Australia Books

Very interesting facts that actually help you to be a winner with this game!

I had to read through this book a few times, as it is quite complicated - I never really knew there was so much to RPS. I always assumed rock beats everything, but after my second or third reading I started to understand the intricacies of the game. I now choose paper everytime, and my winning rate has increased almost 1%

I bought this as a gift for my wife. Whenever it's time to clean the cat boxes or change a dirty diaper or do anything else unpleasant, She always wants to RPS for it. Now, we at least play by the rules and the decision is made fairly.

You think Rock Paper Scissors is a game of chance? think again! This book offersgood information on the game, its history, strategies, and much more.

this guide has really helped my game!

This is a superb look at the nitty-gritty world of selling. Although the author does fill it with case studies, they are all useful and thought-provoking. My favorite bit of advice concerns what happens to all top salespeople: they get their territory cut. Why? To keep them from getting complacent, of course.

Joe has gone out of his way to cut to the chase. There is no self esteem building and you can do it rah rah rather Joe's frank honest and what it takes to stay on top, remain on top and what to do when you are caught in a no win situation. As an MBA this type of book should be a mandatory read but the reality of tenured professors that are effectively running a union job do not understand how duplicitous and unethically the real business world can be. I finish this book in a few hours and the insight will last me a career. It is also refreshing from the standpoint that Joe has a soul and is interested in seeing the world and some great sales jobs he has had launched that opportunity. If you surf this book is especially cool(which I do and I can relate to the author on many levels.) Another reviewer was turned off by some profanity of which I do not remember so don't focus on issues of crass.

Anybody. I repeat anybody who sells, or wants to become a sales person, has to read this book. This book will keep you in the "game" longer, by playing corporate business model to your advantage. All successful companies value their sales force. But most Sales Managers make you feel like a zero. By reading this book you can change that number and pave a brighter future. Read and Prosper.

This book is a "must have" for the new graduate or anyone who is considering a career or taking on an adventure in sales.

Finally, a fun-to-read book on sales with valuable and positive insights on getting-in, finding the right company, and getting-out when your company becomes the "wrong company."

Joe T has real-life examples and experiences that show you how to work for yourself and enjoy the adventure. He teaches you what to expect in sales and get the most out of your job and keep your sanity. Rather than providing, rehashed "supposedly new", methods of achieving one time sales success, this book provides a "big picture guide" that helps a salesperson's lifelong career. HIGHLY ENTERTAINING AND RECOMMENDED!!!

I went to B-School, got my MBA, and gained valuable education on the theory and practice of managing a successful business. What I was disappointed by, were the unexamined assumptions around the "corporate dream", which I found pervasive at all levels of the curriculum. Too complex to go into here, but essentially...

Most business schools are in the business of selling the corporate dream and training future managers in the arts of profit maximization, organizational efficiency, competitive advantage, and market penetration. Rarely do they ever address the human reality of corporate downsizing, except as economic data points relevent to the afore mentioned topics.

The Sales Adventure Guide is a practical manual on how to cut through the corporate BS, understand the true meaning behind management-speak, and know how to cover your butt when your job is on the line, through no fault of your own. It uncovers the tactics, often unethical and sometimes illegal, that HR and upper management will use to make you go away, meekly, without costing the company a penny.

The Sales Adventure Guide will help you probe underneath the company's glossy exterior and public face, by showing you how you can ask the right questions and find out important information about the organization you will be contracting your time to.

This book will teach you how to protect yourself, play the corporate game with finesse, and enjoy your life, rather than feel browbeaten at the company's ingratitude towards the days, months, years of your life you gave them - which you will never, ever get back.

Corporate loyalty is a myth, most companies will lay you off without a second thought. Read this book, understand that we are all contractors now.

I recommend this book to all fans of the Lonely Planet travel guides. I love how the travel guides are organized. I also loved the TV series and even their calendars so I couldn't resist opening this book when I saw it. Reading this book tells you how the business of Lonely Planet started. It's a story of survival and courage. It's also brutally honest at times. Tony mentions which books were a success and which ones weren't and why. Sometimes the Wheelers meander in their discussions (much like how they meandered in their travels), but you won't mind because the overall story is so captivating. The most amazing thing is how Tony and Maureen managed to travel and raise two children all while running a business. Lonely Planet has always been an inspiration and will doubtless continue to be to its readers.

While the book is well written and covers many fascinating travels throughout the world, including obscure places in Southeast Asia, it is offensive by describing "September 11th and all that." September 11th may have been a joke to wealthy people who live their lives travelling and being paid for travelling, but it was not a joke to the people who lost their lives and the only thing this author can do is complain that there was a "Sept. 11 downturn" in donations to a Lonely Planet Charity. Give me a break. There are more important things than seeing the next 'exotic' destination and playing drums with the natives. While travel is important, and who does'nt love it, is it not the end all, be all. There are times to judge and there are times to take a moment out and say "where did I come from? Did 3,000 of my countrymen just get murdered." There are times and by poking fun at 9/11 and complaining that it led to less donations and pretending that the deaths of people is a joke this book does a disservice both to travelelrs who have morals and to the world. Civilians don't deserve to be murdered and making fun of them is degrading and offensive. Eveyrthing else in this book is interesting but the 9/11 rant spoils it all.

Seth J. Frantzman

Lonely Planet Publications began in 1973 when the authors self-published a unique travel guide ACROSS ASIA ON THE CHEAP. What began as a one-time publication evolved into an entire publishing company specializing in places where few conventional tourists traveled. UNLIKELY DESTINATIONS is a wonderful addition to any travel library: it blends autobiography, business history and travel and covers the authors' personal story and the evolution of their budget travel guide business. Armchair travelers and any familiar with the Lonely Planet lineup of excellent independent-travel guides will relish this expose of how they came to be.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Tony and Maureen Wheeler talk about all the places they have visited so far, how they built Lonely Planet as a publishing house, and share their personal views on several topics.

The Wheelers' have travelled so widely that even the names of all the places they have been to can be tough to follow! They understandably have to rush through them. The most interesting part of the travel memoir section is the comparison between how the places were in the 70s/80s and how they are now, something the Wheelers' always point out.

Besides being a travel memoir, this is book about building a boot-strapped busines. The Wheeler's show that building a business is more than just pursuing your dreams, it is about keeping a tight leash on finances, building a good team, competing with similar and larger competitors, staying ahead on the technology curve and reacting to external changes. The chapter "All about guidebooks" is an interesting introduction to how guidebooks are produced - from writing them to getting them printed. As a business book, it is similar to the Starbucks story (Howard Schultz, "How Starbucks built a company..").

The book does not come together as a captivating story. In the first few chapters, the authors describe a chronological order, but that breas down in the later part of the book. Chapters like "All about guidebooks", though very interesting on their own, do break the flow of the story. In addition, there are topics that the authors pick up but do not do justice to (e.g. comparison with competitors is incomplete).

An interesting book overall about travel, how travel is changed over the last three decades, and the challenges of building a business even if it is your dream business.

If you love to travel and love the idea of making your passion pay for itself, then this is a must read. An open and honest look at the creation and evolution of Lonely Planet!

This book is well-written, displels a lot of strange myths about native Pacific navigation, and provides a lot of interesting details useful to modern navigators when they run out of batteries in the middle of the ocean.

For most of us, sailing across 2000+ miles of open ocean from Hawaii to Tahiti (or vice versa) would be daunting enough even with using every modern navigation device such as a GPS. Consider that in 1927 with compasses, sextants, radio, etc, in the Dole Air Race from Oakland to Honolulu (the same distance as Tahiti to Hawaii) 3 out of the 5 planes that started out were lost at sea. Then consider that a thousand years ago the Polynesians in 50-foot twin-hulled canoes were regularly making such voyages without any kind of instruments, and that crossing 50 or 100 miles of ocean was thought almost trivially easy.

That a primitive (by European or American standards) people were skilled at ocean navigation was thought absurd. Kon-Tiki was an attempt to show that Oceania could be populated from South America by drifting on rafts and sheer luck of landfall. But it is now established that there was skilled and purposeful exploration and colonization--including Rapa Nui (Easter Island) which is 1000 miles from the nearest other habitable island. We, the Navigators is a fascinating look at "primitive" navigation techniques, and the author himself sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti using only these ancient techniques.

So you'll see how the Polynesians used the sun, moon, and stars to achieve accurate navigation. They also used the ocean swells (as distinct from waves): islands reflect and deflect swells, so by careful observation, you can get a sense of direction to landfall. Land also changes cloud patterns. Birds were watched intently. New Zealand was one of the last places found and peopled--from 1600 miles away from the northeast, perhaps by watching birds migrate in that direction. Different kinds of birds travel different distances from land--some travel 40-50 miles, others 20-25 miles: by observing at dawn where the birds came from, and observing which direction they went towards sunset, and seeing what kind of bird it was, you could tell that there was land, and what direction it was, and how far away it was as well. On leaving land, backsights would be taken to help establish currents and drift. The book has lots of drawings and illustrations--it's a real treat!

This book is written by an academic. I don't necessarily mean this in a negative sense. The author has done a very thorough research on the topic and presented his findings. The effect is a book that can be called a comprehensive treatment as far as it can be done given that the practictioners are disappearing fast.
The downside is that it can send you to sleep as the author systematically compares how the navigational techniques are practiced in the various island groups.

The strength of the book is not only its thoroughness but also the fact that the author is a skilled sailor who has gone on trips using these techniques. This makes the material so much more authentic, because the reader can relate how effective these skills are and yet how much practice they require.

The author provides commentary on many practices and relates them to our modern day knowledge. An example was their ability to recognize the impact of sub surface currents, something that is today a rather specialist piece of knowledge not available to the everyday sailor.

The most complete study of early navigation I have come across. The author does a fantastic job of comparing the different styles of landfinding as used by the Pacific islanders. Lewis brings the knowledge and experience of an accomplished western sailor and navigator to his studies, and in doing so is able compare and contrast ancient and modern techniques. A scholarly study of primitive navigation, the book is not always an easy read, however for the reader looking for a complete comparison this is the volume to have.

David Lewis has zig-zaged the Pacific in modern yachts and traditional canoes. His broad experience and long resarch, using his own and many schoolars data, has made this a good analysis and documentation of the extremly impressing and interesting phenomenon of ancient and present voyaging in the Pacific. Others, specially anthropologists fieldworking in the Central Carolines of Micronesia, had written about the presently used Micronesian voyaging system, others less throughly about the forgotten polynesian,but Lewis mangage to give a synthesis of the technologies and some of the social aspects of traditional voyaging in the Pacific

If you are planning on doing any driving in New Zealand this is the atlas for you. It is rather large but it makes it easy to follow the roads. I have a friend that lives there; she begged me to leave it for her.

The AA Zealand map/guide is an excellent source for all your driving & touring needs in New Zealand. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent detailed resource for travel in New Zealand.

This is the equivalent of the Rand McNally Road Atlas for New Zealand. I highly recommend it if you are planning a road trip through New Zealand. It helped tremendously with our trip planning. It also includes a table of distances between major cities and towns and estimated drive times.

If you're planning on renting a car in another country to do some sightseeing, I highly recommend this series of Road Atlas. I have several of them from different countries and all of them are extremely helpful when you want to make your own route for a driving excursion. It is large scale, with excellent detail on roads and routes. A must have for driving in other countries.

We give "Angelina and the Princess" 5 stars. The ballet students have been asked to dance for Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Mouseland. Mr.Lightfoot, the director of the famous Royal Ballet Company, was coming to help Angelina's dance teacher, Miss Lilly, choose the best ballerinas for the special performance. On the morning of the tryouts Angelina woke up feeling terrible. Her mother said she could not go to ballet school that day. You will enjoy reading this book to see if Angelina does get chosen to dance for the Princess.

beautifully illustated, heartwarming childrens stories. Even though the Angelina stories are geared towards girls, my little boy, at 8, enjoyed these as well, especially when mom read to him. These are good stories to read to your child at bedtime.

The artwork is detailed and delightful to look at-you'll see new things each time you look, and children love that that every scene is filled with many little mice.

This Angelina story deals with doing your best-even if you're not picked to lead. Each book is filled with wonderful life lessons told in a gentle, non preachy way.

I highly recommend this series for any child.
5 stars!

When Angelina Ballerina finds out that her ballet school will be putting on a performance for the Princess of Mouseland, she couldn't be more excited. She stays up all night practicing and practicing, only to wake up feeling sick, and unable to dance. However, she does try, and ends up with only a chorus part in the performance. Disappointed, she vows never to attend ballet school again, until her Mother tells her to be happy with the part that she has. Agreeing, Angelina Ballerina goes back to ballet school only to save the day once again.

ANGELINA AND THE PRINCESS is an adorable addition to the ANGELINA BALLERINA book series. As always, Helen Craig's illustrations are breathtaking, and will capture the heart's of all readers, young and old, as will the wonderful, moral-building story by Katharine Holabird. A must-have for all.

Erika Sorocco

In this sequel to Angelina Ballerina, Angelina learns that her ballet school is to put on a performance for the Princess of Mouseland. Angelina is crushed, though, when she gets sick in time for the tryouts. Forced to settle for a supporting role, she takes her mother's advice and determines to do her best at the part she is given. This is the story of Angelina's triumph!

Once again the unbeatable duo of Katharine Holabird (author) and Helen Craig (illustrator) combine to create a supremely lovable book. My ten-year-old daughter tore through this book, thoroughly enjoying the story. Yes, it wasn't a challenge to her reading ability, but she loved the story, and I appreciate any book that keeps her reading! Both my daughter and I highly recommend this book.

"Angelina and the Princess" is the first of the Angelina series my daughter and I have, but we plan to get the rest as we love this so much. Angelina is a tiny white mouse who yearns to be feminine and sweet, but is sometimes headstrong and silly--just like most girls I know (including my five-year old daughter!). Angelina has a dance recital coming up and she is pining away for a major role. However, as she's sick on the day of auditions, she doesn't do well and in fact, barely is able to crawl back home and into her worried mother's arms. She knows she did poorly, and her mother admits as much too, which brings me to one of the things I love about this book--there's no sugar-coating the fact that Angelina has gotten herself into a pickle. It's a storybook, and a fantasy at that, but it's realistic enough to keep the edge off the sweetness.

Angelina is counseled by her mother to do her very best. I don't want to give away the ending, but by keeping a cheerful attitude and trying to do her best for the whole dance company, Angelina is amply rewarded. It's a story with a moral, but the moral isn't presented in a sickeningly sweet way.

The illustrations by Helen Craig are truly a treat. Set vaguely in a Victorian England mousedom, they depict tiny cottages with climbing vines, drapey dresses with floral prints, tiaras, bouquets, adorable furniture, and so on. Three cheers to both Helen Craig and author Katharine Holabird for a book which is a joy to read and great fun to peruse just for the illustrations alone!

This book is a must have for anyone interested in Celtic Art. I can't wait to get started on the designs. This book has clear detailed instructions that can be altered with little to no problem it seems. The designs range from simple quick projects to more advanced longer projects which would make it an excellent purchase for those just getting into cross stitching.

The designs included are a little simplistic, with little or no shading and relatively little detail. NEVERTHELESS they are well charted, well organized, and treated as "motifs" rather than projects (though some project ideas are included) so that you can use them for a variety of purposes. The nice thing, however, about not using 50 colors for one design is that you can easily adapt the color scheme to suit your needs.

I'm not entirely familiar with traditional Celtic art, mostly just modern interpretations. This book is pretty much what I expected to see, so I don't know if it's historically accurate or any of that. All I know is that I'm satisfied with the design and contents, and I suppose that's all I can say!

Much better than the other Celtic cross-stitch I've looked through. Good library of designs - all the clasic knots and animals - and perhaps most important for beginners (and the lazier among us): No half-stitches!

This book is worth the cover price for the lettering patterns alone!

I anxiously awaited delivery of this book. So many books are full of designs you'll never use. This book is a wonderful exception. The beginning of the book has a short section on how to instructions that could help the novice cross-stitcher. Then the remainder of the book is devoted to classic Celtic designs and a wonderful array of projects that range from the simple Celtic cross book mark (a nice quick project) to a Celtic designed rug.

Best features of all -- 6 different alphabet designs and a pattern library in the back to fuel your stitching creativity even further. This is a great addition to any stitcher's library and especially those who love Celtic design!

I own far too many of these books. Each one I buy gives me new projects to explore, new possibilities for colour combinations and wonderful gift ideas.

This book is no exception. The basics are all here: an innovative stitcher might want to experiment a little with the use of metallics or beads while a new stitcher can learn to master his or her technique.

The projects are keyed to both Anchor and DMC - which is great for those of us who use either.

Recommended for those who, like me, think that there is always room for one more stitching book on the shelf.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Crowded House was one of the best bands I've ever seen, and they made great records, so why didn't they sell millions of records all over the world?

Read this fantastic book--complete with interviews from all the band members--and find out some of the reasons. The book is detailed and raw with emotion because many of the interviews took place right after the band broke up.

It is a sad tale, but not for the reasons you might think.

Overall, it is an excellent read for both hardcore and casual fans alike.

Crowded House was one of the best bands I've ever seen, and they made great records, so why didn't they sell millions of records all over the world?

Read this fantastic book--complete with interviews from all the band members--and find out some of the reasons. The book is detailed and raw with emotion because many of the interviews took place right after the band broke up.

It is a sad tale, but not for the reasons you might think.

Overall, it is an excellent read for both hardcore and casual fans alike.

A great read about a great band that never quite fulfilled its potential. Something So Strong shows that writing and performing wonderful songs is only part of a band's journey. There's also dealing with the music business, and fashion. 'Something So Strong' gets inside the band, tells detailed stories about how the music was created, and also tells the other story: how the music business operates. The band made some mistakes - releasing 'Chocolate Cake' was one of them - but so too did Capitol. It's the best book on how a record is made and marketed since 'Star Making Machinery'.
PS, contrary to what it says here, the book is readily - and cheaply - available through Amazon's UK site amazon.co.uk .

`SOMETHING SO STRONG' by Chris Bourke is arguably the greatest book ever written about a rock band. It is detailed, entertaining and informative. As well, the book is almost impossible to put down. Although the author is clearly a fan, he doesn't dodge around any contentious issues. He seems to have had unfettered access to the individuals involved with Crowded House and that, of course, is always a plus. Any music buff, regardless of whether you're a Crowded house fan or not, will enjoy reading `SOMETHING SO STRONG'. I've read dozens of books about musical groups and this tome is far and away the best. If I have a beef, it's that the Canadian market (where the band was huge) is pretty much ignored. For that you must read `PRIVATE UNIVERSE' by Doole and Twomey.

The ballad of Crowded House, told by Chris Bourke, is entertaining, thanks to the way it was written. What makes this biography so enjoyable is that the author doesn't tiptoe around issues that arose during the band's lifetime. Although Crowded House kept aiming at the US market, the impact that they had in Europe, as well as Australia, is equally important, perhaps even more so, than this. Unlike other reviewers, I don't think it is necessary to label the band as US '2 hit wonders' when clearly they've made an impact elsewhere. Bourke chronicles this struggle well, and top marks go to his research. Great book - must for any Crowdies fan.

To quote from the book: "But I have read all the books in the bookshop, gone to all the seminars on the circuit...and yet stayed at the starting line. I didn't move off that line until I took a principle, learned it, and applied it in my life unconditionally."
That fundamental principle is set out and, if followed, leaves no choice: the only way is up.
For me, this book has resulted in a critical turning point. Don't pass over it!

One of my clients recommended this book to me and to be honest, at the time I wasn't in the frame of mind to 'get rich' so I didn't buy it straight away. I only purchased it after another conversation with her when she told me it was as much about richness of life as it was about getting rich in the monetary sense. How grateful I am to her! I've read so many personal development books in my life but this one really shifted something in me. So much so that a year after reading it, I have a much clearer picture of where I am going both personally and professionally, I am more in control of my finances than I have ever been in my life, I feel happier and more at peace with myself AND...the turnover in my business has nearly doubled (so it looks like I'll get rich anyway!). I highly recommend this practical and entertaining book...it might just change your life.

This book is a genuine worthwhile read.
It is written with a wonderful twist of humour but delivers a content that is personally challenging. It challenges because in small subtle ways you start to question how you can improve the way in which you live your life... To be all that you can be!!!!! (whatever that is for each of us)
Sometimes in life it is the little differences that make the big difference.
I found this book helpful in practical ways that I could apply the lessons quickly. The case studies on the characters in the book were stories I could relate to, so I found the book easy to read. The humour is very earthy and real.
I would recommend this book for those aiming to fulfill their potential.

I've read many books on wealth creation but this one really hits the mark! Why? Because it talks to all areas of life, not just making money (as one might imagine given the title). It makes you take a good look into your life and ask the hard questions - like "what do I really, really want?". This is a book that you'll want to read over and over again, each time learning a little more about yourself and where you are headed. Love it!

I have listened to the audio version of the book and have to say that it is my favorite title I have in my mp3. I find myself listening to certain parts of the book over and over again.

This isn't your usual self help book that feels like a clone of everyone elses book. The book is pretty deep and really should be studied until it gets entreched in you brain. There are some really great ideas that shouldn't be taken lightly.

For instance, the authors suggest that if "someone is getting ready to harm you wife or mother in front of you, you wouldn't think "well I don't know if I will succeed at stoping the intruder or what if i fail at stopping him from hurting my wife. Of course you wouldn't even consider that, you will react without even thinking about the consequences.

The above mentioned contrasts that analogy to a key result in your life that must be acted on, but you don't do it because of all the thoughts that go through your mind that stops you.(anyway, you get the picture)

The authors take a group of "losers/(bitchers)" and take them through a journey of self discovery as you can and will relate to one of the "losers" in the group.

I don't have the book, but as far as the audio...it's great.

I have used this book repeatedly to help educate teachers, administrators, mental health personnel, and parents to the needs of highly and profoundly gifted children. Dr. Gross packs terrific information into a lengthy *and* very readable book.

I read the reviews about this book and bought a used copy (old edition) expecting a book that would change my life. Now my only regret is that I didn't spring for the current edition right up front.

First, this book isn't about gifted children - it is about exceptionally and profoundly gifted children. There is a difference. If your child falls into this special group, this is one of the few books you will find that discusses your child - with all the good and the challenges that accompany these extreme gifts.

The book has very BORING sections if you are reading for the sake of reading. Be prepared. I didn't skip anything and I don't regret it - but some sections were hard to wade through. In the end, however, some of the charts and tables gave me the insight that I was hoping to get. Also, each chapter has a high level summary - so if you do have trouble wading through a particular chapter, skip to the end of the chapter and figure out what you are supposed to be learning. Decide whether it is worth going back to deal with the details.

I started reading the book with the goal of convincing myself that my son didn't belong in this group. The first few chapters with their amazing stories of each child's most wonderful accomplishment left me thinking that I was right. However, as I read further along and got into the meat of the book, I recognized my son in its pages.

Ms. Gross holds out hope in her numbers for allowing a very special child to grow up happy and well adjusted. It isn't politically correct to allow a child like this to go at their own pace, but it is healthy - and her data shows it. Quantitative evidence (albeit on a limited sample) to show that these children are not normal and we should celebrate that rather than trying to force the issue.

I'm much more prepared for the future with my child than I was before reading this book. I would recommend highly for parents and teachers who are coping with EG and PG kids.

Miraca Gross has brought us an amazing gift: she continued her original 10-year longitudinal study of exceptionally gifted children, and brought us up-to-date another ten years later. Following the pain and successes of these unusual young people over the course of 20 years gives the reader tremendous vistas from which to gain perspective of the way society treats the highly gifted...and what that does to them.

If you already think your child is gifted, but she or he isn't "fitting in" you just might have an exceptionally gifted child. Since the intellectual level of these children is high, even compared to other gifted kids, parents don't generally have any true means of comparison. They often have never met any other kids like theirs.

Instead of guessing, read this book. You will know--quickly--if you see your kid there. This is NOT a book about "perfect," high-flying, academic achievers. To the contrary: it is a painful examination of how enforced academic underachievement has hurt these kids, and how appropriate intellectual challenge (when they could get it) helped them feel comfortable in their skins.

Read this book if you think your child is gifted. Read this book if you "just knew" there was something special about your child when they were little, but they've never fit in school. Read this book if you work with or care for the gifted.

This book is a fascinating study of a small group of exceptionally gifted (IQ>160) children in New South Wales, Australia. Gross follows these children over several years, and includes extensive details about their interests, family background, progress through school, and social and emotional as well as academic status. She shows that when these children are not allowed to learn at an appropriate pace and level it places them at serious risk. It is interesting even for those who do not live with such children.

For many parents, teachers, and school admnistrators who need to understand exceptionally and profoundly gifted children, this book is the one that finally makes the world and the educational and emotional needs of these children comprehensible. It is the first book recommended to newcomers in the online support groups for parents of "EG" and "PG" children. It is scavenged from 2nd hand sales, hoarded, and loaned with care. The publisher's remainders were sold out [within] 48 hours of a notice posted to one email list.

It is easy to see why. Miraca Gross brings her subjects alive with her even-handed and clear-sighted case studies. The narratives illustrate the lack of comprehension frequently encountered in schools when children are functioning 4 to 8 grade levels ahead of their "peers" intellectually, and the stress and outright cruelty often inflicted on these children and their parents as a result. It also documents the almost immediate elimination of these problems when appropriate educational settings are found.

The book was a continuation of Gross's doctoral research, and it shows it's origin in the data analyses. These sections aren't for everyone, but they are quite helpful for those with a research or education background and interest. Others can skip directly to the summaries. But for both groups, the case studies are what make the book.

If you have one of these remarkable kids, I recommend that order a used copy from Amazon and keep your eyes peeled for it elsewhere...