D Books

Whatever your religious persuasion, you can't help but crack a smile and shed a tear reading this book. It's not just for the holidays, but should be read year 'round. I've given it as a gift for many years now. And will continue the tradition with my own baby.

I read the story "A Christmas Story" and as a 33 year old I have been through some tough times myself but reading the story just made me cry like a baby... This is what Christmas really means. GOD has definetly left some Angels here on earth.

This is my favorite Christmas story. It speaks to the hopeful child in all of us, who wants to believe in the unseen magic of a jolly old elf. It touches me every year since I first discovered this gem. Its power comes from the fact that it's a true story. Do something nice for yourself and read it.

I read the story of how you played Santa to the poor children. I had tears in my eyes and cried like a baby. This inspired me to do something for the children that have nothing. I went to our own post office and found some children of my own to play Santa to.

As an elementary school teacher I love sharing this wonderful story of a jewish man who shares the wonder of giving hopeless children a chance at hope. By reading letters to Santa written by children with no hope of receiving anything for Christmas, Jay Frankston played Santa to the joy and wonder of children of all ages in the Cleveland area for twelve years. A great story of selfless giving.

(I'd actually give this 4.5 stars, but Amazon doesn't do that. The reason is that despite the flaws in the narration, the book never ceased to keep me fascinated and entertained. I wasn't pulled out of the story loads of times or anything and the flaws didn't kill it. It's a darn good read!)

The Cleansing is a novel that moves outside of what I normally read. I admit that I have only read one other novel that had Native American themes that I remember (and that was also related to specfic). That was a novel by A. A. Attanasio, the title of which is eluding me at the moment. I've noticed that I don't generally pick up Native American themed novels, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's some narrow minded view of mine that there isn't a lot of interest for me in such novels because I, personally, don't buy mainstream or literary fiction books very often (I tend to stick to fantasy and SF and rarely go outside them except for non fiction work). I am familiar with Native Americans, particularly of the tribes in and around the Foothills of California (such as the Washo).

That being said, reading The Cleansing was a whole new experience for me, not only because it's about Native Americans and, in particular, about things I've not read much about before, but also because it's actually an entertaining read with a really interesting twist on the "werewolf" theme.

To sum it up, the story is about Wanata, a godlike being in Native American folklore believed to come to Earth in the form of a wolf to perform The Cleansing, a sort of nature-induced population control. The Cleansing has happened before, but there's a reason nobody knows about it: because it's something that is hidden, on purpose. But now, mankind isn't a fledgling little species anymore. We've conquered practically all of the globe, spreading ourselves out by the millions, building great cities, polluting everything, etc. Over six billion of us are on the planet now, and Nature isn't happy about it (hence The Cleansing). The problem is that millions of people will have to die to reestablish order. Laughing Wolf, a Native American shaman, knows what will happen and has a vision that tells him he must kill Wanata and create a new Cleansing, one that doesn't involve destroying millions of lives. Savannah, a reporter, just wants to get the next big scoop on the strange happenings in Alaska (a rogue pack of wolves attacking human settlements). The various other characters are inextricably sucked into the events, many of them receiving a shock to the senses as they begin to realize that some things aren't so easily explained and the things happening up north aren't the work of something as simple as a couple stray dogs.

One thing that really stood out to me about this novel is that it actually gives a whole new view of the "werewolf" mythology. While I don't know if Harvey intended this or not, it was there nonetheless and I thought it was really fascinating. In the novel you get the sense that the werewolf condition is like in most werewolf myths: an disease of sorts. Added to that, however, is that it is a human affliction upon nature, which presents itself in ways I thought were really interesting (imagine that instead of a human becoming a monster that can't control itself, it's a wolf becoming a man, and going back again, without all the rampaging and ability to infect other people). I got a bit of a kick out of it because I have grown a little tired of the cliche werewolf stuff (you know, like every Hollywood movie you've ever seen with werewolves, all of which try desperately to add to the myth, but only manage to keep the common mythology running without adding much to it at all).

The plot is really fast paced, so if you're not prepared to be sucked into it and pushed along at breakneck speed, well, that's your own fault. The best part about the novel is that it doesn't play any games and gets right to it: the world is bad and Wanata is going to take care of things (and humans aren't all that smart when it comes to deal with demigods, as it turns out). Savannah is just snappy enough to make me laugh, Chace is just evil enough to make me want to kill him myself, and Wanata, surprisingly, is sympathetic enough to actually make me care about what happens to him (considering he's supposed to be the bad guy). It's also interesting to point out that Harvey doesn't pull punches when it comes to showing human beings in all their forms: good and bad. There are folks who sit in the gray areas, and some who are black and white. This is something I think is very important to have within a novel like this. After all, we're talking about a restructuring of Nature and to make Wanata seem like only a bad guy would make it too easy. Humans are not perfect: some of us are evil, some of us aren't, and some of us sit in the middle. Nature, unfortunately, doesn't generally make distinctions about good and bad.

My only concerns with the novel is that for some it might have too many characters. While the pace is quick, there were a couple times where I was pulled out of the story when the author pulled me around to different characters, trying to give a wide range of views of the same thing or by trying to split the storylines. It's not a tremendous problem. I found myself getting used to it and not generally being bothered after a while, but I think perhaps reducing the amount of POVs could have helped develop the more important characters (particularly the ones that I liked: Savannah, Wanata, and Chace, though the last one I didn't like because he was good, but because he was a completely horrible human being and it would have really been more interesting to know where he came from and why he had turned out that way). There could definitely be more in the development of some of the characters, as I mentioned, but I think in the end it worked out okay anyway. I still want to know what the heck made Chace into the horrible person he is.

Overall, Harvey avoids stylistic annoyances and gives the story in a way that moves quickly and doesn't dawdle. The plot thickens and becomes more complicated as it goes along, which is both a good and bad thing. The bad thing is that the novel ends with only partial closure. Harvey has proposed a trilogy, and the way it ends is set up for that. While it does end, there are still a lot of things left to be addressed, particularly in Quiet Wolf's (Laughing Wolf's grandson) storyline and Wanata's. Hopefully Harvey intends to get the other books out soon, if they aren't out already. I'm looking forward to those sequels mostly because I would like to see more of Savannah and find out what happens, if anything, between her and Wanata. Basically, this is fast-paced reintroduction to the fantastic disaster story, filled with a wide array of interesting characters, magic, monsters, rogue wolves, and a touch of the werewolf. Not much else to say other than I really enjoyed this book and thought it was entertaining from start to finish.

This book kept me up at night for two reasons- I couldn't stop reading it and it really freaked me out!!! I've read it twice, and let some friends borrow it. I'll probably read it again, too!!!

I loved this book. It is a page turner from the front to back. As a person who hasn't been a fan or this genre - this book sold me back into reading more fiction!

Harvey does an amazing job. Steven King watch out!

BUY This book. You will love it.

What an incredible introduction to a new author. THE CLEANSING is easily one of the best, most enjoyable books I've read in a long time. Not since King's THE STAND have I been so unhappy about finishing a novel. It was a joy to read from the opening paragraph until the last page. At times horrific, intriguing and endearing, it grabs your full attention and never lets go. Each of John D. Harvey's characters, both major and minor, are multi-dimensional and unique with their own distinct voices. The reader will even find themselves empathizing with the villain in this book, a preternatural wolf named Wanata, who not only wreaks terror wherever he goes but is, himself, struggling with his own crises. Don't let the cover price keep you from grabbing this one! You won't be disappointed.

The title of John Harvey's first novel stirs memories of the seventies and eighties (when titles of most horror novels included but two words, one invariably being "The"). The narrative style, however, is a throwback to a much earlier era. Harvey's straightforward and earnest storytelling brings to mind the pulps. The book exhibits energy, wit and invention, but the old fashioned prose might have readers believing it's a reprint from the first half of the twentieth, rather than an original work from the first half of the twenty-first, century.

Mining Native American legend for the raw material of his first novel, Harvey tells a tale of an ancient being emerging from his rest into the modern world. The initial focus is on the medicine men of several North American tribes, men who are haunted by dreams of the wolf spirit Wanata, whose periodic visits to the mortal plain over the centuries have inevitably resulted in the destruction of whole segments of the animal kingdom. Wanata is charged with keeping nature in balance--if a particular species has upset that balance, its numbers must be reduced to restore harmony. In the past, this meant the destruction of buffalo or deer. This time around, Wanata's target is mankind itself.

Once you get past the odd formality of the writing (it's not clear whether this was Harvey's intended effect, or simply his normal literary voice), The Cleansing is a pleasure to read, remarkably free of the common flaws that plague most first novels. Harvey guides readers through his universe with a sure hand, providing a plethora of memorable characters (freelance journalist Savannah Channing and Tungtawnee medicine man Laughing Wolf are two of his more vibrant creations) and generous doses of humor along the way. Harvey is clearly unafraid of taking chances in service of his story--although all of his characters are put in peril, the least expected and most likeable members of his cast suffer the most harm, ratcheting up the suspense quotient.

The novel suffers as Harvey's narrative slows almost to a crawl towards the end, ostensibly because this is the first novel of a planned trilogy. Hopefully Harvey is saving equally engaging material for books two and three, and not simply running out of steam. Time will tell.

Richard's book of survival during one of this nation's worst crisis and most poorly responded to events is well written and shows how badly we are prepared for disaster. it alsoshows what levels we can rise to when needed.

I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. It pulls you in making you feel like you were there also. I'm just thankful to God I wasn't. I highly recommend this well written personal account of that day in history and the events that followed.

Once I started reading I could not stop. I thought I might be getting myself into a book that, although I felt compelled to read it I was afraid I would cry throughout. Not so. This book told the real story and revealed how moronic the entire situation became, day by day, hour by hour. I could only chuckly at how rediculous the situation became. If I didn't know better by personal experience I would think it was a satirical comedy that someone made up after a bad dream. Sadly it was all true. I agree with one of the other reviews, this is a must read for anyone that could potentially face any type of disaster, expected, unexpected, natural or manmade.
Thank you Dr.D for taking the time to chronical everything. Especially, considering that post-K there isn't much time for the luxury of such things. It is amazing your mind and memory could focus on this project.
Thank you.

We lived in New Orleans for nine years and during that time used several doctors at Memorial Hospital. Dr. Deichmann was our Internal Medicine physician. Later we moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and lost everything in Katrina, so we have a special interest and bond with those who experienced it. I remember Dr. Deichmann as a kind, quiet, professional physician and to picture him in these horrific circumstances is almost unbelievable. This book contains everything - sadness, frustration, courage, and even humor in the most dismal moments. I read it in one sitting, and will recommend it to all my fellow friends and survivors.

This account by a professional is an easy to read, yet fascinating, portrait of the scene and happenings within the hospital during the Katrina episode. It is not overly dramatic or accusing, but a straightforward and creditable observation. I really appreciate the first-hand knowledge from a respected source. It was a while before we locals could deal with too much knowledge on too many happenings or were capable of facing and digesting how and what transpired. This is a study of dedication and courage of the staff at Memorial Hospital and is uplifting and healing because of those qualities that the staff displayed for all of us out here... It gives us hope and offers redemptive healing for the sins of the community because of their sacrifices and willingness to do the same in the future. I am grateful for that and this book.

This book is so simple to read and once you start you don't want to put it down. The first few pages make you want to run out to the grocery store and hit the produce isle. It honestly makes you change your entire way of thinking when it comes to eating. You'll want that fruit salad rather than the candy bar. It's just such' a GREAT and easy to read and so easy to absorb book! Everyone is getting one for christmas!

Happy eating-

This book has been a great help to me! It's taught me the right way to eat-more fruits and vegetables-without being hungry or bored. I've lost 12 pounds, have more energy and my mind seems sharper!

This book is wonderful and exciting to read, it has changed the way I look at my plate. It has started me on a hhuge blueberry kick that has improved my health. If you are into a healthy life style you need this book.

I see Dr. Nadeau for assistance in my weight loss & I use his book as my guide when he is not available for answering my questions. It is an awesome book. I am losing weight with excersizes he has recommended for me & the diet he has worked out for me personally. You will not be disappointed in purchasing this book.

A friend told me about this book and how much the concepts when applied, had helped her feel so much better - and healthier! I have been following the ideas for around 4 weeks now and couldn't agree more. Even though my goal was not to lose weight, I've lost 10 pounds just by eating better - according to color! And believe it or not, I feel better as well. Buy this book and a bright highlighter. You'll soon be marking your favorite brightly colored foods - and then filling your grocery cart with them. Well written, easy to understand and chock full of references - it simply makes sense.

It is now 5 months later since I first reviewed this book and I've loaned out my copy to several people - all are experiencing similar results as I have. I continue to eat "by color", my weight has stayed off, I can't remember when I was last sick and what was merely a good book has become a terrific reference book. If you forget what particular benefits a certain color food has - simply look it up - layed out clearly in the book - by color of course!

NOTE: It is now January 2007 and I continue to eat according to "colors". My weight has stayed off, I was not sick even one day in 2006 and every week I fill up a plastic container (for work snacks) filled with vegetable color!

Yes for anyone who does glass painting, especially faux stained glass, this is a MUST HAVE for glass painting reference libraries. This is the only cfraft I do and I was amazed at the number of things I learned from these guys. Also the problems I've had in the past were resolved in such a way that went away thinking "Why didn't I think of that?"...because I didn't have this book! I'm on the hunt for more from these same artists/authors.

We have been so excited with the continued success of this, our first book. Worldwide sales of this title have now exceeded 50,000 which we think makes it the best selling book on glass painting. Don't miss our other books and our new book, The Complete Guide to Stamping is published in March 2004. If you have access to broadband internet, you can see our regular TV show, Alan & Barry's Craft Choice and a host of other shows on www.createandcraft.tv. We can also be seen regularly on HGTV in the United States.

Since I am a beginner to glass painting and have one book on the subject I was looking for something more comprehensive that covered other techniques. After reading the review and previewing from amazon's "look inside", I had to buy the book. "The Complete Guide to Glass Painting, is just what it says, it is a good start for beginners and and provides lots of projects, techniques and motifts for the more advanced glass painter. There are so many techniques I never though of that was not covered in my one glass book. When the book first arrived in the mail, I glanced through it quickly; now I am reading the book word for word so as not to miss a great tip. Each page is well designed and layed out for easy reading and understanding with visual direction. You can't go wrong. For those who have more knowedge, this book has 400 motifs to use or combine to create fantastic glass paintings and projects that spark ideas. If you must have a glass painting book, this will be the only one you will need. Allan and Barry, thanks for sharing your 20 years of experience, this is a great book. If the authors ever collaborated to produce anther book; I will be looking out for more of them.

If you just are getting one book about glass painting to try the hobby out then this is a good choice. It has a good overview of the materials available, step by step instructions for different techniques and templates to trace over (glass is perfect for tracing ;-) so you can get started on some small projects. The color pictures are plentiful and pretty, and the price is not too high as one might expect with color pics. Even if you are just into crafts and later find that glass painting isn't your thing the templates and pics can carry over into other crafts.

This is a good book if you know you want to try glass painting out.

The techniques presented in this book is good enough for a beginner like me to get started. However, the projects given in this book was not enough to motivate me to try them. I've found that the book was not organised enough for a beginner to go through the projects and progress from there.

Having said all this though, I still think that the book is a good reference to have and coupled with other books like Glass Painting (The Art of Crafts series) by Naazish Chouglay, you could learn more and appreciate the art as well as the techniques behind glass painting.

I bought this book at Lowe's as a random book to read. It ended up being extremely helpful for small projects around the house. Highly recommended as a reference book for little home projects.

This book contains tons of high quality, color photos. The photos take up about half the book. Although the photos are nice and give me a good idea of what I need to do, I still found myself wanting a more detailed explanation on many of the topics. I am fairly handy around the house. Yet, I found myself needing and wanting information that this book did not mention.
In all fairness, if the book went into details on all of the topics, it would be a foot thick and cost a lot more.

Very through book. Goes over wiring and more. Even goes into internet and data info. Great buy.

This book has got to be one of the best illustrated wiring books. I have used this book for multiple minor projects. The photographs allow you to follow closely and clearly as to the correct process for wiring. I lost my 1st book to rain, just ordering my office reference book now. Now I have a "working copy" and a home reference copy (safetly tucked away). The book is good enought that I bought it twice.

The Stanley Complete Wiring Book is great for tackling the weekend projects all the way to completely wiring an entire house.

The book is laid out in easy to find sections with easy to follow instructions and detailed steps. The pages are not cheap, thin pages but heavy, glossy, easy to turn pages. The book has over 800 full-color pictures and detailed illustrations.

Whatever your project is, you can find it in this book. Each project begins with a prestart checklist and tips. It also includes problem solving and explains options. At the end of the book, it includes metric conversions.

Sections include:
Working Safely, Getting Ready, Checking Your Electrical System, Basic Techniques, Repairs, Switches and Receptacles, Lights and Fans, Planning New Electrical Service, Installing Cable and Boxes, New Receptacles and Lights, Installing Fans and Heaters, Household Voice, Data and Security, Outdoor Wiring, and Appliances and New Circuits

This book has everything a homeowner needs to know about wiring. Good book. Highly recommend.

The book is fantastic. Plain and simple. I have highlighted, written in the margins, on the covers, and in some way marked up almost every page of the book. Not only did I find it immensely useful for her class, but also used it in conjunction with Bittker & Eustice (the corp tax bible, but not for the faint of heart) for a corporate reorganization class. Using the last 1/3 of her book made slogging through the B&E book much less painful. Highly recommended.

While it does not go into as much detail as I will need to know for the exam this book is a great substitute for actually paying attention in class.

This is an excellent book to understand Subchapter C. The order it follows is methodical. It goes to explain all the tax issues that arise from formation of the corporation (incorporation and contributions) to midlife events (dividends, redemptions) to liquidation. It deals with taxable and non-taxable reorganizations and with such interesting issues as Section 304 transactions. It is not and cannot be a complete guide to corporate taxation. it would have to be several volumes, but it accomplishes perfectly what it is meant to do. Cheryl Block did a fantastic job. the example and explanations are very useful.

Professor Block's book is really, really good - very easy to understand. She manages to make what are complex tax laws understandable -- I couldn't imagine taking my corp tax class without this study aid. The writing is unusually good for a law treatise.

This volume reduces into terms capable of being readily absorbed the application of Subchapter C. The examples and explanations are basic while conveying the needed concepts of various treatments of contributed property, boot, distributions, attribution rules, etc.

This book is empowering, and I know what I'm talking about - this year I was diagnosed with a nasty cancer (kidney cancer, stage IV (metastasized), grade 4 (aggressive)), so I got to experience fear like I'd never known. The book does a great job of weaving the cancer experience into the rest of life, and Ms. Monique makes it VERY clear that howEVER she feels about it is absolutely okay with her! I don't have breast cancer, but I gobbled every word and I recommend it to everyone involved with any cancer, without exception. (I'm doing very well now, btw.)

After I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer (really bad), lots of people sent me books - some very spiritual books and some science-y. This book was a breath of fresh air and made me laugh out loud. Send it to the women you know with BC, they will love it. I have given it to many.

I'm so delighted to see this book available through Amazon. The bellyaching laughs and sound advice from this book got me through chemo. Every evening, when my spirits were sinking and I was exhausted, I would treat myself to some Monique humor and inspiration. I applaud the Beth Israel Deaconess medical center for recognizing the importance of this book and publishing it.

Finally a breast cancer survivor who has brought our most valuable emotion -- humor -- to the forefront. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is facing breast cancer, or anyone who is supporting a friend or family member with breast cancer. Well written, great perspective, and it will leave you smiling and encouraged. Who ever would have thought?

As one who is symmetrically challenged, breast-wise as Spencer is, I promise this is a terrific book to read if you or anyone you love is diagnosed with breast cancer. In fact, even if no one you know has the disease, which is unlikely these days, it's a tremendously funny guide for getting through any of life's daunting little challenges. I'd say it is an absolute scream, but I don't want to scare you; it is an hilarious trip, packed also with good information about your diagnosis and what to expect. The humor shines through, a good thing in the worst of circumstances. Speaking of screaming, it put me in mind of a regular day after work when five of us ladies were hooked up to our portaports, getting our dose of poison, I mean chemo, when a four-inch cockroach scurried out from a corner and under a chair. We all hoisted up our legs (as best we could in those recliners) and started screeching and hollering for help. It was like, "Cancer smancher, this friggin dangerous beast just ran across the linoleum!" So, there are indeed laughs to be had--and more than fair are in The Courage Muscle. A great comfort.

This book touches on a lot of information that standard crystal guides are lacking. Very detailed, but sadly no pictures. Crystal Enchantments has a lot to say about scrying and stone divination. Although this book is lacking a few major crystals I was hoping to learn more about, I found out about a lot of other crystals I have never studied.

I really like this book. One of my friends swears by it. I only wish it was hardback.

Written in the simple and personal style for which Conway is known, this work carries on in the tradition of a more folklorical and Pagan perspective of working with minerals. This book helps integrate history, tradition, and the more New Agey perspective, and Conway also adds a bit of mineralogy to the mix.

This work largely addresses crystals for their healing and ritual/magickal connotations, and thus adds a facet that other comprehensive works leave out. This is a must-have for all crystal workers, especially those of a Pagan or Earth-based worldview.

this book provides a lot of information about stones and crystals that is informative and written in a fashion that isn't dry. Not many pictures, but the book is super reference.

I have always enjoyed stone, used to work with a stone wheel shaping them.

Always felt such power from the different ones, almost as if they called to me, telling me what shape they wanted to me. So I appreciate knowing more about them and their properties.

This book is mostly text with no "real" illustrations (only a very small handful of pictures and diagrams). Very informative and is most definatly a solid choice for reading material of this subject.

I PURCHASED MY BOOK 3 1/2 YEARS AGO THE WEEK AFTER MY HUSBAND OF 34 YRS DIED FROM ALCOHOLISM WITHOUT KNOWING THIS WAS TO BE MY MOST INSPIRATIONAL BOOK. I HAVE BEEN IN RECOVERY ABOUT 4 YRS NOW AND I HAVE GIVEN AWAY 10
OR 12 BOOKS. I ALWAYS KEEP AN EXTRA ONE BECAUSE I KNOW I WILL MEET UP WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN USE IT.

I picked up this little gem of a book and cant put it down. I refer to it again and again because it has so much insight on all kinds of issues people may have..it really speaks to you and I found it so comforting during difficult times. I will treasure it for a long time!

I love this book of daily reflections. It is very thought provoking and the quotes are memorable.

I love this book and read it daily. It is so ironic when you are going through something and you open the book right to an affirmation that pertains to that very situation. I bought several copies of Daily Affirmation for Forgiving and Moving On and give it out as gifts to friends that I know will benefit from it.

I own this & have gone through it. I liked it so much I picked up a copy for a friend's daughter who has just lost a significant other. Comprising of 366 pages & designed to be read one page each day. The book is an excellent tool for a healthy direction for one's getting back on track. Gentle affirmations reveal true sources in one's feelings. The book does go a long way in dealing with the loss of a relationship