Nova Books

I found this book to be very entertaining and a great read for any youngster who has any interest in piping and/or Nova Scotian culture, as well as just a good children's novel. Not many people know where/what Nova Scotia is, and this book brings an accurate description of what life and her people were like back 50 years ago and also much what it is like today. Seems like I've heard alot of the tales before - perhaps from my mother who grew up in the next county over, played in a pipe band, and endured many a snowstorm, walking both directions uphill, to school, during the same time frame. I especially liked the indirect mention of Fraser Holmes and my mom's pipe band - very nostalgic! A great and very entertaining read! I enjoyed it very much!

"Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lesson" is at the top of our novel study list in my classroom. Several years ago I was looking for a new novel study for my Grade Five class and came across the book, "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons." It stirred my interest immediately for two reasons, I'm from Nova Scotia and I play in a Pipe Band. So I bought the book, read it and when I finished, I knew this would be a great read for my students.

It tells a story of Sandy Chisholm and the many adventures that he and his friends have. Students can relate to Sandy and his friends and get involved in the story right away. As well, my students learn some interesting facts about bagpipes and the dedication it takes to learn how to play the Great Highland Pipes.

Not only does Scott Williams take the reader on many childhood adventures, but he also describes nicely what it takes to be a great piper. Anyone who is interested in learning to play the pipes and the hard work that you must go though, will have an idea having read this novel. This to me is worth the read in itself.

This is the second year that we have used "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" as our novel study. It just keeps getting better and better for me because my students are so into it. Last year two of my students actually took up chanter lessons.

The worksheets and activities certainly relate to our Grade Five curriculum by introducing students to Nova Scotia and the regions around Antigonish. It also gives the students some insight into Scotland. The ideas that your class can come up with for other projects, is only limited by what you want to do yourself.

The story shows students how if you are determined to do something, you can achieve anything, even how to play the Great Highland Bagpipes. We have a Character Education Program at our school and this story relates to many of our "Word of the Month" themes that we have put into practice here.

Each year as soon as we complete this novel study, the question is asked, " When does Sandy's next adventure come out?" I would like to see this novel included in the Scholastic Book Club series so that every student out there has the opportunity to experience an adventure with Sandy Chisholm.

I bought this book to read to my young son who is learning to play the bagpipe (chanter lessons).

The book went into too many areas of the family that were not only unnecessary, but not for the younger reader. For instance, why did we need to hear about Protestant vs. Catholic issues in the classroom, as well as Sandy's parents financial condition, other than having to sacrifice to pay for lessons and a chanter. Although set in the 50' or 60's, the end was so syrupy that I couldn't stand it.
I read this myself , and upon finishing it, I threw it away, something I've never done before.

I'm 57 years old and a long-time piper. I've just completed reading "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" by Scott Williams for the fourth time and being perfectly honest, I must say I enjoy the story more each time I read it through. Having grown up in the late 40's and early 50's in a small, rural town I was able to identify with Sandy, his friends, (and enemies), and the town itself. Then, kids were kids, and not subjected to pre-adolescent grooming by "concerned" parents who strive to boost their offspring's GPA and "self-esteem" by forcing them into so many extracurricular activities, appointments must be made in advance just to play with friends. Sandy and his friends enjoy the reality of being kids. Their entertainments are active, created by themselves (e.g. the car top rafts, stomach surfing through the snow banks) and their imaginations are nurtured by King Robert's Men constantly on the outlook protecting the disembarking train passengers from the clutches of the evil Black Prince. No passive sitting in front of the TV or mindless video games for Sandy and his friends. Their playground is the great outdoors and all the wonders it holds. Sandy's parents both have to work but everybody makes do with what they have (there's no whining or cronic complaining or need for professional counseling). Affection between parents and children is quite obvious. Sandy's fears are real (in the guise of the evil Andy Gillis) but revenge is sweet (who hasn't longed to dance a victory dance following a successful mudball fight)? Add to all of the above the challange of learning to play the Great Highland Bagpipe and you have a recipe for an entertaining and heartwarming story. I highly recommend "Sandy" and am anticipating, perhaps, a "Sandy II". "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" is definitely worth the read and you don't have to be a kid to enjoy it - just a kid at heart. In fact, I enjoyed the book so much, it inspired me to write and publish a book of my own.

This is definitely one of Mr Lindsay's best FBI novels to date. Jack Kincaid, our tragic hero, is someone I felt sorry for, yet admired at the same time, flaws and all. Loved his detecting skills. The story was riveting and came to a thrilling climax. I'd pretty much figured out the ending, so was kind of reluctant to finish because I didn't want to be right. Overall, a very enjoyable FBI procedural, with a likable tragic hero. Looking forward to what comes next from Mr Lindsay.

As readers of Paul Lindsay novels know, the former FBI agent often portrays the modern day FBI in a less than flattering manner. What John Grisham did for layers in his novels, Paul Lindsey has done for the FBI. However, usually Paul Lindsey novels have at their core an agent hero fighting a flawed system where stats and appearances weigh more heavily than actual police work. In this thoroughly depressing novel, which also lacks any shred of humor found in his other works, the hero is fatally flawed on so many levels; the conclusion becomes anti-climatic and expected.

Jack Kincade is an alcoholic, a degenerate gambler according to his ex-wife's attorney, a non-existent father to his son, Cole, and a burned out FBI agent. Emotionally dead to himself and others, he spices up his life by robbing banks using a technique perfected years ago involving night deposits. Assigned to investigate those same cases, which are very low dollar in terms of risk and reward, he has managed to dead end them all to this point. However, a lie can only be sustained so long.

Thanks to the unexpected re-opening of a three-year-old kidnapping case after the frustrated father plants a bomb under the local jail, Jack Kincade's world slowly begins to its final collapse. Partnered with Agent Ben Alton who is currently in remission form cancer after doctors amputated part of one leg, they begin to work the case. But in so doing, while successful on one level, Alton makes a fatal error in judgment with massive repercussions for everyone. With all the speed and emotion of geologic plates, this novel grinds toward a steadily darker life for all the characters involved in this novel.

This certainly is not the best that Paul Lindsey has to offer. Virtually all the characters involved in this 260-page novel, are robotic in thought, emotion, and deed. That fact coupled with the incredible amount of loathing and self hatred expressed by many of these characters is appalling. The redeeming motivations found in his works are sadly lacking in this effort. Hopefully, this book is not a sign that like his fictional characters; Paul Lindsey is burned out as an author.

As the title implies, traps of various kinds pepper the plot, including "bank traps," which underachieving FBI agent Jack Kincade uses to rip off bank night deposit drops. The money doesn't go towards supporting an affluent lifestyle; this down-and-out divorcee is living in a dive motel, drinking cheap vodka, and driving a battered minivan. But poker money has to come from somewhere.

Jack, who's found all the ways to dodge work a bureaucracy can offer, must investigate a massive bomb threat. A desperate man planted the bomb hoping to force the FBI to finally solve his daughter's murder. Jack partners with Ben Alton to follow some leads.

The two couldn't be more different. Ben, a family man, is a go-getter who worked his way up from the projects. He sets his mind to something and doesn't give up. But he's not working at 100% because he recently lost the lower half of his leg to cancer, and though he's back a month early to help with the investigation, the boss assigns him to desk duty for his own safety.

Of all the available agents, these two seem the least likely to succeed, but Jack's sharp powers of deduction and Ben's unstoppable energy work together well, and with some luck, the old crime is solved. But questions still remain, and the pair dig deeper to find another more-horrifying layer of murderous revenge. They must stay one step ahead of the villain and his traps; Jack's got to stay ahead of the FBI's internal police.

This audiobook had me hooked from start to finish. The pace never slows, nor does it move too fast that you can't understand what's happening. I'm no expert on the FBI, but the author certainly made me feel I was inside the organization, with its politics and personalities. Some events stretched the limits of disbelief, but I don't think they went too far.

As for the performance by the reader, it was mostly OK, but I have a few compaints. The voice of Jack was very gruff. At first I didn't think I'd want to sit through a whole book with that voice. I got used to it, but I never really liked it. He also mispronounced "interment" as "internment." My biggest gripe however is how his voice dropped off at the end of sentences. Since I listen while driving, hearing those words was quite a problem.

And sure, the "odd couple" pairing of Ben and Jack has been done to death, but this author pulled it off. They fire off some funny lines and it never became tiresome. The writing style is clear, never overwrought. This book isn't the same old thing. It's actually darn good.

It has been three years since his daughter has been kidnapped and the FBI still has not the slightest idea what happened to Leah Ziven. Her father Conrad builds a bomb and plants it under the Cook County jail, which houses over 15,000 prisoners. Only he has the combination to disarm the bomb and he won't give it out until they find his daughter.

FBI agent Jack Kincade, a man who robs banks as a sideline is partnered with Ben Alton, an amputee victim with something to prove. The hastily formed team finds the girl's body and the ransom at an abandoned shack. Leah's father gives them the data they need to remove the bomb but that doesn't end the case because the killer is still out there. Ben and Jack (not Jerry, silly) are on his case, trying to break him, a very dangerous thing to do to a psychopath with nothing left to lose.

TRAPS is a fascinating crime thriller due to the enigmatic anti-hero Jack Kincade. He's a drunk and a gambler who cut off all communication with his son. He robs banks to support his gambling habit yet in spite of all these failing, readers feel drawn to this bad boy because they sense there is a kernel of decency and goodness buried in his heart, waiting to bloom under the right conditions. Paul Lindsay will appeal to readers who like the novels of Patricia Cornwell and Robert W. Walker.

Harriet Klausner

If you are considering trying to incorporate your business without a lawyer, "Incorporate Now!" provides all the forms you will need to get the job done. Incorporation instructions include details such as minimum shareholders, S-Corporations election (and why you might want to do elect it), minimum capitalization requirements, tax effects, and just about everything else you might need to know. It doesn't matter what state you live in or what state you want to incorporate in, information is provided for every state.
Forms to be used for standard business transactions are also included in the book. For example, there are forms for board meetings, shareholder meetings, authorizing contracts, authorizing the sale of real estate, authorizing the borrowing of money, appointing a lawyer, appointing an accountant, authorizing stock transfers, and pretty much every other situation where you might need a form you will find the fill-in-the-blank document here.

In addition to the book, all the forms are also included on the CDROM so you can print them out easily or fill them in right on your computer. Every form that you can think of for just about any situation is included in this book and on the CDROM. It is easily the most extensive set of forms of any similar book I have seen. Author Daniel Sitarz also provides checklists, worksheets, and information for each item so you will understand their purpose and be able to fill them out intelligently.

This book is an excellent resource if you have already made the decision to incorporate, however it is not very useful in helping you make that decision. It does provide some background and comparison of different forms of business but it is somewhat cursory and leaves out many important details. (For example, if an S-Corporation pays for life insurance or health insurance for an officer it does not get to deduct those costs from their tax return. But if a C-Corporation pays those expenses it does get to deduct them from its tax return.) Then again, it makes no claim that it provides a full analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of a corporation. In fact the author states "The decision of which business entity to choose depends upon many factors and should be carefully studied. If the choice is to operate a business as a corporation or S-corporation, this book will provide an array of easy-to-use legal forms which will, in most cases, allow the business owner to start and operate the corporation with minimal difficulty while meeting all of the legal paperwork requirements." Since such an analysis is intentionally not a part of the book it should not be considered a shortcoming. I only mention it here to make the potential purchaser aware that it is not discussed here and such advice should be sought elsewhere. The author's point is well made; if the decision to incorporate has already been made then this book provides everything you need to make that happen.

While this book is appropriate for anyone seeking a basic incorporation for their business it is not appropriate for a non-profit corporation. If you are a non-profit seeking to incorporate there are different requirements for some of the items (like a mandatory clause that upon dissolution all assets will be distributed only to other non-profit corporations in most states). Except for this specialized situation of a non-profit corporation "Incorporate Now!" is thorough, explains things well, and is a highly recommended purchase for anyone seeking to incorporate.

Anyone trying to incorporate their business knows it's a tedious process with lots of research necessary. INCORPORATE NOW! has taken everything one needs to know and rolled it into one book detailing how to go about things with examples to help in the process. Author Daniel Sitarz includes brief summaries of the various types of corporations, legal forms, checklists, and other tools to quickly assess what's involved with incorporation.

A plus to the book is that in addition to all of the above items, it includes a CD-ROM of the actual forms that you can print off or fill in on the screen. Additionally, the author has included information for incorporating in the continental United States with fees associated with each state, mailing addresses, and a wealth of information specific to that state.

While I did find this book informational and a great tool, I've already done a lot of research on the various types of incorporations so I had some understanding of the terms. Someone brand new to the language of incorporation would probably need something a bit more detailed that goes more in depth and offers pros and cons to each option. That person could then fully utilize this wonderful resource for the small business entrepreneur.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This is a good simple book on incorporation in any of the 50 states. It includes plain English descriptions of the requirements and responsibilities of corporations. However, the Adobe PDF forms on the CD in some cases do not match the content of the book.

The book was in excellent condition, and it was just what I was looking for.

Michael Crichton said of Henry James: "I hate Henry James. His stuff reads like a first draft." For a pop writer, was Crichton ever right!!! Henry James is incapable of getting to the point. Reading Henry James is like swimming through a pool filled with peanut butter, when all you want is to swim through crystal water.

Taking Michael Crichton's word on Henry James is sort of like listening to Gary Coleman criticizing Olivier, or Milli (or Vanilli) carping about Mozart.

First of all, in the above non-review, the reader assumes we "want to be swimming through crystal water," whatever that means. Well, I've swum through enough crystal water, and come away after the read with nothing. James's industrial strength extra chunky peanut butter sticks with me long after I've put it down. "The Beast in the Jungle" OR "The Jolly Corner," two novellas, eclipse and obliterate the entire body of Crichton's work. Simple as that.

"The Velvet Glove" is a great find - the limousine ride stuck in my mind. "The Birthplace" is a riot, too. Try them-

If you want to learn more about Dorothy Gilman, this is a great book. The author of the Mrs. Pollifax series was herself a courageous woman. After her two children left the nest, she went and lived by herself in Nova Scotia for eight years, living off the land with a minimum of worldly goods. This allowed time for self-examination and clarity of the priorities of her life. It may also encourage you to reflect about your own life and all the presure that our society places on the pursuit of ever more stuff.

This book could have been written for me. I am green with envy. The peace of living alone in a beautiful, but challenging setting.....I want that, and until I can have exactly that, great books like this one with have to suffice!

This is the author's account of her time spent re-inventing and re-discovering herself in Nova Scotia. It was intriguing to learn about this writer in such a fresh, unpretentious examination of her life's journey. I had to skim over the occasional dip into new-age hokum, but this book is an inspiration for all women to take stock of just who they are and who they'd like to be.

This book is very hard to read and understand.
It contains many sections that are poorly organized and also has a few mistakes.
It is more oriented for an SAT tutor than a student.
However, it is very thorough, and if that is what you are looking for you should consider buying this.

Personally, I see it as a waste of 20 dollars. There are better books out there. Try The Official SAT Study Guide, Barron's SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score, among others...

I buy books for a group of professional tutors and this is the most popular SAT book that is ordered. No one orders Kaplan or the Princeton Review books anymore. I used it for my own kids.

This book is awesome. It has a 4000 word list, classification of the questions, and info you need to know to ace the test. Everybody who's serious about getting a good score on the SAT should buy the book!!!

I am an English major and had never seen the majority of the words listed in here! Since I am always looking to learn interesting new words this was a real find. It is an excellent tool while preparing for the verbal section of the GRE and learning more colorful terms in general.

Although, there is not much of chapters (only 4) these 4000 vocabulary words definitions are abbriviated so learning them is easier. I have had this book for 2 weeks almost and at my age(15) I infer, my vocabulary is sharper than ever. The caption says what the books is. I belive the best way to learn and shrpen vocabulary is simply by learning set by set of words. This is a good commodity for the astute reader. audeu.

IT IS A DICTIONARY !!!! NOT A VOCABULARY BOOK
IT ONLY HELP ME TO GET A SPECIFIC WORD MEAN

I am sure W.F.B.'s moniker as "the great conservative thinker" will repell many from this work, but the well developed characters, and romantic settings make for a good work of fiction regardless of your affiliations. This could be thought of as a thinking person's "Talented Mr. Ripley". Maybe not the most thought provoking read you will ever have, but I think it is one of the most entertaining.

Like Buckley's other novels, plot, characterization and moral satisfy. Interesting historical perspectives. This is light fare and easy to read in one sitting

I purchased The Halifax Explosion and the Royal Canadian Navy thinking it was a depiction of the navy's efforts to assist victims of this disaster. While that aspect is slightly covered, the majority of the book deals with the ramifications that the explosion had on the Canadian Navy's organization and morale. Even though it turned out to be a different book than I expected, I still found it to be absorbing and informative.

The main reason I still enjoyed the book was due to Armstrong's superb summarization of various legal and military documents associated with the disaster's inquiry. This summarization showed how political pressure distorted an otherwise perfunctory legal hearing. The documents' sections that he chose also brought to life the scapegoats for the catastrophe and the villains behind the pillorying that followed the hearing. In bringing these proceedings and people to life, Armstrong showed that the political traumas resulting from the calamity affected people and institutions in ways that were as destructive as the explosion itself.

Many potential readers may not think that this book is worth reading, because it barely focuses on the tales of survival and heroism that sprung from the tragedy. But, thanks to his meticulous research and solid writing, Armstrong presents a cautionary tale that is especially relevant in the aftermath of September 11th. This book is one that will appeal to anyone who is interested in how people and institutions react to disaster.

On December 6, 1917, two ships in the harbor at Halifax, Nova Scotia, collided. The resulting fire soon led to a massive explosion that destroyed the ships, much of the harbor, and a good part of the surrounding city. The scope and impact of the tragedy is almost unimaginable. And yet, according to author John Griffith Armstrong, the event is largely forgotten by Canadians and almost universally unknown to Americans. That's too bad -- not only for the sake of the people killed or wounded, but also for the lessons we can still learn from the event and its aftermath today. Armstrong's book shows us why.

As the author notes early in his book, the Halifax explosion, to the extent it's been studied by historians at all, is generally approached from a sociological viewpoint that concentrates on the event's impact on the people of Halifax. Armstrong's brief is different. He analyses the effect of the explosion and subsequent investigation on the Royal Canadian Navy.

In so doing, he's created a surprisingly interesting story that, while it gets a little bogged down in the minutia of inquiry transcripts quoted at length, nevertheless develops a number of themes that are still relevant today. For example: the tendency of military and political bureaucracies to obfuscate, shift blame, and throw others to the wolves in order to protect themselves (and the difficulties military and civilian bureaucracies have in communicating with, or even understanding, one another); the dangers that result from unclear divisions of responsibility; the ease with which opportunistic politicians can manipulate and enflame public opinion; and much more.

It's also very interesting to see the developing institutional ethos of the Royal Canadian Navy, which had existed as a nominally independent body for less than a decade at the time of the explosion.

On the whole, this book is a study of bureaucracy, legal proceedings, and institutional evolution that frankly may not appeal to a lot of people. But for students of disasters, institutions, the navy, or just an overlooked chapter in Canadian history, this title has a lot to recommend it.

Not exactly what I would call a good "reference" book since a good many of his statements are not specifically cross referenced with other supporting holistic information/practitioners. For a field that is still largely unregulated, opinions/approaches are still widespread even on some of the most basic of issues like vaccinations. Providing some cummulative consensus would prove more substantive and demonstrates to the reader these statements have been thoughtfully researched. Of course as with any 'advice' obtained from book reading, it is always best to consult with your own trusted vet before making any changes in veterinary treatment.

This book does cover the very broad spectrum of topics within holistic/integrative veterinary medicine, but does not provide enough depth for practical applications. That said, this is one of the most well made books I've had in years. The hardcover binding is of library quality, as are the heavy-weight high gloss pages. The page layouts are very asthetically pleasing both in design, type-face, and color illustrations, so the reading is quite pleasant.

If you are new to the world of holistic veterinary medicine and don't mind spending $15 to get your feet wet, then I would recommend starting with this book. Otherwise, I would recommend Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats along with The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat.

For ongoing, up-to-date topics and information, consider a subscription to The Whole Dog Journal (a monthly periodical, well researched and cross-referenced with a core focus on holistic practices and applications).

It is hard to describe how much I love this book

Most of us who have dogs in our lives consider them part of the family. We all know how it feels to not know how to help them when they hurt. We have all been in a position where we just don't know where to turn. Even the simple questions can sometimes be difficult to answer.We are fortunate to live in a time when science has made great strides in dealing with health issues for not only ourselves, but our pets as well. We also have the benefit of the ancient wisdom of eastern medicine. With all of these opportunities why just take advantage of one or the other? Dr Doug helps to find the answers. He uses his experience with both Eastern and Conventional medicine to explain how a balanced body, mind and spirit is important not only to ourselves but to our canine companions as well. This is not only an informative read, but an entertaining one.

Are you questioning the need for vaccines? Do you wonder if you should use a flea treatment for your dog? Does acupuncture really work? What about those herbal remedies? Chiropractic for my dog? Do you just not know the best way to ensure that your dog is getting the best possible care? Does massage really help my dog? What is homeopathy anyway?

This book shows a typical pet lover how to care for their dogs in the healthiest and most compassionate and helpful ways. You will never regret having this book on your shelf, or in your hands when your little friends need you most.

If you have a dog, you need this book. If you don't have a dog, but are interested in holistic care, read this book.

Now if only Dr Doug would write one for my cats!