What a treasure found! Luckily I purchased Under the Sea Wind, prior to sailing my small boat to an equally small atoll. This book gives the reader an appreciation and understanding of life around the sea. More importantly, it increased my situational awarenes to gleen some of the Ocean's less obvious life. Upon making landfall at Palmyra Atoll, I was more able to see the life occuring before me. This book would be of value to any cruising sailor, hiker, or motorhome wanderer. This book makes an excellent gift to the homebound and undermotivated friends. It is superbly written by one of the finest writers of this century and children love it's flowing pace of words. Perhaps the best advice is to read this fine work, next to that buy a copy for a friend.

Now in an updated and expanded third edition, Richard Hepburn's Understanding And Reducing Your Home Electric Bill continues to be a timely and invaluable guide for the homeowner on keeping their electric bill as minimal as possible. This compendium of practical, applicable, "user friendly" tips, tricks and techniques covers everything from reducing air conditioning costs, heating bills, lighting bills, and high efficiency appliances in terms of their performance/cost ratios. From the kind of light bulbs to use for illumination to the proper sort of water heater to have given a family's needs, Understanding And Reducing Your Home Electric Bill will be a major source of money saving ideas, advice and information that will prove to be one of the most financially rewarding, money saving investments a homeowner can make with rolling blackouts, power shortages and increasing utility prices.

It have everything you need to learn about contingent valuation, an sophisticated and controversial method to value public goods.

«Welfarists do not call what they do mercy or charity; they prefer the rubric social justice. They attempt to merge Justice and Mercy by dissolving them in sentimental goo. Mercy is blinded by the goo, and Justice can see. In consequence, injustice becomes pervasive, and merciless government preys upon the citizenry in the name of Justice.» - Clarence B. Carson.

A few years ago, while riding on a train, I heard a teenager explain to a group of friends: «As I see it, to be right-wing is to be for the rich, and to be left-wing is to be for the poor.»

Unfortunately, the political philosophy of most adults today- including many college professors- is not much more sophisticated. Everybody «knows» that if there are so many homeless people around, it is because, contrary to «laissez-faire rhetoric», wealth does not «trickle down», and because stingy right-wingers in the government are blocking the necessary legislation.

Well, think again.

In *The War on the Poor*, Clarence Carson shatters the myth that the left is «for» the poor, showing how the failure of decades of government programs to eradicate poverty is due neither to insufficient funding nor to the corruption of government officials, but to the simple fact that, by its very nature, poverty cannot be eliminated by redistribution or any other use of force (which is all the government, as such, is capable of.)

Originally published in 1969, four years after the second major wave of federal welfare legislation originated by the Johnson administration, and reedited in 1991 with a new preface and two additional chapters, the book starts with a profound truth: just as raising prices are not inflation but a symptom of it, the lack of money is not poverty but a consequence of it. Poverty Carson shows to be the failure to support oneself by one's own productive efforts, «the failure to produce what is wanted [by other producers] in sufficient quantity to rise above the level of poverty.»

He then goes on to demonstrate how the various forms of government intervention in the economy send innumerable false signals to producers and would-be producers, resulting in the misallocation of resources and, therefore, impoverishment. And, this is the crux of his thesis, to those false signals, the poor are especially vulnerable.

As with all of Carson's books, the arguments do not consist in pure theory, though the author, who is familiar with both classical and Austrian economics and benefited from the advice of his colleague Hans Sennholz, is far from incapable of such theorizing. No: what you will get is a very common-sensical and down-to-earth treatment of the subject, documenting the whole chain of cause and effect from socialist ideas (which Americans will always welcome with open arms so long as you manage to find a catchy name for them), to government programs, to the elderly woman who gets mugged in the street and her daughter's nervous breakdown.

Denouncing the evils of government «aid» to farmers, people removal in the name of «urban renewal», union violence against non-unionized workers and business-destroying regulations, Carson makes a vibrant and humane case for the repeal of welfare legislation and other forms of interventionism, demonstrating that in the war on the poor that is being waged in the world today, the pretended philanthropists of the left are the hawks, and the allegedly heartless and reactionary classical liberals, the doves.

This book was a long-delayed sequel to Carson's book on the Sermon on the Mount from 1978. This one covers Matthew 8-10, in which Jesus demonstrates through his ministry what he has already claimed about himself in his teaching in chapters 5-7. Carson's treatment derived initially from sermons, though all of it was from the background of the commentary he had been working on for the whole book of Matthew (available in the Expositor's Bible Commentary series). A top-notch biblical scholar exegetes texts well, yet Carson additionally puts the text into persepective, showing its intent in its own context and its applicability to our day. For a scholarly treatment by this scholar, see his commentary. For a more popularly accessible book, read this one.

Note: This book is out-of-print in its original form, but it is available now bound together with the Sermon on the Mount book.

This book is a must-read for any caring child! I wish this title had been available when I first faced the serious health issues with my parents. I would have done some things differently if I had read this book and everyone's life would have been easier!!! Especially, my parents! This book is very readable and loaded with succint information that it took me years to discover! Order one for yourself and for your siblings!

"Sooner or later Christians tire of public meetings that are profoundly inauthentic, regardless of how well (or poorly) arranged, directed, performed. We long to meet, corporately, with the living and majestic God and to offer him the praise that is his due." (D.A. Carson)

OK, my knee-jerk reaction to this book was, "Finally, some THOUGHTFUL words on worship!" But let's face it, books on evangelical worship are a dime-a-dozen these days with little new being said and a lack of thoughtfulness (not sincerity). As for books on worship and the theology of worship: the standard has been significatly raised.

Not so with this book! Dr. Carson's introductory essay alone is worth this book. But, there is a lot more that it offers: following some insightful remarks by the editor (Carson) there are three theoretical/applicable studies written by Mark Ashton (Anglican -- Cranmer), R. Kent Hughes (Free Church), and Timothy J. Keller (Reformed).

Each writes from their own tradition (as a pastor), providing a semi-apologetic and a passion for the approach. Further, each writer includes sample services to help show what each tradition "looks like" in practice.

I recommend this to:
1)those tired of reading the same old stuff on worship
2)those unfamiliar with the theology of worship (this is a good intro)
3)those unfamiliar with different doctrinal/denominational traditions
4)church elders and leaders who plan worship
5)those desiring more...

A wonderful read, the author provides an interesting and engaging technique for describing an excellent formula for both business and personal success. The attainment of lasting high credibility in your life is an achievement that can enrich both your work and personal life in many satisfying ways. High Credibility Wins!!

I may have been biased when I checked this book out of the library, thinking " Oh Gail Carson Levine! I love her books! " Even if you are not a fan of fantasy books, this one may get you hooked into reading more of the divine Mrs. Levine's books. They have creatures like fairies, dragons, and specters in them. This story is about two princesses who are sisters and happen to be best friends. Addie is afraid of almost everything and Meryl is brave and dreams of being a knight one day. The sisters make a pact to always stay together, no matter what. When Meryl falls ill with the Gray Death, the disease that killed the sisters' mother, Addie decides to find the cure and sets out in hope of finding it. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat until you read the very last page.

After writing a Newbery Honor-winning book called Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine has done it again in this excellent tale! Gail Carson Levine writes of two princesses who live in Bamarre. One of the princesses is Addie (Adeline) who is shy and fearful and her sister, Meryl is brave and bold. They had made a promise that when Addie is married and safe, Meryl could begin her adventures through the world. Unfortunately, after Addie's chambermaid Trina and their mother had caught the Gray Death disease and died, Meryl is sick with it as well. Addie gathers all her courage to seek the cure to save her sister with the gifts she recieve from the young sorceror Rhys and her friends. Addie takes her seven-leagues boots and her spyglass left by her mother and the enchanted tablecloth and cloak from Rhys also with a some shy love. Addie begins her dangerous adventure meeting tricky spectors, a clever interesting dragon, and many more creatures. Also adding a bit of romance for Addie and a magical ending. Any fans of magical creatures and princesses will fall in love with this book!!

The Two Princesses of Bamarre is about two completely different princesses. The older one, Meryl, is courageous, brave and valiant, always wanting to fight dangerous creatures, such as: Vollys the dragon, specters, monsters, and even ogres! The other one, Addie, is the opposite. She is afraid of everything, starting with spiders, and will not let Meryl leave her side until she is happily wed. One day, the most terrible thing happens. Meryl was sick with the Gray Death, the most feared illness of them all. Many hundreds die of it every year. Addie, inspired by Drualt, her hero, realizes that she must go find the cure, to save her beloved sister and lots of others. Along with the help of her friend Rhys, the young sorcerer and many gifts from Bella and her late mother, she sets out on her quest. She comes across ogres, dragons, specters and many other dangers. Will Addie be able to save her sister? Will she survive? What will become of Rhys? What will become of Meryl? You'll have to read the book to find out! I recommend this book to children ages 9 and up. I rate it five stars because it's the best book in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gifted Hands is not a fairy tale; it's the real story of an American black child who grew up in Detroit during the 60s. This book is Carson's autobiography, and he narrates how he overcomes many defiant situations in his childhood, and his teenager years. He becomes one of the most important neurosurgeons in the world. The book is easy to read, besides the fact that it hitches the interest through the story, his life, struggles and successes. During the reading I was able to feel Ben Carson feelings, even though he is an internationally recognized surgeon, whose honesty, religiosity and simplicity are still genuine. He shares magically his clues to get a successful life. Through the reading, my respect for Ben grew until it became admiration. This book shows how dreams become true by working and studying hard. I highly recommend it. I'm sure this book could even change your life as it has done with mine!

This is a must read for anyone interested in stories of people overcoming adversity, and making something of their lives. This is the Ben Carson story plain and simple. Dr. Carson gained world wide fame when he and his staff separated the occipital twins from Germany, but the real story of Ben Carson begins much earlier in his native Detroit. Ben came from circumstances that most people do not overcome, but he found a way out through his love of learning. However, he faced numerous challenges before he would reach his desire to become a medical doctor. Early on in his life he was hit with a real whammy when his father left the family under the strangest circumstances when Ben was eight years old. He also shares the fascinating experience of how anger nearly doomed his medical career before he ever graduated from high school. In addition, he discusses his early academic struggles at Yale, and how faith, prayer and hard work got him through. The final chapter of the book provides the doc's prescription for success using the acronym Think Big. This book is a great read, and provides many wonderful ideas on how to make a life.

This book is my very favorite book! I want to be a neurosurgeon when I grow up and truly enjoyed reading about Dr. Ben Carson's exciting yet somewhat difficult life. I admire the fact that Dr. Carson is such a strong Christian. It made me feel good to know that even though his young life was very hard although through hard work he still achieved his goals. I would tell everyone, especially the people who are young and troubled, how great this book is. I am lucky enough to have a good home life but this book made me realize how hard it is for some people. I thought it was wonderful also how much emphasis his mother put on being anything he wanted. Dr. Ben Carson is one of the best role models anyone could have, in my opinion.

I am looking forward to reading his other books. Please feel free to e-mail any quesrions about the book!

(Or if you've read any of his other books e-mail me a review, please! Thanks.)