Works Books

Antonio Tabucchi (1943) is the most European and international of modern Italian writers, comparable only to Umberto Eco, with whom he has an ongoing literary discussion on the intellectual's role in society. Eco is convinced that the artist/intellectual should only organize knowledge, while Tabucchi stands up for the right of the artist, in presence of preoccupying political evolutions, to ring the warning bell when necessary. This ringing of the bell is only one of the many keys to use when reading Tabucchi's 1994 novel "Pereira declares".
This lyrical short book, probably inspired by the life of a true Portuguese journalist, narrates in an unusual testimonial third person style (maybe a police officer?), an apparently insignificant (?) episode that happened in Lisbon in the summer of 1938. Pereira, the editor of the cultural page of an afternoon newspaper, meets and befriends a young anti-regime political activist Monteiro Rossi that is willing to do anything (also write beforehand necrologies of famous authors) for a little bit of money. Monteiro Rossi, naturally gets into trouble dragging with him the at first reluctant and then convinced Pereira. The book's plot, that is the true driving force because of its fast and at the same time deep pace, is only the excuse to face the real topic. This is Pereira, his personality, his times, freedom of press, the author's love of Lisbon (where he lives for half of the year, being a professor of Portuguese literature in an Italian University), Portuguese history during the last years under the Salazar regimen, Europe's plight when dealing with fascism then and now.
All these themes are precisely the reason that determined the selection of this book of Antonio Tabucchi, among his many other beautiful works, as the intellectual flag of political opposition in 1994, against the press tycoon Silvio Berlusconi's entry in the political arena.
However, even if this made the book famous twelve years ago, and history has gone overrunning its the apparent actuality, as all works of art this novel is still enchanting to read and its subtler merits constantly emerge.
First of all we must consider modern Italian literature, greatly unknown or not translated for the English speaking public, that has most of the characteristics of postmodernism. Italy is a country culturally and sociologically removed (that considers itself as backwards) from the rest of Europe and the U.S. Italian literature reflects this belief and Italian authors think that all has been already written, so they privilege citations, irony, satire, mingling of literary types, "pastiches" and they reach their best satisfaction when "found out" or "discovered" by their cult readers that appreciate their citation abilities. "Pereira declares" is full of these citations, beginning with the authors Monteiro Rossi writes obituaries for (in Italian these are called "crocodiles", like crocodile tears) like for example Garcia Lorca, who at the time of the novel hadn't yet been killed, but would be soon, up to the French novelists of the Nineteenth Century Pereira loves and translates picking out their present meaning. The short story of Daudet's "Contes du lundì" on the Franco-Prussian War is the emblem of political frontiers and intestinal war in Europe and retains its actuality for Pereira at the moment he is speaking (1938), for the Author (1944), and for us reading now in 2006. All the Authors Tabucchi cites, Balzac, Bernanos (now long forgotten for many), Maupassant have some eternally true intuitions, but we must know them well to fully appreciate what Tabucchi wants to convey. The same must be said for Pessoa (1888-1935), the great Portuguese poet, studied by Tabucchi, which introduced the great season of poetical "avanguard" and sang of the all Portuguese sentiment of "Saudade" a yearning or nostalgia made up of suffering and sweatness, a longing for the past and the future together, a category of the spirit "that is at the same time a form of suicide" (Tabucchi). Pereira longs for and constantly relives his love for his wife and his youth in Coimbra and finds them again in Monteiro Rossi and Marta, his girlfriend.
Tabucchi, like in other novels of his, utilizes a journalist, police like approach and with this literary technique he remembers Leonardo Sciascia and Frederich Durrenmatt, that have explored this literary stile before him with great results.
If you can find it watch the 1995 movie "Sostiene Pereira" directed by Roberto Faenza with Marcello Mastroianni as Pereira and Daniel Auteuil as Doctor Cardoso, that faithfully follows the book and helps to visualize Tabucchi's poetry.
Read this book to have an idea of the best of modern Italian literature and to taste some of the greater European problems of yesterday and today.

Tabucchi has created a monumental work: how conscious are we of our actions and our motives, how do we experience our everyday life and what awareness do we have of it versus the inner sense of ourselves.It measures up to Anna Karenina.
Tabucchi deserves the Nobel prize.

This tale, told as though it were a documented testimony resulting from some unidentified investigative process, is a complete and believable characterisation of a very dull but gentle man, Dr. Pereira. While an editor of a no-hum local newspaper in 1938 Lisbon, he struggles to maintain his invisible and intentionally unexpressive life by ignoring the political repression and censorship mounting around him. He takes pride in the fact that his paper is apolitical.

Through the subtlest of facts and inferences, all easily grasped, this book enables readers to feel that they're discovering Pereira all by themselves, with almost no assistance from the unseen narrator or author. It's as though Tabucchi has the map but you're the driver. This style is delicate and unobtusive yet it delivers a sense of realness and a rich atmosphere unexpected in a story of just 136 pages. You feel the breeze rolling in off the Atlantic and along those streets. To the same degree, something so trivial as the presence of sugar in lemonade informs us exactly of the level of frustration Pereira experiences vis-a-vis his own new and atypical responses to people and events. He can't comprehend a rationale for his behaviour but he's painfully aware of the danger he's posing to the safe life he's made for himself.

This is Tabucchi's most famous book. I was introduced to it by a friend in northern Italy who's read every book he's written, including his later 2001 book, "Si Sta Facendo Sempre piu Tardi" ("It's Getting Later all the Time"). This hasn't yet been released in North America but Amazon lists it as orderable.

Pereira is a reluctant hero of our time: an inadequate, faintly absurd man who tries to live a decent personal life in a political setting that allows little room for such illusions. Fascist Portugal in 1938, like some other "civilized" nations closer to our own day, is poisoned by false certainties and the corrupt exercise of vindictive power. Only proclamations of pious conformity are allowed. Pereira, himself a pious and harmless man, finds himself gradually forced, through circumstances beyond his control, to assume the role of a full human being, and to stand up, however briefly, for what is right. Pereira's moral resurrection is handled with great delicacy by Tabucchi. The English translation is another plus: Patrick Creagh is one of the finest translators working today, and here does full justice to Tabucchi's restrained and thoughtful prose. The cumulative effect is remarkable. If they read English over in Stockholm, this book could put its author in contention for the Nobel Prize.

What was going on in Tabucchi's mind while writing this gem of a novel? Pereira won't say, but certainly he was trying to investigate the deepest feelings of a man traveling to his freedom, he declares. A tiny book with great implications.

I'm coming to the end of my undergraduate studies (in PHYSICS!) and I was looking for some insight into what graduate school would be like to to try and figure out if a PhD is in the cards for me. This book is easy to read and FULL of useful tips. However the overwhelming majority of these nuggets of gold come from past PhD students in the medical/biological sciences. This began to get really annoying. I was constantly having to decide which comments to take onboard and which to leave behind (because I thought they wouldn't apply to me). As a result, I probably have in my head a very distorted picture of what grad school will really be like.
The title is very descriptive, it's just missing one word, but I suppose if they added it sales would drop significantly.

This book should be required reading for anyone applying to gradutate school in the sciences (physical or biological). A quick read of the text will give one plenty to think about before making the big decision. The earlier you read it the better off you will be. The most important reading regards selecting an advisor. I am in the process of completing my degree and in hind sight agree with the issues on which the author has choosen to focus.

The following was copied from another website's review of The Ph.D. Process, and I think it describes the book perfectly:

Graduate school in science is not an experiential extension of undergraduate education, where the passing of a sufficient number of courses usually guarantees one a degree; nor is it medical school or law school, where there is a delineated and set curriculum. Ph.D students are actually pretty much on their own--and they will sink or swim depending upon their own interpretation of how the system works.

The purpose of this book is to provide students with some insight into this unusual system. The authors--each a Ph.D. in the sciences--reveal the generally unspoken "rules" of the game. They offer the secrets of survival and success: What should you discuss in your application essay? What types of research advisors should you avoid? What kinds of research projects should you never undertake? How hard do you have to work? Are grades important? What steps should you take now to make yourself "employable" when you finish? What decisions can make or break your career? How can you network in the scientific community? What goes on at the oral defense, and how can you prepare?

Described also is the daily experience itself: research life, classes, seminars, journal clubs, lab meetings, interactions with peers and professors, qualifying exams, professional meetings, oral exams, dissertation preparation, etc. Anxiety, frustration, and joy-- all normal responses to a grad student's life--are also examined. (In quotes sprinkled throughout the text, numerous past and present grad students relate their individual experiences and emotions during their doctoral training.) A separate chapter is devoted to the special problems of foreign students, strangers to our culture and educational system.

There are many intellectual and emotional challenges inherent to becoming a scientist. This book prepares students for each stage of the experience. They will learn what to expect--socially, psychologically, and academically!

The PhD process is a great overview of graduate school in the sciences. It covers most basic topics such as choosing a type of school, applying, preliminary exams, comps, thesis work, etc. Of course each school does these things slightly differently, but the main points are there and the authors do a good job of pointing out where differences between programs are likely to turn up. This book also explains things that graduate programs aren't likely to advertise such as using students as `cheap labor' and what things to look for in an advisor other than interesting research. This is a fun to read honest book, and the anecdotes from current and past graduate students are the best part. I enjoyed reading them because so many of the same things have happened to me, and it's nice to know that I'm not alone.

I wouldn't say that I received any great insights from the book because I had some experience with academic labs before I applied to graduate school and had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into. I found it a little calming to read about others' experiences as I was waiting to get started. I think most students who apply to graduate school have already spent much time in labs with current graduate students so this might not be that useful to them as practical advise; however, I found this book to be an excellent resource for my parents. My parents had no idea what graduate school is like, and the fact that I'm at school all day and only go to class for an hour baffles them to no end. Reading this book helped them to understand the structure and goals of graduate school. Though I still don't think they understand journal club. (Why would anyone join that club? It doesn't sound like very much fun.)

I recommend this book to grad students for their parents or to undergraduates who aren't sure if graduate school is the right path for them. This book gives great insight into what graduate school is really like.

The book definitely unfold the whole map of graduate school life, especially for (biological) science students. Many aspects and stages of doing science research and how to survive in graduate school are covered. However, the lack of insightful guidence is the main drawback of the book. Pointint out possible obstacles does not necessarily makes gradute students' lives easier. The interviews from (past) graduate students do help readers build up confidence because it is comforting to know many people suffer as they do now, but at the same time few specific steps or directions are NOT distilled by the authors. It's like everyone just talks their experiences without any conclusions.

Maya Angelou's book "Phenomenal Woman" is a celebration of women regardless of race, creed, or color. The poems contained between the covers of this small but powerful book articulate the strength and beauty of womanhood. I display the book on my coffee table along with other books. My twelve year old niece read the book and fell in love with it. She has asked me to buy a copy for her.I will buy a copy for her and my other nieces and nephews.

Maya angelou is a jewel. Her poems rich deep inside your spirit. My daughter really enjoys these tapes.

Whether you are tall, thin, heavy, young, old, beautiful, ugly; we are all our own phenomenal woman!!!! Each of us has our own power within ourselves to shine and be our own wonderful person. Maya Angelou's own life, reaches within and brings us to this point with her words.

I heard Oprah recite the title poem at her workshop and had to have it. It is a great little book and would make a nice gift for a 'phenomenal woman'

What a wonderful collection of poems celebrating women. This book of four very soulful, strong, empowering poems has quickly become a favorite. I would recommend this book as a gift for any woman. Or better yet, buy it for yourself - you won't regret it!

ISBN 0851511961.

I have to concur with the others, if I had only two books with me on a desert island, one would be my Bible, and the other would be this book (hedging out my other stand-by: The Institutes of the Christian Religion). I am awe-struck by the gifts of wisdom, insight and understanding that the Lord worked in the heart and mind of this saint, William Gurnall! I can't wait to get home to pick up where I left off, it is that dear to me.

It's loaded to the gunwales with insights; the author has an understanding of spiritual warfare and of the human heart that is simply astounding. One might sit down and study Owen, or Edwards, et al, to great profit (I have), but I believe there's probably nothing better for the final fifteen minutes of the day than a read from Gurnall to pierce beneath the Old Man's fifth rib, to set the tempter on his heels, and to drive one to repentance. A better devotional work to leave a soul begging forgiveness for his 'till-that-moment hidden sin I have never found. That's William Gurnall. He not only trains for war, he reveals sin and generates prayer.

I looked at the abridgement online, the one separated into daily readings, and I believe that this unabridged edition is definitely better. Be sure to get the one belonging to the ISBN# at the top of my review.

If only every Christian would read this pearl of great price, this treasure trove of godly wisdom...

Read this manual of obedience and spiritual warfighting and you will inevitably draw closer to your Lord! Read it prayerfully and you will advance noticeably in your discipleship.

Many Christians, such as myself, can divide the days of their Christian experience into pre-Reformed and Reformed. I can safely say that my devotional life can now be divided into pre- and post-Gurnall.

As you read this review, wondering whether to purchase this book, your unseen foes tremble with a trepidation that is most justified indeed. Christ owns His enemies, and He raised up a Field Marshal in William Gurnall to help His sheep do likewise.

EDIT 8Feb08

William Gurnall is a writer for all seasons. His work, specially the modern abridgment, speaks so clearly and so directly to this generation. You can read a few sentences and pause because you have been amazed at the relevancy of His comments. This is a work that you will cherish reading. You will never be tempted to rush through reading it. Few writers have been able to hold my attention as William Gurnall. C.S Lewis would be the other one. But of course no book holds a candle to The Bible God's written revelation. Don't leave this century without reading this book.

The content of this book is excellent; however, the old style in which it is written made it difficult to read. The revised version in modern english is "an essntial addition to any Christians library.

Compared to this great Puritan work, most modern books dealing with spiritual warfare appear dwarfed, and even trivial. Gurnall's massive exposition of Ephesians 6:10-20 is the product of a series of sermons preached in his church over many years. The book is at once profoundly biblical and at the same time always relevant.

William Gurnall lived during a time of great spiritual conflict in England, and this conflict directly led to the great civil war and the revolt against the king and his Church of England. Just as in the book of Revelation, where one's spiritual loyalties place him in deadly conflict, so in England, loyalty to Scripture placed Christians in the center of that nation's wars. Yet, while many followed the army's progress with great interest, Gurnall realized that an even greater conflict was being waged in their souls. As the pastor of the parish church at Lavenham, where he served all his active life in the ministry, Gurnall was more concerned with his people's souls than with the external progress of the conflicting parties in England. His long ministry encompassed the rise and fall of the Puritan cause. Because he remained in the Church of England after the Act of Uniformity, while thousands of strong Puritans withdrew and suffered as Nonconformists, Gurnall often was not respected by subsequent writers on both sides. His only lasting contribution to the struggle was his massive book, The Christian in Complete Armour.

Yet what a contribution that was! It was so popular with the people of England that it had passed through six editions by the year of his death. This book was a great blessing to John Newton, and was highly praised by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. It has continued over three hundred years inspiring Christians to stand against the devil. Gurnall begins with a call to realize that we are in a death-struggle with Satan and to take our stand and be prepared to fight. He then describes our armor and weapons, and the weapons employed by our great adversary. Each part of the armor is described at length, along with the means by which Christians can employ it in defense and offense against Satan. The book is full of spiritual insight, practical application, and inspiring word-pictures. We cannot read it without new determination to stand for the Lord and engage in true spiritual warfare--not the superficial warfare so often seen in the modern Charismatic movement, but the true and vital warfare of the Christian heart and life.

Gurnall's great book belongs in the library of every church and every Christian family. It makes wonderful devotional reading and produces spiritual fruit. Let Gurnall help you "fight the good fight of faith"!

I can't put this book down, William Gurnall was truly a man inspired by the Word of God. How has this book be overlooked by our modern church? The this book should be a requirement for graduation from seminary. This book is a must for all Christians who feel something lacking, or for those who do not.
Besides the Bible, I have not read a book so powerful.

I've read a lot of marriage/relationship books, including Sacred Marriage (which I also loved), but this has got to be one of the very best. Not only does Gary Thomas review important concepts about Christian wifehood, but he also gives practical examples/advice without sounding like a 5-step program. Reading it REALLY opened my eyes to ways that I was not handling situations in the best way to help/influence my husband, and also ways that I was still expecting him to think/act like a woman, which is totally unfair. Thomas also helped me understand what my husband was REALLY saying when he said certain things and what he was feeling, and why.

I've only had this book for a week, but I'm almost done with it and can already see how applying the principles is helping me and my husband's relationship. I would recommend it to any wife or engaged woman.

This book is very effective and is a great tool in the hands of God for shaping wives. Thanks much!

This book is by far the best book I have ever read for wives! Gary Thomas has an amazing ability to see marriage through the eyes of a woman. Whether you are single or married this book will have an intense impact on how you view your mate. Every woman should read this book!

Thomas delivers lessons about marriage that are simple but not easy. His writing is crisp and fluid. Throughout the book, he provides a message that is simple to understand but not easy to live by. And, ultimately, it is a message that married women of God are required to obey. It isn't easy but it is possible to live as a godly woman, the woman Thomas describes in his book, when we surrender to the will of God.

This book is a great tool! It helps one identify the ways they might be plowing their field upside down. Developing charity is tough. It takes incredible humility and Gary Thomas has some motivating methods for stirring up our resolve. So, 4.5 stars?

The book has one major controversy. Midway through the book Thomas admits this change in direction by bringing up Madame de Pompadour as a chief model of how to influence one's husband. Only Pompadour uses that influence on the king INSTEAD of her husband. Madame de Pompadour is actually a character one might want to avoid modeling their life after. She, a married woman with 2 children, chose to go and seduce the king of France and crush her husband rather than hold to the principles that would have kept her less famous, yet building her marriage. She became a master of intrigue who won for herself pompous titles and honors of land and a royal burial, but she was just the main course in a continuous buffet of infidelity, never mind what happened to her broken family. She did little more than what any power hungry, spiritually undeveloped woman, fearful to maintain illegitimate ties, might do.

So read that section with blinders off. His point for bringing her up is weak, but it does come across. Treat your husband (except in the case of Madame de Pompedour, conquest) like a king and you will, more likely than not, be blessed for it. Thankfully, Thomas mentions that model within marriage is still a position of subservience if used as a tool of manipulation. Submissiveness is an entirely different thing. It is done with confidence in Christ's love while subservience is not.

If you can get through that pot hole, the rest of the book does stay on track regarding submissiveness and its role in the salvation of one's family. This is mainly in regards to attitude.

Besides this there are some excellent points in Mr. Thomas' book regarding the role of hormones, such as oxytocin, and how they are used in a man's body to bond him to his wife.

This is a good read. The section on Madame de Pompadour is awkward, but Gary does use other righteous examples of women who secured for themselves splendid honor in their marriages. There is just less of a prominent focus on them because their racy side is left veiled to the public as it should be. Through them he makes a good point: it is an exceptional woman who comprehends her potential in the role that God outlines for her AND, after reading his book, you do come out flipped back over properly and plowing right side up.

I selected this book as a gift for my husband. He was delighted to see the drawings of Sargent and is planning on developing his skills by copying the works found in the book.

This book is one of the best buys i did this year. Sargent paintings are very famous but the drawings from this little book are amazing! Some of these portraits were done in the later phase of Sargent work and show great mastery of the drawing media (pencil, charchoal). There's a small text about Sargent that is very good too.

A good book full of great drawings by one of the best artist I have ever studied. The price is right and you should not waist one more minute before you order it.
I always like to see how the great artist draw, since drawing is the back bone to good painting in my mind.
I really get a kick out of artist who say they can't draw and can only paint, sure.. Thats like saying you never learned to walk and that you can only run.
Sargent used to say you should draw every day and I think he was right.

The book is great. The ones who sent it didn't package it well. It is a paperback book and it came all bent up.

A remarkable bargain and a must for anyone interested in John Singer Sargent or his work. An 8 by 11 inch, less than 50 page paperback. Published by Dover. B&W reproductions of 42 portrait sketches by Sargent. Mostly done in charcoal. Two long pages of lucid and informed, really excellent text by Trevor Fairbrother, author of books devoted to Sargent and several articles as well. The reproductions are competent, but, as always, can be nothing like the originals, one of which I've many times had the privilege of admiring in person. Although here again, any one familiar with works on paper has seen how even the interposition of the protective glass, sadly, visibly degrades the viewing.

The 42 sketches span a remarkable, interesting and even entertaining range. Arranged in almost chronological order, they stem from early in his career, but not his childhood, to near the end of his productive life, when he had almost entirely quit portraiture. Fairbrother skillfully has chosen an eclectic lot of Sargent subjects, well illustrating yet another facet of Sargent's personality. Although said shy unto retiring, Sargent must have liked people, at least the varied types of people. He certainly depicted all kinds. Here from a boy little more than an infant to the elderly and "important". The serious and the frivolous. Talented, self-made artists and performers to the witless-looking heirs and dismal aristocrats.

The book's incredible spectrum of people / types and Sargent's genius at capturing both their surface and their interior, can form the center of quite a game easily played today via the Internet. For example, the portrait of a friend of Sargent's, one Earnest Thesiger. From this sketch one infers quite a character, seeming a person perhaps of manic ebullience. The very amusing facts in his bio on the web's Wikipedia rather bears this out. One learns further that Thesiger was the nephew of General Frederic Augustus Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford, famously incompetent in needlessly losing his entire army in a massacre by the Zulus. (One can imagine a portrait of a dim and blimpy character here. Thankfully, nowadays the British select more professionals for their general officers.) Sargent's jolly Earnest Thesiger further was cousin to the famous Wifred Thesiger, author of the autobiography, "The Last Nomad". Wifred Thesiger was a war hero, diplomat, author, explorer and skilled photographer. Among his other accomplishments, the autobiography describes Wilfred's tireless toiling in the Sharm el Shatt (where the south of Iraq borders the south of Iran) to bring modern male circumcision to the primitive marsh Arabs. (A people so independent in their watery wilderness that the late Saddam Hussein ordered the draining of their protective confusion of still waters and bogs.) Well, odd as it might seem, Wilfred's medical procedures were clearly an improvement over the native's, I imagine especially over a ceremony for teenagers involving a low-banked fire built in a shallow sand pit. But, I digress.

However, that is the point, digressing from Sargent's wonderful portraits. What do they tell us; how can we follow up on our impressions? I'm returning to Fairbrother's book to select another sketch subject to mine for edification. I'm confident because Sargent has been described as having a large circle of interesting and talented friends. Except for those portraits of blimps.

Again, an excellent book at a very reasonable price.

This is the perfect book for anyone considering scoliosis surgery or who has a loved one who is considering the surgery. It discusses all the little details from the technical terms of scoliosis to what sort of things you need to prepare to make your recovery easier. It's written from a patient's point of view which is just what most people need.

I had 2 scoliosis surgeries 2 years ago, and this book did a great job preparing me for the surgeries. I highly recommend it!

Very informative. A multitude of info. Comprehensive. Highly recommended for those considering this type of surgery.

What a blessing! I read this book over and over and over--so many times, prior to my surgery--and also referred to it afterward! I even took it with me to the hospital. It contains a wealth of information for scoliosis patients and their loved ones. I felt calm and at peace (relatively!) heading in to my surgery "adventure," both due to my faith and because I felt so well informed. I also felt prepared for my recovery time at home, thanks to his appendix: Getting Your House and Life in Order.

During the time I've been a member of the NSF Forum, this has been the most talked about and referred to book on scoliosis in the posts, being recommended wholeheartedly by many of us "post-ops" as a "must have" to those looking for information. Many have commented on how they could just not put their book down when it first arrived. While not a riveting best-seller for the general public, it does indeed make a fascinating "read" to those of us with the desire to know more. MANY THANKS to David for sharing his personal story, for doing extensive research, and for taking the time to pen this invaluable source of information on scoliosis surgery!

Excellent sourcebook from patient's perspective written in an understandable manner. Very direct, to the point and uncluttered by superflous information. I would recommend it to anyone who is planning to have the scolisis surgery and for their caretakers.

My ten-year-old son and I loved this audio book. We couldn't wait to hear about all the "wonderfuls". Highly recommended.

So I am a sucker for all those downhome novels celebrating small-town life. Oh well. This book fits that niche of mine well as it blatantly declares to the world that even the most simple of places may be hiding something extraordinary. Granted, the discoveries made here would probably be the mock and scorn of more civilized areas, but they held a sweetly strong spirit that appealed to my sense of story-telling. The writing is bright, cheerful, and expressive. I was impressed by the assortment of well-drawn characters complete with their personal drama, humor, and mysteries. I expected a pretty caged plot, but the story was loose enough, depending on its characters with their individual stories, to let itself become entrenched in emotions. It's not at the level of Kate DiCamillo or Richard Peck, but Ms. Birney did make something pretty darn sweet.

Our town chooses a book each winter, which they call the "One Book, One Community Project". We just moved here so this is our 1st and I am very excited about the project. As soon as I heard about it, I went to the library and checked out the book. Even before my 3rd grader started it in school. The book is so engaging and really gets your imagination juices flowing. I really am enjoying the events our community is putting together that tie into the Wonders of Sassafras Springs. We have projects like finding wonders, Applehead doll making & discussion groups. We even had a woman play the saw at our kickoff party.
I went out and bought the book and the same day my 3rd grader picked it up and did not put it down until he completed reading all 200+ pages.
Today we will be making an Appledoll instead of watching tv or playing video games.

This book was easy to read and a great story. My mom and I read it together. We both enjoyed it.The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

Sometimes we get so caught up in doing things and going places, we forget about the things around us that are so important and beautiful! We forget to smell the roses. This book is so easy to read and you want to read it. I was intrigued by trying to figure out what he might find next. I loved this book!

This book is a very helpful guide for everyone, who wants to study Shakespeare. I am not a native english speaker and it was perfect for understanding the necessary terminology. I suppose that the content of the book is also precious for native english speakers. The book contains:
1) A very important chapter which contains the most frequently used words, and proves to be valuable for quick reference.
2) Words which still exist in the english language but with a different meaning.
3) Words which vanished through the years.
4) Several chapters describing the structure of several shakespeare's works.
In all cases the meanings of the words are simply stated and well clarified providing a perfect guide for every intermediate reader.

the book is great, if your'e an actor, or anyone who deals with shakespeare-get it yesterday!

I must have spent two hours reading reviews of Shakespeare lexicons and dictionaries before settling on this one. I am so pleased with my choice. It is simple to use and so far all the words I have needed have been listed, miraculously along with the verses I am reading! Please note that the price of this one is so affordable! The best thing was, when I opened the Amazon Box, the first thing I saw was Kenneth Branagh's name. He did not create the book, but he recommends it in writing on the front cover.

As an added bonus in the back of the book there are detailed maps of all the story plot lines, indicating the relationships between the characters. All in all, very helpful.

What an awesome idea! To put into one place definitions for the hard-to-understand Elizabethan English that one runs into in Shakepeare! Whether it be "prithee" or "forsooth" or "prating mountebank," the dictionary will help give the Shakespeare novice or pro the information needed to decipher the Bard's often-complex writing.

In addition, there are frequent collections of definitions that gather together words in a single theme -- say, words related to politeness, or swear words. These colections give the reader a chance to compare many words of the same genre and gain even more insights into Elizabethan usage.

The defintions are somewhat sparse, but that's probably necessary given the sheer volume of words being defined. However, each word references the play or play in which it it used.

Marry! -- that is to say, "By Mary!" -- a wonderful accompaniment to anyone interested in Shakespeare!

This is a wonderful book for all people who love Shakespeare and want to come to a better understanding of his insights into living.

En el caso de la Fatiga Crónica, tenemos el recurso de ESTE ESTUPENDO LIBRO QUE NOS MUESTRA LOS SÍNTOMAS Y EL CAMINO A SEGUIR..

"ERA DE LAS EPIDEMIAS ":
Primero, EL SIDA
Luego, EL ÉBOLA
AHORA, LA PULMONÍA ATÍPICA
Pero todo el tiempo, como agazapado en la oscuridad, EL SFC (Sindrome de Fatiga Crónica ), que daña tanto PORQUE NO SE DETECTA FÁCILMENTE...Y QUE CRECE DÍA POR DIA COMO TODO LOS ORIGINADO POR UN VIRUS! Es el caso de la Pulmonía Atípica, que se confunde con una bronquitis o una gripa fuerte...
En el caso de la Fatiga Crónica, tenemos el recurso de ESTE ESTUPENDO LIBRO QUE NOS MUESTRA LOS SÍNTOMAS Y EL CAMINO A SEGUIR..
Depende de uno querer protegerse o no

CADA DÍA HAY MÁS ENFERMOS...
Es de vida o muerte leer este libro para detectar si tenemos el Epstein Barr antes de que comience a dar síntomas !

la ruina: Tenía un negocito próspero y todo iba super bien , cuando una mañana ya casi no pudo levantarse... Una semana después, mi cuñada lo llevo al siquiatra, que dijo que estaba deprimido y le mandó Seropram..Pero Hugo seguía igual, y trató de suicidarse.
¡No hay mal que por bien no venga !
En Emergencias lo atendieron y mientras estaba en el hospital, le descubrieron la Fagiga Crónica..
Es muy importante leer este libro para poder identificarla y combatirla antes que las cosas pasen a mayores...

LOS VIRUS DE LAS COMPUTARODORAS, ALGUIEN O VARIOS SERES MONSTRUOSOS JUEGAN CON NUESTRA VIDA DESDE LOS LABORATORIOS MEDICOS...
De otra manera,¿CÓMO TE EXPLICAS LA EPIDEMIA DE EPIDEMIAS?
Y LA FASTIGA CRONICA ESTA CAUSADA POR EL VIRUS DE EPSTEIN BARR... Y NO EXISTIA...
Pero esa LA PUEDES DETECTAR Y COMBATIR..NO DEJES QUE SE TE CONFUNDA CON DEPRESION, O QUE UN MEDICO IGNORANTE LA CALIFIQUE COMO TAL...
PREVENTE !