Walsh Books

The Broadway hit A Chorus Line is returning to Times Square in a major revival this fall - and ON THE LINE: THE CREATION OF 'A CHORUS LINE' provides an oral history from the nineteen original cast members who recall how they become involved with the project, how it evolved from workshops, and how it made many of them lasting successes in their fields. Robert Viagas collaborated with original cast members Baayork Lee and Thommie Walsh to provide this memoir, which is a 'must' for any prior or present fans of the Broadway musical production. Many insider's views here can't be found elsewhere.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Broadway is always exciting. It's constantly in a state of change with dozens of new shows every year. But it's only once in a while that a supershow comes about, and 'A Chorus Line' was one of those. It was the 'Phantom of the Opera,' the 'Rent,' the 'Wicked' of its day. And it's back. Go see it, but you go to the show, read this book.

This book, originally published in 1990 is about the creation of the show, the actors, the people who put it on, and a bit about why the show was such a tremendous success. The book was expanded and updated for publication in 2006 to reflect what has happened to the people and the show since.

The theme of the show is on a bare stage where casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. The field's been narrowed down to just 17 dancers. For these men and women, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for -- with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed of. Not to be the star, but to get the job ... to have the chance to dance and come through.

The show illustrates getting onto Broadway in a better way than I can say. This is how it is, except the book is better, as one of the actors says, he looked around the theater and finally realized that he had accomplished what he had worked for so many years to accomplish.

This book captures the show perfectly from people who were there: The Original Cast. This book never ceases to amaze, and move.

The biggest Broadway hit is coming back this Fall, and the book that tells the story of how it was created back in the mid 70s has come back for a revival as well.

The bulk of the book has stayed the same including the black and white photos. It is a collective oral history of the nineteen original cast members of how they got involved with the project, how they labored through the months of workshops that shaped it, and what its success has meant for their lives and careers. The new edition includes an update on the cast and what they have been doing for the past 16 years.

This is a must have for any fan of A Chorus Line.

Viagas, Lee and Walsh, together with the rest of the original cast have made an insightful book which documents the life of this great musical. Filled with remembrances by the cast and with a good collection of photographs by several photographers their book is a treasure chest of facts and memories of Broadway's "Singular Sensation". It is nice to know that author Baayork Lee continues her association with the show after twenty five years, still directing companies of the show and now opening up a website dedicated to the show... I only hope that some day they will provide an updated version concluding with the gala final performance.

Going through having a loved one with Alzheimer's is enough, but that's not all that happens to most of us during that time; there are many other family concerns, and so many stories to tell. Mary Walsh tells them all in this wonderful book that will make you laugh at times and cry at others. Mary's husband's grandmother and her Alzheimer's is the focus of this book, and it is around this that most of both the funny and tearful stories revolve. Mary and her family cared for "Gram" during the years I was with my mother as her caregiver. "Gram" died in a nursing home in May 1996, in the month following my mother's death, and there are many similarities. Unlike me, however, but probably like many of you, Mary had the concerns of four generations of family members who were surrounding here. If you are a caregiver or former caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's, I'm sure that you, too, will find much in common with this family's story. Mary presents it delightfully, in a very readable manner which includes conversation, journal entries, and her poems. Through all the tears and the laughter, the family's strong faith shines through, and if you are a caregiver, you will be encouraged through reading this book, and you will know that you, too, can make it.

As I started this book, I did not expect to be so drawn into it. It is a quick read-mostly because you are so drawn into the life of this family that you won't want to put it down. It not only deals with a family member with Alzheimer's, it deals with every member of the family, and into Mrs. Walsh's extended family as well. As I finished this book, I felt I knew the Walsh family personally! As a person in the medical field, I encouarge EVERY healthcare provider to read it to get a firsthand look a what the family and patient go through...then let it guide you be a more compassionate person. As a child of aging parents, it is a must! It gives such insight and respect into an older person's world. As a spouse it gives such encouragement that if the Walsh's marriage could withstand years of testing, there is hope that marriages can survive trials and tribulations in every day life. As a child of God it gives such a reaffirmation of God's abundent love and grace to those that will trust in Him. Bravo, Mrs. Walsh, I look forward to your next novel!

On first opening this book I intended only to glance at the contents page and last chapter (my usual procedure). An hour and a half later, I had to feed my family but came right back. Around 1 am I nodded off -- near the end -- and finished it the next evening.

Mary Walsh a gifted story teller. This isn't an action adventure but she kept me turning pages. Dealing with Grandma's Alzheimer's dominated all the events of her family's life for six years. The Walshes are devout Christians and the importance of their faith during this journey is evident.

This book is written in a simple, warm and engaging style and I highly recommend it. If you've lived with a loved one's Alzheimer's, you'll smile often in recognition. If you know little about dementia, you'll wonder if their situation was typical. It was. If you're dealing with Alzheimer's now, you'll find here an encouraging friend.

The beautiful cover and overall book design emits warmth and calls you to the story inside. By contrast the title is, well, boring -- almost guttural to say. A bit of errata slipped through here and there in this first edition -- some page numbering and the like. But you won't notice for the tears in your eyes -- now from laughter -- now from cries.

Family -- Journey -- Alzheimer's -- These words, when together, often mean a family journey alone. Some of you know what I mean...

Here is the author's ONE LINE DESCRIPTION that got the publisher's eye.

"One Family's Journey through Alzheimer's" is the story of a young families well intentioned promise to care for their aging relatives that quickly shifts to an all consuming Alzheimer's caregiving journey and finally. Through an onslaught of unexpected events and volatile, very public, social issues become a fight for their very survival as a family."

What could this be all about? -- from chapter 26 entitled....

- I Wish You Hadn't Asked That

"The following Monday morning I was attempting to get things in perspective. Ed had gone to work. I was standing at the sink doing dishes, thinking about all that had happened. I noticed two well-dressed men walking toward the door. I was not in the mood to be proselytized."

Then in the author's smiling humor adds, as if to say, "I was relieved,"

"It was just the FBI." (Pg. 160)

This is a delightful, brightening book and a very, very true story. Highly recommended.

Oh, and Amazon. You can keep the $50 gift certificate -- I already have the greatest gift God can give a man in this oft-times sad, "vale of tears." You see, a long time ago I had the good sense to marry the author. :-) One of the few really good decisions of my life. (Proverbs 19:14)

Ed Walsh (husband of Mary)

Now for those who really, really want just a bit more now...

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

My original intent was to share the experience, the struggles, heartache a family goes through while caring for a loved one stricken with Alzheimer's. The plan was to write it honestly, candidly, in hopes that others going through this very stressful experience would benefit, seeing how we survived. But there was a greater story in the works than I was unaware of which unfolded within those seven years.

My purpose now is to share this incredible family story, which demonstrates the fact that we are not exempt as Christians from the effects of sin around us, the pull of the world on our children, and the frailty of the flesh when pushed beyond measure. The Lord allows many "unplanned" situations into our best-laid plans, and proves Himself faithful to the end."

"For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14)

From the INTRODUCTION...

"This book began as a personal journal, which I have kept since early in my marriage twenty-seven years ago. As the years moved on this story unfolded -- so different a story than we had planned or hoped for. Writing became a very necessary outlet for the struggles I faced on every hand. I enjoyed it! Yet, the more I wrote, the clearer it became that my story is only one of the thousands that could be shared. Families all over the world are in similar, equally difficult caregiving situations -- wishing others could understand. They may never have the opportunity to write about it -- so my story is also their story."

Crawling into bed at midnight, I thought to at least begin the first chapter of this book. After several hours of crying and laughing, while trying not to wake my husband, I finally turned out the light at 3 in the morning.

Who would have thought a book about Alzheimer's would be so fascinating? That's because it's more than what it seems. A poignant story of not just the subject, Gramma, but also what takes place all around her as a family seeks to honor a promise, care for an ailing, confused loved one all the while raising a family and dealing with their fair share of life's trials. Told with depth, emotion and much humor! A good book for anyone who needs to know that God is in control no matter what! I highly recommend this book!

Thank you, Mary Walsh, for your willingness to let us into your life....I look forward to your next book!

Shugo Chara took me by surprise. I went into it thinking I would be putting it down very quickly, but before I knew it I'd read everything available, and I'm craving more.

Don't let the pink fool you, this is an excellent view of a child's life as they begin to come into their potential. The idea of a tiny person rooting just for you, even if no one else is, makes life very nice.

Any Shojo lover should read this

I absolutley love this manga series!!!!!! This is the first manga series I ever bought and I'm glad I did!!!! Although, the first volume was a little boring(definetley something I couldn't read again and again) but the fourth volume is the best I've read so far! I'm really looking forward to the last volume (the fifth one) and you should really get this series!!!!

When I first hear heard of shugo chara it was through an add in the back of one of my other manga books. I started watching the anime version and fell in luv with it. The story line is great, and the charas are adorable! Just add in Amu's relationship with Tardase and Ikuto and you've got yourself a great manga! (I like ikuto and amu better :))
SO GO BUY IT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book is great I have read it 5 times!! I love it!!! Also I think it good age for 10 up. I love the part where those three eggs hatched for her! Read this book it is a great book to read!!!!

shugo chara is a great manga, and it's also the longest one I've read so far (besides Peach-Pit's Rozen Maiden).

the plot is really easy to follow and although I found the artwork a bit confusing, it turned out great!
I think it should be rated 12 and under!

anyways, if you are looking for a manga with an easy plot, comedy and great characters, this is the manga for you!

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/06)

Every now and then one discovers a guidebook that is not just useful and comprehensive, but also beautifully written and truly insightful. Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls have written such a guidebook to Spain, a wonderful country wonderfully introduced and presented to a reader who would like to discover more than just the couple of most well known sights and places to visit.

Offering practical advice on all the "when - how - where - how much - why" questions, with over 1200 suggestions for places to stay, over 1100 suggestions for places to eat and drink, 59 maps, fantastic color photographs and great suggestions on what to see and do, this truly informative book offers so much more. The short section in the "Introduction" gives you a glimpse into what to expect: "Keep your eyes open. Spain is a subtler country than many people think, and reveals itself in surprising ways. You may catch it in the moon reflected in the pool of the Alhambra, in the face of the Velázquez infanta, in a fond medieval jest such as the cats and the rats chiseled into the cloister in Tarragona, or in a lone eagle coasting over a fortified castle in Extremadura. Travel on a train through a sparse Andalucían district in the spring, and all at once your glance may take in more colour than you've ever seen: pink and almond blossoms, oranges on the trees, red poppies and yellow daffodils along the track bed. In a second it will be gone, but you will have seen Spain." If you follow the advice of the authors, I am certain that you will truly see Spain.

It does not matter which part of Spain you intend to visit, but in any case make sure to read the first six sections in the book - the "Introduction, History, Art and Architecture, Sketches of Spain, Food and Drink, Travel and Practical A - Z." Each of them offer invaluable information and tips to make your stay easier, more pleasant and richer. The "Sketches of Spain" deals with such diverse topics as the bullfights, churros, Templars, flamenco, the Inquisition and more. Reading those pages will make Spain much easier to understand. The Food and Drink sections explains how Spaniards eat, how to order and what to order. It also includes a very useful "menu decoder," which will make it much easier to order duck and get duck and not a turkey (pato - duck, pavo - turkey).

We used this guidebook during our brief visit to Barcelona and found it accurate, well organized and informative. The provided maps were extremely helpful and the numerous tips on different subjects even more so. We wanted to use the public transportation and thanks to this guidebook we found out that the ten single rides pass can be shared between several people, which saved us enough money to have some excellent coffee and cookies for the difference in price that we would have paid using single tickets.

I would highly recommend "Spain" to anybody who is willing to keep his or her eyes open, as the authors suggested in the introductory section. A book this well written will delight anybody who loves to travel, wishes to travel or is just dreaming of traveling.

All of the major tour companies serving Europe are British owned (Trafalgar, Insight, Globus, etc). The Brits know international travel, and when they do, they use Cadogan. This recently updated edition is a must have if you are going to Spain. Cadogan also publishes regional guides if you want even more detailed information. It is filled with more cultural and historical discussion than you will find in the "mass market" type guides like Fodors or Frommers. Clearly, the intelligent traveller's choice. The site, hotel, and restaurant recommendations are spot on, heed them. Five stars with no reservations whatsoever.

I started looking at this guide because the Blue Guide, bastion of all things cultural it is, was sold out. However, Cadogan Guides proved that not only can it match Blue Guides step for cultured step, but does it with a wry humor and wit that is lacking from that venerable series. The format is plain but navigable, and the maps sufficient. But the strength of this guide does not lie in those areas.

Cadogan's writers are extremely knowledgable about Spain, and it shows on every page. If you don't want a guide book geared exclusively towards Ibiza-bound high schoolers, this guide will be much more in line with what you are looking for. That's not to say it's classist or for the rich! The deals and tips in here will appease the budget-minded traveler as well as expand the mind.

A person reading this book will not only understand the history and tradition behind what he or she is visiting, but will digest it in a manner that won't put them to sleep. Elegantly written, it shows that a person can be highbrow and have a sense of humor as well. Whether touring a museum or trying to find some great paella, Cadogan will help you appreciate and understand another part of our world. And I think, at one point, that used to be one of the reasons why people toured Europe.

I believed the only other reviewer, bought the 6th edition, and am glad I did. My wife and I recently spent 3 weeks in the Northern half of Spain, much of it in regions that aren't covered in the standard guides. This book provided accurate, practical information and much more. With a lovely British sense of humor, it gave an insightful history and background to Spain that added a lot to our enjoyment of the sights we were seeing. I will take it with me the next time I go to Spain.

These two are the world's finest writers when it comes to travel guides. This book is not your average "Visit this site when you are in this city" kind of travel guide. Rather it is a guide filled with history and an understanding of each of Spain's regions that you would never expect to find in a travel guide. I read it before I visited Spain and have read it over and over since I returned.

Flip this book open to any page and you find beautiful prose which reveals spiritual truths, taken from A Course in Miracles. Want to know what ACIM has to say about a specific topic (like ego) just flip to that section for a substantial snippet which captures the message.

I like to keep this on on my desk and just pick it up a few times of day to real a little. Like those who get a caffeine pick-me-up every couple of hours, I get a spiritual wisdom pick-me up.

It's a nice feature that the book contains an extensive reference list, so that ACIM readers can find the quotes later and read them in full-context.

This book is a compilation of quotes from A COURSE IN MIRACLES. The "Course" is a three volume set of books that comprise a curriculum of self-study psychotherapy.

Interspersed with the beautiful quotes from the Course are equally beautiful black-and-white photographs of inspiring nature scenes. This book also includes a forward by Marianne Williamson, author of A RETURN TO LOVE.

The reason I give this book only four stars is because I have a personal "qualm" about taking quotes from the Course out of context. My opinion is that the Course is a completely integrated thought system, and it is a thought system that often says things that we do not want to hear (for example, the teaching that God did not make the world, but that the world was made by the ego "as an attack on God" [Workbook, p. 403]). What often results from taking passages from the Course out of context is that the true meaning is lost and the Course can be turned into a "dual" thought system, whereas it is truly a non-dual thought system.

Almost fifteen years ago I read and reread this book several times. When a particular line jumped off the page at me, I put a little check by that thought. Later I listed these extra special thoughts on paper and memorized them. I repeat them out loud every day, sometimes more than once. I learned that these particular truths enter my mind when life-events occur, and my decisions are based on the new ideas rather than the ego-centered old stuff that confused me for so many years. Yes indeed, this book can change the life of any willing, persistent person who genuinely wants to change.

Better watch out right here. I have read a whole bunch of books in my life, and this one can Change Your Life! Read it, mark the particular lines that speak to you, type those out and MEMORIZE them. Then repeat your list aloud every day until they become part of who you are. Then, my friend, you will be well on the way to becoming who your were designed to be. Overstated? Exaggerated? You just try it and see...

I have taken a "Scavi" (excavation) tour of the necropolis under Saint Peter's basilica. Relatively few tourists are afforded this pleasure, some might say "grace," but it is one of the most staggering experiences of my life, and was over much too quickly. To tread the very soil that was Vatican Hill 2000 years ago was a privilege and awe-inspiring.

But once the tour is over, the begin to arise. Just what did I se? How do we know that this is Saint Peter's very tomb? Walsh's book answers many of these questions, and more. Through the book, you will learn the history of the internment of Saint Peter, or at least what can be gleaned from the evidence. From a poorly-marked 1st-century criminal's grave to a 2nd-century "trophy" or victory marker, to a more ornate altar structure once Christianity was legalized, the location of Saint Peter's purported Have been tracked with some care since his martyr's death circa 64 AD. The first basilica, raised in the 4th century over the site, filled in the Roman necropolis where he lay, sealing off the site for centuries. By the time this crumbling structure was razed and the current St. Peter's was built in the 16th century, the existence of St. Peter's tomb seemed little more than a legend. Walsh details the refinding of the necropolis in the late 1930s, and the digging that eventually uncovered the tomb and St. Peter's remains. Walsh is at his most fascinating when describing the attempts of Professor Margherita Guarducci to decipher the graffiti scratched into a wall near the tomb. By carefully noting how certain letters ere written, written over, and connected with lines, she could unravel the accumulated messages left by pilgrims of the first centuries of the Christian Church. She identified several occurrences of graffiti in which the letter P was drawn with an E emerging from its upright -- representing both the first letters of Peter (Latin, "Petrus") and also resembling the key to the kingdom entrusted to him by the Lord.

A fascinating and informative look at a little known, very important and under-appreciated historical and religious site.

This is a fascinating and well written account of one of the best known, yet little understood, archaeological mysteries of the century. The discovery of the first-century grave under the present basilica of St Peter's is a detective story which is usually given a confessional treatment, if it is noted at all. Walsh does a brilliant job of untangling the threads of the excavation, without making assumptions about the religious aspects of the find. He leaves the reader in little doubt that what was discovered was what Christinas from the second century on certainly believed to be the grave of the apostle Peter. As for the bones, he makes a reasonable case for those being revered in the time of Constantine, without claiming that they are, or are not, those of the Prince of the Apostles. Whatever one's faith, this is a book to be read in one sitting. Anyone going to Rome should definitely read this before visiting the site.

This is a very readable, exciting book. Previously, I had only heard bits and pieces of the story of St. Peter's bone, but never really was able to place the pieces into a coherent whole. I read this book before going on the Scavi tour - the tour into the tombs below St. Peter's Basilica in Rome - it made it all the more powerful. It was beautiful to not only spiritually stand next to Peter, but also to physically to stand next to Peter. Thank you for such a great book.

I read this book years ago at the public library and was fascinated by it. I have been trying (unsuccessfully, I might add!) to find my very own copy ever since. It is truly wonderful reading and I recommend it highly.

Great chronicle of the 49ers' dynasty of the 80s. I have an original hard copy available. E-mail me if you want to bid on it.

This is a great book by Bill Walsh on how he sculpted the 49ers in the 80's and why ultimately since then,he's so emulated today by other coaches. There really wasn't a so called "west coast offense"...it was simply the Bill Walsh offense plain and simple.
Apparently,no one wanted to call it that but we all know where that offense was derived from. This book shows you how inteligent and articulate the man was and why he's recognized as one of the best ever. Here's some handy advice in regards to this book,if you don't understand football that well,there's no point in reading this because you probably won't know what he's talking about.

Coach Walsh walks you through year-by-year his perspective on the 49ers magnificent decade. He also discusses his experiences with the Bengals and Chargers as an assistant as well as Stanford's leader. There is an appendix with some famous plays.

Being a fan of American pro football in general and the Niners in particular, I decided to give Bill Walsh's 'Building a Champion' a read. With the help of bay area sports scribe Glenn D!ckey, Walsh's famous calm and analytical style is faithfully translated to the written page. Throughout the course of this paperback, Walsh discusses his career of coaching in the NFL, from his initial assisting gig with the Raiders to his developing what would become known as the West Coast Offense as the QBs coach of the Bengals and Chargers in the 70s.

Then there's his biggest challenge and achievement- the turnaround of the San Francisco 49ers from league doormats to the team to beat in the 80s. From season to season, Walsh discusses the many highs and lows of coaching the Niners. He also goes into his philosophy and methods that helped keep the team successful over the years he coached them, and helped to maintain their success for several years following his departure. Sadly, many of his thoughts on how to improve and maintain a championship-form team would likely be considered outdated today, what with the added difficulties of less restricted free agency and the
salary cap, which he covers this in his follow-up, 'Finding The Winning Edge'.

Walsh also goes over the many trials and tribulations that he endured, such as learning the effects of drug abuse on players (lowlighted by a disastrous tryout by the infamous 'Hollywood' Henderson), and his coming close to quitting following the team's horrific showing in the strike-shortened 1982 season. I found his memories of dealing with the media somewhat absorbing, the high point- or low point, rather- being a confrontation with legendary Monday Night Football commentator Howard Cosell. Then there's the aspect of coaching that no sideline leader enjoys: the cutting of a beloved past-his-prime veteran. Walsh admits that this, out of all his duties, is the one he dreaded the most when he was running the show.

The last few pages are a small index of some of the most famous plays in 49er lore. Included is 'Brown Left Slot- Sprint Right Option' (Dwight Clark's Catch against Dallas), 'Red Right Tight- F Left- 20 HB Curl- X Up' (Montana's TD pass to Taylor to win Super Bowl XXIII), and a few other notable offensive formations.

Whether you're a Niner fan or a football follower in general, this is definitely one for your must-read list!

'Late

I am the author of "Damage Them All You Can." Would you please run the subtitle of my book on your web page?
The subtitle is: Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
By running it you will provide the potential buyer with instant information as to what the book is about.
Thank you.

"Damage Them All You Can:" Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia written by George Walsh is quite frankly one of the best accounts of The Army of Northern Virginia that I've ever read. General Robert E. Lee assembled the best army to ever, to this point in time, fight on American soil. In fact, The Army of Northern Virginia man for man, out Generaled, out fought all that the North could throw against it.

Walsh's book is a true delight to read, the principles in the book seem to come alive as you read on in the book. The prose is written with vivid descriptions and the author gives the reader insights albeit shrewd of how the battles were fought.

I got the inpression that I was there with the incisive insights the author gives the reader, from the Generals, to the commanders, right down to the trenches, told with deeply moving detail. I encourage anyone interested in reading about the Civil War or the "Yankee War of Aggression" to read this book.

I've read Foote, McPherson, and Catton's writings about this time in American History, but Walsh's account here is the best and most personal one that I've ever read, with a probing into the character and the battles that made them feel like they were fought right before your eyes.

This book is, by all accounts, for a single volume the best book written about one of the best fighting armies the Confederacy ever had... the Army of Northern Virginia. This book is worthy of a place in your library on American History.

Strolling through the Mall I decided to stop in for a brief visit to the mass market oriented bookstore. Thumbing through the Civil War offerings I picked up this outstanding book. I did not recognize the name of George Walsh. He is a Yankee writing on the army whose story has been so well told from Southern superstars such as Douglass Southall Freeman, Clfford
Dowdey and Shelby Foote. Why plunk down a Visa card to purchase it?
Curiosity satisfied is the answer! Walsh writes in a personal style introducing the men and the units making up Lee's fabled Army of Northern Virgnia. Even an old Civil War buff such as I learned new things about the Victorian warriors of Dixieland who lend the forces of Lee against the enemy.
This book is an excellent survey of the war in the Eastern theatre. It is a valuable additon to my Civil War library. I highly recommend Walsh's book to anyone even casually interested in learning more about the American Illiad that is our Civil War!

George Walsh hit a grand slam with DAMAGE THEM ALL YOU CAN: ROBERT E. LEE'S ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. Told almost exclusively from the point of view of the Confederate side this book does a wonderful job of getting into the hearts and minds of the men who fought for the Confederacy. The stereotypes of the lost cause or southerners as a pack of racists are replaced by a very human portrait of the men (and sometimes their loved ones too) who fought and died for what they believed in. Walsh has done a very real service to the memory of the Army of Northern Virginia. The battle narratives are really good as is the analysis of Lee's thoughts, decisions and occasional frustration with his subordinates. An excellent treatment!

My 2 year old daughter thinks this book is hilarious! She laughs and giggles at every turn of the page We've read it so much that she's got it memorized - I catch her sitting on the floor "reading" it to herself. When I read it to her she loves to answer each and every question with a resounding NO and follows it up with the correct answer.

This would be a good book in a group setting - I can just see a whole crowd of toddlers yelling No and cracking up!

No other book will do -- my 6 month old has been obsessed with this book for over 2 months. It is the only book that holds a candle to her Baby Van Gogh video. On a couple of occasions when the book was not nearby and she was fussy, I simply said "Do donkeys dance?", and she immediately quieted to stare at my face, waiting for the next line! She smiles when she sees the cover.

This is my 5-1/2 month old baby's favorite book! I purchased this book because it was highly recommended by Oppenheim, and I've been really pleased. A huge smile appears on my baby's when we turn to the first page. He "talks" and smiles the whole way through. The images are simple and bold, and have a whimsical appeal that really strikes a chord with us. The book focuses on different animal actions, such as the pages, "Do hippos hop? No, fleas do!" To make it even more fun, we add sound effects, such as what kind of noise a hopping hippo would make, as well as fleas. I think that we're going to need a couple more copies, because this book is such a winner with us, we'll wear multiple copies out!

This book has very cute illustrations that will make kidslaugh. The title page begins a series of questions about the actionsof different animals like, "Do pigs buzz around flowers?" After the question, the next page answers the question which is always, "no, this animal does that behavior". I think this book would make a good learing tool. It is good for teaching verbs, opposites and animal names. However, there were some things I didn't like about the book. It asks the question, "Do donkeys dance" on the title page" and the next page is a picture of a girl but the answer to the question is not printed on the page. I think that some other words are too complex for begining readers, like the word flamingo. END

Visiting the front lines of the grammar and usage wars with Bill Walsh is a pleasure for writers and readers alike. Like his previous work, Lapsing Into a Comma, this entertaining and enlightening book shows Walsh has got a great ear and a great sense of humor.

By Bill Marsano. What a jolly season for word-lovers this is, what with Lynn Truss's "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" and this book by Bill Walsh coming along neck-and-neck and cheek-by-jowl. Walsh, who is the copy chief of the Washington Post, has written a far broader work than Truss's, with punctuation just one of the things covered (and usually very well covered). There's also grammar here and more important there is style.

The author of such a book sets himself up, always. Many readers will assume or claim that he's preaching perfection and will therefore fall upon tiny errors yelling nyah-nyah in spiteful disvalidation of his whole work, of his very right to speak at all. Sorry but, admirable as it may be, prefection eludes and always will (Lynn Truss's first error is in her subtitle!). Mark Twain said, of perfection in English grammar, "the thing just can't be done." So let's be willing to give a little, and even accept the odd contradiction.

That done, we find a pretty useful guide. It's mostly newspaper-oriented, but it's still a help to the ordinary writer and ordinary person struggling to commit a sentence and finding between the opening capital and the closing period a morass of weird plurals, nightmare collectives, number-of-the-verb, stylistic conventions, punctuational deadfalls and a lot of other horrors that make not ending with a preposition a treat (which taboo is, by the way, nonsense, as Walsh neatly explains). Walsh deals with most problems briskly and helpfully, and if you keep this book ever close to your heart it won't be long before you can toss off elegant vanity plates, bumperstickers and ransom notes without so much as a by-your-leave. And you will begin to enjoy doing so, because you won't be scared out of your wits half the time. (Most people dread writing as they dread public speaking.)

I am generally dubious of copy editors; I consider them a species of vermin that should be hunted for sport. But I will go a long way with Walsh because he clearly thinks about the language and tries to make intelligent, workable decisions that help reader and writer alike. (Most copy editors simply trot out their pet peeves and hobby-horses, salt with ignorance and prejudice, and then damage the writer's copy, the hideous effects invisible until the crime appears in print.)

I will unyieldingly dispute with him on two points, however. First, (free-lance) writers should absolutely not waste any time studying client magazines to learn their style. Magazines routinely pay writers poorly and abuse them in general; if they want their stylebooks followed, let the editors do some work for a change. (Editors don't have jobs. They have lunch.) Second, what's this foolishness about a ship being referred to as "it"?

That's an example of what offends me most about copy editors: their char-woman's mentality. Always trying to neaten up; emptying the ashtray every time the ash hits the glass; making you move so they can plump up the pillows. Busy, busy, busy! The net result of all this is damage to a language of which varioty is its chiefest glory. Referring to ships as feminine is a tradition many centuries old: it goes back to the Romans; it is established and understood; it is not to be dismissed by some petty tyrant with an itchy pencil. Maybe it's a question of political correctness. Maybe someone is pained because it excludes an entire sex (the male, I believe). Frankly I'm disinclined to believe that this will cause little boys everywhere to be discouranged from becoming ocean liners, but copy editors might very well fall for that.--Bill Marsano is a professional writer and editor.

I found myself laughing out loud as I read Bill Walsh's "The Elephant's of Style."

Reminiscent of "Woe is I" this title actually entertains as it enlightens. Some of Walsh's best lines were "Split infinitives are the chicken cacciatore of the English Language" and "Who died and left me in charge of the English language?"

I want to know where Bill Walsh was when I was being drilled in grammar back in school! First they started teaching kids phonics and blends using fun songs and hand motions and now this?! I missed out on all the fun!

I especially enjoyed the section entitled "The Lies Your English Teacher Told You: Big Myths of English Usage" (I actually wiped my brow at one point in that chapter.) His appendix, "The Curmudgeon's Stylebook" is a valuable addition as well.

Wonderful stuff, easy to remember and apply.... Excellent for those who got stuck in the "grammar rules" and "strict critiques" from the past.... Free up the negative through process and just get through to the mechanics in this user friendly guide. The index will take you straight to your area of interest and then read the rest just `cause its so darn fun...... oh, I wonder if it's against the rules to insert periods in a row like that?

Better refer to my copy of "Elephants of Style" now.....

Almost nothing is as boring as learning the rules of grammar.
The Elephants of Style, however, makes the subject humorous and easier to both read and learn about. The author uses great(and often funny ) examples to teach students about everything from parts of speech to plagarism. I would recommend this book to college freshman, English teachers, or anyone struggling with grammar.
Of course, grammar may never lose the title of "boringest of them all," but at least there is a little humor at the end of the tunnel.