Merchandise Books

Tom Minnery's intension in writing this book are clear: To convince Christians to stand up against the evils in society. This is undoubtedly a good and noble thing to do. We ought to encourage those in government to make good and wise decisions which promote justice and equality, and not neglect the care of our fellow man's physical needs while endevoring to meet the needs of his soul. But laws, though they may change people's actions, are powerless to change people's desires. Lets say we DO manage to get all the right laws. If in our effort to do so we have left off preaching the gospel and bringing our neighbors to repentance, we may find ourselves the keepers of a sanitary pig-stye (where men still want to be dirty but cannot be because of the restictions imposed on them). If mothers cannot get an abortion, praise God their unborn children are saved . . . but we want the mothers saved, too. And that is something only God's Word can accomplish.

The phrase which makes up the title, why you can't stay silent,
has a flaw, IMHO.
I have 0 problem with the exhortation by TM for us to speak out.
I call your attention to what seems IMHO to be a fault in logic.
The title phrase 'why you can't stay silent' appears to include
an error in thinking.
Let's say that it is true that one cannot stay silent. Fine. OK.
I'm not silent. I'm speaking out. I claim that I cannot remain
silent. True or not (that I must-not, ought-not, should-not stay
silent), fact remains that I am not silent. The silence does not
exist. It's not going on. What IS going on is the speaking out.
You ask me (why) to give you a reason FOR SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T
EXIST (my silence). There isn't any silence going on, and you're
telling me to explain the WHY of the fact that it doesn't exist.
?How come there isn't any silence? Yes, I can say WHY speaking
out makes sound/waves, since the sound exists, and since sound
has a source (my mouth or typewriter). As to having to give the
'reason' (why) for something that doesn't EXIST (silence), I do
not have a way to 'explain'/answer your why with a justification
of the existence of something (silence) that does not exist. The
word why presupposes that something exists (the silence, or the
ability to remain silent), and that another ought to 'explain':
why can't you (whatever), or why isn't there (silence/whatever).
How can something that doesn't exist have a reason for it's NON-
existence? Fine and dandy that you should tell me to shut up or
that I ought to speak out, but for you to expect me to 'explain'
(the cause behind something that never happened) is to ask me a
real word 'why' in a phrase that has an equally real word 'not'.
Why not? I could be there like Ralph Kramden all day. I cannot.
Why not? Red flag. Instead of trying to answer/justify something
that doesn't-exist/never-happened, the comment (not a reply to a
faulty question) could either be an explanation of why there IS
a speaking out or why one SHOULD remain-silent/continue-to-speak

I think that a more logical or suitable title for a revised book
would be something like 'Why One Should/Must Speak Out', or else
'Why Remain Idle When There Is Work to be Done'. The WHY invites
an explanation of something or some activity/condition that IS,
not non-existent. Q.: Why didn't you? A.: What? Better that the
challenge be YOU OUGHT TO or YOU SHOULD be able to (an opinion).

Satan tries to screw up logic by using the word IF about things
that DON'T EXIST. When you then try to answer a question having
IF as a presupposition, you talk about something nonexistent. It
doesn't exist. Never did. Ain't gonna. And yet IF makes it real.
Re-read Genesis 3, Matthew 4, Luke 4. IF 3x. Unreal like Why Not

The reason I bought this book was to inspire me to witness to other people. But this book does not do that at all- only because that is not its intentions. What this book is intended to do is convince people to speak up against government injustices and apocryphal issues (Ex. abortion). And that it does well. The author actually does convince you of reasons not to "stay silent". I believe these issues are very important in the community of Christians and I recommend this book if you want to stand up for what you believe in and take matters in your own hands. It even gives specifically examples of people who made a small protest against unapproved actions by the state/nation, not trying to make a controversy over it but ends ups gathering protesters around the nation to put an end to- what was in this case a very detestable magazine providing material of unhealthy sex talk for young girls. So it can not only show you why you should, but it also can help you lead protests (even over smaller issues) in your community/nation, when issues with bad values show up.

The author Tom Minnery serves as the Vice President of Public Policy for Focus on the Family and the intent of this book is really to respond to a book from Cal Thomas that chastised Christians for putting too much of an emphasis on political action as a redeeming force for mankind. Minnery challenges Thomas' assertions by putting forth the argument that Christians have always been a redeeming force within culture - a change agent for the good of mankind - not in an attempt to bring people to salvation, but more of an agent of God's common grace on all men. Minnery begins by stating that there are just some things so wrong or so outrageous that as followers of Christ we just can't sit and do nothing - silence would be tacit endorsement!

The book continues with historical examples of Christians who have engaged their culture for the cause of Christ throughout history. Of course, some Christians believe that controversy should be avoided at all costs and Minnery directly confronts that position and explains that a biblically-informed worldview understands that controversy with the world system should actually be expected by followers of Christ.

Minnery stresses that as followers of Christ the way we engage the culture is of primary importance - we must not be ugly to people even when we disagree on issues. He then counters one of the greatest hurdles to so many who want to get involved, but don't know how - the feeling of inadequacy or the question of what can one person really do to make a difference? Minnery gives numerous examples where one person did make a difference...or could have if they had been available for the Lord's service!

The book was good, but not outstanding. The argument that Minnery uses is more of the populist approach to activism (if we all do something, we can make a difference) as opposed to the fundamental biblical approach (God has called us to engagement regardless of the results). However, for those questioning if Christians actually should be involved in cultural affairs, the book does give some compelling arguments and examples from history where followers of Christ made a significant difference for the betterment of all mankind!

This book broadens the Christian's view of witnessing, restoring it to a biblical perspective. For many years, believers have been misled to separate their influence upon souls from their influence upon society. The former has been encouraged, while the latter has been seen as undesirable. Minnery restores the biblical and historical balance by admonishing the church today to be both salt and light in a fallen world.

The author emphasizes that for too long the church has remained silent regarding the moral decay surrounding it. While political involvement and social action are not the only means to make a difference, they are important means that believers have neglected in the last several decades.

This book is a must-read for all Christians who desire to have a balanced, biblical approach to the society around them.

But because it was still such an awesome book, I couldn't give it just a 4. It only lasted 2 days, but they were two very exciting awesome days. It starts with Sam and Jen going on the annual Darton Rodeo cattle drive. But an offer on Ace for $3000 -- the same amount her dad needs to fix his truck -- and a mysterious "mountian mare" keeps her mind busy while trying to confince everyone that Linc Slocum is behind the threats.

A vert exciting book, even if the ending was predictable right from the start.

i have to say it was pretty good book. but what really put me off was that i pretty much knew who was the owner of the rocky mountian mare and it rushed alot. but it was a good book i just hope the other books will be a little better.

Oooooooo Mountain Mare, and all the other books in the Phantom series are great! If you love horses, this is the series for you! It doesnt matter what kind of riding you do, dressage, barrel racing, endurance....these books are what you gotta read! The Phantom series is funny, suspensful, horse-filled, and real. Ya, there are plenty of horse books on the market, which probobly talk about girls somehow getting the horse of their dreams and living happily ever after, and dont get me wrong- Ill read any horse book you throw at me, but my favorite series is the Phantom, a series that's unique.

I don't know what you guys are talking about I thought this book was great just like the others. Oh and it did say why Jen and Sam were there, you just must have been reading to fast.

Well, The Phantom Stallions Series can officially said to be going downhill a bit. The author just seems to be rushing more and forgetting things left and right from past books, or completely ignoring them.

This books opens with Sam and Jen going on some cattle drive; we are never really told how or why they are part of the cattle drive, just that they are going and will temporarily be part of some well-known group with black horses and teal clothing.

Linc Slocum makes an appearance; ever more cartoonish in his villainy. He has now deteriorated into plain foolishness by saying rude things about Sam around others and "subtly" threatening her to stop being nosy and all that. Not exactly a huge surprise or shocker there since he has been getting that way more and more with each book. Of course, Sam is entirely too eager to blame everything she can on Linc Slocum as well.

In the story, a pretty trick-trained mare suddenly shows up and follows the drive into town. They put her on TV and hope to find her owner. Later in the night, Sam has a "feeling" and goes to check on her, but gets locked in a feed room by an unseen stranger. Unsurprisingly, she is sure Linc Slocum is to blame because he wants the unusually colored mare.

Of course, it is not Linc Slocum. It turns out the mare belonged to a girl who was introduced earlier in the book as having been in an accident with an "empty" horse trailer. Apparently her truck and trailer turned over; however all she got was a few bumps as did the mare. Not very realistic honestly; maybe if the truck had just lost control, but turning over completely and the horse just had some bruises? Anyway the mare is a Rocky Mountain horse with a genetic problem, who was going to apparently be put to sleep by the girl's father's "evil" farm manager, but the girl tries to save her by stealing her. The girl's boyfriend is trying to help her and he is the one who locked Sam in the feed room because he was surprised and could not think of anything else to do.

Well, they all have a talk with the girl and have a laugh, and they drive away with the mare. No one stops them despite the fact the mare is technically a stolen horse; or presses charges because the girl gave false reports or released a domestic horse in the wild. Nothing is every said if the mare was given to the girl or what as apparently she was declared dead by the farm manager. We just have to assume the mare has a happy ending.

A couple of things really bothered me in this book. One was the boyfriend was apparently going to use a "war bridle" to lead the mare away when Sam startled him. They all act like that is a normal thing, but war bridles are NOT nice pieces of equipment; they are actually rather painful and only rarely used on horses. You would NOT use a war bridle to move a horse anywhere; you would use a normal halter or something like that.

Also, Sam just keeps mentally whining and whining about Shy Boots! Every darn time the colt is mentioned she keeps obsessing about how Linc "promised" her the colt. Well, if you read the original book, he never did! He mentioned that he might give it to her if her father approved, nothing else. Ugh, I am just getting tired of the line "she decided not to remind Linc that he had promised her Apache Hotspot's foal". Good grief, give it a rest!

And the Phantom really no longer seems to matter in the stories. oh, he shows up once in a while and looks pretty and majestic and all that. And of course, he shows up to court EVERY mare ever mentioned in the entire series. But other than that, he really does not seem to do anything. He no longer seems to give a fig about Sam or acknowledge her; he just randomly appears to flirt with some mare, then disappears again.

There are several more little things that happen in the book, but I don't want to give away too much. In all, the book was okay but very rushed and easy to predict. It is painfully clear what the plot is going to be and whom the horse will turn out to belong to and all that. I am not saying the book should have been a complex mystery, but I should not be able to figure out everything that is going to happen within the first chapter or two.

I love Terri Farley's writing style and descriptions, but she really needs to work on the plot a little more. I get the feeling she is so worried about getting the books out there as quickly as possibly, like ever couple of months, that she is sacrificing the quality of the story itself.

I buy these for my niece who just loves horses. She would rather read one of these than watch television.

I am a die-hard Phantom Stallion fan honestly. I have ever book in the series sitting on my bookshelf. However, the series just hasn't been quite as good as the first 5 or 6 books.

This one is not that bad. It is about the colt "Pirate", who was injured with the Phantom a few books back. Apparently, it is time for him to find a home, but he has some problems. To make a long story short, every adult in the book pressures Sam into spending some time with the colt over at the Blind Faith Mustang Sanctuary, and at the same time spending some time with Gabe, Mrs. Allen's injured grandson.

I was not particular impressed by how every adult in the book did their best to push Sam to do it, even though she probably would have anyway. Sorry, but in real life, a 13-year-old, is NOT the best person to "work" with a traumatized wild horse, or for that matter a teenager on crutches, but somehow Gabe ends up doing that.

Predictably, Gabe has a "magical" connection with the colt, to be named Firefly, hence the name of the book. Not exactly a shocker there; I figured that one out as soon as they said Gabe was going to come visit at the same time. Gabe was not a particularly deep character, at least to me. He was the stereotypical "angry, injured teenager". Like what happens in every book or movie about an injured, angry teenager, he needs to connect to something to stop feeling sorry for himself. So, he connects with Firefly. However, not particularly realistic either. He apparently lives in a city so where in the world is he going to put a mustang? It would have been more believable if maybe he left the colt with Mrs. Allen and visited, but instead he apparently takes the horse home with him. Makes me wonder where the BLM is! In the early books, the BLM was very realistically portrayed, but now they just make exceptions or don't even show up to do what is their real-life job. Injured mustangs are still managed by the BLM so Gabe would not have been able to just decide the colt was his and take him.

Overall though, the book was a decent one and I liked it pretty well. There were a few tiny things that I thought was silly, but overall a nice read and a decent addition to the series.

A very horsey book reckomended for horse lovers.You have to reads the whole series in order to understand the book and characters.

This book was sooooo disapointing. I hate the fact that Gabe is going to take Pirate all the way to Colorado! And he names the colt Firefly. Thus the title. But I've loved the colt ever since I met him in book 7 and was sooooo hoping he would go free or at lease be near. I am really mad that he went to a boy as well. Why couldn't Terri Farley make a new character. A girl of corse and have her become really good friends with Sam and live so near that she was in every book. And I wish the colt was named Pirate it was sooooo right for him. But noooo now he's going to be taken far from his home and far from the series and we'll probably never see him again.

I liked this book how it talked alot about Pirate and everything but I don't get why Jake didn't come over to see the foal and talk to Gabe. And I also think that Jake should be in the books more cause he hasn't really been in the recent ones. And as far as Jake and Sam go I think they should get over their stubborness and just become bf/gf Sometimes it seems like they get close...like in book 7 when Jake mentions to Sam how pretty she looks...but then it just goes back to normal like nothing ever happened.

Anyway, back to the book, I think it's pretty cool how Gabe softens up and decides that he wants the horse...even the book never says that he actually gets it...and how they seemed to have formed a similar bond like Sam and the Phantom have. Anyway like I said before its pretty cool how its mainly about Pirate and not just Sam and Ace...it kinda gives a change in pace. well anyway hope this review was helpful.

The author makes this book very practical. No guess work here. Every type of equipment imaginable is examined! The book is well presented and easy to read for the busy business man or women. It is full of numerous black & white photographs of various equipment. Every type of merchandise you could possible think of is covered. I wish more business related book were this well written!

Generally I'd say that this book is a waste of time. If you want to start a food vending cart business get a general book about starting a business such as Start Your Own Business by Rieva Lesonsky. From Dogs to Riches basically parrots information that you would get from a real book about starting a small business with a little customization towards a street vendor.

Ms. Clark has put together a great manual on how to start and run your own mobile cart venture. From Dogs to Riches list more than 119 different types of vending cart businesses and include start-up costs and average profit potentials. I am excited about this book and look forward to sharing her tricks of the trade with my network.

Ive never read a program that was so complete & informative not just the things you think you know about this money making industry I was surprised to find out how much a person could make, it's funny you see them on the streets,.at Special events and you just don't think How much is sold from a mobile cart Clothes,Products,Health products,Food,and more it has trully opened my eyes to the secret money making opportunitise I wouldn't never have thunk it. GO FIGUE.THANKS FOR WRITTING SUCH A COMPLETE SYSTEM.!!!!!!!!!

Books looks interesting. I give it 3 stars because I haven't read it yet. I was searching for books on hot dog vending and this was one of the few that I could find. This book seems to be always out of print, and the few used copies seems to be ridiculously priced like in the $100-200 range--I kid you not!!! The retail price of this book is $39.95 direct from the author brand-new, so I can't see why a used copy would go for so much more!!! Silly people! Go to the authors website and read more about this great book. Best of luck in your hotdog business. If you want to learn more about hot dog vending, a great website to visit is hotdoguniversity.com

The main problem with this book is the presentation of the materal. It is a confused and jumbled narrative that lacks clear structure and looses the reader in minutia. It's as if the authors had no plan for organizing the material and are just information-dumping for 700 pages. I don't think one would have to look very hard to find a better-written work on the subject.

Not recommended.

I agree with the other reviewers here as this book is not perfect. It was written before the Venona Transcripts or the Mitrokhin Files became known, and, for this reason, is not as complete a work as something like the Sword and the Shield would be. Regardless, it is an extraordinary primary source testament concerning one of the most secretive, nefarious, and befuddling organizations in history. I got the impression that Mr. Andrew wrote this account based on notes he obtained from Mr. Gordievsky. The result is a somewhat lumbering, and often repetitive, narration. A few of the same sentences are repeated at different points in the book which could potentially irritate many a reader. I did like the chapter outline, however, as it was sequenced chronologically which is helpful considering the varying scenarios within the foreign directorate discussed. We're very lucky in the west that men like Gordievsky had the courage to defect because, if they didn't, there would have been little chance of obtaining information about the Soviet Union at all.

yep - i give it 5 stars too

the most repeatedly astonishing book i have read methinks - the commies managed to penetrate western security totally only for stalin to totally ignore or misinterpret its meaning due to paranoia about the west

the methods, results & ruthlessnes are grim but rivetting reading

This book tries to be both academic and a good read. Many writers stronger than Gordievsky failed when trying to achieve this.

The authors obviously have a wealth of material at their disposal, but somehow structured approach is lacking. Still, if you have time and/or deep interest in the subject, it is a recommended read.

When this book came out, it was considered to be groundbreaking and astonishing as far as new information about Soviet operations goes. However, it is almost completely irrelevant. If one takes a close look at the book and compares it with "The Mitrokhin Files" (Mitrokhin being another KGB officer who defected several years later), it will be noted that much of the information Gordievsky SHOULD HAVE KNOWN if he really had access to all top Soviet files is missing. This, along with several other contradictory statements, leads us to conclude that the Soviets knew of Gordievsky's activities and so were using him to feed false and/or irrelevant information to the West.

This was a pretty good PS book, but not my favorite. Sam was a little to harsh on Ryan, worrying about him suddenly wanting the phantom, and where was Jake this entire book? Then he's there in the next one.

I guess the main thing that bothered me about this book is that Ryan, Sam, Jen and even Dr. Scott expected Hotspot to accept Shyboots even after they were sepreated for a few months, chances are she wouldn't.

But over all it was very good and I enjoyed it.

This book was great!Filled with adventure and of course
mustangs.Sam and Jen's friendship is put to the test.Jen
is begining to be more gogo gaga over Ryan.it was good.

I always like these ,covers don't you?





[...]

! CHECK THESE SITES OUT!

Okay,let`s see. There must be some pretty STUPID horse-owners in the neighborhood if all there horses get loose and run wild!!?? See,everyone`s horse gets loose and runs free. Sam`s does. Pretty irresponsible on her part. Another thing,mares are loving and devoted mothers. There`s a 0.01% chance they`re gonna run wild and leave their own foal. You just can`t combine realisim with fantasy. It just makes things too strange. Try reading the High Hurdles series instead.

First of all I do not agree with the person on the last of this list.This is a very good book and should be read by anyone who loves horses.It is also very educational about mustangs.Sam is like a old friend to me and so is Jake and Jen.The Dawn Runner is a very good book because it tests Jens and Sams relationships,and all the other exiciting adventures.

~a horse lover

I wanted to comment on the first review. I agree with the person that some of Terri Farley's books are unrealistic, but that's what books are sometimes supposed to be. Terri Farley has done a wonderful job with all of the books I have read (I'm about to start 'Blue Wings' [her 20th book]), and when I read her books, I am in my own world. She does a wonderful job of making everything seem real, yet a bit unrealistic and fantasy-like at the same time. Then again, that's just my opinion....not everyone has to agree with me. I will write another review once I have read this book. ~Bookworm

If you need to prepare a surf trip, you want to go at the best (known) spot, or you're just curious to see how it looks like 10 000 miles away, go for it !

This book is really well made, nice text, all the details you need to know, beautiful pictures. You can feel it was made by surfers for surfers.

The first pages will give a bit about wave creating system, weather forecasting and wind satelite map reading.

Really Nice book. But don't fool yourself, the best secret spots won't be in there !

This and all the Stormrider Guides are truely great sources of information about surf travel. Cleverly put together, have beautiful illustrations, and are packed with all the necessary information you need to start planning your surf adventure and travel. Every surfer (young or old) should have all of them on the shelves of their personal library. Go ahead and invest. You'll be stoked, dude!

Cowabunga, nos vemos en el agua!

This is a great guide with specific details and great photos would reccomend to anyone.

The book is awesome.. but.... the back cover is almost detaching fom the book.....

The first 'World Stormrider Guide' (Volume 1) to world surf spots was a little bit better than this one, primarily because both the pictures and quality of the surf breaks listed were consistently better.

In this edition, it seems some surf spots are listed to sell copies based on population, rather than surf quality (eg Texas, Perth-except Rottnest Island), or because of tourism (eg Venezuela -"waves are always small"), or because that is where the compilers thought they would like to have a holiday to research the information. And this leads to the second problem-some of the pictures are not up to the standard of a surf publication-many look like they were taken on a single day-stop on a surf trip, which were obviously not even close to the better days of surf at the spot. (Crumbling 2 foot beach breaks do not exactly make a publication). Everyone knows surf pictures are usually exceptional for a particular spot, but at least they know how good it can get.

The detail is as good or better than the first (ie water temperature, swell size, consistency, wind, costs, local stuff, spots highlighted in bold), but the pictures could definitely have been outsourced a bit more. (Hell, I've got better pictures on some spots on some of these-Lennox Head for example is rated as "one of the best right hand points in Australia" (in the top ten or so, along with the likes of Angourie, Burleigh, Kirra, Snapper, National Park Noosa, Winkipop, Bells, North Point, Mays)-yet the picture shows dribbly 3-4 footers-I've got pics which are better). And also, it isn't much value listing so MANY places which are at best average, or too inconsistent (eg like a number in the Carribean-obviously for the American market, the Seychelles-"very small", Northwest Phillippines and Vietnam-"always small"). A few average spots is ok, (or a really good spot but which is inconsistent), but there is too many spots which basically show you that it isn't worth going there (at least to surf, that is). Who wants to travel around the world to surf expensive 2 foot dribblers? (I can get that on an average day in Sydney). Quality, cheap, and uncrowded is what everyone wants-as well as the all-important consistency-ie often breaking!.(Hell, I know some spots in Australia that get absolutely epic, but only a couples of times a year!). In this respect a little more attention could be paid to details on consistency in general-it gives swell consistency/month, but a bit more detail here could be useful-something like actual number of good surf days/each month etc.

Particularly inviting were places like New Zealand (the place in general just gets better the more you look at it-like the first place shown after the inside cover-Mangamaunu Point-looks good), Peru/Lima area, Baja California (with the `seven sisters' stretch of pointbreaks), the `epic' Kumari Point in the Andamans (we'll have to their word for it, the pics look good, but not excellent), Rapa Nui, mainland Sumatra, Philip Island (I've seen better pics), Byron Bay (I've got better pics), Garden Route South Africa (poor quality pics, but there are some good waves on this coast), and the whole pacific side of Central America. Numerous other places like Madagascar, various Pacific Islands, Oman, Brazil, Venezeula, northwest Philippines, Vietnam, northern Spain, Angola, etc didn't exactly overwhelm with quality shots.

A final issue is that always difficult one, the "secret spot". I am one of those people who think the surf is for everyone, and you may as well show on the map where the spot or picture shown actually is. There are several spots described, some with pictures, but which are not shown on the accompanying maps (eg the Philippine Dream-pic looks good anyway, and "Secret Spot" South Africa). (They also say in Volume 1 that they are keeping some spots secret). There is also the annoying occasional picture which has no reference to where it is at all. Some people might like surfers to drive past `their' world-class spot, but it is pretty frustrating to go half way round the world, spend hard earned money, get home and find out you missed the best spot, and you can't go back. And there is always the paradox that others (eg businesses) might want the spot known. Who benefits from the secret? Not you, me or the local businesses-a small group of local surfers only. Also, the world is a big place, and more world-class spots might thin things out a bit, and moreover eventually they are going to find out anyway.

Hopefully the third edition will have some better pictures/surf spots- there are plenty around.

I too enjoyed how the book was written. But I also loved the companion website resources. It was very helpful when preparing for my midterm or final. I bought the book used for the class, and will keep it as an additional resource for my personal library.

I have taught (and taken) courses in Child Development and Lifespan Development with numerous textbooks, and this was definitely my favorite. The text is exceptionally thorough and includes a balance of theory and application. Relevant research is discussed throughout, in a way that is interesting and engaging and emphasizes the importance of scientific rigor in studying development. Most of all I appreciate the personal, direct voice of the text, as if I am listening to the author talk. Some other texts actually make reading about lifespan development boring (hard to do but can be done!) This one very effectively illuminates how fascinating it can be. My only criticism might be that I found it very difficult to cover the entire text in a one semester class, precisely because it is so rich in information.

Used for a developmental psychology class, this book wasn't worth the $94.00 I paid for it. I could have easily substituted this book for any introductory psychology textbook. Piaget, Kolberg, Erikson, and Freud are hardly touched on and their theories are under-summarized. There is also a lack of relevant, current studies in the area of developmental psychology. Most studies are summarized and do not give any usable, substaintial evidence which could be used elsewhere (ex: in papers).

After reading the book I tried to find out who Dave Thompson is - with no result. Well, he`s written several rock books but what`s their value?
Anyway, as for the book, it feels like some cheap digest. First off, it`s a jewel case-size book, which is not a problem by itself, though as one of the reviewers mentioned "it doesn`t feel like a book". The book is in a jewel case indeed - and for a reason, because it literally started falling apart the first time I opened it - no kidding, and I handle my books with care! The book itself is exactly 72 grey paper pages (no photos - wait, there are 3 tiny really awful photos in the very beginning!), which is not the biggest problem, though it feels like I paid too much.
The book starts with an unnessessary superficial introduction briefly mentioning the first 3 U2 albums and Live Aid (what was the point?). Then it goes into the significance of the album (everyone who`d buy the book is well aware of it already!), the sessions (feels like random citations from press), then it describes the promos, the album and meaning of the songs (very superficial, again), B-sides and The Joshua Tree tour. All of the book feels like random outtakes from interviews and other - really good - books. (Just to give you a clue: U2 Live for tour information, Into The Heart and interviews - the Rolling Stone interviews summarized in U2 files, for example - describe the creative process and song meanings etc) It was a big disappointment for me, because as a U2 fan I expected some new information on the album. And the whole book feels so superficial and cheap!
Bottom line: I only see two reasons to buy the book: 1. You LOVE the Joshua Tree album, but don`t care about the rest of U2 work (if it`s possible!), so you`d like to learn something about the album without using other (and much better!) U2 sources. 2. You`re a crazy U2 completist fan willing to buy anything that contains the 2 letters.

U2 es un grupo que mueve masas a traves del mundo entero, aúncuando en países como Colombia si bien es conocido por sus éxitos With or without you, I still haven`t found what I`m looking for y Where the streets have no name, no deja de ser simplemente eso: El grupo de pop creador de esas canciones. Pero mas allá de esas canciones, U2 es un lider político que quizás sin darse cuenta ha influenciado con su música muchos movimientos europeos de tinte socio-polìtico , sobre todo en regiones en conflicto como Irlanda del sur. Es indiscutible que el disco que consagró a U2 como el mejor grupo de pop- rock, fué The Joshua Tree, pero han pasado ya 9 años desde su grabación, y los trabajos posteriores reflejan el crecimiento mental y espiritual del grupo así como su sentir frente al desarrollo de la humanidad en estos años. Es por ello que U2 será siempre un grupo de vanguardia en los mensajes que trasmite, así como en su estilo musical, aún cuando conserve siempre su clásica guitarra y moderado bajo.

1987's The Joshua Tree was U2's breakout album. They had been a big success in Europe, but in America, they were somewhat popular, but not superstars. Up to that point, they had never had a top ten album or single. That all changed when The Joshua Tree was released. The album was an instant smash, spent a staggering 9 weeks at number one and spawned two number one singles, "With Or Without You" & "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". They became the biggest band in the world and rock and roll icons. This book deals with the creative process of the recording of this seminal release. You get some good insights into the thought process behind the album. The one drawback is the book's size. It comes in a cd jewel case and is the size of a cd booklet. It doesn't feel like you are actually reading a book. Other than that, if you love The Joshua Tree, then you should check this book out.

Wonderful ideas for different styles and shapes for sachets. Most are pretty ornate but the pictures help with their assembly. If you're looking for the potpourri though you need to find another book since this one only has one page at the back that talks to potpourri recipes.

This book focuses on the outside of the sachet -- how to make artsy little fabric bags to hold herbs. The author includes only a few recipes for actual herbal blends, which was what I was hoping to find. (More specifically, I was hoping to find information on individual herbs to help one in blending sachets for various purposes.)If your interest is on the exterior of the sachet, this is may be what you are looking for, but if you want information to help you blend the herbs, this is not the place to get it.

The entire book is filled with beautiful and easy-to-make sachets. They are great as gifts and don't take any time to make. Terrific shower presents! Each sachet is beautifully designed for those who like fine things. The book itself would be great present for your sewing friends.