Other The Books

Hello everyone ! I bought this book cause I need it !
Not only for a better understanding of max tools but for the entire process of making of a good 3d movie animation !
Well,this book acomplish its purpose !The book pass through every stages of this process !Congratulations for the author and for his clarity expositions !

I just received my copy, this is not much of a review but I have a question, i will update this as soon as i have my review.
My question: is it normal that the book comes with 2 cd-roms? And why are on the 2 cd-roms the same data?

This is a great book on completing a project, it helps in every respect, lots of tutorials, references, information, examples etc....
One thing is not mentioned, to complete these projects, you will need more then 3DS Max 6, you will need to have Adobe PREMIER to make/edit the movie, for special effects & more, you will need COMBUSTION 3, even though it is not necessary but it will be essential for a complete animation, you will need to have a sound editing software like Cakewalk's SONIC or something similar and of course Adobe Photoshop.
I am very happy with the book, and have already started planning & sketching a storyboard plus modeling the environment I will use, my characters are almost ready, but because of this fantastic book, I didn't know about the sound editing and the movie editing outside of 3DS Max requiered to finish a movie, now with this book I will complete my animation project.

This book is a very good surprise. It's very complete, well explained, very clear.

That book contains exacly what is said on the cover.. So no deception possible! (An exemple that Sanford Kennedy shoud follow because his book about 3ds max 5 is terrible, a total desaster.)

So this is the book to buy! Thank you Mr Barret Fox.

He shows how he developed, boarded, modeled, textured, rigged & animated the 3 figures shown on the cover. He doesn't wander off on side issues, nor does he gloss over the tricky parts. The book comes with a CD of usable models and scenes so you can see what and how he did it.


One word of warning is the author assumes the reader is advanced on the subject - don't get this book if you need a basic how-to animate with computer book.

Part of a series, this novel is about the planet Kevarzangia Two, and its water-breathing inhabitants.

The Hsktskt slavers have been pushed out of the quadrant, so the four sentient races, who call themselves the Allied League of Worlds, meet on K-2 for a peace conference. The participants, two air-breathing races and two water-breathing races, don't particularly like each other. When an ambassador's shuttle is attacked prior to the conference, Sublieutenant Burn mu Znora stops the attack and rescues the ambassador's daughter, Liana (some younger 'Zangians, like Burn, have been surgically altered to be able to survive in the air for hours at a time). Having drawn the pleasurable duty of guarding Liana during the conference, Burn realizes that she knows a lot more than she is letting on, and that someone wants this conference to fail.

Meantime, the 'Zangians have a natural enemy called a mogshrike. Think of a creature bigger than a great white shark, with a lot more teeth and a much more nasty disposition. The mogshrikes have been moving into warmer and shallower water, where the 'Zangians live. They are defenseless against the mogshrikes, so the radical idea is considered of catching one to study. Dair, an elderly 'Zangian, is totally against the idea, but Teresa, his Terran mate, agrees to participate. The battle of wills gets to the point where Dair tells Teresa that they are no longer mated. A baby mogshrike is captured, and it is discovered that they have been doing some pretty radical evolving.

This is a fine piece of writing. It's got good world building, the characters are very well done, and it's a first-rate story. As with any series, reading previous books will help, but this does a really good job of standing on its own.

I find this second book in this series to be better written and more adult that the first book. What a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the story greatly.

Ok, I've got to say this right from the start: I loved this book, I love this series, and I think Ms. Viehl is a fantastic writer. Ever since I picked up the first book I read from this author, Blade Dancer (Excellent!!), I've been hooked. I am always so disappointed when I finish each novel as it means there's no more to read and I have to wait for the next installment. Ms. Viehl has such a rich imagination and a fertile writing style. If you're a fan of the sci-fi, space stories, this is a wonderful series to add to your collection. Give it a try and I think you'd be hard pressed to be disappointed. Please keep them coming Ms. Viehl!

I really liked that this book tied some ends together from the StarDoc series. It also finishes out "Biorescue" by continuing that story line. I had alot of trouble putting it down.

Afterburn by S.L. Viehl continues with the same quality of her Star Doc series of books. It is set in the same universe with the same aliens and revolves around a colony on a planet where intelligent life developed in the water. Most of the 'Zangians remain in the water, but some have undergone modification to allow themselves to be in the air for a short time.

This is a busy book with several plot threads intertwining, but the main plot centers around an interplanetary conference being held to discuss the possibilities for three other alien species, the Ninrana, Skartesh and the Ylidii.

Viehl deftly weaves the differing customs and needs of the various aliens as they all jostle for position and strive to get along, in some cases, or try to disrupt things in other cases. Sometimes it is a bit tough to keep track of all the different characters-- a list at the beginning of the book would have been helpful, however, once everything was sorted out in my own mind, I very much enjoyed the book. The ending was quite satisfactory, with a hint of more to come.

Larry's been a close friend of mine for some time. This book didn't surprise me - it's the way he is: brutally honest, even if it hurts. He loves life as much as anyone I know and it came from seeing the other side and not liking what he saw. There's a lot to be learned from this book. If you're as honest with yourself as he is, it'll strike a nerve and make you take a good long look at yourself and the way you treat others.

This is a wonderful book about and by a person who really understands what life is all about.Maybe Larry would take exception with my saying that.Rather than thinking that he has all the answers,he has a deep faith in his God,and tries to live a good life and knows the rest is up to God.
He shows us that the life of a Superstar in the music business ,while being extremely arduous,it is one's decision to pursue it and has many rewards.Obviously,while money has to be a big part of it,it is the pursuit of your dreams ,joys and disappointments and the experiences and friendships that make it all worthwhile.
The great sacrifices and heavy load to keep things together,especially the life on the road and being away from family;can take its heavy toll.As we sit back and enjoy people like the Gatlins,we should keep in mind the effort they put forth to entertain and in many ways inspire us.
From this book we see a side of Larry's life that people outside the business can't really understand.When he talks about other stars ,Mickey Rooney for example,we see he is in great awe of him.Even more than that ,how impressed Larry was in finding that Mickey was so impressed with him.Larry may be a 'big star' but he carried that mantle with an even greater humility.
Maybe ,All the Gold is not in California,in a bank,in the middle of Beverly Hills;a lot is in the hearts and souls of people like Larry and others like him.
People of faith will understand what Larry is saying.Hopefully those without faith,might see what strength faith can be in good and difficult times.
A very good and inspiring book.

Books rarely hold my attention. Can't tell you how many I've started and put down. I started Larry Gatlin's book a few days ago and can't stop reading. Half-way thru the book, his re-telling of successes and failures have me grabbing for a kleenex every few pages. His reliance on God and coming back to God's grace are touching/inspiring. He gives God the credit for every moment that counts in his life that will connect to another open door (try to count how many times he writes, "another God moment.") His writing style is energetic, to the point, down to earth, honest - just as his personality is on stage. (I saw the Gatlin Brothers in concert in Kansas City 12/28/02). This book makes the reader rejoice as we watch him overcome alcoholism and substance abuse. Who wouldn't want Larry to win over these addictions, for his sake and his family's sake back home. He doesn't overdo the details but gives the full picture in few words. Keep the music coming Gatlin Brothers!

I'm a Larry Gatlin fan. His book is written as well as his songs. I was captivated by his life story which he described in such down to earth, honest words. And it is so funny.
What a talent!

I've been around the music business for the past 30 years, I have NEVER seen an artist be this honest and open about the rise and the fall of ones career. Larry lays it ALL on the line and this should serve as a wake up call for those that can not handle "life in the fast lane". Larry's story is 24KT solid gold. A real must read from someone who has certainly been there, done that.

Highly recommended. Reading this book I learned a lot about the history of Congo and the suffering of its people. Once you started reading you can't really put it down. But be warned: The stories about gunboys, militia and so on are really cruel and reading about their atrocities makes you want to throw the book against the wall or shout at somebody.

I read this book in May and still find myself haunted by it. Episodes like the Kinshasa Fight Club or the surreal appearance of Jessica Lange at a triage camp will stay with me for a long long time.

Mealer tenderly renders the humanity of a situation most of us would prefer to think of as inhuman.

You owe it to yourself to take a look.

I had to put the book down several times because I felt sick. Bryan's writing was so real that I felt every terrifying and treacherous moment along the way. Just when a dangerous jouney ended, another began. I am so overwhelmed with what Bryan experienced in the Congo. I know him personally as well as his family, and I can't imagine what they all went through at their own levels.
I applaud Bryan Mealer for the excellent portrayal of a dire situation. I admire his wife, Ann Marie, and family for living through all of the reports, emails and contacts from Bryan throughout his entire journey.
BRAVO, Bryan, for the intensity, honesty, and real depiction of the situation in the Congo that we should all be aware of and concerned about.

Bryan Mealer has penned a brutal memoir of his three years as a reporter in the Congo, three years when teenage gunboys roamed the countryside and city streets, when UN peacekeeping forces faced mystical leaders operating from jungle mountaintops, when rebel militias and government forces alike pillaged their own nation. It was a horrible time in the history of a country that has seen little else for the last hundred years.

While Mealer writes about the bloody atrocities he witnessed, the real story he tells is about himself. He's drawn back to the Congo three times, apparently addicted to the extreme discomfort and random violence he endures. His travels cover nearly the entire country from the capital of Kinshasa to the mineral-rich southern provinces to the guerilla-infested eastern region where an alphabet-soup of militias, foreign armies, and UN forces fight a never-ending war of terror, rape, and mutilation. He rides a newly-reconstructed rail line and even follows Conrad's trail up the Congo River via barge. At one point, he and his adventure-junkie buddies take off through the jungle on bicycles.

While Mealer tells us the names and stories of many Congolese he meets along the way, he never really gives much insight into them as anything other than victims. He says as much when he reflects on his bicycle journey:

"...once in the jungle, my own basic needs and level of comfort had stood in the way of learning anything. I didn't even know my riders' last names or anything about their families. I'd simply been too exhausted and hungry to care. It wasn't my proudest moment, and even now, those last days on the trail leave a sting of regret."

Still, All Things Must Fight To Live puts the reader close to the action and accurately reflects the aftermath of war and colonialism in one of the world's greatest humanitarian catastrophes.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds: A Novel of Scandal, Love and Death in the Congo

I recommend this book for many reasons--Mealer's lyrical, colorful prose, insight into some of the most magnificent and heartbreaking events and places in the DRC, and finally, for a first hand account of how, why, and when news reaches us out of Africa. I'll recommend this book to my colleagues who study Congo, but also to family members who would like a window into this fiercely captivating and complicated place.

This book was recommended to my husband and myself by Dr. Adamse, who has been counseling us on how to improve our marriage. At the time that I read this book I was uncertain about whether my 20-year marriage would be able to survive. As I read the book, however I could identify with the main character Richard and the struggles that he was going through with his marriage. The remarkable lesson that Richard (& the reader) learn by reading the series of Anniversary letters between Richard's parents is that no matter what happens between two people in a marriage (no matter how bad things get), as long as both people are willing to keep trying to make the marriage work then it can be saved.

This concept is a very powerful one because I think that most divorces (due to incompatibility) could be prevented if both people realized that all they need to do is to refuse to give up on the marriage and keep trying. I actually changed my attitude about my marriage after reading this book, which is why I compare it to an "antibiotic" for a troubled marriage.

I recommend this book to anyone who is married or planning to become married. It certainly made a positive difference to my marriage.

This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. Only wish I had read it 35 years ago. I now give it to every young couple in my family or who is a friend, who is getting married. It is a perfect guideline for their lives to work together. I even corresponded with the author on how wonderful I thought it was. A must read for all newlyweds. Very touching and moving for the soul.

While on vacation in Florida I picked up an autographed copy and could not put this book down. I cried and I cried, it is just a wonderful yet realistic love story. Real life experiences with a real marriage commitment. I am recommending it to all my friends. I think it is a perfect book to share with anyone who is married and wants to stay married!!!!!!

I picked this book up at the store without really looking closely at it. And let me tell you, I couldn't put it down. Really showed me that what seems like the strongest, most perfect relationship, has it's ups and downs, and that you can survive...if you're willing to try! I am recommending this book to all my friends!

Recently I was a guest on a Christian talk show with Michael Adamse. The show was entitled, "Emotional Blackmail". I was quite taken with Dr. Adamse's views on the subject matter we were there to talk about. His sensitivity really stunned me. At the end of the show we traded our books and said our good-bye's. I dashed to the airport looking forward to getting some very much needed rest on the plane trip home. That never happened. I made the mistake of opening his book. I devoured it, finishing it just minutes before the plane landed. It's a beautifully written story that makes one really think. I found myself wondering if I had read this book 20 years ago... would I still be married to the same man? I was in awe of Dr. Adamse as a person and now, after reading this wonderful story, I am in awe of his writing talent as well. I still find it remarkable how effortlessly he translates his sensitivity to paper. It's a touching story. It should be mandatory reading for everyone entering a marriage.

This is a great instructional manual. Full of enjoyable drills and some nice pieces to play. Streets ahead of just about anything I have seen. The CD is a fantastic option. The 80 page book contains pieces in tablature and musical notation and Mark plays each piece through slowly and then at a faster tempo. It's tough going alright, but I am enjoying it. Not exactly for beginners, but for those of us who want something better to do with their thumb (heheh), this is the book to buy. Highly Recommended.

Many of the other reviews have said it first, but Mark Hanson has created an excellent series of finger picking lesson books.

The Art of Solo Fingerpicking is an intermediate fingerpicking book. If you can only strum a few chords or are new to fingertyle, start off with Mark's The Art of Contemporary Travis Style Picking first and then come back to this one.

The exercises (in both books) are excellent and reinforced by the songs. The exercises are difficult enough to challenge but easy enough so you don't get frustrated. I found myself playing things that I never thought I could play in a very short period of time.

The songs are challenging and excellent. But again, they are not too difficult to frustrate you.

I am an intermediate player and have purchased many lesson books over the years. NONE have taken my guitar or mandolin playing as far as the Mark Hanson finger picking series. I am very critical of my playing. Quite often after a practice session with this book, I find a big smile on my face and say to myself "Did I just play that?"

This book was quite a challenge. I went through the Art of Contemporary Travis Picking rather quickly (by quickly, I mean several months, so this may not be quick to some) so I figured this "sequel" would go by in a similar fashion but this really ups the ante. As a result, the pieces you will learn are much more satisfying to play and listen to. I highly recommend starting with the aforementioned book because most of the picking patterns and special techniques learned there are taken for granted in this book and may add to the learning curve. Believe me, you don't want to be worrying about performing a hammer-on or slur while maintaining rhythm to a variation on the outside-in travis pattern. You will have enough on your plate! You can start with just this book if you're willing to work harder in the beginning.

I like how Mark makes direct references to specific artists, such as Leo Kottke and John Renbourn, and demonstrates some of their contemporary techniques through examples and songs. Some topics discussed are right and left-hand damping, using the thumb to play melody, playing scales (major and chromatic), using harmonics, alternate tunings, rolls (playing 3 to 5 strings in succession and spacing the picking evenly over a beat) and increasing overall speed via effective hammer-on and pull-off techniques (the essence of how the final piece, Strawberry Curl, is played).

The book is not easy, but very little in life that's worth doing is easy. I spent months on the first 9 to 10 pages, but once things started to click, the rest of the book began to go by faster. Once I gained good, relaxed control and coordination on the first song and the following pages of exercises (especially playing a major scale while playing the alternating bass) I was able to make very steady progress but that was a hurdle to overcome. "Devil's Dream" took me some time because of the need to alternate rapidly between the index and middle fingers in the treble while maintaining the alternating bass. But once that control was there, it remained, and I was able to apply it to other pieces I was working on.

Pay attention to the suggested fingerings and always try all ways if more than one is presented. I can easily wrap my thumb onto the 6th string, so I will tend to do that when it makes the overall fingering easier (much to the dismay of classical guitar teachers everywhere).

After working through this book about halfway, I was able to manage some pieces from Fingerstyle Magazine (an achievement in my eyes!) and going into alternate tunings is no longer a scary concept. Traversing the neck to bizarre chord forms, while still not always easy, becomes easier to deal with and something that you accept as normal at this level of playing.

By the way, when you finish this book, you will have some excellent show-off material in your repertoire. My favorite songs are Flier and Strawberry Curl (in Double Drop-D tuning). I heard Mark perform "Flier" this summer when I attended his annual fingerstyle guitar seminar and I made it one of my goals to play a duet on this song with him next summer (if I am able to go back) during the student recital (maybe even at normal tempo!).

I have been playing for over 30 years, this is easily the best instruction book on fingerstyle guitar. It is also alot of fun to play, the book ends and you cry for more!

For me, this book/CD raised the bar for all guitar instruction. I'm actually a pretty decent fingerstyle player now, and it is because of this book. I still have a way to go, and I'm still only a little more than half way through, but this book has taken me SO FAR with my playing. The progression of exercises is very natural; don't move on until you feel comfortable with an exercise, and then come back to it once in a while.



Proceeding along, you get to the first actual "song", Red White and Blue Rag. I still play this one almost every time I pick up my guitar! The tab itself is the best I have EVER seen, with fingering notation in many places. The CD is a great inspiration, and the slow versions of the tunes are indispensable.



I found out about this book from a recommendation on the "Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum", with glowing words from a long line of very experienced players. I gambled and bought it, and I'm a much better player no because of it. Seriously, if you want to get better at fingerstyle playing, this is the book.

In 1904 a little book was written called As a Man Thinketh. This book is a rewriting of that classic by the grandson of the original author. It is not just a self-help book, a self-empowerment, but a truth that will grip your heart. Each of us has tracks that we play in our minds, things spoken over us in our youth, by parents, teachers, coaches and friends. We have believed these things and lived by them. This book reminds us that what we believe in our minds and hearts will live out in our flesh. It will help us understand that all we achieve or fail to achieve is first a perception in our minds.

This is a recently published version of the classic volume "As a Man Thinketh" by James Allen. It has been skillfully edited and de-genderized by publisher/author Marc Allen in order to serve as an inspiration for both men and women in our modern times. Throughout the last century, countless individuals have been moved and inspired by this easy to read little primer on the secret of successful living.

The premise of this book is the spiritual wisdom from the Book of Proverbs:
"As you think in your heart, so you are."

In the course of the volume, James Allen clearly describes how clarity of mind, linked with good intentions, can transform our experience of life and release the creative spirit within us all. The ultimate outcome of embracing the simple philosophy of this book is: Serenity.

In this edition of "As a Man Thinketh," Marc Allen (no relation to author James Allen), neuters the male overtones by replacing all references to "man" (which I always interpreted as "humanity," not a male or female) with the more sensitive third person and he/she variations. Somehow the statement "as a man thinketh, so is he," does not translate well to "as a person thinketh, so is she or he."

Marc Allen points out that in the Buddhist tradition, a book opens with a poem. If the reader can understand the poem, he or she has grasped the meaning of the book, and need not read the entire book. Here is James Allen's opening poem:

Mind is the master power that molds and makes,
And we are mind, and evermore we take
the tool of thought,and shaping what we will,
Bring forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills.
We think in secret,and it comes to pass--
Our world is but our looking glass.

Thoreau said something similar in a shorter version where he alludes to how the mind of man can create a heaven or hell for itself.

Audio books are excellent reading options or gifts for persons with little time to read or who's sight is challenged or who spend significant time commuting. This audio version is very well read and is of excellent recorded quality. BEWARE that there are some horrifically cruddy readings / very poor audio versions of this book being sold on Ebay and other online places, but this particular audio version from Amazon is excellent in every way. I listen to this tape frequently and something always stands out as very pertinent, almost as if new, every time I listen.

What a fantastic helpful simple book - really helps you wade through the jargon of typical self help books and get away from marketing it is the instruction book on the mind...

easy to read and excellent to keep and read over and over..

This product was in perfect shape and I received it in no time! I was very happy with this transaction!

I strongly recommend this book. I read "set phasers on stun" and thought it was very good. The author has done even better this time.

Fascinating stories on human stupidity, negligence, incompetence and lack of common sense that ends up costing people's lives. Anyone involved with Engineering, Sciences or Maintenance needs to read this book. Actually everyone should read this book to understand human failings and why no one should ever take safety for granted. Every day people die needlessly and this book details how and why.
I really commend the author for bringing these stories to print and hope that it may save some lives.

I just finished reading "The Atomic Chef" and found it difficult to put down. I simply couldn't resist finding out what unexpected consequence or turn of events was around the next corner.

This is an absolute must read if you are in any way involved with the development of new products or services. Sometimes things don't go as planned despite everyone's best efforts. Like the bumper sticker says, "stuff" happens. This book gets into the stuff to reveal what really happened. The author painstakingly researches and recounts the real story behind mismatches in people and technology.

If you like fairy tale endings this may not be the book for you. However, if you are interested in learning the true details behind real world events, I highly recommend the Atomic Chef. In contrast to more traditional Human Factors books or case studies, the Atomic Chef presents enjoyable and eminently readable accounts of actual events.

Little things can make a big difference, I'd recommend The Atomic Chef's cautionary tales to any student or professional interested in learning more about the relationship between people and technology.

This anthology of 20 brilliantly written true stories should be of special interest to anyone dealing with technology management or product development, but it also would be enjoyed by any lay reader. As a well-known expert and writer on human factors engineering and human error, Steven Casey has obviously selected these stories because each subtly educates the reader about the role of the user interface in system failure, but also because each is tremendously interesting.

Although each chapter stands solidly on its own, a few stand prominent in my own mind due to personal interests. "Rhymes and Reasons" is a beautifully written story of musician John Denver's fatal flight in a new aircraft. Although an accomplished pilot, Denver's piloting skills were no match for a confusing set of aircraft controls and displays in his just-purchased home-built plane. The story makes the clearest case possible for the importance of good user interface design and ergonomics, and like all the stories in the book this one is thoroughly researched and referenced.

In addition to aviation and aerospace settings, the stories address transportation, maritime, medical, and various everyday events in contemporary life. Particularly poignant is "Event Horizon," a disturbing accident involving a child and an MRI machine in a New York hospital. In hindsight, the reader understands the procedures and barriers that must be in place when dealing with powerful new technologies like this.

Casey throws some truly hilarious stories in the mix to break up the pattern of predictability inherent in a book on error and disaster, and this approach works well. But, overall, be forewarned: the author is skilled at putting the reader in the "pilot's seat" to experience the confusion, shock, and terror that can occur when technology and human behavior conflict. I highly recommended this book.

I have several autoimmune disorders. Unfortunately, chronic depression both runs in my family and is a symptom of one of my disorders, so I've struggled with depression on and off throughout my life. I do not, however, receive medication for my depression; instead, I manage it through exercise, a support group of family and friends, and positive thinking.

One of my tools is Attitudes of Gratitude by M.J. Ryan. It's a smallish book that focuses on keeping a gratitude journal; it's been medically proven that people who regularly count their blessings are less likely to be depressed.

Written in 1994, Attitudes of Gratitude is a sequel to the author's A Grateful Heart: Daily Blessings for the Evening Meal from Buddha to the Beatles. Each of the sixty chapters is a meditation on gratitude and practical ways to practice and maintain thankfulness in our daily lives. The author recommends only reading one chapter a day in order to let the stories and messages sink in. According to Ryan, since gratitude is an attitude as well as a practice, we should take enough time to integrate her learnings so we can truly possess them.

Each of the individual chapters is opened by a quote on gratitude, and feature stories of various individuals who've overcome devastating medical diagnoses and divorces, personal obstacles, or other barriers to happiness. The readings are very brief (a page or two at most), so you have no reason not to be able to work one into a hectic day. Ideally, with practice you'll be able to take five or ten minutes for yourself to make a list of everything you're grateful for, from chocolate to loved ones to sunsets.

If the sound of all of this is making you uncomfortable with touchy-feely New Age overtones, the book is written in a friendly and accessible manner. It is spiritual rather than religious; there are no cutesy angels or cloying illustrations of puppies and kittens. In fact, there are no illustrations to allow you a clear view of the idea of recognizing and expressing gratitude.

This is a priceless gift for someone who is facing a rough spot, whether it's a recent medical diagnosis, a death in the family, or any event that temporarily robs someone of hope or joy. Attitudes of Gratitude showed me the power of positive thinking and expressing gratitude for what I DO have as opposed to what I think I'm missing or being deprived of, and has helped me to focus on the things I enjoy rather than what I'm not able to do or what I don't own.

I have personal knowledge that a convicted Rapist, Attempted Murderer is going to be selling a DVD called.....Attitude to Gratitude. Very concerned this will be mixed up with you beautiful BOOKS!

This is a "must read" for all of us to keep our lives balanced with the blessings we have today.

This book looked great from the reviews, so I decided to reserve it at the library to see if I thought it was worth purchasing. I was really excited when it was ready for pick up! I've just sat down with it tonight, however, and I'm really kind of disappointed... keep in mind this is coming from someone who has struggled for more than half her life with depression and anxiety - who has read the books and talked to professionals about problems and life and all that. This book didn't tell me anything I hadn't heard elsewhere.

To me this book seemed like a whole lot of "You should be grateful for simple things..." as opposed to, "This is how you can be grateful for simple things." I, personally, don't need someone telling me a list of things to be grateful for... I need someone to tell me *why* to be grateful for them... in a manner that is actually passionate and compelling. Why is life such a wonderful gift, why should I be moved by a rainbow, or a flower, etc.

The book is broken down into 5 "chapters", all filled with short 2 or 3 page stories. In one of the parts towards the beginning, the author talks about how worry, stress, etc., are bad for us... while gratitude and joy are good. It's not worded exactly like that, obviously, but that is the basic premise, and it's something I think just about everyone knows already. Not much is said about how you can go about getting rid of that worry and stress, though. Well, actually, there is... we can get rid of it by being grateful, but nothing seems to tell you how to do *that*.

In chapter 4, the stories start offering some suggestions. Most of them involve thinking of things you're thankful for... or thinking of ways you can improve your life to get things you want (not in a material but an emotional fashion). I didn't read anything about how to actually go about getting into the mindset of *being* thankful, or how to actually take the steps to *make* the improvements to your life.

Reading this book reminded me so much of the "Just do it" attitude I run into everywhere. In many cases, a great affirmation... but sometimes it isn't that easy. Be grateful... for life, simple things, etc. It reminds me of how people often tell you to "stop it" when they hear you are anxious or depressed. It isn't a light switch that everyone can flip on or off at will. The author DOES know this, and acknowledges that you have to work at gratitude... but I am not one of those people who is helped much by self reinforced positive affirmations on a day to day basis. That seems to be the method this book suggests.

Perhaps, if you're normally a happy person who has hit a rough spot... or if you're a person who can change easily... this book will help you. For anyone who has problems changing and needs really sound suggestions and things to practice that will do the job, I don't think I'd suggest this book. That's not to say this book is bad, I just find it average in the "help" it offers. If I judge it only among self-help books, I would say it is above average, because it's much easier and more fun to read.

A lot has been said about having a "positive attitude," but this is one of the first books I have read that actually shows you how to accomplish this and experience life as a series of everyday miracles. I love this book and have given it as a gift several times. A must read.

She brings it to me several times a day and says, "Ree baby born." She loves the pictures, loves the rhythm of the text. A great book for everyone. Beautiful art, heartwarming and thoughtful.

When I ordered it, I thought the board book would have lift-the-flap features just like the hardcover version; the description and reviews here make it really hard to tell. For the record, the board book version does NOT have lift-the-flaps. It's still a great book though, and in balance of things I guess I'd rather have the sturdiness of the board book. (Also, hardcover was on backorder and would have been really delayed in arriving.)

this is a fantastic book, great pictures, covers all the seasons, and a baby first year of life.

This charming lift the flap book is very different from the ordinary. Sweet rhymes and adorable pictures will delight both parent and child. When you lift the flaps you will find the unexpected.

I bought this book for all my friends having winter babies. I love the board book version, so I can share it with my baby now. I am hoping to hold onto it as a keepsake for her. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful. This book is short and sweet. My 4 month old enjoys having it read to her.