I love the wonderful style that Ellen Phillips uses in her books - they are just as entertaining as they are useful! From refunds to justified services, her original publication, Shocked Appalled and Dismayed really came through for me! I can only IMAGINE that wonderful things that I will achieve from implementing this smart southern belle's tactful skills in FIGHT BACK AND WIN! Kudos to Ms. Phillips! I really liked the illustrations included in this book - they really enhanced the scenarios being depicted! She has quite a talented family it seems! - God Bless!

I actually put to use the book Fight Back and Win, by Ellen Phillips, and had great success! I had a travel problem with Delta Airlines and after reading Ms. Phillips's book I wrote them a letter. I was totally amazed how fast I received a response. I knew after reading her first book, Shocked, Appalled, and Dismayed, that between the two books I had all the facts and information I would need to write the appropriate letter to a big business. I honestly recommend this book as a useful book that will be helpful and not put on your bookshelf to collect dust!!!!

The author of "Fight Back and Win" has done the research that most of us wish we had the time to do in order to get action on our complaints. Ms. Phillips has included many examples of letters that are succinct and easily edited to pertain to a variety of consumer complaint situations. At the end of each letter she has listed real names and state consumer protection agencies that one can contact or send carbon copies of the complaint letter. Even better, at the end of each chapter, she lists various organizations and websites tailored to each type of letter.

I myself used her book to quickly write a letter of my own that got a response within a week and the repair I sought completed within two weeks. This book truly can help consumers to "Fight Back and Win".

After having met Ajahn Sumano on two occasions, I looked forward to the day he would write this book for us. It is written from his heart in true Buddhist fashion. I highly recommend this book for the Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike. Ajahn Sumano gives us a taste of what it is like to be a forest monk in Thailand and how he views all things. Thank you for writing this Ajahn.

I picked up this book just when my life was so full of doubts and confusion. It has been a great source of strength for me especially during those tough times. I don't believe that it is simply a coincidence that whatever page I happen to open always contains the response to my concerns. I feel the compassionate and gentle guidance of Ajahn Sumano in his wise and down-to-earth answers, even to the most mundane questions. I felt so blessed to have found this book and I wanted to share the same joy among my friends, so I have given it out as a gift to several of them.

If you had to get only one book this year, do yourself a great kindness and make it this one.

I read "Questions from the City..." and found it a good title for the question answer format by the senior forest monk, Ajahn Sumano Bhikkhu. Ajahn is a Buddhist monk of the Theravada order, the school of the elders. One answer he gives is "The person who makes a promise isn't the same one who breaks it." Referring to the possitive energy that makes a promise and the negative energy that abandons it. Further on in his book a questioner asks..."Is Buddhism dying?" His answer, compacted, is ..."True religous teaching is always in conflict with superstition (and the world). But superstition offers a quick fix to the problems and anxieties of life and, therefore, is always popular with the majority of people. The rise and decline of Buddhism is not a unique sotry. It is the way-things-are. You can rest assured that Buddhism in its orignial and pure form is still practiced and that it is available to any one ready to make use of it. The more one gives to it, the more one receives." With all the world religions in decline and consequently the world in chaos we have cause to ask questions. Answers from the Forest is the kind of book to help us to realize our true value and true reason for being here. This is a great book for the ardent seeker, the cauasual observer, and those who want to drink deeply of the the waters of life.

I knew nothing of goalkeeping before purchasing this book. This book is easy to read and understand, well organized, and full of easy-to-follow visuals. I purchased it to understand our goalkeeper's job and loaned it to him to read. He played keeper for years, and even he learned from it and INSTANTLY improved. An injury prevents him from playing this season. With this book as my only coach and practicing what was in it, we (myself and my defense) earned a shutout in just my second game as keeper. Lincoln Phillips provides coaching in every aspect of goalkeeping and tells you exactly what you need to know. I recommend this book for beginning keepers, experienced keepers, coaches, and anyone else interested in the position and its importance. BUY THIS!

I have over 100 soccer books including goalkeeping books by Wilson, Shilton, Luxbacher, Waiters,Machink and the videos of Machnik, Hoek and Dicicco. Lincoln Philips's book was worth the money and more for several reasons. He has the wisdom of years of playing experience at the the national team level as well as college coaching and USSF Staff coaching duties. He has an excellent discussion on the art of stopping penalty kicks and develops a list of visual cues goalkeepers can use to predict where kicks will go. He examines techniques for prevailing in 1v1 breakaways I had not previously encountered. Finally he has an excellent section on defending restarts which is particularly valuable to the goalie in light of the high percentage of goals which result from poor defensive communication and organization at these times.

As a former international goalkeeper, I can appreciate the value of this well written book of goalkeeping. During my collegiate and international career, I have benefited from the lessons and inspirations of Mr. Phillips' teachings and I highly recommend this book to all aspiring goalkeepers and professionals as well. Having faced numerous game situations, I relied on the fundamental principles laid out in this book to lead my teams to numerous championships.

Most importantly, Lincoln Phillips has demonstrated that goal keeping is the most important player on the team. Teams should develop the psychological aspect of their goalkeepers in addition to the physical dimension. As the sub-title states, the goalkeeper is not only the last line of defense, but also the first line of attack. Any team that has won championships credits quality goalkeeping as a main ingredient. I look forward to future works from Lincoln Phillips.

This book was a sheer joy to read and digest. The authors skilfully comingle history, mathematics, philosophy, and biography. The result is a truly fantastic voyage into the meaning and gist of discovery and conjecture. In chapter after chapter important ideas like Fourier analysis, Non-Cantorian Set Theory, and Objects and Structures are scrutinized in a very interesting manner.

The deeper you go into the book the more will you revel in the sheer majesty and scope of the topics. I had to read the chapter on Inner Issues twice to really get everything out of the text. Topics such as Teaching and Learning are very insightful and full of little hidden gems.

If you are prepared to expend some effort and if you wish to know what mathematics "really is like", grab this book. I am sure this will become a permanent treasure in your library and you will peruse it often long into the night.

The best book I have read of it's type. Seemlessly incorporating Mathematics, Philosophy and History. Makes one want to really read everything in the Bibliography.

It was about five years ago. Physics suddenly seemed fascinating but I was struggling with math. My tutor suggested two books for me. One of them was this book. I cannot say this book was particularly helpful but it gave me a good sense of what mathematics is: its people, culture, history, and philosophy. Quite unlike E.T. Bell's Men of Mathematics, this book does not contain romantically presented stories of some math heros. And unlike some popular math books by Ian Stewart, it does not attempt to explain (rather unsuccessfully) some esoteric theories. It is just as the title suggest--what a mathematical experience can be. A book of this kind is rare.

P.S. Now, some five years later, I am not sure if mathematical knowledge maintains a separte existence as Plato had thought, and as the authors believe. (Ref. Plato, Phaedo)

Phillip Woodall vividly relates the essence of patriotism, dedication, bravery, sacrifice, sorrow and profound frustration experienced and embodied by the combat soldier of America's longest and most unpopular war. In symbolic, poetic verse, slimy leeches of jungle and paddy, ever so slowly, drained the life blood from America's warriors. So too, did the political unrest and protests on our streets empty the reservoir of America's will to persevere! This book tells it like it was! The fate of South Vietnam was NOT determined on the battlefield! This anthology is an emotionally intense recital of the endless agonies of fighting an unconsecrated war! Time does not heal all wounds! Woodall accurately and clearly establishes the fact that as surely as those who fell of the fields of battle need to be remembered...those who survived Vietnam need to be understood!

Here are the moving words of a young soldier as he wrote them straight from the battlefield. At times these words brought out so much hurt, so much passion that they were hard to read. Yet I kept picking up the book at random to read another story. In the poem "A Hundred Paddy Warriors" the author shows a few tongue-in-cheek good things about being a soldier. There is grief and pain in this book, and there is healing. Thank you, Mr. Woodall.

Although I don't usually read poetry, I was surprised when I opened this book and found it difficult to close. I have read a number of war stories, many of which were about Vietnam, the people who were there and their accounts of specific events that took place. Some of them tell very emotional stories of loss, sacrifice and friendship. But not until now have I read words that truly reveal the emotions that had merely been described in the past. Instead of showing events through the eyes of a soldier, Phil Woodall's verse allows the reader to feel a moment in time with the emotions of a human being trying very hard to comprehend what is happening to him and the people around him. As such, it is much less a book of poems about wars fought by soldiers on far away battlefields, and more about the battle that rages within the souls of those who fought them, and are still fighting them long after.

I am a fan of Michael Phillips and his talent for taking historical facts and weaving faith building stories around them. He had done another wonder with this story of WWII and I have loaned my copy out several times.

A first step in the journey of a deeper understanding of the Father's love.

A must "read" for those who enjoy historical fiction from a Godly perspective.

Just finished the last of the Secret of the Rose series..."Dawn of Liberty."
A lot of spiritural digestion to do. Will stay with me forever.

Love, Obedience, Forgiveness and more Love = all action words.

I read this series a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved it - my husband was fascinated as well and he usually doesn't read fiction at all. It is fascinating how the author combines history, fiction and christian values. Myself I was deeply touched and moved by the different characters - I lived right with them. Since reading these books roses are even more special to me. After finishing one book I couldn't wait to start with the next one!

When my children were young, this was one of the bedtime stories they loved best. It's particularly good for cat lovers! The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story moves through suspense to a beautiful resolution -- a feast at the end of a storm-tossed fishing trip.

A wonderful story with beautiful pictures. If it doesn't warm your heart, you're not human! It is so good, I've bought a stack of copies to send out as Christmas gifts.

This is an extraordinary book. Antonia Barber has produced a superb story, based on the legend of the Cornish village of Mousehole. Tom is an old fisherman who lives with Mowzer, his cat, who is also aging gracefully. Their lives--organized around fish, firesides, milk, and scratching of ears--fill the first few pages, and then the Great Storm-Cat arrives, howling around the harbor and bottling up the fishing fleet. Food in the village starts to run low. Finally, the day before Christmas, Tom and Mowzer go out to fish together in the teeth of the storm, so that the children of the village should not be hungry on Christmas Day.

The text is powerful--remarkably so for a children's book. But Nicola Bayley's paintings are, if possible, even more astonishing. There is a gorgeous picture of the Great Storm-Cat and Mowzer at sea; fine, characterful pictures of Tom, Mowzer and the village of Mousehole; and among other treasures, one picture that always moves me to tears. Another reviewer said the book made them weep: I know the page they were talking about. It's where Tom and Mowzer sail back to the village, to discover that the villagers have realized they are gone, and are waiting for them.

Enough. It's a beautiful picture. Buy the book, even if you don't have kids, though you'll get far more pleasure from reading this to a child. The language is a little complex for a child under five, but you can simplify as you read. And you'll read it again and again.

In two weeks I have read books 2,3 & 4 of the Heathersleigh series. I am purchasing #1 to read. I got so involved in the characters of the series. The thing which impressed me was that, in the process of reading them, I began to be aware of people in my life - and myself - who suffered the same spiritual afflictions as the Rutherfords and their friends; and more painfully so, was brought to a point of reassessing myself and my motives in life. I would think "how could amanda be like that" and a gentle nudging of the spirit would remind me that I, too, have allowed such pettiness in my life.. Not only entertaining and full of historial and geographical knowledge, but full of spiritual awakening.

Out of all of Michael Phillips' books, this one is my favorite! I haven't been able to put it down because it is so fasinating and captivating! If you want an excellently written book that has explicit research, this book is for you. The characters are interesting and very real, whether it is Catharine and George exploring Heathersleigh Hall, the McFees visiting, or Amanda with her seemingly endless problems. I studied World War I in school this year and all the events that happened previously are in this book, which makes the book very interesting for me as well. There is nothing in this book I did not like! Read it yourself!

This book is one of the most exciting and gripping books I've ever read! Amanda and her family are very real characters in very real situations. Michael Phillips has done a fantastic job with this series. I can't wait to read the next one! If you haven't read this series, I really recommend it. It will change you and your outlook on life. It has real characters, real plots, and a history lesson too!

There is a lot of good information in this book, but most of it can be found toward the beginning. The tips on predicting the weather alone could be worth the price of the book. However, the maps of the various waterways were absolutely terrible. I would recommend this book for a general overview and lots of tips and tricks for paddlers, and the two "Canoeing and Kayaking the Streams of Florida" guides for detailed information on specific waterways.

Book Review- Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandy Huff

Coming from a whitewater paddling background, my first thought on looking at the river descriptions in Huff's book was, "Hm, not very detailed." On further reflection, though, this makes sense. Details of how to run rapids aren't needed in Florida, and the lack of details makes visiting the waterways described much more of a voyage of discovery- as paddling should be.
Huff has logically divided her book into three major sections. The first part contains tips for paddling in Florida, and includes chapters on gear and clothing and how to pack it, staying healthy, staying safe, and camping in Florida with sections on cooking and camp activities, all delightfully written by someone who clearly has had an abundance of paddling experience.
The second section describes in detail all the wildlife you might encounter on any trip on Sunshine State waterways, and your best strategies for safely dealing with those critters (Do NOT feed the wildlife!). Aunt Sally from Ohio will survive her first alligator encounter if you follow Huff's advice. There is even a short chapter on fishing.
Finally, the last section contains descriptions of over 200 trips on 91 waterways across the state. Every description contains all the information you'll need to make that trip: a map, where to put in, where to take out, the length of time and/or mileage involved, skill level needed, and local emergency phone numbers (great idea!). The descriptions are also keyed to the corresponding DeLorme atlas page numbers, and include a brief outline of what you can expect to encounter, all written in a tastefully understated manner.
It's difficult to find any flaws in this book, or figure out how to improve upon it. For every Sunshine State paddler or anyone who wants to become one, Huff's book is a must read.

-John Kumiski

If you want to have just one book on paddling in Florida then this is the one to get!! It has easy-to-read maps, web sites, addresses and phone numbers for further information. Paddling a river or creek is more than just knowing where to put in and take out. Sandy gives you all kinds of information on the area, fishing, wildlife, weather, safety and much more. I must have every book there is on paddling in Florida but they're going on the bottom shelf because this is the one I'm going to reach for when planning my next adventure!!

This is truly one of the few books on the market that looks at Flash from various perspectives and nails it. The contributors to this book keep the chapters focused, provide examples in context and realize that most folks out there aren't "code" geeks; there are both creative designers and innovative developers. The number of devices and platforms commented on and "tips and notes" are great.

You might ask "Where is the CD in the back of the book?", well better than that they have a website for the book and the list of useful URL's in the back of the book is awesome and helps everyone grow their skills when it comes to developing for these evolving platforms. As a Macromedia evangelist I recommend a select few books to the customers and end-users this is one of them.

This book covers everything, and more. I was very impressed with the amount of knowledge packed in this book. It includes info on of course handhelds, phones, tv's etc...to be expected...but wait there is more. Flash on ATM's, PS2, and XBOX! Its truly a primer for anyone looking to get into the world of developing for devices. And once your primed, read through it once more and discover even more info you overlooked.

-Greg

PS Examples aren't lacking either, plenty to go around. (And a website too)

as one of the only sources on the subject (pdas, cell phone, ps2, kiosk, etc) this book is invaluable for the kind of information it presents! the information is precise and up to date (discusses flash 5, and references the MX authoring environment.)

It covers pixel fonts (a huge topic be it for devices or not), content for television, playstation2, using server-side middleware for dynamic applications, using Java for stand-alone stuff, how to go full-screen, and a whole lot more.

there is plenty packed into this well-written book to keep you entertained for months to come. one of the nicer things i found out in this book is not so much what you CAN do on devices, but things you should look out for that maybe you SHOULDN'T attempt on them (that would be taxing on system resources, etc.)

I suggest this for anyone who authors in Flash, for those with Pocket PCs, etc. who want to play around, and also for serious application development authors - this book covers a wide-range of material but does it extremely well.

It's a bit rare to find Flash books on the market that really nail their content and purpose - this is certainly one of them that clearly shines!!! Well done.