Clubs Books

Loved the book. It arrived in a timely manner and was in the condition said.

This was my favorite book as a little girl, so when my sister had her first boy, I was anxiously waiting to buy it for him at the right time. This is a great book that will give both the parent and the child the giggles. The small size is wonderful, too! The one I had was oversized and didn't fit in the overnight bag, but this one is perfect for car trips and diaper bags!

My 1st grade teacher read all of Fred Gwynn's books to my class and I adored them. The eye-catching pictures were strange and fun, incapuslating our inexperienced understanding of the phrases that Mommy and Daddy say. Mrs. L then let us guess what Mommy or Daddy REALLY meant--the guessing was almost as fun as reading the book.

Examples: Mommy says not to interrupt her when she's playing bridge (the family pets walk across her as she bridges the gap between a couch and a chair) while Daddy says next time he paints the house he's going to give it two coats (maybe a tweed and a heavy winter wool one?).

Before I had children, I went back to the children's section of the library to enjoy them again. Now that I have children, I share my copies with them. The large full color pictures show the ridiculous picture that could result from taking a phrase literally--some of them will make you laugh out loud! Meanwhile, you can discuss what it really means and help children develop their analytical skills.

See also The King Who Rained (Stories to Go!) and Fred Gwynne: The Sixteen Hand Horse; The King Who Rained; A Little Pigeon-Toed; A Chocolate Mousse for Dinner

I love this book. I am a kindergarten teacher. The students in my class wanted me to read this book over and over again. I recommend this book to classroom teachers and moms. It is a funny story and the illustrations are amazing! I found it funny that "Herman Munster", Fred Gwynne wrote this story.

I love all Fred Gwynne's books for kids. The drawings are exceptionally well done, and the expressions on some faces are priceless. The book shifts our adult perspective a bit to remember what it was like as a kid to hear grown-ups use certain phrases, and the pictures they conjured up in literalist-child minds-- putting a wing on the house, or playing the piano by ear.

I was a student of Jess Moody at Palm Beach Atlantic and it thrills me to see him still at it in "Club Sandwich". His gift to tell meaningful stories in a memorable way shines through once again. He writes the way he preaches, short, succinct, and powerful. If you need a heart- warming lift I highly recommend you read "Club Sandwich".

I am Jess Moody's granddaughter,Jessica. Even if he wasn't in my family, I would always rate this book with 5 stars. It's a great book with wonderful stories about his life. Try reading it, it's awesome!

I have read all of Jess Moody's books. I think he has found his niche with "Club Sandwich." He is a superb spinner of stories! This is his best book to date, his personal Everest of human interest and insight. He dares to share himself with the reader in an audacious and attractive way that appeals to the voyeur in us that clamors for celebrity dope. Buy it, read it loan it, but get it back. Long summer afternoons are coming!

Jess Moody is a master storyteller. He writes with great wit and intellegence, and has the ability to touch your soul with truth and insight when you least expect it. Jess is really an American treasure and this book underlines that fact. I can't think of anyone quite like him. I hope he continues to write books in the future. His voice needs to be heard. For those familiar with his other books this is vintage Jess Moody. For those haven't had the opportunity to feast on his stories and the visual images they evoke, this is a great introduction to a master wordsmith.

Club Sandwich is so good, you'll be asking for seconds. Jess Moody is a masterful storyteller with a message of faith, hope and humor. You can tell he's related to Will Rogers, Jr. because he got the "story-telling" gene that captures audiences with rememberances of the rich and famous and common folk.

My husband and I have been reading Club Sandwich as a morning devotional and it's a wonderful way to start a new day. In fact, it's so wonderful, we just purchased 40 copies to give as gifts to our family and friends.

I recommend Club Sandwich to everyone.

This is the best book to read to young children, fantastic story and lovely pictures. My favourite children's book and still amazing. A moral tale

Every family with small children should have this book. The story and illustrations are out of this world.

This is a lovely, lovely story with very good illustrations. My little girl knew the book off by heart by the time she she was 18 months old. I would say it's a must have for all children.

I hadn't read this book since childhood, but recently my girlfriend and I started trading and reading books from our childhoods. I bought a copy of Dogger for her and she read it out loud to me. I started crying, and just couldn't stop. I can remember feeling just like Dave when I was younger and losing something, it was a horrible feeling. If only we could all have a sister like Bella. The wonderful story and pictures will touch you, and stay with you forever.

I have given over 15 copies of Dogger to friends and family when they have an arrival of a second child. Every one of them...every.one.of.them has loved it and weeks/months/years later, I still get glowing feedback on this book.

The way the older child (Bella) helps out her little brother (Dave) when he looses Dogger makes me and anyone I've ever given the story to sniffle at the beauty and kindness of text and illustrations.

Face it, when you were little and you miss placed your favorite toy/lovey, you basically went to DEFCON 5 alert status and nothing was right until your lovey was found. Now as a parent, you know if your child loses their lovey, nothing in your house will be settled until it is found and you would do anything ( beg, bribe and possibly liquidate your IRA to make your child happy (and sleep through the night) again. Bella is every mother's heroine.

She teaches the selfless act of helping and giving better than I ever could.

This book is getting harder to find, so buy it right now to help keep it in print. I need more copies for the next round of friends having children.

Someone knocks at your door. You open it and there stands a mother and her little boy. She offers you a pamphlet. You know immediately who they are. They're Jehovah's Witnesses and you have been warned against listening to their message, and warned against accepting any literature from them. As a consequence, you know very little about them.

As the mother and son depart, the boy chances a shy smile your way, and you wonder, what is life really like for him? And what is this religion all about?

Richard Kelly was this little boy. When he was four, his mother opened the door to a Witness and it would forever change his life.

Richard skillfully mixes heart-rendering stories and humorous accounts as he details what life was like in his home and in his church (Hall) as his family follows the rigorous dictates of the religion. He tells of a mother obsessed with the religion and determined that her son follow a path that would someday make him a Jehovah's Witness leader.

Ironically, a few days after I read Richard's extremely educational memoir, I received a knock on my door. There stood a lady with her 10-year old granddaughter. She gave me a pamphlet proclaiming The Truth. And thanks to Richard's memoir, for the first time in my life I understood who was knocking at my door.

Esther Royer Ayers, author of Rolling Down Black Stockings

Religion is not something passed on by genetics - it's not unheard of to be at odds with the religion of your ancestors. "Growing Up in Mama's Club: A Childhood Perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses" is Richard E. Kelly's look at growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, a practice that he quickly began to put himself at odds with as his own intellectual status grew - his own objections to their practices. A thought provoking look at family when religion splits them, "Growing Up in Mama's Club: A Childhood Perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses" is highly recommended to both religion and memoir collections.

Richard E.Kelly's novel was an eye opener. After teaching grade school for many years, I now realize how JW children's belief system works. His book has answered many questions that I wondered about over my teaching career. This is a pertinent novel for everyone to read but would really help school staffs. Not only is this true story an educational journey, but it presents real spirit needed to rise above dire circumstances. My book club has chosen Richard's novel to read next year. His study questions will be a great help in discussing this inspiring piece of literature.
Joyce Hodges- preschool and kindergarten teacher for 36 years.

This well-written story of one man's experience growing up as a Jehovah's Witness reads like a novel while informing like a scholarly paper. The work by this former Bethelite has unusually good descriptions of those involved, which bring the story to life and help the reader become involved in the plot.

The most valuable feature of the book is it effectively conveys what it is like to grow up and be an active Jehovah's Witness. Both the good and bad are related with candor--and much of each exists, as Kelly documents. One point made clear is that many good people exist in the Watchtower movement.

An especially revealing section describes how Kelly's father, once an active opposer, became a Witness, effectively showing why and how someone would become involved in an organization that many people consider a deviant cult. It also shows the problem of using untrained persons, such as Kelly's father, as mental health diagnosticians and therapists, a role forced on them as elders. A point that came through in almost every chapter was the Watchtower teaching that the end of this world and the promise of the new was upon us, and we should live like Armageddon will be here tomorrow or sooner. This is the history of every Witness who lived in the 1950s and 1960s.

This story is told with insightful understanding, even compassion, not bitterness as is common among people who were reared as Witnesses. As an ex-Witness, I could relate to Mama's Club as Kelly's experience parallels mine. I too endured the conflicts and tragic effects at school and home over the restrictive treatment of holidays, conflicts that are unnecessary and reminiscent of the prohibitions in the Torah, such as prohibiting cutting fingernails on the Sabbath unless the torn nail is bleeding.

A recent Pew survey of 35,000 Americans found Jehovah's Witnesses "had the lowest retention rate of any religious tradition" in America, lower then Catholics, Jews, and all other religions. Kelly's excellent book helps readers understand why this religion loses so many members, and, on the other hand, what attracts people to it and why they stay in spite of the problems in the organization.

Jerry Bergman, Ph.D., MSBS, L.P.C.C.

"Who can it be knocking at my door?
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more.
Can't you see that it's late at night?
I'm very tired, and I'm not feeling right.
All I wish is to be alone;
Stay away, don't you invade my home."

(Lyrics by Men At Work)

Easily recognizable by their tracts and immaculate appearance, Jehovah's Witnesses have been going door to door for decades, spreading religious dogma, doing their bit to share their interpretation of the bible, and looking for converts.

For obvious reasons this isn't the easiest task in the world, and when you consider that this is all done on a voluntary basis, ( in the sense that you don't get paid) it becomes even more remarkable that people would be motivated to rise to the challenge.

To quote British comedian Tommy Cooper:

"The recruitment consultant asked me 'What do you think of voluntary work?' I said 'I wouldn't do it if you paid me.'"

This book offers insights into "The Club" through the eyes of a young man whose mother fully embraced JW doctrine, and found the spiritual guidance that she was desperately seeking at that time of her life. Naturally, his mother expected her family to join her on the path to eternal life in Heaven, and despite early resistance, she succeeded in converting her husband, and together they set the rules for their children.

Young Dickie was an unwilling participant, quickly concluding that something seemed wrong with some of the rules and beliefs, which would sometimes change drastically depending on the Club president at the time. Mainly to please his mother, he remained with the Club for sixteen years, abiding by the strange rules for the most part, participating in the long and frequent Club meetings at the Kingdom Hall and performing his door-to-door duties. At the same time he found himself leading a double life, as he never fully embraced the teachings of the Club and wished to lead a more normal life.

Despite having his parents' religious beliefs forced upon him, he managed to make the best of it, becoming an accomplished public speaker and perfecting his interpersonal skills. He also formed his own opinions on "the truth" as preached by Club members, and observed how some rules seemed not to apply to the upper levels of the hierarchy.

From this book, the reader will have a better understanding of this controversial religious group, the administrative structure and its influence over its members. Well written, easy to read, humorous in places and shocking in others, anyone considering joining JW or any similar group should read this before making a final decision.



Amanda Richards, May 5, 2008

Captain Brian Power-Waters XIII does it again. His indepth explanation of the inner workings of the Management of our Airlines are all too true. The cozy "at the cost of safety" arrangements with the FAA and the manipulation of logs by supervisors to keep airplanes in the air for profit over safety is frightening. A must read for all air travelors. When will the government agencies do their job as overseers of the safety of Airline operations?? What will it take to wake up the flying public? Our Airports and our skies have never been in need of regulation and control as it does now.

. . . an illuminating look at the risks involved in flying commercial airliners, from a line captain who spent his career doing just that. . . . Power-Waters uses his captain's eyes and mind to explain why things happen and what can be done to make the skies safer. . . .
Roy Boydston, General Aviation News

Once again Captain Brain Power-Waters had the courage to take on the FAA. I hope his effort is not in vain. The ALPA, IAM, and NATCA need to take a stand and do the right thing. We all know the FAA want. Congradulations Brian for your great book. This is a must read for everyone! Steve Goodman, Line Captain, A&P, I.A.

I thoroughly enjoyed Captain Power-Waters' latest book. Now the truth is out! What a great job of telling the truth, and in such an interesting fashion. Power-Waters' story telling holds the attention while putting out information that is valuable to all in aviation. Is It Safe? covers today's primary concern of the risky business of flying commercial airlines, and what can be done about it. I am recommending my friends read it. Captain Power-Waters continues to do a service for all aviation by telling it like it is. This is overdue in aviation.
Paul E. Stebelton, FAA Accident Prevention Specialist (13 years), Captain USAF Retired.

Whether it's airline practices, the two-person cockpit crew, or just plain bad design, Captain Brian is all over it. He's particularly hard on the FAA, from a lot of different angles. He points out that they can't possibly do the job they're saying they're doing, and that their delegates (DERs and airline employee-supervisors) aren't as interested in safety as in keeping the schedules met. He points out that the FAA doesn't follow its own rules, and how, if you're high enough up in the bureaucracy, you can get away with all kinds of questionable actions. He even mentions how some (to his mind, as well as most others' ) "unqualified" FAA officials (they're all "officials") decided to "get" Bob Hoover. . . . .
He sounds alarmist, even -- until you realize he's quoting actual accident reports, actual cockpit recordings, actual GAO studies, actual facts. . . . .
The book reads like a hangar-talk bull session, where you're listening to a guy who knows his flying, knows his airplanes, knows his maintenance, and, well, knows what he's talking about. . . . .
Tim Kern, Aero-News Network

An excellent message and a good chapter book for those readers who are starting to gain confidence.

THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT LEARNING TOOL. IT IS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT AND I AM SURE IT WILL BE READ AND EACH CHILD WILL LEARN FROM IT!

I just got this book yesterday for my son who just turned 3 years old. He really enjoyed it and after reading it, he kept asking me to read it over. He was very interested because he started asking questions at the end. He just started preschool and I wanted to introduce him to possible situations he might go through while in school. This story gives a great lesson on how to handle a situation when someone says something mean to you. My son also enjoyed it because the situation takes place in school and at a basketball court, which he can relate to because he started school and he loves to play basketball.

I was looking for a book to help my 9 year-old deal with other kids who say cruel and demeaning things. My son and I sat down and read the book together and then discussed how saying "so" when mean things are said takes away the bullies power. We decided that "so" was his new secret weapon.

My son was so excited when the very next day at school he used his secret weapon and it worked. He has also shared the book with a few of his classmates and it has helped them too.

GREAT BOOK!

The Meanest Thing To Say is not about saying mean things back to mean people. And it isn't even about mean people. What it IS about is children learning self-control, level-headedness and heart. When the new kid, Michael, calls Little Bill names, and says he has to think of the meanest things to say back the next day, Bill is frustrated and anxious. This comes up at home and his dad tells him to just say, "So?" to everything. Little Bill does this and it halts Michael. It takes two people to fight. But the moral of the story doesn't stop here. Bill observes Michael is a new student and maybe just needs a friend. So he invites him to play basketball with him and they become friends.

Unfortunately it is reality that children can be very mean and hurtful. As parents, we need to teach our children how to handle bullies and it's equally as important to teach them not to BE a bully. Also, just ignoring mean actions and words doesn't always work. Everyone has good in them and we all, ages 2-102 need to offer kindness instead of anger. Great job, Cosby! Thank you and please keep writing. Peace & Soar!o8E

I have bought this book at least three times, either as a gift or because I had lost it. I use it in teaching Creative Movement as a relaxing, imaginative ending. I love how the child continues to imagine and the mother allows his imagination to soar free.

Book arrived in near new condition. I was glad I chose to invest in a hard copy of this wonderful story. I am a PhD student, pursuring my degree in Children's Literature and am happy to add this to my personal collection. CMM

The Salamander Room has a great expression of the creativeness of a child's mind. This book is an amazing story for children. In this story a young boy, Brian finds a salamander while exploring the forest and takes it home. Like most mothers, his is worried how he will care for his new friend. Brian's mother asks him many questions concerning the care for this unusual house guest. For every question Brian has an answer. With every answer Brian finds that it's better to bring Nature in to make his friend comfortable and feel right at home. As a mother I appreciated the author's expression of how creative a child's mind can be. This book also demonstrates how amazing children really are. My children and I enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it in every child's library.

... because I've worn out the paperback reading it to my kids. It is a favorite with my son (now 7). Wonderfully illustrated. Wonderfully imaginative. Get lost in "The Salamander Room" today.

In this amazing book for children a young boy named Brian is exploring in a forest and finds a little salamander and takes it home. His mother is worried and keeps asking him how he is going to take care of this extraordinary creature. Well his mother comes up with more and more questions, while Brian keeps coming up with more and more answers.
As the story progresses Brian's bedroom begins to change, and the more questions he answers, the more his bedroom changes.
Near the end you begin to see what his bedroom is changing into.
At the end of the story his bedroom is filled with a multitude of animals and his room is now a forest but he and his salamander friend are happy and tired and they fall asleep.
This interesting book was written by: Anne Mazer and illustrated by Steve Johnson.

Before you go on, please know that I'm a HUGE fan of Advocate/Blayne Cooper. My review is strongly biased in her favor!

Randi, a driving instructor, begins to sense she is being followed. Although she cannot see anyone there, the sensation doesn't go away. Late one night, there is a knock at Randi's door and she answers, much to her neighbor's chagrin, it in her birthday suit. Little does she know it's her stalker... a short, cute, blonde named Mac.

Leery of this stranger (who was once a student in Randi's driving class), Randi listens to Mac's proposition. Mac convinces straighter-than-straight Randi to play the role of her girlfriend at a family reunion to get revenge on Sandra, Mac's ex-lover and Randi's ex-best friend from high school. Sandra is currently dating Mac's brother. Many years prior, in high school, she cheated Randi out of a medal and a chance to go to college. They get their revenge and learn a lot about each other in the doing. By the end of the book, Randi does some serious soul-searching.

The author does a masterful job, using one antic or sticky situation after another to relay this hilarious story with a somber undertone. I laughed so hard while reading it, my belly actually hurt. It's a good thing it's a short book! The story is told by Randi - she's telling it to squirrels in the park during a rainstorm. The same squirrels also show up in 'The Road to Glory' and are a great tool for telling the story.

Very creative, very funny, very well-written... I highly recommend this book.

The Story of Me is a book like you have never read before. I really liked this book. It was a fun and easy read. Advocate (a.k.a Blayne Cooper) takes two lives and turns them completely upside down! Randi, a driving instructor, leads a pretty normal if not very boring life. One night that simple life she knew and trusted disappeared with a knock at the door. Enter Mac! Mac changes everything for Randi. Mac has been stalking Randi to see if she will fit nicely into her ideas for revenge against her ex-girlfriend. What Randi chooses to do will change their lives forever...will it be for the good or bad? This book has great characters,a good plot, LOTS of wicked humor,jealousy, sweet revenge, and a blossoming friendship. Did I mention two squirrels that happen to be really good listners? This is a funny book about finding out who you really are and what can be found on the inside. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! It will stay in my collection to read again!

Tall, beautiful, straight (not to mention rather antisocial) Randi, a driver's education instructor, can't quite believe all that's happened to her in the last four weeks. First she was stalked by an unknown stranger. The "stalker" turned out to be Mac, an attractive, petite woman from one of her classes. Mac needs Randi's help. Mac was dumped by her girlfriend, Sandra. The gold digging Sandra used Mac has a stepping stone on the way to her brother, the doctor. Mac knows that Randi also has reason to hate Sandra and Mac has devised the perfect revenge for both of them. Mac wants to attend the next family gathering in Nevada and present Randi as her girlfriend. . . .

Despite thinking Mac might be crazy and not too bright (she failed Randi's class, although it turns out to have been the same week Sandra left her. ), Randi has agreed to help extract revenge from Sandra. When the date for the reunion is changed the two must begin a cross country trek by car that turns into a strange, wild romp. These two women are like oil and vinegar as they engage in a range of miscommunications as well as intentionally irritating behaviors. Indeed Randi even subtitles a portion of the trip "Thema & Louise had it easy." In the midst of ridiculous events, Randi and Mac draw closer to their destination and to one another. After all, add a few spices to oil & vinegar and shake and you have a lovely salad dressing . . .

Nothing is safe from Advocate (AKA Blayne Cooper)'s observations and most of them will bring a smile, if not an out right laugh. As she states in her disclaimer "No squirrels were harmed during the production of this story. Although priests, morticians, sluts, proctologists, Big Gulps, Debby Boone, Scottish names, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Volkswagens, `that ugly chic,' gym teachers, eating disorders, Dr. Pepper, and stalkers are all seriously maligned." p122 Indeed all these running jokes and more flicker (or stomp) through the story.

The same vein that pokes fun at these issues, turns others on their ear. For example, Mac's parents and extended family are totally accepting of Mac's sexuality and even more supportive of Randi as her new girlfriend. Neither parent thought the bulimic gym teacher, Sandra was good enough for their daughter. On the other hand, any living (as opposed to inflatable) girlfriend is the best they expect for their son, the proctologist. By the end of the journey Randi and Mac have developed a great deal of affection, companionship and (gasp) attraction. This situation embarrasses Mac and frightens Randi. The growing love between Mac and Randi as well as Mac's family's love balance some of the hard edged sarcasm and cynicism. The overall effect is a delightful if strange, little novel that brought many smiles and several laughs out loud. Occasionally the shifting narrative perspective between Randi, Mac and the squirrels is confusing. --Yes, squirrels. It's too hard to explain, just read the story yourself.-- However, there is fuel for lots of good endorphins here.

I've never written a review before but once I guit laughing I had to write one for this book. I have also never laughed so hard, out loud while reading a book. It was pure fun, the only down side being, it was way too short. It should have been another 300 pages, but then again, I don't know if I could have take that much laughing at one time. My face still hurts. I think I'm in love with Advocate, weelll her humor anyway. She has one warped mind. Thanks for the good time, and merry heart Advocate, and yes please, a sequal.

Time in jail, a car crash, a broken-down bus, and a mortician's mansion, all lead to the sweetest revenge a jilted lover and her traveling companion could hope for in this clever romantic comedy by Advocate. Throw in a pair of anthropomorphic squirrels who listen to The Story of Me, as told by one confused, but lovable woman named Randi, and you have the perfect formula for, well... one surprise after another. This was a delightful read from beginning to end, and just like those movies where you find out what happened to each of the characters after the credits have begun to role, you will find out where the humans and squirrels end up after the story ends. You do want to know what happens to the perverted proctologist, don't you? -Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Uncle Sean

This is a gorgeous book. It is well put together, has Awesome photos of crowns and their history. Covers a lot from the beginning of time to great queens. Thanks for offering such a beautiful book.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you like CROWNS then this is the book for you! I actually bought the book for a gift & now the book is the talk of the town! Everyone wants to look at it!
Great detailed photos of many Queens, Princesses, & other Crowns. The book is nicely written up.
Also if you are a designer it's a great idea book too!

Tiaras a History of Splendour by my friend Geoffrey C. Munn director of the famed store Wartski is a Must for serious collectors and historians. Through its symbol of Power and Royalty the reader is sure to travel in time and learn so much about the past, present and future. You can even see my personal Comb Tiara which belonged to Princess Pauline Borghese, favorite sister of Napoleon on page 38 plate 23 which was also a hit for the Chinese People when Chaumet presented it at the opening of the Museum in Hongkong last year in December...The buckle and belt were also stolen at my father's estate during World War II not by the Nazis but by french collaborators, jalous of dad's connection with De Gaulle...
Comte Alexandre de Bothuri

What fabulous photographs! Many of them in colour and close up to show the beautiful detail! Anyone who has a interest in royalty or jewels will love this book. I certainly do. Munn writes an informative text as well and makes for an interesting read.

This is a large coffee table book which would grace any table in the world with its magnificent photographs of the tiaras belonging to royalty, the rich and famous and museums. The display of diamonds and precious gemstones is breathtaking, showing the many different styles which came and went in fashion, some delicate and dainty and others, gaudy and cumbersome, but all of them with jewels which are stunning in their beauty. I enjoyed the written descriptions and stories which accompany them as much as the photos, as I hadn't any idea that these magnificent pieces were so often broken up and reassembled to suit a new owner's taste, and the history of the jewels are a lesson in history on their own, with the shape and size of the headpieces reflecting the fashion of the day as well as the prevailing life style of the owner. Even tiaras given by Queen Elizabeth 2 to members of her own family have been altered to suit the taste of the recipient, as one I noticed...the aquamarine and diamond tiara given to Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has been reduced in size from a full tiara to a more comfortable diadem which sits more easily on the front of the head. This is a book which one could have on a coffee table for years, to browse through and never tire of looking at it.

I used this book in conjunction with the Vogel Guides: Rock Climbing Joshua Tree & Rock Climbing Joshua Tree West. The interesting thing about this book is many of the routes don't have any stars in the Vogel guides but are stellar. Funny Bone comes to mind as the best route we did with Vogel giving it no stars. Coincidentally we ran into Charlie and Diane Winger coming off Funny Bone as we were walking up to it.

The approaches are described in great deal of detail. This is good considering the size and number of routes at J-Tree.

This is a great guide to get you on routes that perhaps you'd skip based on Randy's guides. This is no dig on Randy's Guides. They are great and a necessity. This guide allows you to find some really good moderate climbs with alternates nearby. We were generally pleased with the routes we climbed that are listed in this guide.

Climb Safe!

This is a well written and well illustrated guide for someone new to visiting Joshua Tree National Park. The dozen or so routes we did in this book were all challenging and enjoyable. There are thousands of routes in the Park, but this is a swell introduction for the traditional climber. At this price I don't see why any climber visiting the park wouldn't have a copy. The photographs and maps are the best I have seen in any book.

First of all, this book is written by some really nice people. This book is void of the elitism that usally comes with a guide book to an area like this. My wife and I have been to J-tree many times but this was our first year with this book. It truely enhanced our time there. The full color pictures are great, and they took all the pictures from such logical places that if you are following a road or trail and find yourself needing direction, you look up and see exactly what is in the picture for the climb you are looking for. My wife and I found ourself laughing on one climb when we were looking off in the distance for a rock formation and spotted the tree 6' in front of us that was also about 6' in front of the camera lense in the picture! And there are climbs that real people can do! I notice in other guide books the only highly rated climbs are 5.12 and up! Get this book, you won't be dissapointed. I only wish I could meet the authers and tell them of my appreciation.

Sometimes, as the saying goes, less is more. This book is a classic example of producing a user friendly rock climbing guide to one of the premier cragging areas, by limiting the scope to climbs that most people who go to Joshua Tree actually enjoy. As the title stipulates there are no 5.12 sphincter squeesers here, just interesting traditional climbs (no bolts for the sport freaks).

Each climb is photographed in color with a graphic overlay clearly showing the route. Most of these routes are short, single pitch climbs that encompass a wide variety of problems with the emphasis on classic crack climbs. Approach info and the maximum protection requirement is noted along with a very abreviated strategy for the climb. Information on lodging and camping along with dining options are covered pretty well, though the surrounding areas offer a lot more variety than the book indicates.

If you're a beginner/intermediate climber and aspire to climb in JT, this is the guide to get.

This book is the best non comprehensive climbing guide book I have ever seen. The highlights are:

- Full color photos of the routes
- Both approach photos as well as close up route photos, making it easy to find the rock and specific route
- Full park map with relative camping and route locations listed
- Very good beta on each and every route (includes sun/shade, rack suggestions, etc), usually about a page per route not including another page for photos.

So basically if you're interested in the 5.5 to 5.9 trad routes in Joshua Tree you'll love this book, simple as that.