The creativity of this book, and it's slightly older brother, "The War-Torn Kingdom" surpasses all expectations for a Role-Playing Game, where there is no "DM", or Storyteller, and where you play by yourself. The pictures are interesting, as well as the good usage of the ability to go along many different plots, using the "Passwords". The one small complaint is the difficulty of the fights. Even if you begin as a Mage, or Priest the new weapons and armor soon make you nigh invulnerable. I am eager for the next three books to be released..."Over The Blood-Dark Sea", "Howling Plains of Darkness", and "The Court of Hidden Faces". Hopefully, in these books there will be monsters to challenge my Combat 12, Defense 22, Stamina 23 Warrior!

I have been playing Quest, known in the United Kingdom as Fabled Lands, for three years now and have created so many characters. The most positive thing i have to say about this book is that i am still playing it. I have all but book 3 of the first 6 books in the series and have done almost everything there is to be done. In response to the people who have written reviews of this book, i say that these books are not to easy at all. It seems to me that most of the people have only the first one or two books with a few exceptions. They say that the monsters are to easy, but if they get the rest of the books, they will soon find out that the main route to death in these books is not via monster but by other means. Also in response to the people who rave about their characters. MY CHARACTER Name: Akira Kurosawa (after the Japanese film director) Proffesion: Wayfarer Notes: Stamina: around 60 Rank: something like 20 Defense: about 45 Items: The White Sword of Nagil (Combat +8, you cannot lose this item in any way) Royal Sceptre (+6 to all abilities) Ring of power ( +1 to all abilities, +2 Defence, +5 stamina)

I thought that the quest series fabled lands in Newzealand was amazing, much better then most "choose your own" adventure books. i was lucky enough to get all 6 and i still see book 1 and 6 around, i cant wait for 7-12 to come out ill buy them straight away.

I am currently reading this book. I believe that every believer that has the opportunity to read this book should. It is such a blessing to understand that as believers will all have to go through different seasons in our walk with God. Dr. Thompson makes it so plain and simple to understand. She is quite astute in her approach to writing this book. This book is a blessing to me. I applaud Dr. Thompson for this effort.

AS I WAS READING THIS ANOINTING BOOK THAT GOD has tested and brought to justice through dr.millicent thompson and let me know your'e not alone there's other that going through some of the same trials and being tested also,i thank GOD for the youn lady that incourage me to read this book,it is truly a inspiration book to all walk of women in Christ and also for the lost souls that are trying to come to Christ,but don't know how,we as sister in Christ need to share this book with other,i'm sharing this book with my women group,because we all are going through some test or trials and we don't know how to overcome them. thank again dr.thompson for letting GOD use you as one of his INSTRUMENT OF PRAISES

I have recommended this to other women. I actually read the book two years ago when I was in my valley and found the book to be very uplifting. And I will have you to know I am now entering into my season. I am now married to a wonderful man that God blessed me with and the relationship is very healthy and prospering daily. When you are going through your valley it's difficult to believe that you will have a season, but what I had to remember is "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death and the key word was I will fear no evil for thou art with me, and He truly was and still is. I thank you my Sister for sharing your inspiration with me, and may God continue to bless you. I would love to meet the author of this book one day.

Switchers and its two sequels (Midnight's Choice and Wild Blood) add to the canon of true literary children's classics. Kate Thompson combines touching psychological insight into Tess's troubled, lonely heart and vivid imaginings about the minds of animals with a thrilling plot about world weather catastrophe and a great friendship between Tess and the mysterious Kevin; there's also plenty of humour (the rats are fab). The moments when Tess first "switches" and Kevin makes his Big Choice at the end made me gasp - as you can see, I loved this book! However, Switchers suffers slightly by being first: there's too much narration about what Tess is thinking and not enough description, dialogue and action sequences. But don't be put off by this one complaint about technique; the writing just gets better and better through the series. This is a fabulous adventure story about being brave enough to care about the world, to reach out and make friends, to change who you are.

Book Title: Switchers

Author: Kate Thompson

Genre: Fiction

Exposition: Tess is as you might say "better off" then most teenagers, so when a boy in tattered clothes starts following her from her bus she thinks he's looking for money. But when she hurries toward her houses to get away from him and he says, "I know you, I know what you do", Tess gets scared. Could he know about her secret about how she could change how she's a switcher and can turn into any animal she chooses? Things get worse when Kevin shows up again and tells her he's a switcher and he needs her help to find out what's causing freak weather in the arctic. Will Tess go off with this stranger and find out about her mysterious talent or will she use her common sense and get as far away as she can from that creepy kid?

Characters:

Tess: A teenager from Ireland who has the ability to change into animals. She goes on a mission to find out what's causing extreme cold in the northern hemisphere.

Kevin: A homeless boy who is also a switcher. He asks Tess to go on this adventure with him.

Lizzie: A weird old lady who gives them advice and helps them stay hidden from the cops looking for Tess because shes a runaway.

I bought this book at first because it sounded like Animorphs, which I really like, but its nothing like Animorphs. It's very different but good in its own way. I would have to say this book is the best in the Switchers trilogy. The way Kate Thompson writes bring you into the story. The book doesn't get boring but never seems too rushed, either. The two main characters in this book are Kevin and Tess, two Switchers who have the power to 'switch' into any creature they can imagine. They are just beginning to learn how to use their powers to the full extent. The other two books in the series are Midnight's Choice ( almost as good as this one) and Wild Blood ( nowhere near.) And I know I said they're nothing like Animorphs, but anyone who has read 48-The Return and Midnight's Choice will notice some strange similarities.

When I first saw the ad for this delta sleep system, I figured why not, I'll go ahead and see if it works if it doesnt oh well. Well, I've been using it for the past year and I will say that for me, it actually helps me get a deeper, more restful sleep than not using it at all especially if I have problems getting to sleep. My favorite cd is the first one and to be honest I have never "heard" the entire cd. If I had to guess about the time period, I would say that 15-20 minutes after the cd starts I fall asleep. My routine is that I start the cd, lay down, turn off the lights, and listen. I can feel my body relaxing and the next thing i know it is morning. I wake up feeling like I actually had a great nights sleep instead of the usual groggyness I use to feel. I dont know if this works on everyone, but I do know it works for me. :)

Your body needs to recuperate and rebalance every day cycle. What more efficient way to do this then with the highest quality of sleep? Get this top of the line system if you love what sleep is. It will enhance your sleep greatly. No one really can tell you why we dream, but we do, and this system helps you to actually have sweeter dreams! When you awake you'll feel like all the plugs on your operator switch board have been plugged in.

Your brainwaves slow down with each progressively relaxed stage of sleep, waking state is called beta, deepest sleep is delta. Beautiful 3-D layered sounds and tones (among them NASA space sound recordings of our solar system's outer planets from the Voyager project, human sounds, nature sounds, all primordial sounds that are deeply ingrained at our deepest levels of recognition),are mixed with airy, ethereal, mystical music. Special sound frequency pulse rates throb and lead you into deep, deep sleep. Listen: The throbbing trains your own brainwaves to follow the same rate of throb (it feels really good). Waking state at first, and slowly lowered to deep sleep rate. Your brain waves here have a rythem to follow, and with no effort on your part your brain waves will follow this lead. And so great, restful sleep happens. A really great thing well worth its price. Sleep is great, this makes it greater.

The Delta Sync Sleep System works very well by calming your nerves and entrancing you into a very deep sleep. After a hard day at the office or occupation of choice, coming home and dealing with problems and stresses there, listening to these CDs and falling into a peaceful sleep ensures a better day tomorrow. Would definitely recommend!

I did these exercises throughout my second pregnancy and, after nine easy hours of labor, was able to push the baby out in minutes. (With the first baby, I had 56 hours of labor and 2 1/2 hours of pushing.) The techniques work with an epidural. I had total control of my abdominal muscles but no pain. Glorious!

I just received this book "used" from one of the retailers. I got a great deal! The order came rather quickly and the book is in excellent condition.

I like what I see in this book. This is just what I was looking for! The exercises and stretches are explained in a simple manner and there are illustrations which also guide you to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly. It is a good book for beginners. You will learn exercises to help strengthen your back, upper body, lower body and ABDOMINALS. The goal is to help you have a healthy pregnancy, efficient labor, and quick recovery.

I'm glad to finally find a book that deals with strengthening the abdominal muscles CORRECTLY. Some books tell you not to work the abdominals at all during pregnancy, but how else are you going to push that baby out??? This book teaches you the correct way to safely strengthen them. Great book.

I bought this book during my first trimester instead of the "pregnancy yoga" books I was considering. I'd been doing yoga for several years prior to my pregnancy but felt that my normal classes lacked the additional information I needed about how to effectively use my body during pregnancy and labor and how to apply everything I've learned from yoga to labor.

I was surprised and then grateful to find that many of the exercises in the book are similar to yoga, but Julie Tupler builds on the similarities and takes them a step further, without ever referring to yoga. She helps you understand and prepare for how you will be using your body during labor and gives helpful information about birthing positions, episiotomies, breathing, relaxation, and "pushing."

I'm 6 weeks away from my due date, so I can't say how effective her method will be, but it's given me peace of mind that I can get through the process of labor and opened my mind to an unmedicated birth. I feel like the book provided me exactly what I was looking for in terms of an exercise routine combined with mental preparation.

Prior to reading this book I had an opportunity to hear Dr. Thompson, and must admit I was turned off, I couldn't wait to leave the church. I'm in a Christian Book Club and his book was our monthly reading so not wanting to be rebellious I started reading the book (I really didn't want to). Three pages into the book I was hooked. The teaching was second to none, I saw many errors I've made in understanding what God wants from me and why I'm not receiving what he has for me. This book got me back on the road to tithing and giving along with sharing. This book was an eye opener. If you follow the teachings in this book not only will you get out of debt but you will feel better about yourself and your relationship with God. Since I've read this book and applied it to my life my mortgage has decreased and I'm looking and believing to be debt free and able to help others financially.

My Sunday School teacher is teaching on faith the bible way. The way God sees it. He recommended this book and I am now reading. I'm so excited about it! You want to know why you are poor and what God through Jesus has given us? Then this is the book for you!!! I would give it TEN stars if I could!

I AM A MEMBER OF HELPING HANDS MINISTRY IN HARFORD COUNTY MARYLAND AND ONCE I READ THIS BOOK I BECAME BLESSED AS A GIVER. GOD HAS TRULY MEETING MY NEEDS AND ABOVE MY NEEDS. DR. LEROY THOMPSON IS A REAL INSPIRATION TO OUR MINISTRY. I REALLY NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF TITHING UNTIL I READ THIS BOOK.

America's Lost Treasure by Thommy Thompson may be the only "coffee table" book that readers literally cannot put down and will ultimately read from cover to cover. Anyone who has read Gary Kinder's book Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea knows the tale of Tommy Thompson's discovery of the SS Central America that sunk in 1857, laden with gold from the California Gold Rush. The two books compliment each other with very little overlap. Ship of Gold tells the fascinating story of the shipwreck itself and how a young engineer, Tommy Thompson, made his dream come true in locating and salvaging the wreck under incredibly difficult conditions and with scientific precision. Thompson's book demonstrates the story in beautiful, glowing color photographs with an equally interesting narrative. The precision, scientific knowledge and attention to detail that led him to the treasure in the first place is evident in this carefully prepared book that shows the reader what was found and emphasizes the importance of the historic artifacts located.

Tommy Thompson is one methodical scientist. He found a ship that sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1857 that had eluded searchers for 130 years. He has taken the same methodical approach in creating this book "America's Lost Treasure".

Gary Kinder wrote a 1998 bestseller on Thompson's search entitled "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea". It is one of the best pageturners I have ever read! More amazing is that it actually happened! The ship was the United States Mail Steamship "Central America" which was making rounds between the Atlantic coast of Panama and New York City during the California Gold Rush era. She was a side paddlewheeler steamship and was hauling a huge cargo of gold ingots, freshly minted gold coins, gold nuggets, and gold dust along with 38,000 pieces of mail and 578 passengers. Much of the gold was being brought to New York to shore up the bullion holdings of banks that had been putting out too much paper money without the available gold reserves to back it. Most of the passengers were returning from the Gold Rush; many were women and children. The ship sank after a heroic battle with a hurricane in 1857 off the Carolinas taking about 425 lives with her and all the gold. Both books chronicle Thompson's epic adventure finding the ship and recovering the gold down 8000 feet underwater where even the US Navy couldn't effectively recover items. Kinder's book clocks in at over 500 riveting pages but, is largely without pictures of all the incredible finds. "America's Lost Treasure" fills in that photographic void quite admirably in it's 186 pages.

"America's Lost Treasure" is broken down into a background history of America at the time leading up to the Central America's sinking, a detailed account of the CA's fateful last voyage, a background of the equipment and people involved in the search and rediscovery of the CA, the discovery of the ship and the 'Garden of Gold', a review of the personal items found at the bottom other than the gold, and a section on the other scientific discoveries made at the site such as decay processes and new species of life found. There are hordes of very appropriate photographs that perfectly illustrate the topic discussed in the very readable and concise narration. The page layout is very well done and makes full use of the book's ten inches by ten inches size. Particularly interesting is the discovery and opening of several intact passenger's trunks revealing intact clothing and still visible photographs! The gold, however, is the expected showstopper.

Overall, I can't recommend this book enough when read in companion with "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea". Some people will bristle with disfavor on the efforts in general to recover items from this wreck feeling it is a desecration of history and wrong. I couldn't help but be astounded by the disciplined and rigorous scientific and engineering skills put on display in the efforts. This is an absolutely fascinating pictorial account of a remarkable period in the history of America. It will rivet your attention from beginning to end and have you looking back at sections again and again. It is one of the best coffee table books in existence. The lost treasure found is truly breathtaking and this book is an absolutely worthy account of it! VERY highly recommended!

Tommy Thompson's "America's Lost Treasure" is a fantastic history lesson, two exciting and intertwined adventure stories, and a picture text on how to do new and wonderful things. It is a coffee-table companion to Gary Kinder's "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea", and neither book is really complete without the other. The awesome pictures in "America's Lost Treasure" are exactly what the numismatic world has been clamoring for since the discovery and beginning of the salvage of the SS Central America first hit the news in 1988. The lavish use of 19th century pictures, drawings, and accounts of the sailing and sinking of the SS Central America add to the careful archaeological records of the search and salvage of her wreck. But far the most impressive thing in this book are the stunning pictures of the tons of gold coins and bars both scattered on the deep ocean floor and arranged for display after recovery.

For an entertaining and educational read and two great adventure stories -- one in 1857 and one in the 1980's -- I highly recommend both "America's Lost Treasure" by Tommy Thompson and "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea" by Gary Kinder.

I'm not a big fan of the "true crime" genre. I did love Vincent Bugliosi's Helter Skelter, but don't care for Ann Rule's books or their ilk. Serpentine is an exception. Like other reviewers here, I came across this book about 20 years ago and I still have vivid recollections of it. Sobhraj is a kind of Ted Bundy with a bit more style and class. Thompson does a fine job in conveying Sobhraj's seductive qualities. He also is adept in his description of settings. Sobhraj may be thought of as the only jet-setter mass-murderer. I didn't realize until reading over these reviews that he had been released from prison already. That really is diconcerting, for he is about as amoral as Hannibal Lecter. I can't believe he was allowed back into society. I would recommend this book to those who like true crime stories and to those who just like an engaging, easy read. The book moves along at great pace. If you bring it along on a vacation to Sri Lanka or Thailand or Paris, etc., you may want to keep an eye out for Sobhraj. I wouldn't get too chummy if I were you.

I am a lover of true crime books. From the slick little "penny dreadfuls" to Roughead and other Victorian favorites. This book started this fascination lo these twenty years ago. The story of Charles Sobrajh (one of his many names) is interesting. Starting with the beginnings of a youth psychopath and the various attempts to alternately save and destroy him, to his compelling life of crime. The exotic locales and subsequent happenings speak to an earlier age, when people and international borders were much more free. However, this also caused them to become victimized; in many cases duped, drugged robbed murdered by this charming criminal. But I didn't dislike Sobrajh, is a strange way I found myself thinking that he would be able to get away with his crimes. I wonder about his whereabouts even today. the story of this true life Tom Ripley is a must for the serious true crime reader.

In 1990, I was a woman, traveling alone around the world, for one year. I met a couple unsavory characters along the way--one of whom I now know was a socioopath--but fortunately escaped without long-lasting harm. I came across this book, originally thinking it was fiction (it was mismarked in the library where I found it), but found it was a true story of a sociopath, and how he preyed upon tourist after unsuspecting tourist. It particularly fascinated me as many of the places in this book were places I visited myself. If I had read this book before traveling, I don't think the sociopath I met could have done anything to me. As it was, I was too naive and trusting. The first thing I did after reading this book from the library was to go out and BUY my own copy to keep. And I plan to recommend this book to each and every person I know who is going abroad on any more than a simple vacation to a standard destination. If you are a traveler, or have friends who are travelers, the information contained in this book is priceless.

The A.D.D. Book offers hope and solid practical advice, while at the same time, not describing A.D.D. Children as diseased. This book offers a view of ADD kids that gives them hope to be happy, successful adults. The interventions go way beyond the simplistic drug approach of some "experts" on ADD, including neurofeedback, a non-drug approach which can work better than drugs.

This is one of several books with a more positive slant on ADD/ADHD, with others by Thom Hartmann and Lynn Weiss also viewing ADD without the pathologization you see in writings of folks like Russell Barkley.

This book is an excellent source of practical and understandable information for families dealing with children with ADD. The writing style is such that parents are able to understand the information about some of the more complex issues discussed like neurofeedback. There are many other techniques for parents and families to use daily to help these children while at the same time maintianing a positive approach and building the child's self esteem. This is a book that any parent would want to include in their reading about the subject of ADD. In fact it would be a good book to choose as the first book to read on this subject. It will help to clarify much of the other information parents are offered.

This very readable book is a thorough overview of how to recognize and treat attention problems. Sears of course is a prolific comentator on caring for children. Linda Thompson is respected for her work treating attention disorders, and runs the largest ADD center in Canada. Particularly useful is the Chapter describing Neurofeedback. Many families searching for help with unmanagable problems are finding this approach yealds amazing benifits. The chapter is intelligent, thorough, yet easily understood. As a provider of Neurofeedback services, I recommend this book highly to clinicians who want their patients to understand A.D.D. and Neurofeedback, and to the parents, spouses, and friends who want to help.

There is probably no other writer with as cold and bleak a vision as Ruth Rendell. Even in her slightly warmer incarnation as Barbara Vine, her take on human foibles and on matters of love tends to be chilly and steely-eyed. (Some people dislike her for this reason -- not me, I think she's amazing.)

Rendell has said that she created the new "Vine" line to be able to take a more human, personal viewpoint than she did in the Rendell books -- well, perhaps so, although the main character Tim Cornish, from whose viewpoint this is told, is vintage Rendell, i.e., hard to like. Tim is not evil but confused, self-absorbed, befuddled by emotions, weak and fumbling.

That said, this haunting novel stands out among Rendell's/Vine's other superb works -- and that's saying something, as she is probably the finest writer in the mystery/thriller, bar none.

Like her other books, this one features a sinuous plot that keeps springing subtle and believable changes on you, and characters that are just odd enough to be interesting yet still realistic, and throughout, her elegant and poetic writing.

It's also her only real love story. Yes, many of her novels feature the theme of obsessive love -- that's one of her recurring favorites -- but rarely does love do anyone any good in a Rendell or Vine novel. But, without spoiling the ending, let me note that when I finished this novel I was shocked to discover that for the first time, she'd actually written a book where she gave love a chance to succeed. That in itself is remarkable, and the way she pulls it off, even more so.

If you've never read Rendell or Vine, this is a terrific one to start with (personally I don't think the Vines, other than this and "The Brimstone Wedding" ever came up to the Rendell quality). If you're already a fan, well, there's nothing I need to add.

After reading the very first chapter, i knew i was going to love this book. I was mesmersised by the first chapter, and already felt so involved in the story that it was unbelieveable. I've long been aware of Rendell's genius, but this was a shock even for me.

The story actually moves pretty slowly, but the suspense and tension is just unbearable. You know very well that cataclysmic events are going to occur, but of how and when you know nothing. The sense of wonderment you feel at Rendell (in any of her incarnations) is simply awe-inspiring. You read and read and read, completely unable to tear your eyes from the story, even though its moving with a slow pace. Its thrilling, suspenseful and tense. And i loved it.

Barbara Vine is slightly more literary than her Rendell books, i have found. (Just an observation)

The plot is simple, but very strong. There are good, strong, simple, sensible, realistic twists. They turn the story once or twice, adding just the right amoung of freshness and surprise.

The characters are superbly well drawn and believeable. and quite likeable, despite their flaws. The completely unsettling thing about Rendell's books are the fact that all the people are quite, quite normal. Tim is just a normal, young man, struggling with his identity and sexuality, experiencing the world for what it really is. He's nothing special. Has no psychological abnormalities, is not in any damaged And yet he is driven to murder. This novel is a bravura display of how circumstances can drive people to commit horrible deeds. Quite sane, normal people, slowly taken hold of.

THis is a wonderful book. A masterpiece. The writing is just first class, and the descriptions of the places in which this novel are set are simply stunning. I have never been to Alaska (in particular) but through her descriptions i found myself transported there. And now, my window to it is closed, i want to visit it. It's a desire that should pass in a few days, but its a powerful thing to feel simply after reading a book. (I felt the same after reading "The Empty Chair" by Jeff Deaver, wanting to visit North Carolina. Guatemala after reading about it in Kathy Reichs' "Grave Secrets", and the middle east after reading Jack Higgins' "Edge of Danger" and "Midnight Runner")

I would reccomend this to everyone. I have in the past held of reading Barbara Vine, because i assumed that they would be something very different. SO different as to need publishing under a different name. My, though, was i wrong. After all, a Rendell by any other name is still a Rendell. These books still contain the intensity of subtle plot, great characters, good twists, and all the things i expect from Rendell. It has been months since i've read anything new by Rendell, and now i have discovered this new rich casket of wonders, my future in reading looks very bright indeed.

I love Ruth Rendell, I think she is the best current day mystery/thriller writer. I've read most of her books, including the "psychological thrillers", but I've only recently started reading the Barbara Vine books. I literally could not put this book down, and I finished it in one day. I can't remember the last time that was the case. I think it's one of her best books, it just hooks you. It's not fast-paced, but it keeps you guessing, she unfolds the story at just such a pace that you can't stop, you have to know more. I absolutely recommend this book, especially if you're already a Ruth Rendell fan.