W Books

This book was more than what I expected...a very attractive appearance, without breaking the bank. It was purchased as a gift, and he is ecstatic about it!!

They don't make books like they used to - or, so i thought, until i bought this elegant edition of The Arabian nights. Beautifully bound, printed on high-quality paper, with an erudite introduction, and clear, but stylish font, I thought how appropriate for the publisher to release a classic such as The Arabian nights in such a 'classic' style, hearkening back to a time when great care was put into published books.
Congratulations on a great edition.

I have been reading this to my 8 yr old and changing or leaving out the inappropriate parts. She loves to hear it, and with the cliff hangers she is always asking for another chapter.

Excellent translation, from the oldest known manuscript of the tales. True to the original, it captures not just the letter, but the spirit of the text. Clearly, Haddawy is a talented writer on his own accord.

A very good place to discover Arab culture as well.

As I took a trip to Egypt over the new year, I thought it fitting that I should read books pertaining to the culture there. So I picked up this authoritative copy of Arabian Nights from the library and took it with me for some reading.

This edition is followed by a second edition that includes the better-known stories (including Aladdin and Sinbad). I didn't recognize any of the stories in this edition. Granted, I didn't read every story.

I think the trouble with getting together an "authoritative text" on the Arabian Nights is that the stories were never meant to be compiled into a book and read straight through. The stories were part of a rich oral culture that involved sitting around a fire with fine musical instruments, good food, great company and a storyteller who could draw in extra details and add in any embellishments that he thought the crowd would appreciate. Meaning- you never really heard the same story twice.

All of this is lost in a print copy. The stories begin to seem repetitive (which they wouldn't, if they were told over the course of a few years by a traveling storyteller) and the language becomes onerous- every section begins and ends with the same two phrases over and over, again and again.

However, the stories are a lot of fun :-) If you're interested in the Arabian Nights, I would certainly recommend this edition- Haddawy does well in his translation. But I'd also only read a story or two here and there, so that you don't become tired of the book. That way, the magic will still hit you. Or maybe, you can become the storyteller and read it aloud to someone else- it would probably be excellent in that form as well!

Simple and to the point, yet poingint and touching, this book shows like no other how the world's greatest fire department dealt with the aftermath of tragedy.

Outstanding It shows the amazing grief and resolve of New York and its firefighters. It is is visual history of the Sept.11 attacks and their aftermath

I was moved to tears reading this, not only having witnessed the 9-11 atrocities firsthand but as a widow I know the pain suffered by the widows of those brave firemen that perished that day. This book is a must-read along with the others that are listed. I cannot say enough about it, God Bless Those Brave men.

I was very moved by this book on the events of 9-11. It has wonderful illustrations and deserves a place on your book shelf

As you are reading though the tribute to the fallen, you see thenamesof each of the lost Firefighters scrolled across the bottom of the pages. Each page left me more and more with a sense of loss. I did not lose anyone that fateful day, yet, we all lost. The words you read are quite moving, the pictures mean more than the words and poems. Yet i am most moved by the names of those precious and brave firefighters name across the pages from the front cover to the back cover.

Tobias books always have interesting perspectives. In this one, the Yeerks have developed an Anti-Morphing Ray that would cause anyone in morph to revert to their normal form. The Animorphs plan to destroy the weapon by being voluntarily captured, which would lead the others to the AMR so they can destroy it. Tobias sees that he is the ideal choice, for the AMR being tested on him would make it seem as though the very science behind the ray doesn't work (and the Yeerks won't bother to create another).

Unique parts of this book include flashback scenes of Tobias's past as a human and other memories of the previous books. Taylor, the sub-visser interrogator, is an interesting new character that appears later in the series. There are some fairly intense torture scenes as well, as a note of caution. You'd think that Tobias would become very messed up after this, (like having conditioned physical responses to red and blue light), but he ends up okay, just a bit more introspective and contained than before. After all, he has Rachel to help him recover mentally and emotionally.

This was a good book, adding in elements of Andalite culture and lore. It's more serious than some other books, fewer wisecracks, but an overall well-written and scripted book.

The Illusion is one of my favorite books for two reasons. Number 1: It's narrated by Tobias. I LOVE TOBIAS. He is definately, by far the best Animorph. Number 2. The whole thing was so well done. I liked the Anti Morphing Ray thing, and once you started it, you were hooked.

A note to all you Animorph readers who haven't read that many books yet: Don't start with this one. It gives away a lot of Tobiias's secrets from earlier books.

This book is about how the Animorphs try to destroy an evil device. Tobias has to acquire A's DNA. The bad thing is, the yeerks thought Tobias was an andelite. They try to make him demorph.There are many main characters, Ax, Rachel, Tobias, Jake, Cassie and Marco. They each have special things about each of the Animorphs. Cassie can morph the fastest.The conflict or problem for the main characters are the yeerks try to take control of the world.They have a device to try to make andelites and humans demorph.This would allow the Animorphs' secrets to be given up. How they resolved their conflict is that when Tobias got captured, his friends saved him.Then they completed the mission and left. That is how they solved the conflict. I would recommend this book to others. This is a good book to read. I didn't want to stop reading.

This book is about how the Animorphs try to destroy an evil device.Tobias has to acquire A's DNA.The bad thing is, the yeerks thought Tobias was an andelite.They try to make him demorph.There are many main characters, Ax, Rachel, Tobias, Jake, Cassie and Marco.They each have special things about each of the Animorphs. Cassie can morph the fastest.The conflict or problem for the main characters are the yeerks try to take control of the world.They have a device to try to make andelites and humans demorph.This would allow the Animorphs' secrets to be given up. How they resolved their conflict is that when Tobias got captured, his friends saved him.Then they completed the mission and left. That is how they solved the conflict.I would recommend this book to others. This is a good book to read.I didn't want to stop reading.

In this book, The Animorphs must capture the AMR (anti-morphing ray) and give it to the Chee to hide. The AMR is a device that makes anything that's morphed return to its natraul form. Tobias volenteers, since his natraul form is hawk. He aquires Ax and morphs him and Ax teaches him Andalite tail blade fighting. Tobias loves the Andalite body. He goes into the Yeerk Comuntiy center and is captured by a sub-visser with a host named Taylor (female host). Taylor is volantary. She tortures Tobias. Will Tobias get out of the Yeerk Pool alive, or will he become a Controller or die? Read the book to find out!

I love the receipes in the book. The only thing I have a problem with is that the book states that "No more weighing", however it does not explain what an actual serving size is, it mentions briefly that you can weigh your food to get an idea of what a serving is, and then use your judgement from then on. Well, being someone that is over weight and has a problem with determining what an actual serving is poses a HUGE problem. That would mean, I WOULD have to weigh my food to figure out whether I am eating a serving or more. The title of the book is misleading, as well as the excerpts on the back and front cover.

I bought this cookbook back in 1993 and have been using the recipes in it ever since. I get so many requests for the recipes I've made from it I have bought extra cookbooks to give out to people as gifts. The title is deceiving because it doesn't seem like those bland old diet cookbooks that you usually get. I lost the weight that I wanted to lose and have maintained my weight by keeping these recipes on hand. Also, I love that the cookbook has a picture for every recipe which is rare in most cookbooks. As stated earlier in someones comments about the serving size......It states how many servings the recipe makes they just figure you can divide equally.

Very easy transaction -- price was great -- shipping to a friend's address went off without a hitch. Hightly recommend.

I loved the pictures! I own alot of cookbooks, and this one has fast become my favorite. I liked the Classics section as well as the easy-to-understand calorie needs/bmi explanation in the front of the book and the 14-day menu planner. It contains good old fashioned dinners as well as easy gourmet-type delights. My husband is excited about this too! My whole family will enjoy losing weight while eating great tasting food without feeling they are on a diet!

My husband and I lost a total of 100 pounds in 5 months by using the delicious recipes in this book. The food is tasty, easy to prepare, and satisfying. The variety of foods from the traditional to the more exotic or ethnic gives the range of choice often missing in "diet" books. I have purchased this book as a gift for several friends who have also found it enjoyable.

I truly enjoyed reading Dr. Younkins' Capitalism and Commerce. It shed new and insightful light on many topics that I have been previously taught. Not until I read this book did I come to understand the extent to which I was indoctrinated with such a one-sided view in previous years. Since reading the book, I have begun to view topics such as taxation, antitrust law, public education, and the philosophy of natural law in a new way. I found Dr. Younkins' book very easy to read and understand. I have used it as a reference for other classes and papers I have written and intend to do so throughout the remainder my undergraduate years and hopefully into law school.

Want a clear and concise look at the way America should be? Look no further. Capitalism and Commerce has just what you are looking for, its topics range from the Hegelian Dialectic, to Taxation, from Public schools, to Role of a Limited Government. Business is life, and Younkins delivers. Buy a copy for every child you know, because this book will lead to the betterment of our country. Pick up your copy today! Do it for America!

Dr. Younkins exposes to the world the truth behind the current United States entitlement system. The easy to read chapters discuss each aspect of a capitilistic system in its purest form. Each chapter builds on each other allowing the reader to discover the mirage of free enterprise in this country.
This is a very good book and Ed has been able to lubricate the previously dry subject of economics. Any person who believes that Americans live under a free enterprise system should read this book. If you believe that you are entitled to some economic aid from the "Government," read this book.

The problem nowadays with discourse on political and economic issues is that there is much confusion over the definition of terms. Two groups demand rights but they're in conflict because one group wants welfare rights while the other wants liberty rights. Whose claim for rights is legitimate? Well, that all depends on what is the definition of a right.

Younkins' wonderful contribution with this work is not only to demonstrate that words like `rights', `justice', and `dignity' have specific meanings, but from the view point that man prefers freedom over slavery, he eloquently lays out the ontological framework of a free society.

Today many would argue that there's a natural tension between `rights' and `justice' with a tendency for one to happen at the expense of the other. That is not true, according to Younkins. He argues that when these terms are properly understood within the context a free society, they not only fulfill their roles unfettered, they work symbiotically towards producing a happy society.

Younkins covers much in his work and in the process he clears the fog by defining the role of the law, government, corporations, education, etc. within a free society. Younkins book is so systematic, consistent and thorough that it can be used as a litmus test to measure the degree of freedom within a particular society.

My only criticism of this work (and it is very minor) is that though his intended audience are lay persons in philosophy, economics and political science, Younkins' language does get a bit recondite at times. But overall this is thoughtful and brilliant work from a fine scholar. Every person who cares and thinks about sustaining a free society must have this work included in their library.

Capitalism and Commerce offers an insightful, straight forward, and clear description of how a capitalist society should function. From Labor Unions to taxation, Younkins provides an economic and philosophic perspective on a wide range of topics that allows the reader to learn from real examples. While addressing tough issues, the book itself is easy to read and perfect for anyone trying to understand and explore economic principles.

bought this copy for my daughter. she wishes she'd had it years earlier. loves it.

I retired a few years ago and wish that I had taken my Gregg Reference Manual with me as a "parting gift." I used to take calls from people regarding grammar questions. Little did they know I would grab this book and easily page to the correct answer. I impressed many people over the years; and then, of course, the answers became second nature to me. I have recommended this book many times and finally am going to purchase my own copy for home. It is a good book just to read. Absolutely EVERYTHING is in there.

This manual is a great tool with easy to locate information and a wealth of information; it is not, however, the end-all of writing. It is a good business writing manual, but to an English student and editor, it falls rather short. For example, Sabin's advice on generic pronouns and gender may suit a business proposal with "his or hers" and "he or she" littering the page, but in the humanities, this is becoming less and less acceptable. Items such as this seem unimportant only until you need them.

The GRM is a fine grammar manual if needed only for occasional use casually and in business situations, but for intense scrutiny, it wouldn't be my first choice.

I am an independent corporate trainer who teaches people to write better at work. When my students ask me for my advice about good books to guide them as they write at work, this is the reference book I recommend.

I also tell them several other things about the book. First, this is not just some handbook that secretaries can use to look up how to format a letter. It is an authoritative reference for all aspects of writing English. It should be next to the dictionary and thesaurus on the shelf of everyone who needs to write at work, from clerks to executives. Second, if your boss or anyone else argues with you about any rule of writing, you only have to point to the relevant entry in this book. All arguments stop there. Third, the size of the book is deceptive. It uses small font and thin paper. With normal font and paper, it would be the size of two or three large dictionaries. That's how much useful stuff is packed in this book.

It takes a while to get used to how the information in the book is formatted, but it is well worth the effort. All entries in the index include page numbers as well as topic numbers, which they call "rules." The book is logically structured around these rules, and it makes related topics easy to find.

I rated this book 5 stars because I think it is superior in all categories for a reference book: comprehensive content, abundant examples, thorough index, authoritative author, and reasonable price.

As a business education teacher, I highly recommend this reference manual to anyone entering the secretarial field. It provides a complete source for answering questions concerning grammar, punctuation, English usage, etc. The well-done index allows easy access to the needed information. It is an absolute MUST for office employees. Eva Lewis, El Cajon, CA

In Session illuminates how the heart of therapy lies not in the therapist's theory or dogmatic beliefs, but in the relationship that exists in session between the client and therapist. Seamlessly weaving together the information she collected through interviews, research, and her own personal experiences in therapy, Deborah Lott reveals how this crucial bond between women and their therapists requires the therapist be professional enough to adhere to the boundaries of the "approximate relationship" while also being human enough to be empathically and emotionally present as the client's unique complexity unfolds. This book serves as both a "buyer beware" book that guides women in evaluating their own therapies, as well as a poignant reminder to clinicians about the powerful healing/harm duality inherent in the therapeutic relationship. With the closing words of her book, Deborah summarizes how the therapeutic journey can ultimately be a healing one: "Only by revealing what she is really feeling about herself, her therapist, and their relationship might a woman in therapy have the profound pleasure of being truly seen and understood."

I was looking for readings on "boundaries" in psychotherapeutic relationship. Well, I didn't really understand why my therapist insisted so much on keeping boundaries between her and me. I didn't see any problems having conversations over coffee if I happened to run into her outside of therapy. I didn't have any fantasies about finding where she lives, seeking her out, but I didn't see any harms to have a socially friendly relationship with her either. Sounded like very bad ideas from my therapist standpoint. Felt like we would jeopardize all our hard work in therapy if we socialized outside of the "sanctity of the office"! Anyway, I was interested in learning what these "boundaries" stuffs were all about from someone outside of our relationship. This book not only answered my questions on boundaries, but also gave insight into all aspects of relationship between women and their therapist. Wow, what a complicated world! My hat is off to Deborah for writing this book so candidly, attributing no shame to the patients for their feelings, sexual or not. My therapist is a wonderful woman, full of compassion and warm caring for me. She's genuinely listening to me with empathy. I gradually progressed towards a complete trust in her. I told her all my shameful secrets I never told any therapists before. I found myself adoring her like a kid. Yet, despite our wonderful therapeutic relationship, I still wondered if I was weird or some thing. This book helps me to understand my attachment to my therapist and don't feel ashamed about it. It helps me not feeling "weird" about my "child-like longings" for a motherly figure in her. It strengthens my trusting in her and in myself to work out my problems. I would recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in psychotherapy, patients or therapists.

This was the first thought I had when I started reading this book. Deborah does a fabulous job of describing the feelings of transference.

I entered therapy almost a year ago and had been to many therapists in the past. However, this time, something was different. I had never even heard of transference or knew this could happen. So, naturally, I thought again, I'm the only one stuff like this happens to.

I recommend this book to anyone but mostly to therapists. I think they should read this to understand just what we go through. Even though our transference isn't about them per se, it certainly feels that way. I guess it could be about them if their therapist crossed the line, which mine hasn't done.

Thank you Deborah. I needed this book!

Even if you are lucky enough never to experience transference and attachment issues with your therapist, there is plenty of good information here about the goals of psychotherapy, its history, subgroups and boundaries. And if you ARE experiencing transference, dependence, attachment or all three, do yourself a huge favor and read this book.

An amazing book. Highly recommended. An absolute gift to women who are trying to use psychotherapy to overcome negative pasts and/or cope with the stresses and losses of the present.

For women going through comprehensive psychotherapy will find this book so helpful and relieving. relieving is probably the better word. for all women searching for meaning and clarity in their therapeutic relationship, this book is essential. It is so critical to use the dynamics of the relationship between a woman and her therapist for therapeutic gain. this book gives you perspective and a way to approach all the intense, confusing and seemingly crazy feelings that women have for their therapists. i would probably not have stayed with my therapy if it wasn't for this book. this book helped me feel ok with my feelings and gave me the courage to bring them up in therapy which has totally changed the course of therapy for me in a good way. i can't begin to tell you how much this book has helped.

In the late autumn of his life, evangelist Billy Graham has given us a wonderful gift.

In clear and compassionate terms, he shares the accumulated wisdom and anecdotes of an extraordinary lifetime, providing guidance and encouragement to make our own lives meaningful and extraordinary. The book is carefully structured in four parts. In "The Journey Begins", he explores the primary questions of life. In "Strength for the Journey", he discusses practical measures to find peace and joy with God, others, and ourselves. "Challenges Along the Way" covers external, internal, and spiritual difficulties; and "Staying the Course" provides guidance and hope in facing issues arising in middle age and beyond.

This, like "Mere Christianity" and other works by C.S. Lewis, is a must-read for anyone seeking truthful answers to life's painful and confusing questions, as well as for Christians looking to deepen their faith. I didn't find a single false word in it and will likely re-read it more than once in the years to come.

And even if there are no years to come, even if my journey should end tonight, I know it ends well. For anyone seeking peace in life's journey, the truths in this book could be invaluable assets. Five shining stars.

I was very happy with my selection of the "Journey" and very pleased with the good service I received on the delivery. We are using the book as a guide in a Women's Bible Study at our church and are currently in the 4th Chapter, as we discontinued our study for the Christmas holiday and will resume on Jan. 8, 2008.

Fight The Good FightProbably the last book written by the greatest Preacher of our day. Life truly is a journey and not the destination as Dr. Graham has so aptly declared in his teachings throughout the years.

I previously ordered 7 copies of "The Journey" by Billy Graham. Our men's group is in the midst of studying the book for the next 30 weeks at a weekly breakfast devotional. It is packed with wonderful guidance on how we are to live our lives. The book is perfectly divided into manageable sections that are just right for from a 30 to 50 minute devotion. It also is great in that it is written in such a way as to encourage participation. It is easily understood while at the same time elegant in its delivery of ideas. It is suitable for both those new to the faith as well as for "old" Christian soldiers.

Tha Journey: Living by Faith in an Uncertain World has been a blessing in my life. When I was given this book I had thought "Oh boy another Billy Graham Book" and I love Billy Graham BUT this book is so much more. It is a guide for living and is full of RICHNESS that you can turn to in any situation and receive GLORIOUS advise. Blly Graham is an instrument from God and I believe God speaks right through him. I EVEN GAVE A COPY TO MY DAUGHTER WHEN I LEFT HER FOR HER FIRST DAY/YEAR OF COLLEGE. I keep it close at hand to always look up answers for my life. GET IT, READ IT, GIVE IT!!!!!

As both a author and reader of Christian fiction I was impressed with Levi's Will. The characters seemed real and the story line was believable. I guess that I just like books that can hold my interest and make me think at the same time. I recommend this book. Time keeps me from writing a longer review but I wanted to get something posted.
Tommy Taylor

My husband and I picked up a stack of CD's to listen to on a long car trip. Levi's Will had "Inspirational Fiction" on it so we thought it might not be too bad. We were immediately drawn in by the story and couldn't wait to get back to it each time stopped. Dale is an excellent writer, and the story was indeed inspirational. I was so impressed with his writing that I bought all of his other books. I thought they would be a great addition for our church library.
Sorry to say, I have been disappointed. It seems to me he did not intend for women to read Bad Ground. As I read it, I kept thinking that my husband would really enjoy this story, but I felt I was intruding in a man's world. I haven't been able to finish Sutter's Cross. It started out pretty interesting, but it became obvious what was going to happen in the end. It just didn't hold my interest.
I will never forget the story of Levi's Will.

Dale Cramer is a master storyteller--one of the best in the CBA (and the ABA for that matter). I usually gravitate toward the thriller/suspense/horror genre but I'll read anything by Dale Cramer. Levi's Will was a pure joy to read, simply because of Cramer's quality writing. Highly recommend it. A must read.

In 1985, sixty-year-old Will McGruder gets the sad news that his elderly father has passed away, and Will heads to Apple Creek, Ohio, for the funeral, accompanied by Riley, his thirty-five-year-old son. And, Will begins to re-examine his past, his relationships, his values, and his life.

In 1943, nineteen-year-old Will Mullett decides he cannot stay with his rigid, dogmatic, Old Order Amish family, and heads out to face the evil, the challenges, the complexity, the diversity, and the beauty of the World.

Will McGruder is Will Mullett.

W. Dale Cramer has given us a wondrous gift of prose in this introspective fictional biography. Adeptly shifting back and forth between two time-lines (the days between Will's father's death and Will's father's funeral, and the decades between Will's departure from home and his father's death), we get to ride along as Will ponders such weighty issues as the meaning of life, the differences between rituals and relationships, the differences between religion and faith and beliefs and values, the tendency for people to parent their own children not very differently from how they were raised (despite vowing to do otherwise), and how to live with, and grow beyond, one's own mistakes. Mr. Cramer has created a realistic protagonist who is truly three-dimensional, in this character study of a character who is worthy of study.

The writing in "Levi's Will" flows evenly and deeply. In Orson Scott Card's "How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy," Mr. Card cites the late Octavia Butler as a prime example of an author who loaded every line with meaning, and gives the first line of Ms. Butler's "Wild Seed" as an example. Mr. Cramer has gone a step further, in a way, as even the title, "Levi's Will" has many different meanings, all of which gradually emerge throughout this rich tale of humanity, grief, tragedy, triumph, and love.

Chapter 36 of "Levi's Will" deserves special mention, as it is a turning point for the protagonist, and is a wonderful essay on the meaning of life, love, and belief. All of the bits and pieces of wisdom encountered by Will McGruder/Mullett finally coalesce into an epiphany that changes his world-view, and the reader gets to join that moment of wonder. Mr. Cramer manages to do this with finesse, and it really gives the reader a chance to re-examine his or her own beliefs and values, without feeling that the author is preaching or dictating the "Truth" or the "right" answers.

In some ways, I am startled that I enjoyed this book, and that I wrote what I wrote in this review. While I have always held strong moral and spiritual beliefs, I long ago turned away from organized religion, because of the rigid dogma and ritual I had encountered. From reading the description and reviews of this book, one might get the impression that religion is the focus of the story. I see it differently. Religion is the context of "Levi's Will," but its focus is really on the beliefs, values, ethics, and morality that are supposed to be the true messages of religion. I think there is much that is of value in "Levi's Will" for the Christian, and for anyone of any other religion, as well as for agnostics and even atheists. At it's root, "Levi's Will" is a tale, well told, about values and the power of love.

Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer is an amazingly powerful book about the relationships between fathers and sons and Father and Son. Cramer's previous books (Sutter's Cross and Bad Ground) were so deeply moving, it always felt as though he were writing from his own history. According to the acknowledgements in this book, there is some truth to this story and it shows, or should I say, it shines. Will Mullet runs away from his Amish background and authoritarian father Levi into the World. He spends the rest of his life trying to gain his father's approval while denying that same approval to his own son Riley. This book is so elegantly written; it moves along quietly with no huge climactic scenes or melodrama. It's a simple story of quiet people living their lives the best way they know how. I've read some of Beverly Lewis' Amish books, and the characters seem to be idealized or romanticized. While Cramer's Amish didn't make me want to run out and buy a buggy, they were portrayed as real, true human beings with quirks and flaws. Their plain faith shines through the book like a beacon, not just to Will, but to the reader as well. Cramer's descriptions of Amish life and countryside are profound. The book doesn't end, it simply slips away, leaving the reader, Will, and Riley with hope.

As a trained mental health professional, I wanted to read the book for purely academic and research reasons. However, I found myself going on a personal journey of exploration into the relationship between myself and my father with schizophrenia. This book was amazing to me on multiple levels.

Unfortunately, most readers of this book, as well as the author of the book, even if he is his son, are misinformed. I've spent a lot of time around mentally ill people who really do seem to have something dead wrong in their brain/body biochemistry, as well as imbalances of all sorts. Charles Lachenmeyer, the Outsider, was not crazy, except for the extremely stressful situations that he was forced into from OUTSIDE ( pun intended ) sources. He was no fool, he had a PhD in sociology and was a University professor of the same. A man doesn't just go from that kind of being to a homeless guy sleeping in a puddle of his own urine on a park bench in -0 degree weather. His books are still in the sociology section of Borders and Barnes n' Noble bookstores. What happened was that Charles came up with a multi-million dollar idea as to how to revolutionarily re-structure society in a much more efficient way. However, he refused to share his idea with his colleagues, thusly with the government. Charles wanted full credit for his own idea, and rightly so. So his colleagues teamed up with various government and probably military agencies to try to ruin his life, basically to torment him into sharing his breakthrough idea of sociology. Anyone who is naive enough to doubt that various agencies are well-versed in mind-control technology and psychological warfare, needs to seriously deprogram themselves from their own mental conditioning. MK ULTRA, MAJIC, OPERATION MIND CONTROL, etc. as well as other operations are no mere conspiracy stories, even the agencies themselves willingly admit that they did these operations now, being that so much time has passed. Unfortunately, Mr. Charles Lachenmeyer was subject to their torture devices. His embarrassing dreams at night were, in turn, reenacted the following days in braod daylight public view to humiliate him by " strangers ". His family life was sabotaged away from him, leaving him all alone except for his comanion, his dog. Of course, then, the dog was kidnapped away from him, leaving him emotionally bankrupt and spent. He was then subjected to the final part of the plan, which was to make him seem like some crazy " schizophrenic " spouting off conspiracy stories, and unfortunately, even his son Nathaniel, bought into this. The whole time Charles was homeless, he was writing, more and more he was expanding on his breakthrough, as well as exposing the mind-control that he was subjected to, probably naming important names in his book. Charles was ultimately killed, and " his papers were mysteriously lost in a flood in his apartment " ( how convenient to lose all of the evidence ) All in all I think Nathaniel did well to honor his dad in this book, and I do believe that his intentions were good. The book is excellent, and I read it back to back 3 times in a row. But .... Seem like he was simply a brilliant man that became schizophrenic? Well let me pat you on the back, that's exactly what they want you to think.

I found the Outsider to be a fascinating book, one that really opened my eyes to the problems encountered by those suffereing from mental illness and schizophrenia. The son's journey to understand the father and piece together the last few years of his life is heart-wrenching and the reader truly sympathizes with his pain and anguish. A terrific book that I heartily recommend.

THE OUTSIDER brought the pain and the struggles of Charles Lachenmeyer to life. Charles was a brillant sociology professor who gradually was transformed into a victim of paranoid schizophrenia. Even at his lowest points, he kept trying, and he kept believing in humanity. In one letter to the author, he wrote, "No matter how adverse the circumstances--and mine have been adverse--there is never any reason to give up . . ."

This book breathes life into a person with mental illness, and it brings understanding. It left me in tears and with a deep respect for Charles.

I truly believe this book should be read by everyone, not just people that are going into the mental health field. I was required to ready it for a Social Work class I am currently taking at the undergraduate level; however, I can say without a doubt it is by far the best book I have ever read! Lachenmeyer really brings home the stigma and heartache that is experienced by people and their loved ones suffering from such a debilitating mental illness. Most people are unaware of the devastating effects mental illness can have on a person and their family. This book highlights so many issues concerning mental health as to responsibilities of people in the system, stigma, prejudice, and the tolerance of society in general to someone suffering from mental illness. Moreover, this book was really an awakening that this could happen to anyone at any time. I wish everyone could read this book as it really teaches a lesson on humanity!!