Bought this for our son who is interested in being a firefighter as his father is and his grandfather was. Great story and even though I thought the pictures would be better they were still good. Wish there were more.

Photojournalist Beth Reynolds depicts the life of Carmine Speranza through breathe-taking photographs that ignite the fire inside of you to become a firefighter. The book represents the life and love of Speranza probably better than he could explain it himself. This nationally recognized book is sweeping the nation, and capturing the hearts of all.

If you want to pay a tribute to firefighters, buy this book for the fire station in your neighborhood or for the local library. If you just want a great story and beautiful photography, buy this book for yourself. Frankly, as much as I feel for the families and friends of the firefighters killed in NYC, I've never felt like I knew any of those men and women. Television has done its best to convey the enormity of the tragedy but have left me with a rather two-dimensional image of most firefighters; I know they're heroic but I don't know much more than that. With this book, I feel like I've met a flesh-and-blood fireman.
I'm not sure whether to call this book a documentary with pictures or a book of photographs with text. The photographs could stand on their own as fine art but are the perfect accompaniment with the stories of the life a retired fire chief from Connecticut. There are stories of fires fought, to be sure. But, the best stories are about how Chief Speranza discovered as a child that he wanted to be a firefighter or about what firefighters do when they aren't saving lives or about the friendships that form between men and women who work so closely together. After reading this book, I think I know more about what its like to be a firefighter than I've learned in the last 3 months of non-stop television reporting.
I am a photographer and I bought this book for the beautiful photography but I would recommend it not only to camera lovers but to anyone interested in firefighters, great documentaries, or personal histories. A great read from start to end.

Jack Sprat, Low Fat is the best healthy lifestyle book (including a very conscientious 28-day example complete with "wart hog days"!) that we have ever found (I am the mom, not the 12 year old!). The authors masterfully reveal the culprits that create un-healthy eating habits, and address the issues as they pertain to the informed middle-class American culture. They soundly convince the reader of the dire importance of eating right. Even with a health background, I find that the older we get, the less time there is to committ to even our best lofty intentions of healthy changes! Bryant Stamford and his co-auther R.N. Becca Coffin do NOT endorse or promote any quick-fix or product, but prevail with undisputable common sense and digestable physiological facts the importance of living healthfully. I applaud this book! If you are an informed individual, but still looking for that perfect healthy-lifestyle resource, then look no further. You will find this book in a class of its own. I hope that you will appreciate it as much as I do.

This no-fat cookbook/diet plan/informational book is full of useful information presented in a way that is easily understood. There is a light-heartedness to the approach that keeps the information from being tedious or dull. A good guide to more heathful eating and overall lifestyle.

In this modern day journey in the footseteps of Stamford Raffles, Britain's premier imperialist in southeast Asia, Nigel Barley injects his customary humor into both history and travelogue. Barley's hilarious books on anthropology are recalled in his wry humorous history of Raffles (founder of Singapore and namesake of the still-standing hotel there that served as the principal watering hole of England's expats) and even more humorous record of Barley's travels in his footsteps.

I found this book to be very well organized and most informative. Sources for the references were well documented. My FINCH family relatives were mentioned in many places, as were many other original Stamford families. The history of Stamford was described in good detail. In the back of the book are genealogies of selected families. A great source for details of your ancestors.

I found this in our public library and I immediately went to Amazon.com (of course) to purchase it.
This is the best, of endless books, that I have every read on exercise and in this case.......NO exercise! (You liked that, huh?)
I am recovering from a broken leg, needed to get myself in shape and this book is heaven-sent.
It's a super-simple, horse-sense approach that you can use for a LIFETIME.
Forget about all your exercise marathons, which don't work.......these authors tell you why!

YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK---I PROMISE!

Anna Sewell's novel Black Beauty is a timeless classic for readers of all ages, but has a main demographic of females from the age 9 to 16.
The story takes place in 19th century England. IT follows the life and experience of a horse named Black Beauty. The horse is born on a farm and sold at the age of four. His first owner Squire Gordon is a great loving man. Black Beauty is treated with respect and dignity. The story follows the horse as he is then sold from owner to owner. He becomes neglected and abused by carriage owners. A loving and gentle man finally purchases Black Beauty. He cares about the horses and treats them well. Black Beauty is finally happy as a carriage horse when tragedy strikes. His owner is struck with illness and is forced to sell the horse. Black Beauty is sold to a poor owner and is neglected. He longs to go back home to squire Gordon's farm and live a happy life once again.

The book is uniquely enough from the horse's point of view. This helps children connect with the horse, and makes the book more interesting and easy to follow along with. The heart breaking tale of a horse's life that will readers leave on the edge of their seat wanting to keep reading, dying to find out what happens next. The book goes into detail about how animal abuse used to be in the early 1900's. Older children have and will continue to enjoy this book for generations to come.

"Black Beauty," written by author Anna Sewell, is one of the most famous horse books during the nineteenth century. Part of its achievement consists that the novel is a classic for people with many different characteristics. First published in 1877, "Black Beauty" continues to enjoy people for new generations of American citizens around the world. Anna Sewell's brilliant account of animal treatment became a historic breakthrough because it was the first book that described a horse's experience in England. "An autobiography of a young stallion," this book follows the life of Black Beauty. Throughout the novel, it is told in a creative first person form, as if Beauty was describing and narrating his life. Ms. Sewell chose to write this book from the "horses point of view," and she remarkably was able to succeed with her novel. Since Sewell intended on writing this novel in Beauty's point of view, the reader begins to understand the impact of good and treatment towards the horse and his loyal friends. Starter of the Humane Society, the author truly captivates readers with this autobiography of a beautiful, friendly, loving black stallion. In a letter to her friend, Sewell expresses that she hopes "Black Beauty will induce kindness, sympathy, and understanding treatment towards horses." From Beauty's happy, enjoyable youth to his pleasant retirement, Anna Sewell ingeniously wrote the book to remind the cruel treatment in the 1800's. Most importantly, Sewell wrote the book in a time where horses were not given the same respect today, and "Black Beauty" helped to open the eyes of many to the cruelty horses had to suffer. Although Anna Sewell's classic paints a clear picture of the society in London, England, its message is universal and timeless: animals will serve humans well if they are treated with consideration and kindness.

Since pictures & illustrations are as much a part of a child's imagination as the written word, then this book beautifully combines both, with the abundant B&W line illustrations by illustrator Lucy Kemp-Welch, in addition to the 12 colour plates included - all in keeping with the time period this novel is set in. A wonderful edition to any child's library. I've been reading horse-topic related books for as long as I can remember; but the very 1st horse story that left an indelible impression on me was ANNA SEWELL's " BLACK BEAUTY ".

It really openend my eyes as to the abuse and cruelty - and majestic fraility - that these wonderful creatures suffer at the hands of their human counterparts.

Ms Sewell opted to write this book from " the horse's point of view " and she was one of the very few authors that was able to pull this off with such great success.

This book also, laid the cornerstone for the ASPCA aims and goals, and brought to light the conditions and treatment of working horses in 20th century London, England ( and elsewhere ).

The story is such a wonderful tale of a horse's life from start to finish; told with a quiet dignity and warmth - and serves as a successful analogy also, as to how humans should interact with one another.

This book also laid the cornerstone for my interest and love of horses, and further spurred my interest in reading about all things Equine.

From there, and I went on to read all of Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion" series ( I used to collect the hardcover editions), and Marguerite Henry's books, and National Velvet(which really wasn't about a horse per se, but more about a little girl who's dreams come true), and anything else I could get my horsey-hungry hands on!

I now keep a copy of Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" in my library at home, and have given a copy to my daughter to read.

This is a tale that sensitizes the reader to the plight of horses at the hands of their human caregivers, trainers, etc - all told from the horse's mouth ( so to speak )..!

And lest we think that the inhumane treatment of horses has abided since this book was written - one only has to follow the controversy surrounding the use of "Premarin", or abusive training methods of gaited horses, or the Thoroughbred racing industry, or rodeo...etc.

There is still much to be gleaned about the exploitation and abuse of animals from this book - which will always remain a timeless classic.

Kim C. Montreal, 05/2000

I have a mixed feeling about this book. The theorical part is far too theoratical and based on merily summing up important issues, where the reader more would have learned about about these sum ups, if they where accompanied with graphics or illustrations. But the descriptive analisis of accidents is one of the very best I have ever seen. Very profound details indeed by means of case studies. However I would have rated it 4 stars if more case studies were included.

This book by Dr. Krause is a must-read for safety-oriented aviators from beginners to professionals. This book provides accounts of some of the more well-known aircraft mishaps and dissects each one for causes and chains of events. It also provides the reader an education on various human-factor and weather-related issues. It also covers human-performance issues involving more recent technological developments like EFIS cockpits and TCAS, without neglecting basic hands-on skills and flight discipline.

I read the hardcover version of this book and it is wonderful. Shari Stamford Krause is informative and descriptive down to the last datail that you would not get from the FAA or NTSB. She defines the circumstances in a way that anyone, whether a seasoned pilot or just an avid plane lover, can understand. Everyone should read this.

Published in the mid-nineties, this book is a fairly selective encyclopedia of the Blues. No entry on Ken Bates? Still, it provides basic information on many of the CFC greats (Charlie Cooke, Ray Wilkins, Peter Osgood, etc.). Would be nice to have this updated to include information on Vialli, Zola.

Whilst now outdated, this is one of the best books to cover the club up until the time of publication. In easy to read A-Z format it contain illustrations and is an indispensable guide to the football club. Some of the entries are rather brief, and their are some small errors, but overall, a good read.

Victoria, Lady Leatham regales us with her account of home repair on a grand scale. Built by her ancestor William Cecil, counselor to Queen Elizabeth I, Burghley is an impressive example of the stately homes of England. On the serious side, the author reminds us of how fragile our heritage is, and how quickly it can disappear. The cost of repairing and maintaining an opulent home built more than four hundred years ago is staggering. The annual roofing costs along could send the national debt of a small country soaring. Lady Leatham also discusses the debate between preservation and restoration. If you were faced with the choice of preserving (in its current dilapidated condition) an artifact used by Queen Elizabeth, or restoring it (so that the fabric is new - but now made of things untouched by the Queen), what would you do?

The delight of the book is the humor. There is the evidence that someone had a great taste for gin and a great need to hide the bottles. The bedroom paintings which would not bring restful repose to most of us. The plumbing which would serve to frighten us when we are most vulnerable. A delightful book

I have often heard about the famous fireside chat. This work gives me the opportunity to read the transcripts of some of them.

President Roosevelts speeches are of a great deal of interest in the current political environment. While I disagree with a lot of the premises he based his beliefs upon he was indeed a great American President. Had he not possessed the courage to force the increase in armaments production where would we have been once we were dragged into the war ?

One also gets to see the corner stone of many of today's programs being built. His arguments that times have changed and political liberty is not enough to ensure the liberty of the common man is at the heart of many arguments of today.

Regardless of your political outlook, if you are a history buff you should love this book. You may also wear a highlighter a little thin as I did.