Family Resources Books

As a Registered Nurse and consumer of naturals products, I finally have this fabulous resource at my disposal for professional and personal use. Today, those seeking health care are searching for alternatives to drugs and therapies which may have unwanted side-effects. The PGN offers consumers the chance to make informed choices about their futures, in sickness, and in health. This publication is a must for the health care professional as the demand for and use of natural products continues to expand. Easy to use and informative - The PGN.

I bought this book a few months ago. I called information to get the number of NDR. When I called them they put me through to Doug Ringer. This man is a wealth of knowledge. Even though he told me that they are in the middle of puting out a new book, he took the time to speak with me about his vision of nutrition and wellness. This man is on a mission to help people, he is completely devoted. I learned more in ten minutes while speaking with him than I had over my 15 years of trying to understand how supplements are made and how to use them. His objective reasoning was refreshing. Given the chance, this man will help change peoples lives - he's smart and he cares about us. I can't wait for his next edition.

This book is very useful for its listings of nutriceuticals (TM) alphabetically, by producer, and by health concerns they address. We found this latter listing useful. Likewise, the Glossary contains concise descriptions of drugs, medical terms, and substances with some helpful comments regarding uses. Summary results of clinical studies are noted. The main portion of the book, however, consists primarily of a reprinting of manufacturers' statements of intended use, make-up of the substances and suggested doses, and puffery regarding the uniqueness of the product. The near universal warning that manufacturer statements have not been evaluated by the FDA do little to help (potential) consumers of these remedies and health aids. Because competing nutriceuticals (TM) contain such a wide and varying mix of ingredients, we were hoping to find extensive comments regarding possible interactions between them, guides to interpreting the various doses when stated in different units by various manufacturers, and expanded summaries of research findings so widely cited in the book. Nevertheless, the book is a useful adjunct to one's library. Our 2-star rating stems partially from the relatively high price compared to its substance.

This book goes into detail about the applications of specific brand-name formulas. This is the kind of information that you just can't get on the label or in brochures. Before you buy anyone's products, you should see if their in this book. If their not, you may want to purchase from someone that is.

I am very glad to see that somebody finally gets it. As a physician, I find it very difficult to discuss nutritional products with my patients. Not because I don't believe in supplementation, but because I don't trust many of the companies who make supplements. The PGN gives me all of the information I need to make an informed decision about what products to recommend to my patients. If there are warnings or interactions - it lists them, if I need to know what a specific herb or vitamin can be used for - I can find it in either the Quick Reference Guide, the Universal Index or the Glossary. This is the most informative product specific reference I have ever used. The reason for my 4 star rating is because I would like to see all the manufacturers of supplements in this book. But then again, if the companies that are in this book are the only ones that are making good products - then the book gets the full five stars.

As a dad, I found the book a great read. The authors weave the crazy mishaps and triumphs of their own Christmas and family experiences into practical ideas for a more Christ-centered Christmas. A reminder that Christ came not only to save us, but to be known deeply and richly by us, and that the natural out flow of "the one thing" is worship, and drawing others to the Savior.

I especially appreciated doable ideas for outreach during the Christmas season that are not corny.

I needed help putting some real meaning back in our Christmas. Things were much too focused on buying and decorating. I found real help in this book. The ideas are simple enough for anyone, and flexible enough to fit any family no matter who you are. It is more than a Christmas feel good book. It is full of meaningful truths and real help for real families like mine. I plan to use several of the original ideas this year. If you want help getting out of the Christmas shopping rut and really want to redeem your holiday, I recommend this great Focus on the Family book. We loved it and are giving it as gifts to others!

I truly felt this was a meaninglful book. It was written with humor and gave great ideas to fit into everyday life. We are all bombarded with stress at this time of year. It seems we only stop on the one day, the 25th ,to really think of the true meaning of Christmas. How great to put meaning back into each day of the whole season without adding any additional stress to our lives. I plan to personally use three of their ideas this year. Thanks to the authors for giving a deeper insight and a path to follow. Thanks to Focus for printing this book.

There are so many holiday books out there yet it is rare that one has something new to say. I love this because it has lots of new ways that I have never thought of to destress my Christmas and really making something worth celebrating. But it isn't a cold how-to or crafty book. It is full of funny stories and biblical insights that sort of wrap themselves around some very creative (but really simple) ways to put my family at the heart of the holiday without going overboard. It gave great ideas for sharing the heart of Christmas with those who still don't "get it" spiritually and some super stuff on taking time to worship Jesus and contemplate who He really is and why He is worth all the fuss. Get it and get one for a freind too!!

This book is truley a Christmas blessing. It is filled with joy and love bringing the most precious gift Jesus Christ as the center of Christmas. It provides so many ways to share Christ with others and make Jesus the center of our lives in our own home during the hustle and bustle of the season.

These are very smart monologues. This collection offers a fresh perspective. Excellent workshop material and a great read. I love the humor. Please write more! We need more great source material.

I ordered this book to use for auditions that require 1-2 minute monologues and was greatly disapointed. The 100 monlogues, although funny, are not ideal for what I was looking for. I couldn't find any serious pieces throughout the entire book. Another thing, was that there didn't seem to be any variety in the style of the writing. All in all I thought it was a good product, but not at all what I needed. [Hopefully this helped someone!]

I bought this book for my daughter to help her with her drama class. It worked wonders for both of us. The stories were short and easy for her to play out different character traits with the lines. We had a lot of fun reading it. She now picks out a monologue every night and acts it's out for the family. This book was a tremendous boost for her.

I teach remedial reading and I think that the monologues in this book would be a great way to model reading for my students. The dialogue provides many emotive cues and they can practice reading these with themselves for a work period etc...

The suggestion in the Foreword about creating a personal back story is sophisticated and critical. Much of acting is communicating beyond the meaning of the words. I also like the focus on young women. For starters, I think it would be difficult to get a young guy to participate in monologues with the same fervor as girls. Secondly, I feel Mary Depner, an experienced former drama teacher, reveals in her other book "100 Echo Booming Monologues for Teens" that she has a better grasp on the female perspective than for the male. In any case I draw the same conclusion here as I did in reviewing that collection: There are real situations that happen outside of the classroom and the author is giving teenagers words they perhaps would have difficulty finding on their own to express how they feel.

At first I was worried that these might lack depth, but gradually the monologues worked into more difficult subjects. "I'd Rather Be" gets kids thinking not just about their fathers' jobs but what it means to be satisfied in life. "Under Where" explores the frustration of having a brother or a sister; "Ice Cream Sunday" describes a bittersweet memory the speaker has of the time when she was living with her mom. Grandfather's funeral, being an adopted child, having a brother confined to a hospital, mother's boyfriend who drinks too much--are among the many terrific topics.

Perhaps a few punch lines are overly clever, but I have to believe that might make the pieces particularly appealing to younger readers. My favorite of that type is "My Crazy Armpits." But one of the best of the hundred is "Wedding Bells" in which a girl worries about her mom's feelings at her father's remarriage: "She's acting like she's 100 percent okay with this. Just fine and dandy. But...I have this weird feeling that she is going to freak tomorrow, when she has to drop me off at the church. The SAME church that she and my dad were married in about 20 years ago!" Just reading this my heart is breaking.

As adults we think back on our education a little differently with each different stage of our subsequent life. When looking for a job, perhaps realizing the limitations of being an English major; when raising kids, wishing we had had more psychology. My ongoing regret is that I didn't have more theatrical experience when I was younger. The ability to get up in front of a group, hold their interest, and express feelings you and your audience have, are critical no matter what our profession, no matter what our stage in life. That's my monologue.

I don't like the "Sugared & Spiced" title. It sounds cute and passive for a collection that is so self-affirming and "real life." "Bet Your Dog, It's a Monologue" might have worked, though it doesn't reference the "girl perspective." A friend of mine did a performance piece at the Minneapolis Fringe Festival called "Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat." I rather prefer something like that because choosing and presenting a monologue has to be something like selecting a new dress. Each of the choices has some attractive feature, but some of the dresses may be more than that. The monologues, like dresses, may enable others to see the presenter in whole new ways. The absolute right one, make her feel special to herself.

Hogan's previous book with her spouse, Intellectual Foreplay, is reference in this book often. In fact, I suspect that readers would get the most from this book if they read the previous one. Virtual Foreplay is a very simple guidebook to the Internet and the various resources available to find a partner. Hogan clearly believes that face-to-face encounters are superior to online ones so if you were looking for a guide to getting cyberlaid this won't do the job. A word of caution: anything about the Internet or the Web can get outdated quickly in terms of addresses and sites so don't be surprised if you can't find the same sites she does. Overall the advice is very sound but the book is really for those with questions about dating, finding a partner, and learning the Internet. For anyone else, its not very useful.

Engineering has always required a great deal of thought. Intimacy engineering should, in theory, be no different. The too soon physical relationships of the past often preclude the possibility of introspection, assessment and evaluation that can come from remote relationships, aided by virtual contact confined to honest, intellectual and emotional exploration without investing enormous amounts of time and effort, or incurring levels of risk that are typical of spontaneous encounters commonly found in seductive settings. In theory, good planning is more likely to produce satisfying relationships by examining the facets of personality and intellectual interests, as well as cultural style and values that comprise the individuals before adding that extra impulse of physical love and affection that become the emotional habits that are difficult to break. Designer love configured to encompass all parts of a person are much preferable to sharing only a small piece typecast into the kinds of relationships that amount to the co-dependency coupling that seeks only superficial satisfaction. Ordinarily, only direct communication can accomplish the breath and depth of exploration to accomplish this, is not always possible or desirable in person, and may, at times, be more comfortable using letters or remote methods to achieve the same goals in addition to those typically used. Virtuality offers valuable additions to, rather than substitutions for, opportunities for self expression, a healthy benefit for relationships in context, and upon demand serving to fill the gaps that might not be able to be so easily filled otherwise. Such a conscientious use of technology can provide an alternative nexus for making beautiful and healthy relationships according to the needs of the parties, and designed by them to be an ideal mix of psychological, intellectual and emotional exploration of their unique personalities, the requisite for satisfying strong foundations.

Times have changed and so should online free personals. Some match making sites are re-inventing the free personal ads business using new technologies that are a breakthrough in the online dating singles market. I found this book to be current with this new trend. After reading it I developed the courage to place an ad at one of these single online dating sites found on the net, Love At First Click, otherwise known as loveatfirstclick.com. The book gave me the much needed skills to sort, search and find romance and excitement. The book and the effectiveness of loveatfirstclick.com will help you find a community featuring sincere and honest single individuals that are looking for other like-minded people that are quite eager in meeting their match in this fun world of online free personals. It helped me meet plenty of hot women. I'd recommmend this book, and Loveatfirstclick.com too!!

I'm a beginner at the "art" of dating on the Web, and felt that any insights would be of value before starting the "journey". I found Eve Hogan's book, "Virtual Foreplay", to be a great resource in understanding the process, and how to to proceed with the best opportunity for success in making contact with, and maintaining connection with my "soulmate" (who's out there, waing for me to find her). It also provides a comprehensive collection of "tools" that address the questions and answers that must be considered before starting any search for a potential "significant other". I now believe that I'm ready to begin my "adventure of discovery".

Eve takes your hand and walks you through the world of online dating. Her book is well laid out, starting with an introduction to cyerspace. She tells you what to look for in an online dating site, and briefly describes the major sites. Eve uses real stories, from real members to give you a look at the world of online dating. Eve's book was an easy read, and very informative. I highly recommend her book to those interested in online dating, as well as webmasters of dating websites! There's alot to learn here ;-)

Edward Orysiek

This book is a series of stories and insights into how dying people remind us who we are. It is an indespensible tool for those touched by grief. This book reminds us who we are and allows the reader to experience the expression of the soul through the written word.

From an experienced hospice minister comes a revelation of the heart of the Hospice mission. This book conveys the inner experience of hospice care, death and dying and questions about the meaning of life, death and the Spirit. Read along and get back in touch with what is really going on during the most intimate moments of the dying process as well as life itself.

At the time I discovered Sam Olivers Book, I was enrolled in a chaplaincy program at a local hospital. I believed the content would be most helpful in my own ministry. Little did I realize that this book would be my own source of comfort, strength and guidance only a few short months later when I was thrown into an unwanted, unexpected divorce.

I have discovered that the pain of a divorce can be almost as devastating as the death of a loved one. This book served as a guide through that darkness. The comfort and spiritual direction I derived has contributed greatly in my healing process and the continuation of my ministry.

Thank you Sam Oliver for your contribution to my life.

i am interested in insight into life and the experience of dying. partly because i have a heart condition and had open-heart surgery two years ago. i was intrigued by the title of this book and wanted to learn from the experiences of others in the hospice experience. i think i will just volunteer instead. i don't mean to offend anyone with this review, but i wish the Reverend had gone into more detail of the interactions with those in hospice. for me the book offers too much of himself and not enough of their experiences beyond what seem to be brief visits that he has with them. i would be more interested i think in the stories of full-time hospice caregivers. for me i had a problem with the spiritual messages that the Reverend saw in everything. i find those experiences highly subjective and would have preferred merely human stories to the inferences of the eternal and spiritual that the Reverend saw in everything. i guess i should have read the reviews more clearly and exercised more caution before picking this up to read. dying isn't necessarily a religious experience, although i'm sure that this statement will not compute for many who are religious. dying is however a very human experience that we will all share and it is important for us to be in the moments that we have with each other, especially in these necessarily final moments. peace be with you.

Sam knows how to write a great book. Not just about what it sounds like, death and dying. He has lots of great stories and personal experiences that lift you up and definitely get you thinking in a good way! Get it, you won't be disappointed! And if you do know someone who has family that are approaching the hospice stage, buy them a copy or share your own.
I plan to read it again slower this time, a definite keeper!!!

This is a good overview of the basics involved with personal training. Gives a list of expected skills and knowledge required for getting certified as a personal trainer. I found it a very useful book.

I got what I paid for and that makes me happy. My items arrived pretty much in the time frame promise and that makes me happy.

So, thanks guy. It was a pleasure doing business with you.

This book benefits a lot to the initial trainers who even have no idea of how to deal with the training. The book is both practical and praticable to the trainer's learning how to train others with his/her own training experience. Though there are not enough illustrations in the book, I still strongly recommend the book to beginning trainers.

Not a book that you will pick up to read unless you are taking exams or required reading as a student. I used it as a reference book mostly.

I don't know why I had so much trouble finding out what the primary resource was for the ACSM personal trainer cert was. But it is THIS book. Not the other books they mention on the website (they're a waste of money, in my opinion.) I searched a lot of places on the net and could not find one recommendation of a good way to study for this test. I have not taken this test but, I have bought this book and the other two books they recommend on their website, and my recommendation is to get this book alone. I have some background in health and fitness and I want to save time and money and do the minimum to past the test. That is why I recommend only this book. As far as I can tell, it is intended to be the source to study for that test. One of the OTHER two books they recommend on their website actually says in the beginning -- [this book is not intended to be used for the PT cert because this book was written before we finished the guidelines for the PT cert]. I read that and thought "what a rip off!!" So why mention it in your website? To make more money on selling books? Perhaps to give certain students an extra study material? I'm not sure. But I can say in my situation, I was not that happy, I was trying to be streamlined in my efforts and cost to prepare for the exam. Buying this book alone would have been sufficient for ME. (as best I can tell) I wish I had taken the test already so I could put out some additional useful information on studying for this test. I am not sure, but to me it seemed that there was little useful information out there about EXACTLY what to study. I am an adult with a job and family and things to do, and I don't want to be trying to read a bunch of idiotic supplemental books for a bozo PT exam. Just tell me what to study, I'll study it, give you the money for the test, and take the test and pass it. Is that too much to ask? I guess so. Anyway, for you people in a similar situation to me. Get THIS book and don't waste money on the guidelines for exercise testing and prescription, or the certification review (unless you feel you need extra material).
As for this book, its pretty boring, pretty dumbed-down. But it is very encompassing, clear in presentation and teaches someone how to be a personal trainer. So for that, its pretty cool.

Excellent book. I use it with my 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old girls. We use it during devotions and they love it. The concepts are easily understood. I recommend this book to parents or teachers.

Practical application of the Bible: it is a vital part of our walk with Christ, whether young or old. A Child's Book of Character Building is exactly that: practical application of the Bible fitted toward a young elementary child's life.

The book takes a series of character qualities, and systematically takes the child through a simple definition of that quality, a Bible verse, a Bible story that illustrates that quality in the life of Jesus or someone else in the Bible, then 3 one page stories illustrating that quality in the life of a child at home, at school, and at play, with some "character development challenges" questions at the end.

No talking vegetables of glossy color illustrations, but simple, Biblical instruction that kids will understand and learn from. Great for family devotions or for young readers to read to themselves.

We use this as a devotional and our kids really enjoy the stories. It shows kids how to apply scripture to daily living in a way that is easy for them to understand. We have had this book for a year now and have read it many times, yet I am still asked to read a story from it almost every night.

Hi,
I am a home educating mum of two. A boy, 4 and a girl,3. We have been using this as part of our morning devotions. I photocopied the pictures and have been giving them to the wee ones to colour in while I get ready and then they bring them through for devotions time. When we are done, we can put them up on the wall to remind us of the story. I think it's a great resource as a change to a children's bible but because we only use a page a day and not all the stories are directly from the Word, I think it's a good supplementary devotional. We use other children's bibles as our primary material. All in all, I'm really pleased I bought this and we'll probably use it over and over as we re-cover the valuable character lessons. They are good for parents too!!

I have loved and used The Child's character building book 2 for many years. Now I can add book one, full of additional character traits to my instruction. As a mom of now grown children, a current public school and Sunday school teacher, I appreciate the four fold application of each character trait; bible, home, school, play. This is a good resource for parents who want their kids to be able to identify and apply virtues that help us emulate Christ likeness. It can easily be adapted as active lessons for all children. My only wish is that the illustrations were color and less simplistic.

The book is very easy to read. It is short and to the point. It was also cheap.

I've been using this text for three years now for a graduate-level course for teachers. Every year my teachers let me know how much they enjoy the book and what a difference the course has made in their ability to relate to diverse populations. Thanks, Dr. Bucher for a great book.

I truly dislike being lied to, and the author lies in this book, saying that diversity awareness isn't common sense. It is in large part common sense. It also requires maturity to apply the common sense. It does not require a degree or formal training. It does not require college classes, or textbooks. Information can help, but dealing with other cultures, however they are delineated, requires more than knowledge. Specifics on how to avoid offending particular cultures (in the broad spectrum, since it often comes down to individuals, not collectives) can be helpful, but providing such help is beyond the scope of any single, short and overpriced book. A better book to buy would be "Making Friends With Black People," which is informed by common sense and humor, something profoundly lacking in this book.

This book was mandatory reading for a diversity class that I just finished and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Especially helpful were the opportunities to personally reflect on the sidebar questions, which the reader can use to journal and explore their journey as they become more aware and accepting of diversity. Dr. Bucher (and his wife Pat) have written an thoughful book that provides readers with the tools they need to become more open-minded of differences, whether it be race, gender, religion, sexuality--the book touches a variety of aspects. I would recomment this book to anyone!

Richard Bucher has hit the proverbial nail on the head with this insightful, down-to-earth text. I am a humanities professor in a small junior college, where students have little chance to experience more than minimal diversity. This somewhat cloistered environment is a perfect spot for the wisdom and practicality of "Diversity Consciousness." The contents introduce, through case studies, team activities, and individual exercises, concepts of racism, discrimination, ethnocentrism, and other population characteristics capable of damaging personal as well as international relationships. Bucher's careful and logical exploration of the opportunities presented by a diverse culture are more than welcome in my classroom, any time!

The market is saturated with green these days, so readers may have a hard time figuring out which books to read. I like this book for providing a broad foundation of information. Using the classic "Everything" format (and a title that's more palatable than Dummies or Complete Idiot's), the author shows that greening up your life doesn't have to be a radical endeavor. There are lots of Internet resources for learning more about specific programs, products, etc. And I like that McDilda an environmental engineer, not a stereotypical Hollywoodesque tree hugger who's jumping on the bandwagon.

This is a great start for anyone trying to learn about how to go green. I read the book, incorporated one idea, and then returned to the book to try another thing. Great tips, helpful info, and fun to read, this is a great resource.

This book has great, easy tips that are easy for the average family! Easy to read, and very adaptable to the average life. I found myself looking out for the little things I could do to help the environment, and feeling good about making those small changes. It's also helped us make better decisions as we build our next house. Our home is healthier, our lives are cleaner, and we are teaching our kids about having a positive impact on the world.

i havent finished reading the book, i have enjoyed what i have read and the information is helpful.

This book tries to focus on too many issues. It's just a little elementary for my taste, but probably great for someone who has no clue how to live "green."

Finding Your Roots Online is a MUST read for anyone who wants to use the Internet to climb their family tree. The book begins with computer and Internet basics, then moves into a detailed explanation of the four most valuable search strategies. Each strategy section is accompanied by real-life searches, along with the best Web sites for specific types of research. My favorite chapter was the one that showed how to move easily back and forth between the strategies in order to tease every bit of genealogical information out of each site. If you follow along with each search, you're sure to find several of your own ancestors. Ms Hendrickson's great experience, practical approach, and deep interest in geneology and history shine through these pages, lighting the way for beginner and experienced searchers alike.

I had sent a copy of this wonderfully informative and well written book to 6 of my relatives and friends hot off the press. My sister, who has lived out of the country for some 35 years and having returned to her root country, wanted to learn more about our family. I encouraged her and was thrilled to be able to send her a copy of Nancy's book. This was back in October, 2003. Since that time, its been almost a miracle of sorts...following the information and suggestions in Nancy's book, my sister was able to get in touch with our father's cousin, a college professor, only to find out that he, too, had been trying to find our family! The two of them have been sending emails back and forth since October, exchanging and sharing information, checking out family burial locations, sharing pictures, and this has opened a "whole new world" for both families. We are even planning a reunion of sort as early as next summer. We have so much gratitude to Nancy Hendrickson for embarking on this endeavor of educating those of use who are not all that savvy with the internet but also showing us that searching for one's roots on or off the internet is not as complicated as one would believe and most of all, the rewards.
My family and I recommend highly embarking on your own search for your roots starting with this book, almost a wisdom of pearls so to speak.

With each year, the World Wide Web becomes, more and more, the venue of first resort for family researchers -- especially for novices with insufficient background in traditional research methods, who often do not understand that the Internet hasn't made genealogy "easier," just more convenient and much less expensive. I've been a heavy user of online resources for a decade and a half, but I still make personal visits, legal pad in hand, to rural courthouses and cemeteries. I also have reviewed (in several publications) a considerable number of "Internet genealogy" how-to books over the years and I have found that many actually use that phrase only as a marketing ploy, devoting most of their attention either to genealogical methods in general or to computers and the Internet in general, not to the use of the Internet in family research. On a purely quantitative basis -- counting the pages, that is -- this volume gives about 25% of its space to traditional genealogical subjects (family group sheets, visiting a library, the nature of "courthouse records," analysis of evidence, publishing a family newsletter, etc.), and about 30% to discussions of computer issues and the Internet (how Google works, why you should make backups of your data, getting an email account, finding an ISP that will include free web page space, and so on).

This leaves only about 45% of the book to actually cover the use of computers and the Internet in pursuing genealogical research. As with most of its predecessors reviewed in this column, what the author has to say is actually worth reading and her advice, whether on research methodology or on making your way in cyberspace, is generally sound. But what the title refers to comprises less than half the book. It may also be worth noting that the author's principal qualification for writing seems to be that she is a frequent author for the print edition of FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE and a regular columnist for the magazine's online newsletter, and that that publication now owns Betterway Books.

Finding Your Roots Online is a straightforward guide for the novice genealogist to utilizing the wealth of resources the internet has to offer those seeking to find out more about their family roots. From learning how to read pedigree charts; to conducting family interviews; to discerning which Internet resources are reliable; to guidelines for accessing military, marriage and land records, and much, much more, Finding Your Roots Online is a solid and highly recommended genealogical research resource for amateur and professional genealogists alike.

This is the premise of author, Nancy Hendrickson and she shows the genealogist how to take one small bite at a time and really learn the ropes of internet research. From the first three chapters in which she shows the correct way to use charts, what is available on the net and how to organize all those bits and pieces of info to the final chapters of doing a real search the book is full of marginal icons alerting the user to content. Each chapter concludes with a checklist and summary. As an educator I cannot recommend the format of this book enough. My copy is already highlighted and getting rat-earred from frequent use. Follow chapter by chapter and you, too, will have acquired expertise on the net and new ancestral information.