Stevens Books

This book really brings out imagination in young children. The big illustrations help for them to see the picture fully with the words.

The author explores color and shape in it's simplest form to enable childres to absorb the illustration quickly and easily, thus they hear the full meaning of the words at the same time. Excellent teaching reading book for k-2

My 2 year old was given this book as a hand-me-down. We read it to him and he has insisted on reading it again, and again, and again.... I'm sure this book will be a long-time favorite!

I used to be a Teacher Aide for a daycare for kids ages 2-4. Every day before naptime the kids would beg me to read this book to them. And not just once but twice! They loved when the baby bear went down to see the dragon. And at the end of the story they would all shout the last line "milk and cookies"!! Since then I have had a baby of my own and would like to get a copy of this book that sure will be a favorite with my daughtor.

in Frank Asch's _Milk and Cookies_ the author introduces the common childhood fears of monsters, and presents a story which helps children overcome that fear.

Mama, Papa, and baby bear are visiting at Grandma and Grampa's house. They spend the night. Baby bear looks through the cellar door to see Grampa feeding "a dragon" in the cellar, which is actually a wood stove. Later baby bear has a dream of a dragon coming upstairs, which eats all his milk and cookies. Crying baby bear is then taken downstairs by his father to see "the dragon." After that, baby bear is no longer scared; he and his grandparents and parents all eat milk and cookies.

My 3-year old son loves this book. He sympathizes with baby bear, and he loves the way the story is resolved, of course. I'd recommend this, as well as Frank Asch's book _Goodbye, House_ as excellent books for children aged 3.

ken32

I've read all three of Steves books and the Mirror's Edge had me wanting to look over my shoulder as i read it.

I don't usually read supernatural novels, but based on Sidor's earlier efforts I tried his latest. I managed to stick with it through the development stage and am glad I did. It really took off as a mystery/ thriller that I enjoyed immensely. Great spare style. Amazing what you can convey with a minimum of words. Reminds me of the "Timese" they taught in early 60s journalism school.

Steve's work just keeps getting better. I loved his first two books and have been a fan since the beginning. "Mirror's Edge" takes his work to a whole new level. Beyond satisfying, I devoured this book. His latest work is truely unsettling and leaves you looking over your shoulder the whole time. His lush narrative, striking, richly vivid and yet lean, paints a world that grabs you by the collar and pulls you running to the end. Bravo!!

Steven Sidor writes. He pens thriller novels. Frightening, like a dark, damp place you have to put your hand inside. Go for it, I say.

This is my take on his style of writing, where he employs short, taut sentences that carry a clear voice, calling from some uncomfortable life experience. Steven Sidor's newest offering, The Mirror's Edge, is a fast read, clocking in at fewer than 300 pages in hardback form. It's not a lighthearted novel by any stretch, but fans of his should be more than pleased, and I'd recommend this novel to anyone who thinks characters like Hannibal Lecter are pure entertainment.

The story is written in the first-person perspective, effectively pulling the reader along. We see the world through his sarcastic and often depressed eyes, as he stumbles through locales trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of two boys. It has happened before too close to home, and that is motivation enough. Obscure clues like mirrororrim lead the narrator to investigate a strange cult that makes Wicca seem normal. Dark magic is on the menu, and you will have to finish the book to find out if and how the leading man survives.

There are a couple minor flaws, which are easily tossed aside. The book gets off to a choppy start by screwing around with the timeline, and it's not entirely clear that the near-end brings us back to the beginning. I think it did, but I'm not sure. I was also mildly perplexed by the protagonist's significant other, who coincidentally happens to be neck deep on the wrong side of the plot. It seemed a bit unrealistic.

However, these issues can be dismissed because Sidor's dark voice is so willful and strong. I'd recommend this book to fans of Thomas Harris, or anyone looking to take a walk on the dark side.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Independent reporter Jase Deering believes it was the disappearance of his brother Mathias who at twelve years old walked into the wintry woods and never came safely home. Now as one year has passed since the kidnapping of two-year-old twins Liam and Shane Boyle, Jase and his blind girlfriend Robyn Matchfrost decide to investigate what the police have classified as a cold case.

The Chicago police detectives who worked the official inquiry assist Jase and Robyn as much as they can as they want closure almost as much as the victims' parents crave it. The journalist team interviews the Boyle former nanny who lives in total abject fear and shows them the term "mirrorrorrim" that the abductor etched on her skin. That message leads Jase and Robyn to black arts cult leader Aubrey Hart Morick, who believed strongly in human sacrifice; however Morick was dead long before the snatch occurred. Jase turns to Aubrey's offspring and soon uncovers disturbing information that makes him wonder if the son is a chip off the evil father's block. Finding the twins and proof remain elusive as the years go by with Jase now a solo act digging deeper and deeper into the cult and the supernatural. He knows he is too late for the boys and for himself, but obsessively keeps drilling deeper in search of the truth

This is a one-sitting superb but upsetting suspense tale (keep the antacid tablets handy) that plays out like an investigative thriller, but is much frighteningly more. Readers will follow every disconcerting twist with macabre fascination as Steven Sidor keeps the audience mesmerized with what is going on especially in the obsessed mind of Jase. You will not sleep well thinking about what really happened in this unforgettable novel.

Harriet Klausner

Night Flying Woman is a marvelous little book that captures the essence of the Ojibway way of life. The story speaks about reverence of all - the earth, the animals, the trees, and our fellow women and men. We are all intertwined in a reality that encompasses all. Although this is a major lesson in the Judeo-Christian heritage as well, we Christians have forgotten this lesson from the story of creation. Night Flying Woman helps to reconnect with this web of life of which we are all a part.

In addition to the wonderful story, the book contains evocative and moving artwork. It also contains something that is missing from too many books - a glossary of words that are unfamiliar to the average reader. This was a GREAT help.

It was a great read. The more I read about the Ojibway the more I wish I had been born sooner so that I could have lived with my ancestors the way we were meant to. I cried when I was done reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone whether you care about the people or not!

In "Night Flying Woman, An Ojibway Narrative," Ignatia Broker tells the story of the forest people, the Ojibway. She shows how the white man's ways desecrated the rituals, laws and beliefs of the Native People, all but erasing their long culture. Classed as caricatures in a land that once honored them, Broker shows how the Native People "faced bias, prejudice and active discrimination." The Ojibway philosophy for living, that of keeping in balance the purity of man and nature, is revived through Broker's telling of Oona's story, the story of many as seen through the "eyes cast down" of one. An insightful story that continues the Ojibway circle and gives us all the hope of the past for the future.

I sat and read this in one sitting. It was that good. An excellent lesson in not needing all the gadgetry this world offers in order to be happy. A great reminder for all of us that we need to care for each other in order we all can survive.

In "Night Flying Woman, An Ojibway Narrative," Ignatia Broker tells the story of the forest people, the Ojibway. She shows how the white man's ways desecrated the rituals, laws and beliefs of the Native People, all but erasing their long culture. Classed as caricatures in a land that once honord them, Brokers shows how the Native People "faced bias, prejudice and active discrimination." The Ojibway philosophy for living, that of keeping in balance the purity of man and nature, is revived through Broker's telling of Oona's story, the story of many as seen through the "eyes cast down" of one. An insightful story that continues the Ojibway circle and gives us all the hope of the past for the future.

I had heard before that a person's family of origin had an impact, sometimes a big impact, on how long it took and how difficult it could be to recover from abuse. This book does a great job at explaining why and how this is true. It was written for professionals but wasn't too difficult to read and follow. If this is an idea you hadn't considered before or just wanted more information about it, this book will probably be very helpful. It was for me.

This book is really for professionals; I wouldn't recommend my clients read it. I appreciate the perspective it brings to an often too politicized field. In addition, Dr. Gold does an excellent job of *not* blaming but rather using the available literature and the experience at his clinic to endorse ways to help our clients *move on* from their traumatic situations & contexts into a healthier and happier life.

I think there is an unfortunate tendency among some therapists even today to focus primarily on child sexual abuse (and perhaps to a lesser extent, child physical abuse) as the source of the client's problems. The treatment approach that ensues all too often involves one of two things: focusing exclusively on the damaging effects of the traumas, which in the 80's and early 90's often promoted deterioration rather than increased functioning, or, in reaction to this, avoiding the subject altogether and focusing on the biological basis of mental illness and an often superficial examination of present-day problems.

This book provides another approach. As other reviewers have stated, it emphasizes the essential fact that many child abuse survivors grow up alone. If not physically alone, then emotionally abandoned in many cases. This points out the difficulties of living with insecure attachment, a subject that is getting more attention among therapists these days.

However, Dr. Gold does not stop with a conclusion that adding attachment theory to trauma theory will relieve the client's problems. He also says that many clients are missing essential life skills (and I mean basic skills, such as regulating emotions to avoid suicidal crises and be able to function; paying bills; keeping the house clean; maintaining a healthy weight, and establishing a stable attendance record at a job, among others). These skills are so obvious to many people that some therapists (along with the general public) expect child abuse survivors to know them. However, they all too often don't and are blamed when they can't function well (or even at all) in life. This book shows how to remedy these problems.

Another benefit of this book is the inclusion of experiences of male survivors, who were until recently often neglected in the child abuse literature.

I am using the word "survivor" in this view for lack of a better term, but Dr. Gold points out the limitation of this term; that it does not account for the non-abuse related aspects of the person.

Dr. Gold points out that clients usually don't enter therapy with the goal of talking about child abuse experiences. They want to know why they can't make their lives work. In his approach, some processing of the trauma may be necessary, but it is put in context of the overall life of the person.

This book makes the reader conceptualize child abuse and its sequelae in a totally different way and I strongly recommend it. As another reviewer pointed out, it is well-written and free from the jargon and highly technical language of most professional mental health books. My only caveat is that no one book, including this one, can be viewed as the Bible for explaining an individual's life. In therapy, the individual's experience is more important than any book. But I think the author would agree with this. His approach is highly instructive and compassionate.

I had the pleasure to meet Dr. Gold at a conference in New York City for male survivors of CSA and was blown away by the presentation he gave. I was even more impressed by the brief discussions we had after his presentation. Dr. Gold is a therapist of rare insight, patience, dedication, and intellect (all essential traits in anyone who works with suriviors).

Not Trauma Alone is a standout work in the field of working with clients who have experience prolonged periods of childhood abuse. (And it's a tragically rare book in this area as well).

His work shows the limitations of viewing us through the lens of trauma alone. Though it's easy to grasp onto the horror of the experience of sexual abuse and see that as the lynchpin of the problems that adult survivors face, the truth is that these attacks often happen in a much broader context of a childhood marked by neglect, abandonment, fear, and powerlessness. This experience can often leave a child marked and vulnerable to the manipulations of abusers, but more importantly this kind of upbringing leaves the adult who survives struggling to adapt and feel comfortable living in a complex world.

This book is essential reading for any therapist who has clients who have suffered from significant childhood abuse, and for any survivor who is looking to gain a greater understanding of why they feel the way they do.

Excellent viewpoints from different angles. I read it from a 'victim in recovery' view. I identified with the entire book. It does not cover the more unusual aspect of the victim living in fear of losing his life at the hands of his mother as in my case; but does cover very fully the more usual traumas in the family context of PCB (Prolonged Child Abuse). I read it all through, then started all over again - slowly - with my yellow highlighter. It gave me confirmation and great respect of Steven Gold's immense research and practical experience in this area. One can see 'Dissociation' in action from the social family viewpoint. Definitely a good study/read for those dealing with trauma victims as survivors or those in recovery. This is reality. (We are not alone!)

I have to say that it is impossible to imagine someone actually being able to synthesize Eastern philosophy into a coherent, entertaining and accessible story of self-observation, reflexion and discovery; but Paul Steven Stone has done it here. For anyone who has ever sought to grow in spiritual understanding, the puzzles, confusion, counter intuitive teachings and frustrations will certainly be familiar. Stone does a great job of weaving all of these familiar ruminations into an entertaining story which he slowly unravels in this intricate tail. Does he understand? Will he understand? How will this all resolve? Are questions I found myself asking throughout the story. Great read and highly recommended.

This tome was an extraordinary effort. I have a titled it "a mystical ride on the cosmic express". I hope you enjoy as much as I did

I have been savoring the wonderful book and reading slowly and steadily along... flashing backward and forward on the timeless journey that Paul Stone put together in such a unique and uplifting way... all with a sense of gentle suspense and silent wisdom. I like the honesty of the narrator and the balance between significance and insignificance (of daily events) that seem to shine through the words on each page.

Having been a cub scout myself once (and having lived through a `scandal' in which my friend's pinewood car was disqualified because his father the dentist had illegally drilled into the car and added dental filling to weigh the car down), I feel an even more special connection and sense of humor (yet seriousness) relating to the impending sense of `catastrophe' and potentially-out-of-proportion seriousness of such things which the likable narrator describes along the way. The underpants scene and the magician create a great sense of empathy with both the father and the son characters. I felt like I was right there.

I am looking forward to reading the concluding pages over the coming weeks as I find / create moments with exactly the receptivity that matches the high content and vibration of the wonderful book. I am so glad that Paul Stone wrote and published this. The book will be bringing joy and wisdom (and spiritual upliftment) to people, near and far, in a way that only this writer and his rich imagination (and possibly his own experiences) could do it.

"Or So It Seems" was just an absolute delight. The author demonstrates an uncanny knack for transcending time and space while weaving together a very absorbing chronicle of life's happenings. He has a keen sense for balancing the very humorous day to day experiences with the heavier stuff that life sometimes throws at us. And what an enjoyable and fun companion the Guru "Bapu" turns out to be as he accompanies our main character, Paul Peterson, on his journey through life's twists and turns.

I was particularly taken with the author's ability to show Peterson's deep love and affection for his children while, at the same time, not turning overly sappy. All in all, he does a masterful job of juggling a series of events that start out with no apparent connections - which then blend together and lead to an unexpected conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

You're in for an incredible ride! "Or So It Seems" will keep you glued to your seat and hungering for more. Heart-felt and witty humor, real-life recognizable human struggles, life lessons and spiritual wisdom that make you pause, wonder and consider ~ all this and more is waiting for you in this very different novel that keeps your mind and heart engaged in a way (and style) that is unique and compelling. I've never before read a book like this! Stone offers a tapestry of a tale woven together in colorful and textured layers that continually kept me engaged, and chuckling, long after I put the book down. I couldn't wait to return!

Hey everyone! Mr. Frank was my teacher last year and was a...GOOD teacher. And I haven't read the book yet but Mr. Frank is a great writer and all my friends read it and tell me it's great and very entertaining and educational!!! Mr. Frank is a great guy who's very nice and very talented and his book is great so I just sugest you buy it...IT'S MY RECOMENDATION! :D

Okay, you may not belive me , but Mr. frank was my sixth grade teacher. This was his first book and it took him ten yars to complete, it payed off well. This book is great for school students and even if your not one, you should still by this book NOW! If you read this review , Mr. STEVEN Frank it's comming from the kid Director in 7th grade.

A charming, funny, and thoroughly entertaining book on the craft of writing which is appropriate for students at the middle school level and above. Even grown-ups will find the book most enjoyable. Mr. Frank has many illustrative stories and annecdotes which make the book so worthwhile. A great tool in or out of the classroom.

A delightful book on writing which substantially raises the bar for all works in this field. It teaches, motivates, elevates, and entertains students. When I look at the sorry state of "approved" books in this subject and compare it to Mr. Frank's masterpiece, I feel we teachers need to cast our votes strongly in Mr. Frank's camp. Students cannot help but be inspired to write--and write well--with a text like this.

In addition to books about writing term papers and how to properly study, in THE PEN COMMANDMENTS, Steven Frank has written a guide for the novice prose writer. Other authors and experts have covered this topic, but Frank's book is one of the most accessible I have read. Full of common sense suggestions, easy-to-understand explanations, and a cogently organized process, the book is one to which every new writer should turn.

Drawing on his experience as a high school English teacher, the author walks the aspiring reader through all parts of the writing process. He's structured the book in the form of 10 Commandments (i.e. Thou shalt not Kill Thy Sentences; Thou Shalt Describe Thy World, Express Thy Opinions, and Preserve Thy Past; Thou Shalt Overcome Writer's Block; Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Writer's Prose). Humorously and in an engaging-sometimes laugh-out-loud-style, the author demystifies the writing process and makes it seem fun. Particularly useful are his suggestions for recommended reading and an appendix of the top ten grammar mistakes to avoid. The book is durably composed with no messy slip cover, and it's the perfect size for any novice to carry in a book-bag or purse.

Any new writer serious about exploring the world of writing should get thee to thy nearest book outlet, purchase this book, and read it from cover to cover. The few hours spent will be immensely worthwhile. Highly recommended. ~Lori L. Lake, author and freelance reviewer for Midwest Book Review, Golden Crown Literary Society's "The Crown," The Independent Gay Writer, and Just About Write.com.

My 4 year old and I check out 40 books every 2-3 weeks from the library. One out of 100 books go on the "Must own for our little library list". She loves it and I haven't minded reading it 20 times so far...actually she now reads it to me. We're talking to Grandma to see if she can stitch together our own plaidypus..I agree with the previous reviewer who stated that they should have included a pattern to make him. We bought this book right away and still read it at least weekly.

My 2 year-old grabbed this book at the last minute from the library last week and has fallen in love with it! It has a nice rhythm, sweet and realistic plot, and is repetitive enough for her without annoying me (at least after a week). She's had me read it at least two times a day and fills in some of the words with a proud smile. Simply a perfect read-aloud book!

My 2 year old daughter's best "huggy" is a platypus, so I was thrilled when I found this book at the library. My daughter has no interest in any books except for this one! We read it 4 times a day. If you can relate at all to losing (even temporarily) a child's huggy/lovey, you will love this book! I think we've lost our "platy" at least 100 times. Fortunately, he's always found his way back home, just like in this story "Plaidypus Lost".

My daughter loves this book! It provides opportunities for interactive reading as she "looks left, look right" and "over and under" when the story line tells her to. Unlike many children's stories, this one has a nice plot, as the girl loses her favorite toy over and over again. My daughter enjoys the relationship between the grandmother and the forgetful little girl. What is best is the repetition of some of the words so that my 2 year old can "read" her memorized passages along with me. Buy this book for storytime and for nighttime reading.

My 3-1/2 year old daughter loved everything about this book, which we borrowed from the library. The poetry of it and repetitive story helped her to memorize it, and she chimed in a lot on the second and later readings. It's fun for adults to read, too - it's a sweet story, and not too long, too short, or too ridiculous. I am thankful for any children's author who makes it easy on the parents (and thus, not a great fan of all the long Dr. Seuss books!).

However, I will say that I think this book should include, on its final pages, a pattern to make your own Plaidypus, because now my daughter can't stand not to have one of her own! I will have to get creative, and make one myself... if I do, I'll post instructions on her website!

An absolutely fascinating book detailing all that happened in front of and behind the CBS cameras of the ill-fated Judy Garland Show. Also, every episode of the show is examined in detail, and the author takes a straight-down-the-middle approach to the book's subject matter.

Over the years I have read every book about JUDY and excluding the 'book' written by Mel Torme' many have been decent. But, not until this book has the talent, the class, the POWER that was JUDY GARLAND been properly conveyed!The book is informative about what went on in front of and behind the scenes of THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW. But also, it shows how at certain points JUDY wanted certain things done a certain way for a specific reason!!! Case in point, her singing 'THE BATTLE HYMM OF THE REPUBLIC'. She knew why it had to be done, she knew how it had to be done, and she knew that it had to be done!!!! AND SHE DID IT!!!! And what 'we' see on video during that performance is what JUDY was, is, and always will be!!! A performer who should have been left to do what she did-SING!And reading this book, you'll see why she is what she is, and how she got what will always be hers! LEGEND!!!!

The Judy Garland Show consisted of twenty-six shows that aired in the CBS Sunday night line up in the 1963-1964 season. The network considered it an immediate and expensive failure and the series was canceled as soon as contractual obligation allowed. Isolated exceptions aside, the series was neither syndicated nor re-run and, with the exception of various "art" screenings it seemed to vanish completely.

Nonetheless, The Judy Garland remains one of the single most discussed and written-about series in broadcast history. Garland biographies aside, it is inevitably touched upon--and often focused upon--in histories of broadcast television, where it is usually held up as an example of how even the greatest talents, biggest budgets, and best intentions can be exploded by mismanagement, network politics, and in some instances pure spite.

Two major publications have focused on the series. The first was the 1970 OVER THE RAINBOW WITH JUDY GARLAND ON THE DAWN PATROL by Mel Torme, the respected singer-songwriter-composer, who contracted to write and arrange special musical material and make three guest appearances during the first season. Torme places blame for the series' failure squarely upon the shoulders of Garland herself, painting a frightening portrait of a greatly talented but extremely unstable and often vicious star self-destructing through booze and pills and determined to drag all those around her down with her. Although denounced as grossly inaccurate by many associated with the series, it was for many years generally accepted as authoritative.

The second was 1990's RAINBOW'S END by Coyne Steven Sanders. Amassed from meticulous research and seventy-five interviews with individuals directly involved in the series, it explodes DAWN PATROL with the force of an atomic bomb. Sanders freely acknowledges that Garland was a tempestuous individual with profound chemical dependencies--but his interview subjects note that, far from being difficult, she actually withstood a great deal more unpleasantness from others than she actually caused herself.

What ultimately emerges is a story of Garland's mismanagement, first at the hands of agents Begelman and Fields, then at the hands of such employees as Mel Torme, but ultimately and most destructively at the hands of CBS executives James Aubrey and Hunt Stromberg--each with their own self-serving agendas and all determined to drain The Judy Garland Show to further them. It is also a story of great talents and opportunities simply thrown away.

With the advent of DVD, The Judy Garland Show at last began to reach a wide audience, and the actual product bears out Sanders' contentions. At its best, it was extraordinary, offering not only Garland very near the peak of her vocal talents, but a host of great performers that read like a Who's Who of 1960s show business--June Allyson, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Bobbin Darrin, Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, Peggy Lee, Jane Powell, and Barbra Streisand, to name but the most obvious, most of whom Sanders interviews to great effect. But the program was "fiddled to death" by constant CBS reformatting, too often saddled with inept writing and insipid guest stars booked on studio demand, and ultimately unable to establish any consistent formula acceptable to both Garland and CBS.

According to Sanders, Garland did indeed spiral out of control toward the end of the series--but given the madhouse into which she was thrown it is amazing that she did not run screaming down the street at the very beginning. And, as Sanders so astutely points out, she has had the last laugh after all. Few series television programs of the early 1960s, including those that bested The Judy Garland show in ratings, have survived in the public memory. But The Judy Garland Show, for all its flaws and faults, seems to become more greatly respected with each passing year.

After reading Sander's meticulously documented assessment of The Judy Garland Show, you'll never again look at broadcast television with quite the same eye. Very strongly recommended, not only for Garland fans, but for any one with an interest in the medium.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Coyne Steven Sanders is, undeniably, _under_ the rainbow with this treatment of Ms. Judy Garland. In a good sense. First, one must respond to the treatment here of Micky Rooney, without whom we would still probably be responding to Ms. Garland in the same way. In the birth of the cliche, there is a moment when the idea itself is not a cliche but is instead an archetype. In this way cliches are to be honored as original ideas so fitting to such a large number of {events} that they become, through no fault of their own, a cliche. Sadly, this treatment of Micky Rooney in relation to Ms. Garland does not recognize the fact that Mr.Rooney was a cliche _from the beginning_. He personified the cliche by occupying one from the moment he embarked on his character--the same wide-eyed, over-eager, lifelessly hyperbolic grating dunce he dusted off every time the cameras were stupid enough to have him within their frame. If only Steven Sanders would have bitten into this none-too-tender tendril of the gas that was Micky Rooney! Instead, it is waived away like a bad odor that the reader imagined should have dissipated 5 minutes earlier. By failing to contextualize Ms. Garland within this necessary border, Coyne Steven Sanders renders a full quarter of this book into a wide pie of plums and pits; into a full line of outergarments best suited for intemperate climes. Three cheers for Coyne! Because, after all, this author is able to, in this book, show us why we should all, as I do, love Judy Garland with each breath we take. I love her. Yes. I love this book, and I love Judy Garland.

This book, which accompanies the box set (Vol 1) of Judy's TV series, is an invaluable resource for any serious Judy Garland fan. The writing is clear and concise, the approach is objective (but with great empathy for Judy), and the research conducted by the author is impressive. Until this book was written, the only documented history of this landmark TV show was the book written by Mel Torme, which was mean-spirited and by no means a balanced account of what really went on. Congratulations and much gratitude to Mr. Sanders for a very memorable read.

Good reference book! Lots of detail about locations, conflicts and generals on either side.

Brings back lots of memories, Reminded me of our crossings, and a few days later coming back across on the pontoon bridge in an Ambulance for Air Evacuation to England. A must for all that was there or is interested in accurate history.

I bought this book for my father, who was at Remagen. He was one of the last to cross this bridge. He has really enjoyed reading it and has learned some new things about it as a result. He recently went back to Europe to retrace his footsteps from when he fought there and visited the Remagen sight. The book has given him some new insights, confirmed things that he knew and has been good reading for him.

Many WW2 history buffs are familiar with how the US 9th Armored Division found an undestroyed bridge over the Rhine River, staged a daring attack and how the last physical barrier into the heart of Hitler's Germany was crossed. Mr. Zaloga looks not only at the actions around the small town of Remagen itself, but how this event changed Allied strategy in the final weeks of the war. For the history trivia fan there is good information presented about the terrain around Remagen, about the various units from both sides that were involved in the fighting and about the efforts to protect the bridgehead. By grabbing a foothold on the far side and steadily building up and widening it, the Americans were able to coordinate with the large British crossing operation later and create a huge encirclement of the major German forces protecting their industrial heart. To quote a tag line from a 1969 movie "the Germans lost a bridge, thirty days later they lost a war". Very readable and organized text with good illustrations. An excellent addition to your collection.

Remagen was always of interest to me, even as a child, as my father had crossed near there. Many years later I the opportunity to correspond with fellow Tennessean Hugh Mott, a hero of Remagen, who disarmed the German charges and earned a place into the U.S. Army Engineer Hall of Fame. Despite reading a number of other books on Remagen, this one remains my favorite. Super informative, accurate, easy reading and well illustrated. Like the other reviewers, I give this one the top rating. Lots of information in a small book!

I am reading this book on the advice of my counselor. I checked it out of the library first because I didn't want to buy it if I didn't like it. When I found myself wanting to write in and highlight the passages of the library's copy, I knew I needed a copy of my own. The Resilient Self is singularly the most difficult book to read that I own. I read a chapter and put it down for a while. The thing that makes it difficult is that Dr. Wolin seems to see right through me. I think he was a fly on the wall at home in my family of origin. How could he possibly know what happened to me and how I feel about it unless he was there? I like the book because it tells me that it is not me that is flawed. I have strength and character of my own, something my counselor has been trying to tell me for five months. I also learned that there is no such thing as a perfect family. They all have troubles and challenges to overcome. We do the best we can with what we have. My advice: if you think your family of origin had problems, read this book.

The authors, Drs. Stephen and Sybil Wolin, a married team have compiled an amazing reference about overcoming the adversity of surviving with incompetent or deeply disturbed parents. They describe resilience as the capacity to channel your pain rather than exploding. It is rising above the adversity of growing up in a troubled family. The book is based on 26 survivors.

Not only is it based on survivors stories, an impressive amount of research has gone into this book. Plus, the appendix contains an informal assessment. The questions apply to your childhood and adulthood. It is called the Damage Inventory and evaluates how bad your self image was hurt by enduring a very troubled home.

I remain forever baffled by what cruel things parents do to children. But with that, it does happen and nothing is surprising anymore. The authors have created a circle graphic, a mandala that lists the resiliencies. An example is this:

The first would be Insight, or awareness; sensing something is different, to knowing extent of trouble, and into adulthood, where you understand.

The other is Independence: Straying away from the family chaos, to Disengaging, slowly parting from family, and into Separating from family, making a final choice to partially or completely separate from a hurtful family life.

Another example is Search for Love involves Connecting with available adults, Recruiting, as in enlisting friends, ministers, teachers, etc. and then, Attaching to those to form meaningful balanced relationships.

Every family needs to read this! Give it to parents so hopefully they can break a maddening chain!! Rizzo.

This was a tremendously helpful book! Steven and Sybil Wolin have done a remarkable job here. I could not believe how much they knew about how I was feeling. It was as if they where there doing therapy with me.

In the book, they discuss seven "Resiliencies" that survivors instinctively use to get through difficult childhoods. Then they use "reframing" to show you an amazing transition from "feeling damaged" to "Survivor's Pride". Extremely therapeutic!

Overall, this is an extremely effective self-help book, and it is an easy read. I would definitely recommend it to everyone who has had a rocky childhood.

I easily give this book five stars.

Although written several years ago, this remains a valuable book for anyone who has or is facing adversity. Interestingly, many of the ideas in the book, which were based on a great deal of clinical observation, have actually been born out by empirical research.

One of the least helpful ideas that entered the mainstream of pop psychology was the notion that we are robots who can be programmed to behave dysfunctionally by adverse life events. That simple notion missed the fact that many people who have had awful life experiences turn out just fine, and others who seemed to enjoy every advantage have developed enormous problems. The fact is that we are a composite of our genes and our life experiences. And the genes in the brain do not so much determine our behavior, as predispose us to how we react to the environment. There is also increasing evidence that mental states may impact gene expression. So positive thoughts and emotions may be able to overcome or ameliorate the impact of negative experiences. Enter the notion of resilience, which has a genetic component, but can also be learned.

This book revolves around the idea that triumph over adversity involves seven key components:
1. Insight
2. Independence
3. Robust relationships
4. Initiative
5. Creativity
6. Humor
7. Morality

Each chapter is loaded with evaluations and advice on strengthening these key characteristics.

The model deals only with psychological resilience, with a few nods toward physical and spiritual resilience.

Warmly recommended.

This is a wonderful, positive book which examines individuals from negative or deficient backgrounds and discovers their keys to success. The Wolin's work identifies strong traits and learned experiences which allow some people to beat the odds. Their chapters teach letting go of the negative, finding talents, skills, mentors and strength to become mature successful adults despite negative childhood or family influences. It is a positive book with a "get over it attitude" and explanations how. I find this book helpful as a SELF HELP book for struggles, useful as a clinician working with adults and adolescents and useful as a parent or mentor. Dr and Ms Wolin are also dynamic workshop presenters.