P Books

If you like crime, mystery, and suspense - then, you will love: A Lifetime of Vengeance.

This story is based on three brothers who truly love one another. Close friends betray the brothers and vengeance is sought out when these friends enact a heinous crime on the younger brother's wife - killing her. Mike is devasated at the loss of his wife. Pat and Joe, swear to each other to take revenge out on their friends, but Mike wants no part of it.

Pat and Joe join the military, and years later, they put their plan into action. They want to seek vengeance against their so-called friends. Pat is obsessed with seeking revenge. Things do not go as planned. Odd things keep happening. Pat and Joe are confused as they try to figure out who is in their way. Pat just wants to carry out his own justice.

As the brothers try to figure out who is behind altering their plan for justice, the two brothers are creating new enemies. As this new twist comes into play, it keeps you in suspense - wanting to learn more.

As the story unfolds, you will learn more about these brothers and things that happened to them in their life. This story is a great read.

This first book from Pete Grondin is fast paced and captivating to the point that I could not put it down until I finished it. The McKinney brothers confront the dark side of there past and manage to come out on top. This is a great beginning to a new series of books that grabs you from page one and keeps you hooked until the finish. Grondin has the ability to produce some of the most evil characters you will find anywhere. I hope his imagination doesn't run dry. This book has lots of action, great characters and a fast paced story line. If you are a fan of this genre, I doubt you will be disappointed.

P.J. Grondin has written one helluva crime/mystery story filled with intrigue, many twists and turns, and yes, romance too. The vengeful McKinney brothers have returned from stints in the service, fully prepared to carry out their evil plans, conceived more than six years before. It is against enemies, whom they thought were friends, but who double-crossed them in some business dealings. And something personal. Very personal. Readers are in for the surprise of their lives in this well-planned, well-written book which is highly recommended by this author! I am looking forward to the next installment by Mr. Grondin.

I would have liked to see more suspense in this novel since a horrific crime is committed in this book. Also, this book was a little too detailed in certain areas, but overall, it is a good read.

Three brothers - Pat, Joe, and Mike run a drug business. Dear, close friends of the brothers decide to get payback on them after they kick them out of the business. They take matters too far. They rape and kill Mike's wife. Mike, cannot deal with this tragedy and practically loses his mind. Pat and Joe seek revenge, but Mike wants no part of it.

Then, the book takes on a different route. Years pass, but the 2 brothers made a promise to one another to get the revenge they so desire to inflict upon their long lost friends. This is where the suspense loses its power because we learn about both brothers joining the military and how their lives have changed. Both worry over their younger brother Mike who seems to have withered away to almost nothing.

The brothers join back up in their hometown for their final revenge and the suspense comes back into play. However, as they start to enact on their first plan for revenge - something happens to throw them off. Someone else is actually taking out their revenge. Who is this other person? Is it Mike? They are unsure. As the story unfolds, the twist is quite compelling.

The McKinney brothers were bright, handsome, and they didn't have good sense.
They got involved in illicit drugs and start making a fortune...intoxicated by the money coming in, they think they can get away with putting filler in the drugs they sell - to their 'friends' - but it backfires eventually -
The 'friends' get even with the brothers by raping and killing brother Mike's wife of 2 weeks.
The McKinney brothers straighten up their acts and join the military and become good citizens...although the brother Mike has never gotten over that tragic event.
The brothers have planned their vengeance on the men that committed the murder...but something starts happening - after the 1st killing, the others who committed the crimes are systematically being killed off and it looks like it is done by a professional -
Who is doing this? How did they get the McKinney brothers' plans?
A Lifetime of Vengeance lays the foundation for a series, establishing the journey of the McKinneys from drug distributors to upstanding citizens. We come to like the brothers and root them on as they fight to maintain their lives in the face of great tragedy.
Plenty of action, mystery and romance to satisfy every thriller fan, Pete Grondin deftly fulfills every facet to create an excellent thriller.

I found this book to be very informative and easy to read and understand. It is not full of medical jargon that real people can not comprehend. It hits the nail right on the head as far as how most Chronic Pain Patients feel from one time or the other.. I think it should be mandatory reading for all Dr.s that have Chronic Pain Patients......We are not crazy, we are in PAIN!

Dr. Schneider's book is a "must have" resource for anyone that lives with pain. She dispels the myths about pain medication and addiction, and offers insights into many other modalities that can be valuable tools for the patient. I am fortunate to live where she practices in Tucson, and I get to see the excellent results she helps her patients achieve in living with chronic pain problems. I recommend this book highly to my patients and colleagues.

I have just re-read her lastest book on pain. What a masterful job she did!
Dr. Schneider leaves nothing to the imagination or mis-conception that we as patients usually have. EVERYTHING is so carefully explained, I especially like the glossary addition, it leaves nothing to guess work. It is a wonderful piece of work, I have not seen anything that comes near to it in clarity and helpfullness!
It has become my handbook on the subject and I will refer to it as needed in the future. It is great when a doctor can put themselves in the patients place and know what the questions might be that usually go un-voiced by the patients, and give clear and understandable answers. What a great book!

to share with my loved ones; all of them. Chronic pain is so misunderstood by the general public, the patients, their families and yes even health care providers.

I have chronic pain for over six years which is intractable. This means there is no cure just treatments. One of these is opioid medications for the six sources of non-cancer type pain. My experiences have launched me into becoming a Advocate for persons in pain and an Activist for getting the word out about this misunderstood treatment for pain.

Society's view on opioid pain management is 30 years out of date. And in the past several years the government in the US is trying to put doctors who treat patients with opioids into prison. Some patients have been imprisoned for "Trafficking" for having 90 pills or more in their possession even though there was no indication these patients were selling their meds!

For 99.9 percent of patients (Lots of research out there) do NOT become addicts or addicted to opioids! True statement. Do they become physically dependent? Probably. But when a medication allows a patient to have some semblence of happiness and a good life; physical dependence is not high on their list of concerns.

Legistlation was created a few years ago in Congress calling for changes in how the government handles and views chronic pain. It also calls for national awareness of this issue. This bill is sitting in some Health Committee stagnating because not enough people have become motivated to write to their representative and senators on a state and federal level.

Check out Pain Relief Network for more information about this potential legistlation and please try to get on board and help out this very worth cause.

(...)

Dr Schneider is a expert in pain management medicine, and if there is one thing that the Interstitial cystitis patient understands, it's pain. Urologists are very hesitant most times to offer pain management to their IC patients, ironic when the #1 complain of IC patients is the 24-7 pain factor. Although IC is not specified in this book, there are those case studies shown in the book that are by IC patients. All of the book can be incorporated as all IC patients live with chronic pain and illness. There are over 50 million Americans that suffer from chronic pain, spending hundreds of millions of dollars on their care. Tragically, these chronic pain suffers not only attempt suicide more than the average healthy population, they are 2-3 times more successful in the attempt.

Living with Chronic Pain is a guide to pain medications, alternative therapies, and a discussion of the myths of pain. It is a fabulous book that relates one's own personality type to the ability to cope with pain. Once you have identified "you" it is simple to see how you are dealing with the pain and what you can do to alter how pain affects you. It has chapters on the causes of pain, how to decide on the doctor that is right for you, opiods, and pain coping techniques. I find that this book is wonderful for anyone with auto immune disorders, as we are attacked at random and suffer "invisible" symptoms.

The book itself is 352 pages and priced at a lower than average $15.95. For anyone freshly diagnosed with IC I'd highly recommend it. It has several coping strategies and it will explain to each patient how their pain will affect them. The book personalizes itself to the individual reading it. This book should really be the second book you buy in your IC arsenal, after the Survival Guide. While the survival guide will help you understand your condition better, this book will help you understand how it will be to manage the everyday pain of living with the noncurable condition of chronic illness. I give this book 5 stars on the incredible techniques that can be applied to anyone. Ms Schneider truly is a professional that has gone out of her way (she's authored 7 books on the subject) to make sure that patients can find comfort and peace in their illness.

The All Info About Interstitial Cystitis website (AIA:IC) http://cystitis.allinfoabout.com highly recommends this book for its readers.

In "The Lost Virtue of Happiness", J.P. Moreland and Klaus Issler attempt to address the growing epidemic of depression that is sweeping the Western world. In a day and age where life is filled with luxuries- air conditioned homes, televisions, and fast food at every corner- people are becoming more and more miserable. What could possibly be wrong?

Moreland and Issler contend that the problem is the redefinition of `happiness' that has occurred in the modern period. Whereas happiness used to be defined as a life full of virtue and character, it is now being conceived as merely a sense of pleasurable satisfaction. Since pleasurable feelings come and go, people are doomed to live an unstable life of ups and downs, while the consumerist culture mindset serves to convince them that they don't have enough.

The cure is to return to a more stable definition of happiness that is based on a life of love and service to God. Only in relation to the kingdom of God can we truly live the life humans were meant to. And, by giving up the relentless pursuit for the next thrill, we can find a sense of meaning and satisfaction to our lives that will last.

Throughout the book, Moreland and Issler provide discussions of how we can use the spiritual disciplines to gain a sense of purpose and grow closer to God. Combining personal experience, clear thinking, and Biblical principles, the authors are able to provide good discussions and some useful suggestions for how we can use these disciplines to improve our lives. For example, the authors recommend offering a brief prayer to God many times during the day. I have found this very helpful for keeping God on my mind and refreshing my prayer life. Although not all of the suggestions may be useful to everyone, the practical applications provided in The Lost Virtue of Happiness add to its value. Moreover, the book is simple and should be very accessible for almost everyone.

As Christians, we have all the resources necessary to live a meaningful and happy life. We simply need to lay aside our own narrow self-interest and pursue a much greater purpose. As Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." [Matthew 6:33] We can only enjoy the smaller pleasures of life to the fullest degree when we give up the pursuit of self-interest and live for God and His kingdom. This message, expressed so well in this book, is one that every person needs to hear.

Moreland and Issler offer a thoughtful and practically engaging book of instruction and edification. Moreland continues this theme of happiness or biblical eudaimonism in his KINGDOM TRIANGLE. But LOST VIRTUE OF HAPPINESS is where it starts. Rarely will a book intelligibly facilitate a transforming experience. THE LOST VIRTUE OF HAPPINESS is an exception.

Much of what J.P. and Klaus have written here derives from some of Dallas Willard's thought on the spiritual disciplines, but J.P. adds a personal touch that is new for him. J.P.'s openness and candor are refreshing. While this book may yet be challenging for some, if you have read J.P. in the past, I would say this is one of his easier reads. Nevertheless, it is well constructed and enlightening and every bit worth reading.

The Lost Virtue of Happiness contains biblical wisdom applicable to everyday living. As a relationship counselor (marriage/family therapist), it was refreshing to read a book written by credible theologians that I can recommend. All too often am I working with clients that are chasing after life's 'happiness' with unrealistic expections. These expectations impinge on others who cannot meet the criteria, causing frustration and anxiety that lead to broken self and broken relationships. Returning to a biblical definition of happiness, combined with practical spiritual disciplines, the authors lead us back to a healthy relationship with Christ and others.

I especially appreciated the personal testimonies of the authors. They are examples of stories I hear often in my practice. Moreland's experience with depression and anxiety is extremely common and is treated therapeutically by the steps outlined in the book. It behooves the church, especially those in counseling positions, to gain this understanding.

The questions for personal reflection at the end of each chapter make the book perfect for a small group study or for personal edification. I expect that this book will be pulled from my bookshelf often as I share life's hurts and healing with others.

It is uncommon these days to see Christians who actually know what they believe and why they believe it. Furthermore, because they do not have any idea about the truths (truth in the old sense not the postmodern sense) that they profess to believe there is often a wholesale disconnect between what they say they believe (Christianity) and how they live their lives. Not knowing the scriptures that help to inform them of God's will for their lives, many Christians profess yet live frighteningly shallow lives spiritually. This book is a cure for that. It forces the Christian reading it to come to grips with the idea that if we profess Jesus as savior, that our lives MUST reflect a creedal, scriptural and God fearing way of life that shows everyone around them that Jesus is number one in their life and that His glory is their aim.
I mentioned in the title that this book is challenging. That is hardly surprising in that it challenges the reader to throw off old habits and to resist the sin nature in us. It also calls us to better uses of our time for the glory of God. As we all grapple with our sin nature, which of us would not struggle with this? Yet despite the times I wanted to throw this book against the wall in frustration (because I often fall so short of what God calls us to) I have found it to be an excellent addition to my library.

I bought this book because I knew the man that it is about. I wanted to have this book in my collection, and to read how his story was presented. I have not read the entire book but it is a good book. It is what I expected it would be.

Good reading(listening). The Real stuff. Very well read. This will take you in to the realm of true warriors.

Kregg Jorgenson has done it again.

This is his latest work about his own unit, H company of the 1 cav divison

Kregg is a very skilled historian, and this show in this book, it is clear that Kregg has done his homework on this one

By far right, many pages are spend on military leadership is defines by one of the greatest LRP company comanders the vietnam war has seen, Capt G Paccerelli

Go buy this book, its a smashing read

Bo Hermansen
Denmark

Kregg Jorgenson has written a outstanding tribute and account of the men and C.O of 'Hotel Company' Rangers in LRRP COMPANY COMMAND. Then Captain George Paccerelli was a seasoned Special Forces / SOG combat veteran when he assumed command of the LRRP Company in 1968. Intelligent, devoted to training and caring about the well being of the men that were being sent behind the enemy's lines. You will find this book well written and informative about the ever-changing warfare the LRRP's were employing and adapted to. While reading this book I found very detailed accounts of being in 'the backyard' while the small LRRP teams set up their ambushes, prisoner snatches and intelligence gathering missions. You will come to appreciate these highly trained and heroic soldiers as they dealt death to the enemy on his level. In closing Col. (ret) George Paccerelli was inducted into the 'Ranger Hall of Fame' in 1993. During his speech at the induction he made the statement ' Getting into the Ranger Hall of Fame was easy with the kind of caliber of people I had in that company, I was very fortunate and the honor is very much theirs as it is mine.' This alone says something about what an outstanding person this man is. Where will you find this retired Colonel today? Having earned a Ph.D. he teaches History at a Community College.

"In a war zone, things never go bump in the night; they go BOOM!" That pretty much says it all with regards to Kregg's finely written tribute to Captain George Paccerelli and the LRRPs of Company E, 52d Infantry. Better keep your head down as you read this intensive tale of LRRP-style warfare. Those green tracers cracking over your head have your name on them! I got to know and admire Paccerelli for his tough, no-nonsense approach to building his LRRPs into a highly-effective, elite reconaissance unit that could fight the enemy on his own terms and win. Kregg doesn't embellish events. He gets down to the nitty-gritty and tells it like it is. This book will go on the shelf in my classroom for my high school students to read and write book reports on. Eminently readable, packed with action, and studded with truly unforgettable characters, Kregg's book stands out as a great antidote to the liberal media's hateful degradation of Vietnam vets as subhuman dopers bent on raping and pillaging hapless civilians. "LRRP Company Command" will help dispel that ugly myth for my students.

I read this book for a college class this past semester and was truely amazed at how well this book was written. This book is basically broken down into three parts, all equally intersesting. The first part is based in Maggies story, her life, struggles and amazing accomplishments. The second part is all about the author, James, who is also Maggies son. The story of "Maggie's American Dream" is an excellent representation of a family that went through tough times and prevailed through a combination of church, education as well as being "taught and strongly encouraged to develop the needed social skills and personal controls." Maggie raises her family during a time when it was difficult to be a black person in America. Maggie was ridiculed and pushed away from any opportunities simply because of the color of her skin. Maggie became a wonderful mother, which I feel is the most important part of this story. Her son James tells the stories of how he was raised. These are stories of a mother that attended all sporting events, assisting her children in becoming talented at several different activities ranging from playing the piano to playing sports. Maggie was always there for her family. She taught them right from wrong as well as a strong sense of that "never give up" attitude. These children continue to strive to do their best in anything they did, even during a time when they were held back from doing just that. This is an example of how a family can make it through most adversities as long as they all stick together and work towards their goals and dreams.

Wonderful book Mr. Comer and thank you for opening my eyes to a great story.

Comer tells the story of his family by focusing on the remarkable life of his mother, Maggie Comer, whose determination helped her survive poverty and segregation in the South and discrimination in the North to raise of family of successful children. The first half of the book is told in Maggie's own words. The second half is in Comer's. An excellent example of the broader social migration of black families from the South to the North following Reconstruction.

I did a research study on American Dream in America during the 20s-30s decade. I've read a lot of books concerning the subject; literary works, forming the main portion of my resources. These ranged from Fitzgerald's 'Great Gatzby' to Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath', from Dreiser's 'An American Tragedy' to Lewis's 'Main Street'. In addition to these quite old literary works, I collected statistical, analytical information about the particular decades, to verify what I've acquired from the novels. It was a hard study, but I managed to write a reasonably concise thesis, with the help of not the sources I listed, but with this book, 'Maggie's American Dream' instead. Why?

Almost all of the books I've read were productions of imagination. Even Dreiser, who was inspired from a real account, did not stick to facts in his book, but altered them to create a fiction. However, 'Maggie's American Dream' is a true story. It is told from James Comer's point of view, in a very poetical fashion. The second part of the book is his mother's story, which is again expressed by James. The book also contains a nice section of pictures of the Comer family, which are quite interesting after reading about the family.

James P. Comer had a very hard childhood, as it could be expected during the years of never-ending racism issues. Comer beautifully expresses how they managed to stand tall, and get their share in the competition of living. Mr. Comer is now working as a psychiatrist in New Haven, after having completed his doctoral work in Yale University. It is a dream that is realised, indeed.

This book will provide you with a lot of insights about the lives of black families, American societal norms, family relations during the 20s and 30s, which you cannot find easily in any other source this clearly and truely.

What a wonderful book. Very easy to read with lots of short chapters so that even the busiest of us can get through it quickly. And of course Maggie and her family are so real that you find you can't put the book down...you just have to find out what happens to them all next.
It's a great story, and worth reading from that angle alone. But all the way through this book also gives you plenty to ponder - whether you are someone with an interest in education (and doesn't that include all parents?), someone who wishes that all people had an equal opportunity to realise their potential, or someone who really wants to know what life is like for others from different backgrounds and countries. The author also inspires us to think about how we can make a difference, in some small way, wherever and whoever we are.

This book I have read is the best book I have ever read. It has inspired me by not being mad ever time someone gets in my face and be racis toward me. I really like this aurthor he is a very insperational writter. I would tell everbody who is going through something very hard, reconmemd this book to any and every one

Among the 250 or so text that made up my library, this masterpiece bye Takpo Tashi Namgyal, was always my favorite, and most imporant text. Sadly, I lost my library, and this text that I once owned 12 years ago, is out of print! I Highly recommend this book to all who seek to perfect their sitting practice. Anyone new to mahamudra and are without a good understanding of vajrayana, will find this book a struggle and you will no doubt read it again and agian. Takpo Tashi Namgyal's language is a wonderful experince, but can be difficult at times, but he is not lacking any explaintions! My best read ever.

I also recommend Cloudless Sky by Jamgön Kongtrul or Garland of Mahamudra Practices to companion this book and study of Mahamudra.

If your needing a meditation manual, look no farther, Mahamudra: The Quintessence of Mind and Meditation by Takpo Tashi Namgyal will last many years to come.

This book, p. xxi: "represents the advanced doctrine and practice as understood and realized by the Kagyupa Order of Tibetan Buddhism." It is a translation of the 16th century "Moonlight: An Excellent Elucidation of the Meditational Stages of the Ultimate Great Seal" abbreviated as Moonlight of Mahamudra (source text for Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, "Essentials of Mahamudra"). "This extraordinary treatise provides not only a wealth of knowledge but also methods for realizing enlightenment." The translator provides an extensive Introduction including a brief synopsis of the book. The author, Tashi Namgyal (1512-87) was a member of the Takpo Kagyu meditational order or lineage. This book includes tons of quotes from Sutras, Tantras, & Masters, noting conflicting opinions & with explanations thereof, presenting an -"exhaustive elucidation of the metaphysics and the meditation of Mahamudra." His (p. 413) "excellent treatise" and "elegant literary composition" does just that; it explains The 9 Stages of Tranquility (frontispiece)-(I obtained this diagram in Lhasa) & explores existence, dependent arising, relation to Madhyamaka philosophy, types of meditation, Sakya Pandita's criticisms,, condensed & elaborate explanations of Mahamudra (MM) meditation, relation of karma to MM (p. 287), "elevating the mind to the path," the 12 levels of the 4 MM Yogas in the greatest detail I've seen including their relation to Tantric grounds/paths/(bhumis), post-absorption, & non-conceptualization. He calls his approach "The Mahamudra of Ultimate Certainty."

More specifically, Namgyal explains the nature of intrinsic reality such that (p. xlviii): "The deities and mandalas are not external entities but a kind of psychological geograph of our mind" & (p. 218): "Alas, the 6 levels of sentient beings are Emanations of deluded minds" and describes the interrelationship of Mahamudra & Vajrayana/Tantric methods: while Gampopa (Milarepa's #1 disciple & 1st Karmapa's master), p. 112: "considers Mahamudra to be a separate path and independent of the sutras and tantras" & p. 123: "did not make the esoteric empowerment a prerequisite for receiving the Mahamudra teachings," (p. 124): "Lately the followers of this meditative order adapted Mahamudra to the practice of Tantric mysticism...Since these Mahamudra meditations incorporated Tantric elements, practitioners are required at the outset to receive ...initiation."

He provides the best description I've seen (p. 350) of the 3 groups of meditators (and their realizations): great (instantaneous), average (evanescent), and ordinary (gradual) and states that (pp. 123 & 144): "A great medicine for gradual seekers Becomes a poison for instantaneous seekers. A great medicine for instantaneous illumination Becomes a poison for gradual illumination."

He provides excellent descriptions of techniques: (p. 280): Mindfulness "is done in the same way an experienced cowherd watches his cattle. Without rounding them up or following every animal, he keeps them all under his observation, letting them graze freely, even though some may wander,"(pp. 334-5): the 5 practices of self-transformation to sublimate adverse conditions: "To behave--like a wounded deer" (shun companions); "a lion" (not fear internal/external obstacles); "the wind blowing through space" (let thoughts flow freely/openly without any attachment); "space" (unfocussed meditation without any support); "a crazy person" (without objective direction, attachment to anything, or value judgments), and (p. 335): bringing dualistic thoughts to the illuminating path, and even mentions chö [chöd].

It took me 10 years to get past the sutra quotes in this book and start reading the text in between. This is an amazing book because it provides the reader with about as much detail as could be imagined for progressing through a development path in meditation. NOT AT ALL THIS LANGUAGE, but the messages are things like "Here is a meditative state or activity. Here are forty different conceptual explanations for what it is and how it works. Here are two dozen ways that you can exercise to get yourself to experience it. After you experience it, this is the next thing to gain and experience of." And: "The teachings all say that you're supposed to start at the level that's right for you and go as fast as you're comfortable with. Here are twelve Sutra quotes affirming this." And: "Distractions arise from the neuro-physical energies in your body. Here are another eight Sutra quotes on this." And: "Let's not get all confused about emptiness and non-existence of self - that was all transitional teaching anyway; we're into vajrayana here so let's get on with it." And: "If you can't sit full lotus, sit cross legged and straight backed, and (lots more detail), and this is why it improves the energy flow that helps you stabilize your mental state." And: "Don't try to sit for a pre-set length of time. Sit until you have the insight and stabilize the experience, then get up, and come sit again." Perhaps most amazing is that it WORKS! Very fulfilling in terms of progress toward the Goal. Great book. Yes, a real loss that it's out of print. Please write the publisher and ask them to restart it.

This is the best, most complete, most beautiful guide to meditation practice that I have ever seen. It is a marvelous, profound work that covers the Sutric paths of meditation from the perspectives of theory and practice. Richly documented with citations from Sutra and Shastra, this magnificent work illuminates the path with clarity and precision. I am extremely pleased to see that it is coming back into print. Highly recommended.

Some very real intelligence went into the translation and preparation of this text for readers of English. Mahamudra is a path in which the student's relationship with his or her teacher is of primary importance; readers should know that some fo the last century's foremost yogins and teachers of Tibetan Buddhism to non-Tibetans participated, including the Sixteenth Karmapa, Deshung Rinpoche (the "Saint in Seattle") and Trungpa Rinpoche. The reader can trust that this priceless text is transmitted in English responsibly and by very able hands in this volume.

Please allow me now to shut up and get out of your way.

(Of interest to Shambhala people: Trungpa Rinpoche would review a Tibetan edition of this text when preparing the lectures now collected in his books of Shambhala Teachings.)

Homage to the Enlightened Ones!

I have used this book since 1992, both as a student and as a provider. My past editions have been well thumbed through and open imediately to the charts I used most. It is invaluable in the decision making process of changing pills or starting OCPs. The ability to safely manage side effects and fine tune women's health is found in this book. I highly recommend this to the student and experienced practitioner. Well worth the money, many times over. Not sure I would want it in a PDA format.

I daily use this handbook in my practice and have bought every edition since the 7th. Every question is answered. Allows sense to be made of oral contraceptive choice and adjustment without relying on big pharma's propaganda.

This book has clear guidelines for prescribing oral contraceptive agents. It provides a section on bothersome side effects, causal factors and options. The section on contraceptive activity is good as is the composition and identification section. Very helpful, easy to use and it takes the guesswork out of oral contraception.

Consistent in it's format, easy to use,concise and up to date. Recommended to all medical personnel managing patients on oral contraceptives. I have purchased the last three editions over the last 7 years and have not been disappointed.

An excellent reference guide and teaching text for every clinician who has a personal relationship with patients of reproductive age. The book fits in a lab coat pocket and has a unique design, which enables the user to find critical information quickly and easily. It is strongly recommended to physicians, residents, nurse practitioners and all other medical professionals in an OB/GYN clinic or teaching hospital. The 11th edition includes the new patch, ring and all new pills available 9/02.

The dictionary, as I expected, is excellent. I can easily and directly grasp the clear concept of meanings without imaging in my mother tongue, Japanese. Each explanation with the technical field is very concise and accurate. I believe that the dictionary helps me to perfectly understand the target words, during translating from English to Japanese, equivalent to that of an educated English speaker. Then, this will automatically make my task much easier. Hopefully, I also will be able to obtain CD-ROM, which can be installed in my computer, Windows ME/MS-Word, for accelerating my job.

The dictionary that's used by many patent attorneys, and should be used by every science writer/editor.

The dictionary, as I expected, is excellent. I can easily and directly grasp the clear concept of meanings without imaging in my mother tongue, Japanese. Each explanation with the technical field is very concise and accurate. I believe that the dictionary helps me to perfectly understand the target words, for translating from English to Japanese, equivalent to those of an educated English speaker. Then, this will automatically make my task much easier.
Hopefully, I will also be able to obtain CD-ROM, which can be installed in my computer, Windows ME/MS-Word, for accelerating my job.

The more I use this dictionary, the more I come to like it. It's handy to have a specific dictionary for scientific and technical terms, and I feel more complete with this by my side. The coverage is comprehensive, the layout is clean and easy to read, and the added illustrations are a nice touch.

I would also recommend the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science & Technology as a nice supplement.

The "McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms" is famous for its broad-spectrum coverage. Its soul is general science; and its audience is anybody who has any business with any science: biological, chemical, or physical. Whether you are a student, a teacher, or even a consultant, this unabridged lexicon lets you discover scientific terms, methods and applications in a very simple way. It is overflowing with references and definitions.
And, for the mobile professional, who may find it heavy to lug around, it is available on CD-ROM. The prices of both the text and its CD version are not out-of-reach. Either of the two is dependable.

In this book, the hypochondriac genius of movies, radio, television, and the concert stage delivers all the neurotic humor expected. But the author, a talented writer as well as one of the great pianists of the 20th century, also succeeds at conveying the ambience of the artistic world of the 1920s through 1950s. His insights about his contemporaries, including celebrated conductors, musicians, composers, and actors, are fascinating.

Luckily found this among my mother's books, the title caught my eye. When asked about it, my mother laughed softly. I thought, if it can make her laugh it must be funny; well it's the best humor, and I turned to a page and busted out laughing. It's more than that. I read the one I bought from time to time, and there is always a point of feeling I'm in the belly of a beast. Such integrity I'd never known, and never felt I could fit in this world 'til reading "Memoirs of an Amnesiac".

My son had to explain (to my wife) the joke behind the title. An amnesiac can't remember and a memoir is a written record of memories. Hence, a contradiction, but still a great title and an emblematic preview of what's to come when you read this book. And you do want to read this book because Oscar Levant is unique, funny, honest, interesting, and weird. He is the kind of person that you want to read about because he seemed to know everyone who was anyone in American music or in American film and of course he has the inside scoop on those people including Harpo Marx, Louis Mayer, Irving Berlin, Fanny Brice, Aaron Copland, Arnold Schoenberg, Dorothy Parker, Paul Whiteman, Judy Garland, Arturo Toscanini, and Harry Truman. Oscar Levant, as SN Behrman said, is the kind of person that if he had not existed, could not be imagined. Yes, he's that bad. Because he is brutally honest about his life, his loves, his obsessions and compulsions, his drug addictions and his music and friends, we have here a real-life true quill biography that takes no prisoners and lacks the usual apology or gloss or pastiche so common these days. Brutal honesty - that's the ticket. Oscar has to tap eight times to get water from the faucet. He has to tap eight times to shut the water off. He needs to name each street his limo passes and if he misses the name, his driver has to circle back to get the name. He will throw away a pack of cigarettes if someone talks while he is opening the pack. His wife, June, (her title should be Saint June) who picked up the pieces after each nervous breakdown, still must have a separate waste paper pail in each room so that she doesn't contaminate the waste paper in his pail. When Oscar had his heart attack, he had to go through all his night time rituals before he could get into bed for the doctor to check him. In short - a real nut case. And yet, and yet, a world-class pianist, composer, television and film personality who led a life well lived. You wouldn't want him in your home for dinner unless, of course, he kept his mouth shut and just played his marvelous interpretations of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, which, incidentally, I am listening to right now. Ah, genius, - it has its problems and it has its pleasures.

This has always been one of my favorite books. I recall reading it for the first time as a pre-teen, and chuckling at his OUTRAGEOUS stories. I'm probably among the last generation that remembers this brilliant man, which is a shame. In the days of the great "talk shows", like Jack Paar, etc.., Oscar Levant was always one of the most coveted, and controversial, guests. I remember seeing him on t.v., as a kid, & being fascinated by this odd looking man who, though I quite honestly didn't get 90% of what he was saying, was obviously someone truly unique. This book has all his irreverent humor, the humor even evident in his telling of his long battle with mental illness, and his extreme, then un-named "obsessive-compulsive" disorder. His brutal honesty about his ordeal was unheard of at that time, and was long before the trend of todays celebrities, who do everything but hawk their x-rays on informercials. There's many names in this book that you will recognize, and his telling of his encounters with various celebrities is not always in their favor, and will have you rolling on the floor. He was literally thrown off the air in the 1950's, for a remark he made on a live talk show, pertaining to Marilyn Monroe and her conversion to Judaism, which is recounted in this book, but can't be repeated here. But at the time, the staid 1950's, it must have had the audience awestruck in utter shock at his outrageous (and incredibly humorous) statement. This is just a fabulous book about one of the greatest wits of this century, the man who started out as an incredibly accomplished and respected pianist, he was most known for his rendition of good friend Gershwins "Rhapsody In Blue", and became something more than just a clown. Totally touching, hysterical, and honest, this book will have you falling in love with dear, lost, brilliant Oscar. In todays, for the most part, [dissapointing] "celebrity" climate, we sure could use the likes of him again.

This book was a disappointment although it covers the scope of Oscar Levant's life from Tin Pan Alley to Carnegie Hall to Hollywood to mental hospitals.

A major problem with the writing is that it consists of endless name dropping without context. If you aren't familiar with the names (which I wasn't for the most part) then a good deal of the story is lost.

Another feature of the writing is a constant stream of one-liners from Oscar and others. These were undoubtably funny when they were first said, but in the book they seem forced. For example, "I once said cynically of a politician, "He'll double-cross that bridge when he comes to it."" If you enjoy one-liners then this book showcases them throughout.

As a fan of Oscar Levant from movies like Rhythm on the River and An American In Paris, I was pleased that he was up front about many aspects of his life. However, the famous line, "Beneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character" had a lot more truth to it than I had assumed. Oscar really does exhibit rude behavior, selfishness, cheating and drug addiction. And of course neurosis. He is honest to his faults.

A better (but far briefer) description of Oscar Levant is in Harpo Marx's book "Harpo Speaks". That book also has a lot of name dropping, but the literary style is rich so that it's fascinating even if you are not familiar with the Algonquin Round Table.

With Oscar's book, I was satisfied about the scope of the writing, but disappointed in the terse style although it's an easy read.

This is set apart from other memory books by the caliber of its author, who is both a practicing clinician and an eminent researcher in the field. Professionals, as well as the general public,will benefit from his elegant and succinct reviews of the complexities of neuroscience and also from his sage and practical advice.

I am a high school student and I was doing a project / paper on memory. I found this book to be simple, extremly interesting and even humorous in places. I opened the book to just get my paper done but it made me a real believer that I am following his advice to get into " the Memory Program".

The Memory Program is a concise and straightforward source of information regarding both the causes and treatments for memory loss. Dr. Devanand has taken information from his own research and personal clinical experience and has presented it in such a way that it is easily generalized to the public at large. This book inculdes discussions on the vast majority of causes, treatments, and preventive options for memory impairment. Despite the wide range of material covered, the book is organized in such a way that the reader does not get lost and is able to synthesize all the information. In short, this book is an excellent source of information not only for those people currently struggling with memory problems, but also for those interested in the prevention of such problems.

This book succinctly and in everyday language makes complex neuroscientific concepts and cutting-edge developments in memory research easily accessible to the reader. Most importantly, this book makes it possible for the reader to tailor this wealth of information to his/her personal needs in a realistic and easy-to-implement manner. I found this book extremely informative and useful and recommend it as a "must read" for any one who treasures their memory.

Hi, I am a sophomore student at Rutgers and I volunteer at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. I have the opportunity to interact with Senior citizens who are troubled by their memory loss. There is also their added worry that they would be a burden to their family. This awareness rekindled my interest in memory and ways to improve it. I found the memory program to be very informative. It's author, Dr.Devanand has used his clinical knowledge, skills and experience to put this book in an orderly manner so that it is easy for the general public to get the information they need without getting lost. It spells out the causes, methods of prevention and treatment in a straightforward style. Dr. Devanand also has a holistic approach towards the program where he stresses the value of a healthy life style combining good nutrition and exercise . This is an easy to follow MANUAL - with plans tailored to individual needs, which should be in every house and everyone should "get with the program". Balaji , New Brunswick, NJ