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V Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

V
The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics
Published in Hardcover by Chronicle Books (2000-12-01)
Author: N. Juster
List price: $7.95
New price: $9.82
Used price: $6.98

Average review score:

Short and sweet
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-05
This is a sweet little book that will appeal to the engineers and scientists among us. You, too, can change! Or, Love conquers all! The illustrations are fun, and the writing intelligent and clever.

Enjoy!

Sweetest gift I was ever given
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-05
I was given this book as a teenager, and never forgot it. I used to ask other people if they knew about it, but few seemed to have ever heard of it. I am an artist, and in spite of the use of 'math' in the title, thought this book was about art.
I missed ALL the math info and puns. (It was interesting reading the reviews of the math and science readers.) I can only tell you that the cleaver drawings tell stories that are universal. They work as well for art and life as they seem to work for math.
I have now given this book to many people. Every one of them has thanked me.
This is my favorite gift to give away for Valentine's day.

Chuck Jones chose wisely
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-25
I purchased this book as a companion to the same named academy award winning animated short (1966?) by Chuck Jones. It was out of print until now. The short was recently released as a bonus feature on the DVD release of the Glass bottom boat. Bought the DVD, never have even looked at the main movie. It's enjoyable to watch a clever book come to life and be even more unforgetable then the written word.

A Classic story
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-22
I was given this book in 1980 by a college friend when it was in print in a smaller format. I am so pleased to see it again. If I could only own 100 books, this would be one of them.

Great, believe it or not, for high school kids
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-16
Norton Juster wove more than puns and visual gags into this short book. Not to take an ounce away from those fantastic double entendres ("drawn and on edge").

There are references to social commentary "they all look the same anyhow," "freedom is not a license for anarchy," "why don't you find a nice line and settle down." There is amazing (for kids) vocabulary: quintessence, vector, potent, paralleliped. If you want to go there, there is also out of date vocabulary "Oh, what a head!" This book is rich.

Most of my high school math classes read "The Dot and the Line" at some point during the year, often as a read-aloud before a holiday. We find the puns, I explain the jokes, we discuss (briefly the social commentary), someone looks up the hard words, and they read a little boy-girl love story. It's the best kind of learning, the kind that happens when they think they are having fun!

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Fighting for Your Life: The African-American Criminal Justice Survival Guide
Published in Paperback by Amber Books (2004-02)
Author: John V. Elmore
List price: $14.95
New price: $8.92
Used price: $3.95

Average review score:

INCREDIBLE RESOURCE!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-08
John Elmore shares shocking and interesting facts, and personal war stories about our legal system. "Fighting for Your Life" provides 150 pages worth tools--from advice that can be a virtual "get-out-of-jail-free card,"--to knowledge that can SAVE YOUR LIFE. I recommend this book for everyone. As a law student getting ready to practice, I found this book to be an easy read, but not easy to forget.

full of valuable insight
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-26
This book is a must have/must read for anyone interested in studying, or participating in, the legal system. John Elmore's experience and insight are delivered in an easy to read way that makes the book an incredible resource for students or practitioners.

A Must Have Resource for Any and Everybody!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-25
Fighting for your life is a resource guide for anyone and everyone no matter what their relationship to the law! Law Students, Practicing Attorneys, Criminal Defendants, or family members and loved ones of somebody who is either in jail, has been arrested, or is facing criminal prosecution can all benefit from owning this book. John V. Elmore offers each of us a practical, hands on, "If I'm in trouble, this is the book I need to read" guide to understanding your rights and making sure that they are not violated. Most importantly, the author has experience and knowledge of the law from every angle; He was a criminal defense attorney, former state trooper, and former prosecutor. In his book, he tells you exactly what to do and how to do it so that when you find yourself in a position where you are fighting for your life, with his book you have a fighting chance to win.

A Must Read Book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-23
As a African-American prosecutor, I am often frustrated by the number of young African-American defendants who come into the courtroom completely unprepared and unaware of how the criminal justice system operates. John Elmore's book is a must read for anyone facing criminal charges.

Fighting For Your Life is the MUST READ BOOK OF THE YEAR!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-05
Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide told by John V. Elmore, Esq. and Foreword by a friend of the literary community, Mr. Tony Rose is the most responsible book on the planet.There is something that rang a familiar air of discord as I glimpsed at the chained arms on the cover of Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide told by John V. Elmore, Esq. and Foreword by a friend of the literary community, Mr. Tony Rose.

I knew immediately that if I was not interested in fighting for my life, I would not open the book, and no matter how mysterious the picture on the cover with two fingerprints that look the same, but if you look carefully, do not match at all. My very own hands longed to free the cuffs of another black man whose time did not fit the crime, and by no means do I condone crime. I am speaking for my brother, father, sister, mother, grandparents and friends who lost love ones who wound up behind bars thanks to the unfair practices of the judicial system while their white counterparts got slaps on the wrists, but this is another story.

The truth is, as I read each page of one of the most "Think Before You Act" books ever written to help Black Americans stay safe in situations, or even avoid crime, the focus became clear that this book matches its title, and is indeed the first African American Justice Survival Guide ever to approach the answers to the questions Black African Americans have asked about avoiding the fatal flaws of the criminal justice system. It leaves out subjective opinions or views that could cause even the most innocent man to wind up dead. It happens everyday, and rather than for folks to remain ignorant of the fact that like criminals the criminal justice system does not discriminate between which blacks should suffer the injustices in situations, Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide is a wake up call for everyone.

It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what you are wearing, how much money you have, or how well you are adored by the community you live in. YOU too can be a victim of the criminal justice system, and not to take away anything from the hard working police officers who protect the community and sincerely care about the communities they protect and serve. We are talking about a universal code of conduct that once this book becomes a part of university law study curriculums, criminal justice undergraduate classes, required by youth in detention centers and those subject to light time in prison, and. or as a gift to perhaps your young son or child, the world will begin to play it safe when it comes to doing the job of being a civilian or an officer of the law.

Fear breeds in those who serve the justice system due to unpredictable deaths and murders of peers in the force that cause underlying tension, and retaliation. Racism still runs amuck. Ignorance still breeds within our own communities when we respond to situations with pride. I say, read Fighting For Your Life: The African America Criminal Survival Guide to WAKE UP and understand that nothing is more important than saving your life, and even if it means you have to fight for it. You will discover Defense Attorney, John V. Elmore's complete tour of the criminal justice system from the point where those who stand accused or violated can acquire a public defender or attorney for hire, the client's rights and crime report to what to do if you are a victim of brutality, wrongly accused, or required to attend preliminary hearings.

Readers will also, be given pointers on attire in court, making bail, and if not...the grand jury process and some top lawyers who can be contacted and will help the accused fight for one's rights. It doesn't get any better than this.

On a lighter note, I have to discard all reviews of books about the criminal justice system after reading this book which really presents the facts. I encourage all urban writers to read this book before attempting to write a single line about crime and outcomes in novels. If you need facts, this is a great tool for the urban writer as well.

As a reviewer, Fighting For Your Life: The African -American Criminal Justice Survival Guide is certainly on the top of my list for fact checking and research. IT is a thorough and accurate guide that is intelligent, sensible, and can be the cure-all of calling a truce between the criminal justice system and those accused. Yes, if you are guilty, there are penalties, but this book wants you to only do the time if it if fits the crime, and keep you living, because even the criminal has a family.

This is about humanity and cutting down the abuse and brutality of youth who are the product of the environments in which they live. The story is not finished, and we still owe another book to the survivors. I would have liked to read more about Hurricane Carter, Alfred Houston, Angela Davis, and even Mr. Tony Rose. This book will definitely welcome the trend of survivor stories. Def Jam's Bruce George is dedicating an anthology to The Bandana Republic, and Neshee Publication is acquiring stories for Fight To The Finish Line. All of these books are in demand

by our youth, young adults, local gang members, those serving time, those of the criminal justice who want to better understand their role as officers of the community, parents and people who care about the state of America on crime, and of course...address what we all need to know to survive. A new genre is born. All praise goes our to John Elmore, Esq., a criminal defense attorney, former state trooper, father of four boys, teacher and attorney general.

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The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge: 5 Principles to Transform Your Relationship with Money
Published in Paperback by HCI (2008-09-09)
Authors: Ted Klontz, Brad Klontz, and Rick Kahler
List price: $14.95
New price: $8.92
Used price: $28.67

Average review score:

The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge: 5 Principles to Transform Your Relationship With Money
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-30
I suggest that my psychotherapy clients read this book. Many of my clients, who are mostly affluent professionals, have underlying issues which get played out in the financial arena.

I wish I could have written this book. It is very user friendly and motivates the reader to do the exercises at the end of each chapter. Many clients recognize that they identify with Ebenzer at times and Bob at other times. Thanks for writing this book!

The financial wisdom of ebeneezer scrooge
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-13
I started reading "The Financial Wisdom of Ebeneezer Scrooge" expecting to see financial "ghosts" of past, present and future. I wasn't disappointed. What I didn't expect to see was financial failures of Bob Crachit. So I was pleasantly surprised to see that in spite of our perrenial wink and nod associated with the poor among us, The "Bob's" do bear some responsibility to be educated about their situation.

The book seems to be practical in its application of conservative financial wisdom. I say "seems to be" because it's up to me to apply the tools. I think I can, I think I can...

Clever, Wise, and Helpful
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-02
This is one of the most clever approaches to helping people find their way to financial freedom. I have read many many books on personal finance and it has always confounded me as to why more people don't take an interest in their financial future. This book shows how mind traps that were set in youth can keep people from making the right financial choices. The authors talk about "money scripts" that people carry with them and that influence their money behavior. The authors cleverly use the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit showing what their money scripts might have been and how those scripts influenced their behaviors in A Christmas Carol. The exercises are excellent. It took me a while but I eventually identified some of my own money scripts. Frankly, this method could be used to help identify life scripts that keep us from achieving our ultimate potential as well.

The authors come through as genuinely wanting to help their readers. I have read books that were promoted as self-help financial books but in the end were books to promote an author's seminars rather than providing sound advice and help.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to start today to shape a better financial future for themselves and their families.

Thought Provoking
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-27
Enlightening regarding the way you view money and how this affects so many other areas of your life. The impact of early script imprinting and its affect on your adult life is both fascinating and helpful.

A lot of different people will like this for various reasons
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-26
This book is worth the price for several different reasons. First, the style is sympathetic, and most people reading this book do not want to have an author shaking a finger at them for their financial living styles. Second, the use of Dickens' famous short story as a lesson outline is not only clever, but also very easy to relate to. Although everyone knows that the miser gets turned around in the end of the story, few have likely stopped to notice that old Scrooge had to go through several stages to realize his money pathology. Also, the book points out that Scrooge was an eager student! The third is that the book is not overly long, and the story flow makes the reader want to keep going, even though we kind of know what is likely to happen in the next chapter.

The author's personal twist near the conclusion is endearing, and of course will not be given away here. It can be a good thing to know that the authors and consultants have had difficult times also. The only example/actual character that sounded less credible, though, was that single woman who earned a quarter million dollars a year, but somehow could never save any money. Yikes! Nobody most of us know.

The general wisdoms in this book are not all that unpredictable. Most have to do with "you are not your money," "it's the LOVE of money that's not good," "you don't escape most problems by getting more net worth," and so forth. True, and always worthwhile being reminded of such. A personal view: too much time spent on the generality of these admittedly good thoughts, not enough numbers thrown in. A good example is the statement (recently found by some uncredited survey, I think) in the middle of "Scrooge" that people usually are better off getting to about $50K annual income; after that, increased happiness doesn't come in the nearly the proportion that increases in net worth do. Probably true, and things like this probably should have been forcefully mentioned a number of times. Readers like to hitch onto tangible, named amounts. Still, it WAS mentioned, and the clever reader will find the passage. A good buy.

V
Last Dinner on the Titanic: Menus and Recipes from the Legendary Liner
Published in Hardcover by Hyperion (1997-04)
Authors: Dana McCauley, Rick Archbold, and Walter Lord
List price: $25.95
New price: $12.99
Used price: $8.41

Average review score:

THE YEAR OF THE TITANIC
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-24
The year of the Titanic.

1997.

We saw the movie THREE times at the theater. Film lovers that we are... even still, this was excessive for us. And when the video came out... bam... we bought it. I can not tell you how many times we have watched that ship sink.

What is the fixation?

We were living in the world before September 11th.

The story of the Titanic asks that great question...

How would you behave if you knew you only had moments left to live?

Would you panic?

Would you fight tooth and nail to survive?

Would you be the villian or the hero?

And the love story brought to life in James Cameron's magnificent film reignited that wonderful spark that my husband and I share. We were Jack and Rose. I was in a suffocatingly rigid life that was killing me inside. My husband was, and continues to be, the scamp who rescued me from that world and opened the door of a life of adventure to this day.

So the passion for the Titanic lives in our home.

Wanting to please my husband I bought him this book for the Christmas of 1997.

He is a gourmand, and the thought of preparing a meal worthy of the first class of many decades ago was irresistable.

He prepared the lobster thermadore from the recipes, and the vegetables... exotic to our modern tastes with an unusual combination of flavors that were the common fare of the wealthy in the turn of the last centruy.

That feast was our New Year's meal for the dawning of 1998.

We never ate one more recipe from that book.

I don't know... if you really think about the whole... it is rather morbid to be feasting on something that was literally the last meal on Earth for a bunch of folks.

I am not the first one to mention that in regards to this book.

The plight of the 1500 hundred passengers has been dimmed by post September 11th.

The Twin Towers, the Titanic of the modern era, came tumbling down on that firey day. Along with the symbol of this nation's military power at the Pentagon. And those trapped in Flight 93... I mean wouldpeople be writing recipe books about their last airline meal?

No.

But, I still recommend this book.

And, yes, do try some of the meals.

Reading about an era gone by is one thing, but to actually experience the sensations of that time through the power of taste and smell is an indescribable experience.

One of the most amazing books ever
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-21
Buy this and you won't be disappointed. This is a chance to relive history through a beautiful book of recipes. I'm very happy I purchased this item!

The Ultimate Dinner Party
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-23
I love this book! I have owned a copy for 10 years, and this year I finally got around to hosting my own black-tie dinner in the "first-class dining saloon." I prepared and served a five-course dinner from the first class menus featured in the book. Everything was absolutely delicious and actually rather easy to prepare. Alas, I could not procure any quail eggs, but I cut (chicken) eggs to use in the aspic and no one knew the difference. Each of my guests came as a passenger on the ship, but rather than assign them the passengers featured in the book, most of whom went down with the ship, I researched passengers on the website [...] and mailed each guest a one-page bio of his/her person. I also made up a one-page "cheat sheet" for the guests to use at the party. Everyone had a blast. It was truly "a night to remember."

Last Dinner on the Titanic
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-02
This is a delightful book and a recommended read for anyone who is a Titanic fan or interested in the history and the food. I love the books presentation. The fact that you can re-create any of the three levels ie 1st glass down to general is a hoot that harks back to a time of fine dining and almost apartheid snobbery. You can host your own dinner party and the book explains in fine detail how to achieve this. I only need to buy the CD of the music now and I am set for my "Titanic Dinner" The Last Dance: Music for a Vanishing Era (The Music Heard on the Fateful Voyage of the Titanic).

A social history snapshot that just happens to be a cookbook
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-13
After almost 100 years, the Titanic disaster continues to fascinate historians and the general public. The snapshot of Edwardian culture is nowhere more apparent than the famous "last meal" that Sunday. Thanks to menus kept by survivors as mementos, and some indepth research, Mr. Archbold has written up the dishes served in all three classes as recipes that, theoretically at least, anyone can serve.
In the early 20th century, the exploits of the super-wealthy (facilitated by the laissez-faire attitude of the gov'ts of the time, and lack of income tax) were followed as closely as celebrities today. One aspect of this conspicuous consumption was the ability to afford truly staggering meals. The meals themselves evolved from the attitude that someone who is well-off will be somewhat portly, as least for males, and the large meals typically served by farm families.
The Titanic, catering to the tastes of the times, as any smart hospitality service would, reflected this in their menus. Meals of up nine courses are not unusual, at least for the first class passengers, consisting of a richness "that today's four-star restaurants would have trouble duplicating" in the author's words. Given today's eating habits, the author recommends that one serve only a selection of the historic menu as these dishes require extensive preparation. Since no extant wine list for that last night exists, the author suggests some modern equivalents for what possibly was served-keeping in mind the tastes of the day, and vintages-primarily French in 1912.
In addition to the meals, the author gives a quick overview of that last evening, with snapshots of the personalities on the ship. He ties these two threads together in an appendix where he gives some ideas of throwing a Titanic dinner party.
It's often ignored, but food is an integral part of any social history. This book gives one the chance to be a "historical-reenactor"-while enjoying some amazing food.

V
The Last Great Dance on Earth
Published in Paperback by (2000-11-02)
Author: Sandra Gulland
List price: $14.00
New price: $6.07
Used price: $4.12

Average review score:

the josephine b trilogy by sandra gulland
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-01
i found all three books in this trilogy fascinating. it was a painless way to learn about the french revolution, napolean and josephine's lives, and a multitude of other historical facts. the books moved very quickly and from the time i picked up the first one i was hooked!

Superb Finale
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-11
I don't need to repeat what eveyone else seems to be stating in their reviews of this book and the entire Josephine trilogy; the story flows from start to finish.

I very highly recommend this book!

Excellent
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-11
A perfect ending to a wonderful trilogy. Gulland has clearly done her research and France comes alive through the eyes of Josephine Bonaparte. Compassionate, kind and well-loved in France, Josephine also gives us a very intimate and sympathetic insight to Napoleon Bonaparte. I enjoyed this whole series and would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the French Revolution, the French Republic and the rise of Napoleon. It is engrossing, humorous and heart-rending. Highly recommended.

Don't forget the rest of the trilogy
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-06-15
While this book stands out on it's own merits, you would be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn't read the first two books in the trilogy first ('The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.' and 'Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe'). This is probably my favorite group of books and everyone I have let borrow them feels the same. All are well-written and easy reading (as well as interesting history). I am only sorry that Sandra Gulland hasn't written any other books...yet. I keep hoping.

Well Done Sandra Gulland--An Outstanding Conclusion!!!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-22
I can't express how much I loved this wonderful novel. The most accurate adjective I can think of would be 'interesting'. This book was soooo interesting. Gulland's attention to detail is absolutely meticulous. She used over 400 sources in the writing of this trilogy. I learned so much--not only about Napoleon and Josephine, but also of other historical figures of that time. I also found the daily life of the aristocracy not only fascinating but also exhausting.

Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine Beauharnais are some of the most intriguing characters in history. Their story is so compelling and Gulland does a wonderful job of presenting it. Her 'Josephine' trilogy tells the story of Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher (Beauharnais Bonaparte) who was born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique in 1763. She died, as she was still known, as the Empress Josephine at her beloved Malmaison in Paris in 1814. THE LAST GREAT DANCE ON EARTH begins in March 1800 at the Tuileries Palace in Paris and ends at her death. But, Gulland has a special treat for her readers. She ties up all the loose ends by telling us what happens to all the characters in her novel. I loved that! In fact, I was taking a tour a couple of weeks ago in St. Augustine, Florida and the guide told us that this is where Napoleon Bonaparte's brother came to....I now know that it was Jerome. The author also has a chronology with detailed accounts and dates of events in the last fourteen years of Josephine's life. Gulland also used actual letters of the pair in this book. And again, the pages are peppered with footnotes that add credence to this story.

In book three we're treated to more of the deep and abiding friendship of Josephine and Napoleon. The love they had for each other is legendary. Napoleon was a wonderful father to Hortense and Eugene and they also adored him. But Josephine had to put up with her horrid in-laws, their jealousy and constant designs of destroying her marriage, their lies and the constant undermining--geesh, she was more patient than I could have been. They eventually succeeded. Despite going through horrible and archaic treatments for infertility, Josephine could not conceive. As we all know, Napoleon divorced her in order to gain an heir. Even then, they continued their friendship and love.

I have been mesmerized with Napoleon and Josephine since visiting the Lourve for the first time as a college freshman and falling in love with David's "The Coronation of Napoleon." Then, after visiting the famous, albeit headless statue of the former Empress at her birthplace in Martinique, my curiosity became insatiable. We learned that Josephine's head was cut off because she influenced her husband to reinstate slavery. I was hoping to read an explanation in these novels but it was never mentioned (although Martinico is mentioned quite often). Which comes to another point: Gulland mentions that researching the lives of Napoleon and Josephine is addictive; I've already bought two more books, maybe I'll find the answer to my question!

V
Microthrills
Published in Audio CD by Penguin Audio (2006-08-03)
Author: Wendy Spero
List price: $32.95
New price: $8.49
Used price: $7.82

Average review score:

LOVE this book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-15
This is such a great book! It's well written and witty - and completely hilarious! I actually enjoyed this book and found myself laughing out loud a lot more than I did when I read the new David Sedaris (which I also loved and don't tell him I'm saying this). Totally recommended. Go read this book immediately.

Nutty and awesome
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-16
This book was great. It is nice to know that there is someone out there as crazy as me and enjoys every minute of it! I'm going out to start a finger puppet collection today!

highly recommended
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-16
one of the funniest books i've ever read. very witty. laugh out loud funny.

You'll laugh until you hurt, flip the page, and repeat
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-07
Wow. What a total and utter surprise.

After reading the rave reviews on Amazon I figured I would get the book and it would be a letdown. Good, but not 5-star good. Well, I was wrong -- and the reviews were right. Do yourself a favor and get this book.

You probably won't learn any life lessons that you can teach your children, but you'll close the book with an understanding of life in another person's shoes. There were lots of things I was shocked about (people live like that?!) and just as many things I identified with (oh my gosh, me too!!). As soon as I finished this book I forced my roomate to read it -- every 5 minutes there was a roar of laughter from the next room for the next few nights.

Its honest. Its funny. You'll want to read it all, and you'll be sad when it is over. I recommend it.

This is a MUST!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-31
I do not read much non-fiction. I live real life. I read to escape it. But the bright neon yellow cover of this book was eye-catching. So, against my will, my feet walked up to it, my hand picked it up, and my eyes began reading. Before I knew it, hours had gone by and I had read the whole thing.

In this book, Wendy "Wendaay" Spero tells readers true stories about her life in a way that only she can do. From her childhood, to her awkward years, and on up to the present day. Being raised by a mother like Wendy's makes for some interesting memories. (I will think of Wendy and her mother every time I go to a fair from now on.)

***** Engrossing, packed with humor, and just all around fun, this is one book you will never forget. Very highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

V
The Modern Drunkard
Published in Paperback by (2005-10-25)
Author: Frank Kelly Rich
List price: $14.00
New price: $9.97
Used price: $8.87

Average review score:

It's funny but you will get the joke well before you finish
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-13
Very funny, but goes on a bit too long, especially given the fact that the theme is rather narrow. Worth a read if you like ironic and sarcastic humor, but you may find about 2/3rds of the way through that you get the joke and decide to move on. Recommended with reservations.

Funny, Entertaining, Easy Read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-07
I'm far from the level of alcoholic that Rich talks about, but alcohol is incorporated into my lifestyle, and I really enjoyed this book. The chapters are fairly short with short paragraphs, and the book altogether moves rather quickly and stays entertaining. As someone who usually gets bored by the end of a book, this was not a problem for me. I would recommend this to anyone who drinks even casually as a fun read.

Excellent all around
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-13
This book is so good its scary. Its not just about drinking (though it is primarily about drinking) it's about a true "seize the day" mentality and damn the torpedoes! It's a "Dangerous Book for Boys" that may actually be dangerous.
Packed with useful tidbits about bar etiquette and what it means to be a drinker, as well as a clear love of the history of libations and those who choose to partake of them.
And joy to read over and over and share with friends.

Recycled Material
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-01
This is an excellent book but I was a little disappointed to see that it was mostly recycled material. I am a subscriber to the Modern Drunkard magazine and it seems this paperback is a collection of their most amusing articles and such.

Nevertheless, it's absolutely worth purchasing, especially for those of you whom are not aware of the magazine's existance. It is laugh-out-loud funny, informative (believe-it-or-not) and encouraging for those of us who continue to lead a shameless life of debauchery.

Counter Oprah's Beach Club Book...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-23
I read this while on vacation at the beach. Please ensure that your cooler is fully stocked prior to cracking the spine. What a great find! This book is too funny for me to do it justice.

V
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (Amistad)
Published in Hardcover by Amistad (1987-03-31)
Author: John Steptoe
List price: $16.99
New price: $13.55
Used price: $13.01

Average review score:

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-05
Wonderful book about Manyara and Nyasha, daughters of an African King. This books shows that beauty comes from within. Manyara is a selfish sister and wants nothing more than to be queen and she will stop at nothing to be it. Nyasha is kind and loving and only wants to be happy. She sees the beauty in nature and people. A king from the neighboring town is searching for a wife and immediately Manyara wants to be queen. Manyara gets up early and sneaks to the village of the King but she is met by a little boy who wants food, and a elderly woman whom she is told to be kind too. She doesnt give the boy food and is verbally mean to the old woman. Nyasha goes through the forest and finds the same people but this time she gives food to the little boy. She is met by a woman who points the way to the city and she is kind to her and gives her sunflower seeds. As they approach the city, Manyara runs out and crying saying that she saw a snake with 5 heads and was telling her how rotten of a person she is. Nyasha is brave and walks in only to a find a simple snake for whom she was friends with. He tells her that he is the king and the elderly woman and little boy in the forest. He then asks her to be his queen because she is the most beautiful and kindhearted of them all.

Properly Cinderella
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-07
This is a sweet folktale, simple and straightforward where good is rewarded and evil is punished, though it does not come off as preachy. The African culture is very strong, and that what makes the book so appealing. The illustrations are incredible and detailed with plenty to absorb. The writing is somewhat complex, making this suitable for older children, though it would be perfect for a read-aloud.

I read this book when I was a kid!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-17
Can you imagine my surprise when I encountered this book on Amazon.com!

I am 18 years old and I read "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" in elementary school and I was enamored with the story then! And I still am. This "African Cinderella" is sure to resonate with young girls and make them curious about Africa.

It is the story of an African King who has two beautiful daughters, only one of them, Manyara, is mean, nasty, and "haughty" (this book is where I learned that word!) while Nyasha is sweet, compassionate and kind. When their father learns that a ruler of another kingdom is to take a wife, he decides that both of his beautiful daughters should go. However, Manyara arrogantly leaves alone to get there before her sister, ever so certain that she will be chosen.

On the way both her and her sister encounter a series of tasks and through these, their true characters are tested.

Other than a great story, the illustration is absolutely beautiful! They are artwork unto themselves. Love this book! I can't wait to purchase this for the little girls in my life! Or, i just may buy it to reminisce!

Amazing Book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-21
The illustrations are breathtaking. The story emphasizes the true ugliness of getting to the top no matter what, while at the same time showing the beauty of compassion, empathy, and taking the time to make true connections with others and embracing their essence. These are values that we must instill within our children. I read this story to my own beautiful daughters over and over and it opens the door for deep discussions about the nature of their special bond as sisters and the need to not face one another as competitors, but as lifetime companions and support for one another.

a beautiful African folk tale
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-13
This story is based on an African tale that is similar in nature to Cinderella. In this story a man named Mufaro had two beautiful daughters, one named Manyara, and one named Nyasha. Manyara is rude to Nyasha, who just calmly bears it. When a call comes saying the Great King wants a wife, Mufaro plans to take his daughters to the palace the next day. Manyara decides to leave in the night to make she is chosen to be Queen. During the journey she is rude to a number of people, who turn out to be the King himself, shape-shifted into those forms as well as the form of a garden snake well-known to Nyasha. When Nyasha passes the next day, she is kind where her sister was rude. Needless to say the King picks Nyasha, and they live happily.

The story is told well, and the language used is wonderful, though not quite as wonderful as the illustrations. They almost look more life-like than photographs. The way lighting is used is amazing, and they are just stunning pictures. Everything about this book is wonderful, with nothing to detract from it.

Loggie-log-log-log

V
Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer
Published in Hardcover by Da Capo Lifelong Books (2006-09-12)
Authors: Patti Balwanz, Kim Carlos, Jennifer Johnson, and Jana Peters
List price: $20.00
New price: $4.77
Used price: $4.77

Average review score:

Tearjerker Novel
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-06
This book was amazing.It is the story of four women in their fight against breast cancer.I couldn't put it down.I didn't want it to end.This book is not just about breast cancer.It inspires you to enjoy and appreciate life.I know a few women who have battled breast cancer and it made me feel closer to them.

Wonderful!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-10
I read about this book in People magazine and just had to get it. The book was even better than I could even imagine. Would recommend buying the book for all your girlfriends. A real tear jerker!

FANTASTIC!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-22
I have been a long-time supporter of breast cancer research and really enjoyed the tales of these women who were all diagnosed much younger than anyone thought possible. This book made me laugh and cry. While I was sad when it was over, I walked away inspired and uplifted. Would make a perfect gift for any woman in your life!

Inspiring, Frank and Honest!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-20


I had the pleasure of meeting Kim at a Komen event where she was the keynote speaker. I of course bought the book after her talk.
Nodies at Noon is a very honest account of breast cancer in young women. The four women each write their experiences on several poignant topics. While some issues are universal to all women going through the breast cancer experience, this book highlights certain issues unique to young women. Child birth and motherhood are two examples.
The book is bittersweet with one of the authors losing their battle with the disease, and one giving birth to a second child. Like Kim herself, the book is warm and thoughtful.
I would recommend it to anyone going through breast cancer or supporters of breast cancer patients.

Great Book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-28
I bought this for my mom, a breast cancer survivor. I had read a bit of it before I gave it to her and really like the style, very clever and real. My mom did say she is enjoying the book but would have rather had it while she was going through her treatments. She says that it is hard to go back to that place in time be it in films, tv, or books. She is very involved in helping other women going through treatments and says that she plans to use this book to help her new friends. Best of luck to those of you out there facing this horrible cancer or have loved ones in this situation, but you are never alone and there are always angels when you least expect it.

V
On the Loose
Published in Paperback by (2001-05-10)
Authors: Jerry Russell and Renny Russell
List price: $14.95
New price: $25.91
Used price: $9.85
Collectible price: $24.75

Average review score:

I don't know why
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-02
but encountering this book again after 35 years brings tears to my eyes.

(A note on the description: If you will examine the font in the text, it's "Tang-jar", not "Jang-jar." Tang is the orange flavored powder concentrate that the early astronauts drank in space. At least that's what the commercials said. Untold thousands of ordinary Americans drank it too.)

On the loose
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-21
Excellent, quick read...wide range of quotes both poetry and proes...pics are breathtaking...these two young men have infected me with their philosophy of life.

LOOKING BEYOND THE RISE
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-08
What a treasure to find that On The Loose is still around. This book is full of wonder and joy on every page. On The Loose found me in 1967 when I was an undergraduate student. It is still with me. I was wandering and On The Loose spoke to me of the wilderness as something full of awe. This is truly a beautiful book. It continues to remind me over and over that, as I can see I will keep looking and as long as I can walk, I will keep moving. I am so happy that with the reprinting of On The Loose it will now find its way into my grown children's hands as they continue to make their way and look beyond the light and dark.

There are so many wonderful and amazing photographs and quotes in this book. This book is truly an invitation towards insights gained by looking outward and beyond. Let yourself go beyond where you can barely see. Buy this book. Always ride for the high points! This is the book to take with you.

D. Budd
Edmonton, AB Canada

Desert Island book...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-06
If I had to choose 10 books that I would bring with me to a desert island, this would be one of them.

A nice little book
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-07
This is an enjoyable little book full of photos taken by two brothers in the 1960s. The photos are all from the brothers' road trips across the U.S., but the stories of these trips aren't really here. Instead, the brothers pair each photos with a quote, in the classic Sierra Club style. Many of the quotes are from famous works, many are from the brothers themselves. Some don't make sense at all, such as a quote from a deer that's somehow multiple millennia old. Hmmm.
The book does have a GREAT photo of a girl looking sadly at a rising Lake Powell/flooding Glen Canyon, and a good section on Glen Canyon in general. However, I wish the book had more on the brothers' actual story, as the photos of them look intriguing, and the book's afterward mentions that one of the brothers died shortly before the book's initial publication.
I recommend this for Glen Canyon scholars, those interested in the Sierra Club and this century's environmenal movement and grainy sixties imagery, but I don't see how it's the life changing book that some people say it is. It didn't strike me that way.


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