Bridges Books

I knew from the moment I received this book I knew I was going to enjoy it. Rhonda's story took me on a much-needed journey into the life of relationship conflicts, after all, most adoptee's have difficulty in relationships. However the theme throughout remains clear--everything worthwhile is difficult. Robert and Rhonda are soul mates and the way they write about each other is breathtaking and honorable. The way they describe how their respective relinquishment affected their lives--especially their relationships--was brave, intimate, and necessary. As an adoptee and fellow author I felt a part of their journey, cheering them on all the way. I consider this book a masterpiece on the affect adoption has on adult relationships and especially how to persevere when the going gets tough.

Kasey Hamner, M.S., adoptee and author of "Whose Child?"

Reading your book evokes the same emotional unrest one experiences with a serious contemplation of death. Neither is a feel good experience but both would be useful to most people. The very discord evoked by such an examination is an indicator that there are important internal issues unresolved and in immediate need of attention. In my mind, I compare the emotional trauma of such an inquiry to the process of birth. Both are traumatic but once done are the beginning of a new life. If nothing else was accomplished by the writing of this book, it's creation required that you both complete that difficult journey. Having suffered together through the birth of the book, I like to think that you both are now ready to live the new and better life you have made for yourselves. Enjoy!

This unique book offers a new perspective on the inner world of the adoptee that is insightful, intelligent and intensely provocative. The authors have written a classic that is a must read for any adopted person or anyone who wants to understand what makes an adoptee tick.

Joe Soll, CSW, author of "Adoption Healing ... A Path to Recovery"

This is another excellent though difficult book on the subject of adoption, like Robert Andersen's other title Second Choice: Growing up Adopted. Both were very useful to this adoptee.

It is difficult in two ways. It may unsettle adoptees reading it who have not considered the adoption issues raised. That is good. That is why it is valuable.

It is also difficult in its introduction of a private language and definition of terms to describe the effects of relinquishment by the birth mother and the transference that results; terms such as ghost kingdom, land of denial, free territory. Thankfully there is a page of definitions, page 314; a good starting point.

I feel that my trauma from adoption was not as severe, pervasive and all-encompassing in my life as it was for the authors. I also feel a suspicion that I delude myself. To paraphrase Clifton Fadiman, this book is a tool for self-discovery. `It will simply help you to change your interior life ...'

Robert Andersen finds insights in dealing with adoption issues from helping those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The authors tell an extremely personal story in vivid and disturbing terms, courageously exposing their feelings and relationship. Bertrand Russell said about being blackguarded for his beliefs over his appointment as a New York college professor "`to withdraw' ... would certainly have been more prudent as far as my personal interests are concerned, and a great deal pleasanter. ... it would also, in my judgement, have been cowardly and selfish."

I feel that the authors have been similarly courageous in exposing their feelings, writing this book and so aiding other adoptees. They deserve the thanks of adoptees everywhere. I heartily recommend this book.

In A Bridge Less Traveled: Twice Visited, Doctor Robert Andersen and classroom school teacher Rhonda Tucker collaborate to present issues arising from adoption and how adoption colors everyday experiences. Anderson and Tucker are themselves adoptees and explore the consequences of relinquishment unobscured or discounted through platitudes. They draw upon their adoptive experience to suggest avenues for resolution of these issues for adoptees, which includes much more than search for and reunion with their biological parents. A Bridge Less Traveled is "must" reading for anyone struggling with a need for an authentic identity as an adoptee and has much of critically important value and insight for the parents of adoptees and for anyone contemplating the adoption of a child.

The ancestors of Dominic Montserrat and Cathlin O'Neill - the Mad Gabriel Montserrat and Geneva Russell - had sworn always that their love would be `Together' and `Forever' - to last longer than Gabriel's mortal life. An oath or an omen, as Gabriel's destiny was struck and a promise made. It was an all encompassing love that was so very bittersweet. Their promises would pass beyond the bonds of time - past death itself. And so begins another story set against the backdrop of the wonderful Draycott Abbey.

Dominic Montserrat is brought to Draycott Abbey by his friend Lord Nicholas Draycott after the discovery of Dominic's long dead ancestor Gabriel Montserrat. Gabriel had been shot then entombed by a madman and left to die. As he sat dying, he wrote a will in his own blood that stated that the oldest living descendents of himself and Geneva Russell inherit a case of 1794 Chateau d'Yquem - roughly estimated in value to be worth close to two million pounds. Conditions for this will were that the two co-inheritors spend seven days in Draycott Abbey - with one another condition which I won't mention because it would spoil the fun!

Cathlin O'Neill, the descendant of Geneva Russell, would be a hard to convince with the conditions as she had visited Draycott Abbey once before at the age of 10 years, and it was there that her mother had been murdered. Memories of the murder were locked away, too painful and traumatic to remember. Not only that, but her first impression of Dominic was that he was a rich, noble playboy and she wanted nothing to do with `his kind'. Dominic's first impression of Cathlin was anything but dislike....he was highly attracted to the very beautiful Cathlin, but trying to separate his feelings from the business proposition at hand would take every ounce of self-control he possessed.

Intermingled with the battles that these two modern day people were having were flashbacks of their `other lives' those of Gabriel and Geneva during the tumultuous days of the French Revolution where Gabriel was thought of as a rake and a reckless hero of sorts saving people from the guillotine. And, Geneva, who was trying to convince him to try one more rescue of her only surviving relatives before they would fall under the blade of the guillotine.

The story is a non-stop page-turner, flawlessly moving back and forth in time through the memories of these reincarnated souls. Again, with our resident ghost and companion Adrian and Gideon, who help as much as they can to try to set the modern day lovers along the right path in solving the mysteries of 200 years ago, also helping Cathlin to unlock buried memories in solving the murder of her mother, and trusting herself to believe that she could love again.

I feel as though I am there with Ms. Skye's superb writing and breathtaking imagery. Reading her books is like stepping into the very skin of her characters. Effecting such ease in going back and forth between time takes on a whole new meaning when it flows from the pen of this accomplished author. This is another wonderful book in the Draycott Abbey series that should not be missed by any of her fans. Wonderful book!

"Bridge of Dreams" is the fantastic story of Dominic Monserrat, an earl and retired royal marine whose path crosses with American Cathlin O'Neill, a woman haunted by her mother's death. Together, they must fulfill the will of Dominic's ancestor Gabriel. Gabriel, a friend of Adrian's, the Abbey's ghost, died mysteriously hundreds of years ago. His remains were found in the Abbey along with a very priceless wine and his will. In his will, Gabriel left the wine to the two oldest descendents of himself and of his love, Genevieve Russell. In order to inherit the priceless wine, Dominic and Cathlin must spend seven days and nights as husband and wife at the Abbey, if not the wine is to be tossed into the moat by Adrian Draycott's descendent, Nicholas Draycott, the twelveth viscount of Draycott. Dominic and Cathlin have to fight against many obstacles along the way such as theives, killers and the occasional ghost possession. Theirs is a wonderful love story that's lasted through time. It's another amazing addition to the Draycott Abbey series. You'll enjoy it almost as much as I did. Trust me!

I'VE READ ALL HER BOOKS TO DATE AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE DRAYCOTT ABBOTT SERIES. WHAT A GHOST YOU HAVE IN ADRIAN. GIDEON REMINDS ME OF MY OWN CAT WHO IS STILL VERY MUCH WITH US. ALL HER BOOKS ARE KEEPERS AND TO BE READ AGAIN.

I just finished reading this book, and as I turned the last page, my goosebumps still hadn't gone down! I'm hooked on this series, and can't wait to read the next ones. I had no idea ghost stories could be this fun!

Wow! Until a week ago I had never even HEARD of Dracott Abbey and its inhabitants...now, I can't get enough of them! I received this book and "Hour of the Rose" for my birthday and now I've finished them both and am looking forward to the next one... ASAP!!

I believe this book is one of the best bridge books I have ever looked into, and I have read or scanned many. My highest recommendation. I bought three.

Well organized and quite cnmplete, this is aa terrific "bible" to have by the bridge table. When we discuss how a hand was bid or played, this becames an invaluable aid.
Too complex for the beginner.

I don't play bridge. My mother, who just turned 80, started playing a few weeks ago. She was studying these handouts that she got from the church's bridge club. I felt she needed a good reference book, with clear illustrations. English is not her first language, and I didn't want something too complicated and not easy to understand. Needless to say, she LOVES this book. Best gift I could have given her. People that have been playing a long time are quite impressed how fast she is learning the game and becoming an accomplished player in just a few weeks. If you're a beginner or advanced player, this book is a must have for your library. Or if you know someone who likes to play, this book will make a Great gift too!

If you're a bridge player you know just how many bridge books are on the market today - but THE BRIDGE PLAYER'S BIBLE offers something different: over 300 examples of how to bid, play, and defend on a range of hands. You can learn strategies, rules, and approaches from key players' techniques and advice, from signals and valuation to planning and deceptive card playing. And each technique receives full illustration for easy learning for novices, too.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The Bridge Player's Bible is a great reference source for the beginning to intermediate bridge player. The book is covers both bidding and the play of the hand. Hundreds of scenarios are covered, ranging from the most basic concepts like a preemptive three bid to more complicated concepts such as numerous types of squeeze plays.

The book is very readable. Each page has two or three subsections, complete with very colorful illustrations and examples. Not only will most players benefit from reading the book from cover to cover, but the bible will continue to be a resource to check on your play and learn how various situations should have been played.

Five stars.

First, the book is very well written and presented. It was entertaining to read. There were some amusing quips.
Second, the hands are excellent. There are a large number of double squeezes, so if you look for them, you can maybe find some of them. Of course these were made at the table under pressure.
Third, the book will make you think about what the hands will look like after a certain number of tricks have been played (i.e. a suit run)

I was a bit surprised at some of the poor defense plays. Perhaps top level card play has improved in 40 years.

Fun, enjoyable book to read. Highly recommended.
If you are not familiar with Double squeezes and Criss Cross squeezes you probably wont get much out of the book. Study for a while and come back in a couple of years.

This is a classic book that everyone should read for the sheer genius of declarer play and defence. Remember these hands were played at this elevated level AT THE TABLE against world-class opposition. It is a shame that Amazon doesn't have this book. For people desperate to read this and who don't want to pay high used prices, it is available new at Baron Barclay's for about twenty-five dollars.

This book deserves us to read it more than three times. Which level the best bridge are? You can find it in this book.

I agree. This is a large collection of hands that were played double-dummy AT THE TABLE. Many themes and combinations come up including squeezes, deceptive plays and defense.

It is too bad Amazon take so long to ship this book. It is widely accepted in the bridge-playing community as one of the best collections of bridge hands, if not THE BEST! The amazing thing is that all the hands described in this book were actually played in real life by the Italian Blue Team. They are not ready-made concoctions. Certainly this book is one of my favorites.

Superior instructions for children of all ages. Specific building instructions for all types of bridges and many challenges.

A great book with wonderful illustrations and great projects. Very useful in both the classroom and at home. A real find!!

Was THIS book a relief to parents when it came out! One of the few real "How to" learning books about bridges. It explains how & why different types of bridges don't fall down (which is why kids learn about em in the first place) & offers fun instructions on each major kind: arches, beams, trusses, cantilevers, and suspension bridges, you know the deal. Of course, "Bridges: Amazing Structure..."also shows why some bridges fail, like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (you've seen this one go on disaster TV shows). Don't wait until your kid says, "Mom, I have to build a bridge by tomorrow." Do it now & put it into storage if necessary.

Fantastic Book! Educational & Lots of Fun! My son built one of the bridges out of household items and "plays" with it constantly. It is obvious that a lot of time, research and thought went into this book. Keeps children of all ages interested.

This is a great book for kids. It very clearly, but very simply shows kids how bridges works. It also walks them through creating bridges in their homes to showcase how these concepts work. Oh, and there is even a recipe for how to make cement!

This is a must buy if you or your kids are even slightly interested in bridges!

This book is full of wonderful ideas about every aspect of Pervasive Developemental Disorders and sensory integration tactics for any and all situations at home, school and in Therapy (ABA, Speech, OT, etc.).

This is great for professionals or for parents of children with PDD or Autism. It gives some fresh strategies for dealing with challenging situations and behaviors as well as arming one with more knowledge to better meet the needs of children with whom one works. As a friend of a mom that has a child with PDD, I know that this book has been useful for them. As one that is trying to figure this disorder out, I then read the book and it definitely gave me a greater understanding him and even ways that I can interact with him when we are together.

I am a parent of a child with regulatory disorder. This book was very helpful to not only describe the theory of his behavior, but helpful strategies for our family and him. This is a must read for all teachers and physicans, also any family with a child sensitive to sensory stimuli.

As a physical education instructor, I've always got my eyes open to ideas for working with my kids that have PDD. This book gives ideas and activity suggestions that I can use modify our activities so that they can participate as well. It gave me a much better understanding of their needs.

There are other books that give more comprehensive details on the inner workings of sensory integration problems, and more complete lists of the hundreds of ways they can manifest in a child's daily behaviours. But this book beats all when it comes to ideas you can try and therapeutic activities you can do with minimal equipment and expense. The emphasis is on fun, and tailoring the program to your child's preferences and needs. Absolutely the perfect book for someone whose child has been diagnosed with SI issues, and is saying, "Okay, now what do I *DO*???" And highly useful for others who haven't even come quite that far on the diagnostic journey. I love that it addresses every aspect of the child's day, from bathing and dressing to school and other out-of-the-house events.

The explanations of SI problems and SI needs are compact, readable and simple enough that you can lift them and use them when giving your "What is SI?" speech to teachers, friends, sitters, whoever.

Accompany this book with Carol Stock Kranowitz's The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, and you will never ever lack for fun, therapeutic, low-cost activities to do with your SI-dysfunction child!!!

This has been one of the only books I have been able to find on the subject of handling your transitions correctly. Though the book mainly looks at things from the perspective of someone who is stepping out of a position, the material is very easy to follow, down-to-earth, and applicable.

PS - I really enjoyed the photography of Fall colours on the front and back covers. Good use of symbolism.

Mr. Depew is right on in his advice. It really helped. I was in the prosses of trying to change jobs when I read this book. It's great stuff.

The book's set-up mainly shows someone how to leave their job the right way and how not to burn your bridges in the process. Nevertheless, there is a lot of good advice in there for anyone going through almost any kind of change. It really gave me something to think about as I was considering moving to another city.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read this book before it became widely available. All I can say is that it really works. The points are easy to understand and easy to apply.

I put the principles that the book outlines into practice when I was leaving a previous job. The result - things went quite smoothly and I still have a good relationship with my old organization and coworkers.

Two words; Buy this book! Seriously. If you ever plan on changing jobs, careers, or leaving an organization, club, or whatever, this book will show you how to do it the right way. If you want to get a new direction on life, this book walks you through how to do it, without tearing up your relationships.

It contains volumes of self-help and reference, including form letters, step by step methods to go through your last weeks of work, and a whole lot more than that.

My only problem with the book was that it seemed too short and too simple to actually work, but seriously, it's awesome. Two thumbs up to Mr. N. Depew.

Audrey Grant's books - like Commonly Used Conventions - are exceptional. They are best used in a bridge class/training session where an instructor can lead and help the student through the the basics of bridge learning. The value of Audrey Grant's books are that they present a system of bridge which has revolutionized modern bridge. Even Bridge players who have played for years, soon learn that their conceptions, learned from past experience, of even the most commonly used conventions have been in error or misapplied. Recommend the reader try to find a local bridge class with an experienced teacher.

If you are new to bridge I highly recommend purchasing all four of Audrey Grant books in the ACBL Series... CLUB, DIAMOND, HEART AND SPADE. She is unquestionably the best bridge teacher for a novice. In layman's terms she is able to explain and unravel the mysteries of bridge. If you begin with the club book and progress through the series as they increase in difficulty... club, diamond, heart and spade you will be able to teach yourself how to become proficient in bridge painlessly. Her books are written in lesson formats... and they are used by many people who instruct bridge classes i.e. adult ed. Buy one... I'm sure you'll add the other three to your library. I also highly recommend her "Bridge at A Glance" pocket guide which is a quick synopsis of bidding and the appropriate respones thereof. I bought many bridge books before I stumbled upon Audrey Grant and wish I had found her books first! Good luck!

Without a doubt the most useful and readable bridge book I have used. What one learns by playing bridge with cronies is too often only partly right; Audrey Grant writes well, organizes her material in useful ways, and speaks with authority. She follows up with good examples, explains weaknesses in certain conventions, and is thorough. I will look forward to any other books she writes.

I took the ACBL Commonly Used Conventions Course and was very impressed with this text. I think it helped me understand and use the conventions that I had an interest in using. Great help with weak twos, strong clubs, transfers, Stayman and several others that I now play. I would recommend this and the More Commonly Use Conventions Book for negative doubles and additonal conventions.

Provides classroom text-like treatment of some of the more basic bridge bidding conventions. Covers Stayman, Jacoby transfers, Jacoby 2NT, Drury and some of the related conventions. Expands on the Club Series book (recently retitled "Bidding"), adding nuances and more modern treatments to opening bidding, responses, rebids and preemptive bids.
The Audrey Grant series is used by bridge instructors everywhere as the basis for introductory bridge classes.
Although I played a lot of "seat of the pants" bridge in the past, I've just begun playing duplicate nine months ago and have already earned over 50 ACBL masterpoints applying the principles covered in the Audrey Grant series.

Great resource for all primary elementary teachers. Great ideas to develop schema for various comprehension strategies!

This book meets the big areas of comprehension with concrete and engaging activities that will introduce strategies to your students and provide a gradual release of responsibility!

I love this book! It is so easy to read. As a reading coach, I am writing a grant to get this book for my faculty so that we can do a book study. The book makes comprehension concrete for children. I have used the lessons in the book with both kindergarten students and fifth graders. I would suggest it for anyone looking to make the instruction of reading comprehension more accessible to elementary age children. I would also recommend it for teachers of struggling students in middle and high school. Explicit, concrete instruction is what this text provides.

Since Mosaic of Thought, I've been reading a lot about teaching reading comprehension strategies. But like my special education students, I needed someone to show me how to teach them-concretely. This little gem gives you anchor lessons for each strategy. The anchor lessons use objects, songs, movement to introduce students to reading strategies. I highly recommend this book to my special education commrades trying to help their students improve comprehension.

Excellent concrete examples and charts that children can relate to and use as anchor lessons. I recommend this book to all elementary teachers of comprehension skills.

Ours is a mixedblood family of Choctaw/Chickasaw and African American blood so we've gone out of our way to raise our children with books about both cultures and found a gem in Crossing Bok Chitto. My daughter so loved the book that she read it all over the house after we read it together. My twelve year old picked it up out of curiosity and enjoyed it as well. My daughter now wants to go to Philadelphia, Mississippi to see Bok Chitto herself!

An excellent tale of friendship and compassion between enslaved Africans and oppressed Native Americans. It is sure to spark interest and research on how they worked together to help one another during the time of American slavery.

I am a little biased, since I have met the author and heard him recite this story in a storytelling gathering, but the story is awesome. It is moving, relevant and I would like everyone I know to hear this story of sacrifice, friendship and courage. The peaceful and courageous ways of native Americans is shown well in the story of a brave child and her family who think nothing to risk their own lives for an African American family whose mother is slated to be sold into slavery. It gives me chills every time I hear it or read it. An all time favorite of mine and is for all ages.

This story is ideal for teachers to use when covering The Underground Railroad with their students. The illustrations throw the reader back to a time when Native Americans and African Americans worked together to achieve freedom and independence. Students will enjoy the simple plot; and teachers will appreciate this rich piece of literature that can help them discuss a rather difficult topic--that of slavery and escape to freedom.

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale Of Friendship And Freedom, by Tim Tingle and featuring illustrations by Jeanne Rorex Bridges is the inspiring tale of Martha Tom, a young Choctaw girl. Following Martha Tom through her pursuit of blackberries in the deep forest, Crossing Bok Chitto will captivate young readers with vivid and colorful pictures as the young Native American girl stumbles upon a forbidden slave church and befriends one of its members. A welcome addition to school and community library picturebook collections, Crossing Bok Chitto is very highly recommended for all young readers as a celebration of diversity, acceptance, and unity in a remarkable production of expert authorship and invaluable illustrations.