Services Books

Will the Boat Sink the Water? is a series of stories that show the problems of peasant life in the villages and farming counties. The farmers are held down by unchecked greed among the village leaders, heavy taxes demanded by the layers of government, barriers between them and those who could help them in the National Government. The book gives you a vivid picture about how helpless the 900 million people are under the crushing weight of Communist China. They live the same as they did before the Revolution and, in some way, their life is worse. Millions are out of work, millions pour into the cities but don't have the proper papers or the contacts needed to get good jobs.
The rural poor make up most of China and yet rarely do they have a voice in either the government or in the press.
Has a time line of important events, with a focus on those important to the peasants, and an introduction by John Pomfret, author of Chinese Lessons. A must for anybody interested in Asia or in China.

Chen and Wu are a voice for millions of farmers throughout China. Great insights into what life is like for the peasants and farmers in the countryside of China. It is hard to find many stories and reports about the hardships and persecutions which the farmers in China face and the political and economic system that they have to deal with. These are the people who make up the majority of China's population and yet you normally only hear about the urban areas and economic progress in China. As an American many of these incidents were hard for me to imagine happening within the last ten to fifteen years. I read this book while studying in China and when traveling in the countryside it gave me a better understanding of the places and people I encountered.

This is not a fun book to read, it is bloody, sad, lawless, power vs non power, poor is poor. most of people think China is developing so fast in recent years, but people don't realize that they are still about 800 million people live in rural area in China, they are still struggle with their daily life, and voiceless.

Forget the title, this is an interesting expose on the Chinese peasant. These 900 million people toil in the backwaters of rural China, and were instrumental in getting their country industrialized. They also helped the country sustain itself following the Great Leap Forward (or backward in reality) and the Cultural Revolution. These people spend countless hours in backbreaking labor only to have party cadres unfairly tax them beyond their means. This book by a husband and wife team examines stories about their home province and show the corruption of village and party administration. China may be a coming superpower, but it better solve these problems before the people throw the rascals out.

I found this a very informative read. It starts out slow, but this is an intensely interesting book about the unfair lives led by millions of Chinese peasants and the people that are supposed to protect them-the party and village government hacks.

John Pomfret writes in his introduction to this book that when he was in college in the late 1970s, professors taught that the Chinese Communist Party "truly represented the wishes of China's dispossessed" and one quoted Mao's saying that "A revolution is not a dinner party." Chinese reporters Chen Guidi and Wu Chuntao document the plight of the peasants in their country, showing Pomfret and anyone else who dares to read their expose how corruption, excessive taxation, miscarriages of justice, too many layers of bureaucracy, and unchecked industrial pollution oppress and threaten the very existence of China's poorest.

China is no worker's paradise. The rural population is basically an unprivileged underclass -- a class of serfs -- that the government squeezes mercilessly. Despite declarations from the top Chinese Communist rulers that peasants should not be pay more than 5% of their annual income in taxes, 19% is closer to the truth. For a subsistence population, such heavy taxation (often in the form of ill-defined, sometimes illegal, fees and fines) is more than they can bear. Yet, their appeals for relief to various levels of their government generally result only in the status quo retained.

A sizable portion of the book relates journalistic investigations into specific several cases of murder of peasants by village or township officials. The petty officials became enraged to the point of doing or ordering bodily violence against peasants because the fed-up farmers were taking public steps to expose their (the officials') corruption.

Then, the authors cite some of the recent policies of the Chinese central government that have increased the sufferings of the peasants. Examples include increasing the layers of local governance, commanding villages to invest in industrial enterprises that are not sustainable and that force them into mountains of debt, and permitting giant gobs of industrial pollutants to turn black rivers peasants must use for bathing and drinking water.

"Will the Boat Sink the Water? The Life of China's Peasants" does feature portraits of good, conscientious officials who put the welfare of their villages or regions ahead of their own advancement. But the Chinese Communist system does not ordinarily promote such people. The Party is more interested in keeping the peasants in their place, and it promotes those officials who inflate the agricultural yields and other economic "successes" of their locality and who deliver their assessed taxes in full.

This revealing look at China at the grassroots level should be read by everyone who has read glowing reports of the progressive, sweeping economic and social strides allegedly remaking the most populous nation on earth. There *is* a dinner party going on: the Chinese peasants are being feasted upon by their cadres, village heads, and Party watchdogs.

This English translation of the book now banned in China is very highly recommended.

This is a book that everyone interested in wireless technologies must read. It clearly explains the major concepts, provides a comprehensive theoretical foundation together with useful practical advice. Even though I had been familiar with the concepts I enjoyed reading it and recommend it to anyone seriously interested in mobility.

This book is all you need to know about the wireless Internet, covering everything from radio signaling to devices and applications.

Rhoton has a talent for explaining complex topics at about the right level - the discussion is easy to understand, but not too elementary. If you have something to do with wireless data, I recommend you read this book.

It covers almost all of the bases that I can think of and many that I never would. I love the applications that the author uses. After spending over [money] on other wireless books, I finally found the one that actually taught me something. What's great about this book (unlike the others) is that it doesn't assume you have any background. The explanations are extremely descriptive, so you know what's going on. I'm not a total tech person, so there were a couple of chapters I had to read a couple times just to make sure I got it, but overall, this has to be the best wireless book I've ever seen!

What I loved most:

1) It's written in English, not "geek".

2) It's practical.

3) You don't need a crane to pick it up. ;-)

The Wireless Internet Explained is well worth the money. Mr. Rhoton has made an invaluable contribution to the new economy with a very readable book that explains, in very plain English, all aspects of wireless technologies. The book flows smoothly enough for you to read it at the beach, but it contains so much critical information that you should bring it back to your office. The most compelling parts point out the differences between mobile applications and their traditional counterparts.

A good book, clearly written with a lot of useful figures.
Even if there is no issue treated in depth, the 250 pages cover almost every important technology in the wireless arena.
You can use it as a starting point to know about standards, acronyms and all the related wireless technologies.
At the end of each chapter, Bibliography and Related Web Sites are presented to allow you complement the issues explained in the chapter.
Chapter 6 is my favorite. It introduces, in a very organized way, the wireless security theme. The chapter is full of illustrative figures, and almost every relevant area is covered.
Additionally, there are several useful comparative charts, and various taxonomies are used to structure the book.
Finally, a special mention to the coverage of smartcards, a lot more comprehensive than the ones found in similar books.

this book gave an excellent review of skin A&P, wound care and
prevention and treatment.
photo's were excellent.

This is an excellent and up-to-date resource book for anyone interested in wound care evidence based practice. Starting with the list of "Contributors and consultants" who provided content. This is a list of "who's who" in wound care practice. Next I find the chapters well designed with many "practice points" identified. Each chapter ends with a "Show What You Know" section of questions and answers. I have found the references to be extensive and inclusive of recent peer-reviewed publications. This 2nd edition would make a great reference text for any clinical setting.

This book incluedes a large amount of very useful knowledge; however, it is not extemely easy to read. There are great charts and assessment forms within the book that are useful. Content is good.

Most wound care books that I have read have given a great deal of info on wounds to one degree or another, but this book also gives great insite to the psyco-social issues that our patients and ourselves as health care workers deal with in wound care. I have had patients with painful deep MRSA infeced wounds that I let undress and redress their wounds due to the pain factor. Not only did it make their care easier for me, but easier for them and lowered the amount of pain meds needed prior to Tx. My managers were not to happy with this until I showed them this book, and pointed out that with the right teaching for our patients, not only was there less trama/drama, but wounds healed better, parients learned infection control and were better prepaired to be discharged and safely care for their wounds at home. This book backed up my choice of getting patients involved in their wound care as well as some of my choices it my treatments. My DON was so interested in this book that I lent it to her. Needless to say I have not seen it for some time.

Great book to use in studying for CWS or other wound care certification exams. Up to date information on wounds, healing and important topics for comprehensive wound management. Well worth its price.

Donna McClure BSN, RN, ACHRN, CWOCN

Immensely "Readable" guidelines for writing all types of fundraising materials. Barbato has written a timeless, easy to follow handbook that holds a special place on my reference bookshelf.

I took this book, along with many others on fundraising, out of my local library. Though I'm new to raising funds, I've made much of my living writing articles and books; I wasn't sure it would have much to teach me.

This book was so startlingly useful that I had to buy it. It will likely become your most dog-eared fundraising guide.

When I am on deadline and desperately in need of help, "Writing for a Good Cause" is where I turn first for guidance, solace, or inspiration (seeing as how our office manager objects to open containers of alcohol at one's desk). Not only is this book full of incredibly practical writing tips in handy list form, it is also very funny and a page turner.

The heart of the book is a clear guide to how to write a great proposal, but other valuable topics are covered, including newsletters, case statements, interviews, and the like.

In one section, the authors mix genuine examples of great fundraising writing with an imaginary proposal to fund the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. They not only convince you to help build the Brooklyn Bridge, you're ready to buy it.

The bridge is not for sale, but this book is. It is well worth its price of two fast food lunches. Buy it, read it, and be happy.

Not surprisingly, this book provides advice that -- if applied literally -- will assist you in writing excellent proposals to fund your non-profit organization's ventures.

Surprisingly, the advice contained herein -- if made more generic in your mind -- is excellent advice for entire areas of your life. Sounds hokey, true. But honestly, boiled down the advice can be listed as:

1. Identify what the problem is. Do your research until you really understand the causes of the problems and their many effects.

2. Identify how you will know when you have made the problem better. How will you know when the problem has been alleviated? What intermediate steps need to be taken? How will you measure your progress along the way?

3.Identify what tools are available, and which are still needed, to move towards a resolution, or diminution, of the problem. Be specific here. Vague generalities are useless, but the brass tacks of a solution are absolutely priceless. Who has access to these tools? Who can make difficult things easy?

4. If you are asking for someone to help you with this problem, present the whole equation to them in a light that makes the most sense to *them*. This doesn't mean to lie, or exaggerate. It only means to focus your proposal in a way that makes them see it most personally.

5. Proofread what you have written, to be sure it says what you want it to say. Then proofread it again. And again. Get it right, because it is a hard and fast representative of you. This should be true in everything concrete you put out in the world with your name on it.

Now, all of this can be applied to writing a grant proposal. And much of it can be applied to the other things in life. Filling a job position, finding a home, working out a deteriorating relationship, educating yourself or your children ... you name it.

It's so rare that a book directed at an audience of specialists resonates with so much broadly applicable truth ... and it was such a delight to find it. I plowed through this book last night, reading every word, applying its advice mentally to all sorts of issues in my own life. I am pleased to report that it opened my eyes to solutions that had eluded me until now.

Wonderfully written, amusingly told, full of great advice to writers of all persuasive materials, this book is a gem.

Excellent book with very practical tips on writing to get funded. There are many grantwriting books and resources available, but this is one of the better that I've found for writing persuasively for major gifts. Great practical advice on formulating winning proposals, concept papers and other grant writing tools. Definitely recommend to grantseekers of all levels.

This play is amazing, crazy and oh so funny. It's fun to read and even better to watch!

A "screwball" comedy that is very well written and superbly crafted, a wonderful theater ensemble piece with action and interesting stage business pretty much constantly going on in every scene. It just percolates with fun from start to finish. It has wonderfully endearing characters and is very indicative of the 1930's America concerns and values. It informs the audience about those times, while teaching a wonderful message of tolerance and the benefits of diversity and individualism. The character of Grandpa espouses a philosophy that is both timely and timeless, and that would benefit all people at all times, if they would just adopt it as a way to live. It is simply to relax and enjoy life. Quit striving for the seemingly important, but actually unimportant things like money, position, unrewarding work for other people. Give up the prejudices and conventional negative assumptions about other people that actually make us unhappy. It seems odd, but is instructive to audiences of today, to know that the play was controversial when written and first produced.

From this wacky family with pet snakes, fireworks, playwrites, and dancers: you learn to expect anything that doesn't make sence, but what you don't expect is them to make sence! That is exactally what happens. When Alice, daugher of Paul and Penny, tells them of the young man that is calling for her, they instantly accept him into the family. His family, however, is not so accepting.
My high school has just started preparing for our performance of this wonderful play. We have all fallen in love with the script and are eager to perform. This is a wonderful choice for any theater program, I am sure that anyone can find it entertaining!

When I first read this play I absolutely loved it. When our school did the production I played the part of Edward Carmichael. It was one of the greatest experiences for me. I loved doing the show, it was soo much fun. To me the show was about a very loving family who has to overcome obstacles. I would love to do the show again.

Reading "You Can't Take It With You" brought back so many memories. This play is full of fireworks, plays, kittens, and everything that comes together to create entertaining chaos! This play can be enjoyed by all ages. High School theatre teachers will smile as their students take pride in portraying characters like Penny, Mr. De Pinna and Essie! This story will stay in your mind as a warm memory.

Waht's to say? Restaurants come and go so frequently in New York that even natives are lost without one of these.

I love the Zagat guides for the dining recommendations, helpful information and the varied opinions of "the people". Helpful in making an educated decision as to where to dine.

We live outside of NYC in Stamford, CT and we head into the city about every other weekend. We love go out to eat and so we're ALWAYS carrying around this book (its small enough to fit in a medium sized purse) and reffering to the book to get an idea of price, atmosphere, location, etc. I refer to the book at least once a week to find out more information about a place....its the only place I look for reviews and it has basically become the only place I look for ideas on places to go! If its not in Zagat, usually I'm not interested in going!! Most of the times its for dinners, but I've looked it up a few times for lunch/bars too. Great sections - separated by location if you're looking for a particualr area of the city, or type of cusine, or atmopshere (even stuff like, does it have a fireplace?). Great gift....I've given it out several times to newcomers to the city, and they dont go anywhere w/o it either. Would buy again when my book gets old!!! And, I will buy it again for someone as a gift..!

Everyone who wants to eat well in NYC needs a Zagat guide. It lists almost every kind of cuisine, price level and restaurant location in the city. The reviewers are people just like you and me, they like to eat and they are willing to share their experiences. If you are visiting NYC for the first time, or for the 20th time, you need this book.

If you are planning to take a trip to New York City, be certain that you have the latest copy of Zagat's with you. It will totally enhance your dining experience. don't leave home without it.

The school I began teaching out is a small, rural high school that has no mentoring program. In lieu of such a program, the principal gave each of us new teachers 101 "ANSWERS" FOR NEW TEACHERS AND THEIR MENTORS which we read through and discussed together during our first year on the job. The book is a combination self-help/encouragement book. The 101 "answers" in the book are basically just tips for teachers who are starting out in their careers. The sections in the book are divided up into six categories: classroom management, planning, instruction, professionalism, motivation and rapport, and a teacher's influence. Most of the "answers" are words of encouragement. Overall the book is directed more towards elementary teachers than secondary teachers. Some of the situations and advice given just aren't applicable with high school students. I did find a few of the tips in the classroom management and planning section to be useful, such as giving students productive bellwork to work on at the beginning of class. However, tips like these that I actually found helpful, are only a handful of the 101 "answers." Most of the "answers" have to do with things like reminding yourself why you went into education, treat everyone you meet with respect, you are making a difference, and Rah! Rah! Rah! Go Team! Go!, you can make it after all. Overall, this is just an average advice and encouragement book directed more towards elementary teachers than those at the middle school and secondary level.

We have purchased this book for the last three years for all of our new teachers. In addition we are purchasing it this year for every mentor in our district. It is an excellent resource for new teachers as they experience the range of situations presented to them in their teaching environment as rookies. It is a practial resource for mentors and a reminder of their importance. Many of the practial tips are used in our induction program and as conversation topics at monthly support meetings. In my opinion, this book is a must have for every teacher!

This is one of the best books I could have ever bought. I am a student teacher right now and I learned a variety of strategies just from reading this book. It makes you want to just go out and conquor the classroom. I would reccommend any teacher, or prospective teachers to buy this book! It is wonderful. Thank you Ms. Breaux!

Hands down, the best book for teachers on the market. Very practical and extremely user-friendly. I ordered a copy for all of my teachers - not just the new ones and mentors. The `Answers' in this book are for EVERYONE.

I like this book because I feel it is very important for all teachers, whether or not they are mentors or beginners, to remember what it is like to be a new teacher. I think that everyone can benefit from being reminded how to act appropriately with their students and their fellow teachers. The tips presented in the book are easily accessible and easily implemented.

I have also had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Breaux speak and was very impressed. She speaks like she writes!

I purchased a book for every teacher. Their responses have been very positive. It has renewed the spirit of the veteran teachers and has provided another learning tool for the new teachers. Thanks to Annette Breaux for this common sense book!

and what an encouraging story to read. If you need to read something that will lift your spirits, read this one :)

Mrs. D.

This book is a very good read. I am a child care provider and I take care of children from all walks of life. I read this book and it brought tears to my eyes in some chapters. Patty anglin really has a way with bonding with people and children. I have a lot of respect for this woman and her husband. Also, I love the fact that this book has pictures in it too. It brings you into her world, and the children are adorable too.
I suggest that you read this book for the sake of the children who want you to hear their story..

After reading this book, I am in awe of this woman! She has such love and such grace. So many children crossed her path, and so many were helped by her. It really stretches the concept of how much one person can accomplish.

The last time I saw Patty was in l969 in Stockholm, Sweden. Her family and ours had lived on the same mission station in the Congo and were on our way back to the States. I have had no contact with Patty since then. But, even more than 30 years ago, I saw the same Patty that is so beautifully expressed in Acres of Hope. Even at such a young age, she was caring and compassionate - and such a champion for what was right and just. This is a book well worth the read - and so well written. Every parent should read it! Thanks, Patty! You do your Mother proud - and your Lord!

This is a beautiful, quality book about a woman who doesn't give up! Patty tells of her experiences growing up as a missionary's daughter in Africa, her faith in facing major obstacles in life, and how God has helped her move mountains. Most of the book is dedicated to relating the trials and miracles she and her husband have experienced in adopting children who might otherwise not have had families. She shares some important bonding techniques and ideas that will definitely help other adoptive parents of special needs infants. As a prospective adoptive parent, this book filled my heart with "acres" of hope! I recommend this book to everyone I love.

I have had this book for two years. Reading it completely 9 times and countless partial times. Gallagher in her effort "to become a blank slate upon which the stories could be written" has embodied the voice of a people not just a position of personal opinion. Hearing that voice cause's the reader to open there eye's to the stark reality of what "we the people" have allowed to happen. Revealing just how fast the holocost of the WWII was pushed out of the conscientious of the people. Allowing the same mentality that drove the Nazi's, to develope in the country "were that could not happen". Without a doubt this "work" is not for the light hearted. Reality with weight, forces the reader to think. Cause's the reader to question not only the government structure and poilcy's we have let be set but the moral code by which we justify a means to a end. How do you determine who live's and who dies? What and Who determines the worth of a human being? You will be challanged, morally, and emotionally. Carole Gallagher has painted people, words, and pictures together in a way that you will not shake off anytime soon. Personal stories will bury themselve's deep into your heart and mind. You will hear the echoed cry's of a people for which there was no justice, no hope. The bottom line reality is we let it happen. This is "the wake up call" Gallagher presents the reader with. It is very disturbing wake up call.

I've read and reread this book so many times I've lost count. In addition I've loaned it out to multiple friends just to get them to open their eyes. Each time I read it I'm still amazed at the liberties taken by the military during this period of time. There is so much important information here I could never even scratch the surface in a short review. The poignant stories told by the victims of these nuclear tests (mostly patriotic mormons who felt the govt. could do no wrong) will move you emotionally, besides backing up Gallaghers claims. If you consider yourself a patriot, prepare to have your world shaken. Just buy it, you wont be sorry.

I've read and reread this book so many times I've lost count. In addition I've loaned it out to multiple friends just to get them to open their eyes. Each time I read it I'm still amazed at the liberties taken by the military during this period of time. There is so much important information here I could never even scratch the surface in a short review. The poignant stories told by the victims of these nuclear tests (mostly patriotic mormons who felt the govt. could do no wrong) will move you emotionally, besides backing up Gallaghers claims. If you consider yourself a patriot, prepare to have your world shaken. Just buy it, you wont be sorry.

I'm a science writer, and I was conducting some research at the M.I.T. library regarding the 1962 series of nuclear tests at Johnston Island in the Pacific. Mostly I was seeking highly technical information -- but I saw this volume sitting on the shelf next to the monographs I was reviewing, so I took what I originally intended to be a quick glance.

After several hours' reading of "American Ground Zero", I found myself quite upset, for this collection of highly credible, first-person accounts clearly demonstrates ongoing efforts of the federal government to ignore, downplay -- even falsify -- data regarding the atomic testing of the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s, particularly the atmospheric tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site near Las Vegas up through 1962.

In today's debate regarding DOE's Yucca Mountain Project, the credibility of the federal government and its experts is a big issue in Nevada. This volume shows why -- through first-hand accounts and compelling photography, presented with the perspective of subsequent time. (Yucca mountain is an underground facility located on a corner of the old Nevada Test Site, and it is to become the nation's primary repository for high-level nuclear waste.)

For at least fifteen years, I have been following in the scientific literature the research & development of Yucca mountain. My own feelings on the matter had been ambivalent for high-level waste must be stored somewhere. Recently, I had become concerned with revelations regarding falsification of data by DOE employees and its contractors.

However, in one fell swoop -- this book completely persuaded me to the righteousness of the cause of those many Nevadans who oppose Yucca mountain. It clearly shows that Nevadans (along with residents of Utah and other downwind states) have already suffered far beyond their fair share of the nation's nuclear burden.

Sadly, the sacrifice of these citizens is not only largely unacknowledged today -- this work clearly shows that their earlier "cooperation" was concurrent with misrepresentations by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the predecessor to today's Department of Energy (DOE), as well as by various military authorities.

Many of the individuals profiled in this volume are (were) former employees of the AEC and its contractors, or are (were) military veterans who participated in these atomic tests. Their accounts all seem to have one common thread -- that there were repeated efforts by authorities to downplay, or ignore, radioactive releases and associated health effects from both above- and below-ground nuclear tests.

The author, Carole Gallagher, deserves our nation's appreciation for documenting so eloquently the experiences of these otherwise ordinary citizens and bringing them to our collective attention. Unfortunately, their living testimonies and images are quickly passing...

I grew up in Northern Arizona on the Utah border. Living close to St George and Cedar City, Utah, we heard rumors of families with unusually high incidents of leukemia and other cancers and the ensuing speculation about the cause. Gallagher's compilation of stories supplies the most human view of the downwinders. She documents a dark and frightening chapter in our goverment's history. Most compelling were the stories of the workers at the test site who were not even afforded the pretense of protection from exposure. I would have appreciated additional focus on the effects of the testing on the Native American tribes in Utah and Northern Arizona.

Gallagher has given us a treasure by documenting the stories of radiation exposure victims who deserve to have their stories told. Once started, I could not stop reading this book and found myself studying each photograph for several minutes before reading the accompanying story.

Thank you Ms. Gallagher for leaving your New York roots, succuming to the fashion dictates of southern Utah and permitting yourself to become the blank slate upon which these stories were etched.

I read all sorts of books to my brother. Grandma bought this one for him. He loves the colors and the poetry and always brings it to me so that I can read it to him. He's only 19 months old. Casey Hoffman

THIS IS THE BOOK I WAS LOOKING FOR. A EASY AND ENJOYABLE WAY TO INTRODUCE MY CHILDREN TO FOOD AND WHAT FOOD REALLY IS. THE KIDS TOOK IT ALL IN WITH A REAL POSITIVE ATTITUDE. BELIEVE ME THIS HAS MADE CHRISTMAS GIFTS EASY. ALL MY BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S KIDS ARE GOING TO GET THIS. MS. O'DONNELL HAS A RARE GIFT AND I HOPE SHE TURNS OUT MANY MORE SIMILAR BOOKS.

I liked the animals and what they did. my daddy read me the story and it was fun. I specially liked the long dog he looks like my dog he doesn't wear hats

This little book is a delightful Ogden Nash - Aesop romp through our alphabet; the children will love the wonderful illustrations. Well done - just in time for Christmas.

Tom Scott, M.D. Orlando, Florida.

Sallie O'Donnell's delightful book deserves a worldwide audience. Chuckles will echo from continent to continent as adults and children savour the amusing rhymes - then slowly absorb the good advice contained in them. Sallie is a standard-bearer in the fight against the 21st Century's greatest scourge: obesity.

Peter Hinchliffe, Yorkshire, England.