R Books

Love of Goldens is wonderful book for anyone who shares their life with a golden or is thinking of adding one to the family. The photographs are beautiful and the essays and biographical stories are heartwarming.
You'll laugh alot and shed some tears before you put this book down. But be forewarned...people who have read this book have been known to suffer an irrepressible urge to run out and find the nearest breeder of Goldens.

We did. And our eight week old Maggie is sitting in my lap as I type this!

Just bought my third golden retriever, and was STILL amazed at how much I enjoyed the absolutely beautiful photography in this book. My brother got it for my Father for Christmas, and I liked it so much I bought one for myself the next day. Amusing stories to read about different goldens, too, but I had not seen a golden retriever book with such a wonderful collection of pictures on almost every page before. Definitely a keeper!!

This is a very light book with some very nice and "cute" photographs. Good for the coffeetable or bathroom.

Love of Goldens has cute stories and some of the best golden photos that I've ever seen! The photos are absolutely beautiful and there's a TON of them!! It's worth it to buy this book even if only to look at the pictures.

i think that if you like goldies and think they are so sweet, then buy this book!! it has stories about goldies, and it has the history of goldies, and such CUTE pictures. oh, by the way, i have a goldie myself, her name is "violet" she is the cutest, sweetest, smartest, most affectionate little doggy.

though i dont have this book my friends say its an excellent book and I've seen it for my self and it is definatly a must buy

It so good it has tempted me to buy alot of Magic cards

Richard Garfield is the creator of Magic The Gathering card game. This book gives the reader an in-depth look into the game and shows the beautiful illustration that each card contains. This is a must have for all players and collectors of the card game.

I collect the cards and I don't know how I would have known if they were rare or common cards if I hadn't found this book. It's the best!

If you are a mtg collector, you definitely need this book. Although it is much "thinner" than Volume 1 but it's still a must for any serious mtg collector

As a family physician, my patients have included families similar to Mr. Balusek's. When birth defects are diagnosed, a tragic journey begins. The ability to parent a special needs child effectively in the midst of facing the challenges of surgeries, hospitalizations, and medical therapies easily leads to resentment, bitterness, and alienation. In this book, the author reveals his feelings, and his choices, from Jason's birth to adulthood. These choices culminated in miraculous acheivements of this child whom physicians felt no hope for at his birth. What doctors can't provide, parents can provide and the Balusek saga is living testimony to the power of love, humor, optimism and faith, an elixir more potent than any prescription physicians may write. I highly recommend this book to patients in my practice, and others facing challenges of birth defects, parenting a special-needs child, or grief.

"My Papa, My Pal" is a poignant book that chronicles the life of Don's son Jason, who was born with multiple birth defects. Don relates the vicissitudes of life that his family experienced, and exudes Don's love for Jason.

I am not a very emotional person, but reading this book brought tears to my eyes. I highly recommend this book, which is a heartfelt labor of love.

This book is not only a tribute To Don and Mara Balusek's son Jason, but also to the two of them. It is an amazing display of faith, commitment, love and strength the three of them had. A must read.

This is an inspiring, beautiful book. I have a little brother with sepcial needs and this book is so touching to me. I can relate to alot of the poetry and some of the poems feel like my little brother is talking to me. If you do know someone in your life with special needs then this is a book you should definitly read. However I believe everyone should read this book because it offers an insight to the joys and trials of having a person in your life who is diffrent by no choice of their own.

My Papa, My Pal is a touching poetic and biographical journey through the trials and joyous occasions during the life of Jason Balusek. Through his poetry, Don Balusek captures the emotional valleys and the joyous celebrations that parents experience throughout the life of a child who is born with multiple physical challenges. His labor of love provides a message of hope for others who share his experiences.

Jason's greatest desire was to encourage others by example. His ability to capture his strengths and overcome obstacles by innovation and determination allowed him to live life to its fullest. He wanted to show others with physical challenges that they too could reach their goals and live their dreams. My Papa, My Pal helps Jason continue his mission of reaching others and inspiring them to excel.


Hedwig Hardie
Jason's mathematics teacher and his forever friend

This is the 13th edition of a text that has been the standard in this field for 84 years. Its durability lies in its solid information; clear presentation; and graphics that are as rich as they are numerous. It is peppered with fascinating sidebars. You can dip into it as a reference and find just what you need (assuming you have a foundation in soil science). Even after I moved on to advanced coursework in soils, I found myself referring back to this.

If you have been assigned a soils text for a class, do not go with the abridged version of this, Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils. It is 1/2 the book for 3/4 of the price (and at discounters the books are priced identically). If you plan to continue studies in the natural sciences, you will want this unabridged version. It's indispensable.

I first bought this book when we bought a property with trashed-out soil. I've since grown attached to this book, which I find myself referring to. It's clearly written, well organized, and covers so much information. I really think that you can't go wrong with this book, if you want to know about soil (be warned: it doesn't really cover soil microbiology, the living aspect of soil - I'd recommend the book by Robert Tate III; the copy I have is Soil Microbiology 2nd Ed. (c) 2000)

With that said - I've gone through other books but haven't found one that I'd compare to this one. It's just really well done.

My "Science of Soils" class at Stanford University (Autumn '01) used "The Nature and Properties of Soils" as our main textbook. It is clearly written, easy to read, and has lots of helpful figures (including graphs, diagrams, drawings, and black-and-white and color photos). The chapters are well organized, so that you can find exactly what you need to know. The authors include hundreds of websites for those who want more information, and make the book more readable by starting off each chapter with a quote and a "big picture" statement.

"The Nature and Properties of Soils" has a good mix of theoretical and practical information. Wherever possible, the authors do sample calculations and describe applications for agriculture, ecology, and engineering. They thoroughly cover every major topic in soil science, as well as delving into some more specialized ones (for example, symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies in plants).

In conclusion, I've found this textbook to be both very information-rich and very readable, and highly recommend it. (The other day I caught my boyfriend, who's a materials engineer, reading it for fun... that's about the highest accolade any textbook can get!)

The first time I ran into this book was at the public library, while serching reference material for my daughter's science project. I found the book so helpful that I checked it out again for my own use. The third time I said: "I have to have my own copy." The 13th edition is now on its way.

I'm an agronomist.Here in Brazil, I read this book.
This book is long and has many informations.
Every agronomist must read, a book such as this.
At least in ediction that I read, this book has a big failure.This book is weak about tropical soils.
For american reality, I think this book deserves 5 stars.
Well, I live in Brazil.I'll give four stars for it.

This man is a genius, as much as for what he leaves you to imagine as for what he writes. Great entertainment.

I have always thought that Patrick McManus is the funniest writer on the planet. I read his stories when I need to laugh or relax. Sometimes I irritate my wife by reading it in bed. I try not to laugh out loud, but I only succeed in sounding like I am trying to muffle continuous sneezes.

However, not everyone gets it. I have been shocked by watching people read McManus without so much as a smile (though most start snorting like wild pigs on acid) . My only guess is that getting McManus requires a couple things. First, it requires some understanding of his experiences. He absolutely nails all of the stupid things 'outdoors men (outdoors people)' do and think, but don't want anybody to know about. Second, you have to see the self-deprecating aspect of his humor. Third, you can't look for great literature in integrated books. Patrick McManus is an excellent writer, if you see these as independent stories simply collected in a volume. They are meant for adults who want to laugh at themselves. So, If you are willing to or already meet the above three criteria, you will love this book.

By the way, I am a professor of clinical psychology and (other than worrying a little about McManus) I sometimes recommend this and other McManus books. I do this with people who have racing thoughts and anxiety at bedtime, and when I believe they have the necessary experiences to find it funny. It often works quite well. I think of his stories as little pieces of happiness. (Oh, that even makes me sick to hear. Sorry)

This is the second collection of stories by Patrick F. McManus that I have read, and while he is compared to many notable names on the jacket, and I compared him to other humorists I like the first time I read his work, he deserves to stand on his own. It is not an issue of his being as good, nearly as good, or better than another humorist. He is unique and very special, Mr. McManus is an original.

I think the title of this collection, "Never Sniff A Gift Fish", is unfortunate for no such activity takes place within the book. Not unlike the dozens of stories on hunting and fishing, all he generally brings back from an outing is new humor; he apparently catches and shoots virtually nothing. As I mentioned after reading his first book, his friends will stop by and ask that he not even think about whatever it is they are off to hunt or fish while they are off doing it. He has said he is so bad entire states have banned him, as he can single handedly destroy tourism for a state, and no one will lend him small motorized machines as he invariably causes them to cease to function.

This collection is much earlier than the first that I read, and the stories contain wonderful bits about his childhood, and also as a new husband and a father. These are great stories, many that include his young family and virtually everyone is G-rated, place them on film and they would probably be made by Disney. This is great reading, great fun and wonderful humor totally lacking in pretense or show. If this man records his stories on tape I might break a rule that has never been broken, that of listening to an author as opposed to reading his book. And I don't hunt or fish, neither activity is necessary to enjoy these tales as they are about human behavior, his humans are just generally outside.

NEVER SNIFF A GIFT FISH
By: Patrick F. McManus

Have you ever heard of a great outdoorsman? You know, the one whose fly-casting technique can be compared to an old lady fighting off a bee with a broom handle. Or maybe the one whose attempts to pitch the family tent terrorized entire campgrounds. Well, for those of you who haven't heard of him, this book, will give you a little insight into the life of the great outdoorsman. Never Sniff A Gift Fish, is a great source for those useful camping phrases. Here are some of them.

Corn Flakes: A common camp food. Often eaten dry with salt and pepper since no one thought to bring milk.

Camping manuals: Books filled with ingenious camping tips which are forgotten the instant the camper sets foot in the field. "I read about a way to cook a chicken with a camera lens and a wire clothes hanger, but I can't remember how," he says. "Better just fry it."

Downwind: Whichever side of the campfire you happen to be on.
And who could forget "When hell freezes over": An expression used by wives and mothers to indicate the next time you'll get them to go on another camping trip.

This book is a hilarious combination of philosophy and fishing, all rolled into one. I loved the book, and I would definitely recommend this book to any outdoorsman, great or not, that has a sense of humor and a sense of what the author is going through.

i first theses books when i was ten years old and i haven't stopped yet.. we only have four books but i intend to get more of the books.. they are funny.. i like the one where he goes hunting on his bicycle and gets the deer stuck on the pedals.

This very good translation of Sabato's book will allow English speaking readers to appreciate an outstanding book, do not miss this opportunity!

I first read "On Heroes and Tombs" when it was just edited, almost 40 years ago. It was an overwhelming experience at that time. I've recently reread it and still stand as a major work, resisting the acid test of time.

Mr. Sabato has written up to day only three novels: "The Tunnel", "On Heroes and Tombs" and "The Dark Angel" and a score of sociological essays. With the present novel he has won a well deserved place into the best Latin-American writers of the XXth century.

This is a complex and dark novel staged in three levels: one the love affair between Martin and Alejandra situated in 1955's Buenos Aires; second the recount of a fleeing party of defeated Unitarians soldiers, carrying the corpse of their fallen leader, General Lavalle, in 1840's during the Civil War; third the "Report on Blind People" staged in a fantastic underworld that coexist with the "real and normal" world.

The three narrative layers are intermixed and connected to each other with Alejandra as a fulcrum.
Alejandra's character is very complex and mysterious. It remind me of Justine, described in the first volume of Lawrence Durrell`s "Alexandria Quartet". Both are women in distress, searching love and protection, but at the same time rejecting lover and protector. They are torn by tragic experiences, and the lover to be can't penetrate their souls and cringes in desperation.

Martin is the desperate & frustrated lover; nevertheless he won't quit and defies all dangers & mysteries to try to save Alejandra.

It is a great novel with touches of "magic-realism" and some echoes of Borges' and Cortazar's tales.

I wholeheartedly recommend it!!!!

Reviewed by Max Yofre.

this is one of many books you read trough your life that will stick in you head as simply one of the greatest books you ever read. A definitive worth it experience.

This book of Ernesto Sabato is a masterpiece. The narrative ability to lead the reader through the conflictive love story between Martin and Alejandra, reveals, at the same time, the understanding of the complexity of human beings.

This book is not only a masterpiece, but a sort of encyclopedia almost indispensable to understand the nature of us, the argentinians. Our love to the neighbourhood and its carachters, the bohemian Buenos Aires, our introspection and constant dissatisfied and melancholy. This hugh writer (one of those that are born once in a lifetime)couldn't had been born somewhere else but here. Anyway, it doesn't matter where you are from, you shouldn't let this book pass. I don't have much else to say, a good piece of art always talks by itself.

Sabato was in his early twenties a notable physician , but suddenly he discovered his real bliss in the literature world .
This work contains the Brody file in which the author talks about a secret society composed for blind people who wants to rule the world .
In the great tyradition of Lovecraft and Maupassant we find this latin american writer .
Get close to him and you will be surprised with his enormous gifts and talent.

Well differential equaitons are all about change, and this book changed my life. I read this more than 30 years ago, and all the mathematics I know, I mean really know, I learned from this book. Along with Aristotle's ethics, it is probably the most important book in my life.

No doubt the best book on ODE by a master!! Ecuaciones Diferenciales Ordinarias (Fondos Distribuidos) Kiseliov Krasnov is another great book! Translated in English!! Like Spivak's Calculus on Manifolds, thin but good!!!

This is a classic in the field. Excellent presentation and geometric perspective of dynamical systems. Most definitely a book to be kept as reference.

I had always hated d.e.'s until this book made me see the geometry. And I have only read a few pages.

I never realized before that the existence and uniqueness theorem defines an equivalence relation on the compact manifold, where two points are equivalent iff they lie on the same flow curve. This instantly renders a d.e. visible, and not just some ugly formulas.

He also made me understand for the first time the proof of Reeb's theorem that a compact manifold with a function having only 2 critical points is a sphere. If they are non degenerate at least, the proof is simple. Each critical point has a nbhd looking like a disc. In between, the lack of critical points means there is a one parameter flow from the boundary circle of one disc to the other, i.e. thus the in between stuff is a cylinder.

Hence gluing a disc into each end of a cylinder gives a sphere! It also makes it clear why the sphere may have a non standard differentiable structure, because the diff. structure depends on how you glue in the discs.

What a book. I bought the cheaper older version, thanks to a reviewer here, and I love it. No other book gives me the geometry this forcefully and quickly. Of course I am a mathematician so the vector field and manifold language are familiar to me. But I guess this is a great place for beginners to learn it.

One tiny remark. He does not mind "deceiving you" in the sense of making plausible statements that are actually deep theorems in mathematics to prove. E.g. the fact that in a rectangle it is impossible to join two pairs of opposite corners by continuous curves that do not intersect, is non trivial to prove.

Hence the staement on page 2 that the problem is "solved" merely by introducing the phase plane, is not strictly true, until you prove the intersection statement above. All the phase plane version does for me is render the problem's solution highly plausible, and show the way to solving it. You still have to do it. But it was huge fun thiunking up a fairly elementary winding number argument for this fact.

Good teachers know how to deceive you instructively by making plausible statements that a beginner is willing to accept. I presume a physicist, e.g., would not quarrel with the statement above about curves intersecting.

This is the best differential, equaitons book I know of if you want to understand what they are, as opposed to learn to calculate canned solution fornmulas for special ones. He even makes clear what it is that is special about the special ones, e.g. linear equations are nice not just because the solutions are familiar exponential functions, but because the flow curves exist for all time,...

This is an amazing book. Arnold's style is unique - very intuitive and geometric. This book can be read by non-mathematicians but to really appreciate its beauty, and to understand the proofs that sometimes are just sketched, it takes some mathematical culture. This is the way ordinary differential equations should be taught (but they are not).

I collect Oriental rugs and Oriental rug books. This book is not for the beginner, but is meant for in-depth study of the subject of Oriental rugs. As you read you are directed to other pages for study and comparison. This is a time consuming but valuable process. If one wants to really study Oriental rugs this book can elevate you from beginner to a person who is comfortable with the subject and able to talk with experts. I used this book as a self teaching text book and loved it.

This book has the best information I've found on distinguing one type of rug from another. Many books give information about the major types of rugs...they're a dime a dozen. Ford breaks everything down into what specific tribes and villages weave, and tells us what the weavers use for warps and wefts, distinguishing colors, area motifs and designs, and more.

This book is definitely academic in nature, but this is exactly the kind of fact-filled information I've been searching for. I had thought I would find it in Peter Stone's works, but even Stone's 2004 book on motifs does not come close to what Ford did twenty years ago. I currently own about 50 books on oriental rugs, and Ford's book offers the most comprehensive, detailed information of any of them.

If you want to move from being a novice to becoming a more knowledgeable buyer and rug lover, you will want this book.

I bought this book after going to the library and checking out a number of carpet books - I was looking for a reference that would teach me some of the history of rug making and the people who make these incredible pieces of art as well as the practical side such as what to look for in a rug. This book is great at teaching about the different types of rugs. There are color pictures on every page, there are drawings of specific patterns so you can see specifically what make a rug one type rather than another, there are uncommon examples of types of rugs shown, etc. Its quite a good book (which is why I bought it after returning the library copy). This book is ok at teaching about the history/people or about how to tell a good quality rug - the intro goes into some good detail about things like knot types, weaves, use of synthetic dyes, chinese rugs etc but it's a fanatsic guide to decoding the different traditional motifs and patterns. I'm giving it 4 stars rather than 5 only because the text is so dry and they don't really give the stories - they give more dry facts such as this type of rug was woven in this manufacturing/village setting in x,y,z town. It would have been niceto have more details about the people and about the symbolism of the motifs. But, like I said, I knew all that before I bought the book since I had checked t out at the library. I use this book to augment others that I ended up buying that do tell more of the stories.

The book is a very well written vol d'oiseau over modern oriental rugs and carpets with excellent pictures and timely historical notes. Certainly one of the best works available in the field both to beginners and connoisseurs.

This is an excellent book to find all the information one needs on Persian and Oriental carpets. Very informative, and beautiful colour plates.

There are a lot of books about gifted children, but none as helpful as this one. I use this book as a reference. It can help with everything from dealing with schools to the emotional side of giftedness. The advice is practical and can be used instantly. Anyone who has just learned their child is gifted should start here. It may not be as useful to those who have already read the other literature out there.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

I learned about this book in Beestar online GT program. I had been very nervous before, because I did not know how to raise my gifted child. He is obviously smarter and very different from his peers. A great thing I learned from this guide is about communication - an important factor both in parenting and educating the gifted child. The author's great ideas are good not only for parents communicating with gifted kids, but also for parents communicating with the teachers. I was able to teach my son how to communicate effectively following this guide. It would not have been so successful without this book. Now my son is smarter than ever and more important to me, he is happy and confident... In short, if you have a gifted child, buy and read this book before anything else. It is truly a wonderful guide.

This book has been great at calming my fears as the parent of a gifted child. It talks about expectations for your child as well as how to handle certain challenging situations both at home and at school. Definite must have.

This is by far the most comprehensive book about gifted children that I have seen. It covers a broad range of topics, yet still manages to be quite detailed and "meaty". An entire 19 page chapter is devoted to the characteristics of gifted children. In addition to the usual checklist, the chapter also looks at Dabrowski's overexcitabilities, the gifted child's sense of humor, imagination, etc. The authors embrace an open and flexible definition of giftedness, and offer alternatives to the "one test" model of selection.

A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is a guidebook brimming full of practical suggestions on how to raise a gifted child. If you buy just one book on gifted children, this should be it. I recommend it to both veteran "gifted parents" and those with young children who are just starting to explore the world of giftedness. Whether your child is moderately, highly, or profoundly gifted, this book will have meaningful information and helpful suggestions for you.

Chapter five deals with establishing discipline and teaching self management, while chapter eight is all about acquaintances, friends, and peers. Chapter 11, complexities of successful parenting, features a list of six responsibilities for parents:

1.accept and appreciate the child's uniqueness
2.help the child like herself and relate well to others
3.help the child develop a relationship and sense of belonging within the family
4.nurture the development of values
5.teach the child self-motivation, self-management, and self discipline
6.help the child discover his passions, and commit to letting him explore

This chapter also contains sensible advice on how to avoid parental pitfalls such as enmeshment, adultizing the gifted child, or over empowering the gifted child. Parents are encouraged to care for themselves and be sure that they are modeling healthy attitudes and behaviors.

If the inquisitive reader wants to explore further, the back of the book is filled with an impressive number of endnotes and references to published studies and other works pertaining to child development and giftedness. The authors, Webb, Gore, Amend, and DeVries, are all well respected members of the gifted education community. They have many years of combined experience as teachers, counselors, and parents of gifted children. Their collective wisdom shared here is a real treasure.

This is the first book I've read by this author and probably the best compliment I can give him is I am ordering "Jane Doe" today. I just happened to read a blurb on this book given in the back of another book I was reading. It was enough to make me curious. Fortunately it turned out to be a nice surprise. Lots of action, an anti-hero, a heroine who transforms nicely as the book progresses and just enough romance. A great read.

If you're into action, adventure and romance, then this is a book for you. The pace was pretty good too. This was my first time reading this author and now I'm a fan. I like the way he writes. And he keeps it interesting.

After reading all three of R.J. Kaiser's novels, I feel that "Payback" is the least best novel. I enjoyed Stephanie and Jack Kidwell a whole lot. I thought that they were really fun characters. After Stephanie's husband is killed, she discovers that she has inherited millions. Stephanie feels that she did not really know her husband as good as she thought. Stephie decides to go on a vacation to the Caribbean and discovers that she is being followed. Later she finds out that her husband was stealing money from a powerful group of people. Stephie has to run Jack Kidwell, her only new friend on the island, who I feel is kind of a slime. She has to find a way to appease these dangerous people before she is bait for the fishes.

The tropical setting, the action and dialogue all add up to an extremely entertaining read. It's fun and fast paced. I think this book may have missed bigger notoriety because of its title. Too many Payback titles and it's not the Mel Gibson movie. This book would have made a tremendous Mel Gibson vehicle.

While investigating her husband to obtain a divorce, Stephanie is shocked by her discovery. Not only is Jean Claude dealing with crooked investors, but he's also having an affair with her sister. When Stephanie goes to confront the two on their secret rendevous she witnesses their murder. Now she is the one with the password to obtain thirty million dollars and she's on the run.

Jack doesn't care about anything but where he can get his next drink. After his fiance died he feels life isn't worth living. So when Stephanie comes to him for help to get her away from St. Thomas on his boat, he doesn't ask any questions, doesn't even care about the danger. Jack and Stephanie are in for the ride of their lives.

Payback is past paced and exciting. Not a minute goes by that you're not on the edge of your seat. Set in the beautiful Virgin Islands R.J. Kaiser you feel like you can feel the breeze. Jack and Stephanie begin to care for eachother and romance does blossom, but this isn't a book for romance readers alone! This is an action suspense novel that keep you turning the pages late into the night.