Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

by Amy Chua

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Having been raised by strict Asian parents who emphasized academic achievement and obedience to elders, I initially defended Chua’s "Chinese" approach and assumed most of the critics were culturally biased "we’re-all-winners" types who’d only read short excerpts or newspaper articles about the book.

Well, I have finally gotten around to reading this memoir and I can tell you that the widespread criticism of Chua’s parenting approach is indeed justified.

I certainly agree with some aspects of Chua’s book – such as when raising children, we must assume strength, not fragility. However, Chua’s methods of bringing out her children’s strengths is horrifying. She openly berates her children. She doesn’t know the meaning of picking your battles wisely (a tactic I believe every parent of a teenager must master, whether Chinese or Western). There is not a single moment of interlude for these poor kids, as Chua even rents out piano practice rooms every day during overseas family trips. Then she sways to bribery and cajolement when threats fail to achieve instant obedience. Often I found myself shaking my head, thinking that this is not "Chinese parenting." It’s controlling parenting.

There are certainly elements of Asian parenting that Western parents can learn from, just as Asian parents can learn from their Western counterparts. But Chua is a fool to expect that two children raised in America will thrive on a totally Chinese approach. They do not live in China. You need to take into account the environment in which your children grow, without necessarily abandoning your traditional approach. After all, isn’t that what Chua herself expected of her parents when she married a Jewish man? I find it so sad that her children weren’t allowed to interact with their peers as kids normally do in America – playdates and sleepovers and all.

To give Chua credit, she does acknowledge that her rigid parenting was the wrong approach for her younger child. However this admission comes with great reluctance – it still "pains her every day" that Lulu quits the orchestra and negotiates to practice the violin by herself for "just" 30 minutes a day. When Lulu was finally permitted to play tennis and showed signs of aptitude, Chua immediately goes into her smother mother mode, researching the best trainers in the area. She only retreats unwillingly after the horrified Lulu pleads her not to "wreck tennis for me like you wrecked violin" with demands for perfection and endless practice. Chua’s reluctant change of tactics don’t redeem her enough in my eyes after years and years of harsh control and obsessively perfecting her daughters’ musical skills.

In her obsession with grades and musical achievement, Chua seems to forget that excellence in academia does not guarantee success in life. Often it’s the social skills and other intangible traits that enable people to win that important project, to get along with your boss, to charm a difficult client. Many excessively strict parents who emphasized academia above all else are today wringing their hands asking why their perfect, Harvard graduate child can’t seem to find themselves a job, or unable to keep a job, or constantly passed over for promotional opportunities. The equation of success is more complex than being the best pianist or the student with most A-plusses in the year.

Throughout the book Chua seems fixated about enforcing her notions of "Chinese-style parenting". There is nothing Chinese about neurotically controlling every minute aspect of your child’s life and then resorting to emotional blackmail, bribery, and sarcastic criticism when your child refuses to obey. This is called "bad parenting" across all societies. As a Korean mother married to a Chinese husband, I find her ideas of Chinese parenting not only inaccurate, but repugnant.

With such sentiments, do I recommend the book? Yes. The book is like a train wreck you can’t take your eyes off from. Despite the creepy helicopter parenting it still makes an intriguing read, if only to delve into the psyche of an obviously bright Yale professor who makes abysmally poor parenting choices. But don’t reward Chua’s neurotic smothering with royalties for this book – borrow a library copy if you can. I don’t think I can quite stomach a second read, anyway.

Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know

by Hamilton Wright Mabie

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Navigation for this ebook as well as others without active table of contents is simplified by adding your own highlight on the story title or chapter # as it first comes up.

I got this version yesterday eventhough my wife has it on her kindle and complained about no table of contents. Last night as I was reading the stories, I highlighted the story title as if first appeared on the screen. After doing this several times, I went to view your notes/highlights, and lo and behold there they were with location # and title, highlight the title and press the 5 way control and you are now at the beginning of the story….. great for re-reading those stories to those grandkids who always want to hear the story again and again and again.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma

by Michael Pollan

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Humans were clearly designed to eat all manner of meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains. But, as Pollan points out, America’s farmers have succeeded so wildly that today’s fundamental agricultural issue has become how to deal sensibly with overproduction. The result of this surfeit of grain is behemoth corn processors, who have commoditized the Aztecs’ sacred grain and developed ways to separate corn into products wholly removed from its original kernels. This excess food and Americans’ wealth and rapid-paced lifestyles now yield supersized portions of less-than-nutritious eatables. Pollan contrasts the technologically driven life on an Iowa corn farm’s feedlots with the thriving organic farm movement supplying retailers such as Whole Foods. Pollan also addresses issues of vegetarianism and flesh eating, hunting for game, and foraging for mushrooms.

Throughout, he takes care to consider all sides of issues, and he avoids jingoistic answers. Although much of this subject has been treated elsewhere, Pollan’s easy writing style and unique approach freshen this contemporary debate.

Construction Jobsite Management

This new updated third edition of Construction Jobsite Management deals with all facets of construction project management from the contractor’s point of view. It examines the duties that are handled by the project manager, construction superintendent, and construction engineer throughout the progress of a job, from the configurations of a project team through project closeout. A hallmark of this book is its dedicated focus on the activities of jobsite personnel that includes helpful techniques and procedures for effectively managing a project from start to finish. The clear, concise language in which it is written makes this book an essential introduction to the "real world" of effective management techniques.

Features:

• New chapter on Green Building and the responsibilities of jobsite manager relating to sustainable construction practices.
• New chapter on the Superintendent’s leadership responsibilities.
• Revised chapter on Quality Management, including some insights on implementing a quality management plan.
• Updated chapter on the use of computers in jobsite management.
• New look to example forms.
• DISCUSSIONS: discussions of current philosophies, procedures, and methods of management stress application over theory, making this book ready-made for use on the jobsite.
• HANDS ON EXPERIENCE: the authors bring numerous years of actual construction project management experience to life so that concepts are immediately applicable to the real world.
• DOCUMENTS: construction documents for use in project management are discussed, including the use of common forms such as AIA papers that can be directly applied to project situations.
• UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION: the chapters on safety and computerized project management are thoroughly up-to-date, keeping on pace with emerging technologies and jobsite conditions.
• REVIEW: chapter objectives and review questions reinforce concepts, and an Instructor’s Manual is available with answers to the review questions.

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Official Training Guide

Learn Revit Architecture 2010 from the source!

This full-color Autodesk Official Training Guide is the perfect resource for those who need a complete, expert guide to Revit Architecture 2010. With training provided by Autodesk experts who helped create the software, this book thoroughly covers the principles and fundamentals of this groundbreaking building information modeling (BIM) software.

You’ll create a basic floor plan, add and edit simple and complex walls, modify and detail drawings, and learn valuable techniques and best practices. This invaluable guide also prepares designers for Revit Architecture certification.

• Covers Revit Architecture 2010 for architects, contractors, designers, and students; this book is an Autodesk Official Training Guide and was created by Autodesk, makers of Revit Architecture
• Walks readers through techniques, workflows, and content tailored to those just learning as well as professionals working on real-world projects or preparing for Revit Architecture certification
• Delves into elements, Revit families, working with components, managing section and elevation views, making modifications, documentation, and more
• Demonstrates best practices while you create a basic floor plan, add and edit walls, create and modify roofs and floors, and more
• Features a gallery of customer success stories highlighting how Revit was used to create the compelling designs

Get the very most out of Revit Architecture with this must-have training guide from the makers of Revit.

Practicing Financial Planning for Professionals, Practitioners’ Version

Practicing Financial Planning for Professionals, Practitioners’ Version (9th Edition) by Sid Mittra, Tom Potts, Leon LaBrecque If one were to own only one book on the subject of financial planning, Practicing Financial Planning for Professionals would be the one to have. The book is a complete text and reference book for the financial professional, the aspiring planner and for anyone truly interested in the financial planning process. This book is complete and unique, all areas of planning are discussed in an understandable and complete way. No one planner, no matter how long they have been in practice or no matter how educated can have complete mastery in all of the areas covered by this book.

Some of the review
It’s an invaluable reference… Now in it’s 9th edition…it has become an institution. –Harold Evensky, CFP, 2005
No one who holds himself out as a financial planner should be without it. –John Henry McDonald, CFP, ChFC, CLU Austin Asset Management, 2005
You’ll find this book invaluable. This is a must have book for all of us. –Stacy Schaus, CFP, MBA Hewitt Associates, 2005

Credit Hell / Debt Consolidating: How to Dig Out of Debt

Each year, millions of Americans sink further into debt and the sad truth is that most Americans have been conditioned to believe that debt is a normal part of life. If credit problems are adversely affecting your life, there are ways to improve your financial situation, and Credit Hell: How to Dig Out of Debt can show you how.

Written by Howard S. Dvorkin, a nationally known expert in the debt counseling field, Credit Hell / Debt Consolidation walks you through the “getting-out-of-debt” process from assessing the state of your finances and developing a budget, to negotiating with your creditors, consolidating your debts, and rebuilding your finances after your money troubles are over. Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, this user-friendly guide:

* Shows you how to deal with important debts like your mortgage, car loans, and taxes owed to the IRS
* Discusses why having a good credit history and a high credit score is important; how to order your credit report from each of the three national credit reporting agencies; and what you can do to improve your score and correct problems in your credit records
* Educates you about important laws that can protect you when applying for credit, using credit, or if a debt collector is hounding you
* Explains when filing for bankruptcy is your best option and provides you with an overview of the process

If you want to dig yourself out of debt and stay out of debt in the future, pick up Credit Hell and discover the best way to regain control of your financial life.

Make sure to check debt consolidation to get free advice.

Tools & Features illustrated: Adobe Photoshop CS3

Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z: Tools and features illustrated ready reference
by Philip Andrews

Find solutions quick with this accessible encyclopedic guide. Conveniently organized in a clear A-Z format, this illustrated ready reference covers every action you are likely to make as a photographer. You’ll never want it far from your side while you work with Photoshop.

• Covers all of Photoshops mass of tools concisely in an intuitive, colorful layout
• New section shows you fast solutions for everyday editing tasks: step-by-step tutorials illustrate how to conquer key tasks and techniques
• Fully updated for CS3
• Includes all versions of Photoshop-shortcut keys specify which version of Photoshop is applicable

This visual resource is the ideal companion to every Photoshop book on your shelf. Associate website www.Photoshop-A-Z.com features matching video tutorials for each step-by-step tutorial.

For Photoshop users at all levels-covers everything from the everyday to the hidden features you need in a pinch.

Dodge the frustrations that can come with time-sensitive, quality work with Philip Andrews. Philip is a professional photographer, digital photography teacher, magazine editor, and best-selling international author. Filled with practical advice from one photographer to another, Philip uses his trademark straight-talking style to ensure that everyone can get to grips with all the features of CS3 quickly and confidently.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers

Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers: A Professional Image Editor’s Guide to the Creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC
by Martin Evening

Adobes Photoshop CS3 comes with powerful new features with huge payoffs. But it can be overwhelming to learn, even for professional photographers, graphic designers, keen amateurs, and others who already have an initial grasp of Photoshop. Acclaimed photographer Martin Evening, who wrote the best-selling previous books, ‘Adobe Photoshop for Photographers’, makes it easy with this new, thoroughly updated edition.

* Illustrated throughout with before-and-after pictures more than 750 professional, color illustrations!
* Practical techniques and real-life assignments
* Step-by-step tutorials
* Keyboard shortcut reference guide

Includes FREE DVD with:
* QuickTime movie tutorials for MAC and PC
* Searchable tips on tools, palettes layer styles, and shortcuts
* Includes images selected for you to experiment with to get you up to speed with everything in the book, including the new Photoshop CS3 features, fast!
* Updated Camera Guide to help you decide which will best suit your needs, plus bonus Digital Capture chapter in printable PDF format

Uncover quickly exactly what Adobes CS3 now offers photographers. New tutorials focus on the key features introduced in CS3. You lose no time in finding out how to put your ideas to work with:
* Adobes Camera Raw 4 plug-in that can now also process TIFFs and JPEGs
* New Align controls for combining HDR images; Photomerge; new Clone Stamp; Curves dialog that now incorporates Levels functionality; and improved controls for Brightness/Contrast to match raw image processing controls
* The latest on Black and White adjustment, which provides all the black and white conversion tools you need for optimum monochrome conversions
* A pros scoop on choosing from among dozens of Photoshops image adjustment methods to get the results you want
* Tips on Bridge 2.0 and Lightroom when you should use each
* Top tactics for successful composite images, insider guidance on editing shadows and highlight adjustments, and lessons on how to preview and re-edit filter effects as many times as you want without complex workarounds

Get the preeminent advice from one photographer to another as Martin completely updates you on the core aspects of working with Photoshop, digital workflow, and improving accessibility. Real-life examples, diagrams, illustrations, and step-by-step explanations ensure that youre up to speed with the next generation of digital photography in no time!

How to Generate Huge Profits from Real Estate While Keeping Your Day Job

The Part-Time Real Estate Investor: How to Generate Huge Profits While Keeping Your Day Job
by Dan W. Blacharski

Having read a good deal of real estate investment guides, I had prepared myself for another run-of-the-mill, same old investment book. I was pleasantly surprised, not only by the sheer volume of useful information presented in this book, but also by the incredible organization of Blacharski’s innovative take on a popular subject.

Who doesn’t want to make money in real estate? The Part-Time Real Estate Investor effectively takes the guesswork out of getting started, making this lucrative investment strategy accessible to even the most novice of real estate investors. Broken into three major sections with twenty-eight comprehensive chapters, this book flows easily from real estate education and goal setting, into the nitty gritty of starting a business and evaluating deals, right into what to do with your earnings once you “make it” in real estate investing. Blacharski has left no stone unturned as he explains in easy to understand terms every important facet of real estate investment.

The techniques and principals outlined in the book are more than fanciful theory, as each is explained in a way that can be applied in real life investing. I found the exhaustive glossary at the back of the guide educational and a great bonus on top of the step-by-step investment strategy throughout the rest of the book. One walks away from this book feeling confident that they have been given the guidance and instruction necessary to make it in real estate investment.

J K Lasser Pro Real Estate Investment Trusts

J K Lasser Pro Real Estate Investment Trusts
by Richard Imperiale

J.K. Lasser Pro Real Estate Investment Trusts thoroughly explains the nature of REITs and explores how this investment vehicle can be integrated and implemented into almost any client’s portfolio. This invaluable resource discusses the benefits and performance characteristics of REITs and includes a chapter on each of the following forms of REITs available, including:

• Residential REITs
• Manufactured home community REITs
• Office REITs
• Industrial property REITs
• Retail REITs
• Hotel property REITs
• Health care REITs
• Self-storage REITs
• Specialized, diversified, and mortgage REITs

Understand the California Real Estate Finance

California Real Estate Finance
by Minnie Lush, David Sirota

California’s unique financing system makes it vital for real estate professionals to understand the many options available to homebuyers. Combining state specific information with sound finance principals, this easy to read text explores the impact of financial markets on real estate transactions and discusses the growing role of technology in financing.

Book’s Chapters include:
- Introduction
- Lesson Assignments
- Chapter One: Nature and Cycle of California Real Estate Finance.
- Chapter Two: Money and the Monetary System
- Chapter Three: Fiduciary Sources For Real Estate Finance.
- Chapter Four: Semifiduciary and Nonfiduciary Sources for Real Estate Finance.
- Chapter Five: Conventional, Insured and Guaranteed Loans.
- Chapter Six: Federal and State Financial Regulations and Lending Programs.
- Chapter Seven: Junior Real Estate Finance
- Chapter Eight: Contemporary Real Estate Finance
- Chapter Nine: Instruments of Real Estate Finance
- Chapter Ten: Real Estate Loan Underwriting
- Chapter Eleven: Processing Real Estate Loans
- Chapter Twelve: The Secondary Mortgage and Trust Deed Markets.
- Chapter Thirteen: Defaults and Foreclosures
- Chapter Fourteen: Investment Financing Strategies
- Chapter Fifteen: Mathematics of Real Estate Finance

There are also exams and answer keys (PIN Access Only) plus a chapter quiz at the end of each chapter.