V Books

Every once in a while someone is affected by cancer or a sickness. This book Guardian of Angels by Lurlene McDaniel shows how problems can affect a family. A young girl named Darcy fears that her mother won't get better because she hasn't been well since she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has been constantly in and out of the hospital. Darcy's mother has great hope that she will be better in no time. Darcy has to trust her mother and she has to try to keep her life moving along just like it was before her mother became sick.

The family is soon overwhelmed with Darcy's sister, Adel, getting married and her mother being sick. After the wedding Adel is planning on moving to Germany and this is when Darcy and their father need her the most.

Will Darcy's mother ever get better and will her family ever be the same again? Find out by reading Garden of Angels by Lurlene McDaniel.

Garden of Angels is a wonderful book about a girl named Darcy who's mother gets a rude a-waking by cancer. As her family and friends help Darcy's mother with her illness, Darcy meets a boy named Jason, who helps Darcy face reilty. But can Darcy's mother live and fight this cancer or will medial science fail her. The most needed question to be answer is: Are the Angels watching over Darcy and her family?

Lurlene McDaniel is one of my most favorite authors, and this book is by far one of the most inspiring books you could ever read. It's about a girl whose beloved mother gets struck with breast cancer, and her world is never the same again.

McDaniel writes with such flair that you can hardly bring yourself to put the book down. The ending is very sad, but also leaves you with a feeling of hope. This book teaches us that while we may not get to choose what happens to us, we do get to choose how we respond. This book reveals that people don't always get what they deserve, whether they be good or bad.

If you haven't read this book yet, then I highly recommend you read it. You won't be disappointed.

Some parts of this book were excellent. I loved the whole story, until I got to the epolouge. Why did Jason have to die? And why is Darcey living in the mountains? Although the epolouge isn't the best, and the story is rather predictable (mom dies, Jason liked Darcey all along, Connors would develop) it was an all in all good book. I would recomend it to anyone who wants to know Lurlene a little bit more.

After Darcy Quinlin finds out her mother has breast cancer, she is deeply saddened and in disbelief. She is also loosing her sister, Adel, to Barry Sorensen, a soldier in Vietnam. Above all that, there is J.T. who pushes her around especially when she falls hard for Pastor Jim's brother-in-law, Jason, who just moved to Connors. Darcy needs comfort and someone to talk to about boys, feelings, and school problems and her mother can't be that person. Neither can Adel because she is moving far away with Barry. Her mother did leave a beautiful garden that Darcy takes care of and it helps her through her many situations now and to come.
I liked this book because it was different from other Lurlene McDaniel books. In this book the girl doesn't have cancer, like in many other books, it's her mother. Also, this book is set in the 1970's during the Vietnam War.
I would recommend this book to teenage girls who like sad, loving stories or like other Lurlene McDaniel books.

This little book offers a lot of information for a small price tag. So many things us "germ freaks" had not even considered are covered in this well written book. I had to buy one for myself and one for my daughter because I knew we would want to be able to have our own copy to refer to later. A good investment to make us aware of all the information this book cover in a clever manner.

Allison Janses' "The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu" could also have been titled " A Consciousness Raiser for the Germ Awareness Challenged." Before I read the book, I didn't realize how little I knew about those little guys who can, and all too often do,cause anything from annoying colds to life threatening illnesses. What I found most enlightening where the sections dealing with the various places that they congregate. The book is very well organized and written in a witty, entertaining style. As a psychologist,I couldn't help but notice that the author is writing from a genuine place of caring and concern for the welfare of others. A change in behavior requires a compelling reason to approach things differently. "The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu" accomplishes that mission in a wonderful manner.

I love this book. It has great tips and cleaning suggestions even if you're not a germ freak.

I bought this book hoping for some good background information that would allow me to extrapolate my own germ-freak tips - like more information on how, precisely, germs live and spread. I wanted some scientific information, at least a little bit, about how it all works!

I didn't get that, but what I did get was pretty darn good. This book is jam-packed with tips about avoiding germy people, how not to touch nasty things, socially acceptable things to say to avoid doing germy things that people always seem to want to do, and new cleaning and washing tips to help stop the germs.

While I was expecting something more than I got, I am still darn happy with the book and would highly recommend it. It was fun and easy to read and I did get a LOT of new tips out of it. Nobody likes to get sick and this book will help you avoid it.

This is a great book to help prevent you and your family from getting sick. When I brought my premature twins home from the hospital I was told it was very important to keep them from getting sick that first year because they were at such a high risk for contracting RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) which can be fatal. This book helped keep the germs away. Despite the unpleasant subject, it is a fun read. The author is really funny.
Dr. Jenn Berman
www.DoctorJenn.com
Author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids

I am a preschool teacher for four year olds. There is nothing better than having a group of children completely engaged in a book, laughing over it and finishing my sentences. This book was asked for again and again and is a class favorite. It is a great introduction to rhyme and poetry. I think we all have it almost memorized!

Recommended by a teacher and read by a teacher the first time to grandson. High marks and great interaction by grandson who's three.

i neice LOVES this book! a classic for me and now i can pass it on to her...aaahhhh!

"Giraffe and a Half", like all other Silverstein's books, belongs to my favorite book. Silverstein's rhymes and poems, songs and riddles work for everybody with a degree of imagination. I read it to my youngest brother so often that he began memorizing it... Another great book that I got for last Christmas is Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 2 by B. Nowiki. Nowiki is totally different then Silvestein, but she also has a great gift of teaching us the best moral values while at the same time keeping the story captivating.

Read this to my Kindergarten students and before I got halfway through the book they were "helping" me read it! They ask for it often. What better recommendation could there be?!?!?!

In his usual, thorough and mesmerizing manner, Stanton takes us thru the times of one of baseball's true heroes. Aaron emerges at once a hero AND a normal man with wants, fears and determined expectations lived under the canopy of the race issue. This book is one that is easily read because Stanton makes the progression to the final home run go swiftly. But he includes statistics and surprises which make each page worth the close scruitiny required if a reader is to get the full meaning of Hank Aaron's life and his importance to America's Game. This is a book I'm saving for my young grandson to read and before he is old enough to appreciate it's impact, I'm going to enjoy reading it again!

Author Tom Stanton provides a straightforward account of Hank Aaron's chase of Babe Ruth's home run record during the 1973-74 seasons. The book is partly about baseball but more about Aaron the man, plus his life under pressure from a combination of fan adoration, media crush, and racist hate mail. Imagine being constantly surrounded by adoring fans, and even having tour busses stop in front of your house. Imagine facing hordes of reporters before and after every game, or playing the outfield after receiving death threats. Most fans supported Aaron, but some responded in a vile manner. Like millions of other kids I watched his record-breaking homer on TV, and then was surprised to hear Aaron say moments later, "Thank God it's over." After reading this book, one can see why Aaron said that.

The author might have given more attention to U.S. life circa 1973-1974, the coming of free agency, and how most of the sellout crowd that night left the ballpark not that long after Aaron's fourth-inning homer. Still, this is a very readable look at one of baseball's most famous moments, and one of the game's most inspiring stars.

Early last summer, I walked out of a Vermont bookstore with a copy of Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America by Tom Stanton. I wanted to learn about Aaron and his quest to break Babe Ruth's all-time career home run record. About nine months later, I picked the book up and began reading it. I learned more about those two heart wrenching years than I ever thought I could. I also realized that I had just read one of the greatest sports books ever.
There are three main reasons why I consider this book to be one of histories greatest. The first is that it only chronicled the two years Aaron was chasing Ruth's coveted record. Most other sports books I've read, including Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy by Jane Leavy and Derek Jeter: The Life You Imagine By Jack Curry and Jeter himself both told of the life stories of the athlete the book portrayed. This book is one of the only sports biographies that doesn't tell about an athletes entire life. Although it did tell of Aaron's personal life during those two years, including his marriage to wife Billye Williams, and his childhood inspirations from Jackie Robinson in the first chapter, it is almost entirely about "the chase".
Another reason I enjoyed this book so much, is that it kept interviewing and talking to the same characters, including teammate Dusty Baker and manager Eddie Mathews. With this, not only were you connecting with and watching Aaron grow, but also you saw what happened to his friends throughout all of the two years. With other books, you'll be lucky to hear about a sub-character, or read an interview from the same person mabey on two pages tops.
The third and final reason this is the best sports novel ever is because it showed how hard it was to mentally survive the two record breaking seasons. It told of all the death threats, hate mail, and concerns Aaron had for his family. It also told about kidnappings that were going on at the same time that made him so cautious.
I hope by posting this book review that I have intrigued some of you sports fans to pick up a copy of Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America. After reading it you all will agree that this book is not only one of the greatest sports books ever, but one of the greatest books in history as well.

Three-and-a-half stars, actually.

Tom Stanton takes us back to 1973 (with a little of '72 and '74 thrown in, of course) to tells us the story of Hank Aaron and his record-breaking 715th home run to break Babe Ruth's record. We follow Aaron through the '73 season, tracking his progress and following the reaction of everyone to his home run. For the most part, the reaction is favorable, but there are many examples of hateful sentiments in the form of letters and catcalls. We also read background on Aaron's career and life, with emphasis on the unfortunate impact of race on not only Aaron, but also baseball in general.

Stanton's book was quite good, and I enjoyed reading it, but I couldn't help feeling like there was something missing. A good baseball book presents the story in a straightforward, professional manner that tells you what you need to know. A great baseball book, though, does that and then gives you more, a little bit of heart, something that takes the story beyond just what happened and gives you a feeling for the subject matter. Stanton just couldn't get to the level of great, he created a skillful portrait of Aaron and he effectively captured the time, but there was still something more he left out. I felt like everything turned out too sunny in the end, that there was more to the bad side (as much as many would not want to dwell on that) that would be key to capturing the story.

Despite my complaints, though, this was a good book and well worth any baseball fan's time.

Like author Tom Stanton, I was a little boy when Henry Louis Aaron was closing in on baseball's crown jewel record: Babe Ruth's 714 home runs. I lived in Forest Park, Georgia, about 12 miles south of Atlanta Stadium, and I had the good fortune to be able to see about a half dozen of Mr. Aaron's home runs in person. I played with the other boys in our neighborhood, and when the Braves were playing we always had the radio on. We could talk and joke and laugh through the rest of the game, but our voices would hush when Milo Hamilton would tell us "Aaron is on deck". Hank would come to the plate and our room would erupt with joy if we got to hear Milo's typical home run call. "There's a long drive.... It's going back.... WAY back.... It's OUT of here! Home Run number 683 for Henry Aaron!"

Anyway - I had to begin this review by admitting what a HUGE hero Hank Aaron is in my life.

All that being said, this book is both very informative and disappointingly bland. It was good to hear the names of those Braves from the past - in particular Aaron progeny Dusty Baker and Ralph Garr. Darrell Evans and Davey Johnson who joined Aaron as the only 3 teammates in history to hit 40 home runs the same year. (1973, the year before historic #715). Eddie Matthews, who was once Hank's teammate, the two teammates with the most life-time home runs, then served as Hank's manager during the years that make up the bulk of the book. Hall of Fame teammates Phil Niekro and Warren Spahn. Hall of Fame opponents like Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver and Don Sutton.

Most enlightening were the details of the paths Hank followed behind Jackie Robinson as a ground-breaking African-American excelling in the National Pasttime. Most heart-breaking were the tales of hate mail and death threats that he received every day. To right-thinking people it is inconceivable that a man could receive death threats only because he was doing his job as well as any person had ever done it.

The four stars are because I didn't come close to receiving the same thrill that this same material could have given me if presented properly. Stanton is a terrific researcher, but his writing style feels clinically cold. If America is a country of "Tall Tales" and our best legends are the real living ones, then certainly Hank Aaron must be one of America's Greatest Heroes by any definition. Stanton says as much in this book, but there's what you say, then there's how you say it. Nonetheless, this is the best record I know of covering these events, and I'd call it "required reading" for anyone wanting to know about Hammering Hank.

While as comprehensive and extraordinarily detailed as a college text, and as fully annotated, this is a great example of a 'popular' history at the top of its game. The enormous amount of (often grueling) material is nicely organized across time, place, and category, the many significant characters are well-delineated, and there is a sense of narrative flow and pretty steady momentum to this highly readable book.

This is a excellent, outstanding and informative book, that every patriotic american should read. These men are real American Heroes, I needn"t say more.

Definitely one of the best books I every read. It's amazing what a man will do for honor, to protect the life and dignity of another, at his own peril. There are scores of examples of this in this book. On the down side, what men bent on tyranny and oppression will do to break the will of another. However, light truly shines through darkness. If you think you have it rough, read this book.

This is a lengthy but well written book. If you are looking for an excellent history of the POW's from the Vietnam war, this is the one to get. If you are interested in history or the human aspects of the Vietnam POW's this would be very valuable. I have read a number of books on POW's and this is by far the best of the lot.

This observer has followed the POW situation since 1972, when he was still on active duty. He is familiar with many POW memoirs, so the men in Messer's. Kiley and Rochester's voluminous work are no strangers. Most of the prominent POWs are well known to many and they are certainly all here: Ernest Brace, Robinson Risner, James Stockdale, Jeremiah Denton, Frank Anton and Everett Alvarez-plus many more. If this reviewer had to choose a favorite memoir, it would be Anton's "Why Didn't You Get Me Out?" Honorable mention certainly goes to "A Code to Keep" by Mr. Brace. HB goes into far deeper detail than do individual stories, yet necessarily lacks the personal touch folks like those two gentlemen provide. Those in the amazon community who have read no POW tales and are satisfied with one big picture have the perfect book in HB. The back cover noted that HB "combines rigorous scholarly analysis with moving narrative". That it certainly does, in fullest detail. All the torture, all the mind games, all the coming and going and transfers, all the gripping boredom and fear, all the gruesome details of prison life are here. It will be clear that the POWs were anything but one big happy family. Disagreements abounded, especially that nebulous subject regarding compliance with the Code of Conduct. Some favored active resistance, some a "cooperate-graduate" approach. The authors also do an excellent choreographing of the release of the Spring of 1973. They were not repatriated on one fleet of C-141s but came home in stages. We learn that a handful of guys were released through Saigon and 2 through Hong Kong (!). There are some caveats attached to this review: HB cannot be skim read. It demands attention and a substantial investment of time upfront. Casual readers are in the wrong place! They won't appreciate the 88 pages of appendices and notes/footnotes. HB also concentrates on prisoners held in the major North Vietnam detention centers. The missing in Cambodia, Laos and even China are outside the scope of HB. But HB is also silent on the fate of the discrepancy cases of those lost in the 4 countries. One hopes that the authors, writing a book that admits to being "an official publication of the Department of Defense", are not attempting a "Case Closed" on the 1,783 still unaccounted for. This observer will give the authors the benefit of the doubt here. Still. FAR more disturbing is a gratuitous remark on Page 589 that those who continue to press for a fullest accounting of the missing are "a swarm of polemicists and opportunists". This reviewer is one of them! He belongs to neither of those species! Since it is most likely that no offense was intended, none is taken but that comment demands an explanation! It certainly merits an unfortunate reduction in rank to 4 stars. That there even is a page 589 is the essence of HB. This one is not for those with a passing fancy on the Indochina War. A final note: There is a new, voluminous publication available on amazon-"An Enormous Crime". That particular 566 page volume-in small type no less-claims to be the "definitive account of American POWs abandoned in Southeast Asia". The different scope of EC should encompass what HB did not. Maybe these 1,000+ combined pages of text will shed a final light on the thorny question of POWs/MIAs in Indochina. Congressman King (R-NY) is also attempting to convene new hearings on the same subject. This painful matter will be with us for a while. The bottom line to "Honor Bound" is the headline above. This is indeed a great work of military scholarship and for that the authors deserve their due.

I bought this book for a boy who I work with and I fall in love. I found it in great time cause feel down right now. And this simple book helped me stand up and look at my life from different perspective. Now will buy it for every kid or special people in my life

Whether or not you or your honoree grew up listening to or reading The Little Engine that Could, you'll find this book to be the perfect way to say, "I'm proud of you, graduate. I always knew that you had the ability and would put forth the effort to be successful."

This is a great alternative to other frequently given books like The Places You Will Go.

This is the most inspirational book I have read in a long time!! Recommended for all ages

I am an elementary school teacher and also the mother of 4. My oldest is graduating from high school this year. After I read this book, I bought several. One for my son and several for his friends. I also sent it to my nephew that is leaving for a mission to Honduras for the next 2 years. It's a perfect book for those that are heading off in new directions in their lives and it gives them advice and encouragement! I love it!

This is a book that follows the I Think I Can Book, about the little train, It is a wonderful book for anyone that needs a little boost of self-esteem, or courage. It is perfect for those that are graduating or who have completed a difficult task in their life. I would recommend it to anyone.

This marvelous coffee table book has been sitting on my shelf far too long. Visually witty, engaging and just plain fun to look at Jesse Kalisher's pictures from around the world finds Buddha in various shapes. It's colorful and the only complaint I have is that I would have liked to have a bit more text discussing the circumstances of the photos, where they were, when, what inspired Kalisher to take and pick the particulary pictures he uses in this book.

The sixteen page introduction is witty,intelligent and I could have used more of it throughout the book. While I'm visually driven I also am text driven--words are important to me, their meaning and how we use language since it shapes as much about how we see the world as what we see. Jeff Greenwald's text would have been perfect to illuminate these things in brief chapters discussing each section of plates.

Regardless this is a terrific book and those that enjoy coffee table books that actually LOOK at the pictures and become lost in the details will enjoy the variety of photos included in this book from throughout the world. My apologies to Chronicle Books for taking so long to review this.

There is a sense in which the book 'If You Find the Buddha' is a sort of 'where's Waldo?' hunt. Sometimes the images of the Buddha are very prominent; sometimes they are almost imperceptible. Sometimes there are several Buddhas; sometimes there is only one, and even then, just in shadow. Some Buddhas are large; some are small. Some are in intentionally religious or holy settings; some are in everyday positions, such as above a diner's cash register. Even more ironically, the image of the Buddha can be found on the tag of a rifle-toting soldier, or in rows of figurines, each bearing their own price tag.

As the writer comments, the figure of the Buddha is ubiquitous in many parts of the world, and not uncommon in other parts of the world. East and West alike have a share in the presence of the Buddha in this collection, and peoples of all races and conditions of life are shown in relationship here. Perhaps the most surprising element is the touch of the common and the ordinary - in much the same way that pictures or figurines of Jesus or the Last Supper or various saints might adorn the homes, the Buddha similarly is incorporated almost unconsciously into the everyday life and work of people. It becomes part of license plates, nametags, lawn ornaments, golf equipment, and more.

There is a foreword provided by Jeff Greenwald, an author of several books perhaps best known for his travel writing. There is also a brief essay by Jesse Kalisher, who writes of his transformation from a person who lived inside of set boxes (offices, car, apartment, television) to someone enlightened enough to seek the whole world. He recounts his encounter with a Buddhist monk, Pat Panom, with whom he shared his interest in this project, and how his life had come to this point.

This is not a religious text - well, not a religious text per se. It is not a manual of Buddhism, with exegesis, systematic interpretation, description and such. In some ways, however, it is a great expression of Buddhism - I am reminded of a sermon of the Buddha which consisted simply of him holding up a flower. If a picture can speak a thousand words, and open up a thousand worlds, then this book is indeed a religious text, albeit not in traditional Western sense.

The photographs are stunning in quality and composition, all the more remarkable for being 'typical' and 'mundane' subject matter in many cases. The collection as a whole places the pictures in an interesting context that makes for enlightening and enjoyable reading.

I'm not really qualified to evaluate the quality of photography in this or any other book. When I sit down and try to review a book of photography such as this, I basically ask two questions: can I see what the photographs are supposed to be showing me, and is there a concept that ties all of them together? If You Find the Buddha makes it rather easy for me in this regard: obviously, there is some representation of Buddha to be found in each photograph, and the whole point of the book seems to be an inspirational one, as it's a veritable signpost helping point readers in the direction of their own individual paths toward enlightenment and a sense of purpose in life.

Jeff Greenwald's Foreword and photographer Jesse Kalisher's introduction are no less enlightening than the photographs themselves. In comparatively few words, they give the reader a good feel for who Buddha is and what he represents, while also tearing down some of the veil of misunderstanding that separates many Western minds from this traditionally Asian way of life. I feel rather stupid to even admit it, but I had always assumed that Buddhists worship Buddha - they do not, for Buddha was a supremely enlightened soul but never a god. He even forbade his followers from making any images of his likeness - a fact which is somewhat ironic, giving the ubiquity of Buddhist statues and icons all over the world today (Greenwald explains how this came to be). Another little insight I picked up here has to do with individual reactions to different religious icons. Seeing an image of Jesus turn up unexpectedly doesn't exactly put you at your ease; for a Christian, such a sighting is the equivalent of a "straighten up and fly right" moment. In contrast to this, the Buddha normally engenders a calming influence on just about everyone. Even as a Christian, I feel a sense of reverence (which is not the same as worship) and otherworldliness when I see a Buddha statue. I believe that is the very thing that rests in the heart of this book.

The gorgeous photographs that make up the bulk of this book are impressively diverse, capturing images of the Buddha in all shapes and forms. If you're like me, you tend to think of Buddha only in terms of the large golden statues typically found at holy sites, but this book shows us that Buddha is basically everywhere. Many of Kalisher's photographs do come from Buddhist shrines in several Asian countries, but the most arresting inclusions capture images of normal life in America as well as Asia. For example, you'll find the Buddha in an impressive sand castle, in yard ornaments, in small statues sure to draw tourists' eyes, on dashboards, in clothing patterns, and even in a Thai sex market. Having spent the best years of my life in Chapel Hill, I was especially interested in a significant number of photographs from that city (now the photographer's home) and some of its neighbors. A few of the photographs did prove to be a challenge of sorts to me (Where's Buddha?), but that actually just encouraged me to pay more studious attention to them than I probably would have otherwise.

Certainly, If You Find the Buddha gave me a better appreciation for Buddha and the type of thinking he represents. I suppose many a reader will see the title of this book and ask: what does happen if you find the Buddha? That is something you have to answer for yourself (and this book only starts you on such a spiritual path), but I think most individuals will definitely take away something of value from Kalisher's photographs.

This small, oblong book hides a lot of treasure. Jesse Kalisher, who grew up on the Upper East Side of New York City, traveled to Viet Nam and photographed street scenes that show the image of the Buddha from the sacred setting to the profane. From a tattoo artist engraving an arm to a glitteringly gold temple, the Buddha image, familiar as Uncle Sam or a crucifix, is shown in startling settings.

The photography is good "journalistic" style, and it's a great look at life in Viet Nam. I've spent quite a bit of time in Southeast Asia and I was very nostalgic paging through the book. But if you dwell on each photo for its own content and not its postcard quality, a message seeps out.

Kalisher's work has been on exhibit at the Field Museum as wel as residing in permanent collections of other museums across the US. I think he has a lot to say in his photos.

Perfect gift book for a yoga devotee or a person influenced by Asian philosophy and culture. Highly recommended.

A delightful collection of images from the lands where Buddha's philosophy is part of daily life. Kalisher has a good eye for content. His images range from the intimate close-up to a distant perspective where the viewer must pause to probe the surroundings to perceive the item of interest. The item may be a tiny statue or graphic representation. Sometimes it seems wholly out of place. That, however, only demonstrates how important the Buddha is to the society. While it may not dominate, it is always present. The reality of the Buddha in these societies and the photographs are intimately matched. Kalisher has the ability to capture them with charm and grace. That he shares them with us is almost a personal favour.

We are given more than a hundred images of the Buddha. They may be giant close-ups in a temple, or centred in a wide-angle view in a restaurant. One watches over some elderly men at a game, while another is a medallion set in stark contrast to a soldier's bayonet-bearing rifle. Sitting on a high shelf, the Buddha keeps guard in an apothecary's shop. Still another helps a guitarist find his muse as he practices. What is significant about this wide variety of settings is that in none is the Buddha disjointed or disconnected .

Even the format of this collection is proper for the subject. While in the West we've become suffused with "coffee-table" books that present us outsized images, this collection is set in an appropriate framework. Kalisher's images and Greenwald's text may be slipped into a purse or briefcase for easy retrieval. The large books are designed to overwhelm our attention. This book follows the theme of that what the Buddha teaches must be sought. It cannot be forced or implanted in our minds. Only one flaw can be attributed to this collection. Designed for a Western market, the identification list at the back of the book might have included more descriptive material. The locations are gratifying, but the circumstances would be informative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

The book is a very good reference with excellent example code. I was a beginner when I purchased it and it was invaluable. I look forward to using volume 2 of this book.

This combined with the subsequent Class Libraries AWT, beans and applet for 1.1 by the same authors are the best Java books I have purchased. Combined with the jdk 1.1 Nutshell book and VisualAge for Java from IBM...you are able to find methods quickly and easily...and then utilize them. Great Job!

If you are doing JDK 1.02 programming, this book is required. I can find anything I need about any class quicker with this book than with any other Java class reference. I need to know specific return values from methods, its there. I need to look at an example of how to use a class or method, it there. This is the easiest (but heaviest) Java reference book I have used.
However...

If you plan on coding exclusively with JDK 1.1 I would wait for the upcoming two volume set (by the same title) from these authors. If they are as good as this volume, they will be worth the money in the time that they save.

This is a great book, but you want the second edition, which covers up to Java 1.1. Its ISBN is different.

I have the book by my side at all times when working on my Java code. It is indispensable. All the classes are list alphabetically which helps in locating what you need. The 2nd edition is out now that covers Java 1.1 classes. A must have!!!

Tammy is an engaging writer with the gift of turning her nightmare into a positive, spiritual gift to all who read her story. Both her family and Trent's are amazing.

This is the best book I have read in years! I think everybody that can should read this book and not take LIFE for granted!!!

Tammy did a wonderful work in describing a pain that many of us face and have to go through. At times I felt like she was describing my own thoughts and feelings when I lost my only child in a car accident. While you are learning to draw breath again, our Lord and Savior truly does literally carry you through the pain until you can begin to see hope again. Life doesn't stop just because a life that means more to you than your own, has stopped. In telling her own story, Tammy helps us to tell ours.

I recently lost my husband suddenly, I have felt all the emotions that Tammy expressed in her book. At 24 I have lost my husband, my father (at 16) and two sisters. Last year my husband and I were expecting a little girl and he was so excited to becoming a father. We had been married for 3 years and just bought a house and another car. Unexpectedly my husband was killed a snowmobiling accident, while on a vacation with his brothers. The area that they were on was about 66 acres and he had gone out alone (this was unusual for him) and hadn't returned after three hours they became worried and went to search for him. There were alot of snowmobile tracks and they weren't sure which ones to follow, so they had formed a search party to look for him. As night fell still no sign of my wonderful husband. The next morning they found my husband who had hit a tree, he was wearing a helmet but somehow it had come off of his head upon the snowmobile hitting the tree sending him flying into the tree, he was gone taking my heart with him. I totally understand why she choose the title "Learning to breathe again: choosing life and finding hope after a shattering loss" because thats just what you have to do, when you lose your husband like that, and being so young you think you have your whole life ahead of you and you make so many plans, When you lose it all like that you feel like you have to learn how to breathe again (Im still learning to breathe again)

Tim was my life, my forever love. I know that when I had our daughter Grace Katheryne (it seemed to fit her she was God's Grace to me in such a rough time in my life and it was also the name Tim picked) I felt his presence as I gave birth to her 6 months ago (just 6 weeks after the accident) I know I will see him again in another time and Another place. As I look at her she looks more and more like her daddy each day she has his dark hair nose mouth and chin and my eyes. I know I have had some days when Ive said "I can't do this alone Lord" but then Im reminded that Im not alone God is with me each day and he will never leave me or forsake me. Tammy did such a beautiful job on this book I share it with other widows I know. No doubt it reached an unbeliever and has made them commit their lives to Christ
From the bottom of my heart thank you so much Tammy

As I read this book I had tears in my eyes. I am also a young widow and I have two children (the last was born 3 months after her father passed away while on a business trip in California the rental car he had been driving was hit by a semi. Being a widow I didn't care for the comments made by Deborah Reece, I thought them to be insensitive and hurtful. saying "be thankful for what you have" is just like saying the pain lessens with time. For me it hasn't. It doesn't appear to me she has read the book (kind of like the other book she "read") but for some reason she had an opinion about it. Finding true love is not hard (once upon a time I thought it was) its just about not settling for second best. We should feel sorry for Tammy as she has been through alot. Yes alot of women go through it but that doesn't make it less painful. Also the book I feel was a testamony I don't think she wrote it to make people feel sorry for her. Trent was an amazing man and I was deeply touched by the book (I lead it out alot sometimes to unbelievers one of whom I believe has come to Christ from being inspired by Tammy's book. I love the title as I too thought I couldn't breathe after Dan's crash, everytime I would take a deep breathe I felt as if I couldn't take another breath.Deborah, If you want a wonderful man just pray about it and try to show that you have a wonderful personality, I think guys like positive girls not ones who have negative things to say where they shouldn't be.

It is a very good book, but I am a bit skeptical of some of the content

Unlike most prison stories which chronicle the lives of men caught in the system, Life on the Outside, sketches the life of Elaine Bartlett, a mother of four and victim of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Jennifer Gonnerman, a Village Voice staff writer, draws an amazing picture of the hardships and suffering women face when they try to weave their way back into society after a long prison term without any training or support. Unmatched by any other book, Life on the Outside will give readers a glimpse of the multi-generational effect prison terms have on families.

I feel as though I've now had an intimate look at life in the ghetto. This story of Elaine Bartlett is written with honesty and has no happy ending. It is a story of Rockefeller's ridiculous drug laws and the impact they had on one family. If you're looking for justice, you won't find it here. Elaine and her family have had lives of struggle, poverty, anger, crime, prison, drug addiction, etc. Not pretty. It is a book every American should read. It is my hope (and I didn't see any mention of this in the book) that the author, Jennifer Gonnerman, has given a percentage of the profits from this book to Elaine Bartlett. Without her, there would be no story. I want to thank Jennifer Gonnerman for writing this book. I hope Elaine has decorated her apartment and has some extra money stashed away in a safe place.

An important book. Several years ago, I read a lengthy rave review about this book in "The New York Times" and bought it. It's about "breaking the cycle" of imprisonment and poverty in families. At a time when governments do little other than epitomize Benjamin Franklin's definition of insanity ("doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results") this book makes clear why we should tell stakeholders to go to hell and do something other than Nixon-Bush's "tough on crime," "punish don't rehabilitate," etc. Buy it five copies at a time, read it, and pass it on (please)!!

I was outraged that a first time offense could land this mother in prison for 15 to life is that justice No matter fact Hell to the No. Are drugs bad in the community well of course Yes. Although what she did was wrong by carrying those drugs to Albany she and her children should not have had to suffer sixteen years without her even five years would have been stiff but sufficient. I read one reviewer state that she was committing welfare fraud by working under the table and a host of other things anyway. But different people look at things differently you see I was born where Elaine was born and when our mothers went out and worked under the table it was called survival. When young white teens are allowed to work under the table it is called "teaching them responsibility" People kill me how they are so ready to judge. Anyway I once again will reiterate that in no way do I agree with her carrying any drugs because my mother was addicted to drugs which royally screwed up my family BUT before anyone judges Elaine let's look at this a young mother with four children working on the side is very vunerable to be lured into the situation she was lured into by George Deets. And to think good people allowed this to happen and are still allowing this to happen cause' why is Nathan still sitting in prison for four ounces worth of cocaine.
To the Author I applaud you for writing Elaine's story with DIGNITY.