The Ebony Tree by Maxine Thompson is a journey back in time into the lives of The Shepherd family. Thompson does a wonderful job of placing you right into their lives as if you were a member of the family.

Jewel Shepherd has many secrets that she has kept from her kids. No one really knows the real Jewel, and at times she wonders if she really knows herself. She loves her children, and surprisingly, her husband, Solly - even though he has tried her patience time and time again. Jewel wonders what brought her to Delray, Michigan, and how will she get out with her children intact. Her youngest, Imani, has decided that it is time they find out how the Shepherd family came to be. Therefore, she tries to capture 53 years of marriage on tape. Unfortunately, being the youngest she does not know how to read between the lines of the web her mother has weaved. Only her older siblings know the truth.

I loved the history, loved the family life - even if it was not so perfect, it was real. This book will make you think about the relationship you have with your own mother, and wonder what secrets may be hidden between the stories she has told you. I recommend this book to all of those who are history buffs at heart. The Ebony Tree by Maxine Thompson won't disappoint you.

Jacki

APOOO BookClub

The Ebony Tree is a book that will stay with me. It delves into the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships as few books do. I loved some characters. Nearly hated others. Thompson does a very good job of making the characters in her book *real*. The Ebony Tree happens at a time when women were deemed honorable if they served the men in their lives like they were made to be servants rather than wives . . . daughters. The hurt. The pain. The defeat this brings to the women in The Ebony Tree cut at me. Not only did The Ebony Tree entertain me, it reinforced my belief that going after your dreams is truly the only way to live!

I read The Ebony Tree in less than 24 hrs. I couldn't put the book down. The characters remind me of my family and the struggles and joys of the black familes during the Motown era. The writers metaphors, and imagery are excellent. Maxine Thompson leaves nothing undone in her mother dauther story of love, family secrets, and denials that plague the lives of the charcters. This book is a must read, it's full of history, emotions, and gives a greater understanding of the secrets of our ancestors.

I visited Alcatraz a few years ago while visiting S.F. Since then I have read almost everything I can find on the Rock. This book really gave you the feeling of what being an inmate on The Rock was like. It's interesting to see that even though Whitey was surounded by the worst of the worst he was able to survive by not fighting the system, but accepting and making the best of his situation and like all of us depending on and helping your close friends to get through tough situations. I think Whitey is fortunate to take the road he has and share his experiences with young people to ensure he does what he can to help them make the right choices.

I picked up the book shortly after I bought it to look at it, and could not put it down. I closed the cover that evening finished. I is a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone. I had very little interest in the subject of Alcatraz before I read it. It is just that good. I also took a lot more understanding away once I was finished. By all means, buy it!

I bought the book, written by Leon Whitey Thompson, who happened to be on Alcatraz signing books. His name will forever, not only, leave an impression in my book but also in my mind. This was an absolutely fantastic book which I could not put down. Basically, I bought it the day I left San Francisco and finished it by the time I had made three transits in Asia and finally back to Australia 40 hrs later. But one thing I did regret is that I should have read the book before I visited Alcatraz. I strongly recommend the book to everyone.

Few people have heard of Milt Thompson, but those who follow the groundbreaking flight testing of the late 1940s through the early 1970s know of Milt and his (in)famous exploits. As both an amazing and experienced test pilot, having flown the X-15 and the wingless M2-F1 amongst others, as well as a dry-lake water(less)skier, Thompson lends his considerable insight and knowledge, as well as his sprightly sense of humor to this book.

A truly fascinating read, this is one of very few books concerning the fastest powered manned aircraft program, the hypersonic X-15, which ultimately reached an unofficial record of Mach 6.7. Thompson, along with Scott Crossfield and Neil Armstron, amongst others, flew the X-15 in the early 1960s. This book does justice to the historic program, while maintaining the interest of even the most casual reader, which cannot be said of NASA's X-15 Mission Reports.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the X-15 flight test program or those interested in the early X-plane projects, as is Thompson's "Flying Without Wings." Those looking for an exciting and engaging non-fiction read should also pick up "At the Edge of Space."

Quick flowing narrative of Milton Thompson's experience in the X-15 program (he was both a pilot and a flight engineer). Excellent technical descriptions will give you the "feel" of the rocket plane and he shares his emotions about some of the test flights. Thompson includes a quick synopsis of all the flights and gives good details on the more interesting ones, filling in a lot of blanks with delightfully colorful anecdotes along the way. A must read for anyone interested in piloted aircraft that could cover 290 ground miles in under 11 minutes (Wow !!!). This book reads FAST and is full of good info

This book is a treasure for anyone with an interest in aviation and/or space exploration. Milt Thompson did a great job of sharing the history of the program - the development of the aircraft, the people involved, the planning and results of the flights - it's all here. The photos are an appreciated bonus. Hope more people take the opportunity to read this one!

First thing I must say, I did not like the text on the back cover. If presented any opportunity at all to not read it, don't. I found myself 3/4 the way through the book and felt a lot of problems because of what it says.

This book is definitely one of the better dragonlance books. It tells the tales of waring nations, the undying love of twins, and the ancient forest of wildwood. Descriptions of this book are incredible, but there is not too much physical combat. If that's what you are looking for, read something else.

Love and tradition are important plots in the book. It starts with Kith-Kanan loving Hermathaya. However, Kith-Kanan's father, the speak of the stars, unknowningly choses Thaya to be the bride of Sithas, heir to the throne of Silvanost. Kith-Kanan begins a new life.

Definitely read this book after you have read the Chronicles and Legends. You will have a greater appreciation for the elven nations.

"Firstborn" is definately one of the better Dragonlance books out there. It is very slow during the beginning. Most of the book drags on, but the good thing is that it goes by quickly. The book isn't long, only around 300 pages. But the ending gets a lot better and sets up for much more action to come.

The book starts out with the birth of Kith-Kanan and Sithas. Sithas being the firstborn is destined to be the next Speaker of the Stars. The brothers have a bond that is almost unbreakable, and a love that is true. But when Kith does something that angers his family, he flees and meets friends in the outer woods. Here, he learns that life isn't the same as it is in the city of Silvanost. But, in desperate situations, Sithas calls his brother back to Silvanost and events begin to unfold that are beyond either of the twin's control.

While the book does start out slow, it is good enough to keep you reading. It is full of intrigue that most Dragonlance books are lacking in. I have read almost all of the DL books out there, and I can rate this one near the top of the list. If you can find it, it is a definate must!

This is my favorite dragonlance book that was not written by Margaret Weis or Tracy Hickman, and I've read a lot of them(I have 103). This book was very well written. It's definately better than the other two in the trilogy. The short prelude in the beginning pulls you right into the book. I highly recommend this one!

I've read a number of autobiographies of Vietnam POWs and "Glory Denied" is certainly the most disturbing one. Army Col. Jim Thompson's story reminded me of the biblical story of Job, except in the end, unlike Job, Thompson loses even his faith and is left simply with his stubborn sense of personal survival.

If there was ever a man who never got a break in his life, it was Jim Thompson. Raised by a domineering and abusive father, drafted into the Army he at first hates military life but then comes to love it. But even in the military things do not come easily for Thompson. Commissioned through OCS, he does not volunteer for Special Forces but is ordered into it when the Army, at JFK's directive, rapidly expands the Green Berets. Sent to Vietnam, Thompson and his team are sent to one the most remote and potentially dangerous outposts the Army has and he and his team find themselves very quickly in over their heads.

An interesting aspect of the book is that most of it is not about Thompson's actual experiences as a POW but rather deals with is pre- and post-Vietnam life. His saga as a POW for nearly 9 years is a brutal one---isolation, malnutrition, torture. It is not until he has been a prisoner over 4 yrs that he finally meets other Americans, a group of soldiers and civilian personnel captures at Hue during the Tet Offensive. By this point Thompson is reduced to about 100 lbs and looks to the other POWs to be in his 70s when he's actually in his mid 30s.
His story after his return is even more brutal---betrayal by his wife, divorce, alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder, career problems, totally dysfunctional children, attempted suicide, psychiatric hospitalization, struggling with his sexual identity, his son convicted of murder, suffering a stroke which handicaps him and finally a loss of faith in God.

Unlike other POW stories, I found nothing in this book to be uplifting. The Thompson family is literally destroyed by the Vietnam War and there are almost no survivors. The book is well-presented as an oral history of the Thompsons although his wife Alyce does come across as a villainess in the story. And despite her attempts to paint herself in a better light, her own behavior is just inexcusable.

"Glory Denied" chronicles the tortured experiences of Col. Floyd ("Jim") Thompson, whose life and family were rent asunder by the Vietnam War and its aftermath.

Thompson spent nine arduous years in captivity, including five long years held in solitary by the Viet Cong. Thompson is the longest-held prisoner of war in American history, although for a variety of reasons (mainly his familiy's insistence on privacy), Navy pilot Everrett Alvarez is often accorded that distinction.

Unlike the heroic Navy and Air Force pilots shot down over North Vietnam, Thompson was deprived of the physical and emotional support of fellow Americans who were enduring the same harrowing ordeal. (Thompson did not even lay eyes on another American for more than four years.) Instead, he found succor from his faith in God, country, and the wife and family that he thought awaited him.

However, these three pillars of faith would prove illusory. Upon finally achieving freedom, Thompson is unable to recognize the country and family to which he returned, and as the tragedies continued to mount, he soon renounces his religious convictions.

Despite being presented with evidence (a voice recording) of her husband's captivity fairly early on, Thompson's wife Alyce had wasted little time merging her young family with another man's, "for the sake of the children." Attempts to restore a normal family life prove disatrous, and Thompson ends up divorced twice, estranged from his children and involuntarily retired from the Army at age 47 due to a stroke.

The persistent problems (culminating in a murder conviction)of his youngest child and only son -- born the day after Thompson's capture -- is the lightning rod for a family reconcilation. Jim even dropped his deep-seated enmity for Alyce. But the rapprochement proved to be short-lived, and by the story's end, Thompson is once again an embittered, isolated man.

Too few Americans know the Col. Jim Thompson story. This story deserves to find the widest possible audience.

Colonel Jim Thompson's story is one of the most harrowing and powerful books I have read in recent years, and its themes are is so tragic and complex that it reminds me of a non-fiction rendition of Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy." The appearance of this remarkable work comes at a time when we have been inundated by McWar books and sentimentalized combat movies that trivialize the sheer horror and devastation of war. "Glory Denied" has the opposite effect in that it re-creates the agony of the Vietnam War in absorbing and faithful detail, and enables a generation that was not alive in the decades of the 1960's and 1970's to understand how the war was played out, not only on the battlefield but in the living rooms, classrooms, and bedrooms of millions of homes across the nation. While the book succeeds as both a biography and as a uniquely original work of history, it is first and foremost a tribute to Colonel Jim Thompson, who, despite his many frailties and very human flaws, comes across as one of our bravest and most exemplary American war heroes. It is hard to imagine many other American soldiers who could have endured the same tortures experienced by Thompson over nine years of captivity. Despite treatment that rivalled the worst barbarity of the Nazi concentration camps, Thompson survived, his spirit unbroken and his patriotic love of America intact. Not only did Thompson survive, but he attempted to escape from his North Vietnamese guards and torturers no less than five times. I find it surprising that given such unprecedented valor, that Colonel Thompson has not been already awarded the Medal of Honor, and one can only hope that one of the positive results of the publication of "Glory Denied" will be that the military will reconsider its criteria and award Thompson this medal. The book is not without its controversies, the first being its unusual structure. This is not a third-person biography, and the oral history style may take some readers time (for some, up to 50 pages) to get used to. Some critics will no doubt suggest that Philpott should have resorted to a more conventional third-person style, which was used in the excerpt in "The New Yorker," but anyone who sticks with the story for a few chapters will become easily accustomed to the style and find it, as if watching a soap opera, quite dramatic throughout. Perhaps more controversial than the style is the depiction of Thompson's first wife, Alyce, who, in contrast to Odysseus's heroically faithful Penelope, chose to live with another man while Thompson was in captivity. Many readers and reviewers have already attacked Alyce for her behavior and the fact that she did not "stick by her man." Her behavior, particularly her decision not to tell her children that they had a father who had been imprisoned in Vietnam, is deplorable, but to cast her as the villain of the story is far too easy and simplistic. The book would never soar to the power it does without Alyce's own saga, which Philpott conveys with great empathy (and in doing so makes this book appealing to more female readers). Colonel Thompson remains extraordinarily bitter that his wife moved in with another man and that the Pentagon chose to name another prisoner as the longest held POW in Vietnam. His anger is warranted, but the military was all too eager to designate another man, a far more "appropriate" poster boy, as the longest-held POW, and the military shares as much of the blame as Alyce (the way Alyce was abandoned by other military wives following Thompson's capture was particularly appalling). As the years have passed, Alyce becomes an especially easy target, but the fact is that she was a woman alone in her twenties who felt that she could not possibly cope on her own. Moreover, it is clear from the start that Thompson was not an ideal husband or father -- he was not present at any of the childbirths of this children, for example -- and his actions following his release in 1973 suggest that infidelity was just one component of a shaky marriage that was destined to fail. The fact that Alyce's behavior is, in fact, so controversial makes "Glory Denied" a book that will be debated for many years to come, and Philpott should be lauded, not censured, for his accurate portrayal of Alyce's own private trauma. As much as "Glory Denied" is the story of one extraordinarily brave soldier, it is on a grander scale the story of America at war with itself. Through the eyes of Philpott, the Thompsons, despite all their human frailties, become America's family, their stuggles reflective of an agonizing civil war that threatened to destroy the nation for much of two decades. For us to look down on anyone of them is to look down on ourselves, and we should be all inspired by Colonel Thompson's unbelievably heroic story. I hope that Colonel Thompson will one day be able to sit down with his four children before it is too late, for the grave will be a barrier to all amends and all redress. Above all, "Glory Denied" will have a power to move you like few other books and will establish for Colonel Thompson a place in American military history that he so clearly has earned.

I had never read this author but was intrigued by the cover and synopsis. Looking for a light book to take on vacation, I took a chance. I found it to be a very compelling and suspenseful book. This author has quite a talent for scaring the daylights out of you without bogging you down with a lot of graphic violence. I figured out who the killer was fairly early, but I always do; so I don't hold that against the author. She did a great job of hiding her villain. I would have liked to see a little more romance between Natalie and the sherriff but was glad that Ms. Thompson doesn't feel the need to include gratuitous sex in her novels. I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy this genre. I was intrigued enough to seek out some of her other novels.

This was my first Thompson novel. I loved it. This novel keeps on going, through the entire book. There wer no boring spots at all in this novel. This is the kind of story I love to read, straight to the point in every chapter. The characters were very well written. I thought Natalie was spectacular! This novel was hard to put down, I could not wait to find out what other twists and turns were in the following chapter. There are many characters in this story and you never know which one is doing what. The ending was simply awesome, I would have never guessed that the killer was ??????????, can't tell ya, read for yourself. This is a must read novel if you love thrills, suspence and a mixture of characters. Hats off to Carlene Thompson, I look forward to reading her other novels. Hold on and go for a great spin with this one.

This is yet another well written, page turning, suspenseful read by Carlene Thompson. As far as I am concerned, Ms. Thompson is the maven for this genre. I have read all of her books to date, and she has yet to miss. This is a definite hit.

Here, twenty nine year old veterinarian Natalie St. John, reeling from a broken heart, returns to her childhood home in hopes of finding solace. On the heels of her arrival, an old time friend is cruelly murdered, and Natalie is thrust into a situation for which she did not bargain.

As the plot thickens, so does the danger to Natalie, as people she knows meet violent deaths. The killer remains at large and seems to want to include Natalie among the dearly departed. Consequently, Natalie is thrust into the vortex of the investigation which is spearheaded by an attractive and available sheriff.

Who is the killer? That is the question that the reader will enjoy trying to answer, given the twists and turns in the book.

"The Getaway" is another classic crime noir from Jim Thompson. The main character, Doc McGraw, is a bank robber who is sprung from jail by his wife, Carol, who may or may not have slept with a member of the pardon board. After he's released, Doc robs a bank and he and Carol go on the run. Everything that can go wrong does, which builds a great deal of anxiety and mistrust between Doc and Carol. The book has some great twists and turns and a fairly surreal ending.

A 1972 movie was made from the book starring Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. That movie is pretty good, but differs vastly from the novel. Specifically, the movie is a love-on-the-run chase movie, while the book is about the mistrust between cons. As such, the book is much more complex and enjoyable. Highly recommended for fans of Jim Thompson and/or crime novels.

This book was my first foray into the books of famous pulp writer Thompson, although of course I've seen a few movies based on other work of his (The Grifters, After Dark My Sweet). This slim book tells a very simple tale about a bank heist, the falling out of thieves afterward, and their attempt to elude the police dragnet make it to the Mexican border, where a paradise awaits them. Simple enough, with just the right number of characters and complexity for the movies (which is why it's been made into one twice, first in 1972, then in 1993). It's all very fun to read, and you find yourself rooting for the husband and wife team of robbers to make it out...let's just say there's an unexpected ending which lifts the book out of the realm of pulp fiction, and into that of morality play. I plan on reading some more Jim Thompson.

THE GETAWAY is one of my favorite Thompson novels. I think a lot of people may be familiar with the Peckinpah film based on this book starring Steve McQueen or the Alec Baldwin stinker also based on this novel. If you have seen those flicks, forget all about 'em.
This is the story of Doc McCoy and his wife Carol but it is not, as the films portrayed it, a love story of any kind. Doc and Carol don't trust each other at all. they're married, true enough, but they're also career criminals, and one betrayal is all it takes to wind up dead or back in prison.
This is a bleak novel, but Thompson's dark humor is also at it's best here, much like in POP. 1280 or THE KILLER INSIDE ME, two other must read classics.
At times you are keeping your fingers crossed for Doc, others you just might find yourself hoping that his old partner Rudy catches up with him once and for all. And, believe me, the rather bizarre ending to this novel is great, and I would be willing to bet that it gave folks like Barry Gifford and David Lynch a little inspirational push back when their talents were forming.
Ok. Go now. Read this book.

I really enjoyed this novel. Although it was hard to take the characters' self-esteem issues at times...but such is life.

Conan, Juanita, Jorge, and Scooter. take any three and you will see why i chose the title for my review. there are some really tough issues tackled in this novel. self-love or lack thereof, homosexuality, friendship and betrayl, interracial dating,and most importantly love.

Conan and Juanita's love vs. Scooter and Juanita's friendship - Scooter and Jorge's (i don't even know what to call it) vs. Jorge's hatred for Conan - Juanita's need to save Scooter from himself vs. her own desire to find true love.

Ms. Thompson does a good job of creating a suspense-filled, fast moving story. Blink and you will miss something!

i read it one sitting....the rollercoaster, whirlwind plot has so many tiwst and turns you are assured not to be disappointed...Tracy, thanks for the ride!

Can't wait for the next one!

Just like a steaming cup of black coffee, Tracy Price-Thompson's writing is strong, potent, and a quick shock to your senses. In her sophomore effort, Chocolate Sangria, Price-Thompson displays the craftsmanship of a wonderful storyteller using intriguing scenes, unforgettable characters, and a lesson to be learned and paints a vivid picture of friendship and relationships and the love and pain that can be found within each one. Backing this theme is one of self-identity as the characters search to accept and love themselves instead of relying on the thoughts and comments of others to determine their self worth.

Chocolate Sangria brings together two sets of friends with a supporting cast that makes this a well-rounded read. First we have Juanita and Scooter who we watch grow from being the outcasts in their projects to young adults on the move. Juanita "Nita" Lucas grows up being teased because of her light skin and good hair and is working to define herself and bounce away from using the comments and thoughts of others to determine her self worth. Her best friend, Socrates "Scooter" Morrison is in a similar situation, yet, it's his sexual identity he's not so sure about. Naturally the two of them connect and become inseparable as they mature from young children to adults. The scenes of their childhood extend from funny to sad, over to the realm of happiness and touches on downright scary, all drawing out the emotions that most of us experience as children. The second set of friends is Conan Lopez and Jorge. Though both are Puerto Rican and live under one roof being raised as brothers, they are as different as night and day. Conan is a giver to not only his family, but to his community, and spends his time juggling his life with the feelings of guilt he has over his brother's death. Jorge quite frankly has issues. He hasn't handled the curve balls life has tossed his way and as a result has turned into a very selfish, manipulative and confused young man.

The two set of friends meet, and from that moment on, each of their lives change. At this point, the book takes on a seriousness as it deals with the comings and goings of each character, the impacts of their decisions on each other and comes full circle when it seems as if things are looking up for all of them.

Price-Thompson weaves in the intricacies of both friendships and relationships in a manner that's bold, compelling, and insightful. It is riveting and graphic, yet exceptionally moving. Her characters and the storyline range from loving to hateful, yet they are all revealing and evoke many of the feelings we encounter in real life. This is a definite must-read, so clear your calendar, find a cozy spot and prepare to taste completely, savoring each word as if you were sampling a rare blend of smooth-tasting chocolate.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Tracey Price Thompson has written a novel that is just as wonderful as her first work BLACK COFFEE. Chocolate Sangria takes us through the lives of two dear friends who each have their share of burdens just by virtue of who and what they are at birth. The author is careful to portray the humanity of Scooter who is her gay character, and after all he goes through in the book you just can't help but love him and feel for him and hope he finds true love and happiness in his life. While some Puerto Ricans might have a problem with this because Jorge is just as crazy and sick as they come, I found nothing at all homophobic about the book and I don't see why anyone else would. And if someone is homophobic that is their right to be so, religiously or otherwise although Mrs Price does not put a judgemental spin on homosexuality. If I remember right, Juanita is very accepting of Scooter's open gayness and so is her family and they all love him in spite of it.

Just when you think you've heard it all about E-ANYTHING, along comes a book that is surprisingly fresh and informative in a subject area that has, for me, been over-published. I'm no techie, but I have bought my share of books on the Internet and how to use it in business, and I've been disappointed before. Not this time. E Business To go is 256 pages of inspiration, with enough detail to satisfy even the purists.

Because of a lack of time in my schedule, I had almost given up on the notion that I could have a succussful Internet business out of my home. Then I read some of the encouraging words and examples of others who have used these new instant site-builders to start e-businesses that are making serious profits in what he calls "the global connected economy", and I checked them out. This is no smoke. People are doing this today.

Thompson is a combination of motivational coach and master mechanic, apparently not concerned that by giving away all these tips, he is potentially alienating his Fortune 500 clients. I'm sure he's already pi**ed off people in Silicon Valley! If you are sick of those over-inflated egos out of Seattle and Cupertino, you'll get a kick out of the way he exposes their folly. My only complaint is his chapters are rather short, comparitively. But he makes up for them with an Appendix that has hundreds of free tools and links and resources.

What a treasure chest of real-world ideas and practical principles. Finally, someone has written a book for me, an average entreprenural type guy who knew all along that making money online was not about programming! I would call E Business to Go the "Cliff's Notes" of Internet books. Don't get me wrong, it's not abridged (256 pages in length). But just like when I was in high school stuggling through Homer (lo, so many years ago), this makes all the other books seem like they were written in Greek. EBusiness to Go makes doing business online seem irresistably easy, without sounding patronizing. It's direct and to the point, but loaded with all the meat, and not fluff.

There are loads of tools in each chapter, but I especially appreciated the case studies and explanations of principles of online success that are applicable to any online business today, (especially the one about "limiting your online menu", very wise.) The Appendices in the back are over fifty pages of incredible resources, and really could have been another book by themselves. But the main thing is, this is the first author that really understands small business, and really is walking the talk. I hardly ever watch TV, and almost never have the morning news on. But today I caught the author on Channel 12 in Portland, and in less than three minutes, he had me. Whoa, does he love the little guys just starting out. Whether it was serendipity or divine providence, I consider those ten minutes of TV news this morning life-changing. I've already checked out some of the ASP site-builders he reviews in great detail. (Another invaluable part of the book.) If you are a small business, or like Thompson says "any one from a single mom to a person looking for extra income" this book is for you, and E-Business is for you.

If you have read nothing about doing business on the Internet, this book is the right one to start with.

Few books about doing business on the Internet make it simple and clear what you need to focus on in order to succeed as you migrate what you do from the physical world into the cyber world. E-Business To Go is outstanding in this dimension. The book uses the metaphor of what made Wendy's (the fast-food chain) successful when it was introduced in 1975 in order to focus your attention. This metaphor makes the principles easier to understand and remember. The book is filled with practical examples and ideas that anyone can apply. The book culminates in lots of information about how you can acquire and develop a web site inexpensively by using ASP (Application Service Provider) Apps on Tap. The book offers extensive reviews of the various vendors of these inexpensive, standard software solutions. The Appendices also provide ways to keep up-to-date on resources and methods for on-line business.

This book is aimed at the owner or senior manager of a smaller business who wants to think about how to use the Internet to cut costs and get more business. You will not have to know very much about the Internet to get benefit from this book. The book can also be used by those who are asked to implement an Internet-based initiative in an existing business. To serve both types of readers is unique in my experience in books about doing business on the Internet.

I was particularly impressed with the key principles section where you are encouraged to stay focused on the economic benefits you want to achieve, keep your core operations unharmed by the transition, and treat your customers better than you can treat them without the Internet (such as by letting them get information more rapidly and accurately).

Mr. Thompson is also a very balanced writer. He doesn't try to oversell his ideas. He has more examples of how people get distracted by the bells and whistles of Internet technology than he does of Internet successes, which is good. You will be subject to the same temptations (such as having a neat video that takes 2 minutes to load on most screens for your home page opener), and need to resist them.

I suspect that most businesses can make more money by following the advice in this book. I also believe that no one will waste very much money in the process of pursuing the Internet with these principles and advice.

Think back to some other instance where you needed to learn a new way to do business. Perhaps it was communicating through frequent faxes. What were all of the things that went wrong? What are the lessons of those experiences for your Internet initiatives?

Improve your business with the Internet by keeping focused on how to make life better, cheaper, faster, and easier for customers, employees, and suppliers.

Iserbyt's exhaustive research regarding education and the economy has exposed the many myths and misinformation underlying the history of related reforms. Presented in chronological order, the author presents a stunning indictment of public and private partnerships designed to restructure education and the economy, and ultimately to redefine the very nature and purpose of not only education, but man himself. Teachers will find this book extremely useful and instructive in identifying and comprehending recent changes in education certification and training that are increasingly threatening to academic freedom, and driving many out of the teaching profession altogether. Parents of children in public, private, and home-schools alike will find Iserbyt's research equally applicable to all, as the new system is deliberately mandated for everyone. No student or adult is to be exempt from the new systemic education and labor reforms. Only by understanding the underlying agenda and strategies of the reformists can we hope to restore academic freedom and moral agency in society, and protect our children. A Must Read for every parent, educator, and legislator concerned about our children!

This book is THE BOOK - to have- EVERY CONCERNED PARENT in America should invest in a copy of it. It's the encyclopedia -IN YEAR DATE ORDER- of just what has been going on in America in the public school system- now for years and years. I can't recommend this book enough- it holds alot of answers to so many unanswered questions. YEARS OF RESEARCH at our fingertips- & it's the size of a telephone book. It's the best inside look- it's HONEST- OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION- undisputable evidence. If every parent were to read this, we could right a terrible wrong being done in public schools today. I purchased two copies- one to share with a friend & one to keep by my computer on hand. Saves me years of research AT MY FINGERTIPS. What can I say, I could of used this book ten years ago. So don't be too late being really informed- the time to catch up is now. The fact she was once a Senior Policy Advisor for the US Dept. of Education- weighs alot on the books creditablity factor. It may be in the number FOUR slot- but to me it's NUMBER ONE.

This book argues that the academic meltdown in our public education system is intentional. It asserts that change agents have been working at the Education Department to change curriculum, not to improve teaching but to promote a socialist agenda. Their role is to create schools which will mold obedient citizens who no longer have the knowledge and skills to improve their lot in life, but are dependent on governement/multi-national companies' guidance to survive. The system will create imprisoned citizens that will be managed from cradle to grave to serve the needs of the state's managed economy. The book is clearly written,copiously documented, and finally asnwers the question "Why can't our kids read, write, and count?" A must-read for anyone with children. It presents a scary view of America's future if nothing is done to bring back our schools to the excellence of the turn of the century.