Michelle Thomas Books

This is an all around excellent book, whether as a gift to a loved one, or a simple nightstand accessory to ponder before bed. I was immediately captured by the author's ingenius yet simple answer to every universally asked "big" question. I loved the fact that the Bible was quoted to support many of the answers, and also memorable quotes by other people were tucked here and there as well. The author gives credit where credit is due to biblical principals, and I even enjoyed the simple artwork adorning the pages. My boss showed me the book initially, and I loved it so much that I had to search the internet for a copy of my own! A must have for any eclectic reader.

Ms. Goldstrand has the ability to involve all your senses in the Avalon romance she has written. Love in Motion is a book that held my attention start to finish. Her characters are charming, and very true to life. I was able to get a feel for vintage car racing, and enjoy a private insight into the life of a young woman who wants to excel, and struggles to make the reach. She does, of course and along the way finds love. It was fun, and a book I have read twice. It's a KEEPER!

Came in good condition. THis si for school, so the content of the book really doesn't matter much to me.

Nanny To The Rescue Again! doesn't speak down to parents. Instead, it speaks to parents with a true heart filled with compassion and love for children. This book will teach parents, and parents-to-be, how to be better parents, how to use positive reinforcements, and how to handle tough situations that need a little more disciplining.

The shipping was very fast and the book is in great condition!

Read this as a first edition hardback---my Amazon reviewing is a little behind, to say the least---outstanding book. The best book on L&C in print. Ambrose collaborated on a book with Nat'l Geo that is spectacular as well. OUTSTANDING from cover to cover.
If you read only one book on the topic, read this one---and prepare to be hooked.

Historical novels are one of my favorite types of text, and I have been an avid reader of Stephen E. Ambrose through his World War II works. Every American child knew about Lewis & Clark and the Louisiana Purchase (Thank you Schoolhouse Rock), but this book brings to life the true and amazing task these men went through to help open America into the vast and great nation she is now.

After the 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France, President Thomas Jefferson, a man of knowledge and curiosity himself, issued a continental exploration Corps of Discovery to travel to the Pacific Ocean. If you could imagine walking across your own state, now imagine walking (horse/canoe allowed) across the country, no roads, no cellphone, no Walmart, no bathrooms, no electric lights, wild animals...the grizzlies read like monsters, potential attacks from hostile natives, the weather...it is unimagenable that any human could have survived or endured such hardships!

It is important to realize that Lewis and Clark were the leaders, but also traveled with a large group of brave men, unique and talented in their own respects, including the female Native American Sacagawea and her baby, plus the sad tale of York, Clark's slave who shared the pain, dangers, and loyalty, but received none of the rewards, promises, or respects afterwards...this subject raises my ire, so I will not continue on York's betrayal by Clark.

Regardless of whether you read this as pure history, this book reads like an adventure tale like Krakauer's Into Thin Air, a testament of man versus nature, the book is also a cultural exploration as the "White man meets the Red man" no disrespect meant. On so many levels this book will offer insight, information, and entertainment that few books balance so well. So you might as well read a good tale and actually improve your own academic knowledge.

Thank you and keep reading.
John Dae Min

What I liked best about this book is that it reads like a neighbor telling you all about his favorite nephew. Ambrose's descriptions and judgments and asides have almost an avuncular feel. If this is not your thing, the book will probably bug you.

What I liked least about this book is Ambrose's unquestioning high regard for Jefferson, but since Ambrose's attitude reflects that of Lewis's, I can go with it.

The outtakes of the journals, the excellent maps, and the good-natured commentary combine to make me LIKE the characters. I feel familiar with them after reading this book. I am impressed by their accomplishments, and feel I know them as people much better.

It is also clear that Ambrose knows the areas where Lewis and Clark explored. Many of his notations tell how the area described look to present-day canoers or hikers, and he gives highway exits and directions to some of the less-remote campsites and overlooks. Ambrose's love for the beauties of western America comes through, and they add to the fond tone of the book.

I will keep it simple. Next to the Holy Bible ~ best book I ever read. I have since then read several of Stephen Ambrose's books and highly recommend them. He and his family put many years of research in before writing any book. I have travelled across the country all the way to Cape Disapportment as a result of reading the book and following the trail. Everything Mr. Ambrose claimed in the book is accurate, very interesting, and provides us a heritage for our country that everyone should be proud of.

The history of the Voyage of Discovery is one of the outstanding feats in American history. No one has told it better than Stephen Ambrose. This is a must read even if you don't enjoy history.

A very sad story of just one of so many Mexican families struggling to survive between Mexico and America. This book will keep you reading until you finish. An incredible story of incredible people. Much of the book I read to my two teenage sons, for a better appreciation of their life as American born young men.

We got sick to death of Bush et all and left. Moved to Mexico and are having a house built here. Will never live back in the US again. So we were wondering why people of Mexico would want to risk death getting there - it's for the money. The earlier book "Coyote" is also very good.

In fact, Ruben Martinez argues that it's more of a legal fiction than a division that clearly separates one culture from another. The boundary between the U.S. and Mexico is better thought of as a permeable membrane which allows cross-over from both directions. North American culture passes south of the border to influence the values and lifestyles of Mexicans--even remote Indian ones such as the folks in the small southern town of Cheran whom Martinez tracks. Similarly, Mexican culture passes north of the border to influence the values and lifestyles of gringos. It's this reciprocal migration that's the real story of Crossing Over.

One of the best features of this book is that Martinez takes us deep into Mexico to live in the village of Cheran so that we can get to know the families who will later cross the border in their own element. He helps us see them as people rather than stereotypes, complete with all their warts and blemishes but also with quite lovable traits: Wense, the young family man who seems to live in a state of constant indecision; Rosa, his wife, who shows surprising strength and independence; Anita, who has a vision of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Watsonville, California; the Chavez family, who cope with a migration tragedy that sets Martinez on the trip that ended in this book; and an assortment of tough-guy cholos who dress in oversized polyester and mystical brujas who combine paganism and Catholicism in colorful and unself-conscious ways.

But even in their own element south of the border, the Mexicans Martinez comes to know have ingested gringo aspirations that are frequently in conflict with indigenous traditions, Likewise, once they migrate north, white bread commuities in West Virginia, Wisconsin, Missouri, and elsewhere find themselves acclimating and being influenced by the new brown presence. Borders are permeable. Borders are fictional. Especially in a global economy, cultures inevitably intermingle. At one point in the book, Martinez stands on the fictional line separating the U.S. and Mexico and gleefully hops back and forth across it. This is a nice encapsulation of Crossing Over's larger message.

As the U.S. Congress pushes forward with their plans to create a three layered fence across the entire length of the U.S.-Mexican Border, thousands of illegal migrants cross over each day through the porous border. Ruben Martinez's work, "Crossing Over", begins with a devastating account of the last moments of life for the Chavez brothers and other hopeful migrants. As he travels to the hometown of those migrants, Cheran, Michoacan, Martinez imagines his own family's immigration to the United States. With the skill of a master composer, Martinez weaves together a picture of life in Cheran after the tragic accident by living among the people and sharing their stories. He recounts time spent with the Chavez family and the local people of Cheran. Martinez uses this personal touch to bring the reader along on his journey that leaves him in St. Louis with the reuniting of a Cheran family.

Martinez picks up the second half of the book at the border, where he spends an evening with the Border Patrol. He continues this journey through Texas to Warren, Arkansas to visit another family from Cheran, who have "hurtled into the middle class." From here his trail leads to Norwalk, Wisconsin, the site of a slaughterhouse where migrant laborers often put in 70 hours a week, day in and day out without seeing the sun. Then back to St. Louis where the stark difference between life in Mexico versus life stateside becomes as clear as day. Finally, Martinez ends up in Watsonville, California, where the Chavez brothers were traveling when tragedy struck, and the location of the two remaining Chavez brothers. Here in Watsonville the seeds of a new Chavez family are planted.

"Crossing Over" shows us the real face of immigration: not criminals illegally crossing the border to steal American's jobs, but mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters crossing over to secure a better future for themselves and their families. As America's fear of immigration grows ever larger each year, this book reminds us that America was founded on immigration; and Mexico and America's future will depend on immigration and the migrant worker's story for many years to come.

I read this book for a Latin American History class and I found it to be extremely relevant, even five years after it was published. Martinez's writing style is clear and descriptive; he makes you feel as if you are with him on his journey. After reading this book it is easy to see why, and how, many migrants risk their lives crossing the border each year. It would make an excellent source for studying the social, political, and economic aspects of migration, a certain hot topic among today's ongoing events. I would recommend this book to anyone who has sympathized with recent immigrants, but especially so for those who have not. This book should be required reading for policy makers along border states as well as for the U.S. Congress. "Crossing Over" will open your eyes and with clarity show you both sides of the battleground that is the U.S.-Mexican Border.

For anyone curious about the Mexican immigrant mentality, this is definately a book to read. I live near where the 3 brothers were killed, and have been to this spot on several occasions. For those who wonder why so many people are coming to this country to work, this book will answer many of those questions. It brings an understanding and a respect for those who risk their lives for a chance at the American dream, a dream that many of us take for granted.

You're not you was a lovely novel about relationships across the spectrum. The author analyzes and displays her characters beautifully. Bec is a tough as well as adorable character who takes such good care of Kate. Her heart is displayed beautifully. I look forward to reading another of her novels.

I really enjoyed this book. It's very honest and deals with tough issues in a believable way. I look forward to more books by Michelle Widgen!

Really enjoyed this book. A novel full of insight. Ponders the question "what is quality of life?" and grapples with the issue of death with dignity and those it affects.

I loved this book. VERY well written and a great story that takes place in Madison Wisconsin present day.

Is it me or are there way too many references to food and wine in this novel? It seemed like all they were doing was sitting down to an elaborate meal or Bec was chopping vegetables. I swear that took up like so many pages! I thought that the relationship between Kate and Bec was endearing but it reached a point where the plot was kind of going off track and could've been a bit more fast-paced. I thought this was going to be much better.

I give this book out to graduating college students. I consider it to be a wonderful spiritual devotional for them.

This wonderful book was written by the priest Thomas a Kempis in the 1400's and is very reminecient of the Apostle Paul's writings by encouraging readers to live a simple spiritual life. It recommends that peace is found in the heart of the humble and that in overcoming the ego you overcome the world. Joy is found in a quiet conscience and you are only happy when you have done what is right. This may also be the original source of the advice to choose the less of two evils. It also warns that pleasure and desire carry the seeds of sorrow. This book is spiritual focusing on living the inner life and not getting entangled with the world. A must read for all Christians or anyone on a spiritual path.

I found the first third of the book fairly good, but then in speaking about God the author switches from the third person to the first person, i.e. he begins to assume the voice of God himself. Even though I have attended charismatic churches where "prophesies" are not uncommon, I felt disturbed by the author's presumption. I must remind myself of the fact that the one common element in every Christian cult throughout the centuries has been the introduction, in addition to the Bible, of other authoritative literature presuming to speak on behalf of God. Another troubling aspect of the book is the anti-intellectual stance it takes with references not to rely upon reason. A warning flag should go up in everyone's head when this type of appeal is made. There are other devotionals that are better and safer reading than this one.

This is one of the best spiritual exercises in history, especially for teachers, students, theologians, missionaries, and anyone involved in teaching of any sort. Thomas' words provoke deep thoughtfulnes and concern in ones sprituality, and remind us to be vigilant in our service to the Truth.

Thomas a Kempis lived in a world torn asunder by the Plague, political upheaval, and deep crisis in the Church-a world perhaps not so different from ours. Thomas chose to leave his embattled world for the monastery and devote his life to God. Escapism? Retreat? Hardly. Thomas shows us with great pain, passion, and eloquence how monastic life is the ultimate battle, that between the spirit and the flesh, with stakes no less than one's eternal salvation. "Imitations" teaches us how to be humble before God and each other, and how to live in a manner pleasing to God. It offers up devotional prayers that help us move toward a real and meaningful relationship with Jesus. And in Book Four, it provides profound reflections on the Eucharist that, for Catholics, take this Sacrament to a whole new level of significance, mystery, and beauty.

In many ways the book is not comforting, for it offers no easy answers. Instead, it challenges us to look at our thoughts and actions with utmost clarity and honesty. This is neither easy nor comfortable, but in the end, our only road to peace. Thomas's writing has certainly stood the test of time. After over five hundred years, his words still ring true, and loudly.

I could not put this book down! Michelle LaRowe did an awesome job!

Being a new mom, I needed a book to guide me in toddler parenting w/o compromising discipline and love- this was the book I needed. It was a great plus to know that the author is a Christian (my faith also), thus she explains parenting from Christ's perspective.

Informative and useful. A great book with practical advice you can use right away that actually works.

I'm a nanny with over 5 years of experience with multiples. You wrote the book I've always wanted to! Way to go! I plan on getting one for my employers when I leave this job and will also be purchasing one to keep for myself at home.

Most of the information in this book is really not earth shattering and is basic common sense. Also, this book is NOT for non-Christians and should really mention the fact that it is very Christian-based in its title or description-- I was completely taken aback by it and frankly, put off.