Education Books

The Plain Reader is a collection of articles that once appeared in the magazine "Plain". Its authors are comprised of individuals with varying philosophies on the virtues of a simple life. Some articles are written by Quakers, Amish and Brethren. There are also articles by homesteaders, authors of several books, and others.

Since the authors come from so many different backgrounds, the articles aren't always compatible. For example, several of the articles are extremely anti-technology, anti-electricity, anti-competition, anti-public school education, etc., whereas others espouse the use of some of these things in moderation.

To me, extremism in any direction is the antithesis of simplicity, which, after all, is what this book is supposed to be about. Still, the book is correctly subtitled "Essays on Making a Simple Life" - it is essays by different people, with different backgrounds and different beliefs about what constitutes a simple life. It is an educational read, not only about simplicity, but also about how certain groups view the rest of the world.

Measure twice, cut once. This proverb is a sample of the master carpenter's wisdom, which I would not disregard. But there is perhaps even a better wisdom for such tasks.

I knew an uneducated man, formal education ended in the sixth grade, a good part of his youth behind a mule, and in his young manhood giving service under General McArthur in Pacific island warfare. I don't think he weighed 130 pounds dry at age 65. But he taught me an immense amount as a master carpenter in his late years, overlooking my efforts while working in his home shop, helping me directly to improve my own home and its furniture.

What Virgil taught me was, cut twice, first on scrap then on final. He kept a bucket of scrap pieces of wood ready to run through the table saw, jointer, or router, before running through the final production piece in the work.

There are delicate refinements which only the observant and humble souls initially acquire. When they share these with us, we are immensely blessed.

This selection of essays should be on the bedside table -- and read -- by everyone who claims to want to simplify their life. The truth is, many of us (Baby Boomers, Yuppies, BoBos et al) would like to live a simple life, provided we could still have all the amenities we've grown accustomed to -- cars (but nothing flashy), television (but not cable, of course), movies (art on film), designer clothes (but simple ones), gourmet food (we'll grow the herbs ourselves), computers/Internet access (well, it's just a modern typewriter/telephone and what a research tool!)

Savage and his friends claim that the techno life most of us lead is actually simpler than the lives they lead. In the techno life, we can do away with too much interaction with others. We separate ourselves with complications. We can live in virtual reality, paring down the complications (human beings) into abstracts. We can have friends around the world, although we might not know our neighbors names. We can amuse ourselves, filling our time with fantastic games, entertaining TV, music from around the world. What's wrong with that? It may be that life is so short, and we are spreading ourselves so thin, with all the possibilities at our finger tips, we may be missing real life completely.

They claim the simple life is actually the more complicated life, with all the mess and difficulties of living in a small community, having to rely on neighbors (who we might not even like) for help, raising our own foods, finding ways to entertain ourselves and our families that might involve planting, sewing, talking, writing, singing, and being in the moment (without the new agey spin to it).

Without lecturing, this collection of articles from The Plain Reader newspaper (subscribers are limited to 5,000 in order to keep it small and hand-made) motivates, illuminates and educates us.

Although the authors are generally Luddites, Quakers, Mennonites and other plain living folks, living sans TV, Nintendo, radio, daily newspapers, ownership of automobiles, etc., the articles are not judgmental of those of us still living in the consumer world. And let's be honest -- as much as we claim we want the simple life, here we are, you and I, writing and reading reviews, and buying books over the Internet! We're mentioned in the book, sympathetically.

In an interview with Jerry Mander, the Plain editor says, "..but I have never had anyone say to me, 'No, no get away from me. These issues aren't important to me. I like being a machine.' On the contrary, in every case where I've spoken heart-to-heart about my concerns, they've turned around and said, 'You know, I, too, have a real sense of unease about what I'm doing. I think I do watch too much television. I do feel controlled by it,' etc.

Now if I were to wag my finger at them, or organize activities to "wake them up," appealing to their minds, they would simply hold more tightly to their stake in the dominant culture. When I tell them my fears and failings, I've not had a single person fail to respond. And so I do believe this is how we're going to reach people. Our magazine reaches people by dissolving their fear, by encouraging others with what we're doing."

And so this book encourages us, with examples of what the plain folk, some once Bobos like thee and me, are doing. It almost pains me to read it, for I fall far short of the pure and simple thoughts in here. And yet there's hope -- I may not give up everything, but I can question, and make changes in how I live my life.

Mary Ann Laiser writes of The Media-Free Family; Bill Duesing has thoughts on "Leaving Money Behind; and Art Gish speaks of 'Food We Can Live With."

Even if you're not ready to leave it all behind, this is a wonderful book to read. So thought provoking, it may inspire you to question some of what you're doing, what you're allowing your children to do (I'm speaking to myself, here!) and how even small changes can be made. We bought one copy, but now we need more to pass along!

Can be read bit by bit, or at one sitting. Use a marker, or bookmarks. The woodcut illustrations by Mary Azarian are simple, but beautiful (better even than the cover.)

A wonderful view of the world without all the gadgets we think are necessary. A great way to live and belong in the world. As a Christian I think we could do without alot of the junk the world thinks we need. Thanks for a great book.

This is one of those days when I am feeling terribly blessed because I was able to buy a copy of The Plain Reader Essays on Making a Simple Life - Edited by Scott Savage. This is one of those books if you can find a copy I recommend you buy it. It is out of print, so I think the only places you can find a copy are via used books or small new booksellers who may have a copy stuck away somewhere.

So what makes this book a gem? Well, for one thing it is a series of articles on a variety of topics, written by a lot of simple living folks on subjects that those seeking or living a simple life will really appreciate. One might even say its a great book to have next to your bedside so you can read something short, and encouraging before going to sleep.

Oh, what can I say about Poop Culture? I LOVED reading this book! The authors writing style is humorous (but in a tactful, respectful way given the subject). The approach to writing about poop was handled in such a great way, it avoids all the pitfalls that come with the topic. No gross, sophmoric humor, but Dave Praeger also doesn't beat around the bush when talking about the actual mechanism of our alimentary canal.

It is such a well written book. I especially love his insights on the psychology of pooping, and our attitudes through the ages towards this very unifying bodily function.

I highly recommend this book. HIGHLY!

-Holly N.

I'll be honest. When I got this book, I mostly expected it to be a compilation of funny stories about poop void of any substance or usefulness (much like feces itself).

Alas, I found myself continually intrigued by Praeger's unique research, and in the end I found that I was surprised that I had learned so much regarding the subject. To say it changed my life might be overstating the fact, but it certainly did change the way I considered one constant aspect of it.

The book was also well written, educational and thoughtful without being dry or stuffy. And the humor in the book is well balanced, managing to be clever without being over-the-top.

Poop Culture is a fun, quick read, and you will learn more than you ever thought you would about crap. And that's a good thing.

This is a very funny, well written book about a bizarre subject. I found myself laughing out loud......

Although this book contains a lot of humor, it also provides lessons on history, art, literature and environmental science. This is an enjoyable read, especially if you want to learn something. If you are looking for poop jokes, it's got some of those too, but that is not the book's primary focus. Some of the chapters read more like a college term paper, and sometimes the book is a little preachy when it comes to the environment, but overall, it's a good read.

Once you pick it up and stick your nose in it, you will be permanently stained... with knowledge and insight!

This book is both entertaining and informative, and scientifically argues why no one else will touch the subject matter.

This makes the ideal gift: I handed my Poop Culture over to my mom, and she loved it.

How could you read this book and NOT be inspired? After reading this book, you'll find that many of the "excuses" you had used to limit yourself have suddenly vanished. Thank you for sharing Gary!

Gary Parent speaks from the heart in this book. His personal experiances give credance to what is being said. A great book that is an easy read with a very direct message. If you do not get his message you might be the one who needs to learn how to read!

Once you get the message this book can change your life from the inside out!

This book was so moving and so inspirational that I have read it over and over again. When others are bringing me down, this book reminds me that I have the power to bring myself back up.

This book helped me strenghten myself in my beliefs.
I enjoyed reading it. Then I gave the book to my mother to read.

Through the influence of knowing Gary over the past years.
His patience of sharing his knowledge and understanding.
So I can not express how excited I am that Kevin Hogan Author
of Psychology of Persuasion has not only promoted this book,
he has published this "MUST HAVE BOOK"
Not only did it change my life, I know it will change yours.

Eric Baxter

President
PAGEmployment and
MY Video Productions

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I'VE EVER PURCHASED FROM AMAZON, AND I MUST SAY THAT I AM COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE. THE BOOK WAS IN PEFECT/BRAND NEW CONDITION AS DESCRIBE.

I received this book in only three days and it was in better condition than described...Not to mention the awesome price that I got for the book and expedited shipping!! My school wanted $113.00 for the book...psshhh.

This text is required for Psych 103 at Stony Brook Univ., LI, NY
It is excellent.

If you've ever wanted to learn as much as possible from an introductory textbook in the area of Psychology, look no more. This book has served as a tremendous assistant for Psychology, and various other areas of study where psychology is certainly related. If you enjoy learning about cognitive and other behavioral functions of the body, this book is a perfect match!

The authors' use of case studies and real-life examples makes this more than a textbook -- and much more readable than one. I found myself excited about reading each chapter. And I know I'll be looking up things in it in the future. My only quibble is that I found many copyediting errors that I hope the publisher will fix for future editions.

This book is fabulous and Joline is a great speaker, as well. I work in the money management industry and thought I "knew it all" but I learned a lot from this book! Her insights on the "magical" properties we assign to money, and the way to deal with allowances (it's a tool to teach kids about money, not payment for household services or simply an entitlement) were very interesting and useful. I will definitely use this book in raising my daughter.

I've given this book to at least 30 clients who have kids. I'm a financial planner and am a big believer in helping my clients teach their children how to carry on what they are building. The exercises are SO simple and take almost NO time, but will make a HUGE impact on your kids relationship with money and may even affect yours a little!

If your kids are 4 and up, this book is for you. It breaks down the "What to do's" in age specific exercises and at first glance you may think, "that's it?", but watching your kids develop a healthy relationship around money will be worth it's weight in diamonds!

This is the best guide to teaching kids about money. I've got 3 small and busy kids and not much time to read. This book is great because it's easy (but not insulting) and offers concrete activities - outlined in charts (minimal reading required). One of the best things about this book is that it makes you think about your own money values and how you express yourself with money. Then it gives you ideas of how to teach your kids about money in a way that matches YOUR family's ideas...and it gives tips on how to "tweak" the message, depending on your children's personalities. The book is divided into age-appropriate sections, so advice for parents of 5 year olds is different from that of parents of 9 or 13 or 18 year olds. This is a great book you will use for years.

This book teaches parents how to share every day money lessons with their children. It is easy to read and has great examples. I highly recommend that every parent buy and read this book. As the book states it is not all about the money but about raising great kids!

this is one of thoses books you have to have on the book shelf at home. it is great and a fun book to refer to. it really shows what teaching kids is all about the economy, but in a fun way. i think this is a great book to referance!

The best kind of manual doesn't just provide cookie-cutter activities but allows the readers opportunities to take and make them own. Raising Voices not only is packed with practical yet useful advice, it provides a springboard for one's own creative ideas to bring to the young tellers.

Raising Voices is a tried and true resource. Cordi and Sima have years of experience that they share in the book. In partnership with my local library, I was able to use this book to start a youth storytelling club. There are ideas for organizing and working with youth. But most importantly there are loads of fun exercises. The suggested activities spark creativity and the spirit of "can do." I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I felt like I had the two authors right by my side. Thank you and I hope you come up with another one!

Without exaggeration, Raising Voices - Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes is the most valuable guide for success in learning and practicing storytelling skills available. The extensive experience of the authors is presented in a volume that is well organized, articulate, intelligent, and complete. It is filled with information, observations from the authors, teachers and students. The book contains reproducible games, activities, and certificates that are inspired and fun! The gift of story with all of its power and magic is offered with sensitivity and appreciation for both teacher and student alike. I have utilized time and again the guidance in Raising Voices from my first workshop as a Teaching Artist specializing in storytelling to enhance literacy skills. However you apply storytelling - whether in a classroom activity or workshop in a club or troupe, this book has what you need to get started and keep going.

Raising Voices is a major reference developed for anyone who wants to encourage and nurture both storytelling and strong, positive, self-confident communication skills among young people. Judy Sima and Kevin Cordi offer the gifts of their experience and knowledge, as well as activities from fellow story-crafters who have successfully worked with new and youthful practitioners of the oral tradition. This is a concise and well-written volume; from its introduction to its index, this book provides creative narrative ideas and activities, useful reproducible materials, and excellent resources for the storytelling classroom or any organization that wants to develop a "youthful voices" storytelling club.

Maybe I'm just a wee bit biased, since I get mentioned in the acknowledgements, but even if that weren't the case, Judy and Kevin have done an incredible job of putting together THE resource guide for anyone interested in helping cultivate the next generation of storytellers. Whether you work with kidtellers in a school, church, community setting or another venue, this book is worth every penny it will cost you.

I've coached kidtellers at both the middle school and elementary school levels for about eight years, but Judy has been at this three times as long at her middle school. Her years of experience, along with Kevin's insights as the advisor to a high school telling troupe, are invaluable for any of us just starting in this venture. From the logistics of how to promote involvement, stories to tell, managing your resources, arranging opportunities for telling experiences and many things you never even considered, it's all in the pages of this book.

There are a very few other books out there that address the concerns of those working with youthtellers. The books by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, along with Len Cabral's storytelling book for kids, have long been among my favorites, and will continue to be. However, none of them covers the many aspects of actually organizing your troupe, helping it to grow and celebrating it's success quite like "Raising Voices." Of particular interest is Judy's approach to recruiting adults in the community and training them to become story coaches to the tellers. Not only does this allow the kids more frequent opportunities to rehearse and refine individually, it develops relationships across generations, something that is in danger of dying in our culture today.

If I had to limit myself to only one book to help me in my journey as a coach of young storytellers, this would be it.
Judy and Kevin have truly filled a niche with this volume!

It's a great help to homeschoolers. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in children's education. It came highly recommended to me by other homeschool parents.

I totally enjoyed this book. As a homeschooling mother with five young children, I found this book uplifting and empowering. After reading it, I felt relieved to know that "Real learning" can and does take place in the home - even our home which is sometimes a bit chaotic!
This is a book I will refer to again and again.
Elizabeth Foss not only privides workable ideas for education in the home but words of wisdom from other mothers.

Indispensable for the home educating family regardless of the method you currently use in your home.

This mom of six children has tried numerous different approaches to homeschooling, and found a relaxed approach that focuses on the development of the whole child, not just his mind. In spite of this, the results are excellent in terms of education alone. She has many helpful and practical ideas, not just about lessons, but about ordering family life to encourage peaceful learning. I am going to give several copies to friends of mine who are about to start homeschooling, and make copies of her reading lists in the back.

Great ideas for the Charlotte Mason homeschooling family. More importantly...great ideas for meshing Mason's method and Catholic ideals. Wish this had been one of the first homeschooling books I read before starting homeschooling.

This is my favorite Concrete design book of all time. It is my first reference to anything regarding design. It is an excellent reference for students and engineers as well. I used it a lot for my graduate classes and I always use it in my office. Highly recommended!!

I receipt the book very quikly and in excelent conditios of use, as a new book.

Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design (4th Edition) (Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics)

I think this book is very good quality, and shipping is not bad...

I have the 2nd edition of this book which I loved. This edition is excellent and is easily the best text on Reinforced Concrete there is anywhere.

This book is the best for those who want a deeper understanding of reinforced concrete design.Since the author presents a step by step way to introduce the concepts,the reader is able to get a more detailed information and retents more concepts instead of procedures

Better written than the coffee-table book this appears to be by weight and shape, and better written than a television-series companion, which this is, needs to be.

Great pictures, quotes from college football giants, enough information to be informative, enough stories and pictures of big games to be fun.

Sure, worlds not made and lives not changed, but this book is just fun.

I really enjoyed this book as the companion to the ESPN series of the same name. It's a must read for any college football fan!

An indispensable book, a real bible for all who love the american football and his history in the colleges across America.

I collect football books. As an historian, I look for books that cover the glorious tradition and history of the game. This book is perfect if you're looking for that theme. First of all, check out the cover. The cover tells the story of this book. It takes you back to a different era.

I love this book. It is one of my favorites. It covers everything and makes for a great coffee table book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy college football.

The writer has given us a panoramic view of college football. The book covers the great coaches, teams and rivalries of the past 100 years. There are a number of wonderful photos sprinkled through the book as well. The writing touches on a number of subjects in brief articles, so don't look for any in depth stories about one particular program, coach or player. This is not a complaint, merely an observation. My only real complaint is the errors I found. Some photos misidentified players and bits of information were incorrect (minor errors, but annoying none the less). Overall, this is a great book for any college football fan.

At last, an easy to read guide for students and parents with essential tips and carefully researched timelines. Especially useful for high achievers.

This is book is must read for seniors applying to college. It gives step by step instructions and plenty of details. The chapter on interviews helped me the most. At first I was scared of going to an interview, but after I read this book, and planned for my interview it was not that bad. Definately buy this book!

Finally a comprehensive and consolidated material in one book. I couldn't appreciate the author's effort for a clear pragmatic approach to the college admissions. In fact I had collected nearly six books to approach each topic in one of them and then finally found this that talks about everything with its little secretes. You don't need 10 books but pick just this one.

This book could not be more clear and easy. It really highlights everything that colleges look for in an applicant and what one should do to get into a college - any college, but especially top colleges. Don't rest your odds of getting into school on your school assigned college guidance counselor. Get this book. You will not be sorry.

It has been a challenge to get all the pertinent information to prepare for college education in USA particularly very competitive collegs. Roadmap For College Admissions will address all the issues that every student and parent should be familiar with from 9th grade thru admission process. It includes tips to write essays, intervieww process and campus visits which is not seen in other books, If you want to succeed in this very intense competitive admission process you shcoule read this book