H Books

"Mary H. Manhein is the author of The Bone Lady: Life as a Forensic Anthropologist.
The director of the Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Laboratory at Louisiana State University and a deputy coroner for East Baton Rouge Parish, she lives in Baton Rouge with her husband."
[from the book of the back flap']

"Trail of Bone WILL FEED THE PUBLIC APPENTITE for things forensic but also educate about how the scientific investigative process works."
--- Douglas H. Ubelaker, author of Bones: A Forensic Detective's Casebook
[from the book of the back jacket]

This book is very well written. The author is very good at telling stories. The cases she picked for this book were interesting to read about.

Manhein gives an outstanding look at what is involved in being a forensic anthropologist. The book is full of inspiring stories about lost souls that finally find their way home, as a result of hard work by the police and Manhein's team of experts.
Anyone interested in the field of forensic anthropology will enjoy this book. It gives an accurate look at the skill, dedication and devotion needed to be a forensic anthropologist.
I highly recommend this book as a great read and good addition to anyone's bookshelf.

Mary Manhein's "Trail of Bones" is a wonderful book that offers practical insight into the lives of real people in law enforcement, victims, evidence and everything in between. Mary does not have to be overly descriptive in her accounts because the importance relies on the the truth and not some sensationalized version of truth. I like to think that captivating people are writing their own stories. She seems to care a great deal about the effect her work has on others. She does not try to impress us with terminology that is purely mechanical. I think this creates greater credibility to her work. She is someone who really inspires others like me in law enforement to never stop caring about the victims.

This book was well written. Ms. Manhein always shows great dignity to a body when she is describing her work. She also shows great compassion for the family members of any victim. I love the type of work that she does. She gives credit where credit is due and inspires her helpers to the highest level, while expecting them to perform there. I hope she will write more books with such compassion. An Avid Reader.

This is the powerful and true life story of a man named Harold Morris, who was convicted and sentenced to a life in prison, and the long and difficult road to his personal, moral and spiritual redemption.

This is an excellent book where the writer tells us how he ended up in the Georgia State PRISON with two life sentences for a crime(robbery and murder) that he didn't commit. He goes back to the beginning when he was a teen and retraces his footsteps-the ones that took him to prison. Somehow, through the blessings of God he found Jesus Christ inside that rathole of a prison and his whole life changed forever. If you know someone in trouble with the law, someone who is searching for answers, get this book and GIVE it to them. READ IT to them if you have to. It can make a big difference! Harold Morris is an excellent writer and I have already started reading another of his books-The Law of The Harvest and it is very good as well.

One of the best testimonies I have ever read! Couldn't put it down until finished. Difficult to see how this could happen in our country, but one can see how God uses all things to work for good.

I saw this video some 17 years ago and have bought the book twice since. Harold is an excellent communicator relating his true life story of Gods transforming love. Harold was a star athlete in high school and had a promising life, but he instead chose to party his life away and was betrayed by his "friends". He ended up in prison serving 2 life sentences for a crime he didn't commit, but his life was transformed from that of a troubled, angry young man into one of love, purpose, meaning, truth and beauty. Harold was befriended by the young son of a prison employee and some other Christians who showed Harold Gods love which worked a miracle on Harolds heart causing him to become a Christian himself and dedicate his life to helping others find Christ. Harolds story affected me greatly and the lessons I learned I put to use on a daily basis all these years later.
Thank you Harold and may God bless and keep you.

A true life story of an all star athlete who takes the wrong road and turns to drugs, alcohol, night clubs, and a fast life for acceptance! After a murder is commited , harold winds up with 2 life sentences at the White elephant (Georgia State Penn)! He explains how he got there, and the changes that were made in him through Christ. It is interesting to read how this man survived 10 years of violent prison life thorugh his walk with GOD! Don't confuse this story with Movies such as Blood in Blood out, this is the REAL thing! This book is well known with the Inmates for Christ organization.

When Andy Ramos was in grade school his parents were friends with a woman whose daughter was a little loco. Unfortunately, whenever crazy little Glory had a meltdown Andy was the one they got to calm her down, earning both of them embarassing reputations. When the mother and daughter left, Andy re-invented himself. Taking the trumpet lessons he took from his grandfather and melding music and talent Andy became the skateboarding trumpter "painting" the scenes around him with his own blend of musical instrumentation.

The summer that Andy and his band are ready to "break out" who comes back but Glory. However, the Glory that has returned is not the crazy little girl Andy knew, she's now a driven softball player obsessed with becoming a leading pitcher on a national team. As fate would have it Andy and Glory learn to play off each other, inspiring and driving their respective abilities to new heights. But, is this effect a mystical connection or are they being manipulated by another force?

Under the Baseball Moon has got to be one of the most unusual stories I've read in a while. The content involving a trumpet player and softball player, the music, the language and storytelling are all unusual and inspired. Although the Crossroads references are something I'm familiar with, not much else was. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and think it would be a great recommendation for kids pre-teen and up.

John H. Ritter returns with another great baseball fable, this time adding the elements of jazz music and a little more romance. Just as in THE BOY WHO SAVED BASEBALL, there is still a bit of possible magic and some very quirky and entertaining characters, including a protagonist on a mission, Andy Ramos. According to Andy's heartthrob, Glory Martinez, when the moon looms large during a daytime baseball game, it is what fans call "a baseball moon."

Just as Andy and his friends, Tran and Lil Lobo, hope for the success of their garage band, Glory also dreams of being a big softball star. She and Andy discover that his trumpet seems to infuse her softball playing with magical power. A few musical "improvs" on Andy's trumpet, and Glory's pitching and hitting improve "two hundred percent better," according to her best friend, Kayla. Together, the two will do amazing things, under the "baseball moon".

John Ritter weaves his usual magic and creates an even better novel--a little more literarily complex, just as magical, and even funnier than his earlier works. Recommended for ages 11 to 18. (Please see the latest issue of VOYA for even more details.)

My review of this fantastic book:

There are a lot of books out there on the market. There are good books, there are bad books. Sometimes there are books that stand out as great. "Under the Baseball Moon" by John H. Ritter is one of those stand out books. It's about a teenage boy named Andy who has dreams of using his unique style of trumpet playing to become famous. Things become complicated when Andy crosses paths with his childhood friend, Glory Martinez, who has a dream of her own of becoming an Olympic softball pitcher. Things are further complicated when Andy meets a mysterious man in black who offers Andy fame and fortune for free. BUT what's the cost of free? This book is exceptionally well written and easy to follow. There are many dynamic characters with their own personality. This combined with the author's witty remarks makes an awesome duo.

What I liked most about this book is that it's captivating. In many sports books you lose interest due to predictability and cliche endings. Overall this book was fantastic. I would definitely recommend "Under the Baseball Moon" to anyone looking for a fun read.

I have never enjoyed a book so much or been so surprised by a book as I was by Under the Baseball Moon. You start off thinking it's a sports story, then you realize it's a musicians story, then you see that it's really both mixed in together and SO MUCH more. It's very difficult for me to descrbe it, only to say this book now stands as my favorite book of all time. It's humorous and mysterious and has the most amazing plot and so many interesting characters you really like. You get so taken away by this mysterious thing that's happening to Andy and Glory that they become like your closest friends since it sweeps you away too.

I won't spoil it for you except that you need to pay attention all the way through tthe book because the ending will ASTOUND you. I hope they make a movie out of this book real soon so then I can see everything that happens in real life. I would say ten stars if I could its such a good book!!

The finest contemporary author of baseball books for teens has written not just another baseball - or, in this case, softball - book; rather, a multilayered and thoroughly engrossing love story starring two 15-year-olds determined that this will be their "breakout summer."

Freestyle skateboarder Andy Ramos "paints the town" with his old trumpet and his unique style of music, "cultural fusion." Glory Martinez also has grand dreams, of a career in fast-pitch softball. Yet first she needs to make the travelball team and impress the scout from UC Berkeley.

Andy and Glory soon realize that each makes the other's craft better - takes it to a higher level. But is some strange "outside force" responsible for Andy's breaks, or Glory's shoulder problems? Did Andy make a deal with the devil? What's going on in this "organical beach town filled with soul," Ocean Beach, California?

This magical mystery tale is told with brilliance, grace and style, from the lyrical first page to Andy's song lyrics that end it. "Under the Baseball Moon" gets my vote for breakout book of the summer.

(A version of this review originally appeared in the Palo Alto Weekly.)

Michael H. Hart gives his unique view of what the world might be like in the year 3000. This book is well written and quite imaginative. You will enjoy reading this title.

Educational, thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining. This is a book for all tastes. The non-fiction entries give us interesting and informative profiles of the men and women who have or are shaping our world. The other entries, speculating on the major events of the 21st century and character types behind those events, are as entertaining as they are intellectually facinating and plausible. This is a carefully thought out and well written work whose chapters can be reread and enjoyed in any order. It's a keeper that you don't want to miss.

An interesting read. I wouldn't agree with some of the predicted technological developements (an easy sex change? - a little too PC) but I still enjoyed the exercise. The 'real' entries were a good review of history. I actually learned a little Chinese history too - enough to make me want to learn more.

Dr. Hart presents a unique vision of the future. However, he expects nothing wonderous from artificial intelligence (it is legally banned) and rather little from computers in general. In his world of the future, virtual reality is also banned, but sex change operations flourish--with most people undergoing multiple operations in their lifetime.

The system of education, too, is curious. First, it must be truly important, because all of his new entries in this book (I think there are fifty five in all) have attended university for a long time. Today, highly educated people attend universities for years after high school, but in the distant days of the future fantastic described by Dr. Hart, it often takes them decades to do so--obviously this arrangement may be more appealing to academics than the population in general. This protracted schooling takes place despite the fact that direct downloading of information from computers into the brain is possible in that world of the day after tomorrow. Explanation for this paradox: downloading of information provides only the knowledge of facts, but no "understanding." One wonders how perfect brainwashing (another idea that Hart describes as almost imminent) can be real when "downloading" can do no more than supply the human brain with facts. Also, people generally work between 20 and 60 years before they retire; in fact, his most influential people after the year 2000 go to school for almost as long as they work afterwards--then they either live in perpetual retirement, or perish in some accident (although there is at least one suicide). This vision of the future of long schooling, important intellectual work, and endless retirement is the academic's utopia.

One striking feature of Hart's predicitions is that almost everybody who is among the most influential after the twnety-first century comes either from Asia or Africa. As far as I am able to tell, nobody among the most influential people born after the twenty-first century comes from Western Europe. Few of the influential people are people are born outside the earth--mostly in sun-orbiting colonies.

I think in some sense Dr. Hart's view of the year 3000 is too conservative. By 3000, I expect contact with other civilizations in outer space. (While Dr. Hart states very explicitly his view that life is very rare or nonexistent outside the earth, at least in our galaxy.) I also expect cyborgs, genetically engineered creatures of all kinds, virtually real worlds, and very advanced artificial intelligence, whose knowledge and understanding will surpass by far anything a human being can attain.

Having said all that, no one can rule out the possibility that mankind will destroy itself before the fantastic world of 3000 is reached--the world is precarious place to inhabit.

Michael Hart's brilliant imagination takes the reader on a tour de force of history from the great religious, political and scientific leaders of the past to the imagined ones of the future. See how Jesus, Moses, and Mohammed compare with Hitler, Stalin and those yet to come in influence (whether good or bad, history is the judge). Or Newton, Darwin, and Einstein, with the biotechnologists of the 21st century. Fantastic entertainment and erudition. I enjoyed every moment.

"The Watering Hole" is an amazing story that I just couldn't put down! The characters were "real" and very easy to relate to. It was an emotional book that had me laughing as well as crying. The authors did an amazing job of making me feel like I was there; I could see and feel what was happening. This is a must read for anyone wishing to enjoy romance, sadness, as well as laughter - and as a bonus you get the feel for the airline industry and all the challenges for women 30 years ago. Hopefully Evans and Nicholas will team up again soon and give us another great story! Loved it!

"The Watering Hole" was a very interesting and exciting read. It was hard to put down and you didn't want it to come to an end. When you finished it, it was like saying goodbye to a good friend.

Her marriage to her favorite college professor a failure, Misha Gaffney, a ticket agent for Air England, applies, and is accepted into their prestigious Airport Managers Training Program. She is one of the first two women ever to be allowed into the course. When she moves to London for her training British male chauvinism rears its ugly head and she is tormented by her fellow students and faculty members alike, not only because she is a woman, but also because she is an American. She finds some allies, but encounters similar resentments on her training postings in places like Bombay, Nairobi, Sri Lanka, and Johannesburg.

Torn between her career, her friends, and the possibility of another marriage, Misha Gaffney struggles to find herself, and to become the first woman to complete the fictitious Air England's prestigious management training program. But a gay man, who she has been in love with, and who is dying from AIDS, turns to her for help and she gives up her career to go and take care of him.

The Watering Hole is a beautifully-crafted tale of a young woman looking for home, place, and belonging. Written with an insider's knowledge of the airline industry, and set in many exotic locals, this book reveals the grit and the glory of what goes on beyond the check-in counter and out on the tarmac. Dealing with the workings of the aviation world of the 1970's and early 1980's you may find some of the details disturbing, but the book is well worth reading. And it does end on an up note. I give it my highest recommendation.

Sidney Grayling

I picked up this book intrigued by the plot involving the airline industry in the late 1970's, an industry I worked in for many years, however I did not expect to be completely overwhelmed by the story of humanity and personal evolution that I found within. Technically the story is spot on in its portrayal of an industry on the verge of a massive transformation but it would be a mistake to think that it is that narrow in scope. It would seem impossible that anyone could not be moved by this book. Pick this up and enjoy

years in the aircraft industry (very accurate representation by the way), I casually recommended to two disparate friends that they give it a try. When they both finished quickly and praised it highly, I knew for certain that I was dead on in determining The Watering Hole a real winner. This is a 3-fer 5 star rating! Loved the life saga and personal growth through many of the issues which still apply today.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (1/08)

"Let's play Follow the Leader!" Perhaps you remember playing this game when you were younger. Didn't we all want to be the leader? In fact, were you disappointed when you weren't chosen to be the leader? We can't all be leaders all of the time. Imagine if we all wanted to be leaders in the workplace. You can't all be leaders as there has to be some followers. Perhaps you have been placed in a position of being a leader and aren't quite sure what qualities a leader should possess. What should a leader do in order to have his followers walk alongside him to success?

Are all leaders always successful? No, they aren't. It is a smart leader who realizes his mistakes, makes changes and leads others in the right direction. "The Way of Leading People" seeks to convey the Tao Te Ching method of leadership. It is over 2500 years old but remains effective to this day. Not only can these principles be utilized in business, but also in relationships and life.

"The Way of Leading People" is a soft-cover manual. This is not a textbook by any means. It is written in very easy-to-understand language and is sure to help any of its readers. There are 81 sections in content. Each section is written in poems with the ideas of Tao Te Ching clearly presented. Each section has black and white pictures of large skyscrapers and other abstract art to add to the ideas. It is sure to make you think and evaluate just what a successful leader is. This is an excellent book for anyone who is currently a leader, hopes to be a leader or is a follower who wants to help his leader become more effective. "The Way of Leading People" would make an excellent addition to the reference section of libraries of businesses and families alike.

This book is an inspiration to people from all over the world who want to listen to the wisdom of the past to be relevent in the world of today. The book is easy to understand and comprehend.

From the captivating photography to the thought-provoking tie-ins with the Ancient Eastern dsciplines of Tao Te Ching, this is a book anyone involved in a leadership role or educator should treasure. The wisdom of 2500 years is perhaps more valuable today than ever. I commend the collaborative effort of The Warnekas to bring an extraordinary perspective to the Fundamentals of Leadership

Patrick & Timothy have created an easy to understand and utilize philosophy that we all can utilize in our business world. The Tao Te Ching is the basis of my Feng Shui world and I am happy to be able to see it in their writings-the yin and yang effect. "A wise leader leads without appearing to lead". My life is gentle and easy and my most challenging part of my world is truly leading by example. If you are a leader in business, this book needs to be front and center on your desk. It will remind you of those few words written that can make the difference in your employees lives forever.

Based in part on the writings of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu who wrote his commentaries some 2500 years ago, "The Way Of Leading People: Unlocking Your Integral Leadership Skills With The Tao Te Ching" is the collaborative work of leadership experts and martial arts practitioners Patrick Warneka and Timothy H. Warneka. In presenting a series of key quotations from the Tao Te Ching (each of which are numbered and illustrated by an accompanying full page black-and-white photograph, Patrick and Timothy have enabled the non-specialist general reader unfamiliar with the writings of Lao Tsu (which are second only to the Bible in being translated around the world) to benefit from a thoughtful and thought-provoking, inspired and inspirational series of cogent principles and observations relevant to becoming an effective and wise leader whether it be in business, in government, in the community, in the family, or in life itself. With its thoroughly 'reader friendly' format, "The Way Of Leading People" is an ideal addition to community library philosophy, business, and self-help reference collections and especially recommended for anyone seeking to understand the nature and requirements of personal leadership in the world of today.

I have to admit I was not ready for the blunt and outright scary information that John Hinds points out in this must read book. At the same time I couldn't put it down. It does have a happy ending, but I don't recommend skipping to the back of the book for it. Read everything he has to offer on what we are dealing with regarding our water supply. You'll be glad you did.

This is a quick, insightful and eye-opening read for everyone about what's in our water! Thanks so much for sharing such valuable research. Since reading this book, I am now conscious about what drinking choices I make. Thanks for telling us what's REALLY in our water! Everyone needs to know this!

The author makes a compelling case for you to take another look at the safety of your drinking water. We all take our household and bottled drinking water for granted, but this time what you don't know about your water can hurt you. But there is good news at the end of the tunnel. The author reviews some of the more popular filtration methods and provides specific recommendations on how you can protect yourself and your family.

Wow, it was a shocking and informative read. What's in Your Water? should be a mandatory read for everyone. John Hinds explains it all and makes it easy to understand.

I just finished reading, John Hinds book "What's In Your Water?" I found it informative, interesting and a must read for anyone who is concerned about their health.

This is a cute story about whiteblack the penguin, a curious and optimistic fellow that sets out to wander the world in search of stories for his radio show for Penguinlands radio station W.O.N.S. He gets into trouble a few times but manages to keep his optimism through out his trip.

There is publishers note at the end of the story that explains this was actually an uncompleted work that the Reys carried out of Paris when the fled from the Germans in 1940. For some reason it was sent back for revision and it was forgotten probably due to the other Curious George stories. After Margret had passed, the manuscript and drawings were found and it was decided to publish the story 63 years after it was written.

Overall the story is on par with Curious George and it passed muster with my little girl.

A worthwhile addition to any child's library!

...YES, THAT'S ALL THE "EXCITEMENT" THERE IS TO THIS ONE. IT'S A CUTE BOOK, BUT NOT ONE I'D WANT TO READ MORE THAN ONCE. 'SPOTTY' & 'PRETZEL' ARE MUCH BETTER.

Margaret and H. A. Rey wrote the children's book, Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World. They are known for their famous series Curious George. Their works are very distinct because of the illustrations. In Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World, H. A. Rey uses bright vivid colors and black outlines to express emotions. The color yellow signifies safety and comfort while darker colors signifies lack of security. In the beginning and end of Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World, the color yellow signifies a sense of comfort and security. In the beginning, Whiteblack is at home, Penguinland, and the color yellow is very prominent. H. A. Rey also includes deep blues for a sense of comfort. This is a home-away-home story; and children consider home to be a safe place. Therefore, the color yellow signifies comfort and security. For example, when Whiteblack is leaving Penguinland, the color yellow was illustrated. Also, when Whiteblack arrived at the desert and was accompanied by the camel, there is a sense of safety and comfort, and yellow is illustrated throughout this page. The end of the story is illustrated with yellow, because Whiteblack has returned home. While Whiteblack is on his adventures throughout the story, the colors change because he is either in danger or sad. When Whiteblack first left, his boat hit an iceberg and wrecked and he was in the ocean alone. The color of the ocean is now a shady green and looks scary, therefore giving a feeling of helplessness. There is a huge cruiser heading his way and you think it might hit him, but he climbs aboard. H. A. Rey illustrates the color yellow because he is rescued. When Whiteblack is on his way home, he is riding on the top of an airplane and tumbles off and dives into the sea. There the colors are darker and yellow is hardly seen. Near the end, Whiteblack is in the ocean by himself pulling a net of fish for his friends in Penguinland. Whiteblack is struggling and his strength is almost gone. Here the colors are dark and yellow is not shown clearly, but on the next page, his friend, Seal, is coming to his rescue. The color yellow is being restored but still a little shaded, this gives some foreshadowing to what might happen next. When Whiteblack and Seal reach Penguinland, they both jump for joy. Obviously there are feelings of happiness, comfort, and security and the color yellow is very vivid. In the article, "Laughter in Literature", Lonsdale states "Curious George's creator...combines text and illustration to make George a lively and likeable little monkey. The illustration in strong, dark colors, full of action, on white paper mirror the agility of Curious George. The text and the illustrations move at a breathless pace"(77-106). The color yellow in Curious George signifies a sense of comfort and safety. The man with the yellow hat is always there to keep Curious George safe. The color yellow is the same dynamic in Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World. Both of the Rey's works illustrate the color yellow and it always gives a sense of safety and comfort.

Whiteblack the Penguin, Chief Storyteller on W-O-N-S, the Penguinland radio station has run out of stories. So he decides to take a vacation and see some of the world, because "travelers always have lots of stories." Off he goes in a little boat, on the adventure of a lifetime. And what adventures he has. First his boat sinks after hitting an iceberg. Then, after being rescued by a large cruiser, he decides to take a nap in one of their cannons and is accidently shot out the next morning. After soaring through the air for miles, he lands in the water and swims to shore where he meets ostriches, crosses the desert on a camel, rides in an airplane and unfortunately, falls out over the ocean. Each time he faces adversity and the unknown, he happily looks at the new situation as a learning experience and wonderful tale to share. At last he is rescued by a fishing boat and finally makes his way back home to a hero's welcome with lots of new stories for his radio show..... Who would have thought that after their deaths, an unpublished, completed manuscript, by Margret and H.A. Rey, would be found? This delightful story about a brave and always optimistic little penguin, will charm and amuse young children, just as their Curious George books have done all these many years. Mr Rey's wonderful and expressive watercolor illustrations, compliment his wife's text perfectly and together, they've created a treasure that's sure to become a classic. Whiteblack the Penguin is a timeless, enchanting story that your kids will want to read over and over again and a MUST for all home libraries.

Whiteblack the penguin hosts a radio program for everyone in Penguinland. He's the resident storyteller and is well liked and admired because of his marvelous stories. However, eventually he runs out of stories to tell!! Thinking that an adventure would give him new ideas, he and his friends construct a boat, give him some rope, and send him on his way to adventure. What adventures he has! His boat is struck by an iceberg, he hitches a ride on a Navy warship, manages to get shot from one of it's cannons, helps baby ostriches to hatch and even crosses the desert on a roller skate! Whiteblack is delightfully cheery at every turn, changing what otherwise might be a total disaster into yet another tale for his radio show. "Besides," he says as his boat sinks down out of sight, "I've always wanted to be in an accident!" Talk about the power of positive thinking!! The Rey's are, of course, most famous for their creation of the Curious George books. This work was originally written in 1937 when Mr. Hans Rey was working at a Paris World Fair booth across from a penguin exhibit. Somehow, though, it never made publication and was merely mothballed in a trunk before the Rey's left Paris. Discovered 63 years later and published in the year 2000, Whiteblack is immediately identifiable as a work of the Rey's. The yellows of the book are the exact same as those we're used to in the Curious George series. The same thick outlines and comfortable, fun illustrations are here as well, including what looks very much like a cameo appearance by the Man in the Yellow Hat!! The book concludes with a brief history of the Rey's and the fortuitous discovery of the long-forgotten Whiteblack manuscript. The book is wonderful fun in both it's text and illustrations. The crazy adventures Whiteblack gets himself into and his cheerful outlook on life ("besides, I've always wanted to fly" he says to himself after being shot out of the Navy cannon) will delight children of all ages. Whether you're a fan of Curious George or merely love fun children's stories, "Whiteblack the Penguin..." is an excellent story and a definite to add to your collection!!

I highly recommend this book to any parent. I am expecting my first child any day now and it has been such a comfort reading this book as I prepare for parenthood! My mother had the original version long ago before she had me. I must say I like this updated version better--even the author says she needed to make the changes/updates as she had become older/wiser. I believe the first version was writtin in the late 60's early 70's, so this version, written in the mid-late 90's is definitely an update. Regardless or time or era, this book is essential, in my humble opinion! If you consider yourself a spiritual person, this book is for you. If you don't, it could still be helpful.

This is my first Amazon review. Normally, I wouldn't waste my time. But, recently I wanted to reference this book, and I remembered, my copy was stolen. Bummer. But like in the old Zen parable, I wish the thief well with it, for I already have been blessed by the light the book casts like the moon on the landscape. Hands down, this is the best book on relating to and guiding your child, without abandoning a sense of discipline, I have ever come across. You quickly realize, however, that the discipline is with yourself, to lead by your own rooted example.

Very wise, very gentle. It will make you excited to get up in the morning and go parenting! Every chapter, you will want to put down the book and hug your child. It's really that good.

When you find yourself wondering how you can continue doing the mundane, day to day, oft mindless work of raising children then you need to read this book.

I am raising 4 children in a culture that does not value community or child rearing as a noble vocation. Polly's book gave me strength in the face of despair. It taught me that my children had chosen to come into my life to teach me how to live as much as for me to teach them how to be. Do not let the spiritual nature of this book frighten you. Her teaching is gentle and wise.

I read this 16 years ago (wish I could remember how I came upon it) before our son and daughter were born.

The philosophy of this book re-shaped my entire view of life and parenthood. Basically, once you realize that life with kids is ALL about the kids, frustration melts away and is replaced with infinite joy.

Children are as close to God as we will ever get on earth.

Please read it.

Wow, this book is the one parenting book that I have read that I can say changed my entire way of looking at my job as a mother. The spirituality of being a parent and the spiritual lessons that await us every single day are now so apparent in my mind after reading this book. My relationship with my spirited child and nursing babe has completely been transformed as I process this book and consciously live out the spiritual moments of my day. Please give this book at least a chance to enter into your journey of parenthood.

Had this book recommended to me over two years ago; however, just got around to reading it. It is so well written and provides a perspective that is so clear and truthful. Anyone who is interested in the historical perspective of the Deep South and the attitudes which prevail (ed) should read this book. AWESOME!! INSPIRING!!

I applaud Ms. Scott for compiling her father's interviews and writing this book, which has enormous historical significance. It is customary to read and hear about the heavy weights in the struggle for civil rights, such as Martin Luther King and Booker T. Washington. However, this book serves as a reminder that grass roots workers like John H. Scott represented pivotal forces in helping to bring about justice for African Americans. As a South Carolinian, I tend to read with greater frequency about historical events of places like Charleston and Savannah and Atlanta, GA. Reading about Louisiana broadened my knowledge and I was able to garner a history lesson from nearly every page.

It is unbelievable how steadfast John Scott and others were in fighting simply to be able to vote. Equally unbelievable are all of the atrocities perpetuated against them. But they persevered, and the story is very well told.

At a recent book signing in Charleston, SC, Ms. Scott told me that she is writing another book. I look forward to it.

The late John H. Scott and his daughter Cleo Scott provide a griping account of the life and experiences of a civil rights pioneer. The book makes something as bland as history, something engaging and entertaining. I learned a great deal from reading this book and enjoyed every minute. Looking forward the movie...

This book is the testament of a determined person who has raised the consciousness of a parish. He along with others refused to be refused a right that many of us take for granted today. From the Scott Scholarship to the visits Cleo Brown makes to Louisiana (thank you Tallulah for bringing her October 2003!), John H. Scott lives on. His words ring out pride in yourself and hope for your community. I am challenged to not let his and others' efforts go in vain. This book, which certainly has a place in (a certain book club), should be read by every student in the Delta area. They should know that great people can come from humble beginnings. Thank you John H. Scott Memorial fund for helping me through school and thank you Cleo Brown for compiling this book to help me through life.

I just finished this book and am so glad and elated that Cleo Scott Brown decided to document her father's story.

My great uncle is Francis Joseph Atlas, Sr., the other man who testified with Reverend Scott as well as the one who endured financial hardship just because he wanted to vote. My family has been in East Carroll Parish for centuries, and through this book, I have learned a ton of information that I did not have available to me. It also helps me a lot with my genealogical project.

This book was written wonderfully; there were many times I couldn't put it down because I just had to know what was going to happen next! I also enjoyed the perspective from which the story was told, and the righteous spirit that Reverend Scott held onto, even when it was extremely hard to do so.

Every African American owes it to themselves to read this.