A Treatise on the Family: Enlarged Edition

Book Description

Imagine each family as a kind of little factory--a multiperson unit producing meals, health, skills, children, and self-esteem from market goods and the time, skills, and knowledge of its members. This is only one of the remarkable concepts explored by Gary Becker in his landmark work on the family. Becker applies economic theory to the most sensitive and fateful personal decisions, such as choosing a spouse or having children. He uses the basic economic assumptions of maximizing behavior, stable preferences, arid equilibria in explicit or implicit markets to analyze the allocation of time to child care as well as to careers, to marriage and divorce in polygynous as well as monogamous societies, to the increase and decrease of wealth from one generation to another.

The consideration of the family from this perspective has profound theoretical and practical implications. For example, Becker's analysis of assortative mating can be used to study matching processes generally. Becker extends the powerful tools of economic analysis to problems once considered the province of the sociologist, the anthropologist, and the historian. The obligation of these scholars to take account of his work thus constitutes an important step in the unification of the social sciences.

A Treatise on the Family will have an impact on public policy as well. Becker shows that social welfare programs have significant effects on the allocation of resources within families. For example, social security taxes tend to reduce the amount of resources children give to their aged parents. The implications of these findings are obvious and far-reaching.

With the publication of this extraordinary hook, the family moves to the forefront of the research agenda in the social sciences.

Book Description

Over the past 30 years, many social psychologists have been critical of the practice of using incentive systems in business, education, and other applied settings. The concern is that money, high grades, prizes, and even praise may be effective in getting people to perform an activity but performance and interest are maintained only so long as the reward keeps coming. Once the reward is withdrawn, the concern is that individuals will enjoy the activity less, perform at a lower level, and spend less time on the task. The claim is that rewards destroy people's intrinsic motivation. Widely accepted, this view has been enormously influential and has led many employers, teachers, and other practitioners to question the use of rewards and incentive systems in applied settings. Contrary to this view, the research by Cameron and Pierce indicates that rewards can be used effectively to enhance interest and performance. The book centers around the debate on rewards and intrinsic motivation. Based on historical, narrative, and meta-analytic reviews, Cameron and Pierce show that, contrary to many claims, rewards do not have pervasive negative effects. Instead, the authors show that careful arrangement of rewards enhances motivation, performance, and interest. The overall goal of the book is to draw together over 30 years of research on rewards, motivation, and performance and to provide practitioners with techniques for designing effective incentive systems.

Customer Reviews:

misleading and deceptive - give this a miss.......2006-11-03

If you are looking for an accurate review of the evidence relating to the relationship between motivation and reward, Cameron and Pierce's book will in all likelihood be of little value to you. Why is this? The quick answer is that the research is poorly done, employing many dubious practices. How do I come to this judgment? I base it on a number of sources.

First comes a study by leading researchers in the area of rewards and motivation (Deci et al, in the Review of Educational Research, Spring 2001, Vol 71, No 1, pp 1-27 and pp.43-51), the arguments of Cameron and Pierce that form the basis for this book were found to (a) use inappropriate control groups, (b) misclassify studies (unsurprisingly, this is typically to the benefit of C&P's arguments), (c) use improper measures of intrinsic motivation, (d) include irrelevant experimental conditions and exclude relevant ones, (e) collapsed significantly different experimental conditions without proper moderation (pp. 44). In short, C&P manipulate the data in unacceptable ways to give the best possible result for their side of the argument, contrary to some long established, scientifically sanctioned, practices.

As the Deci et al paper notes, C&P presented an analysis of data that was "scientifically inappropriate" (p.46) at best, and of questionable motivation at worst; that is, C&P have an apparent inability to learn from their mistakes, or to correct misleading or incorrect statements in their work, even though their work has been subject to very convincing (and in my view, conclusive) criticism over a period of years. In my view, work that massages the data, choosing studies if they support their already formed conclusions and rejecting studies if they go against them, works that ignore large chunks of the argument of researchers who have argued for different conclusions are of little value if you are looking for the facts of the effect of rewards on intrinsic motivation.

Don't take my word for it - have a look for yourself. All of this is documented in a series of debates in The Psychological Bulletin, vol 125, No 6, pp 627-668 for Deci et al's original review, and pp. 692-700 for their critiques of the C&P methodology. Even more importantly, for those looking for more than just name-calling between rival researchers, is the fact that the Deci critiques were corroborated by a team of researchers from Stanford University, again, in The Psychological Bulletin, 1999, Vol 125, No 6, 669-676. In a study that supported the findings of Deci et al, from above, the Stanford team stated unequivocally that the method used by C&P
- produces "simplistic overall conclusions" (p.674),
- "tells us essentially nothing about the phenomenon of the actual literature under review [the literature of the effect of rewards on intrinsic motivation, that is]" (p.672),
- that it is precisely the use of this inappropriate method that "produced the anomalous conclusion that negative effects of extrinsic rewards are merely a myth" (pp.672-673).

Hardly a ringing endorsement of the Cameron and Pierce work. If you want an appropriate reference, you should probably start with the Deci et al Review of Educational Research article above. I found it useful and clearly written. I'd advise you to give the Cameron and Pierce's work a miss: from its selective and scientifically inappropriate massaging of the data right down to its conclusions that fly in the face of the "very robust" findings of an intrinsic motivation literature that is now "very large" (from the Deci critique of C&P, p.698, above), it is a seriously misleading body of writing that is likely to confuse even a sophisticated reader.

endorsement of mediocrity.......2005-09-27

Read the excerpt. This book is an endorsement of mediocrity. I quote: "The claim that 'rewards are negative' is wrong and harmful because (1) it is based on an idealistic and faulty view of human nature..." Gosh, what more can I say?

Not on the right track.......2004-08-12

This work continues to misuse science toward the authors belief perseverence. Too many other researchers are using sound scientific principles and are showing results that counter Cameron's claims. Be cautious that you don't fall victim to tenacity in your own beliefs.

A compelling case for rewards and incentive compensation........2002-07-25

This book presents study findings and provides an in-depth discussion on the question of whether or not extrinsic rewards negatively affect intrinsic motivation. The authors conclude, on the basis of over 100 experimental investigations, that there is no support to the claim that rewards produce significant and substantial decreases in people's intrinsic interest. They also conclude that rewards can be used to enhance performance and motivation. This is a scholarly work of outstanding quality and clearly addresses a controversy that, to this day, divides people in management. As a management consultant specializing in compensation, I highly recommend this book to every practitioner, academic and author/expert who would rid the world of pay for performance; I hope they have the intrinsic motivation to read it with an open mind-if so, I believe they will be rewarded for their effort.

Book Description

Structure and Function in Agroecosystem Design and Management presents an advanced discussion of the need to design agricultural systems that 1) increase reliance on biological interactions in agroecosystems as a means of decreasing dependence on the use of large quantities of agrochemicals and the consumption of fossil fuel energy and 2) continue to produce optimal crop yields. Written by international experts, this book discusses biological interactions, matter circulation, and disturbance operating within the agroecosystems in question. The book covers matter cycling and focuses on reducing practices that require the consumption of large quantities of agrochemicals and fossil fuels. The editors then explore the effects of environmental changes and how they will change the management of the next generation of agroecosystems. Is it possible to replace current technologies based on fossil energy with proper interactions operating between crops, livestock, and other organisms to enhance production? If the answer is yes, then modern agriculture can be transformed into an integrated system in which the use of complex biotic interactions is the key technology. Structure and Function in Agroecosystem Design and Management focuses on how can work when designed according to sound ecological practices, and provides the foundation to manage them in an ecologically efficient manner.

Amazon.com

In many ways, the 20th century has been the Age of Physics. Out of Control is an accessible and entertaining explanation of why the coming years will probably be the Age of Biology -- particularly evolution and ethology -- and what this will mean to most every aspect of our society. Kelly is an enthusiastic and well-informed guide who explains the promises and implications of this rapidly evolving revolution very well.

Customer Reviews:

This Book Is Out of Control.......2007-03-19

I must admit that I'm a little ticked at spending a considerable amount of time reading a 500 page book with too many ideas and lack of focus. The editing left a lot to be desired. Throughout the book, the author asserts that if dumb, simple things (e.g. a swarm of bees) continuously communicate with each other they will eventually become capable of performing highly complex tasks not feasible by the will of intelligent beings. Yet, this point is expressed in such a complex manner that it makes one wonder why the author didn't follow his philosophy by dumbing down his arguments and letting the plentiful explain the more difficult concepts.

The main premise of the book is the idea of intelligent beings, in this case humans, giving up control of their creations, which are machines, and letting them "adapt on their own, evolve in their own direction, and grow without human oversight."

There are some intriguing ideas such as: No sustaining ecosystem is in equilibrium or completely "in control". Some chaotic or "out of control" events are required for complex systems to function. For example, the earth's atmosphere is made up of 20% oxygen. This oxygen content is just enough to maintain viable ecosystems without burning up the earth from fires.

"Out of Control" was written in 1994, and 14 years later global warming is a hot button. What happened to the Kelly's grand ideas of recycling (see example of Danish companies recycling each others' waste somewhere in the book)? How much closer are we to eco-friendly intelligent homes and personal belongings? Instead of moving to cheap renewable energy sources, we are experiencing the use of fossil fuels like never before with the fast growing economies of China and India. Crucial counteracting forces seemed to have been completely ignored by the author in projecting a sea of changes in how humans behave. Solar energy will never succeed as a viable energy source unless Big Oil has a monopoly over the sun. Digital cash has been a failure because its success would've destroyed the profits of Visa/Mastercard.

The author is a proponent of the idea of passing down learned behavior innately to offsprings, i.e. through genes. For example, experiments cited from one scientist proved evolution with learned behavior passed down to offsprings is superior to natural evolution. In this instance the author ignored the prospect of passing down negative and undesirable learned behavior that is criminal in nature for example. It's best that all offsprings are created much like computers, and most behavior is learned much like software. It is precisely individuality that facilitates variability, the hallmark of evolution. The author himself even argues for systems thriving at the edge of chaos; systems flexible enough to adapt to the changing environment, yet not rigid enough to become unadaptable. Passing down learned behavior to offsprings would undoubtedly create a more rigid system. Besides, most people already harbor the ill effects of bad parenting. The last thing they need is to acquire this cr*p at conception.

At the end of the book, Mr. Kelly mentions "The Nine Laws of God". One law in particular stood out: "Grow by chunking" which states "The only way to make a complex system that works is to begin with a simple system that works. Attempts to instantly install highly complex organization-such as intelligence or a market economy-without growing it, inevitably lead to failure..... Time is needed to let each part test itself against all the others...." The failure to observe this law has been aptly demonstrated in the U.S. effort to build democracy in Iraq, and to a lesser degree the pressure exerted on Russia by the west to quickly move to a market economy following the collapse of communism.

Inspite of all the criticism, I'm glad I read this book. The ideas could have been expressed in 200 pages fewer and more coherently. Pick up a copy and fasten your seat belt. You will be riding this one for a while.

Perhaps the most important book of the 90s.......2006-08-24

Why are the three most powerful forces in our world--evolution, democracy and capitalism--so controversial? Hundreds (in the case of democracy, thousands) of years after they were first understood, we still can't quite believe these three phenomena work. Socialist Europe resists capitalism, the religious right in America questions evolution and the Middle East makes a mockery of democracy. When you think about it, it's easy to understand why: all three are radically counterintuitive. "One person, one vote?" What if they vote wrong?

But that's the problem--we're thinking about it. Our brains aren't wired to understand the wisdom of the crowd. Evolution, democracy and capitalism don't work at the anecdotal level of personal experience, the level at which our story-driven synapses are built to engage. Instead, they're statistical, operating in the realm of collective probability. They're not right--they're "righter". They're not predictable and controllable--they're inherently out of control. That's scary and unsettling, but also hugely important to understand in a world of increasing complexity and diminishing institutional power (mainstream media: meet blogs; military: meet insurgency).

Fortunately, this book that makes sense of all of this. Out of Control was first published in 1994, well before its time, but it's one of those rare books that sells better each year it gets older. That's because Kelly recognized that the messy markets of natural selection, enlightened self-interest and invisible hands all anticipated the Internet and the delights of watching peer-to-peer cacophony create the greatest oracle the world has ever seen. Some of the examples may be a bit dated a dozen years later, but the message has only become more true: "There is no central keeper of knowledge in a network, only curators of particular views," he writes. The emergent mob wisdom of the blogosphere and Wikipedia were unimaginable then, but somehow Kelly imagined them all the same. This may be the smartest book of the past decade.

Cyberpunk Fact.......2006-08-05

The first half of the book is simply as good as it gets. Each Kelly pronouncement reads like a mantra from on high. The second half of the book is merely brilliant, but Mr. Kelly gives you a pretty good run for your money at 500 pages. There's only a couple of people even close to Kevin Kelly in the futuristic field, Ray Kurzweil, Howard Bloom, and Thomas L. Friedman. Alvin Toffler may have pioneered in a field that H.G. Wells started, but the new mavens like Robert D. Kaplan, Mike Davis, and Kevin Kelly, achieve levels of literacy as beautiful as a Dali. There are about ten must-read human futures, "Out of Control" is one of them.

Review for Out of Control.......2006-05-23

Kevin Kelly was the executive editor at Wired, and his own magazine had a negative review. It describes distributed computing systems and concommitant communication problems in a new light, vastly expanding the scope of otherwise mundane academic articles on the topic. Kelly defines the rules of complex system behavior that simultaneously apply to traditional distributed computing, to markets, to a flock of birds or a bee hive. This book is tedious but worth a read.

Original thinking the value of which I really do not have the tools to judge .......2006-05-14

This is Kevin Kelly's own summary of his bottom- line conclusions.

" As we make our machines and institutions more complex, we have to make them more biological in order to manage them.
The most potent force in technology will be artificial evolution. We are already evolving software and drugs instead of engineering them.
Organic life is the ultimate technology, and all technology will improve towards biology.
The main thing computers are good for is creating little worlds so that we can try out the Great Questions. Online communities let us ask the question "what is a democracy; what do you need for it?" by trying to wire a democracy up, and re-wire it if it doesn't work. Virtual reality lets us ask "what is reality?" by trying to synthesize it. And computers give us room to ask "what is life?" by providing a universe in which to create computer viruses and artificial creatures of increasing complexity. Philosophers sitting in academies used to ask the Great Questions; now they are asked by experimentalists creating worlds.
As we shape technology, it shapes us. We are connecting everything to everything, and so our entire culture is migrating to a "network culture" and a new network economics.
In order to harvest the power of organic machines, we have to instill in them guidelines and self-governance, and relinquish some of our total control."

This is the kind of book I find extremely difficult to know how to read. I just do not have the proper scientific- technical background to evaluate the kinds of claims which are being made here. And this when I am naturally skeptical about books which claim to have a sure general understanding of the shape of the human future.
My skepticism also relates to the meaning of this kind of 'evolution' for the lives of individual human beings, and for society as a whole. Is the suggestion that we are on the verge of some vast transcending or de- humanizing of humanity, some creation of an 'organic collective mechanical consciousness' which will somehow 'direct' or guides society as a whole.?
If so , once again, what does this say about our own individual freedom and identity?

OUT OF CONTROL, The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems, & Economic World

Average customer rating:

OUT OF CONTROL, The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems, & Economic World
Kevin Kelly
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JV3ELC

Average customer rating:

Interesting but too complex

Extremely poor writing and editing.

Very Satisfied

Look past the technical stuff- a truly innovative classic

of some value

Modern Pace Handicapping, Revised
Tom Brohamer
Manufacturer: DRF Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Track Betting | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Racing | Horses | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

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ASIN: 0964849372

Book Description

Calculating the pace and comparative speed of horses in a race often holds the key to the puzzle of selecting the winner.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting but too complex .......2006-07-03

The concept of turn time is very interesting and very ingenious but implementing the Brohamer method is too complex and time consuming. I'm sticking to the Taulbot and Ainslie's methods of pace evaluation.

Extremely poor writing and editing........2006-06-20

I've read a few books of all kinds. "Modern Pace Handicapping" is one of the worst, frankly, which makes it definitely the worst racing-related book I've ever read. It's particularly sad when it is supposed to be teaching you something and not just narrating a story. I understand the concept of pace handicapping, but the nuts and bolts hardly fit together in this work. I'm surprised I got any theory out of this book at all. It is truly one of the most poorly written/edited/formatted/arranged books I've run across.

It is shocking this book gets so many rave reviews. "MPH" is so badly written I can only assume the people giving it 4+ stars are already well-versed in pace handicapping and skipped over all the incomprehensible stuff and the myriad mistakes and horrible copies.

If I wanted to spend more time I could give specific examples by leafing any given page in the book. However, I'll just sum up by saying this book was riddled with:

-typos;
-chopped-off paragraphs (turn the page - what happened?);
-confusing mish-mash of decimal system proper, and using decimal notation to represent FIFTHS (i.e., 1:35.3 = 1:35-3/5 in one section, and in another it represents exactly what it looks like to an engineer like myself - 1:35-3/10);
-many extremely poor (completely illegible, high-bleed) copies of old race charts;
-poor math-checking - both of equation form and of results in examples;
-disconnected charts to text (text discussion on page X, charts were on page X-5, etc);
-poor explanation of either general theory, methods or examples - especially - WHY SHOULD I PICK THIS OR THAT RACE AS A TYPICAL PACELINE? Author acts as if it is so obvious and simply states "this should be the paceline" too many times.

I could probably go on; I always manage to find a new glitch when I recommence reading. There are so many categories of problems that I cannot keep track of them all.

I'm not sure if "Modern Pace Handicapping" is so poorly edited and explained that I find it hard to pick UP (as opposed to "hard to put down!"), or if I can really say the narrative style itself is so dry as to have made me take 2 years to read it on casual time. (Not finished yet - a few more chapters, which may mean another 6 months.) I have started and finished a couple other books on casual time in that period! It is almost with dread that I attempt again. I give it a 2 only because I could actually get the general idea from MPH. I think I could handle calculations, but I'm still confused as to why a particular race in the past-performances is good to use as a predictor for the future race analysis.

The Andrew Beyer books are based on a different concept, but despite involving math and what could be a dry subject, they were definitely better written and MUCH better edited (and as with this subject, I knew little about it when beginning but was curious)!

Very Satisfied.......2006-03-09

At only page 13, I achieved my objective. I bougth this book to
attain and incorporate into my Handicapping game, a scientific
method of Pace Analysis. In the earliest pages of the book, I
found what I was looking for. That is; in races where there is
more than one "Front Runner," proven methods of Pace Analysis
can provide the corroboration needed to make my selection with
confidence. Also, in sprint races where horses are commonly
running half mile times of 47 and 48 and even 49, on the local
surface, and other horses coming in from out of town, and
entered against said locals, are bringing 44 3/5 half mile times,
intuitive reasoning based on 30 years experience is not enough
and is in fact inadequate. I now have now solved the last flaw
in my handicapping game. I strongly recommend this book to all
serious players! The math is far simplier than I initially
thought it would be! I am extremely satisfied!!!

Look past the technical stuff- a truly innovative classic.......2006-01-07

The first third of the book is a bit too technical but does a good job of showing how Brohamer approaches the Sartin methodology. However, upon second review of the entire work, there is some absolutely brilliant insight into the overall pace equation. Quit worrying about selecting pacelines, and look at the running styles, decision models, and most helpful to me- the track profile. All of that has become essential to me in handicapping. The first thing I do when I pick up a form is look for the running styles, and I do that only after creating a track profile on the past week's charts.

of some value.......2005-05-31

this book has some intelligent approaches to handicapping
i don't agree that modeling of recent races is of much help as i have not found it so in p ractice
the idea that each horse has a particular running style is a valid one and can help in handicapping a race.
i think that pace handicapping is widely used in the betting and is no longer of much value if it ever was.

Average customer rating:

Modern Pace Handicapping
Thomas ; Sartin, Howard Brohamer
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUL9SY

Average customer rating:

Modern Pace Handicapping
Thomas Brohamer
Manufacturer: Wm Morrow and Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLUFZK

Book Description

"I've got a great idea for a book!" But a great idea is not enough - what you need is a killer book proposal. With publishing gurus Rick Frishman and Robyn Friedman Spizman as your guides, you can create a proposal that makes your idea sing-and appeals to right publishers. This step-by-step process includes:

Expanding your idea into a full-fledged proposal

Marketing your proposal to the right agents and publishers

Negotiating a favorable publishing contract
With Author 101: Bestselling Book Proposals, your entrÈe into the exciting world of publishing is just a proposal away!
"A good 50% of my time as an agent is spent coaching clients on how to write an effective book proposal. Now, I can just say itís as easy as 1-2-3: (1) buy a copy of Rick and Robyn's Author 101: Bestselling Book Proposals, (2) follow their advice, (3) send it to me. Then I can put the time I save selling books to editors." --Edward W.
"Are you ready to get out of the slush piles? If so, read Bestselling Book Proposals. It will increase your chances of a contract offer by at least 300%." --John Kremer, editor, Book Marketing Update, and author, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books
"Great books begin with great proposals. Great proposals begin with great ideas and the knowledge of how to present them to a publisher. For the ideas, youíre on your own. For the insider secrets that can turn your vision into a reality, this book is an essential resource." --Jeremy Katz, Literary Agent at Sanford J. Greenberger Associates
"A good book with a bad proposal is a tragic event. With the expert tutelage of Frishman and Spizman, an author can increase his/her chances of publication many times over!" --Kim Weiss, Director of Communications, HCI Books
"Author 101 is a must read for any writer hoping to sell a proposal in todayís competitive marketplace. This book should be required reading for every want-to-be writer for the 21st century!" --Sharlene Martin, Martin Literary Mgmt.
Enter our Contest! To correspond with the launch of Author 101, Adams Media is pleased to announce the Author 101 "Get Published, Get Publicized" contest! Send us your book proposal, and if we select it, you'll get a publishing contract with Adams Media-and your book will be publicized by Rick Frishman's PR firm, Planned Television Arts, and the Spizman Agency! The winner will be announced at BEA 2006.

Customer Reviews:

Super Hype.......2007-06-27

Not nearly the book I expected. It's suggestions are ones you can read in any number of "how to" books. A real disappointment

The Book Proposal Manual........2007-01-09

Just like their other books Rick Frishman and Robyn Freedman Spizman give you the best crash course in publishing success. If you are planning to write a book proposal, you CANNOT afford not to read this book and follow the tips and techniques that are clearly outlined for you. If you are an author who is about to deal with publishers, buy this book, read it and take notes, follow the advice and you are on your way. If you seriously want to increase your chances of obtaining a publishing contract, this book is a must have. You can write the greatest book ever, but then have a poorly presented proposal and your book and your proposal can languish at the bottom of a publishers pile of the many books and proposals they receive every day. Don't let this happen to you or your book! Get your book out there!

Wow! What an eye-opener.......2006-10-24

I've learned so much from this book, it's unbelievable. I had no idea what was needed to get published, and was just blithely going along writing because I like to.

I had no great thoughts of going any further with it, but a week ago at a Writer's Conference I pitched my idea to an agent, just because she was there. She asked for a proposal and samples!!

I had no idea how to go about a proposal, but I did have this little yellow book (Author 101 - Bestselling Book Proposals) I had bought several months ago at the suggestion of a fellow member of a Writer's Group. It was still sitting where I put it that night so long ago - lucky I even found it, as disorganized as I am.)

Since our Writing group wasn't to meet for another two weeks, I couldn't wait to ask for help, so drug out the book ... what a total joy to find this little thing, filled chock-ful of ideas, suggestions and samples.

I'm about half-way through with the proposal (book's already written ... as well as two sequels) and will present it to my group for critiques.

I'm in love with this book! Thank you so much, Rick and Robyn!

(I gave this book 5 stars, but when it showed up in my preview it showed as only 1)

Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks.......2006-03-13

I have been a writer since I was in kindergarten with 8 titles published, and have my own small publishing company. I have published 10 books, ranging from poetry to Ernest Norquist's war diary kept while he was a prisoner in a Japanese labor camp, with various success. I have read so many books on writing and publishing I did not expect to learn much I didn't already know from Author 101 by Rick Frishman and Robyn Freedman Spizman. Wrong! This pair have come up with fresh ideas and up-to-date info. My favorite idea was their advice to learn all you can about an agent before you send a query. They also reveal advice on how to do this that I had never heard before. This book is not just for novices.

A true "insider's guide" for authors seeking to sell what they write in today's complex and competitive publishing marketplace.......2006-03-03

The collaboration of publicist Rick Frishman and award-winning author Robyn Freedman Spizman, Author 101: Bestselling Book Proposals is a true "insider's guide" for authors seeking to sell what they write in today's complex and competitive publishing marketplace. A "great idea" for a book is not enough; to get publishers to take notice, prospective authors need a top-quality book proposal. Author 101 covers the basics of query letters and formulating proposals, and delves in-depth about specific details such as promotion plans, discerning the market for one's book, and perhaps most valuably, what agents and publishers hate the most (including "writers who say how much they liked other books", "writers who call constantly, are demanding, and don't hang up", and "writers who constantly tinker"). A "must-read", no-nonsense primer for publishing success and professional conduct, with the absolute highest recommendation for novice writers.

Book Description

It was my most thrilling adventure yet! My old friend Professor von Volt had discovered the location of the famous Ruby of Fire. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, my sister Thea had dragged me into race to be the first to find the legendary gem. The jewel was protected by thousands of ancient booby-traps -- a 'fraidy mouse's worst nightmare? Would I make it through with my fur?

Customer Reviews:

the favourite book of Mr.Stilton.......2006-09-19

this is a very interesting book. this made me want to go to Amazon Forest. This is the world's bestselling book. I am really glad to have the book. Mr.Stilton writes very nicely. I want to meet him.

The Tempel of The ruby of fire.......2006-03-23

Did you ever hear of a mouse that is a scaredy cat? Well, read The Tempel of The Ruby of Fire and you`ll mee that mouse. Geronimo Stilton is trying to save a ruby before the other mice do. Will he save the ruby or not? Read The Tempel of The ruby of fire to find out. Recommended for 2nd grade and up.

by
Jordan

amazing!.......2005-12-04

When geronimo, trap, thea and benjamin go to the jungle, they see all kinds of animals. they are also searching rubies!

Amazing!.......2005-03-19

Professor Von Volt discovered the location of The RUBY FIRE. Geronimo, Thea, Trap and Benjamin wants to have THE RUBY FIRE but a snake is guarding it!

Geronimo Stilton Set III (The Phantom of the Subway, The Temple of the Ruby of Fire) (Geronimo Stilton, 13 & 14)

Average customer rating:

Geronimo Stilton Set III (The Phantom of the Subway, The Temple of the Ruby of Fire) (Geronimo Stilton, 13 & 14)
Geronimo Stilton
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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