Guides Books

Loved this book ...spent a week at the Bald Head Island Conservancy which operates a nationally recognised Sea Turtle Protection program and is the only non governmental agency in N.Carolina allowed to conduct turtle identification and satellite tracking of sea turtles. The book was an excellent resource and adjunct to the teaching of the sea turtle biologists at the Conservancy. Plus the illustrations are beautiful!!

This book is amazing! Beautiful Pictures!! Our family saved baby sea turtles on a vacation. Bought this book for my ten year old's (very high level reader) non-fiction book report because she fell in love with the species. It was huge and very textbook-like but beautifully written and understandable. Talks generally about sea turtles. Talks about the parts of a turtle, the reproductive cycle, and about all the different types of sea turtles. Talks about the dangers they are in. I am very happy with the purchase and my daughter was truly inspired.

I purchased this book for my High School Freshman as a Honors Lit non-fiction book project. She made a beautiful powerpoint presentation and Website with quizzes. This book was fabulous. At first I thought it would be a tough kind of informational book to read, but it was not! It was written in layman terms and easy to read. The pictures are nothing less than gorgeous. There is so much information packed in this book it was hard to decide what to leave out! Also this book would be a beautiful coffee table book because the quality and pictures are wonderful. There was plenty of information about conservation and even though my daughter has always loved turtles now she is an activist and has joined a save the sea turtles foundation. This book was a godsend and a pleasure to read.

This book is full of fantastic photos and a wealth of detailed information. A must for anybody interested in sea turtles.

This book is beautiful. From one of the top sea turtle conservationists. It covers almost everything there is to know about sea turtles. The diagrams of turtle anatomy really help to understand these creatures. It is also great that Spotila profiles some of the dedicated conservationists working to protect the turtles. The pictures are stunning. The books large pages do the pictures and the turtles justice. After reading the book, you feel as if you have been initiated into the world of sea turtles. And, an added bonus, a portion of the royalties will be donated to Leatherback Trust. In short, if you like sea turtles, buy this book.

The title was definetly an eye catcher for me and caused me to be rather curious as to what does it mean to Sin Boldly... and is that as a Christian a good thing... aren't we called to not sin...?

After I got out of my cloud of confusion of what direction the book would take I was surprised both by the simplicity and beauty of language. Falsani went through stories of her life by painting pictures of the experiences that God has guided her through. We have all learned at least one definition of the word grace, however Falsani tells a story of how grace prevails even in the most dire of circumstances. From remote villages in Africa, to Katrina destroyed areas, to a funeral for the late Pope.

How often do you look for grace to emerge from the ashes? How often do you pray for grace to come and over come the ugly of this world? But it does... it really does... I had never thought of grace touching each experience in my life. This book doesn't contain a ton of theological rock your brain until something convicting and wowing pops out about grace. Rather, takes a more simple don't overlook experiences look at grace. It truly is everywhere and even if you don't think you have experienced it in one way or another, you need to take a step back and realize that you really have.

wow.

let me shoot straight: this is one of the best books i have read this year.

falsani has writtten an absolutely stunning book about grace. i could not recommend this book more highly.

sin boldly is a gorgeous, wandering, adventure in looking for (and finding) grace. it's not a theological treatise (though it has real-world theological implications dripping off every page). instead, falsani uses questions, searching, stories, and reflections to dig around and unearth a three-dimensional grace. there's an almost "amazing race" vibe to the book, as she takes readers on a 'round-the-world grace-seeking adventure. but it's not a heart-pounding amazing race -- it's an amazing grace race with space and slow and quiet and small noticing. it's a spiritual quest, delivered with humility, frailty, imperfection, stumbling, insight, a-ha moments, and a cast of characters all-the-better in that they're real.

i'll be honest about this: i was regularly surprised, as i read, that my parent company, zondervan, published this book. and, as much as i love my parent company, i don't really mean that as a compliment (except in the fact that i'm both astounded and pleasantly shocked that this brilliant and rough manuscript made it through the editorial process in a major christian publishing house). falsani is not your everyday christian bookstore writer. put it this way: the book is more anne lammot than it is beth moore.

i'll be adding "sin boldly" to my list of most-often recommended books, along with my other "friends", like:
messy spirituality and dangerous wonder, by mike yaconelli
traveling mercies and grace (eventually), by anne lammot
take this bread, by sara miles
the life you've always wanted, by john ortberg
and a few books by parker palmer and frederich buechner

this book moved me deeply, and gave me hope. i didn't want it to end.

I just finished a book that I found simply stunning. It was well written, thoughtful, helpful, encouraging, challenging, and hopeful. It's Cathleen Falsani's Sin Boldly: A Field Guide To Grace.

I had a feeling it would be a good read. After all, Falsani authored another book I really enjoyed (The God Factor: Inside the Private Lives of Public People). So even though I got my copy of Sin Boldly a while ago, I put it aside until I had time to really read it with the attention it deserved. And I'm happy I did.

This "field guide to grace" is exactly that -- a pilgrim's guide to see God's grace in and around us and others and our world. There were many little gems that I highlighted - her thoughts, the epigrams, and quotations. It was a book that became a friend and one which I highly recommend to those who aren't afraid of finding God in all the right places.

--Brent

Cathleen Falsani's honest and witty account of the places where she finds Grace is an inspiring read. Whether you struggle to find signs of Grace in your daily life, or you are one of the lucky ones to actually see Grace often, Sin Boldly encourages you to keep an eye open for God's wonderful gift.

If along with most people you've ever wondered what God possibly could do to transform your pitiful attitudes and pathetic lack of alignment with the demands of the commands, this collection of stories from Chicago Sun-Times religion columnist Cathleen Falsani's recent peregrinations will give you hope and keep you keepin' on, since God lovingly reigns with showers of mercy-filled grace, no matter who, no matter what, no matter when.

On page 57 Cathleen cites a couple of "grace" examples that especially resonate with me: "Sometimes it's having the guts to rebuild, to take a chance, to follow your nose and your heart rather than your head." "Sometimes grace is finding out that your preconceived notions are dead wrong." "And sometimes it's a bowl of watermelon gazpacho when you were expecting Taco Bell."

Discussing the possibility of following precise recipes for spiritual and religious experience and renewal (there aren't any), Cathleen described herself as "rhubarb pie with pistachio ice cream," making me wonder how to describe myself in food, and maybe how I'd describe some of the people I've met.

Cathleen's book chronicles God's "audacious" grace, as she sometimes styles it; and in its free, elusive, characteristically unanticipated and unexpectedness, Grace is audacious, bold and wild. But just as much, grace often is physically tastable, audible, visible, aromatic and touchable: incarnate and enfleshed; in that case, where can grace lead us? What is our response in the Spirit to the Divine Image in which we've been created?

I predict you'll enjoy this book, you'll recommend it and you'll probably want to read it again!

I have read many works on the subject of getting in touch with the ego, and Soul Without Shame really hits on the core with steps that allow you to recognize the judge in all of its clever disguises. This is the book to help the mind (judge, ego, superego) take a break from you, who are in need of spaciousness. You deserve spaciousness; it's the only way to wake up and be inside of life instead of on some disjointed fringe of it. This book quite literally fell off the shelf in a bookstore and hit me on the head. Such an unassuming title and one that was never a bestseller, but should be THE BEST seller. I have been reading and rereading while at the same time reading Tolle's A New Earth and Gary Renard's The Dissapearance of the Universe; reading these three books at the same time has been profound, and I recommend it.

Some voice inside of me seems to already know how each event of my life should go, critiquing relentlessly as though it has been here before. This book is a powerful step toward disarming the authority of that voice.

Even after the first three weeks of elation that I experienced after reading the book and implementing the many skills I learned, and the subsequent return to the reality of my "inner judge" causing havoc in my life, I still find this to be the most powerful self-help book I haver ever read. I reference it constantly, to find language to support my soul and release myself from negative feelings and related behavior caused by internal criticism. I have recommended this book to many friends who all agree. This book, if you are willing to do the work, will change your life.

This book is a well written, well supported understanding of a pattern in so many of us, one that can sabotage our free and delightful living in this world. I travel with it around the world :-) a great reminder at times. Byron adds not only a fresh point of view on the Judge, but also with that guides us back to revive a long forgotten/frozen Soul in hiding.. Many exercises to make it more tangible, and even "personal" stories that will echo in each whilst one reading. Take it one step at a time, this is for real.

I am an MFT Intern and Guided Imagery Practitioner. This book has proved to be a practical reference for working the inner critic. I've used it ever since I first read it 6 years ago. Do you have clients who have difficulty working on their "self-talk?" This is a great book with excellent exercises to jump-start a huge growth period around awareness, self-affinity and self-compassion. --LMD

austin pryor packs this book full of great information and resources. check out his web site.

Managing your Money God's way is an incredibly concise and easy to follow guide to financial planning. Great book for beginners as well as advanced. There's something for everyone.

This is a clear, well-written, easy-to-understand book that is ideal for people wanting to know more about saving and investing. The book is written in layman's term with lots of graphics and illustrations that make it an easy read for investors of all levels. I strongly recommend this book, and have personally given away a half dozen copies to various friends and relatives over the past year.

Great Book. Some of the information is out of date, but the principles taught are very relevant. It expands greatly what is offered in their newsletters. Would be a great gift to give.

The principles in the book will not get you rich overnight (by design); however, they will put you on solid financial footing. Starting with getting out debt, creating a "rainy day" fund and finally investing through mutual funds. None of this is earth shattering but if you are justing starting off on your road to financial freedom or are ready to systematically invest your surplus, this book is for you. I also subscribe to the SMI newsletter to help me manage my 401k/IRA accounts.

There are SO many different posters in this book. There are so many different styles too! Abstract, paintings, puppets, photo manipulation, product ads, world-movie posters; it has everything! I love it. Oh. There's also little descriptions of each poster, however they're a little vague at times... that's the only issue I have with the book. Other than that. Great!

This is a nice book. I waited a long time for a book like this. There are plenty of images and interesting information as well. Obviously, not every poster ever made made it into this book. However, don't let that stop you. This is a great book filled with timeless artistic images from that galaxy far, far, away. :)

At the price I got this for and the shape it was in, it was a definate steal!

The artwork in this amazing book speaks for itself! - incredible reference and resource to all the movie posters for this groundbreaking, earthshaking blockbuster that keeps on going into hyper-space year after year.... any collector or artist would LOVE to have this in their collection!

While this book has a ton of Star Wars Posters listed, it's a book for the reader who is not familiar with poster collecting, or the highest level of Star Wars poster collecting. There is no inbetween. The book is basically a giant list with illustrations. But the list includes posters that are so obscure that it's almost not worth putting them in this book (Coca Cola and Burger King advertising posters come to mind.) There is also a few places where they just went overboard; there is one page where they have pictures of about 20 different posters, all from Episode I, all the same poster, just printed in different languages. I would have liked to have seen a little more detail on the things that matter more to collectors like how to spot a bootleg from an original, what the 77/21 means on the bottom right of the Star Wars 1 sheet, details on different poster printers and their posters (Kilian Enterprises for one), etc. I would also like to have seen more information on where to get posters other than "try the internet." Overall an OK book, it just lacks in certain areas of information.

I'm taking an electromagnetics course where we are applying Maxwell's equations. I found Fleisch's book to provide much clearer explanations of the concepts and application of Maxwell's equations than my course text book, and it has been a big help for me in this class. Highly recommended.

I can only echo the praise that others have submitted regarding "A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations." My comments are targeted at how it looks on the Kindle Reader.

The text rendering seems crisp and readable throughout, though the imaging of the equations are sometimes too small that the subscripts are difficult to read. (Locations 126-31) The text can be scaled nicely through six choices, but the images of the equations do not.

Tables lack contrast. (Locations 179-182)

The first of many boxed question marks, [?], begin at locations 232-40 and continue. The author presents a problem at Locations 440-50 that reads somewhat like this, at the end of the first sentence, "... extends from spherical angle [?]1 to [?]2 and from [?]1 to [?]2." Obviously the Kindle reader cannot render the element and simply shows [?].

I suspect a student, not familiar with the subject, would favor the old-fashioned "physical" medium to the Kindle medium.

When I saw some positive reviews about this book online, I decided to buy it. The book arrived sooner and I started reading. So far, it has been a rewarding experience for me. The author gives physical meaning to terms in each equation in plain language. In addition, the explanations are mathematically non-confusing, but describe the reason behind each terms. I wish I had the book few years back when I was taking Physics and electromagnetic charaterization of materials class. As of now, it rekindles my interests again.

If you have any need or interest in Maxwell's equations you have to get this book. The explanations are easy to understand, the graphics are good, and there's just enough equations to get the point across.

I've already read it twice. By the end of the year I'll have read it again two more times probably.

It's so well presented and sensible that a person could imagine memorizing and fully understanding Maxwell's equations. Hey, makes you popular at parties. All you have to due is bone up on Greens theorem, and such, refresh your divergence and curl memory and this book becomes an easy read. It's a refreshing change over the normal textbook.

It's nice to cut through all the pesky details like...... modern technology, and just focus on the fundamentals.

For me this book is a great review. I took advantage of both the pod casts and problem solutions. I prefer this authors notations to many of the other EM texts I have read.

Moving story about a puppy in training to be a guide dog. Wonderfully moving text and absolutely beautiful pictures. As a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, I truly appreciate the beauty and accuracy of this story which follows a puppy from the arrival at the puppy raiser's home until graduation as a working part of a guide dog team. A true classic that is appropriate for all ages, this book tells lovingly about the joys, laughter, love and pain of raising a puppy that will some day give another the gift of independence and mobility.

I am a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence and love this book. Any puppy raiser can relate even if you don't raise pups just for the blind (like me).

A great gift as well.

As the author of "Coco the Love Dog" and a pet therapy partner, we have read Through Otis' Eyes many times while reading with children as part of the "Reading to Dogs program. A wonderful, endearing, uplifting book!

Sue Grundfest, author, "Coco the Love Dog"

This is a wonderful book! I read it frequently -- whenever I want to remember what is REALLY important. Of course, my face is wet with tears by the time I'm done, but they are tears of gratitude. Read this book when you need to remind yourself that what matters in life is not fame or fortune, but love. Once again, animals show us how it is done.

I love this book!!! It is not only an inspiration for puppy raisers, but also a look at life in general. Everyone should read it. I am a puppy raiser in FL and raised a puppy who looks just like Otis - what a bonus for me.

Why is this book out of print? It is so magnificent!!!...

These original Scott golfers would like to say as they teed off, Hit it far and sure. This book on them is just that, far and sure. It goes a long way in linking us golfers today with the Morrises and their other links buddies. Like many, I have heard about the infamous Morris' and golf's grand start in Scotland. This is done in such an intimate and flowing story form that you're brought right back into the times these two great golfers teed it up.

There is much history and culture of the times which makes it all that much more realistic and captivating: how we got to eighteen, the 4 1/2 cup and end of stymy, and on and on are here. I appreciate the candor and way in which the author acknowledges the Scottish help in received in putting this together, even those who had written previous books but still felt compelled to provide all support and research that they knew of. Admirable on both parts! If you have not read it yet, do read "The Edict."

The sadness of the deaths of his family before him, and his keeping on till the end as well as his faith life, reading the Bible daily, will endear this book and family to me and other readers. So, far and sure!

This book was a finalist for sports book of the year in the UK in 2007, and won the Book-of-the-Year Award from the United States Golf Association. Kevin Cook hits it "far and sure."

If you want to learn some of the history of Scottish golf, this is a great book. It is very readable and interesting. I wish I had read it before we made our first trip to play golf in Scotland last year.

Simply put, this has it all, from facts we all thing we know, to the lives of this family both the glorious and the very lowest God can hand to us.

In 2001 when my middle daughter was accepted to the University of St Andrews we were elated about the prospect of her studing abroad in a first class institution and she was especially excited about being a classmate of Prince William. Golf was an after thought. I had only begun playing a few years earlier and carried a 14 handicap. I read several books on the history of the town of St Andrews and played the course over a dozen times during the ensuring four years. When a friend metioned that he had read "Tommy's Honor" I was lukewarm but took his advice I ordered the book through Amazon. It was one the best written and compelling books I've ever had the chance to read. The humanity of the characters and the richness of the story line compares well with the best novels. I visited the grave site with mild curosity before but now I am making plans to return to St Andrews to play and to walk in the steps of Old and Young Tom Morris.

Fred Fernatt MA,MS,CPA,CFP

What a trip! This book gives you most of the details you need to get on the train and get an education. Time passes fast so take advantage of each moment. Four men just returned from Beijing to Moscow (August 2008), the trip of a lifetime. Very helpful guide into the cities and scenes along the way. It doesn't tell about all the great people riding the rails with you. Friends forever!

I am leaving soon for a two-week trip in Siberia. This book has been an exceellent primer. I'll know more about how to judge it when I return.

I have not been able to find any single travel book that covers as much useful information as this! I will be traveling the Trans-Siberian rail this summer, and this book has been a constant companion through my planning process. Detailed information on all of the towns and cities along the way along with maps to avoid getting lost while wandering. Definitely a bonus for the all of the information on smaller towns- it's very difficult to find a travel-worthy guide book that covers more than just St. Petersburg and Moscow, not to mention UB!

Can't recommend this book higher to anyone considering journeying the Trans-Siberian Railway!

Because I plan to trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway next year I bought this book hoping to read some advice and tips on how to travel the whole trip, where to stay, how much it costs, where to stay etc.

But his book absolutely surpassed all my expectations!! There are not only those tips on trans-siberian rail, but also "travel guides" for cities like Moscow, Irkutsk and even tips on how to get to Mongolia, where to stay in Ulan-Bator and so forth.

I have no idea how I would plan my trip without this book! It's really amazing how much information (and even with tips from other "ordinary" travellers!!) is in that, for instance bus-numbers from Moscow airport heading to the center of the city ...

The book absolutely worth the money.

For passengers on traveling on all or most of the Trans-Siberian Railway and visiting the cities along it, there are only two English-language travel guides. The Lonely Planet guide appeared in 2003 with a second edition in 2006, while Bryn Thomas updates his guide almost yearly and in 2007 it reached its seventh edition. I'm a two-time veteran of the Trans-Siberian, using the 1st edition of the Lonely Planet on the eastbound Trans-Manchurian route, and the 2nd edition on the eastbound Trans-Mongolian. When I recently discovered Bryn Thomas' guide in the local library, however, it struck me as the guide that I wish I had had on the trip.

The Lonely Planet guide and Thomas' have much in common. Both include a history of Russia in the Trans-Siberian era and general information about culture. They both give sightseeing guidance and lodging listings for the cities along the way. The LP sticks to the three traditional routes between Moscow and Beijing or Vladivostok, but Thomas has now added Yakutsk, soon to be accessible by rail) and other possible rail terminus cities like Prague and Hong Kong.

What makes Thomas' guide real special is his enthusiasm for the train journey itself. Unlike the LP guide, he gives timetables for the route, truly equipping the reader to prepare for the trip without having to look for too much information outside the book. Thomas discusses in detail the layout of carriages, specifics of what the carriage attendant can do for those under her charge, and things to look out for at kilometre markers along the way. The LP guide has little about the journey itself, and what little interesting information it did have in the first edition disappeared in the second.

Thomas' tone is also much more pleasant to read than in the common guidebooks for independent travelers. He doesn't try to sell you places you have already decided to visit with an overuse of words like "vibrant" and "spectacular". I also admire that he succeeds in writing for a general audience. While some of the accomodation listings are pricey, it doesn't feel like he is dismissing backpackers like certain sell-out guidebook lines.

I don't think I will ever travel the Trans-Siberian all the way again. While still fairly low considering the distance, fares are rising and I usually have the three free weeks needed to hitchhike from Europe to Ulan-Ude or Vladivostok. Nonetheless, I'd certainly recommend this to travelers planning a trip that is well-worth doing at least once.

One of the greatest Sci-Fi series of all time. Adams spins an amazingly twisted story of hitchhiking through the Universe. A wonderful and imaginative series that will have you guessing at every turn with the most improbable outcomes. This is a must read for every Sci-Fi fan!

I usually dont read by choice but Ive read this and im hooked on the series. This book is good stuff.

This book is great! The whole concept of two men one alien, one human getting picked up by a space ship is really amazing. This book is really great and fun to read for teenagers and adults.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy represents some of the most original, funny, spellbinding material that I've ever read. The first book contains the most creativity, but the least linearity because of the original format (radio shows). The second and third take off from there and create a crescendo of momentum that I wasn't able to put down (I quite literally read all 5 books within a few days time). The last couple of books might be the weakest, but that's mainly because they must follow such incredible prequels. I cannot overemphasize the entertainment that this series offers. The Hitchhiker's Guide represents a true genre-bursting collection. While at first glance these books might seem to appeal mainly to science fiction readers, they actually have very little in common with sci-fi and readers wishing for a sci-fi environment and story may not find what they expect. These books should appeal to any reader, but those old enough to recall some of the 1980's will especially be able to understand the author's period and setting.

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