Don Books

I Found this book very helpful with my 3 and 2 yr olds. I actually discovered the book in my pediatricians waiting room- which in itself was a ringing endorsement for the book. Wish I had this book before my children were born- that's why I believe it is one of the best shower gifts one could recieve.

parenting 101 is well laid out and to the point.I have a 2 year old and a 6 month old and found so many great tips.The topics cover everything from discipline to home made toys.I have read quite a few books and found this one to be one of my favorites.I think every new and old parent should read parenting 101 because kids DON'T come with instructions.

Parenting 101 is a rare find! After having read many books on baby/child care, this book is filled with thousands of tips on parenting infants through school age children.

This "Bookmagazine" is fun and easy to read. It covers everything imaginable from "crying and what to do about it", to "42 prescriptions for your child's healthy concept and self-esteem". Emphasis is on a parenting style that encourages the best in your child's development.

A few topics covered:

Nutrition, appropriate toys, restaurant and travel tips, sleep and how to get some, discipline and behavior problems, games and unique finger plays and MUCH more!

Parenting 101 is a must for mothers and fathers. It will be read many times over...

I began using Dr. Melanie's Parenting 101 book in 1984 when I had a new baby. I quickly realized that this was the most significantly positive step I could take in executing the most important job in the world; and I never looked back! I still use Dr. Melanie's principles with my son who is now 15 years old, and truly, I believe to be a well developed human being. I am eternally grateful to have been given the opportunity to apply this information from the "beginning." Blessed are the educators for they empower us all.

We purchased the Parenting 101 book which has saved my life! It's so clearly presented and easy to understand. All the information piled into volumes of parenting books is easily and quickly presented in this bookazine. We've just ordered the discipline 101 book and are looking very forward to receiving it. I see other children in our play group and watch closely at the interaction between parent and child, and the outcome. Very interesting. I've seen many tantrums that could have been avoided with simple reasoning and many examples of bad behavior set by the parents and the children reprimanded the very next minute for doing the same thing. This book has allowed me to "see" from my son's point of view; something we forget as we age. I really feel I am a more understanding, patient, and all around better parent having read them; I wish I had the book when my son was an infant - I could have used it then. This is the best shower gift anyone could ever ask for!

Ordinarily, I'm not a big fan of vampire tales, either in print or on screen. Anne Rice's books leave me cold, and most of the vampire movies I've seen, including those based to varying degrees on Bram Stoker's "Dracula," leave much to be desired. But every now and then a vampire story comes along that totally breaks this mold. Don Ecker's "Past Sins: A Novel of Supernatural Horror" is one of them. What sets this book apart, aside from its engaging style, believable characters, and pace, is its premise: that in 1965 the CIA discovered a bona fide Hungarian vampire, and that its subsequent decision to turn the creature into a Cold War weapon ultimately went terribly wrong. This lifts Ecker's novel far above run-of-the mill, pseudo-Gothic vampire novels and fuses it with the kind of spy/Cold War literature associated with writers like Tom Clancy and John Le Carré. If you add in elements of a "police procedural," of the sort made famous by former LAPD detective Joseph Wambaugh, you have what amounts to a new literary genre: the techno-espionage-vampire tale, which, I hope, the author will soon augment by writing a sequel.

However, in addition to being a page-turner, "Past Sins" is a cautionary tale. Anyone who reads it cannot help but become sensitive to the possibility that experiments conducted in the name of "national security" can have monstrous consequences, and that the powers-that-be are not infallible. It has been suggested that the rapid spread of HIV in the early 1980s was a consequence of a top-secret germ warfare experiment that got out of control. While I have serious doubts about the validity of this suggestion, Don Ecker's novel certainly adds credibility to the possibility that something like it might have happened, and that we must take nothing for granted. I heartily recommend "Past Sins" to a broad spectrum of readers, from horror fans to techno-thriller addicts, as well as to anyone who is concerned with the sometimes pathological nature of what Richard M. Dolan has called "the national security state."

I liked the pace of this one. It kept me looking forward to the next chapter. Whether you are a Sci Fi groupie, militarily affiliated or a Flatfoot, you're gonna Love it. Maybe the "Don" (Mr. Ecker) will cut himself on the front porch more often and spurn another spookster!!!

Don Ecker's Past Sins makes a frightening and timely point that has nothing to do with the paranormal. When something really bad happens, it's the cops, soldiers, and ordinary citizens who can be counted on to do their best while the bureaucrats rush to cover their butts, if they do anything at all.

The something really bad in this case involves a series of vampire attacks in Los Angeles. The attacks are an enlistment drive, first salvos in a war waged by government-issue vampires and their recruits. The back story begins in the early days of the cold war when the CIA lucks into possession of an Eastern European refugee who happens to be a vampire and siezes the opportunity to weaponize the undead. Like so many government projects this one gets shelved when a trial run during the Vietnam War takes an unexpected ugly turn. Turns out, vampires don't respond well to authority. The book begins when one of the project subjects escapes with his own plans for how the world should be run.

The book is fast moving, compelling and frightening on many levels. Apart from the first order fear that a vampire war suggests, there's the underlying discomfort of knowing this is exactly something a government would do, given the chance. and this is likely how it would turn out. A charming feature of the book is that the only belief the reader is asked to suspend involves the possibility of vampires. That done, everyone behaves reasonably given the circumstances. Bad and good guys are equally likely to have horrific things happen to them, and no one can count on safety. Just like real life. The characters are well developed and there's a notable shortage of stereotypes, even among the undead. It's deliciously terrifying and will take you to a place that's hard to get back from, even during daylight.

Frances Anne Olson, D.D.S.

"Write what you know," is the mantra of countless creative writing instructors. Don Ecker has taken this advice to heart. Mr. Ecker's background as a cop, special ops member in Viet Nam and researcher of all things strange for UFO Magazine, one of the top publications of its kind, has well prepared him for his debut novel.

Past Sins is a multi-layered pager turner for several reasons. Mr. Ecker's portrayal of elite soldiers and weary cops has the authenticity that comes from someone who understands both the hardware and the unique cultures, the way only an insider could. There are no cardboard super sleuths or indestructible Rambos to be found. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, the story is populated by characters the reader comes to care about, people that doubt, bleed and sometimes die.

What Past Sins shares with many classic stories we remember long after the last page has been turned is an underlying allegory. This story suggests the sins of an individual or a government may return to haunt the sinner. Mr. Ecker has chosen a timely theme indeed. Our government's marriage of convenience to flesh and blood monsters, from Nazis to dictators to drug lords and terrorists is a matter of historical record. The results of some of those unholy couplings are painfully obvious to even the most casual observer of current events.


This bitter little pill is wrapped in a sweet, action-rich vampire vs. cop/soldier thriller that leaves you unsure of the outcome until the last page.

I can hardly wait to see what Mr. Ecker comes up with next.

Robb Leach is a Sergeant/Supervisor with the Maywood, California Police Department, and is a prolific free-lance writer in his spare time.

We've all heard the adage, don't judge a book by it's cover, and it has never rung more true than in the case of Don Ecker's debut novel Past Sins. It's tagline reads "A a novel of supernatural horror" and the cover art insights images of Transylvanian Counts and the same tired old vampire cliche retold again and again. But don't judge a book by it's cover, tired Counts it thankfully lacks. While there are certainly acts of unspeakable horror depicted in this novel, it doesn't fall neatly into the horror genre. Past Sins is certainly more of an epic action thriller laced with sweat-soaked gun-wielding law enforcement and top secret government...vampires!

We follow a group of characters through the present day battle with the undead and witness the true story unfold through vivid flashbacks to the 60's. It is here we learn of the CIA's top secret special weapon, a Hungarian vampire. But when the project goes awry and vampire converts escape their ultra guarded CIA housings, Hell comes to America as local and national law enforcement embark on the enormous and maybe impossible task of controlling the spread.

This is one novel that begs for, if not needs, a sequel. It's apparent the events in this novel are only the tip of the iceberg. Ecker breaks many barriers in Past Sins. He focused on the magnitude of the situation and not the life histories of every character introduced. He didn't shy away from shifting points of view, allowing the events to be seen through the eyes of several characters almost seamlessly and in turn further amplifying the danger present. And he certainly wasn't afraid to kill off a likable character. Sorry folks, but this is reality, no happy endings here.

But overall, Ecker has produced an original vampire story and twist on the Lilith myth. You won't find any latex clad half-vampire superheroes here, just real people in ultra realistic combat with a supernatural entity brought to life. Remove the vampire and the story still has immeasureable impact on a world where government conspiracy and the fear of terrorism are our reality. It's a gritty epic fueled by the scent of fear, testosterone, blood, sweat and the tears for the fallen.

If you're a vampire enthusiast or just an action junky, you'll enjoy the new life breathed on both genres. Don, bring on the sequel!

I bought this book solely for the purpose of researching the battle at Singling and was very pleasantly surprised at the overall wealth of detail throughout the book. If you have an interest in tactical details this would probably be a good choice for you. Good pictures and maps as well.

One can hear the sound of the tank treads rumbling as one reads this very well written portrayal of the exploits of Patton's "crack" 4th Armored Division , from before "the beach" of Normandy , through the harrowing combat leading to Bastogne.
Long ago tank battles and house to house fighting again come alive as the reader only begins to feel the tension and suspense of men at war. What was it really like, fighting in the cold , in the snow, and at times, in the dark, against a cunning and desperate enemy? This book goes far in giving the reader some idea of what these soldiers experienced.
One day, all too soon, World War II will be as remote to most people as the American Civil War. This book preserves a much needed link to the past through the use of diligent research and vivid accounts of 4th Armored Division survivors. We can only hope for, and look forward to, a sequel.

I am 32 and most books I have read about WWII have been overviews or concern a specific theatre or action. This is the 1st book I have read so specific within the subject. I found it to be somewhat easy to read and follow overall. Certain chapter descriptions I could easily make a mental picture of the battle. Some of it was overwhelming in detail, which is probably what some of the soldiers thought of the war. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in military history and especially the ETO. Would definitely read the next book by the same author. Thank you Mr. Fox

The problem with most World War II books is that you are given overviews and opinions. This book is highly detailed and gives the blow by blow descriptions of specific battles. It is excellently researched and backed up by personal accounts of General Al Irzyk, Colonel James Leach and others.
I felt like I was there in my own Sherman tank and it is a must read for someone who craves small unit and company action.

Every few years a book comes along that is truly impressive and this book is one of them. The author has written an excellent account of an armored division at war. It is very easy to read and understand and he is very descriptive of the battles and movement of the 4th Armored Division. The author talks about the big picture to help the reader understand why the division attacked in certain directions. He also peppers each chapter with small unit actions that conveys the terror and triumphs the men of the division experienced. The chapter on the relief of General Wood was well written and thought out. The author avoids trying to lay blame at one person's feet, but tries to show how certain factors (from COL Withers incompent handling of CCA to Wood's arguments with his corps commander, Eddy) may have lead to Wood's dismissal from command of his beloved division. The only "flaw" if you can call it that is at the beginning of each section he includes a map of the area of operations the chapter is describing. What would have been helpful would have been if the author showed the routes of CCA, CCB and CCR along with what units were on the flanks. It would have helped follow the action a little better. Nonetheless this book is worth every penny and If the author decides to write another book on "Patton's Best" I will be first in line to buy it.

This book is an outstanding review of the health, ecological, and moral reasons for refraining from eating animal products. Having said that, it is neither "preachy" nor sanctimonious but rather downright entertaining. I loved it. It made a vegetarian out ofme.

I bought this book for my boyfriend right after we discussed going vegetarian. I thought it was a cookbook to help ease us into a meatless diet, which we were considering primarily because he wanted to lose weight. Instead, it changed my boyfriend's life -- addicted, he kept coming into the room to read me sections. It gave us permission to be vegetarians (year and a half now) for ALL the right reasons -- love of animals, the environmental and hunger problems perpetrated by the meat industry, all-around health, etc. -- although he did lose 30 pounds without getting hungry! This is a perfect antidote for all the stupid Adkins/Zone/high-protein diets that are so unhealthy -- and are only excuses for people to keep eating too much meat (which is *any*, now that we've read this book). And it's so funny and light-hearted that you'll be an avowed vegetarian before you know what hit you. Give a copy to everyone you know! We're sold.

I found this book to be very helpful and fun to read but,I haven't picked it up again since my first read through. I think this would be a great gift to a new vegatarian or a lender to a person interested in learning more about the specifics. Informative and fun....just not a whole lot of new info for this long-time reader and veggie eater!

As an avid reader of "scads" of books related to vegetarianism/veganism - and as a vegetarian of nine years, vegan of one - I've got to say this is by far THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOOK I've read on this topic! I've gasped, winced and even cried reading non-fiction portraying the ghasly side of human behavior and how we treat animals, but I've never laughed out loud - until now! (My cats think these seemingly unprovoked outbursts indicate that I've finally gone insane.) Definitely not just for the flesh-eater, as the title may lead one to conclude, this book is jam-packed with facts and the author's insightful observations. Reinhardt, perhaps the only ethical attorney in existence, asks you to question your behaviors, consider the alternatives and make the kindest, most logical alterations in your lifestyle for your physical health, your conscience, the planet and of course, the animals. Don't pass this one up - buy it used, contact the author, track down an unsuspecting vegan in the tofu department and beg to borrow it! I love this book and am buying copies for all of my redneck, backwoods relatives who still can't pronounce "what it is exactly that I am." (Veee-gun, Aunt Edna.) This one is fun and informative - get a copy and enjoy!

This is a fantastic book. After a difficult holiday with relatives I picked up this book and wished I had had it with me before the holiday had started. Since then I bought 8 more copies and have given them to friends and relatives alike. Information on the benefits of being vegetarian is presented in a non-emotional way with excellent facts to support the information. It covers issues ranging from nutrition to environment to factory farms. There are scenarios for dating, a whole chapter on dealing with relatives, and tips on how to be vegetarian during the holidays without going hungry. There's no meat-eater bashing in here. In fact, a lot of the writing is pretty funny. Its just a very straightforward presentation of information and armed with non-emotional information makes it so much easier to have a conversation with people who try to challenge your choices. I highly recommend this for anyone who is vegetarian/vegan as well as for anyone who loves/knows someone who has made such a choice and you want to understand why. Its absolutely one of the best books I've read and has helped me immensely. Plus there are some really funny parts. Enjoyable and quick to read

A very informative book that tells really a lot about Macedonian king Philp the 2nd and the way he forced himself on the Greeks. There's not as much in there about his son, Alexander, but it was worthwhile anyway for anybody who wants to know about the wars of that time in ancient Greece. I highly recomend it.

This book is the best book I have seen about King Philip II for general readers. Several scholarly books that are available contain more information of course. But for those who want a simple, straightforward overview, this book is excellent. The book contains a good deal less on Alexander and seems to make the case that much of Alexander's later success was due to his father's considerable talents. Nice job all around.

Don Nardo, the leading classical historian in the U.S. young adult market, has turned out yet another fine piece of historical writing. Here, he approaches an often-done subject from a fresh viewpoint. Instead of focusing most of the time on Alexander and mentioning his father Philip in a mere few pages, as so many books of this kind tend to do, Nardo focuses most of the book on Philip and how in an amazingly short span of time he forged a nation out of petty competing factions in a Macedonia that was viewed by Athens and other leading Greek city-states at that time as a backward, uncultured place, and also how he created a formidable army, one that Alexander later used to conquer Persia with. I have read just about all of the important literature in this subject area, and Nardo's is the only non-scholarly study I know of that goes into Philip's life and exploits in such detail. The title of the book is a bit misleading, in that it could be construed by those who have not read the book to mean that the unity Philip and Alexander brought to Greece was complete and/or permanent; and I suspect that this was not Nardo's own title, but rather one imposed by the publisher. However, throughout the book, Nardo makes it very clear that said unity was only partial (Sparta and some other Greek states not taking part), impermanent, and also achieved by brute force, since the Macedonians marched into southern Greece and imposed their will on the residents. This is excellent, well-informed historical writing, of far better quality than some scholarly books I have seen, although admittedly couched in simple terms and language for its young audience.

Don Nardo, the leading classical historian in the U.S. young adult market, has turned out yet another fine piece of historical writing. Here, he approaches an often-done subject from a fresh viewpoint. Instead of focusing most of the time on Alexander and mentioning his father Philip in a mere few pages, as so many books of this kind tend to do, Nardo focuses most of the book on Philip and how in an amazingly short span of time he forged a nation out of petty competing factions in a Macedonia that was viewed by Athens and other leading Greek city-states at that time as a backward, uncultured place, and also how he created a formidable army, one that Alexander later used to conquer Persia with. I have read just about all of the important literature in this subject area, and Nardo's is the only non-scholarly study I know of that goes into Philip's life and exploits in such detail. The title of the book is a bit misleading, in that it could be construed by those who have not read the book to mean that the unity Philip and Alexander brought to Greece was complete and/or permanent; and I suspect that this was not Nardo's own title, but rather one imposed by the publisher. However, throughout the book, Nardo makes it very clear that said unity was only partial (Sparta and some other Greek states not taking part), impermanent, and also achieved by brute force, since the Macedonians marched into southern Greece and imposed their will on the residents. This is excellent, well-informed historical writing, of far better quality than some scholarly books I have seen, although admittedly couched in simple terms and language for its young audience.

The achivements and conquests of the Macedonian king Philip II are summarized in this highly informative volume. The author devotes most of the book to Philip, rather than his illustrius son, Alexander, which is Ok because there are plenty of books about Alexander out there already. It is really refreshing to find out how much of Alexnader's accomplishments were the result of his father's talent and achievements, which tend to get glossed over in a lot of books about Alexander. As one of the reviews above mentions, the author does a really nice job of working in actual quotes from ancient writers, which gives the book a strong feeling of authenticity.

What a fun and insightful book! Way to go, Judy. We've all got our "monstors" we're dealing with, and you've given some great ways to approach and deal with them. Looking forward to your next book! ~~Scooter

This book is one to keep and share! I always keep a couple copies on my shelf, and I bought several copies to give as gifts. Not only does the book provide sensible advice, it is so well written that it is applicable for readers of all ages; and it is without a doubt, timeless! I highly recommend this book!!!!!

Very nice read, a wonderful way to explain anxiety to a child, but as an adult with anxiety it doesn't take too much energy. As we all know when we have anxiety we don't have a lot of energy. Simple and well written!!!

Thank you,

Tammy

A great Book! To learn a lesson, keep it simple and to the point! Great reminder that there are ways to help from bending things a little bit out of shape. Thanks!

Wonderful book with delightful illustrations...reminding us all how to release negative thoughts and emotions and believe in ourselves! Great reminder of the power of positive belief and intention. Thank you!

Teddy bears and kids go together like peanut butter and jelly. This classic children's story sticks well together,and the kids are sure to be stuck too.
This little bear is a bit shy. He is almost childlike going through the various motions of his adventure. Being of a child's view point is a huge plus with young children. He is faced with obstacles a toddler may have to deal with.

I can't begin to count the number of times we have read this book since finally purchasing it for Christmas. My son loved Corduroy and loves this one just as much. It's a book that I enjoy as well, so I don't mind reading it over and over.

Lisa's bear Corduroy gets lost in the laundromat. Lisa looks for him but the manager must close up for the night. Then Corduroy goes on his adventures. It's a very good picture book for children 3-6.

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, you child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. A Pocket for Corduroy was one of her picks. Since the story is well summarized here at Amazon.com, I would like to focus on why the story is an important one to share.

First, Lisa is shown as being not such a young child. Yet she carries her teddy bear, Corduroy, with her openly. No one comments on that, shames her about it, or acts as though she is doing anything strange. Children draw great comfort from familiar objects, teddy bears, blankets, and other stuffed toys. This book endorses that connection, overcoming the stalled thinking that children must quickly become little adults.

Second, Lisa helps her Mother do the laundry as her primary focus. That shows a connectedness to her Mother and the family that is very encouraging for a child. She can make a contribution although she is a child.

Third, Lisa makes every attempt to be responsible about Corduroy. She tells Corduroy to wait in a chair and not to move. She tries to find Corduroy before leaving the laundromat, and gets her Mother to agree to come back again the next day to find him. Although she is sad, she overcomes her reluctance to be separated and leaves. This suggests that she can and should trust that everything will turn out all right. This reinforces an optimism that is good for children to develop.

Fourth, all of the adults act in responsible ways. Lisa's Mother brings her back. The artist who finds Corduroy in his laundry bag dries his clothes for him and leaves him where he can easily be found the next day. The man who works in the laundry helps Lisa and her Mother find Corduroy the next day. This encourages the idea that everyone can and will help one another. This is a good role model for children as they imagine what they should be like as adults.

Fifth, the whole misadventure relates to Corduroy feeling bereft because he does not have a pocket. So Lisa sews one for him, caring for him in a nurturing way even though he is only a teddy bear. Caring about others is a great way to feel better about oneself.

As you can see, the book is filled with optimistic, caring, considerate human values expressed through the story. You can reinforce this by discussing with your child how s/he might care for a favorite stuffed animal or blanket during an upcoming trip. This can help reduce the anxiety caused by concerns about the changes, and assist your child in being careful so the loved connection is not lost.

You and your child will feel affirmed and closer after you read and review this story together.

Overcome your stalled thinking about providing affirmations to your child with this book!

In this installment of Corduroy's adventures with Lisa, we see that some time has passed since she first brought him home from the department store. She's taller, wearing her hair a little straighter, and her mom looks like she had a makeover, too. Corduroy, however, is wearing the same green overalls he did in the first book and has managed to keep both buttons on this time. Early on in the book, however, Corduroy decides he needs a pocket, and in the search for one gets separated from Lisa and her mom while they are in the laundromat. They leave without him, setting him up for a meeting with a friendly stranger who washes his overalls for him, as well as encounters with such laundromat staples as powder detergent and pushcarts.

As in the first book, Lisa comes back for him the next day, and once again her needle and thread come to the rescue.

This book and "Corduroy" are the only two Corduroy books my daughter and I have read. I wonder if there are others, and what kind of sartorial splendor Corduroy will be arrayed in next if the trend continued!

My wife bought me this book and she told me not to come home until I was finished reading!! I was a little skeptical at first...but when I read the book, I have to say....Glebe is right on the money. I was able to learn alot from this book...and now I get to sleep in the same room as my wife again...earning points like a champ these days and my marriage is much more stable because of it. I like the humorous anecdotes as well....
I definitely recommend this book...Thanks Glebe!

This was a great read!!! Anyone who wants to or needs to learn a thing or two about reltionships should pick up this book. Informative and funny!

this book was so hilarious, i bought it for my dad and his third wife as a wedding gift... clearly he needs help with all the stuff glebe talks about! buy this book today!!

Very funny tongue in cheek book. Helpful hints for your guy to earn "points" since women really know the score.

This is a very funny book--and it hits home. I laughed through every page--then I got some points.

I bought this book to get new ideas for future trips, although this book is very useful for armchair travelers as well as each trip is described by someone who has actually made the trip.

I did not realize this book is intended for the senior traveler (50+), but then again I would really hope that by that time that I'm that age I still could make those trips.

The trips described are slightly adventurous but some have a hint of comfort as well. Each of these trips would make for a wonderful experience and I would like to do almost each one of them.

The more challenging trips are listed in the last part of the book in the chapter of future destinations (at the moment infrastructure is lacking in those places for easy travel).

So there is something for everyone who is interested in exciting and active holidays. Recommended.

Although I am not an adventure traveler, I was just entranced by the descriptive quality of this wonderful book.
It nearly felt as if I'd joined the excursions as the details offered were so accessible and entertaining. It's
almost as if I'd had a little mini vacation . The book is all about getting away and literally vacating ones' life
and after reading (actually flying) through this book , I felt that wonderful relaxed feeling one has after taking
an enjoyable and distracting vacation.
Marcia Stone Tanck, Venice California

As someone outside the target demographic of this book, and also one who tries to avoid traveling as part of a tour group, I approached this book with a certain amount of skepticism. The book bills itself as being tailored to the "seasoned" traveler, which to my ear sounded like it was for "old farts." While it certainly would be a great book for old farts looking for travel destinations, it's also a great resource for people of any age who are looking for adventure travel, but who can also enjoy an exotic location on its own merits without the addition of a mindless adrenaline rush.

The book consists of several parts: first is the introduction where the coauthors discuss the logistics of adventure travel in the form of "What to do" and "What to bring." Don Mankin handles the first topic and Shannon Stowell handles the second. The tips contained here, e.g., "Get in shape," "Buy trip insurance," and "Bring good footwear" are not revolutionary, but certainly helpful. The specific clothing and footwear recommendations in Stowell's chapter are especially useful.

The next 26 chapters each cover a different adventure travel experience, and are grouped by continent. About half the chapters are written by Mankin, while Stowell contributes two of his own, and the rest are rounded out by other contributors recruited by the authors. It's a shame that Stowell only wrote two chapters as his writing style is very lively and seems to capture the adventure aspect of the trip very well. The form followed in each chapter is a full description of the trip including some of the hardships as well as the beauty and adventure. The end of each chapter covers four topics: "Why Go," "Special Issues and Challenges," "Variations and Options," and "Resources and Information." Within the final topic are two subtopics, "How to do it" and "Where to Stay." This gives the reader plenty of information to make a decision as to the feasibility of the trip from the standpoint of health/physical fitness, level of accommodations that can be expected, and financial burden, as most of the trips list the prices that can be expected in either 2007 or 2008 dollars. There's also contact information for tour operators and others who can help with the planning of the trip.

At the end of these 26 chapters are 26 more trips that are listed in a couple of paragraphs each. These trips were not experienced directly by any of the authors, but rather were gleaned from a survey of adventure travel tour operators who were asked to recommend tours that would be good for the, ahem, "seasoned" adventure traveler. Once again these tours are grouped by continent and all areas of the globe are covered.

The final chapter is titled "What's next in adventure travel" and covers topics such as sustainable adventure travel, and also volunteer adventure tourism, or "voluntourism." This is something that has apparently been catching on lately, and in this chapter they lay out some questions that anyone considering this approach should ask of themselves and of any tour operators with whom they might book a trip.

Overall, the book was very good, especially in the way it captured my imagination and transported me to the location being described. As someone who diligently seeks to avoid crowds, I was pleased that most of the trips also had the same goal in mind, even though they were generally within arm's reach of civilization. The diversity of the trips both in terms of subject and location provides something for everyone. My favorites were the trek to the mountain gorillas in Uganda where Katherine Braun Mankin had a couple gorillas pass by within two feet as she sat trembling with excitement, the walking safari in Zambia where Dennis Hicks and Stephanie Waxman got out of their vehicle and walked through the bush for a total immersion experience in the wilds of Africa, and the trip by coathor Stowell to the Dong village in Guizhou, China where the whole town came out to sing for them when they arrived.

This is not a book you'll want to carry with you on your travels, since it doesn't give step-by-step directions as you go, but it's definitely a book you'll want to read from cover to cover if you're planning a trip somewhere and you'd like ideas on where to go and, almost as important, how to go. Highly recommended.

This is a wealth of information and a fun read. Everyone who loves travel should make sure they buy this book.

Note: Review of an Early Release Version.

They should put a warning label on this book: "Caution! Reading more than two chapters of this book at one sitting may cause you to quit your job to do more adventure traveling before it's too late!" I read "Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean" slowly -
partly to savor the descriptions of the adventure travel and partly because I found myself daydreaming about planning more and longer trips after I had read a chapter or two.

"Hulahula" is a "must read" book for seasoned (that is, experienced, older) travelers who are looking for new places to explore that are off the beaten track. The Hulahula is not a Hawaiian dance but a river in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and you get a first person account of what it is like to raft down it. The book also takes you "up close and personal" on encounters with mountain gorillas in Uganda, and you learn how one of the authors broke down in tears and proposed to his then-girlfriend at Machu Picchu, what it feels like to take a walking safari in Zambia and lots more.

The trips are described in first person narratives that give you a far better idea of what to expect than the standard guidebooks provide - if they cover the trips at all. You also get helpful hints about issues that those of us who are no longer twenty-somethings care about: what kind of shape you should be in to keep up with the others in your group, the toilet facilities, and whether the beds or camping spots will be friendly to people with bad backs. The book also includes useful information on the travel companies that specialize in each trip, possible variations on the trips and prices. My advice: read the book and then get going! Time's a-wasting!

I've owned this cookbook for 10+ years, and I have to have given at least 10 copies over the years as gifts.
Timeless recipes from great cooks that were tested repeatedly amongst JL members and their families. One of the guidelines for selecting recipes for testing was that the ingredients were relatively easy to find.
I've made the majority of the recipes time and again, always to rave reviews (I'd love to take credit but it's not me, it's the recipes:)
Casual to fancy, this is a cookbook that I use as frequently today as I did when I first purchased it. You'll be pleased, I promise.

I am a resident of Springfield, Mo and bought this book when it was first published. I have since bought 6 more over the years for my daughters and neices, they all love it! The recipies are easy and so delicious!!!

My sister's 1991 copy of this book is falling apart, so we just ordered a new copy. Donna says every recipe is great.

As a former chair of the JLS' Sassafras! Cookbook committee, I have had the opportunity to try most ALL recipes in this cookbook and have NEVER had a disappointment! The recipes were all triple-tested by Junior League of Springfield (Mo) cooks and the cookbook has been in print for more than 10 years.

I have owned this cookbook for years and I have never had a dud recipe. This last Christmas I was going to make candy and ran across the English Toffee recipe. I made it and everyone raved. I made it again and everyone raved. It is so easy and it tastes like a million bucks! That expensive toffee you buy in the high dollar chocolate shops is a breeze to make your friends and family will be amazed. My second favorite recipe is the Trees and raisins even my husband will eat his broccoli!