Mediators have long debated whether "evaluative mediation," the kind commonly practiced by retired judges and others who frequently mediate in the context of litigation, should be called mediation. The crux of that debate concerns whether evaluations by the mediator undermine party self-determination. Simon and West's book is intended to advance the conversation beyond the question of evaluation to include subtler ways in which mediators may undermine or support self-determination. Self-determination is a principle that distinguishes mediation from other forms of dispute resolution and is a topic taught in most introductory mediator training courses. Discussions generally focus on the experience of participants and the techniques employed to nurture and safe-guard self-determination. Much of the writings that touch on self-determination talk about the techniques and strategies mediators use in order to support party self-determination. Uniquely, Tara West and Dan Simon follow a different path. They too are interested in the methods used by mediators, but what distinguishes their book is their examination of the mediator's decision-making process. In a step-by-step exploration, they show first how mediators assess the situation, then generate a possible explanation for the parties' attitudes, behaviors and ways of communicating, and finally choose an approach intended to encourage party self-determination. As part of examining the mediators thought process, the authors also describe how, in generating an explanation, mediators purposefully examine their own reactions to the parties as well as their own beliefs and theories. In this, they show how beliefs influence action-a key aspect of reflective practice. In the practice examples they explore throughout the book, the authors also emphasize the importance of and methods for learning from and through experience.

From the bestselling paranormal author of The Whispers Series comes a new fantasy saga. Born with mark of the Mighty Hunter, Markus saves his village from the brink of starvation-for whenever he releases an arrow, his aim is true. But despite his skill and strength, Markus is unable to confront his tyrannical father. Shamed by his cowardice, he distracts himself by needlessly shooting the forest creatures. When Markus takes no heed of the village prophet's warning that his actions will attract The Hunter's Curse-for every animal Markus kills, his loved ones will suffer the same fate-the Sky Goddess unleashes her ice dragon. Now, Markus must flee the dragon without killing it ... or his beloved brother will be the next to die.

Mediators have long debated whether "evaluative mediation," the kind commonly practiced by retired judges and others who frequently mediate in the context of litigation, should be called mediation. The crux of that debate concerns whether evaluations by the mediator undermine party self-determination. Simon and West's book is intended to advance the conversation beyond the question of evaluation to include subtler ways in which mediators may undermine or support self-determination. Self-determination is a principle that distinguishes mediation from other forms of dispute resolution and is a topic taught in most introductory mediator training courses. Discussions generally focus on the experience of participants and the techniques employed to nurture and safe-guard self-determination. Much of the writings that touch on self-determination talk about the techniques and strategies mediators use in order to support party self-determination. Uniquely, Tara West and Dan Simon follow a different path. They too are interested in the methods used by mediators, but what distinguishes their book is their examination of the mediator's decision-making process. In a step-by-step exploration, they show first how mediators assess the situation, then generate a possible explanation for the parties' attitudes, behaviors and ways of communicating, and finally choose an approach intended to encourage party self-determination. As part of examining the mediators thought process, the authors also describe how, in generating an explanation, mediators purposefully examine their own reactions to the parties as well as their own beliefs and theories. In this, they show how beliefs influence action-a key aspect of reflective practice. In the practice examples they explore throughout the book, the authors also emphasize the importance of and methods for learning from and through experience.