Faust Books

As if swept up by a beautiful breeze, upon opening the pages of this book I immediately found myself in the midst of a delightful dance by a heartwarming magical tree, swaying and boogieing to the song and rhythms of a very playful musical wind. Captivated by the spirited and intimate dialogue between the tree and the wind, by the book's end I couldn't help but envision all of the children who could be so touched by this story and transported to a place of appreciation not only for trees, but for the natural world disappearing around us. It is a book of hope and inspiration, and one that belongs in every children's library dedicated to education and hope for the future.

As a children's drama and voice teacher, I found Miss Fairy's book to be a terrific tool for the classroom. Her beautiful story, as well as the charming illustrations, are very engaging. In addition, there are some excellent tips for making this book into an interactive experience, where the kids can use their voices and their bodies to create and act out the story. Miss Fairy's motto "Be the hero of your own story" is very inspirational!!! -- Viki Hilferty

This subtly beautiful book takes children on a magical journey into nature, encouraging them to appreciate the natural world around them. As children lose themselves in their imaginations, they become the tree, feel the wind and move to its music. Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California works every day to improve literacy by helping children discover the magic of reading. How better to accomplish this than for children to read a magical book!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R25RTWJJU2I4LF The Magical Tree and Musical Wind
Windham Hill: The First Ten Years

I read Katherine Simon's book "Moral Questions in the Classroom" this summer with much interest and excitement. It seemed like such a great resource that I decided to introduce parts to my college students in our teacher education program and make a quick change in my syllabus. She includes examples of the missed and avoided opportunities for moral conversations, transcripts and explanations of several in-depth discussions of moral and existential discussions, and very cogent and sharp yet sympathetic analysis. These all impressed me deeply, and I look forward to the reactions of my students. I really think that every teacher, especially those in middle and high schools, should read and discuss this book. It would make a great book for teacher discussion groups, for teacher education classes, and for graduate programs in education.

Six years after she completed her fieldwork in three high schools (one typically suburban, one Catholic, and one Jewish), Katherine Simon has written this book about discussing moral issues in the classroom.

Her emphasis is on the interaction between the kids and teachers around what she calls "moral and existential" questions--what is a good life, what does it mean to die, what matters? She loves how youngsters can "open up" their seriously held questions of meaning of their lives under proper classroom management and curriculum design.

She thinks that these questions are the heart of good education. Her intellectual foundations seem to be Ted and Nancy Sizer and the Coalition of Essential Schools forum at Brown University--and the urging to ask important questions of youngsters.

Simon believes that most modern schools disconnect kids from their important questions and focus wrongly on the "trivial" non-essential mechanical mass tests at the end of the year. To this extent, she shares the liberal bias that objectivity and accountability are chimerical. Simon also differentiates her approach from cognitive developmentalists (Kohlberg, Nodding, Gilligan), character educators (Wynne, Lickona, Ryan, Bennett), and the values clarification crowd (who get caught in moral relativism).

Instead, Simon is a "pure" educator: she believes that all good education, including moral education, has coherence, is honest, allows for critical reflection, raises questions about how humans should act, and explores questions into the unknown.

What I liked most from this book: Simon gives detailed transcripts and stories from the three schools that served as her fieldwork. These transcripts are about raising moral questions as part of the curriculum: e.g., in literature (War and Peace) or biology class. I also agree with her pet peeve--that of missed opportunities to discuss moral and existential issues with kids.

I found all of the book easy to understand, but I am saddened that this book really falls into the genre of idealistic "systemic reform" books--that is, those books by thoughtful writers who are fed up with the limits of American public schools, which educate few children well. I believe that it would take thousands of Katherine Simons to implement moral discussions in classrooms--but perhaps some individual teachers will read this book and take heart.

The idea of moral education is one that may be frowned upon by those who seek a values-free, non-indoctrinative approach to schooling. Simon skillfully shows the fault in such simplistic notions. Moral and existential questions are at the heart of true intellectual inquiry. The life of the mind is fueled by questions that matter to the heart. The curriculum is vitalized by the integration of the deep concerns of real life into the disciplines.

Spanning the gap between heart and mind may be an endeavor that we can conceive of happening primarily in religion classes at religious schools taught by religious instructors. Simon shows, however, that the investigation of moral and existential issues can occur just as effectively in the more pluralistic world of public education. Her writing is not imprisoned in the impersonal world of theory though; the transcripts of actual classroom teaching and her subsequent analysis are helpful to the practitioner. While there may be some substance to the appraisal that her work is that of a "Monday morning quarterback," her scrutiny and reflective insight has certainly inspired my work with junior high age scholars.

The influence of Nel Noddings and John Dewey are clear in Simon's writing (something that she is careful to acknowledge). I sense the spirit of Stanford's Elliot Eisner in her work as well, especially in the way she conducts what he calls "educational criticism." Moral Questions in the Classroom is recommended for teachers of middle and high school students, curriculum committees, and students of moral education.

Thank you to Katherine Simon for suggesting ways that education can be meaningful both for students and teachers. This beautifully written and well argued book argues that teachers are systemically limited in their ability to ask meaningful questions, the ones that students most want to talk about and teachers most want to teach. "Moral" or "existential" questions are what liberal education should be about, Simon argues, and this university professor frankly agrees.

Finally, an academic and educator is forcing us to ask what price we are paying by making standardized tests the measure of learning, and she charts a path for bringing meaning back into education. This book is a MUST READ for anyone interested in children's education.
I plan on asking my university colleagues to read it, because although Simon focuses on K-12 education, her lessons are applicable to all levels of learning.

Kudos to Dr. Simon

Honey endears herself to the reader very quickly. A New Home for Honey holds a special place in the heart and is a simple story lovingly told.

A New Home for Honey written by Tom Greer is a great read for both child and parent. This defines how a pet - child relationship is and appreciated. I believe it also addresses the understanding of change and how it can be well received.

The illustrations were very well done and flowed with the story great!

This would be a great Kindergarten or [...] read!

Thirteen year old Honey, an apricot colored poodle, reminisces about the day she came to live at the Smith's home. Honey tells of leaving her first former owner to go home to live with Tommy and his family.

Honey shares about the original fear and uncertainty she felt, and then of the love and acceptance she experienced with the Smiths. She played in the big back yard and accepted her name as "Honey." As the story unfolds the child learns the responsibility of kindness and care that go with owning a pet.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Laurie A. Faust. The pictures fittingly exemplify the actions portrayed in the narrative.

Author, Tom Greer, has a background in education and knows the stories children love to hear. This is the first in a series of books about his special pet "Honey." Tom's book follows the theme of Weeping Willow Publishing with this story that honors the past while building dreams of the future. This series will be an excellent addition to every home with preschool and elementary age children.

This is a book that will be cherished by every child who has had a bonding experience with an animal.

What a sweet book for the entire family! Honey is a 13-year old poodle and this book is written from her perspective. Pet owners are always wondering what their pet is thinking and now families everywhere have an answer. Honey is thinking back to that first day when she was heading to her new home with the Smith family. What an adorable book! Tom Greer's series will be engaging to every pet lover as well as every family with or without a pet! My 7 and 5-year-old girls love it!

Back in the old days, you had to go to some exotic far-east country and climb a mountain, and most likely embrace the whole of Buddism in order to get an introduction to Zen. You might expect to be there for some time, in fact, studying under a very wise teacher who speaks little or no English.

Well, if you happen not to be a Buddist, and you don't want to travel for extended periods and live in other cultures like a native, and you have a life, there is good news. It's not that complicated. I am a Christian, and I practice Zen. It isn't complex or mysterious at all, you don't have to be a Buddist, and it is completely life changing.

This book is a good, clear introduction to Zen practice (which is what Zen is really all about). It also thoroughly covers most of the outer trappings of Zen as well. These things aren't necessary to Zen practice, but they add context. The thing this book does not do is get tangled up in Buddist dogma, which is deeply complex. Instead, it sticks to Zen, which is elegant, simple, and beautiful.

There are many, many books on Zen. The mysterious ones are fun but generally useless. This one is a good read, but not in the "mysterious" category. It is useful, and I would recommend it for beginning practitioners.

If you don't plan to practice, don't buy this book. It won't make any sense to you. Get one of the mysterious Zen books, read it, enjoy it, and if it inspires you to try Zen practice, then come back and buy this book.

This is the first beginning Zen book I've seen that explains terms and esoteric concepts in easy to understand, concise, plain English. Even the classic books tend to border on the mystical, so it was a refreshing read. As I read "THe Everything Zen Book", it make other books I've read and terms I've heard instantly clearer and helped me appreciate the aspects of Zen all that much more.

For example, I'd already read a book on taking a Zen Buddhist approach to writing. That book made very little sense to me until I read "The Everything Zen Book." That's when I finally understood what the other author had been trying to say.

If you're looking for a solid introduction, there is no better book out there. I'd highly recommend reading this book before reading any others on Zen, that are Zen-related, or that apply Zen-like approaches.

(4.75 Stars)

I'm new to the Everything series books - and I'm enjoying them very much. They are pretty similar to the Dummies and Idiots books, but without that initial giggling of having the words ...for Dummies - and Idiot in the titles.

This is a great introduction to what Zen is and it has some of the best, useful and practical tips and advice on to how to practice that I've ever read.

The big focus in this book is the practice of Zen. That's not to say that all the book talks about is meditation. The Everything Zen Book pretty much covers as close to everything Zen as one book can.

I was most impressed with how The Everything Zen Book wonderfully emphasizes throughout that Zen is the Practice. No smoke and mirrors of what Zen is - just the real - as Jacky Sach's and Jessica Faust simply put:

Zen starts with seated meditation, then you take what you learn on the cushion and apply it to the rest of your life...

The negative - someone chose to have a horribly difficult to read font for the quotes that are peppered throughout the book - it ruined the initial experience of each of these fantastic quotes making them almost impossible to read. Not a deal breaker - I still highly recommend the book to those interested in Zen and those that want to further learn about hitting the cushion and start meditating...

I must admit to you that I haven't finished the book yet as I am a slow reader, it takes me about 6 minutes per page and I read each page 4 times. I am considering paying a friend to read it and record it onto tape, but I figure he'll just skip chapters and screw me out of my money. All that aside this is a thought provoking novel that promotes self-reflection in a time that is futuristic, but not too dissimilar with our own. Oh hell, I'm just joshin' ya, I have no friggin clue what the author is talkin' about. That guy is way out there ... in a good way!

I must admit to you that I haven't finished the book yet as I am a slow reader, it takes me about 6 minutes per page and I read each page 4 times. I am considering paying a friend to read it and record it onto tape, but I figure he'll just skip chapters and screw me out of my money. All that aside this is a thought provoking novel that promotes self-reflection in a time that is futuristic, but not too dissimilar with our own. Oh hell, I'm just joshin' ya, I have no friggin clue what the author is talkin' about. That guy is way out there ... in a good way!

I had to read this book for a course of mine in comparative literature, and so wasn't looking forward to reading it. I was so surprised! It was exciting, entertaining, witty... I could go on-- I have since read it again, and kept my copy of it. It's sort of like "Pulp Fiction" meets sci-fi, but darker and at the same time funnier. Even though it's sort of short, it's definitely worth the money.

This is a great volume for either the casual or serious student of the War Between the States. I first saw this book at the Jefferson Davis State Park in Fairview, KY. The Park Manager uses it to answer the many and varied questions presented to him on a daily basis. By the way, if you have a chance to visit this park, do so!

Having recently completed a project on the American Civil War, I have to say that the "Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War" is hands down my favorite of the Civil War reference books in encyclopedic form. 850 pages packed with terminology, battle information, and all the critical dates. What I like the most though is the large amount of biographical information on so many of the key figures in the war, from diplomat Charles Francis Adams, Sr. to Confederate general Felix Kirk Zollicoffer, and most of them with photographs, to help put a face with the names. A wonderfully written and thoroughly researched book which makes every effort not to take a side, but rather to just provide all the essential information. Definitely a must have for anyone interested in the American Civil War.

This is the best single-volume general reference work I have used on the American Civil War. It is comprehensive, accurate, balanced, readable, and well-illustrated. The articles are well-written and make for enjoyable browsing. I find it much more useful than Boatner's Civil War Dictionary (which is unbalanced in favor of Union topics and viewpoints).

Well written and presented. An excellent, non-threatening, way for parents to introduce children to safety.

One of the things that frightens parents most is a stranger kidnapping their child. God forbid that it ever happens to you because if it does, you will join thousands upon thousands of parents all over the world. Your anguish will know no bounds.

What can you do? It is mandatory to home school all your children with how they should react if and when a stranger approaches them.

This author, who obviously is a young mother herself, has given all new mothers some very practical and vital information on how to protect the safety of your children among strangers. She does it in storybook form that you must read to your children at a young age.

If you are a new parent, you should read this first. Perhaps several times. Then, you should read it again and again to your children as soon as they reach an age of understanding. Bring the book out several times a year to make sure the message is getting home. Then, as soon as you child can read, have them read the book to you. That will cement the timeless advice into their minds.

Doing so just might save your child's life! Yours too!

This is a great book full of important lessons for your children. The fun characters will make it a favorite, while offering parents the opportunity to enfore the important messages it delivers! A definite must have!

I purchased a copy of this book, and was stunned with the quality of the book, and the imagination and creativity that went into it. My six year old daughter and I read this book together frequently. Not only do you get to see the beauty of nature, but it is seamlessly woven into a fun lesson in reading. This is a recommended purchase for all those who enjoy reading with their children.

The photos in this book are great. The poems are fun and creative. My five year old boy who is learning to read has enjoyed learning the alphabet with pictures of letter shapes from nature. It makes a fun game to find our own letters around the yard. Highly recommend this book for parents who enjoy spending time outdoors with their kids.

In my opinion Hans Hulmut Kirst is the most talented historical novelists of this century. I litererly cannot put down his books once I get started reading, I have always enjoyed going back and reading the same books again.

Hans H. Kirst is a Vetran of WWII, he saw and writes from the German perspective, and tell his story, keeping the reader spellbound, and the reader on the edge of their seat, all the while giving valuable historical information.

Perhaps Private Faust is really Hans himself, Hans writes about Faust in other novels, progressing him thrugh the military ranks.

This or any other book by Hans Helmut Kirst is well worth the time, money, and effort to aquire and read. Thank You!

The Adventures of Private Faust is a classic book which makes me laugh every time I pick it up. Hans Hellmut Kirst is a German WWII veteran, giving the book a perspective not normally availible today. The setting for this book is a North African British POW camp, holding German prisoners after the end of the war. But that doesn't mean the book is a dry read; far from it. Every page brings another laugh, from the ingenious escape attempts of (German) Private Faust, to Command Sergeant Major's (German) Scottish pipe band.

If you liked Catch-22, you'll love this book.

This three volume work, updated by supplements, is an invaluable addition to the bookcase of the lawyer with an interest in litigation involving evidence from psychiatrists, psychologists or those in related fields. It provides a detailed overview of the methodology, terminology and techniques of the various practitioners the trial lawyer is likely to encounter, along with practical examples of cases concerning evidence from such witnesses. A supurb work of scholarship.

This three volume set is rich with valuable information and techniques for dealing with psychiatric and psychological testimony. I have reviewed a number of books and this is well worth the price. I will be using it for the first time in court in about 2 months. If you have any questions, or if you have used it yourself, E-mail me at ggoldshark@aol.com Also, if you are a psychologist or psychiatrist, let me know your thoughts, both good and bad, about the book.