Pop Odyssey Review

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Pop Odyssey ReviewThis is a different download. I haven't seen anything else like this on the Kindle.
Shopper: How is it different?
Me: For starters, everything is in a screenplay format.
Shopper: You mean, like a Shakespeare play?
Me: Locations and character are described in overwhelming detail, much like a Hollywood screenplay.
Shopper: Overwhelming detail?
Me: Each character gets a full page treatment of details as seen in an RPG video game.
Most of the characters have superpowers of some sort. A series of character summaries can go on for 10 pages between pieces of dialog. Makes for very choppy reading.
This is the dialog for a comic book movie, or maybe a comic book, or maybe a game.
"The hippo's chains and muzzle releases. It buckles and shifts as it peers down with anger. A burst of flames erupts from Kairo's arms and shoot around the left side of the colossal beast. Raiden's lightning technique flanks from the hippo's right side. The trail of fire and lightning collide behind the beast..."
I do think the layout is gorgeous. This is the best page to page layout I've seen on the Kindle. The author knows something about design. However, it would have been better to have all the characters in one section (with 1 page per character instead of 2), and the main story in a separate section. With this shuffling, it would be such a gorgeous layout that I would keep it on my Kindle and brave through the whole story, just because the presentation is so intensely unique.
I stopped at the 25% mark.Pop Odyssey OverviewThis is a tale of Us vs Them.US: Evokers. Sealers. Infusers. Mechanical Engineers. Artificers.THEM: Robots. Monsters. Infected. Zombies. Aliens? Yeah, "aliens."The result: A throwdown of EPIC proportions.

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The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design Review

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The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design ReviewThis is an expanded edition of a book first published in 2003. In it, Neumeier develops in greater depth several basic ideas about how to bridge a gap between business strategy and design. My own experience suggests that on occasion, there may be a conflict or misalignment rather than a "gap." Or the business strategy is inappropriate. Or the design concepts are wrong-headed. Or the execution fails. Whatever, Neumeier correctly notes that "A lot of people talk about it. Yet very few people understand it. Even fewer know how to manage it. Still, everyone wants it. What is it? Branding. of course -- arguably the most powerful business tool since the spreadsheet." What Neumeier offers is a "30,000-foot view of brand: what it is (and isn't), why it works (and doesn't), and most importantly, how to bridge the gap between logic and magic to build a sustainable competitive advantage." Of course, that assumes that both logic and magic are present and combined...or at least within close proximity of each other.
As others have already indicated, Neumeier provides a primer ("the least amount of information necessary") rather than a textbook. His coverage is not definitive, nor intended to be. He has a crisp writing style, complemented by "the shorthand of the conference room" (i.e. illustrations, diagrams, and summaries). Some describe his book an "easy read" but I do not. When reading short and snappy books such as this one, I have learned that certain insights resemble depth charges or time capsules: they have a delayed but eventually significant impact. For example, Neumeier explains why "Three Little Questions" can bring a high-level marketing meeting to a screeching halt:
1. Who are you?
2. What do you do?
3. Why does it matter?
I also want to express my admiration of the book's design features. They create an appropriate visual context within which Neumeier examines each of five "Disciplines": differentiation, collaboration, innovation, validation, and cultivation. Expect no head-snapping revelations. For many of those who read this book, its greatest value will will be derived from reiteration of certain core concepts which Neumeier reviews with uncommon clarity and concision. Check out the "Take-Home Lessons" (pages 149-157) which include
"A brand is a person's gut feeling about a product, service, or company. It's not what you say it is. It's what THEY say it is."
"Differentiation has evolved from a focus on `what it is,' to `what it does,' to 'how you'll feel,' to `who you are.' While features, benefits, and price are still important to people, experiences and personal identity are even more important."
"How do you know when an idea is innovative? When it scares the hell out of you."
Readers having relatively less experience with the branding process will especially appreciate the provision of an expanded (220-word) "Brand Glossary." Neumeier also includes a "Recommended Reading" section in which he briefly comments on each source. When reading business books, I much prefer annotated bibliographies such as Neumeier's to mere lists. For whatever reasons, many provide neither.The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design OverviewTHE BRAND GAP is the first book to present a unified theory of brand-building. Whereas most books on branding are weighted toward either a strategic or creative approach, this book shows how both ways of thinking can unite to produce a "charismatic brand"—a brand that customers feel is essential to their lives. In an entertaining two-hour read you'll learn:• the new definition of brand• the five essential disciplines of brand-building• how branding is changing the dynamics of competition• the three most powerful questions to ask about any brand• why collaboration is the key to brand-building• how design determines a customer's experience• how to test brand concepts quickly and cheaply• the importance of managing brands from the inside• 220-word brand glossaryFrom the back cover:Not since McLuhan's THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE has a book compressed so many ideas into so few pages. Using the visual language of the boardroom, Neumeier presents the first unified theory of branding—a set of five disciplines to help companies bridge the gap between brand strategy and customer experience. Those with a grasp of branding will be inspired by the new perspectives they find here, and those who would like to understand it better will suddenly "get it." This deceptively simple book offers everyone in the company access to "the most powerful business tool since the spreadsheet."

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Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar: Ancient Wisdom for a New World Review

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Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar: Ancient Wisdom for a New World ReviewA couple of weeks ago, I found myself attending an International Book Launch for a book I didn't care about, by an author I had never heard of. In fact, I had attempted to NOT attend this event. However, through a series of synchronicities, not only did I attend, I ended up volunteering to help setup the event.
Prior to the event, I did a half-hearted search on the book, and saw that it was titled, "Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar". Surely, a cash grab book to capitalize on James Cameron's Avatar success I thought to myself. A week later, I'm very grateful that the Universe conspired to have me at the book launch.
My spiritual journey started a couple of years ago and while I knew there was great wisdom in the Hindu and Indian teachings, I never really got into it. Its treasure was buried too deep in words I couldn't pronounce, and stories I couldn't relate to. That all has changed with Jeffrey Armstrong's book subtitled, "Ancient Wisdom for a New World". Fortunately for us, this New World is on Earth, and not on Pandora.
"Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar" is a wonderful introduction into the ancient teachings. Jeffrey's conversational style and passion for teaching is evident throughout the book. While at the Book Launch event, I had met several of his devoted students and wondered what he was like at his workshops and weekly meetings. After reading his book, I have no doubt that his message and stories are every bit as accessible to the every day person whether in print or in person.
If you're wondering if this book review is about the person as much as it is about the book; yes, it is: for two reasons. 1) Jeffrey Armstrong has spent 40 years studying the Ancient Teachings, and after having read his book, in my opinion, this book is as much him as he is it. 2) Many gurus or teachers I have come across have shared their knowledge from a place of ego. This is not the case with Jeffrey, both in regards to having met him briefly in person, and after having read his book. His pure authenticity towards the growth and love of those around him is reflected not only from his students, but also from this book.
Jeffrey is able to communicate ancient stories and wisdom so that I can relate and understand them without disrepecting or degrading the source material. A difficult task when faced with Sanskrit or stories that seem ridiculous when taken literally. Each chapter is packed with just the right balance of ancient tales and present day analogies. As a testament to his true intention of helping the world assimulate ancient wisdom, Jeffrey includes a "Meditation and Practices" section at the end of the book that provides topics to meditate and ponder organized by chapters. As any true guru will tell you, "You have all the answers already inside you. I just show you where to look." In addition to the pragmatic section, there is one other appendix titled "Wisdom of the Avatars" which provides three key points from each chapter as a quick reference.
Thanks to Jeffrey's passionately accessible treatment of the Ancient Wisdom, I've decided to expand my old world by giving my copy of the Bhagavad Gita another go. With a new set of 4D glasses, perhaps I'll be able to touch the Pandora within.Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar: Ancient Wisdom for a New World OverviewSpiritual Teachings of the Avatar speaks to anyone concerned with the sustainability of Mother Earth, the role of elders in our society, the seemingly unconsciousness of science and corporations, and the subtleties of unseen realities, resulting in spiritual growth, a deeper relationship with nature, and a better world for all. An avatar is a manifestation of the Supreme Being—usually in human form—that descends from the transcendental realm to Earth to heal the planet and restore peace and harmony by eliminating the harmful souls that prey on Mother Earth. In Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar, Vedic expert and teacher Jeffrey Armstrong explains the ancient Indian wisdoms embodied in the word "avatar," and that behind the notion of avatar is a view that sees the sacredness of all life and the soul of all beings as eternal—meant for freedom and made of divine essence.

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