Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths And Total Nonsense: Profiting From Evidence-Based Management

Popular axioms like these drive business decisions every day. Yet too much common management “wisdom” isn’t wise at all—but, instead, flawed knowledge based on “best practices” that are actually poor, incomplete, or outright obsolete. Worse, legions of managers use this dubious knowledge to make decisions that are hazardous to organizational health.

This practical and candid book challenges leaders to commit to evidence-based management as a way of organizational life – and shows how to finally turn this common sense into common practice.

18 month old daughter loves it...screeeeams if I read a different book!.......2007-07-08

Unorthodox, "better-way" approaches abound. For example, a fried chicken formula instructs the cook to wet the bird's dry coating slightly before it's applied for an extra-crunchy crust. Predictably, side bars feature equipment and ingredient evaluations, on bottled salsa, for example; "good food/bad food" photographs show readers what to aim for when producing fare like holiday cookies; and there are tips, charts, and "Cooking 101" sidebars galore. Step-by-step photos offer more direction still.

Though the majority of recipes are sound and yield tempting results, readers poring through the book will note gaffes and curiosities. The recipe for poached eggs, for example, offers the option of extra cooking for "firm yolks" (hard-boiled poached eggs, anyone?) and hamburgers receive an indentation before cooking to avoid "puffy" domed burgers, a novel problem that could, in any case, be solved by proper shaping. The addition of sugar to some savory dishes--for example, a pan sauce for steak--is misguided. Readers should also know that the book, which comes in loose-leaf form, requires some assembly, and that the pages themselves are quite thin, making them vulnerable to spills and tearing in daily kitchen use.

These things said, the book delivers solid, family-friendly dishes with enough fully orchestrated "how- to" to make even novice cooks feel secure when tackling the basics or more ambitious fare.

What's New in the Revised Editon?
First out in 2005, America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook was praised for its recipe ease, inclusiveness, and wealth of helpful information, but was also criticized for its physical production. A loose-leaf book with its pages included separately, readers found it inconvenient to assemble and its paper impractically thin. The revised edition is printed on heavier stock, and arrives with its pages already on its rings (there are two more now, for sturdiness) with only chapter dividers to insert, a simple task.

In addition, new inside front and back covers provide information on emergency substitutions, roasting guidelines, equivalent measures, and more--and a "Light Recipes" chapter has been included. Without defining precisely what "light" means--fewer fats and carbs, or a combo?--the section offers attractive all-course recipes, such as turkey chili, veggie burgers, meat and cheese lasagna, and chocolate bundt cake. Some readers will welcome the "slimming" of familiar dishes while others will find some of the manipulations--using cornstarch to thicken the sauce in fettuccine alfredo or ricotta to add body to a reduced-fat pesto, for example--unappealing. The book, however, remains a valuable kitchen tool--and one with greater convenience and durability than before. --Arthur Boehm

Exclusive Recipe Excerpts from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook (Revised Edition)

Butternut Squash Soup

Light Chicken Parmesan
Classic Apple Pie

More from America's Test Kitchen

The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2007

Cook's Illustrated

The Best 30-Minute Recipe

Book Description

Repackaged to be easier to use and expanded to include a whole new chapter of healthy, light recipes, this revised edition of one of last fall's bestselling cookbooks remains the one and only basic cookbook you will ever need. Beautiful step-by-step photos illuminate every conceivable technique from chopping shallots and skinning salmon to cutting up a chicken and tying a roast. In fact, just about anything you want to do in the kitchen is explained in these pages in America's most popular test kitchen's approachable, no-nonsense voice.

These recipes will keep you busy (and your friends and family happy) for years to come, since we've included hundreds of easy weeknight dishes (like Skillet Lasagna and One-Pot Chicken and Rice), company-worthy dinners (like Beef Burgundy, Roast Leg of Lamb, and Fresh Fruit Trifle), equipment ratings, shoppings tips, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Family Cookbook, America's Test Kitchen.......2007-09-27

I have been a subscriber of Cooks Magazine for over ten years now and have never been dissapointed. I am a professional Chef and find most of their publications to be great sources. My still favorite and mostly used source is the original Julia Child Cookbook based on her TV programs of years ago but this America's Test Kitchen publication,I suspect, I will use a great deal.

Test Kitchen Cookbook.......2007-09-26

I really like this cookbook because it has good pictures and explainations for techniques with which new cooks may be unfamiliar. Putting the pages and dividers in yourself is clear and easy. The pages are a little thinner than I would prefer for a cookbook, but I just use a clear plastic page protector that one might use for a portfolio or scrapbook to keep the page I am using clean. I highly recommend it!

The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.......2007-09-15

Amazon did an outstanding timely job getting me the cookbook. This cookbook is the very best I have ever read. I gave one to my daughter and will be ordering one for myself. Thanks.

The First Word on Cooking.......2007-09-14

The best basic recipes ever published. All tested.

Wish they would issue update pages with more and new recipes

Best for your money.......2007-09-11

I have owned many cookbooks over the years, but this one is my favorite. I have cooked for over 30 years, and I still learn techniques from this book. If you are a new cook or an experienced one, you need this book.

The Trouble With Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next

Average customer rating:

A mixed bag
The Endless Quest Continues
Outstanding piece of writing, A must-read for any science enthusiast.
There is hope
The Ptolemaic Theory of the late 20th century

The Trouble With Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next
Lee Smolin
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0618551050

Book Description

In this groundbreaking book, the renowned theoretical physicist Lee Smolin argues that physics—the basis for all other science—has lost its way. The problem is string theory, an ambitious attempt to formulate "a theory of everything" that explains all the forces and particles of nature and how the universe came to be. With its exotic new particles and parallel universes, string theory has captured the public"s imagination and seduced many physicists. But as Smolin reveals, there"s a deep flaw in the theory: no part of it has been proven, and no one knows how to prove it. As a scientific theory, it has been a colossal failure. And because it has soaked up the lion's share of funding, attracted some of the best minds, and penalized young physicists for pursuing other avenues, it is dragging the rest of physics down with it. With clarity, passion, and authority, Smolin charts the rise and fall of string theory and takes a fascinating look at what will replace it. A group of young theorists has begun to develop exciting new ideas that are, unlike string theory, testable. Smolin tells us who and what to watch for in the coming years and how we can find the next Einstein. This is a wake-up call, and Lee Smolin—a former string theorist himself— is the perfect person to deliver it.

Customer Reviews:

A mixed bag.......2007-10-04

At the moment, string theory appears to have many (possibly an infinite number) of "metastable vacua", each of which would allow for a universe with its own laws of physics. (For a brief, comic, yet essentially correct summary of the history of this idea, see Peter Shor's review here. For those who don't know, Shor is a celebrated quantum-information theorist.) According to the (far from established) inflationary model of cosmology, there is a vast collection of universes (the "multiverse") with diverse laws of physics. Which universe we find ourselves in is a matter of random selection, but of course we must be in a "biofriendly" universe, one whose laws of physics allow for the appearance of intelligent life.

The core argument of this book is presented on page 164-165 (US hardcover edition), where Smolin writes, "when it comes to the biofriendliness of our universe, we have at least three possibilities:

"1. Ours is one of a vast collection of universes with random laws.

"2. There was an intelligent designer.

"3. There is a so-far-unknown mechanism that will both explain the biofriendliness of our universe and make testable predictions by which it can be confirmed or falsified.

"Given that the first two possibilities are untestable in principle, it is most rational to hold out for the third possibility. Indeed, that is the only possibility we should consider as scientists, because accepting either of the first two would mean the end of our field."

I find this to be an astonishing argument. First of all, I don't know what "most rational" is supposed to mean. More importantly, to reject a scientific hypothesis for purely personal reasons (it "would mean the end of our field") is at best novel, and at worst absurd.

Very few string theorists are happy that #1 seems, at this point, to be the most likely outcome of string theory, and many hope that #3 will somehow eventually emerge. But to throw out the whole framework, simply because we don't like the result, cannot be said to be a scientific attitude.

One thing you won't learn in this book (unless you read it very carefully, and between the lines) is that the other approaches to quantum gravity advocated by Smolin have not come any closer to predicting specific experimental results than string theory has. Smolin talks about possible violations of special relativity, but these are not (as he admits on page 237) a definite prediction of loop quantum gravity. He has said (again, on Woit's blog) that any quantum field theory in any number of dimensions is compatible with loop quantum gravity. If true, this would make loop quantum gravity even less capable than string theory of picking out our particular laws of physics.

Smolin also discusses issues of sociology in physics. On page 335-336, he asserts that the all the truly negative characterizations of job candidates that he has ever heard have had a component of racism and/or sexism. I am on the faculty of the physics department of a research university, and I can only say that my experience has been entirely different. I have simply never heard a racist or sexist denigration of one scientist by another, nor have I ever felt that anyone was being evaluated by criteria other than merit. I think that there are definitely issues of culture and how we can construct scientific communities that have broader appeal, and that there are physicists who are not as sensitive to these issues as they might be, but I cannot accept Smolin's claim that the relatively small percentage of women and blacks in physics is due to "blatant prejudice".

Finally, Smolin discusses the issues of "seers" vs "craftspeople" in science, and argues that we should be supporting more "seers". Among the existing seers, he lists some (such as Roger Penrose and Gerard 't Hooft) who made their reputations primarily as craftspeople ('t Hooft received the Nobel Prize for his work on the renormalization of gauge theories, and Penrose did celebrated work on the singularity theorems of general relativity). Their record as seers has been less successful; none of their recent ideas on modifications of quantum mechanics have panned out as yet. Smolin laments the fact that more attention is not paid to these forays into alternatives to quantum mechanics. But 't Hooft and Penrose do not agree on what modifications are needed. Other seers identified by Smolin propose violations of special relativity, rather than (or in addition to) violations of quantum mechanics. Perhaps this is all deep thought, but there is little to decide, at this point, which if any of these avenues should be pursued. Most physicists have therefore sensibly adopted a "wait and see" attitude.

Even if we accept Smolin's argument that we need new seers, how are we to find them? Smolin writes (page 353) that in order to discover "the visionaries who ignore the mainstream and follow their own ambitious programs", we should "find at least one accomplished person in the candidate's field who is deeply excited about what the candidate is trying to do". So, the candidate's program had better not be *too* far off the mainstream; there has to be at least one "accomplished person" who is "deeply excited" about it. But if one deeply excited professional is good, wouldn't more be better? Wouldn't that up the odds that the program was, indeed, worthwhile? Oh wait, that would be just what we have now ... a system where there is constant debate, emergent consensus on the most promising approaches, and distribution of research funds primarily (but by no means exclusively!) to those approaches that appear, in the consensus view, to be most promising. To paraphrase Winston Churchill on democracy, this system for distributing funds for science may be the worst ever devised, except for all the others.

So, should you buy the book? I feel that it gives a distorted picture, by emphasizing the weak points of string theory while ignoring the (many more, in my view) weak points of the alternatives. It seems to me that the essence of the book's argument against string theory is captured by the excerpts above, and by Shor's review. Then there is a lot of discussion of groupthink in scientific culture. For me, it doesn't add up to an appealing package, but your mileage may vary.

The Endless Quest Continues .......2007-10-04

I like Lee Smolin and this is a good exposition of the current quandary in Physics. When the mathematicians "hijacked" physics in the 1920's, they created ever-so elegant formulas and abstraction upon abstraction upon abstraction. "Just give me a formula!" was their mantra, and what it all really "means" was not their concern. This is the essence of Bohr's position (no pun intended), and Einstein was not able to answer, even though he knew something was missing.

String theory has many intriguing ideas, and it's supporters should not be easily dismissed. Again and again, we come back to the basic question...particle or wave? Wavicle? Partiwave? String?

Outstanding piece of writing, A must-read for any science enthusiast........2007-09-22

I found this book to be superbly written and full of fascinating insights. I really loved reading it. Many of the longer reviews here do a great job of reviewing the content of the book, so I'll stick to offering my opinion.

I will no doubt read this book again in the future as much of the content was way over my head. However, as with any great book on any subject, this did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying it and learning a lot. What makes it so great is that each time I read it I will learn more.

I want to thank Lee Smolin for putting the current state of his field in some perspective. I highly, highly recommend this book!

There is hope.......2007-08-30

What can I say? Like Lee Smolin, I too am a recovering mathematician, and this book helped me out the trap. I love mathematics and majored in it at university, but soon fell prey to the seductive sense of omnipotence comes with thinking that one can manipulate reality with equations. I give this book my highest recommendation, especially for those who have become demotivated by the crisis in science. One condition though - don't read it in isolation. Essential companions are Peter Woit's "Not Even Wrong", and my own book "The Virtue of Heresy - Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer". The Virtue of Heresy: Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer

Hilton Ratcliffe
Astrophysicist

The Ptolemaic Theory of the late 20th century.......2007-08-29

String theory at the end of the 20th century has its equivalence in Ptolemaic "epicycle" theory at the end of the 16th century.

Addicted to the beauty and perfection of circles (which was the only shape heavenly Nature allowed), they constructed more and more elaborate epicycles (explanations) for the actual, observable universe.

Only by Kepler's "marketing" (music of the spheres, etc.) was he able to convince the establishment of the superior beauty of ellipses.

One is also reminded of the current collapsing of the neo-Darwinian paradigm as "epicycles" are continually being added to abiogenesis in an effort to "explain" the difficulties that arise from real-universe discoveries in molecular biology, Nature's nanotechnology, and information theory.

Only when science is willing to give up its cherished "beauty" in favor of the real world can progress be made. And as Kepler discovered, the beauty of the 'correct' answers often surpass the perceived beauty of the ignorant presuppositions found in the history of failed attempts to describe the ordered universe around us.

There IS a unified field theory out there - and it's beauty will certainly surpass the excitement and enticement of string theory.

Average customer rating:

hop on pop
Hop on Pop
Graphic SF Reader
Great Book for a Baby
A good start for new readers

Hop on Pop (Beginner Books(R))

Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 039480029X
Release Date: 1963-02-12

Product Description

Hop on Pop. Part of the Bright and Early Books Collection! Your children will be captivated by the whimsical rhyming stories and enchanted with the colorful fun characters. The Beginner Books concept is based on the idea of exacting blends of words and pictures that encourage children to read - all by themselves. This Dr. Seuss Book Set is sure to become a treasured part of your childs library and be read time and again to your childs delight!

Amazon.com

First published in 1963, Hop on Pop remains a perennial favorite when it comes to teaching kids to read. Here, as in most of his extensive body of work, Dr. Seuss creates uncomplicated, monosyllabic rhymes to foster learning and inspire children to read. But what was radical about this little book at the time of publication (and what makes it still compelling today) is Seuss's departure from the traditionally dull pictures and sentences used in reading primers. In contrast, the illustrations here are wild and wonderful, and the accompanying language, while simple, is delightfully silly. For example, the rhyme "THREE TREE / Three fish in a tree / Fish in a tree? / How can that be?" is brought to life with a trio of plump, self-satisfied fish perched atop globular branches as two stymied hybrid dog-rabbit-humanoids look on in consternation. Hop on Pop does much more than teach children the basics of word construction, it also introduces them to the incomparable pleasure of reading a book. (Ages Baby to Preschooler)

Customer Reviews:

hop on pop.......2007-10-04

title of book hop on pop I liked this bookbecause it teaches people rhymes thes book was about rhymes.

Hop on Pop.......2007-10-04

Perfect for young children who are first starting to read. Introduces them to letter "families"

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Parental physical abuse recommended.

Or, go and jump on the old folks, young 'uns. Dr Seuss is up to his usual old rhyming stuff here, with yet another weird outing of loopy characters, with, of course, a couple of the midget variety being the point here.

Great Book for a Baby.......2007-06-30

My three month old loves this book! When I bring it out she gets a huge smile on her face, and as soon as we read the first page she's laughing. I didn't expect her to have a favorite book this early but she definitely does and Hop on Pop is it. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I've read the board book version is missing pages that are in the original. Regardless, the board book version is great for babies.

A good start for new readers.......2007-04-11

Q. Which book of the "I can read it all by myself beginner books" is best book to start my child reading?
A. Hop on Pop

This book is simple, has large font, and uses short funny rhymes to encourage children in their early attempts at reading.

How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling (How to Write a Damn Good Novel)

Average customer rating:

Very informative, not dry.
Writer's bookshelf classic
Damn Good Advice!
Great for Beginners
IT IS A "DAMN" GOOD BOOK

How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling (How to Write a Damn Good Novel)
James N. Frey
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312010443

Book Description

Written in a clear, crisp, accessible style, this book is perfect for beginners as well as professional writers who need a crash course in the down-to-earth basics of storytelling. Talent and inspiration can't be taught, but Frey does provide scores of helpful suggestions and sensible rules and principles.An international bestseller, How to Write a Damn Good Novel will enable all writers to face that intimidating first page, keep them on track when they falter, and help them recognize, analyze, and correct the problems in their own work.

Customer Reviews:

Very informative, not dry........2007-09-28

I was expecting an essay-type book when I ordered this, the author uses humor to keep your interest while successfully explaining rather boring topics. I easily read this book in two hours without getting tired of it and retained most of what I'd read. This book tells you all you need to know about writing except what you should write about! I was impressed, it's not a very long book, but is packed full of good information.

Writer's bookshelf classic.......2007-09-23

James N Frey's book is already one of the classics and a damn good addition to any writer's bookshelf. He covers the whole process even though the book may seem too short to do so: The pace is fast, humorous and gritty from the first (characters, who they are and how to build them, by far the best starting point) all the way to the last(The Zen of Novel Writing, a ten page summary of the 'writers life'). I thought the second chapter (Three Greatest Rules of Dramatic Writing: Conflict! Conflict! Conflict! the most useful. Points are illustrated with examples from authors one knows and can relate to. A single objection: In an example (for 'Point of View', p. 100 in my copy) a single action revolver is fired by pulling the trigger over and over again (should be 'double' action). A great book and to me, worthwhile.
Q

Damn Good Advice!.......2007-09-23

This is a damn good book about creating tight, well-constructed stories that stand a chance of selling. The discussion on Homo Fictus, advice on proving your premise, and many other gems are all worth buying this book to read. If you have only one book to guide your first steps into novel-writing then this is the one. I've read dozens but this book was the most fun, easiest to digest, and easiest to put into practice. Top banana!

Great for Beginners.......2007-08-09

After reading the reviews before I bought this book, I actually decided to start off reading The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri, which Frey references a lot in How to Write a Damn Good Novel. It definitely helped, so I would recommend reading that first. This novel was excellent. It was easy to read and understand, and has tons of great writing tips. I would certainly recommend this book for beginners. Don't forget to take out your pencil and highlighters!

IT IS A "DAMN" GOOD BOOK.......2007-08-08

I think this book presents much information to writers. We can all benefit from Frey's opinions on characterization and storytelling. I picked up some pointers on dialogue. You don't have to be a beginner to learn from it. As a person struggling to write my first novel, I am feeling more inspired since reading it and wish more people would do the same.

Average customer rating:

politically nice
I love Horton!
We all need this one!
All Life Has Significance
CLASSIC

Horton Hears A Who! (Classic Seuss)
Dr. Seuss
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0394800788
Release Date: 1954-08-12

Amazon.com

Surely among the most lovable of all Dr. Seuss creations, Horton the Elephant represents kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance--all wrapped up, thank goodness, in a comical and even absurd package. Horton hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and spends much of the book trying to protect the infinitesimal creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals, who think their elephant friend has gone quite nutty. But worse is in store: an eagle carries away the clover in which Horton has placed the life-bearing speck, and "let that small clover drop somewhere inside / of a great patch of clovers a hundred miles wide!" Horton wins in the end, after persuading the "Who's" to make as much noise as possible and prove their existence. This classic is not only fun, but a great way to introduce thoughtful children to essentially philosophical questions. How, after all, are we so sure there aren't invisible civilizations floating by on every mote? (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr

Book Description

Illus. in color. Horton, the lovable elephant, tries to protect tiny creatures on a speck of dust. An easy reader with delightful verse and pictures.

Customer Reviews:

politically nice.......2007-07-31

I love the way Seuss takes the daily problems puts them to poetry and sends them on their way. It is great

I love Horton!.......2007-06-28

This is a great book - one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books! Besides the fabulous rhymes and rhythm, the story is a great one about loyalty. Great for kids or adults of any age!

We all need this one!.......2007-06-14

More than ever, our culture needs the wisdom of Dr. Seuss. Every child and adult needs to read this story. Perhaps when politicians and journalists are so casual about killing human embryos for spare parts, we'll remember that "a person's a person, no matter how small."

All Life Has Significance.......2007-04-11

Horton, you did it again. This is a wonderful book that illustrates how even the smallest (Who) can make a difference for his whole world and all the lives in it. It gives children and parents alike the encouragement they need to stand up and make a difference even if they are small and considered not to exist. Every voice counts in Who-ville.
As a grandmother, our kids loved the story, recognized the values and were able to verbalize them.
Dr. Seuss so artistically demonstrated how it takes ears to hear, and if those ears are dull then the whole world of little-ones need to call out together - "YOPP!" Please YOPP the distruction of life. May we all have ears to hear the voices of those who need our protection.

CLASSIC.......2007-04-07

THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN SAY IS THAT YOU CAN'T BEAT THE PRICES ON THESE BOOKS FROM AMAZON. THEY WERE MY FAVORITES AS A KID AND NOW I GET TO ENJOY THEM ALL OVER AGAIN WITH MY OWN CHILDREN.

The No-Nonsense Real Estate Investor's Kit: How You Can Double Your Income By Investing in Real Estate on a Part-Time Basis

Average customer rating:

The No-Nonsense Real Estate Investor's Kit is a Thorough Reference Book
Not Enough
Realistic Advice for Newbie Real Estate Investors
Enlightening
One of the best!

The No-Nonsense Real Estate Investor's Kit: How You Can Double Your Income By Investing in Real Estate on a Part-Time Basis
Thomas Lucier
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0471756539

Book Description

In The No-Nonsense Real Estate Investor’s Kit, noted author and real estate expert, Thomas J. Lucier provides detailed information, step-by-step instructions and practical advice for both beginning and experienced investors, who want to join the ranks of America's real estate millionaires!

You get Tom Lucier’s lifetime of real estate investing expertise and experience in twenty-three meaty chapters. You also get all of the nitty-gritty details on five proven strategies for making money in real estate today. You’ll learn all of the fundamentals of successful investing and get the guidance that you need on these and many more vital topics:

Choosing the right investment strategies
Financing your deals
Limiting your risk and liability
Earning tax-free income from the sale of real estate
Setting up and operating your own real estate business
Investing in undervalued properties
Following state and federal real estate related statutes
Negotiating the best possible deal for yourself
Buying properties at below-market prices
Performing due diligence, inspections, and estimating property values
Preparing purchase and sale agreements

The No-Nonsense Real Estate Investor’s Kit is as close as you can get to a graduate degree in real estate investing without ever going to college. It arms you with the specialized knowledge that you need to compete successfully against the seasoned real estate professionals in your local real estate market. And this book comes complete with FREE downloadable and customizable forms to help you get started on the fast track.

Customer Reviews:

The No-Nonsense Real Estate Investor's Kit is a Thorough Reference Book.......2007-08-04

One of the most thorough real estate investment books one can get. Lucifer covers a lot of topics with a very readable style. There was actually too much information for me to take in on the first reading of the book. I find myself going back to the book to browse sections I missed the first time through. You can read it on a need-to-know basis, like I do. If I come across something that I need more information on, I can often find the answer to what I am looking for in this book.

Of particular value is his online Resource List at the end of the book. The author has listed email addresses for many useful websites. I liked the online Property Sales Information, where I first learned about Craigslist as a great online source for finding properties for sale. I like to search specifically for homes with guest houses, and Craigslist makes it easy to do that type of "specialty" search.

I also like the fact that he recommends useful products to make our investment businesses run more smoothly. It shows that he's a down-to-earth guy who has been down the same path that we travel. For example, on page 65 he recommends the Desk Apprentice (designed by 2 participants in Donald Trump's The Apprentice TV show) to keep your office desk organized, and on page 66 the Cab Commander for your car seat office. Lucifer knows that we have to spend a lot of time behind the wheel searching for properties, conducting drive-by property inspections, and driving to appointments.

This book is packed with useful information. Many books are called real estate investment reference books, but this book truly is one.

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

Not Enough.......2007-07-30

When I started reading this book, I thought I was going to learn everything about how to be a profitable real estate investor. There is just no way you can cover everything this book tries to cover in 300 pages. Each chapter leaves you with too many unanswered questions. Though, I could see how this book might be a good starting point for anyone interested in investing in real estate.

If you haven't heard of Tonja Demoff, you should give her book Bubble Proof: Real Estate Strategies that Work in any Market a look. Her book is a very easy read and it's packed with information that will help you get started with the right mindset and the right information to begin investing in today's market.

Realistic Advice for Newbie Real Estate Investors.......2007-06-21

Thomas J. Lucier is one of the best real estate writers in the business today and he comes through with another winning book here. His advice is far from the "get-rich-quick" nonsense so many authors and pseudo-investors peddle in books on this site and elsewhere. As a real estate lawyer and investor for almost 25 years, I admire this man's work greatly. Lucier is a genuine real estate investor and his clear, straight-forward, easy-to-follow, and honest investment suggestions always put his books a cut above so many others out there. The best part of his writing is how he breaks complex subjects into simple-to-digest pieces best designed for newbie investors wanting to get started in the real estate business. This book in particular debunks many of the get-rich-quick so-called "creative" real estate techniques like subject-to GET THE DEED buying and offers real world reasons why you should not do it, as opposed to so many authors that base their whole careers around such dangerous nonsense. I can't praise this book enough for its clarity and practical information. There is not a single wasted page in the entire text. This is by far one the best real estate books being sold today in print.

Enlightening.......2007-06-17

Fabulous, Real Eye Opener. Everyone with a brain should read this book

One of the best!.......2007-05-12

This is the second book I've purchased from Thomas Lucier, and I wasn't disappointed by either one. He has a no-nonsense, matter of fact style that is full of usefull information without the "fluff" or other bragging other authors of real estate books seem to use to fill the pages of their books. I would recommend any of his books to the beginning or even experienced investor that wants to have a reference book handy and learn the details of how the business works. And no bull-spit!

Beyond Positive Thinking: A No-Nonsense Formula for Getting the Results You Want

Average customer rating:

THE BEST THERE IS!
Another Terrific Book Dr. Anthony
Great Next Step for Students of the Law of Attraction
Beyond Positive Thinking, Wow what a life changer!!!
One of my favourites

Beyond Positive Thinking: A No-Nonsense Formula for Getting the Results You Want
Robert Anthony
Manufacturer: Morgan James Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0975857096

Book Description

A common-sense approach to achieving success in one's life offers workable, step-by-step methods and positive visualization techniques to help readers personalize goals, trust creativity, transcend old beliefs and limitations, and transform positive thinking into positive action. Original published in 1988 Berkley Publishing under the title of "The Advanced Formula For Total Success." For 13 years it continued to sell under that title. In 2002 Berkley Publishing discontinued publishing "The Advanced Formula For Total Success." As soon as it went out of print, it became a collector's item with copies selling for up to $100 per copy on the Amazon.com used books marketplace. In 2003 Dr. Anthony decided to update the book and republish it under the original name of Beyond Positive Thinking with an introduction by Joe Vitale.

Customer Reviews:

THE BEST THERE IS!.......2007-09-27

THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST SELF IMPROVEMENT MATERIAL I HAVE FOUND TO DATE. IT WAS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY DR. JOE VITALE, ONE OF THE MOST ENLIGHTENED TEACHERS OF OUR TIME. HE HIT THIS ONE ON THE MARK. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS VERY COMPLETE AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND MASTERPIECE.
BILLY JOHNSON JM

Another Terrific Book Dr. Anthony.......2007-08-03

Dr. Anthony's book is full of unique insights and instructions that you don't find anywhere else. Some chapters alone are worth the price of the book (probably more). Dr. Anthony's explanation of how we are perfect just as we are, and why what we have and do are separate from who we are, is an essential truth for peace of mind and successful living. His mantra of questioning old beliefs and replacing them with new, empowering ones is indispensable. For example, most of us believe that success takes hard work. If that's what we believe, then that's how it will be. What if we believed the opposite? i.e. success is relatively easy. A lot of Dr. Anthony's teachings resonate or are similar to those expounded by others, but he has a way of getting to the core that others don't. If you want to improve your situation in a way that won't add grey hair, read his book.

Great Next Step for Students of the Law of Attraction.......2007-06-22

*****
This isn't a perfect book, but it was so valuable I couldn't rate it less than five stars. "Beyond Positive Thinking" goes beyond introductory Law of Attraction (LOA) books like "The Secret" and the Abraham-Hicks books to a deeper exploration of LOA. It will appeal to people who want to know more and who want to understand why.

An example: "Anytime your mind is out of the present moment you cannot receive the answer you need from Higher Intelligence." This makes sense to me, and helps me to understand why I would want to stay present and mindful, although I'd never thought of it this way. Another example: exploring the Law of Circulation (with respect to money), which is one reason money is called "currency"---as an "idea in action" it will flow one way or another, either flowing with life (which is what you want) or with unexpected expenses (which is what you don't want) when there is a blockage.

This book is recommended and promoted by Joe Vitale, a popular speaker and author of LOA materials. He calls it the one book he would have on the LOA above all others.

The flaws: Some recycled information (for the advanced student), poor editing, light self-promotion. The flaws are very minor compared to the great value of the information.

If you are not an advanced student of the LOA, I would recommend Michael Losier's "The Law of Attraction" instead of this book.

It is a book I will read again and again. Highly recommended.
*****

Beyond Positive Thinking, Wow what a life changer!!!.......2007-05-19

This book has changed my perception of a lot of things and made me realize that you if you're never happy with what you have, you will never be happy with what your going to get. You will always be looking for the next thing that's going to make you happy, the truth is nothing ever does. Change comes from the inside out, not the outside in. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to change their life for the better. It's opened up my eyes and removed the blinds of lies.

One of my favourites.......2007-04-03

This is a no-nonsense, must-read guide for anyone looking to make a change in their life (which, I might venture, is everyone). It includes great concepts and techniques, as well as the rationale behind them. I strongly recommend this book to everyone I know.

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