Journals Books

This is easily in the top three funniest books I've ever read(and I've read alot.) The imagination behind the Wade brother'sletters themselves is incredible. And clearly their targets just don't get it. Please, Wade brothers, do this again!

A very good follow up to MY BUSH PIG'S NAME IS BORIS, Humorist James "Woody" Wade is joined by his brother, Stu "Pointster" Wade in this effort. It's great to see that the business world can poke fun at itself by doing nothing more than business as usual. Can be easily read in one sitting if you don't mind cleaning up after yourself from time to time

The authors do a masterful job of exposing the humorless self-importance of the subjects of their correspondence. The discerning reader will detect a strain of melancholy and futility running throughout the mirthless, dehumanized responses to the authors' inquiries. Bravo, Brothers Wade!

For those with a good sense of humor ... this is a must read !! I knew the book just a little before Mr. James Wade came to my school. Then he was my professor in a great management course. You can't imagine how fun and professional this great person is. The book gives perfectly the image of how "Woody" is creative ! Do not miss this hilarious peace of work !!

I got this book a couple years ago and love it. It's great to take to places where you'll have to wait a while because you don't need to read it from beginning to end- you can open it to anyplace and flip around. I loved how the Wade brothers assumed the identies of all sorts of people, from mental patients to animal jewelry designers. It just shows how versatile they are. Their letters are always formal, though hilarious (such as asking Listerine for recipies and trying to find a house shaped like a W that can withstand atomic bombs). An excellent book for long- or short-term reading.

Leer al Capitán Alatriste en todas sus aventuras es volver a ser adolescente con un intelecto de universitario. Esta serie, nos recuerda a Alejandro Dumas, el ídolo de Reverte. En El Oro del Rey, cada página tiene una aventura y una nota histórica de la tierra madre que no fue nuestra tierra ni nuestra madre y que se llevó todas las riquezas del nuevo continente para financiar la guerra contra los moros.
Lo recomiendo igual que todos los otros seis o siete de esta serie. Advertencia: Si no tiene tiempo para dedicársele enteramente a este libro, no lo abra porque lo va a atrapar y al final, usted quedará diciendo, ¿cuándo leo el próximo libro?

Just finished the fourth of this magical saga of adventures and I cannot wait to purchase the next couple of tomes! Once again suspense crawls with a slow and patient pace, characters are resuscitated from Velázquez's canvases, the narrative borrows conspicuously Cervantine sketches, and the action episodes sprawl spontaneously with diminutely described fencing and brawling scenes. Do Pérez-Reverte's books get published in English? Such Spielbergesque epic is worth its circulation in one too many a tongue.

The saga of Captain Alatriste continues, as told by his young ward, Inigo Balboa. Inigo is growing up now and taking a more active role in the adventures. And Alatriste is growing more weary, a man of immeasurable courage, but with no illusions. In this adventure, Alatriste has returned from the war in Flanders only to receive a new and equally dangerous assignment in beautiful Seville.

As in the other books, Alatriste hangs out with the lights of Spanish society and with some of the dregs, moves easily in dangerous circles, takes on his new assignment with his usual few words and cold eyes. This time the adventure has to do with the king's gold, on its way from the Americas, much of it disappearing into unauthorized pockets. It's a truly deadly enterprise, but as usual--well, no, you'll just have to read it for yourself.

As always author Perez-Reverte writes brilliantly, with just the right mixture of sword-swinging action and cynical introspection about the sorry state of Spain in the Golden Age. He's a former war correspondent, so the writing is real and personal. As always I found many words not in my Spanish dictionaries, but I was usually able to figure out what was happening. Oh yes, Alatriste gets to meet the king, however briefly, and Inigo has another fateful encounter with his love interest, Angelica. Another great episode. What will I ever do when they're all finished? I recommend it highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

In "El Oro del Rey" Perez-Reverte continues the story of Iñigo Balboa and his teacher/mentor/protector Capitan Alatriste. The story has elements of suspense, danger, love, betryal, loyalty, friendship and courage, and keeps the reader so captivated that I had a hard putting down the book and wished the story would never end. In this story Iñigio is betrayed by the women he has fallen dangerosuly in love the beautiful Angelica de Alquezar and is almost killed by the infamous italian hired killer Gualterio Malatesta, only to be saved at the lsat minute by Captain Alatriste and his friends. The story continues on as Captain Alatriste puts into motion the plan to rescue the King's gold with the help of a motley group of hired men that come from the underbelly of 17th century Seville society. It is in this part of the book that Pereze-Reverte shines in his ability to not only spin a good yarn, but to use the various characters, plot, narrative and historical context to make social commentary on Spain's polticial and social development. I highly recommend this book.

Una flota proveniente de Indias está por llegar a puerto, trayendo un valioso cargamento de productos americanos y, lo más interesante, toneladas de oro. No sólo la amenazan los peligros del mar y los piratas, sino también los funcionarios corruptos de un imperio en decadencia, que quieren sacar una buena tajada. El Capitán Alatriste tiene la misión de evitar que manos ajenas a las del rey obtengan ese oro; en esta aventura estará rodeado de gente que no tiembla al empuñar la espada, como Íñigo y Quevedo. Le acompañan Sebastián Copons, un viejo soldado y compañero de fatigas en Flandes; Saramago el portugués, un hombre de leyes y letras amén de espada, que despacha almas por encargo y por necesidad; y Juan Eslava, un jienense rubicundo, bardudo y sonriente, apodado El Galán de la Alameda. Esta novela, fabulosa y embaucadora de principio a fin, llena de hondura y de realismo, es un retablo social, una crónica cultural y un personaje cuya grandeza crece al ritmo de sus hazañas.Alatriste vuelve de la ciudad de Breda para continuar con sus desventuras en una ciudad española conocida por los lectores de Arturo gracias a "La piel del tambor". En Sevilla Alatriste se reencontrará con la realidad de su patria, con los peligros acechantes de sus enemigos y con su propio destino final.

Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation

This is an ambitious and serious work, accessible in style, and packed with information in over four hundred pages. It has three main themes, clearly defined in the introduction.
The first is the love between Adrienne Monnier and Sylvia. The details of this, so we are told, 'were and are still little known' in 1983 when this book was first published. The second is her admiration for, and championship of, James Joyce. The third is her bookshop, Shakespeare and Company, which was a key feature of the literary scene in Paris between the two World Wars.
By far the most detail is provided on her professional relationship with Joyce. Her efforts to get Ulysses published and smuggled into America, her financial and personal efforts to support the author, and the amount of time and energy she invested, are the key theme of the book.
Naturally Sylvia knew all the other familiar literary figures of the time. Hemingway and Pound are frequently mentioned, as is Gertrude Stein.
As intimated in the introduction there is less to be said about more personal relationships. In a way this seems rather a pity. The anecdotal style and recurring references to various incidents along the way give the writing a rather disjointed feel. Inevitably there is also a certain sense of déja vu particularly for anyone familiar with biographies of Hemingway for example.
The strength and the weakness of the book is the amount of text devoted to James Joyce. Joyce attracts great, but not universal, enthusiasm. The man himself seems to have had more arrogance than charm. Depending on the side of this divide which the reader favours this book will firmly hold the attention or will, in places, rather pall.

This is one of the best books that I've ever read about the 'lost generation' of Americans literary refugees in Paris. The writing is excellent, the research exhaustive and thorough with unparalleled access to Ms. Beach's 'surpressed' portions of her autobiography "Shakespeare and Company". It is readily apparent from this book that without Ms. Beach and her unflinching support, there would have been no "Ulysses" (and maybe no James Joyce). But there was so many other authors she supported and nurtured as well, as the quote from Ernest Hemingway cited above illustrates as well. This book is almost a 'must read' for those persons interested in American literature of the mid 20th century.

This one has been around for some time now and it is not the worse for wear. For those interested in our literature and literary Paris during the 1920s and 1930s, then this is one of those "must reads" (I truely hate that term, but know of no better to describe the improtance of this work at this time). The author's research is absolutely miticulous and fills in many gaps in the story of this remarkable woman. Do be warned though. Many of the names of people mentioned here are rather obscure (at this day and time) for those not immersed in the literary world. This can make the work a bit difficult to follow at times. That being said, this is a wonderful work to read to cause many of these names to become less obscure than they are now...one more of the many reasons to read this work! The book covers some of the intimate details of Beach's relationship with friends and lovers that she so well side steps in her own account of this time. Recommend this one highly. Actually, you probably should purchase this one as it is one that is a good book for reference and one you will probably want to reread.

This is quite a spectacular book, a privileged look into the most famous English language bookstore in Paris, Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare & Company. Not only is it delightful to read the history of how Sylvia's modest dream became such a huge success, but it is also fascinating to read about Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce when they were young. The language is rich and fulfilling, the photos insightful, and in the end, I really felt as if I had been part of it all, sitting in Sylvia's bookstore, hearing the rustle of pages as the day passed away.

This is one of those books where you care about the characters. Their past and future becomes important and that the characters are real people make this book all the more fasinating. A book one does want to end. But end it does with style.

This is a fun little book, perfect for our current risk averse climate. You will learn about every odd every day object that could potentially do you harm. The entries recap studies that show potential side effects of such things as bowling, high chairs and optimism. The only thing I would like to see is a bit more information on each item. A typical entry lists the name of an object, and a danger but it doesn't explain much about why this is or how to prevent it.

In this fun little book, author and professor Dr. David French clues you in on what is bad for you, and the bad news is that it is everything! You know that too much of a good thing can be bad, well in this book Dr. French goes through all sorts of things that *can* be bad for you, including normal eyesight(!), licorice and even sleep. Yeah, this is a fun book, filled with lots of interesting points that you will want to toss at the ones you love - and keep them up at night worrying!

I loved this book, and highly recommend it!

What I liked about this book is that it's not only very funny, it also contains huge amounts of information about things that may actually be bad for you. The author himself is somewhat agnostic about how much of this stuff you should believe, but I found myself reassessing the things I eat, as well as becoming more alert about issues I hadn't given much thought to, like the reliability of medical care and prescription drugs. There's something for everyone: for example, any woman who is pregnant (or thinking of becoming so), should pay attention to what the book says about things from aspirin and soft cheeses to seafood and swimming pools. A small treasure.

A confirmed optimist, I surprised myself by liking this book a lot. It is a fascinating, being both very humorous and informative at the same time, and hard to put down. The writer presents evidence which suggests that not alone is everything bad for you, but that you are "damned if you do, and damned if you don't". It will make you laugh, which is good for you, but then again, maybe laughing isn't good for you! There is also an excellent list of websites to help track down solid information on a wide range of health issues. So I reckon whether you are an optimist or maybe a pessimist, looking for a laugh or trying to get some solid information on particular issues, or looking for a Christmas stocking present, check it out.

I can honestly say this book can provide hours of entertainment. Who knew that staples caused so many office accidents? Oh and did you know that holy water is actually bad for you?

Of course, there are the staple things that everyone knows is harmful to your health- drugs, smoking, drinking. But even with those the author adds at least something you didn't know, plus his little quips make all that drug education pounded into your head in middle school actually funny.

The book is in dictionary format- best idea ever. Get this book, then have all your friends shout out something and you look it up. I'm sure it could make an interesting drinking game too, I haven't tried though.

If you're a parent and would like to annoy the hell out of your child, if you're a hypochondriac and you need something to blame, or maybe if you're just bored, this is a great book. But if you are paranoid, I wouldn't recommend it. This will definetly not make you feel good.

I use this cookbook and get raves for the recipes I cook. I've never used a recipe that wasn't absolutely delicious. The recipes in this book are also adaptable to your own recipes. Maine Chicken Pie is a wonderful recipe that I adapted by adding potatoes and frozen vegies. Now instead of one pie I get two, one to eat and one to share. If you haven't tried this one, now is the best time. I ordered the hardback through Amazon.com as an out of print book. Happy Cooking!

I purchased this edition in 1972 and used it until the pages stuck together and the binding disintegrated. This is the ultimate in comfort food cookery.

I will be purchasing two more for my kids.

I have only one word to define this book...EXCELLENT... no matter your level in cooking you always find easy to follow recipes and easy to find ingredients. Also I would call it the NO FAIL cookbook.

About 15 years ago, I moved into an old house and one of the things left there, was this old cookbook on a kitchen shelf. The book was falling apart, but newly married I figured I'd try some recipes. They were simple directions to follow, and the meals were delicious. It has many recipes that I couldn't find in any other cookbook since. I am now buying the book again (so that it's in one piece) and I am so happy to find it still in print. It is the best cookbook ever!

My parents and I would drive across the midwest to visit relatives in S.Dakota. We'd try to pick out farms that would be candidates for the Farm Journal Publication. It would have to be a well kept and nice looking farm, no ordinary farm would do. Same with this cookbook. Great recipes, even cooking for crowds! It is my personal favorite and I own over 80 cookbooks and even compiled a 200+ page cookbook for our Kopke Family Reunion in 1996. WORTH EVERY DIME!

I have been using this book for 27 years and mine is just falling apart from all the use. I have 93-dozen jars and at the end of the season all of them are full and with the instructions in this book, my failure rate has been extremely low.

For 25 or more years I have been using this book, but last fall, while moving from Texas to NM the moving van was stolen with all our belongings stolen with it. 43 years of marriage gone. Now it's time to start my canning again and I needed my favorite book. No matter how many books I have purchased none compare with this one. Days of searching the net and now I can again enjoy my days in the kitchen.

I have my mothers' old copy of this book she gave me about 25 years ago. Now she misses it so I bought her the updated copy on Amazon last year. There is not another canning/freezing book that holds a candle to this. Easy and fun to read, with the simplest and most concise instructions-you can't beat it. Tons of great recipes- I treasure this one.

I first found this book in a library over 25 years ago. I was amazed when the book store said they could order it. Since then it has become stained and the back is broken, but I always return to it. It's a definitive reference book for me. As many times as I have bought canning books since then, they always fall short of this book. The only thing I adjust is the amount of sugar in some of the recipes. If you can find it, buy it. And if you are tempted to lend it, I suggest you lend photocopied pages instead. I had quite a tussle getting it back from my best friend.

I have used this book over 20 years for canning and freezing recipes. I especially enjoy that the book includes many vegetables and fruits that are not usually found in the newer books on the same subject. During the peak season, this book literally becomes my "bible".

This workbook has proven very useful for teenagers going through the grieving process. My clients have been able to process a great deal with the help of this item. I would highly recommend it.

I work in an Alternative HS and have found that my students who most would think the book looks "corney" have requested copies of the book after looking through it. I like the fact that it addresses issues of anger that the adolescent may have (or may not even realize they have) towards the deceased. I work with high-risk youth and the family dynamics are always so complex. I also like the fact that it addresses changes that the adolescent will have to make and doesn't "sugar coat" things. But, it pays respect to the deceased in a tasteful way, and it is way for the adolescent to write memories/stories he/she might forget.

My only complaint is that the book is pink. My guys who have been the ones who really have gotten a lot of use from this book (especially dealing with the death of a parent) are turned off at first from even looking at it.

I am a teacher of teenagers and have given this book to at least five students who have suffered a loss. They ALL have reported that it was tremendously helpful and, when they shared it with their families, a bonding experience.

I ordered this journal for my two teen-aged daughters,both of whom were suffering greatly with the loss of my mother, their grandmother. The book is a wonderful aid in helping them express all the things they were afraid to vocalize. It allows them to write down their thoughts and feelings on such subjects as what they were doing when they found out the person had died, unresolved issues with the person who died and how they would like them to be resolved now, where they believe their loved one is now, and how the future will be without the person they love. It allows the teen to see that they are not alone in their grief, that others have the same thoughts as they do. I highly reccommend this book to ANYONE who is experiencing loss in their life. It leads you gently through the entire grieving process-I can't say enough about how it helped us through a very difficult time in our lives.

This is a wonderful Journal for kids. On my first read through I felt it was geared a little more toward 9 to 13 year olds, rather than older teens. However, the content is excellent and the ideas and exercises will really help grieving teens work through the difficult grief process.

I recommend this book to anyone who is married! It changed the way I love my husband, and the way he loves me. Our marriage was on the brink of DIVORCE until we both decided to take this approach. We are a better couple because of this book. A must read!

Absolutely earth shaking

So logical and so much heart in this book, I can see nnow the error of my divorces in the past. IT gives hope for the future

My #1 Pick of the year

RM

I thought this book was excellent. It was very enlightening to me about my own relationship with my partner as well as with my parents and my children. I think this book would be helpful to anyone and everyone. Thank you Gary Chapman for putting the information in such easy to read and understand language.

My wife tried to get me to read this book soon after we got married. Being a guy, I didn't want to read some girly book about love though! O what a mistake! Nine years later, I had a change of heart and discovered that I had missed out on so much in the last nine years because I didn't understand the language my wife was speaking. If you want to be able to show your spouse that you love them and/or you are confused about why they don't seem to show you love, then read this book. It will open up a whole new world of understanding for you!

My wife and I read the book together about 3 years ago. We saw vividly why we were unable to communicate with each other effectively. As hard as we tried, we just weren't speaking the same language. We discovered how to communicate love to each other in a way that we both could comprehend. It wasn't that difficult, it just took a little practice. We have read literally dozens of books, saw instructional videos, and received hours and hours of marriage counseling. Most of these resources made us aware that we had a problem (well, duh) but none made much of a lasting difference in our lives. This book, The Five Love Languages, did. The change in our marriage has made such an impact in our church that we have been asked to share these principles to other married couples. I can't describe the level of satisfaction we get when "the lights go on" for someone else who comes to the same understanding that we have. Our marriage isn't perfect and never will be (this little bit of information should take some of the pressure off anyone reading this). But, now we remember why we got married and how it feels to rekindle that "In Love" experience.

Don't be fooled by this book's simple appearance. It's filled with wonderful humor, sweet drawings, and fun. I love it, and so does my thirteen-year-old son. In a time when most books and movies rely on cruelty and violence, stories like this celebrate the treasure of imagination and offer a glimmer of hope. We need more Flip!

"Flip's Fantastic Journal" is a great gift for your kindergartner who may be learning to journal. Flip is not thrilled that his teacher requests he write in his journal, but, despite his initial sour attitude, he becomes a super writer in spite of himself! This book may just be the encouragement your little one needs.

Meet Flip. Mrs. Flea Collar, Flips teacher, recommends that he writes in his journal everyday. But Flip remembers his teacher saying he can write fiction or non-fiction. So Flip and his sisters markers are going wild. Flips make believe day is full of fun and excitement. This will make writing one of your hobbies. The exciting part is I have the book myself and I got the book signed by the author.

This book is great for kids that are introduced to journaling in school. what a wonderfully creative story! Children realize they can have fun with the written word. My daughter struggled with written assignments from school. This book gave her a great message that writing is fun and that every day events can turn exciting. I recommend this for any 1st grader.

Many reluctant writers realize that they really do have things to write in their journals after they read Flip's Fantastic Journal and Flip discovers that he can use his imagination to create stories.

Flip is a very likeable character with a big problem...his teacher wants him to write in his journal EVERYDAY and he doesn't know what to write. The book's format of going from black and white when Flip could not write to a color format when his ideas begin to flow nicely illustrates how the light comes on once you get ideas.

As a teacher I found students nodding their heads in agreement as I read this story to them. Children really relate to Flip's frustrations. Flip's Fantastic Journal is a great book to use with all children, but especially with students who are reluctant writers.

Forgive me if I gush, but Jacques Vallee is my all time favorite "ufologist." His book REVELATIONS helped to see that there was a real mystery to the phenomenon and that there were those like himself who deplored the abuse of hypnosis in the service of "abduction research" and the fascination with "crashed saucer" tales and government conspiracies.

This book takes us to his beginnings. Starting in the late 1950s, just before the ascendancy of De Gaulle and the establishment of the Fifth Republic, when he is an astronomy student and aspiring Science Fiction writer and ends in the immediate aftermath of the publication of PASSPORT TO MAGONIA. Along the way we have a first hand account of the "ufo controversy in america" and elsewhere. Additionally, there are reflections on a convention-bound France, where Vallee has to struggle against senior astronomers serene indifference to computers. Reflection on the US: like de Tocqueville, young Vallee looks upon this country with a mixture of admiration and horror. Here and there, there are insights into the looming computer revolution that would explode in the 1970's and 1980's. Vallee is in France in 1968 and records his take on the student uprising of May and June.

And then of course, there are the accounts of love. Like the entry where Vallee writes that he and his lover have just torn the bed and now he lies in the full flush of "jouissance" thinking "why do i need a vow, when I can still taste in on my lips" (DAMN! Those french know how to live!)

Yes there's a lot to get out of this book than just UFO's. But that is the main topic. We see the defining moment for Vallee when he tracks an anomalous object only to have the senior astronomer summarily tear up the print out. We see Vallee's burgeoning fascination with the subject and his passion that science find an explanation, first corresponding with Aime Michel, then making contact with J.Allen Hynek, Project Blue Book's consultant and at the time still a "skeptic."

The insight into Hynek is probably the most important part of the book. We see the role that Vallee plays in encouraging Hynek to admit that there are unexplained cases. Vallee is there when Hynek gets new of the "Soccoro landing" and sees Hynek in the aftermath of the "marsh gas" fiasco. Vallee's admiration for Hynek is obviousk, but there are also other detail. Hynek's love of the limelight and his pride at having little fringe benefits from the air force like his own jeep and driver. We find out that Hynek was an Anthroposophist (a disciple of Rudolf Steiner) and we see him at his most gullible when he brings back "film proof" of psychic surgery (Vallee & Co. are less than impressed).

Besides Hynek, there is correspondence with John Keel in the full grip of paranoia while dealing with strange happenings in the Ohio River Valley, a brief in encounter with Al Bielek (he of future "montauk project" fame) trying to pass himself off as a government spook, an account of origin, trouble history, and anticlimatic ending of the Condon Committee. But most importantly is the "paradigm shift" that Vallee undergoes as a result of studying the phenomenon from a cautious advocate of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (EHT) to a proponent of thinking in terms of Extra-Dimensional Entities and paying close attention to Psycho-Social factors and parallels with folklore and mythology and the backlash he suffers (and continues to suffer) from the "believers" who make up the rank and file of the UFO subculture.

As an added bonus the paperback edition includes the text of the "Pentacle Memorandum" written at the time of the Robertson Committee.

In sum, a first hand history of the UFO phenomenon in the 1960's. When read in conjunction with Jim Moseley's SHOCKINGLY CLOSE TO THE TRUTH and Patrick Huyghe's SWAMP GAS TIMES one can get a very full picture of "UFO history" of the last 50 years.

This is my favorite journal since reading "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau.

Jacques Vallee is a legend in Ufology (study of unidentified flying objects). More than that, he's a true scientist, which is a rarity in "the field". This book takes you through some pivotal moments in UFO history.

You'll learn a lot in this book, not just UFOs, but the meaning of science itself.

Certainly an essential book for anyone studying UFOs... or the possibility of alien life. (Are we alone in the universe?)

On a side note, this books is pricless for all the little tidbits and reflections on Allen Hynek, "The Galileo of Ufology".

This dazzling diary offers a glimpse into the mind of a scientist who seems to challenge every preconception and established piety... Replete with profoundly insightful, often devastating observations. Publishers Weekly, 6 July 1992

What picture of the author emerges? I find that the qualities that come through most clearly are Vallee's love of people, his intense curiosity, and his willingness to march to his own drum... Vallee's book will be a valuable resource in providing first-hand insight into the early development of the UFO controversy.

Jacques Vallee is a respected scientist and an entertaining writer who just happens to be interested in UFO's. His concepts of the 'why' are illuminating, as is his frustration at the handling of the issue by those on all sides.

If you are interested in whats "out there" read and learn. If you on the other hand scoff at all mentions of aliens and such, and consider man to be the center and grandest part of the universe, read this man's books with an open mind and you might begin to doubt some long held beliefs. Vallee is quick to dismiss frauds and charlatians, and focus on the real issues. Arresting stuff.