Art Books

Many interesting articles and reviews on various receivers, antennas and more. The book's value to me lies elsewhere though. I'm using a 70's model Realistic DX-160 (analog tuning) radio. For me, the sections on worldwide broadcasts in english, and the "blue pages" - essentially a map of broadcasts by frequency (2.310Mhz-21.850Mhz) are extremely helpful. I haven't even looked at the section: "what's on tonight?" - features a guide to hour-by-hour listening to worldband programming / shows in english. I need to get reading...I mean listening. This guide is an excellent value.

I have used Passport for almost twenty years now. Before the internet it was the best way (and only practical way) to keep track of schedules and frequencies and still is since my PC can't be everywhere my radio is. It also is a great resource if you are shopping for a shortwave radio as all major sets in all quality and price ranges are reviewed. There is also alot of general information for shortwave listening and information on future trends. No world band listener should be without the most current version of this book.

This is a must own for any shortwave listener, form newbies, to professionals. I've barely scratched the surface of all this book has to offer. My Favorite feature is the "blue pages". The blue pages have frequencies down the side, and times along the top, you just find the frequency you're listening to and intersect it with the time, and you've got the station you're listening to.

This is a reference/text/fun/must have every year book, for all shortwave radio listeners and alike. It does a wonderful job in all areas of SWL. It provides info on radio selection, all types. New and up-to-date stations,
frequencies, countries of origin, time of broadcast, xref. frequencies to stations and times. Interesting ads. You need this book the whole year. It uses high grade paper(its heavy too), has articles on countries, people, stations, things of interest, pictures in many categories. This book is quality cover to cover. Useful for an entire year, and parts of it forever.
Is that a great book or what!
Extremely Recommended !!!

For all the information here, I can't believe this book didn't cost twice as much! Reviews, radio listings, a glossary of terms, etc. Passport to World Band Radio, 2008 really expanded my radio experience by opening my eyes up and tuning my ears into what all else is out there!

When I bought this book, I hope to discover some facts about piano making and I am happy with the purchase. This is a good book for everyone because is the point of view of a writer and is the general view just like everyone who isn't in the piano world just piano technicians, piano teachers, buyers,dealers; is great for pianists, musicians and all the people who wants to know how is the making of a piano for one of the greatest piano makers, isn't a technical book, have historical facts in the way of anecdotic, humorous, and some factory language.

Steinway pianos are my favorite. Being that I am a professional country/blues pianist, if I can't play a Steinway, I would rather not play! James Barron wrote an historical account of the making of a Steinway. The piano is still made the way they started since the 1800's. No assembly line, no plastic parts, and no artificial wood. They are constructed by hand and skilled craftsmanship.

Why buy a $400.00 piano made in China? That is an insult not only to beginning and professional pianists, but an insult to the piano itself. In 2000, the piano celebrated it's 300th anniversary. Piano is the most famous house hold instrument.

This book is enjoyable, and educational even to those who do not play, but love to hear the glorious 88 keys hitting the strings. The harpsichord was a for runner of the piano. The difference was, you may beat the keys as hard as you can, but you still only received one level of sound. Strings were plucked, and the piano was made for the hammers to hit the strings. The harder you played, the louder a piano sounded. The piano changed the history of the world. I think two of the greatest pianist is Floyd Cramer, and Roger Williams.

Steinway takes you deep into the heart of their factory, and shows you how a piano is meant to be built and played. The history is fascinating.

K-0862 became a living...feeling...emotional entity by the end of this book........A very very original idea (to breath life into this piano) and well written. Actually EXTREMELY WELL WRITTEN book...My NEW favorite among all books...right up there with OVER THE EDGE OF THE WORLD......... The two most enjoyable....... educational........ books I have ever read!!!!!! KUDOS!!!!!!! I hated when i got to the end of this one!!!!!!

I took my copy of "Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand" to the beach with me. I read it in 4 days! Mr. Barron infuses a wealth of information into a wonderful story about this piano,and oh so much more. Before you know it K-0862 is a character you care about. I cannot imagine anyone not finding something to love about this book!!! Masterfully written!

Excellently and diligently written, this little book tells the story of one Steinway concert grand piano from conception to adolescence. Barron loves the piano, respects the Company, and is dilgent in showing the evolution of Steinway, as well as the creation of one, new opus - a 9 foot concert piano. Barron introduces us to the barons of Steinway and the individual craftsmen who hand make these excellent instruments. To me, the quality and individual character of each Steinway piano are no longer a mystery.

Each time I play my own small grand piano (a quality A B Chase, close replica of the Steinway model S), I think of the efforts that went into it. Unlike Yamahas and such, the Steinway is an almost hand-built piano from a Company which has never relented in its determination to produce the best.

The book also explains why age is not all that becoming in the tonal life of a piano. The instrument has a birth, a development, and an aging process which are measured in tonal character progress, not just years. The aged Steiway seems a time integral of all that has come before - including hundred year old designs and techniques, and all the way up to its last tuning.

If you think a piano is a piano, is a piano, Barron's book will change your outlook.

This book is awesome. It helped me to write my first book, "Lipstick Ghetto: The Girls' Guide to Escaping The 9-to-5 Rat Race." "Putting Your Passion Into Print" is an excellent resource for all writers (new and experienced). From getting the right idea for your book to selling it to publishers...this book is an invaluable tool. I have so many pages marked with "sticky notes"! Buy this book and you will learn how to be a successful writer.

I got an agent and a publisher for my book within 3 weeks of submitting the proposal - and not a single rejection letter! When would-be authors ask me for advice I send them to the store to buy Putting Your Passion Into Print! Bravo to the authors for a comprehsive guide to writing, publishing and marketing your book. Also helpful was "Write the Perfect Book Proposal" by Jeff Herman. These two books should be on every aspiring author's shelf. Scratch that. They should be on your bedside table....and in your hands.

Donna Cutting
Author of "The Celebrity Experience: Insider Secrets to Delivering Red-Carpet Customer Service"The Celebrity Experience: Insider Secrets to Delivering Red Carpet Customer Service

This book is full of info for almost every aspect of publishing and finding a literary agent. It covers more subjects than any other book I read, but it could go into a little more detail with some of them.If the chapter on proposals and query letters had more examples, it would have been a little more helpful. Their was a lot of information on marketing and publicity. I'm overall very pleased with this book, I learned enough in it to consider it a good purchase, and it will be another one I refer to often.

It is an important part of a writer's personal collection. I would recommend it to anyone looking to get published along with Michael Larsen's "How to Get a Literary Agent", and "Give em What they Want" by Blythe Cameson for good examples of query letters.

These three books are a good start for the fiction writer.

My brother and I have been working on our first book (Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations) for over a year now -- it goes to print this week -- and PYPIP has been a constant reference and priceless guide. From agents and proposals to writing, editing, publicity, and marketing, this book takes you through the whole process with practical advice and examples that bring the ideas to life. Whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction, cookbooks or poetry, PYPIP is the book for you. I would recommend this book to any aspiring writer. It's worth its weight in gold.

I absolutely loved this book! I've been researching many aspects of publishing, but this well-written, humorous book put the disparate elements of: writing query letters and book proposals, getting a manuscript in front of an agent, accepted by a publisher, and into the hands of readers, all in one place. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in a close, insider's look at the publishing world and how you can take your great idea and passion from the notes on a page to the book-signing stage successfully.
Their step-by-step approach, quotes from other writers, agents, publishers, editors, booksellers, and librarians are very helpful. I don't know of any other book out there that packs in so many facts, useful tools, and poignant quotes from those in the industry who have the power to help you take your book to the top of the best-seller list or leave you out in the cold with an unedited, unappreciated manuscript destined for a drawer. All that, and it's funny besides. What more could you ask for (other than a ticket to one of their workshops which I have no doubt are a blast)?
I'm very glad I resisted the temptation to check this out of the library. It's too valuable a reference book not to have next to me as I work.

This Movie Is Great It Has The MG-42 Bullets Going Right Through The Water On The Beach.The Blood,Gore,Gun Realism Is Great.It Also Is A Heart Touching Movie.The Action Is Great,The Guns,The Cool Guys,And The Nazis....

This Movie Is Great It Has The MG-42 Bullets Going Right Through The Water On The Beach.The Blood,Gore,Gun Realism Is Great.It Also Is A Heart Touching Movie.The Action Is Great,The Guns,The Cool Guys,And The Nazis.If You Like SPR(Saving Private Ryan)Than Play The Game MoH:AA(Medal Of Honor:Allied Assault)For PC It Has The Same Weapons And The Same Missions Like The Real WWII.Good Luck

I think Spielberg's a genius. There, I've said it. He takes simple men, surely John Miller, Captain, 2nd Ranger Battalion is just that, a simple man, and paints a canvas of such detail of Armageddon, putting these simple men all over the painting. Hell. The end of the world. Good versus evil. Call it what you may. "I'm a history teacher," he says in the movie in one extraordinarily tense scene. "I teach history in a small high school in Pennsylvania. . . .when I'm done here I don't know if I can go back to it."

I'm reminded of another 'simple man' that came from Pennsylvania in novel lore. Lieutenant Harry Brubaker, the lawyer who flies F-9 Panther Jets in Michner's brief story about the carnage in Korea, 'Bridges at To Ko Ri.'

But the point is Spielberg tells us that they were all simple men and we don't believe him at first. We keep looking for Arnie Schwarznegger or Chuck Norris or The Rock. But they are and were normal guys, guys from Brooklyn New York and Brooklyn Michigan. Guys from towns you never heard of in Iowa, where Jimmy Ryan and his brothers came from. Just guys in the greatest carnage the world ever knew. And Spielberg shows us what they did. They changed the world.

The five Sullivan brothers all went down with their ship in the middle of the war and after that the powers that be would not commit one brother in a theater of combat where another brother was also serving in harm's way. So here, one of Jimmy Ryan's brothers is killed in the Pacific and one brother is killed in Anzio Beach. And Sean Ryan is killed in the landing at Omaha Beach. And Captain John Miller and a squad of men he picks are asked to find him to send him home.

A wonderful book to compliment a movie that should be preserved forever about an ubelievable body of men and women. "Was I a good man," asks James Ryan 50 years later? My Dad asked me the same question a few years ago. Five stars is not enough. Larry Scantlebury.

I think this story is a very good story it really shows how the war really whent. my favrit character in this story was mellish well i'v seen the movie and i think he is the cutest i also like capazo he was really cool i think uhpum was a bit of a wimp but apart from that i think it was really cool.If i was to give this movie/book a raiting out of 100 i would give it 100 becaust it is so good.

Saving Private Ryan and The Triumph and the Glory have sparked an interest in me about WWII. The novel isn't quite as good as the movie but anyway this book is a great behind the scenes look at the making of a terrific movie.

Back in college, a devoted group of soap watchers gathered in the student center every day to keep up with life in Salem. None of us knew each other outside that TV room, but for one hour a day, five days a week, we were united in our running commentary of crazy plots, acting that ranged from barely there to over the top, fashion don'ts, and Alice's donuts. Anyone stumbling in might have thought we hated the show, but no demand of college could keep us away from it.

Screening Party reminds me of that, only better, because Hensley's (based on life?) movie viewers are friends. Their lives become little subplots to the movies they watch and comment on. It all makes for a greatly entertaining read. I've read it cover to cover once, and I keep it handy to dip into when I want a quick read during lunch or something. I can always count on it to make me laugh.

This book is GREAT. I had this book purchased for me in July 2003. I was out for drinks with my brother and his partner ( who bought it for me) and they casually asked had I read it yet...I lied and said "yeah of course. Good book." They looked at each other, then back at me and said simply. "Liar"

This provoked me to get the book out of the pile next to the bed labeled "mean to read" and skim through it. By page 2 I was in tears. Mr. hensley made me crack up REALLY LOL. Like before LOL existed, this is what I did..so much so that my husband asked me to READ TO HIM what was making me crack up to this extent. (Shoot me now. He NEVER has done that before) Well, we continued to laugh till well into the am. hours.

I highly recommend this book. Hillarious and the BEST if you are one of those who like to sit and "bag" on things. Bravo Mr Hensley! Great book!

Jodi Wallace

Dennis Hensley and his gaggle of five chums crack wise to earn your giggles in what is one of the more original and better written movie books I've read. Decidedly not a traditional film review or guide, Screening Party seamlessly integrates hilarious commentary from Hensley's peanut gallery with poignant, often surprisingly touching storytelling about the lives of those in said peanut gallery. The contemporary campfests you might expect are covered (e.g., Basic Instinct, The Bodyguard, Glitter, & Flashdance), but also included are some unexpected gems (e.g., The Sound of Music and Taxi Driver). While the banter is always funny but not always totally original, this is actually the point: you will find yourself laughing out loud at times, reliving the magic of Sharon Stone's infamous legs uncrossing scene and your reaction to it the first time you saw it. The gang's commentary is as witty as you wish yours had been, and, thanks to Hensley, retold faithfully and skillfully.

If you are looking for a collection of serious film reviews, then look elsewhere. If you are looking for a great way to spend an evening or a lazy afternoon (because you will not be able to put down this book), then make some baked goods a la one Partygoer and join the Party.

great fun. if you're not rolling on the floor with laughter when you read this your first name is ebenezer. several friends get together and critique movies. no one is spared when they carve up such cinematic masterpieces as st. elmo's fire, the bodyguard, glitter, basic instinct, pretty woman [ I don't understand julia roberts popularity, eric got the talent gene, imo ], my favorite is the chapter on the movie cruising.

Screening Party is a witty, saucy book that will get you laughing. Obviously, Hensley has distilled the most brilliant and effervescent remarks from his real-life screening parties for this story. These funny characters do more than just crack Sedarisque lines about movies; you see the changes in their lives as the story progresses.

This is a calculated mix of movie commentary and storyline, though more oriented for those who want the cultural analysis rather than the story. It's an especially vivid snapshot of mid-70s to early 80s pop culture. Even movies you thought were great get roasted via the sass-spatula from these wacky grillers.

Though I love movies, I've never considered writing for screen. But Screenwriting for Teens is not only a terrific guide for every screenie teen, but a good book to read for any writer. Screenwriting covers everything from genre definitions (and examples!) to dialogue rules, formatting guidelines and finance notes. Perfect for a teen's attention span, each chapter is only 2 pages long and covers a different concept (100 in all) of screenwriting basics.

This book is fun and thought-provoking at the same time. I loved all the movie references (I've seen almost all of them!) and have added Moonstruck and Laura to my To-Be-Watched list. But I also kept thinking about my Novel-in-Progress, and how Christina's advice about conflict and character-building needed to be worked into my book. This unusual teen-centered "textbook" (not textbook-boring at all) belongs on your bookshelf if you are interested in writing and especially if you want to be a screenwriter.

- [...]

Candidly, I have to confess that before I read Christina Hamlett's Screenwriting For Teens: The 100 Principles Of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know, I knew very little about screenwriting. This is not to say that after completing my reading I have become a maven on the subject matter, however, it did give me an excellent introduction into this fascinating and absorbing craft. And perhaps one day, with the tools and techniques Hamlett has provided me in her book, I will sit down and write my first film short.

Hamlett's vast experience as Professional Script Consultant, as well as an author of twenty-four books, one hundred and eighteen plays and musicals, four optioned films and screenwriting columns that have been published throughout the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, was a natural choice to write an instructive manual on screenwriting. Although, the title may imply that the book is for teens, nonetheless, adults will likewise reap a great deal from its enlightening contents.

The text of the book is kept to a minimum and is written in a clear, upbeat, and conversational style that readers will enjoy. Then again, what really makes this book a standout is its simple and effective presentation. Each short chapter consists of a key concept about the craft of screenwriting that is followed by a "Look & Learn" section listing reference films, television shows, books and website. The intention of these lists is to reinforce the principles presented in the chapters. The last part of each chapter entitled, "Brainstormers," is an activity section containing writing exercises that can be used in connection with specific projects or simply a tool to wake up the creative side of your brain.

As an example, if you look to the chapter dealing with the concept that "Conflict Grows Out Of Character," Hamlett stresses that "conflict becomes the intersection where the participants respective intentions, beliefs, and past experiences all crash into each other." In other words, if your story does not have a conflict, your story is basically about nothing. And as mentioned, "conflict cannot emerge from nothing as it needs to be fueled by the clash of wills that occurs whenever people who feel they have nothing in common are forced to share the same space. Bringing these dissimilar personalities together is what ignites the conflict that will then drive the plot."

To reinforce this principle, Hamlett refers to the movie Lethal Weapon where she goes onto explain how conflict is introduced. This is followed by three suggested exercises such as writing about a situation at school or at home where the personalities of you and someone else clash.

Adding to the book's thoroughness is an extensive filmography containing movie titles and the year of their production as well as the lead actors.

The field of intelligent books addressed to teens pertaining to screenwriting is certainly not overpopulated, however, Screenwriting For Teens: The 100 Principles Of Screenwriting Every Budding Writer Must Know has now most admirably filled this void.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

My son got this book from the library and was pretty upset when he had to return it. He had to own it. He loves it.

In Screenwriting for Teens, Christina inspires young and old to dive into the film craft. The book's depth of information allows for it to transcend the high-school age group. One of the unique aspects of the book is the subject chapter exercises which prove both helpful and challenging. Participating in these exercises will enhance one's film craft. Highly recommending the book.

The idea of any kind of guidebook normally gives me the "ho-hums", but I must admit that this was a pleasant (and educational!)surprise. Christina Hamlett's Screenwriting for Teens is fun to read; it's pleasing and practical and comes across as more of an on-line chat with one's mentor than anything resembling a "how-to" text. And yet, this book is totally to be taken seriously!

Christina Hamlett knows writing, and she knows movies. She also knows how to speak to a young audience (though I feel this book would be invaluable to beginning writers of all ages). And, most importantly, she knows what it takes to make a good start as a writer. Her wise advice? It's all about you and your writing (and reading), NOT about how to make money, achieve fame, and create blockbusters.

Screenwriting for Teens is a nice visual package, as well, both structurally and graphically. I myself wish Ms. Hamlett had been my tutor in high school - she could've taught me how to do a proper outline! This book can be read effectively in its entirety, or section by section; the blocky layout is great for kids, who we all know can be (ahem) a bit impatient. Another plus for kids is the fact that Hamlett's voice is conversational yet professional, and not "teacher-ly". She's not trying to get young people to slog through yet another textbook, after all. This is about real world goals and practice.

Hamlett also offers great advice for beginning writers of all stripes, not just budding screenwriters. For example, she explains the differences between story and plot, how to write for various genres such as comdey, sci-fi, etc. And yet her advice for screenwriters is priceless - my own favorite Hamlett topic is "Characters Shouldn't Use Dialgoue to Explain Things to Each Other That They Already Know" (she proceeds to cite some dialogue from a Harry Potter film, but she's right so we must forgive her).

So, if you are a teen writer or an adult just fumbling around getting started, pick up this book, sit down, and learn, learn, learn! Screenwriting for Teens is enlightening, sensible, and FUN!

I read the book years ago and loved it. I recently had my husband read it when he started selling our new business, and he loved it so much he bought the audio version to drive around with. We now have given it to someone else who is going to start selling our now-thriving business.

I am a Purchasing guy, and am always dealing with sales guys. Have been for 25 years. 5 years ago I crossed over to Consulting. In my new line of work, I am finding it necessary to sell, not just buy. This book explains how to do that successfully and is a must read for ANY professional, regardless of whether you are a buyer or seller of goods or services, as we are all truly in the business of selling our ideas to somebody, every day.

Buy it, read it, benefit from it. It is a great great book.

I found this to be a great book about selling tactics. Written in an easily accessible style with few wasted words. This book gets to the point quickly and provides a roadmap to easily and quickly create a sales handbook that is customized for your business. I created and continue to refine my own sales handbook thanks to this book, and I find it very useful preparation for sales meetings. I handed my sales handbook to someone who didn't really understand what I did, and after reading it she knew exactly how and why. One of the best books on selling tactics that I've read.

I purchased this program and others to review before deciding wich to use in a training program for my salesforce. I personaly enjoyed it, but do not feel it would be as widely excepted as other programs I reviewed. It requires more decipline to stick with it than other programs and I believe this is so because of the delivery or reading of the material. I am glad I listened to it but it did not make the cut for my training material.

Thank you Jerry for a no-non-sense aproach to the "art & science" of selling. I picked up the 4 cassette tape set on "Soft Selling in a Hard World" on Ebay and put the tape set away for 6 months. Unpackaged it the other day and have been kicking myself ever since. Powerful, easy to understand principles and systems, that make selling "fun for me again".

I've always loved people and the interaction I have with them. And I'm a pretty accomplished sales trainer as well. When I listened to Jerry's tapes, he put me "back in sales training school" for which I'm grateful.

Selling isn't rocket-science but it is a science. Do this...get this. The value of preparation comes through in Jerry's presentation. The 90-second close and Mission Statement sections have changed my approach to selling TV advertising, and selling is "really fun again".

Thank you Jerry. With the salespeople I manage, we'll be calling you for your in-depth Executive Training Program with our sales folks.

sophie the spider goes out into the world to do something great, to create a masterpiece. she settles herself in this boarding house and attempts to help out the people who live there, but none of them accept her gifts and scream at the sight of her. sophie eventually finds a new mother who doesn't scream at the sight of her, but welcomes her. the mother is poor though and sophie sees an old blanket covering the mother's baby. sophie decides to make a new blanket for the baby, her masterpiece. the pictures are beautiful and the story touching. a great addition to the bookshelf.

A friend of mine purchased it for her niece and wanted my opinion. I'll admit that I not a huge fan of children (single, 25 year-old here) or kid paraphernalia, but this is an amazing book! I've gotten copies for several people I know who are having a baby and everyone loves it. Such a sweet story that still gets me a little choked up.

"...Sophie is not just a spider, she's an artist". With just this beginning sentence we are introduced to the very caring character of Sophie, a house-hold spider who sews the most beautiful webs in spider history. When Sophie becomes a mature spider, she decides to go out into the world and share her talents with everyone she meets. However, the world does not want Sophie to share her talents wit them and after consistence swats and shooing, Sophie decides that she's had enough. Yet, one day she meets a young woman who is expecting a baby. She is very poor and has nothing to cover her baby with when he is born. Sophie, now old and frail, feels that she can still do some good for this woman. So she musters up all her strength and begins to make the young woman and her baby a blanket... a masterpiece... a gift of love.

I recommend this to anyone who has a fear of spiders or is trying to teach more compassion to their children related to any subject. Beautifully illustrated and a very touching story.

I absolutely LOVED this beautiful story. Warning: For the sentimental at heart, like myself, it packs a bit of a punch near the end. I wasn't prepared and found myself choking up while reading it alound and my little one looking up at me in confusion... But that is what makes it such a lovely story and it's never to soon to teach children about selfless love, such as Sophie's!

I have been wanting this book since it came out a year or so ago. It did NOT disappoint. There is so much in this book that doesn't come from the show. I remember writing a thesis on this show in college, stating that the website actually becomes a supplement to the show and by doing this, it actually pulls the viewer into the show, breaking the fourth wall. This book does that times two. Are the Sopranos based on actual people? Is it truth or fiction? By the time you get done reading this, you won't care. This is a must read.

A stellar examination of the past, present, and portents of "The Sopranos"! Wow! From the die-hard Soprano fans to all those interested schlumps, this book is the must-read needed on their bookself. An entertaining, voyeuristic, and compassionate look at the Sopranos' lives that mix reality and myth into a remarkable anthology of today's most famous mobster family. The show earned its Emmys and then some; the book compliments the show with its photos and commentary on what will become the most talked about series for years to come. In my opinion, there are only a handful of shows that truly deserve such an in-depth perspective as this one does- and this one hits the mark! Two enthusiastic thumbs up and a congratulations going toward the talented and witty writer, Allen Rucker, the only one who made this fantastic book possible for all Soprano aficionados to thoroughly enjoy. Rucker brings an unique standpoint to the Sopranos' family and lifestyle that I never knew existed. I hope he writes the next updated version! If not, "I have friends, you know!"

I loved this book. I poured over it so many times that I have just about worn it out. It has been like a Bible of sorts to me. Very interesting. Anyone who is a true Sopranoholic like I am will love this book. I just wish they would make an updated version of it. I am going to be so sorry to see the season end and just thinking about the series ending is too much for me to comprehend.

Think of this book as one big Soprano History/Dictionary/Vocabulary book and that is what you can expect. Worth every cent.

Great book to have if you are a die hard Soprano fan like myself. Gives you great insights on the Soprano family tree and it also gives Soprano fans a guide on things that you might have missed out on. Overall, a excellent book! Don't keep this book too far away when you're watching the show because it comes in handy

I'm a big Opera fan, and my grandmother bought me this book because she thought it was about great Italian singers. You can imagine my disappointment when I realized this book was about the characters from a TV show focusing on the Mafia. I don't have a TV, so I'd never seen the "Sopranos" show. Reading about something I had no knowledge of, or interest in, seemed dumb at first, but I had the book so I thought "What the heck! I'll read it". Once I started, I couldn't put it down. It is a very entertaining read, and I would recommend it to anyone, even people with no TVs like me, who enjoy a fun book. Highly Recommended! (Note: I have since seen the show at a friend's house, and frankly I must say I liked the book better than the progam.)

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to follow, and it helped me to control my stress!!

This is my first book on Tai Chi and thus far I am loving it! The illustrations are wonderful as are the descriptions of the moves. It's very easy to understand and so much fun to do. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to start Tai Chi.

I got this book for my boyfriend and he loves it. He uses it all the time. It is easy to read and understand.

This is such and easy book to follow for Tai Chi, excellent illustrations.
Very well done.

Before purchasing this book I had attended one university gym tai chi class and taken some martial arts classes. Needless to say I was not a tai chi master by any stretch of the imagination. The book was very useful to me though. It got me into doing a daily tai chi exercise which I have been doing for about 6 months now. Tai Chi is very low impact and quite relaxing so it is easy to if you have some free time during your day. The book uses written directions and large picture illustrations to guide you through the moves of tai chi. The pictures are large and easy to understand, while the descriptions are thorough but not over bearing. The book is broken down into 5 phases so do not worry about being attacked with a ton very hard or stressful moves right at the beginning. There is a beginning phase that has the user go through the building blocks of tai chi. These building blocks will later be used to complete full forms or extended combined moves. The second phase is still a building phase but the moves are more intensive and require a little bit more effort. They aare meant to improve the strength and ability to make the correct motions. The third phase is even more aggresive moves meant to strengthen the balance and the movement of the reader. The 4 phase is kind of an offshoot that focuses on working with a partner. I have not personally tried this yet but im sure it is very helpful. The final phase is a form in which you use all previous stages to complete. This book has been very helpful to me to get into tai chi. I feel like i release a lot of stress and am doing something productive whenever I go through my movements.