Reading this book will make you feel happy, energized, and calm. It is easy to read and it clears your head. Never have I had this much peace of mind. If you are looking to help others or yourself, read this book and you'll feel wonderful.

This book reminded me that life isn't about the rat race. It is good to stop and take the time to appreciate those around you, to take in the energy that helps you through each day and to share the positive attitude you generate from a peaceful state of mind with others. I highly recommend this book for anyone in search of a little rest for the soul. It's an easy read with great suggestions about how to go within yourself to find peace rather than searching for it from others.

Pat Upczak takes us through the steps of the Reiki process, but in so doing, she has also opened the doors and windows to her own life. Pat practices and shares with her readers the lifestyle she ahderes to and the spirituality she espouses. This book is not only a guideline, but also an insight into a master Reiki practitioner. It is an inspiration and a beacon for all.

Great imagination and very well written. I look foward to more stories by this author.

THIS STORY IS WRILLEN BY A YOUNG, VERY IMAGINATIVE BOY. IT IS A FUN STORY WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL CHILDREN TO WISH FOR A LOT BUT BE HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY HAVE.I WILL BUY THIS BOOK FOR ALL OF MY GRANDCHILDREN.LETS HAVE MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS INSTEAD OF FIGHTING AND MURDER.

I am lucky to have had Chad's book read to me straight from the author himself. I love the story and I think it was really a great idea. I can't wait to get it. The whole idea he had of how to deal with things all kids deal with was very imaginative and entertaining.

Voices From a Locked Room is a wonderful book. It will make you cry, and make you love even more. You will look at your children and wonder how anyone could ever do something so inhumane to someone so small and helpless. Chad has had so many bad things happen in his life. Now that he has begun to share his story, he can now begin to live a new and much happier life. Chad is an amazing person that has overcome so much. I am so proud of you for everything you have done. You have come a long way. This book is very touching, heartbreaking and exciting. I'm sure that the sequal will be just as good, if not better than the first. I believe that your happieness has only just begun. You have so much more to look forward too. This is just the beginning and I love you!

This book was really amazing. And i think the most amazing thing is that hes alive, and well, and finally happy. The hell hes had to endeavor all his life, and finally a chance to live instead of dying. It showed me how to hug my kids more,show them they are loved, and to be a better mother. Im just sad that this all had to happen to him . I know chad, and its amazing to me that there was ever a different side to him. Hes definetly a changed young man, because i wouldnt have ever guessed he was anything else than the sweet person i know. I cant wait for the next one. it took 2 hours to read this one, but im eager for part 2.... Congratulations Chad!!! Youve finally got what you deserve.......peace and love....

You will not be able to put down this book, until you are completely finished with it. What this young man had to go through growing up will send chills down your spine. For him to rise above everything that he has been through is just amazing. I can't wait until his next book comes out this winter.

A book that every cat lover and hater alike should read. I hate cats but found the book very amusing. Can't wait until the dog manual is for sale, it will be better I am sure, as everything with dogs is.

One of the funniest treatments of cat care I have read. A must have for all cat lovers and haters. Makes a great gift for that obnoxious cat owner who lets their little darling use your leg for a scratching post.

This book gives you a comical approach to caring for a cat. If you are a cat lover you will see the humor. If you are not you will see the humor. The authors have a good insight to what cats are all about. This is an excellent resource manual on how a cat owner is to operate a cat.

Chad Hennings is a man of commitment and a man of God. In his book, Hennings stresses the importance of commitment and shows how his life time commitment to hard work has landed him in the National Football League. This is a wonderful book that is interesting and easy to read.

Chad's book has inspired many people who look to him as a role model. His book reflects on how important a good moral and religious foundation is to the development of a true winning spirit, whether on the field or off. Small town Iowa does not afford you many chances. But Chad set his sights on his dream, figured out what it took to acheive them and then took action, while keeping his foundation in the Lord. Chad continues to remember where he came from, and has not let his position in the NFL cloud who he really is, and what is important in his life.

Chad Hennings speaks from the heart - the heart of a godly man. Life has many things in store - highs as high as winning the Superbowl and lows as low as seeing your child wrought in crippling pain. Yet through everything, there is one constant - Jesus Christ is always there for you and everyone who calls on his name. Chad is an awesome individual - not for his football abilities, but for his commitment to Jesus Christ and his family.

In the next society', observes Peter Drucker, 'the biggest challenge for the large company - especially for the multinational-may be its social legitimacy: its values, its missions, its vision.' (quoted on P. 128 of Walking the Talk).
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is an association of over 160 large companies who believe that the imperatives of making a profit are compatible with "... [running] their companies in the best interests of human society and the natural environment, now and in the future."
The book seeks to explore the opportunities and problems in doing so, and to describe the progress made over the last ten years. It is overtly evangelical, seeking to recruit more successful businesses (and specifically their CEOs) to the cause of sustainability as the authors define it. The authors are writing within a mental model that believes in the benefits of free markets, globalization, continuing economic growth and in the contemporary model of business. Although they recognize that there are alternative mental models, their primary purpose is not to address these, but to persuade those who share their broad views (which would include the vast majority of business people) that a concern for environmental sustainability and social justice is good business - that pursuit of these wider goals is the best way of ensuring a healthy bottom line now and in the future.
The book is well argued within its framework. More important, it carries the names of three of the world's most senior Chief Executives, which gives it immense clout in its avowed task of persuading other CEOs to joint the sustainability movement.
A 'foundation' chapter, which describes the business case for sustainability, is followed by a brief overview of each of ten key elements in moving toward sustainability, with each chapter illustrated with detailed case studies (significantly, they are nearly all companies and utilities which supply to industrial markets).
In building their case, they identify the dilemmas, and particularly the issue of how to balance concern for the future with prudence in the present. They also note that current market failures (failure to price for 'externalities', perverse subsidies, inappropriate tax regimes) make it more difficult to persuade many companies that pursuit of sustainability is in their best interest. In consequence, they call for partnership with government to correct these problems, and describe experience to date and needs for the future.
The 'ten building blocks' therefore include chapters on The Right Framework - what conditions are needed for business success truly to reflect sustainable operation - and From Dialogue to Partnership - how to enter partnership with the full range of stakeholders.
Too much of the literature on sustainability is taken up with immoderate attack on business and globalization - often with the inference that it is inherently evil - and equally immoderate defence of the (implied) perfection of the present state of globalization and behaviour of companies. It is therefore very refreshing to have an impeccable business source that acknowledges the move to sustainability as important business that is still in its early stages and is prepared to describe the successes, failings, dilemmas and rewards on the journey to sustainability.
Given their objective, there are some important and difficult issues that the authors do not tackle. For example, Hamilton in Growth Fetish, points to:
* the inadequacy of economic measures of progress,
* the importance of a distinction between growth and development and
* the evils of a framework that systematically promotes over-consumption.
These issues need to be argued, and could have very serious implications for business, but they are not the subject of this book.
Those who have a radically different view of the current business system and who disagree with the authors' views on globalization may well see the book as simply offering symptomatic solutions without tackling the real issues. They will none the less take comfort from the fact that community protests about unacceptable business activities (environmental degradation, comfort to repressive regimes, sweatshop labour) clearly send signals that influence the behaviour of corporate decision makers.

This book will be of interest to anyone remotely curious about economics, finance, society and progress. It is a concrete and realistic account of how businesses can engage in a medium/long term win-win game, benefiting both sustainable development and companies. It shows the evolution in business practise, and the future trend it is likely to take because of the new dimension of competitively in such troubled times: sustainability.

A clear and transparent account of how to achieve it (and what the past and current attempts are) is made through theoretical definitions of eco-efficiency, corporate social responsibility, the role of innovation, the attempt to control market failures, and make both frameworks and consumer choice allies in achieving more environmentally and socially viable economic growth. Those are illustrated by 66 case studies ranging from all sectors and countries. It dares to face many different scenarios so as to recognise possible costs or tradeoffs, but manages to prove the overwhelming victory of the business case for sustainable development.

The importance of this book, setting the trend for the next 60 years or so, comes from the fact that it was written by credible businessman. Their vision on today's and tomorrow's business practise is sharp. As a student at the London School of Economics, concentrating on how markets can bring more efficient solutions to poverty, corruption and environmental crisis, this book comes in as one of my absolute favourites. It is easy to read, and very actual. Though there aren't any easy answers to the problems it tackles, the book provides an important insight of the role of businesses in achieving sustainable development, and the clear advantages that emanate from doing so.

First of all I should declare my interest and bias: I was involved in the production of the book. But this is also an advantage. I know first hand what the authors wanted to convey - a serious sense of the responsibility and opportunities for business to make globalization and markets work for all and our environment. This book engages in one of the broadest review of the issues of sustainable development as perceived by engaged business leaders. From the "technocratic" approaches to material efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts and risks to the "soft" and daunting issues of fighting poverty through enterprise and wealth creation. It also does not duck the questions of corporate accountability and market reforms.
Plenty of books have covered the issues of globalization but most have an anti-business perspective. Here at last we have a powerful business view.

As business people the authors take a lot of space to provide evidence, from their own organizations and like-minded peers, in the form of case studies. They also look under the top line of financial sustainability indices and provide exclusive statistics of business behavior from the 2002 survey that is at the basis of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
Any downside to this book? Yes - It begs the question why the companies next door are not yet following the lead. If they were to "read the talk" would they also "walk the talk"?

A great introduction to Taoism... covers essential ideas and terminology; the history, including mention of debated theories on Taoism's development; a screen backdrop of Chinese history during the Fifteen Epochs; references on-line, on location and in additional books for interested users.

While most of the book does a good job to earnestly emphasize the simplicity of Taoism and strives to distill and present the essentials, backed up with references for further review, there is a slight abandonment of responsibility as applied to what the book calls "the branches of tao" -- specifically, the i ching, tai chi, feng shui, acupuncture and herbal medicine. It is not clear how these developed independently of Taoism, and there is a danger in that the reader may believe them to be instrinsic to the philosophy. However, more detailed references are suggested from which any interested reader would quickly learn the truth.

As the title "Complete Idiot's Guide" suggests, could be too basic for those already well-versed in the subject. Serves as a great reference, and timely. Some of the best sources cited are free, online.

I knew a little about Taoism -- or thought I did -- but was surprised at how much I didn't know about Zhuangzi. An engaging and enlightening review of an important subject. Very informative.

What a great book! Toropov really helped me understand what Taoism is and how it fits in with many other Eastern traditions I've heard about. An excellent overview with real meat -- not just fluff.

C.S. Lewis's "A Grief Observed" is a brief book -- only about 70 pages-- but it contains some of the best metaphors for faith I have ever read. Like his challenging work "The Problem of Pain," this book is unsparing in its belief that a good God can will awful things on people. Like death, for instance. Why would an all-powerful God allow people to suffer and die, especially those well before their prime? Lewis went through this questioning himself when his wife died, and his journal of questions and answers fill the pages of this book.

How can God remain silent when the ill cry out in pain? Lewis compares God to a surgeon performing open heart surgery. The doctor, knowing best the full process required, can't relieve pain at every cry, or he would never complete the process, and the intended purpose of the pain would never come to fruition. This is a pretty unsparing description -- I wonder how many people in grief feel comfort reading such things. This is where faith comes in -- if you believe that the end result of pain and death is resurrection, and you trust in God's plan, you can find comfort knowing that every death is part of the plan.

Not an easy concept to grapple with -- I'm glad I read this book, but I can't help but flinch a bit at Lewis's viewpoint. It is lucid, poetic, and erudite -- and yet I still find myself uncomfortable with a God who would bring suffering on innocent people.

CS Lewis began writing this journal one month after his wife died of cancer. He was distraught, shocked, and confused, especially about the meaning of life. The journal rambles from one throught to another, reflecting his daze and despair.

As a widow, I can identify with his varied reactions to death; however I found the book rather difficult to read. It is only 72 pages long, but each sentence needs to be reread, and slowly, in order to follow Lewis' thought processes. He finds no answers to his questions (mainly: How could God take his beloved away from him?); he simply asks them.

For me, this was not a particularly helpful or insiteful book on grief, merely one person's thoughts on the subject. I am sure however, that admirers of CS Lewis would find it of interest.

After having read several of Lewis' books, I read "A Grief Observed" which quickly became my favorite. It is his journal - and almost too personal - where you bear witness to Lewis' progress as he sloughs his way through the deep mire of sorrow and grief.

In the first pages of the book, he tells of going to God, seeking relief from the agony he feels in his heart over the fresh loss of his beloved wife, Helen Joy, only to find - the door slammed and the sound of the door being bolted and doubled bolted from the inside.

He rails against God and his faith is stirred to its core.

In the end, he finds his way back to God, but it is not an easy journey or a primrose path.

For all of Lewis' intellectual reasonings and scholarly attainments, I find "A Grief Observed" to be his best work because it comes from the very heart of a man seeking to find the answers to life's hardest questions. It is not a philosophical insight or an intellectual wrangling, but a spirit-filled work that lays bare the heart of a man who loved his wife completely.

This is an important book. Read it. You'll be changed.

"Circular is time, and the path of the sun and the shape of this earth, yet a wobble hast been introduced in this form of darkness."

That cryptic statement, written by an ancient scribe before his death, made it clear by page two that this would not be a typical sci-fi fantasy adventure. I discovered intelligent prose that varied from wondrously descriptive to poetic, from gritty to harsh, and all points in between. And I found myself caring about the odd mix of draks, dryads, elves, dwarves, and humans in this book.

Gen of Mercured is born with gifts that only two other living humans possess. This gift, called mindsight, increases as he progresses into adolescence. His parents nurture the boy, protecting him until the day the Prophecy will be fulfilled. In many ways, Gen is a typical boy, until he is trained in rudimentary martial skills by his warrior father. It is when Gen and his chums Jayce and Page embark on a seemingly innocent camping trip that his mindsight kicks in and he learns of the Prophecy.

Gen knows his future belongs to the Prophecy, even though he doesn't fully understand his part in it. According to time shrouded legend, two Innocents will be born to play out the fates of the world, and a mysterious Bredling will appear. This Bredling will bring together the separate races through his blood and begin a new race that surpasses the powerful elvens of old. Gen suspects he is one of the Innocents, but his inexperience prevents him fully understanding that he may also be the "Bredling".

The unworldly Gen experiences desire, and soon passion, when he meets Seena the Elven Queen. Love blooms and quickly progresses to full flower between commoner and Queen before Gen's dreams of sharing life with her are dashed. His broken heart is only partially mended by the lovely Leiss from Arcena and Princess Aloura. Both women are intrigued by Gen's mindsight power and his reputation as warrior, and he in turn is sorely tempted by their beauty, but Seena remains first in Gen's heart.

Gen is not a one dimensional hero. He loves with blind and breathless passion, hates with destructive rage, and fights to the death with savage realism. And through Book I of Mindsight, he remains that somewhat bewildered adolescent boy in search of truth and wisdom.

Awareness was just that. Gen of Mercured becomes aware of his gifts and gains a small idea of what his future holds. The book ends as Gen does supernatural battle with Whitsinne, the Lord of All Evil, and Whitsinne's adopted son, Aboli.

The writer poplulates this book with realistic characters and locations. The battles are terrific, often gruesome, and the love Gen feels is believably touching. I have never really liked the fantasy genre, but find myself eagerly anticipating Book II of Mindsight and wondering if I'm right about Gen of Mercured. Is he the Bredling? Did he really finish off the evil Whitsinne and Aboli? And what of Page and Jayce? Seena and Gen's other lovely ladies?
Mr. Winterland, I'm staying tuned.

I loved this book so much! I could not put it down. I actually met the author (I think, that's what the guy said) on an on-line game called EverQuest. He was power-leveling my character when we got onto talking about books and fantasy books. Anyway, he told me to look at his website, so I did and I ordered this book and it was great! Anyways, I can't wait till the rest come out!

I could not put this book down! Gen's adventure kept me on the edge of my seat. A captivating book, very well written. I can't wait to read the upcoming works.