V Books

What can I say? This book is amazing. Gayla breathes fun and life into gardening in a way I haven't found anywhere else. I was a beginning gardener looking for a book that was fun, hip, easy, and full of useful information. This book DELIVERED and then some. It's been an incredible reference again and again. I surf her site regularly for updates but this book has really been my teacher. My garden is looking a million times better. Some things readers will love: organic fertilizer and pesticide recipes that are easy, simple projects like growing your own herbal tea garden and making a foot scrub, and start-to-finish instructions on how to grow any kind of garden (container, community, urban, etc). THANK YOU GAYLA!!

I checked this book out so many times from my local library that I finally just bought it. It's fun to read, and a great reference book. I am such a newbie when it comes to gardening, but this book really helped me understand the basics, and at the same time encouraged me and got me excited about gardening! I would recommend it to anyone who has the urge to plant but just doesn't quite know how.

I love this book! It is full of information that is in a humorous and easy-to-read format. I have been through the whole book once and now go back almost daily to look specific things up. I live in a downtown loft and have a beautiful container garden on my rooftop thanks to this book!

This is such a nice book to keep on the shelf and reference. She explains a lot about gardening, indoor and outdoor.

I had originally checked it out of my local library, after reading it, I knew I had to own a copy. I've never regretted this purchase.

Enjoy the book!

This book is great for people who know absolutely nothing about gardening, but want to grow a window flower box garden or want to start a backyard herb and vegetable garden. Takes you through the details of gardening in an informative and easy-going way and answers all your questions.

I didn't think a non-fiction book about the personal and professional lives of 'everyday' people would be so well composed. Sure, I expected to read about drama and bravery and tragedy, but Sean Flynn writes with well-tuned prose and a well-honed ear for the people and the town he reveals to the reader. He has done a great service in getting to the heart and soul of the protagonists and their loved ones. He does so without exaggeration, false bravado, or romanticism. The heroic fire fighters are shown three-dimensionally, and there isn't a phony note or word in the book. And like the true heroes in history, they are far from perfect human beings. In fact, the profound issue suggested in this book is that they are willing to risk their lives because they have flaws and have felt personal pain. How else could one feel so obligated to save utter strangers at the risk of their own lives and to have such an intuitive sense of how far your body and soul can go when they're up against a formidable foe. George Orwell said that it is the job of a human being not to be a saint. If my life was at risk, and given the choice who would try and save me, I'd pick these guys over any saint, preacher, minister, or holy man.

Note to who ever wrote the Publishers Weekly review. Get a map. The second largest city in New England is Worcester Mass. not WorcHester. Those of us born and raised there pronounce the city to rhyme with mister.

All that I can say is that Sean Flynn wrote this book about a horrific true event in such a way that I feel as if I lost my friends in the blaze. I can only imagine how the true friends of these 6 men felt and continue to feel each time they see a family member of one of their perished brothers. I'm not a crying man, but I cried at some points in this story b/c they hit so close to home for one, but for two you get so wrapped up in the lives of these men that you feel the stinging pain of realizing they have died. It's a sad story, that I actually remembered hearing about after i read the book, but it's also very motivating to anybody that has thought of becoming a FF. It's almost as its a test of your heart to be a FF. Like the beginning of initiation (hazing) to become a part of a fraternity. I know two other people that read it, that upon completion(one wasn't even able to finish) withdrew from the FF applicant process in which we all signed up together. Weeds out the weak...well kinda. :o)

Either way you look at it, this is good reading. I finished in in 4 days and I was continually fussed at for 3 of those days by my 9 month pregnant girlfriend b/c I wasn't giving her the attention she wanted. Now she's reading it and i'm not getting any attention. Go fig!

Buy the book! BTW...my addiction i speak of in my title just means my addiction to FF books.

I really enjoyed this book. My dad was a firefighter and I thought the writer portrayed the firefighters with a tough realisim without taking away their compassion for what they do. The families stories seemed to convey not only the day to day fears that all firefighters families have but, a small sense of what they went through when the unimaginable happened to them. Overall a great read by a writer who seemed to care about the subject.

I read this book simply because my boyfriend said he couldn't put it down. I was mesmorized by the bravery these men went gave out to fight the fire. After every page, I kept thinking to myself, "This is TRUE." I have a stronger respect for the brave fire fighters aroundt he world. Not only is this book about the fire and the fighters themselves, but it also depicts the family's devistation after the fact. Every page brought tears to my eyes. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially family's of fire fighters. Didn't want to put it down.

This textbook by the eminent scholar Professor Emeritus Harry Gottesfeld has been used in the USA, Europe, and Africa. It remains the best ever textbook on abnormal psychology ever written. I have benefited a lot from having this book.

This textbook helps us all find out about the kinds of mental diseases found in our society. The author, the eminent Professor Harry Gottesfeld, shows us how to master this subject with the greatest of ease.

Professor Gottesfeld's textbook reminds us that the community is an important element in the mental health equation of us all. This is an important contribution to the mental health field.

This text book is one of the best written books in the world on the subject of abnormal psychology. The charm of the book is that it points out that what is "abnormal" changes as the culture changes. It helps you to understand what & why and what will be. This text is really loved by all my students at the university.

I have often wondered about what was abnormal, and how it was defined in capitalsim. Well, this professor, Dr. Gottesfeld, has a thing or two to say regarding the subject. Even my mother loved read the text and loved it. We both learned so much. We recommend this book to all those with an interest in abnormal psychology.

I am sure if you glance at the rest of the reviews you will be more than tempted to buy this book. Well, you should! Kerman's way of introducing the LOGIC behind actionScript is phenomenal. This books should help pave the way for you to grasp the logic behind actionScript. Why not 5 stars then? Well, I thought there would be more practical examples than the book included. Definitely worth the money!

I'm sorry I bought this book!
Because it's so good!
And now the MX version is out,
but I already have the Flash 5 one!
Anybody wants to buy it off me,
so I can get the new issue?
;-)

This is the first book I've read by Phillip Kerman. I will now go hunt for his next one - or all of them, to be honest! This book doesn't learn You any Flash or design, but it gives You everything You need to know about actionscripting. Tastefully presented and easy to read. If You are the perfect object oriented programmer - You could skip some chapters, but if You're just an "almost" perfect programer in object oriented languages - this book will give You the last skills that makes You perfect! Yes it really does not only cover actionscripting - it gives You a visual and very educational lesson in object oriented programing.

Wow!

This is a GREAT book for the graphic/web designer wanting to learn actionscript. I own or have read many others that don't cover the basics or the thought processes behind writing in a scripting language. Most books on this topic started out over my head with little explaination and were accompanied by buggy and/or old code. With clear and consice writing, Philip uses the first half of the book to fully explain programming concepts as they pertain to scripting in Flash, and then follows up with examples of how to implement these ideas.

I can't say enough about how far this book has taken me into the scripting world. Kudos to Kerman.

If you're looking for a book with lots of pictures and fluff this is not the book for you.
But if you're actually interested in learning to program ActionScript this is the first and only book you should buy.

Phillip Kerman explains everything in a clear understandable way and approaches the ideas of good programming as opposed to bad as well as the actual language itself. This alone will save you hours of re-doing what you've already done. Phillip gets you thinking like a programmer (a fairly new concept to a lot of designers trying to make their Flash more interactive.) Learn to design completely independent re-usable interfaces so that not only are you developing advanced interactive web-applications, you're also building a library of sample re-usable building blocks that you can re-use over and over.

Even if you're new to the language, take some tutorials online to get the basics and then buy this book. Read it and do the tutorials in it and soon you will be programming like a professional in no time. This is the best book on ActionScripting period! and I own 16 books on Flash Development!

Very informative, great pictures, covers everything you need to know to raise a wonderful garden.

I've been slowly entering gardening as a serious hobby and this book was perfect for me. Whether you've never gardened before or have done it for years, this book is a wealth of valuable information. I spent hours reading it! Gorgeous photographs and easy to understand intructions and information -- this book has become an indispensable reference for me.

The information and photographs get a 5-star Rating. The binding (0 stars) fell apart the second time I opened the book.

I was a little disappointed with this book because I thought it would have more information on specific plants. It gives very little info on the specific plants and focuses on the design aspects. As a novice gardener, this book has not been very helpful to me. Don't buy it if you want a general reference guide.

This book covers almost everything including how to grow Blackberries and grapes which caught my attention and how to take care of cuttings, which I had never done before and had all sorts of doubts about. Thanks to this wonderful jewel, my back yard is now filled with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants that I have grown from cuttings off of other plants and flowers in only a few short weeks.

My husband bought me a greenhouse in February 05 so I thought this book would be perfect for us. We have tripled our flowers and plants by using this book. Now the back yard is half filled and the greenhouse is totally filled thanks to this book! Total cost was only for the soil and pots that we needed, everything else was all cuttings placed in water or placed directly in the soil until rooted.

This book is very expensive but worth it's weight in gold!
I love it!

This is such a cute book, and my children love reading it over and over. Your kids will definitely want to leave cookies for Santa after reading it. A must have!

My 3 1/2 yr. old daughter really likes this book! Highly recommend! Understands that even Santa can have a bad day but after a "love you" note from children with a gift of cookies, Santa loses his grumpies!
Savannah

This book is just plain fun to read out loud. You can go slow and soft and get faster and louder until you and your child are yelling, "I'm a grumpy Santa Claus!" I have even read this one without my 3-year-old around. I bought it for everybody I knew with kids last year.

Excellent book for kids, and at least humorous for adults reading the book to the kids, at least for the first couple of times out of the hundreds you will be.

As a substitute teacher, I picked this book up a couple of days ago in a "special ed" class to read to 6 boys (grades K-2). It's very easy to read aloud and it kept the kids' attention even though they'd already heard it 2 or 3 times. It's a very humorous story and it even teaches a lesson!

The Art Spirit is a classic. No artist should ever be without a copy. This book invites reading time and time again. It brings us back to the principles. The value of things. Right thinking. Relationships. As a practicing artist, I can think of few books that have meant so much.

Any artist who does not have this book in his or her library is being cheated out of great insights:

"There are mighty few people who think what they think they think."

"Be willing to paint a picture that does not look like a picture."

"...pictures which do not represent intense interest cannot expect to create an intense interest."

"Effects of perspective are made or defeated by sizes of strokes or by their tonality."

And this is just the teaser.

George Bellows, Edward Hopper, Patrick Henry Bruce, Stuart Davis, Rockwell Kent, Guy DuBois, Alfred Maurer, Carl Sprinchorn and countless others studied with Henri and went on to do great work. There are too many for this to be simply coincidence. The "Art Spirit" is the closest thing we can get to the Kool-Aid that flowed in Henri's classroom. One can glean quite a bit from the pages of this book. It is both practical and inspirational. I have to say that it can be a bit frustrating not being able to see anything or ask a question, but its much better than nothing (thank you Ms. Ryerson!). Buy a copy and read it.

If you are an artist, have an interest in art or even just like to read thought provoking quotes then you could do a lot worse than have this on your shelf. The book is collection of conversations, thoughts, writings. There isn't much of a structure to it - more a random collection although the index helps somewhat. It lends itself to just opening the book at a random page and reading whats there. It contains one salient point after the other on the how's, whys and wherefores of painting, drawing and sculpture. This book should be on every artists shelf.

The Art Spirit. Now there's a bold title. The implication is not only that there is such a specifically identifiable thing as an "art spirit", but also that the author, painter, and teacher, Robert Henri knows these specifics; a bold implication indeed. The difficulty (wherein lies the boldness) whenever one attaches the word spirit -or spiritual- to anything, there are, of course, as many understandings or perceptions of that word as there are hearers and readers of that word. This may exist to no greater degree and appear no more obvious than in the world of visual arts. Henri himself acknowledges this, writing in the forward, "...the opinions are presented more as paintings are hung on a wall, to be looked at at will and to be taken for what they are worth. If they have a suggestive value and stimulate to independent thought, they will attain the object of their presentation..." And later, "There is no idea that anyone should agree with any of the comments or that anyone should follow the advice given. If they irritate to activity in quite a different direction, it will be just as well." Although he embraces this free thinking, to-each-his-own, take what you will from it approach, it is merely one of the specific personality characteristics evidenced in the Art Spirit. Henri intends to show there is an "art spirit", and it is the province of every human being.
This is the crux of the issue for Henri, his point of departure from other artist/writers, and the chief value of this book: The Art Spirit is attainable by anyone, can be exhibited by everyone.
Other works on the subject tend to be either the less specific, more nebulous notions where we are expected to buy the fancy explanations and just accept that there is something spiritual, or of the spirit, going on here, or the very specific, artist-only oriented varieties. For example, consider Mandarin's grid "composition" series and his writing about them. While his theosophically induced explanations may help some to a degree of understanding, we are essentially left to take his word for what we are supposed to be seeing in the canvas. In his "Concerning the Spiritual in Art", although Kandinsky presages Henri -discussing psycho-emotional, expressive, and contemplative states of artists out in the real world and before the canvas- he ultimately leaves it with the artist, not really taking it out of the studio and into the factory, construction site, or office cubicle as Henri does. Whereas Kandinsky seems to digress at times into a sort of "how -to" instruction guide for defining and placing spiritual elements into a picture, Henri takes it further, defining his Art Spirit, then setting about showing us how to tell when it's present. This every-man definition is offered at the very beginning of his book:
"Art when really understood is the province of every human being.
It is simply a question of doing things, anything, well. It is not an outside, extra thing.
When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressing creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and he opens ways for a better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it, shows there are still more pages possible.
The world would stagnate without him, and the world would be beautiful with him; for he is interesting to himself and he is interesting to others. He does not have to be a painter or sculptor to be an artist. He can work in any medium. He simply has to find the gain in the work itself, not outside it."
Henri then spends two hundred and forty five more pages illuminating and reiterating how one is -or can be- an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressing creature; how to live life to the fullest. The Art Spirit manifests itself in the appreciation of the non-material things in life; in the "true student" who self-educates and explores feelings, meanings, who contemplates, who really sees, who learns to express "who is you"; in what comes from the external world and inside you; in the full enjoyment in the living of life; in doing a thing well ... anything.
Henri accomplishes a difficult task here; a book with specific and important information for the artist, yet within that structure filled with insight and compelling ideas for the non-artist. One is urged to make a full reading, since quite often both are mingled in the same sentence or statement. For example, a non-painter might be tempted to skip the ten-page section on brush strokes (pg. 62-72), seeing no need for it. The unfortunate reader would then miss out on many little gems of insight and information. What is a brushstroke but a purposeful committed action by an artist? So then, consider the message in these statements when you substitute the word "stroke" with "action" or even "attitude" (parenthetical insertions are mine ):
"Strokes carry a message whether you will it or not. The stroke is just like the artist (person) at the time he makes it. All the certainties, all the uncertainties, all the bigness of his spirit and all the littleness are in it."

"There are more strokes which laugh, and there are more strokes which bind laughter, which freeze the face into a set immoveable grimace."

"(There are) bad strokes which are bad because a brush (a method) or a condition of paint (situation) were chosen which could not render them."

While Henri plays to both artist and non-artist audiences, it is at these times when he addresses the artist more directly he more closely aligns himself with Kandinsky. Both men bring their great passion for the subject into their text in their strong, clear, and pleasing voice. Kandinsky, sounding alternately-yet only slightly more- poetic here, technical there; Henri with a bit more enthusiasm. They share the same territory on many issues, such as the shape, direction, and function of line, intention of every stroke, careful planning followed by exuberant expression and more. Yet, while they may travel the same road, they do not share the same vehicle. There is an important distinction in each man's approach to spirituality, or the art spirit. For Kandinsky, there is a spirit world out there, and a spiritually inspired painter can -and should- find ways to represent both that indwelling spirit and that exterior spirit world to which we are all connected. Henri says (when) we search the external world with appreciation and wonder, and we search within ourselves, and when we become more self-expressing creatures, we have the art spirit...we are the art spirit. Kandinsky believes only non-objective images can reveal the spiritual, Henri says it matters not what you paint but how you paint it-compelled by the spirit. So while Kandinsky can use the "psychic effect" (pg. 24) of color to manipulate the viewer's emotional state toward a comprehension of the spiritual, Henri says the artist's mark itself can manifest the Art Spirit. While, in both cases it takes a more or less purposeful opening up to the notion of the spirit, for Henri it is not trying to grasp the spirit and record it, it is about internalizing and building the spirit inside ourselves, and our resulting expressions will, by definition, represent the Spirit. And it is possible for all of us.
The long quote above (from pg. 5) is written exactly as printed in the fifth edition printing not only as expository text, but as a means of illustrating Henri's bright, clear and energetic voice that runs throughout this book. The subtitle for The Art Spirit reads, "notes, articles, fragments of letters and talks to students, bearing on the concept and technique of picture making, the study of art in general, and on appreciation," and that is exactly how it reads. Much of this is due to Henri's considerable gift of communication, and the balance is credited to the physical layout of the book. There are no chapters, even very few headings to sections, lending itself very well to opening to any page and beginning to read. At times, a lecture, or perhaps advice to a single student goes on for five, six, seven pages. Other times, pages are divided into two or three sections, or set up in individual sentences which concern the same subject, yet stand on their own. The resulting effect is the feeling of being in the very classroom of Professor Henri. There are also considerable instances of repetition here, albeit in subtle variations. The index, however, is usefully repetitious as well, helping to differentiate between those subtleties when one may be in need of a specific quote or reference.
The last thirty pages are exact notes taken by Margery Ryerson, a Henri student who eventually compiled the notes, fragments, etc.(in the revised edition, she is credited as Editor). This is an excellent addition to the book. Reading Henri's comments and insights in her necessarily abbreviated, note-taking style provides fresh psychological weight to the reality of Henri's classroom.
One area of disappointment concerns the photograph illustrations of Henri and his work. In the fifth edition, the plates are in black and white. Although understandable at the time of inclusion (1930), they do not allow for close comparison with Henri's ideas and techniques about painting elaborated in the text. The real disappointment is to find that the current edition available from booksellers has not updated to colorplates, but jettisoned the pictures entirely, save for the full color cover.
I recommend The Art Spirit to anyone involved in the creative process. It is a must have, particularly for those times when one may be experiencing a creative burnout, or to shake off the cobwebs. I am recommending The Art Spirit to non-artists as well -anyone who is looking for a little spark, a little positive push toward self-actualization.
For the artist, I am not recommending The Art Spirit over the Kandinsky classic; I see Henri's work as more of a continuation, or a rounding out of what Kandinsky started years before. Artists and aspiring art appreciators must read both if there is to be any hope of understanding

I absolutely loved this series of books and I can read them over and over! While yes it is a little hokey and rather unbelievable when it comes to an actual follower of Wicca, it is still a fun series. As long as you don't take it too seriously and remember to just have fun with it you will get swept away by the characters and their struggles and triumphs.

I love the books in the Wicca series (or Sweep in the US). I've read them all, and I'm trying to read them all again. I remember that Awakening was always one of my favourites, and it was one that really got me in to the series. I love the eventual happy ending in this book and in the entire series.
I liked Hunter and Morgan coming to terms with having feelings for each other. I love the touch with the Morganite at the end- if only people would actually do that!
The series is wonderful, as soon as I read the first, I bought some and got some from my local Library- I got 4 out at a time, and was up until three in the morning attempting to finish them.
I strongly reccomend anyone who liked the other 4 to read this one, and people just generally interested in Witches and Vampires etcetera.

I've only recently begun reading these books, now when I think about it, I should have read them earlier!
I can relate to Morgan. She has a best friend who gets alll the attention, has low self esteem, and isnt considered a 'popular' girl. Neither am I. This book is so cool because she is trying to accept her new identity and learn to live without Cal. When she fell in love with him, she was happy. Then he betryed her. Used dark magick against her. Tried to kill her! I mean, you have to agree with me, he was a really nice guy. And in some way, he does love her. And I know she loves him. Anyway, this was a great book and would make an excellant movie.
Thanks for your time,
Elizabeth M. Short

Awakening starts off quickly.
Morgan is seeing more of Hunter and it annoys her a little. Morgan and Hunter are still gun powder touching a flame. But every thing starts to simmer down when weird things are happening to the both of them.
Morgan sees more of friends and learns dark secrets that she does not want to be part of.
I especially love this book more than some becuase soemthing happens that makes you either smile from ear to ear or make your jaw drop. Read it!

I purchased the Sweep series for my 13 year old daughter in the hopes that maybe she would read. "She hated to read." Well I was amazed, and could not get her to go to sleep, as she would spend the whole night, with a night-light on reading these books. She enjoyed them so much, and could not stop talking first about Cal and then Hunter, that I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Well after two weeks, a book a day, for a girl who hated to read, it sparked my curiosity, so I started reading, and was surprised to find out how enjoyable a Teen book about Teen Witches could be. I am not really into Wicca, but these books are really enjoyable. I am on my fifth book, and my daughter read each twice, and is know on the Circle of Three Series. I have to highly recommend these books to those parents who can not get their daughters to read. These are excellent stories, full of fantasy, horror, and fun.

This product arrived as pictured and described. I bought it thinking it would put a little fun into my day, but it's just too much for me. I felt kind of silly taking it out of my purse around the professionals I work with. However, this is still a good product for anybody who doesn't mind looking a little.. er.. young at heart. Just think about whether it is something you would actually use, because I ended up not using it. =[

At first i kinda had my doubts about this planner cuz i wanted something different but this seemed way too out there for me. But i bought it figuring if i dont like it i can send it back. This planner is great!!! i agree with the other reviews that it doesnt have enough pages, but for the bargain price i bought 3 and just transferred the pages over....this is a great gift for yourself or ur girlfriends.

I bought one of these for each of my daughters (19 and 30)- this is just too funny... it is a great organizer- for school or work. And it has attitude!

i have had at least 4 of this and i have bough at least one as a gift , i love it , only wish you could get refills i always by a new book , but other than that i will continue to purchase this item

This is a really cute planner, it's very girly but it doesn't have a lot of room for appointments! Other than that it does have a lot of writing room for notes and other things.

This book is absolutely amazing. I am pregnant with my first child. My doula service recommended this book. It is modern, easy to read, realistic, will give you some laughs & is extremely informative. I am grateful for this modern book that empowers women to feel good about the ability to give birth.

This book is excellent! It has all the information that you need for the birth of your baby. I'm preparing for my 3rd child, and I wish I could have read this book during my other 2 pregnancies. This book is very useful, espically if you are not planning on taking a child birth class. After reading this book I feel much more prepared than I did before (even after birthing 2 other kids!) Very well written, an easy read, no medical jargon, plus its not boring! It also doesn't have the graphic pictures in it, unlike majority of birthing books. I recommend this book to any soon-to-be-mother!

I'm a childbirth educator, really like the tone of this book. Ordered a copy to send to my stepdaughter who's expecting her first.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave me so much information regarding managing pain naturally, various pain medications (and their side effects), and natural and surgical birth. The author does seem to favor natural childbirth, and after reading the book, you probably will, too. However, she does present LOADS of instances when it is necessary/good to take advantage of medical advances, and many stories of women who had all different types of birth are included. If you're at all interested in learning about natural childbirth (or why it might not work out and what might happen, if so), I HIGHLY recommend the book.

I am interested in trying natural childbirth, but what to know about all of my options. In looking at books on getting through childbirth naturally most of the books seemed very anti-doctor and anti-drugs. I just wanted to know all of my options without having to consider the hospital the enemy. I have found that this book is open minded and not preachy. The focus is on techniques to get through labor without drugs, but then there are sections on the drug options and the possible effects. It has great diagrams and information about everything that will be happening inside and outside of your body during birth. I'm so glad that I read it. My pregnancy books had short sections on the actual birth, but I feel much more informed reading an entire book about what might happen and why.