Education Books

The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy was truly a delight to read. Dr. Sylver has a gifted ability to do comprehensive research, perceive the technical information that is available to the analytical mind, and then transform it into an enjoyably readable book for globally minded random thinkers such as myself.

Having read Dr. Sylver's previous book The Handbook of Rife Frequency Healing, I expected the comprehensive writing skill and outstanding layout of her quality work. That was all present in this new book, but I was also pleasantly surprised at how much I learned about saunas, and how important they are for detoxification. Indeed, I was able to see that in some cases saunas may be the only therapy that can eliminate drugs, chemicals, and heavy metals especially in a rapid time frame.

Dr. Sylver begins by reviewing historically documented evidence of the long history of sauna usage, construction, and cultural and social aspects of the sauna. She explains, in incredible detail, how and why the body produces sweat, and the positive benefits of deliberately inducing sweating.

As in all of Dr. Sylver's work, she goes above and beyond the subject at hand by giving an expansive education of all complementary aspects of the subject. For instance, in discussing the many types of saunas and the benefits and weaknesses of different types of sauna construction, she touches on the FIR (far infrared) saunas, and gives a comprehensive education on the electromagnetic spectrum, complete with wonderful graphic charts, to make wavelengths and cycles per second theory very understandable to lay persons. She goes on to discuss the heat spectrums of visible and infrared (invisible) spectrums of light. All this comes into play in FIR saunas. As I've said, she puts so much more into her books than just the topic of the book, and this makes it so enjoyable to learn.

Another thing that was so interesting was her discussion of toxins that we all come in contact with, and how each of these are directly and indirectly responsible for allergies, syndromes, disease -- in fact, all kinds of chemical and hormonal problems that we might not ever suspect are responsible for our diseased states. Even for nerve diseases that we think of as incurable in the medical world, she give evidence of significant measurable relief of symptoms directly due to the elimination of chemicals and heavy metals. The detoxification is so noticeable that it shows up in pre-program vs. post-program tests. For instance, Dr. Sylver shows conclusively that in test subjects having central nervous system afflictions as well as autoimmune diseases, in a specified program of 50 days sauna therapy gave a 99% reduction of symptoms. While we may not be able to say that medically this person was "cured," we can say it sure made a measurable difference in the quality of this person's life.

I must say that I was totally impressed. My own husband is in construction. He is constantly exposed to various chemicals in building products, paint, thinners, etc. He and I also live in an agricultural community where crop dusting goes on for days several times a year, so we are constantly exposed to abnormally large amounts of chemicals. After reading Dr. Sylver's case for how these various chemicals affect different systems, including neurological and endocrine, I was convinced that finding a sauna soon was not just a luxury to experience, but a necessity for achieving a healthy life -- free of toxic symptoms. Dr. Sylver states her case most eloquently.

This book is truly a must have resource. I really enjoyed it, and learned more than I ever anticipated. Very well done!

Health, Hope, Joy & Healing :
May you Prosper, even as your Soul Prospers 3John 2

Jennifer Ruby

http://www.rubysemporium.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SymphonicHealth

Many alternative health books are written haphazardly. Nenah Sylver's books are written professionally. Simply stated, her books speak to years of dedicated study and hundreds of hours of diligent research. Dr. Sylver's incredible resources have quickly become the standard reference guidebooks for sauna therapy and rife treatment. In fact, without Dr. Sylver's books, much of the information related to these topics would be unknown and unpublished to the public in the U.S. and abroad.

I highly recommend Nenah Sylver's books. They have contributed greatly to my healing journey, my writing, and my big-picture knowledge of alternative health treatment options.

If you haven't already, check out Nenah's other book: "The Handbook of Rife Frequency Healing: Holistic Technology for Cancer and Other Diseases."

Bryan Rosner
Author, "The Top 10 Lyme Disease Treatments" and
"Lyme Disease and Rife Machines"

This book is easy to sum up: without doubt, the most well-researched and comprehensive book on the topic in the English language.

As a physician and author myself, I was absolutely impressed with Dr. Sylver's thorough research and writing style. It is rare to find someone who can write about complex medical and scientific topics in such a clear, even fun way.

This book is a presentation of what is one of the two or three best techniques anyone can use for getting and staying well. Saunas -- applying heat to the body to induce sweating -- has been in continuous use as a healing method for tens of thousands of years. It is applied today in virtually every therapeutic approach to treatment of a wide range of conditions, ailments and diseases. Saunas are affordable enough to be part of everyone's home regimen for health.

I recommend this book to everyone interested in discovering one of the best healing methods available, anywhere, at any price.

Hakim Chishti, ND
http://www.unani.com
author of
Traditional Healers Handbook &
Book of Sufi Healing
(both available of Amazon.com)

Sweat it out: Book outlines how and why of sauna
Dr. Nenah Sylver says on her website that when she was first invited to write about sauna therapy, she thought she'd be writing a pamphlet. Applying her inquiring mind to the subject of sweat, she soon realized there was far, far more to say than she had realized.
Modern medicine seems to be gradually coming to terms with what traditional cultures from China to Europe to Peru and beyond have long known about disease: It's the toxins, silly. Toxins in our food and in our environment build up in our bodies, resulting in a host of maladies from the annoying to the life threatening. Modern life, of course, exposes us to toxins our ancestors never dreampt of
Those same cultures, as Sylver makes plain in an early chapter, understand the value of simple sweating- brought on by heating the body- as a way to flush those toxins out and leave room for health to happen. And although saunas may have caught on as an essential component of the modern American health spa or club, it's doubtful that most people really understand the depth and breadth of benefits they can realize by making sauna therapy a regular part of their health regimen, as the Finns have done for generations.
The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy aims to correct that situation, and does so admirably, with chapters on sauna history, how and why we sweat, what's in sweat and why our bodies need to get rid of it- and goes on to discuss heat types, sauna construction, various health conditions that may benefit from sauna therapy and a few that rule it out or require modifications, how to sweat properly, overall detoxification problems, and where to find the nearest sauna or get one of your very own.
The author's intelligence and depth of research are formidable; thankfully, her writing style is not. She manages to be both in-depth and conversational, not to mention extremely convincing- her enthusiasm is backed by exhaustive study, which she clearly enjoyed, and the sense of enjoyment shines through in the text. Sylver has found out something good to share with the rest of us, and does so with panache, sincerity and sensitivity.
Should you read this book? Do you inhabit a human body? (If you don't, and are currently reading this, please contact the Bluestone Press for a feature story.) Would you like to regain or maintain health and vitality for the rest of your years, without relying on the pharmaceutical industry and the wizards of managed care?
The book is available at www.NenahSylver.com, along with a host of other intriguing stuff. Check it out. Enjoy.

A few years back, I purchased a FIR sauna after becoming aware of their value from readings on the Internet. After my purchase, I decided that it might be good to buy a book on the topic of saunas to ensure that I was properly using the sauna. I guess that I was a little backwards in my thinking. I should have purchased the book first and then the sauna. Anyway, I am glad that I purchased the book as it did shed light on the proper way to use a sauna. It is important to replenish lost minerals from the sweating process. I can tell you that I have experienced what I consider to be a miracle from my sauna. I was experiencing what I can only imagine was arthritis in my hands and wrist. The pain was excruciating. I was afraid to open a jar for fear of the searing pain that might accompany it. After dedicated use of the sauna, the pain is gone. I also know that I am sweating out toxins and actually enjoy the time in the sauna. Nenahs book was a smart buy. I would also like to share my experience with my order of her book. My order was late to the point that I was convinced that the book was lost in transit. I called Nenah and was apologized to and assured that a second book would be sent. I received the book a short time after the phone call. I also was sent a second book by her(The Handbook of Rife Frequency Healing) as a gesture of an apology. This was way beyond anything that I expected. I know that the first book lost in transit, was not her fault. I am sure a lot of merchandise gets inadvertantly lost just due to the shear bulk of items mailed. When I received this book, it held little interest to me due to my ignorance on the topic. Well, this book blew my mind with the introduction to Royal Raymond Rife and his amazing invention. It is an incredible invention and book. Is there an actual alternative cure for cancer? Did Royal Raymond Rife invent it? I believe it. Buy this book also. It is amazing. If you, or anyone you know is ill, with any type of serious affliction, check this book out. The information in it could save your life. This has become much longer than I intended. I only meant to write to thank Nenah for her great books and to write to tell people who might be interested in their health, to consider purchasing her books. Thanks Nenah\Nina.

I was totally impressed with this book. It is very colorful and informative for those interested in establishing a Montessori way household. The information is to the point and suggested activities and necessary household items are listed in a clear concise manner.

I didn't know much about the Montessori method, but this book was a great introduction to both the general principals, and specific practices. It's a fairly quick read, with lots of pictures (showcasing the most amazing kids fashion I've ever seen), but it offers a wonderful window into a method that has raised many successful and fascinating children and adults over the past century.

A very nice point about this book is that there are instructions on how to make some of the specific Montessori toys used for learning letters and numbers. There's also a short but comprehensive list at the end of suggested books and web resources. Since, as the book explains, the Montessori method isn't copyrighted and anyone can claim it, it was nice that the book offered some definitive sources that can be trusted.

I'd recommend this book to any parent of a young child. Even if you don't want to send your child to a Montessori school (and the book even freely admits that it's not for everyone), there are some really valuable ideas in this book about everything from learning to child development to discipline to specific activities to do with a child.

I recommend this book to parents interested in a Montessori education for their children. It gives a very clear understanding of what Montessori is about.

My daughter goes to a Montessori daycare. Before signing her up, I had reviewed online information. This book does not really give you more than what you can find online on the method itself, and does not touch on the critism made to the Montessori method.
However, it is a very pleasant book and good introduction. It gives very practical advise to apply Montessori to your home.

This is no literary great, but a short and sweet little guide about montessori in the home. The photos are exquisite, a real joy in themselves. The ideas and activities in the book are more contemporary than some of the other montessori the in the home books around as well.

There were things in this book that had never crossed our minds. A great book to have in your collection and easy to understand.

I bought this book after I heard Sandra speak at an ADHD convention... A very thorough book on how to teach ADHD children. If you are going to buy just one book that says it all this is it...

As the wife of a husband with ADHD and mother of a son with ADHD, I have struggled for years like many other reviewers to do what is right for "my boys". Sandra Reif offers some very encouraging and helpful strategies in this books. I think the key point that all books on ADHD need to make is that each person with ADHD is an individual with unique talents and gifts, and we need to view these in a positive light. Anyone who has struggled with this needs to read a book called GIFTED by Kirk Martin. It's actually a novel about a young man with ADD who comes to understand that the "disorder" parents and teachers had considered negative all his life actually turns out to be a gift. I think you can read a summary at kirkmartinbooks.com, it presents an entirely new way to view the ones you love.

This book made me wish that ALL reference books were written this clearly. Whether your looking to use this book to do a presentation in school, a teacher looking for help on teaching ADHD students, or have an ADHD child of your own, this is for you. It's a no non sense, straight forward guide to ADHD. It includes the causes, symptoms, treatment suggestions, and more. It even goes into specific strategies that teachers can use in the classroom.

The best part about it is that its broken down into detailed chapters and sections, making it easy for yout to find EXACTLY what your looking for. It's also written in VERY understandable terms. This is not a medical book, it's a for the average person. This book is an unbeleiveably well written guide to one of the most common learning disabilities of today. If your looking for a great reference, look no further, you've found the best.

This 'manual' presents a technical and philosophical overview of the complex array of variables that factor into effective teaching of the ADHD child. The author has compassion as well as insight into the children, who often face rejection and failure. The co-occuring low self esteem can carry over a lifetime. A variety of methodologies specific to learning domains are very helpful for diagnostic purposes and lesson planning. As a principal and mental health administrator, I have this book well-placed on my shelf. I refer to it often and occasionally lend it to my staff who are searching for help with a specific child.

Glancing back at the chapters as I prepared this review, I was actually astounded at the sophisticated details embedded there. In particular I think the information that supports the "multi-sensory" approach is greatly needed. The amount of times we write "multi-sensory" activities just because it fits in an IEP is amazing. My own experience with teachers is that they basically have a very limited understanding of the neurological underpinings of sensory and perceptual limitations.

My only reservation about the book is that despite its layout, it actually is fairly theoretical. I think that when a teacher reaches for it, he or she may be looking for some more 'lesson planning' ideas and tend to gloss over the more comprehensive information. I definitely recommend the book for special education teachers who are genuinely interested in a more in-depth review, as well as for purposes of diagnostic and prescriptive planning. I also recommend it for administrators who are involved in staff development or individual supervision.
The only other concern I have is that despite the amount of information about the medication questions, it does not include enough about the tomes of research that is available to support augmenting behavioral programs with psychopharmacology. A teacher should check with his or her supervisor to gain access to this data so that they can respond to questions on this highly charged subject with sophisticated and thus helpful answers.

This book that will lift your spirits and warm your heart!

Willy was once an abandoned, handicapped chihuahua puppy dumped on the streets in a cardboard box.

Thanks to his adopter, who discovered the world of wheelchairs for dogs, Willy learned to fly!

Adults and children adore this book, and it is especially significant to the handicapped who share a special bond with Willy.

Make sure you also read How Willy Got His Wings

I find that the best inspirational tales come from real life - and this book is no exception. I saw the owner of Willy (yes, there actually is a real Willy) on Animal Planet and knew I just had to buy the book. It is as charming as expected and not just because of spunky little Willy, whose back legs are paralyzed and who has to learn to "walk" again, with the help of a special wheel-cart. It is just as inspiring to read of his owner's attempts to find a way to get him walking - using everything from acupuncture to helium balloons to hold up the back legs. A great read for the entire family!

This is the perfect book to teach empathy to children. The kindness that author Deborah Turner demonstrates towards her pet dog can be extended to humankind as well. We need to accept and love animals (and people) despite their weaknesses and frailties, focusing instead on their strengths and the love that comes back to us.

I read the book after hearing about it on tv, and have sent it to my great nieces. You see I am like Willy I am also in a wheelchair. I have never gotten to see my great-nieces in person and hope that when they reed the book and their mom explains to them that I am (like Willy) in a wheelchair that they cn understand why I haven't been able to come see them (they are in Oregon and I am in Missouri). Willy is a courageous pup and we can all learn from him how to face life's adversities.

Willy the Chihuahua lives at an animal hospital, because his back legs don't work. He dreams of having a home and a family and playing with other animals and chasing sticks. Then one day, a pretty lady comes and takes him home with her! Willy meets his new brother, another Chihuahua named Sweet Pea, and his new sister, a fluffy silver cat named Marshmallow.

Willy still can't walk or run, and has to use his front legs to drag himself from place to place, until his new mother tries some different ideas to help him get around--with often humorous results.

Filled with bright, gorgeous watercolor illustrations that even pre-readers can appreciate, HOW WILLY GOT HIS WHEELS is the story of a loveable and courageous little dog. Written for age levels 5-10, it's a book that everyone from toddlers to adults can enjoy on many levels. Authors Turner and Mohler have done a tremendous job of showing life from a physically disabled viewpoint without preaching or patronizing. Here's hoping we will get to hear more of Willy's adventures in the near future!

Kimberly Borrowdale Under the Covers Book Reviews

This book is great resource for a student leader, either for quotes, or to actually inspire you as the title suggests. Student leaders can use this book...I thought it was so great that I bought Inspiration for Greeks too. Also, I have spoken with one of the Authors...They know what they are doing. GREAT BOOK!!!

"Inspiration for Student Leaders" as with all of the books in the series, continues on giving the variety that I look for and enjoy and never stops sparking me with inspiration. The "personal stories" - the quotes - the struggles shown...and - "the short and sweet" style, help to make this book fun and a breeze to read. When you pick it up, you want to read from cover to cover without putting it down. What I mean by "short and sweet style" is that the stories and messages in this book are - in length - short...but their impact is profound. Some of us know how it is to be in college - to be bombarded by text books and novels - to have to write papers and read over notes. By the end of all that, who wants to read for enjoyment? Just like the other books in the series, "Inspiration for Student Leaders" gives us stories about real people, "famous people" as well as people we've never heard of. They common thread to them all is that they have faced similar situations as our student leaders are seeing today. These stories show how they've dealt with them - and what they've learned along the way - all in a "little package". I also like the creativity that is shown. For example, I'll use LESSONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND. I've never looked at monkey bars or hopscotch in such a light as to what leaders learn, do, and endure. WOW! It just amazes me how practical these books are. They don't use big, "million dollar words" - but put concepts and issues in terms and examples that students will enjoy reading...and can understand. Not only that, but with each story I, myself, as a Student Services Professional was inspired to go above and beyond what I'm doing with my career!

This book is phenomenal! A collection of stories, poems, quotes, and real experiences for student leaders. The book has many applications to leadership studies and personal motivation and inspiration.

As one of the co-authors, I'm extremely proud of the finished product. In addition to getting a great resourse for your library, every purchase of this book gives a $1 donation to the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Educational Foundation - NACA provides scholarships for college students across the US.

While there are certainly MANY books on leadership and developing student leaders there are few that offer stories of inspiration and hope that allow the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. This book presents examples of all types of leadership and leaders from the celebrated to the unknown. Each story highlights the every day opportunities to achieve and learn. There is potential for trainers to use the stories as reflection for group exercises or to motivate campus organizations. There are stories to reflect on each students personal responsibility within an organization and the many rewards of participation in campus life. It's a great book for the new leader and a reminder to the seasoned veteran of the importance of each action and choice we make-and how profoundly we can positively change the campus community and each other.

Inspiration for Student Leaders is a concise, intelligent read, ideal for both students and professional staff who work with student leaders. Stories, poems, quick quotes and other works combine to make this publication live up to its goal of inspiring student leaders. Student Activities professional should give this book to incoming student leaders to help them broaden their perspectives on leadership. Established student leaders whose energy may be waning, can draw encouragement from the passages written by other students. This book should be on the resource shelf in every Student Union in America.

The Private series returns, with a great sequel with an even greater ending.

But first, the beginning starts out as a school party, where Reed enjoys the activities that most teenagers enjoy: drinking. As a Billings girl, she finally feels that she's part of something. And with Thomas still AWOL, she's single. But not for long.

Upon that party enters Walt Whittaker, the round influential student who talks like Mr. Darcy and acts like him too. He finds a quick interest in Reed, even though she's drunk. Together, they take part in some "compromising" positions in the forest, with roomate Natasha to scrap book it all.

When Reed finds out that Natasha has proof of their actions, she's caught in another dilemma with a Billings girl. Natasha orders Reed to find any dirt on Noelle, Kiran, Ariana, and Taylor to prove that they kicked Leanne out. If she doesn't, those little pictures ensure Reed's expulsion.

If you think that's hard, try being the Cinderella of the Billings house. Reed, being the newbie of the house, is assigned cleaning duty roughly every morning. But there's always a silver lining to every problem, for this becomes an easier way to find out the Billings girls' dirt.

As she tries to find information enough to satisfy Natasha and get Walt off her back, Reed is also introduced to the idea of the Legacy, a mysterious party held only for those of presitgious families from generations back. A new party? Whoo! Except guess what, Reed isn't invited.

The only way she can get an IN is if Walt invites her, because his family dates so far back that he gets an exclusive plus one. But with his obvious infatuation for Reed, this doesn't seem to be a problem.

Or does it? When Reed finds out that her fellow sophmore friend Constance Talbot has been harboring a huge crush on long-time friend Walt, Reed doesn't know what to choose: party or friendship?

Well, with the constant promises of Thomas attending the party, Reed can't help but choose the shallow option. As Walt's guest, it ensures her an invite to the Legacy, as well as the cold shoulder from Constance.

With that in mind, she also deals with her bargain with Natasha. As she digs for information on the Billings girls, Reed finds out that Kiran is a closet-binge eater, Taylor is a psycho, Noelle keeps scarily nude pictures of her boy toy, and that Ariana assisted (with the help of Noelle) in the expulsion of Leanne Shore. Bingo. Information obtained.

But Reed is also stuck with another dilemma: destroy her friends or destroy her Easton career? Her, being the ever good friend, confronts the girls on the information she snooped before the party, expecting an instant kick out from Billings.

Surprisingly, they don't kick her out. Don't even smack her. Instead, they gift her with an amazing gown for the party with no questions asked. As always, Reed is confused. But that's not the only thing that confuses her.

Enter Josh Hollis, the hot blonde roommate/friend of Thomas who becomes a friend to Reed. But within reading, readers know that the bond he seeks out of Reed is NOT friendship, but something more. That much is apparent when Reed gets jittery around him, and he around her.

They both anticipate to see Thomas at the party, but are sadly disappointed when he didn't appear. Instead, Reed finds Natasha making out....with a girl...Leanne Shore, to be precise. In that moment, Natasha reveals that she was blackmailed to blackmail Reed. If she didn't, then the Billings girls would spread all over that Leanne was a lesbian (her being still in-closeted).

Reed then confronts the Billings girls with anger, but they assure her that it was necessary to gain her trust. With Reed being trustworthy, they can now count on her as a real Billings girl and trust her with all secrets. Well, maybe not all of them.

More secrets erupt as the Easton elite return from the party, all drunk and partied out. Reed and Josh are found cozy, napping on top of each other adorably. But this picture is instantly torn when they find out what is awaiting them at Easton.

News...of Thomas, dead.

It was a thrilling ending, yet I sort of had a thing for Thomas. Oh well, fictional men can't live forever (only some). But this opens new opportunities for the next book. More questions need to be resolved and answered, and that's why this book series is so addicting. It always leaves you wanting more.

The sequel was just as good as the first one, and certainly paves a promising path for the third.

Invitation Only
By: Kate Brian

Reed has entered the high-classed, lip-glossed world of the Billings. All of her fairytales are just beginning, but when her boyfriend disappers everything seems to crumble. Will she be strong enough to survive? Could the disappearance of her boyfriend Thomas Pearson be her down fall in the Billings?
Reed is a normal teen who is just beginning her sophisticated life in Billings. Reed's drive and compassion for Thomas makes her investigate farther into his disappearance. But not everybody at Easton is looking for answers to his disappearance. Could they be hiding something? Her search will eventually lead her into another guy's arms over the lonely Thanksgiving Break, but he could be hiding some skeletons in his closet.
I loved this book because while Reed was on her journey for the truth I felt like I was right beside her. It was fascinating and kept me on the edge of my seat. It is a fast pace read with tiny cliffhangers at the end of each chapter. This is a book for people who like to be captured into an alternate reality of someone else's life. Will you join Reed on her journey for the truth?

By: Kim G.

Reed Brennan is now a Billings Girl. She goes to parties and is looked up to and envied by most students on campus. Yet things still aren't perfect. One of the other Billings Girls takes pictures of her at a party with a boy that could easily get her expelled. Then they use it to black mail. To make it all worse, her boyfriend, Thomas, is still missing. No one knows where he is but they do know where he'll be at on Halloween - The Legacy. It's an exclusive party that only the most important legacies are able to attend. Unless you can go as someone's plus-one. Which is what Reed plans to do. Of course, not everyone can take a plus-one and the one person willing to take Reed is the one person she doesn't want to go with. But if Thomas will be there, Reed's willing to do anything possible to be there.


Invitation Only, the second book in the Private series by Kate Brian, is an amazing read. I didn't want to put it down once I started. It was full of drama, some action, and gave you an inside look at the life of private schools. The characters were easy to relate to and they make you wonder what's going to happen next, especially the Billings Girls. The ending was surprising but good. I think the first chapter of the next book should have been the last chapter though. I really enjoyed this and can't wait to get my hands on the third book. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys drama, romance, and the crazy life of rich private school students.

Reed Brennan has become something of a celebrity now that she's a Billings girl. She has won the admiration, awe, scorn and jealousy of everyone at the Easton Academy. But they have no idea how things are really like for her at the famous dorm. After all, they don't know that Reed is the servant girl at Billings; making the beds, serving breakfast and doing all sorts of humiliating chores for the fabulous four -- Noelle, Arianna, Kiran and Taylor. It doesn't matter. She'll do whatever it takes to be accepted. Being a Billings girl is a privilege, not a right, especially for a girl with a humble background like her. But things become complicated when Natasha, her new roommate, takes some incriminating photos of her with resident eighteen-year-old hottie Walt Whittaker, and threatens to send them to the dean. The catch? Reed has to snoop around and find proof that the fabulous four were responsible for the removal of Natasha's former roommate. With her position as the dorm's Cinderella, it shouldn't be so hard to search for this evidence, should it? In her search, Reed discovers secrets about her new "friends" that she wishes she'd never known. As if that weren't bad enough, her boyfriend Thomas is still missing. Her only shot of meeting face to face with Thomas is to get an invitation to the Legacy -- an exclusive party that only a selected few get invited. In order to attend the exclusive party, Reed has to become Whittaker's "plus one," which means she has to go out with him, to the dismay of her former roommate Constance, who has a major crush on Whittaker. Will Cinderella make it to the ball with her dignity ever so slightly intact? And will her Prince Charming be there, waiting to whisk her away from all the madness? After all, if she finds the evidence Natasha is looking for, she'll have to rat out her friends, or she'll be out of Easton faster than you can say "busted." Sigh. So much drama. It appears that being a Billings girl isn't as easy or as glamorous as Reed had thought.

This is a great follow-up to the very riveting Private. We get a sense of who the Billings girls are and how far they go just to amuse themselves at someone else's expense. Yet there is also a part of them -- a more human, generous part -- that makes them the most unique, intriguing girls at Easton Academy. The girls are rich, beautiful and have the world kissing their feet, but they also hold a mystique that overrides all of that stuff. I like the way Brian is handling that part of the story. These aren't the typical rich and spoiled boarding school teens that are so common in YA books these days. They truly are an enigma, and it shows throughout the pages of the book. Reed is still somewhat annoying in her desperate quest to fit into their social circle, but it is understandable. She, after all, has never been accepted anywhere before, and getting the attention of the most fascinating girls she's ever set her eyes on, not to mention the admiration of some rather hot guys, would cause any teenage girl to drool in the same way. She has two new love interests in this installment -- Whittaker and Thomas's roommate Josh. I love Josh; dislike Whittaker, who comes across as one of those rich, spoiled high-class twits. Very one-dimensional, and he's meant to be that way, from the looks of things. There is a big twist at the very last chapter, one that leaves me wanting to find out what happens next. I can't wait to pick up Untouchable. In the meantime, I cannot recommend Invitation Only enough. I take away one star because I was able to figure out what was going on with the whole blackmail thing by the time the story gets around to it, but it's still a brilliant read. This series is proving to be very addicting.

This was really good!
i couldnt wait to find out what had happened to reed!!!
lol :]

I bought this book because I am taking a medical terminology course online. I really like the way this book is laid out, how it teaches. You learn the roots and suffixes and prefixes of the words - not just the word itself. This way you can look at almost any word and figure out what it means because you know what each part of the word means. I would recommend this book, but you might want to build up your wrists first - my wrist is sore from lugging this HUGE book around - but it is worth it!

This book is very interesting and captures your attention to the point that it makes it interesting to memorize medical terms.

I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to enter the field of health or medicine!

This is an awesome book to help study for your CMT. I am finished with the study guide for work and using this book to keep me from forgetting what I need to know for this exam.

I purchased this book to help me study medical terminology. It is very useful and extremely informative. I especially like the illustrations. The book is easy to use, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to learn about the human body and all of its systems.

"Last in Their Class" is easily one of the most accessible titles in the category of "Military History" that has ever been published. Having read numerous books on the Civil War, it is rare to find one that kept me interested from start to finish, AND that I would recommend to a casual reader of history without hesitation. Though much of the book centers around the proverbial Goats, it also dives deeply into the culture of West Point and life in 19th century America. Robbins engages the reader in tales of cadets sneaking out to the nearest bar, then deftly segues into the details of an obscure engagement on the western frontier, while never losing the narrative thread or the reader's attention. I would recommend this book to almost any reader; simply wonderful.

Just finished this book, and it was imho enthralling, very hard to put down..its takes us on a tour of West Point graduates ranked as "immortals" (those being the bottom 10 of their class) and the Goat, the last in their class.,..some famous names were goats or immortals; Heth, Pickett, Custer, Kirby Smith the Crittenden(s) Grant ( whose worst subject was..Infantry tactics go figure) among many others..... Great reading regards the Seminoles wars, Mexican-American War the Civil war......the trials and tribulations at West Point, their pranks and punishments etc....many great complimentary bios to be found here, Whistler, Poe et al...all wound up with stories of their military performance's and stories regards their paths criss-crossing in the Civil war etc....a comparative analysis as to why so many of the Immortals and Goats had an impact all out of proportion to the top 5 and their relative ranks, which in the end, means nothing...

What an enlightening book! Fun, interesting and full of great trivia!

This book gives proof that you don't have to be first to be great! Lots of great stories about West Point and its history.

Makes a great gift for an Army officer or NCO.

I highly recommend this most inspirational literary work. The anecdotes of forgotten soldiers (officers and volunteers alike), men who shined but a moment on the pages of history, have touched me deeply. I empathize with their infamy at being named Last in their Class, yet these "rejects" rose to great heights of achievement due to other redeeming character traits. There's a lesson to be learned from these mini-biographies as one carefully reads each page, absorbing the intriguing stories line by line. This is a book to be savored, not rushed through. I am thoroughly enjoying my visit in the pages of this fine book. This seems to be the author's one and only work; here's wishing James S. Robbins future success in publishing.

This extremely well-written book tells the story of many of the men who were at the bottom of their graduating class from West Point: the Goats. Prime examples were Generals Pickett and Custer, among others. The theme of the book is to show that class rank does not necessarily translate into military success. Following the lives of several of these men was quite interesting, particularly the ones that are not so well known today. There is a breezy style of writing in this book, and it gives one pause to think about the current emphasis about class rank endemic all over the country. People should strive to be the best, but as this book reminds us, sometimes the best isn't what this country needs.

Absolutely loved this book. For anyone interested in the training of an M.D., Dr. Marion's book is phenomenal. You'll gain a huge amount of respect for the pure hell that interns and residents are forced to endure during their post-medical school years. I enjoyed this book so much that I read it twice.

This book is really a great read. Marion tells it like it is and doesn't hold back. Easy to read. It is all about the ups and downs of becoming a doctor within the social and cultural society that we have become. This is a great book to read if you are interested in the medical field. Look for more books by Marion, he is a great writer.

There are only a few books that I enjoyed as much as this book. Dr. Marion is an amazing writer. He manages to keep readers interested without being unrealistic. I recommand this book for anyone interested in becoming a doctor or even dating someone that is thinking of becoming one. The book explores the shortcoming of modern day medical training and the emotional stress that students go through in the process. A must read for pre-med students!

I'm going to keep it plain and simple. This is one of the few excellent medical books that are avialable. I have read many and I highly recommend this one. I just wish I could forget everything I have read so that I could read it again for the first time. I couldn't put the book down. In case you are interested some other great books are "When the air hits your brain", and "first do no harm, reflections on becoming a neurosurgeon". Enjoy!

I really enjoyed this book! Dr. Marion is very honest about his experiences. The stories are sometimes disturbing and sad, but sometimes happy and they are well written. This book is much better than White Coat by Dr. Rothman because it is much more honest. When I read this book, I felt like I was right there with Dr. Marion.

Little Bit & Big Byte: A Day at the Beach is a colorful children's picturebook with a clever purpose - to familiarize young people to the world of computers and the Internet. Chronicling the adventures of cheerful, anthropomorphic computer parts in Cyberville, Little Bit & Big Byte is a fun read ideal for helping young ones become accustomed to the marvels modern technology. "Assisting Webster is his friend, Kay Board. She has a slender body, a long neck, and a face that looks like a mouse. Big Byte thinks she quite a number and just his type."

On our way to the lake my wife noticed our little girl reading this book. She always reviews her books first so she asked her if she could look at it real quick to fulfill her duty as a parent. Mom had so much fun reading it and looking for the bone that her quick review turned into a complete read, search, and re-read while our child very impatiently begged to have it back. Once at the lake, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I read it for myself. Now I see why they both wanted to read it. It is really a fun book to read and even a couple of over-educated adults enjoyed it thoroughly. We're looking forward to the next one but until then we'll keep this one close by. I think it's safe to say all three of us recommend this highly.

Having been an elementary school teacher for over 25 years I have read my share of children's books. This one is one of my favorites. It's just plain fun with great characters and an interactive activity. Getting my youngest students to read was the single most important part of my job before I became a University professor. This children's book is exactly the kind of material more authors should be providing to accomplish that goal. I still love to read children's books for myself and with a new grandchild this one will stand prominent in my library. I hope more of these will be forthcoming from this author.

REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker

This adorable children's picture book is the result of the fact that 80% of Kindergarten students use computers and 32% use the Internet. The author wondered why there were no children's picture books that kept up with the Computer Age, so he has issued this first in a planned series that is designed to entertain and endear young readers by using computer-related characters. The book opens by introducing Little Bit Romie, his dad CD, his mom Nettie, his brother Big Byte, his sister Joy (who is thin as a stick), his pointer Click, and his cat Browser, all of whom live in Cyberville.

Big Byte, Joy, and Little Bit go to the beach to be with their friends Webster and Kay Board. They all see a couple of "nefarious bugs" named Vi and Russ who are going surfing. Big Byte and Kay Board want to go with them, but Joy and Little Bit warn that it is too dangerous. When Big Byte and Kay find themselves in danger, what will happen? Will Little Bit, Joy, and Webster be able to do anything to help them? The colorful (computer-generated?) illustrations on each page are a wonderful aid in helping children to visualize what is going on in the story.

Children growing up in the Computer Age should find Little Bit and Big Byte: A Day at the Beach something fun that will appeal to their high-tech interests. It is also educational. In addition to introducing youngsters to the world of cyberspace with computer-related language, there is also the subtle yet clear message about the dangers of "surfing the net" for those who are inexperienced and unprepared. Caution and parental guidance are certainly suggested! Also, readers are invited to interact with the story by finding a hidden bone on each page. I give this book an excellent rating!

Little Bit and Big Byte is a unique children's book and it ranks as the first of its kind I have ever read. Children's books typical center on themes like family togetherness, friendship, helping those in need, being kind to others, etc. This book is different. It is a computer- themed book that follows the members of a family and their pets as they take a trip to the beach. But this is no ordinary children's book family. No, the characters in this family are named for some common words associated with personal computers. The book's goals are to introduce and/or reinforce some of the important facts about technology and computers to children between the ages of four and eight and teach them a lesson about the threat if viruses.

Little Bit and Big Byte is a cute book, but it also an educational book about computers. Not only are the characters named after various computer components, the shapes and the actions of each are also meant to help kids learn about computers. For example, Click, the dog, is a pointer and is shaped like the arrow that appears on a computer screen, used for clicking. The characters go out to surf where they encounter the evils of Vi and Russ. They escape this time, but a lifeguard warns them not to surf again unless they have had plenty of practice because there are many Vi and Russ's out there just waiting to spoil your fun.

Children's books are often known for having colorful illustrations, but in this book, the colorful component is taken to a new level. The book delivers a knockout punch with its precise cartoon- like drawings and multitude of backgrounds objects and patterns. These illustrations are far more complex than those of other children's books and they rank among the best I have ever seen in a children's book. The pages are overloaded with images in some cases, which may overwhelm the senses of younger children. But they will suit the target age group just fine.

The children in this book learn a lesson about the threat from viruses and they learn not to take chances again. The book ends with the kids and their two pets ready to head out on a new adventure. I get the feeling that, based on this ending, this is going to end up being a series of children's books with each new book offering a new adventure into the world of computers. This is one of the many beauties of Little Bit and Big Byte. It strives to teach kids about computers and when you consider all of the knowledge and risks that go into operating computers, this is the type of theme that can be expanded infinitely. The sky is the limit when it comes to the number of adventures in which this family can partake. I expect to see many more books like this in the future.

Overall, Little Bit and Big Byte is an excellent children's book and it is one of the most creative and clever I have read in a long time. Everything from the characters, to the illustrations , to the book's ultimate lesson about the threat of viruses makes this book a winner and I am anxious to see what adventure the author creates with his next edition.