Humanities Books

After reading Gebhard's book, I decided to see what others thought about the book. I was quite surprised to see one reviewer give the book only one star. But, then I read the review and realized that this person had not actually read the book. He simply decided that he did not like the book because he thought the author had friends write the reviews. His review without reading the book is like not liking a person because someone told you a few things about her.

I like Gebhard's book because he does not claim to know the best way to teach. Rather, he wants us, as ESL teachers or future teachers, to learn how to make our own decisions about what to do in the classroom. He gives lots of examples of things we can do as teachers. (I especially like his section chapters on teaching skills -- conversation, listening, reading, writing -- and his chapter on culture and teaching.)He also provides real problems that real teachers have, and gives multiple examples of activities and materials that experienced teachers use. But, he does not tell teachers how they should teach.
The book is full of ideas and easy to read. As an ESL teacher, I can highly recommend it.

Excellent resource. I teach ESL to the Hispanic Immigrant Population in Anniston AL and have found this book full of useful suggestions and techniques for the classes we teach.

This is an absoulute work of superb scholarship. Dr. Gebhard is obviously speaking from years of both research and real-life experience. In an area filled with dull and lifeless preachings by secluded scholars tucked away in ivory towers, this work stands out as a testament to thorough reaseach complimented by understandable and readable conclusions. A must read for anyone in this field!

Have you been asked what TESOL is? This book gives you all the keys you need to understand teaching English to speakers of other languages. It works as an introductory texts for those majoring TESOl or will work in the ESL EFL arena.

This is a book on language teaching for language teachers. The book takes the view that language teachers must be responsible for making the ideas in the book real for their own particular contexts. The book starts with self-development as a theme and then moves on to teaching skills. Jerry Gebhard is careful to point out that he is not providing a bag of tricks as each application is backed-up with a sound theoretical perspective. The references in each section are excellent if the busy teacher has some time to read in more depth. Also, each chapter has activities that teachers can explore in order to apply the chapter information to their own particular context. What I especially like is that these activities encourage teachers to talk to other teachers and colleagues. This is where real self-development starts. This book, then, is a welcome user friendly addition to the field of English Language Teaching. If the user is a teacher, you have found the right book!

I found this to be a great inspiration to today's youth as to the importance of education and their place in the world. I had my organization order several more copies. I work with troubled youth and I found that they could relate to the author's story. It gives them hope. It also helps educators understand how to deal with that type of student.

As a former English teacher, I was truly impressed after I read Durand Fulton's book. It was so good that I emailed EducationHope.com and asked to speak with him. I remember him saying that he wanted students to discover how to take ownership of their own writing. One of the main reasons why he wrote Touch the Sky was because he wanted to practice what he preached. I truly wish him the best. His book is a wonderful read on many levels. Discover for yourself.

Durand A. Fulton's story of hope and redemption is truly amazing. (Especially since he wrote and published this book at the age of 23!) He makes Central Islip and all of Long Island proud with this piece of work. There is no doubt in my mind that Durand A. Fulton will continue serving as a strong role model and advocate for education. The path to hope does begin now!

This is an outstanding book of personal stuggle and perservance. D.A Fulton is a great young author, who is writing way beyond his years. His story was quite infomative and touching. I highly recommend " Touch the Sky." One of my new personal favorites. Keep up the good work. 2 thumbs up

D. Fulton has written One of the most inspirational pieces of literature I have ever read. Before I read this book I felt like I was going nowhere, feeling unfulfilled I learned to touch the sky and shoot for those goals I wouldn't normally shoot for. I never really understood the meaning Everyday is a new day until I read and finished the book. Two thumbs up for Mr. Fulton who is a 23 year old male who grew up in a town that seems to swallow people whole. Definitely a up and coming writer who will be discovered very soon, can't wait for the next book.

This is a great textbook. It's clearly written, and it's actually enjoyable to read. The author appears to have had a good time writing it, and included many limericks, engaging examples, and other items that make this textbook anything but dry.

I had to buy this book for a class and expected it to be very dry and... well.. a textbook. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find humor from the authors of this book, allowing me to actually enjoy a required reading. The book is written in an easy to understand language that doesnt boggle the mind and overwhelm. Great book!

The textbook is well organized and informative. A wealth of information that is not only informative but very enlighten. With the addition of the CD-ROM and PowerWeb it becomes an excellent well rounded textbook.

Covers operant conditioning theories, classical conditioning theories, ect... This book is a true gem for anyone who is taking a course in understanding human sexuality, or even if you want to self teach in this area. Very well written, research topics and studies are well documented.
Go ahead, see for youself!

This was the text used in my Human Sexuality course at Western Michigan University in the fall of 2007. I enjoyed reading it, very thorough and indepth, covering a wide range of sexual topics. The authors, who are also educators, use humor at times in the text, as well as paying respect to the seriousness of the topic. Very fair and unbiased in my opinion on it's take of sexual pathways taken in life. It includes a CD-ROM which has additional information from each chapter in the form of discussions and interviews the student can watch. A text that is user friendly, and incorporates a wide variety of psychological patheways and perspectives, without endorsing one as "correct." I would recommend it to any Professor teaching the course.

Niccolò Capponi has written a fascinating and detailed history of Europe and the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century and the fractious relationships between the European states,the Venetian Republic,and the Papacy. Often more suspicious of each other than of the Turks, they finally merged into a shaky Christian coalition which faced down the Sultan's navy at the battle of Lepanto. Although full of historical and military detail, "Victory of the West" is a very readable book, laced with humor and compassion, and much attention to good storytelling. When the two naval forces finally face each other, I guarantee you won't be able to put the book down until the finish!

For many Westerners, history is something that happened last year and this deliberate ignorance of the past gives rise to many false beliefs today. Chief among them would be the belief in the West that we have always been aggressors in the Levant and Islam is simply now fighting back. Even a cursury examination of history reveals the dangerous falsehood in that belief.

Niccolo Capponi's book on the Battle of Curzolaris (AKA Lepanto to many Americans)is well worth the time to read. Though he breaks no real new ground, his detail and love of subject (pre 16th century Med cultures, esp. Italy)shows. Copiously end noted with many charts comparing manpower, ships, armaments, losses etc (about 20% of the book), the book puts together an engrossing story of a world at war.

From the pre League political climate and the earlier attempts to forge a concerted Christian force to battle the Ottomans as they ravaged the shores of Europe, Mr. Capponi's book does an admirable job of illustrating the problems and weaknesses of Christian Europe at this time. He notes how the new Pope, Pius V would be the mover and true shaker of the enterprise. to do so, he had to overcome a relucant Spain, many suspicious Italian states, the crusading orders of St Stephen and Hospitallers, the machinations of France trying to aid its Ottoman allies(!), and everyone's suspicions of Venice. By devious use of subsidies and reminders of religious duty, Pius finally cobbles together his League.

Ironically it would be the Ottoman capture of Famagusta(Cyprus), a Venetian possession and the treatment of the garrison and inhabitants that would cause a creaky alliance to tun into a avenging force that went on to destroy the bulk of the Ottoman fleet. It is here that Capponi is strongest, his detailed knowledge of the people involved paints the battle in colorful detail. He highlights the bravery of both sides and gives credit where it is due to both Moslem and Christian bravery.

The battle itself is well treated but it is the prefacing of the battle and the aftermath (often surprising and sad at the same time) that is the best part. This time was not one of cleanly divided lines, politically or religously. Both sides had no problems with slavery or disrupting lives and livelihoods in the region. Alliances were often temporary and often surprising. Both sides were torn with factional infighting but for this once, the Christian side was less so. It can truly be said that this was one of the turning points of history....

A good description of this so important battle events that lead to it and the main characters involved.

The description of the battle itself could be more extended, but I realize that without animation and modern resources it is hard to describe a 500 ship melee.
Maybe someone could design an adequate animation to complement a fine book like this one?

by far the best book I have read on this battle, full of information and ancedote

An excellent book that from now on (but just until I'll write my own narration of Lepanto ....) will be the unquestionable reference work on the subject. Almost one hundred years ago Alethea Wiel, in The Navy of Venice (London, 1910) wrote: "They (the six Venetian Galleasses positioned in front of the Christian fleet) bore so distinguished and important a part in the crushing defeat of the Turks at Lepanto as to have, it is said, secured the victory to Venice and her allies." This in one of the various points that Niccolò Capponi, leading Italian military historian, probed and researched in depth providing full evidence of what really happened the 7th of October 1571. Many errors, constantly repeated since the times of Jurien de la Gravière (and perhaps earlier) by almost all the authors, have been so eradicated with the help of an opulent amount of newly discovered archival documents.
Some inaccuracies: at page 187 the moschetto, a small piece of artillery was named after a bird, a special kind of falcon; at page 192 Antonio (and not Arturo) Surian, called the Armenian, was a very well known inventor and not a Master Gunner. This is all I have been able to discover so far but, being green with envy, I am sure that reading the book again I'll be able to uncover other crucial blunders of the same magnitude.
Summing up: a virtually flawless, superior level academic work that can be read with absolute ease and pleasure.

This book reveals a momentous event about to take place in our world. A group of Masters, beneficient and healing in nature, are now descending into our everyday lives - says this author. The head of this group of Masters, Maitreya, has already descended from His Himalayan retreat. His plans are to teach and guide, not to rule us. His advice will inspire humanity to work together to begin a life of sharing and justice which will lead to a peaceful and prosperous life ahead. According to this author, this Master will appear on American TV soon. When he does, we will be in a position to decide for ourselves if what He says is true for each of us. If what this author, Benjamin Creme, has to say is even 10% correct, it is truly great news for us all, indeed. I feel hopeful now.

There is a surprising amount of information in this slim book (142pgs) and well worth reading. It encompasses a range of subjects, centring round the presence of an extraordinary Teacher for humanity and His close disciples, the Masters of Wisdom. Benjamin Creme gives a spiritual perspective to the very real and practical problems the world faces and shows that sharing is the key to solving these issues. Ultimately, this book indicates that we are not without help, and that there is hope for the future.

An important message for all humanity.

This book details the latest information, and also the background history of the open mission of Maitreya,The Word Teacher and The Masters.

This is a great source of information for those new to this incredible but true story.... A Story of our history, present, but more importantly, our future. A story that will change your life.

Other books by Benjamin Creme include

Maitreya's Teachings: The Laws of Life

Maitreya's Mission (Volume 3)

The Great Approach : New Light and Life for Humanity

Transmission: A Meditation for the New Age

This is the latest book of Benjamin Creme, a British painter who in the mid-1970s embarked on an extraordinary mission, announcing to a cynical world the imminent return of the Christ. His first one, published in 1979, earned him worldwide attention and a guest appearance in the Merv Griffin show. Since then, Creme has produced a dozen volumes ranging from introductions to ageless wisdom and philosophical discourses to political and social reform agendas. His main topic in over 4300 printed pages has never changed, however. A teacher for all humanity is slowly but steadily emerging to help us tackle problems that by now have reached lethal magnitude. Bound by law not to infringe human free will, he may openly present himself only after the general public has been exposed to his ideas.

Unlike religious saviors and political demagogues, this teacher has clear proposals for the regeneration of the planet. If we accept that humanity is one species, then its survival depends on safeguarding living conditions for all its members. This can reasonably be achieved through a balanced distribution of world resources. By adopting sharing in vital sectors of world economy (basic food, health care, and educational needs) we establish trust; and the resulting goodwill makes all things possible, including the elimination of war.

These ideas are anathema to oligarchs and fundamentalists around the globe. Indeed, the delayed public appearance of the world teacher has much to do with their efforts to discredit Creme and distort his message. The evidence continues to grow in his favor, however. Photographs, accurate predictions of events, independent testimonies, and a global wave of miracles, all suggest there is a kernel of truth in Creme's story.

Another source of trust is the author's independence from vested interests and ideologies. (In ten years of researching this story, I have found no evidence that Creme makes a living from his books and lectures.) He is thus free from peer pressure, the imperative of convincing readers, and the anxiety of selling fast. His conversational prose reveals the heart of our modern problems with disarming honesty and radiant insight. And his description of the world teacher's ideas and transformative presence among us is, at the very least, warm and uplifting. I recommend this book as a short discourse on the biggest imaginable subject: our collective survival.

In his book, Creme outlines the crucial steps humanity must take in order to bring justice to the world. I found his perspective on achieving peace and ending proverty unique yet balanced. To aid us in the betterment of our planet, Creme assures readers that "Divine Leadership" is soon to emerge. This is hopeful news...

humorous fairy tales for elementary age students - a colleague and I were laughing so hard ourselves at the humor in the plays!

I teach drama to children ages 9-12. It was nice to find something that did not play down to them and was simple to memorize and stage.

Any type of plays/readers theater are a great way to involve all students in reading. My students enjoy these stories very much. This is a great way to make reading fun for students and can be used in the classroom with reading groups/whole group or at home with different family members reading different parts, a great way to practice reading and spend time together. Readers of all ages will get a kick out of reading these very adorable plays.

I took this book to the beach for the kids to have something to do if the weather turned bad, it did, and the whole family loved it. The kids got to be creative and work together to put on a play for the rest of the family. Even my [...] year old got to play a part (with my help) and because they are familiar kid fairy tales, they already knew how they wanted to act out their character.

Also, a great tool to capture your student's attention outside the daily book work. This book allows the students to use their creativity to apply knowledge learned in a fun engaging activity.

My wife and I have used this (we refer to it as the "yellow book" in our teaching). I'm a 3rd-4th grade teacher and I can say that Alternatives to Worksheets is excellent when you want to get away from the ever-present dittos. The activities are fun and they let you students be as creative as they want to be. I even let my students choose what they want to do from this book and its sequel MORE Alternative to Worksheets. It is excellent for English language learners because they are visually rich and not hard to do projects. Fun, fun, fun. Fun for the teacher too, because it's a break from the same ole'-same ole'!

I always refer to this book when I need a new idea or activity to do in class. The activities are simple and can be adapted to virtually any subject. The appendix contains all the templates you need, however most lessons do not require copying. Puzzles, quilts, box activities, journals, mobiles, flags, and recipes are just a sampling of what this book has to offer.

Each page in this book is a potential great idea to be used as is or adapted for the classroom or even at home. Projects include accordion books, cubes, journals, paper bag activities, and patterns. Although some of the ideas are not novel, they are all brought together and packaged in a handy dandy book.

Christopher Bruce's encyclopaedic work is a magnificent compendium of all of the major 6th to 19th century Arthurian sources.

As a publisher of books and games based on the original Arthurian sources, I have turned to this book not as my 'Bible', but as a sort of 'Bible Concordance'. Which stories can I find Percival (or his many alternative names) occurring in?

I found this book to be worth ten, if not a hundred times its cover price in terms of compiling years of research into a single treasury of Arthurian knowledge.

I was amazed to discover how young this first time author is. He has produced a profoundly complete and thoroughly researched scholarly work that is a "must read" for any student of the Aurthurian Legends. Mr. Bruce has researched even the most obscure references and stories of Arthur and the other characters associated with the legend. Thank you for your excellent work.

Mr. Bruce has certainly done a wonderful job compiling volumes of information into one comprehensive work. It would be difficult to find a more complete reference. A must-have guide for any Arthurian-lover's library, as well as an interesting book for any reader to peruse.

As an avid Arthurian reader, I am amazed at the completeness of this wonderful reference. Nowhere have I ever seen such a valid and thorough resource. My son has loaned me his copy but I am looking forward to adding one of my own to my library. It is hard to believe that anyone could compile such a great volume so masterfully! Bravo, Mr. Bruce!

The delivery came even before the due date and I think that was super-excellent. Keep it up.

This is the type of African-American history book I have been searching for! The Atlas of African-American History and Politics offers not only a detailed chronilogical narrative of the African-American's history from slavery to today, but also clean-crisp visuals to clarify. You will learn and see the actual routes that were taken during slave trades. Not only is this book great for African-American study courses, but every household in America should have a copy of this easy read, yet informative atlas.

This is the type of African-American history book I have been searching for! The Atlas of African-American History and Politics offers not only a detailed chronilogical narrative of the African-American's history from slavery to today, but also clean-crisp visuals to clarify. You will learn and see the actual routes that were taken during slave trades. Not only is this book great for African-American study courses, but every household in America should have a copy of this easy read, yet informative atlas.

Excellent, informative reference guide. Clear and concise information. A must for your library!

I love Kate Chopin and the stories were great...the condition of the book was not bad either...

Like far too many, I was first introduced to Chopin in college. As an educator, I find Chopin's work to be timeless. Chopin speaks to contemporay society--and especially American society--in ways that few authors can and do. I use "The Awakening," as one of the cornerstones (yes; one may have more than one cornerstone) of my literature class--a class that relies on trade publications rather than anthologies and "typical" textbooks for reading material. One of the unexpected rewards I have experienced while teaching this novel is that male students, generally speaking, truly enjoy the work. Given its content and storyline, one might expect the opposite to be true. Nonetheless, the novel speaks to readers of all ages and genders. I believe that virtually ANYONE will identify with the characters Chopin brings to life in "The Awakening." Not only is it the story of a woman in search of her identity--arguably, a rather Maslowian tale of ! "self-actualization"--it is the story of the human condition.

Additionally, given the story of Chopin's life, the book takes on even greater significance (sorry, but you'll have to read the book to understand why I feel this to be so).

This book is a MUST read for all who seek to dispell the myth of "June Cleaver." (Ya, I know I am not suposed to say that but this is one VERY cool book--a book that EVERYONE should read.)

Besides, "The Awakening" itself is short enough and compelling enough that one will finish it in a matter of a few evenings. That the Penguin version also contains Chopin's EXCELLENT short stories, and a good deal of equally excellent biographical and critical writing regarding the author and her works makes grabbing a copy for one's personal library a must-do.

(Buy the book.) =)

The author, Kate Chopin, began to write when she was age thirty six. She had a ten year productive career the introduction by Nina Baym discloses. She died at age fifty three. Her work went out of print to be revived in the early 1960's. She wrote two novels and close to one hundred stories following the death of her husband and her mother.

Women, including Kate Chopin, writing after the Civil War turned to regionalism. By 1893 railroads had wrought a tremendous change. Regional writing, as the introduction points out, is tourism of the imagination. The stories are short and skilfully done. Even the use of dialect for the Cajun and Creole speakers is not off-putting. The stories have a wonderful stripped down to the essence quality. One is reminded of Chekhov.

In THE AWAKENING it is noted that the summer colony staying at the Lebrun cottages are almost entirely Creole. An exception is Edna Pontellier. She came from old Presbyterian Kentucky stock. Even as a child Edna tended to live in her own world. She feels a sense a of exaltation when she learns to swim. She has children, a husband, and becomes infatuated with a young friend, Robert Lebrun. Later Robert leaves to go to Mexico. Returning to New Orleans, Edna spends time with the people she has met at Grand Isles. Her husband is caught up in his household furnishings. When she decides to leave to live by herself in a smaller house, he prudently closes their large marital house to avoid gossip. Her absolute disregard for her duties as a wife shocks her husband. Her doctor can find no trace of the morbid condition ascribed to her. Robert Lebrun returns. He shows reserve. Leonce her husband and her children are part of Edna's life. She yields to the water of the gulf.

Kate Chopin was a writer of major achievement. One regrets, as outlined in the introduction, that there were no literary works produced by her in the last five years of her life. She was discouraged by the critical and moralistic response to her masterpiece, THE AWAKENING.

In "The Awakening", a woman rejects the drudgery of her life and decides to live selfishly, for once. Kate Chopin captivates her readers with a story of transformation and growth, and writes with clarity and ease. Perhaps most enjoyable about "The Awakening" and Kate Chopin's short stories is the vivid New Orleans setting. Chopin pays attention to the charms of Louisiana in this novel--Creole cooking and language, Southern black and French mannerisms of the time--not limiting herself by focusing on members of the elite. Definitely worth checking out!