Williams Books

Much fun to be found in this book, along with fascinating pictures and captions. Great work, men!

What a wonderful pictorial history of Georgetown University. As part of The College History Series, "Georgetown University" chronicles the school's evolution into one of the most prestigious universities in the US. The authors provide pictures and documents dating back to the founding days of the "Academy at George Town." As a former resident of the DC area, I never appreciated the colorful history, nor the importance of the institution until this book. I think it would be a treasured gift for any student of Georgetown University -- past, present or future!

This book truly captures the essence of what makes Georgetown such a special place. The images offer a fascinating glimpse of a school that grew with our nation, and the captions are succinct and insightful. Certainly an interesting read for any history buff, but a must-have for anyone with ties to the university.

I gave this book to a friend who graduated from Georgetown and she absolutely loved it! Before wrapping the book, as a Hoya myself, I couldn't help but read it from cover to cover. (If the author reads this, don't worry, I went out and bought my own copy!) The authors have done a thorough job of researching the history of Georgetown and have included amazing/intersting pictures & facts about the university. Any incoming student, alumni, Washingtonian, or person generally interested in college history, will appreciate this book for years to come.

What a wonderful pictorial history of Georgetown University. As part of The College History Series, "Georgetown University" chronicle's the evolution of one of the most prestigious universities in the US. The authors have provided readers with pictures and documents dating back to the founding days of the "Academy at George Town." As a former resident of the DC area, I never fully appreciated the colorful history, nor the significance of this distinguished institution before this book. I think this would be a treasured gift for any Georgetown University student -- past, present, or future!

I bought this book because my mother had one from when she was a little girl and it was my most favorite book to look at. My sibling inherited the book though and i have been searching for a copy of my own. An original sells for about $100. on ebay and the price continues to go up even when the market goes down.
I was surprised to see that a reprint was available.
The book is just as magical as ever, but the coloring of the pictures are a little different. The pages have a glossy finish instead of the flat finish that the original has. And the colors seem garrish compared to the subtle coloring of the original. While i am very glad to have my own copy of this magical dreamy book, i do wish i had an original copy.

This was my favorite book as a child. The Garth Williams illustrations pictured the world of elves and fairies just like I imagined it. I have fond, fond memories of my mother reading me these stories on long hot summer afternoons in the then un-air conditioned eastern North Carolina back in the 1950s. This wonderful book goes in and out of print. I was delighted to see that it is back IN print. I ordered 5 copies for my grown children to read to their children and to give to friends who have children. This is a BIG oversized book just like the 1951 original. The price is a bargain. You CAN'T go wrong with this book as a gift to a child or an adult who enjoys the magical.

This was my favorite book as a child! I have fond memories of "reading" the stories through the exquisite Garth Williams illustrations long before I could read the words. When the long-awaited republished version arrived, my hands actually shook as I opened the box! There they were, all of my elf and fairy friends from childhood, just as I remembered them. What a treasure. I purchased two. One for my bookshelf for "grandma's hands only", and one to share with my grandchildren. I'm sure that the second will wind up like my original, with well-loved, worn and torn pages... This book is a real "keeper"!

This was my favorite book as a child. When I had my own children, I tried to buy it but it was out of print. The only copies available were shabby old copies on ebay for over $100. I was thrilled when they re-printed it in 2008. My kids love it too. The stories are so sweet and enchanting. I really enjoy reading these stories again to my kids. The pictures are whimsical. The print colors are not as vibrant as the original printing, but otherwise I'm so happy to have a copy again.

This is a book I remember from my childhood (50+ years ago) and I was thrilled to locate it. The book is as wonderful as I remember it with excellent stories and marvelous detailed illustrations. A pleasure for both children and adults.

Fr. Bill Miller is the kind of priest I wish every church could have. And when you read him, you feel he is the kind of friend whose acquaintance you are so glad to have made you want to keep him on speed-dial for the rest of your natural days.

I happen to love dogs, but this book of Bill's is hardly one of those shopping mall specials of the too-cute-for-words, well-intended but theologically suspect book of essays espousing "salvation through dog slobber" one sees so often. What the reader finds is a flesh and blood adult male (though that term is dangerously close to a tautology) who honestly wrestles with faith, doubt, love, betrayal, self-discovery, self-sacrifice, life, death and even cheese. And that's just when he is writing about dogs -- okay, dogs, and the people who love dogs, and some that don't...do you see what I mean? Bill writes normally the way most clergy wish they could preach on their best days, (and the way most people in the pews wish they did too) and yet he somehow never comes off as "preachy". Not even once. How does he do that? Beats the heck out of me, yet it makes this book an easy read though inarguably substantive all the same.

I'd like to say that I could recommend this book without reservation, but as an Episcopal priest myself, I am obliged to find exceptions to nearly everything. Thus, this book may not be for everyone. In fact, it ought to come with a warning label, alerting buyers to potentially embarassing social situations. When I was reading, "The Gospel According To Sam" inflight, the people in the rows around me became annoyed (or perhaps jealous) by the frequent, sudden if uncontrollable outbursts of laughter it caused. At the opposite end of the spectrum was the mortification suffered by my 16 year old daughter when seeing her fifty-something father with tears streaming down his face -- in public, no less -- when trying to retell the moving story (Chapter 9, "Eating Squirrel") of Bill's growing up in hard-scrabble Texas with a father who had no understanding much less appreciation of the boy Bill was nor the man he would become.

So, in all honesty, I cannot recommend this book to everyone. If you need a "how to" book on house-training puppies, this isn't it. Nor is it some canine-version of Christian apologetics*, its appealing photo of Sam on the cover notwithstanding.

But apart from those two exceptions, I would say just about everyone else will enjoy this book, will learn from it, and will (when finished reading it) eagerly await Fr. Bill's next efforts. And when you buy one for yourself, you may discover, as I did, you have to buy a second and third copy -- for my friends to read -- and return (eventually).

But they can't have my copy. Every so often, I feel the need for a good laugh...or a good cry...or the insight of a good friend. In the pages of, "The Gospel According To Sam," I know any one or all three may await.

________________________________________________

* "...explaining the Doctrine of the Trinity so well that even an English Setter can understand it!"

A wonderful story and I laughed and cried as I read this. Bill Miller puts his heart and soul into sharing his experiences about Sam with us.

Wonderful story telling and I highly recomend it for all dog lovers. The next to last chapter doesn't seem to fit the rest of the book. The encounter with young girls detracts from the story line in my opinion.

...this is the book for you. Funny, earthy, wise, gripping, sad. If you love dogs and know they have souls, this is your book.
If you love piety and think churches are holy places, you will find other books better suited to your taste.
This is for those who search for God, and those who love and learn from, and also grieve for, pets loved and lost.

The Gospel According to Sam is a wonderful collection of true stories of one man's journey, his dog Sam and their sometimes impetuous adventures. Each story will warm your heart and make you laugh out loud.
I loved it so much, I am giving several copies this holiday season to a variety of people (Episcopal, Catholic, Jewish and a couple that doesn't go to chuch). The Gospel According to Sam is a book that anyone can enjoy and appreciate!

No writer can afford to be without this one! An excellent resource for all the grammatical rules you've forgotten since high school. I keep this beside my computer as I write.

I had an edition in the 1950's when I was in college, then bought the updated 5th edition in the 1960's. I have newer, bulkier books like _Chicago Manual_ of Style but for conciseness, correctness and convenience this little book is still my favorite. My advice, get an older edition if you can find it. My little book can fit in a large pocket, yet it is complete.

John Culleton

Two or three millenia ago, when I first began college, the assigned handbook was the Harbrace, then in the second or third edition. Since then I have ben a military officer, a professional writer, a manager, and a teacher. Through each of these incarnations I have had the Harbrace at my elbow. I have never failed to find exactly the right advice, the right emphasis, and even the right choices to make my writing eminently readable.
Although its style is not didactic, it does present enough examples to keep both the old and the new writer from wandering off into that muddy stuff we se so often in magazines.
Buy one! That and a Strunk and White are all you need.

Harbrace book rocks. The book was read by me and I like it. Theirs a good part when the book talked about how to not split infiitivs and I like that also, however, do'nt by this book if your all ready nice at writing, like me! C' YA.

I found this book to be a wonderful reference when writing anything from a short paper to a forty page research paper. Neither would have been possible without this text. A great buy!

Would you know what to do or where to start if your ageing parent was showing health related problems that suggested things were not right? If you have an ageing parent you care about then this book is a must.

It is an extremely well researched book that provides very easy to read detailed information on how to detect health problems with your ageing parent even if you know nothing about medical conditions, how to arrange medical care, accommodation, negotiating legal and administrative issues relating to your parent's assets and will, setting up trusts, right up to funeral arrangements. It really is a complete guide that will alleviate the mysteries of how to look after your ageing parents. It even includes a CD-ROM with 27 forms and checklists to provide practical assistance! There are also a number of websites to help out on identifying which drugs to avoid.

This 'how to do' guide is presented with compassion and reflects the reader's real-life experiences. It provides all the information you will need to assist your ageing parent.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about their ageing parent/s. A very small investment in this book will provide enormous returns.

Contacted by this writer for a book review of his guide to helping aging parents, this reader was impressed by the amount of knowledge amassed by author Grote in his effort to help those faced with the awful decision of finding adequate care for the elderly. There has never been a greater need for the type of book author William J. Grote has put together, yet there comes a time when the information becomes essential to making the best decision possible for our loved ones.

In Helping Your Aging Parent, Grote offers advice that ranges from visiting the doctor with your parent/s to finding a hospice to making funeral arrangements. And because this is such a difficult subject for many to face, it's easy to see why so many put these arrangements off until the last possible moment. Who really wants to deal with trust funds and living wills when it's the parent we're worried about? What about the stress involved in seeking a retirement home or nursing home when it becomes painfully obvious our parent can no longer function on his or her own? The issue of housing for the elderly is thoroughly covered in Grote's book, as are warnings and issues to watch for when exploring options.

Mr. Grote also deals with geriatric illnesses ranging from Alzheimer's to various stages of dementia, hospital care, hospice care and the struggle most children face when dealing with the fact that their parent needs additional care. This extremely well written and researched book gives the reader a road map of sorts to follow, a guide for what to watch for and how to deal with nearly every imaginable situation. Face it - this is, unfortunately, an unavoidable subject. But after reading compassionate and intensively detailed how-to care book, it is obvious that ignoring the issues of aging won't make them go away. This book offers hard-earned advice and experience in ways to make the transition as stress free for the parent as possible, while offering support for those that are left to make difficult decisions. This is a must reference for any household, for sooner or later, we're all going to have to deal with the issue of aging and elderly care within our family.

Mr. Grote, a worker in the publishing industry for a quarter of a century, decided to put this book together after having to face the reality that his own parent was showing signs of suffering from dementia. This guide is the result of many lessons, frustrations and hours of research.

. . . this book was finally returned to me.

This book came into my life at the perfect moment. It was like someone was watching what was happening and, "boom," there this book was.

Soon after receiving this book, I sent it to my mother. She was experiencing extreme difficulties with the care of her mother (my grandmother, of course) and this book contained the answers and the guidence she needed. What's more, it was written in an understandable language so she didn't have to sit and wonder what the heck the author was talking about.

She kept this book even after the passing of my grandmother April of 2003. Why? Because she has several people in her life that were going through the same experiences and needed this book. Instead of giving it to them, she showed it to them so they could pick up their own copies and use their own CD-ROMs. Every single person she showed this book to thanked her for putting such a resourceful guide in front of them.

So, in closing, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is faced with these circumstances. I've seen first hand just how helpful it truly is to those who are "helping their aging parent."

When William Grote approached me to review his new book I was elated, at last someone who has done what I, as I was writing STANDING THE WATCH: Memories of a home death, could not. Here he takes us through the maze of understanding our parents' needs & wants, in a big book, with a CD tucked into the back flap so you can print out the things you'll need along the way.

When it comes to taking care of our parents, & by the millions, we baby-boomers are now facing this, most of us don't know where to begin. It is especially true if your parents have been independent & living on their own all your adult life.

I know well what William Grote means when he wrote: "Sooner or later most of us will have to step in and help our parents...being able to help...when they're truly in need is one of the most important opportunities you'll have in your lifetime. It's far more important than a promotion at work, or any personal achievement you may seek for yourself. It's a chance to get in touch with the meaning of why you're here, to become aware of the greater sense of your humanity, or even allowing you insight into your roles as a spiritual being." Page 6.

HELPING YOUR AGING PARENT is a worthy companion for everyone facing their parents' final years. It is reader-friendly, the cartoons are good for a giggle (you've got to hone your funny bone along with all your other skills!) & the information it contains, from health to economics, housing to hospice will be of immense use.

Very well done!

Helping Your Aging Parent: A Step-By-Step Guide by William J. Grote is a superbly organized and highly accessible instructional reference and guide to determining when an aging parent needs help, to what extent one should step in and take charge, and presents easy-to-follow instructions and recommendations for the non-specialist general reader needing to navigating the legal and emotional maze of setting up trusts, power of attorney, finding the best and most affordable housing, surviving hospitalization, coping with mental disorders, nursing homes, and much more. An included CD-ROM contains 27 forms and checklists to help one sort through the book's information and put its advice to practical use. Helping Your Aging Parent is very highly recommended for anyone faced with the necessity of assisting their aged mother or father cope with the medical, emotional, financial, legal, and physical problems of old age.

An excellent book on WW I. Oddly, not carried in our fabulous library system.
Title based on a quote from Hamlet and is greatly misleading.

In his novel, "Her Privates We," Frederic Manning does something almost unique in Great War literature. He gives voice to the English common soldier. This was the man the British public personified as Tommy Atkins and whom Americans in a later conflict would call GI Joe. This was the man who did the work of war with bayonet, rifle and hand grenade.

Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves, Wilfred Owen and Vera Brittain--among others--have given us a look inside the English middle-class perspective of the Great War. Through their poetry and prose, we can gain some understanding of what they and their educated counterparts suffered and endured.

The clerk, the taxi driver and farm laborer who went to war had no such heavy-weight advocates. Until Manning's novel first appeared in a limited edition during 1929, English private soldiers spoke primarily through letters home, not through literature. We know them best through the mute, exhausted faces that stare out at us across time from black-and-white Great-War-era photographs.

Manning, an educated Australian, worked as a minor literary figure in pre-war England. He enlisted in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry during 1915 and served as a private soldier in France through much of the 1916 Somme Campaign. Not coincidently, most of the novel's action is set within British lines during the time of that huge offensive.

Because Manning was a man who combined a writer's skills with a soldier's experience, his work gives us a rare and vivid glimpse of what trench life and fighting felt like from the viewpoint of the English private and non-commissioned officer. The book reflects the emotional and physical costs of battle. It also gives us some knowledge of the ways men related to each other and to their superiors. Any American who soldiered during the 20th Century will almost certainly find echoes of his own service experience within Manning's story.

In its 1929 printing "Her Privates We" was called "The Middle Parts of Fortune." The first mass publication the next year was ruthlessly edited to reflect 1930s sensibilities. The current paper-bound version of "Her Privates We," offered through Amazon, is completely uncut.

The Book's title derives from some obscene banter in Shakespeare's Hamlet, during which two characters describe themselves as the private parts of Fortune. Private parts, private soldiers, you get the picture. After listening to them, Hamlet concludes that Fortune is a strumpet. This would seem an equally valid conclusion for those of any rank or station caught within the titanic social and military struggle that played out during the 1914-1918 war.

Of course, I say this work is elegant, true, vivid and memorable as a work, not the events it depicts. In parts of the world that used to make up the Commonwealth and serviced by Penguin books, the title may be THE MIDDLE PARTS OF FORTUNE. Having had 25 years in the military I can only say I read this book from cover to cover, and relished every word in it. Artistically, as an artifact, it has a satisfying structure and conventional narrative. Like the characters in it, especially Private Bourne, it manages a superb tone, neither hiding the horror, the detail, but never sentimentalizing the common bravery of the ordinary man whilst despising the shirker. I could go on but I just draw to your attention on P58 the brilliant detail of having to carry an awkward box three miles by hand: - ....he was glad to dump the box he and Lance-Corporal Johnson had carried the three miles from Philosophe on the floor of the Quartermaster's office. It had those handles which hang down when not in use, but turn over and force one's knuckles against the ends of the box when it is lifted. By reversing the grip, one may save one's knuckles, but only at the expense of twisting one's elbow, and the muscles of the forearm. Having tried both ways, they passed their handkerchiefs through the handles, and knotted the corners, so that it was slung between them, but the handkerchief being of different sizes, the weight was not equally distributed. The quartermaster's store was a large shed of galvanized iron, which may have been a garage originally. He was not there, but the carpenter, who was making wooden crosses, of which a pile stood in one corner, thought he might be back at the transport lines; on the other hand he might be back at any moment, so they waited for as long as it took to smoke a cigarette, watching the carpenter, who, having finished putting a cross together, was painting it with a cheap-looking white paint. -That's the motto of the regiment,- said the carpenter, taking up one on which their badge and motto had been painted carefully. - It's in Latin, but it means WHERE GLORY LEADS.
Bourne looked at it with a sardonic grin. - That is just one paragraph of 247 pages of fine prose, and itself could be a study as a sample of quite brilliant writing.
A classic of the 20th century.

I feels like i am reading both "The Stranger" and "All Quiet on the Western Front." I was hoping to get something from it but i was disappointed from what i considered the best combination of both novels.

This semi-fictional story is set in a brief 6 month (or so)period in 1916 in which the British Army began to assume the major contribution to the Allied effort. By this time of WW1 the French had been somewhat degraded and pretty exhausted by the combined efforts of Verdun and the Somme. The story is set on the Somme front after the opening phases of the battle and includes the description of a long recovery period behind the lines to refit-a luxury denied many German units. The story reflects to some degree the British class system , and many of the soldiers themselves seem somewhat bewildered about the nature of war confronting them. The Germans themselves are shown as remote and treated somewhat indifferently. Despite the possibility of death each soldier seems distracted with obtaining alcohol, women and decent food in that order.

The 1 difficult aspect of the book is the phonetic nature of the spoken words. The characters are, after all, British, and Americans may have a tough time understanding what's being said. When compared with All Quiet on the Western Front, which focuses more on the futility and abstract nature of the war, Her Privates, We is more insular and personal.

I can't believe this book is out of print, and I can't believe it was published in the 1970's. I read it as part of a review I'm doing on gay and lesbian fiction for young adults, and it is definitely one of the best I've read. I was a little disappointed with the lukewarm ending, but over all, the book's vermisimilitude is very impressive, and the courage of its message is considerable considering its time. The characters are the most believable I've encountered in most YA literature.

A charming story about emerging sexual identity. This book continued to cast it's spell over me for several days after finishing it, my only criticism being that it zips by far too quickly--I would gladly spend more time with these characters. May this one hurry back to press, and may Deborah Hautzig return to young adult fiction.

My Mom bought this book for my when I was 12. This remains one of my favorite books, and I don't think any other book has become such a part of my identity. I think this book addresses the issue of friendship in girlhood, gay OR straight. If I ever have a daughter, I will pass my treasured copy on to her!

I was 15 when I first read this book (back in 1980) & it affected me very deeply. Until then I thought I was the only girl like me in the world & that I was somehow defective. Reading "Hey, Dollface" was a soul-satisfying revelation & gave me hope for my future. Truly, one of the ten most influential books of my life.

This is one of my favourite books.I thought it was very realistic at portraying a young girl such as Val's thoughts and feelings.I loved it so much I stole it from the library(I couldn't find it anywhere else!)

I really liked this book. Mark Borovitz started out his life as a nice Jewish boy and he grew up to become a master check forger, a con and a swindler in a criminal life that lasted for twenty years.

The best part about the book (which is a true story) is the way that the author found his way out of a life of crime. It's a story with an important reminder that no person is beyond redemption and that nice Jewish boys gone bad can turn good again, and triumph in the end, in a heartwarming and most positive way.

I also enjoyed reading this book because it took place in Los Angeles, in neighborhoods where I actually lived, so I know the places the author writes about, down to the street corners.

This book is amazing. The story told is absolutely incredible, but not nearly as amazing as the man who's life is being told. He truly is The Holy Thief and I am blessed to be able to call him my Daddy! He is living proof that miracles do happen!!!!

One of the most remarkable stories I have read, as the other reviewers have noted, it is truly inspirational.
Borovitz grew up in a warm family, but when his Dad died, his world fell apart. Unfortunately, he was also somewhat influenced by an Uncle who was, in reality, a Jewish mobster. Rootless, Borovitz quickly gravitated to a criminal lifestyle, undertaking increasingly more serious criminal acts. Eventually, he is forced to move from Cleveland, his birthplace, to Los Angeles. Once there, he continues his cons, and eventually lands in prison.
This memoir is well-written. In particular, it describes that one important constant that Borovitz had in his life while growing up was Judaism. His going to Synagogue, the family holiday gatherings - all are described so that the reader feels the deep reverance that Borovitz had, despite his criminal life, for his religion.
He also writes so well concerning his Change - when he began to turn away from his life of crime, and toward something far more worthy of his abilities - that of Jewish spirituality. I especially commend his description of how this took place; other authors who have undergone similar "revelations" often depict it as sudden and earth-shaking, and that from that 'moment on' each was immediately transfored from a
low-life loser to a 'saint'! Thankfully, and far more realistically, in my opinion, Borovitz explains that he was changing, but that it was gradual.
After his transformation, Borovitz completed college and then Rabbinical School. Realistically he hesitated even applying, declaring that they would not accept an ex-con gonif (thief) into their program. However, with the support of his friends, and the fact that G-d often works in mysterious ways, he was accepted with open arms.
Today he is a Rabbi for a community of people who were like him once, but also like him, are committing to changing their lives.
If you ever feel like cons, addicts, etc., can't transform their lives - just pick up this book. You will be amazed.

Next to the word inspiration in the dictionary should be a picture of Rabbi Mark Borovitz. This is the story of a man whom God chose to send to the deep valley of dispair and addiction so that he would have the experience and wisdom to encourage others to turn their lives around.
Anyone in trouble or who knows someone in trouble should read(no-devour) this book.

Like another reviewer, I don't typically take the time to write a review of books I read. As the wife of an inmate who is changing his life for the better while incarcerated, I seek out inspirational stories of people who have hit rock bottom and have used that experience to reach out to others. I read a short review of this story in Reader's Digest and decided to seek it out.
I read it cover to cover in a Saturday afternoon. The author is so frank, honest, and REAL. His story gives me hope for my husband's future, and proves that good can come after a life of mistakes.

Great book and series of books for the younger reader in the family. Also a great way to get that younger person interested in reading.

So, when I was in first grade, my teacher gave a few of us a set of these books for being advanced readers. Seven years later, I still have them. I can't bear throw them out because I still go read them sometimes :) They are hilarious and completely entertaining and it's very simple so even small children can read them alone. Defenitly would recommend it for 5 to 7 year olds.

Horrible Harry in Room 2B is one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. It is addicting and doesn't stop making you laugh. It is a book for all ages from 7 to 10. One of the parts that I thought was very good was when Harry makes stub people out of broken pencils. When he makes 24 of them he going to invade the class room
The book is very different and they aren't very long so you can read a lot of them like I did. My favorite one so far was Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise. I think you should read it during Christmas
I think if you have a good sense of humor you should try one of these books out Your probably end up reading them all like me.

This book is so funny I'm going to cry!! This book is the best book you could ever get! You will love it! In the hilarious story, there are five funny people. There names are Harry, Mary, Song Lee, Cindy and Doug. Harry does such mischievous things! I would recommend this book to younger kids who love funny books! You will have to buy this book or I will buy it for myself!!
by, Adrian

Horriable Harry in Room 2B is my favorite book. Not only is it a book that i have grown up with, it is also an interesting and enjoyable book to just sit down and read. From the funny stiches he gets himself involved into, and the "double revenge" that he puts upon Sidney, this book has always made me giggle. If you arn't sure if an older kid would like it, let me tell you this, im 16 and Horriable Harry in Room 2B is DEFINTALY my FAVORITE book!

Traders tend to confuse 'Gann, the Trader', with 'Gann, the Forecaster'. Gann, the Trader, was straight forward and logical. Problem starts when traders attempt to trade the forecast with Gann's numerous predictive methods and, vice versa, forecast the trade with Gann's trading method. Gann really does not deserve all the unfounded criticisms. Although there are doubts as to the claims that Gann was the originator of swing chart trading method, Gann, at least, refined and definitized the swing chart trading concept. No one can question the sound trading principles behind the method since there is a clear and convincing proof by none other than Jesse Livermore who achieved the spectacular trading accomplishments by using a variation of swing chart trading method. What Gann tried to do was to add his own brand of forecasting methods to complement his trading operation. There is certainly nothing wrong with the exercise as long as one does not confuse either objective with the other. To be a good trader, one does not need to be a forecaster. In fact, it is not recommended if the trader is a terrible forecaster for his prediction may be detrimental to his trading. However, to truly become an excellent trader, it does not hurt to be a good forecaster as well. The decision on whether or not the chosen forecasting algorithm should be based on Gann is another matter.

WD Gann wrote this updated version of the book in 1951. Yes, 1951. His methodologies and style, as well as his world view, are so....well 1950's. However, what he provides to those of us who want to be successful in trading commodites is a broad set of 'do's and dont's' that you can find in nearly every trading book written today. You know, "stop loss orders", "dont over trade", "never risk more than X%" of your capital on a given trade, "let your winning trade's ride", "get out of a bad trade immediately", "when in doubt, there is no doubt".... We have read them all before. NONE of this is of any real value to the modern trader. However, what is of value, is getting a recognition of the painstaking historical analysis that WD Gann went through BEFORE he traded any commodities. This book includes several 100 year analyses of all the traded commodities of his time. The analyses include what happened in the "month of September in 1897" in cotton. And then that is followed by the next relevant technical occurance, which happened in October of 1897. He does this for many of the commodites of the time from 1841 to 1941. What the reader comes away with in my opinion, is that commodities are cyclical in nature. And that if you can holistically 'feel' the history and the motion of the cycles that exist in each commodity, you can trade more effectively. This includes understanding the 'how we got here' and the relevant bigger picture points that one can glean from looking at the historical data on a specific commodity. For example, that in the last 100 years (1841-1941), (I am making this up) Corn has reached a new yearly high in the month of June 22 times, and a new low in August 36 times. Whereas, new highs were reached in February only 2 times, and new lows reached in December 2 times. This information is valuable to a trader who knows what to do with this type of information. In my view, dont look to this book for more information on "how to trade" as much as you should look at 'what to do' to improve your chances of success. One last note, if you are looking to get some background or academic knowledge on how GANN lines are used, or GANN Boxes or any of the other GANN ascribed technical tools used or invented by GANN, this book DOES NOT show, teach or discuss any of them.

If i could keep just one of my gann books this one would be it , it is packed full of ideas even a non gann follower could benifit from this book.

I like this book. It does not promise "90% accurate signals" or treat reader with condescension. It teaches three things: 1) "swing trading" methods, 2) how to pay attention, 3) never forget stop loss orders.

The book itself is structured in three large parts: 1) W.D. Gann's approach to markets and trader's discipline, 2) examples of trading patterns from various commodities all the way from 19th century, 3) addendum from 1951 with some more details and clarifications.

Some people complain that Gann's writing style is too monotonous and droning. It is true in the sense that he does not entertain. But he does cover more ground than all those easy-reading "Trading for Dummies" book which are typeset in triple space with large charts.

Parts of this book and interpretations of Gann's methods are available on the web - but it is still nice to have it as a book.

This book is a hodge-podge of techniques presented in a droning, labored style. However, literary taste is not what draws traders to the works of Gann. Gann's writings supposedly contain "hidden clues" as to how to forecast price levels at a specific time in the future for financial instruments.

Applying an honest effort to Gann's material, it appears that the SP500 index (SPX) should sell at 1172.50 on Wednesday, 11/03/04. I am writing this review on Monday, October 4, 2004 when the index is priced at 1137.22. If this projection is close to the mark - you may want to consider buying this book.