Education Books

My sons loved this quiet book and asked to count the items in the lovely illustrations endlessly. Anno includes a bit of whimsy on the final page if you are thorough in your counting!

I bought this "big" book to use in my Kindergarten classroom. There are abundant activities, found on the internet in an author search, for young children about counting, sequencing and comparing that can springboard from this excellent resource.

This book is wonderful for teaching counting, groups of a number, time, and many more math concepts, The kids like the pictures and finding the different sets in each picture.

The book Anno's Counting Book is a great book for helping children with counting and learning basic math concepts. It helps with addition and subtraction as well as grouping items. The book starts at zero, which is one of few books that start with zero. This helps children grab the concept the zero is still a number even when there is nothing to count. The book goes all the way through the number 12. Children are also able to count the objects in the picture. Each object in that picture contains that number that is on the page.
The style of the book is very simple for young children. Each page contains one number. On that page there is only that specific number of items that children are able to participate and count along. On the left side of each page are counting blocks. The blocks can help children with their addition and subtraction by seeing how many blocks are missing or how many they have to add to make a certain number. On the right side of the page there is the written form of the number which helps children visually see what the number looks like. The illustrations in the book are also very colorful and detailed, but yet simple enough for the children to count the objects in the picture. As you go throughout the book, the pictures also change through the different seasons of the year.
The book Anno's Counting Book is a great wordless book for children who are just learning how to count. It helps with addition, subtraction, grouping items, and writing numbers.

I have bought numerous copies of this book to give to the children of relatives and friends. I got my first copy of it when my son (now 27) was small, and he loved it. I have one copy that I keep at home for myself, though I have no grandchildren yet--the pictures are so lovely, simple, and comforting, and I usually have one or two more books in stock to give as gifts. Everyone I have given a book to loves it as well. I like all of the other Anno books that I have seen, but I think this is the best.

I bought this book for my son with the anticipation of next buying the Besty and Billy book. He enjoys it and I liked it too. I'm sure it can be easily read by a beginner.

Carolyn Haywood wrote "B" is for Betsy in 1939, but this story of a young girl's first year at school is timeless.

Betsy is an only child who is not looking forward to the first grade because Old Ned, a hired hand on her grandfather's farm, has shared unpleasant memories of the school he attended in his youth. Betsy soon discovers, however, that her own experience will be quite unlike Old Ned's. Her teacher is kind and friendly, and the classroom has neither a switch nor a dunce cap. Betsy quickly befriends Ellen, a little girl in her class, and Mr. Kilpatrick, the police officer who helps the children cross a busy street on the way to school.

The children in Betsy's class build a model of a Native American village and watch tadpoles turn into frogs. The first graders assemble a Thanksgiving basket for a poor, elderly woman who makes her living by selling pretzels, and give a circus performance for the sixth graders, which is enlivened by a visit by an organ-grinder and his monkey.

Outside of the classroom, the adventures continue. Betsy saves her money to buy Ellen the perfect birthday present. She rescues a lost dog and is given a cocker spaniel puppy. When Betsy goes to her grandfather's farm for the summer, she is thrilled when Ellen joins her.

This gentle story is timeless, and only a few words betray the fact that it was written nearly seventy years ago---for example, the word "policeman" instead of "police officer" or "Indian" instead of "Native American".

The children are occasionally naughty, but their transgressions are mild and their contrition sincere. The adults do hold the children accountable for their misbehavior, but are helpful and understanding instead of harsh.

This is an excellent book for children who are ready for chapter books, but are too young or sensitive to handle books with frightening or disturbing themes.

Carolyn Haywood's books were written in the 40's and 50's, yet they are timeless in their appeal. The stories about a spunky little girl and her loving family, friends, and school life are great to read aloud and a equally good for a child starting longer chapter books. This is the first in a series of books about Betsy and her friends, so there is lots more fun to look forward to when you finish the last chapter!

I would recommend all of Carolyn Haywood's delightful Betsy books but only with their cute charming short dressed illustrations.

I was 7 years old, in the second grade when our teacher read the book "B is for Betsy". After our teacher had finished the book I checked it out myself to read again. Within a couple of months I had read through the entire twelve book series.
The story is of Betsy and her childhood adventures. You will meet her mother, father, grandparents and friends in this delightful story. The storyline is innocent, clean and wholesome the way childhood should be. I also love the illustrations which were done by the author as well, they are beautiful works of art which fuel a child's imagination.
This is the best book series for young children. I would also recommend the other books written by Miss Haywood. You can find them listed on the Amazon website or your local library. They are a delight to children of all ages!

I enjoyed this book overall. There only seemed to be a few aspects missing....such as in the baby chapter about cloth diapers. She makes it sound as though there's only one style, when in fact there are loads and loads to choose from--and you can always dry them in the sun (at least during the summer) thus saving even more energy. So if you're having a baby, keep looking into diapers beyond the scope of this book.

The other small (big) thing she didn't mention in the gardening chapter was how destructive peat moss is, and how it's being banned in most of Europe with end-dates in sight, whereas nothing of the sort has happened here yet. Peat bogs contain 10% of the earth's fresh water and cannot recover as quickly as we harvest them for garden use. So don't use PEAT! Even though it's usually one of the cheapest "organic" garden mulches in North America. Also, don't buy peat seed pots (the kind that you can just plant in the ground when you move the seedlings outside)...use coir (coconut husk) instead.

Other than that, I liked her opinions and some of her strategies....some will work better for some people than others, depending of course on family size and where you live.

This is an incredible book that I recommend to anyone interested in finding ways to help save the world one step at a time. I absolutely love this book.

This is a wonderful, timely book that is easy to read. I keep it handy and use it as a resource before shopping. It is easy to find the info that you need to be green, healthy and safe with lots of good websites to visit and an index. Plus, many of the tips also save you money. What's not to love?!

While the book is good I found myself wondering why another book with most of the same information other writers recent and past have written, or are found free on the Internet. But then I figured maybe there are people who still don't know how to buy wise or even don't buy at all.

What with all the ads in the media and folks like Al Gore, Ed Begley Jr and others telling everyone to buy energy star appliances, fuel efficient cars, organic foods and clothing, changing light bulbs etc doesn't everyone know these things?

Or reading labels and not buying things with words on the label you cannot pronounce. Or using lemon, white vinegar, baking soda to clean, rather than buy cleaning products that arent healthy for human or earth, much less 'green' products made by big corportations who want to make $$$ from the green band wagon they just jumped on.

So I calmed down and tried to look harder at whom she hoped would buy the book and learn from it.

So if you are the average American in the big house, who loves shopping malls, buying fast food or eating out, have a closet full of clothes, family members with all the new toys, high tech goodies, two cars in the driveway, credit card debt, and other middle class issues, this book could be of great help.

Buy eight of these books--get free shipping--and give them to your daughters, nieces, neighbors and every other sensible woman you can think of. Full of highly useful, and inspirational, info. Also astonishing statistics. And a pleasure to read.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this. I like this book because it is very interesting and it tells stories about fake people but real events.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this. I like this book because it is very interesting and it tells stories about fake people but real events.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this.

"That's it Savon barked, charging Hakeem like an enraged lion." This book is called Blood is Thicker by Paul Langan and D.M Blackwell.

This book takes place in a low class suburb in Detroit Michigan. It is about a boy named Hakeem who moves from California to Detroit because, his father is very sick and they cannot afford there house so, they come live with their uncle. Savon is Hakeems cousin. They were good friends when they were young but they have lost contact. We Hakeem got there he wonder why Savon was being mean to him. He also meets this girl next door who he thinks is pretty. He teaches her how to play guitar. It's a way for him to relive stress and have a fun time with her. Savon had been sneaking around came home late at night. So Uncle James asked him to find out what Savon was up to. There had been robberies almost every store on Main Street except his father furniture store. Then the real bad blood between the two begins. The ending is a shock. This is a fictional novel. I would recommend this book for any middle school student. This is the eighth book in the Bluford High series. The next book is Brothers in Arms. If you like big endings this book is for you.

When I was a child, no one ever wrote about Black children. We were still calling each other whenever a Black person was coming on TV, "Nat King Cole gonna be on TV tonight." Now, 53 and grandmother to a host of children, to them I can read a tale about Black girls and boys who have adventures, rise above their fears, and so help me God, save the whole wide world! And what a world! Faracadar, where the youngest child continues the bloodline and creatures do, literally, laugh themselves to death. Where people are green and blue, and music, MUSIC, saves lives and chases away evil. I had to wait 53 years before a Black girl could ride the white horse, only to have Ms. Wachspress bare the girl away on a tiger. What fun! How wonderful that a new generation of all children can read of adventures set in my culture. A children's book? Perhaps, but one that reminds us of how to live with and respect each other and the Earth, and of how to fight, and with truth and honor. The Call to Shakabaz is a true, true delight!

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 9) for Reader Views (6/07)

Do you want to read a good adventure book with a great storyline and no violence? If you do, you will want to check out this one. "The Call to Shakabaz" by Amy Wachspress follows four recently-orphaned Goodacre children on a mission to do something for their mother who died two months ago.

The Goodacre children named Doshmisi, Denzel, Maia and Sonjay, are living with Aunt Alice and aren't too happy about it. They were raised in the city with malls, computers, televisions and video games. Aunt Alice has none of that in her farmhouse on Manzanita Ranch. They wish they had some adventure. Be careful what you wish for, you might just find out that you have more danger than the boring countryside. The four children take along Bayard Rustin, a talking parrot who doesn't make much sense but has a mind of his own.

One midsummer day, they meet Amethyst who is the gatekeeper of Faracadar. They are armed with their amulets that were given them by Uncle Martin, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alice. They are told to wear these amulets well and with ingenuity, creativity, compassion, courage and hunger for the truth. The amulets must never leave the neck of the children because no one can take them from them unless they would lose their life. Doshmisi is also given a healing book called Herbal which will magically open to the page of the recipe of something to heal the person.

I really enjoyed traveling with the kids to meet all the different people on their trip. There were parts of this book which were funny. Having a powder which will change you into a different color to hide you would be very fun to have sometimes. Of course, your true colors will come out anyway. There is only so much hiding a person can do. Amy Wachspress has a great imagination. I will definitely read this book again! I liked how there weren't violent scenes in the book like a lot of books out there. This book is terrific reading for ages 9-14. It is fun to see that kids our age can do something important too, even if it is a fantasy book. I could see teachers making this a part of their reading class. There is a study guide at the back of this book too. Answer "The Call to Shakabaz' and enjoy the adventure!

Note from Brianne's mother: This book is a terrific fantasy book for kids. With the popularity of the Narnia series, "The Call to Shakabaz" could easily become a favorite for students and teachers. It kept Brianne very enthused about reading and she couldn't wait to finish reading it.

Head Start administrator Amy Wachspress presents The Call to Shakabaz, a fantasy novel for ages eight to eighty following four newly orphaned children who discover a surprising secret about their family. Accompanied by a pestering parrot, they travel to the faraway land of Faracadar, and seek the immensely powerful Staff of Shakabaz in hope of using it to end the tyranny of the evil enchanter Sissrath. Their adventure carries them over land and sea, into the dungeonlike depths of the Final Fortress, and each of them must discover their own talents and gifts in order to have any hope of survival, let alone success in their mission. Highly recommended.

Colour, music, scents and sentiment spill out of this pictureless fantasy novel and sweep us into a story of suspense, self-discovery and nonviolent resistance. Our girls laughed, swooned, quaked and cheered -- then happily chirped "Satyagraha!".

Doshmisi, Denzel, Maia, and Sonjay always thought Aunt Alice's Manzanita Ranch was a great place to visit, but they never thought they would have to live there. But when their mother died unexpectedly, that's where they moved to. It hasn't been very long since then, and the kids are bored stiff. It's a good thing they have the family Midsummer party to look forward to. Although without their mom, or even the cousins who are inexplicably absent, even that might not be much fun.

What starts out as a rather dull, depressing day gets a lot more interesting with a strange lesson in family history. It turns out that the two brothers and two sisters are "The Four." Descendants of a line of four brothers and sisters who can pass through their own dimension and into Faracadar. With their mother gone, the time of their mother and aunt and uncles have passed. It is up to the new Four now.

But what is "it"? Trust me, they want to know as much as you do. Unfortunately, one of the rules is that they don't get to know much the first time around. All they know is that they have to get the Staff of Shakabaz away from a guy named Sissrath. Who that is, how they do it, why they have to, and even what Faracadar is, they'll have to figure out for themselves. They'll have to work together, learning what each of their strengths are and how to use them, and maybe they'll be able to pull it all off.

THE CALL TO SHAKABAZ is richly imagined and incredibly detailed, both land and story. At first it's a bit like a modern version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia). But by the end of the tale you realize it's so much deeper than that. This is a book about finding personal strength, in all different forms, and appreciating the talents of others, and the strength in uniting different people, and so much more! I want to buy a copy for everyone I know, regardless of age, race, or sex. It's part fantasy, part history lesson, part real life -- I can't even describe it! But, it's beautiful, and it's kind of a picture of what I'd like to see our world look like. Although maybe without the greenish sun -- that might be a little weird.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

This book was great... books like this always are. I thought that I knew how things would turn out, until the ending just twisted and I was shocked. But I know that everyone is making such a big deal out of the ending... well, it was a really good ending. But the whole book was fantastic. Suspenseful and wonderful, especially for fans of the series. I'm going to read Inner Circle as soon as I get my hands on a copy!

this is my best book series ever it has great characters and a interesting storyline.the ending shocked me!!!! i always get shocked towards the ends of this series its var the best series ever!!!! i really cant wait until inner circle and i hope that some characters come back its an interesting read just like all the other books in the series and i recommend it 100 %

I was truly surprised with the outcome and how it all turned out. I knew that Noelle, Kiran, Ariana, and Taylor had some input in Thomas death; however this is not the ending I predicted. This was so much better. I applaud Kate Brian immensly, this series is quite entertaining. Not that I dont enjoy series' like Gossip Girl and The A-list, but I love how this one adds more drama aside from the typical love triangles. Granted this does have a love triangle, but the depth behind it and all the scandal makes this one way better. I think that I can safely say most of the Private readers truly enjoy how the books turn out. I do however think that Confessions should have been the end. I think that it was a perfect ending. On the other hand, I could be wrong. The way Kate Brian writes Inner Circle should be great! I hope things start to look brighter for Reed, but then again I love drama!

Confessions was a really wounderful book. I ahve to admit i really like all of Kate Brian's books, they are easy reads so i feel like i acomplished something. I enjoy them very much. Thank you Kate Brian for making quick and easy reads!

Reed Brennan has had nothing but endless drama the minute she entered Easton Academy. She had finally left her dysfunctional family in boring Pennsylvanian suburbia and was getting ready for higher learning and a normal social life. The Billings Girls are the most beautiful, enigmatic and popular girls at the academy, and Reed had wanted to be part of their circle at all cost. She could not have imagined all of the stuff that has transpired since then. Her boyfriend Thomas, who wooed her the second she set foot into the school, was a drug dealer and a drunk. Then he turned out dead. His roommate, the adorable Josh, has a thing for Reed, but has some issues of his own. Now he's suspected of murdering Thomas. Reed knows that he did not murder his former roommate, and the only two people who can prove it -- the school's secretary and Thomas's brother, Blake -- are not willing to go to the police. But there are other things that don't make sense. What are the Billings girls hiding? Why is Taylor gone? Christmas is fast approaching, but things seem bleak from where Reed is standing. When will the real killer step forward and make his/her confession so that she and Josh could pick up where they left off?

There are many twists in Confessions, the fourth installment in the Private series. Many of the clues that lead to the flooring ending of this book go back to the first installment, which leaves me thinking just how well-structured this story is. I don't want to write any spoilers, but this will make you think back to the previous installments and say, "Ah, so that is why such and such person behaved that way!" Josh is wonderful, a great romantic interest for Reed. Reed is a great heroine; she actually stands up to Noelle and the others in this installment, but she is still a little too dependent upon them, which annoys me. Noelle is a control freak and a spoiled little biatch who thinks the world revolves around her, but sometimes she does something so surprising that your opinion of her, once decided, wavers a bit. I've begun to really like Natasha and Cheyenne, a small character from Invitation Only, is surprisingly nice in this book. Constance isn't in this book a lot though, which disappointed me. It's nice that Reed has a "normal" friend at Easton. Anyway, fans of this series will love the twists and turns in this installment. I for one can't wait to read Inner Circle. Based on the turns of events in the story, I have a feeling that Reed's position at the Billings Hall is about to change in more ways than one. The one disappointment, like the other Private books, is that it ended too quickly for me. I read it in one day, and it could have ended much sooner. I wish I could read a book in one single sitting, but I do have other things to do! I have no idea how the number one reviewer on this web site is able to read three books or more in one single day (like she says on her profile). I wish I could do that. Chance would be a fine thing. :-)

I just bought this book and already have learned so much i cant put it down.
Lots of great advice from an expert. I already have checked out the web site she recommends and hope to get started as a freelance proofreader soon.

It sounds corny, but this book made me believe in myself as an aspiring copyeditor. The chapters on freelancing are especially helpful for someone with no experience and no idea how to break into the industry. This is the book I had been looking for!

easy to read and great info on editing and how it can work for me and my career. enjoyed learning from it...highly recommend it.

This book is easy-to-read, straightforward, and so informative. I've been able to build my at-home business as a freelance proofreader much more quickly than I anticipated; all thanks to this invaluable resource! Learning the ins and outs of copyediting and proofreading is made simple, quick, and fun.

I've been doing some freelance proofreading work, but I didn't know how much I still had to learn until reading this book! Sue Gilad has a lot of information: everything from grammar rules and spelling mistakes to the differences between copyediting and proofreading (glad SOMEONE could finally pinpoint the differences!). This book is clearly written and a wonderful resouce. The only thing I think it could have improved upon was the secion for finding freelance jobs. In Gilad's online book Paid to Proofread (paidtoproofread[dot]com), she offers more in-depth suggestions about creating a resume from zilch, and also ofers more in depth info about approaching editors. On the other hand, the Dummies book contains way more information about resources and grammar. All in all, this is the most comprehensive and clearly written book on proofreading I've read.

I read this book on the recommendation of an online buddy who belongs to a metaphysical discussion group. He called it a primer on manifesting and I have to say . . . this book delivers!

It gives simple exercises (many of them) that the author has used in his seminars. It is sprinkled with stories from attendees and the results they have seen but it is NOT heavy handed in this respect.

The language of the book is simple and clear. The author is very funny and not out to prove anything. He is just passing on really useful information. I am in the process of experimenting with the techniques and when the results come in, I'll update this review.

I recommend this book because it is very easy to read, very easy to understand, down to earth, and funny.

Happy reading!

Finally, finally! I've just ordered another (used) copy of David St. Clair's 'Instant ESP'. I bought a new copy years and years ago - loaned it to a dear friend after she heard my raves about the book - she subsequently lost it - and I never got over its absence. (I've never loaned another book since then which was that precious to me. I'll buy a book and give it away, now, but upon realizing this book was out of print when I tried to replace it was almost devastating to me.) The lessons really are instant! I've bought, read and studied much material since my initial purchase of David's 'Instant ESP' but nothing has ever replaced its importance to me regarding this subject. It's difficult to understand why this book is not currently in publication!

Read all the reviews... but get this book, if you are at all interested in expanding your mental abilities. It is clear, concise, conversationally written, and the directions are easy to follow. No jargon, no aura of mysticism, nothing suggesting that you must be "above and beyond" the rest of mankind to make any or all of these skills work for you... THE FIRST TIME YOU TRY THEM! They are amazing, and most importantly, they are effective, and efficient. Find yourself a copy of this book... it is truly a must-have, or, at the very least, a must-read!

The book is straightforward written in a slight "sassy 70's" lingo. One of the core chapters on the Subconscious David has you commanding your subconscious as your servant with no intentionality of it's own. His description might be valid and even better for this process of instructing the "little man". The core practice is the "secret" of bringing in the "Cosmic Forces". I tried this exercise with and without saying the
lines and felt the same physical sensations (not judging just observing). One interesting thing about that practice was
the mentally saying things while holding your breath. Osho in "The Book of Secrets" mentions holding of the breath
as the most potent method of focusing one's attention. Maybe David has tuned in on that? The only other ESP book I've read is by Jane Roberts.

This book literally saved the life of a loved one in "impossible"
circumstances twice! Thats only 2 of the things that its done
for me. An amazing little book by a man who's been President of
a few different American psychic societies and has a way of coming across which is so down to earth and easy to approach that your level of education doesn't matter. I think thats great.

I also think its amazing the number of books on Amazon and [another store] on this subject that don't get as nearly as many reviews from folks telling you how THEY got specific results from the use of this little book.

I've read many of St. Clair's books and was inspired to create a FREE MSN (microsoft network) community dedicated to him and his books. There are many books out there more sophisticated and prestigious but few that will get you the RESULTS you want as quick or as successfully. That's a rare talent. Thanks David!!

Great book for reference and self study if you remember your circuit analysis and laplace transforms. Very detailed with out making ones eyes gloss over. Do wish it had a few more d examples but overall cant complain.

Mulling through some old reviews, I noticed that I left a technical error (more of a technical glossing-over) in my review of Franco's opus. It's high time I corrected it, since it's been there for more than a year, no doubt befuddling readers who thought they knew something about analog electronics. Specifically, I had said that the designation of the input terminals as '+' and '-' really made no difference: it's more reflective of convention, sciz. (assuming something other than a difference amplifier), the significant input network is attached to '-'--with '+' grounded--if the configuration is inverting, but to '+' (with '-' grounded) if the configuration is non-inverting. That's the truth, but it isn't the whole truth. When we examine border cases--those that tax the operational limits of the device, straying outside the "passband," analogically speaking (yes, I know, that typically refers to a frequency range, but here I use it to address an input voltage difference range)--the otherwise cosmetic or mnemonic choice of '+' or '-' terminal becomes rather more manifest. Remember that the amplifier actually amplifies the input voltage difference in the microscopic sense--even though it implements a semantically notable linear operation in the macroscopic sense--relying upon the feedback network to remanufacture an appropriate input voltage difference that maintains the nominal purpose of the circuit. When things go ape and the input voltage difference is much too high or, alternatively, much too low (and that may be a tough nut to crack), the output characteristic will be dependent upon what was connected to '+' and what, to '-'.

Now, wasn't that as clear as mud? Remember, I'm constrained to use words, and words alone, as my medium of communication, and, since I have only a fraction of a thousand words, I have only a fraction of a picture!

This book can be an excellent resource for any Analog Integrated Circuit Design Electrical Engineering student or practicing engineer. The book can assist in the modeling of IC devices such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors. It also sensibly covers the building blocks of analog integrated circuits: gain stages, output stages, level shifters, current sources and mirrors.

The reader is expected to have a general understanding of electronics, frequency-domain analysis procedures, and understand basic Pspice operations. The book generally covers enough material for a half-year of courses at the upper-division/graduate level although the book could certainly be useful for a single class.

The material generally starts out as basic and proceeds to a complex level. There are helpful figures and diagrams on nearly every page and the organization is generally sensible and intuitive. There are many worked examples and hundreds of end-of-chapter problems. The text is supported by a website that offers downloadable design projects, additional examples, and design software. Franco has done an admiral job at presenting a complicated subject.

Here's a brief description of SOME of the topics found in each chapter:

1) Basic amplifier concepts and arrangements are explored. Also covers negative feedback, the loop gain, and basic circuit analysis.

2) Current-to-Voltage & Voltage-to-Current Converters, Current, Difference, Instrumentation, and Transducer Bridge Amplifiers.

3) Active Filters. Transfer Function, 1st order, KRC, multiple-feedback, state-variable, audio, and biquad filters.

4) Filter Approximations, switched-capacitor, universal sc filters, and cascade design.

5) Low-input bias-current Op amps, low-input-offset-voltage Op Amps, Op Amp Circuit Diagrams, and Input offset Voltage.

6) Open and Closed loop response. Transient Response, Input and Output Impedances, and effect of Finite GBP on Filters and Integrator Circuits.

7) Noise Dynamics and Properties. Sources of Noise and Low-Noise Op Amps.

8) Stability problems. Stability of CFA Circuits and in Constant-GBP Op Amp Circuits. Internal and External Frequency Compensation.

9) Schmitt Triggers, analog switches, voltage comparators, and precision rectifiers.

10) Sine, Triangular, Sawtooth, and Monolithic Wave Generators. Also Multivibrators and V-F and F-V Converters.

11) Voltage References and Regulators. Switching, linear, and monolithic switching regulators.

12) Performance Specifications, D-A and A-D Conversion Techniques. Oversampling Converters and Multiplying DAC Applications.

13) Nonlinear Amplifiers. Phase-Locked Loops, Monolithic PLLs, Analog Multipliers. Log/Antilog and Operational Transconductance Amplifiers.

This is an excellent book on linear circuit design, the best I have read to-date. It covers feedback theory, ideal op amps, active filter design & most importantly practical op amp limitations. It also covers voltage regulators, voltage references, ADCs, DACs, op amp noise & more. What I liked most was the combination of mathematical circuit analysis & practical design. Too many books show useful circuits without bothering to explain anything about how they work. It also has plenty of exercises to tax the brain.

Really a top notch book on op-amps and almost anything you'd ever do with them. Has math where it's needed and rules of thumb where it isn't. Actually is just a great analog design book altogether. Really the definative text on the subject of designing with op-amps.

This was a 9th Birthday present for my nephew. It kept him entertained for hours! He loved the book and still uses it almost daily after 8 months.

This book has many examples of step-by-step drawings. The only drawback might be that there is very little explanation. You learn mainly by copying the examples. It has a great selection of different cool cars and vehicles to draw. Equally good for young teens or adults.

I have the 1993 publication of this book, and it's amazing. It teaches you how to draw cars in general, not just the ones shown in the book.

Hi!!The book is wonderful for beginers.It helps you get the basic right.Almost all aspect are covered so that you can start sketching cars on your own like side view,3d view.Gives detail information for drawing tyres.This book has helped me a lot and I would recommend this book to everyone without any hesitation.

I bought this book for myself as a 37th B-day gift and realized after all those years.... I can draw!!! : ) My wife swears I've taken art before but I haven't. After drawing 2 cars I used the techniques to draw a car out of another book and it looks good. I am my toughest critic and I like what I see. I bought 2 other books which cost more and they don't teach you half as much as what you learn with this book. I wish someone had given me this for my 9th B-day. Good luck.