References Books

I heard Ms. Weingarten speak at an industry event and was impressed with her warmth and enthusiasm. I was not disappointed when I read her book at all. Some people claim to want to help you but leave out critical details in their works, Weingarten included personal anecdotes and more, but also tips on how not to make mistakes that she did. I was amazed at how honest and helpful she is in person and in print. My only criticism is that I would have loved actual photographs in the styles tips,it would have helped to give me more of an idea of what to avoid. Then again even the books by INSTYLE look dated right away, so maybe it was a good decision not to put in pictures.

Read this book if you want help at any stage of your career. It won't tell you what to do, but it will help you understand why you are the only person who can define your personal brand in your career.

I can't wait to read the next in the Career and Corporate Cool series!

I saw this book and four others recommended by Entrepreneur magazine as the best books for women entrepreneurs. I normally don't like books that are geared only to women because I like to think that the rules are the same for women and men in business, but after working the corporate world for the last six years I see that I'm sadly very, very wrong.

This book charts out so many issues that come out at work, and it made it sound like it was mostly about fashion style, but it's about all of the things that make up your work style. I thought I knew a lot about how to make my personal brand, but this is the first time that I started paying attention to things that my co-workers take for granted and realized that it makes me a valuable team player and at work entreprenuer. I've been thinking about setting up a consulting business and I have to say this gives me tremendous confidence.

Great resource for college grads or people looking for a career change or just to pep up their personal business style.

Here's the article http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23521168/

the other book I bought from that review is The Girls' Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business

My friend has a copy and after I kept borrowing it over and over to look at different topics she finally told me I'd better get my own! I did and am loving it! I'm in my first real job and I had my first big meeting yesterday and thanks to Career and Corporate Cool I knew what to do and how to do it. I was dressed right, I behaved right and I followed up well. Thanks for the great guide - I know I'll be referring to this book for a long, long time.

If you've spent the last few months (or years) wearing spit-up or peanut butter as an accessory, read this book. It's a great pep talk on what-to-wear and how to act for any stay-at-home mom returning to the workforce.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (8/07)

Rachel Weingarten's bio is impressive. It is obvious she knows what she is talking about when it comes to looking and dressing the part in a career. As a previous workshop instructor of creating a successful outside appearance, I was very interested in reading Rachel's book to see if there have been any changes in the years since I taught classes, or if she had any new information. I must say, I was not disappointed!

My first glance at the book, I thought it was geared for women. This is not so. The content of the book relates to both genders and rightly so. Rachel covers aspects ranging from corporate culture, to attitude adjustments, to climbing corporate ladders, to social rules, to dressing away from the office, to being on the road, and to handling family emergencies. These are only a few - I'm sure Rachel didn't miss a thing.

As you can tell, dressing the part is not the only aspect that Rachel covers. She also delves into communication skills as well as networking, and how to generate success in both. "Career and Corporate Cool(tm)" shows us how to express ourselves, not only from the outside but from the inside as well.

Personally, Rachel's book was a refresher for me. Being I have spent the past several years in an internet-based company, my "outings" with other executives are limited. However, Rachel covers many sections for us too. The chapter, "The Best Guest or Hostess with the Mostest" was enlightening. Even though I pride myself in creating a party without losing my sanity, it was great to read Rachel's tips and acknowledge why my parties are so successful.

The other area that I found of interest that applies to an internet-based company is her chapter on presenting oneself in phone messages, e-mails, and instant messaging. I laughed and nodded profusely as Rachel covered some of the aspects of what's not cool and professional.

I particularly found her section of "hall of fame" interesting. For one, the style of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis keeps living on. Right now, the sunglasses she was so famous for are vogue. Another is David Letterman and his sharp suits, and then there is Martha Stewart, who retained "dignity, class, and decorum" during her trial. These are only a few of the people that represent what is "cool" in our society.

Rachel's guidance is not to be taken lightly. She provides imminent advice and wisdom to keep us one step ahead by developing our own style and redefining success based on "Career and Corporate Cool(tm)."

This book is great! - and is that next step after you're done with "intro" books

I spent so much time reading "intro" books, and they've all been great - and I've been searching for that next level -- and I've either found books way to sophisticated for me - or that are transcripts of speeches/teachings

Again, those are good - but I wanted a stepping stone

THIS book is that stepping stone -- packed with stories, lessons, poems, letters and everything in between -- it's a great great book and not only teaches, but befriends --

"When you hear the wooden chicken crow in the evening, you will know the country where your mind was born. Outside my house, in the garden, the willow is green, the flower is red."

The dog runs after the bone.. KATZ!!!

(you will understand the above and really love the book if you are ready of abstract or theoretical stuff in spirituality).

Often humorous, wonderful book taken from Korean Zen Master Seung's talks, letters and interviews with students. This is a book you can pick up time and again. I first read it 20 years ago and always enjoy opening it. Stephen Mitchell, now married to Byron Katie, was an early (as Americans go) student of Seung Sahn's and has gone on to a career of writing and translating many spiritual books.

This the most entertaining book on Buddhism I have every read. I found myself laughing quite a bit and breezed through the entire books with little effort.

This book does not espouse the conventional methods on obtain enlightenment instead takes a uniquely different approach. I highly recommend anyone interested in the subject to read this book, especially if previous attempts were stifled by weighty material.

Whatever the case I'm positive most people can get something from this book especially since it is couched in such an amusing way.

I have owned numerous copies of this book; lent them out never to see them again. With most books, I don't bother to repurchase them, however I find myself wanting to pick this book up every couple of months to read either a random story or spend a couple hours with it from cover to cover.

If you are looking for a dissertation on zen or buddhism, this might be a bit of a ho-hum read (as other reviewers have asserted, over and over again) but if you can gain insight from the interactions of others... then Dropping Ashes on the Buddha has you covered.

The primary purpose and goal of a writer's workshop is to help writers improve their writing. Simply stated, but often quite difficulty to accomplish because like most things in life, writer workshops can be classified into one of three categories -- the good, the bad, and the mediocre. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, award-winning writer and teacher Josip Novakovich's "Fiction Writer's Workshop" is clearly one of the good ones in the form of a comprehensive instructional that covers every aspect of the art of fiction while providing aspiring and practicing writers with all the tools and techniques useful to developing the consistent, day-to-day discipline so fundamentally necessary for becoming a success professional at the literary craft. Offering more than one hundred writing exercises, with each exercise including a specific statement of purpose to guide the aspiring author through every step of the creative process, "Fiction Writer's Workshop" also provides self-critique questions with each exercise for assessing written works with an eye toward identifying weaknesses and strengths before moving on to the next lesson. Enhanced with the full text of eight acclaimed short stories complete with analysis and exercises suitable for modeling and the reinforcement of 'lessons learned', "Fiction Writer's Workshop" is appropriate for all fiction writers regardless of personal writing styles. Especially recommended for those aspiring to write publishable works of fiction, the "Fiction Writer's Workshop" should be considered indispensable reading for anyone who has every considered or attempted writing the kind of novels and short stories that would attract the attention of academia, the general populace, and generations of future readers yet unborn.

I own the first edition. I'm a sculptor but in coming up with ideas I have recently thought of writing stories involving my characters. I borrowed this book from a friend about three years ago and rediscovered in on my bookshelf about two weeks ago. I love it. Buy the second edition. It includes short stories.

This book is a must read for anyone who has trouble getting started. The mantra that has been beaten into my head over and over by most college professors is the importance of writing everyday. However, that's often easier said than done. Outside of CW courses, class assignments and workshops, it's been very difficult for me to get started and I've never been big on journaling. This excercises in this book have provided me with countless "assignments" to help get the creative juices flowing. If you find that you need a little push to get going, this book is for you.

I have taken several classes lately and with them gotten several books. Most of them have at least some valuable information to make one a better writer with modern examples, but this book is unique in that you never feel like the author is giving you lines in which you are supposed to color inside of to make a good picture. You never feel pressured either. Since I am a beginning writer, this was the perfect atmosphere for me because there was room to learn new things, and reject some things without feeling I am suffering long-term as a writer. If one feels a strong sense of personal voice, this is the best book to acquire and develop new skills (as well as refine existing ones)

Once you have read an introductory book like Brayfield's Bestseller or Kings 'On writing' this is the book to buy and use.

Novakovich covers there basic elements: Setting /Character/Plot/PoV/Dialogue & Scene/Begins and endings / description/ vice and revision. He uses numerous examples form published literature and each chapter concludes with a number of good exercises.

One topic Novakovich does not cover is writers block. Maybe that is because he provides the solutions. Writers block is either due to lack of ideas or anxiety about one's writing. Novakovich provides the solutions - a chapter on the sources of fiction and a reference book to dip into every time one feels a anxious.

The beauty of Fiction Writers Workshop is the exercise - do them - and that all aspects are covered in one short book. That is also its disadvantage. Successful writing is complex, it requires fluent and adaptive use of a number of skills. To become fluent you will need to read and practice each in greater depth than can be provided in one book that covers them all. Don't make the mistake I made of going in depth on one skill first. It can lead to imbalance. Start with Fiction Writers Workshop and you will gain a balance.

Readers of this review can review it - tick the box 'useful' or 'not useful'. There is something I have noticed in those reviews. If reviews are critical then people are less likely to tick the box - 'useful' and more likely to tick the box 'Not useful'. What they are in fact saying is 'It was a nice review'. For a writer that is the worst kind of review. It leads you up the garden path. An author needs is honest candid review.

I'm not being nice about Fiction Writer's Workshop. It is that good.

just Jack

I found "Your Disgusting Head" on the clearance rack and just had to have the rest of the series. These books make for great conversation and are actually interesting coffee table books. Giraffes Giraffes tickles funny bones you never knew you had.

This is art and one rarely comes across art that is this beautiful and this close to being relevant. It's hard to deny the randomness in the order with which thoughts, figures, questions and answers appear in this book but that's what makes it so much more enjoyable. The story seems to be powered by a secret source of energy that exists at the boundary between "real" and "imaginary." The authors frequently cross this boundary on either direction without missing a beat, reminding us how great it is to think freely. What's really great is that this story has no beginning and no end so you can really go back and read it over and over again. Just make sure you don't read it 12 times...

I bought this book yesterday and haven't stopped laughing. I work at a zoo and we just got Giraffes so I thought it might be educational. Boy was I right! It's the funniest book I've read in a long time. I highly reccommend it if you are wanting a good laugh or need to know how to make sandwiches for them.
As for the reviewer who gave this book one star (the only negative review I might add) Are you disappointed that you didn't read what the book was about ahead of time or just unable to laugh at anything? You act like this book was in the reference section! This book is hilarious to humans and giraffes!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R15GVECJQ1T8V5

Simply one of the most informative books ever written. I would recommend "Your disgusting head" as a good second read.

I have greatly enjoyed using this book both as a personal resource and a group study resource. I anticipate using this book throughout my life both personally and in ministry. A must-have!

This is an excellent guide to prayer. We use it every day for a starting of our daily prayers.

I absolutely love this book. It combines just the right amount of structural guidance and freedom. I love the addition of "Spiritual Readings" to complement the Scripture readings and themes.

Each week focuses on a different theme. The Scripture readings help you discover various aspects of the theme without the authors manipulating the text. The readings are associated with the theme, but are not "devotionals" on the days Scripture readings. The readings are taken from some of the best Christian writers and classics of Christian thought.

Shawchuck and Job structure the daily devotionals as follows:

Invocation (a written prayer to focus you and draw you in for the day's theme)
A Psalm (Chosen to align with the week's theme.)
Reading for Reflection (Chosen from among the best writers in Christian history)
Daily Scripture Readings (Monday-Friday with the weekends consisting of a selection from the Lectionary)
Reflection: Silent and Written (Nothing written, but this give you time to sit quietly or journal)
Prayers: For the Church, for Others, and Myself (Again, not written, but this is the time where you spend time in prayer)
Hymn (Sing or read as poetry; either way you are exposed to some of the great hymns of the church)
Benediction (Provided by the authors to bring closing).

This book has helped me on my spiritual journey. I struggle with ADD and this book provided the right amount of structure to help me stay focused and yet the freedom to experience variety.

I love the way this is set up. It has different type of devotional components

This might be the only product on Amazon that I've ever seen with 20 5-star reviews and nothing else. I hate to be the grumpy one, but I'm just not tracking with these other reviewers. I found this to be one of the least helpful devotionals that I've ever used.

I was assigned to use this devotional for a seminary class and was fully prepared to appreciate it. I was excited about the daily Scripture readings, the collected quotations, and the weekly hymns, all tied to the same theme. This seemed like a perfect format. Unfortunately, it turned out to be dreadful.

My one primary complaint was that the Scriptures and the quotes were difficult to connect thematically. Though there was a category for each week like "Forgiveness" or "Wise Stewards," I often found myself completely perplexed as to how a particular Scripture reading was supposed to relate to that topic. I'm not suggesting that reading the Bible should be an inherently intuitive process, but if I'm going to be sent flying across the entire Bible from one day to the next, I would really prefer to understand the relationship between the passages.

I also found the "Readings for Reflection" to be a struggle. Though other reviewers raved about the authors who were represented, I found many of them to be extremely obscure (and for good reason). Many of the readings were very wooden, probably somewhat indicative of the time when they were written. I do enjoy reading the classics, but I did not find these selections to be especially enlightening and more often left me scratching my head.

Finally, I found the organization of each week to be extremely frustrating. I was constantly flipping back and forth from one page to another, and the binding of the book is so tight and its pages so narrow that it would frequently snap shut and leave me hunting to find my place. I realize that many will laugh at my focus on such minor details, but they really affect me. I'm distractible to begin with, and the last thing that I need when spending devotional time with God is one more thing to distract me. I really wished that the Scriptures and readings had been better integrated to allow for a more natural flow when using this book.

Upon rereading my critique, I probably paint myself as some sort of lazy idiot. I am not looking for a mindless devotional book. I am willing to invest in intellectual reflection when I study the Word and read what others have to say. Maybe "A Guide to Prayer" will work for other folks, but this guide left me disappointed and even frustrated. I will keep looking for a devotional guide that flows more naturally and makes more sense to me.

The 7th edition of this great handbook is getting a little "long in the tooth" now, but it is still essential reading for anyone who wants to get into model rocketry, regardless of whether you're main interest is low, mid or high power rockets. Of all the books about model rocketry that I own, G. Harry Stine's handbook is the best value for money.

It goes into so much detail from glues to auerodynamics to calculations of height and stability. I would reccomend it to a beginner and an experienced model rocketeer.

As an adult Model Rocketeer for the past 16 years, I can say that every Rocketeer should have this in their library. It is indeed "the Bible" of Model Rocketry. It is a goldmine of information and technical know-how, and will lead a beginning Rocketeer on the right path. Even someone who's just curious about Model Rocketry will learn a lot from it.

This is without a doubt the best book on model rocketry I've ever seen, and I read it from cover to cover. It deals with every aspect of rocketry in a very accessible manner (for example, presenting formulas for various calculations, but not requiring their use). It is organized so that the reader can focus on single aspects of a rocketry program (for example, separate chapters on aerodynamics, rocket propulsion, recovery systems, altitude measurement). I am a science teacher and coach to two Team America Rocketry Challenge teams, and I keep copies of this book available for my teams as reference. I wish it had more information on electronic payloads, but that is a more advanced topic, so it is very forgivable. If you own only one book on rocketry, this is the one to buy.

Great reference for all levels. Perfect for schools or curriculums that have a model rocketry club.

This book is absolutely inspiring! Unlike many other books geared toward military spouses(that just tell you how to understand the military), this book tells you how to enjoy and thrive in your military life!I recommend this to all military spouses, a must read book. Thank you Kathie and Holly for all you do! -Alison Turner, Fort Lewis, WA

This book was great on giving advice on how to create a life for yourself (from getting a job, meeting people, volunteering). It listed lots of other books and websites that I didn't know where out there for me.

Kathie and Holly were the keynote speakers at a Women's Conference on our base recently. They were funny and inspiring. Hearing them speak and reading their book was the kick in the pants I needed to start setting goals for MYSELF again. I bought a book for myself and for a friend that was struggling with the military lifestyle.

Every military spouse should read this book! I read it TWICE and learned even more the second time though. It has inspired and motivated me to "Get a Life Too". I have had so much fun writing my list of 101 Things to Do Before I Die. I discovered that there are so many amazing things that I have already experienced thanks to nearly 10 years as an Army wife. I even managed to get my husband to read a few select chapters and he agrees that it is well written, very informative, and hilariously entertaining (read: funny but true stories). After reading this book you will want to buy one for all your military spouse friends. Yes....it is THAT GOOD! Happy reading!

This book certainly answers the cry for "Help!" expressed in its title. It uses personal examples from the authors and many other military spouses, and gives positive, practical steps for thriving, not just surviving, in military life. The authors have thoroughly researched, thought through and lived out their own advice. An excellent resource for new military spouses, this book is a bright spot of encouragement for spouses of every experience level.

Living is easy when you follow Jane Brody's advice to health eating. The recipes are easy to follow and have ingredients common to most kitchens. Some of the recipes are a bit bland but can easily be spiced up with a little help from a kitchen herb garden or spice rack.

I have used Jane Brody's book so much that the pages were yellow and torn. I was glad Amazon could supply me with a crisp, clean copy.
I put the old one in our high-rise book exchange area. It was gone the next day.

I have a 20-year-old softbound copy of this cookbook that is in tatters, so I am very happy finally to find a fresh copy. I have made many of the recipes in this book and my family has a couple of all-time favorites, especially the pork with green beans and the vegetarian lasagne. While the basic recipes are wonderful, I frequently find them to be bland. My cookbook is filled with margin notes about what herbs and spices I have tried over the years to enhance the recipes. Nonetheless, this is a treasured part of my cookbook library.

The first part of the book is lots of info about nutrition and so on, very interesting and informative (like talking about how potatoes have gotten a bum rap, there really healthy, she mentions one guy who lived healthily for 300 days on nothing but potatoes (and a little margarin). The second part is a few hundred recipes, which are great - easy, delicious, pretty fast, a lot of them with ingredients we keep around the house. Some of our favorites - the chili recipes, the spaghetti pancakes, multigrain pancakes (good with soy flour and blueberries), etc. This (along with books from Moosewood, Tara Duggan, and the Quick Vegetarian Pleasures book) is one of primary cookbooks; we use it all the time. Highly recommended.

I bought this cookbook back around 1992 and the tattered paperback is the most used cookbook in my kitchen.

I live with a vegetarian, so most of what I've cooked has been the meatless recipes, and without exception, they have all been wonderful! Some of these recipes are also my potluck dinner staples (esp the Tri-Color Chickpea Salad). The Quick Lasanga with Bean Sauce has been the hit of every party I've taken it to, and the Lentil soup is to die for.

At one point, I went through a heavy-duty baking phase, and tried many of the muffin and quick bread recipes in this book. Again, there wasn't a dud in the bunch - everything I baked was excellent and won praise from all who partook.

Most of the recipes in this book are very good "as is" (they don't need much futzing with). There is some prep work involved (lots of chopping of veggies and the like), so many of the recipes do take some time. Almost half of the book consists of information about food, nutrition, cooking hints and techniques, which I've found to be very useful. Personally, if you have to have one main cookbook, I'd say that this should be it!

Looking through the book again after all these years. Back when a fast modem was 14.4 and AOheLl was new. It is good to see the faces and the "Stories We Could Tell" To learn of the 'roots' of Parrot Head Madness, this book is a must. Phlockings keep us from Growing Older But Not Up. Great to re-live the moments captured in the photos of "The Evolution of a PHan" Happy to see they are not Poloroids barely in PHocus. We can look at when we finally slow down. Great job Jackson (BubbaFreak) Quigley
"Bank Of Bad Habits" Card carrier 282

BubbaJePH
the Bubba of Buckroe

PHinally, the PHirst and PHinal PHixating PHlourish of PHan-PHlocking-tastic PHlockings, PHilosoPHy, PHreaks (BubbaFreak), and PHriends--da collectors' Book set.

It's worth any price--if only to see all the other PHans that you may have only heard about on the internet, or just IM'ed or emailed once--even ole Unca Rum is in da book.. hehehehe (you'll have to buy it and read it to find me--I'm not naming pages.. lol)

My personalized copy cost me a tix to Jimmy's Initial N'awlins Arena Bash (for BubbaFreak), and it was more than worth it. =)

The best part of this book, isn't Jimmy Buffett, but the PHs and their PHlockings that make wasted away in Margaritaville on island time a national pastime PHor those that love a bit of escapism PHrom modern times.

At a time when too many downplay healthy escapism, Jackson shows how da PHlock merges good old PHasioned PHun with more than just a lil bit of charitable civil involvement. Party hard--but also help others, harder...

BTW, I hear there will be a copy of BubbaFreak (Jackson) and Rum showing off their outlawed Bank of Bad Habits ATM cards in the sequal. =)

A parrot-heads `Alice in Wonderland".
I over paid for an autographed copy of this book at our club's annual charity event, and have loved every page - A must for your collection. -Beverly Metzger, Chicago, IL.

I usally don't write reviews but i am making an exception. If you are a parrot head or wondering what one is. this book is a must have. It is well written and the information is great. Alll around fun book. And if you ever went to a concert watch out you might be in the book:-)

You all read my pre-review: "It was 1971 and had been a long 3 months at sea and Subic Bay looked mighty good. I hooked up with my old Honey Ko, had a few San Miguel's and headed for the hotel...a shower, shave and then to bed. In the middle of a very passionate session she blurted out "Jackson Quigley". I could live with that. Afterall, I'd never promised her anything. Marriage was the last thing on my mind. Later, as she reach climax, she yelled out "JimmyDOTcom". For some silly reason I took that as an omen and the search began. 30 years later I finally found the answer......"
Now that it's here, the book is much more than I had hoped for. The amount of research and work Jackson put into this is incredible...... thankfully the "research" was enjoyable. To say this captures the "whole" parrothead experience is an understatement. Years from now (or this evening) when someone asks what a parrothead is, just hand them this. This will do what you could never put into just words and will more than answer the question. I'm just wondering what future civilizations will think when they uncover this in someone's library.... phins up, Mayday.

I seriously encourage any couple of either mixed faith, culture, heritage, or any couple seeking guidance for their wedding to purchase this book. Rev. Susanna has put together a wonderful book that will put a stressed brides mind at ease. She gives you ways to deal with the stresses both large and small of your wedding. My Fiance and I are of mixed race, faith, and culture so we knew going into this wedding there would be challenges but not to the extent we have seen. Once I recieved this book I couldn't stop reading it. There are stories of both happy and sad times surrounding a wedding. I am at a better state of calmness after reading this book and want to thank Rev. Susanna for creating this book for brides like me needing help.

I'm an interfaith minister and perform about 100 weddings per year. When I saw the title, "Joining Hands and Hearts: Interfaith, Intercultural Wedding Celebrations..." I thought it would have some good reference information and practical perspectives for my ministry.
As it turns out, this is one of those books that seem to be popular today that encourages couples to conceive and write their own wedding ceremony and then find a celebrant to perform it according to their instructions.
In the real world, at least the one I know, there are very few wedding officiants who work this way. Yes, of course we try to elicit the couple's thoughts and preferences and prepare a ceremony to suit their beliefs, backgrounds and personalities. But the only celebrants I know who will simply step up and read the couple's text are the ones who are just going through the motions, for a fee.
Most of this book focuses on walking the couple through an examination of all their thoughts, feelings, and life experiences; discussing possible implications; and then planning the content of their ceremony-- none of it being done with any guidance or input from a professional (except the writer).
It has a lot of pages, and occasionally raises a good point for consideration. But I think any member of the clergy should have learned all this long ago, and a bridal couple should be doing their planning with the person they've selected to perform their ceremony, so they can benefit from the knowledge base and practical expertise.

Since we are based in the UK, I wasn't at first sure how useful this book would be to the European context but it has been a truly uplifting and empowering book, offering guidance on how to turn an interfaith wedding into what it is: a celebration of love that knows no religious or cultural boundaries. Susannah Macomb shows a good understanding of the sensitive nature of interfaith relationships, such as difficulties in articulating and managing our own and our families' expectations. The book deals with the often difficult realities of interfaith relationship while being optimistic and encouraging. By giving specific examples of how to integrate different cultural aspects into a wedding ceremony it is both a practical guide as well as spiritually nurturing.

This book truly shaped my special day. The author is tremendously knowledgeable about a wide array of cultures and rituals. I am a Black American woman married to an Indian American man. I knew that I wanted to infuse both of our backgrounds in our wedding ceremony. Her book provided all I needed to do that. We answered the questionnaire featured in her book where we were able to illustrate our feelings toward our upbringing, families, and each other. These words were then interlaced throughout our ceremony. We incorporated our families into the ceremony as well - having them take part in certain rituals and reading our words of love to them. From her book I was able to pick out the rituals that I liked the most and that I felt tied in both of our cultures the best. We poured libation, tied the knot, exchanged rings and garlands, took the seven steps, jumped the broom, and of course kissed. Her book even had a number of readings associated with each ritual that I was able to choose from. Everything was absolutely perfect thanks to Reverend Macomb and her book. Her kind human spirit really comes through. I could not recommend her book more passionately.

Rev. Macomb's book is a must not only for those who are planning interfaith or intercutltural weddings. I'd say it's a must for ANYONE who is planning a wedding b/c it is laden with wisdom, knowledge, and real compassion and emotion. There is a multitude of beautiful readings that are pertinent to various parts of a ceremony, as well as a treasure-trove of tid-bits and historical facts about so many cultures. Most importantly, the book keeps things in perspective: why you are getting married, why it is important, and what it means. The book is well organized and well written, and has an honest and spiritual voice that is both calm and soothing.

We were lucky enough to have Rev. Susanna conduct our ceremony--she is a genuine and kind person who really loves and cares about what she does, and if you can't have her actually marry you, then this book is the next best thing!