Scott Books

I have never met Lucile Manley, but I know I would like her. The author of Tail Talk has just the right attitude toward our furry friends--tolerance, respect, and (dare I say it) love.
Best of all, she has humor. Any book that can make me laugh out loud is a winner, and this book does just that. It is a privilege for me to review it for the Humboldt Beacon, our local newspaper.
I had trouble picking a favorite chapter (they're all so good) but "Now and Zen" finally won my vote. I will never look at a litter box in quite the same way again.

I have never met Lucile Manley, but I know I would like her. The author of Tail Talk has just the right attitude toward our furry friends--tolerance, respect, and (dare I say it) love.
Best of all, she has humor. Any book that can make me laugh out loud is a winner, and this book does just that. It is a privilege for me to review it for the Humboldt Beacon, our local newspaper.
I had trouble picking a favorite chapter (they're all so good) but "Now and Zen" finally won my vote. I will never look at a litter box in quite the same way again.

If you are a person who has decided that cats should not be a part of your life, this book will confirm all the reasons for your decision. If you are a cat lover, you will relate to all the frustrations, demands and delights of being owned by a cat (especially a French-speaking one). Thoroughly entertaining,funny, and imaginative with delightful illustrations, Tail Talk will make a fine gift to anyone, regardless of feline bias.

Tail Talk is a witty recounting of a relationship that begins when the author arrives fresh from the city with plans to grow flowers and vegetables which the gophers think are delicious. Manley buys a $1900 fence at the advice of her neighbor and looks for a cat to kill the gophers. She doesn't really want a cat. They are lots of trouble, tearing up the upholstery, throwing up on the rug in front of company and shedding hair all over the house. But there are those gophers, so she goes to an animal shelter and falls in love with a fifteen pound orange fur ball she names Barbara.

The book tells of the adjustments necessary to live with a cat. How do you adjust to a cat with gourmet tastes who loves the food one day and bats it off the dish and tries to bury it the next? How do you teach the cat to use the cat scratcher rather than your furniture? "Demonstrate," says Lucile, "with your own nails. My fingernails look great. I don't have to trim them half as often as I used to." And then there is the name Barbara for a male cat. This causes much stress for the veterinarian.

Cat lover or not, you will find these stories both amusing and hysterically funny and will want to read them aloud to your friends. As far as I can tell, the gophers are still enjoying the garden.

TAIL TALK by Lucile E. Manley
Illustrated by Mary E. Scott

Highly Recommended. Give it to a friend. Take a break from world turmoil and personal worries; read this book. If it doesn't make you laugh out loud, you are beyond hope.

Adoption of a cat can be a life-altering experience. Lucile Manley, avid gardener, wants a cat to eliminate gophers from her garden, provide warm, furry companionship, and never scratch the furniture. A cat to fill her "owner's" needs. Barbara Orange Cat has a different agenda.

In twenty delightful chapters, enchanced by Mary E. Scott's hilarious illustrations, Manley describes life with Barbara. The way Barbara uses her tail to communicate, her early morning demands for food (but only certain food), her needs in proper accomodations and equipment, including a Zen Garden litter-box, and her complete disdain for gopher hunting--all strengthen the bond between cat and human--and raise questions as to which is superior. Barbara remains Barbara Orange Cat, even though the Vet points out that she is a male cat.

Read TAIL TALK for fun and understanding. Manley says, "There's a lot to be learned from living with a cat." She offers a list of directions for selecting a cat at the animal shelter, then adds, "If your first glance at a whiskered, furry face tears out your heart, forget all of the above... you have found your very own personal cat."

Zits captures the essence of all teenagers in this book! Its so funny...and so true! Its perfect for all teenagers.

its a little of all of us in this book,you will not be able to put it down.
LOVE IT!!!!

This book is great for parents of teenagers. My teenagers even liked it. The cartoons are so true.

Actually, it's not fair for me to submit a review of this or any other Zits Sketch book since I am a certifiable Zits Junky. "Teenage Tales" is every bit in keeping with the spirit of Zits as it's 7 predecessors.

Top rate all the way.

It is funny and the most well dramatized version of a teenage life.

I'm a climber and I have all my non-climbing family read Greg's books. They always finish the book, (no one can put his books down) and come away with a broader understanding of what one does as they push their limits in the mountains.

If you want a more abreviated version...try Greg's book: Mixed Emotions - just make sure you have some free time because you won't put it down until you're done with the whole thing.

This is the best book on mountaineer that has been written. Child is a fantastic writer, and the stories he tells are entirely engrossing. Find this book and read it!

This is a superb set of essays which describes the transfiguration of a gifted technical rock climber into a high- altitude mountaineer. In addition, it is a well-written, absorbing chronicle of high adventure in one of the most spectacular regions on earth (replete with dozens of stunning photographs).

For me, the chapters on Broad Peak in the Karakoram were the highlight of this collection . Child describes the geography, people and culture of Pakistan as well as the logistics of the expedition with such clarity and force that it is not hard to begin imagining you are there with him before too long.

But it is his deep respect for all the people he encounters and climbs with that makes this narrative so rich and special. In this regard readers will be moved indeed when Child looses his friend and climbing partner Peter Thexton to pulmonary edema after turning back from the summit on Broad Peak (without getting quite to the top). This tragedy is related with such pathos and power. And it makes Child reconsider the entire enterprise to which he has devoted his life, a process that one rarely reads about in the writings of high altitude mountaineers who so often maintain a stoic attitude reflexively. One's life, Child ultimately decides, takes precedence over the conquest of 8,000 meter peaks; no matter how compelling and significant such a goal may seem.

One of the best books I have ever read or given to family/friends (I have bought 10+ copies since it was first published...too bad the original hard copy version is no longer available...mine is now in rough shape). My favorite climbing book of all time. Inspired. Be humbled with Child, then grab your gear... After this read, 'Deborah & Mountain of my Fear'.

"Thin air" is one of the greatest books I every read. It's full of compelling, offbeat tales about alpine style climbing of Himalayan Mountains. Greg Child is an amazing writer and an even more amazing climber. K2 and Board Peak alpine style, bagging unclimbed routes, tents on fire; all make for interesting stories way up high. I recommend this book to anyone but especially climbers.

On May 16, 1991 R. Scott Dunn, then 24 vanished. The only person who appeared to have any insight as to his whereabouts was the gruesomely named Leisha Hamilton, with the equally gruesome personality as reported in this book.

Scott, then 24 was highly regarded for his proficiency at electronics and repair. He took great pride in a restored Chevrolet Camaro, which he named "Yellow Thunder."

In 1991-92, Scott, who was living in Lubbock Texas at the time was engaged to be married. However, he was living with Ms. Hamilton who sounded like a master manipulator. She called Scott's father, Jim to inform him that his son was missing. Each encounter she had with Jim and local law enforcement people was an exercise in manipulation and cruel, inappropriate comments. Although she claimed to be in love with Scott and expressed pleasure at sharing an apartment with him, she was actively involved with another man and even tried to lead authorities to suspect him as being involved in Scott's disappearance.

Jim Dunn is a man one can respect. He is to be commended for his dogged persistence and untiring diligence in working with law enforcement and the Vidoq Society. It is through their hard work that they were able to bring Leisha Hamilton to justice, although Scott's body has not been recovered at the time of this review.

Mike & the Mechanics' 1989 song "The Living Years" which is about fathers and sons appears to underscore this book very well. It was truly heartwarming to read about a father and son who loved and had respect for one another.

My heart goes out the Scott Dunn's family. The terror, frustration and then grief for all these years must have been horrible. It is about time that victims and their families should have as many rights as people who are suspected or actually commit crimes. I live in Lubbock and cannot believe that a jury could believe Smith could have been part of the murder or cover-up and still let him loose on the streets. I hope that some day the Dunns will know what happened to their son or at least where he is.

This book reads like a fiction mystery novel, it keeps you on edge and you just can't wait to see how it turns out.

Jim and Scott Dunn have a very good, long distance father-son relationship. They talk frequently by phone.

Scott is an attractive 24 year old young man who had learning problems in school. However, he is a wiz at installing stereos and restoring old cars. He loves his cars and he excels in his job.

Scott had recently called his dad to tell him that he was in love and had just become engaged to be married to Jessica.

Then, Jim gets a call from Leisha, who tells him Scott has disappeared, leaving his most prized possessions, his car which he had named Yellow Thunder, and a boat. When asked who she is, she says "Oh, I have been living with Scott for a while". Jim is in shock. He has never heard of her.

Who is Leisha? How does she figure in Scott's disappearance?

Leisha is a woman who manipulates men to do what she wants, she plays one against another. She lies when it suits her.

Jim vows to find his missing son, but soon he begins to expect foul play.

Jim is a determined father, trying to solve this mystery. He prods police and other experts, to keep the investigation alive. He never quits. He is determined to find his son, dead or alive.

There are lots of technical data and lots of tedious facts, but the book is never boring.

Scott Dunn was a wiz at fixing up cars and installing stereos in them, and he took special pride in his own "yellow submarine." Surely he wouldn't have left town without it? But his father, Jim, hadn't heard from him in some time. When he rang up the boy at home, a strange woman answered the phone. Thus begins the true-crime puzzler TRAIL OF BLOOD.

Poor Scott was only 24 when he met Leisha, the sort of woman who pops up in noir movies in the late 1940s to destroy the men who loves her. Leisha was seeing a few other guys on the side, just to keep her hand in, but she hated being rejected.

When Jim came to see the house she shared with Scott, he wondered why she had a big couch right over a patch of carpet and why an afghan was covering the spots the couch could not. Once you pulled up the afghan and moved the couch, you could see where a huge section of the wall-to-wall carpet had simply been hacked out. And Leisha pretended she had never noticed this before!

Local police and the DA said to Jim, "Sorry about your son, but without a body there is no case." He was in despair until he turned on the TV and happened, just happened, to see a profile of the mysterious "Vidocq Society," about which I will say no more.

The book tells a lot about fathers and sons and it's a sort of plea to sons to keep in better touch with their fathers, and also to fathers, it gives the wise advice that you should cherish your son while you can, he may not be with you forever.

Trail of Blood tells the story of the murder of Scott Dunn, and how the mysterious Vidocq Society was able to help Texas law enforcement bring his killers to justice even though Scott's body was never found. This is a great book not only for the technical details and the ins and outs of the legal system, but also for all the fascinating people involved. The victim, Scott Dunn, was a talented guy with a magnetic personality. His killer Leisha Hamilton is a psychological case study with an amazing ability to manipulate and lie. Scott's father, James Dunn, doggedly pursued justice even when it seemed like there was nothing the police could do. Finally, the Vidocq society's forensic psychologist provides insiight into the criminal mind of Scott's killers.

Trail of Blood is a great read, and sure to satisfy anyone with an interest in true crime stories.

James Scott Bell scores again. Ty Buchanan, defender of the defenseless, takes on the case of a man accused of robbery and murder. The man claims he didn't do it, but eye-witnesses ID him. Or is it a case of mistaken identity? Ty is determined to find out. Then, a secretive woman with a six year old daughter seeks his help, only to wind up dead, leaving the little girl, with no last name, orphaned. Ty takes the child under his wing and sets out to find her mother's killer.

But Ty is on his own now, with no trial experience in criminal law, armed only with his sense of justice, sharp mind, and a dogged determination to push through all obstacles to find the truth. We met Ty in Try Dying, Book 1 of the Ty Buchanan mystery/thriller series when his fiancée was killed and he learned it wasn't just a freak accident--it was out-and-out murder. He took some hard knocks, even accused of murder, but fought his way through to the truth.

His sometimes smart-aleck and confident attitude gets his bell rung a few times in Try Darkness, too, Book 2. And his temper threatens to be his undoing a number of times. But the wise counsel of his friends Sister Mary Veritas, a Benedictine nun, and Father Bob, a disgraced priest, try to help him stay on track. Ty's home and sanctuary is in a trailer situated on the grounds of St. Monica's due to the Benedictine rule of hospitality, Sister Mary and Father Bob his only 'family.

Try Darkness is fast moving and action packed, with snappy dialog. The pages practically turned themselves as I read--as I've come to expect from a James Scott Bell book. I love the unique layout of the chapters, all 191 of them! But not to worry, they're not long. Some are only a paragraph, some may appear two to a page, maybe even, with the book open, you'll see five chapters between the two pages. It's fun, and kept me turning the pages. AND, there's no place to find an easy break where you feel ready to set the book aside. Can't be done. I read Try Darkness in less than two days, waking up in the night to my husband taking my glasses off, setting the book aside and turning out the light.

Do I recommend this book? Oh, yeah!

James Scott Bell has a real winner with Ty Buchanan. This is the second in the series, and is even better than the first, Try Dying. From the first line--"The nun hit me in the mouth and said, 'Get out of my house.'"--to the last page, this is a fast-paced, entertaining read. Buchanan is flawed but easy to root for. If you like action fiction with emotion, drama, and some laughs, pick up a copy of Try Darkness. And watch for the next novel in the Ty Buchanan series. I know that I will.

Try Darkness is one of the best legal thrillers I've read. Better, than Try Dying because Dying was melancholy and Ty's sarcastic bent was darker. In Try Darkness, Ty is more inclined to hope. He's still cynical but he's beyond the rough grief.

I love Ty and his quirky band of people. Sarcasm, bad guys, legal maneuvering and a hint of romance make this an entertaining read. The influence of those who love God and Ty's struggles with what he believes or doesn't believe make Try Darkness an honest and compelling yet inspirational read.

Murder, violence and evil are very present in the novel. Those who are very sensitive may struggle a bit. Legal thriller lovers, mystery lovers, folks who devour multi-dimensional characters and those looking for a great story will find much to like. Bell is a master. I am looking forward to what happens next in Ty's life. Based on where we left off in Try Darkness, it's going to be good.

Ever since his first novel came out in 1995, James Scott Bell's been an author to watch. "The Darwin Conspiracy", a sometimes tongue-in-cheek look at the evolution debate, put him on our radar. Two years later his legal thriller "Circumstantial Evidence" debuted, and since then Jim hasn't strayed too far from his suspense groove. In fact, when you pick up a Bell novel you can count on his trademark tag-line "The Suspense Never Rests" to be true.

That's certainly the case for his new Ty Buchanan crime/mystery series. In "Try Dying" (Book 1), Ty's character was established. He's a fighter, an attorney you don't want to push too hard. Yet we always suspected he had a softer side. Now in "Try Darkness" (Book 2), a little girl's mother is murdered and Ty becomes her impromptu guardian. Fatherly instincts Ty didn't even know he had bubble to the surface. He'll do anything to defend the young life under his care. Why was her mother murdered? What connection does the crime have with charges the mother was about to bring to the motel ready to evict them? As usual, there's much more going on than first meets the eye, and it's up to Ty to unravel the mystery and keep himself and his friends alive in the process.

Ty's character has developed, and he now gives legal advice to the poor and downtrodden. The pursuit of justice for his clients keeps him going and awake at night. He already lost everything in Try Dying, and he's still living at the St. Monica's community. So he has nothing to lose and little fear, a dangerous combination for his opponents. Not that he doesn't have his vulnerabilities--the wind's knocked out of him more than once. But like the crime fiction heroes of yesteryear, Ty Buchanan always clambers back on his feet. Even in the bleakest moments he'll press on--sometimes bleeding, sometimes barely able to see straight.

Every hero needs a confidant, and Ty's basketball wielding friend Sister Mary fills more pages here than in the first book. We're delving deeper into her character as she grapples with the struggle between her faith as a nun and the rules and regulations of the Benedictine community. Father Bob makes appearances as well, always available to offer wisdom and a caring ear to Ty.

Fans of Bell's previous inspirational novels won't be disappointed. In some ways the faith elements are even more prominent in this series, since the St. Monica's setting naturally sparks some spiritual conversations. But hard-boiled crime fiction lovers need not fear being preached at or hammered over the head with a "message". The story always takes center stage.

James Scott Bell's goal for this series was to write books in the vein of the great crime fiction stories of the 40's and 50's like "The Big Sleep" & "The Maltese Falcon". And for those weary of the gratuitous violence, sex, and language found in much of today's crime novels the Ty Buchanan series will be a breath of fresh air. Yes, bad stuff happens, but we aren't forced to watch it unfold in technicolor.

The scenes zoom. The plot zips. The dialogue zings. And the spiritual thread challenges us to re-think our worldview. It's almost like watching a movie unfold across the pages. As always, Jim is a wizard of surprises. Just when we think we might have things figured out he throws in a spiral we never saw coming. Nary a wasted word and packed with action, "Try Darkness" is even better than "Try Dying".

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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JAMES SCOTT BELL
by C.J. Darlington

Q: Share with us a little bit about what first drove you to write the Ty Buchanan series.

JSB: I get a lot of ideas from news stories. Several years ago a man shot his wife in South L.A., then drove to an overpass, got out, shot himself and fell a hundred feet to the freeway below. His body slammed into a car and killed the driver. That stayed with me. I thought, what an opening for a novel. (I can't help it).

So I started playing around with the incident in my mind, and wondered who would be most affected by this, and came up with a young hotshot lawyer, Tyler Buchanan, whose fiancée is killed on page one in an incident like that.

That started the ball rolling.

Q: How did you come up with the name for your lead character?

JSB: It was purposeful. One of my favorite Westerns is "Buchanan Rides Alone" starring Randolph Scott. He's a loner who rides into a corrupt town and helps a guy, and gets a lot of people mad at him. Sounds like Ty in Los Angeles.

Tyler was chosen because there's a fight going on inside him, a dark side that competes for attention. Sort of like an inner Tyler Durden from "The Fight Club".

That juxtaposition of these characters seemed like it would make great fodder for inner conflict, which is, after all, the most compelling aspect of a novel.

Q: Can you explain a little further?

JSB: Flat characters are ultimately dull, even if you put in all the plot fireworks you can. Inner conflict is essential to overcome this. I mean, look at "High Noon". The inner conflict is written all over Gary Cooper's face for the whole movie. And why not? He's probably going to be killed by the bad guys, and he's just married Grace Kelly. Grace Kelly! No wonder he's conflicted.

Seriously, as the town refuses to help him, and death becomes almost guaranteed, he knows he cannot back out. It would kill him inside. That's inner conflict. The character has to face a choice that means "dying inside" if he does the right thing.

Q: How did you develop the plot for the second book, Try Darkness?

JSB: Again, an item in the paper. There are low rent hotels in L.A. that sometimes play fast and loose with the law. In something called the "28 day shuffle," they force residents out before a full month, so certain renters' rights don't kick in.

I have Buchanan representing a poor woman who's getting this treatment. Of course, murder happens and Ty has to find out what's going on. Because he now has the woman's six year old daughter to protect.

Q: Have you found writing a series more challenging than writing stand-alone novels? Why or why not?

JSB: I am liking this series, becoming very fond of the characters. The challenge is to keep them growing throughout, even as they encounter twisting plot lines. But I enjoy the challenge.

When it's really done well, as in the books of Michael Connelly, it's incredibly satisfying. That's a high bar, but it's what I'm reaching for.

Q: What is the role of the Catholic characters - Sister Mary and Father Bob?

JSB: They represent one side in a multi-layered argument going on inside Buchanan. Spiritual interest is high in society right now, and why wouldn't it be, with the way things are? The search for answers is strong now, and I like having several different characters for Buchanan to play off.

There is Sister Mary Veritas, the basketball playing nun, and Father Bob, as you mentioned. There's also Barton C. "Pick" McNitt, a former philosophy professor who went crazy and now runs a coffee bar where Ty meets his clients. McNitt is an atheist who rails, Howard Beale style, against societal ills.

Then there's the simple innocence of a child, Kylie, who Ty has to protect.

All these things swirl around him as he deals with the loss of the woman he was going to marry.

Q: What are you hoping the Ty Buchanan series accomplishes?

JSB: Like any novelist, I want to give people a good read. I want them to fall in love with the characters. And I want to write about the search for justice in a dark world. That seems to be my theme, in all my books.

But whatever the theme, unless readers are compelled to turn the pages, nothing else will matter. So that's my first task.

Q: How many more books can we expect in the Ty Buchanan series and what's his next adventure?

JSB: The next one is Try Fear (mid-2009). This one is going to have a full on murder trial, and takes place mostly in Hollywood. I'd love to keep the series going after that. I have thirty good titles (when I get to "Try the Veal" I'll have to pack it in). The more the word gets out on the series, the better the chance it'll go on. So be sure to tell every reader to get a copy, and spread the word to their entire extended family.

Q: Umm...

JSB: No pressure.

Try Darkness by James Scott Bell is the second book in his series starring lawyer Ty Buchanan. Ty has been through the ringer: his fiance murdered, accused of murder himself, and then the loss of his job. He's restarted his life living near a Benedictine convent in the hills outside of L.A. and picking up legal cases out of his "office" is a local coffee shop. A young woman approaches him to help defend her and her daughter against an illegal eviction. But as Ty starts to press the case, it quickly becomes complicated, and then the woman is murdered, leaving Ty to look after her six-year-old daughter Kylie who quickly steals his heart and peace of mind. Sister Mary Veritas, basketball champ, is back stomping Ty on the court as well as on his heart. This series reminds me a bit of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. Ty is quick with the one-liners and the punches, and you have to love a book in which a priest gives lessons in street-fighting, and there are dead-on caricatures of Charlie Sheen and Donald Trump. Bell captures the spirit of L.A. with its quirky characters and a sheen of celebrity. I'm not sure if Ty is moving closer to faith or just to Sister Mary, but either way, I'm along for the ride!

This book has the most creative and cutest characters to go along with the story line. This story was written by a race car drivers wife along with the famous racer himself Scott and Judy Pruett based on true experiences. This book is not only fun for the child but also for the adult as you read through the story of the the 12 race cars down to the last car that wins. What an amazing book to read your children before bedtime.
I just found out that they also have 3 other books 12 more little race cars, rookie the racer and racing through the alphabet that Im sure will be just as great!

This is a great bed-time story book for young kids. Scott Pruett was a great race car driver. Based on this book, he has a bright future as an author of children's books.

This is an excellent book with great illustrations along with the words. This book is cute and somewhat educational for the toddler/pre-school age kids. It is fun to read and especially fun to bring out after a day at Portland International Raceway for the GI Joe 200.

This is a great bed-time story book for young kids. Scott Pruett was a great race car driver. Based on this book, he has a bright future as an author of children's books.

Being in the San Francisco Region of the Sports Car Club of America, I have met and respected Scott Pruett. Now my 2 yr old can enjoy racing in a whole new way through this book that Scott and Judy have put together. I am enjoying the book as much as she is! I can't wait for the next one! Great job, guys!!

This is a story that takes you back to a time when the Civil War had just ended and slavery has ended as well. Virgie is a young girl who is trying to keep up with her five boys who go to school. She wants to go to school herself. Her brothers tell her things like, "girls don't go to school", "school's too hard", and such. Virgie is a very determined young girl. There is a lot of American history information in the story. It talks about things like, the Quakers, who were a religious group back in this time who had come over to America. This group of people helped out the slaves during this time. The story also talks about Abraham Lincoln, who was against slavery and fought to end slavery during his term. This story goes on to show Virgie in the field with her mother picking pole beans and talks about her stirring soap for her Mama. These were some of the many chores young slave girls were to do during this time. Virgie continues to ask her mother and father if she can go to school. This story is by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard who is telling a story about her grandfather's life during this time. Her grandfather is C.C. in the story.

In VIRGIE GOES TO SCHOOL WITH US BOYS, a young girl is unable to go to school with her six brothers. After much begging, she finally convinces her parents that girls should be able to learn also and reassures them that she can travel the seven miles to the school run by the Quakers. Though one would imagine the journey is rough for a small child, little Virgie keeps up with her brothers and arrives at school with them, ready to learn.

While this story is loosely based on the author's grandfather (one of Virgie's brothers), it symbolizes what many blacks must've felt during the Reconstruction period -- the need to use education as a stepping stone towards freedom. As with a lot of his other books E. B. Lewis uses the watercolor medium for VIRGIE GOES TO SCHOOL WITH US BOYS. His illustrations perfectly complement the story, bringing the reader into each page, and closer to Virgie and her family.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

My children always grow quiet with wonder when I read this tale of Virgie and her brothers, former slaves of the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. To learn to read and write, the boys travel seven miles each week to get to the school founded by Quakers (folks who love the Lord). They slosh through a river with their pail full of food and move silently through a dark wood. Their little sister Virgie longs to learn too and over the summer she lets everyone know it. After months of her prodding, Virgie's parents agree that she too is free and that even little girls needed to learn. Her big brother CC looks out for her on the trip (she falls in the river but doesn't cry) and enjoys her wonder upon seeing the school and the wonderful, beautiful bookcase full of books. "I'm going to read them all," she says touching them lightly. And from the wonderful writing of her descendant who wrote this book, we know that she must have. It's a beautiful story.

?Girls don?t need school.? This is the initial tone for Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys in the beginning. This book is honest with its stereotypes and use of language (considering the time it is set in), yet liberal in it?s moral. This book is sharp in its interpretation of how life was immediately following slavery, yet daring enough to portray life honestly and frank. The illustrations are vivid and clear allowing the reader to perceive Virgie?s(the main character)exact environment. As you read the book, the pictures draw you into the story as if you are another sibling for one of her brothers to pick on. The emotions on each character?s faces are clear as if you can read their minds. The watercolors bring the characters to life right before your eyes and portray life as realistic as a picture. Any child would get lost in the beautiful art in these illustrations, as well as learn a little something about the importance of learning.

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys is notable for its subject matter and illustrations. The story concerns a young African-American girl in Post-Reconstruction Tennessee who hungers to follow her five older brothers to school; young African-American girls did not typically attend school during this time. The story is told in first person by one of the brothers, who is sympathetic to her cause. (Some of the brothers are against her accompanying them, and their comments add tension to the story--will their predictions come true?) The illustrations, watercolors by E.B. Lewis, provide an engaging yet gentle way into the text. The book provides a story interesting to young school age kids (is it possible that kids could actually yearn to be able to go to school?), and also an avenue to talking about social history. As a linguist, I especially liked the respectful yet accurate depiction of Black English Vernacular, which lends the book an evocative note. The book is 'officially' recommended for ages 4-8. Because of the history theme I would extend that to ten year olds.

I got the book after hearing about it at the Coast to Coast Show. This is a book that shouldn't be missed if one is seriously concerned with his own health. Living with agreement with Nature's laws, and homeopathy are true solutions for our health. I have attended several acupuncture sessions and I am the living proof of its effectiveness. Human body is designed in accordance with the laws of physics and chemistry. These laws never change. They are recorded in every nerve and every muscle. The best benefits a book can bring is not only revealing the truth but also inspiring insight, and "Vertual Medicine" does a good job in that respect. Another book that I recommend is The Master Cleanser and Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About

I bought this book firstly because I'd wanted to read up on problems with amalgam fillings in teeth, but I am now hooked and can't put it down! It's absolutely fascinating, and covering so many subjects and viewpoints backed up by scientific research and facts. It really makes you think twice about a lot of "stuff" you thought you knew!! and gets you thinking about things in a different way. A "MUST READ" book. I've ordered more for relatives!

This book does an excellent job of examining the history of ideas and technologies associated with the field of energetic medicine. How energy and information "create" our reality are key issues in this field, as well as how the energy and intentions of the healer are involved in the healing process. This author examines a variety of issues, from how information is communicated with homeopathic and chinese medicine therapies to how new technologies can electrically measure the body's reaction to numerous stimuli and prescribe remedies to help the body regain balance. The ideas of m-fields (Sheldrake) and the notion of a holographic "implicate order" or collective field of consciousness underlying creation are also considered. This book is a very timely contribution to the scientific examination of holistic and energetic healing approaches - I'm surprised that it is currently out of print (in the USA). Maybe it's still published in the UK - I got a used copy via an Amazon marketplace seller.

This book is expertly written and researched. I bought it for the specific chapter on dental health, as there are few sources of information for those of us who believe the teeth can be healed without endless root canals. The information is absolutely riveting and should be photocopied and placed in every dental surgery in the country!
However, the rest of the book is tedious in its determination to present a scientific basis for energy medicine. He spouts endlessly about clever machines which do the same job as any competent homeopath or kinesiologist. The human touch is just not there. This is a book to glorify 'New Age-friendly' scientists, rather than to aid therapists, in my opinion. If you are a therapist and have the Donna Eden 'Energy Medicine', you can easily do without this book.

You can read almost everywhere about Mind/Body medicine; it's almost a catchword. Yet here is a book,Virtual Medicine by Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby, which details, in a friendly, passionate way, the actual research and development of the science that supports the theory. His first three chapters, including a history of energy medicine and a well-reasoned explanation of how energetic information is communicated outside the body, are worth the price of the book. Perhaps for the first time you will be able to see that what seem to be esoteric energy theories are firmly based in Quantum Mechanics, based on theories that have been accepted in physics since the 1920's! Emphasizing the diagnostic devices that can read the body's energy and therefore help predict, determine and cure diseases, Scott-Mumby goes much further, examining different healing modalities (such as sound and light). Even though he examines the dangers in such modern phenomena as ELF's (extra low frequencies) and amalgam fillings, he maintains a positive, upbeat and inspiring tone. As a researcher and bodyworker I was totally excited after finishing this book. It's a must for anyone seeking to understand the science behind the New Medicine.

This is one of my favorite VC++ books. It has great examples and easy to follow explanations of the subject being covered. I have really learned from this book. Excellent.

The book is full of skills that helps programmers solve common problems when programming in MFC. Some problems exist: I found one "How-to" appeared twice in different parts of the book. Also, some programs on "Toolbars and Status Bars" have bugs. For example, the "ProgressMeter" application should derive CMeterBar from CStatusBar instead of CStatusBarCtrl. These are minor problems that can be easily corrected - I hope the authors have already done that. Besides all these problems, I still think this is a very good book on MFC programming. It prevents you from reinventing the wheel (many times).

If you have to code in MFC you need this book in addition to the Microsoft documentation and at least one other VC++ book. Scott's book uncovers techniques that are well hidden in the MFC documentation and not covered in other books but necessary in real applications. Usually if I am trying to do something slightly different from the standard look I find the answer in Scott's book or it gives me enough hints to figure out a solution. Many are not covered in the other VC++ books. Some important examples show how to change some properties in forms using MFC that are simple to change in VB but would be almost impossible to find in the MFC documentation or figure out by yourself.

An amazing amount of topics covered. Very thorough, and concise. No fluff. I constantly refering to it. One bad point: The index is not tabulated correctly, it can be difficult to find subjects. Overall the best book on Visual C++ I've seen yet.

Almost all of the programming books I have ever bought that are specific to a particular language product are worthless. They spend 550 of 600 pages describing the product's menu options and toolbar buttons then 40 pages of trivial worthless sample programs and 10 pages of index. This is not one of those books.

This book is 650 pages of pertinent and valuable examples and I have used it many times to help me solve many real world problems. I specifically liked that fact that it is the first book I have ever read that described the WM_GETMINMAXINFO message as a method of making CFormView based applications look the way they should. For the record, every other programming book I have that relates to MFC in any way gives naive CFormView examples that look stupid when running and behave stupidly when used.

This is a wonderful book, full of deep insights into the relationship between psychology and faith (The copy I bought did not include the tape so I can't comment on the music, though I imagine that that would improve it still further).

A wonderful 12-chapter exploration of themes related to the Christian life. Peck's essays (and brief remarks on the audio cassette) tie in with beautiful songs by Carmelite nun Marilyn von Waldner and simple drawings by artist Patricia Kay. Even Peck fans don't seem aware of this one, but it's one of my most treasured possessions. Every year or two, I pull it out and use it as a daily devotional for two weeks. Peck's writing here is overtly religous -- though with the caution and open-mindedness of a therapist. Von Waldner's songs are simple and (as Peck cautions) completely literal. Kay's minimalist artwork is a perfect complement. The cassette has all 12 songs on both sides; one side features Peck's introductions, the other doesn't. There's sheet music for each song in the spiral-bound book. If there's any justice, this thing will be reprinted so that I can buy copies and give them to my friends.

I have read this book several times and has given me new spiritual insights and has heightened my spiritual growth each time. I appreciate and thank Dr. Scott's efforts in bringing to light essential christian values to a level of acceptance and understanding in a lay man's views and not as theologically heavy as the subjects seem. This book is surely a must for all and a treasure to keep.

It's a shame that I just discovered this book after it had already gone out of print. I found it while attending a 3 day silent retreat at a Jesuit reteat house. I guess I considered myself a Peck fan, yet I didn't know this book/tape package existed. It provides a clearer picture of Peck's spirituality in the context of his Christianity. As in all his writings, Dr. Peck is clear, lucid, and shoots straight to the reader's heart. I highly recommend this book as it may help you understand how to appeal to the intellectuals out there who are really Christians at heart.

I hadn't known that M. Scott Peck was a Christian. Having read 'The Road Less Travelled' & 'People of the Lie' cover to cover and bought and browsed through other books of his, I thought 'What Return Can I Make' was the best. Being a born-again Christian, I'm a happier reader because this book is about being a believer in the Christian Faith.

After having read the book within a day, I went out and bought all the copies on sale from the store I'd first purchased it. Having gifted these, I was left with none for myself! It's only now, after about 3 years since I first read the book did I manage a copy for myself when I chanced on it in a book store.

Though not about Christianity, the only other book that has come close to touching me as much is 'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Albom.

If you guys haven't yet read 'What Return...' I suggest you do so pronto!