ROAM: A Reader in the Aesthetics of Mobility

Customer Reviews:

Urban Studies Professor.......2004-08-22

Probably one of the best books of its kind. ROAM is an entire reader
devoted to an exploration of mobility within the cultural landscape and the built environment. A bit over-designed, but nonetheless an eclectic mix of writings and images taken from a range of disciplines. From mobile phones, to cross-country trucking, and cartography, this reader is
really one of a kind.

Book Description

Through astonishing images and the surprisingly touching words of its subjects, Sex Machines: Photographs and Interviews explores the new sex machine underground in America and the homespun inventors and users who propel it.

After contacting an active but intensely private Internet community of sex machine inventors, photographer Timothy Archibald eventually won their trust and was invited into workshops and homes. The resulting book is a powerful document that is by turns thought provoking, humorous, and always fascinating.

Sex Machines celebrates the American spirit of invention while exploring the desires and confusions that exist between men and women in our changing culture. Many of the inventors seen within these pages are otherwise ordinary family men who were inspired to help repair strained relationships or simply enhance their wives' sexual pleasure. Some inventors have expanded their hobby into thriving cottage industries, selling their creations on eBay and adult stores online.

Archibald covers the broad spectrum of the makers-from the elusive creator of the Sybian, the forefather of sex machines, to lesser-known inventors like Paul Gaertner, who, laid off from his job in the high-tech industry, founded a new business by transforming a thrift store pasta maker into a high-powered sexual appliance. After receiving an apocalyptic vision of a future without men, Louis Walker constructs a sex machine prototype for the women survivors. Eric Reynolds credits his apparatus for saving his marriage, and Jon Traven uses his sex device as a form of Christian-based marriage counseling.

Like the work of Bill Owens, Studs Terkel, and Diane Arbus, Archibald's photographs and interviews find unexpected beauty and mystery among the lives of regular people-this time, as they engender a new form of "marriage enhancement" and sexual liberation in the suburbs and small towns across America.

Customer Reviews:

Sex Machines: Photographs And Interviews .......2007-09-15

Nothing sexy about this book. And, you do not see anything even though there are photographs. Shows mostly homemade models.

Sex Machines is one SEXY book!.......2005-12-30

Sex Machines is an awesome book... very bizarre! There are tons of photographs and interviews of people with their sex machine inventions. I had no idea such strange sh*t even existed. I should not be surprised though... I guess this is to be expected in the modern age of technology.

Archibald dissolves any sort of stereotypes that people may have about fetishes and unusual sexual behavior. Most people in the books are your typical suburban dwellers and any of them may be your next-door neighbor!

The interviews are a great addition to the book and rather essential in order to understand the sexual behaviors and motivations of the people depicted in the book. The book contents are also outstanding due to his extensive research on the subject.

The photographs are stunning as well. There is a certain style here that is very effective in documenting the sex machines.

Overall, the book is fabulous! It would be a great addition to anyone's coffeetable book collection... also a great conversation starter!

I think I'm going to have to go build a SEX MACHINE now!

great photography.......2005-12-06

it is not what I expected! It's great when I am surprised.

It is so "cute" looking. Kinda like a kids book, all fresh colors.
At first glance it is naughty, but unthreatening, which is the beauty in
it's concept. Not what I expected at all, I love surprises.
The lawn mower really sets it up.

The hidden lives of suburban inventers.

Tim's style of very clear slightly detracted shots really adds to the
simpleness of the topic without judgment or guilt. You don¹t really even
feel like you have crossed a sexual boundary. Simple folks inventing, like a
science project, or fixing the mower.

But then I put it down for a few days and then looked at it again. It is a
really weird book! And that's coming from someone that haunted the NYC sex
clubs with Mapplethorpe and Tom of Finland.

All those little background elements, a fire extinguisher, and the shot with
the two and the camper is just a great shot, love the vacuum cleaner. (he
looks like one of my ex's) and his interview is terrific.

Once I got past the whole concept and design it all comes down to great
photography, and documentation of something very unusual, and probably very
American, and he u got it first!"

Sexual Inventiveness.......2005-11-07

In the hilariously over-pedantic penultimate chapter of _Ulysses_, Joyce describes human copulation as the "energetic piston and cylinder movement necessary for the complete satisfaction of a constant but not acute concupiscence resident in a bodily and mental female organism." Everyone is interested in sex, but only some concentrate on the pistons, and by pistons here, I am not being metaphorical, but literal. The inventors depicted in _Sex Machines: Photographs and Interviews_ (Process / Daniel 13) by Timothy Archibald are almost all piston men. Archibald stumbled upon their works when doing research on independent inventors in general, and found that though the community of sex-machine inventors may be small, it has some cohesion. There are sex machines for sale on eBay, for instance, and web circles of specialists who invent, sell, and collect the machines. The invention of such things has gone on for centuries, as Archibald discovered in browsing Patent Office files, but current technology within the machines as well as within communication between the inventors has brought this particular endeavor out into the open. The result here is a funny book of pictures and interviews that is a small celebration of a peculiar American endeavor.

The photographs, color and full-page in a large format book, do not show any of the machines in action; there is a little tasteful above-the-waist nudity in the pictures, but most concentrate on the machines and the inventors. The pictures often have the machines in just the right environment, the garage or workshop where they were born. Many sit on workbenches as if awaiting the next tweak that will bring the device closer to perfection. Some are on beds. One is on the living room rug, with sawdust and power tools around it, as if we can just anticipate the (one hopes) mixed reaction of the woman of the house when she gets back. The inventors are there, each welding on his machine, or adjusting it, or leaning against the wall with an "Aw, shucks" modesty. Even if you have never seen machines like this, it will be quite obvious what each one does. Every one of them has at its action end some sort of phallus, and perhaps because men are the ones tinkering with them, the phalluses are substantial in length and girth. Some are obviously powered by motors from household appliances, and one uses the motor of a KitchenAid mixer. This has the advantage that you can detach the sexual attachment, put the mixing blade back on, and make cookies. The Cadillac of such machines is the Orgasmo, selling for $6969. The inventor is proud of his work: "I've heard the other guys bragging. I'd be glad to take on their machines anywhere." He describes a highly successful product: "It does everything you want it to: it angles, it raises, it lowers, it vibrates, it thrusts, it's fast, it's slow... it does everything but snuggle with you."

Which, of course, is the ambiguity of success with machine sex. In this book, few women are quoted as reflecting negatively on the devices; one says dismissively, "Here you can just get yourself off, you don't need anyone else... Working through problems helps us grow as a species." None of the women seem disposed to give up men, men who might be too tired, out of Viagra, or otherwise indisposed, for a machine that never tires out. Machines featured on films on the websites often look intimidating, as if they are just one more power thrust (sorry) by males over females, but most of the women quoted in the book are appreciative of gadgets that are meant to deliver nothing but fun, and the inventors seem intent on making gadgets that deliver fun reliably and efficiently, Plenty of the men seem devoted to their own marriages and to marriage as an institution. If the machines are bizarre, that just shows in contrast that the inventors are, as good tinkerers in garages ought to be, optimistic. Let the world beat a path to their doors.

Fun and... Educational!.......2005-10-19

Sex Machines by Timothy Archibald is an interesting and strangely beautiful piece of work to be sure. It portrays a small subculture of seemingly nondescript citizens who have a rather unique avocation- the building of phallic sex machines. The guys involved range from religious zealots and minivan driving family men to outright voyeurs.

The book can be divided into portraits of two categories: those of the participants, and those of the machines themselves. While some of the former portraits offer a tell tale nod and wink as to what their subjects actually delve in, others seem quite detached from the matter at hand, and their interviews are similarly businesslike. Meanwhile, the machines are as disjointed and incongruent as the "portraits" that feature them-mechanical conglomerations of metal gears and pulleys of various Rube Goldberg designs that all culminate in the odd angled and absurdly life like dildo set against the most domestic of backdrops.

The effective use of color provides a warmth and dimension to the subject matter that would have otherwise proven just a tad too clinical with B&W. And the 2 1/4 format simplifies the compositions by cutting to the chase and letting the viewer concentrate on the essentials. I don't know if I learned much (or care to) about this particular mindset, but it was a fun errr... ride!

R. Crumb Sketchbook, 1964-1965 Vol. 1 (R. Crumb Sketchbooks)
Average customer rating:
R. Crumb Sketchbook, 1964-1965 Vol. 1 (R. Crumb Sketchbooks)
R. Crumb
Manufacturer: Fantagraphics Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Crumb, R. | Authors, A-Z | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

R. Crumb Sketchbook Vol. 2 Mid 1965-Early '66 (R. Crumb Sketchbooks (Paperback))

The R. Crumb Sketchbook Volume 8 : Fall 1970 to Fall 1972 (R. Crumb Sketchbooks)

R. Crumb Sketchbook vol. 3: 1966 (R. Crumb Sketchbooks (Paperback))

Crumb Sketchbook Vol. 5

The R. Crumb Sketchbook, Vol. 10: June 1975-February 1977

ASIN: 1560970820

Customer Reviews:

A great book!.......2000-05-27

This is an excellent book. I would definitly recomend it to anyone who loves the Ripleys museums. This book features pictures of amazing feats attempted by people Ripley encountered during his travells. I found some of the pictures to be amazing, I didn't believe my eyes!

Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood
Average customer rating:

Hawks Biography Depicts a Sphinxlike Director of Good Movies

"Good Enough"

"There's no `there' there ..."

That Others May Live

Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood
Todd McCarthy
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Movie Directors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Direction & Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

A Talent for Trouble: The Life of Hollywood's Most Acclaimed Director, William Wyler

Ernst Lubitsch: Laughter in Paradise

On Sunset Boulevard: The Life and Times of Billy Wilder

Preston Sturges by Preston Sturges: His Life in His Words

King Cohn: The Life and Times of Harry Cohn (Revised and Updated)

ASIN: 0802137407

Book Description

Howard Hawks is the first major biography of one of Hollywood's greatest directors, a filmmaker of incomparable versatility whose body of work includes the landmark gangster film Scarface, screwball comedies like Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday, the Bogart-Bacall classics To Have and Have Not and The Big Sleep, the musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and aviation classics and Westerns like The Dawn Patrol and Rio Bravo. Sometime partner of the eccentric Howard Hughes, drinking buddy of William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway, an inveterate gambler and a notorious liar, Hawks was the most modern of the great masters and one of the first directors to declare his independence from the major studios. He played Svengali to Lauren Bacall, Montgomery Clift, and others, but Hawks's greatest creation may have been himself. As The Atlantic Monthly noted, "Todd McCarthy . . . has gone further than anyone else in sorting out the truths and lies of the life, the skills and the insight and the self-deceptions of the work." "A fluent biography of the great director, a frequently rotten guy but one whose artistic independence and standards of film morality never failed." -- The New York Times Book Review; "Hawks's life, until now rather an enigma, has been put into focus and made one with his art in Todd McCarthy's wise and funny Howard Hawks." -- The Wall Street Journal; "Excellent . . . a respectful, exhaustive, and appropriately smartass look at Hollywood's most versatile director." -- Newsweek.

Customer Reviews:

Hawks Biography Depicts a Sphinxlike Director of Good Movies.......2005-05-05

As a native Hoosier I was prepared to like Howard Hawks. Hawks was born into relative luxury in Goshen, Indiana. He was raised
in Pasedena, graduated with an engineering degree from Cornell,
served briefly in World War I and rose to directorial fame in
silent film.
Hawks wed three times. Wife one was Athole the daughter of
the lovely and nice Norma Shearer. His second wife "Slim"was a
social climbing fashion plate whose nickname was used by Lauren
Bacall in To Have and Have Not with Bogey. His third wife Dee
was an aspiring actress who wed the older Hawks to achieve a life of comfort. Hawks was a womanizer throughout his life who was unfaithful and often cruel in his dealings with women.
Repugnant!
Hawks was also a gambler losing fortunes and also known as a drinker of note matching bourbons with such buddies as William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper. His closest friend was famed director Victor Fleming the director of Gone With the Wind and other classics.
Why then spend almost 700 pages on this taciturn, egocentric,
cruel man? Simply put -the great movies he directed. Hawks is
known for such classics as Dawn Patrol; Sergeant York; To Have and Have Not; the Big Sleep. Classic westerns directed by Hawks include Red River with John Wayne and Rio Bravo with the Duke.
Sophisticated comedy delivered at torrid rates of dialogue verbniage include His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind
Russell. Grant also stared in Hawks's Only Angels Have Wings
and "I Was a Male War Bride" with Ann Sheridan. My personal
favorite of the great director are "To Have and Have Not" and
"The Big Sleep" with Bogey and Bacall.
On and on I could go listing the classics making this man's
oeuvre impressive; his influence on younger directors and his
storytelling skills reasons to celebrate the genius of HWH!
Movie books like this one could be boring to someone who tires of reading countless pages on the making of each movie, the financing of the films and the often legal troubles Hawks engaged in against such powerful moguls as Mayer. Warner and
Zanuck. To those of us who enjoy learning about the golden age of Hollywood they are glorious glimpses in the story of Tinseltown.
Hawks was a man of action enjoying sports, auto racing and
even croquet! He loved horses, bourbon, babes and making films!
Hawks was no intellectual and admired he-men like Wayne. If we
look at America we see the vision of HOward Hawks making an impression for generations of filmgoers. His films never won an
Oscar but his ability to excell in many genres from Westerns to
light romance to war/adventure tales is admirable.
McCarthy gets a good grade for showing us Hawks in all his
glory and all his greedy desire to seize life by the neck!

"Good Enough".......2002-09-10

This is a very good book. Hawks apparently left no papers, and some aspects of his life are undocumented. (For example, McCarthy keeps mentioning Hawks' great friendship with Gary Cooper, but because of both men being dead and no documentation, Cooper remains a very shadowy presence in this book. Hawks' friendship with William Faulkner gets far more space, since Faulkner left papers.)

So there is not a lot about "the inner Hawks." However, there is a lot about Hawks' films. Once the talkies begin, there is a chapter on practically every film Hawks made. I was fascinated by the stories behind the films, how long it took some films to get made (Hatari began as an idea for a movie with Cooper), the films Hawks never made (apparently a very traditional vampire film), and his frequent tangles with Howard Hughes.

McCarthy did a lot of research, and he does not uncritically accept the stories Hawks told (frequently told) about his work. So if you like the films of Howard Hawks and are familiar with books such as Hawks on Hawks and Howard Hawks Storyteller, this is a book that you will still get a lot out of.

To use a term from Hawks' films: "This book is good enough."

"There's no `there' there ...".......2001-10-22

McCarthy's reach far exceeds his critical grasp in this one-dimensional biography of a Hollywood icon. Like the famous description of 1930s Los Angeles - "there's no `there' there" - McCarthy's superficial account of Hawks' life, times and work is a sprawling, unfocussed mess. Clumsily written and sprinkled with the tongue-twisting Varietyese McCarthy employs at his day job (he's the uber critic at the Hollywood trade paper, usually a very perceptive one), this book is a difficult read as well as a shallow one. The definitive biography of Hawks, whose life was every bit as complex and multi-layered as his films, remains to be written. Whatever his other talents, Mr. McCarthy is no Boswell.

That Others May Live.......2000-03-31

This is a true life adventure about the Air Force's para jumpers, a group of heroes I've never heard about. In fact almost no one realizes that they are the ones on tv doing all those splashy things.They are the ones that dove out of the helicopters looking for John F. Kennedy Jr. They are the ones who are out there to save floundering people in the ocean. They are the ones who help with NASA and the space program to dive in the ocean and rescue or support the astronauts and equipment. I always though that those people who did this were the Coast Guard or Navy--no as I have learned.

What this book does is tell the real life story of a local Long Island boy Jack Brehm, who winds up trying to make it in life by entering into this elite outfit, this fraternity of men even tougher than the Navy Seals or the Army Rangers, and does it. It tells the story of their training and the danger of each mission and how regardless of how good you are, regardless of what excellent shape you are in, any mission can be your last. The scenario for this real life adventure is supported by a cast that is Jack Brehm's family. A group of normal rambunctious kids who turn into teenagers and then adults while their father goes to work each day at the base and jumps into danger to save others. Then its home to the kids and wife.

The contrast of a cold calculating job where a mistake can easily cause loss of life, and the warmth of the family make a juxtaposition that is really fascinating.

I loved the book because it was a about a real hero. Someone who risks his life that others may live-and then he goes home and plays with the kids. Real life! Only for a very few whom we never hear about unless tragedy strikes.

If you like real life adventure, I recommend it!

Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood
Average customer rating:
Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood
Todd McCarthy
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LC5UH0

Book Description

Text providing a source of information for veterinary surgeons, practitioners, practice managers, and other professionals. Includes: starting up a practice, staff problems, interview techniques, budgeting, taxes, contracts, partnerships, and marketing. Softcover.

Average customer rating:

My Dearest Augusta
Peter Gunn
Manufacturer: The Bodley Head Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Average customer rating:

The Actons
Peter Gunn
Manufacturer: H. Hamilton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Genealogy | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 024189977X

Average customer rating:

After the Battle Index: Issues 1-100
Peter Gunn
Manufacturer: After the Battle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Strategy | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Back From the Dead: Reprograming the Subconscious Mind of adults who were victims of Child Abuse

Average customer rating:

Back From the Dead: Reprograming the Subconscious Mind of adults who were victims of Child Abuse
Peter Gunn
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Applied Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1414024568

Average customer rating:

The Best of Peter Gunn
Henry Mancini
Manufacturer: MGM Records
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W89NDU

Average customer rating:

BLUE MESA REVIEW #4 (Spring 1992)
Rudolfo, Editor (Ines Hernandez, Sherman Alexie, Ray Gonzalez, Peter Wild, David Chorlton, Alan Soldofsky, Floyce Alexander, Kathleene West, Gerald Burns, Paula Gunn Allen, Michael Hogan, Floyd Salas, et al) ANAYA
Manufacturer: University of New Mexico
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M43UT2

Average customer rating:

Burgundy: Landscape with figures
Peter Gunn
Manufacturer: Gollancz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Byron, The Selected Poems of (English Library)

Average customer rating:

Byron, The Selected Poems of (English Library)
Lord George Gordon Byron , and George Gordon
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Babylon 5 RPG and Fact Book: Signs and Portents
Average customer rating:

D&D Third Age

Useful, but disappointing

All alone in the night

Babylon 5 RPG and Fact Book: Signs and Portents
Matthew Sprange
Manufacturer: Mongoose Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Babylon 5 | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Babylon 5: The Rangers (Babylon 5 (Mongoose Publishing))

Babylon 5: Ships Of The Galaxy (Babylon 5 Rpg S.)

Babylon 5: The PSI Corps (Babylon 5)

Babylon 5: The Narn Regime (Babylon 5 (Mongoose Publishing))

Babylon 5: Crusade (Babylon 5)

ASIN: 1904577113

Book Description

The Babylon 5 Roleplaying Game & Fact Book is a brand new d20-based roleplaying game based on the award-winning science fiction series created by J. Micheal Straczynski. Featuring full color pictures and film stills throughout, the Babylon 5 Roleplaying Game & Fact Book is the most detailed exploration into the world of Babylon 5. Newly developed combat systems including both deep space skirmishes and personal combat serve to heighten the dangers of life in and around the infamous diplomatic station. This game allows players to take the role of characters on board Babylon 5 and travel to the many stars and planets seen in the television series. The possibilities available to players are limitless, taking such characters as lowly lurkers and smugglers or brave Earthforce Officers and members of the Minbari warrior caste. Featuring exclusive never-before-seen official background material, the Babylon 5 roleplaying game is the most comprehensive information resource available for the award-winning television series! This 304-page d20 sourcebook details the entire Babylon 5 space station, along with the characters and personalities to be found onboard.

Customer Reviews:

D&D Third Age.......2006-01-21

This product was my first introduction into the universe of Babylon 5. Since playing my first game, it has caused me to immerse myself in the series, watching all 5 seasons on DVD. I find that the Babylon 5 RPG is a very interesting environment in which to play. It's rules, including a limited number of hit points and defense based on reflex saves instead of dex bonuses, as well as a very skill-heavy character cross-section, allow games to move beyond the run-of-the-mill Space Hack scenario that seems to inhabit other D20 space type games. Overall, this book is highly recommended if you are a fan of the series and have ever wanted to adventure in the universe of Babylon 5.

Useful, but disappointing.......2004-05-05

I was very excited when I saw that there was a d20 B5 RPG coming out, and I snatched this book up right away. I also have the Minbari and Earth Alliance books, and although I find them useful I've been disappointed overall. I'm used to anything associated with Babylon 5 being extremely high quality, but these books are very sloppy on multiple levels. They are full of typos and formatting errors, I've seen at least one math error in the rules, and the Earth Alliance and Minbari books have no index, which I find infuriating. The character sheet is terribly designed and in some places inconsistent with the rules, and some of the pictures are dark, grainy, or extremely pixellated. There are inconsistencies between the books--for instance, the Minbari languages are listed in various places as Lennau and Lennan, Fik and Vik, etc. The rules provided are problematic, as well. The classes and prestige classes are poorly balanced and the space combat rules, while basically sound, need some fine tuning with regards to modifiers and such. There also seems to have been a hasty attempt to convert from D&D 3.0 to 3.5 skills and feats, but it was not entirely successful, leading to more inconsistencies. So, as a foundation for B5 d20 roleplaying, I've found these books helpful, but I've had to revise the rules and make my own character sheet and such. I find the books overpriced, especially considering their poor quality, but I will continue to buy them because any Babylon 5 RPG is better than none.

All alone in the night.......2004-01-30

After the first woeful attempt at doing B5 in a Rpg format I was very concerned about how Mongoose was going to do it. I have to say I am very impressed. The book is possiblly the best Rpg book I have ever seen. The layout is excellent, the information interesting and the rules easy to understand. There are rules for making up several of the races from the show and good basic information on each one.A complete overview of season 1 is included and at the end of each episode entry there is additional information on things from within. From Midnight on the firing line as an example there is info on Centauri mines, Raider command and control ships and trader routes. If you want to play in the Babylon universe then this book is awsome. Worth every cent.

Book Description

A powerful system for getting the right requirements--and creating products faster, better...and cheaper!

"Never time enough to do it right, but always time enough to do it over." In today's "faster-better-cheaper-at-any-cost" world, this is not just a joke, but an all-too-frequent reality. And, most often, a poor understanding of the requirements for a product is the reason it must be done over.

CUSTOMER-CENTERED PRODUCTS is a highly practical new book that helps readers gain a clear understanding of how to elicit the right requirements early on in a project--and make the right product the first time. Packed with useful information, enlightening real-life examples, and money-saving solutions, this book shows readers how to:

* Identify where their current requirements process is weak * Bridge communication breakdowns that lead to muddy requirements * Eliminate costly mistakes and rework * Improve product quality without increasing cost * Use operational concepts to improve requirements quality * Improve the fit between the product and the customers' needs * Prove that faster, better, cheaper is possible, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Requirements management best practices for big projects.......2007-05-15

I thought this was a decent overview of the requirements process of a large project. It does not go into great depth but it does cover a wide range of topics and the implications of doing poor requirements.

Good primer on product development.......2002-08-06

A thorough and straight forward primer on developing new products. Where it lacks creativity and a wealth of examples, it provides a solid understanding and approach. Recommended reading, but I would check your local library before shelling out money for this book. A good read but not one that I would necessarily keep on my shelf for future reference.

Essential reference for anyone in product management!.......2002-05-27

I was looking for a book that efficiently summarized the process of defining requirements. This book begins by establishing a need for requirements, and proceeds to give practical advice on improving the planning process of any project, be it software or manufacturing. The writing is very conversational, and the examples are pertinent to most competitive planning environments. Highly recommended for anyone involved in planning projects!

Good book on requirements.......2002-04-27

I work in the defense requirements generation business, and this book really helped me get to some important breakthroughs in working with several programs. The authors bring experience from government and commercial programs - experience that can be applied to any situation. Hooks and Farry present their common sense approach to requirements development and management which should benefit anyone researching requirements.

Practical, To-the-point Requirements User Guide for Managers.......2002-02-13

Ivy F. Hooks and Kristin A. Farry give their audience a clear methodology about how to eliminate rework and unnecessary features rooted in poor requirement definition for making product development or procurement faster and cheaper without sacrificing the better. Good requirement definition is more important than ever to especially fast-paced high-tech companies for which researching, developing, and commercializing products on schedule and within budget is key to be, become, and remain competitive. Interestingly, Hooks and Farry explain to their readers the profound impact that culture, education, and management have on requirement definition. Their critical examination of the "seven cultural forces that define Americans" in chapter 2 helps their (foreign) audience better understand why some (American) marketers have no time to do it right the first time, but endless time and a company bankroll to do it wrong over and over again to quote Kevin J. Clancy and Peter C. Krieg in their excellent Counter-intuitive Marketing. Hooks and Farry remind their audience that nothing can change for the faster, cheaper, and better without a management commitment. Management must make very clear through their entire organization that quality products begin long before design and manufacture. These products find their genesis in quality requirements. To summarize, Customer-Centered Products is a must read for anyone involved/interested in product development or sourcing. The only weakness of the book lies in the concentration of examples from a few industries about which Hooks and Farry are very knowledgeable.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books