K Books

I bought this book for my Landscape Design class going toward my Horticulture degree. I looked through this book many times when I was stuck and unsure on what was supposed to be done. It's a wonderful book for beginners even if you are just designing your own home garden. Even if you aren't going to be a landscape architect it's a wonderful book to read through and learn the principles of design and what goes into to making a great design.

If you want to learn how to do landscape architecture, this is the textbook for you. Don't let the word "textbook" turn you off with thoughts of back when you were in school wishing you were elsewhere. While it is not full of plant lists nor pretty photographs of inspiring gardens; it will, however, teach you how to create your own inspiring gardens. The multitude of graphics will help you to even better understand the well-written text, which is not in the least dull. I doubt there is a better book on the market for the purpose stated in its title. I highly recommend it and am using the principles gleaned from this book to design my own garden. How well I'll do is yet to be determined. But it has given me the skills (I hope) and courage to try. If I fail, at least I know what to look for in a professional.

This book is great, but you might like to know that a 4th addition of this book is now available. Type in - "Residential Landscape Architecture: Design Process for the Private Residence (4th Edition)" and check it out.

I am in love with this book! It is clear, concise, well-written, and has wonderful graphics. I am a landscape architecture student at UCD and this book has taught me more than any of my teachers combined! Highly recommend.

I am a student at Kansas State University in Landscape Design, and this book is wonderful for getting ideas, symbols, and disign techniques. My professors own this book, and constantly approve and recommend this book for sudents. Although it is titled for a private resident, professional landscapers use this book also. This is one book you should add to your library.

I will bow to no one in my appreciation of Mcmanus, I have read his books and literally rolled onto the floor laughing so hard I was crying. Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs is not his funniest. I don't regret getting it but in relation to several others this book is about a C+ rather than an A+. The stories in "The Night the Bear ate Goomba" for example makes me cry; Fortunately I didn't wet my pants too. Everything by McManus is worth reading but he sets such a high standard for himself it would be impossible to reach the bar every time.

McManus is an excellent storyteller and his stories on this tape are those that start with a simple problem and expand out into a lengthy tale. My favorite was the story that begins with him trying to tie a fishing fly and how he always seems to be lacking a key component. In this case, it is white hairs from the tail of a calf. As he is venting his frustration, his friend comes in for another purpose and tells him that he saw some calves in a pen that had white tails. At least they are white under the barnyard gunk stuck to them. They get in the car and drive to the farm, and when they arrive they see an entire pen full of calves. He goes to the door to request permission to remove some hair but there is no answer. Three dollars are placed in an envelope for payment along with an explanation of the reason.
He then goes into the pen and the calves are extremely friendly, they begin chewing and licking him to the point where he cannot clip any hairs. His friend is then coaxed into assisting and while he holds the ears, his friend holds the tail. The calf is then spooked and takes off across the barnyard with his friend holding onto the tail. His feet raise furrows of barnyard gunk that remind him of a water skier. His friend ends up against the fence, being cautiously approached by the farmer and a hired hand. Since his friend is articulate, he leaves the friend to fend for himself, but not before he stops back at the door to the house to retrieve his three dollars.
These stories are of the type where I did not laugh out loud, and only occasionally emitted a small chuckle. However, my funny bone was constantly stimulated as I imagined the surfer. Another farm type story is when three men purchase some young pigs and try to haul them home in gunnysacks in the back of a station wagon. The pigs get loose and the erratic driving arouses the suspicions of a police officer. If you have ever chased young pigs, you know exactly what was going on inside that car.

Fans of Pat, Retch Sweeney, The Troll, Al Finley and the manic Rancid Crabtree will love this collection! I especially love the chapter where Rancid helps the boys make an ice sled out of an old truck fender and a parachute. This book made me laugh several times throughout, and brought back a lot of my own memories growing up in Washington's timber country. A must-read for any McManus fan!

I have always thought that Patrick McManus is the funniest writer on the planet. I read his stories when I need to laugh or relax. Sometimes I irritate my wife by reading it in bed. I try not to laugh out loud, but I only succeed in sounding like I am trying to muffle continuous sneezes.

However, not everyone gets it. I have been shocked by watching people read McManus without so much as a smile (though most start snorting like wild pigs on acid) . My only guess is that getting McManus requires a couple things. First, it requires some understanding of his experiences. He absolutely nails all of the stupid things 'outdoors men (outdoors people)' do and think, but don't want anybody to know about. Second, you have to see the self-deprecating aspect of his humor. Third, you can't look for great literature in integrated books. Patrick McManus is an excellent writer, if you see these as independent stories simply collected in a volume. They are meant for adults who want to laugh at themselves. So, If you are willing to or already meet the above three criteria, you will love this book.

By the way, I am a professor of clinical psychology and (other than worrying a little about McManus) I sometimes recommend this and other McManus books. I do this with people who have racing thoughts and anxiety at bedtime, and when I believe they have the necessary experiences to find it funny. It often works quite well. I think of his stories as little pieces of happiness. (Oh, that even makes me sick to hear. Sorry)

I am the guy Pat talks about at the beginning of "Outdoor Burnout" At the time I wrote to him I was sick of the outdoors and nature in general, Pat put it all into perspective for me. Now when I get fed up with bad weather, balky lanterns, leaky tents, and all the other hazards of the great outdoors, I stop and think, "Pat could make a great story out of this".

Good for all ages.
Step back in time and stand with the crowds to watch the Biscuit fly down the track. Beckwith takes you there again as he did when he wrote this book more than 60 years ago. The writing style, the photos, and the fabulous drawings all help immerse the reader in the late 1930's time period. I particularly enjoyed seeing the real Seabiscuit and hearing what the owner, trainer, and jockey had to say at the time.
If you enjoyed the movie and/or Laura Hillenbrand's book, you will treasure this wonderful piece of tangible history. I recommend this edition highly. Don't miss your opportunity to own this gem!

Seabiscuit was my favorite book in elementary school and still rates high amongst a handful of favorites. Many times over decades, circumstances gained perspective by recalling the depth of spirit and perseverance conveyed so concisely by Mr. Beckwith. Seabiscuit's story is truly for all ages. I believe stories like this are a reason why people are prone to assign human emotions to animals or treat them like a best friend.

As a child I often dreamt about having a horse, hoping I might even be fortunate enough to have one like Seabiscuit. I ended up with four, all of whom indelibly changed my life. I took care of them as if my life depended upon them; even sleeping with them in their stalls when I could get away with it. Bingo, Scamper, Scully and Crackerjack have permanent places in my heart. With them is a picture of Seabiscuit from Mr. Beckwith's book. They always gave their very best and showed me mine. Anyone who reads Seabiscuit's story will come to understand that the innate ability to recover and succeed resides in every person and all life. Opportunity to find and use that power of heart and energy is always available.

I am infinitely grateful to Mr. Beckwith for recognizing and writing Seabiscuit's story and especially to my father for making a vital, life changing dream come true.

I knew B.K. Beckwith personally, and worked with him the last ten years of his life at Santa Anita. He was our television commercial spokesperson for the Santa Anita Handicap for several years, recounting remembrances of Seabiscuit. He was a consummate horseman turned journalist and writer, and had been at Santa Anita from the opening on Christmas 1934. He also wrote "The Story of Santa Anita," which was never published commercially, but used the same heroic and emotional Grantland Rice style that you enjoy in his Seabiscuit book. His memory was a treasure, and since he wrote this book contemporaneously with events, you can feel the horse come alive, as well as the people and the places. This is SO GREAT to have the publisher find this work of art, enjoyable for anyone who loves horses, or racing, of any age. The drawings by Howard Brodie -- who went on to great fame otherwise -- are superbly reproduced, and so are the historic photos. You can see the 'Biscuit's personality come through, especially when he's looking out of his personal railroad car at all the fans and cameras, and in several others!

Inspiring story placed in compelling historical setting. Beautifully done by someone who knew the main characters well.
Nothing to find fault with here. Terrific read.

Owner of Ponder Publishing Company, LLC, my first response after reading was `I wish I had found Beckwith's story before this publisher did!' I was there! I heard Seabiscuit breathing. I saw him sweat, felt his determination, smelled the liniment. You could taste the air of early last century, to anguish and rejoice with one horse's determination to Keep on Keeping on, despite all adversity. Here, love touches a reader, as it touched the crowds who flocked to admire the Biscuit, in the flesh, his ample flesh. My Christmas shopping is done this year!
www.ponderpublishingcompany.com

Don't let the small size fool you, this is a complete college level introductory textbook on Astronomy!

For amateur astronomers, you won't need anything else for theory. Using it in the field, might be rather cumbersome, as it is so loaded with information, it might be hard to sift out what you want "On the Fly".

Excellent book!

This book covers the basics on a wide range of topics. The maps are nicely done and easy to read. I have read a number of astronomy books, and this book is among the easiest to understand. The pictures are well done and compliment the text nicely to assist in the particular lesson being learned. If you've had a hard time understanding some other astronomy books, you might want to try this book. I found 3 drawbacks with this book. 1.) The RA/DEC coordinates given for objects in a number of the tables are epoch 1900. More current coordinates certainly could have been used. 2.) The binding is insufficient to be used as a "field guide" for any length of time. 3.) All tables at the back of the book that give times/dates for upcoming events are out of date. They end at 2006 or before.

If you're looking for a basic book on astronomy that covers a wide range of topics AND is easier to understand than most other astronomy books, you should consider buying this book.

The one and only knock against this great field guide (and kudos to the others who have pointed out that it's NOT a children's book, but simply the best introductory handbook to astronomy ever published) is that it will fall apart with regular use within a couple of years. This is inexcusable in a field guide, but the book is so wonderful and user-friendly that it still gets my five stars. If I could split the review: the book would get 5 stars, the publisher 0 stars.

But it's so cheap compared to other guides, like the lousy Norton's Star Atlas, that you can afford another when it shreds in your hands after a couple years use at the scope.

Bottom line: great book, but should be sewn-bound!!!

This little book is a great reference that handles most any issue an amateur astronomer might encounter in his gazing exploits. There is a thorough yet concise treatment of Basic Astronomy, followed by sections on Astronomical Instruments, Stars, The Various planets, and other celestial bodies. The illustrations and charts are wonderful and there is a very thorough treatment of each constellation, many tables, a good bibliography, and index of observatories and planetariums. It amazing what has been packed into this very small book!

Great Book, GREAT Charts (the grey section), but I had to drop a star due to a lack of Messier Photos and the terrible binding. I don't know HOW the review can say "4th - 8th grade reading level". If you find a 4th grader who can absorb this excellent material, he/she's in the wrong class! This book takes you from ignorance to comprehension painlessly. It even lists wonderful items which can be seen with only a pair of binoculars. It explains everything in the charts, listing the Messier objects and describing them, ie. "9th magnitude open-armed galaxy". Includes solar system, moon, stars, and deep space. A well done book, lacking nothing as a "text book", but as a "Field Guide" the above listed deficiences are intolerable. Well worth the small price.

I first read this at some young age long enough ago that I can't remember exactly when, but I remember very well the sense of awe and enchantment of the story. Even now, many many years later, I can pick it up and be just as engrossed even though it's such a short read. Highly recommended for all ages, if you enjoy a magical tale that somehow seems real, along with the very real story of a young boy's emergence into adulthood.

the snow spider is definately one of my favorite books of all time. when I was reading it, everyone was trying to get me to do something, ANYTHING besides read that book, but nothing anyone did could make me stop. after i read this book, I had to read "orchard of the cresant moon," and "the chesnut soldier." I often think of the snow spider now, and wish that i could be a magician like gwen, and do things like see pictures from a different world. Jenny Nimmo is extremely creative, and i know i will remember this book forever.

the best book and an added bonus of finally finding my name, i especially love all the characters and the way that everyone in their own magical way is a beautiful character

I read this book just this year for school and we couldn't read ahead of the class I hated that! But we finaly finished it.it was the kind of book you have to know what happens. When we were reading it in class we'd come to parts when we'd all go ITS BATHAN I KNEW IT I KNEW IT! I love the way jenny nimmo writes her books are the coolest. You gotta read em' all!

Gwyn's 5 gifts from his grandmother, Nain, take Gwyn's imagination to a whole new level. After finding out that he's a witch, he experences new things that he never thought was possible without the gifts. But the most important things that he wants most of all, is to bring his sister back that disappeared 4 years earlier and to bring his family back together. With the help of a magical snow spider named Arainwen he goes to beat the challenges of the mortal world to bring his sister home.

What would England have been like if the Germans had invaded England in 1940 and won? Well the King is in the Tower of London, the Queen and the Princesses are in New Zealand, and Churchill has been executed by firing squad. Only the southern part of England is under occupation, but the Nazis are heading up most government bureaus including Scotland Yard. In addition, there are the internecine battles between the Nazi Party, the Gestapo, the SS and the collaborating puppet government. Throw in a British Resistance a la "Le Maquise" and you've got a great story.

Archer of the Yard used to laugh but that was some months ago Britain is a conquered state the King is in the Tower of London and Chruchill has been executed. Some Britons carry on the fight there is a government in exile in Canada and there are groups closer to home who ambush mounted patrols but being scattered divided and basically without a plan the groups aren't going to last very long. Some others openly collaborate and Archer who is basically a good guy trying to do his best in a bad situation just wants to do what he has always done-solve crimes.

Now it is this point that things rapidly start to spiral out of control.

Overall-The only issue I have with the book is this why would the weak English resistance look to Archer to help? Also why would the German occupiers trust Archer? Oh course the answer is simple they do this because the narrative requires it but I am not wholly convinced.

What if Germany occupied England during WWII, that is the premise of this novel by Len Deighton. SS GB" is a thoroughly fascinating, absorbing, terrific novel--a first-rate murder mystery wrapped in a huge, wartime conspiracy, with a detailed, completely believable backdrop of Britain defeated and occupied by the Nazis. A real page turner sure to please not just Deighton fans but anyone who loves history.

This was a great book for many reasons. First of all, it was thrilling and moved very quickly. But it also had depth and intelligence. The picture he paints of German occupied England is very beleivable. Most of all, the plot was thick and there were some good turns and twists, especially at the end.

It's November 1941 in Nazi-occupied Britain, and Detective Inspector Archer of Scotland Yard finds himself reporting to SS Gruppenfuehrer Fritz Kellermann. The King is a prisoner in the Tower of London; Churchill has been shot after a brief trial in Berlin; Germany and the USSR are still the best of friends; and the USA is reluctant to intervene. Austerity holds Britain in its icy grip, with luxuries more or less limited to the German occupying forces and those who succeed in ingratiating themselves.

The successful invasion left swathes of ruin and destruction that have not yet been repaired. The blackened shell of a Panzer IV tank still sits halfway up Wimbledon high street. Anyone violating curfew, or breaking regulations, is likely to be shot or sent to a concentration camp. Yet there is no point in rebellion - that would just get more people killed. Apparently, the only way forward is to cooperate with the Germans. Kellermann hints to Archer that his young son might possibly attend the good German school in Highgate... On the other hand, perhaps he should be sent to a training school for young Nazis in Germany.

While developing one of his usual opaque plots, Deighton cleverly shows the dilemma facing Archer and others in positions of responsibility. We see the British resistance as more like the present-day Iraqi insurgency (depicted as terrorists, criminals and diehards) than in the heroic light that has retrospectively fallen on those who persisted in fighting the Nazis after their governments had surrendered.

As usual in a Deighton story, it is no use trying to work out which side anyone is on. Mostly, each of the leading players is on his (or her) own side. The question is: who can profit most by cooperating with whom? The answers turn out to be surprising indeed. Tension starts to build with the abrupt arrival of SS Standartenfuehrer Huth from Berlin - a man who stands for no nonsense, works for Himmler, and has dauntingly direct methods. Can the Resistance exploit tensions between the German Army and the SS to rescue the King? What is the secret of the scientist who is found shot dead, apparently suffering from an extreme case of sunburn? Add a beautiful American journalist, a sinister British secret service officer, a US military expedition, sundry criminals, black-marketeers and collaborators, stir vigorously... and get ready for some stunning entertainment.

This is a companion book to Reagan, In His Own Hand: The Writings of Ronald Reagan that Reveal His Revolutionary Vision for America, both of which are transcriptions of Reagan's radio addressees delivered during his interregnum from governor to president. This slim tome, however, focuses more on Reagan's philosophical and spiritual side, as opposed to policy.

Indeed, it is more of a devotional book than anything else. You feel Reagan's faith in God, and his love for the down-to-earth people that make America great.

There are so many heartwarming stories. One of my favorites is his retelling of The Little Red Hen, which begins on page 86. On the surface, it has a new twist on an old fable. But once you think about the underlying tales, and the punch-line, you see this story ranks with Animal Farm: Centennial Edition and Atlas Shrugged.

Regan's America is our America. In this selection, Reagan gently reminds us who we we are, and our power as individuals to do good. Reagan was for small government simply because he believed that everyday people were so big.

Not earth-shattering or impressive, still this collection of stories written by President Ronald Reagan is a worthwhile glimpse into the thinking of our former president. Each story is brief, a format that lends itself well to a person whose habit is to read a book little bits at a time due to a busy schedule. I found the stories insightful and well done, further demonstrating to me the depth and integrity of someone I've admired for many years.

For the most part, this little book consists of brief, non-political, stories written by Ronald Reagan for delivery on his five minute radio program in the 1970's. Some are his own. Others are based on stories which he had read or heard and which apparently touched him in some way and which he felt were worthy of repeating to a broader audience. My expectations weren't very high when I began reading the book; probably because there have just been too many such books compiled in recent years. If I'd noticed that the book was produced by the same people who earlier produced "Reagan, In His Own Hand..." they wouldn't have been quite so low.

In any case, this small book exceeded my expectations. Taken separately, its stories are quite topical and quite interesting. Taken together, they tell us a little bit more about our 40th president and it becomes clearer than ever that he was not only a great president and a great human being but also a master story teller. In my view, this book should be of interest to anyone who is interested in Ronald Reagan as well as those who simply appreciate a good story well told.

On Sept. 20, 1983 during my freshman year at the University of South Carolina, RR came to speak. When some students of the far left heckled him, he replied "Is there an echo out there?" and disarmed them. He also entertained the crowd with folksy anecdotes of his days at Eureka College that we as students could identify with. Most of the students (myself included) who disagreed with many of his policies and would never vote for him in susequent elections agreed that RR had a gift with a story and with an audience.

This is the RR that appears in this book. These are the folksy anecdotes that he shared mostly with radio audiences and a few are from his presidential days and some go as far back as his newspaper columns in the 1930s. Much of this makes for good light reading, such as his impressions of hollywood in the 30s and his joy of his parents coming out for a visit, the tale of his hosting a black fellow athlete at his home when a hotel refused to house him, and of the girl who braved a crowd of student demonstrators to shake his hand, as ell as his observations on death.

Unlike some other compliations of RR's writings, tales such as these transcend political opinion. This would make good bedside reading or on a short flight.

This is a compilation of transcripts of Ronald Reagan's radio talk-show from the late 1970's. Reagan always loved to use stories to communicate ideas and give advice, and this collection is replete with perfect examples of that. I believe that the four components of leadership are:

1) A clear vision of a better future; 2) The ability to communicate that vision; 3) The ability to get others to want to listen to your ideas and to believe you; 4) The ability to translate your vision into action

Whatever you might think of Reagan's vision for America or of the actions he took, this book shows us how he excelled at communicating his vision and pulling people into it. He was not called "The Great Communicator" without reason, and this book shows you that reason clearly. This is a treasure for Reagan fans, and for anyone who wants ideas on how to be more charismatic.

I rejoice that this short work has come into print again, though it's rather sad that it took the author's recent death to prompt the publishers into action. I'd read an extract in a guide to the top 100 books of the twentieth century and was surprised and disappointed not to be able to get my hands on the full edition.

Jansson has an inate understanding of the wisdom and skewed world-view of children, and manages to capture the fragile - and ephemeral - friendship which can exist between the very old and the very young. There is a freshness about her style which never teeters into whimsy. A rare achievement indeed.

Yes, this is truly a great work of literature. For one, the unique, intimate descriptions of life on a small island off the west coast of Finland are exquisite. The writing captures so much of this maritime word in such sure, spare language, that the reader is placed there among the nordic flora, tasting and feeling the ocean, the sky. Nature binds this book together.

The other facet of this book is the relationship between the child, Sophia, and her Grandmother. We do not learn anything about the father, other than that he works at a desk, plants flowers, and skeins. We do learn early that the mother has died, but aside from its initial mention, it is never directly addressed again. Instead we get an oblique look at grief through the interactions between the two primary characters -- granddaughter and grandmother. Sophia deals with the loss primarily through questioning the natural world around her, observing and mourning the deaths of other small creatures, like mice and birds. In fact a lot of dead animals make an appearance in this work. The psychological portrayal of Sophia is astute, at times subtle. Perhaps the strongest part of the books is when she dictates a book to her grandmother about the death of a worm, which turns into a free-flow stream of conscious on death in general. Powerful stuff.

The grandmother seems less affected by the loss of Sophia's mother (her daughter-in-law?). She does not seem overly concerned with death, although she has to deal with its imminence daily through her own physical limitations, but more with the emotions of her granddaughter. She proves to be very tolerant and wise.

The book's ultimate power and brilliance rests heavily on the use of an old woman juxtaposed against a child. They are both confronting the mystery of existence, and their conversations and interactions reveal a deep longing to understand the eternal. A great book.

PS -- this reader felt that the illustrations added to the work, however the few with human characters seemed strangely off-putting.

Mm, this is a beautiful, wonderful little book! It is a collection of little stories of a very small girl and her small grandmother going adventures on their little island in Sweden. So full of green things and little bites of happiness. The grandmother is oh so clever and says so many poignants to the girl. The girl is wise too. So full of joy.

As a child, Tove Jansson lived in summer on islands in the Gulf of Finland, and later she and her partner Tuulikki Pietilä lived on a small island called Klovharu. Jansson wrote many children books, including the Moomin series, and ten books for adults.

The plot of the most famous of her adult novels is very simple; an elderly artist and her six-year-old granddaughter Sophia spend the summer on a tiny island exploring and talking about everything but Sophia's mother's death and their love for each other. They wander, pick flowers, watch storms, take trips in a rowboat. The 22 short episodes create a unity: "On an island," thinks the grandmother, "everything is complete."

The interaction between Sophia and her grandmother is a clash of wills, Sophia stubborn, impetuous and supportive; her grandmother wise, unsentimental, on the edge of exhaustion, dizzy, fearful of losing her balance "the balance between survival and extinction was so delicate that even the smallest change was unthinkable".

"It was just the same long summer always, and everything lived and grew at its own pace."

The book has been a major best seller in Scandinavia since it was first published in 1972. Thomas Teal has produced a wonderful English translation. This new edition from NYRB Classics is beautifully printed and bound. This novel captures a summer growing "at its own pace."

Robert C. Ross 2008

This book was given to me by an uncommon friend and I enjoyed it very much. It is about the friendship between a grandmother and her young grandaughter who live on a bit of an island in Finland (?). The beauty and treasures discovered in the quiet lives they lead, finding joy in simple things and loving each other besides those petty annoyances of personality (they are very much alike). There are many "huggable" humorous moments. I think of one in which they trade cats--their cat is indifferent to the grandaughter's overtures and the one traded was much more warm and cuddly, but then (and I quote from the book).

"Hunt! Do something! Be like a cat!" And then she started to cry and ran to the guest room and banged on the door.
"What's wrong now?" Grandmother said.
"I want Moppy back!" Sophia screamed.
"But you know how it will be," Grandmother said.
"It'll be awful," said Sophia gravely. "But it's Moppy I love."

Being a small business owner, this book draw my attention from tons of others sitting on the bookstore shelf and I was not disappointed - well structured and easy to read wealth of information that helps you navigate through complexities of IRS official publications. Add to that a bit of humor scattered throughout the book and reading about taxes and accounting turns out to be a pleasure ! Would certainly give it triple BUY rating

I walked into my local library one day looking for something easy-to-read concerning taxes. Mr. Daily's book title quickly captured my attention. I not only couldn't put the book down, I later checked it out of the library that day and read the first two chapters that night.

A week later after reading two additional chapters, I bought the book online. "It was that good." Simple as that! It made tax law come alive to me and I was able to understand taxes much more clearly.

Tax Attorney Frederick W. Daily's book, "Tax Savvy for Small Business," in my professional opinion, would be considered 'required reading' for anyone who prepares returns or represents taxpayers before the IRS, as I soon will be doing as an Enrolled Agent (EA). CPAs and lawyers are licensed by the individuals states. EAs on the other hand, are nationally licensed.

"This book IS... my study guide and bible" (if you will) in addition to... my study materials in preparation for the Enrolled Agent (EA) exam.

Great book and an essential read for anyone starting and running a business. Essential advice as well as useful guides for communicating with the IRS. Examples I've used include changing my S corp election to a C corp and also the process to apply for a first time abatement of penalties. This book has helped reduce my tax related anxieties to a tolerable level. Tax attorney Frederick W. Daily has consolidated a wealth of information into a easy to read and extremely useful 300+ page reference. This will be one of my core texts when I teach a course on "How to Start and Run a Company" at the local community college. I've waited for nearly two decades to start a company because the tax code always overwhelmed me (and I had studied accounting for two years in college before becoming an engineer). If I had read this book earlier I would not have been nearly so apprehensive.

Mr. Daily's treatment of taxation as it relates to a small business owner is top knotch. Not only is it a thorough reference book but his style of writing makes it a pleasure to read (many authors of text books could benefit from his approach).

Particularly I found the examples helpful and "real world" enough to drive home the point.

Good read that is helpful to the small business just getting started.
Little jargon and much helpful information that answers real questions.

I have always loved this book, and it prompted me to read all of R.K. Narayan's books, though to be honest, it is not his masterpiece (that would be either The Guide, Malgudi Days as a whole, or The Financial Expert). Yet this book does capture a sense of Narayan's unique genius, his ability to write myth and folkore as a living force that can exist side by side with cars, film crews, and the entire panoply of modern India.

I taught this book in a Freshman Composition course, and the students were rather divided on its merits. Some found it too "simple," having trouble accepting a book that begins as the memoirs of a captive tiger (which Narayan is at no great pains to keep intact), only to jump off to other narratives and points of view. The key to keep in mind is that Narayan is writing this book from the tradition of folklore and myth, where tigers can talk--yet are not bound by our ponderous modern notions of "realism." Indeed, though a modern work, many of the characters and situations in this book seem lifted out of folklore, as brilliant translated and realized by Narayan (much as he retold the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and others). On the surface, it is a simple story, well-told, yet has powerful undercurrents, particularly on the purpose of one's life, and the contradictions of each "path" we choose. The relationship of the Raja with the holy man is brilliant, particularly as Narayan allows us to see the messiness of cutting one's self off to follow a path of individual salvation.

A short book, but one that I return to often. To truly enjoy it, it's important not to impose a Western perspective on it, or even look for "novelistic" elements in the narrative. Simply read it and let yourself fall into Narayan's folkloric world, which exist as much here as in some enchanted world at the beginning of history.

Did I mention the book is often hilarious as well?

I had to read this for a class and I thorougly enjoyed it. It's a simple read but there's so much in there for you to think about. I would very strongly suggest A Tiger for Malgudi!

This book is a gem, it has very witty sentence structures that make you laugh out loud. It equally articulates the many phases that man goes through in life very aptly, using the tiger as a fine metaphor. A treasure that you can revisit and pass on from one generation to the next. For me it's R.K. Narayan's most profound book- indeed one must have lived fully, in order to write it down this succintly.

The protagonist of this story is a tiger! He is young and ferocious (as we all fancy we are), he faces the cruelties of the world (being made into a show animal), he reacts through murder and carnage (as might be natural for a tiger), and he evolves into a philosophical and detached being, no longer quite " a beast."

The story of his evolution into an enlightened soul is uplifting.
The message, I think, is that every soul, not just human, has a consciousness, and strives for something.

The proof in the power of Narayan's crystal clear narrative is that the reader feels for the tiger, respects him, and admires him for the soul he has become. (Few lucky folks can attain the state of this smart cat!) Like many Narayan stories, he tackles a challenging premise and makes it appear effortless.

READ THIS! READ THIS!

Original, entertaining, deeply thoughtful, and ultimately profoundly spiritual, this simple book takes the reader on an adventure within the being of a magnificent tiger. The tiger evolves from a proud, ruthless, and mighty ruler of the jungle to a sadly domesticated circus creature to a spiritually aware and transfigured being. His growth is mirrored in the life of his "master," to whom he refers from the very start of this account and whom we finally meet toward its glorious end. Along the path of the tiger's evolution, we also meet many an animal and human whose essential personalities and quirks are clearly drawn. The reader can easily overlook Narayan's inconsistent narrative voice, which is sometimes from within the tiger himself and sometimes from the third person. Too, one is amused by the absurdity of Indian bureaucracy and corruption as "officials" at one point try to figure out what to do with the tiger as he freely roams from village to village, and the book is flavored by India's "gestalt." But simple spiritual messages are delivered in the last 25 pages or so as the master and tiger make their way to the master's retreat and reside there in peace: "It's often said that God made man in his own image, it's also true that man makes God in his own image." "When you address a prayer to God, you are only praying to yourself...or at least you are entitled to half that prayer...". "...only the foolish waste their lives in fighting."

I wonder if the author of "The Life of Pi" is familiar with this work. Also, the author of "Water for Elephants" would love this work. Narayan is a world-class author who deserves to be read, particularly now as the world lurches toward a delusional catastrophe.