Movies Books

Thank you for republishing the book I remember from my childhood (back in the Jurassic)! I read it out loud to my sons (12 1/2 and 8 1/2) and they love it!

Gramercy! This is one of the best books I have read in quite some time. From the first page, the slightly archaic English prose lends an air of authenticity to the book (or at least makes it feel a little more old-fashioned). Nathless, I never had any difficulty keeping up with Robin's many adventures--and there are many of them in this book! For the most part, each short chapter contains an isolated episode, making this a great book to read anytime, anywhere. Occasionally, a lenghty episode may be split among two or three chapters. The Robin Hood of this book is a wonderfully believable character--well skilled at archery, but less so at some other activities. In sooth, while he seems to have good intentions, he can come off a bit arrogant at times.

From Robin's bold meeting with Little John on a narrow foot bridge to his humorous first encounter with Friar Tuck from the opposite bank of a stream, we learn how many members of Robin's Merry Men came to join the band. We see how Robin's men fall in and out of favor with authority, and we watch his growing interest in the lovely Maid Marian. Packed full with knights, castles, bows and arrows, daring rescues, odds bodikins, and a host of unforgettable characters clad in Lincoln Green, this book provides a much needed escape from the hectic world of today to the English countryside of eight centuries ago. Highly recommended!

this book is a true life story of Robin Hood and his sweetheart Marian in England. the author had investigated a true life story and not a legend.and how Handsome robin hood met the charming fair maid marian met??? This biography in precise and accurate in every history happened in England for both of them. This book of Robin Hood and Maid Marian seems to be a heaven corresponded that these two birds shall meet when the ripe and right time comes.

McSpadden stays true to the Robin Hood legend and in my opinion this is the best portrayel of Robin Hood I have read and I recently read five other book about Robin Hood and find this one the best. If you are looking to buy Robin Hood then get this one you wont regret it, trust me on this one. I like how Robin Hood is the best archer in Sherwood bet is not as good in other forms of combat so it makes him seem more human, but not ordinary like many other book about him.

This is a delightful version of the classic Robin Hood. I especially love the illustrations by Greg Hildebrandt, and the timelessness of this leather bound edition. We see Robin hood as handsome and brave. The romance between him and Maid Marian is bitter-sweet. The book is divided in chapters, yet can be enjoyed by children and adults alike without being boring. I personally keep it on my bookshelf, away from little hands.

Hi it's me again, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan.

I recently received this book, and quite honestly found it utterly a great fun book to read.

Its a quiet night in Frostbite Falls, everyone's at home watching their favourite shows on television. All of a sudden the screens go blank! What's happened? A strike at the local studio? A powercut? No such luck!!

It seems that your friendly neighbourhood bad guy, Boris, is at it again!! Acting under orders from Mr Big, his boss, he is making 6 foot high metal munching mice!! Mr Big is on the moon, and is making misery there. He has tricked the moon men, Cloyd and Gidney (yes its nice to see you back fellas) into bringing the mice to the USA.

Time to call (no, not Rentokil) but Rocky and Bullwinkle to foil their plans, with the help of Cloyd and Gidney.

Once again, great fun and a great read. Kids will really love this. Oh, if only they were back on British tv. Maybe they could give the job of Head of the BBC to Mr Big, he could set his mice on those annoying television licence detector vans.

Hi its me again, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan.

I've just recently received this book, and quite frankly it was enormous fun!!!

It's a quiet evening in Frostbite Falls, everyone is at home watching their favourite tv programmes when the screens go blank!!! What's happened? A power cut? A strike at the local television station? No!! It seems that there's an epidemic of aerials being chewed off by someone or something?

Your local neighbour from Hell, Mr Boris Badenov has been up to his tricks, and has made some giant mice that eat the aerials!!! Actually, he's under orders from his boss, Mr Big, who made a crash landing on the moon, (as if he was already off this planet) who wants to take over America.

Heavens to Betsy Ross, what do we do next? Call Rentokil? No, you enlist the help of your local heroes, Rocky and Bullwinkle, who with some extra terrestial help from their moon men friends, Cloyd and Gidney, set about foiling Boris' plan.

A great read and great fun.

Adios and keep a close eye on your televisions.

Hi yes its me, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan!!!

I have just received this book and once again it is really good fun.

It is a quiet evening in Frostbite Falls, everyone is home in front of their televisions when suddenly the screens go blank!!!

Why, what's happened? A strike at the local TV station? A powercut? No. An infestation of giant metal munching mice!!! Time to call in your very own resident "mousecatchers" no, not RENTOKIL, but Messrs Rocky and Bullwinkle. With a little extra terrestial help from Cloyd and Gidney, (yes its nice to see you back, fellas,) they set out to discover the mystery behind the mice.

You can guess who is behind it!! Yes, your neighbour from hell, Boris!!! Honestly, hasn't he heard of going to the pet shop to feed the mice? It seems that Mr Big, his boss, is out to take over the USA yet again.

So he tricks Cloyd and Gidney into bringing the metal monsters to our planet. Boris and Natasha swing into villainy and cause mayhem, but they reckon without the moose and squirrel who, with the help of Cloyd and Gidney and their SCROOCHING gun, they once again restore viewing to Frostbite Falls.

Come to think of it, maybe we should give the job of Head of BBC to Mr Big, he can then get rid of all those annoying Television Licence Detector Vans with them.

All in all, a good read and a good laugh for young and old alike.

Yep, rush to your local bookstore and buy this!!!

bye for now, and guard your TV sets!!!

Hi yes its me, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan!!!

I have just received this book and once again it is really good fun.

It is a quiet evening in Frostbite Falls, everyone is home in front of their televisions when suddenly the screens go blank!!!

Why, what's happened? A strike at the local TV station? A powercut? No. An infestation of giant metal munching mice!!! Time to call in your very own resident "mousecatchers" no, not RENTOKIL, but Messrs Rocky and Bullwinkle. With a little extra terrestial help from Cloyd and Gidney, (yes its nice to see you back, fellas,) they set out to discover the mystery behind the mice.

You can guess who is behind it!! Yes, your neighbour from hell, Boris!!! Honestly, hasn't he heard of going to the pet shop to feed the mice? It seems that Mr Big, his boss, is out to take over the USA yet again.

So he tricks Cloyd and Gidney into bringing the metal monsters to our planet. Boris and Natasha swing into villainy and cause mayhem, but they reckon without the moose and squirrel who, with the help of Cloyd and Gidney and their SCROOCHING gun, they once again restore viewing to Frostbite Falls.

Come to think of it, maybe we should give the job of Head of BBC to Mr Big, he can then get rid of all those annoying Television Licence Detector Vans with them.

All in all, a good read and a good laugh for young and old alike.

Yep, rush to your local bookstore and buy this!!!

bye for now, and guard your TV sets!!!

Hi its me again, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan.

I've just recently received this book, and quite frankly it was enormous fun!!!

It's a quiet evening in Frostbite Falls, everyone is at home watching their favourite tv programmes when the screens go blank!!! What's happened? A power cut? A strike at the local television station? No!! It seems that there's an epidemic of aerials being chewed off by someone or something?

Your local neighbour from Hell, Mr Boris Badenov has been up to his tricks, and has made some giant mice that eat the aerials!!! Actually, he's under orders from his boss, Mr Big, who made a crash landing on the moon, (as if he was already off this planet) who wants to take over America.

Heavens to Betsy Ross, what do we do next? Call Rentokil? No, you enlist the help of your local heroes, Rocky and Bullwinkle, who with some extra terrestial help from their moon men friends, Cloyd and Gidney, set about foiling Boris' plan.

A great read and great fun.

Adios and keep a close eye on your televisions.

It is rare in children's literature that readers find male figures that attempt to mentor a boy.

After Walt's mother abandons him with his two eccentric uncles, they attempt to raise him and influence him through their outrageous stories. While they are unique rolemodels, they are honest ones. As I read this, I genuinely couldn't think of anything comparable. I highly recommend it for young male readers who are in search for adventure and a little influence ~ but beware of jealousy! Who wouldn't want the adventurous Hub and Garth as uncles? The ending is a as wonderful as the adventure to get there...

Secondhand Lions was a great book; it always kept me interested and wanting to find out what was going to happen next.
In the story there is a boy named Walter. One summer his mother leaves him with his two great-uncles Hub & Garth. Throughout the story his uncles did some strange things, one of my favorites was when Garth bought an assortment of seeds and they turned out to be all corn. The corn is a symbol of freedom for one of the characters, but you will have to read the book to find out who it is.

Second Hand Lions is the best. It is very good. I cried. I do not useally cry during movies, but this movie is the best. I really recomend seeing it. it iz gr8

Probably the best sheer entertainment of a touching nature this year.

I loved this book and I'm 58. Touching, funny, adventurous,and without giving away the ending it was a very surprising satisfying end. I am now anxiously waiting to buy the video. It was nice to know the stars in the movie to picture them in the reading of the book. Thorougly enjoyed!

Holy .. this man is brilliant and twisted .. and, well .. brilliant and twisted! I can't wait to read the novelization but from what I know first hand from his work in the past, I will be sure to leave the lights on when I do.

If Dan Madigan were not a writer, he would be the next BTK!

Horribly intriguing.

Dan has a keen ability to bring you right into the action, as sick as it may be.

We're waiting for your next one Dan.

A lot of books find their way onto my desk. Many of them get "re-gifted", and when I saw a movie tie-in novel for a film starring pro-wrestler Kane, I was pretty sure I knew where this was going to wind up. Caught in a last minute grab for something to read on a flight from LA to NY, I wound up with this in my carry on, and to my pleasant surprise I was wrong in my initial assessment.
This book is good.
It is better than good.
I haven't been this excited to discover a new writer since I read Jack Ketchum's Girl Next Door. Dan Madigan may be a new name to horror fiction readers, but he's obviously been digesting this stuff for years, as he has turned out a compelling page turner that challenges the conventions of the typical slasher. If the set pieces in the novel are to be any indication of those in the film, I'll be seeing it on opening day. I see that the author is also credited with the screenplay, and that makes me very happy.
This novel has made the very short list of movie tie-in novels which transcend their purpose -that of merely fulfilling the media frenzy associated with selling tickets. But not only has it transcended, it has excelled.

SEE NO EVIL is superb horror and far more than a novelization. The writing is muscular and visual. The characters are intruiging, authentic and 3-dimensional. The story is fascinating, and the plot moves swiftly. There are many bone-chilling moments. Dan Madigan reminds me of a young Steven King. I look forward to his next tome of terror.

Dan Madigan's first horror novel reads like the work of a seasoned pro. "See No Evil" is a breath of fresh air in a genre of fiction that has become too tired (like Stephen King) or too feminized/glamorized (like the execrable Ann Rice). Madigan's writing takes horror into new territory: a landscape of brutal terror, fright, and a place where the word hope is completely unknown.

His writing style is lyrical, his sentences resounding with the ethereal quality of Edgar Allan Poe's dark poetry. If anything, Madigan's style is reminiscent of the films of Dario Argento: both are full of brutal gore, but the way the violence is executed is operatic. Nothing is held back when it comes to the violence. Compared to the flesh tearing, eye gouging, vulva ripping action you have in "See No Evil," King's works seem as tame and non-threatening as the fluff on Oprah's Book of the Month club.

Most brilliant is Madigan's perfect realization of the so-called monster of the text, Jacob Goodnight. Much of the novel is told through Goodnight's perspective, and through his eyes, the reader comes to understand and appreciate the violence in his nature. It is rare that a book can achieve the impossible, and make the apparent villain transformed into the only pure character in the text, while the alleged "good guys" are revealed to be morally bankrupt and heinous individuals who deserve to die.

Society, itself, is ultimately the monster in "See No Evil": set in modern-day California, we see the results of a society where political correctness and moral relativism have taken over. Every criminal in the text is treated with kid-gloves by the prison system, and pampered by social workers who feel their crimes are only the result of a "bad childhood," and, therefore, excused. Police officers, on the other hand, are treated like dirt in this modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. Jacob Goodnight is, paradoxically, the only character who has a clear set of values.

While it is being marketed as the novelized version of the film of the same name, it should not be treated as such. Dan Madigan himself wrote the screenplay, and has said at conventions to promote the film that he had an earlier version of the novel written BEFORE submitting the screenplay. So this should not be dismissed as a crass adaptation of an already-existing film, the way trashy novels have been made out of "Star Wars" films or other films, just to swindle people out of their money. In fact, the book is reputed to have far more gore and violence than the film.

"See No Evil" is a triumph of true horror. If you are squeamish, then do not read this book. If you are looking for pretty boy vampires, Jacob Goodnight would have had them for dinner. This is not for wimps or the faint hearted. Madigan's writing is reminiscent of HP Lovecraft and Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho," while at the same time being completely original in its approach. Get this book while you can: it will be a limited edition, and its value will skyrocket once Madigan's next book comes out.

I purchased this as an anniversary gift for a friend who is a huge SRK fan. I was very pleased with the service- I did expedited service and the book arrived in 2 days as I expected. It is a big thick coffee table style book with never before seen pictures of SRK and his family and interesting information. I would rate it 5 stars, if it were not for the price. At about $60 including shipping, I thought the price is a bit steep, although SRK fans might find it worth every cent!

It is a book for all seasons; a book that should be on the coffee table-- picked up and read at any time; a book full of text and photos both inside and outside his cinematic life; a book of biography and filmography; an art book; a fun book featuring many photos of his film faces (remember Manu as a lady-of-the-night??) and much, much more.
Mustaq Shiekh, author: 'the book is a tale of a journey that led from New Delhi into the homes, hearts and minds of innumerable fans all over the world, and a journey that transcended boundaries of nations and the artificial barriers of culture'.

OF course...by far he is the best in Bollywood!!!! My sister was the happiest person in the world to receive this gift for her birthday! She loves KING KHAN!!! ......who doesnt???!!!!

I am happy with this wonderfully illustrated and written coffe-table book about the King of Bollywood! I haven't finished the entire book because I am trying to savour every page but it is a must have for any SRK fan.

If you like scrap book format coffee table books, then this is the book to get. Each page is filled with enough color and sites to keep any guest awake through the wee hours of a party when the crowds have thinned out or are too drunk to talk. The book is a lively walk through the actor's life from his parents' first meeting to his super stardom as the "King of Bollywood." But the story does not stop there, this is more than just an actor's ego centric ramble. The book takes you on a journey through Bollywood and Indian culture both in the past and today. I would recommend this book to anyone to loves Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood or colorful visual adventures.
If you want to see a good example of his acting then buy Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Shahrukh Khan)

This is a great activity book, as you read along you have your little ones do what the monsters are doing. It's fun watching them and it's a great way to keep them active.

This is a fun book for any Elmo fan. It helps teach body parts, as well as coordination, and it's a cute book besides!

I ordered a second copy of this book after the first one was destroyed by rain! We used to read it to my oldest daughter and decided to buy it again after our third child was born... not only does it teach different parts of the body, it is a great way to get your kids moving!

This is one of my daughter's favorite books because it's very involving in a physical and non-threatening way. You read the text, you show her the movement, she sees the movement depicted, and does it. She had lots of fun and was very interested in learning the names of various body parts.

This is a wonderful book, but not before a nap or bedtime. For that, I'd recommend the related Elmo book "Quiet Time."

Elmo and his friends perform various easy to imitate actions in their muppet exercise class. My two year old loves to follow along and do each step like 'honk her nose' and 'rub her tummy'. It's a great book for 1-3 year olds.

My 10-year-old son requested this as a Christmas gift and he really likes it.

Spend your year with the Simpsons like you should be. The centerfolds in the calendars make nice posters, if you're into that kind of thing. I've been using the Simpsons Fun calendar for about 4 years now, and I'm never disappointed. This year's theme is travel, so the pictures are scenes from episodes, unlike previous calendars which were made up for the most part.

I buy this every year for my teenage son. It's becaome tradition and each year it is hung on the wall and used. He loves it because he loves the Simpsons. There are birthdays listed of celebrities although I'm not sure he cares too much about that. The calendar is usually funny and colorful.

This calendar is just what i expected - fun, colourful and entertaining.

Another year, another great Simpsons calendar. With the impending arrival of 2002, Matt Groening and the creators of the Simpsons treat us to twelve months of memorable Simpsons' moments. Extracting scenes from the show's many seasons, the "2003 Simpsons Fun Calendar" provides the user with colorful, glossy pictures that not only catch one's attention, but also captures the zany, fun spirit of Springfield's many denizens. If you are a Simpsons fan or know of one, this calendar will make a great gift during this upcoming holiday season.

The are three great storie in the 7th Heaven book, Ruthie Goes To Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through The Season. in Ruthie goes to hollywood, she has wone a trip to go to hollywood and see her favorite actor but when she gets there she finds out he is really mean so she has to get to the bottom of this mistery. in The best oktoberfest Simon, Robbie, Mary, Lucy, and Ruthie got to the anual Oktoberfest in the mountains of Callifornia and Ruthis pulls a lot of pranks on Simon and Robbie and on the las prank she gets them lost in a forest at night and no one can find them until.... In Sisters Through The Season Mary and Lucy goes to visit a friend of marys and she gets drunk in a bar, what will the sisters do next? This is a great book it is a great gift for any 7th Heaven Fan.

The Camden sisters go on adventures of their own in this 3-story book. Ruthie goes to Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through the Seasons are all enjoyable and is a good extension of the Camden family saga, that has become a hit long-running television show. Other recommended books: Wedding Memories (7th Heaven) and the Gilmore Girls series.

This Book Is great,Every 7th Heaven Fan Should Own A Copy!!

WOW!!!! i am a true 7th Heaven fan, and i have all the books, never miss a episode on tv!!!! and i'm not lying. this is like one of the best books i have ever read. i mean i personally like 7th heaven, mary-kate and ashley, sabrina, lizzie mcguire, sweet valley books. and i loved harry potter, but i think these books are a bit better, i enjoy them more. but i reccommend this book (and all 7th heaven and sweetvalley (all listed above) for people 10-11 and up!!!!!

If you like 7th heaven you are in for a treat. Mary and Lucy are off to New York. Mary's friend gets drunk! What a dissater! Robbie and Simion are going to a big/little compition place. And there is a surprise going on in the Camden house. BUY IT NOW!...

For those who liked Keith Topping's British perspective in his earlier 'Slayer' volume, here is an update. This book covers only the 6th season - Buffy's resurrection, the Trioka, the musical, Willow-as-evil, etc. Each episode receives 5-to-8 pages of coverage, organized under various thematic headings: Plot summary, music, memorable quotes, comments on the women's clothing, continuity errors, logic flaws, pop culture references, etc. Topping seems to have caught everything, down to the tiniest continuity error.

There are also separate essays on (1) series creator Joss Whedon, (2) the network switch to UPN, (3) an update on BtVS novels (about a paragraph on each), (4) an update on BtVS and the internet, and (5) predictions for the 7th season, which was the last season of this underappreciated series that never gained the viewership it deserved.

I have the edition of Slayer for seasons 1 through 5, and it is really a good guide of the series. This book continues with the same fun observations, facts, and quotes. I know some people hate season 6, but for those of us that love it--this book is worth it. If you don't like season 6, maybe this book can help you see the good things about the season.

Season six is in my opinon the best Buffy season ever.
If you don't like it read this book. It will change your mind.
If it doesn't, then go back to watching Bewitched or Buffy season one. I guess the true spirit of the Slayer is lost on you.

This book covers the sixth season of Buffy and is the next volume in Keith Topping's 'Slayer' episode guides (the previous 5 seasons are covered in a single volume, also available from Amazon). Keith does his usual thorough job covering each episode in detail. Even if you disagree with his views, you can't dispute that he has a deep love for the show and a healthy respect for all those involved in its production.

As I have stated in other reviews, Keith Topping's Buffy and Angel books are the best unauthorised episode guides on the market. If you are a serious fan of Buffy and Angel, you only need the official guides and these books.

As an American, it hurts to admit that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the quintessential expression of American cheekiness and derring-do, has been best chronicled by a Britisher. Of course, I'm teasing a bit. But there is no question that Keith Topping seems to have a better grasp of what is important in the Buffyverse than many of his contemporaries on this side of the ocean.

What Topping does not do is write one agonizing reprise after another of all the episodes of Season Six of the show. As viewers will no doubt remember, Season Six was quite agonizing itself without that point being hammered home all over again. Instead, Topping provides very short synopses, followed by myriad details of things that are unique, funny, or perplexing about each episode.

You will be treated to paragraphs on 'A little learning is a dangerous thing' (the power of misinformation), 'Denial they name is...' (Self-delusion in Sunnydale), 'It's a designer label..' (clothes, of course), valley-speak, geek-speak, logic errors, and ever more items that bring to light the aspects of the production which the viewer, caught up in the story, is likely to miss. All of this is done in a style that is an enjoyable mix of tongue-in-cheek and respectfully serious.

Topping is an excellent researcher. His ability to find countless relationships, both intentional and accidental, to other atavars of popular culture is uncanny. Nor does he hesitate to introduce the reader to the more analytic writings on Buffy and the Scooby gang. Despite the spottiness of Season Six, Topping manages to ferret out all the good parts - to the point where I have to admit that the book is better than the season.

If you are a fan then you will want this book. And you will want to track down Topping's other efforts on the show that nearly ate South California.

I read this book when it first was first published.
Over the years I have made reference to it a number of times to students and colleagues. I just mentioned it recently, and decided to contribute here reviewing it.
Amazingly, the same book that I read, is still available on the stacks...
and if I remember correctly, is as timeless as when it was first written. Right after this book "came out", there was a television movie where a child spoke into a reel-to-reel taperecorder, and accidently someone put it on a different speed and the specialists then were able to witness that the child was speaking extremely FAST, and when the speed was changed, they were able to know what the child was saying.

I highly recommend, without reservation -- SONrise!

This book has helped me with my feelings about my twin boys who have autism. It also confirmed a lot of my feelings and intuitions as a parent. I really felt like I had an inside look on this family's life, their feelings, their concerns, and ultimately their actions that turned their child's life around. Incredibly inspiring and I would recommend it to anyone who cares for someone living with autism.

When I was in college I wrote a term paper on autism. It was in my research for that paper that I had the unbelievable luck to read this book. The story had a profound effect on my life. The admiration I have for Barry and Suzy Kaufman to this day has guided my life. A couple of years ago, while surfing the internet, I came upon the Option Institute's website. I was so thrilled to get a return email from them telling me how wonderful Raun is doing. I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone who is questioning the power of love and determination. This is an incredible book of hope.

I'd like to weigh in on the "I don't have an autistic child" vote...

I read the original "Son, Rise" back in 1982 or '83. There was an interview with Barry Neil Kaufman on the radio one night, it caught my interest, and I bought the book and read it. Even though I had no direct connection to anyone who were autistic, it was an outstanding read.

I don't read a lot of "true life" stories, but this is probably the one book I remember the best of ANY BOOKS I have read. Period. As another reviewer states - this book had a profound impact on my life. And 23 years later, I still remember not just the book, the story, and Barry Neil Kaufman's name, but the way it affected my view of interpersonal relationships. Heck, I recall the radio interview...

For some reason, other reviewers seem to have missed what I found to be a key point in the story, one that I find valid in all dealings with others: Expectations are a source of much frustration.

We all have "expectations" - all the time, in every situation in life, and whether we realize it or not. When those expectations are met, the effects *usually* range from neutral to mildly satisfied. After all, we *expect* it, so there's not much of a positive upside when the expectations are met. But there's a huge downside when they're not. Because most expectations are not communicated and often not even fully understood by ourselves, those expectations tend to become unfulfilled and thus the source of frustrations. And when positive things happen, they don't *seem* positive - because they're not what we "expected".

Learning to recognize expectations - and either expressing them or deciding to let them go - is a big step towards removing many everyday frustrations.

But I can't describe in analytical terms what the original book so unbelievably well conveys - and how this real life story is simply riveting. I just can't think of a better way to describe it.

The book is a must-read for anyone - or at least the original was. I find it to most likely be unfortunate that the book has been modified, but I haven't read the "...miracle continues" so I can't say. But I'm sure the original message is intact, so if you can't find the original - a rewrite is sure to be at least the next best thing...

Does the book cure cancer, depression, or other physical, mental, or emotional issues? I wouldn't *expect* it to...

Does the book provide a cure for autism? To me, that is a moot question. Would it help someone deal with an autistic child? I can't see how it wouldn't! Any positive effect on the autistic child would be gravy!

At the same time, beware of your expectations! If you *expect* a result of attempting to use the book's approach to "curing" an autistic child - you are walking straight into the expectation trap. Can anyone or everyone rid themselves of their expectations and thereby achieve a maximum result? Probably not. Should someone who isn't able to "cure" their autistic child feel bad about it? Come on - you have completely missed the "no expectations" criteria! If you feel bad about the result, it is because you expected a certain result.

This isn't about results - which are ultimately about expectations - it is about love and acceptance. If or when that leads to an improved situation - that *should* be an unexpected side effect which would be the source of endless joy. If you follow their principles will it happen to you? If you build it will they come? All I can say is - if you DON'T build it - I'm pretty sure they WON'T come. Just don't plan on a sell out every night. Plan on enjoying having a place where you can always get a great seat...

Is Kaufman's personality an ingredient somehow? I'm sure it is - not everyone is capable of letting go of all expectations. But don't get confused by those who claim the book is cultist. Sure - Barry has a certain way of looking at things - or he wouldn't be Barry, and maybe there are some "flower-power" influences in his "love" approach. But is love a bad thing? I would think not. Is unconditional love a bad thing? I, for one, would love to be loved unconditionally!

If you have a dog, you may know what "unconditional love" means. Just think how awesome it would be to have another PERSON love you like that!!! Please - if you are a woman between the ages of ... just kidding ... :->

This is the most beautiful book about autism in creation.Barry Neil Kauffman, his wife Sumitra (then Suzy) and their daughters have shown just how strong and potent love really is.

The Kauffman's third child is a bright, beautiful little boy named Raun. Raun develops an ear infection early in infancy and from that point on develops autistic behaviors. He does not talk, he rocks and spins objects and only rarely looks at people or responds to his name.

Refusing to give up on this child, the Kauffmans devise a one on one program with Raun. They choose the bathroom as their classroom because that is the one room that "has the least amount of distractors." Raun's parents and sisters all participate with him in whatever he is doing, all the while talking to him about the activities. They turn Raun's solitary stimulation into a group activity and little by little Raun emerges from the shadows of autism.

This is truly an outstanding book. You will not only come to dearly love the Kauffmans, you will come to see that they have provided a gift to all -- the gift of a healthy child.