S Books

This book is concise and offers great advice. However, the editing job on it is truly poor. I'm only on page 55 and have found so many spelling errors that I am getting distracted from the message of the book. (p. 52, "Sam's parents told me he effictively alienated several evening baby-sitters before his farther figured out what was going on." (you mean "father?"); p. 42 "Has too much control - the limited may need to be clarified" (you mean "limits"?) p. 43 "Assessing Your Parenting Shills" (you mean "Skills"?)) To the publisher -- you need to have your editor take a closer look at this book.

Parents, breathe a sigh of relief! If you have been told that your child may be ADHD, but you are reluctant to accept that diagnosis, you may wish to consider that your child is an "Active Alert Child" (Budd, 2003). Try reading this newer theory which discusses alternative approaches to parenting (and teaching) your child before resorting to medication. You will learn that your child has special traits and can make positive contributions to society.

Great, validating text--my lovely, active, smart child is OK the way she is. And she's not the only one: history is full of active alerts, as is literature (Ramona Quimby, Laura Ingalls) and they do make life interesting.

The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that I just didn't see that many "strategies." "Make sure your active alert gets plenty of rest," was followed by a self-deprecating, "But that's easier said than done."

You're tellin' me.

Still a book to read over and over, if only to feel like you're not alone.

If you're one of those parents trying to figure out who the creature is that you're living with, then this might be a good book to read through. Reading this book has not only helped us in our ability to work with and not against our active alert little boy, but it has also helped me work with my active alert wife.

This book is changing the dynamic in our household by giving us ideas on how to work with the natural personality and gifts we've each been given. It gives great hope to not have to think about medicating our child like we so often see today.

I'd recommend looking into this book if you have a little one who seems to be exceptionally smart, very active and one to drive you crazy quite often.

Before I read this book I was firmly convinced that my 3-year-old daughter was an ornery mule and there was little I could do about it. If my husband and I even gave her the impression that we were about to help her with whatever she was doing, she'd swat at us and yell for us to go away. Now I understand that she needs to touch to learn, and this book has given us tools to use when she starts school. We've been worried that she would be labeled ADHD because she's constantly moving, though, when she's interested in something, her attention span is longer than many adults. I'm also grateful to feel that I'm not just an overly fretful mother. So often when I tried to explain our difficulties to other mothers I would hear, "all kids are like that," and I could clearly see on the playgrounds and in the stores that not all kids are like that. Many of them can walk in a straight line, sit still to eat, and respond when their name is called! Also, now I know why my daughter's reactions to most standard parenting advice has been the exact opposite of the desired result (i.e. rocking her to try to get her to sleep irritated her - I can see now it was too stimulating for her). After reading this book, I've gained enlightenment as to why she behaves as she does, and I'm more hopeful that we can help her channel all that energy to healthy, positive goals.

This book was really good. In this book Jessica is with the mysterious Mike McAllery. Her friends, Isabella, and her brother Steven warn her about Mike. Saying he drinks constantly and has a diffrent women around for every day. But is all of that true? And when Jessica and Mike are alone together, does Jessica do something drastic? Elizabeth is still trying to recover from her horrible breakup from her x boyfriend, Todd Wilkins. But now Todd has a new girlfriend, Lauren Hill, and life is going good for him. But when Elizabeth uncovers a scandel about the athletes, how will it efect Todd. And could he possibly be involved? And does he also do something with his new girlfriend?The thing liz wouldin't have with todd...sex? This time Liz and Jessic look diffrent. Liz has turned to food for comfort and has packed on the pounds. But does she actually have feelings for someone? Tom vowed never to love anyone again but when he meets Liz will everything change? Winston is living it up at college. But in a all girls dorm! All of his faternity pals are treating diffrent, well of course they would since they want ot meet all of the girls Winstion knows. And what happens between Denise and Winston. Is there something going on between them. Snobby Celine, Liz's roomate, is up to some tricks. She wants the mysterious Wiliam White to herself but she might be a little to late. Could he actually have a thing for Liz? This was a really great book so get it. You won't be disapointed.

This book was really good. I love Liz, and feel sorry for her now that she is pudgy and
can't fit any of her clothes from when she was The Liz Wakefield. Here are changes:
Depressed, tubby, looks like a sassuage in her sheath, on a diet. I hate Todd for
doing this to her! All the things he dated her in and thought she looked beautiful
in can't fit! I will look forward to a time where she will be fit and happy.

Aaaaaahhh. Frachine knocks off the Wakefields-are-perfect stuff. As Elizabeth puts it,
''only one of the Waefield twins were a perfect size six, and it wasn't Elizabeth.''
In SVH, Liz was always thin. Jessica was aways dieting. But now Liz is on a diet, because
she put on so much wieght. I roared my head off when Liz was trying to get into the
sheath! On to Tom. Liz sounds perfect for him. They've had their worlds turned upside down since the got to college, so their a little scared approach their new selves.
I love this book.

Jessica moves in with Mike McAllery and sleeping with him,She has sex with him the first time,Alexandra is now one of Jessica's friends[Sound familiar] kind of like Amy Sutton from 6th Grade She was Elizabeth's best friend,then when she moved away,then when she returned to Sweet Valley,she and Elizabeth had nothing in common as 11th graders,She was boy-crazy as Jessica,and a Cheerleader. Alexandra is in Theta Sorority,and she and Elizabeth drifted apart.Why Can't I find friends so easy at Mott? Elizabeth meets Nina Harper,a black student. Todd dates this girl named Lauren,and has Sex with her.

This book raises alot of questions about what will happen to Jessica and Elizabeth. Jessica is looked down on for sleeping with and over at Mike's House.

Must read if you want to feel empowered about helping your child get all the resources he/she needs in the school and in the community.

This book will walk you through the process of getting your child evaluated and the steps needed to insure your child gets the best schooling that is available. It will cover your rights as a parent and how to work together with the school system. Prior to getting this book, I had already taken the necessary steps and was armed with lots of knowledge on the subject but I still learned a lot from reading it. If you're new to ADHD or not sure of what your entitlements are, this book is a must have. Worth every penny.

I saw this book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble, but passed it up with its long title. My bookclub friend who also has a boy with ADD told me it was "the best", so I went back and got it. I have now read it cover-to-cover, made lots of marks in the margins, flagging the sections that are right on the mark for me.

The book is like a how-to guide, giving problem-solving tips in each of the areas that I've been challenged by: getting the school system to work with me, and to give my 9-year old son additional resources (the letters on how to request additional help from the school were fantastic!), making a book to help me organize all of the records; helping him find friends, and even working with my boss, who had given me a hard time for missing work for Martin's medical appointments.

The tips and examples from other parents from other parents like me were VERY good, and for the first time in the last 3 years since his diagnosis, I am hopeful that we're going to make it, seeing how other parents have done it.

Thank YOU, Dr. Jensen!!

Moms and dads, buy, beg, borrow, or steal this book. I've read about 12 books now, but this was the one I needed from three years ago. Lehcy

Of all the ADHD books I have read, about 8 at this point, I have learned the most from this one. It is practical, and has lots of tips. I now have a binder that I use that I take with me to all of my child's meetings, and to my visits with the Sammi's doctor. My book is almost completely marked up, and in the margins of about every 2nd or 3rd page, there is an underline, or a "do this."

IF YOU WANT THE BEST FOR YOUR CHILD WITH ADHD, AND WANT TO TAKE CHARGE OF HIS FUTURE, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. TOMAS

I have read numerous books and articles on ADHD to become as informed as possible on my son's ADHD. Most make me feel better by realizing I am not alone in my struggle to parent a child with this disorder. This book went beyond making me feel better and gave me practical guidance to get organized and be proactive when dealing with teachers and my son's school. I now have an accordian file with a handle that I take to all my meetings related to my son. I refer to this book frequently as needed. It has been a resource to me over and over. I HIGHLY recommend this book to all parents with an ADHD child.

I cannot say it any better than the many other reviewers who have indicated that this is the "bible" of camera collecting references! Exhaustive references, historic information, pictures, auction selling prices, the "whole nine yards!"

The only camera reference book better than this one is Jim McKeown's next edition!

Jim McKeown's books are the most comprehensive sources of accurate information on cameras in the world. Period. Other books may give more information on specific cameras, but if you are to have but one source to refer to,choose McKeown. He will never disappoint you.
Another wonderful camera expert and writer (they don't always go together) is Ivor Matanle. His two books are treasures. But if you want facts, go with McKeown. You will return over and over to his book. Speaking face to face with him is most rewarding. You realize you are learning from one of the world authorities.
Wonderful pictures, camera values (prices) rarity,etc. This book contains cameras even experts haven't heard about. But McKeown is the expert of experts, and you will keep this large,heavy, over 900 page book near just for the fun of reading it. Am I enthused? Yes! I have bought his books since the 4th edition in 1983-84, and always been pleased.
A lengthy review? Yes, but this book deserves much praise!

I use this book often, I have found that in addition to the obveous use (prise guide) there is a fair amount of history that helped with research. Contains much useful information.

I have had the pleasure of owning (and still own) the 1976 Guide To Antique Cameras by Mckeown. It has been many years since then and the price for a guide has really risen. As an Antique dealer I found myself getting interested in collectible cameras once again. I knew I needed a guide and reviewed a 1996 copy a friend owned my McKeowen and was convinced this is the one to own. My library consists of at least 200 books on Antiques and 50 price guides on Art, Jewelry, clothing, Orientalia to name a few. I hesitated at the price for this guide, but after reasearching the options I knew this was the concise price guide for me. I own it and am happy I chose it and it makes me MONEY just owning it. I have 30 years of Amatuer collecting and selling under my belt and I really don't need a price guide just my wits, (that's what I told myself) but it just makes it soooo easy to reinforce my experience with a reference and value basis for my risks. Leica III,a,b,c,g, Mentor Reflex, Zeiss-Ikon Miroflex, Robot 35mm, Hasselblad, Kodak Field Cameras, Sept 35mm camera projector, TDC 3d projector & Nikon Cameras are a few of the cameras I have used this informational price guide in evaluating.

My McKeown's price guide has been an invaluable tool in selling old camera's at online auction sites. It not only gives you a solid idea of what a camera is worth, but it many cases it gives you some history and background as well.

There are pictures of almost every camera listed to help you identify your exact model, and it explains in detail the difference between similar models.

I can't think of anything that could be added to make this a more complete pricing guide.

I recently took an astonomy class at my local college. This was a great tool for identifying/locating objects in the night sky.
Until you use one of these planispheres with a red lensed flashlight, you won't realize the advantage of a dark on light format.

Yup, this planisphere, a red lensed flashlight, and a lounge chair under the night sky....and being able to tell my wife I'm doing homework!

I am in the business of painting the night sky on people's ceilings that are visible only at night (www.NightSkyMurals.com). Over the past 20 years I have used different star charts and planispheres to place the constellations in accurate locations for those that want an accurate night sky painted.

Many years ago, I went through many different brands of planisphers and none have even come close to the Night Sky planisphere by David Chandler. It is so easy to read and follow where others that I used were very hard to read and understand. My kids can even look at the Night Sky map and then look up at the night sky and find what they are looking for.

I like to give them out now (when I remember to order them) to my customers who get a mural from me. I will also leave Dave's "Exploring the Night Sky..." too. They are both great items and are great for people new to star gazing and also for the old timers.

Great product and worth every penny!

I have owned other planispheres in the past, but this is the one I am keeping. Just know what the date and time are to align them in the margin, face north or south,and read with a red filtered flashlight.
The planisphere has one side showing the northern galaxies and the other side for southern galaxies which means it isn't all crowded on one side. It is easy to read and fun to trace in the sky.

Get a start chart if you don't have one. It's cheap and an excellent way to know what's in the sky. It doesn't show you everything that available for deep-sky observing, but that's not its purpose. The chart is setup for those items with the most visibility.

My BF is an astronomy buff. My youngest son and I have always wanted to know more. The BF showed us one of these and i immediately bought this one, identical to his. It is perfect for any level. Line it up and voila you can pick out all the constellations at that given time.

kat

I have been a closet Pat McManus fan since the 80's. His short stories always make me laugh out loud, no matter what mood that I am in before I start reading them. These stories are for everyone. You don't even have to fish or hunt and you'll still get it. Anyone who has ever spent any time outdoors will be able to relate to his adventures.

The names of the stories in this book are:
Sequences
The Dumbest Antelope
Out of Sync
Kid Brothers and Their Practical Application
The Fried Flies, Please, and Easy on the Garlic
At Loose Ends
Getting It in the Ear
Garage-Sale Hype
How to get Started in Bass Fishing
As the Worm Squirms
Scoring
A Road Less Traveled By
Gunkholing
Blips
The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw
Water Spirits
Letter to the Boss
Scritch's Creek
The Tin Horn
Cupidity, Draw Thy Bow
Whitewater Fever
Never Cry "Arp!"
Visions of Fish and Game
A Brief History of Boats and Marriage
Boating Disorders
Try Not to Annoy Me

First let me say I found the Patrick McManus stories funny each month as I got that magazine. Maybe it was Outdoor Life,,,,,
Then I read there that I could get books full of his stories.
WOW, I bought all of them.
I must say though that I like this one best.

BTW, If you ever read a story by Pat about being lost in the woods by all means believe him. I am way up here in NW lower Michigan.
A man I know who is a regular fisherman was fishing a local river. He was away from any road when he happened to find a man that had been fishing, but was asking how to get out of there back to a road. After he had told the guy to just follow the river that way for about two more miles the guy introduced himself,,, Guess who? Patrick McManus of course. 8>))

Now, I'm actually from Idaho where this book is actually based off of. Despite all of the Sarcasm, you got Idaho. HAHA LOL. I know this is bad but I hate to read. I had to read this book for an english assignment. But I really like this book. It is non-stop laughter. I think I am going to read all of his books now. I hope that is enough for you to be convinced that this book really is good and should be read by anyone who loves humorous books. HAPPY READING! :)

This book is hilarious. We like to read it to the middle and high school kids. You can hear them laughing about the fur coat, etc. outside the building. It has sparked many a boy into getting Partick's other books and reading for themselves. As a library director I know how hard it is to get middle and high school kids to read for pleasure. Patrick McManus is sure a pleasure. When I read the Goombaw story, and I have numerous times I still can not get through it without tears running down my face.

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)

I found this book fascinating, easy to read, and fun. The reader will not only learn about Goodyear and about the rubber industry, but will also meet interesting historical characters, learn about how they reacted under difficult circumstances (some honorably, some not so honorably), and will also learn interesting facts about life in antebellum America. I highly recommend this book!

Rubber...something we take for granted in todays world really has an interesting history. The race to make this into a functional material is traced in this book. I must say that I learned so many things about Charles Goodyear and his quest to bring rubber into our lives as a product that has so many applications. His early struggles with financial loss as a result of his quest underlines his obsession that would land him in the poor house on different occasions. This book is a great source of learning not only of him but the other players at the time who could see the potential of this product. Its a great history lesson for anyone interested in how rubber came to be a part of all our lives.

Some pieces of history just do not seem to be the stuff of entertaining books - such as the history of rubber. Mr. Slack turns this bit of history into a thoroughly entertaining and informative book. Of course, he had the whacky Charles Goodyear to help along the way. To say Goodyear was obsessive would be to understate the case.

Mr. Slack weaves the efforts of Goodyear and his rivals to make rubber a useful commodity into a compelling read. Goodyear's successful efforts - after years of amusing failures - are purloined along the way by a rogue's gallery of figures. The title would imply a greater role for Hancock than he appeears in the book, but Mr. Slack shows his scientific methodology and buusiness sense in contrast to Goodyear's lack thereof to great effect.

As we watch Goodyear trip and fall repeatedly on his way to stumbling onto the answer, Mr. Slack explains the science behind the experiments well. Adding to the book is Mr. Slack's ability to give the historical perspective. He relates well the times and the burgeoning industrial age, so that when the answer to production of rubber is found, its impact on the age is comprehended by the reader.

A terrific and well-written history. Strongly recommended.

I do not often write a review of something I have read, even when it is either good or bad, but when a volume as exceptional and enjoyable to read as this one comes along, it deserves praise. I particularly enjoyed the way Mr. Slack put the era in context and he was not hesitant to go off and explore and explain the background behind the players. He gives little stories that truly flesh out those individuals or companies whom touched Goodyear's life. My only complaint is that the book was so short! This is one that could have been expanded and I dare say it would not have been dull in the least! I also wish Mr. Slack would write more! Great work!

You would never know it by today's amazon.com sales rank where currently it is ranked 1,102,030!!!! Like most of the others who have reviewed this book, I found it to be superb. Charles Slack takes us back to nineteenth century America and one mans obsession with an idea. Many folks bought into his idea for a time and some of them lost a lot of money in the process. Most people considered him a fool. But Charles Goodyear devoted most of his working life to perfecting the art of vulcanization. His efforts resulted in a product with literally thousands of commercial uses. It is a truly remarkable story told in a most engaging manner. Never mind the best sellers.....give this one a try. I guarantee you that you won't be disappointed.

Very pleased with the condition and the Book. If you are a Believer in Jesus Christ and you want to study the "Incarnation" this is the book.

As a new convert from a totally different background, it seemed that all the modern books have been written with the assumption that people have some vague understanding of the logic of Christianity or are willing to not ask or simply just don't wonder. There were many "but WHY?" and "but HOW?" questions I've only found answered here.

First, the introduction by C. S. Lewis is alone worth the price of this short work. Lewis argues that these works by the early church fathers are far easier to read than the commentaries of the works of the fathers. He also argues that we need to read at least one out of three books out of our century. He doesn't use the phrase "chronological snobbery," but the argument is the same. We need to read perspectives of other cultures and ages to help keep ourselves from falling into the errors of the present age.

Second, the book is not terribly difficult to read. The book is short and well organized. Some of the passages take rereadings, but the arguments for the most part are fairly straight forward and accessible. Meditating on what God did through the incarnation, the reasons for the incarnation, and its impact on our lives and history as a whole can not be a bad thing.

This is one of those classic books that seems daunting precisly for being a classic. Banish such fears: it was written for the edification of a very recent convert and by someone who was good at putting profound truth clearly and simply. It is excellent, short, fun, edifying, educational and extremely relevant in these days when we continue to be corporately confused about the work of Christ on the cross.

I can't do better than quote C. S. Lewis in the introduction:

"The student is half afraid to meet one of the great philosophers face to face. He feels himself inadequate and thinks he will not understand him. But if he only knew, the great man, just because of his greatness, is much more intelligible than his modern commentator. The simplest student will be able to understand, if not all, yet a very great deal of what Plato said; but hardly anyone can understand some modern books on Platonism. It has always therefore been one of my main endeavours as a teacher to persuade the young that firsthand knowledge is not only more worth acquiring than secondhand knowledge, but is usually much easier and more delightful to acquire.
This mistaken preference for the modern books and this shyness of the old ones is nowhere more rampant than in theology. Wherever you find a little study circle of Christian laity you can be almost certain that they are studying not St. Luke or St. Paul or St. Augustine or Thomas Aquinas or Hooker or Butler, but M. Berdyaev or M. Maritain or M. Niebuhr or Miss Sayers or even myself." [Cited today from http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/ath-inc.htm#ch_0 ]

As has been said, this book is fantastic. Everything good that you learn about God's becoming a man originates in this book. Would be nice if the translation was a little more fluid. Unfortunately, this is probably the best translation you'll find, for now.

I read this book Operators and Things perhaps 10 years or more ago, so my memory is not so fresh. What impressed me was the author's claims that people in her office could be divided up into two types: those who manipulate others,and those manipulated. Certainly the ambitious types do tend to behave as if other people merely serve their ambitions. This is where the book can provide insight into human behavior.
Toward the end, the author in need of money finds that she is given aid by some unseen power, that enables her to win at gambling, just enough to help her financially and no more. That amazed me.
Facinating book.

I can't say enough good things about this book. Its one of the best most entertaining and thought provoking books I've ever read. It's simply amazing reading on how the shadowy figures in her head took the helm of her life, while she does little more than go along for the ride, and not only do they manage to keep her from harm but the experience leaves her clearly in a better place than where she was, and as a stronger person, albeit down some amount of thousands of dollars.

Just to read it as a pure novel it would be brilliant, perhaps even more brilliant if it were just a novel, but to imagine that this really happened to someone, it's really fascinating.

I know a lot of people would balk at paying 20+ dollars for a thin paperback, but do yourself a favor, and pick this one up. I can almost guarantee you will not regret it.

Its a book begging to be made into a film if I ever read one.

Like some of the others here I read this book in my late teens thirty odd years ago and and it is a remarkable insite into the daily battle of a schizophrenic. Now working as a psychotherapist I appreciate the battle more but will never forget the inspiration this book gave me.

I read this book at least 30 years ago, when I was a teenager. I got it from the scholastic book club. It left a deep impression in my mind, not only from the entertaining story of her madness and the experiences she had during this adventure, but why she became mad and the lesson she learned about keeping sane. She attributed her madness to the stressful work atmosphere she was experiencing, and how she was hijacked by her mad self into leaving this oppressive atmosphere, which eventually led to her healing. I would recommend that anyone reading this book pay attention to that part of it. I think her message is very, very sane.

I found this book to be incredible. To see what a schizophrenic sees is very astounding. And to follow this woman on her long journey, being led around by these beings that only she could see, was a ride in itself. That she came out of it safe, and sound, is amazing.

The thing is that those that she saw, the operators and hook operators described people that we see every day. And the descriptions of them and what they do were also relevant to how the predatory types in our world operate. It's almost as if she could see 'behind the scenes' at what is really going on in our world.

This is a great book and the fact that it is true makes it even more spectacular.

I bought this as a reference work, but I have found that it is a good read, also. Discussions of cases go into the details of what the issues of each case were, what the decision of the majority and minority of the court was, and the reasoning behind the decision. It also gives a clear understanding of the place of the Supreme Court in American government and life. This is a must for those who wish to understand the Supreme Court and how it came to be what it is now.

Oxford Companions are some of the most indispensable reference books on the market, and this particular Oxford Companion is one of the strongest within the Oxford Series. This particular volume leaves no stone unturned with 1272 pages of cross-referenced material on the Court, and has approximately 300 pages more than the 1992 version.

From biographies of all justices who have ever served on the Court, to case summaries, both the famous ones to the not-so-famous ones, to legal terminology, this book has virtually anything you ever wanted to know about the United States Supreme Court. And more. Like the best of the Oxford Companion series, the entries contained within are accessible to virtually anyone who picks up the tome.

As a reference guide to the Supreme Court, I doubt there is another book which can meet the needs of both the lay person and the professional, in one single volume such as this. A must have for any reference library.

Possibly the best reference book in the entire Oxford Companion series, and that is saying quite alot.

It is difficult to say whether the contentious atmosphere that currently exists regarding the legal opinions of the Supreme Court is greater than any other time in the history of the United States. There have been times, especially during the Civil War and World War I when the Supreme Court raised the ire of many a citizen. Some of the "activist" justices, as some of them are now called, could perhaps be designated as "activist light" if compared with some of the justices of the past. This book gives ample evidence for this comparison, but also gives information on a wide variety of legal issues that the Supreme Court has had to deal with throughout its history. It would probably not be read from cover to cover, but instead serves as a general reference for those readers who are not and do not intend to become legal scholars, but are curious as to the reasoning patterns deployed by the justices who sat on the Court. Readers who are approaching this subject for the first time will find many surprises about the Court, both in the opinions expressed by the judges and in their personal histories and backgrounds. It is fair to say that legal opinions are guided predominantly by the historical context in which they are put forth, and this claim seems to gain more substantiation as more articles in this book are read and studied.

One of the more surprising things to learn from this book is that the Supreme Court never really considered free speech issues with the First Amendment until as late as 1919, in Schenck v. United States. This case is also discussed in this book, and revolves around Charles Schenck, who was general secretary of the Socialist party of the time. Schenck and a few other defendants were convicted with a violation of the 1917 Espionage Act by conspiring to obstruct military recruiting and enlistment via the circulation of pamphlet. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote the unanimous opinion for the court ruling against Schenck and defendants and thus upholding their conviction. This case was the first time the famous statement of "crying fire in a public theatre" was used to restrict an "absolutist" interpretation of the First Amendment. It could also be viewed as an example of how even legal authorities, who are supposed to be calm and rational during emergencies or times of war, can succumb to the pressures of the times (in this case the pre- and post-war hysteria of World War I) and not be able to divorce themselves from their past personal histories (Holmes himself was wounded three times while serving in the Union Army during the Civil War). The Holmes Court effectively said that the First Amendment is not to be taken literally, and if speech presents a "clear and present danger" then governmental agencies have the right to punish the purveyors of this speech. Free speech issues dominant legal discussions at the present time, and the legal standing of "hate speech" is discussed in an article in this book. One can find solace in knowing that the Supreme Court has not found "hate speech" to be prohibited by the Constitution, despite attempts of many groups to justify its prohibition by appeals to constitutional law. The article on "hate speech" discusses some of these cases and gives a few references.

Without doubt the most despicable legal decision ever put forth by the Supreme Court was the case Scott v. Sandford in 1857. Known famously as the `Dred Scott Case', it is characterized in this book as one of the most important cases in American constitutional law. The decision essentially said that blacks are not citizens of the United States and therefore could not sue in federal courts. In addition, slaves were "property" that was "protected" by the Constitution. Naturally, and justifiably from a moral standpoint, the decision provoked hostile reaction against the Court, and the justices who ruled against Scott clearly were "activist heavy". In reference to the Dred Scott decision, the abolitionist William Garrison was justified in his statement that the Constitution was a "a covenant with death, and an agreement with hell."

The case Roe v. Wade is also discussed at length in this book, as expected. It will be interesting to see whether this case is overturned in the near future. If it is it might be because of a kind of `legal fatigue' that seems to be setting in dialog about the case. The arguments both for and against Roe v. Wade are repeated over and over again and have become almost platitudes. Rather than being a complicated Constitutional issue, is seems that the legal reasoning surrounding Roe v. Wade has become desiccated and has exhausted itself, offering no further insights or justifications for privacy.

_The Oxford Companion to the United States Supreme Court of the United States_ (Kermit Hall, ed.) is a massive tome containing a vast swath of information: cases, traditions, theories of constitutional interpretations, historical events, and biographies of all of the Supreme Court Justices. It has the same material (word for word) as Kermit Hall's _The Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions_ but this is much more worthwhile reference work because it contains more contextual material than the cases themselves. This book is by no means exhaustive, but it provides a very informative overview of what the Supreme Court has been up to for the past two hundred years and the very different personalities serving on the body.

As the nation prepares to welcome the seventeenth Chief Justice, this book is a wonderful guide to the processes of the least 'media-exposed' branch of the federal government and its highest institution, the Supreme Court.

This book has many handy features for researchers and general enthusiasts. There are brief biographies - personal, professional and judicial - of each of the Chief Justices and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court (there have been 108 in all, with 113 appointments, as 5 Associate Justices have later been appointed as Chief Justice) together with pictures of each. There are synopses of over 400 of the most pivotal cases in the history of the Supreme Court (Marbury v. Madison, Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, even Bush v. Gore from the year 2000) - each of these cases is presented with voting record (who wrote the opinion, who concurred, who dissented, and who wrote additional opinions) as well as the pertinent issues in the cases and the implications of the decisions.

This is a very comprehensive guide. There are essays on key issues that are very thorough - for example, the essay on 'Federalism' is an eleven page entry that includes general political principles as well as court work. There are essays on each Article of the Constitution as well as each of the Amendments. One of the longest entries is the essay on 'History of the Court', subdivided into major chronological sections - this is one of the best, brief encapsulations of the history of the high court and how it is has made an impacted (and in turn been influenced by) society that I have read. There are also entries on the physical structures of the court - the essay on the building gives an historical overview of where and in what setting the court has met, and minor entries include features of the current building (for example, there is a short entry entitled 'Barber Shop', which talks about the facility for Justices and male employees of the court to get a haircut - it mentions nothing of where O'Connor, Ginsburg or the female court employees might get their hair done). One also learns that there is a basketball court in the gymnasium of the Supreme Court, but that basketball is prohibited while the court is in session, as the dribbling balls can be heard in the court chamber.

There are also entries on key judicial concepts. The concept of Constitutional Interpretation is something that many people take for granted, but is in fact an continually changing methodology. There are Common Law concepts such as the Writ of Mandamus and Writ of Certiorari (each have an entry) as well as the more structured Writ of Habeas Corpus. One also discovers here that 'Mootness' is a word.

There are several appendices that are also handy features. The first appendix, appropriately, is the full text of the Constitution. The second appendix lays out the nominations, terms and succession of the Justices in several ways, including an interesting graphical representation organised alongside presidential terms, as well another chronology that shows number of days without a full court appointed (when we imagine that a few months is a long time to go in the nomination and approval process, we can see that from 1843 to 1846, there were 965 days without a full court).

For trivia buffs, appendix three is a fun piece - there is a listing of the trivia and traditions of the court, divided into 'Firsts' and more general 'Trivia'. Too bad it doesn't list why Chief Justice Rehnquist wore stripes on his sleeves as Chief Justice! Perhaps that is an update for the third edition.

This is a book with great information, as well as a good deal of spirit and wit. It is a valuable addition to any library.