United States Books

This book is stunning. Simply stunning.

This is the latest collection to my Pixar artbook. Almost immediately, I wrapped the book up to protect the cover from the elements. The bright green cover is made of cloth-like fabric and attracts dust easily. After picking it from my desk from photographing it, some parts of the cover had already became dirty!

Old school photos, high resolution renders, great writing filled the pages made of high quality paper stock.

It tells the history of Pixar animation studios before there was Pixar animation studios, all the way up to the Disney bought-over. It stops just right before Ratatouille or there would probably be more written on Brad Bird. You'll find the true meaning of passion, determination and the love for their art.

If you've owned other Pixar artbooks, you'll be pleased to note that there are quite a lot of new, never-been-printed photos in the book. You're going to see tons of new images.

There are some photos of the pages from the book on my blog. Just do a search on "parka blogs infinity beyond"

Dear animation lover. This book will restore your faith in the power of passion. With a never failing belief in the craftmanship of delivering a great story Pixar showed the possibilities of a good marriage between art and technique. Off course, some luck of being in the right place at the right time counts as well.

The book starts with the original background of the pixar machine as a calculating machine to the point where Disney takes over.

I also have almost every Pixar art-of book there is, but the movies described in the book (including all the shorts) are mostly viewed from a Pixar company point of view. This way you get a great overall view.

As it is my dream to come close to the Pixar company, this is probably the closest you can get the heart of Pixar when you are living far away...

Great book,
have to read a lot but very very interesting.
Great image quality and edition.
I'm loving it!


Martina,
Buenos Aires
Argentina

If you're at all a Pixar fan, or even an animation fan, this book deserves a place on your shelf!

The content of the book is as high quality and colorfull as the company it describes. Also the author did a good job at documenting the history of the company.

However, in the making of this book someone made a couple of mistakes. There are tens of images which have unacceptable 'pixelation' (i.e. blockiness due to overstretching of digital images). Especially the full page spread on p. 220 jumps out with pixels blown up to almost milimeter size!

This is quite dissappointing to me, especially as it is the artwork of a company which spearheads the way in digital imaging! I can imagine this is a slap in the face of some of the artitst and it would definitely not pass through their quality system if the book was produced by Pixar.

Overall the majority of the images in the book are very well reproduced, so I take the couple of handfull of bad apples for granted.

Ms. Sargent has produced a work of inspiration. As a 37 year old man taking his first baby steps into the world of higher education, I suffer from not only various fears, but from complete confusion as well. Where do I start? Should I follow the recommendations of well-meaning friends and attend school at night while working full time? What the hell is "matriculation?" Of course, no one book can answer every question you might have about returning to college, but "Traditional Degrees for Nontraditional Students" comes very close. There is extremely useful information on applying for schools, navigating financial aid offices, and choosing a major. But more importantly (because it means you will actually ENJOY the book), the author strikes a pitch-perfect tone: warmth and humor tempered with enough authority to let you know she's had much experience, and knows whereof she speaks. I HIGHLY recommend this book - buy two copies in case your first one gets lost. The bottom line is that it was Ms. Sargent's book that inspired me enough to...get moving on a long-postponed dream.

How often is it that one book answers all of our questions about any given topic? How often is a reference book a one-stop-shop for all that we're looking for? My typical experience is, more often than not, having to read several different books before I can locate ALL of the information I'm looking for. Finally, an awesome great book that answers every possible question about nontraditional higher education!

I was absolutely thrilled, and amazed too, that "Traditional Degrees for Nontraditional Students: How to Earn a Top Diploma from America's Great Colleges at Any Age," turned out to be a one-stop-shop reference book that met all of my needs. I attended college, many years ago, but never finished the degree I wanted. Like so many others, life sort of got in the way of my dreams, and I chose work and family and let my education go by the wayside. I had reasons for making the choices I did, but my goal of earning a "Top Degree" has not left me and I needed some professional guidance to help me fulfill my educational dream.

I bought this book about 60 days ago, frustrated with myself for not having completed a degree program in a timely manner. And even though my resume appears to be quite extensive and impressive, the lack of having a completed degree likely prevents me from obtaining the kind of career I'd really enjoy. Many years have passed since I made my first application to a college or university degree program. Can you imagine how anxious I was about even considering applying to one of America's many "Great Colleges"? Would I be accepted? Could I work, raise a family and go to college all at the same time? How could I afford a "Top Degree", even if I my application was accepted?

Miraculously, each and every question and concern I had was answered, accurately and thoroughly, in Carole Fungaroli Sargent's totally comprehensive guide. First, I selected the colleges that offered nontraditional degree programs in my field of interest, Abnormal Psychology, and then narrowed my choices using the helpful guides that are included in her book. In the same amount of time it would have taken to go grocery shopping or take the family to the movies, I was able to complete the entire online applications to the colleges and universities that I was interested in. Additionally, the book guided me to the proper web sites that would allow me to apply for any possible State and Federal financial aid. Without the awesome assistance and direction I received by reading this book, it's very likely that I would have become all-too frustrated with the confusion and paperwork and, once again, would have put my dreams on hold. Instead, I felt confident and decided that I would persevere until I completed my longstanding goal.

I was accepted by 4 of the 5 "Great Colleges" that I applied to and was elated beyond belief! I was convinced they were going to find something, just anything, that would keep me from getting my Diploma. However, I kept focused on the one university program that I was most interested in and followed every suggestion and strategy for acceptance that was outlined in Sargent's book. Within a period of less than one month, I had received a formal welcome and registration package for the Nontraditional Degree Program that I was about to enter into. As explained in the book, I also promptly heard from the Financial Aid Office of the University and was told that I would qualify for a partial Pell Grant, along with 3 options for Federal Student Loans.

I had been accepted by the University and also by the Department of Psychology's Graduate Degree Program. I can still remember how excited I was to hear all of this incredible news and to remind myself that I was finally on the journey I had dreamed of for years. Many of the credits that I received in my past attempts, years earlier, were accepted by the University. I had so many great choices to make now and I was amazed that all of these classes were being offered at local community colleges and the State Universities, but all credits earned would be applied directly to the Nontraditional Degree Program I would complete in less than 18 months.

I've already completed 2 courses, both of which I loved taking. Although they were considered "Fast Track" Courses, and would require a great amount of concentrated studies at a very fast pace, I found myself in absolute rhythm with the demands of the classes and passed both classes with flying colors. My next course will begin in about 2 weeks and I've already received the text books and study guides by Federal Express.

If you could see my face right how, I think you would see someone who is finally showing a spark in his eyes. The guidance I received from this book is changing my life in so many positive ways! Even my fear of being the oldest person in my first class was relieved by a fellow student who was in her 80's! I guess it's never too late to complete your collegiate dreams and to reach "reach for the stars!"

There is no doubt in my mind, that without the help of this wonderful book, I'd still be dragging my feet and finding excuses for not going back to school. I knew that I didn't fit into the "Traditional Student" category and feared that I'd never finish a very important dream-to be the very first person in my entire family to finish a college degree. My suggestion to all, from someone who shares this honest review to help others, is that you reach for your goals and complete your dream of getting a great degree from any of a number of "Top Colleges" throughout America.

Good luck to you! I hope this review has helped in some way. If I've failed in giving you enough information about this book, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to share more with you. Maybe I can inspire you to buy the same book that has already changed my life.

You, too, can earn your degree. And you'll be surprised at how easy it is to complete a "Top Degree" from so many of America's "Top Colleges"-no matter where you live and no matter what your financial resources are. I am doing it and so can you!

Warm Regards to All!

Peter V. Cannice from Scottsdale, Arizona
Contact me at Horsepete@aol.com if I can be of help to you!

Although Fungaroli's book is geared to adults who haven't finished college -- and some who never started -- returning students can benefit at any age and any degree level.
Her information is dead-on accurate. She's frank and realistic about options of attending prestige schools, finishing up those last few credits, ending unsupportive relationships and more.
A friend of mine was just like one of her interviewees: needed a few credits and sold himself short. A quick letter to the registrar and presto -- he got credit for life experience and an extra summer school course!
I'm recommending this book to my clients who ask, "Am I too old for school?" As she would say, the answer is always a firm NO.

At one time, I may have owned the largest collection of college bulletins in the world. In each of the past ten years since my high school graduation, the stack has grown higher and higher. Each contains a glimpse of a world I promised myself I would return to someday; each contains the promise of a brighter future. One day, I read Dr. Sargent's book Traditional Degrees for Nontraditional Students. Then I threw out all of those bulletins: I needed room on the shelf for my textbooks.

With the sage guidance one would expect of a professor from a prestigious educational institution, and with the empathetic advice one would count on from a friend who has "been there" herself, Dr. Sargent completely addresses the challenges and rewards that await the adult college student. This book is a treasure for any adult who is considering going back to school.

I was glad to find this gem of a book. As a distance ed dropout, I blamed myself for difficulties in sticking with undergrad correspondence courses and grad level online programs. The socialization element of traditional programs, as the author points out, was critical for me to stay interested.

That being said, I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater and discount distance ed "techniques" that would prove themselves useful supplements to traditional college; email correspondence with the prof, asynchronous student chat rooms, videotaped classes, use of virtual science labs, etc.

However, we needed a book like this to counter the distance ed hype, and help readers make intelligent decisions about their learning goals.

This is a wonderful book! A gripping personal account of the authors service to our country in Vietnam, as a young marine, as well as stories from other soldiers of the Twins Platoon. I couldn't put the book down when I started reading.
I am a Vietnam era veteran, though I did not serve in Vietnam. I had tears in my eyes in many parts of this book. It still angers me to think there was no welcome home for these brave soldiers after the unimaginable things they endured, and their tremendous personal sacrifice.
I think this book should be required reading in all high school history classes. No one should forget how much our veterans have given, they paid a very dear price for our freedom.
Christy, Thank You for your service, and Thank You for this book!!!

The book was both interesting and informational for me as the author was part of a unit I was also assigned to. I can therefore relate more personally to the events and the time period referred to. I enjoyed the book very much and was reminded of the hard times sometimes suffered by veterans returning home.

I originally purchased this book for my Father who was a young Marine in Korea. Once I received it though I found it to be a very interesting read. When I was in high school 20 years ago, we learned very little about the Vietnam War in our history classes. By reading this novel by Christy Sauro I was able to learn not only technical facts about Vietnam but I could also feel the emotions that he and the other Marines and their families went through during the war. For this being Mr. Sauro's first novel I thought he did an excellent job and also did his research well!

I discovered THE TWINS PLATOON in a bookstore on my way to a publishing meeting with my editor in the spring of 2006. Each chapter captivated me, and I devoured the book on the long train ride from Washington to Boston. Beginning with the opening paragraph, I felt like I was transported back in time from the platoon's origins in 1967, through boot camp, their fighting in Vietnam, and the men's homecoming.

I found the narrative gripping and personal since I felt like I was reading the book I just completed 37 years later titled: WE WERE ONE. As I flew through the beautifully written narrative it sometimes felt like only the individual Marines names' changed. From boot camp to battle, Chris Sauro captures the intangible spirit that makes Marines -- Marines. He also captures in words how combat changes ordinary Americans. The brotherhood, pathos, valor, and even the invisible scars of battle are felt by the reader on each page of THE TWINS PLATOON.

What became completely obvious after reading the first few pages of the book is the enormous amount of time and care the author devoted to researching his fellow Marines and telling their story. This book was a decades' long crusade and each chapter is brimming with detail. The reader feels the emotions, spirit, heroics, of the twenty or so Marines who comprise the book's focus.

To say I recommend the book is an understatement. THE TWINS PLATOON should be mandatory reading for all Americans since it transcends the war in Vietnam and provides a "foxhole" view of Americans at war. Often obscured by politics, the war on the ground, told by privates, corporals, and sergeants fighting it, is often the forgotten view of the global War on Terror just as it was during the Vietnam War.

By Christy Sauro's own accounting he has put thousands of hours into the research and writing of his book "The Twins Platoon: An Epic Story of Young Marines At War In Vietnam". The end result is a magnificent obsession! He has captured the heart and soul of those young Marines who were known as "The Twins Platoon".

On June 28, 1967 150 young men and women were sworn into the USMC in front of thousands at a Minnesota Twins baseball game. The swearing in ceremony was just the beginning of many personal and sometimes heroic and even tragic stories of which the author shares with us. We get to follow the lives of some of these men as they go through basic training and eventually go to Vietnam. Some are killed, some physically wounded, others emotionally damaged, but all of them have changed in some ways.

The problem of readjusting back to their old lives once they left the Marines is another issue the book deals with. For some, this transition ended in suicide, divorce, drugs or booze. Yet, some managed to over come the inner demons and go on with their lives successfully.

The book is obviously well researched and presents an anthology of stories that Sauro weaves into his over-all history of this group of Marines. It becomes evident that Marines are always Marines and that there is something special in being one. There is pride in the telling of these stories and it shows.

The subtitle says this is an "epic story"; that may be an understatement. The author will allow you to sense and feel the emotional and spiritual pain of these Marines. You will become engrossed in the book but more importantly, you will become changed. For those who have never served in combat it will be an eye-opener and those who have it will be a re-run through your emotional memories. It is well written, entertaining, educational, riveting, and an emotional story that is filled with a love of country, the Marine Corps and fellow veterans. A MUST READ! I personally recommend this book!

This is an excellent book to use to teach students to write their biographies no matter what their age!

I read When I was young in the mountains, then took it to my father, who read it. Rylant is slightly older than me, but she grew up near where my dad was born and raised. My father said after reading that he'd pretty much grown up the same way. He left the poverty of Appalachia as a teenager via the poor man's college-- the service. I was born and raised in Utah. Books such as When I was young in the Mountains were a way for me to connect with a way of life I knew very little about, and I am very thankful for Rylant's work, especially since Dad died recently.

Growing up in West Virginia myself, I relate to to this book. Although I'm now 20 and currently attending college, I still love to read it. It is something I plan to read to my children.

This work is rather realistic. For anyone who grew up in similiar surroundings, it brings on waves of nostalgia. Growing up in the Ozark Mountains was quite similar to the setting of this story. These were simpler times, for good and bad, and it is good that we have something like this to pass on to our children. The illustrations in this book are soft and wonderful. The text is quite to the point and quite readable and understandable. The book leaves much room for open discussion, although it helps a lot if you actually grew up in these conditions, when discussing it with the young ones. I find that the simple fact there there was no electricity, no T.V., no radios, no running water, etc. quite difficult for children to understand and grasp. This book helps a lot. Recommend this one highly.

This book showed us what is best about the mountains and the traditions of those living in those mountains. It has been so easy for our society to stereotype Appalachian mountain people as ignorant, backwards hillbillies that it is refreshing to see a depiction that shows mountain people in a different light. The old ways are disappearing. So are the mountains. The Appalachian mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, containing one of the most diverse hardwood forests on earth. Mountain top coal removal, strip mining, and valley fills are destroying these mountains. Soon, the only way we will be able to show our children the beauty and wonder of these mountains will be through books and memories. "When I Was Young in the Mountains" will be a treasure in our house for generations. I encourage everyone to not only read this book, but also to support efforts to stop destructive, non-sustainable coal mining practices so we will be able to show our children and grandchildren more than just beautiful pictures of what once existed!

Wayne was one of twelve children. He is now married with four daughters and is a successful contractor in New Hampshire. It sounds like he is living the American dream; however, a phone call from one of his younger brothers triggers Wayne to seek answers from his past.

Wayne, his brothers, and his sisters were abused throughout their childhood. There were hospital visits and questions from teachers and social workers, but the abuse continued. Wayne digs back into these painful memories and the information he finds shocks and surprises him.

He has to confront his parents, and does so on a national talk show.

This is a true story of a brave man whose spirit could not be broken. His past continued to haunt him throughout his life. He needed to find out the truth, not just for himself, but for his family, as well.

This is a novel of terrible times and times of hope. While sometimes painful to read, the message of WAYNE comes through loud and clear to the reader that strength can prevail.

Reviewed by: hoopsielv

It takes a lot of courage to face your fear, and in this book Wayne faces and confronts his hideous past. Bringing to light his repressed memories of his upbringing. I think the way he rises above everything to be the person he is today, is a lesson to us all. This book is a good read, i could not put it down. I read the whole book all in one sitting.

i just read this book it was really good, i could'nt put it down,it told really good stories about what he had went throgh as a child.

What a suvivor. Wayne Theodore I appreciate this book. There are so many adults suffering today because of childhood abuse.People don't even know about most of the cases. Some parents and family have truely been mean to chidren and ruined lives. And do you know what, the abusers are crazy enough to wonder why those that they have abused have problems in life. Carl Theodore could have given his family a better life. His son mentioned him having money in his pockets.But he chose not to be a good provider. What would make a person want to inflict pain on his own children? What and why? I hope Wayne's brothers and sisters come to realize how wonderful Wayne is. I hope they have grown closer and supportive of each other. Can you just imagine how many sick people are taking advantage of children? There are a lot of sick parents in this world. Their children are sometimes the product of their wickness.

I enjoyed this book tremendously. It's important for adult survivors of child abuse to get our message out. Thank you, Wayne!

I had horrible colitis that made drop every thing in my life. I could hardly leave the house sometimes. I tried every other diet out there: vegan, raw vegan, paleolithic, specific carb diet (scd) etc. I was really depressed because none of them had worked. I finally got this book in the mail. It took a long time for me to receive it. I had almost forgotten about it. I opened it up and kind of laughed because to be honest, it really doesn't look very credible. I was at the end of my rope though and gave it a chance. A few pages in, I was hooked. I started to make one of his moisturizing shakes because they sounded good, and they were! Plus, I wasn't really ready for raw meat yet and I knew I could handle raw eggs because I had made my own mayonnaise before. I ate them two or three times a day for a week and my colitis cleared of in a snap. I guess all that raw fat regenerated the lining of my colon. (I didn't even follow his specific colitis diet. I just started eating lots of those shakes because I loved them.) So, now I am following his diet more strictly. I'm almost completely off the Prednisone (steroids). This book has given me my life back. Everyone thinks I'm nuts for eating raw meat, but I don't care. Anyone who's ever had colitis wouldn't care either. If you know someone with colitis or chrone's tell them about this book.

About four years ago I purchased We Want to Live at a friend's recommendation. Odd thing is the same day an acquaintance (a lady in her eighties who had met me wife while both of them were going to doctors and to hospitals) recommended the same book to my wife. I got so enthused even on first reading that I marked about 30 pages with different colored post-its. I have never done that before or since. Since then my health and my lifestyle have improved about 900%. See [...]for hundreds of similar stories.

This is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it. It opens ones eyes to a whole new form of diet. The 2nd edition is now available. Don't waste your money by buying from some of those who offer it used. (...). Hopefully amazon will soon update its catalog accordingly.

A fascinating book by someone who dares to challenge the medical establishment. Made me aware of biases I didn't even know I had. Helps me understand why I had so many problems when I used to be on a raw vegan diet. I have already developed a much healthier respect for raw fats -- and I never even really thought of avocado, coconut, soaked nuts, raw milk, etc., as raw fats.

This book provides only anecdotes and results from Aajonus's personal experience. It contains very little useful information unless you're willing to completely trust Aajonus, though he provides little reason to do that either.

Aajonus's second book The Recipe for Living Without Disease, on the other hand, provides verifiable reasons for choosing the Primal Diet, complete with citations of clinical studies.

This book is essential to any family with a core curriculum student. A must have!

Every parent should have these books for the grade school children. It's a great way to know if your school and/or child are keeping up with your childrens grade level. I used the book in the summer, prior to my childen entering the grade to make sure they were ready for their next school year.

Every parent should buy these books for their children. We bought the Fourth grade, second grade and Kindergarten and they are all fabulous. The kids find them very interesting and my husband and I even enjoy them. They are packed full of terrific information. Highly recommend. This is a book your child has to have.

I have been very pleased with this book. I love to get ideas out of it for our homeschool.

When I bought this book from Amazon, I knew it was a steal! My daughter has already been helped so much by its stories, activities, and short biographies of famous people. I plan to eventually buy all of the books in the Core Curriculum series. They're just like vitamins and vegetables, they're good for kids!

I purchased this because I was interested in where my daughter was supposed to be. I found that in this age of differentiated instruction, this would help with RTI and making plans for the different levels in my class...

This is a great book for all educators. I highly recommend it. It give great information for all who work with children in what to expect in terms of children's development and implication for learning.

"Yardsticks", by Chip Wood, is a wonderful resourse for anyone working with children aged 4 to 14. It offers insights into the development of various age groups, and the book is conveniently divided by age. So, if you are working with seven-year-olds, you simply go to the section labeled "Sevens" and you can read about their cognitive abilities as well as physical attributes an average child of this age has. I am a pre-service teacher and recieved only a short blurb copy of this book and knew I HAD to have the entire book. It has been a wonderful help in my teaching and I plan on utilizing it for my entire career. Get this book!

It's a great book to learn what children are doing at a certain age and what interests them as a teacher.

This is just one incredible book. It is direct to the point with no flowery words, theories or philosphies. Each chapter is one age. The author creates about a half dozen catagories: physical, communication, etc. and provides bullets under each catagory of what to expect for the age. Each chapter is designed the same. I have found it to be right on the money! This should be a gift for every new parent!

I got this book on the personal recommendation of the author and what can I say that hasn't already been said by other reviewers! David Levy has written an exemplary guide to the world of animation. Not only does he offer his own experiences, he also draws on veterans from all over the industry for their advice. The result is a very refined and concise guide to not only the industry, but also animating in general. Every sentence has been written with a purpose, so the book is best enjoyed over several days or weeks.

There is no need for me to analyse this book further. If you have even a slight interest in animation either as a career or out of curiosity, go and buy a copy for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

I buy this book without having a clear idea of what to expect from it.
After reading the first chapter I realize that this book was one of my best choices and help me a lot in my business life even when at that time I'm was not an animator.

If you had the doubt about if get into this art-industry field fits on you. This book let you know if becoming an animation artist is your choice for life.

Easy and fun to read, David share generously his experience and knowledge about industry, networking, career path and all those animation wise advices.

You'll love this book, Is for me a kind of Animation Artist gospel in the animation Bible.

A fantastic book that gives you concrete areas on which to take action. Both practical and inspirational, this book will help you combat creative inertia. Just buy it...it's way more helpful than a few lattes or a movie ticket plus popcorn...

This is a definite keeper. The insights and insider tips, the personal stories and motivational powers of this little book are not to be underestimated. I'm about halfway through and just finished the chapter on "independent animation projects". It's like being reborn, knowing that others have gone through the dark tunnel and sweated their way through personal projects using every spare second they have.

I would recommend this book to anyone needing a motivational boost or info on how to succeed in the animation industry. It's insightful and personal, the latter point being where most of its educational value perspires; especially when giving interview tips, how to play it safe in the workplace, not burning bridges, personalities, choosing which battles to fight and which to lose..

I haven't read anything about samurai jack yet... which im kind of hoping is in the book. still... half of the book to go, so who knows.

thumbs up

This is a wonderful book for the starting artist as it will show some incite on the life of an full/freelance employed artist. I state artist as the term animator seems to narrow the field of what and who this book really points at. Read the book make your own option.

As I started to read this book, I began highlighting Dr. Taylor's statements, until it quickly became apparent that I would be highlighting the entire book.

I found myself saying, "Yes, I get it now!" as Dr. Taylor explained how even good media can teach bad habits. Parents will feel empowered after reading this book to take a stand in the war being waged against our families.

Your Children Are Under Attack takes a frighteningly honest look at one of today's most dangerous social diseases: popular culture's battle for control of our children's hearts and minds. Dr. Taylor exposes the ugly war of greed that marketers and the media have been waging on our young, and the spell it has also cast over parents. Step-by step, with the skill of a researcher, the compassion of a wizened therapist, and the heart of a principled human being, he examines each of these unhealthy forces and shows us how to protect our children from this assault and its subsequent ruinous effect on our values. Well-written, poignant, and forceful, Dr. Taylor's work stands as a call to action that comes not a moment too soon. The first step every responsible parent should take to win back control of their children is to read Dr. Taylor's book.

Dr. Taylor identifies the true enemy that is after your child - and gives solid, practical advice on how to protect them from it. In the ever broadening spectrum of pop culture, if you don't have a careful hand in raising your kids, the media will gladly do it for you. Empowering, insightful and straight to the point, Dr. Taylor puts parenting back in the hands of where it belongs.

It was 1960 on the stage of "Bye Bye Birdie" when actor Paul Lynde, playing Mr. Henry McAfee, shouted out to his audience saying, "Kids! I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!"
Toward the end of his barrage, he finally asked, "Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way? What's the matter with kids today?"
Dr. Jim Taylor, in his book "Your Children are Under Attack: How Popular Culture is Destroying Your Kids' Values, and How You Can Protect Them," addresses this age-old question with an answer: popular culture is devastating our lives.
Video games, too much TV, corporate fraud, materialism, the inundation of information from the Internet, the unreasonable emphasis on physical attractiveness, plus the lack of physical activity leading to childhood obesity -- these are endangering our children and our culture.
Throughout the book, Taylor's theme never waivers. "The messages that American popular culture communicate to children today are in direct conflict with what is best for them," he writes. "Popular culture is now a truly counterproductive force in families' lives...."
Taylor believes that those who in past generations were institutional partners with parents such as the government, corporate America and even our schools have themselves given in to the illusory promises of instant gratification and the almighty "bottom line."
Parents are left standing alone between their children and millions of images from TV, DVDs, XBoxes, etc.
Taylor believes modern pressures lead to lazy parenting - raising children "in the most convenient way" because adults are exhausted and overwhelmed by the pace and impact of everyday life.
The message is grim, but Taylor offers hope. Taylor explains how families can make their values clear, communicate them to one another, and live discriminating lives aware yet distanced from the dangers of pop culture.
For example, he gives straight-forward language parents can use to guide their children toward making safe, sound decisions.
He also gives parents permission to say no to pop culture and to band together with those of like minds to create safe, nurturing environments for their families -- places that do not focus on self-serving ends but that foster compassion, confidence, and kindness.

Dr. Jim Taylor has written a book that needs to be written. Parents, teachers and interested individuals need to be aware as to what our Ameican culture is doing to our children and the values that are being propogated. Dr. Taylor exposes what messages the " media " are sending. Dr. Taylor shows what values corporations in America are esposing. He knows that greed, corruption, materialism and just plain stupidity are out there on our television sets, magazines and what values permeate our culture. Taylor knows what a steady diet of The Osbournes, Friends and of course Paris Hilton will do. We all need to be aware of the messages that are sent to our children on a daily basis and how these messages influence our kids and our culture. Instead of integrity, cleavage is respected in American society. Instead of honor and truth, mascara and designer jeans are extolled as being important. More than ever, parents need to work at discussing values, things of importance and integrity with their children. Parents who do want to help raise their children should read this. Teachers who want to understand the values of their students should read this. And lastly greedy, money hungry corporate American leaders should read this and understand what their crass commercialism is doing to America.