I Books

After reading this book...I just need to point out that was not a La-La Land during the Revolution and even presently. I think its nice that Dr.Orbea can remember his own personal pleasant times. I just wonder if he has any idea of what really went on outside of his "Happy Garden".....?

I bought this book for a school essay project, I was drawn to it by its title I though it would be information about Cuba, but it turned out to be about this family and I have to tell you it was even better. By the way I made an A on my essay, thanks.
Amy

Dr. Ramirez if I had not read that this was your first book I would have never known. It was a wonderful read full of laughs, crys and screams, all the good stuff of life, family and crisis. I wanted to know if you have any more work out or coming out soon. I would love to read more of your work.

A New Fan

This is a moving story and highly recommended for anyone whose heart goes out to those who suffered the stones of Communism. One thing is certain, we must never forget, and this book is part of that active remembering that we are called to do.

Recently Cuban dictator Fidel Castro temporarily handed power over to his brother, Raul, while he underwent surgery and recuperation from intestinal problems. As the news media reviews the legacy and rule of Fidel Castro, now would be a good time to look a that legacy from the point-of-view of one who lived in Cuba pre- and post-revolution. Oscar Ramírez-Orbea is one who grew up pre-revolution and saw all that his family work hard for be taken by the Communists under Castro.

As the title suggests, this book is bi-lingual, written by a professor who actually was born and raised in Cuba and fled Cuba as a boy with his family. The Ramírez-Orbea family lost all they had worked for when Castro seized private property "for the common good."

The author also includes illustrations of the homes he lived in as well as photographs. The Ramírez-Orbea family trees are also illustrated.

Ramírez-Orbea's dislike of the Castro regime is not hidden. There is nothing about Communism that has a redeeming value in his eyes. After seeing all that his family worked so hard to build up being taken away "for the common good," you can't blame his views on the subject.

Ramírez-Orbea also hopes that the book becomes a movie. It could be a good movie along the lines of A Christmas Story (based on In God We Trust--All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd). It is not a straight narrative of his life as the author tells us about his family or the homes he lived in or the schools he attended.

The period between Castro's takeover of Cuba and the family's flight to the United States was dramatic. The family had to move to a smaller home and the author was sent to a Catholic school (even though his mother taught in the public schools--and had an underground business as a tutor). His final day at the Salesian school St John Bosco was marked by rampaging "revolutionaries" breaking through the fence and taking over the school. Imagine fearing for your life at school? Most clergy left Cuba shortly after this.

The family had decided to leave Cuba and applied for exit papers. Of course they became unemployable, people marked as "unpatriotic." For several years (when they did get permission to go to the US) the family couldn't get any official jobs and were unemployed and unemployable. Ramírez-Orbea highlights the irony that even as the government reported no unemployment his parents were unemployed--and were considered "unemployable." It was then that the family found ways to support itself, such as baking cakes to sell, the mother tutoring in her home, and other odd jobs.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Cuban history, in the realities of Communism, and in the indomitable human spirit. Being bilingual, the book can be used as an aid in teaching a second language (Spanish to the English speaker or English to the Spanish speaker). Granted most instructors won't want the book's handy "jimmy" structure, but for myself I am able to try to learn Spanish on my own. The author also has an appendix for instructors wishing to use this book in the classroom. Check it out!

The author has some pointed barbs about Communism. Usually it's of an ironic sort, such as his unemployed, unemployable parents in a land with no unemployment. There is the reminiscence of the trenches dug for missiles which were never finished. The author states: "Given this Communist efficiency, thank God the Americans never attacked us!" Of course the trenches filled with water and became prime breeding areas for mosquitoes, which may have spread malaria. The Communist government did nothing about the mosquitoes or the malaria (so much for the vaunted health care system).

The book has three major sections. "From the Old House/Desde la casa vieja" focuses on the author's life and home before the Castro revolution. "From the New House/Desde la casa nueva" details post-revolutionary life and the home the author's family moved to after the revolution until they left for the United States. "From the Other House/Desde la otra casa" details the author's religious memories from Cuba.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book. The layout takes some getting used to as alternating pages contain the Spanish and English. Since chapters don't begin on a consistent page, some chapters have the English on the right side page, other chapters have English on the left side page. Perhaps starting every chapter on an left side (even numbered page) would allow the Spanish and English to exist better side by side. The Spanish also takes up more space, so possibly leaving more white pace for the English will allow a better pairing of English and Spanish. Or have English throughout start from one cover and the Spanish from the other cover.

This is a good book for young women struggling with body image and self-loathing. Those suffering from an eating disorder often feel alone and isolated - this will help them to know that they are not alone. The book sends the message of learning to accept themselves and reject the unattainable quest for perfectionism.

I can't begin to describe my difficulties of growing into the body I am going to have as a woman, but I don't have to because Jessica did it for it for me. There are very few ways to describe how it feels to read "Do I look fat in this?" except to say it's freeing. As I turned the pages I would eat up every word & little by little i could breathe easier.
Jessica is the start of something amazing that i want to be a part of!!

"She wins who calls herself beautiful and challenges the world to change tp truely see her" - Naomi Wolf

I loved Jessica Weiner's books A Very Hungry Girl and Do I Look Fat In This. Therefore, when I saw she had a "new" book out, I immediately ordered it from Amazon without paying attention to details. Please be aware that if you already own Do I Look Fat In This, you do not need to order Life Doesn't Begin 5 Pounds From Now; this is the same book with a different title and a new forward. So now I own two copies of this book with different covers, but I don't mind so much because it is filled with wonderful information for not-slim women like me. Guess I must have needed to re-read it, huh?

If you're tired of dieting, this may be the book for you. Jess's book is a breakthrough experience for anyone who has struggled with self-appearance and self-esteem....and isn't that most of us. She believes that by focusing on what others tell you are your shortcomings-- you miss opportunities to feel connected, sexy and powerful. Whether you're a size 2 , 12 or 22 or beyond-- you can benefit from Jess's words of wisdom. The motivational speaker, author and self-described "actionist" versus Activist...writes in plain English and tosses in some great motivational quotes from famous people and some fun facts about self approval and more. Twelve chapters plus an afterword are included..and the chapters are fun to read-- get this even if you don't have the time to read it-- just scan it and you'll benefit -- I promise...ANyway the chapters range from Decoding the Language of Fat...to the Famous or should I say infamous question most women ask daily "Do I look Fat in This? to "I Feel Fat" to If I were Thinner, He'd Love me" to Thunder Thighs Run in my Family to Ch 6-- I'd be so happy if I looked like a Celebrity to 7) Once I lose some weight..... to 8) All of my Friends are not and I'm not...9) But I'm jsut trying to be healthy to 11) [...] 12) Sorry I don't speak that language. Quizes, roleplaying experiences and fun quizes are interspersed with TAKE ACTION steps...Probably the most important thought though is that YOU CAN"T FEEL FAT -- because fat is not a feeling-- and if you read that section alone (I don't want to steal her thunder with her response to this) ...you'll benefit greatly...AN amazing lady and a fun, easy-to-read book that's great for girls above 12, teens, college chicks and women of any age...great to get this before the holiday parties start! Fun birthday gift...

I have been a psychotherapist for about as long as Jessica has been on the planet and a writer longer than that. From both of these vantage points I applaud this excellent book. Most of all, Jessica is honest and vulnerable in what she has to share and teach and it is that kind of genuine connection that really helps people heal. Buy 2 copies; you'll want to give one away.

Queen Amidala is a brave young lady who must rise up to an evil Phantom to save her people, in this book it has pictures of most of her costumes and lots of fun reading for children 9-13.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first bought this book. I can say now that reading it was a most pleasurable experience. Jude Watson has done an admirable job with this journal. It is the deep introspections of a young girl, told shrewdly with a great deal of empathy, not only for Amidala, but for all the characters that she interacts with. The journal displays Amidala's keen insight, and sharp mind, and examines her motives and decisions with great sensitivity. It tells us a little about her background, and her relationships with the people around her. At the end, I felt as though I had discovered a real person.

This journal is really good because it explains all the emotions and character descriptions that the movie didn't give Queen Amidala. This journal is A LOT better than Anakin Skywalker's journal, and has a lot of info on Padmé's past and feelings. Read this book twice so you catch all the details! Also, notice how her feelings towards Qui-Gon changes...

Though Luke's journal was my personal favorite of the Journal books, this one was definitely the best written. It was better than Anakin's especially, since this one truly got into the mind of Queen Amidala, whereas Anakin's wasn't as good at bringing out his character (what little he had) or anyone elses. This one however, not only lets us get to know Amidala, but also brings out the other characters in a way that made Episode 1 seem much more interesting than it actually was. It was fascinating to find out more about Amidala,(I didn't previously realize she was only fourteen, in the movie she seemed older!) who I found a very intriguing character in the movie, though I was confused about where and when she was Amidala/Padme. This book answered my questions about that also, tying everything together in a satisfying knot. Also, I found Anakin's character much more interesting in this book than even in his own journal. In the movie especially he irritated me, because he just seemed too cute and sweet, but here he is much more likable. This book would be good for any Star Wars fan, especially those twelve and under.

Relive the movie "Star Wars: Episode I" through the eyes of the newly elected Queen Amidala. This young teen begins this journal before the movie began. Readers see the training Amidala went through in preparation for her future post. In the book we find out WHY Amidala puts lipstick on her upper-lip fully, yet only a slash on her lower-lip. We see the defenses that were made by the guards, such as a decoy, but never dreamed would ever have to be used. (Oh come on, you did not HONESTLY think those handmaidens were there for LOOKS, did you?)

**** Not as magnificent as Princess Leia's journal, but just as enlightening! In the movie, Queen Amidala had to keep her face blank so her adversaries could not read her. In this book, we see all the thoughts, fears, and strategies that went on behind the royal mask. In fact, this book made Amidala's character more impressive than the movie did. It can also be used as a quick refresher before you flock to see "Episode II: Attack of the Clones" in the Summer of 2002! Very good reading! ****

As an accomplished pianist, teacher and adjudicator I spend most of my time with individuals of all ages. Teaching and adjudicating are perhaps the most challenging of all! Like Brad Cohen, I have Tourette Syndrome and growing up as a "baby boomer", a time when extremely little was known about Tourettes, teasing, being bullied and considered a virtual headache to my teacher's made my life a living hell. All I had to turn to was my God given gift of music!
Brad Cohen grew up with the same horrific challenges that Tourettes brings with it. A teacher is someone every student should be able to turn to for support, a shoulder to lean on, a friend, when you feel your own are not there for you. Growing up in this day and age is a daunting task. Brad Cohen knows this all too well, and shows his understanding of it through his actions as a teacher. He knows what it is like to not have teachers there when he needed them most in his life. He turned having TS, a debilitating disorder into a tool of support and understanding for those lives he touches everyday. New disorders are being discovered at an alarming rate. The future teachers and classrooms are not yet equipped to handle what lies ahead for them. My niece is a teacher and she can hardly cope with the demands of her position as they stand. Teachers will need the support of people like Brad Cohen travelling to various school boards as I do as a Music Therapist to educate new teachers on how to integrate students with disorders and other issues into the classroom. Teachers' Colleges will have to provide the means to offer clinical studies in what lies ahead such as Tourette Syndrome, ADD, ADHD, learning disorders , behavioral problems and so much more. Educating our teachers as Brad Cohen has educated his students and fellow teachers is paramount if the future of our world's children will have a chance to survive what lies ahead of them. Teacher Assistant's will need to become a necessity in every classroom, and trained in specific areas. One teacher per class will no longer be enough, if those students who require extra attention are going to be successfully integrated into the classroom of the public school system.
Brad Cohen has touched the lives of so many students in his life as a teacher! They say that if you can touch the life of one person, you have done your job. Brad Cohen has surpassed this objective time and time again!
I can only hope, that more people like Brad Cohen will give of their talent's as I try to do as a music therapist, to educate and help prepare the schools, teachers' and students' of tomorrow!
I once received a letter from a student I adjudicated in a competition, and it said; "not often enough in life, do we take the time to say "Thank You", thank you sir for your knowledge and encouragement, it means so much!"
Now it is time for me to say "THANK YOU" to Brad Cohen, a teacher who has touched many lives."
To everyone in the profession of teaching, this is a book that will positively "re-charge" your love of being an educator!

Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus.(MT) A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate (hon.)

This book is great for so many reasons. Anyone can read this and walk away with something. If you have Tourettes (or any disability), it is such a positive, supportive, encouraging story. I wish I had boxes of this book to pass to every teacher, doctor, friend, grandparent, parent and child. Tourettes is something almost everyone in the world will encounter in some way. Disability dicrimination, is unfortunately also something everyone will encounter in some way. This book provides a unique, well written perspective of life with an uncontrollable, misunderstood disorder. I reccomend it to you.

This was the most amazing book I've ever read. My son was recently diagnosed, and I am so encouraged after reading Brad's book. He is reading it himself now. I am an elementary classroom assistant as well, and am grateful for the insight it provided me in working with students with various disabilities. I think reading this book should be a requirment for all teachers, and anyone working in the school setting, regardless of thier position. Thanks so much Brad! I was so sorry when the book ended, because I enjoyed reading it so much. I am purchasing it as a gift for a teacher as well. I will enjoy telling many people about this very special book.

I too am a teacher with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and have experienced many of the same things that author Brad Cohen describes in this fascinating book. All of his life, Cohen has worked to overcome his disability. Even when he became ultimately successful, Cohen has still experienced difficulties. For example, even as an adult, he has been asked to leave restaurants and other public events. A few times, however, this has worked to his advantage. While at the Olympics in Atlanta, for example, a number of patrons complained about his tics. But instead of being expelled, Cohen was reseated in a better seating area.

His parents were divorced and, for most of his early life, his father was distant from him. In elementary school and junior high, Cohen was often ridiculed and mocked by other children. Teachers mistakenly thought that he was doing his tics purposely in order to disrupt the class, and punished him accordingly. Many children with TS also have comorbid ADHD and OCD. Cohen described how hard it is to read and comprehend a book. The average person should imagine trying to comprehend a book while it is jerked around every few seconds.

In time, Cohen was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS). He was taken off stimulants, which, in common with many others with TS, only aggravated his condition. His first experience with a TS support group was not at all positive. Members of the group focused on the negative, not how to overcome it and be successful. This is not what Cohen needed to hear. In time, Cohen learned how to educate others about his disorder. Unfortunately, in junior high, there were too many individuals who refused to be educated. However, he did have a supportive principal who allowed him to speak to a school gathering about his condition.

Cohen developed socially by being involved in Jewish organizations. By high school, things got better. The students increasingly overlooked his tics and accepted him as a person. He began to dream of being a teacher.

When Cohen went to Bradley University, he learned not only educational theory but also got valuable hands-on teaching experience with children. But when he tried to get his first teaching job, the door kept getting slammed in his face. Ultimately, he had to go through some 25 principals before he found one that would hire him. "I just cannot see you as a teacher", one candidly remarked. Things seemed hopeless. It looked as if Tourette Syndrome had won over him. But he refused to give up his dream.

Finally, he was hired, and proved himself to be an excellent teacher. He at first taught second grade, and made every child feel wanted. Cohen made the following observation (p. 160) which should be a challenge and inspiration to all teachers: "If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do. If you want to be a true professional and continue to grow...go to the cutting edge of your competence, which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you don't quite know what you're doing, know you're growing."

Brad Cohen's first hand account of how he became a teacher despite having Tourette's syndrome isn't great writing, but if you've ever known someone with Tourette's you know how amazing his story is. Happily most people today know what this disease is--as I was growing up with a brother who had it, no one did. If you haven't seen it, it's hard to imagine the noises, tics, cursing, and mental agony of living with this incurable problem. Cohen's book gives an intimate look at what it feels like to have your body taken over by urges that can't be controlled. He also sensitively portrays the distress and confusion of parents who try to deal with a problem for which modern medicine is almost useless. Again we see a situation where young children in the classroom can accept behaviors that the wider world can't tolerate, and Cohen's openness about his problem with these children is the secret of his success. One gets the sense Cohen's life will always be a struggle--although he has many friends there's no mention of a woman in his life, and gaining acceptance with new people is always going to be a risky business. But his courage is amazing. This book should be required reading for any child who doubts his worth as a person because of this terrible disease.

As an E-Myth/Gerber fan, I consider Erick's work an "E-Myth for IT Services". It will get you thinking about your business as a business and it provides a roadmap to get where you need to go.

Making the transition from working in to working on your business is the most powerful thing you can do to put more money in your pocket. Do it now. Buy this book!

Managed services, delivering different types of unlimited amounts of IT support for a flat fee, has been revolutionizing the IT industry in the SMB space. The model is dramatically different than the typical break/fix or blocks of hours way of doing business- it requires a fundamental business, sales, and technical transformation.

Erick Simpson's IT company was an early adopter, quickly became hugely successful, and Erick continues to lead in the field by delivering some of the best educational materials out there on this subject. I personally own this book and his follow-up sales book and have attended some of his presentations- outstanding! Some may balk at the price, but compare it to your professional hourly rate, and you'll find that the time saved and money earned make it a no-brainer. His materials, particularly this book, directly helped me close many thousands of dollars of recurring business in 2007.

Insightful, intelligently written, engaging and motivational. Easily one of the best I've read in quite awhile. Well worth every penny of the investment required.

I've spent more than a decade covering the IT channel. This book should be required reading for any VAR looking to become an MSP. The author manages to cover key areas (particularly business, sales and marketing) that most tech-focused VARs overlook.

I am a business owner interested in the Managed Services market space. I have read so much about Managed services but have not found a step by step guide on how to implement the managed services business plan or sell those services to clients. What I needed were step by step guides on both the topics. I was introduced to Erick's books by another associate. This book and "The Best I.T. Sales & Marketing BOOK EVER!" by Erick were exactly what I was looking for. Erick is not just a subject matter expert in Managed Services but has practiced and implemented his teachings and recommendations. He explains several key concepts and best practices on Managed Services, Deliverables, Pricing, How to identify clients, sell, support and maintain the services and build a long term win-win relationship with the clients. The coverage on How to Hire and Train your sales staff is worth its weight in gold. Included along with these 2 books are several forms, analysis tools and documents which make the sales process a whole lot easier with predictable results. These are the bibles for my managed services business and I refer them frequently. If you are serious about building a profitable managed services business, you must have these books.

As a screenwriter, this is the 14th book I've read on the subject, and by far the best. Derek Rydall not only prepares you externally to be a script consultant, he prepares you internally as well; forcing you to peel back the layers of your own psyche, and examine your inner obstacles to your own success.
Derek is not afraid to share his failures along with his successes, to help you avoid making the same mistakes. Each chapter starts with a few appropriate and inspirational quotes that create the setting for the chapter, and inspire the reader. What can I say? If it's not in the book, you don't need it! Five stars for this book that helps you shoot for the moon.
-- Scotland Miles
Screenwriter and Author

Read and analyse your script from cover page, FADE IN to FADE OUT. Derek Rydall packs a lot of useful information in this well thought out, well written book. This is the meat and potatoes of the biz.
Do yourself a huge favor and read this book before you submit your next script. Chapter Two shows you how the studios see the difference between an amateur wannabee and a pro. Chapter Four brings in a wealth of good advice from well known experts like Linda Seger, Michael Hauge and David Freeman. David Freeman's sample scene analysis alone might make the difference between being kicked up the ladder or kicked out the door. You need every tool you can get your hands on to make your script a contender. Make this book part of your arsenal.
Whether you want to get your scripts in the door or want to be a script consultant this could be your blue prints to success.

Can anyone who has ever been to a movie not have looked at some of them and wondered how such trash got produced? No one would start out with the intend of making a bad movie. You have to wonder how a group of people, presumably experienced and not unintelligent have produced something like that.

This book is written by a script consultant who tells what it's like to review and consult on the movie that's about to be made. While we all think that we could do this work, here's what the work involves. Here's how to get started. The best advice that I think he gives is work with someone in the business to at least establish the contacts.

This is a business like any other. You need at least the understanding of who does what. It is unlikely that very many of the readers of the book will actually become successful at script consulting, but it is still interesting reading to see what is done. It's an interesting insight into the movie production business.

There are plenty of movies on the market which feature substandard writing - so bad that even an audience member might think they can do better, let alone an aspiring screenwriter. If you're a member of the latter group, I Could've Written A Better Movie Than That! How To Make Six Figures As A Script Consultant Even If You're Not A Screenwriter is for you. It tells how to use this sense of perfection to earn cash as a script consultant, and comes from author Rydall's years of experience in the industry. Chapters show how to analyze stories in any form, write coverage, repair scripts, negotiate contracts and more. Plenty of books tell how to write the script: few, except for this, tell how to make money repairing one.

I really liked this book and I believe that there aren't any others like this one. It talks about how you can start a highly lucrative business as a script consultant and a re-writer.

The only thing that makes me hesitant is the ease (or difficulty) in establishing credibility as a consultant if one hasn't written anything worth mentioning.

Other than that, this is an incredible book and I hope that not too many people read it because it's an INCREDIBLE business idea and I want to pursue it myself.

I really enjoyed reading this book in fact I read it twice. The bond that Eddie Levert has with his family is remarkable.The love and respect that he has for his ex wife Martha Levert is admirable, though they had their differences according to the book.Also even though Gerald Levert was a star he was always family 1st.I have read a lot of books about famous celebrities,and I have to say this one took the cake. Kudos also to Lyah Beth Leflore.

this is a very heart felt book i like how close they were as father and son and know how far to go with each other as friend

I love eddie levert as well as gerald levert I enjoyed the read and realize they shared a special relationship I will proudly add this book to my biography collection

I just received this book on Monday, December 17, 2007 and I finished it today. This is a lovely book to give to anyone as a gift. Regardless of how famous Eddie & Gerald Levert became as music artist. The family bond is powerful. The relationship of father and son is awesome. The mother of Eddie's children is given the utmost respect of how she held this family together with her love and strength. I'm a single mom and I learned so much about my own relationship that I had with my father when he was alive and the relationship I'm developing with my daughter.

I thought this was a very poignant novel it's goes through the ups and downs of their relationship and also what it's like to be in the music business. Although Gerald Levert will be missed his memory will carry on thru. Put it on your miss read list.

It doesn't matter how many home runs Berry Bond's or anyone of this aera of Baseball, what Hank AAron endured and the racial hatred he went through only proves that he is the BEST. These modern day players could not survive what he and others went through.

I've been a fan from age seven, which is where I was in life when Henry hit number 715. His recounting of his life in baseball is captivating and highly educational.

Mr Aaron is one of the most skilled players in baseball history, and his telling of his story explains that he is much more than that. Mr Aaron is a man of dignity and class, his success through clouds of racist hate provides a shining example of what a man can be under extreme circumstances. Thank you Henry, for your marvelous career in baseball, and for your open, honest sharing of the story.

"I Had A Hammer" is a wonderfully written autobiography about the struggles and the triumphs of one Henry(aka Hank) "The Hammer" Aaron, the career home run record holder, and one of the last of the "Negro League" players to make it big. Aaron describes his upbringing in Mobile well, and shows us the different levels of racism in the Deep South. The book reveals that Aaron fought against segregation in the minor leagues, helping to end "white-only" minor league teams, and shows us Aaron's love affair with the city of Milwaukee and it's long-gone Braves team, and the tense relationship between Aaron and Atlanta, which had the first Deep South major league team. This is recommended for lovers of baseball as well as those who want to know more about civil rights heroes. Atlanta is not cast in a good light in this book, but Aaron harbors little bitterness towards the city or the racism and death threats he had to endure while trying to break Babe Ruth's record.

The athletic proficiency of Hank Aaron is probably the greatest in the history of baseball if not all sports. He is a man of dignity, grace and the stuff legends are made of. This is an endearing and absorbing biography. This biography has captivated the legend of the man for me. It is well written with true fervor and endearment. One of the best.

In this baseball season where my favorite team is floundering in the cellar, and every good story(compelling divisional races) is counterbalanced by the bad (steroids), I have been trying to maintain interest by re-reading some baseball books that I have read over the years. After re-reading "I Had A Hammer", I remember why it remains one of the best biographies/autobiographies that I have ever read.

The sports genre in books is much harder than one would think to keep up interest in. There are very few gems in any sporting subject; mostly it's very mediocre to terribly vapid. Usually a fan becomes disappointed in their sports "heroes" when they read a biography about them, because the writing can be so bad. Fortunately, for a ballplayer as great as Hank Aaron, the work lives up to the character and legend of the man.

Mr. Aaron does a splendid job of taking the reader through his life in Alabama, his discovering the game of baseball, and - of course - his remarkable career. His writing style provides enough description to allow the reader to get a true mental "picture" of what his life was like without getting bogged down in minutiae. Throughout the book, I had the feeling like I really was there watching his career unfold.

Of course, that brings us to the real core - and most important part - of his life story. That is, what Mr. Aaron experienced as he neared and eclipsed Babe Ruth's home run record. Most celebrities or sports figures would relate this in that sensational, "woe-is-me", tabloid-tell-all sort of way. Not Mr. Aaron. He shares many of the truly hateful and despicable letters he received from people across the nation who saw the idea of an African-American breaking the record of a white man as egregious. Mr. Aaron relates how this inundation of hate mail affected him, but he manages to avoid expressing any hate towards the senders of those letters. One obviously gets the sense that Mr. Aaron steeled himself against those attacks with grace and dignity, allowing himself to still play the game the way it was supposed to be played, and to do it with class and personal enjoyment.

It is striking to return to Mr. Aaron's autobiography after the events in baseball over the past decade. We as a fan base in general express outrage over the strike, the steroids (and questions about those players that broke records), outrageous salaries, and the like. It seems to always elicit a response demanding a return to the "innocence" of baseball seasons and players gone by. However, Mr. Aaron's experience demonstrates that there was controversy in almost every era of the game. In his case, it was a despicable form of racial hatred expressed by a very vocal minority in this country.

Again, "I Had A Hammer" stands out as one of the great books in the sports genre, and stands out as one of my favorite biographies/autobiographies. I rate it the full five stars, and encourage readers of all interests to give this one their attention.

I stayed up all night reading this book, not only because the info was so good but it is extremely humorous and entertaining. I recommend this book to anyone who cares about their dog.

Thank you Joy! I have been recommending this book to everyone I know who has a dog or is just thinking about it. If I had gotten it first I wouldn't have wasted money on any other dog books. Joy explains why dogs act the way they do and how their behavoir can be changed. I have seen many people mistreating their dogs in an attempt to disipline them. Or using strange, ineffective training techniques or no training at all. Simply the best there is...as the owner of a young Border Collie I don't know how we survived until we got this book.

I bought this book as a last resort on how to deal with my GSD/Malamute. She was a horrible mannered thing..lol. Now she is better behaved and minds. Three HUGE cheers to Joy Tiz for her awesome book and understanding of what makes a dog tick!!!! I also keep on on her websites for more info as I go along..going to write another book Joy?

I have 2 adult stubborn Bichons that I adopted as adults. They were never obedience trained as pups. This book addresses all of the issues I have with them. I'm currently in the process of following Joy's instructions and I'm amazed at the results. They are a work in progress but I see light at the end of the tunnel.

**Citywulf - Dogs don't think like humans. Joy only recommended grabbing the muzzle or scruff on the neck as last options. She also recommends increasing the confidence of timid dogs. She has advocated posturing and looks - hence the ALPHA***

I have mixed feelings about this book. She debunks many old ideas, and that's good. But using "Alpha" techniques on a dog has its risks. We do not want to raise wolves, we want to raise household companions. "Alpha" training includes using the hands to deliver such reprimands as scruff-shakes and muzzle holding. This can lead to a hand-shy dog more apt to use wolf-life reprimands on other dogs or even children considered subordinate. For timid and small dogs especially, I would recommend hands-free methods that rely on vocal tones, eye contact, and rewards.

As a teacher, I love this book for the descriptive language. The text opens up many discussions and helps paint a picture for the student. You can almost "feel" the places and the activities this family is enjoying. The message is lovely, but I enjoy it for the richness of language.

This is the perfect gift to give to a new big brother or sister. I bought it when we had our second baby, and it has the perfect message. My children love this book as well.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! What a great message! The kids love it too.

I'm a mother of two boys (one red, one blue) and this book is my favorite!!! I have purchased over 20 copies and given away to women I meet who have two sons. They all love it and can relate to the message.
My supervisor at work says that we all need to learn the message from "I Love You the Purplest"!
Illustrations are exceptional!! I love the Carolina Wren!

My children ask this regularly, especially my six-year-old Emma.
"Who do you love the best?"

She wants so badly to be loved "the best".

Through Joosse's book, I learned an incredible new way to express how I love her "the purplest" or the "chocolatiest" or "the bell ringingest".....

By using a more descriptive word than "Best", the Mother in this book speaks to what is real and true about her sons Max and Julian so that they are each more than "just satisfied" with being loved the best.....

She uses colors to describe her love for each of her boys after she has described other possibly conflict, competitive situations by being more specific with what is special instead of labeling or judging one above the other.

More adults ought to read this one!