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Devastated by her husband's death, Kathy Malone has traveled to his childhood home, hoping to come to terms with the recent tragedy. Here in the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany, she seeks solace—and discovers something sinister instead. Befriending a lonely boy named Pietro—accepting the chilly hospitality of the aristocratic Contessa Morandini—Kathy begins to uncover the pieces of an ominous puzzle and hints of a deadly obsession. And now she has stumbled upon a murderous plot that could cost Kathy her life—for it was meant to stay hidden . . . forever.

Customer Reviews (7)

Not one of her best
For The Grey Beginning, Barbara Michaels departs from her usual setting.Her forte is the cozy Gothic set in or around Washington, D.C. and those are incomparable and wonderful.

TGB is set in a Tuscan Villa.Stock sinister characters such as the loutish henchman, the Mrs. Danverish housekeeper and the young, vulnerable heroine are present, though with the Michaels spin.The heroine has plenty of romantic interests to choose from, and though her encounters with the PhD candidate in the attic, and the attrative psychiatrist are enjoyable reading, the storylines never tie up.The book just ends, after a terrifying though unlikely confrontation.

Still, Barbara Michaels at her worst is better than the average, so if you're a fan, go ahead and read this one.Just don't expect Ammie, Come Home, or Shattered Silk.

not so good
One of the things that bothered me most about this book was that a young boy was being mistreated through the whole thing, while it took the heroine forever to get it that something wasn't right about this whole setup.Also, I think the author keeps the reader in the dark way too long about some things concerning the main character's marriage. I think in a mystery the author should provide some clues about the characters, so that at least the reader can look back and say, Oh, that's why he did such and such!" Maybe, the writer didn't know herself at all how it would go, but then she should go back and rewrite a little so that the plot and characters make sense.It would have been nice, too if the selected hero was a tad more effectual.None of the characters were very interesting or engaging, except for the Contessawho was somewhat interesting, and the boy who was engagingly brave and sweet.The story goes on way too long with nothing revealed.Other books by the author are much better written.

For lovers of the gothic genre
Very modern gothic. The atmosphere was perfect: the isolated villa near Firenze, the hostile servants, the tragic little kid. But this is Barbara Michaels, so all this oppressiveness was tempered with touches of humour, like Pietro's preocupation with American football and the character of David. It worked perfectly.

I loved that it took me a long time to be sure of what exactly was happening, though I had some ideas almost from the first. The important thing was that Kathy was perfectly justified in not realizing what was going on; too often the heroine in a gothic comes across as stupid for not noticing things. Not her.

The what exactly was going on was a bit jarring and not completely believable, so this wasn't perfect. Other than that, an excellent example of the genre.

Suspenseful Barbara Michaels
This book focuses on the life of Kathy Morandini, after her death of her husband, Bart. It goes through the challenges and surprises she encounters while trying to cope with her husband's death. In the mean time, she tries to find closure with her husband's old-fashioned Italian family. Primarily, with the Contessa Morandini, Bart's grandmother, who never met the girl with whom Bart spent his last days. Their first meeting ended up with the idea that Kathy was pregnant with Bart's child, a lie which kept her alive. Instead, what Kathy does get out of it is a child branded with madness, a couple of possible new love interests, and the spook of a lifetime. The Italian countryside, where the Morandini villa was located, proved to be a haunting place full of lies, death, treachery, and disgrace, and Kathy was caught in the middle of it all.
Barbara Michaels used an interesting and subtle way to add romance with suspense into her novel. She created a setting for a Nancy Drew mixed with Stephen King suspense elements in The Grey Beginning. I liked the easy-to-read writing that was used for a better understanding of the context and the many surprises that were added which made me not want to put the book down. This book was written to throw the reader off into a game of guessing where everyone was an actor in this mystery.
The clues that were dropped, threw my guesses off track and made me more caught up in the novel. I started to read this book thinking it would just be a story about the memories recollected by a young widow haunted by her husband's death. But because of Barbara Michaels captivating writing skills, this book was far from what I expected it to be. Instead, it was an intriguing look into the dangers of love and hate, faith and betrayal.
I recommend this novel to those who like page-turners full of romance embedded with a mix of thrill and mystery. It was an attention-grabber and I hope everyone will enjoy The Grey Beginning as I did.

Must've been having a bad time
Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels is one of the few non-fantasy authors that I devote any time to, and when she is good she is AMAZING. Such books as "The Crying Child," "Shattered Silk," and "Houses of Stone" have kept me reading wide-eyed long into the night. This book didn't really have that quality (and normally I love books set in Italy) like the dismal "Here I Stay," which I was unable to FINISH.

Heroine Kathy Malone, recovering from a stay in a loony bin following the death of her husband Bart, is travelling to Italy to tell his formidable grandmother of his death. Through a rather bizarre event, the grandmother comes to believe that Kathy is pregnant with Bart's child, and insists on keeping her there in royal treatment. Kathy gets a boyfriend or two, and befriends a ten-year-old relation named Pietro who is reportedly insane - and then discovers a sinister web of deception and death, that ensnares her and Pietro both.

I wish there were more plot to describe without giving away the ending, but sadly there isn't. This book would have made a better short story. There is too much time spent on Kathy rambling around the Italian village and lying to the Contessa and worrying about not being pregnant and insisting that Pietro is sane. There was nothing particularly endearing or enlightening about Kathy, or indeed about any of the characters. The Contessa is the most engaging person in the book, yet even she is not particularly interesting to the reader.

Michaels is also a master of witty prose/dialogue and romantic suspense, but neither is in this book. The best humor is some heavy-handed stuff about Kathy's childhood nickname, and the romance consists of Kathy conversing (I can't say flirting) with some local guys, all of whom have as little personality as she.

Quite a few sections should have been edited (if Bart was such a fink, why did Kathy continue to have erotic dreams about him?) or explained in more detail (the housekeeper's actions at the end). Even the writing style is rather dry and unexplanatory. The pace is uneven -- the book dribbles along for the first three quarters, then rushes the rest of the way.

I can only assume that Ms. Michaels was having a bad time during the writing of this book, and then go back to "Houses." ... Read more

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This audio of inspiring selections from A Course in Miracles is read by a collegue of Dr. Schucman and a faithful supporter of her "scribing." ... Read more

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Identify strengths, sharpen existing skills, and develop new habits to improve your reading. ... Read more

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Hipp, author of Feed Your Head: Some Excellent Stuff on Being Yourself, presents a guide that helps teens understand how they experience grief and loss, how our culture in general doesn't often acknowledge their losses or give them tools to grieve, and how they can keep their loss from overflowing. Illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Help for the Hard Times
This useful book is sure to offer wonderful help to its readers. It offers just the right strategies and approaches as it prepares you to move forward from hard times to happier times.

Bonnie Collins
Life Coach

For All Ages
I found this book to be written in a simple, straightforward manner that applies to all ages.
I especially liked the chapter on supporting those who are in a state of grief. The book is beautifully written and uplifting for all ages. My wife of 33 years recently died and this book gave me more aid and solace than the more sophisticated writings recommended by my grief support group.
I would advise any person from adult teen to older adult to purchase this book.

Get This Book for the Grieving Teen in Your Life
I work with grieving teens and whenever possible, I give them a copy of this book.Every page has a gem that can help them sort through their feelings and experiences.All of the children have told me this book really helps them.It is written in large print with pictures, poems, and sayings throughout making it extremely accessible for a grieving teen (or adult, for that matter).It is one of the very best books written for grieving teens.I recommend it highly.

Thank you to Earl Hipp
I just wanted you to know that both my teens have read your book, "Help for the Hard Times".It was the only book on loss that really made them feel like it spoke to their true feelings.I can't thankyou enough for writing such a wonderful book.I am recently widowed, anduntil I discovered your book, I was desperately searching.I bought anextra copy and donated it to my school district.I am a MSW graduatestudent at Fordham University.I eventually hope to work in the publicschool system.You can bet your book will be on the shelf along with myother resources.

Great for adults too!
I recently read the book, Help for the Hard Times, Getting Through Loss." I am a divorced mother of two great kids 13 and 18. I was divorced after 21 years of marriage. I went looking for a book I could giveto my kids to help hem deal with their own issues of loss revolving aroundthe divorce. I went through my own hard times, and in fact am just nowafter 3 years reaching the healing times. Unfortunately, my kids grief isjust now showing up in ways that until now went unrecognized by them or me.I have to say that this book was very enlightening to me and therefore justcan't loose with my kids. I will read it together with my 13-year-old, andgive it to my 18-year-old to read on her own. This kind of nuts and boltshelp can be very helpful to people of all ages, not just the kids. Sometimes we have to go back to the basics in order to heal an overloadedloss pot, and recognizing the stages is a great start.

Sally D. Divorcedmother with a big loss to heal! ... Read more

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People are more successful in life when they get off to a great start. You will have an early advantage over the competition when you follow the principles within this practical book and apply them with enthusiasm, self-confidence and a positive attitude. Many highly intelligent young adults fall short of their potential because they don't address "The 4 Realities": 1. You Can Be More Successful In College2. It Takes An Effective Job Search To Land The Job You Want3. You Can Be More Effective In Your Fist Job4. Life On Your Own Shouldn't Be A Rude Awakening Most students would like to do their best in college but receive little guidance and are left to their own devices. We'll show you how to develop and carry out a plan of action that will boost your grades, greatly expand your resume and make you more attractive to potential employers and Graduate Schools. Finding a job is an experience for which most students are unprepared. They don't know what to do, how to do it, when to do it, how to differentiate themselves from other students and don't know how to prepare. This book has the answers to the questions that every student must ask and answer if he/she plans to conduct an effective job search. The way you perform in your first job can positively or negatively affect your career. Making a good first impression and knowing exactly what your employer wants from you can make all of the difference. If you want to get ahead of the learning curve and stay there, you will find some great advice and suggestions in this section. As young adults leave home to go out to live on their own for the first time, there is a great deal of information they must absorb in order to avoid the missteps that can ruin the experience. People who live independently must be ready for everything that comes their way. We'll shine a light on the things you are likely to encounter and show you how to deal with them. Lastly, this is not a boring text. It is a useful guide that is ch ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

The 4 Realities of Success During and After College
The 4 Realities of Success During and After College is a huge resource book for those setting off to college, those in post secondary education, and those starting off into the work world. As the title suggests, the author sets out four statements of reality: You Can Be More Successful In College, It Takes An Effective Job Search To Land The Job You Want, You Can Be More Effective In Your First Job, and Going Out On Your Own Shouldn't Be A Rude Awakening. The author uses these realities to discuss subjects ranging from how to choose a major and activities you can do in college to improve your resume through how to write a sales letter rather than the typical cover letter and preparing for the interview to the importance of learning new skills in the job place and the realities of budgeting.

The 4 Realities of Success During and After College is really quite extensive covering virtually every topic that a young person would need to start their lives in the real world. While some of the ideas might seem a bit overwhelming when piled together in such a large volume, it is important that the young reader realize that any amount of forethought, planning, and organization will ultimately help with job search after college.

A practical and helpful gift to your college student, recent grad, young adult or YOURSELF!!
I have known Bob a number of years as a friend and colleague.

Bob has gathered his wisdom in this book based on his professional and life experiences. I find his book to be unique in its topic, approach and straight-forward clarity.

If you care about someone who falls into one of the categories of student, recent grad or young adult, it is a good gift.Or buy one for yourself if you can handle some reality-based advice.

Michael Rectenwald, SPHR

The four realities of success you won't learn in class
"Wow, I can't believe college is almost over!What have I been doing these past four years?" Many students (even those who have already been in college for a few years) find themselves facing a rude awakening when forced to face "the real world."The key to success in college, the workplace, relationships, and life in general is to discover motivation and guidance from the right source.Bob Roth's new book, "The Four Realities of Success During and After College" intends to do just that.
Roth's guide to success is divided into four sections:You Can Be More Successful in College, It Takes an Effective Job Search to Land the Job You Want, You Can Be More Effective in Your First Job, and Life on You Own Shouldn't Be a Rude Awakening.The book serves as a guide to students who try their best to do well, but are left at a disadvantage by receiving little guidance and real advice from successful people.
Some of the important tips are based on common sense, such as taking care of your personal health, planning and preparing for academic success and joining activities or groups in order to develop your personal self.Roth also includes especially helpful information in categories (such as excellent, fair and poor GPA ranges) corresponding with employers' or grad schools' typical opinions of such achievements or involvements.
With respect to an effective job search, the author presents information, especially on interviewing skills, negotiating and the importance of networking or directly contacting employers in order to land your first job.This section overlaps some of the college success section where good grades and practical experience help to get a desired first job.
Success in the first job is also very important, as it is the starting point of one's career and experience in the adult world.Roth includes the importance of communication and one's personal behavior in achieving overall success (and possibly a promotion down the road).
The fourth reality dealt with includes your personal life in the real world.Roth includes information on relocation, transportation, insurance, roommates and friends.The book also includes many appendices with useful websites including those concerning job searches, resumes, credit services, summer jobs, internships and a wide listing of web pages for many well-known companies.
Roth's book is filled with an incredible amount of helpful information.While not necessary to be read cover to cover, the table of contents is specifically labeled so that you can find a sufficient amount of information and practical advice about a certain topic easily and quickly.The book is definitely worth a purchase as a reference guide to life.

THE 4 REALITIES OF SUCCESS DURING AND AFTER COLLEGE, by Bob Roth, published by AuthorHouse, ISBN: 1-4208-4470-9, $27.75
Writing for college students, recent graduates and young adults the author, Bob Roth has crafted a detailed map for the individual reader (and their parents), as they go down the road toward success.While most young adults, and their parents, are concerned about how they are going to succeed they generally do not have a specific plan or they do not start planning early enough.One of the author's stated purposes is to enable the readers to develop their plan, their road map, before starting and while in college.

You can be more successful in college is the first reality of the four detailed by the author.While in college, according to the author, it is important if not critical, that the individual have a have a plan.In addition to being able to follow this plan to achieve success in college, there is one specific benefit that will accrue and that is the individual will be able to answer queries as to why he/she should be selected over other qualified candidates.The answer would for the readers (and users) of this book is that they have had experience in goal setting and planning to achieve that goal, and that these techniques and experience are directly analogous to what would be and is needed in a corporate position.In other words, they have will specific related experiences directly applicable to the position for which they are being interviewed no matter what the position.

There are several factors, parts, which have to be included in this plan.After determining the goals, actions needed have to be developed together with the steps to achieve the goal.Next to be considered after figuring out what and how this plan, its objective and the steps to carry it out, are the steps needed to impress future employers.It is all about how does one stand out from the crowd when being interviewed for a position in an organization, and having a plan and successfully implementing it will help the interviewee do this.In describing the thought patterns, tasks and methods the author gives a complete rundown of what would be needed to succeed in this reality, as he does in each of the remaining three realities.

It takes an effective job search to land the job you want is the second reality and in this chapter the author gives various procedures and techniques to assist the reader in the process of searching for and landing a position.Emphasizing that the reader will have to find a job on his/her own, the author defines the reality as being that if nobody is chasing you to offer you and good job, you will have to chase them and that the biggest mistake anyone can make is to think that we work for anybody but ourselves.

The most important point in this part is that one has to understand that life and job searching is a continual sales process and that every action has to seen from that point of view.
Settling into your first job is the third reality and it is the pivotal one in that one can acquire and develop the habits that will lead to a successful career.To enhance ones reputation the beginning employee needs to perform all of their work in an outstanding manner without complaining by doing what ever is needed, doing it fast, doing it cheerfully and correctly.As in the entire book the author details various details of work patterns and habits that are necessary for the reader to be aware of and to successfully implement and utilize in order to succeed in the work place.

Going out on your own shouldn't be a rude awakening is the fourth reality.It is in the segment that the author details what seems to be all the things that a person needs to know and become proficient in to succeed in handling ones own life.This includes everything from banking, moving to a new neighborhood, purchasing a car to starting a relationship with a bank.

This book can and will also become a primer for any parent, or grandparent for that matter, when assisting a son or daughter to start down the path to being independent.The 4 Realities of Success is a book, when read, studied and used, will become a guide to success for the reader.


Bill Foster. President of Foster Coaching/Consulting Group, coaches individuals, executives and businesses to identify and create their niche-their specialness-and then to identify, set and achieve their goals.He coaches each client's step along the way-by creating an alliance with the client for success. -30-

The4 realities to succeed are here
Here is a self-help/how to book that tells college students about all the things they must take care of in order to be mate with success. Published by Authothouse, (Indiana, 2005) Bob Roth's The 4 Realities of Success During and After College is a guide for college students, recent graduates, and young adults, showing how to achieve success by a stepwise pursuit of the four realities of success. These are:
1. You can be more successful in college
2. It takes an effective job search to land the job you want
3. You can be more effective in your job search
4. Going out on your own shouldn't be a rude awakening

Roth takes the pains to present his readers with 62 chapters, 7 appendices, a bibliography, and an index all that would leave no point practically counting in a successful career. The book offers advice on organizational skills as a student, intelligent job-hunting, fixing a stance in one's first job, and living as an individual. There is enough information and advice on each point the author lists.

With all the advice and lists of innumerable things to care for, The 4 Realities of Success During and After College underwhelms as a book. A lot of repetition and redundancy is obtrusively thwarting the reader's attempt to get along with it. Points are given patchy descriptions instead of full-fledged elaboration, resulting in a jumpy feeling. The reader is constantly stuffed with points and steps to follow and no passage is devoted to let him participate in the field being explored. A preachy tone is seen in which a voice constantly haunts you to do or avoid certain things. More importantly, three fourth of the book tells you `what to do or avoid' but not `how to bring this about'. Part four (Going out on your own shouldn't be a rude awakening) is more practicable and wisely construed than the other three realities where countless things are to be done without having any idea how to be motivated in their direction. In any case, the individual has to lose most (if not all) of his self if he follows half of what he is being led to. It's like `be yourself or gain success.'

One thing, perhaps the only one that captures the interest and conveys wisdom is inclusion of quotes from really successful figures like R.W. Emerson, Oscar Wilde, Benjamin Franklin, Frank Tyger, and so on. One such from Albert Schweitzer reads `I do not believe that we can put into anyone ideas which are not in him already.'
... Read more

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Extraordinary collection by renowned writers and researchers--This monograph represents a variety of perspectives and professional experience.The contributing writers are among the most distinguished clinicians and researchers in the family addiction field, and here they bring together impeccable research and intuitive clinical experience.The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) believes the articles in this book will be useful to those whose interest in the subject is either personal or professional. ... Read more

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You wonÂ’t find a simpler way to interact meaningfully and enjoyably with someone with memory impairment! Just sit down together, open this colorful and engaging book across both laps, and begin reading, reminiscing, and communing.

The second book in the Two-Lap Book™ series, Happy New Year to You! celebrates each month of the year with colorful illustrations and short, easy-to-read text. Individuals with memory impairment and their caregivers will enjoy the familiar and friendly images: rain showers in April, weddings in June, school days in September. Pictures and text together will spark boundless opportunities to discuss and remember happy times and comforting experiences.

Styled with the appeal and simplicity of a children’s book but created for adult audiences, this Two-Lap Book™ can serve multiple purposes: • Stimulate conversation and reminiscence

• Encourage physical closeness and interaction

• Provide a calming diversion from an upsetting episode

• Inspire intergenerational exchanges with children

• Increase social interaction between staff and residents

• Promote reading skills in residents who retain their literacy

Reading Happy New Year to You! is an instant activity—no planning or preparation required. Open it to a favorite illustration… read it from start to finish... or select just a page or two to spark an exchange. Tips on how to promote engagement with the book are provided, as well as song suggestions for each illustration! Here is a natural and unlimited opportunity to rebuild connections for the person with dementia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and related disorders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent!!!!!!
This is a wonderful book for memory-challenged adults.It has been a great revelation to me that my husband is able to read and enjoy this book.

We need more books and toolslike this for patients with dementia.They are more capable than you think they are.

Excellend for Memory Challenged Adults
Large print
Engaging, colourful pictures.
Good for caregivers to use with their loved ones. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Superb guide
For the Love of Books by Jane Vossler is a superb guide for everyone who wants to perpetuate the joys of reading and the lifelong love of literature for young people. Not only does the book recommend excellent novels for middle school aged children, but those books cause young readers to think about their own lives and those of people in many walks of life. If you enjoy encouraging youngsters to read, this book is an absolute must for you!

Useful and inspiring
This book can be used to recommend good books to middle graders, to find ideas for lively book discussions, or to integrate literature with social studies.

Although the book was written for teachers it's equally useful for parents of middle grade students who want to recommend good books for their children or find a great book for a family read aloud.

The book is divided into two parts-The Inner World, books to help students think about themselves and their own lives and The Outer World, books to help students develop understanding of and compassion for others.Each chapter focuses on a theme such as peer pressure or growing up in another culture and contains reviews of books coupled with student comments on the books and ideas for teaching.

The book inspires the reader to think about how to engage young adolescents with literature that is meaningful to them and that stimulates them to think about their lives and the world.

I'm the author of this book so you may want to take my review with a grain of salt!
Email me at janevossler@att.net if you have any comments or thoughts about the book! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Good comprehensive set of strategies
This text is a good addition to an individual teacher's bag of tricks or a school's professional library.Margaret Bouchard has taken many well-known reading, writing, and thinking strategies (and has cited her sources), adapted the strategies especially for use with English Language learners, explained the theory behind their use, and where appropriate, has provided a worksheet to copy.Although most of these strategies can be used with ELLs at any age, the worksheets themselves are appropriate only for younger children, although they could easily be readapted for older students.The main advantage of this text is that although most of these strategies are well-known, having them in one place and having them validated as useful for ELLS is a significant help to teachers who have no ESL or Bilingual help in their school or district.The strategies are not a panacea, however, and some require considerable text or curriculum adaption by the classroom teacher.But -- this should be a realistic expectation of teachers with ELLs in their classrooms.Although the learning theory on which the strategies are based is briefly explained, teachers at the secondary level who are not as familiar with reading theory might not find the backgrounding adequate and might come to feel that these strategies could not make a sufficient dent in the enormous amount of material taught at the high school level. ... Read more

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One day when best-selling author Gregory E. Lang and his daughter were driving around—she behind the wheel with her learner's permit—Lang asked himself, "How do I let go of my daughter before I am certain that she is ready for what she will face?" That's when it occurred to him that she needed more from him than directions for driving; she needed guidance for living.
In that moment, the idea for Life Maps was born. And so Lang sat down with his forty-odd years of road travelled behind him and began to write the things he had learned that he wanted to pass along to his daughter. Before long he had compiled hundreds—eventually more than five hundred—pithy bits of fatherly advice. Such things as, "Put the windows down and enjoy the wind in your hair," "Learn the art of conversation," "Laugh often, laugh with gusto," and "Make a party out of decorating the Christmas tree." Simple things. Important things.
It's often said that it's the little things that make life worth living. In truth, it's a thousand little things that add up to one big thing: a happy, fulfilling, treasured life. This timeless guidebook for living touches on hundreds of little things. None are earth-shaking in and of themselves, but taken as a whole they add up to a fulfilling way to live from day to day.
An excellent gift book for any age, Life Maps will appeal to anyone looking to smoothen—or avoid—the bumps in the road and to relish the best life has to offer. ... Read more

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Designed to provide students with a practical, integrated approach to reading and writing, The Active Reader is divided into three parts. Part I: Academic Reading introduces students to the conventions of academic discourse and to critical thinking. Part II: Academic Writing begins with an overview of college/university essays and then discusses reports, critical analyses, summaries, and research essays. Part III: The Active Reader features thirty-nine diverse and cross-disciplinary readings that are organized into five thematic sections.

Features

* The essays--most of which are less than five years old--have been chosen specifically for their currency and relevance to students' lives.
* Suggested activities for the individual essays will initiate class discussions and encourage students to work collaboratively as well as individually.
* Diverse and cross-disciplinary, the readings focus on problems and/or solutions applicable to today's world.
* A variety of rhetorical patterns are illustrated within a problem-solving framework, enabling instructors to use a more traditional rhetorical approach if they choose.
* In "The Active Voice" features--which speak directly to students--experts offer their perspectives on particular issues or writing points.
* The rhetoric and handbook section is integrated with the essay section, thus reinforcing all the principles outlined in the first two sections as students work through the essays. ... Read more

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No descriptive material is available for this title. ... Read more

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Chock-full of practical advice for teen and college age readers on everything from how to nail that first big job interview, avoid dangerous relationship mistakes and master the art of managing your finances, to circumventing the typical pitfalls of adjusting to the adult world, this valuable guidebook synthesizes a life's worth of wisdom into one engaging volume. The author, a self-made multimillionaire who did learn the hard way offers to young people what he wishes someone would have given him when he was starting out--a no-nonsense blueprint for personal and professional success. Told with self-deprecating humor and grace, this book is never preachy and features irresistible self-discovery quizzes that guide young readers to deeper self-understanding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good Gift
Gave as a gift.Arrived as scheduled and without issue.Gave to a college graduate who was a non-traditional student.Had good information.Pleased with purchase!

Life lessons not to be taken lightly!
I see where another reviewer rated this book poorly because they didn't believe all the hyped up reviews.I think that is a completely unfair review and perhaps would be better suited as feedback to reviews as opposed to a stand-alone rating of the book.

I've got the book sitting in front of me as I type this review, and I will say that all the positive reviews are very fair representations of what this book has to offer.

I honestly believe this book is suited not only for graduates, but also for parents.It is filled with life lessons we should all take time to teach our children.

It works really well for young adults because there are quizzes in each section that allow self-reflection.I believe this makes the book very appealing for those who need it most: college graduates and high school graduates.

For people like me - middle aged with young children, I can take the lessons in this book and apply them to not only my future, but also the future of my children.

FOR EXAMPLE:Chapter four is all about dating, marriage and parenting.Parrish's goal for the chapter is to advise the reader on making good decisions on the topic.Most Americans will tell you there is a serious problem with the way our teens and young adults relate to partners when it comes to dating and marriage.With almost half of all marriages ending in divorce, we honestly do need some good life lessons on the topic.In a numbered list in the chapter, Parrish reminds the reader to remember marriage is about trust and companionship, and not to let the physical excitement we feel during dating to rule whether or not our partner is worthy of our hand in marriage.

Hopefully Parrish's words and the format of this book will encourage young adult readers to consider the ramifications of each decision they make, how to realize a dream and make it come true, and how to truly become the person they aspire to be.It's certainly filled with great advice and life lessons and I look forward to sharing this with those I care about!

A helpful guide
You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making it in the Real World: A Guide for Graduates is sort of a handbook/workbook all rolled up into one. Mr. Parrish writes this book ideally for high school and college age students in mind. Though adults can learn and take away things from this book

I like that it was very easy to read. Each chapter is broken out into different topics like Human Relations, Making you dreams come true, and dating, marriage and parenting are just a few of the subjects touched on in this guide. At the beginning of each chapter, Mr. Parrish explains what the objective is for that chapter. He than shares true events that happened to him. Than the subject matter is broken down into sections. Those sections explain why it is important for eye contact, listening, etc. The reader follows the steps on how to help them achieve these skills or goals.

This book is very interactive as there are quizzes throughout this book. You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making it in the Real World: A Guide for Graduates would make a perfect gift for any young adult just learning how to make their own way in the real world, especially now in these times. Pick up two copies of this book today as you will want to keep one for yourself.

Did anyone actually read this book?
At this point there are 14 reviews for this book. All of them could have been written merely by looking at the book's dust jacket. Each one reads the same: "Invaluable advice! Can't wait to share it with my son! Wish I'd had it when I was young! Very useful!" Every review would be equally valid for a hundred other self-help books. Can anyone give me a single detail about it? A chapter title? A distinguishing feature? It's almost as though the book's rating was being artificially inflated by fake reviews. Though it sounds interesting on its face, I won't even consider buying it until I hear something specific.

worthwhile lessons shared for all ages

JR Parrish's new book found its way into my hands recently and I took a quick read. This morning the sun was shining, birds were chirping and I was feeling humbled by joy in the simple things in life.

I picked up JR's book again and started reading the foreword...and proceeded to read the book as a narrative of JR's life. I felt like what he was saying was a very honest sharing of some feelings I don't remember picking up in his first book.

I've always been a fan of reading about people's lives, and what they have done with adversity and the good things that have come to them. I got so much out of reading JR's new book...which included lessons he is still learning and sharing.

While reading the book I was having those moments when I realize I am really listening (as I was reading) to what someone is saying... not thinking about what I'm going to say and I got that nothing needs to be said. Just take in the wisdom JR shares openly and honestly as he talks about his life experiences.

One might call this a how to book as in how to do life without making all the mistakes we might make when we don't have someone guiding us. Call it a guide book. Whatever you call it, you can feel the desire JR has to share as simply and honestly through his story telling of personal experience what he feels can help any of us at any age.This book has some worthwhile lessons from someone who has lived a worthwhile life and wants each of us to do the same.

Aloha Emily T Gail ... Read more

Product Description
Often times subtle body language signals are missed because we are either not paying close enough attention to the person we are engaged in conversation with, or we simply do not know how to read them. “Reading Body Language for Newbies” can give you the inside track on the numerous different types of body language people use everyday. Effective people use 50% body language and 50% verbal language to express themselves.

The use of body language alone can take a situation that you would normally be submissive in and turn it around to where you control all the power. Your body is far more powerful than most give it credit. From the way initial you greet a person to the closing of a conversation simply in body language alone can make or break a otherwise perfect job interview. As you are as you carry yourself, so is everyone else.

Think of the advantage you could have over another by having a really strong idea as to how they are feeling before even expressing themselves.

Body language is as unique as you are. Although no two people will exhibit the same types of cues, by knowing all the body language cues it will not matter. You will never have to wonder how another person is feeling ever again. You will never have to wonder if it is the right day to ask the boss for a raise or to ask your spouse about that new car you have wanted to buy.

Inside you will find everything you need to know about how to read 15 different categories of body language. Not just 15 body language cues or gestures, 15 categories packed with every type possible body language gesture or cue possible.

Each category is packed with subcategories so not even the most subtle body language movement will have you questioning its meaning. Do you want to learn how to counteract power body language? This guide will help you do just that. Do you want to know just how to take a person from a closed body language stance to a more accepting open body language? This guide will answer that for you as well as many other situations from defensive counteractions as well as aggressive body language counter actions.

Everyone can benefit from learning how to read and identify body language.

... Read more