Combs Books

I play the piano, and have a huge collection of sheet music. But I couldn't resist this book when I saw it. The arrangements are easy, but they are not the large note, super simplified for children kind of "easy." I like this collection for when I want to sit down and not work too hard, or when I don't want to practice the "real" arrangement.
Not for very advanced pianists, but great for the casual tickler of the ivories - those of us who took lessons when we were young, but just "dabble" now.
Unlike another reviewer, I happen to like the way the table of contents lists the pieces by time period.

I have only been playing the piano for eight months. I ordered this book, thinking I would, maybe, find one or two pieces I could play right away. Rather, I got a "piano bench" full of new music to learn. Not only was I thrilled, but my piano teacher was impressed also.

The Good:
1) A very wonderful and complete collection of classical songs. Can't tell exactly how many songs, probably 100-150+, nearly 400 pages.
2) Sturdy pages, plastic spiral binding - easy to open, STAYS open, pages can be removed if desired.
3) Nice compositions - songs sound close enough to originals, not so dumbed down that you can no longer recognize them.

The Bad:
1) Most of the pieces are *too* easy - I'm really not very good, and have never had lessons, but could play most everything in here right away - which is great if you just want to play for your family or friends, but if you want to learn, there's probably nothing in here that will challenge you. The alternative to this book, "The Piano Bench of Classical Music" (i.e., not easy classical music) is also a great collection but far far too difficult for anyone with less than years and years of lessons. I wish they made something in between the two... It's great that most of this book is easy, but a few more difficult pieces would have been nice.
2) The index of songs is pretty crummy - Sorted by period (Baroque, Romantic, etc) then by composer ... So if you don't know both, you might be looking for a while...

Overall:
The good far outweighs the bad, and I can't punish the book for being easy when that is what they were going for : ) 5 stars.

Every recipe is easy to make, turns out great, and doesn't require exotic ingredients. I have made many recipes in this book and they are all excellent. In fact, this is a book I refer to often when planning my monthly menu.

I particularly like the ideas and little comments that accompany many of the recipes. They are uplifting and gentle, yet they don't distract from the recipes. Even the little drawings are nice. This is a nice book to read, if you are like me and enjoy reading recipe books.

If I had to have only ONE Gooseberry patch cookbook, this would be the one. It is that good.

Enjoy.

This cookbook has become my very favorite...my Grandma never wrote down any of her recipes for me, but this book includes recipes sent in from people around the country, who got their recipes from their mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and even farther back! It brings so many memories of growing up and coming in from building snowmen with wet toes to a delicious, hot meal. Now I try to create that same feeling for my children, and this book is my main resource! A must-have!

this is the best hand dandy book I ever go

I find this book the most useful book in my library. I was a full time carpenter and now work part time. From how many nails are in a pound to every converstion you'll ever use. It's great. It contains all those formulas, figures and hows to's that if not done all the time is forgotten. This is a must for all do it yourselfers and master carpenters.

This book is well-written, clearly illustrated, and covers the basics through advanced techniques VERY WELL! The pages are in black and white, with great illustrations, about a page or two for each technique. Plus, the type is larger than normal so it's easier to read.
Absolutely a sanity saver for a new sewer or for someone wanting to advance or refresh their sewing skills.

A friend let me borrow this book and I LOVED it and am planning to buy a copy for my own use as a reference guide for many difficult to do techinques.

I was first introduced to this piano book while a music major. My background was with voice, guitar, and trumpet, but I was required to take piano each semester. Don't let the title imply that this is solely for group (class) piano lessons. It worked well in one-on-one sessions, and I bought it for my wife this past Christmas (I don't do well giving lessons to my own family members, and I'm still no piano virtuoso). She is studying on her own, and has a piano playing friend drop by for an informal lesson every couple of weeks.

The book starts out by having you explore the keyboard, playing with different groupings of keys, so you can hear their relationships. Students are encouraged, for example, to use only the black keys to pluck out familiar melodies, and then to make up a short melody of their own. After that basic orientation, it moves on to primary five-finger patterns in the simplest keys (C maj., G maj.) and builds from there. Chord charts help the students make the proper finger transitions along the way.

The exercises start simple, but move on to more rewarding little pieces in a surprisingly short time. As students become proficient in each new key, some exercises ask them to transpose them (play them in a different key) on the fly (without having the written music in front of them). This is a very important skill for any accompianist, who may need to play a given piece in a differnt key to accomodate a soloist's specific vocal range.

Unlike some basic piano texts that cover only parts of your learning journey (different books for beginners, intermediates, etc), this one will move you from the most basic exercises to very complex pieces by the end--it is a substantial volume. It does a good job of introducing chord progressions, and it handles the introduction of the minor scales very well.

The very end of the book contains complete written scales for every major and minor key, invaluable for drilling the basic skills as you progress.

Overall, a fantastic book! You will enjoy playing!

With the help of a teacher, this book is wonderful for the "older" student who is looking to play piano. For each chapter, there are rhythm, composition, and techniqal drills. The book comes with supplementary material, scales, cord progressions, circle of fifths, and transposing to other instruments. Each chapter progresses enough to keep you moving, but not so fast that you lose yourself. A definite reccommend to the beginning piano player.

Practical book with very easy to follow and concise protocols about protein purification
If you have to purify and analyze proteins but you re not an expert this is the book for you.

This is a model for all protocol lab manuals. It is clear, precise, and well done. Incorporates the experiences of the authors, which are used to perfect the assays and protocols and minimize insufficient results and data. Troubleshooting tips are useful and original. Truly a necessary benchtop reference for the serious researcher.

This is a cool book to have. It may not focus on the heart-healthiest way to cook, but it's really jam-packed with helpful and fun tips and tricks! Certainly recommend for cooks, and even for those just passing through a kitchen!

My daughter saw my copy of this recipe book and tried to take my so I found her a copy her and I purchased it for her. She is an experience cook. This recipe book is great for the beginning cook because of the easy to follow directions or for the experience cook because the recipes use items that you usually have on hand in the pantry and need a meal in a hurry.

I would have to agree with the previous reviewer. This book is, I daresay, soon to be a classic within the transpersonal/integral/consciousness field. It is a pure reflection of the author with a generous dose of inspiration and objectivity (as far as Wilber is concerned). Though I understand the caution with which recommendations are concerned I still feel that this book is recommended reading for all students of transpersonal, consciousness, and transformative disciplines. For those who are familiar with Wilber's work, this is especially true. For all other purposes, it is a hallmark of future evolutionary development. Do not pass it up.

Yours truly, Ph.D. student at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology

This is a must book for those interested in integral studies. While much of the work is similar to Ken Wilber's at least in structure, this book in many ways transcends Wilber's works with some real original thinking. Not surprisingly, the author is an authority on integral thought without trying to parrot Ken Wilber's view. Combs is a very clear and insightful writer, with no polemic axe to grind nor does he cling only to his view.

This book has all the skills and concepts to help overcome difficulties with being assertive in the important situations in life. Assertive communication, being direct, the ability to say "no", are all dealt with in this easy to read but comprehensive book.

This concise and to-the-point book is a pearl of great value. The author offers extremely helpful insight regarding the core issue of assertiveness problems. The workbook is comprehensive and well organized with helpful exercises. The goals of The Real Solution Assertiveness Workbook are to learn assertive communication skills for a variety of settings; to distinguish assertiveness from aggressive and passive communication; and to distinguish assertiveness rights from myths about assertive behavior. I have given this workbook to several clients with very positive outcomes.

I was first introduced to this book through a children's literature class years ago. It later became one of my daughter's favorite books. The pictures are well done and eye-catching. I'd highly recommend the book either as part of a classroom library or as part of a home children's library.

I especially like that the story is just a matter-of-fact story that happens to be in Puerto Rico. It's a good multicultural story that isn't focused on any any perspective, it's just telling a story. Highly recommended!

This is a great book about how villagers helped slave runaways to hide and start a new life. It has beautiful illustrations, good humor and it's based on historical facts. My daughter loves it!!