Sherman Books

The author shares a lot of great information and recipies on making candles as well as setting up your own business. I bought it to add to my library as refernce material, after borrowing it from the library TWICE.

I've been making candles for about 15 years. Every year or so, I check the candle making books to see what's new. There were many new ones since I checked last and Bob Sherman's book Candle Making is the only one I bought. It was by far and away the best of the bunch. It has easy to understand instructions on a broad range of candle projects. Mr. Sherman also clearly explains all the elements of candle making as well as the materials used.

I know some people expect color pictures in a book like this one. However, I appreciate the use of black and white pictures in this book which, undoubtedly, keeps the price very reasonable. I hate to think what this book would cost with color pictures.

If you buy only one candle making book, make it this one.

Although this one lacks glossy color photo's, it has a lot of great and valuable information presented in simple terms. It has a lot of handy conversion charts and wax formulas for various end results. It discusses issues more serious candlemakers will run into that are not mentioned in other books, such as the dreaded wet spots, and suggestions on how to go about side by side wick testing comparisons. My favorite and most reliable reference.

Candle Making, by Bob Sherman (A step by step guide from beginner to expert)is a must have book for anyone making or considering to make candles from a first time hobbyist to the experienced candle maker.
I have read this book three times now, and learned quite a bit more with each reading. Even as a professional candle maker, there were projects and methods I had yet to experiment with. I've followed some of the projects in this book, and had EXCELLENT results.
I can attest to the success anyone can have by following the projects included in this book. There are dozens of projects and the creativity Bob Sherman encourages will make for endless fun filled hours of candle making.
Everything one needs to know from safety, set up, & workspace, through ingredients, formulas, and full explanations of everything, is here in a fun to read, easy to follow format. There are hundreds of instructional, material, and projects pictures. There is a plethora of charts, tables, and all the necessary formulas and references to guide and teach you.
Raw materials and all possible ingredients are outlined and explained in detail, with attention paid to the interactions of all things that go into making a well burning, high quality candle. The glossary is exceptionally through and easy to understand. Candle Making, by Bob Sherman, is the ultimate guide. With this book, some experimentation, experience, and just a bit of creativity, you could make candles for a hobby or as a professional. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a creative outlet or just to learn about candle making.
>Peter Bacotti
>CanDoCandles.com

I heard a lot about this book, so I decided to buy it. The contents are really good and helpful, but I was rather disappointed with the amazing number of typos I found. Considering that the book also contains formulas, typos are absolutely not acceptable - I still need to check one formula that I think is wrong.

Besides, the photos are all in black and white (in a candle book you would expect color photos) and, in some cases, it is almost impossible to figure out what the photo is trying to demonstrate.

Neef is human who was switched at birth with a fairy and brought into New York between to become the Changeling of Central Park. She's is an overly curious child and soon becomes aware of a Solstice dance that occurs every year that she somehow always misses. Neef loves to dance and wants very badly to go. She realizes that she has been given a sleeping potion on the previous nights of the dance. She quickly finds a way around that and on the night of the dance, she sneaks down to it. There she causes a ruckous and the Green Lady of the Park states that she was forbidden to attend the dance and must be banished. If she is banished, she will be left for the Wild Hunt who waits in anticipation to get there hands (or claws) on her. She ends up making a deal (with the help of the Pooka)to go on a quest to obtain 3 objects to appease the Green Lady. On her quest she is accompanied by the fairy that was left in her place. Although they look alike, they are very different. They become close during there quest and realize each other's differences are good in their own way.
This was a great book that teaches many different morals. I recommend it highly.

This is another title I came to late in the year, and I absolutely adore it. It is New York Between, and Sherman balances the Between of Faerie with a terrific young heroine named Neef, ringing changes on every single New York and Faerie trope you can imagine, and a few you can't. It's fresh and funny and charming.

Changeling (2006) is a standalone fantasy novel. This fairytale is set in New York Between, a version of New York City with the same landscape and slightly variant buildings. It also has a very different populace, including almost every kind of mythical creature and even literary characters.

In this novel, Neff is a changeling. She was Kid-napped as a child from New York Outside by agents of the Bureau of Changeling Affairs. In her place, these agents left a fairy creature that looked like her, but who had a very different personality. Don't tell anyone, but their name is Jennifer Goldhirsch.

Now Neff lives in Central Park Central with Astris, a giant white rat who is her fairy godmother. Neff is the only mortal changeling within Central Park and has the protection of the Green Lady, Genius of the park. If you are not aware of the term, a Genius is the spirit of a famous place and is very powerful.

When the time comes for spring cleaning, Neff has to tidy her room. Yet Astris doesn't have the time to fetch the Blockhouse brownie. So Neff convinces Astris to let her go instead. She is finally big enough to have her own solo adventure.

Neff knows that it is foolish (and dangerous) to go off the marked path in the North Woods. Yet she turns off the path to follow a previously unnoticed trail. The trail gets steadily worst and finally vanishes at a swampy green pool.

A voice seems to come from the pool and sounds like sharp teeth and hunger. It questions whether she is tender and delicious. Neff immediately responds with the proper words, claiming the protection of the Green Lady. Sounding very hungry, a second voice complains about this protection.

The first voice belongs to Peg Powler, a bogeywoman. The second voice belongs to Blueberry, a demon. Both are part of the Wild Hunt and would eat her if it wasn't for the Green Lady's protection.

Peg tells Neff about the Solstice Dance on Midsummer Eve. Neff loves to dance and is very curious about the festivities. But Peg also tells her that Astris has lost other mortal changelings to accidents. Neff vehemently objects to her statements, but she wonders about the truth of these claims.

In this story, Neff attends the Solstice Dance and finds herself in deep trouble. The Green Lady removes her protection and the Wild Hunt closes in on her. Yet Neff is snatched away by a tengu.

Eventually, Neff escapes to the Metropolitan Museum. But the Green Lady comes after her and Neff has to negotiate an alternative to the Wild Hunt. She goes on a quest for three significant objects with which she can buy her return to the park.

This story introduces Neff to her fairy changeling from New York Outside. The tengu has also abducted the Outsider and they meet in the closet where both are being held. Her copy is subject to typical fairy faults, such as having violent fits of temper, but she also knows a lot about computers. Neff names her Changeling.

On the quest, Changeling sometimes is rather a bother, but other times she produces small miracles of computer science. They never do become real friends, but learn to get along despite their many differences. Besides, Neff has promised to protect Changeling from harm and would give her life to safeguard the Outsider.

Highly recommended to Sherman fans and to anyone else who enjoys tales of magic realms, smart girls and unusual adventures.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I read this immediately after Valiant by Holly Black and enjoyed it immensely because they have similar themes and settings, but very different heroines. Changeling is more for the jr high/ MS crowd and Valiant for HS types. Both are urban fantasy taking place in New York City. To the other reviewer who wondered if you needed to live in NYC to understand Changeling, I'd say no more than one needs to live in Newford to read Charled de Lint's books.

Neef is a mortal changeling, raised in New York Between with a talking rat fairy godmother and a pooka fairy godfather. Neef gives them the slip and attends a Solstice fairy dance, so the Green Lady of Central Park withdraws her protection. Neef must go on a quest to get three magical items from three other Genuii of New York Between. Neef is helped on her quest by her counterpoint, the one the fairies left when they took her. She calls her Changeling, but their name is Jennifer Goldhirsch and she has Asperger's. She doesn't like to be touched, tends to freak out, is a very literal thinker. I hope Delia Sherman writes another of these; it would be real treat to see Neef in Jennifer's world. I have read all of Delia Sherman's books -- this is a real keeper!

As one who has read a lot about autism, Asperger's and changeling stories, is a special education teacher and parent of an autistic child I *appreciated* Sherman's frank discussion of Jennifer's difficulties. Autism and Asperger's were only named in the 1940's, but parents and others have been trying to come up with reasons for it for thousands of years. The changeling story was one of the explanations; a perfect looking baby, who around the age of 3 is no longer able to hold gaze, is slow to walk and or talk, or has speech and seems to loose it.

When you find yourself a New York resident living and worked right smack dab in the center of this magnificently overblown city, you being to lose your perspective. Sure, I was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but living in Manhattan is like drinking from the water of Lethe. I forget little things, like the fact that the world does not, in fact, revolve around NYC. So when I pick up something like "Changeling", I find myself in a difficult situation. The book is a heckuva lot of fun, but I have to remember that all the places in it are New York-based. My responsibility as a reviewer, then, is to determine how well "Changeling" will relate to a kid living in Alaska or Hawaii. Will non-New Yorker children enjoy this book? Well, quite frankly I can't see how they wouldn't. I mean, it's not the deepest piece of fiction you'll ever peruse, but it certain does owe a certain amount of allegiance to the form and function of fairy tales and quests. Plus it's fun. Did I mention that its fun?

We've all read plenty of stories from the point of view of Changelings in the past. Sometimes, as I'm sure you all know, a human baby will be exchanged for its fairy Changeling double. The Changeling will grow up as a human, never quite knowing why it's different from its fellows. Well Neef isn't a Changeling, but a child stolen by the fairies at quite a young age. Since then she has grown up in Central Park as the official Central Park Changeling. Her world exists apart from the world we live in, where all sorts of supernatural beings interact. As a human, Neef is naturally curious and when her curiosity upsets the Green Lady of Central Park (the ruling Genius) she comes in direct contact with the Changeling that once replaced her. Now Neef and Changeling are bound on an impossible quest to get the both of them home as fast as humanly, or rather magically, possible.

There's no denying that the book has a distinctly Manhattan (not Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, or Bronx) feel. The Green Lady of Central Park, for example, could have sounded like your standard Midsumer Night's Dream fairy queen. Instead, she's far more prone to say things like, "Okay, kid, here's the scoop." And then there are little details, like the fact that even otherworldly spirits would kill to see "Wicked" on Broadway, if they could. I appreciated too the fact that Sherman wasn't afraid to play with some old NYC standards. For example, the author had the wherewithal to notice that Kay Thompson's, "Eloise", is a good example of pure unvarnished evil. In this book she rules the Plaza Hotel and is the "official Patroness of Spoiled Brats everywhere." Also, though I'm sure it'll stick in the craw of some, for better or for worse George M. Cohan is now a vampire (and that goes double for Lynn Fontanne).

I did have a bit of a problem with the book equating Asperger's Syndrome with Changlings. It seemed a risky correlation for Ms. Sherman to make. She's never blatant about it, of course, but a quick examination of Changeling's personality (she says that when she was younger she needed a therapist to help her develop social skills) coupled with the note in the book's Acknowledgment section that reads that someone, "gave me an invaluable education on Asperger's Syndrome", was enough to put my hair on end. We don't really want to equate Asperger's with someone being physically from another world, do we?

So how does the book hold together as a whole? It's very nice. For anyone who enjoys a good series of impossible quests, this book may be right up their alley. The character of Neef is willful without ever becoming annoying or unsympathetic. I was a little surprised at the ending, personally, but it's entirely possible that Ms. Sherman is setting this book up to be the first in a series, if it does well. The types of fairies found here also have the same feel as those you'll see in Eoin Colfer's, "Artemis Fowl", so fans of one may enjoy the other. And Sherman is kind enough to provide us with an elaborate glossary of the supernatural beings that crop up in this book.

And now, a personal kvetch. Early in the book we learn that, "Important New York places - Wall Street, Broadway, Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, the Village - have Geniuses." Very cool. And just at the beginning of Neef's quest it is suggested that she visit the library to get some useful information. I, an employee of such a system, was briefly delighted. Then Neef doesn't go, and we never get a glimpse of an otherworldly library system. Alas. The mentions of the library (there are two) suggest to me that there may have been a scene there in an early "Changeling" draft and that they were cut out so as to keep the narrative flowing smoothly. And while I celebrate the hopping speed of the book itself . . . bummer.

All in all, a pleasant little creation that deserves a look-see. Both Tamora Pierce and Holly Black were kind enough to give blurbs for the final book, so if you know of anyone who enjoys titles by either of them, you may wish to consider handing this little number over as well. A New York book that doesn't require that you live here to appreciate it. And in spite of the all too obvious lack of librarians, a great read.

As a former Armor officer I was captivated immediately. This is a story by a soldier's soldier. The stories are incredible, the action non-stop throughout. Colonel Loza is a true hero and warrior who tells a great story, albeit not in the flowing, perfect prose of the ivory tower historian, but that is what makes if all the more gut wrenching and believable. All tankers should read this one!

Colonel Loza commanded a unit of M4 Sherman tanks in the Red Army against the Nazis on the Eastern Front in WWII. Much maligned in most accounts, the "emcha", as the Russians called it, served very well for their purposes. The USSR received thousands of Shermans from the US as part of FDR's plan to support the Russian war effort. As told by Colonel Loza, the Sherman had a number of advantages over its German opponents. The Sherman was highly reliable, able to operate for long intervals with minimum maintenance. Complex German tanks, on the other hand, were in need of constant repair and servicing. Also, the Shermans had superior cross-country mobility, allowing them to cover ground that their opponents couldn't cross. This also gave them avenues of approach that the Germans sometimes left open, certain that tanks couldn't negotiate the terrain. Finally, the version of the Sherman that the Russians used had dual diesel engines. By running on only one engine, they had reduced speed, but also a very reduced noise signature. This permitted the Russians to make several successful night attacks on unsuspecting German units, sneaking up to practically point-blank range, where the German tanks' superior armor and firepower were negated.

After Germany's defeat, Colonel Loza's unit was transferred to Mongolia to chase the remaining Japanese units from Manchuria and to accept their surrender. Although they didn't see any real combat, the Shermans were on the road for extended periods covering the vast desert landscape, and their reliability was a real virtue.

This book is written in an engaging first person style, and reads almost like a novel rather than history. WWII fans and history buffs will definitely want to add this to their lists. Enthusiastically recommended.

During WW2, the United States shipped a whole lot of Lend Lease material to the Soviet Union, and included in this equipment was a total of about 5,000 tanks. Most of those shipped were diesel-powered M4A2 Sherman tanks (emchas to their Soviet crews, after an abbreviation of the Russian pronunciation of M4) and this book is the memoir of the service of an officer who rode several of these tanks from the Ukraine to Czechoslovakia, then across the Gobi Desert to Mukden. It's well-written (not always a hallmark of Soviet war memoirs) and full of wonderful anecdotes, from whiskey bottles in the gun breeches to problems with the rubber-covered tracks and the high center of gravity. Strangely, Loza has more good things to say about the Sherman tank than Belton Cooper, who wrote Death Traps (which I just read). Cooper thinks the tanks were no match for their German counterparts, Loza argues that used properly, emphasizing speed and maneuverability, they could and did stand up to the Panthers and even Tigers tolerably well. The book includes several incredible stories, the sort of thing you wouldn't believe if the author hadn't witnessed the events themselves, and concludes with a bizarre kamikaze attack by Japanese planes on the tank column. My one gripe is that at points you feel you're missing something with regards to the author's private life (at one point he mentions that he has a family now, but you hear nothing of that otherwise; mention of his wounding and the events surrounding it are very sketchy) but that doesn't really merit a drop in my rating from the highest.

I found the book quite entertaining. It is also an answer to the critics who have condemned the Sherman Tank because of inferior armament and armor compared to the heavy Russiann and German tanks. The author confirms as Patton found that if the advantages of the tank, speed, reliability, high fire rate, off road capability and etc. are utilized that it could and did massacre its now more highly regarded counterparts.

I've always been interested as to how the people who used our World War II equpment, (not always the epitome in state-of-the-art), thought about the quality of what they received. It seems that the author had a high regard for the M-4 Sherman Tank, and this was from a national whose nation's specialty was the design and production of great tanks. He gives a fair comparison on the good and poor attributes of the Sherman and the application of that weapon in many battles and locales: from Europe to Asia. (Too bad the M-4 had such a small cannon compared to the German Tigers and Panthers: But precision shooting by the Soviets made up for the discrepancy). I learned a lot and am glad that Mr. Loza helped fill a need for information on this subject. (I was surprised that the Sherman was thought of so highly!) I would have rather had more details and depth in his book...but he wrote it terse, direct, and to the point (like the Romans used to style their military works...notab! ly Caesar). I heartily recommend it to anyone.

I picked up this book just because of the title, having not been familiar with this author - probably because I seldom read fiction, just listen on audio. After looking at the acknowledgments I discovered the story takes place in my hometown in what could have been the house I grew up in - dirt floor basement and all. I believe the author has done her homework as her descriptions of Ocean Grove (called Oceanside in the book) and the surrounding area seem quite accurate. It is a very easy book to read in an evening or an afternoon at the beach, but I would have preferred to have it in audio format so the characters would stand out a little more.

This is another good adventure with Anne Hardaway on the Jersey Shore. She is busy trying to ghostwrite another book and dealing with major home repair herself.... when the repairman discovers a skeleton under the basement floor. In her search to discover the identity of the body buried under her house and wondering about her mother's involvement with it, Ann begins a trip back in time which involves investigating the last years of her mother's life. This is a good story that keeps you guessing until the end. all in all a good read

Just as ghoswriter Anne Hardaway is under pressure to finish a how-to home repair book she finds herself having to hire a workman to rebuild her basement floor. As this isn't enough, she discovers a skeleton hidden in the floor and comes to suspect that her late Alzheimer-stricken mother may played a part in its being there. Following the path of her mother's last years, Anne investigates a hypnotherapist, a philanthropist, and a run-down nursing home to either clear her mother or implicate her. A boyfriend pressuring her for marriage adds to Anne's confusion, but her determination and wit keep her from giving up. Anne Hardaway remains a strong character following her previous two appearances, and her humor and wit keep the novel from being overwhelmed by its serious plotline.

The town of Oceanside Heights has just been hit by a nor'easter in October. Anne Hardaway's house has been hit hard, and she can no longer put off the repairs her home needs. But when the contractor starts work on the basement, he finds a skeleton. Reading her mother's diary, Anne begins to suspect who it might be. But, could her mother have killed this man? Anne finds it hard to believe and sets out to figure out what happened. The trail soon leads to a nursing home where the residents seem to have a regular pattern of dieing. Is there a connection? And why is that car staked out across the street from Anne's house? Meanwhile, Anne is having problems of her own with boyfriend Jack. He seems to be ready for a commitment that Anne can't seem to make. Will they be able to work this out?

This book shows us Oceanside Heights without the tourists. It paints a different picture yet still holds plenty of murder and mayhem. The writing style makes the town seem inviting, a stark contrast to the storyline.

The mystery plot took a little time to get started, instead focusing a little more on Anne's problems with Jack. However, about half way through the emphasis shifted. This bothered me only slightly and felt realistic. As with the other two in the series, I was confused until the end. With the exception of Jack, the supporting players in Anne's life have little more then a walk on part. I would like to see more of them if only to get to know Anne a little better.

This series emphasizes plot and setting. While I still don't feel like I fully know Anne, the series is perfect for anyone who likes their mysteries with a twist.

Ghostwriter Anne Hardaway is hard at work on a "how-to" book about home repair. It may not be all that exciting, but it's a living and she can work from home in the beach community of Oceanside Heights.

She's distracted from her work as weather forecasters are issuing warnings of an out of season nor'easter, because her house needs some serious bolstering to be ready for a big storm. When she discovers the plank flooring in the basement giving way, she calls in a repairman who finds a skeleton under the floor.

The bones are identified as the psychologist who'd treated Anne's mother years earlier and fearing her mother might be involved, Anne naturally wants to make sure she wasn't. Her investigation leads her to Sunnydale Nursing Home, where elderly people are dying at an alarming rate. Now she's in the thick of things.

I found this a captivating story with well drawn characters and I liked it five stars worth. Tomorrow I start another Anne Hardaway mystery.

Reviewed by Vesta Irene

So far this is the best product i bought on Amazon.com. The book was new. I receive it on time and the seller was nice enough to give me the tracking number, so i didn't stress myself at all.

I got the book really fast and it was in great condition. I'm so glad I didn't pay full price for this in the campus bookstore!

This book is really hard to plough through. It's not written in an energetic way -- it's enthusiastic, but not particularly bright. Sort of Gee whiz, but not scholarly. Very lame writing. Not great use of diagrams either, though there are a lot of them.

I took Systems Physiology from Widmaier (the author of this book) and the course was phenomenal. The book served as an excellent reference and an exciting read. The only real downside to the book is there is so much interesting information that it is easy to get sidetracked when you are trying to study.

Between college and medical school I've had spent a lot of time with physiology books and this is a good one. If I want to pull one book of the shelf to look at some system or pathway this is the book I grab first. While the it is written in an accessible and engaging way the flow charts are its greatest strength. Vander's diagramming is the best out there. Often times a single figure will cover what other books need pages and pages to cover.

This book is great because it isn't trying to be all things to all readers. It is not an exhaustive reference text; instead, it is the sort that can be read cover to cover. I would describe Vander's as a great starting point for those who will go on in Physiology (MD/PhD) or look at physiology for those who are interested but do not aspire to mastery (the English major interested in science).
It sits somewhere between the crushing detail of books like Boron & Boulpaep and the "why it matters" approach of Costanzo.
For those who are looking to get their lifetime mastery of physiology from a single class experience Tortora & Derrickson might be a better bet.

In Real Life: Six Women Photographers (NY: Holiday House, 2002) by Leslie Sills celebrates the accomplishments of six well-regarded shutterbugs: Imogen Cunningham, Dorothea Lange, Lola Alvarex Bravo, Carrie Mae Weems, Elsa Dorman, and Cindy Sherman. The carefully selected subjects represent many generations, cultures, and artistic motives.

With its strong feminist tone, the biographies show the struggles of women who must often balance motherhood and career, and choose between financial security and artistic freedom. Reinforcing this notion of sisterhood, Sills often uses the pronoun "she" to refer to all artists.

A sculptor and author of two other biographies on female artists, Sills lends her creative expertise to the passages. Her voice is one of lyricism, a refreshing approach for a non-fiction work. A few mistakes do surface in the text. The word "mission" is spelled incorrectly and there are a few inconsistencies with the verb tense.

The title offers actual examples of their work too-from black and white still shots of the early 1900s to the more abstract camera work of modern-day photographers. These images bolster the ideas set forth in the text. Unfortunately, some major works are included in discussion, but the image is omitted.

Some basics about cameras and words of advice for novices are included. Additionally, an extensive bibliography suggests further reading. The index is comprehensive, spanning three pages.

Indeed, younger children will enjoy the vivid photography. Still, this book is best suited for a fifth-grade or sixth-grade student, as they are old enough to understand some of the more abstract concepts, such as photography as a form of self-expression.

In Real Life: Six Women Photographers makes a great addition to any school or public library. The slender volume speaks to amateur photographers, those interested in the history of art, and young female readers who embrace "girl power"-making it one of those more-bang-for-your-buck books.

Not all the Photographers in this book are in the same level, this is a pity.
I would like to see photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Diane Arbus aside Cindy Sherman, Dorothea Lang and Imogen Cunningham In a book titled "six women Photographers"
I have no problem with the other artist work in this book at all, they are interesting but other Important Photographers that are missing, Are the real problem.
Is a nice book but not "a must have"

When I first read this book, I was moved by these women's lives. I was amazed at how they persevered at their art through all the hardships of life. I find Leslie Sills an amazing writer. This is not the first book I have read by her. I also have the one about painters, and by reading both books I felt that I learned alot. Leslie Sills is an amazing artist herself, and her own life should be the subject of a book someday. I would recommend this book to anybody, but particularly to people interested in photography or art.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Leslie Sill's previous books on artists, and now her latest book on photographers. They are wonderful outlines of artist's lives, their work, and how their past experiences have influenced the direction of their art. As an art teacher, I try to incorporate different ways of introducing my students to a wide range of work. Because these stories are so well-written and inspiring, I have designed large portions of my curriculum around Sill's past books and look forward to using this book as well. The stories are thorough, yet written in a way that the average person, who may not necessarily feel that they have a valid knowledge on art, could walk away from it with a new understanding and interest. And just the opposite, for someone who is innvolved in art, this book is beautifully put together and would be a valued part of any art book collection.

Knowing that women artists in all fields tend to suffer from a lack of public exposure, I took a look at this volume hoping to find some good work that I had not seen before. My hopes were rewarded when all six photographers proved to be talented, interesting, and stylistically different from each other . . . and four of them were new to me. With the two artists I knew before, the biographical essays added to my knowledge, making every aspect of the book a pleasant surprise.

The book is organized around the concept that "cameras do copy which is front of the lens . . . [but these images are also] creations of the artist's intention and unconscious mind."

The essays are especially rewarding for their balance in explaining the artists' family lives, their relationships with the men in their lives, how they started into photography, their technique, and descriptions of their aesthetic values. Leslie Sills is pleasantly succinct:

Imogen Cunningham: "liked to examine life closely" and focused on "shapes, textures, patterns" in nature. She also captured the "essence" of people.

Dorothea Lange: The camera was an "activist tool" which "revealed the sufering of thousands and motivated others to help" during the Depression.

Lola Alvarez Bravo: Captured the real "Mexico after the Mexican Revolution" occurred there.

Carrie Mae Weems: Showed the "complexities of being human" especially in "squelching stereotypes" and "honoring African-American culture."

Elsa Dorfman: "Celebrates humanity" with her oversized camera that captures people to look more naturally like themselves than photographs normally do.

Cindy Sherman: Sees the camera as an "instrument to copy her constructed scenes" which are "puzzles that challenge her audience."

It has not been easy to be a woman photographer and these women succeeded because they persevered, as well as because they were so talented. Their stories are as inspiring as any I have read, and also tell an interesting tale of how your work can help you express your inner self.

Here are my favorite images from the book:

Imogen Cunningham:

Magnolia Blossom, 1925

My Father at 90, 1936

Morris Graves, Painter, 1950

Dorothea Lange:

Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California, 1936 (Series of 3)

There is a wonderful description of how this series was shot on a day when Ms. Lange was exhausted and had driven past the migrant labor camp in the rain before deciding intuitively to turn back and try her luck.

Lola Alvarez Bravo:

Por culpas ajenas, c. 1945

Elsueno de los pobres 2, 1943

The Two Fridas, c. 1944

Carrie Mae Weems:

Mom at Work, 1978-1984

Untitled (Letter Holder), 1988-89

Her work also included long interviews with her family.

Elsa Dorfman:

Robbie and the Dinosaur Femur, 1970

Terri Terralouge and Aileen Graham, 1989

Cindy Sherman:

Untitled #224, 1990

Given that these styles are so different and so vivid, I encourage you to use this book to inspire you to create some art. It doesn't have to be photography. Whether you like to sketch, sculpt, paint, or make colored soap bubbles, give yourself the chance to live freer and take a little time to express yourself. You'll feel so much better, and the rest of us will be enriched by your gift.

Express yourself . . . to find yourself!

Although Lewis seems to be a Sherman fan, he is very fair and is not patronizing. I am impressed with the number of sources Lewis drew upon in his writing. This is a long book and starts slowly, but picks up speed during the Civil War years. This is the first biography I've read about Sherman, and I feel like I "know him" very well. I think ultimately, this is a very good book that serious Civil War buffs should read.

In this works,the author depicted Sherman's temperament and the fighting style.Analyzed the compaigns through Georgia and the Carolinas.

The author brings you right into the fight with Sherman. He uses excellent language and descriptive terms. I reccomend this to everyone!

THIS BOOK OF LLOYD LEWIS' ON WILLIAM T SHERMAN IS AN EXCELLENT READ. LEWIS MUST HAVE SPENT A LONG TIME RESEARCHING SHERMAN AND HIS FAMILY, HIS LIFE AND TIMES. ANYONE WHO HAS READ THE BOOK WOULD AGREE I AM SURE. SHERMAN WAS AN INDEPENDANT THINKER AND A MAN OF HIGH RESOLVE. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO RESTORING THE UNION ARE CERTAINLY EVIDENT IN THIS BOOK. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT AN HISTORICAL EXPERT ON THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, I AM SURE THAT ANYONE WHO READS THIS BOOK WILL BE MORE INFORMED AN EDUCATED ON ITS HISTORICAL ASPECTS AS WELL. LLOYD LEWIS , IN ONE OF THE CHAPTERS REFERS TO "SHERMAN AND HIS INEXHAUSTABLE PEN". AFTER READING THIS NOVEL, YOU WILL FIND ALSO THAT "THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD". AFTER READING "SHERMAN - THE FIGHTING PROPHET", I FELT LIKE HAD KNOW THE MAN. W.MUNRO

This is one of the finest books that I have ever read on the Civil War and I have read dozens. It is insightful, interesting and full of details.
Harl Pike

This riveting book is a must read for all mythology lovers. I enjoyed reading it because it was full of great Greek stories about mythology. In this book you can find intriguing info about Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and many other gods. It tells everything from how the gods were created to stories about them. I really liked this book because I had something interesting to read.
While reading this book I leaned a lot about Greek gods and what they did. Some of the interesting things I read were the stories about humans that had connections to the gods and how the gods would help the humans in times of trouble, or how the humans would become great heroes. Now days we have stories about superman and wonder woman. Do we treat superheroes like the Greeks treated the gods? Do we need people like batman or Perseus to look up to? Where did the stories originate.
My favorite part of the book was the story of Hercules and how he freely became a slave and performed the excruciating Twelve Labors of Hercules to gain the respect of all of the gods back. Another story is about how Cronus the evil titan leader ate his children but then Zeus fought back, saved his brothers and sisters from his belly, and locked him away in Tartarus.

It's a very good book. It took me to a imaginary place that I'd never been to. It was really fun reading this book.

There hasn't been a wonderfully illustrated book of Greek Myths for over thirty years, until this lovely Random House book came out. Science fiction author (and anthropologist) Joan D. Vinge breathes vibrant life into the ancient stories so that they touched me as though they were brand new. Their universality is clear and powerful, thousands of years later, in the hands of this masterful author. And the illustrations by artist Oren Sherman are vivid and marvelously colorful. I'm eager to re-read them with children, so that I can share the wonder of these timeless tales.

The illustrations in this book are fantastic. My kids love the book because the artwork brings the stories alive. They are beautiful creations.

Ideal introduction to Greek mythology, with gorgeous, deeply colored illustrations. This would make a great Christmas gift for bright children.

I love this series, and it's a real shame that there's no book 3... the plot is interesting and takes place at a point in history that doesn't get much attention. The characters are very well written and I don't think you'll be able to find many fantasy readers that would give either book in the series anything below 4 stars.

The story was well written and moved along very well. The story line shifted from Ardagh's personal trauma as a falsely accused traitor to the the very traitorous atmosphere of an early Irish king and his court. The end left the possibility of a reconciliation with his Sidhe brother (very small possibility!) and also was open ended enough with political struggles to envision more books following. The magic was not overblown or out of place. Overall a very good story with plenty of action and thought put into it.

To be the younger brother of a very suspicious Sidhe king is not a good thing. A young Sidhe prince must learn this on the hard way. Exiled from his rightful place he must learn to find his way in the realms of men. I really enjoyed reading this book because it`s the kind of book you can't stop reading.

First off, I don't like the cover as much as "King's Son, Magic's Son" or "A Strange and Ancient Name" and that put me off for awhile, (especially w/Book I written there, thought it'd be an epic, don't have time to get immersed in one of THOSE right now), but the same writing style and great plots are in this book as in her others. Actually this is a really good book, with characters you like. Ardagh is kind and fair, but not mushy enough too make him wussy, he IS, after all, a Sidhe prince. The trials and confusion he faces in the human realm are funny and the problems in human politics are engaging. Try it out.

Cast out of the Kingdom of the Faery on the unfounded accusation of treason, Prince Ardagh finds himself in dirty, smelly 7th Century Ireland. Totally unprepared, hardly able to survive and incapable of lying, he is accepted as a guest by the local High King. At first all he wants to do is return home and regain his honour but gradually he becomes more and more involved with these humans and their affairs. A very interesting novel, with some strong characters. The author brings this period of Irish history to life and at the same time tells a wonderful fantasy.

I can use the book to indirectly persuade youngsters, who think Math. is nothing but number and boring, to take it more seriously. It's hard for me to come up with more logical and more convincing than what already there in the book.

Stein successfully convinces the lay readerthat math is an interesting and fascinating game. Right on! Such a book makes a positive contribution to education and hence to society.Keep up the good work.In particular, Stein's personal antecdotes demonstrate that math excellence can be integrated into one's total humanity.

Professor Stein's book is an amazing read. It's humorous, insightful, and educational. A couple of those "great mysteries" from our math classes in school are solved and you will slap your forehead and say,"Well, they could have taught me THAT years ago!"

I highly recommend this book to all levels of math students AND math teachers.

As titled: Discover the joy and power of mathematics. I divide this book into two halves. The first half is about our relationship with mathematics. It leads you to think of those numbers around you, and eventually you start to think about what's going on. I especially like the chapter on statistical information. The second part is about mathematical knowledge. The eariler chapters are a bit too easy. Yet I like the proofs very much. The last chapter is so fascinating. And it's only 4 pages long! This is a mathematics book I really like.

Since it does provide much of the foundation for modern societies and the applications are commonly covered with very effective disguises, mathematics is both a pillar and a whipping post. More misunderstood and hence feared than any other subject, it is the only one where it is fashionable and acceptable to profess ignorance. The only solution to this problem is to gently explain how valuable it is and let the economic realities of mathematical knowledge take control. In this book, Stein puts forward many valuable points concerning how necessary mathematics is.
While I do endorse the book, there is one negative point that must be made. The title should be different. One of the points in the book is that mathematics is much more than just number manipulation. Although this is well-known to mathematicians, it is a very common misconception. Therefore, the emphasis on numbers present in the title is unfortunate, but probably necessary for marketing purposes.
Now that the ranting is complete, it is time to praise the interior of the book. All of the points are significant and well made. Stein writes very well, explaining topics in a manner that keeps understanding within the range of the target audience, which is the intelligent layperson. His multiple explanations as to why the product of two negative numbers is positive is excellent. In my career, I have encountered several very educated people in technical fields who really did not understand why this is so. They had simply accepted it because they knew it worked, but had always been afraid of raising the question for fear of embarrassment.
Another point that cannot be emphasized enough is the sudden appearance of a "miracle"(reviewer word) number. These are numbers that are put forward to justify a point and are not subject to critical review. After that, they are accepted at a level that makes the belief in them an act of faith. Honestly, is nature so inefficient in anything that humans really use only 10% of their brains? This is an absurd number that has been repeated so many times that it is accepted as gospel. Stein does his part to help clear up some of these problems. However, it would have been better if more time had been spent in this area.
While there is some strength in numbers, the real power lies in the effective use of them, which is the realm of the underlying mathematics. This book contains many valuable lessons on why mathematics, rather than money, makes the world go round.