made my own materials from the ideas suggested in the book.
Book Description
A quick introduction on how to use Lean Six Sigma to improve your workplace, meet your goals, and better serve your customers.
Lean Six Sigma combines the two most important improvement trends of our time: making work better (using Six Sigma) and making work faster (using Lean principles). In this plain-English guide, you’ll discover how this remarkable quality improvement method can give you the tools to identify and eliminate waste and quality problems in your own work area.
Packed with diagrams, cartoons, and real-life examples, What is Lean Six Sigma? reveals the “four keys” of Lean Six Sigma and how they apply to your own job:
- Delight your customers with speed and quality
- Improve your processes
- Work together for maximum gain
- Base decisions on data and facts
You’ll see the big picture of what your company hopes to gain with Lean Six Sigma, how it may affect your work area, and what it can mean to you personally.
Customer Reviews:
What is Lean Six Sigma Book Review.......2007-09-21
This book is an excellent primer for people considering instituting the Lean Six Sigma process within their company. It is an easy and quick read. We have used multiple copies to introduce the process to our empolyees.
What is LEAN SIX SIGMA?.......2007-06-11
Excellent Lean Six Sigma overview book - suitable to hand out during Yellow Belt or Green Belt Training as a support to the participants. As a Certified Black Belt, I can confirm the material is correct (for the experts) & can be understood (for the folk new to LSS).
An accelerated explanation of how to produce more and better results, in less time, and at a lower cost .......2007-05-16
It seems eminently appropriate that a book which explains what Lean Six Sigma is (and isn't) should exemplify the same principles it addresses: It delights its reader with the speed by which its material is covered and with the quality of that material, it offers immediate help with mastering whatever the given process (or processes) may be, its authors work effectively with their reader to achieve the desired objectives within that reader's organization, and they prepare their reader to make better decisions, based on verifiable data.
Many people who consider purchasing it may be deterred by terms such Six Sigma and Lean which tend to be associated only with immensely large and complicated organizations such as GE and Motorola. In fact, authors Mike George, Dave Rowlands, and Bill Kastle include a number of mini-case studies throughout their narrative that suggest how decision-makers in almost any organization (regardless of size or nature) can apply Lean Six Sigma to produce more and better results, in less time, and at a lower cost if (huge "if") there are leadership at the top of the given organization, buy-in and sustained commitment at all levels and in all areas, sufficient resources, and accurate and consistent performance measurement.
For me, some of the most valuable material is provided in Chapter 8, "Making Improvements That Last." After explaining the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) process, the authors make skillful use of various "Figures" that serve two separate but related purposes: they highlight key points, and, they facilitate, indeed expedite frequent review of those points later. For example, Figure 8.1: Sample Project Charter that demonstrates how to capture the essence of a Lean Six Sigma project. It describes what the team should accomplish, who will work on the project (and in what roles), timelines and other key information. Then with Figure 8.3: Value Stream Map, the authors indicate with the example provided how the value stream map, based on an actual process, captures the main sequence of activities in the boxes across the top line. If executed with rigor and discipline, the DMAIC process offers a framework for effective collaboration that will reveal real solutions to root problems.
Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones's Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation and their more recent book, Lean Solutions: How Companies and Customers Can Create Value and Wealth Together. Also, Michael George's Lean Six Sigma for Service: How to Use Lean Speed and Six Sigma Quality to Improve Services and Transactions, The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook: A Quick Reference Guide to 100 Tools for Improving Quality and Speed (with John Maxey and David T. Rowlands) and Fast Innovation: Achieving Superior Differentiation, Speed to Market, and Increased Profitability (with James Works, and Kimberly Watson-Hemphill).
Lean Six Sigma.......2007-01-12
Our organizations is implementing the Lean Six Sigma concept, so I wanted to read about it. What I have read so far, the books is intersting and covers the material very well.
great intro book to lean 6.......2007-01-03
Go AIRSpeed! I suggest this book to all servicemen and women who are part of AIRSpeed. Great inrto into the world of lean thinking.
Book Description
What Really Matters for Struggling Readers offers a clear blend of research and practice that teachers can use to develop better methods for helping children with reading difficulties.
- Includes clear, non-technical summaries of research on the subject of children as proficient readers.
- Research section on reading fluency that provides instructional models and methods for fostering fluency, including pause-prompt-praise, partner reading, taped read -alongs, impress method, choral reading, and fluency charting.
- Research section that studies the effects of enhancing access to appropriate books and offers suggestions for designing schools where all children have books that are appropriate.
In What Really Matters for Struggling Readers, nationally recognized scholar Dick Allington offers easy-to-understand interpretations of research that support three important principles: Children need to read a great deal to become proficient readers, offering summaries of research on the subject, the text shows how to monitor the amount of reading and create interventions that expand reading activity. Children need access to appropriate books, exploring the research on the subject, the text contains suggestions for designing schools where books are available and appropriate for all children. Children need to develop fluent reading to become proficient readers, reviewing the research on reading fluency, the text provides instructional models and methods for fostering fluency.
Richard L. Allington is the Fien Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He was a co-recipient of the Albert J. Harris Award from the International Reading Association for his "contributions to the better understanding of reading and learning disabilities". Dick is also a past president of the National Reading Conference and has been elected to membership in the Reading Hall of Fame.
Customer Reviews:
Great Read.......2007-03-13
This an excellent book for reading specialist, Literacy Coaches or Title I teachers. It really explains how to detect the early signs of reading difficulties. GREAT BOOK!!
from a teacher.......2006-07-01
This book has helped me tremendously in redesigning my reading program. As a special education teacher I am always looking for new concepts when it comes to my struggling readers.
Excellent, research-based, trustworthy........2006-01-30
Dr. Richard Allington continues to provide a research-based perspective that goes beyond the quick fixes, commercial-for-profit programs, and the political rhetoric of the day. If you really want to understand reading and learn a variety of research-based strategies that can be used to enhance reading, this is the book for you. There are plenty of practical strategies for teachers as well as parents. However, if you are looking for simplistic fixes (more phonics, more tests, more homework), I would advise you to go to your conservative "think" tanks and listen to politicians who have never read a research study.
Explains concepts in an easy to understand manner.......2005-11-11
How beneficial you will find this book depends on your background. If you are a parent, teacher, or college student trying to learn about basic research on reading, then this book is for you. This book gave me a nice review, but if you are familiar with the original research, you may want to skip this as something you already know.
Allington presents education and cognitive psychology research in a way that is informative and makes it easy for anyone to understand. Due to my background in cognitive psychology, I've read a lot of the original research on which this book is based. I think Allington gives a good overview of other people's research, while still giving his own take on the information. He does not discredit research, but makes you aware of the limitations of some experimental designs. Reading research is a relatively new field, most of which has occurred in the last fifteen to twenty years. Some results may seem obvious now, but may not have been a decade ago. Also, even if you think something is true, you always have to test it using a good experimental design. Allington's summaries allow you to decide for yourself if you accept the experimental conclusions.
I also think Allington did a good job of making practical suggestions that incorporates the research, so you can use it in the classroom or at least make informed decisions. That is probably most people's purpose for reading this book-practical applications. I like that there is more and more of a collaboration between teachers and researchers. This book is a good steping stone to that end.
I hope Allington continues to upgrade this book and write more like it.
Immediately Useful in my Classroom.......2005-09-10
This book has helped me so much with the struggling readers in my 2nd grade classroom. It is user-friendly, and based on real-life teaching situations. Ideas for comprehension have improved my students understanding of the story by leaps and bounds. My classroom library is now organized and leveled, and much easier for the students to enjoy, and to find books at their levels. It also helped me realize which books needed to be removed for now. Some books look like they're an easy read, but the word usage can be up to 9th grade! This is the best teaching resource I have read in the last year!
Book Description
Written by best-selling authors and presenters Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker,
Seven Simple Secrets: What the BEST Teachers Know and Do! will reveal how to enhance the lives of every student you teach.
This book reveals -
The Secret of Planning The Secret Classroom Management The Secret of Instruction The Secret of Attitude The Secret of Professionalism The Secret of Effective Discipline The Secret of Motivation and Inspiration
Customer Reviews:
Will prove to be invaluable in carrying out the art, craft, and science of classroom instruction.......2006-06-06
Ably co-authored by education expert and public speaker Annette Breaux and Dr. Todd Whitaker (Professor of Educational Leadership, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana), Seven Simple Secrets: What The Best Teachers Know And Do offers a broad introduction to curriculum planning, classroom instructional tactics, the importance of confidence and professionalism, the roll of discipline, and insights into sustaining motivation for maximum effectiveness in teaching children at any grade level. All of which are a "must-know" for classroom-based teachers. Seven Simple Secrets provides aspiring teachers with comprehensive, documented, experienced based, readily assimilable guidance that will prove to be invaluable in carrying out the art, craft, and science of classroom instruction.
Customer Reviews:
Autonomy, competence and relatedness.......2007-07-12
This is a very interesting book to read if you are a leader in your organization, a coach, a parent or have a role leading or motivating people.
It does not have an easy flowing style and could well be re-edited and updated to include the changes technology has brought up in how we communicate and create social networks.
A lot of emphasis is put on self-motivation and respecting autonomy, yet I could not envision how to apply it in the business world.
The consideration of three fundamental human needs: autonomy, competency and relatedness is very interesting.
a good read to understand how to encourage autonomy. I wonder about its applicability for self-determination in groups of people, within an organization or a society.
Great Book.......2007-05-14
This was a wonderful book that really helped me out with motivating my students. It also helped with my classroom management. I would recommend this book to any teacher.
ok.......2007-05-08
This book is ok, but the author seems a little self interested. The motivation concepts are good, but My advice would be to read the Mindset by Carol Dweck. Understanding intrinsic motivations is very interesting and she explores this a lot more effectively with the basics of labeling and self labeling.
Great but little weak on how to improve self motivation.......2007-02-26
This is a very good book written by a Professor in Psychology. All the facts and conclusions in this book have a strong basis in empirical research. If you want to a good overview of human motivation from clinical psychology perspective, this is a must read.
There is, however, scant information on "how to improve" self motivation. The author goes into great depth on what can demotivate people, but provides very little suggestions on how we can improve our motivation.
Perhaps this is due to author's strict adherence to empirical psychology. I imagine he is not a person who will give psychological suggestions lightly.
The author strongly suggests that increasing self motivation involves focusing one our natural autonomous motivation while staying away from environments and thoughts which can demotivate us.
At any rate, this book is superior to the plethora of psychological books based on NLP.
Overall, this is a highly credible book which is worth a read.
I was motivated to read this book!!!.......2006-11-27
I learned a lot by reading this book. It really is not an exciting read but if your interested in the subject matter it really is worth the money. By the time I got to the last few chapters I really had wished that the authors would have made it more exciting (or the book just a bit shorter). However, this book was very educational and I think anyone who has an interest in motivation and how it works would do well reading this book.
Book Description
* Do taxes help more than they hurt?* What effect does redistributing wealth have on our economy---and those who participate in its redistribution?* What is the role of government?* How does an economy work?James Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, and Dwight R. Lee are three of the most prominent economists today, and in Common Sense Economics they show us why economic understanding is an essential ingredient for life in today's society, a key element that empowers those who possess it to better take charge of their own lives and their own responsibilities to their society. In clear, powerful language free of any hint of jargon or obscurity, they illuminate the basic principles of supply and demand, private ownership, trade, and more. In a world where free trade, taxes, and government spending are issues everyone needs to understand, Common Sense Economics is a lucid, simple explanation of how and why our economy and our world work the way they do, and how and why individuals and nations prosper.
Customer Reviews:
Understandable Theory.......2007-08-27
A well written book. I do not believe in all that was stated in free trade but that would only be my opinion. The very best and why this should be mandatory reading in high school is the final thirty pages or so explaining compound interest, saving, investing and paying for college. I strongly believe each young man should share in the cost of college. If we are going to compete in a world market we better learn that college is for filling the head with knowledge and not the belly with beer. Unless you wish to be a telemarketer for some third world country with your degree.
Free Market.......2007-05-07
Excellent, should be required reading for all 8th graders and socialists. Gives a down to earth understanding of the advantage to ALL with free market economics and the adverse effects when the government tries to do too much.
Common Sense Economics.......2007-01-10
Easy to read, easy to understand. The last time I tried to understand economic principles was in required college courses, and barely made it through any of them. This book clarifies the often deliberate obfuscation of this subject, and reveals what every American ought to know about how our system is supposed to work, but a lot of times doesen't. A must-read for every conservative concerned about liberal economic ideas and governmental meddling in Capitalism.
A good introduction to economics for libertarians.......2006-04-18
The authors of this book present an introduction for readers who have not studied economics before and who are predisposed to accept the a priori approach to economic theory advocated by libertarian economists and political thinkers.There is a major error that is presented on p.93 in a discussion of government spending and deficits.The authors claim that J M Keynes favored deficit finance in order to stimulate the economy during economic downturns.This is simply false.Keynes never favored deficit finance.Deficit Finance is the brain child of Abba Lerner's functional finance.Lerner's approach influenced American Keynesians such as Alvin Hansen and Walter Heller.Keynes's approach,as opposed to the American Keynesian School, emphasized continuous low rates of interest and the avoidance of excessive debt-speculative finance,based on,for example,margin loans.Keynes would have suggested that the central bank implement a policy of skewing credit availability away from loans for speculators,greenmailers,leveraged buyouts,hostile takeovers a la Icahn,T Boone Pickens,etc.
Common Sense Read For a Sometimes Dry Subject.......2006-02-17
This is essentially a newer edition of a book previously released by the author. The writing is clear and concise on many basic economic principles. If you are looking for an indepth analysis of how economics effects socio-political issues, this is not the book you are looking for. However, if you are looking to begin setting a solid foundation for economic understanding there is perhaps no better place to begin.
Book Description
In this book, Gail L. Thompson takes on the volatile topic of the role of race in education and explores the black-white achievement gap and the cultural divide that exists between some teachers and African American students. Solidly based on research conducted with 175 educators, Through Ebony Eyes provides information and strategies that will help teachers increase their effectiveness with African American students. Written in conversational language, Through Ebony Eyes offers a wealth of examples and personal stories that clearly demonstrate the cultural differences that exist in the schools and offers a three-part, long-term professional development plan that will help teachers become more effective.
Customer Reviews:
Not the Answers I Was Looking For.......2007-05-30
This was a quick read, and very informative. It did include a lot of the author's personal experiences (making it quick), but didn't offer as much practical advice as I was hoping for. The book affirmed much of what I already know and do, but did not offer much in the way of new information. I do think I will try some of her other works that were referenced.
No excuses!!!.......2007-05-25
The reason I like this book is because, even though it was written by an African American author, it offers NO EXCUSES. I am an Urban School, middle class, white male teacher, and I love my job and my students. The reality, however, is that (in the words of Malcolm X) "African Americans will never be respected and treated equally until they become educated and earn the respect of other races." A lot of books I have read on helping African American students have made excuses, blaming other races and living situations, and the system, etc. This writer offers no excuses and just explains why some children act the way that they do and how to then deal with them. It also offers suggestions how to counter-act their excuses and complaints to show them success. I love it!!!!!
Love of Learning.......2007-03-14
This book would serve as a good reference for anyone teaching students of color. I have read many books on ways to teach minorities. This book is one that I refer to constantly.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes.......2004-12-28
Through Ebony Eyes tackles a difficult subject with grace and truth. The author, a Black woman, has been a student, a classroom teacher, a college professor, and a teacher of teachers. She knows her subject intimately. As an educator, my goal is to teach all students to the best of my ability. Before I read this book, I would have said that I was a color-blind teacher, looking at all students the same. I had to come to grips with my own cultural identity and biases. Ms. Thompson doesn't condemn or belittle but believes that all teachers desire their students to learn and excel. This is a sociological study complete with research data, charts and graphs and case studies but is not intimidating to read. At the end she includes a program for educators to pursue to improve their teaching of children of color, and a list of books to read and reflect on. I want to empasize that this book is not a "preachy" book, but one I found revealing and extremely readable. I would recommend this book highly to anyone in the field of education, anyone thinking of becoming an educator, and to parents.
Great Minds.......2004-09-16
One of the most candid and heartwarming books on education, this book neither minces words nor fails to use them effectively. The personal narratives give it a highly approachable feeling, making for an easy read on a difficult subject. I recommend this book for educators and non-educators, for anyone who cares about our children and their well-being.
Books:
- The Pregnancy Journal, Revised Edition: A Day-to-Day Guide to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy
- The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Secret
- The Secret Lives of Men and Women: A PostSecret Book
- The Seventeen Traditions
- The Silent Cinema Reader
- The Simpsons One Step Beyond Forever: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family...Continued Yet Again (Simpsons (Harper))
- The Suburban Christian: Finding Spiritual Vitality in the Land of Plenty
- The Ten-Day MBA 3rd Ed.: A Step-By-Step Guide To Mastering The Skills Taught In America's Top Business Schools
- the Torso
Books Index
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General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich
The Little Book of Value Investing
The Dhandho Investor: The Low - Risk Value Method to High Returns
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Book Big Profits)
Way of the Turtle: The Secret Methods that Turned Ordinary People into Legendary Traders
