Social Citizenship in the Shadow of Competition: The Bureaucratic Politics of Regulatory Justification (Law, Justice, and Power)

Book Description

Whether you are a leader or a pursuer, 24-7 Innovation takes you beyond the rigid policies, prescriptive processes, and fragmented organizational structures that have stifled true innovation for too long. This step-by-step book shows you how to instill a mind-set of continuous innovation at every level of your organization, one that will allow you to achieve and sustain a leadership position in any market. It outlines a lean, action-based framework designed to put your organization in the state of "perpetual innovation" that is necessary for creating sustainable business success.

Customer Reviews:

Building continuous change........2002-09-26

Titles can be deceptive, particularly when chosen with an eye to capitalizing on fashionable jargon. 24/7 Innovation is primarily about building a climate of continuous organic change and is more about change management and organizational learning than innovation in the commonly used sense of product and service innovation. However, as the author rightly points out, change and innovation in all its forms tends to be seamless, and success depends on embedding a system of goals, relationships, attitudes, processes and technology that work together to support continuous challenge to the status quo in support of superior customer service.

Shapiro argues for what others have called a 'tight-loose' structure, one within which a limited number of well articulated principles allow for substantial freedom of action at all levels and locations, with carefully selected measures and incentives to link endeavour to the core goals. The author's preferred metaphor is jazz, which encourages creativity within simple structures.

He claims that his approach differs from others - particularly reengineering and TQM - in seven respects. While the attributes are not all as uncommon as he implies, they are worth quoting, as they are all important:
"* It is strategic. Innovation is targeted at the critical parts of the business that differentiate it from its competitors.
* It is pervasive ... permeat[ing] every aspect of an organization ...
* It is holistic, acknowledging the ... interdependence of all aspects of the business
* it is focused on creating value ... not ... cost cutting and streamlining without regard for the impact they have on customers and other stakeholders ... and customers in particular.
* It emphasizes governance ... referring to the leadership of a business that sets the standard ...
* It uses technology as an enabler, rather than an answer.
* It recognizes the critical role of people. Innovation is carried out by people for people. Success comes from an uncompromising commitment to an organization's people."

A strength of the book is the structured way in which the elements required for success are set out and explained. This is a 'how to' - a blueprint - but not the simplistic 'seven step' framework that so many authors offer. It works logically through the various capabilities and attributes needed, with guidance on how to build them.

Packed with useful information.......2002-05-03

This is not another innovation book with techniques for generating new ideas. 24/7 Innovation is about creating a culture of innovation within large companies. It addresses the issue of how to change the structure of an organization in order to brings out the best in its employees. There are a number of excellent examples throughout. My favorite is Koch Industries, a very anti-bureaucratic company.

Many business books cover only one topic (e.g., performance measures) and could be summarized in 20 pages. The rest is filler of sorts. Not this book. 24/7 Innovation covers a wide range of topics such as culture change, performance measurement, simulation, processes, and technology. And each is covered quite satisfactorily (some more than others), which means there is a lot to digest.

In many respects, this book deserves 5 stars. It is well written and insightful. The reason for giving it 4 stars is that, as other reviewers have mentioned, it was obviously written by a consultant. As such, it does have some jargon. However, it was easy to read and at times entertaining.

The combination of examples, frameworks, and techniques makes this a pragmatic book. But more importantly, this book makes you think differently.

Filled with consultant hype.......2002-04-25

Shapiro provides a number of interesting examples. These constitute the primary utility of the book.

The structure of the book does not hang together. For example: "Capability" seems to be a major concept, but Shapiro never provides a clear definition.

The material in the chapters does not relate well to the chapter titles. Shapiro claims the chapters outline a framework for understanding and generating innovation. Beyond his assertion, there is nothing to substantiate that claim.

One finds lots of grandiose claims for insightful analytical frameworks which go unfulfilled. Very disappointing.

Shapiro sounds like a consultant hawking his wares.

As W. Edwards Deming noted well and often, experience without theory is meaningless. Shapiro not only displays a lake of theoretical perspectives to organize and highlight insights in his examples, he seems to be unaware of such theories and their relevance.

The book jacket, which I assume he wrote, indicates that Shapiro is "...recognized as one of today's most influential consultants in the area of process capabilities." If true, this, once again, demonstrates the dearth of talent in the consulting arena.

If you know the theories, you can pull some interesting material from this book. The value will come from your knowledge and efforts not from those of the author.

Innovate or Evaporate.......2002-04-05

As Shapiro explains, when offering this "blueprint for surviving and thriving in an age of change," the term "blueprint" is a capability which combines people, processes, and technology that together "deliver business performance as defined by an organization's strategy. This is a key point, one which Bossidy and Charan emphasize in their recently published book, Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done. It is important to keep in mind that any "blueprint" provided in a book such as this must almost always be modified to serve the specific needs and objectives of a given organization. This is precisely what Shapiro has in mind when, in the Introduction, observes "in some respects writing a book that describes best practices for innovation that says that best practices are insufficient is slightly ironic. But to try and copy what another company is doing, lock stock and barrel, is just another form of box thinking. Instead, connect the dots. Make connections. Consider what some companies in this book have been doing and consider them in the context of your own business situation. And then try and use these to create new ideas for fostering innovation." Hammer wrote The Agenda to disabuse those who view reengineering as a "silver bullet." I'm certain that Shapiro hopes his readers will view the "blueprint" delineated in Part 1 of 24/7 Innovation for what it is while understanding what it is not...and cannot be expected to do. Change is inevitable.

Long ago, someone divided people into three categories: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who ask "What happened?" Shapiro views desirable change as as fundamental and pervasive. "It affects customers, suppliers, alliance partners, and anyone who touches [or is touched by] the company. But in today's age of change, success requires nothing less. That's why 24/7 innovation is the only way to achieve a unique and enduring competitive advantage." One of the words now having the loudest buzz is "convergence." (Not long ago, two of the loudest buzzers were "synergies" and "integration.") As Shapiro clearly demonstrates while examining four companies (GlaxoSmithKline, Invensys, The Real Estate Assessment Center of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and BC Hydro) in Appendix A, the most effective organizations are indeed those which achieve and then sustain an appropriate convergence of process, people, and technology. That is, they become and then remain what Shapiro describes as an "organic organization." In his book, he offers all manner of strategies and tactics as well as real-world examples to suggest HOW any organization (regardless of size or nature) can use the principles of "24/7 Innovation" to achieve that formidable objective.

Creating More Competitive Organizations.......2001-11-28

Mr. Shapiro argues that continuous innovation is the only possible source of competitive advantage in a rapidly changing business environment. Yet most companies organize themselves and their efforts in ways that will discourage the development and implementation of these necessary innovations. So rather than doing what you did yesterday better, he wants you to do something new today. This requires a major change in thinking from the typical "lower your costs" and "improve your quality" mentality of many companies. The book is enlivened by many examples from Europe, where Mr. Shapiro practices as a management consultant for Accenture.

One of the things I liked best about this book was the figure on page 18 that describes the organizational progress that is typically followed to go from a functionally bound operation to one that is an alliance-based network of capabilities with partners performing many noncore roles. Many people have difficulty in grasping the different approaches, and this figure may well be helpful to some of them.

The book's focus is around organizing new and improving on old capabilities. A capability is a holistic concept of something that enables "an organization to perform optimally in activities that typically require processes, people, and technology. Capabilities derive from an explicit strategy, and they deliver measurable results." It is in this context that innovation is conceived of as a capability. Mr. Shapiro wants you to focus on where outdistancing the competition will make a difference with the customer, and then use your innovation capability to enhance your capabilities in this differentiating capability. For a pharmaceutical company, this might mean improving the capability to generate new products to market. The main point here is that there is a combination of factors that need to be considered that is beyond what is contained in a single process. The best way to think in capability terms is to focus on some output of the organization that is meaningful to customers. He is also mindful of the problem of optimizing a system, rather than part of a system, as The Fifth Discipline has made us all sensitive to.

One of the nice qualities of this book is that Mr. Shapiro has a sense of humor, something rarely found in business books. He tells a very funny story about buying airline tickets on-line as a counterpoint to his emphasis on the importance of information technology.

Those who like to take an analytical approach to any problem will find Mr. Shapiro's thinking the most helpful. He has taken right-brained tasks and described them in left-brain terms. But be sure to pay attention to the Koch examples, which take a more right-brained approach to the challenge than most of the other examples do. For those with little intuition, this left-brained "connecting the dots" may be the only way to move forward. If you have also read nothing on improving corporate innovation, this is a good book to start with.

While I admired the book, Mr. Shapiro seemed to have limited his thinking in two important areas that you should be aware of. First, he sees innovation as being most valuable in creating new business models, yet he pays relatively little attention to this specific form of innovation in the book. Instead, most of the book talks about enhancing capabilities where an organization needs an external partner or to blend individual processes better. Second, he sees using information technology as a critical element to improving innovation. My own experience in studying innovation has shown that using more information technology is seldom a critical element in creating a new competitive advantage. Creating better communication and mutual understanding are often quite important, and these can be aided by simply better organizing the communications that take place now. So take this part of the book with a grain of salt.

I didn't know enough about the European examples to know how accurate they were. I was struck by many minor errors in the U.S. ones though. Since Mr. Shapiro worked in Accenture's New York office for 15 years and has many U.S. colleagues, I found these errors puzzling. The errors made me wonder how accurate the European examples are.

If you have already been through The Fifth Discipline, The Fifth Discipline Workbook, and The Dance of Change, you will probably find this book more general than what you need to expand your understanding of corporate creativity that leads to successful innovations.

If you are trying to decide whether to read Michael Hammer's The Agenda or 24/7 Innovation, take 24/7 Innovation.

How can you continuously create improved business models?

24/7 Innovation: A Blueprint for Surviving and Thriving in an Age of Change
Average customer rating:
24/7 Innovation: A Blueprint for Surviving and Thriving in an Age of Change
Steven M. Shapiro
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Companies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFWAKE

The State of Food and Agriculture 1996 (State of Food and Agriculture)
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The State of Food and Agriculture 1996 (State of Food and Agriculture)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Manufacturer: Food & Agriculture Org
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Agricultural | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Hospitality, Travel & Tourism | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Agricultural Sciences | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 9251038589

The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture: 1996
Average customer rating:
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture: 1996
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Manufacturer: Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Hospitality, Travel & Tourism | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Fish & Sharks | Animals | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Fisheries & Aquaculture | Natural Resources | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 9251039410

An Act Making Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Programs for the Fiscal Year Ending ... for Other Purposes (SuDoc AE 2.110:104-37)
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An Act Making Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Programs for the Fiscal Year Ending ... for Other Purposes (SuDoc AE 2.110:104-37)
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Manufacturer: U.S. G.P.O.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00010PWD4

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriation bill, 1996 : report (to accompany H.R. 1976) (SuDoc Y 1.1/5:104-142)
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Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriation bill, 1996 : report (to accompany H.R. 1976) (SuDoc Y 1.1/5:104-142)
U.S. Congressional Budget Office
Manufacturer: U.S. G.P.O.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00010PCJI

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriations bill, 1996 : report together with additional views (to accompany H.R. 1976) (SuDoc Y 1.1/8:104-172)
Average customer rating:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriations bill, 1996 : report together with additional views (to accompany H.R. 1976) (SuDoc Y 1.1/8:104-172)
U.S. Congressional Budget Office
Manufacturer: U.S. G.P.O.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00010ODQ6

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations for 1996: Hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee ... One Hundred Third Congress, second session
Average customer rating:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations for 1996: Hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee ... One Hundred Third Congress, second session
United States
Manufacturer: For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Law | Subjects | Books | Administrative Law | Biographies | Business | Constitutional Law | Criminal Law | Current Affairs | Dictionaries & Terminology | English Law | Environmental & Natural Resources Law | Ethics & Professional Responsibility | Family & Health Law | General | Intellectual Property | International Law | Law Practice | Legal Education | Legal History | Media & the Law | One-L | Perspectives on Law | Philosophy | Practical Guides | Private Law | Procedures & Litigation | Series | Specialties | Statute Summaries | Statutes & Cases | Taxation
ASIN: 0160472806

Continuing survey of food intakes by individuals 1994-1996, 1998 (SuDoc A 77.40:F 73/2000/CD)
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Continuing survey of food intakes by individuals 1994-1996, 1998 (SuDoc A 77.40:F 73/2000/CD)
U.S. Dept of Agriculture
Manufacturer: Food Surveys Research Group, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0001137UI

Food cost review, 1996 (Agricultural economic report)
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Food cost review, 1996 (Agricultural economic report)
Howard Elitzak
Manufacturer: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006QWF2O

The food marketing system in 1996 (Agriculture information bulletin)
Average customer rating:
The food marketing system in 1996 (Agriculture information bulletin)
Anthony E Gallo
Manufacturer: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, ERS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Food Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006QY9T6

Investigation of the use of Food Stamp Program funds to obtain services from private contractors: Hearing before the Committee on Agriculture, House of ... Fourth Congress, second session, May 8, 1996
Average customer rating:
Investigation of the use of Food Stamp Program funds to obtain services from private contractors: Hearing before the Committee on Agriculture, House of ... Fourth Congress, second session, May 8, 1996
United States
Manufacturer: For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0160527732

Book Description

Today, fluorescence spectroscopy is an important tool of investigation in many areas. In analytical sciences, its advantage is extremely high sensitivity and selectivity - even single molecules can be detected - and it achieves a high spatial resolution and time resolution in combination with microscopic techniques or laser techniques, respectively. In material sciences, this is used to study structure and dynamics of surfaces. Particularly in the areas of biochemistry and molecular genetics, fluorescence spectroscopy has become a dominating technique. Together with the latest imaging techniques, fluorescence spectroscopy allows a real-time observation of the dynamics of intact biological systems with an unprecedented resolution.
This book offers a comprehensive introduction to and survey of fluorescence spectroscopy. It is written for newcomers and active researchers alike who are learning to apply fluorescence methods in the areas of chemistry, physical chemistry, polymers, materials, colloids, biochemistry, biology, medical and pharmaceutical research.

Customer Reviews:

great for beginners, but too few references.......2003-12-07

This is a great introductory book. Beautifully edited, very well written, with a lot of information to start digging each subject; I just missed a few more references in each chapter, and also more references to journals and not just other books, and then I would have been a 5 star.

Molecular Fluorescence - Principles & Applications

Average customer rating:

Molecular Fluorescence - Principles & Applications
BERNARD VALEUR
Manufacturer: JOHN WILEY AND SONS LTD
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N5F1ZQ

Animals are Soul Too!
Average customer rating:

Klemp is evil, STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Spiritual Insights about Animals

A wonderful book

This book is about Love

Not Recommended

Animals are Soul Too!
Harold Klemp
Manufacturer: Eckankar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Eckankar | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Animals | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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Truth Has No Secrets

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Love: The Keystone of Life

How to Survive Spiritually in Our Times

ASIN: 1570432147

Customer Reviews:

Klemp is evil, STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-09-09

I warn you with all my heart to stay away from Eckankar it is truly a religion of the deepest evil for it engages in true deception which is good mixed with evil. The entire foundational doctorine of Eckankar is deceptive. I was once an Eckist and was awakened by the Spirit to its lies. It will lead you to a true hell where bad is good and good is bad and you will end up with a smile on your face while you are being stabbed in the back by Satan wrapped in Eckankar clothing and you will say it was of the light that you passed, furthermore Satsn leads men and women down to the depths of hell rhrough flaxen cord that is initially soft to the touch and thought until it is bound around the neck and becomes a chain that pulls the victim into his serpent cluches and squeezes the very spiritual life out of their precious soul and can only be redeemed by a Savior. Please do not read Eck material it is so harmful, I warn you with all my might no matter how good it sounds do not take the candy from the stranger for his plans are dark and evil. I know people will disagree with what I have said and to them I urge to reevaluate their beliefs, to search the internet, common sense, and their heart extensively and the truth will be revealed. Eckankar is a wolf in sheeps clothing and has no love for you or you eternal welfare. I honor and respect your free agency and I know I am but a man and that I am flawed and that I make mistakes every day, but I have been there and I implore you with all the love of my heart to stay away from the black widow that is Eckankar it will literally kill you and leave you with nothing.

Great Spiritual Insights about Animals.......2005-11-10

Animals Are Souls, Too! offers wonderful insights into how souls, wearing animal bodies, operate in this world as carriers of love. The stories are short and digestible. I found them good to read at night, before bed, as a gentle reminder that there is love, light, and grace in a world that can often be dark. I especially liked the spiritual exercises that are scattered throughout the book. Nothing could be more fun than singing HU, a sacred name for God, to an animal.

A wonderful book.......2005-07-27

This is a delightful and uplifting collection of short vignettes each of which illustrates a way in which each creature we encounter can show unconditional love, and showed me how much we can learn about the highest form of love from the smallest of creatures. Each is a simple and moving story that I believe most children would enjoy as much as did I.

This book is about Love.......2005-06-18

I found this book very uplifting and full of love. Animal love & humans love. Its all the same, it all comes from God. There are many wonderful stories. I would reccomend it.

Not Recommended.......2005-05-16

I regret buying this book. This book was advertised in Spirituality & Insights, a magazine to which I subscribe. I bought it because I thought it was an insight into true stories about animals & how they'd spiritually communicated. What this book is actually about is a religion/cult that Harold Klemp, a self-prophesed prophet, calls ECK. These are fictional 1 1/2 page stories that could be bedtime stories for children. Not what I had in mind. I've read 2 stories & will read no further.
I consider myself very open minded & am of no specific religion. I believe all faiths offer something. I dont like that this book was portrayed as though it would provide a defining insight that animals do indeed have souls. (I dont doubt that they do)
If you want a nonfiction book about whether or not animals have souls, do not buy this book. If you're interested in "ECK" then buy this, cuz thats all it is promoting, nothing else.

Dogs Have Souls Too: The Spirit of Miss Sarah

Average customer rating:

eyes of the soul
My Friend-a dog

Dogs Have Souls Too: The Spirit of Miss Sarah
George Watson , and Emily Watson
Manufacturer: Pmd Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews:

eyes of the soul.......2000-10-07

This book is the story of a journey. This journey involves man's best friend. Anyone who has had a pet, dog, kitten, or bird may recall that day. A day of joy, happiness, and yes growing. This story to me is about faith, trust and love. You can't love without knowing the person, or animal. Trust, trust in above-to believe pets will welcome us into heaven.

Anyone who has loved will realize the greatest test of love is to let go, or release from pain and sorrow. This is what this story is about. You love, befriend, and hardest of all, let go, and then believe.

My Friend-a dog.......2000-10-06

In my opion this is a book any pet owner will cherish. We have pets who bond to us, as people do not. A child, a couple or a single;, we each have a bond with a pet different than others. You get a puppy, so tiny, and full of spirit. When you watch this tiny animal grow, and mature, just as a plant, you wonder at it all. The problem with animals is there life is not as long as ours. It seems just as you know each others thoughts, you look and your best friend seems, or maybe not, old. Time goes on, you just dont believe it. The day does come when you need to face it. Tears flow, yes the pain and sorrow is real. This book tells it all. The greatest act is to let go, when you feel the pain. The eyes are the mirrow of the soul, and the eyes tell you when it is time. The time is only on earth, for God will allow us to meet again in heaven.

The Way And The Power: Secrets Of Japanese Strategy
Average customer rating:

Controversial, Indeed

tiresome writing style, bad examples

I hate to destroy a book...

Details of the Masters

This book is garbage.

The Way And The Power: Secrets Of Japanese Strategy
Frederick J. Lovret
Manufacturer: Paladin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Strategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

ASIN: 0873644093

Book Description

Find out how famous Western battles could have been fought differently had the generals known the secrets of Japanese strategy. An expert instructor of kenjutsu and aikijutsu, Fredrick Lovret explores the use of its principles on the battlefield and in the world of business. Whether entering battle against a military foe, business competitor or kenjutsu master, be prepared to conquer!

Customer Reviews:

Controversial, Indeed.......2005-12-06

Notice that reviewers tend to either love or hate this book? When I read this book, I had trouble putting it down. I'm guessing that without some time in martial arts, and with a Western perspective, "The Way and the Power" will not make much sense. In fact, some reviewers perceive it as nonsense.

But if you are a serious student of the martial arts, with enough time spent in practice, it has a clear message. Mr Lovret has an amazing way of explaining Japanese terms and philosophy. If you understand his message, not just intellectually, but as it applies to your practice and your daily life, you will appreciate his insight. In fact, Mr Lovret takes great care to "de-mystify" concepts like "ki" which are often misinterpreted by westerners.

If you didn't like the book, that's fine. But at least pass it on to someone who might appreciate it. Or come back to it after you have more time in the martial arts and re-read it. It contains wonderful insights.

tiresome writing style, bad examples.......2004-11-30

The book has a number of failings that make it not worth the money, unless you can find it in a .99 cent bin at some used bookstore. It is worth the .99 cents because (and this is its one and only good point) is it does contain a list of the major concepts of Japanese military strategy. This list is the table of contents.

Once you get beyond the table of contents, the book turns utterly useless. It is poorly written and features somewhat pointless photos. Three things really condemn the book. First is what I have come to call the "macho-military martial arts" tone of it. The author goes on and on about "warriors" this and "warriors" that and trained killers and how there are two classes of people on earth; the wolves (and I guess the author fits himself in that category, which provides the first laugh of the book as the author, at least to my knowledge, was nothing more than an enlisted guy in the Navy and a gift shop keeper and running his martial arts studio) and the sheep (which are those who have not been "in combat") and it rapidly becomes tiresome. That kind of talk is okay for a video game manual but is less suitable for what I presume was supposed to be an adult book.

Reason number two is the fact that the supposed business examples of how to use these strategies are foolishly and unrealistically simplistic. Yes, he claims that running a business is just like running a military battle; which it is not. And even on the martial side the book talks in such generalities that the strategies do not have much use. If you are interested in Japanese/Chinese military strategy Samuel B. Griffith's translation of Sun Tzu: The Art of War is the one stop source for that.

Reason number three is the fact that the author seems to have little background in Japanese martial arts. Amazon reader review policy says not to attack authors so I will not. Suffice to say, the book looks like it was largely copied from other english language sources and padding is provided by the hyperbole of the author. For example this typical bit of prose in the introduction; "A man, like a tree, begins as a seed. As with a tree, his birth is a time of struggle. From that day forward he exists in a constant state of war with his environment. To live he must eat and to eat he must kill.." well, you get the point. Actually author Fred, to eat I go to the store or the Golden Arches, I have gone 46 years and never killed anything and neither, I strongly suspect, has the author, so that kind of talk just comes out sounding stupid.

Well too, I guess if you want a laugh or are a collector of really bad martial arts books .99 cents may not be too much for this book.

I hate to destroy a book..........2003-03-06

but I had to with this. I didn't want such a horrible book to fall into someone elses hands and them getting delusions of Japanese fighting. The authors martial background is questionable. He claims he is/was the only one taught some super secret Ninja sword fighting technique from a Ninja master because he saved his life. The book is poorly written, has alot of questionable material, bad visuals and just plain awful. I agree with the others, this book wastes shelf space and deserves to be destroyed.

Details of the Masters.......2001-12-18

This is an outstanding book, full of the wisdom and spirit needed for martial arts and survival. Without intending to, Lovret has created a work that clarifies the tactics and techniques listed by Miyamoto Musashi. Beyond merely teaching us the strategies of sword-fighting, he details each principle as it applies to weapons, empty hand, grappling, competition, street use, and business. This book is the modern addendum to the "Book of Five Rings", and is a must for any serious student of the martial arts. Only those living in a fantasy of idealized notions would be unable to see the wisdom therein.

This book is garbage........2001-07-11

This book is complete garbage. I found it a waste of money and time reading it. The best thing I can find use for in this book was to keep the fire going on a cold winter night. This is another great book published by Paladin Press which brought you such great books written by Ashida Kim. Don't waste your time buying this.

The Way and the Power: Secrets of Japanese Strategy

Average customer rating:

The Way and the Power: Secrets of Japanese Strategy
Frederick J. Lovret
Manufacturer: Paladin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MAQVPQ

Book Description

Punctuation Plain and Simple gives you a simple and understandable method for learning the basics of punctuation. Every chapter goes into detail about a specific punctuation mark and gives you hands-on experience in punctuating prose.

Customer Reviews:

A superb quick reference.......2004-07-28

I purchased a copy of this book because I needed something easier to use than my Prentice Hall Handbook for Writers to double check during the copyediting process. It has been a godsend. The rules are presented in a clear and easy to understand manner and the examples are excellent. This is a must-have for any writer, editor, or student.

Clear and Concise.......2000-10-08

This book presents a clear and concise approach to puncuation rules and their usages. Extremely helpful to high school students. Examples are direct, and the organization of the materials is well thought of. A handly text for English teachers and high school students.

Average customer rating:

Punctuation Plain & Simple

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

ASIN: 0760721513

Book Description

Turn the pages of An Introduction to Pastels and discover an exciting art course that teaches you how to work in this expressive and versatile medium. An Introduction to Pastels is a practical guide to a wide range of pastel techniques. More than 300 photographs guide the beginner through a series of exercises designed to teach all the essentials of pastels. revealing projects focus on professional portraits, landscapes, and abstracts, all shown in the making so novices can follow the creative process step-by-step. Unique gallery pages display works of masters -- pastels that will instruct and inspire every student of the medium. Packed with specially commissioned artworks, clear instruction, and easy-to-follow exercises, the DK Art School offers ideal courses for "armchair" art students. The DK Art School series is a new way to learn, improve, or master drawing and painting skills. Carefully constructed courses ensure that you gain both the confidence and the know-how to create imaginative, beautiful pictures. With individual volumes on subjects like still life, portraiture, or landscape, in specific media such as oil, watercolor, or acrylic, The DK Art school series offers something for everyone, and builds into a unique collection of practical art books.

Customer Reviews:

Very Beginnings for very beginners.......2000-09-27

This book helped me know what I needed to get started. I like his use of classics in pastel to illustrate the beauty and range of the medium. Excellent tips for beginners from what you need, to creating your own paper for pastel work. It also give good information on how to decide what type of pastels to use - by showing different types in action.

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