Guides Books

Sometimes a book title can be misleading, but not so in this case. In fact, this book delivers what it offers, with a giant bonus - PR advice that works.

SELL YOURSELF WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL is a guide to succeeding in business and in public life, without losing the essence of who you are...without selling out. Susan's book is filled with wisdom, humor, kindness and realworld PR savvy.

This is a wonderful book for the person who wants more success and more visibility for herself or her cause, within her ethical construct. I highly recommend this book.

Susan Harrow is a media coach and marketing consultant. In "Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul" she explores the ways you can share your passion with the world. If you are looking to promote a product or a cause she explains how to become a polished interviewee. She also shows you how to:

Build name Recognition
Avoid Costly Mistakes
Get Media Attention
Become Mediagenic
Create a Winning Press Kit
Find People who Need Your Product or Service
Get on Oprah!
Wear the Right Clothes for a TV Interview

Throughout this book there are many success stories and Susan Harrow gives helpful and practical applications. Simple things like practicing answers before an interview becomes key to success.

If you have a product to sell this is one of the most important books you may ever read. I've been interviewed numerous times and the advice is excellent. The only book I think you need after reading this book is Feeding the Media Beast: An Easy Recipe for Great Publicity.

~The Rebecca Review

Having read a good number of the reviews of this superb book by Susan Harrow, I'll skip points I am happy to see others have covered so well. I also won't take time to summarize what's in the book so much as what I see pervading it and coming through it.

As a spiritual teacher and "Heart-awakener" with a huge focus on personal integrity and realness, I loved finding these two qualities radiating off every page with a consistency, strength, and confident serenity that can only come from someone who's walking her talk. For me from the title on through to the index, the book is a huge sigh of relief. There's so much hype in the world of publicity and marketing. I have to confess that even as a successful teacher of self-awareness and personal and relational integrity it's a struggle for me to read the compass clearly as I attempt to bring my work forward into the clamor of the marketplace. It's a challenge to make both audible and intelligible sounds that still ring entirely true to who I am and who my wife and partner Linda and I are together in our work. Underneath and shining through every single detail, Susan is initiating us neophytes and, I'm sure, many veterans with her obvious mastery of that profoundly intimate craft. That's the main reason I call the book a "publicity with integrity bible." In our time mature trueness to our heart and soul is the necessary foundation of all real spirituality and religion, it's the core of faith more than ever before. Without making an untoward display of it--which would ring untrue for her--Susan has written, in this sense, an authentically sacred text on how to make a true personal and creative ritual of the spirit in bringing our hearts and our messages to the world.

There's that word "real" again. Susan's ear and eye for emotional realness, for how ordinary-human we all are no matter how famous, admired, accomplished, and remarkable, pervades the whole book. It helps us approach the often intimidating prospect of publicizing ourselves with at least one foot always firmly on the ground and the other moving straight forward at a sustainable pace--or, whenever it's necessary to pause and take a breath, able to come back to rest on the material and psychic earth right underneath us.

Quite a number of other men have commented on how the book speaks so directly to us too. I agree, and wish to add that I think that's entirely deliberate on the author's part. I hear Susan Harrow saying to everyone, and certainly to men, "If you want to know how to speak both literally to women in the marketplace--and the worlds of publicity, journalism, and PR--and also to 'the Feminine' principle that no one can any longer afford to fail to take into account in any of our undertakings in life, then don't just do the things I urge you to do in this book in your publicity efforts. All that is important, absolutely. But if you really want to get underneath the content and into the context I'm teaching you, then continuallly take a step back and see how I am myself doing exactly the things I'm urging you to do. Study how I frame my communications to you, how carefully and gently I take all of your possible feelings, fears, reactions, and concerns into account, much as I'm urging you to do with everyone in the world of publicity with whom you wish to communicate."

If I'm at all mishearing you, Susan, I do apologize. But I'm delighted to get this message in any case. You've written a most practical approach to a key project in the life-work I call, in one of my own book titles, "Healing the Spirit/Matter Split." I intend to follow your precepts faithfully in every sense of the word and to recommend your good news far and wide. Thank you! --

"Although Susan Harrow's book, Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul, has a subtitle that calls the book "a woman's guide," I highly recommend it for men, too. If you have a message that you want to spread to the masses, Harrow teaches you everything you need to know about publicity in full detail. Both the beginner and the experienced will benefit. I wish more authors read her book before contacting my magazine. They would certainly increase their chances of getting reviewed."
~ Bob Olson, OfSpirit.com Magazine editor

The title is a bit misleading in that this book is not solely for women. The author may have initially intended it for women, but this book is for everyone! The author's caring and compassion and her obvious intelligence and spirit come through in a way that makes the reader know that there is truth and solid application in it.

Read it, learn from it, apply it, and benefit from it. It's that simple.

Great book to have for anyone who enjoys an adventure. Lots of walking options within the city

I found this book (rather thick - 251 pages) on the shelves of my local Santa Cruz library shelves. At first I thought it was rather boring - the cover is dizzying to look at. Then as I opened and perused thru more pages, I realized that this was a work of love - Adah Bakalinsky's love (a San Francisco local, and an emigrant to the US).

Adah Bakalinsky has expended previous editions and the January 2007 is the 6th edition.

What I liked about this book:
* informs the reader on some cool areas to walk in San Francisco, with cool architecture, and routes that will have your blood pumping.
* the 27 walks are all detailed with a map layout, interesting points of interest, photographs, and many factoids.
* Appendix 1 contains "An Informal Bibliography" (one pager with more info on the San Francisco)
* Appendix 2 lists all the staircases (across 36 pages) for each neighborhood in San Francisco and rates each one according to a 1 to 5 scale of combined: steepness, length, location, elevation, and beauty.
* and ... it was FREE.

Whether you are from out of town visiting San Francisco, a local denizen, or a Bay Area suburbian, you are sure to enjoy this book, even if not completing a walk from start to finish. The details are worth reading before each walk, as one is sure to add more mental details and moments of enjoyment as one walks across the beautiful city of San Francisco.

I love this book!! We live an hour north of S.F. and when ever we go to the city we start with one of these great walks. We have gone and explored neighborhoods we never would have without this book. San Francisco is such a beautiful city and getting to the top of some obscure staircase always gives you a unique and beautiful view. It is a must for anyone who lives in or near S.F.

San Francisco has over 50 hills with scenic vistas and small neighborhoods - so these nearly 30 urban walks are top picks for any who want to walk the city's byways. The revised expanded edition has been updated with new maps and color photos and adds three new walks, while an appendix lists the City's 600-plus public stairways. It's a 'must' for any San Francisco travel collection going beyond the general-interest city guide.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Adah's book is a great collection of walks all over the city. As the name implies, all the walks focus on the stairways for which San Francisco is so well known. This has two implications: one is that these walks will wear you out; the second is that, on sunny days, you get incredible views from the tops of all the stairways Adah has you climb.

For locals, the 27 walks cover the entire town from Glen Canyon to Lands End to Potrero Hill. No matter how long you've lived in San Francisco, I guarantee you'll see great spots you've never been to before.

Most of the walks are well off the beaten path for visitors, but a couple cover the classic tourist areas of North Beach, China Town, and Telegraph Hill. The Russian Hill North walk, done on a sunny day, will have anyone believing San Francisco is the most beautiful city on earth.

Adah provides maps, directions, and a great deal of color commentary for each walk. She tends to focus on eccentric details of the local architecture and flora for each walk, lending a whimsical quality to the whole experience.

Two last things to keep in mind. First, because the views are such a big part of these walks, Adah's trips are much better in good weather than in bad. Second, Adah is sometimes a little loose with her directions; I recommend cross checking the directions and the map often.

I love collections of stories about any one country, all rendered in one book. They allow true insight into the geography, demography, religion, and customs. This book on Thailand is superb. The stories about the cities, villages, the parks, the forests, people, absolutely beautiful and incredible. Getting around doesn't sound as cumbersome as some reports from acquaintances. Taking the water route in Bangkok instead of taxis sounds delightful, and the stories on the "sex trade" don't make it sound so awful.

After reading all the tales, I feel as if I had actually been there. I hope to find more books on other countries just like this one.

Well written; excellent research. Will be using the book during my stay... I want to visit all these wonderful places that are off the track.

This book arrived in great condition. It is a very helpful guide to first time visitors to Thailand

I've traveled to Thailand twice and studied Thai language for a year and a half at university. This book, for my money, is the best introduction available to the land, people, and culture of Thailand. It is not a straightforward travel guide; it is a way into the country without being explicit. As a westerner, from the essays contained in this book, I learned so much about a culture - and land - that is so different than the culture and land of the United States. Topics range from religion, agriculture, politics, and customs, to the bar scene, prostitution, and nature, etc etc etc. After reading this book you will come away with a fuller sense of who Thai people are and what Thailand is as a nation.

My favorite story is 'Mein Gott, Miss Siripan' by Susan Fulop Kepner. I love this piece so much I must have read it about twenty times now. It recalls the story of Kepner's beginning struggles learning to speak Thai while living in Bangkok on business. Her characterization of the fierce and indomitable Miss Siripan - her language teacher - is a classic; one of the most memorable characters in all of literature. Kepner, by the way, is now professor of Thai language at Berkeley. If anyone knows her or will meet her soon, please tell her that I am a HUGE fan of her writing! Khap khun!

This is a hybrid bewteen guide book and an anthology of travel stories. Quite a novel concept, except that it doesn't work so well as a guide book. There are only a couple of dozen pages on visas, weather and other practical issues towards the end of the book. This book works much better as a collection of beautifully essays - some of the best work by authors like Pico Iyer, Joe Cummings, Ian Buruma and many others.

These essays are highly varied in terms of style and theme. Some are downright romantic and introspective. Some provide a little insider's information on things that most tourists miss out. Some are incisive social commentaries which touch on subjects which may be considered taboo by the sensitive Thais. The editors have attempted to organise the articles in 4 main parts, namely:

1.Essence of Thailand
2.Some Things to Do
3.Going Your Own Way
4.In the Shadows

The 5th part only has one essay. The way these parts are named may cause some confusion. For instance, "some things to do" may contain Pico Iyer's musings on the impact on Thai tourism.

I would give it 5 stars for the great prose, highly enlightening pieces like "Who Was Anna Leonowens" by William Warren and the brutal honesty of many of the articles that are not afraid to go against everything the travel brochures tell us. It's an extremely goo read for people who wish to explore the kingdom or stay awhile. But for the somewhat misleading format and arrangement, I would minus one star.

This book was very helpful. As someone who currently has no "mentor" so to speak in the film industry, this book has acted as my temporary guide. It addresses many problems screenwriters go through, as well as warning people of the pitfalls that many aspiring screenwriters fall into. Highly recommended.

I own several screenwriting books and consider this one to be in the top 3 (McKee and Vogler being the other 2). The reason is because this is one of the few screenwriting books with information coming straight from successful screenwriters. This is key, because through their insights you can better understand how they work, think, and live. And this ultimately affects your writing positively because a lot of the uncertainties during the writing process are discussed. It won't teach you about structure etc, but it contains information that to me was equally vital: how to think as a successful screenwriter.

In real estate they discuss the three "L's" Location, location, location. This is the three "W's" Write, Write and Write more. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to write a screen play.

This is a must read for anyone who aspires to be a screen writer. Any wannabe writer has their own personal favorite blogs, a blog that helps inspire, motivate and teach them. This book is almost a best of those blogs from successful writers whose movies they have written have actually BEEN PRODUCED.
The one main theme of this book is just write and write and write because you love writing and not because you want the Hollywood celebrity lifestyle. Great writing will open a lot of doors for one and most importantly, keep that door open.
In my opinion, I like to study and and read how successful writers from all genres got their first break, their work ethic and how most importantly they work through writer's block and rejection. Again, Karl Iglesias' book does that successfully.

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Iglesias at the Screenwriting Expo. He knows his craft, he loves the business. And he's brutally honest in conveying the realistic odds of breaking into Hollywood. While no one ever says it's easy, he can tell you just how hard. This book is a must read for any aspiring screenwriter. Interviewing some of the greatest screenwriters, they all are forthcoming in telling their own tales of struggle, achievement, success, and most of them, frustration.

This book may be geared toward all screenwriters, however it succeeds in leaps and bounds, by telling the realistic truth any up-and-coming screenwriter needs to hear. Too often people are putting together a script hoping to win the lotttery, sell it for mid-six figures, and not taking the time to understand that the money should never be the motivating factor of writing any script. And if that's your only motivation, you'll never succeed in making your dream come true. This book reminds those of us that do it for a different reason, what that reason is. It's the love of writing. Anything else, any other reason, is simply a waste of time and energy.

Mr. Iglesias lays it out in plain view, through interview after interview, just how much of an uphill battle it is get someone to simply give your script a look, and even then, chances of your selling it are slim. Nicholas Kazan once spoke at a seminar. He told them to go turn in their registration forms and go home. He then told them that if any of them seriously entertained that advice, they would never make it. It's all about challenge and it's all about sacrifice. This book will help you realize how important both of those things are.

Professor Emeritus Harry Gottesfeld has done a lot for mental health in the USA and in Europe. His programs have literally helped hundreds of thousands of people. This book is a classic reference and everyone in the field should have a copy.

Sometimes a book is written that is insightful and helpful. Harry Gottesfeld, the eminent scholar, professor, and Director of Mental Health is at his best in this tome. No one else comes close to presenting this information so well.

Dr. Gottesfeld's book is the classic work on this subject and well worth buying if you are lucky enough to find a copy. It always seems to be out of stock due to great demand. I really like the way this famous professor, clinicial pyschologist, and former Director of NYC's 28 Mental Hospitals presented this material so anyone can read it and "get it" right away!

This book is used in Universities, Social Agencies, Government agencies and Courts. It should also be used by every American family who faces this problem! The book is written by one of the most fruitful and wise clinical psychologist's of our time.

The best book I have ever read on this important subject. This book is written by one of the most brilliant psychologists of this era, the humanist and clinicial psychologist, Dr. Harry Gottesfeld.

This book is the best I have seen on pruning all types of plants. Good use of pictures as well.

I kill plants! Not on purpose just some people are green thumb challenged. My husband and I bought quite a few fruit tree last summer and we had no idea how to prune them this book has saved me it is easy to understand(for those of us who are not gifted in yard care things) and easy to follow with lots of good information. It also is not a pruning for dummies book it really is for anybody I think even experienced gardeners would love it. It is just clean and uncomplicated.

Saw this book at regular retail store but it was too expensive. Checked Amazon and the price was right! I thought I knew all about pruning and found it a "therapeutic pleasure" then I learned so much more from this publcation. It's excellent. Lots of detail, color pictures and virtually all plants, trees & shrubs and their structure types are covered. I highly recommend this one - puts the others in the shade with clear up-to-date & authorative ideas & instructions.

This is a well illustrated and thought out book covering alot of material. It goes into depth on some items but not all of the ones I was hoping for. However, on the bright side, I learned some things that I didn't know and filled in a gap or 2 on some things I was already pretty familiar with. Great book if you want to cover alot of ground, not so good if you are looking for very narrow specifics.

Recommended by a professor of horticulture as an excellent pruning manual, this book has excellent charts and diagrams of many different woody plants.

Very clear and easy to understand. Covers odds and house advantage of various casino games. If you want to understand the math and odds the book gives good examples that are clear. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand this book. Got a copy for my retired uncle and he loves it for his casino trips. Clearly explains the house has an advantage, but teaches you how to minimize that so your money and free drinks last longer.

This book will explain to you, in no uncertain terms, exactly why you can't win at most games. However, it will give you tips on how to win more often. And, it will show you a few games where you actually have a chance to beat the house.

for anyone that spends any time or money gambling, you really ought to read this book.

...but, if you do make a trip to Vegas and lose, you'll know you did your very best and not be filled with complete regret about placing sucker and egotistical bets and getting taken in by the atmosphere in general. The author talks in detail about the emotional roller-coaster that is casino gambling, and this book will help you smooth out those bumps in the roller coaster.

Brisman is also very clear that no matter how skilled your decisions, the odds WILL remain in favor of the house at all times.

I'm not a particularly serious gambler - I go to casinos maybe 2-3 times a year. I bought this book several years ago before my first trip to vegas and read it on the plane on my way out (and have gone back and consulted it countless times since), and I'm very happy with it.

The book contains a few introductory chapters followed by 12 chapters devoted to common casino games (followed by a few misc. chapters at the end). It's very straightforward and takes a no-nonsense approach, backed by statistics/probability, to disect each game. For each casino game, the book tells you what the odds are if you play 'by the book', and describes various strategies for playing. In my opinion, this book (or a similar work) is a MUST if you are a beginning gambler and will probably be very useful if you are an intermediate level gambler. It's easy to understand, but at the same time it isn't dumbed down, so should remain a useful reference for all but the most serious/knowledgable gamblers.

I purchased this book primarily to learn blackjack, and specifically to learn basic strategy. The Blackjack chapter is very well laid out and should allow a beginner to learn basic strategy in a fairly short period of time, as it did in my case. If you play blackjack (or plan to play) and don't know basic strategy (or worse - don't know what basic strategy is!) then this book is an absolute must. I feel like I got my money's worth out of the blackjack chapter alone, with the rest of the book a very much appreciated added bonus.

The book has 16 chapters, 2 of which are introductory, and 13 are dedicated to the games themselves. If you've ever visited a casino, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed by flashing lights and sounds of coins falling everywhere, and then perhaps make an errant decision about playing a slot game or joining a roulette table.

This book does a good job on teaching the fundamentals and rules of each game, and it goes further to tell you why the game is profitable for the casino and how fast you should expect to lose money on it. Since the only game that might possibly be played to the player's advantage is blackjack, Chapter 3, which deals with blackjack, is one of the largest in the book. The author also discusses popular "winning" systems and with mathematical detail displays their faults.

It's an excellent guide to all the games and casino business in general. However, the book serves a dual purpose - after I learned about the odds and the house edge in each game, it's unlikely I will ever gamble at a casino again.

Sure the program comes with a PDF manual but having a printed reference can make learning so much easier. This is not a book on technique, it's a book on features, functionality and workflow. I primarily use Final Cut Express, thankfully most of the tutorials contained in the book are applicable. There's nothing terribly exciting about the book itself, the information is presented in a no-nonsense fashion. If your looking for anecdotal storytelling, humor and opinion you'd do well to consider another title. I keep it handy at all times, it's saved me a lot of time and frustration...well worth the money.

I like Lynda's personal publications best but anything bearing her title "H.O.T." is worth having. Very practical and useful. Norman Borge

Until I purchased this book, I had owned FCP4 for six months. I had learned my way around the software well enough. I felt comfortable, but not necessarily proficient. In order to improve my editing time, I went ahead and ordered this book, also with the intent of getting my Apple certification, as this is the same text used in their classes. Normally, I am the type that I will skip sections that discuss things that I'm certain I know, but I went ahead and followed every step in the book.
What a difference! Each chapter takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete, using video clips on the included DVD. After 3 days and 10 chapters, I was hardling touching my trackball. Not only had I learned quite a few shortcuts, but the book helped me understand the editing process itself a little better. I feel that this text is very well laid out, easy to understand, and can be done relatively quickly with a sharp learning curve. I highly recommend this to anyone new to Final Cut Pro. With a little time and effort, you'll be flying around the video editing, the soundtrack design and the Live Type titling package. And, after you have completed this book, go ahead and buy Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Editing and Finishing Techniques in Final Cut Pro 4, you will not be disappointed.

When looking for a book on FCP, I just read the various reviews. Even though some others looked quite interesting, I chose this one and am glad I did. I wanted a specific type of instruction because I have some expert-level chops and ignorance at the same time. I'm new to video but am a professional recording engineer by trade. I'm fully conversant on the Mac and non-linear audio programs so I needed a book that got both completely simple (for video concepts new to me) and also provided some depth at the same time.

The type of instruction in this book is having the user execute step-by-step, starting at the most basic level but progressing into more complex stuff fairly quick.

I forget the wording but there's some Chinese proverb........something like
You tell me, I hear
You show me, I see
I do, I learn

That's me and this book suits my learning style nicely. I'm sure there are other books as good but I doubt that any are better, hard to see how you could go wrong with this one.

I consider myself to be a "seasoned user" of Final Cut Pro. I have been editing with FCP since the original release of version 1.0 and have worked on numerous documentaries, features, commercials and episodic television.

I learned about this book from the Apple website. This is the official textbook used for Apple Pro Certification (FCP Level One). So I decided that I would "forget" everything I already knew and begin with Lesson 1. I'm very happy I adopted that attitude because there are so many neat little tips that I picked up in the first few lessons. Now I wonder how I ever survived without them. Those tips have already saved me a lot of time. I have only completed one-third of the lessons thus far and I can already see an improvement in my productivity.

Every chapter of the book is a "hands-on" lesson. The files and media for each lesson are provided on a DVD-ROM (included). You will first copy those files to your hard drive and then open each lesson file and then follow the step-by-step instructions in the book.

I'm looking forward to getting my Level One certification with the help of this book, and I can't wait to continue onto the Advanced Level certification with the second book.

Please note this is essentially the same book as the the "Final Cut Pro HD" book. The DVD is the same and so are the exercises. I had a chance to compare both and noticed only only one minor detailed (a detail is now circled on a screen shot) and, of course, there could be some that I missed. Even so, the back cover of the HD book acknowledges...

"This book was previously published under the title "Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 4. If you previously purchased this book, there is no need to purchase this revision: All the project files and exercises in the previous edition can be used with Final Cut Pro HD."

Bottom-Line: Newbie or Pro? It doesn't matter! This is a GREAT book to own if you use FCP.

A close friend of mine had attended a live training with Rose Rosetree and talked highly of her. I then bought her book on Aura Reading and also on Empathy.

My friend tells me that Rose is much better in person than she comes across on the written page.

I tend to take books such as this with a grain of salt, while trying to keep an open mind. At this point I'm very skeptical, but I do not want to "close the book" just yet. I have read the book and reread certain sections, including the exercises.

The book has a section on identifying "your special talent" for reading auras: visual, kinetically, olfactory, "knowing," etc. By the end of the chapter I think that everyone would have identified with one of the things Rose said. This means that we ALL have a special talent. However, if we all have it, what makes it so special?

The book is about "reading" auras, not "seeing" auras. Basically, she talks about gathering information about someone or something through "subtle perceptions."

She has several exercises for developing your ability to read auras. I really want to see colors, but I don't. She relies on the ability to see colors when describing some of the uses of aura reading. At other times, she seems to put everything under the umbrella of aura reading. Want to "hear" the music on a CD before you buy it? Read the aura! Use aura reading to smell perfumes without opening the bottles. (I kid you not, this is in the book).

The preparation for some of the exercises is simplistic and the book doesn't explain how or why certain things do the things she says they will. For example, she reported that you can raise your vibrational rate, by taking three deep breaths, which she calls "High vibration breaths." I've done a lot of deep breathing and a lot of meditation, but I don't believe I've really "seen" an aura.

On the other hand, I've "seen" things and felt things. I'm not sure what these things are. I don't know if it's just me fooling myself or if this is genuinely aura reading. I've always had the ability to look at someone or a picture of someone and size them up fairly accurately (based on reports by others). This is what I mean by the jury still being out. I continue to try the exercises, because I really would like to do the things she describes.

Please note: I'm writing this from my office and don't have the book with me, so some of the terminology may be off, but the concepts are not.

The bottom line is that the book doesn't cost that much and if you are interested, buy the book and try the exercises. Maybe you'll have more luck than I did.

This book is one of a kind. Most book on aura reading are very limited in the way they teach to develop your abilities. This book cannot fail to help you unravel your gifts because it pinpoints your strengths. It doesn't promise instantaneous and magical aura viewing in "30 seconds!" or in "30 minutes!" Psychic reading is a skill to develop and this book helps you develop it.

One of the most interesting idea she discusses is that of synesthesia, the merging of the psychic senses (clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, etc) that happens eventually as you develop one or two of your talents. She also develops the three basic psychic senses into eleven.

The other strength of the book is that the author links psychic abilities development and spiritual development. She offers recommendations and a resource section to that end. In short, that book is completely worth it to the spiritual student, healer, psychic or else.

This book is very interesting and helpful for the person who wants to know more about the world we belong to. I would recommend to read this book.

This book will help you develop your skills as an aura reader. It is a great reference book to have with a vast amount of information in it. You can go back to it repeatedly and find it offers you something useful every time. The question and answer sections are very funny and give you the feeling of being in a workshop. The techniques are clearly explained and will help you to deepen your subtle perception.

This book is well worth your time! If you are looking to expand and enhance your personal Divine abilities, here is the best example of guidance I've had the pleasure of reading in a while. The techniques and guidance have enhanced my own personal experience so much, I simply have this "knowing" that it will benefit other's as well. Rose Rosetree, the author, has a knack of helping one see beyond the walls of the box we tend to compartmentalize our learning. She is encouraging and knows that each of us has our own special abilities, how to indentify those abilities, and then how to enhance and use them. You may find that it "qualifies" things you have done your whole life and didn't realize till you read "Aura Reading Through All Your Senses". Enjoy!

I really like the fact that they have information week by week about what you and the baby are going through. In addtion they have comments from mother's for each week. A lot of the time these comments are contradictory which helps to illustrate the point that every pregnancy is different and what you are going through is normal for some. I'm in my first trimester and i've read the first 14 weeks thouroughly and looked through the rest of the book as well. I like how the sections are split up and the sections at the end such as the "is it safe?" section are great. There are benefits to other books as well - one is that some of the information, such as information on specific symptoms, is talked about throughout the chapter and so it may not be as easy to search for answers to specific questions in these areas. However, I've really enjoyed this book and I think it's a great reference to have.

I flipped through a bunch of books (and someone gave me What to Expect When You're Expecting). But The Baby Center's Guide had the most meat of those I looked at. I'm the type of person that wants the facts written in intelligent terms. The rest seemed "dumbed down" in comparison.

This is hands down the best pregnancy guide I've read. "What to Expect" is alarmist. "The Girlfriend's Guide" will quickly make you neurotic about your weight. The 2004 edition of "The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby" is organizationally muddled. This book, however, is wonderful and everything you could ask for in a pregnancy reference guide.

The week-by-week pregnancy descriptions in "Essential Guide" are informative enough to satisfy your curiousity about what's going on with your body and your baby's development, but not so detailed that you feel creeped-out or overwhelmed. The tone of the book is never preachy or anxiety-inducing. The medical info is largely up-to-date and tailored to common American health care system practices. And there are helpful sections on "making the most of your changing look." Bravo! A superb resource I consult often and would recommend to any pregnant woman.

This book was well-thout out, put together clearly, and features input from mothers at each stage (week) of pregnancy, which really helped me understand that everything I was going through was normal (and scientifically explicable). I'm a childcare provider and 1st time mom (now 16 months old), and I recommend and buy this book for all of my pregnant friends (even dads-to-be should read it).
Trust me, you won't be disappointed! I had 7 other pregnancy books given to me by friends/garage sales, and they all were terrible, common sense type books. Even the "What to Expect" series is so incredibly overrated...I have no idea why! Buy this book and you won't regret it. Oh, and you're welcome to check out my wish list on Amazon that I share with my expectant friends and family. I researched forever before deciding on each item and have nothing but terrific things to say about each one!

Great week by week guide of what is going on. Good tips and things too look out for.