T Books

This is a refreshingly unique book about logical and statistical inference. It's the antidote to cookbooks of statistical tests.

I would recommend it to anyone who: understands calculus at a high school level, enjoyed a previous class or book on probability, and desires a solid understanding of statistics.

D.S. Sivia's short book is a good companion, because of its additional worked-out examples.

Errata: http://ksvanhorn.com/bayes/jaynes/index.html

Its hard to write a review for this book. There are definitely flaws, but the information in this book, is just not anywhere else. This is the first place I had ever seen a general form of the rule of succession, or a worthwhile logical attack on the Copenhagen interpretation. It is a very interesting and thought provoking book, but is also a good practical reference for advanced probability problems.

This is a great book. Getting it all together is well worth the price. Jaynes is always a joy to read, polemical and opinionated as he is. One of the very few writers who can put drama into the dry subject of statistics. This is a book about the subject of statistics, rather than a statistics book, with a lot of critical thought and criticism of other statisticians, and statistical paradoxes. It's not, however, the book to choose if you just want another text to help you pass your stats course as its more about the why rather than the how of statistical thinking and logic.

First off, I can in good conscience only recommend this book to experts who already have a deep understanding of both Bayesian and frequentist probability theory. The most useful function of this book is to illuminate puzzling features of probability theory that niggle at the minds of experts. If you don't already understand the subject at a fairly deep level, Jaynes will only leave you confused. (I could not imagine the torment of someone trying to learn probability and statistics for the first time from this book!)

Expect little in the way of examples or practical solutions here. Jaynes is concerned more with fundamentals and philosophy. Phil Gregory's textbook, although overly fond of Mathematica, is a better intro to practical applications. What examples there are tend to be highly idealized, with a high amount of tedious calculation.

Jaynes died with his book in an unfinished state. What he needed was an editor, but what he got instead was a hagiographer. Rather than inject himself into Jaynes' work, the editor instead has left all of the flaws, incomplete explanations, and many out-and-out mistakes in place. This was a bad mistake. Too many important points are left as exercises to the reader.

Jaynes himself is highly infuriating on a number of points. He repeatedly argues for a Haldane prior as a non-informative prior for a binomial distribution, but doesn't come to grips with the fact that this improper prior gives absurd results in some limits, whereas the more commonly used and more robust Jeffreys prior is ignored. Jeffreys priors themselves are scarcely mentioned in most places, while discussion of how to apply KL information measures to construct non-informative priors is completely missing. Jaynes' commentary on the state of quantum mechanics will strike most physicists as misguided as at best.

I find it ironic that I have mostly negative things to say about a book that I rank at 4 out of 5. The trouble is that this could have been the greatest single book ever written on the subject if it only had better editing, fewer polemics, and a more practical bent. I find myself mourning for what this book could have been. What it actually is, however, is a great probability text from a Bayesian perspective. It contains many gems, but you have to wade through a lot to find them.

I've never seen another book like this. Jaynes definitely has an agenda, but he justifies his viewpoint through an amazingly deep tour of probability theory. Not every viewpoint he expresses is convincing (such as his view that quantum theory is inherently probabilistic only because physicists are lazy), but he always raises deep and interesting questions while teaching the ideas. If you can read a book and accept some but not all of its viewpoint, then this is the book on probability for you.

I saw 2 of Chekhov's plays in college and I honestly don't remember them. Glenn Close appeared in one I remember, but beyond that I was obviously distracted. Nothing could have prepared me for the perfection of these stories. I have never read a collection that had such an impact. Chekhov's clear-eyed world view peers at tiny physical details in the lives of the characters to see into their souls. They are tragic heroes in common clothes.

Chekhov looks on without judgment. His attitude is humane and liberal. No matter how foolish his subjects, his attitude is never condescending.

I hadn't realized it until I finished Pevear's forward, but Chekhov begins to slip subtly into stream of consciousness in several stories. This and many other innovations make Chekhov a pivotal figure in fiction writing. He is certainly under appreciated at present.

(I can't compare it, of course, but the P&V translation is another gift.)

Anton Chekhov is largely known for his plays (The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya), but he is also widely regarded as a master of the short story. However to fully appreciate these stories the reader should be somewhat familiar with the state of fiction in Russia during the last half of the 19th century as well as social and political conditions in the country at that time. Some knowledge of Chekhov's personal history and his philosophy of life is also helpful. Lacking these insights one is likely to find these stories to be excessively negative and depressing.

One difficulty in reading this book of his best short stories is that the first few (50 pages or so) are unrelentingly depressing; death and unrequited love being the main themes and they are told in Chekhov's spare style. A Boring Story is a longer and more interesting piece. It includes some aspects of Chekhov's philosophy, and while it ends on another depressing note, there is still an element of hope present. Ward No. 6 is perhaps the best of these stories, as well as the longest. It tells of a hospital in Siberia with a ward for mental patients. The story centers around a doctor (Andrei Yefichmych), a decent and compassionate man who gradually descends to the depths of the place. Along the way he has an interesting exchange with a mental patient, Ivan Dmitrich. The doctor suggests that one can be happy anywhere, even trapped in a prison, and cites the example of the Greek philosopher Diogenes who so distained material things that he lived in a barrel. The patient disagrees strongly, shouting, "I love life, I love it passionately!" He adds, tellingly, that maybe Diogenes would not have been so happy if he had had to live in a barrel in the wintry cold of Siberia!

The other stories in the book treat of a variety of people and situations from all walks of Russian life. While despair and a sense of hopeless fatalism remains the main thrust of many of these stories, there is also an element of hope present. Chekov keeps coming back to the idea that the future will be better. Some stories, such as Anna on the Neck, even have an element of humor. The last story, The Fiancée, perhaps sums up Chekhov's view of Russian life. In this tale a young woman living in a small town becomes engaged to a local man. A guest from the city, Sasha, starts to talk with her about how empty her life will be if she marries this man. Gradually she begins to come to this realization and in the end leaves to move to St. Petersburg to have "a new, expansive, spacious life, and that life, still unclear, full of mysteries, lured and beckoned to her."

I have given Chekov a rating of 4 stars, rather than 5, because, compared to Guy de Maupassant and O. Henry, his stories do not sufficiently express the full range of human emotions. Both of the latter masters of the short story infuse their work with humor and even broad satire and this is the stuff of life as well as the dreary world that Chekov inhabits. Yet maybe Chekov is reflecting the reality of Russia in his time. In any case these stories are well worth reading.

There are no better short stories than those of Anton Chekov. He wrote characterizations that resonate across the years and across cultures. Chekov takes you deep into these people's lives and struggles so that the reader feels a very definite strong connection with these characters that populate pre-revolutionary Russia. Short on plot and yet each story is satisfying and memorable. Some , Ward 6 is an example ,are masterpieces of the short story form.

Excellent translation and stories that you can read and enjoy again and again for years. You can't go wrong here.

This is the first series of works that I have read by Chekhov. I wanted to read some of his shorter works before beginning reading his novels. Now that I realize how much I enjoy his stlye, which I think other people will like as well, I am looking forward to reading his larger works. I very much liked the insight into the Russian culture.

Chekhov simply astonishes. "The Lady with the Little Dog," one of his most famous stories, is rendered splendidly by Pevar and Volokhonsky. I don't know of any other writer who captures the confusion, fear and excitement of romantic love as well as Chekhov does here. The last line is perfect.

Masterfully written! The descriptiion and detail put into this book is astounding. Crafted with pure genious I personaly recomend this book to fantays lovers of all ages!

Diana Metz has created a world in which dragons and people share our world. She has a gift for description - if I close my eyes I can imagine I am there among the dragons or soaring above the clouds on the back of one of these magnificent beasts! A wonderful book for any age!

After recieving this book, which was HIGHLY anticipated, i must say that I was not dissapointed in ANY way! Being a fan of both dragons and fantasy, I am particularly had to please with literature, but this book surpassed all my expectations!!! I'm now anxiously waiting for the next installment of Talon, and I must say, a big, "WELL DONE DIANA"!!!

I loved this book! Diana Metz finds a great new approach to a dragon fantasy! The words weren't neccesarily as fullfing as the plot was, but it was still great! I recently e-mailed the author and found that there was to be another book! And another after that! I can't wait. You're great Diana!

"I don't know who I am anymore" Talon sighed heavily. "A year ago I knew who I was, a young mercenary with a knack for battle tactics. I trained hard, fought where I was told and planned the deaths of hundreds of young men just like me. That's who I was. Now I'm what you, an old man, and now a dragon queen, say I am. I don't know if I like what you've made me." (pg 154)

When I first read this book (I've read it three times now) I found that I could not put it down. The story is amazing. A young boy named Talon once a warrior, now a wizard, forever the Krrig Daa. He goes through many ups and downs, physically and mentally, and through the incredible writings of Diana Metz you go with him. Her portrayal of Dragons as not only intelligent but incredibly social beast full of magic is one of the reasons I couldn't put this book down.

Thank you Diana for such a great book.

Byron Barton's Trains has become an unlikely favorite for our 2-year old. I say unlikely because it's so different from what most of his favorites (which are heavy on Sandra Boynton, Jez Alborogh, and the Spot series) are like. The art is extremely simple, using lots of bold colors, and the story doesn't rhyme or feature any noticeable repetition. It's not really even a story at all, but rather a descriptive sentence on each page highlighting the kind of train or activity shown.

I don't know whether it's the bold colors or just the subject matter (my son is absolutely fascinated by all kinds of vehicles), but this little board book went straight into his bedtime "top 5" and shows no sign of leaving! I may not get it, but I'm confident enough after seeing my son's reaction to this book to recommend Trains to the parents of any toddler interested in trains.

My son loved this book from the time he was about 15 months old. The words and the illustrations are simple and catchy. I'm not sure if this one comes in paperback but I highly suggest getting all of the Barton books in the board book style. They are sure to be read over and over!!

This story was kind of boring, not as melodic as some of the other books (Cars is our favorite) but kind of cute. Graphics are somewhat boring too (compared to the others)

My kids love this very cute little book.. They want me to read it to them over and over again. A great book for your little one. Must have!!

I was a teacher in early childhood and I love to find new books for my grandson, who is almost 3. At the early level they need simple books both in text and pictures. The Barton books have a very simple text and great pictures and my grandson loves all of them. I always let him choose what books to read and Barton is his favorite since he was 1 1/2. I would recommend all of his books for young children ages 1 to 4. We have read Trucks, Trains, Men at Work, Planes, Airport & Dinosaurs.

This is a fine collection of truly gourmet recipes and fine dining ideas put together by Vincent Price. Lots of the recipes are from very famous restaurants. I have given copies of this book to very special friends who share my love of all aspects of great meals.

Since buying this in 1974 I have acquired hundreds of other cookbooks, but this remains my favorite. The best soup I've ever made is their vegetable boullion. The best dessert is the orange sections with Grand Marnier. The best shrimp dish is the scampi from the Blue Fox. Best appetizer - marinated beef strips in sour cream from Hawaii. In addition, it's a beautiful book. I gave my mother a copy, which she loaned to a chef - he stole it! Treat yourself to this one.

My parents gave us this cookbook in 1965 and it's still on my kitchen shelf. Vincent Price was the king of horror and it was such a surprise to find that he was a genial man with a nice wife and that they were "foodies" before the term was invented. The cookbook takes us to Europe, Mexico and the U.S., with recipes from famous restaurants abroad. Then we are invited to the Price's gournet kitchen with advice from A to Z: how to make a Bloody Mary and fold a napkin along with cooking special hot dogs and making brown sauce.

Over the years we have particularly enjoyed the recipe for Colcannon, Caesar salad, and Blue Cheese Salad Dressing which I make all the time. The Yorkshire pudding is excellent.

I recommend this book to anyone who is into the history of food, from when we went from Campbell's mushroom soup casseroles (hey, some are still good) to a serious respect for various cuisines and fresh ingredients.

I've had my copy of this book since the 1970's. Its recipes are superb and not beyond the capabilities of a good cook. My favorite is the Fetuccine alla Buranella on page 103-104, an absolutely decadent exploration of pasta and seafood. This is one book emminently worth the price.

And along with stupendous recipes are fun descriptions of the restaurants that originated the dishes as well as menus, complete with prices. At Sardi's you could get a steak for $4.85!

This is a book with some of the best recipes in the World collected by an amateur Chef who could easily be a Profesional Chef. As a Master Chef and a Certified Chef de Cuisine I have used many of the recipes in the book with the most wonderful results. The satisfaction by my clients has been overwelming and
most satisfactory. Many of my clients have commented that they did not have the special dinner since they were in the restaurant they visited many years ago.

I lost my copy and would love to get it again.

Eddy Consenheim, CCC. MCFA.

Normally I buy a couple of these a year and... well... leave them in the bathroom. But I got bored in the middle of my first chosen read of the year and picked this up off the shelf. Next thing you know, I'm 200 pages in. So it made sense to go ahead and finish it. All 600 pages.

As always, Uncle John delivers top notch entertainment and information. Particularly interesting to me was one of the final extended sections on cancer. Just reading that section filled in a lot of little holes in my knowledge, which I thought was pretty robust given my recent experience with the disease.

This is probably the 5th or 6th Uncle John's bathroom reader I've owned, and it's every bit as good as the rest. The only downside to Uncle John's bathroom reader is that they only come out with a new edition once a year!

If you like tips, tricks, trivia, and tidbits, you'll love this book!

A wonderful book for those who don't want to commit to reading some long novel. Plus, I learned so many new and unusual facts! Like, did you know that the word "calculus" means "pebble" in Latin? Learn that and so much more!

For trivia fans, 1988 stands as a landmark year. 1988 was the year "Uncle John" and the Bathroom Readers' Institute published the first BATHROOM READER volume containing interesting and oddball facts. That first book ran to 224 pages and cost $9.95. And now, praise be, here we are celebrating the 20th anniversary with this whooping 597-opus sure to delight all lovers of knowledge.

Edition 20 is the usual, entertaining collection of isolated facts, short two-four page articles on various topics and extended, multi-part articles on subjects like Music industry lawsuits, the history of bread, etc. along with the Word Origins, Court Transquips, Urban Legends, Strange Lawsuits, Bathroom Lore and other sections that have been a regular feature of the series. The series also retains its punny sense of humor as witness the following sections: Gnome Gnews is Good Gnews, The Ig Nobel Prizes and I Walk the Lawn.

Included in Edition 20 are articles on Historical Blunders, Animal Heroes, The Aloha Shirt, Weird Canada, Farts in the News, Odd Buildings, Car Name Origins, Weird Game Shows, Food Origins, Underwear in the News, The World's Oldest Calculator, Weird Wrestlers, Cockney Slang, Dumb Crooks, Comic Phrases and much, MUCH more! And all for $18.95...such a bargain!

You can't go wrong with this latest Uncle John Reader or any of the BR series ("Plunges Into," "For Kids," etc.). Total sales for the whole ball of wax is something like 7 million books so Uncle John & Co. must be doing something right. Pick up a copy of Edition 20, read and enjoy! Here's hoping we have another 20 years of Bathroom readers to look forward to!

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who can't go to the restroom without something to read.

This is a very small book. I had no clue it was what I would call a pamphlet. The instructions of the few projects inside are wonderful and the pictures are perfect, there just is not much there. When you look at the insie of the book and hit surprise me a couple of times, you have seen the entire book. It is less than 50 pages. It's best asset is the photos, particularly the piece building sequences.

Such a fun book! Christi is highly entertaining. Her lovely personality comes shining through Loud and Clear!!! I have a great time pulling out these books and following along with her step by step. I am always very satisfied with the results. And usually I am not a step by step kinda person. I am more of the no rules/color outside of the lines kinda gal but, Christi makes it fun to follow along! I can't wait for the rest of the series. So far I've made a few frogs, a dragon, a sea-horse, and some flowers, vines and foliage.

I recommend the entire series. Even my young nieces and my mother-in-law creating projects from these books!

This is a very cute book that is so funny and enjoyable to read and study. I would love to meet and get to know this author and artist in person. What you learn in here is laced with so much humor it makes it so much fun to learn the techniques. It was the first time I read instructions all the way through for anything!!
I'm a diver and this gave me so much inspiration to do some ocean figures.
Also, fantastic condition for a used book. I saved lots of $$ by buying them through Amazon, used.

I love this pamphlet. The projects are beyond cute and the author has a sense of humor that makes the instructions clear and humorous. I intend to buy the series.

Having just received this book, I just wanted to say how fun and different it is from most polymer clay books. This is the first of the series of books from this artist that I have bought.
I haven't had my clay out for a few years but it's coming back out now! I have so many ideas for gifts for my friends and family. This artist has written a great book to stimulate the imagination and if you don't have one, you can just use hers. I am very happy with this purchase!

An erudite volume, written in the most engaging way.

Feminism, greed, government, big business, wars, date-rape, male depression and suicide are all inextricably linked. How? Rich Zubaty takes us through the history of the world amusingly and manages, through only a few hundred pages, to build a lucid picture of why we are socially where we are today.

His style ("jazz-writing") breaks every rule of author's etiquette, while sustaining full academic authority, keeping you in stitches, in anger or excitement all the way. He also gives you a sense of confidence that things CAN change in the direction of sanity. (If there were a Jungian archetype of Wise Benevolent Uncle, Rich Zubaty would fit perfectly.)

This book is written for men. Every man needs to read it, because he will find himself there, somewhere, maybe everywhere. Astute women, with a real ability to empathize with men, will find it's for them too, and need it just as much. Feminists and "manholes" will scream. They're about to discover that someone is now onto them.

This book deserves to go down as a classic marking the beginning of the end of the Golden Age of Feminism.

This is a wild and intense read that only men will understand. He quotes Vilar, Bly and Rohr extensively. Much deep thought and research went into this tome of taking back manhood and masculinity, including his own experience. He digs much deeper than just feminism. He gets right to the core and anthropology of the sexes from prehistoric to present day. If you ask yourself what's wrong with society today this book has answers.

One way to judge how fulfilling a book can be is it's used price and availability. It's expensive but worth every penny and as you can see men don't part with it easily. If they do they pass it along to their friends and sons. I highly recommend this book if you're in the need for some manly soul searching. It will clear a lot of things up that have been swimming around in your head.

-What Men Know That Women Don't- by Rich Zubaty was written after a number of years of intense study by the author investigating and contemplating the question of men, women, relationships - and life in the modern world. This book is a bittersweet rant against feminism; something filled with many penetrating observations and warnings to younger men. The author claims every man has now been conditioned to place women first, and to work for her well being rather than his own. "We don't have the faintest idea what it means to be a man anymore," he says. "Our male role models are reconstituted women. They are men women like, not the men God likes." Zubaty identifies this new male as the 'Manhole.' Similar to the 'Metrosexual,' the 'Manhole' has no sense of his own identity but only exists to complement females and to buy them things. This 'Manhole' is the product of female 'Memes' - female behaviour patterns by which a woman endeavours to make real the dream man she once imagined in her childhood. Realising this man becomes the woman's whole life and the enterprise overrides all other preoccupations. According to Zubaty, the power of these female memes to influence society is far greater than most men want to realise. Now that feminism has become the dominant cultural force in the western world for 'good,' the female meme has gained unfettered control of the Media, Corporations, Education and Government.' Overall, a picture emerges of men being torn from their spiritual and cultural ancestry by women. There are no male traditions left to teach boys how to be men, only feminised institutions that want 'Manholes.' Zubaty claims this conditioning process begins around the age of seven. At this time a boy stops needing its mother and begins to search for its father - in order to understand how to become a man. But something else happens too; the woman (a mother or any other female) also begins to treat the boy of this age (psychologically) as she would any man. She will start to place on the boy some of the same demands she makes of his father: that he too must help in the effort to ameliorate her existential anxieties, her neuroses and emotional hunger (i.e., to 'love' her). The boy is not equipped to do this and is confused. In a natural (old) society, this didn't matter much because the boy would be away from women much of the time, with his father and the other men, hunting and fishing, or otherwise being initiated into manhood. In modern civilisations though this is not possible. The father now works in an office or factory and the boy goes to school where he is taught - by more women. Without a man around to steer him right, the boy soon becomes lost in a female world - a place that nature never meant him to be. In such an unnatural environment, he soon learns to adopt the female behaviour patterns that surround him. He will learn to use his own neuroses and anxieties just like the women do, as both a petition and a begging bowl.
-What Men Know That Women Don't- is mostly an entertaining read and generally far from gloomy. The tone of the book throughout is something like sharing stories about women over a beer with your (male) friends. Zubaty's main theme is that the feminised man must unlearn his behaviour in order to lead a more spiritual and fruitful existence. I'm not entirely sure that I agree this is possible now for the majority of men, who are simply too 'nice' - and our traditions are dead anyway. The irony here is that Zubaty (in common with most other writers on this subject), by identifying women as the cause of the problem is then forced to conclude falsely that women must hold some key to a possible solution. In making this error, Zubaty can only return to the question of 'love' to look for his answer - an answer he never finds and never will find. But this should not deter the reader from enjoying this book. Much of the writing here illuminates the condition of modern men very well and is genuinely thought provoking; a few conclusions (regarding the origins of female memes) are based on a rather questionable exegesis, and in certain places I don't think Zubaty goes far enough. At times the author appears to believe (this is not made clear in the book) that a woman's behaviour is wilful, and therefore she may consciously agree to compromise with men in her relationships. This is impossible. I sense Zubaty may still have some particle of sympathy left for women - a terrible blunder by any man. We did not make women the creatures they are and there is no objective reason why we should consider it our place or our duty to save ('love') them, no matter how big the consensus of women and feminists is that demands it.

Five Stars. All in all, well worth looking up-wokinghamtrader.

The legal system is suppose to be our servants. Most of the laws are written by a man. Man is the one who created child support and jail systems . This book seems to blame women. I believe the laws were created by the rich men were tired seeing their daughters being mistreated by men who would not live up to their obligations. As a result, jail is now a place of profit. I believe understanding the nature of the gender of the child would make things easier.If your man child calls mother first know it is because it is in his nature to seek a woman first. If a father would concentrate on the girl child you will find she is yours because it is in her nature to seek a man first. If one man in this world can overcome the legal system created by men, take care of his family despite the opposition of the woman which is normally out of not understanding a man ,then in time and with patience all of them can do it. Where are the masters of the house at? In my opinion this book will only serve as a dependent to men who want to justify their weaknesses. Without those laws your daughters would be watching their children suffer and die because some men not all men would rather feed his pride than his children. Something to think about.

This book stayed beside my bed for more than one year...and is still there. From a man (Zubaty) to another one(us): confident, funny, realistic, paradoxal. In my opnion, will be hard to read a book like this one in the next 10 - 20 years. Great book!

What can I say? The proof is in the results! This book and Hal Zina Bennett dramatically changed my writing style. And, I had been writing for decades. I had also taken numerous writing courses at a college level. I had even self-published and helped edit other books. But, Hal taught me how to "write from the heart" and shift my writing from an informational to a conversational style! The result? I got published from Hampton Roads Publishers with my first book Beyond the Secret. Want to learn how to REALLY write? Buy this book!

I recently bought and gave this book to a dear friend who has a talent for written expression. It's an excellent, giftable book with many tips, thoughts to ponder and loads of encouragement for aspiring writers. Buy it for yourself if you'd love to put your own experiences or thoughts on paper and you need a bit of direction... or consider tucking it into a holiday gift stash if you know someone who has a way with words. There's a lot of bang for the buck in this book. It's well worth Amazon's affordable price.

As a published author The Courage To Trust: A Guide To Building Deep And Lasting Relationships I was struggling to find purpose in writing for purely personal reasons,and wondering if I had the focus to delve into another book project. Then I attended a book signing and met Hal Z. Bennett. His love of telling/writing stories that heal and encourage others put me back on the writing path, reminding me of how important it is for each of us to share our truth. This lovely book is filled with quiet inspiration and suggestions that regrounded me and made my journal--and a book proposal--both seem good and necessary efforts. Embracing True Prosperity: Guided Visualizations & Practical Tools To Realize Your Deepest Dreams

This is a good book for writers who already have some experience of the craft, including through personal journaling. Nothing about the techniques of writing or the genres here but rather about the "soul of writing". Hal Zina Bennett shares his development as a writer over the years and his suggestions to reconnect to the being that feeds the act of writing. One writing "exploration" is given after each chapter. The book reads quickly and is motivational in nature. This is a good companion to any book by Julia Cameron.

Hal Zina Bennett lives what he writes and teaches, from the heart. I was fortunate to study writing with Hal and from this met his book "Write from the Heart." The lessons I learned were essential to me in writing, shaping, and bringing to fruition my first book, "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary."

In Chapter 9, "Higher Creativity and the Essential Wound," Hal's Core Concept is: "The writer, like the shaman storyteller of ancient times, embraces his own life experience, tells stories to the community that gathers in a circle around him, a fire blazing at its center. In the telling of what most deeply touched his life, he helps other to see that they are not alone. And in the process both storyteller and listeners are healed." I didn't know how true this was until after my book came out. I thank Hal for seeing deeply into this truth and sharing it.

"Writing from the Heart" has 13 chapters. Each chapter offers a good reason for buying, reading, using, studying, and treasuring this book.

Janet Grace Riehl, author, Sightlines: A Poet's Diary

After just finishing an extremely rough sophomore year, i desperately wanted someone to talk to and get advice from. I never expected that that "someone" would turn out to be a book, but it was.

"You Don't Have To Learn Everything the Hard Way" by Aunt Laya Saul is an inspirational and realistic book that truly touched my heart. It was like a heart to heart talk with the aunt i never had, but always wanted. It gave me hope for life and helped me realize that i will get out of my little "slump", i just have to believe that. I may not be able to stop hardships from occurring, but Aunt Laya helped me see that i can change my attitude and way of dealing with them, when they do occur. Even on the darkest days, there is always light, and now i see it too.

Aunt Laya talks very realistically and shares many stories that have a huge impact. I will carry those stories with me for the rest of my life and i will pass them on to others. This book should be read by everyone. Young or Old. Guy or Girl. Everyone. It is a book that sticks with you for the rest of your life. I am 15 years old and i am very glad that i read this book. My future looks a lot brighter because of it. If you have not read it, read it. If you have read it, read it again! ~*KJ*~

You can find this book in an updated version in Amazon with the same title. If you are seeing this review in November or December 2007, you might even get a great discount from Amazon while it is in presell--32% off the list price and then another 5% before it is in print! Although the price went to full price after Thanksgiving keep watching as it may go on special again. If you put the book in your shopping cart and the price goes down it will automatically be reflected!

The new edition is at the printer right now.


The new book has the same content, but it's got an updated cover and the inside is easier on the eye to make it a more comfortable read.


So, mosey on over and have a look. You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way Be sure to keep in touch with me and let me know how you like the book, how it's helped you, and what else you'd like me to write about. You're invited to check out my blog at AuntLaya dot blogspot dot com for more from me.

With love and blessing,
Aunt Laya

Author of the best loved self help book for young adults, "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way"

This book was written primarily for young people. I am a middle aged parent of children aged 9 - 26 and a grandparent of 2. Aunt Laya speaks to all readers, young and old. She speaks with wisdom and respect and from a place of understanding. Reading this book was more than a place to receive advice and information. The reading itself was something experiential for me. It covers so much necessary stuff - stuff not too many think about until it's too late. I highly recommend this book for teens, their parents and even their grandparents. I believe it should be required reading for school counselors. It is excellent material for workshops. Adults can gain a lot by taking note of Aunt Laya's approach when addressing young people. After all, we want more than to talk AT our kids. Aunt Laya does a wonderful job at being the voice that gets heard.

I'm not done reading this book, but so far, I'm elated that I purchased it. The book is very simple to read and Aunt Laya provides many of her personal life stories which is always delightful. I would highly recommend this book to any teenager, and also adults as the book offers heartwarming inspirations. You have nothing to lose and alot to gain from reading this book. You cannot go wrong with purchasing this book..at all! She doesn't say anything harmful, uncomforting nor dangerous for the human spirit. The price is reasonable for such a book. I suggest reading this book before bed, or after a relaxing shower. Your mind should be very relaxed, if not, you may have to read something twice! Enjoy ;-)

As a teenager reading this book, I have found that the examples and advice given in this book are invaluable. While it is written in a simplistic style that allows all readers to access the information provided, the content is essential to all young adults and even adults. The quotes cited throughout the book are also very useful in accessing the text, linking the power of the text to some of the most famous writers of all time, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and George Bernard Shaw. I have taken many of these life lessons to heart, and I believe that anyone who reads this book will want and strive to do the same. This truly is a worthwhile read.