Messages: The Communication Skills Book Review

Messages: The Communication Skills Book
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
If you're like me, you'll often think to yourself- "Did I say it right?" or "Could I have said it better?" or "Was there a better way to put it"
This book is organized very well, under sections listed "Basic Skills", "Conflict Skills", "Social Skills", "Family Skills", and "Public Skills". So, it gets very easy to refer to the particular type of communication reference you are interested in. I love the way the book puts forward the theory without attaching any favoritism to which technique to use at what time. For example- I used to live in denial when it comes to "listening". I always thought I`m a good listener. But, after reading the 1st chapter- I realized I use at least 5 blocks to listening - without being caught in defense arguments with myself about it. The book really communicates with you! Its easy to read & is filled with research. It lists very good examples of contaminated communication & suggestions on what could have improved it. They have a chapter on body language as well that's well written.
I haven't read the entire book- I may have covered about 70% of the reading. Most often, I use it as a reference to come back to. If you have been looking for reviews on this book, I suggest that you stop looking! Get it- you cannot go wrong. After all, communication is what you do almost all of the active time even though you don't realize it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Messages: The Communication Skills Book


Many people assume that good communicators possess an intrinsic talent for speaking and listening to others, a gift that can't be learned or improved. The reality is that communication skills are developed with deliberate effort and practice, and learning to understand others and communicate your ideas more clearly will improve every facet of your life.

Now in its third edition, Messages has helped thousands of readers cultivate better relationships with friends, family members, coworkers, and partners. You'll discover new skills to help you communicate your ideas more effectively and become a better listener. Learn how to:


Read body language
Develop skills for couples communication
Negotiate and resolve conflicts
Communicate with family members
Handle group interactions
Talk to children
Master public speaking
Prepare for job interviews


Messages is a comprehensive handbook in a most important human skill-personal communication. Reading it made me feel like an enthusiastic partner in an achievable learning endeavor.-Virginia Satir, author of Peoplemaking and The New Peoplemaking


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Messages: The Communication Skills Book

Read More...

The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing (Cambridge Introductions to Literature) Review

The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing (Cambridge Introductions to Literature)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I'm skeptical of this book's claims that it's meant to accompany a course in creative writing - it's not practical enough. Then again, as an academic approach to the topic, why shouldn't we expect it to be found in a classroom?
Flipping through this book, I always expect to get more out of it than I actually end up gleaning from its pages. The organization is not particularly helpful; the ten chapters are as follows:
1: Introducing creative writing
2: Creative writing in the world
3: Challenges of creative writing
4: Composition and creative writing
5: Processes of creative writing
5: The practice of fiction
7: Creative nonfiction
8: Writing poetry
9: Performing writing
10: Writing in the community and academy
These categories give little indication of where to find what, and the index is not particularly helpful in finding information, either. For instance, why is the section "On Titles" buried in the "Processes" chapter? It's useful; Morley writes:
"Like it or not, [the title] may tip the balance between your work being read or not, and it might form part of what is graded within a writing course. You must make your title work as hard as all the words in your piece - harder, in fact, for the title is a door for the reader to open, or a little window through which they peep at the interior, an intrigue making them question whether they should enter or take part. A lazy or imprecise title can damn an entire book" (132).
This quote exemplifies the book's value as well as its pitfalls. It's not so much about writing for the sake of being a writer, but a guide to academic success in a creative writing course. Even at that, the poor organization makes it difficult to exploit the book fully, and the majority of the writing exercises fall flat. And it is a wordy philosophical treatise more than an eager guide. Still, the book is packed with useful information, quotations, and even a few cartoons. If you're willing to put in the time and effort to decipher Morley's work, your writing will improve. But it's not the easiest way to go about it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing (Cambridge Introductions to Literature)

This pioneering book introduces students to the practice and art of creative writing and creative reading. It offers a fresh, distinctive and beautifully written synthesis of the discipline. David Morley discusses where creative writing comes from, the various forms and camouflages it has taken, and why we teach and learn the arts of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. He looks at creative writing in performance; as public art, as visual art, as e-literature and as an act of community. As a leading poet, critic and award-winning teacher of the subject, Morley finds new engagements for creative writing in the creative academy and within science. Accessible, entertaining and groundbreaking, The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing is not only a useful textbook for students and teachers of writing, but also an inspiring read in its own right. Aspiring authors and teachers of writing will find much to discover and enjoy.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing (Cambridge Introductions to Literature)

Read More...

Spanish Homework Booklet, Middle School / High School, Level 2 (Homework Booklets) (Spanish and English Edition) Review

Spanish Homework Booklet, Middle School / High School, Level 2 (Homework Booklets) (Spanish and English Edition)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
...but again, as with many language learning products, the phonetic spelling of the words is lacking. As a Spanish teacher, I often have to "unteach" mispronunciation of words, and so I'm very wary of recommending products that either don't come with CD's or phonetic spelling alongside every word. That's the only con though.
This book is really a good one - it goes beyond the basic colors and numbers, and actually focuses on some verb conjugation, translation, and yet still has pictures to color or explain a lot of vocabulary words. Everything is QUITE well-done. I'm pleased to suggest this to many of my own students, and I really like that it truly is level 2 in a real sense, not just more nouns.
Great for summer break practice!
Sra. Gose
Author of Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 1 & Spanish Fun Activity Calendar

Click Here to see more reviews about: Spanish Homework Booklet, Middle School / High School, Level 2 (Homework Booklets) (Spanish and English Edition)


Spanish Middle/High School, Level 2 Homework Booklet continues toexpand the Spanish vocabulary.The many illustrations give clues to themeanings of the Spanish words.This level 2 book expands the Spanishvocabulary while also introducing basic Spanish grammar.Students willlearn Spanish words for different kinds of clothing, conjugate Spanishverbs, study the proper way to form a question, and more!Students'understanding of the Spanish language will grow quickly as they enjoycompleting these fun activities.



Features:

• A pull-put answer key in the center of the book to make checkinganswers quick and easy.

• This book is intended to be completed by the student with little or nohelp from a parent or teacher, which makes it a great resource for useat home or school.



Our extremely popular Homework Booklet series is a must have forany student!



Great for reinforcing, reviewing, or teaching specific skills thesebooklets feature step-by-step practice drills with easy-to-understanddirections and highlighted examples.With over 85 titles for childrenin preschool to high school and covering all key subjects includingmath, reading, social studies, grammar, foreign language, and more,students will find the extra practice they need to succeed in allsubjects!



Help your student today and collect all the titles in this amazingseries!


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Spanish Homework Booklet, Middle School / High School, Level 2 (Homework Booklets) (Spanish and English Edition)

Read More...

Berlitz Premier Mandarin Chinese & Japanese (English and Chinese Edition) Review

Berlitz Premier Mandarin Chinese and Japanese (English and Chinese Edition)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
For me, an at home learner of Mandarin Chinese, I found this "course" as another very useful aid in the pursuit of conversational "Learn at Home" Chinese. Another addition to my learning arsenal. I doubt seriously that one would reach a conversational knowledge purely with this material alone (If a Self Learner)! As an addition to a formal class it could, I guess prove helpful? But for the at home, on you own (No teacher, or class available person), I would recommend the
Living Language Mandarin Chinese course. as some reviewed it as "not for an absolute beginner" but with some prior knowledge. in my case little, I find it to be the "Mainstay" of my home study, supplemented by all the online Chinese learning material, that is in great abundance and varying usefulness, at no or little cost. this course Berlitz is another aid but not the way to go alone, though!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Berlitz Premier Mandarin Chinese & Japanese (English and Chinese Edition)

BERLITZ CHINESE AND JAPANESE PREMIERThree easy ways to learn Chinese and Japanese Learn Chinese and Japanese the easy way with a straightforward system that helps you learn common words and phrases with vocabulary activities and sample conversations in three comprehensive levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Ideal for busy people learn on your computer, in your car or on the go! Three easy ways to learn: 1. On your computer--Software for Windows and Macintosh**Total immersion learn by listening to actual conversations**Multimedia learning enhance your knowledge by watching videos**Flash card system reinforce your learning**Speech Analysis improve your pronunciation with practice conversations2. In your car listen to audio CDs (4 hours total) 3. On the go*Install the software on your Pocket PC or PDA*Specific exercises for iPod or other MP3 playersIdeal for All Levels: *Beginner**Meeting and greeting**Basic travel terms**Numbers and money**Colors*Sightseeing*Intermediate**Asking for Directions**Ordering a Meal**Shopping**At the Hotel**Emergencies*Advanced**Office Conversation**Speaking on the Phone**An Evening with Friends**Survival PhrasesWhat Makes It So Effective? *Interactive flash cards help you to learn essential words and phrases*Engaging videos teach real-life conversation skills*Speech analysis tools teach you to converse like a native*Entertaining games make learning fast and fun! System requirements: Windows: 98, 2000, ME, XP, Vista128 MB RAMCD-ROM driveMacintosh: OS X 10.2.8 or laterG3 or faster or IntelÂ-based128 MB RAMCD-ROM driveOptional: Microphone for recording and speech recognitioniPod or MP3 playerPocket PC 2002 or laterPalm (Palm OS 5 or later, 500 KB available memory)

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Berlitz Premier Mandarin Chinese & Japanese (English and Chinese Edition)

Read More...

Privilege, Power, and Difference Review

Privilege, Power, and Difference
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When I first saw the title for this book, I thought it was going to be another of those books that make you feel sick and worthless once you get to the end. This couldn't have been further from the truth. Allen's book was engaging, gentle, but powerful. It was thorough in describing the impact of power and privilege in a way that can be felt and understood even by those who are not familiar with (or generally interested in) critical studies and sociology. I found this to be a text that I could engage with, but also one that I could share with those who had a hard time seeing the lines of power and how they impact all of our relationships in many different ways.
I highly recommend this book both to those who have worked with the material of oppression for a long time as well as for those who are struggling to understand what it's all about. The book is powerful and gentle at the same time - something that is very important when dealing with issues of oppression and equity.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Privilege, Power, and Difference

This brief book is a groundbreaking tool for students and non-students alike to examine systems of privilege and difference in our society. Written in an accessible, conversational style, Johnson links theory with engaging examples in ways that enable readers to see the underlying nature and consequences of privilege and their connection to it. This extraordinarily successful book has been used across the country, both inside and outside the classroom, to shed light on issues of power and privilege.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Privilege, Power, and Difference

Read More...

Berlitz, German Premier (Berlitz Premier) (English and German Edition) Review

Berlitz, German Premier (Berlitz Premier) (English and German Edition)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I shopped around for quite a while to find the best software that would aide me in learning German. This product looked the best and it did not dissapoint. It can be a little overwhelming at first but with the review flashcards, learning is much faster and easier. I would definitely suggest this Berlitz product for any language learning.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Berlitz, German Premier (Berlitz Premier) (English and German Edition)

BERLITZ GERMAN PREMIERThree easy ways to learn GermanLearn German the easy way with a straightforward system that helps you learn common words and phrases with vocabulary activities and sample conversations in three comprehensive levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Ideal for busy people learn on your computer, in your car or on the go!Three easy ways to learn:1. On your computer--Software for Windows and Macintosh**Total immersion learn by listening to actual conversations**Multimedia learning enhance your knowledge by watching videos**Flash card system reinforce your learning**Speech Analysis improve your pronunciation with practice conversations2. In your car listen to audio CDs (4 hours total) 3. On the go**Install the software on your Pocket PC or PDA**Specific exercises for iPod or other MP3 playersIdeal for All Levels: *Beginner**Meeting and greeting**Basic travel terms**Numbers and money**Colors**Sightseeing*Intermediate**Asking for Directions**Ordering a Meal**Shopping**At the Hotel**Emergencies*Advanced**Office Conversation**Speaking on the Phone**An Evening with Friends**Survival PhrasesWhat Makes It So Effective?*Interactive flash cards help you to learn essential words and phrases*Engaging videos teach real-life conversation skills*Speech analysis tools teach you to converse like a native*Entertaining games make learning fast and fun! System requirements:Windows: 98, 2000, ME, XP, Vista128 MB RAMCD-ROM driveMacintosh:

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Berlitz, German Premier (Berlitz Premier) (English and German Edition)

Read More...

Spanish Bible: Reina-Valera Review

Spanish Bible: Reina-Valera
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased two different bibles the same day.This Bible was selected as the easiest to read by our Hispanic Pastor for his members. We then purchased a case of this Bible for his Church and they are happy with the purchase. My reason for only 4 stars, instead of five, is that the printis still very tiny.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Spanish Bible: Reina-Valera

SPANISH PAPERBACK BIBLE- Version Reina-Valera, (Revision de 1960) A general purpose paperback Bible with many valuable reader's aids. Particularly useful as a church school or beginning Bible study text. 971 p. (51/4 x 81/4 in.) Reader's aids and supplements.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Spanish Bible: Reina-Valera

Read More...