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This book is a must for beginners and serious students alike. The translation is smooth and concise. The uses of complex Kabbalah terms are kept to a minimum while the explanations are straight forward, clear and enlighten. Rav Laitman guides the reader the through the Upper Worlds with gental words that reflect the great Light of this teacher.
From the first chapter to the last, the reader will find the statement and response format a workable style, which allows the maximum comprehension with anchor points for rereading specific sections.
When one delves into this book they will find the light of authentic Kabbalah shining through. Like other books written by Rav Laitman, returing to this work again and again, will increase their understanding of true Spiritual Kabbalah and will experience the expansion of the Light that shines within.

Have read this book many times now. Every time I get something new. There is so much information, one can not digest it all. Would highly recommend this for anyone searching for spirituality. This is true Kabbalah.

I bought this book 7 months ago. I am just completing my third read through this material in that many months. I wanted to write a review earlier of my opinion of this book, but have not felt I could sum up my thoughts about it. If I felt like I had to say just one word, it would be "incredible". If you are a persistent seeker but still feel that certain unanswered question inside, this might be the best read for you. I also purchased other books by this author that were described as more introductory works. Rav Michael Laitman is a teacher/author that should not be overlooked. This material has had a profound effect on me. There is a lot here, and it seems like every time you read it there is a lot more you missed. There is much more information available at Bnei Baruch- Kabbalah Research and Education Institute website. Learning the history of this group has me convinced they are offering authentic Kabbalah.

I have read many books on so called "spirituality" by authors who were either Schizophrenic, or had written some God awful book to increase the size of their bank balances.

What I was looking for was a book that tried to answer the questions about lifes most essential questions. Written by someone who was at least not a charlatan. Like thousands of other people I have always been plagued by this question "What is the meaning of my life ?" So many books have been written on the subject already and none of them that I have read, have really struck a chord with me, nor did religious explanations.

This book was very different from the moment I started to read it because it really hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks. I didn't always find myself agreeing with what the author had written - I actually found some of it very hard to accept. But actually the more I read the parts I didn't agree with, the more I realised there was something genuine behind them. The more I read this book the harder I found it to actually put it down. It became quite apparent that the author was genuine and sincere in his writings, and had no ulterior motive.

The book is a practical guide to how a person can come to a realisation of a completely different reality in a very practical manner. Mind blowing!

I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who thinks about existence becauase I believe this book presents explanations to humanitys most humiliating and haunting questions. Even if you don't agree with it I am sure this book will change the way you think about things forever.

This is spirituality in its purest form, read it and start your Journey upwards before is too late. You will not look down again.

I read this book 30 years ago when I was in elementary school. It was probably the first "chapter" book I read. The story is sweet and simple and innocent. It harkens back to a time when children played and acted as children and the family was truly a family. When the fears children had were things like first days of school and crossing the street, not terrorism and pedophiles. Children in the book were respectful and well behaved.Adults loved and cherished the children in their lives. I do not like the new covers for I feel the pictures are too modern looking. I think some children would really enjoy the old fashioned pictures and styles of when the book was truly written. They would probably get a laugh out of how things have changed.

I bought this book for my son with the anticipation of next buying the Besty and Billy book. He enjoys it and I liked it too. I'm sure it can be easily read by a beginner.

Carolyn Haywood wrote "B" is for Betsy in 1939, but this story of a young girl's first year at school is timeless.

Betsy is an only child who is not looking forward to the first grade because Old Ned, a hired hand on her grandfather's farm, has shared unpleasant memories of the school he attended in his youth. Betsy soon discovers, however, that her own experience will be quite unlike Old Ned's. Her teacher is kind and friendly, and the classroom has neither a switch nor a dunce cap. Betsy quickly befriends Ellen, a little girl in her class, and Mr. Kilpatrick, the police officer who helps the children cross a busy street on the way to school.

The children in Betsy's class build a model of a Native American village and watch tadpoles turn into frogs. The first graders assemble a Thanksgiving basket for a poor, elderly woman who makes her living by selling pretzels, and give a circus performance for the sixth graders, which is enlivened by a visit by an organ-grinder and his monkey.

Outside of the classroom, the adventures continue. Betsy saves her money to buy Ellen the perfect birthday present. She rescues a lost dog and is given a cocker spaniel puppy. When Betsy goes to her grandfather's farm for the summer, she is thrilled when Ellen joins her.

This gentle story is timeless, and only a few words betray the fact that it was written nearly seventy years ago---for example, the word "policeman" instead of "police officer" or "Indian" instead of "Native American".

The children are occasionally naughty, but their transgressions are mild and their contrition sincere. The adults do hold the children accountable for their misbehavior, but are helpful and understanding instead of harsh.

This is an excellent book for children who are ready for chapter books, but are too young or sensitive to handle books with frightening or disturbing themes.

Carolyn Haywood's books were written in the 40's and 50's, yet they are timeless in their appeal. The stories about a spunky little girl and her loving family, friends, and school life are great to read aloud and a equally good for a child starting longer chapter books. This is the first in a series of books about Betsy and her friends, so there is lots more fun to look forward to when you finish the last chapter!

I would recommend all of Carolyn Haywood's delightful Betsy books but only with their cute charming short dressed illustrations.

What a great read! In "Between", Debra Samson shares the intimacies of two best friends on their journey through life together. One is dying, and one is frustrated and aging. Debra understands and articulates the contradictions and ironies of the human condition in its various stages. This is a story of love, loss, surrender, and acceptance. This excerpt leaves the reader wanting to read on and to know more. I applaud Debra Samson on her terrific first effort.

In her first novel, "Beyond", Debra Samson allows her readers to witness the intimate relationship between two female friends, one of whom is frustrated and one of whom is dying. This is a touching, insightful tale of their journey that rings true on many levels. I look forward to reading the complete book, as Ms. Samson has captured completely the feel of best friends facing their own personal losses together. I want to read more!

Ms. Samson has brought together the essence of friendship. A friend knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. There are times in ones life when we feel despair, anguish, hopelessness. The author has captured those moments and shows us the power of a true friend. She writes with feelings that are honest and sincere. I look forward to reading more.

I was captivated by the first paragraph in Debra Samson's wonderful book. I love the heartwarming, and honest relationship between Barbara and Carolyn, it speaks so eloquently about the power of woman's friendship.
I am looking forward to reading more!

This captivating and engrossing story takes the reader on the last spiritual journey of a smart and beautifully complex woman Barbara. The reader is drawn into the story of love, friendship, deep understanding, and spirituality. I found myself absorbed by the book from the very first sentence, feeling and understanding Barbara's pain and counting my own blessings. This is a strong and brave book that leaves a mark in the reader's heart. It left me wanting to see more from Debra Samson.

I was drawn in quickly by Lara and the author's certain voice. Conflict comes early and the backstory is braided and seamless. McCarty stays out of the way of this one, managing complex characters and providing trustworthy dialogue from the shadows. The result is pure story. Throughout the pages burned a fire kindled by the electric spark between Lara and Aedan. Long after story's end I lay in the cinders of that fire cursing myself for reading so fast, and grasping for some way to return to that world. Write more, Ms. McCarty, and either wind me in tighter on your string or release me from the spell Cerridwen's Tears cast over me.

This is a rich story filled with interesting characters who leap off the page. McCarty has done a great job writing a fresh vampire story. Her provocative and witty style had me from page one. I cannot wait to see where Lara and Aeden's chemistry takes them. I will buy this book and any others by this author!

Intrigued, I read this excerpt several times and each time I find myself amazed Ms. McCarty's crafted such believable and realistic characters. Lara is a hard working nurse who knows her job. The coffee addiction juat adds another layer of reality we can all relate to. Her angry personality is profound and well thought out; a result of losing her beloved spouse only a few years before. Now, her only true love is her horses.

Into her life, a life where she has become a bit promiscuous to numb her loneliness, comes Aedan, a vampire of the highest order. Suave and sophisticated, well dressed and well heeled, he is facinated by her. Although his early, formal introduction is a bit awkward, as are all formal introductions between strangers, he senses a way to become a friend. A friend that she needs as she tries to end an unsatisfying relationship.

It is Aedan and Lara's mutual love and respect of horses that finally melts the ice, and leaves me begging to find out more about these facinating people. Aedan and Lara are bound to become classics in the pantheon of fictional characters, and I, for one, want to read more and more about them. If Sheryl McCarty were to write twenty more books in this series, I would pre-order them now, because this is a delightful read!

Sheryl McCarty's got me. I love her provocative, yet witty writing style. I can see the setting and she brings her characters to life so vividedly. Lara, independent, fiesty, so seemingly in control; I can't wait to see where she's going with hunky Aedan. How long do I have to wait for more of this captivating work? YOU GO GIRL!

I Loved it! Its fast paced dialog and well developed characters got me from the start. I read the excerpt twice and I could find no reference to a husband who was afraid of vampires, in fact there was no husband at all so I'm not sure where some other reviewers got that part. I loved Lara's snarky attitude and thought it was refreshing to see a female character who's not stumbling over herself where men are concerned. Rock on, Lara, I want to read more!

I was looking for a book like this, one that doesn't go by month to month of what I should expect physically, medically. It's a book that gives you some perspective from personnal short stories. I brought it to read during my "baby moon" and it just made me feel whole-especially mentally. Too bad there isn't a more recent version but, I would buy this as a gift-especially for a first time mother.

I really hate to give any "Chicken Soup" book less than a 5 star because I am a huge fan.

I was slightly disappointed in the content of this book. I really was hoping and expecting that it would have more stories about giving birth. It says on the cover that the 101 stories inspire and warm the hearts of soon-to-be-mothers but I felt like the subjects were too general.

For example, the contents are 1. We're Pregnant, 2. Nine Months and Counting, 3 Expectant Fathers, 4. Challenges along the Way, 5. Special Delivery 6. Small Miracle 7. Memorable moments, 8. On Motherhood, 9. Expectant Wisdom.

I didn't find many birth stories - in fact, I don't think there was even one.

However, in spite of my need for positive birth stories, I still love the stories that they put in the book.

Sheri Menelli, childbirth educator, doula, speaker and author of "[...]"

If you're an expectant mother you will appreciate the stories in this book. They are touching and funny and strike a universal chord that make you realize you're not alone. Five stars! Debbie Farmer, parenting author of 'Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat'

Although I read almost every single publication of Chicken Soup, I must say this is definitely my favourite, especially that we are expecting our third child.

Before reading this book, I must admit I was not sure if we did the right thing to concieve a third child but now I know more than missing to cherish every moment of our pregnancy.

This book has moved every kind of feelings in us from happiness to excitement, to sadness at some times and made me thankful for this beautiful gift from God.

This is a must for every expectant parent.

this book was exactly what i needed to help me love the feeling of being pregnate. during my second pregnancy i wasn't feeling all that hot until my hubby came home with the book. i read this book three times already, even my four year old loves the stories. i cried and laughed and cried some more...read this book if you're looking for something to cheer you up while you're feeling down! An excellent book--I promise!!!!

I wrote my review a second time because I thought I'd done something wrong and you weren't going to post it. Please delete the review dated October 23 and leave the later version. Thank you.

Gardener's Soul is my first read in the Chicken Soup series. Had I an inkling that the series could evoke that cozy-fuzzy feeling, like a purring kitten warming your lap, I would have been reading them all.

Paula Silici's Nona's Garden stands as a fine example. I could smell the beef, garlic and tomatoes simmering in the kitchens of my childhood as I read of the life's lessions learned from her grandmother. I have more hope for the future after reading Beth Pollack's Planting Day,especially considering that such words of wisdom came from a 16-year-old. Good job,young lady! And A Bedside Story by Pat Stone reassured me that I'm not the only gardener who talks to plants.

No wonder the publisher has the name Health Communications. When the mind is calm, the body is better able to heal. This book is a fabulous choice for anyone feeling blue or for just anyone!

A truly good book evokes cozy images and sensations from the past. And this is a very good book, one that teaches us to stop and consider how wisely we spend on this earth.

Among my personal favorites was Nona's Garden by Paul Silici. I could almost smell the delectably heavy garlic, beef and tomatoes slowly steaming in my grandmother's kitchen, and felt a tug on my heartstrings when she shared the story of her grandmother's lessions in life. Planting Day filled me with hope for the younger generation when I saw that sixteen-year-old Beth Pollack had written such an insightful essay. It was good to learn in Pat Stone's A Bedside Story that I'm not the only person who talks to their plants.

There's something for everyone in CS for the Gardener's Soul.

I am a great fan of the Chicken Soup Books. They are a wonderful way for me to start my morning. Being an avid gardener, this one was truely special. Although many of the stories left me teary-eyed, the messages relayed were always positive and uplifting. -- Highly Recommend

This heartwarming, soul-satisfying collection of stories is a beautiful testimony to the special knowledge held dearly by every gardener, regardless of if they are first-timers or veterans. Even the smallest gardens have the ability to uplift our lives with the magical, unique understanding that they are living reminders of the potential beauty of the world.

Sharon Galligar Chance, Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Tx.

A wonderful book. I loved it as a child, and going back to read it as an adult I realize that there are a lot of things that I missed. I remember my teacher reading it aloud in class--wonderful!

The movie, although very nice, has only a superficial resemblance to the book. For one thing, it moves the time a generation or so back. For another, in the book both parents are alive, rather than Caracticus Pott's being a widower; consequently, there is no romance.

I could very well wish that a new movie be made, NOT a musical and following the original plot.

Just like when I was a kid at my moms knee listening to her read this to me I wsa again transported to another time. This audio is great. Kids and adults alike will fall inlove with this audio book. Some what diffrent than the movie staring Dick Van Dyke. which is always a welcome suprise.

It is a charming and delightful story that you will love to read to your children. I read this book to my 6 year old. She loved it!! We both wish we could find more books about this wonderful family and car.

I remember the 1968 movie based on this novel fondly, but had never picked up the novel itself until just the other day. I was surprised at how different the book is. Although Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang herself is very similar in both, the plot of the story is much different. I enjoyed this simple little story, with Fleming's humorous asides, very much. Those asides reminded me of the "Series of Unfortunate Events" books I have read and I would be interested in learning if Lemony Snicket drew from Fleming's story style for his own series. This is a fun, quick story that most kids will enjoy. I do, however, fear that the admittedly crude illustrations in my original edition would not be as popular with modern children.

The story of Caractacus Pott, his family, and that wonderful magical car is one of the best children's stories you will ever read. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, tells a fantastic story about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the magical flying car that can even turn into a boat! It's a delightful story, filled with crooks and gangsters, and you won't be sorry you bought this fantastic little book. Should be added to every child's bookshelf. Just delightful! The book is so much better than the movie, eliminating that silly Vulgaria story. If you want to read the story Ian Fleming intended, you'll have to buy the book. You won't be sorry.

A Christmas Carol

It was my goal this December to read to my children, ages seven, nine and 14, the Christmas Carol story by Dickens so that they would know the original before seeing the movie. I also thought this would be an accessible way for them to get oriented to English literature and prepare them for further reading.

The requirements of the Christmas Carol book to be purchased were that a) it be new as opposed to a ragged used copy, b) it be unabridged, c) it have good drawings; and d) if possible it be inexpensive. I first looked in the library, but their book was checked out, and anyway I was looking to start a family tradition of reading the story every year with our own copy if possible. The Candlewick Press edition with illustrations by P.J. Lynch appeared to fill the bill; I bought it; and it delivered the goods. The book is nice and readable-sized, the illustrations good, the type pleasing. Thirteen bucks. I was immensely satisfied with the purchase.

As to the fate of the reading, we handled one chapter per evening, there being five chapters; each took an hour or so to read. I found Dickens to be sometimes heavy going for the younger TV and video-generation kids to get a sense of what is going on. I did not recollect Dickens to be so when I read some of his works as a younger person, but apparently it's something you have to be exposed to and get to understand. Anyway I was happy to provide my children with the chance to get started. It gave me a measure of the gap between the reading preparation of today's youth versus my pre-Cambrian elementary and middle school days. On Christmas Day I showed them the George C. Scott version of the movie, and they all liked it. But all knew the basics from the book, which was my goal, even if the mid-1800s prose obscured many of the action points to the younger ones in their Sponge Bob and Hannah Montana mindsets.

So the effort was a success, and this edition of the book did what I had hoped by delivering up an excellent presentation at a very low cost.

Dan of Arlington

If you are looking to purchase a copy of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, then I believe that this would be a excellent choice for you. The book is very well bound and of excellent quality. The illustrations are wonderful and very well detailed. The pages are slightly thicker than normal so you are probably less likely to tear them. If you purchase this book, you will not be disappointed.

I purchased this book as a gift for myself so that I could enjoy this timeless Christmas tale over the holidays. This edition of A Christmas Carol was a wonderful purchase. The illustrations added to the enjoyment of the story and allowed me to visit another time and place while relaxing with this holiday classic.

I would highly recommend this book to young and old alike.

I think we have yet to experience the definitive film version of "A Christmas Carol", but we now have the definitive book version! Masterful illustrations complement the unedited text. Oh, and EVERYONE who purchases this book, PLEASE take off the dust cover and let this one age without it! WONDERFUL cover, perfect!

This book is beautiful! The pictures are amazing and held my children (6 and 4) captive while I read to them. I would recommend reading this story every year at Christmastime as a family.

I bought this book for reference rather than than study use, but it has served its purpose well. First, this book provides decent coverage of Cisco Pixes. Brief overviews are provided of key technical concepts - enough that you can understand what exactly you're configuring. Secondly, the book provides excellent example configurations, even going so far as to step you through basic software setup. (i.e. A step-by-step guide to setting up the integrated PPTP Windows 2000 VPN client, including screenshots). Finally, it provides some of the best coverage of Cisco Pixes that I've found outside of Cisco's website.

There is only one thing I would have liked to see included in this book: A basic configuration example for those who want to use the Cisco Pix as a termination point for Cisco VPN Client connections. For THAT, I had to go hunting for information on Cisco's website. Thus far, this is my only complaint about the book.

I can whole-heartedly recommend this book for anybody who needs a good reference on setting up, configuring, and managing Pix firewalls.

Excellent book, everything you want to know about the Pix. Very thorough, topics are explaned well, in great detail and with good examples. This is the best Pix book on the market that I know of.

I got this book to configure a Cisco Secure ACS with VPN clients, and i reached my goal. And you can get many other topics in a cookbook style. You can read the technical information or only take ideas from examples. Excellent PIX firewall book.

This book well and truly paid for itself after the first couple of chapters. We found a number of areas where our setup was wrong and this book provided a very indepth look at the PIX product and enabled us to fix this easily and quickly. Good book for all users.

If you use PIX, get this book, it has a LOT of great info.

dawn patrol will give your reading a wakeup call--fun, exhilerating, fast-moving action focused around america's finest city, san diego

I would not suggest reading this book if you have read "The Power of the Dog," "The Death and Life of Bobby Z" or even "California Fire and Life." This book will disappoint you by comparison. It is not only thin in pages (especially when you consider that some of the chapters are a few sentences), but thin in story and character development. I suspect that it was written as a screenplay outline and then fleshed out. All of the characters are stereotypical and they don't end up doing much. Hopefully, Winslow will get the Hollywood bug out of his system and go back to books like "The Power of the Dog," which I thought was an epic.

The Dawn Patrol
As a life long fan of the genre, every since discovering Ian Fleming and John MacDonald( Travis McGee), Don Winslow just shot into my fave five mystery writers list. "The Dawn Patrol" is as good as it gets.The story never lets up from start to finish and his main character Boone Daniels is one of a kind. I hope we hear from him again down the road. Winslow captures the Southern California surf scene perfectly. Any writer who can weave in information about early surf rock and talk about Dick Dale and The Chantays is capturing a time long gone but worth remembering. I was so " stoked' about this book that I ordered up two other outstanding Winslow books- " The Winter of Frankie Machine" and " The Death and Life of Bobby Z" If you want action,drama, escape and wacked out characters this is the book and author. " Cowabunga" AP1

I ordered this book after reading a glowing review in the LA Times. Boy, was that reviewer right. Fascinating story, characters to care for, and an inside look at the southern California surf culture. Beautifully written mystery, bringing together the history of the region with today's concerns.

I just love this guy. He and Michael Connelly are the two authors whose novels I anticipate with the intent of buying the day they are released. Other writers I wait for the paperback, but those two are just too good. Elmore Leonard comparisons abound in reviews of Winslow's work, but I enjoy Winslow's work full of quirky characters even more. This is not as good as "Power of the Dog", which I consider his masterpiece to date, but it is still a great read.
As I read this novel I felt like I got to know a whole cast of characters. Winslow is able to tell the reader so much about each of his characters in often sparce prose. You can picture every one of the Dawn Patrol as well as the novels other colorful cast of characters; Petra, Tammy, Teddy D-Cup, Red Eddie, and Dan Silver, and I'll guarantee that as you read this book you'll have a vivid image of these folks just like Winslow envisioned when he created them. That is why his novels are 5 star reads. Great characters, wonderful dialogue, and plots containing several interesting twists and subplots. The only bummer is I have to wait a year or two for the next great ride.