
What you will find on this page are some of the many books and items that I refer to often in my office. I use these books to inform my understanding of the human behaviours of learning, communication and motivation. It is an odd collection as my net is cast fairly wide when looking at the study of human behaviour. I find some novels more informative than some psychology books. Over the course of my career I have read voraciously and each piece has added something to my thinking. The list here is not particularly complete but there are about 35 items which will show you the edges of my library. I have tried to include those books that are still in print and which can be accessed through on-line booksellers. When I could find the book at Amazon I provided a direct link through the buy it button. Someday I will figure out a better way to represent the library. Then all of the items can be made available. In the mean time I will periodically add other work (new items at the top) and I will eventually break this page into separate rows of books on the shelf. When that occurs those of you on the mail list will receive a note about the change. Cheers, Stef

A FEW NEW ADDITIONS
		I have often times been asked to recommend a language program, but failed to find something I felt was outstanding. That was until I ran into the work of Michel Thomas. For a look a whole new way of learning a language try Thomas' program. It is not like anything I have seen in all my travels around language learning. I personally have used the Spanish program to prepare for my time in Puerto Rico. I cannot image the other language programs taught by Thomas are not using the same teaching methodology. And, that, is where the magic is!
	On Writing by Stephen King	My number one best book for describing the inner world of the writer. Since committing to use writing as my primary means of communicating I have been reading books by the great storytellers whose voices can be clearly heard in their writing. Sometimes I read books on the craft of writing. I have found most lacking. I find it better to spend my time reading a lot and write a lot. An exception is this book by Stephen King. A great read and key lessons on the craft of writing. Cuts through the crap!
	Zero Time by Yeh, Pearlson, Kozmetsky	When beginning to work via the Internet I began reading books geared toward helping us come to terms with the newly emerging paradigms. Some of these books and articles have found ways of capturing and expressing the fundamental changes in business that occuring as a result of the new technology. The future is about the customer. This book will set the framework allowing to more accurately assess the news you hearing about the impact of the Internet on commerce. Full of good lessons to be learned by anyone in business today.
	The 11 Immutable Laws of Internet Branding by Ries and Ries	I've been a fan of Al Ries since 1987 when I read and began recommending his book "Positioning: The Battle for you Mind". When that book was coupled with Robert Cialdini's "Influence Patterns" you had a potent lens through which to observe and learn from the behaviour of those around us. This is another excellent contribution to the way we think about business in general and the Internet specifically.
BRAINS & BEHAVIOUR
	Mind Hunter by John Douglas	The author of Mindhunter, John Douglas, created the "profiling" tool for the FBI. His book is masterful and in it we learn what can be seen in human behaviour through observation. I have encouraged all those who have attended Training to Train to read this book. Don’t mind the topic, which is about serial murderers — read the book from the perspective of gaining a greater insight into human behaviour.
	The Right Mind by Robert Ornstein	Perhaps the most misinformed information I still hear discussed in training circles is that related to hemispheric dominance - right brain/left brain behaviour. If you are someone who uses that terminology - but have either not read anything in awhile on the subject (or heaven forbid, not read anything at all) this is the book I would like you to read. Robert Ornstein is one of the original thinkers in the area of hemispheric research and was heavily quoted in Learning To Learn. You will find his writing style totally engaging and very easy to follow. He will also provide you with a wealth of quotable-quotes to punctuate your lectures.
	How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker	This book was a gift from Dawn Hough, a Training To Train student. You'll love this brain book because Pinker is a great teacher. He brings the work alive with modern day examples from Star Trek to Marilyn Monroe to illustrate his points. What I wouldn't have given to be one of his students! His writing is so much fun you can just imagine what it would have been like to sit in his lectures.
	Brain Sex by Moir and Jessel	This is another really fun book. Although it is old by science's standards it is still an excellent introduction into the world of differences between the male and female brain. If you find yourself making up what you imagine the differences to be, then this is a good place to test your notions and learn. From this book you may develop a fascination for the subject, and then there is a world of new research that awaits you. This is an excellent book for Trainers and Managers who note behaviour differences in communication and who wish to expand the basis of their understanding beyond social theories.
EMOTION THEORY
	Descartes' Error by Antonio Damasio	This is the book that will help you to understand the role of feelings in decision-making. Damasio's work, like LeDoux below set the ground work for my PhD research and is the basis of the strategies found in the Goal Achievers Program. You will love his stories and anecdotes and the research is impeccable. If you've been talking about emotions and feelings and want to expand your understanding - then this is the read for you.
	The Emotional Brain by Joseph LeDoux	Anyone who has read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman will be familiar with the name Joseph LeDoux. His research on the role of emotion features underpins Goleman's work and indeed, features heavily in my own PhD thesis. It was wonderful to discover that LeDoux had written a book accessible to everyone outside the academic community. If you've read Goleman and want the meat - this is one of the books I would recommend. If you have done the Goal Achievers Program and want 1/2 of the theory behind it this is the book I would recommend. If you couple this book with Damasio's Descartes' Error you will have taken a significant step in your education about emotions and emotional intelligence.
	Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert	An interesting book I read at the end of writing my PhD thesis. As most of you know much of my work now focuses on the role of emotions on motivation, decision-making and action. Candice Pert was the chief of brain chemistry at the National Institute of Health in the U.S. and takes us on a journey through the world of the chemistry of emotion and theories on their effects on our health. Anyone focusing on alternative approaches to health will find a science to support that thinking.
LEARNING
	Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin	I have always been facinated by human behaviour and many of the books I read and recommend to my students have to do with peering in vicariously to the experience of people in unique situations. Temple Grandin is one of those people. I loved her story and found it illuminating to wonder what it might be to not think in language, but instead in pictures. In Learning To Learn I used to play with my students teaching them to use vivid imagery for learning about a phenomenon - tapping into the brain's great capacity to 'fill in' missing pieces with great accuracy. My students from that program who sat on the edge of the bowl of pumpkin soup with relate to Grandin's ability to see the world "through a cow's eye". She also provides great insight into human-animal relations.
	Experience & Education by John Dewey	Pick any Dewey book. If you are an educator this is one of a handful of the seminal thinkers who should be known. I chose this book (although any would do) because so much of my work has gone back to the basis of experience, and it is the one I have most recently re-read.
	Freedom and Beyond by John Holt	John Holt is a real hero to many educators. I often recommend his book "How Children Fail" but it is not currently in print. This, however, is considered by many to be a turning point in his work where he begins to move out of the observations of his classroom and into the broader concerns for schooling and education. He is a teachers teacher and we all have much to learn from his writings.
	The Culture of Education by Jerome Bruner	Like Dewey, if you are a trainer, educator or coach you just have to know a bit about the philosophy of Jerome Bruner. No more said. You won't learn how to do anything from Bruner in this book, but you will have important notions added to your thought process about education. You don't have to agree but it is important nonetheless to know.
FAVOURITES
	Perfume by Patrick Suskind	Ah, Perfume. A classic written in modern times. This is the first book that I had ever read that totally stimulated the senses of smell and taste. I could not believe that words could trigger such strong sensations. This is a very bizarre book, a murder mystery. The whole idea of it is shocking. That Suskind has used sensitivity to smell was both educative and mind-boggling. I left this book with a great respect for industries I knew previously nothing about. And, at each reading it has triggered a sense in me I didn't possess previously.
	Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand	Atlas Shrugged is the astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world--and did. It is a book that you must commit to achieve the first 100 pages before commenting upon. Atlas Shrugged is the book I have reread most often in my life. It set the framework for many ideas I bring to my work. I think it is the first book in which I could not sit down while reading - I just had to stand up and walk. I went on to read a great deal about the life of Ayn Rand - and although on a real-life level I found some of her ideas difficult, this did not ever diminish the power of what I took from this book. I have changed and grown greatly over the adult life, but there is a strong thread to the thinking espoused here - even today when I reread the book I have trouble slowing down my internal dialogue. It leaves a long residue.
	The Green Mile by Stephen King	What's a favourites list if it doesn't contain a Steven King novel. And you can't go past the Green Mile for magic in story telling. It is another of those great risks in writing - created as a monthly serial. Even King's description of the writing process is worth the series. There are six short parts to this series. Each can be read in just a hour or so. I would read really slowly each issue, knowing I had to wait for the next. I really felt what Charles Dicken's followers felt waiting for the next penny paper to arrive. For the record, I never planned on being a Steven King fan. I am definitely not into horror material. But one night staying at a friends I was hunting for something to read. I had actually already read every single book in their library except Stephen King's, The Stand! As it turned out this was King's 1978 classic and still today his most popular book. After the 30 pages I couldn't put it down, and it's another book I have re-read. I've found the link to the book so you can read more 400 reviews if you don't believe me! (Just click the title). I know some of you are thinking - "I can't believe Stephanie reads Stephen King." Anyway, back to the Green Mile. This is simply a stunning piece of writing. You feel everything. Whether you've seen the movie or not you can't go past the experience of this serialised novel. You tend to smile a lot through King's books - and how could you not wonder what it must be like to live in a mind that can create like this.
	The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger	This is the kind of fact based book I would like to be able to write. I enjoyed The Perfect Storm because it not only tells the gripping true story of a fishing boat and its crew that are caught in the midst of the most ferocious storm recorded in modern times, but because it is so technically specific. On each page I learnt something new about topics that I had not previously been interested in, or not known much about. The writing style is easy and I was captivated from beginning to end.
	The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan	This favourite was brought back to mind when reading Stephen King's new book "On Writing".
	Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder	This book represents another of my writing goals- to write a story, embedded in which are the lessons I wish to teach. And, I don't mean lessons in the way of beliefs, or philosophy, or ideas - but concrete information like dates, types, history, names and so on. I use to write bedtime type stories in which the characters were all using technology - this was in the days I was teaching computer literacy and applications. I would think how nice it would be to read a fun story at the end of which I could give you a quiz and you would know new information. This idea actually attracted the attention of some folks at Universal Studios and publishing agents in Hollywood. But, alas, it was the wrong time for such an idea for me. Sophie's World shows how a great story can be used to educate. The subject is the history of philosophy. If you want a wonderful adventure in your mind, and the result of revisiting the great philosophers, with characters you'll never forget, then this book is for you. I still dream of doing this myself one day.
LEARNING about PEOPLE by studying other things
Video series available from ABC Shops in Australia	Life of Birds by Sir David Attenborough	One word describes this video series — Brilliant! Without doubt this is the best documentary series on behaviour that I have seen. Forget that it is about birds — watch it from a human behavourist perspective.
	Natural Horse-Man-Ship by Pat Parelli	There are many books that should be read again and again... and this is one of them. Pat Parelli shares insight, inspiration, and information about the principles and goals behind Natural Horse-Man-Ship. This book includes concepts and "how to" exercises designed to help you communicate effectively and get immediate results with your horse! For the corporate trainer you will learn how to get immediate results with your students! Articles by Pat Parelli annotated by Stephanie Burns Learning about human behaviour from horse-man Pat Parelli My horse bites
	Partnership by Pat Parelli	"Partnership" teaches you how to create a strong foundation of trust, respect and communication with your horse. "Partnership" features an audio tape, a video in which Pat demonstrates some of his techniques and 10 pocket-sized guides that contain Pat's step-by-step "Partnership" lessons. Teachers and Trainers will find that all of Pat's work can be applied to students in the classroom.
	The Sims by Electronic Arts	The Sims is amazing new software that comes from the creators of Sim City. The idea behind The Sims is to achieve the ultimate goal in life — happiness, and the way to achieve happiness is to satisfy your Sims' needs. The Sims allows you to create, direct, and manage the lives of SimCity's residents. Each need (Hunger, Comfort, Hygiene, Bladder, Energy, Fun, Social, and Room) can be met by interaction with other Sims or objects. When you use the software, you build a simulated neighborhood and run the lives of the people that live there. There is an unlimited open-ended game play that allows you to help your Sims develop and mature. A fascinating exercise in human behaviour. Worth a look see.
	Fire in the Valley by Paul Freiberger & Michael Swaine	There are many good books on technology! I promise more to come on the history of, the effects of, the future of ... and so on. One way to understand people is to study their tools and the history of those tools. The first book I chose is a new one ... Fire in the Valley. I referenced it in one of the status reports and thought I best make it easy to read more about and access. I lived this experience and knew many of these people. The book is a facinating visit to early - late 1970's. You will see just how far the computer has come in this time. This book will really bring home that what we doing right now - this minute - in this newsletter is absolutely light years away from 30 years ago.
LEARNING from other THE MASTERS from other DISCIPLINES
	Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman by Richard P. Feynman	I am a very big fan of anything written by or about Richard Feynman. I learn so many things about life at so many different levels it is hard to describe the experience. I have put this entertaining and enlightening book by Feynman and one wonderful biography about his life. If are looking for a new wonderful role model - you wouldn't go wrong with Feynman.
	Genius by James Gleick	This is an great biography of Feynman which at the same time analyses the attributes of genius. There are rare insights here into the process of developing a mind capable of creating new thoughts and new information. Like Chaos before it this Gleick books aims and achieves educating the reader. And, who could not be entertained by stories about Richard Feynman's life and career!