Senses Books

This was an excellent read. Although I really enjoyed Vol. 1, Vol. 2 mainly deals with the All-Star Squadron series, which is the series I read growing up. It was a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of my favorite super-hero teams. Highly recommended.

This book follows up on the All Star Companion, Volume One, and is a collection of articles and recollections of DC's golden age heroes (namely the Justice Society of America, and The All-Star Squadron). There are some unique insights and interesting stories about these classic characters, and the book is filled with some rare and intriguing art. The wrap-around cover by Carlos Pacheco is fantastic.

For me, the most interesting feature was a complete synopsis (issue by issue) of the All-Star Squadron comics, complete with cover reproductions and background notes. There were also supposed to be notes on the Young All-Stars comic, but space constraints pushed this material out of the book (though it will appear in volume three). This is nothing short of a phenomenal read for fans of comicdom's golden age.

Collections strong in comic book artists and art will find this history of the Justice Society of America and friends to be moving: it provides more secrets of the comic characters from the 1940s through the 1980s, surveying major issues and events, providing black and white reproductions of pages, and detailing behind-the-scenes influences on adventures and character appearances. An excellent companion for any who have followed the strip and seek more information on historical progression.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I have always been a huge fan of the JSA. In my younger days, I collected every issue of All Star Squadron. As I got older and married, I sold my collection to younger enthusiasts. Now, I can revisit my former passion in this book that describes all the issues of All-Star Squadron as well as interesting articles about the history of All-Star Comics and the JSA. If you are interested in greater understanding of the history of JSA, I heartily recommend this book.

If you liked All-Star Companion vol.1, you'll enjoy vol.2. More info on the Justice Society, plus an issue by issue review of The All-Star Squadron. I'm looking forward to vol.3!

I think that this book is extremely informative. It is presented from a fire fighter's point of view which is quickly adaptable. Their is so much info. and great suggestions i will be rereading it. Any new Officer should make this a must read and reread,extremely helpful.
The author does respond to emails which demonstrates his professionalism.
Good read, Easy read, Highly recommend! Full Time Paid Fire Fighter.

One of the best StreetSmart firefighting and thought provoking books in a while. Provides ideas and concepts by both theory and real life experiences. A great reference for those looking to advance in the fire service.

Must have for the entry level ff to chief, provides a practical, experienced based no-nonsense review of ff tactics and strategies.

Got this book as a graduation gift for a fire science major who is also doing Volunteer fire fighting. He LOVED it!!!

A good summary of tactics, this book does not go into the detail of some other texts (see Norman's book) but provides a street level view of what you need when you need it. It keeps it simple, and when the situation is really bad, simple is what you will remember.

Written by Robert W. Drago (Professor of Labor Studies and Women's Studies, Penn State University), Striking a Balance: Work, Family, Life is not a self-help book for the individual, but rather a scholarly examination of the modern societal problems of the care gap (too many children, elderly, and disabled, particularly among the poor, are not getting the care they need), the gender gap (women are forced to choose between success in their careers and providing adequate care to their children, or any other form of care work for low or no pay) and the income gap (the rich get richer and the poor get poorer). At the heart of these problems is not just cold hard economics, but also societal norms - the "motherhood norm" that insists women should provide care for little or no pay; the "ideal worker norm" that conditions employers to expect their workers to put in long hours up to an inhuman level; and the "individualism norm", a society-infused belief that the government should not help those needing care. Striking a Balance prescribes society-wide remedies to these growing problems: paid family leave, early childhood education and child care financing, guaranteed health insurance, and a minimum wage increase indexed to inflation, and the simple importance of allowing men and women from all walks of life to have their voices heard. Extensively researched, Striking a Balance: Work Family Life is a persuasive academic treatise about the need for social change, and highly recommended for reading for not only college library shelves, but also anyone looking for a better understanding of why the government needs to pay more attention to minimum wage, health care, and paid family leave issues.

This excellent analysis of the current state of working and trying to live at the same time in America is a great wakeup call from the overwork hypnosis reining for too long. Unlike in other advanced nations, we've never had a real national conversation about the impacts of large numbers of caregivers in the workplace and skyrocketing workweeks. Drago makes those repercussions of work without end very clear, in imploding families, skyrocketing health costs and absentee lives. Armed with a trove of research, he shows us not only the downside, but also a way out, when we can see the unconscious norms that skew our value system and sanity--the ideal worker norm, the motherhood norm, and the individualism norm. This much-needed book should should be required reading for every exec, congressperson, and presidential-candidate policy guru in the land.

This is one of the best sociological books I've read in years--which is saying quite a bit, since the author is an economist! Bob Drago's latest book is both scholarly and eminently readable. He pulls together the best analysis of the challenges confronting women, families, and workers--which pretty much includes all of us, now doesn't it?--with the most enlightened thinking about what we need to do to change the structures that produce those challenges. The book is written in very clear prose and presents a persuasive argument that gets right to the point. I think just about any reader concerned with social problems (the working poor, strains on families, gender inequalities) will find plenty of cause for optimism here. And readers who just want to make sense of why life is so hectic for themselves, their co-workers, family members, and neighbors will come away from this book with a clearer understanding and ideas for action. I highly recommend this book.

Bob Drago has long been recognized as a leader in the work-life balance world through his work with Take Care Net and on the Work and Family Bill of Rights. After decades in the wilderness, many of us have reached a shared vision of what does and doesn't help us to lead balanced lives. Drago captures this new consensus, explains why it has taken so long for us to reach this point, and provides a blueprint for change. Anyone stressed about their own lives, and what to do about it, should read this interesting, insightful, wise, and humorous work, and then join with Drago and others to change things.

This book is for anyone who feels that life is complicated and getting more so all the time. In clear language Drago gives data to show that Americans are working more and defines 3 important gaps Americans face: a care gap, a gender gap, and an income gap. These are interrelated, of course, as Drago makes clear. And he contributes to our understanding of the gender gap by expanding it to include the gap between women who are involved in actual care work (whether paid or not) and those successful in professional jobs and hence not directly involved in care. He anchors his discussion in three norms, all of which contribute to these gaps: motherhood, ideal worker, and individualism, and supports his discussion with both data and stories. A particularly interesting formulation is his definition of balance, by which he means involvement in all three of paid work, unpaid work, and leisure. He describes the kind of social infrastructure necessary to support such balance for all people in our society and ends with a work and family bill of rights. A great discussion of the challenges we all face.

I have always loved Brown Bear but this takes it to a whole new level adding the God touch just makes it wonderful to own, share at Sunday School, etc. Its catchy just like Brown Bear and you find yourself repeating it over and over.

I love this book- especially the hardback edition! My son reads it every night as his "night-night" book and he has it memorized! I also gave it to my best friend as a gift for her daughter and it is the book they read together every night. My son can tell you many answers to Bible questions because this book help to introduce some key characters, and gave us an opportunity to elaborate on the stories and also sing the songs that he knows about some of these characters! (I must admit- David is his favorite!) This hardback one is out of print- so if you ever find it- get it quick! It is a treasure!
****Sherry Everett******

What a beautiful and simple way to tell the Bible stories! I loved this book! If you liked "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle you will love this one even more. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see" has been my son's favorite book since he was 6months old, now "Adam, Adam, what do you see" will be my second son's favorite. Bill Martin Jr. has a wonderful way to tell the many stories of the Bible in simple sentences for young readers. I recommend this book to any parent, the children will love the repetition in this book and will learn it word by word.

"Adam, Adam, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin is a beginning reader book of Bible stories.

Each two-page spread starts with the title question, only the name is replace with another name. Adam's response is "I see creation all around me." Genesis 2:4-25 is listed as the reference to learn more about Adam.

Other major Bible characters are asked the same question, and they answer uniquely: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samson, Ruth, David, Esther, Mary, John, Peter, Paul, a little child, and of course, Jesus, all with corresponding Bible references.

I fully recommend "Adam, Adam, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin as a fun way to introduce your children to your faith.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

As a preschool teacher, of course I'm a huge fan, but this book warmed my soul. I'm so thankful to have this religious book to share with the kids. They will learn the words just like my weekday kids recite Brown Bear... this will make the flannelboard story for Sunday School I have been waiting for! Excellent story by a dedicated Christian! Every young child's class should have this book.

Dr. Miller has written an easy to understand and tantalizing solution to America's health care mess. It answers all questions with the exception of how to change our current damaged health insurance system. The author makes a convicing case,however, that there is a clear necessity to replace the flawed insurance system.

I have worked for years now with Ivan Miller,Ph.D., an exceptionally insightful psychologist, on the need for having a healthcare system in this country, instead of the hodge podge of holes and gaps we currently use. Most people see a single payer healthcare system as socialized medicine, and, indeed, some of them are. However, Ivan has carefully worked out a design for a system that interfaces single payer with the marketplace, so that it isn't simply a "one size fits all" system that so many people don't want. Balanced Choice optimizes having a safety net system in place to take care of all of our citizens while still rewarding excellence and allowing for higher care systems. It truly is the common sense approach to solving the health care crisis in this county! You won't be sorry that you've read it and will recommend it to others! Everyone needs to read this and make sure that their elected officials do as well.

Balanced Choice takes on our ailing healthcare institutions with a careful, organized
analysis and proposes a comprehensive, thoughtful solution. Dr. Ivan Miller accomplishes this complex task in a concise, readable 173 pages. Miller writes from a psychologist's perspective but beyond that and between the lines he is intent on slaying the dragon and fixing what's wrong.

After many lifelong frustrations of dealing with insurance companies/health professionals that seem to say "No, can't do that" too much, the book took me from skepticism on a journey of what works and what doesn't work in our country and others to a sensible, workable solution. Change is needed and it will definitely happen. If we could, today, switch out our present dysfunctional system and replace it with "Balanced Choice" we would, all of us, consumers and providers, be much better off.

A must-read for anyone who has even occasional need of healthcare.

The Balanced Choice Healthcare model is a real breath of fresh air after years of the dankness of our broken system of industrialized HMO's and other versions of managed care. This book is hopeful. It is creative. It is visionary. It places people ahead of corporate profits. Balanced Choice clearly discusses the assets and liabilities of the variety of available healthcare models. I found this part alone to be highly instructive. It then goes on to describe how this new national model uses both market forces and a national regulatory board (not unlike the Federal Reserve) to save massive administrative costs, promote improved services for patients, allow professionals the freedom to practice, and reduce costs to a stable, predictable level for employers. The public, healthcare professionals and employers should all be very interested in this book and the model it describes.

I recently read Ivan Miller's _Balanced Choice_ and was extremely impressed by its clarity, its thoroughness, and its practicality-despite the fact that it also represents a genuinely new and challenging idea. As I read through the book, most of my initial skepticism dissolved. Can we really have a medical system without insurance companies? Yes. And Dr. Miller tells us why it's both practical and economically sensible. Can we really cover everyone? Yes. And Dr. Miller explains how we can do it through our free market system. Balanced choice is also a *flexible* system so that it can change in response to changing circumstances and increasing information. It is easily the best book I've read on health care and the only one I have found encouraging.
Bruce Bassoff

The Beautiful Princess Without a Face

April Robins has done it again! The Beautiful Princess Without a Face, a beautifully illustrated book, is not only a brilliant touching story, but I used the experience as a tool to teach my grandchildren about their senses, and what it means to lose the ability to see, smell, hear, and taste the things around us that we love the most. My grandkids and I had a great time thinking of so many things they could not do if they lost any of their senses. A must read for grandparents to grandchildren.

First of all, this book is chalk full of gorgeous images that correspond wonderfully to what is written. Any child's interest will be captured by the pictures alone, as they help the child understand what is going on in the story. They help make the story versatile for all ages.

The story itself is a beautiful story. It teaches a powerful lesson that is best learned young. The descriptions are rich with imagery. The story is easy to follow and will hold the attention of kids of all ages.

This is a book that I will be reading in my high school English class. It is a great example of imagery, and it never hurts to be reminded about the things we often take for granted.

I truly love this book and know you will, too!

`The Beautiful Princess Without a Face' is a wonderfully written story of a child learning about vanity. It is one that every child should read. Its teaching is one of a very valuable lesson that all children should learn. Congratulations to April Robins, F. Jay Robins and Celeste Robins on bringing a lesson to the children in a delightfully and talented telling of a lesson in morals that every child should know.

Rating Number Is: 5 *****
Anastasia Cassella-Young-Reviewer
www.thebookattic.us
Theodocia McLean-Owner of thebookattic.us

My grand daughter loved this book. The story line lets you reinforce the importance of appreciating the beauty around us and not putting too much emphasis on physical beauty.

This book is about a young girl who daydreams about being a Princess in Doll Land. She learns to appreciate the beauty around her and the value of each of each of her five senses. It offers you the opportunity to discuss what your child likes to hear, see, taste, smell, or feel. The book is well written and beautifully illustrated. I highly recommend it.

This book is about float tanks. If you have seen the movie Altered States, that is a float tank. It is an isolation tank where you float in a body temperature saline solution to remove as much stimulation as possible. This book details the research done (up to about 1983) on float tanks, and its health benefits. The book is essentially a commercial for float tanks. The primary benefit is related to the fact that float tanks make it much easier to reach states of consciousness normally reserved for experienced meditators - lower stress, more creativity, general well-being, pain reduction, improved learning (this one I am sceptical, because there is a large body of evidence that recall is tied to the state of consciousness you are in, so learning in the theta brainwave state doesn't translate to the beta state effectively), recreational hallucinations, peak mystical experiences, etc.

As someone whose health and sense of well-being has been improved by using float tanks, I'm grateful for such an informative and enjoyable-to-read book as this.
Most people are missing out on a myriad of benefits simply because they don't know what float tanks are and/or what they can offer.
Mr. Hutchison bridges this information gap beautifully while elevating the level of appreciation on the part of the many people who have been benefitting from the float tank.

This is a book on the practice of floating in what are commonly referred to as sensory deprivation tanks. Hutchison, as a journalist, set out to basically debunk floating, and inadvertently wrote the definitive book on why floating is such a rare experience with so many transformative possibilities. In a nutshell, Hutchison tells us that not only is floating the ultimate way to relax, meditate, heal and learn, it would seem that it is the ultimate path away from addiction and fear. Powerful stuff. He writes about Dr. John Lilly's initial experiments, and the subsequent history of the development of the floating tank using epsom salts to create an ideal floating environment. The bulk of the book is a discussion of the wide range of applications, research and experiments that have been taken into the tank. The claims Hutchison makes of the potential use of the tank are quite astounding. He discusses the impact of frequent floating on learning, stress relief, visualisation techniques, behaviour modification, improving mental and athletic performance, and releasing latent creativity. This book is easy to read, end-noted, cross-referenced and anecdoted with results from studies done at universities all over North America. Floating, it is credibly argued by Hutchison and the researchers and floaters he spoke with, frees the body from gravity, allowing for accelerated healing. It also relaxes the body and the mind allowing for deep meditative states, and provides the perfect environment for self-hypnosis and accelerated learning. Unfortunately, this book is out of print, I consider myself lucky to have found it in a used book store. I whole-heartedly recommend this book for anyone who has thought about exploring the profundities of their own private sea. Floating can be transformative but, as Hutchison argues, best if you can do it for a long period of time, at least six months to realize the potential. If you are curious about the possibilities of this unique inner journey, this book will convince you that doing so is worth the effort and money.

Who wouldn't want a relaxing and drug-free alternative to pain and stress? That's what floatation therapy offers, but thanks to the American mindset of "newer is better", floatation therapy went out of vogue in the 80s, despite an unparalleled success rate.

So how do you learn about floatation therapy when none of your friends and family know about it, the libraries don't carry any books about it, they don't teach it in school, and your doctor's never heard of it? That's easy, just read The Book of Floating. Every friend I loan my copy to is amazed that they could go their whole life without knowing about float tanks.

At a time when back surgery and anti-anxiety medication is common, The Book of Floating is an important reminder of a side effect-free solution that has been widely available to Americans since the 70s. Do a Google search for "float tanks across the US" and you'll find a list of 61 businesses that currently offer floating.

The Book of Floating...

I have been involved in the float tank industry since 1978; first as someone who enjoyed the experience, then in 1980, opening up a commercial float tank center in Hollywood CA - Altered States MindGym.

This book has been the classic for float tank voyeurs ever since it was written, and has helped many understand the dynamics of this exceptional experience.

It is GREAT; definately worth the money.

Jeff Labno
Los Angeles

The Value of the eight chapters in this volume -- each dealing with a major issue affecting business in China -- is that they are by well-regarded experts in their fields, with lenghty hands-on experience in the subjects they discuss. Thus, these essays go well beyond speculations and value judgements and really deal in depth with specifics that can inform those running and investing in businesses in China. They also offer startling insights that often trigger a rethinking of conventional wisdom about the country. For example,in a comprehensive examination of demographics in China, Tony Saich (Daewoo Professor of International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government) observes, "China will be the first society to grow old before it grows rich."

This volume provides the modus operandi for analyzing the key aspects of China, including political, economic/financial and social. There are all too many people who claim or wish to give the appearance of "China Hands". Messrs. Hoffmann and Enright and the contributors to this book do not need to make such a claim or appearance because they ARE simply the best. I strongly recommend this book to the attention of those who are seriously trying to understand China and would like to get pragmatic perspectives as to the reality on the ground and considerations for their business.

Based on their experience and intensely detailed work, I know of no better individuals than John and Michael to comment on China. Yet they have gone further. They have assembled an influential group of experts who can accurately interpret the soundbites broadcast from inside China to give guidance to those outside looking in. THAT wealth of insight makes this a must have book.
Kiron Chatterjee
NMSEZ Private Limited
Mumbai, India

This is a must read for anyone seriously considering doing business with or in China. China economics are vast and at best mysterious. The editors have pulled together experts that present a real life view on China economics and politics that are either distorted by some media or totally missed by "China Experienced" consultants. Leadership impact is discussed with different chain of events that produce different potential futures. A great tool for corporate planners to follow as a road map to see which of the identified potentials become real and the route to the future is defined.

The editors have pulled together some of the best experts on Greater China and given the reader some advantage and comfort with the potential outcomes in a very complex and important market. The knowlege of leadership succession and the use of over the horizon planning can offer corporate leadership in the region as strong advantage. This book is a great start point.

Despite the opinions of another of the book's reviewers, many responsible, ... homeowners and gardeners have the need to sanely deal with pest infestations. This is the best book for learning about the least toxic and often the most humane way of dealing with pest problems. I have used it for my own home and garden and also as a Master Gardener recommending solutions for other gardeners. I highly recommend it.

I answer garden questions (and ones about pest problems) for a living, and I'd be lost without my wonderful dog-eared copy of this book. It is probably responsible for TONS of toxic chemicals NOT being used by paniced homeowners, and belongs in EVERY home.

This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who cares about balancing their own needs as residents of the planet with the needs of all the bugs out there. Insects are introduced, their contributions to their ecosystem detailed, possible ways of controlling them discussed where that is needed, and final, more dire solutions are available where needed. A great resource for those who want their pest control to be as little destructive as possible, and in many cases this is also what is most effective. A good resource to have on hand.

A detailed, well-indexed reference dealing with pests from lice to rats. This is a how-to book as well as a general reference, and although Common-Sense Pest Control is not always the most pleasant reading, it is a godsend to anyone in the trenches. The authors approach is scientific and non-alarmist, with an emphasis on least-toxic solutions. Excellent illustrations. An example of their style: "Few pest problems cause more panic and premature decisions among home owners than those involving wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants or termites... Whatever the reason, you should not feel pressured. You have plenty of time to find the least-toxic treatment and decide whether you want to do some of the work yourself and contract out the rest to a professional or turn over the entire job to a professional."

Ignore the two inane reviews below and read the others. You'll see what I mean....

Although Michael Weiss' book is funny and accurate, I found this book to be somewhat full of plain common sense. Things you would automatically think about if you are heading for a hospital visit of your own. Perhaps I think this because I have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and have been in and out of hospitals myself. It IS a good book for hospital stay preparation, a sort of checklist of things you may encounter. But at any rate, I am glad that Mr. Weiss adressed such a topic that is largely ignored.

This book amazingly makes what should be a dry subject matter interesting, funny and enlightening. It is written loosely as a "guide" type of book yet it is extremely amusing and at times hysterical! Who would have thought that somebody could communicate such difficult experiences in such a comforting way? That's exactly what makes this book so useful for not only patients (which I am a not) but also their close confidantes (of which I am.

This book takes an excellent look at life as a "medical" pateint.

It's view is open, honest, and overall very accurate. The author takes great pains to hide the names of those attached but it's clear that there is a serious problem with the way our chronically ill patients are treated.

The book is serious, humorous, and overall very informative.

I suggest this reading for anyone involved with the medical community

I like reading books about health care and hospitals but I've never read a book about being a hospital patient so accurate and funny that I would recommend it to fellow health care professionals - until now. Mr. Weiss certainly has had his share of hospital hardships but he is even-handed in describing the experiences and provides such thought-provoking insights that even the most arrogant of physicians has to pay attention! I also appreciated the unique fashion in which he handles the nurse-physician and nurse-patient relationships. I can honestly say that while reading this book I learned a great deal about being a nurse - - and I learned all this from a patient! That in itself made this a very interesting and entertaining book - I only wish I had read it in nursing school!

For most of us, it takes little more than the mention of the phrase, "hospital stay," to set off a chain reaction of fear, anxiety and helplessness. Michael A. Weiss offers a perfect "how-to" survival guide cleverly disguised as a funny and often poignant memoir of a most amazing and inspiring battle against chronic illness and pain. Drawing from personal experience, Mr. Weiss prepares the reader for virtually every situation that a patient will encounter during a hospital stay. "Confessions of a Professional Hospital Patient," should be required reading not only for soon-to-be-patients, but for the medical professionals in whom they are about to place their trust.