Carlson Books

This book is really good, it tells you what you need to know when examing a patient. it's systematic , so it tells you even the more basic stuff to the more complicated in step by step, how to record your results and even examples and what to expect from each exam.

hamilcar cordeiro

I found this book very informative as an international optometrist applying for licensure in Canada. Some procedures/techniques asked for by the boards I was not aware of initially.

This book is a must for every student and clinician in ophthalmology or optometry. It should be translated in other languages too. Easy to read, guides you through the procedures step by step. Some color pictures and a couple of updates in a later edition would make it excellent.

A complete guide to all primary care procedures that one performs during routine exams. The text is clear and concise on each procedure and explains normal and abnormal findings. The appropriate method for recording is also detailed in this book. This is a must for any optometry student or ophthalmology resident.

Are you planning a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, or are the children in your circle studying 18th Century history? If so, Colonial Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in the New World is a magnificent study aid to bring this period of history to life. From getting on the ships, to clothing for both boys and girls, crafts for home life (even cough syrup and soap!), food preparation and more will give your family or class a wonderful taste of life back then.

What could make history more fascinating than getting to know what it was really like for the people who lived it by experiencing some of that life, yourself? This is a wonderful and useful book!

Just a wonderful book.

This is a wonderful book to use with a unit on colonial life. I teach second grade and found the activities easy to understand, with a minimal amount of preparation needed. There are so many activities that you can pick from with everything from games to food covered. Everything is well-organized in a way that makes sense for lesson preparation. The activities are easily adapted to fit the needs of all elementary grade levels. For parents wishing to enrich their children's lives, I highly recommend this book---especially if you are planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg or Plymouth Plantation.

While there is no doubt to the value of Carlson's books, I have been slightly disapointed with some of the authenticity. ( Example: New World Cocoa Mix is made with nondairy creamer and powered chocolate drink mix--like Quik. These are not items EVER found in colonial times so the "recreation" of the drink is not much of a learning experience) Try David C King's American Kids in History series (Colonial Days) for a more realistic items.

let me begin by saying that there is good advice in
this book, no question about it. if you are looking
for some help in getting a better perspective on life,
then there is help in this book. why do you think the
series is so popular? however, i dont think that the ideas
are original. you can find the same prescriptions for
a better attitude---such as more sense of humor, less
attention paid to difficult people, things are not as
bad as you think, the future is unknown and so do

stress yourself too much over it---in so many other
books in the self help section. it is old wine in a
new bottle. you can even get the same advice from a
wise old relative if your family is fortunate enough
to have one. it is also like listening to a friend
who knows something of life that you havent realized yet.

the format is easy. the book is pocket-size. the
chapters are very short, and the phraseology
non-technical. the cost is minimal. practically,
the lessons contained in this book can apply to
both males and females.

if you are looking for your first self-help
book, then you have found a good one.

let me begin by saying that there is good advice in
this book, no question about it. if you are looking
for some help in getting a better perspective on life,
then there is help in this book. why do you think the
series is so popular? however, i dont think that the ideas
are original. you can find the same prescriptions for
a better attitude---such as more sense of humor, less
attention paid to difficult people, things are not as
bad as you think, the future is unknown and so do
stress yourself too much over it---in so many other
books in the self help section. it is old wine in a
new bottle. you can even get the same advice from a
wise old relative if your family is fortunate enough
to have one. it is also like listening to a friend
who knows something of life that you havent
realized yet. the format is easy. the book is pocket-size.
the chapters are very short, and the phraseology
non-technical. the cost is minimal. practically,
the lessons contained in this book can apply to
both males and females. if you are looking for your
first self-helpbook, then you have found a good one.

I am a female who recently bought this book as a gift for a relative. Before wrapping, I skimmed the book to see if it had the same Richard Carlson quality. Indeed it does!

This book, just like the other don't sweat the small stuff titles, includes ways to overcome difficult times. It will give you a positive attitude and help you gain peace with yourself, and uprooting events.

Good Christmas gift!

Enjoyed reading DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF FOR MEN by Richard Carlson . . . this is the latest in Carlson's "small stuff" series, and it does not disappoint . . . he continues to offer simple ways to minimize stress in a competitive world . . . they seem to make sense, at least to me, and can be applied to virtually any situation . . . although directed at men, I think women would also benefit from reading it . . . by the same token, methinks men could benefit from reading the companion DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF FOR WOMEN (written by Carlson's wife Kristine) . . . I know that I'll be looking for it.

I liked many ideas that I got from the book; among them:
Have an affair. . . .The idea is to reignite your passion for living, and to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. Remind yourself how precious and how short this adventure really is. I read a great book called A PARENTHESIS IN
ETERNITY . . . What a great way to think about the duration of your
life--as a blip on a passing screen. We're here for a moment in
time--and then we're gone. Why waste one second of self-pity,
frustration, and all the rest? Our lives are so much more important than that.

Consider how you would respond to the following two sentences spoken by a spouse, lover, or friend. First, "I hate my stupid job; (its bad)." Or, "Do you know what I'd really love to be doing?" Wow--what a difference. In the first sentence, you, as the listener or receiver of the complaint, want to leave the room. Your instinct is to pull away. In the second, however, you want to hear more; you want to engage in the conversation because it brings you closer to the person who is sharing.

Be for something rather than against it. . . . You can see how easy it is to be working with very positive intentions, yet still find a way to drive yourself nuts. Some environmental activists, for example, are doing great things-choosing to be vegetarians, picking up litter, cleaning up the beaches, planting trees, recycling, and raising awareness as well as money for the causes they believe in. Others, however, yell and scream, block traffic, chain themselves to trees, and starve themselves in an attempt to accomplish their goals.

Madison Chase is getting bored during her holiday break when she receives a welcome call from Aunt Sid, who offers her an escape vacation to Mexico. She jumps at the chance to spend some time with her favorite aunt and travel companion. Before she realizes it, Maddie is onboard a plane and then subsequently learning firsthand how slow the pace in Mexico is when they encounter one delay after another upon arrival.

Even once the duo arrives at their hotel, cultural differences abound. Both Maddie and Sid keep their eyes and ears open, alert to dangers from locals who have had enough of rude Americans. While the sun and water are enticing enough, an unexpected phone call from Ireland sets both women's hearts racing when they find out that Sid's Irish boyfriend, Ian, is coming for a visit and bringing Maddie's good friend, Ryan, along for the New Year's holiday.

Before the guys arrive at Cabo San Lucas, the girls find themselves sympathizing with their hotel clerk's difficulties and try to help her find better employment and housing. Little do they know how Francesca Tarrago has been influenced and controlled by the couple who ran the girls' home where she lived. Again, cultural differences make another appearance. Maddie does the best she can to help rescue Francesca from a dire future, and God orchestrates a rescue mission of His own that has the women responding in grateful awe.

Once Ian and Ryan arrive, the entire mood lifts from the serious to the seriously fun and romantic --- until an old girlfriend of Ryan's settles in front and center, and a sad and disappointed Maddie is temporarily pushed aside. The plot takes another turn, as the women end up sharing space with Ryan's ex-girlfriend and are placed into a situation where they play rescuer of another sort to the troubled young woman.

Readers will enjoy Melody Carlson's third installment in the Notes from a Spinning Planet series as she continues to offer a deepening complexity, both in terms of plot and character development. As always, her fictional characters are utterly relatable, winsome and full of human foibles, which makes for a gratifying, lighthearted read.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

Madison Chase's Christmas break from college in gray Washington is barely beginning, but already Maddie feels penned in--and in her parent's way. When Aunt Sid offers Maddie the opportunity to join her at a vacation condo in warm Mexico, Maddie jumps at the chance. Maddie and Sid are pleasantly surprised when Sid's boyfriend, Ian, and Maddie's friend, Ryan, decide to join them in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The condo Sid and Maddie are staying in has lots of problems and isn't near as nice as the one Ian and Ryan stay at. Sid and Maddie try to handle all the problems as best they can, but it seems like things keep piling up. Then Ryan runs into a high school sweetheart and Maddie has to fight jealousy as well.

Maddie befriends the desk clerk, Francesca, at their poorly run condo, and as she tries to help her new friend, she discovers that Shelby (Ryan's ex-girlfriend) has a horrible secret. Will Maddie be able to help both Francesca and Shelby?

Notes from a Spinning Planet Mexico is the second book in the Spinning Planet series that I've had opportunity to read. The story line is good, but at times reads more like a travel log than a fiction novel. There is some telling in places which makes it easy to start skimming instead of actually reading.

I enjoyed learning more about Mexico and look forward to reading other books in this series as they come available. Melody Carlson is a prolific author who writes successfully in many different genres. Readers will not be disappointed in Notes from a Spinning Planet Mexico, whether they like women's fiction, romance, chick lit, or youth fiction.

If you are interested in what Mexico is like as a country you might want to consider a mini vacation by picking up this book.

Armchair Interviews says: Pack your bags for a good story.

Aunt Sid decides that Washington is to0 cold in the winter so she and her teenage niece Maddie Chase leave for fun in the sun of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. However, both women are a bit disappointed with timeshare lodging, but agree not to let that spoil their vacation.

The two females turn euphoric when Sid's friend Ian and Maddie's unrequited love Ryan McIntire arrive from Ireland to join them. However also in town is Ryan's high school girlfriend Shelby Wagner, who may be an alcoholic, but he seems attracted to her; disappointing Maddie.

This is a different emotional spin from the previous two tales (see Papua New Guinea and Ireland), but still emphasizes a world filled with crisis. This time around the traveling female relatives run into the ugly side of excess middle class teen drinking that compares unfavorably against an impoverished soul trying to make it to what others take for granted. Although Melody Carlson hammers her message re the sins of drinking, young adult readers will appreciate the efforts of Maddie's new Mexican friend Francesca Tarrago struggling to leave poverty behind.

Harriet Klausner

Maddie is going on yet another trip with her Aunt Sid. Except this time its for fun and relaxation in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Maddie is prepared for beaches, sun, and tropical drinks and is even more excited when Ryan is due to show up. However, the vacation is not all that's cracked up to be. First the timeshare location is rundown and not managed well. Then Ryan's ex girlfriend shows up making Maddie feel like a plain Jane third wheel. But Shelby has a secret that puts the pretty face facade to shame. Maddie has to fight feelings of jealousy in order to help her do the right thing.

I think that this was my favorite book out of the series. With this story, Maddie was able to enjoy herself and seek out social justice at the same time. The whole situation with Francesca's sisters and the orphanage sounded really sketchy. I wonder how many similar situations take place and it makes me worry that people will not use money correctly. I was really glad that the subject of binge drinking was brought up. In previous books, drinking one or two beers was not seen as a problem. However with this book, Shelby has become an alcoholic and refuses to admit it until Sid threatens her with drastic measures. Even an allergic reaction that almost kills her doesn't stop her. Sadly this is how many teens view their own lives. They don't care if something harms them as long as it makes them feel like it's giving a good time. But I really love how I can relate to these books. The feelings that Maddie had whenever Shelby was around her and Ryan, I think almost every girl has felt that way. And no matter how Christian a guy will be, just like Ryan they will always seem to give more attention to the prettier girl that seems to flaunt herself. It's a typical guy thing that will sadly never change, lol. I found the timeshare bit quite funny. I don't think I could get out of one of those as well as Sid could have. I really hope there will be another book in this series. There's so many other places that Maddie and Sid should travel to. I would highly recommend this book for older teens.

This book provides a great frame of reference and perspective on the subject of Geology. It provides a well-structured overview of the subject, as well as a good guide for practical learning. It is an attractive book, and the content is surprisingly accessible, so it is suitable for a non-specialist audience as well as those studying it as a prescribed text.

The book is also well made and contains some excellent images. It's a little pricey, but worth having on your bookshelf, especially if you can pick up a copy secondhand.

This is a very detailed textbook. If you want to learn about Geology in great detail this is the book for you. I recently learned that a new version will be coming out soon. I know this because my university will not buy the book back since the new edition will replace this edition next semester. If you plan on buying this book wait because the price will go down as soon as the new edition comes out.

This book is so well spelled out about geology. It was actually fun to read. If you dont use it for a colleg class, use it to make yourself smarter.

This is the 10th edition of the now classic Physical Geology text by Plummer, at al. It is a good introductory text on the subject suitable for first year undergraduates.

It is beautifully illustrated, well organized and covers the subject in depth from discriptive geology to plate techtonics.

The book gives some excellent insights into how to take control of your random thoughts and fears and make them rational. It gives you processes and techniques you can follow to make sense of many concerns that, at first blush, seem insurmountable. Take the time to reread lines, passages or chapters that most apply to your circumstance at any given time, and you can achieve a sense of calm that helps you sort through the "big stuff."

As with the "small stuff" books, there is some nice and practical advice with a lot of repetition.

With this book, Richard Carlson finally shows us that there are mental attitudes that can help us overcome the greatest challenges of life - not only the small problems. The book is not trying to deny the difficulties we all encounter at some point in our lives. Rather, it teaches us that there are healthy and unhealthy ways to react when confronted to hardship.
I was also glad to read this book because it's the first time I've seen Richard Carlson openly talk about God, especially in one of the chapters. It's not the purpose of the book to tell you that if you want to feel good you have to believe in God, but it shows you that when you slow down the counterproductive chaos of your mind, you discover another part of yourself that is never depressed and that always knows what's best for you. Since I learnt to access this part of me, I've also notice that it's where you can be connected to God, so I was glad the author mentioned this point too.
This book is wonderfully written. Yet, it is not as practical as other books by the same author that tell you exactly what causes depression and sadness and how to get rid of it. I would especially recommend "you can feel good again" by the same author, because this book is definitely the key to happiness for anyone caught in the web of pessimism.

The book is not complex analysing too many theories, but extremely accurate to some fundamental common core cause of mental dys functionality and emotional pain in the truly important aspects of living. Richard throughout the 40 individual chapters deals with different subjects in each chapter, giving effective advice on commonly fell problems we all experience in our every day life. Often we are in automatic mental mode, which produces problems in our life without our realising consciously. But with a shift in mentality and wisdom we can change our habitual mental actions and experiences to seriously improve our life.
One subject Richard points out is your thoughts are not an actual reality which simplistically put is obvious, but with an overcrowded mentality of problems which are often over exaggerated to its worst scenario, we hinder our actual mental and personal health, reducing our IQ and ability to help ourselves. I personally felt the benefits of producing a less stressful and crowded mentality immediately, and managed to sustain this through effort, and rereading the book to reaffirm information and changing my habitual mental actions. With a quieter healthier mentality, your true wisdom is able to function, but you have to have confidence in your ability to know the answers without striving too much.
If you like myself have read many books on the subjects that you are interested in whether this be educational or entertaining, but even though many may be of a high quality, you usually only narrow this down to a few favourites. I personally have read many psychology books over the last 10 years with this being my favourite subject material, and would place this book in my top ten, because it actually expanded my mentality and true improvement to the quality of my life on completion of reading it.
We are emotional mental creatures, and we often loose our mental health but with the help of books like this, we can broaden your mentality and actions to improve our lifestyle. Simply put, the book does deal with the big important aspects and values of living and helped you stay healthy and clear, trying to help obtain core fulfilment in your life.
Alan Davidson

We used this book for one year of homeschooling, but opted for lessons at the art museum during the second. My sons produced finer work and learned more with Soyke, so I'm returning to the book for next year. Each volume offers a complete art curriculum for three years, and has a materials list in the front of the book. It is a pleasure to use! I most like that it teaches art principles without stifling children's innate creativity. It promotes exploration as a good teacher would.

This book offers a complete and thorough curriculum for art. Yet the projects are easy to use and the supplies simple to aquire. The instructions are detailed and offer all you need to know and more. The range of art principles, media, and experience is varied and incompass all a child needs. This book could be used by art experienced and inexperienced teachers and parents alike.

I have been homeschooling for several years and so far have only ever used this art curriculum. I just love it and so do my children. It covers a wide variety of art mediums, yet at the same time is so simple to use and most of the materials needed can be readily found at home. I am amazed at what my girls have been producing during these lessons. I highly recommend this book and will continue to use the other Art Adventures at Home books that follow on from this one, once we have finished.

We took a trip to Portland over a long weekend, and this guide was incredibly useful. Although we used the web to make our hotel reservations, we use this guide for everything else. The food reservations were always spot on, as were the things to do reservations.

Very complete. 200 restaurant reviews includingcuisine, price range, address, phone number, web site and location on map. The 'Things to Do' section was great also. These editors have actually been there. The 'Lodging' and 'Nightlife' sections seemed just as good as the rest of the book.

Now in an updated sixth edition, Best Places: Portland is a handy travel guide to the best restaurants, lodgings, sights, shopping, and more to be found in Portland, Oregon. Icons for "editor's choice", "good (monetary) value", "family", and "romance" allow for quick and easy selection of Portland features to suit one's needs. Best Places: Portland prides itself on only mentioning the best of the best; even one-star establishments will be a cut above. Suggested day trips and three-day itineraries will aid the reader in maximizing enjoyment on minimum funds. Best Places: Portland is not a catch-all travel guide; it focuses specifically on listing "must-see" places along with brief descriptions, addresses, websites, and so on. A superb resource for business or leisure travelers alike.

This book has achieved AND conquered several different levels that one would not expect from a 'Christian' book.

To say how this book is able to captivate readers until the very end is something I've yet to find the words for, but rest assured it is one of the best Christian AND suspence books I've yet to read! (the Bible being an exception of course!)

Well done M. Carlson!

I could harldy put this book down! I had to force myself to stop reading it! Definately one of M. Carlson's best! A heartwarming novel covering important subjects such as racism and how to deal with the issues (put a stop to it!). An overall great book that I recommend to anyone!

A very good book. The author doesn't smack you on the hand with heavy-handed theology and unrealistic portraits of sainted Christians and bedeviled non-Christians. Instead, she paints a picture of flawed people searching for answers, and other flawed people relying on their faith to sustain them in times of trial. Even the "bad guy" has a human side.

As a Christian, a minority and an Oregonian, I know a lot of what she writes is true. The trials faced by the protagonist and other characters with regard to the "face of the town" do exist in this day and age. Many of the people who spew the garbage facing the protagonist call themselves "Christian" and in another breath defy Paul's words of hope and salvation: "Christ is all and in all."

Things wrap up a little too neatly at the end, and some characters do not have enough depth, but overall, it's a good book with an inspiring, if sometimes painful, message about things we often don't want to think about.

Presents a very dark world in which Al Gore, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Dick Cheney..they all appear in their alter ego roles. George Bush enters the election to please dad and to get something he wants. McCain goes on a rampage. Bill Bradley decides to run for President because he listened to too many Fleetwood Mac Cds and got inspired. Dick Cheney tries to get out of being vice President by not answering his phone. Gore calls Bush to take back his concession...and dials a wrong number where he starts talking in Spanish. Bill Clinton almost gives Al Gore the winning strategy for 2000, but a ham sandwich gets in the way. I enjoyed it.

Light and fun, diversionary reading. Only here can you get a transcript of the election night phone call between Gore and Bush. I've wondered what they might have said to each other (outside from the 'snippy' comment. A few typos-- this is a small publisher book -- easily forgiven by the dose of humor you will get.

If you want to be a fly on the wall for what goes on in Washington, dangfunny is good. I already subscribe to the email list, so some of what's in here is not a surprise. Basically, the book gives you access to conversations between politicians. What would they say if you were in the room? But its well done - not phony - Gore's argument with Clinton starts the book.

Some of it is very normal humor stuff, but some of it gets pretty surreal. I like the one on the Bush Family Thanksgiving after the election (when Florida wasn't decided yet) where Bush and Jeb get into an argument and throw potatoes at each other!

It gets a little slow in the middle, but then speeds up at the end where there's section on Bush and Cheney in the first months of the Bush Administration. Carlson paints Cheney as the somewhat reluctant warrior - he doesnt really want to be Vice President but he does it as a favor to 'Old Man Bush.'