Field Books

The translation of Mary Stuart that you see when you "Look Inside" is not the same one that is being sold on this page!!!!

This is the play that was used in the 1987 (?) movie, "Anne of Avonlea." It's really neat!

A brilliant psychological drama. Schiller begins with presenting Mary as the epitome of passion and misguided sincerity, with Elizabeth as the epitome of rational calculation and statecraft. With superb plotting, he stages their confrontation to emphasize their common features and with elements of role reversal. The confrontation essentially purifies their original characters, heightening the contrast between passion and calculation. I don't read German but this translation contains a great deal of eloquent language and an appropriately Shakerspearean flavor.

I feel this book was very detailed and very through on the events that took place in the different countries that Don traveled. It was like I was another soldier standing by him living the experience. "Memories from the Heart" was a very exceptional book in my opinion about World War II, and the Korea War. There were many places that were described that I didn't even new existed. I am very greatful that I spent the time to read this book.

Had a difficult time putting this one down.

An unusual view of life as a solider in WWII.
Very interesting.

This very unique view of WWII and the Korean War, written from the point of view of an active serviceman, enables us to actually live through this historical event along with the author, Donald Mapes...
MEMORIES FROM THE HEART is a very engaging and fascinating account of M/Sgt. Mapes' service in the US and also in the very exotic and exciting land of the Orient.
A very interesting read - hard to put down!

This book outlines the personalities of the major figures of physics, Rutherford, Bohr, Plank, Einstein, Schrodinger, Dirac, Born, etc. while explaining the development of quantum theory. The book also talks about relativity and compares it to quantum theory; that is, it compares the thought processes of the creators of both theories. To quote the book, 'in one important sense relativity theory is not a radical departure from traditional scientific thought. It does not challenge determinsim, the burning question, Erwin Schrodinger called it.' Quantum theory does challenge determinism; that is, in quantum theory, one cannot obtain exact information, and as a consequence, make exact predictions. This is due to the uncertainty principle of Heinsenberg. Einstein did not like this, and the book in the end details the conversations between Einstein and Bohr at the Solvay conference and beyond.

For an exiting layman's visit to the physics of the 20th century and an intimate biography of the men who created the new physics this book is easily the first on my lis

The authors have done a great job with this book. Apart from explaining some of the Physical principles in "lay speak", they have also succeeded in conveying a deep sense of the human characters involved. The triumphs, the tribulations, the friendships and the intellectual rivalries - they are all here!

A delightful read - highly recommended to ALL with an interest in Science and DEFINATELY for those who wish to pursue the study of Physics.

I am delighted to see this book back in print as I can now start giving it as a gift again. The book has very thorough and comprehensive instructions on small list covering all types of meals. Everything in the book is awesome. It is particularly good for people that want to cook great meals but don't have experience as the author assumes nothing. The book is not lavishly illustrated and has no photographs.

When I was a newlywed, my wife one day tried to create a culinary masterpiece. Upon tasting her first attempt I exclaimed "Do you want to order a pizza?" Her reply was "Sausage and peppers!". Several weeks later I gave her a copy of this book. Since then the only pizza served in our home is baked in our home. The author assumes that you are a moron when it comes to understanding cooking terms. By the time you finish your first recipe, you will have an understanding of the color, texture and consistency of a "roux" in addition to knowing the term

I'd never heard of Michael Fields when a family friend gave me this cookbook as a wedding gift in 1970. But even then, I was interested in cooking so I eventually started leafing through it -- and gradually, through the years, trying out this recipe and that. Now, 31 years and a second marriage later, it's one of the mainstays of my cookbook collection -- not because of the breadth of its offerings (it actually doesn't have that many recipes compared to other classics like Julia Child's The Way to Cook), but because of the quality of the recipes and his instruction.

Each of the sections (a fairly typical selection -- appetizers, soups, fish and shellfish, beef, lamb, etc.) has about 8 to 10 recipes, prefaced by a lengthy introduction about the ingredients at hand and why the recipes were chosen. The recipes themselves are also in narrative style (except for the ingredients, of course) -- and many indeed do include detailed explanations of a key basic cooking technique: how to make a hollandaise sauce or a basic chicken stock, or how to bone a leg of lamb, for example. You also get lessons on shopping for and preparing ingredients, and tips on serving your creations.

But even if you are already a reasonably accomplished chef, I would recommend this book simply for the recipes. I've never made one that wasn't simply delicious. And I really like the mix of best-of-breed classics (his coq au vin and osso bucco, for example) with less common preparations such as his halibut mousse with shrimp sauce (a killer if you want to impress company). Also, while many of the recipes do require a fair amount of time, some are simple enough to prepare after work (the broiled chicken with butter, lemon, soy sauce and garlic is a regular on my weeknight menus).

I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes good food and is willing to put a little time and effort into it. Fields may not be as famous as Julia, Jacques, or Emeril (I believe he died some years ago), but he should be. Also check out All Manner of Food, another of his fine books.

Be warned, this book is one that should deffinatly not be judged by a short paragraph on the plot. Like many astounding books, when you try and tell somebody about the story line it comes off sounding tacky or dodgy. However, do not be fooled. This book is more that sex, and suicide. When reading it you find yourself relating almost to the characters which is often a lacking quality in books. Also the plot itself and the wild twists are very unpredictable which makes it an exciting and incredible read. I'm not going to tell you about the plot because that would ruin it for you, but my advice to you is do read it. It is worth it. To those of you who have read it and enjoyed it, may i suggest you also read "Plan B, by Jonathon Tropper" and "Secret History, by Donna Tartt"

And ignore the age, i am in fact 15 but am not registered as a member of Amazon and therefore couldn't write a review.

As the publisher of the audio book version (no longer available) of this book, I am very familiar with it and it's wonderfully, exciting and thrilling story. Once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down. It's got sex, plot, characterization, sex, and a fantastic ending...I always thought it would make a terrific movie.

This book has it all. Suspense, action, sex, and love. As a big fan of Clancy, I usually read political thrillers, but this book make me a huge fan of psychological thrillers also. The main character Phillie is a joy to read about. I recommend this book to all mature audiences.

This book is one I am most proud of for the photo's are truely amazing and Marilyn's most beautiful. Milton Greene took some of the most famous photos of the Legend and they are all here for us to enjoy and admire. Not only are the glamour poses here but also intimate moments at home with Marilyn after she became an extended member of the Greene family and lived with them for some time. Some famous and iconic poses as well as some rarely seen. This is a must have!

This is certainly an amazing collection of photographs of Marilyn gleaned from the few years she and Milton Greene collaborated. This teaming of a brilliant photographer with a brilliant subject was perfect. Despite their ill-fated business partnership, the photographs produced transcended the abrupt end of their friendship and some of the most beautiful are showcased in this book. Greene was one of the only photographers to look beyond the movie-star facade of Marilyn and present her other facets - afraid, vulnerable, sad, poignant, and above all more herself than in her studio-produced shots. Although she is not as flawless as in her more glamorous shots, she is just as stunning at ever - if not more so. The highlight of the Greene-Monroe collaboration is the so-called 'Black Sitting', where Marilyn is shot in revealing black lingerie yet appears to be a girl playing dress-up. The only criticism I have is Amy Greene's comments - a touch defensive, evasive, biased, generally unnecessary and offering little real insight into her husband's partnership with Marilyn. Definitely a must-have for any Marilyn fan.

This is a great book for the true Marilyn Monroe fan, sort of like having your own personal album of her best photos. Greene captures many sides of Marilyn including sensual, vulnerable, playful, serious, and just plain beautiful in his exceptional photography. Theirs was clearly a special relationship. The accompanying text is not sensational or gossipy like some accounts can be, and reads more like a personal recollection. This book is not a biography or memoir but is all about the photographer and his subject; and it is fabulous.

This book is a great resource for military personnel and their families. It would have been a godsend when my kids were deployed to Iraq. I give a copy to everyone I know whose loved one is being deployed...and, unfortunately, that number is fairly high. The book has great tips, lots of resources, and is written in an easy-to-read, friendly style.

Let me preface by saying I do not know anyone who is deployed. That being said, I found "Mom's Field Guide" to be an awesome read.

This book is written in an easy-to-read style and is a wealth of information for those with loved ones on deployment. Tips and tricks on everything from gathering news from alternate sources to sending packages to soldiers overseas.

Fitted between the pages of invaluable information lie personal glimpses into the relationship of mother and soldier. These pages keep the reader truly involved in what is happening and not just reading the lines of a how-to guide. The interrupted style provides a shift from practical to personal. While reading Mom's Field Guide, I found myself looking forward to the next email from David (the author's son), hoping to find him well and intrigued by where he was in the midst of the battle.

Mom's Field Guide is not only an imperative read for those with loved ones in the military, but is an insightful, informative read for anyone.

I don't have a child in the service, but was attracted to this book anyway. Read it cover to cover, and found it to be a great read.

I think this book would be an excellent resource for anyone who has a child (or any relative--cousin, brother, sister, parent, etc.) in any branch of the service.

This music is HEAVENLY! It will soothe and relax every part of you. It cultivates peace and serenity. I absolutely LOVE it! And you will too!!!

Neither my husband nor I is particularly into the New Wave groove, but Steven Halpern's CDs have us asleep in about a minute. I originally bought this CD and some of Halpern's others to help my six year-old get to sleep without so much tossing and turning; now the CDs can be found next to his bed and ours. I highly recommend this CD and his others if you want to relax or need help falling asleep.

There are 2 separate CDs in this collection.

1)Music for HEALING Mind, Body & Spirit
By Steven Halpern

Sustained-note meditation-type music--very peaceful. 8 Tracks about 3 minutes short of an hour. The cover states that it is music for balance and harmony and speaks of the therapeutic power of music. It also says that Steven's compositions synchronize the hemispheres of the brain and amplify the production of alpha brainwaves to stimulate feelings of relaxation, contentment, and well-being.
If you are not already familiar with Steven Halpern's music, it is beautiful, often celestial sounding. Doreen Virtue (Angel Lady - Author) also uses it on many of her CDs.

I am energy-sensitive and definitely feel the vibrations in this CD. They are awesome. This CD is perfect for alternate healing modalities, such as meditation and Reiki, or other Healing Touch therapies. It's beautiful unwind-at-the-end-of-the-day music, and it could be quite useful if you have trouble getting to sleep at night. This music should lull you off to dreamland and you would probably have relaxed and peaceful dreams. If you have someone who is very ill, playing this music in the background would likely give them peace.

On a side note, it feels really great to step into the meditation zone and let your body balance itself. It really helps you to lead a more enjoyable life and release some of the crapola that you once thought was important. If you do not meditate, please consider it, especially if you feel stressed, as so many do. You only need about 15 to 30 minutes a day. Come on. It's worth it. Make the time. If not, then try putting yourself to sleep with this CD or something like it.

2)Music for UNWINDING
By Dr. Joseph Nagler

This CD is "music" and not the sustained sounds of Halpern's CD. For example, "The Snow Man" is soft piano and what I believe is a cello. "Journey Home" is primarily soft guitar with an occasional tinkling piano. You could listen to this track and visualize a large graceful bird soaring across the heavens, to "journey home". There are 5 tracks, totaling about 53 minutes, again, slightly less than an hour.

Tracks are:
The Snow Man
Shall We Dream
Journey Home
Rain Forest Meditation
Hidden Beauty

This is not really meditation music, although you could use it as such. It's just not the vibe thing. It is more soft dinner music, or relax-by-the-fire-with-a-glass-of-wine music--very soft and pretty--very calming--good for a romantic evening, too. It somewhat resembles 2 a.m. cocktail lounge music, but softer. The final track "Hidden Beauty" is the exception and is very vibrational (as in meditational), with a hint of music in the distant background. This track is a wee bit over 16 minutes in length and you could certainly meditate with it.

A very relaxing set of CDs, and almost 2 hours of play, providing both unwind music and sleep or meditation sounds.

Every now and then there are gifted individuals who come along who see and understand with new eyes and have a thorough understanding of their subject, not only in its own right, but in the context of how that topic fits into the whole. Fukuoka is such an individual and his understanding and practice of farming is genius and he explains how using his methods will make your farm easy to run, outproduce typical American farming methods without the need for chemicals that have been destroying the soil and poisoning our water and poisoning the farmer as well. His methods are incredibly simple, require no special machinery, no big equipment mortgages, are applicable to all size farms and produce results. Not only that, his methods improve the soil and he has simple ideas on how to bring back areas that we have turned into desert due to bad farming practices and animal grazing. I wish his writing would spread to the whole farming community as I suspect his books have not been noticed. His books are priceless and a real gift to food production.

After reading the one straw revolution i really wanted to see how Fukuokas' system worked. I was not disapointed by this well layed out and functional guide to his methods. While his philosophy claims that no list of rules and time tables can acturatelly set out how natural farming should work, the publication of the hystory and methods of his experiment proves vital to the unhinging of common industrial theories on the subject.

Doing nothing, being nothing, becoming nothing is the goal of Fukuoka's farming method, an approach to agriculture which he has pursued for over forty years with resounding success. With no tillage, no fertilizer, no weeding and no pesticides he consistently produces rice, barley, fruit and vegetable crops that equal or exceed the yield per acre of neighboring farmers who embrace modern scientific agriculture. The basis of his philosophy is that nature grows plants just fine without our interference so that the most practical approach is to get out of the way. In the course of explaining his reasoning and methods, this do-nothing farmer delivers a scorching indictment of chemical agriculture and the human assumption that we can improve on nature. He explains the beneficial role of insects and plants usually characterized as pests, the fallacy of artificially boosting fertility with petrochemical concoctions, the logical error implicit in the use of farm machinery or draft animals, and why pollution is an inevitable result of misguided attempts to improve on nature. Calculation of the energy input versus the caloric output of various farms results in the surprising discovery (perhaps it shouldn't be) that (minimal) human labor is the most efficient way to produce food. Draft animals add more work and more energy input, small scale machines compound the problem and large scale mechanized agriculture proves to be a vast waste of energy. He calls modern American farmers "subcontractors of the oil industry," and claims that traditional Japanese farmers on 3-5 acres achieve a real net income higher than American farmers on 500-700 acres. (A skeptical friend of mine wondered if Japanese farm price supports were a factor here. Obviously a complex issue, that, but the declining economic viability of petro-chemical farming is obvious when we note that the onslaught of monster tractors and oil based fertilizers and pesticides has paralleled the collapse of the family farm. The author, to his credit, rejects any artificial manipulation of food prices and believes they should naturally be more or less the same worldwide.) Nor is this text pure philosophy, including as it does specific practical advice on the transition from scientific to natural methods. Crop rotation programs for cold or warm climates, and a ten year rotation system for grain and vegetables make this a practical manual for husbandry. As Fukuoka eloquently suggests, the universe is a circle returning to nothing. Nothing is the most profitable object of our meditations. Doing nothing is simply going with the flow. (See also his "groundbreaking" (literally) ONE STRAW REVOLUTION, Other India Press; 1992)

I found this book at a used book store on my 12th birthday. I was one of the better presents I've ever received. It inspired my love of nature and the natural world, it got me outside and made me dream of having a rock collection of my very own.

I would recommend this book for children ages 10-14 and adults interested in the natural world. It would be particularly useful in conjunction with a few of the Audubon field guides.

The book is divided into two parts. Part I deals with reasons an individual may want to study the natural world and ways he/she could go about doing it. It outlines a plan for starting a nature observation club, going on field trips, creating nature trails, keeping a nature journal and setting up a nature workshop.

The second part deals with specific activities within each of the natural sciences. It is set up rather oddly- animals having a section of their own, apart from sections about birds, reptiles, insects and water life. I suspect that the animals section was meant to be a section on mammals. This doesn't really affect its functionality though. Each section on living things contains a set of neat activities for observing the organism in it's natural habitat.

The first section in part two is about birds and birding. It gives a detailed overview of birding techniques, ways to attract birds to your yard, how to photograph them and information about collecting bird feathers and eggshells. The second section is about animals, really about mammals. It tells you how to find wild animals, get close to them, clean a skeleton for your collection and even keep them as pets (not an activity recommended by me!). This book was published in the 50's after all, and that sort of thing wasn't as taboo then I suppose.

The third section is about reptiles. Once again, this chapter teaches you how to keep wild reptiles in captivity. It would probably be best to use this information to keep domestic reptiles. Unless you're very experienced, handling wild animals isn't the smartest thing to do.

The fourth and fifth sections are on insects and aquatic life respectively. They are quite like the previous chapters- they contain information on how to find animals, catch them, mount them for a collection and keep them in captivity.

The next two sections, Flowers and Flowerless Plants and Trees really ought to be combined into one chapter. After all, trees are flowering or flowerless plants. Also, for some reason he includes mushrooms in the flowering plant chapter. Still, I can forgive Mr. Hillcourt because these chapters are my favorites. Here he describes methods for making a flower calender, growing a wildflower garden, making a leaf collection and many other interesting activities.

The final three chapters deal with geologic studies, the weather and astronomy. Following the patern of previous sections, they describe how to observe natural phenomena, take notes and make collections for later study.

Really, it's a great little book, even if it's dated. Buy it for your daughter and get his butt outside. Let her look at bugs under a hand lens and squeal at the sight of a Barred Owl. Because lets face it, kids need the outdoors as much as they need calcium. It's good for the body, it's good for the soul.

This book is simply the best. It has nature activities in all areas of science. Trees, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, astronomy, animals, etc. A how-to guide for the amateur naturalist.

I'm still using this book, and I'm 46 years old. I received it when I was 12, and found it full of wonderful, exciting adventures and activities.

The 378 pages in my 1970 edition, contain activities you can do inside on a wet rainy day when you can't go outside, as well as plenty of things to do when the weather allows you to go outside. There are plenty of things for city kids, I didn't grow up in the `country.' I was able to see and identify many stars and there's a chart of the year's 9 major meteor showers (Perseid in Aug offers the easiest/best viewing). I used the fountains at the local park to find aquatic life forms and various algae. Birds were everywhere and became a life-long passion for me. I used the sidewalk outside the house to attract and capture ants. (Warning - although freezing the ants temporarily will slow down their mobility allowing you to view them more easily -oops, watch that timer or you'll freeze them to death! I still feel really badly about that accident.) I collected leaves, plant specimens, made fish prints, collected neat rocks and fossils and collected bugs, moths and butterflies - but I chose to let them all go free.

All the activities are clearly marked - 1 dot meant I could do this activity on my own, 2 dots meant I'd need a little help from Dad, and 3 dots meant a larger undertaking, requiring equipment or something extra, in additiona to Dad's assistance.

My edition had LOTS and LOTS of notes about places / books/ places to write to / places to visit to learn more about a topic of interest - with today's internet, it would be a breeze to find more information.

My edition is water damaged from being in the field, moldy, warped, underlined and FILLED with happy notes of my DOING the activities, and my experiences. It's really fun to see over the years which activities remain as fun to do and how my experience of the activities have changed. My edition has (by today's standards) hilarious examples of still- and moving- picture cameras. I don't know if the new edition has newer examples of photography equipment.

I love to share this book with all the children who come into my life, my nieces, my friends' children, etc. I'm buying a newly updated book as a gift for a friend's son who is 7 - the PERFECT age to further spark his budding (ha ha, sorry for the pun) interest in nature and science.

If you yourself want to get back to nature and have some fun, even as an adult, this is the book for you. (BTW it's small and easily portable into the "field.") If you want to delight a child, spark an interest in the world around us, and perhaps 'turn them onto' science, I HIGHLY recommend this delightful, well-written, solid information (no inaccuracies nor dis-information)-please buy a copy. Perhaps this book is why I majored in both Biology and Chemistry in college??

Enjoy!
Cathryn