O Books

The book is well layed-out, and descriptions are clear and concise. The first 95 pages or so are relatively basic. I have used a crusty version of Homesite to create a few basic Websites in-the-past, so those first 95 pages didn't teach me anything that I didn't already know. Except perhaps for the design and paper and pencil preparation.

After page 95 (or so), you jump right into Dreamweaver and are instructed as to its' functions. The Webpage you're building is a basic HTML page, and does not use any server-side technology like ASP, or PHP, or CGI/Perl.

It too is well layed-out, and step-by-step. I only wished that a deeper discussion of CSS integration was employed.

So, for the beginner, or for someone who likes to paper & pencil prep, I'd have to say that this is a worthwhile buy.

For the more advanced user, I'd have to say that you may be better off with more of a reference-style tome.

All said, I do not regret the purchase.

This book takes you from web-site zero through building a basic client-side only web site using Dreamweaver 8.

My only critique is that it seemed like we didn't even get to actually using Dreamweaver 8 until about page 100. Before that was an intro to general web-site concepts and HTML.

Anyway, it's an attractive and informative book that is priced lower than most.

If you are looking for website building software, you might want to take a look at Dreamweaver 8: Design and Construction. This book educates the reader on the various aspects of Dreamweaver 8. It also shows the reader, step by step, how to build a website using this software. The author also includes all sort so tips, illustrations of what the reader will see as he or she builds their site, and helpful tech talk boxes that explain some of the more technical issues in an easy to understand way. Everything in this manual is suitable for those with little or no knowledge of website design or website design software.

I believe that the best way to choose website software is to understand what that particular program can do and how this may or may not suit your needs and your abilities. It doesn't help to buy software that can do seemingly magical things if you don't have a clue how to actually make it work. This book helps the reader understand the basics of the Dreamweaver 8 program with a taste of some of the more complex things that can be done.

This book is well written and laid out well (for the most part), but the lack of color really, really hurts this Dreamweaver 8 guide. Perhaps I am being a bit of a stickler, but a book in 2006 not only needs to have good content, but it need to also have a great layout as well. Deciding to go with 5 major colors (white, black, grey, blue, dark blue) not only makes the book seem dull and drab, it detracts from the reader the good content within.

For anyone that uses Dreamweaver 8 on a daily basis this is a great reference guide but the layout editor could have done a much better job. If you care about content more than pizzaz, I think you will be happy with this book

**** RECOMMENDED

Are you new to Dreamweaver 8? If you are, then this book is for you! Author Marc Campbell, has done an outstanding job of writing a book for people who are new to creating their own web sites from the ground up and all that it entails.

Campbell, begins by showing you how to devise your plan. Then, the author shows you how to develop a blueprint for your site. Next, he shows you how to add just about anything to the pages of your site. Finally, the author shows you how to take the working prototype that exists on your computer and publish it to the Web for all of the world to see.

This most excellent book serves an introduction to creating web sites using Macromedia Dreamweaver 8. More importantly, the focus throughout this book is that sound design and usability are inextricably linked.

Australian theologian Peter O'Brien is a highly respected Pauline scholar who (in addition to this book) has also written commentaries on Colossians/Philemon and Ephesians, in addition to books on the Biblical theology of mission.

This commentary on Philippians is part of the New International Greek Testament Commentary series, a series that places a heavy focus on the original Greek text of the Biblical book in question and use insights gained from this linguistic/grammatical study as a launching point to comment on theological and historical content.

The structure of this book does not differ much from other Biblical commentaries. Several pages of introductory material (e.g. questions of authorship, recipients, major themes, outline) are followed by the commentary proper: a translation of the pericope, notes on textual criticism, and extensive remarks on the pericope. What sets this commentary apart from others is 1) the above-mentioned emphasis on the Greek and 2) a high degree of interaction with other New Testament scholars. This reader especially enjoyed the emphasis on the Greek--not because I have an intrinsic love of the languages (I don't!) but because O'Brien thoroughly lays out and defends his translation, then uses this translation-defense in order to draw out theological/practical/Pauline remarks. As he does this, he often lays out the arguments of other scholars and points out the pros and cons of each--not in a way to set up straw men, but to show why one particular choice is the best among plausible explanations. The end result is that I have much confidence in and respect for O'Brien's conclusions.

O'Brien approaches Philippians from a conservative perspective. He comes to the conclusion that the entire text was written by Paul (there were not redactors), that the recipients were the Christians at Philippi, and that the four major purposes in writing the letter were 1) to thank the Philippians for a gift he received from them, 2) to urge them toward greater unity (as it appears there was some conflict among them), 3) to encourage them to stand strong against a group of opponents from outside the church (who are trying to pull the Philippian Christians away from their Christian faith) and 4) to urge them to rejoice in Jesus, no matter what their earthly circumstances may be.

O'Brien's writing style is surprisingly conversational--I say surprisingly because it's difficult to come across as conversational when words and phrases like epexegetical, hapax, hortatory conjunction, and aorist indicative passive are used. When O'Brien remarks on the non-grammatical aspects of the text, his comments most often gravitate toward history, the personality/style of Paul, justification, sanctification, eschatology, and Christian unity. Absent or downplayed are the sacraments, vocation, the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of Scripture, and missiology (which is surprising to me considering this is one of his major scholarly pursuits).

In all, I recommend this commentary most highly for those who are have some background in the Greek. If you're concerned about the strength of your language skills (as I am), don't be intimidated. While it is based on the Greek, it is accessible while it remains scholarly and practical.

You will find O'Brien's to be one of the very best commentaries on Philippians, but you will get more out of it if you are familiar with New Testament Greek. The author writes from a theologically conservative viewpoint, but is always prepared to evaluate other views, while also clearly articulating his own.

The long section on Philippians 2:5-11 has been painstakingly researched. It is thorough and magnificent.

If you read commentaries to help you to understand the text, so that you can better serve Jesus Christ, you will really appreciate this one, as well as the author's commentaries on Colossians and Ephesians.

Highly recommended.

I picked up this commentary not so much from the kudos on Amazon (although I must say all such kudos is deserved), but from O'Brien's handling of Colossians-Philemon (Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 44), and to a lesser but considerably remarkable degree from I.H. Marshall's treatment of Luke in this same series. I too was befuddled from the length given to the discussion of epistle's authorship, although Dr. O'Brien offers a few cues about Paul's unique contributions to the NT canon (I would merely argue if these cues were necessarily Philippians-specific or -centric). Many times over, O'Brien focuses on the specific texts with erudition I've never witnessed previously, and then balances this with discussions on what always struck me as textual matters that not even Bruce Metzger handled with proper weight. This is one of those commentaries where you read and chew on, then think, "if only the Church dealt more with these matters, we could certainly witness a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit." And yet, the Church waits. Thank you so much, Dr. O'Brien.

O'Brien interacts beautifully with the Greek text! However, his sections on hymnody and authorship are VERY long. This book is so Greek based, beware if you are not quite proficient or at least strongly backgrounded in Greek.

'I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13

O'Brien's comments read this vital text as:
'in vital union with the One who strengthens me',
cited from John Howard Schutz, Paul, pg 218

'The favourite Pauline expression 'in Christ' often appears in its double form in Philippians - 'in Christ Jesus'. It is a phrase denoting incorporation ('in union with Christ Jesus', GNB): believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, and the new corporate life into which they have entered is their share in His resurrection life. 'In Christ Jesus' frequently points to Christ Jesus as the sphere in which the Christian lives and moves.

So the Philippians' glorying will abound 'in Christ Jesus' (1:26). Christians glory in Him rather than put their confidence in the flesh (3:3). God's peace will guard the reader's hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (4:7), and their every need will be met in accordance with God's riches in glory in Him (4:19). Finally the Philippians are to adopt the same attitude towards one another that was found in Christ Jesus (2:5). In other words, the whole life is to be determined by the fact of Christ Jesus.' Pg 46

The doctrine of union with Christ is upheld favourably by Peter O'Brien.

On chapter and verse 1:2 'grace and peace to you':

'Grace' is a central theological notion that clearly expresses Paul's understanding of Christ's work of salvation (Rom 3:23-24).' Pg 50

'The second main word in this benediction, 'peace', suggests an OT background (Eze 4:17; 5:7). In the LXX the epistolary greeting 'shalom' is rendered by 'peace'. In the LXX 'peace' had the general sense of well-being, the source and giver of which is Yahweh alone. It included everything given by God in all areas of life, and had a social dimension as well as being linked, on occasion, with righteousness (Isa 48: 18; Ps 85:10). The word can describe the content and goal of all Christian preaching, the message itself being called 'the gospel of peace' (Eph 6:15; Acts 10:36; Eph 2:17). Peace has to do with wholeness, especially with reference to relationships. It is an order established by the God of peace (1 Cor 14:33; Rom 15:33, 16:20; Phil 4:9). Christ is the mediator of that peace (Rom 5:1; Col 1:20). Indeed, He himself is that peace (Eph 2:14-18). Paul does not simply wish for their spiritual prosperity or for their internal condition of contentment; rather his prayer is that they may comprehend more fully the nature of that relationship of peace which God has established in them.' Pg 51

A quality Commentary, probably still the absolute BEST conservative one on Philippians.

This was the first of author Born's books I read. It was excellent and spurred me to get the other two Billy Tasker novels. Great characters, great setting... lots of detail. I'm a big Born fan! If you like cop books, you love James O. Born.

This author is remarkably knowledgeable from his past on the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) and uses this experience to really captivate the reader as Born creates so many compex but easy to follow interactions between his large cast of characters. It was a book that kept me hooked until the last in wanting to find out which of the bad guys did it. The conclusion was both riveting and satisfying.

Some people are always in the right place at the right time; others aren't. Florida lawman Bill Trasker is the latter. Just off a stressful case, he was standing in line at the bank with his 8-year-old daughter when a bank robbery ensued. To help him unwind, his boss sent him to do a review on an inmate homicide at a secluded prison. Bill's trouble magnet, however, continued working at high capacity. Murder, attempted murder (of Bill), kidnapping, and a prison break move Bill's temporary duty from simple to complex and dangerous. Those same complications make for a compelling, fast-paced thriller! James O. Born is now on my must-be-read list.

This book takes a slight departure from the norm in the life of FDLE special agent Bill Tasker when he temporarily leaves Miami to investigate a death at Manatee Correctional near Gladesville. His boss feels he needs a break from his usual high-stress life of chasing dangerous criminals, plus an investigation at the prison will quiet any board of inquiry investigation into Tasker's last high-profile case. Tasker settles into his tiny, government-issue apartment, expecting a quiet idyll, but instead finds himself the victim of violent attacks by prison inmates, a blend of apathy and animosity from the prison staff, and a major attraction to the prison's investigator, Renee Chin. Tasker's next-door neighbor, Professor Klingman, is a likeable guy on an archaeological dig, accompanied by an attractive young female assistant, Billie Towers. Manatee Correctional is run with an iron fist by Captain Sam Norton and his portly sidekick, Sergeant Henry Janzig, who enforce discipline through unorthodox ways, and who want Bill Tasker gone as quickly as possible. Too bad the tenacious agent can't take a hint. At the same time, inmate Luther Williams a/k/a Cole Hodges, who was put away because of Tasker, has managed to gain trustee status and is hatching a few plans of his own while he keeps a spotless prison library.

Tasker suspects something more than a suspicious death at the prison is afoot when he's accosted first by an inmate in the psych ward, then former inmates at a bar, and again by a group of Aryan Knights, and when Professor Klingman is murdered, the Gladesville detective seems uninterested in doing anything to solve the crime. When Luther Williams escapes and calls Tasker with a tip while he's on the run, Tasker starts to put it all together.

Though Born's third effort is as good as his first two, it is not quite as much fun. There seem to be fewer characters and a lot less going on, though he makes good use of characters from the earlier novels in a way that ties them all together and makes me anxious to get my hands on the fourth. Born keeps his stories entertaining by changing the point of view often. Even though Luther Williams is a bad guy, I inexplicably wanted him to succeed in his escape because there's something likeable about him. Even Elmore Leonard doesn't draw his villains that well.

Jim Born is the best thing to happen to crime fiction so far in the new millennium. Anyone who loves crime novels, especially those set in Florida, should be reading him.

James Born's third effort in the Bill Tasker series (see "Walking Money" and "Shock Wave") is an enjoyable read but somewhat short of earning the deification described by other reviewers here. Born has a way to go before his character is in the same room as Doc Ford, Jack Reacher, Bobby Lee Swagger, or Dave Robicheaux. That being said, Tasker, a special agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), is an engaging protagonist. He is smart yet misses the obvious at times. He can be explosively decisive at times yet is smart enough to seek a simpler way out. He attracts beautiful women yet is somewhat insecure around them and is still recovering from an unwanted divorce.

Born is a master of characterization and dialogue--elements that seem to go hand-in-hand in his books. His characters are fleshed out and credible; indeed. He makes you think you know them by books end. His dialogue is snappy, appropriate, and never causes you to stop and say--"nah, he wouldn't have said that". Born also is adept at describing his environment and his scenes are believable and well described.

In "Escape Clause", Tasker kills a bank robber with his young daughter watching. To help him get back to normal and escape media attention, his director sends him on what seems a easy case of discovering who killed a wealthy land developer's son while incarcerated in Manatee Correctional in Gladesville. Tasker settles in state housing near the prison, makes some friends (and enemies), and quickly finds himself attracted to two local females...the assistant to an archiver and researcher who lives next door and an enigmatic inspector at Manatee Correctional.

Quickly, Tasker is threatened both inside and outside the prison walls, several dead bodies turn up, a prison break occurs, and it becomes clear that no one wants him around. He gets little help from Captain Norton or his stooge Sgt. Janzig from inside the prison and more surprisingly, no help at all from the local Gladesville detective, Rufus Goodwin.

He finds himself falling hard for Renee Chin, the inspector at Manatee, but has trouble following through on his feelings. As the plot unfolds, Tasker finds himself questioning everyone's loyalty around him. Clearly, his biggest task is to find out who he can believe and trust. Surprisingly, it is Cole Hodges (now known as Luther Williams), an inmate who was sent to Manatee by Tasker in a previous novel, who becomes the catalyst for helping Tasker solve the multi-faceted case.

The pacing is brisk at times, yet there were also periods where things seemed to languish a bit. A particular bit of information by Born regarding where Tasker keeps his gun was reiterated enough times that even the densest reader could see it coming, a point that just seemed unnecessarily cheesy to this reader. All-in-all, "Escape Clause" is an effective addition to the Bill Tasker series.

Just finished reading Paul Petredis' terrific effort. I am the current President of the 35th Infantry Regiment Association and I found the historical aspects of the story to be of particular interest. Paul's story is riveting. I liked the fact that he didn't try and make it a story of personal heroism. As they say in Dragnet "Just the Facts, Mam" and that's what Paul gave us but they were interesting facts and interesting reading. Seems like there should of been a movie come out of this. Thanks Paul. I enjoyed it.

This is the most gripping, facinating non-fiction book I have ever read. It shows the will to survive in the face of overwhelming odds. I wish every high school student would read this book and discover the meaning of a true hero. It is very different from what the movies portray. I recommend reading this book. You won't want to put it down.
O. Mastellos

Facinating true story.

Escape From North Korea by Paul G Petredis

His book is superbly researched and a darn good read of the Forgotten War and the path which lead to it. His personal experience being a soldier in Korea and surviving the conflict gives great credit to him as a man, and his narrative about how he escaped from North Korea is almost beyond description, and should be a must read for anyone who enters the US Military Service. Hope to see future writings by Paul Petredis.

F.Petersen

WOW... war becomes real on these pages, almost too real, and from a soldier with his first-hand account. I found it to be a story of survival and determination, and a credit to the author and to our military. I suppose the most significant part of this story, is the insight into what our soldiers are facing everyday in the Middle East. It should be "must" reading for every person in our Armed Forces, as to what to expect, and how to overcome the impending obstacles, in battle and if captured. An excellent book and a credit to its author. Well done!

I gave this book to my 12 year old son after reading some of the reviews. I gave it to him as one of his many Christmas gifts but never realized that I had also given myself a great treat. He & I shared reading the book and both of us truly enjoyed it. It's about a young man who dreamed and set a goal of playing football for Notre Dame. It follows his ups & downs and the strength and intestinal fortitude it took to hang in there as a non-scholarship "walk on". My son also plays football (as well as other sports) and like many young kids his age dream of playing in college and the "big leagues" when they get older. This story doesn't "sugar coat" what it takes and portrays the emotional turmoil it took for this young man to hang in there. While I won't ruin the ending for you, as a dad of a young aspoiring athlete I can confidently recommend this book for both young & old.

I picked this book up on Amazon because a friend of mine recommended it to me. I was expecting a "Rudy," type story. There were parallels to be sure, but this book was so much more than that. It is an autobiography of the ups and downs in a four year premier Division I program. The book is a quick read and I didn't want it to end. I found myself cheering for Timmy O'Neill that his hard work would finally pay off. And by the end of the book, you are right there with him as he starts to realize some of the fruits of his labor. Overall, a very enjoyable and well written book. Would recommend very highly, especially to anyone who has ever been told that they couldn't do something.

This book is the Caddilac of Notre Dame walk-on books. From page one to the end, the book is filled with excitement, laughter, and tears of joy. Not only do I recommend this book to children of all ages, I encourage this to middle-aged people as well that are looking to get over the 'hump'. I read this book 6 times and I'm still determined to make the team as a walk-on. I will write Timmy O'neill's name in for the next presidential election.

I bought and read this book after I found this under a "football search" on Amazon. I was looking for a good book for my nephew. Having been a former college running back myself at 5'9" 195lbs, I continually broke stereotypes as Timmy has done in this book. How many times do you hear a sport commentator say something like, "even though he's 5 foot something, he an incredibly gifted runner" It never made sense, because what better height to be as a running back--low to the ground--than 5 foot something!..I never found any advantage to being a taller running back unless you're blowing open holes with your blocking...look at the best, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, etc. Every Play Every Day is about breaking perceptions and beleiving in yourself, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and passed it along to my nephew who loved it as well!

Tim is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. As a freshman I was fortunate enough to live across from Tim and his roommate, Murph. They were the older brothers I never had. The book is a testament to hard work and determination. I read the book over the Thanksgiving holiday, I recommend the book to all sports fans. Tim is the real deal, I hope someone puts his ND and high school highlight tapes up on youTube.

Putting Linux on the desktop has been the clarion call of many Linux users as well as people who want a system that does not crash almost daily or have multiple security and other problems. The problem is that a graphical interface that is similar enough to the Windows or MacIntosh systems that there would be minimal training and yet is easy to install without problems has been long in coming. While there are several contenders today, the Java Desktop System (JDS) Linux Desktop is one of the fastest, and easiest to install.

In Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop the authors take the reader through the installation process and all the basic information for using the JDS Linux Desktop. Not only do they go over the infrastructure items like networking and printing but also the most common applications that come with JDS Linux Desktop. These applications include email, calendaring, instant messenger, the web browser, StarWriter (word processing), and StarCalc (spreadsheet). They even go over various options for running Windows programs in JDS Linux including some options that often run Windows programs faster than Windows!

The book comes with a Live CD, which is a version of JDS Linux Desktop that runs from the CD. Simply put it into your CD-Rom drive and boot your computer and you are running Linux with a graphical interface. I tried it on a couple of computers on which I had trouble getting a much more popular version of Linux to recognize the on-board video interface but JDS Linux Desktop got it right the first time and worked as expected without any special manual configuration. While many of the items covered in the book are not on the CD, enough of them are there to give the user a good feel for how the operating system works. The book warns that the Live CD allows you to create documents but you cannot save them. However, that is not entirely true. If you are knowledgeable in Linux it is simple enough to open a terminal and mount the hard drive - including a Windows formatted drive and save any files there.

Although I have done a lot with the Linux operating system this is the first time I have used the Sun Java Desktop System (JDS). The interface is very professional and definitely on par with Windows. Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop is a highly recommended read for anyone who wants to learn the basics of navigating and using this system.

I often find myself digging through the pages of technical books, prior to purchasing them, just to be sure they are readable. Most technical books assume a certain level of expertise, and as a result, become overly technical and hard to read. "Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop" is an excellent book that from the very first page, is well written and an easy read. If this is your first experience with Linux or your 10th, this is the book for you! Complete with screen shots, and a live CD of JDS, you will soon be on your way to enjoying the JDS experience. You will learn many aspects of the operating system including, Networking, office productivity, and system management.

Hats off to the authors for writing this fabulous book which has found a permanent place in my collection.

With background as a Unix user and system administrator in a small business, I have been looking more on Linux the latest year, and especial on using the JDS Linux. Though Sun's JDS user documentation has been available online on the web, a text book is something more. Therefore I was anxious when I started reading Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop by Tom Adelstein and Sam Hiser.

The book is excellent clear and direct written with the user in focus. Thanks to the authors insight and experience, even usual more difficult subjects like Internet and network setup are presented to the user with simplicity. But the user also learns to do real work in the Linux environment, as there are relative extensive introductions to the central Internet and office applications.

Also support staffs and Unix or Linux system administrators will derive advantage from learning the JDS GUI ways whenever possible. If I should suggest an extra wish for a second issue (knowing it was out of scope this time), it would therefore be to complete a chapter or two on local networking with typical client-server configurations. In small office and workgroups, one of the users often has to manage also the necessary system administration, and not unusual in a mixed Linux/Unix/Windows environment.

I was also impressed by the the JDS demo on the companion CD, how well it booted and started up with hardware autodetection. The only thing I had to change manually afterwards in the Yast2 configuration tool, was setting my keyboard to Norwegian layout. By help of this demo CD, which implements a nice variant of the JDS theme, it is really possible to explore JDS Linux live, even without installing the system on the disk. That is trying before buying.

My conclusion is therefore safe: Exploring JDS Linux Desktop is recommended for all with interest to learn and use the nice JDS, working environment and applications in a quick and easy way.

This book attracted me as I'm a current JDS user, and I was completely taken by suprise by the actual depth of the book. Most technical books that one buys goes way beyond the scope of the average home user. Adelstein and Hiser use your basic building block approach to using JDS and a newcomer interested in linux can follow it right along with the enclosed bootable cd without the danger of making a mistake and wiping out the settings on one's computer. For the experienced user, such as myself, or someone wanting to learn, the chapter dealing with StarOffice will be something that will be referred to for years to come. This book is a "must have" for your linux library.

Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop is the first Linux book I have read that speaks to the user rather than the technical audience. It's the kind of book that the entire community has needed but no one has ever written before. This is the book you give your fifth grader, grandmother or employee.

It is also unusual because you don't need to buy the software to learn JDS. It comes with a completely live version of Linux that runs from a one's CD Rom drive. It doesn't disturb the existing software on your hard drive. That's important to me because I am able to try everything out without having to make a commitment to changing my system.

I thought the authors did an usually good job of writing to the non-technical audience. They explained what they needed to and allowed the reader to get right into working with the system. It also allowed me to see the similarity between Linux and Windows. I think it proves than someone can go from from Windows to Linux without much pain.

Overall, the book is a good read, interesting and unusually high quality consider it's on a technical subject. I recommend it to anyone curious about Linux or who has purchased Linux and wants to get better at using it. Also, I think it's reasonably priced.

This book has some great designs, but they are not for the beginner. The authors show you, step-by-step, how to carve two of the 20 patterns. One design is done in 86 steps using simple tools (pocket knife, finish nail, toothbrush, etc.) The other design is done in 39 steps using carving gouges. You will need thick-skinned pumpkins. Great book if you want to take your pumpkin carving to the next level.

We do an annual adult Pumpkin carving night and now with this book we will make them even more amazing!

This book is a great tutorial for carving a masterpiece. The pictures are very professional and every step of the process is documented. Only two carvings are shown in complete detail, but you won't be disappointed. The technique is defined in such a way that you should be able to take this idea and run with it using your own ideas. Lots of other pictures and ideas are given, just not in the detailed description as the first two. I'm very impressed.

Was easy to follow the instructions, could be used for other media other than pumpkins. Pictures were great to see visual aid. Highly recommend for a carver.

I got this book for halloween this year. Read through it in a short sitting, and had a clear view of how to create releaf style pumpkin sculptures in no time.

I had some background many years ago in highschool pottery classes doing sculture, and the techniques detailed in this book easily recapped each of the basics and then advanced into the more skilled techniques.

I highly recommend this for anyone with little to no sculpture background.

The draw backs I found with this book are that they focus heavily on how to accomplish the effects with typical knife. Then they transition in to using more specific tools. The issue being that they spend far less time detailing the technique with the specific/advanced tools, it would have been better if they keep the same level of tenique details for the advanced tools. Also on the subject of advanced tools, the author provide teh list of tools he uses(which have been built over many years specializing in the spaced). There is very little time spent on talking about what tools are used or suggestions of locations to get ahold of them. I have found that getting ahold of tools that fit the task have been hard to find and better descriptions or sources would be extremely helpful.

I loved the women Rosie writes about. We all know or were one of them at some point in our life. You grow to know them as if you could pick up the phone and call to see what happens next!

As women, we all know the extraordinary value of our female friendships. We
know the support system, the laughs, the tears. Rosemary O'Brien's "First
Saturday" is a celebration of those adult female relationships. O'Brien's writing
style flows easily off the page, bringing you instantly into these women's lives
and homes--you feel as if you are sitting there at the table with them, sipping
coffee and listening. Their stories are the stories of women everywhere--real
and raw. This book reminds us that life may not be easy, and it may not be
made easier by friends, but that you can count on your friend being there and
holding your hand throughout. When you close the last page of this book, you
feel as if you have made four new friends, and you know that through the bonds
among women, there will be a hand held out for you when you need it.

Audrey meets with her three closest friends in West Haven, Connecticut on the First Saturday of every month to share their lives, stories, and concerns. Audrey is a 35 year old woman who has just found out she has cancer. First Saturday is the story of how, together with her friends, Audrey comes to cope with this new and unknown misfortune. Deftly written and with complex, sometimes surprising, but ultimately satisfying conclusion, First Saturday marks Rosemary O'Brien as a discernibly gifted author and will leave the reader eagerly looking forward to her next novel.

NOTE: This review was posted by the author for a friend without internet service. This is NOT the author's review.

This is a wonderful story about four friends who help each other through the joys and sorrows of life. Ms. O'Brien captures the joy of friendship, the challenges of life, and does it all with humor and understanding. I read this book in one sitting and can't wait for Rosemary's next book.

This is a great story about friendship and the complexities of having multiple friends, each with their own set of problems. And while the book is about friends, it's as much about personal battles also. The storyline pulls the reader in, encouraging you to continue on to find out more about the characters. Each character has a story that is very true to life. The book was very enjoyable and I can't wait for another one.

This is little book brings the realitilies of eternity home in easy to understand writings.

This is a thorough book about what we are all headed for when we die. Best be prepared ahead of time and not have the Last Judgment a big surprise.

Pope Pius XII was quoted as saying, "The greatest sin of the twentieth century, is the loss of the sense of sin." In this short book Fr. von Cochem writes on each of the four last things, Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell. His chapters are short as is his book. His language is extremely vivid, and I would suspect that most modern readers would have trouble accepting not only the beautiful and fantastic image he paints of heaven, but more lilkely how stark and terrible he paints Hell. This is not to say I don't think this book is useful. If it doesn't inspire the emotions it did with its original audience, at least perhaps it will be helpful in bringing people to realize that perhaps God is mightier than the semi-senile Grandfather figure we often want to believe He is.

I was very inspired and enlightened after reading this book. The opening chapters on the separation of the soul from the body were exceptional. Beware of the chapters on Hell (a large portion of the book). They will make most depair but for some (as in my case) they will stengthen their resolve to seek God at all times. Those chapters made me see Christ's exhortations about Hell in a new light. In other words, I take them more seriously now. I read and re-read the chapters on Heaven and the reunification of the soul with the body. They are so uplifting that I had to pause often to reflect on what I had just read. I remember one evening before retiring I implored God to give me a glimpse of Heaven for just a moment as the decription I had just read seemed too amazing to believe.

I encourage all to read this short spiritual book.

Do your very best to Love the Lord (Jesus Christ) with all of your heart.
Believe in Him (now, tomorrow, and everyday), and ALWAYS PRAY to Him when you are at the house, in your car, at church, and even when you are studying, etc.)Ask Him to come into your life. Yes, this book is important, it also talks about hell, but to avoid hell one must be a good christian. So don't envy, don't lust after the opposite sex, don't rape, don't molest, don't coveout, don't kill, don't lie, etc. Buy this book, and learn a new way of living life, plus pray to Christ everyday with all of your heart. Have and get salvation because not everyone is going to go there. Many will go to hell. But changing your life -ones dirty life to a new one(a cleaner one) and accepting Jesus Christ into your life guarantees you Eternal salvation. Once you die, you will then see the Lord and He himself will judge you according to your acts...so be very good while you are here on this earth, because once you die it is too late(then the Judgement). For example, think of the killers who have killed babies,or a woman or man who hates the opposite sex(gender mysoginy) and were damned to hell because of their hatred toward life/people...they will be thrown into the lake of fire by Christ's Angels, and they will burn in sulphur, forever and forever and forever. The flames will never stop, they will burn forever and forever and forever. Get this book, and get the Bible,and Have Christ in your life because He is good and because He cares for you. Even if some one who is dieing on a hospital bed still has a chance at salvation, but that person will have to repent, and ask Christ for forgiveness...he or she also has to pray to Christ (verbally or mentally)depending on the patient health.

I read this book and discovered, that I was homophobic because I WAS IGNORANT...
You have to understand in order to accept, and to learn from this honest, scientific book .

QUE ACEPTEMOS A LOS HOMOSEXUALES... PERO SI COMPRENDER POR QUÉ SON ASI..
Este libro lo deja CLARÍSIMO !

No passion, no discussion: Just scientific facts that prove clearly that homosexuals are no degenerates, but part of a diferent sex!!!

pero sencillo de entender.
Imparcial, pero justo.
Te da una vision nueva y diferente de la homosexualidad

ESTA OBRA TE ABRE LOS OJOS sobre quienes son los homosexuales y las lesbianas...
Y ACABA CON LA INJUSTA DISCRIMINACIÓN ...