Reviews (19)

The American Accent Guide, 2nd ed.
As a non-native English speaker, I found that the AAG, 2nd edition is a great tool in learning pronunciation and intonation. I try to study and practice one cd a day. Although there are 8 cd's, I wish that the exercises in the grey pages were sounded out.

Was not so good as it appears...
This is a good book, but considering its price, I wouldn't buy it again.

Good but requires effort
My writing and vocabulary skills are quite developed, however, native speakers can sense the trace of an accent when I speak.
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Subjects:  1. English as a Second Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language    4. Language    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Language Experience Approach    7. Phonetics & Phonics    8. Speech    9. Accent reduction    10. American English    11. Dialects    12. English language    13. Pronunciation    14. Spoken English    15. United States   

Editorial Review

Think you've got a book inside of you? Anne Lamott isn't afraid to help you let it out. She'll help you find your passion and your voice, beginning from the first really crummy draft to the peculiar letdown of publication. Readers will be reminded of the energizing books of writer Natalie Goldberg and will be seduced by Lamott's witty take on the reality of a writer's life, which has little to do with literary parties and a lot to do with jealousy, writer's block and going for broke with each paragraph.Marvelously wise and best of all, great reading. ... Read more

Reviews (254)

A mixed bag
This book has some good writing advice, which I appreciate, but I was annoyed by the intrusive religious comments. It should have been marketed as a Christian writing book, or else I wish they had left the religion out of it. I do not expect to find this when I purchase a writing book. I want to hear about writing, not about how God can make me a better writer.
Worth reading and Saving !
This is one of the books that I will keep and re-read.Very well written and inspiring.I LOVED IT !! Made me "want" to write and made me feel that I could actually write something worth reading.

Depressing
I found this book very depressing. Anne Lamott's constant self-deprecation throughout the book caused me to really doubt myself as well. I know she is doing it to show that she's human just like the rest of us, but I think she can show that without hating on herself every chance she gets (saying the 9-year-old version of herself looked like a neurotic cat woman, etc.) despite what she says about how you shouldn't do that. It's like hanging around with a bunch of anorexic models, it gets to you.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Journalism    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Reference    8. Writing Skills    9. Reference / Writing Skills   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Book!
A must-have book.Informative and excellently written.Gives all the information you want on Public speaking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Performing Arts    5. Public speaking    6. Speech    7. Theater - General    8. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech    9. Language teaching & learning material & coursework    10. Phonetics, phonology, prosody (speech)   

Reviews (6)

Practical & Informative
The title of this book pretty much spells it out: Dr. Sousa explains how brains learn.Considering the subject, the text is very readable--enough to recommend this book to anyone who wants an understanding of how we are able to retain information.It covers the entire gamut, from the basics of biology to the subtler aspects of the active mind.
Educator-friendly
This book is an excellent resource for educators.It is easily adapted to classroom use no matter what level is being taught.Great insights to hemisphere preference, transfer, critical thinking, teaching strategies.Even the biology and physiology is palatable.This book would lend itself well as a resource for inservicing teachers with its many practioner's corner activities.I recently read Jensen's Teaching With the Brain in Mind and, while I found that book to be a good one, this book if FAR more useful.Every teacher will find easily adapted activities to put to immediate use.Highly recommended.

A Classic!
A book designed to be used. It offers both theory and practice. There are fifty plus pages of practical suggestions: including "Testing Whether Information Is in Long-Term Storage," and "Using the Primacy-Regency Effect in the Classroom." It also contains a glossary, an eleven page bibliography (with five internet site references), and a three page index. A well balanced 305 page classic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Psychology    5. Learning    6. Learning, Psychology of    7. Physiological aspects    8. Research    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    10. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General   

Reviews (2)

Overpriced
I found the 5th Edition to be overpriced.The 4th edition offered the same information and much cheaper!

hard book
THis book is extremly detailed and the words are written in a tightly compacted format.
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Subjects:  1. Articulation disorders    2. Audiology & Speech Pathology    3. Communication    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Speech    8. Speech And Communication Disorders    9. Medical / Audiology & Speech Pathology    10. Performing Arts   

Reviews (19)

Timeless advice from a master
You can rarely go wrong if you follow this rule of thumb: If it's by Dale Carnegie, then it's going to be well worth reading. 'The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking' is no exception!
Great public speaking concepts
Although Dales books are quite old the concepts he introduces remain tried and true. I have read another of dales books"How to win friends and influence people" And they are both fantastic. This book in particuliar i see as being of great value to anyone who has ever struggled with public speaking.
outstanding reference book
I read and shop for a lot of self improvement books.I must say that this book is absolutely outstanding. Easy read.It will serve as as book for future reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Language    3. Psychology    4. Public Speaking    5. Speech    6. Public speaking / elocution    7. Self-Help & Practical Interests    8. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (3)

Fare Book- Nasty Price
The book is very basic (almost superficial) but covers most of the important ground well enough. However, it has two major draw-backs: It was great.
Book was great.It was used but in good condition.It arrived in only a couple days.

Great resource book for debaters!
This book is an excellent resource for both high school and college debaters in both the policy and value areas.I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Critical thinking    2. Debate And Forensics    3. Debates and debating    4. Decision making    5. General    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Persuasion (Rhetoric)    10. Public Speaking    11. Reasoning    12. Speech    13. Discourse analysis    14. Philosophy / General    15. Rhetoric   

Reviews (8)

New?
The book is in pretty good condition, but looks beat up and/or used.I thought I was purchasing a new book, I may have been mistaken. No worries, it will still do its job!

Great Book
I love this book.It is extremely helpful and has a ton of information in it.The reproducable forms are also great for a student or beginning professional.Definitly recommend!

DIAGNOSTICS TEXT BOOK
THIS BOOK IS VERY EASY AND SIMPLE TO READ. I LIKE THE CD THAT CAME WITH THE TEXTBOOK BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO ACCESS THE FORMS. WHAT I FOUND DIFFICULT WAS TO HOLD THE BOOK IN PLACE. THE SPIRAL BINDER MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD IN PLACE AT TIMES. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audiology & Speech Pathology    2. Communicative disorders    3. Diagnosis    4. Language disorders    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Speech    8. Audiology & otology    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech    10. Speech & language disorders & therapy   

Reviews (1)

A wonderful, scientific voyage
This book offers a broad coverage of the underlying structures and processes of speech. Beyond a primitive stage, man is unique in his ability to convey information by using his voice. And he has developed this ability from systems designed for more vital goals (eg., respiration and nutrition). In this respect, the work by Seikel, King and Drumright proves a great resource for studying the entire apparatus involved in voice production and perception, specifically the systems of respiration (energy source), phonation (voicing), articulation and resonation filtering), mastication and deglution, hearing, and neural. Furthermore, it includes several appendices for quick access to anatomical terms, morphology of terms, muscles, sensors and nerves, and a review of pathologies affecting production of voice. What I liked the most about the book is that you are systematically guided through all the germane systems, and when pertinent, the book provides references for deeper understanding of the material. Besides, after you have read sufficient content, the book shows summaries for reinforcement of the learnt concepts. Also, there are clinical notes distributed throughout the text, with germane discussions (related processes, pathologies, etc.). And every chapter has a set of questions for assessment of your understanding (do not worry, answers are included!).
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Subjects:  1. Anatomy    2. Audiology & Speech Pathology    3. Ear    4. Human anatomy    5. Human physiology    6. Medical    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Otolaryngology    9. Physiological aspects    10. Physiology    11. Speech    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech   

Reviews (2)

Shirley Brice Heath Has a "Way With Words"
Language is power. Heath, a reflective practitioner of both human nature and schooling, provides an in-depth view of communities which epitomize thestruggle for such power.In her ethnographic study of Trackton andRoadville, Heath lays bare the socializing process of children throughwords.The discontinuity between home and school is disturbing; arealization that students who do not fit the traditional way of schoolingare left behind.Clearly illustrated is the need for teachers and studentsto bridge the gap which exists in relation to both language and culture,for without this effort some students will never acquire the power neededto take control of their education or pursue opportunities from which theyhave previously been excluded. This is must reading for studentethnographers, doctoral students, and those dedicated to school reform,particularly those in the areas of diversity in public schools, andlanguage. This extraordinary book compares favorably to "Growing UpLiterate: Learning From Inner-City Families" by Denny Taylor &Catherine Dorsey-Gaines.

A Teacher's View
Teaching in a high school with a large number of minority children can be challenging.After reading this book, recommended by the debate teacher, I feel that I am better prepared.This book is an excellent resource forthose wanting to understand the student from a background different formtheir own.If you plan to work in public school, this book is a must-read.I borrowed a friend's book, and then decided I had to have a copy of myown. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Community and school    3. Elementary    4. General    5. Interaction analysis in educat    6. Interaction analysis in education    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    10. Language arts    11. Linguistics    12. Children--Language    13. English    14. Language Arts & Disciplines / General    15. Sociolinguistics   

Reviews (52)

Amer Accent Training
As a teacher I believe this is a great value for the money.

I LIKE THE BOOK AND THE METHOD!
I am still reading it. I am in lesson 2 now. I like the method, I do not get bored and this is very important to me!.I feel like reading and practicing most of the time. I think it is improving my pronuntiation. There is also cultural information related to the american accent that is pretty interesting (i did not know it) and helps you to understand many things. The teacher pronunces excellet and lets you time enough to repeat. You have to read the books while you listen to the CD, at least the first time. The first CD it not great to listen into the car. There are many writtenexercises and others to repeat aloud. The exercises are easy and fun.I definitely think it was a good investment buying this course. If you really want to improve just keep practicing, the course its good enough to learn by yourself. This is a good book for persons who already speak/read advanced english.

The best you can get!
Definitely worth the money! Of course it'll take a lot of time and effort to pick up a new accent. With this book and the audio CD's it will be a piece of cake to make you sound a lot better in less than no time! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English as a Second Language    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Phonetics & Phonics    6. Speech    7. Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language   

Reviews (3)

The Text is Excellent.
I have taught with several of the major readers on the market: Samovar and Porter's, Nakayama and Martin, and others. This text has the most well written readings and contains articles on many seminal issues, context (Hall), time (Hall), etc. This text has the LEAST blatantly fluff filled articles intended only to titillate and pander to students. Additionally, if you review some of the other texts, you will see that they often have poorly referenced articles and the work is less than scholarly. It is possible to write a chapter for a reader such as this and support your content with support and references. The articles here are interesting, well written, well referenced, and more-grounded in theory and research than a lot of the competition. I recommend it highly. MLK

Great Book!! Very Informative
I was lucky enough to take a class from Professor Samovar.This was a great book and a good introduction to intercultural communication.

Order: Intercultural Communication : A Reader
Intercultural Communication : A Readerby Larry A. Samovar (Editor), Richard E. PorterPaperback 9th edition (July 1999)Wadsworth Pub Co; ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Intercultural communication    3. Performing Arts    4. Performing Arts/Dance    5. Speech    6. Theater - General    7. Communication Studies    8. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech   

Reviews (14)

Lowering your expectations is good for the relationship
There is an underlying theme in this book that I think is important for every couple to consider: perhaps our expectations of our partners are too high.I've been a therapist for 25 years, and the most common problem I've encountered involves unexpressed-and often unconscious-expectations that one person has about the other. Women, I believe (and I think Dr. Lerner supports this as well), have higher expections than men. Sometimes they are so high, and so many, that there is no way not to be disappointed. What would happen if we lowered our expectations?We might, as Lerner suggests, become better listeners, and take more responsibility for fulfilling our own needs, rather than demanding that our happiness be met solely at home. Of all of Lerner's books, this is one I recommend most often to my clients.We don't need a soul-mate to be happily married, and if we lower the bar just a little, a "good enough" spouse can adequately provide the decades of richness we need.

Too much story telling
This book was recommended for me to read by my husband's personal therapist.He's in anger counseling, after coming back from Iraq, and I'm the one reading about six books right now.
Delivers---Ways of Staying Connected
*****
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Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Conflict Resolution    3. General    4. Interpersonal Communication    5. Interpersonal Relations    6. Intimacy (Psychology)    7. Psychology   

Reviews (92)

Chomsky Meets Gladwell
I stumbled upon this title last summer while searching Amazon for something interesting to read. Skipping over it at that point for one reason or another, however, I was again recommended this text as a supplement for a Linguistics course in which I am enrolled this fall. This is certainly no textbook in Linguistics, but it does serve as an interesting, easy-to-read work that makes contemporary, Chomsky-driven Linguistics (especially with regard to Universal Grammar and Cognitive Science) highly accessible. Pinker's writing, while sometimes manic and even unclear, still manages to captivate and seize attention easily in the same manner as other recent nonfiction texts (Malcolm Gladwell's are two such examples). With an intended audience of linguistic-laymen readers, Pinker has certainly succeeded in making boring textbook linguistics interesting, in furnishing his text with pertinent examples, and in bringing contemporary linguistics to the masses. As other reviewers have noted, one should remain skeptical and critical of Pinker's proposed theories (as is necessary with all such writing), but I would certainly recommend this text to anyone even slightly interested in the subject.

Left-Brainers Lack Empathy.
The language instinct is a set of interrelated capacities and functions in the brain and body that produce speech (and also writing and signing).Pinker calls this unity of parts and potentialities "modules." This book is his effort to make the case for his theory of how our language module operates.
Understanding language - fascinating, and vital for writers!
Steven Pinker has written a fascinating account of how language works; how we, as listeners, process the sounds that make up words and sentences in a way that allows us to extract meaning. The book is clear, entertaining and very accessible; Pinker's writing style is witty and engaging.
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Subjects:  1. Biolinguistics    2. Grammar    3. Language and languages    4. Life Sciences - Human Anatomy & Physiology    5. Linguistics    6. Neuropsychology    7. Psychology    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Grammar    11. Psycholinguistics   

Reviews (5)

Almost "The One Textbook" for Photojournalism
I have been using Kobre's excellent book as a text for teaching Introductory Photojournalism ever since the first edition; it has always been the best source out there for teaching and has improved with each edition.I consider the current (5th Edition) is be almost "The ONE Textbook" for learning everything you need to knowfor understanding and practicing Photojournalism. A bit more on layout and design for Picture Stories would make it perfect.
Tremendously useful; a photojournalist's bible
I bought this book for a photography class at Temple University, and it now serves as a wonderful guide and mentor toward all aspects of photojournalism. Readings from this book provided much debate and learning experiences for our class. Best book in Photojournalism you will ever read.
I'm been reading this book for a Photo course. The Material on it is quite interesting and the writing is pretty clear. I have been studing photography for about 3 years now and by far this is one of the best books you could ever hold on your book shell. A++ to a great writter and author. Will recomend this book to other college students that are persuding to go into the a photo journalist aventure like myself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Photo Techniques    2. Photography    3. Photojournalism    4. Photographic reportage    5. Photography / Photojournalism    6. Press & journalism   

Reviews (10)

Great learning Tool
As a Spanish 2 and 3 teacher I highly reccomend this book. I use it as a reference myself because it has great explanations and the order of the grammar structures is useful. I would reccomend getting an answer key along with the book. This is a great book to refresh your memory on grammatical structures.
Un Repaso Perfecto
Repaso was used as my school textbook for higher level Spanish courses in high school.Everything is great about it.The instructions are in English which makes it even more compatable.The book is able to review old concepts, but has enough to teach the little proper things about Spanish.It is a great purchase for any student that is just learning Spanish or has been taking it for many years and needs a reference.

No Answers Given Here
Although I agree that this book is certainly a bargain when compared to the standard textbook options that often cost 3-4 times as much, I was disappointed to find that no solutions to the exercises are provided. One must purchase ANOTHER book before the exercises in this book can really be said to be useful. I am a firm believer in immediate correction when it comes to language review and acquisition--spending time on exercises without knowing which you did wrong will only reinforce what are your misunderstandings of grammar. However, if you are willing (and able) to buy the solutions manual along with this book, then it will make a good review--though it won't be the bargain that it at first appeared. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Grammar    4. Language    5. Spanish    6. Juvenile Nonfiction / Foreign Language Study    7. Language readers    8. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Reviews (2)

Very useful and practical textbook!
I used an earlier edition while in graduate school and found it very helpful.Griffin has boiled down and concisely described about 30 or so communication theories.What's more, he does so in practical terms and concepts that college students can easily grasp and apply.While I believe that this text is more applicable to the undergrad than grad student, it is an excellent reference andtext.As a professor of communication, I now use it in my undergrad courses on communication theory. terribly overpriced
The information that is in this book is good but it is way overpriced.I could get the same amount of information in anthor book for 30 dollars cheaper. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Language    2. Language Arts & Disciplines    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Speech    5. Communication studies    6. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech   

Reviews (2)

Use This Instead of the 7th Edition!!
If you are taking a class that calls for the 7th Edition, you can use the 6th edition of this book.Not much changed except that a few chapters were switched around.I used the 6th Edition in a class that used the 7th Edition and got an A.: )I'm sure everyone can think of a lot better ways to spend $90+!
Foundational book for conflict resolution
Easy reading, with good examples of the various types and styles of conflict management, metaphors and escalation.Upon hearing the fate of Phil Hartman, I immediately thought of this book, and how its examples may have definately helped, as it has helped me to clarify issues in my marriage.However, the book failed to incorporate enough visual demonstrations of its "hands-on" ideas such as flowcharts or other types of process charts, thus probably causing the "visual-learner" type of audience to not be able to keep track of the "how-to" process.The book was used for a Public Conflict Resolution Ph.D course, however I would recommend it for any type of college course relating to conflict management. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conflict (Psychology)    2. General    3. Interpersonal conflict    4. Social Psychology    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Violence in Society    8. Conflict resolution    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech   

Reviews (32)

...works for civilians, too!
As an educator entering his ninth year of teaching, I wish I had discovered this book ten years ago.Not only have Dr. Thompson's ideas improved my classroom management and sense of control over conflicts, but Verbal Judo has also enabled me to remain calm when facing adverse situations.I find even the "hard style" described in Thompson's book to have a calming influence over what could easily escalate into a tense situation if handled incorrectly.
This may not be for civilians
Maybe this is a great book for a cop, corrections officer or someone in the military, but I do not think it works well in "civilian" life. The only reason I am keeping it is because my husband is a soldier and thinking about becoming a cop when he retires.
Security Officer Review
I just finished the book and found it very good. As I read it I realized I had been in some of the situations and had I known some Verbal Judo may have had a different result. Alot of the stories in the book pertain to police using VJ to gain voluntary compliance from some one without things getting out of hand. Doc Rhino gives you all the training in the book you need to be a great communicator. You don't have to be in Law enforcment or Security to get alot from this book I recommend this book for anybody that deals with people on a daily basis, especially difficult people. This book teaches you what words not to say to people as well as how to deflect verbal attacks.
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Subjects:  1. Conflict Resolution    2. General    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Interpersonal communication    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Persuasion (Psychology)    9. Persuasion (Rhetoric)    10. Police training    11. Psychology    12. Rhetoric (Speech)    13. Speech    14. United States    15. Self-Help / Success   

Reviews (7)

Helpful resource
This resource has a variety of valuable information for working with children with VPI or a cleft palate.It covers from birth through childhood.A must for clinicians who work with this type of population.

Phenomenally helpful for treatment
This book is a great resource for therapist's working with cleft palate, and VPI. It is not designed to be a resource for parents, but a functional guide to provide therapy that works. What therapist isn't looking to make progress? This book makes even the most difficult clients make progress. It is a wonderful book.

MOM of a 4-month old baby with cleft of the soft palate
I'm a Mom of a 4-month old baby with a cleft.I also have a M.S. in speech-pathology.(What are the odds?) :)I found this book to be really helpful, because while I attended one of the leading institutions for graduate school, we only had 1 class on Craniofacial Disorders, most of which focused on diagnosis and not on how to do therapy with people with cleft. If you're a therapist reading this review, then you'll appreciate this book for the easy-to-recognize discussion of all aspects of speech, how articulation and VPI both may be affected with the presence of cleft (many folks think it's just hypernasality and nasal emission, when actually artic can become a big factor).This is just one example.The book highlights the importance of early intervention, even when surgery to correct the cleft hasn't been done, citing the importance of learning appropriate behaviors for speech, even in the absence of "normal" anatomy. (Therapy after surgery, then, can be much more successful, and kiddos aren't learning inappropriate compensatory strategies in the meantime.)There are chapters for doing therapy with all ages, including what kinds of things you can do with an infant who is not yet speaking.That was great for my family.If you're a PARENT of a child with cleft, there may be some things that don't readily make sense (sideview diagrams of the oral cavity during production of different speech targets), but most of the book is still going to be an excellent resource.It will teach you the logic of the TYPES of speech issues that can accompany speech with cleft, how these can develop and why they might develop, what you can expect, and what you can help do about it.I am a big believer in the more you learn, the more an advocate you become for your own child.And the more a part of the therapy "team" you become.Instead of just "taking your child to see the therapist", you become the "at home therapist" who can read, understand, ask questions, and implement good at-home behaviors that can help make a few weekly hours of professional therapy stretch beyond the walls of the "office", and into the child's everyday environment.Finally, if you're a new parent of a child with a cleft, please feel free to write me.There are few parents that were easy for me to talk to when my baby was born with this issue. Feeding is difficult in the beginning and it can feel scary and foreign, and far from the breastfeeding and closeness that you were imagining, especially if food is coming out the nose like it was for us, etc. It was a really vulnerable time for me and my family and therefore, I'd like to give other new parents someone to talk to who understands what you're going through and can maybe help with some ideas.You can write me at sternsmk@hotmail.com or mparker@plato.com:)Meredith ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audiology & Speech Pathology    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Audiology & otology    5. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech    6. Speech & language disorders & therapy