N Books

My publisher, Corinthian Books, was skeptical when I promised them that the 10,000-copy first printing of The Redneck Riviera would sell out. In the spring of 2007 they were delighted to find out that their worries were unfounded! In this second edition, we had the opportunity come up with a great new cover (thanks to the inspired work of Diane Anderson, Senior Editor, and Rebecca Imholz, my spirited publicist). We also took the opportunity to make some tiny tweaks in the text. The book has become somewhat of a cult classic in the South, with over 120 book clubs making it their selection. In the "customer photos" section you can get a sense of some of the places in The Redneck Riviera (Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) where this novel was set. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you laugh again. In the process, it shows the heroism it sometimes takes to fix a broken family, and the miraculous emotional healing which can result when someone is willing to risk everything to save someone they love. This second edition of The Redneck Riviera (with the red dancing shoe on the cover) was released for sale February 1, 2008. If you enjoy it, I'd be delighted to have you post your review here! With warmest wishes -- Richard N. Côté, the author.

This novel is a hoot. Has a certain segment of Southern Society nailed oh so correctly! Gonna buy more of his works.

These are scary times. "Make love not war" may have been the mantra of the 1960's and 70's, but gone are the days of mild marijuana and Boone's Farm Apple wine, Deadheads and Woodstock. Now teens attend "Raves", and the drugs of choice are ecstasy and meth. Ignorance really is the mother of all prejudice, not bliss. This is what a divorced mother named Dolly discovers in The Redneck Riviera. Not only is her daughter, April, rejecting every value that has been hypocritically proclaimed by her misguided mother, April is also quickly being sucked in by a racist, sexist, meth-cooking group of skinheads that the she has embraced as her new "family". Dolly is forced to put her own life and problems in the back seat and pay close attention to what is going on with April, instead of taking her for granted. The plot rolls right along, and even as the characters make good and bad choices, the believability level is very high, especially due to the details of setting and dialogue. As serious as the subject matter is, though, there are also funny moments in the novel when life's absurdities occur, especially in the scene with the pathetic, lecherous, middle-aged golfers. Do they really believe these young, beautiful girls are attracted to them? As layer after layer of self-deceit is peeled away from each character, exposing their lies to themselves, the truth, in all its ugliness and beauty is revealed. To be contrite, selfish, forgiving, accepting, or angry are the choices that ultimately have to be made when true integrity is tested. And the outcomes are surprising.

The research that must have gone into this book is awesome. But then again, this is the same author who wrote "Mary's World: Love, War, and Family Ties in Nineteenth-century Charleston", a non-fiction account of a Civil War plantation owners wife based on her actual diaries and letters. The diversity of Cote's writing ability is amazing and the originality of the setting and subject matter make you wonder what he'll write next.

I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. last night because I couldn't put this book down! I had to know what happened.
The story is very fast-paced, but pay attention because there's a lot going on. I also appreciated that it was a very modern setting about current issues. I didn't know a lot about meth labs and definately never heard of topless caddies, but I think I've heard it all now. None of it is exploitive, though, just part of the character's time and place in their lives. The bottom line is that it's about bad choices and generation gaps and what we will do for love.
I definately recommend this book - but take it to the beach and start reading in the daylight. Don't begin late at night or you'll miss a night's sleep, too.

We've read the newspapers and watched the news...often the most horrifying scenarios capture our attention like the inability to look away from a car accident. But those things always happen to other people, in other places....Aren't we all guilty of "not in my backyard..."? Well, the author of The Redneck Riviera places a meth lab right on the outskirts of a beautiful beachside community, and then dreams up the nightmare of having your beautiful, intelligent daughter run away from home, go to work at a stripper bar and date a skinhead drug dealer. That's how real this story is. I kept thinking, we all have these traits within us, and these evil people are all around us. There but for the grace of God....goes my kid.

The protagonist of the novel is a bleached-blonde, white-trash, divorced mother who revolves her swinging single social life around looking for love in all the wrong places. The reader can't help but like Dolly, though...she may be a naïve floozy but she's got a good heart and loves her kid. It is hard to like her daughter, initially. What a rude-mouthed, self-centered brat! It's to Dolly's credit that she's resisted the urge to slap the kid's smart mouth. Then again, that's probably why daughter April became such a wild child...because Mom not only had a crummy upbringing herself, but appears to be spineless.

What struck me the most about this book, difficult as the characters were to relate to personally, was that they were so REAL. I've known teenagers who were lying, manipulative and self-absorbed, to the point where they become a danger to themselves and others. And the middle-aged mother, while she is careening out of control on her own personal road to hell self-paved with good intentions, is adamant in her faith that her daughter can be loved back to good self-esteem and a positive lifestyle.

Richard N. Côté tackles some very real problems that face society today and tells the absorbing story of The Redneck Riveria so brutally honestly that it could be right next door, right now. So look around your town; these criminals and con artists are all around. And give your kids an extra hug tonight. The love of your life might be in the same danger.

I USED THIS BOOK FOR YEARS, MAKING ALMOST EVERY PATTERN IN THE BOOK AND LOANED IT TO "SOMEONE". I FELT I WAS IN WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT IT SO I PURCHASED ANOTHER. THE PATTERNS ARE SO VERSATILE AND THE TECHNIQUE CONTINUES TO BE MY FAVORITE TO TEACH AT THE LOCAL QUILT SHOP. EVERY STACK-N-WHACK I ENTERED IN A COMPETITION HAS BEEN AN AWARD WINNER. BETHANY IS A GENIUS TO HAVE CREATED THIS DRAMATIC TECHNIQUE AND TO ALLOW US TO REALLY APPRECIATE OUR LOVELY FABRICS.

I purchased this book to go with the companion book. I received it the day before I got the companion book from a friend who went to town and purchased it and brought it back.!! Speedy delivery.
Thanks

I decided to tackle a stack-n-whack for my second quilt and loved this book! The beginning couple of pages did a great job of explaining the basic process. I found that cutting out the pieces was the hardest part and once that was done, the blocks went together so quickly. I can't wait to make the same quilt again in different fabrics and compare the two results! The illusions in this book are also so amazing that it makes my quilts seem so much more professional because the design appears so complicated to a novice quilter!

I decided to tackle a stack-n-whack for my second quilt and loved this book! The beginning couple of pages did a great job of explaining the basic process. I found that cutting out the pieces was the hardest part and once that was done, the blocks went together so quickly. I can't wait to make the same quilt again in different fabrics and compare the two results! The illusions in this book are also so amazing that it makes my quilts seem so much more professional because the design appears so complicated to a novice quilter!

If you are just getting into Stack and Whack, get Karen's first book. If you really love it and want more ideas, this book will inspire you. It's such fun to see what Karen makes using today's large scale prints - she deserves a quilter's hall of fame award for inspiring many to play with prints! The mirror-image variations in this book are interesting, but I've had a hard time finding fabrics that are appropriate for them (the color saturation on the back needs to be almost as rich as the front for these to be effective since you are using both sides).

Its simple...we LOVE this book. We got this when my daughter was about 1 and at 6 she still loves it. Now my 2 year old son enjoys reading it with us.
Its a great story about companionship. The rhymes roll off the tongue and the pitcures are rich with color and detail.
We have since shared this book with many of our friends and we have heard great things about it from them as well.
Howie NYC

If you know of an older toddler or preschooler who plans to visit New York or lives in New York, this book makes a wonderful gift.

Most children who visit/live in NYC will ride a taxi. So, the book's topic is very relevant to their own experience. Things about the city are subtly tied into the the wonderful rhymes of this book (e.g. dogs, Central Park, the Circus, Broadway) without being too "touristy."

This story is adorable and the illustrations are great. You will smile from the first page to the last. Definitely a great addition to your picture book library.

I have read this to pre-schoolers and they just love the illustrations. The sites of New York City come alive in this book. You'll fall in love with Maxi when you read this story and be asking for more.

Second grade boys are tough critics but I've yet to find one who didn't like "The Adventures of Taxi Dog". The story, told in rhyme, is sensitive and funny. The pictures are colorful and ripe with details. The dedication is special and should not be skipped if you are reading this one out loud.

have a problem with using words like "brilliant", "masterful" and "intelligent." But willing apply all words to this brilliant book, masterfully research and intelligently told.

The author gives a very full and complete treatise on Brown versus the Board of Education, but of greater interest, he writes of all the history that lead up to the ruling.

An exceptional book chronicling an extremely important issue in our country's history.

This is certainly the best book ever written -- the best book that ever will be written -- about race, law and American society. It is a remarkably insightful history and one of the most stunning existing examples of narrative journalism. It is a masterpiece.

I'm a fan of nonfiction works and this easily moved to my top 5 favorite books. When I was growing up there were no courses on the contributions blacks made to America. There was no black history month. And I was cheated. I'm a 50+ white woman who lived through desegregation and had no clue that it was a struggle. I honestly don't remember a time when my elementary classes were all white but they must have been. I do remember clearly when my elementary class stopped being all white. That was when Richard Harris became my Batman buddy. On the aftenoons following the show we would go to the neighborhood soda shop and have a coke and discuss all the action of the previous evening's show and check for new Batman bubble gum cards with the intensity that only 5th graders can bring to such an important endeavor. It felt normal to chat Batman with Richard; and I'm so sorry for all the children that had such a dumb practice as segregation rob them of those moments.

This book read like a thiriller for me. Couldn't put it down. Underlined and highlighted parts. Read other sections out loud to my husband and to some friends at work. This is American history. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn about the value of education, the value of varied experiences and the perseverance to acquire the rights that should never have been denied to the black people. It's made me hungry to know more and I'll be keeping my eye out for other works by Kluger. Excellent author.

I just finished this book, A Simple Justice, and it is fantastic. It's the story of Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka, which is the landmark Supreme Court case that desegregated compulsory public schools in America. But it's so much more than that. After reading this book, I felt almost ashamed of my previous ignorance to the struggles and condition of black america at the hands of almost everyone else in the country. It is comprehensive in its scope and perspicacious in its analysis, sparing no feelings on either (or rather, any) side. I believe myself to be, for the most part, a judicious man when it comes to philosophical or sociological observations, but Kluger was able to open my eyes to angles I had previously missed on issues I thought I had resolved long ago. So if you're not too scared of big books, this one's worth the time.

Long a mainstay of every 1L's pre-law school summer reading list, SIMPLE JUSTICE is more than a retelling of the tortured history of the landmark cases now known collectively as Brown v. Board of Ed. It is more than a retelling of the agonizing struggles of both gifted and ordinary people---black and white and every other---to reverse the four centuries of racial disparagement that make up the ugliest of all underpinnings of the American Experiment. What SIMPLE JUSTICE is, is an exhaustive sociological history of race relations in the United States to the 1950s.

It is a book every American should read. The endemic quality of racism in the American psyche is so overwhelming that it is easy to lose the human element. SIMPLE JUSTICE restores that element with sensitive, intelligent writing, exhaustive and documented research, and a tone which is pitch perfect, strident when need be, reasoned and thoughtful throughout. Ultimately optimistic, SIMPLE JUSTICE will renew your belief in the American system even while tempering it.

In it's retelling of nightmarish incident after nightmarish incident (the explosive and hideous lynchings are often easier to understand than the equally hideous and more subtle segregation and caricaturing that endured for, it seems, ever), SIMPLE JUSTICE shows us an America riven by its view of itself as a noble nation being eaten by the canker in its soul.

Although many Americans now consider race discrimination passe, it is not so hard to see the continuation of a pattern of violence toward blacks and the denigration of the black experience, even today. And yet, there is more, for not only are Black Americans denigrated, but White Americans as well, both suffering because this nation is only a fraction of what it might othewise be.

SIMPLE JUSTICE is a crucial Civics lesson. Read it to learn. Read it to know. Read it. Read it again.

Palden Gyasto was the featured speaker at the Union Center Rally, March 20, 1999. Through an interpeter he gave his compasionate address. Just before his address he kindly signed my copy of his book and blessed my Khata that my son had brought me from Tibet. His story is a lesson is compassion which is created, I believe by his devotion to his Buddist Training. His book gives a rare first hand account of his trying experiences. This is another authentic record of the unchecked communist genocide and repression which exists today.

I recently met Palden Gyatso at a Dalai Lama teaching and bought a copy of his book there, mostly as a way to support him. Though I read all the time I rarely finish a book as I usually lose interest 2/3 of the way through and move on to something else. But this book was an exception - incredibly interesting and inspiring - I finished it very quickly.

This is a great book. I am an activist for Tibetan independence and knew much about the atrocities taking place in Tibet since 1949, but this book put a face to the facts. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in Tibet, Buddhism, or in learning about a remarkable man who went through horrible oppression and has emerged gracefully.

I've read a few books about the sufferings of Tibetans by now, but still, this book managed to affect me and make me stop and think. Again and again. First of all, how has nothing changed since this book confirmed that China is continuing to do all it can to wipe out the culture, religion and spirit of Tibet? I know I have responsibility to speak up about this (and I will) but I still can't believe that higher powers up there did not stop China by now.

Anyway, back to the book- Palden Gyatso is the image of courage, compassion and inner strength. I read passages of how he was tortured and bullied and then would flip to the inner photo of this tiny, frail man-astonishing! I see now that the determined and strong look on his face at the UK Independence rally co-exists with the gentle, loving portrait on the cover and it's a wonderful combination. This book reminded me that it takes deep courage to stand up for who you are and what you believe in but there is no greater purpose for each of us than to aim for that goal with all that we have.

Read this book to better understand why Tibet needs our support but also to re-instill your own will to be a decent,kind and courageous human being.

This book is a testimony to the endurance of the human spirit, able to overcome the most nefarious system perhaps the world has ever known. The fact that Palden Gyatso is able to relay his story to you and me is nothing short of a miracle after what he had to endure for years inside China's prison system undergoing "reformation." The stories of torture, starvation and freezing nights will stay with you forever and make you question how strong your own beliefs are and whether you could do what Palden Gyatso did. I do not wish to reveal too much, but will say that calling the story compelling is a vast understatement.

This book is as important now as ever. China has the 2008 Olympic games and yet these brutalities continue to occur. Not to mention the fact that China is now relocating Chinese into the Tibetan region, threatening forever one of the world's great cultures through dilution of the society and culture.

Buy this book and see both the horrors of mankind and also his greatness in what he can overcome. If you like this book, I would also recommend Ama Adhe's book from a woman's perspective in the same system. We often hear the word hero, but rarely is it so appropriate as it is in describing these amazing individuals.

This was one of my favoret books... a must read!!!! In the first book, you begin to think captain Bligh is evil but in the second book he seems verry reasanable guy...

Having chanced to see the Mutiny on the Bounty movie starring
Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson recently, I immediately resolved
to obtain and read the book.

I can only add my praise to the preceding reviews. The
quality of the writing, the details of the sailing life
of the time, the descriptions of the characters, were all
excellent.

If you know of young readers enamoured of Harry Potter
and the like, get them a copy of the Bounty Trilogy
and encourage them to read it while they await the final
Potter tale. They won't be disappointed with the
adventure nor the struggle between good and evil men.

To all those actively seeking hardy adventure from the comfort of a chair:
Look no farther, your search has come to an end. This is it. This is 100% total immersion into a world of adventure. So this thing comes in three equally consuming parts. I mean who writes an entire book about sixteen guys stuck on a small wooden paddle boat out in the middle of the pacific, and makes it a treat to read? Hardy adventure seeker I have your fix, and it's not a quick fix, it's a time consuming gem that will have you in its grips until the last page is eaten up. I have to admit that I can't think of an adventure novel(trilogy) that I've enjoyed this much. Quality entertainment. Quality.

Do your self a big favor and read this book. Make sure you read all three parts- The Bounty, Men against the sea, and Pitcairn's Island. It is an absolute shame that most people have only read the first book because the other two are just as good if not BETTER! My personal favorite is part three ,the last book, where the mutineers find an island and try to start new lives there.
Then, be sure and check out the movie - Mutiny on the Bounty starring Marlon Brando. That one is the most accurate version, and I have seen all three.
And then dream of being one of those lucky sailors landing at the paradise know as Tahiti.

Buy this book and read within a week, and you WILL want to explore to the south pacific.

This is an amazing epic of 18th mutiny of the H.M.S. Bounty. Although the tale has been fictionalized as an historical novel, it portrays the conflicting cultures of that time as the forces of racism, imperialism, autonomy and autocracy clash on the high seas. The trilogy is comprised of three novels: The first is Mutiny on the Bounty which chronicles the abuse of Captain Bligh, the mutiny led by Fletcher Christian narrated by midshipmen Roger Byam. Men Against the Sea, narrated by ships surgeon Thomas Ledward, picks up the tale at the mutiny and chronicles the amazing feat of Captain Bligh in returning 19 souls to England after being set adrift in a twenty-three foot longboat with only seven or eight inches of freeboard. The trilogy concludes with the tragic, yet redeeming tale of Pitcairn's Island where the mutineers made their home.

On the surface, Captain Bligh is the villain and Fletcher Christian is the hero. This has been ingrained into our culture to such an extent that any hard-driving taskmaster will not doubt inherit the name Captain Bligh by those under his charge. Yet, Nordoff and Hall resist the temptation to draw these lines so clearly. Yes, Captain Bligh was his own worst enemy. He was so sold out to an autocratic model of leadership that he was incapable of recognizing the autonomy of his men- the needs of his men were subordinate to the success of his mission. Now, men will often subordinate their needs to the need of the mission, or even give their lives for it, if the mission is a noble one; but supplying breadfruit to feed slaves did not fit that bill. Yet, once set adrift, Bligh now becomes the hero navigating his overloaded longboat 3600 miles to safety- a deed that must rank as one of the most remarkable feats of seamanship and leadership in history.

This is also a story of imperialism and racism- the two are inexorably intertwined. British imperialism, carrying the white mans burden to the South Seas, lead to the inevitable conflict between the two races. The sailors, obviously enjoyed the company of the Tahitian woman, even fell in love with them; yet, the idea that the white race was superior was a festering boil just under the surface that exploded when the mutineers made their home on Pitcairn Island. It is interesting to note who was the more civilized race when the conflict arose on Pitcairns Island, the European men acted like savages, whereas we see a measured dignity among the Tahitian men.

What I find interesting about the other reviews written on this book, is the omission to mention what specially brought peace to the Island- it was the rediscovery of the Bible and man's submission to the will of God. Without transcendent values, each man was out for himself and the result was anarchy and death; but when the survivors submitted their will to God's will, peace and harmony was restored. This is an amazing epic and well worth the read.

I've read this book at least 'more than' 15 times. I don't
know where I got it, as a birthday gift, I believe, but wherever,
I took to it as I have to few books in my life. I was unathletic
as a kid, though not as smart as the fictional Herbie, so that
helps. The book is dated, though not in a bad way, one can say
it just increased its attractiveness as a historic reference. Hard to
say how much Mr. Wouk is recalling his own childhood, but one can tell
he loves the characters, and it shows.

This is one of Herman Wouk's first books, if not his first. It is a wonderful story of a young man's growth in New York City. A perfect book for readers looking to introduce themselves to the novel; easy to read; a story of young love and of facing the universal emotional problems of youth.

This book reminded me quite a bit of the trite wisdom and stereotypes we see so often portrayed on modern family sitcoms and in fortune cookies...bullies never win, bad people always get whats coming to them, a kid who is smart enough can outsmart a whole group of teachers, love conquers all embarrassment and humiliation, rich girls are fickle snobs, the smartest kids are fat and/or ugly, and the best athletes never do well in school (and many, many more). None of which is true in the real world.

Yet, in this book, these very traits are exaggerated JUST enough to very colorfully and accurately display the vivid emotions of 11 year old Herbie just coming of age in 1920s New York, which makes the whole story a very entertaining read. What appeals most is Herbie's highly developed imagination, which brings him great trouble in his passion for Lucille, the horribly obnoxious girl who as soon snobbishly deserts him when he shows the slightest flaw as fawns over him when he shows outwardly just how wonderful his inner qualities can be.

But the same imagination also brings him great reward, leading him on a life-changing adventure with is average cousin Cliff, the final result of which wins the admiration not only of Lucille but of the entire summer camp (save for bully Lennie who has to wear a nurses dress and the unscrupulous smarmy camp owner/school principal Mr. Gauss). And, upon his return home from camp, an important moral lesson from his father.

Interspersed with this are hilarious moments, most especially with Clever Sam the perverse horse and the whole "Camper's Day" scenario.

A read I highly recommend!

At a loss for something to read, I picked this book at random - and then read it in three days flat! So nearly one of the best books I have read, it's full of true-to-life characters, plenty of touching moments and a lot of laugh-out-loud ones too.

The main character is obviously Herbie Bookbinder, an eleven year old growing up in the Bronx in the early 20th century. He is a fat but very intelligent boy, so intelligent he skips a year in school. However his main flaw in the book is that he falls hopelessly in love with a girl, Lucille Glass, a love so intense that he is led to do some truly extraordinary things. The intensely passionate feelings he has for this girl are to me what makes the character of Herbie so real.

The main event of the book is Herbie, his cousin Cliff, his arch-enemy Lennie and Lucille (among others) going to a summer camp, Camp Manitou. This turns out to be a fairly prison-like establishment, but dissent is kept to a minimum by shrewd calculation on the part of the camp owner, Mr. Gauss.

With Mr. Gauss, Herman Wouk has made into a person all those unpleasant characteristics we encounter in everyday life - greed, cunning, false charm and many more. He feeds the children ice cream on the first night, to dull their unhappiness at the dismal nature of the camp, and when the camp is defeated at games with another camp, Mr. Gauss manages, somehow, to inculcate a feeling that in fact Manitou won a great victory. As the final outrage Mr. Gauss effectively steals money from the naive Herbie.

The climax of the book comes with the confession of Herbie stealing from his father. It is very noticeable that the book gets a lot more serious towards the end, but it is never overly serious, and the warmth of it still shines through.

There are a lot of extremely funny moments, mostly involving a horse by the name of Clever Sam, and Wouk's dry humour at these points really had me laughing out loud.

The only thing that spoiled the book for me was the very end. Here it seems that Herbie and Lucille are finally going to realise their love for each other and perhaps share a truly romantic moment which has eluded them for so long - but instead the book ends with an extremely ambiguous encounter with an older boy whom Lucille seems to like. Even though this ending was obviously meant to be ambiguous in this way, I found it unsatisfying given all that Herbie and Lucille have gone through before. I really wanted to know for sure if they would ever get together.

Still, if anything this shows what real and sympathetic characters Wouk has created, and this small point did not seriously affect my view of the book as a whole. It is a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read, and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone!

Set in the Bronx in 1928, this Herman Wouk novel (his second) is all about Herbie Bookbinder and his experiences growing up during that time period. The scenes are warm and humorous, and move from one to another like the episodes in a good situation comedy. Two of my favorite funny scenes from the many to choose from are when Herbie and his friends are trying to get home on the subway and they don't have the nickel to ride, sneak on, get caught, and promise to send the nickel to the subway authority the next day (which they do); and the school play about the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, which has too many hilarious components to summarize. The writing is light and breezy, yet very assured, and Wouk keeps himself out of it so it doesn't come across as nostalgia in the form of a novel. It's an interesting book about growing up and childhood experiences, and deserves a place on the shelf next to TOM SAWYER and the stories of Jean Shepard.

An easy step by step how - to guide book makes corel 8 simplified right down to the short cuts. Well done gentlemen !

An easy step by step how - to guide book makes corel 8 simplified right down to the short cuts. Well done gentlemen !

This book and "CorelDRAW F/X are essential for users of the program. I can't really add anything to the reviews out there except "Amen"

I was looking for a book, not a manual, to show me some of the special effects everyone wants to learn, not just how to use the tools. I have learned so much from this book and have even impressed a few of my friends. The steps to create the projects are clear and easy to follow. The perfect book for any Corel user.

Studio Techniques by Gary Priester has been the most inspirational corel draw book I have (and I have read many). His ability to teach many skills and techniques in just one of his tutorials is absolutely amazing....His ability to use colors and create truely "gem like" creations with them has left me with my mouth open more than once! All of this means nothing to me if the person with these abilities lacks teaching skills...and this is where Gary shines above most others.... When you combine "Creative Genious" with truely great teaching and writing skills you have "Studio Techniques.." by Gary Priester!!

As I sat at my computer, I glanced over at my bookcase and reached for a book. It was a Cup Of Christmas Tea. I began reading out loud and soon started crying. Several times I had to stop and wipe away tears. It takes you back to when holidays were simple and pure and about the people you love.
As I finished the book and wiped away my final tears, I decided that I will make our Chanukah celebration something special for my grandsons.

Symbolized by sharing a cup of tea with an elderly aunt and reminiscing about Christmases past - this is a heart warming poem reminding us to slow down during the holidays and enjoy our time with family and friends.

A friend recommended this book to me several years ago, and when I read it, I was moved to tears. Since that time, I have given countless copies to friends and family because I want to share the message that I received from it with everyone I know. The text is brief, but very descriptive, so I could picture in my mind the events that the authors were describing. The message that I received is that monetary gifts are not as important as the gift of time that we spend with others; so often we set out to do things for others because we feel obligated, and in the end are more blessed than the person who was the object of our attention. This is truly a wonderful Christmas story to read again and again!

I think of this book as an adult "christmas book". I have had a copy for some years and purchased this one to accompany a Spode Christmas "tea pot and cup for one" I gave to my mother. The 25th Anniversary Edition is a celebration of a book that will never go out of style and is a perennial reminder of gracious traditions and feelings that are the heart's treasures.

It's a family tradition to read this book at Christmas

After the Magnifecent Seven's wonderful performance at the '96 Olympic Games, I decided to read this book to find out more about these talented young women. I thought it was terrific! There are biographies of each of the seven members along with really cool pictures. This book was awesome. These seven are really magnificint and it shows!

The book was pretty good for writing a book. Gave good information but it was a hard book to just sit down and read but I would for sure buy the book!

A must read with lots of good pictures. Gives good info. on all the athletes, with quotes.

This book is what really got me interested in gymnastics.

I had gotten introduced to gymnastics through a book about Mary Lou Retton I had picked up at a thrift store, but I didn't become too interested until I saw a picture of Kim Zmeskal in an Encyclopedia Annual. I looked her up on the Internet, and the rest they say is history.

Through the Internet I discovered the Magnificent Seven, and I found this book at our library. I couldn't have been more satisfied!

The Magnificent Seven was a team of US girls that consisted of Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, Shannon Miller, Dominique Dawes, Dominique Moceanu and Kerri Strug. These talented gymnasts won the very first Olympic Gold team medal in US. Gymnastic history.

This book has very informative biographies about each girl, complete with full color photos. It is very well written, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the Magnificent Seven, or just want to see some great pictures about them.

If you like gymnastics you'll love this book! It tells about the lives of the seven gymnasts on the 1996 gold medal winning U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Kerri Strug, Dominque Dawes, Jaycie Phelps, Amanda Borden, and Amy Chow. There are pictures of each girl from their very young life to the 1996 Olympics.