Publications Books

David Wilkinson has given the reader an insider's look at an industry that is about as politically incorrect as exist today. There is, however, no "holier than thou" preaching. Wilkinson's masterful storytelling pushes one effortlessly past any political position. It was wonderful to be caught up in the people as well as the plot. A must read.

I once pondered, from my squalid apartment in Boston, joining a friend who was heading down to Texas to get a job on an oil rig. He told me nothing could go wrong and the pay was stratospheric. The oil industry was in dire need of guys like us to help get their oil out of the ground and into gastanks where it belonged. Still, due to certain unanswered questions, I continued to hesitate. Then my friend went on a five week drinking binge and nothing ever came of the plan to go to Texas.

Now, twenty years later, "The Empty Quarter" answers all my questions, questions like: Are there girls on oil rigs? Do roughnecks really mix their drinks with screwdrivers like it says in Trivial Pursuit? Does one have to be physically strong to be a roughneck? Is the title literal, i.e., is the employment contingent on the condition of the neck. Is roughneck related in any way to redneck? Or is the condition of the neck a result of the job, and if so, does it happen to women, too, or are their necks protected by long silky hair tumbling luxuriantly from under their hardhats? If there are no women on oil rigs, do they work close by in some sort of air-conditioned office, or, in the case of an offshore rig, on a boat moored within shouting distance of the platform? What is the social status of a roughneck? Is he or she afforded the same level of personal dignity as, say, a busboy in a New Wave dance club?

The story takes place on a rig in Saudi Arabia, where the protagonist, Logan, struggles to escape from the smothering influence of his onetime mentor, Jamie Strong. They are not roughnecks, having moved up a few notches on the oilfield ladder. They command a crew of roughnecks, who are from India. Far from being rednecks, these roughnecks are practicing Muslims, who send their earnings home to destitute families, much as Mexicans do from their jobs in the US. The Indians are treated less than respectfully by the Americans and Europeans, much as Mexicans are treated in Texas or California. In fact, the whole scenario is reminiscent of Texas of the Fifties, with Strong playing a sort of Lyndon Johnson, a powerful and demented yokel, with no thought of anything outside his own gluttonous appetites.

On a previous job in the North Sea, Strong had manipulated some machinery so as to deliberately maim some English roughnecks whom he felt did not show him the proper deference. During the investigation of the crime he switches tactics from swaggering to sniveling, and suborns the callow Logan to perjure himself. In this way he at once evades punishment and brings Logan further under his power by involving him in the crime.

Sadly enough, there are no women on oil rigs, and this could partially explain the tolerance of and connivance in racism and mayhem, since men do trend more toward bestiality when women are not present. It's unclear whether their nonpresence is due to Saudi strictures on mingling of the sexes, or to the heavy nature of the equipment used. "Empty Quarter" is full of huge and deadly machinery: tongs, drawworks drum, slug tank, rotary table, cathead... but none of it is never defined or explained in any way, which lends a patina of historicity to the story, as though it were an actual journal dug out of a roughneck's battered locker in the aftermath of an industrial accident.

So, too, does the story of "Empty Quarter" play out: inexplicable yet seemingly inexorable. The men on the rig rank themselves by race in an era when race has been discredited as a means to determine quality; they settle their differences by brawling in an age when lawsuits and subterfuge have been shown more effective in vanquishing foes. Most puzzling of all is that all the brawling and race-baiting and hatred is in the quest of a commodity that they won't even own, that their own nations won't even own when it is finally gotten out of the ground, so that these poor myopic men are at each other's throats for a few bucks an hour, like Treasure of the Sierra Madre set in a Taco Bell. All in all, it seems a tale of a world that is already disappearing. Probably by now there is software that can do Strong or Logan's job better than either of them--and not fly into a murderous rage when the roughnecks disobey it.

I was intrigued by the title of this book as I had lived in Saudi Arabia and been out to rig sites in the Rub Al Khali (the empty quarter). The characters in the book seem very real, if not very likeable. The characterization of the TCN's rang true. The American's came across poorly, but perhaps that too was true. I found the harshness of rig life and the undercurrent of violence to conflict with my exposure to this enviornment, however I will admit to limited knowledge. The writing made you care about the characters and read on. I found the character of Strong to be almost a caricature, drillers normally are party on types but have a great deal more self-control, professionalism, and discipline by the very nature of their work. The technical details were woven into the story in such a way as to make the rig and the well almost characters of their own. On the whole well written, it made me want to visit Hofuf again!

I read this straight through, when it first came out, on non-stop flight from Houston to Seattle. I couldn't put it down. It's that good because it comes straight from David's heart and from his own personal experiences in the oil patch and because he skillfully crafts a spell-binding story that goes beyond a personal memoir. It's wrought with the universal themes of trust, faith and comittment (to name a few). David Wilkinson takes the reader on a fast-paced journey through the eyes of his main character Logan, from Austin to the god-foresaken desert known as The Empty Quarter. There, Logan finds himself as he engages the Arabian desert's ocean of oil with a drilling crew that's made up of the real-life characters you still find in the oil business. I felt like I was there! Moreover, there's some real first-rate writing here that reminds one of Conrad and Hemingway. I hope to see a follow-up to this one from David Wilkinson.

This excellent thriller set in the uninhabited desert of Saudi Arabia on a drilling rig tips you off right away that the writer has both been in the situation himself and done meticulous research. The book is packed with action and fascinating interaction, between men from various countries working for an American/Arabian oil company. There are constant clashes of culture, race, religion, nationality and personality in one of the most isolated situations possible, where the people involved are forced to work aas a team, no matter how they may feel about each other. I particularly enjoy fiction that teaches the reader something about a new subject, in this case oil and gas drilling. The author thoughtfully provided a picture of the works at the front of the book, with many of the parts labelled. Even though it is fiction, I would have also liked some kind of glossary of technical terms. But I sure can't fault the writing--this is one of those books I just blasted through without wanting to put down, and one I can't wait to lend to family and friends. Good books are made to share!

The Heart Sutra is one of the shortest, yet one of the most complex and difficult to interpret buddhist sutras. In his typical clear, organized, analytical style, HHDL provides the reader with an excellent, understandable commentary. I have read several commentaries on this sutra over the years, and I hold this book as one of the treasures in my library.

I also appreciate the commentary The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra by Thich Nhat Hanh. Although his is more analytically simple, and he and HHDL are from very different backgrounds, it is very rewarding to compare the similarities.

In its enigmatic 25 lines, the Heart Sutra is one of the most difficult of Buddhist Scriptures but also one of the most rewarding. It is a basic text of Mahayana Buddhism and recited daily in monasteries and by practicing Buddhists throughout the world.

There are many commentaries, ancient and modern, on this text, but I found this recent book by the Dalai Lama, "Essence of the Heart Sutra" an outstanding place for the beginner to start. The Dalai Lama's book also will reward study by those having great prior familarity with the text. The book is based on a series of lectures that the Dalai Lama gave at the Land of Medicine Buddhist center in California and at the Three Rivers Dharma in Pittsburg.

This work is much more than a commentary on the Heart Sutra. It is equally valuable as an introduction to Buddhism and as a compendium of the teachings of the Dalai Lama. It is instructive to see how the Dalai Lama weaves his broad material together into a coherent whole. Thus, in the first part of the book, the Dalai Lama offers broad-based comments on the spiritual dimension of life, of the relationship between Buddhism and other religions, and of the fundamentals of Buddhist teachings. It is inspiring to hear words of ecumenicism, tolerance, and willingness to learn from others. It is also important to read the Dalai Lama's exposition of the basic Buddhist teaching of Dependent Origination, which is, in later sections of the book, tied masterfully to the interpretation of the Heart Sutra.

The second part of the book offers a translation and commentary on the Heart Sutra. Consistent with his opening chapters, the Dalai Lama stresses the continuity between this Mahayana text and its earlier predecessors in Theravada Buddhism. (Many other commentaries emphasize how the Heart Sutra departs from and differs from its predecessors.) In addition, in a few brief pages the Dalai Lama offers great insight into the fundamental teaching of emptiness --- that reality is "empty of intrinsic existence." He points out clearly that the Sutra does not teach that nothing exists -- a nihilistic doctrine. Instead, the Dalai Lama relates the teaching of the Sutra to the doctrine of Dependent Origination -- stressing the lack of independent existence, substantiality, and ego. He discusses different ways in which various Buddhist schools interpret the doctrine of emptiness -- including the "mind-only" school and two variants of the "middle-way" school. This material is difficult but important and not stressed in various other commentaries that I have read.

The final part of the Dalai' Lama's study discusses the Bodhisattva path of Mahayana Buddhism -- the decision to dedicate oneself to the welfare of others -- and relates it to the text of the Heart Sutra. There are teachings and practices here on learning to practice lovingkindness, also set forth in other writings of the Dalai Lama, but informed here by the discussion of emptiness and nonclinging in the Heart Sutra. This discussion, and the short epilogue, tie together the ecumenical material in the book with the elucidation and analysis of the Heart Sutra.

This book presents difficult, profound teachings in an accessible readable way. It is ideal for the beginning student or for those who want to explore the Heart Sutra to see what it might offer. It also presents an exposition of this text by the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. For those who want to read further and compare and contrast other approaches to this inexhaustible text, I recommend Red Pine's study "The Heart Sutra" and Donald Lopez' "Elaborations of Emptiness", a detailed and difficult analysis of the Heart Sutra in light of its earliest Indian and Tibetan commentaries.

Robin Friedman

This book is wonderful. The Dali Lama may be the greatest person currently with us who can expound great Buddhist truths so that we can all understand. This book will give you a powerful and deep perspective on the brief writing of the heart sutra and on Buddhism as a whole. The biggest key learning for me was to finally understand the saying the form is emptiness and emptiness is form. This book explained that all things are empty of non conditional existence. All things are impermanent and continuously change. This includes what we perceive to be ourselves. All things are dependant on other things for there existence, they have no reality in and of themselves.
The last chapter explains the way of the Bodhisattva (saint) which is to show loving-kindness to all beings by cultivating an image of everyone being your mother or Buddha or someone very close to you. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Buddha and Jesus are in complete agreement.

The best exposition of the Heart Sutra anywhere. It pays to understand the foundation and seed from which something so important and profound grows. The Dalai Lama tackles the profundity in a clear, thorough and easy to understand fashion. Until reading this book I thought I understood. I now realize that my grasp was seriously flawed. I am grateful to the author and all who participated in making this book available to the reading public.

The Dalai Lama does an excellent job of explaining the place of the Heart Sutra within Buddhist thought and of explicating the Sutra itself. Even the rather challenging concept of shunyata (emptiness, voidness of inherent existence) is rendered straightforwardly and clearly. Not just a good commentary on the Heart Sutra, but also a good book to start with if you want to know more about Buddhism.

I might suggest reading this book after, say, Chogyam Trungpa's Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism. If you find this book useful and want to know more about shunyata in particulary (VERY important in Mahayana Buddhism), I would suggest going on to Mu Soeng's commentary on the Diamond Sutra (in spite of a few minor flaws) and then to Jay Garfield's translation of Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way.
This book is a keeper.

On one level, this book easily falls into the category of "couldn't put it down". The writing style and the level of interest generated by each chapter makes the reader feel as if events are being described by a friend sitting across the table. The Q&A chapter continues this same writing style. Each chapter contains accounts and experiences in the context of common "ailments" carried around by us humans. This book is a good buy for it's entertainment value if nothing else.

But unlike many other books, this book can provide the reader with new avenues of self-exploration. This book grabs your attention as you read it and never releases it. Although you can put his book down, the possibilities it presents will probably never leave your mind. This book's presentation of societies most controversial subjects are bound to jar even the most skeptical and closed minds. Before you realize you're going to read this book a second and third time, you're going to stop and read it more slowly and carefully the first time.

Exploring Our Forgotten Lives unfolds as a choreographed mystery full of suspense, intrigue, sex, murder and mystery. Yet, this is no book of fiction and Bryan Jameison with the compassionate insight and awareness of a Master gently unravels painful traumas that affect his clients. I marveled at the transformations as emotional burdens and painful events were released, deeply healing individual realities. It becomes clear how the burden of emotional traumas from past lives block our full experience of joy today. I could not put this book down as I travelled back in time with each person. I cried, I laughed, and I cheered for the healing of the human spirit. Exploring Our Forgotten Lives is an eye-opener! If you've ever wondered what the past has to do with the present, I urge you to pick up this book! You won't want to put it down!

I've read many books on reincarnation and this is the first one that specifically discusses the benefits of past-life regression and past-life therapy. Bryan Jameison uses actual case studies to illustrate how past-life trauma can cause present day afflictions such as migraine headaches,chronic abdominal pain, compulsive behavior, phobias and low self-esteem. He has found that even the cause of birth defects may stem from a past life. Also included are case histories that illustrate that the purpose Karma is balance and harmony, not punishment as many believe. Mr. Jameison also explains that prior to our birth, we chose all the major events and relationships we experience in a lifetime. Our choices may be distorted by fear, guilt or anger carried over from a past life. Through past-life therapy, the person can and often is able to eliminate these detrimental feelings. For me, the most profound statement in the book was that if we were supposed to be someone else, we would have chosen to have incarnated as that person.

Out of all the past life books I have read, this is by far the most original and unique in its approach. Jameison writes with a refreshing clarity that can be humorous yet instructive. His non-hypnotic approach to past life therapy makes the most sense, especially when coupled with the releasing technique which provides the true benefits his patients are seeking. There are no punches pulled in this very open, honest and candid book. If you want the truth, and not some sugar coated version, this is what you are looking for. The last chapter alone, about "The Creative Decision Process," is worth the cost of the entire book. Buy it, read it with an open mind, and it could change your life, now and in your next incarnation.

Exploring Our Forgotten Lives unfolds as a choreographed mystery full of suspense, intrigue, sex, murder and mystery. Yet, this is no book of fiction and Bryan Jameison with the compassionate insight and awareness of a Master gently unravels painful traumas that affect his clients. I marveled at the transformations as emotional burdens and painful events were released, deeply healing individual realities. It becomes clear how the burden of emotional traumas from past lives block our full experience of joy today. I could not put this book down as I travelled back in time with each person. I cried, I laughed, and I cheered for the healing of the human spirit. Exploring Our Forgotten Lives is an eye-opener! If you've ever wondered what the past has to do with the present, I urge you to pick up this book! You won't want to put it down!

This cookbook should be a coffeetable book except for the amazing and easy to follow recipes inside. There are beautiful pictures and just about anyone could follow and accomplish extraordinary results from the pages of this book. A friend of mine gave it as a gift to her 20 year old daughter and the rest of us ran out to buy it right after. You will not be sorry for adding this one to your collection.

I love cookbooks, and was given this book as a gift by my company as a thank you for overseeing the company Christmas Party. I immediately fell in love with it. It's the one book, you don't want to live without. I use it time and time again all through the year. It has fabulous recipes. They are easy enough for the whole family to be involved in. It's very well written, and has a huge selection of recipes to pick from, of all variety. It makes a perfect gift for someone also!!!

I know it's only October (it's October 5 as I write this) but somehow October for me is the beginning of the holiday season, first Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then, of course, Christmas and the New Year. So feeling all holiday like and all, I went to my stash of cookbooks and pulled out GIFTS FROM THE CHRISTMAS KITCHEN because though this book is and was meant to be about goodies you can make in your kitchen and give as a gift on that special day, you can also turn to it for better than excellent deserts, coffee cakes, muffins, scones and so much more.

Last night I made the delicious Black Russian Truffles from the recipe on page 326 and let me tell you these babies melt in your mouth. They are just oh so good. And what a nice surprise to the end of a meal, I mean anybody can go the market and pick up a tub of rocky road, that doesn't tell whoever you're making dinner for that he's special, but these truffles sure do. This book would be a very nice addition to anybody's cookbook library and if you get can't think of that special gift, it's a good place to turn.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

I was so pleased with the book ,the service, avd the way the book was shipped. It was wrapped so well and with care. I was a happy customer, thank you.

My copy of this book is dog-eared, wrinkled and caked with flour, sugar and many other splatterings. If you can follow a recipe (written in an easy to understand manner), you can be the star of any get-together... and not just during Christmas! I have tried almost every recipe in this book and in its' partner book, "Best Loved Holiday Recipes", and every single time my finished product looked as good, if not better, than the picture in the book. If you're looking for tried and true WONDERFUL recipes for years to come, buy these books. They're the best cookbooks I've ever had!

(...)

I enjoyed it as a teenager who had never heard about Rickenbacker, and I've enjoyed it as an adult.

To me, reading this book is like sitting at the foot of one's grandfather. He doesn't care about political correctness, he is somewhat out of touch with what's in and what's out, he's both old fashioned and thinking about the future, he speaks openly and directly without caring what people think, and he tells the most interesting and incredible stories. He isn't modest, and often comes across as arrogant -- but like a grandfather who tells great stories, you accept the fact that here is a man who has a lot to be immodest about!

(...)

This book is absolutely incredible. It is a must read for any American citizen. It should be required reading for all school children. Although I knew who Rickenbacker was, I had no idea he was THIS influential to the development of America as we know it today. What is amazing are his predictions for the future in the last chapter. Published in 1967, many of them are bulls-eye accurate for today. Simply awesome.

Mr. Rickenbacker was always ahead of his time. The pity is that those who can see and plan for the future are never listened to by those who are supposed to be the leaders of this country.

If only Eddie and Billy Mitchell had been listened to right after WWI the Second World War might never have taken place.

The intense supidity of Franklin Roosevelt comes through, throughout this book. Just think, this country sent plutonium to Russia so that they could develop their own Atomic Bomb to wipe out the U.S. and no one even tried to stop the shipments.

Those in the leadership roles of this country very rarily look to the future. Visionaries seem to be continuously scoffed at, but still heroes like Eddie Rickenbacker come forward.

Eddie Rickenbocker has been, is and always will be one of the greatest heroes this country has ever produced.

Eddie Rickenbacker is what "The American Dream" is all about! His book should make anyone proud to be an American and should be required reading by all High School Seniors.

I wish that we could have had Mr Rickenbacker in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era. I know he would have brought a lot more of our men and women home alive!

This is a great book written by a great person!

Read It!

I may have hated Ben Franklin's autobiography, but by loving this book so much it proves I have nothing against autobiograhies. I guess because you hear of Franklin so much and he lived so long ago you'd expect him to tell you something worth hearing. EVR, on the other hand, I had never heard of before reading the book so I had no expectations whatsoever. Ed lived an incredible life and even if only half of the book was true the same could be said(some of the stuff he tells about is so fantastic that it sounds like it can;t possibly be true - like survivin in a raft in the middle of the ocean in the midst of WWII with no food or water for a month and living to tell about it.) The best part was early on when he flew in WWI. Some of his finncial whellings and dealings seem irrelevant, but they can be skimmed with no loss to the story. His rise to success while remaining basically a normal person is pretty inspirational. A must read.

Not only does this book have all the inspirational and motivational aspects mentioned in the other reviews, it is also exciting and amazing! The close calls that Rickenbacker had often during his life make for an exceptional story of a wonderful role model--plus a fast-moving plot. This book, although dealing with many serious subjects maintains a positive tone full of compassion and a love of life. I first read this book when I was 10 or 11 and have been reading it regularly ever since. Many of my friends, as teenagers, have also found this an incredible and enjoyable book. Definitely a must read!

This book taught me algebra in four weeks, during the summer after I finished the fifth grade. I still remember parts of it to this day, 35 years later. I checked out the book at the public library, took it home to read it. It was due two weeks later. I went back to the library to re-check it for another two weeks. By the time it was due again, I had learned algebra all the way up to solving the quadratic equation.

The book reads more like a story than a textbook. I didn't work any homework. I didn't memorize anything. Mr. Asimov simply told me the story of how algebra developed and what real life problems it solved.

In fairness, I have to admit that I was a nerd in school. Not many fifth graders want to learn algebra for the fun of it. Nonetheless, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." If the reader is ready and willing to learn, The Realm of Algebra will do the teaching.

Realm of Algebra by Isaac Asimov is a short introduction to the basics of algebra. It's only about 150 pages, outlining concepts, running through examples and pulling together things you've already learned in arithmetic. The beginning of the book demystifies algebra, then Asimov goes on to show you how to work out all the a's, b's, x's and y's. This is not a textbook and it's not a workbook; it is a basic introduction to the subject. Asimov is a great writer and he actually uses English sentences to explain the formulas.

If you are taking algebra for the first time or brushing up some rusty math skills, this is a great book to have. You'll definitely come away having learned a thing or two. If you are a publisher, please resurrect this book. It deserves to be in print. (There are used copies out there for (dollar amount), but an alternative book is Algebra Unplugged by Ken Amdahl. That one is more basic, but still very good.)

Concur with all previous reviewers; why wasn't this required reading when I learned (or was supposed to have learned!) algebra in school! Outstanding little book possessing far more wisdom and information than its small (paperback) size would seem to indicate. A real collectors piece!

I'm not a math whiz by any stretch of the imagination, and had a fear of math when I was 12. But I picked up this book by Asimov, and learned algebra on my own that summer! It was so easy to understand, and the concepts were so clearly delineated. I'm looking for this book for my 12 year old son, and am sad that it's out of print. I know he'd love it and learn as quickly as I did. I wish they'd reprint this book, ASAP. I can't even find it in our local library. The card catalog says it's lost--yeah, right. I'm sure someone decided to keep the book because it's so good, dang it.

I remember reading this long ago when I was around 4th grade, in my school's library. I can't remember if I understood much of it, but it was obvious that this book was extremely good. Should've been our textbook, of course, but we all know teachers can't read. Too busy teaching us useful things like base 7. Sad, that it's currently out of print.

It is the summer of 1965, and JT is scheming ways to increase his measly allowance of $1.25. His sister, Lesi, is a year older and gets $2.00 a week. How is a man supposed to survive with only a $1.25 to his name?

After several of his "get-rich-quick" schemes fail, JT is pleasantly surprised when, out of the blue one afternoon, their father hands him an envelope. His father tells JT that it is for he and Lesi because he loves them. Inside the envelope are two crisp five dollar bills.

Those five dollar bills take on a whole new meaning when, one week later, their father is gone.

Since their mother has done nothing but drink herself into a stupor for years, Lesi decides it is time to call Aunt Lily. When she arrives, everything changes. Soon JT and Lesi find themselves traveling with Aunt Lily to Tupelo on an adventure. Unfortunately, when the adventure is over, they return home to discover their mother has died of alcohol poisoning.

Funeral arrangements are made, and there is some discussion of moving JT and Lesi to live with their grandmother; however, it is clear that the children are closer to Aunt Lily, and she agrees to move the short distance from her home to live with them. Life is good until one night while Aunt Lily is at work, a man breaks in and brutally attacks Lesi. Nearly fourteen-year-old JT finds himself acting as the man of the family as he saves his sister from certain death.

FEAR OF SPIDERS is a detailed account of JT and Lesi's journey from innocent children to world-weary survivors. John E. Cother tells their story with elaborate description and rich dialogue, giving readers a generous view into the lives of two brave young people.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Life is not kind to all, as written by Mr. Cother, this wonderful story about a failed husband/wife relationship and the two kids it affected. Not quite knowing or understanding their fate, they ponder in detail as to how they shall cope after several life twisting events befall them.

While set in a small Mississippi town, during the hippie 60's, it could be any small town in the country, however you'll have to understand what a muscadine is.

Mr. Cother demonstrates his talent for understanding children entering adolescence with his story about a brother (JT) and Sister (Lesi) that will twist your emotions from one page to the next, while they experience several trials in life at a very early age.

I instantly feel in love with J.T and Lesi, as this brother and sister stuggle to figure out why things are happening to them so will you. I finished the book in four days because I just couldn't wait to see what happened to them next!! I's a wonderful story of a brother and sister bond that no one can intrude on.

John Cother has captured the small town Mississipppi life that, I, like JT and Lesi, experienced in the summer of 1965. Reading Fear of Spiders is like taking a walk under the magnolias, capturing fireflies in a Mason jar and drinking iced tea at the kitchen table. JT and Lesi, though siblings, are much like good friends from any small town where everyone knows each other's names, problems, joys and sorrows. Some might consider the trials that JT and Lesi face during that fateful summer to be a bit exaggerated, but folks from the South know that heartache and sadness are as much a part of life as sultry nights and lazy days. The books is a delightful read with just enough humor thrown in to make the reader believe again in the innocent exuberance of youth. Set to the strains of the Beatles' nostalgic "Yesterday," you'll find it hard to put down Fear of Spiders.

This was an unbelievable book! I found myself making my child go to bed 30min early just so I could hurry and start reading. J.T. and Lesi captured my heart quicker than any characters from any other book. I literally laughed outloud reading some of J.T.'s comments......but that was one of the reasons I did fall in love with him. This book was quite an emotional roller coaster and I will admit I got angry somewhat when certain misfortunes befell them. I believe this is a great read for any person.....whether from the South or not. Be prepared to laugh your head off on one page and cry your eyes out on the next. Great job Mr. Cother!!! I'm ready for Book #2. Hope its coming soon!!!

This was a wonderful book. It was well organized and very informative. Any person who is serious about owning and caring for a ferret will be well versed in the responsibilities associated with that duty after reading it.

This book was extremely helpful in my decision-making for my ferret. This is pretty much what sealed the deal for me. I had always thought about it, then I bought this book and knew a ferret was the right pet for me! Lots of great starter information here, plus some facts that will be helpful for me! I still recommend other books, but I think this is a helpful book as well!

Very well written, an up front and honest account of owning ferrets. A must have for new ferret owners as well as a great addition to the library of seasoned ferret owners.

One of the very best all around ferret books available. Detailed, up-to-date information on housing, feeding, ferret-specific ailments and training. This book gets into the nuts and bolts of day-to-day living with and caring for ferrets, its a must have book for both novice and experienced ferret owners. If you can only afford one ferret book, this is the one to get!

This book has everything I needed to know and more. The advice on feeding, types of food extended their life span, and safed me major medical expenses down the road. Oh and my Ferrets don't bite any more. I can't say enough about this book. "BIG Bravo Zulu"

I had not even heard of Enid Blyton until an aunt in Australia sent me a copy of 'Five Go Down To The Sea'. That would have been about 1955 and I was immediately captivated by Enid's pure sense of mood and adventure.
I must have re-read the book a half-dozen times in just a few weeks and got to know farmer Penruthlan, Yan, The Barnies and Clopper the horse as if they were real friends of my very own.
I relived that adventure again when I got to read a chapter or two aloud each night to my two sons when they were toddlers. They, too, were enthralled with the story. And I truly believe that the noble actions of Julian, Dick, George, Anne and Timmy helped to mould my sons' lives, as they did mine.
Even now, at the 'grand old age' of 57, I am not ashamed to admit that, seeking escape from this troubled world, I have read Five Go Down To The Sea again, by myself.
Now, I can't wait to have grandchildren, so I can read the book to them at bed-time...unless my sons beat me to it, of course!

when i was a kid of 7 or 8 my mom got me interested in books by Enid Blyton, like Famous Five, Secret Seven, and those Adventure series. I just loved famous five and in fact have read all 21 of their regular books. In addition to that i also read their special editions, around 10 . These books are so addictive, once my father even told me u shouldnt read that much , u're studies might get affected, or i'll weaken my eyesight! haha! but in reality these really capture the imagination of a young kid and i highly recommend them to any kids new to reading novels

I could not put it down once I started reading it. After I finished reading the book, I felt sad. I have read the book two times in two days!

I must have read every Famous Five book and Secret Seven book I could get my hands on when I first took an intrest in books. They kept me sneaking the flashlight under the covers to finish off that exciting chapter and wondering what the next chapter had in store for me...please I hope they all come back out in print soon!

My aunt, who lived in Edinburgh (Scotland), sent me Famous Five novels for Christmas and birthdays. I don't think I ever enjoyed any presents so much in my entire life as those books. I highly reccomend them to any prospective young readers.

i use this all the time. Hard job so I need a wind down.

I love this book. It offers great ways to stay calm & focused in just five minutes.

I picked up this book thinking, "Ahhh, a small, fluffy, 'try this or try that' collection of tips in a book form. How.... splendid." I am always glad when I find out how wrong I was about a really valuable resource such as this one!

The book is broken into sections - an introduction which explains the premise of the book, the foundation - incredibly valuable section, and then four sections filled with exercises to try. The exercise sections include Leaving Work at Work, Enriching Your Home Life, Reconnecting with Yourself and Others, and Preparing for a Good Night's Rest.

The Foundation includes an explanation (and practice) of the basic Mindful breathing and Mindful listening techniques. This section alone is worth the investment of the book. You could read that over and over (and apply it, over and over) and change your life significantly.

The practices are icing on the cake, a wide menu of ideas to try out and see what works the best for you.

Highly recommended.

I particularly liked "relax; you're home." it's so helpful to tend the transition between work and home and to consciously infuse my home life with peaceful choices. These simple, yet powerful practices invite stepping out of the forward rush of activity and thought. letting go, and appreciating the innate richness of the moment.

What a great resource to have on the bedside table - or keep it in your car and carve out 5 minutes before shifting from work to home.

This book has a thorough introduction for those new to the practice of mindfulness. It is full of brief meditations, visualizations and exercises to help you leave work at work, enrich your home life, reconnect with self and others and preparing for a good night's rest. As a performance coach, I work with many elite competitors and business people who have trouble winding down at night or getting a good night's sleep. There are some gems in this book to help work through these challenges.

I personally found that after using the book for a short while, just seeing the book was enough to create a mental shift back to being truly present at home in the evening and not letting my mind get pulled back to work when I wanted to be giving my family my full attention. I love my family and I love my work. One of the keys to balancing this equation is being fully present wherever I am at the moment.

Highly recommended for all. Special recommendation as tool for working mothers who are under such high demands to switch from super woman at work to super mom upon walking in the front door at night.

Give yourself the gift of this book and 5 minutes each evening to learn how to better unwind and create more for yourself so you can take better care of those you love. You really can create big changes in a short amount of time. Who does not have or is not worth this type of 5 minute daily investment? If you really don't think so and won't do it for yourself, then do it for your family.

Mollie Marti, Ph.D., J.D.
Author, Selling: Powerful New Strategies for Sales Success