Washington Books

OK, so the title is a cheap rip-off of the "Must-See TV" mantra that we've been inundated by those purveyors of the electronic medium.

But as someone who has lived outside the box for more than a decade, I appreciate the thoroughness, clarity and thoughtfulness with which Brock writes in "Living Outside The Box."

She doesn't condemn TV, nor does she condemn those of us who watch it so much---and let's face it, a whole bunch of us do that, or have done that for long stretches of our lives. Instead, Brock focuses more on the up-side of turning off the TV---the doors it opens in our lives for other activities, deeper involvement with others in our family and community, and a more independent way of looking at the world.

Brock is a gracious, insightful woman whose book truly is a "must" for anyone seeking to look at how the other 1/1000th (or whatever the minuscule fraction is) live. New parents (even old parents :-) should seriously consider the benefits that can come into your life when TV is out of your life (or at least used sparingly). Every "no" inherently means "yes" to one or more other things (including writing reviews on Amazon).

When you say "no" to TV, you say "yes" to so many other beneficial things, and Brock does a terrific job of laying that out in an engaging, thought-provoking manner.

I should note that I was not among those whom Brock surveyed, though I have been in touch with her via email since the book came out (after I wrote a piece about the decision that my wife and I made to pull the plug on our TV).

Written by recreation management professor Barbara Brock, Living Outside the Box: TV-Free Families Share Their Secrets is a thoughtful analysis and outgrowth of the author's landmark study of hundreds of TV-free families. Living Outside the Box does not focus upon what is wrong with too much TV, but rather the positive benefits of entirely eliminating TV from one's daily life. Chapters offer personal testimony from parents who choose to go TV-free, and how they help their children adjust as well as finding other means to spend their time. A one-of-a-kind look at a draconian yet effective antidote to the intrusively advertisement-saturated aspects of our passive media culture, highly recommended.

...for this fund of invaluable information. I highly recommend this book along with Meyer's other stellar gem, "Views From Our Shoes," which addresses the needs siblings of people with special needs have.

This book lends the voice of hope, confidence and clarity to the experiences many people whose siblings with special needs have. It not only sheds light on many questions that often crop up, it also provides a safe forum to explore any and all sibling related issues.

I like the way Meyer respects his readers' intelligence. It is so critical, in fact paramount for people to be informed about the special needs their siblings have. That is a good way to foster honest relationships and inclusion within the family. That also promotes acceptance of the members who have special needs.


Meyer's book serves as a medical, legal and educational advocate. It provides much needed information about services in these areas. I especially liked the part where people are strongly encouraged and rightfully so to make provisions for their children with special needs and to keep the other children without special needs informed of these decisions. People with special needs are vital members of their respective families and each person impacts upon the lives of others. That is still another reason why it is so crucial to have frank, open discussions with all the family members so as to keep the lines of communication open and to prevent secrets and fear. The fear of the unknown and the lack of communication causes problems and helps no one.

I wish this book had existed a generation ago! I can't recommend it highly enough and it is a book for everybody, parents; all children; educators; medical professionals and the world at large. I love this book!

I am a Japanese and I am a "sibling."

I encountered this book and Don Meyer's Sibling Support Project in October of 1997. At that time, I was struggling to persuade the staff of a (sibling) group that support for siblings was as important as support for people with special needs. In my view this book gave me confidence and shed light on my road to start a new sibling support group.

Some uncommon feelings, opportunities and concerns that siblings might have are described in Chapter 1. Medical knowledge of various disabilities are written about in Chapters 2-6. Since siblings are not often informed about their siblings' disabilities by anyone, it could cause more concern; this book's objective is very important. You can also get basic knowledge of laws, programs, and services for persons with disabilities and their families in the U.S., in Chapter 7. In Chapter 8, an uncommon concern is discussed: where will my sister (brother) live when she (he) grows up. The authors continues by stressing the fact that parents should tell their plans for their disabled children to their "normal" children, and offers suggestions for doing this.

Since this book is intended for young siblings, it is easy for me to read it as a foreigner. Reading Chapter 1, tears welled up in my eyes. I could relate to many things: friends, unselfishness, accepting differences, guilt, overinvolvement, understanding, embarrassment, loss, maturity, worry and loneliness. I wish I could have read it in Japanese when I was a child ! I strongly recommend young and adult siblings, parents and service providers to read this book all over the world, because siblings need peer support and information in a straightforward manner.

This is the best guide for things to keep you busy if you're in Washington!

The right mix of interesting information, maps, history and tips. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book if you are interested in learning the history of the Long Beach Peninsula. The author of the book did a great job researching the area history. Book provides a very nice section of historical pictures relating to the Long Beach Peninsula.

I have lived in the area my entire life and learned quite a bit from the book. A highly recommended pleasure read! Enjoy!

Brian Loos

The Long Beach Peninsula has been a favorite vacation destination of mine for long time and I have been interested in the history of this unique place for years. This book is a must for anyone traveling to the peninsula or for anyone who has lived there for years.

This is one of the most fascinating stories I have ever read. Politically correct academics have succeeded in erasing Longfellow from the American canon, replacing him and his contemporaries with names you've never heard and will never know how to pronounce. Perhaps this bit of exotica if not to say erotica will give life back to this former pillar of American culture. It is the son, not the sage of Cambridge whom Professor Guth has chosen as her subject. But what a character he is. Longfellow Jr. had very little going for himself besides boredom and a nearly limitless bank account, so he went on an extended grand tour of the Orient, setting himself up in a Japanese harem, stocked like a koi pond which nubile Japanese maidens. Besides an addiction to Asian flesh, young Longfellow seems to have keyed into that great American pastime known as shopping with the result that he brought a warehouse full of souvenires back to fill Boston's museums and the mansions of his father's aristocratic friends. Any way you look at it, this story has legs. It's a miracle Hollywood hasn't grabbed hold of it. Stay tuned.

Charles Longfellow was the son of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Charles visited Japan in the 1870s intending a brief visit, and stayed for two years, returning to Boston with photos and elaborate tattoos he had 'collected' on his body. But Christine M.E. Guth's Longfellow's Tattoos: Tourism, Collecting, And Japan is not so much a survey of collectible items nor even tattoo history, as a cultural expose of Japan in the 19th century travel world. Chapters survey the state and nature of Japanese culture in the world of the times, using art and curios as a focal point.

I had my boys read this before going to Washington DC. It gave them insight on what to expect. I have also shared it with others who are taking their children or homeschooling.

I liked the story line and the tourist perspective. It is a great resource for teaching about different places. Wish there were more along this line.

Karen

This book is about Ms.Rooney's class who goes to Washington,D.C. It is great!

Catherine is middle aged and Christopher a young man but she is brave enough to accept the challenge and the unexpected gift life has in store for her. Love is more important than the disapproval and the hypocrisy of society. An intelligent,well written,subtle novel,which is also extremely modern.

Elizabeth von Arnim is one of the few authors in the early 20th century who wrote novels, like "LOVE" from Virago Modern Classics that challenged virtually every sacred cow and convention. And her prose is not only brilliant, as is the story here, but there are moments of such entertaining hilarity as well. If you did not know when this book was written, one would guess it had just been released! Also, literary genius can run in families, like this author. She was Katherine Mansfield's cousin and did try to help Mansfield with health and money woes when Katherine's own immediate family refused to do so. This was truly an extraordinary woman-artist-pioneer in literature as exemplified by this very book. Well worth the read, time and money - and her other classic "Vera" - is just as much as page-turner and a masterpiece.

Winner of the 2001 Spokane Prize for short fiction, Love Among The Greats by Edith Perlman is an enthralling and enthusiastically recommended anthology featuring characters ranging from children, to the elderly, toy makers, lovers, invalids, schmoozers, angels, and others. The captivating and superbly crafted portrayals of human dilemmas and enduringly powerful bonds developed in each of these outstanding stories combine to fashion a common, compelling theme that will keep the reader thoroughly hooked from tale to tale.

Edith Pearlman's writes of people and places, varied in geography, time and circumstance. She hits the emotional center every time with a simplicity and intelligence that surprises and touches. I love short stories and Edith's are right on. From Jerusalem to Boston, from university scholar to a waitress in Maine, these stories and their characters are eccentric or off beat and unexpected. A woman loses her gay Jewish husband and replaces him with an African American pediatrician, a heterosexual, yet still so different from her that her loneliness pierces the reader's heart. Read these stories for their intelligence and their warmth. ...

This is really a great story. I read this book in about 12 hours(yes I deprived myself of sleep). I advised every romance novel reader to partake is this groovy love story. I say groovy because the characters were wealthy but the stilled behaved, talked, and interacted like commmon folk. I definately appreciated that, this book proves you can believe in love and not be all corny and uptight. Muhsin was the best representation of a stong, down, hardworking black brotha. He took control but he knew when to back down and become patient. Duchess was strong but not overly strong where she would'nt allow herself to love or be loved. THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK!!!!!!

To say I loved this book is an understatement. I truly enjoyed it so much that I actually wrote to the author. I fell in love with the hero and heroine immediately. Not only were they two beautiful people their friends and associates in the book also had quite a storyline. In my opinion it was a very well rounded story told by Ms. Washington of betrayal, loyality, trust and of course love. The descriptive tone made me feel such a part of their lives. I look forward to the next book........

Imagine a summer full of fun filled adventures; well this is exactly what Lucy experiences as she gets ready for the fourth grade. Lucy Rose: Big on Plans is a fantastic book for a young reader. The story is told through Lucy's daily diary entries. Lucy lives in Washington D.C. with her mother. Her mother and father are getting a divorce, but Lucy does not let that fact ruin her fun over the summer. She has many activities planned such as going to Parks & Recs, keeping the squirrels away from her Madam and Pops apricot tree, and spending time with her friends. If taking a spontaneous exploration is something of interest to you then you and Lucy Rose would have a great time discovering the wonders of the Washington, DC area.

It's summertime and Lucy Rose has big plans: to make a lanyard key chain at Parks and Rec, to keep the squirrels from Madam and Pop's apricot crop, to have fun with Jonique and Melonhead, and to find a way to prevent her parents' separation from becoming a divorce. Lucy Rose chronicles her adventures with daily diary entries, including a word of the day vocabulary lesson. Written in the breezy, conversational style reminiscent of Junie B. Jones, Lucy Rose is the next logical step for 2nd or 3rd grade Junie B. fans.