Thomas Books

This 4th & final chapter in the Lost books series is a surprise, to say the least. There is quite a jump to the "other earth" that provides humor and perhaps, just a bit of silliness to the otherwise intense book. Some of the challenges experienced by the Chosen are somewhat over-the-top in my mind, but I am not the 15 year old for whom this book is written. I think any young person will find it satisfying and gripping! You can't read the other books without learning the end result! Dekker is, without doubt, the finest author, secular or Christian, out there today!

I can't wait for the next book. Each of these books I've read in a 24 or 48 hour period. I am a stay at home mom of 3, so I've locked myself in my room, popped my popcorn, turned on my reading light and snuggled into bed, shouting periodically through door, "Ask your dad!"

After reading this book I want to turn in my sex-in-the-city-stilettos for a nice leather sheath....for my knife, of course. I want to sign back up for kickboxing and be confident I can take on any thug downtown Detroit. I long for The Great Romance to be what it was like worlds ago. My husand refuses to put on a tunic and answer to "Thomas"

This book as a great mix of action, romance, adventure, and humor all while dealing with what we stuggle with in our own hearts-good and evil. I think this paints a great picture of how evil satan is and how he wants to destroy us...a peek into what that world looks like. We also see the kindness, gentleness and love that Jesus gives us and what that looks like.
I will be first in line for the next book.

Ted Dekker has written a very interesting story in this and several of the others to this story line. Great books to read.......

I loved the Chaos book. Can't get enough of Ted Dekker, he is a great author. If you loved his Circle Trilogy books then you will love this book because it is part of a new series of Ted's that goes along with the Circle Trilogy. It is aimed more at teens - they will like it because it uses teen characters. However, as a person out of their teen years I still enjoyed it too. When you listen to Ted's books on CD it really makes them come alive.

The big 4th book of Dekker's "Lost Books" had promise written all over it. I still think it should've been top notch. And with the sprawl and tenacity of "Renegade," I simply thought the best was yet to come. Ted Dekker is blessed that he is nothing less than an accomplished writer. Because I was rolling my eyes through the first hundred pages, and then it thankfully got better. That's a good thing!

So, you have Johnis and Silvie, hanging out in a stolen Chevy...in Las Vegas! But make no mistake about it, books are top priority! Don't get in the way.

Love is in the air, and deception is beyond the reach of nobody! And just when you thought the nasty stench of Alucard was gone, take another sniff. You never thought it could get this crazy, and going out for blood never tasted so good!

Remembering Elyon, remembering a purpose. Dekker refuses to reveal any tricks up his sleeve, but lets us know that we should be keeping our eyes peeled. And please, beware dear reader. Sometimes the end is simply the beginning! Especially with Ted Dekker. Don't forget that.

Get ready for a big kiss, but expect it to get bloody! So expect nothing less than a kiss of chaos.

Some of the strangest stories I 've read and I read a lot. Does make one think.

Really enough cannot be said about this book. It is a compilation of three other 'works', each of which contain numerous topics, or (one could say) 'works' in themselves. Lewis writes on a myriad of subjects, ranging from extremely controversial topics such as captial punishment, to perhaps less considered topics, like Christianity and Culture. Lewis has a remarkable way of making crucial points, even in topics you would not normally consider to be very important.

The writing is Lewis, so, of course, it is chalk full of wit, metaphor, and complex ideas. Many of the presented works are not overly long (they were written to be read as lectures), and so Lewis wastes no time in getting to his point. This is important to the reader who wants to get to the points Lewis is making - the meat of his arguments - as quickly as possible. Since the book is over 500 pages, reticence is one of Lewis's virtues (in this book). Another thing I found interesting was that, in a section of the book (towards the end especially, but also peppered throughout), there are rebutals and replies from Lewis's critics. This was a unique way in which to examine how Lewis responded, and it also showed Lewis, like all apologists, had his share of dissenters.

Personally, I like Lewis. I like his writing style, and, as far as I 'know' him, I like him as a man. Prior to reading this I had read his 'Signature Classics', which can be looked up on amazon, if one desires to know its composition. I found very little overlap in thought; though there invitably must be SOME, if we are supposing Lewis really believes in the ideas he argues.

If you are interested in diving into some of Lewis's deepest, most challenging (and therefore most rewarding) thoughts, I think you would like this book.

As other reviewers have already commented on the incredible bargain and high quality of this Lewis omnibus, I wish to focus specifically on "The Pilgrim's Regress."

Like most of Lewis's works, "The Pilgrim's Regress" merits regular re-reading. Originally published for an academic audience, the book is an allegory that reflects Lewis's inner journey away from the Christianized culture of his childhood to "popular realism," and from there to Philosophical Idealism, to Pantheism, to Theism, and finally to an adult-understanding of Christianity (see Afterword to the Third Edition). Thus the subtitle of the book runs "An Allegorical Apology for Christianity, Reason and Romanticism."

"The Pilgrim's Regress" might be difficult to understand for someone without prior knowledge of the philosophical developments of the past centuries, since it lies in the nature of allegory to provide pictures to concepts generally familiar to the reader and not explain the concepts didactically to an ignorant reader. But, given some extra effort, even the ignorant reader can glean many great insights from the book.

To the philosophically educated reader it should be said that in "The Pilgrim's Regress" you have a book quite unique in the twentieth century. Since Allegory Proper has not been the most popular genre of late (to say the least), and since a Christian who is equally enthusiastic about Reason and Romanticism is also rather uncommon, the book is probably unlike anything you have ever read.

If you have not already done so, it is high time to buy the book and get enriched by its insightful imagery!

- Jacob Schriftman, Author of The Crack Beneath the Worlds and Other Books

The book I ordered was sent right away and I received it very quickly, even with media mail. The item was described accurately and I am extremely pleased.

The first part, a Pilgrim's Regress is a critique on many modern philosophies. Overall it's quite well written, with only a few parts that are so transparent as to leave your intelligence feeling a tad insulted. The other two thirds of this tome is a collection of Lewis' writings from several sources, correspondence, essays, transcripts from radio talks etc. A few of them are dry, but many of them are excellent. It's remarkable that the very same issues which we in the Catholic Church today are facing, are being discussed by this Anglican a century earlier. Women's ordination, the secularization of Christmas, etc. Why are we so incapable of learning from the mistakes of others?! A few quotes worth sharing:

from "Priestesses in the Church:
"The Church claims to be the bearer of a revelatio. If that claim is false then we want not to make priestesses but to abolish priests. if it is true, then we should expct to find in the Church an element which unbelievers will call irrational and which believers will call suprarational...If we retain only what can be justified by standards of prudence and convenience at the bar of enlightened common sense, then we exchange revelation for that old wraith Natural Religion."

from "Xmas and Christmas(an allegorical narrative, hence the Crissmass, and Exmas)"
"But I myself conversed with a priest in one of these temples and asked him why they kept Crissmas on the same day as Exmas; for it appeared to me inconvenient, But the priest replied, It is not lawful O stranger, for us to change the date of Crissmas, but would that Zeus would put it into the minds of the Niatriibians to keep Exmas at some other time or not to keep it at all. "
(which beautiful backs up a point I had made in a post a few weeks ago on why we should not move Christmas)

Apparently this book is now thought of as out of print or hard to find, but I'm sure other editions of it's three component works: The Pilgrim's Regress, Christian Reflections and God in the Dock have come out.

This is like another textbook. If you are looking for a supplement to compliment the material, it is a very in depth examination of critical constitutional areas. It is not a book of case briefs.

Excellent study aid for tests and very informative for those interested in the rationale behind US Supreme Court decisions.

This is an extremely useful book for any first year law student. I have about every imaginable first year study aids, but by far this is one of the best on the market! Professor Baker does an outstanding job of explaining complex issues to the novice constitutional law student. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to enhance their legal knowledge. It's also a very handy tool for final exam time!

This is an excellent work on the origins of Constitutional Law
and the various governing precedents and protocols. For instance,
a litigant must have standing in order to have a case considered by the United States Supreme Court. The concept of standing requires that the party have a stake in the outcome. The Constitutional legal apparati consists of the following:
o It establishes a national government.
o It controls the relationship between the states and the federal
government
o It defines personal liberties
o It contains provisos for the perpetual operation of the
government. i.e. the operation of law of the Magna Carta since
1215.

The basic pattern of the distinction between liberty and governmental power/prerogative is present in virtually all constitutional cases. The Courts are asked to set or interpret
the dividing line between liberty and the governmental powers of the states and the federal government. For a Court to overrule a previous decision/precedent-it must be confident that the
decision-making criteria in the past stare decisis is in error
or in need of substantial revision.

According to Justice Jackson, " The very purpose of the Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the Courts."

Overall, the work has a generous coverage of individual liberties and protections, the National Powers, State Powers, the Constitution, the process of Judicial Review, Intergovernmental immunities, the relationships between and amongst the states, inter-governmental and foreign relations.
The Constitution of the United States is published in the
appendix. This work has a wide constituency of users in government, the legal profession, journalism and a general concensus of users in academe.

Professor Baker's "Constitutional Analysis" is an excellent supplement to the study of first year constitutional law. However, I would recommend the book to any individual wishing to improve their understanding of the Constitution. The book uses common language and reads like a well-written novel. The Index and Table of Cases allow you to quickly locate any topic or case quickly and efficiently.

This book is a 'must' for the die-hard fan of America's Team... the Dallas Cowboys!

One of the greatest Cowboys history books I have read. Amazing pictures and very informative. Lots of information that even a die-hard Cowboy fan doesn't know. A very entertaining read.

I purchased 3 books from Amazon.com yesterday. Luckily, I met Norm at a remote today for which he graciously and personally signed all 3 copies.

1 book is going to my younger brother who is in Iraq fighting for Our Country - He'll love his signed copy.

1 is for my father-in-law... I know this lifelong Cowboy fan will love to relive the memories of this team through the pages of Norms book.

Of course I will love my copy here in N. Texas - Thanks Norm!!!

This is such a great book. Whether you are a Cowboys fan or not, it's a great conversation starter. Was this team the greatest ever?

The book is a great behind the scenes view...the photographs are amazing, the supporting story line riveting.

What a team...what a book!

I've never seen my husband with anything other than magazines, and when I surprised him with this beautiful hardcover, he couldn't hardly put it down :) He carried it to every room with him durning his chill time for a week straight, except the bathroom~he put it on the dresser right outside the door :) His eye's turn into big glossy child eyes when he's reflecting on old football times with this unbelievably vibrant photo history.
Every page is full of eye catching photo's with defining subtexts. If you love Dallas Cowboys, Sports Center, Sports Illistrated, and some Magazines then you'll LOVE this find. Recommend for the average to over the top Dallas Cowboy's fan !!

they need to make this game for the consoles! (PS2, PS3, XBox, Wii, etc etc) Who the heck wants to dance to their tiny computer screen? It is great fun, I would so much rather my kids play this than Disney Dance Revolution (much better songs with a much better message), but I do not like having to hook it up to the computer. They are missing a huge opportunity, let's hope they get on the ball!

I ordered this for my daughter's 13th birthday. She enjoys the Dance Dance Revolution game at the video arcade, and I hoped this would be close to being as much fun for her. It is! I'm so delighted that the pad works well with the arrows and is sensitive enough to register her dance moves. She has already enjoyed many hours of dancing. I don't count it towards her "computer time" since it's such terrific exercise. What I love about this game is the terrific Christian music. Many of her favorite artists sing the background music, and there's no lyrics that make me wince. (Unlike Dance Dance Revolution songs!) My 9 year old son is also enjoying the Beginner level. The levels seem appropriately difficult, when compared to how my children do on the Dance Dance Revolution game at the arcade. I'm a bit astonished that this game works as well as it does, for such a reasonable price. What a bargain!

What a blast! Lots of Christian songs with the words and five difficulty levels. It includes a game and an option for tracking calories or time for exercising. It can have multiple users who can each create their own favorites playlist.
I have found it easiest to hit the down arrow with a flat foot rather than just tapping it with my toes.

Not quite as much fun as I thought, but that could just be me. There were too many options and I just wanted to play and go. Would have been nice if the music could have just been played on its own instead of always having to have the game load. Be careful when you open the package as the chemicals used on the mat made my head spin. The smell was awful, I had to leave it outside for a couple of days for the smell to go, not sure how healthy that smell is but it gave me a very bad headache. Even now I have to shut the mat away in a cupboard as I can still smell the chemical faintly .... I think the company should look at that aspect of it especially if children are in the house.
Having said all that, the game is fun and worth getting. Maybe a second hand one where the smell has already gone!

I ordered Dance Praise because I was looking for variety in my exercise routine. I had seen DDR on TV, but isnce I don't own a game machine, I was limited in my choices.

I chose Dance Praise because I enjoy Christian music, and this game plugs into the USB port on my computer. I did have a compatability issue with Vista, but the problem was solved by downloading a patch. Company service responded to my e-mail promptly.

Being a middle-aged woman, I am probably not their target audience, but I am enjoying the game. It is a good value.

Of all the Frank Peretti books that I have read, this is my favorite. It's easy to read and follow and the story is scary and exciting. The mysteries and the plot twists make sure that you won't put it down until the very last page. The vivid descrpitons make you feel like you're really there! I can totally read this book over and over and over again, and you should read it too.

I'm a huge Cooper Kids fan. Anyone--young or old--who likes adventure, will love these books. They are innovative and contain incredible plots. In this particular one, a motherless archaeological family plunges into the jungles of Central America to unearth an ancient--and utterly evil--Mayan secret. Surrounded by faceless enemies, they battle the sinister forces of nature and of man's depraved heart. This is an excellent book, tied with THE TOMBS OF ANAK. READ IT! (And check out the other CooperKids books, too).

DR.Cooper and his 2 children are looking for an anchent kingdom they run into many problems along the way even close to death.Will theyre trust in god save them?Youll have to read it tofind out!

It's Frank Peretti's brilliant novel writing skills...condensed! It's a super-cool family of archeologists--minus a mother--who investigate phenomena in the spirit of Indiana Jones, only with a Christian perspective. A nice alternative to the gore and junk in the Indiana Jones movies.

This one will freak you out. A disease that makes anyone super-strong and loony as Michael Jackson (maybe even worse). This is one of the toughest battles the Coopers have had to fight before...can they survive The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey?

The book is cool, but loads of creepy stuff. There's a lot action too. Definitely lives up to the Cooper Kids genre that Peretti has going.

Parental Warning: Almost Indiana Jones stuff here. Skeletons are everywhere, deadly, raving diseased people, Hostile Natives (of COURSE they'd have hostile natives!) and nasty "carvies". Pretty intense, but pretty cool.

The author of this series is Frank Peretti. Of all the books that he has published, this is one of my favorites. This story is about three Christians named Dr. Cooper and his two kids, Jay and Lila. They go on an archeological dig in Central America in the tomb of an ancient warrior king with strange guards called Mucay-Tochetin, that wander around the land that surrounds the tomb. There are also flying slugs whose skin has slime on it that is as deadly as acid! Will they all fall under the curse, or will the caravies get them? Although this book has no illustrations, Frank may as well have done them himself with his awesome writing. The suspense will kill you as you turn the pages wondering if all of the Coopers will come out of each adventure alive! I liked this book as a Christian because Dr. Cooper shows strong faith in God. He turns to Him in his most weak moments and receives strength in one way or another. I strongly suggest reading this awesome book. It will make you perspirate with fear! I have read the book many times and this is worthy of a Newbery award. May the curse stay away from you!

Nick Cantrell is attractive guy with a good job that takes him all over America. Marcus Wallace is another attractive guy who also has a decent job that takes him all over America. Both men have killed, both men are loners, but only one is a cold-blooded and viscous murderer.

Nick Cantrell has a new hobby that he is passionate about... online dating. He seduces lonely woman online and then sets up an in-person meeting. These woman cannot believe their luck when they see Nick in person. An attractive, muscular man, with a charming personality - a man they could fall in love with. However, Nick has other plans - he hates these women and he wants to teach each one a harsh lesson that will cost them their lives.

Marcus Wallace is a special agent for the FBI and he has just been assigned a horrific multiple murder case. Mutilated women's bodies are turning up all over America. Marcus is searching for a serial killer that he must find before another lonely woman who thinks she's found the man of her dreams realizes that she's actually unearthed her worst nightmare.
The Death Net is a very good read that flows well and takes the reader on a nightmarish journey. You see the world through both sets of eyes, those of a killer and the view of the man who has sworn to catch him. Spinetinglers only has a few minor criticisms. To start, the motive of the killer is a little weak and secondly, it is a completely male dominated tale where the women are either victims or appendages.

The Death Net is packed with enough sex and violence to placate any insatiable appetite. If you like gritty realism and stories that don't leave anything to the imagination, Death Net is the book for you.

This is a great first book for Thomas Matthews. The attention he pays to detail is wonderful. I really felt like I knew the characters personally. I can't wait to see what happens to them in the next book.

Amazing first novel, the kind of book you just can't put down, I finished reading this book in a very short amount of time, Thomas is a very talented author, I can't wait till the next novel arrives. Great job again, and good luck in the future!

I am NOT a reader but after I got through the history of the characters, I couldn't put the book down. I'm looking forward to the "next" chaper (next book)
You'll find this reading hard to put down.

Im not a big fan of these types of books, murder mystery types, but I am ever soooo glad I purchased this one! I couldnt put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen next!!! It was very good! And worth every bit of your time! Cant wait for his next book to come out.....

No two ways about it--I just loved this book. Every story is a gem, but best of all was the last and longest tale, Sing Fat and the Imperial Duchess of Woo. While the previous several stories all enchanted me, Sing Fat was really a tour de force of writing, with exotic characters and language specific to a time period. The words are evocative of powerful emotions and the characters just come right off the page into your reading room.

Steinbeck has mastered the literary genre of the short story, just as have two of his contemporaries, Annie Proulx and Jhumpa Lahiri. With the right screenwriter, the story of Sing Fat could be as successful a movie as Brokeback Mountain, adapted from Proulx's short story, or The Namesake, the movie adapted from Lahiri's brief novel by the same name. It's remarkable how easy it is to visualize Steinbeck's characters as his words and writing are that good. For anyone who likes short stories, or for anyone else for that matter, this is a great selection.

Ballantine isn't a small publishing house, but few would have bothered with a book of short stories.

Down To A Soundless Sea by Thomas Steinbeck, son of the California literary legend, John. A collection of seven (which must be a magic number) short stories, all of which takes place in Big Sur. A limited geography with unlimited stories to tell. Steinbeck is every bit the writer that his father was, and it was better that the son waited until he was absolutely ready before he tossed his fate upon the fickle tastes of the reading public. This book is a gem and like all good things, was worth the wait.

Being a life-long John Steinbeck fan, I began reading this book with the clear objective of "being gracious" and trying not to expect too much, since it might fall short of his father's talents. I was so pleasantly proven wrong! Thomas Steinbeck has NOT had to fall back on his family name to be successful. His writing can stand alone on its own merit. I love this book, and while I have already recommended it to friends and associates, I will not be getting rid of it by passing it on, as I often do. It's a "keeper" and I will read it again. Thomas Steinbeck can clearly turn a phrase, and it appears that he can do so naturally. He clearly possesses acute observational skills, and knows human personalities. His characters are full of life and are fully three-dimensional. One does not walk away from this book wondering "Why was this guy or that girl in the plot?" They all hold intrinsic and valuable places in the whole. Not only are these stories interesting and often entertaining, they hold social redeeming values. Thomas Steinbeck, with one book, has shown serious readers that a new kid is on the block, and is a force to be reckoned with. This book is a must read.

Just finished Thomas Steinbeck's book and did enjoy it very much. The characters are odd and varied and all seem perfectly real....I expect most are based on real people. Most of these stories, for this is a collection of (not too) short stories, are stories that were repeated around the Steinbeck dinner table when Thomas's dad, John, was still alive.
The writing style of some of these stories is quite formal, stiff almost at times, and yet they still seem to work. Although the writing is formalized it does have a beauty to it often, a lyrical quality, great selection of words.
In many ways this writing of the son of Steinbeck does remind me of the writing of the father, and certainly that's a good thing. I live on the Central Coast of California where most of these stories take place, and the history in these episodes is right on the money.
If I had one complaint, it would be the same one I've always had for John Steinbeck's writing too: both authors are perhaps overly fond of the tragic ending...which I find odd. I myself am a writer (Birthday Boy, Happy Hour, Safe Sex in the Garden, Allergy-Free Gardening, etc.) and I don't prentend to been even in the same league as John Steinbeck, but still: Every writer I ever met was first of all, dying to get published; then they were dying to make some good sales, to get good reviews, to make some money, to savor some fame. Few writers quite pull this off, but John Steinbeck did so and then some. He was a smash success at an early age and sold books like mad for most of his adult life. I would think his view of the world would be strongly positive, but the opposite seems to be the case. The red pony dies, the huge pearl ruins everything, the big guy accidentally kills the girl, the funny guy trips on a board and breaks his neck. Thomas Steinbeck gets into this tragedy groove too, certainly in the last story in the book, which is the best one too, the strongest,,,,but not to give away the ending.
I think, bottom line is this: it is a really good book, very interesting and well worth reading. The son writes darn well. Must be in his blood.

I thoroughly enjoyed Thomas Steinbeck's storytelling. Vivid images, superb words, lots of nice surprises. I plan to read several of these stories to my 12 year old son -- who I know will also enjoy. Should be recommended high school reading.

Dr. Plaut's book is informative, easy to read, and helpful. His direct, no-nonsense approach to treating asthma is reassuring, particularly after being newly diagnosed with asthma. His book has enhanced our ability to communicate with our son's doctors about his symptoms, prescribed medications, and signs of improvement. We are grateful for this comprehensive resource.

This is a tremedous book for anyone that thinks they might have asthma or if they actually have been diagnosed with asthma. My 22 month old was recently diagnosed with asthma and even though I'm a college graduate I was having some trouble making sense of all the medications and reading the signs when he was having trouble since he's too young for a peak flow meter. This book covers it all in great deal and teaches you how to really manage your asthma whether you can use a peak flow meter or not. A wonderful book and worth far more than the list price. The author is actually an asthma specialist and indicated you can get the information in this book from your doctor, but it would take 10 hours. It would be difficult for you to remember and you would probably not want to pay for it! I think that is a good description of this book! It goes along exactly with what my doctor has been saying, only presents it in an organized manner along with some forms in the back to keep a daily diary and treatment plan. EXCELLENT!!!

I have found Dr. Tom Plaut's Asthma Guide for People of All Ages a crucial resource as we learn about our daughter's asthma. Dr. Plaut explains asthma physiology, medications, and devices very clearly. The tone is friendly and positive. The patient stories are like a support group, giving a window into other people's experiences. Some of the stories made me count my blessings! Others illuminated issues I hadn't really thought about, but that were in fact affecting my family.

These features alone would make the Asthma Guide for People of All Ages a good buy, but Dr. Plaut's book goes beyond physiology, treatments, and personal and family impact to address two important areas many people are likely to be struggling with, and which are valuable no matter what treatment you use. It explains how to understand and respond to your individual condition; and it encourages you to take an active role in your own care.

Some doctors take a one-size-fits-all stance--"this is how I like to treat asthma," in the words of one Procrustean family practitioner we consulted. In contrast, Dr. Plaut's approach provides information and reasoning to help you to understand your particular situation. It also teaches the skills you need to identify your own personal best state, to spot your own triggers and symptoms, and to know when you need to take action to prevent further trouble.

Again, too many physicians expect the patient to blindly do whatever the doctor says. This gets my goat. Dr. Plaut's book stresses the importance of working together with an experienced physician instead of just carrying out instructions. He shows how this enables the individual or family in the trenches to handle asthma care calmly and competently in a range of situations.

Family members are encouraged to work cooperatively instead of hierarchically with one another, as well as with their physician. Dr. Plaut recognizes the common pattern where, when a child has asthma, one parent takes on the job of being the asthma authority/caregiver, and he explains why this is not a sustainable long-term plan.

In harmony with the overall emphasis on shared knowledge and responsibility, there are also chapters on dealing with asthma at school or on family vacations--where the knowledge and responsibility of people outside the immediate family become important. The school chapter has very interesting and enlightening sections on applicable laws and common indoor air pollutants--as well as on how a typical teenager might behave during an asthma episode in school!

I recommend Dr. Tom Plaut's Asthma Guide for People of All Ages to anyone interested in learning how to be an active, empowered partner in their own asthma care or that of a family member.

My son's pediatrician recommended that I read this book. Having been recently diagnosed with asthma, we were exhausted from running from doctor to doctor (for 6 years) with no answers about his "cough". We were told to do everything from "ignore it", or just give "cough medicine" so we wouldn't have to listen to it anymore. Before I read this book, I felt very out of control with regard to my son's asthma. I cried after every doctor visit because I was so utterly overwhelmed by the technical lingo and all of the different medications and when/why I was giving them. Once I started reading this book, I cannot believe how much sense everything made. I knew what questions to ask, what terminology to use and more importantly, I felt in control. My son's pediatrician even commented to me how I was asking all the right questions, and how much of a difference he could see in me! I am not as stressed when my son was experiencing a "flare-up" and I even now understand WHY I am giving each medicine and what it does to help him.
I would HIGHLY recommend reading this book for anyone who wants to know more about asthma.

I have read a number of books and articles on asthma. This is by far the most comprehensive, up to date and it is easy to understand, too. I checked a copy from my library but it is so good that I am going to purchase it for my personal reference library as well as my child's school nurse. This book even has short section explaining cough-variant asthma, which is what both me and my son have...this is a little known type of asthma which in my case was mis-diagnosed for 35 years.

I wish I could give this book 10 stars. From the clever plotting to the interesting characters to the smooth writing style and the endearing quirks (like the funny character names), it was a joy from beginning to end. And it kept me guessing as to the murderer's identity. I'm sad to discover that the author has only one other book listed on Amazon. Mr. Beechey--please write another!

this is some of the best writing i've enjoyed since terry pratchett's earlier discworld novels. the plotting is superior to most serious mysteries, the thumbnail descriptions of minor characters are amazing (and the major characters are incredibly well drawn), and the humor is of the put the book down and laugh out loud for several minutes variety.

alan beechey has only one other book listed here on amazon, written in 1999. after that, nothing. why, oh why not??? two is not enough. perhaps he will emulate 'the cat who' author and resume, though i hope he won't take twenty years to do so.

maybe he went back to england. i think i'll check the brit amazon site....

this is some of the best writing i've enjoyed since terry pratchett's earlier discworld novels. the plotting is superior to most serious mysteries, the thumbnail descriptions of minor characters are amazing (and the major characters are incredibly well drawn), and the humor is of the put the book down and laugh out loud for several minutes variety.

alan beechey has only one other book listed here on amazon, written in 1999. after that, nothing. why, oh why not??? two is not enough. perhaps he will emulate 'the cat who' author and resume, though i hope he won't take twenty years to do so.

maybe he went back to england. i think i'll check the brit amazon site....

this is some of the best writing i've enjoyed since terry pratchett's earlier discworld novels. the plotting is superior to most serious mysteries, the thumbnail descriptions of minor characters are amazing (and the major characters are incredibly well drawn), and the humor is of the put the book down and laugh out loud for several minutes variety.

alan beechey has only one other book listed here on amazon, written in 1999. after that, nothing. why, oh why not??? two is not enough. perhaps he will emulate 'the cat who' author and resume, though i hope he won't take twenty years to do so.

maybe he went back to england. i think i'll check the brit amazon site....

After a night of snark-hunting, Sir Harry Random, a well-known children's author, turns up dead in a fountain in Trafalger Square. His body is found by his friend Oliver Swithin, a fellow snark-hunter and part-time children's author who has created one of the most malevolent characters in all of children's literature, the ferret Finsbury. Sir Harry is but the first in a series of corpses, all of whom seem to be the work of a zodiac serial killer. Oliver's uncle Mallard is a Detective Superintendent in the New Scotland Yard whose attractive young assistant Effie Strongitharm is a budding love interest of Oliver's. The story of their search for the murderer is a cleverly written and twisting tale, fast-paced and most of all, FUN!