Editorial Review

Sometime during the last 30 years, the service economy emerged as the dominant engine of economic activity. At first, critics who were uncomfortable with the intangible nature of services bemoaned the decline of the goods-based economy, which, thanks to many factors, had increasingly become commoditized. Successful companies, such as Nordstrom, Starbucks, Saturn, and IBM, discovered that the best way to differentiate one product from another--clothes, food, cars, computers--was to add service.Read more

Reviews (32)

How to Sell the Sizzle
Authors B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore look at the ways that corporations create engaging experiences for their customers to boost sales. They amass examples that confirm the developing trend toward an "Experience Economy." Their premise is that the post-industrial economy has evolved beyond delivering commodities and services, and is now poised to deliver "experiences." These experiences can include everything from a meal at a theme restaurant to a Disneyland vacation. The premise is interesting, but before you hit the trend button, realize that this is not the first time marketers have courted customers with powerful retail experiences. However, it may be the first time sellers have used virtual reality and Hollywood-style animated props. This intellectually interesting book dares to be far out and to pursue the concept of engaging customers to its extremes. We recommend this book to business owners or marketers more as a theoretical introduction to the "Experience Economy" than as a marketing manual. If you feel intrigued and engaged, that's the point. For more information, please refer to Disney World.

Curtain-Call Economics
Wow!I was so fascinated with this insightful book that I coined the above phrase.Curtain-call economics is the thrust of this book.How would your customer describe his experience with your company?How entertaining, how engaging, how educational and how beautiful was his experience?This book is chock-full of real-life examples of how to capitalize in this new arena comprising our economy.First there arose an industrial era, then a service era, now, an experiential era.With all types of services abounding and ubiquitous, your differentiation will be in providing the superior experience.This book categorically and metaphorically allies you with the absolute fundamentals for positioning your establishment for success.So, in keeping with one of the teachings of this book on building suspense, I will just say that there is an era immediately following this 'experience' economy that is delineated with much delight at the conclusion of the book.

More Exciting Than it Sounds
With a title like "The Experience Economy" and a tagline that reads "Work is Theatre and Every Business a Stage," one would think this would be an exciting and daring book on innovative business strategies. Daring it most certainly is; the metaphor comparing work to theatre is adventurous and eye-opening. But it is also overdrawn, and is rooted too much in theory and not so much in practical example. A particular disappointment was that the book did not really address how online businesses can create experiences for their clients; it is geared primarily towards offline busineses. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Customer services    5. Development - Business Development    6. Diversification in industry    7. Entrepreneurship    8. Marketing - Product Management    9. Product Management    10. Business strategy    11. Sales & marketing   

Reviews (11)

Elementary Education: Content Knowledge Study Guide
I really found this book helpful for studying for the Praxis II.
This was so helpful!
If you are like me and you dread standardized tests get this book!The sample questions made a huge difference in how I prepared for the test and how relaxed I felt taking the test.I read this study guide two months before the exam and then reviewed the guide the week before.I passed the exam with flying colors and am now certified to teach!

Good price for the product.
I still have to read the bulk of the book, but I do plan on using it as the primary source to prepare me for the upcoming praxis.It looks as if I may have to use other books for information as well as information researched online.The Xam books are really good as well, but cost twice as much.A good investment along with the Praxis study guides. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Elementary    2. Praxis    3. Professional - General    4. Professional - Teacher    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Test Prep    8. Study Aids / Professional   

Reviews (9)

Great Book!
I am a MA student and I bought this book to do PDR's for my classes. I am able to find all the drugs that I have to look up and it is a great book in that it's easy to read and understand when looking for the Indications, Contraindications, Dosage & Forms, etc. I recommend this book!

Simple & clear
I feel like this handheld software was worth my money - as a nursing student it is useful because it explains the action, dosage, side effects, contraindications, pharmacokinetics, and nursing considerations. It is more basic and complete than some other software that I have - in this way it is helpful for my needs. However, Mobipocket is a bit clumbsy and I wish it was easier to navigate.

Easy to use
The reason I chose to purchase these drug reference books for the county jail I work for, is that the text is very easy to use.You do not have to look in the index in the back of the book if you already know the generic name of the drug.A great majority of theprescribed medications are in generic form and this text is in alphabetical order, not by drug class, which many other texts use.My correction officers as well as I are very pleased with it! It makes our jobs much easier!
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Subjects:  1. Drug Guides    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Nursing - Pharmacology    5. Nursing - Reference    6. Medical / Nursing / Pharmacology    7. Nursing    8. Pharmacology    9. Reference works   

Reviews (28)

The Elements of Style: A Classic with Timeless Advice
Although the original Elements of Style was written in 1919 (or earlier), it still holds true that anyone who wants to learn how to write in a clear and concise manner will benefit from this book. After reading this book you'll know to avoid breaking elementary rules and principles that are made in writing: excessiveuse of adjectives and adverbs, writing in the passive voice, using different tenses in writing, using the improper case of pronouns (example: using "who" when "whom" should be used and vice versa).
A Classic
This book was required for my high school English classes back in the late '60's. As an English professor, I use this book today. Many generations of students have benefited from this book's informal, conversational approach to teaching formal English (that is, excellent English that is precise and concise in form and content). Although I don't personally like the illustrations, this is my favorite edition of the book because the illustrations add a whimsical informality to substantive content.

Pictures + Punctuation= Fabulous Source of Info
The Elements of Style was great before pictures were added, but the color adds even that much more to a great source for grammar and punctuation.Easy to navigate, great examples through sentences and excerpts.Strunk and White have done it right! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English Composition    2. English Grammar    3. English language    4. Reference    5. Report writing    6. Rhetoric    7. Style    8. Writing Skills    9. Reference / Writing Skills   

Reviews (7)

Pictures are sometimes confusing
I bought this book for the ASL class I am taking. I missed one week and tried to use the book to teach myself the missed lesson. I did not understand about a third of the diagrams on how to do the different signs. I have seen some sources with explanations to accompany signs which would have made this book much clearer.

Learning American Sign Language
This book is a good one to accompany an ASL class.It is hard to display three dimensional signs on a two dimensional picture.The aid of an instructor makes up for this difficulty.Also some of the vocabluary is not quite right for conversations.The instructor helps straighten out these conflicts.It is a good book with a lot of information as a textbook should be and that is why it is a required text for the class I am taking.

Not the best way to learn Sign language
This book is a little difficult because you can't tell exactly which way to move your hands by the drawings.The illustrations are not the best, but the composition of the book is good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Sign Language    2. Audiology & Speech Pathology    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Medical    6. Sign Language    7. Sign Language For The Deaf    8. Medical / Audiology & Speech Pathology    9. Sign languages, Braille & other linguistic communication   

Editorial Review

Though it drinks deep of its subject, Karen MacNeil's Read more

Reviews (45)

I Love It
I have three wine books, and this is the one I turn to the most. Granted, I don't have an atlas, and I am very new to the world of wine; nevertheless, this book is not only packed with information, it is an engaging and pleasurable read.
Fun, useful and amazingly accurate
Karen MacNeil's Wine Bible is so ambitious that it seems almost impossible for it to succeed. This book is first of all an encyclopedia, so it sets out to be comprehensive and it succeeds. Almost every bit of knowledge that isn't about a particular vintage can be found here. Remarkably, for an encyclopedia, many of theentries are quite detailed. I was particularly impressed by the section on Austrian and Italian wines (I've spent a fair amount of time in both countries).
One of a kind
After having reviewed a number of other books on the subject of wine, this publication takes the understanding of wine to a level easily understood by all.I have it in my kitchen for quick reference and use it for futures purchases as well as a quick understanding as to where the wine and grapes utilized in the wine came from.Maps and diagrams in the text are crystal clear and the text is written for easy understanding.This is a book I simply can't do without.Matter of fact, I have a copy in our Chicago home as well as our Florida home because it is that important to our wine purchases as well as understanding the history of wine and from whence it comes.It is truly best of breed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Reference    5. Wine and wine making    6. COOKING / Reference    7. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    8. Reference works    9. Wines   

Reviews (11)

I only spent time with the math section
I took the GRE for the second time three weeks ago and did better than I expected. When I took the test before (2001), I had used the Princeton Review material (Cracking the GRE), and it definitely gave me excellent pointers on approaching the questions, guessing effectively, and managing my time. As a result, I got a 660 on the math last time -- pretty good. But I felt that the actual math instruction in PR was a little skimpy, and I got Kaplan's GRE/GMAT Math Review and this Barron's book (the 2006 edition).
Good refresher
This book definately serves its purpose.If you need a good review on math and vocab this book can help.Also the tips on answering questions are extremely useful.I wouldn't use this as my only tool before taking the GRE but it is a huge help.

Seems to be the most comprehensive book out there...
The book is better than most other gre books. Its pretty straightforward, has the list of words one should know, a handful of review problems and such. So its alright. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)    2. Graduate Departments And Schools    3. Graduate Record Examination    4. Study Aids    5. Study Guides    6. Test Prep    7. Higher & further education    8. Study & learning skills    9. Study Aids / GRE (Graduate Record Examination)   

Reviews (39)

service
The item is fine, however, Amazon's shipping procedures are very slow, and inadequet. I paid for an upgrade in shipping, and the item was two days late, with no explanation from Amazon.I will remember this the next time I need to order.

Blue Book of Gun Values, 27th Edition
Excellent and very comprehensive Gun Value Book covering numerous Mfgs.

Revised
The "Blue Book of Gun Values" 27th ed. is a great buy.Retail is around $40, and well worth it, but for almost half the price on amazon, an excellent deal.With updated values, this edition will surpass the previous especially with current events involving Winchester.Buy it for an accurate "Blue Book" price on guns. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Books    6. Catalogs    7. Collectors and collecting    8. Consumer Guides    9. Firearms    10. Firearms & Weapons    11. Firearms And Gunsmithing    12. Prices    13. Reference    14. Reference - Price Guides    15. Shooting   

Reviews (3)

A Spell Binding Read
I got my hands on a copy of this book last night, and found it addictive. I noticed the raves from presidents of NPPA, ASMP, and APA on the back cover, and was impressed. Reading it last night, the book met, if not exceeded, the expections set by such prestigious reviewers. It was very real world, with tons of examples of contracts, negotiation tactics (as the author negotiated assignments and stock sales you see the back and forth via emails), and advice on how to avoid the many pitfalls we face as photographers today. I am putting to use many of his suggestions and recommendations starting tommorrow! A definite MUST HAVE book!

A must Read
This should be the book that every photographer should keep on his desk for guidence for all there photographic business.

Looking Forward to an Excellent Book
I have been attending John Harrington's seminars in a variety of locations for the past 4 years. John's knowledge of the photography industry is second to none. In his seminars, John shares what used to be considered "trade secrets" by most other photographers. He captures what he's learned in nearly two decades of successful business and willingly shares it with photographers who can immediately apply to their own businesses what they've just learned.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career/Job    3. Careers    4. Careers - General    5. Careers / Job Opportunities    6. Photography    7. Business & Economics / Careers    8. Photography & Photographs   

Reviews (12)

Absolutely Incredible
I was in awe when my son received the Dinosaur book for Christmas from his Grandfather. I saw this book in a Parents magazine and had to get it based on the fact that the Dino one was incredible. My 3 year old loves it! It's not a book to let him play with unless you want it destroyed. Instead, this book allows us to make some quality time for each other when we sit down and look through it. It's very informational, and as he grows older I'm sure he'll read it, but at this point the pop-ups are worth it!

My son loves the book
This is a very interesting book.My 5-year old has really enjoyed the book.

A Masterpiece of Pop-up books.
A Great Book to Read With the Kid on your lap. Probably best for kids in the couple or three grades. Best for kids on your lap because pop-up books are rather fragile. Grabbing the nose of the shark and using it as a handle to lug the book around is likely to lose the nose to your shark.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures    2. Animals - Fishes    3. Animals - Marine Life    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Extinct animals    7. Fishes, Fossil    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Marine animals, Fossil    11. Nature & the Natural World - General    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Marine Life   

Reviews (3)

Excellent resource for busy educators
Having purchased many types of teaching resources over the last few years, I have finally found onemore helpful than all the others combined. Evertson not only outlines the procedures in an easy to read manner, but she also gives excellent examples of her theories in practice. I was expecting a book that strictly dealt with keeping order in the classroom, but what I received was so much more. This book describes ways to teach that will ensure that classrooms run smoothly and more importantly the students learn. I only hope that other new teachers find this text at the beginning of their careers as the advice contained is invaluable. If your budget or time schedule only allows for one book, definitely buy this one!

Recommended 100%
Great Book!!!!Shipped quickly!!!!!Would order from again!!!!

Elementary Management for Elementary Teachers
Specific suggestions and tips help teachers solve common organization andmanagement problems *Case studies at the elementary level provideteachers withrealistic expectations of what they will encounter in the classroom and how to deal with a wide range of differentsituations.*Case studies give teachers real-world examples on managingcooperativelearning, literature-based and whole-languagelearning, and inclusionclassroons. *The authors have increased the coverage of diversity in student populations and have added new suggestions forworking withspecial needs students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classroom Management    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Education, Elementary    5. Elementary    6. Teaching    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    8. Education / Classroom Management    9. Industrial or vocational training    10. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (8)

Better Writing
This book is a step-by-step instruction to different kinds of technical writing. It is easy to understand and follow. The topics are well organized and clearly outlined, which makes it easy to read.
teacher ed. unexpected
i was supprised that it was the teachers edition but it will still be usefull thanks

This book is better than what some reviewers write!
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Subjects:  1. Communication of technical information    2. Science/Mathematics    3. Technical Writing    4. Technology    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. English    7. Technology / Technical Writing    8. Technology: General Issues    9. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (2)

Too many errors, poor format, index lacking
I am studying for the PMP and have NOT sat for the test yet. I read this book (cover to cover), read the PMBOK-2005, and another book called 'PMP in Depth' (P. Sanghera).
Best Reading to Pass PMP Exam
I bought and borrowed many books to study for the PMP exam and this was the BEST book, both in the material it covered and the way in which the material was presented. It is one of the few that take your through the project management process as you would really experience it, from project inception to closeout. Most other books geared toward the PMP exam organize the material based on the PMI knowledge areas, which have so much overlap it becomes confusing. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. I passed the exam using this book and the quizes in Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep, which follows the knowlege areas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computers - General Information    5. Examinations, questions, etc    6. General    7. Project Management    8. Study Guides    9. Computers / Technical Skills    10. Computing and Information Technology    11. Project management software   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business planning    4. Business/Economics    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Leadership    7. Management - General    8. Business & Economics / Leadership    9. Business strategy   

Editorial Review

Got a stress case in your life? Of course you do: "Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things all at once." Carlson's cheerful book aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses. Read more

Reviews (225)

Extremely Powerful!
Don't be deceived by the seemingly innocuous title.This is indeed a very powerful book.This book takes positive thinking to a new level.As you read it you may find something deep inside that 'clicks', or you may feel that you have known this all the time, but never quite knew how to put it into words.
Brilliant!
I have never really been the type to embrace all the countless and mindless self-help books being spewed out by every other know-it-all, but I happened to land this little pocket sized bad boy in my carry-on luggage for a 9 hour flight. I read it, and I have to say I was overwhelmingly pleasantly surprised by what I was left with after diving into this book. I can not at all see where the previous reviewer of this book talks about "lists" or whatnot, there simply are none, these are brilliantly concocted tidbits and stories from both the authors own life experiences as well as others, that make the reader look at a lot of life's ups and downs in a WHOLE NEW light. For instance I could not agree more with the notion that a lot of people, including me, have the tendency to make trivial incidents into major life-altering emergencies, things that we won't even remember the next day are blown out of proportion sending us to an early grave! Instead of almost getting a heartattack because you spilled your morning coffee all over the floor, how about you just wipe it up and pour a new one? When I read this I had to stop and think, because funnily enough exactly this had happened to me, and I was reminded of how I had almost blown my top that morning, but now it was something I most likely would never have thought of again had I not read this book.
this is for the high strung, or quick tempered, or negative minded
This book simply puts things in their proper place.I actually purchased one for a co-worker of mine who seems to be a lil on the hot tempered, negative side.Its a GREAT HELP! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior modification    2. Careers - General    3. Conduct of life    4. General    5. Human relations    6. Peace of mind    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Stress (Psychology)    10. Stress Management    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (7)

The learning book
"Organization Theory and Design" is a book every corporate member that has aspirations to better understand and contribute to his organization should own.
A Strong Guide in Organization Theory
This is a well-designed and comprehensive book in the area of organization theory. From introduction to the end, this book aims to teach the foundations of organization theory to readers. Readable and great information
Daft out did himself in this edition of his text. He includes book reviews and company profiles throughout each chapter to illustrate the theories he's describing. I read this for an MA course and found it easy to learn from. I'm even putting the information into practice at work! Not all textbooks are that helpful. *grin* ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Case studies    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Management - General    7. Organization    8. Organizational Behavior    9. Organizational sociology    10. Business & Economics / Organizational Behavior    11. Organizational theory & behaviour   

Reviews (27)

Great Reference Resource
Since the design of every day things impacts the quality of our lives, most people have a strong interest in things that are designed well, but just how do you arrive at a well designed thing?This book offers an extensive typology of design principles gathered from a wide variety of fields (ergonomics, human factors, psychology etc.) that have relevance for any design discipline, from web usability to product design for manufactured goods.If you do not have a design background, but work with designers, you may find some of these insights very useful for collaboration on design decision making scenarios.Some of the principles, such as the 80/20 rule or the pareto principle were pretty obvious but others were less so, making the book an interesting exploration of some old and new concepts from a cross-disciplinary perspective.After reading through these 100 design principles, you will arrive at a fairly good understanding of the factors that influence our preference towards one design over another.Of course, the all important "context" is missing from these generalizations, however, you can easily read through them and draw your own conclusions on how they relate to your particular design problem.
Applies to more than graphic design
This book is a tremendous book. While I think the target audince of this book are graphic artists it is useful for any industry or occupation. As an IT professional, the techniques offered in this book helped me design better interfaces for software systems.
Efficient, Concise, Well written
Every designer should own this book. It codifies an abundance of principles about usable design into a very useful reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design    4. Design - General    5. Dictionaries    6. Graphic Arts - General    7. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    8. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

Good Overall
Pretty thorough text for anyone learning or brushing up on their skills...quite intuitive.

This is one of the best business statistics book
This book is used in the course of Business Statistics at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This is a useful and understandable book. The questions are well-prepared.Also,the statistics program PhSTAT is given with this book. I advise you to buy.

Good, but could be better
This book is okay, but it could definitely be better.For a basic statistics class, this book contains WAY too much information to digest in a semester of college.No professor I know of has ever gotten past chapter 8.Further, the problems are quite wimpy as far as the amount of thought required for them.Quite wimpy.Could be better.The only good thing is that for doing it on a spreadsheet, the data comes on a CD, so that you don't have to re-type it, thankfully. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Mathematics    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. Statistics    6. Business & Economics / Statistics    7. Business mathematics    8. Business mathematics & systems    9. Economic statistics   

Reviews (19)

Lifelong reference book
This atlas is the standard for Geography 101 in campuses across the country.It sets the standard because it is affordable and extremely useful in geographic exercises.In truth, it is primarily a North American atlas, but that is because it is written for and marketed to North Americans.There are still more than enough maps of other world regions to assist you in Geography 101 or to assist you in monitoring the world news.Granted, an intense study of total world geography would require an additional atlas.That said, I purchased this atlas for a geography course in which it was instrumental.Since then, I have used it in more advanced geography courses and in my daily life.While I would prefer it to be printed in a bit larger format, this size is more affordable to students.I will keep this atlas to assist in lifelong learning.

very happy
This is the textbook for my college geography course. I saved fifteen dollars over my college bookstore, their's was a softback amazon's is hardback, it will last longer, I'm happy.

Goode's World Atlas
This Atlas is a great resource to have on hand for any age and any education level. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Atlases - World    4. Maps & Road Atlases    5. Reference   

Reviews (21)

Very difficult questions
Passages are easier to read than Princeton Review and AAMC tests.The wording of the questions is not as convoluted as the AAMC tests.However, the questions are very difficult to answer.Often times there is not enough information in the passage to correctly answer the questions, and it seems like there could be information to support more than one answer choice.While it's true that questions on AAMC practice MCATs 7,8,9 have many attractive 'trap' answer choices, this book takes that to the extreme.Therefore, I don't know if this is an accurate representation of the verbal section.

Decent Practice, but Far from Perfect
Given the usually high profiled stuff from ExamKrackers, this book was for me a disappointment. Let me just say that if you want to score high on verbal, more practice is a must, therefore it's logical to get this book. However, if you are looking for a very clean practice, this book doesn't deliver. While i recognize that verbal section on the MCAT can easily allude to personal bias and subjective opinions, on the actual MCAT the 'correct' answer should be easily justified from the 'inccorect' answers. Around a little over 2/3 of the questions in this book fit that description, everything else is full of ambiguous and unsupported answers, many passages tho interesting are abstract and difficult to read. This can get extremely frustrating if you are expecting to see concrete improvements. However, by dealing with these flaws, and sometimes overly difficult (downright impossible or simply incorrect) questions, you might still gain something that will give u an extra edge on the actual MCAT, which could be sufficently more clear and precise given that it is the verbal section.

Verbal Reasoning is not easy, GET THIS!!
As hard as you'll work on preparation for this exam- your preparation for the Verbal Reasoning section will be the most important. Most people complain about this section. I was included, until I took studying for it head on. I needed all the practice I could get and this book gave me 2 passages a day for 50 days. I timed myself (18 min total, 9 minutes a passage for the two) and corrected it that day. It increased my speed and ability. The guys that write these Exam Krackers books only want you to do well. I can tell after working on this stuff for five months straight that is the case. -Matthew Wolak ... Read more

Subjects:  1. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)    2. Study Guides    3. Test Prep    4. Test Preparation & Review