I just finished reading Dear Alice. I found it extremely helpful in preparing myself mentally for an upcoming trip to China. The letters were quite authentic and honest, often revealing small details about the enigma of life in China. While I can't assume that I'll have a similar experience to that of the writers, I feel comforted to know that others have dealt with China and survived. A great book if you're curious about this foreign culture and an especially illuminating book for those of you from the United States and who are interested in the ways Americans might react to "The land on the other side of the looking glass."

First of all, I would like to mention that I had the opportunity to teach for one year in Xi'an, the ancient capital of China, and now the capital of Shaanxi province. I am thankful to Alice Renouf, the "Alice" of the title "Dear Alice", for making this dream come true. I went in 1992, if I remember correctly. Since I began reading this wonderful book, I have been unable to put it down. So many forgotten memories and subtle emotions came pouring into my consciousness. From the shock of the first weeks in China to standing in front of the classroom to the everday rush of life which I was part of, to eating in the nightmarket. Reading this book is a vivid and emotional experience. Second only to going to China oneself. Though, I feel it is a must read for anyone planning to go; either as teacher, student, tourist, businessman, politician. In fact, I feel it is not only important for those going to China, but also for anyone who intends to immerse themself in another culture. But even if you just want to read a good book, either while sitting on a warm and glistening sandy beach, with the waves lapping against the shore; or while sitting in your living room sipping a cup of coffee or tea; this is certainly a worthwhile, entertaining, and educational book. After all, it is about becoming sensitive to another culture, and discovering one's own, in the process. I highly recommend "Dear Alice". You will certainly enjoy it.

"Dear Alice" is a must read for anyone headed for China. It's a collection of hundreds of letters by English teachers from America, who arrived to discover China was a bit too different. Often in desperation, but usually with great wit and insight, they sought a shoulder to cry on. So they wrote barrel-fulls of letters to the person who sent them there; hence, Dear Alice .... Alice Renouf, the author, began sending teachers to China years ago and now runs a full-fledged human resources firm helping people who want to teach English in a truly different, challenging environment. Even the locals will tell you China is a crazy place -- a soviet-style bureaucracy trying to run a 3,000 year old society on a marathon of change. Some of the 1.2 runners are at 'start' and some in the 20th centruy. The route changes hourly, and the finishline is definitely "mei you." But if you want to know people who suffer awful frustration with courage, you're in the right place. The best part of the book is learning how many Americans overcome their initial shock, and why they don't flee to the nearest airport. The common strategy seems to be (1) Talk about it (2) Make friends with fellow suffers first, i.e. other Americans. This sounds a bit stand-offish considering you've gone all the way to China to meet Chinese, but it isn't, (3) Learn Chinese if you can, but failing that develop a busy schedule. China is truly ugly, but always interesting, so don't allow yourself an idle minute to examine your (usually) wretched physical surroundings, (4) Take enough money, or make enough. China isn't cheap, and a "mental holiday" in a place like China (dinner at a joint venture hotel) is many times costlier than in the US, (5) Travel and see the country. Make the experience count, and (6) Be prepared for the ultimate culture shock -- ending up where you may have started -- wiser and more tolerant perhaps, but believing your own culture makes considerably more sense.

As a counsellor, I have found many individuals discover "anticipating retirement" and "living in retirement" are two very different things. In the next ten years, I, too, will be "growing up" and facing this new chapter of my life. However, there are so many plans for my future, I only hope my health, financial resources and stamina will allow me to fulfill these ambitions. To me, retirement is like planting and tending a garden. First, one must plan carefully (you do not want to waste your precious years on activities that do not bring you joy and fulfillment.) Then, one should decide what plants (projects, hobbies, activities) to sow, not only to keep you physically active, but metally alert. Finally, one must lovingly tend that garden (nourish the soul, maintain physical health, and weed the emotional clutter from the past.) If you have lost a spouse, partner or soul-mate during this planting season, it is important to grieve, but it is equally important to know when to let go and when it is time to plant a new garden. Remember, time waits for no one. Only then, will one be prepared to start the next chapter of their life. We all need to have hopes, goals and dreams, no matter what our age.

In this book, the author points out the positive ways of dealing with change and how to plan and approach this new period in the lifecycle. Anyone approaching mid-life can certainly benefit from this book; it is never to soon to plan for the future. If you are already into your retirement years, this book may be just the inspiration you need if the years are not as challenging and fulfilling as you anticipated. The author has a lot to say on the subject and it is a great book based on sound advice.

As a mid-sixties professional who retired about five years ago from my own business,and then found myself in a true depression until I sought help, I found this book remarkably acute regarding the questions that I should have thought to ask myself, the planning I should have done, and the problems that would arise for me when I no longer had the structure of my working life to support me. Doctor Cantor's amazing understanding of the dynamics of retirement has helped me immeasurably to understand myself in what is an exciting but very complicated period, and her practical advice is advice I wish I had had before I retired!! I cannot imagine anyone approaching the later stages of life who would not benefit enormously from Dr. Cantor's insights and help. GET THIS BOOK!

Dr. Cantor has written a brilliant analysis of the fears of facing retirement, and how to plan for a meaningful life after work ends. I keep giving this book to friends who are looking for more for their anticipated leisure than bridge and golf. Dr Cantor outlines practical ways to figure out our strengths and interests to craft together a blueprint for the last third of our lives.

Chuck Thompson has done an excellent job in THE 25 BEST WORLD WAR II SITES, PACIFIC THEATER of informing and recommending, to war buffs and casual travelers alike, the best World War places to see including Pearl Harbor on Oahu, the route of the Bataan Death March in the Philippines, and the original Bridge on the River Kwai in Thailand.

Hundreds of points of interest are revealed in the book, and Thompson provides comprehensive directions for each site, including detailed maps, guides to hotels, insider tips and photos of the sites.

This was the first book I've read by Chuck Thompson and I am definitely interested in checking out some of his other work because of the throughness of his research and the objective tone throughout.

Chuck Thompson has compiled a great book on World War II sites in the Pacific. After living in the Phillippines and visiting several of the sites described in his book, I can definetly state that the descriptions in this book are 100% accurate. This is a must have book for anyone travelling in the Pacific.

The 25 Best World War II Sites: Pacific Theater is a guide for travelers and tourists to exploring World War II historical sites, battle sites, monuments, and museums throughout what was once the Pacific Theater. 500 individual points of interest, enhanced with detailed histories and maps, tips, travel information, suggested hotels, and more fill the pages of this excellent and highly recommended travel guide specifically designed for anyone seeking to visit (or revisit) and learn more about the important events and places of World War II while vacationing or otherwise traveling through the regions comprising the Pacific Theater.

I love this book. It's very detailed and doesn't let you forget a thing about the business of childcare. Keep every dime you earn!! I don't think you will regret the investment.
Try it!

When you're in business, you don't have time to think about high level concepts -- you just want to know how to get things done. Thompson does an excellent job of giving you the information you need in a format that's easy to follow. I'd recommend this book to anyone who owns a daycare business -- Thompson is thorough in her examples and showed me several areas where I was missing potential deductions. This is a great book for daycare business owners!

As a professional in the childcare industry, it was quite refreshing for me to see such a valuable resource being made available to childcare providers. I have researched all of the various recordkeeping products that are available on the market , and I found that the The Home Daycare Complete Recordkeeping System is hands down the best resource currently available! The author of this book has obviously taken alot of time to explain practices and procedures in a manor that is professional as well as educational.

In my professional opinion, The Home Daycare Complete Recordkeeping System is a must have reference book for all childcare providers!

Carlene Thompson has to be one of the best mystery writers around. I have just discovered her and have now ordered and started reading all of her books. She always keeps me guessing until the last pages. I can never out guess her. What a wonderful writer.

I loved this book! There were so many worthy suspects that you were never sure who the murderer was and then when it unravels at the end you are totally shocked! Great, fun read and hard to put down. This was the first Carlene Thompson book I have ever read and I loved it. I just ordered all her others. If you enjoy a good mystery mixed with a bit of romance, this book is for you!

Every book that Carlene Thompson is wonderful. I can hardly wait for her new books to come out. She is by far the best author. You will not be sorry.

I recommend this book only for serious enthusiasts who are truly passionate about authentic Thai cooking/food and are not looking for quick, adapted recipes!

Having enjoyed authentic Thai food during my trips to Thailand, I am repeatedly disappointed with the adapted versions found in most local restaurants here. Since I am an avid cook, I have been experimenting to replicate the dishes I had in Thailand.

After some research I found David Thompson's "Thai Food" to be a rare find. Most Thai cook books I have come across provide adapted recipes with shortcuts and suggested substitutes for ingredients! How dreadful! Undoubtedly, Thai food involves much effort and can even be tedious. But the taste is well worth it. More importantly, ingredients in Thai cooking CAN NOT be substituted if the REAL flavor and aroma are to be achieved. For example, if you are going to substitute regular ginger for galangal (Thai ginger), or lime zest for kaffir lime zest, as many books suggest - you may as well not cook Thai food!

This is what sets David's book apart from the rest - he sticks to the real stuff! He painstakingly explains all the details of real Thai cooking, discussing each ingredient and various techniques followed by the recipes. While some recipes are quite cumbersome or require ingredients which are not easily available, the book is worth the insight it provides into authentic Thai cuisine. Once you understand the basics, you can be creative by combing basic Thai ingredients with techniques and create your own recipes without straying from the flavors, tastes and aroma of REAL Thai cuisine!

One complaint however: where is the recipe for Yum Woon Sen??

This is the one. The definitive guide to Thai cuisine. Having lived in Thailand I can say that this book is destined to be a classic. Thorough is an understatement. Beautiful design and photography. The only fault is a disappointing Thai transliteration system devised by the author and no Thai script to back it up. But the average reader will have no use for Thai script anyway. This isn't a weekend cookbook, it's Larousse. And that's why it's great.

After cooking about the fifth dish from this book ("Stir Fried Beef with Spices") with palate-boggling success , I would like to recommend this book to anybody serious about Thai cooking. While there are no shortcuts (consistent with the author's view to keep things as original as possible) the result is well worth the effort. Some things sound more complicated than they are. Furthermore, this is the first Thai cookbook out of the five or six I have got which explains in detail some really important techniques (like the cracking of coconut cream and why this is important for frying curry pastes). The background chapters are highly recommended.

My two open questions are why the Gaeng Panaeng is far from "dry" (with about five cups of coconut milk/cream) and why there is no recipe for Yam Wun Sen (a favourite of my Thai girlfriend, and I thought it was a classic dish). But these are minor points and maybe there is a good reason (I would be curious to learn).

All in all: Highly recommended, together with "Vatch" Bhumichitr's books (whose writing style and inside country knowledge I also like very much) my favourite cookbook.

From the opening lines, this story grips you with it's chilling premise of an American government that has easily slipped beyond allowing doctor-assisted suicides to imposing mandatory euthanasia on the "terminally ill", or mentally defective. Slick packaging has dulled public outrage, and blurred the lines of medical categories, but there are some who fight back when the death sentence becomes personal. How their lives interconnect, and how Christian faith and moral values direct their paths, are well-woven in this fictional account of resistance to what could be a true life situation in our not too-distant future. Janice Thompson has captured the essentials of the euthanasia arguement, and presented it in a fast-paced, suspense filled novel you don't want to miss reading.

This is a hauntingly accurate work of fiction. The author presents the premise of the elderly and infirm's "social responsibility" to participate (either voluntarily or by compulsion) in their own demise with compelling characters and smooth transitions in action. The story encourages the reader, not to suspend disbelief, but to become a believer in the power of social convenience over moral princple. As a pro-life supporter, it caused me to move beyond the realm of today's abortion issues into the horrifying possibility of legalized euthanasia. This work motivated me to reconsider my respect and passion for life, and to pursue a greater understanding of the social and political ramifications of "right to die" legislation. I recommend this book for everyone who has an opinion on the pro-life issue.

Janice Thompson writes a compelling story every concerned American and Christian should read. Her characters jump off the page and into the readers heart. She balances difficult subject matter with compassion. Will Ashley live or die? Will baby Jamie survive? Will the law of the land be changed? Does passion stand a chance against politics? You must turn the pages to find the answers! And remember...this book is not science fiction - it is fiction based on fact...look to Oregon, USA and to the Netherlands as well as the research Janice provides within the book...it is clear - if good men do nothing, evil will prevail. This book is a call to all good people - do something!

Completed by Curtis Peebles after the death of Milt Thompson the story of Flying without Wings is told by a pilots pilot. Milt has the uncanny ability to mix the technical engineering side of experimental aviation and then put the reader in the pilots seat for a hair-raising ride from 40,000ft down to the ground.

If you like experimental aviation, this is a must read.

Milt thompson has written a great book on the hardships of the early attempts at flying with out wings. He describes in detail how the M2F1 was designed and tested and how the program eneded with the futuristic X-24B. A great book and a must read for aviation buffs of all ages.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I purchased in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Being a woman living in the Southwest, having a true love of the wide open spaces, guns and westerns that do not cover the same old territory already visited by thousands of writers, this book was tops with me. I felt the feelings of the main character, Janice McCord, and could ride along with her on her trail of revenge.

Every location in Thompson's novels are true and may be visited today. The Littlest Gun takes place in the beautiful state of New Mexico, which was still a territory in 1878. The Rio Hondo Valley, Silver City, Lincoln, Fort Sumner, White Oaks and Las Vegas are just a few of the locations in this novel.
This is a review from a serious western novel reader.

I couldn't put the book down without knowing what happened next. Some gritty scenes that remind us of how life was back then and how far we've come. Easy flowing dialogue that makes me feel like he's sitting here telling me a great story. The descriptions of the landscape remind me of the true beauty of the desert. I would like to read some more by this author.

After just a few pages you begin to feel for Jackie Brooks. He is a boy trying desperately to grow into a man, but with bad decisions and lack of guidance he lives a life many of us have or would have fallen into. You find yourself wanting to reach out to Jackie in the same way others have done in our lives. You will see yourself thru Jackies eyes, some of us were just lucky. Some of us were not so lucky. All of us have experienced the UNFAIRNESS of the world around us. Jackie brings this world and it's tribulations home to our very souls.

A co-worker asked me what this book was about. At the time, I was about 150 pages into the book...I looked at her and was stunned to realize that i could not describe this book with only one summary. This book is about a lot of things and depending on what you take from it, may find more stories within than I did. What a great deal ! Normally,I would have had to buy 3 or 4 books to get the content I did out of this one.

This is a compelling story about one boy's struggle to escape a dysfunctional home life. However through the influence of a friend, he was catapulted into a life of petty crime. Rather than finding a better life, young Jackie instead served a prison term. This book catalogs Jackie's trials through lost love and free life after the gate bangs shut. After his prison term, Jackie goes on the road to end his inner turmoil and finally find freedom. The style of this book resembles that of the talented Jack Keroauc in his famous novel,"On the Road". The audience will be engaged with the author's adept use of local color and the unforgettable characters he created. Can't wait for more from this very promising new author.