M Books

Love this in my Star Trek collection. Helps you to remember all of the great episodes of this series.

This book really set the standard for me for what a companion book for a TV show should be. A nice essay on the shows creation, lenghy season overviews, detailed synopsis' for each episode, and at least a couple pages (note these are big pages) of behind the scenes information on every single episode. With all due respect to a previous reviewer I don't understand how one could say there isn't enough behind the scenes information. This book is basically everything you could ever want to know about the TV show Star Trek Deep Space Nine. I now only buy companion books that follow a similar format. For anyone who likes DS9 this is the book to own.

This book is just too good for words - I actually was a little stunned to see it existed, and when I received it, I could not have been more pleased with the content. In-depth articles on each episode, illustrated by nice B&W photos and great interviews with cast and crew up and down the list.

Definitely NOT for the casual fan, but for those rare DS9 fans among the Trek fan base, this is the one.

Also, for those of you who enjoy the current "Galactica" series, this is a good window into how Ron Moore learned to write serialized, relevant sci-fi. If anything, this show is superior in many ways to "Galactica," if only by allowing a few rays of light to shine through the perpetual gloom.

Only complaint, and a very minor one: no interviews with either Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat, nose-to-nose the best villain in Trek, along with Khan and Q) or Cirroc Lofton.

Some of the information is interesting, though I do have to admit that I was somewhat let down by it. I thought there would be more "insider information," so to speak, than there was. All the technical info was great, but I was hoping for more personal information, more about inside jokes/behind the scenes/etc. The sections that begin each season are a bit better in this respect though. After one read through of each episode, though, the book's primary use now is just to remind me what each episode is about so I can decide whether to watch it on DVD for the 6th time, or skip to the next episode. Not exactly the central use I had in mind when I bought it.

I'll just add to the heaps of praise for this massive work covering the complete Deep Space Nine series. The plot of every episode is described in detail, as one would expect, but this volume goes much further, devoting a great deal of text on each episode and season, primarily offering points of view from the writers, story editors, producers, directors, and other production staff, and occasionally from the actors. What's especially great, aside from all the detail that fans salivate over, is that everyone involved with the production is generally pretty candid about what does and doesn't work, so the less-inpsired episodes aren't subjected to faux praise for the sake of selling DVDs.

It's not flawless, however. Too much detail is sometimes given about how a story evolved into what finally aired, whereas there are often other questions about plot and character development, or lack thereof, that would've been more compelling to read. Also, there are spoilers in some of the behind-the-scenes info that could've been better disguised; it makes it difficult to share the book with someone who is watching the series for the first time. Those are small nits to pick, though. No other Trek episode guide comes anywhere near the level of depth and quality of this one, and I can't recommend it highly enough to fans of the series, even those who don't consider DS9 their favorite part of the ST franchise.

I read all of her books and especially like this one and DOMESTIC ABUSE ALL SIDES.
This book I found to be very eye opening!
I recommend all of her books
Murder in New England & Closing the circle
Domestic Abuse All Sides
and of course this one.
THUMBS UP!!! And thank you!!!

I wrote this books in hope that it would bring about an awareness to the people involved in domestic violence. They need help, and we as a society need to put our hands out to these people in need and help them. Each case is similar in the respect that violence has occured. Yet, they are all different situations. We all know someone, who knows someone, who has been abused. Let's help out someone in need.


Other books I have written:
Domestic Abuse All Sides and Murder in New England & Closing the Circle

I read Domestic Abuse Our Stories and was quite moved by the many stories in this book. I checked out on the computer and her next book Murder in new england and closing the circle is coming out in January! I can't wait to read the next one!!!Wonderful writer!

Great book
Great stories
Great research
Great author

This is a very powerful book with very powerful stories...wonderful and informative.

Raised as I was on Sesame Street, it took me several episodes before I realized, "Hey, there are no females here. Isn't this show about good role models?" (VeggieTales came out the same year CTW launched Zoe, Sesame Street's first popular female muppet, to great fanfare.)

But the Veggies were fun so I continued to watch, as Bob, Larry, Pa Grape, Junior Asparagus, Mr. Nezzer, Mr. Lunt, Jim and Jerry all got personalities and subtexts. Poor Little Laura remained a whiner. Junior's mom hardly gets to speak. And Esther? A one-note.

So I was interested: Did some executives force Vischer onto this lopsided stage, or did it just happen? And the answer is: he really is that way.

He says that when he and his now wife (wife of 16 years, no doubt happy) found they were expecting, she "had" to drop out of college in her freshman year. We are just supposed to accept that. As it takes longer than one school year to go through a pregnancy, he didn't mention any complications, and this was the '80s, not the fifties, I found that puzzling. He just as cavalierly dismisses her singing aspirations--again, this is the '80s.

Again and again, his theme is that "kids" and "families" need good examples. This is good. He condemns Madonna. Understandable. And it doesn't occur to him that some kids might be females who need good examples, and that families might include women. Interestingly, Vischer even quotes the Bible to explain creating Bob: (paraphrasing) The Cucumber came first, but he was alone, and that was not good. So I created a sidekick.

Wait a minute, didn't the original tale mean creating a ...?

There are many intentionally laugh out loud moments in this book, and some that I think occurred by accident. After working himself into a heart condition, he states that while his wife and in-laws played with the children, he went into his wife's childhood bedroom and started to sketch the Veggie Tales Theme Park. Shades of Harry Chapin, here.

I absolutely expected more about __valuing__ his wife and children. It would have been possible to do that without compromising privacy. But they barely get a mention.

But, to be fair, all that is puzzlement at the man. To review the book, I have to say it was well-written, humorous, and told a great deal about the writer and his philosophies. He is absolutely driven to create, and does so, despite odds. He gives as clear, and as beautifully written, an account of how CG changed the entertainment scene as I could ever hope to see.(Vischer covers so much material it would have been helpful to have had an index.)

He is true to his vision as long as he is able, and doesn't let failure tear his faith apart.

This is a great book for everyone who wants to run out and do great things for God without stopping to ask what God actually wants. The only drawback in my opinion was the way "apologized" to the people he had hurt. If he would have just offered an unqualified apology it would have been great, but for some reason he felt the need to mention that he had been prompted to apologize and then follow it up with, "there, I've said it." But, part of the point is that we're all growing and learning, and I did see real humility in the way he's running his current business. No longer playing the same games as before. Very entertaining and insightful book.

I laughed and cried, but I learned as much from this as a management textbook. Very captivating, entertaining, but emotionally charged with what do we do when God allows our dreams come crashing down around us.

This is an good look at the life of Phil Vischer the creator of the Veggie Tles series. It talks about his dreams and struggles in getting the company started. Also tells of the eventual downfall and the selling off of the company. A great look at his faith in God and his walk with God. I knew that Big Idea was sold to another company but didnt know the whole story until reading this book.

This is an excellent book. For anyone who has dreams, this is for you. For anyone who is in a place of impact or influence, this is a must read. An excellent book of truth and honesty that gets to the heart of the matter. His humility and honesty is clear and compelling. Read it, don't think about it, just buy it and read it.

I'm a horsewoman, but I don't often find a good story with a horse as a main character. The authors don't often get their facts straight. This one did. Every detail that was explained was correct down to the smallest little thing.

Old Black, the book, was a bigger book than it seemed. I counted about 35 characters counting Sam the Rodesian ridgeback dog, and, of course, Old Black himself. Not one character escapes my mind's eye. I knew them every one. Even the reporter, Paul Hardesty, was memorable, and had only a cameo (but important) appearance. Oscar and Ruby, I fell for them hard. Salt of the earth. And how I cried when ... but read it yourself. I could see why the author took that route, it was a big step up the ladder to adulthood for Jim. It took me a long time to read the whole scene because I had a hard time seeing anything.

The author truly introduced every character. And that isn't so often the case.

There was some extravagant adventure in this story, but I never once had to suspend disbelief. Old Black the horse was not overplayed into a super horse, either. Nor was that wonderful little boy Jim. And wasn't Alexandra something? Uncle Harry was right, she's a little princess. And speaking of Uncle Harry and Aunt Hazel, everybody who knows someone who has a loved one with Alzheimer's should get a copy of this book. I know in my heart that Jim's therapy would be beneficial.

There are some real heartbreaking scenes and events in this book. And some funny ones too. I thought I'd die laughing over Mr. Mehlman's "theoretical last days." And the incident involving the snake in the bathroom. My husband came in to see what I was laughing about. I told him I had been bitten by the fabled laughing snake. (Of course, he didn't get it until HE read the book.)Wasn't Harry's reaction something a man with a good sense of humor would come out with? And I can understand Matt and Jim laughing themselves sick.

I finished Old Black, lay back on the pillow and relished it a while, then started right back on page 1.

This is a book that violates all sorts of fiction writing rules; but in the end it tells its story well, and that, finally, is what matters. It is a story of love and respect between an aging but athletic horse, and a boy of great honesty and integrity. The bond that develops between them is powerful and enriches each other's lives. It is a touching and sentimental narrative, a story of good triumphant over evil, of decency, friendship, and of an idealized world of physical beauty in which racial conflict has been vanquished, in which people labor happily, and in which love is everywhere.

The author's compulsion to explain every motive and nuance, or to attempt to define the undefinable, fills the narrative with distractions and unecessary curlicues that don't further the action; fortunately, the story line is so strong that it withstands the interruptions. In summary, a book worth reading for all but the very jaded, and an ideal object as a gift for any youngster who owns a horse.

I didn't have to wonder who the characters were as this story unfolded. They were introduced very well and they acted and talked true to their individual characters. Buck was a great guy. Little Jim had his hands full that day in the woods but didn't choke. I loved Ruby and Oscar. Uncle Harry would be a great guy to know.

I hope that guy at Richter's store gets some notice prior to his demise. I believe he really would use it to good advantage. As for Ralph, well, who ever heard of the inhabitants of a country having to live elsewhere? Alexandra? Who wouldn't like her?

This is a good story. There was much more to it than I expected. I didn't expect much humor, but almost split my sides laughing. There was sadmess enough, too.

The ending was perfect, more came together than I looked for, not a string left untied. I could read this again in a few months.

I'm a horsewoman, but I don't often find a good story with a horse as a main character. The authors don't often get their facts straight. This one did. Every detail that was explained was correct down to the smallest little thing.

Old Black, the book, was a bigger book than it seemed. I counted about 35 characters counting Sam the Rodesian ridgeback dog, and, of course, Old Black himself. Not one character escapes my mind's eye. I knew them every one. Even the reporter, Paul Hardesty, was memorable, and had only a cameo (but important) appearance. Oscar and Ruby, I fell for them hard. Salt of the earth. And how I cried when ... but read it yourself. I could see why the author took that route, it was a big step up the ladder to adulthood for Jim. It took me a long time to read the whole scene because I had a hard time seeing anything.

The author truly introduced every character. And that isn't so often the case.

There was some extravagant adventure in this story, but I never once had to suspend disbelief. Old Black the horse was not overplayed into a super horse, either. Nor was that wonderful little boy Jim. And wasn't Alexandra something? Uncle Harry was right, she's a little princess. And speaking of Uncle Harry and Aunt Hazel, everybody who knows someone who has a loved one with Alzheimer's should get a copy of this book. I know in my heart that Jim's therapy would be beneficial.

There are some real heartbreaking scenes and events in this book. And some funny ones too. I thought I'd die laughing over Mr. Mehlman's "theoretical last days." And the incident involving the snake in the bathroom. My husband came in to see what I was laughing about. I told him I had been bitten by the fabled laughing snake. (Of course, he didn't get it until HE read the book.)Wasn't Harry's reaction something a man with a good sense of humor would come out with? And I can understand Matt and Jim laughing themselves sick.

I finished Old Black, lay back on the pillow and relished it a while, then started right back on page 1.

I was given this book by a friend and was surprised at the well-balanced combination of story, locale and apt descriptions of riding events.

Buck Jones: a rodeo cowboy who becomes seriously ill and must get rid of his beloved horse. I liked Buck a lot, and so did his friends in the story. He raised Old Black from a colt and only became a rodeo star after Old Black came on the scene as his roping horse. The day he got rid of his beloved pal was a heart-rending scene.

Small things impressed me. The arrival at the Bradley's farm with Jim's new horse -- he so wanted to show him off to the old black couple down the lane, but he had to wait. Things to do on the farm. Getting on the horse took some imagination for 10-year-old Jim Bradley, but he solved THAT! Then got an extension for his stirrup. Small things, but so important to the story.

Jim's first real horse show was an adventure for me. The hospitality suite he and his mother came upon, and got acquainted with the Robertsons and their daughters. Jim's performance in that western riding class was beautiful, as written.

I adored little Alexandra Meridith, her father. Her grandparents, Oscar and Ruby, were fine old people, and dearly loved by that little boy.

The series of chapters dealing with the rescue of the sheriff out in the woods was as stirring and exciting as could be. And it reeked of realism. That long episode was brought to a perfect conclusion, even if some concerns still were left dangling. But they were wrapped up later.

The funeral of a black lady was a fine piece of descriptive writing, touching.

The ending of the story was purely satisfying. The indignant lady in the stands was a good, good touch. How she finally came around to applaud Old Black after accusing him of hurting her daughters chances in the class. The unlikely but understandable award to Old Black. Then, something I can't tell because it would ruin the ending for readers, but it was just exactly what should have happened. Even if it caught be completely by surprise.

A great story.

This book is a book that anyone who is considering a career in any type of child services needs to read. I myself am going into social services and this book made me realize what I will be seeing on a daily basis. Mary Ellen was such a brave little girl and I applaud her for surviving her early life!

The book Out Of The Darkness is an awesome book. It shows the hard time that a little girl named Mary Ellen had to go threw. She has such a hard life, but in the end everything work out. I recommend this book for everybody. This is an outstanding book, everybody should read it.

I'm Eric Shelman, co-author of Out of the Darkness. I just wanted to ask that if you buy this book, come on back and write a review of it when you're done. I've never had anything but positive feedback about it, but others can use YOUR personal experience with it to better judge it prior to purchasing. I thank all of you who have read and commented on our book.

The authors of this book have created a wonderful window of understanding how child abuse/neglect has evolved over the years. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in the human service field. Through the heart-felt story of Mary Ellen, we can see why there is such a strong need to protect children and continue to evolve for many more years. Thank you to Shelman & Lazoritz for telling such an important story.

Review of Out of the Darkness: The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson by Eric A. Shelman and Stephen Lazoritz, M.D. Dolphin Moon Publishing, 2003

I chose to review this book because it explains the job of a social worker in the early days of the profession. The book appealed to me as an author and advocate. Set in New York City immediately after the Civil War, this book offers a powerful story in a historical context. Using an original style that combines journalism with fiction, the writers completed a work of art that is based on a true story. The protagonist, Mary Ellen Wilson, was a real orphaned child who experienced devastating cruelty at the hands of the first woman to be tried and convicted of child abuse, Mary Connolly. The story climaxes when Etta Wheeler, a social worker; Henry Bergh, the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and Elbridge Gerry, ASPCA attorney, come together to rescue Mary Ellen. It's nearly inconceivable that animals were awarded victims' rights before children.

Thomas Wilson was an immigrant from Ireland who fled the potato famine to shuck oysters at a New York City hotel. In 1861 he married Frances Connor, an English immigrant who he'd met while she was a laundress at the hotel. While he was on the front lines during the Civil War, she gave birth to their daughter, named Mary Ellen. The year the child was born was the same year that Tom Wilson died in battle, 1864.

Frances found it difficult to work and care for her child, so she sought the services of a woman named Martha Score. Childcare for the working poor in the tenements of New York City provided meager nutrition and crowded conditions with no sanitation. However, Miss Score took good care of the baby while Frances worked long hours at the hotel. Travel through the tenements was treacherous at night, so Frances could not visit her child as often as she wished. After her husband died during battle, Fanny turned to alcohol for solace, leading to the loss of her job. Eventually, Fanny died in an "inebriate's asylum." When the war ended, working women returned to housekeeping as their husbands went to work. This left Miss Score with no income, thereby having to abandon the then two-year old Mary Ellen to Blackwell Island almshouse. Mary Ellen was illegally adopted to the evil Mrs. Connolly, where she suffered for seven years.

Etta Wheeler worked for St. Luke's Mission; she cared for the "outdoor poor" and frail elderly in the slums of the city. When neighbors spoke about the cries of a child called Mary Ellen, Miss Wheeler used all available resources to rescue Mary Ellen. However, she was often told by pastors, police, and lawyers to not interfere in the family's business. Undaunted by the advice, Etta persisted in her rescue efforts, eventually aided by Henry Bergh of the ASPCA. In 1874, with police assist, Mary Ellen was carried out of the abusive home, covered with a horse blanket provided by the ASPCA. The court proceedings set a precedent: "There had never been a recognized way to remove a child from an unfit home." The jury trial resulted in felony assault charges against Mrs. Connolly.

Etta Wheeler's sister, who lived on a farm in upstate New York, legally adopted Mary Ellen. Etta continued her social work in the tenements of New York City, where she was needed most. Mary Ellen eventually married, and her daughters spoke of their mother's burns and cuts that never fully healed. However, Mary Ellen lived until the age of ninety-two, surviving her husband by thirty-one years. Meanwhile, Mr. Bergh founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Mr. Gerry was responsible for forming the initial laws pertaining to the rights of children.

This story will cause the reader to wince at the cruelty and rejoice at the rescue. Perhaps the most poignant message in the book comes with the ending: "Perhaps we should see Mary Ellen not as the victim of abuse, but as the survivor, and as a persistent reminder that the efforts of a few people on behalf of one child can make a real difference." As a social worker, that is my hope.

I liked this book well enough. I think Sunny was truly unfair to her mom. I would have stuck right by my moms side. I can see why Dawn got mad at Sunny. She is incredibly selfish and VERY boy-crazy. I liked the other California Diaries a lot better. Thats why i gave it 4 stars. P.S. Maggie is my favorite character.

I think this book was poorly written. It made Sunny seem selfish and stupid. She was incredibly rude to Dawn. Also, she was treating Dawn's house like her private hotel. Also, she acted terrrible to her mom. She could have been there for her mom, knowing she had cancer. Another thing is, Sunny had so many boyfriends in this 1 book and she only cared about what they looked like. Not there personality. All in all, this book was pretty good.

Read betwee the lines

Dr. merwin has stopped talking about good signs and her mother iws never getting better.

Sunny is a selfish, boy-crazed lunatic who doesn't realise that DAWN and MRS. WINSLOW and MR. WINSLOW NEED Sunny to HELP them. SURE she DOES have her OWN PROBLEMS, that's fine, but DON"t MESS EVERYBODY else UP, Sunny, and expect everyone to FORGIVE and FORGET the way Carol, Mrs. Bruen, and Dawn's dad did about the stew pot that YOU LEFT UNATTENDED while CAROL and an unborn BABY were in the house. SUNNY IS SELFISH, STUBBORN and CONCEITED. she doesn't realise that in this time of heartbreak and upset (her mother's illness) she is NOT the only person SUFFERING. Everyone NEEDS to PULL together and SUNNY IS NOT HELPING THIS by running away with loner 17-year olds and nearly burning people's houses down!
DAWN IS THE GREATEST FRIEND< a person always there to help. I can see why she doesn't understand SUnny - sunny is so oneminded and stubborn. Dawn is just TRYING to HELP sunny and bring her back to sanity, but SUNNY PUSHES EVERYONE AWAY aND is that DAwn's fault, i think not!

Sunny #6 was a good book; it was the book in which the fight between Dawn and Sunny REALLY begins; it showed both sides of Dawn and Sunny's personalities; good and bad.
Sunny is a troubled teen dealing with the fact that she may lose her mother to cancer; she has a lot of anger, pain, and sadness to deal with. She, unfortunately, solves her problems by, as Dawn pointed out, running away; and this isn't the greatest thing to do; although one aspect of it is good; you learn from your mistakes and work on solving your problems in a different way; so truly; Sunny is experimenting with how to deal with her pain and grief. This is what Dawn, Sunny's long-time best friend; doesn't see. She sees Sunny as being stubborn, selfish, a changed person; and a person who doesn't visit her mother at all.

I would just like to point out here that Ann M Martin; the author, has done a fantastic job of making us feel sympathetic towards Sunny in this book; so much, that by the next book, Dawn #7, we feel resentful towards Dawn. Great work, Ms Martin!

Anyway, back to the Dawn and Sunny Saga : Dawn is also experiencing grief, she has a close friend and 'second mother'in Mrs Winslow (Sunny's mother), and is just as saddened by Mrs. Winslow's illness as Sunny is. Dawn is also experiencing confusion as her stepmother, Carol, is carrying her father's baby. One interesting thing is this; Dawn visits Mrs. Winslow more often than Sunny does, but Sunny gets on a LOT better than Dawn with Carol. It's almost as if they had switched mothers; and this adds to the tension and rivalry between the two girls.

I think that there are a lot of aspects to this fight; really, i don't side with either Dawn or Sunny; i just try to understand their problems and what they're feeling; the way Ducky does with Sunny.

However, i do believe that Dawn could be more understanding; she could see that Sunny doesn't know how to act because of the situation she's in; Dawn could try to understand Sunny better and empathize, not criticise. Dawn doesn't seem to realise that when people are faced with a tough problem/situation, they don't always know how they'll act; after all, when it boils down to it, this is SUNNY's mother and SUNNY has the bigger problem; her mother is dying. And Dawn may feel equally saddened by this but; she has Carol and her mother in Stoneybrook. So Dawn doesn't TRULY know how Sunny feels...she just THINKS she does.

Sunny, in turn; could also be less stubborn; she definitely let her guard down when she went out to flirt with that guy, putting Carol and her unborn baby in danger, by leaving the stew pot unattended; Sunny was definitely pretty selfish when she did this; but one thing has come of it, Sunny realises her mistakes and apologises. But i do feel Dawn's confusion that Sunny, Mrs. Bruen, Dad and Carol are all sitting around having a friendly chat just hours after Sunny made that tremendous mistake; while Sunny seems to be 'off the hook'. I can also understand Dawn's annoyance that when Sunny makes a mistake, everyone blames it on the turmoil caused by her mother's illness; again, Sunny off the hook...

I do think that Sunny needs to see what a great friend she has in Ducky; after all, he always listens and understands and doesn't judge her by her actions. He's a terrific friend, but Sunny needs to be a good friend back to him. In the book, an example of this was when Ducky was majorly upset about his depressed friend Alex, and Sunny listened for about half a second, cut Ducky off, and started chatting about her upcoming date with another guy. She asks Ducky's fashion advice in the middle of Ducky explaining a serious problem! The ONE time Ducky needs desperate help, and asks Sunny for it, she won't listen. I have to admit that when you don't help a great buddy like Ducky, that's pretty low...

However, Dawn comes across as a patron saint, as Sunny describes; Dawn blocks Sunny's view of Mrs. Winslow and starts spouting 'lies' (as Sunny thinks), "You're looking so GREAT today, Mrs. Winslow, what can i do for you, Mrs. Winslow? Today's such a pretty day, you're looking better than ever, Mrs. Winslow! Come on, Sunny, let's get your mom some food, call the nurse, give her flowers..." I can definitely see how this could REALLY get on Sunny's nerves.

So as you can see there are two very different sides to this fight...keep reading all of the California Diaries to see how it goes! And, oh; by the way, Sunny Diary Two #6, 'Waiting. Watching. Crash." is a great book, definitely worth buying, and an important milestone in the Dawn and Sunny Fight: you can't miss it!

Laura Brotherson touches on a subject that is much needed but avoided and shame-based in most Christian circles. I bought this book for me and for my husband, we appreciate it so much that I bought it for my daughter and her husband to read together. It is written beautifully and honestly and I feel must have been inspired. It is LDS based, but I agree with other reviewers that it would be very helpful to any woman or couple. I'm so thankful for her courage and I believe she must have been inspired to write it, especially to share her own personal pain and frustrations with false, though well-meaning, but very harmful messages of female sexuality in general but most especially in a religious context. I am an LDS incest survivor, so the book has been an essential part of my healing and in developing a healthy sexual identity. There are many ways that I have been harmed sexually, however, and one of them is without a doubt the destructive messages given to women, young and old, and the obvious avoidance of open discussion about something so important and essential to a woman's well-being, and in the LDS context; marriage and her eternal role. I would suggest this as a gift for any woman you love and care about. Equally important though, I would suggest it for any good man that wants to truly love, understand, honor, and fulfill his wife in the way I believe God intended. Unfortunately, men, young and old, are also severely misinformed, not educated, and just plain taught WRONG about female sexuality. I so appreciate Laura Brotherson's courage, effort, and truly inspired willingness to share such important truths.

This book is excellent. I am reading it with my fiance and it has strengthened our relationship so much. Recommend this book to anyone!

You can read the other reviews too. I will simply echo the awesome, complete, and totally comprehensive coverage of this work. I will also add that although the author writes this from an LDS background, the subject matter does apply to christians as well - and is very useful. Although LDS absolutely worship a different God than Christians do, you might consider getting past it for this purpose... much of their terminology is the same as ours (one of the troubling things when studying the religion). You are hopefully secure in your christian beliefs, and will be able to get past the obvious LDS church specific references. I've read numerous christian books lately, and this is by far superior and very helpful. She nails it, and leaves nothing out - especially useful for men on understanding and fulfilling their wives. I recommend the Audiobook...long at over 14 hours, but worth it. ...Don't let the LDS aspect turn you off of this very helpful work because there is a lot of good stuff here.

Marriages WILL be saved by way of this book, if both spouses are humble and honest with themselves to accept the need to improve. I can say that because it has positively and eternally changed the dynamics and effect of my marriage. My wife and I have grown in leaps and bounds due to the ONEness that we now feel and continually work on and our communications in ALL respects could not be better...If Sister Brotherson needs...I am willing to translate this book into Spanish and Portuguese...I feel that AS MANY PEOPLE THAT CAN GET THIS BOOK...OUGHT TO!!!

Candid, thorough, information placed in an appropriate scriptural,sacred context. This is the type of information that should be included in marriage and family courses in churches. I found the information and recommendations to be valid and research based.

My wife has always been a fan of Peanuts, and I found these to be perfect. She's so happy each time she opens a new one.

I received this set as a gift for someone else & ended up keeping it myself because I didn't want to part with it! Really nice little set of books, it's so much easier to have everything neatly compiled like this. I'm looking forward to getting the rest of the set.

When I first heard that "The Complete Peanuts" was going to be published, I could not wait for the first one. The wait was very rewarding; not only could I read the comics and see the characters as they grew in the strip, but I could also see the flow of the strip with the Sunday comics in the proper order. Schulz would often continue a story line in the Sunday comics, which many strip writers do not. As a child I had over 150 of the small paperbacks, watched all the specials, and loved the lessons in the story lines. As an adult, I watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with my family every year and still read the comics to start my day off right. If you have a love for Peanuts and want to rediscover the characters, buy a few sets or the whole series and connect with them again.

I am so glad I purchased these books. I love Peanuts and it is wonderful to have a collection in chronological order. I have really enjoyed seeing the early stages of Peanuts as they were evolving into the familiar characters. As my finances are slim, I cannot get all the books at once, but I will be getting the subsequent years as soon as I can afford them. The packaging of the books is also very attractive and of good quality. They will last for many years and many readings.

Who doesn't like "Peanuts"? Well Charles Schultz hated the name "Peanuts" but that's another story altogether. Collected here are the entire daily strips and Sunday strips for the first four years of the comic. Most of them have been complied over the decades but more than most are seeing the light of day for the first time since they originally ran. Here we saw the genesis of Charlie Brown and Snoopy and the introduction of Lucy Van Pelt and Schroeder as infants. Things were very embryonic at this stage and Schultz was still finding his footing with his characters behaviors and future neuroses but still manages to make you laugh.

If you a fan and your looking to start a collection here is your chance. Enjoy.

It is brief to the point and very clear for quick in the meeting reference.

Exactly what I needed and as promised. This is a great introduction to Robert's Rules of Order. After reading it I was comfortable running a meeting not just attending!

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief gives you the skills and know-how to run a meeting. As President or an officer in any organization, you need to know several rules that will help you officiate and move it along while getting its business accomplished. This book sets out the standard order of business in an easy to read format. Its size makes it easy to carry and facilitates getting needed information. Membership in work, church and social organizations requires specific knowledge that this little book provides.

I am the chair of the Classified Staff Council on a very large University Campus. We use this book as a guideline for our meetings and events. I purchase them for each memeber to review if they have questions. EXCELLENT

There is only one true brief of Robert's Rules of Order and this is it.

The preview of this book made no mention that it's focus is on women who placed their children for adoption in the 70's and were coerced into it.

I placed my child for adoption in the 90's under no one's influence. It was a painful, yet positive experience.I am in search of a book that can help a person in my situation.

This book was not it.

Thank you, Joseph M. Soll and Karen Wilson Buterbaugh! Over 1.5 million of us surrendered babies for adoption in the 50s and 60s and 70s, and it now feels really good to know people are writing about how we can heal from that incredibly painful loss. This book is extremely well done, and Mr. Soll and Ms. Wilson Buterbaugh are to be commended for their courage in taking on this topic. Thanks for illuminating a path that, hopefully, will aid the healing process for many of us.
Sharon Shaw Elrod; www.sharsstory.com

I thought this book was wonderful. It definitely helped me to realize that I wasn't alone in my feelings and fears, decades after losing a baby to adoption. I feel it has helped me to face the truths of just how things happened and helped me to realize that it was not only not my decision but it was not my fault. I was given no choice and this book helped me to realize that. It has been very therapeutic in helping me deal with my loss and to understand my behaviors over the years.

I read this treasure 14 years aftering finding my daughter. It put into words the anxiety I endured the first 21 years of her life that were lost to me. This book should be read by all mothers who felt they were 'forced' to place their child for adoption. It can provide validation for the feelings we were afraid to express. The authors did a superb job of covering all aspects of the pain of the adoption experience that will color our lives forever.

Thank you to Joe Soll for writing this vital book about the birth mother experience. It may be the "aha" book for birth mothers as THE PRIMAL WOUND (by Nancy Verrier) is for adoptees. Birth mothers will find validation and know that they are not alone.