Burns Books

I bought this for myself over a year ago and cannot say enough good things about it (this purchase was for a dear family member). This book has opened up my eyes and the dark clouds that surrounded me for years...

I won't write a novel here, but I wanted to say a few things about this book. I have started countless self-help books over the years, only to get bored and never finish them. This is the first one that I have read cover to cover and it has made the most sense to me. Many of the situations and case studies he describes relate directly to me, and it made me feel like I was not alone in my self-esteem issues. A few times I was overcome with emotion, feeling like for the first time, someone truly understood how I felt, that I was not the only person in the world who processed thoughts this way, and was there to help me make changes that would improve my quality of life.

I highly recommend this workbook version (there is a regular book), as the exercises make all the difference if you take the time to do them. I can't say I'm a totally new person, but my way of thinking and perceiving has altered for the better. It's a long process...a ship doesn't turn on a dime in the ocean. This is an excellent place to start.

Try it, and take the first step to a better life.

I had read this book years ago in a different version. At the time, I found it a very helpful point of view. Now cognitive therapy is not so new and I am accustomed to realizing that my attitude toward unfortunate situations are in my control, whether the situation is or not. The exercises are helpful to put your events in perspective. Even if you think you know the things that are suggested, putting your own problems on paper and practicing the steps, is more enlightening than you might expect. If you have not encountered cognitive therapy before, this book, the ideas that are outlined, and the exercises, if you will do them, are essential for your well-being. You may not feel "good," but I bet you will feel "better."

If you just want to read "Feeling Good", do not buy this handbook version of the book.

The author uses imperative statements and not so subtle naratives to coerce the reader into doing the exercises. The objective... teach in simple practical terms Cognitive Behavioral Therapy methods for reprogramming out thinking.

Plan to read a few pages and then work on some exercises and ponder over your beliefs and values.

This is not a book for speed reader rabbits. It is more for the the thoughtful, consistent tortoise.

Michael P

Abstract

The following study investigates the text, The Feeling Good Handbook, by David Burns. Specifically addressed are issues regarding the cognitive-behavioral model of twisted thinking, moral relativism, and the denial of objective truth. It was found that the text provides an inadequate definition and application regarding moral and objective truth issues. Recommendations for revision of the model are included.


A Critical Analysis of the Feeling Good
Handbook: Its Usefulness in Counseling Practice

In addition to the popular text Feeling Good, which became a national bestseller, and The Therapists Toolkit, a resource developed for mental health practitioners, David Burns released The Feeling Good Handbook, a 729-page (including index) guide to cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. Semantically speaking, the text is well written, in simple (approximately 8th grade level) English, and is specifically marketed as a self-help text, though its usefulness for counselors is evident in that throughout the text the reader is often asked to assume the roll of the counselor, and after Burns describes a therapeutic technique, the reader is asked in a presented milieu, to implement that technique (for example, responding to a hypothetical client in a vignette empathetically).

In beginning to review this text, it is noticed a review can be accomplished in two ways. One, the text can be analyzed in respect to how it communicates the points it attempts to make (presentation), how it facilitates the ability in the reader to implement what is learned into his/her life or practice (application), and it can be reviewed in regards to how accurately the book delivers the ideas of cognitive therapy, mood therapy, empathetic response, etc. In all these aspects the book veers well--quite well--for even Albert Ellis (who holds a reputation of not being impressed with others' therapeutic approaches) critiques the text as "Clear, systematic, forceful."

The second approach to analyzing the text, the approach that will be taken, involves an investigation of one can trust as a suitable methodology the tenets from which the text is written, the tenets of cognitive therapy. It will address where the tactics disclosed by Burns are believed to be useful, and when it is hypothesized they would falter in a counseling practice.
Understanding Your Moods

Burns begins discussing moods by stating the fallacy clients often share, which is "I just can't help the way I feel" (Burns, 1999, p. 3). He then states a grounding premise of cognitive behavioral theory, which is that one's thoughts create moods. Quoting Ellis, the acronym A + B = C is stated. In this formula, A is the presenting event, B is the thoughts of the client, and C is the way the client feels. This formula is to show As do not create Cs--that is, what happens to a person does not effect that person's mood. The thoughts the person maintains affect the person's mood.

However, in reading the text, it is found that the true formula used in the text is not A + B = C, it is B = C, A = 0. The point being, the book extremely minimizes the effect of A. A, in essence, is described as a force that is prone to trying to manipulate one's B to produce unpleasant C's, but is in itself generally insignificant. More clearly, the situations, trials, relationships, and anything else external a person confronts merely challenges a person's thoughts. If the thoughts can be changed, or maintained as healthy thoughts, the person will always report a pleasant mood (C).

According to Burns, "sadness and depression result from thoughts of loss," "Anxiety and panic result from thoughts of danger," and "Guilt results from the thought that you are bad" (Burns, 1999, p. 5). To Dr. David Burns' credit he does state the following, which he titles a disclaimer: that there are times when negative feelings are appropriate and healthy, and that "learning when to accept these feelings and how to cope with a realistically negative situation is just as important as learning how to rid yourself of distorted thoughts and feelings" (p. 7). The reader must ask him/herself at this point, if Dr. Burns believes this amazingly astute point (i.e. equal importance), why then is only one line spent addressing that As are relevant, while 728.5 pages are spent denying their relevance?
False Sincerity of the Empathetic Response

A rebuttal to the statement that Burns' methodology denies all relevance of coping with a negative situation would probably include the premise that such is accomplished with the use of the empathetic response. The problem with this premise however, is the use of the empathetic response validates nothing. The therapist agrees to none of the truth that the client speaks. The empathetic response simply makes the client aware that the counselor is aware of his/her hurtful thinking.

Reading the text a reader might be perplexed with the question, when is there objective truth in thinking? More specifically, can not hurtful thinking (i.e. I have been a terrible father) be accurate? And if it is accurate, who is to say disposing of this accurate--though hurtful thought--is in essence better for the client than allowing the client to maintain this thought until the client changes his/her behavior so that the client can display another more healthy, and accurate, thought, (i.e. I am no longer a terrible father). However, by Burns' model, the man who states he is a terrible father, even if it is true (by all ability to quantify what a terrible father is), will be handled in the following way.

One, the client would be empathized with: "You are telling me that you are not a very good father, and you are clearly upset with that." Two, the counselor might disclose an "I feel" statement: "I would definitely not want to feel like I was a terrible father. That must be a horrible feeling." Three, it would be suggested to the client that he has twisted thinking which include "Should Statements" (You are wrongly telling yourself you should not be a terrible father), "Labeling" (there is no such thing as a terrible father, just persons who act the roll sometimes), "All-or-Nothing thinking" (surely you have done something that was not terrible--for example you are in therapy), "Overgeneralization" (Being a terrible father is a general simplification. Burns states "there are no Jerks in America" only persons who act like jerks from time to time), "Mental Filter" (you are pretty upset over this whole fatherhood thing. Lets think on things you're not terrible at), and the list goes on.

Burns' model provides no basis for determining what is "twisted thinking" and what is thinking that is the downright painful truth. He states, there are no Jerks in America--just those that act like Jerks. But if a "jerk" does not exist, then from what basis can one state an action as jerk-like? Furthermore, in the 700 plus pages of text on how to handle clients, not once does Burns confront a client because his/her thinking was pleasant but skewed. Therefore, it is a safe conclusion that--though Burns may briefly claim otherwise--to Burns pleasant thinking is correct thinking.

This is further evidenced in text when Burns addresses confrontation. Choices of words include "it was unpleasant when" or "I felt uncomfortable when" (Burns, 1999, p. 156). Both are notoriously relative remarks. There is no claim to objective truth; there is no "what you did was wrong," or "I was treated unjustly." Such relativism can be no more apparent than in the following excerpt:
You may have difficulty with this idea [that there is not use for shoulds]. You may insist that there's nothing wrong with using the word "should." You may think that it's your duty to clean your desk or to study hard. You may feel it is something you should do!

There are actually [only] three valid uses of the word "should" in the English language. One is the "moral should." You "should" not intentionally take advantage of someone, because this violates your moral code. The second is the "legal should." You should not drive at 90mph because it is dangerous and you'll probably get a ticket. The third is the "laws of the universe should." Things "should" happen because the forces of nature make them happen. For example, if you drop a pen, it "should" fall because of the force of gravity (p. 179).

The enormity of the errors in the thinking above is staggering. First, the only two claims of truth presented above are (one) that it is wrong believe one ought to believe there are moral shoulds or shoulds caused by one's duty, and (two) that the English dictionary agrees with David Burns. Both claims are false.

It is very possible that someone could have a duty to study. A physician being paid to study the effects of a rare disease infecting his/her patient, for example, is an explicit instance when there is a definite "should" due to duty. One would concur that the situation would not have to be so dire (matter of life and death) to still constitute a legitimate should. Though Burns--in the quote above--states that one "feels" shoulds, and does not know them or objectively understand them (lines 3-4).

Next, Burns' first definition of a true should is logically meaningless, in that he states it is truth that one should not take advantage of someone (a valid should) because it violates the person's moral code. Therefore, Burns is saying, as long as one is not violating their own relative moral code, he/she can take advantage of anyone and not be violating a "should." Burns' second definition, regarding the legal should, is quite depraved in that he states speeding violates a legal should (true) because one could hurt him/herself or get a ticket. In reality, Burns is not addressing a legal should at all for legally the should would remain constant whether on not the violator injures him/herself, or receives a ticket for the violation. What Burns is really stating in his example is the claim that one should not partake of behavior that may cause As that could instigate unpleasant Bs.

Lastly, Burns demotes the laws of physics, to the shoulds of physics! If one drops a pen according to Burns, it should hit the floor. According to the law of gravity however, if one drops a pen, it will hit the floor.
Discussion

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective. Burns does a fantastic job of describing how to implement cognitive principles into one's personal life, even into one's counseling practice. The ideas are useful for healing. However, the theory is weak in that it does not provide the practitioner, nor the client, correct direction regarding what is twisted thinking, and what is true--though painful--thinking.

Final Note: Telephone and Online Counseling may be a good way to provide quick and effective care to clients. Learn to provide Telephone and Online Counseling with this very well done book: The Therapist's Clinical Guide to Online Counseling and Telephone Counseling: The Definitive Training Guide for Clinical Practice

This book draws you in and really holds your attention. The writer picks you up and plops you down in the world of these characters. You can really identify with the main charactor and how she views the world. Eccentric characters flow through this book but are not cliche. If you enjoy good writing, Southern humor,lean a little toward the eccentric..read this. The book is very well written and one of my favorites.

I read this book several years ago. After reading "The Rapture of Canaan" by the same author, I had to get this book as soon as it was published to see if it was a fluke. It wasn't. One would hesitate at a book that takes place primarily in a cemetery, but this wonderfully written book is in a class all by itself. Beautifully different.

I very much enjoyed this book. I'm in the process of hunting down all of her books.

This is by far my favorite book and I have read tons. I so wish should write a sequel or another like it. It was like leaving a good friend when I finished it.

This book should be put on your shelf of southern writers, right between William and Flannery. It is a story of a girl who becomes a bit of a grotesque through an accident. She becomes the primary caretaker of a cemetary, and is so in tune with the deceased that she can communicate and see them. This gift makes for a fine story. The description here is achingly beautiful, especially when Reynolds discusses nature. It is strangely comforting to those who have recently lost loved ones, too.

Well, one thing we were not thought in school is the jungle like similiarity of the internet. Anyone venturing into internet marketing or wanting to learn html will be amazed by the terms and jargons. The fun part is that admist all this madness, Joe Burns outweigh them all.

Well, htmlgoodies is not just your ordinary book of study,study and get confuse type of book, it's a fun book as you will not only learn all the html code in a fun loving way, you will also think you where reading a, comedy or theraupetic book(killing stress, laughing and learning on) for free.

Now the best part of the book is this, it takes away the frustration of learning something as alien as html. Trust me on this. As a newbie, is either you find some book like htmgoodies that not only teaches you the jargons and simplify your life by gving you a good dose of laughter or you will end up giving up your dreams of learning html by reading all those too-know-it-all,cramped up information on the net or in some books.

I will recomend htmlgoodies anytime, anywhere. Besides, since am already into this, l mean writing this review, l would like to use this opporturnity to ask Joe Burns which of mad house he escaped from since l will like to be his fans. Am just dying of curiosity. Jesus, that's some book

Product was received quickly and in the condition described. I will order again in the future.

I am a work at home mom whom went from no html knowledge to MUCH html knowledge with the help from Joe B's information. I still to this day referance his website whenever I need a refresher on something or want to learn something new. I started my site with a couple pages that was sadly lacking anything 'nice' about it to making that website into a huge site that has well over 100 pages in it and many daily visitors. Anytime someone asks me how I do that, or what's my favorite html site, I always refer them to your site. Thank you for helping me make my site
what it is today, I would'nt have turned it into a website business for this work at home mom without you! You have MUCH knowledge and I thank you for taking the time to share it with us!

Christina L.
www.mommyclassifieds.com

Joe Burn's is a unique technical author that writes as if he is talking to you. I recommend this book to anyone-that includes the non-technical folks--interested in setting up his/her own website. WHY? Because this book IS for beginners. It is written in a simple to follow, easy to read style. I wish more technical authors would follow Joe's simple style for their writing. Highly recommended!

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

PS this book helped me open my own website!

I cannot say enough about this Joe Burns books. I discovered his website back in the 90's and the book -- HTML Goodies -- came soon thereafter. I am a person who has no formal training in website design, computers, anything technical. With Dr. Burns' tutorials, I learned html, website design, adding graphics, javascript, getting my site online, and everything else I needed to know to design and get my (20+ page) business website active and making money. The best part of all is that Dr. Burns' books and tutorials are written in PLAIN ENGLISH -- no tech degree needed to understand them. If you use this book to learn html, you'll never use any of the quicky code writing software kits. I highly recommend this book, as well as Dr. Burns' books: Beyond HTML Goodies and Javascript Goodies. You'll find these books are worth far more than their current price.

The Corner clearly tells us about the life of inner-city neighborhoods and its inhabitants. The dark side of the world is revealed through extremely realistic descriptions, terrible moments of life that are so usual in there. The gap is deep, the suffering is obvious, hope just behind, so present in minds, but so abstract. Future is only tomorrow, violence is evidence, fear is everyday...I advise to watch The Wire, a good complement to this amazing book!

Although not as good as Homicide it does a good job of painting a bleak portrait of the inner-city Baltimore drug scene. Many people mention HBO's "The Wire" in their reveiws. Don't forget that HBO made a mini-series out of this book too - aptly titled, "The Corner."

Fans of David Simon who are preparing to mourn the imminent end of The Wire on HBO should definitely check out this massively powerful book, if they haven't already done so. Simon and Burns's impressively detailed and nuanced depiction of one year on a drug corner in an impoverished Baltimore neighborhood grows into a scathing indictment, not only of the narcotics business but of a failed criminal justice system as well. This is not light reading by any stretch of the imagination, but well worth it. A hard book to forget, and that's a good thing.

I've lived in Baltimore my entire life. Well to be fair. near Baltimore. I found this a compelling and interesting look at a social epidemic. For those of us that don't understand addiction or the situation in the inner cities first hand this is a mind blowing and outlook changing look at the situation from the side of those that live it every day. This series changed my entire outlook. If you like this try watching 'The Wire' and 'Homicide: Life on the Street'

You'd think that if you watched The Wire this won't have anything you don't already know, and you'd be about 70% right. Long and sometimes pedantic, but the characters are all real and the book lets the authors get deeper into their heads; worth a read if you're a Wire junkie. (And if you're not a Wire junkie, this will all be new to you anyway. ...but you might as well start by watching the show. Thank me later.)

This is one of the best books on the WWII. I love it. It's stripped off the hollyweirdish heroics and thats why this is great. It's real and sticks well. I can't get enough of it. The War and the companion book do make me appreciate the United States and its people's sacrifices during the war. This is a great collection!

Well written and illustrated with photos.
Easy to find events.
Comprehensive for this period.
High recommend.

Truly a great book written more about the more personal contacts with dealings of World War Two. Very informative and intimate feelings with a number of families and people. Was a little disappointed in the fact that other World War Two books dealt more with facts and day by day excursions with each Company; where they were, who were fighting, what exactly was going on and when. Whereas this book seemed to take on a more personal level with certain individuals and follow their activities. All in all it was still very informative and interesting reading.

I'm very satisfied. The War book have a excellent apresentation, good quality and good argument for all people that apreciate the II War history.

Purchased this for my nephew Christmas gift. He loved it. I looked at it and the pictures are amazing.

In this 17th book in the series, the Emerson clan is back in Egypt after WWI: Emerson, Amelia, Ramses, Nefret, and their twins: David John and Carla.

Shortly after their arrival, a famous author of sensational novels arrives with a gold statue. She begs Emerson to take the statue and protect her from the curse she claims killed her husband. She seems genuinely frightened, but they're suspicious that it might just be a publicity stunt. Regardless of the existence of a curse or actual danger to the woman, the statue is genuine, and for the Emersons, the questions of where the statue came from--a lost tomb?!--is far more compelling.

Things become complicated, of course, starting with the widow's stepchildren barging into the Emersons' home demanding the return of the statue at gunpoint. There are several sightings of a black-robed "demon," prompting one of Emerson's famous exorcisms; the appearance of Emerson's half-brother Sethos, always suspicious when there's treasure around; kidnapping, disappearances, and murder.

As usual, the family adventure is just as important as the mystery--watching Peabody and Emerson growing older and Ramses and Nefret with the twins is like visiting with old friends.

Also as usual, the characters are their distinct selves--Amelia's not-completely-reliable narrator is a delight, and the sections from Ramses's point of view demonstrates his character well. But because their characters are so vivid, you really have to like the characters to enjoy the books.

I had been meaning to try one of Ms. Peters' books, so when I saw this in the library I picked it up. I guess you have to read the many previous Amelia Peabody novels to appreciate this one, but I gave up after about 60 pages. Boring and confusing.

This book was shipped very quickly from the UK and it came in perfect condition. Great product!

Ever since Ramses grew up, I've missed the pedantic child. I'm delighted to see him now reincarnated in his son, David John. Though my children aren't so precocious, they play an important role in my second comtemporary romance, "Big Bad Wolfe." I look forward to reading "Tomb of the Golden Bird" to see what David John, his twin sister Charlotte, and the rest of the Emersons are up to next.

I just love these books. I love spending time with the Emersons and nothing makes me sadder than when the book ends. I had tears in the end when reminded of the intense love Amelia and Emerson have for each other. These books are romantic, fun, adventurous and educating. What more could you want from a book?
My only issue is Amelia's expressed view of how she wants to leave this world. When she talks about it, my stomache is in a knot and my heart pounds as if she is someone I know and love in real life. She must be etneral on this earth!

I read this when it was released, but I'll never forget the feeling of dread that I had to finish reading it since I had a review copy. While this reaction is not generally taken to be complimentary, it is a testament to how effective Charles Burns' nightmare teenage world is. It's rare that you can be afraid of a drawing, but Burns reminds us that he's the master of graphic horror. Black Hole is a searing smack in the face of the fantasy that adolescence is easy or fun.

basic, basic plot: Mystery disease that attacks only teens causes mutations and deformities to varying degrees. Some start to act as monstrously as they look.

The disease is never explored and there's no cure. The mutations range from almost adorable to really disturbing. I interpret this story as a take on adolescence as a time of unpredictable, inevitable mutation that adults cannot understand and are ill-equipped to deal with. You can't stop looking at this - the art is really incredible. I heard a movie was being made, but it better be animated, as I doubt any live-action type special effects can capture the psychological unease that permeates Burns' work. These monsters aren't scary merely because of how they appear - they're frightening because they were once like you.

I understand it's quite long and seems intimidating, but you'll get through it with no trouble...provided you can put your imagination aside and not make it any more terrifying than it already is.

I read it from start to finish in one sitting. It's a great idea for a story with cool characters.

I very much like reading graphic novels and I came by this one by accident. I had never heard of Charles Burns before. When I looked through it at first, I was immediately drawn to the great artwork and bought it straightaway. The story is just plain great, no other words to describe it. Dark, intense, scary and fascinating.
I would highly, highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes the genre. If you, for instance, enjoy the books by Daniel Clowes (like a velvet glove cast in iron), this will not disappoint you! In fact, it is even better! Great, great book!

This is a real triumph of story telling and art. It held me spellbound in the two days it took for me to read it while on vacation.

Caution: This work does contain nudity.

This is the first graphic novel I have read. Charles Burns uses this medium to it's utmost. The story is extremely compelling and as you go through the book you feel imersed in the atmosphere of the characters.

The art work is outstanding. At many times in the book I just stared at some of the panels just admiring the fluidity and craft of the illustration.

I think the greatest compliment for a book is when the reader feels transformed and different after having finished it. This is exactly how I feel. I look at life just a little bit different after having read this book.

There is so much wisdom packed into this book - it is a pleasure to follow Merton's nuanced and penetrating mind into the depth of the Christian faith. I particularly enjoyed the introductory chapters on the nature of contemplation, the "moral theology of the devil" and "the woman clothed in the sun". You may also enjoy Merton's "Ascent to Truth" and "The Inner Experience". May you be inspired and challenged by this book.

Seeds of Contemplation is a great gateway to Merton's many profound and enriching works on prayer and spirituality. It contains many short chapters which deal with the basics of the contemplative life - solitude and community, silence and words, distractions and dark nights, faith and doubt, etc. It is a helpful and essential guide for any who aspires to be a 'contemplative' - that is, to grow in the life of prayer and communion with God (and Merton would caution that we use this loaded word carefully). It clears the ground by explaining what contemplation is and is not, the unmasking of the false self, the place of solitude and silence vis-a-vis the community, the experiences of distractions and dryness and interacts with the traditional imageries of the 'living flame' and being 'touched by God' that one frequently encounters in the classical mystical writings (such as John of the Cross, Cloud of Unknowing). It really is an excellent introduction of the contemplative life for the beginners. Yet, he has said elsewhere too that if anyone desires to be a contemplative, let him not think of himself as anything else but a beginner!

This book is a combination of clarity and profundity and few books succeed in making sense of the contemplative life to the lay reader without making it sound either pedestrian or esoteric. The beauty with which it is written and the timeless quality of its counsels to people in every age that thirst for authenticity and a life of deepening union with God makes it an enduring classic.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It's hard for me to not just gush endlessly. It's beautiful, it's beautifully written, it's great. You can savor each page for hours. It's wonderful for Catholics, it's wonderful for all (open-minded) Christians, it's wonderful for spiritual people of all faiths. Only the most hardened atheist could not find something enlightening here. Stupendous.

Thomas Merton's "New Seeds of Contemplation" is nothing short of life-changing: the complexity of his relationship with the interior life and titanic inward spirituality makes this the kind of book you will refer to for your entire life and may never understand it fully even then (I don't, and have read it twice now). For all that, you will still enjoy and admire the man.

Just about everything he says applies very well to modern civilization, and the amazing thing is that he wrote all of this from the Abbey of Gesthemani.

"Hell is where no one has anything in common with anybody else except the fact that they all hate one another and cannot get away from one another and themselves. They are all thrown together in their fire and each tries to thrust the others away from him with a huge impotent hatred. And the reason why they want to be free of one another is not somuch that they hate what they see in others, as that that they know others hate what they see in them: and all recognize in one another what they detest in themselves, selfishness and impotence, agony, terror and despair."

This IS 21st century civilization, at least in America; we are so alienated from one another and the concept of spiritual intimacy with other human beings that it is little wonder we respon out of our own nothingness with bombs and senseless wars and elect "morally compromised" individuals to run our nation: we live in Sartre's "No Exit".

And that is another extraordinary and odd thing about Merton's work: it is rooted in theology and yet he naturally touches and transcends--for the most part--the atheistic despair of the 20th century without losing his faith. One of his most definitive works, "The Literary Essays", is actually devoted for the most part to none other than Albert Camus.

And yet one cannot deny that in some ways, and Merton would have been the first to admit this, his work is indeed written for those either considering or living a contemplative work, and just from the title of this book he makes it obvious. Some reviewers complain about being "active people" and not being able to "live Merton". Well, he was a monk in a Trappist Monastery: he did write for those who lived in civilization. "Love and Living" or "Thoughts in Solitude" are examples.

One cannot exaggerate the importance of spiritual mentors like this in contemporary times. I would fear, even more, for the safety of humanity if these kind of books were not still around.

As with many puffed up intellectuals, Merton complicates some very simple ideas. Finding the bottom line of what he was trying to say involved fighting my way through a lot of unnecessary verbage. I would think that if God wanted "contemplation" brought to the masses he would have picked a better mouthpiece than Merton.
Merton also seemed angry and irritated with the human race which I found distracting. I was very disappointed. After reading some of the positive reviews I expected a message with more depth and weight. This book is great for people who live in their head but if you're more the active type I would pass it by. You won't find much in the way of spiritual how to and instruction.

I love the fact that this is spiral bound. There are many beautiful projects in this book and I had to sit right down and look at the book start to finish. I need to buy more material so I can start a quilt!

Nice patterns with clear instructions, all very traditional. I used the pattern for a Christmas wreath wall hanging to make several table toppers for gifts. You can make it glitzy or simple, to match someone's color scheme or just in the latest fabrics. Very versatile. This is a book you can use over and over.

I like the idea of all the old quilt patterns, but it seems like she is trying to sell all of the different rulers etc. Everytime I start one, I feel I need to run out to buy a new ruler.

THIS BOOK WAS EXTREMELY EASY TO READ AND PATTERNS FOR QUILTS ARE JUST FUN TO DO. I HAVE FOUND THAT ELEANOR BURNS GIVES THE BEST DIRECTIONS FOR HER PATTERNS AND THAT THE YARDAGE IS RIGHT ON THE MARK.I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK.

I bought this book for my mom for Christmas and she absolutely loves it! She couldn't wait to get started on her next creation and says the patterns are easy to use and that this is one of the best gifts she received.

What an adorable book! This is a great way to teach geometry, and the colors are amazing. I as a teacher appreciate the obvious math connections, but on the deeper level you can make this a story of being true to yourself and recognizing your own greatness (truly, the triangle is indeed one of the strongest shapes despite having a mere three sides). The shapes come to life, especially the title Triangle, and the reader becomes both annoyed and supportive of him as he goes through his bizarre and clever journey through the world of geometry. Adorable story and gorgeous illustrations.

It is a great way to learn about shapes for kids! With a little moral to the story! :)

The paperback version of Marilyn Burns' tale of a dissatisfied triangle is bright, colorful and full of real life references. Children grasp the concepts of polygons and their uses through this fun story of a triangle who ends up alienating its friends after visiting the shapeshifter far too many times. Discovering in the end, "there's no place like home!"Greedy Triangle (Scholastic Bookshelf)

I really liked this book - very whimsical! It would be great for kids who are just learning about shapes as well as those who need to review.

This is a very cute book about shapes and is perfect as an introduction for children who have moved beyond basic circles, squares, and ovals. It introduces children to the triangle and works its way up to a decadron (although it defines a dodecadron at the back of the book when the story is over). I liked how it showed children where different shapes can be found in everyday life, and how a shape morphs just from adding one more side to an already existing shape. The story is cute, and it is a much nicer way for children to learn about shapes than most of the standard books that just show a drawing of something and then show a word to describe the object.