Reviews (4)

A must have for people doing research in theoretical crypto
This is a sequel of Foundations of Cryptography, Vol 1, which covers theoretical proofs of signatures, encryptions, and more.
Fundamental book for anyone working with cryptography
This book, that you can see some parts on the authors site, is a essencial on everyone desk working on security and cryptography. Itis not a book of recipes of how to build a secure cryptographic environment but a fundamental book on the basics of cryptography and cryptographic protocols.

Great idea -- needs a good editor!
This book hits some extremes in good and bad.The good is easy:There are few (no?) other books that fill the niche of theoretical cryptography.There are some excellent lecture notes from Bellare and Goldwasser that are available on the web, but they don't go into the detailed motivation of topics that Goldreich does.The topics that Goldreich has chosen cover a lot of important areas, and he has done a great job of pulling out the best, most essential results to present.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Writing    2. Coding Theory    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computers    5. Computers - Computer Security    6. Cryptography    7. Cryptography/Access Control    8. Mathematics    9. Programming - Systems Analysis & Design    10. Security - General    11. Coding theory & cryptology    12. Computers / General    13. Data security & data encryption    14. Network security   

Reviews (6)

Dying Forests: A Crisis In Consciousness
Dying Forests: A Crisis In Consciousness, is a beautiful book. Jochen Bockemuhl's color paintings of many different forest settings and landscapes, illustrate his many ideas throughout the book.
Storytelling with Children
This is an excellent introduction to the subject. It is simple and accessible and I would go so far as to say that it is inspired! It is a pleasure to read and will be a tremendous support to parents wanting to enrich their children's lives through story-telling. I was enriched by reading this book, and received many new and helpful ideas. Although not a "how-to" book, it is full of useful ideas that will get a novice started and sustain them in their efforts. Highly recommended!

party pooper in Brooklyn
I am sorry to rain on everyone's parade, but I did not like this book at all. I am interested in becoming a better weaver of stories for my young children. Instead of a how-to guide, I found a wispy, dreamy meditation on stories. It offered some suggestions for setting the mood and beginning the story, but then, when I really need help, on the development of a story, story-arc, what to do when you get stuck, etc -- nothing at all! Also, the art of storytelling can be taught without deprecating comments about the "coldness" of books. A real turnoff! I skimmed through the second half of the book and promptly deposited it in a give-away pile. I would send it back to amazon but the binding is broken. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    3. Child care & upbringing    4. Speaking / pronunciation skills    5. family & relationships    6. education    7. body mind and spirit   

Reviews (42)

A life saving book
Anyone with the slighest fear of public speaking or performing needs to read this book. It gives you direction and activities that make you re-think why you have such fears. It helped me very much to overcome a problem I have had since childhood.

The Best Thing out there if you suffer from this fear
I have done lots of research on anxiety and nothing offers such relief as Janet's book. Just reading it brings relief because she relates to pain since she has experienced it herself.
Only for people who get REALLY scared
Since I don't have a terrible 'fear' of speaking in public, but instead just get a bit nervous, I did not find this book useful. If you experience panic attacks at the thought of speaking in public, then this book is well-suited for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. General    3. Language Arts & Disciplines / Public Speaking    4. Performance anxiety    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help / General    7. Speech anxiety    8. Stage fright    9. Anxiety    10. Fear    11. Language Arts & Disciplines    12. Public Speaking    13. Self-Help    14. Social phobia   

Reviews (18)

Multi-point reference, strong in all areas but very broad
The concepts of system thinking, enterprise architecture, business architecture are big enough by themselves to be covered in a book.Doing it all within the context of a single book is daunting and a topic that Gharajedaghi partially accomplishes.
Successful Integration of Systems Thinking "Camps"
Gharajedaghi's 2nd edition has accomplished an incredible feat - he has successfully integrated and synthesized the systems dynamics of Forrester with the systems thinking and interactive design of Ackoff. Jamshid connects Holistic thinking, operational thinking, socio-cultural models/conceptions, and interactive design into a complementary whole. Our organization has learned and is using Jamshid's methodology and it is fundamentally changing the way in which we see the world and the organizations that will be able to compete in this new "flat" world.
Go west young man go west!
If this book takes you back to the source material, then it will have accomplished its goal. The book itself, lacks the finesse of it's intellectual founders. But by god do we need this book in order to point us back. The last three years have been a result of reading all the source material for the book and for that Jamshid - I thank you.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Chaotic behavior in systems    5. Industrial management    6. Information Management    7. Management Information Systems    8. Production & Operations Management    9. Strategic Planning    10. System analysis    11. Business & Economics / Management    12. Business mathematics & systems   

Reviews (7)

Ahead of its time.
One day the games industry will look at Chris Crawford the same way the film industry looks at Joseph Campbell. He sets out the first few steps of a path that could revolutionize gaming - if only it is taken to heart. Some of his ideas are radical, some are controversial, but all are insightful. The only criticism I have of this book is that Crawfords brash and grungy tongue-in-cheek delivery might rub some people the wrong way (although, I personally found it refreshing). And that the book is too short.

The Beginning
Crawford's take on Interactive Storytelling, that is the maturation of a medium which will become the dominant form on art and entertainment in the 21st century, provides a foundation upon which future efforts will either be based off of or at least reference in intellectual homage. The breakdown of the modes of human thought in the early chapters provides a sturdy, cognitive lense which game designers can use to understand challenge. This book focuses primarily on social reasoning and the challenge which could be derived from that important facet of human experience, so far unexplored in traditional video and computer games.
Additional comments
In the spirit of full and open disclosure, I have known Chris Crawford for over twenty years. We are close friends and colleagues. So instead of providing a review, I'd like to comment on some of the things brought up in the other reviews.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Games    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Games    4. Computers - Games    5. Games    6. Games/Puzzles    7. Video & Electronic - General    8. Computers / Computer Graphics / Game Programming    9. Speaking / pronunciation skills   

Reviews (4)

Outstanding insights from a former top assistant!
This book has helped so many people!It's perfectly brilliant. Interesting Read
I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Duncan's book.I found it an easy read, packed with lots of excellent information. Talk About Ironic!
I just finished reading this book about the "new executive assistant".Of course it emphasizes attention to detail, checking your work, accuracy, etc.Upon completing the extensive skills test in theback of book, I was horrified to find the following blatant errors: 1.Inthe vocabulary section, the questions skip from #56 to #61, yet in theanswer section, these questions do appear. 2.The proofreading sectionfails to point out periods that are missing at the end of two sentences.Here's the kicker: 3.When I went to check my answers for the spellingsection, I discovered that there were only two answers out of 110questions.To top, there were answers for #110 - 122, which didn't existin the first place.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career/Job    3. Careers - General    4. Careers / Job Opportunities    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Executive Management    7. Executive ability    8. Leadership    9. Management - General    10. Middle managers    11. Success    12. Success in business    13. Supervisors    14. Advice on careers & achieving success    15. Business & Economics / Careers    16. Secretarial & office skills   

Subjects:  1. Active learning    2. Adult & Continuing Education    3. Adult Education    4. Adult learning    5. Business / Economics / Finance    6. Business/Economics    7. Education    8. Human Resources & Personnel Management    9. Training    10. Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management    11. Finance    12. Personnel & human resources management    13. Public speaking / elocution    14. Teaching skills & techniques   

Reviews (3)

Both practical and "big vision" ideas
I'm guessing that "Ed" and I (see other review) might have been at the same conference together where we received a copy of this book. I can second much of what he says, and also add that when it comes to one of my personal measures of a book's value--"number of significant ideas per page"--this book scores very high. I liked the "phenomenal learning" stuff in particular, and I also liked the discussion of Accenture's decision support capabilities that it developed as part of its learning management system.
Compelling, well-written, with practical business insights
I finished this book on a cross-country flight this week (the book is admirably short and punchy) and I'm still shaking my head over it. The book is incredibly honest about how business change and a down economy had apparently temporarily weakened Accenture's commitment to its workforce to provide training and development opportunities. (Actual quote from the book, when Accenture's Chief Learning Officer is trying to convince his executives that something had to be done: "The deal we have made with our people has been broken.")
Worth its weight in gold
It's always challenging to bridge the gap between high-level theory in Human Resources, and the confusing mire of on-the-ground action.It's all very well to `know' that you need your HR and training practices to align with and support your business strategy.But how is this accomplished?When you're faced with convincing executives, with other priorities and little time, to support what are often costly initiatives in Content Management and Corporate Training, and trying to make a good fit between what vendors offer and what your organization needs, when your budget has been cut and your employees have high-standards- it can seem as if you've been asked to juggle cats.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Corporate Finance    5. Employees    6. Finance    7. Financial planners    8. Financial services industry    9. Human Resources & Personnel Management    10. Secretarial Aids & Training    11. Training of    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / General    14. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (1)

Not applicable in New York....
The book, while succeeding in getting you into a"Taking the test" mindset, failed in applicability here in NY state. The civil service test here bore no resemblence to the types of test questions or format as presented in the book. Other texts for specific careers, such as police or firefighter, have been far better in my experince in being pertinent to the topic, some had even had questions almost identical to the test I took. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil Service    2. Civil Service Occupations    3. Clerical ability and aptitude tests    4. Examinations    5. Secretarial Aids & Training    6. Study Aids    7. Study Guides    8. Test Prep    9. United States    10. Study Aids / Civil Service   

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Oral communication    6. Public Speaking    7. Speech    8. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Reviews (4)

SAVE YOUR MONEY
The high-praise for this slim book astounds me.It is repetitious to the point of distraction.There are better books elsewhere, that can provide you with better instruction -- Milton Berle's Private Joke File, Volume One, for example.

Very Helpful
I'm so glad someone took the time to write a how to book on this type of public speaking.With the book's help I was able to write a roast that I gave at a party for a friend who recently finished graduate school.It was very well received, and I had people asking me to help them write roasts.Thank you Mr. Miller.

Helpful and fun
This is a terrific book that helps those who are nervous about making speeches and toasts. Useful for both business situations and social occasions. The book has great advice and lots of examples. It's about time someone wrote a book for those who want to partiicpate in toasts and roasts but never felt comfortable doing them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Language    2. Language Arts & Disciplines    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Public Speaking    5. Public speaking / elocution   

Reviews (8)

A Toolbox for Talking
Short, easy to read.Full of great examples.Will make you a better speaker and heighten your appreciation of great literature, as well as showing you the techniques used by playwrights, poets, politicians, lawyers, clergy, and all others who earn their bread with their tongues.An eye-opener.

Concise and useful
Professor Quinn's slim volume is perhaps the best treatment of the subject of rhetorical devices that I have ever read.I say "best," not because it is the most extensive, nor because it is the most detailed coverage of the subject.I say "best" because I feel it is the most *useful* coverage I have ever encountered.
Helpful and Refreshing
I recommend this book for anyone who would like a few more clues on the many ways masterful sentences are put together. If you have the soul for good writing, but need a little more concrete guidance on how powerful phrases from the Bible to Virgil to Shakespeare to Churchill are constructed--this book will be a delightful little teacher.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Rhetoric    6. Speech    7. Language Arts & Disciplines / Rhetoric    8. Public speaking / elocution    9. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (8)

The best book on public speaking
I have been speaking professionally for 3 years. Prior to that, I spent years speaking in Toastmasters and other non-paid forums.I speak to groups as small as 10 and as large as 300.In the process,I have read numerous books on public speaking, but by far my favorite is Lee Glickstein's Be Heard Now!The tape also complements the book very well.
Re: "The seminars are helpful; the book is..."
I'm writing this review to disagree with another reader's review which states in part, "...However, [the Speaking Circle Process] does not work if you just read the book, which consists of a lot of touchy-feely material that may be appropriate for people preparing inspirational speeches, but is worthless for those making business presentations or operating outside the realm of group therapy." This is like saying that a book on aerobic exercise does you no good unless you exercise. Hardly an insight. Fear begone!
Shed the "shakes" of speaking in public forever with Lee Glickstein's "Be Heard Now!"A powerful look at becoming a powerful, self-actualized professional speaker. Lee share's incredible insight. A must read for all speakers!I love this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Communication - General    2. General    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Public Speaking    5. Reference    6. Business & Economics / Business Communication    7. Public speaking / elocution   

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Computers    3. Computers - Word Processing    4. Microcomputer Word Processing Software    5. Microsoft Word    6. Word Processing - General    7. Word Processing - Word    8. Word processing    9. Business & Economics / Office Equipment & Supplies   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Office Management    4. Secretarial Aids & Training    5. Business & Economics / Office Management    6. Secretarial & office skills   

Reviews (10)

Working the Room
Wow! Nick Morgan hit the nail on the head with this book on "Audience-Centered Speaking." The book came highly recommended by some very credible and talented public speakers and it delivered as promised. The author states that the only reason to give a speech is to change the world by moving the audience to take action. He starts off with the history of speech, going all the way back to Ancient Greece and brings us through time to modern communication mediums (radio and television), which have permanently and profoundly changed our expectations of public speakers.
Working the Room
This should be a 'must' reading, studying, practicing, emulating, in short - the bible for those who do presentations.

A STIMULATING, INSIGHTFUL, VALUABLE BOOK!
The author introduces the idea of developing a kinesthetic connection with the audience by using opportunities for making intellectual, emotional, and even physical contact. The book provides specific strategies to help presenters prepare, rehearse, and master the art of giving speeches that challenge thinking and spark action. STERN'S MANAGEMENT REVIEW finds this a stimulating, insightful and valuable work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Communication - General    3. Business/Economics    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Linguistics    6. Public Speaking    7. Business communication & presentation    8. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (9)

Only Theoretical Help in Public Speaking - Not Practical
The first few tracks of the audio CD does an excellent job of identifying all of the fears of public speaking, HOWEVER the majority of advice given in this book is theoretical.The book goes into stating the individual step (the theorectical help) then gives pseudo-testimonials of how her steps have been implemented by former students towards giving a great speech.
Not Helpful For Me
Yes, the 7 steps can teach people in all types of careers and lifestyles to improve their oral communications skills but some of her methods are a bit "out there".For example: learning to focus on your voice as an instrument. The CD includes examples and anecdotes from Wilder's own work, and a number of exercises to help the reader implement the ideas set forth.If you're looking to overcome your fear of public speaking, join Toastmasters and skip this CD.

An effective program for overcoming your fears...
As part of my Lotusphere preparation, I've been reading 7 Steps To Fearless Speaking by Lilyan Wilder.She's a communication consultant who has coached a number of broadcast correspondents.In this book, she outlines seven steps to take in order to become a more effective public speaker.The seven steps are:Experience Your Voice; Get A Response And Structure Your Thoughts; Establish A Dialogue; Tap Your Creativity; Learn To Persuade; Achieve Your Higher Objective; and Give The Gift Of Your Conviction.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Communication - Meetings & Presentations    3. Careers - General    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Public Speaking    7. Business & Economics / Reference    8. Business communication & presentation    9. Business negotiation   

Reviews (8)

Simon's Saga
My son is a high school senior and needed to raise his SAT verbal score by 20 points to get into the college of his choice. After buying countless expensive SAT study guides I came across Simon's Saga and thought it was a unique, interesting way of writing a study guide. I purchased it, and it was the first SAT book that my son actually read and used. After using this book my son raised his verbal SAT's by 60 points and has been accepted to his first choice college. Thank you, Phillip Geer, for finally writing a worthwhile,affordable study guide!

an engaging read for students and non-native speakers alike
This book offers an engaging way for students as well as proficient, but non-native speakers of English to grasp the subtle meaning of new words by putting them into context.It is a big plus for the non-native speaker or 8-12 year old if they can read along with an adult or native-speaker so they do not always have to refer to the dictionary.A very good teaching resource for parents and teachers alike.

Highly Recommended For Students And Teachers
Obviously written by a talented educator who knows how to maximize students' potential, this book truly deserves five stars - it's original, educational, and very effective as an SAT vocabulary-building tool. The approach is unusual, to say the least. On one level it's a fun story, but on another level it's a hilarious spoof on some interesting topics such as boy-girl relationships, the arts, creative writing, and education. Simon, the narrator, draws students in with his easy and open tone and students enjoy the witty repartee between the characters. Before they know it, they're thinking about political and other issues from new perspectives. A book that does this and boosts word power? Yes, indeed.
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Subjects:  1. English language    2. Entrance examinations    3. Examinations    4. SAT & PSAT    5. Scholastic Aptitude Test    6. Study Aids    7. Study Guides    8. Test Prep    9. United States    10. Universities and colleges    11. English    12. Examinations & assessment    13. Language teaching & learning material & coursework    14. Speaking / pronunciation skills    15. Study Aids / SAT & PSAT (Scholastic Assessment Test & Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test)   

Reviews (4)

Very helpful overview of the Future Search Process
I found this book easy to follow and easy to understand. If you want to understand Future Search as a large group strategy, this book will be very helpful. By the time I finished the book, and it is a fast read, I felt that I had a strong understanding of Future Search and when it is to be applied.

A Solid Effort!
In this book, Marvin R. Weisbord and Sandra Janoff describe a three-day program to help organizations develop a future plan. Their conference is designed to unite groups of people from different areas of an organization so they can create a program together that they all support. Typically, the conference includes 50 to 70 people who review the past, explore the present environment, create future scenarios, identify common ground and make action plans. The program encourages dialogue and working together as peers. Search No More
No need to go any further. This the THE book to read if you are involved in planning or facilitating a future search. The authors anticipated all my questions and answered them in a clear, concise manner. The book is an excellent manual for anyone responsible for conducting future searches.Don't leave the present without it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Active learning    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business Communication - General    5. Business Communication - Meetings & Presentations    6. Business/Economics    7. Careers - General    8. Congresses and conventions    9. Methodology    10. Negotiating    11. Organizational Behavior    12. Planning    13. Social Interaction    14. Social Organization    15. Social action    16. Business communication & presentation    17. Business mathematics & systems    18. Business negotiation    19. Personnel & human resources management   

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (2)

Speaking tips from an expert
Steve Pool, seven-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, provides straight talk for high level communication and public speaking. Some of the topics include: Specific Ways to Overcome Fear, How to Avoid Common Speaking Traps, Tips & Tricks of the Pros, Persuasion as Art & Science, Tested Techniques for Research & Organization, Effective Audio/Visual Use, How to Speak to the Media and more.

Great Advice, Great Value
I purchased this set at my local Sams Club for about $15 a few months back and feel as if I got more than my money's worth. Even if you are not a public speaker, this set is full of great advice that you can apply to many aspects of your professional and personal life. The tips and advice in this set of CDs can help you in various situations, varying from job interviews to convincing your boss that you need a week's vacation to dealing with reticent teens...
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Business/Professional    2. Audio - Business / Professional    3. Audio Adult: Business    4. Audiobooks    5. Motivational    6. Personal Growth - Success    7. Public Speaking    8. Self-Help