BOOKWORM.PH

Review
"...Some readers will think that the positions espoused by Dr. Wagner are too radical. However, we are living in radical times..." -- Dr. Jack Deere, President, Evangelical Foundation Ministries, Amarillo, Texas

"...This book is a worthy summary of what God has been teaching many of us since seminary..." -- Dr. Charles Kraft, Professor of Anthropology and Intercultural Communication, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California

Product Description
Dr. C. Peter Wagner, a former 30-year professor with Fuller Theological Seminary, unveils seven key "Power" principles that in many cases are not being taught in our major seminaries and Bible schools across the United States. In learning these seven principles, you will open a new door to the power of God flowing through your ministry and church.

"What is 'effectiveness' in a family?" asks author Steven R. Covey. He promptly answers with four words: "a beautiful family culture." Building this culture is the primary theme of Covey's parenting guide, a manual based on concepts introduced in his blockbuster, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey, a New-Age business guru and leadership authority, has consulted with the world's top corporate and political leaders, but closer to home he is the father of nine children. Here, Covey reinterprets each of his now famous "habits" (Habit 1: Be Proactive, Habit 4: Think Win-Win, Habit 6: Synergize) to apply to parenting and family-life issues. Covey suggests writing a family mission statement, implementing special family times and "one-on-ones," holding regular family meetings, and making the commitment to move from "me" to "we" as techniques to improve family effectiveness. Covey is a brilliant storyteller. By weaving the voices and anecdotes of his wife and children with his own inspirational and informative stories, exercises, and parables, he has created a book with something for all parents interested in enhancing the strength and beauty of their own families. --Ericka Lutz

From Publishers Weekly
With visionary flare, Pink argues that business and everyday life will soon be dominated by right-brain thinkers. He identifies the roots and implications of transitioning from a society dominated by left-brain thinkers into something entirely different—although at times, he seems to be exhorting rather than observing the trend. As a narrator, Pink delivers in a well executed manner, with occasional hints of enthusiasm. He maintains a steady voice that is well suited for a business-oriented text, and his crisp pronunciation and consistent pace keeps listeners engaged and at ease. Updated with new material. A Riverhead paperback (reviewed online). (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Booklist
"Abundance, Asia, and automation." Try saying that phrase five times quickly, because if you don't take these words into serious consideration, there is a good chance that sooner or later your career will suffer because of one of those forces. Pink, best-selling author of Free Agent Nation (2001) and also former chief speechwriter for former vice-president Al Gore, has crafted a profound read packed with an abundance of references to books, seminars, Web sites, and such to guide your adjustment to expanding your right brain if you plan to survive and prosper in the Western world. According to Pink, the keys to success are in developing and cultivating six senses: design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. Pink compares this upcoming "Conceptual Age" to past periods of intense change, such as the Industrial Revolution and the Renaissance, as a way of emphasizing its importance. Ed Dwyer

From Publishers Weekly
The popular Christian song of the title gets fleshed out via personal anecdote and scriptural quotation in this slim character study of Jesus by the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. Manning, who first experienced transcendence when he was a young Marine, didn't like "chanting psalms in Latin with pantywaist eighteen-year-old postulates" during his seven days of seminary school. But on a last-minute trip around the Stations of the Cross, he says, he heard "a word that is my real name in the mind of God, a name spoken with indescribable tenderness and written on the white stone (Revelation 2:17)." He still left the seminary, but the faith Manning came to feel was a passionate, righteous one. Jesus, Manning says, "sets us free from fear of the Father and dislike of ourselves," shows us how to have "sovereign respect for people's dignity" and "brought a nonviolent revolution." Satan, on the other hand, "seduces us into dwelling on our past sins and stirs the pot of self-hatred." The song lyrics sprinkled without may have inspired this book, but its raison d'etre is Manning's vociferous and motivating cry to his fellow Christians to acknowledge the miracle that is the risen Jesus, to let themselves be loved by him and to let him "run wild in their lives."
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Within every person has been placed a desire to be different, distinctive... To Be An Original. Deep down inside, everyone wants to be above average. No one really wants to 'just get by'... and John Mason believes that regardless of where you are in life, or how much you have or have not accomplished, God has a unique gift and calling just for YOU. Divided into 52 "nuggets" of truth, An Enemy Called Average is a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation and practical principles. The words of this book will stir up the gifts inside of you. If you're looking for answers to the questions YOU RE asking, then this book is for you. If you re tired of having to dig through pages of illusions, smoke screens, and mirrors to get to the bottom line...then you ve found what you ve been looking for. Think about it... When wisdom reigns, it pours. Fear and worry are interest paid in advance on something you may never own. Remember that faith to move mountains always carries a pick. People are born originals, but most die copies. Ideas go away, but direction stays. Your problem is your promotion. Being a servant won t make you famous just rich. Give An Enemy Called Average one year, just one nugget a week, and your life will never be the same.

This is nothing like most 'how to' books on the subject. This is a hands-on, I've been there, done that approach and it doesn't work book from a couple who faced infidelity and the desire for divorce. Only they chose the more difficult path. They chose the path of commitment, forgiveness and the hard work of rebuilding what they'd lost. (Carolyn R. Scheidies Author's Choice Book Review 20050401)

"This book is wisdom born of tragic, but genuine, experience. Because Anderson nearly ruined her marriage due to infidelity, she truly knows the misery a fling can cause. Her honesty, vulnerability, and repentance provide marital lessons guaranteed to strengthen couples who are susceptible to the lure of an affair. Anderson now married more than 25 years, uses situations from her parents' marriage, her own marriage, and the marriages of couples she and her husband counsel in their ministry as examples of good and bad habits of marital life. She focuses on post marital dating, listening, encouraging, confessing, and satisfying. At the end of each chapter are questions and projects that will help couples grow closer. This book has many anecdotes, Bible verses, and interviews that make it contemporary, realistic, and reader friendly." (DEH Church Libraries 20050301)

"Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome is an absolute gem of a book. Nancy's honesty is refreshing and makes the reader trust Nancy's advise that comes after she shares her own story of infidelity. Her words are filled with the sort of wisdom that one learns only through making a tragic mistake, but the book is also filled with words of hope for every couple out there. Laced with humor, practical tips, and spiritual insight, Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome is a must read and re-read for every pastor, counselor, and couple who are ready to understand fully what God can and will do to not only save a marriage, but grow it into a thing of beauty." (Carmen Leal Amazon.com 20050101)

"Nancy C. Anderson writes about a confusing time in her life with such vulnerability, she draws the reader in. She shows how being out of the will of God brought her nothing but heartache, and then takes us through her journey from chaos to the cure. Her practical tips and spiritual insights inspire her readers to work on their own relationships. Recommended reading whether struggling in your marriage or you want to make a good thing better." (Donna J. Shepherd Amazon.com 20050201)

"Nancy has an incredible story to tell and she tell it with her heart on her sleeve. Many times throughout this book she is so transparent and candid about her journey from infidelity to incredibly blessed matrimony, her heart is practically hovering over the pavement. This book has inspired, educated, enlightened, amused, moved, and blessed me tremendously, and my marriage will be more of a horticultural masterpiece because of it." (Jason A. Ogle Amazon.com 20050501)

"Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome is by turns honest, humorous, moving, insightful, and practical. Nancy Anderson does a masterful job at both telling her story without going into sordid details and remaining vulnerable enough to inspire and encourage struggling couples. I highly recommend this book!" (Dena Dyer Amazon.com 20051201)

"Perhaps the most helpful thing about this practical book is the list of things to think about at the close of each chapter along with a list of things to do. All marriages need constant evaluation and action to infuse energy and avoid boredom. These lists are easily the greatest benefits of the book. Forged these in the crucible of the author's personal experience, these lists provide practical help for fellow strugglers." (Jim Brown Biblical Ministries Worldwide )

"Nancy Anderson's book 'Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome: How to Grow Affair-proof Hedges Around Your Marriage' is absolutely wonderful. With courage, Anderson tells of the journey that sent her on a wayward path to infidelity that nearly ended her marriage. More than a book on infidelity, Anderson describes how to plant, water, trim, and keep the rodents out by planting hedges around one's marriage. She explains the importance of communication and offers tips on that subject. Spending time with your spouse is crucial, so Anderson includes ideas for dating. She educates on differences in personalities, interests, and needs, and then ends with ways to keep each other satisfied. I want to tell couples that if they water their own marriages, they can grow a beautiful, healthy, green relationship in their own backyard." (Cindy O'Holloran Christian Activities )

"Anderson's book offers strategies for communicating, dating, and building hedges to protect your relationship as critical elements to preserving a marriage. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome is an excellent guide for preventing adultery and preserving marriage." (Claudette Robertson Book Review )
Product Description
From a woman who strayed to the other side of the marital fence -and returned to find forgiveness and restoration - comes this practical book about predicting and preventing an extra-martial affair. Based on the principle that the grass is aways greener when its watered, this book focuses on howto grow a beautiful marriage in your own backyard by establishing six protective "hedges" around it.

Product Description
Winning the Battle in your Mind. There's a War Going On And Your Mind Is The Battlefield. If you're one of millions who suffer from worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger or condemnation, you are experiencing an attack in your mind. Overcoming negative thoughts that come against your mind brings freedom and peace. Find out how to recognize damaging thought patterns and stop them from influencing your life. In this powerful book, best-selling author and conference host, Joyce Meyer, guides you through an honest self-appraisal by sharing the trials, tragedies and ultimate victories of her own marriage, family and ministry- including the truth she learned about what she was thinking and feeling every step of the way. You'll gain insight into how Joyce won the battle in her own mind- and how you can as well. You'll also discover how to: -Find peace and stop brain-storm of mental activity. -See the truth by thinking correctly. -Use spiritual weapons effectively. -Overcome the 10 wilderness mentalities that hold you in harmful circumstances. Don't surrender to misery another day. Find out today what you can do to ensure your victory in the Battlefield of the Mind!

About the Author
JOYCE MEYER has been teaching the Word of God since 1976 and in full-time ministry since 1980. Previously an associate pastor at Life Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, she developed, coordinated, and taught a weekly meeting known as "Life In The Word." After more than five years, the Lord brought it to a conclusion, directing her to establish her own ministry and call it "Life In The Word, Inc."

Now, her Life In The Word radio and television broadcasts are seen and heard by millions across the United States and throughout the world. Joyce's teaching tapes are enjoyed internationally, and she travels extensively conducting Life In The Word conferences.

Joyce and her husband, Dave, the business administrator at Life In The Word, have been married for over 35 years. They reside in St. Louis, Missouri, and are the parents of four children. All four children are married and, along with their spouses, work with Dave and Joyce in the ministry.

Believing the call on her life is to establish believers in God's Word, Joyce says, "Jesus died to set the captives free, and far too many Christians have little or no victory in their daily lives." Finding herself in the same situation many years ago and having found freedom to live in victory through applying God's Word, Joyce goes equipped to set captives free and to exchange ashes for beauty. She believes that every person who walks in victory leads many others into victory. Her life is transparent, and her teachings are practical and can be applied in everyday life.

Joyce has taught on emotional healing and related subjects in meetings all over the country, helping multiplied thousands. She has recorded more than 230 different audio-cassette albums and over 75 videos. She has also authored 49 books to help the body of Christ on various topics.

Product Description
Written in Zig Ziglar's trademark style, Better Than Good isn't just about success now, excellence tomorrow, or even motivation for next month, but about making a lasting impact-an impact that goes beyond financial gains and creative partnerships. This book offers practical and spiritual vision for what life can be when we allow the power of purpose and passion to permeate our souls.

About the Author
Zig Ziglar is an internationally known author and speaker whose client list includes thousands of businesses, Fortune 500 companies,U.S. government agencies, churches, schools and nonprofit associations. Many of his 25 books have been bestsellers, including See You at the Top, Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World and Secrets of Closing the Sale. Ziglar is also chairman of Ziglar, Inc., which helps people more fully utilize their physical, mental and spiritual resources. He and his wife,“the Redhead,” live in Texas.
--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Despite impressive triumphs over the years, leading companies like General Motors, Xerox, and Levi Strauss have also stumbled badly at times. In Big Brands, Big Trouble, Jack Trout points out their biggest missteps as well as the critical lessons that can be learned from them. In his typically no-nonsense manner, Trout--a "positioning" expert who has written numerous bestselling books on the topic and served as a consultant to several of these firms--lays out the myriad errors that caused them and other giants to lose ground in the fight for success. Helpful specifics abound, such as in the chapter on Crest, in which Trout notes how the toothpaste's one-time dominance slipped away when consumer concern over cavities gave way to worries about discoloration, bad breath, and gum disease (which other brands more effectively set themselves up to attack). The lessons Trout takes from this are threefold: even winning positions must occasionally evolve; knowledge of how leadership was initially attained must always be maintained; and competitors must never be given an angle to exploit. Likewise, the section on Burger King discusses how turnover at the top, inconsistent advertising messages, and a loss of focus on how to assault the industry leader resulted in a stagnation that has perpetually mired the chain as a fast-food also-ran. "It's a fact of life that the easiest idea to overlook is the obvious one," Trout notes in this chapter. Since most ideas are apparent only in retrospect, however, his insights should prove invaluable to readers who might easily make similar mistakes. --Howard Rothman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Trout (Differentiate or Die) does the obvious in his latest book, rehashing the demise of well-known failures such as Xerox and Miller Brewing, and his redundant preaching of unoriginal strategies may irritate. But readers will find salvation in his straightforward, engaging prose and the constant hammering home of lessons (GM failed because it lost touch with the market, and AT&T tanked when it lost its focus). The book's first part is an excellent reminder of what managers should and should not do with a brand, making this a primer for the uninitiated.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Amazon.com Review
The first sentence of Larry Bird's candid post-player memoir begins blandly enough: "On August 18, 1992, I announced my retirement from the Boston Celtics." It's the one that follows--"It was one of the happiest days of my life"--that sets the tone for the book. Most stars have to be pulled off center stage, but as Bird Watching makes clear, the former Celtic legend who returned home to eventually coach the Indiana Pacers is certainly a rare bird. He's not afraid to ruffle feathers. And he's not afraid to tell his truth.

Perhaps the most striking revelations concern his heart. On top of the back pain that plagued him through much of his career, from time to time Bird experienced the feeling--and disorienting flush--of an irregular heartbeat, which he kept hidden from the Celtics. Even now, in the stress-filled world of coaching, Bird has almost passed out on the bench a couple of times--but he remains a fierce competitor. "I'm not going to be stupid about this heart condition, but I'm not going to live my whole life in fear of this thing either. If it goes, it goes."

Bird Watchingspends virtually no time with Bird the player; he's not one for looking back. He's more interested in explaining his evolution and thinking as a coach, examining the current state of the NBA, and picking apart the Pacer's disastrous 1999 playoff loss to the Knicks. He does, however, reminisce about his amazing connection to Magic Johnson, comparing it to the bond between Ali and Frazier. "I knew it was going to be like that forever after I played him in college for the national championship," Bird writes. "I never came up against anyone, other than Magic, who could challenge me mentally. Magic always took me to the limit." From Bird, it's hard to imagine a more heartfelt compliment. --Jeff Silverman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
Fans expecting the literary highlight reel of the NBA legend's championship years with the Boston Celtics may be initially put off by this loosely organized collection of opinions and reminiscences. They should stick with it, however, because ultimately the book is an endearingly honest self-portrait of a humble man who has made the most of his opportunities. Celtic fans will be titillated by the frank reports of just how Larry Legend wound up leaving Boston. Being a give-it-to-me-straight kind of guy, he was disgusted with the disingenuous ways of the Celtic front office, where he briefly worked after his playing days. Bird, now the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, also explains, quite briskly, how his relationship with fellow Celtic Kevin McHale went sour: as their careers wound down, McHale and another teammate went behind Bird's back to reporters with complaints that his play had become selfish. But Bird's refusal to pull punches doesn't hit only his adversaries: he admits that he was lucky that his good friend Rick Robey was traded away from the Celtics, because the good times they had together got in the way of Bird's career. He also writes that not he, but Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz should have been named Coach of the Year in 1998. The Hick from French Lick solidifies his reputation as a straight-talker unimpressed with his own legend. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"Blog" is short for "Web log"-an online site with time-dated postings, maintained by one or more posters, that features links and commentary. But that is like saying a car is a means of transportation featuring four wheels. Millions are changing their habits when it comes to information acquisition, and the blogosphere has appeared so suddenly as to surprise even the most sophisticated of analysts. In Blog, best-selling author Hugh Hewitt helps you catch up with and get ahead of this phenomenon.

Up until now no influential blogger has written a definitive book about this phenomenon. Since Hugh Hewitt's blog site-HughHewitt-was launched in early 2002, more than 18 million people have visited this site. Why does this visitor traffic matter? People's attentions are up for grabs. If you depend upon the steady trust of others, suddenly you have an audience waiting to hear from you. The race is underway, though, to gain mindspace and to be part of the blogosphere readers' habits and to position yourself as well as your business or organization at the forefront of this information movement.
About the Author
Hugh Hewitt is the host of a nationally syndicated radio show heard in more than seventy cities nationwide, and a professor of law at Chapman University Law School. He is the New York Times best-selling author of If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat. Hewitt received three Emmys during his decade of work as cohost of the PBS Los Angeles affiliate KCET's nightly news and public affairs show Life & Times. He also writes for The Daily Standard and WorldNetDaily.com.

Review
What the Award-Winning Boundaries Has Done for Adult Relationships Boundaries with Kids Will Do for You and Your Children Here at last is the help you need for raising your kids to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions. Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend take you through the ins and outs of establishing family boundaries and of instilling the kind of character in your children that will help them lead balanced, productive, and fulfilling adult lives. Learn how to

? set limits and still be a loving parent

? bring control to an out-of-control family life

? apply the ten laws of boundaries to parenting

? define legitimate boundaries for your family . . . and much more -- Publisher --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
This is a complete resource kit for groups of all sizes which will help parents take strides toward bringing control to an out-of-control family life, setting limits while still being a loving parent--and above all, instilling in children the godly character that is the foundation for healthy, productive adult living.

Product Description
Are you taking long lunches? Ignoring sexual harassment? Do you keep your desk neat to the point of looking like you don't have enough to do? The answer to all three should be yes, if you want to succeed in your career on your own terms. Penelope Trunk, expert business advice columnist for the Boston Globe, gives anything but standard advice to help members of the X and Y generations succeed on their own terms in any industry. Trunk asserts that a take-charge attitude and thinking outside the box are the only ways to make it in today's job market. With 45 tips that will get you thinking bigger, acting bolder, and blazing trails you never thought possible, BRAZEN CAREERIST will forever change your career outlook.

Take everything you think you "know" about career strategies, throw them away, and read this book because the rules have changed. "Brazen," "counter-intuitive," and "radical" are the best three descriptions of Trunk's work. Life is too short to be stuck in a rat hole... --Guy Kawasaki, author of The Art of the Start

It is a delightful book, with some edgy advice that made me squirm a bit at times. I agreed with 90% of it, found myself arguing with the other 10%, and was completely engaged from start to finish. --Robert I. Sutton, Ph.D, author of the New York Times bestseller The No Asshole Rule

BRAZEN CAREERIST has the street-smarts you need to make your career and life work for you from the start. Read it now, or you'll wish you had when you're 40! --Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

Penelope Trunk brings considerable savvy and a fresh new perspective to the business of career success. Bold and sometimes unconventional, Brazen Careerist gives readers much to think about as well as concrete, practical suggestions that will help them know what they want, and know how to get it. --Paul D. Tieger, author of Do What You Are and CEO of SpeedReading People, LLC

BRAZEN CAREERIST provides a road map specifically for Gen Xers and Gen Yers to help them navigate corporate life and handle the unique characteristics of a twenty-first century career. Trunk's style is direct, practical and anecdotal and most important incredibly helpful. --Julie Jansen, author of I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know it's Not This

What an extremely exciting book this is! It's books like this which give me hope for the future church. -- Dan Kimball, author of The Emerging Church
Product Description
Across North America, many pastors are excited to see churches growing as they achieve their mission to connect the message of the gospel with the community at large. Still others are equally frustrated, following the exact same model for outreach but with lesser results. Indeed, just because a "missional breakthrough" occurs in one place doesn’t mean it will happen the same way elsewhere.

One size does not fit all, but there are cultural codes that must be broken for all churches to grow and remain effective in their specific mission context. Breaking the Missional Code provides expert insight on church culture and church vision casting, plus case studies of successful missional churches impacting their communities.

"We have to recognize there are cultural barriers (in addition to spiritual ones) that blind people from understanding the gospel," the authors write. "Our task is to find the right way to break through those cultural barriers without removing the spiritual and theological ones."

Whether you speak from the pulpit, podium, or the front of a classroom, you don’t need much more than blank stares and faraway looks to tell you you’re not connecting. Take heart before your audience takes leave! You can convey your message in the powerful, life-changing way it deserves to be told. An insightful, entertaining parable that’s an excellent guide for any speaker, Communicating for a Change takes a simple approach to delivering effectively. Join Pastor Ray as he discovers that the secrets to successful speaking are parallel to the lessons a trucker learns on the road. By knowing your destination before you leave (identifying the one basic premise of your message), using your blinkers (making transitions obvious), and implementing five other practical points, you’ll drive your message home every time!

“Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away…”

“Once upon a time…”

“In the beginning…”

Great stories capture and hold an audience’s attention from start to finish. Why should it be any different when you stand up to speak?

In Communicating for a Change, Andy Stanley and Lane Jones offer a unique strategy for communicators seeking to deliver captivating and practical messages. In this highly creative presentation, the authors unpack seven concepts that will empower you to engage and impact your audience in a way that leaves them wanting more.

“Whether you are a senior pastor with weekly teaching responsibilities or a student pastor who has bern charged with engaging the hearts and minds of high school students, this book is a must-read.”

Bill Hybels

Senior pastor, Willow Creak Community Church

“A very practical resource for every biblical communicator who wants to go from good to great.”

Ed Young

Senior pastor, Fellowship Church, Grapevine, Texas

“To communicate effectively, you have to connect. Andy has been connecting with people for years, and now he’s sharing his insights with the rest of us.”

Jeff Foxworthy

Comedian

INSIDE LEFT FLAP

In Communicating for a Change, Andy Stanley shares the seven imperatives that define his approach to challenging people’s minds in order to change their lives: Determine Your Goal Pick a Point Create a Map Internalize the Message Engage Your Audience Find Your Voice Start All Over

These seven concepts will simplify your approach to communication and transform your sermons, lessons, and presentations into powerful life-changing experiences for your listeners.

Story Behind the Book

Andy Stanley and Lane Jones are on staff at one of America ’s largest churches, North Point Community. Leaders of thousands of people, they regularly speak in front of large groups. They also listen to numerous speakers and know the disastrous effects of a poorly delivered message. This book is the result of their efforts to make public speaking—one of the most common fear-inducing activities known to mankind—simple, easy, and even enjoyable, so that God’s messages will readily produce the life-changing results they should.

About the Author
Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley serves as senior pastor of the campuses of North Point Ministries, including North Point Community Church in Alpharetta , Georgia ; Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Georgia; and Browns Bridge Community Church in Cumming, Georgia. Each Sunday, more than twenty thousand attend one of these NPM campuses. Andy is the bestselling author of Visioneering, The Next Generation Leader, It Came from Within!, and How Good Is Good Enough? Andy and his wife, Sandra, have two sons and a daughter.

Lane Jones

Lane Jones is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, where he lives with his wife, Traci, and their three children, Jared, Caitlin, and Madison. He coauthored 7 Practices of Effective Ministry with Andy Stanley and Reggie Joiner, and is the executive director of membership development at North Point Community Church, where he loves to write and participate in the creative process. Lane holds degrees from Georgia State University and Dallas Theological Seminary.

The Story Behind Crush it!

Everything has changed. The social media revolution has irreversibly changed the way we live our lives and conduct our business. There are billions of dollars in advertising moving online, waiting to be claimed by whoever can build the best content and communities. Despite this change, most people keep working at jobs that don’t make them happy and businesses continue to ignore the major marketing and public relations benefits that can be found online.

Myth #1: I’m not passionate about something sexy or popular like wine so these lessons don’t apply to me.

The internet has drastically decreased the costs of building communities around niche subjects, allowing for even the most obscure subjects to draw enough eyeballs to command advertising attention. Starting a video blog about tortilla chips may seem farfetched until Doritos gives you a call and offers 40,000 a year to sponsor and advertise on your blog.

Myth #2: My business already has a Twitter account and a Facebook page, we’re set in the social media department.

This is the equivalent of claiming twenty years ago that just because your business bought a TV spot and a few ads in the newspaper, you didn’t need to pay attention to your advertising department. Social media isn’t about joining in, it’s about being involved.

Myth #3: I’m happy at my job so this book is irrelevant to me.

First of all, congratulations on finding work that makes you happy! However, the lessons in this book are valuable to anyone, regardless of their employment status. Crush It will show you how to utilize high level and platform specific social media and marketing strategies that will improve your work. It will also show you how to build a personal brand so that even if you’re forced to leave your job, a situation that’s especially relevant today, you’ll be able to easily find employment elsewhere in a field you’re passionate about.

Myth #4: I need to quit my job to take advantage of this book’s entrepreneurial lessons.

While the entrepreneurial strategies in this book do take time, it’s completely reasonable to start the effort as an after-work project to build up until you’re able to replace your current income with the income from your online presence. While you may have to fall behind on the current season of Lost or let your Madden 2010 game suffer, because you’ll be doing something you love you won’t mind putting in the extra effort.

In Crush It, Gary Vaynerchuk shows how anyone can build a career around what they’re passionate about. He also delivers both high-level and platform specific strategy and analysis, allowing you to take advantage of the current business environment while preparing you to succeed as it changes and evolves.

This book isn’t interested in making unrealistic promises while glossing over the work involved. Making a living by building content around your passion isn’t simple and it doesn’t happen overnight. What it is, however, is fulfilling and in most cases just as profitable, if not more so, than your previous job.

Furthermore, a business can’t just pay lip service to social media and expect it to return results. The transparency and accountability inherent in its structure necessitates a comprehensive and dedicated strategy in order to reap its tremendous benefits.

By combining practical analysis and strategy with the same passion and humor that’s made Gary one of the most in demand keynote speakers in the U.S. as well as network television’s go to wine expert, Crush It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand and harness the future of business and work.

Learn: Why social media has evened the playing field, destroying the “gate-keepers” who had previously dictated the distribution of content.

Learn: How to beat unemployment and create wealth-building opportunities by building and maintaining a personal brand.

Learn: Why storytelling is the most important business concept in the current marketplace.

Learn: How you can build an online business around your passion without quitting your day job.

Learn: Why Twitter and Facebook are just tools and not a social media strategy.

Learn: How to take advantage of the half-billion dollars in advertising that are moving to the internet.

Learn: Why transparency and being true to yourself are now winning marketing formulas.

Learn: How to build and maintain an online community around your passion and brand.

Learn: Strategies for turning attention into money.

Learn: Why the legacy element of the internet era is so underrated.

From Publishers Weekly
Yet another rallying cry to the banner of turning your passion into a career, from braggadocio-ridden entrepreneur Vaynerchuk. After taking over his father's local liquor store, Shopper's Discount Liquors, and building it from a $4 million business to a $50 million one, he created the wine-tasting blog Wine Library TV and discovered the power of the Internet for driving sales. This book shares his experience and step-by-step advice for using Twitter, Facebook, etc., and suggestions for monetizing an online persona, reiterating that the Internet makes it possible for anyone to make serious cash by turning what they love most into their personal brand. His enthusiasm is admirable and his advice solid, but there's nothing new here, and his unappealing swagger—repeated stories of how he crushed it and dominated grate particularly—gives his story more the tone of adolescent peacocking than of worthwhile and sober business advice. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Warren, wife of megachurch pastor and bestselling author Rick Warren (The Purpose-Driven Life), traces her transformation from housewife to international HIV/AIDS advocate. Moved by a news article about AIDS, Warren made a life-changing visit to Africa in 2003. In this book, she tells stories of the world's great tragedies (HIV/AIDS, the genocides in Rwanda and Cambodia, sex slavery, orphaned children and deep poverty) through the lens of her travels. Warren challenges readers to engage with devastating situations and surrender themselves to loving others—particularly those who may be considered outcasts—in the name of Christ. She describes being gloriously ruined by her close knowledge of these tragic situations, having previously been unaware or simply too busy raising a family to realize what was happening in the world. . The book lacks practical suggestions for readers, demonstrating an unexpected emphasis on Warren herself and the miracle God has made of her life. At times this comes across as self-serving, especially in the midst of so much tragedy. No doubt readers will be inspired by Warren's considerable passion for the hurting world, though it remains unclear exactly what to do about it. (Dec.)
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Product Description
A rare book by an uncommon woman, Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren, dares you to go deeper with God and his purposes on earth. Destined to be a classic, it will shake, challenge, and stretch you to become more than you've ever imagined. Your world is waiting.

Amazon.com Review
Baby boomers, forget all you've learned from your parents about managing your money, your career, and your life. In Die Broke, Stephan Pollan challenges readers to rethink their notions of workplace, money, retirement, and inheritance. He believes that most of us are rooted in thinking that's out of sync with the realities of today's economy. For example, according to Pollan, the "job" is not what it used to be--there's no such thing as corporate loyalty. Making it in today's workplace means putting your own interests first, not your company's. Pollan argues that you should do your best at work, but make sure you're getting the best deal financially. If you're not, then get another job. After all, it's only a job.

Die Broke is organized into two sections: the first lays out the principles for dying broke. Pollan bases his whole argument on these four maxims: quit today and work for yourself, not your company; pay cash, melt your credit cards, and don't even think about using your ATM card; don't retire, retirement is a relatively new concept created during the Depression, instead plan to work all your life, and; die broke, after all, you can't take it with you.

The second part looks at specific instances of how to put this philosophy into action, covering everything from "Automated Teller Machines and Cards" and "Umbrella Liability Insurance" to "Mortgage Loans" and "Real Estate Investment Trusts." The book draws on Pollan's experience as a financial and legal consultant and includes many examples from his own practice.

Some may find Pollan's views extreme. However, if you're starting to think about retirement or are at all worried about your financial future, Die Broke is worth a look. Even if you think you've got it all figured out, this book could change your mind.

Amazon.com Review
Baby boomers, forget all you've learned from your parents about managing your money, your career, and your life. In Die Broke, Stephan Pollan challenges readers to rethink their notions of workplace, money, retirement, and inheritance. He believes that most of us are rooted in thinking that's out of sync with the realities of today's economy. For example, according to Pollan, the "job" is not what it used to be--there's no such thing as corporate loyalty. Making it in today's workplace means putting your own interests first, not your company's. Pollan argues that you should do your best at work, but make sure you're getting the best deal financially. If you're not, then get another job. After all, it's only a job.

Die Broke is organized into two sections: the first lays out the principles for dying broke. Pollan bases his whole argument on these four maxims: quit today and work for yourself, not your company; pay cash, melt your credit cards, and don't even think about using your ATM card; don't retire, retirement is a relatively new concept created during the Depression, instead plan to work all your life, and; die broke, after all, you can't take it with you.

The second part looks at specific instances of how to put this philosophy into action, covering everything from "Automated Teller Machines and Cards" and "Umbrella Liability Insurance" to "Mortgage Loans" and "Real Estate Investment Trusts." The book draws on Pollan's experience as a financial and legal consultant and includes many examples from his own practice.

Some may find Pollan's views extreme. However, if you're starting to think about retirement or are at all worried about your financial future, Die Broke is worth a look. Even if you think you've got it all figured out, this book could change your mind.