I purchased this book because I LOVE to cook and am always looking for lowfat ways to prepare the foods I ate growing up that had WAY too much fat for me now. I have been VERY disappointed with it. In the past 3 weeks, I have tried 6 recipes so far. It was not ANYTHING like I had hoped for, and I even threw a few away because they tasted awful! I will keep trying a few more but so far am very dissatisfied with this book!

I can honestly say that EVERY receipe I have tried in this book is delicious. There is variety in appetizers, breads, main dishes, desserts and more which are so full of flavor and do not skimp on the portions.
I plan almost 75% of my meals directly from this book. It is the best thing to happen to my weight loss goal. Ever.

This book has absolutely wonderful receipes in it. I have tried several and they are GREAT.

One of the most thought-provoking and insightful books I've ever read. As a breastfeeding advocate and a woman, this is a MUST read.

This isn't for the average "consumer" of breastfeeding and parenting books- it won't give much practical advice. What it does is provide accurate, researched based information on what is currently known as "attachment parenting". I was led to "ap" by an endocrinology professor, ten years before I had children, and I learned from her that parenting can be interesting and fulfilling. I learned that there are parenting instincts- holding a baby, sleeping with the baby, not letting the baby cry... the various authors in this book reinforce that. I came away from these writings with a sense that mothering is important and has been throughout history, and that *children* are important. Sometimes I feel that gets lost in parenting books, especially the "mainstream" of Dobson, What to Expect, Ezzo... Dettwyler, et. al. show us that our children deserve better than that.

I might even study anthropology someday. :-)

Breastfeeding: BioCultural Perspectives is a wonderful in depth look at the biological and cultural issues surrounding breastfeeding. It contains a close look at the biological history of breastfeeding, explaining how it is thought that breastfeeding has evolved to protect infants and children, why it is important to breastfeed, and how women in the distant past breastfed (or not) and the implications this may have held for their offspring.

The book goes on to examine information about current breastfeeding practices in various parts of the world and the effect these practices seem to have had on their populations. Included are all of the cultural issues which serve to support or sever the breastfeeding relationship. Further, the book covers issues of: weaning (what is biologically and culturally normal
and why they are so different), breast as a sexual object, demand feeding vs. scheduled feeding, co-sleeping and SIDS, fertility issues affected by breastfeeding, and breast cancer and reproductive biology.

This book is a must read for those interested in more than just mechanical information about breastfeeding. It is also recommended reading for any attatchement style parent who is interested in a more biocultural view of why AP works.

This book is not light reading, but is certainly accessible to anyone truly interested.

While the overall writing is good, Cross falls into the trap of believing the bulk of the "pre-glasnost" writings on the battle. This leads to inaccuracies at the detail level which, if you are inclined to be pedantic on Orders of Battle and serious historical detail, does mar an otherwise good read. If you are less concerned about the absolute accuracy - a good general account !

A good description of the battle, particularly from the German side. This is one of the four major battles that decided the outcome of WW2. I beleive it falls down in its description of Soviet defenses which ground the Wehrmacht down. These defenses played a large role in German defeat that appears largely unrecorded.

I have read a number of books on the battle and found Robins rendition very personal. Other authors simply describe the armies involved with little or no story. I thought the graphics were excellent and I think that with some reference this book could be made into a film winner.

The following notices appear on the copyright page of this unusual book:

Nihil Obstat:
Rev. John H. Miller, C.S.C.
Censor Librorum

Imprimatur: Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, D.D.
Archbishop of New Orleans
July 4, 1983

"The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat or Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed."

Interestingly, beginning with Pope John XXIII the Catholic Church has sought to distance itself from relics and miracles, but that has not seemed to deter Ms. Cruz-she is a prolific writer on the subject. Those who share her beliefs will enjoy this book.

But others will enjoy it too. Ms. Cruz is a diligent and competent researcher, and she brings together information on this arcane subject from a wide range of sources. I eventually found her credulity tiring, but not before I had read through the sections on the True Cross, Crown of Thorns, Holy Nails, Holy Sponge, Holy Shroud and Veil of Veronica. Having just returned from Italy, where I personally viewed what purported to be some of these items, I found her descriptions particularly interesting.

Relics provides an excellent introduction to the practice of relic veneration that is followed within the Catholic Church. After giving a brief background on the theological basis for the ritual, Cruz immerses the reader in stories about the various types of relics populating Catholic churches around the world. The result of this study is both interesting and educational.

While the book is a valuable resource, it does suffer from being a bit dated. It was printed in 1984 and hasn't been revised since then. An updated version would allow the reader to learn recent developments in the verification of these relics, like the tests performed on the Shroud of Turin in the 1990s. By providing updated information, Cruz would give the reader a better basis to understand all aspects of this ritual.

Even with this shortcoming, Relics is a good starting point for anyone wishing to learn more about Catholic relics and the devotion they inspire.

Cruz accomplishes a great deal in her treatment of notable Relics of the Catholic Church.

This is an easily dramatized subject, and the greatest contribution Cruz makes is to approach the Relics in a scholarly, matter-of-fact style that conveys the history and impact of the Relics without engaging in argument.

Consequently, the book carries substantial value for those motivated in their Faith by material evidence. And yet there is simultaneous value for the more detached reader.

Perhaps the clearest indication of the tone and style of the book is in the Introduction's quote from the biography of St. Gertrude the Great: "If you desire to have some relics which will draw My Heart into yours, read My Passion, and meditate attentively on every word contained therein and it will be to you a true relic which will merit more graces for you than any other... thence you may know and be assured that the words which I uttered when on earth are the most precious relics which you can possess."

It is clear throughout that Joan Carroll Cruz has taken this message to heart - approaching the Relics she describes with reverence, but with proper perspective.

I dont think spending $$$ on this book was a good idea...coz this book is not worth it...

I was reading this book, my dad has it, and it was pretty cool. The only thing is that it got boring sometimes. Sure, it's for grown-ups, but the best chapter was about the bums. It's aiight.

CORRECTION OF AMELIA ISLAND REVIEW:

Misspellings of "boundaries" and of author's name "Amir" instead of "Amin"

I stitched the Anniversary Oval on pages 93 and 94 as an anniversary gift and it turned out very nice. However, I had to find my own letters and numbers for it since they weren't included in the book. I also stitched the Halloween and Thanksgiving projects into pins and magnets that turned out well too.

Beads add a beautiful new dimension to cross-stitch and this book makes it easy to do. It has around 100 very small designs: lots of hearts,flowers and baskets,cute little houses,angels,halloween and christmas ornaments. There are also around ten (a little bit larger)beautiful samplers. The charts are well defined with clear instructions. The designs are small but very charming and cute. I also used some of the designs for x-stitching without beads and the results were very pretty.

This book has many patterns (wish I had the book here to count!). Almost all are small--ranging from pin size to ornaments--with only one larger sampler piece. (That pillow on the cover is not as big as it seems.) All patterns are suitable for beginners but more advanced stitchers will find these patterns work up quickly enough for presents. There are a number of patterns that could be used to represent months (like an umbrella for March and flowers for May) if you are into that new seasonal craze. Great book if you like the Mill Hill beaded stitchery kits.

There has always been a rumor that the books of Emmanuel Foxx were more than inspired by his wife Gabrielle. A publisher offers Kate Fansler a large advance to write her biography. With the help of her granddaughter and her two friends Gabrielle's papers offer much more tan she bargained for.

This is a much less bloody mystery than the average Fansler. It is just as interesting however. I found myself really getting into the characters and their stories. Very good mystery.

Amanda Cross writes 'literary' mysteries. There are no shoot-em-ups or violence. The mysteries are not to mysterious, either, that is to be admitted. Nevertheless if you like the character of Kate Fansler and her husband Reed, (and I do) you'll like the books, and the background of this one is intriguing. A man has written a famous book on the female experience, called Ariadne (after the Greek character) - turns out his wife has 'rewritten' the book from a woman's point of view... This book is best enjoyed if you are familiar with the series. Everyone should start at the beginning and read on from there!

The overt mystery in "The Players Come Again" is trying to understand Gabrielle Foxx's life. The story is more complicated than that but this book is an examination of people's lives rather than of crime. It is a wonderful book that not only had me caring about the characters but thinking about what their lives had to say to me. As well as being interested in what Amanda Cross has to say, I really enjoy the way she puts her words together

This book is a well-known essay on differences in childbirth by an anthropologist; recent editions owe a lot to re-editing by Robbie Davis-Floyd, an anthropologist and "childbirth activist." The editor's comments are often gratuitous, frequently misleading, and short on medical knowledge. The book is descriptive, lacks anything approaching substantive data, and demonstrates a persistent anti-medical bias. It shows no familiarity with the obstetric literature, and there is no discussion of maternal mortality or morbidity. A reader is likely to miss the fact that 500,000 - 1,000,000 women die each year from pregnancy-related causes, and that 99% of those deaths occur in the developing world. The morbidity from pregnancy-related causes is even higher, and similarly ignored. Forget this book if you want to find out about cross-cultural differences in childbirth. Read Irvine Loudon's Death in Childbirth, Oxford University Press. Come back to this book when you have some data at your fingertips.

I loved this book. It brought a whole new perspective on giving birth and the beauty of it. I gave birth at a big HMO Hospital and I felt that I was treated as a number basically. This book has taught me a lot and probably I will make different choices for my next baby.

Jordan examines the birth event within the context of the social norms of that culture. For example, in a culture where no one is "in charge" of the birth, a specialised tool (e.g. forceps) has no place, for that would defeat the equality of all participants. The midwife's role is to assist the family in fulfilling their decisions. By contrast, in a country where birth is hospitalised, birth often becomes an "illness" which needs to be "treated" - the mother becomes the patient, and the doctor takes charge.I preferred this to "Birth traditions and modern pregnancy care" (Priya), which listed a variety of customs without examining the sociological implications. "Birth in four cultures" touches upon a variety of lessons that a culture's birth event can teach: the women's role in society, how the birth experience is defined (natural vs medical), etc. Jordan writes in the first person, and gives many accounts of births she attended. This is an excellent read for anyone interested in comparing the birth experience in the USA with other countries, possibly with the aim to change their opinions of what an "ideal" birth is. As a feminist, I found this empowering: since the birth experience is uniquely female, the societal norm will tell us a lot about our place in that culture.

I found this book to be very inspirational and motivating to anyone who has obstacles in life to overcome. Self determination, hard work and confidence break through walls that present challenges in life. As a result of reading Breaking Through The Wall: A Marathoner's Story, I made significant changes in my life.

College President Dolores Cross takes marathoning to a different level with her candid autobiography of "breaking through the wall," both personally and professionally. This story is a must read for everyone, particularly young people and those who feel that the odds are often against them. Dolores Cross shows how the art of marathoning for her has served as a figurative and literal victory for her success. We can all gain a great deal from this woman's provocative, sometimes painful, journey through life.

Reaching a successful goal in higher education is not easy but can be accomplished. This fantastac story outlines the challenges and obstacles one face in overcoming life's problems, attending and graduation from college, and securing a higher degree beyond undergraduate.