Series Books

This is a great book. I enjoyed reading it as it is easy to read and has numerous transcipts of interviews with patients who are real. The book also containes medical material which will be of interest to surgeons, nephrologist and patients. The books was very well received in a major medical journal. I am pleased that the book is doing well and I strongly recommend it to public and medical libraries.

Book Review
The struggle for life: a psychological perspective of kidney disease and transplantation: Authors: Lyndsay S. Baines and Rahul M. Jindal Publisher: Praeger

Colin Baigent, BM BCh, MA, MSc, Reader in Clinical Epidemiology a [MEDLINE LOOKUP]

In the preface to this book, the authors challenge the reader to approach the subject matter with a fresh perspective. There is, they say, no place for the quantitative tradition when assessing psychological problems among patients with kidney disease. Complex emotional states defy classification by reference to quantitative psychology, and must instead be understood in the context of each particular patient's worldview. That sort of understanding comes only from talking to patients, and not from getting them to fill in questionnaires. It was in order to make this point forcefully that the authors, who run a psychosocial support service for kidney patients in Glasgow, Scotland, decided to write this book describing their own practical experience. They hoped that, by bridging the gap between psychotherapeutic and clinical services, others would try to create similar types of support for their own patients. Will they succeed?

Since the target audience is transplantation team members, the book begins with useful background material, including an outline of psychotherapeutic theory as it relates to chronic illness, and a short section on psychoanalysis. After this, however, the authors hit their stride, and we have chapters on a wide range of "human dilemmas," among them medical noncompliance, grief, abnormal body self-image, substance abuse, debt, depression, anxiety, and sexual problems. In each area, the authors explain why, in relation to these problems, dialysis and transplant patients ought to be considered sui generis and argue that much of the related psychological literature on other chronic illness (eg, cancer) simply misses the point. They explain, for example, that transplant patients frequently see themselves as the recipient of a "gift," and feel pressure from within to do something "special" with their lives. This aspiration is difficult enough if we are healthy, but many such patients have experienced years of poor health, perhaps even reduced cognition, and the inevitable result includes a range of consequences from depression and reduced self esteem, through to relationship difficulties and suicide. Each chapter gives us several vignettes from the authors' own experiences, together with a transcript describing how they tried to help, often with some success. Even as one steeped in the so-called quantitative tradition, I was impressed by the skill involved in trying to realign patients' expectations of their postmorbid lives, or in helping them to come to terms with their limitations, or in helping to ease their feelings of isolation. For me, these accounts were the most worthwhile part of the book: they remind us, above all, that health professionals have first of all to be human beings to connect with patients' experience of illness.

In spite of my enjoyment of much of the book, however, I fear it will be less widely read than it should be. Quite simply, for a book that aims to win over clinicians to the cause of psychotherapy, it seems to be too long. Busy physicians, surgeons, and other health professionals who are chronically short of time may lose patience with much of the supporting quantitative material on psychotherapeutic research and the sections on theory. It is a pity that the authors did not stick to their guns about the value of the oral tradition in this context. For the selective reader, however, reading of the transcripts of the psychotherapist's art will be rewarded by a rare insight into the emotional world of transplant or dialysis patients. In that respect, the authors may prompt others to explore how such a service might be provided in their own practice, and this can only be a good thing for present and future patients.

Publishing and Reprint Information TOP

aUniversity of Oxford, Clinical Trial Service Unit, Harkness Building, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, United Kingdom UK
Copyright © 2004 by National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2004.05.015

As a patient who received a kidney transplant, I found it easy to read and understand. Some of my questions which were not answered by doctors were neatly answered in this book. The transcripts of the patient interviews captured some of my own experiences as a patient. I recommend this book to patients and their carers, in particular, patient support groups and public libraries.

I am pleased that there is a new book dealing with chronic renal failure and transplantation. Psychological issues tend to get ignored; therefore, this book fills a need.

This book may be useful for patients and support groups as well as physicians, surgeons and perhaps nurses.

I found the transcripts interesting as we deal with similar patients in my work as a transplant coordinator. I congratulate the authors for this work.

I found that the book was well researched and it does have some interesting aspects on live kidney transplants and compliance issues in kidney transplant patients. Later editions could have material on liver and heart transplant patients. Patients with chronic diseases tend to be ignored, so this is a good start.

On the Oregon frontier, Jane forges a life through tragedies and redemption to create a family of her own. The author's writing is wonderfully detailed and absorbing -- based on a real pioneer family. This novel places Jane Kirkpatrick as one of the best American writers of our day. The only thing wrong with this book is that not enough people have read it.

The author's amazing ability to capture the mind and thoughts of a young girl who has experienced tragedy and then rejection from her cold distant mother had me hooked from the very beginning. The story is told through this girl's eyes as she finds herself alone in the world, desperately wanting love and forgiveness. That this book won awards is a given...it's outstanding! I was so impressed with many of the passages in this book, I wrote many of them down to enjoy again and again. The author weaves a story of God's many blessings without being "preachy" or "sweet and sappy" and gives you a history of those early pioneer days as if you were actually there living among the people. I've put one of the passages on my wall that reads: "The eagle soared not only by his own efforts, but by the strength of something else - by the strength of the wind and his willingness to bend to it." Good words to live by. I plan on reading more of Jane Kirkpatrick's works! Thanks for the good read Jane!

I typically don't like historical novels but was given this novel by a friend. From the moment I started reading it swept me away and I found I couldn't put it down. Jane Kirkpatrick writes a beautiful story and chooses words that take you there and let you smell the flowers along the way. Very well done.

I absolutely loved this book! I was so anxious to read every word, all the time not wanting it to end. It was so real to me, I could smell the fresh air and feel the spray from the the Falls. I felt the pain of each loss, but also the joy of love, friendship and very hard work. Jane Sherar was unbelievably brave, as was her wonderful husband Joseph and to think that they were a very real part of settling that part of our country. They feared nothing but the thought of losing each other. They had such a fierce devotion and loyalty to the people with whom they shared their lives: Benito, Sunmiet, the Turners, Ella and all the others. Jane Kirkpatrick is such a prolific writer, with a wonderful knack of giving us every detail, making us feel a part of the lives and the community of every book she writes. Just an outstanding book...I loved it!

It is rather common to note impressive first lines written by famed writers. Editors speak of the importance of the first, the first three, or the first five pages. All of that is worthy of consideration. Reading--an incredibly wide variety and number of books--is almost like breathing to me, and I note these things pages I have mentioned, but:

By far the best first chapter I have ever read was in A Sweetness to the Soul.

What can I say!!!Another great Dear America Book!!Their becoming addicting.As Kathleen Bowen lives with a topsy-turvy life you can see the real life features of Life in Washington D.C. 1917.Great book for anyone who is as addicted to the Dear America Series as I am!!

I have read many books in the dear America series and this one is one of my favorites. I liked it because in addition to being well written it's also exciting. Not only does Kathleen Bowen's mother Join the picket line and get arrested, but America also joins the first World War. Kathleen's sister and cousin leave to become nurses in Europe on the front. So not only was the book fun to read, but I also learned a lot about the suffrage movement.

Kat Bowen is living in Washington D.C. during the woman's fight for the vote. Her own mother is among the woman picketing outside the White House Kat writes down her own views and opinions during this time. She supports her mother but at the same time worries about her mother. Especially after Kat sees how women picketing are being treated. She also witnesses trouble in her family when her uncle is so against the picketing and noting of women voting to the point it almost ruins the marriage of her aunt and uncle. Its amazing how badly picketers were treated and at the same time the women who did picket and go through the hunger strikes and horrible time in jail they were all so brave. An excellent book.

Kat Bowen is a thirteen year old Washingtonian girl. Her family is generally wealthy, and she has a s many friends as she could need. Her cousin is her best friend, Alma, and her father is a well known and widely respected physician. But when the first World War and the women sufferage in her own home city begin to take the spotlight in her life, Kat finds herself being pulled deeper in with each day. Her mother decides to become a sufferagete, and her father supports her.
But Kat's uncle, Alma's father, is outraged, and refuses to allow the womenin her family to participate. Kat decides to help her mother sew banners for the suffragete movement, and do other deeds to help the women.
Real characters are incorperated into the book, which is one of the reasons as to why it is such a good historical reference. Another success in the Dear America Series.

A Time for Courage by Kathryn Lasky is one of my all-time favorite books in the Dear America historical fiction series. It is not particularly my favorite era of American history, but it is so well-written and interesting you just fall right in.
Kathleen Bowen's mother, aunt, older sister, and best friend's mother are all deeply involved in women's suffrage and equality rights, living in Washington D.C., 1917. Kathleen's father does not approve only because he worries for his wife's safety---many women have been arrested and beaten by police for protesting outside the White House. Yet Kathleen's friend's father disapproves of his wife's antics because he is a bit of a sexist. Soon, Kathleen becomes involved with the rights of women everywhere, just like her sisters and mother.
This timeless addition in Dear America will please all, and I promise you shall not be able to put it down. All the protagonists are extremely likable, and this book is just indescribably great. I just can't put it to words. READ IT!

This book has it all when it comes to grammar. It teaches the parts of sentences and how to put them together to write a report, what is and isn't good grammar, and how to sound like you're not an illiterate; and, on top of all that, it offers exercises. I showed this to my boss who said she would buy several copies for the office so that staffers didn't make grammar mistakes. The author put this all together in one thin but rewarding book...worth every little penny you pay.

For years I wondered about when to say "good" and "well," or how to avoid double negatives, and a whole slew of other problem areas in grammar. Well, this book made it easy and simple. I highly recommend it. Nice job, Professor Hayes.

Whether you're in elementary or high school, being homeschooled, or run a business, this is the best supplemental text on grammar to have on hand. I learned so much from it in such a short period of time. It focused on all the grammatical problems we have when presenting or writing. I own a Ford dealership and have copies of this book all around the showroom and in each of my sales associates' office for use as a quick reference. I want my staff to sound educated and act with class. Speaking poor grammatically isn't the answer. Buy this book. I don't usually review or recommend books but I'm making an exception in this case.

Troublesome Grammar is one of the most helpful books I have come across to point how errors are unknowingly made in speaking and writing. This author hit right on the problems we all have, such as when to use well or better, which verbs to use for past tense, how to use hyphens and so on. This is worth the few bucks it costs.

I'm from Scotland studying here in the States. I saw a student on campus using this book to do an English report. I asked him to let me look at it, and, wow!, was I every surprised that someone was smart enough to wrap up all the grammar problems we face in one easy to read book. Thanks, Dr. Hayes. You made my work here at college easier. I hope everyone gets as lucky as me and finds this book.

It's one thing to have a great idea, but it's something else to take that idea and truly bring it to life - but that's just what Jennifer Bouani has done in this first book of the Future Business Leaders' Series. Tyler and His Solve-a-matic Machine wildly succeeds on two levels: entertaining its target audience of ages 9 to 12 with an excellent, fun fantasy adventure and offering its young readers a number of very sound lessons in the principles of entrepreneurship. If you're a parent, your child might not remember how to spell entrepreneur after reading this book, but he will be familiar with most of the basic concepts behind the term - and could very well be excited about the prospect of becoming an entrepreneur himself.

Tyler is an orphan who dreams of sailing around the world like his late father did. One night, while slogging his way through a homework assignment, he dreams up the idea of a machine to help him do all of his homework quickly. Then a strange voice leads him downtown to a magical high-rise building, where it reveals itself to be Sote, the Great Spirit of the Entrepreneurs. After hearing about entrepreneurship and its potential rewards, Tyler accepts Sote's challenge: get to the top of the hundred-floor building before sunrise if he really wants to realize his dream of having his very own boat.

Obviously, it's not as simple as just taking the elevator or stairs up to the top floor. The stairways are locked, different elevators in the building take you to different levels, and Tyler must find the keys to several special elevators. Along the way, he will also meet up with certain individuals and groups determined to stop him from succeeding.

Tyler's entrepreneurial quest basically takes him through the process of taking his idea of a Solve-a-matic Machine and turning it into an actual manufacturing business. Bouani came up with some really brilliant ways to illustrate the kinds of obstacles entrepreneurs must deal with in the real world- and that's really the key to the book's success and eminent readability. Even as your child is reading this entertaining fantasy adventure featuring all kinds of exotic locations and animals, he/she is actually learning how to take an idea and turn it into a marketable product by coming up with a design, assembling the necessary tools and resources for production, hiring and managing workers (including dealing with unions), setting prices and production levels, etc.

I have a degree in economics, so I know how boring this subject matter can be. Bouani deserves major kudos for taking such a potentially dry subject as entrepreneurship and communicating its basic principles in such a fun and entertaining way to younger readers. She actually gets kids excited about the prospects of becoming entrepreneurs themselves, and that's an amazing accomplishment. Similar books involving Tyler and his friends are forthcoming in the Future Business Leaders' Series, and I am sure they will build upon the strong foundation this first book has already established.

This is a fantasy adventure story for children between, say, 9 & 12. However, it isn't just a fantasy adventure story. It has the purpose of entertaining while it introduces children to the basic topics of becoming an entrepreurial businessperson. To an adult inured to the typical squishy values of much children's writing, the frankness of the pro-business ideas might seem jarring. However, it is unlikely the kids will have such feelings of strangeness.

Tyler is an lives in an orphanage and all he has of his father is a picture of him. I may have missed it, but I couldn't find any explanation of what happened to his mother. He ends up going through the floors of a very magic tall building and has to solve projects on each floor in order to get to the penthouse by the next morning to win his dream.

The projects do discuss topics that every entrepreneur will have to face, but not in a realistic way. That isn't the purpose of the book. It is a fantasy adventure and wants to start children thinking along certain lines. No one faults the squishy literature for presenting human relations in unrealistic ways. It is just that there is so much of it we have come to accept it.

However, this book seems to cover even union busting. Is that really a topic a nine year old will understand in any way? It might be that in some states the kind of behavior the adventurers engage is illegal in some states! I don't know.

Anyway, it is a fresh kind of story. I am not a person who reads a lot of children's literature so I don't know how the writing fits for its target audience. Even when I was a child, I didn't read children's literature. The language isn't beautiful or particularly enchanting. However, it does get its point across and that is probably more important to its goals.

This is a very inventive and brilliantly written book about a young orphaned boy who invents a machine to do his homework and embarks on an adventure in a fantasy sky-scraper where he meets all the people who he needs to start his own business. It is not only informative but encouraging for youth to know they can suceed in the world of business.

A great introduction for kids.

Seth J. Frantzman

Jennifer Bouani, Tyler and His Solve-a-Matic Machine (Bouje, 2006)

The idea of kids' books teaching libertarian values is one near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately, I've never actually found one that gets it entirely right; the author either softpedals the values and mixes in some of the usual left-leaning kids'-book malarkey or overstates the case and ends up writing something more polemic than kids' book. Tyler and His Solve-a-Matic Machine, however, is as close as I've found to a book that manages to keep its balance.

More than anything, it put me in mind of Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth in its writing style. Bouani, like Juster before her, creates an entirely believable character and then thrusts him into an entirely unbelievable situation (and for much the same reason). Tyler, our hero, is ten years old. Like most kids, he's not fond of homework, but unlike most kids, he's actually got some ideas in his head about a machine that will help. There are forces who are willing to help him build his machine, but first they must teach him the basics of being an entrepreneur.

First things first: let's get the bad stuff out of the way, and when I say "bad stuff," I mean two minor niggles. First, the font in which the book is typeset is non-standard, and can take a while to get used to, so be prepared. Second, if you're a unionist, prepare to be absolutely outraged. Tyler and his friends' solution to the problem of the striking union members is the kind of thing that got people killed in the seventies. (Needless to say, it's also the correct answer.) Some of the characters are less well-developed than I'd like, but the afterword states that this is the first book in a series; I'm certainly willing to give Bouani the benefit of the doubt that the characters will become more developed as time goes on. Why? Because, despite the fact that this book could have easily gone the way of the lecturing instruction manual (viz. The Girl Who Owned a City), Bouani realizes that, yes, there is a story to be told here, and that the lessons the book wants to impart are better related through the construct of the story. That puts her ahead of 95% (if not more) of those who write books like this already.

My biggest problem with the book was that I wanted more. Yeah, I know, it's the first in a series. This is why I don't normally read series until they're all out, because now I have to hunker down and start the interminable wait for the second book. However, while I'm waiting, I will recommend Tyler and His Solve-a-Matic Machine without hesitation; I've already given my copy to my daughter. ***

Young Tyler Sogno has big dreams - he would like to buy a big boat, and sail all around the world. But, being an orphan, and a bit of a slacker, he knows that his dreams will never come true. However, when a disembodied voice tells him that there is a path to that brighter future, Tyler sits up and take notice. The voice tells him that to make his dreams come true, he must become an entrepreneur! What does Tyler have to do to become an entrepreneur? He (and we) are about to find out!

This book is a wonderful lesson in capitalism, presented in the form of a story. I am tempted to say an allegorical story, but in fact few things are veiled here. This book teaches the young reader all about what it takes to become an entrepreneur, everything from coming up with a product, getting the patents, developing the plant, and hiring employees.

I must admit, I wish I had had this book a couple of years ago. For a high school class, my nephew and some other students were supposed to develop the idea for a business to place on an island. They came up with exporting coconut bikinis and monkey butlers. They understood so little about what running a business meant, and this book would have told them.

Overall, I think that this is a great book, one that should be required reading in all American schools! I give this book my highest recommendation.

Oops, I almost forgot to mention...I love the characters in this book, especially the monkey J.J. Junglehammock, Attorney at Law. He cracked me up!

I got this book because of the reviews. But after reading it
I had a few problems with the story. Things happen super fast between Michael & Libby. One minute Michael and Libby meet (hardly any conversation between the two) and the next he is in her bed in the middle of the night and she's ok with it, and so it goes with things happening between this two that hardly know anything about one anoher but act like they've know eachother for years (no explanation as how they got to that point). The dialogue between the two falls flat. I felt no connection between the two. It was almost boring.

I loved this book and all the "Highlander" books!! Janet Chapman is an excellent author..

I read the fourth book in the series first, as it was a current release and I didn't realize at the time of purchase it was a series. I was hooked and had to purchase all of the series. These books can stand alone, but it was also an excellent series that I would recommend.

A little insite in to the book would be nice. A small peice to read to get a feel for the book and so it would help in my decision on buying. But since i read a book by Janet Chapman before; I knew that this would be just as good as the other. When I read her books it is like a movie playing in my head while i read, because i can picture all of it. wonderfully inviting.

I just discovered Janet Chapman and I will now look for every one of her books. This is a great tale about living in the Maine woods (something about which I am familiar) and I loved every page. I had been seeing her books and not getting them, because I was kind of 'done' with the historical Scots, but I accidentally discovered that these books were about modern life (sorta) and that changed everything I felt about the whole series of books. Get them! They are great!

Yesterday's Dreams pulls the reader in from the very start with it's clear-cut characterisation and page-turning plot development.

Ackley-McPhail shows her in-depth knowledge of Celtic mythology throughout the book, and shows it in a way that appeals and teaches even someone who knows little-to-nothing themselves. She also has knowledge of the power of words and description, both of which remain outstanding the entire time.

A hard book to put down, though not gripping in an action-packed way, it is a story that intrigues and fascinates as much with the plot as the well-drawn characters featured within.

There is little more to say without repetition - a fantastic book, and one not let down by it's own ending as so often happens.

Ackley-McPhail is an extraordinarily talented writer, add to that her knowledge of people, literature and the mythology she wields so well, and the whole package is one not to be ignored! I cannot udnerstand why she has trouble finding somebody to publish the sequel! Truly, these people are idiots.

-- taken from angiehulme.com

Yesterday's Dreams
By: Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Vivisphere Publishing
ISBN: 1-58776-112-2

Danielle Ackley-McPhail brings the richness of Irish legend, the myth and magic of Eire to the streets of New York in her first fantasy novel, Yesterday's Dreams. Danielle has used in depth research into the legends of Carman, an Athenian goddess and her three sons. The Tuatha de Danaan stepped in to stop the terror and destruction that Carman and her sons were wreaking on the mortals of early Ireland. They chain Carman and force her to watch as her sons are destroyed. But.....Oclas (evil) the third son has not been totally destroyed, and has set his minion Lucien Blank lose on the unsuspecting humans.

Cliodna of the Tuatha de Danaan-the fairy folk of Ireland also known as the Sidhe-runs the quaint antique shop Yesterday's Dreams, as Maggie. She collects and protects items that have a "bit 'o' the magic." And she waits, for those of her line have sworn to aid and protect the clan O'Keefe.

Kara's father's illness and treatments have driven Kara to pawn her legacy from her grandfather, Quicksilver, her violin. And give up her dream of attending Juilliard. While looking around Yesterday's Dreams, Kara is shocked to see a picture she later discovers is of her grandfather dancing with a woman who looks exactly like the young woman running the shop. It doesn't help knowing that Maggie's ancestor might have known her grandfather. Kara feels as if her soul is being torn from her, and pours forth all her pain and sorrow when she plays a final tune on her precious instrument before leaving it in Maggie's hands.

Maggie knows Quicksilver is more than just a violin. There is power here, as there is in Kara, and she knows she must protect them both from the evil that stalks them from the moment Kara and Quicksilver enter her shop. Maggie knows she must gather her forces for a desperate battle against evil. For it now walks the streets of modern New York in the form of Lucien Blank, and he wants what he senses behind the walls of Yesterday's Dreams, and he wants the power he senses in Kara.
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Danielle Ackley-McPhail turns fantasy to plausible reality in Yesterday's Dreams. The characters in this story are so charming and alive they spring from the story to haunt and taunt like a soft Irish mist long after the final page is read. I found Yesterday's Dreams a delightful page turning adventure into imagination, and certainly look forward to reading more works by this author.

Charlene Austin

...would an adventure like this take place! Danielle Ackley-McPhail's debut work is an accomplishment on so many levels as it gives readers of fantasy something beyond the typical tale of elves rising up against an evil that threatens the delicate balance of the world. YESTERDAY'S DREAMS and Danielle's writing style is like a warm blanket you wrap yourself in to keep off the chill -- comforting, deep, and welcoming. She takes a realistic setting and then depicts realistic reactions to the extraordinary introduced in modern day Manhattan. Well done, Danielle. Well done!

I thought that this book was fantastic. It hooked me right away, from the start! Danielle has done a fantastic job weaving Irish mythology into this modernized tale about good and evil.

She would do anything for her beloved ailing father so Kara O'Keefe knows she must sacrifice the only asset she owns her beloved violin given to her by her grandfather years ago, but medical bills for cancer treatment must be paid. Knowing and doing are not the same as Kara delays the inevitable wandering the city until she finds YESTERDAY'S DREAMS and meets Maggie McCormick, a Sidhe who realizes what Quicksilver the violin truly is: a magical piece of the owner's soul.

Lucien the collector sees an opportunity to add Quicksilver and Kara to his booty. He will do whatever it takes to possess both. As Kara struggles with the existence of the Sidhe and magical objects, she joins forces with Maggie, her first mentor since her grandfather died, to battle the evil Lucien.

YESTERDAY'S DREAMS takes the typical fantasy theme of good vs. evil, but places it in modern times with modern day dilemmas as opposed to the usual medieval fare. The setting and Kara's disbelief make for a fabulously fresh tale that hooks the audience from the moment Lucien sees his prey. The prime characters appear real enabling the audience to believe that the magic is real in the music. Though changing narration perspective can become jolting at times, readers will appreciate Danielle Ackley-McPhail's wonderful novel.

Harriet Klausner

Rick Singer has outdone himself! If you thought his first book, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present," was wonderful, you haven't read anything yet. Singer has taken the word "mindfulness" to a new level and shows us how to apply it to every moment of our lives. A Japanese Proverb says, "Beginning is easy, continuing is hard." However, they obviously hadn't read Singer's new book, " Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul: 111 Meditations for Everyday Enlightenment" -- Rick has made it easy to begin and continue. -- Sue Vogan, author/radio show host

Richard Singer's book "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present" will definitely change the way you look at life and become the person you were sent down here to be.
What can you look forward to when you get this book? The book is broken down into daily assignments...you read a quote from one of the great minds, then a short paragraph to guide you on your day along with a mind searching question which you answer. This short daily time enables you to gradually change your mindset and I have found that I think about my daily question and answer all day. I have a small notebook I take along with me and have all my short daily thoughts written down...which helps me keep the concepts I have learned so far fresh in my mind.
Another good thing is that Richard gives you a monthly reading assignment...a book written by a great mind, past and present. Having the whole month to read the assignment enables you to absorb the information.
I am gradually changing the way I look at my life and people around me have started noticing a change...more positive, more hopeful, more grateful to the abundance that I do have in my life...even if right now it's not the monetary abundance...but I am now hopeful and positive that that too will change very soon.
Thank you Richard...you have written a book that everyone can handle gradually...so even those who say "I have no time to read" can do this and will gradually want to read more.

Reviewed by Lisa Kisner for Reader Views (11/06)

If you have every wondered how to start finding peace within yourself, look no further than this book. Mr. Singer's book gives you the tools to change your life and be inspired to live each day to its' fullest. Day by day this book expands on wisdom imparted by a surprisingly diverse group of people, from well known spiritual leaders such as Gandhi to Jackie Collins, popular author. Mr. Singer provides you with a daily meditation based on the thought of the day. Questions for thought and personal journaling, as well as affirmations to carry through out the day, round off each day's mediations and help you find answers to your life questions. Also provided each month is a suggested reading that enhances the daily enlightenment exercises.

Mr. Singer walks the reader through his strategies for transformation. These include:

Modeling - gaining insight from the quotes and the people who said them,
Bibiotherapy - reading to gain knowledge and insight,
Mindfulness - applying the daily guidance throughout the day,
Journaling - express your thoughts and feelings in a personal notebook,
Visualizations- visualizing your transformation each day will help you achieve the results you want, and
Affirmations - internalizing and applying these truths throughout the day.

I found this book very easy to read. Every day's meditation can be completed in a few minutes. Subject and author indexes are provided should you have need for a specific topic of meditation on any given day. The suggested monthly readings fit well with the meditations and feature some of my favorite inspirational books. Each day's meditations, journaling exercise and affirmations related to some aspect of my life and challenged me to look inside myself and find my purpose. Every message was inspirational and left me wanting more. I found it impossible to read only one day at a time, even on my busiest days. I read the entire book in less than a week. Now, I look forward to each morning's message and journaling. Already I can say that I am further down the road to inner peace than before picking up this wonderful book, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds."

Richard Singer is a genius at adapting a profound quote from a well known thinker of the past into a challenge, an inspiration, a motivation, and a source for contemporary personal application. Arranged as a program for daily reading, each meditation allows the reader the opportunity to gain knowledge, insight and understanding to change.

Richard than provides thought provoking questions for reflection, contemplation, and action. These questions become the basis for a personal journal that will enable the reader to assimilate and internalize these principles, to consider a higher calling to live life with an intense constancy of purpose and a sense of fulfillment.

An example of quotes found in the book is one by Richard Singer himself:
"There are three gifts you can give on a daily basis that will eventually transform all of creation; they are love, compassion, and kindness."

Richard had provided a book of the month suggestion. I plan to incorporate these books as must reading for the year ahead. I personally was challenged to live in the present moment, with a combination of determination, persistence, and patience.

This is more than a self help, motivational or inspirational book. It is a program for a changed life. I highly recommend it for anyone wants to move beyond mediocrity and to experience a more fulfilling, meaningful, and purposeful life.

If you are a seeker of truth and knowledge, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present" is a must read. The author created a masterpiece juxtaposition of both classical and contemporary thinkers most thought provoking works presented in a wonderful format which encourages the reader to record their own thoughts brought out by the myriad of masterminds presented so artfully in this work. The author definitely did his homework. An enthralling, mesmerising book, that no one's library is complete without. Do yourself a big favor; buy this book!

The book was wonderful from start to finish . ..The love was real and heart touching and made you feel a part of the plot.. . If you liked this book, or want to read one that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift!

Spencer Cook, the main character in this book, seems typical of any human searching for truth and meaning in life. He makes subtle but significant changes that allow him to be more fulfilled and satisfied with his life. I personally loved seeing the change that came about from true life experiences. There is potential for more of everything out in the world. The author allows the reader to feel like change and satisfaction is out there for everyone. In this engaging and simple story there is so much to find out about oneself.

I don't get why people are referring to this as "mormon" literature. Because it mentions a bishop and a mission in passing? Maybe they know something I don't. The fact is that this is an inspiring, well written book for anyone at all, regardless of your faith.

I SELDOM PICK A BOOK UP THAT I CAN NOT PUT DOWN,BUT THIS ONE WAS LIKE THAT.. .I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT EACH CHARACTER WAS DOING NEXT!

A BOOK SIMILAR TO THIS THAT READERS WILL LOVE IS STOLEN MOMENTS BY BARBARA JEANNE FISHER. ..IT IS A BEAUTIUFL LOVE STORY THAT TOUCHES THE DEPTH OF ONE'S HEART, WITH EVERY POSSIBLE LOVE KNOWN TO HUMANS IN IT. ..IT IS ONE THAT YOU WILL WANT TO READ OVER AND OVER, AND EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE CAN IDENTIFY WITH.

BOTH GREAT BOOKS.

This book was wonderful and refreshing to read. Unlike the majority of Mormon Fiction, this story is believable. The charaters are well developed and realistic. The story is written so that it entertains and teaches at the same time. I love the philosophical questions that the main charater Specher has. They are questions that any young person asks and attempts to find answers to. This book is perfect for those lazy Thursdays when you are in a thinking mood and need something to indentify with.

This book was a gift from a friend. It is one of the best gifts I've ever received and I will read it over and over again through the years. Great spiritual insight. This is a good devotional for someone who is grieving the loss of a spouse too.

I have used this book for quiet times for years and I recently purchased another one to use because my old one wore out. It really helped me apply how important praise to God is to spiritual growth.

I am not one given to tossing superlatives about or embellishing my correspondence with capitals. For this book, I gladly will make an exception. This is, by far, the BEST devotional book that I have EVER read. I received it as a gift a few years ago. I've used it almost continuously since and bought several copies to give to friends, who have, likewise, praised it with as much warmth.

It puts the Christian squarely in the right place, praising God and recognizing his sovereignty in every situation and over every person. Each day's devotional is in the form of a prayer, obviously drawn directly from scripture, and includes scripture references (in order) for each paragraph. Every few days there is a supplemental reading that enhances the truths given over the past few days.

Whatever my situation, circumstance or emotion, this book has never failed to provide me with the proper perspective. It provides comfort when I'm afraid, hope when I despair, confirmation when I rejoice, deepening my love and trust in my wonderful Lord, focusing my attention and love on Him and assuring me of His love for me.

It's compact size makes it completely portable; it fits in my purse or my desk drawer. Yet, the print is not cramped; there is no eyestrain.

A wonderful book.

I received this wonderful book as a gift. It's a treasure of truth from God's Word. It has not only been instructive and stimulating, but very touching as it sensitively probes the importance of praise and how it affects our lives. A must read for all who seek to deepen their relationship with God.

I was given this book as a gift and it has been an amazing tool to take me to the Father. I can't tell you how many times what is written for a certain day lines up with something going on in my life. I've had it for a few years and given many as gifts to friends.