Progress toward Liberalization of the Postal and Delivery Sector (Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy)

Book Description

The European Commission and its member states, along with many others, are wrestling with the problem of how to implement the scheduled liberalization of the postal sector while maintaining the universal service obligation. This book addresses some of these concerns. It is comprised of original essays chosen from among several dozen presented at the 13 ^th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics, which was held in Antwerp, Belgium, in June, 2005.

Progress Toward Liberalization of the Postal And Delivery Sector.

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Progress Toward Liberalization of the Postal And Delivery Sector.
Michael A. (EDT)/ Kleindorfer, Paul R. (EDT). Crew
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N68DE6

The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine... And What Smart Companies Are Doing About It
Average customer rating:

Fresh innovation advice: think outside the gravity

A good book for those commit to innovate!

Promotes the concept of the 'zero-gravity thinker'

How to overcome GroupThink and ExpertThink

Good start to help innovation

The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine... And What Smart Companies Are Doing About It
Cynthia Barton Rabe
Manufacturer: AMACOM/American Management Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Innovation: The Five Disciplines for Creating What Customers Want

The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO's Strategies for Defeating the Devil's Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization

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ASIN: 0814408834

Book Description

For true innovation, you may need to think outside the box-and outside the company.

Innovation is vital to the success of an organization. But often, "GroupThink" and "ExpertThink" stifle new ideas. This book presents the idea of using outsiders-people who are not a permanent part of a particular group or constrained by its preconceptions-to stimulate innovation. They may be employees from other parts of the company, consultants, or even people borrowed through "swaps" with other, noncompeting companies. These outsiders share three characteristics:

* related expertise: knowledge without the burden of "the way we've always done it" * renaissance tendencies: varied interests and experiences, with the ability to put ideas together in new and useful combinations * psychological distance: they are not tied to the hierarchy of the group, making it easier to propose unpopular ideas

Outsiders can help defeat the kind of thinking that can overcome teams and kill true innovation. The author reveals how to find and work with the right people and shows, through fascinating real-world examples, the huge difference they can make.

Customer Reviews:

Fresh innovation advice: think outside the gravity.......2007-04-05

This is a lively book. As befits its central image, the "Zero-Gravity Thinker," it moves lightly, traveling without friction through the challenging thicket of innovation. Cynthia Barton Rabe defines innovation simply and focuses on its human side. While her book does not provide specific guidance about what processes to use, or tell you how to innovate in your industry, it is an immediately applicable, solid introduction you can use to promote innovation. Rabe's creative successes (she was part of the team that introduced the Energizer Bunny) illustrate her points well. Her stories about skilled leaders who failed to innovate though they had the right training and personnel go a long way toward proving her central claim: Organizational attitudes blocking innovation are the main reason people don't innovate more often. We recommend this book to all those who are eager to innovate, and ready and willing to shake up their organizational structures to do so.

A good book for those commit to innovate!.......2006-12-28

The author, an innovation and strategy consultant, promoted in this book her concept of bringing in Zero Gravity Thinkers (outsiders with "psychological distance" from the team, "renaissance tendencies" (broad interests and capabilities) and "related expertise") to stimulate innovation by disrupting GroupThink (tendency to make decisions like the people with whom we work most closely) and ExpertThink (tendency to go along with the tried and true methods of experts). Frankly, I like very much her detailed elaboration and good choice of cases (esp the Naked Emperor and the Bluetooth). However, I doubt whether those companies in need of innovation the most could accept this concept and undertake the change. Quote from JC Penny, "The theory is splendid, but until put into practice is it valueless." Anyway, this is a good book for those who commit to innovate. Recommended!

p.s. Below please find some of my favorite quotes in the book for your reference:-

Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule. Friedrich Nietzsche pg 23

Alfred Sloan, who ran GM from 1923 to 1956, was onto something when he said at a meeting, "Gentlemen, I take it that we are all in complete agreement on the decision here. Then I propose that we postpone further discussion...to give ourselves time to develop disagreement and perhaps gain some understanding of what the decision is all about." pg 39

The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress. - C.F. Kettering pg 143

The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile. - Plato pg 157

Promotes the concept of the 'zero-gravity thinker'.......2006-10-16

Companies rely on established procedures and knowledge to streamline and drive business - but what happens to innovation in the process? Often it's squashed, taking with it flexibility and quick responses, risk taking, and acceptance of change. THE INNOVATION KILLER: HOW WHAT WE KNOW LIMITS WHAT WE CAN IMAGINE-AND WHAT SMART COMPANIES ARE DOING ABOUT IT promotes the concept of the 'zero-gravity thinker' not weighed down by group processes or expert opinions. Chapters provide case histories to illustrate the hidden costs of conducting business in manners too routine to encourage innovation.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

How to overcome GroupThink and ExpertThink.......2006-10-13

Rabe defines innovation as "an application of an idea that results in a valuable improvement." Her definition emphasizes that the ability to think innovatively should be a goal for every function in an organization - not just the new product or technology team. As she correctly observes, there is a process by which ideas become reality in most organizations. "First there is typically a challenge or opportunity to be addressed. Then someone comes up with an idea for addressing it. A stage of development or fine-tuning typically follows (this can be very short or, in the case of some product or technology innovations, very long) in order to apply the idea. The final result? An innovation." One of her most interesting - and most valuable - concepts is of what she calls "Zero-Gravity Thinkers." The title of her book refers to the most common barriers to innovation: practicioners of GroupThink ("the strongest force on earth") and ExpertThink ("GroupThink on steroids"). They establish and then vigorously defend all manner of "filters" to diminish if not "kill" any perceived threats to the status quo. Rabe concedes that Zero-Gravity Thinkers aren't a "magic solution" to such barriers because "there is no cure-all for a stuck-in-the mud organization." However, they are a high-value tool when recognizing and then responding effectively to the aforementioned "filters."

Of special interest to many readers is what Rabe has to say about the leadership required when "going where no one has gone before." She does not limit her attention to leadership at the senior-management level. On the contrary, she convincingly explains why innovation leadership must be present at all levels and throughout all areas of an organization. Moreover, given the well-entrenched and highly-efficient "filters," the nature of the leadership required must itself be innovative. It must take into full account, for example, the perils of challenging traditional chains of authority and channels of communication. This is precisely what Jim O'Toole has in mind when discussing (in Leading Change) what he characterizes as "the ideology of comfort and the tyranny of custom." The power of GroupThink and ExpertThink must never be under-estimated. When necessary, effective leaders of innovation initiatives are courageous enough to ignore convention and act on their own intuition and rational arguments of those outside the given organization. Also, they are prudent but not risk-adverse. They never state or even imply that innovative thinking is acceptable only without the possibility of failure. What Rabe offers in this volume is a rigorous and thorough examination of who and what can "kill" innovation...and offers practical advice as to how to respond effectively and productively when opposed by them.

Good start to help innovation.......2006-09-22

There are some good key points to take away from Innovation Killer. Cynthia Rabe spent much of her career in Intel then left to start her own innovation firm. The book uses basic ideas that can take away from or lead to innovation. The book was a quick read which I would recommend based on the fact that people tend to get caught hung up in the mistakes that take away from innovation.

The ideas that bother her the most are GroupThink and ExpertThink which she describes "as groupthink on steroids". Groupthink is the idea that everyone in the group will follow the majority. The weaker group members will not dissent because the majority commands the choices. ExpertThink means the same thing except there is a person that is highly qualified that leads the group into a bad idea. The group will not speak up because the "expert" could be there boss. These are two common mistakes and Rabe shows plenty of examples to get her point across.

The entire premise of the book focuses on Zero Gravity Thinkers. A Zero Gravity Thinker (ZGT) is well rounded in three areas that set him/her apart from the group. The first is psychological distance. This means there is an objective thinker set apart from the group so his/her decision is not influenced by the group (groupthink). The next is renaissance tendencies meaning the person is well rounded is several areas and never stops learning new ideas. This is good because the ZGT can link ideas together easier than other group members. Then to finish the cycle there is related expertise. This is the one that does not flow with the other two areas. Rabe says that it is good to be naïve sometimes. The related expert can link his field with the group's field then it is good for innovation.

The last section of the book details how a ZGT fits into the group and can help innovation. She discusses Big Picture problems that a ZGT can help with and that hiring consultants can help innovation. The ninth chapter in the book tells how to work with a ZGT. She discusses a process that should be followed or include some of the steps to help promote innovation. The last chapter tells the reader how to help become a ZGT.

The book as a whole became repetitive at times, but it was a quick read that can help many people that are stuck in a rut and will not move. The book is definitely easier to read if you have studied innovation and the other ideas discussed in the book. I would recommend the book because it can help and everyone should understand how to avoid killing innovation. I take a star away because the book did a get repetitive that is the only reason; the repetition does not slow the book, but I have studied these ideas for the past year so I became a little bored with it.

The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine ? and What Smart Companies Are Doing About It

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The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine ? and What Smart Companies Are Doing About It
Cynthia Barton Rabe
Manufacturer: AMACOM/American Management Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N7A1GS

Book Description

Recent progress in plant molecular biology has revolutionized seed technology. With the enhancement of the classical properties of seeds by genetic engineering, we have seeds that produce esoteric oils, plastics, novel starches, and more. Emerging work on seed proteins, their genes - and our understanding of seed biosynthesis - has increased enormously. Seed Technology and Its Biological Basis covers the most current advances in seed development and regulation. Edited by a renowned seed biologist with a team assembled from the most respected laboratories worldwide, Seed Technology and Its Biological Basis illustrates the commercial value of seeds as a major resource. The editors provide a sweeping overview of the current state-of-the-art in seed technology and its biological basis. The book is invaluable to researchers and professionals in both the industrial and academic sectors. The chapter authors come from such institutions as: · University of Reading, United Kingdom · University of Bristol, United Kingdom · Washington State University, Pullman, USA · University of California, Berkeley, USA · CSIRO, Canberra City, Australia · University of Calgary, Canada · The Ohio State University, USA · Germains, King's Lynn, United Kingdom · BC Research, Vancouver, Canada · Haywards Heath, West Sussex, United Kingdom

Book Description

In 1990, Cassandra Vivian wrote and published Islands of the Blest: A Guide to the Oases and Western Desert of Egypt, which became an overnight bestseller and an instant modern classic. No traveler in the Western Desert was without it.

Now retitled, reorganized, and substantially expanded, The Western Desert Handbook is set to become the most comprehensive guide ever for desert and oasis travel in Egypt west of the Nile. Fully illustrated with some 50 maps and plans and over 270 drawings, the guide covers both the natural history and the human history of the desert and the oases. It then explores chapter by chapter the oases of Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Bahariya, Fayoum, and Siwa, and the desert areas of al-Diffa (the northern, semi-arid edge of the desert), the Darb al-Arbain caravan route in the south, and Uwaynat (including Gilf Kebir) in the southwest. Descriptions of routes, sites, people, and places are complemented by practical information on places to stay, eat, and fill your gas tank. Global positioning system (GPS) waypoints are provided as an aid to navigation on many routes - though for the sake of conservation and the protection of unguarded antiquities they are not given for remote sites. Almost encyclopedic in its scope, this is the one guide that belongs on the bookshelf, dashboard, or rucksack of every Western Desert traveler.

Customer Reviews:

The Western Desert of Egypt.......2006-03-18

I purchased this book in anticiptation of a trip to Egypt and have just returned. I can say that this is the Bible of the desert. It is filled with incredible detail about each area.
The writing is descriptive and easliy readable.At the end of the book there are helful suggestions about tranportation and places to stay.
The desert is a most fantastic place and there are few tourists there. One has to be a flexible traveler to negotiate it, but it is well worth the effort. The scenery is otherworldly. Go!

Be the English Patient and venture into the Western Desert!.......2001-04-20

The Western Desert is least known for being anything but probably a large stretch of endless sand dunes between Egypt and Libya. However, if Medusa, Hercules, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, World War II, and the movie the English Patient means anything to you, then this book is finger on the pulse. Why? Because at one point in time they were all inhabitants of the Western Desert. Next to the Empty Quarter in the Saudi Arabia desert, it is one of the most arid places in the world and one of man's last frontiers. Bedouin caravans, travelers and ancient armies crossed these desert plains, at times completely disappearing into the sand. Poems and stories, handed from one generation to the next, speak of the adventures and hardship suffered in this desolate place. The ignorance that has made this place least known is changing now; recently a great discovery was made here. Thousands of ancient mummies were uncovered, most adorned with precious gold jewelry. Dubbed the Valley of the Golden Mummies, the area is now under intensive excavation and a tomb was opened and shown on the Discovery channel. As a result of increasd media attention more serious travelers are coming to this area of the world. There is minimal information to satisfy the information needs of these travelers and this book provides just the right recipe. The book covers a lot of history, geography, geology, route description, people, customs, and crafts. I have traveled the Western Desert from Cairo to the Libyan border ending at the Siwa Oasis some time ago, before this book came to light, and I can say that it would have been a wonderful travel companion. It has many many maps, illustrations, and GPS waypoints. Highly recommended for those interested in the desert, travelers, and Egyptologists. Only weakness is that the interior book design is somehow dull, photos are in black and white, small size and low resolution. There is nothing in color except the book cover. Nevertheless, you should not judge a book by its looks only, for a real traveler planning to emulate the English Patient and venture into the Western Desert, this is really all you need, useful information, concise text and updated maps. There are no nice pictorials here if this is what you are looking for. If you are looking for illustrative text about the work of modern Egyptologists in this part of the world this book will not help you, you are better off with "Valley of the Golden Mummies" by Zahi Hawass. Both books will be nice together if you're planning a trip to the Western Desert with a visit to the valley to see the mummies.

The Western Desert of Egypt: An Explorers Handbook, Revised Edition (Explorers Handbook)

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The Western Desert of Egypt: An Explorers Handbook, Revised Edition (Explorers Handbook)
Cassandra Vivian
Manufacturer: American University in Cairo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 9774160908

Book Description

Already the most comprehensive guide ever for desert and oasis travel in Egypt west of the Nile, The Western Desert of Egypt: An Explorer’s Handbook has now been fully revised and updated for the latest generation of twenty-first century desert adventurers. Fully illustrated with some 50 maps and plans and over 270 drawings, the guide covers both the natural history and the human history of the desert and the oases. It then explores chapter by chapter the oases of Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Bahariya, Fayoum, and Siwa, and the desert areas of al-Diffa (the northern, semi-arid edge of the desert), the Darb al-Arbain caravan route in the south, and Uwaynat (including Gilf Kebir) in the southwest.

Descriptions of routes, sites, people, and places are complemented by practical information on places to stay, eat, and fill your gas tank. Global positioning system (GPS) waypoints are provided as an aid to navigation on many routes—though for the sake of conservation and the protection of unguarded antiquities they are not given for remote sites. Almost encyclopedic in its scope, this is the one guide that belongs on the bookshelf, dashboard, or rucksack of every Western Desert traveler.

Book Description

Henry the Lizard leads children around as they learn all about habitat, behavior, and appearance.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Animals Software.......2000-06-01

Great for a developing reader and for children interested in animals. You will find out where their habitats, mating, eating habits and many interesting facts. Adjustable difficulty levels for all games.

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Amazing Animals 2000 Hybrid Jewelcase
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK MULTIMEDIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: 0789475235

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3D Coloring Amazing Animals C/W95/Us
Disc by IBM 07 , 01 , and 99 Cmibm 3064
Manufacturer: Ibm Corp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: 1569264562

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Amazing Animals 10-disk Lab Pack
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK MULTIMEDIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

Amazing Animals CD-ROM Activity Pack (Amazing Animals)

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Amazing Animals CD-ROM Activity Pack (Amazing Animals)

Manufacturer: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Zoology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Amazing Animals Hybrid Mm1
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK MULTIMEDIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

Entertainment & Games | Computers | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Software | Computers | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0789472538

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Amazing Animals Lab Pack
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK MULTIMEDIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

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Amazing Animals Network Version Hybrid
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK MULTIMEDIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: 0789456818

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Amazing Animals School Version
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK MULTIMEDIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

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Amazing Animals Site License
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK MULTIMEDIA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

Book Description

Part sports star, part antihero, part hip-hop icon, Allen Iverson has managed to cross over into the mainstream of American culture -- without compromise. Defiantly tattooed, with his hair in cornrows, the six-foot Philadelphia 76ers point guard is one of the most recognizable and controversial stars of the sports world. His meteoric rise from a troubled childhood in the ghetto to NBA superstardom has been marked by five straight playoff appearances, including a finals berth in 2001 and an MVP award. From his rap sheet to his rap album, fans and journalists alike hound his every move. But never before has a biographer presented a full portrait of this complicated and intensely private star -- a man whose loyalty to his family, the streets, and his friends trumps any other concern. Filled with exclusive interview material and unprecedented access to many of Iverson's inner circle, Only the Strong Survive is the first in-depth look at the truth behind this newly minted legend.

Customer Reviews:

only this book survives .......2007-02-05

This book is about allen iverson and his life growing up in newport, virgina. It talks about his hardships and his life. Larry Platt describes him as 4 people: a raper, basketball player, a hero, and a father. It also talks about his accomplishments and goals in life. This book surpases any other sports biography I've ever read.

About Allen Iverson.......2006-05-17

This book is about Allen Iverson and his life and how it was like to grow up where he lived. Iverson lived in NYC where people that he hated would try to start a fight with him. His friends would have to keep an eye on him. Allen Iverson then tried out for a team to keep him out of trouble. Then he started to play basketball and that worked because they weren't able to mess with him. Then Iverson grew up to be a professional basketball player. Iverson then played for the Sixers and became MVP. His life was really hard because his mom would stay on top of him but his mom was nice. Iverson then met a girl and she became his girlfriend and then they had a baby. Iverson just kept playing basketball and his wife was proud of him because he played so well and that's all about Allen Iverson.

Not a bad read, BUT ..........2006-03-18

This book on Allen Iverson just came far too soon.

Allen Iverson is my favorite current NBA player partially b/c he shakes up the status quo -- not necessarily because he wants to make that his objective, but quite poetically, he's doing it just by being true to who he is.

This book is a tale about a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, that basically struck it rich but admirably remains "the same" as opposed to "assimilating" just to make his economic & financial counterparts feel comfortable around him.

No true criticism of Larry Platt's writing style. If he wanted to go deep into Allen Iverson's undocumented youth and youth exploits, that's fine too.

Bottom line is this book, while it has several defining moments, just isn't a compelling enough read because it was written still TOO SOON.

A.I., love him or hate him, totally revolutionized the NBA and the image it projected to Middle America.

I'd love to read a book about his life when he's 50, 60 or 85.

I'm sure he'll be on "60 Minutes" doing a "My Life & times" segment.

Whoever writes the book about his life just before that interview will surely have a No. #1 best-seller.

The Answer.......2006-01-15

This book delivers the confidence needed to endure any obstacle set before you. Larry Platt digs deep into Iverson's history to give you the experience no else has. Excellent read on the life of Allen Iverson.

Solid biography, but has a few shortcomings.......2005-12-31

One of the things I look for in a basketball biography is a person with an interesting story. Allen Iverson certainly qualifies.

This biography is written by Larry Platt, the unofficial hip-hop hoops biographer and author of Keepin' It Real. Platt tells Iverson's story, starting with his mother's upbringing through Iverson's - starting with his life in the rough Newport News, Virginia ghetto, through his 2-year college stint at Georgetown and through first six seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The best part about the book is that it goes into detail on many of the controversial events of Iverson's life: the bowling alley incident in high school, his "practice" rant to the media, his arrest for allegedly throwing his naked wife out of his house, his rap album, his "disrespect" of Michael Jordan, and his relationship with Larry Brown. The media worked overtime to paint him as a 1-dimensional thug, but it never seemed to add up when you saw him dote over his children in interviews: this doesn't jibe for a guy who wants to be a thug at all costs. I mean, seriously, a warm spot for kids? Platt paints a more complete picture of Iverson, adding depth to the media characture. He exposes where the media screwed up by not correcting their own mistakes, and on occasion why they would hold a grudge. He explains Iverson's problems with Larry Brown (as well as Brown's with Iverson, which was mentioned numerously by the press). He also explains Iverson's close relationships with his friends and mentors.

Platt is one of the best authors at explaining the hip hop generation. His writing is quick, easy, and entertaining. He goes into detail about the problems white middle class America has with embracing a hip hop superstar. However, his weakness is, just as it was with Keepin' it Real , is that he goes overboard in rationalizing his subject material. He adds depth to their character, but never paints a complete 3-dimensional picture. It appears he is too attached to his subjects to be objective. Once again, true to form, you find him reaching for straws at points - working a little too hard at canonizing Iverson. He mentions, but doesn't dwell on Iverson's unreliability to meet commitments, such as the aforementioned practice, or his skipping school, tutoring sessions, or even Magic Johnson's charity game. One of the worst sidestepping jobs dealt with Iverson's rap album. One of the excerpts from the song 40 Bars was "Come to me with faggot tendencies, you be sleeping where the maggots be." Platt does explain that rappers tell stories about life in the hood as 3rd person accounts as fictionalized characters and shouldn't be taken any more seriously than an author telling a story. Platt goes on to explain that Iverson was upset to think he offended people by his use of the word "faggot" which he says was a hip-hop synonym for "weak" without regard to sex, and he leaves it at that. I told this to a gay friend I know who likes hip hop and basketball and she said it is offense and if she used the "N" word and told Iverson, "Don't be offended by it. I use it to mean a stupid person, without regard to race" it would be equally as absurd, as Iverson's stereotype-based slurs supposedly surprised him. I believe Platt should have looked at the the gripes people had with the record, rather than just telling Iverson's rationalization and leaving it at that. This type of one-sided reporting pops up on more than one occasion.

The strength of book is Platt explaining how Iverson's rough and hard background shaped him into the player that he became in the NBA. The other strength is his explanation of Iverson's marketing appeal. Since Jordan had broke into the league, the sponsors had been looking for the next Jordan: polite, non-threatening, and photogenic - the kind of African-American athlete who transcends race and makes middle class white America feel comfortable. The search had turned up empty, as Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill, and Shaquille O'Neal were unable to completely fill the Jordan mold. Iverson refused to go along with this. He viewed the Nike-type opinion-less and harmless character like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods to be phony people who read what was handed to them and pretended to be somebody else in order to make money. Iverson insisted on "keeping it real." He was who he was and if you didn't like him, he didn't care, because making you happy isn't his priority. Reebok (his shoe sponsor) respected his wishes, and rather than find the next Jordan/Dr. J who would bridge the middle-class white America gap, they burned the bridge, but created a bigger bridge: to the youth of America, who liked the Anti-hero and could relate to Iverson, as their parents and authority figures didn't approve of their friends and their haircuts and/or tattoos. Reebok had done the unthinkable: they threw out the conventional wisdom of sports marketing and re-wrote the laws, and created the next big thing.

If you are a fan of Iverson, definitely read it. If you aren't a big fan of his, but find him interesting or intriguing, and would like to learn more about him - because believe me, everything you thought you knew was wrong - then read it. If you have made up your mind that he is a hooligan and represents all that is wrong in basketball and nothing is going to change your mind, then don't waste your time. I'm not saying you have to think the guy is a pure saint, because he isn't, but there is more to him than meets the eye.

Only the Strong Survive: The Odyssey of Allen Iverson

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Only the Strong Survive: The Odyssey of Allen Iverson
Larry Platt
Manufacturer: Regan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA72NO

Book Description

Continuing the success of the bestselling Practice Makes Perfect series, Practice Makes Perfect English Grammar for ESL Learners features well-organized presentations, skill-building exercises, and a focus on practical conversational skills. Here you will find clear explanations accompanied by highlighted examples and boxed summaries of key points. You also get numerous exercises in a variety of formats, including fill-inthe-blank sentences and passages, translations, multiple-choice questions, sentence rewriting, and creative writing exercises. Answers to all questions are provided in the back of the book.

Customer Reviews:

The reason people hate grammar.......2006-02-24

I returned this book because it annoyed me on the very first page. It starts with a discourse about the difference between proper and common nouns. The approach is very rule-oriented rather than real-world-use oriented.

Practice Makes Perfect: Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners (Practice Makes Perfect)

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Practice Makes Perfect: Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners (Practice Makes Perfect)
Torres-Gouzerh Robin
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

English (All) | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0071462937

Book Description

Take your English skills to the next level

Continuing the success of the bestselling Practice Makes Perfect series, Practice Makes Perfect Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners embraces all aspects of English grammar that you need to continue acquiring the language. More than just a guide to help you memorize English grammar, this practical, insightful book aids you in understanding how and why certain grammar elements are used. Under the guidance of this book, you will move beyond the basics and master the subtleties that come naturally to native speakers.

Book Description

Lavishly illustrated with more than 450 images, A Typographic Workbook, Second Edition explains the process successful designers use to select, space, and creatively integrate fonts. This essential text demonstrates the use of type as a dynamic and expressive communication tool. This edition provides new and updated coverage of a broad range of topics–from a logical, clear historical overview of the craft to the latest digital technologies. Known for its highly interactive format, this Second Edition continues to include helpful review questions and multiple-choice quizzes, as well as many new projects and skill-building exercises that help readers immediately apply what they have learned. A Typographic Workbook, Second Edition is a valuable professional resource for working designers and an indispensable training tool for graphic design students.

Customer Reviews:

Typo Workbook.......2007-01-12

Book received as advertised. Easy transaction and received in a minimum period of time.

A Lovely History and Review of Type in all the Ages.......2006-11-18

This book provides just enough in-depth history of letters and type to keep it interesting and not become a history lesson. Wonderful layout, executing examples of the type talked about by using them. Favorite part is the back with hundreds of fonts displayed on a whole page in all forms. They actually tell the story of Alice in Wonderland from start to finish.

The Wrong Edition is Reviewed Here!.......2005-11-04

The reviews posted here reflect comments made regarding the 1st edition of this book. The second edition takes into account the many concerns indicated here as well as by other professionals, and provides a more streamlined approach in language that is easier to read.

Please take a look at this verion of "A Typographic Workbook" 2ed to reflect on the changes. Post a new review if you have had a chance to look at it as well!

Not beyond all hope! Maybe another edition?.......2005-06-25

I agree with many of the previous reviewers who have remarked on the poor writing style throughout this book! The historical sections are particularly awkward, as though the author did some research and simply tried to rephrase the content (usually unsuccessfully!). Though I was quite put-off by the writing style (or lack thereof), I did press on. What I found was a plethora of good information, useful side bar examples, and creative exercises. There is good content here, but it can be a lot of work to find and absorb it.

I would love to see a new edition of this book, where the author could work more closely with an editor to develop a clear, stronger voice, resulting in a useable teaching tool. If such an edition were to be written, I would suggest a few improvements:

1. Reorganize the sections. The book doesn't flow well from chapter to chapter, and the reader feels directionless while proceeding through the book. Although the history is fascinating, it opens the book and goes on for quite some time. I found myself wanting to skip ahead. Also, it would make more sense to me to discuss the Five Historic Families of Type immediately after the Parts of a Character, rather than throwing the topics of 20th c. Typography and Changes in Printing Technology in the middle.

2. Consider eliminating the technique of switching typefaces every few pages. Yes, the reader does get a sense of which typefaces are more easily read than others at that size/leading, but is it really a good idea to tire and frustrate the reader while attempting to instruct?

3. Eliminate or re-work the introductions. If it is neccesary to give an outline of upcoming topics, perhaps present it as a list rather than writing it out in as a paragraph? The current introductions are glaring examples of what I was taught NOT to do in English classes!

4. Keep a consistent tone. The author swaps rapidly between informal and formal tones, which is disconcerting.

5. Reduce redundancy. It would be better to reference various chapters and allow them to give a thorough explanation of a topic, rather than throwing in mini-definitions anywhere a term or concept is mentioned.

6. The list of popular typefaces at the end of the book is very useful to me, and I have returned to it time and time again. Perhaps after the typefaces are shown/described, a few lists/tables could follow that would group them by classification (old style, transitional, modern, etc.) and also by use (formal invitation, technical manual, classified advertising, logo, etc.)

So... this book is not beyond all hope. Even with all of its faults, I have still found it useful. I would, however, hesitate to recommend it to anyone in its current incarnation... maybe a future edition!

Avoid at all costs.......2004-02-18

This is unequivocally the most poorly written textbook I've ever encountered in my life. I have no idea how this got published. If you casually flip through the book as a cursory review, you'll find that it LOOKS nice, (On almost every other page there's an enlarged sample of a font - complete with an unnecessary, meticulously hand-drawn portrait of it's creator) But once you begin an attempt to actually read the text, it's migraine time. The writing is so distractingly bad that I'm at the point where after reading this book for a few hours, I find myself having learned nothing because I keep finding awkwardly written sentences and revising them in my head instead of retaining the information they're supposed to convey.

As an example, proving why no one should ever spend money on this book, here is an excerpt from the first chapter:

"Those who could read were looked to for advice in all types of disputes and emergencies, their knowledge and judgment were unchallenged. Scribes - those who could write - were believed in some cultures to have power over human life, if an Egyptian scribe wrote your name in the Book of the Dead, your time was up in this world! Doubtless, the scribes did little to dissuade this myth. Scribes were trained in Egypt from the time they were about five years old. Today we have abolished this controlled system of learning writing and reading skills. (But a parallel to that practice today can be seen today in the knowledge of computer programming.) In ancient times, hand-copied scrolls were expensive to produce, (not many people were taught to write); any scrolls were cherished, valued and cared for from one generation to the next."

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