Wilson Books

This book had tears running down my face as I devoured the 2nd half, aching for the Duke and his Duchess as they misunderstood each others intentions. Darn willful pride! But a great romance it always makes!

I read The Hearts Wager first, not knowing it was a sequel, and I'm glad I did, because there is quite a lot of this book devoted to Devon and his relationship with Emily and Avon. I loved Devon in the Hearts Wager and I really enjoyed reading about his recovery in this book, which I may not have appreciated fully if I hadnt already been acquainted with his character.

This is a very gripping and emotional romance, but I do have a few qualms with it. I didnt care overly for Emily. The glimpse you get of her in The Hearts Wager shows her to be a fiery and independent redhead, possessive of her crippled husband and his love. She came off strong in the beginning of The Hearts Desire, and a few later scenes, but she made some really questionable choices in the book that had me nearly disgusted with her. For example, after she criticizes the Dukes handicap, she falls ill, and Devon has to convince her to find the determination to get well. The author would have us believe that she welcomed the solace of her illness so much that she contemplated death? There were other instances as well, but detailing them would expose spoilers in the plot, and I dont want to detract from what really was a lovely read.

So lovely in fact, that this and the The Hearts Wager have earned a special place in my treasure hutch, and I know I will reread many times. A keeper!

It is excellent book for adventure and romance. It really intrigued me. This book is highly recommendation.

I don't usually care to see books released again, but this is certainly an exception! I loved this book and scoured the used book stores when it was first released to buy a second copy to loan to friends. It was too good not to share, but too good to risk losing. Avon is a hero to die for--great strength of character and intellect hiding a wealth of strong emotion. Very sexy combination. I sympathized with the heroine so deeply when she voiced something she wished with all her heart she could call back. Excellent story, excellent romance, and great conflict. These series books have such a short shelf life, I'm glad that more people will get a chance to enjoy this story.

Emily, Lady Harland, has lost two brothers and a husband to the war against Napoleon. Her surviving brother is paralysed, an invalid. Her father, a general, is still involved in the war effort although they're now back in London. So when she hears the idle, indolent and supercilious Duke of Avon mocking the English troops and suggesting that Napoleon should have been allowed to run free on the Continent, she is furious - and lets him know her views in no uncertain terms. And when he informs her that the severe limp she sees him walk with is only an affectation, she is incensed and dismisses him as a worthless fop. Only, once he leaves, she notices that there is blood on the handrail where he had walked...

Dominic Maitland, Duke of Avon, is indeed a cripple, and has been since birth. He is also up to his neck in the war effort himself behind the scenes: he decodes encrypted messages and is in charge of a network of couriers. The night Emily meets him, he has just come from a rendezvous with a courier which went badly wrong, and he was nearly killed. His business with her father is to establish the source of a leak in the war office, for which her father is responsible.

Avon has long decided never to marry, and never to fall in love. After all, who could love a cripple like him? And anyway, his father always told him that his crippled leg was hereditary - so why have children only to pass that on to the next generation? Furthermore, he detests feeling pitied, so he avoids friendship - the person he is closest to is Moss, his valet, who is more like a father to him than his own father was.

However, he is deeply attracted to Emily, and she to him. He tries to scare her off by indicating that all he wants from her is sex - but she refuses to be completely scared off. And when Avon starts spending a lot of time at her home, working with Devon, her brother, they are thrown more into each other's company - and then when Emily and her father save Avon's life and he has to stay with them in order to recuperate, feelings grow even stronger and he finds it impossible to deny what he really feels for her. But he still won't marry her... and then things get worse when, under severe stress and worry, Emily says something unforgivable to him about his limp. Can these two ever forgive each other and find love?

This is an amazing, gripping and so well-written book - Gayle Wilson is a real find! I would put this on a par with the better long Mary Baloghs, and I'm now off to get hold of as many other Gayle Wilsons as I can. Excellent!

wmr-uk

Talk about your tortured hero's. Dominic Maitland, Duke of Avon is the poster boy. Not only was he born crippled, his entire family dies (except father) in a horrible accident and his father abandons him to a harsh school without an allowance. So basically he has lived all his life without love and only relys upon himself. He decides the only life for him is that of a spy/informer of military strategems for England in her war with Napolean. Lady Harland's father, a general, is one of the few people privy to his secret activities. And so the romance begins or not with Dominic and Emily. Dominic does everything ( including some very hurtful things) to keep her away even though he's madly in love. He believes that his handicap will be passed on to his children and so has decided never to marry, but Emily will not be denied and so a rollercoaster begins. There are so many ups and downs in this book. Just when you think all will be well -BAM!- a huge misunderstanding or a crule twist of fate intervenes.

This is a wonderful book. After what these characters have been through, you really feel their deep love in the end. Just magical.

I think that Illustrated Mum is a really good book, but I think that it can be a little intense, so I don't recommend for readers younger than 10, unless you read with a parent. It was very realistic and I really cared about the characters, especially the main character--Dolphin. It is the kind of book that you wan to read over and over, and you most definitely want her life to get better. Jacqueline Wilson is a really great author.
I.P. San Francisco

This book was sad, interesting and emotional without being depressing. Issues handled sensitively. Easy to feel empathy for the characters. I'd recommend this for grades 5 and up. Some senstitive subject matter like mental illness and foster care.

I have not picked up and read a juvenile fiction book in a long time, but this one piqued my interest when I looked through the audio books at our library. I'm very glad I did! This is one of the best juvenile fiction books I have ever read, and I used to read tons of them as a young girl.

Dolphin and Star have a very flambouyant mother named Marigold who is a manic depressive/alcoholic, dies her hair bright red, and sports tons of tattoos; she's man crazy and dresses too young for her age. While Star, who is 13 is sick and tired of not having a normal mother, 11 year-old Dolphin adores her regardless of the torment she endures in school, and the fact that Marigold often leaves the girls unattended to fend for themselves, scaring Dolphin silly a lot of the time. Then one night Marigold brings home Star's father from a concert, and the girl willingly moves in with him, leaving poor Dolphin to deal incapably with her mother's craziness. This is a very good, realistic portrait of what an awful lot of children probably go through, and Dolphin tells the entire story. She is a sweet, smart, funny, and lovable character who truly loves Marigold though she can't always understand her mother's wild behavior, but she is also the one who inevitably must resolve to get Marigold help as her condition worsens.

I am related to someone very much like Marigold, so I could relate to Dolphin's story telling as I watched my relation's daughter go through similar experiences. Actress Josie Lawrence is an amazingly versatile talent who does lots of great voices, and her performance is so intimate, it never seems like she's reading from Wilson's book. A great story anyone remotely connected with a situation like this can relate to, and maybe you even know a few people who possess these very realistic traits. A superiorly well-done job, I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody.

This story deals heavily in the subject of "Manic Depressive illness" - I happen to know something about the illness but I won't go into that- and the dangers of being with someone who happens to have it if you happen to live with them. "The Illustrated Mum" is a gritty story told from the point of view of a young girl named Dolphin who struggles to stand by her mother even when her oldest sister Star doesn't want to. They don't live in the greatest conditions and their mother Marigold's behavior switches on and off when they least expect it, making it hard for them to communicate with her. The worse part of the story happens to be when Star's supposed father comes home with Marigold one night and Star decides to put her sister on the back burner, and leaves with her father (all because she can't take living with her mother any more), which has to be the worse thing to. Dolphin tries several times to get her sister to return but Star won't bend to her little sister's begging and Marigold only gets worse as the weeks go by; So worse in fact, she is admitted to a mental hospital. From there the story seems to fall further into the gritty storyline which it surrounds despite the light moments, however, that is not to say that this book isn't great to read. On the contrary, "The Illustrated Mum" is one of those rare books that actually have you thinking on the subject its writing about and the way it affects its characters. All in all, I enjoyed this book. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a bit of truth to their story. [a 5 out of 5]

This book is so wonderful. It's a story of children who have to take responsibility too soon. This book can teach us how to deal with bad situation and accept one another. The writer can catch the emotion of a ten-year-old girl and expressed them in sympathetic,but amusing way.She perfectly created her characters which seem to be alive people to the readers.It's so realistic.And it also make me laugh sometimes. You shouldn't miss this book.

What a superb book. Well written and poignant. I'll be looking for more from Marjorie Parker!!

This book is a must read for all ages. Touches the heart, and takes the reader back to long forgotten feelings and memories. Sweet and poignant. Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY (The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier).

I read this book while sitting in a veterinarian's office about one month after I lost my thirteen year old golden retriever(a lot like Jasper) that I had had since I was 7 years old. I was bawling my eyes out about 2 pages in, but I just couldn't put it down. Although it was painful to read, it is a wonderful book. I recommend it for all pet lovers. It makes you realise that you are not alone when you lose a beloved pet. There are people that understand.

This box of Kleenex book is about Riley, a young boy who is very attached to his beautiful golden retriever, Jasper.

As Jasper ages, he can no longer romp and play. He also has cancer and is very limited in what he can do.

As the dog's impending death draws near, the boy's family talk to him seriously about having Riley euthanized. I like the gentle and honest explanation of euthanasia the boy is given. I also like the way Riley is made part of that final decision.

Just before Jasper's train makes its last stop, Riley takes him to all their favorite places so they can recapture some happy memories they had together.

A beautiful story that will undoubtedly make you cry, this is a wonderful book for all ages. For anybody who has ever had to make the agonizing decision of having a pet euthanized, this book will provide some comfort.

A good companion to I'll Always Love You]; [[ASIN:0316702781 Saying Goodbye to Lulu; The Rainbow Bridge: Pet Loss Is Heaven's Gain and Old Dog and the Christmas Wish.

If you are a dog lover, I recommend you buy this book. I also recommend you read it in private so you can cry in peace. It is a beautifully written account of the last day of a Golden Retriever who's family is giving him one special day before he must take one last trip to the vet. Written from the perspective of Jasper's "boy", it is heart warming and realistic in dealing with the pain of losing a beloved dog.

I never write reviews, ever. And that's pretty terrible because I'm an author myself.

Ken Wilson knocks the ball out of the park with this book. Heck, I'd even say it flew out of the parking lot and shattered the window in the church across the street from the ballpark. At least we can only hope so much.

A wonderful mix of Church, personal and social responsibility, Ken inspired me to broaden my lens of faith and open my hands wide -- to both receive and give the grace that Jesus walked this earth for.

This is an original presentation of the Jesus path by a pastor who does his own thinking, often in pictures and near poetry:

"the world is a mystical playground where life seemed to blossom wherever [Jesus] went" . . . "something as deep as the ocean seems to be awakened within us" . . . "heaven is what happens when all our connections here on earth light up with love" . . . "open your eyes and your heart toward the wonder that the world is an expression of" . . . "what is the fire in the equation by which the universe came into being?"

But it's not all pictures and poetry. There is solid content for deep thinking, as in his exploration of how we know what we know, and his probing the different biblical views of the atonement, especially the substitutionary one.

Orthodox in belief, Wilson arrives at his conclusions in his own original and thoughtful ways. He reclaims and continues his own fresh journey begun in the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and 70s, distinguishing it from more dogmatic approaches to the right and left. He is a centrist who, similar to Richard Foster in Streams of Living Water, maps current Christianity in several great traditions and sees the Spirit moving separated believers toward the center where all the treasures blend and wonderful things happen. Jesus is the great treasure buried in the messy field of religion. We are not to worry about the destiny of people of other faiths who will never hear of Jesus. We have heard, and our task as pilgrim believers is to take one step closer to knowing him.

Writing with an evangelist's heart, Wilson deplores mean-spiritedness in religion and anything else that puts people off from moving toward Jesus. "We should bristle less and listen more." There is ultimate respect for the reader: "you decide" is a frequent refrain.

Like most believers over the centuries, Wilson trusts the portrait of Jesus in the four canonical gospels. He clearly distinguishes that portrait from the one in the Gnostic gospels. And without saying so, he distances himself from the Jesus Seminar approach. His approach is very much in line with recent centrist scholarship, as in Richard Bauckham's Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony (2006).

He explores Jesus brand spirituality under four headings--active, contemplative, biblical and communal. Wonderful stories abound. Care for creation and openness to good science permeate the book. Each section ends with study questions for individual or group use.

This book is sure to provoke thought, discussion, growth, and some reaction.

It seems like just 15 or so years ago, the term "Christian Spirituality" would have been met with some raised eyebrows and perhaps an incredulous stare or two. That Wilson uses three often culturally confusing words in his title: Jesus, Spirituality, & Religion--- is a hint toward the kind of unpacking and clarifying that he does in the pages between the covers of this refreshing and helpful book. Refreshing, because it feels like a breath of fresh air to read a book that takes the corruption of the Jesus brand to task, yet offers gracious understanding for the messiness that it has been these past 2000 or so years since Jesus launched a movement. He says that "Jesus is a presence distinct from the religion that represents him. We are drawn to him (or not) for reasons that deny easy explanation. But being drawn to Jesus doesn't necessarily mean buying the package of faith as defined by those with the biggest bullhorn..."
Wilson writes from the perspective of a self professed non-recovering Jesus Freak from the late 1960's which makes me think that when Ken Wilson says that "Jesus brand spirituality" is the path a pilgrim might take that is earthy, mystical, and curious---I believe him. The believability of his storied life and the storied life of "brand Jesus" as they mingle together with the cultural shifts of the past 30 or so years is refreshing too. In short, it is refreshing to hear a baby boomer admit the difficulties of the American church while at the same time not willing to draw a fresh new bath of water and get a new baby, if I may stretch the metaphor a bit.
Jesus Brand Spirituality is helpful on so many levels but foremost is the helpfulness it will be to my own mother-in-law in sorting out why her postmodern son-in-law wants to pray the daily offices and work for social justice issues while still considering himself (on most days) to be in the evangelical camp. Wilson does a fine job providing an overview of the landscape, noting that American Christianity has formed in the context of four quadrants: liturgical, social justice, evangelical, & renewal. The tug toward the center, where there is a blending and a shaping of us all, is where Wilson sees the movement of God's spirit and the kind of spirituality that Jesus modeled and "branded." Wilson draws from his own experience, the life of his friends and foes, the four quadrants of the spiritual landscape, and the life of Jesus to provide a full picture of what the "identity package" for the Jesus brand really is, humbly noting that this center place where traditions get blended is the place where Jesus gets his religion back, it is "a place we cannot find but is finding us."
Lastly, It seems as though Ken Wilson has been very careful to season his words with the salt of postmodernity---which has brought out the flavor of his thesis ever more so. Ken writes with an understanding of the changes to the epistemological and sociological milleu since he came into the Jesus Movement. And, unlike many who perhaps waded through the same four decades, Wilson has emerged not fighting on the battle-ground for things like "certainty" and "absolutes," but humbled and encouraged that we do in fact see through a glass dimly, in part, and not in full. His friendship with Phyllis Tickle (who writes the foreward) and his pastoral passion are not easy to miss. Not only is this book an explanation of where things are and where they're headed---it's an invitation to jump into the swirling center and get dirty a bit, healing, and getting healed, praying and being prayed for, going some place to find that God is there--- and is there to transform us all.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R14BYHW01MM11A

Conservative or liberal, nondenominational or mainline, I think most of us have a sense that the church in North America is in a bit of an identity crisis. And it this point, the jury's still out as to how it will emerge from this time of transition.

Everyone has there opinion as to what the church needs to be and do. In the end, my prayer is that it is books like this one that shape the conversation. For one thing, even as it remains deeply committed to the path of Christ, there's a real spirit of generosity to Wilson's work. He has engaged other Christian traditions, not in attempt to prove where they're wrong, but to learn. And he's learned much.

And, like any good pastor, he demonstrates an ability to present his learning in a way that's accessible and compelling for others. The book in fact enters into heavy duty theological territory. But you hardly know it because of how engagingly and incisively Wilson navigates through it.

I have both this book and Sara Boutelle's "Julia Morgan, architect" ISBN 0-7892-0019-8. I give a slight edge to the Boutelle book for the writing, but both books are excellent and each provides information, images, and insight not in the other. For example, this book shows in detail what a superb engineer Julia Morgan was, which is not something I had gotten from any other source. A must have.

While this is clearly a comprehensive book at JM's work and the photographs are exquisite, the prose could have used a bit more editing.
For example, the introduction, written by JM's niece is a stream of consciousness of memories vs. a more concise piece on Julia Morgan's relationship with the goddaughter and the mother (who was Julia's assistant).

This book is an exceptional coffee table book for oneself or as a gift. It is one of the most comprehensive books I have seen on Julia Morgan and her architecture with a wonderful compilation of photos.

This is a great addition to the Julia Morgan literature. A lovely intro by her god-daughter gives some new biographical information, and there are more pictures and discussion of her private home commissions than in any of the other books I have.

Much new primary source material. Stunning photography and much more. Something for the scholar, the architect, the homeowner, the dreamer...and anyone who craves beauty.

a girl marries. she soon frinds herself a widow with a baby on the way. the heir to a fortune. some one is trying to put her in a nut house but her lover saves her. my favorite quote from the book " he lend over me and looked at the baby and said there's only one thing wrong he's not mine, that was his praposil for marrage" the 8th victoria holt book i read.

It's very hard to find good works in this genre, though in the 1960's they were quite the rage. Victoria Holt is arguably the master of this category. I think Kirkland Revels is her best, especially if you like the traditional moonlight, madness, murder, and dark old manor house novels. If you like atmospheric work with prim, but heroic, governesses beleaguered by jealous relatives and shady characters, this one won't disappoint.

This is the first nowel of Victoria Holt I read, since then she is one of my favorite writers. If you want to read some books by her, Kirkland Revels is a good choice for begining.

When Catherine came home from school in France, she found her home as gloomy and repressive as ever. She longed for a chance to escape from it, and when she met Gabriel, she did just that. They were married and she went to live with him in Kirkland Revels. Almost as soon as the arrived, Gabriel died. People said it was suicide, but Catherine thought otherwise. After she found out she was with child, strange things started happening, and she realized that someone was trying to kill her - and her child!

I love gothic novels, and this one is one of the best! If you have never read one before, or if you have read a hundred, this is the book for you!

I first read this novel when I was in junior high school. It was the second novel I read by Victoria Holt, but it was the first one that made me want to read more of her books with enthusiasm. It was very hard to put down this book after the first chapter. The suspense kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next. Victoria Holt is a great romantic-suspense author and it's really sad that she's no longer around to write more books. And I'm even more disappointed that "Kirkland Revels" is no longer in print. My copy of the book was borrowed and I never got it back. I don't even remember who borrowed it. It was back in the 1970s. So now all I have are fond memories of the book and the story. I wish the publisher would print this book again (hardbound). I need this book to add to my collection of Victoria Holt novels.

Laying Foundations: A Memoir by Lucy Wilson Sherman is the autobiographical story of an enterprising, diversely matched couple who spend a fulfilling year of restoring and bringing life back to an abandoned farmhouse. Without electricity or running water (and just as winter struck) Lucy and her husband Henderson worked together on this seemingly insurmountable project through trial and daily struggle. A warm, enlightening, uplifting story of rebuilding, Laying Foundations is very highly recommended as a true and rewarding account of personal growth and unconditional love.

Sherman's memoir is love-story, spiritual odyssey, character study and a how-to manual. That's a lot and it reads like a mystery. She is a wonderful word crafter. Many times her turn of phrase engaged me so thoroughly that I had to stop and savor her arrangement.

In the character study, Sherman never shies away from critiquing herself or Henderson. She is relentless in her analysis of herself, Henderson and the dynamics of their relationship. The reader gets drawn into her quest for understanding and growth. She plows, or more accurately, crafts right ahead whether she comes out looking worse for the scrutiny or not.
A warning is in order here.You will learn a lot about construction. If you have no knowledge in that arena, you will not be lost, as Sherman defines most of the terms in useable language. Still I had to stop and think hard about the technical parts of this book. I wanted to understand exactly what they were doing physically, as it was such an integral part of the dynamic and narrative. Taking time to understand each step in their physical construction enriched the read for me. However, the reader can speed read through placement of footings, digging wells or securing scaffolding and still enjoy the other three aspects of this piece.

Sherman uses straight-on prose with no hysterics although parts are hysterically funny, as when she is describing her attempts to connect the contents of a sawed-off shotgun with the target, an old wash tub. She even has the decency to feel bad about killing squirrels.

I read many books every week with no 'fluff' included and I consider this one not to be missed. I will re-read it again in about six months.

Laying Foundations is an honest, funny memoir. It is not only entertaining, but Sherman is so straight forward and open about her own humanity that as a reader I felt a kind of personal absolution for my own sins! She and her husband take on an enormous renovation project with little expertise. As a reader I couldn't help but be inspired and moved at their ability to get up, go on and continue to tackle the job when it seemed hopeless and foreboding. Anyone who reads this will eat it up like some delicious candy. It's a soul-searching, meaningful memoir rich with lasting insight yet funny as hell!

authentic and deeply moving. the house as a symbol of growth, solidity and
love works on every level, and the spirt of place and person inhabits the
entire memoir.

Although I know it's a trite thing to say, I'll say it anyway---I could not put this book down until I finished it! This is an extraordinary work of non-fiction that holds the reader's attention by incorporating all the elements of a really good novel---terrific character development, vivid descriptions of the people in the story as well as the area in which they live, even suspense (will these two "unmatched" souls manage to stay together and will they be able to complete their dream and finish the restoration of the house?) The reader really does share their frustrations and mentally cheers them on when they have set-backs in the reconstruction of the house as well as in their lives. The only question the reader is left with is---when do we get a sequel and see these two wonderful people again?

i can't write in all caps, but this series of baby books from amy wilson sanger are our absolute favorite. i have all 7, and give them as gifts to lucky friends. so funny, so cute, so creative and a great way to learn about world foods, really. my older daughter likes to read the dessert sections to our baby and we have even experimented with some of the foods. A MUST HAVE FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES!
and, sometimes amazon has the 4-for-3 deal so you can get them all.

Very sweet book. The whole series is a great way to learn about different foods.

All of of these little board books by Amy singer are great. Perfect for the toddler who loves to turn the pages and learn about something a little different than, ball, duck, and dog!

My one year old son loves this board book! We actually have the entire series. It's fun and creative, and I don't have to worry about him ripping the pages. We are hooked!

This is a fun book to read and the pictures are interesting as well! It has become a family favorite. The back cover describes the dishes in detail so if you don't know what a chitlin is, don't worry!

Perfect book for anyone with a child that is working.....this is the phase that my daughter used for her young son.....and this has always been his favorite book.

i am a childcare provider and i bought some of these books to both read to the children, and also to give to new clients when registering the child.
the kids have been loving it and it is read just about EVERY day

this book ws wonderful! It really helped my 3 year old understand that Mommy has to work but that she always comes home. Very well written and illustrated.

What a fabulous book!! There are too few decent books about separation anxiety for toddlers. We already had "Owl Babies" and "The Kissing Hand", but this one really hit the mark!! It's perfect for my [...]twins! We love Karma Wilson and her Bear series, too!

I'm typing out the text so I can read this to my daughter while I am away on business. Here's the text, so you can buy the book for your kiddo and do the same:

Mama Always Comes Home [text]

1. In a softly feathered nest, a mama bird and hatchlings rest. Mama always does her best to keep her babies fed.
2. But all the little birdies cry when Mama says she has to fly.
3. But all the little birdies cry when Mama says she has to fly. She cuddles each and chirps, "Good-bye,"then tucks them into bed. She goes to dig up worms, and then Mama Bird flies home again.
4. Mama always comes home. One a cozy bed of hay, a barn cat and her kittens lay. Mama Cat must go away to have her morning snack.
5. Her kittens cry to see her go because they love their mama so. She kisses all and purrs, "Please know I'll soon be coming back." She goes to sip sweet cream, and then Mama Cat strolls home again.
6. Mama always comes home. Puppies play out in the sun. They yip and yelp, they yap and run. Mama Dog joins in the fun until she's called away.
7. She snuggles all before she goes and licks each puppy on the nose. She tells them all to try to doze. But they whine, "Mama, stay!" She goes to see her boy, and then Mama Dog runs home again.
8. Mama always comes home. Mama Dolphin in the sea,
9. Mama Chipmunk in the tree, clever Mama Chimpanzee,
10. and big old Mama Bear. Mama Gopher in her hole,
11. teensy-weensy Mama Mole, Mama Pony with her foal,
12. Mamas everywhere! They leave their little ones, but then... They hurry right back home again.
13. Mamas always come home.
14. In a chair all cozy snug, a mama gives her child a hug. She says, "I love you, cuddle bug, but now I have to go."
15. Her child cries, "Don't go away!" And Mama says, "I want to stay, but while I'm gone have fun and play," and soon, before you know, time will fly right by, and then I'll be coming home again." Because...
16. Mama always comes back home to you.

Those who prefer to see what they believe instead of believing what they see shall diss this book.
For those who have studied the topic of energy, this book is an excellent wrap-up of the current situation and propose realistic solutions. However, said solutions have nothing to do with a quick "press this button please" and everything will be sunny and rosy forever after.

An excellent primer to this book as well as a big picture context introduction to this book can be watch at [..] (no affiliation with this site). In particular, chapter 17 of the presentation is a must see.

We live in a world with a unhealthy addiction to oil and the dire need to kick this dependence is bearing down on us. What happens when we run out? I don't even want to imagine how bad society will become at that point for myself or my future generations. Learning to overcome this battle is crucial and will be a real accomplishment for mankind. Our realization that we need to change our unhealthy lifestyle is so urgent that we needed to start yesterday and with each of us individually not just a few. This book enables and enlightens those of us that need to become more aware and concerned as well as giving all of us a tangible and applicable way of doing so. This book breaks it down into an "easy to understand and do" approach to kicking the habit and becoming a more sustainable global society. A must read for every American that cares about their future and those of their loved ones.

Jeff Wilson offers a wonderful guide which outlines simple steps the U.S. can take to end our oil addiction. The book is concise and easy to read. Even a politician could understand it, which is why I think it should be required reading for all elected officials.

Energy prices are falling because of the global economic meltdown, but that doesn't change the dynamics of the long-term global energy crisis. Our freedom and our future standard of living are at stake. Wilson offers compelling solutions that are well within our reach.

This book was recommended to me by 3 people in one weeks time! I thought I was well educated on the subject of energy independence and well versed on solar energy, wind energy, bio fuels, and oil etc. I was amazed at how interesting and educational this book is. I think I will send President Elect Obama an inauguration present...this book! Wilson is definitely a top notch researcher and his math and engineering background is evident as this book is very factual and backed up with hard data. Every aspect of oil, where we get it, as well as it's depletion. If you think this last year was hard on us it is nothing compared to what the future holds. I had no clue that we were using oil at twice the rate new oil is being discovered and that all the easy to drill oil is pretty much depleted already. He walks you through each aspect of our addiction to foreign oil, each alternative source of energy and their practical use and hard data on to what extent each would replace fossil fuel. This book includes step by step plans that would be needed for congress to implement The Manhattan Project of 2009. You will be hearing a lot about this book and this author in the near future for sure.

I found this book a real eye opener. It should become part of school curriculum. It is imperative that we teach our children the importance of renewal energy at an early age. I also thought the author was very clever to include a scenario on the evolution of his ideas at the end of the book - "Going to Grandma's House". I would recommend that the leaders of our country read this book NOW!