Z Books

"Glass A to Z" is an excellent encyclopedia of information about glass, manufacturing processes, and manufacturers. It's alphabetical listing of topics makes it very to easy use to locate information quickly. Topics are cross-referenced as well. Topic headings are in bold print and paragraphs about the topics range in length. A handy section at the back of the text includes a section with manufacturer's marks as well. Whether you are a novice collector or a glassware buff, this is a great book to have in your library. Although the book was published in 2002, the information is timeless. Mine is well-worn from extensive use.

If you want a basic, comprehensive reference manual on art glass, this is the book for you. It contains an exhaustive, alphabetic listing of every popular art glass term, technique, and manufacturer. Each listing contains detail limited to a single sentence to several paragraphs, according to the depth of the topic. Like most encyclopedias, it won't make you an expert on any one topic, but it will give you most of the basic information you will likely ever need if you want to collect or deal in art glass. Not many photos, but a lot of information.

I've never played baseball but the game fascinates me and I read everything I can get my hands on.

WOW! This book was a great surprise. It is one of the most informative baseball books I've ever read. So many people from the game talk about this career from different perspectives. Since reading it, I look at players differently, with a kind of appreciation of what they go through.

It's an easy read and lots of fun. I felt like I was talking with such baseball giants as Frank Robinson, Andre Dawson, Bob Feller, Mark Grace, Robin Ventura and, well, that list of names is long and reads like a who's who of baseball.

It's one of those rare books where you read along, have a great time, then realize you're learning a lot at the same time. It definitely lives up to its name and kids who want to go pro really should have it as a reference.

My copy was a gift. Now all my friends are getting one for Christmas.

FIVE STARS for sure!

There's a lot of books out there ABOUT baseball and its players. Go Pro BASEBALL WISE is a baseball book BY its players.

This book doesn't focus on baseball's greatest moments, the endless comparison of stats, or the controversy of sod over turf. In fact, there's no mention of any game in particular.

What is in this book is baseball discussing baseball as a career. Author PJ Dragseth made a tremendous effort to interview a wide variety of baseball people across the country, from Hall of Fame players to rookies. He talked to some of the greatest players in the game. As a result, his book not only entertains, but could accurately be called a "baseball career handbook" for those who love baseball as well as for those who want to play the game professionally.

This book is a great accomplishment and Dragseth is to be commended for his effort. I recommend it highly and give it five stars.

Steven Boxer

Georgetown University, Washington, DC

This is a lovely bedside book. Each story is a tale of grace -- and some of grit -- in the lives of real people. Often spiritual tales are too sugar-coated to be of much encouragement to those who struggle honestly with real life. This book beautifully integrates honesty with hope, no matter what your path has been, it's encouraging to know that God is a God of second chances. Marcia Nelson's writing style and personal postcards from her journey add to the beauty of this book.

The stories are not written in a dramatic style; they are about real people living their lives; stumbling along while allowing Spirit to have a small influence with magnificent results.

Expecting more intense miracles, I was at first underwhelmed by the book. However, noticing that the stories lingered with me for the next week, I realized Marcia Z.Nelson is a master at reporting the facts, just the facts, leaving the rest to the reader. It works.

I use this book as a mediation book in the morning. It helps me get outside of "self" and perhaps even allows me to become a little more willing to have God in my daily decisions. A good read, this one.

Beautifully illustrated and great way for preschoolers to learn about God (and their letters). Has scriptures to back up richly written text. Definitely not a "trite" book and worth having as part of your library or to give as a gift! I am currently using it in a teaching setting and it works wonderfully to expand into other activites for hands-on teaching. GREAT BOOK!!!

My 3 year old and I really enjoyed this book! The illustrations are lovely and inviting and flow well with the poetic text. It's refreshing to find a Christian children's book that isn't trite and full of "twaddle". I like this book so much I'm buying several copies for gifts. Very well done, Focus on the Family and Heritage Builders!

In these times, making homemade bread might seem like a huge commitment of time and energy. Bread machines were a fad for awhile and are an unnecessary appliance - right? Wrong. It just requires some inspiring recipes (that actually produce great results) and some practice using one's bread machine. This book,Great Bread Machine Baking, actually helps to get one going, and puts an end to all apprehension about using another unfamiliar 'gadget.' This book offers many easy - and truly delicious! - recipes for baking in your bread machine. So get it out of the cupboard, dust it off and start using it again! Or get one (they are much more reasonable today than when they were 'in,' and there's always eBay!)

You'll find around 250 recipes here, categorized into chapters like Special Holiday Breads and Uses for Day-Old Bread. There are also nice recipes for jams, butters, and toppings, and helpful tips on creating yummy breads and spreads that are healthier than most store-bought breads. Some who are unfamiliar with bread machines may appreciate the section on proper use of your bread machine and on how to troubleshoot any problems you get into.

Here is a sampling of some of the great recipes in this book -- as you can see, these go beyond the ordinary bread recipes one usually finds in bread machine cookbooks:
Cheddar Bacon Rye Bread, Sun-Dried Tomato Olive Bread, Spiced Pumpkin Loaf, Chocolate and Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Honey Oatmeal Wheat Bread, Basil Pesto Bread, Brie Crostini, Bread Pudding, home-made croutons, Orange Marmalade Bread, Panettone, a whole section on Sourdough breads, Blue Cheese Bread, and Cream Cheese and Chives Bread.

I have tried many of the recipes in this book and have yet to find one that is poor. I especially recommend the Chocolate Cherry Loaf, Pear Cardamom Bread, Pizza Crust Dough, and the regular and wheat French breads. The flavors are well-balanced and the recipes easy to follow. You should also try the Turkey Stuffing Bread -- you make your own herb-flavored croutons that are ready to turn into stuffing. Just like the stuffing mix you buy in the store! (Better!)

I would and do recommend this book highly. I use it often and am always pleased with the results.

I bought these for my nephews, and they loved them. Keeping their minds growing is always at the top of the priority list when buying gifts, and these certainly do that. They're almost fun for adults, too.

Gymboree's A TO Z ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: ENRICH YOUR CHILD'S WORLD OF PLAY WITH FUN ACTIVITY CARDS offers a series of creative activities and illustrations on thick activity cards accompanied by a play guide. Ages 1-4 years will find these activity cards bright, durable and compelling.

This book is great! I teach third grade and bought this book for my classroom library when we got our first hamster. When we got another species, I couldn't find the book! It's always in someone's desk so they can read it next!!

There are a lot of pictures and it's laid out in a simple manner. It's not confusing to read and laid out in a manner that I learned a lot and my third graders are learning a lot. It is great for children because it doesn't go too in depth on mating issues...it explains basics without graphic detail like I've seen in other books.

The best section is on the hamster life cycle! I got two Dwarfs who happened to be male and female (unknown to me!) They've already had too litters and the kids are learning now about the hamster life cycle. This book has been invaluable for that. The kids are able to view pictures of the newborn babies without having to disturb mom.

I trust Lorraine Hill to tell me everything I need to know about hamsters!

In this well organized reference book, complete with big, bright photos, the author presents answers to just about any question a new hamster owner might ask. It starts with hamster history and proceeds to tell about hamster care, species of hamsters, hamster habits, hamster health, and even a bit about showing and breeding hamsters. It's up-to-date, simple to understand, and covers all the basics. No new hamster owner should leave the pet shop without this book, esepcially if he's taking home a hamster as well!

In simple, but powerful words he captures the history of America and the world today. To people of color and ethnic diversity who have endured the struggle, this is a literary work that sends a message that cannot be denied. Mr. Newell your daughter is fortunate to have you as a father.

HE HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. I FEEL AS IF HE HAS LIVED MY LIFE AND IN MY HEAD. HE HAS SIGHT BEYOND SIGHT.

This book was a gift to my 3 year old for Easter 2004. She loves the pictures of Hello Kitty as a ballerina and an artist. The book reinforces the alphabet (she already knows them) and introduces careers that are not readily thought of (i.e. scientist, explorer, juggler, pastry chef, yoga master). If you have a child who loves Hello Kitty, buy this book. It's well worth the money!

I must confess that I bought the book after taking it out in my local public library. It was the only preschool alphabet book that I could find with yoga in it (I'm a preschool yoga teacher). Y is for yoga master. I like the book on so many other levels too. The pictures are bright and colorful. The picture that they give for each letter give a whole scene and smaller item that also begin with the same letter. EX: D is for doctor (with a picture of a doctor's office, with a doll, daises, diploma, door, desk, dog).

It's really a cute book!!!

This is a super book for people who want to learn about uses of oils. I've read several of Ms. Solomon's books and they are all MUST READS! I just wish I could find the rest of her catalog at Amazon (hint, hint!!!) I hear she's coming out with a new book soon...hope Amazon carries it.

HELPING YOURSELF WITH MAGICAL OILS,A-Z....If you are seeking ways to create a sense of"magickal bliss" in your life this
is the book for you.

Maria Solomon walks you through an array of concise recipes to help you in all areas of your life. I found this particular book to be quite informative for laypersons, students and practitioners within the new age and spiritual communities.

This is an easy to read guide for anyone who desires to positively enhance their opportunities for success in business, romance, personal and spiritual development. This is a "must have book" for your library from this well-known American spiritual writer.