Online Books Books

This is an excellent source. Would make a great text for a college course.

What is unique about Dr. Tanner's book is how well it captures the essence of complications related to online distance learning systems. It's not just about delivering information to students for purposes of learning. Clearly numerous challenges face both the student and the instructors as relates to learning in this format. I was particularly interested in the data presented concerning the trials faced by traditional professors in attempting to use this learning delivery process. Also as one who is reasonably computer literate I was surprised to find how many teachers (in her treatise the students) had difficulty with the online format because of lack of computer and online proficiency.

For anyone planning to participate in an online learning format, whether as student or instructor, this is a must read.

Dr. Tanner's treatment of the student in this setting is indeed "cutting edge". With the explosion of online courses to accomodate the increased educational requirements of teachers (M.Ed, etc.), it is absolutely critical to understand the challenges. What I found especially useful was Dr. Tanner's use of actual "work in the trenches" to buttress her premises.

I highly recommend this book for any organization (college, professor) that is considering starting an online program to accomodate non-traditional students or distance learners. It is better to learn from the research than to "reinvent" the wheel on your own. It is a pretty cheap investment in any meaningful educational program.

BTW, Shame on those cheating students.

Tanner's book provides intriguing controversy embedded in quality research. Beyond presenting common challenges to an online learning program, Tanner encountered an interesting situation of participants (teachers) caught cheating in the program. Although the hybrid (online and face-to-face) program was intended to help participants pass the Praxis II exam, the pressures they felt to succeed in a voluntary credentialing program lead them to subversively cooperate to the potential detriment of their own Praxis scores...ie: they cheated! Tanner is able to expose an interesting irony, in that these educators would not tolerate their own students cheating, yet they felt it necessary to do so themselves. Is this perhaps a telling fact about the pressures and "successes" of the No Child Left Behind and Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) mandates? Tanner cleverly manuevers around this situation by describing it as "atypical behavior" in order to protect the research subjects, and to maintain "political correctness" even in academia. Not only a useful resource for anyone planning to implement or improve a program of distance learning, but also a provocative read.

This book is a thorough research guide for educational researchers working in the field of technology and distance learning. A key important aspect that Tanner identifies is the very different educational needs of adult students. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great reference for my own research!

This book is a great guide for parents moving kids through the "web" of the internet. She gives specific suggestions for young kids (e.g., Have all of their kid-safe sites bookmarked. They can only go to bookmarked pages w/o mom or dad.) through late teens (Let them make mistakes on the 'net while still at home w/our support!). Perfect resource for me. Quick read. Reminds me not to blow up when a kid comes to me with some issue- or they won't come to me again! Nice parenting advice and cyber-guide. Recommend.

I read Nancy's latest book, Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens, on a flight this past week, partly because it's been sitting on my shelf for way too long, and partly because I knew I would be speaking a few days later to youth at a regional church meeting about technology in their lives. It is a great book on the Internet for parents, and don't miss the good material that she provides at her related website, www.cskcst.com, that you can download and distribute for teaching.

My audio interview with Nancy last year is here: http://audio.edtechlive.com/NancyWillard.mp3.

I've worked with kids and computers since 1979. Nancy Willard is my go-to authority for encouraging children's safe and responsible Internet use. Her latest book is theoretically sound, well-researched and comprehensive (including the very latest technologies) and offers a practical approach to this serious issue. It's also well-organized, with recommendations for specific age groups. Nancy knows all about the dangers and benefits of going online, and CYBER-SAFE KIDS will help parents act as guides and mentors, not cyber-watchdogs.

Most folks are aware of such internet dangers as free-flowing pornography reachable by kids, but how many are aware of all the other dangers facing young ones such as identify theft, addictive gaming schemes (as time wasters and replacement for real world activities), the ability to down load term papers and other works so as to avoid homework, or, again, the rights of sites to do whatever they want with up-loaded materials, a condition which can cause extreme embarassment and even financial loss? Willard's excellent text deals with each potential danger accoding to type and age group. Each chapter begins with an incident demonstrating the danger (an excellent awareness-building tool, especially for those of us who had no idea this particular danger existed)followed by an analysis of what is involved in the danger, and then positive and usable advice for parents on how to prevent their children from falling prey to the danger. But make no misake, Willard is a strong advocate of the benefits of internet participation for children when they are properly supervised, and that does not mean peeking over their shoulder all the time. This positive attitude towards the internet, the while recommending non-invasive supervision is a remarkably well-developed strength of her book. She is not whining about the dangers or urging censorship as so many gloom and doom critics do; she is providing a positive means for parents to help their children make the most of their web experience, an experience critical to every youngster in this age of the cyper-reality of communication. (A prototype parent-child agreement is included, and should be a valuable tool for developing cooperation among family members). As an educator, I find this book an essential tool for all teachers and school administrators, and, of course all librarians, who need this background to appreciate the pitfalls which may occur in classrooms and reading areas and how to be aware and prevent them. And a school board will find this study an excellent reference for developing appropriate policies for the district.

I wish there had been a book like this when my two boys were exploring the internet in the 90's. Things have gotten even more troubling for parents today and this book will help guide them through the difficult job of parenting in our new online world.

It is filled with great suggestions and a lot of information---and to be honest, some of it is very frightening from a parent's point of view. But if knowledge is power, this is a book that all parents should have when trying to navigate the very difficult job of parenting in this new and rapidly changing online world. There are sections for parents of younger children, 8-10 year olds, 11-13 year old, and 14-18 year olds. There are suggestions for "teachable moments" and how to guide your children to ethical and safe uses of this technology.

In my opinion this is a "must buy" book for parents and educators. Thank you, Dr. Willard.

Just finished the book this morning. Couldn't put it down since I purchased it a couple of days ago! I believe it has demystified so much here about Marilyn that it has to be very close to the last word on the subject. I took an interest in MM a few years ago and read many books on her. I was so impressed with her life that I wrote a three-act play called "Bye Bye Baby" about her last thee days. It hasn't been staged yet but one lives in hope! It was heavily biased by the Slatzer, Wolfe angle [murder] but since I read this book I'll have to re-write it removing this bias. After I read it I immediately went to Matthew Smith's Last Words to see if the DD Group's versions matched in any way. I believe, with a little bit of editing, it has second-guessed the Marilyn's tapes which weren't published at the time! It all makes sense now!!! However, although I really believed all along that she had been murdered, I now believe she did kill herself and that she made her mind up after RFK'S visit. It would seem that her whole world caved in then. When she asked Dr. Greenson "Did you take my Nembutal?" I think she was calling his bluff. She probably told him earlier that she only had one or two left and hid the 24 or 25. He may well have given her a shot of a small, controlled amount of Nembutal, with this knowledge in mind, when he returned, advising her to go to bed immediately. [I think most psychiatrists can and do give shots]. Remember that her total well-being depended almost entirely the esteem in which the Kennedys held her. If that was lost irretrievably, MM was lost. And it looked pretty final at 4.00 that Saturday. Dr. Greenson alone couldn't keep her from ending her life, even though he was indispensable to her in many ways. She was too intelligent for them all but must have made up her mind that afternoon.
MM must have felt lonelier that evening than any other time in her life and in that lonely bed in Brentwood she must have sobbed herself into that deep, deep sleep. I do believe now that she did say "Say goodbye to Jack..." to Peter Lawford. It's so, so tragic.
This book is a wonderful, intelligent and compassionate insight!!! I am forever in their debt.


Seoirse O Dochartaigh, Donegal, Ireland

David Marshall's "The DD Group: An Online Investigation Into the Death of Marilyn Monroe" is a must-read for anyone interested in learning the truth about the premature demise of Hollywood's most enduring star. The book examines all aspects of Miss Monroe's death by carefully reconstructing her final hours and analyzing the facts in a logical, detailed, and organized manner. Medical and forensics evidence is carefully dissected, and the possible agendas and questionable credibility of several key associates of Miss Monroe's {as well as a number of contemporary biographers} is presented for consideration. The book contains numerous startling new facts never revealed in any other Monroe biography, information which is compelling, ground-breaking and startling in the extreme. The intense research conducted by the participants of the group is impressive and unprecedented, and Mr. Marshall did an admirable job condensing what must have been an intimidatingly vast amount of information into a concise, well-written and thoroughly gripping investigative report. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for the truth about what happened to Marilyn Monroe on the night she died. Fact and fantasy will become very easy to discern, and readers will arrive at a possible conclusion which is credible, realistic, and devoid of sensationalism. This book is a tremendous accomplishment, and you will never look at the death of Marilyn Monroe the same way again.

David Marshall has taken on quite the task of organizing and presenting a years worth of online discussions based on Marilyn Monroe's last days in his new book, "THE DD GROUP; An Online Investigation Into the Death of Marilyn Monroe" and he has done it admirably.

Having had the privilege of starting the online club Forever Marilyn's Death Discussion (www.forevermarilyn.com) and being one of the original members that contributed to the discussion which lead to the writing of this book I am personally pleased to share with you my review of this highly unique book on Marilyn Monroe's death.

With all the controversy that still swirls around Ms. Monroe's untimely death here is FINALLY a book that takes on every theory fearlessly and without prejudice. Diving head first into Marilyn's final days is a group of educated scholars on Monroe's life, each one with a different and valid opinion on her mysterious death.

This 497 paged soft-covered book is well worth the $30.95 cover charge. Aimed at educating the reader on the facts of Marilyn's death this book goes well beyond the confines of the timeline of August 4, 1962. The cast of characters in Monroe's life, as well as the events surrounding her last days are mapped out in the 23 chapters of this hefty book. The only draw back to this nonfictional piece of work is the lack of an index. But with each chapter covering so specific of details you hardly notice this tiny omission.

Much of the material in this phenomenal book is new in presentation. Facts on Monroe's death that you thought you knew are thrown into question and material never before released is presented in a revealing and titillating light that may startle even the most educated of readers.

Mr. Marshall skillfully lays out the theories of the original ten online DD Discussion Members in a format that is easily accessible to even the most novice of fans and is backed by impeccable research. From start to finish this book is riveting, holding the reader spellbound as you are challenged to come to your own opinion by the end of the book. That is not to say conclusions are not drawn by the author himself, but Mr. Marshall allows for plenty of room for the reader to take the information available and form their own opinion.

If you have ever wondered about or questioned the death of one of the world's greatest (and most tragic of) movies stars then this is, without hesitation, THE Marilyn Monroe book for you!

I liked the format of this book, researcher sharing comments and formulating their opinions. Perhaps a better way of looking at what happened than individual writers have done. Worth a look see.

What a remarkable detailed account of Marilyn's last days. The book focuses mostly on the last day however gives detailed information from other times that relate to the events on Aug.4, 1962. This would be a good book for someone just beginning to research MM or for someone who has read all before it and has their own conclusions about her death, since this book references other popular biographies written about Marilyn. This book is great becuase it's only purpose is to provide detailed information both before and after death so as to help the reader decide on their own conclusion. Although the author has his own beliefs which he shares with the reader, there is absolutely no intention of pursuasion to try and promote any one idea or theory. A personal thanks goes out to David Marshall and all who helped make this book possible, as it the best read on Marilyn Monroe I have come across yet. I have read many biographies and documentaries on Marilyn, and absolutely could not put this book down. I hope all others will enjoy it as much as I have.

I've owned both editions of this wonderful little book. This little gem is for the person who doesn't have time to slog through all sorts of prescriptive grammars. It's handy, well organized, and easy to use. I own a lot of grammars, being both an author and an English teacher, and this is the one I turn to first.

Author of:
Nasty

"Nate Jepson (a.k.a. "Nasty") is a solid entry into the P.I. hall of fame." - Publisher's Weekly

A good friend who must really love me gave me this book when I headed to grad school. It answered all of my APA citation questions and many of the little grammatical quandries one encounters at 3 a.m.
I only wish I had the budget to buy this book for all of my high school students. Every young writer should have a guide like this to tidy up their work. Alas, at about $50 a pop, with a school of 350 students, this book is out of our range. If you can pick one up used or can afford a new copy you won't be sorry.

As one of Andrea's former students, I've had to read this book and use it extensively. Not only did it get me through her class, but every class I had after that (and I've had a large number of English and History classes). If you're looking for a book to help you with MLA style, Professor Lunsford covers everything you can possibly hope to draw info from, including lectures, interviews, and even MUDs online.

This book is an ideal tool for anyone who has to write for school, work, or as a hobby. The easy access tabs and extensive menus help you find what you are looking for quickly and the spiral binding lets you lay the book open while you type. The coverage of the writing process and argumentative writing really set this book apart. Anybody can write up grammar rules or documentation standards, but Lunsford's coverage of writing at the start of the book is wonderful. Buy this book and don't sell it back to the bookstore, this is a keeper. Also, for the teacher that wants one for every student, try "Easywriter" which is the smaller version of this text that only costs about fifteen bucks.

The Everyday Writer is a wonderful asset to any college English student. It contains all the essentials for writing term papers. I suggest that everyone who needs help in English should pick up this book.

A must for anyone who is interested in learning about this subject

This a book which enables a group of people to have fun following a sport. It teaches you what to look for and how to prepare yourself. It is a book that will help not only the so-so sport fans but also the very hard core sport fans. The one thing that I would have added to it would have been Chapter 23 How to go from 9th place in your league to 1st in the last five weeks of the season, but then again that's me. If you have a group of friends who like sports and don't know how to set up a league this is a great book to buy.

it allows for the whole family to come to the table as one and play the game the way it should be played. the team of gus and jim is outstanding!!!!!! i can't wait for the next version!!!!!

This book covers all the beginner aspects of the fantasy sports game. It offers the necessary steps to beginning your own league and if your a seasoned veteran helpful hints to get the winning edge. I can attest to the George Griefs and the Jermane Allensworths from my own experiences.

The book is an excellent tool that allows all to enter and enjoy the wonderful world of Fantasy Baseball!!!!!

This book really hit a home run for me. It was easy to understand and well written for a Business Marketing book dealing with its subject. The 5 Step Framework should work for anyone needing help in planning to launch and effectively brand a website, as well as any product or service that might not be related with the Online world.

In fact, the Authors' 5 Step Framework is quite practical to apply to any type of business with any size marketing issue. The saavy Marketing Executive will be able to apply this Framework to guide them through a refined process resulting in successful execution of their projects!

My bet is that this book will result in a cult following ala G. Moore's "Crossing the Chasm" and M. Hammer's "Reengineering the Corporation"! I also think that it would benefit the college student seeking additional reading materials....because they don't teach this in Buisiness School....yet! ...Five Stars...

"From Bricks to Clicks" is an easy read that provides a straight forward framework, or process if you please, for creating an Online Brand. In my opinion, I trust that the 5 steps could easily be applied to any business whether online or not! I am flabber-gasted to think that finally in 2001 that this is the first book I have read which clearly addresses these complicated and sometimes overwhelming marketing issues that most every company faces from time to time.

The book's real world examples highlight the authors' experiences, knowledge and how they arrived (step-by-step) at excellent solutions to the problems. Implementing the defined process proves its value time&time again in the book. The 5 step framework they describe is simple and should be easy to apply to small and large projects at any size company.

I am pleased that they would share this knowledge and their 5 Steps Framework in this book. I recommend "From Bricks to Clicks" for any high-level Marketing Executive and I look forward to future books or seminars by the Authors.

a great book about branding and marketing with substance! Most of the books I've read about the web, marketing, and web-marketing either use case studies (many of which are quickly obsolete) to make their case or branding theory. From Bricks to Clicks clearly is written with an understanding of both the value of hard-core branding (not just creating a logo, but building a brand by building a business) as well as what business is all about. I found it engaging and interesting. I especially liked the section on globalization ... I don't think I've seen that discussed adequately anywhere, and this is a great start with really good insight. The last 18 months showed what happens when companies forget/or don't know the basics of identifying and selling value - this book makes doing that right a lot more understandable.

This book is pleasantly different from the other brand books out there, not only because of the method, but also because it logically articulates branding on and off the web-- and integrates it with other areas of marketing. Lots of times branding is a distant cousin to marketing and corporate communications, and this book makes it all fit together. As the creator of a small business, it's useful to me but I can also see how it will help big corporate executives as well. An enjoyable read, and very useful.

This book answers a lot of my questions about how to make branding more of a tangible part of business. It is not so much written about the dot-com failures and successes as it is how the web is integrated with a method that's worked for a long time ... which I think is much more compelling. The international/global elements also added a lot because U.S. companies really need to understand this side of things better. It's an interesting, quick read. The only pseudo-negative I might add is that the cover information actually does the book an injustice ... it sounds too web-centric when in fact the book goes far beyond that. A great alternative and next-step book after the trout/ries and geoffrey moore texts.

Greg Smith has done a very good job of providing a comprehensive and comprehensible resource. While Greg's approach to parenting might sound autocratic to some parents, but the fact is that it is ultimately a parent's responsibility to protect his kid (not that school and society at large are not responsible to protect our kids). While it educates technically non-savvy parents with the innards of the technology, it also provides a clear strategy to adopt the technical tools, corresponding to each age group. It is not a high level book, rather a hands-on approach book. He mentions many tools for monitoring, filtering and blocking purposes and one such tool is familyarmor.com.

Excellent Job!

The Internet and Web have so much to offer for both adults and children. I use it everyday and my children are also online daily. I check the news, email, and do research. I even met my spouse online. Also, my kids play games, chat with friends and explore. It's a great learning tool and allows them some freedoms to explore their interests. However, as the Web and Internet continue to impact our lives, there are very real dangers that I want to know about so that I can be sure my kids are safe when they are online.

What Greg Smith has been able to provide in his book are the specifics of how you can take the necessary steps to make sure that the Internet and Web is a safe place for your kids. Many books and guides speak in terms of general rules and ideas, but what Mr. Smith provides is real details and tools that you can put into action. He identifies the risks and issues being exploited and provides the leading tools, his experiences, and recommendations to protect you and your children. Even experienced technology professionals will find the comprehensive list of tools and technologies in his book a huge help. I have been using the Internet and Web for a long time and there are several things in his book that I did not know about, and that I want to keep my kids from knowing about.

Excellent book.

Greg Smith has written an important book for parents. Using his experience as a senior IT leader and a parent, he lets parents know the risks of children being connected and how to protect them.

The author makes the reader aware of the many dangers of connected electronic devices, not only computers but also cell phones. At a very young age, children are using computers and the age when children have their own cell phones seems to creep down every year. Many parents are not as technically sophisticated as their children, especially parents of teenagers. He urges parents to take control by learning about technology, using the tools available to safeguard and monitor children's activities on-line, and talking with your kids. His easy to understand recommendations let parents know what they need to do, going as far as recommending specific products and providing "How-to" instructions, customized for the age of your child.

As Mr. Smith states in his book, "You're just two clicks away from just about anything." Make sure your children are safe.

This book provides useful and easily understandable information for parents regarding protecting their children on the Internet. Even if you think your kids aren't using the Internet, they are. Statistics show that 96% of 13 yr olds use the Internet on a regular basis. So as parents, and as a teacher, it's important to know and understand how to keep your child safe.

I highly recommend this book for all parents. Even if you think your child is safe or that you know all there is to know, you can never be to safe when it comes to your children.

This book goes into great detail of what you, as a parent, need to do to keep your kids safe on the Internet.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that has children on the Internet.

This book is everything it says on the cover pages.
Very well writen, with superb illustractions to give the reader a profound understanding of the concepts involved. If you fight in the virtual sky then you should read this.

This book is just excellent. Whether you are a beginner in the world of sim-flying, or an old pro, this is a tremendously useful resource and is a must for every pilot's bookshelf. It cover basic and advanced fighter manuevers, gunnery, psychology, situational awareness, formation tactics, etc etc. Basically everything you need to know to succeed in the competitive world of sim a2a combat.

There are easy to understand diagrams and the text is well-written. I recommend this for anyone with a remote interest in learning the fine-points of air combat. Rookie or ace alike will certainly get a lot out of it.

If you are new to online fighter pilot sims then this is a must have. If you have been playing for a while but still suffer the frustration of poor kill:death ratio then it is strongly recommened. It will give you insight and knowledge in the fighter sim world and insite in your own tactics that would take years to learn on your own.

If your ready to get on the fast track to online flying then this is for you . It will save you hundreds of hours of learning the ropes by yourself .

EXCELLENT resource, I rccomend it for anyone who flies. Points out a lot of the minor mistakes we all make, plus its written from the POV of someone with the same approach to flying and fighting that I try to follow, so its been a big eye opener for me.

Also I noticed a lot of stuff that I used to do and have moved away from, and have taken a big hit in my survivability and Kill : Death ratio as a result of. A lot of the rules I followed religiously in the AvA I've moved away from, and have lost a lot of proficiency as a result. As I've been reading through, I frequently remember using the tactic he describes properly- and just often I can recall a recent situation where I should have used them and instead got suckered into a furball or a turnfight simply because I forgot all the things I should know.

Kinda irritating to have your errors pointed out at you, but also helps to be reminded of what works and what doesn't.

this book starts off with regular characters facing real problems. In this book the author uses real scripture from The Bible. This book uses these characters to show there are other answers than the only ones you might be able to think of, like GOD. In the Chat Room with God is a book that i would recommened to anyone. It can help you with many problems. After you read this book i also recommened looking up the verses they used in this book. They will be located in the bible.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD BOOK THIS IS THE ONE TO GET! AT FIRST I WHEN I SAW THE COVER I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD LIKE IT. BUT MAN IT WAS THE BEST!! I LOVED IT. IT INSPIRED ME TO GHET CLOSE TO GOD MORE THAN I EVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD. IF YOU WANT A GOOD BOOK THIS IS THE ONE!!

I read this book on a plane and must say that it's extremely well-written and will definitely resonate with Christian teens. The characters are very well-developed, and the Hafers use the chatroom-style format quite cleverly, using it to tell a nice story arc and not just as a gimmick. I highly recommend it.

I absolutely loved this book. Not only is the content socially and culturally relevant, but it is presented in a way that reaches teens where they are, as they are and with the respect they deserve. I even found myself marking off pages I found especially insightful! I highly recommend this book for all teens facing the difficult challenges of life today. This book is definitely worth checking out!!!

Wow -- this is a great book. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could! The characters are believable, and you find yourself truly caring about them as the story progresses.

This is a unique book, and it looks cool too. I like the cover and the way the pages look like actual computer screens. This book lets you enjoy a great story and learn a lot about God in the process. I highly recommend In the Chat Room with God

Learn how to save time and money through a guide which shows how to use the Internet to locate the best travel bargains and save money. Internet Travel Planner goes beyond pinpointing the latest sites: it tells how to join online discussion forums, how to gain access to newspapers and reviews, and how to use online resources to create your very own custom made traveler's guidebook.

For all of you web travel fans, the Second Edition of Internet
Travel Planner has been updated with the best and newest web travel sites. As a former travel industry employee, I find this is the most complete and easy-to-read internet book now that all the large travel suppliers and surviving internet travel businesses have improved their online booking sites.

Using Michael Shapiro's book as a guide, a newcomer to researching travel can click through a website with ease. An interesting new appendix was added on digital photography. Do any of us world travelers leave home without a camera! Of course we love finding a good discount and each chapter lists sites known for the best deals. Travel sales are still down and businesses are reducing prices or adding incentives to get customers. I would highly recommend buying the book for yourself or giving it as a gift for the holidays.

Michael Shapiro's Internet Travel Planner isn't just another listing of Internet sites to be obsolete in a few months time: it provides some important tips linking travel to the Internet, from creating a custom guidebook to using the internet to see pictures of hotel rooms and connect with other travelers through travel chats and forums. And for those worrying about the book's longevity: free updates are offered online!

I found this book to be both informative and useful even though I had already used the internet for travel purposes. My husband found out about free email accounts and signed up for one within a few minutes (Chapter 14). After reading Shapiro's Internet Travel Planner, I realized that by booking airline tickets on line, I had only begun to scratch the surface of the possibilities for travel planning on line. What I found most useful for both `arm chair travel' and trip planning was Shapiro's chapter on discussion forums and bulletin boards. Search engines are great but I find the results to be catch as catch can. In Chapter 13 I got a clear sense of which sites were worth my time. Shapiro covers everything from frequent flyer miles to vacation package sites, from weather to medicine abroad. The book is easy to use-it offers an index and appendices that allow you to find websites quickly. Read this book even if you wouldn't book a flight or make a reservation on line. The web is too great and too vast a resource to skip and you'll be glad you have this guide as you surf.

My favorite thing about this book is this. You've got a specific question on your mind about doing something travel-related on the Net. And then you just look in the table of contents, and I swear, Shapiro has covered it to some extent. Like, a dependable site for car rentals, or where to find opinions and reviews from other travelers, or getting train passes, dealing with frequent flier miles...and lots of other stuff.

This book isn't a list, or directory, of travel Web sites. Shapiro picked Web sites he considers to be the strongest ones for each topic. And he goes into the details of what to expect for each one. This helps you decide which site is best for your particular needs, for instance, whether you're seeking a last minute hotel bargain, a night in a B&B or a homestay.

This also means that he's willing to be critical. For example, right now Priceline is quite the rage. In the budget travel section he describes how to get the most out of it while also going over the unsexy fine print... that you can't pick an exact flight time, tickets are non-refundable and you don't earn frequent flier mileage. I don't know about you, but that's the info that nobody ever tells me.

A bonus is the First Person section of various chapters. Basically, Shapiro includes interviews, emails and other stories from folks who've used specific sites. You get to see what worked, what didn't and why -- all with opinions.

Hey all you AOL users: Shapiro's got you covered. In many sections he includes a blip, customized to you, that goes over how you use certain sites specifically on AOL.

I'd say that Internet Travel Planner is especially friendly for someone new to the Net. However, it's also helpful for folks who already know Web travel. I know a decent amount about various travel Web sites, yet I find that Shapiro highlights certain features I didn't realize existed in sites I thought I knew well. And on top of it all, you get some non-Net travel advice, like seven tips for finding cheap airline flights. The stuff you'd otherwise have to find out the hard way.

On top of it all, if you have questions or comments, he leaves his email in the introduction for you to contact him. Now that's service.