N Books

This is a great walk down memory lane. When I was a kid in the fifties and sixties, Wildwood was my favorite place on earth. I remember the Toonerville Trolley, Mack's Pizza, Laura's Fudge, the Jack Rabbit and Mr. D's. I remember checking out the waitresses at Pierre's on the boardwalk after working my own shift at Kelly's Cafe. This book is rich in memories and a good historical piece. I have lived in Hawaii for almost two decades and I love to tell folks here about the Wildwood palm trees that you unscrew in September and put away for the winter. Great reading!

This is a wonderful book detailing the history of this seaside resort. A MUST for anyone interested in this New Jersey area. Reading this book will bring back great memories for anyone who has ever vacationed here.

This is a nice addition to your collection if you have any interest at all in the history of 5 Mile Beach. Nicely written, though a bit redundant at times, "Wildwood by the Sea" begins in the late 1800's, before paved roads were common, to the late 1990's, where huge roller coasters and monstrous resort hotels dot the skyline. The book doesn't delve very deeply into the local political scene, giving a view from the eyes of the business owner instead. Some of these men were entertainment visionaries (such as Gilbert Blaker and William Hunt), and had to deal with competiton from other cities, bad weather, and frequent fires. The roller-coasters that sprang up along the boardwalk closely mirrored the up-and-downs of the local economy.
There are plenty of excellent and fascinating photographs from the island's early years, and it's fun to contrast those photos with the modern ones from the early 1990's.

Wildwood holds a special place in the hearts of many people (like myself) who spent a good portion of their childhood there. If you have fond memories of the place, grab this book if you can, it's really hard to find these days...but you can if you look hard enough!

For anyone who can remember things like the "Hell Hole", the Pirate ship on Hunt's Peir,the "Oliver Fox Men's clothing store,the cam car screaming all night"Watch the car please", Oliver Fox playing his clarinet with the other Swing Band members on the Boardwalk Bandstand,the Boardwalk Majic & Trick shop, the "Ocean Court Motel across from the tennis courts(and their super cheap rates) and of course Mack's Pizza Shops this book is a must! I bought this great volume at the Boardwalk Bookstore several years ago just to have the memories. Back in the early 60s my family would never dream of going anywhere else once we went to Wildwood.Even living in Baltimore,Md our Ocean City didn't have a chance against all that the Wildwoods had to offer and for anyone who grew up walking those long sandy beaches like I did know exactly what I'm talking about. This book is a must for folks like me who enjoyed it when we were kids and now take our children and grandchildren as so they also can start their own memories!
"Enjoy" Joe Kopeck

I have been going to Wildwood every summer since I was a young kid, and it is one of my favorite places in the world (since I was born in Jersey). Recently, I realized that I knew very little about the history of the resort I love so much, and so I decided to buy this book and find out the details. This book is expensive, but I highly recommend it. It thoroughly details Wildwood's history, from its 1890's beginnings through the present day. Now, some people might think 'Oh, it's a historical book, so it must be boring,' but this book holds your attention. It was written in an incredibly good way, and has plently of picutes and illustrations in it, so that you know exactly what the author is talking about. None of it is boring, it has great details about everything you could ever want to know about the Wildwoods, and it covers everything from the beach to the Boardwalk. So, if you love Wildwood and want to know a little more about its history, read this book. It is expensive, but is worth every penny!

I really love this book! The pictures are great and the recipes are what I was looking for! I highly recommend it!

Excellent book for anyone interested in desserts. I can't cook, but for some reason I can make excellent desserts. The berry fool is very easy to make and you can change it up a bit and put it in individual graham cracker pie plates. This book is loads of fun. Read the whole thing first though.

Most of the recipes in this book are suitable for bakers of any level.

What makes this book a standout, is the fact that even the simplest recipes look expensive and difficult, when complete. For example:

The Poached Pears With Raspberry Coulis, is simple. It looks like a million bucks when properly plated, though.

My boyfriend made the Lemon Curd Squares in the middle of the night. He isn't known for his cooking or baking skills (unless Noodle Roni counts). They came out perfect. From the way he carried on, you would think he solved cold fusion.

If your baking challenged, significant other, reads this book and is motivated to make just one recipe, then your money was well spent.

This book is a must have.

This book is as good as all the Williams-Sonoma books I own. They all look delicious, and those that I've made, have turned out well and taste so good. I've made the Mango Sorbet, Flourless Chocolate Torte, Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Frozen Citrus Mousse and the Raspberry Tart. There are still so many I want to make, and I'm definately going to get around to them because all the others have been hits, and people have asked me for the recipes. The book itself is beautifuly presented and I love the pictures and all the little helpful hints that are on most pages. There is lots to learn about cooking in here. Buy this and have fun with it. Just don't make stuff too often or your waistline will go up in size. These things are too yum to resist.

I have not even tried a recipe yet but I've read it cover to cover. You can usually tell a good cook book by how well it's written. The authors explain in great detail each recipe which is very easy to follow. To top it off a picture accompanies every dessert so you know exactly what to expect. In the back of the book is a guide for baking novices, like myself, on the importance of preparation before baking and some other tidbits as well.

The same day I received my copy I watched a program that aired on the Food Network: Good Eats w/ Alton Brown. He made Crème Brulee, Pear Coulis', and a Soufflé. His method followed the book to a tee. As you can see I highly recommend this book.

The first time I read this to my 2 little boys, I cried my eyes out. I have a 20 month old son & a 4 month old son, so this book really tugged at my heartstrings without being over the top mushy. The thought of my little guys growing up so fast makes me sad for me; but excited at the prospect of what they'll be when they grow up...all the possibilities life will offer them. Bottom line this book says it all, exactly what any parent would wish for their children, the simple joys of life and to let them know how deeply they are loved. I highly recommend this book to anyone with children and also to any parent-to-be, what a beautiful gift this would make, the illustrations are lovely and with each turn of the page you too will be reaching for a tissue.

One day on the radio I heard an awesome song called " I hope you dance" and it said a lot of the things I hoped my daughter would follow one day and was excited when I found the board book " I hope you dance" by Tia Sillers. I had also wished there was a version for boys or for older children and was so pleased when I found this book!

This book has beautiful oil painted pictures of children and speaks of what we'd love our children to know about themselves without a doubt and that then never doubt their strengths, self worth and uniqueness. This is a terrific book to give at baby showers and to read to your child when they are young and then to read it often so it sinks in. Because if you tell a child they are strong, smart, worth while, unique and one of a kind and tell them often they'll know it and believer it.

This book is everything I wish & pray for my grandchildren.
They have a tough road ahead of them, and this book brings one back to the basics.

This beautiful picture book is filled with wishes that parents hope will come true for their children. Some of those wishes are I hope you will always be curious and I hope you will always be a part of a family. Reading this book to your child will let them know of all the love you have for them with in your heart. Wishes for You would make a great bedtime story for kids of all ages.

My super handed me WISHES FOR YOU as I was going to the subway.
While reading it on the subway, I did not start weeping until:
"I hope you will love one special person more than anyone or
anything in the whole world," and then I did not stop weeping
until long after I finished the book and got off the train at
Queensboro Plaza. The not-starting weeping until that late
in the book was a commendable sign of self-restraint, I think,
considering how moving, authentic, and wonderful WISHES FOR YOU is.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (11/07)

Anita M. Smith (1893-1968) is not only portrayed as an accomplished writer, but also as an accomplished artist as she reveals Woodstock in this wonderful second edition "art book." What a breathtaking way to create a visual tribute to 20th century artists such as Konrad Cramer, Doris Lee, Andrew Dasburg, and of course herself, Anita M. Smith.

But there is more. Smith includes history and daily life. There is an extensive chapter on the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts colony as well a section emphasizing the Maverick music and arts festivals, the predecessor to Woodstock. This coffee table book also features nearly 200 photos accentuating local individuals and attractions.

Those of us that grew up in the era of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, even if we didn't attend it, will always relate to it. But, most of us, unless we live in the area, do not know the history of Woodstock. Smith gives the opportunity for us to visit Woodstock in a way we couldn't have in 1969.

"Woodstock History and Hearsay" is captivating to say the least. The local tradition and myths, along with the researched narrative and paintings captures the splendor and magic of one of America's oldest arts communities.

Several years ago I reviewed It happened in Woodstock which was originally published in 1959 and authored by a Philadelphia debutant, artist, herbalist and author Anita M. Smith. As I mentioned in my review it was a book not only remarkable for its good look, but also its amazing chronicling of the history of Woodstock from A.D. 1614 until 1971. The 1959 book was Woodstock's first official history and documented the run-up of events that culminated in the historic three day "Woodstock Music and Art Fair" that was celebrated in mid-August of 1969.

This second edition, Woodstock History and Hearsay published by Woodstock Arts includes an abundance of new material including a comprehensive list of endnotes, a bibliography and an expanded index. It is the recipient of the 2007 Independent Publisher Award and a finalist Foreward 2007 Book of the Year.

We have to thank the tireless efforts of Weston Blelock and his sister Julia for giving us the opportunity to experience through the writings of Anita M. Smith the history, art and lifestyle of Woodstock's inhabitants from its early settlement until the 1960s.

Moreover, with Woodstock History and Hearsay we can now fully appreciate the philosophy and art of such 20th century artists as George Bellow, Charles Rosen, Konrad Cramer, Henry Mattson, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Alexander Archipenko, Arnold Blanch, Doris Lee, Henry Lee McFee, Alfeo Faggi and others.

It should be pointed out that Weston and Julia Blelock's mother, Nelle Thornton Jones Blelock was a close friend of Anita Smith and she had inherited from the latter all of her holdings, including artworks and written materials. When their mother died, Smith's estate passed onto them and they resolved to honor her and their mother through a program of restoration-including various buildings and gardens as well as the collection of intellectual property. Consequently, they had founded their company, Woodstock Arts which focus was "to embrace and celebrate a mindset and way of living that he been handed down to them from Anita." As a result, one of the first major projects was the development and publication of the second edition of Smith's 1959 Woodstock History and Hearsay.

As mentioned in the Preface, this second edition augments the original set of eighteen illustrations, always making sure that the images would be a reflection of Smith's own visual palate and sensibilities.

Divided into fifteen chapters and packed with historical detail, the book explores early settlement, frontier days, glass making in the nineteenth century which was an impetus for Woodstock's growth, Catskill farmers rebelling against feudalism, a comprehensive chapter pertaining to the famous Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony, the first Woodstock Festival, Rosie Magee who was a mother to a generation of artists, George Bellows and other leading artists, the Art Students League, Ohayo Mountain, upper Hamlets, Woodstock and World War II, and various local personalities.

It is quite obvious that Smith has done a tidy bit of research making the scenes of Woodstock, her inhabitants and neighbours from the surrounding areas come alive. And as an important added feature is the relevant Integration of 170 black and white photos highlighting works of art of several local personalities and landmarks and the book's 196 images include 7 maps and two portfolios with 19 reproductions.

Woodstock History and Hearsay will appeal to booklovers who relish a fascinating read reflecting, as Julia Blelock mentions in the Preface, "Woodstock-known internationally because of its art heritage and the 1969 festival-represents a special blend of imagination, creativity and commitment to an alternative way of life."

Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures

Although I've had this book for a while, it's been difficult to find time to adequately praise it. Consequently, several others have beat me to the punch, superbly. As Ms. Borsos properly notes, Woodstock, N.Y. is known for its character and characters, the one influencing the other in ways that made the town a haven for "passionate, energetic, entrepreneurial, hard working and artistic" people.

These U.S. born bohemian types fortunately included the late Anita M. Smith (1893-1968), whose paintings Weston and his sister Julia Blelock have lovingly compiled in the latest edition of this book. How they came to do that is as much of interest as the book itself, for the Blelocks' parents had during their childhood rented Smith's home, while she lived in a cottage next door, adopted them as her "spiritual" grandchildren, and wrote the first, 1959 edition of the book.

The masterful current edition won the 2007 Independent Publisher's Award, presumably for its magnificent printing quality--and its fabulous content, including the introduction of Smith's 1920-1928 impressionist artwork, heretofore not in print. Smith's previously famous artistic renditions of New York's Catskill region had been shown in Chicago's Art Institute, Toronto (now Ontario's) Art Gallery, and Pennsylvania's Academy of Fine Arts.

But Smith was also first to write the Woodstock local history, which is far more scholarly and complete than most regional histories I have seen. Smith's life experience (recorded here in a time line) indicates the breadth of experience, knowledge and intellectual exposure she brought to her account, despite her grandmotherly familiarity with editors, during their childhoods.

Woodstock's Revolutionary-era Tory bent would not surprise anyone familiar with other rural New York areas. Setauket, Long Island, for example, has struggled (successfully) to retain its colonial feel, preserving even its circa 1730 Caroline Church, to which George II's Queen, Wilhelmina Karoline of Brandenburg-Anspach, gave its original alter cloth and Sacrament ornaments--and whose western side proudly exhibits Continental soldiers' bullet holes. Under British control for 7 years after the Revolution, Setauket was like Woodstock also home to Yankee boatmen whom the "damned Red Coats" labeled a local "Spy Ring."

Woodstock's Civil, World War I and World War II histories are also admirably recounted here, in a scholarly and equally engaging manner. Students of early American history will love the local color provided in chapters on New York's time along the budding nation's "western frontier," its liberation from Tory control, its 19th Century glass-making (a common art throughout the North East and into Canada) and rural agricultural disputes with large area landholders.

Then there are Smith's word-paintings of the beginnings and life in the original Byrdcliffe art colony, founded by Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead, Bolton Brown and Hervey White, the last of whom later split off to start another such early art commune, the Maverick.

As others have mentioned, the characters on Smith's word canvas include instantly recognizable popular, business, intellectual, literary and political names (Helen Hayes, Edward G. Robinson, John Burroughs, John Dewey, Thomas Mann, Eleanor Roosevelt and Pete Seeger) and less famous (Alexander Archipenko, George Bellows, Philip Guston, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Charles Rosen and Conrad Kramer) alike. In a way, Anita Smith was rural New York's Gertrude Stein.

I can't recommend this fabulous 2nd edition highly enough.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

This book is a history of Woodstock, New York, with an emphasis on the development of its artistic community. Originally published in 1959, the book has been updated with endnotes by Weston Blelock and many new images and plates. Smith first arrived in Woodstock in 1912, when she spent a summer with the artists' colony. She soon returned to Woodstock to take up full-time residence, and in addition to painting, began collecting stories and anecdotes from townspeople. Her interest in local history became widely known, and in 1931, she began publishing papers about the history of Woodstock through the Historical Society of Woodstock. Following World War II, she compiled a history of the wartime contributions of Woodstock community members. In 1959, she published a volume of her historical research on town history, Woodstock: History and Hearsay. In this edition, family friends, Weston and Julia Blelock, have painstakingly reviewed Smith's manuscript, added endnotes, a new introduction, a biographical timeline of Smith's life, and hundreds of new illustrations and photographs. This edition includes an index, an annotated list of illustrations, a bibliography, and endnotes, as well as the World War II service record summaries from Smith's original work.

The book represents a massive work of scholarship, covering the history of Woodstock from its earliest European settlement through the period just after World War II. As well as being an active member of the artistic community, Smith was an avid collector of stories, and recorded firsthand accounts of life in Woodstock dating as far back as the early Nineteenth Century. In this book, she includes stories of frontier life, the glass-making factories, and a large section on the Down-Rent War, a rebellion against feudal land ownership. She then traces the development of the Byrdcliffe Art Colony, the Maverick Festival, and many of the artists who came to live in Woodstock. At the end of the book is a remarkable history of the WWII contributions of Woodstock residents, at the home front as well as in the services. In addition to the plates contained in Smith's 1959 edition, the Blelocks have added hundreds of photographs, color reproductions, and maps that make the present volume quite attractive as well as illustrative of Smith's stories.

The book is a delight to read, as well as highly informative. Smith writes in a down-to-earth narrative style, conveying the character of her interviewees. She clearly had a wide range of interests and cultivated friendships with people from all walks of life. She discusses some of the politics and personality conflicts of the original artists' community impartially, although she was a firsthand witness and participant in many of the events. Scholars studying artists who resided in Woodstock during these early years will find much of interest in the book, as she provides many personal anecdotes about her colleagues and mentors. Smith's details of the WWII contributions on the home front are particularly interesting for the information they provide about the effects the war had on the social climate of a representative small American town. Overall, the volume is a treasure trove of historical information, fascinating to read, and a pleasure to browse through.

The character and essence of a community is based on the quality and type of people who settle in it. From its early beginnings and into the present times, Woodstock, NY has attracted a cast of charismatic, passionate, energetic, entrepeneurial, hard working and artistic group of people to grace her historical stage. Different eras attracted a different type of characteristic in its settlers. All helped build the community into the dynamic, artistic community which it is today. Each person left his or her imprint and indelible presence ... Anita M. Smith the author of this book is no exception. She first became well known for her impressionistic paintings of the region which were exhibited at such prestigious locations as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery of Toronto (now called the Art Gallery of Ontario). Such recognition speaks volumes about her artistic talent. Ms Smith had a strong presence in the community and was the first person to research and record the complex history of Woodstock which was published as the first edition of Woodstock: Hearsay and History. We can thank Weston and Julia Blelock for including more colorful photos of her paintings in the second edition. They also provided an outstanding biographical timeline of Anita's life which gives the reader an idea of how well traveled and broad her outlook on life was. I particularly enjoyed the preface where they provide a background of why this book is so important to them and how personally meaningful it is. When growing up, they knew Anita by the dimunitive "Nietsie" ...

This book is a richly textured volume, a multi-layered historical document filled with fascinating detailed accurate history obtained from local archives. It also contains anecdotal stories, similar to local legends about various residents from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, through World Wars I and II and into the present. Reading about local residents and their experiences during the Revolutionary War made this most important event in US history come alive with meaning. What stands out most is that prior to 1775, loyalty to the King of England was the expected political position. However, shortly thereafter *if* anyone expressed support for England it was considered treason, punishable by imprisonment or worse. Revolutionary War politics comes alive for the reader, making one realize that the mood of the people had shifted towards independence, to making a break from the Crown a reality. The following chapters are especially captivating, filled with many unique stories which engage the reader's attention from start to finish: "Chapter Two - Frontier Days: Indian Forays, Revolution and Liberty", "Chapter Three - Glass Making in the Nineteenth Century", "Chapter Four: The Down-Rent War: Catskill Farmers Rebel Against Feudalism".

Each chapter stands out for its well documented and researched contents, indicating meticulous attention to accuracy which makes the book so great. Along with real history, the hearsay keeps the reader hooked, wanting to read more. Anita interviewed local residents and preserved their human interest stories, providing amusing and entertaining tales from the past. Most especially intriguing are her insightful stories about the local artists who started two famous art colonies in Woodstock: the Byrdcliffe and the Maverick. Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead, Hervey White and Bolton Brown were the founders of Byrdcliffe. Later, Hervey White separated from the group and started the Maverick. He was also the founder of the first Woodstock Festival (not to be confused with the 1969 rock concert which went by the same name but was held on a nearby farmland). I loved reading about their life stories, as young adults when they broke with convention, travelled to Italy and experienced other cultures. The wonderful true stories about Rosie Magee a local resident who provided food and lodging to a generation of artists is a thrill to read. One's heart goes out to this generous, kind-hearted, hard working lady who was a kindred soul to the artists ... A most highly recommended book. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

The history of the WTC is traced from black and white photos and simple text regarding its design and architecture through the chilling events of 9/11. I have to say that the color photos of 9/11 capture the events totally and will leave you breathless.

I have purchased 6 copies of this book for family and friends and think it is the best WTC book out there.

I proudly keep a copy on my coffee table and leaf through it often and remember the beautiful buildings I once marveled at and loved.

This is a truly astonishing "oversize" book both in the value for money spent and the quality of the content. This is simply a remarkable series of photos from all the eras of the Towers from construction to the spotlight ghosts. There is text that is limited and informative. The pictures capture the glory of the structure and the astounding destruction not only to the Towers but to the entire complex. A remarkable balanced achievement that says more with pictures than any text is likely to provide.

As a native New Yorker who formerly had a beautiful view of the World Trade Center, and now avoids looking at the painfully flat skyline every day, I have this fabulous volume to treasure instead. .............. While disappointed with the flood of tributes to the still unfathomable tragedy of 9/11, this book was a must have the moment I thumbed through for a quick cursory look. I was immediately impressed with all the gorgeous shots of the WTCs depicted in all the ways that I loved them. Shimmering in golden sunrise yellow, blinding in midday platinum steel, glowing in the ominously blue-violet dusk, and sparkling with the thousands of tiny lights that made the New York City skyline, the awesomely spectacular sight that so sadly, won't ever be the same. ................. The most wonderful thing about this book, is not only the terrific pictoral contents, with several posters included, but the informational text that accompanies it as well. If you are interested to know the complete history of the WTCs and New York City, you will see the city before the towers were built, how and by whom they were planned, the way they were built, when and why. Also covered, their effect on New York City, as well as their role in the media and Hollywood movies. Finally, you will get the brutally shocking photos of their horrible demise. Look no further for a truly complete tribute. Every single chapter goes into wonderful detail, and is accompanied by the most breathtaking photographic treasures ever seen, of these iconic masterpieces of lost architecture. Not only is this the absolute BEST book I've seen for anyone who wants to keep their memory of the WTCs alive forever, it's also one of the most reasonably priced. This volume offers a tremendous return for your dollar. It's all printed in sharp color, on thick gauge, glossy paper. There is not one page in here that will waste your time with filler. Author Pete Skinner, British born, but a longtime resident of Greenwich Village, had, like me, watched the birth of the World Trade Center, built and completed in 1973, and like me, watched it die. People all over the world felt the pain of this unprecedented loss, but those of us who were lucky enough to live among the Twin Towers for their retrospectively short lifespan, will treasure this book. ................... If you are looking for a book about the entire gamut of events that took place in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, you may not find all of what you're looking for here. However, if you are like me, a person who will forever mourn the loss of these twin icons of prestige and success that defined the great soaring spirit of New York City, as well as the tragic loss of many wonderful hard-working New Yorkers who loved to work at the World Trade Center once upon a better time, then you have found the perfect tribute to a symbol of New York that will remain, forever in the American heart.

This book is the one to get, if you want fantastic photos, interesting prose, and just an overall great pictoral commemoration of the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11.

With the War on Terror continuing, sometimes it is good to be reminded of why we are fighting and what it's all for. This book will bring the memories (and the resolve) flooding back.

An excellent tribute at a great price. Five stars!

I live in the Midwest (have never visited NY) but saw a review of this book on a website. I just had to have it so I ordered the book from Amazon.com. I received the book late yesterday afternoon. The pictures and information contained in the book are truly amazing. It is amazing to see what Lower Manhattan looked like before the WTC was built. The pictures of the various models of WTC that were built. There are pictures of the construction of the twin towers. The book has some very nice posters of the WTC and New York skyline. There are many pictures taken on September 11th and in the days following. This book is a must-have for those who are interested in the World Trade Center. It's truly a remarkable book.

This book is an excellent way to determine a beginning program in terms of effort and time and a logical method how to progress without burning out. It has some questionaires, but don't be put off by the arithmetic. The charts determining your VO2 are accurate (correleated with my 1 1/2 run time) and the method of determining your first weeks target number and the increase for each week, helps you from being too lazy or pushing not hard enough. However it would have been good if the chart on the VO2 had been supplemented with a percentage(%) maximum heart rate chart, but the % heart rate and the correlated VO2 can be found on the web. In short, the point system is far superior to the Aerobic Points from the Ken Coopers books.

The biggest benefit this book gave me was a reasonable, sensible goal. Without some kind of measurable goal (in this case, meeting the minimum number of exercise points per week), you have nothing to measure yourself against and I always felt I wasn't doing enough! Now, when I've done my exercise for the week and I don't feel like getting up on Saturday morning, I just crawl back into bed! And it's working! Without changing my diet I've lost 10 pounds over the last month, just by using my stationary bicycle, hiking, and exercise videos.

This is a great book. It illustrates the fundamental theories of health and excercise in a rational straight foward way. Also all the scientific proof is written in the book for the cynics. The point system may not be a favourite for everyone but once you get the gist of the program and start analysing food labels for yourself it is really easy to add in a few more exotic foods. It is very simple to keep track of what you have eaten and how much energy you have expended without having to anlalyse everything you do during the day. One point that may be relevant to note is the ratio that foods should be consumed in. Like all books, it is biased towards the authors background. Body builders like weider and bill phillips recommend far larger meat intakes than this book. This book also focusses on having a greater complex carbohydrate intake than some newer books.

This is the closest thing to an idiot-proof fitness plan out there; trust me, I should know. Before I started using this book, I was overweight and not very fit. In school I was the kid who hated gym class and faked doctor's notes to get out of it. Over the years I had tried and failed at lots of fitness regimens. Then a friend gave me this book, saying it had worked for her. A year later I have slimmed down and I feel a lot stronger and more energetic. This may sound like a cheesy testimonial, but it's true. What's great is that the author, Dr. Richard Brown, uses the same plan with the Olympic athletes he coaches -- it is entirely customized to your level of fitness and your goals.

Under this plan, any exercise counts -- from scrubbing floors to Tae-Bo to sailing -- because you rate the effort yourself according to an easy-to-use scale (no heart-rate monitoring). The main point is to choose something you enjoy, the reasoning being that you'll be more likely to stick with it that way. I get my points mostly from walking, stationary cycling, and a strength-training video workout, but I can just as easily figure out my effort for the occasional day of hiking or swimming in the ocean. Even if you don't keep track of your points, you can still use the general principles to pace yourself. The result for me was that I didn't burn out the way I had on other plans, because I was doing exactly the right amount of exercise, and I started noticing the benefits right away. I'd like to thank the author: L.E.A.P. is quite an achievement.

The hardest part of exercise is getting started. This program really helps because it makes every little bit count. You can start by doing lite exercise and move up to more strenuous workouts. If you are already in shape and exercising regularly, you can also benefit. I found the point system fun -- kind of like taking a quiz in a magazine.

Fun romp featuring repo men (and women) of DKA as heroes versus gypsy clans. The king of American gypsies has died, and the clans from around the US are vying to have their leader be selected as the new king. To this end, they are stealing Cadillacs left and right in order to show up in the proper style at the big gathering where the new king will be selected. Lots of fun to be had as Gores skillfully describes scam after scam after scam, both by the gypsies and the repo men. Both groups are sympathetically portrayed for the most part, and the background detail about modern gypsy life is interesting in its own right.

This book is full of heroes on all sides as DKA agents and gypsies strive to outwit each other throughout a very funny story. 32 CADILLACS is the best entry in the entertaining DKA series.

This book explores the world of gypsies, scamps and thieves and the offbeat group of Private Investigators who pursue them.

Always planning the next con, theft or bunko, a band of gypsies in San Francisco pull off a perfect crime. Using four branches of the same bank, slick tactics and phone banks, a group of gypsies manages to steal 32 cadillacs, all in the same day.
Facing a million dollar loss, the bank hires DKA, a local PI firm, to recover the stolen cars. Tipped off that a gang of gypsies was responsible, the DKA operatives, or repomen, start a chase that follows the cars across the US. Using very unconventional methods this quirky band of PIs, who are rejects and misfits, must use their wiles to "outcon the cons."

What makes this story really outstanding is the background tale of the gypsy life, description of how the cons are done and the plotting of the PIs to get the cars back. There is lots of action too including breakneck chases and escapes, including one where a DKA agent must leap into a car while his rear is filled with buckshot.

My favorite character is Ken Warren, a repoman with such a severe speech impediment that he barely communicates. But with extraordinary skills in hunting down and absconding with cars that no one else can get, he earns the respect of his fellow DKA agents.

A fun ride which I highly recommend.

... I found it to be a nice treat.

It was an interestinglook at the workings of the repoman and an enlightning look at the gypsy lifestyle.

The members of the DKA agency were wonderfully drawn characters...very Runyon-esque. The gypsy characters could not have been more colorful. The plots and sidebars were neatly tied together.

There is a lot of humor mixed in with the crime, trackdowns, deceptions, double dealings and repo procedural. This would make a great movie. The action never stops and Mr. Gores does a great job of putting the reader inside the mind of the players.

"32 Cadillacs" was very entertaining and my initial Joe Gores book. I feel like I have discovered a new writer and look forward to more fun reads by Joe Gores.

Why Joe Gores isn't a better known author is a complete mystery to me. Ok, Ok, he's won 3 Edgar Awards and all, but still you don't hear his name mentioned too often when asking for recommendations. His DKA Files series are full of action, humour, cons and scams and in short are pure entertainment. Well, no matter, I've discovered him now and I'm here to tell you that the series, and 32 Cadillacs in particular, is one that's not to be missed.

For the first time, the DKA Agency is pitted in a head-to-head battle with San Francisco's Gypsy community following a Gypsy scam that had netted a grand total of 31 Cadillacs. This is a once-in-a-lifetime job, recover the 31 Caddys for a nicely negotiated fat fee. But the Gypsies are crafty specialists of the long con and are exceedingly difficult to track down, so the recovery process will require the DKA team to use every resource available as well as every underhanded trick in the book.

To give you a head start, I'll introduce you to the central DKA characters. They are, Dan Kearny, Giselle Marc, Patrick O'Bannon, Larry Ballard and Bart Heslip. And two new characters are added to the staff, Trin Morales, a sleazy Latino who failed on his own as a PI, and Ken Warren, the genius carhawk with a killer speech impediment. Both bring tremendous dimension and entertainment to the DKA team.

But the real stars of the book are the Gypsies, colourful in character as well as in their various ingenious scams. Although they're such big thieves that they'd make a kleptomaniac look like a saint, you can't help but like them and hope that every now and then they'll catch a break.

Joe Gores is an author who has walked the walk, having been an agent in the real life DKA Agency. His first-hand knowledge and experience is apparent as his agents work through their cases. Rumour has it that the Larry Ballard could very well be modelled on Gores himself.

As a final word, if there are any Donald Westlake fans out there who have read and enjoyed his Dortmunder book Drowned Hopes, I would urge you to read this one too with a brilliant crossover of storylines. This book was an absolute pleasure to read and, I know it's a much-overused catch phrase but I would term it a "must read book".

You don't know "Acts" until you've read through it with Witherington. Money well spent. The best of the wonderful, newer commentaries quote this book--extensively. That's a reminder that you need to read this one.

This is very detailed for a person without a vast seminary education but it is a very readable book. The "closer look" sections are filled with information that makes certain issues in Acts much more understandable. Just an excellent book.

`The Acts of the Apostles, A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary' by the distinguished and prolific professor, Ben Witherington III may be one of the most readable Bible commentaries I have found. For that and several other reasons, it may be the very best commentary for any reader who approaches the Christian scriptures as literature rather than as Gospel.
The author's subtitle emphasizes the fact that unlike so many other commentaries, such as the superior volumes from Luke Timothy Johnson (Sacra Pagina series) and Joseph Fitzmyer (Anchor Bible series) as well as Pastoral aids such as the Robert W. Wall contribution on `Acts' in `The New Interpreter's Bible', this volume is far less dedicated to linguistic studies or theological interpretation. One symptom of this emphasis is that the book does NOT include either the author's own translation of the text, or anyone else's translation. You need a copy of the Bible open to `Acts' as you read Witheringtons book. This is especially true since much of Witheringtons text is a verse by verse commentary on the text. But, unlike Johnson, Fitzmyer, and others, the text flows in one continuous narrative rather than being broken up into different sections on `interpretation', `exegesis', and `commentary'. The other side of the coin is that unlike Robert Tannehill's widely quoted `The Narrative Unity of Luke - Acts', Witherington deals with the text from beginning to end, rather than dealing with topics, with common material taken from different parts of the text, making it a difficult resource when one is studying the text chapter by chapter.
In addition to these organizational aspects, Witherington's text is simply better written than many commentaries, and therefore, it yields its insights far more readily than those texts weighed down with references to every scholarly work on `Acts' since Eusebius. That is not to say there are no scholarly references. It's just that Witherington integrates them into his writing in a far smoother manner.
It also helps in that Witherington is dealing with his subject's (Luke) writing style and social and historical context. This adds to the interest to a lay reader. To highlight this emphasis, Witherington often digresses into historical asides to aid in understanding the context. Witherington also discusses certain aspects in depth that other commentators may ignore or pass over with the briefest comment. One example is the occurrence of the `we' passages which pop up in parts of the narration of Paul's missionary journeys. These have no theological or linguistic significance, but they are fascinating evidence for the fact that either author Luke accompanied Paul on some of his trips or Luke was copying material verbatim from another travel companion's journals.
Overall, Witherington's works are a real breath of fresh air when compared to many other Biblical commentary writers. I have seen other commentaries on `Acts' and some Hebrew scriptures which are simply one scholarly reference piled upon the next, making them unreadable except to someone doing a dissertation on the subject.
Witherington does not ignore comments on Luke's Greek, but his reflections seem to have more substance than most. The problem is that one needs a second volume to see the Greek in context. One is best served by having an interlinear text open as you read Witherington's linguistic comments.
If you are doing a Lay Bible study of `Acts', Witherington's book should really be one of your sources, but you should supplement it with Johnson, Fitzmyer, or F. F. Bruce's `The Book of the Acts'.

This was required text for a college class on the Acts of the Apostles. Technically, this book is superior, and yet on a level where most undergraduates should not have any trouble. Personally, I prefer a commentary that not only addresses the technical but also leads me in the direction of application. On the latter, I felt that brother Witherington was a bit weak. Still, he does an exhaustive job!

If you are a student taking Acts or Luke-Acts in an undergrad or grad class, you really cannot afford to ignore this book. If you are teaching a bible class on Acts or Luke-Acts, this book is packed with goodies that will help you. If you are a pastor preaching through Acts or Luke-Acts this volume is surprisingly helpful. (that's what I am doing...preaching through Acts).

For example, Witherington gives a 35 page bibliography with all kinds of books and articles on Acts that give you more if you need or want it. In his 102 page introduction to Acts he deals with everything from the symmetrical balance of the book with Luke (well illustrated...and photos of those illustrations are really easy to find online), all the way to the hermeneutical application of Acts in contemporary theology.

His bibliography and introduction alone are probably worth the price of the book.

I have found in my limited research in Acts (I have only had an undergrad course in Acts and then done my own studies for sermon prep)...but I've found that Witherington adds helpful insight in his textual exegesis. I think so far I like Marshall and Witherington's stuff the best. I only wish Bock was done with his Acts BECNT...but it won't be on the market until I am done with my Acts series...such is life.

After I spent all my book money on Acts books, I had one regret. I wish I had purchased Witherington. I interlibrary loaned it instead. I did that because one time I borrowed a Witherington commentary on another book, and ended up not really using it much. But this one of his is far superior in my view. I don't know why, but I suppose another reviewer who said this is is best work may be correct? It's over 850 pages of well organized and very helpful material.

His stuff is fresh and carefully nuanced. I feel he complements Marshall's commentary well.

Here is his comment on part of Acts 1:8, which some believe references Rome in the phrase 'end of the earth'.

"...vs. 8 is seen as to a certain extent to be programmatic for Acts. Yet it is possible to see this verse as programmatic without identifying Rome with the ends of the earth, since Acts 28 is an intentionally open ended conclusion. It is programmatic in the sense that it alludes to a worldwide mission, and probably also to a mission to both jew and gentile in the Diaspora, not that it alludes to Rome."

This net effect is slightly different than Marshall's and in my view makes one pause and truly reflect. Acts 1:8 and it's meaning has been the subject of many dissertations...and I have to say that Witherington's perspective was fresh and perhaps somewhat convincing.

This also gives you a feel for how he handles most situations in the book. Although he did not interact in 1:8 on why he feels the 'end of the earth' cannot be Rome as much as I wanted(see Marshall for that)...he does give you his view and some support for why he likes it.

Overall I would encourage the use of his commentary as one of your top two or three on Acts. It's an A plus work in my view. I wish I owned a copy for myself. Buy this one if you have funds to work with!

Also worth noting is the fact that C.K. Barrett & Joel Green endorse this particular commentary!

Angela Fisher spent seven years criss-crossing Africa, seeking out traditional forms and styles of jewelry and body adornment. The metal crafting, artistic modes and affectations of traditional piercings are stunning. The more extreme examples of African body art are already missing: cutting and/or scarring, limb binding (neck/arms/legs) and lip stretching are lost arts these days.

The photography is top notch, with highly detailed closeups and oversize, full-color images on most pages. Notes are included for each image, with geography, tribal information and craftsman's details for many pieces.

This is a great example of the "coffee table" book. I checked this title out of the library while in graduate school repeatedly until my mother gifted me with my own copy (thanks, Mom!). For artists and jewelers, this volume will be an endless source of inspiration.

...origin as it relates to African cultural and creative expression and influence. Many designs and patterns we see repeated in contemporary jewelry design can be traced to African styles and designs created centuries ago - a fact beautifully exemplified in this book - with the added bonus of learning something about the meaning behind the particular adornment/piece of jewelry. The photos are brilliant! This book is a treasure and a highly recommended "must read" for everyone interested in design, jewelry and fashion history, and cultural customs, influences and contributions.

I found this book to be amazing...I loved the discussion about the different African cultures and most especially the pictures--I'm even considering purchasing another copy of this book just so I could frame some of the beautiful, highly colorful pictures. I am buying more books from those authors--I expect the other books to be just as beautiful and informative.

This is a thoughtful and gorgeous peek at the diversity of the continent. The colors of the photos alone are worth the price! Fisher's more recent work, "African Ceremonies", with Beckwith, is even better, if possible. And folks, Africa contains 54 countries, over 800 different languages and thousands of dialects, and has around 730 million people. If you consider yourself an interested citizen of our world, don't just look at the pictures, learn about the continent! Many people have criticised the authors, for this and their other works, because they present an Africa that doesn't exist anymore, or they are patronizing and exploitative- I agree in part with this criticism, but I would add some balancing words. This continent has some of the richest cities in the world- Johannesburg being one, and some of the poorest villages- I was visiting in one of them several weeks ago in eastern Namibia. People have cellphones, people have no phones, some drive Lexuses and some drive donkey carts made from the beds of old pick-up trucks. "Old" ceremonies are vibrantly alive for some people, and simply unimportant for others, sometimes within the same family or community. The point is that the images from this book *are* parts of life on this continent, but obviously do not tell the whole story. However, it is just as wrong and short-sighted to dismiss cultures as it is to see only the "exotic". The funny thing is that I first saw this book and "African Ceremonies" at a Himba village in Kaokoland, Namibia, shown to me by a man who was wearing "traditional" Himba clothes, with red ochre on his skin and so on. We were paging through this book and my friend, who is also Himba but wears "western" clothes, commented on how weird the images were, to which his friend laughed and agreed. To them, the pictures of most of these ceremonies were just as alien as they are to most westerners. So, to everyone who likes to box "Africa" and "Africans" into one category, this is perhaps something to think about.

The beauty, dignity, and composition of the photos are enough to lure the reader. This book features the jewelry and accessories of African costume in different regions and tribes. It gives the reader information on the people wearing these lovely adornments, as well as describing their meanings and ceremonial uses, when applicable. While this represents only specific aspects of some parts of Africa, it is a beautiful glance at some tribal costumes still worn in increasingly fewer and fewer places.

The writing is straightforward and the story is fast-paced. The book furnished me with a far greater appreciation than I had of the difficulty and complexity of conducting a national campaign and of the demands made upon the candidates and the many workers, mostly volunteers, who surround and assist them. The personality and character of the narrators comes through quite clearly and with considerable honesty and self-knowledge (although I must add that Mrs. Lieberman's insights are often the more interesting ones). The narrative makes clear that these are real human beings with real children and parents and problems. When their lives are stirred into the soup of arguably our most chaotic Presidential campaign, a very interesting tale emerges.

The reviewer below - An.McCracken - is a fake. He reviews countless books each day but he does not read the books, just paraphrases other people's reviews. REPORT THIS TO AMAZON. Click on (Report this) link under the review, next to the voting buttons.

One cannot possibly read this book and not develop a greater appreciation for the sacrifices, courage, determination and faith that the Liebermans made throughout the campaign and throughout their lives.

Not only is this a "biography" but it is also an excellent book on the political process, namely the campaign process. Throughout the book, the reader becomes acutely aware of the amount of work, energy and choregraphing a national campaign requires.

In the last election, I did not know much about Joe Lieberman and that is because I did not give my self the opportunity to do so. When this book first came out, I scoffed at it, because it looked so "light" and yet after reading it I was taken aback, not only on what an interesting look it is into a presidential campaign, but also into the man himself.

Suffice it to say I agree with much of the man's politics, but that non-withstanding, this book was an interesting look at a family who lives their faith while working on the campain trail. It was touching as well as eye-opening.

In addition this book was able to tell its tale without totally stomping on the opposing party. It was obviously written by a man with good character and ethics. Perhaps it was released to coinside with his run for the presidency, but it has made me take a second look at this man and boy am I impressed!

It's a light, quick, fluff read. If you liked Gore/Lieberman in 2000 you'll like the book. Lieberman falls all over himself emphasizing his religion while feigning shock that it could be an issue. He also sidesteps any criticism from fellow Jews that his positions are decidedly unorthodox. He emphasizes that everywhere his wife ever went and everyone she ever spoke to always loved her. If something went wrong in the campaign, it was because he didn't follow through with his instincts. He even quoted an editorial where someone said that Lieberman can make an attack not feel like an attack. Hardball politico, but with a smile.