Blanchard, K., and J. Stoner. (2003) Full Steam Ahead: Unleash the Power of Vision in Your Company and Your Life. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. This is not a book specifically about communication, but if you learn easily from inspirational stories, this may be a good place to begin a life of growth, change, and opportunity. Often, during times of uncertainty—when you don't know exactly what your future holds, when you've lost confidence in yourself, or when you don't know exactly who you are—the best place to begin is to establish a vision for yourself and your life. When your academic career (or work) is meaningful and connected to what you truly desire, you will tap into a productive and creative power stronger than you ever imagined. With numerous examples of effective visions, how they are created, how they are communicated, and how they are lived, this 162-page book will help you find out who you are, where you're going, and what will guide your journey.

Combs, P. (2003). Major in Success: Make College Easier, Fire up Your Dreams, and Get a Very Cool Job. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. This is a book written for college students. There are three parts (Dream Job, Action Plan, and High Octane) and 30 chapters. There are so many relevant quotations, so much excellent advice, and so many specific suggestions that this book is a "must read." It is filled with meaningful, but funny, cartoons, hot tips, real-word comments, and numerous avenues to follow if you want to follow your heart into a cool, unique, and rewarding job. This is both an interesting and worthwhile work that will challenge, entertain, and inform you.

Coste, J. K. (2003). Learning to Speak Alzheimer's: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease. Boston: Houghton Muffin Company. This is neither a communication book nor a book that explains the communication process. It is, however, about a significant roadblock—Alzheimer's disease to effective communication and how communication from care partners can make a difference with patients. Not only do effective communication skills encourage Alzheimer's patients to use their remaining skills to support their sense of independence and dignity, but, too, it helps them focus on their emotional language. Full of practical tips designed to ease life for everyone involved with Alzheimer's, Coste includes many suggestions about the day-to-day problems that must be confronted and adjustments that must be made.

Glickman, R. (2002). Optimal Thinking: How to be Your Best Self. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Although this is not a book on speech communication, so much of the book focuses on aspects that bear directly on it: optimizing yourself by achieving optimal self-esteem, planning your best life, and optimizing your feelings. She focuses as well on optimizing others by maximizing your communications and optimizing your thinking. With exercises, affirmations, self-assessment quizzes, anecdotes, and examples, Glickman challenges readers to be the best they can be.

Griffin, E. (2002). A First Look at Communication Theory. (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. In this widely-used, introductory book Griffin describes over 30 theories that explain a wide range of communication phenomena, including sections on gender and intercultural communication. Griffin takes even the most complex and difficult theories and using practical terms and concepts, he makes them understandable. There is an excellent reading list following each theory for students who want to investigate further.

Littlejohn, S. W. (2001). Theories of Human Communication. (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Littlejohn offers a comprehensive examination of major communication theories. His discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of theories is useful; however, the book is designed for the more serious student of communication.

Maxwell, J. C. (2003). Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers (A Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.). The book could as easily be recommended in the chapter on leadership; however, it has the potential of framing this entire book on communication because it clearly demonstrates how your attitude will impact your performance—and this is a performance course. Maxwell pinpoints problem feelings, behaviors, and thinking—all potential barriers to getting all you can out of a speech-communication course. What is the secret to changing a bad attitude? What might be a new definition of success that will improve your performance? How can you adopt an attitude that will help you move to the next level? This is a 100-page, reader-friendly, anecdotal, encouraging book that will not only answer these questions, but assist you in getting your life onto the proper, positive, and rewarding track.

Ratey, J. J. (2002). A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain. New York: Vintage Books. Ratey shows how the systems of the brain shape perceptions, emotions, actions, and reactions. With numerous examples from his psychiatric practice, research, and everyday life, he demonstrates how knowledge of the brain can improve your life. Since much of his information has to do with language and the process of transforming information into function (communication), his material is directly relevant to most every section of this textbook. Ratey's is an enlightening, clear book written for those with no background or knowledge in brain composition or functioning.

(No author, no date). "Test Your Knowledge of Human Communication." Communication Institute for Online Scholarship (CIOS). Retrieved October 13, 2004, from http://www.cios.org/www/testme.htm. This quiz will test your knowledge of many aspects of communication, including electronic, mass, interpersonal, political, animal, nonverbal, computer, mediated, persuasive, family, and its social history.

Wright, R. & M. Flores. (2001, March 4). "Comm 300—Communication Theory." Retrieved October 13, 2004, from http://www.ic.arizona.edu/~comm300/mary/alpha.html. At this website you can access communication theories either through their labels or through the names of the theorists. A complete explanation as well as an application of each theory is offered. This is a useful website for an overview of communication theories and theorists.