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Index Interviews: Ellis Paul Jill McCorkle Build-A-Song Part VI: Tips For Tunesmiths Web Resources for Developing Characters Upcoming Events Calendar Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
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Non-Fiction Book ReviewsPage Two of TwoHow to Become a Rainmaker by Jeffrey J. FoxHyperion, May 2000.Hardcover, 169 pages. ISBN: 0786865954. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
How to Become a Rainmaker provides
practical advice and wisdom about
how to make sales and
bring in new customers.
Some of the key concepts introduced
in the book are: fish where the big
fish are, show them the money, dollarizing,
killer sales questions, don't drink coffee
on a sales call, treat everybody you
meet as a potential client, always do
an investment return analysis, never
be in a meeting, dare to be dumb,
sell on Friday afternoons, a shot on
goal is never a bad play and don't make
cold calls.
Each concept is also enforced with
explanations and real-world examples.
Jeffrey J. Fox, author of the bestselling How to Become CEO and founder of Fox & Co., a marketing consulting company, provides plenty of practical and inspirational advice in this guide that is sure to make a better salesman out of you. As Fox explains learning how to keep and attract customers is essential to any employee and the most valued employees are those that learn the skills that help bring in and keep customers. Sales professionals and corporate employees who yearn to break out of the mold and excel in their profession can take a big step towards that goal with this book. In the Beginning... Was the Command Line by Neal StephensonAvon, 1999.Paperback, 151 pages. ISBN: 0380815931. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
This account of the development of
computer operating systems and the
reaction of users and computer professionals
to different operating systems is both
funny and insightful.
Neal Stephenson, author of
Cryptonomicon, writes in a literary,
witty style
as he uncovers the development of
operating systems, his falling out
with Macs and his explanation of
why people actually continue to use Windows.
Stephenson covers operating systems including
MacOS, Microsft, BeOs, Unix and Linux and
also touches on Disney World and GUI.
Stephenson attacks both Apple and
Microsoft in the process, including the
loyal users who settle for either of
these choices for an operating system.
Stephenson provides lots of technical backup to his trouncing of Windows and MacOS -- much to the delight of techies and hackers. Despite his jabs at Microsoft, Stephenson has this to say about the company being a monopoly: "The U.S. government's assertion that Microsoft has a monopoly on the OS market might be the most patently absurd claim ever advanced by the legal mind. Linux, a technically superior operating system, is being given away for free and BeOS is available at a nominal price. This is simply a fact, which has to be accepted whether or not you like Microsoft." Whether you are infatuated with Stephenson's points about Windows or MacOS being unsophisticated and overpriced operating systems or not, he does provide a great deal of insight into why people argue about Macintosh versus Microsoft, why hackers prefer Linux or BeOS and about the quality of operating systems in general. In the Beginning… Was the Command Line is a very enlightening and entertaining look into the development of the operating system, which has become a very hotly debated subject as of late. Stephenson currently prefers BeOS over its more prominent rivals, but one wonders how long it will be before he sours on this operating system, too. In any event, his book is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the great operating systems wars. The Wedding Guide for the Grownup Bride by Shelley ChristiansenBerkley, May 2000.Paperback, 209 pages. ISBN: 0425174360. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
The unique wedding guide focuses on
brides who are getting married for
the first-time or remarried later in
life. The author of the book,
Shelley Christiansen, was married
for the first-time at age 46.
The book addresses circumstances
that older brides encounter when
getting married. Some are unique to
their age and some are common to
all brides. Some of the subjects covered include:
engagement, family reactions,
ex's reactions, motherhood, careers,
prenups, wills, showers, bachelor
parties and surnames.
Information provided in the
book that involves planning the
wedding includes: the rehearsal dinner,
the guest list, invitations, wedding dresses,
attire, vows, flowers,
photos, video, reception, wedding cake
and managing gifts.
For each topic addressed, Christiansen
also includes a handy quick reference list of
points to consider.
She also addresses some issues to deal
with after the wedding, including living
together, privacy issues, meddling,
where to live and what to do with all the
stuff. This is a truly valuable guide for women getting
married later in life.
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