One The Books

I read this book when I was at college and never forgot it. The great illustrations and tricks are sensational. He understands all essentials in life! In addition to the fim he also acts incredibly well.

These are the four funniest books I have ever read. And yet, the basic concepts and strategies set forth are exactly what's needed to reign supreme in all situations social and competitive. Many times over the years I have employed some variaton of a Potter "opening" or gambit, often with better results than I had even hoped. Just as many times, I've realized (too late), that I have missed a golden opportunity, or worse, have been "one-upped" myself.

Yes, the four greatest humour books ever written. You will come to love/hate Gattling-Fenn, Odoreida, Plaste, Julius Wickens, Sticking, the Lawrenceman, et al, but you won't be able to tear yourself away from them. Take a crash course from Yeovil in the comfort of your own armchair, and then turn yourself loose in any social or competitive setting. Not for the meek, but you'll have the upper hand.

This is a work of genius. It deserves to be on everyone's top-ten list.

This volume is a collection of all Potter's individual works on the subject of Gamesmanship, One-Upmanship, and Lifemanship. If you can't find this one compendium, go out and beg, borrow, or steal any of the individual books you can lay your hands on. You will laugh uproariously. But you will also learn to recognize the literal, nasty little games people play, and if you are of a mind, you will be instructed in how to play the games yourself.

I've always been rather annoyed when I find an entry in a Match Making column from someone looking for a mate who "Doesn't play games." I've never quite known what that means. It seems to be some generalized, rote admonition against people who don't return phone calls, or something like that. But if the games mentioned in singles columns refer to just the plain meat-and-potatoes sort of maneuvers - here with Stephen Potter you will find a voluptuous smorgasbord of suggested games. You will find ploys of breathtaking diversity and subtlety.

As Potter introduces his subject, the key to being one-up in any social setting is to break the flow of other people's conversation. Put an end to any social momentum they may be building. Throw them off their game. The classic Potter squelch (one which is also illustrated in the movie based on Potter's writings, School for Scoundrels) involves offsetting any success someone at a party may have had by telling a joke. Say someone just scored a big laugh by telling a joke involving a man with one leg. You laugh heartily right along with the others. Then get up off your chair and limp painfully toward the bathroom, mumbling something about a "danged old piece of shrapnel." All the social credit the joke-teller built in the course of the evening will immediately plummet. He and all his appreciative listeners will be made to feel apologetic and guilty and will be effectively silenced.

Not all of Potter's ploys involve directly diminishing someone else though. Some ploys enable you to bolster your own social credit without regard to what others around you are doing. For example, Potter gives a tip on how to be popular with children, an important skill if you are courting a single parent or trying to impress your boss at a party. Potter states that you must talk in a perfectly natural, adult way to the child. Talk to him just as you would talk to one of your golfing partners. You might express concern over your stock portfolio. Confide your fear that pork bellies and crude oil are going down, liable to leave you in a pretty pickle. The toddler may not know what you are saying, but will be fascinated by the strange phrases, and will appreciate your talking to him like an equal. And you will be in like Flynn with the child's parents.

One final example of Potter's brilliant social observation - and then you really must read the book yourself. Potter tells how to always appear to be the youngest, "coolest" person in the room, even if you are well into your nineties and on death's door. Older people assume they must burst onto a party scene with as much upright vigor and energy as they can muster. Do JUST THE OPPOSITE, Potter instructs. Instead, you must appear to be infinitely weary, weary in body and spirit. Don't stand up straight. Slouch against every upright you find. When you come through a doorway, lean for long minutes against the doorframe before proceeding into the room. I imagine if you can effect a long, liquid disaffected slump, like the iconic poster of James Dean - you will have the image of youth down pat. Then as a clinching fillip, Potter advises you to head for a sofa and recline on it. But - the difference between a 99-year-old invalid waning on a couch and a young man stretched disaffectedly there - lies in a small postural detail. When you collapse down on the couch, fling one leg over the back of it. And there you have it - an eternally insouciant young man. No plastic surgery, dieting, or exercise required.

Potter gives page after page of such slaying advice. And he gives the reader the machinations of such expert Lifemen as Gattling-Fenn and Odoreida to follow as example. The Dickensian, oddly apposite names of these (fictional?) characters alone is enough to make them memorable and make you laugh.

But couched in all the laughs you'll get from this book, you will discover a whole coherent psychology of behavior. It preceded the more heavy-handed best-seller Games People Play, and easily presents a more telling interpretation of human motivation than Freud. This truly is a master work.

British humor, very, very British. If you *don't* like losing, develop the skills needed so that you always win. In any social situation a definite hierarchy develops. Potter's work can be considered a manual for anyone seeking to become the top dog. This volume contains four books previously published separately: Gamesmanship, Lifemanship, One-upmanship, and Supermanship. Potter's own work in the field of becoming one-up on one's fellow man is supplemented by the researches of others in various fields: the carmanship of Godfrey Plaste; the art of not rock-climbing of G. Odoreida; the clubmanship of Hugo Coating; and the many contributions of Gattling-Fenn. Recommended reading for anyone wishing to make Machiavelli gasp in admiration . . .

My life is truly changed. A more thorough understanding of the PROCESS has revealed itself and has provided me with a sense of comfort about our collective reality and my individual part in it. Being separate is no longer apart of my reality. My Being has expanded and I am much much more calm in life. When the student is ready the teacher will appear has never been more appropriate for me. I enjoyed this tape set immensely (Over and Over and Over again).

I have been through Book One several times (I have both the book and the CD collection). More than any book I have ever read, this work provides answers to a multiplicity of difficult questions. I view myself as functioning at a higher level ever since first reading the series three years ago. I had an opportunity to ask Deepak Chopra, live on PBS, his opinion of this book; his answer: "Truly channeled directly from God!" The quality of the CD set is excellent. The choice of Ed Asner and Ellen Burstyn was inspired (Ellen never ceases to amaze). This set is a good investment since many people are likely to want to hear the entire book repeatedly!

This is a masterpiece in modern thinking! As I listened to this book I finally realized that I was not the only person who found the little faults in human thinking and behavior, organized religion and government. The philosophies put forth in this book reflect exactly the philosophies of the common person but with one difference...the common person can feel it and act upon it but Mr. Walsch puts it into words for the first time. I have recommended this book time and time again to others and every time I get the same response...I thought I was the only one! I recommend this book highly to anyone who has an interest in living a correct life and has questions that you instinctivly know the answer to but want some kind of confirmation. Good reading!

Many people consider me silly for actually reading this book. They tell me it's ridiculous for God to write such things. The truth is that I do the things I do because God lets me know it's alright. My religion with God is my consciense. Through my consciense God lets me know what's right and what's wrong. This book has definitely confirmed to me that God is always my friend, not an enemy who's waiting for me to make a mistake so he could send me to hell (most of the people I know believe this). Your relationship with God is like a friend's. You have to be loyal, understanding and always listen to their thoughts and concerns. I cried when I read this book. I felt a bond I just couldn't explain. God was funny all the way. I knew God was cool! Personally, I don't believe in the Bible, but I would sure consider this book mine! The Bible seems so unrealistic since it was written centuries ago. The whole reencarnation issue was great. Also the fact that everybody is a psychic is true too. I've made revelations in my life before and that's because I love myself enough to care about my well being and what's right for me.

This book answers many of the questions few people know the answer to after an entire lifetime of search and devotion to spiritual life. There is no doubt in my mind that the words spoken through Neal Donald Walsh are Truth.

I have published an award-winning law review article on Federal Indian Law, worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (until I couldn't hold my nose any longer), and had the great good luck to learn Indian Law from Prof. Raymond Cross at The University of Montana School of Law. But Paul VanDevelder taught me new things about all three.

Mr. VanDevelder deftly explains some of the more arcane aspects of Federal Indian Law in a way that, at least for me, filled in more of the puzzle pieces - but while also making it easily accessible to even the non-professional. Mr. VanDevelder taught me that the Corps of Engineers can be even more insidious and arrogant than even I had suspected. And, given the good professor's reluctance to blow his own horn, Mr. VanDevelder taught me that merely having known Raymond Cross was far more an honor than I could have ever guessed.

If you have any curiosity about Indian legal rights, or seek understanding about the grave damage government administrators can do when they embody the worst kinds of ignorance, arrogance, and egomania, or merely hope to be inspired by a ripping good yarn about the undeniable perseverance of the human spirit, Coyote Warrior is your book.

At first glance this book would appear to be a rather standard documentary of the struggles faced by a particular Indian nation. That is true to a certain extent, as the book covers the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara), who until the 1950s were the most successful and self-sufficient Indians in the country, then saw their productive lands disappear under a Missouri River reservoir. After forced relocation and disenfranchisement, and political bullying from government agencies pushing through water reclamation projects that were probably a giant boondoggle, the tribes went instantly from success to destitution and dependence on the government. VanDevelder illustrates their long-term suffering through the decades-long travails and heartbreaks of the Cross family, whose father Martin led a valiant but hopeless struggle to save the tribes' livelihood and culture. The story continues through their traumatic uprooting and torn connections to their community, up to the current successes of son Raymond who has become one of the leading Indian attorneys in the nation.

VanDevelder's extensive coverage of the careers of Martin and Raymond Cross is what makes this book unique, and much more than your typical respectful but depressing expose on current Indian affairs. VanDevelder unveils the extremely complicated nature of Indian law in general, with issues of sovereignty and broken treaties from centuries ago still mucking up court cases to this day. He also gives in-depth (though occasionally over-detailed) coverage of the particular legal maneuvers and challenges faced by the Three Affiliated Tribes and the Cross family, which thanks to the legal brilliance of Raymond and some powerful allies, finally resulted in partial justice after several decades of suffering and cultural ruination at the hands of the U.S. Government. VanDevelder writes of legal maneuvering and governmental shenanigans with a surprising amount of suspense, and somehow even makes a Supreme Court exploratory hearing seem dramatic. A bonus is VanDevelder's unique descriptions of legal precedents going back to medieval Europe in the thirteenth century, and the far-reaching historical development of Indian law in America to the present day. [~doomsdayer520~]

Considering that very few people will witness Raymond Cross's dynamism in person or read his eloquent legal briefs and law review articles, Paul VanDevelder's "Coyote Warrior" provides a persuasive account of another Native community's fight for justice in America. The legal struggles of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara peoples for their land and sovereignty, as seen from their standpoint, provides valuable insights into the institutionalized bad faith of federal Indian policy. The author achieved his goal of making the compelling story of three tribe's contentious political relationship with the United States accessible to a wider audience.

This book is an eminently readable account of the disasters which befell the Arikara,Hidatsa and Mandan tribes when they were displaced by the damning of the Missouri.
It is also a disturbing revelation of the shenanigans of government, producing a sense of shame in those of us who look for"justice for all" from our representatives in DC.
It falls to bold Coyote Warriors,Martin Cross and later his brilliant son Raymond to combat in court,the injustices perpetrated on Native peoples.
As a piece of reporting VanDevelder's work is carefully phrased,occasionally lyrical, avoiding heavily loaded language.
It is also supplemented with an exhaustive bibliography(of which the author says there is more),one bound to satisfy demanding researchers.

An extraordinary look at the forces that disenfrnchised an Indian Nation from its heritage and its land. An insightful look into the destructive forces that rend family and community ties when frderal policies that de-humanize Native people are allowed to be implemented behind one man's ego, and a government's indifference. It is an all too familiar story -- well told -- of disenfranchisement of Indian people and governments. And finally, a story of the courage and incredible intellect of one families battle against irresistible forces.

If you are a Crystal Reports Developer, this book is a must have. Not only is it a great teaching resource, but it also make an awesome reference. It's loaded with thought provoking questions and exercises. I've currently got five Crystal books on my bookshelf here at work. The ONLY one I refer to is this one. This book is also outstanding for someone new to Crystal, as long as you have some IT background. If you are completely new to programming/reporting, this book will be very useful to you eventually, but it's not a good book for your level.

Just in case you're not aware, Crystal Reports is a graphically oriented program designed to produce reports filled with data that comes out of a database, comes from a specialized type of server called OLAP, or from data that is calculated internally. It was one of the first such packages and was usually used in conjunction with big powerful databases such as Oracle or SQL Server that didn't have sophisticated reporting structures built into the database.

This book is oriented to guiding the reader through passing the CRCP exam. As such, it's orientation is less formal and descriptive and more oriented to the practical aspects of what's on the test. It includes a CD with a simulated set of examinations (you take three tests) to give you the look and feel of the test and help identify any areas where you need more knowledge.

The design of the book is such that it will be useful in passing the test and still of value as a reference book to the Crystal Reports user.

I highly recommend this book! If you are writing Crystal Reports this book is a MUST HAVE even if you are not interested in getting your CRCP certification. I have been using Crystal Reports for 5 years and have read several Crystal Report reference manuals. This one is by far the best!!!

This textbook contains everything the reader will need to gain Crystal Reports Certified Professional (CRCP) certification.

I used the textbook to take all three exams, and passed them all within twelve weeks. The only other source of information I used was the on-line documentation provided with the product (and I used that as a secondary reference only). Note that I did not take any education courses from Business Objects or third-party providers--this book was my sole information source, and it guided me to high scores on all three exams. I also became a much better Crystal Reports developer in the process.

The writing is exceptionally clear and free of all the techno-babble that clutters up so many other texts. This book is clear, easy to read, and structured perfectly. Not only that, but the examples are exceptional and applicable.

In addition to guiding the reader through the certification material, the text will thereafter continue to serve as a valuable reference for Crystal development.

Highly recommended--this is the Crystal Reports book that nobody should be without.

NOTE: Now that Business Objects has revised their CRCP examinations you might be wondering if this text would still be useful. The unqualified answer is YES. The two exams for XI are nearly identical to the three exams for version 10, except all of the Business Views components have been removed.

For XI certification, you still use this text. Just i) skip the Business Views parts (skip chapters 27, 28, 29)--as that software component has been dropped; ii) focus on the SQL components elective (chapter 22); and iii) skim the other elective sections (chapters 23, 24)--as there are no longer elective test tracks. Do this and you will still find this text the definitive preparation material for the CRCP exams.

The CRCP exams for version 10 Crystal Reports are difficult without taking instructor led courses. This book gives detailed information that is critical when preparing for these exams.

I am not a fisherman or fisherwoman as this case may be, however, I found "A Crew of One" extremely interesting. It was a quick read book filled with not only the adventures of the author but insight into his fascinating life, from his homeland of Uraguay to Maryland where he presently resides. His philosophy of life, which he reflects upon during his many hours alone at sea, shows the reader how truly genuine and sincere Mr. Bentos must really be.
By the way, I am an 80 year old woman who has never even been fishing.

This was a great book for me. I frequently fish single handed and for now only dream of offshore fishing single handed.

Carlos Bentos lives in my area and I recognized many of the boats in this book and know a few of the people too. I can say it definitely inspired me to further myself towards my fishing goals.

A great inspiration and a great story....

Let me start out saying this is an outstanding book it is 200 pages on marlin fishing as the title says. The author Carlos Bentos who was originally a resident of uruguay and came to U.S. byway of being a broadcaster for voice of america until he decided to take a chance and opened a resturant and eventually led to an additional 4 more successful resturants all around the washington dc area. A trip to north carolina for trip on a charter boat for marlin led to his desire for the marlin and desire for his own boat.

The author lives in annapolis and ocean city maryland. Ocean city being the area where is boat is docked and where he mostly fish's out of. In a sport fishermans arena dealing with the bill fish which has boats that cost anywhere from 1/2 a million to at least 3 million dollars and crews that can make anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 or more annual salary he is the only one on his boat except maybe an occasional tournament judge the author is the owner,captain,the mate,and the fisherman. While he fishes for the fun and in tournaments for many different types of bill fish it seems that he mostly is catching white marlin this along the atlantic coast. It descripes how they do catch and release and taggging of the marlins and how this provides migration information.

There is a great chapter in the book were mr. bentos tells how when he was a small boy in his native country while at a family gathering it was his mother who instilled the deep desire and love for fishing.

It is pretty amazing the tournament money that is awarded to the different catergories. The idea a single man doing all the operations on the boat is truly not the norm but it works for the author has won more than 30 competitions including the annual ocean city white marlin tournament which about a 1/4 of the book is dedicated his participation in the tournament of 1996.

If you like this type of book i would recommend "The Hungry Ocean" by Linda Greenlaw and The Perfect Storm by Sebastin Junger
alll though Mr.Bentos does not think to highly of these books or the boat captains of the fishing boats feeling that even though they may have a love for the sea the way they fish using longlines with upto 4,000 hooks is not very skillful nor very glamourous and that they are just building a bank account.

Once again this is an excellent book!

A delightfully narrated story by a South American born raconteur who is also an award winning restaurateur in Washington DC. Carlos takes you on a page turning journey through his thoughts and inspiration deep sea-fishing off the eastern Atlantic shores. The highlight is his participation and triumph in the annual white marlin fishing tournament in Ocean City, Maryland. Carlos is a gentle spirit with herculean courage. After reading this, I feel I have to go meet him as well as his new restaurant, the Fathom Grille in Ocean City.

This is a very quick and uplifting read. It reminds one we are only limited by our perception of what is possible.

Before "A crew of one," there was one great book about fishing, and it was by Ernest Hemingway. Now, there are two. Carlos Bentos has the gift that all great, instinctive writers possess: He can make a complicated, emotional subject into a matter that is easily understood, even by a landlubber like me. Bentos is clearly not the adversary of the pelagic billfish he seeks to conquer; rather, he admires and respects them, which is why he returns them to their own world. Would that all fishermen could be as kindly toward the creatures of the sea. Bentos shows that the struggle between man and marlin is intellectual, physical, emotional and even a bit spiritual. "A Crew of One" is a tour de force and a page turner...a rare combination outside the world of the techno-thriller or mega-marketed mystery story. We all await Carlos' next venture in literature!

I've been a fan of Rawlings since I first read her as a teenager. Reading her biography many years ago, I learned of her pride in her cooking. I didn't even know she'd issued a cookbook until I came across this edition!

Upon reading the book I was immediately reminded of the "Alice B. Toklas" cookbook. The structure and literary emphasis are much the same. Thus, for the same reason, it's a joy to read even if one doesn't cook!

However, like "Toklas", the recipes are also a treasure. Many of the recipes contain ingredients too exotic for the average cook, but many more are easily prepared. This can also be a pleasurable and valuable resource for those, like me, who enjoy reading and preparing recipes from old cookbooks. Our eating styles have changed enormously in the nearly sixty years since Rawlings wrote this book.

If you are a fan of Rawlings, buy the book whether you ever plan to cook any of its recipes. Its reasonable cost is a further bonus!

It is evident from her cookbook that Marjorie tasted of nearly everything and learned to make delicious dishes out of some very odd things: Poke Weed (on toast), Pot Roast of Bear, Smother-Fried Squirrel, Gopher Stew, Coot Surprise, Jugged Rabbit, a host of Pilaus, and an infamous blackbird pie. Of course this book is not simply a culinary freak-show. There are dozens of recipes for desserts, seafood, meats-found-at-the-A&P, jams, and soups, featuring ingredients of which we are all familiar and unafraid. She was proud to share them and claimed each recipe was nothing short of first-rate. Included among these is her piece de resistance, Crab A La Newburg, and the best Strawberry Shortcake ever. Accompanied by anecdotes of Florida rural living in the 1930s and 1940s, this book is a delight and an excursion from a mundane kitchen

As the other reviewer has mentioned, this is a collection of recipes, filled with anecdotes of central Florida life in the 1930s and 1940s. The recipes are fantastic and one wants to try all of them (although it may be difficult to prepare alligator-tail steak). And, what a pleasure it is to read a cookbook written by an accomplished author. You just keep picking it up.

A great read... both for the recipes and for a large dose of Marjorie Rawlings' folksy humor. Loved it from cover to cover.

A big fan of MKR, I stumbled over this little book at a booksale several years ago----it's paperback and coming apart from use, and the pure pleasure of reading Ms. Rawlings' commentary and recollections of living at Cross Creek. Her biscuit and hoe-cake recipes are worth the price, as they evoked memories of my grandmothers kitchen where it wasn't a meal without fresh, hot bread.
Highly recommended---even if you're not a cook!

A fascinating introspective look into the mind of one of the great American photographers of the beginning of the 20th century, Edward Weston. With his intricate, yet simple, and sometimes abstract images, Weston created a world of his own together with his "one true love," his camera. By evidently pouring his soul into every entry of his daybooks, Weston makes the reader gain a greater understanding of his technique and extraordinary eye for beauty. The chronological organization of entries takes the reader from Weston's days in Mexico through his days in California.
Not only writing about photography, Weston describes his many acquaintances (his encounters with Stieglits are most interesting), his dinner parties, his adventures in a foreign land, his romantic dealings, etc. It was interesting to read of his take on Mexico of the 1920's. Also interesting is the glimpse into the life of a struggling artist who depends of every "sitting" to survive...the life of a true artist. The pairing up of his writings with sporadic clusters of his wonderful photographs enhanced and completed this Weston experience. Alltoghether a fascinating compilation of thought, highly recommendable.

I can tell that this was a really interesting book. After reading it front to back more than once, I now have a new outlook on Edward and his work. I finally understand what he was trying to convey though his images thanks to this book. Edward Weston had a fascinating life especially with all who he encountered. This is a must read if you are an artist, photographer or not!

This book stands alone in the annals of art history. No other book gives such an intimate view into the day-to-day trials of a working artist. Weston, who from time to time fostered ambitions of becoming a writer, genrously shares his thoughts and his experiences over a 15 year period, culminating in a remarkable portrait of the artist as a human being. While literary critics may have occasion to fault his prose, which at times seems flowery and verbose, given his Victorian-age education this can be forgiven of him. Weston takes us through his decision to leave his family and travel to Mexico, where he chronicles not only his own work, but that of other artists. He writes of the bullfights, love affairs, the scenery, and of the many unforgettable characters he met along the way. Weston moved in many circles, and thoroughly enjoyed himself, whether his company be artists or revolutionaries. He shares with the reader his many instances of self doubt, of guilt, and of poverty. He also shares his many triumphs, as his original photography begins to garner commercial success. We see Weston as an art critic, giving unflinching opinions of the works of Diego Rivera, Carlos Orozco, Robinson Jeffers, and a host of others. He is no less honest in his evaluation of his own work. Included in the volume are 72 extremely well-reproduced photographs divided into the various periods of his photographic life. We are givin a behind-the-scenes look at how these photographs were made, from both the artistic and the technical point of veiw. Most importantly, the Daybooks is not just for photographers or Weston afficianodos, but for anyone who appreciates a well-written autobiography of a remarkable artist.

This book is a great book to get to know the thoughts of Edward Weston on his daily work of photography and personal life. This is a diary type book of daily entries of thoughts. It has some funny points and sad points (as a lives do). Photographers today can identify with the great Photographer on his progress of daily work. If you want to see Edward Weston's thoughts in his daily life this is the book to get! I'd have to say it's awesome to know the thoughts and happenings of a great photographer of the past!

Second time reading Weston's Day Books over thirty years. First time I was young and only looking for technical hints. This time I'm much more interested in relationships, family, and Weston's struggle with his art, money and life A must read for all artists.

This book is an excellent guide to where you want to go and how to go about getting there. Time tables, open and close time, where to eat and what to avoid. I've used this book on two separate trips to London and it has saved me frustration and time. If you want to take a vacation and base yourself in London this book is worth its weight in gold!

Used this book for a few local trips. Some of the prices quoted need to be update but good book overall.

Although I rely on Rick Steves' travel books to explore major European cities, I never leave home without Daytrips if I intend to day-trip by rail to smaller towns. In England and parts of Scotland, the Guy Friday bus tours make it easy to explore a town on your own without a tour group, and are highly recommended. However, Daytrips will cover in detail sites worth seeing, good hotel recommendations (better than Rick Steves), good restaurant recommendations, and fairly good maps (bring a compass). Very reliable and solid guidebook for travellers who enjoy walking. Certain cities are recommended with a star and from experience, it is extremely accurate.

I have used this volume extensively, over a number of years, and have found it to be exceptionally useful. Pair it with a Brit Rail flexipass, and you will never need to join tours or be at a loss for new places to visit.

The descriptions and maps make it possible to explore locations at a leisurely pace, noting spots one would find of particular interest. Though the 'walking tours' outlined are within the reach of most, those who cannot walk distances should not be deterred, because there nearly always are local buses (if not Guide Friday tours, which are convenient and relatively inexpensive) that can bring one from the station to the town centre. I have never had difficulty exploring a new city using the Daytrips maps, and I am by no means gifted with any sense of direction.

Though not aimed solely at those with Brit Rail passes, this book can help those who hold them to have maximum benefit. (Those travelling from the States, used to a country that is geographically massive, and where major cities of interest can be separated by hundreds or thousands of miles, often need time to adjust conceptually to that one may see much of England by travelling by day return. One cannot get the full benefit of rail passes unless one gets away from the mindset that any journey means an overnight stay.) Since, for example, the most common flexipass allows one four days of travel, not journeys, using Daytrips to select destinations, then returning to the home base in the evening, means exploring four cities - not going in one direction on the first and returning on the next 'day of the pass.'

The sixth edition of this helpful guide replaces our well-worn fifth edition (published 1995). In addition to being updated, it includes five additional day trips (Hastings, Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, Cardiff, Wells, and Chester).

This edition follows the format of the prior one with each of the fifty-five destinations being allotted its own chapter. A brief introduction to each place is followed by directions for getting there that may include transport by underground, rail, car, boat, or bus, as applicable. The discussion always includes the distance from the city, which London train stations service the area, a summary of the schedule ("at least hourly from Victoria") and the duration of travel. The guide then cites a few pubs and restaurants in the area (generally those providing English fare), with a one sentence review. A walking tour is provided with a map and commentary on the various sites of interest encountered along the way. Also included is a section entitled "Practicalites" that lists the dates and times major attractions are not open to the public, the address and phone number of the visitor center (although they spell it centre), and other information pertinent to someone planning a visit.

Destinations vary from those within London itself (e.g. the City, and Westminster), to those located fairly near the city (e.g. Windsor Castle, Richmond and Hampton Court), to those located over one hundred and fifty miles from London (e.g. the Welsh city of Cardiff, and York). The latter destinations can take two hours to reach by rail (each way) and may be more amenable to an overnight stay than a one day visit.

Also included is an excellent section on managing the British rail system (it really is quite simple).

The major advantage of the guide is that it tells you how to get to and explore many places of interest in southern Britain without having to join expensive and restrictive organized day tours. It gives you the freedom of choosing your own itinerary; if you want to spend your time lingering over a long lunch, shopping, or just enjoying the ambiance, you can do so. There is no: "The bus will leave at exactly 2:15 this afternoon, be sure to be here."

For the first time visitor to London who only wants to take in the grandeur of the city, the book seems to be of limited value. But if a trip outside London, such as to Stonehenge or Bath, is contemplated, the guide can prove quite valuable. It is highly recommended.

The only complaint I have about Dear Little one is... it ends. I could have read a thousand more pages of this author's loving reflections on subjects that range from hope and new life to marriage and the twilight years. But perhaps that is the beauty of this book - it is so pure and distilled, there may nothing further to add, not one word. Dear Little One seems to work on two levels: first, as a parent's thoughts to her children, and all children; but also then to adults, as children of God. Dear Little One captures the joy, vulnerability, dignity and meaning of being human. The reflections are, in turn, poetic, humorous, whimsical, wise and moving. My favorites include "The Moon in a Bottle Cap," "On Fear," "Money," a clever little poem called "Art," "An Uncertain World," and of course "Dear Little One." I am carrying this book with me these days and looking forward to the author's next work.

Dear Little One is a treasure! Filled with thoughtful insights, honest observations and engaging humor, this delightful book is a great source of inspiration for young and old alike.

At first I thought 'Dear Little One' was strictly a parent's thoughts and dreams for her children, but then I saw where the author was going. The reflections on so many topics of life are divided into four life-stages: infancy, childhood, adulthood, and the twilight years. The author began by talking to a baby. By the last page, she was talking to me. Beautifully written. `Dear Little One' is a classic children's book for grown-ups that reminded me of `The Little Prince.'

I was deeply moved by DEAR LITTLE ONE and bought several more copies for couples I know who just had a baby or are having one soon. This is a perfect gift book, but more than that, because the reflections will last a lifetime. Nice black and white photography, too.

Masterful. Quite possibly the most beautiful book I've ever read, for and about human beings on this earth. The reflections, observations and guiding hopes in Dear Little One will accompany my kids now, and throughout their adult lives. I can't think of another book that does that. This book is unique. And poignant. And ultimately the kindest gift.

this is a fantastic book. my husband and i implemented the "monthly salary" as recommended by mary hunt for our 14 yr old son and -- so far, so good. with that money he's responsible for certain things throughout the month, and those items were outlined at the beginning of the financial plan. he's still learning, but then again, aren't we all?

i think mary hunt is a wonderful author, and she speaks and writes from personal experience. she dug herself out of more than $100,000 in debt.

she's very encouraging to those who are looking to improve their financial status as far as getting out of debt and staying that way. and she can even help improve the marriage relationship with her other book, debt-proof your marriage. it's a great read, too.

Really enjoyed this book. It's an easy read. The centerpiece of the book outlines a great plan of giving your kids a salary, with the requirement that they are responsible buying themselves a list of items, and every year that list and salary grows until they are managing their complete finances by their senior year. The book recommends starting as young as 10.

Also, beyond this plan, the book has great side commentary on teaching your kids about debt, budgeting, and lots of other aspects of finances.

This book is almost a "scares you straight" book. When I started seeing myself on so many pages, I was really sweatin'. An easy read, it is also full of great advice for teaching your kids. As I got further into the book, I particularly appreciated its layout.

The first half of the book is primarily anecdotes about encounters with debt, and results of the author's attempts to teach her children about handling money, also pulling in other research about kids and attitudes toward responsibility. I was a little worried about where the meat might be until I got to the second section (ch. 11), which details various aspects of money and money handling (credit cards, types of debt, compound interest, etc.) and ends each section with "The minimum your kids need to know about _____." I found this section a great resource for making notes about what I needed to talk to my own kids about. The final three chapters in the book talk about specific age-related issues and how much kids can be expected to understand at each age level. I found this section great for customizing a plan specific to each child.

This summer I read Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Your Children. Three months ago we started the salary for all three of my children. Here's the update on our progress with Mary's ideas on Debt-Proof Your Kids.

First of all if you have children READ MARY'S BOOK .. Debt-Proof Your Kids ... this has been the single best thing I've read on preparing your children for financial freedom in their adult life. I was skeptical at first, but am a FIRM BELIEVER! now. It's amazing the attitude towards money my children have now.

My children 15, 12, 10 are to the age where they like to buy Christmas gifts for their friends. This year (when first started on a salary 3 months ago) I told them it would be their responsibility to buy gifts for their friends. They're finished now and there was not even a mention of - Hey Mom how about some extra money. Believe me, this was the case before they were on a salary.

It relieved me of the - Mom can I have this ... they save their money and buy it if they still feel that way. I didn't realize how much more fun shopping can be when you don't have little ones asking for everything!

Everyone is still doing great on their salaries-- my oldest is much more frugal than I would have thought, my middle daugher is still buying more candy than necessary (or LIP GLOSS) but she's still has money saved and is doing well buying her own clothes when she needs them, and my youngest is doing well (even remembering to fill out his own lunch envelopes.)

I thought paying them their money the first of every month instead of throughout the month would be hard to budget for, but it's going well. I know exactly the $ amount and they stick to it.

This book has some great ideas for how to teach financial responsibility to your kids. It gives you an easy guide that has been used on their children and which really makes sence.