X Books

Volume Six B is a very complete reference manual for serious Motif programmers. It covers all Widgets in-depth and has a precise guide to the Motif window manager mwm.

This centennial edition map Mt. Ranier National Park has been meticulously hand detailed and has won a prestigious map makers award. A Big and Beautiful wall piece.

Rich, beautiful, lonely and in trouble, Valerie Summers arrived at New York's luxurious Hotel Beaumont dragging a trail of murder that baffled even the Beaumont's legendary manager, Pierre Chambrun. First her mother, then a man she had a crush on, then her husband, then her best friend, then a punk in her apartment - and now a dead cop in her hotel room. Was she the terrified victim of a killer with a grudge... or a monster hidden behind a lovely face? Everybody is playing wild guessing games, but it's clear there's a killer out there, mad as a hatter, deadly as a cobra circulating in Chambrun's world - watching... and waiting.

Margaret Armatage's book is the story of an extraordinary odyssey from real poverty and isolation to success in business and marriage. By always looking for the bright side of life and working very hard at everything she did, the author overcame enormous obstacles which constantly confronted her. She is candid about her poor decisions that were based on desperation, and equally candid about what she gave to insure quality in her work and in her personal happiness. This is about someone who grew up in harsh times, was vulnerable as an attractive woman, but who held herself and those around her to high standards. It's an inspiration to anyone who has not reached the level of happiness he or she wants out of life but is willing to work for it with the proper encouragement.

I am biased because I am the author of this book. I wrote this novel as a tribute of my love to my kids. The story is very close to real life, except for all the violent parts.

True, in reviewing this book after it is out of print places me a little behind in the times (although I'm the first to admit that) - but the themes presented in this charming story are truly timeless. The pain of loss and childhood in general are portrayed by the author with an intrinsic understanding of the human condition - using consice language that conyeys it's point while remaining easy for even the most simple-minded of us to comprehend. The painstakingly detailed pen and ink (with a wonderfully suble coloring scheme) illustrations pefectly complement the story's gentle lesson. Speaking of gentle, that brings me to the appearance of famed television celebrity "Mr. T" to the story. In a refreshing change of pace from his rough-and tumble roles from stage and screen, he appears to give guidance and lend his strength to those who truly need it most. A highly recommended read for hungry minds of all ages!

Pierre Berton is Canada's favourite historian and this book remains the definitive history of the railroad that ensured Canada would grow all the way to the Pacific coast. The National Dream is the first of two chronicles. It recounts the preparations to the actual construction work, which is covered in the second volume "The Last Spike".

We read of the political negotiations with British Columbia, which at first only wanted a wagon trail. We witness the fighting between the surveyors of different routes through the Rockies. I was surprised to discover that the greatest political difficulty was getting the railroad to go through Ontario, over the desolate granit of the Canadian shield, so that it avoid going south of the lakes, through the US. The Pacific railway had to be an all-Canadian venture. Still in politics, Berton describes the money politics of 1870's and ends by putting us in the House of Commons during the CPR debates of December 1880.

Canada today is a country stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, capping the lower 48 of the United States. At Confederation in 1867, Canada ended at the Great Lakes; west of there but not part of Canada was the Hudson's Bay Company's land, the Red River colony (today Manitoba) and British Columbia. Canadian visionaries correctly saw the railway as the only way to ensure Canada survived American expansion. The CPR was a ridiculous undertaking. Imagine a country the size of New Zealand deciding that survival meant a space program and you get the picture.

The CPR was an instance of a particularly Canadian National Policy whose purpose is to keep Canada whole. The price we had to pay then was that expensive all Canadian route. Interestingly, we still live with the legacy and expensive transportation is still a Canadian "feature". While travel between cities is cheap within the US, flights between any two large Canadian city are expensive as the money is used to subsidize transport to Canada's more remote areas. Is it worth it? Ask any Canadian, and you'll often get a mumble and grumble finally ending in a painful "yes, yes it is".

This book is gorgeous. It is loaded with wonderful photos of Mt. Everest, the mountaineers, the local people, and the Nepali Himalyan region. The photos really convey the feeling that you are there. The text interestingly details the expedition and is well written. More than just a coffee table book.

Of all the campbooks I have bought or looked at, no one has the easy to read and spot what you are looking for in a campground as the old 'Rand McNaly Campground and Trailor Park Directory'. All there, at a glance, in columns. Not having paragraphs to read through, nor cities to look up. I have pet and would want electricity, etc, at a glance I know what to expect.

Imagine, waking up in the morning and looking at a vast expanse of land in front of you. Many of us keep dreaming about as a way of life most of the time. Given the fact that for most urban dwellers this is not an everyday thing. Imagine if you could do it everyday - atleast be able to think about it everyday.If you do think you want to do something like this... ...A World map is a must for you.

A perspective from your little drawing room... an important tool for your children to grow up with... a reminiscence on the time of the past for those elderly... a roadmap of places to visit for those aspirational.

It's all in one.

Get it on to your wall, get a world view