Alex To Books

This book was a hit with our 10-year-old grandson. When it first arrived, his mother showed it to him and went over some parts of it, then left it to him to read at length. He doesn't pore over it, but we've noticed what he'll do is read a little at a time. If he has questions, he brings them to his mother or to us. It has been a great conversation starter and avoided many an awkward situation, laying the foundation for some good discussions and teaching opportunities.

This book is along the lines of the American Girls' book called The Care and Keeping of You, but it goes a step farther. It introduces your young girls to middle school issues about the body and feelings for boys and such. It is a conversation starter. I wondered how to bring the subject up with my daughter without pushing it on her before she was ready. This book (which my daughter saw on the shelf at the bookstore and asked to buy) tastefully brings up the subject matter so she can have a jumping off point when she is ready to start asking questions. I recommend the AG book first and then move her up to this one for more IN-DEPTH information on her own body, as well as an introduction to what boys are like.

This was one of two books I purchased for my ten year old son. He thought it was more graphic than he wanted. He read it second and so the topics were not being seen for the first time. That said, he has re-read both books many times over the last month or so. I think the combination of books is good and covers all the neccessities in growing up. Yes I did read the book before I gave it to him and approved of the content. The other book was What's going on down there?

Mom in St. Louis

My son just turned 10 and I want him to be prepared (he sees his 11 year old sister "changing" and he's interested in when his own puberty will start) and has been watching for his own new hair growth. We needed a book that addressed his interest and possible concerns about what puberty was and what to expect for himself.

This book fit the bill exactly! It has very accessible text, nice color illustrations that don't overdo the "cute" factor that some illustrations attempt. Topics covered were what I wanted him to know about and I approved of the straight forward but not over-the-top approach to how much information was presented for this age group.

This isn't a text that tries to impose the author's own morals or ethics, but merely impart important information to children on the cusp of puberty (or already there) and let them know that the changes (emotional and physical) and feelings are normal and who to talk to about when they're not sure.

I also very much appreciated that the last section of the book addresses what's going on with girls at the same (or not) time.

Just the right amount of text and length for the age and topic when you're moving from a basic book on the "birds and the bees" to more specific information aimed at the child himself and his body and feelings. I also appreciated that the author addresses the changing hygiene needs of the child.

My husband decided to read it aloud to our son the first time through, so he could ask questions and they could talk about my husband's own experiences in puberty. Now he can have it to read at his own pace and what topic is interesting to him at the moment.

We purchased the same book, but for girls for our daughter, to use in addition to the excellent one by American Girl that the previous review mentions. My daughter loves that book and I've looked for a long time for one like it for boys. This is it! I don't think you can go wrong if you're looking for an open, accessible and just the right length book to get the discussion rolling at your house.

I thought this was a good primer on the subject and got several helpful tips. While I already knew a lot of the material, nevertheless It inspired me to make some changes in my own home.

I was also inspired by The House That Faux Built which showed how to give your home a facelift without ripping things out (and filling the landfills) It showed me how to paint and plaster over cabinets, tiles and floors for a complete update. the 2 books together made a big difference.

The text is well-written and can appeal to a wide audience. It's simple enough to understand for those without a great deal of knowledge in sustainable design, yet interesting and usefull enough for the professional who's more trained in sustainability. The text covers sustainable homes in a logical order, first stressing the foundation concepts like siting, orientation, passive solar, and building envelope efficiency, BEFORE moving on to less critical (but more popular) topics such as green materials.

I am a professor of Environmental Design and am currently building a passive solar, zero-energy home, and if I were to write a text that comprises the whole of the process and goals in sustainable home building, the format and breadth of topics would be similar to this book.

One negative of the book is the absence of color images to illustrate some points. The simple line drawings get the point across, but photos might have a better impact - especailly in sections discussing more advanced systems such as renewable energy systems or rainwater catchment systems.

I am an interior designer and work for an architectural firm. Because of the information I have learned thru my education and professional experience, I found very little new information in this book. If you have no knowledge of green building practices, this book would be beneficial.

This book was a overview/introduction to building a green home. Should be a must read for builders and anyone planning on building a new home. Not all strategies will work for every situation, but there's lots here that would apply for any situation or budget.

We first checked this book out from the library and my son (who was 15 months at the time) loved it so much that I had to buy it. He has learned a lot of vocabulary from reading this book (happy bugs laugh, sad bugs cry) and even tries to "read" it by himself now that he is two years old. There is an awesome page at the end where all the bugs in the book unite in one place and you can point out who is who. So cute!

This is SUCH a cute book. My 3 year old and 1 year old both love it. The book is fun to read and flows really nicely. I plan to buy this book for many 1 year old birthdays.

I bought this book for my daughter who is in love with insects. She really likes the book, but I have a few problems with it. First of all, some of the drawings look very similar to characters from the "Bug's Life" movie (especially the caterpillar, walking stick, and gypsy moth). Then, there are grammatical errors such as, "This bug walks fast, and that one walks slow" (not slowly). Also, creatures are included that are not bugs, such as snails and earthworms. Weird. I may be expecting too much from a children's book, but it still bothers me. Otherwise, cute pictures and a nice exploration of opposites.

"Division Street: America" isn't the first title that would pop into most people's minds when they think of Terkel, but I think it should be. I'll admit, I'm totally biased being in Chicago, but maybe that's the best way to read this book.
There is a lot of upheaval and suffering throughout the city due partly to the constantly changing demographics of the neighborhoods, and many of the ethnic pockets and pyschological ghettoes that Terkel talked to people in during 1967 were in the middle of those changes. From the near north area, tight in the protective grip of Mayor Daley to the old Eastern European neighborhoods of the north and west sides which would soon become almost purely Puerto Rican, Cuban and Mexican.
You can really see firsthand, how stupid, how intelligent, how altruistic and how mean people can be in a big city. That's the best part of this whole book: you're left at every page feeling that something monumental is taking place in urban America while the interviews are happening. Civil rights, white flight, Latin immigration, the decline of the manual labor factory job, Viet Nam, etc.
Reading this in 1967 must have been interesting, but knowing what we know about Chicago today and how it's still in a state of flux (and maybe always will be) is really a reason to go back. The problems, the people and the strange mix still exists throughout Division Street today; but thanks to Terkel, we have a little hindsight.

Chicago is the city of big shoulders. Carl Sandburg said that. Studs Terkel, in "Division Street: America," gives us the names of those people on whom those big shoulders rest. Like Edgar Lee Masters' collection of poetic epitaphs, "Spoon River Anthology," Terkel titles each chapter with the name of those whose lives are being described.

Division Street runs East-West through Chicago, ending at Lake Shore Drive. It is a major road, and Terkel could've chosen any avenue to name his book. What is important is that it cuts through the center of the city, and, symbolically, into and through the heart of it all.

Each story is a page or two. Some are five or six pages. None are too long. Terkel knows when to finish the story. However, to call the short chapters 'stories' isn't really accurate. They are edited conversations with people you might have known if you lived in Chicago in 1967 when this was first published. Some of the people are cops. Others are teachers, cabbies and nuns. There is even a couple CEOs and advertising guys. Terkel manages to connect with each interviewee, and allow them to do the talking.

Everything you've heard about Studs Terkel or this book is true. It is fantastically voyeuristic, and terrifically revealing without ever being cheap or exploitive. These people are so familiar, as if you overheard Terkel chatting with them at a diner or coffeehouse.

I wholeheartedly recommend "Division Street: America" by Studs Terkel.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Words can't even begin to describe what a powerful and moving book this is. Studs Turkel shows that he is an American treasure with each book he writes.

I found the book very handy during my visit to Belize. Even when it was not 100% accurate it was not wrong.Furthermore it conveyed more of the spirit of the place than any other guide I red. In fact it makes a pleasant reading, even if you are visiting another country! Useful index at the back.

You can tell that Alex Bradbury loves Belize. Most tour books give you the facts about places to go and places to stay. Bradbury covers all that too, but he also tells you of the history and the culture of the country. Don't miss the story of the founding of the Belize Zoo and the way the people of Belize honor it. (Belize has the world's only jaguar preserve.

I used this book throughout my travels in Belize and found it indispensable. It is aimed for the traveler who doesn't plan to spend a fortune on the trip, but wants to enjoy every aspect of the country. Alex Bradbury offers great insights on the people and the sights of Belize, and makes some great recommendations.

This book was required for completing my online Shaping America U.S. History to 1877 class. I bought a used copy in like new condition to save some money. Each lesson and associated exams required us to frequently jump around the chapters to get the full picture of a person's life or event. I never had a real interest in history and found the text to be dry and difficult to read in the required four weeks. This is more about my lack of interest and less about the writing style though. I did notice that the cover is made from cheap paper which easily curls from normal use.

PROS:
Required for my online history class
Informative detailed chapters

CONS:
Cover is made from cheap paper which easily curls
Too darn expensive, as text books tend to be

I am currently using this textbook for my History from 1460-1877 online and find that this book is very detailed. There are a lot of details in this book that I have not had in any other history book. The American Promise focuses on some certain historical times, places and people that have been a bit looked over in other books. The only problem I have come across with this textbook is that you have to go back and forth quite a bit to cross-reference. It seems some information may be lacking and the book itself is trying to get too many details instead of focusing on the larger picture of some things or just skipping over some major historical times.

I really like this textbook because it presents the material in a way that I can easily grasp and remember. Past history books have bored me, but this one isn't too bad :) It's also great that it's in paperback because that makes it cheaper!

Margaret Way is a writer whose books I always enjoy. Her books are fast-paced and tightly-knitted with very realistic situations. In 'Holding on to Alex', we have Alexandra Ashton, beautiful principal dancer of The National Australian Ballet who gives up marriage to the man she adores in order to persue her dream , to fulfill her ambition and prove her worth as an individual. Scott Maclaren is devilsihly handsome, rich and powerful and can have any woman he wants. He is embittered by the 'betrayal' of Alex whom he is madly in love with. She chose her career over him on the eve of their engagement because he will not have his wife living apart from him. He sees it as a wilful act of defection. He has known her since she came to live with him at ten as the ward of his aunt because she was orphaned.

Now Scott is informed by his aunt that Alex has been injured in a performance and decides to bring her home for recuperation. His aunt sees this as a second chance for the two young people she loves most in this world. Although Alex tells him she has always loved him and still does, can Scott trust her ? Is Alex willing to be a hands-on wife and let him hold on to her?

This story explores their conflicts in life and with one another.For Alex, the desire to marry the love of her life and be a full-time housewife warring with the desire to spread her wings and be a successful ballerina. Scott cannot fully understand her desire so both lost out.This is a situation many young couples encounter . The choice between marriage and career is a difficult one and the outcome can be happy only if there is compromise and self-sacrifice. I love this story and love Margaret Way's writing . I enjoyed " Beresford's Bride " and " Boardroom Proposal" and will look for more of her books.

Description from the book back cover:

Alex had idolised Scott McLaren when she had lived on his family's cattle station as a little girl. But soon the wider world had beckoned and she had left Scott and the life they could have created together. Now she was returning home to recuperate after an accident, and despite his hurt, Scott couldn't leave her to struggle on her own. She needed him for now, but he feared there'd be no keeping Alex once she recovered - unless he could find a way to hold on to her ...

this is about this ballerina alex and the love of her life scott. who due to some miscomunications ,broke up. then alex got hurt during 1 of her practices ,so scott took her back to his ranch to recuperate . then like all good romances ,they fell back in love. this book is written with a great deal of delicacy and sensetivity. i love it !!!

This book is a great "How To" for lex/yacc beginners. It consists primarily of simple, readable examples of the Right Way to Do It. It's not going to make you into an expert compiler writer. But if you have been trying to employ lex and yacc and have been frustrated climbing up that first step or two on the learning curve, then this is a great book to begin with. Consume this book, then get a copy of O'Reilly's _Lex & Yacc_ and you'll be the office whiz at ginning up quick parsers.

This book uses LEX and YACC to write a "realistic" language. It's approach is very practical, not much theory. If you want theory, then go read the "Dragon" book (Aho, et al.). It covers the error handling in YACC in detail and shows how to read the error output that is generated. It explains shift/reduce and reduce/reduce errors and how to recover from them. Like I said, it is very practical and far better than the Nutshell YACC/LEX book.

This book supplies a practictioner with useful information to get moving quickly. It also manages to do so with a minimum of disorganization and chattiness that so plagues the O'Reilly book. I own both and rarely look outside this book's useful examples and clear typography.

First off, let me start off by saying that I like this book. The photo quality is first rate and the instructional text is also very good. The trouble as I see it, is that this is one of those books that assumes you know nothing about Judo and are an absolute beginner. There is nothing wrong with this per se (so we have ANOTHER book with a section on Judo history, how to wear your gi and break-falls) but it is just that this has been done to death already. In essence, I'd like to see a book (by this author) on solely advanced techniques (they do have a short section of these in the book) - show me the little details and variations of techniques that I'm not going to see in every dojo in the world. Bottom line: a quality Judo book for beginners. More advanced Judoka won't get too much out of it.

Excellent on the core 30 throws and basics on ground fighting.
Get this book with Renzos BJJ book and do Judo and BJJ each 2x per week to become an excellent martial artist.

This book, unlike most judo books available today, contains full color photos in an attractive format. The book contents are as modern and accurate as the design. Although geared primarily for beginners it covers a lot of material that anyone doing judo needs to know.

Watch for the next book by this publisher which will be a more comprehensive text with the same excellent format.

Although written primarily for a US audience (and I am Canadian), this book is insightful and timely in its subject matter. Web 2.0 technology is upon us at a time when many real estate professionals still barely understand Web 1.0 technology. Sure, they can hire a "techy" to do it all but the costs are increasing dramatically and the short term pay off is low. Web 2.0 promoting is a long-term payback form of self-promotion--more a social network philosophy.
This is alien to most agents, especially in Canada, which although it enjoys a higher per capita computer saturation than the US, is waves behind in incorporating emerging technologies into business activities on par with traditional practices.
This book opens the eyes of those "tech-savvy" enough to understand where the technology is going and why Real Estate professionals need to stay up to speed. If you think it's complicated now, wait till what this book talks about is taken for granted (within 10 years easily). If you don't understand what's coming, you'll play catch up for the rest of your career. This book introduces the emerging technologies very well, in understandable language for those who at least know what RSS is and why it will not only change the average agent's personal website but make obsolete most franchised system's sites unless they get with the program quickly.
With references to successful and competitive websites now in existence, the book acts as a guide to emerging technologies in practical use...one of the best ways to learn what works and what doesn't work, in my opinion.
If you want to sell real estate into the next decade and beyond, you need to read this book. It gives you an insight into the future way of doing business.

I was really impressed with the amount of information this book provided. I think I "dog-eared" about 30% of the pages. There is a lot of great information on how to get started with podcasting, ideas to add to your websites and blogs, and some links to examples and useful content. Definintely worth buying! I will add this book to my company library.

~Michelle Fradella, Broker - Picayune MS

I just read Real Estate v2.0 and was very impressed with the volume of information presented. The authors also did a great job of explaining the impact of technology on the real estate industry in a non-technical way that most anyone can understand.

Even with my background as a web architect catering to the needs of real estate and property management clients, I must admit I learned several new practical ways to effectively market using blogs, podcasts, and various other web technologies.

This book is also loaded with links to resources that will help you embrace and ride the technology wave that is now sweeping the real estate industry, instead of being crushed by it.

In summary, I would recommend this book to anyone in real estate and property management looking to sell more homes or close more leases.

Mike Mitchell
Winnovate (dot com)