Books

Average customer rating:

Huge disappointment
Body of Lies
Very good book!
What Else Do We Not KNow?
It's Been A Long Time

Body of Lies: A Novel
David Ignatius
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0393065030

Book Description

A tale of counterterrorism from an author who "ranks with Graham Greene in his knowledge of espionage and the human heart" (Publishers Weekly).

Roger Ferris is one of the CIA's soldiers in the war on terrorism. He has come out of Iraq with a shattered leg and an intense mission—to penetrate the network of a master terrorist known only as "Suleiman." Ferris's plan for getting inside Suleiman's tent is inspired by a masterpiece of British intelligence during World War II: He prepares a body of lies, literally the corpse of an imaginary CIA officer who appears to have accomplished the impossible by recruiting an agent within the enemy's ranks.

This scheme binds friend and foe in a web of extraordinary subtlety and complexity, and when it begins to unravel, Ferris finds himself flying blind into a hurricane. His only hope is the urbane head of Jordan's intelligence service—a man who might be an Arab version of John le Carré's celebrated spy, George Smiley. But can Ferris trust him?

Customer Reviews:

Huge disappointment.......2007-06-21

For the last decade or so, I had mostly read non-fiction so when I heard about this book, I became anxious to get lost in a good story again. When it finally became available at the library, I went and picked it up and started it right there in the lobby.

I couldn't make it past the first chapter.

The story line was fascinating but the language was terrible. "F" this and "F" that, churlish references to body parts; it just went on and on. What has happened to fiction while I was gone? Is this work truly representative of what is now considered good literature?

I, for one, refuse to assume the herd mentality that vulgarity and profanity is necessary to accurately portray reality. What a terrible waste of ink and paper. Like smothering a fine steak with ketchup, using eight-grade, locker-room language only degrades and cheapens a fine piece of work that had the potential to stand on its own merits.

Body of Lies.......2007-06-16

Riveting! Smoothly flowing narrative, finely delineated characters. Could hardly put it down but didn't want it to end. Definitely a re-read.

Very good book!.......2007-06-12

This book is a must read for anyone who enjoys intrigue and thrillers. The plot is hidden until the very end - - this book deals with the CIA and the military, extremely well done!

What Else Do We Not KNow?.......2007-06-02

If the intelligence used in this book is a fraction of the truth, its very scary to imagine what we really do.

It's Been A Long Time.......2007-05-30

It's been a long time since a spy thriller novel such as this one has come on the scene. It harkens back to Follette's and LeCarre's early works. It is a spy thriller set in our current time, age and psyche. All the characters and scenarios are hauntingly possible or perhaps, probable. Like Follette and LeCarre, the author weaves a web of intrigue using multiple spiders, yet never loses the reader.

Mr. Ignatius grabs the reader at the outset as a corpse is dressed and given an intricately real personality. From the morgue, it hops right into the CIA's workings as the protagonists attempt to break up a ring of car bombers operating in Europe and based in the middle east.

The CIA operative is no Bond. He is realistic and subject to human doubts, sympathies and foibles. Not only does he love, but he divorces (the divorce led to a sidebar story that really wasn't necessary - a very minor criticism). His superior is as cold, calculating and hard-hearted as any puppeteer in this genre has ever been.

The plot is spell-binding. The operative, Ferris, eventually wants to incorporate a method used by British in WWII, which is where the corpse comes into the story. As in all the best of these thrillers, nothing is as it seems - or is it? The reader watches as all the details are worked out down to the finest points, only to find that all sides have spies and all are adroit at the game. "All sides" is used with purpose. As in real life again, it is not just the USA and its allies against one set of bad guys.

This book is highly recommended. It is a thoroughly entertaining read while being thought-provoking on an international and personal levels while still being a puzzle to be solved at every step.

Never Be Lied to Again: How to Get the Truth In 5 Minutes or Less in Any Conversation or Situation

Average customer rating:

Straight Talk
There are liars, and there are copycats
Excellent . . . but he's got one even better!!!
Never be lied to
Good book, sometimes impractical.

Never Be Lied to Again: How to Get the Truth In 5 Minutes or Less in Any Conversation or Situation
David J. Lieberman
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0312204280

Amazon.com

When liars are being accused of something, they'll stay calm because they're working on their rebuttal; this is why detectives were suspicious of O.J. Simpson when he didn't express outrage when accused of murdering his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman. Never Be Lied to Again is bursting with tested tips like this for quickly determining when you're being boondoggled. Body language, facial expressions, sentence structure, and word choice can all reveal when someone is lying, says psychologist David J. Lieberman, and he includes 46 of these "clues to deception" to help you, including tricks for framing questions without putting others on the defense. Once you use your newly honed "human lie detector" skills to figure out if you're being lied to, you can then dig for the truth using the specific, influential words and body postures that Lieberman suggests. Written with flair and humor, Never Be Lied to Again is designed to help you get the upper hand in any situation, whether you're trying to figure out if your spouse is cheating on you or if you suspect your coworkers are cooking the books.

Amazon.com Audiobook Review

It's difficult to have honest communication in a world where people bend the truth to fit their needs. Even more difficult is confronting a suspected liar in an open, forthright manner. In Never Be Lied to Again, human behaviorist Dr. Lieberman coaches listeners to face unfaithful lovers, colleagues, and employees. Lieberman introduces the tape and the remainder is read by male and female voices in varied tones. These different voices pinpoint numerous verbal and physical clues that will help you detect when people are lying; "attack sequences" and "silver bullets" allow you to initiate discussions with the guilty party. Although much of the information is geared to personal rather than professional situations, this tape is still a good resource for starting uncomfortable conversations. (Running time: 1.5 hours, one cassette) --Sharon Griggins

Book Description

How many times have you been manipulated or taken advantage of by someone's lies? Are you tired of being deceived, tricked, and fooled? Finally, renowned behaviorist David J. Lieberman shows you how to stop the lies and uncover the truth-- in any conversation or situation. In a simple, user-friendly format, Dr. Lieberman gives you the tools to determine, with uncanny accuracy, if you are being lied to.Utilizing newly developed techniques in hypnosis and psycholinguistics, this book also shows you how to easily influence anyone to tell the truth-- within minutes. Use it in any situation, from casual conversation to in-depth interviews. Never Be Lied to Again is chock-full of colorful examples and engaging scenarios to help you keep from being taken advantage of and give you that extra edge. Use these groundbreaking techniques to take control of every personal and business situation....and never be lied to again.

Customer Reviews:

Straight Talk.......2007-05-26

Everything you need to know about liars, detecting lies, and controlling the situation. Great section on the psychology of motivation, lying, etc.

There are liars, and there are copycats.......2007-05-22

I am unimpressed. This book while having some merit, is generally poorly written, and I had to push through and skim some sections. Use this book as indicated at risk to your own happiness and that of those around you.

The first part of the book was interesting, and a good guide for actors, about what looks genuine. For example, the emotional reaction, (the facial expression) occurs prior to the verbal reaction. You don't say "Oh, that milk is sour" and then make a sour face.

The middle of the book explains how to ruin your relationships with loved ones with suspicion and doubt. If you're a cop using this on suspects that's one thing, but only a fool would use this on there family. If you trust your loved one - you don't need this book. If you don't - you need more than this book has to offer.

Towards the end of the book the writting and style improves considerably, but the material has uncanny resemblence to material written by other authors who had written years earlier, and does he dows not always site those authors. A coincidence I'm sure.

Excellent . . . but he's got one even better!!!.......2007-02-05

As the world of self-help books go, Lieberman is the "A" League. His stuff is always practical, easy to use, and little or no fluff. His newest book YOU CAN READ ANYONE is not only his best work, but I'd say one of the best books you'll ever read on ANY A SUBJECT. It's lean, maybe 175 pages or so, but it delivers a whallop. You won't be able to put it down, and when you do, you'll hide it! Never be Lied to Again is good stuff, but YOU CAN READ ANYONE, is mindblowing.

Never be lied to.......2007-01-29

Whatever! I picked up this book with hopes, that in my line of work, I'd be able to see a lie from a million miles away. But the things he talked about in the book are similar things I learned while in business seminars on managing and understanding people. The book fine tunes what you should already know about people. ie...Cross your arms and you appear closed to conversation. Lean forward and you appear interested in what the person is saying. In my opinion it was not a good choice, on my part, to purchase this book. Save your money. NEO_SOUL_06

Good book, sometimes impractical........2007-01-19

Generally, this is a good and useful book. Several of the interrogation techniques and body-language clues are immediately applicable, even by complete amateurs

Some of the author's advice, however, is impractical and/or hypocritical in that in order to determine whether somebody is lying you, the book suggests that you fabricate an elaborate lie yourself, in which to snare your suspect. This renders the techniques unworkable if you anticipate any longer term interraction or relationship with the person you use it on, or their acquaintances, or if your opposition to lying is moral/ethical rather than simply self-interested.

All in all, however, the book remains useful, and can be used to create some entertaining parlour games.

Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free

Average customer rating:

Lies and Truths
Every woman should read this
Good ideas - not much detail
A life changing book.
Lacks empathy for the average woman

Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free
Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Manufacturer: Moody Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0802472966

Book Description

The lies Christian women believe are at the root of their struggles. In Lies Women Believe, Nancy Leigh DeMoss exposes areas of deception common to many Christian women -- lies about God, sin, priorities, marriage and family, emotions, and more. She deals honestly with women's delusions and illusions and then gently leads them to the truth of God's word that leads to true freedom.

Customer Reviews:

Lies and Truths.......2007-05-28

As you may have guessed, there are both lies and truths in this book. However, they don't all come from the source that you might have thought. I'm afraid Demoss herself gives voice to certain lies that devoted Christian women, namely wives, have in regards to their husbands and how they should behave. Mixed with this are other more general views towards women as a whole, many of which Demoss is correct about.

First, the good stuff. While Demoss's view can definetly be defined as complimentarian, she is not one of those to encourage practical worship of the husband, as some over-the-top Christians are wont to do. In fact, two powerful truths that she mentions are vitally important for wives to understand. Firstly, she comes right out and says that the husband is NOT always right. Secondly, she warns wives that they are not always to submit if the husband tells them incorrectly. If hubby chooses to act sinfully, Demoss advises the wife stand away and let him take responsibility for his actions. Wise and very important advice to any woman who's been misled as to the wife's role, and Demoss is to be praised for it.

Unfortunately, not all advice for wives in this book was smart, or even safe. While Demoss admits that the husband cannot always be listened to, her overall view seems to be to cleave to the husband, at least in legal marriage, no matter what. In order to better illustrate her mis-points, I think I will adapt her method of first mentioning the lie or misconception and then explaining the faults. Here, then, are Demoss's points of advice which misfire:

Lie #1: If a woman rejects her husband's authority, she is rejecting his spiritual covering.

Nope. Never mind the authority issue, it is incorrect to think a husband may offer spiritual covering. Our only spiritual covering is Christ; no man can cover us from sin nor should he attempt to do so.

Lie #2 A: If a woman must remove herself and/or her children from a dangerous situation (i.e., her husband), she should still hold reverence for her husband's position.

Firstly, if a husband abuses his wife, he forfeits his title as husband. Secondly, if a woman flees a dangerous husband, she should remain away from him in body and soul! If she reveres him, she is still completely attached emotionally and a woman attached thus will most likely return to the dangerous man. With an abusive husband, a complete break must be made, physical and otherwise. Rule of nature: avoid the fire and you won't get burned.

B: After fleeing a dangerous husband, if a woman worsens the situation by her words or behavior, she can no longer claim God's protection.

Do I really need to explain the fault with this? To a psychologically beaten woman, this is code for, "stick with your bad husband or God will smite you!" Abused women don't need this awful guilt trip.

C: A woman should wait for her abusive husband to be restored to God's authority.

Once a man gives up his honorable title as husband, he's on his own and should no longer expect the wife's support. Nine times out of ten, a dangerous man will not change, at least not as long as the wife waits around dependent on this hope. If your husband promises counseling, let him get it AWAY from you! Until he's 100% cured (which may never happen), you're still in the danger zone.

Lie #3: Every divorce is Satan's attempt to overthrow God's plan.

I hope all the divorcees out there enjoyed that little dig. Divorce is a shame, but sometimes it's because the marriage should never have taken place. Like it or not, some marriages are harmful and in those cases, Satan would most likely be telling you to stay in it! Satan knows God's Word and he has used God's hatred of divorce to manipulate Christian women and men into staying in harmful marriages, with of course the imminent (and false) threat that God will smite them if they don't.

If you insist on reading this book, I would advise it for single women rather than married. Perhaps it's because Demoss isn't married (though to be fair, many married women have made the same blunders as she has in their advice), but her strength definetly lies in her advice to single women. Her words of true beauty and how Godly faith in yourself is better than worldly self-esteem are especially helpful. Like so many guidebooks, take with a grain of salt if you take it at all

Every woman should read this.......2007-05-26

To some extent, the title of this book turned me off. It sounded too cliche. But I'm glad I read it, because there's nothing cliche about this book. These are truths which too many of us have simply never been introduced to. It can change the way you see yourself, others, & the world around you. It's hard at times, kind of in-your-face, but it's lessons we all need to learn.

Good ideas - not much detail.......2007-05-25

Pros: Biblically based, the "lies" are right on, uses Bible verses at the end of each chapter for additional study and to back up statements

Cons: too much information yet not much development of the topic - hard to latch onto any one thing

A life changing book........2007-05-16

I bought this book for my wife and we discussed it together. This book is not the Bible, when you read it always refer back to the Bible for clarity and even better understanding. Nancy draws our attention to many things that we often overlook as Christians. I thought it needs a bit more old time gospel preaching, though.

Lacks empathy for the average woman.......2007-04-15

Nancy Leigh Demoss does make many good points in this book, so I could not bring myself to give it only 1 star. However, she is so lacking in empathy for women, so condescending, that I advise anyone considering reading _Lies Women Believe_ to save their time and money.

She cherry-picks scripture to back up her claims, such as divorce is *always* a sin, ignoring the direct words of our Lord and Savior in Matthew 19. I say that if Jesus allows divorce for "immorality", then Nancy Leigh Demoss should not contradict him. She gives trivial examples of reasons women divorce, like a husband forgetting a birthday....what about incest,abuse, adultery, alcoholism?? For the record, I am not divorced, but it makes me furious to hear Christian woman encouraged to stay in abusive situations because divorce is a "sin".

She has never been married and has no children and it shows! She has no idea what is it like to raise children, to cope with closely spaced births, to cope with life with a husband, children, a job. Most Christian woman I know have paying jobs, at least part-time, and it is a necessitity, not an indulgence. I work so my family can continue to live indoors, not because I am a "raging feminist".

I could go on and on.....save your money.

Average customer rating:

One of Crowley's Best...
Excellent Service, strange man
The most mind bending and revelatory work on the Thelemic Qabalah
Pleasantly surprised
More bull from the Absolute Master of BS!

Book of Lies
Aleister Crowley
Manufacturer: Krishna Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 0879681152

Customer Reviews:

One of Crowley's Best..........2007-05-30

This is Crowley at everything Crowley does best. He mixes magick, mysticism, poetry, sarcasm, irony, and satire into a strange little book that is more like a puzzle than a traditional book of poems.

Perhaps difficult the first time through if one has no background in Thelema or Qabalah, but it is not the worst introducion one could have to Crowley. The copious footnotes help somewhat, but the truth of the matter to appreciate all its many, many layers one would have to be at least somewhat knowledgeable of Qabalah, high magick, and some background on Crowley's life (the entire book is, in addition to everyting else I've mentioned, also a "love-poem," believe it or not.)

Crowley fans and those into a very unique experience will do well to apply.

Excellent Service, strange man.......2007-01-09

Though, the service from this particular seller was excellent and I only ordered the book because I was curious about Aleister Crowley I actually haven't read this book. I read the "Book of Law" and that was enough for me to get an idea of what Aleister Crowley was about. He was a chess master, mountain climber, poet, painter, astrologer, drug experimenter, and social critic, but something must have went wrong early in his life for him to follow the path he did. Maybe it was being raised as a Darbyite which are members of the most extreme wing of the Protestant sect known as the Exclusive Brethren. John George Haigh who is known as the acid bath killer was also a Darbyite. I appologize if there are any Darbyites out there, but most likely being a Darbyite prevents you from reading this.

The most mind bending and revelatory work on the Thelemic Qabalah.......2006-12-01

Aleister Crowley's genius waxes to a maximum in these simple essays that express the deepest truths of Qabalah as understood from the philosophy and cosmogony of Thelema. This book is a must read for any Thelemite and stands as a shining example of how Qabalah may best be used to understand all of life and consciousness.

Pleasantly surprised.......2006-11-26

When I bought this little book (very aptly referred to by the editors as crowley's little masterwork) it was really on a whim. When I got it I looked over it and read a few of its modest chapters - modest, in reference to their size only - and put it away on the shelf for some months. I recently came full circle and picked it up again, through the impetus of my researches and I must say I'm glad I put it down the first time, because now I was really able to fully appreciate it's profundity, able to grasp subtleties I would have surely missed before. In this way the book has (like any other of subtance can) served as a measuring stick of my own progress. Crowley tells the truth when he says that this small book is the most complete exposition of his magical philosophy on every plane. Bottom line: buy it, it will greatly repay years of study.

More bull from the Absolute Master of BS!.......2006-07-24

Aleister Crowley and company, including his favourite pupil, Frater Achad (Charles Stansfield Jones) were nothing more than mere charlatans who made a name for themselves in occult circles. This is just another in their endless array of manipulative books that were meant to attract and control the gullible--preferably the rich gullible--who had nothing else to do with their lives but to seek someone to have power over them. Conversely, Crowley and Achad had nothing to do with 'their' lives but to seek to have power over others: a perfect fit!

Average customer rating:

IT'S A SIN TO TELL A LIE
Pretty interesting story line
Great Read
If you love her Jayne Castle books, you'll enjoy this!!
Barely able to keep my attention

White Lies
Jayne Ann Krentz
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 039915373X
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Book Description

The New York Times-bestselling author of Falling Awake and All Night Long takes her fans beyond the everyday boundaries of the mind-and the heart-in a compulsively readable new novel of paranormal power, deception, and danger . . .

Petite, thirtysomething Clare Lancaster is a Level Ten para-sensitive-and a "human lie detector." Over the years, she's come to accept that someone with her extraordinary talents is likely to have trouble in the relationship department. And she's even resigned herself to the fact that everyone, to one degree or another, hides behind a façade. . . .

And now it seems that meeting the half sister and family whom she never knew until seven months ago was a mistake. Her father summons her from California to play a role in his business empire, and Clare doesn't intend on making the same mistake twice. But after meeting Jake Salter, Archer Lancaster's "financial consultant," Clare is convinced that things aren't what they seem. Salter's careful conversation seems to walk a delicate line between truth and deception, revealing and resisting. Something sparks and sizzles between them-something more than the usual electricity between a man and a woman.

Caught in a dizzying storm of secrets, lies, and half-truths, Jake and Clare will plunge into an investigation that demands every bit of their special gifts-together they must overcome their mutual distrust in order to unravel a web of conspiracy and murder.

Customer Reviews:

IT'S A SIN TO TELL A LIE.......2007-06-08

After reading "The River Knows" I decided to read White Lies by JAK. Since it was the same author, I thought I would like it just as well. It was an interesting read. Liked the main characters and learned a little about the paranormal abilities.

It was a fast read and amusing at times. Not a very heavy read and the romance was a little tepid. Not bad for an afternoon's entertainment.

I liked "White Lies" by Linda Howard better. Try that one.

Pretty interesting story line.......2007-05-14

This review is for the audio CD version:
This is the first novel I have read from this author, or about the arcane society. I found it interesting and liked how the events and clues to the mystery unfolded bit by bit. I also thought the chemistry was very good between the male and female main character. After listening to this story I don't have a strong desire to listen/read the rest of the arcane society books or find out what comes next.

Now, as far as the actual narration.... It was horrible. I listen to many books on CD and this had by far the worst narration. It was almost like a joke. The acting was very fake, really to the point of being totally over done. Sometimes just the way it was read made the story hard to follow because of the way it was said, or the speed of words, etc. The narration of this story definately took away from enjoyment of it, and almost made me stop listening to it.

Great Read.......2007-04-14

JAK takes the paranormal Arcane Society into the present-day (originally set in 19th century England with the Amanda Quick series), and the results are quite intriguing. It is most interesting to see that her paranormals must operate under the radar in the present world equally as much as they did in the past, with the resultant contretemps between the protagonists. Both the plotting and character development are excellent, and I am delighted to see this turn in JAK's writing. Keep them coming, please!

If you love her Jayne Castle books, you'll enjoy this!!.......2007-04-14

While I enjoy the Amanda Quick books and have read (so far) one of the Arcane Society novels, I enjoy Jayne Castle and Jayne Ann Krentz futuristic and contemporary mysteries even more. This book as one reviewer has already said is a blend of both and for me, a very entertaining and delightful blend!

The Prologue occurs some eight months before the start of the book. Clare Lancaster and her half sister, Elizabeth Glazebrook, are meeting for the first time in a bookstore cafe in Phoenix, Arizona. Clare and Elizabeth have been emailing each other and now Elizabeth has asked for Clare's help. Clare and Elizabeth are both "sensitives" and registered with the Arcane Society. Clare is a level-ten "lie detector" while Elizabeth is much lower level sensitive with her speciality being colors. Elizabeth is married to Brad McAllister who has sent her to a psychiatrist. Brad has told her and her family that Elizabeth is having a nervous breakdown. Elizabeth is afraid something else is going on and that Brad is having an affair and trying to kill her!!

Eight months later, Jake Salter is on the veranda at the Glazebrook home in Stone Canyon, Arizona watching Clare arrive in her small rental car. He can tell she is a sensitive and when Clare meets Jake and he introduces himself, she also can tell he is a high level sensitive - a hunter - and that while he claims to be a business consultant to Archer Glazebrook, Clare's biological father, Clare knows he is not telling the full truth. The reader also learns that 6 months previous, Brad McAllister was found dead and was found by Clare who was temporarily a suspect in his death which is unresolved. Clare is viciously verbally attacked at the party by Valerie McAllister Shipley, Brad's mother now married to Archer's former business partner, Owen Shipley. Valerie even goes out and smashes Clare's rental car's windshield.

As Clare and Jake begin to very, very cautiously work together to find the real killer of Brad McAllister, Clare has more close calls and the mystery deepens as many plot motives from relationships to money to corporations to Arcane Society business appear.

I loved how the mysteries are resolved, the items left unsolved for future books (?) and Ms. Krentz's wonderful sense of humor and romance!

A definite "can't put it down until I'm finished" read for me.

Barely able to keep my attention.......2007-04-05

I'm listening to this audio book. I have not read a lot of JAK, but I have to say that her dialog/narrative is really uninteresting and routine. The number of times she takes time to describe "cracking eggs in the nonstick pan" or "she took a sip of her cold green tea", etc. So boring! Instead, maybe she should spend more time describing the internal struggles/emotions of the characters. That would make for much better writing. So far, no passion in these characters... (despite a sex scene)... just generic storytelling. There is no snappy dialog or humor, either. I'll continue to listen only because I am interested in finding out the murderer. Otherwise, BORING!

Truth, Lies and Advertising : The Art of Account Planning

Average customer rating:

Excellent book, concise and insightful.
The best planning book I've read to date
Perfect
Excellent Introduction But Too Consumer Focussed
HighlyRecommended!

Truth, Lies and Advertising : The Art of Account Planning
Jon Steel
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471189626

Book Description

"Account planning exists for the sole purpose of creating advertising that truly connects with consumers. While many in the industry are still dissecting consumer behavior, extrapolating demographic trends, developing complex behavioral models, and measuring Pavlovian salivary responses, Steel advocates an approach to consumer research that is based on simplicity, common sense, and creativity--an approach that gains access to consumers' hearts and minds, develops ongoing relationships with them, and, most important, embraces them as partners in the process of developing and advertising.

A witty, erudite raconteur and teacher, Steel describes how successful account planners work in partnership with clients, consumer, and agency creatives. He criticizes research practices that, far from creating relationships, drive a wedge between agencies and the people they aim to persuade; he suggests new ways of approaching research to cut through the BS and get people to show their true selves; and he shows how the right research, when translated into a motivating and inspiring brief, can be the catalyst for great creative ideas. He draws upon his own experiences and those of colleagues in the United States and abroad to illustrate those points, and includes examples of some of the most successful campaigns in recent years, including Polaroid, Norwegian Cruise Line, Porsche, Isuzu, "got milk?" and others.

The message of this book is that well-thought-out account planning results in better, more effective marketing and advertising for both agencies and clients. And also makes an evening in front of the television easier to bear for the population at large."

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book, concise and insightful........2007-02-15

Really, I suppose, the type of book a planner should write.

It is a great introduction to what a planner is and does. A good textbook for anyone involved in advertising or dealing with ad agencies. A brilliant "manual" for planners.

The best planning book I've read to date.......2007-01-12

There is a huge shortage of good account planning books. This effort by Jon Steele makes up for it. He is a man passionate about advertising (that's evident throughout the book) and very good at it too.

Jon covers the theoretical and practical aspects of account planning thoroughly and provides insights and advice for planners at all levels, account management staff, creative staff and clients.

Reading this book will show you how to improve the quality of your advertising product. It has certainly helped me do that at the agency I work for in New Zealand. One of the best buys I've made on Amazon.

Perfect.......2006-11-15

Perfect! The book is absolutely AWESOME! A nice way of teaching a lesson about advertising!

Excellent Introduction But Too Consumer Focussed.......2005-01-07

Without a doubt, this is the difinitive book on the art of account planning. Having been an account planner myself, I can assure you that no other book comes close in terms of providing 1) an overview of the discipline 2) a realistic account of how planning functions in everday situations within the agency 3) is done in an extremely readable and clear format unlike many other advertising strategy/research books which are more strategic textbook. Steel's book reads like a biography which is a testiment to his skill as a writer and as a planner.

However, I do have a few issues with this book in that it places too much emphasis on the power of the consumer in the planning process. I have known many non-planners who have read this book and come away with the idea that everything the consumer says and does is the word of God and planning is nothing more than a glorified consumer tape recorder. This in turn makes the planner's job more difficult in some respects as they in turn must justify all of their work with,"the consumer said this." Often, agency personal new to planning desperately want to strictly classify this multi-faceted discipline and often put it in in a smaller box (consumer) than it is suited for (incidentally, this often says something about the quality or lack thereof of those who you are working with).

The reality (for me anyway) is that account planning encompases many different skills and functions of which listening and interpreting what the consumer says is just one. Consumers are only a rear view mirror in that they can tell you what happened in the past but cannot predict the future. They are also extremely literal and what they say is not always what they mean or feel which is why instinct (a dirty word in many advertising circles) is so essential. Many great brands and briefs utliize a strong point of view rather than direct and literal consumer insight which is counter to the case studies that Steel uses to explain the 'planning process.'

Overall, this is an excellent 'introduction' into account planning. In a sense, the dilema that this book creates though, is also why planning is such a wonderful discipline. A planner's job cannot be easily classified in a sentence because there are so many diverse skills required of a first-rate planner.

HighlyRecommended!.......2004-06-04

Successful ad campaigns are not linear developments where a business need meshes straightforwardly with an effective creative approach and actually produces successful tangible results. Instead, building memorable, provocative advertising campaigns is such a complex, political task, both rational and emotional, that a successful campaign is a wonder. Veteran advertising expert Jon Steel contends that building a good campaign is the common sense responsibility of the account planner - the new nexus of the consumer, agency creative staff, client and researchers. Steel shows the pitfalls of misguided research and creative arrogance as he explains that a good business-oriented account planner can help produce wonderfully effective, often simple, ad campaigns. His witty, erudite book concludes with its best case study: a look inside the successful "Got Milk" campaign for the California milk industry. We recommend this book to those who buy and sell advertising and to anyone working at an ad agency.

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

Average customer rating:

Is this about history education or is it merely intended to shock?
Refreshing, wonderful, real history.
Will This Be On The Test?
A must read for Americans
A Good First Step

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
James W. Loewen
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Historiography | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0684818868

Book Description

Winner of the 1996 American Book Award and the Oliver Cromwell Cox Award for Distinguished Anti-Racist Scholarship

Americans have lost touch with their history, and in this thought-provoking book, Professor James Loewen shows why. After surveying twelve leading high school American history texts, he has concluded that not one does a decent job of making history interesting or memorable. Marred by an embarrassing combination of blind patriotism, mindless optimism, sheer misinformation, and outright lies, these books omit almost all the ambiguity, passion, conflict, and drama from our past. In ten powerful chapters, Loewen reveals that:

The United States dropped three times as many tons of explosives in Vietman as it dropped in all theaters of World War II, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Ponce de Leon went to Florida mainly to capture Native Americans as slaves for Hispaniola, not to find the mythical fountain of youth
Woodrow Wilson, known as a progressive leader, was in fact a white supremacist who personally vetoed a clause on racial equality in the Covenant of the League of Nations

The first colony to legalize slavery was not Virginia but Massachusetts

From the truth about Columbus's historic voyages to an honest evaluation of our national leaders, Loewen revives our history, restoring to it the vitality and relevance it truly possesses.

Customer Reviews:

Is this about history education or is it merely intended to shock?.......2007-06-16

Loewen's starts with a funny point of view. Taking history classes makes you more stupid. The more you study history textbooks the more stupid you become. No other course can match this claim.

James Loewen is listed as professor of sociology at the University of Vermont. He developed his position from studying 12 American history textbooks and speaking with teachers, students, and historians.

He may be on to something. A recent study shows that even though the amount of class time devoted to history decreased by 20 minutes per week over 20 years, student scores in standardized history exams increased.

Many of us who took history may agree with his opinion on the poor quality of history education. I wanted to hear his solutions. What teaching methods does he propose?

He makes them hard to find. To prove his point he spends 10 of 12 chapters of the book taking short points on controversial events. He discusses Columbus' behavior, slavery, social class, Vietnam, US foreign policy, John Brown, Woodrow Wilson, and treatment of the native peoples of the America's among other things.

His strong opinions on historical events have caused many reviewers to overlook his message on history education. For most of the book, he sounds like just another writer who wants everyone to learn his particular view of history. Reviewers have found fault with his facts, his selective use of evidence and his emphasis on certain issues at the expense of others.

In chapter 11, he returns to the theme of history textbooks. Why are they so bad? He speaks first hand on this issue since he wrote a textbook for the Mississippi schools. The forces driving mediocre textbooks are powerful. Everyone wishes to avoid controversy. He blames the problem on textbook publishers, authors, textbook adoption commissions, teachers, and the general public. He discusses the increasing pressures to change the political slant of textbooks. He seems pessimistic that history education will change.

In chapter 12 he explains the results of poor history education and suggests methods for improvement.

Loewen makes many good recommendations on history education throughout the book. However, readers must work too hard to understand his points. Rather than summarizing all his ideas at the end, he adds them as he discusses each of the controversies. This is unfortunate.

One can paraphrase his points on history education as follows. History courses currently teach students that America is the most wonderful country ever. Heroic white male figures that lived long ago created a system superior to any other. It is a system that is always good and fair. These virtuous heroes have solved all problems. Because of this we can count on things getting better forever. If students memorize long lists of facts for a test and obey authorities, they will live happily ever after. Historians are unanimous in this point of view.

Loewen cites evidence that 5 of 6 Americans get no more history education than this.

Western writers since the time of Homer's Illiad in ancient Greece have used this point of view to induce young people to make sacrifices and even give up their lives--many times for dubious causes.

This thinking is OK if we want to create loyal, complacent followers. It is dangerous in a democracy where the average citizen is expected to play a role in setting priorities. Can history be taught so students become engaged citizens who can use good information wisely and participate intelligently in solving the controversial issues that will arise over the next 50 years? Can it make us smarter?

To improve history education, Loewen recommends the following.

1) Shorten textbooks and cover fewer topics
2) Use library material rather than only textbooks.
3) Discuss controversies and arguments at length rather than just memorizing dates and facts
4) Address causes and effects of events
5) Capture the sights, sounds, and quotations of primary sources rather than use the authoritative viewpoint of textbooks.
6) Teach about private citizens who made a difference not just presidents
7) Connect history to current and future issues
8) Have students speak with family and community members especially to get first hand accounts of recent events

Lies can be read as an attempt to improve history education or as a shock to those who have only learned traditional American history. However, the material on education is dated. Loewen does not include any references to the huge growth in excellent video, internet, and printed materials. He argues that history classes should teach about cause and effect but does not recommend incorporating other social sciences that explain causality like economics, political science, and archeology. He does not encourage the comparison of the American experience with that of other societies like Russia, China, Germany, or Latin America.

Most important, he only touches on the idea of building the critical thinking skills of students. Can students be taught to gather their own facts and create informed opinions? He describes some of the evidence that historians use to form opinions. These include letters, speeches, and newspaper articles among other things. He does not encourage teaching students how to evaluate the quality of an opinion or how to address ambiguity and missing or conflicting evidence.

For the history buff, the book is exciting, fun, and important. Whatever you think of his opinion, Loewen's passion on history and his clear writing style comes across throughout the book. Let's hope history educators can build on his recommendations and make us all a little smarter.

Refreshing, wonderful, real history........2007-06-03

Pre-college american history is such boosterish propaganda that it's no wonder that we get the idiotic public policy that we get. And the book market is swamped now with so much of the same garbage about the founding fathers, Lincoln, etc. This book, however, gives a realistic and people-oriented interpretation of history. It is a breadth of fresh air.

Will This Be On The Test?.......2007-05-23

"Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James Loewen is as illuminating as it is disturbing. The subtitle, "Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong", is the main premise of the book; Loewen examines twelve history textbooks in use, using twelve major topics 'taught' to students, to see how these topics are portrayed in the texts. Overwhelmingly,(and disturbingly) the texts fail to depict these events accurately, or even address them at all.

Examing events from the so-called beginning of America's history with Columbus, up to how the Vietnam War is ineffectively taught, Loewen addresses a wide range of topics. His main criticism is that textbooks do not teach children how to think. They are taught that history is a series of facts to memorize (and just as soon forget), that the historical figures they learn about can be ascertained as heroes or summarized in a quick sentence or two, and that history need not repeat itself since the texts are overtly optimistic.

Yet how can history not repeat itself if children are not taught about the controversies behind some of the most important historical events that shaped our nation? Why don't textbooks ask children to question why events folded in a certain way? If one of the major aims of teaching is to help children make connections between what they learn with their lives, why don't textbooks encourage children to make those connections by giving them the dots to connect?

While some may ascertain Loewen to have a certain slant or bias to his writing, and perhaps textbook writers/editors would argue that he has it wrong, "Lies My Teacher Told Me" is a must read for any American, not just those in school. It is a thoroughly researched book, using primary sources that record historical events; and Loewen offers in his afterword that even with all this research, it is possible that he has made mistakes, such is the nature of relating and revising history. But after reading it, whether you want to claim a bias and disregard his message or not, it should still leave you wondering, how can we just swallow what we are told without asking questions? Is that what we really want to teach the future of our country? Just imagine what that would be like.

A must read for Americans.......2007-04-28

This book was a life-changing experience for me. I read it on a whim 3 years ago, on an audio CD, and it has made all the difference. Before reading it I thought I was reasonably well-educated in American history; after all, I have a college degree and am reasonably well read. Listening to the book I learned two important things: American history is far more vibrant than I suspected, and the facts are much different than my high school history books led me to believe.

In the book, I learned the truth about the Reconstruction era which in high school was portrayed as the battle between the evil northern carpetbaggers and the noble southerners seeking to reclaim their birthright...not so! I found portraits of Helen Keller and Woodrow Wilson that were completely different from the pap I had carried in my head since high school. I understood for the first time the magnitude of the crimes we Americans committed against the native peoples living here when we arrived and later against many classes of immigrants, particularly the Chinese in the 19th century and the Japanese in the 20th.

In short, this book was written with people like me in mind: people who learned American history from high school textbooks containing watered down American mythology rather than the real American story with all its warts, triumphs and failures.

After finishing this book, I went back to school and have now taken 2 college-level American history classes, 2 African history classes and am poised to begin an Eastern Civilization sequence this fall. I've come very late to a basic understanding of history, and I owe it all to this book.

A Good First Step.......2007-04-07

I think the first thing people need to realize with criticizing current school text books in that they written intentionally to not offend or be contraversial. They pander to the largest purchasers of text books in the country which tend to be in Texas which as we all know has extremely conservative and religious ideologies. It is not cost effective to print several versions of the same text to please everyone, so they are sanitized.
This book and those like it are interesting and enlightening, though none of the information is new. All of this information, as well as some not in thas book are available elsewhere if your willing to look for it. It's nice though that the author compiled it for us.
That being said, I think we need to find an intellectual middle ground in reference to our history. No, the founding fathers were not perfect, so did some really bad things that are rarely discussed, but I also do not see a need to down play the amazing accomplishment made by many americans so as to not offend others. Let's celebrate the good and learn from the bad and move on as a society.
Sorry, I am getting down off my soap box now.

Lies at the Altar: The Truth About Great Marriages

Average customer rating:

I love this book
Surprised by some negative reviews!
good CD
eye opener
One of the best!!!!

Lies at the Altar: The Truth About Great Marriages
Robin L. Smith
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Love & Romance | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1401302564

Book Description

Dr. Robin Smith advises couples on how to take the wedding vows that were made in earnest and in innocence, to a level where they can be used to build a happy, healthy, satisfying and long-lasting marriage. Lies at the Altar is for couples who are planning marriage, are newly married, or who have been married for years. In Lies at the Altar: The Truth About Great Marriages, Dr. Robin Smith addresses the unspoken needs, unasked questions, outrageous expectations, and hidden agendas that often linger beneath the surface of the wedding vows and appear later to cause power struggles, suffering, and feelings of hopelessness in marriages. Dr. Smith discusses why its important to have ones "eyes wide open" in a marriage; how to write true vows to live by; and why its never too late to rewrite your vows. She illustrates her advice with detailed stories from her own life, as well as from couples that she has counseled. And in her inspiring conclusion, she invites couples to light up their lives by acknowledging each other as individuals, each of whom lights a candle, and who lights a third candle which represents "us". Calling "truth" the secret ingredient of great marriages, Dr. Smith teaches individuals and couples how to find the truth within themselves and their partners, whether they are heading to the altar, suffering in an unhappy marriage, divorced, or simply want to bring more satisfaction and intimacy into their relationship.

Customer Reviews:

I love this book.......2007-06-26

This is a must read for anyone who's thinking about getting married. This book will covers topics/issues that are crucial in a marriage but rarely discussed before the "I Do's".

Surprised by some negative reviews!.......2007-06-14

Let me start by saying that considering I am an avid reader, this is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review for a book. Also, I'm probably one of few women who isn't an Oprah "fan". I have nothing against her but I have simply not been motivated enough to be a regular viewer of her show. A big motivation for me to write this review has been from the negative ones I have read.

I personally found this to be a very good book about relationships and facing the truth about what marriage is truly about. As a some times head strong woman (which may be putting it mildly), this book actually made me step back and examine the ways I may have sabotoge my relationships in the past. It helped me to think of ways I can improve myself to thus be a better person for my next serious relationship. Therefore, I don't understand the negative reviews about how this was a male bashing book or that it was biased toward women. In fact, this is one of the things I liked most about the book because of its ability to force me to look at myself (which is what a few of my friends enjoyed about the book, also).

Though I am divorced, I still found this to be very helpful and thus don't understand those who bashed Dr. Robin for not being suited to write on the topic. Those comments are equivalent to someone telling me to never get married again because I failed at it the first time. I mean really do people not have the opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes? The only thing she has done is applied both her experience and profession to help others, which I thank her for.

I disagree with the person who said this book is advocating people to jump ship in bad marriages. I believe if a couple is open minded enough to both acknowledge and learn from the lies they've told themselves prior to entering into their marriage that they can learn how to improve it. However, it is definitely something each person must first admit and improve within themselves first. For that reason I do agree with a few reviews that suggest this book is probably better suited for people prior to entering marriage. This is the reason I gave it only 4 stars - since it seems a bit harder to apply after you've entered marriage (which is probably when you need help most) as oppose to before. I am however going to suggest my potential marriage partner and I read this together, so we can avoid possible mistakes ahead of time to give us a better chance of having a great marriage.

Last, I was HIGHLY disturbed by a reviewer who said she did not see emotional abuse as a reason to end a marriage. I have very strong views about the sanctity of marriage myself and mourned not just the end of my relationship but also the end of the marriage itself. I say this to say until anyone has actually experienced emotional abuse, they simply CANNOT speak to say a person should have to endure a life under these circumstances. Emotional abuse is very real and sometimes just as destructive, if not more, as physical abuse. I speak from experience.

There, I know I've said a mouth full however, I would have been remised if I didn't take the time to at least speak to some of the negative reviews to give a person considering reading this book an opinion from both ends of the spectrum. It's a worthy read - if you're willing to look at yourself and apply it to improve the person you are in order to be a better mate to someone else.

good CD.......2007-06-13

I enjoyed listening to this CD. I really like Robin Smith. She's professional and not gimicky or commercial (unlike Dr. Phil).

eye opener.......2007-06-12

I enjoyed the simple, and solid points the book made. The questions at the end are on my to do list, and I think will be a great learning experience, and save me from "wrong" or at least wrong for me relationships.

One of the best!!!!.......2007-05-23

This was a great book. I was really able to examine myself and the relationships that I have been in. I love this book, and recommend everyone to read it.

Thanks

Average customer rating:

Results oriented "science"
A Fascinating Work from a Great Author
Remarkable
I rrecommend this book over and over
People of the Lie

People of the Lie
M. Scott Peck
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0684848597

Customer Reviews:

Results oriented "science".......2007-05-23

Peck is writing like Freud long after it is ok to practice "science" using anecdotal evidence. This methodology is highly suspect and cannot be used to prove any theory. The theory Peck sets out to prove -- that a Christian conception of evil exists -- is itself suspect because he approaches it from the biased perspective of a believer. As a work of science and medicine it is therefore not worth the paper it is written on. Nevertheless, I give it three stars because it is a good read, and it is interesting. The anecdotes tell you as much about Peck as they do about his subjects.

A Fascinating Work from a Great Author.......2007-04-23

Author of the classical "The Road Less Travelled", Scott Peck is a most interesting writer. In his afore mentioned book, he focused on Love; in this one, he focuses on evil. Human "evil" is most often considered with no serious background or consideration, but Peck proposes in this work a very serious use of the term. In short, he proposes "evil" as a very strict psychopathological feature, alongside with the likes of schizophrenia and depression.

The book divides itself in 7 chapters. It covers a wide span of occasions where evil is at work; from Peck's own patients to the atrocities of the Vietnam War and cases of possessions and their exorcisms. While this may sound dramatic, it isn't so at all.

Anyone with an interest in the human mind and how it functions will find a lot in this amazing work. Moreover, if you had the opportunity to have suffered the company of an evil one, you may find some real solace in here, if only because something without a name is always more frightening than something named. This is what Peck does here; he gives something a name so that we can fight it more efficiently. Defining evil as a case of dysfunctional mental health is part of the goal in "The People of the Lie", and Peck does it well. It gives much thought about the issue, and it's a riveting read. I loved his previous book, and I love this one equally. I highly recommend it.

Remarkable.......2007-04-20

This is a brilliant work. Peck divides his book into two approaches. One is his thesis that evil is divided into two types: those who are sliding into evil and those who have attained it. I would venture to say that most people who read this book will find themselves, at least sometime in their lives, in the first category. Those people who belong to the second group would of course not be reading Peck.

But the part that damn near stopped my heart is this: page 232. Peck is talking about the group psychology of evil as it relates to the My Lai massacre and the undesirability of a volunteer Army.

"Abandoning the concept of the citizen soldier in favor of the mercenary, we have placed ourselves in great jeopardy. Twenty years from now (the book was published in 1983), when Vietnam has been largely forgotten, how easy it will be, with volunteers, to once again become involved in little foreign adventures."

Richard Vidaurri
Author: The Gates of the Shadow.

I rrecommend this book over and over.......2007-04-10

Scott Peck's best, if not most famous, work.

If you find yourself baffled by the behavior of people around you, or dealing with the after math of some traumatic experience, this book may show you just what is going on. Once you read it you cannot ever go back and be ignorant of what Peck lays out.

I also recommend (for a more Jungian take) Sanfords "Jung and the Problem of Evil." .Jung and the Problem of Evil: The Strange Trial of Mr. Hyde Sanford references Peck and vice versa. but if you need to understand evil and how it operates in the world... this book is without a single competitor

People of the Lie.......2007-03-27

The book is one of those more than worth reading. WHY? B/c it will indeed be a strong link used to transform you to the person you know and want to be - for yourself and the world around you. It is a must read if you are a person that wishes not to live a lie!

Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know is Wrong

Average customer rating:

Makes you doubt all "news" sources...
Exposes our Underlying Assumptions
Great follow up
Hard to argue with facts
Great read

Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know is Wrong
John Stossel
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1401302548
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Book Description

A mericas favorite investigative reporter, John Stossel, tackles our favorite myths in his characteristic style and challenges us to look at life differently. Myths and Misconceptions covered in the book include: lIs the media unbiased? lAre our schools helping or hurting our kids? lDo singles have a better sex life than married people? lDo we have less free time than we used to? lIs outsourcing bad for American workers? lSuburban sprawl is ruining America. lMoney makes people happier. lThe world is too crowded. lWere drowning in garbage. lProfiteering is evil. lSweatshops exploit people. John Stossel takes on these and many more misconceptions, misunderstandings, and plain old stupidity in this collection that will offer much to love for Give Me a Break fans, and show everyone why conventional wisdomeconomic, political, or socialis often wrong.

Customer Reviews:

Makes you doubt all "news" sources..........2007-06-21

John's book presents a huge amount of detail in a concise and entertaining manner. Very interesting, something for everyone here. It's a fast read, as he spends just enough time on each topic to present the facts and dispel the myth, then moves on to the next one. Definitely recommended for everyone, especially high school students who are not geting the whole story from their studies.

Exposes our Underlying Assumptions.......2007-06-21

The really surprising thing to me about this book was not that John's findings contradict much of the everyday facts most people think they know, but how it challenged and in many cases topples the assumptions underlying what most consider run-of-the-mill common sense. Here's one example:

Is global warming really happening? Actually, yes! Can we do anything about it? Probably not. Does it really matter? Not as much as we're led to believe.

The chapter on lawyers was particularly upsetting to read, and I certainly feel differently about the recent political debate on reigning in trial attorneys and liability lawsuits. Though John doesn't speak to how large a problem such litigation is for the entire U.S., just the cases he profiles were enough to get me hopping mad. Suing nightclubs over ladies' night, for example, seems a frivilous waste of resources in my opinion.

Reading this book might change your mind about some major issues facing humanity. Or, at least, it might just make you think a bit harder and realize they're not quite as simple as they seem.

Great follow up.......2007-06-17

Stossel makes great points that are difficult to refute and even rarer to hear in the mainstream media. Good for him.

Matt Sanchez

Hard to argue with facts.......2007-06-14

This is the second book by Stossel that I have purchased and read, and, like the first, well written and factual. I took it upon myself to research a few of his assertions, and found them to be correct. Usually, when reading the work of journalists, you find a subject that you happen to know about, and they're generally wrong and ignorant. This guy is an exception. I can't vouch for every individual subject, but the ones I happened to know about, and the ones I looked into myself, were accurate. Hard to argue with facts.

Great read.......2007-06-08

John Stossel writes the same way he talks so you find yourself reading the book as if you were watching him on TV with all the inflections of voice and mannerisms. The information is substantive and well researched. I've recommended it too all of my friends and relatives.

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