Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The circus came to town and excitement was in the air in many small towns across America. It was the 1930's in Jacob's memory. Even when Jacob was living in a home for the aged in his nineties, the circus was still traveling to a town nearby. That year was no exception. He remembered vividly how he had been a part of the circus. The other retirement home residents were excited too, remembering from their childhood days. For Jacob, it was different. He was really there.

When the Great Depression had struck and then suddenly his parents died in a car accident, his class days as a veterinary medical student were over. There was no money to pay for his expenses and he needed to find work just to survive. He was now flat broke. He joined the hobos on a freight train and headed out of town. He didn't know where he would end up. Well dressed but penniless, he soon discovered that he was on a circus train.

The train was part of the Benzini Brothers circus. They were known as the Most Spectacular Show on Earth if only by their own estimation. He was able to get hired on for a menial job until it became known that he was just shy of his degree in veterinary science. Suddenly, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. While there, he saw this most beautiful girl on a horse and was taken in by her. Marlena was an equestrian circus star but was married to the animal trainer. Jacob Jankowski is invited to join Marlena and her husband August for dinner in their private railway car. There is nothing that would have stopped him. He was excited to go and had a fine time.

The circus lifestyle was exciting to a twenty three year old in the company of a pretty circus star and an interesting trainer. They were the privileged set with the circus and had the best food and drink available just like the owners had. Jacob was now in good company. His budding romantic relationship with Marlena was done quietly and August didn't seem to suspect their interest.

Uncle Al, who owns the circus, doesn't always run the business well. He does some cruel things to keep the circus solvent. Occasionally, he would have some workers thrown off the train at night. He'd feed his dead animals to the lions. Sometimes he wouldn't pay his workers. When other circuses went out of business, he would buy parts of their operations for little money and then not have enough for his regular payroll. He did pick up some interesting additions. One purchase brought a huge elephant named Rosie to the menagerie. Al was delighted that now he not only had a vet with a Cornell education but his own elephant too.

Rosie was a smart animal but stubborn. The animal trainer was mean to the elephant but Jacob could get her to do a lot with his kindness. Marlena was also good with animals and recognized the abuse her husband was giving Rosie. August became suspicious one day of their relationship and beats up Jacob and abuses Marlena. Then she leaves him and goes to live in a hotel when she is not performing. Al tells Jacob that Malena and her husband need to get back together for the sake of the circus's survival and he was holding Jacob responsible. He told Jacob that if they didn't reunite, he would throw his roommate Walter off the train as well as Camel, another friend. They would be red lighted.

Jacob continues to visit her in her hotel room and it wasn't long before they were sleeping together. They then declare their love for one another. When Marlena returns to perform her act, she refuses to let August near her. Al is disappointed and becomes angry. He needs them to get back together. His circus depends on it.

One night, Jacob carried a knife between his teeth and jumped on top of the train. He was going to go along the top of the moving train to Augusts' train and then try to kill him. Jacob couldn't go through with it. He returned to his train and discovered that his friend and roommate had been red lighted. Probably he would have been thrown off, too if he had been home when the men came to do the dirty deed.

When the story is nearly over, some of the "red lighted" circus hands come back. They are now seeking revenge upon the owner. They release the animals and cause a stampede during a live performance. There is panic in the aisles; August is killed by Rosie the elephant. August split his head when the stake was pulled out of the ground. Jacob witnesses the incident and can't save August. Uncle Al is also found dead. The circus is then shutdown.

Marlena and Jacob leave, taking Rosie and some of the other animals with them. They begin their life together. Jacob and Marlena married and had 5 children. Seven years were at the Ringling Bros. circus and then Jacob got a job as a vet for the Chicago zoo.

At the end of the story, Jacob is at the retirement home, waiting for his family to pick him up and take him to the circus. He finds out no one is coming for him after all. He can't go to the circus. Then, Jacob goes to the circus, on his own. He meets Charlie the circus manager and asks if he can help by selling tickets. Charlie agrees to even let him come with the circus if he wants. Jacob accepts the offer and believes he has finally come home.

John Sprague is an American currently working in the mideast. He enjoys writing and working on his websites in his free time. He has a new site at http://www.marketingkindreds.com. His website has photos of the mideast and marketing articles that you may be interested in viewing. There are also website analysis tools and articles on genealogy and DNA.

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The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper

Don't be put off by the title of this book, as it is written by a very good young Canadian author who has become much respected for his work both in Europe as well as America.

This is a compulsive read about a journalist named Patrick Rush who is also a single father and a failed novelist. Patrick decides to join a creative writing circle in Toronto. At the same time there is a murderer loose in the city who attacks his victims at random, leaving cryptic notes beside the bodies for the police investigators.

The circle meets each week for four weeks under their organizer, Conrad White, a strange but influential man who does not teach writing, but rather, facilitates it; the idea being to get the seven members to think and maybe write about their own lives, or a variation thereof. Each week the members will read out loud their new additions to their ever growing work.

It may be more than a coincidence that one of the circle named Angela starts to write a story about a child abductor named Sandman. Could the murderer who is at large in the city be the Sandman? Each time the circle meets, the more Patrick finds fiction blending with reality and he begins to believe that maybe he is being stalked by the Sandman. It isn't until his son, Sam, is snatched, that he realizes that he has to become much more involved in the murky lives of some of the seven members, if he is to find out about this mysterious character.

As the characters' secrets are exposed, so the twists and turns of this well written novel begin to make sense. It naturally becomes a page-turner as Pyper cleverly controls the tension. Without giving away the ending, suffice it to say that we have an individual in Patrick who for lack of a life story cannot write a good novel, but somehow ends up involved in a fascinating story that literally takes over his life.

This is a writer to watch for if you enjoy a good mystery/thriller. This book I would not classify as a thriller, but an excellent mystery; a fact which pleases me as we do not have to plough through the endless Hollywood style gruesome details of the victims.

It is exciting to find a really good Canadian mystery writer with a style that is readable and compelling, who does not rely on any silly grammatical antics to sell his work.

This book review has been written by Jeremy Moray who is the owner of the website http://www.jeremysbookreviews.com a site that has over 150 reviews of books from different genres. This site will be added to as I read more books that I enjoy.

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My Review of The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini

Amir and Hassan grow up together in Afghanistan. They are from totally different backgrounds. It doesn't matter to this boy but once in a while, Amir will talk down to his friend who is a Hazara. Then he catches himself and feels bad about it. They are like family and grew up together. Amir is the privileged son of a well to do Pashtun business person. Amir is educated and can read. Hassan, whose father is a servant, is illiterate and has a harelip too. One thing that they have in common is, neither of them has a mother at home and they both are excellent kite runners.

In Afghanistan, kite running is a very competitive sport. Hassan is a very good runner and helps his friend many times, since he has the gift of being able to calculate in his head exactly where the kite will land. He doesn't need to keep his eyes glued to the kite like most need to do. He is Amir's trusted assistant and friend and very clever at the game. Amir, knowing where the kite will land is a valuable asset and helps them to successfully win races and beat out other competitors. This lucky day, Amir and Hassan had won the local tournament by working together. Baba who rarely gave his son praise, gave much praise to Amir that day. He couldn't stop bragging about him for a change.

Meanwhile, Hassan goes to fetch the cut kite that is their main prize. Unfortunately, Hassan runs into the local bully who was always picking on the two younger boys. Assef didn't like Hassan mainly because he was a Hazara. Their tribe and religion was considered inferior to the proud Pashtun's. Of course, he didn't like Amir either because he hung around with the Hazara boy.

That day, Assef and two of his friends caught Hassan as he was about to retrive the trophy kite. Hassan refused to turn the kite over to him so Assef attacked the younger boy. He was assaulted and raped by the mean bully who was also a pervert. Wondering where his friend was, Amir ran into the rubble of Kabul to find him. He searched everywhere. When he hears the voice of Assef, he hides in fear. He is a witness to the assalt of his friend but he is too scared to do anything. Amir felt ashamed.

Amir's father loved both the boys although he usually puts down his son for not being brave. Amir also fears his father's blame is because his mother died giving birth to him. Rahim Khan, his father's friend, better understood how Amir acted and tries to compensate and make him feel good about himself. He supports his interests in writing which had been another source of his father's disappointment. Right then, he was receiving the praise from his dad. This was something that he always had hoped for, but on the inside, he was feeling really bad right now for other reasons. He had seen a horrible act being done to his best friend and he did nothing. He was frozen. Assef, the notoriously mean and violent older boy who had sadistic tendencies, had violated his friend. He also remembered a day in the past when Assef was going to hurt him. Hassan stood up for him that day with his trusty sling shot and threatened to shoot Assef's eye out if he touched his friend. Assef backed off that day but promised to get his revenge.

For some time after, Amir couldn't look his friend in the eye and Hassan doesn't mention the incident. Amir feels ashamed and unsure of himself and also can't understand why Hassan said nothing. Amir begins to wonder if Hassan may know that he knows just what had happened. Amir starts to avoid him. He is also annoyed that his Baba pays so much attention to Hassan. He secretly decides Hassan needs to go away and he then works up a plan.

Amir frames his friend as a thief and Hassan confesses to the false charge. His father still forgave the boy and didn't want him to have to go away. Hassan and his father named Ali, leave the property anyway. Baba had previously told Hassan and his father that there would always be a place for them there. Once Hassan leaves, Amir no longer is reminded of his being a coward but the guilt remains.

In a few years, the Russians come to Afghanistan and Amir and his father go to Peshawar and eventually to California and freedom. Amir always remembers what he did back there. They miss their nice home in Kabul but they surround themselves with other Afghan people who have also gone to America. Their housing is now a rundown apartment building. His father works at a filling station and they supplement their income with sales at the Sunday flea market where they see other countrymen. Amir takes classes at a community college to build up his writing skills. One Sunday he meets a girl there and eventually it develops into a romance.

Soraya and her family are kind to Amir and his father. Amir's father is then diagnosed with a terminal illness and goes down fast. Nearly on his deathbed, he tells his son that he will ask Soraya's father for permission for his son to take her hand in marriage. This is how it is done back home in Afghanistan. Amir is delighted that his father is able to do this for him before he dies. Soraya's father accepts the arrangement and the two of them marry. Not long after, Baba dies. Still later, Amir and Soraya discover that they can not have children.

Amir then becomes a successful author. Years later, Amir receives a phone call from Rahim Khan, who is also near the end of his life. His one dying wish is that Amir will come to see him one last time in his native land. He tells Amir that he will tell him how he can be good again. Amir goes, not knowing exactly what he meant by that.

Rahim Khan fills him in on all the things that have happened back in Afghanistan and about Ali and Hassan. Ali was killed and Hassan had a wife and son. The son is named Sohrab. Rahim returned to his father's house to care for it and invited Ali and Hassan back. The Taliban made him leave and took over the house. Hassan refused to give up the house and both he and his wife were killed. The son was the only one who survived besides Khan.

Rahim then tells him that Ali was not Hassan's real father but Baba was. Hassan was your half brother. He thought he should know. Amir felt terrible. Then Khan tells him the real reason he called him to come back there.He wanted Amir to go to Kabul and rescue Hassan's son, from an orphanage. Amir's head was spinning by this time. Khan assured him that since Sohrab was his blood relative, he needed to do the right thing. He also told Amir that he knew what happened to Hassan and this was his chance to make things right and feel good again. He knew it bothered Amir all these years. Amir went reluctantly although he knew it was the right thing to do.

Amir returns to Taliban Kabul with a travel guide. Farid and Amir search all the orphanages looking for Sohrab. They finally find where he had been. He discovers that a Taliban official had taken him from the home. Amir had to go to a soccer match to look for a man who took the boy. The guide Farid had managed to get an appointment at the official's home and said they had business to discuss.

Amir came wearing a fake beard and a pair of sunglasses. Amir met with the official who recognized him even in his disguise. The official is Assef from his childhood. Assef asks about Hassan, Ali and Baba. Sohrab is being held captive at his house dressed like a little girl and Amir wondered if he was being assaulted by the man. Amir asked him to set the boy free and he would take him out of there. Assef agreed to let him go provided Amir could beat him as they would fight over the child. Amir fought hard but was losing at it. Sohrab used his slingshot that his dad had taught him to use. The rock knocked out Assef's left eye. Amir and the boy escaped and drove away with Farid.

Sohrab and Amir head to America. He promises the boy that he will never have to go to an orphanage again, following a long adjustment period, Sohrab refused to speak or even look at his new mother. He was finally coming around. They had had a terrible time. Sohrab had been emotionally hurt deep inside and it took a long time before he felt good about himself again.

Amir had spent a great deal of time talking about his father and one day, he started to respond to them. He finally had a chance to be renewed and whole again. During their kite running in America, Sohrab began to interact with him. Amir takes the kite one day and looks at Sohrab and says "For you, a thousand times over." This is a phrase that Hassan had said many years before and more recently to his own son. Almost a smile came to the boys face. Now there was hope. Amir now had a son and he felt good again.

John Sprague hails from Hampden Maine. He is presently in Iraq working as a contractor. They say it is safe over here now but only time will tell. In my free time, I do a lot of reading and enjoy writing. Please let me know what you think of my writing and if you enjoy any of my work. Let me know if I can be of help to you. Please email me or visit my picture website at http://johnsprague.ws.

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A Review of Maudiegirl And The Von Bloss Kitchen by Carl Muller

Maudiegirl Esther Kimball's first husband, Campbell, died on the voyage to Ceylon. Her second, Kimball, succumbed to malaria. She then married Cecilprins and became his tower of strength. This is how Carl Muller describes - for want of a better word - the heroine of Maudiegirl And The Von Bloss Kitchen.

The book continues the story the author began in the award-winning The Jam Fruit Tree, a tale of Burgher life in Sri Lanka. If "heroine" was a slightly inappropriate description of Maudiegirl, then "story" is certainly not a description of this book's plot. Simply put, the book presents a picture of life within the Burgher community, an island within an island. It illustrates, but does not lead. Read it for an experience, not a journey.

Nominally Dutch, but Sinhalese-speaking, Asian born but with European aspirations, the Burghers are a wholly integrated race apart. The names survive - Van Der Poorten, Caspars etc - but the identity is merely confused. Whose isn't?

Most of this Burgher family's life revolves around food and sex, not always in that order. Sustenance and procreation occupy most of the time, with recreation - usually in the form of sex - taking up the rest. Maudiegirl is the pillar of the household, probably of the community. She brings people together, solves problems, disposes wisdom and occasional rebuke via her cooking. She has a recipe for every occasion. Her meals can cure ills, solve problems, offer advice, and her cooking skills are recognised throughout the Von Bloss family, even the community. The cooking's unfamiliar and complex mix of influences, European, Asian, Dutch, English, Sri Lankan, Indian and American, reflect the community in which they live and its place in the world.

A woman who can't conceive eat too much fish. Need something stronger. Stewed eel works wonders. Only wonder what. Dunnyboy expose himself in public. Big thing. Worries sisters. Eat pork pie. Daughter need baby. Need hammering. Make plum pudding (dried fruit only, butter a pan, boil or steam for four hours). Problem solved.

Carl Muller's style is pithy, occasionally playful, often funny, always earthy, sometimes vaguely embarrassing. He sails metaphorically close to winds and occasionally obfuscates via the inclusion of unexplained, un-translated Sinhalese words and phrases. He makes no excuse for this, and invites the interested reader to find a Sinhalese speaker to help translate this world language and explain, and thereby intensify the experience and promote communication between races and cultures. So there!

Maudiegirl And The Von Bloss Kitchen, this part novel, part cookbook, thus records the day-to-day, reflects life and opens a window onto a perhaps unique culture that is in no way special. There is no plot, no obvious sequence of events, only everyday life as it predictably and unpredictably unfolds. It is also a superb cookbook, recording the recipes of an expert cook. And refreshingly, whatever she cooks and in whatever style, no-one ever seems to dislike anything, pick at their food, question its authenticity, count its calories or even mention omega-3. It's the food of a living culture.

Philip Spires
Author of Mission and A Fool's Knot, African novels set in Kenya
http://www.philipspires.co.uk
Migwani is a small town in Kitui District, eastern Kenya. My books examine how social and economic change impact on the lives of ordinary people. They portray characters whose identity is bound up with their home area, but whose futures are determined by the globaised world in which they live.

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Bestselling Books For Business And Entrepreneurship

David Brooks writes the novel called The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement. In this novel, you will discover ways in which emotions and character are shaped and affected by all of the various factors in life. Brooks merges the scientific facts of the brain and biology with the intersection of social effects in order to perform a kind of map quest into your mind. Reading this book will help you discover the ways in which these things affect how you love others, live, eat, and make the choices that you make, as well as how you interact with others around you. Also, the book will help you figure out ways to form your moral decisions as well as your wisdom and overall character. With this kind of rich understanding, you will be able to have the tools that are essential to starting your own business.

Another book that is great if you are thinking of starting a new business is by Jim Collins who writes a novel called Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't. This is a novel that explores the behaviors of a variety of other companies who made daring moves by embracing a spirit of change. This book is a good one if you are thinking to start a company or if you have already started a business and are at the helm and want to start some changes that will help you make that move that will take your business to a whole other level. You can not only see examples of what to do, but Collins includes tips through examples of businesses that failed, too, so you will have a comprehensive picture of what tactics will work best.

How To Be The Luckiest Person Alive! By James Altucher is another novel that can help you with your business as it focuses on helping you create luck, and figure out how to have the health, the success and the happiness and dreams that you succeed. You will be able to learn techniques and tips that will help you get lucky in the places where it counts, but not in a fashion of disarray, but rather one that will behoove you in your business ventures.

Patrick Lencioni writes The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, is a book that provides useful information that is easy to read and follow by following a story that happened in Silicon Valley and the way it chose an unlikely leader to lead the company. It shows how the unit of staff failed to connect and how the unlikely boss decided to pull everyone together and create a workplace with a special dynamic that helped fuel the success of the team. Finally, Alexander Osterwalder writes Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers, a book that strives to help you abandon old models and embrace new visions that will take your business to new heights and wonderful heights. For books that help you reach your potential and take your business to new heights, you will benefit from these books.

Roberto Sedycias works as an IT consultant for PoloMercantil

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Review - The Skinny On Time Management

The Skinny On Time Management: How to Maximize Your 24-Hour Gift, Jim Randel, 2010, ISBN 9780984139392

Here is another in a series of books that attempts to boil down a large subject area into an easy-to-read format. Intended for busy people who want just the bullet points, this book looks at how to best manage your time.

Write out a time journal for an entire week to see just how you are spending your time. You may think that you are being efficient and productive, but seeing it on paper may change your mind. Can changes be made in your schedule, with more time given to more productive activities? You need to set goals for yourself, whether long-term or short-term. Then you will know how to get from where you are to where you want to be. If your goal is important enough to you, then some other thing you are doing may have to be dropped totally. Choices were never meant to be easy.

The book then covers many ways to maximize your time. Fight the urge to procrastinate. Touch a piece of paper, or email, only once; either respond to it, get rid of it or put it in your file to be worked on later. Are there gaps in your day, like when you are sitting in a waiting room, when you could be working on your Blackberry? Are you a "morning person" or a "night owl?" Work on your hardest and most unpleasant tasks when you are most alert and awake. Learn to plan your day, but don't go overboard with the planning. Prioritize your tasks; which ones come first, and which ones can wait. Break a huge task into smaller, more manageable pieces. Can you batch several appointments, for instance, and get them done in one day? Doing crossword puzzles is a good way to improve your memory. Learn how to focus when you are on a task, and not let distractions get in your way. De-cluttering your office, and your email inbox, will always help. The act of writing a daily To Do list helps focus your mind on what you need to do that day.

Instead of reading a bunch of books on how to manage your time, read this book. It can be read in an hour or so, and does an excellent job of telling the busy person just what they need to know. It is a gem of a book.

Paul Lappen is a freelance book reviewer whose blog, http://www.deadtreesreview.blogspot.com, emphasizes small press and self-published books.

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The Leadership Book of Numbers (Volume 1) - A Review

How is leadership related to service excellence? Some might consider that a rather easy question, but I'm constantly amazed at how many leaders, and even some very large industries, just don't get the connection.

In The Leadership Book of Numbers (Volume 1) Theo Gilbert-Jamison and Vivian Bright provide a very simple roadmap to help leaders connect the dots. The book contains an extensive series of short lists along with tips and techniques that will help them become more effective leaders while helping their organization in the quest for service excellence.

The authors emphasize a point that is often overlooked, to the detriment of many organizations; there must be a vision and mission as well as a clear statement of values. The leader must clearly and effectively communicate these to the organization; everyone must understand them if the organization is truly striving for excellence.

Although they don't describe their studies in any detail, Gilbert-Jamison and Bright have developed six principles of service excellence from their studies. While high levels of customer service are often not expected of any but large or very high-end companies, that doesn't have to be the case. Any company can provide excellent service to the customer and these six principles provide a solid foundation for success.

The authors understand the importance of employees in the service equation and dedicate several of their lists to methods for leaders to engage employees in excellence. Employees must know the expectations of their leadership and understand how they help meet those expectations. Employee engagement happens when leaders engage with the employees.

The Leadership Book of Numbers (Volume 1) is a short easy read but also provides leaders with a useful quick reference guide to basic leadership principles. It's a quick read but also a lasting compendium that leaders will want to refer to again and again.

Bob Mason is a speaker, trainer, and author of "Planning to Excel: Strategic Planning That Works." After 30 years of leadership experience he founded RLM Planning and Leadership to transform leadership by developing great leaders. Bob works with organizations that want to excel by training managers to lead and creating great strategic plans to keep leaders focused. See what he can do for you at http://www.planleadexcel.com.

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Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands

What makes some brands inspirational, while others struggle? The answer - Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands. Lovemarks, for those of you who are not familiar with Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi is a book that came out in 2004. Roberts was the inventor and promoter of lovemarks and became quite the fire-starter, when in 2006 he blew new life into JC Penney contract to the tune of $430 million.

We can talk about brands all we want. Back in the day it used to be that the manufacturers held all the cards. Then the retailers became the big power brokers, but now, no question about it, it's the consumer. The consumer has had the power for years. That's nothing new. Consumers are highly intelligent, they will not be manipulated. They know what they like. No company today can hide behind their brand. These days, brands have to be authentic and true. If your corporation is not socially responsible, ethically responsible or environmentally responsible (green), you are going to be challenged. Period.

If the America is the land of entrepreneurship, innovation and ideas where did all the love go? How can we even think about love? Isn't the business world all driven by numbers? Apparently it is, or should I say it was. We took a lot of well-known brands that made us this country great and exported them. Among them are McDonald's, Starbucks, Hollywood and Disney. Is there anything that we haven't exported? GULP!

When asked what is the difference between a great brand and one that's merely good? Roberts said "I love the concept of it. Great brands are ones you can really trust like Tide. You can always count on Tide. It will never let you down." The way advertising works has really changed. It's changed so much you can't even recognize it. It's all about the attention economy now. The Attention Economy is a marketplace where consumers agree to receive services in exchange for their attention. Examples include personalized news, personalized search, alerts and recommendations to buy. It's about consumers having choice - they get to choose where their attention is 'spent.'

Another key ingredient in the attention game is relevancy. What I mean by this is as long as the consumer sees relevant content they are going to stick around. And that creates more opportunities to sell. In the attention economy consumers want something new, and personalization is everything. When a company does their research, and crafts a personal message - it must be one that is detailed and sincere at directed at the consumer. After all we are the ones who are buying it.

Whatever happened to finding the "sweet spots," you know what I'm talking about... it's the place where marketers develop meaningful connections with interested consumers? If the true purpose of social media is to use new technology to facilitate the exchange of ideas, promote new products and foster brand, then who has actually mastered this? Finding these sweet spots takes time, but this type of investment can pay long-term dividends in trust and increased sales.

For many successful companies, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no longer just a boardroom buzzword, but the key to a business that is thriving. CSR has also helped with major PR problems, think about BP's oil spill. It's great to know that companies are finally being held accountable. It's about time.

It can be easy to deny or ignore the value of ethical responsibility in business, but more and more often, signs of the value stakeholders place on ethical business are being revealed. Businesses have been hit hard by the weak economy, but many companies on have managed to outperform other companies on the S&P 500. Deere & Co. has been in business since 1837, and currently operates in three areas: agriculture and turf, construction and forestry, and credit. It's winning financially when it comes to outperforming the competition.

Environmentally responsible (or green) companies include ones that have an actual environmental footprint, a management of that footprint (including policies and strategies) and a reputation among environmental experts. The best example of this is Dell. Michael Dell, the chairman and CEO believes "The efficiencies we can all achieve through the use of greener products, solutions, services and programs should be an integral part of every corporate culture." It's no wonder the energy efficiency of its products, has helped customers save more $5 billion in energy costs since 2006.

So it's time to get back to basics and stand out from the crowd, get noticed, zig when others zag, Kevin Roberts is glad he did. Isn't it about time you followed suit?

Kathy Batz
kathy@globalinternetsuccess.com
http://globalinternetsuccess.com

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Book Review for "White Tiger"

Book Review for: White Tiger
Chronicles of Kassouk, Book 1
Written by: Vijaya Schartz
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-936000-31-9
Ebook Format
5 Stars

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Schartz has created a world rich in futuristic mythology with "White Tiger," Book One in the Chronicles of Kassouk. Tora is a human soldier whose loyalty to the Emperor is without question. As she follows Field Marshall Killion to war, she meets a man called Dragomir who challenges all that she knows to be true about the world.

The novel is set on the plant of Kassouk. The plant's natural climate is Arctic. Humans settled there after leaving a decimated Earth. They know the planet as New Earth.

The Godds have also come to Kassouk, but it's obvious they are an alien race. There are no female Godds so they mate with human females called Valshas. Their children are known as mutants. The Godds provide for the humans, but they also have enemies - the Reptoids. When the Reptoids shoot down the weather satellite that controls the weather, the climate on Kassouk becomes frigid. The Godds prepare to leave, but only after harvesting their female mutant children's eggs.

Tora, daughter of a great general, realizes there is change in the air when the satellite is shot down. The Reptoids and Zerkers pursue the humans of Kassouk, and so Tora takes her company White Tiger, and follows Field Marshall Killion's army into battle.

Along the way, she meets Dragomir, a man who ignites the more passionate, baser emotions in her. Dragomir confesses to be a mutant, but harbors secrets. He warns Tora of a human traitor and leaves after the couple share a forbidden night of passion.

Can Tora find the traitor to the human race and rekindle the love she shared with Dragomir.

Schartz's writing is crisp, original, and filled with creativity. The plot is smooth, action-packed, and moves fast.

"White Tiger" uses a good economy of words to explain the rich mythology and exotic locales of Kassouk without weighing down the reader.

The novel has a strong supporting cast that quickly endears itself to the reader. Driana is a loyal friend, Leah is a clever and beautiful mutant, Phaleg is the fierce Reptoid leader, and Khor and Kasil are the heartless Godds.

Dragomir is honest and loyal, brave in the face of adversity. His only weakness is his love for Tora. Tora is also loyal to her beliefs and exhibits a courage to be admired.

The love scenes are sensual and tasteful. From the first page to the last, "White Tiger" will take the reader for a breathless ride filled with action, adventure, myths, and love.

StephB is an author who likes to read many books and a variety of different genres. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steph_Burkhart

Prince William and Kate Royal Wedding Books Review

Have you up to speed with the great excitement in London? Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married! After their engagement in October, the couple has finally decided to exchange "I do's" on April 29, 2011. This royal wedding is going to be the most celebrated event in London that at this point in time a number of William and Kate books have already been published to narrate their romantic story.

Certainly, it is only fitting for both to finally tie the knot after eight long years in the relationship. They are two people in love who stood the test of time while getting to know each other fully and better. Their relationship was in a hiatus in 2007 but this only proved how strong their bond is and was found back in each other's arms shortly.

The most famous book written about the couple is William & Kate: The Love Story: A Celebration of the Wedding of the Century. Written by the royal journalist Robert Jobson, is an full insider account on the latest scoop and events leading to their most awaited day. The book narrates about Prince William and his soon-to-be bride and future Queen Consort, Kate Middleton. Both 28, William and Kate first met at the University of Scotland. This William and Kate book is filled with plenty of photographs on the couple, interesting tales or anecdotes and analysis about their relationship.

Another book dedicated for the couple is the William & Kate: A Royal Love Story. It is a factual publication on hardcover that tells the story of their fairy tale love affair. It is written by The Sun's Royal correspondent, James Clench with 150 never-seen photos and narrations about Will and Kate. The book called William's Princess: The Love Story that will Change the Royal Family Forever is another heart-warming and inspiring revelation of the young couple's early beginnings. It dates back to the time when Prince William was pursuing his career at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. Suddenly, rumors broke that William will get married after the Queen's 80th birthday when he ended his army training. He was to become future King of England and he must have a Queen! This hardcover is written by the award-winning journalist, Robert Jobson who exposed the marriage between Prince Charles and Camilla to the public in 2005. You can collect all these books today at a very affordable price. These Will and Kate books are timeless collections that are worth keeping. Also available is the book focused on Kate's life is Kate: Kate Middleton: Princess in Waiting and also another one called William & Kate: A Royal Souvenir.

Collect all Will and Kate books as a momento of the royal wedding of the decade. Visit the William and Kate Royal Weddinglens where you can also get the latest news and check out the latest royal souvenirs. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karina_Stewart

Barefoot Books Review - The Animal Boogie

The Animal Boogie is now famous, maybe even infamous as a bestseller at independent publishers Barefoot Books.

So what makes The Animal Boogie so popular?

It is so addictive!

Even as I write this I can hear myself humming the tune and jiggling my foot. It is an instant addictive hit!

It Is Such Family Fun

Barefoot recommend this book for children aged 3 to 7. This is not true. My daughter had this when she was 2 and still loves it at 6 ½. On top of that 3 generations have been up and doing the 'boogie, oogie, woogie', including a 70+ great grandmother!

Be warned though that once played it will stick with you for a very long time. Be prepared to play it in the car on long journeys to pass the time. It certainly beats arguments and the eventual boredom of I spy. The miles just fly by.

Great for Parties and Groups

Whether you are planning a party or are involved in a group or nursery, the Animal Boogie is perfect material. It has a musical score for the brave at the back and everyone can get involved doing their own actions for each animals. Stamp like an elephant and slither like a snake using whatever part of the body you want.

If you have a group that has instruments you can get those out as well, or make your own. Again an extra plus to this interactive sing along

Colourful, vibrant and all inclusive

The book is filled with full colour illustrations that are bright and beautiful. Each animal is accompanied by a different child. Each child is from a different ethnic background or culture. The publishers have really thought about this as well as there is also a girl in a wheelchair. You really can boogie and have fun whatever your race, creed or physical situation. There is something for everyone.

The Animal Boogie is really one of the most fun books I have come across. No one is left out and everyone can join in with their own brand of boogie.

Find out more about The Animal Boogie and Barefoot Books and read an extended review at http://www.my-barefootbooks.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Faulkner

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 tells the story of Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books that are considered dangerous. One night when Montag meets his neighbor Clarisse McClellan, she wakes him up and forces him to think about his life, happiness, ideals and why the society he lives in looks the way it does. He starts to realize what an empty life he has been living and begins to question why books are considered dangerous and burned. Montag's boss, Captain Beatty, notices his guilt and comes to visit him one day when Montag has called in sick. He explains why they burn books, how they bring all kinds of unwanted emotions, feelings and rebellion. Beatty claims that it is better if society conforms to collective thought, because it will be much less dangerous.

One day at work the fire crew is sent out to a house where a woman refuses to give up her books. When they burn down the house with all the books, the woman is still inside. Montag feels responsible for this and the event changes his life completely. He seeks the help of an old English teacher named Faber who he had once met. While Clarisse had helped him see how the world works, Faber is responsible for his full awakening. Faber teaches him what books really mean, the importance of literature and offers to guide him to take action towards his new ideas. Montag decides that he will never burn a book again. After a while his boss begins to suspect that he is hiding and collecting books and one day he is called out to burn down his own home. Montag refuses to follow the orders and tries to escape. The story continues with Montag on the run as a fugitive while the chase is broadcast live on television.

Fahrenheit 451 is an amazing book about the pitfalls of a society without individuality or reason, where people have lost their ability to think for themselves. Maybe what is most remarkable is that we may not even realize that society has become that way, or that we have become part of it, as is the case for the protagonist of this novel, Guy Montag. This book has been compared to George Orwell's 1984 and there are a lot of similarities. Both novels describe a society where individuals have little control of their own lives and thoughts. But I think that Fahrenheit 451 feels less dark and has a slightly more optimistic view, which makes it a more enjoyable read.

LitBlog.net - Novel reviews, suggestions, summaries and news. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Nilson