Greens Books

Reading Patty Dann's latest novel Sweet & Crazy is like being invited into the author's home and sitting at her kitchen table where she shapes and narrates a beautiful sensitive story focusing on a recent widow, Hanna, her four year old precocious son, Pete, their next door neighbor, Thomas, and Pete's Asian friend Mazur and his father Omar.

The story is set in a little town, Ash Creek, Ohio, and begins just prior to the death of Hanna's husband Ed, who had suffered for some time from brain cancer.
After Ed's death, Hanna bravely tries to carry on a normal life, and her narration of her daily routines are packed with vivid images and voice that make you want to encourage her not to stop and tell all.
It is a story of coming to terms with the death of a spouse, a new beginning, and a romantic awakening brought about by a next -door neighbor.
The narrative also touches on the ugliness of racism and the painful harm it causes.

Cleverly crafted with a great deal of sensitivity and admirable fluidity, Dann divides her story into four chapters representing four months after Ed's death. However, one of these months just happens to include the tragic events of 9/11.
Unfortunately, as the author recounts, no matter where one may have lived at the time of this hideous crime, you were not immune to the suffering and pain inflicted by the perpetrators.
Hanna's neighbor Omar has lost a brother-in-law in one of the towers, and nearly his wife, who happened to be visiting her brother in New York at the time. Fortunately, she only suffered a broken leg.
When Omar thinks about the tragedy and asks Hanna "can you believe your husband is gone? Hanna replies, "sometimes not. Sometimes I can't believe any of it, but we had time to say good-bye."

What I found touching about the novel is that Hanna does not reduce her personal tragedy and that of 9/11 to simple sets of conversation. It rather provides her with solace and some meaning to her life.

In a recent interview conducted by the magazine Creative Parents Dann recounts that several editors asked her" why she didn't write about her experience with her own husband's death? Her reply was that she found it too close and she had to fictionalize it. She set the book in a small town in Ohio and even then it was hard to write. When I started writing this as non-fiction it was too painful. When it was fiction I could add humor, more irony."

I guess Dann's reply only reaffirms what many believe that to live without telling a story is to live without any coherence and momentum.

Patty Dann has created a delicate miniature of a book; small, yet it covers monumental events, both in the narrator's personal life as well as in the topsy turvy world around her. Hanna, grief-stricken at losing her young husband to cancer and the stark reality that she must bring up her four year old son alone, is forced with little warning, into unknown territory. Now a "window," as Pete, her zesty little son puts it, in his unerringly honest way, adjusting is often painful but also contains some sweet surprises. Hanna's gradual acceptance of her forever altered life, with the gracious help of an unusual neighbor, makes for a satisfying, sweet and slightly crazy tale. It is a highly enjoyable book.

perfect, soft, real, gentle, very sad, very funny - beuatifully written. A+++++

Reading this book helped me think of my losses through the child's eyes. The writer did an excellent job about capturing the honest sweet words of the 4years old child reacting to the loss of his father. It also captured the widow's feeling about the new challenges in her life, the loss of a loving husband, her 4 years old child and the new romance. The story is capturing, in a very sweet and crazy way

The emotional enormity of the events of 9/11 combined with the personal tragedy of the loss of her husband provide the backdrop against which Hanna Painter strives to maintain a seemingly normal life for her young son Pete...as well as for herself as she rediscovers her passionate side through the attention of next door neighbor, Thomas Winton. Dann deftly captures the dialogue and thinking process of young Pete, and that young child's filtering of events allowed this reader a chance to revisit and reassess thoughts and reactions to the events of September 11 and the aftermath. All in all, a satisfying afternoon of reading.

this was an excellent book about a journey to the innerself and womanhood
i would recommend this book to anyone

Shamanic wisdom, mystical spirits, Native American culture--if these are your heart topics, and you love the way Lynn Andrews writes, you will love this book.

Lynn Andrews returns to the familiar magical storytelling mixed with the idea that we can all be mystics if we only follow her shamanic wisdom. I'll admit a love-hate relationship to her books. "Jaguar Woman" moved me from my cynical, career-driven bent, but as my own path developed before me, I followed Andrew's less. Possibly because I could not match her shamanic travels, uber-human experiences and amazing way of life.

This paperback is another of the Sisterhood of the Shields series. Here, Andrews explores the inevitability of aging and death. She examines the many "little deaths" that occur in life--getting let go or fired from a job, a death in the family, divorce, the long-term illness of a loved one.

The book is an introduction to 'elderhood' with a recognition of another transition--one in which we accept what is, even as we see our friends begin to age and die. We learn to withstand these times and to grow from them.

As Americans, we generally hide from death or simply defy it. This is a good book to grasp the reality of elderhood.

For about 25 years Lynn Andrews has written memoir after memoir of life as an urban shaman living between both worlds. Tree of Dreams examines getting older and balancing her two lives. This book is less fantastical and the passage of time has lessened the melodrama of her earlier work. I still don't get The Red Dog rival and wonder still if he is some imaginary antagonist to make this Native American like. Overall, an interesting perspective on getting older and holding the medicine wheel in Andrews' world. I just wonder if this belongs in the non-fiction section and whether the Cree tribe in Manitoba, Canada are getting royalties. Having known a Native woman who lived on a reserve in New York State, one thing seems to be common - they don't rejoice at Andrews or her work.

As I've followed Lynn's growth and teachings over the many years that she's written (I have an older copy of Medicine Women with the native women and crow on the front........pages have fallen apart, the cover taped back on, etc.), I was pleased when I came across this newer addition to her volume of work. In this book she descibes her feelings on what it's like to have an ailing parent and the process of death. She describes her on going search for answers which also proves that even for all she's learned, she still does not profess to have "the truth". Quite the contrary, she wonders about good and evil, duality, etc.. Her on-going relationship with Red Dog is put in a somewhat different light. It's almost a love hate relationship. A good read and very down to earth. What is interesting also is the process that was involved to write her first, Medicine Women.

Tree Of Dreams: A Spirit Woman's Vision Of Transition And Change by Lynn Andrews is a deeply moving narrative of her quest for growth, spiritual fulfillment, and better understanding of sacred things. Embracing the power of healing and coping with "little deaths" such as divorce or the sudden loss of a job, as well as the great losses of loved ones to "Time's Eternal March", Lynn Andrews' Tree Of Dreams is a powerful and moving metaphysical reflection. Also very highly recommended are Lyn Andrews' previous books: Medicine Woman and Jaguar Woman.

I was a little disappointed in this book, I thought it was a list of things to do. It was more like vague suggestions with web sites to check out. Several of the web sites were no longer working. I didn't find a lot of new information that I have not already read about. This is more of a beginners guide for going green. I would have gotten a lot more out of it several years ago. So if you are just starting to find options for going green, this is a book for you.

Most people want to do whatever they can to make the world a better place and protect the Earth. For them, marching in demonstrations or engaging in direct action is not an option. What to do? In subjects ranging from Air to Water to Food to Global Warming, this book lists many web sites with more information to get the reader involved in protecting the environment.

Perhaps the reader just wants to find out what sort of recycling facilities are in their town. One of their first stops should be to www.earth911.org. To look for reusable or biodegradable diapers, visit www.organicbebe.com. The Wildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org) has a very distinguished record in conserving endangered species. For those who have compost heaps, Starbucks will give you their coffee grounds. Details are at www.starbucks.com/aboutus/compost, or talk to your local manager.

A handy wallet card on produce and pesticides called "The Shopper's Guide to Pesticides" (bring it with you when shopping) is available from www.foodnews.org. A good site on global warming is www.climatestar.org. The Busy Person's Guide to Greener Living can be found at www.greenmatters.com. Do you have stuff you no longer need that someone else may want? Before that trip to the landfill, visit www.freecycle.org. Adopt a lobster (and help ensure a continued supply of lobsters) at www.lobsters.org, the Lobster Conservancy.

This is a wonderful book. It's small (it really can fit in your back pocket), it's well laid out, and the reader can pick their level of involvement. It is very highly recommended. Saving the environment does not get much easier than this.

Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, environmentally challenged or conscious, teacher or student, computer savvy or not - you will like this book. It provides real-life resources and contacts, anecdotal examples and insight on how YOU, the reader, can easily help sustain Mother Earth. Great for students of all ages!

As is the list of environmental problems so overwhelming and the scale so global, so is the feeling that one person can't make a difference. And, even in the trying, the choices are so many and the information so contradictory, that it's hard to know where to start. Here, at last, is the logical successor to "50 Simple Things...," better, more evolved, and yet easier. A wealth of choices that can be tailored to match what you feel you CAN do now, what you MIGHT feel you can do later, and what you SHOULD be telling your friends-- in short, a compendium of answers on a scale that any of us can comprehend.

This little book is simply amazing! It is a wealth of information,contacts and web sites regarding the environment and ways we can do our part to help. It is like the spark of desire, that hopefully, ignites the fire of action, encouraging us to seek out and "embrace a more environmentally friendly lifestyle". It is witty, informative and easy to navigate. A perfect gift and an exceptional manual for a meaningful life.

My daughter loved this book, in fact the whole series is wonderful. There is so much information and detailed pictures, It's almost a shame to let a child color them in! lol I like to color them with colored pencil as well. The pages are nice and thick. A great gift!

This is a beautiful book that an older kid could really appreciate. I bought it for my 3 year old because she's very into horses right now but she will not do it any justice. An older child with artistist ability would love turning these black & white images into stunning pictures. Would work great with colored pencils as the pages are much nicer than the usual "crayon" type pages of kids coloring books.

Very realistic pictures for children or adults to enjoy coloring to their heart's delight. Focus can be realistic or fantasy colors. Nicely done.

This is a very good coloring book. John Green is an excellent artist and with a little colored pencil or crayons the pictures come alive. I bought this book for myself, and I love it.

Page after page of beautifully drawn horses in various poses, many of them are action poses.

A few of the pictures feature riders but most are just of the horses--which was my preference.

The drawings are large and easy to color, and there is also lots of background with mountains, trees, rocks and even rivers/streams.

I am an adult colorer, but I think anyone from about the age of six would enjoy coloring in this book.

I highly recommend it.

My dd (age 6) has listened to this audio book CD so many times she can quote entire passages with the dramatic flair of stage actress. She adores it. She desperately wants to listen to Anne of Avonlea, but I don't seem to find an Focus on the Family Radio Theatre version of that, and I am afraid any other version will fall seriously short of her expectations after loving this one so much. Even her older brother has been accused of secretly taking the cd's one by one and listening to them in his room, but he isn't openly admitting to it. LOL! A fantastic production.

I was never a fan of Anne of Green Gables until I came across this version of the story. And it's all thanks to Mae Whitman, that I now love the story. Mae brings Anne to life so well and she portrays her in a way that nobody else could. I highly recommend this version of the book to anyone who isn't already a fan. Mae does an awesome job of expressing her emotions and describing things in the story. All in all, Mae Whitman will always be a true rose of inspiration to me.

We listened to this story on a recent trip. It was a great way to spend time in the car. Even my husband enjoyed listening to the story!

Anne of Green Gables by Focus on the Family Radio Theater is the best audio product we have listened to in a long long time! My 3 daughters and their friends LOVE it and even my son enjoys it. WE have listened to it daily for several weeks and our enjoyment of it grows. This is a GREAT retelling of Anne Of Green Gables.

I bought this for my 2006 summer vacation road trip with my wife and two boys, 16 and 12. We all laughed, including the boys, and were very moved by the wonderful presentation and acting. There are many more things in this presentation than in the celebrated PBS version. I was concerned that my boys wouldn't like it, but after a few minutes they were really into it and couldn't wait to finish listening to all 4 hours. It is very moving and keeps the magic of this wonderful story intact. I highly recommend this.

The first thing I did when I got the Green Book was compare which verbs were covered in each book. First of all, there are 149 verbs in the "501" book that are not in the green book. The better news is that the Green Book has 203 verbs not included in the "501" book. That means I now have conjugations for 704 Italian verbs between the two books. I love all the examples and will use them as a study tool. I also appreciate the double pages for the 50 most important verbs. Finally, as an English major and avid grammarian, I was fascinated by the 36 pages which explain in detail how Italian verbs are formed. At Amazon's price of $10.17, this is a must for all those learning Italian.

This is a big but comprehensive book. The explanations are clear but not as spartan (thankfully) as some other texts. The usage examples are good - in the sense that they ring true. As always, one would like more examples but most of them connect the verb with its aligned prepositions (which is pretty essential in Italian). Overall, no complaints.

I went to my local bookstore (Powells!) and examined every "big verb book" they had. I decided on this one due to its easy-to-read layout and general comprehensiveness. There are plenty of contextual examples of usage for each verb, with expanded examples for the more commonly used verbs, especally in idioms (very helpful). There's a nice introduction to the various kinds of tenses. Honestly, though, the clincher was how well laid-out each page was. In a book like this, where the information is going to be essentially the same from version to version, ease of use and general clarity become the essential selling points. This has become my constant companion in my study of Italian. Oh, great index, too!

I'd read that this book was better than Barron's and I agree. It has good explanations of the tenses, with adequate examples. I like the layout of the conjugations in the format
1st person singular 1st person plural
2nd singular 2nd plural
3rd singular 3rd plural
much more than Barron's listing, I find it easier to read. There's a lot more examples given of usage, idioms, and related expressions. The CD I thought was a bit of a non-event, rather boring, and the multiple choice answers fairly obvious, testing you more on your ability to be a good guesser than to actually have a deep knowledge of the verbs. I definitely recommend this book, but don't bother with the CD version.

This is a practice book that is good for any level of student of Italian. That it comes with a CD makes it even more useful. Only one problem I see --- it did not work on Windows Vista for me; but, there are no problems with XP.

There just might be SPOILERS.

Writing with gusto, Britain's Simon R. Green is as entertaining an author as they come, and BLOOD AND HONOR, released in 1993, is a rousing fantasy adventure rife with royal machinations, false identities, ghosts, and dark sorcery. And sword fights. Let's not forget the brawny, bloody sword fights. Having cast a thespian as his main protagonist, Green, in these pages, gets a chance to draw from his past experiences as a small time actor, having held several stage and television gigs. In the tradition of Robert Heinlein's Double Star and Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda, the protagonist of BLOOD AND HONOR is hired to enact a secret impersonation. And then, amazingly, the fin hits the shan.

The Great Jordan hasn't been having a great acting career of late. His best days behind him, he's been ekeing out an existence by touring the countryside, performing one-man acts and earning pitiful wages in tiny villages. So when he's tapped to pose as an exiled Prince returning home to the intimidatingly-named Castle Midnight, he accepts the proposition. But the task is far from a walk in the park. His role, that of Viktor, a prince of Redhart and wielder of fire magic, quickly immerses him in deadly politics of the purple and makes him an instant target for assassination.

With the murder of the king and with no clear heir to the throne of Redhart, Viktor, the middle of three quarrelsome brothers and believed to be too quick-tempered, means to become the new monarch. Jordan, as Prince Viktor, has his work cut out for him, not only with the royal succession but with the constant, unremitting encroaches into Castle Midnight by the nightmarish boogeymen and beasties of the Unreal. At least, Jordan's gift for sleight of hand comes in handy as his role necessitates a constant demonstration of fire magic. And he does make friends with a lost little boy and a sad-eyed hound, which is a lucky thing, because, well...no, I don't think I'll tell.

BLOOD AND HONOR makes for compulsive reading, one of those unputdownable books which'll keep you flipping pages. If you like your action fraught with indiscriminate blood-letting, then this one's for you. Green's writing, never mistaken for being subtle, is again gleefully over-the top. Reading his stuff is like jumping on a runaway train careening off a cliff. As expected, BLOOD AND HONOR is chock-full of weird shenanigans, over-the-top dramatics, and breathtaking action sequences. The Unreal are relentless and malignant, the three princes of Redhart seemingly irredeemably evil (yes, even Victor), and certain other personalities in court seen as extremely dubious. Green writes with directness and with a refreshing vigor, and his enthusiasm is infectious. There are passages in the book which will keep you on the edge of the couch, as when Jordan ventures into Castle Midnight's West Wing to quell an Unreal outbreak. Then there's the exciting, all-out climax. And, yes, there's even a bit of mystery as the king's assassin is eventually unmasked.

Green makes his characters stand out, cloaking his cast with a larger-than-life aura and giving them splashy names (the valiant Sir Gawaine Hellstrom, the trader Robert Argent, the steadfast steward Catrina Taggert, her doughty assistant Damon Cord, the enigmatic Monk, silent Ironheart, etc.). The Great Jordan himself is a pretty damn colorful character in his own right, and makes for a solid and very agreeable protagonist. Meanwhile, Green continues his streak of creating strong women with the no-nonsense and very capable Catrina Taggert.

I sometimes wish I lived my life like Simon R. Green writes his books, with zest and a disregard for conventions. Green couldn't care less if you think he's unfashionably over the top, he's too busy raking in the green and gathering in the plaudits. Unlike the stuffy, deadly serious fantasy epics of, say, Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, or David Farland, Green relishes a certain tongue-in-cheek approach in his writing. And it somehow works. Green can go from the sublime to the ridiculous in a hurry (check out Shadows Fall and Blue Moon Rising, both fabulous). For those who haven't read much of Simon R. Green's very addictive works, BLOOD AND HONOR takes place in the same world as BLUE MOON RISING, Beyond The Blue Moon (Hawk & Fisher), the Hawk & Fisher stories, and Down Among the Dead Men. All titles mentioned above are worth reading, but especially Blue Moon Rising, which is one of my favorite fantasy books.

BLOOD AND HONOR is rollicking and suspenseful, fantastical and blood-thirsty, fast-paced and action-packed. It even has moments which will move you. It's peopled with despicable villains and lantern-jawed heroes (okay, Jordan, in his original form, probably doesn't have a lantern jaw, but I'm sure Sir Gawaine and Damon Cord do). And the book flaunts a can't miss, tried-and-true premise. BLOOD AND HONOR, a story of magic and pretending and lethal sibling rivalry, may be considered by others as simply a flitting and pleasant diversion, but, in my eyes and for my particular tastes, for its sheer bravado and entertainment value, it qualifies as a cheeky masterpiece of sorts.

The Great Jordan is an actor who has seen better days. But just when things seem to be at their worst, he is commissioned for a special role. He is to stand in for Prince Viktor who is currently under the weather. Viktor is the middle of three brothers in a small kingdom where the king has recently died. Palace politics would not allow him to seem weak at this time. Jordan agrees to the role.

Jordan is enchanted to look and sound like the prince and is schooled in the ways of the castle and family. But the castle is not an ordinary castle. It is Castle Midnight and it sits on a site where the real and unreal are very close. Without a proper king on the throne, the unreal becomes stronger and tries to break though completely. Add to that the plots and counterplots of the other princes, Regent, and supporting cast and Jordan realizes that this is not an easy role.

Another fine book related to Blue Moon Rising and the Hawk and Fisher books. The action is non-stop and the mysteries keep the reader guessing right up until the end. A fun and serious fantasy.

This is one of two works by Green that I've truly enjoyed, a well put together piece that combines fantasy and mystery.

Green has a very direct writing style that's well-suited for the frequent action going on, making it easy to read although you may occasionally wish for a more descriptive flair. (Then again, there are some gruesome bits I most definately would not want more detail on.)

In fact, he has a rather direct style in all things. His setting I found a bit simplistic but adequate, especially his system of magic (there are four royal children, each with an elemental gift: fire, water, earth, and air--a little too tidy and democratic for me). His dialogue is actually very modern, which again makes for easy reading but prevents this from becoming true high fantasy. (Not that I think that's what he's necessarily aiming for.)

His characters are the true joy in the story, especially the protagonist. His cynicism and wru humor will keep you smiling and rooting for him as he lands himself in the midst of trouble: impersonating a prince whose father was murdered, with the prince's permission--but not necessarily the acceptance of everyone else.

Things wrap up quite neatly, without any niggling loose ends. It's a fairly quick read that should tide you through any rainy day, but I won't award any literary merit to the author. Enjoy it for what it is: a light, amusing read.

I would like to say that this is the best fantasy book I have ever read ( beleive me I`ve worked my way through quite a few ) and am very surprised that this didn`t immediatly become a bestseller. It has all the twists and turns, magic and politics, humour and sheer bloody mindedness of masterpiece.

The hero ( if you could call him such ) is a complex yet lovable rogue who is thrust into the world of demons and politics when he`s hired to impersonate a sickly prince. The king is dead and the three princes are attempting to find his will ( losing it if it doesn`t suit them!) as well as his crown and seal. It soon becomes apparent however that all the princes are willing to go to great lengths, and forge strange alliances to achieve their aims.

The lovable hero twists and turns through the strange politics, magic and assassination attempts with a wonderful droll cynicism which is bound to catch your heart.

Simon R Green`s best work is right here and I`m looking forward to more in this series.

Once again Simon Green has given us another of his long line of very entertaining stories.This one concerns a down on his luck actor who agrees to become through magic of course to be stand in for ailing Prince Viktor.The actor,Jordan soon regrets his decision as he enters the sinister Castle Midnight where the real battle the terrifying unreal and he must match wits with Viktor's evil brothers, Lewis and insane sorcerer Dominic and their various henchmen.This novel has scenes of terrifying menace as the characters battle monsters and other creepy things thrown at them from barriers of the Unreal and there are scenes of lethal court intrigue and machivellian manuvers as each brother plots against one and another and no one is what they seem to be and no one can be trusted! A gripping fantasy novel set in the same world as Green's Blue Moon Rising.This novel also has ingenious murder mystery as you try to unravel who killed King Malcolm to gain the throne.The various villians like murderous Prince Lewis and dangerously insane Dominic were quite memorable as with some of the female characters as brave steward, Catriona Taggart, ruthless Lady Elizabeth and Viktor's ambitious Lady Heather were also great.Add this novel as feather in Green's cap as one of the most entertaining sf/fantasy author in the market today!

This is an extra-ordianary book. Very detailed but very readable. It encouraged me to experiement and provided answers for past results.

I bought the earlier edition of this book for someone else...had no intention of reading it (or keeping it) but started to browse and got hooked!

This book reads like a novel--all the characters are my near and dear friends, the garden fruits and veggies. Mouth-watering detail sets the stage for getting your imagination started. What would you like to grow that you haven't seen in the seed catalogues? A watermellon that can ripen in your northern climate? Greens that won't be mowed down by slugs in your wet, costal garden? Perhaps a juicy, sweet tomato just like your favorite slicer, but in a convenient cherry size?

Just when you have all these images of the yummy possibilities dancing through your head, the story turns dark...Unfortunately, the professional plant breeders are not looking for the same things you are. Professional plant breeders want thick-skinned tomatoes that can be machine harvested, that ripen all at once, and that store and ship easily. (at this point, I want to yell, NOOO!!! Not THAT tomato!!!)

But sadly, past market forces have inadvertantly destroyed so much of the lovely work of our ancestors to produce flavor, long harvest periods, plants that survive organically, open pollination, and most of all, variety.

But wait! All is not lost! Remember how all those wonderful things came to be in the first place? Amateur plant breeders! And guess what? It doesn't have to take a lot of time, or even much space, to start tweaking and experimenting with what you can get to grow in your own garden. You don't even need experience, let alone a degree. And she's got lots of stories and examples to prove it.

Then she starts throwing out possibilities I never would have thought of...why stick to things we already grow as vegetables? Why not domesticate one of the thousands of edible plants that no one else is even working on? Or how about experimenting with ways to use food that weren't available when it all started, like developing something that microwaves conveniently?

I think Carol Deppe is a creative genius with the rare ability to communicate her passion and knowlege for her favorite subject. After reading this book, really after reading just the first few chapters, I felt like this is something that I really could do, and can't believe I hadn't thought of it before. People have been saving seed for thousands of years, it's not rocket science.

For an idea of Deppe's writing style, she's written an interesting article about parching corn that you can find if you google "carol deppe and parching corn."

The author has a PhD from Harvard in biology and is a geneticist. Yet she has written her easy-to-understand book as if she has a teaching degree from Ashland University. Her premise is that all our major food crops were originally developed by amateurs. Until recently, all gardeners and farmers saved their own seed and hence, all gardeners and farmers were automatically amateur plant breeders - and amateur plant breeding was the only kind of plant breeding there was.

Deppe's book has two major purposes: 1) to encourage all of us gardeners and farmers to rediscover the excitement and rewards of developing your very own vegetable variety, and 2) to show amateurs how to breed plants more easily. As Deppe says "Any gardener can do them". This book is for all gardeners everywhere. It's for the gardener who has been told that "you can't grow that here", but who wants to anyway (such as artichokes in Ohio). This book is for growers who like white and purple carrots, and other crosses. This book is for seed savers, which is the first step in plant breeding. This book is for organic gardeners who want to develop powdery mildew-resistant varieties, by breeding them yourself.

Deppe's chapters cover amateur vegetable breeding, space and time; roles and goals such as breeding for flavor, size, shape, earliness, cold or heat resistance, disease resistance, or yield; finding germplasm where she explains about the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System; evaluating germplasm and conducting and evaluating garden trials; genetics and plant parenthood; sex and the single gene; modern genes; hybrids; plant-breeding stories; breeding with established polyploids; fun with wide crosses; happy accidental crosses; domesticating wild plants; and expanding horizons along with many appendices that list plants, vegetables, germplasm collections, seed saver organizations, supplies, and how-to information sources.

This is the best introduction to seed saving and breeding your own vegetable varieties you'll find and invaluable to those interested in creating a unique vegetable variety.

I was looking for a book on seed saving. This book sounded like it had information on that topic, plus the topic of breeding your own plant varieties; a 2 for 1!. I was a little disappointed that there weren't any pictures in the book. I would have liked to have seen some visual examples of hand breeding, different flower types, pictures of plant parents and their offspring, and of course a few concerning seed saving. But the vast amounts of information in this book more than make up for the lack of a few pictures. Overall a good book and a great resource for the home gardener.

I'm a gardener but not a seed saver; I'd like to, but it's a
somewhat confusing and overwelming subject. This book really
explained the issues of cross breeding and pollination, so I
could see why those seed saving instructions are so inconsistent.
And it is very inspiring about why I'd want to save seeds and
improved the variety, and why local seeds are so valuable,
and a number of great ideas on the mechanics both that I can use
(spacing isn't so important when you're testing for flavor) and
not so useful to me (I'll probably not get forceps and remove
the stamens from unopened tomato flowers)

She is a plant genetists applying techiques to her own garden
for her own food, and I really liked how she describes her
though processes as well as what she does and how she does it.

- The authors of the early chapters talk to you as if you're in highschool.
- Since most chapters are written by different authors, most material is redundant.
- Instead of getting to the point, they try to soften the material with anecdotes and jokes that are mostly immaterial and detract from the information I seek.
- Lists a whole bunch of contracts that are apparently required for a startup, then suggest talking to a lawyer, such as Buy/Sell char Contact. Then why did I buy this book?

+ Great reference for taxing, IP, and some contracts.

Skip all the other chapters and just look at taxing, Intellectual Property stuff, and contracts. That's where the value of the book is.

For anyone interested in understanding the business of video game development this book should be on the top of your list of things to read first. Written for the person trying to get into game development or the person in game development looking to start out on their own. It combines both the business and the legal fundamentals that you need to know to get started in video game development. Includes analysis of publishing agreements and EULA's that are extremely helpful to any game developer. Also includes things you need to know to protect your intellectual property rights and what kinds of things in video games can be protected. The book is not overly complicated and in fact it is written to be easy and fun to read. The authors are all experts in the fields of business and law of video games and you can tell they had a good time writing this book. One of the most interesting chapters includes helpful suggestions from leaders in the video game industry on things that they wish they would have known starting out as game developers. Overall this book is a must for game developers and fun reading for anyone that is interested in understanding the business of games.

This book was invaluable to me in learning about doing business in the video game industry and the concerns that a game development team will face.

While many books which discuss the video game industry will waver in their accuracy on any given subtopic due to the limited expertise of the speaker, this volume avoids that problem by having each chapter written by a different author, each with particular knowledge and experience with their chapter's subject. The Primer is written by more than a dozen experts, including game developers, business persons and law professors, each talking in plain English about the problems and solutions to difficulties and issues that will arise over the course of developing a game and starting a development company.

As a student, I have read a lot of textbooks in the last few years and being interested in the game industry I regularly read magazines and articles on game development. This book is neither of those. It is informative and helpful without being long-winded or wordy, serious in its expertise and insight but fun in its approach and writing. In short, it is the type of reading you will enjoy doing while learning the things you want and need to know about business and legal issues which arise in game development.

This is an enormously helpful book. It is one of the best intellectual property law and game development book on the market that I've read. It is an enjoyable as well as practical text.

Superb book. Enormously Practical text. The best intellectual property law and game development book on the market. A very healthy read. may change your whole perspective on business, games and life.

I like this book because my 2 favorite people in the world are in it. And I also like the book because it is funny,scary,creepy and cool.The book is about Patty daring Mary-kate & Ashley to go into a haunted house.And then they see a glowing green ghost.

This is a great book for Halloween. It keept me reading it all day. It's about Patty dareing Mary-Kate and Ashley to go into a haunted house.

Then they see a ghost...

This was a VERY exciting book. You never knew what was going to happen next. I read it in a day because I couldn't stop, because it's soooooo exciting. You should read it!

...but still a great book to read. When I read it I only put it down to sleep. The scariest part was when they actually saw Patty's "Ghost". In other words, it's a 5 star book.

Oh you bet it is

It a great great book I love it

the story was on halloween in a haunted house where the twins taked a bet and go in to the house and then the story begins

Mary-Kate and Ashley Searching for cleus and they come out wiht? ....

this story is I think one of the best books I have reading till now and I hope that there ever come's better books :-)