Fields Books

After reading this book and salivating at the photographs, I'll NEVER lust after anyone else's jewellery again. Apart from the sheer magnificence of the stones and the settings, the provenance of the pieces and just how they happened to be in the possession of the various members of the royal family, is completely fascinating. It's also a very interesting look at the social mores of the various eras. In Queen Victoria's time, she tended to wear more modest jewellery, much of which had a sentimental value to her, and so the ladies of the day tended to follow her example. In the following reign, that of Edward V11, the upper classes of the day followed the example of Queen Alexandra, who was a beauty and who dressed lavishly in her own particular style, which was followed by ladies of the court and which featured high necklines, decorated heavily with diamonds and precious stones. In the following reign of a very rigid George V and Queen Mary, the court seemed to be bolstering the idea of an unapproachable royalty, above the touch of scandal and to foster this idea by literally covering the Queen in jewels from head to toe. Today's monarch jewels up only on the most formal of occasions, but it's thanks to her and to the Queens of the past that this amazing collection has been built up over the years to amaze and bedazzle lovers of beautiful jewellery everywhere.

I can't say enough about this book. Leslie Field obviously loves her subject; the amount of research that went into this book is impressive. It is fascinating to follow a piece of jewelry through history from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana through pictures. The accompanying text is informative, but the pictures really say it all in this book.

Field has produced an excellent balance of text and pictures and has done an exceptionally thorough job of documentation. I was fascinated by his descriptions of how the jewelry was modified over the years to accommodate the fashions of the day and the taste of the current owner. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars was due to the pictures. Most are black and white (for obvious reasons), however some were of very poor quality, and very few taken with the intention of displaying jewelry. There was one delightful story of a gift to the young Princess Elizabeth, a necklace and bracelet, which the Queen now refers to as "my best diamonds". But do we get to see the diamonds? No, the only available picture was a distant news photo of the young Princess sitting at an angle and the jewels nearly impossible to see. For Princess Diana fans, don't bother buying this book. There are less than a half dozen images of Diana, and nothing you haven't seen before. And just a reminder, this is her personal collection. You won't see any of the crown regalia.

I was so impressed with and have gotten so much Joy from this book, it has inspired me enough to go ahead and try my first on-line review. When I noticed this was out of print I was very surprised. Even more so when I realized there was also a 1997-revised edition. I am hopeful its simply because the newly expanded volume is getting its finishing touches. With digital imaging technology having come so far since the publishing of the first two editions (87/97), the detail that is now available will hopefully be prominently featured in the next. A unique aspect of this book is the thoroughness of information presented on several different topics.
The title subject is definitely covered in meticulous detail. Aside from the jewels it really is almost a complete mini-biography of most of the British Royal Family. After all the Men bought jewels too! It is amazing to see an 18th century piece on Queen Elizabeth and be able to trace it exactly from it origin through the centuries.
The information in text and pictures give a much better understanding of the whole concept of continuity, with many surprises along the way. Tidbits like how Queen Victoria stubbornly refused to return gems that another Royal House insisted it owned. How important Jewels were to Queen Mary, not for their monetary value but because of their family historical importance. Its the little details like this that give you a much more personal understanding of monarchs, without being dishy or gossipy.

Both the front and back inside covers gives a complete family tree dating back to Henry VII. Inside, thirteen categories/chapters cover everything from Diamonds and Emeralds to Sapphires and Amethysts, explaining who favored a particular kind of gem or style over another. Do not expect a very in-depth education on gems, however you get a great understanding of the history and importance of gems through the centuries as a symbol of power and status. There is a generous amount of color and B&W photos perfectly balanced with the text. Generations of Royals Portraits set-up three or four to a page wearing the same Jewels over scores of decades are some of the picture highlights. I really don?t think you need to be a Royal Watcher to appreciate the images. From all the individuals listed in the Acknowledgments many of them with titles you understand this book was published with the complete cooperation and help of the entire Royal Family. Its the photography that makes you appreciate this. A perfect example of this is the cover subject. A magnificent necklace part of a set named: The Cambridge and Delhi Durbar Parure. Inside there is another full color page showing the complete set, however throughout the book you can see no less than ten or twelve different royals wearing some kind of configuration of it. Including the World Famous snapshot of the late Princess Diana wearing the necklace as a headband.
You cannot help but feeling like you know the members of the various royal houses a little better after reading a few excerpts. The entire volume gives you an impression that the author truly respects, enjoys and is highly educated on her subject. This is one of the few books that I own, that I know I will never post for sale used. I hope you enjoy!

Leslie Field's "The Queen's Jewels: The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II" is a splendid, splendid book in every way. Field has gathered together hundreds of important photographs (of the nearly half million she saw altogether) of Queen Elizabeth's jewels. These are shown both in their cases and being worn by various monarchs, and we see how different royal family members have altered the look or the purpose of pieces as fashions and times changed over the years. Field has complemented these photographs with her outstanding, meticulously researched text. Even if you purchase the book mostly to drool over the photographs, you will end up being both captivated and educated by the accompanying text.

Field begins the book with the ascension of Queen Victoria to the throne. Because of the Salic laws passed by the House of Hanover in 1833, Victoria was prevented from becoming ruler of both the United Kingdom and Hanover. The kingdoms were split for the first time in well over a century. Immediately, King Ernest of Hanover--an uncle of Queen Victoria--demanded his share of the royal jewels, arguing that since the kingdom had been split, so must be the gems. Victoria disagreed, and the argument went on for two decades before finally being settled in favor of Hanover. Subsequently, Victoria gave up several important pieces of jewelry to her uncle's descendants--but was already well on her way to amassing an important collection.

Victoria was the first British monarch to make clear that some pieces belonged to the Crown and were for use by any Queen to follow her--and that some pieces were her personal property, and hers to dispose of as she saw fit. British monarchs have followed in her footsteps ever since and although Field showcases many sumptuous Crown pieces in the book, the bulk of what we see are the Queen's personal pieces. And what a collection it is!

The collection is vast and jaw-droppingly beautiful. Field wisely divides the book into types of stones, from diamonds and pearls to emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, turquoise, and more. We see everything from parures
(i. e., complete matching sets of everything from necklaces to brooches to rings to earrings and more) to necklaces and tiaras which were gifts from other governments or from such quaintly named organizations as "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" to pieces designed by Prince Philip expressly for his wife.

Among the many stand-outs in the book are:

- Queen Elizabeth's three-carat diamond solitaire engagement ring, designed by Prince Philip for his wife and set with a handsome diamond taken from a tiara belonging to Philip's mother (p. 85);

- The Godman Necklace, which had been bought by an English naturalist in the 1890s while on holiday in Bavaria. His daughters, many years after his death, wrote to the Lord Chamberlain saying that they felt they owned jewelry once owned by Empress Josephine of France and that the Queen might be interested in it. Although it turned out not to have been of this provenance, it was undoubtedly a stunning and valuable piece, showcasing seven large emeralds and three smaller ones, and surrounded throughout with an encrustation of diamonds and platinum filigree (p. 95);

- The Cambridge's Lover's Knot Tiara, shown being worn by the Duchess of Cambridge in 1818, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in the 1890s, Queen Mary in 1926, Queen Mary again in 1935 (this time without the upright pearls which originally adorned it), Queen Elizabeth in 1955, and Diana, Princess of Wales in 1985. This is powerful testimony that good design and fine jewelry are both timeless (pp. 113 - 115);

- Queen Mary's "Rose of York" bracelet, which is a breathtaking ruby and diamond pendant which was eventually turned into a bracelet (p. 143).

Of course these are but a few of the many treasures in the book. It is a fascinating read, and a wonderfully complete and detailed account of what is probably the finest jewelry collection in the world today.

This is not only the authoritative account of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone, but also a profound insight into the process of getting things done in American conservation. The return of the Yellowstone wolf was the greatest triumph of species restoration in American history, and there are many lessons to be learned from this book. It's also a thrilling murder mystery, as federal agents track down the killer of the magnificent Wolf Number Ten. Written for adults, but great for kids as well.

Residents this reason have heard lots about wolves, but Thomas McNamee brings a fresh perspective to the story. He was a part-time rancher himself while writing this captivating book, but was also drawn to the wolves more deeply than he had first realized.

McNamee himself is a character in this book, giving it an inviting and personal air, but does not force his views on the reader. He shows the reader a federal wildlife agent tracking a wolf-killer outside of Red Lodge and even opens the window on curious rivalries and tensions between agencies involved in various chapters of the wolf story. Parts of the book are almost dramatic in their intensity, while others slow the pace as the wolves romp and play.

I loved this book! The only complaint I have against the book I bought was the lack of pictures. I had checked this book out from the library and it was full of pictures of the wolf.

If you have any interest in the return of the wolf to Yellowstone, this book will definitely be an asset to your library.

I would rate this book a '5', if it was the illustrated issue.

Thomas McNamee is a passionate writer as well as a consummate naturalist, and what he has done in this book is a remarkable feat; to tell the story of the Yellowstone wolves from the perspective of a denizen of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem/one who owns a ranch within the wolves' new domaine/and an enrivro who questions his own, in addition to other's, emotional involvement with the issues raised by the their re-introduction. To do this all in a book as readable as this one is is a great feat. If you love the West, love Nature, or just want a surprisingly suspenseful story of the animals survival, the political and social implications of the wolf and, by extension, the ideals of the Endangered Species Act, you must read this book -- You won't be disappointed. It's a personal journey with implications for all of us who care about the imperiled natural world.

I have been studying the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone for some time, yet this book not only gave me tons of new information it also made the information palatable by bringing with it humor and wit. Mr McNamee has an insiders view, being both a rancher and a wolf lover. Few people could see through both seta of eyes as clearly as he does, yet he makes it seem so easy. If you are to pick one book about the wolves of Yellowstone to teach you as much as possible I recommend this book to you. I do feel like he rushes details at the end of the book, but since the saga is not over, the book was hard to finish I suppose. Other than that small detail this is a great book with lots of facts and easy, witty, reading. Enjoy

I bought three books to use to coordinate my upcoming two week trip to CR. As it turned out, I booked two of the authors' suggestions. One of the inns that I selected that was in this book, was in none of the other books I used. While making the arrangements, the staff of the inns/lodges were very helpful and nice (even though I had to email them numerous times with questions). I will say, though, that this is not a 'budget' hotel/inn guide. If you're a backpacker or on very limited budget, I don't think this guide will be of much use. The book is also very nicely constructed with lovely pictures and quality, glossy pages. All in all, a very nice book.

Travel the whole of the country with good suggestions of places to stay. Especially enjoyed Sueno delMar. Am going to try places in Poas next.

Sleeping with the Toucans proved to be the perfect companion for our 1 month trip to Costa Rica in February. Travelling with two 6 year old children can be a bit of a challenge - but this book took the guessing out of what to see and where to stay for our family. This is not just a book filled with lodging ideas - as each section begins with very detailed information about the area, towns and sights. I love the descriptions of all the geographical areas and made several changes in our route based on reading such clear and personal descriptions. The lodging sections have great places to stay on any budget - and calls attention to different lodging categories and amentities - honeymoon, get away, kid friendly, wildlife viewing etc... I am so pleased to find this book and hope that travelers following the authors suggestions are as excited as we are to visit beautiful Costa Rica.

This is a fabulous book that explores the tiny, eclectic, out of the way lodgings that aren't included in other guide books. The authors provide a snapshot of each place with a substantial description to give you a good idea of what kind of atmosphere each one evokes. Definately a good choice if you're planning that trip to Costa Rica!

Its nice to read a guide book by people who have actually been there and write it as they see it - nice comfortable writing about where and what - and a big help in finding the places you want to stay in

I didn't know that thinkers of his class still existed. This is a sterling collection of meditations on life's essentials.

A friend gave me a copy of this book more than 10 years ago and I keep "losing" my copy to friends. The book is full of wisdom and is wonderfully written. I probably have read the book a half a dozen times and have read selected passages more than a few dozen times! The "Achievement" section has been particularly valuable for me.

Robert Grudin's "Time and the Art of Living" is about how we exist in time, and the role time plays in our lives, for better if we make productive use of it, or for worse if we ignore it. Not a self-help book, it is nonetheless a book that I come back to every several years, both for its accessible erudition and for its suggestions for giving shape to your life in time. Highly recommended.

I recommend that everyone read this fine collection of meditations on the practical use of time in daily living.

A pleasurable read.

This book reminds me of ancient moral philosophy. It's intelligent thinking about life, with a practical emphasis: how to enjoy your life and live well. It's quite thoughtful and original, yet not systematic at all, usually overconfident (kind of forcedly profound), and occasionally even ridiculous. But always relevant and stimulating.

It's more thinking about time, or our experience of time, than you'd think is possible, unless you'd bothered to fight through Heidegger.

The value of the book is its creative thought about life. This book will make you think about your life. If you're thoughtful, you'll disagree with some of the author's opinions, but there's some gold in here. I give it five stars for stimulating valuable thoughts, five stars for content (despite some flaws), and five stars for the genre: we need more intelligent, thoughtful books about living well.

I purchased this as a gift for my brother. The book has plenty of pictures and information, and I thought it was easy to follow and understand. My brother agrees, and said it is exactly what he wanted in a field guide.

Stan Tekiela provides compact, informative books in his Field Guide series. I have purchased 5 of them (Wildflowers, Trees, Birds, Frogs/Amphibians and Mammals of Michigan) and use them weekly. I just wish he would produce more. They are easy to carry in pockets, backpacks, etc. and contain most of the species. Great work!

I am an herbalist and needed a good reference guide to make sure that I was finding the correct species of trees for my studies. This book is easy to use, concise, and well photographed. I like how it includes photos of the leaves, bark, fruit, and flowers of the trees. I also like the discussions of where they grow as well as what kind of terrain they prefer.

I live in Michigan and already own the Birds of Michigan Guide by Stan Tekeila. So, when I saw the Trees Guide of Michigan by the same author, I decided to give it a try.

We moved to an area in Michigan with some nice old trees in our yard that I had no idea what they were. After I received the book, a few days ago, I went outside to check out some trees. I found out what they were immediately. I had a Bur Oak and another was Witch Hazel. I took a leaf from each and put it right in the book so I wouldn't forget.

The Trees of Michigan Field Guide is really handy to use. There is a photo on one page with additional little photos of the bark, cone and so on. Then the other page gives hints about the particular tree so that you can identify it. One interesting fact is how long each tree might live. The Bur Oak should live between 150 and 250 years! I am pretty sure it was here when the Indians lived in this area. It is pretty huge.

This is a fine little book and I would highly recommend it.

This is a user friendly guide for amateurs. Its pocket-sized format makes it easy to take along. The pictures and discriptions are well done and make identification easy. I recommend it for youth and adults.

I just read Veil of Illusion, and it is a wonderful book. It is well-written and the story-line grabs you right from the beginning. If you enjoy reading about the mind/body connection, you will definitely enjoy this book. The characters are likeable, and you find that you really want the best for them. This is a truly great read!

If you are looking for an extremely enjoyable read, with true characters, romance and a touch of the metaphysical--you will love Veil of Illusion. The people in this book are so real you want to go out for coffee with them. The twist of plot is enticing and surprising. You won't put this down until you read the last page.

P. Sheehy's "Veil of Illusion" is as fun to read as it is thought provoking. The reader easily visualizes the settings and characters in this well written first novel. Sheehy's words eloquently describe the turmoil of a young widow in her quest to make sense of not only this life, but past lives as well. I look forward to adding Sheehy's name to my list of frequently read authors!

This is not a book you will read and then forget quickly. It should be savored, reflected upon and perhaps (if you're lucky) it will lead you to new paths in a search for spirituality. It is not a religious tirade, but a gentle suggestion of worlds not yet explored by everyone. But fascinating nevertheless.And comforting.
I am looking forward to the next novel by this new author. She has a gift !!

This was a great book that once you start, you cannot put it down! The great story about a love lost, and past lives. It really makes you think about life in a different way, and makes you wonder. I can't wait for more books by Patricia Sheehy!

An excellent pocket size reference aide-memoir for those who work or play in remote or rugged environments. Small enough to fit into a fair sized medical pack and robust enough to survive the elements. Well worth the money!

I am pleased with the field guide. My original goal was to find a resource that is compact and light, allowing use for backpacking. The book meets that goal.

Additionally, a benefit that I didn't expect -- the outline format used makes this a good tool for giving the frequent first aid training bits that we do with our Boy Scout troop.

This is the most concise, simplest to follow, and overall best field guide I've seen. It lays out procedural illustrations and diagnostic algorithms in an easy to follow format that would still be easy in the middle of nowhere at 3 in the morning. Definitely a must for anyone with a WFR, WEMT, or other wilderness medical cert.

That all being said, there are things I don't like about this book. Some of the acronyms used, and certain "laymen's terms" don't make the most sense, the most annoying of which are "PROP" for Position of comfort, Reassurance, O2 if available, and Positive pressure ventilation, and the use of the term cork for an airway obstructing object. This is just my feeling towards these terms, the rest of the book is absolutely phenomenal, and you can substitute your own care guidelines and terms if you have the training.

Lastly, get the training, this guide is only as good as the skills you have practiced. If you have never practiced these skills, this book will help you, but I assure you it is much more useful if you have taken some training to go with it.

I just received the 2008 edition after a long back order and it's well worth the money as a small concise emergency guide. I have one in my backpack, one in the glove compartment of each car, and one in the medicine cabinet.

I teach Wilderness Medical Care to the WFR level and I strongly suggest all our Advanced Wilderness First Aid students buy it, and require all WFR students to have one. These is simply no book that compares to Morrissey's Guide. Personally, I have two...one in my backpack medical kit and one for my bookshelf. If you are a wilderness guide, a SAR team member of just an avid outdoors person, you need this book. (and the training that goes with it.)

Don't leave home without it!

This book is exceptional for the beginning backyard astronomer. I found 25 objects in one weekend alone using this book. I'm up to 95 objects total with no doubt in my mind that the book will allow me to find the remaining 15 objects. In dark skies, the Telrad finder charts work extremely well. Over a dozen times I have literally been able to line up the Telrad finder per the book's illustrations and look into the eyepiece and see the desired target. In light polluted areas, where I do most of my observing and where the Telrad is not quite as useful, the star charts in the book provide just the right detail to find the target by either star hopping with a conventional finder or moving along lines of constant declination or ascension relative to a known star. Well worth the low $20 price tag.

Using this book for over two years, I've found all the Messiers and learnt a whole lot from this book. The book starts off with briefly introducing the pre-requisites to stargazing, and the geometric estimation method for locating the deep-sky using a Telrad. The book also tells the story of Charles Messier, and the origins of the Messier Marathon. He then takes the reader on a tour of all the Messier objects. Since this book has its focus on the Messier Marathon, the sequence of the objects is based on his observing sequence during the Marathon. However, as Harvard points out, this book does not necessarily have to be used during a Marathon and can be used any time to locate any of the Messier objects. The finder charts proved to be extremely useful, and I found this book becoming the book I refer to the most. The advantage is, I don't have to flip through other star maps looking for the Messier objects I'd like to observe. Its all included in this book. Therefore, I used this book more than my star atlas while observing the Messier objects. There is a little bit of inaccuracy with some of the charts. For example, in the chart for finding M75, I found I had to extend a little further than the distance from the mouth of the teapot to the lower corner of its handle away from tau Sag. to get to M75. Perhaps it was my problem of not using a powered finder (only the Telrad), but I had to try 5 times before I was compelled to move my scope little further east and north when the dim glow of M75 slid into view. This situation is actually clearly demonstrated in any star atlas, M75 is definitely a little further than the estimate.(I did very careful measurements on a printout of a few star chart program and Harvard's estimation method got to 0.6 to 1 degree from M75 depending on the angle deviation from the gamma Sag. - tau Sag. line, so I'm guessing some people may have troubles) Nevertheless, this is a VERY minor complaint for Harvard's method is based on estimation. Getting as near to the object as possible with the simplest method is what matters. My suggestion to any similar situation is to use a star atlas beside this book too to help with objects that don't seem to show up on first or second attempt. Furthermore, if the object is not in view, do scan around a little (which Harvard did mention). In a real Messier Marathon, don't panic (as I did =) and keep in mind that the less detailed charts are mainly for estimation. Overall, an exceptional book, beautifully written and educating. A book that deserves to be on the bookshelves of all amateur astronomers!

this book is written with one purpose in mind-to get the reader(observer)through the Messier objects utilizing various, and well explained, star hopping techniques combined with in-scale drawings of the objects within their given constellations. It also has some very useful techniques for ligning up a telrad type instrument, calibrating the finder and eyepiece, as well as providing an observer's log for the objects and the Messier catalog. Great book and more than worth the money. Being an "advanced beginner" I have found its techniques easy to follow leading to some incredibly successful observations of these beautiful objects. I only wish it included the Caldwell Catalog, but that may have diluted its very narrow and detailed focus on the Messier objects. Highly recommended!

After trying run my first Messier marathon with charts that I had prepared myself, I wish I had had this book with me that night. I would have seen alot more. Using this book, I have able to locate many objects that I had not been able to find before with certainty.

This book is excellent resource that I now take along with my telescope to every star party. The charts and object sketches are well oriented to the practicing amateur astronomer. Also covered are telescope calibration, observing techniques, and site selection. The only drawback to this book that I have found so far has been that it is not printed on waterproof paper. So, I had to order another copy to cut up and laminate.

This is an extremely helpful book. I rate it among the very best for helping in your Messier Object search: At the April 2000 Messier marathon, I found 75 objects, and was on schedule to find 105, but I grew too tired to continue. On a recent star party in September, 2000, I found 45 objects before midnight, thanks largely to this book. Buy it while you still can!

I usually like the running books with a 12 or 16 week schedule pre written for you so was wondering if Salazar's book would be well suited for me, in that I would have to write my running schedule myself. After reading his book, I found his advice easy to follow and the rule's of thumb's that he recommends are very helpful when you feel like deviating from your schedule since you now know the range to work within. Rick

I'm a novice runner wanting to take it to the next level and needed some advise and inspiration. I found that I was doing several things wrong and I have made major improvements in my running since buying the book. I now have a plan of action for continued improvement, and this book can take me there and beyond.

This book is quick and simple to read and covers all the basics, plus more. It's been extremely helpful.

This is my favorite running book by far. Alberto Salazar is obviously trying to convey the best information he can to the reader and he does a great job. The book is weak in the area of training schedules but strong on virtually everything else. Most of the book has been useful to me on a daily basis. The only real complaint I have is that the author, like many of the older elite runners , does not personally do as much stretching as he recommends for the reader, does not use a heart rate monitor, etc. But he, as a coach, recommends it to other runners while not having a whole lot of personal experience and it shows. I use both so sometimes I read between the lines. He also does not understand cycling and its effect on the runner. A not uncommon malady among runners.

An excellent and complete review of this book was written by the Zimmermans. I would, however, like to add that from the perspective of a better than middle of the pack masters runner, that this book contains everything you need to be a successful road runner. Most of the information is not new but it is an excellent SINGLE SOURCE for anyone who wants to find a way to improve his or her running. Although co-written by an elite runner, I was pleased to read about training in a manner to which I could relate. The pace charts, age graded and other tables are excellent. Thanks to both Alberto and Richard for writing a running book that made me feel they were talking directly to me. BRAVO!

Since Alberto Salazar was a former world-class runner
himself, before retiring from competitive running, this
book is definitely worth checking out. It also helped that
elite runners like Bill Rodgers and Mary Decker Slaney also
had positive comments regarding this book.
This book is useful because it takes you from preparing
race, the race itself, and the post-race routines. It also
discusses injuries, and how to deal with them, and other
associated topics, like the psychological aspect of running,
and basics like weight training, crosstraining and nutrition.
If you're a beginner or even a veteran runner, you will
find useful advice, because there was a few things I picked
up in this book that I don't recall seeing in other running
books, and viceversa. If I had a complaint, is that it only
had a sample training schedule for someone training for their
first marathon, not including his own elite schedule when he
was running 120 miles or more weekly. This schedule was not
of any use to me, because my weekly training mileage already
exceeds the highest weekly mileage suggested in the book.
However, despite this, it is well worth the investment,
if you plan to enter a road race at some point in the future.
The topics are logically organized in a chronological fashion
that makes the book easy and simple to read. FYI, if you want
a sneak peek, here's a look at the Table of Contents, and you
can decide if this book is for you or you can take a pass and
look for another book that will fit your goals more suitably.

CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ix
Introduction From the 100 Yard Dash to 1
the Ultramarathon

Part 1. Preparing To Race

1. On The Road To Racing 9
Why Race*Coaching What Nature Gave You*
Before You Start*Stages of Life*Medical Issues

2. Basic Principles of Running Faster 23
Muscle, Power, Fuel and Oxygen*Base Training*Speed
Training*Lab Tests and Training Theory*Callusing
The Mind*Rest*Building a Workout Schedule

3. Base Training
Hard-Easy Pattern*LSD Pacing*Warm-Up and Cooldown* 38
Hydration*Maintaining Consitency*Overtraining

4. Running Form
Upper-Body Form*Leg Motion*One Ideal Form 50

5. Speed Training 61
Eyeing The Prize*The Variety of Speed Workouts*
Picking Your Benchmark Pace*How To Run A Speed
Workout*Customizing Your Speed Workout*Training for
the Distances*Other Workouts*Putting It All Together

Part 2. Oiling The Machine

6. Stretching 85
Stretching Basics*Ten-Minute Stretching

7. Weight Training and Cross-Training 95
Lower-Body Exercises (Core Program)*Upper-Body
Exercises (Core-Program)*Pylometrics*Cross-
Training

8. Nutrition and Weight Control 112
Nutrition Basics*Fueling The Serious Athlete*
The Right Weight For You*Body Composition:
Measuring The Fat

9. Aches and Pains 126
Basics of Field Repairs*Common Hurts*Excess
Pronation and its Control*Coming Back After an
Injury Layoff*DMSO*Lesser Ailments*Other Maladies

10. The Runner's Mind 157
Paying The Price*Building The Confidence*Letting Go*
Relaxation*The Mental Race: Fighting Fatigue*Long-
Term Motivation

Part 3. The Race

11. Getting Ready 171
Choosing Your Race*Planning Your Race*Tapering*
Registration and Packet Pickup*The Night Before The
Race

12. Race Day 179
Rise and Shine*Warming Up*The Start

13. After The Gun 190
Split Times*Race Strategy 101*The Dictates of Nature*
Fine-Tuning Your Pace*Hydration*Gels

14. The Finish and Beyond 207
The Final Mile*At The Finish Line*Recovery*Setting
Your Next Goal

Part 4. The Marathon--And More

15. The Marathon 219
Marathon Training*The Big Day*The Recovery

16. Masters Running 240
Masters Physiology: Bad News/Good News*Masters
Training*Age-Graded Performance Standards

17. Advanced Challenges 255
Race Strategy 102: Racing People Rather Than The
Clock*Cross-Country and Trail Running*Relay Races*
Alternative-Format Races*Mega-Races*Triathlons*
Ultramarathons

Appendix: Pace Chart of Common 273
Workout and Racing Distances

Index 279

All in all, this book is fairly easy and fast to read. You
could probably finish the book in 4-5 hours, since there

are diagrams, charts, and other detailed information. It's
nearly 300 pages, but a person could probably polish it
off in a weekend or less if they devote a couple of hours
or so each day.

I love this cookbook! I've tried about half a dozen of the recipes, and loved each one. My favorites are "Cinnamon Oatmeal Chocolate Chip" and "Molasses Spice Chocolate Chip."

The recipes in this book are amazing, and the introduction is very helpful and informative. She tells you flat out to use good quality ingredients, and not to use no/low-fat ingredients - these are meant to be savored and enjoyed. While I like to cook healthy, if you're going to eat a cookie, you might as well make it worth the splurge - just be sure not to eat too many (if you can!). She gives tips with each recipe, that are truly helpful, and even gives suggestions how to give a little variation to the recipe. I am determined to try most of these recipes, but have tried only about 7 so far. Out of those, only 1 didn't work out for me (the malted milk ball cookies), but I overcooked them so it was my fault. The buttermilk choc. chip brownies have become the requested dessert for my father and sister's birthdays (though I have to leave out the pecans since they're both allergic). The butterfinger brownies, caramel surprise cups (amazing out of the oven or warmed in the microwave), and pb cup cookies never last if my brothers find them, and my mom and I also love the chocolate chocolate chip shortbread cookies. The Holy Smokes Cranberry cookies are also amazing! ( I was also surprised to find out in her notes that they are served at a restaurant less than an hour from my parents house). To sum it all up, if you love cookies and chocolate, this book will not disappoint. These recipes run the gamut from the classic toll house cookies to white chocolate chip lemon pucker cookies all the way to cognac apricot rugelach w/mini chips - you're bound to find something different and special for everyone you know.

_A_Baker's_Field_Guide_to_Chocolate_Chip_Cookies by Dede Wilson is exactly what it says it is -- a guide to baking all different types of chocolate chip cookies.

The format is very nice. The book has a binding that lays open flat and recipes are accompanied by information on how well the cookies store and ship and whether the dough freezes well, if the cookies keep well, if the recipe is fun to make with kids, quick to make, and sturdy enough to mail.

The recipes are very good, if sometimes a bit sweeter than I prefer. There are lots of different types of ingredients, different types of chocolate, and different cookie shapes and variations in crispiness and chewiness.

I was looking for a book to give me ideas for chocolate chip cookies, and this book has been perfect for that. Definitely five stars.

I cant wait to try these recipes. They are all so different when you read the descriptions of the ingredients. She has the book very organized and tells you what cookies can be mailed as gifts and how long they will last. There are also some great recipes for dark chocolate 70% cocoa cookies, which I love. Have fun eating!!!

I was pleased with clear recipes, and that they were laid out so you could lay the book flat and see all the ingredients and directions at once. And the results were delish, too!!!