O Books

You might call this review a little 'belated.' We used to read this book to our children from the time they were in pre-school and it was first published (now both in college), but it is without a doubt one of the most fun books we've found of the hundreds we've read to and with them, and one of the most memorable both for them and for us.

I have to agree with everything the other reviewers have said. It is so much fun to read aloud and children of just about any age above 2 will get a kick out of the illustrations as Donna is being chased "past chickens and turkeys and birds, through bunches of buffalo running in herds..." To this day I can recite the entire book from memory.

And I believe that it was becasue of books like this, and this one in particular, that helped establish our children's love of reading.

Over the years we have given this book to our friends as they have had their children, and today use the out of print service to find copies for gifts. We have never failed to get very positive comments about the book years after (and others can't get the story out of their heads' either).

I love this book. My kids love to read this book with me. This is more for 4 to 6 year olds, but I am sure there are 2 and 3 year olds that will enjoy the pictures and story of Donna Being chased through her town, Through fences and gardens and the barber shop. Very cute. Easy to ready.

My mom used to read this book to us when I was a lass and I can still remember exactly how it goes from cover to cover. I'm a 25 year old grad student, and I STILL can't get the contagious, singsong rhyme scheme out of my head. This will be a book you'll remember for the rest of your life, whether you want to or not. It also contains great pictures, and may have initially formed my equally enduring fascination with redheads. I especially like how she ends up with the hot guy with the bike at the end. I love Donna and I love head pats.

Even if the story weren's so darn cute, the rhythm of the words would have hooked my two-year-old (and me!) Kudos to Grossman and also to illustrator Truesdell who has pictured all the action so delightfully.

I have read literally hundreds of books to my children (3 and 5) and this is one of the best we have found so far. My 5 year old is memorizing it line by line and I don't mind reading it over and over and over as the rhythms are so much fun and the rhyming is clever!

Hunt nicely wraps up the contemporary story of Kathleen O'Connor who travels to Ireland to research the story of Cahira O'Connor. She blends a great framework for both stories and gives the reader a unique ending to the love story that began her writing and in her own life.

this interweaving two captive stories of romance and intrigue humourand faith. the emerald isle ties up the mutlicolred threads of angela elwell and is serious page turning novel that keeps its readers in supsense, with a concclusion that will satisfy both spirt and heart!

The Emerald Isle was a wonderful ending to an excellent series. Cahira O'Connor, the king's daughter, was a remarkable woman who was brave, intelligent and beautiful. She falls in love with her father's enemy's chief knight, named Colton. This is a gripping story, where honor, love, and sacrifice are beautifully portrayed. Cahira's story is set in the 1200's.

The author does an excellent job portraying life in the age of Chivalry. It was somewhat difficult to read, knowing Cahira's ultimate fate from the previous books. However, the author does a beautiful job bringing the story to closure.

Cahira's story is intertwined with Kathleen O'Connor's, a descendent of Cahira. Kathleen travels to Ireland for few months before attending her best friend's wedding. She stays on the bride-to-be's parent's dairy farm and develops a friendship with her brother, Patrick.

The author does a remarkable job describing life and scenes in Ireland, and includes much information on dairy farming. She has done quite a bit of research in each of the books in this series. They are wonderfully written, and I have benefited greatly from her research into the lives and times of each period. I highly recommend each book, all are terrific!

The stories of Cahira and Kathleen are juxtaposed beautifully in this wonderful story of God's grace and sovereignty and people's shortcomings. A lovely story of Ireland, past and present. If you love Ireland, this is for you.

I devoured the first 3 books of this series. They were moving and wonderful. This book is just as good as the other 3. In this book, we find out the story of Cahira O'Connor. A brave young woman who stood up to her father/king and an opposing force for the man that she loved. We also finish the story of Kathleen O'Connor, who has been doing the research on the descendants of Cahira. She is in Ireland for the wedding of her best friend Taylor and his fiancee (whom she introduced) Maddie.

This book describes the journey of Kathleen's faith, and how she comes to rely on herself for her own happiness. She realizes her own role in the Cahira tradition is not to chronicle the stories, or to take up arms to fight, but to live. She finds her own way in Ireland, and the ending of the book brings everything full circle and to a satisfying conclusion.

Just finished reading Paul Petredis' terrific effort. I am the current President of the 35th Infantry Regiment Association and I found the historical aspects of the story to be of particular interest. Paul's story is riveting. I liked the fact that he didn't try and make it a story of personal heroism. As they say in Dragnet "Just the Facts, Mam" and that's what Paul gave us but they were interesting facts and interesting reading. Seems like there should of been a movie come out of this. Thanks Paul. I enjoyed it.

This is the most gripping, facinating non-fiction book I have ever read. It shows the will to survive in the face of overwhelming odds. I wish every high school student would read this book and discover the meaning of a true hero. It is very different from what the movies portray. I recommend reading this book. You won't want to put it down.
O. Mastellos

Facinating true story.

Escape From North Korea by Paul G Petredis

His book is superbly researched and a darn good read of the Forgotten War and the path which lead to it. His personal experience being a soldier in Korea and surviving the conflict gives great credit to him as a man, and his narrative about how he escaped from North Korea is almost beyond description, and should be a must read for anyone who enters the US Military Service. Hope to see future writings by Paul Petredis.

F.Petersen

WOW... war becomes real on these pages, almost too real, and from a soldier with his first-hand account. I found it to be a story of survival and determination, and a credit to the author and to our military. I suppose the most significant part of this story, is the insight into what our soldiers are facing everyday in the Middle East. It should be "must" reading for every person in our Armed Forces, as to what to expect, and how to overcome the impending obstacles, in battle and if captured. An excellent book and a credit to its author. Well done!

Esther's Uncle Mordecai is the gate keeper.He raised Esther from a baby. My favorite part of the story is when Esther becomes queen of Persia. My favorite part of the story is when he laughed. When he was done laughing, he said "Esther, you are now queen of ersia". I like the book Esther because it is taken from the Bible. The comments are the same as in the Bible. If you really like the Bible story, I insist that you read this book!

Esther was an ok book. It is easy to read. It was about
this girl named Esther and how she became a queen and
saved her people. I recommend this book to anyone.

Esther's Uncle Mordecai is the gate keeper.He raised Esther from a baby. My favorite part of the story is when Esther becomes queen of Persia. My favorite part of the story is when he laughed. When he was done laughing, he said "Esther, you are now queen of ersia". I like the book Esther because it is taken from the Bible. The comments are the same as in the Bible. If you really like the Bible story, I insist that you read this book!

I like this book of Esther because it is all what God knew what was going to happen. My first favorite part is when the king crowned Esther Queen of Persia. That was God's plan. Later, a man named Haman wanted all the Jews killed. God wanted Esther to save her people. My second favorite part is when Esther shows up to the king uninvited. Esther had the courage to do that. But, will Esther save her people in time? Read this book to find out.

I have read dozens of Jewish books to my kids, and this stands out as one of the few that I am going to keep for THEIR kids. The reason? It portrays Esther as a real person that girls can truly identify with, while not straying from the honest Torah understanding of the holiday. Additionally, the combination of realistic text (presented in the form of Esther's diary) and stunning illustrations make this book a literary treat. I wish this author-illustrator team would get together to create stories about all the Biblical heroines!

I was a kindergarten teacher and this rhyme was a staple during the month of October. When I saw it had been made into a book, I got it for my 2 year old daughter. It is perfect for this age. Short, rhyming text and vibrant pumpkin pictures. My 4 year old twins like it too because they are so familiar with the rhyme they feel like they are reading it themselves. Definitely a favorite for Halloween in this house.

The rhyme of Five Little Pumpkins is SO easy to read and memorize, the board book holds up very well, and the illustrations are very endearing--the jack-o-lantern faces are expressive and the colors are beautiful. This book made my 20-month-old son a jack-o-lantern fan, and I haven't gotten tired of reading it to him yet!

This board book with wipe-clean covers and pages is a delightful Halloween romp featuring the five famous little pumpkins of the familiar gradeschool song. Bright double page illustrations showing the five different jack-o-lanterns tell the tale of Halloween night that begins with the pumpkins "sitting on a gate" and finishes up with them "rolling out of sight." Simple but fun-filled witches on broomsticks, a black cat, and whispy smiling ghosts join in the fun. This book is rated for the ages of 1 1/2 and up and is basic and short enough to hold the attention of a very little one but can be used to learn reciting or singing. It is a nice touch for Halloween because there is no scariness in it and lots of smiling, bright colored action to follow. Sure to be a family favorite.

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh, my it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
The third one said, "But we don't care."
The fourth one said, "Let's run, let's run!"
The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?"

Then Woooooo went the wind
And OUT went the lights.
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

My 2 1/2 year old just loves Halloween. It's only June as I write this and he's already asking if Halloween is coming soon almost on a daily basis. So when I saw this book at a yard sale I just had to pick it up. This delightful verse that has been around so long is accompanied by cute and spooky illustrations of pumpkins, ghosts, witches, and black cats. Just a delightful and sturdy little board book. Perfect for your little goblin.

Dan Yaccarino captures the essence of Halloween with simple, yet expressive pictures of pumpkins, ghosts and a black cat. My one year old son Ryan loves it when i read the story of the Five Little Pumpkins. He points to all the different pumpkin faces and loves their orange glow. The book wipes clean and withstands being dragged all over the house! I am a big fan of Dan Yaccarino's work, love his cartoon Oswald, so this book is a big Halloween fun delight!

This is a favorite storybook in our home. I enjoy reading this one to our four children, and its one of their all time favorites. Its right next to the nightstand.
I think I enjoy reading Five O'Clock Charlie as much as they enjoy hearing it read to them!

I'm 47 and I still remember reading this when I was a child. I just fell in love with Charlie and have always wanted a horse like him that would stick his head in the kitchen window. I went on to read Misty and Stormy, Misty's Foal when I got a little older but Charlie never left my heart. A great read with terrific illistrations your kids will remember for years to come!!

Five O'clock Charlie was my favorite book as a child and I read it to my children when they were little. It became such a favorite of my children that when the oldest got married and moved out of state the kids argued over who would keep my original copy. Well she took it with her against the wishes of the others. I have read this book to kindergarden classes and they have all asked that it be read again and again. I have ordered it for every child I have on a gift list and their parents love it as much as the child does.

Five O'Clock Charlie was my favorite childhood book, and it still has a special place on my shelf and in my heart. A must for anyone who loves horses, regardless of whether you're young or just young at heart! A great gift for anyone.

Charlie,the work horse was retired by his master who said Charlie was too old to work. In fact, everybody said he was too old. Everyone, that is, except Charlie. He is lonely in his pasture where nothing grows but thistles and chickweed. He is bored and hungry. He remembers the old days when he used to get treats from the tavern cook, Birdie, and escapes from his pasture each day at five o'clock to return to the inn. There he finds that he can still be useful and important, even though he no longer can pull wagons or a plow.

This is little book brings the realitilies of eternity home in easy to understand writings.

This is a thorough book about what we are all headed for when we die. Best be prepared ahead of time and not have the Last Judgment a big surprise.

Pope Pius XII was quoted as saying, "The greatest sin of the twentieth century, is the loss of the sense of sin." In this short book Fr. von Cochem writes on each of the four last things, Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell. His chapters are short as is his book. His language is extremely vivid, and I would suspect that most modern readers would have trouble accepting not only the beautiful and fantastic image he paints of heaven, but more lilkely how stark and terrible he paints Hell. This is not to say I don't think this book is useful. If it doesn't inspire the emotions it did with its original audience, at least perhaps it will be helpful in bringing people to realize that perhaps God is mightier than the semi-senile Grandfather figure we often want to believe He is.

I was very inspired and enlightened after reading this book. The opening chapters on the separation of the soul from the body were exceptional. Beware of the chapters on Hell (a large portion of the book). They will make most depair but for some (as in my case) they will stengthen their resolve to seek God at all times. Those chapters made me see Christ's exhortations about Hell in a new light. In other words, I take them more seriously now. I read and re-read the chapters on Heaven and the reunification of the soul with the body. They are so uplifting that I had to pause often to reflect on what I had just read. I remember one evening before retiring I implored God to give me a glimpse of Heaven for just a moment as the decription I had just read seemed too amazing to believe.

I encourage all to read this short spiritual book.

Do your very best to Love the Lord (Jesus Christ) with all of your heart.
Believe in Him (now, tomorrow, and everyday), and ALWAYS PRAY to Him when you are at the house, in your car, at church, and even when you are studying, etc.)Ask Him to come into your life. Yes, this book is important, it also talks about hell, but to avoid hell one must be a good christian. So don't envy, don't lust after the opposite sex, don't rape, don't molest, don't coveout, don't kill, don't lie, etc. Buy this book, and learn a new way of living life, plus pray to Christ everyday with all of your heart. Have and get salvation because not everyone is going to go there. Many will go to hell. But changing your life -ones dirty life to a new one(a cleaner one) and accepting Jesus Christ into your life guarantees you Eternal salvation. Once you die, you will then see the Lord and He himself will judge you according to your acts...so be very good while you are here on this earth, because once you die it is too late(then the Judgement). For example, think of the killers who have killed babies,or a woman or man who hates the opposite sex(gender mysoginy) and were damned to hell because of their hatred toward life/people...they will be thrown into the lake of fire by Christ's Angels, and they will burn in sulphur, forever and forever and forever. The flames will never stop, they will burn forever and forever and forever. Get this book, and get the Bible,and Have Christ in your life because He is good and because He cares for you. Even if some one who is dieing on a hospital bed still has a chance at salvation, but that person will have to repent, and ask Christ for forgiveness...he or she also has to pray to Christ (verbally or mentally)depending on the patient health.

This book of parables takes the reader into the world of family systems theory in such a way that family systems becomes not just a theory but a part of one's life. With the supplemental discussion guide, it is an excellent resource for introducing the concepts and ideas of family systems to groups who have not studied or read on the subject before. All in all, an excellent book.

Did you know that Rabbi Friedman's wife has recently published his last work, Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix? It can be ordered through the Edwin Friedman Foundation. It would be a great addition to your inventory.

More parables than fables, Friedman's genius as a storyteller in the rabbinic tradition shines through. This collection of short fables are ingenious studies of human nature from a Family Systems point of view. Though the book has many uses for teaching and therapy, its best use is pure enjoyment!

Ed Friedman provided his readers and students with more than information about the human condition. He has given them a way to think, not just what to think. This book of fables, as the study booklet that accompanies it makes clear, is about life questions. A great deal of what one can know about life and self depends upon (a) where one stands when asking questions, and (b) the clarity and orientation of one's questions. The greatness of Ed Friedman is the clarity with which he has engaged the world. His "Generation to Generation" is a powerfully clear treatise on self and systems that has had a profound effect on thousands. I am given to understand that his daughter is arranging for editing and publishing "A Failure of Nerve" (available since 1999 only as a bound manuscript, loosely edited). Ed Friedman learned systems theory from Msurray Bowen (1913-1990), and his variant of Bowen Theory remains one of the clearest and most compelling expositions of the power of Bowen's work. "Friedman's Fables" is a testament to what can be done with Bowen when one thinks about the human condition with freedom and creativity, informed by the discipline of the most mature theory of human functioning today.

Friedman's Fables are a resonant statement by a very quiet man. Ed Friedman was that quiet man. He constructed a modern use for the ancient form of allegory, first used in King Solomon's written works, to drive home difficult-to-accept truths and ethical principles, in a group setting. His "fables" are the outcome of his many years of psychoanalytic work in very large congregational groups, and in my view, are a work of genius. Each fable deals with a different aspect of the group unconscious, and facilitates a ready demonstration of the inevitable group acting out that results from the return of the repressed.

This book is a useful tool for anyone who feels they are held back by their own habits and beliefs. It examines the self-limiting behaviours which we can succumb to - from procrastination to insecurity to alcohol abuse to a host of other habits - and provides real answers as to how we can work on turning these behaviours around to start living up to our true potential. The exercises are great, as rather than just reading the book the reader has a chance to really examine which sabotaging behaviours apply to them and how they can make changes to avoid repeating mistakes they may have made in the past. It makes it a much more relevant and useful book and would be the main reason I give this book five stars. The worksheets give the book a really practical applicable side, which other books of this nature can lack. They encourage and aid you in really examining your own situation and how Sheri's advice can be applied to help you, rather than just reading case studies of others. A real help!

From Sabotage to Success is an appropriate title for this book. It reflects my own personal journey from a place of despair and lack of information to one of empowerment and success. My journey continued as I found that the strategies I used to overcome my own self-defeating behavior were just as successful in helping others overcome theirs. This book was born out of years of personal experience as well as working with others to end self-sabotage.

I have taught workshops on overcoming self-sabotage since 1992. In the beginning, before each workshop I wrote a lesson plan but the participants always added new ideas and insights which further enhanced each proceeding workshop. Eventually, my notes turned into handouts, then book chapters, and finally a full-fledged book. Throughout the book I provide real-life examples of persons dealing with a wide range of self-defeating behavior. I outline step-by-step techniques to overcome self-sabotage and each chapter ends with a task list and action plan including worksheets, journal ideas, charts, and graphs to help readers apply the principles of the book to their daily lives.

I sabotaged my own success for many years. It wasn't until I began to change my old self-talk and stopped associating with negative, unsupportive people that true change occurred. I found that self-sabotage is often due to impatience and unrealistic expectations. I discovered that small, manageable goals followed by feasible rewards were an effective way to gain and maintain success. When you begin to focus on solutions, goals, and successes instead of problems and limitations, you can choose to recreate your life at any time, despite age or background. This book focuses on a holistic view of success. Rather than concentrating solely on material or career accomplishments, I invite the reader to define his or her own concept of success to include contentment, balance, and peace.

My hope is that this book will help you feel more alive; that you will see your own value and cease acting in self-destructive ways. I offer many time-tested techniques for you to do so. The rest is up to you. I would love to hear about the successes you encounter as a result of applying this book to your life.

From Sabotage to Success(or by another name, REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL)by Sheri Zampelli is an easy to read and very practical guide to overcoming barriors in our lives.I use the book everyday...one of the best self-help books I've ever used.I really would encourage everyone who is interesting in their personal growth to buy this book.

Ever wonder why life is not showing up for you the way you think it should? Have you considered that you could be the only obstacle standing in the way of success? And speaking of success: Do you know what your personal success looks like? If you've answered "yes" to the first and "no" to any of the following: Sheri Zampelli can help you.

As you may recall, I recently read and reviewed Zampelli's Donate Your Weight Weight Loss Program. After doing so - I rushed to collect the rest of Zampelli's parchment. Why? For starters, I like the way she leads readers from A to Z helping them overcome the most important obstacles: the intangible ones. After all, these are the challenges that keep us standing in our own way. And she uses this methodology to help readers overcome all of life's greatest challenges - including, but not limited to, weight loss.

She does it in this way.

In From Sabotage To Success, Zampelli first asks you to get to know and be honest with yourself. Through carefully crafted exercises, she asks you to step forward and review your "self" and your life - deciding your "role" as you see it. This information may surprise you as most of us define ourselves through others. Once established, this "coming clean" with regard to the past and present creates a jumping off point for charting a path to a destination of our own choosing. Next, you will create the ideal life you see for yourself. Zampelli asks you to "fast forward" and create this life by building your ideal version of it. You'll then back peddle into reality and prepare steps forward to reach this destination.

Said differently, Zampelli asks the hard questions that we are afraid to ask ourselves. For example: She challenges us to make absolutely sure that our goals for ourselves are truly our goals. Why? She explains: most often roadblocks to success come when we define ourselves by others and the groups or "tribes" to which we belong. Therefore, to identify our authentic selves is the first cut to reaching personal success. Secondly, Zampelli helps you realize the hidden ways you can Sabotage this process - ways that until now you may not have recognized. Mostly this involves letting go of the negative ideas we currently hold about ourselves - those which often stem from our childhood.


Perhaps you are overcompensating for your past by:

Controlling others?
Putting off your life?
Holding back from expressing your feelings?
Waiting for things to "work themselves out"?
Focusing on the negative?


Zampelli tells us, it's time to stop. In the second portion of the book, she leads readers by the hand to help us find our own definition of success, then offers exercises that you can use to work through these and other hurdles that could be standing between you and your vision for yourself. Here, she uses many of my favorite tools like creative journaling, mind mapping and affirmations. These will all help take you from where you are to where you'd like to be. This book then, becomes a personal roadmap to freedom.


From Sabotage To Success will be even more effective for those who:

~Have read every self-help book imaginable and still have found themselves stuck in their same old patterns.

~Are interested in changing the habits associated with self defeating behaviors that can keep them from reaching their full potential.

~Want to identify personal roadblocks, bring them to the surface to heal, then move on to claim the success they know is theirs.


The three best things about From Sabotage To Success in my opinion are:

One: Zampelli uses examples, anecdotes and stories from other real life individuals that exemplify the struggles we all face. This helps me identify with the issue at hand, realize I am not alone and that I am not "different" or "crazy" for having the feelings I do. In turn, this helps me to heal and overcome my highest hurdles.

Two: Zampelli fills the book with exercises, thought provoking ideas and tools. Soon after reading, I found myself excited about my life again. Through identifying and removing ways I stand in my own way through negative thinking - I've learned to identify when I'm "unhealthy." Free from negativity, I'm liberated to be excited about my life and the possibilities it holds for me.

Three: Zampelli, as customary, presents all of her work in a "been there done that" format. It's hard hitting as her story is a deep and painful one. Yet, this accessibility is exactly what makes Zampelli's books worth reading and applying - she speaks from her own passion to overcome obstacles, and her passion to succeed becomes contagious.

A Final Note: Just like her other work - this is not a book you will finish, close, then never look at again. It is a reference book you can consult over and over. As usual, I always choose to take the broad brush stroke first, then walk back through slowly - taking each exercise one at a time. Zampelli has penned another winner here - and she takes you right along with her.

I found From Sabotage to Success to be a delightfully fresh approach to presenting psychological theories, techniques, concepts, and jargon into an enjoyable, easy-to-read format. Ms. Zampelli offers a fresh new approach to presenting a wide array of comprehensive self-help techniques to just about any person who picks up the book!

Although I have read probably just about every self-help book on the market, I found Sabotage to Success to be among the very best of its kind. Since it is my observation that most of the women who I work with tend to sabotage their own chances for happiness and success, I will be recommending it as a "Must Read" for all of my clients. If you want to improve your life in any way, this book will help you discover what's holding you back...and what you can do to grow.

Cathy Garger
Personal Coach

email me, I'll let you know...

It's okay, I had to read it for a class. He raises some good questions but he's long winded. A lot of us have already thought about these questions. Talbott feeds you some good food for thought though.

Once being an engineer, a scientist, a professor of Electrical Engineering, etc., etc, now I'm watching this world amazed by its reality and its beauty. My soul is awaken. The wonderful book by Stephen Talbott tells us who we are and to where we do belong

This book is well written, provocative and covers a lot of ground in a very short space of time. The author presents a well-reasoned argument for reversing the usual cause and effect critique of the evil computer, and his suggestion that the problem is in the way we think about technology is right on.

This book should be read by all those who live with the Internet and technology. While not exactly a Luddite (Talbott uses computers and the Internet a great deal), the author presents many reasons why we should not just accept the promises of a technological paradise without reflecting on its consequences.