K Books

I loved this book. So wonderfully written. Albeit the author took some liberties with the stories, I think the idea of the book is very well executed. I loved reading about Shiva and Ganesha and Vishnu and Parvati as if they were people who lived just down the street. So much of Hindu lore is very difficult to digest, but the author does a great job of delivering the myths and the moral point of each story very very well. Well done.

Fairy tales from the East lent us insight into a new range of contemporary issues and new responces to these temptations, character flaws and daily errs. Through these mythological stories and the choices these characters make, we are invited to be in both the situation and each character in tne story. Their choices then become our story. It is a unique tool for checking in with our values and coming to greater clarity about "what if" I were placed in such a situation myself. Good reading for all ages and an ideal gift for conscience raising without being rude.

Beautifully written! The timeless quality of these ancient myths shines brightly through Ms. Kapur's lucid prose.

Ganesha Goes to Lunch is a grand mix-up of Gods and mortals... all doing the best they can considering the limitations (and non-limitations) of their realities. The treat is that we are afforded a front row seat and, while enjoying ourselves all the while, suddenly discover that teachings of profound wisdom have somehow been assimilated.

A wonderful and imaginative journey with the power to inform, inspire and - ultimately transform the reader. Thank you, Kamla Kapur for the (wild elephant) ride!

Ganesha Goes to Lunch by Kamla K. Kapur is a collection of twenty four stories drawn from the oral tradition of mythical tales in India. The stories are retold in contemporary language, and maintain the essential structure and characteristics of the folklores. Kamla's choice of stories ranges from tales about why Ganesha has elephant's trunk, to the marriage of Shiv-Parvati to the creation of Brahma and universe. The story of the friendship of Sudama and Krishna is retold as is the tale of Vishwamitra-Vashisht rivalry.

The Bharatiya (Indian) tradition thrives on stories passed on from generation to generation. Each generation adds its own experience to knowledge and reinterprets the understanding passed to them. The Hindu myths by their very nature don't have absolutes. They represent Gods or men trapped in their vices, roused or limited by their virtues, acting in response to the demands that existence as humans on earth demands from us. The attempt is to create examples as prototypes to deal with contradictions and complexities that daily strife, be it in war, peace, family matters, need, greed, valor, and amorous desires lead us to. This had lead to several epics about avataars or incarnations, and as humans Gods lead exemplary lives, faulting at times, and suffering for them. In Kamla's collection, the gems from the boundless sea of folklore are picked, polished and repackaged to lure Western audiences as well as those Indian readers who have learned most from English education and English Literature.

The book has a number of pictures and illustrations, which allow a non-Indian reader to visualize the God or character in question. We Indians grow up with these tales, and somehow we imbibe their lessons into our being without realizing when or how. The modern age has brought a slew of stories and media into our household, and in these times, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the shallow characterizations and sensationalist serials. The demands of materialistic modern life, makes it even more important for us to connect to the spiritual wisdom of centuries, the philosophy both rich and humbling is present in highly entertaining form in these stories. Kamla Kapur's effort is commendable in both the spirit and the style of execution.

While most of these stories can be read out to children, a few characterizations are little more sensual than I would have hoped for. The discussion about Shiva and Shakti, the male and female powers, is done quite boldly, whereas my encounters with these stories as a child were in an understatement, and in euphemisms. Perhaps the retelling must respond to the contemporary world, where the Victorian writing, the euphemisms are considered trite and cliched. The tale from Ramayana, incorrectly mentions that Hanuman brought Sanjivini (or the hill with that herb on it) for reviving Ram (I am certain that it was needed for Laxman). Aside from these quips, most of the stories are brief and well written, and will form a good reading for people of all ages.

Myths by their very nature appeal to the heroic, and the virtuous elements of our being. Kamla's rendition ensures that the heroic and mystic elements are distilled into a reader's consciousness. The simplicity of language, the delightful imagery, the translation as if of whole oral tradition of myths into this eclectic collection speaks volumes about Kamla's craftsmanship and reverence for these tales. While the tales are derived from Hindu myths, the structure, the impact, the ideals, the virtues they inspire transcend time, space and religion. I enjoyed these, and so I hope you will too.

I got this book to read to my kids. It's amazing even on the first page! I LOVE this book. Can't wait to get to the end. Such an easy read!!!!

Dead mothers are always a good plot device. There is nothing like the absence of a mother to create a suitable amount of angst, heartache, uncertainty, and self-doubt. Think of the Alice books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, where the first couple of books in the series are driven by the fact that pre-teen Alice is growing up without a mother, surrounded by men in her family, and suffers the nagging fear that she is not approaching the formative years of her life with due female influence. And more recently we have had the mother-less Bee from Being Bee, and Jack from The Night Tourist. Now there is Evie Adler in K.L. Going's The Garden of Eve. Her mother is ten months dead from cancer, and Evie is left with her botanist father who has never appreciated--or even understood--magic the way her mother did. He is too much of a scientist to put much stock in fairy tales, or stories in general. When he takes on the job of trying to revive a dead apple orchard in Beaumont, New York, far from their Michigan home, Evie is resentful. They move into a house right next door to a cemetery--but the only cemetery Evie cares about is the one back in Michigan, where her mother is buried. Her father devotes his time to the orchard--but all Evie can think of is the magic garden she used to plan with her mother, a perfect garden with magnificent trees and noble beasts where the three of them would always be together. When Evie is given a seed supposedly from the Garden of Eden, Evie thinks she has her chance to find that perfect garden, and consequently find her mother, too.

There is a lot going on in this book, some of it allegorical and some of it just old fashioned mystery. There is the boy Alex, whom Evie meets hanging around in the cemetery. Is he really dead, as he claims to be? Is the orchard where Evie's father toils really cursed, or has it simply been abandoned? When Evie plants her seed and enters the magical garden--by way of eating an apple, of course!--is she in Eden or is it a trap? There is another Eve who grew up in Beaumont and disappeared many, many years ago. What happened to her? And will Evie find peace after the death of her mother?

Some of the pieces in the book are tied together a little bit too neatly, but for the most part this is an engaging and thoughtful book. Evie is disillusioned without being broken. The father is pragmatically devoted to his work but all open-hearted and open-minded business when Evie needs him most. The supporting characters range from saintly (the dead mother)to utterly convincing (Alex). Readers who like their books with magic and symbolism will enjoy this.

Since her free-spirited mother Tally's passing, Evie has given up her belief in magic and nearly all the activities she had loved to partake in with her mom, like painting and reading bedtime stories. Then another difficult change occurs when her father decides to move them from their home in Michigan to Beaumont, New York. Evie doesn't want to relocate or forget about the memories of the life she once had with her mother nearly a year before. However, her father is anxious for a fresh start.

When Evie and her father arrive in rural Beaumont, Evie can't help but feel a little uneasy about the atmosphere of the place, with its blackened, gnarled trees and seemingly perpetual quiet. Then, when picking up the keys from Maggie, the sister of previous owner Rodney, they learn that many people believe that the town is cursed because of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Maggie and Rodney's sibling, Eve, and the fact that the once-vibrant orchard's appearance changed shortly after.

Evie's father (a "realist," as he refers to himself) dismisses the story as superstition and thinks that, with his skills, he could help bring the trees and, in effect, the town back to life. Meanwhile, to Evie's dismay, she discovers that their new home is near a cemetery, which is where she meets a boy named Alex, who claims to be a ghost. Despite her initial skepticism, Evie can't help but be intrigued by him and his determination not to be forgotten. Then for her 11th birthday, she receives an unusual gift left behind by Rodney. Along with the story behind the supposed curse and a little help, Evie begins to piece the clues together that may put the past to rest, while revealing some surprises about herself and those she cares about.

On the surface, THE GARDEN OF EVE may appear to be just a whimsical mystery, but underneath is a poignant story about keeping a hold of family, hopes and dreams, even if they don't always seem to be in reach.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

Evie grieves for her sensitive and imaginative mother, angry that her practical father has taken her far from home to a lonely house by a cemetery. As her father tends to a blackened orchard, Evie befriends a dead boy and an elderly woman who gives her an ancient seed that brings the children to an alternate world. Evie dreams of finding her mother there, but instead discovers the love of her father.

Chapters flow from one to another with suspense that should not frighten the "average" child. My fifth grade daughter and I read this aloud and thoroughly enjoyed the fresh, natural dialogue between Evie and the strange boy, the mysterious magical happenings and the realistic relationship troubles between father and daughter. This might be a good book to read to upper elementary or middle school children dealing with the loss of a parent, or even a sibling as the boy grieves the loss of his brother, but might be disconcerting to some younger children.

The storyline is creative and although the last chapter does wrap up a little too well, we are glad that Evie finds a final, surprising connection to her mother.

Sometimes when bad things happen, the whole world seems shriveled and dark, as if nothing good will ever grow again. But life isn't like that. Really.

Here comes Evie, strong and brave and wise. She's searching for truth, hoping for magic, yearning for comfort. Like Lucky in The Higher Power of Lucky, Evie is trying to make sense of world made barren by the loss of her mother. Like Lucky, Evie needs someone to help answer questions a girl really needs her mother for, especially, "How do I know what is true?" But while Lucky's story stays anchored in the rather imperfect real world, Evie finds her truths through a purer magic in the very best fairy-tale tradition. A ghost-boy, some ancient mysterious seeds, a warm wind swirling over frozen soil--K.L. Going breathes her magic into these elements to bring forth a rich tale of new life after loss. Here in The Garden of Eve, the truth is magic and magic is truth. And if you can't see it with your eyes, maybe you should look "with your ears or your nose, instead."

Read this book. It is beautifully crafted and deeply satisfying. As soon as you finish it, you'll want to share it with someone you care about. As it whispers its truths, it brings comfort and warmth and hope that life can begin again, even when all seems lost.

Janet Gingold
author of Danger, Long Division and Finch Goes Wild

Planning on retiring someday or already retired, the information in this book will help you use your money in the most intelligent way possible. Of all the "retirement books" available, you will find information and planning tools in this book that are not found elsewhere. Since we are all concerned about having enough money in retirement, it makes sense to do the best we can to save, invest and spend money for our maximum benefit. The information in this unique book gives us the tools to do that.

After giving each of our four adult children copies, I've now got comments back from them. They said they appreciated the many suggestions to help them save more as well as the simple calculations to know how much to save for retirement and when to start Social Security. A son-in-law said it was very easy to read--more like a novel than a financial book. A daughter said it was very good from a woman's perspective. Another daughter advised a neighbor to a copy as well.

The author is a designer of a website dedicated to retirement planning and that shows in his book. He has a detailed knowledge of what it takes to build and later utilize a nest egg, and spells it out in plain language for the reader.

What I liked about the book: The plethora of information about creating my own nest egg and how to preserve said nest egg, and eventually how to tap the nest egg. It did these things better than any book I have ever read.

What I didn't like about the book: Some of the charts were way too complex and detailed. They were nearly impossible to decipher.

All in all it was one of the better books about retirement I have read. I also finished reading the FUNNIEST book about retirement I've read, "Race You To The Fountain of Youth."Race You to the Fountain of Youth: I'm Not Dead Yet (But parts of me are going fast)

Hebeler's writing style is easy to read.

I have read over 200 books on investing/financial planning, and I would put this book into the top 10....with regards to general financial planning information.

Hebeler covers all the basics including saving, investing in index funds, and Social Security.

I particularly liked his list of Lessons Learned:

1. Look hard for low costs and taxes.
2. Don't invest in anything that eats, floats, drills, or is appraised with a magnifying glass or scale.
3. Avoid partnerships and tax gimmicks
4. Be wary of someone who wants to manage your money
5. You have heard of someone who has a foolproof method
6. Don't buy individual stocks and don't time the market

As a general intro to investing, you really can't go wrong with this book.

To compliment this book.....I would suggest a couple good books on index fund investing and asset allocation.


Index Mutual Funds: How to Simplify Your Financial Life and Beat the Pro's
The Richest Man in Babylon
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
The Millionaire Next Door
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing

This Financial non-fiction reads like a novel. An easy read that is extremely informative and useful for planning and executing your retirement. Readers will benefit by the many thousands of man hours or research and analysis that have gone into providing this resource. The many different types of investment are reviewed and the real world effects on growth by inflation, taxes and fees are illustrated. The book also provides much relevant information about all the relevant topics surrounding retirement planning, such as IRAs, tax strategies, Social Security, pensions etc. Chapter 2 titled "Be Aware of the Environment" is very eye opening and relevant in today's world. This book is very easy to use as a resource and provides many clear Appendixes designed to allow the reader to make some simple calculations to either check the present status of planning or to run simulations based on changes or differences in assumptions. Entertaining as well as informative.

Good Behavior provides a reversal of fortune unlike any other that veteran burglar John Dortmunder has ever experienced.

His problems begin when his new partner, O'Hara, turns out to be incompetent at cutting off the burglar alarm. Dortmunder finds himself unexpectedly racing across rooftops while O'Hara is arrested at the bottom of the fire escape he has foolishly taken when the police arrive. After falling down one roof, he comes to a dormer and climbs in . . . only to find himself on a rafter over a roomful of nuns. Having been raised at an orphanage run by the Bleeding Heart Sisters of Eternal Misery, this depresses him . . . along with his sore ankle. The nuns rescue him with a tall ladder, and he finds himself speaking in pantomime . . . until they discover that he can read and begin writing notes. They have taken a vow of silence, and only speak for two hours on Thursdays.

Having noted his burglar's tools, they point out that perhaps the police should be called. But, they have a greater need for a burglar: to recover Sister Mary Grace who was abducted by her father to be reprogrammed into a corporate executive in the family firm.

Alone in the penthouse of a 76 story skyscraper, the sister has been fighting off the deprogramming and her father. By smuggling notes in and out with the cook, the sisters know where she is. Dortmunder agrees to spring her. Then, he becomes discouraged because no one will want to help him for no gain.

Just as he's about to tell the nuns that he cannot do it, they share the security codes for the building with him, which Sister Mary Grace has smuggled out. With that information, Dortmunder knows he can break into any part of the building, which is full of lovely jewelry and antique stores. With that kind of potential swag, his usual partners can be rounded up (Tiny Bulcher, Andy Kelp, and Stan Murch) plus a new alarm man, Wilbur Howey, who has just gotten out after 48 years (10 years for burglary and 38 years for continually escaping) who is very excited by seeing any woman. They also add an inside partner, J.C. Taylor, who sells off-color books and turns out to be critical to freeing Sister Mary Grace.

The burglary goes smoothly . . . but Dortmunder runs into unexpected (and potentially lethal) opposition as he nears the penthouse. Like all Dortmunder stories, the end is filled with fast and furious improvisation.

There's more than the usual humor in this story due to Mr. Westlake having the silent sisters as a running gag. But they communicate just fine, unlike the police whom Dortmunder is trying to outwit.

The plot develops slowly, which makes it more appealing, and the twists and turns keep my heart pumping rapidly. I don't remember a story about Dortmunder that is as engaging the positive human emotions. I think you'll like this one, if you have enjoyed any humorous stories about criminals.

After you finish this story, think about where you think that communication cannot be made. How might you overcome that limitation? Try imaging that you cannot speak, and see if that opens up any new ideas.

This book, about career crook John Dortmunder and his attempt to rescue a nun of the silent sisterhood is one of the best Dortmunder novels Mr. Westlake has ever written. The atmosphere is tense, since the book is about rescuing somebody as well as getting off with a lot of money, and having to put up with the nun's fascist father. This book is an enjoyable reading for all.

Westlake is one of the funniest authors I've ever read and this is one of his best novels. Beware because it will make you bust out laughing in public places if you read it there (people on my bus think I'm crazy). Absolutely worth the high price you might pay for an out-of-print.

While working one night, John Dortmunder accidentally sets off a burglar alarm, an occupational hazard for a thief, and winds up hanging from the rafters of the local convent. Although the occupants are an order of nuns who have taken a vow of silence, they manage to let John know that in return for not turning him into the police, they would make use of his specialist skills. They want him to rescue a young nun who was taken from the convent by her father and is held on the top floor of a 76-storey building.

Dortmunder's flair for getting himself into and out of impossible situations are highlighted again as he attempts to breach the defences of a building that seems as impenetrable as any well guarded fortress can be. The ever-changing motley crew that he works with is made to seem even more motley by the inclusion of the skirt chasing (but never catching) Wilbur Howey. Tiny Bulcher is again along for the ride in all his menacing glory as are two regulars Andy Kelp and Stan Murch.

It's the humorous ways in which Dortmunder deals with setbacks that gives the book it's charm. Interest is added by limiting the field of play to one building. How to get in, save the girl and then out again is the problem he faces.

This is yet another satisfyingly entertaining entry in the Dortmunder series that proves this time that he has a caring side, or maybe it's just his guilty, greedy side rearing it's head again. Whichever it is, it's a pleasure to see it.

John Dortmunder becomes St John when his latest caper drops him into a convent. The sisters see it as divine intervention so they ask him to rescue a kidnapped nun from her tyrannical father who is having the Catholicism deprogrammed out of her. Only Dortmunder could gather a group of thieves to rescue a nun and end up facing a mercenary army set for a Central American Revolution. Full of hilarious incident after hilarious incident, this is the Dormunder gang at its best.

Fascinating take on the life of Christ written with factual events from the gospels mixed with the author's vast imagination of what 1st Century Israel may have looked like. From the introduction of Barabbas to Pilate's court, it's a very good book to read and contemplate. Every character is brought into vivid detail and makes you kind of know and care about them from the poor and oppressed who meet Christ to those who are his greatest enemies. Fabulous book and something you'll always treasure!

An inspirational read, very full, I think it could have gone on another few hundred pages but it is long enough.

While the author Oursler covers some aspects of Christ's life very well, from the Annunciation to Jesus being found in the Temple, he seems to cover a few other events scantly. "The Passion of the Christ" had not been made into film yet and I don't think the whole episode of Christ's Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane is covered enough, for as important as that episode is to the Gospels. I think it is signficant that during the arrest of Jesus, the Pharisees arresting him were indeed all were fallen down by the whole episode and not by physical means, before Jesus the Lamb of God submitted to their arrest. I do enjoy however, the trial of Jesus by the Sanhedrin in court. I do find this to be a very viable visualization of how such a trial may have taken place.

The Nativity narrative may well take some from the Apocrypha, Protovangelium, Infant Gospel of James, whereas, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne accompany Joseph and Mary during the birth of the Christ-child. I do find the first part of the book thoroughly enjoying in relating those incidences we know best from the Gospel of Luke and some from the Gospel of Matthew. I do understand that Herod probably did have some Arabic blood in him, in part if not totally, but I am not sure if an apt description for Herod is calling him an Arab King as he does two or three times in the book. Still, this is a minor detail.


All in all, I am not sure if this is the inspiration for the movie of the same nameThe Greatest Story Ever Told (Movie Only Edition), but the years of Christ's ministry and the parables and the miracles he worked with are well covered here as well, considering this book was written shortly after World War II. It also has made me want to read other biographical type books on Jesus. This book is very much worthy of reading and to then relate one's own knowledge of the Gospels back to it.

It is an excellent book to visualize every detail of Jesus' life.

Read this book out loud to your family and use it for discussions about the life of Jesus Christ. I have a 13 year old son who knew very little about Jesus, and now has a simple but deep grasp of the story. It has lead to talk about Jesus' miracles, His inspirational teaching of morality, and His resurrection. This book is accurate in every particular to the gospel of Mark. Oursler does a good job of describing the facts of the gospel in novel form so that the people come alive again. The language is challenging and specific, though not complicated. Oursler knows the definitive meanings of words and uses them well, but puts them in understandable context. One small remark that might be construed as a complaint: the physical descriptions of Jesus are true to the classical western paintings of a brown haired man with light eyes. Small quibble, not important. Oursler captures the spirit of the man and the glory of God in Him. If you need to "read" the Bible story before beginning your study of the Word, this book will give you a clear picture of the life and teachings of the Master. Enjoy!

I am usually a critic of "Life of Christ" stories. It's easy for me to mount my soap box and say, "If one wants to learn of the life of Jesus, read the gospels." However, this book was different. Oursler remains faithful to the biblical accounts of the life of Jesus, weaving the material from the four evangelists together to produce a truly great narrative. For those thirsty for some reading on the life of the Lord, I would certainly still point them first (and always) to the Scripture; however, I must admit that, regarding Oursler's narrative, there is some value to be gained from the stirring of the heart this story produces. Highly recommended for all -- both young and old.

We all know that inventions must be tested. We hear a lot about testing of product and drugs on animals. But did you know that some humans were and still are willing to be the "guinea pigs". This book is a biography of nine scientist how did just that!

Found this one on the shelf in a middle school during a conference with a teacher. Amazoned it and only wish that it had been out when I was in school! It's a strong read for little ones, but isn't that what school about?

Self-experimenters in science and medicine often fostered discoveries and advancements which hastened the invention of much-needed cures, yet are seldom discussed: that's why middle school students will find Guinea Pig Scientists so important. C.B. Mordan provides black and white illustrations to this gathering of biographies and discoveries which charts bold experiments which helped change the world - and risked the lives of scientists.

Guinea Pig Scientists is a wonderful introduction for putting a face and an exciting story behind a particular science. I expect many children (and adults) to go read further about different topics or the scientists because their appetites have finally been whetted.

Guinea Pig Scientists contains nine chapters, each on a different scientist who made a difference by plaicng themself in harm's way to varying degrees. The book is hardly in depth, but it covers the most important aspects of each scientists methods and what was learned from them. This would be a great book to use to get adolescents interested in scientific inquiry. It is an engaging read, and the gross out factor will bring in even reluctant readers. Be warned: not all of the scientists survive their experiments.

Amazing book. It is a "must have" for any qualitative researcher or research student.

I bumped on to this book accidentally in a library while seeking for a book on qualitative research. Being a novice in qualitative research I spend the next week reading it everyday to get my first glimps into what qualitative research is. It is absolute gold for two reasons:
- It content is topical and up todate. Even for a beginner it is absolutely readable. The content is not lost in academic jargons but simple everyday English.
- The detailed bibliography speaks for itself and what is more it is given after every section. It allows the researcher to find more information elsewhere.

I have decided that it is a book one should own in his or her private library.

Thank you.

Odwora Jaki

Johannesburg.

The contents are a little complex but comprehensive. It is a perfect book for my academic research.

This was a required text for one of my graduate Professional Communication classes. If I lost it, I would have to buy another one because it's that good. And these text books are expensive. My professors have entire libraries at their disposal, and they chose this particular book for one of their courses. 'nuff said.

Es como una Biblia para los investigadores que quieren aprender sobre la investigación cualitativa

Les trois premiers livres de la serie m'ont epate mais celui-ci "WOW". L'histoire est tellement pleine de rebondissements imprevus et quelle fin, c'est tout un revirement!

Reading this book wasn't just fun, but it really helped me in my French. I learned more in reading it than I have in all of my classes combined. There are some little changes in it, but that is because of the language difference and my over-reading the English version led me to know its wording too well. Still, that only made it more fun. I'd recommend this to any French student.

I never really liked to read. It was just too boring. Reading all those pages that had no effect on me. Then I heard about Harry Potter. Everyone really liked it. I wanted to see what the big deal was. I read the first book. I thought to myself how imaginative it was. The creatures, the characters, and the plot. They were all like a puzzle fit perfectly together. It made my mind run wild. I had to read the second book. I went through that like a person going after 1 billion dollars. It was so amazing. The third book was next. That was better than the first and second books. Finally the forth. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. That was the best of all. My favorite character is Ron. He reminds me of me. All except the looks. I look a lot better than him. This book is filled with creativity, mystery, fantasy, and love. All in one. Thats why I got hooked on all these things.

Then, Harry and the Weasley's go to the train station. Then they say goodbye to everyonne and get on the bus. They meet their new teacher and their best (not) friend, Malfred. Their is a special game instead of quidditch this year and only people over 18 years of age can enter to win. Three schools are coming to play but only 3 people, one from each school, can play. Harry plays. But he's not 18 so a lot of people get mad. I won't tell you what else happens, so get the book and read it!

I gave this a 5 'cause this is a grat book and it lets out your imagination!

I have to admit that I enjoyed book four less than the other three--when I read it in English. For some reason the story seemed fragmentary, overly complex, and poorly focused. I felt the movie brought a greater sense of direction and theme to the story. After having read the book again in French, however, I'm inclined to feel I misjudged it. I suppose, having to focus my own attention more closely to read the material in a foreign language, I saw the mental lines along which the story was constructed more clearly. The author is truely brilliant.

As before, this book in French, too, is a wonderful way to learn the language. Book four is definitely more complex in vocabularly and gramatical structure than the earlier books, just as it is in English, but also as in English, it coaxes the reader along, encouraging him or her to stretch a little bit to understand that word or that sentence, to be just a bit more patient and put it all together. Reading Harry in French gave me once again that same sense of joy I had when learning to read in the first place.

I bought the French translation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for my son who began his first year of French this year in Middle School. It has been great fun and encouragement for him. His teacher found it fun as well, reading short excerpts from it to the French class. Everyone loves Harry!

This book is almost certainly the best book currently out there about the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, if for no other reason than the photos alone. The writing isn't bad either, and the whole book gives a good overview of this amazing monument.
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is an almost 2700-square-mile area of southern Utah set aside by President Clinton in 1996. The area borders Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, stretches for miles up to Bryce Canyon National Park, Dixie National Forest, and Utah's "forgotten" national park, Capitol Reef.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is bigger than Utah's five national parks put together, and bigger than the entire state of Delaware. It protects one of the largest areas of wilderness remaining in the lower forty-eight states--an area that includes thousand-year-old piñon and juniper trees, countless canyons and mesas, and an estimated 100,000 archeological sites including pictographs, pit-houses, and rock shelters. The monument includes the Grand Staircase--a series of massive cliffs and benches that form a natural desert staircase only a giant could use; it includes the 1600-square-mile Kaiparowits Plateau--a long plateau of scarcely explored mesas; and, it includes all the canyons of the Escalante River that aren't within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Many people, including the authors of this book, I presume, consider the monument to be only a good thing--and it might be--but there's a lot more to the issue.
President Clinton made it a monument without seeking approval from Utah's governor, its congressional delegates, or the people whose incomes and livelihoods depend on the area. Utah's small town locals were so upset that they wore black armbands, released black balloons, and lynched dummies made to look like Bill Clinton from their lampposts. President Clinton didn't even dare come to Utah for the monument's dedication. Instead, he held the dedication in Arizona, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, an over one hundred-mile-long drive from the monument itself.
The Utah townspeople of Tropic, Henrieville, Escalante, and Boulder all feared that the monument would take away their grazing land, and that it would interfere with their ability to earn money extracting coal, gas, and oil from within the monument--and it does. That's the idea, I suppose. It's supposed to stop people from mining and developing the area, and from ruining an irreplaceable wilderness.
But the ranchers that used to graze cattle there have REALLY had a hard time though. They depend on grazing land to make a living, and the government has tried a lot of tricks to sneak the ranchers' sheep and cows away.
The book doesn't really talk much about the impact the monument had on the area's people, like the ranching families that have lived there for well over a century. I've had the opportunity to meet and interview a few of these families, and was amazed that many of them were left completely unable to support their families in the way they had for generations. I've heard stories of the government rounding up and selling the families' cattle without their permission, even though the monument's rules techinically provided for the continued grazing rights of the local families.
Anyway. Overall, this is a great book. The photos are beautiful, and it's well put-together. But the area is more than just a pretty, historic place. It's home to a lot of people, and those people have long been part of this area's history.

Heart of the Desert Wild, first book by author Greer Chesher and first complete book for photographer Liz Hymans, won the nonfiction category at the Utah State Book Awards in November 2001! Last year Terry Tempest Williams won that award, and the competition was excellent this year - the third year Utah has participated in the Library of Congress, Center for the Book's program. In addition to the usual information found in interpretive books, "Heart of the Desert Wild" features an opening chapter that describes the importance of public lands in general and this monument in particular. Ms. Hymans, one of the leading professional panoramic photographers in the US, illuminates the text with 135 magnificent photos, and Ms. Chesher's text is both informative and a pleasure to read.

This is an excellent book. If you've never been to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument -- and few have -- you'll want to see this book. It's like a voyage to another planet. And if you have been there, you'll certainly want to have this book. It's a memorable summary of an unforgetable place. The photographs of panoramic photographer Liz Hymans are spectacular -- breath-takingly beautiful. And the text by Greer Chesher graphically captures the amazing details of this exotic land. My words, however glowing, can't do justice to the scope and wonder of this book. So I'll just save my effort -- and save you reading more of this dull review -- to say: Go look at the book itself! You won't be disappointed.

This book does a beautiful job conveying the sheer beauty of the new Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument in its photographs, while also presenting a comprehensive and well-written account of the geology, ecology and human history that makes this part of Southern Utah such a trasure. Is is noteworthy that the pictures give a balanced view of the whole area and don't just reiterate the usual postcard images. The text is aimed at a general readership, without "dumming down". And, yes, I found answers to many things I had wondered about (cryptogamic soil, coal beds, etc..) on my visits.

I am a Colorado Plateau freak who probably has better than 50 books on the area, and who has taken at least a dozen vacations to the area. Of all of my own books and some I don't own, but have read on the area, this is one of the very best.

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was created in 1996. It was long overdue. The monument (And it should be a full-fledged National Park, IMHO.), preserves the most single significant block of Cretaceous strata in the world, numerous exquisite arches and slot canyons of exceptional size and beauty, tremendous geological faults, colorful, spectacular rock formations, fossilized animals and plants, and irreplaceable Native American relics and structures. The area is still being explored and more of these and other wonders are being located each year.

This excellent book covers all of these matters and more in considerable written detail. Magnificent color photography follows the text and lays open this wonderful country for all to see. The text is carefully drafted, and the photos follow the text very well.

If you never have the good fortune to visit this area, this book will give a very fine glimpse into the need for its preservation. If you have visited it, as I have, the book will evoke countless pleasant memories. IF YOU ARE GOING TO VISIT IT, for the first time, or on a repeat basis, read this book thoroughly to make intelligent decision about what to see and do, since you can't possibly see it all in one trip.

This book receives the highest recommendation.

Steven Jonas, M.D. is a nationally recognized health-care expert. He teaches preventive medicine, and has written several books on staying healthy. He's teamed up with another health writer, Maria Kassberg Regan, to produce Help Your Man Get Healthy: An Essential Guide For Every Caring Woman. Dr. Jonas and Regan say that "studies have shown conclusively that both heart disease and cancer--the top two killers in the nation--can be prevented by avoiding negative health habits and engaging in certain positive ones." They then describe the common negative habits, such as smoking, and helpful positive habits, such as reducing stress. They've included a chart which shows the number of years life can be shortened by each negative habit compared with the number of years gained by following a few positive habits. Obviously people are responsible for their own health habits, so why did Regan and Dr. Jonas write a guide for women to help improve their husband's health? Women already have enough responsibilities! They offer several reasons, including the fact that men simply don't know as much about good health practices as women do. For example, most women's magazines print lots of health-related articles; few men's magazines are health-oriented. Regan and Dr. Jonas do not advocate making women responsible for their man's health--their goal is to give women the tools they need to encourage good habits in all those they care about. They provide several quick and simple quizzes to help readers zero in on various kinds of difficulties. They then provide extensive information on motivation-- yes, men are motivated in much different ways than women are. They also provide tips on communicating effectively with men. For example, men prefer hard information to empathy. Dr. Jonas and Regan maintain that "for many, healthy habits mark the difference between a life that's long and vigorous and one that's curtailed by chronic disease or shortened by death." Readers will find that Help Your Man Get Healthy will provide the guidelines and assistance they need to help those they love develop healthy habits and improve the quality of their lives.

Sandra Smith, Reviewer

The topic, I'm sure, is on the minds of many married couples. Kassberg and Jonas define a collaborative approach to toughening up the oafish husband - softened by marriage and the attendant collapse of physical self-discipline - that's as effective as it is commonsensical. Real-life examples are particularly instructive, and the benefits of the approach become evident within days, not weeks, as the reader "gets on the same team" as the target partner in the battle against sloth, weakness and ill-health. Easy-to-read, well-researched, and original, this book is the right answer to the age-old question, "What the hell happened to the guy I married - and what can I do about it?" Buy this one today.

As a man, I read "Help Your Man" with not just a little bit of skepticism (we don't need any help!) but was I ever surprised! "Help Your Man" provides clear and understandable synopses of relevant and common health related matters which can be prevented or improved by simple changes of behavior. It is all coupled with simple, common sense (but not obvious) suggestions on how to help your man (or yourself!) change those unhealthy behaviors. Besides all that, it reads quite nicely!

It's like a one-stop-shop for such information. I will be sure to keep it handy!

I have just completed Kassberg's book and was so impressed by the comprehensive, helpful advice she offers.She has written an essential guide for all couples who are concerned about their health and well being. The book is filled with creative tips and thoughtful advice. I recommend it to couples of all ages who want enhance the quality of their relationship and their health.

This book provides tons of valuable information and then gives hundreds of realistic suggestions that have already had a great impact on the health of my spouse and our relationship. Whether you want to help your man drink less (alcohol), smoke less tobacco, eat less saturated fat, or just get a little more exercise, this book will give you so many great (and often subtle) suggestions that he won't even realize he's getting healthier! I highly recommend it.