I Books

Sheehy claims that her writing of this book was the breaking of silence on a taboo subject. Her aim is to provide information which will help woman better understand what they have been going through. She claims that traditionally women have been poorly informed on the subject. She claims reliance on friends, on mothers does not bring the kind of full knowledge of the subject required.
She provides many stories and examples, and gives a real sense of how varied this 'silent passage' is. A minority of women go through it seemingly without problems, but for some it is wholly unbearable. One question which is central to the book and really unanswered regards Hormone Replacement Theory , and its advisability. Recent studies have pointed to increased levels of cancer of those who have taken the hormones.
Sheehy repeats herself often, beats her own drum, but is a clear writer whose work no doubt has been of real service to many women who have suffered without understanding what exactly they were going through, and why this is not something to feel guilty or be stigmatized about. Sheehy's strong believe that knowledge and understanding can be of great help seems to me correct and fair.

This book is an excellent overview of menopause but needs further updating in light of the current controversy over Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The author is still all aglow over HRT, and it is heralded within the pages of this book as if it were the end all, be all for menopausal women. While this was the general prevailing medical view, it seems that further research has put its value in question somewhat, and HRT is now at the heart of some heated medical controversy.

Still, if the reader is aware already of this budding medical controversy over HRT, the book does offer some insights into menopause in an informative and fairly concise fashion. This should prove to be especially helpful to the hordes of baby boomer women who are entering this phase of their lives. The book also provides information into holistic, alternative ways of addressing some of the issues attendant in menopausal women. It appears that nature may provide some palliatives that some women may find preferable to the drug-infused approach of some medical practitioners.

Overall, this is an excellent, well-researched book and one that a lay person can read with ease. It provides interesting insights into the emotional, psychological, and medical concerns of peri-menopausal and menopausal women and discusses some of the remedies that are available, if necessary, to ease women through this major life passage. The book has clearly been a labor of love for the author, and she has endeavored, with success, to remove the mystery that has enshrouded menopause for so long.

Chapters are short and easy to read. This book deals not only with the technical aspects that most books do, but primarily with particular women's experiences with those various aspects--especially their feelings. This is what is left out of most of the other books. I recommend this book together with a more techinical book. But if you can only buy one book, buy this one instead. The main thing this book left me with was a feeling that instead of menopause being something that will just happen to me, there are a lot of things I can do, in a proactive sense, to manage the menopause. This is the most positive book I have seen on the subject, and helps me decide about all the questions to discuss with my doctor. Without reading this book, instead of being ready with a list of questions for my doctor, I would have passively listened to whatever he said, and thought that was it.

but I feel better now, and I attribute my new outlook to having read The Silent Passage.

Those of us approaching or in the midst of our passage into menopause owe a great debt to the pioneering women who lifted menopause out of the dark ages and brought it into the broad light of day. One of these early pioneers was Gail Sheehy. With the exception of her views on Hormone Replacement Therapy (as other reviewers have pointed out) this book offers a lively, energizing, well-researched overview of menopause. I read the original edition about ten years ago and have considered the deeper meaning of the title of this groundbreaking book. "Silent Passage" carries echoes of another revolutionary work, Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson. Silent Spring foresaw a day when pollution would destoy the reproductive cycle of birds, and they would no longer sing their songs. The Silent Passage echoes that notion. It not only implies that in menopause women suffer in silence but also that the clear, vibrant voice of women at midlife and older had been silenced. Now, thanks to pioneers like Gail Sheehy, we are demanding that our collective voices be heard!

--Suza Francina, author, Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause and The New Yoga for People Over 50.

The Things I Wish I'd Said is another winner with me. I could see these stories unfold either because of the imagery that Michele provided or in some cases reflections of my own past experiences. This books makes you think of the good and bad in the world in which we live. I recommend this book to any reader. I also want to thank Michele for another wonderful book.

We've all had our forehead-slapping moments when we come up with the perfect comeback, the wittiest repartee or the sharpest retort way too long after the moment to matter anymore. Unfortunately, we don't usually have the opportunity to go back and right the wrongs, but if you were by chance a newspaper columnist, you could certainly reflect on your earlier pearls of wisdom, reinforcing or shredding as the need arose.

Telling it like it was, Michele VanOrt Cozzens reflects on a series of her articles, published back in the days when she was the PG-13 Carrie Bradshaw of Oakland.

If you are fortunate enough to have read "I'm Living Your Dream Life", you're already on the inside track for this book, which touches on a range of topics, from home, family and friends through pets, Elvis, telemarketing, home improvement, beauty pageants, boxing, disc golf, and the Grateful Dead, among others.

Running the gamut of emotions, the stories are about real life, and will touch chords of recognition in every reader. Funny, poignant, reflective or sad, it takes you deep down into the soul of the author, and will alternately touch your heart and your funny bone.

Amanda Richards, July 13, 2005

I enjoyed Michele's direct perspective in her original articles and seeing how years later, she adds a personal view on the things she wishes that she said. This book brings the reader into the mind of a young journalist who has now a seasoned career. Offering personal glimpses into the life of the author with sincerity and emotion. I cried at the loss of her mother and I laughed at her witty portrayel of a simple haircut. I encourage others to read this book and the other novels written by Michele Cozzens, she entertains with style!

The Things I Wish I'd Said was an enjoyable, insightful read. The perfect book for the bedside table. Each chapter revisited a theme ten years later. Perspectives change with age. Michele's refreshing candor covered the gamut.

I absolutely loved this collection of stories. It hit home on many levels. The author writes about bad haircuts (Just an Inch off the bottom) and baby showers (Baby Showers on the Brain) and had me laughing out loud. Then she turned a corner and wrote about the loss of her pet (Woman's Best Friend) and then the tragic loss of her niece (Playing God and Losing) and an amazingly poignant story about the death of her mother called The Summer of Old. Easy to read and very relatable.

The structure of the book has been well thought out,with short sections of the text above the vocabulary for that text and at the bottom there is a full commentary with grammatical explanations. There are full explanations of the progress of the story, with interludes explaining the action to come and explanations of both gods and humans. Altogether, I would recommend this book to any sixth form or university classics student.

This Latin textbook provides the first half of the Aeneid in Latin, along with plenty of footnotes and appendices to guide you as you translate the great epic. Each page contains five to fifteen lines of the Aeneid, and the remaining two-thirds of each page contains the vocabulary, grammar notes, and miscellaneous footnotes. You never need to turn a page or refer to another dictionary, so the tedious aspect of translating is removed. (My fellow students love this awesome aspect and therefore call it the "Pharr Out" edition.) The appendices provide all the grammar rules you may have forgotten or have yet to learn. Beginner and Intermediate Latin students can't go wrong with this book if they need or want to tackle Virgil's Aeneid.

This book is a great guide when translating the Aeneid. It has all of the poetic figures, grammatical notes, and vocabulary one needs for preparation for the AP Latin test.

I have found this text to be helpful, although at times somewhat misleading. Pharr's edition of Virgil's Aeneid is renowned for its extensive annotations throughout the entirety of the text (intended to assist students as well as intermediate translators). At times these annotations are more harmful than helpful. Many are either unclear or offer too much impertinent information. For this reason, students often miss the relevant information contained within and simply accept Pharr's translations of various phrases/words without actually translating for themselves.

I recommend this book for any Latin 3, or Ap Class! The vocabulary fold out in the back is very useful! Although some may argue Barbara Boyd's Book 10 and 12 Pallas and Turnus book is exactly the same, the vocabulary lists are scarce. Pharr also has vocabulary on the pages you are translating, that do not occur as often. He also has interesting points that refer to the latin in interpretation, and he points out examples of literary devices. This book is EXCELLENT for a latin student in any grade!

My son is 4 1/2 and has just discovered graphic novels, starting with W.I.T.C.H., book 2. We're on to book 1 and ready to start looking for #3 and beyond. He loves these books, surprisingly to me, and I love them as well. He's been watching Studio Gibli movies since he was little, so it makes sense to me that he would like the manga style. Now, we just have to get our library to stock all of the series!

Will,Irma,Taranee,Cornelia,and Hay Lin are 5 ordinary friends with an extraordinary secret.They have been
chosen as 5 guardians of the Veil.They have power over Phobos. Will is the leader of the group.She has red
hair. I like her the most. I read this book about 15 times. This review is written by Nalanda

I live in Sweden, where the W.I.T.C.H. magazine is published. You should all know that the comic came FIRST, before the novelisations and the show. Where else would the comic inserts have come from?

Also, I like the comic much more than the show because it has a nicer style and of course it's the original.

This is an excellent story about five girls who discover they're more than just a face in the crowd.

This book was AWESOME!!!!I own this book. Will,Irma,Taranee,Cornelia,and Hay-Lin learn about the magic of friendship and thier powers in this book. But anyway,if you like W.I.T.C.H., You'll LOVE this book!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like this book for a couple different reasons: one is the drawings, another is it kinda reminds me of well, Sailor Moon and Winx. Even though winx is a few years old,(like, 2002 maybe?) and Sailor Moon's from the '90's, I think in a way it went like this: Sailor Moon went on to Winx Club and Winx club went on to W.I.T.C.H.,maybe? Anyway, back to the review..... another reason I like this book is because it puts you in different moods, like, funny, happy, and a I-wonder-what's-gonna-happen- next-mood.Well I better not tell ya about the story if ya hadn't read the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Don't wanna get the story spoiled, do ya?! And plus, I'll give ya some advice: Don't AND I MEAN DON'T try to read like the end, cause that will spoil it baaaaaad!

I couldn't add anything else to the other comments; just buy it - you will not regret.

This book is truely well written. Hard to put down. If you have read: President Nixon, Final Days and Abuse of Power this book puts it all together. It is the AH! HA! you've been looking for. It will also make you curious about the Pentagon Papers. All these books are written from a historical perpective by well know historians. Not journalist looking for a quick buck.

If your goal is to understand the depth of Richard Nixon's involvement in the Watergate scandal, Stanley Kutler's `The Wars of Watergate' is the book for it. It's a great introduction to Watergate without that qualifying caveat, of course, but Kutler perches his narrative squarely on Nixon's shoulder. This book doesn't take extended side trips to the creation of the Plumbers, to that dirty trickster Donald Segretti, or the back desks in the Special Prosecutor's offices. The wars of Watergate, Kutler writes, are "rooted in the lifelong political personality of Richard Nixon," a personality that is marked by political paranoia, a determination to wreak vengeance on his enemies, and an overweening concern with winning his own elections. For those who dismiss Watergate as a third-rate burglary, or a vague `everyone else does it,' Kutler provides a substantial "discussion of the abuses of power that precede the burglary and the obstruction of justice that followed it."

Kutler sets the stage with brief chapters on the LBJ Administration, Vietnam, and a biographical sketch of Richard Nixon prior to the presidential election of 1968. We're taken closer to our subject with Kutler's next few chapters on Nixon's first term as president, where Nixon's relationship with the media (antagonistic,) and congress (disdainful,) as well as his executive style (obsessive micro-management) are surveyed. Providing as they do a context for the crimes of Richard Nixon, these prelude-to-war sections properly prepare us for the battles of Watergate.

An American constitutional historian, Stanley Kutler is well qualified to guide us through the battleground that was the second term of Richard Nixon. The war analogy is apt. For Nixon the Wars of Watergate officially begins with the immediate Administration response to the break-in at the DNC headquarters by the Watergate burglars. The first phase may be called "The War of the Burglars' Silence," a phase that is marked by Nixon's active participation in those acts that would lead to his resignation less that two years later.

One gets the strong impression that `The Wars of Watergate' is Kutler's response to future revisionist historians. The revisionist template was already being hammered out by Nixon, and others, when this book was published in 1990. If Kutler is forestalling an alternate interpretation, he does so with a well-coordinate, thoughtful, balanced, and overwhelmingly convincing presentation of facts. His interpretation - that Nixon was at the center of the Watergate cover-up from the beginning - is, with the evidence he provides to back it up, irrefutable.

Although `The Wars of Watergate' is not a complete history of the scandal, it's a good chunk of it - the heart of it, if you will. It would make a good introduction for the uninitiated. Even for Watergate wonks its expanded chapters on the Rodino chaired House Judiciary Committee, which considered impeachment, will provide fresh insights and a more complete story of an under-reported Watergate subject. This may not be the best single volume on Watergate, but if it isn't I haven't read its rival. Highest recommendation.

At least for those us who cut their political teeth during the 1960's and 1970's, Watergate and Vietnam were the watershed events. There was life before Watergate and Vietnam and life after. Stanley Kutler's work is one of the first to bring an historian's perspective to the Watergate story. As the saying goes, if you read one book about Watergate, this is the one.

Kutler is by no means neutral on Richard Nixon, but one of the unique things about Watergate was that Nixon's own taping system provided the record to hang himself. If nothing else the tapes proved Nixon was a habitual and flagrant liar. Kutler, whose regular job is as a professor at the University of Wisconsin, was drawn into a lifetime of work by his expertise on the sprawling scandal that was Watergate. His work has continued as he battled first Nixon, Nixon's estate, and then the National Archivists for full access to the White House tapes. Nixon kept up his lies and deception to his last days, with far more success than one would have hoped. In the long run, history's judgment of Nixon will be harsh and will start with Kutler's work.

Not just about Watergate, but a comprehensive look at RN's political career. The Watergate break-in came to symbolize the abuses of this imperial presidency. Excellent historical analysis. Comprehensive history not just at RN's presidency, but the evolution of the office during the Cold War. Thank goodness G. Gordon Liddy was such an incompetent stooge that the whole bag of "White House Horrors" came to light.

[Note: My review also appears under the Editorial Reviews]

The title itself is a little off-putting (although it does serve to get your attention), but the writing is quite engaging indeed. From reading the book's description, this really didn't sound like a novel I would particularly enjoy reading; I certainly wasn't expecting to find the story populated by such engagingly quirky characters or written with such witty flair. The opening pages of this novel really are quite entertaining - and I got quite a kick out of the main characters' actions and dialogue.

Reconciling the book description with the writing sample, I assume this must be some variant of dark comedy with an urban, gritty edge. Since we really see nothing tangible in these opening pages about this personal search the protagonist reportedly comes to undertake, it's hard to judge the potential success of this novel, but there is certainly good reason to believe the journey will not be a boring one.

I like this author's writing style. He/she has what I would describe as a British sense of humor; i.e., it has a dry, intellectual bent to it. It also bears the slight hint of the curmudgeon, for the main character's nostalgia over the disappearing heart and soul of New York life is apparent. He's a walking anachronism in many ways, and his search for what has been lost will obviously be the driving force behind whatever personal journey he undertakes to find his place in his increasingly superficial world.

Still, even though I found this writing sample entertaining and would not turn down the chance to see how the story develops, I feel no compelling urge to learn how the main character fares in terms of identifying and understanding his personal place in the world. These early pages amused me, but they failed to truly capture my imagination.

Burstin's writing is on point in this journey through the new, suckier version of New York City. I know he's on point because I lived there, and many of those trust fund brats were in my 9 am writing class!

It makes me wish I would have gotten there earlier, so I could have taken a bite out of an Apple more raw and natural, with less pesticides and synthetic fertilizer!

This book is a winner, and I can't wait for the next one. Give em hell Peter!

Mr. Burstin did an excellent job writing this short story. He is a very intellectual individual and this comes through in his writing. From the minute you start reading it, you don't want to put it down. I think everyone can relate in some way to the story. Burstin did a wonderful job writing about a man's search for his past and his view on NYC, I think we can all relate to this story in one way or another. We all have our secrets, our journeys, our mischiefs in our past. I highly recommend this book! Great Job Peter.

Burstin's style is as fun as it is effective and engaging. The author's perspective of New York's suburbanization is clearly and visually projected into the reader's mind with very clever devices.

This is my first encounter with Burstin's work and he definately has me ready for more. "Will there be a part II?" I'll be on the lookout for the 'to be continued', but at least I can content myself with a copy of The J Affect in the mean time.

Peter Burstin's perspective on NYC is unique. In the story a night out turns into a brilliant prank, which leads to further mischief. Burstin's characters are described with ease and they are endearing. And yes, I laughed out loud.

As both a parent and an educator, I wish I had read this book years ago! This book is amazing! It is full of common sense insights and displays a profound understanding of children. I will be recommending this book to every parent & teacher I know!

Dr. Spock and all the others have nothing on this team. For the first time after reading and implementing parenting methods I have finally found one that truly works. The changes in our family are remarkable. In a world full of self help books on parenting, it is very confusing as to what is right, wrong or simply ineffective. This book however is not only effective but will teach parents common sense things we just could not see on our own. It is simple and even obvious now. Wonderful parenting guide for any parent whether working through a crisis or just wanting to make sure you and your child start out in the right direction. Its never to late to make a change and its not only effective, the results are quick and rewarding. Our quaility of family life has surpassed my wildest dreams!! Frued has been surpassed. We recommend this book to all of our friends, and to anyone reading this review. You will be amazed and grateful. Thanks Denis and Deborah!

This book has changed my life, it has given the spoken language new clarity from the eyes of the young. I now have control of how words are spoken, interperted and understood, before I always assumed my child understood what I meant. My children have responded very well to this easy to follow and understand guide. We have also been fortunate enough to be in therapy with Dr. Donovan for the past 1 1/2, as we live in St Petersburg, Fl. Read the book, absorb the book, implement the book and change your world and your childs.

"What Did I Just Say! " by Denis Donovan, M.D. and Deborah McIntyre, M.A., R.N. is a book on how to communicate effectively with your children. This is a must in this day of computer wiz kids. It gives you phrases and practical statements to say to your children to help them process what you really want them to do. Children don't always hear what we meant. This book will change the way you communicate and interact with your children. Pick this one up today and be on your way to a better, more insightful relationship with your kids.

This book is amazing. If you have problems with your boys (OK kids) you must get this. I thought I was the most emotionally available and "tuned-in" parent. After reading the first few chapters, I used the skills I leared in this book. My older one had been whining in the mornings about not wanting to go to school. I gently commanded him to tell me WHY (I didn't ASK, I COMMANDED him to tell me- lovingly)in the ways I learned in the book. He told me that he was embarassed because he couldn't open his tupperware at snacktime. I had the same morning scene EVERY MORNING until that day, and that was the end of it! I use this book EVERY DAY now. It is an easy read, and you will get results after just a few chapters. I had no parenting issues that I wanted to fix, but my sister had an appt. with the author without knowing he had a book (a Dr. referral, he's in Tampa, FL). I looked it up on Amazon and it was interesting. I got it and it's LOVE! GET IT, but be ready to take responsibility for your kids' problems and take initiative to change the way you speak to them. If you can, it'll be easy, SO EASY. If you are looking for an external reason for your kids' problems you can easily find that elsewhere.

This is a well-written book that gives a wealth of information to help the non-Jewish population understand their Jewish friends, their faith, or lack thereof, and their culture. I am enjoying it immensely.

This is one of the best books about "Judaism for non-Jews" I've ever read. When I was studying for my conversion to Reform Judaism a couple of years ago, I referred to it constantly. It is very readable, and Mr. Schoen shares anecdotes from his own experiences that are pertinent to each topic he covers. Even now, I often go to this book when I have a question that requires an accurate but not highly technical answer.

One of my closest friends is a born-again Christian. When she came for a visit a few months ago, she attended synagogue with us and observed some of the religious rituals we perform at home. She has never had much exposure to Judaism, so she had lots of questions. When her birthday rolled around, I ordered a copy of this book from Amazon to send to her as a gift, thinking it would be just right. Well, I'll let her own words speak for her...this is an excerpt from the e-mail she wrote me when she received the book: "And the book...I've been reading it every time I sit down. It's just perfect. It really is easy to read, and I've already recognized some of the things I learned while I stayed with you guys. Very interesting."

In short, this is an excellent book!

This book is great-simple to follow & full of information. I think it's a must read for every Catholic.Thanks Robert Schoen.

I found myself in the odd position of minoring in Jewish Studies without knowing anything about modern Judaism (all the classes I've taken have been on the ancient period). Reading this book has been my first step toward remedying that.

This was an excellent introduction to modern Judaism. It did leave me with questions--but that's the job of a good introductory work, to show you that there is more out there to learn. The glossary (with pronunciations!) is also a good resource. I highly recommend this book.

As a Jew I frequently am asked by non-Jews about such things as Kaballah (which I know nothing about) and if I keep kosher (I don't, but I have a hard time explaining why I don't). When I hear phrases such as "Christian values" I want to say that they originally were Jewish values. When people wish me a happy Easter or merry Christmas, I want to explain to them why I don't celebrate either of those holidays and why Hannukah is not a big holiday for adult Jews without children.

Along came Schoen's book, and suddenly the answers are there, with simple explanations that are non-confrontational. With about 70 short chapters, Schoen has created a reference work that clearly explains how the religion is practiced in the US today, the holidays, the beliefs and the food.

Chapters cover Jewish weddings, bar mitzvahs, circumcisions and funerals. The different branches of Judaism from Orthodox to Reform are covered, as are the different holidays, the symbols, women and Judaism and social issues.

Schoen covers some of Jewish history including the Holocaust, but fortunately avoids partisan lectures about such controversies as supporting Israel and condemning radical Muslims.

This should be required reading for Jewish and non-Jewish schoolchildren alike. It is a reference work that need not be read cover to cover. One can simply go to a particular relevant chapter as needed, such as High Holidays, Intermarriage or Anti-Semitism. The glossary and pronunciation guide will help readers to understand the Yiddish words that are finding their ways into the American lexicon. Schoen has condensed information about nearly everything Jewish into an easy-to-read, 250 page book that could help us all understand one another a little better.

When my daughter was young, she loved this book and so did I. Written by Dr. Seuss it is of course an excellent book for young children and it is short. On those nights when it was late and she was in bed and begged for me to read her a story, I read this one. It also helps to alleviate the natural fears that children have.
The main character repeatedly encounters a pair of pale green pants with no one inside them. Terrified, he runs and hides whenever he sees them. However, eventually he has a close encounter and discovers that the pants are lonely and frightened. This leads to a sustained friendship.
The lesson here is one that I always explained to my daughter, the fact that in nearly all cases the fear of the unknown is greater than is justified by what the unknown actually is. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding is the key to conquering fear. That is a lesson that all humans need to learn and relearn throughout life.

I traded a huge purple stuffed dog, for Sneetches and Other Stories when I was 5 or 6. THIS story is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! Imagine my joy to see it published on it's own. I am 43 now, and highly recommend this little book.

My kids and I love this story. It is a little scary and can be read with a lot of drama. It is also great because you can use it as a teaching tool when your kids are scared of the unknown.

My recommendation though is to spend the extra couple bucks and pick up the book (Sneetches and Other Stories) in which this story was published. The other stories are just as fun!

Perhaps my top pick for the bedtime stories.
The eyes of a child grow large, their tiny heartbeats quicken and their grip tightens upon your person. Questions arise every other page from their interested brains as to "What do you think is gonna happen next?". Until the last few pages when all is revealed what's green and has been walking in the dark, the cutest of giggles begin.
Upon leaving the childs room, lights go out and the exchange of good nights are given; even thou it is but a humourous book, none-the-less do the tiny folk remind you to leave the closet light on when exiting the room.
I think those are the best critiques in the world.

A Suessage walk in the forest dark.

LadyGray
Author of the Yuletide Tale - White Holly

This book was always one of my favorites because me and my grandpa would read it together all the time and in the beginning I would always be scared but then at the end I would be laughing so hard!

This was a great book - if I had just one book about Win 95, this would be it.

i have read the book for the 3rd edition but this was in my class Tim class some one stole the cd for the book so i couldnt do some of the things it sead to do so im just going to try to get the next best thing

Livingston & Straub combine thorough knowledge and casual writing skills nicely, resulting in an easy to find by, easy to follow and easy to execute by reference tome. A " Windows 95 Secrets " tweak, MaxMTU / DefaultRcvWindows, effected a software cost savings equal to the cover price!

Before you call me, look at 'Windows 95 Secrets' by Brian Livingston & Davis Straub, This book provides essential, and much undocumented information about Windows 95 features, installation, Plug and Play, boot files, the Windows desktop, relationships to DOS, networking, performance, and more. Helpful for everyone from the neophyte to the most intense power user. A great gift.

This excellent reference manual has become an indispensable corner stone of my computer library. Well written in clear and concise English the book is full of tips and tricks -- many of them undocumented by Microsoft. "Windows 95 Secrets" has helped me through a number of problematic situations including ones having to do with Network, modem, fax and printer setup and trouble shooting. If you are considering the purchase of only one Windows 95 reference book: this is the one.