Used Books

I bought this from Amazon as a present for Mother's Day, and it just arrived -- what an absolutely stunning book! It looks handmade, the collages are beautiful, the poems strong and elemental and touching -- extremely cool, the kind of book you keep by the bedside. Somebody obviously took a great deal of care.

The heart of the thing, though, are the poems themselves, which are wistful, sensual, melancholy, ecstatic -- amazing what can be said so thoughtfully in five short lines, and amazing, too, the universality of emotion expressed by these women centuries ago.

Ariake is a most wonderful book to read over and over again. Rae Grant's sensitive collages, which combine symbolic images and unusual textures, perfectly complement the brief but emotionally charged poems of court ladies, some named and some anonymous, in Heian Japan. This book is a goldmine of poignant imagery from a thousand years ago; but it can still elicit of the modern reader, perhaps, the same urgent emotions. I am repeatedly amazed by the freshness of the words. What marvelous translators must have worked on these poems! For the historically minded, Liza Dalby beautifully and concisely introduces the era and the circumstances of women during the Heian period.

Ariake is (inadvertantly) a companion volume to Song of the Kisaeng - a wonderful book of Korean courtesan poetry. I highly recommend reading both as the interplay of the differing sensibilities enhances the value of each.

Ariake in its own right is a beautiful book ... once I got past the inside covers of pink - the collage illustrations by Grant have a wonderful interplay with the text, repeating themes with a Japanese feel. The poetry is excellent and well translated. They retain a simple language with proscribed conceits while working as poetry in English.

An example: "In the blackberry / Night I saw you one last time, / But I let you go / Without meeting you at dawn, / And now I have learned regret."

For the technically inclined, the poems are wakas (31 syllable poems 5-7-5-7-7).

Oh, sisters of my heart, how I have longed to hear your voices. What a delight to find works from Japanese women poets. If you've already read Jane Hirshfield's "The Ink Dark Moon" and loved it, I know you'll like "Erotic Spirit: An Anthology of Poems of Sensuality, Love, and Longing" Edited by Sam Hamill.

Ah, the bewitching age of dynasties never fails to fascinate with the lovely and lyrical verses of longing...These poems have that passionate elegance - a spark that is about to burst into flame. The collages make for a truly exquisite gift. Read this with a lover - or a potential lover! Try writing your own! Like desire itself, I found myself wanting more.

This little book is one of the best that I have ever read regarding leadership. It truly is "A practical guide for people in positions of responsibility." Anyone who wants to understand what it really needs to be a leader should read it. This would be a great learning tool.

The first paragraph of this book says it all:

"Genuine leadership is of only one type: supportive. It leads people: It doesn't drive them. It involves them: It doesn't coerce them. It never loses sight of the most important principle governing any project involving human beings" namely, that people are more important than things."

Throughout this wonderful book, J. Donald Walters constantly reminds the reader, that leadership is activity that strives to make people more important than things, of any stripe. When this happens, people who are being led will accomplish a great deal.

Having spent 23 years in the military both as an enlisted man and later an officer, I have read numerous books and articles on this most difficult skill as well as listened to an equal number on seminars and lectures. This has continued in my current civilian career. Nothing, I repeat nothing has been more spot on than this simple, easy to read, yet powerful book on making things happen with those under one's charge.

If any young man or woman seeking to become a leader and not a manager only reads one book on leadership, let it be this one!!!

This book is quite simple and organized in a concise manner regarding leadership but it contains very powerful messages. It will give you a good start in how you lead people. The book starts with "Genuine leadership is of only one type: supportive." which is quite simple yet true.

I've read many books on management, and I've read many books on leadership, but J. Donald Walters, a successful entrepreneur who has several thriving and growing businesses in different industries, has done a masterful job of capturing and presenting the essence of true leadership in an inspirational coffee table book that eloquently and concisely defines what a true leader is, how a true leader thinks, and most importantly, what a true leader does.

The person who is pressed for time, or short on patience, will take lessons away from this book that can improve their management skills and tranform their organization with integrity actions that build trust, engender devotion, and create a vortex of positive energy. Perfect for those graduating from business school, or those in a position of authority who are looking for sage advice and techniques on how to lead your organization or company to success in harmony. The price almost makes it free so "steal" your copy today.

This outstanding pocket-sized, hardcover book is an excellent reminder of what is required of a leader. Most leaders need reminding everyday that with their privileges comes responsibility and obligation.

This book has twelve chapters:

1) The Art of Leadership

2) Leadership is Not an Ego Game

3) Leadership Means Responsibility

4) Leadership Means Setting Aside Personal Desires

5) Leadership Means Service

6) Leadership Means Loyalty

7) Leadership is Intuition Guided by Common Sense

8) The Importance of Flexibility

9) The Need for Action, Not Talk

10) Giving Support

11) Work with People's Strengths

12) What is True Success

The most profound and compelling sentiment in the book is "The true leader puts his personal wishes last, not first."

This book has never occupied my shelf. It has been my lunch companion, bedtime reading and travel companion, because I always need reminding.

This book is clearly in the lead.

My daughters have found the software very easy to navigate. Along with being almost endlessly entertaining, it gives them a good understanding of how the mouse and keyboard interact with the computer. This story, with all the interactive pieces on each page, is by far the best computer game we have used, and we have quite a few!It has also held up over time - my almost 6 year old has been playing with it since her third birthday. I am online now looking for the other titles! The designers clearly very carefully considered the attention span and the comprehension of the target age group.

As Arthur and D.W. race around town reading words, your little reader learns too. D.W.'s ten words appear in the pictures, creating an "I Spy" atmosphere where beginning readers can locate and read a few simple words. Lots of fun, great pictures, and a cute story.

This book is awesome!! Funny too. The reason i think it is funny is because the older brother puts his younger sister to the test on reading and he thinks she cant do it because she is younger. But then she proves him wrong and reads 10 words. And the deal was if she read 10 words he would buy her an ice cream cone. And she did so he bought her one. In the end it turns out the younger one can read and seems more smarter than the older one!

In this book Arthur and his sister D.W. have a reading contest to see if she could really read. So D.W. could read after all and Arthur ended up taking back what he said about her. He said she couldn't read but he didn't know she could.

In this tale Arthur tells his sister if she can read ten words he will buy her ice cream. Ah! A challenge, what sibling could resist, certainly not D.W. They set off to town and D.W. wins the bet to the surprise of Author; and has a little fun at the end of the story with her brother.
Just a cute little tale about the fun of words and reading, and the joy of sharing with your brother or sister.
Shirley Johnson

The cubs are scared of the sitter. She is pry this mean witch or something. Then she has lots of fun things to do and soon they relax and like her.

The book, The Berenstein Bears and the sitter, is wonderful. In the book, the cubs are very scared because a babysitter is coming to stay with them. However, once she gets there, the cubs find out that she is actually very nice and fun. They end up having a great time with her. I thought this book was very colorful and interesting. I love all of the Berenstein Bears books. Many times children are afraid of babysitters, but this book shows them there is no need to be. I would recommend this book to all children.

i liked this story and wish i could be a good writter like you i liked it when they thought that she was a mean lady and it turns out that she was a very nice and then they play games eat do a lot of thing. that is all i had to say. THE END!!!!!!!!!!

i liked this story because they thought she was mean and it turns out that they love her.THAT IS ALL I HAD TO SAY THE END!!!!!!!!!!

Mama and Papa Bear have to go to an emergency town meeting, along with the rest of the Bear family. Who will watch Brother and Sister Bear? They end up finding Mrs. Grizzly who lives in the old stump at the end of the street. But isn't Mrs. Grizzly a bit of a grump?

Lucky for her, the children are happily settled down with the odds and ends she's brought in her bag. Not only does this book prepare young (under 6?) children for a new sitter experience, but maybe it also will teach kids how to behave with grown-ups.

Mrs. Grizzly has a spunky personality that kids will warm up to and parents will enjoy reading aloud. The bright, colorful pictures are fun for kids.

My daughter loved this book. Not only does she love cats, but she loved the stories as well. A very good book!

Huckle Cat tries hard, but he makes a lot of mistakes. When his mother asks him to help with the chores he washes the dishes with too much soap and the dust really flies in his room when he dusts. Mom Cat gives him a list, which includes; butter, cream, apples, potatoes and oranges and sends Huckle to the store to do the shopping. However, Huckle forgets the list, but not worry, he has a good memory. So he picks up peanut butter instead of butter, ice cream instead of cream, apple pie instead of apples, potato chips instead of potatos and orange soda instead of oranges. Oh well, he kind of remembered didn't he? When he got home the cat family had a very interesting dinner and Mom Cat tells him that he made the best mistakes ever!

My son Devon really loves this story. Of course I've been making up words for the last year or so, but now that he's approaching three and knows all his letters and that letters form words, he is getting a new appreciation for this book. I am too.

This is a book for beginning readers. The words are simple, grammar too. Huckle's story is sure to keep your toddler interested, so much better than the "See Spot Run" kind of early readers. If you want your child reading before Kindergarten, and I do, then this book and books like it are very good additions to your toddlers reading arsenal.

Jack Priest, Dad in Training

When I was a little guy, I loved books by Richard Scarry! Now as a daddy, I'm overjoyed that my little girl, Riley, gets into this book that she got by Scarry.

Welcome to Busytown! This book consists of 3 stories that basically have 1 thing in common. They have Huckle Cat, and they all had Lowly Worm as the main attraction in each story. Huckle and Lowly are best buds!

The first story, "The Best Mistake Ever" is simply about how Huckle Cat is sent to the grocery store. There's just one small problem: Huckle forgets the shopping list that Mother Cat wrote out. But Lowly Worm comes to the rescue!! Or does he? While Huckle thinks that his mother wants cream, Lowly's pretty certain that it's ice cream. And when the question of apples comes up, Lowly thinks that apple pie is just what Mother Cat ordered. Will Mother Cat be pleased?

Story #2 is "A Visit to Mr. Fixit". Huckle Cat gets his mother a cuckoo-cuckoo clock for Mother's Day. But with Lowly Worm riding on the back, he takes a corner too fast and crashes into Postman Pig, and breaks the clock. After being ordered to fix the bell on his bicycle by Officer Murphy, he makes a trip to Mr. Fixit to fix both the bell, and a broken cuckoo-cuckoo clock. What will Mr. Fixit do with the broken pieces?

Then finally you have "Best Friends" on Huckle Cat's birthday. But for some reason in school, Lowly Worm is hanging around the other kids, but not Huckle. This is quite unusual, but Huckle gets the surprise of his life!

And this is something great for your kids! Richard Scarry is always fun, and it's never a mistake to go with his books. Kids and Richard Scarry go hand in hand!

Huckle Cat tries hard, but he makes a lot of mistakes. When his mother asks him to help with the chores he washes the dishes with too much soap and the dust really flies in his room when he dusts. Mom Cat gives him a list, which includes; butter, cream, apples, potatoes and oranges and sends Huckle to the store to do the shopping. However, Huckle forgets the list, but not worry, he has a good memory. So he picks up peanut butter instead of butter, ice cream instead of cream, apple pie instead of apples, potato chips instead of potatos and orange soda instead of oranges. Oh well, he kind of remembered didn't he? When he got home the cat family had a very interesting dinner and Mom Cat tells him that he made the best mistakes ever!

My son Devon really loves this story. Of course I've been making up words for the last year or so, but now that he's approaching three and knows all his letters and that letters form words, he is getting a new appreciation for this book. I am too.

This is a book for beginning readers. The words are simple, grammar too. Huckle's story is sure to keep your toddler interested, so much better than the "See Spot Run" kind of early readers. If you want your child reading before Kindergarten, and I do, then this book and books like it are very good additions to your toddlers reading arsenal.

Jack Priest, Dad in Training

Our nearly three-year old daughter simply loves this book. She first got Richard Scarry's "Biggest Word Book Ever" (which I ABSOLUTELY recommend!), and therefore already knew the characters. She cracks up at the clumsy Mr. Frumble, who is always having accidents, and she is attracted to the kindness and friendship between Lowly Worm and Huckle Cat. She recognizes emotions and personality traits in this book...Mommy Cat is angry, Huckle Cat is sad, poor Mr. Frumble is "accident prone". These emotions are displayed in an age appropriate way. This book is a compilation of 3 short stories, and is one of the first "big girl" books she consistently wants to read, morning and night. Definitely the best few bucks I ever spent!

I was introduced to this book from a friend. My two boys love this story. I enjoy reading it as much as the two of them enjoy listening to it.
I think it is helpful to introduce when the sibling rivalry begins to pop up in the family. (Maybe even before.)
The illustrations are magical and brilliantly placed in the story line.
I highly recommend this book.

I bought this book when I was pregnant with my second son. By the time my older son was 2 1/2, he was reading it to his one year-old brother by memory!! The pages have been taped and retaped, they are so well-read!! The illustrations are exquisite! The story is beautiful!! What a sweet, sweet story that celebrates the love between two brothers!

I've seen my share of "sharing" books that attempt to teach kids sharing, and this is one of the best. Unlike some "sharing" books that teach kids that it's OK to be selfish, this one models good behavior while at the same time showing that when the brothers are selfish, they hurt the other brother's feelings.

The illustrations capture in exquisite detail the facial expressions of the children, so there is a lot more to this book than the written text. Children especially can read the subtext from the illustrations. Even small children recognize the mixture of surprise, frustration, and hurt that plays across the little brother's face as his big brother tells him he can't play with his truck.

I loved this book and so did my 4 year old and 2 year old. It seems like they can both really relate to the brothers in the book. It is a book that they want read over and over. The illustrations are fabulous!

I have two small boys so I was pleased to see this book out by an author I enjoy. The story is very realistic and captures perfectly the bond that can exist between two small siblings. My three year old could immediately relate to the big brother in the book. While my two have a few more fights than the brothers in the book, I am hoping that reading and talking about this book may help them focus on the good things about being brothers.

There are a lot of bridge books on the market. There are a lot of bridge books on the market that focus narrowly on conventions. If you play the Standard American style, you must own this book and its sequel, More Commonly Used Conventions.

This book covers all the basics. It goes much further, too. The conventions are covered in short steps with numerous examples about what to do at each stage at the bidding. That alone is enough to make it head and shoulders above the rest of the market. But Grant goes further -- she explains precisely what agreements a partnership must settle on, and then gives a range of plausible alternatives, some simple, some more complicated.

The layout of these books is also superb. The best feature is the exercises at the end of each chapter -- the questions are on the left page and the answers are on the right, and the spiral binding allows you to easily hide the answers while you're thinking about the questions. Even the examples are set apart from the explanations by enough space that allows you to use, say, a scrap private scoresheet from your last club game (folded in half, of course) to cover the explanations while you're reading.

Buy two.

Audrey Grant's books - like Commonly Used Conventions - are exceptional. They are best used in a bridge class/training session where an instructor can lead and help the student through the the basics of bridge learning. The value of Audrey Grant's books are that they present a system of bridge which has revolutionized modern bridge. Even Bridge players who have played for years, soon learn that their conceptions, learned from past experience, of even the most commonly used conventions have been in error or misapplied. Recommend the reader try to find a local bridge class with an experienced teacher.

Without a doubt the most useful and readable bridge book I have used. What one learns by playing bridge with cronies is too often only partly right; Audrey Grant writes well, organizes her material in useful ways, and speaks with authority. She follows up with good examples, explains weaknesses in certain conventions, and is thorough. I will look forward to any other books she writes.

I took the ACBL Commonly Used Conventions Course and was very impressed with this text. I think it helped me understand and use the conventions that I had an interest in using. Great help with weak twos, strong clubs, transfers, Stayman and several others that I now play. I would recommend this and the More Commonly Use Conventions Book for negative doubles and additonal conventions.

If you are new to bridge I highly recommend purchasing all four of Audrey Grant books in the ACBL Series... CLUB, DIAMOND, HEART AND SPADE. She is unquestionably the best bridge teacher for a novice. In layman's terms she is able to explain and unravel the mysteries of bridge. If you begin with the club book and progress through the series as they increase in difficulty... club, diamond, heart and spade you will be able to teach yourself how to become proficient in bridge painlessly. Her books are written in lesson formats... and they are used by many people who instruct bridge classes i.e. adult ed. Buy one... I'm sure you'll add the other three to your library. I also highly recommend her "Bridge at A Glance" pocket guide which is a quick synopsis of bidding and the appropriate respones thereof. I bought many bridge books before I stumbled upon Audrey Grant and wish I had found her books first! Good luck!

This is a fun little book, perfect for our current risk averse climate. You will learn about every odd every day object that could potentially do you harm. The entries recap studies that show potential side effects of such things as bowling, high chairs and optimism. The only thing I would like to see is a bit more information on each item. A typical entry lists the name of an object, and a danger but it doesn't explain much about why this is or how to prevent it.

In this fun little book, author and professor Dr. David French clues you in on what is bad for you, and the bad news is that it is everything! You know that too much of a good thing can be bad, well in this book Dr. French goes through all sorts of things that *can* be bad for you, including normal eyesight(!), licorice and even sleep. Yeah, this is a fun book, filled with lots of interesting points that you will want to toss at the ones you love - and keep them up at night worrying!

I loved this book, and highly recommend it!

What I liked about this book is that it's not only very funny, it also contains huge amounts of information about things that may actually be bad for you. The author himself is somewhat agnostic about how much of this stuff you should believe, but I found myself reassessing the things I eat, as well as becoming more alert about issues I hadn't given much thought to, like the reliability of medical care and prescription drugs. There's something for everyone: for example, any woman who is pregnant (or thinking of becoming so), should pay attention to what the book says about things from aspirin and soft cheeses to seafood and swimming pools. A small treasure.

A confirmed optimist, I surprised myself by liking this book a lot. It is a fascinating, being both very humorous and informative at the same time, and hard to put down. The writer presents evidence which suggests that not alone is everything bad for you, but that you are "damned if you do, and damned if you don't". It will make you laugh, which is good for you, but then again, maybe laughing isn't good for you! There is also an excellent list of websites to help track down solid information on a wide range of health issues. So I reckon whether you are an optimist or maybe a pessimist, looking for a laugh or trying to get some solid information on particular issues, or looking for a Christmas stocking present, check it out.

I can honestly say this book can provide hours of entertainment. Who knew that staples caused so many office accidents? Oh and did you know that holy water is actually bad for you?

Of course, there are the staple things that everyone knows is harmful to your health- drugs, smoking, drinking. But even with those the author adds at least something you didn't know, plus his little quips make all that drug education pounded into your head in middle school actually funny.

The book is in dictionary format- best idea ever. Get this book, then have all your friends shout out something and you look it up. I'm sure it could make an interesting drinking game too, I haven't tried though.

If you're a parent and would like to annoy the hell out of your child, if you're a hypochondriac and you need something to blame, or maybe if you're just bored, this is a great book. But if you are paranoid, I wouldn't recommend it. This will definetly not make you feel good.

This is such an easy read and so common sense. Not a quick fix, but very healthy and applicable theories.

Has good info for newbies to fitness and seasoned vetrens. Also it is an easy read. YOu can get the majority of the book read in one night. One Negative is the last few chapters are more wordy than nessasary.

As a Fitness Trainer, I was amazed at the wealth of good/valuable information this book provides. I had read it originally 10 years ago, and teach many of my clients the principles Mr. Bailey describes. Use this book as your guide to weight loss!

After reading this book, I know why all those diets I've tried failed. I was so happy to finally find someone who understands the special dietary needs of women and who could thoroughly explain away the diet myths out there. It is one of the most helpful books I've read in years.

I am fed up with the magazine image American women are sold. Thin is being sold as fitness. Covert's tape helped me to affirm my belief in fitness, not just appearance. And another thing...has anyone else noticed that on the cover of most women's magazines you are given teaser titles on how to loose 10 pounds fast, and than in the bottom corners, pictures of cookies and 19 layer chocolate cakes?

this is a wonderful book...to bring you to the wonder of hope found in scripture. Its a great book for anyone and very good for small groups.

Though Chuck doesn't deal with each verse of 1 Peter, he has certainly unpacked his thesis. Chuck is not only a great expository preacher; he is a great writer.

I recommend this volume highly. The metaphors are riveting!

I have collected Charles Swindoll books through the years and the Lord has lead me to read them at the precise moment that I need to hear from Him. I am at a crucial point in my life and I am blessed at how seemingly, Chuck captures how I feel exactly... His prayers at the end of the chapters are my very prayers.

I hope we can invite Mr. Chuck Swindoll and Mr. Max Lucado, another Christian author, to the Philippines. If anyone out there knows how to get in touch with them, please e-mail me. we are willing to bring these two men of God to our beautiful Island Philippines.

In Christ, Virna Payawal

"Hope Again" is yet another great book by Chuck Swindoll. This title focuses on the hope we have as believers in Jesus Christ despite the trials and temptations we go through. The Book of 1 Peter was the focus of this book.

Among the important points covered include:

1. Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ is a great way to witness to the world.
2. 3 natural reactions to unfair treatment.
3. God is good to those who wait on Him and seek Him.
4. Living an authentic Christian life will shock a pagan crowd.
5. Living life in view of Christ's return will give us perspective.
6. Be the person God created you to be.
7. God's way for us to deal with authority, attitude, and anxiety.
8. Battle tactics of the devil and 3 responses to his ploys (this was a particularly good chapter!!!).

Read, enjoy, and be encouraged in the Lord to hang in there and not give up.

Highly recommended.

This book really ministered to my very needs I'm a young man but the things that I was going through just made me lose hope. Things have been bright because my HOPE in Christ is more powerful than any circumstance that I will ever face. Thanks Charles for letting God use you like this.