Brown Books

I bought this book shortly after it came out and felt an immediate connection to the author. Cindy writes from the heart. She gives a small section of information about what brought her from failed business to failed business (and yes, failed marriage too) to finally realize, by trial and error what she was missing from the formula.

She provides solid overviews of how to plan out the start up of a new business and shares the reasons that many businesses she tried failed and gives suggestions on what to do to avoid buying before thinking things through.

An entire section of her book gives step by step tutorials with many photos that clearly and simply make the production of personalized items like t-shirts, mousepads, puzzles, and all sorts of heat transfer personalized or custom made products. She even had a section on refillling cartridges even though she said it's really tough and didn't really recommend refilling.

I found every thing she wrote to be truthful and apparently from the heart of someone who's been down the road that many of us are now going down.

She stresses planning and asking questions and also gives her email address and invites all who have the book to write her for additional support when there are questions that come up later. I've written with her about what printer models are the ones to buy since they keep changing and she has been very helpful and nice in her emails.

I read what the person said in a review just now about how there was no information that would help them start and run a business. I don't know if that person read the right book or what. I found this book very helpful, motivational, and extremely informative.

If you're looking for a book about how to start a business and run it on a day to day basis with things like accounting or taxes, this isn't it. What this is, is a book that will teach you how to make personalized items and troubleshoot when things go wrong. It has a glossary that gives most of the terminology used with transfers and puts everything in plain, easy to understand English. I've read it several times because it always seems to bring me new information each time.

I recommend this book to anyone who asks me how I got into doing this business.

She is very good about specifics and how to's. The best part is sending the forums address for issues. Wonderful resource in an everchanging market area.

I got this book so I could learn about T-shirt printing and sublimation.

Lots of great info on regular transfer printing on fabric, but not as much info on sublimation as I was hoping for.

A lot of good advice on running a T-shirt business and tips for attracting customers and keeping them by producing a quality product.

Haven't finished yet, but this is an inspiring book with great info.

After years of experimenting for great results I finally figured out most of the things in this book. However, I STILL learned a few tricks from Cindy. If this book had been available I could have saved hundreds of dollars in failed experiments. Well worth the small investment cost for this book for those serious in perusing this craft/art.

it is surprising to find that so few people have anything to say about this book; Hardy was a giant among mathematicians and at last this book is translated in french...Although it is an old book, the younger author saw that it was updated through 5 editions in the 20th century; this book cannot truly become obsolete because it is about number theory from an elementary viewpoint; so no complex analysis, no modular forms and no proof of Fermat's last theorem either but a wealth of results that could keep you busy quite for a while. Moreover, most of the proofs are still up to date and usable in secondary school or college; most of the proofs about arithmetical functions given in this work have found a new life and home in more recent books such as Natanson's: Elementary methods in number theory (another fine book by the way in which Hardy and Littlewood tauberian theorem is proven via Karamata's method to ensure a density theorem on partitions). The main parts of the book I went through are those on arithmetical functions and series of prime and especially mertens's theorem but there is a lot to learn from it on such subjects as gaussian integers (chapter 12), diophantine equations (chapter 13), Rogers-Ramanujan identities, Jacobi and Euler theorems in the chapter about partitions (numbered 19...), Kronecker's theorem on irrational numbers and on a smaller scale e and pi's irrationality (easy) and transcendence (not so easy) in chapter 11 and of course congruences including a famous theorem on Bernoulli numbers of Von Staudt which gives the fractional part of those enigmatic numbers as a sum of picked inverse of prime numbers . Let say it again: a wonderful book.

It was always claimed that of all the mathematicians who ever lived, Hardy was one of the greatest writers. This book certainly confirms that view. From the very beginning, one thinks, "Wow, this guy REALLY knows what he's talking about." Hardy was, in fact, one of the greatest number theorists of the twentieth century. Hardy gives actual intuitive motivation for almost all of the theorems in the book (intuition is often overlooked by mathematical authors who use the confusing traditional "theorem-proof" approach), and his proofs are elegant and easy to follow. Once, I spoke to the chair of the math department at a major University (Wash U. in St. Louis) and he told me that he reads Hardy and Wright at least once a year to refresh himself on the basics. I would recommend this book to anyone who is learning about number theory for the first time, and wishes to pursue the subject through self-study.

This is an unusual number theory book in that it covers topics of interest to the authors which are not often found in the "standard" introductory treatment. My only mild complaints are: no subject index and some ambiguous and unusual notation here and there.

I agree that this book should be in the library of anyone serious about the topic, however, if you are beginning your study of number theory from scratch there are other books that may provide a better start. I would recommend Joe Roberts "Elementary Number Theory: A Problem Oriented Approach" and/or "An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers" by Niven, Zuckerman, and Montgomery.

Roberts offers a wide spectrum of problems, with detailed solutions, written along the lines of Polya & Szego's "Problems and Theorems in Analysis I & II". Nivens book is a solid traditional introduction.

It is fun to read Hardy and Wright though, it exhibits a style that is sadly missing today.

I have to say in closing that it would be good to ignore some of the previous reviews, specifically ones making reference to "idiots". They're unproductive, miss the point of reviewing, and exhibit a level of ignorance which Mark Twain identified years ago: "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."

This classic deserves its reputation but be warned that it is not an introduction for mathematical neophytes. The authors take detours (which sometimes are looks ahead) from the main path of development that the sophisticate will enjoy but the novice may not be able to recognize as detours. Examples are the geometry of numbers (introduced in chapter 3), the Farey dissection of the continuum, and trigonometric sums.

The authors also present deeper material than is usually considered an introduction. Their presentations are excellent but require sophistication for the following topics among others: quadratic fields, generating functions of arithmetical functions, Selberg's proof of the Prime Number Theorem, and Kronecker's theorem.

This is a book to buy and keep provided you have the necessary mathematical sophistication.

Final note: this book nicely complements Apostol's Introduction to Analytic Number Theory.

First of all, let me say this about the one star review. Do not let yourself be infuenced by lesser mathematicians. Idiots in my opinion. To give this book one star, you must posses some special kind of mediocracy. Keep your stupidity to yourself Lucas.

No one writes like this anymore. Mathematicians like Hardy have passed. The subject has ballooned, and now you have to specialize within Number Theory. There are fewer and fewer that can posses knowledge of the entire subject of Number Theory. Remember what Harold M. Edwards said. You have to read the classics, and beware of secondary sources. Authors give their own spin on ideas. And who is to say they have a greater or lesser understanding of the subject. Furthermore, who can determine how well can they express themselves. How many mathematicians our days bother to study grammar and literature? The best example is Gauss' Disquisitiones Arithmeticae. Would you rather read a book written by Gauss himself, the man that established the subject? Or by some one who learned what some one learned what some one learned over a period of 200 years? Also know what Axler, author of Linear Algebra Done Right, said about reading mathematics books. For a mathematics book, if you spend less than half an hour per page you are going too fast. The last thing i will say is again attributed to Edwards. In his book on Advanced Calculus he encourages the reader to jump chapters. A book does not have to, and sometimes it should not, be read in order. It may take some practice to see how you need to jump around, but you will find that you can maximize your reading by doing so.

There are several point in which this book excels. First, in the writing style. Second, in how many ideas it introduces. Or how good an understanding the reader obtains of Number Theory. It is invaluable to have the big picture. Third, the author has in mind the future material the reader will encounter. He knows you will go beyond this book, and prepares you for what is to come. You do not enter higher courses blind.

The writting style is representative of that of Wiles and Loiville. It will show you how your mathematical writting should be. It takes a lot of practice to learn mathematical formalism and how to write proofs. This is the book to learn from. The author is not afraid to connect the ideas you are learning to other advanced ideas and to mathematical history, unlike present day authors. If you plan to be a mathematician, you must know its history. The writting is in a mathematical sense superfluos. It does not assume you are a genius, but strikes balance between what you should know and what you should be told.

The book is successful in providing you with the big picture, and how ideas you are learning reflect one ideas you will learn or have already learned. Having a big picture of the subject, which he describes in the second chapter, lets you know what you are learning now and puts the entire material in context. Gives you great perspective of the subject. Because a great deal of branches of number theory are discussed, you are not only better equiped to choose which branch might interest you, but it eases the transition to more advanced courses, such as Analytical Number Theory.

The author from the start discusses unanswered questions in Number Theory. I know alot of professors which think that the student should not be exposed to questions that surpass his mathematical knowledge. They are the weak mathematicians. Mathematics is about exploring and breaking limits. You should know what is beyond your reach, and the reach of every one else. The questions that still stand might be answered by some one that was intrigued by the challenge of answering them when they are helpless to do so. Fermat's Last Thorem is such an example. The guy learned it at the age of 10.

The last thing i will say about the book is this. Number theory has one scope. Namely, prime numbers. This book make it clear that the purpose of number theory is to determine the properties of numbers. It discusses the limitations of mathematics in attaining answers to Riemann Hypothesis, Fundamental theorem, trancedental and irrational and algebraic numbers, and so on. The book is, in my opinion, an expansion of the section on unanswered questions. And in doing so many more questions are asked and analyzed. There are prime numbers, and nothing else.

For this price, to get so many great song - great deal! All the songs from the Lauren Kennedy Album (that aren't from other shows) plus songs from the "Wearing Someone Else's Clothes" album. Also a great selection from Last 5 Years, Songs For a New World, Parade, and Urban Cowboy. Even if you have some selections books, you still have great additions.

I particularly enjoyed the selections from "Parade", it's an amazing show. Jason Robert Brown is an amazing composer, and everyone should have this book for some of the brilliant songs in it.

Jason Robert Brown's music is eclectic and impressive. I bought this book after learning "Christmas Lullaby" and have already found several other songs I want to use in this collection. In case you have never heard of Jason Robert Brown, he wrote the music and lyrics for "Songs for a New World" among other musicals. Brown's music is intriguing and not your usual Broadway stuff. The collection contains twenty-four selections from his musicals (Songs From a New World, Parade, The Last Five Years, and Urban Cowboy), as well as other songs from CDs of his music (Songs of Jason Robert Brown, Wearing Someone Else's Clothes.) The piano accompaniments are full and not watered down - an important benefit for serious performers and pianists. One caution: the songs and piano accompaniments are challenging and require careful preparation to be performed successfully. The necessary effort will yield rich rewards in terms of increased musical knowledge and enjoyment.

If you are looking for unusual but eminently worthwhile audition or performance material, this book is a great place to go.

Jason Robert Brown is one of the leading names in the "new" musical theater. Outstanding collection for students, teachers and GREAT audition material.

I'll admit that I was suspicious of a collections of JRB songs. I already had the vocal selections for his shows, "Parade", "Songs for a New World" and "The Last Five Years". I just thought it was another way for the publisher to make a few more dollars. That was until I looked at the contents. This collection had things in it that are not available anywhere else...Particularly songs from JRB's album "Wearing Someone Else's Clothes", among others.

The music is very challenging and is arranged to be very close to what Jason actually plays. This authenticity is something I enjoy about all of the vocal selections from his composition.

Buy this collection and enjoy an emerging Broadway super star composer.

An excellent book on the clinical localization of neurological symptoms. A bit tough to digest, that's only because it's so rich in valuable information. It should be a fixture in the bookshelf of any practicing neurologist. Everytime I read it, I learn something new.

This book is one of the best books in this field. Since many years I look it up, amazed about the rich content. It is a MUST to any neurologist.

Hi Everyone...This book is amazing. I'm going into Neurology Residency, and got this book to prepare myself. The text is really well written, thorough, very detailed, and easy to follow. Not as thick as I imagined though.

A book intended to instruct with quality, including the tiniest details of the complex neuroanatomy and its semiology. Every neurologist should at least read it.

Once you have mastered clinical neurology and passed the boards, you need this book. It contains all the neurotrivia, all the elements of clinical localization that you need at the bedside and simply can't keep in your brain from day to day.

I'm not talking about elementary stuff like the common etiologies of acute 3rd nerve palsy or the basic elements of the Brown-Sequard syndrome. That stuff is in here but it's assumed that you know it already. No, I'm talking about things like, for example, the differential of sector palsy of the iris sphincter, or the masterful discussion of simple ways to separate out a pupil blown from a Pcomm aneurysm from one that accidentally had some albuterol dripped into it.

Dry: yes, it is. Dull - if you flip it open at random, it makes excellent bedside reading for insomniacs, it'll put you right to sleep. But when you are faced with a physical finding and don't know how to incorporate it into the clinical picture, there is NO SUBSTITUTE for this book. If I were stranded on a desert island and forced to practice neurological diagnosis with only my extensive training and one book to help me, this would be that book.

For any woman whose better half is in the military and/or has served in war, this book is a must read. I just finished reading it and it has brought me more healing than I could have imagined. My better half is a Marine who lost his left eye when a bomb hit his humvee convoy in Iraq. Unlike the author, I did not live on a military base and did not have the support of other military wives to help keep me together through this experience. I had a 2 year long weight lifted off of me because for the first time I read the words of a woman who had the same thoughts and fears that I did when my Marine was in Iraq and when he came home. For the first time I did not feel alone in my experience that is often ignored and underestimated by society. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Novak for having the courage to write her story as well as encourage other military wives, girlfrieds, mothers, sisters, and daugthers to read it as they try to find comfort.

In 1989, I took a writing workshop at Simmons College in Boston, mostly because Robert Cormier, a great writer, was speaking. I wound up in a class taught by C. Michael Curtis, the fiction editor of The Atlantic(!). Every morning he'd read aloud one of our stories anonymously and we'd comment, analyze, and give our feedback, which was often very emotional and passionate. But the class was always civilized, even when the critique was not very positive. Some of the writers had been published in some good journals, unlike me. I couldn't be objective and didn't know whether I was incredibly out of my league or would be benignly considered a neophyte with some potential.

During the class I'd become friendly with a student named Marian. She was about 15 or 20 years older than me (26) yet despite apparent differences we got along well. She was emotionally honest, smart, and we had fun talking about and trying to figure out our fellow students: the Hollywood guy who had been to a million workshops and had sold a story on it's 54th submission, the literate 70ish guy who had only been writing for a few years, etc. She talked warmly about her husband. I believe they both taught at Simmons. I didn't connect as well with anybody else and like what happens during a lot of these kind of short, intense experiences away -- vacations, week-long conferences, temp jobs -- we made a pretty solid bond.

Near the end of the workshop, Mike Curtis read a harrowing story about a group of Marines, all Vietnam vets, who get together for a reunion at a hotel on the Charles River in Boston. They all fought together (if memory serves) and tell stories about the people they knew and experiences they had. But the conversation doesn't really get going until one of them says something like, "What scared you the most over there?" I wish I could tell you some specifics about those tales now but all I can say is that they were full of terror, strangeness, anguish, intense love, loyalty, and dread.

The class was pretty quiet after Mike finished. Finally we started speaking and the general consensus was that this was one of the best stories heard all week. We speculated about who wrote it. The Hollywood guy's story had been heard, the old guy was too old for Vietnam, I was too young, and the one guy left didn't seem the type.

As we went to a little lunch the college had prepared for us I told Marian all these thoughts and my confusion over not being able to figure which guy wrote the story. I was frustrated -- I'm pretty good at sizing people up, listening, and reading things that are under the surface (I became a social services family counselor right after this).

I looked at her and her face was red and her mouth was taught. "I wrote that," she said. I think now that she wasn't red from embarrassment but from something like pain, conviction, and pride. "My husband was in Vietnam when we were first married. I know all those guys or guys like them. I've heard them tell their stories." There was a tense second as I looked at her in shock and I guess she waited to see what the hell I was going to say. I laughed a little and said, after saying "Wow," a bunch of times, "You sure as hell do." She was one great writer.

Marian, if you ever read this, I hope I didn't get any of the big details wrong. Some of the quotes are correct and some are paraphrased but, I think, pretty accurate. To everyone else, at the very least, remember the last line above.

I read this book many years ago but I still recall some of the writing and how powerful and moving it was. This is a book for anyone, whether you have family in the military or not. Those who do will get even more from it.

I think this book was in great condition, and I am satisfied with it.

I've been a military spouse for 16 years now and a lot of the experiences that Marian Novak writes about, though way before my time, still ring true to this day. I found the book years ago at a local library and liked it so much that I went out and bought it. I've read the book several times since, sometimes just to remind me that there have been and are women out there in the same situation, with the same fears as me. A very informative, meaningful book for any spouse in the military but especially for those whose better half had to endure service in a war.

I bought this book from a thrift store. Every time my husband goes to Iraq I read it. He's been over there four times. Every time I read it as this war goes on it becomes more relevant as the level of discontent towards this war increases. It's the things you think and feel when your not sure your husband is coming home, but can't ever say to anybody. It's a wonderful book and I am so glad I have it. I wish it were required reading in college classrooms. Whatever your position on any war, I think people need a bit more compassion when dealing with people who are facing the possibility of death every day, It's an invisible hand that presses down on you. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of the toll war takes on both the servicemembers and their families.

Last summer I borrowed this book from the library for my daughter who was then 3. Although we had borrowed many other books, this one was our favorite. We would read it over and over and over. This is a great book for any little girl who is bursting to start using her imagination!!

We came across this book at the library accidently and knew we must own it. My 4 yr old daugther Gabriella loves all things magical and this was such an adorable book. Great story, beautiful watercolor pictures.

Definitely a must have.

A fantastic children's book of a little girl telling about her winter coat which is not just any winter coat, & the six magical buttons which she gives along the way to her newfound friends.

Great way to learn to count & read, to see how good deeds are done & their results. I recommend "The Magical, Mystical, Marvelous Coat" to anyone with small children around - they'll love it!

This exciting, enchanting story will delight you and your children just as it delighted me and mine! It's a warm tale about a child's magical coat and the people in need whose problems are solved by the coat's wonder-working buttons. In these difficult days, the story's theme of giving to others and the way such generosity comes back to the giver, is especially welcome. We loved the rhymes and the beautiful pictures, and we can't wait for more books from this wonderful author.

I loved this book - a delicious combination of imaginative story-telling and pictorial enchantment. The narrative has rhythm, rhyme and pace. Simple as well as subtle; traditional with a twist. It makes for captivating reading aloud, and children can understand and pick up the themes and rhythm with ease. The lush and delicate imagery is a perfect compliment to the magical world of a child's imagination wherein we encounter a variety of storyland characters. Careful attention to her friends' needs and a generosity of spirit are justly rewarded at tale's end.
Light and as welcome as a breeze on a summer's day.

As other reviewers have recounted, it is difficult to read this book without shedding tears. It's a marvelous story of a Russian village's return to church. The story is sweet without being cloying, the historical context is spot on (yes, Communists destroy churches, kill priests, and imprison believers), and the iconographic illustrations are nearly divine.

But--the author betrays on one page an unfortunate ignorance about Orthodox Christian worship, especially in traditional Orthodox cultures such as Russia. She has the people waiting patiently in the church for something to happen, and they are SITTING, and then the priest appears, walking down the AISLE.

There are no pews in an Orthodox church hewing to the traditional mode of worship, as would no doubt be the case in Russia.

Still, the book is wonderful and worth getting and giving for Christmas.

After reading the customer reviews, I ordered this book, which came, unfortunately, too late for either Western or Orthodox Christmas. But that doesn't mean it is NOT going to have primacy of place NEXT year!

The truth of the Bolshevik/Communist revolution, their COMPLETE dedication to the utter eradication of the Orthodox, Christian, Caucasian culture of Imperial Russia, is given in this book. (It is historical fact that the vast majority of the early Bolsheviks were 'ethnic foreigners' in Mother Russia; see Wilton's 'Last Days of the Romanovs' for a contemporary account.) This truth is clearly, beautifully laid out in the pictures of this book, which astoundingly can do what a GOOD work of children's literature always does- teach TRUTH.

Moreover, the miracle of a town utterly bowed down before the antichrist agenda of seventy years of Communist rule, springing to new life, is THE most joyous moment in the story. The miracle of the Incarnation in Bethlehem, is made manifest in the miracle of the 're-incarnation' of Christ within the hearts and souls of these simple Russian folk in the village, who can once again, 'worship God aright.' This book is SO much more than just a 'nice story'- it is a parable, a beacon for future generations, that the Church must 'never forget' that those who tried to kill Christ (either then, or nowadays in recent memory), can never succeed at their task, for indeed, "He is risen!" And lives within his faithful people always.

Marvellous book and illustration. It explains poignantly the truth of where "Santa Clause" originated. It is no tale. Saint Nicholas was a real ordinary man who became a great priest of God and Saint by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well for the glory of God.

Being a Russian Orthodox Christian and also first-generation born American, it was very touching to me. I loved it. It made me cry. A story of sadness that turns into great joy. Beautiful artwork!!!

Our family has read this book countless times, often at our children's request. The frustrating part is that both parents have yet to make it through the book without shedding tears! A touching book based on real-life experiences of people throughout the former Soviet Union, in a format eminently suitable for young children. Highly recommended.

This book is Fabulous. My one year old son loves the animals and the text is short enough to keep a squirmy baby's attention. He loves to thumb through it and point at the animals. Every time he sees it he squeals in delight. A must have.

My daughter loves this book. I have read it a least 100 times for her. It teaches so many things in a simple way-numbers, colors, and animals. The pictures in the book look like watercolor paintings and the colors are not exact, but it is illustrated beautifully. I was not disappointed.

My daughter was attracted to this book at 6 months and it continues to be her favorite book (now at 12 months). If I ask her to bring me a book, it's always this one. To me it seems to be the repetition of the similar phrases along with the colors and images that attracts her to it. It's hard, thick pages has stood up to her mauling and chewing on it.

I wouldn't use it as a learning tool as the illustrations, while colorful (great at 6 months) are hard to use as a counting tool and the animals while recognizable, aren't distinctive (ie. Goose and Duck are pretty much the same exect for color).

As a tool to keep her occupied and watch her grin ear-to-ear as we turn the pages together, it's outstanding!!

My daughter is 7 months old, and this has been her favorite book for at least 2 months. She immediately smiles and laughs when I begin reading the story to her every night (because we do read it _every_ night!). Several people have commented on the colors of the illustrations being too monochromatic, but I think that is part of the appeal. Some of her other books have very busy illustrations and I think are too much for her to take in. But the large blocks of color in Moo Moo Brown Cow are easy for her to focus on and she loves it. I would highly recommend this book!

A variation on the old nursery rhyme, "Baa Baa Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool", Moo Moo Brown Cow is pleasingly illustrated with artistic renderings of mother and baby animals. A little orange cat makes his way through the barnyard checking up on the new additions to the animals' families. Among the skills developed in the reading are counting, colors, names of adult and baby animals, and rhyming. Presented in a sturdy boardbook format, this gentle story is sure to please babies through preschoolers. You can even sing your way along using the old Baa Baa Black sheep tune. Lovely bit of kids' lit.

When I teach world history I always give my students a project in which they are to read a piece of historical fiction and do a bit of research. This book is exactly the type of book I recommend for them to read and why I created the project in the first place. It is well-written and re-creates a little bit of the historical world for the reader.

Set in 2nd Century B.C. Israel, this is a story of national liberation and freedom of religious expression. Many Protestants will be unfamiliar with the Maccabees since Maccabees 1-4 is not included in the Protestant Bible. This book is an ideal place to start to explore that time between the exile in Babylon and the Roman occupation that is featured in the New Testament.

The main characters are 5 brothers and their father, descendents of the Tribe of Levi. They refuse to be "civilized" by Hellenized (Greek-influenced) Syrians - they want to keep their old traditions and religion. They revolt against too many taxes, too many injustices and being forced to worship Greek gods. ("Thus they 'Hellenized' us, not with beauty and wisdom, but with fear and terror and hate." - p. 33)

I strongly recommend this one. Despite being more than 50 years old, this book can stand on its own among newer and more popular works about the ancient world such as Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae in both its battlefield descriptions and its cultural explorations.

Quote from the book I particularly liked: "What does the Lord require from a man, but that he should walk humbly and love righteousness?" (p. 142)

Yes, this is a vivid account of the Jewish struggle for freedom, but it is also a beautifully written love story. I never tire of reading it, and it never fails to elicit a tear of joy, or of grief. Howard Fast at his best.

This book captures the most important part of Hanukkah, a celebration of Jewish liberty. For anyone who wants to learn more about the kinds of lives Jews lived, why liberty is such an essential aspect of Judaism, or why we must sometimes fight for the liberty and freedom we enjoy, this is the book for them. It is beautifully written and joyous to read.

I just finished this book. First and foremost I really enjoyed reading it. I decided to read it because I know so little about Jewish history; I had heard the name Judas Maccabeus but I didn't know who he was. I would like to say that it is wrong to consider this book primarily from the vantage point of describing the Jews. I kept asking myself if the story of the Maccabeans was considered such an important part of Jewish history, then why did so many Jews let themselves be led to the slaughter by Hitler? So, for me, this book was not so much about the Jews as it was about history. Also,to me, this book is fictionalized history, where the author tries to incorporate the facts as much as possible. Even the narrator in the story, Simon, says you can't take it as genuine fact. Regardless of that, Howard Fast does a magnificent job. It took a few pages to get into the flow, but once into the book, I was caught. I bought this book used for 2 bucks, but I am going to send for a better copy to keep. For me, the lesson in this book is not so much about how great these ancient Jews were, as it is about why man has to keep fighting wars. And as a corollary, why our societies demand slavery (of one form or another and don't kid yourself, it exists today, but in a different form). Of note, these ancient Jews made very limited use of slavery. One of my favorite teachers once said, "Wisdom comes when you put the book down". From reading this book, I felt I learned a great deal about war and slavery. And I had to ask myself the question, Do the Jews of today believe in the same God who is portrayed in this book about the Jews of 150 years B.C.?

I remember being really taken with this book when I read it as a kid, so I found a used copy to read to my kids. We make a big deal of Hanukkah so that Jewish kids don't feel gypped compared to everyone else, but hardly anyone really knows the story of Hanukkah in all its graphic detail. We should not shrink from telling our kids this story, and Fast's book is the only popular book I know that does it. The kids will not only have a better appreciation of the meaning of this holiday, but will also have a better appreciation of current events.

I purchased the first edition of this book on a lark. It was on a sales rack outside of borders. Over the past two years, I have repeatedly found this book to be an excellent, well stocked resource. I almost feel guilty about buying it at the sales price...almost.

I am using this book as a study guide through one of my college courses on Botany. This book is loaded with so much clear cut information you couldn't ask for anything more! The detailed pictures that are shown throughout the book are absolutely beautiful. To have the visual along with the description is the best way to go. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in herbology or just has a curiousity in herbs! Planting your own garden and knowing what you are growing is very helpful.

This book met all my needs. It covers all the different herbs and their different uses. Having just made the change to the healthier life, this book is a must have.

I am taking a medicinal botany class and was not satisfied with the information the text book gave me and wanted to know more I saw this book and ordered it. I love it. It is a must have for someone interested in herbs even my instructor found it helpful.

You wouldn't. This book is by far the best herb reference book on the market today. Everything you want to know about growing and using herbs is in this book. Well worth the money spent. You'll use this book forever.