By Peter Lathan - It Happened on Broadway is a collection of interviews with 107 Broadway luminaries, including Carol Channing, Betty Buckley, Joel Grey, John Kander, Fred Ebb, James Hammerstein (son of Oscar), Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard) and Kitty Carlisle Hart (widow of Moss). It tells the story of Broadway from the point of view of those who were deeply involved in its development as the centre of American theatre. It takes us behind the public faces and into the private thoughts and feelings of the stars, writers, composers, directors, producers, designers, press agents, playwrights, and even the restauranteurs (Vincent Sardi Jr. is there, too). It tells about the great successes (and some of the spectacular flops). It reveals much about the great writers - Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Moss Hart, Irving Berlin, Cy Coleman - and the performers - the portrait of Carol Channing in her own words is stunning. And we see the great directors and choreographers - my own favourite, Bob Fosse, is talked about at length - through the eyes of those who worked with them. I thoroughly enjoyed it. What this book shows very clearly is the deep love of theatre, of live performance, which these Broadway luminaries share with the rest of us. In their words I could hear echoes of myself and all of my theatre friends.

It Happened on Broadway: An Oral History of the Great Whire Way by Myrna Katz Frommer and Harvey Frommer. A husband and wife team of Professors in the Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies at Dartmouth College, the Frommers have gathered together the living memories cf over one hundred actors, directors, producers, lyricists, playwrights, critics, designers, publicists, and stage managers to create a volume filled with the light and magic of Broadway itself. These collected memories take us from the enduring dramatic successes of the years~ before and after World War II, through the golden age of the American musical, right up to today's megahits. It Happened on Broadway offers priceless recollections of Broadway hangouts, such as Sardi's and Lindy's; performing with Brando in "Streetcar," the collaborations of Kaufman and Hart and Rogers and Hammerstein; and countless encounters with the likes of Mary Martin, Carol Channing, Jerome Robbins, Tennessee Williams, and Steven Sondheim. There's enough theater lore here - from back stage to the orchestra pit - to entertain the most devoted Broadway aficionado.

"It Happened On Broadway" is nothing short of living, breathing theatre history. Carol Channing's first appearance on stage at a grammar school in San Francisco; Patricia Neal's subsistence jobs cutting pies and scooping ice cream while waiting for her career to bloom (which really didn't take all that long by today's standards); the advent of the Theatre Guild; Celeste Holm and John Raitt on creating the grand-daddy of musical theatre, Oklahoma; Kim Hunter on Marlon Brando; Donna McKechnie on Michael Bennett; Linda Lavin on Neil Simon and Len Cariou on Stephen Sondheim, it's all in there. With vintage photos, drawings, posters and Playbills the Frommer's provide us with a look at theatre history from a time when $1.50 would buy you a movie and six or eight vaudeville acts to the impact of the AIDS crisis on the theatre community to the vast corporate culture now responsible for many of today's Broadway shows. An invaluable and engrossing book for anyone interested in an insiders perspective on the business of the Great White Way. .*******************************************************

Some teacher I had made us read so I picked up Ryan White : My Own Story I figured hey good book to just look at and daydream, well I started to read it before you know it I was reading it everyday. His story has changed my life forever as im sure the book has changed others Ryan shows the real meaning of courage and faith in this book hes not just a normal other AIDS patient, he a living miracle trust me this book will move you.

Ryan White: My Own Story by Ryan White and Ann Marie Cunningham is one of the most heart-warming and touching books I have ever read. This work of nonfiction is a biography of one of the most courageous young men in the world.
Ever since he was born, Ryan had been in and out of hospitals. He had a horrible disease, Hemophilia, which causes the blood not to clot. Ironically, the treatment he takes to help with his Hemophilia ends up giving Ryan Aids. Throughout the story, Ryan tells us of his struggle with the pain of the incurable diseases and the continuous harassment from his fellow schoolmates and citizens. He faces all the challenges of a normal teen and on top of that, has to face the cruel reality of an imminent death. This book is a great source of an amazing story and a very informant book on the affects of AIDS.
To me, Ryan is one of the bravest kids to ever live. When so much was against him, he always found a way around it. He is truly an inspiration to me and probably to everyone who has read this moving book. I would recommend this book to anyone, and I think that anyone who ever thought they had it bad needs to read this truly wonderful book!!!

This is probably the best book I have ever read. Ryan was an incredibly strong boy who left his mark on the world. He will never be forgotten for his endless efforts to help people with AIDS and for all of the lives he's touched. Ryan accomplished more in his seventeen years of life than most people do in one hundred years. You will fall in love with Ryan and his family. Ryan loved life and he made every second count. While fighting his illness, he did everything possible to help other people with AIDS. Although short, Ryan led a very full life, one that he was very grateful for. Ryan was put on this earth for a reason and after reading this book, you'll soon realize why.

This book was great! It stretched my mind where it hasn't been in a long time. It was great being there again! I haven't ran across enjoyable reading like this in ages! Creative stories with a good, positive story line are a mainstay in keeping my mind full of inspiration and hope for the future. Mr. White's consumption with love and faith is inspiring. He demonstrates the power that we all have if we pay attention to our hearts. The people in this book are fabulous! I liked the theme and the conclusion. This book was in my briefcase for awhile. Now it's in a special place - in my heart.

After reading this book, there were two things that came to my attention: 1) I was very inspired and encouraged to realize that a person, in this case, the character Paula, could go through so much confusion and turmoil in her life, yet still maintain her faith long enough to carry her through her situation and , 2) I realized that no matter what problems I may go through in my life, it doesn't mean that you can't help others who have problems as well - maybe even the same problems. It is easy to see that this novel was written with a lot of insight into the real circumstances that are sometimes imposed unexpectedly on people's lives and how the characters, Katen and Paula, dealt with them in a faithful manner.

It's books like this that make society as a whole better. I would have given this novel higher than five stars!

Also, the author philosophically describes love as the feelings that develop when you continue to help someone unselfishly. What a novel idea.

God Bless You Jason L. White. Continue to write what your spirit directs you to do.

I found that the author used a writing style that was new to me and to some of my friends in our book club. Mr. White was able to use many creative, symbolic methods to tell the story of maintaining faith in an inspiring and encouraging way, and to give different views on a faithful life. The book kept me at the edge of my seat, literally! I particularly loved the way the author used time, manifested into the flesh as Tima, as a background, while showning Katen the many different facets of human life, and, in addition, helped him to get out of his self-centered shell. Child abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, etc., are real subjects in our society, and I can see clearly how the author dictates the passionate need to remedy these areas that hamper our lives. I was touched by this specifically.

I found the book to be very provocative, written very uniquely, and I caught myself reading it more than once - each time learning something new.

What a treat to find my favorite childhood book available again--and to discover that other people shared my opinion of it. I had a paperback copy of The Lion's Paw in the mid-50s when I was in grade school and I read it and re-read it so much it finally fell apart!

I admit I was a little afraid to read it again: what if it was not as good as I remembered? (After all, my then-beloved Nancy Drew books did not age well.) No problem with Robb White's plot and characters. Penny and Nick and Ben are still brave and their adventures are still exciting. And note that Penny is a pretty good role model--she works just as hard and faces just as much danger. Pretty enlightened characterization for 1946 when the book was originally published.

And the illustrations...I forgotten all about them until I opened the book: the map on the inside cover, Ben sailing at night with the stars filling the sky behind him, Nick escaping from the alligator, and the storm-tossed Lion's Paw. As familiar to me as the Mona Lisa's smile.

Welcome back, old friend.

I also being raised in Southern Florida had this book read to me in the third grade. I found a copy of the book after a long search but the book was not in the best of condition, but never the less I have had all three of my children read the book. My two oldest girls have lived in Florida so to them the book was so real. My son of seven can not wait to go see his grandmother and he too search for the Lion's Paw. I have order a new copy of the book to keep so that my grand children my some day also read about this adventure in Florida so that they may know how their grandfather grew up.

The Lion's Paw was read, one chapter daily, to my fifth grade class in the 1960's. What a treasured memory! I, too, would like to know if Robb White is still living and writing. I've loaned this book to every child I know, but now will start giving them copies of their own. Thank you, Robb White, for a wonderful adventure!

I picked up this book about 1 week ago. It is a very easy read and moves quickly. The reader should not be intimidated by its 500+ pages because it moves very quickly. Being a Mahayana Buddhist, I was a little disappointed that it spoke very little of the Mahayana traditions, but it does give a wonderful overview of all schools of Buddhism. In short, I would reccomend the beautifully written book for anyone starting their Buddhist training. It provides from what I have been told a very accurate history of the Buddha and his teachings. The novel idea of having the story told from a follower who tends water buffalo's makes the book feel like a novel. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!

If you are just begining to learn about Buddhism, this book will teach you a lot about the Buddha, his teachings, and his philosophy in a very straightforward, enjoyable, easy to read manner. It reads like a novel while being both scholarly and informative. I have also heard from Buddhist scholars that this book is a very accurate and reliable account of the life of the historical Buddha.

The authors used five sources (carefully annotated) to assemble a meaningful story line of the Buddha's life and teaching career. (The more abstruse philosophical discourses are mercifully omitted.) Buddha's biography is intelligently related from the standpoint of a relatively ordinary monk who first met the Buddha shortly after his enlightenment, has occasional contact with him throughout his monkhood, and is present at his death.

This is none of your "spiritual fiction" stuff. You can find all of these incidents in the Majjhima Nikaya, Digha Nikaya, and the Chinese Agamas, but Hanh's account is a heck of a lot more readable!. However, Hanh clearly puts his own interpretive spin on the circumstances of some of the stories (like monks fulfilling their responsibilities to others, before "homeleaving"). As you would expect from a zen author's perspective, the Buddha is NOT treated as a supernatural figure. Talented, kind, and wise, yes, but not supernatural.

Some of the grittier episodes are omitted, but Hanh makes clear that the Buddha's life was not free of practical difficulties that were human, so human.

I was surprised to find that this book is also a wonderful technical reference for meditation practice. My copy is full of marks to go back to again.

The Irrepressible Toy Dog is a must for anyone with a toy breed dog or anyone considering one. This book has been well researched and thoughtfully written. I spend great deal of my time on the Internet answering questions from Yorkshire Terrier owners and recommend this book to every one of them. Toy breed dogs are very different from the larger breeds and require many different considerations, and a very different approach to their health care and companionship. I would also like to see this book in the reference library of every veterinarian. Thank you Darlene Arden. You've made an exceptional and wonderful contribution to the health and welfare of the toy breeds

Of any book I've read about dogs -- and perhaps is out there to read -- Darlene Arden's "The Irrepressible Toy Dog" is the absolute best.

From the first sentence I felt as if she knew me! Knew my puppy. Knew my questions and fears and frustrations. But the best part is, she put me at ease.

Honestly? No book taught me more about the care of toy dogs and at the same time, made me feel so comfortable about my concerns. I guess when a writer loves her subject you can tell.

You just know that Darlene Arden knows and loves toy dogs top to bottom. I didn't think it was possible to love my own puppy more, but I do because I understood more about him after reading "The Irrepressible Toy Dog".

I guess I'm writing this because I want everyone who is thinking about owning a toy dog, or even already has one like I do, to get the same information I did. In the same way I did -- from someone who is so smart and didn't make me feel dumb.

Ronni Warren Ashcroft

Why would someone who raises Newfoundlands, a Giant Breed, read a book about Toy Breeds? When Darlene Arden spent a month on DogRead, I was impressed. This is someone who specializes in tiny dogs, but knows DOGS, period! I found the health, behavior, training, and most of the other information applicable for my dogs, who are bigger than many of the Toys by the time they're three weeks old. The author's writing style makes it an easy, fun read. Material is explained well enough for the novice owner, but is technical enough for the experienced dog fancier. The Irrepressible Toy Dog is an essential addition to the library of anyone who is even contemplating adding one of these breeds to his or her family, and is an excellent reference book for any dog lover. Darlene, how about writing a book about Giant Breeds, the other end of the spectrum?

This writer does more to explain the Appalachia of my parents and grandparents than anything I have ever read. I am a college professor too but I was born and brought up in the north. I never understood my parents' love for the area of their birth. Frankly, I was ashamed of it and always resisted going "home" as they insisted on referring to East Tennessee. Creeker has given me insights into the strengths of Appalachia without glossing over the weaknesses. I appreciate that. I hope this author is continuing to write about her roots because I am finally interested in discovering mine. This book is well-written and I just passed it along to my mother. Thank you, Linda Derosier, for your honesty and your willingness to let a city girl finally learn about "our people" in your Creeker.

Just before Christmas my husband and I saw this author speaking on BookTV and he called and ordered Creekers for me. I am glad I saw and listened to her before I read the book because I could clearly hear her cadences as I was reading. In a most unique writing voice she takes us along on her journey from an Appalachian Creek, to which she forever remains loyal, out into the wider world beyond. Though she speaks lovingly of her home in Appalachia, along the way this writer manages to show us the time and the place and the people without a hint of sentimentality or condescension. I particularly enjoyed her description of the metamorphosis brought about by her education. Her story is by turns funny and painful, sometimes simultaneously! Both my husband and I enjoyed this book, which is not the usual occurrence, though he liked the first half while I preferred the last half. We look forward to more work from this talented writer and we agree that she really should put this book on tape!

If you've ever thought about the consequences and significance of your life, your family and your home, then you are like me. And, if you're like me, then chances are pretty good that you'll count Scott-DeRosier's "Creeker" among your favorites. This is an interesting and gripping autobiography of a woman who is living the kind of life we all hope to live; it made me laugh out loud, reflect on the choices in my own life, and it moved me to tears -- all qualities of a book to be read more than once. In addition to all these strengths, Scott-DeRosier shared her Appalachian Mountain memories lovingly and candidly. Through her you will see what you've never seen before, respect people you might not have thought about before, and find reasons to hope for renewed community in our own lives. There was so much familiar in Scott-DeRosier's life story that I recognized those universal questions and truths that resonate in my own life, in all our lives no matter where we come from.

After reading these reviews I just had to buy this book and I'm glad I did... ...
This is a memoir-style story about how two animal loving people, a mutt and cat loving writer (Jeanne Marie Laskas) and a poodle packing physchologist, (her long time male friend) that begin as friends in the city and end up sharing their lives with each other and the pets they cherish on a 50 acre farm. This is both funny and entertaining, mixed with the realities of life when it comes to losing beloved pets and family. For anyone that thinks animals are people too, you will enjoy this fast-paced and humorous adventure!

After completing spectacular literature, I have a tendency to really sputter. Over my Christmas break, I read a number of good books including Dennis Lehane's Mystic River and Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer. I thoroughly enjoyed both, but really needed a change of pace that did not come readily. Finally, in frustration I chose a recent read and plugged it into Listmania hoping for some sort of recommendation; SHAZAM!! I hit on Fifty Acres and a Poodle. The memoir deals with Ms. Laska's purchase, along with boyfriend Alex, of a Pennsylvania farm. A cast of humorous and lovable characters makes for a wonderful, moving piece of literature that everyone should read. Whether it is for the whole farm-purchasing adventure, journey of self discovery, love of animals, wonderful sense of humor, etc., I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I fell in love with Bob the basketball-playing cat, Marley who sounds so much like my family's dearly-departed Airedale, Chumley, and leading lady Betty. The purchase of Sassy and Cricket, the "Joe Crowleys," the blaze orange hats, the wedding mums, etc. I could wax poetic forever. Please do yourself a tremendous favor and read this moving, funny memoir.
In closing, please Ms. Laskas, continue your tale! I want more.

I loved this book. Written with warmth and humor, it is the most original and enjoyable material I've read in months. Jeanne Marie Laskas doesn't have to try too hard to be funny. She just is. There are certain repetitions regarding her inner princess, her husband's all pants half-off joke, stupid sheep, etc. and the roo, roo, roo and woof, woof, woof that give voices to her beloved dogs, Betty and Marley, that make the story come alive. She is also not afraid to show her serious side and reveal her vulnerabilities. Mostly Laskas had me laughing, but sadly, there are elements that aren't so funny. Believing at first this would be a "fish out of water story"-city couple tries to make dream of farm living a reality and everything goes wrong-it is quite the contrary. This is a love story-love between a couple, their extended family (family members, city friends, country friends, their fifty acres of farmland, and lots and lots of animals. Bravo!!! I highly, highly recommend.

"Hostile Waters", by Peter Huchthausen, Igor Kurdin and R. Alan White. Thorndike Press, Thorndike, Maine, Large type edition, 1997.

An excellent book, dealing with the loss of the K-219, a Soviet Nuclear submarine, off the east coast of the United States. This book is non-fiction but it reads like a fast moving, modern day thrill novel, thanks, probably, to the efforts of author R. Alan White. The book also reads like a "you are there!" recitation of the events of the sinking, undoubtedly due to the efforts of Igor Kurdin, of the Russian Navy. Finally, there are some pointed comments about higher-level actions and reactions, probably due to the efforts of Captain Peter Huchthausen, USN, Retired. It is impressive that three different writers from such disparate backgrounds could produce a book that is such a well-written story of the events in the sinking of the K-219. It all comes together in such an interesting fashion that it was difficult to put the book down.

As we watch the world react to the aftermath of September 11 2001, we wonder why the CIA and the FBI did not have better communications with each other agency. The provincialism and secrecy of the USN submarine service is well documented in this book. In some ways, this is a theme of this book; rivalry between service branches and within each service hinders cooperation and communications. On page 225, for example, you can find: the U.S. Navy's "... number one enemy: the United Sates Air Force". Personally, I can recall working as reliability engineer on a small Navy project in 1987, and I referenced an Air Force document as substantiation for my calculations. I was told, "Wrong color blue". Navy Blue versus Air Force blue.

Through my work as Exec. Asst. to the Exec. Dir. of the Navy League of the U.S., I met member Peter Huchthausen when he introduced Igor Kurdin to the NLUS as an associate member. I became their liaison. Through this I have worked with young hero Sergei Preminin's high-school teacher, who created a small museum to his heroism. Then on 8/4/97 at a dinner in his honor at the Officers Club of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, I was privileged to be seated at the head table with and to meet the brave Russian sub commander, Igor Britanov, who saved our East Coast from a Chernobyl, and probably thus headed off WWIII. I was honored to be made a member of the St. Petersburg Club of Sailors and Submariners that evening. Peter Huchthausen did painstaking research, as did his coauthor Igor Kurdin to create this book. It is riveting, utterly compelling, heart-wrenching, and true. Although I have read it three times and highlighted much, plus viewing the HBO slightly-altered and less grippingly true rendition, I still weep for these brave men. This is the sign of a well-written book! It captures vividly the heart and soul of these men, and what they courageously endured. To read of them and meet them in person is to love them for their bravery and decency. I have never seen a face radiate more goodness than Captain Britanov's. I highly recommend this book to everyone I engage in conversation on the subject. I only wish that it had received much more publicity, in hard and soft cover.

"Down three thousand fathoms deep, Deaths of millions in her keep; With her, in eternal sleep -- Sergei Preminin." With these words begins Russell Hoban's poem immortalizing an extraordinary deed of an ordinary Russian submariner. "Hostile Waters" also recounts Seaman Preminin's selfless sacrifice, which saved the lives of countless unsuspecting Americans. But this is only one of the riveting episodes of desperation and courage chronicled in this true story about a doomed nuclear submarine. Authors USN-AWS Capt. (ret.) Huchthausen and Soviet Capt. 1st. Rank Kurdin were participants in the ongoing Cold War events which led to the tragedy of K-219. Written with the assistance of accomplished novelist Robin A. White ("Siberian Light", "Ice Curtain"), their book reads like a spellbinding adventure of disaster and heroism on the sea. In 1986, the Soviet Navy, in its futile attempts to match its superior American counterpart, was sending its fleet of obsolete boomers to patrol the eastern coast of the US. Capt. Igor Britanov knew that his noisy, decrepit boat was being tracked from the moment she left her home port, and that once in American waters, he was being shadowed by a state-of-the-art hunter-killer. Following an unintentional collision by the USS Augusta, K-219 sustained severe damage which left her flooding and burning, with an open missile-hatch, on the surface. In a cascading chain of catastrophe, her nuclear reactor began to overheat. As the US military went on DEFCON alert, K-219 foundered in her desperate and dangerous death-throes. You, the reader, will intimately experience the Soviet crew's minute-by-minute struggle for survival. You will bond with the Russian Captain, whose fatherly affection for his men inspired their loyalty and dedication to the point of personal sacrifice. You will be astonished by the attrocious actions of the American Captain, which alienated his own crew and ultimately cost him his career. You will be disgusted by the competative uncooperativeness between the American armed forces, and the open hostility between individual branches of the Navy. You will be dismayed by the utter callousness of the US and Soviet governments whose disregard for human life imperilled the world. And you will never forget Sergei Preminin, who voluntarily entered the hot reactor and manually cranked down the stuck baffle-plates, thus preventing a meltdown mere miles off the American coast. For an eye-opening and disturbing view of US Cold War politics, and an even-handed and compassionate portrayal of the Opposition, read this "ten-star" story!

I happened upon Miss Spider about three years ago at the Denton public library. At the time my daughter was 3, I love the prose, I love the art, I love Miss Spider!

David Kirk does a wonderful job of creating an adorable "mis-fit" Miss Spider is so misunderstood! None of the other bugs want to come to tea. The story breaks your heart then shows how persistance and kindness pay off!

My daughter isn't as thrilled by the books as I am. but then again, I LOVE them. Thank God for people with such great imaginations as the author and illustrator of the Miss Spider series. I recommend Miss Spider to everyone, not just kids, the lessons are profound and the flowing prose style is wonderful. This is my very favorite book to read to children. I am a life long fan of Kirk!

I have loved this book since it first came out. The pictures are beautiful- very detailed and fun to look at. I have never seen such pretty flowers and colors in a children's book. Since reading this book, I am a big fan of Miss Spider and collect Miss Spider toys, books, etc. The story sends a very good message to kids. The story rhymes which makes it fun to read aloud.

~ Miss Spider's Tea Party is one of those children's books that brings delight to the adult reader as well as the child.
~ The illustrations are beautiful and vividly intricate, but not too complex for children to enjoy, the story has a very gentle wit, that adults will appreciate.
~ Poor Miss Spider invites all kinds of insects to tea, but for some reason they seem reluctant to befriend her. : - )

~ Happily, her naturally sweet charm wins her popularity in the insect kingdom over, as well as a true fan in the reader. Children really seem to love this simple tale, mostly for the beauty of the illustrations, and the sense of a happy conclusion approaching.

I highly recommend this as a book you can enjoy reading with your child. And I would definitely also recommend the sequel "Miss Spider's Wedding"!