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I found this collection of letters written by Laura Ingalls Wilder (author of the "Little House" series) to be fascinating. The letters were written to her husband when Mrs. Wilder went to San Francisco to visit her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, in 1915.

The reader gets Mrs. Wilder's description of a San Francisco that is recovering from the earthquakes and fires that took place earlier in the century and is now hosting an International Exposition. Mrs. Wilder's description of her first encounter with the Pacific Ocean is wonderful.

The reader also gets a glimpse into the life of Mrs. Wilder. She is very concerned about finances and things back on the farm. She has yet to write her first "Little House" book, but her daughter, who is already an accomplished journalist, is helping Mrs. Wilder get a feel for writing.

This book will be a treat for readers interested in the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder and those interested in a portrait of San Francisco in the early 20th century.

I love all the little house books. I am buying these so I can read them again and also to build up a library for my grandchildren.

Laura Ingalls Wilders makes a trip by train to visit her daughter, Rose, in 1915 in San Francisco. It was during the 1915 World's Fair. Laura visited for two months and wrote interesting, detailed letters back home to Almanzo about what she saw and did.
Some of her descriptions were captivating in their detail. The book fills in gaps and answers questions about the years following the events of the Little House books. The reader meets Rose, the daughter, as an adult, and begins to learn about her amazing life as a successful writer.
It was during this visit that Rose begins to help Laura learn how to better write for publication, such as how to block-out a story.
The reader gets an insight into Rose's fierce loyalty and sense of responsibiity to her parents.

In addition to Laura's detailed letters to Almanzo describing her adventure, this book includes over thirty photographs featuring Laura, Rose, the Pacific Ocean (ships, beachgoers, etc.), San Francisco, and many scenes of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition including an air show and night-lit festivities. Though in black and white, this pictorial insight into what was behind the letters is wonderful.

The book also includes an introduction telling how and where the letters were found and a lovely description of San Francisco at the time of Laura's visit. The letters themselves beautifully showcase the art of letter writing: Along with Laura's vivid descriptions of the technological marvels of the expo, her words are full of charming details to make us smile such as the price of eggs, hat shopping, and her favorite foods of the expo. Laura's expertise in writing compositions, as portrayed in the original Little House books, is very much evident even in these personal letters.

This book is a must have for Little House enthusiasts. Also recommended: On the Way Home: The Diary of a Trip from South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894.

J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles, and longtime Little House fan

This is a very sweet and interesting book. Laura is visiting Rose in San Francisco for a few months and writes letters to Manly to fill him in on all she is doing and seeing.

The letters are detailed and filled with much information about San Francisco at the time. This is very interesting since it was 1915 and the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition was in progress.

I was thrilled to read it as I can't seem to read enough about Laura and her entire family! This is another wonderful and interesting book with the spirited Laura Ingalls Wilder as the star!

John Welshons is an amazing author. Both of his books (Healing the Grief,Finding the Road back to Joy and When Prayers Aren't Answered) have brought so much peace and healing to me personally and all of my friends with whom I have shared his works. God has truely blessed him with a wonderful gift and blessed us, the rest of the world, with him. Both of his books are definately a MUST READ.
Carrie Joyce
Dunedin, Fl.

John Welshons has written another fantastic book! In an easy to read, compassionate and nonjudgemental manner, the author urges the reader to try to look at the way life is and not how we each believe it should be. A scholar of the world's religions, he draws on traditions from both the East and West. While the book does deal with different types of prayer, I think its appeal is much broader than those interested in theology. It is a book about how to find joy by understanding what is truly important. I recommend it as a gift to anyone you want to help find more joy in their lives!

First, please ignore the odd review of this wonderful book from Publishers Weekly and follow the reviews of the other readers of this book who have given John's book 5 stars. I have seen John Welshons in person at workshops and he is in every sense the real deal. He is one of the most patient and loving people I have ever come across and he has a unique ability to address every questioner in a caring and direct manner. I have given copies of John's first book to many people who have experienced a loss in their lives and they have always thanked me for the gift. They also recognize that "Awakening From Grief" is not just a book about death, but very much a book about life. I hope you will all give this book a chance to serve you in your quest for love and happiness.

A book I can pick up at any time to get an inspirational lift. Filled with such tenderness, compassion and lots of hope when so hard to find when carrying such a heavy heart. As fate would have it, When Prayers Aren't Answered came out to the bookstores it was like the book was written to match my life for the past five years as the same with John's first book Awakening From Grief. Once you start reading you will not want to put it down. I highly recommend reading it. John Welshons books are my Beacon of Light..

I definitely recommend this book. I love it because it considers all religious beliefs, and it makes quite clear that we are like little children in our love to God. If He doesn't give us what we want then we desert him and loose him all along, while the challenge is to love God and be connected with Him either He gives us what we want or not. Most of the time for our best.

Peter Elbow has chapter after chapter techniques to get you through the writing process from start to finish. He helps you to create your most powerful writing. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, are a beginner or seasoned writer, this book is a "must have" in your writing library.

Elbow is the known authority for writing techniques and this book is a classic. Easy to read and understand, Elbow creates a world where writing is not only important but rewarding. I have tried many of the suggestions and after years of frustration with writing papers, I have found tools that are very useful.Best of all, Elbow is so excited about the writing process, I actually look forward to sitting down and getting started.

The Institute I am currently taking a writing course through, encourages the students to collect other points of view toward achieving our goal. I learned of this book from my neighbor who also took a writing course. I am enjoying the use of it very much. Thank you.

I first came across Writing with Power in our university library when I was starting my thesis in my final year of my Architeture Degree in 1991.
Up to then, my essay writing or writing generally - was lousy!!!!. So I was looking for a book which may help me.
Well what a surprise.
Peters suggested that writing be broken into 2 stages -
1. writing of ideas,
and then
2. editing

This new process provided for me , a creative person , a breakthough in a how to write that was contrary to how I had been taught to write ( writing and editing at the same time) which quite frankly didn't work for me.

Now armed with this more creative process, I was able to write and draw my thesis, graduated with 2nd class honours - much better that barely passing.
I reckon this ought to be a basis text book introduced to all students, at any level of schooling.

Now that I have found this book available on the web, after 15 years, I going to get myself a copy -Thanks Amazon and Peter.
ps didn't help my english though.

At one time, writing was slow and awkward for me. My college assignments forced me to write, but each essay and paper was an excruciating ordeal. Peter Elbow's book, recommended by one of my professors, turned my writing life around.

Writing With Power explains how the writing process works (and why it sometimes doesn't work). With those insights in hand, and using Peter Elbow's simple techniques, I began to write faster, more often, and less fearfully. And now, years later, I'm a full-time professional writer -- something that would have been unimaginable before I read Writing With Power.

Besides discovering my kid, he has been an invaluable resource with both his books and his coaching! He makes acting fun and easy to learn for kids! All his books are highly recommended.

This book really helped my auditioning skills. Just learn a commercial each day and you will be ready to book.

Reading this book has greatly enhanced my auditioning skills. After working some of the commercials from this book, I was able to book a national public service announcement! I had the opportunity to train in person with Chambers Stevens and believe he is an acting genius. This book includes all the secrets on how to land commercial jobs and has worked wonders for my career. I would highly recommend this book to any aspiring actor who wishes to master the art of performing a commercial.

When my son started acting he was nervous going to an audition.
The good thing about this book is the author shows you what happens at an audition.
He takes you through the process step by step.
The author's style of writing is very funny. My son and I were laughing and then when he got his first audition we found it happening just like in the book.

I bought this for my son, as well as the scene book for kids, and he hasn't put them down! They're a really good resource for kids who are interested in acting. I've also noticed that his memorization skills have improved since I got him these books. If you have a child interested in acting, I highly recommend both books.

I am new as an ebay seller and I plan to open a store soon I hope. I bought this book in order to get good, helpful tips and advices. I got them! This book goes in depth in every aspect. Very detailed oriented and this is what I wanted. Definitely a great buy and a must have.

A Gotta Have book if you are planning on Marketing an eBay business. Great reference for the experienced eBayer.

I have been selling on Ebay for over 2 years. But after reading this book I realize how little I knew about marketing my product. This little gem contains very valuable information about making the most out of Ebay's competitive marketplace. This book is interesting to read and gives clear step by step instructions for changes you can make to Market your Ebay items. Like I said, I thought I knew a lot about Ebay but I was surprised by how much I learned from this book!

I've been selling on ebay since July 2005. Part time. I've read 8 books on ebay. This is one of the Best. I have not had time to use the info in it. But have tried to impliment some of the tips. It is full of great ideas and sources of the kind of information one needs to be successful on ebay. I highly recommed it.

This book is hardcore. Give a lot of info and can save painfull hours of try-and-faild. You need to read it.

This book provides a great foundation for the classes I am teaching in e-commerce. It's chapters on site server also are excellent! I found the fundamentals section to be outstanding for handling the task of getting new students up to speed.

This book is really useful from the standpoint of providing an overview of what ESD is doing today, and how e-commerce tools from Microsoft are making it possible for organizations of any size to buyild their own sites. I found the chapters on managing a new site useful with some good suggestions for getting everyone on the same page from a development standpoint. Good reference book and teaching tool for new administrators.

I have been studying up on e-business and found this book to have a personable tone and many insights into how I could get up to speed quickly with terms and concpets to manage the outsourcing of our company's website quicker. I liked the chapters on building a framework for organizing solutions and found the chapter on electronic software ditribution very enlightening. An easy book to read.

This book has interesting information about Microsoft's Site Server applications, and shows the plans for electronic software distribution Microsoft authored with key industry leaders. it is decidely pro e-commerce and provides an interesting approach to managing web development through cross-functional project teams.

I found this book to provide a level-set for my staff, who is working on the definition of our websites, and what we could reasonably expect with the resources onhand. This book gave us hands-on guidelines and advice from experience we could use for getting our site completed in the minimum amount of time with the least disconnects between what we wanted and what we ended up creating. E-Commerce is constantly changing, and this book brings all the change into perspective. Good teaching tool.

This was a cute read. I would recmmend it for a few good laughs to waste the afternoon.

If you need something to help you escape from this world. This is a book to do it for you. I was laughing during most of this book with the misadventures of both the main characters. Heartwarming and fun. Excellent beach reading.

Judi McCoy's latest is her best yet. I don't usually read books with a fantasy element, but I was thoroughly charmed by this modern take on Greek mythology. The idea of Zeus running Mt. Olympus like a modern day CEO (albeit a somewhat canktankerous CEO)is very clever. Kyra, the muse of good fortune is sent down to earth, to Las Vegas, on a mission to inspire good fortune. There is one caveat tho; she cannot fall in love with a mortal without suffering dire consequences. Perfect summer read.

I read vampire romance. Period. So when a friend insisted I would enjoy this sexy, funny fantasy about Greek gods, demi-goddesses, and Sin City???, I had my doubts. But, after scoffing for a page or two, I had to admit, I was having a great time. I took the book with me everywhere--and stayed up late so I could finish. (Sorry, no spoilers from me!)

Judi McCoy stays true to form in her newest release, Almost a Goddess. Beautifully detailed settings, well-drawn characters, an engaging plot line and an ample dash of spice form the ingredients of this laugh-out-loud read that's guaranteed to leave you with a smile. I can't wait for the next book in this wonderful new series.

I took the course offered by Udwadia last semester because of the rave reviews I saw on the web. I thought they were too good to be true. So I was 'cool' to him at the start. But I was wrong, dead wrong! This guy is in fact even better than what the reviews say about him. He is SIMPLY SUPERB.

His book is awesome! What I enjoyed most was the simplicity with which things are put. Each idea is presented as a simple, near-obvious idea, but the sum total of all these thoughts is amazing. What was most impressive was that Udwadia thinks in just the way he writes. He thinks along simple patterns. But there have been so many reviews of his book that there is little I can add to them, except that it truly, truly is an OUTSTANDING book. Those working in dynamics who have not read it are missing something, for sure.

So let me tell you about the guy, a bit. He is the first Professor that I have met who had a welcoming look on his face when a student went to see him. Most of them can't wait for students to leave their offices! He has a tremendous sense of humor, in class he often took us from humor, to history, to philosophy, to math, to dynamics, along one continuous thread of thought. The guy is a genius, I think. I was continually bowled over by the breadth and depth of his knowledge, so unlike an Engineering Prof.

I realized as the course progressed that the guy is deeply dedicated to teaching and helping students. He gave each student/student-group a 'semester project,' suggested the topic to most of us, and actually worked with each group of students on their projects. He even debugged my computer program. It took me quite a while to get over that because I have never had a Professor do that for me. I eventually wrote a manuscript with his constant help that I planned to send out for publication, and I naturally put his name on it. He removed his name, saying that it was I who did the work. What a shocker, from a guy who I know must survive in a 'publish or perish' environment.

As I got to know him during our meetings I realized that this was an unusual person of the most unusual kind: exceedingly well-read, unusually helpful, a superb listener, and a person with enormous grace and dignity. He has standards of integrity that far exceed mine, and I suspect, most others I know. I always felt a sort of comforting presence when I was around him, and, as several others have said, I learned more from him, far more, than just analytical dynamics. He opened my eyes to the way we all should be. And for that, I will always be grateful.

I just wish USC could clone a few more guys like Prof. Udwadia. One last thought: I wonder if he is religious. What religion? Does anybody know? I'd be interested to find out.

I just took the course taught by Professor Udwadia on Analytical Dynamics at USC this semmester. Wow! This guy is not just good, he is TOPS! From the very first lecture I was in amazement with the facility he has in teaching this subject.

I can now see why the book he has written is fantastic. He used it as a text, and then went well beyond it.

He is definitely the best teacher I have ever had. He is a delight to listen to, and was an inspiration to every student in the class. His lectures sparkle, they concentrate on ideas not algebra, and he seemed to have something to say in every lecture that touched me and went well beyond dynamics. The thing that impressed me most is that despite his enormous knowledge of the subject, he is a really humble fellow, a superb listener, a great guy.

For those of you who think the book is superb, you haven't seen nothin' yet until you get to hear this guy speak. Take a ride on his course, he takes you on an incredible journey. It was more than worth my time; and I assure you, you will also find it so.

I recommend that everyone dealing with mechanics get a copy of this gem, and read it! It is the most amazing technical book I have read! I don't want to repeat what others have said in their reviews, and so there is not much more for me to say other than that this book has got to be a classic.

This is the best Professor I have ever had in my entire college education. He is just a wonderful person, extremely erudite, a superb mathematician, physicist, and a man steeped in the liberal arts. His teaching style is unforgettable. He is very clear in what he says, and he knows how to emphasize the key aspects in any given material.

He struck me as an unusually humble person, always willing to learn from his students, which is something very refreshing to see. It is only when he starts to speak that you realize that this guy is a completely different type of person from the average university professor. His knowledge is amazing: philosophy, history, art, science, literature, it is simply baffling. I don't think I have ever met a man like him.

What impressed me most were his human qualities: integrity, humility, and kindness. I think transferring these qualities to students is what education should be most about.

USC's School of Engineering is one lucky place to have a guy like him on its faculty. His book is a mild reflection of him; his course is something more than that, because I am certain he puts in a lot of effort in preparing every lecture, and this results in 'teaching at its best.'

There is a lot said about this book already in the comments given by others, so I won't waste your time saying the same thing: THE BOOK IS A MASTERPIECE. GET IT, READ IT, AND ENJOY!

What I want to say is that Udwadia's course is a million times better than his book. He is about the most well-read man I know. As a person he is just awesome! He is an excellent listener, unusually humble, ready to acknowledge a mistake (catch a Prof. doing that!), and has a spontaneous sense of humor that is difficult to match. His facility with the English language left most of us in the class just dumbfounded! He can weave words together like I haven't seen before. He is a mathematician, a scientists, a historian, a philosopher, and indeed an artist in the way he teaches. USC sure is lucky to have a guy like him on their teaching faculty.

Anger, Acknowledgement, and Acceptance (Blatant Honesty) is a wonderful book. I have not been able to put it down. I constantly go back to the book and re-read because it makes one think (I keep it close at hand). A few days after the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11th, as I was reading the book, I read the page titled "Culture's Destroyer". It has helped me to cope with the pain of what happened. The book is wonderful! A must read for everyone.

THE BOOK ANGER, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE: BLATANT HONESTY BY E.T. DAVIS IS JUST THAT, THE WINDS OF CHANGE. WE OPEN AAABH IN THE MIDDLE OF ANGER, OPEN HOSTILITY AND DOWNRIGHT EVIL FEELINGS. IT SHOWS A SPIRIT OF NOT TRUSTING, OF BEING DOWNTRODDEN AND BEATEN QUITE OFTEN. IT SHOWS A SPIRIT OF NOT TAKING ANY MORE, THE ESSENCE OF TRUE ANGER OVER LIFE AND HOW IT HAS BEEN DEALT OUT. AS WE GO ON WE SEE THE CHANGING OF THE SPIRIT. THE WINDS BEGINNING TO TURN AS A SHIP SLOWLY TURNS IN THE OCEAN. NOT A FAST NECK BREAK TURN, BUT A SLOW STEADY TURN AND A CHANGE OF DIRECTION OR THE WINDS OF CHANGE. MR. DAVIS MAY BE TALKING OF HIMSELF, HOWEVER, EACH AND EVERYONE OF US WHO HAVE READ THIS BOOK CAN ATTEST TO AT LEAST ONE VERSE IN THIS BOOK. KUDOES TO MR. DAVIS FOR OPENING HIS WORLD TO US. TO SHARE THE SPIRITS AND FEELINGS WE ALL HAVE HAD AT ONE TIME OR ANTOHER IN OUR OWN LIVES. TO SHARE HIS WINDS OF CHANGE.

People's lives were changed in so many ways because of what was referred to as the "Apartheid Regine" in South Africa. Yet all over the world people experienced such otrocities, but to place them into words as beautifully and touching as the author is no easy mission.

I was one of the first people to receive a copy of this book. Some I could identify with. With tears in my eyes, because of the hurt bestowed upon all South Africans and the "coloured" folk worldwide, not realizing how demoralizing it was, yet that made us a stronger people. I could not think that a man such as this could have such tenderness in his words.

EVERY poem is unique in it's own right. I will even go to the lenght of saying they are powerful and heart wrenching. To me, the book makes one realize that we are not alone. Oppression is something that so many of us face. Alll over the world people are discriminated against. "Step Into Our World" is the very first poem in this compilation. I suggest this poem be read by those who have not "walked a mile in our shoes".

I am from a world where I was discriminated against. A world where I am too white to be black, but too black to be white. I am what is considered in South Africa as "coloured", a limbo in society.

This book will be a hit with many, if not all, South Africans, as still today not all whites know the extent of humiliation and embarassment, hurt and emotional pain they bestowed upon us. Some will blissfully remain ignorant.

This book comes from a person whom seems like a tough and rugged man. Yet, he is a gentle giant; am man not afraid to express emotions. He is a man whom has truly "Touched My Soul".

In just a few pages, one must see the world as the media does not portray. Even in the midst of calamity, beauty is found in the author's portrayal of life.

Wonderfully expression of emotions. The author has invited us into his world, mind, heart and soul. Very thought provoking. I was deeply moved with each poem. This is truly a must read again and again,...you are brillant and I thank you so much for this collection of poems.

Dr. Nibley is Brilliant! Simply brilliant! Everything that he says in this book is outstanding. Face it people, both LDS and non-LDS, we simply cannot hope to dream about living in Zion based on the current situation that the world is in. We, as human beings, are simply too greedy to do so. And Zion is based completely on the idea that greed and money are non-existent. We cannot have Zion with the current political and economic mess that we have created, and Dr. Nibley shows us why. To the non-LDS reader, Dr. Nibley shows the joy in building Zion and the danger in denying it. To the LDS reader, Dr. Nibley shows the danger of denying the knowledge that they have gained by being exposed to the principles of Zion. He also details the principles of Zion and how people must live and dwell in Zion in order for the system and Law of Consecration to work. And he gives some very interesting history in detailing the history of Zion, including the city of Enoch. So this was a fantastic book written by an excellent scholar.

Hugh Nibley, iconoclast extraordinaire, is at his best in this wonderful collection of essays and talks that try to shake people out of their comfort zone. This book is far and away the most readable of all Nibley's works and could be the most gripping non-fiction book I have ever read.

The basic thrust of the book is that people today (Mormons not exempt) are focused on making money, and this has led to the ignoring of more important things. Nibley has great talks on The Law of Consecration, Spiritual Gifts, and working at the right things. It is fair to say that this book has been one of the most influential of my life (I have read it several times over since first reading it 3 years ago).

This is Hugh Nibley at his most personal and most challenging. Here he expresses his faith, insights, and commitment to trusting the Lord and taking his covenants most seriously. He hammers home again and again that we receive everything from the Lord and that we are blind to many of the blessings we have all around us. We refuse to take them because we are after the things of this world and are of no worth, though we have been warned to turn away from them.

Dr. Nibley implores us to begin living the Law of Consecration. He gives us no quarter. We know what it means, we know how to do it, and we know the covenants we have made. We also know the promises the Lord has made to us concerning this Law. I don't know about you, but I find this beyond what I can do understand or do in my current circumstances. Yet, I feel the need to ponder what the author is telling me and to move towards this principle of life.

These are essays and papers that were written since the 1970s. Many are published here for the first time (unless you read them as papers from FARMS). As I say, these are very challenging writings. Not because they are hard to understand, but because they are challenging in very serious ways. Dr. Nibley takes the gospel very seriously and literally. He points out to us that we have too often inverted values to our detriment. He deplores the way education has changed and that learning and thinking have been replaced by feeling and degree accumulation.

The last few essays in the book are among the most directly challenging to our present way of life. His discussion of Aristotle's notion of goods of first and second intent is wide-ranging and quite informative. The last essay on the atonement is quite beautiful and insightful. I think my favorite essay is his funeral address for one of his friends.

Nibley's plain speaking about his faith in the atonement and the challenge it presents us for our lives here on earth and in eternity is inspiring. The writings here bear careful reading and re-reading and then meditation. You will have to change your life if you take them seriously. And that is unsettling and that is what we ask teachers to do: to shake up our lives.

Dr. Nibley continues his great teaching.

ONCE AGAIN HUGH NIBLEY DOES IT AGAIN. HE IS MAGNIFICENT IN HIS RESEARCH AND COMPREHENSIVE CLARITY MAKING THE ISSUES BEING DISCUSSED CLEAR AND PRECISE.

And that title says *alot*, coming from me. Covey's book was life changing for me, but ended up proving to be merely a precursor (albeit an excellent one) to "Approaching Zion."

I agree with the above sentiments that this is a trans-denominational text (though it obviously focuses on the LDS--a.k.a "Mormons"), and, quite frankly, this book altered my view of my world as radically as "7 Habits" did; after 27 years, I finally begin to have a much more clear cut idea of what my beliefs entail-- and a real desire to follow through with those beliefs.

Over the past year, since reading it, I've felt closer to my God (as I was stimulated to live my religion more fully), and have carried through with the inspiration to seek deeper knowledge and understanding about life and its many facets.

I honestly wish I had read--and taken to heart-- "Approaching Zion" before going to college; it would have had a remarkable impact on the way I'd have gone about my education.

Top ratings for "Approaching Zion."