Thomas Books

Make sure you get extra copies for to give away on birthdays and special occassions for all the young folks in your life. What a beautiful clean book!!! My 10 year old daughter absolutely loved this book. She had Chronicles of Narnia at the top of her list until she read Dashwood Avenue. I am sure she will be reading this book over and over and I won't mind it at all.

In a world deprived of suitable reading material for middle-aged kids, Dashwood Avenue provides its readers with classic, clean, mystery-solving fun. Although the book's specific target audience is the youth, it can provide the entire family with entertainment and makes a great book the family can read together.

When I first learned that my piano teacher had written this book, I went out and bought it. And I am sure glad that I did because I loved this book! It's a mystery novel about friendship, family, growing up, and more. Trust me, if you buy this book, you won't be sorry!

A coming of age story, with a strand of 'Nancy Drew' mixed in.

Rarely does there come a book in which anyone could read. Books, like most media, now have 'questionable content': not so in Dashwood Avenue. No child would be too young to read this.

Read this book if only to see all the unique names Rachael comes up with, her speciality. And I dare you to finish this book and not want to refer to everyone under the age of 12 as an ankle biter.

I really enjoyed this book! Kiralee and George's relationship was very fun to read. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of South Carolina. It gave a real small town feel. On the whole, the book was very good.

This book is truly a work of art! Beautifully illustrated with wonderful copies of actual documents such as the Declaration of Independence. It's a hands-on learning experience. Every school library and home should have a copy of this patriotic masterpiece. Highly recommended read!

Although this is not an exhaustive academic study of the Declaration, this is a very useful and informative book. There are many illustrations and other props included that add to the literary content. When I bought this book the intent was to use it as a coffee table book that folks could pick up when they come to visit. It serves that purpose well, but I believe that it could also be an interesting book for an adolescent who is very interested in American history.

Museum in a book indeed! And it's not just for the youth either. The fact is our history is lost to most Americans, especially when it comes to the Colonial/Revolutionary War era of our nation. This book - The Declaration of Independence: The Story Behind America's Founding Document and the Men Who Created It - can change that. In my opinion, it should be in every American school, in every American library, and in every American home. It should be required reading for every public school child and immigrant. Of course, that would never happen - the ACLU wouldn't allow such a dastardly thing - imagine forcing school children and American-wannabe's to learn about what made this country great - and it IS great. The greatest, in fact, even with its faults.
What our fore-fathers did was something that one would never see today - people willing to give one's life, to possibly suffer in a torcherous prison - by signing a document to ensure a free and independent country where one would not have to be controlled by a tyrant. Where a peanut farmer, an actor, or a backwoods lawyer could become the President. And this book gives not only wonderful written descriptions on how that all came about, but allows the reader to experience, through replicas of original documents that one can actually hold and read as if grasping the original (including a draft of the Declaration) writings that made the formation of our great United States.
By the way, there is no political correctness in this book - just pure factual American history - so if your are looking for the anti-European revisionist history books mandated by the liberal left, this one isn't for you.

This book I just purchased a week ago and it has served me well. I am a graduate of 8th grade and I know that this book would be useful in so many branches of school work such as oral presentations and visual aids. This book describes in a lot more detail than I could ever have emagined. I'd recommend this book to history teachers any time and for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders learning about this subject. GREAT BOOK!!!

Rod Gragg has done an excellent job of accurately portraying the events leading to the declaration of independence. Furthermore, he did an excellent job of remaining true to the actual historical events, rather than approaching the subject with a political agenda. I highly recommend this book to any person desiring a deeper understanding of America's founding fathers and the events that led to our independence. I can not wait to read more of Mr. Gragg's books.

This title was written by the founder of Model Mugging, one of the oldest and most well-known reality-based self-defense programs in the US. While the book doesn't cover the actual program curriculum it does provide the reader with a solid understanding of what to expect from taking the program under a certified instructor. The book does provide a solid overview of the difference between martial arts and self-defense as well what physical skills should be included in any good self-defense program.

Like other reviewers, I can't figure out why such a great title would go out of print. This is an excellent title by an innovator of reality-based self-defense.

Matt Thomas' book is without a doubt the BEST book for any woman who is seriously considering taking up self defense. Thomas, the founder of Model Mugging, is a pioneer in women's self defense. As a graduate of his class, I look upon this book as the foundation of my self defense library. The tactics are simple, yet VERY EFFECTIVE. Ladies, read this book BEFORE you start training. You'll be glad you did.

This book is excellent. Don't have years to spend learing martial arts? No problem - this book teaches more in 200 pages than most courses teach in a year.

Only reservation: as one of the other reviewers points out, the photos aren't great, and there are too few of them. If only there was a DVD of this guy's work!

It is shocking that this book is out of print - it's better than any other I've read in the field.

I've actually had the chance to train with Matt Thomas, and his work is amazing. The book could certainly use better photos, and the reviewer who suggested a DVD is right-on. Of course, even Matt will tell you, there's no replacement for hands-on training. Please seek it out for yourself and the women in your lives.

I am a black belt and self-defense instructor from Erie, PA. My brother-in-law bought this book for me to help further develop and enhance the self-defense courses I teach here in Erie. I found the writing exercises extremely helpful in getting in touch with reality and one's personal emotions. The lessons were very clear and to the point. I agree, in that the arts do not really teach easy to learn techniques that are practical for everyday use. Especially women who do not study the martial arts. My sister was raped a few years ago and I am impressed at how this book educates women on not just physical protection, but how to get inside the mind of a criminal. There is also extremely valuable information about weapons defenses and multiple attackers. I will implement some of these techniques into my existing self-defense program. I will recommend to all of my self-defense graduates!

Love the convenient size and the Max Lucado devotions. Wish the print was darker.

This is a bible that I have used along with a couple others. His notes are so comprehensible and he writes in a manner that is easily understandable. I highly recommend especially if you are new to the bible.

This bible is the best one I have read. It is easy to understand and Lucado relates the passages to every day life. My only complaint is that the pages are very thin and can be torn or bent easily.

This devotional bible is one that you wont be able to put down once you begin reading. It's so easy to read and understand. Its loaded with extras, he sets up for what each book is about, he breaks down chapter and verse, gives the situation, inspiration, application.... he makes you think on how this applies to us right here, right now. Best bible. Buy it, read it, and you will not want to read any other.

I have yet to be disappointed in any Max Lucado book, but I think this edition of the Devotional Bible may be the best yet. The size is perfect; it's convenient to put in your bag or keep at your desk or bedside.

I love the devotionals, essays, explanations, and examples that Lucado intersperses throughout the book. Each book begins with an introduction that shows you the "big picture" of that book, and the books are broken down into sections (sometimes a section is a chapter, sometimes more or less than a chapter), each with its own sidebar introduction, a brief related devotion/explanation, a "life application", and list of related passages. Throughout the book there are also full-page devotionals that relate to bigger themes like guilt, forgiveness, love, mercy, grace, and so on.

The devotionals pull from already-published devotions (many are from Lucado's books, but there are also many from other devotional writers such as Charles Stanley).

What I like best about this format is that it helps me see how the Bible--both as a whole and in its individual parts--really applies to my life. It brings some very important messages home in a personal, practical way. I especially like the "Application" section of the sidebars, because it helps me understand how to really apply biblical principles to my life.

To recover dignity, respect, in a relationship and for yourself with the guidance and security of the pefect love.

Before I read Dobson's book I was battling with varying emotions as I tried to figure out why my marriage had taken a turn for the worst.

This book was an excellent source of strength as I struggled to move forward. It felt as though I was the only person on Earth enduring these trials, but I quickly discovered that there were others like me. Dobson's Christian-based perspective and advice allowed me to see my situation in a new light. (I needed to stand my ground, at all times!!!)

After reading this, I wished that someone had given me this book prior to getting married. This book not only offers advice for struggling married couples, but for single individuals as well. (A sense of individuality is key, before entering a relationship.)

I strongly urge anyone with or without a love interest to read the guidelines provided in this valuable resource, in order to prepare for the day the "right" person enters your life.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from the pains of infidelity/divorce in their marriage. It was partciularly helpful to me as I was separated from my spouse and wanting to make reason out of "chaos". Dr. Dobson "calls it like it is". His "Love Must Be Tough" process is the best advice I received from anyone including professional marriage counselors. I found myself so entrenched with this book that I could not put it down. Dr. Dobson's advice is scripturally based yet relevant to today. His advice is "REAL"! I found that it "hurt to read this book", but the result of my experience was truly liberating! I want to personally commend Dr. Dobson for his fine work! PRAISE THE LORD!

This book was wonderful!! I can't explain what great advice Dr.Dobson gives in this book. Basically tough love for marriages. My husband left for 8 weeks and finally came back - one of the reasons is because of this book. You cannot go wrong if you buy this book. It is a little religious, which I wasn't for or against, but it's practical sound advice.

Another great book that has somewhat the same principals as "Love Must Be Tough" is "The Divorce Remedy: The Proven 7-Step Program for Saving Your Marriage". This book was great too and had good advice on how to act towards your mate during the turmoil.

I read many many books during our crisis and these two were the best advice I got. Tough Love. Be strong!

This book stopped me from ripping myself to shreds and replaying my marriage, day by day and hour by hour in my head as I tried to figure out what I could have done to keep my husband from being unfaithful. It described all the characteristics that were playing out in front of my eyes. It explained the human aspect of how I responded to him and why he responded to me in a completely different way. It forced me to recognize where my strength lies and it's in that recognition that I found comfort and peace. I am the biggest sceptic and I analyze everything to the nth degree; this book put me in my place.

At 23 years old, I ended up with my very first problem ever with my foreskin. It was damaged by unsafe levels of pool chemicals while I was a lifeguard. Needless to say, I encountered a LOT of bias from doctors going so far as to threaten me that if i "don't cut off what doesn't belong there" I'm going to die of penile cancer. This book reassured me of how lucky and truly special I am to have been spared the knife in modern-day America. My problem is clearing up, and I am SOO thankful to remain intact! This book is a must read for all expecting parents!

This book is easy to read and understand, especially for those who want the facts fast. It is a must read for new parents. Dr. Ritter's book should be available for pregnant moms to read in the waiting room. Unfortunately, it is not available in most bookstores and discount chains as all those mass-produced baby care books who give you only vague answers to circumcision questions. Most of these books have 1/2 page pro and con on circumcision and most of the pro arguments are distorted or old data. I owned several copies of this book because I would give them to expecting parents. I wanted them to make the right decision. This book has been updated from the original older version.

With books like this one, I learned there are no medical reasons to consent to circumcision when I gave birth. Why cut my babies? Previously, like most young parents, I had assumed that "Doctor Knows Best" so when I first read this book and discovered a controversy amongst doctors themselves about a taken-for-granted surgery, I deepened my life long investigation into the consequences of circumcision. I recommend this book for parents who place their trust in obstetricians and pediatricians, indeed for all people who care about the future -- it is an alarming wake up call to a culture asleep at the wheel of creation. What are we doing when we hurt baby boys for no good reason? In studying the warring cultures of the world, one thing we consistently have in common is the genital mutilation of our children (amongst other things). If we truly want to co-create a peaceful world, let's begin with our babies. Maybe after all, these good doctors, Thomas Ritter and George Denniston, do know what is best.

A must read for anybody considering circumcision. I was a parent believing that circumcision was the "RIGHT thing to do". I did not know that at the birth of my twin sons in 1997, that no medical orginzation in the world recommended circumcission. I was told that circumcision is your choice and was recommended by my doctors. Never did those doctors tell me what this book reveals. It is an easy to read source of information for any parent thinking of circumcising or to simply to educate yourself about the implications of circumcission. This book contains documented and well supported information about why you would not want to circumcise. I have not circumcisied my third son.

This book should be required reading for all expecting parents and their doctors. This book makes it clear that routine circumcision has NO medical benefit. Because it has no medical benefit, NO medical organization in the world recommends it. For example, circumcision does not prevent urinary track infection (urinary track infections are lower in Europe where circumcision is virtually unheard of) and many studies have shown circumcision to increase the rate of HIV infection and the rate of transmitting HIV/AIDS to the female partner (UNAIDS calls using circumcision to prevent AIDS playing Russian Roulette).

Circumcision was started as a "cure" for masturbation. Since then it has been a procedure in search of a disease. To little attention is paid to the life long harm done to the child. For example, circumcision is now believed to be a contributing factor in male sexual dysfunction since the procedure removes highly sensitive sexual tissue and the unprotected glans becomes desensitized through a hardening of the skin in a process called keritinization. Also, the foreskin protects the infant from infections since it keeps feces away from the urethra. In addition, the foreskin has major immunological functions including secreting a chemical called lysozyme (an ingredient in mother's milk) that has been show to kill HIV, the virus that causes aids. This fact alone may explain why the AIDS rate in the USA is three to twelve times higher than any western European country.

Routine infant circumcision not only is medically unnecessary, it is harmful. It is only a matter of time before the procedure will be outlawed. Until that happens this book will give parents the information they need to protect their sons from this destructive practice.

I have listened to Dr. Laura's radio show and read her books for several years, and this video is another winner! It uses cute puppet characters to present real world situations and examples of following (or breaking) the ten commandments; it is not too preachy, but presents it to kids in language they can understand. My kids love the songs, and I have to admit they are pretty catchy tunes. Parents can enjoyably watch this with their children, but children can also understand and enjoy it on their own. My kids are now 10 and 8, we've had this video a couple years, and they still watch it. Highly recommended!

As a divorced father with every-other-weekend custody, I was grateful to Dr. Laura for this DVD until my eldest said I only followed two of the commandments. Pointing out there was no commandment against selling kids into slavery shut her up pretty fast!

My 6 y.o. Eva loved it as did Tsion and Meklete. They ran around screaming GOD'S TOP 10! all day - but the DR Laura butterfly is kinda weird - but the puppets are funny.

These 11 songs (One for each commandment and a very fun theme song) are real eyes openers for children and thier parents. A great way to learn not only the 10 Commandments, but to internalize thier meanings. Lots of fun and a perfect companion to DVD. (Highly recommended if you can find it anywhere.) I look forward to seeing more of this kind of product soon.

These 11 songs (One for each commandment and a very fun theme song) are real eyes openers for children and thier parents. A great way to learn not only the 10 Commandments, but to internalize thier meanings. Lots of fun and a perfect companion to DVD. (Highly recommended if you can find it anywhere.) I look forward to seeing more of this kind of product soon.

I am the author's former boss. This guy is really talented...that is why I was glad that he worked in a different locatation than I did - so he could not constantly make me look like the idiot that I am.
I loved his book, E-Mail Letters From A WACKO! And the funniest thing is that I AM DEAD! That's right...I died a couple of years ago. God punished me for doing something really bad. And believe me, hell is no picnic! The only thing I get enjoyment from is reading this book. It keeps me spinning in my grave!

I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MANY COMPANIES WERE ACTUALLY STUPID ENOUGH TO RESPOND TO TOM SARC'S CRAZY EMAILS! WAIT A MINUTE...YES I CAN. MOST CORPORATIONS ARE MADE UP OF DIMWITS. KEEP GOING TOM...HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF RUNNING FOR OFFICE : )

I read every humor book out there but E-Mail Letters From A WACKO has got to be the funniest book I ever read. I must have read it at least ten times and still laughed so hard I almost threw up! Thomas Sarc IS a WACKO! And I hope he continues to be one!

I am a director where Mr. Sarc used to work. I knew he had creative talent and a sense of humor but I never imagined that a work of his could have me laughing so hard! It is a shame that I cannot bring this book to our board meetings - they would have me put in a straight jacket!!!!!!!!
I recently learned that Mr. Sarc was unjustly ousted from our company because of retaliation from his former boss. I hope he returns her "favor" and includes her in future writings.

Thank God you can't see my last name because I am embarassed to say that I laughed so much reading this book that I wet my pants! If you are thinking of buying this book, think no more. It is so funny I could not stop laughing. My husband thinks I should see a shrink because I laughed so much. Then he read it and laughed himself! Tom Sarc is a genius!

This book exudes what would be the common sense conclusions of many were the problems discussed not so emotionally charged. I strongly recommend that you read this book if you are interested in social justice.

Dr. Sowell earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago, a masters in Economics from Columbia University and a bachelors degree in Economics, magna cum laude from Harvard College.

Perhaps because the subject matter is so emotionally charged, Dr. Sowell has a footnote to references for almost every factual assertion.

His only conclusions with which I disagree are his views on overpopulation. He looks at overpopulation as a global issue that has economic solutions. I tend to look at overpopulation as a local issue whether it presents itself in a family with 12 children when the family could only support two or three or whether it presents itself in a country like Haiti which does not have the population density of many successful countries, but which none the less can't support its population. Dr. Sowell is probably correct that such countries could maintain their populations with sufficient human and economic capital. The problem is that they don't have what it takes to maintain existing populations and are not likely to get what it takes. Population self restraint is an unlikely but more direct solution.

Probably what frustrates those who oppose Dr. Sowell's views is that his facts are well researched and the logic usually irrefutable. Sometimes the truth hurts.

If there is any shortcoming in this book it is that he proposes few concrete solutions to the world problems other than suggesting that we look at what has worked for other oppressed people in the world who have succeeded. You cannot read this book without seeing dozens of solutions that are implied but not enunciated. Perhaps this was his intent.

I rate this book as one of the best books that I have ever read. I am currently reading a re-release of his book "A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles" which also exhibits a profound insight on human nature.

Read this book. You may disagree with many of Dr. Sowell's views, but you will be hard pressed to find good reasons to support your disagreement. If you then want to know why you disagree, read his book A Conflict of Visions.

Jim Fuqua

This book is probably the fullest expression of Professor Sowell's economic philosophy of how race impacts American culture at both ends of the class spectrum, and across both sides of the racial divide. One does not have to agree with him to acknowledge that most of what he says carries weight, and although not entirely unencumbered by ideological concerns, his views are always transparent so that a reader is free to examine them and then accept or reject them as he sees fit.

What is most refreshing about them is that Sowell does not try to rationalize or excuse white racism, or even blacks dependence and other self-destructive behaviors. His argument basically is that a free-market economy and a free-enterprise culture will take care of these excesses on either side of the racial divide if allowed to operate in a normal and unfettered way. Given the sorry state of black cultural orthodoxy in which dependence on pseudo-religion, government programs and personal shortsightedness and irresponsibility are as responsible for the inner city social meltdown as is a culture of white racism, it is little wonder that Sowell does not have a strong following among those of his own race.

Despite this, his work (even when it is not entirely right) is farsighted, relatively academic oriented, and sound economically. Also, it does not hurt that Sowell's work relies on the materialistic and secular rather than the religious and spiritual, which arguably has been overly relied upon and stressed in the black American sub-culture.

Key among his assumptions in this book is the idea that racial progress is not a "given," and is not inevitable. It is a thought so simple as to startle one upon first realizing how much truth there is to it. Given the intangible benefits that accrue to whites as a result of racist practices, the idea that they may willingly "give them up" or that the practice may wither away soon is as much "pie-in-the-sky" fantasy as taking a chariot home to heaven is.

Sowell declares that history gives little support to the thesis that time alone will make relationships between the races automatically better. His view is that the process that will eventually cause racism to disappear is that it is economically foolish and counterproductive.

And in this argument, it is not disrespectful to point out that his reliance on economic theory as the "last resort solution" to problems of race, suffers the same inherent defects as that of the Marxist theorists who also think that inevitably economic imperatives alone will cause white and black working classes to unite against the oligarchs that control the means of production into a final conflagration called the "proletarian revolution." Both theories make sense only "out there" in some "economist's idealized parallel universe." It seems clear even to me (a non-economist) that both theorists are patently aware that American racism can be explained very well in economic terms as "intangible side payments" that more than offset even the most serious of economic arguments.

That aside however, the main thrust of Sowell arguments here (which are repeated in most of his other books) is in the main true: Racism in general is an "economic drag" difficult to account for in purely, and in any objective economic terms. As he notes, slavery and racism eventually ruined the South, even before the Civil War did so.

But Sowell's most telling points are reserved for blacks and their attitudes towards their own survival in a racist society. While admitting that slavery permanently crippled the black race, Sowell does not believe that that is the whole story. Compared to other more successful non-whites who have also had to endure slavery, to him American blacks generally have the rules of survival in a racist culture "bass ackward," or turned upside down: It is not "dependence" but more "independence" coupled with "foresightedness towards the future," that is the "telling" difference between those who succeed under the rigors of racism and those who fail.

Whatever else may be said about Mr. Sowell, it cannot be said that he is not "level-headed."

Five stars

The message of Thomas Sowell's "The Economics and Politics of Race" is simple and easy to understand: human cultures are not equal and some of them are better than others, their patterns of values having a more decisive role in the social perfomance of their respective members than any alleged, or even real and appaling, discrimination.

Sowell demonstrates that ethnic groups perform differently, even when they are subjected to a similar hostile social condition, like the chinese, the jews or the blacks in the USA, in the beginning of the 20th century.

The reason? A strong commitment, or not, to such values as hardworking, stable family ties and a firm will of improving their own social fate rather than blaming third ones by that same fate.

Similarly, when the pretense source of damage disappears - for example, in societies where certain ethnic groups are largely the majority and "bias" against them is inexistent -, not only their poor social behavior does not vanish, but, contrarily, worsens in a terrible way...

Concluding, culture really matters!

Thomas Sowell has written both about race and economics in other books so it was inteersting to see Sowell combine these tow areas like this. He looks at historical reaosn to look at why certain areas of the world wer bale to acquire wealth while others did not. He looks at how different group's migrations to different parts of the world were similar, similar to the race trilogy. He also looks at the first world and the third world now looking to explain their differences and histories

A wonderfully written comparision of the successes and failures of various races and cultures. Sowell has no problem pointing out how some races have more "human capital" than others and therefore are historically more successful.

This is the most insighful book I have ever read about the playing and teaching of the clarinet. The information on embouchre mechanics alone is worth the price of the book.

Mr. Ridenour has reduced the myriad complex elements of playing and teaching the clarinet to simple, comprehensive concepts and techniques. The Educators Guide to the Clarinet is a great resource for any serious clarinet teacher or performing professional. I highly recommend it!

I have a well-established teaching studio in Orlando, and most of what I have learned, I learned from Tom Ridenour when he used to live here. Not everyone can have Tom in their own home town, but you CAN have his book, and it's almost the same thing. My students are very successful because I use the principals that Tom has laid down in this book. There is no detail too small or unimportant for Tom to talk about, and his insight on the mechanics of clarinet playing is incredible. I wish I had had this book when I was starting out. Thanks, Tom!

I have had the privilege to know and work with Tom Ridenour. For those less fortunate, his Educator's guide to the Clarinet is a wonderful insight into Tom's enormous experience of every aspect of clarinet playing.

This book covers each aspect of playing and forms them into a structured approach which makes so much sense, that I am amazed that it has not been so clearly defined before!

Whether you are an established teacher or a keen amateur player, you will be surprised at the enormous depth of information, which is both easy to understand and a pleasure to read.

The book is divided into two main areas, playing (pedagogy) and a comprehensive section covering the equipment.This includes some of the most useful information ever presented on mouthpieces, reeds and even maintenance of the clarinet.

If you have never bought a book on clarinet-playing before, or have every other book on the subject, this should be at the top of your list!

I can think of no person more qualified to write a guide on clarinet performance than Tom Ridenour, for I can think of no one who understands the instrument better. He is a wonderful musician, with expertise both as a performer and teacher. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the mechanics of tone production, having spent a lifetime working with reeds and mouthpieces. Tom designed a line of clarinets that are being used by such world-class artists as Larry Combs and Eddie Daniels. And Tom has a passion for his work, a passion that he loves to share.

Tom writes that this book is "meant for anyone and everyone who is faced with the task of teaching and learning the clarinet, whether in the studio or the class room, whether in public schools or universities." This is a fairly broad constituency, but it succeeds admirably - whether you are a teacher (at any level) or student (again at any level), or simply someone who wants to understand the clarinet better, the Educator's Guide is a wealth of information.

The Educator's Guide is divided into two parts: Clarinet Pedagogy and Clarinet Equipment. The pedagogical section includes chapters on tonal concept; air; voicing; articulation; and finger technique. The section on equipment covers testing and selecting an instrument; mouthpieces; reed adjustment; repair and maintenance; and accessories. Each chapter begins with "In this chapter you will learn..." and then outlines what is to be covered (e.g."What students need to help them develop a concept of clarinet tone"). Tom then goes on to very clearly, very succinctly, cover exactly what he says he will cover. His writing style is accessible to those that are new to these concepts, but also useful to more experienced clarinetists. Much of what he says I have used in my teaching (intermediate students through graduate students), and in my own performance. In fact, if I have any criticism of this book, it is that the title "The Educator's Guide to the Clarinet" seems a bit narrow. I consider it an essential guide for anyone - teacher, student, professional or amateur - who wants to gain greater knowledge of the clarinet. This joins Tom's previous publication, Clarinet Fingerings: A Comprehensive Guide for the Performer and Educator as a must-have for every clarinetist's library.