R Books

This book is undoubtedly one of R.L. Stine's finest anthologies. It is awesome and consistently scary. So many of the stories are really terrifying. Here are some my favorites:

"Pumpkinhead" 9/10: Great story. I won't give too much away, but it's about a kid, his friend, and his brother who get more than they bargained for when they go pranking in a pumpkin patch.

"Nightmare Inn" 10/10: What can I say? This has it all. Werewolves, creepy inns, and weird receptionists. Great ending, by the way.

"I'm Not Martin" 10/10: This was my all-time-favorite of the book. My score really doesn't do it justice, seeing how absolutely nerve-wracking and disturbing this story is. I won't ruin it, only that you, no matter how much you are desensitized to horror, even you will get at least a moderate fear of hospitals. This will scare you even more than that buckets-of-gore movie "Hostel". This should be make into a big blockbuster summer movie.

"Afraid of Clowns" 9/10: Let's just say you won't want to be a clown's "assistant". EVER.

"The Dead Body" 9/10: Definitely had an awesome twist ending. That alone is worth reading this story for.

Also, the other stories in this book, with a score but no comment:

"Alien Candy" 8/10
"The Most Evil Sorcerer" 7/10
"The Black Mask" 8.5/10
"Make Me A Witch" 7.5/10
"The Ghostly Stare" 8/10

That, in a nutshell, is what I think of the book. At first, I thought it was just a wimpy kid's horror book; but after reading it, I loved it. Definitely one of the, if not the best R.L. Stine anthologies ever. I thought I have just one more thing to say: BUY IT. NOW.

This is a really excellent short story book. Each story is very original, and the art is really crazy for the books. The story synopsis are below, and the rating, just to give you an idea of what they're about.

1. Pumpkinhead: 5/5 - A crazy tale of three kids who go to a pumpkin patch at night, and the terror that lurks within. A pretty awesome tale.

2. Alien Candy: 4/5 - A strange and bizarre tale of an alien lover's club and the truth behind the kids.

3. The Most Evil Sorceror: ?/? - This probably doesn't help, but I didn't read this one. Oops!

4. Nightmare Inn: 5/5 - A pretty humurously scary tale of an abandoned inn where a young girl and her mom are renovating, and the truth about what lies within, and the truth about the nice woman who owns it, Priscilla.

5. I'm Not Martin: 6/5 - Super original tale that is so deeply distrubing because it COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!!!

6. The Black Mask: 5/5 - Almost like a mini book about a group of friends who feel that they can see the fatal past of a group of kids through a black mask found in the basement of the main character's new home.

7. Afraid Of Clowns: 4/5 - Me, being a total freak-out when it comes to clowns, didn't want to read this story, but when I finally did, it was pretty crazy!

8. The Dead Body: 5/5 - This one had a very Twilight Zone-esque feel to it. It was pretty awesomely put together.

9. Make Me A Witch: 4/5 - A pretty freaky tale about a girl who wants to become a witch. Pretty freaky!!

10. The Ghostly Stare: 4/5 - A pretty awesome story about what happens in a graveyard at night, told from the POV of a girl and her brother. The ending is pretty strange and a little unexpected, but still a great story.

Sorry about number 3. I'm gonna read it right after this review. Otherwise, I hope you get the picture and buy the book because it's really awesomely cool and fun and terrifying to read at night!

This was a really fun book to read. Each story is different. Each story is scarey. If you loved Goosebumps... this is better. Highly recommended.

R.L. Stine is one of the best authers that i have had the pleasure of reading. Even though this book is for kids, i am still reading it at the age of 16. i still get goosebumps from reading his stories.

Genre: Scary
Three Sentence summary: There were a lot of character but the main ones were Pumkin head, The black mask, and The ghostly lady. The problem was that they were scaring people and being thiefs. The last time they were seen was in a dark cemetary.
What I liked most about the book: I liked the stories in it because they felt real.
What I didn't like and why: I did not like the ending of some stories because they were not that good.
My favorite character and why: My favorite character were the allien bugs because they were bad and thiefs.
The scene,line,or passage that meant something to me and why (page#): "He was a very good friend". Because it tells you there are good friends and bad friends and you have to appreciate the good ones. Page.121
What I would say about this book to someone else: I would say that this book is worth reading because it keeps you in suspense, and it will scare you.
One question i have after reading this book: How does R.L Stines come up with this book.
My strongest reason for recommending this book: It's a good, mysterious book that will scare your pants off.

What a great read! Awe Inspiring, Alaskan all the way. Does not get more raw than that! I grew up in the bush hearing tales of the good old days. This is a story worth every word.

I spent time in the village of Huslia and actually taught in the school Jimmy started there. I met Jimmy's brother Sidney, who also wrote an awesome book, SHADOWS ON THE KOYUKUK. This is a beautiful, but harsh country where survival was not a given. This is a marvelous book..... unforgetable........ a must-read for a lover of adventure and the wilderness!

Recently, I have been fascinated by Alaska and the people that inhabit(ed) its interior. The life of Jim Huntington is to be admired by everyone. This book was a fast read and a real page turner. It is more adventurous than many fictional tails I have read. Excellent and should be read by everyone.

I think I bought the last eight copies, so please order more, Amazon. I teach high school in the Alaskan bush, and it is extremely difficult to find books that my non-readers enjoy reading that also have academic value. This book, and "Shadows on the Koyukuk" by Sidney Huntington, Jimmy's brother, have given my students insight into the transition between traditional Native culture and current native culture with its White influence and inclusion. My copies are going into the Alaska History tub of materials from our district resource center, to be shared by the other schools in our district. We will need more copies.

Jimmy Huntington wrote the best read I have seen in awhile--not too flowery, just basic truth. I loved it!!! Bonnie

This incredible book reminded me of the old Twilight Zone story where a stranger comes into town with only a book in his hand. He seems to be a wise man because he has unique and interesting ideas. The townsfolk however become worried that the man and his book might come from some alien world. Without even wondering what the book is about, they punish him and the ending is not a good one for the stranger.

In today's world, we all seem afraid of making better changes. We seem afraid of being politically incorrect. If we don't come together soon, we all will have the same fate as the stranger.

This book is like a cookbook. It is filled with simple recipe solutions that will help us in our everyday world. It will allow us to be better people. It will allow us to take control and make us responsible for our actions. I can't think of a more important book...ever. Every single American needs to take a look at the moral and logical solutions that are staring us in the face, a face called RENEW.

I was blown away by the ideas in this book. After listening to all the political pundits and talk show gurus I finally figured out something. And, that is, they don't help us. Oh sure they make us aware of the issues, and sometimes even give us both sides of a topic. I've come to realize however that Rush, Dr. Laura, Hannity, O'Reilly, Savage and the others really just talk about ideas. Maybe that is all America can handle. Maybe that is what we are use to. But, maybe we have never thought about the idea of taking it one step further. There is talk and then there is truly solving the problems. All these wiz kids really don't have a clue. E. R. Marks truly understands the issues, truly understands the process of solving problems and truly understands the action plans to get us there. We all know the issues, we have all heard the topics a million times. Don't you think it is time for America to want to do more than just survive. RENEW can help everyone succeed, and it has everything we need to get us there. Simply Amazing!!

Unlike the millions of so-called solutions before it, RENEW is the most dynamic answer to the problems of this millennium. It doesn't blame any group or individuals for past irresponsibilities and doesn't focus on what we should have done like all the other books out there. It doesn't rant and rave like the big talk shows and TV talk celebrities. It merely gives a do-over with huge results. In a quite profound way, it simply shows us how to succeed in this tough world of ours. There are answers to drugs, marriage, divorce, relationships, smoking, social security, poverty, gambling, guns and so many other issues. But, the answers are so new and so refreshing that you will wonder why no one has ever thought of them before as a collective idea. Today we all need to RENEW.

Unlike the millions of so-called solutions before it, RENEW is the most dynamic answer to the problems of this millennium. It doesn't blame any group or individuals for past irresponsibilities and doesn't focus on what we should have done like all the other books out there. It doesn't rant and rave like the big talk shows and TV talk celebrities. It merely gives a do-over with huge results. In a quite profound way, it simply shows us how to succeed in this tough world of ours. There are answers to drugs, marriage, divorce, relationships, smoking, social security, poverty, gambling, guns and so many other issues. But, the answers are so new and so refreshing that you will wonder why no one has ever thought of them before as a collective idea. Today we all need to RENEW.

We need this book more than ever. Our country has gone into a virtual tailspin with major problems, and there seems to be no end in sight. Just look at what has happened recently with the acceptance of gay marriages and families, the obesity of children, the lax sentencing of killers and rapists, the irresponsibility of so-called role models, etc., etc. When will it all end? There is hope however. RENEW is the closest thing to getting America back on track. The author has a vision that clearly identifies moral and logical solutions that everyone should understand and put into motion. Once you start it you won't want to put this book down and once you finish it you will realize that it represents all the possibilities of changing your life for the better. Tell everyone you know to read it. If you pay it forward, we will finally witness a new and RENEWED America.

if you looking for a db2 beginners book...its a right choice...even if you are a exp. dba, this book can come handy anytime for any reference or as a guide..

If you are new to DB2 this is the book you need.
It covers all the basic information you need to start working with db2, in a easy way.
If you also want to get certified get the DBA guide or one of Sander's book, and you are all set to go.

I would highly recommend this book as both a beginning level resources as well as a shelf reference for the more experienced DBA. I love the format and layout. This makes it easy to find what you need.

This is an excellent book for DB2 if you are a beginner or even an intermediate skilled user. This book covers not only DB2 9, it covers DB2 9.5 and the facts that pertain only to v9.5 are duly bulleted/annotated with the version number. This book treats DB2 from a DBA point of view so the SQL examples are pretty basic if you are a hardcore SQL programmer. If you are looking only for SQL programming for DB2 this is not the book to buy. But for an administrator, this is one of the best reference books on the desk. Since this book has lot of visual examples, you see what the authors are talking about rather than forming a mental image. Also, it covers XML/XQuery in DB2 in detail. Moreover, this book is an excellent reference if you are taking certification in DB2.
If you are on the lookout for the one book that will kickstart your DB2 career; this is the one.

If you have to own one DB2 book (Linux,Unix,Windows) , buy this one. Usually I end up buying 2 books. The first being a book being very visual and easy to read but lacking any real detail and practical knowledge. The second book is usually a scary developers guide which is extremely thorough but requires a PHD to read it, or you end up using it as a reference.

This book hits dead on!! Incredibly easy to read with examples and visuals that make understanding difficult concepts easy, but its encompasses every important concept in DB2 with plenty of detail. I love this book and recommend it to anyone looking for the DB2 book to buy. Of course there are times you will need to access DB2 Info Center when you need very specific detail, but this book will provide you on the right track and explain how you got there perfectly. Hats off to the authors of this one.

Excellent book to read if you have lost a child or know someone who has. Helped to understand what I was feeling and what to expect.

After the death of my son, I purchased many books on this subject. This book is the only one that truly has helped me. I have read it twice, I know I will read it again. This book could have only been written by someone who experienced the despair of a bereaved parent. I am very grateful to the author.

I was given this book 2 years ago, when our oldest son was killed while working between college semesters councelling disabled adults. While dealing with, in our mind, the worse human tragedy, we read small passages at varying times. The old adage, "misery loves company" is true, and as we continue to try and live and breathe each day this books helps by sharing that other parents continue to live also. This book covers all types of deaths of children from illness, suicide, accidents etc.... Unfortunately, I have just purchased four more copies to give to other parents in our very small community who have tragically lost their greatest gift also, their child.

This is one of the more comforting of the many books which are now available to those who have lost a child. While such an event is the most heart breaking experience of life, it is consoling to read how others think, feel, and have handled such a tragedy. It is best read in small pieces, but well worth the time and effort.

I purchased this book for my parents when my brother died at the age of 29 in an auto accident. I felt helpless and knew we needed help to face the life ahead that seemed unappealing now. We needed people who would come around and really lend support and look to us for what our needs might be instead of suggesting those quick fixes in short "feel good quips" by extending a genuine offer of support which is more about being physically there, willing to help, or just sit near while we talk, rail, cry incessantly until our heads throb- those people usually number only in single digits. What we didn't need was our misery to be compounded by seeing reactions all too easy to read or being told directly that we're somehow not handling this in a healthy or normal way. As if there is one right way to grieve or a time at which "poof" you are healed? No, that always surprises me how little time we're given. As the author says, we will always carry this with us but over time will learn to adapt and as the author says she frequently heard, the second year for us was even harder. Now we are early into the third year and I am not surprised how many days or moments are still raw, as he was such an important part of my life from my earliest recollections until I was 33 and awoke to find he died alone in a ditch while I slept snug in my bed. Like seeing how much my three children have changed, knowing he has missed that, knowing how much joy he would bring to their lives were he here and the joy they would bring him, how hard he would laugh at the things they say and how proud he would be of them like he was when he was alive, how hard it is knowing that only through my stories will they remember him or know that he was so involved with them, that great brother of mine who was a great uncle.

I read this book as well as I was trying to understand the loss from my parent's perspective and I realized that it also was my story and that insights or events shared from others were those I could relate to -reactions from others or lack thereof, the lack of understanding from those who do not understand, the insensitive comments of many, the desertion of those too busy or too pained selfishly to come around, and the unspoken but clearly conveyed time frame in which society at large thinks one should heal, and those too few people whose support helped us keep our heads above water when we were sure we were going under. I was so angry at those who did not risk their discomfort with our pain to visit, or who when they did talk of Todd they did not use his name, or they would act sometimes as if it never happened at all, like he never WAS at all. That is the hardest to handle when you can no longer physically have them with you, hear their voice, or revel in their laughter and now there were those who would even deny you his memory when conversation comes to a screeching halt when you mention your loved one. They don't know what to say and sometimes that is exactly what you should say. There is no catchy "don't worry, be happy" phrase that will make it all better; but to be physically available despite your discomfort is vitally important to those in the midst of the hell that is a life forever altered without that key person whose meaning to you defies description with mere words. It feels visceral, that love, that loss. I cringe at the summary that says the author seems to suggest that we never "get over" the loss. Suggest? That reviewer has never had the rug pulled out from under him. Some phrases such as "get over" are always angering and trivialize the loved one we miss and the author bears our souls with the words we struggle to make understandable to educate those grieving, those in their lives, and society in general on loss. How could my parents not be devastated after their son whose smile lit up a room died so suddenly and who never got to reach the dreams we know he held, have the children he desired, etc.?

As a counselor, I have recommended this book over and over to ANYONE who has suffered a devastating loss because "parent" and "child" substituted with "person" and "loved one" will personalize the message and seem as if this author peered into your heart and wrote of your pain and struggle as well. I disagree with the review in which it was said that the author said when they're dead, they're dead and I NEVER saw that as I also would have been offended as our hope (which we will never part with and DO NOT attempt to take it!!) to see Todd in Heaven again someday is crucial to the healing that has begun, but the wound will always be there, somedays right in your face and other days just below the surface, unseen to others and often remaining there under your skin as you go through your days(suggesting to those who don't know loss that we're "over" it) but we know those memories, both fond and painful, come up at all the expected times and also at those times even years later when you're out and about and are stopped dead in your tracks because "he really like that song" or "he would have liked that movie" or when your heart feels pierced because you realize you are watching that young man because he looks like your brother, moves about like he did, you haven't seen your brother move in the flesh for a long time, too long, and you watch him for a while knowing it is not him and yet imagining that it is so you can reminisce because you want to remember always. Yes, that is normal and this book is written by someone who unfortunately knows first hand and that is what makes this book so helpful.

I feel strongly that this book can help not only parents faced with the unthinkable, but siblings such as myself, or even those who have someone they care about who is suffering and they want to try and understand and be more sensitive to that loss, and yes, for counselors who HAVE to be genuine and the insight, if you don't know it personally, will make the difference between healing and hurting the client because you "just don't get it."

A Sensible Match
Arabella is all you want a girl to be--spunky, smart and full of life. She masquarades as an heiress so that she won't be accused of matrimonial fortune hunting. The person she most tries to fool is the one who knows her secret. As a joke he helps convince all of polite society that she has a fortune as great as his own. She now has to endure fortune hunters of her own while she is strangely draw to the person who caused this absurd misadventure. Beaumaris is a wealthy, hardened cynic who learns from a poor vicar's daughter how to love and how to collect more than one kind of charity case. This is a must read, a humorous match of wits with more than one surprising twist!

Georgette Heyer at her best! If you want to read a good Regancy story filled with perfect characterizations, dialogue, humor, charm and wit, with no anachronisms or modern-day mentalities, look no further than 'Arabella'. You will laugh all through the book and fall in love with the two main characters, the adorable Arabella and the mischevious, yet big hearted Mr. Beaumaris.

There are so many things I loved in this book that it's hard to mention it all, but what makes this book specially good and sets it way higher than any modern 'romance' stories is the way in which the hero, Mr Beaumaris, falls in love with Arabella. I loved the fact that he doesn't fall for her beauty, nor for her innocence, nor for her intelligence (though Arabella certainly has all of that and more), but for her strength of character and her big hearted generosity towards those who are scorned by society. Arabella is one of the very few heroines out there who not only cares for the poor and the weak, but is willing to go to any lengths to help them, however much people try to convince her that it would make her a laughingstock among the 'ton'.

Mr. Beaumaris is quite simply a dream. Heroes that are confident, rich and handsome are plenty, but how many of them have his sense of humor and his willingness to please Arabella by doing things as demeaning to somebody of his status as adopting a stray dog? His conversations with 'Ulysses' were simply priceless, well worth the price of the book alone. Highly reccommended!

I'm a big Heyer fan, and I have to say the last third of the book had me laughing hard every few pages. Extremely witty book.

The story was an entertaining, light read innocent enough for a young girl to enjoy (despite the fact that the main character annoyed me thoroughly on more than one occasion). However, the skeleton plot was so reminicent of Pride and Prejudice, I could not help but make continual comparisons to the authentic Regency masterpiece and find Heyer's work lacking in Miss Austen's depth.

Another Heyer favorite of mine (of which I have many!LOL), this story chronicles the escapades of Arabella. She is the eldest daughter of a vicar in the countryside, with 7 other siblings, and she has just received notice from her godmother in London that she will be sponsoring her coming out into polite society. She is one of Heyer's younger heroines, being only 17, but she is a very delightful heroine! She has beauty, intelligence, and a mind of her own.

While on her way to London, her carriage breaks down outside the estate of the hero, Mr. Robert Beaumaris. Mr. Beaumaris, called the "Nonpareil" by his peers, is THE gentlemen to emulate by those around him. Wealthy, handsome, fashionable, and above all, very cynical and bored. He has little trust for those of the more delicate gender, as so many chase after him for his money, so when Arabella and her chaperone seek shelter at his home he thinks Arabella is another scheming female only after his wealth.

When Arabella overhears Mr. Beaumaris saying this to his friend, she becomes incensed that he could think she's dangling after him and in a fit of temper she tells him she's a wealthy heiress. This little lie sets in motion a chain of events, many hilarious, that naturally culminates in a happy ending!

Of course, this being a Heyer book you will find wonderful secondary characters and very detailed descriptions of Regency England. And lots of humour and laugh-out-loud moments!

The Bob book series are excellent for encouraging very beginning readers. Each page has only a few words and kids who are just beginning to sound out and read the stories. This makes them want to keep learning. The only thing to watch out for is kids sometimes memorize the books if they read only one or two over and over so you need to mix them up to have them actually read the books.

I've been using these with my 4 and 5 year olds and they both love them.

I am amazed at how these books have helped my 4.5 year old son take off with his reading. He eats these books up, and I have taken to letting him read one in bed at night with a little book light to encourage his reading. He even asks about the punctuation marks and what they mean! By the time he hits kindergarten I think he will be through the whole set!

These books have really helped my 5yo daughter get confident in her reading skills. I would highly recommend them to any beginning reader. They are fun stories but the words are all easy to sound out. I'm amazed at how many 3-letter words are in our language that I hadn't thought about!

I am a Special Education teacher. I help children with learning disabilities (K-5) learn to read. I don't think there are words for how highly I want to reccommend these books to parents and other educators. These books are PHONICS based and they are systematic and sequential. They help train a child's brain to see the patterns in the english language. Learning these patterns is how children learn to read. Other reviews have slammed these books for being boring and low interest. Are they the most exciting and engaging books ever? No, not really. Will they help your child/student learn to read? YES, they will. And the stories have enough content that I am able to monitor comprehension with questions such as "Who was this story about?", "Why did the fox try to hide when he saw the hen?", and "How do you think the animals felt when they saw the fox?". But most importantly, it is just such a thrill to see that expression of astonished pride on the child's face when they finish reading the book to you all by themselves. It's that bewildered sense of accomplishment that makes my students willing to take on new challenges and continue improving their reading skills.

I liked this set but unfortunatly it contained many of the same books as the first set, which we already have. I think they could have done it a little differently. If I had it to do over again I would have either skipped this set or started off with this one and skipped the first one.

This lady has spent years researching ancient techniques and it is to her credit that granulation and woven chain has finally come to America.

These chains are not soldered; they are fused and woven. I recommend you have at least a semester of college level jewelry or several years of soldering under your belt before jumping in with this one. But it worthwhile if you want to make chains that are worthy of royalty, or have a chain for a piece of art jewelry that will do it justice.

This is a workbook, progressing from the simplest and easiest to progressively more complex chains. After the first couple hundred fused links you become pretty adept. After fusing the links, you will learn to weave links into patterns. These are not your ordinary chains. They are strong, beautiful and flexible.

Jean is obsessively precise in her work, so this book is very precise. She goes over what gauges work for which patterns, as well as all the little tips that make a chain look superb. It's a lovely book, very well-written and one to be included in a goldsmith's library.

To get a better idea of the creativity and precision of this lady's work, go to Randy Smith's website: http://www.rocksmyth.com/ and look for Jean Stark's work. Prepare to be amazed at all the lovelies and realize that pictures do not do her work justice, as good as the pictures are. Many of the chains are made with 30 ga. wire, which is not much thicker than sewing thread. Her chains feel like silk.

If you're serious about making fine quality chains, then you need this book. Jean Stark is the guru.

This was just what I was looking for. Clear instructions with photos. A great find!

This is great information with very east to read instructions. Not for the lazy or faint of heart.Great ancient traditions brought back to life.

Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains & Their Derivatives is the full title which I find still does not adequately describe the book.

This book is an instruction manual rather than a reference source. The instructions presented have been tried and tested on a number of students, and incorporates feedback from the students. The black and white photographs shown are of the chain work produced by the students as well as the author.

Loop-in-loop is the description of how chains are constructed with each chain link looping within each other to form a chain. Examples of this type of chain are on the front cover of the book.

The classical chains covered in this book are described as single loop-in-loop, side-weave single, single though-bead, basic pinched loop, roman pinched loop, pinched loop with wrapped beads, pinched loop through-beads, basic double loop-in-loop, double with wrapped beads, weave-off double, two-way double loop-in-loop, three-way double loop-in-loop, four-way double loop-in-loop, multiple soldered single, multiple soldered pinched loop, pinched loop with spacers, multiple woven single mesh, multiple woven double. In all 34 chains are described, 16 derivatives of the 18 definitely attributed ancient style of chains.

The main emphasis of this instruction work is on using fine silver and fusing to form whole links incorporating annealing, and then shaping into the links, and then forming the chain. Detailed step-by-step instructions are given on forming links up front, and then each chain has instructions on how to shape the required link, and then form into the chain. This book clearly explains and demonstrates these techniques and processes.

Each chain has a list of the materials needed (in inches and gauges (thickness) - appendices contain conversions) to make it at a given length. These can be used as references for links/inch or used to adjust as necessary to form a necklace or bracelet of given length. An appendix is supplied which gives recommended dowel diameters for the wire gauges for making variations to basic chains. The authors viewpoint is that making chains is an art form, and this book is to develop the students abilities and to encourage their own subsequent development and personal refinement of explained techniques.

Although primarily based on fine silver work (sterling is unsuitable for these techniques - if you solder links that is a different technique), the book does cover how to produce fused chains in 22K gold (including 22k gold metal alloy composition that was used in antiquity and for which these techniques work best).

There is a 25 page chapter on clasps and terminations, cross referenced with what chains they are suitable for, and the chains are cross referenced with what clasps and terminations are suitable.

This book does not have colour photographs. It has diagrams (at enlarged sizes for easier viewing) showing how to form the chain links and join with the next link and or terminate. Black and white photographs show finished chains and/or portions of finished chains. There are no photographs of ancient chains, and very little information on any apart from the detailed instructions on how to make them. Occasionally there are snippets about the existence of such an ancient chain, and even where it is located.

If you do not currently possess silverworking/chainworking tools you will need to purchase them to make the chains in this book, as well as needing work bench space. There are details in the book about what tools you will need, and for the USA where to obtain them. This book does not go over any of the safety aspects of using blowtorches or kilns. Please make sure you have on instruction on these before proceeding.

With the price of silver (and gold) the making of the chains will not be inexpensive, but if you wish to learn how to make a number of chains, this book will explain how.

This is a well organised, well presented instructional book. I would suggest to re-read the two pages covering "Weaving" and "Achieving best results" with "common problems and how to avoid them" before commencing each chain.

i find this book to be a great help when i am desiging necklaces, bracelets and even drop earrings. this is something every jeweler needs in their library.

This book is a non-stop argument for successfull thinking. Mr Castro reminds us that we are in charge of our own potential and it is never too late to begin to accomplish your dreams and goals. This no excuses approach is motivating and inspiring.

When craziness breaks loose in your life, how will you handle it? Not that each of us will experiences the type of heartbreak often inevitable in life, but Critical Choices examines how overcoming difficulty is largely a matter of how you choose to focus your mind. What do you think will happen? Now that might sound easy when not faced with difficulty, but the author talks to so many people some famous and some not, and shows us examples on how focus and belief in an outcome will cause us to act accordingly. The examples from Martin Luther King, Walt Disney, James Earl Jones and countless others are inspiring and uplifting. While we may have heard the believe it, achieve it homily before, Castor motivates readers, inherent in the examples that there are ways the average person can achieve a hero's status in life.

Critical Choices by Dan Castro is one of the largest sources of inspiration I have come across in many years. The book is a quick read, and packs an incredible amount of motivation.

Each success story is easy to understand, and all of them are relevant to every day life, and the bulk will likely help you do what needs to be done; make choices to change your life for the better. All the short accounts of the Hero's lives are bound by common themes which led them to success.

Critical Choices will likely change the way you think about many things for the better, and positively change the way you perceive the world.

I learned a great deal from reading Dan's book, and I plan on sharing it with my friends and family. I suggest you do the same.

One day I was in a very cool book store People's Books) in Austin, Texas; you know those lazy, Summer afternoons when you find yourself all blissed out with the very, very rare opportunity of time? Time to think about your place here, your life and the bountiful world we create around us. Well, as soon as I walked into the store, I felt this magnetic pull toward the second floor...as I rounded the corner up the stair case, I came across this handsome gentle, sweet man in a suit, with this impressively large poster sized cover of a book. It was clear he was getting ready to speak, not privy to the topic of this book or if even this bright soul had written it, I checked out the cover and asked if he was going to be speaking soon and if he had written this book? His warm reply cemented my interested in hearing what this intriguing stranger had share with an intimate group, in a funky book store in Central Texas. When the time approached for him to begin, I took my seat quietly at the front of the room. The beautiful little voice inside me said that I was in for delicious surprise! As soon as Dan Castro stood up in front of the room and began to speak, I was captivated! His beautifully woven tale of how this book came to be was like watching an artist recreate with love and compassion. The light in his eyes as he held the room for more than an hour was so incredibly vibrate, that it made you lean forward with the concentration level of a surgeon. I was so taken by the heart, drive and message coming from this man that the hour felt like only seconds had passed. It was such a gift to have stumbled across this book that I bought two copies that day right after he was done and I have bought three more since, for family and friends. In today's busy world, I know we all wish we had more time to read; please let me personally assure you this book is worth the precious spare time you indulge yourself to read a wonderfully good book!

Like many inspiring, self-help books, Castro's contains myriad stories of "success" under fire. But to me, the most important point he makes is that we all face decision points in our lives. We can CHOOSE how we respond. A common thread ties together almost all of those briefly profiled in this book--they chose to act in an "heroic" manner.

I was especially interested in Castro's first chapter where he laid out his thinking about the difference between what he defines as "heroes," and the rest of us. The secret, he asserts, lies with how they answer three questions: 1. What are you focusing on? 2. What do you believe? 3. What are you expecting.

As a life coach, I think these are excellent questions for anyone who wants to achieve anything outside of their comfort zone. In fact the entire first chapter of the book where Castro develops his thesis about why "heroes" make the choices they do, was informative and helpful. His Seven Laws of Critical Focus could be a roadmap for people who are looking for ways to help them meet challenges in their own lives.

This book is just as most of the reviews have said. Fantastic pictures and stories of the original DOGTOWN Z-BOYS in their heyday. I don't understand how the previous reviewer can say it was "not what she expected" ? THE STORIES AND PROFILES IN THIS BOOK ARE WHAT MADE THE Z-BOYS! It's all about the Z-Boys and the cult that surrounded them, and no one else, so she is mistaken when she says it's not about the Z-Boys, she just must not have taken the time to actually look at the book. It is the ultimate resource on the Z-Boys. There was never anything as important as these stories and pictures to "The Legend" that showed the world what these guys did, who they were, and where they came from. And C.R. Stecyks's words go far beyond what you would expect! Top notch story telling and social commentary. The Glen E. Friedman photos alone, in the second half of the book, are worth it's price. All the photography is so colorful, literally and figuratively. This is true 1970's Southern California Americana at it's best. A must for ANY Z-Boys, Skateboarding, or 70's Pop-cuture fan.

If you love creative non-fiction, you'll love this book. Even if you have no emotional attachment to skateboarding, even if you hate skateboarding. The photographs could do all the talking, but once you read the words of CR Stecyk, you'll be a skateboard enthusiast even if you've never seen a half-pipe.

Journalist Stecyk and photographer Friedman grew up in the creative 1970s California coast atmosphere in which their friends pioneer skateboarders, the Z-boys, reinvented their sport. They lived amongst them, they were them. They utelized their artistic talents to chronicle the birth of the Santa Monica surf-skate culture, and their exploits are compiled in this book, a tangible, more-comprehensive version of Peralta's documentary "Dogtown and Z-boys." See the film, get the book, you'll be hooked.

If you were around when Dogtown was the thing, or are just interested in this era of skateboarding, don't miss out on this book! It's got tons of great photos, and of course, the original articles that were in "Skateboarder" magazine. This book is very well constructed; hard-bound glossy pages, all for less than half the price of an old Skateboarder issue on e-bay. Totally worth the money!

I'm not into skating but my 17 year old nephew Stephen is. He is hard to shop for and when I saw this book I knew it was for him. Let me tell you it was a HUGE hit on Christmas morning! The pictures are great and anything that gets kids interested in reading these days gets my vote.

When I bought this book I expected a biography-type book, like the story of the Z-Boys. That's not really what this is. It's just a collection of articles written about skateboarding during their time. It also has some interviews with Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, and Jay, but the book is mostly about skateboarding during this time, not really about the Z-boys.

It does have a really good amount of photos of them though. So, if you are a skateboarder, this would be a good book, but for a fan of the Z-Boys, this might just be a disapointment.