K Books

This book looks great and I look forward to trying out the methods with my summer fruit!

This book makes useing the machine soooooo much easier. It has some really great ideas that I never would have thought of. If you have the machine this is the book to buy to help you get your moneys worth.

How to Dry Foods
This is a fabulous book.Just about everything you need
to know about drying anything that can be dried. Many great recipes
and dehydrator tips.An excellent choice and purchase.

Ms. Delong gives the dehydrator cook many more choices and new introductions to use of their machine with this great book. Learn to dry fruits and vegetables and flowers, how to use them in conventional recipes - this book has it all. If you have a dehydrator but want to move beyond dried meat, this is for you!

I purchaised this book as I wanted to learn more about drying foods before investing in a dehydratator and also to know which mashine would accomodate my needs. The book gave me exactly the information I was looking for:
- modes for drying different types of foods from fruits and vegetables, through herbs, seeds and nuts, all the way to meets and fish; including special preparations as yougurts, soups and breads
- comparison of different drying techniques (sunlight and air, oven, different dehydratators) and recomendation for their best use according to product specifics
- recomendation on dehydratator's features and options depending on needs and results to be achieved.
It was definetelly a very good choice!

David Fogel has done a painstaking job of examining the historical record of Evolutionary Computation (EC) and recording both early and seminal papers in field. As a lecturer on EC, I have found the book to be an important, intriguing and insightful supplement to the course.

I think the book's strengths are twofold. First, that the important ideas in EC "popped up" in many earlier guises. I find it fascinating to discover concepts like "schema theory" and "bloated programs" addressed in at least a primitive form in papers going back to the 1950's. EC may be a "new science" but it clearly has deep roots. Second (and a more general point), that ideas themselves are not all that is required to do science. Timing and other factors play a role in how ideas get pushed forward and recognized by other researchers. It is a point that would be well taken by young researchers in any field.

There are some things that could be improved. One could quibble about the selection of papers, though I think Dr. Fogel's selections are well justified. For readability's sake I think the formatting of some of the papers could have been redone. Furthermore some papers might have been better presented in an abridged format. Overall, however, I think the book's minor flaws are far outweighed by its contribution to the field. Serious students in EC should definitely look at this book.

The collection of papers included in this book not only serves to explore the origins of evolutionary computation, but also shows some contributions that could had been turning points in the field but that somehow never received enough attention. The comments of David Fogel preceding each chapter are refreshing and show a deep and extensive knowledge of the field. His meticulous work of selecting, editing and commenting this valuable collection of papers certainly deserves my highest admiration. I have decided to use some of the papers contained in this book for my Graduate courses and seminars on evolutionary computation because I think that these early attempts (either successful or not) to simulate evolution in a computer must be studied by any serious EC researcher.

This is not your ordinary volume of collection of papers, this is a treasure chest for all those who truly want to understand the "evolution" of the ideas behind contemporary Evolutionary computation. David Fogel's thorough knowledge of the field and his passion for>tracking down the origins of the key ideas are evident in his introductions to each group of papers. Each time I have opened the book I have made delightful and often quite unexpected discoveries for myself. I wish to thank David Fogel for this outstanding work.

Evolutionary computation techniques (i.e., techniques based on the metaphor of natural evolution) constitute one of the most fascinating areas of computer science. Despite a long history of research spanning over several decades, evolutionary techniques are still of increasing interest because of their applicability to many real-world problems in science and engineering. However, many recent discoveries have their roots in the past (this is probably true in any discipline of science), and perforce, it is important to "look back" at some of the early developments in this field. Apart from the interesting ideas that emerged many years ago (e.g., artificial life, co-evolution, evolving computer programs, etc), a number of papers in this volume contain latent ideas that have not been fully exploited.

David Fogel accomplished a great feat by searching, reading, and selecting a collection of papers that constitute "the fossil record of evolutionary computation." This volume contains almost 30 important research articles that establish the foundations of evolutionary computation, including seminal articles written by Ingo Rechenberg, Lawrence Fogel, John Holland, Hans Bremermann, Nils Barricelli, Alex Fraser, Michael Conrad, and John Koza. All the articles were grouped carefully into meaningful units, each prefaced by an introduction written by David Fogel.

Researchers will find this volume to be an extremely interesting guide to the background of concepts of evolutionary computation. It is appropriate for anyone who is in search for such answers as: where did these techniques come from? where are they going? and what is their potential? But, above all, the book provides a unique experience of addressing the most fascinating question: "how is an idea born"? For this reason alone, this book is a must for any researcher in this or any other related field.

A rare piece of scholarship by one of the leading scientists in the field. Evolutionary Computation has only recently matured to the point of being a separate discipline. The Fossil Record is a remarkable compilation of foundational research. Fogel does an excellent job of placing each work in its historical context. In many cases, he was fortunate enough to interview these pioneers of computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematical biology, engineering, cybernetics, and evolutionary theory. As such, he provides unique insights into the motivations, methodologies, and philosophies of some of the most original thinkers in science.

Russell W. Anderson, Staff Scientist, HNC Software, and Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation

really good book. no matter who you are, it will keep you turning pages

wonderful. inspiring. positive thinking.
one of my favorites.
a treasure.

I totally enjoyed this book. Kathy is an inspiration and I wish her nothing but continued success in the future. The book is hard to believe in some points - that so many bad things can happen to one person. It is amazing to see the metamorphasis Kathy goes through in her life and how the total of all of her life's experiences both good and bad have shaped who she is today. She's triumphant!

Kathy's severe hearing loss lead to an early diagnosis of mental retardation: she was also molested, run over, and stricken with cancer all before the age of thirty but she never lost her sense of humor. If You Could See What I Hear provides her life story and how she kept this sense of humor through the darkest of days. A powerful memoir and personal account of hope.

This poignant and beautifully written tale is both inspiring and hysterically funny! An easy read, but brilliantly written, it ties the reader to the book. Without pity, Kathy portrays herself and shows her life through wit and humor that can bring a tear to your eye without making you feel sorry for her. Instead it helps you see your life in better perspective and inspires the reader to attain higher goals. Excellent read.

"In The Light Of The Passing" was a book that I thought would take me forever to read. You see, I am not a fan of science fiction. However, the characters in this book are so alive and vibrant that they captured my heart from the moment I met them. Shance and Nadeena are two people who you care about from the beginning. You will be heard pressed to put this book down.

K. C. Berg has penned a novel that fairly bursts from the pages. The hero/heroine immediately draw you into their stories. A fast moving, full of action novel that has you cheering for each person to find their happily ever after.

The greed of ultimate power of the heroine's parents throw her into a situation that entangles her life with the plight of the miners working beneath the surface of the planet.

The death of the hero's father thrusts him into leadership of his world where he must try to save his people from certain death. In so doing, he inadvertently becomes embroiled in the heroines planetary problems.

This story is full of intrigue as well as many twists and turns. A beautifully written book that holds you in its clutches until the last page. A page turner where the action doesn't stop until the last page.

My congratulations to K. C. Berg! This is definitely a keeper.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (8/06)

This is a beautiful romance two star crossed lovers. Nadeena and Shance find love despite the obstacles in their way. Neither war not parents will stop love when it's meant to be.

When asteroids impact the planet Grahba, Commander Shance thinks all is lost. He believes his people have perished. Shance is soon pulled into a war that is not his. He commits himself to assisting the miners sealed in a cave at Sharzan. Unknown to Shance the people of his planet have been successfully evacuated to Haleen.

Nadeena is the daughter of Commander Vallance. Nadeena is kind hearted but independent and openly defies her father on many occasions. When Nadeena refuses to an arranged marriage. When she runs away from her father, the miners capture her and take her to their underground. The miners are prisoners that labor for Valance. They want their freedom and are rebelling against the Commander. The Commander is a cruel tyrant and he orders the mines sealed with the miners and his daughter inside.

This is a captivating story, one you cannot easily lay down. The plot is complex but fits together nicely. The cover is beautifully done and entices the reader to open to the first page. The characters bring out emotions in the reader. While you hate Commander Valance, you quickly come to love Nadeena and Shance and your sympathies lie with the miners. The font makes it easy to read. Many publishers forget that important aspect.

I like this book. I found it entertaining. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys romance and science fiction.

I couldn't put it down and read the entire book in one sitting. This story has it all, fantasy, romance, political struggle, good versus evil, suffering, destiny. I fell in love with the cast of characters Shance, Nadeena, Rotek, Teggs, Doff and Challey. I can hardly wait for book 2.

Nadeena disobeys her father orders to succumb to an arrange marriage and runs to the dells, a usual hideaway place for her. Her father, the commander of Sarzan planet, is known to be a tyrant to his people and wants to get rid of Nadeena because she is against his beliefs and way of ruling. In the woods, she falls into the hands of the miners, the prisoners her father Vallace hired to work for him. The prisoners lead by Rotek, bring Nadeena to the underground city, which they built in the mines in the event they'll revolt against the commander to gain their freedom back.
The plot is an intriguing and captivating story: citizens from three planets: Scrovell, Sarzan and Grahba are involved in the operation of saving Nadeena and the miners from Vallace cruelty. In the midst of it all, romance grows strongly between Nadeena and Shance, the commander of planet Grahba, a well trained pilot who was sent by Doff to save the miners on Sarzan. Doff who was in charge of Scrovell planet, wants revenge on Vallace for killing his father and sends Rotek, another prisoner, to spy on him. Rotek also falls in love with Nadeena, but he knows he cannot win her love. In the end, he will have a better role to perform.
K.C. Berg has the ability to entice and keep the reader interested in what will happen next. I liked the way the story was written, the fictitious plot, the descriptions and the way the characters' roles compliment each other: Vallace is the villain and so is his wife Diona, Nadeena is a beautiful, intelligent and good spirited female, and Rotek, Shance and Doff are rescuers and brave warriors. I found the author to be inventive in the way she created the conflict among the planets and the way it has been solved. Also, K.C. Berg's work offers plenty of details and images throughout the book.
The ending turns out to be a romantic one, a good way to complete an intense chronicle of difficult events. The novel is definitely a fascinating read and the author did a great job creating the tale. I very much suggest it to other readers.

In Sarzan, Commander Vallance has had it with the disobedience of his offspring Nadeena, who wanders the dells over his objections. She asks him what does a daughter of a commander do; he replies he ahs not found any usefulness for her. However his wife Diona decides Nadeena can be useful by marrying her off in a political deal that will strengthen Vallance's control.

Nadeena learns of her parents' plan and decides to leave. She already has problems with her sire's iron fisted control of her people so a forced marriage is the final straw that sends her into hiding nearby just outside the city. There she meets miners led by Rotek loyal to Commander Doff of nearby planet Scrovell, who take her to their secret underground city where they plot a revolt against her abusive father. She also meets Commander Shance of another nearby planet Grahba who believes all his people are dead. As they plan to destroy her father, a cruel dictator who has killed many on all three orbs, the two males fall in love with Nadeena.

Though Vallance and Diona have no redeeming qualities, readers will appreciate this strong outer space science fiction thriller in which the key element is that the tri-worlds especially Sarzan seem real. The story line is action-packed and the romantic heroic trio is full blooded individuals with needs and desires that often internally conflict. Fans will enjoy this fine fast-paced tale of freedom fighters struggling on a planet in a faraway galaxy.

Harriet Klausner

This was a wonderful book, and really taught me some important life lessons. It really makes you think.

If you know you need some advice, but you're not sure what the problem is, It's the Thought That Counts is the place to start. I use it as my personal Guru, always ready to give me a new piece of cosmic (or down to earth) advice. Thanks guys, you did good!

"It's The Thought That Counts" give us some of life's lessons in a very practical way. It reminds us to take the time to examine those values that are important to us..a wonderful holiday gift.

Read IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS by Frank Sonnenberg and Alan D. Hembrough, a collection of over 500 thought-provoking lessons to inspire a richer life . . . none of them are particularly original; i.e., you've probably seen them before either in their present form or something relatively close.

Yet I found myself liking this book very much . . . and revisiting if often . . . in addition, I liked the accompanying black-and-white photos . . . they were all of the variety that cried out to me, "SLOW DOWN!" . . . for example, one that I'm looking at now while I type shows a guy lying on the ground with a newspaper on his face . . . the lesson, or "thought" if you will, is that we should, "Learn to take a five-minute vacation."

You'll be inspired as you read this book . . . also, if you're looking for a great gift idea at [price] to give to somebody else (including your kids), this is it!

There were many memorable thoughts . . .

Perfect book for those moments when the tragic events of September 11 overwhelm me. It's filled with inspirational, practical, and often provocative ideas to think about. I know about a dozen people who should have their own copy--so, with Christmas coming, I know what to do!

Your Income Tax for 2005, by J.K. Lasser

There are two reasons to read this book.
1) You are preparing a paper return and wish to learn more that what is printed in the IRS "Forms and Instructions".
2) You want to read and learn more than what you get from a tax preparer or computer program.
Since your economic activities have tax consequences you should read or browse the relevant sections of this book as it applies to you. Some ignore the tax consequences until its too late. Since most people don't have tax lawyers, and may not be able to get advice on a telephone, or even from the Internet, you need to reference this book as needed. Do not be afraid of the size of this book as most people will not need all chapters.

Part 1 covers the "Filing Basics" and status. Part 2 covers "Reporting Your Income" for wages, salary, other compensation; fringe benefits, dividend and interest income, property sales, property exchanges, retirement and annuity income, IRAs, rents and royalties, loss restrictions, other income. Part 3 covers "Claiming Deductions" for adjusted gross income, standard or itemized deductions, charitable and interest deductions, medical expenses, personal exemptions. Part 4 tells how to compute your taxes, and tax credits. Part 5 tells about "Personal Tax Savings Plans" and should be read by everyone. Part 6, "Business Tax Planning" is important for the self-employed. Part 7 tells about filing your return and the aftermath.

Chapter 48 discusses the possibility of an IRS tax audit so you may be informed and prepared. Chapter 49 tells how to file a refund claim or an amended return. [The easiest way to fill in a 1040X is to fill in the new 1040 and then copy the information to the 1040X.]
This edition has a wrong page number "959" for the Index, and for Part 9 "717". Don't worry about this page error.

To learn about the history of US tax policy you'll need another book. Sidney Ratner's "American Taxation" is out of print, but you may be able to find another book. Class and sectional differences make politics, and politics make the tax code. Today's income taxes fall more heavily on wage earners compared to the 1862, 1893, and 1916 income tax codes.

Chapters and information very well organized. You can start from the beginning chapter or jump to any other chapter immediately and quite comprehensively. The writing is clear and simple if there is such a thing with irs forms and instructions. Well worth the price you pay for this book.

This year I decided to go cold turkey and prepare my own tax returns, something I haven't done for many years. Instead, I have been using a bookkeeper to put my records in order and a CPA to prepare the actual returns. That's been expensive.

I decided that I should save the money this year and do the returns myself. Naturally, it helped to look back at what my CPA did last year. But a lot of new questions came up. This wonderful guide cleared them all up . . . and I double-checked the answers with the IRS instructions. No problems! It was a piece of cake.

If you only find one deduction you wouldn't otherwise remember to take, this guide will more than pay for itself. Buy it today!

Each year I find myself buying the latest and greatest Income Tax Preparation books, often I'm let down by them for a number of reasons. I had to write this review as this is the very FIRST preparation book that answered every single question that I had. And since I do a diverse array of income tax preparations, finding a totally comprehensive book is like finding a hair in a shagged carpet.

Without going into great detail, the guide is designed in ways that make it very customer friendly. I'm the type of person that likes to make notes or comments on changes in tax law, items I want to refer to again, and I also like room for my tiny "post-it" notes. I deal with people from every possible tax category, from the very wealthy to family and friends that are disabled and have minimal income.

As far as I could tell, all of the most recent tax laws are found (easily) in this extremely comprehensive 2004 Income Tax Preparation Guide. They even reference applicable case law and Court Decisions, hot tips from the IRSinformation,planning alerts, and the latest breaking tax news.

Like previous years, you'll find all of the many forms you'll need. If something is not available in the book, you'll be directed to a location on the internet where you can find the precise information that you're looking for. This is tremendous guidance for the most recent tax law.

I'm someone who reviews the index in almost every book that I purchase. When I saw the extensive index, found in "J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax 2005: For Preparing Your 2004 Tax Return", I was extremely impressed and later found it to be as helpful as it appeared when I first glanced at it.

I've not covered everything in this review, however I hope that I've given you at least a little more insight into this tax guide and whether or not you should choose this one over another. Thanks for taking the time to read this and good luck to you.

Best Regards and Happy Reading!

Pete Cannice
from Scottsdale, Arizona
email: Horsepete@aol.com

Although I do have a tax specialist look over my paperwork every year, I use this book as backup and have even found a few things over the years (admittedly, very few) that my preparer missed. I feel good just knowing that I'm on top of things.
If you prepare your taxes yourself, here are some of the features you'll LOVE in this edition:
Easy to understand filing tips and instructions. Whether you are a first-time taxpayer or an experienced one, you'll be as prepared as possible if you use this book.

There are updates, planning reminders and strategies to maximize your savings this year - and help you plan for the next tax year.

I especially like the "Alerts" about upcoming laws and possible changes. Nothing like being prepared!

Recent IRS changes and rulings are alos noted, another valuable bit of info.


If you tend to miss things, the CAUTION notices in the book will alert you to possible errors as well as areas you might miss.

There are also spaces for you to write, take notes, etc...as you read, a very nice feature.

A great treatise. Thoughtful, moving and sociologically insightful. I recommend this book and the fine writings of other theologians -- Abraham Joshua Heschel, Reinhold Niebuhr and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Its is purported that Martin Luther King carried this book with him at all times, and upon reading these pages one can see immdiately that this book isn't just a tome of Christianity, but rather a blueprint for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. But in a larger sense this book is a guide for transcending the heartache and humiliation of modern life and renewing one's vision of a spirited public and personal life.

Howard Thurman's commentary on race and religion stands the test of time and addresses the major difference between modern society and true Christianity. It helps many of us who have lived through racism, desegregation and the new racism to obtain 'the same mind that was also in Christ Jesus'.

I tracked down Jesus and the Disinherited after reading Richard Lischer's fine study of Martin Luther King Jr, Preacher King. Howard Thurman, I had learned, was an influence on Martin Luther King Jr. A scholarly Christian reflecting on the African-American experience, he preached non-violence long before it was fashionable. As the back cover states, this is "an influential book whose message helped shape the civil rights movement and changed our nation's history for ever."
Thurman compares the situation of African-Americans to that of the Jews in the time of Jesus. He analyzes the psychological effects of oppression on individuals. He describes the strategies oppressed people adopt for survival based on fear, deception and hate. Fear teaches our body to avoid confrontation with a member of the dominant community, we use double talk so as not to attract negative attention, and our only possible response becomes hatred which keeps us from moral disintegration.
Jesus' call to love enemies was revolutionary. Genuine love must be a mutual recognition of the dominant and oppressed communities as human beings. Genuine love at an individual level (I hate all Asians, but this person I know to be a human being) may lead to an exceptionalism which does not remove the deep hatred of the others collectively.
Thurman concludes, "What, then, is the word of the religion of Jesus to those who stand with their backs against the wall? ... They must recognize fear, deception, hatred, each for what it is. Once having done this, they must learn how to destroy these or to render themselves immune to their domination." (p. 108)
The power of this book derives from Thurman's own experience of oppression and his analysis of Jesus' own experience of minority. It is not betrayal to love our enemies; it is a victory when the dominant and oppressed communities respect each other as equals.

Want to know the experience of an African American in America in the thirties and forties, the man who "discovered" Ghandi, went to India, and brought back his message, the man who then taught his students at Boston University School of Theology this message.

One of his students was Martin Luther King.

This short book should be bought, read, and shared.

Picture a story involving a snarl of relatives and lovers tangled in a web of misunderstandings. If tragedy ensues, you have your standard soap opera. If, on the other end, the results are more comic, you have a P.G. Wodehouse novel. I can't really judge soaps, but it's probably safe to say that they range from good to bad. With Wodehouse, however, the quality is almost always dead-on-great, and never more so than with his Jeeves and Wooster stories, as Joy in the Morning once again demonstrates.

As the novel opens, Bertie Wooster has just emerged from being in the soup once again. What this soup was and how he escaped it is the story that follows. In this case, Bertie is coerced into going to one of his least favorite places, Steeple Bumpleigh, home to his dread Aunt Agatha. (Is there a more terrifying figure in comic fiction than Agatha?) Her husband, Bertie's Uncle Percival, needs Bertie to participate in a ruse that will help cinch a business deal. It is not a job that Bertie relishes, and the only the assurance of Aunt Agatha's absence allows him to screw up the courage to make the trip.

Of course, there are complications. For one thing, Percival's ward Nobby has fallen for Boko Fittleworth, and while the love is mutual, Percival - whose consent is needed for their marriage - has nothing but loathing for Boko. A scheme is needed to win over Percival, and Bertie will be recruited to play a part. Also at Steeple Bumpleigh is Florence Craye, an ex-fiancee of Bertie's who is now engaged to the easily jealous policeman, Stilton Cartwright. An argument and a misunderstanding will find her re-betrothed to Bertie and him a target of Stilton's wrath.

Bertie is a well-meaning but not-so-bright fellow who tends to get into trouble through accident and the manipulation of others. Left alone, life would be easy, but there are too many who force Bertie's involvement. Fortunately, there is his valet, Jeeves, who is able to solve nearly any problem.

The joy of reading a Jeeves and Wooster novel is Bertie's delightful narration with its unique enhancements to the English language. This is a book that is pure fun with no great insights or deep characters. It may be fluff, but it is five-star fluff and a great diversion.

This is a great, funny book. It may be my favorite Jeeves & Wooster story.

It's a given that Wodehouse's plots are completely outlandish or, in the words of another reviewer, like musical comedies. And yet somehow I have found a certain plausibility or coherence within the outlandishness of other of his books, such that I was more than willing to suspend my disbelief. In this case, I felt that the plot devices were weaker than usual, however, and in fact it took me a while to get through this one as a result.

The basic plot elements have been summarized elsewhere, but I will give one example of what I mean, to wit: Bertie's uncle by marriage, Uncle Percy, stands opposed to the marriage of his ward, Nobby, to one Boko Fittleworth. The plan to get Uncle to change his mind involves Bertie verbally assaulting him, to the point where the uncle must be "rescued" by Boko, who just happens to be in the vicinity (outside the uncle's study, for example). Uncle P. will then realize what an upstanding chap our Boko is.

Even within Bertie's cocooned world, this is weak, nor is it the lone instance of evidence that Wodehouse was not at his peak with this one. Still, he does charm readers as usual with Bertie's commentaries, a brilliant mix of goofy slang and highbrow poetic references, often in the same sentence. For better stories, I would recommend "Leave It To PSmith" (5 stars) or "Pigs Have Wings" (4 stars).

Joy in the Morning, also published under the name of Jeeves in the Morning, is perhaps the best of the Bertie and Jeeves novels. I can think of no higher praise for any book.

All the elements for a successful Bertie and Jeeves novel are here: love affairs go off the rails, imperiling Bertie's status as a bachelor; Bertie's actions to right things fail; and Jeeves comes to the rescue. In addition, there are some special features: Bertie's Uncle Percival, Lord Worplesdon, the second husband of Bertie's Aunt Agatha (the one who, as I recall, "chews ground glass and conducts human sacrifices at the full moon") makes his only appearance in the Wodehouse oeuvre, as I believe is also the case for Boko Fittleworth, whose actions go awry just as often as Bertie's.

It's all held together, of course, by Bertie's extraordinary narration.

I have read this book perhaps a dozen times, and I still laugh aloud at least once on nearly every page.

P.G. Wodehouse could write a phonebook and make it brilliant. But this story is so incredibly good that words fail me. He weaves farce upon satire upon mystery upon suspense upon hilarious premise and delightful payoff until the reader is dizzy with laughter and awe. The usual suspects are here: Bertie Wooster and his butler, Jeeves, plus frightening debutants, pompous authority figures, shrill relatives, troublesome children, and yet another pleasant English country village...pleasant, that is, until Bertie & Co. come along. Wodehouse was the absolute master of the English language, of humor, and plot construction. This book is as good an example of his mastery as there is. My only regret is that the reading experience passes by too quickly.

As a language arts teacher, I read 2 or 3 books a week. I am constantly searching for well written, relevant, and riveting novels. This book delivers. I highly recommend this book for 9-13 year olds.

I am a middle school language arts teacher and I read just about every new title that gets any hype. This book did not disappoint! The plot is well developed and the characters are endearing...Frita is so spunky while Gabe is a quirky scardy-cat afraid of his own shadow. Both Frita and Gabe learn a great about life, love, fear, racism and the nature of hate the summer before they enter fifth grade. In the end they realize that fear is a part of life - bravery is feeling the fear and forging ahead despite it. Great read HIGHLY recommended!!!

I bought this book because I loved the front cover and the blurb on back. The cover depicts a jar of something yellowish-green, reminding me of "The Secret Life of Bees." Perhaps I should not tell this about myself, but I will--I did not "see" that spider until after I completed the book and looked at the cover again to decide how the picture fit into the story. Then I saw the spider and the green color (grass through the jar). Wow. I decided then that the story really is about fear. Fear of spiders was near the top of Gabriel's list of fears. Frita convinces him to adopt this spider as his pet.

The blurb on back summarizes the story as a friendship between two fourth-graders moving up to fifth grade, two unusual fourth-graders, one white boy and one black girl. Then I thought about the book again. Not fear. The book seems to be about fear, and it is, but the real intangible character is integrity. The book is about integrity.

Frita Wilson is the only African-American in their small school in Hollowell, GA, not far from Plains, where Jimmy Carter hails. The story takes place during the summer of the campaign for president in 1976, a time when integrating is taking place all over the South and racial strife is evident.

Gabriel King misses his Moving Up graduation to fifth grade because some racist bullies physically prevent him. As a result, Gabriel decides he will not go to fifth grade housed in a separate wing, fearing the bullies. He will just stay in fourth. Frita makes it her summer's goal to liberate them of their fears. Even in victory over various levels of fear, Gabriel "knows" all along that his fear of bullies will not be liberated and he is not going to fifth grade.

They defeat some fears on the list and some fears win. The saddest loss occurs near the end and becomes the impetus for winning the big one. Not willing to be a spoiler, I ask you to read this most enjoyable book. Friendship is a big winner. Family love and unity are big winners. But the biggest winner is integrity. So are Gabriel and Frita because they have this integrity all along.

Having written all this, I feel I must voice my one misgiving about the book. Although it really is a cool story with racism and specific racists taking hits (in a law-abiding way, not through violence), I cannot help but question this friendship between Gabriel and Frita. No matter how I look at it, I just cannot see it happening. Not because of skin colors, but because of age and sex of the children. Boys and girls in the fourth grade just aren't best friends. They certainly don't spend the night with each other in the same room. Parents just would not allow this closed door thing with a boy and a girl of this age. Having stated these things, I still endorse this book--with four stars, not five.

I bought this book for Christmas for my 10 year old (4th grade). He will read a chapter and then come find me and read it to me all over again because he thinks it is so funny. He has to read 1/2 hour everyday for school requirements and he will continue to read this book for over an hour. Gets him away from the computer and GameCube games. Hurray.

I read this to my 7 and 9 year old boys. We couldn't put it down. It now ranks among our favorites with Tale of Desperaux and Ida B. A true treasure of a book.

Life Skills: Improve the Quality of Your Life with Metapsychology
Marian K. Volkman
Loving Healing Press (2005)
ISBN: 1932690050

Self-help books are abundant, and I have read a good many of them. Marian Volkman's "Life Skills: Improve the Quality of Your Life with Metapsychology" is one of the more practical and useful self-help books in the marketplace. While not a book about metapsychology specifically, "Life Skills" includes several practical applications of it.

Metapsychology is the science that unifies mental and physical experiences to discover the rules that apply to both. In "Life Skills," Marian Volkman teaches us how to apply metapsychology to our experiences, and especially our relationships, so we can live with greater awareness and feel more fulfilled.

"Life Skills" is not designed to resolve one issue for a person but to give practical skills, primarily on how to be more aware of oneself. A major focus of Volkman's book is the emotional scale introduced in the third chapter, taken from the work of Frank Gerbode. I have seen discussions elsewhere of the emotional scale, and I have always thought it a useful tool. Volkman describes the scale much as others have--with different levels of emotions on the bottom such as fear, grief and apathy while the top of the scale includes cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and elation. The purpose of the scale is for people to understand where on the scale is their current emotional state, to understand what that feeling means, and to realize how people react from and to that feeling. Volkman takes us through exercises to help us determine what emotions other people are feeling when we meet them, and she presents basic techniques for us to help that person raise his or her emotional level, as well as making us aware when best not to confront a person based on his or her emotional place on the scale.

Volkman is an advocate of Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR). She discusses how people need to figure out what things trigger them to experience negative emotions and how TIR can help them overcome their past pain and control their emotions so healing can take place. She provides practical suggestions for how to overcome trauma such as centering oneself in the present rather than focusing on the past traumatic experience.

Much of "Life Skills" is focused on relationships, both with oneself and with other people. Volkman encourages readers to understand the domains in their lives, domains being spheres of influence or groups we belong to, the first domain being oneself, the second being immediate friends and family, the third being groups or acquaintances, and then outward to the greater domains of humanity and the planet. She challenges us to realize the affect we have on others and how we can positively influence each domain in simple and practical ways.

What I found especially helpful was the book's focus on Awareness enhancers. Volkman begins with the Dalai Lama's statement to "Be kind to each other." She then encourages the reader to be present with other people, to give another person undistracted attention, even if for only a few minutes. Everyone needs attention and affection, and by giving people this attention, it will help heal them and encourage them with needed confidence. Volkman suggests we do the same not only with a friend or family member, but with ourselves, each of us giving himself the attention needed, the love we each deserve. From there, the reader is encouraged to give attention to the workplace, culture, and social groups.

Volkman concludes the book with helpful recommended reading and referrals to websites to learn more about metapsychology, Traumatic Incident Reduction, and additional information on life skills not included in the book.

While reading "Life Skills," I frequently paused and concentrated on the exercises, many of which I had not encountered in other self-help books. Volkman's exercises reflect wisdom and a lifetime of learning and teaching others how to learn about themselves. "Life Skills" is a useful and practical book the reader will return to many times and will want to share with friends. If everyone read this book and practiced its exercises, people would relate better to one another and humanity would achieve the greater potential Volkman believes possible. "Life Skills" is highly recommended to anyone who wants to live a happier, more rewarding life.

- Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D., author of The Marquette Trilogy

Everyone wants to improve the quality of their life. In Life Skills, Ms. Volkman helps us to determine what our values are, what goals we are looking for in our life, and how we are going to reach them. I had never heard of Metapsychology before reading this book, and found it to be very interesting. This book will help you feel better, happier and more accomplished. I think everyone who reads this book will learn and gain something from it.

Life Skills: Improve the Quality of Your Life with Metapsychology is a book in the Explorations in Metapsychology Series edited by Robert Rich, PhD. The books in this series focus on the healing of the mind and the spirit using Metapsychological philosophies and methodologies. Several of these books have looked at the philosophy and therapies associated with Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR). These methodologies are particularly useful for individuals suffering from the aftermath of traumatic experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Though good research resources for individuals suffering from such afflictions, the information within these books focuses on educating therapists about such philosophies and techniques.

Life Skills: Improve the Quality of Your Life with Metapsychology also aims to focus on healing the mind and the spirit. Though this book has a chapter on TIR, this book looks at a wider range of subjects to improve quality of life. These subjects include topics such as the definition and realities of quality of life; the predicting and understanding of emotional levels; relationships; the idea of success; understanding the negative aspects of human behaviour; and becoming more aware of yourself and the world around you.

Likewise, though this book will serve as a good resource for therapists, the general public will also find this book helpful. Topics are discussed in everyday language and explained without jargon or hidden superior attitudes. Furthermore, readers will find that the exercises that accompany each section of this book will not only help further solidify the concepts explained but will also allow the reader to tailor his or her new findings to his or her life and particular situation. This aspect makes takes this book beyond just an excellent reference book Metapsychological philosophies and techniques and brings these methodologies into the realm of self-help for all individuals wanting to improve the quality of their life.

Marian Volkman has created an excellent tool for inner growth. She presents simple, practical, and extremely useful skills anyone can use to improve one's self, relationships, and environment around them. Highly recommended.

On a daily basis I utilize an excellent concept I picked up from this book: I am able to embrace and appreciate the beauty in objects, people, and things around me without having to make them my possessions. This one concept has provided a great deal of serenity and peace. Just this one practical tool has changed my life. Practice all the exercises and reap the benefits that are in store for you.

This book is another in the Loving Healing Press "Exploration in Metapsychology Series." In "Life Skills" Marion Volkman provides models and tools for improving life toward a theoretical ideal. The author introduces and develops studies on the quality of life, traumatic stress, the emotional scale, understanding and improving relationships, a useful life model, success, the dark side of force, and awareness enhancers.

Each chapter contains exercises for contemplation and consideration. These exercises can be used in a group, with another individual, or alone. The time spent working with any or all of these exercises are well worth the time invested. You will begin to see positive changes in your life, your attitudes, and your relationships. The exercises offer practical ways to apply and assimilate the material personally.

The chapter summaries become a valuable tool for an immediate review of the core material of the chapter and for reference at a later time. The charts, sample worksheets, tables, and illustrations are excellent visuals to reinforce significant points or concepts. The book is carefully researched and well documented. The format is well organized and the text presented in an easy to follow natural flow.

On a personal note, I particularly appreciated the chapter on relationships. I now have a deeper understanding of relationships as well as how to strengthen and nurture them. Frequent use of the excellent glossary enhanced my understanding and the enjoyment of my reading.

This book should be read by therapists and their clients. It is also excellent reading for anyone seeking a higher awareness or for someone who is facing life changing decisions.