My two boys, now aged 3 and almost 5, have asked for this constantly over a period of two years. They put it in the top five the top of their favorite books list and we have a LOT of outstanding books. My older boy has wowed several adults with his lectures on how lightening and thunder work. I highly recommend the book/cassette combination. My husband and I also enjoy listening to it after many, many hearings. It is entertaining, soothing, interesting, and educational.

This book is designed to provide beginning readers with information about thunderstorms, and safety. It includes information on how to make a cloud, rain gauge and web sites. Very good reading for grade levels 1-3.

A fun way to look at the weather. I read it hundreds of times as a child and will read it to my daughter

I recently located a copy of this book, paid a fortune for it - but it was well worth it. The content is amazing, revealing the organisational culture of Commodore through the most important time in personal computing history. It also talks about Jack Tramiel and how he came to leave Commodore and move to Atari. I highly recommend seeking out this book - you won't regret it.

Very good. If you own(ed) any C= computer or Amiga, you'll find this book extremely interesting. The time period dealt with, is from the beginning of Commodore as a computer company(it does not cover their humble beginnings as a typewriter or furniture manufacturer to any great extent), to their ousting of Jack Tramiel and finally acquisition of the Amiga.

As i said, it's a very interesting look at the most creative (and sometimes bizzarre) computer company that will probably ever grace the U.S., though it would've been nice if it had been updated...after all a lot has happened in 1985-1994!

Not much technical information here, but that's not what you'd expect. You do get a very good feel for the running of this huge international company (Commodore Business Machines) that is now defunct. It'll make you remember that old C-64 you've probably got collecting dust in the attic . One note, the author's name is misspelled here, it's MichAEl, not MichEAl.

I first heard of this book in a 1927 review of it by Dorothy Parker (available in the 1944 edition of The Portable Dorothy Parker, as well as subsequent editions I believe, including the 1973 one). Parker's review is beautifully apt. She says, "I think that the Journal of Katherine Mansfield is the saddest book I have ever read. Here, set down in exquisite fragments, is the record of six lonely and tormented years, the life's-end of a desperately ill woman. So private is it that one feels forever guilty of prying for having read it." Mansfield suffered from a heart condition and later tuberculosis which kept her in a constant state of physical misery for years. Even worse for her was the constant torment of never being able to achieve enough as a writer to satisfy herself. Parker is completely right: I can't think of who could capture that constant, acute sorrow better than Katherine Mansfield. As Parker said, "She was not of the little breed of the discontented; she was of the high few fated to be ever unsatisfied."

If you've never read her short stories (she never wrote anything else), please do, and I would advise you to read them before you read her journal.

The book itself seems like it could be published as a stream-of-consciousness novel (it's impossible to follow at times but no worse for it. It seems to make perfect sense - even the numerous cryptic little notes). It's full of little pieces of stories never finished. Mansfield's body of work was so small (something that upset her deeply) that these little fragments would be enough to make any fan of hers need to read this journal.

She is most often compared to Chekhov, and it's not difficult to see why. I truly believe that Mansfield innovated and practically invented the English (language) short story. Besides Chekhov (whom she often mentions in her journal) I've never read anything quite like her, particularly not anything that predates her.

What else you need to know:
1. Mansfield was born in New Zealand, the influence of which can be seen in short stories like "At the Bay".
2. Her husband, J. Middleton Murry, published her journals, causing some to accuse him of taking advantage of her.
3. You must read this book.

I first heard of this book in a 1927 review of it by Dorothy Parker (available in the 1944 edition of The Portable Dorothy Parker, as well as subsequent editions I believe, including the 1973 one). Parker's review is beautifully apt. She says, "I think that the Journal of Katherine Mansfield is the saddest book I have ever read. Here, set down in exquisite fragments, is the record of six lonely and tormented years, the life's-end of a desperately ill woman. So private is it that one feels forever guilty of prying for having read it." Mansfield suffered from a heart condition and later tuberculosis which kept her in a constant state of physical misery for years. Even worse for her was the constant torment of never being able to achieve enough as a writer to satisfy herself. Parker is completely right: I can't think of who could capture that constant, acute sorrow better than Katherine Mansfield. As Parker said, "She was not of the little breed of the discontented; she was of the high few fated to be ever unsatisfied."

If you've never read her short stories (she never wrote anything else), please do, and I would advise you to read them before you read her journal.

The book itself seems like it could be published as a stream-of-consciousness novel (it's impossible to follow at times but no worse for it. It seems to make perfect sense - even the numerous cryptic little notes). It's full of little pieces of stories never finished. Mansfield's body of work was so small (something that upset her deeply) that these little fragments would be enough to make any fan of hers need to read this journal.

She is most often compared to Chekhov, and it's not difficult to see why. I truly believe that Mansfield innovated and practically invented the English (language) short story. Besides Chekhov (whom she often mentions in her journal) I've never read anything quite like her, particularly not anything that predates her.

What else you need to know:
1. Mansfield was born in New Zealand, the influence of which can be seen in short stories like "At the Bay".
2. Her husband, J. Middleton Murry, published her journals, causing some to accuse him of taking advantage of her.
3. You must read this book.

Both Katherine and her work are like a flower that has grown within the weeds that make up life.

The title of the book is interesting not only for its reference to Marx's famous statement but because Raymon Aaron was such a giant among intellectuals. This book, written in 1955, is a perfect indictment of the follies and inconsistencys of Marxist thought and intellectual fawning over the Soviet Union. Twenty years later, when I went to college, I had the same ideas but not Mr. Aaron's impressive prose and aplomb in destroying Marxist discourse. I wish I knew of the book back then. An excellen indictment on the longest folly of the 20th century.

Although Aron's treatise was published many decades ago as a brilliant and unsurpassed analysis of French intellectual culture, it has direct relevance for contemporary fads and foibles of Western cultural and intellectual life. Much of what goes on in the academy today becomes lucid when read within Aron's analytical framework. This book should be read by all who care about the education of their children.

Aron's book deserves recognition as one of the classic works of 20th century intellectual history. Written 40 years ago during the battle of ideas between communism and liberal democracy, "The Opium of the Intellectuals" provided profound insight into the mind of the communist intellectual. Aron, a renowned French historian and philosopher, wrote this devastating critique of French radicals (such as John Paul Sartre) during the height of the Cold War. Unlike Albert Camus in his famous book "The Rebel", Aron fires his guns without mercy and exposes these intellectuals' penchant for irrationalism and extremism.

The book's title was derived from Marx's famous quote "Religion is the opium of the people". Marx's belief was that religion diverted people's attention from misery on earth by promising a glorious afterlife. Aron explains communism served this role for radical intellectuals who eloquently rationalized and apologized for communism's barbarism because its promise to deliver utopia on earth. In a nutshell, communism replaced Christianity and other established religions as a new faith, but one grounded in the secular world, not in the heavens. As in all religions, faith is paramount, not reason. Communism's monstrous crimes and wholesale destruction of the individual did not bother these radicals because they believed in the ultimate "means / ends" justification. Since only communism could deliver humanity to the promised-land, it was privileged by its goal, thus any crime could be rationalized as the part of the twisted path to salvation.

This masterpiece illustrates the dangers of radical intellectuals who take a wild leap into political fantasy for the sake of an idea. Fredrich Hayek, the famous Austrian economist, summarized it best 50 years ago when he stated "The distance between a single-minded idealist and a fanatic is just one step".

I bought this book after reading a couple of Elisabeth Mansfield books. I was kind of "turned off" by the title at first, thinking this was going to be some sort of sappy ghost story. It turned out to be more light-hearted than some Mansfield stories, in that there was a lot of humor--I particularly loved the funny dialogues between the heroine and the "phantom." But, it was also serious in the way it addressed the issue of how having a physical disability can affect the way a person views themselves and how others view them. This was a funny, sweet, and touching book. I loved it and it will definitely be on my "keeper" shelf. By the way, if you are looking for a "sensual read," don't look here. This book is so "clean" you could let anyone you know borrow it without blushing, yet there is no doubt about the potent physical attraction between the main characters. To top it all off, the hero and heroine not only love each other, but they have fun personalities and appreciate each others sense of humor. Great feisty heroine and tender hero! Highly recommended!

This was the first book of Elizabeth Mansfield's I read. As a self-proclaimed Georgette Heyer snob, I thought no one could write as vividly about the Regency period as she could. I was wrong, and I'm glad! Elizabeth Mansfield has a truth about her characters - so much truth, you want to invite them to tea! I read and re-read all of her books because it's like visiting old friends!

this is one of my favorite books of all time ...the emotions are so real and its nice to see a book where the guy is so sweet ....a great read ...

This book is *the* book to get if you're a potato fan. It has great recipes with gorgeous pictures, just looking through the book will make you want to cook and eat it right there. Many great classic recipes, although sometimes they are not the original, authentic ones, but that doesn't stop me from raving about this book. There are also very informative chapters at the beginning of the book about the history, different kinds (you would never guess how many there are) and preparation methods of potatoes. I love this book, you will, too!

I am a potato lover and found this book to be informative and useful in the variety and preparation of potato cookery. The pictures are gorgeous and helpful. Also, the recipes are simple, easy and delicious. I'm quite happy with this book!!!

This is a generous and lovely book about the wonders of the potato. A goodly chunk of the text is devoted to different varieties of potatoes and potato preparation technique, so you can spend lots of time reading and looking at pictures. Don't forget the recipies, however. I've tried at least a dozen of them and havn't been dissapointed yet.

I highly recommend this one. Our intrepid heroine contrives to be the "shatterbrained hysteric" that the hero thinks she is.

First of all, thank you to Berkley/Jove for continuing to release the wonderful, older books by Elizabeth Mansfield, as well as bringing out the occasional new one. This book dates to May, 1980 in its original version, but it is still a delight to read. The authors tell-tale skill with witty dialogue is present in abundance in this tale of a spirited young woman and the quiet young man she encounters. Each encounter is more hilarious than the last, as Sophie Edgerton creates disturbances without even trying. Of course, when she does try-sparks fly all over the place.

Unable to live with her father and step-mother, Sophie has come to live with her widowed grandmother, Lady Alicia, in London. But Sophie's escapades begin to wear thin when she enthusiastically greets a gentleman at a ball. Truly, she thought she was greeting her cousin Bertie, who has just returned from several years away. Unfortunately, she guessed wrong, and the unsuspecting gentleman who received the hugs was the retiring Earl of Wynwood, Marcus Harvey.

As is usually the case, after this first meeting, subsequent ones also tend toward disaster, leaving Sophie determined to take a repairing lease to the country, even if it has to be at her own home. But then Lady Alicia shows the girl an invitation she's just received. It's for a two-week house party, from Lady Alicia's dearest friend. Not until later does Sophie discover that the dearest friend is also the Mama of Marcus.

Unsettled by the growing attraction Sophie feels towards Marcus, she still also has the inclination for mischief, especially when Marcus announces his engagement to the eminently suitable Miss Iris Bethune. Unable to appreciate the impending marriage, Sophie runs away to her father's house, and the religious step-mother.

Rescued by Marcus, who neglects to tell her that his betrothal has been called off by Iris, Sophie is distant and cold to him, causing more misunderstandings. Eventually, however, all things turnabout, and the resulting Regency Match is more satisfying than most. Great fun!

He's a very proper and somewhat stiff gentleman while she is impulsive, emotional, and prone to become involved in catastophes of one sort or another. They meet when Sophia throws her arms aruond Marcus at a ball, thinking he is the cousin she has not seen for many years. Their second meeting is just as embarrassing for him and leaves Marcus sure in his mind that she is nothing more then a shatterbrained hysteric. And when she happens to over hear his comments, her indignation for his slurs on her character prompt her to concoct a plan to teach him a lesson when she and her grandmother, along with a handful of other guests, are invited to his estate by his mother.

It is to be a celebration as her son is soon to be married to a docile miss he considers just the sort of woman a man should marry. Definately, not like the disastrous Miss Sophia. As evidenced by her catching fire to his property and causing him(quite inadvertantly) bodily injury. But feelings soon change and the sparks fly.

The resulting story is a witty, humorous, and quite entertaining romp into the world of Regency England. The two protaganist are true to their characters. The plot moved the story continually forward making one eager to see what was going to happen next.

I thoroughly enjoyed her book and have read it three times already. It has never failed to make me laugh despite the familiarity. I recommend it to anyone.

There are 28 stories in this very excellent collection by Katherine Mansfield, the settings reflecting her own life experiences in New Zealand and England in the early part of the 20th century. Her detailed descriptions of objects are intrinsic to the stories, tiny sparkles that spread out and create a canvas on which her characters interact. Every story has its own suppressed passion as Ms. Mansfield gets right into the heart of what makes us all human. They are filled with arrivals and departures, spinsterhood and marriage, love and loss and pangs of despair. Children play a role in her writings, as do distinctions of social class. Life is a struggle for her characters who are timeless in their humanity, although they all live in a world that existed more than 80 years ago. With rare exceptions, the stories are sad. I was impressed by her writing, which is layered with subtleties in the way she deals with the major themes of life and death. Her structure is unique for its time, as there doesn't seem to be any center or an easily identified beginning, middle and end. Often, they are simply small slices of life, rare glimpses into human nature with sharp insights that sparked my own memories and feelings. It might have been uncomfortable, but reading these stories was a deeply enriching literary experience.

This collection of short stories is a remarkably good introduction to Katherine Mansfield. All of her most well-known and representative stories are included here, along with some that are lesser-known.

The beauty of Mansfield's writing lies in her poetic description of detail--her power of suggestion--and her courage. She was determined, both in her life and in her writing, to move against the current of the time. Her life was filled with problems; her health, her love life, and her writing all caused her measureless pain, but in spite of these she lived her life the way she chose to live it. And though her writings were often critized--not least by her notable rival, Virginia Woolf--she kept on in the face of difficulty, and is now recognized as a major transformer of the short story.

A few examples from this collection would be in order. In "At the Bay," Mansfield examines in great detail the experiences and emotions of each member of a large family in New Zealand. It is in this story that she displays perhaps to the fullest extent her ability to take seemingly unimportant details--gestures, looks, scattered thoughts--and from them build a fascinating portrayal of an individual's personality.

In "Psychology," she conducts a unique experiment. At first glance, not much happens in the story; but on further examination and multiple rereadings, the depth of conflict becomes evident, and then, Mansfield's understanding of the deepest nooks and crannies not only of the female but also of the male character.

"The Singing Lesson" progresses in a lighter vein; a spinster singing teacher receives a message from her fiance, breaking off their engagement; she begins her teaching miserable, heart-broken, and full of anger. Thirty minutes later, she receives another message in which he reassures her of his love. The story contains interesting use of imagery and simile, and pokes mild fun at the tragic mood swings of the young woman.

Mansfield's stories are not melodrama, but lyrics. They are short, poignant silhouttes drawn in quick and sometimes uneven brushstrokes, but always carrying the touch of genius.

I have come across Mansfield numerous times in school, but not until this year, when I read her entire collection of short stories, have I begun appreciating her greatness as a writer. In her stories, Mansfield captures some of the impressions we encounter daily and have time only to remark how surprising, how sudden, and how fleeting they are. Some stories, like "A Garden Party", "The Doll's House", "The Daughters of the Late General", accurately convey the sense of loss, the breath of youth, the regret of unfulfilled lives all in subtle and striking prose. The beauty of the writing lies in the subtlety of description, the use of symbolism, and the immediacy of the language, not unlike her contemporary and admirer Virginia Woolf.

I was fortunate enough to find a copy of Claire Tomalin's biography of Mansfield, and reading it gave me a better grasp of the context of the writing. If the stories sometimes seem remarkable or shocking for the time they were written in, Mansfield's life too readily provided a source to draw from. Her presence and personal failings, triumphs, and conflicts are felt throughout her work, and rereading the stories knowing about her life impressed this sense further. Her stories show what a writer can do when inspired, and suggest what a much greater writer she could have been with time, health, and happiness later in life.

This book was the suggested reference in a college-level VB class I took. It is easy to find each command by the index tabs, and the examples are easy to understand. I especially appreciated the "cautions" section included with each command. And best of all, Amazon.com is $10.00 cheaper than the college bookstore!

This book is really good (atleast for me) for programming reference. If maybe you forget something, just look it up in this book. Not a book for newbies to Visual Basic though.

This book seems to have every command line's syntax with many usuable examples. Coming to Visual Basic programming from Clipper, I use this book all the time.

The simplicity of this book is wonderful. No long, drawn out paragraphs and explanations to wade through. Each tip is clearly stated in two or three sentences, then followed by a related question. The questions were a good idea, because they force parents/guardians to really think on the advice suggested. Parenting tips were solid and well-balanced. The father-son approach of the authors works well. From a guardian's perspective, I found this book spiritual and motivational for myself, as well as informative.

Truthful, spiritual and worth reading! This book gets back to the basics of properly raising a child.