the 360 Degree Leader

Finally Maxwell has produced a book for the position most all of us find ourselves in, the middle. Surrounded by opportunity to make a difference but unsure of how to do so? “The 360 degree Leader” offers practical advice and steps you can take immediately to become a person of influence in your organization. If you are in the middle and want to make a difference up down and across in your organization John Maxwell lets you know how to do so. His style in this book is softer and much more reflective than his previous works but the advice is still dead on target. From the first few chapters to the last you will find yourself armed with the tools you need to be a better employee no matter what you title. I recommend this book to all the middle-men out there. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Bonhoeffer

The most complete story of Bonhoeffer is found in this one volume. From his parents courtship and marriage to his conversion and death at the hands of the Nazis. It is all here explored in phenomenal detail and practical story form. If you have read The Cost of Discipleship and wondered where he received his passion you need to read this book. Filled with his personal theology, inter weaved through personal letters and the testimony of his family the author tells a brilliant story of Bonhoeffer and his life.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Surviving Your Serengeti

Surviving Your Serengeti is a great book, there are times when working in business can feel like walking in the desert. You really just don’t know how it is you are going to survive. Stefan Swanepoel does a great job of writing practical advice in a parable form that holds your attention and allows you to enjoy learning what he has to teach. I would highly recommend this book if you are in business or studying business it gives very practical advice. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Blessing

The Blessing is a book that focuses on five elements that you can use to produce a blessing in your children’s life, these are meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment. Well written and easy to follow this book is one of the most practical guide to really make a difference in your life and the lives of those you love. To be able to speak a blessing over your children is one of the most meaningful gifts you will be able to give to your children. Grounded in scripture and modern in application The Blessing is just that. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Put your Dream to the Test

Put Your Dream To The Test by leadership guru John C. Maxwell is quite possible one of his finest pieces of work. My wife and I have been dreaming for a very long time about how to accomplish a particular dream in our lives. Maxwell’s practical and very timely advice will help us on the journey of discovering that dream and more importantly one day seeing it come to fruition. In the book he asks ten very tough questions, but more than that he sets you on the path to be able to answer those questions. He does not however lead you down the primrose path full of promise and fluffy hope. He instead challenges you to look at the question and really answer them. This tone is set in the first chapter entitled, “Is my dream really my dream?” Poignant and down to earth this book again reinforces Maxwell’s position as one of the greatest business leader advice men in the world.

Max on Life

Max on Life is a recent addition to the wealth of books put out by author Max Lucado. While the reader won’t find many deep theological mysteries revealed in this book, you will find what you expect, consistent encouragement. Max does what he does best in this book offers insight into life with positive feel goodness mixed in. While I hoped that max would challenge the status quo a bit and go a little deeper into scripture, the answers he gave are good and for the most part scripturally solid. Several of his answers are really quite good. The book is written well and does an excellent job of threading humor throughout the nuggets of life advice. Max on Life is also divided very well into seven sections, each covering a broad topic base to allow you to find what you are looking for. This book could be used as a devotional book or an excellent resource for opening a topic for a bible study group. I will keep it on my shelf for future reference.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

God’s Promises for the American Patriot

God’s Promises for the American Patriot is a devotional book designed for those who wish to dig deeper into how this country was shaped by Scripture. Pulling from historical records of many famous Americans it offers a candid look into the lives of such historical figures as Franklin and Washington but not just the founders, it includes scientist, authors and business people all of them shaped in some way by scripture. An encouragement throughout this book would be a great gift for some one who loves the rich history of our country or it could serve well as a conversation starter on a coffee table. Neither the historical nor the biblical aspects of this piece are overdone. I would and will recommend this book to a few of my family members.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Final Summit

The Final Summit, by Andy Andrews never fails to disappoint. This book is an exploration of this magical two-word parse that is suppose to save humanity. I have a two word phrase that will save you from this book, please don’t. The story is circular and unimaginative every chapter seemed to be that same chapter just with a few different characters. To be honest I read about a total of two thirds of this book because you can skip most of it and not miss a thing. I don’t believe I will ever read another book by this author. I wish I could recommend this but I can’t.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Story of the Bible

Being raised in the Church, I feel I have a pretty good grasp on scripture and what it contains. However I am the type of person that like to know a little more, like why did this book make it in to the canon and other did not. While “The Story of the Bible” by Larry Stone didn’t answer all of these questions it did provide some wonderful insights into how the books of the bible were assembled into one volume. It also shared the role the Scriptures have played in history, the stories of those that have given their lives to make the Bible available for everyone. The pullouts the book contains are well done and presented well but could have been made part of the pages in the books and served their purpose. In a digital age I believe the publisher would have been better served to provide digital copies of these documents so that they could have been used in teaching to large group settings. All I all this is a good reference piece and will be use full for personal study and in a small group setting.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Faith of Ronald Reagan

The Faith of Ronald Reagan is an interesting read but is far from being well put together. More often than not it is repetitive and covers the same topics over and over. It is interesting how his early years shaped him but it just left me with a feeling that this book was thrown together and not really rounded out to completion. Mr. Reagan was a great president and this book did not do him justice. It will find a place on my shelf but is easily forgotten and I don’t believe it is worth paying full price for. I an time when we are celebrating this great American I think a little more time and care could have been put into this work.