Scott Books

A large boulder of a meteoric origin found on the island of Blue Heron transmits radio waves of the frequency associated with the Big Bang. The quite unusual activity of a rock from space is picked up by the military. If the observed behavior and the unknown danger was not enough to drive the head of a special military unit crazy, the measurement equipment was detecting unexplained changes in the transmission pattern. A renowned Cosmology scientist provides a simple explanation of the phenomenon - the entire thing including the measurements is simply impossible and just a joke of a colleague who loves nothing more than to make fun of fellow scientists ... except that it is not! Another government agency considers the information so secret that it does not stop from anything including "taking care" of those who get in its way.
The intensity of the events makes the book captivating and enjoyable reading. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series during my April vacation.

The first volume of Scott Baker's debut novel, Neitherworld Book One Akiiwan, treats the reader to an imaginative and entertaining story that reaches across centuries and multiple dimensions. It is a blend of mystery, mysticism and mayhem structured to hold the pieces together while keeping the action moving forward.

As with any large-scale work of art, the viewer occasionally needs to step back to appreciate the complexity yet move in close to absorb the details the artist is expressing. This is true of Baker's work, as well, especially since the story requires another whole volume (Book Two Ishpiming) before it is concluded. If the reader is captivated by the storyline, the commitment to see it through will follow.

The setting for Akiiwan is a small island in the middle of a lake in northern Minnesota, considered to be sacred by the Native Americans of that area. The Ojibwe nation had called the region home for several centuries and was particularly protective of the island in the center of the lake. Baker populates this setting with an archeological team hired by a man posing as a real estate developer. The team's purpose is to explore, identify and set aside any historical artifacts found to clear the way for the developer to begin construction.

As with any good yarn, the conflict is set early: "However, there may be something significant in the island's central clearing. There's a cave and a large boulder there with what I'm told may be ancient petroglyphs. If so, I'd like to know what they mean."..."So would I...so would science," Sam said, her eyes narrowing with curiosity over both the Ojibwe site and the developer's motives."

The introduction of a security team to accompany the dig team clues the reader in to the real motive driving exploration of the unusual island and is one of several strong threads of mistrust woven throughout the tale. The science fiction element takes it place alongside the mystical ceremonies of the ancient shamans in the form of an anomaly that intrigues the secret government agencies who hope to learn more about it through the guise of the archeological dig.

Tension and interaction among the team members, led by Dr. Samantha Horner, is believable as is the communication and relationships with other characters who become involved in the dig and its revelations. Baker also brings to life a set of animal characters who serve a purpose in revealing conflict within the spirit world which brings yet another degree of intrigue and drama to the disharmony building throughout the novel. A ten-year-old child, Orenda, is the catalyst for making things happen between the past, present and future states of the island and its mysteries.

Well-done illustrations interspersed throughout the novel add clarity and a sense of realism to support the storyline.

While I enjoyed the story, I must say I was distracted by the lack of good editing and proofreading. It is rare for a book to be totally mistake-free but this one had more than I am used to seeing. Good editing would certainly have eliminated sentences such as "It was a dark and rainy night" and tightened up a few scenes that had perhaps too many details along with the occasional awkward passage. It is always difficult to know what to cut and what to keep when weaving a fanciful tale but I think it is particularly important when telling a tale with a long, complicated storyline.

Overall, NeitherWorld Book One Akiiwan is an engaging escape from the world, as we typically know it, and it will delight readers who enjoy the mixed genres represented in Baker's work. I look forward to reading Book Two Ishpiming.


Review by Paula Buermele, a reviewer for Bookpleasures and the author of the fictional novel, "The Dream Catcher Tour".

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Entertaining,
interesting, smart. Am awaiting its sequel.
Libby

The setting is Blue Heron, a small island in Northern Minnesota. Is it an archaeological site, renowned as the home and resting place of legendary Native American shaman Voice-in-the-Sky? Or is it a radioactive anomaly, generating power that could explain the growth of the universe? Or is it a gateway to a world beyond ours, a world only visible in the visions of a shaman?

It may be all of these or none of these, and the search to find out which is the nexus of "Akiiwan," the first book in Scott Baker's "Neitherworld" series. A novel that fits into mystery, science fiction and historical genres, "Akiiwan" focuses on the archaeological team of Doctor Samantha Horner and their research into an obscure Ojibwe sect native to Blue Heron. The end result is a brilliant, elemental tale that defies description as much as the island does.

All of the characters have a different explanation, and their diversity is the first strength of "Akiiwan." In one chapter a professor of cosmology explains how astronomical constants and constellations are tied to the island, while a paleontologist interprets a boulder of Native American pictographs only a few chapters later. Mixed with the natives' fantastical prophecies and traditions of Ojibwe culture, characters - and readers - have to look closely for the right answer.

A genre hybrid like this runs the risk of collapsing into obtuseness - especially at over 500 pages - but Baker holds the text together with a strong narrative and thorough detail. The particulars of exactly what Voice-in-the-Sky represented and the truth of his teachings unfold gradually, and we learn what happens at the same pace as Samantha and her team. Several scenes build an impressive level of suspense, including various attacks by wild animals and a rainstorm on a primordial scale.

To further break the uniformity of a long novel, Baker incorporates several structural alterations in the form of illustrations. These are not complicated paintings inserted to distract from poor writing, but simple black-and-whites which adroitly reinforce a reader's mental images. Text is altered in a nonconventional manner as well, with the closing chapter including of a 1600s French lieutenant's diary physically printed in an antique-style type.

"Akiiwan" does experience a few bumps here and there - a slimy government official feels like too much of an archetype, and an oral history in Ojibwe fashion isn't exciting enough to open the book - but those are unimportant next to the myth that Baker has created. It's three times as long as most novels, and yet right after finishing it I wanted to delve right into the second volume.

The setting is Blue Heron, a small island in Northern Minnesota. Is it an archaeological site, renowned as the home and resting place of legendary Native American shaman Voice-in-the-Sky? Or is it a radioactive anomaly, generating power that could explain the growth of the universe? Or is it a gateway to a world beyond ours, a world only visible in the visions of a shaman?

It may be all of these or none of these, and the search to find out which is the nexus of "Akiiwan," the first book in Scott Baker's "Neitherworld" series. A novel that fits into mystery, science fiction and historical genres, "Akiiwan" focuses on the archaeological team of Doctor Samantha Horner and their research into an obscure Ojibwe sect native to Blue Heron. The end result is a brilliant, elemental tale that defies description as much as the island does.

All of the characters have a different explanation, and their diversity is the first strength of "Akiiwan." In one chapter a professor of cosmology explains how astronomical constants and constellations are tied to the island, while a paleontologist interprets a boulder of Native American pictographs only a few chapters later. Mixed with the natives' fantastical prophecies and traditions of Ojibwe culture, characters - and readers - have to look closely for the right answer.

A genre hybrid like this runs the risk of collapsing into obtuseness - especially at over 500 pages - but Baker holds the text together with a strong narrative and thorough detail. The particulars of exactly what Voice-in-the-Sky represented and the truth of his teachings unfold gradually, and we learn what happens at the same pace as Samantha and her team. Several scenes build an impressive level of suspense, including various attacks by wild animals and a rainstorm on a primordial scale.

To further break the uniformity of a long novel, Baker incorporates several structural alterations in the form of illustrations. These are not complicated paintings inserted to distract from poor writing, but simple black-and-whites which adroitly reinforce a reader's mental images. Text is altered in a nonconventional manner as well, with the closing chapter including of a 1600s French lieutenant's diary physically printed in an antique-style type.

"Akiiwan" does experience a few bumps here and there - a slimy government official feels like too much of an archetype, and an oral history in Ojibwe fashion isn't exciting enough to open the book - but those are unimportant next to the myth that Baker has created. It's three times as long as most novels, and yet right after finishing it I wanted to delve right into the second volume.

I found this book very well written, and a different approach to a poorly documented topic in the IT world. The book is properly, very thorough, and best I can tell somewhat dated as it discusses a lot of Token Ring, Novell IPX, Netbios, Netbeui, Win95, 98, NT4 topics. It covered many items I had long forgotten about, but are still relevant and important. What I would love to see, is an updated version of this book, that drops IPX, Token Ring, and all the outdated topics, and concentrates almost exclusively on IP. I would greatly appreciate a concentration on real packet captures and decoding longer streams. Ideally, the book would either come with a cd, or a web site link to captures. Reading about Network Analysis is one thing, but what is most helpful for some of us, is a hands on, following along with the book, to try it first hand.
Regardless, the book is first rate. It's isn't a Laura Chappell style book if that is what you are hoping for. It is more of a, here's what you learned years ago, and now, why it matters. When I first learned the OSI 7 layer model etc, I had no clue how it applied in the real world, now that I do, this book helps bring a deeper understanding to it.
Great job!

Impressive! Mr. Haugdahl's explanation of the various OSI layers is killer enough. Got too deep on certain topics; but then again, you wouldn't want someone preaching complete network analysis to skimp on details now, would you? Great reads on the use of NA's Sniffer and MS' Network Monitor tools, as well as full illustrated details on the DOs and DON'Ts of network design. Awesome book!!!

I am an ex-Air Force officer with 2+ years of hands-on intrusion detection experience, and I rate books on how well they deliver technical content to front-line operators. Scott's book is absolutely first-rate, written in a clear, friendly style that keeps the reader's attention. Backing up the technical content, the book offers plenty of history and answers to the "why?" questions asked when learning network protocols. For example, why do various Ethernet frame formats exist (Ethernet/DIX/Ethernet II vs. IEEE 802.3 w/LLC Header vs. IEEE 802.3 w/LLC SNAP extension)? Short answer -- blame IBM! Long answer -- read pages 82-86.

The logically arranged material makes Scott's book a powerful learning tool. After introducing protocol analysis in chapter 1, he devotes a full chapter to each of the seven layers of the OSI model. (No, he doesn't skip the session and presentation layers!) By taking a layered approach, Scott compares same-layer protocols and makes each understandable in context (i.e., DNS vs. NetBIOS vs. Netware SAP, all at layer 5 -- somewhat controversially; DNS at layer 5?) Chapter 9 finishes with advice on measuring latency and throughput. I learned something new about protocols at each layer, even after reading many authoritative TCP/IP volumes. For example, Scott's explanation of NetBIOS as a session protocol and Server Message Block (SMB) as an application protocol finally made it clear how these standards interact on Windows networks. The text is backed up by numerous screen captures of protocol decodes, adding to the learning value.

....The few typos or mistakenly omitted material do not detract from the book's overall message. If you've read Richard Stevens, Eric Hall, etc., and you think you've run out of resources for understanding network traffic, give Scott's book a try. You'll be informed and pleasantly surprised!

I just finished a course by the Author..... He really knowshis stuff! The book is a must have for any analyst! It walks you allthe way up the protocol stack and gives you real world examples. Thebook is also loaded with tips and problem solving ideas. END

I've read numerous texts on Analysis and Troubleshooting Networks and this was the best. Taking years of experience and training and creating an outline for use in the field is what the Author's done. Having studied everything from the 802.3 standard itself to analysis handbooks by vendors and other authors, I found this to be concise and direct in application and use in the field. Being the Lead Analyst in a company with over 150 nations globally, this text will be valuable to our teams and is being disseminated as a field handbook for troubleshooting. It's a thorough review of protocols from physical through application layers over the majority of topologies extant in today's corporate infrastructures. My Thanks to the Author and those responsible for it's publication.

Excellent "bringing back the memories" of some familiar faces in Tar Heel history.Nice to be able to hear from them in past and present tense. A wonderful edition to my library.

As a fan of North Carolina basketball, Scott Fowler's new book is a must for all of us who follow UNC. The information provided on former players is very infomative and well written. It was great to see what these former players had done with their lives and their close ties to the UNC basketball program. This book is a trip down memory lane with additional information that is added to my memories of these players.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book being a lifelong tarheel fan. It was interesting learning more about past heroes and also more recent players. I also thought it was good how Scott Fowler put in the personal tidbits about meeting up with these guys and what Dean and Gut (and Woody) had to say about them.

Being a Tarheel fan I could not put this book down until I finished in a very short period of time.

This is a great book. I can't imagine any true Tar Heel fan who would not want to own this book. Great, easy reading. Very informative. What a pleasure to know what some of these guys, especially the older ones have done with their lives. The only thing wrong with this book is it does not include more of the former players. Here's hoping for a sequel!! Bravo to the author!! If you don't yet own this book what are you waiting for!

I have worked relatively closely with North Carolina basketball for more than a quarter-century and, have gained a great knowledge of the history of the program dating back to the beginning of the Atlantic Coast Conference. As a result, I had a blast reading Scott's book.

It brought back a lot of memories, and got me caught-up with a lot of the biggest names in Tarheel basketball history, as well as with some who may have been forgotten.

It's an easy read, and divided up nicely so that you can read little bits at a time if that's all time permits.

I found this book, and the CD it came with, to be very helpful. I would definitely recommend buying it.

this is just what I need- very novice at pro se litigation,this is a great help with the basics of law,research and a limited intro to drafting documents

As an online paralegal student at the Washington Online Learning Institute, (WOLI) for short, I bought this book towards the end of my certificate program. It was quite useful in putting a lot of information in perspective. I had a course in career preparation at WOLI and this book reinforced and expanded upon that information so the combination of knowledge from WOLI and this book was really powerful. This book is basic, but it is accurate and very useful for someone entering the field. I ended up with a job just two weeks after graduating and this book helped for sure. So I would recommend it. I think it is interesting that Amazon bundles this book with the Statsky paralegal book because we used the Statsky book in three courses at WOLI. So I would recommend both books, actually. This is a good book for a person who is serious about entering the paralegal field, but keep in mind you should really get certified if you want to be truly successful. The days of just learning on the job are pretty much over, especially in terms of advancement in a law firm, which is a valid point made in this book. Recommended.

I really enjoy the "Dummie's" line, I actually have a collection of them. I think that they are extremely informative and well written. They break down stuff that people might deem as "common" knowledge, but you'd be suprised how ignorant some are on the topics. I will continue to buy their line and look forward to many new and interesting topics to read about.

I originally purchased this book for my friend, who was considering pursuing a paralegal certificate to help with a career change. Before giving it to him, I managed to read this book in its entirety. With only my brief academic background in law (Business Law I&II, and Law of the Workplace) I found this book to be an enjoyable, easy read, and full of useful information and insight into the paralegal industry. (Not to mention a CD full of bonus material.)

I also found it intriguing that this book was written by the founders of The Center for Legal Studies, providers of paralegal courses in many of this country's junior colleges. (The same course, as it were, that my friend will be taking in the coming months.) While I don't know how good it will be as preparation for the course, I'm relatively certain that the two have some interrelated elements that may prove useful.

The Author of this book should be very proud! I mean I thought I was a fan and then I read this book and I realized so much I didn't know! This book has shown me how I can dedicate and try to make this show more popular by supporting it!! Read it, it's GREAT!

Pro's: It was interesting to read about the actors and their were plenty of interesting photos. I like reading the comments from the actors on certain episodes.

Cons: The episode guide was good, but it was something I could care less about. I wanted to see more behind the scenes facts and this book gave me what I already knew. Also the quiz at the end was impossible. I've been watching the show since it started, and the questions are based on details that are impossible for even me to remember and the only way you'd remember them is if you taped each episode and/or took notes from each episode. I read what the other people said about the book and thought it would be great, instead it was a dissappointment.

Over all: Don't get this book unless you are a NEW fan and don't know anything. Also don't even try the quiz!

I think that this book was really good, probably because I am a po5 fan! It has good information that I didn't ever know about. I recommend it, and any other party of five books!

It has bios of all the stars and guests, recaps of all the episodes of the first three seasons, behind the scenes info./pics, plus tons of other great stuff!

If you love PO5 as much as I do (which beleve me is a alot!) this is the book that you should read. It gives you the inside scoop on the show and the stars and also includes tons of quizzes and an episode guide. So if your smart (which you must be if you decide to watch PO5) read this book now!

Sonar 2.0 is such a complicated program. I haven't even messed with many of the features, including MIDI, but have gotten quite good at audio editing. This book made a huge difference. I found it much clearer and easier to follow than the online help or manual that came with Sonar. Highly recommended!

I'm using Home Studio 2002 XL, which as one of the reviewers pointed out is basically just a cut down version of Sonar 2. I had hoped that this book would help me to really learn how to use the advanced features of Home Studio/Sonar, but I was disappointed to find little advice on technique in the book.

It's a very comprehensive overview of the features of the program, but apart from a few small features I'd overlooked there was very little that I hadn't managed to already learn from the included help files (which are pretty good) or previous experience with Sequencers and using MIDI.

In particular I was interested in more information on how best to arrange and mix songs, in particular using aux-buses, but I found that less time was spent on this topic than on explaining the different effects (in more detail than I thought necessary).

Perhaps I'm being a little harsh, and perhaps I'm looking for a different kind of book. I work with computers for a living, so I'm used to finding my way around new software - I guess if you aren't then this is probably a good tour of what the software can do.

I review this book as one who does not own this particular piece of software, but as a prospective Sonar user. I wanted to do a little research to see if Sonar was the way I wanted to go, and I found this book extremely informative. It makes what might be a scary program for the novice very approachable and user-friendly. If I do wind up purchasing Sonar, it's unlikely I'll even need to read the manual with this excellent resource available to me. Outstanding!!

Sonar 2 Power! is an excellent book. It is, by far, the best book available on Sonar, and a must have for anyone who uses Sonar. I have found it was great for intitially getting up to speed on the software. And now that I know the software much better, it is still full of tons of helpful information. Sonar 2 Power! lets you quickly dive right into those features you are interested in. Best of all, the author, Scott Garrigus, is able to make learning quick and enjoyable. It is clear that Scott has a great deal of enthusiasm for making music using his computer and Sonar; he does a very good job of getting this enthusiasm across, which makes the book all the more enjoyable to read. The author has a Website...for his readers.

This is a good book for Cakewalk Home Studio 2004 (and XL) users as well, because Home Studio 2004 is basically the same as Sonar 2 with a few missing features that Home Studio 2004.

I did a comparison of it to my recently acquired 2004 XL upgrade and other than the synchronization function, a couple of UI changes (Snap to Grid button changed locations), and a few effects that Home Studio XL doesn't give you, everything works identical to the Sonar 2 version in the book.

I haven't read the Cakewalk Power Book, but I did notice it looked thinner on the shelves than Sonar 2, and chose to buy Sonar 2 because I thought it was more comprehensive. I've been very happy about the purchase and what I've learned about Home Recording.

While I am more of a fan of 5HTP than St Johns Wort,this book goes beyond the plant. This book does a great deal to talk about depression and teach people natural ways of improving their minds and lives.

As the Alternative Health guru at Lifetips.com, I am constantly looking for books and products to share with visitors to my site that can help take the mystery or confusion out of alternative/natural healing. This is definitely one of those items.

If you're looking for an easy-to-understand and well-researched book on a natural approach to dealing with depression, then this is the book for you. Dr. Cass shares case histories many might identify with and she has done her homework in deftly explaining the important factors one must understand to deal effectively with depression. She also provides great tips on nutritional steps and lifestyle changes that must go hand-in-hand if one is serious about defeating depression. This wonderful book CAN offer help to those struggling to get a handle on dealing with depression naturally.

I have found this common sense guide to using & understanding St. John's Wort invaluable. This ancient herbal remedy for lifting mood without the high cost of prescription drugs & their often debilitating side effects is the best treatment available for those who will follow Dr. Cass's guidelines. I have shared this book with friends & family. I can't think of a better gift for loved ones who needlessly suffer from Depression!

This is a great guide to the healing effects of an ancient medicinal plant that has gained great popularity in the last decade based on scientific findings. The author first looks at the problem of depression by discussing the biochemistry of the brain and the relationship between mental and physical health.

St John's Wort (hypericum) offers a gentle way of treating depression and other nervous disorders. Cass discusses the scientific proof of the efficacy of this herb as measured against synthetic antidepressants. The research is indeed encouraging and the plant's mild side effects provide a great advantage over the synthetic medicines.

The author explores the correct dosage for various problems like sleep and seasonal affective disorders (SADs) whilst pointing out the herb's anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing properties. Besides the well-known hypericin, St John's Wort also contains a host of other phytochemicals that play vital roles in protecting cells from damage, in repairing damage and in regeneration.

These ingredients include GABA, carotenoids, flavonoids, hyperforin, limonene, lutein, phytosterols, quercetin, quercetrin, rutin and xanthones. All parts of the plant, the flowers, leaves, stem and the oil are used in healing. One of the possible side effects of taking St John's Wort is sensitivity to the sun in certain people.

The book includes a bibliography, a natural medicine resources list, a protocol for switching a patient from an anti-depressant to St John's Wort and the regulatory status of St John's Wort in various countries. It concludes with an index. I also recommend Mind Boosters by Ray Sahelian and The A to Z Guide to Supplements by Phyllis A Balch for further information on herbal medicines.

I bought this book (and a bottle full of St. John's Wort!) after two deaths in my immediate family pushed me over the edge of depression. It talks about the different forms of depression, how St. John's Wort helps with the symtoms and who should or shouldn't try the herb. It gives a lot of study cases of people Dr. Cass worked with and also offers some statistical information on research. All of it is put in a very readable and enjoyable form and I finished the book in a couple of bedtime reading sessions (definitely important when you're reading about something that you hope and pray will help you with your current state of depression!) I highly recommend both the book and the herb to anyone thinking they may suffer from depression.

I don't have children of my own, but I bought this book because I thought it would be helpful knowledge to have when dealing with my nieces and nephews. I was surprised to find that these skills aren't just for kids. These are basic human relationship skills that will work for anyone. I wish more adults understood and applied this type of healthy interaction. Perhaps this book will lay the groundwork for a more kind and self-assured generation to come. I recommend this book for everyone. It's not just for children.

Scott Cooper's book, STICKS AND STONES, is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to improve interpersonal relations at home, in the classroom among children or even in a marriage or between countries. This small, completely accessible and easy-to-read book is organized into chapters that illustrate skills by linking them to the patterns of common birds. for example, for problems dealing with blaming (The Way of the Crow) skills such as the "Mighty Might" can be learned and utilized on the spot. Scripts enlarge the concepts and are written in kid-friendly language.

Although this book abounds with good psychological principles, the author comes across as a positive coach with a humorous and compassionate style. The material and strategies are easy to grasp and draw upon solid psychological research, but are not heavy with jargon. Scott Cooper's wisdom will help fill in gaps in your own experience as a child.

Every teacher and principal should have a copy near by. I have recommended this book to many adults in my social work practice. I wish it was around when I was raising a family.

I have read quite a few books on assertiveness training in order to help my 7 year old deal with teasing from her peers. I must have read about 15 different books, but this book truly stands out. It's not just a bunch of hogwash about how teasing affects self esteem, etc, etc. It's real life, practical techniques easy enough to teach a 7 year old that will give her the tools she needs in dealing with the stuff 7 year olds all have to deal with. Each chapter in the book deals with a different concept to work on. So I'm teaching my daughter a chapter a week so that when she re-enters school in September, she'll be much better prepared.

This book is great. Kids need it! It gave my kids the actual lines they can say when they are being teased. One of the nice surprises is that it also gave me ways to help my kids deal with the whiny, exaggerated things they tell themselves. My kids use the phrases in the book and now they know what to say automatically.This has given them a lot of confidence. They feel much better in many different situations.

Let me say first that I have not read this particular book, but have a comment to make regarding destructive teasing.

My 11 year old was teased unmercifully last year by a group of kids after he stood up for a younger child that was the "class goat". (This book was not available; I would have used it if it had been). Suffice it to say that visits to the principal, the teachers, etc. yielded sympathy but no protection.

We finally got him a couple of books of insults and he practiced them at home. He got to be really good at the funny comeback, the creative snap.

It wasn't our favorite solution, but it did work. He's even popular this year because kids think it's funny. The teasing has lessened, though no one at this age is totally immune. At least he didn't slug anybody and he's getting some relief from the incessant comments.

So if the "turn the other cheek" approach isn't working, buy a few insult books and see if you can make the best defense a good offense.

I am beginning a Qigong practice. After researching many books on the art, I decided on this one. I feel very lucky to have found it. It is a clear and helpful guide to the practice. Yang Yang is a scholar and martial arts master. You will benefit from both his skills. He very clearly directs you in a practice, while explaining the intention behind each direction. In a complete practice, you seek to acquire the internal and external aspects of Taijiquan. If either component is missing in your practice, "gong", the fruit of practice, is limited. Specifically, Dr. Yang Yang's complete curriculum includes, "Three essential pillars": Qigong, Taiji Form, and Push-hands. My advice is to search out a copy of this book and buy it. I think you will appreciate it as much as I do.

Best book on Taiji for beginners or more advanced that I have read. It is very clearly written. Scientific literature review is very helpful.

I am a Yang-style tai chi student but found this book to be perfect for everyone. Yang Yang perfectly captures the essence of our art and presents it in a readable and enjoyable style. I read it slowly to savor every concept and every turn of phrase. This book is highly recommended to those just beginning tai chi or those who have been doing it for many years. If you have never experienced what tai chi can do for you, this book will send you looking for the nearest sifu.

Yang Yang's book, Taijiquan, is very deep and goes beyond what most people will ever know or need to know about Taijiquan and science. As a M.S. student in Exercise Science, as well as a practitioner of Hunyuan Taijiquan, I was very impressed at the depth that Yang goes into in describing the neural mechanisms at work in Taiji. He also points out various topics that western science can delve into that has yet to be investigated.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Taijiquan as well as to students of Exercise Science in order to better understand why Taijiquan is as helpful as it is in delaying aging processes.

Whether beginner or expert, Master Yang Yang's book will provide a foundation on not only what Taijiquan is and is not, but how to work your way into an understanding of it.

The book begins with some self-history of Master Yang Yang, then dives into what exactly Taijiquan is, and what it means to practice a martial art, with emphasis on both words. There follows an excellent chapter on how to pick an instructor, which is often neglected in the face of advertising and convenience.

The meat of the book goes through the three pillars of Taji practice: meditation (feeling and building your Qi), forms (using and extending your Qi) and push hands (feeling Qi from the outside). In each section, he provides the why's (why is meditation crucial), the how's (how to get started, the basics) and motivation (if you need any). The chapters also discuss how these three pillars are linked to one another.

The final chapter, "Why Practice Taijiquan?" pulls it all together, describing what you will, might and will not get out of efficient practice.

There also follows a quite well done appendix on the history of Tajiquan and the Chen school.

This is not a technical "how-to-do-the-forms-and-moves" book. For that, I recommend Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming's series of books and DVDs (or, if you are lucky enough, take one of his seminars).

You will not learn Taijiquan from this book. But you will get a excellent background and a sense of what it is, how you should approach it and practice it, and what it can become inside you. Master Yang Yang writes not only with thought and intellect, but you can feel the passion that he has for his art. Martial artists say that the art lives through them, and that comes through in this book.

TALKING WITH MY MOUTH FULL is a collection of winsome essays with recipes attached by Bonny Wolf, journalist and NPR correspondent. It seems as if today's food journalists come from one of two diametrically different backgrounds: either they were raised by parents who nearly poisoned them (think Ruth Reichl) or they were raised by parents who passed along their delight in food. Wolf belongs to the latter group, having grown up a baby boomer in Minneapolis reveling in particularly middle-class American institutions which she celebrates and has elaborated on as an adult. Just when you think America has gone to the food dogs with the endlessly vacant discussion of green bean casserole at holiday time, along comes Wolf to say, really, we're eating some good stuff here and we should just enjoy it. Much of it is comfort food and none of it is more difficult and elitist than what a family might serve at a dinner party for friends and family.

Her joie de vivre is contagious as she explores everything from the history and revival of Bundt cakes, regional foods, aprons, dinner party disasters, state fair fare, pot luck suppers, DC's (pre-fire) Eastern Market, Baltimore's crab cuisine, etc. Food as she talks about it is inseparable from place, friends, family, memory and living. Before I knew it, I was marking recipes to try and jotting down titles of old cookbooks to seek out. I doubt I'll overcome my aversion to Jell-o and do the retro thing and make a molded salad, and I'm not going to use lard or suet in the pastie pastry, but Wolf otherwise has me hooked.

I loved this book -- I had originally checked it out of the library, but had to buy my own copy. I wanted to write notes in it, mark passages to share with my parents -- it's a book that inspires you to think about families and food, plus it has some wonderful recipes. A must read.

Bonnie Wolf has written an absolutely beautiful meditation on the subject of food and its relationship to people. Throughout the reading of the book, I found myself nodding and thinking "The woman knows of what she speaks", particularly in her fantastic section on comfort foods. In the photograph on the book cover, Bonnie looks like someone I would very much like to know -- her kindness and joie de vivre shine through on every page. And the recipes, the recipes. Alas, too often reliant on processed ingredients which are not (and God willing never will be) available here in Eastern Europe where I live, but the recipes, the recipes! Thank you, Bonnie!

I loved this book. It was so real, reading made me hungry to try the many recipes. Though on some subconscious level I realized the importance of food, cooking, and recipes in my life, to have it written in such a way made it wonderfully apparent how. I too was a bit disappointed with how abruptly the book ended, I wanted a conclusion of sorts. Still a very wonderful book with special meaning to those of us who realize our lives are intertwined with food experiences.

"Talking with my Mouth Full" had me laughing with my mouth full of Bonny Wolf's comfy recipes.