Hoffman Books

Quite a few of the hands are based on breaking up squeezes. Once you recognize that theme the hands become a little easier.
A few of the hands are a bit far fetched.
Overall the hands were decent, requiring visualization, and avoiding end plays and not breaking new suits.
Explanations were good.

But not the classic that it was built up to be. Instead the same authors book "Hoffman on Pairs Play" is a terrific book, though it focuses much more on declarer play.

I also found Kelseys Test Your Defense a better sampling of problems than these. Nothing super hard, just more visualization.

Overall a good book, worth reading, yet not a classic.

The pamphlet is a wonderful starting point for those researching COIN (Counter Insurgency). The Britsh were one of the few nations to "get it right" when facing Mao style insurgency. This pamphlet provides a brief overview of the tactics, techniques and learning points from the Britsh experiences in Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus. Hoffman and Taw have an excellent grasp on the subject and their concise writting style makes this work easily digestable.

It is however a starting point and this reviewer does not want to mislead anyone this is a pamplet, not a book with photos, maps etc. More detailed works can be found in the bibliography and the authors other works.

Once upon a time a baby girl was left on the doorstep of Mr. and Mrs. Batty, who adopted the child and named her Angela (because she looked like a little angel). Angela was a model child until her baby teeth fell out and were replaced by teeth that came to a sharp point, like a shark's. Then her step-parents noticed that Angela liked to eat meat, and beets, cranberry juice, red cabbage and raspberries. The Battys were puzzled, but then they learned the truth: Angela was really the daughter of Count Dracula. Having a vampire for a daughter can be a bit upsetting to any parents. But then on Angela's 7th birthday (October 31st of course), her "real" father shows up ready to take "Fangella" home.

"Dracula's Daughter" was the name of a black & white film sequel to the famous Bela Lugosi version of "Dracula," but Mary Hoffman's story puts a fun twist on the idea. This time around Dracula's daughter has been adopted by a couple of people who have to get used to the idea their daughter is a vampire. I wonder what adopted children would think about this story and its implication that a "real" dad could be a real monster, but I am pretty sure Hoffman was not trying to come up with some sort of story to reassure such children. At least, I hope not. Chris Riddell's illustrations make it clear this is supposed to be a charming story and not a scary one, and the pictures of Angela eating raspberries and the first appearance of the Count all decked out in his best gap, do a very nice job of capturing the characters.

Duxbury College is a delightful read! For those in academe, it expertly weaves fascinating departmental anecdotes into the evolving life of Daniel Tomlinson, a biology professor at a Vermont liberal arts college. For present and former students of higher education, this book illuminates professorial life outside of the classroom, verifying some suspicions and documenting that undergraduates are not the only ones who live intriguing university lives. For the general reader, Duxbury College provides an amusing odyssey of an aspiring academic whose rich and varied circumstances prove that life's trajectory is rarely what one envisions.

In his characteristic style, Dan Hoffman has authored yet another humorous, engaging and insightful novel about life in America - this time viewed from academe. As a "coming of age novel," this book traces the development of Daniel Tomlinson from his graduate student days through thirty-three years of service as a professor at Duxbury College. Those years are filled with awkward missteps, remarkable uncertainties, and formative experiences.

In writing this book, Hoffman does not hold back in telling tales out of school. Once again, his stories excite our imagination and entertain our soul.

This a delightful book for those imaginative souls who like to promote individualism and purpose in life. There is this pig who knows he is destined for more out of life than just hanging out on the farm. He discovers magic in Easter and ways he can help make it more interesting. I especially recommend this book for those families who have baskets filled with other than the traditional jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, and fuzzy chicks.

Breathing Easy by David Hoffmann offers the reader:

A holistic approach to prevent and control a healthy respiratory system.

It includes the use of HERBS, Lifestyle and diet to do this.

It gives recipies for making herbal medicines as well as guidelines for selecting commercial products.

There are in-depth profiles of 30 most effective herbs for treating respiratory conditions.

PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me for more information: rickmoon@aol.com

Ex-pats going to Europe, have no fear, this book has been written for you. With globalization now in full force, more and more international business opportunities are becoming available. But beware, the way business is done abroad is very different than in the US. Don't make the common mistakes Americans make in Europe; ie. be formal, use Mr.(last name) instead of just "Bill". Do your homework. Even American giants such as Jack Welch of GE and the Chrysler Corporation have had trouble because they did not prepare. This book gives information on the various countries in Europe and will provide you with all the the "little" things that will make your business meeting or social gathering a success.

If you are interested in learning
how to develop your inborn gifts
and skills then this book will assist
you with that learning. I do recommend
it for study and use.

I read the first collection, The Firebird, and feel in love all over again with Megan W. Turner and for this book, in addition to my already favorite authors, it introduced me to more of authors whose styles I like very much.

First of all is Ellen Klages, with 'In The House of the Seven Librarians'. I love her prose and all the words make a nice song in my head. It was almost like a poetry.

Second is Tanith Lee. I haven't had the chance to read her books but I like her story 'The House on The Planet'. The title reminds me of Laura Ingalls' :) It has the taste of pioneering adventure in it but of course, with a surprise at the ending.

Do you remember ever wishing that you could turn everything to gold after hearing this story as a child? Or do you remember the ending where the father hugs his daughter and she becomes a statue of gold and asks that his gift be taken away.

Myths can teach us lessons about life, even though the stories are mostly invented out of pure imagination. Children can learn not to be greedy, envious or vain. They can also learn to be loving, brave and good friends.

The stories in this book reflect the qualities in humans we like and dislike. Things have not changed much in thousands of years. Children still love to hear stories.

Beautifully illustrated and contains many new stories I had never heard myself.

~The Rebecca Review