Works Books

Enjoyable reading and often could not put it down. Humorous in many places. Worth reading if you are thinking of going full-time or just want a good book to read.

I don't ever expect to RV full-time, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Adding Cleo's (the dog) thoughts was a nice touch. Reading the book (published in 2002) made me wonder if the family was still on the road. The website listed on the back of the book didn't work for me and I wondered if there's a follow-up book.

Every single other reviewer gave this book five stars and I am no exception. I have read most of the books on full time RVing and this is the best one I have read. It is very well written, is both amusing and informative. The Steele's take you through how they decided to quit their jobs, buy an RV and see the country along with their dog Cleo. They include mistakes they made along the way. I am reading this book a second time and find it just as enjoyable as the first time I read it.
What I liked most about this book was that the Steele's chose a 5th wheel trailer as their means of travel and why they chose it. My wife and I are planing to do the same thing as they did, except in a Class A motorhome. Some of the the other books I have read were very prejudiced against Class A's, however the Steele's choice of a 5th wheel was because that is what they thought worked best for them. They did give the pro's and con's for both, and unlike some other authors who gave only the pro's for 5th wheels and the con's for motorhomes.
Probably the the only negative thing I would say is they started out with more then your average full timer is going to have availble to them. Mrs. Steele retired early from here job at age 55 with a $3000 a month pension plus full medical coverage for the rest of her life. Most pensions in the private sector have been replaced by 401k plans which can't be used without penalty until age 59 1/2 plus no medical until Medicare takesover at age 65.
This is an excellent read, this book along with the Moller's book "Full time RVing" are the two books to read if you are contemplating this lifestyle.

This book is very out of date. They go on and on about the need to find pay phone booths and the quality of them when found. Completely useless, is todays world. Even their own website is no longer in service. They brag about covertly dumping their pick-up tail gate (after they ruin it) in a construction companies dumpster--illegal. And they need to find a larger vocabulary. They use the word 'insanely' so often, I felt like I was playing a college drinking game. A waste of money.

As one of the millions who has always entertained a fantasy about hitting the road in an RV someday, this book was one of many I've read -- but by far the best. The Steeles divulge every imaginable aspect of their lifestyle: financial realities, decisions about RV types, married life in a small amount of space, and even the daunting necessity of hooking up one's plumbing each night. While the book is absolutely chockful of valuable information, it is written in a light, friendly, down-to-earth style that any reader can enjoy. Even the dog writes well!

Don't start this book unless you have time to finish it in one sitting. I never expected it to be such a good read, so engrossing and emotional. Because I was only a few miles from part of the May 3rd tornado and have a friend who lost a twin brother in the Woodward tornado I expected to find the typical stories of the death and destruction of those storms contained in one book. How surprised and delighted I was that after a short time of deep attention I learned more than I knew was even out there. I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and have seen the weird destruction within my own hometown (the roof blown off my dad's office with one picture on his desk gone and the other still setting there undisturbed!) Those of us living in "tornado alley" are not terrified by tornadoes but have a healthy respect for them because we know if we pay attention that we can save ourselves. Our kids know how to protect themselves before they even start school. Gary England (who's like kinfolk) always speaks directly to the youngsters, instructing them on what to do if they happen to be alone. We suffer extreme property loss but because of the work of the people depicted in this book the loss of life is minimal. We have family living in other parts of the country and realize how blessed we are here to have the weather forecasting that we do. We know within blocks of where the tornado, or even thunderstorms, will hit as well as when. Now I know the nuts and bolts behind this fantastic gift we have where we need it the most. Thanks to Nancy Mathis who did such deep research in every area of this story and brought it together with her great writing talent. If there's one criticism is that there's a lot of technical material that I found hard to understand but my husband loved it! This is a good book and I'm buying several to pass around to family and friends!

A compellingly detailed narrative that's concisely written and superbly researched. Gives you just enough science and history to make sense of the events, but focuses on the human cost of this extraordinary storm.

I thought the book Storm Warning by Nancy Mathis was outstanding. Besides explaining a lot about the history of tornadoes there is a book background on the late Japanese tornado expert Ted Fujita.

The May 3, 1999 tornado stunned central Oklahoma--but yet, it was not entirely unusual. As I grew up in Norman, Oklahoma (the center of weather research and now home to the National Weather Service), tornadoes were a fact of life. Springtimes in Oklahoma always included the hours spent in front of the television, watching the supercells. Even the non-scientific minds among us learn to grasp the basics of supercells, of the hook echo, of the wall cloud. We are willing to watch the storm on TV until it is within 10 miles of us, and then, and only if it is heading in our direction, will we descend to our storm cellar.

Nancy Mathis has captured the feeling of the springtime in Oklahoma; the awe, the fear, and the respect with which tornadoes are regarded. The book weaves together many stories of common people from this area, people just like any other central Oklahoman. And she compellingly tells the story of how lives are shattered, molded--simply changed by the power of the tornadoes.

The May 3 tornado (the big one--A9) passed within 15 miles of my house; I had been playing golf that afternoon on a course in Moore that was destroyed--in fact, had we played the back 9, we would have been on the course when the twister hit. But the sky looked ominous, with the clouds at different elevations moving different directions--signaling significant wind shear, a factor in tornado formation that Mathis discusses in this book. It was simple stories like this that Mathis used to create the feel of the book.

Mathis captures the history of tornado forecasting and the personalities involved wonderfully. She tells the story of the meteorologists excellently. I believe this book to be the best available at telling the story of the tornado in totality and of the people it impacts. I have just a few quibbles with this book--the occasional instances of strong language (always in quotes) require editing before youngsters can read it. The book is not particularly scientific, and there are no photos or charts explaining the science. That is not the intent of this book. The story is so gripping (and graphic), that some children could have difficulty stomaching it. But this gripping retelling is what makes the book so good--for the story of the tornadoes is so extraordinarily exciting, and the springtime afternoons in Oklahoma so spellbinding, that only a book written in that way can accurately tell the story of the May 3 tornadoes.

I have been hesitant about writing a review for this book because I am very clearly biased. I felt very honored that Nancy Mathis chose to include my daughter in the book. I got to participate in the portion of the book that discussed the people involved in the storm. Those parts were emotional for me to read. I got to see a tiny portion of the research that went into the book and after reading the book, I realize that there was a tremendous amount of research done for the book. I learned a great deal about the history and science of weather forecasting. I also learned about home construction. I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this one.

Based on the Lauren Greenfield's HBO documentary of the same name, Thin graphically presents the stories of several women receiving residential treatment for eating disorders at the Renfrew Center in Coconut Creek, Florida. The intense emotionality of these stories is captured best by eating disorder specialist Dr. Michael Strober who describes them as "gripping, poignant, bewildering, heart wrenching, incomprehensible, inspiring, sickening, disturbing, repellent, touching, infuriating, and so much more" (page 159). Greenfield's amazing photojournalism speaks as loudly as the words voiced by the women themselves in conveying the insidious, shocking, tragic, and lethal nature of eating disorders. Each and every page bleeds with the pain and despair of women who are literally dying to be thin.

I saw the documentary first years ago and recently I picked up the book. The book is way better in my opinion. It was hard reading it because it was very graphic and depressing. I pray for these women to get better.

I read "Thin" a day or two after seeing the documentary, and it gave me a better sense of who the 4 women focused on in the documentary, especially of Brittany, the youngest of the four girls. Diary entries by Polly and a letter written by Brittany to her mother were honest and touching. The book also gives us a look at a number of other Renfrew patients who were not in the documentary except in the background. One of them is a woman whose eating disorder began in middle age. There are older women, women of color and a woman who is an overeater who was grateful that the underweight patients (the majority of the patients) were so welcoming to her (which I guess makes sense; it was their own bodies that tormented them). The photos are graphic, but not lurid or sensational; the photos are stark (some of them) but they are haunting as well; you won't forget these women soon. The text includes a lot of the statements made by the four patients who were the focus of the documentary, but it includes other stories told by residents that we don't get to meet in the film.

I have read this book cover to cover twice already & watched the documentary numerous times. The stories the girls share are believeable & heart-wrenching, & if you have or are suffering from an ED, you can really relate to them. The photos just pull you in & you want to know more & more about each of these women.

This book is the most honest book ive ever read on eating disorders. I have quite a few family memebers with anorexia and bulima. I watched them waste away, go into to hostpitals and come back from the time i was 5 untill 19. Most have recovered, or are still in recovery. One of my cousins put it to me this way "once an anorexic, always an anorexic" even though she is at a good weight (still 5 lbs underweight) and is now 29 she still has trouble and daily struggles. Most books ive read in this subject all kinda have the same ending, they are finally hospitalized, recovered and then last page is "THE END" which is far from the truth.
Lauren Greenfield has truly Captured the Day to Day life with older, teenagers and young adults suffering from eating disorders. The details are graphic and the photographs in this book actually made me cry, but it was a eye opener. I reccomend this book to anyone who has a loved one or friend that has an eating disorder. Alot of people do not understand or can even commprehend why anyone would choose to starve themselves, This book can really give enlighting information to the desperate person trying to cope/understand their loved ones eating disoder. To anyone who is curious and just wants information in eating disorders. This is the book! the author holds nothing back. Excellent is all i can say! buy this, you will not be dissapointed. I hope this review was helpfull.

The message Yehudah Fine brings to parents and teens in his book is that even when a teenager's life is in crisis, caring can produce profound transformation. The author's unique street experiences opened up a window into the world of disconnected teens. Fine's message should resonate in every home.

"Religion is for people who wish to avoid going to hell. Spirituality is for people who have been there." So wrote Abraham Twerski, founder of Gateway Rehabilitation Center, in his cover blub for Yehudah Fine's book, "Time Square Rabbi." Rabbi Fine (who prefers to be called "Yehudah") has that rare balance of religion and spirituality, combined with a down-to-earth love of sports, music, and life itself, that enables him to reach lost teenagers on the mean streets of New York.

His writing style is clear and poignant, combining good descriptive details with well-written dialogues. Each story illustrates one of the 8 steps in a recovery program that Yehudah has developed, based on the writings of Maimonides. Although the characters and stories are composites (to protect the kids' privacy), they are so well done that they virtually leap off the page.

Every parent should read this book. Yehudah pulls no punches about how these kids ended up on the streets. For many, it was an escape from unbearable home situations. In other cases, the parents kicked their kids out of the house with no idea what would happen to them out there. In still other cases, kids from "good homes" set out with high hopes and unrealistic fantasies, only to be victimized by the predators that roam "The Way Beyond." That's Yehudah's name for the street culture that exists in the same physical space as up-scale Manhattan, but in a different world entirely. Like real life, some of these stories have happy endings, others do not. But all of them will make you think. As the subtitle says, this is a book about finding hope.

Had I not fallen, I would not have risen
had I not sat in darkness,
God would not have been a light for me.
~Midrash Tehillim Socher Tov, Psalm 5

Yehudah Fine is The Times Square Rabbi who can now be found spreading his message of hope on radio shows and in nationwide seminars. He works as a family therapist and lecturer and continues to share his wisdom with parents and teens across the country.

Finding the Hope in Lost Kids' Lives is the story of eight kids involved in the street culture in New York City's Times Square. Through the example of eight lives, he explores eight steps towards spiritual renewal. These stories can be read by anyone to encourage their own awakening and to give a pathway to hope for anyone trying to climb out of their own painful situation.

"While change at a profound level is rare on the street, nevertheless it does happen. And when you witness such a change, first was darkness and then came the light." ~pg. 4

You don't need to live on the street to hit an all time low in your life but the gritty lifestyles these kids lead exposes them to a world of danger and vulnerability. The first step in this book begins when the pain of life has become unbearable. An analysis of action follows along with a renewal in self-esteem. As the stories progress we witness a separation from an old way of living in order to embrace a new life. There are sad and happy endings, but all have a profound message of love and compassion.

~The Rebecca Review

Special News: For all of you who have enjoyed reading Yehudah's book, Times Square Rabbi-Finding The Hope In Lost Kids' Lives (Hazelden) there is some exciting news. Yehudah just signed a movie/tv rights contract for his book. Pamela Hayden, one of the voice stars of the TV show, the Simpsons, purchased the rights to his book.

I never thought I would read a heart pounding thriller based on a real life rabbi and gripping inspirational tales from the street. Want to learn about life after midnight in NYC, then read this book.It reads like a novel and yet is a true tale of NYC street life. Why this book is not a bestseller is beyond me. This is a powerful book that features true to life stories of teens caught in the web of drugs, prostitution, family violence and world that does not care. In that world walks Yehudah Fine, a real time hero whose human side is so real and vivid you feel after reading the stories in his book that you know him and the kids who he loves and cares about.This is a one of a kind read that will give you hope springing from the darkness forever. It will inspire you and make you cry.

Can't go wrong with Spurgeon. I bought these volumes for a deeper study of the Psalms, and so far they have been amazing. There's more for each psalm that I can really get in to, but that which I do has been all that I could hope for: reinforcing lower view of self next to high view of God; the only kind of perspective that brings any real sense of hope and encouragement.

Spurgeon is still the best. This 3 volume set is essential for a deep and meaningful study of the Psalms. Great for teaching and preaching research. I'm happy to have purchased it and I recommend it highly.

While Spurgeon's magnum opus is neither technical nor devotional it can meet either of those needs. It is inconceivable that anyone would have an interest in the Psalms and not have these volumes on the shelves.

This writing has really opened the book of Psalms. The teaching of Spurgeon is just beyond words.

This is a great commentary series on the Psalms and has the same feel as Spurgeon's sermons. Great resource for any teacher and pastor to prepare in study for the Psalms. Very detailed, which I can't say the same for other commentaries done during this same time period.

The price once again shows how many people have lost interest in both commentaries and our past church saints.

If you are going to be going through the Psalms in your own study or teaching you should definitely have this at your disposal.

Au unforgettable journey through the century written by one of the most open-minded and talented jazz journalist of our time! A MUST and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!!!

The main reason I read this book is because I have become a Billie Holiday fan in the last 2 years and up till now not a true lover of jazz. This book caught my attention when I did a search for books on Billie. There was about 6 to 7 pages on her but I never imagined how long this book would be! Not a bad thing though. I know it took me a long time to read as it is SO detailed and thorough. It was truly an education for me and I have a much greater apprecation for jazz! Gary Giddens is an exceptional author and is obviously a veteran writer and really knows his stuff! A truly well written book. Highly recommended for lovers of jazz and those of us who are just beginning to have a love for it!

The source of Coltrane's 'Impressions' was (Morton) Gould's "Pavanne" and not Ravel's "Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte" Giddins, however, confuses them on page 484. (After all, what's a pavane among friends?)

As someone who has spent a career reviewing documents and spreadsheets, I have a simple philosophy: if there is one error, I assume that there are others. This cost Gary a star.

Gary Giddins was only a name to me until Ken Burns's JAZZ series aired on PBS in early 2001. While I appreciated all the commentators in that remarkable series, it was the observations of Giddins that I began to eagerly anticipate night after night. He made me SEE music that I knew and loved but whose structure and complexity I had often been unable to grasp. Despite some jazz appreciation classes in college and haphazard collecting of old jazz records over the years, I had not gotten much past the "I know what I like" phase. His passion for music I was less familiar with led me on some rewarding treasure hunts.

I bought "Visions of Jazz" shortly after the conclusion of the Burns miniseries. I devoured it. I have turned to it time and again in the intervening years. Many critics overanalyze their subjects to the point where they suck the life out of the very thing they're attempting to illuminate. Giddins does not have that problem. His prose sings and swings with the elan of his beloved Sarah Vaughan.

Giddins's re-examination of the music of Ellington and Armstrong may seem at first blush to be superfluous; you may think you know all there is to know on that subject. But he proves that even the most accessible jazz figures and their music evolve from and operate within a such a complex idiom that periodic re-evaluation is necessary, and, if approached with respect for both the subject and the reader -- which Giddins has above all else -- it is most welcome indeed.

There are chapters in "Visions of Jazz" about musicians with whom I was completely unfamiliar. But I took a chance and read them, and wound up buying some Matthew Shipp recordings. It's that kind of book. You can take out as much as you put in.

As much as I appreciate Giddins's bone-deep love of jazz, his scholarship and wry humor, I also respect him for his fearlessness in making a case for, say, the inscrutable Cecil Taylor. But I am probably a big fan of someone who leaves Gary Giddins cold, and that's OK. The jazz tent is big enough for us all.

Why not 5 stars? The only "perfect" thing in jazz is Ellington's "Just a-Sittin' and a-Rockin."

To the previous reviewer: Mr Giddens was RIGHT. Coltrane's Impressions was based on BOTH pieces of music.

I got this book because of the reviews. But after reading it
I had a few problems with the story. Things happen super fast between Michael & Libby. One minute Michael and Libby meet (hardly any conversation between the two) and the next he is in her bed in the middle of the night and she's ok with it, and so it goes with things happening between this two that hardly know anything about one anoher but act like they've know eachother for years (no explanation as how they got to that point). The dialogue between the two falls flat. I felt no connection between the two. It was almost boring.

I loved this book and all the "Highlander" books!! Janet Chapman is an excellent author..

I read the fourth book in the series first, as it was a current release and I didn't realize at the time of purchase it was a series. I was hooked and had to purchase all of the series. These books can stand alone, but it was also an excellent series that I would recommend.

A little insite in to the book would be nice. A small peice to read to get a feel for the book and so it would help in my decision on buying. But since i read a book by Janet Chapman before; I knew that this would be just as good as the other. When I read her books it is like a movie playing in my head while i read, because i can picture all of it. wonderfully inviting.

I just discovered Janet Chapman and I will now look for every one of her books. This is a great tale about living in the Maine woods (something about which I am familiar) and I loved every page. I had been seeing her books and not getting them, because I was kind of 'done' with the historical Scots, but I accidentally discovered that these books were about modern life (sorta) and that changed everything I felt about the whole series of books. Get them! They are great!

This book is an incredible resource for women struggling with depression. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars; I credit it with helping me save my life. The research is current, thorough and on point. It is particularly useful if you have post-partum, are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. My husband also found it extremely helpful in learning more about my situation. This is absolutely worth the investment because it is a resource you will use time and time again.

This was the best book I have ever read on depression.

This book was easy to understand and very helpful. I myself already had some knowledge about depresssion so it was not as useful to me as it would be to most people. I really learned some very interesting new things though. It clearly described the types of depression and how to know the difference. It gave me some new knowledge about hormones and their role-which is KEY. I definetly recommend if you have a relative with depression(like me) or you feel you may be depressed- even if you don't want to admit it (like me.)

I have suffered ppd for the last 1.5 years. It was so bad I had to go on medication and since then had to up my dose. This book has helped me see why this has happened to me and how a person gets depressed in the first place. IT is NON judgemental and also validating but besides that it tells you how to RECOVER! It is a wonderful book. It doesn't leave anything uncovered. I want Valerie Raskin to know THANKYOU for saving my life and my marriage from the demon of ppd. I also got your book This isn't what I Expected and it is a wonderful addition to this one for the PPD sufferer. Big hugs and big thankyou to you Valerie.
You changed my life :)

I have suffered ppd for the last 1.5 years. It was so bad I had to go on medication and since then had to up my dose. This book has helped me see why this has happened to me and how a person gets depressed in the first place. IT is NON judgemental and also validating but besides that it tells you how to RECOVER! It is a wonderful book. It doesn't leave anything uncovered. I want Valerie Raskin to know THANKYOU for saving my life and my marriage from the demon of ppd. I also got your book This isn't what I Expected and it is a wonderful addition to this one for the PPD sufferer. Big hugs and big thankyou to you Valerie.
You changed my life :)

There was some useful information mixed in with some of the author's "opinions".
A lot of the information was facts that I've heard before and/or already knew about. But, it's nice to have a reference on hand instead of relying on memory. I didn't actually find any "amazing cures" - just some options in treatment.
What works for some doesn't necessarily work for others - but you can
always try to help yourself.

This book is very enligthening and so very helpful. My daughter in law has already used it as a resource for herself and family. Easy to understand and well written. Thanks to the author and her husband/

I have been following Suzy Cohen's syndicated column for as long as it has run in my local paper. When I heard of her published book, I ordered it immediately from Amazon. I wasn't disappointed. The information superhighway is so filled with misinformation that it is refreshing to get some really down-to-earth advice from someone who has the knowledge and is willing to share it. Her online web site is also useful for those who want to get more up-to-date, in-depth, health-related information.

People tend to listen to the "experts" and I am so glad, first, that Suzy learned the truth and second, that she has stepped forward to tell the truth about health, pharmaceuticals and what they can REALLY do to you. This book could save your life. A must have for anyone who finds that they must take prescription or over the counter drugs or are looking for another way. Get this book and give it to everyone you love.

I have purchased this book for about twelve people and had it shipped as a gift to them (one advandage to having the 2 day ship option). Susan gives alternate answers for problems, as well as, medical reviews. At times, she is very frank in her comments when it comes to sex and that sort of thing.

However, as stated above, I think that she has done an excellent job. So much so, that I want everybody I know to have a copy.

Jim Rohn's wisdom is simple and easy to understand. I personally am a great fan of his work, have seen him live, listen to all his audios & read all his books. For anyone looking to be successful in life this is a must read!

If you don't have all of Jim Rohn's books, you are not complete. Don't think about this one, BUY IT right now!

This is an excellent book to teach a network marketing representative to become a better person and richer in character as well as monetarily. I recommend Jim Rohn to everyone who would like to have his/her spirit lifted and his/her character built in many ways.

I've read many books by Jim Rohn and every last one has been an excellent inspirational read. This one is no different.

There are fundamental truths that stand as unchanging foundations for success concerning human achievement. Since the beginning of time there have been men who've mastered and accepted these principles and have gone on to accomplish thier most creative visions due to the application of those principles and thier overwhelming desire to succeed. Authors have captured and written down these truths from the beginning of time-even in books such as the bible. Every approach to learning these secrets have been different due to the mindset of each generation.

Jim Rohn uncovers these priciples and sheds light on them in a simplistically refreshing way that allows for motivation towards articulating and aligning ones desires toward a worthwhile destiny. I think Jim Rohn once again does an excellent job at capturing the secret and translating it into understandable text for our consumption. I would recommend this book to anyone with an open mind willing enough to search themselves and uncover thier untapped potential.

I have read so many self-help books that are okay and even good, but they're all just pep-talks. This little book is absolutely riveting! After 6 pages, I was shocked, blown away, and had to stop reading and walk around to digest the simplicity and truthfulness of Mr. Rohn's ideas. This is not just another pep-talk. This book tells EXACTLY what to do to acheive your goals; broken all the way down to blocks on graph paper. If you never read another self-help book, read this one.