I Books

I bought this book back in 1994. It was very inspirational for me. Somewhere along the line I felt it would help inspire my cousin so I let her borrow it. I never received it back and she isn't sure where it is now. My next door neighbor could use some inspiration now, but I no longer have access to the valuable information this book possesses. I truly wish this book would be re-printed once again. I enjoyed it very much and I would like to own it again! It was very inspirational and made me begin thinking positively and working hard to accomplish my goals.

This book is an excellent resource for classroom use. I have read this to my middle school students at the start of every year. What a surprise to them to know that these are Jordan's words ( I keep the author a secret so they can figure it out). This has been an inspiration to me! We need it back in print!

I am a school counselor and have used this book in teaching Goal Setting and Decision Making skills. My school was hit by a tornado three years ago and I have been unable to find this book. My students loved it, it was very motivating. Please reprint at a reasonable cost! I need it for classroom guidance!

This is a must read for young adolescents. If anyone knows how to get a copy or two, please email me and let me know. Thank you. My email addy is jrosslaguna@aol.com

This book was highly recommended to me. I just wish I could get an opportunity to read it. It seems as if there is a market for it. How can we get it back on the store shelves and into the hands of the people that want to read it?

Victor Kravchenko made a stunning defection to the USA in 1944, while working as a Soviet purchasing agent on the lend-lease program. He was 38 years old. Kravchenko grew up as an idealist and a zealous communist. His father even served prison time for revolting against the Czar in 1905. Kravchenko fought with the Reds in the civil war and joined the communist party.

He began to sour on communism as a witness to the ghastly collectivization efforts in the Ukraine in the mid 1930's. He was sent to organize a harvest but forbidden to feed the starving workers. Kravchenko broke the rules then, and many times as manager of various pipe factories. Nevertheless he witnessed widespread starvation. His communist resolve began to crack when his family adopted a young girl, a wandering orphan, who cried herself to sleep every night because her parents had been shipped to Siberia. And further, when he finally delivered the grain to a warehouse only to find the previous year's harvest safely store there while thousands perished nearby.

His communist devotion was finally destroyed by numerouse 'purges', endless questionings, tortures, and beatings. His knack for rallying factories seems to be the only reason he survived. Kravchenko vividly describes the human condition of the workers and farmers, the lush perks of party members, and the omnipresent informer culture of a police state.

He eventually achieved a high post in the Kremlin working under Stalin's top lieutenants. Then deftly maneueverd himself into a position where he might be posted abroad to defect. After his defection, he wrote this book and lived in constant fear of assassination in the US. He died under suspicious circumstances in New York in 1966.

This all too human book shimmers with truth and the realism of genuine witness. Written in rugged prose (translated from Russian) it is the memoir of a great soul. A compelling read for anyone who wants to understand Russia, communism, Stalin, Evil.

A great historical book on the Russian Communist Revolution and how it was viewed from the point of view of an ardent Communist. By reading this book, a good comparison can be made with other famous revolutions in history.

"I Chose Freedom" by Victor A. Kravchenko is a must read for anyone who hopes to come close/er to knowing Stalin's Capitalist Company. Please forget all of that "Communist" stuff; that was just the name of Stalin's own personal company. And what a Capitalist he was! He owned every fatory, he owned all the roads, he owned all of the utilities, he owned the Army, he owned the entire Justice (sic) system, HE OWNED THE PEOPLE!
People like to talk of John D. Rockefeller - CAPITALISTS! HA! John D. Rockefeller, punk when compared to the real thing, STALIN.
Read "I Choose Freedom" and get the inside dope by Victor A. Kravchenko. By my reckoning, Victor rose to about the 4th tier under Stalin, and Stalin truated him so much Victor was sent to Washington, D.C., to work on the wartime "Lend Lease" program. The KGB couldn't guess they had just given Victor his passport to freedom, and constant fear because there was never a more wanted man than Victor. Also, let me suggest, "Operation SOLO, our man in the Kremlin"

This is one of the best books I've read in a very long time, a fact which caught me completely by surprise as I purchased it on a whim after seeing it referenced in a 20th century social history of Russia textbook I was assigned in college. I was hoping to get a personal account of life under Stalin; Kravchenko certainly delivers, not only from the perspective of an ordinary citizen who began his career with deep hopefulness about the Soviet system, but also later as a profoundly disillusioned, high-ranking official who miraculously manages to survive every major calamity of the period -- collectivization, purges, the Nazi invasion, etc. Kravchenko's writing (or at least the English translation) is a delight, his narrative riveting, and the implication of what the Russian people went through in this period is absolutely mind-boggling. As an insider's account it is first rate.

While this edition of the book (purchased through Amazon) appears to have been republished by a conservative group as a means to promote "conservatism," Kravchenko's own motivations were quite different: his commitment was to seeing the totalitarian regime replaced with a democratic one, whatever form that democracy might eventually take. Even in his defection to the US, he does not endorse any particular ideology, choosing intead to acknowledge injustice where he sees it (the US and Britain included).

I had been looking forward to reading this book for sometime since it has been out of print. This was a seminal book in the process of deglamorizing Joe Stalin and the Soviet Union. The brutality of the Soviets as manifested by the genocidal famines, purges, persecution of religion, and overt aggression and occupation of neighboring countries was known to the West. However, due to the outright denials and other obfuscations by leftists of all sorts, and FDR's administration, presumably to get Stalin to side with them against Hitler, this knowledge was suppressed and did not influence public opinion.

Well, the book is an expose of communism written by a communist. The author makes it clear that he realizes that he dedicated his life to a system that was essentially terroristic, and no effort on his part to instill or elicit decency from the rulers and their underlings was going to work inside the system. That is why he comes to the conviction that the only way to save his people is to write this expose, hoping that outside world could influence the Kremlin, so that they would finally feel some fear for what they were doing. The author was correct, and subsequantly other exposes influenced forces, both externally and internally, and brought about the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the author did pay a terrible price for his actions, as I am sure he knew he would, his family and freinds in the Soviet Union were severely persecuted.

I dissagree with a earlier reviewer's point that the author was not a confirmed advocate of Western style democracy. Considering the time that the author had after he entered the country, defected and wrote the book, it is unlikely that he could do a reasonable comparative analysis of political systems. The author was convinced that the Soviet system was evil, and that it was much worse than Czarist Russia. Also consider how devastating it must have been to him to abandon this ideology to which he had devoted his life to. I am curious about what his further convictions were.

Overall, this is a very well written book, a credit to the author's ability and his translators. I just wish that the publisher had included a little on the author's biography post the release of the book.

I absolutely love this story. It was perfect for my son who at the time was a challenge at bedtime. I stillsometimes read this to him (now 5) but almost nightly to my daughter who is now 3.
The story is captivating enough to keep the little ones interestwith just the right number of words per page so that you are turning pages frequently. It is also educational in that kids learn number ordinance, and different animals. This book is a great find. It is a book you will definately read for years to come, my copy is already five years old !

This is a great bedtime book! I read it often to the kids, ages 3-10, at the daycare where I work when we are putting them to bed at night. In fact I've read it so often that I have it nearly memorized. The repeatizeness is comforting and the story is somthing they can identify with! I whole heartedly recommend it!

I have two young sons who are 3 & 4 years old. Everynight before bedtime, they get to pick out six books for us to read before they get tucked in, and everynight, this book is one they want to hear!

We've gotten into the habit of me pointing at them when it's time and they get to say, "I don't want to go to bed!"

Wonderful book! I highly recommend it to all children! Not only is it a great message, but it allows the youngsters to become involved in the story.

I don't want to go to bed is a great example of a perfect children's story. It has all the elements that are required for a children's story. These are, funny characters, good illistrations, the ability to relate to kids, and teaches them a lesson. It also has some much needed humor. It has all the elements and it isnt long and drug out and boring like many other children's storys. In conclusion, it is a great book and I would recomend it to any kids.

This book was a easy reading and totally enjoyable. All young readers having a bad time going to bed should read this book. This book is also really great for babysitters to read to thier children, whom they put kids to bed and which this is a really great bed time story book. I personally like this book because of it's beautiful pictures and kids get a kick out of this book.

My children really liked this book - it is sweet. I would recommend it if your child is having a little school anxiety.

It's about time that a book such as this one hit the shelves!! I work in the public school system and see 'separation anxiety' on a daily basis. Not only do children identify with the main character (what a cutie-pie!), the helpful tips in the book provide parents with the support they need to 'let go'and. I've noticed that many of the foster children in our program enjoy reading this book. All of the adults at my school have purchased copies of this book for their children, as well as, for their families. I can't wait to read more books by this author!!!!!

I have four children. My youngest started kindergarten this year and was extremely nervous about it. He's very clingy and very used to just being with me. Although he had attended pre-school, the idea of going on a bus to a "big school" frightened him. I heard about this book from a friend of mine and read it to my son a few days before he started school. He really enjoyed it and asked if he could bring it into school with him!The teacher read it to the class and raved about it too. This is definitely a beautiful and bright way of easing a young child's anxiety (and mom's anxiety!) about going off to school.

My daughter started to have issues with separation anxiety when she began first grade. After starting the new year, she started refusing to go to school and would cry for hours. It broke my heart to see her this way, and after speaking to her teacher and vice principal, we agreed that it would take some time and that we would all have to work together. I saw this book online and decided to give it a try. First of all, it is geared towards children. The pictures, as well as the story, helped my daughter relate to the main character. We even tried some of the things that the character did to help her feel secure in school. My daughter would bring a picture of us to school, or bring a small teddy bear to look at when she started to feel sad. We also cut a piece of one of my shirts and she would use it to not only dry her tears, but to carry in her pocket. In addition to the book, my daughter did see a child psychologist twice. Although it was a long and tough struggle, I am happy to say that it is now 4 months later and she is doing very well and has adjusted to first grade. What a relief! I recommend this book for those of you who find yourself in the situation that I was in. It is a great supplement to have while working towards helping your child gain that inner strength and courage. I advise you to use as many resources as you can.

I have a 3 year-old daughter who had a hard time adjusting to leaving me and going to pre-school. I have read "The Kissing Hand", a sweet book, but this one is much more specific to the feelings that children can have when they don't want to leave their Moms. My daughter loved the Honey Bee character. The book helps children to help themselves and it tells you exactly how to do it. The illustrations are adorable, too!

I read this book and I was amazingly surprised at the personal depth of the author about her husband's death while at the same time providing outstanding information about a little known disease that I hadn't heard of--primary amyloidosis. She tell her story strikingly well. It's a very easy read and I definitely would recommend it to anyone. Thanks October

Deborah, takes you into Clyde's world as he dealt with his sickness. She is very poignant in her description and it is a must read for everyone going through struggles of life. Terry

This is a very touching and inspiring book written with courage and
passion. I hope that many people will read it to learn more about this unknown disease. It's a heart felt story that encourages us to keep the faith and endure always.

I FEEL OKAY by Deborah Slappey Pitts is the true story of the journey Deborah and her husband Clyde took while battling a rare disease. Clyde had various symptoms for a number of years and the doctors could never find anything wrong with him. He knew deep down in his heart that something was seriously wrong but could never get any answers. Finally, he started having blackouts, which happened any and everywhere. The doctors could not find the cause of the blackouts. After enduring tests on top of tests Clyde was diagnosed with Amyloidosis, a disease that at the time they didn't have much information on. It is a rare disease that attacks the immune system and affects eight out of a million people annually. It also doesn't discriminate as it affects people of all colors, creeds and origins.

With almost no information about the disease, the doctors pretty much gave up hope. Deborah was determined to help her husband by any means necessary. She researched, made calls and tried various methods to find a cure. She needed and wanted her husband, they had been married a long time and had two sons that still needed raising. The disease took its toll on Clyde and he became weaker and weaker. Their search ended up at the Mayo Clinic where Clyde was to get a heart transplant; he waited for 57 days. The wait was too much on Clyde as he blacked out for the final time on April 12, 1995, five months after his diagnosis.

I FEEL OKAY is a story of love, faith and determination. It's a touching story that truly shows the meaning of for better or worse, and sickness and in health, that is stated in the marriage vows. It shows a woman of strength, courage and faith who wanted to do all she could to find answers for her husband during his time of suffering. Deborah wanted to tell her story with the hopes that it could help someone else. It took her nine years after the death of her husband to tell the story. After reading this story, I felt a connection to the Slappey family. My heart went out to them and I felt as though I was there on the journey with them. This book was meant to inspire those to educate themselves about the disease and to never give up. I believe the goal of the book was achieved.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (1/06)

Deborah Slappey Pitts is a woman of great courage and determination. This lady struggled through a medical system full of practitioners because no one would admit to being an expert on the human body, especially not the medical doctors. This is Deborah's story, a story of anguish, heartache and uncertainty while trying to maintain a household, be a mother to two growing boys, work full time and still manage to keep her sanity. This woman's struggle in life was to find out what was wrong with her husband, that all of medical science could not figure out. You will see (when reading "I Feel Okay") that Ms. Pitts is a very strong, God fearing woman - a woman of action and determination that will not be defeated.

"I Feel Okay" is a heart retching saga of the Slappey family in crisis. It's a story about an illness that struck this woman's husband down in the prime of his life. He contracted a disease, primary amyloidosis, caused by the abnormal accumulation of protein molecules in body tissues that affects eight people out of a million. Pitts's compelling volume tells of their fight to seek answers from so many doctors and hospitals. One after another, trying different cures for what they perceived to be the problem, cures that did not work. With every attempt at a cure, hopes were dashed even further down to the pit of despair.

"I feel Okay" is more than a story about a man with a disease. It is a story of life and faith, and how the Slappey family kept the faith against insurmountable odds. It is a story of how strong they were in the face of adversity, yet able to keep a positive mental attitude. "I Feel Okay" has my highest A+ rating, the book is a, "must read," in my opinion. It is well written, an exciting read and above all, a lesson in life.

A city kid from Chicago finally gets to see the rest of the country and the experience is like throwing a lighted match into a barrell of gunpowder. See our great country and it's many interesting people from a different perspective. Blunt, funny and extremely creative, it is a book you will remember.

This is a funny and hilarious story with great characters, a funny story and a subtle iconoclastic bent that skewers and asks questions as it follows our heros. This book is a grand yarn and is hard to put down. It would make a great cult film but don't wait for the film to come out-read it now.

It takes a bold reader to tackle this story, but it's so worth it. Dennis Domrzalski made me laugh out loud with this amazing tale of two men who launch themselves on an aventure-seeking trip from Chicago. The tone is set with the decision to head out on motorcycles in the dead of winter. These men are BOLD---their goal of saving the wicked from the pious is a challenge of the highest order.
But this is not just a very funny book--yes, I would agree wholeheartedly that if you liked Raising Arizona this book is for you--but it is larded with many deadly truths. And our protagonists repeatedly savage the corrupted bureacrats, judges, cops and other authority figures with razor-sharp dialogue.
And only someone who once lived in Chicago could come up with a bus driver who refuses to pick up passengers because, among other reasons, it slows him down and he can't keep his schedule.
This book should be on tape--but only if the author is the reader. Then, it would be 10 times as good.

This unlikely story is the tale of two Chicagoans, Dave and Dennis (the storyteller) who take a motorcycle trip around the country...in the winter. They're alternatively bullies, imposters, philosophers, tourists, Robin Hood, and observers of the passing scene. While some of the stories are feasible, others tax the reader's believability index. Some of the anecdotes challenge the imagination, causing the reader to suspect that some-if not all-of this book was created as a non-fiction work.

Fiction or non-fiction, you'll read something that seems like a running commentary of conversations of a couple of college students high on something. You'll keep turning pages, wondering. The author shares some morals, some personal positions, and some enjoyable cynicism that makes this an unusual book.

The table of contents lists 43 chapters including a listing of topics covered in the chapters. The chapters themselves have no subheads, just straight text broken up by occasional caricature-like illustrations. From a production perspective, the book lacks some design elements usually seen in professionally done books, but it's simple and basic.

You'll shake your head, nod your head, and scratch your head. If this be reality, than what is fantasy? And if this be fantasy, where is the reality of life? Oh, the title? Comes from a poem written by Dave, in the latter part of the book.

It's this simple; if you enjoy laughing out loud, or as we geeks e-speak "ROTFLOL", then READ THIS BOOK. Be careful, though, if mocking sleezy politicians, bashing pompous publishers or worst of all -- honest, uncensored information -- bothers you. You might get a rash, or Anthrax or god forbid... your feet might start stinking. Read it, laugh and realize, sometimes we need to take a fresh look at things to SEE what's really important and worthwhile. enjoy!

I bought this book on a whim, loving the title. It's proved very valuable -- it makes it very easy to interpret a dream start to finish. By looking up the clear ideas and instructions at entries such as house, stairs, running, car, etc., you can piece together any objects and events in your dream. It doesn't contain *everything* -- like another reviewer I'd say it would be perfect paired with a 'more traditional' dream dictionary, which is the exact stated purpose of the book, but I've done just fine with this alone for several years. Her first chapter listing basic dream types and how to process them is a little bit oversimple -- the examples themselves aren't a full explanation -- but it's a useful bonus in a book whose stated goal is to be a dictionary. I never interpreted my own dreams before but have gotten better and better at it using only this book. I've also found that the process of looking up information about my dreams has helped me remember them better as time goes on. I also like her clear, to-the-point, direct address style of writing. Fun, easy, and informative, and it's led to some real personal growth as well!

This book deals a little too much with feelings and I think that makes it a bit boring. Me, I prefer the more enchanting books that do tell you of upcoming events! This is probably more accurate, though, but still. :)

It's an okay book and definately a must have because if you're into dream books/dictionaries you do need more than one reference! It's a nice addition!

I think that if this book merged with a more traditional one they would make a more complete reference.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always loved dream books but never felt fully satisfied... until now. I have been waiting for a dream book like this since I was old enough to interpret my dreams. I used to go over 3 or 4 different dream books to decipher my dreams but I finally only need one. Somehow Kelly managed to be the first person in the universe to make a genius book that covers everything in one place.

I love the Introduction! I have nothing but praise for this book! I can look up dreams without being overwhelmed. Great Job! Thanks Kelly!!!

Has some interesting points in the introduction. . . but the dictionary is just ok. Personally, I think the explanations all sound like the same reworded over & over again. I will probably buy a different book.

This was my first eperience with Foster's science fiction work, my previous exposure to him being the Spellsinger trilogy.

After an abrupt change in setting and characters from the first chapter to the second the left me scratching my head, I found I couldn't put the book down. The action moves quickly, driven by the main character's emotions as well as his actions. After the climax the events of the falling action seem to be anti-climactic until the denoument is really reached. Then Foster pulls everything together in a satisfying and conclusive way.

I can only emphasise what other reviewers have already said, this is an excellent book.
What I wanted to point at is the various similarities between this book and the famous Matrix movie.... really makes me wonder if the brothers read this book, there are a few elements in this book which have been used in the movie, which would make it too much of a coincidence.
highly recommendated

I've read a number of Foster's books and The I Inside is flat out his best book. It's the story of superman who never figures out he's superman.

If you like Alan Dean Foster books at all, you will like this one. It is a compelling read from beginning to end. A very unique and interesting story with lots of good plot twists. Giving much more information about the story will probably give things away. I hate that.

Definitely a classic in the genre. I have only read a few Alan Dean Foster novels, but this one and The Man Who Used The Universe are in my "worth-5-reads" category. Being a computer nerd myself, I always enjoy escapist stories where the nerd gets cool powers and has adventures with pretty chicks. Harrison's To The Stars trilogy is one of my favorites too. I only have good things to say about The I Inside!

The sign of a truly good children's book: fabulous illustrations, fun and interesting to read, parent-friendly, time-less. Every time I pull out this book, my 14-month gathers up all her stuffed cat toys and we read it together. There are lots of opportunities in the book to use different voices to bring the cats to life. This is one of our favorite books and will have a special place on our bookshelf for years to come. I think even dog people would like this book.

Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

My daughter checked this book out at school.
She loved it so much, and hated to return it to the library, so I ordered it for her for Christmas.
What a great story about liking cats with awesome illustrations to go with it.
I highly recommend it for anyone, cat lovers or not!

I concur with the consensus on here. Like the other Kimberly, I checked this book out for my 2 year old daughter at our local library. After 4 renewals from the library, I had to get this one.

The artwork is fabulous and the rhyming text is easy for a young one to memorize. Our daughter now "reads" the book to us reciting "Sing a little ditty, cats!" A must for cat lovers as it shows how much personality cats truly have.

We also love the opening page which has a list of colorful characters such as Lord Buttons, Pickles Jones, and Nacho Grande. We have to pick out which cartoon kitties look like our two real ones.

Loads of fun for your little one! Highly recommend!

The author and artist of this work must indeed like cats as there are hundreds(?) of drawings of these fury little creatures in this work. This is certainly a book that I would add to my young child's library as the pictures are endless, and surprisingly all different. The colors are great and the artist, Pamela Paparone, has done a wonderful job with her subject. You can read this book with your child over and over again, and each time, both you, and your child, will see something new with each reading. The text goes well with the art. The colors are quite eye catching as the entire layout of the book. Recommend this one quite highly.

We've had this book pretty much since the boy was born, and it was a joyous day when he started acting it out back to me! He would wiggle for "...when you dance with me", and start giggling before i even read, "...when you tickle me", knowing what was coming. The ending is very sweet. Our younger baby is starting to enjoy it now too.

Highly recommend!

I read this book to my 2 year old daughter every night - I have it memorized. Absolutely adorable book. When I say "I like it when . . . you hold my hand", I hold out my finger and she holds it; when I say "I like it when . . . you read me stories", she says emphatically "Yes!". Highly recommended.

My daughter has loved this book since she was 14 months old. It's been fun as she gets older and she can do everything in the book, every single page is interactive, plus the drawings and the text are extremely darling and imaginative. Fun and sweet book.

We had this book for my second child and wore it out, so I bought a new one from Amazon. My third child started getting attached to this book at around 8 months old. He would look at me on the "peek-a-boo" page waiting for me to play "peek-a-boo" with him.

My daughter has had her copy of I LIKE IT WHEN..., by Mary Murphy, for nearly two years. Even thought it is geared toward babies and toddlers, my 3 year old still finds this book very enjoyable and very comforting. It is still a good book to fall asleep to.

I LIKE IT WHEN...is a series of interactions between a young penguin and an adult caregiver. With no names or defining details, the penguin pair can be mother/child, father/child, grandparent/grandchild, older sibling/new baby. The only requirement for the type of relationship displayed is love. Beginning with " I like it when you hold my hand" and "I like it when you read me stories," continuing on to "I like it when you hug me tight," and "I like it when we dance around," and ending with a big "I love you," I LIKE IT WHEN...models simple intimacies so important to a growing child. The illustrations are simple, cute, and colorful, and the message is reassuring, endearing, simple, and clear.

Even though we both have I LIKE IT WHEN...memorized, my daughter still wants me to read it to her page by page, so that we can act out each interaction. Each page demonstrates a very special one-on-one communication between adult and child; something that all kids find fundamentally necessary in their young lives. This book basically just makes my daughter feel happy and loved. And that makes me happy, too.