Language Arts Books

I own about $150 worth of books on indie publishing (not counting this one.) They are some of the best books you can pick up on the subject. So it's easy to think "no one needs another book on indie publishing." If you think that, you'd be wrong.

This book fills in gaps that others miss. Including step by step D-I-Y typesetting so specific a trained monkey could do it.

While not every part of this book will equally apply to everyone and their personal situation, it is definitely a much needed addition on any indie artist's shelf.

While I feel some things an indie should contract out individually for, which specific things will depend on the individual's specific skill set. i.e. If you are a graphic artist, you probably don't need to hire a designer, but if you have no eye for graphic design or no skills in that area, you may want to.

One of the great benefits of this book is it assumes a D-I-Y approach to all facets of the book. So instead of just assuming you personally can't design a cover, or typeset a book, or whatever this book tells you how to do it yourself.

If what is outlined is outside your abilities after it's been explained to you, then of course one can contract out. But when operating on a shoestring it's good to do some of it on your own.

It is probably true to say that writing a book has never been easier than it is today. The sheer facility of composition with a computer word processing programme has removed one of the great barriers to producing a large volume of text. At the same time, it is also probably true to say that it has never been more difficult to place a book with a publishing company, the reasons for which are persuasively presented at the beginning of April Hamilton's wonderfully comprehensive guide to independent publishing, The IndieAuthor Guide.

As a man, as a previously published author, it might seem that I would have no need of such a self-help volume. Men, supposedly, hesitate to ask for advice or assistance, particularly from women; published authors are - erm - published. Why would one of them want to think about independent publishing? Well, the fact is that I, along with many other published writers, am published no longer. I am still writing, however, and so independent publishing is an increasingly beckoning way out of the impasse I find myself in. But how on earth does one go about it? Enter Ms Hamilton.

The IndieAuthor Guide leads even the chronically inept (I'm thinking of myself) along the road from desire to achievement. It seems to me that there is nothing the would-be independent author needs to know that is not covered, in detail and with examples, in this splendid guide. Even when Ms Hamilton tells her readers that she cannot offer advice on something (the legal aspects of Kindle publication, for example), she promptly offers a link to a site where such advice will be forthcoming.

Some readers might possibly be disappointed that this guide is particularly centred on independent publication through Amazon and its subsidiaries, but the truth is that Amazon is very much the big boy in this particular world now. That minor quibble aside, the vast majority of the advice in the book is as relevant to other independent publishing venues as it is to Amazon.

All in all, The IndieAuthor Guide seems to me to be an excellent and timely helpmate to writers pondering new ways of setting their work before the public. "Come on, you can do it," this guide seems to say, and it does not deceive in this. A five-star piece of work if ever there was one.

After recently writing and publishing two books of my own and spending most of my time learning the hard way (trial and error - mostly error) I was kicking myself for not taking the time and doing the right searches to find this book before and not after the 100's if not 1000's of hours of writing time. After a while you quit counting. April's book is indeed a breath of fresh air in otherwise stuffed rooms of misleading, and often wrong information. I was very appreciative of finding so much information in one source. Took a few pages to unravel the meaning of the title - Indieauthor Guide - but this may have been intentional as the style of writing develops like a story - one chapter at a time - uncovering the hidden secrets in the publishing industry. Great job - great writing - April did her homework.

Reading this book is a must for the writer who is trying to self publish their work. Everything you need to know or could ever have a question about is covered. I had the honor of reading it before publication and I found it extremely helpful and easy to understand. The author has done a massive amount of research.

April Hamilton gives a brief background to the publishing business as a whole and then leads you from start to finish on getting your work into print. She covers subjects like getting started, formatting, editing and designing your own cover as well as promotion and getting a website up. Everything is in plain easy to understand language so it is very easy to follow if you are new at this. In my opinion this book is a must have.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is informative, well outlined, well written, and covers a topic close to my heart - self publishing. This book is divided into the following 12 chapters:

1. Indie authorship: An introduction
2. Publishing options
3. Getting organized
4. Creating your brand
5. DIY formatting for POD
6. Editing and revising
7. Designing your own book cover
8. Publishing through CreateSpace
9. Publishing for Kindle
10. Publishing for other eBook formats
11. Promotion
12. An HTML primer

At one point the author says that subsidy and vanity publishing don't offer any advantages over POD publishing these days. I'm not sure this is true. After reading Aaron Shepard's book entitled "Aiming at Amazon" (ISBN: 093849743X) last year I learned that small text does not print as well with POD. Nor do pictures in the book using POD technology. And if the book is going to be over 200 pages or so, then POD might get a little expensive as compared to traditional printing methods. But if you understand the ins and outs of POD publishing, then it is definitely the route to go in order to sell your writing on Amazon. A good, but slightly dated, book on POD is "Print-on-Demand Book Publishing" (ISBN: 0972380132).

Although I haven't read "The Frugal Book Promoter" (ISBN: 193299310X), it is my understanding that it goes into some depth about the importance of branding when promoting one's book. Chapter 4 in the instant book did a nice job explaining the importance of branding.

Although I haven't read "Perfect Pages" (ISBN: 0938497332), it is my understanding that it goes into some depth about how to create formatted Word documents for Print on Demand (POD). Chapter 5 in the instant book did a wonderful job explaining how to use Word to format your self published book copy for POD.

This afternoon at Barnes & Noble I read "The Frugal Editor" (ISBN: 0978515870) and found it to be a good book. But I liked the coverage of how to edit and revise (or get help in editing and revising) in Chapter 6 of the instant book. Well done!

Mr. Shepard in "Aiming at Amazon" explained how to go about designing your book's cover if you were going to use Lightning Source, Inc. as your POD printing service. In Chapter 7 of the instant book we are told how to design a cover if we are going to use Amazon's CreateSpace printing service. I think this coverage could have gone into a little more detail on how to use and customize graphic files. But it was certainly good coverage on the topic.

The material covered in chapters 8 and 9 I have not seen in print in other books yet. They were well done. And Chapter 10 was informative.

Chapter 11 covered promotion well. I liked it. Other books on the subject I like are: "Sell Your Book on Amazon" (ISBN: 1432701967), "Plug Your Book!" (ISBN: 0977240614), and "The Author's Guide to Building an Online Platform" (ISBN: 1884956823). But consider getting another book ["The Web Savvy Writer" (ISBN: 0977830403)] sold as an ebook by its author, and an audio book entitled "Secrets of Successful Blogging System" (ISBN: 0978806018) which is kind of pricey, but really good. If you get all these resources, read them, and study them, then you should have an excellent idea about how to go about marketing your tome or tomes.

Chapter 12 was OK. But I think I would have liked the book better if it had been left out. It kind of felt as though it was not within the scope of the book's subject matter. All in all, this book is a gem. I think it is good as a stand-alone guide, but it will really shine if used in conjunction with other books I have referenced in this review. 5 stars!

These are a great tool for students grades 1-3! I love that my students create their own Star of the Week posters without going overboard. These are perfect!

I really like using this in my classroom. It's a great way to get to know each student throughout the year. I allow for them to share their poster, and have a mini share with their favorite things that they bring from home.

GREAT for a beginning of the year project with kids... let them use their imagination and their markers!!

I plan to use these personal posters with each student of the week. After the poster is completed and returned, it will be laminated and displayed. The students can take them home at the end of the week to display at home or give as a gift to a relative.

I have my students fill out there poster whenever they are chosen as the Star Student of the week. Each student can present their poster, take a few questions, and then bask in the glory of having their poster hanging in the hall for the week. Also, after the poster has been presented, I have every student write a friendly letter to the Star Student. All letters are made into a booklet that the Star Student receives at the end of their week.

This is a great book, comparable to a mini encyclopedia. What it does is take many important aspects of Japanese culture and it compresses it into a brief and enjoyable format. Very entertaining but also very informative and you really get insight into why and how the Japanese act, feel, behave, and how it all came about. If you are wanting to learn about the culture in general, get this. It also has many good tips for when you conduct business with Japanese business owners and that their aesthetic sense overrides outlines and rational on a first meeting.

If you ever wondered why the Japanese are so polite, or why they escort you out the door till you are gone; then you will enjoy the explanations in this book. It has in depth explanations to every little Japanese saying, and why they believe that. After reading this I had a better understanding of there culture.
I regularly visit a Japanese home, and never understood why they did this or that. Or why they insist on doing something. Making oneself feel ackward, but after reading this book I felt relief and more comfortable around them. If you are around Japanese people, or planning to, this is a must read.

Boye De Mente is an author who is able to convey the mindset and cultural translation between Japan and the Western way of thinking like no one I have read before! Alot of people might give him greif! But you really have to be open and honest with yourself to fully absorbe what Mr. Boye De Mente has to say! I recommend everyone of his books! At the very least you will gain a little insight into a different way of looking at the world! Thank you Mr. Boye De Mente for your courage to be so honest and your skill to convey it!!!

The Japanese have a much more complex, almost religious, relationship with their own language than speakers of European languages, and they tend to believe that no non-Japanese can learn it. (The fact that some do tends to upset them, as being out of the natural order.) There are many words and phrases in Japanese that encapsulate attitudes and built-in beliefs and the author selects 230 for investigation and explanation, relating them to attitudes and actions by Japanese-speakers and explaining how English-speakers can best deal with the situations they relate to. This includes numerous aspects of the Japanese dependence on form and formality, cultural control and conformity, group-think as opposed to individuality, group responsibility and social guaranty, reverence toward government, and other parts of the Japanese psyche that are difficult for foreigners to understand. In most cases, he also discusses the applications of a concept to business negotiations, but the possibility of the reader becoming enlightened about all things Japanese is much wider than that. This is a book you should take notes on.

I bought this book last year in preparation for coming to Japan and enjoyed it greatly. Then, on arrival, I continued reading it and found it helpful in avoiding many of the pitfalls one experiences when trying to do business in Japan. Now, 10 months on, reading it again, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It's as if the author has been following me around and written about my daily experiences here. I have many books about Japan and the Japanese Way, but none express so succinctly or directly the day-to-day experience of working in a Japanese context. You must read this book if you are working or doing business in Japan.

I found this book through the author's website, which offers an excellent explanation of Japanese verb use. The book is fantastic, really helpful. I recommend it.

I started learning Japanese last summer. In the past year I ordered may be 20 introduction level Japanese books. This one is among the ones I read most often (beside Japanese dicitionary). It is very well written and easy to understand with a lot of examples for each of the different verb forms. You will find yourself still be able to pick up something even when you are skipping chapters because each indiviuals lesson is organized very well. So when you are reading some Japanese book and find yourself stuck by some verb form that you don't understand, you can go ahead and find the answer without flipping back and forth looking up some other unknown terminology. This book is well worth the price.

I purchased this book a year ago and actually started using it a couple of weeks ago...My only regret now is to have not opened it much much sooner. This verb book is fantastic. SHort lessons with straight-to-the point illustrations. Japanese language suddenly appeared to me much easier than i thought.
A must-have.

This Book it one of the best book ever if you ever want to learn the Japanese Language! It's better than many others out there for several reasons:
1. It has romanji... But it is only there because it has all the rest in full Japanese Script, Kanji and all.
2. Very east to study, all layed out very nicely.
3. Provides insights into Japanese Culture.

All and all, i suggest this book to anyone serious in the study of japanese.

I bought this book because I started teaching myself Japanese with the Pimsleur audio series. The series is a great way to practice hearing and speaking a new language, but despite claims to the contrary, I think you really have to learn the grammar if you want to speak competently. I found this book to be a great supplement for exactly that reason. Whenever I ran into a verb construction in a specific context, I could always look it up in here and learn the details of application and how to generalize the expression.

It's absolutely worth the price to have around.

I actually purchased this for my husband. But I'll admit, I just had to see what was so funny. This dictionary is hilarious! No wonder he was laughing out loud in the doctor's office. You know, you are never too old for just some good ole, down to earth redneck ribbing. It has been a long time since I have laughed this hard. I would recommend this to anyone who needs to just let loose and laugh harder than you have ever laughed before. Everybody deserves to just chill out once and a while, have some good ole fun, and laugh!!! Go for it...buy his book. And laugh yourself silly.

This was a funny book. It certainly isn't worth the price. You can read it in an hour.

For us rednecks this word is way too big. But I can't think of what else to call it. Jeff Foxworthy's three Redneck Dictionaries are full of "morphophonemic alterations."
On the other hand, we don't need to actually know the techincal definition to enjoy them.

Brandon Simpson

My 90+ year old mother loves to read and try to figure word meanings. It is a fun book.

This was a gift to a 40 year old male in my family. He has enjoys the book and shares many words and their definitions with people. It is a great book for the person who likes "Blue Collar Comedy" or just a person looking for a good laugh anytime. Enjoy it, as they say, laughter is the best medicine!

This is Jim Church's answer to those who say that you must have a "God given eye" to take great photographs. Jim is above all a teacher. His ability to bring complex ideas down to the level where a novice can comprehend is legendary. His method, rather unique in the world of underwater photography and videography, is not to show you great stuff and say "beat this", but to start with basic principles and work you through until you are automatically seeing the right solution to the situation before you. I would bet that any "name" underwater photographer if asked "where do I start?" would answer "pick up Jim Church's books and read them 3 or 4 times then get in the water.". This book, at less than the cost of 2 rolls of underwater film and developing, should be considered mandatory reading for anyone with a desire to take photographs (or video) underwater.

When I started in uderwater photography, I was told by a very wise and respected professional, "Composition cannot be taught ... it is not a concept or a method. The photographer is born with an eye for composition and it is an art." To which Jim Church's book has proven that statement to be "Hogwash, INDEED!" Composition may be a gift, but it is a gift that can be honed and trained, just as Jim Church has done with this book. He has given the reader all the tools, tricks and tips to develop that skill into an art. Liberally sprinkled with the Jim Church wit and humour, this book stands up to reading after reading after reading. This book stands alongside his "Guide to the Nikonos" and his "Underwater Video" books as "bibles" for the ardent underwater photographer. As for Jim Church's method of teaching and guidance, I can tell you that nine years ago I was using a disposable underwater camera. I have studied the books and travelled with Jim Church as often as possible and I am now a contributing editor and Photo Pro for an international dive magazine. So, if you ask me if Jim Church's methods work, I would resoundingly answer "YES." If you aks me if this is a book worth buying, I would answer resoundingly "YES!" No matter how many times you read this book and no matter what level of photographer you might be, there is always something new in this book that you can apply in your pursuit of great photos. These concepts of composition are NOT restricted to the ocean floor, either. The methods and concepts explained in this text --- in easy to understand terms --- also apply to land photography. This Essential Guide is exactly that---- ESSENTIAL! I regret that five stars is the highest rank offered for this book. The only thíng wrong with this book ---- it wasn't written sooner! I could have saved a lot of film on badly composed shots!!!!

People come to photography by many strange and varied routes and my own is as different as the next - though I shall not bore you with that particular story here. Suffice to say that, my first photograph was published in 1974, my first underwater photograph in 1980 and, right at this time, my work has appeared (somewhere) every month since December 1998, I am in the process of completing my fourth book and my photography has even been purchased by National Geographic.

The relevance of all this, however, is that I am largely self-taught and that always leaves me wondering if I am missing some of those basic lessons that would have been explained on the very first day of any professionally run photography course. "Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition" goes a long way to fill any gaps there might be.

This book has two outstanding qualities; Firstly, it is written by a man who really does know about every aspect of underwater photography. Secondly, and most important of all, however, Jim Church has the power to explain his knowledge in words we can all understand. In so doing he has produced a book for the professional underwater photographer and the amateur diver alike. If you have just bought your first camera and are about to embark on a very expensive trip to try it out, this is your in-flight reading material. Believe me, you will come home with better pictures - I did.

"Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition" is a 9in x 6in paperback book containing 136 pages, 80 colour photographs and 8 line drawings. Each photograph and drawing serves a purpose and are used to explain each of the many lessons involved with composing underwater pictures and, basically, the difference between taking a good photograph and not. All of which is, of course, supported by the non-technical information imparted in an easy-to-understand style.

The book begins with absolute basics - and what could be more basic than explaining the function of the human eye and then adapting that information in order to provide a better understanding of the function of a camera lens. In short, this is a book about "stepping stones" and each time a relevant point has been explained and demonstrated, the book builds on this knowledge as we step forward onto another stone for even greater knowledge of the subject in hand.

In Summary, this is one of the few books I have ever read which achieves exactly and precisely what it sets out to achieve and is made all the more valuable because the Author is a man who knows his stuff and is able to explain things without getting bogged down in technical jargon.

Five Stars are not enough for this little gem.

NM

For all UW imaging systems users, this book is less about the technique (which can be found in Jim's books on Nikonos and Video systems), and more about the art of UW photography. Jim again uses the Situations approach, and helps you develop an eye for good pictures. Really useful stuff on working with models.

Jim Church was an astonishing photographer and those that have followed in his footsteps owe much to him. This book is one that I recommend to ALL divers starting off in underwater photography. Have you ever come home with a bunch of shots only to find that none of them really "grab you"?....this boom is for you. Simply and clearly, the text and photo examples show you how to turn an ordinary shot into a "Wow!" shot.

An essential addition to any English language learner's or teacher's collection! I have been teaching ESL/EFL for over twelve years and was yet to find a comprehensive text to teach idioms. Then I discovered the Join the Club series, the first texts that did not have to be supplemented or modified. The numerous high-frequency expressions are made easy for students to learn through example sentences, useful exercises, fun games, listening comprehension activities, new ideas, etc. Moreover, the texts are ideal for busy teachers since they basically serve as "kits." Everything is there; there is no need to come up with exciting, new ways to make the instruction enjoyable. The students immediately respond and have fun learning. In sum, a must have for students and teachers alike!

An essential addition to any English language learner's or teacher's collection! I have been teaching ESL/EFL for over twelve years and was yet to find a comprehensive text to teach idioms. Then I discovered the Join the Club series, the first texts that did not have to be supplemented or modified. The numerous high-frequency expressions are made easy for students to learn through example sentences, useful exercises, fun games, listening comprehension activities, new ideas, etc. Moreover, the texts are ideal for busy teachers since they basically serve as "kits." Everything is there; there is no need to come up with exciting, new ways to make the instruction enjoyable. The students immediately respond and have fun learning. In sum, a must have for students and teachers alike!

AS AN IDIOMS TEACHER, THIS BOOK HAS BEEN A GOD-SEND!! THERE IS MINIMAL WORK FOR THE TEACHER, SINCE THE BOOK GUIDES STUDENTS THROUGH VERY EASY TO FOLLOW ACTIVITIES. THE TEACHER NEED SIMPLY PUT STUDENTS INTO GROUPS AND LET THEM LEARN. THE EXERCISES ENCOURAGE STUDENT AUTONOMY IN THEIR LEARNING AND DISCOVERY OF THE IDIOMS. LOTS OF CONTEXTUALIZED EXAMPLES ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS OVERT DEFINITIONS, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE IDIOMS. THANK YOU MS. NAYLOR FOR SAVING ME SO MUCH LESSON PLANNING TIME AND FRUSTRATION!!!

AS AN IDIOMS TEACHER, THIS BOOK HAS BEEN A GOD-SEND!! THERE IS MINIMAL WORK FOR THE TEACHER, SINCE THE BOOK GUIDES STUDENTS THROUGH VERY EASY TO FOLLOW ACTIVITIES. THE TEACHER NEED SIMPLY PUT STUDENTS INTO GROUPS AND LET THEM LEARN. THE EXERCISES ENCOURAGE STUDENT AUTONOMY IN THEIR LEARNING AND DISCOVERY OF THE IDIOMS. LOTS OF CONTEXTUALIZED EXAMPLES ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS OVERT DEFINITIONS, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE IDIOMS. THANK YOU MS. NAYLOR FOR SAVING ME SO MUCH LESSON PLANNING TIME AND FRUSTRATION!

This is just great! After I studied this book, I have been enjoying watching sitcoms and movies. The expressions that I studied in this book are frequently used by Americans! The expressions in this book are alive! I'm waiting for "Join the Club 3"!

Another hit for Ken! This one helps you get unstuck in the quest to put thoughts into words and words to page. Give this book a bit of time and let Ken nudge you up the hill to that next level of creation. Keep it simple and have fun. Does for writing what his Greenies did for electrons.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Amdahl and can tell you this book is as intelligent and amusing as he is! I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting. The information is presented in an informal, fun, yet educational tone as if the author is right there speaking directly to you. You will learn some invaluable lessons that will put the joy back into your writing.
Karen L. Reddick, author of Grammar Done Right!

From the very first sentence in this book, ("There's a party in my basement populated by the most intelligent, interesting, and creative people who have ever lived..."), Kenn reveals his writing skill in one masterful stroke of the pen. His style makes you feel as if he were sitting on the sofa across the room reading his book to you and making you feel right at home. This one belongs on every writer's book shelf. Or better yet, right there on the desk top within easy reach!
---Stan Swanson (The Songwriter's Journal: 52 Weeks of Songwriting Ideas and Inspiration

If we're ever attacked by Martians, this is the book that we should give them to make peace (and when i say 'peace' i really mean, 'hypnotize them with beauty before we slaughter them like zombie dogs'). If you love to write, Joy Writing will gently nudge you even further (and this book will never laugh or make fun of you, i promise!) Not only does this book inspire (writers at all levels) but it will show you how the pros like Donald Trump weave the word -did i just say 'weave'?

Joy Writing: Discover And Develop Your Creative Voice by published author Kenn Amdahl is an expertly presented introductory guide to the artful approaches to creative writing. Covering the major aspects of the writing process, Joy Writing begins with the fundamental question of "Why Writer?" and then presents five major sections in methodical order: "Before You Write"; "Beginning to Write"; "Thinking about Language"; "The Overall Flow of any Work: and "Improving". For its outstanding perspective, interpretation, and quite stimulating presentation, Joy Writing is very strongly recommended and "user friendly" reading for both novice and seasoned writers alike, but most particularly those aspiring writers struggling with expressing or developing their own distinctively artistic and creative style.

There was a brief stage in my college career when I hoped to get into newspapers. Unfortunately, I'm a very slow writer. I would sweat bullets over remarkably simple stories, and my editorial prowess was equally dubious. It was at that time I discovered Carl Hiaasen and his remarkably subversive novel, TOURIST SEASON. His author's bio indicated that his newspaper setting was drawn from authentic experience -- he was a columnist for the Miami Herald.

Unfortunately, the web was just in its infancy, and access to Hiaasen's newspaper writing was apparently one of the few exclusive benefits of living in South Florida. KICK ASS turns out to be just the sort of collection that I had been craving for many years.

KICK ASS does not disappoint. It begins with a nifty introduction that provides a smattering of biographical information on Hiaasen, as well as a context for the subjects and tone of his columns. Hiaasen clearly resides in a longstanding tradition of muckraking American journalism, and I mean that in the best possible way.

This is no mere sampling of his work -- there are more than 200 columns here, organized by topic, and just about every one of them meets the mandate stated in the title of the collection. Hiaasen has a passion for the environment, consumer protection, crime control, and good government. His portrait of a Florida reeling after the flood of growth and development of the last three decades is even starker than the one in his novels. Speaking of the novels, it is also fun to see where he "lifts" some of his ideas for the things that happen in his books. The overamorous dolphin of NATIVE TONGUE appears in KICK ASS as well.

If there is anything to regret about this book, it is that the topical organization often generates confusion for the reader when certain figures re-occur. Some of them almost develop a roguish charm. After all, us non-Floridians don't have to live with the direct consequences of local corruption. A little wrap-up to let us know how some of the notorious figures and controversies ended up would have been nice. I always hated that device at the end of his novels, but it would be perfect for a collection like this.

As a lifelong resident of Florida (albeit a ninetten-year-old one), I have seen Florida at its best and worst. Hiiasen's columns represented in this book illustrate the "politics" and people of a great but confused state. If you live in Florida, have visited, or even have heard of it, this book will both amuse and depress you, as is the nature of the state. Everyone will identify with the outrage Hiiasen evokes over the disregard of the envirnment, the sham of politics, and the overall life in Miami, and indeed, all of Florida. This book will remind readers of what Marjorie Kinnan-Rawlings and Marjorie Douglass once experienced in Florida, and tells both the good and the bad of what has happened after a hundred years of exploitation If you want a non-stop laugh and a big dose of reality, read this collection - it's one of the best books in print right now.

This book is; to borrow another Hiaasen title a real Hoot. He is without a doubt not only informative,and thought provoking but he does it while leaving his readers in stiches. I think he shows a genuine affection for the idiots he writes about

I've never set foot in Florida, but I can't get enough Carl Hiaasen. I've read every single novel he's written and I have to say his columns are just as worthy a read.

From the opening column of the book (Carl Hiaasen's Florida Stress Test) to some of the more serious writings (the group of prostitutes he talks to, the crumbling county health building) Hiaasen writes it all with a razor-sharp flair and zeal that can't be matched. You know this guys just loves going to work every day.

Who else would refer to the newly elected mayor of Miami as a "pernicious little ferret"?

Keep them coming, Carl. I'm waiting on Volume 3.

Sidenote: I also wrote this review for "Paradise Screwed" b/c it's the same book, just different selected columns.

If you've ever read a Carl Hiassen book (or Tim Dorsey for that matter) and you wonder where he became so cynical, or where he gets his outrageous ideas from, read this book. Taking only the best of his newspaper columns, this book gives little glimpses into the absolute mess that was Miami/South Florida in the 80's/90's. Taking on anything from connected land developers, to cartel-backed politicians, to prostitute employing evangelists.

Each column is 1 to 1.5 pages in length making it the perfect length to read here and there, or big bites at a time. If you're a fan of Carl Hiassen, try this book not for Hiassen's opinion, but just for the shear knowledge of ludicrisiosity he imparts.

This textbook is great! Although I am not taking the class, I am enjoying the book. I am already in the field and the class size was limited, so they gave me the name of textbood they will be using an I purchased the book. I can see myself and colleages buying additional books in our field in the future. Thank you.

I was very pleased!! fast delivery & a cheaper price
than the college bookstore!!

The course that I will be taking this semester is language development and disorder from birth through adolescence and this book is a required text. I have already read through the book just to make sure I can keep up with the pace of the class. I am really impressed with the organization and readability. There are wonderful charts and visuals that really helped to solidify concepts. IEP sample pages are just general so be sure to look at what your state offers. There are great sample forms for you to tweak and use and the tables a color coded. So much less highlighting. I will definitely be using this book often well beyond the parameters of this course!

This has to be one of the top 5 books in the field. Dr. Paul is the most devoted of scholars, and you can tell this from the careful way in which the text is composed. Her editorial style is highly readable, and her vast knowledge and wisdom do not come across in the horrible erudite manner that so many texts do. This is a wonderful treasure for every single SLP's library.

The revised version proven to be another paramount work by Professor Rhea Paul. It contains more updated contents written in a search-easy format. The updated knowledge captures the latest development in speech-language pathology for children. The author inspires the readers to be up-front with newest evidence-based practice.