Written in easy to understand layman's terms, Buying A Computer Made Easy! is a straightforward, "user friendly" reference guide packed with information specifically designed to help the computer novice avoid frustration and simplify the compute buying process, while saving significant time, money and aggravation. If you are not familiar with computers and find that you must purchase one for home or business, then begin with a thorough reading of Scott Gregory's Buying A Computer Made Easy! -- it will prove to be the most cost effective investment in your new computer system that you will ever make.

I think the vast majorities of stories I have heard about how Francis Scott Key came to write the words of "The Star Spangled Banner" begin with Key being held as a prisoner on a British ship during the attack on Ft. McHenry. In "By the Dawn's Early Light: The Story of The Star Spangled Banner," author Steven Kroll begins with Key, a well-known Washington lawyer, being informed that Dr. William Beanes had been arrested by the British. It seems the doctor had been treating British wounded after the attack on Washington, D.C., and had some unruly stragglers arrested. Key gets permission from President Madison to try and affect the doctor's release.

Kroll's narrative follows the events from August 13, 1814, when Key was informed of Beanes's plight, to when Key's poem, originally called "The Defense of Fort McHenry," was published in the "Baltimore American." I like the way Kroll weaves all sort of historical details into his narrative, making this the most memorable account of the writing of the national anthem that I have come across. The story being told is complimented by the oil paintings of Dan Andreasen, which are done in a style reminiscent of what you found in classic children's books during the Fifties. There is also a photographic reproduction of the original manuscript of Key's poem that her wrote in a hotel after the battle.

In his Author's Note Kroll explains that it was the fort's storm flag, measuring 25 by 17 feet, that was flying overhead during the battle. The flag that was raised in celebration, as Key sailed back into Baltimore, was the larger, garrison flag for Ft. McHenry (both flags were made by Mary Pickersgill). When I last visited the Smithsonian Institute I was memorably surprised by the display of the Ft. McHenry flag, which, I assume, was the aforementioned storm flag. At least, that is how I would interpret what I have read; I might be wrong.

Hi,
This is ...(The author's son),and i would like to say that this is one of the best books written. I read it in fourth grade and fell in love with it. So read it!...

This fascinating and engaging book is the only critical/literary biography about novelist C S Forester (1899-1966) in print. It stands up very well as both a biography and a work of literary criticism. Lovers of the Horatio Hornblower novels, always hungry for more insights into the great captain's life, will find in this book a treasure trove, for a fictional character can only be truly understood when one knows more about the actual source of the character -- C S Forester. But this book covers all of Forester's major works, not just the Hornblower series. Author Sanford Sternlicht spins the tale of Forester's paradoxical and complex life and personality with the engaging touch of the novelist himself, but with the distance necessary for a critical biography. Sternlicht provides compelling and thorough insights into nearly all of Forester's writings [the few exceptions being two plays, a children's book, and some non-Hornblower short fiction], which include his novels (The African Queen, The General, Payment Deferred, the entire Hornblower saga, Hunting the Bismarck, and many more), history (The Age of Fighting Sail, and others), biography (Josephine: Napoleon's Empress, and others), and two travelogues. Forester's appeal and great popularity as a writer of fiction is examined in detail by Mr Sternlicht, who clearly knows his subject matter well. This is a revised edition of the 1981 first edition published by G. K. Hall, one of the TWAYNE'S ENGLISH AUTHOR SERIES books. Having read both editions, I can say without hesitation that the revised edition is a fresh and informative as the first, and that it is indeed a "revised" edition, with considerably more detail provided about Forester's home life (Sternlicht acknowledges new sources of information, including the significant addition of Forester's oldest son, John).

Forester's writing has a tremendous true-to-life, "verismo" quality which transports the reader into the time and place of the novel in hand. He achieved this by having an almost encyclopedic knowledge of those times and places, and by being able to put that knowledge to brilliant use in the some of the most fascinating books I have ever read, books which bear many, many readings and which stand up so well to those readings that one is left wanting even more Forester to read. He was truly a giant of popular culture, not just in America and Britain but worldwide, from the late 1930's to the 1960's. Sanford Sternlicht provides a very welcome door into the life and works of C S Forester, and this new book will be a very welcome addition to your bookshelf.

Keep organized with a sense of humor. See a week at a glance with plenty of laughs and oh yeah room to write in important stuff.

Call Of The Wild: The Art Of Parks Reece is a most remarkable, 124-page showcase of the warm and often whimsical colored artwork of Parks Reece. Centered around the double themes of nature and wry commentaries or puns, Reece's paintings include "Hazards of Hunting" featuring a racoon using deer antlers to string its bow targeting an orange-vested hunter; "The One Who Learned the Words" representing a particularly exceptional hummingbird among hummingbirds; "Alien Abduction" showing a fish's point of view at being plucked out of the water, and much, much more. Highly recommended and uniquely memorable, Call Of The Wild is enhanced with essays by Tim Cahill and sonnets by Greg Keeler.

This book is excellent for anyone that wants very accurate reviews and outstanding photos of the cameras included. This book covers a wider range of cameras than I have seen before. I also have several of the cameras listed in my own collection. Best book I've seen on the subject.

This book is an inspiring story of a child's comeback over a leg injury and contains many characters. It is interesting to read, and would be great for any 3rd to 6th grader. As an added side note, most of the proceeds go to the K. Scott Conover foundation, a foundation designed to help children overcome crippling diseases. Buy it and you won't be dissapointed.

My four year old daughters love to play with this book. The stickers are very easy to remove and can be moved from one location to another. My children have spent many hours in imaginative play with this book. Great for trips!

I am a Colorado Plateau freak, I must confess. As this book so excellently shows, every nook, every niche of that region is festooned with some new, arresting wonder, or so it seems.

Canyon Country Parklands is first remarkable for its photography. I have seldom seen the essence of this beautiful region captured so well. Indeed, many of the photos catch that magical light that seems to leap from the rock walls themselves. Even those parks long photographed, such as Zion National Park, attain a new height in beauty through the pictures in this book. A magnificent effort!!

The text is very readable and captures much of the magic of this region as well. I especially recommend the sections on Plateau wildlife and on the High Plateaus. The maps are also useful in reconnoitering one's position in this never-ending tableau of light and rock. You will enjoy this book to hilt, and its reasonable price makes it a remarkable bargain.