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I bought this book in hardcover form when I was 18 or 19. It sat on a bookshelf for a decade or more having never been read by me or anyone. Then it disappeared somehow through movings and such. Recently, some 25 years later, I found a used paperback copy at my local library and purchased it. This time I read it and kicked myself for days for having not read it so many years ago. I must agree with many of the other reviews. This is a wonderful book. Full of nostalgia and humor and so many other things. The characters become part of you and you don't want the book to end. I purposely did not read it quickly because I knew right away I was going to enjoy it. And I did. I love stories about nostalgia. I am nostalgic so I guess I identify with George. But all the characters are wonderfully illuminated by Mr Myrer and you feel like you know them personally. The use of the music of the 40's and 50's is great. A nice touch. Particularly if you love this kind of music. Which I do. A must read. Try it.

I read this while in college almost 30 years ago and still recommend it to people from my list of "best books of my life." Myrer is incredible and "Once an Eagle' should be also considered. One of the greatest books in American Literature!

This book really encapsulates the experience of the World War II generation, and brings it alive for Boomers and Gen X readers. I would put this in the top twenty of the best novels I have ever read.

I first read this book probably 15 years ago, and I still pick it up and re-read it once in a while. It's so well-written, it makes me nostalgic for a time I didn't even live through! While it's about a group of college friends starting out in the 1940s, I think the story and its emotions are timeless enough to appeal to anyone. I saw parallels to my own experiences in college during the late 1970s, minus the war. The characters are so real, and they stay with you long after you've finished the book.

The Last Convertible is an esquiste trek through the past. Author Anton Myrer takes us on a journey into the lives of five young men who meet and become friends while attending Harvard in the era surrounding WWII. They are bound by a fantastic automobile - a gargantuan Packard nicknamed the Empress. Each of the men has a unique life backstory and is uniquely created to demonstrate a life of his own. Myrer introduces us to their girlfriends and families as we journey through these war years learning of their lives and loves and adventures.

I first read this novel while in university. I was an English lit major and I neglected my own studies for a period so that I could finish this wonderful book. I passed the book off to all my friends and my girlfriend. We were already living our own version of this comraderie so reading about this "romantic" era's friends only reinforced what we had. It was as if I could smell the same air and feel the same breezes as the characters.

The only problem arises after the characters leave Harvard. Once they move into the real world, their lives seem forced and not as interesting as they did when they are all together as a unit. It is as if the total is not equal to a sum of the parts.

It is still refreshing to read a story that provides us with such a vast landscape, so finely crafted. It is a book filled with prose-like writing that is elaborate and detailed without being bogged down by the words.

I really can't recommend this book enough. I think that you will find this to be a book you can expect to one day be taught in school.

Stories of successful businesses fill this book. The author got "down and dirty" and did in-the-trenches research to find the best performing companies in the world. Then he spoke with the CEO's to find out what makes them and their businesses tick.

This is not just another book about the secrets of famous companies. It is, instead, a book about the secrets of somewhat obscure but great companies. The principles that author Jason Jennings propounds are familiar enough, but most of his examples will not be familiar to the general reader. That is no drawback. Although some of these companies are less well known, they have all achieved great business success (if not fame) by applying some of the most tried, true and proven axioms of management. Treat people with respect, pay them for performance, focus on one clear and understandable mission - there is nothing new about these principles, except that they keep proving their efficacy even in the unlikeliest places. Do not look for a deep examination of management here. The book provides frustratingly scant background information about the companies themselves. But we assure those seeking a handbook of solid if venerable management advice that you will not go wrong with this interesting little book.

This book is an excellent example of the types of practices and procedures almost any company can follow to be successful both financially and ethically.
Jennings cites numerous companies who have carved out success while still remaining true to their customers, their employees and their values.
Not surprisingly, few of these companies are ones that so called pundits regularly review.
As the other reviews have noted, these companies are very successful financially, but they get there by asking the really pertinent business questions, and not by hiding behind an air of executive invulnerability. The leaders are real leaders, more focused on growing the company, serving customers, and doing right by employees.
What vividly differentiates these companies from the "name brands," is that in the "name" companies, executives are more concerned with their own compensation, preserving their own existence, and with profits at all costs, than long term success.
The questions you should ask yourself after reading this book are, "Where have all the leaders gone?" and "Why don't all companies follow many of Jennings' researched best practices?
After that, I would run, not walk, to one of these companies and see if you can start at the bottom and learn what it's like to work in a real company.

This spring, I had a night-flight from Houston to Europe. I never got any sleep due to this book. It reads like a fiction novel while the focus is very much on the softer issues of productivity businesses. The well-written behind-the-wall stories and interviews with successful top executives give us insight to many issues that usual case stories do not explain.

Business magazines often glorify top executives by telling about the grand strategic plan behind the success. This little book shows us a different story. It provides insight to the many seemingly small traits of the lean culture that only works because they taken serious by the organization and used in combination. These are the 11 traits required for the leader of a highly productive enterprise: attention to detail, high moral fiber, embracing simplicity, competitiveness, long-term focus, disdain for waste, coach leadership, humility, rejection of bureaucracy, belief in others, and trust.

I'm sure you're really not impressed of this list. Neither am I. But try challenging some of the advice. Humility? When was the last time you saw a big company using this as a standard. When you hear the story of many head offices visited in this book, you'll understand humility. Often you'll find a very simple and humble office building for a huge company. No art on the walls! No lavish entrance hall! In these companies, you don't find huge corporate staff creating immense bureaucracy and all sorts of information requirements from their operating companies or business units. These organizations do actually "walk-the-talk" on lean - unlike many fad-driven major firms who's paying lip service to a lean culture.

PERSISTENCE is a word missing from the 11 traits, though attention to detail and long-term focus do include some of it. They never lose sight of their BIG idea or focus. It includes their performance measurement. "Everyone who works for SRC gathers once a week in their respective lunchrooms and takes part in a review of the business's financial performance for the previous week. By DOING IT WEEK IN WEEK-OUT FOR MANY YEARS the exercise has also become a system".

Okay, I'm sure that the book's research on productivity could have been better. And some of the firms reported on may experience difficulties, though most are still flourishing. But don't read this book for the hard stuff. Read the soft issues that over time usually turn out to be the hardest to beat.

I agree that it resembles "In Search of Excellence" to some degree, but remember that this book is on the lean culture of Cost Leadership firms (my interpretation, not the author's).

Peter Leerskov,
MSc in International Business (Marketing & Management) and Graduate Diploma in E-business

Jennings reads his book on the unabridged audiocassette. He definitely has an announcers voice and is easy to understand. I found his inflections sort of larger-than-life/not natural at first but I quickly got acclimated, not a big issue. The book is fairly long and repeats many important themes like the need for healthy culture, process and vision in many different ways. It might be able to be shorter.

The research method Jennings and his team utilized for the book is the driver that makes the book so interesting. By carrying out detailed analysis to locate several under-the-radar, but incredibly productive companies, they managed to isolate some of the common threads for corporate success without being sucked into the vortex of large mega-companies whose stories are already well known and perhaps over-documented. The companies chosen represent a fairly good cross-section of international business, but I would have like to have seen at least one very high tech computer vendor make the cut. There are probably good reasons why there wasn't one, but there was no mention of this if my memory serves... In addition to the excellent research on the case companies, there are also some good insights into legendary companies like Ford and Toyota briefly provided for specific instances.

The significant flaw in this book is that when it is taken as a whole, it amounts to not much more than a very interesting, carefully crafted, indictment of most executive management in corporations today. The executives profiled all really know the nuts and bolts of their business and have been with them long enough to really cast Deming-like vision into reality. That plays well for well a while, but with 6 tapes, I'd like something more practical I can start at work tomorrow since I'm not an executive and probably never will be. The book does try to service this need for mid-managers like me towards the end of the book by encouraging that we apply at least some of the key principles to some degree in the hope of making a grass roots difference at least within our department. Actually, the department I work with abides by many of the principles given and they do help. But that doesn't stop large-scale lay-offs, frozen budgets and other realities that most managers really have to live with. The book's untitled theme is that strong success only flows from the top down. In the highly successful cases analyzed, each has exceptional Level 5 leaders (to use Jim Collins terminology). What if where I work is like 90% of all places where the executives turn-over a lot, are forced to optimize all decisions for short-term profit on Wall Street and de-rail some good plans due to economic realities? The book's primary advice to me would seem to be: go to work somewhere else, find that 10% club. Maybe true, but not particularly helpful today.

Even for those top-level executives whom this book will reach, it is likely to fall on deaf ears. Not because executives really are the "wing tip shoe wearers, peacock strutting" jerks Jennings occasionally alludes to. No, it is Jennings own inflammatory and derisive language that will tend to make executives shut the book. I wanted to lend my tapes to the president of my company because of the good macro-productivity ideas, but decided I wouldn't because he might take it as my endorsement of this class-warfare attitude.

There are other sources out there for most of the information here on egalitarian culture, continuous process improvement, open-book management, profit sharing incentives, etc. I'd be interested to know the average working hours of the employees in the case study companies as a cultural factor but I don't recall this being mentioned. In any case, the productivity measures would factor this in, just a cultural question I have about these companies.

Much of what Jennings says is true and interesting. There are some things that can be learned here, but much of it comes down to re-invent almost everything, starting with your executives. Who can implement that? Again, it is the detailed case study research that puts compelling value into this book.

The best place to get a pet is from a shelter, and if you read this book, you will learn why. I have always gotten my pets from shelters, but did not know the behind-the-scenes story until I read this (and a few others). Ms. Hess writes for the general reader, and is a bit less introspective than I would have liked, but her information is sound. In fact, I would recommend this book to teenagers, precisely because it is not too high-brow. Today's kids are tomorrow's pet owners, and it is important to educate them in the realities of pet overpopulation, puppy mills, and the fact that pets are not designer accessories, but living beings who require more than some kibble and water.

I highly recommend this book to anyone considering a pet. It makes you think about what repercussions are possible if you obtain a pet on a whim and do not dedicate yourself to training and caring for it. It shows the results of our society's "throwaway" mentality, the lack of education on the effects of pet overpopulation and the way our declining economy has added to the problem by not allowing many citizens the money to afford proper pet care and sterilization.

This books shows a cross section of a typical animal shelter and the fact that there are many not so happy endings, mostly because of humans and their failure to do right by their pets.

I've volunteered at the animal shelter in my town for a few years now, but have never had quite as much insight as this book provided. I get the feeling the shelter in the book has a smaller volunteer base than the shelter I have dealt with based on the details they were willing to share with her. This was a very uplifting book that explained a lot about why shelters work the way they do (ie rules about who can adopt, what happens when they get lost pets, etc.). Unfortunately, it is most likely to be read by the people that already understand these rules and why they exist.

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I'm among those who do know what kind of responsibility it takes to own a dog. I'm the happy 'Mom' of 2 terriers, one of which is a rescue dog. It is true about rescued animals - they know they've been given another chance and will give you their love many times over.

Elizabeth Hess was down to earth in showing the trials and successes an animal shelter goes through. If you know someone who's not sure about getting a pet, I highly suggest they read this book. It'll make them think twice. If you know someone with misconceptions that all shelter animals get homes, give them this book as a wakeup call! A pet can take up as much or more of your time than a human baby, but the human race has made dogs, cats and other animals disposeable. There are happy endings as well as sad in the book, but it's worth buying. As the kids would say, we give it a 2 paws up!

This book was so good I could not put it down. A realistic yet compassionate look at shelters today. A must read!

I started reading R.L. Stine books over a year ago. This was a great one. Well, actually most of them are good! WARNING: DO NOT GET Fear Street Nights. Thos are crapy books. Don't get Feer Street Cheerleaders either. Anyway, I have to admit, it's probably been aout a year since I've read this. I should really start selling my BIG libray of R.L. Stine books. If you ever se my name for buying a book, get it. I do NOT lie about the conditions of my books and most of them look new. All the ones that I didn't buy used, all look brand new- and I'M NOT KIDDING! Anyways, from what I remember, a boy named P.J. and can't tell you much else with out giving anything away. Just buy it :)

This book was the best! I loved it. It goes from a party to kids at school to people in the street to a suprising ending. The best part is the ending, it was so unexpected. The murderer was a stone-cold killer, twisting their heads all the way around. I'm REALLY looking forward to reading another R.L. Stine book.

Best Book
The book the New Years Party written by R.L Stein was a thriller book. This book mostly takes place at a party, school and many more. This is the best book I've ever read.
A Thriller book
This book is mostly about a couple of people who hang out with the new girl and her brother who seem nice. So they start to show her around. Then they get in a fight later in the story. One person from the group of girls tries to not be in a fight with the new girl anymore. The ending I thought was kind of scary and exciting at the same time. What happened I didn't expect it at all.
Exciting
This book had some pretty gross moments. I would recommend that you don't read this book during the night because you might have night mares. I loved this book because it kept you wanting to turn the page. For example when they we're in the restaurant, they went outside and found a body in the trash can. I loved it so much. Another reason I liked it is because when you would stop reading it for 10 minutes, you want to pick it back up and keep reading it. I also thought that the front of the book looked interesting and scary. I thought I would read it because I like scary books and if you do then this book is perfect for you.
Nice but Not Nice
Something else I'd like you to know about this book is that the beginning is kind of boring but the middle of the book and the end are great. If you decided to read this book then hears something you should hear just because someone seems nice doesn't mean that they stay nice.
Good or Bad
I would give this book 1 millon star if I could but since I can't I would give this book 5 stars. I loved it so much. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

THIS IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK!!! THE KILLER IS SUCH A BLOODY SURPRISE!!!

This book was about a group of friends on New Year's Eve who are about to count down the New Year, but something's gone wrong. Someone is crashing the party and one boy gets offended by it. It's icy on the road so he goes for a drive. Now no one can find him. Now you have to go read the book to figure out everything else and see what happens to him and his friend Beth. I recommend this book strongly to people who like horror books and books that have a lot of suspense. This book makes you want to read ahead the whole time to see what's going to happen. That's why I like this book a lot. I would tell anyone to read this book. There wasn't anything I didn't like about it. The book was really cool because the time base was 1965 and it was really cool to see how something really haven't changed from now and then. Sometimes in this book I could picture myself there at the party as scared as they all were. The end and close to the end of the book is really surprising and kind of hard to believe. That's why I loved it. This book is now of my favorites and I like it a lot like I have already said. So that's why I suggest you go and buy this book! (:

Jamie is a normal 17-year-old girl. Well, not completely. Her dad is dead, and her mom is a big-time lawyer. The only real friend she has is Webb, her sort-of boyfriend. But, he's off backpacking in Europe, and Jamie has to follow her mother to Chicago, where a HUGE trial is going on.

Jamie does NOT want to be there. She would much rather be with Webb. In fact, she wants to be with him so much, she starts to daydream about him while riding a rented bicycle down the streets of busy Chicago. But this isn't any normal daydream. She feels like she is really at the beach, with Webb. She can smell the salty air, and feel Webb's hands as they braid her hair. HONK!! Jamie is jolted out of her daydream, right into a moving car! Could Jamie really space out that much? Why did her daydream feel so real? And why does everyone stare at her whenever she comes out of one? Is she really talking out loud to Webb? Shouldn't he be in Europe? What at first seems so innocent, just like a few daydreams, turns out to be more sinster then Jamie, or anyone, could ever imagine.

This has got to be one of the most spectacular books out there. The characters are handled so well, and the plot is nothing short of stupendous. You have to read this book at least twice to catch all the clues dropped in by the author. I recommend this book to everyone!

Excellent. It starts off slow, but as you progress it gets better and better. It surprised me at the end, that something that seemed so unimportant became such a big plot point. Very surprising ending. This book is recommended for teen readers.

Julie Reece Deaver's The Night I Disappeared was a great fictional book. She has a lot of imagination, which makes this book very interesting.

It tells about a girl, Jamie Tessman, who just left her hometown in California to go with her mother to Chicago on a business trip. Her mother is a successful and famous attorney. Everyone knows Jamie for that, but She is way different from her mother. Her father died when she was young, and ever since then she hasn't fit in anywhere... except when she is with her, sort-of boyfriend, Webb. They are so perfect together and she could be with him forever, until she finds out that he has never really been there for her at all. With the help of her new (and only) friend Morgan and Morgan's aunt she discovers a secret that has been keeping her separate from the rest of the world. She starts seeing things in Chicago, and she starts to think that she is slowly becoming crazy. When she finally gets the help she needs, she has to choose between Webb and reality.

At first when I started reading this book I didn't quite understand but then I learned that the whole point of the story was for Jamie to overcome her fears. I felt like I was with her through every step of the way, and every time she got just a little bit closer to reality. I thought this was a great book and really enjoyed reading it. I will never forget this book.

I love this kind of book, and I had to read this for school, so I was happy! This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its a heart warming story about a girl and and horrible night. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

The Night I Disappeared is mostly about a normal teenage girl named Jamie. But really Jamie isn't normal at all or had a normal life.
Jamie's mom is a lawyer that is non stop. Her mom gets all the publicity a famous person does just on a court case. Well Jamie's mother has to go live in Chicago to do a famous murder trail. When stress is put on Jamie because she misses her friends and boyfriend everything gets out of control.
Jamie starts to have dreams or `clips' in her mind about her boyfriend Web. Soon the dreams become a hassle for her. Her mom very concerned about her healthy, she sends her to a physiatrist. Jamie went ahead and agreed so it wouldn't put even more stress on her because of the case. When Jamie soon finds out things her life, her family is hit like a bolt of light hitting the earth. Jamie soon finds out that her life isn't what she thought it was.
I really liked this book because it has a twist in it. It leaves you stunned because people's lives can be like that. It leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. You can also make so many comparisons and you can understand what Jamie has to go through.
My dislikes are how the book goes back and forth from her dreams and her real life because it can confuse you. Other than that I wouldn't say anything else bad about it.
I would recommend this book to any person. A person who really loves mystery or Rebecca Davis books would also enjoy this
I hope you enjoyed this review and go out and check and read this book. I will defiantly leave you stunned.

I loved this book because the author clearly loves what she is able to do, takes us step-by-step through her processes and is a personable writer. Concepts like these can go "airy-fairy" pretty quickly but Ms. Kinkade's humor keeps us rooted to an earthy plane as our hearts and minds soar into the quantum possibilities beyond the realm of our 5 senses.

I highly recommend this book for it easy to put into use methods and optimistic musings of its upbeat author.

Interesting book. I think it was a good overview of what the author does and a good attempt at describing how she does it. I wonder if it would be possible to commmunicate with animals without involving all the spirit guides, goddesses and guided imagery she deems necessary? Sometimes I questioned whom she was communicating with: the animal or the contacted spirit guide talking for the animal . I'm truly not sure communication with animals is something you can learn from a book. I appreciated the lists in the back on recommended foods and products that are not tested on animals.

This book is well written, concise, easy to follow, a good guide for anyone who wants a better understanding of how animals and people can and do communicate.

This was a very informative book - Amelia Kinkade did a very good job at explaining how to talk with animals. A lot of what she said I could relate to, and with her style of writing, easy to put in focus. Her chapter on "crossing over" was especially well written and informative. This is one of the only books on this subject I've read from cover to cover, and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding and trying to "talk" with your pet. I have not been able to "talk" with my animals, but that's my problem - I have difficulty finding "quite" time in my life. After reading this book, I would be very interested in attending one of her training sessions, if she comes to a town nearby.

I loved this book and have read a lot of them on animal communication. Amelia Kinkade explains thoroughly how she communicates and then gives specific instructions and meditations on how you can do it, too. I admit I love her methods and have tried them myself and they work!!!

This is great i mean her dad gets a new job and they have to move Sarah heres a a woman calling for help and she keeps seeing things a little romance in it but this was great and very easy to read but sometimes u get a book and the review always says that you cant put this book down well this is very Very true you cant put it down

This is great i mean her dad gets a new job and they have to move Sarah heres a a woman calling for help and she keeps seeing things a little romance in it but this was great and very easy to read but sometimes u get a book and the review always says that you cant put this book down well this is very Very true you cant put it down

In my english class we had to read a mystery book and make a presentation. I saw that this book was one of the choices that we could choose to read. I had read some of Joans books before and I really liked her writing style. This book was very interesting to read and I could hardly put down the book because of it's suspenseful plot and interesting topics. Joan used very good despriptions and made you feel like you were there with the main character Sarah darnell. I highly reconmend this book as one of the first Joan Lowery nixon books that you would read if you haven't started reading her books and got hooked with her unique writing style.The story gives off a feel of many different feelings and moods that would come natural with the situations that are explained in the writing.This is one of those books that you could be wanting to read later on in the future. I could read this book over and over and not get bored. I hope you decide to read this book if you haven't already and if you have you could probably read it again.

Whispers From the dead is an excellent book. If you like mysteries I'm sure you would like it. Its about a girl named Sara who had a near death expearence. After that she has been feeling that ghosts were watching her. Then her family moves into a new house when she goes into the house she gets an earie feeling. She keeps on seeing werid visions. And hearing a spanish girls cry for help. Can she help the girl? Can she figure out the mystery? Find out for your self by reading the book.

This book is about a girl named Sarah. Her family decides to move to this huge house that was on a beautiful neighbor hood. What Sarah's family didn't know was that someone was murdered in the house before they moved. Sarah found this out first hand when she starts hearing voices and seeing things such as puddles of blood on the floor. When she lived in her old town she almost drowned when she went swimming, Ever since she has been linked to another world. She feels as if a dark shadow was following her and when she moved into the house the Spanish voices whispering to her for help. Sarah finds out that the voice she was hearing in the house was from the girl who was murdered. She from there tries to find out what really happened in the murder.

The things I liked about this book were how the detail of the book helped you see and feel and hear what Sarah did. I liked this because it really gets you into the story and you feel as if it were you, not Sarah. One thing I didn't like about the book was how it was kind of boring. Usually when the beginning is boring the person never wants to read on to find out what happens, but I advice everyone to read on because it is a really good book!

People who would like this book would be someone who likes a little mystery or somewhat scary books, even maybe suspense or thriller novels.

I remember reading these books years and years ago! I'm in 10th grade and it's been more 5 years since I was in elementary school and yet when I go work at my old school I go back and read them again!

A fun (and funny) book which will delight kids with Amelia's well-intentioned but mistake-laden chores. Kids feel empowered because they are 'smarter' than the character and are able to cheer her on. In the end, Amelia's good deeds overpower any mistakes she makes.

I recommend this book for any child who is beginning to read on their own!

This is surly a kids favorite since I was a little girl! We join Amelia Bedelia as she starts her first day of work for the Rodgers. They rush off shortly after she arrives, but they've left her a list of things to do. Should be a snap, as all the tasks are simple and clearly stated...but that's what you think...Amelia Bedelia begins completing each chore in quite a literal fashion...drawing the drapes and much, much more! Younger kids (1-4) will like the silliness of it and beginner readers and more savvy grade schoolers (5-8) will like that's it's simple and clever/silly too! I recommend it without reservation! I'm sure Amelia will be with us, teaching fine lessons about the words we use and the many means they can have for generations to come!

A great, witty book that my 4-year old loved. Made her think about the different meanings of words.

In a language where so many words and phrases have multiple meanings, there's no doubt that the literal-minded Amelia can be kept busy through many a book. The fact that it's funny is just the thing to get young readers hooked.

Amelia, beginning her new job as maid for Mr and Mrs Rogers, makes a pie and then tackles her to-do list. Dust? Well, at her house, they un-dust, but she's going to do as she's told - so she finds sweet smelling dusting powder in the bathroom and spreads it throughout the living room. Draw the drapes? Not much of an artist, Amelia does her best. The pie is done just in time for the return of her employers. Mrs Rogers is surprised at Amelia's interpretation of such simple directions as "trim the fat"... and is about to fire her when Mr Rogers offers her a taste of Amelia's wonderful lemon-meringue pie. Mrs Rogers will just have to learn to say things Amelia's way, because they certainly don't want to lose someone who can make a pie like that!

Very funny, and it exposes young minds to the various meanings of words in English - easily one of the most complicated languages ever, and one that you just don't think about if it's your first language until you read a book like this! The book is rather old (copyright 1963) but is timeless and this is a great time to read it with your kids. As the Spanish-speaking population grows in the U.S., it's a great opportunity for kids today to realize just how hard English can be!

This book is about a rich girl who goes to africa or its about this girl named misty nobody likes read and you decide.

After reading the first book in this series, I couldnt wait to read about Ambers story. I felt a lot like Amber, she doesnt know what she wants to do with her life after high school. I enjoyed the way that she grew throughout the story and know that her future held something bigger then she thought possable. This is a series that all Lurlene fans will want to read. Not only does this book talk about a world that most people never hear about, but it shows young woman that its ok to learn to spread your wings and fly. I truly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more book by this author.

Angel of Hope, talks about Heather dying. Her sister, Amber has decided to go on her journey and follow her sister`s shadow on her way to Uganda. She meets the most wonderful thing in her life, courage and love. Its an amazing book! Now, it`s been three weeks since I`ve read it, and yet I think about it everyday and keep on thinking about the special quotes Lurlene had put in this dramatic and romantic book. I`m currently reading "How I love thee" and the three stories stored inside, are the ones that you will never forget in your life. :) Lurlene McDaniel is the best author ever!

Angel of Hope by Lurlene McDaniel is a great book if you like a romantic adventure. Lurlene McDaniel has written many books but I personally think this is one of her best. This is a wonderful book. I didn't want to put it down until I was finished reading it. It is a spectacular book about a young girl, Amber, who goes to Africa because her sister Heather became very ill and couldn't go back. She meets the people that Heather talked so greatly about from her trip on the Mercy Ship. Africa isn't at all what amber thought it out to be. She stayed with Paul and Jodene as Heather did on her trip. Amber soon met Boyce Callahan he was there working on a project. They quickly became friends. But is Amber ready for what Africa has in store for her next?

Heather Barlow, the main character in Angel of Mercy, was back from Africa as a missoionary, and was trying to readjust to the big Miami lifestyle she used to be acustomed to. Although she was happy to return home to her family, she could not forget about losing her beloved Ian, or about little baby Alice, the child that she rescued that needed surgery. Heather was so sad to leave, nothing could detour her mind from returning, so she talks her mkom into returning with her, this would help because her mom is a surgeon. Her mother decides to go. A week before they leave Heather becomes ill, Amber her sister found her lying in a pool of blood on their bathroom floor. Heather's plans are then shattered because the doctor orders to stay in bed for at least two weeks. Seeing how upset her siter is about being away from Africa, Amber decides to take her place. When Amber arrives in Africa, she has no clue what to expect or what fate has in store for her.........
I loved this book, I loved the fact that it touched me so much. I cried reading the very end of it. I never expected what happened to happen because until the end it had you guessing. On a scale of 1-5 stars i would give it a 10, it was absoluetly beautiful!

This is the all you could ever want and need bartending book. I use the previous edition at work and like the previous edition this one is just as great. It's the black book of black books and i love having it at home.

I believe the only thing they added to this book was updating some of the intro - "how to keep customers happy" "how to get good tips" "who you should be tipping out" and such things...just basic things you need to know behind the bar. They also added more drink recipes. Which is awesome, people are always comming up with new drinks and now it has everything from the previous edition plus 100's of more drinks.

I use THIS newer edition for at home. It does have every drink you could want to make from a simple martini, to margaritta, to some drink i made once that involved an egg white.

The basic layout of the book is:
Intro and a bit about bartending
Drink recipes in order by name: ABC's people
Information about Wine
Pour Amounts
Bartending Lingo i.e. "Sloshed" "Hammered"
Bartending Terms i.e. "Perfect" "Pint Glass" "Neat" "Jigger"
And my favorite the back! Where you can look up drinks by ingredient: Rum, Flavored Vodka, Liquers, and basically everything else.

It's just an all around great book to have on hand and if you give it a chances you'll find you refer back to it often. At work or at home. I RARELY need to use another book when i'm behind the bar. And it's the only book at home.

I highly suggest getting this book if you're ANYONE. New to bartending, or a bartending pro. Stay at home mom, or a drunken fool. It's easy for anyone to use.

This is a great gift for nearly anyone who's a bartender or who likes to have a good time. I got this for a friend of mine, and I'm sure she will like it.

The book not only has alcoholic recipes, but also frozen, hot drinks, and more. It also has an index in the back that has drinks by ingredients.

Should have gotten this for myself instead!

The best book I've ever seen for the widest variety of drinks. Missing a couple more popular North American drinks such as a vodka 7 or a bottlecap, but still more drink names then you will ever need. Simple and easy to find what you are looking for, the cleverly written book is a staple for any aspiring bartender.

This latest version is very good. There are many different versions of the same drink available. I occasionally find a drink that's not in there, but not too often. I actually bought 2 - one for the bar and one for me! I think it's probably the best thing to have if you don't have an online system.

This book is great for quickly learning the drinks that everyone orders and the drinks almost no one would ever order (anyone for a schoolbus - beer, milk & OJ?) written by an egotistical and excessively chauvinistic fop. Note to S.K.C. - leave out the bragadoccio, rampant (hetero)sexism, demoded chivalry and other such ridiculously trivial commentary and you'll have a great book.