Fields Books

I found the book very informative. A great hands on guide for anyone considering being a dance host.

Gentlemen, if you've ever thought about sailing the oceans of the world as a dance host on a cruise ship, this book is a must. Mr. Hughey is a professional ballroom dance instructor who has spent many years at sea as a dance host. I enjoyed this book because it provides a "behind-the-scenes" look at life on board a cruise ship. He writes about the etiquette of being a dance host - of what to do and what not to do. He even gives important tips for foreign travel, including how to pack. Again, I heartily recommend this book if you seriously want to become a dance host.

Gentlemen, if you've ever thought about becoming a dance host on a cruise ship, this book is a must for you! Mr. Hughey is an expert ballroom dance instructor who has had many years of experience as a dance host at sea. In this book you'll learn the etiquette of being a dance host - things you can and cannot do. He also gives a lot of overseas traveling tips, including what to pack. By reading this book, you'll learn to avoid traveling pitfalls from someone who has been through it all. I really enjoyed reading the book and learning what goes on "behind the scenes" on a cruise ship as a host.

Want to travel, and see the world on the best ships, having the most fun, with little or no out of pocket expense? This book answers all the questions, and provides a clear path to years of fun at sea. What skills do you need as a dancer, and as a gentleman? What do you pack? How do you maximize the fun? Anything you need to know about dance hosting on cruise ships is covered in this wonderful book. I only wish I had read it when I started hosting rather than fumbling in the dark and wishing for a guide. I learned more in a couple of hours reading than I learned in 6 years hosting. This is a must read for all levels of experience.

I wish I had had "You Could Be At Sea Dance Hosting" when I began dance hosting. Arguably, Lee Hughey is the top dance host in all of dance-host-dom. Few, if any, are his equal, and certainly no host can rival his dance ability. In a chance meeting, I met Mr. Hughey at a dance at a resort. A few months later, I was taking a nap in my big blue lounger at my home in the Smoky Mountains when the phone rang. It was the personnel director of one of the premier cruise lines, asking if I would like to interview as a dance host for them. "How did you get my name?" I asked. She said, "I was at sea last week, and Lee Hughey recommended you to me." I was on one of her company's ships within a week. Since then I have traveled the world as a host--for free-I DON'T PAY A FEE TO AN AGENT! If Mr. Hughey whispers your name to a cruise line, you get noticed. That's the esteem in which he is held in the industry. And he knows the business backwards and forwards. He's tasted the ups and downs of hosting so you don't have to. Someone once said, "A wise man learns from the experience of others; a fool ought to learn from his own experience." Hughey's "You Could Be At Sea Dance Hosting" tells you how to be a dance host and avoid the pitfalls. And if you are a writer, such as I, you can take your laptop along. Most of the novel I am working on now "Murder on the Cruise Ship" was written at sea. I give Hughey's book five stars! But I give Mr. Hughey six!

Dr. O. J. Bryson, author of "A Trace of Smoke," "The Box," "Clyde, the Elf That Santa Fired," and coming soon "Murder on the Cruise Ship," thrillers all, available right here at Amazon.com.

26.2: Marathon Stories

This was the perfect gift for my brother who was completing his first marathon. He read it from cover to cover on the plane. He loved it. I loved it and I didn't run a marathon! It's filled with interesting and inspiring stories and neat facts. It makes a great gift for the runner in your life.

Great book, especially for those who have run a marathon and can appreciate first hand the highs and lows involved every step of the way. Couldn't put it down.

As a recreational but devoted marathoner, (currently training for #9), this was an obvious must-have for me. Most books published under the Rodale title are generally just rehashes of old RUNNERS WORLD magazine articles, but this is definitely not the case here.

This handsome coffee table book is beautifully designed and offers not only inspiring passages we've come to expect in the world of the long distance runner, but breathtaking photography and insight into the minds, passions and heartaches associated with the sport. It fairly examines the good and the bad throughout the long history of "Marathon;" from ancient Greece to contemporary pop culture.

Divided into 26.2 chapters, it is a wonderful book for both the devoted runner and interested spectator as well. Would make a great gift.

I actually had an emotional reaction by the time I got to "the Finish Line." Just like in real-life! So this book willl definitely be a treasured addition to my library.

I'm a "senior", "middle-of-the-pack" runner and been at this for 30 yrs, completed 7 marathons and read most of the books concerning the subject, but found this one to be truly original. Running is basically a simplistic sport but to extend oneself to the extent to complete a marathon requires a special effort which this book manages to capture better than any other I've read so far. A must for anyone interested in running or those trying to figure out what makes people do this crazy stuff. Easy reading and wonderful photography!

The perfect reader for southern enthusiast and small town living fans. Does an excellent job of describing, in deatail, the towns and their enviroments. Gives me a years worth of weekend trips at my fingertips. A must read!

This informative volume describes a number of towns that would otherwise surely go unnoticed by the non-Southerner. Basic population, economic and climate data are followed by descriptive sections on recreation, housing, health resources, and the like. An occasional anecdote or personal interview might have added a bit of color, but this is a more complete book than most others about those charming, artistic, or undiscovered places we want to find out about, and it may be the only one of its kind on the South. I am happy to own it.

This is a very handy, concise and yet comprehensive guide to help in your search for that delightful Southern town offers good quality of life and yet within reach of a city's conveniences.

There are useful statistical highlights, Cost Of Living index and web links. The books provide information on the community, eateries, attractions,education,etc.

I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a guidebook to assist in their search for a delightful town to re-locate and live.

Most people spend more time planning where to spend their vacations than they do deciding where to spend their lives (or their retirements). Fortunately for us, the authors of this book have done a huge portion of the legwork for us: finding the best small southeastern towns, evaluating them through a set of clearly defined and excellent criteria, visiting each one, and gathering relevant information to help us not only decide where to go, but to also help us connect to the community once we get there. I would be lost without this book, not even knowing where to begin. The books is also well-written, engaging in style, and easy to use. For example, you can skip sections you're less interested in because there are frequent headers common for each town, and you can also search towns by state, climate, geography (e.g., coast or mountains), and other factors of interest.

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As a novice soccer-playing mom, I can authoritatively recommend this book. Araton captures the essence of the soccer-mom playing movement: the pure joy - both physically and emotionally - that comes with playing a team sport for the first time. This book is more than soccer. It's the story of a great group of women who made a difference in their community.

This book is for all adult women who play soccer and then pass this book to your husbands , boyfriends or significant other its a must read !!! Harvey caught the essence of exactly how deprived I felt not being in competitve sports when I was younger . Now later in life I like Harvery's wife became an organizer of women in sports. I felt like Harvey was writing about me . It was truly enjoyable to see a man appreciate and understand his wife's new found interest and ENCOURAGING it . What a wonderful book. Im sure I will see Harvey's wife in our OTH (over the hill) divison one day. Keep kickin it up !!! I recieved this book from my wonderful husband :)

Finally, somebody has taken seriously the phenomenon of women at play, and given this trend a cultural voice. Araton went to a great deal of reportorial trouble getting the story right, interviewing and chronicling the suburban mothers who have decided that sports can both empower and entertain. The characters come to life through both crisis resolution and athletic achievement. On and off the field, this book scores a hat-trick.

Learning to play soccer at 30, 40, or 50 is nothing like learning to play tennis, ski, or snowboard at that age. This book captures the essence of the challenge, exhilaration, and camaraderie that adult women experience in taking on one of the most demanding sports. Soccer moms who have tried what these women have done will really empathize with this book. It also accurately depicts the group politics that arise when organizing a playing league of women who are new to team sports and expect fairness to be applied. "Alive and Kicking" is extremely well-written and is a highly enjoyable fast read. Circulate it amongst your teammates and significant others; they will all be delighted.

Full of witty information and interesting stories. Anything but a boring archaeology book.

The kalingas are a proud people. One author withstood 4 months of pain and gain of course, to write a book about a tribe, nay a community; not even - a nation!

The Philippines would be better of as a nation to read this art of a book, and learn from the customs and practices of an older civilization - close to 5,000 years old (my fact); their songs and wine and love and adventure deserves a niche in the heart of Filipinos, to help undo centuries of colonial mindedness (the effect of "liberal theology" as conspired to by the catholic leaders in colonizing the country) (you - [spanish] clerics think we don't know what you did to our culture? Ha Ha)

Back to James skibo: James skibo, may your tribe increase- but one thing. Stay there longer (than 4 months)for some real-life imersion please. And do another book on the "budong" which means peace pact but more than that - it is a government!

In Ants For Breakfast: Archeological Adventures Among The Kalinga, archeologist James Skibo shares the story of his archaeological pursuits in the remote Philippine highlands where he lived with the Kalinga people, former headhunters and one of the few groups in the world still using ceramics for cooking. Ants For Breakfast is an exciting tale of archaeological adventures worthy of any movie or television mini-series. But this true-life account of danger, mystery, sex, violence, and death is more gripping than any Hollywood fiction. In the course of his story Skibo links his experiences to the development of modern archaeology, and such subjects as human evolution, the populating of the world, animal domestication, cultural logic, food taboos, Imelda Marcos, and a great deal more. Ants For Breakfast is highly recommended reading for students of archaeology and anyone who ever wondered what a real life Indian Jones adventure would be like.

Food For Thought

"Ants For Breakfast" is an easy read, yet a curiosity-piquing one for us archaeologist-wannabes. Author Dr. James Skibo skillfully mixes fact, humor, and his own experience with the Kalinga of the Philippines to show the reader that life as Americans know it, is not the only way to live. On one level, our modern conveniences seem unnecessary and wasteful and yet after reading his account of the 4 months he spent living in the mountains with the Kalinga, one has to be grateful for life's simpler and more basic conveniences [running water, electricity, modern restroom facilities].

His description of a Kalinga funeral and his comparision with our funeral traditions, makes one wonder why is it that funerals have become a somber event that is dreaded and struggled through, when it could be a celebration of life as Dr. Skibo observed in the Cordillera mountains of the Philippines.

As a registered nurse, the stories of their healthcare practices I found especially interesting. As a woman, I tried to imagine myself in his wife, Becky's place. An incredibly brave, resourceful woman in her own right, Mrs. Skibo is an example to woman everywhere. A followup book from her perspective would be a edge-of-the-seat page-turner as this one is!

Dr. Skibo's explanations of dietary differences do not diminish his message. Rather, they add to the reader's understanding that dietary habits are cultural, a learned behavior. Foods we see as repulsive to eat may be a delicacy elsewhere, and vice versa.

Openness and acceptance of those different than us is the food for thought that Dr Skibo offers us in this most interesting book. And just for the record, I think I'll have some of those black 'blueberry' bugs with my bowl!

If you have a copy of Volume 2 (Gulls, Terns and Skimmers) for sale, please notify me.

Kasieluka@aol.com

the best of the best, be sure to get all three volumes, i have found these books to be the most accurate from florida to canada, and new jersey to california

I looked for a long time for the best book with photos not someones idea what the birds look like. Also it gives excellent data on identification, breeding, habitat and comparisons

Every serious birder should have the Master Guide. Unforntunately it is out of print and until the publisher decides to release it again so that one can have the complete set of all three volumes, it will leave a void in one's birding library. It might be out of date (1983), but the photographs for the most part as well as the text are extremely helpful when used in conjunction with other field guides. Sometimes it is the guide that will finally answer the question of what bird was that when the other guides have left you guessing. Here's hoping the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, will release all three volumes again real soon! stormpetrel@msn.com

It's pretty good if you would like to solve a mystery, and at the same time learn. It does need something more, besides Abby's pet pumpkin...just a little something more twistier!

When the Baby Sitters go to a feild trip, another mystery awaits them. I think that this is the scariest of all.

This book is so good. Kristy,Mary Anne, Stacey,Mallory and Abby are going to Salem or a school trip. They don't expect to be involved in one of the most thrilling mysteries ever. Find out what I mean by reading it!

This book is an excelent example of Ann Martin's writing abilities. The plot catches your attention right away, and you feel as if you're there. You begin to sympathize with the so-called sixth grader "witch" and sit on on the edge of your seat because of Abby's bad luck. While reading, the author unearths suspects whom may have stolen the Witche's Eye, but there's no way to tell intill the end because of the plot's interesting aspects on the suspects. All fans of Ann Martin should definately read this fantastic view of the mystery in Salem. And if you've never read a book by Ann Martin, this is definately a great place to start!!!

This resource is worth 5 stars - it is specifically for adults and is easy to read, easy to access. All steps are described and illustrated. Worth purchasing especially if you are a beginner.

This book provides a good solid basic technique overview. It has been used as a textbook at some colleges, and was highly reccomended by my former headmistress. I found the text interesting and helpful, and the illustrations sufficient. Of course, no book can replace a talented instructor, but as a supplement to a dance program, this book is superior.

Finally a good ballet instruction book that's encouraging and doesn't talk down to adult beginners. The more ballet classes I take, the more I realize how well this book distills the important aspects of ballet. Sketches and photos showing correct (and incorrect) body positioning are appropriately used. When I started ballet, I picked up a handful of books, and I always reached for this one when I had 10 minutes to learn a new tidbit. The brief history of ballet in the final chapter is added bonus. If you're an adult beginner, start with this book and the David Howard videos, plus a good teacher once or twice a week. You won't be auditioning for the American Ballet Theatre, but you'll become a proficient dancer pretty quickly.

I have the 3rd edition of this book, which was required for a college Ballet I class. As a beginning, adult, male student, I found the book to be very detailed - which I like. She gives you illustrations of steps, with the French name & pronunciation, why your doing it (e.g. to stretch certain muscles), a description, etc..

Initially, working at the barre (e.g. how to stand, plie', positions of the feet) Sandra gives correct & incorrect drawings. Of course, no book or video can replace being in class nor should it. With ballet you need a teacher to correct what your doing wrong so you can learn from it. Then having good books, videos, etc. as reference material helps you learn.

The book is written for us beginner adults, not children and not the pro's, which is really nice. Since we don't have nearly the flexibility of them. It also includes some history in the back of the book. Illustrations show men as well as women. Also included is what to wear to class, what to expect in class, how you should act, etc..

Get her other book once you get beyond the basics.

Save 10x the price of the book on your first purchase. Don't wait...buy it now and start saving!

Collaboratively written by Art Beroff (a professional investment banker and member of the Small Business Administration National Advisory Council), with the collaborative assistance of Rob Adams and Terry Adams (real estate development and property management experts who buy distressed properties and then remodels and furnishes them for a profit), The Bargain Hunter's & Smart Consumer's Field Guide is a solid and accessibly presented money-saving guide to getting discounts when shopping or utilizing service providers; using the Internet for finding bargain prices; negotiate like a professional over real estate; and much, much more. The text is comprised of motivational, down-to-earth language, showcasing accessible and practical strategies for getting the best possible deal, while avoiding scams. The Bargain Hunter's & Smart Consumer's Field Guide is a thoroughly "user friendly" how-to guide that will literally pay for itself over and over again.

A excellent primer on getting great deals on all kinds of products, from clothing to computers to cars. Besides the great advice (which really does work!), the book is a fun read, with lots of tip boxes and sidebars that share the authors' own experiences.

I love this book! It's so easy (and fun) to read. It's got chapters for buying new products as well as buying "Secondhand Rose" stuff at auctions and estate sales and a very detailed index, perfect for looking up an area I want to concentrate on. I just looked up holiday gifts and found some terrific ideas for bargain buying now, instead of waiting until December. This book is full of practical information on how to make your money go further while having fun at the same time.

Blind Switch is worth the read! A lively book with full blown interesting, and some despicable characters, this book kept me going. McEvoy makes the world of horse breeding and racing a seductive one and one I would like to visit again. He blends the good guys with the bad guys as the story weaves from Chicago to Kentucky and en route we watch the main character grow and ultimately flourish.
A fast and refreshing story!

Blind Switch is a great ride - lots of unusual and goofy characters - some are people you'd like to know, including Jack Doyle, the main character. He starts out in a "blind switch", essentially boxed in by life, though in part by his own doing. He evolves and revolves through the world of thoroughbred horse racing. You will too. Great suspense, life lessons, and peripheral romance. You'll hate the bad guys and enjoy the good guys, with lots of laughs. The Chicago references are fun for us Chicagoans. Ever wonder why horse racing is actually a clean sport? Because the FBI, the mob, and the industry itself need and want it to be. It's a great read! I didn't want it to end. I'm waiting for McEvoy's next move.

When Jack Doyle is downsized from his corporate Chicago job, a friend tells him he can make an easy $25,000 on a horse race. He accepts the job and the fix is totally successful but the FBI has an idea what he did even though they have no evidence to convict. The agents "convince" him to gather evidence that rich and powerful Harvey Rexroth is having his horses killed for the insurance money. One of Rexroth's employees, manager Aldous Bolger reports his suspicions to the FBI

Bolger agrees to help Jack get hired by Rexroth and Doyle but finds he likes and respects the man who loves the horses as if they were his own. The FBI believes the leader of the horse killing ring is former jockey Ronald Montvedt, a stone cold killer who will do anything for money. When Bolger catches him trying to kill a stallion, the ex-jockey maims Bolger. Doyle is now determined to take Montvedt and Rexroth down, no matter what methods he has to use.

Fans of books of the late Dick Francis will thoroughly enjoy BLIND SWITCH, a novel about horses and people who care for them. The protagonist undergoes a metamorphosis as he stays in contact with the beautiful animals and goes from being a shady character to a person who wants to see justice done. John McEvoy has a unique voice that will win him a place with many fans and BLIND SWITCH deserves to win an award for best new talent.

Harriet Klausner

I love books that deal with horses. I especially look forward to those which deal with horse racing. Add to that setting a hero with some serious defects in his character, an interesting scenario which puts him on the side of the angels, several villians whom you will love to hate, some people you will genuinely care about and a generous sprinkling of serious nut cases and you have a very readable, thoroughly enjoyable first novel by John McEvoy. I have read most of the writings of the late, great Dick Francis and in my judgment, references to his writings in comparison to this story is comparing apples to oranges. Both authors have an interesting way of telling their story, but there is little comparison to how they go about it. This is a story that will hold your interest, tickle your funny bone and satisfy your sense of justice. That's a trifecta worth betting on!!