Business Activity Model for Intermediate Accounting

Book Description

Take control of your problems and your workplace.

Do you have an employee who isn't performing, isn't producing or doesn't show up at all? Or does your workplace seem to be a breeding ground for all kinds of employee problems, large and small? No matter what the problem is, this book can help.

Dealing With Problem Employees provides proven techniques -- and more importantly, immediate fixes-- for dealing with the inevitable problem employee. Find out how to:

*avoid hiring problem employees

*recognize who is and isn't a problem employee

*help problem employees get back on track

*investigate problems and complaints

*conduct performance evaluations

*apply progressive discipline

*suspend employees

*fire employees

*handle severances and references

*institute effective policies and procedures

The 3nd edition is completely updated to reflect the latest employment laws in your state, and provides a new chapter on using mediation to resolve workplace disputes. It also provides sample policies to help give you a trouble-free workplace.

Download Description

"An employer's nightmare? Problem employees, of course. But in today's world, many business owners, supervisors and managers often want to work effectively with difficult employees rather than fire them -- and Dealing With Problem Employees shows them how. This book combines the practical and legal information employers need. Providing a plain-English overview of employment law, Dealing With Problem Employees also shows readers how to: head off potential problems and conflicts recognize who is and isn't a problem employee evaluate the circumstances investigate problems and complaints conduct performance evaluations apply progressive discipline suspend employees, if necessary terminate employment deal with the results of termination handle severances and references avoid legal trouble The 3rd edition is completely updated to reflect the latest employment laws in every state. It includes a new chapter on how to avoid hiring problem employees in the first place, and provides sample policies to help give you a trouble-free workplace. NOTE: This book does not cover hiring or layoffs. For more information on these topics, see The Employer's Legal Handbook, published by Nolo. "

Customer Reviews:

This book...or an expensive situation. You do the math.......2006-03-13

I have given away quite a few copies of this book to friends who stepped into new management positions. Always, it seems, there is a situation that has been stewing for months if not years with a problem person. But dealing with the problem the RIGHT way saves money, the wrong way, well, you do the math. Sometimes problem employees can be quite clever at working the system to their favor. Other times, dismissing them or managing them improperly leads to a time bomb. Expensive any way you look at it, not to mention the time sink it can cause.

This book covers the high cost of problem employees, production and performance issues, drug and alcohol abuse, violence, morality, insubordination and absenteeism. Then it goes on to give an overview of the law. How to do performance evaluations, progressive discipline and then investigation and summary action. There is a chapter on planning for the aftermath of a dismissal or action, severance policy and how to terminate an employee properly (hint, don't do it in a van while the terminee-to-be is driving the van, something I've seen in my career and really CANNOT recommend as a safe way to fire anyone.)

This is absolutely a must on any manager's business library shelf. Cannot recommend it enough.

A great resource book that delivers as advertised........2003-11-08

This book is an excellent starter for anyone who is new to running a small company, and wants a better understanding of the legal pitfalls of employment practices and some practical advice on how to avoid them. The book does a good job in covering most of the basics of employment law, and in addition provides some tips on performance management, terminations, and investigations that should work well in the majority of situations.

There are a couple of areas where the book is a little light, and therefore a business owner or leader would want more information. The section and information on sexual harassment laws is weak, considering that the most common type of sexual harassment complaint (hostile work environment) is a broad set of very gray areas of risk determined by the employee. Little coverage is given to the legal definitions of sexual harassment, including how an employer may be liable if they "should have known" the behavior was taking place. Additionally more information on how to create a positive working environment, which avoids legal risks but is still a place where people want to work, would be useful. Additionally, most business owners would like to see information on how to better connect the dots between employee behavior, legal constraints and business results.

I also recommend that any leader wishing to employ these tips and practical information in their workplace first read one of the many excellent books on leadership, or how to motivate employees, and how and why to treat people with dignity and respect. The excellent and unusual leadership book, Leadership and Self Deception, is an example of a great companion for this text. Consider this book the "what" and "how" of what to do with legal employment issues, and others to really focus on the "why".

Overall, this is an excellent resource; it is well written and planned with easy access to information. The resources provided are excellent. The authors did a commendable job and taking often complex legal information and writing it in a way non-lawyers can understand and utilize. It is what it advertises to be, a legal guide. I think this will make an excellent resource for small business owners, and plan to give my copy to a friend who runs a small non-profit and is always calling me for advise of this nature.

Nearly Flawless.......2003-09-12

Dealing With Problem Employees is an excellent resource for most organizations, especially for start up companies. This fine book investigates key employment issues such as contract employees, sexual harassment, alcohol and drug abuse, developing performance appraisals, dealing with dangerous employees, interviewing, and countless legal issues. All of the above issues are discussed from a detailed point of view as numerous examples are cited illustrating the fine line between what is proper conduct and what is illegal. Very specific examples are given how to fire someone, provide fair job references, and conduct a disciplinary hearing that motivates employees to improve. The importance of having an employee handbook is emphasized greatly. The depth is so phenomenal that there is even a section on how to fire your employment lawyer when he does you wrong.

There are a few questionable sections on exit interviews. From my personal experiences, most firms blur the line between termination and exit interviews. In other words, when someone is terminated there is one meeting on the employees' last day explaining why he is being let go and all the benefits that this person is entitled to. Maybe some higher level management personnel may have some of these extended privileges. I realize that there are a few exceptions as the authors describe. However, from where I stand, most terminations due to performance consist of one meeting combining all the elements combined in the termination and exit interviews. Financial layoffs may vary.

Also the section of an employee being allowed to have representation in a termination meeting is slightly disjointed. I have never encountered such a situation for myself or anyone else. Perhaps there are a few unusual exceptions but truthfully I think the authors need to adjust their position at least a little bit.

Nonetheless, this is super book with outstanding legal references in every chapter. I can certainly overlook the two small weaknesses illustrated above as the strengths are great, numerous, and in great detail. I must emphasize that this is excellent reading for employers and even employers. Yes, employees should be aware of the many interpersonal and legal issues their employers face. In conclusion, a must have on all fronts.

Great for Avoiding and Handling Employee Problems!.......2003-09-10

I strongly recommend this book for people planning to start-up their first business, those becoming supervisors for the first time, and those who are entering human resource positions . . . as well as those who do not know how employment law currently works.

Most problems with employees begin with incomplete or poor communications. This guide is just as good at helping with those communications as it is with understanding how the law applies to situations that arise.

As an attorney, I found the legal information to be complete and accurate (often providing summaries and references to state laws, as well as federal ones). As a management consultant, I found almost all of the advice to be pertinent and up-to-date with best practices. The only exception was that many management experts now discourage annual reviews in favor of continuous feedback (which is also encouraged by the book).

Have you ever fired anyone? It's no fun. The book's description of how events should lead up to that, and how to handle the event for all concerned is wise and helpful for anyone who is about to have to do that. Even if you have fired people before, you can probably get some good ideas in this book for how to do it better.

If you don't have a system for progressive discipline (feedback that improvement needs to be made), you can get what you need here to design and implement such a system.

This guide will also be helpful to disgruntled employees who wonder if they should seek out an attorney. The section on how to find an employment attorney is equally applicable to companies and employees.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that after going into firing, the book also takes the reader back into hiring to see how to avoid hiring people in the future who will have to be fired.

In total, this book surpassed my very high expectations. Nice job!

After you finish reading this book, think about how the principles of good communication and fairness developed in the book could be applied to working with customers and other important stakeholders as well.

Topics discussed are very relevant; Good facts and advice........2003-08-11

This Nolo Guide is an excellent discussion in plain English of the many things that are involved when you are dealing with problem employees. In 10 chapters, the book covers all the important topics from understanding the problem, employment law basics, and handling complaints, to information on how to fire, planning for the aftermath, and hiring a lawyer if necessary.

Nolo Guides have always been a small business owner's best legal friends but they are useful to almost anyone that wants to have a better understanding of the law before consulting a lawyer (as this saves on money you would have to spend getting educated). This book is no exception and provides very valuable information and advice on how to handle difficult situations with problem employees.

One of the best sections that I found useful were in the chapter on Employement Law Basics. Over the years, working as a Manager in various companies, I had heard of Employment at Will but didn't fully understand its implications. I had signed several employment contracts with my employers without realizing what they meant. After reading this chapter, it made me realize how many of those contracts were not enforceable! And now as an employer, I understand what kinds of contracts ARE enforceable so I can protect myself!

So I believe this book is helpful whether you are an employer or an employee to get a better understanding of the law. This book is NOT meant to replace the legal advice from a lawyer but to arm you with better knowledge before you approach a lawyer. I utilize the services of a lawyer on a need basis but I always read the Nolo books on the specific topic before my meeting. As a result of that, I have saved money by asking the right questions to my lawyer and in turn my lawyer has really appreciated working with a knowledgeable client! I wish I had access to this book when I was an employee as I would have benefited tremendously (as it turns out this book was published after 2001 by which time I had already started my own business). It would have avoided a lot of heartache as I misunderstood what I had signed and thought I couldn't do certain things when in fact I could. I also missed a couple of business opportunities as a result of that.

I hope you find this book as valuable as I did. I actually have more than 30 of their books on all kinds of legal topics. I plan on buying more whenever I can afford them. I have not been disapopinted by a single book from Nolo yet. Good luck!

The Legal Guide to Developing, Protecting, and Marketing Software: Dealing With Problems Raised by Customers, Competitors, and Employees
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The Legal Guide to Developing, Protecting, and Marketing Software: Dealing With Problems Raised by Customers, Competitors, and Employees
Thomas J. Smedinghoff
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Civil Procedure | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Subjects | Books
General | Intellectual Property | Law | Subjects | Books
Private Law | Law | Subjects | Books
General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Languages & Tools | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Civil Procedure | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0471810274

Dealing With Problem Employees: A Legal Guide
Average customer rating:
Dealing With Problem Employees: A Legal Guide
Amy Delpo; Lisa Guerin; Editor-Janet Portman
Manufacturer: NOLO
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PS3F1I

Book Description

Contains ingenious methods and proven techniques to prevent deer from devouring your garden and destroying your yard.

Customer Reviews:

This book got rid of my deer.......2000-11-28

I have read dozens of books on how to get rid of deer from your garden and found this one the most helpful and pleasurable to read. The author's sense of humor helps what would otherwise be a dry, boring subject. I found myself laughing and saying aloud, "Yes, he understands!"

Adler knows what a tremendous problem the overpopulation of deer has become in America, and he has gone to the best source for helping eradicate the problem in our own homes: REAL PEOPLE. I appreciated that Adler consulted with people who have tried and succeeded (or in some cases failed) to rid their yards and gardens of deer and shares with his readers how they did it.

In Maryland, where I live, we have a serious problem with deer, and I, too, was tired of wasting time and money feeding them with the best of what my garden had to offer. I employed several of Adler's suggestions and found my garden a lot more lush than ever before.

Adler hits his readers with a dose of common sense and compassion. He tells us to talk with our neighbors and try different plants to see if the specific deer in our area like to eat them or not. Deer can be as picky as your average four-year-old at the dinner table. The trick is to plant what those deer in your area will not eat.

Alder's extensive product list as well as contact information made work easy. All I had to do was pick a couple techniques I wanted to use and I was soon outsmarting these creatures.

As Adler says, no one technique will rid your homes of these ever-hungry deer, but with his helpful hints, homemade remedies, and deer-resistant plant list, I think anyone who seriously tries to outwit deer can do so with his book. I recommend buying his book today and reading it before you plant next year's spring garden.

Wonderfully helpful!.......2000-11-28

I love this book. When I bought Outwitting Deer I didn't really expect to find that much practical advice -- after all, there aren't that many things you can do to keep deer out of gardens. Or so I thought.

But I was pleasantly surprised. There is a wealth of valuable information in this book, including a lengthy list of deer-resistant plants. I also liked Adler's approach to investigating how deer are invading your garden, and using that information to outthink deer.

This book saved my garden!.......2000-11-28

I was at wit's end over deer intrusions when I got this book. It's just filled with practical advice, and fun to read, too! Unlike some other advice books, this one doesn't assume that all gardens and all gardeners are alike. There are lots of different approaches offered, and you can pick the one you think will work best for the type of garden you have created. Adler knows, too, there's no such thing as an absolutely deer-proof plant, because somewhere out there, there's a deer who will eat anything. But he definitely encouraged me to keep trying--and kept me laughing at the same time.

This book is long overdue - highly recommended.......2000-11-27

Yes, we all love Bambi, but sometimes deer can be a nuisance - eating our gardens, stomping our yards and scaring our dogs and cats. This book shows how to keep these pesky critters at bay. Offering well-researched and downright clever ploys, Outwitting Deer gives us tools and instructions to keep deer where they belong, in the woods. And there's a bonus: by keeping these wild animals in the wild and away from human habitat, they are less likely to be killed by cars and backyard hunters.

This Book Made Me Angry.......2000-09-17

When I started to read this book, I had very high hopes. Unfortunately, not only did it not meet my expectations, it made me rather angry.

The book starts out with a very fact filled, yet fun to read, discussion about deer. While the book didn't tell me much new, I felt comfortable that the author knew his subject matter, as what he was relaying I knew to be true. Unfortunately, when the book progressed to a discussion of deer resistant plants it lost credibility.

Providing a list of plants deer rarely eat that will be referenced by people throughout the United States and possibly the world is no trivial matter. Like people, deer in different regions of the world have different taste preferences. As such, I would expect such a list to contain only those plants that deer consistently tend not to eat anywhere. Plants that deer may or may not eat, depending on geography and other variables should be listed separately.

When I first saw how long the author's list of plants that deer rarely eat was, I immediately suspected something was wrong. If deer generally tended to stay away from so many plants, why was deer browsing becoming such a serious national problem? On closer scrutiny, I saw numerous plants that deer absolutely love to eat in much of the United States listed. For example, the author included the following deer delicacies in his list of plants deer rarely eat: tulips (Tulipa spp.), daylilys (Hemerocallis spp.), rose-of-sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), ivy (Hedera spp.) and plantain lily (Hosta sieboldiana).

To make matters worse, the author then cites another reference that recommends homeowners "plant a selection of deer pleasing greens around the perimeter of the garden". The intent here is that the deer will eat the plants they like and leave the rest of the garden alone. Unfortunately, most homeowners with a serious deer browsing problem know that unless you have several acres of land, planting things the deer actually like anywhere near your garden only serves to invite the deer into the garden, where they will promptly eat all but the things they absolutely hate. The author clearly states in his book, "An adult elk can eat up to thirty pounds of food daily, and a moose can eat up to fifty pounds." It is also well known and stated by the author that deer travel and live in herds. If the average homeowner with a serious deer browsing problem followed the author's advice, he or she would have to bring in truck loads of deer pleasing greens to insure the deer didn't mosey on over to the rest of the garden!

Given the growing magnitude of the deer browsing problem in the United States, it is rather disturbing to read such inappropriate advise. In addition to the millions of dollars of crops destroyed by deer each year, millions of homeowners have individually lost hundreds and thousands of dollars of landscaping. Some of these homeowners, in search of sound advise, will buy this book. While no one is perfect, it is irresponsible to sell such ill advised advise to the public.

Book Description

The book considers the main growth-related phenomena occurring during epitaxial growth, such as thermal etching, doping, segregation of the main elements and impurities, coexistence of several phases at the crystal surface and segregation-enhanced diffusion.
It is complete with tables, graphs and figures, which allow fast determination of suitable growth parameters for practical applications.

Crystal Growth for Modern Technology (Springer Series in Materials Processing,)

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Crystal Growth for Modern Technology (Springer Series in Materials Processing,)
Kullaiah Byrappa , and Tadashi Ohachi
Manufacturer: Noyes Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Crystallography | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0815514530

Book Description

This book deals with almost all modern crystal growth techniques that have been adopted, including appropriate case studies. After two fundamental chapters, the book covers topics such as quartz growth, diamond growth, silicon carbide single crystals, PZT crystals, nonlinear optical crystals, and much more. It also contains the first discussion of crystal growth modeling.

Modern Crystallography 3: Crystal Growth

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Modern Crystallography 3: Crystal Growth
Alexander A. Chernov
Manufacturer: Not Avail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Crystallography | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This book introduces the finite element and boundary element methods (FEM and BEM) for applications to quantum mechanical systems. A discretization of the action integral with finite elements, followed by application of variational principles, brings a very general approach to the solution of Schroedinger's equation for physical systems in arbitrary geometries with complex mixed boundary conditions. The variational approach is a common thread through the book and is used for the improvement of solutions to spectroscopic accuracy, to adaptively improve finite element meshs, to develop a time-dependent theory, and also to generate the solution of large sparse matrix eigenvalue problems. A thorough introduction to BEM is given using the modelling of surface plasmons, quantum electron waveguides, and quantum scattering as illustrative examples. The book should be useful to graduate students and researchers in basic quantum theory, quantum semiconductor modeling, computational physics, mathematics and chemistry

The Patton Papers 1940-1945
Average customer rating:

History at its Finest

Patton: The Legend!!

Patton deserved a fifth star, and so did this book

Exciting Fast Paced Biography That Reads Like A Novel

A highly effective intellectual reference instrument.

The Patton Papers 1940-1945
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Patton Papers, 1885-1940

War As I Knew It

Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945

Patton: A Genius for War

Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It

ASIN: 0306807173

Customer Reviews:

History at its Finest.......2007-03-24

I was so dissapointed at how quickly I read half of an 800+ page book. I did not want this book to end due to the fact it is such a marvelous read. If this is not the authoritative book on Patton it should be. This book is a window into the mind and thoughts of Patton in the heat of battle and I can think of no other book that comes close in bringing this to light. Based on the way Martin Blumenson pieced together all of Patton's personal communications and diary entries in chronological order makes this a very unique biography. I read volume I of the Patton Papers and although it is very fascinating it does not come close to volume II. This is because volume II deals exclusively with Patton's WW II exploits and his infamous incidents. Although Patton had his imperfections and despite some of his views being distasteful, I can think of no other military leader in modern times I would want leading our troops into battle. If you love American history and WW II in particular this book on an American legend definitely belongs on your shelf. Martin Blumenson did a masterful job putting this book together.

Patton: The Legend!!.......2005-12-03

This second volume of his memoirs deals with World War II and the battles that made Patton a legend. Author Martin Blumenson lets, "Ol Blood and Guts," tell his own story through letters and official correspondence giving the reader an intimate view of the public and private man that captivated the world's attention for four years.

All of the big battles are here: "Torch" in North Africa; "Husky" in Sicily; "Cobra" in France and Bastogne which some call, "his finest hour." Patton played a key role in each of them. His tactics, featuring rapidly moving armor and mechanized infantry forces supported by mobile artillery and air wrote the book used for decades to come. However, he never overlooked the human element. Machines could never replace well trained and highly motivated soldiers personally led by competent commanders. His success was undeniable but he often proved to be his own worst enemy.

Patton's well known slapping of a shell shocked soldier followed by his unintended slight of our Soviet allies made headlines. Newsmen jumped at the opportunity to sell papers by printing anything controversial about a man whose name evoked emotional responses from friends and enemies alike. This was an "enemy" Patton couldn't comprehend. It was the one "fight" he was destined to lose.

General of the Army, Omar N. Bradley said in his book, A General's Life, (Simon and Schuster, New York, 1983) ". . .I believe it was better for George Patton and his professional reputation to die when he did. . . . He was not a good peacetime soldier. . . In time he probably would have become a boring parody of himself-a decrepit, bitter, pitiful figure, unwittingly debasing the legend."

An unknown poet said it best:

"In times of danger, not before, God and soldiers all men adore. Danger's past and all is righted. God's forgotten, the soldier slighted."

No truer words could describe Patton's career. Relegated to a desk job; his primary function was to serve as grist for political and journalistic mills, a truly sad ending for an outstanding military career.

This work is an outstanding history of World War II and of the man himself. You can't call yourself a serious student of WWII unless you have read both volumes. A GREAT read. 5 stars!!

Harold Y. Grooms

Patton deserved a fifth star, and so did this book.......2005-09-20

When I saw what a project of a book this was at 857 pages, I wondered if I would ever get through it. It took no more than 15 or 20 pages to convince me that I would enjoy every page of it. This is a great read, especially if you are already a Patton fan. His diary entries and letters are honest and blunt, and offer great insights into Patton's winning style and strategy, his distaste for putting allied considerations over American interests, his frustrations with the press and his superiors, and his deep distrust of the Russians. Blumenson weaves these innumerable entries and letters into a seamless and easy-to-read narrative of Patton and his heroic exploits. Fans of the movie will love seeing lines taken word for word from his diary entries. I truly loved this book -- one of my favorite reads of all time.

Exciting Fast Paced Biography That Reads Like A Novel.......2003-04-25

Martin Blumenson's has created a fascinating and surprisingly readable biography of the World War II hero, General George Patton. Blumenson has taken the General's diaries, personal and official letters and combined them with letters written to him and newspaper articles written about him. These are arranged in chronological order.

The period covered by this book was the most active of Patton's lifetime. In the last three years of his life, Patton had adventures enough for several lifetimes. After playing a major part in the conquest of North Africa, then Sicily, Patton was sidelined for nearly a year after the slapping incidents. During this time a disinformation campaign was put forth to convince the Nazis that Patton would command a non-existent army group that was to invade the south of France. A month after D Day Patton took command of the recently formed Third Army and drove across Europe, playing a pivotal role in the Battle of the Bulge.

In this book, Blumenson splices together the actual documents written by and about Patton as the actual events unfolded. Despite being an amalgamation of material from so many different sources, the book reads like a novel. Blumenson very rarely adds his own editorial commentary. This is done in a way that enhances the flow of the narrrative. My only complaint is that it frequently is difficult to determine where these asides begin and end. This readability is what makes the book great and unique. Having read many other biographies that over-analyze and inject the authors' personal opinion into the narrative it is refreshing to simply have the facts laid out in front of you.

Patton had an amusing tendency to give sarcastic nicknames to his rivals and adversaries. Omar Bradley is "the tentmaker," both for his Arab name and his tendency towards caution, Eisenhower is "divine destiny" for his political ambitions. General W. Bedell Smith, Eisenhower's hated chief of staff, is variously referred to as Beadle and Beetle. At the same time he is privately mocking these people, Patton takes great pains to praise and flatter them publicly. He even admits to himself in his diary that he is a shameless bootlicker and rear-end kisser when necessary. Patton justifies his actions because he feels he must be a sycophant to fulfill his destiny of leading men in battle. Patton even advises his son (who was a West Point Cadet at the time) that the way to advancement at the Academy is to seek out the Commandant and Superintendent and suck-up to them and their wives as much as possible.

I had low expectations for this book. Every other collection of the letters of famous men I have read has been interesting in spots but unreadable as a whole.Even the famous collected letters of Pliny the Younger are mostly dreary reports to the emperor and uninteresting notes to friends. For Blumenson to have created such an entertaining and informative document from similar material is a remarkable achievement.

A highly effective intellectual reference instrument........2001-12-21

I used this book while writing a paper for my Graduate level International Relations class. Although it is not considered a classic, it possess and delivers enormously relevant information regarding one of the greatest and most controversial master of war acknowledged in modern history. I commend this book as an pleasurable read, as well as an highly effective intellectual reference instrument.

Average customer rating:

Ol' Blood and Guts: The Early Years
Read BOTH volumes!
An amazing insight into a very complex man
Preferring Patton's UNcesured Papers
A Real American Hero...

The Patton Papers, 1885-1940
George S. Patton
Manufacturer: Replica Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

The Patton Papers 1940-1945
War As I Knew It
Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
Patton: A Genius for War
A Soldier's Story (Modern Library War)

ASIN: 0735100764

Amazon.com

"The history of war is the history of warriors; few in number, mighty in influence," wrote George S. Patton, Jr., in 1926, a full 17 years before he would begin to establish himself as one of the United States' finest military leaders.

General Patton was, in the words of Martin Blumenson, "an inveterate diary keeper," and when duty took him away from his beloved wife, he wrote to her every day, sometimes twice. Blumenson culled through this enormous body of material to produce an impressive collection of Patton's writings, providing context for Patton's thoughts and words with helpful editorial interpolations. The odd dual nature that has made Patton fascinating for so long, and inspired such extreme reactions, positive and negative, over the years, is on full display. As Blumenson writes in his perceptive prologue:

"He was unpredictable, capricious, at the same time dependable, loyal. He was brutal yet sensitive. He was gregarious and a loner. Enthusiastic and buoyant, he suffered from inner anguish.... An astonishing mixture of arrogance and humility.

There is hardly a better way to encounter the man than through his own words, on these pages. --John J. Miller

Customer Reviews:

Ol' Blood and Guts: The Early Years.......2005-09-09

In this, the first volume of his memoirs, author Martin Blumenson, shows background influences that would develop George S. Patton into America's most famous general of World War II. Blumenson paints an authentic, if not an all together flattering, picture of the man he obviously admires giving this work even more credibility. His primary source is impeccable: Patton's own correspondence composes most of the text.

The key events are all discussed: Patton's early upbringing which placed him near, but not at the apex of class conscious American society at the turn of the century. His obsession to reach the summit would forever be a driving force in his life. Next was is military education at The Virginia Military Institute and West Point followed by his marriage to Beatrice Ayres which greatly aided his standing socially and economically. This was followed by service with his mentor, General of the Armies, John, J. "Blackjack," Pershing in Mexico and again in France in WWI where he served as chief architect of American tank forces. The men he trained here would ultimately make this old horse cavalryman, a legend.

Patton was both a shameless social climber, and a most serious student of his profession. He seemed equally motivated by the relentless drive to succeed and his abject fear of failure. Vain, pompous, profane, well read, and militarily proficient, he would go on to become, arguably, the greatest General on either side in WWII.

This book is more than the history of a man; it is the history of the U.S. Army from the turn of the century until the countdown to WWII. Easily read and understood, it is an outstanding addition to the library of any serious student of our nation's military history. A great read. 5 Stars!!

Harold Y. Grooms

Read BOTH volumes!.......2003-05-09

Not a big history buff, but I had to read this for a class.
Very interesting! Blumenson actually served with Patton in the Third Army HQ in Europe and also in Korea.

But don't stop at this volume - The Patton Papers 1940-1945 finishes Patton's unique story. These years weren't forgotten as another reviewer said, just in another book.

An amazing insight into a very complex man.......2003-04-23

Blumenson lets Patton speak for himself though a huge number of personal letters, lectures, papers and other materials. You can watch the young Patton grow through trial (being held back after his first year at West Point), and triumph (his heroic actions in combat during WWI), into the famous fighting general of WWII. Don't let the long length of the book put you off. I found it to be absolutely absorbing. By the end of the book you feel that you know Patton, his family and his friends and that you have some idea of what made him who he was.

Blumenson obviously has deep respect for Patton but he also does not shy away from Patton's serious flaws in character and behavior. Even before the well known incidents of WWII, some of the things Patton wrote, did and said were really mean, crude and / or embarrassing. He was an accomplished brown noser and jealous of his peers to the point of paranoia at times. Its all here to see.

Of course, I also highly recommend the second half of the story in the Patton Papers 1940 - 1945 by the same author.

Preferring Patton's UNcesured Papers.......2002-07-29

It has material SELECTED in order that we, the future students of history,not have a clue as to what really happened during that historical period. The "Selectivity"just accidently left out the period 1940-45. Can't let that information get out! Others may begin suspecting censureship elsewhere!

A Real American Hero..........2001-08-15

Anyone who is a Patton fan; please start from the beginning. I think that it is terribly important to understand the history behind what made the man who he was. WWII was the medium in which Patton manifested the gernerally known "Patton" ... the result of all life experience leading up to that one period in history. There is much more revealed in this first volume that one can learn and I highly recommend it. It is a great read, at times funny, others very graphic, it will make you feel as if you knew the man and were a part of the history. In fact, I liked it so much (the paperback), I located a set of Houghton Mifflin, FIRST PRINTING, Patton Papers in mint condition for my collection. They read wonderfully, unlike the poor HB reprints. One must pay a small fortune though.

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The Patton papers: 1940-1945
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Houghton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006YTFNI

Patton Papers 2 Volumes; 1885-1940 & 1940-1945

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Patton Papers 2 Volumes; 1885-1940 & 1940-1945
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PS6BPU

The Patton Papers - Volume I (1885-1940) and Volume II (1940-1945)

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The Patton Papers - Volume I (1885-1940) and Volume II (1940-1945)
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J315AM

The Patton Papers 1940 - 1945 - Illustrated with Photographs and With Maps By Samuel H. Bryant

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The Patton Papers 1940 - 1945 - Illustrated with Photographs and With Maps By Samuel H. Bryant
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JNI0DW

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The Patton Papers 1940-1945
Blumenson Martin
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LB8UVE

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The Patton Papers 1940-1945
George S. Patton Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Replica Books 1957
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MCFF5G

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The Patton Papers 1940-1945 -
Martin Blumenson -
Manufacturer: Houghton Publishing -
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NPGHN6

The Patton Papers: 2 Volume Set, 1885-1940 and 1940-1945

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The Patton Papers: 2 Volume Set, 1885-1940 and 1940-1945
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M0R85S

Book Description

Freud was one of the giants of 20th century thought. His ideas have been hugely influential not only in psychology but in all the social sciences and the arts. This looks at Freud's life from his birth in 1856 to his death in Hampstead in 1939. Each of Freud's major works is summarized, his central ideas are explored, and controversies over his methods and practices are examined. Did he, as some recent critics have alleged, turn his back on evidence of genuine child abuse in 1890s Vienna and prefer instead to ascribe it to fantasy and wish fulfilment? What were the reasons behind his terrible quarrel with Carl Gustav Jung? Does his "talking cure" of psychoanalysis actually work?

Sigmund Freud: A Concise Biography (Pocket Biography Series)

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Sigmund Freud: A Concise Biography (Pocket Biography Series)
Stephen Wilson
Manufacturer: ISIS Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 075310332X

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