Parties Books

I have been enjoying Elizabeth Koda-Callan's Magic Charm books for years! Now, I am delighted to find she has a new book out for both boys and girls. The Squiggly Wigglys is unlike anything else on the market. It is highly original and a great deal of fun for both children and adults. It makes the perfect gift for any occasion, but I plan on sharing it with all the children in my life for the Christmas season. Guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face!

Mr. & Mrs. Wiggly, Sam, Wendy, and other colorful characters will simply delight your youngster as you have fun together with this unique book. Each page has a covered link chain that "wiggles" into various shapes as you jiggle the page. For example, make Uncle Marty's mustache wiggle while you giggle! The chain is safe beneath sturdy plastic so curious fingers don't get at them. The story unfolds in a lyrical way and your child will just love turning each page to see how the wiggles play out on each character. A great book that my two young children adore.

Relating with kids in this era of tv and video games is no challenge when you have Koda-Callan's newest child-enaging volume, the "Squiggly Wiggly's."

You can read the story and weave your own yarn with your young audience. With the jewelers-chain forming smiles frowns and hiccupy smirks, her story is a platform for hours and hours of togetherness over time.

It's a fun book.

Briefly - this multi-layer book is a masterpiece of modern political science. This history of Romanian Communism is one particular case speaking crystal-clear about global Communism . Due to Vladimir Tismaneanu and his history of Romanian Communism we have an accurate, a splendid x-ray of Communism in the world.
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More than that this book is as a wonderful political novel - written by Vladimir Tismaneanu with genius and, believe me, plenty of fine, ironical humor.

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Therefore, reading this work, you can easily re-make historically and politically the whole nightmare of the Communist era, in Romania, and in Europe, and world-wide as well. Yes - a tragic nightmare. A disaster.
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Vladimir Tismaneanu presents to us, with knowledge and skills of a master in laser-surgery, the anatomy and the functions of this Monster , Communism - alas ! somehow still alive . His lesson is a fundamental lesson about humankind's fatal errors and disasters ... which we do not have the right to repeat and re-live. At least, because you have to admit this terrible reality: nazism = communism = Islamic terrorism. At last but not at least, considering this irrefutable truth - I warmly recommend you the lesson of Vladimir Tismaneanu, his work as a unique book of our modern times. A healing book !
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And, for this lesson, we definitely have to be grateful, from the bottom of our hearts, to Vladimir Tismaneanu - who is practically the genuine creator of the modern school of Romanian political science.

After "Stalinism for All Seasons" it must be truly depressing to consider writing books of political sociology on the topic of the communist grand narrative. This is not only because Tismaneanu's opus, the outcome of a lifelong fascination with the topic, is so well-stocked with quality historical data (his archival research, and access to unique resources can hardly be replicated), but also because the author is a genuine maestro of both analytical insight and of a captivating writing style.
It is astonishing how he managed to strike the right balance between a sociological-political excursus of great analytical accuracy with a novel-like narrative that stretches over almost a century and whose charm ruins your work agenda for several days.
Although the book's focus is the case of the pariah Romanian Communist Party, Tismaneanu immerses this case in the wider phenomenon of world communism. The reader is stunned to discover, en premiere, the constitution of informal transnational party networks and narratives that spanned from Vietnam to Greece, and Romania. Particularly fascinating are Tismaneanu's foray into mechanisms of Leninist and Stalinist manipulation of the (rather excessively)romanticized world communism" of the 20s and 30s, as well as his treatment of the role of memory, charisma, nationalism and aesthetics in the ascension, ossification and in the decay of the party.
We have access to the operationalization of general issues of interest for political scientists such as puzzling hybridizations of mechanisms for political power conquest and maintenance, the crucial role of personalities (that escapes facile research designs accomodation), how resources are distributed and conflits are settled in opaque political machines.
For those interested in how birth pathologies impact the subsequent development of radical political projects that end up reaching the lands of dystopia, this read is undoubtedly set to be on list of classics.

Professor Tismaneanu, one of the sharpest analysts in the field of Eastern European politics, has written what is no doubt the definitive comprehensive study of the Romanian Communist Party. Brilliantly written and painstakingly researched over many years, the work will be appreciated by anybody interested in Eastern European politics or the stalinist system and its various deviations.

A solid political science work, the prose is lively and the entire work, complete with the cast of characters at the end, reminds me more of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury than other blander political analyses.

A superb book.

I've wondered about the transformation of our political parties away from either decisive liberalism or true conservativism. And I have been puzzled about the federal government's inability to take swift and effective action as, for example, with the slow, ongoing bumbling events after hurricane Katrina. Ralph Brauer's lively and readable writing, with wonderful metaphors and historical references, provides what I think are unassailable explanations. Read this book and you will have a detailed understanding of how Southern politics, religious fundamentalism, media bias and other factors have hijacked and paralyzed our political parties and thereby threatens a good part of our nation's future. You will also learn what needs to happen for a brighter tomorrow.

Award-winning writer Ralph Brauer presents "The Strange Death of Liberal America", a fascinating examination of how American attitudes shifted sharply to the political right in recent times. Part modern political history, part lamentation for the abandonment of the liberal ideal in which "government exists to keep the playing field level", part cautionary tale of the social ills promoted by policies that increasingly favor the rich, the powerful, and the corporations over struggling ordinary citizens, "The Strange Death of Liberal America" is fascinating and slightly unnerving in its grim survey of the past and dark predictions for the future. From suburban obsession with minutia rather than the broad picture, to subtle rollbacks in civil rights, to the drumbeat of fear that the so-called Counterrevolution plays to scare voters into falling in line with its social agenda, "The Strange Death of Liberal America" exposes all in no-nonsense, clear and charged language.

"The Strange Death of Liberal America" provides a historical and insightful examination of events leading up to the Bush administration's rise to power. Dr. Brauer systematically evaluates our current culture through his "cornerstones" of justice, voting rights, education and the media as they relate to his concept of "the level playing field". His examples are well developed and thought-provoking. His term "the Era of Bad Feelings" describes the current consternation of our country and supplies us with a label for the sense of moving in the wrong direction that has been apparent to the average American. The book ends with a vision of purpose and hope for the future of the 230 year old democracy that has endured and survived.

At first I got this book for my four year old daughter at the library. She liked it so much and asked me to read it over and over again that I decided to buy it for her. It's an exciting story with beautiful pictures for a four year old girl. I would highly recommend it.

You really can't go wrong with SS! All the books and movies are wholesome and entertaining. I love reading them to my daughter and watching the movies with her. Actually, my son loves them too but would never admit it to his friends (he's 9). Good thing he has a little sister ;)

My daughter loves Strawberry Shortcake and this is a wonderful addition to her library. While the story's tend to be a little lenghy and are by no mean for beginner readers they do offer good morals and values. The pictures are great and my daughter likes to make up her own story to the pictures. I would recommend any Strawberry Shortcake book.

I enjoy books by James P. Cannon-they brim over and bristle with confidence in the working class. This book first and foremost. Cannon takes on the faint hearts and doubters who try to undermine the workers party from within. He provides a text book on how a communist party must organize itself to stand up to the patriotic pressure of a war drive. On clarifying the relationship between the intellectuals and the workers, he points out that the intellectuals are welcome in the party if they come all the way over to the working class side-they cannot expect that the workers meet them half-way. The party must be proletarian in composition as well as program. Cannon writes with clarity, force, and wit.

As always this book carries lot of Cannon's humor, wit and wisdom. The is a lot of interesting his back and forth in Cannon's correspondence here with leaders like Trotsky, Cannon's collaborator in the 1939-1940 fight to preserve revolutionary communist politics. This is a book for people who retain the faith of the founders of Marxism, the faith of Gene Debs, the faith made real by people like Malcolm X, that workers can change the world and run it themselves. Cannon lead a fight that stopped middle class elements fleeing their fears of the coming of World War II toward anti-communism, from taking the Socialist Workers Party with them. This is not history, but a vibrant guide to building a revolutionary movement, about what principles are, about how to fight for what you want, about the practical realities of building a real revolutionary workers movement.Also recommended: History of American Trotskyism, First Ten Years of American Communism, In efense of Marxism, Capitalism's World Disorder. ...

This is a collection of documents and letters written by James P. Cannon, the central leader of the Socialist Workers Party for many years. The documents and letters are the product of an internal debate that began in 1939 and led to a split in this party in 1940. They tell the story of how a workers' party successfully strove to be faithful to its own revolutionary roots and thus protect itself from losing everything that it had struggled to build up. The battle that took place within the Socialist Workers Party reveals what kind of work goes into building a party that can become the leading element of the struggle for a government that puts human needs before profits - a workers and farmers government.

The initial nucleus of the Socialist Workers Party was formed when a group of Communist Party members was expelled in 1928 for adhering to the program of Trotsky, although that party name was not adopted until 1938. Trotsky was the Russian revolutionary leader, and collaborator of Lenin, who opposed the rise of Stalinism in the USSR. Living in exile in Mexico in 1939-40, Trotsky worked with Cannon to see this faction fight through to its conclusion. For Trotsky's contribution to the debate see his book, "In Defense of Marxism."

In the late 1930s the U.S. capitalist class prepared to enter the war, expecting to use its military might to massively increase its world influence, and thereby its capacity to skim off the cream of the world's labor and natural resources (a goal which was essentially achieved - for a period of time). The working class came under intense political pressure to give up its class independence, to stop fighting for trade-union goals and for socialism; and instead, to knuckle under to the war drive, to put uniforms on its young men and send them overseas to sacrifice themselves for the profits of the capitalist class.

A substantial portion of the membership of the Socialist Workers Party did indeed knuckle under, in their own way, to this pressure. Trotsky called them the petty-bourgeois opposition. Their arguments in the debate reflected their deeply-felt need to get out of the line of fire, to retreat from the struggle for socialism. Cannon led the proletarian party majority, which not only defended the proletarian principles of the party as it answered the arguments of the minority, but also conducted the discussion in such a way that the party's democratic internal norms were preserved and strengthened.

This book is necessary reading for rebellious young people and workers seeking a way of finding out how they fit in to the political trajectory of the workers movement. Making a revolution requires deep knowledge not only of the nature of capitalism, but also of the developmental course of the political vanguard movement of the working class. The lessons we learn from this are the common bond we share as we build anew.

I was in charge of entertaining forty-two people for over two hours and I am not particularly outgoing. I'm actually pretty ingoing. I bought this book in a store, along with several others, but only used this one because it made me laugh and seemed particularly straight-forward. It's well-written, clear, clever, and concise. All of the games are explained in a page or two. Chaneski details the possible pitfalls of some games and suggests remedies-his predictions were accurate and his suggestions surprisingly effective. People who didn't know one another when the evening began were leaning on each other with laughter by the end of it. I was able to set up non-competitive games for people who preferred that (a good number simply would not participate in competition but were willing to be goofy as hell in a non-competitive endeavor). Several participants wanted copies the book and while I was on line arranging it, I thought I'd steer others to this remarkable little compilation.

I was hosting two parties in one week: one for a group of my children's friends (teens and pre-teens) and another for a group of my own friends (Gen X'ers and Baby Boomers). There were so many varied games in this book that both groups had a great time. Instructions are easy to follow and the games are all instantly addictive. If you're looking for something beyond the typical board games you'll find at most parties, this is perfect for you. Most games require only players and their brains, a few others require pen and pencil. No matter what, everything we played from this book was a lot of fun. Highly recommended!

John, Thank you for writing this complete book of party games. I look forward to trying a few of them. Everyone who is throwing a party for New Year's this year should definitely buy your book to make their party even more memorable (Not that any party wouldn't benefit - especially a work related party). You are a very talented writer. I look forward to your next work. Good Luck! Deana

This is a very user-friendly dinner and hosting guide. Infused with a Los Angeles, bohemian-chic, wine-glass-in-hand vibe. In addition, Bob is one hot tamale.

The Joy of Cooking is a great cookbook, but The Surreal Gourmet's style makes it fun to read and try recipes. The recipes are popular favorites presented in an easy-to-follow format. At the end there are drink recipes, basics (stock, pesto, etc), and tips on setting up your kitchen, even music recommendations. The book lives up to it's title with cool illustrations and a refreshing style that is definitely surreal compared to other cookbooks.

This guy is a blast! Not one to be turned on with entertainment gourmet TV types, this guy is exceptional. Tuning him in on FoodNetwork several times and really enjoying him and his creativity approach and the fun he has with food and serving it takes me back to my inspiration to enter gourmet --- Galloping Gourmet.

Galloping to Surreal -- this is great wealth of inspiration! Recipes and music and suggestions and great photos and the adventure club and alternatives --- it all makes for one rockin' cookin' adventure.

Check out the likes of "Champagne Rissoto" or "lobstercapecodstyle".

Try and you'll go back for more, forsurereal!

This book should be called "This is the Best Children's Party Book Ever!" It has great ideas, but unlike most party books it tells you how to accomplish everything and make it a learning experience for your child and his or her friends. I loved it and would reccomend this book to anyone.

This book is organized by age, and then by theme -- as an early childhood educator, her observations on what a one, two, three, four or five year old will like and put up with are absolutely right on! Wish I'd had this book to plan my childs first three birthday parties. She has great age appropriate activities, as well as organizing checklists.

The President of our Mother's Club recommended this book and it is wonderful! The author, Sharon Krull, speaks at Mother's Clubs throughout Northern California and is an incredibly dynamic speaker.

My 6-year old and I just finished this book, and we both loved it. It's so funny and so playfully written, with colorful illustrations to match. I think children of all ages (and anyone who's a kid at heart) will find something to like in this book. Highly recommended!

My 5 & 7 year old daughters & I love this book. It is a funny, very well written story with great pictures. We would read a chapter a night & none of us could wait to see what happened next! It's our new favorite book. I just ordered Adams other book - A Full Year of Stories, & am anxiously awaiting it.

My daughters & I looove this book! We would read a chapter a night & none of us could wait to find out what happened next. It's a fun, interesting story with magnificant illustrations. There's a schoolhouse that moves, a signpost that talks & gives directions, a cat named Jelly, frog named Fidget & an owl called Two Hoots. Fabulous book, I highly recommend.

The fact this cookbook contains over 300 recipes using only two colors really peeked my curiousity!I was surprised to find the recipes so easy to make...and so tasty! The orange and white really adds to a table setting. I have been able to use the recipes for informal and formal meals. Recipes range from appetizers for when I am entertaining, finger foods for quick snacks, and even dishes to accent my main course for simple family dinners. I would definitely recommend this cookbook!

This book has a great variety of recipes. It is amazing how many recipes can come out of just two colors. This book can make any meal complete. My family and I love this book! If you get this, you will never regret it.

When I bought this book, I was intrigued about it only making recipes out of orange and white, Tennessee's team colors. But, I was absolutely amazed that there were so many recipes and they were so good! Whenever my family has guests who are fans, I always make something out of this book and then display it. Ms. Enouen really impressed me with her cooking talent. I can only imagine how much time it took to make up recipes that were only two colors. I highly recommend this book for any cookbook collection.