Marx's Lost Aesthetic: Karl Marx and the Visual Arts

Book Description

This book offers an original and challenging study of Marx’s contact with the visual arts, aesthetic theories, and art policies in nineteenth-century Europe. It differs from previous discussions of Marxist aesthetic theory in looking at Marx’s views from an art-historical rather than from a literary perspective, and in placing those views in the context of the art practices, theories, and policies of Marx’s own time. Dr Rose begins her work by discussing Marx’s planned treatise on Romantic art of 1842 against the background of the philosophical debates, cultural policies, and art practices of the 1840s, and looks in particular at the patronage given to the group of German artists known as the ‘Nazarenes’ in those years, who are discussed in relation to both the English Pre-Raphaelites, popular in the London known to Marx, and to the Russian Social Realists of the 1860s. The author goes on to consider claims of twentieth-century Marxist art theories and practices to have represented Marx’s own views on art. The book the conflicting claims made on Marx’s views by the Soviet avant-garde Constructivists of the 1920s and of the Socialist Realists who followed them are considered, and are related back to the aesthetic theories and practices discussed in the earlier chapters.

Customer Reviews:

Marx and Soviet art theory considered.......2007-02-01

Margaret Rose, a specialist in Heine and German literature in general, has written this work as a simple but effective overview of Marx' views on art and the reception of these views in the (early) Soviet Union.

She discusses Marx' artistic taste and his struggle against the German art school known as the Nazarenes, who were reactionary romantics pining for the idylle of the Middle Ages, which was heavily supported both politically and financially by the Prussian Kings. Heinrich Heine loathed this group and satirized them often, and Bauer and Feuerbach also wrote against them, which influenced the young Marx into making his few theoretical statements on art in opposition to this starry-eyed romanticism. Rose also considers Marx' cryptic comment on Greek art being the youth of mankind, and thereby being attractive to us still, and on the possible interpretations of Marx' view of art in the context of the general development of a society, historically.

Rose makes much use of Saint-Simon's conception of art as an avant-garde, paving the way together with scientists and engineers to create the new world, to contrast it with reflectionist theories of art. The early Soviet art movements such as Constructivism are seen as supporters of a Marxist art view based on the prior idea, whereas Socialist Realism is a clear enforcement of the latter view on art theory. Margaret Rose then concludes that the claims of Socialist Realism to Marx' support are probably not tenable; however, we know too little about what Marx (and Engels for that matter) thought of art theory to be able to produce an alternative view, so the Saint-Simonian seems the most applicable for the time being.

This book is clear and interesting reading for the art theory layman. It comes with many pictures of art works discussed, but unfortunately (possibly because this is a reprint edition) their quality is rather low. It may be useful to look up the art works on the internet or in a book of art instead to get a better view. This book is short and narrow in its subject, but it covers it well and is interesting at all levels of art knowledge.

Customer Reviews:

A Fashion Book For Rest Of Us.......1999-04-30

This beautifully produced coffee-table book arose from a fashion exhibit held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in the early 1990s. I can't say enough about the layout, photography, and amazing color throughout the book. While the exhibit curators obviously labored mightily to put the exhibit together, the book manages to catalog it all in an enthralling way. A bit expensive for people like me, but you should definitely find a copy to browse through if nothing else.

Surfers Soulies Skinheads and Skaters : Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties

Average customer rating:

Surfers Soulies Skinheads and Skaters : Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties
Cathie Dingwall Amy de la Haye
Manufacturer: Overlook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MU9FAO

Customer Reviews:

Like most of the last third of Cerebus, there's a lot of good and a little bad.......2007-02-11

There's a misconception that the last third of Cerebus is not as good as the first two thirds, which simply doesn't make sense. The fact is that Cerebus has always varied wildly in quality, and the last third has as many brilliant parts as the earlier stuff. Going Home isn't as good as Guys, but there's a lot more quality here than crap.

The first half of this book is about Cerebus and Jaka walking towards his hometown, and it's brilliant. The artwork features some absolutely stunning landscapes in addition to the usual bars (drinking establishments must take up a couple thousand pages of Cerebus). There's a lot of fighting between the couple, but there are also legitimately romantic scenes, and a hilarious encounter with a Lord Julius like-a-look.

The second half of Going Home is another Jaka's Story style story, where an author (based on F. Scott Fitzgerald) is both a character and the fake author of prose pages. Dave Sim's imitation of Fitzgerald is at least as good as his faux Wilde, though the prose here doesn't tell a parallel story; instead, the prose offers an alternate version of the comic that makes his character look better. It's a funny technique, but not as profound as Jaka's Story, where the two stories were both emotional rollercoasters. The biggest problem with this book is a segment where the Fitzgerald character gets drunk and explains his philosophy of life and religion. It sounds as though Sim has placed himself in the character rather than Fitzgerald. If Sim wants to use a character as a mouthpiece, he should just insert himself in the comic... like he's done three times already!

"I Hate this part".......2006-02-09

David Sim and Gerhard have flawlessly created a storyline of a doomed relationship. Everyone I know who has read "Going Home" and "Form and Void" has identified with these books. The presentation is sublime and mesmerizing. Even though you know how it will end, Sim and Gerhard draw you in with a perfect script and impeccable paneling. This book is well rounded with plenty of the "Classic Cerebus" humor and with Dave Sim's relentless literary research into F. Scott Fitzgerald. Read this book you will come away with a renewed understanding of personal relationships and a superb reading list of American writers.

Average customer rating:

Cerebus Going Home
Dave Sim
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Cerebus | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000N6MFV8

Average customer rating:
American Humor, The Signet book of (Signet Classics (Paperback))
Various
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Comic | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Too Much of a Good Thing Is Wonderful

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ASIN: 0451527518

Book Description

America's humor tradition is as complex and cacophonous as the culture that produces it. This brand-new volume blends Yiddish inflections with African-American cadences, dry WASP-ish wit with girlish giggles, proving that comedy may be the truest democracy of all, suffering no pretense and kowtowing to no authority.

Includes such stellar contributors as Scott Adams, Dave Barry, Woody Allen, Ellen DeGeneres, Langston Hughes, Cathy Guisewite, Molly Ivins, Garrison Keillor, Jean Shepherd, John Updike, Ntozake Shange, Lynda Barry, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and many more.

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Beat, beat, beat, (A Signet book)
William F Brown
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007DWUDU

The First Good News/Bad News Joke Book (Signet)

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The First Good News/Bad News Joke Book (Signet)
Jeff Rovin
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Jokes & Riddles | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451174259

Al Jaffee's snappy answers to stupid questions (A Signet book)

Average customer rating:

I Like This Book!

Al Jaffee's snappy answers to stupid questions (A Signet book)
Al Jaffee
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007EV9I6

Customer Reviews:

I Like This Book!.......2005-08-24

Al Jaffee's Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions is from of a series of books from Mad magazine. The humor is sarcastic and may not be for everyones tastes but I thought it was funny and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes humor books. It is out of print though but I found it in a used book shop and I think this is going to be a keeper!

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The explainers (A Signet book ; P 2422)
Jules Feiffer
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007EZ04A

Average customer rating:

Read It? I Lived It! (Sort Of.)

Hold me! (Signet books)
Jules Feiffer
Manufacturer: The New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Feiffer's People.

ASIN: B0007DNYD0

Customer Reviews:

Read It? I Lived It! (Sort Of.).......2001-09-19

"Hold Me!" is a delightful collection of Jules Feiffer's cartoons in dramatic form. A series of short skits about life and anxiety and marriage, I have fond memories of playing one of the many-roled male parts in this wonderful assemblage. It's a great read as well as great fun to act.

The humor of the American cowboy (A Signet book)

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The humor of the American cowboy (A Signet book)
Stan Hoig
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Satire, General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Stays with you all your life
Our friend GOD tells it like it is!

My friend God (A signet book)
Dave Berg
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006Y2OCW

Customer Reviews:

Stays with you all your life.......2000-10-26

I read this book first time when I was 8 or 9 years old, until it fell apart when I was 13 and have been looking for it ever since. After all how many books do you have that "stick" sentences in your head for 30 years?! For example: "People are Gods idea of a practical joke"...

Our friend GOD tells it like it is!.......1998-09-17

A light-headed description of our friend GOD. Almost all of him! This book'll make you think, make you laugh yourself to tears, make you wish it never ends. Will bring something new everytime you read it over and over and over again.

Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in presents: Inside Laugh-in [no.3] (A Signet book)

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Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in presents: Inside Laugh-in [no.3] (A Signet book)
James E Brodhead
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Scroogie; hello there, ball!: By Tug McGraw and Mike Witte (A Signet book)

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Scroogie; hello there, ball!: By Tug McGraw and Mike Witte (A Signet book)
Tug McGraw
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006WM780

Book Description

Before Burt Lancaster and Charlton Heston, before Bogart and Gable, even before Rudolph Valentino, there was Francis X. Bushman. Bushman virtually created the Hollywood model of the male heartthrob. From contemporary sources and conversations with many of Bushman's surviving relatives, this is the compelling tale of one of Hollywood's first superstars and how his career laid the foundation for the matinee idols who followed.

Customer Reviews:

A peek at a long-overlooked hero of the silent screen.......2003-09-23

Francis X. Bushman was probably the first male "sex symbol" of the movies. He was good looking and was in such good physical shape that he modeled for many statues before his film career took off. Female moviegoers loved him so much that the studio kept his marriage a secret, otherwise they might not love him so much. When he became one of the first big movie stars to get a divorce, his career suffered.

The authors have done a good job of tracking down some of the many statues that Bushman modeled. And they have done exhaustive research using movie fan magazines and trade magazines to document his career. The authors also interviewed some Bushman relatives and they provide a few stills of him in later life. Still, the book does not go into much detail on particular films (with the notable exception of BEN HUR) and you really don't get a sense of what kind a person Bushman really was, other than his body-builder interests. It may be that there just are not enough sources left to document the missing parts of his life.

The filmography is excellent and very detailed. It lists Bushman's film roles, TV roles, and radio roles, as well as the professional activity of his offspring. My only complaint is that neither the text nor the filmography list which films survive or are available for viewing.

This book is not perfect, but I would recommend it to anyone interested in silent film stars.

Only Biography About Francis X. Bushman In Existence.......2003-03-21

Richard and Mary Maturi's biography of Francis X. Bushman
is excellent. There has been a great need for this first ever biographical portrait of American film history's very first superstar.
The Maturis' book provides the general reader and also scholar with a wealth of detailed information about Bushman's life from his youth growing up in Baltimore, Maryland and through his silent film career when he was the greatest name in movies from 1911-1918. Louis B. Mayer had Bushman's film career blacklisted after an altercation with him. Today Bushman is primarily famous for portraying Messalla in the 1925 feature film version of "Ben Hur". After this classic silent movie Francis X. Bushman made relatively few film appearances. He appeared in some talking movies and on a few television programs until his death in the 1960's. He also had a radio program acting career.
My great-grandfather Boston Fear gave Francis X. Bushman his very first job in life when Bushman was a boy in 1890's Baltimore. I present film lectures about the life of Francis X. Bushman. The Maturis' biography has been greatly beneficial to me in my research upon Bushman's life. This book has a wonderfully extensive listing of all of the film and television appearances of Bushman. The book's bibliography and annotational footnotes are also impressive.
A great "what-if?" question in the history of film superstars is the following query: How much more complete and enriched would we scholars and laymen be if Francis X. Bushman had written his own autobiography? Tragically, this never occurred. However the Maturis have produced a fine biographical homage to this superstar. Their book is analogous to discovering an oasis in a desert.
It is very strange that today few people know who Francis X. Bushman was. Every one can remember that George Wahington was the very first president or that Christopher Columbus is the very first person recognized for discovering America but very few people know that Francis X. Bushman was American film history's very first superstar: before Mary Pickford, before John Barrymore, before Douglas Fairbanks Senior, before Charlie Chaplin, etc. If one were to poll people as to the most recognizable silent film star Charlie Chaplin may very well be number one becuse everybody finds it easier to remember a clown due to their exaggerated appearance and behavior. However a serious dramatic, romantic actor such as Francis X. Bushman is largely forgotten because serious is considered more boring to the memory. In addition his being the farthest back in time superstar obscures modern memory.
I highly recommend the Maturis' biography to everyone. It justly resurrects the memory of a great actor and probably the most famous actor to ever come out of Baltimore, Maryland!

Almost There.......2001-01-14

Despite the joy at finding this book available, as I had always wanted to know WHO Francis X Bushman was, I did not find it completely satisfying. It seemed more a disjointed essay than a thorough biography. There was interesting information but there was no real "sense" of him as a man. For example, considering that his marriages were pivotal to his career it is frustrating not to really get any insight to them. I left the book barely knowing anything about his first wife or her take on the hiding of their marriage and children, which I think would have been a reasonable expectation in picking up the book in the first place.

It is generally assumed that there will be difficulties in writing the biography of a silent star. Will there be enough information considering fresh first hand accounts are next to impossible to source and the tremendous task of sorting fact from publicity? These are sources of difficulty, but considering the recent excellent biographies of Florence Lawrence and Ramon Novarro, it does seem possible to conquer them.

I am glad that there is finally a biography of Francis X Bushman as he was indeed an important figure in silent film and he deserves more than relegation to being a footnote of his era. I'm just disappointed I left the book wishing for more.

gabby_talmadge@yahoo.com

Book Description

* What did Hank Williams, Jr., reveal to Lorianne about his dad?
* How does Tammy Wynette really feel about ex-husband George Jones?
* Did Joe Diffie's relationship with a star's widow break up his marriage?

Nashville's most famous talk-show hosts, Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, have the shocking answers--and more--about America's favorite country performers on the air. Now, keeping all the fun and banter of their TV show, they tell their own stories--and those of the singers and songwriters who have exposed their hearts and souls on national television.

From the truth about Dolly Parton's "open marriage" to the whole story behind Kenny Roger's phone sex, Crook and Chase get the stars talking...and telling all. Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase hold nothing back as they take us behind the cameras into their own lives--their relationship off the air, their longtime marriages, and their next moves, together or apart. Don't miss their often hilarious, always high-spirited comments in an uncensored book that brings us Crook and Chase at their best--and wilder than we've ever seen them before.

Millions of country music fans want to know...

* What was Lorianne Crook's biggest flub on the air?
* What did Charlie Chase say to Tammy Wynette that nearly wrecked the show?
* What's the truth about Garth Brooks's wandering ways?
* Why will Lorianne never forgive herself for what she said live on camera when Dottie West was dying?
* Which famous couple did Crook and Chase help bring together?

Packed with insights, observations, and a candid look at the sex, sin, and charisma of country music stars, Crook & Chase recalls their best shows, their own rise to stardom, and the guests they will never forget.

Customer Reviews:

Okay.......2003-12-02

I learned a little from the book, but not much. Many of the stories in here are dated, too. Some of the "happy couples" they mention have split-up, and several people have passed-on.
I wasn't aware this book existed until recently, and that is strange, considering I am a die-hard traditional country music fan.

However, sometimes it was annoying to read about Lorianne's talking about herself. She tried to appear "modest" but was forever going on about compliments people bestowed upon her regarding her looks. This isn't a book about her "beauty"--it's supposed to reveal insights about country music performers. Charlie Chase came across as a much nicer person than Lorianne did.

This book was so-so. I learned a few things I didn't know before, but for the most part, it was re-hashing facts I was already aware of.

Average customer rating:
Crook and Chase - Our Lives, the Music, and the Stars
Lorianne & Charlie Chase (w/ Mickey Herskow Crook
Manufacturer: New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc. 1995
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NVEFEI

Average customer rating:

The finest GURPS supplement to date...

EXCELLENT

Very Good Supplement, well written and innovative

GURPS Cyberpunk: High-Tech Low-Life Roleplaying (GURPS: Generic Universal Role Playing System)
Loyd Blankenship
Manufacturer: Steve Jackson Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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GURPS Robots: Bold Experiments, Faithful Servants, Soulless Killers (Steve Jackson Games)

ASIN: 1556341687

Customer Reviews:

The finest GURPS supplement to date..........2001-04-27

This one has it all... Cyberware, campaign notes, plot hooks and an entire culture between the covers. This book SINGLEY has everything needed for a GURPS Cyberpunk campaign and so much more. It is obvious that the writers and team have a great love for the Genre and it shows through in these pages.

Great plot and campaign ideas...

*Fantasy Cyberpunk (ala Shadow Run) *Fantasy Punk (with Golem-like body mods where magic replaces tech) *CyberSpace (bringing and edge to the tech in your space campaign) *Super-Punk (New cyber for your supers... OR Supers as a new subset of humanity in your Cyperpunk campaign) *Cyber-Horror (Call of Cthulhu meets Count Zero)

All this.. and a Marvelous bibliography (and discography) that will prepare you for any campaign idea.

EXCELLENT.......2000-02-19

I have to say that this is one of the most complete game supplements I have had the pleasure to work with. It makes me wonder how much more complete it would have been with the material they did not get back from the Feds. Freedom of speech indeed. This contains everything you need to play in a dirty, gritty, backstabbing, government conpsiracy laden, mega-corp power game riddled, techno-hacking, assasin filled game....buy it...you won't regret it

Very Good Supplement, well written and innovative.......1997-08-18

When I first saw this book I thought, oh great, GURPS translated Cyberpunk 2020 into it's own system. Well I must admit it is better than that. This book is so hot it was seized by the US secret service, they raided SJ games, trashed the place and took it. That shows they know what's going on. Of course when you read it you will know it was a misunderstanding but it's quite amazing. The book has information on everything that was ever written in the cyberpunk genre and great ways to fit into a campagain. There a lot of role-playing possibilities in such a campaign, and "life is cheap" is one of several. Though characters are suggested to start off powerful (150-250 points) it still balances off. The fact that you can buy cyberwear with points is a neat thing to toy with. One of the major things I really like about it is it has a humongous bibliography of practically every book, periodical, comic book, movie and just about everything that has to do with cyberpunk from Neuromancer and 1984 to Akira and 2600. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to play cyberpunk, it has everything

Average customer rating:

best book I have read in a long while

Outstanding Marketing Strategy Roadmap!

This is the best!!!!

Steve Moeller has opened a window for me.

Informative, Motivational, and Practical

Effort-Less Marketing for Financial Advisors
Steve Moeller
Manufacturer: Amer Business Visions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Finance | Accounting & Finance | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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Attract and Retain the Affluent Investor: Winning Tactics for Today's Financial Advisor

ASIN: 0967205905

Book Description

Use a 5-Step Process to Transform Your Business--and Your Life! If you've ever yearned for a business that would energize rather than drain you, if you've ever known and admired someone who made financial services look easy and fun, then you're ready to learn a new way to market. A way that doesn't require so much of your time and energy. A way that requires less effort. Effort-Less Marketing is based on author Steve Moeller's extensive research and refinement of the best strategies to build a financial advisory practice, as well as key marketing principles that work just as well for financial advisors as they do for such customer-savvy giants as Saturn and Nike. You'll toss aside conventional, exhausting sales techniques for a newer, easier way. With these 5 steps, you'll take the guesswork out of reaching the wealthiest and most enjoyable clients, make referral-gathering a no-brainer, and completely revitalize your business.

Customer Reviews:

best book I have read in a long while.......2007-07-18

As a Financial Advisor who has been in the business 5 years, this book has to be one of the best books on building your business I have ever read. It has new and innovative ideas. This book has a least one idea for everyone, I don't care how long you have been in the business.

Outstanding Marketing Strategy Roadmap!.......2007-03-08

After six years in the investment advisory business with a major firm, I became so frustrated with trying to implement the outdated marketing practices that the major firms still promote, I actually left the business and moved into private banking. My absence was three years. Recently, however, I have re-joined the business and co-incidentally found Steve's excellent book at the same time.

What Steve outlines in the first few chapters of this book are so true. The industry is still plugging things like mail drops and cold calling as a way to build a new business. We all know that today's sophisticated client has no interest in these types of tactics. As I launch my new business, I am using Steve's book as the definitive roadmap to help me grow my business over time. This book provides the much needed and missing training on marketing that advisors dearly need. In this day and age, with managed assets programs etc., managing the money is the easy part. Effective business development strategies are what set the successful apart from the unsuccessful. And this book is the definitive guide. I can't wait for Steve's next book. He is truly plugged in to what matters. He'll be my sole business coach going forward. Thank You Steve.

This is the best!!!!.......2006-12-21

I have only been using the process for a couple of weeks, but the results are incredible. I have come to realize that most advisors including myself are left brained, we're great at explaining products and talking the market lingo. But in reality we are scaring our prospects and clients. Steve's book gets you to think right brained, that is what will conect you to your clients and prospects forever.

I took a client to NY yesterday to meet a hedge fund manager, on the train ride home instead of raving about my view of the manager I used Steve's interview process. I thought I had all of the clients money, but at the end of the interview the client suggested he move another $2mm in assets to me. And above that the client indicated he would never be able to leave me as his advisor. I then suggested that since he had such a great confidence in me we should bring my offering to his friends, family and business contacts. He thought that was great and we are setting up our first meeting with an attorney with more than a $10mm net worth.

I had already finished preparing my 2007 goals. I'm going to go back and adjust my net new assets up by another $20mm and production by $150m. After 21 years in the business I thought I had seen it all, but now I'm more excited than at any other point in my career.

Steve, thanks you.

George

Steve Moeller has opened a window for me........2006-12-15

I have been in this business going on ten years now and have realized a good deal of success. Twice during this time, I had partnered with men who came through the traditional wire house ranks and followed the long standing rules of engagement for our industry.

I recently made the decision to leave my partnership and forge out on my own. I remember telling my wife that I just felt that something significant was lacking in this conventional approach and I wanted a change. So I brought this challenge to my good friend and mentor, who in turn, introduced me to Steve Moeller. Following a short conversation, I ordered this book and spent the next several days pouring through it.

I was truly astonished by what I was reading. It not only confirmed all of my concerns and frustrations with this business, but also clearly and effectively outlined the strategies and tools that I needed to build the financial advisory business of my dreams.

I know this may sound a bit extreme, but without a doubt there are only a few people in my life who have had a bigger impact on my happiness and success.

Informative, Motivational, and Practical.......2006-12-14

A nice surprise about Steve Moeller's book was that the title is entirely accurate; the plethora of information and strategy in this guide is so great that if you follow the instructions and advice he offers, marketing really does become effortless.

Certainly, if you're considering this book you're likely a professional in the investments industry who's read more than a few books on this topic. I'm also no stranger to books in this arena but Moeller's clearly stood out simply based on the amount of detail contained herein. For example, other books will expound upon the importance of referrals and their necessity for a successful practice. You knew that. I knew that. Steve Moeller knows that. "Effortless Marketing" differs in that it's a step-by-step, ready-to-implement-now guide that tells you how to GET referrals (among many other things). And for those who think they already know how to go about getting referrals (as I did), I was surprised to find the book offered completely new strategies for obtaining these valuable contacts... and even referral sources whom I never thought would work on top of that. It's wonderfully insightful and informative, even for the FA who's a know-it-all.

Referrals are just one area the book covers of course. In fact, it's just 1 "step" out of 20 but you can glean what an impact it made. Perhaps the best thing about Moeller's book is that it forces you to get your marketing strategy in order -- not merely your materials, but rather the entire package. It makes you consider whom pitching to would be most beneficial (and profitable) to, while enabling you to position yourself to do this with a high success rate. He makes you examine yourself and pratice, consider your weaknesses, and then advises how to turn them around and make them strengths.

After reading this, you'll find it is not merely a good advice guide, nor even a single-time "must read." I found the information, strategy, and tips to be too numerous and valuable for that. Rather, it's something that, after the initial reading and implementing, should be referenced regularly and attentively if you're to be obtain the best use from it.

Outsmarting Goliath, How to Achieve Equal Footing with Companies That Are Bigger, Richer, Older, and Better Known

Average customer rating:

Outsmarting Goliath, How to Achieve Equal Footing with Companies That Are Bigger, Richer, Older, and Better Known

Manufacturer: Bloomberg Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000G1JYGY

Product Description

Debra Koontz Traverso is a freelance writer and business consultant. She advises businesses on crisis management and over the years has worked with such companies as United Airlines, Dow Chemical, Coopers & Lybrand, London Fog, Nike, NASA, and UPS. She is also an adjunct professor at Harvard University where she lectures on communications and crisis management. Previously, she worked as a reporter, editor, and public relations specialist. Don Taylor, co-author of Up Against the Wal-Marts This book has it all. Common sense ideas you can use right now, technology tips for the future, and an easy-to-read, motivating style. Outsmarting Goliath is a must-read for every small business owner who doesn't want to stay small. comments: I have played a lot of sports going through school and each of my coaches at all levels have always stressed fundamentals and then gone on to teach advanced theories and plays . In reading Outsmarting Goliath I am struck with the degree to which the author has gone to stress the fundamentals of a healthy small business, and then moved on to add tremendously helpful, simple and yet sophistocated ideas. Bartering! What a great idea I would have never thought of. I bartered to get a new phone system with voice mail and it cost me less than 1/3 of the purchase price, and there was no tax! Her down to earth and sometimes funny anecdotal accounts of small business owners who have tripped or succeeded have provided me with a treasure trove of wonderful tips and ideas, some of which I have already implemented. I will add more over time.

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