Pushing The Envelope by: Harvey Mackey Soaring With The Phoenix by: James Belasco & Jerre Stead
t u l e n k o . c o m	How To Get What You Want And Want What You Have by: John Gray

Reviews & Ratings Paul's Rating: *****
Book Title: Pushing The Envelope
Author: Harvey Mackey
Price: $ 24.95
Description: Probably the best motivation/action book to come on the scene in a long, long, long time.

Review: Reading this book made me want to jump up on my chair, beat on my chest, give the Tarzan yell, and shout at the top of my voice: "YES! I CAN DO IT!"

If this sounds as if I found the book helpful, I did, and so will you. Read this one with a highlighter, it's full of phrases and sentences you'll want to tape on the bathroom mirror called 'Mackay's Morals', such as: "The reason you always dance with the one who brung you, is 'cause when the party's over, you may need a ride home." For those of us who long for the good old days, Mackey has another one: "Doing things in the good old ways they were done in the good old days is just that. Old."

Mackay doesn't say you can do it all by yourself, he emphasises over and over again that we all need a second opinion. For example, in Chapter 65 (okay, he has a lot of chapters, but they're short, pithy, and to the point), he tells the story of Judah Harris, the Wall Street trader who lost $ 670,000 in a bull market. Mackay says: "Underlying his trading was a character trait that all but assured his downfall: He never discussed his investment decisions with his wife." Mackay's theory is that if things aren't working right, maybe it's time to call in your partner for a consultation. Maybe he's right.

This book will bring tears to your eyes, tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears of tomorrows. Buy the book.

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Paul's Rating: ****1/2
Book Title: Soaring With The Phoenix
Author: James Belasco & Jerre Stead
Price: $ 25.00
Description: A combination of motivational morsels liberally sprinkled with vignettes from experience. A 'how-to' book from a different perspective.

Review: First the negatives. This is really two books, and in my opinion, they should have been separated. Part III, Creating Your Future! is really a whole book in itself with a focus on personal actions you can take to make your dreams come true. That said, we're probably fortunate that both books are within one set of covers--it saves a few bucks that way, and both books are valuable to anyone wanting to move to the head of the pack!

In any case, reading this book will give you ideas. But it also puts out a clarion call for action that makes you want to get busy with the rest of your life. Belasco's way of teaching is to use his vast experience as a springboard for lessons that stay with you. For example, Belasco's quote from Wayne Gretzky: "Always skate to where the puck WILL BE, not where it is." makes us pause for just a moment to ask ourselves whether we're working where 'it was' or where 'it will be'!

Are you worried about the future? Read Chapter 5 where Belasco headlines a section 'The Weight of the Future Makes for a Groaning Table of Opportunity.' Or read Chapter 2 where Belasco urges you to 'Get Out Your Scissors and Edit Your Future', then follows with a real plan for achieving that future you design.
A definite "Read"! Buy the book.

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Paul's Rating: *
Book Title: How To Get What You Want And Want What You Have
Author: John Gray
Price: $ 24.95
Description: A 'Pity Party' book for those who 'feel' rather than 'act'.

Review: An extremely disappointing book from the extremely brilliant author of the phenomenally successful #1 bestseller, "Men Are From Mars, Women Are from Venus". (Buy that one!)

Gray starts his book with a vague and amorphous 'Four Steps to Personal Success', then segues into: "The main difference between those who succeed in life and those who fail is the knowledge of how to get back up." I disagree. I feel the main difference is those who succeeded GOT UP to try again. I don't know of any successful person who achieved their success just by thinking about getting up or by just knowing how to get up. They got up!

We get off to a bad start (Gray and me) in his first chapter where he says: "Money Can't Buy Happiness", then continues in a later chapter with: "The world is filled with millions of people who are happy but poor." What a downer! Gray forgets that money gives us the FREEDOM to do other things that CAN make us happy, like spending time with our families, nurturing our kids, giving to and participating in good causes, and mentoring others.

You can get a lot better idea of Gray's Chapter 5 'The Ten Love Tanks' by reading the original concept in the books: "The Five Love Languages' by Gary Chapman and 'The Five Love Languages of Children' by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell, MD.

I got in a lot of 'nap time' with this book, even with the theme from 'The Twilight Zone' echoing in the back of my mind. Leave this one on the shelf!

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