Washington Books

Buy this book and change your outlook on Nam forever. If you ever valued the boy next door, your son , or daughter you will want this book as a bed side companion to re-read again and again. Each story is a man lost, a mother in pain, a comrade who mourns . It paints the picture that we will be reliving for the men of Afganistan/Irag times. The book will be relevent for time immortal. At,6'3 and 320 lbs of old warrior ,
this book took me back and immersed me into the turbulent past times of my life. To damn up my tears , it would have been like holding back a hurricane because of the imagery in this book . This book is well worth the price. I bought it and will continue to buy it again and again until all those I know have a copy. America should emerse itself in the books wisdom about ours soldiers and society. We need to learn to drop the idea that all we are told is the truth and scrutinize our leaders more closely. Thanks Ms Palmer for this great and timely book of truth. Herb, I knew you at Lackland, I hope you have found peace.

If you lost a loved one in Vietnam then you'll understand the poingnancy, intimacy, loss, and anguish of the writers of these letters found throughout the book. It brings out the grim and stark realization that behind every name on the Wall is a story as told by the families who suffered a loss. The most important thing though is the book is about remembering those men and women who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Do I dare to give this book a less-than-glowing review? I am inclined to do so not because of the power and dignity of the people and the stories in the book--those speak for themselves. It was Palmer (the author) that bothered me. As I was reading the book, I could not help but feel that she was trying to manipulate me, tugging at heartstrings that needed no tug to be moved by these heartfelt stories. I felt a bit patronized by her. A good book (or movie, or whatever), if it moves me, should not make me feel the push; this one did, and it left me feeling the way people usually feel when they were pushed in a direction that they would have gone anyway--irritated.

Shrapnel In the Heart is a book to be read by everyone no matter what generation they were born in. Shrapnel In The Heart is a book that has letters and rememberances left behind at the Vietnam War Memorial. Some of the letters tell the story about the people behind the letter. The stories are sad, but the courage of the men and women is a true inspiration. The people written about in this book were extrememly young (18, 19, 20) and it seems like they died in vain. But through their letters that were left behind it is easy to see that these young men knew their duty and refused to shirk from it. These men and women are true heroes.

I read this book for a college history course and until now have thought very little about war, military, or world politics. Young people today rarely understand or realize what goes with becoming a soldier. This book gives real images of the devastation war brings from the people who lived through the tragedy of losing their loved ones. It opens our eyes to things we just shouldn't close our eyes on.

Where most of us fail, Teresa somehow has found a way to put those feelings of reconnection into words. While the story of returning her friend, McKenzie, back to her wild heritage is wonderful, this book goes much deeper. Through Teresa's story we feel her returning to her own people, her own roots. More importantly to me, however, is how she puts into words the emotions of those of us who only find our peace through the natural world, a world where being safe behind closed doors is the worse kind of life there is. She tells about how in the wildness of the wilderness, freedom is not safety, but joy and sorrow more intense that the man made world most live in can ever offer.

She shows what most people struggle so hard to avoid, that one day all of us will fight for that one last breath that will never come. What we do with the breaths we have is what is important. Do we hide in our four walls while the wilderness disappears not only "out there", but in our souls as well? Or do we accept give away and live our lives to the fullest.

Teresa is not an author, but a story teller, something that has been sadly lacking in the sterile world we have created. I hope she continues to write for a long time.

I am a hiker and avid outdoors woman living in Colorado. This book created a fire in my heart to be in, love and protect the "wilderness" in our lives. It brings tears to my eyes to remember the teaching and learning between woman and wolf. I am highly recommending this book to my book club for the January read. Her writing is vivid poetry - bringing the reader into the beauty and reality of nature.

Teresa Martino, a graced author who can write and share her adventure with wolf and freedom, is a storyteller with humor, respect, and gift of art and word. It was like I was there with her as she lived this journey. Riveting, piercing, thought-provoking, pondering, and inspiring are adjectives to describe this book.

A true story of a wolf, her daughter, and woman,the author, who cross in each other's path of life. No preaching here. Beautiful physical descriptions of the land, the feelings, the sounds, the colors, the touch of wolf, and glimpses into the author's heart. I felt empathy for her questions she asked and struggled with her during her trials and vulnerabilities. The book goes beyond just another animal story to a tale of emotional questioning and searching by the author. A triumphant ending.

A MUST read. The book grows better and better with each chapter. I found myself reading so fast wanting to know how it ended.

I loved this book, the writing, the story and the spiritual adventure. I often think about having my own wolf following me on romps through the wilderness whenever I am out hiking alone. This book has some wonderful insight into the wolf mind and shows why a wolf is not a dog and wolves should not live in captivity. Alongside the wolf story is a great journey the author makes in seeking her own identity and place. I highly recommend it.

Teresa Tsimmu Martino writes a wonderful tale of her rescue of a wild wolf pup which she raises to be wild. Once old enough, Ms. Martino releases the wolf into the wilderness of Washington where it has survived and had her own litter.

Martino's writing is vivid and human and full of the emotion that courses through her veins. She is also a horse trainer and has great stories to tell of her life around horses in her most recent book.

So, buy this book; await its arrival with anticipation and then savour its story as you lose yourself in her words.

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A Guide to my Book Rating System:

1 star = The wood pulp would have been better utilized as toilet paper.
2 stars = Don't bother, clean your bathroom instead.
3 stars = Wasn't a waste of time, but it was time wasted.
4 stars = Good book, but not life altering.
5 stars = This book changed my world in at least some small way.

I am a big fan of the Anansi tales, and the spider's adventures are delightful as well as thought-provoking. For edutainment (educational entertainment) and discussion, I include them in my high school / college level introduction to mythology / humanities survey courses. All ages can enjoy a clever trickster hero who possesses many human qualities, the good and bad--who makes us think about our own deeds and behavior.

In Anansi The Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, Gerald McDermott retells an Anansi story with warmth, cultural sensitivity, and bright, attention-seizing illustrations. Among the children's books about Anansi, McDermott's efforts stand in a unique place because the text is used sparingly and with great effect, conveying important events only and not burying key ideas in lavish descriptions or dialogues. In this book, the elaborate, geometric illustrations paint the "descriptions" that the text omits.

Features that I like...

The map in the opening that shows the continent of Africa and the country of Ghana. (I'm always happy to see a bit of geography dropped into stories, especially those designed for children.)

The Prologue, which describes the importance of folklore, mythology, and legends. I especially appreciate this statement: "Folklore prepares man for adult life. It places him within his culture."

Rather than beginning the story with the familiar "Once upon a time...," the author uses "Time was..." which is cool! :)

Each of the spider sons in the story is unique in design, appearance, and talent, which makes him easy (and fun) to identify as the tale unfolds. The six sons are See Trouble, Road Builder, River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower, and Cushions.

The character of Anansi is rendered with an expressive personality and face while his sons' faces are not shown--just their designs, bodies, and talents. Anansi's face changes emotions based on his experiences, and this would be an excellent teaching element for very young children upon hearing / seeing the story.

Themes & Talking Points the book offers:

Counting, colors, shapes, animals, teamwork, family, intro to Africa [Very Young Children]

Reading; Cause & Effect; Critical Thinking & Response; African Culture. How does Anansi get into and out of trouble? // Each spider is an individual with a specific skill or trait; each spider has a place in the family. What does this suggest about the culture of the Ashanti? // The rescue of Anansi is really a team effort by the sons, but who should get the reward? Does the ending solve this problem? [For children 5-12]

Reading & Design; Symbolism; Critical Analysis; Author Intent; Culture. Why did the author / illustrator choose not to show the faces of the six sons in the story? How does this choice affect the story? How does Anansi's face tell his story? What is the relationship between a son's name and his unique design? In what instances is Anansi's face NOT shown and why? What lessons are taught in this tale? What universal themes are present? Does this book deserve its "honor" designation? [For tweens through college students]

Anansi and his sons are popular guys in our home. My son and daughter (nearly 4 and 6) just adore them, and I enjoy the fact that this book demonstrates how well cooperation works. Not to mention that we get to discuss the story, Ghana, and how people are both like us *and* are different from us.

In this story Anansi heads out for a walk only to be besieged by problems, first from a hungry fish, and then from a falcon. He would have been lunch were it not for his caring sons who fortunately have super-arachnid abilities.

Four Stars. Good Read-aloud. Good story with a moral. My daughter even decided to practice reading this fun and exciting story.

Anansi is one cool African trickster, and he does it again in this book! When he tries to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, he becomes responsible for putting the moon in the sky.

My 18 month old son loves the artwork in this book. There is a lot to talk about on each page. For the first time it seems that my son is following the story and not just dealing with one page at a time. He waits eagerly for the page when Anansi is swallowed by a fish (don't worry it is not violent in any way!) Since there are 6 spider sons there are lots of opportunities for counting. My 18 month old can now count to 6.

The Anansi stories have been handed down through generations of Ashanti culture. This book is a wonderful, vibrant and vivid story for children of all ages. Born in Ghana I left at aged 3, leaving much of the Ghanaian culture behind. At aged 30 I can still remember a song about Anansi the spider, the only remnants left of my native tongue. I was given the Anansi book as a child, it captivated me, I read it over and over again, and it provided a connection to my past. At 16, I spent hours crafting a cushion embroidered an illustration from the book that was a childhood favorite. Sadly, the book was lost and I never thought I could get it again. Now, some 14 years since I last saw the book I can still visualize the pictures and hear the wonderful tale of Anansi the spider, his sons and the moon. I have just bought two copies, one for my niece and one for my two year old daughter. I absolutely cannot wait to read them again and again and pass this memorable story to a new generation.

Great book and some good insight to the people who make the Pike Place Fish store so great. Simple written and inspiring. I would definitely recommend this to others!

This is one of the most inspiring things I have ever read. The best part was hearing how one of the fishmongers used this 'fish philosophy' in dealing with a brain tumor. His attitude was admirable and all of the guys' stories were so neat. They really seem to live what they speak about. In visiting the market last year I was able to see that they not only have fun, play, make your day, and are 'there' but also have great fish. Check out the book and order some great fresh fish while you are at it from www.pikeplacefish.com

While author Cyndi Crother acknowledges that another wildly successful business book about this fish market preceded her, she has insights to offer based on time she spent with the free-wheeling, fish-throwing denizens of Seattle's World Famous Pike Place Fish. Her book picks up on the spirit of past coverage, but she adds the fishmongers' philosophical ruminations to her own slightly mushy, eclectic New Age managerial wisdom. This is not for strictly business readers, but it will ring a chord with those who seek to balance life and work. It's about warmth, and treating people with sensitivity, and creating your own reality by aligning your thoughts and actions with your intentions. It is also about workplace comradeship, customer service and how to sell the heck out of fish all day long. It's all pretty entertaining, given the lively background of the fish market. We suggest you throw a line in the water; you might just hook something you can really use

I don't know about you, but when I think about working in a fish shop, all I can think is; I'll never get that smell off my hands. I was in Seattle about 16 years ago and went to Pike Place Market. I don't remember seeing that particular fish market, but the whole market is pretty cool. This is a fantastic book. The thought of the motley crew of guys pictured in the book getting along and having fun is nothing short of amazing. The shop is proof that you can have fun, learn, and make a lot of money doing just about anything, if certain rules are observed. One of the main secrets of their success is the ability to be taught. So many people, especially after working in the same occupation for a number of years, or reaching a certain age feel like they know it all, and are not willing to try anything new. These employees each essentially 'own' a piece of the business. With ownership it's easier to accept responsibility and get a feeling of success and euphoria. This company also holds biweekly meetings, as well as huddles at the start and end of each day. The stories of each employee as portrayed inspired me, even if they were embellished by the author. The author did an exemplary job writing this book, and I would recommend it to anyone working for themselves or for an employer, after all, we are all working for ourselves anyway.

If this book does not inspire you to come alive and get going with your life, nothing will. And it is not some philosoper's old boring stuff; it is real life from ordinary fish mongers. It is down-to-earth information that is easily read, easily undetstood, and easy to apply to your own life. I plan to reread this little book several times a year to remind me what any person can easily do to become "great."

The whole idea of the Pike Place Fish Market is inspirational. If you have ever been to the market in Seattle, you will be quite inspired and maybe even a happier person right away because if it. The people who work there are inspirational. They are succeeding personally and as part of a team. They are very happy to be working where they are. They have a formula for success that is really working, and working for ordinary people. This is why they sell tons of fish on the Internet. This is why they perform training programs all over the country. This is why they sell so many books and videos and T-shirts.

If you do not check into this source of inspiriation you are losing out. I'm so glad I know about Fish!

In order to create the fictional town of Steven Falls, the author has created an alternate world where the political boundaries and political organization are different, two towns have disappeared (replaced by the fictional town in a different location), the state police have taken over the county courthouse, and the sheriff's office is no longer in the county seat. Readers familiar with the real location may have problems with the novel. For people from outside the Puget Sound/ Olympic Peninsula area, it might be an interesting cops and robbers tale.

Seattle PI Leo Waterman has a friend who has acquired property to start a small resort and work as a fishing guide. He is an outsider in a small town, where locals have their own ideas for the property. Conflicts with the local red necks and power brokers turn lethal. Leo brings in an assortment of street people, thieves, and shadowy individuals to exact retribution. Leo is not a nice guy when you get on his wrong side.

The novel starts out on a different case before getting to the main plot, and meanders at some points. It is hard to say if anyone wins in the end as everyone, including Leo, gets banged up, and we seem to be left with a trail of broken bodies and shattered dreams. At best, the story would have a PG-13 rating.

I love the Leo Waterman series. Everyone of them has been great. But I think I can safely say that this is my favorite yet.

Leo and his live in girlfriend visit some freinds who have bought some property in hopes of opening a resort. Beautiful little town, perfect location on the water. But things feel a little weird. After returning home, a few weeks later they discover the husband is dead. Leo being who he is wants to know why.

It turns into almost a caper from there on. Leo bringing in people who can do specific jobs for him to help nail those responsible.

A whole lot of fun to read, and And I would highly recommend this series, but this book in particular.

Jon Jordan

A great addition to the Leo saga - jumps right into action on a sordid case of sexploitation, then changes gears into a small-town conspiracy mystery. Plenty of laughs and plenty of action. A real page-turner.

Do not read this book while sitting in the lunchroom at work! It looks very unprofessional to be laughing out loud when you are sitting at a table by yourself. Leo Waterman's unique view of how the system works, and how to work the system makes for a delightful read.

Leo & Rebecca are at it again. This is the sixth book in the series and one of the best. Leo makes some new friends and revisits some old while untangling the circumstances around the death of an aquaintence. The scheming he uncovers leads him to some scheming of his own as only he can scheme. The 'Boys' new home is a riot, and the plot is involved enough to keep you guessing. This is a fun read, although there are a couple of darker undertones and some changes that will make Leo a different person when we meet him next. G.M. Ford has done it again!

Reviewed by AJ Cooper for Reader Views (11/07)

John Cann, a senior associate for the law office of Loring, Matsen, and Gould, has just witnessed a horrific video of humiliation, torture and finally execution. His good friend, mentor and boss has asked him defend a man who was possibly responsible for the torture and killing of these Muslim people from the Balkans. The hearing for extradition will be held at an international tribunal in Germany. Other countries also have an interest in this man and they want him extradited to their country to stand before a court and answer for his crimes.

Of course John will follow the instructions of his boss and head to Germany to defend Dubran Mribic. His only request is to visit his friend Janie at her rehabilitation center in Georgia. Janie is recovering from almost life-threatening torture that she had received a couple of years ago because of her relationship with Cann. Cann and Matsen took it upon themselves to ensure Janie had the best care and also had themselves assigned as co-guardians with the approval of her family. Janie had come far as had been recovering fairly well considering she had been left for dead. The torture affected every aspect of her life and being able to function.

John hesitantly flies to Germany to defend someone he may not even be able to tolerate. When he arrives and starts to deal with the tribunal and Mribic, everything is not as it seems. Numerous attempts are made on John's life, yet there is another group that follows him and protects him. He discovers the nature of crimes committed by his defendant as well as crimes that had been committed against Mribic's people. No one seems innocent and nothing rings true. Then the unthinkable happens and Mribic is allowed to escape.

Back at home things go from good to bad for Janie at the rehabilitation center. She has a new doctor that has some unique and unusual forms of treatment. Matsen does not want to let on to John what has happened with Janie. He has his firm investigate the doctor and what they find is very disturbing. The law firm must now try and get Janie out of the rehabilitation center. Their only means is to kidnap her from the center and then fight the doctor through the courts. This takes all of Matsen's resolve and determination. Before Matsen is able to tell John about the troubles he has been facing with Janie, John is kidnapped.

Everything comes to a head in Europe and Matsen is forced to travel to Germany to rescue John. Old memories and horrors are brought to the forefront when Matsen returns to Europe. He served as an intelligence officer and became involved in the Balkans. Mribic really wanted Matsen, and not John, so he had to find a way to trick Matsen into returning to Europe.

I truly enjoyed the intertwining of both stories. I did not expect or figure out what could possibly happen next. I could not put the book down. This is a true thriller from the start that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This brief view into the atrocities of war and the hope for justice for the victims was very interesting. The good side of people can really shine through even in the direst of situations. I would recommend "A Grave Breach" to anyone.

Reviewed by Maria Elmvang

What is the gravest breach? Is it a breach of national security? A breach of peace? A breach of contract? Or a breach of confidentiality, of trust?

That is one of the things that James Macomber explores in his third John Cann book and newest novel, A Grave Breach.

John Cann would never have agreed to defend a war criminal in a court of law, especially not after seeing the atrocities he performed during the Balkan war, if it hadn't been for one thing: Arthur Matsen - his boss and a man whom he respects and loves as his own father - asked him to. Forced to find the blurred boundaries between his trust in Matsen and his own impression of his client, Cann travels to Europe and tries to get to the bottom of things and find out why Matsen asked him to take on this case.

Meanwhile, back in the USA Cann's colleague Katherine Price discovers that all is not as it ought to be at the facilities where Cann's ward, Janie is staying. When it is discovered that Janie is subjected to dangerous psychiatric experiments, only a desperate action will protect her.

Giving away any more of the plot would be a shame for others. James Macomber managed to keep me at the edge of my seat through the various twists and turns of the book until its final conclusion. Unfortunately by combining two unrelated plotlines, Macomber sometimes neglects one in favour of the other, and not all threads are properly tied up, leaving me with unresolved issues and burning questions.

It is an advantage, but not a necessity, to have read the two first John Cann books before reading A Grave Breach. I hadn't, but as all references to earlier books are well explained, it allows it to stand on its own without any problems.

Armchair Interviews says: An excellent suspense novel that definitely will leave you wanting to read more of Macomber's work.

Studded with a cast of memorable characters, "A Grave Breach" is an international legal thriller by James Macomber, a true master of this popular action/adventure/suspense genre. John Cann is asked to defend someone charged with war crimes by his trusted friend, mentor and colleague Arthur Matsen. Then there is Janie Reston, a young American college girl savagely brutalized left for dead because of her connection to Cann. The girl is under threat by Nathan Fredrich, an unscrupulous psychiatrist intent on exploiting her horrendous ordeal to capitalize on his questionable theories concerning repressed memories. With a complex and engaging plot involving diverse post-war legal, moral, and ethical dilemmas in Europe, compounded by strong emotional ties and vulnerabilities among the principle characters, "A Grave Breach" is a compelling, superbly crafted, totally engaging read from beginning to end that can be wholeheartedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library fiction collections.

Author James Macomber has set himself a tricky task in creating another thriller with two unrelated plots as part of his John Cann series of international legal thrillers with his recent tome, A Grave Breach.

Set against the backdrop of "ethnic cleansing" that transpired in the Balkans, Macomber has authored a poised and polished novel that unfolds when John Cann, a senior associate in the Washington law firm of Loring, Matsen and Gould is asked by the senior partner, Arthur Matsen to defend a war criminal, Dubran Mribic, after he watches a horrendous video tape that had been sent to Matsen.

It seems that the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has now indicted Mribic for a variety of hideous war crimes committed against Muslims and he has now requested Arthur Matsen to represent him in any and all legal proceedings. We also learn in the opening pages that the law firm of Loring, Matsen and Gould are more than just attorneys as they are connected to the CIA, having developed a deep and lasting connection to the intelligence community since the creation of the firm. Why would the USA or for that matter Matsen be interested in defending a repugnant and repulsive war criminal who is now being held in Germany?

In addition to the main plot, Macomber includes a secondary plot involving a young woman, Janie Reston, who is now residing in a rehabilitation center as a result of a brutal crime committed against her by several terrorists. Apparently, two years prior to the happening of this atrocious crime, Cann had taken a sabbatical from his law firm and was a visiting lecturer at Charleston University Law School where he was the faculty adviser to Janie. Unfortunately, a connection between Cann and Janie was established in some minds-including the members of a terrorist cell within the Middle East Studies Department of the University, which in fact there had been no connection, however the terrorists didn't know that and they considered him and whomever was connected to him the enemy. The terrorists kidnapped Janie and what they did to her was beyond comprehension leaving her looking like a broken doll. The beastly criminals never stood trial as Cann made sure they were eradicated.

Cann and Matsen had taken it upon themselves to ensure that Janie received the best of treatment at the Whispering Marsh Rehabilitation Center, where, unfortunately, she nevertheless had fallen under the care of an unscrupulous staff psychiatrist, Dr. Nathan Frederich, who wanted to use her as a guinea pig in testing some of his far-fetched theories.

When Cann eventually meets up with Mribic and listens to the latter's side of the story, nothing seems to be as cut and dry as he anticipated. Moreover, when the legal proceedings commence before the tribunal, it appears that all cards are stacked up against his client. Cann also learns of some very interesting details concerning Matsen and his connection to Mribic, who turns out to be quite a devious fellow and who really wanted Matsen to show up and not Cann as he had some unfinished business to settle with him. If this is not enough to keep you turning the pages, various attempts at Cann's life are made by one group of thugs while there exists another group, who unknown to Cann, are his protectors.

Macomber is a great story- teller and he has concocted an interesting plot effectively negotiating the past and the present, east and west, young and old. Right up to the end he teases his readers with red herrings and unresolved questions such as why did he incorporate two distinct plots with very little links between them? It would have been nice if there were more of a connection rather than leaving this up in the air? I also found the complexity of the principal story quite confusing as I tried to keep track of the cast of characters and their past and present activities. Nonetheless, A Grave Breach did keep me reading well into the night and if you can endure some of the hideous scenes, it is still a great read.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures

Absorbing and horrifying, James Macomber's novel A GRAVE BREACH sets a story of revenge against the backdrop of the fierce ethnic conflicts in the Balkans. A Washington law firm is tasked with defending a soldier charged with war crimes, and even within the defense team, secret motivations exist, spanning decades. A videotape depicting the crime is the bait in the mousetrap, set by a brutal villain with a grudge against one of the lawyers. Soon, the lawyers, all of whom have ties to the intelligence community, are forced to use every weapon in their considerable arsenal to foil the plot and stay alive. This was a solid read for fans of real-world thrillers.

When we found out my father in law was dying of pancreatic cancer, one of our main concerns was how to deal with it with our kids. This book was a great resource, especially for our introspective 11 year old. She was able to read it on her own and ponder the chapters. It gave her great comfort to know that because of Grandpa's faith in Christ, he has a promise of eternity in heaven - free from any more pain or suffering. She also like to read that heaven is going to be exciting and active - not a bunch of cloud-sitting and harp playing. In fact she said, "Now that I've learned more about what heaven will be like, I'm a little jealous that Grandpa gets to go so soon." I highly recommend for any family in a similar situation.

EXCELLENT PRODUCT!!! Randy Alcorn is an excellent and trustworthy writer with sterling integrity. He always delivers the best, life-changing materials. He is tried and true.

This book gives excellent, concise, understandable and sufficient information on key issues surrounding heaven. Great for kids and for those adults who might find Alcorn's original big volume on heaven a little too heavy.

HeavenEveryone should read this book, Christian or not. If you are a Christian, you will become more excited than ever to leave this earth and go to your new home. If you are not a Christian, you will be ready to give your life to God, so that you too, may go to HEAVEN!!! Everything that Mr. Alcorn writes is backed by scripture, so this is not a "made up" story. "Heaven" has given me more determination than ever to try to reach the unsaved.

I absolutley love this book! I have a progressive disease and worry about my young child growing up without his mom. I read this book first and found great comfort in what it has to say about Heaven. I appreciate all the references to scripture so you can look things up for your self if you choose. I will now begin reading this to my son so he will have a better understanding of what Heaven is all about. This book is very uplifing. A must have for all Christian homes!

The book showed me quite a few of the things I missed on my visit to the Market. I will be making another trip to Seattle in March and have already highlighted the places in the market that I want to see. I have even found places that my six year old grandson will enjoy visiting also. I have fallen in love with Seattle and the Market. My thanks to the authors for allowing me to visit the Market right in my living room in Houston when ever the notion strikes me.

I rarely read a food-related book, skimming instead for any nuggets of wisdom, or a select recipe or two. But few such books are as well-written as Braiden Rex-Johnson's "Inside the Pike Place Market." I opened to the first paragraph and just couldn't put it down. Part history, part travelogue, part cookbook, and lavishly illustrated with Paul Souders' photographs, this is indeed a book to savor from beginning to end.

I READ THIS BOOK BEFORE MY LAST TRIP TO SEATTLE AND DISCOVERED PLACES IN THE MARKET THAT I DID NOT KNOW EXISTED. MY GRANDSON AND I VISITED LOTS OF NOOKS AND CRANNIES IN THE LOWER LEVELS THAT I HAD NOT DISCOVERED ON PREVIOUS VISITS TO THE MARKET. THE MARKET IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES IN SEATTLE. FROM THE FLOWER STALLS TO THE HISTORY OF THIS SEATTLE ICON, THIS BOOK IS A GOLD MINE. IF YOU ARE GOING TO SEATTLE OR JUST TO LIKE TO READ ABOUT INTERESTING PLACES---YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

For anyone who has ever visited Seattle's famous Pike Place Market, the book is a joy. It captures the hustle, bustle and charm of the market. Braiden Rex-Johnson has culled stories that make the market come alive in words as well as the wonderful pictures of Paul Souders. The 20 recipes spice up the text and serve to bring home the variety and texture of the market. Congratulations to both Braiden and Paul!

Braiden Rex-Johnson has written a foodies delight. Sumptuously decorated with the photographs of Paul Soders, Rex-Johnson's exploration of Pike Place Market is candy for all the senses. This is NOT a cookbook. There are just 20 recipes (all very good). Rather, this is a delightful narrative of the history of the market, the people and products that inhabit it, and the terrific food that emerges from it. Braiden-Rex is deeply in love with her market, and it shows in her wonderful book. When you finish the book, you'll be hungry, but very, very satisfied.

Excellent information on the history of gemstones, understanding color and cuts. Exquisite examples, beautifully photographed. A must for anyone interested in gemstones or the history of jewelry.

This is a beautiful book with lots of interesting information on the gem collection.

This review is for the paperback version of the book, which I loved. It has a lovely balance of terrific photos & explanations of the various sources of the featured gems. It serves as a nice beginning reference when you have heard the terms sapphire & red sapphire (huh? I thought red gems were rubys or spinels) and would like to know more about which gems are related to others.

And did I say the photos are just wonderful? Enjoy!

If you have visited the National Collection and want a souvenir to remind you of the stunning array of unique World Class Gems then this is the book for you. Both the format of the book and the superlative quality of the photography make this book the next best thing to being in the exhibition hall. There is a fairly light weight coverage of the gemmology in the text, but it mostly focusses on the history and ownership of these fabulous gems. The National Collection is unique, no where else in the world is there such a concentration of fabulous jewels with such an interesting history, with the possible exception of the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. This book is a fitting celebration of such a marvellous collection.

"The National Gem Collection," by Jeffrey E. Post, features photographs by Chip Clark. The book is a beautiful celebration of the title collection, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The informative text discusses the history of the collection, facts about types of different gemstones, and specific pieces in the collection.

The full-color photography is really stunning, and brings a rich assortment of gems to glorious life. Some of the historic pieces pictured are the blue Hope Diamond, the diamond Napoleon Necklace, the Hooker Emerald, and more. Also shown are a colorful collection of "fancy" diamonds, a rare red diamond, the 858-carat uncut Gachala Emerald, the delightful "pink tutu" (a band of dainty rose quartz crystals on a large smoky quartz crystal), a dazzling group of fire opals, a lapis lazuli carving from Afghanistan, and more.

I appreciate how the book celebrates gemstones at various stages: uncut, cut, and set in artfully crafted pieces of jewelry. Many different types of gemstones--aquamarine, garnet, spinel, chrysoberyl, turquoise, etc.--are covered. Features such as a scanning electron microscope photo of the inner structure of an opal give the reader a deeper understanding of the science behind gems. From start to finish, this book is a marvelous feast for both the eyes and the brain.

Nightmare Mountain is one of the best books I've ever read. If you like adventures, you'll love this book! I think almost everybody will love this book. This book has a lot of cliffhangers that keep you entertained. Just a warning, if you don't have lots of time to finish a few chapters, it will drive you crazy until you scream! Our third grade class read this book. Evertime we had to stop reading the whole class would go NOOOOOOOO, PLEASE CAN WE KEEP READING!!!! WE'RE BEGGING YOU!!!!!

Nightmare Mountain


Nightmare Mountain is about a girl named Molly and her cousin Glendon that get kidnapped by Glendon's dad's brother. He takes them to the top of the nearest snowy mountain and leaves them there.Molly is a young girl who wants to make friends with her cousin but he doesn't want to.The story takes place on Molly's uncles farm and on the nearest snow covered mountain. The theme is that you should not dislike a person because you are jeolous of them. I liked the story because there was excitement in every chapter of the story.

This is a must read. Every page is filled with adventure, suspence, and Glendon and Molly!
Summary: After Aunt Karen becomes ill with a coma, Molly and Glenden and to stay home at te ranch. Then a thief is lurking in the barn! He tried to kidnap them but Glenden ran. A gunshot triggerd an avalanch and burried them both. Molly saved herself and can't find Glenden. Can she save him before he dies?

I really like this book. It's about a girl named Molly who goes to stay at her aunt and uncle's llama ranch. But her cousin Glendon is ignoring her and being mean. Then her Aunt Karen gets really sick, and Glendon blames Molly. But Molly thinks that someone is trying to kill her. Then a valuable llama is stolen, and Molly and Glendon have to find the thief. A scary, dramatic mystery that I would strongly reccomend.

I actually read this book way back in 1993 as a lad of thirteen. Then, about two or three years later I got an urge to read it again. Of course, that was back when internet access for us blind folks was little more than a pipedream, so there was no posting online reviews. Anyway, I was hooked from the beginning.
Twelve-year-old Molly Newman is looking forward to a relaxing vacation on her Aunt Karen's llama ranch. Though Molly and Uncle Phil had never met before, they hit it off immediately. But Glendon, Phil's distant son, seems to strongly dislike Molly for a reason he refuses to disclose. Within days of Molly's arrival, Aunt Karen becomes desperately ill, forcing Phil to stay with her at the hospital, leaving Molly and Glendon alone on the ranch. Glendon, of course, blames Molly for his stepmother's illness. It is at this time that Molly discovers that a valuable, pregnant llama has been stolen. From there, things only get worse as the thief catches Molly and Glendon snooping around the barn and abandons them on a mountainside immediately following a deadly avalanche. Abandond on the mountain and separated from her cousin, Molly embarks on a daring and dangerous effort to find and rescue Glendon before he freezes to death. In the process, she learns a shocking truth about the identity of their attacker and a disturbing secret from Glendon's past, and the reason for his inexplicable resentment towards her.
All in all, it's the perfect adventure story. It might even make a good movie.