It's Not My Department!: How America can Return to Excellence--Giving an

By Peter Glen

Book Overview

At an international conference in Istanbul, high-profile executive Emily White is curiously compelled to raise her hand and bare her soul. Little does she know that the repercussions will extend far beyond the buzzing seminar room. So begins a union of two souls that are so harmoniously intertwined, it calls to mind two instruments coming together in a stirring sonata. In a highly inventive debut novel by Kaila E. Haines, Autumn Sonata shares a tale of two star-crossed lovers whose convergence is almost musical-and certainly magical. Inspired by the structure of an imagined sonata for piano and clarinet, the evocative love story of Emily and Simon is certain to strike a chord with anyone who believes, or perhaps simply hopes, that soul mates can connect, and ultimately champion the most far-reaching of obstacles. With its finely crafted prose structure that scores the tempo shifts inherent in romantic love, Autumn Sonata is a rare and reverberant look at a love that, like a gorgeous work of music, transcends time and place. A devoted mother, successful marketing professional and devout Catholic who has made a life in Italy, Emily considers her commitments in life and love with great gravity. However, in a thunderous crash, decades of decisions are upended when she meets Simon Russell, a successful, divorced Londoner, who has chosen to confine his affairs of the heart to single-night encounters and a convivial friendship with his ex-wife Susan. When Emily and Simon find their worlds colliding in Istanbul, their connection is all-consuming. Like a single composition in more than one part, their love draws a striking, flawless sonata. To bridge their worlds and their beliefs, Emily and Simon must navigate all manner of loved ones from children to spouses-as well as locales, from Istanbul to Milan and London to Lagos. In doing so, they forge an extraordinary future that serves as a celebration of both recognizing the heart's rare note-and knowing how to hold it. Elegantly measured and profoundly moving, this mesmerizing and reflective tribute to love and redemption conjures a sparkling, considered world as emotionally ripe as a haunting sonata. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates great craft, and a finely told tale.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425184617
• ISBN13: 9780425184615
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Stop Settling For mediocre service!

How to get and give the customer service we would all like. Do uninformed sales associates, or the lack of a thank you after a purchase drive you insane? Accept it no more! Learn combative techniques in this book. Fight for what you deserve.

Great Customer Service Can Be Yours...

This book has taught me how to get the best service from anyone I am doing business with. It has taught me how to win as the little guy up against Sears, CitiBank, Macy's and many others. YOU are the customer in almost all situations. Do YOU get what you are paying for? I DO!! This Tape/Book is funny and informative. You will learn a lot about getting service in today's world of NO SERVICE.. The audio tape is great. The book has more examples and ideas in it though. It also teaches how to give excellent service

Get GREAT customer service....

This book has helped me resolve problems in MY favor. It taught me how to demand great service and how to get it from anyone I do business with. CitiBank, Sears, My Bank the list goes on. It has also taught me how to provide service to others as well. The hard to find Audio Version is super also. The book has alot more in it and makes for good reading. It is funny, informative and eye opening

A must read for front-line customer service personnel

This book helped my customer service people immensely. It provides simple, straight forward examples to how your business can improve its service. Small vignettes abound

excellent & funny look at selling retail.

Just what this country needs. Customer service stinks. Glen talks about how to get back to giving and getting good customer service, a lost art. good reading whether you are buying or selling anything.