Koncocoo

Best Retailing Industry

#GIRLBOSS
In the New York Times bestseller that the Washington Post called “ Lean In for misfits,” Sophia Amoruso shares how she went from dumpster diving to founding one of the fastest-growing retailers in the world. It’s this kind of honest advice, plus the humorous ups and downs of her rise in online retail, that make the book so appealing.” — Los Angeles Times. “Amoruso teaches the innovative and entrepreneurial among us to play to our strengths, learn from our mistakes, and know when to break a few of the traditional rules.” — Vanity Fair “#GIRLBOSS is more than a book . Sophia Amoruso is the Founder of Nasty Gal and the Founder and CEO of Girlboss.
Reviews
"It is inspiring to see with will power and nobody telling you no, you truly achieve something... and with spam."
"This was a very easy read and I have a lot of underlines in mine since there are many golden nuggets throughout for anyone who is considering starting their own business."
"What can I say about this book other than it's incredibly inspirational and gives me the feeling that I can go-get-'em."
"This is the only fully truthful business book I have read."
"This girl is funny, shares her start-up knowledge in a witty, humorous way."
"For anyone looking to start a business or just struggling to keep one afloat, this book is a great read."
"+ It truly is inspiring to read about a type of success not born of traditional privilege or ambition - I hope this book gets a lot of other young women out there to kick-start their dreams. Sophia seems to think her company is God's gift to Earth - I found her completely presumptuous both in her evaluation of her own brand equity, and hyperbolic in her descriptions of Nasty Gal as a "huge, explosive success" (I live and work in Silicon Valley, where nonprofits get $20M in funding annually easy and companies grow from 1 to 350 employees in two years - let's have a sense of scale here.). She had some nice words about some coworkers, but she never acknowledges the support her family gave her even as she was essentially a parenting failure, never thanks her customers for driving awareness of her brand, never admits that some of her colleagues are at least part of the reason behind her company's success. + She plays the victim so much but never acknowledges any real failures (and now, hiring someone you thought was right for the role and then having to fire them isn't a failure - it's a rhetorical device used to assert your authority in this book.)."
"Due to the hype, I was expecting better writing and more depth."
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The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon
The Everything Store is the book that the business world can't stop talking about, the revealing, definitive biography of the company that placed one of the first and largest bets on the Internet and forever changed the way we shop and read. SELECTED AS A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST, FORBES, THE NEW REPUBLIC, THE ECONOMIST, BLOOMBERG, AND GIZMODO, AND AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM BOOKS OF 2013 BY NIEMAN REPORTS. " The Everything Store is a revelatory read for everyone--those selling and those sold to--who wants to understand the dynamics of the new digital economy. If you've ever one-clicked a purchase, you must read this book." "A deeply reported and deftly written book.... Like Steven Levy's "In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives," and "Gates: How Microsoft's Mogul Reinvented an Industry -- and Made Himself the Richest Man in America" by Stephen Manes and Paul Andrews, it is the definitive account of how a tech icon came to life."
Reviews
"I wasn't really planning on reviewing this book, because I was mentioned in it several times and it didn't seem appropriate. But several other people who were also mentioned in the book have already posted reviews, and in fact, MacKenzie Bezos, in her well known 1-star review, suggested that other "characters" might "step out of books" and "speak for themselves". Since Mr. Stone did not have access to Jeff Bezos for this book, but had to rely on previous interviews and the accounts of others, it would be surprising if there weren't a few mistakes regarding his thought processes. As part of my agreement to be interviewed for this book, I was allowed to read a draft of the chapter which covered the time I was there, and I offered a number of corrections, some of which Mr. Stone was able to verify and incorporate. I have a pretty high degree of confidence that Mr. Stone made a significant effort, and did what was in his power, to make the book accurate. The irony is, of course, that by reviewing the book as MacKenzie Bezos did, she has brought an immense amount more attention to it -- there are dozens of articles referring to her review via Google News this morning -- and its sales rank has shot up considerably."
"Exciting story of one of the great companies and entrepreneurs Jeff Bezos."
"If you are one that enjoys business books and have used Amazon for any type or purchases then this book is for you."
"There is a lot to admire in successful companies, and Stone gives Amazon a lot of credit for being persistent, visionary, and relentless There is also plenty to fear -- and Stone does not shy away from pointing this out. He may have some of the details wrong, but I think that the picture he paints and the skill he shows in telling it make this a really compelling read."
"If you are looking merely for business case studies, this would not be the book for you; but if you find the anecdotal stories about the challenges and solutions the team used to build the business, I believe you will find this an outstanding read."
"Definitely worth a read, especially if you're addicted to this company like me."
"Bezos' story and personality is eerily similar to Jobs, and this book was as good if not better than that biography."
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The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd
To build a successful business, you need to stop doing random acts of marketing and start following a reliable plan for rapid business growth. In The 1-Page Marketing Plan, serial entrepreneur and rebellious marketer Allan Dib reveals a marketing implementation breakthrough that makes creating a marketing plan simple and fast. Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced entrepreneur, The 1-Page Marketing Plan is the easiest and fastest way to create a marketing plan that will propel your business growth. It went from startup to four years later being named by Business Review Weekly (BRW) as one of Australia's fastest growing companies - earning a spot in the coveted BRW Fast 100 list.
Reviews
"I have read a lot of marketing books and remained hopeful when I purchased this one that perhaps I would find a book worth reading. My MBA marketing courses didn't teach me as clearly as this book did."
"This book was basically a refresher course for me as I was in the advertising business back in the seventies having done work for JWT, BBDO and DDB (and quite a few unmentioned until I opened my own shop on Long Island, NY)."
"The author did take time to articulate the technical jargon into plain english (which is really not so simple as it sounds) which helps in relating to the topic at hand."
"This book confirmed many things about marketing that I've read and thought about in the past."
"This book is on point and full of great advice."
"I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is struggling to put a marketing plan in place for their brick and mortar or online business."
"This book book has a great deal of information for the new entrepreneur."
"I am a huge fan of great books, and this one is definitely a great one!"
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Best Retailing Industry

#GIRLBOSS
In the New York Times bestseller that the Washington Post called “ Lean In for misfits,” Sophia Amoruso shares how she went from dumpster diving to founding one of the fastest-growing retailers in the world. It’s this kind of honest advice, plus the humorous ups and downs of her rise in online retail, that make the book so appealing.” — Los Angeles Times. “Amoruso teaches the innovative and entrepreneurial among us to play to our strengths, learn from our mistakes, and know when to break a few of the traditional rules.” — Vanity Fair “#GIRLBOSS is more than a book . " #GIRLBOSS is more than a book . Her other books are The Girlboss Workbook and Nasty Galaxy.
Reviews
"It is inspiring to see with will power and nobody telling you no, you truly achieve something... and with spam."
"This was a very easy read and I have a lot of underlines in mine since there are many golden nuggets throughout for anyone who is considering starting their own business."
"What can I say about this book other than it's incredibly inspirational and gives me the feeling that I can go-get-'em."
"Finished this book in one afternoon."
"This is the only fully truthful business book I have read."
"This girl is funny, shares her start-up knowledge in a witty, humorous way."
"+ It truly is inspiring to read about a type of success not born of traditional privilege or ambition - I hope this book gets a lot of other young women out there to kick-start their dreams. Sophia seems to think her company is God's gift to Earth - I found her completely presumptuous both in her evaluation of her own brand equity, and hyperbolic in her descriptions of Nasty Gal as a "huge, explosive success" (I live and work in Silicon Valley, where nonprofits get $20M in funding annually easy and companies grow from 1 to 350 employees in two years - let's have a sense of scale here.). She had some nice words about some coworkers, but she never acknowledges the support her family gave her even as she was essentially a parenting failure, never thanks her customers for driving awareness of her brand, never admits that some of her colleagues are at least part of the reason behind her company's success. + She plays the victim so much but never acknowledges any real failures (and now, hiring someone you thought was right for the role and then having to fire them isn't a failure - it's a rhetorical device used to assert your authority in this book.)."
"Due to the hype, I was expecting better writing and more depth."
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Best Mail Order Small Businesses

Hacker's Guide To 35,000,000 Products: Alibaba.com: The Etsy, eBay and Amazon Treasure Chest
Giant Product Source + Right Product + Large Daily Sales = $5 - $10,000 Plus/Month! Chatter abounded for years on the internet how this Chinese source (Alibaba) and others like it, could not be trusted: stories of resellers getting stuck with cheap and inferior products, not receiving products, not getting what they ordered, not being able to return bad products and the list goes on, were everywhere. Safely source products from Alibaba and AliExpress What products to buy and what not to buy How to identify trustworthy suppliers How to brand yourself so you get higher search rankings How to go inside eBay and Amazon to determine the most searched and best selling products so you can zero in on what works The only way to safely pay for products What products to sell and not to sell and why How to find good products How to evaluate products How to buy samples What price range to stay in and why How to prevent excessive freight charges How to find trending and new products and why these are key to your success.
Reviews
"I’m glad that I picked this book."
"This book offered me a great opportunity to find and source products from alibaba with more confidence."
"Thank you for this super item and quick service!"
"great book a ton of interesting details explained thank you author of this book."
"This was a fast and easy ready; however, the author dropped some helpful tips and tricks!!"
"Learn something new. After reading this ebook I will try alibaba again. Thanks for the info."
"Plenty of helpful tips for beginner users of Alibaba."
"Simple and easy to understand book with photos on how to make $ on alibaba by buying wholesale and reselling items in eBay or Amazon."
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Best Booksellers & Bookselling

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry: A Novel
He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. “A wonderful, moving, endearing story of redemption and transformation that will sing in your heart for a very, very long time.” -- Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain. “Readers who delighted in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Letters from Skye will be equally captivated by this novel.” —* Library Journal, starred review. “This novel has humor, romance, a touch of suspense, but most of all love--love of books and bookish people and, really, all of humanity in its imperfect glory.” —Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow Child “Marvelously optimistic about the future of books and bookstores and the people who love both.” — The Washington Post. “Captures the joy of connecting people and books .
Reviews
"I actually didn't have any idea what the book was about when I started reading - and, at this point - having finished, I think I know what it's about but I'm unsure that I could really describe the "type" of book to anyone who asked."
"The recent death of his beloved wife has left him a widower at the age of thirty-nine. Enter an absolutely delightful cast of secondary characters who populate the island and A.J. And if you loved "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" or "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" you'll find lots to love here, as well - not because the plots are similar, but because of the similar feel to the novels that comes from a good cast of eccentric townsfolk, a small community, and a sense of closeness among the characters."
"We learn of his triumphs, his foibles, and his tragedies, and I think the author would make most readers share each of these with him--whether he is co-raising a child with his co-parent Google or finally summoning the nerve to propose to his love. Vikry says that he used to prefer full-length books but now most enjoys the short story, and I think this statement is key to another aspect of this work. Yes, it sells books, but it is also a communal meeting place and the location of ten different Reading Groups."
"If you love books, you are likely to love this novel about the owner of a small bookstore in the neighborhood of Cape Cod, owned by an impatient, embittered man who encounters love on many different levels almost in spite of himself."
"I approach book club choices with some trepidation as it is difficult to make choices that please a diverse group of people."
"The "Bookseller" goes from being a depressed and cynical as a widower to raising a baby left on his door and finding a new love."
"The things we loved."
"This was a case of laudatory reviews raising expectations and then having those expectations somewhat dashed."
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Best Business Operations Research

The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement
Written in a fast-paced thriller style, The Goal, a gripping novel, is transforming management thinking throughout the world. He has ninety days to save his plant - or it will be closed by corporate HQ, with hundreds of job losses. It takes a chance meeting with a professor from student days - Jonah - to help him break out of conventional ways of thinking to see what needs to be done. It contains a serious message for all managers in industry and explains the ideas, which underline the Theory of Constraints (TOC), developed by Eli Goldratt. One of Eli Goldratt s convictions was that the goal of an individual or an organization should not be defined in absolute terms. "A survey of the reading habits of managers found that though they buy books by the likes of Tom Peters for display purposes, the one management book they have actually read from cover to cover is The Goal."
Reviews
"As many other reviewers observed, the story has literal value as a conduit for learning how to identify process problems and resolve them by illustrating successful examples of HOW to question status quo plus successful examples of HOW to implement change through creating a collaborative or collective-ownership working environment that questions status quo as a matter of course."
"If you are employed in a business area, or interested in learning more about how to streamline company processes, this book is a great read."
"I have worked in oil and gas and manufacturing as an engineer and now manager for 20 years and I am finding this book is providing me insights on problems I am facing today."
"Between the fall of 2005 and the summer of 2011, I pursued a Master of Business Administration and Master of Systems Engineering back to back while working during the day."
"Anyone who is in their own business or has a management position in any size company should read this timeless classic."
"I had a really hard time finishing 11 CDs, I can not imagine what the book is like. From there, its hard to say which Chapters are the most valuable because he (Alex) does go back and forth about "The Goal" and the story of the book."
"TOC is a very beneficial way of finding constraints in your organization and work on a path of constant improvement .After listening to the successful implementation of TOC''s implementations in verious fields like hospitals , Automobiles etc I am convinced it can be the best tool for a manager and will be happy to be a part of its implementation or be the implamenter one day."
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Best E-Commerce

Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open Blockchain
The second edition includes: A broad introduction to bitcoin--ideal for non-technical users, investors, and business executives An explanation of the technical foundations of bitcoin and cryptographic currencies for developers, engineers, and software and systems architects Details of the bitcoin decentralized network, peer-to-peer architecture, transaction lifecycle, and security principles New developments such as Segregated Witness, Payment Channels, and Lightning Network Improved explanations of keys, addresses and wallets User stories, analogies, examples, and code snippets illustrating key technical concepts. With experience ranging from hardware and electronics to high level business and financial systems technology consulting and years as CTO/CIO/CSO in many companies — he combines authority and deep knowledge with an ability to make complex subjects easy to understand. His expertise includes Bitcoin, crypto-currencies, Information Security, Cryptography, Cloud Computing, Data Centers, Linux, Open Source and robotics software development.
Reviews
"Deep complex book for programmers."
"This is an outstanding introduction to the technology behind Bitcoin and cryptocurrency."
"Good technical introduction to bitcoin."
"Fantastic book if you want to learn what Bitcoin is and how it works."
"detailed, comprehensive, and masterful."
"great book very technical."
"He also tackles ways one might lose their bitcoins, and the ideas that are quite different from the centralized payment systems and banks we've become familiar with: one of these being the transference back to the asset owner of the responsibility for security--with suggestions as to how to go about securing them, even providing ways of leaving them to the family even in the event of death of the owner."
"One of the best technical books about blockchain technology I have ever come across."
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Best Manufacturing Industry

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer
Eliminating wasted time and resources Building quality into workplace systems Finding low-cost but reliable alternatives to expensive new technology Producing in small quantities Turning every employee into a qualitycontrol inspector. The result is an amazing business success story: steadily taking market share from price-cutting competitors, earning far more profit than any other automaker, and winning the praise of business leaders worldwide. Dr. Jeffrey Liker, a renowned authority on Toyota's Lean methods, explains how you can adopt these principles--known as the "Toyota Production System" or "Lean Production"--to improve the speed of your business processes, improve product and service quality, and cut costs, no matter what your industry. You'll learn how Toyota fosters employee involvement at all levels, discover the difference between traditional process improvement and Toyota's Lean improvement, and learn why companies often think they are Lean--but aren't. The Toyota Way, explain's Toyota's unique approach to Lean--the 14 management principles and philosophy that drive Toyota's quality and efficiency-obsessed culture. The book is full of examples of the 14 fundamental principles at work in the Toyota culture, and how these principles create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Reviews
"There is a good mix of examples of how the Toyota way is followed and how to implement."
"The original story by the original people - buy this for the "lean production" method."
"Being from a mechanical and industrial engineering, this book brought out many changes in my work life and personal life."
"Toyota not only lead the way for manufacturing but for building a company and culture of continuous self improvement for all aspects of the company."
"It's mostly a history book but it's a really neat one all the same."
"I listened to the audiobook while driving along with reading the book whenever I was stationary such as home and work."
"A treasure chest, chuck full of powerful concepts, explained simply, clearly, and concisely: sums it up for me!"
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Best Service Industry

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur: The tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up in business, even if you are at the end of your roll.
So says Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, a business book that is so uniquely useful, so raw and entertaining, it reads like the brainchild of Steve Jobs and Chris Rock. Whether you're just starting out or have been at this for years, Mike's "get real" approach to business is a much-needed swift kick in the pants. "Disarmingly funny, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur tells it like it is and yet never gives up on the little guy. "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a great, insightful read loaded with ingenuity, humor, and heart. -- Cameron Johnson , Entrepeneur, Oprah's The Big Give Contestent and Author of You Call The Shots. -- Fraser Doherty , 19 Year Old Founder & Managing Director of $1M+ company, SuperJam. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur shows you how to get off the pot by using what you have to make your business a success!" First, it is written by a successful serial entrepreneur who has built multi-million dollar businesses and walked the talk. The founder of three multimillion-dollar companies, including Obsidian Launch, a company that partners with first-time entrepreneurs to grow their concepts into industry leaders, Mike Michalowicz knows what it really takes to spin your great idea into pure gold. Whether you're just starting out or have been at this for years, Mike's "get real" approach to business is a much-needed swift kick in the pants.
Reviews
"The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur has a target base of readers who have discovered they MUST get off the proverbial pot if they are to have any chance of success in this very challenging economy. These people are ready, willing, and capable of achieving wonderfully successful businesses that can in turn jump start the economy, but they don't have time to go back to school to learn all the technical jargon, etc to begin their work. At the end of each chapter is a set of action steps designed to help the budding entrepreneur or even a long-time business person evaluate his WHY...why am I doing what I'm doing...for if one can reignite the passion, or in some cases actually discover the driving passion, then there is a recipe for success that does not involve a convoluted, mystifying jumble of highly specific jargon that only the "media darlings", as Michalowicz calls them, can decipher. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur cuts to the chase in regard to small business development by sharing with his audience what the 20% already know...you must know WHO you are in order to know WHAT you are about before you can determine WHERE you are going, and all of that BEFORE you can create the road map to get there! Many, if not all, of the TPE audience feels betrayed by the system, but Michalowicz offers hope by reminding us of our historical origins......we are a nation of resourceful, resilient people who can do anything with a strong will and "just three sheets of paper"."
"I love this book because it's more than a book, it's become a guide to charting the course of my business."
"I'm on my way to starting my own business and using the principles in this book I found my passion and now I'm taking action. The proof is in the pudding and in my humble opinion, this book is worth every penny.I stumbled across and purchased it purely because the name intrigued me and now I'm totally hooked on anything Mike Michalowicz has to offer. They are referred to as Immutable Laws and by building your business round them you will be happy and always inspired to work. This book has some great tips and advice on how to build a business you are passionate about and will be able to sustain for the long haul. This is Not a book about short cuts, or unsubstantiated claims of how to turn a $100 into $100,000 with just a click of a button. You will get some great strategies for success from this book, but like it says on page 35: without action "it's all concepts and no application." If your still not convinced, check out Mick Michalowicz blog at [...] Sign up for his newsletter and see how much valuable advice he gives."
"Before starting my business, I read many books on "business". Every other business book talks about waiting for the "perfect" time to start, well guess what, that "perfect" time will make you wait until you die!"
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Best Energy & Mining Industry

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power
Deemed "the best history of oil ever written" by Business Week and with more than 300,000 copies in print, Daniel Yergin’s Pulitzer Prize–winning account of the global pursuit of oil, money, and power has been extensively updated to address the current energy crisis. The Prize portrays the interweaving of national and corporate interests, the conflicts and stratagems, the miscalculations, the follies, and the ironies." "Impassioned and riveting...only in the great epics of Homer will readers regularly run into a comparable string of larger-than-life swashbucklers and statesmen, heroes and villains."
Reviews
"It focuses on the effects of oil on the economies of both consuming and producing nations as well how access to oil affects the political power of nations."
"It makes no sense to export a precious finite resource, and it makes a lot of sense to use our enemy's supply first."
"This is the third copy of this book that I have purchased."
"The sentiments of various people and groups towards oil (good or bad) were negligible in the book which gave it almost a sterile feel. I now have a much stronger understanding of just how oil plays its enormous role in the global society. I can't say enough about how well this book informs its reader in an enjoyable and insightful way. It may at points be dry material, but in no way did i feel like this book was written over my head."
"Although concentrated on the oil industry, this book is really an incredible history of the twentieth century, which makes a lot of sense considering the paramount of oil to that era and now."
"This is a long book, but if you want to write a comprehensive story of oil and its impact on the economy spanning more than a century, it's going to be long."
"This is one of the best histories of the Oil Business."
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Best Museum Industry

The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects
Beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs throughout, The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects is a rich and fascinating journey through America's collective memory, and a beautiful object in its own right. Kirkus Reviews : “Smithsonian Undersecretary Kurin’s tales are abundant, so much so that it seems almost a shame to stop at a mere 101 items....A well-conceived and well-illustrated pleasure to read, combining narrative history and keepsake volume.”.
Reviews
"Kurin has written a very interesting series of articles about these 101 objects and how they relate to the history of America."
"Love this book...Didn't think it would be this thick for softcover...Alot of good information inside.. Great purchase..."
"Pages inside the book are good, but the jacket and cover are torn and worn in places."
"The book is filled with an immense amount of information which is presented in a fascinating, readable way."
"I am moving to the USA soon and thought it would be interesting to get to know some of the history of my next home country and this book is a really great source for that."
"What is not to love about anything Smithsonian?"
"An excellent book: One of the best put out by The Smithsonian."
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Best Performing Arts Industry

Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food
By 1934, four years before his first feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs would be released, Mickey Mouse had made him famous enough to have a recipe published in Better Homes & Gardens magazine. From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most famous men on the planet, Walt was more of an everyman than a pampered celebrity when it came to eating. In no particular order I like traveling the world, Broadway musicals, consorting with race horse persons, cooking for family and friends, reading, fitness, soul searching and wine. When I am not adventuring, I live in Sonoma County, which according to Luther Burbank is "...the chosen spot of all this earth as far as Nature is concerned."
Reviews
"My husband wanted this book."
"Great book!"
"I only just received my copy of this remarkable book a few hours ago and i'm already checking my list, ready to stock up for Chrismas presents! Just as we gather around our meals and share the goings-on of our day, this book allows us to do the same and draws us closer to being adopted into Walt's family. When you finish you may feel as I did, that I had been privy to some pretty special moments in the Disney history heretofore just touched on in other works."
"It's also a very aesthetically-pleasing physical volume: a good size, so that its many images are reproduced at a comfortable scale, and with handsome little borders around the pages that evoke the middle of the last century."
"My wife and I are huge Disneyland fans, and in part it’s because of the culture of food – from the nostalgic (Monte Cristo) to the delightful (Dole Whip) to the delicious (Corndog), we always enjoy our time eating in the park. Marcy takes us on a journey that not only demonstrates how integral food was to the idea of Disneyland from Day One, but showcases the insight Walt had about how people ate (and gives us a wonderful glimpse into his own eating habits)."
"Lots of history, and information, but very little in the way of park recipies."
"I can see the appeal that this book would have for the ultra-Disney enthusiast, but this is an absolute mish-mash of a book that left me confused and disappointed. Way at the back of the book there is a map of Disneyland which should have been way up front, because the general organizational structure of the book goes land by land through Disneyland and if you've never been there (I've been to Disneyworld many, many times but never Disneyland) many of the references about things like boundaries will not make much sense. The book also fails as a history."
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Best Restaurant & Food Industry

The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower's Handbook for Small-scale Organic Farming
The Market Gardener is a compendium of la Grelinette’s proven horticultural techniques and innovative growing methods. The Market Gardener is a compendium of La Grelinette’s proven horticultural techniques, packed with practical information on: • Setting-up a micro-farm by designing biologically intensive cropping systems, all with negligible capital outlay; • Farming without a tractor and minimizing fossil fuel inputs through the use of the best hand tools, appropriate machinery and minimum tillage practices; • Growing mixed vegetables systematically with attention to weed and pest management, crop yields, harvest periods and pricing approaches. Based on low-tech, high-yield methods of production The Market Gardener is a complete, modern, micro-scale farming handbook which shows that making a living wage growing food without large capital outlay or access to an acreage may be closer than you think.
Reviews
"Even though I knew the book was geared toward someone planning to sell their produce as opposed to a home gardener like myself, I decided to buy the book based on reviews and what I saw in the book via Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature. The impression I get from other books and articles is that you can totally sustain your garden forever and ever off the compost you make yourself, and that may be true, but Jean-Martin states that the time and space they would need to create and maintain compost piles is better utilized by growing more produce- plus the organic compost they buy is predictable in terms of quality and composition, which are both important. This book contains, hands down, THE MOST useful information on crop rotation (and how to implement it) than any other resource I have found to date. Before buying this book I had spent literally weeks on the web, trying to figure out the best way (or at least a practical way) to implement crop rotation and not finding anything beyond very generalized advice to “rotate by crop families” or “follow heavy feeders with light feeders” or “don’t plant the same things in the same beds every year”. Trying to find out if plants needed a two, three, four, or more year rotation was difficult and there was a lot of conflicting information on what plants were heavy vs. light feeders (or in between), how long rotations should be, and so on. This book presented me with a wealth of actual, practical, applicable information on crop rotation, the whys, and how they do it. He gives the common name, the plant family and fertilization needs (good to know for crop rotation), intensive spacing requirements, days in the garden (which may or may not be days to maturity depending on if he direct seeds that plant or not, but it’s easy to tell which are which) and some other various bits of information and notes on the plant in question."
"As for the product, I do like the writing style which makes the book very interesting to read even though I am not from a farm business background."
"Hard work, proper tools and techniques, creative problem solving, and commitment to high standards are major themes of his success."
"Jean-Martin has shown me how to take the puzzle pieces, I have accrued from 35 years of gardening, and put them into a time-table of efficiency that works!"
"I am always looking for good gardening books and when I saw all the positive reviews for this one I knew I had to buy it."
"If you're looking for true encouragement and you're serious about farming, this book grants inspiration and a clearer vision to fuel that passion forward into reality."
"After watching his YouTube videos, I purchased Jean-Martin's book to improve my knowledge of how to produce better crops."
"some useful information, it was originally published in French and some of it was mildly hard to understand because of the way it was translated, a few times I had to reread a paragraph to actually understand what was discussed, but except for a few spots its easy to understand."
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Best Agriculture Industry

The Urban Farmer: Growing Food for Profit on Leased and Borrowed Land
Access to land is a major barrier for many people who want to enter the agricultural sector, and urban and suburban yards have huge potential for would-be farmers wanting to become part of this growing movement. Curtis Stone is the owner/operator of Green City Acres, a commercial urban farm growing vegetables for farmers markets, restaurants, and retail outlets. Based on a scalable, easily reproduced business model, The Urban Farmer is your complete guide to minimizing risk and maximizing profit by using intensive production in small leased or borrowed spaces.
Reviews
"How to acquire the needed resources: urban land, primarily lawns and some equipment. Although he is known as "the bike farmer" in this Canadian town where he lives, and thus might be taken for a counter-culture sort, he is very forthright in saying that this identity is a marketing tool. The book is relentlessly focused on the bottom line rather than being wedded to any idealistic principles. Farming is a business, and he tells you how to optimize every aspect of the operation to make it profitable. Call them crunchy cons, yuppies, urban aesthetes, or whatever else, anybody familiar with the American or Canadian social scene will recognize his customer base. There are people who did not want mass-produced, mass marketed food, and are willing to pay a premium for fresh, pure, locally grown produce. Stone serves three sets of customers: local farmers' markets, Community Supported Agriculture, and restaurants. The other outlets being more profitable, Stone devotes more space to describing how to establish oneself with farmers markets and restaurants. The first is that there is a broad market in North America for the kind of high quality, organic produce he is able to grow. They account for between 30 and 60 percent of urban water use, and take a lot of time and gasoline to mow. The most amazing observation I found in the book is how little land it takes to succeed in urban farming. Observe that quarter acre lots are extremely common in the suburbs, and you can conclude that it is not difficult to satisfy the land requirements. Going to the bottom line, Stone writes about generating incomes in the five figure range, comparable with teachers and other professionals who will be among his customers. The urban farmer doesn't need to spend a lot of money on clothes, a car to get to and from work, and the other trappings of a professional life. Being reliant on a bicycle (perhaps battery assisted, to pull around a Rototiller on a trailer) is an immediate money saver. However, the book will be useful to me in planning how to lay out our garden plots, how to use plastic tunnels to extend the growing season, how to control pests and weeds, and how to decide what to plant. Stone writes about the qualities one looks for in an employee "Paying for labor is worth it only if it allows you to do tasks that cannot be delegated as easily." In terms of the human capital that he himself evidently brings, it includes yeoman farmer attributes that we would all like to impute to our ancestors, but we have to observe are rather rare today. Here is the human capital that Stone himself appears to possess: • An innate sense of entrepreneurship. Throughout Stone's day he comes in contact with many, many potential customers, and has the patience and the graciousness to talk with all of them. Stone acquires the knowledge he shares in this book by talking to people, reading, and tinkering and figuring things out. Stone describes how he uses spreadsheets extensively to plan his operations and record his outcomes. So, on the one hand, he started from nothing: no education in farming, no real experience, and precious little capital. These kids emerge from the University chock-full of formal education but with no practical experience, and quite specifically, little notion of the fact that one earns a living by providing the kinds of goods and services that people are willing to pay for. What a blessing it would be to a 16-year-old with no discernible direction in life to get involved in something like urban farming and learn the self-discipline and the talents required to make a success of this fairly basic undertaking. Quick Breakdown of Economics. --- A Viable Farming Business On ½ Acre Or Less. 4."
"Jam packed with quality information!!!"
"This book is everything you need to eat well from your own yard, and kick your boss to the curb and make a new life for yourself."
"If you follow his YouTube channel, you will really love the book."
"Great book and can be scaled down for home use."
"Really great book !"
"It covers a lot of information and I feel like this book actually pave the way for those who doesn't know anything about farming."
"A must have for sure, I have been watching Curtis on uTube for a while."
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Best Construction Industry

RSMeans Illustrated Construction Dictionary, with Free Interactive CD-ROM: The Complete Source of Constrcution Terms and Concept
As a desk or field reference, RSMeans Illustrated Construction Dictionary is invaluable for architects, contractors, and facility owners and managers, as well as insurance and real estate professionals, attorneys, and anyone else who needs to understand construction terminology. Means Illustrated Construction Dictionary Condensed Version Second Edition. with expanded terms and illustrations for wood framing, real estate and appraisal, and interior design and construction projects. The best portable dictionary for office or field use — an essential tool for contractors, architects, insurance and real estate personnel, facility managers, homeowners, and anyone who needs quick, clear definitions for construction terms.
Reviews
"I had to return this dictionary."
"I am brand new to the construction industry and am working in a marketing department."
"When I'm doing an inspection and someone talks about a particular method of construction I don't know much about, I look up the term in this book and highlight it for future reference."
"only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because the cd keeps tryng to load acrobat reader version 4, last time I looked I was up to version 11, this was fouling up my computer."
"ø¤º°`°º¤ø * AWESOME PRODUCT * ø¤º°`°º¤ø, Thanks!"
"Very good reference for construction."
"This is a great tool for anyone in construction!"
"It was just the book I always wanted - now it's daily on my desk."
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Best Transportation Industry

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer
Eliminating wasted time and resources Building quality into workplace systems Finding low-cost but reliable alternatives to expensive new technology Producing in small quantities Turning every employee into a qualitycontrol inspector. The result is an amazing business success story: steadily taking market share from price-cutting competitors, earning far more profit than any other automaker, and winning the praise of business leaders worldwide. Dr. Jeffrey Liker, a renowned authority on Toyota's Lean methods, explains how you can adopt these principles--known as the "Toyota Production System" or "Lean Production"--to improve the speed of your business processes, improve product and service quality, and cut costs, no matter what your industry. You'll learn how Toyota fosters employee involvement at all levels, discover the difference between traditional process improvement and Toyota's Lean improvement, and learn why companies often think they are Lean--but aren't. The Toyota Way, explain's Toyota's unique approach to Lean--the 14 management principles and philosophy that drive Toyota's quality and efficiency-obsessed culture. The book is full of examples of the 14 fundamental principles at work in the Toyota culture, and how these principles create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Reviews
"There is a good mix of examples of how the Toyota way is followed and how to implement."
"The original story by the original people - buy this for the "lean production" method."
"Being from a mechanical and industrial engineering, this book brought out many changes in my work life and personal life."
"Toyota not only lead the way for manufacturing but for building a company and culture of continuous self improvement for all aspects of the company."
"It's mostly a history book but it's a really neat one all the same."
"I listened to the audiobook while driving along with reading the book whenever I was stationary such as home and work."
"A treasure chest, chuck full of powerful concepts, explained simply, clearly, and concisely: sums it up for me!"
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Best Automotive Industries

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer
Eliminating wasted time and resources Building quality into workplace systems Finding low-cost but reliable alternatives to expensive new technology Producing in small quantities Turning every employee into a qualitycontrol inspector. The result is an amazing business success story: steadily taking market share from price-cutting competitors, earning far more profit than any other automaker, and winning the praise of business leaders worldwide. Dr. Jeffrey Liker, a renowned authority on Toyota's Lean methods, explains how you can adopt these principles--known as the "Toyota Production System" or "Lean Production"--to improve the speed of your business processes, improve product and service quality, and cut costs, no matter what your industry. You'll learn how Toyota fosters employee involvement at all levels, discover the difference between traditional process improvement and Toyota's Lean improvement, and learn why companies often think they are Lean--but aren't. The Toyota Way, explain's Toyota's unique approach to Lean--the 14 management principles and philosophy that drive Toyota's quality and efficiency-obsessed culture. The book is full of examples of the 14 fundamental principles at work in the Toyota culture, and how these principles create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Reviews
"Being from a mechanical and industrial engineering, this book brought out many changes in my work life and personal life."
"It's mostly a history book but it's a really neat one all the same."
"I listened to the audiobook while driving along with reading the book whenever I was stationary such as home and work."
"A treasure chest, chuck full of powerful concepts, explained simply, clearly, and concisely: sums it up for me!"
"I'm just an unfrozen caveman operations guy and even I can see the genius behind these principles."
"Excellent book!"
"While Mr. Liker is apparently very keen on Toyota, the lean methods and principles speak for themselves."
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Best Financial Services Industry

Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt
#1 New York Times Bestseller ― With a new Afterword. “Lewis, as always, is exceedingly good at describing the complexities and absurdities of the subculture he portrays here… A deeply entertaining book, and one that illuminates how much our world has changed in less than a decade.”. - Hector Tobar, Los Angeles Times. “Remarkable… Michael Lewis has a spellbinding talent for finding emotional dramas in complex, highly technical subjects.”. - Financial Times. “Michael Lewis is a genius, and his book will give high-frequency trading a much-needed turn under the microscope.”. - Kevin Roose, New York Magazine.
Reviews
"But other times when execution really matters, it was all real, the price you were willing to trade at just got shifted permanently right before your eyes and somebody "front-run" you. I learned a while ago, if the first million can't make you happy, that you have to accumulate more, you will never be content. If you have to play the rigged game to add more riches to your money pile that most human beings will never see in their lifetime, I feel sorry for you. Granted, true free market doesn't exist in the financial world (no matter where you look, New York/London/Chicago/Tokyo). Only the naive will expect any market to give all participants the same level of positioning to engage in any transaction. When I show up to buy strawberries, some farmers/dealers have way more information on the supply and demand, and have inventory to reflect their view. For those who deny the unfairness of HFT front-running, either you haven't seen it (which should disqualify you from commenting on this topic) or you are so jaded that you can't see its harm (which begs questions about your integrity)."
"If you've seen the talking heads on the news and business cable channels or read their online comments pooh-poohing this book, after having read the book I can say with a fair amount of certainty the those talking heads probably haven't read this book."
"One can get caught up in the epic battle between the "good guys" and the "Big guys" or rather the secret traders and big banks versus those who were trying to make the system transparent."
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Best Sports & Entertainment Industry

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
From one of the co-founders of Pixar Animation Studios—the Academy Award–winning studio behind Coco, Inside Out, and Toy Story —comes an incisive book about creativity in business and leadership for readers of Daniel Pink, Tom Peters, and Chip and Dan Heath. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Huffington Post • Financial Times • Success • Inc. • Library Journal “[ Creativity, Inc. ]. just might be the most thoughtful management book ever.”— Fast Company Creativity, Inc. is a book for managers who want to lead their employees to new heights, a manual for anyone who strives for originality, and the first-ever, all-access trip into the nerve center of Pixar Animation—into the meetings, postmortems, and “Braintrust” sessions where some of the most successful films in history are made. It is, at heart, a book about how to build a creative culture—but it is also, as Pixar co-founder and president Ed Catmull writes, “an expression of the ideas that I believe make the best in us possible.”. Praise for Creativity, Inc. “Over more than thirty years, Ed Catmull has developed methods to root out and destroy the barriers to creativity, to marry creativity to the pursuit of excellence, and, most impressive, to sustain a culture of disciplined creativity during setbacks and success.” —Jim Collins, co-author of Built to Last and author of Good to Great “Too often, we seek to keep the status quo working. Any reader of Creativity, Inc., Catmull’s new book on the art of running creative companies, will have to agree. Catmull, president of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation, has written what just might be the most thoughtful management book ever.” — Fast Company “It’s one thing to be creative; it’s entirely another—and much more rare—to build a great and creative culture. Over more than thirty years, Ed Catmull has developed methods to root out and destroy the barriers to creativity, to marry creativity to the pursuit of excellence, and, most impressive, to sustain a culture of disciplined creativity during setbacks and success. Catmull’s book is quickly becoming the latest bible for the show business crowd.” —The New York Times “The most practical and deep book ever written by a practitioner on the topic of innovation.” —Prof. [Catmull] uses Pixar’s triumphs and near-disasters to outline a system for managing people in creative businesses—one in which candid criticism is delivered sensitively, while individuality and autonomy are not strangled by a robotic corporate culture.” — Financial Times “A wonderful new book . An immensely readable and rewarding book that will challenge and inspire readers to make their workplaces hotbeds of creativity.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Punctuated with surprising tales of how the company’s films were developed and the company’s financial struggles, Catmull shares insights about harnessing talent, creating teams, protecting the creative process, candid communications, organizational structures, alignment, and the importance of storytelling. [ Creativity, Inc. ] will delight and inspire creative individuals and their managers, as well as anyone who wants to work ‘in an environment that fosters creativity and problem solving.’” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “For anyone managing anything, and particularly those trying to manage creative teams, Catmull is like a kind, smart godfather guiding us toward managing wisely, without losing our souls, and in a way that works toward greatness. What Ed Catmull shares instead is his astute experience that creativity isn’t strictly a well of ideas, but an alchemy of people. In Creativity, Inc. Ed reveals, with commonsense specificity and honesty, examples of how not to get in your own way and how to realize a creative coalescence of art, business, and innovation.” —George Lucas “This is the best book ever written on what it takes to build a creative organization.
Reviews
"Managers, as well as anyone who wants to better understand how companies work and what elements are necessary to make and keep them successful, will appreciate Catmull’s insight on leadership, nurturing creative environment, and protecting it from invisible threats. After reading the book, I constantly find myself quoting the concepts and examples described there when talking to my husband or friends about their jobs or my own and discussing what works, what doesn’t, and why."
"Ed shared several amusing experiences creating these magnificent movies to illustrate management concepts."
"Mr. Catmull presents an impressive analysis of how corporate culture can negatively impact creativity, even when corporate leaders proclaim their support for creativity and truly believe they are doing everything they can to foster and support it."
"Whether you're just a Pixar fan, or you're looking for ways to improve your company, you can't go wrong with this book."
"It tells of how the company was formed and the various challenges and changes along the way as well as how the people in charge are constantly attempting to maintain Pixar as a separate entity from Disney after being purchased by the latter while fixing Disney's animation studios and making Disney a world class entity itself."
"The book is definitely about creativity and the creative process, but it's equally about business and management."
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Best Media & Communications Industry

All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Ninth Edition
“The industry bible” ( Los Angeles Times ), now updated, essential for anyone in the music business—musicians, songwriters, lawyers, agents, promoters, publishers, executives, and managers—trying to navigate the rapid transformation of the industry. Now if you’re reading this and trying to decide whether the music business will disappear and if you’d be better off putting the price of this book into your stamp collection, there actually is a beautiful weather forecast. As we’ll discuss, streaming has the potential to make the music business bigger than it’s ever been in history. People who never would have gone into a record store are listening to streams, and the numbers are growing fast. As these new ways to exploit music take hold, you might wonder how artists get paid. And at no extra charge (if you act RIGHT NOW), there’s an update of what’s happening with traditional music business deals—recording, songwriting, merchandising, touring, and so forth.
Reviews
"I'll definitely refer back to it as my journey continues, but no matter your "stage" or "status" in the industry, do yourself a favor and read this book!"
"You dont buy this book... YOU dont take your craft seriously."
"Amazing book."
"This has become my bible for working in the music industry and has allowed me to have a clear understanding of the industry for running my record label."
"Great book to learn the ropes, it should be a must have if your in the music world."
"Bought it for my godson and he loved it."
"Great book, well worth the reading, from novice to expert, you will get something of value out of this book."
"It's a very good book for those interested in hearing a bit of the nitty gritty that goes on in our wonderful but hectic world of music (behind the scenes)."
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Best Computers & Technology Industry

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made
Taking some of the most popular, bestselling recent games, Schreier immerses readers in the hellfire of the development process, whether it's RPG studio Bioware's challenge to beat an impossible schedule and overcome countless technical nightmares to build Dragon Age: Inquisition ; indie developer Eric Barone's single-handed efforts to grow country-life RPG Stardew Valley from one man's vision into a multi-million-dollar franchise; or Bungie spinning out from their corporate overlords at Microsoft to create Destiny , a brand new universe that they hoped would become as iconic as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings —even as it nearly ripped their studio apart. For anyone who has ever wondered how some of the most successful games are made, this book is a real eye-opener… At its heart, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is an ode to the people who put every fiber of their being into making memorable experiences for gamers all over the world.” (Fiction Southeast). In Blood, Sweat, and Pixels , Jason Schreier takes readers on a fascinating odyssey behind the scenes of video game development, where the creator may be a team of six hundred overworked underdogs or a solitary geek genius. Exploring the artistic challenges, technical impossibilities, marketplace demands, and Donkey Kong–sized monkey wrenches thrown into the works by corporate, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels reveals how bringing any game to completion is more than Sisyphean—it’s nothing short of miraculous. Examining some of the bestselling games and most infamous failures, Schreier immerses readers in the hellfire of the development process, whether it’s RPG studio BioWare’s challenge to beat an impossible schedule and overcome countless technical nightmares to build Dragon Age: Inquisition ; indie developer Eric Barone’s single-handed efforts to grow country-life RPG Stardew Valley from one man’s vision into a multimillion-dollar franchise; or Bungie employees spinning out from their corporate overlords at Microsoft to create Destiny , a brand-new universe that they hoped would become as iconic as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings —even as it nearly ripped their studio apart.
Reviews
"I've been a reading of Kotaku and a listener of SplitScreen for some time, and I was very excited when I found out Jason was writing this book. Two points that stick with me as I think about this book that I hope help you decide whether to read it (which I highly recommend you do). The studios that strive to put out good work are busting it every day, and for those studios and individuals that really care about making good games, this book will illustrate why they deserve that praise even if they make a game that doesn't come out great. Jason talked about this on the podcast and the overall sustainability of the industry, but it certainly seems like something is going to give soon given what game developers have to endure just to get something done."
"Between the choice of games he picked to showcase probably all of the biggest challenges in the video game making, ranging from corporate and office politics to the hardship of being an independent developer (I have a whole lot more of respect of Eric Barone's Stardew Valley now), Jason explains it well and without patronizing the reader that he knows more than others (which many other books sadly do)."
"Blood, Sweat and Pixels, by Jason Schreier is a look at the process of creating video games in a way that most people don't really think about. From the legally unavoidable piracy issues in Poland leading to CD Projekt Red's formation to the lackluster release of Vanilla destiny, Jason tells us the behind the scenes stories of not only what happened to some of the video games released in an unexpected state, but why. They ship games in that state because they feel they have no choice. Halo Wars and Pillars of Eternity didn't make sense to a lot of people, but the teams believed there was an unseen audience that were desperate for the games they were creating... And they were right."
"If you frequent the website Kotaku, you already know Jason."
"Anyone who enjoys the game development process or the "business" of making games will enjoy this book."
"Pretty fun and fascinating stories about the games you’ve heard a lot about, and the people behind them that you never knew existed."
"Decent book, good behind the scenes details about what it really takes to make video games."
"Required reading for any true fan of video games."
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Best Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Industry

Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America
Now with bonus material, including a new foreword and afterword with updated research In this astonishing and startling book, award-winning science and history writer Robert Whitaker investigates a medical mystery: Why has the number of disabled mentally ill in the United States tripled over the past two decades? Every day, 1,100 adults and children are added to the government disability rolls because they have become newly disabled by mental illness, with this epidemic spreading most rapidly among our nation’s children. Or did they find that these medications, for some paradoxical reason, increase the likelihood that people will become chronically ill, less able to function well, more prone to physical illness? Our nation has been hit by an epidemic of disabling mental illness, and yet, as Anatomy of an Epidemic reveals, the medical blueprints for curbing that epidemic have already been drawn up. In Anatomy of an Epidemic investigative reporter Robert Whitaker cuts through flawed science, greed and outright lies to reveal that the drugs hailed as the cure for mental disorders instead worsen them over the long term. Whitaker tenderly interviews children and adults who bear witness to the ravages of mental illness, and testify to their newly found “aliveness” when freed from the prison of mind-numbing drugs.” —Daniel Dorman, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine and author of Dante’s Cure: A Journey Out of Madness “This is the most alarming book I’ve read in years. Relying on medical evidence and historical documentation, Whitaker builds his case like a prosecuting attorney.” —Carl Elliott, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota and author of Better than Well: American Medicine Meets the American Dream “ Anatomy of an Epidemic investigates a profoundly troubling question: do psychiatric medications increase the likelihood that people taking them, far from being helped, are more likely to become chronically ill? Robert Whitaker is a reliable, sensible, and persuasive, guide to the paradoxes and complexities of what we know about mental illness, and what we might be able to do to lessen the suffering it brings.” —Jay Neugeboren, author of Imagining Robert and Transforming Madness “Every so often a book comes along that exposes a vast deceit.
Reviews
"There's a bunch of reviews on here that say this book is invalid, but when you dig into their reasons, they are cherry picking data and using disproven research. But gradual withdrawal does work, and many people have gotten their lives back by learning how to use psych drugs appropriately as a tool instead of as the entire solution. This book cites like 400 studies, works with all the best patient advocates in the industry, and is the best science has to offer to explain both problems and solutions."
"Many of the harshest reviews of this book seem to be coming from those who currently depend on psychiatric medications, and find the author's conclusions heartless, given their own distress. I had been told by well-respected psychiatrists at two major research universities that the only way to prevent recurring depressive episodes was to be on medication for life. As I looked around at my many, many friends and family members on psychiatric medications, it seemed to me that most of them were still pretty substantially depressed a lot of the time. I understand how doctors came to use that analogy to reassure patients who were alarmed at the prospect of being on mind-altering drugs for long periods of time. I did a very slow, careful taper off of my psych drugs, over a period of months (this part is absolutely crucial). I have found daily aerobic exercise to be a far more reliable way of mitigating depression than my former medications, and research in this book shows this to be true for a majority of people as well. The "medical model" of psychiatry saved that branch of medicine from dying out, given our insurance-based healthcare system, and Robert Whitaker does a great job of exposing the collusion between the pharmaceutical companies and the American Psychiatric Association, with its frightening consequences. I found the section of the book describing the way research evidence was "rewritten" for medical school textbooks truly alarming. There's a lot at stake here for the psychiatric profession; it's not surprising that so many psychiatrists turn from this research with alarm and denial."
"I purchased this book as part of a personal project and, the further I get in it, the more interested I am."
"A must read for anyone considering taking or prescribing psychoactive medication."
"this is a book everyone who is on or about to go on any medications for mental health."
"Great book and highly recommended!"
"Not every claim in it - I my opinion is accurate - but enough are and enough important questions are raised that every doctor and every patient should be familiar with questions it raises."
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Best Industrial Relations Business

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer
Eliminating wasted time and resources Building quality into workplace systems Finding low-cost but reliable alternatives to expensive new technology Producing in small quantities Turning every employee into a qualitycontrol inspector. The result is an amazing business success story: steadily taking market share from price-cutting competitors, earning far more profit than any other automaker, and winning the praise of business leaders worldwide. Dr. Jeffrey Liker, a renowned authority on Toyota's Lean methods, explains how you can adopt these principles--known as the "Toyota Production System" or "Lean Production"--to improve the speed of your business processes, improve product and service quality, and cut costs, no matter what your industry. You'll learn how Toyota fosters employee involvement at all levels, discover the difference between traditional process improvement and Toyota's Lean improvement, and learn why companies often think they are Lean--but aren't. The Toyota Way, explain's Toyota's unique approach to Lean--the 14 management principles and philosophy that drive Toyota's quality and efficiency-obsessed culture. The book is full of examples of the 14 fundamental principles at work in the Toyota culture, and how these principles create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Reviews
"It's mostly a history book but it's a really neat one all the same."
"I listened to the audiobook while driving along with reading the book whenever I was stationary such as home and work."
"A treasure chest, chuck full of powerful concepts, explained simply, clearly, and concisely: sums it up for me!"
"I'm just an unfrozen caveman operations guy and even I can see the genius behind these principles."
"Excellent book!"
"While Mr. Liker is apparently very keen on Toyota, the lean methods and principles speak for themselves."
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Best Fashion & Textile Business

Empire of Cotton: A Global History
In a remarkably brief period, European entrepreneurs and powerful politicians recast the world’s most significant manufacturing industry, combining imperial expansion and slave labor with new machines and wage workers to make and remake global capitalism. Deeply researched and eminently readable, Empire of Cotton gives new insight into the relentless expansion of global capitalism. With graceful prose and a clear and compelling argument, Beckert not only charts the expansion of cotton capitalism . .a major work of scholarship that will not be soon surpassed as the definitive account of the product that was, as Beckert puts it, the Industrial Revolution’s ‘launching pad.’” —Adam Hochschild, New York Times Book Review “Breathtakingly comprehensive, informative and provocative.” —Glenn C. Altschuler, Tulsa World “Persuasive . Beckert’s detailed narrative never scants the rich complexity of the cotton trade’s impact on many different societies.” —Wendy Smith, Boston Globe “ Empire of Cotton proves Sven Beckert one of the new elite of genuinely global historians. ‘Empire of Cotton’ transcends this barrier and should be devoured eagerly, not only by scholars and students but also by the intelligent reading public. Empire of Cotton is among the best nonfiction books of this year.” —Karen R. Long, Newsday “Compelling . Beckert demonstrates persuasively how the ravenous cotton textile trade in Europe was instrumental in the emergence of capitalism and draws a direct line from the practices that nourished this empire to similar elements in the production of goods for today’s massive international retailers. Better still, those who live out the troubled legacy of the exploitation and enslavement of workers in the service of the cotton empire will find in it added inspiration for their continuing efforts to realize a just and more equitable society.” —Ruth Simmons, President Emeritus of Brown University. “Intellectually ambitious . Beckert’s narrative skills keep the story of capitalism fresh and interesting for all readers.” — Publishers Weekly “[Beckert’s] close-up study of the cotton economy is a valuable model for the study of capitalism generally, an economic system in which slavery and colonialism were not outliers but instead integral to the whole .
Reviews
"The principal idea of the book is that the cotton industry, which represented the first step in the development of the modern industrial economy, was created by slavery and brutal and ever-more-efficient state coercion in cooperation with private capital. As demand grew and new forms of mechanized manufacture began to appear, war capitalism vastly increased the scale of cotton cultivation, employing slaves to undertake the backbreaking work of clearing the land and then the thankless task of harvesting the cotton - their utility was cheap labor that could be forced to work by any means necessary. Furthermore, the state remained intimately involved in the development of the economy in the major colonial states, not only in the development of supporting infrastructure, but in the legal subjugation of workers for the protection of the evolving industrial practices. This was the crucial step in the virtuous circle that arose of self-reinforcing economic development, resulting in a far more intricate and complex industrial economy that emerged in the product cycles of related manufactures. It was seen as a necessity for cotton production in the American South - a phenomenally profitable enterprise that created capital for further industrial investment that benefited all free Americans regardless of location - and as a crucial basic resource for all the new manufacturing powers. When the American Civil War began, it severely disrupted the world economy, based as it was on cotton, and the industrialized nations desperately sought to increase the supply of raw cotton. Organizational innovation extended to the development of massive logistical networks to handle getting cotton to manufacturers and then distributing their low-cost products in developed nations at a hefty profit. Second, the state functioned as a crucial support for the development of private enterprise, from protecting nascent industries to enforcing laws that favored the manufacturing class."
"Had the Lancashire tinkerers not chosen cotton textiles as their field of inquiry, the voracious and global demand for cotton fiber might not have developed and then been filled by the super-sized slave plantations of the Deep South."
"This book is about the rise and fall of the European-domination Empire of cotton."
"An amazing book, global in reach and granular in detail."
"Fascinating book."
"COTTON "...how mundane is that?"
"A good read."
"Something right under our noses and taken for granted has incredible significance in the rise of the modern economy."
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Best Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

The Professional Chef
Now, the ninth edition features an all-new, user-friendly design that guides readers through each cooking technique, starting with a basic formula, outlining the method at-a-glance, offering expert tips, covering each method with beautiful step-by-step photography, and finishing with recipes that use the basic techniques. "Well-researched and documented, The Culinary Institute of America's latest offering includes the essential tools to become a successful modern chef. " The Professional Chef continues to be an incredibly valuable reference guide that we keep handy in all our restaurant kitchens." "This important book is a classic resource, an indispensable reference for both the professional and serious home cook."
Reviews
"Despite learning much on my own over the years, I wanted slightly more information on technique and skill than can often be seen in cooking videos and TV shows. It is filled with pages of incredibly useful information, such as various cooking methods, different proteins and their cuts, how to identify grains and spices, how to cook what, and so much more - really, everything you need to know. If you don't need to cook for more than yourself and one other person, be prepared to learn how to scale down (learning is never a bad thing)."
"As Monsieur Paul says, it's the Bible for all chefs including amateurs (me :))."
"A must-have if you're serious about cooking."
"Got this for my boyfriend and he loved it!"
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