Research Books

I loved this book it puts a different view on things. It has an easy read feeling to it. I enjoyed it very much

Great book and an inspiring insight into the life and research of a zoologist... even for a non-biologist. You don't have to be a biologist, a zoologist, or even a scientist to enjoy this book. Passive fear gives insight into a common reaction of a diverse group of animals to fear, a somewhat unexpected reaction. But, the book is much more than a book about animal reaction to fear, the book gives the reader fascinating insight into the life of a science researcher and the paths research takes one along the way. I highly recommend the book.

For many not grounded in science, the process of scientific discovery is difficult to comprehend and somewhat mystical. Many books describing science are dry and sprinkled with incomprehensible words. "Passive Fear: Alternative to Fight or Flight" is completely different.

Dr. Norbert Smith has condensed and clarified some of the methods by which scientific discoveries are made in this exciting, autobiographical book. He has a gift of drawing the reader into his quest so that we begin to ask the same questions he was compelled to answer. Along the way, he chronicles the story of his boyhood interest in animals and the wonders of nature.

Readers will begin to understand the differences between research conducted in the laboratory, with artificially bred animals, as opposed to Dr. Smith's field research using animals born and raised in the wild. Readers will enjoy Dr. Smith's discussion of the problems in using those artificially bred lab animals to understand what really goes on in the world.

Dr. Smith clearly and succinctly describes the thrust of his research. He wished to understand a response many animals have when confronted with a fear-inducing situation. He observed a slowing of heart rate, as opposed to popular wisdom stating that heart rate should increase. He details his groundbreaking work in fitting devices to animals to gently measure their heart rate and body temperature. He worked with such unlikely research animals as alligators, woodchucks, swamp rabbits, gray squirrels, and box turtles.

Readers will agonize with Dr. Smith as he describes the difficulties in procuring funding for his novel research. They will also rejoice as Dr. Smith's research findings turn traditional science on its head, but gradually come to be accepted. A bibliography lists 17 of his publications which have appeared in prestigious journals such as The Journal of Applied Physiology.

In summary, this book opens readers to the joy of science. Young readers contemplating a career in science will better understand the exciting road ahead of them. Seasoned scientists and researchers such as myself will benefit from reading the trials and travails of a fellow scientist. However, above all, any reader wishing to gain an expanded view of science would do well to pay close attention to Dr. Smith's book.

Finally! A science book that I can easily read and understand. Dr. Smith captures the reader's attention with humor, mixed in with science. What a great combination. I don't think I learned as much in my college biology class as I did reading this book -and I sure laughed & enjoyed myself a lot more. I highly recommend this book to everyone - it's easy, light reading and you'll learn something in the process. Keep the books coming Dr. Smith! I can't wait to read the next one.

Wayne Frair

For Amazon

This interest-holding scientific autobiography commences with an exciting biology fieldtrip. Author Smith, then a new graduate student, saw the eyes of an alligator. He called to it, and this 6' wild male swam across the pond to his feet. He captured it for brief study and release.

This account introduces a main theme of the book--study organisms in their natural environments. Smith designed new radio telemetry systems, and these were employed mainly in field studies of reptiles and some mammals.

The 15 short chapters are sequential and bursting with the author's enthusiasm. The book is a good read and easily completed at one sitting--also a nice gift for your biologist relative or friend.

throw away all your phonics rules and worksheets and Hooked on's.

If you wish to read, then read.

If you want to teach others to read, give them something they will read.

Lower your standards. Read the cereal box, the soup can, Calvin and Hobbes, Incredible Hulk, Barefoot Gen, Maus, whatever absolutely they want to read. Just read. Just do it.

The great Dr. Krashen here shows you how.

Here in this second edition, updated to the latest research of 2004 which serves to confirm his earlier conclusions, Dr. Krashen gives us and our students permission to read whatever interests us, so long as we will read.

By reading we learn to read.

No brainer.

Few people know that the great American comedian of film and stage WC Fields began his vaudeville career as a fantastic juggler, manipulating cigar boxes and pool cues and balls, etc. with great skill and alacrity. After years of this someone gave him a manual of How to Juggle, which had so many rules and advice, including regarding breathing and concentration, that in his next performance he failed while he tried to remember and observe the rules of good juggling. He could no longer concentrate as he focused on concentrating. He later recovered his incredible skills when he could finally again forget the rules and just juggle.

Same with reading. Throw away those high priced "how to read" and phonics books. Just read. The industry gives you nothing to really read, just exercises with no benefit and little interest. Just read what you want and you will read.

Only the great publication houses with phonics programs and worksheets to sell at a high price tell us (and the big government that now runs our schools) otherwise. There is too much profit to be lost, and too much lobbying going on in the halls of our state houses and Congress, and the w White house.

By the way, why does the current Secretary of Education have absolutely no experience in any kind of education? Kind of like that FEMA guy, or Gonzo, etc., etc. Still she forces us to buy worksheets instead of letting us READ freely in order to learn how to read. Library funds are decimated while the industry reaps great profit and the government its lobbying bribes.

It is in reading that we read. It is in reading that our reading skills grow, no matter what you read. As you read lower level materials, your mind will automatically seek more challenging materials and reach for more. After Marvel you will want Tolkein. After Harry Potter you will hunger for James Joyce, forever. And then Dante and the Bible remain.

I have been a bilingual teacher and practitioner for many decades, as my grandmother before me. I recall from my first hearing of words and of speech my bilingual Church (Latin with occassional English, briefly), etc. Dr. Krashen's method here serves all students, especially our bilingual students developing reading skills in their most comfortable language which are applicable later to the target language (here ENglish) without even their being aware of it. They will wonder when you taught them to read in English.

This book is based on solid research and bursts most of the popular and powerful misconceptions and myths regarding teaching methods and politicians with profitable interests who would stop those strategies which are most effective.

Please study this book carefully for the scientifically proven truth, based on reliable research methodology.

In order to learn how to read, read. Whatever you choose, whatever interests you, but easy reading, within your frustration level, within your enjoyment level.

There's plenty of good stuff to read right here on the amazon. Check out my reviews for a few!

And then read to your family, too, in joy and in peace, and relearn the love of reading together. Turn off that television and just read already!

I teach ESL at the middle school level. This book was so powerful and convincing that I immediately changed my lesson plans to include SSR on a daily basis.

My friend casually slipped this book to me over the lunch table. She said I may find it helpful in my struggles teaching middle school and high school English to second language learners. Little did she know how helpful this book would be. After reading the book, I immediately consulted with my colleagues and we began a program of free reading. It's working! I actully have students thanking me for letting them figure out for themselves that they really didn't mind reading! I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a very readable compilation of the research that's been done and how to apply it! Worth every penny!

Stephen Krashen does a wonderful job of presenting an easy to read book on research concerning children and reading. The info provided can be extremely useful when ordering books and planning programming for children. Some parts of the book get dry and a little slow but overall the results are fascinating. The copyright date of 1993 makes the book slightly out of date and I would love to see a second edition of the book to see if anything has changed since then.

I am the Library/Media Specialist for a school district in Alaska on a grant to increase literacy through literature. I heard Stephen D. Krashen speak at a school librarian convention and was so impressed that I read this book. The district has Silent Sustained Reading as its number one directive to all the teachers, but the idea is difficult for some teacher's to accept. I am hoping that by lending this book to teachers we can get fuller compliance. Having taught children's literature class at the college level for six years, I have read a lot and firmly believe in the work done by Krashen as presented in this book.

With the intelligence community re-inventing itself to meet emerging threats, the Heuer book's re-release will serve the new generation of analysts well.
The first two chapters deal primarily with biases, mindsets and perceptions -- those key areas which have had less than a good impact on thinking in and outside of the intelligence field. The eighth chapter covers what he is known best for, the Analysis of Competing Hypotheses, covered in a step-by-step manner.
I require all my analytic students to read this book and I find it gives me new insights with every re-reading.
The new publishers have done us all a favor by putting this into the public venue once more.
Heuer's work and his ongoing contribution to the field make him an international intelligence treasure.

This book is simply a must read for anyone interesting in the field of intelligence. Heuer really knows his stuff.

One reviewer has the following criticism: "The book is less than successful primarily because Heuer appears to believe that mere technique or `tradecraft' can be codified and used to produce good analysis." Whether or not Heuer actually believes this or not, I do not know, however, I disagree with this criticism as it pertains to this book. I have never worked in a formal intelligence environment or as an intelligence analyst, so I am only addressing what I perceived as the intention, stated or not, of this book.

I believe it is clear that he is addressing this book (or series of articles) to those who are already trained intelligence analysts in some capacity, and is discussing the importance of, and giving some instruction on how, to avoid the pitfalls and hindrances associated with our human cognitive processes. From my perspective, he is not trying to teach a particular one-size-fits-all analysis technique, or trying to imply that anyone can perform and excel as an analyst just by following a prescribed procedure.

Actually, I believe he addresses some very deep and sophisticated topics in a very practical manner. His writing is very plain and easy to understand, as are the examples and studies he cites to make his point. He does not attempt to write like a scientist, he keeps the subject matter on a level that makes it easy to understand, which in turn, makes it more useful to you. (You cannot apply what you do not understand.) In fact, as I read this book I could immediately recall situations in my life where I paid a price for making some of the mistakes he outlines and see that I could have brought about much better conclusions and solutions if I had the knowledge in this book.

This is a very good book for any type of manager, lawyer, analyst in any field, detective, researcher, etc..I cannot imagine anyone not being helped by the subject manner in this book and his very practical instructional approach.

I have used what I learned in this book, and couple others, in some recent business problem solving efforts, and had very successful conclusions to these efforts.

The core function of the U.S. Intelligence System is to collect unprocessed information (data) and transform it into useful knowledge (intelligence). This transformation is accomplished through a cognitive process called `analysis' (more accurately research and analysis). Richard Heurer examines this process and attempts to explain how it is performed. This book reflects his long experience working for on the thorny issues associated with understanding analysis on behalf of CIA. The book is less than successful primarily because Heurer appears to believe that mere technique or `tradecraft' can be codified and used to produce good analysis.

In point of fact to focus on technique is to ignore the reality that the entire process of intelligence production is dependent on the analyst's knowledge of the target. This knowledge enables an analyst: to collate unprocessed information and extract relevant pieces from it; to recognize patterns of behavior and anomalies within the target; and to steer collection programs to obtain still more information about the target. Target knowledge, particularly for CIA analysts, should enable the analyst not only validate discrete target related events and occurrences, but also to integrate them into knowledge packages that would actually be useful to intelligence consumers. Perhaps more importantly, Heurer ignores the truth that good analysis is more dependent on the personality of the analyst than on any amount of training. The qualities of persistence, curiosity, objectivity, and intuition cannot be acquired through teaching. Finally Heurer gives very little attention to the value of sound research as an indispensable part of the analytic process. The analyst who presumes the information before him is all there is to a story is making a major error. True as, Heurer notes, information must be managed with care or it can overwhelm an analyst, but target knowledge should allow the analyst the wheat from the chaff. Properly executed research can result in a more informed and accurate intelligence product.

In the end Heurer makes a valiant attempt and certainly provides some important ideas and concepts that do help the analytic process. His arguments about perception, managing information, and open mindedness are all perfectly valid. Yet at the end of the day, target knowledge and personality will trump technique (tradecraft) every time.

Richards Heuer's Psychology of Intelligence Analysis is based on a compilation of declassified articles from the CIA's Center for the Study of Intelligence, prepared for intelligence analysts and management. However, this book will benefit anyone conducting analyses of complex scenarios in a structured way, including health care professionals, financial and market analysts from all industry verticals, law enforcement and security staff, auditors and fraud investigators, and many others.

Heuer's point is that `analysts should be self-conscious about their reasoning processes. They should think about how they make judgments and reach conclusions, not just about the judgments and conclusions themselves'. The book presents a discussion of how mental models and subconscious cognitive processes can limit our reasoning capabilities (especially when coping with uncertainty and doubt), as well as an introduction on how we can try to understand and negate these effects.

In his analysis, Heuer presents data from internal and external cognitive studies, scrutinizes past CIA success and failure cases, and proposes a re-evaluation of the way we generally look at problems. The author brilliantly makes his point in Chapter 13 by showing scenarios in which the reader is invited to review previous statements and `evidence' from the text, look at the discussion from different angles, methodically apply or remove certain models, and then compare his/her own conclusions as a professional analyst would be expected to do.

The outcomes are disturbing, but not surprising. Disturbing because it is alarming to see how our judgments are normally biased by previous experiences, pre-conceptions and mental models; also because it is extremely hard to change or even notice this fact by ourselves. Not surprising because we can see the same analytical problems happening over time; even when talented, trained professionals are warned about the dangers of cognitive biases, such as `events that people experience personally are more memorable than those they only read about. Concrete words are easier to remember than abstract words, and words of all types are easier to recall than numbers. [Information having the qualities cited] is more likely to be stored and remembered than abstract reasoning or statistical summaries, and therefore can be expected to have a greater immediate effect as well as a continuing impact on our thinking in the future'.

Heuer's presentation of the subject is very pleasant to read, fluid and rich in real-life examples from psychological research, political and military intelligence, and other domains. The author clearly differentiates empirical data from his own assumptions and opinions, even when his conclusions are naturally drawn from research data (i.e. following his own advice).

The book leaves the reader with some unanswered questions as to how one can change his/her own biased mental models to improve the outcomes of an analytical process, as many issues simply have no known remediation and are deeply rooted in the way humans reason. That being said, the greatest value of this book comes from Heuer's recommendations and logical steps to be followed in order to improve the accuracy of verdicts and conclusions, and avoid known cognitive traps that can ruin even an expert's assessment. Heuer also points out that by knowing about the existence and understanding the nature of the problem, we can further research ways to identify and isolate negative effects of cognitive limitations on our forecasts, plans, and professional judgements.

This book offers many wonderful tools to help children relax, reinforce their value, and visualize a fantastic episode of imagination. It is organized and cross referenced which makes it easy to quickly find just the right message of the day. I teach yoga to 5th graders who now beg for "relaxation at the end of class". Some of the kids have ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. This has been one tool that will never get old or redundant. It spans a broad age range. I have coordinated some of the stories a week before big achievement tests which seems to help the kids with a bit of empowerment. Nothing speaks to the success of my class like having children ask to borrow my books, DVDs, or my music. I would like to know of a better book or another book like this one since it has been such a huge hit with everyone.

We ran through the "Ready, Set, RELAX program when our child had a serious illness. It helped him overcome his fear of treatment and helped reduce the anxiety level of our whole family. I am hoping for a sequel.

Ready, Set, Relax provides teachers and parents with an important resource for helping young children learn valuable self-regulation skills. Jeff Allen and Roger Klein make us aware that learning requires both physical and mental preparation. By introducing physical relaxation and positive mental imaging skills into the classroom environment, children develop essential learning prerequisites, increase self-confidence, and enrich creative interactions between teacher and child. The lessons of Ready, Set, Relax should be eagerly integrated into every elementary school curricula.

Great book for short relaxation scripts, with lots of em. I have used them with several kids so far (I am a child therapist) and they seem to like them. However, you can also find lots of relaxation scripts on the web and elsewhere...so if you want them all handy and in one place, buy the book. If you can be patient and scrounge together your own, go for that.

Lots of "I am calm" and "I am relaxed" affirmations. Very good selection of "scripts" which are short visualizations meant to relax children. This is very mainstream and a great way to introduce children to relaxation. Great emphasis on breathing however, to teach the mechanics of proper breathing, I have coupled this with Indigo Dreams and The Children's Awareness Curriculum. The kids really enjoy relaxing and love talking about the visualizations in Ready Set Relax. Great way to teach children, especially if you are short on time.

I can't say it enough- this book is excellent! Jim Mahoney is a great story teller. I went through a phase where I read a lot of veterinary anecdote books and this is by far the best one. The focus of the book is about how he saved a puppy he found, but throughout it he tells stories of other animals throughout his career. The stories are truly touching and very well written- I was constantly reading them outloud to anyone who was around. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, not just animal lovers!! You won't be disappointed!

I have read and re-read this book. Everytime, Dr.Mahoney's sincere account of his life with Molly and the chimps , his love for the fellow creatures and his agony over some of the hard choices he made, move me. This is a must read for everybody who wants to understand the meaning of love and understanding between human and animals.

I read this book because I hoped to gain some insight into how researchers justify using live animals as test subjects. I didn't gain any answers here. Dr. Mahoney is just as conflicted as I am about which should have paramount importance: the need to end human suffering through research breakthroughs, or the sanctity of animal life. Contrasted with disturbing stories of memorable chimpanzees who unwillingly sacrificed their freedom and their lives in the human quest to end AIDS and hepatitis, is the remarkable story of Dr. Mahoney's heroic efforts to save a desperately sick puppy. What makes one animal's life of more importance to us than another's? Dr. Mahoney provides no easy answers, but he challenges all of us by asking the hard questions. Even so, he makes several mentions of meals containing meat, and even a trip to MacDonald's for little Molly, without even touching upon the exploitation of animals for food, who perhaps suffer an even more miserable fate than research animals. But all in all, this is a well-written book that leaves the reader with much to think about.

I have read and re-read this book. Everytime, Dr.Mahoney's sincere account of his life with Molly and the chimps , his love for the fellow creatures and his agony over some of the hard choices he made, move me. This is a must read for everybody who wants to understand the meaning of love and understanding between human and animals.

I used to be completely against animal experimentation. I even refused to perform required disections in high school biology, and suffered the reduction in my scores because of it. How can someone, anyone, claim on the one hand to love animals and on the other deliver them into harm? I picked up this book in the waiting room of my dentist's office, and wound up reading it in a day. I am still not in favor of animal experimentation, but I am not the opponent that I used to be, either.
The paradox of love vs. harm has left many a person feeling bereft, defenseless and searching for a clear answer. Mahoney's answer is, if not exactingly clear, at least very understandable. We cannot help but feel empathy towards those whom we love, and we shouldn't try to shut off or deny those feelings. But in the resulting flood of emotions - some positive, others not - trade out your sense of guilt (which can only be destructive) for one of responsability. Keep in mind that you are the steward of other lives, not the owner. Be compassionate.
His thoughtful journey has so many applications for anyone who feels themselves to be in this predicament. For example, "Do I put my parent in a nursing home?" or "Should I keep my loved one on artificial life support?" Mahony understands this kind of pain, and has done his best to discover and explain, through the story of Molly, what balance there is. Some day, we will not need to use animals - human or otherwise - for experimentation. But that day is a long way off. Until then, we learn to move forward as kindly and thoughtfully as we can. I recommend this book to all adults (it may be too powerful for younger readers) especially those grappling with these kind of questions in their career choice or personal relationships.

I have been working with children for a long time and this book really opened my eyes. I need good reason to change my way of thinking and Stan Davis has given me that. In addition to making some very good points, he has seen this method be successful at numerous schools. I would recommend the book to anyone that works with groups of children.

Stan Davis' book, Schools Where Everyone Belongs is an informative guide for teachers, administrators and parents. Mr. Davis clearly outlines the practical strategies to create a safe environment for students documented with solid reseached based data. This is a must read for ALL schools, (and Parents).
Deb Landry, children's author

Great tips and strategies for deveoping an anti-bully environment along with invaluable information on the issue of bullying...its causes and effects. Another outstanding book that details what schools,teachers, principals and parents need to do to design a bully-free environment is: Bully-Proofing Children: A Practical, Hands-On Guide to Stop BullyingIt actually also contains a whole curriculum on the topic that needs to be taught to our kids. Highly recommended.Buy them both.

Written by family and child therapist and school counselor Stan Davis, Where Everyone Belongs: Practical Strategies for Reducing Bullying is a highly practical guide written especially for schoolteachers and other educational professionals, yet invaluable for anyone who oversees groups of children. Now in an updated second edition, Schools Where Everyone Belongs demystifies what bullying it is and common myths about its effects, what doesn't work to combat it, and most importantly of all, classroom-tested methods that do work to stop bullying and reverse its harmful effects. "When there are inconsistent consequences for bullying, young people are likely to continue. When we have to customize a consequence for each incident, the process of discipline becomes impossibly time-consuming. Planned, rubric-based consequences take much less time to administer and thus can be used more consistently. When consequences are predictable and based on a clear rubric, young people can learn from each other's misdeeds." An absolute "must-have" for grade school teachers and principals everywhere.

This is an excellent book with many practical strategies and tips to reduce bullying. However I found Bully-Proofing Children: A Practical, Hands-On Guide to Stop Bullyingto be even more helpful as a teacher. What I liked most here, is that it gives a whole chapter of lesson plans and activities as well as designs on how to create and build an environment in the school, class and at home that is bully-free. This too is an invaluable for a teacher and parent.

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease."
-Thomas Edison

Daniel J. Benor, M.D. book Healing Research Volume I Spiritual Healing: Scientific Validation of a Healing Revolution is a collection of 120 scientific studies showing that spiritual healing works.

Dr. Benor's in-depth studies include:
*Healers Views of Healing
*Summary of healing modalities
*Controlled Studies and Future Research
*Clues to the mysteries of Mystery of Healing
*Risks vs. Benefits of Healing

He explores different modalities of healing which includes Reiki. He mentioned world's most successful healers and describe their methods and individual practices.

Each individual has an innate capacity to heal and in order for healing to occur, an individual should have a conscious awareness of the Mind Body Spirit connection. This book is thought provoking that will raise awareness that spiritual healing has scientific evidence.

In "Spiritual Healing, Scientific Validation of a Healing Revolution," Daniel Benor, M.D. uses the scientific method to demonstrate that spiritual healing works and thereby takes a giant step toward remedying the problem that Descartes created when he separated mind from matter. In his clearly written book, Dr. Benor uses the tools of logic and Western science to make a compelling case for the existence of the miraculous. By using science to validate spirit, Dr. Benor is signaling the end of the Cartesian split and indicating that we are rapidly moving toward a more integrated view of ourselves and our relation to the world. Although "Spiritual Healing" is a comprehensive reference book that will be consulted for many years, I found that it was very enjoyable reading. I was particularly drawn to the chapter in which numerous healers describe how they heal and their beliefs about spiritual healing.

In Spiritual Healing, Dr. Daniel Benor offers a ground breaking survey of 124 scientific studies documenting that spiritual healing actually works on physical illnesses and emotional injuries. Many of the controlled studies examine the effects of spiritual healing on humans, while others look at the recordable effects of spiritual healing on plants and animals. Some of the laboratory studies even demonstrate the effect spiritual healing has upon water and other materials. The reader is provided in depth studies on healing for human problems, a summary of healing methods, the views of some renowned spiritual healers, and an analysis of the risks and benefits of spiritual healing. Spiritual Healing is strongly recommended reading for students of alternative medicine in general, and spiritual healing efficacy in particular.

This book examines every type or form of spiritual healing, including Reiki, LeShan, Qigong, dowsing, craniosacral therapy, the Bowen technique, Barbara Brennan healing, Polarity Therapy, Shen healing, healing touch, etc. Spiritual healing is defined as a systematic purposeful intervention by one or more persons aiming to help another living being by means of focused intention, hand contact, or "passes" to improve their condition.

The author states that he was a skeptic, but that personal
experiences and research have convinced him that spiritual healing really exists and is a potent therapy. The book contains 124 scientific studies supporting various methods of spiritual healing.

Many well-known healers, such as Harry Edwards, Ethel Lombardi, and Dr. Ursula Thuberg are mentioned and their methods and approaches discussed. In 597 pages, the author seems to have touched all bases in providing proof that spiritual healing works. It is more than a book. It is an encyclopedia.

When completing my doctoral dissertation, I found this book to be absolutely invaluable. It would have taken me many, many months of effort to locate the information in Dan's book - and it may have been impossible to access some of the research. The book is also extremely valuable in convincing readers that energy medicine is alive and well, and is becoming a scientific field in its own right. A great compendium of energy medicine research. Thanks Dan - keep up the good work.

This book is very helpful for getting the child's imagination to come out. My daughter loves writing a lot more by doing these stories. She is also able to teach my younger son by reading to him and having him come up with the rest of the story. I highly recommend this book.

I am a homeschooling mom of a 6 year old girl and a 9 year old boy. We just received this wonderful book by Karen Andreola and have only tried it out once so far, but I have flipped through the book and read some of the stories. There are many different kinds of wonderful stories to chose from. I did one with my 6 year old daughter and I actually walked her through the writing process instead of just letting her write, as she is so young, but I think she learned a lot from it. She asked me the very next day if we could "do another one"...and the next day. Karen has a whole section in the front on how to use the book and writing tips that are very helpful. I think this is a wonderful book and look forward to using this with my children.

We're just getting started, but our children ages 9 & 11 love this! And this concept could lead them to other activities, too.

This book was carefully thought out and well written. So far, we are all very impressed and glad we made this purchase.

This book is wonderful! Even my reluctant writer is having fun and producing interesting stories. We get together with 2 other children to read the stories together.

We've been a homeschooling family from the beginning and my kids are 10 and 12 now. Teaching writing has always been a struggle for me, and the kids did not like writing at all. This book has the beginnings of very interesting stories, and the students' job is to write the ending. Each story starter also has guidelines (have the characters speak, describe the scene) suggestions for "vivid verbs", "artful adjectives" and more. My kids, who have NEVER liked writing, got so into it, I had to give them extra time to finish. The book has a section for educators that has a lot of useful information. Before I bought this book, I checked it out from the library to make sure I liked it. I ended up ordering it on Amazon before we started the second story!

After reading "Don't Ever Tell"-Kathy's Story by Kathy O'Beirne and "The God Squad" by Paddy Doyle, I felt the need to inform myself further on the subject of absolute corruption and power in the Industrial Schools in Ireland. "Suffer the Little Children" gave me all the information, and more, on the shocking, shameful, collective sadism practiced in Industrial Schools, orphanages, convents and reformatory schools where different religious orders carried out dehumanising brutality and savagery on innocent little children who were placed in the institutions either through the Courts or the parents themselves to be looked after by the religious and to receive an education.
This book gives us the history of such institutions in the UK and Eire but concentrates on the Irish scene where they continued to exist up to the 1970's. It is well written and a most revealing exposé of a very dark, sick side of Irish history. It also includes personal testimonies which make the book even more gripping as they exemplify and confirm vividly the revelations of such an appaling system.
It also discloses the indifference and conspiracy of silence on an official level which brings to mind Molière's words "It's not what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable". And for bad history not to repeat itself, we must keep informed. This book is a must read.

Ever since the movie .."The Magdalene Sisters" and Frank McCourt's book..."Angela's Ashes", Plus the fact that I am a quarter Irish and love Ireland and her people, I find I want to know more and more about her people and the TRUTH of how they have suffered yet have remained strong and vital and are proud and have given much to our world today!(England should be ashamed of what they have done for far too long, too!)
This book tells an awful story about the horrors of little children treated so badly for years and years. I know sadly that these wrongs can never really be righted for these victims or the words, "I am sorry" will erase the pain in their hearts, but I do hope eyes are open now and this cannot happen ever again to anyone....especially to children...no matter what country they come from and no matter what their color or race. Bless the children and keep them safe!! God bless Ireland...
Linda Steffey

This book presents a portrait of 20th century Ireland that will debunk any nostalgic or sentimental view of the so called 'Emerald Isle'. No shamrocks and leprecauns in this book, but a history of cruelty, abuse and power. It tells the story of how Irish children were incarcerated in huge numbers throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in reformatory and industrial schools which were managed by the Catholic Church. Based on detailed historical research and interspersed with gut-wrenching first hand accounts of survivors of these institutions, it shows how an alliance between a power hungry Catholic Church and an indifferent Irish State resulted in the incarceration of the children of the poor. Rather than helping poor families, Church and State removed these children to bleak institutions where large numbers were sexually and physically abused and tortured by their Christian carers. I don't think that I will ever think about the Catholic Church and Ireland in the same way ever again. Anger, saddness, frustration, disbelief, but above all anger - why did this happen? I experienced all these emotions when reading this book. If you want to really understand Irish society, this book is essential and harrowing reading.

This book is one of true meaning an excellent written book, which show's the through Ireland. This books explains the mentality of the religious and states minds. Truly deeply sad book but very much worth the read. This book is excellent in the sense of giving true awareness to the Irish state.
Highly recommended.

This book is comprehensive and deeply moving. I could not put it down. I was disgusted and angry by the end of it. I am ashamed to be Irish and ashamed to be Catholic. How this could have gone on for so long with no help for these children is beyond words. If there is a hell, then open arms to all those sick and sadistic Brothers and Nuns, all of whom were operating in the name of God....! How dare they call themselves charitable and merciful. They are some of the most vile human beings in existence. Between that and the sex scandal in America, the Catholic Church owes many people an apology and some sort of restitution. For shame the Church still chooses to cover up it's misuse of power. If the Nuns and Priests and Brothers were not so sexually frustrated, maybe they wouldn't be so evil. Sorry to vent so strongly. After reading this book, you will feel the same way. Also read Do Penance or Perish, but not as good as this book. Thank you.

This book is an excellent source of information including learning center ideas, music and movement, child development stages, and developmentally appropriate practices, all in one book for preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers. I have attended several Dr. Jean conferences and this book reflects her expertise and enthusiasm for helping teachers teach children.

I just bought this book and I couldn't put it down. Feldman's book is very helpful for someone who works in a kindergarten. The book is detailed, organized, well-structured. I recommend this book to all future preschool teachers!

Even though the book does not present a particularly aesthetically pleasing appearance, this book spills over with ideas that I never thought about(like the "Letter Puppets"). Parts of my long range plan sprang directly from this book. Dr. Feldman continues to inspire my teaching.

I am about to start teaching in a few weeks and this book is a LIFESAVER!! It gives me endless pointers on being a great preschool teacher. Since I graduated from college two years I needed a bit of a refresher course to prepare me and this book was the ticket. I will definitely refer to it many, many times during my course of teaching while using these methods and passing them on to my fellow teachers.

I found this book to be a wonderful guide for my first year of teaching pre-K. The book is well organized into very pertinent, practical chapters full of great, easy-to-do ideas and strategies for addressing the needs of young students. I shared this book with a vetran teacher who was equally impressed with the content. It is a great value and a quick, enjoyable, informative read.