Frank Books

I'm in my 5th year of homeschooling and I was looking for some encouragement to renew my enthusiasm about homeschooling and help me balance homeschooling and the rest of our lives better.

I found that and more in this book!

When I first got the book in the mail, I was a little worried looking at the table of contents that it was more for beginning homeschoolers and that I wouldn't find much help in the book. I was *wrong*.

The author has lots of fresh ideas to make homeschooling work well no matter what obstacles we face. I thought many of her ideas were pure genius and she helped me look at things in a different way than I had before, which was very helpful.

She also helped me renew my commitment to homeschooling and she helped me remember all the great reasons I started this crazy journey to begin with - which is important to remember to avoid burn out.

I think this book is well worth the money and any homeschooler will find ideas and information inside that will be helpful to them - no matter how long they've been homeschooling!

I'm a newbie and slightly timid (will I do it right?) homeschooler. This book was very reassuring and helpful to me. The author has years and children's worth of experience to share with those of us who are contemplating homeschooling or just starting out, and I'm sure even a veteran homeschooler would gain insights from her book. I even learned a few "Heloise-type" hints for household management that I haven't known before! The book is easy to read and rich with information. The title says it all, great title, and the right audience should find this book easily.

Barbara Frank seeks to reassure all homeschoolers that homeschooling is possible without perfect kids, a perfect home, or being a perfect parent and teacher. She offers realistic helps in all areas and her comforting words are very encouraging. The chapters in The Imperfect Homeschooler's Guide to Homeschooling are short and very readable.

This is a book for anyone who thought that all homeschoolers were perfect and could do anything without even trying. I loved it, because this was our first year homeschooling ( middle, elementary, and preschool ), and I thought that I wasn't "doing it right".

The advice is easy, and she is in a word: realistic. You won't feel like a failure on a bad day, or like you haven't done enough on a good one. She talks to you, not at you, and she also doesn't insult your intelligence if you don't completely agree with her.

There's a great section about special needs children and how reactions to them affect the entire family, and she does it by promoting empathy not manipulative guilt. In fact, the whole book is about making you feel guilt-free while educating your children, and raising your family ( no matter how little you get done in a day ).

This book is for the rest of us who don't have families that look like, or act like the ones on the cover of homeschooling magazines. The overall message of the book is: nobody's perfect.

I am what most would consider a "veteran" homeschooler - 10 years into it, but I always love learning new things! I truly enjoyed Barbara's book. The title is what caught my attention - I suffer from perfection-itis. If I can't do something perfectly, I usually try and avoid it - bad habit and one I am trying to break. Like my favorite mentor, Flylady, says: "Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family" - well, after reading Barbara's book, I realize that "Homeschooling done imperfectly still creates a bond with your children, is taylored to fit their needs, and is really probably better than the alternatives!" I especially was grateful for her insight into special needs homeschooling. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing your heart with us!

Just finishing reading book, the author grips you from the first page to the last. You feel what the young character feels upon loosing his father, then having to give up his beloved cat.
The author brings forth the 1950's when society was very pejuidiced against inter-racial marriage and how a young boy doesn't understand why people look at them differently. He brings forth the love and kindness of his step-father who is black and the torment and how a family becomes dysfunctional trying to deal with society. The tragedies in one family and the sad ending.

Is Your Father Black?
This dramatic telling of a story starts with the author building action in the title by asking a simple yet thought provoking question, "Is Your Father Black?" As a reader you are challenged from the start to seek answers.

The story begins and ends with the events surrounding a thirty four year journey of a family's sorrow, pain and tragedy into a world of a black and white interracial marriage and how it affected each of the children's lives. The setting was in New York starting in the 1950's. Some dialogue is used with vivid character building and language to show the nature and direction of the story. I found it amazing how the author was able to use first person narration to tell such a touching story of how a mother was able to keep her dysfunctional family together.

For me, the events toward the end were so profound that I couldn't put the book down. The protagonist Joseph Brault was the hero and many lessons were learned. This was a good and informative read for me and I recommend it to others.

Joseph Baraba's book "Is Your Father Black" is a sad story about dysfunctional family.

We meet little Joey Brault at the age of seven when his father dies. Joey's mother who at the time of her husband's death is only 29 years old is overwhelmed by her changed circumstance. Instead of giving reassurance and stability to her five children she undermines their equilibrium by distancing herself from her children and telling them she might give them up to a foster home.

Life for the Brault family is not easy and when Joey's mother meets and marries her second husband Barney Douglas the problems only increase. Barney Douglas is a kind man but he is black. As history shows, every society has discrimination based on skin color, social status, and political or religious preference. Life for an interracial family in Brooklyn NY in 1950's and 1960's was not any different.

Brault family is dysfunctional on every level. Maria Brault's children are angry, selfish, disloyal, dissatisfied, hateful and envious. It leaves the reader wondering what made these people to turn out the way they did, to turn at each other instead of to turn to each other for comfort and support.

Apina Hrbek
author: Pandemonium a Journey to New World

Joseph Frank Baraba's style of writing makes for easy reading and accentuates the rawness of his story. The author not only describes what it is like to grow up in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1950's and 1960's, he also gives a deep insight into the troubled minds of the dysfunctional Brault family.
When Marie Brault's daughter, Maggie, wheedles her way back into the family home after marrying a layabout young man, who fails to keep a roof over his young wife's and daughter's head, she fails to show her mother any love or respect. Maggie, who respects no-one, seems to be incapable of love and, of Marie's five sons, Joey, Alfred, Bill, John and Barney Douglas Jr., only Joey shows any real affection for his mother.
The title of the book, "Is Your Father Black?" suggests that the Brault family's problems are caused by Marie Brault's second marriage to Barney Douglas but the narrative shows that the Brault children's biggest problem is themselves.
"Is Your Father Black" is a story of constant bickering and fighting among adults who never really grow up and, even at the end of the book, the reader is left wondering why these people turned out the way they did.
But then again, isn't that a true reflection of life?

Shelagh Watkins author Mr. Planemaker's Flying Machine

I just finished reading new author Joseph Frank Baraba's new book titled "Is Your Father Black?". I couldn't put the book down. He writes with his heart,you feel you're right there with the characters. At times I found the book sad,yet cheering on the young Joey. I've never seen one family that was so dysfunctional as in his book. Even though the book was sad and had tragic events,I give him 5 Stars for his first effort. I can see this being made into a Tv movie !
Toni Lawson
Santa Fe, NM

THIS BOOK IS A GREAT READ. NOT TO IN DETAIL BUT COVERS ALL SUBJECTS MORE THEN ADEQUATELY. SHOULD GIVE ANYONE WHO HAD A FAMILY MEMBER SERVING IN THE ARMY AIR FORCE DURING WORLD WAR 2 SOME IDEA OF WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH SINCE ALOT OF THESE VETERANS DONOT LIKE TO TALK OF THEIR EXPERIENCES.

What a great read this book was! As a personal account of one man's journey from the streets of Brooklyn as a teenager; then suddenly thrust into military service during World War II - it is a heartwarming and inspirational story. As a firsthand account penned by an unsung American hero of "the war to end all wars" which traces the author's experiences and observations from boot camp; to seasoned Air Force veteran; to escape from behind enemy lines; to return to civilian life - it is an invaluable piece of American history which further confirms the fact that Frank Condreras' generation was truly "the greatest generation!"

An exciting venture from the streets of Brooklyn to the air war over Germany. The book kept me at the edge of my seat. I recommend it to everyone. It's a winner!

Amazing first hand writing of an awe-inspiring real life hero!! Gripping and emotional.

This is one of the best written novels from a new artist in years. Easy reading, and well-written. All generations will enjoy this journey through WWII.

Frank Morgan would rather put up his guns and live in peace, but outlaws have smashed his life, seriously injured his wife, and taken his son. Now he rides into a valley busy with a range war. Fortunately for Frank his reputation has preseeded him. The battle is on and Frank needs to make some quick hard decisions in order to confront all the danger.

I was so impressed with this series I e-mailed the author to let him know just that.

Frank Morgan, is at it again and won't back down from some pushy ranchers that think they're above the law. As well as some wantabe famous gunfighters looking for a reputation.

You won't be able to put it down once you get started. It keeps you on one heck of a ride and Mr. Johnstone did an excellent job as before putting together a outstanding western novel.

It's a must read!! For true western readers or those with interest good ole fashion manners.

I really enjoyed the fourth book in the Last Gunfighter Series. The action is fierce and the book is one that is hard to put down. The main character, Frank Morgan, continues to try and put his guns up and settle down. but Fate won't let him. Great reading!

I now own all 3 of "The Last Gunfighter" series. In my opinion, they only get better, and this last one was the tops! I enjoyed counting the dead and wounded Frank Morgan left behind in all 3 books of this great new series.

When it comes to Westerns this one is excellent.Johnstone has that special knack of being able to tell it like it is, at the same time as being able to tell it like it was.Once you get into the story,and that takes only about 2 pages, it is hard to put down.I don't know what it is,but Johnstone breaks up this story of 240 pages unto 32 chapters.That approach results in him having to keep something new coming and the story moving right along.Hey,he isn't the first to use this approach,after all,wasn't the Bible written this way?If you want an example to follow,it's not a bad choice.The copy I have is a Collector,s Edition and included a 6 page Afterword by the author.I enjoyed it immensely and he tells us a bit about himself and why and how he got into writing Westerns.Along with great stories,Westerns usually have some excellent artwork on their covers;this one is super.It would be good if a little about the artist was included.
I once read that all novels really fall into two types:
A-- A man went on a journey
and
B-- A stranger came to town
This one seems to fit both bills;but is really type B.
As I read this story I was reminded of the verse:

"Yeah,though I walk through
the Valley of Death
I fear no Evil
'cause I,m the meanest
S.O.B.
in the valley!
It didn't take Colonel Trainor,Gilmar,Bullard and their gunhawks long to find that out, when they decided to mess with Frank Morgan.
A couple of good lines Johnstone gives us are:
"Stand still and listen and live or grab iron and die,Morgan,"the voice said,"It,s your choice."How little he realized what was in store for him.
"Think about death,boy," Frank told him."Give it some hard thought.Dead is forever,boy.Do you realize that?"
While some novels seem to need steamy encounters,Johnstone can say it all with:
"Frank grabbed her and pulled her down on the sofa.One thing led to another..."
"Frank once read about some fellow way back centries ago who was asked if he was afraid of something that faced him.No,the man said.He wasn't afraid of anything in the future,only what was behind him."
Frank knew that would be true as he continued his journey out of the valley.
If you want to read a good Western,you'll not go wrong with this one.

This book was very informative and gave solid advice on the how's, to's, what's, when's, and not to's of the business. I would recommend it for first timers especially.

A great methodical approach to getting your Yahoo! Stores e-business started quickly, efficiently, and effectively. If you're going to invest your time, energy, and money in a business, buying this book is the best investment you'll make. It highlights tips, key points, and presents worksheet appendices you can utilize for a quick start. Questions you're wise to address before you open your business are presented, along with web sites to consult as you make your decisions. The many screen displays are helpful in guiding you through the process.

This is a great book from beginning to end. It helps you identify key points to creating an online store and provides you with the resources and information to make it happen. I had a website in the past and after reading this book, I realized what I could have done better.

Whether you're a first time Yahoo! Store owner or a seasoned vet, this book is perfect. For first timers it walks you through setting up your store in an easy and straightforward manner. For the existing store owner, it acts as a refresher course on how to manage your store, and you may even learn something new. Highly recommended for ANY and EVERY Yahoo! Store owner.

I was impressed at how this book introduces the whole ecommerce concept in language that won't make beginners cringe, and at the same time it contains enough advanced concepts to keep more established business owners interested. I really like how this book goes into detail about the steps of setting up an online store because I know a lot of people who are afraid to try things out on the web with no prior experience. The book gives many examples so concepts like templates and inventory control won't confuse fledgling entrepreneurs. The authors seem to know quite a bit about the how people use the Internet, and I can appreciate that type of sensibility as a web developer.

I recommend this book to those who want to get their feet wet in the rapidly growing ecommerce industry, and for those who already have businesses on the web... this makes for a solid reference manual. For those who currently run a Yahoo! store, there are dozens of things in the book which will help you grow your business. In fact it introduces a LOT of marketing concepts that many people dont know about when selling merchandise online.

I bought this book because it was required for a masters class. This is a book I will keep and not resell. It has many strategies for teaching students with learning disabilities.

I think the product was excellent. It came brand new and it was hard cover. I would recommend the book as well as the person who sold it to me. It came very quickly in the mail at a good price.

This is the textbook I used while in college. It is very easy to read and well organized. It covers all aspects of learning disabilities from history to teaching strategies. It covers all the characteristics of learning disabilities; perceptual problems, motor, reading, written language, math, social and emotional.

I am a teacher of students with mild to moderate specific learning disabilities and I have found this book to be of such a tremendous help, I call it my "special education Bible!"

Professor Lerner has put together a comprehensive book of approaches within the filed of learning disabilities; procedures for assessing and evaluating students; and teaching methods, strategies, and materials. This 8th edition is written with the new IDEA '97 regulations in mind.

Whether you are an undergraduate, or graduate student, pre-service special ed. teacher or an inservice teacher, this text is an invaluable resource that will benefit the novice and the veteran alike. I am in the process of completing my student teaching and I bought this text because I felt that there was so much I still needed to learn about learning disabilities. I am sincere when I say I was not disappointed!

This is an excellent book. It is very readable and quite informative. I used the book for one of my graduate classes in Learning Disabilities. It was also an excellent review source for Praxis II preparation. Get it if you can, especially if you are planning to be a Special Education teacher.

What a wonderful book! In addition to being a terrifically exciting story, Jackson, the author, vividly creates a sense of time and place. One is transported to America at the turn of the century - a period of transition and change in which Frank Grigware, the protagonist, is innocently and irreparably caught. This book succeeds on every level. Outstanding!

I picked this book up on a whim and once started I couldn't put it down. It is a great true story of the real old west. Young men seeking adventure, train robbers, unjust imprisonmemnt, daring escapes and more. You should really give this one a try!

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! I loved every single page, and I hated to see it end. (For me, that's rare.) Action, adventure, excitement, and suspense...all set in, to quote the book's subtitle, "the vanishing west."

Well worth the money and well worth reading. In fact, I think I'll read it a second time.

In 1906, the twenty year old Frank Grigware announced to his family that he was going to see the world. They had been living in eastern Washington for years, and he wanted to see more of the West than Spokane. His mother understood completely; it is not an uncommon occurrence for a young man to want to roam before settling down to respectable ways. He hooked up with his best friend Frank Golden, and they figured they would do some prospecting in northern Idaho. A tough life loomed, but Grigware had no idea that he would as a result be accused and convicted of a crime he did not commit, incarcerated in the toughest prison in existence, escape from the prison, and remain on the lam from his country for the rest of his life. The astonishing story of Grigware's life is told in _Leavenworth Train: A Fugitive's Search for Justice in the Vanishing West_ (Carroll & Graf) by Joe Jackson, who shows that Grigware was guilty of nothing but naïveté when he associated with train robbers. He was, however, found as guilty as the rest of them, and a quick decision gave all the defendants life imprisonment, at Leavenworth, the first US federal penitentiary.

It was only six months into his sentence that Grigware, who the prisoners could tell was not really one of them, was let in on an escape by four other prisoners. Using the classic ploy of threatening with guns skillfully crafted of wood from one of the shops and blackened with shoe polish, they hijacked a train that regularly supplied the prison. Grigware was the only one not captured quickly, and for the next 24 years was one of America's most wanted men. The trail was long cold, even after President Woodrow Wilson commuted the sentence of the other robbers because the evidence in the case was so lacking. The FBI refused to back down, and it spied on members of Grigware's family, which was sadly fractured by his escape. Grigware in sorrow knew he could communicate with none of them, but set up a respectable life in Canada, becoming a Canadian citizen and a well-liked member of the community of Jasper, Alberta. He was not found until 1934, and what happened afterwards is of great charm. There was a groundswell of Canadian public opinion against any sort of extradition; even the game warden circulated a petition. The mild Grigware had made many friends, and he was the sort of reliable citizen Canadians wanted. Grigware's wife (who had not known of his past), when the press reported her simple statement, "Nothing will ever break up our home," made up the minds of any Canadians that had doubts on the issue. It became an international incident, and a clash of redemptive versus retributive justice.

Grigware was reunited with his family, which had long thought him dead; the meeting with his aging mother could not have been sweeter. But he could not return with her to the US, nor return for her funeral. President Roosevelt waived extradition, but no pardon was ever issued, so if he ever came back to the US, he could land right in Leavenworth again. That result would seem preposterous as the decades went by, but in 1957, J. Edgar Hoover was still sending out directives that insisted that agents monitor Grigware's relatives in case he were to show up. Every FBI memo issued about him screamed that HE WOULD KILL OR BE KILLED RATHER THAN BE RECAPTURED, a rumor that had arisen in 1911 and which still headlined Hoover's directives about Grigware, who was then seventy-one years old. This exciting and frustrating story, crammed with period detail, reminds us that courts are not always right and that as much justice as was available in this case came from the hearts of ordinary women and men.

Veteran Virginia crime journalist Jackson strips bare a capricious justice system as "the servant of time and place and ambition." In that, this book is a philosophical sequel to his Pulitzer-nominated "Dead Run," a contemporary exploration of Death Row.

Jackson is an immensely appealing writer and a graceful reporter. "Leavenworth Train" is meticulously documented, but the engaging narrative flows seamlessly. Grigware was dead long before Jackson took up his story, but the haunted fugitive comes alive in these absorbing pages, a headlong flight into justice and mercy.

We just really like these books. The pictures are great and so are the storylines. Our daughter listens fascinated and I plan to buy more titles in the future. They are funny cute books, definitely worth buying.

First we read Froggy Goes to the Doctor, then this one. We are now in love with Jonathan London's frog family and his main man, Froggy. Lots of needed repetition as Froggy prepares for a picnic with Dad. We are now searching for more Froggy books, and my daughter and I recommend you and your little one do the same! Keep on reading!

My children love this book, the sound effects part of the book keep them laughing from beginning to end. A great introduction to the Froggy series. I would recommend this book for children aged about 4-7.

This book has become my 2 and 4 year olds favorite story. They love to see froggy looking for his misplaced items and it has taught them to look for their own items when they are lost.

Froggy wakes up full of enthusiasm for a day's bike ride and picnic with his dad, but his disorganization keeps them at home until the end of the day. In between, Froggy looks around for assorted biking/picnic items (e.g., a ball, a helmet), slamming and bonking around, and finding them in the most unusual places (what ARE those peaches doing in his bed?!). Each time the two are ready to leave another forgotten item must be found:

"Frrrooggyy!" called his father. "I'm re-e-a-d-y!" yelled Froggy... "But Froggy...you need your bicycle helmet!" "I don't know where it is!..." "It's wherever you left it!" "I forget!" "You have to LOOK for it!" This little routine will sound familiar both to children and those who raise them! There's a happy denouement as both Froggy and his dad finally set out (after deciding they're both so hungry they'd better eat the picnic first-at home!).

Bright, uncluttered pictures, 27 pages, lots of word repetition and cool sound effects make this a treat to listen to and read. A toddler who loved the listening to this book will enjoy returning to it as an older reader (perhaps around grade 2-3).

I got this book for my parents on Christmas. They loved it. It describes the childhood and maturation of Santa Clause. The mythology is deep with fairies and fairy folk. The illustrations are through out the book as any good children's book. This is a classic children's story as it will grip the emotions of even adult readers. It makes one pine for the good and humane in the world. This is a great book.

I first watched this Christmas TV special when my children were small and found it interesting and fun. It brings a different view of how Santa Claus came to be with the help of Nature's creatures. It also has a great message for children that my children got the first time. I watch it every Christmas and enjoy it very much.It makes a nice change from the predictable, sugary shows you can get recently.

This book has a rather peculiar history. Originally published in 1902, two years after Baum's success with The Wizard of Oz,the first printing contained 20 color illustrations. In the second printing, eight of the color illustrations were left out, replaced by numerous black and white marginal illustrations. So you can imagine the delight of Oz fans when they discover this lovely edition in full color readily available after so many years of black and white reprints of the original edition.

The book is in three sections: "Youth", "Manhood", and "Old Age". Santa was discovered as an infant abandoned in the Forest of Burzee. The nymphs, fairies and elves adopted him and under the tutelage of Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, Claus is bought up to appreciate and understand that all living things are sacred and deserve respect. In the "Manhood" section Baum tells the reader how Claus began making toys and delivering them to the world. He had his problems though. The Awgwas, who are evil creatures and can't tolerate happiness, continue to plague Claus first by intercepting his toys during delivery and then kidnapping Claus himself. "Old Age" describes the immortals' decision to take certain actions so that Claus can continue to give to the world.

Numerous questions are answered here:
What is the reason for hanging stockings?
How and why did Santa enlist the help of reindeer?
Why does he slide down the chimney?

As in the Wizard of Oz a good number of the characters here are Baum's own creations. You'll meet the knooks and the ryls, for example. You'll also meet the Gnome King who is rather benign here, but, by the end of Ozma of Oz, becomes the arch enemy of that fairy kingdom.

Michael Hague's illustrations are glorious.In the "Illustrator's Note" he states that the illustrations took three times longer than he expected. Well, it certainly shows. This was a labor of love. The pictures are in two varieties, full color and two color. The endpapers show a snowy day in the woods, a small creature trudging through it with a sack on its back. This is indeed one of Mr. Hague's finest moments. I wish I could give this book a 10, 5 for the story and 5 for the pictures.

In this Book L. Frank Baum seeks to explain the origins of Santa Claus to children and he succeeds wonderfully. I read this book when I was much younger and really treasure the talent Baum has to tell a tale and explain where Santa Claus comes from and why he delivers those toys. Baum plays with traditional Santa myths as with most tellings Santa is an orphan or foundling adopted by others. Here Claus is adopted by the wood nymphs and raised to love the forest and all it's creatures. If there is one thing Baum asserts in this book is a love for nature, love and peace. He is taught to love the human race and another great message in this book is to do good in this world and leave it in better condition than we found it. besides that Baum explains how Claus learns to create toys and uses them to bring happiness to the children around him. Every thing is explained how the sleigh and reindeer were first used, how the first stockings were fillied, how Claus created the first christmas tree, and how he became immortal.
The book is not without a conflict as Baum created the Awgawas, creatures who seek to corrupt children through bad behavior. The creature try to destroy Claus only to earn the wrath of the immortals who befriend him. This battle in the book is noteworthy as supposedly insignificant weapons destroy their attackers.

This particular edition is beautifully painted by Hague. His nymphs are straight out of a style like the elves from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. His Santa is more like a cross between a Father Christmas and Saint Nicholas. He is jolly, and happy. Although I note he also looks a bit like Hague which is fine, why not, Hague sees the Santa in himself. This book is the most beautiful edition of Baum's Christmas classic and worth a read through out December.

I remember reading this book around fifth grade. I kind of liked it then, I think because of the whole fairies thing.

Basically the story follows the life of Claus, a baby adopted by fairies. (The story starts in fairy land and much of it involves the fairies and woodland spirits. If you are expecting traditional Christmas lore you will get that but not quite yet.) The fairies are immortal, but Claus will grow up and age. When he has grown to be a teenager the fairies set him up in a cottage in the woods. Apparently they are bringing him food and necessities, so his only job is to discover his purpose in life. He begins to make toys for children to cheer them up, and the story goes from there.

The entire host of fairies gets involved in toy production. Instead of making toys like the merry elves, they bring colors from flowers and other magical properties that Claus can include in his toys. This reads like a fairy tale and grdually Baum brings in elements from the Santa mythology. The transition from fairies and magic to Santa is what I liked most in the book.

I recently reread this book and liked it except for the whole toys making kids happy thing. Its not that I dislike kids or toys. Here Claus (obviously the future Santa Claus) makes toys for children and the toys are the panacea that makes their world perfect. With a small carved toy dog all of a sudden they are kind to siblings, respect their parents and are bursting with joy. If he passed out lifetime supplies of cocain and valium he couldn't make them happier. If I were to find that Baum had been commissioned by a department store to write this book as a special advertising section for holiday spending then that would explain alot. The huge emphasis on more toys=happy makes the book a little sick.

Overall this is a nifty twist on the Santa Claus myth. It reads well even in the summertime. The only drawback is the huge focus on happiness through toys. The only moral that I could extract from the story is that children NEED toys to be happy and this is soooo important that the entire world of fairy restructures itself around toys. Good story but it sometimes feels like good press for the toy department.

_Longing for the Harmonies_ presents the highlights of physics in a way that is accessible to most readers. It is a graceful book that pleases as it informs. One of the authors, Frank Wilczek, is a leading physicist.

Longing for the Harmonies: That's what physicists do. This book, in fact, pretty much sums up what physics is, at heart, about: a search for connection and clarity, a series of variations on themes, the interplay of tension and release, mystery and discovery--the universe's own fugue. Frank Wilczek-who recently won the Nobel prize for puzzling out how quarks glom together-and Betsy Wilczek-writer, blogger, math whiz--have composed an entrancing work that captures both the substance and process of understanding.

This has long been one of my favorite expositions on the nature of science, written by scientists. Wilczek and Devine present one of the most creative and playful discussions of physics, from the basic to the forefront that I have seen. I am very happy that this book has been re-released because now many more people will have an opportunity to share the joy I had reading it.

This book, while well-written and organized, can be slightly frustrating. Those readers looking for a straight-forward, purely factual explanation of quantum physics should go elsewhere. This text, which I read for a 100-level physics class, flips between flowing metaphors and Feynman diagrams, while trying to explain the concepts behind quantum physics. In other words, there is thankfully no math. The authors do tend to get slightly overconfident in their theories at times, putting more authority behind their pet ideas than may be warranted. Still, overall it's a good overview of quantum physics for those who want to understand it conceptually.

Longing for the Harmonies is subtitled "Themes and variations from modern physics". I would have added "and beyond": I doubt there's another popularization of quantum mechanics and particle physics that also touches upon Keats, ancient Babylon and child psychology, to name but a few.
The book actually strikes me as two intertwined books. First, there are the "preludes" which are thought-provoking excursions here, there and everywhere. At times they seem quite off the wall and impossibly far from fundamental physics, but they always whet the appetite for what's to come, a bit like (to use the musical analogy which is the book's main metaphor) a solo which seems out of place until it ties back into the main body of the song.
Second, the "main body" of the book, although also laden with references and analogies from far and wide, exposes and (in so far as is possible!) demystifies quantum mechanics and fundamental physics in all its glory, both the large (cosmology and astrophysics) and the small (atoms and subatomic particles). The two domains, of course, are intimately related: the early Universe, devoid of complicated structures such as planets, stars and human beings, was a soup of elementary particles, and its evolution (and, perhaps, birth) was dictated by rules of the game established by particle physics.
A review wouldn't be a review without at least a minor complaint; not an easy task with this book, but here is mine: the table of contents strikes me as a bit too cryptic. Chapter headings such as "Inevitability" or "Radical uniformity in microcosm" do little to explain what the chapter is about; more straightforward headings would probably help guide the reader through the grand tour they are on and help them get a sense of perspective of how the different subject inter-relate. Fortunately, the remaining three hundred-odd pages of the book are packed with enjoyable reading.
Among the many, many gems in the book are a musical analogy of why particle physics doesn't obviate all of macroscopic physics, the "lave" concept (a combination of "lump" and "wave" descrbing the dual nature of matter), and a personal account of the discovery of a cornerstone of the interaction between quarks and gluons known as asymptotic freedom (for which one of the authors was co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in physics last year). But open the book just about anywhere and it's a good bet that you will find a fascinating take on something -- whether from particle physics or beyond. Give it a whirl!