Good book about a great American. Lincoln's Admiral by James Duffy is more complete. ... Farragut was of Spanish ancestry not Latin American, or so called latino in today's political correctness. Let's not bend the facts of Farragut's ancestry solely to make Latinos feel more American. There are many "latinos" who have been war heroes, medal of Honor recipients. Latinos & Spanish Americans should be and I know are proud of the role they have played in this great country of ours , the USA.

This is a great book for students with limited English proficiency. The life of David Farragut is presented in Spanish on one page and English on the next. This not only helps these students learn English but gives them a book which they can read successfully. There is also the pride they recieve from learning about the contributions made by one of their own ethnic group. There should be many more books like this.

Lilla Trafton had been sent to Hell in a stagecoach. That's how she viewed her
banishment to the hot, dusty Texas Panhandle. Her father decided the spoiled
beauty needed some lessons in real life, so he sent her to Langtry, Texas to join a
family friend's school and instruct young ladies in manners and deportment, and she
wasn't to return home until she'd earned her own passage. What Lilla finds is a lot
of cactus, a lot of dirt, and a lack of students. And the devastatingly handsome
Grady Finch, foreman of the WC ranch. That man was definitely in need of a
lesson in manners, because he was decidedly lacking in tact and respect. Yet
underneath his gruffness, he definitely had a soft heart. She couldn't help wondering
what it would be like to win the love of a man like Grady. Could she prove to him
that she could survive on her own, and that she wasn't the prissy snob he thought
she was?

Grady Finch didn't have any use for the likes of Lilla. Well, he could think of
one or two, but it was out of the question. The hothouse beauty would never make
it in Texas, she was too fragile, and didn't have the temperament. Or did she? As
the wonderfully willful woman showed her true colors, he couldn't help being drawn
to her. But he could never provide for her in the way she'd grown up accustomed
to. Better to keep his distance. Too bad his heart disagreed. How would he ever
win the battle to keep his hands off? Did he even really want to try?

Once again, Ronda Thompson draws readers in to enjoy a story full of
well-rounded characters and interesting conflicts. It is neat to see how Grady and
Lilla grow and change. I thought the transition with Lilla was a little fast for the
character she started out to be, but I did like her really well. The chemistry
between Lilla and Grady is hot, and the tension is played out very well. A cast of
secondary characters enhances the story, and leaves you wondering who the next
book will be about. All in all, the story is worth losing sleep over!

She knows her father loves her, but though she caused a bit of a scandal, Lilla Traften cannot understand why he exiled her to the Texas Panhandle. The spoiled Lilla becomes unglued when her stagecoach breaks an axle, but soon forgets everything after the driver gives her "nasty tasting water" that leaves her drunk. Ranch foreman Grady Finch rescues Lilla from any unwanted advances. Though he believes she is a prostitute, Grady refuses to take advantage of her in her inebriated state, but plans to enjoy her as soon as she is sober.

However, Grady soon realizes his misconception, as Lilla is the snooty type who behaves just like the snobs that rebuffed his mother. Though very attracted to her, he cannot stand her airs of superiority. Meanwhile, Lilla believes she needs to prove to this uncouth cowboy that she can survive without daddy's money. As each one tries to trump the other, love trumps both of them.

DESERT BLOOM, the sequel to PRICKLY PEAR, is an amusing western romance. Readers will initially want the hoity Lilla to get her comeuppance, but talented Ronda Thompson quickly turns that around so that the audience quickly roots for the female lead to get her man. Grady still carries the scars of his childhood, which endears him to the readers, who will delight in Ms. Thompson's humorous tale.

Harriet Klausner

Studio photographer Kate Cooper rushes to the Warwick, Rhode Island airport to pick up Harry Armstrong, the best man at her sister's wedding. When she sees Harry in person, Kate thinks what a hot hunk, but unbeknownst to her he is Harry's twin brother Hugh, a Hollywood stuntman. Hugh fails to correct Kate's misconception. Hugh mentions being tired from rescuing lives in the ocean, which Kate thinks he is the act of a hero while in reality he did his job as part of a filming for a movie scene.

Hugh and Kate are very attracted to one another and soon make love. However, as they begin to fall in love, he believes she feels deep affection for him, but not as Hugh, as Harry. He also worries about how she reacts when his beloved learns the truth as to who he is.

The second Cooper's Corner tale is an appealing novel that avoids the triteness of the overly used mistaken twin identity theme through a likable cast. The lead characters provide a delightful exchange even if Hugh should have corrected Kate's mistake from the moment he realized who she believed he is. Still, as Kristine Rolfoson did with the first novel, Vickie Lewis Thompson maintains a high level of quality that places double the pressure on the next author Jill Shalvis.

Harriet Klausner

Stuntman Hugh Armstrong pursues his profession for the adrenaline rush. Leaping from flaming buildings, however, comes much easier than risking his heart. Consequently, when he and Kate Cooper just seem to click, Hugh welcomes the opportunity to turn a wedding into his own little weekend tryst. Unfortunately, he does not suspect that Kate's sensuous seduction is partially based on a case of mistaken identity.

With her twin rapped up in last minute wedding preparations, Kate promises to pick up best man Harry Armstrong on the airport. Her gift for photography makes picking him out of the crowd easily, but someone should have told her that he has an identical brother. It is not until after the fireworks lead them to bind blowing pleasure that Kate learns the man in her bed is not Harry. Her outrage is only matched by her mortification. Worse, she is not the type for a weekend fling and a Sunday afternoon goodbye.

Author Vicki Lewis Thompson delivers an outrageous read in DOUBLE EXPOSURE. Mixed identities, coincidence and heat lend DOUBLE EXPOSURE the plot twists that keep Thompson's fans begging for more. With a daring heroine seeking the hero of her dreams, and a hero who does not exactly meet her expectations, DOUBLE EXPOSURE reveals a memorable couple caught in the throws of passion. Further, Kate's gift for making every second count, her need for excitement, and passion for living make her an intriguing heroine. Hugh's persistence in running from a painful past to protect his heart builds deep sympathy in the reader. With a delightful cast of secondary characters, including a charmingly daring child who almost steals the scene, DOUBLE EXPOSURE satisfies. Very highly recommended.

Before I read this book I had never really considered the functioning of connective tissue as a "web-like" structure within which bone and muscle articulate. The authors contend, starting with embrionic anatomy and onward, that the c.t. forms a bed within which cells differentiate. From this view point of c.t. being a primary base for physical form, we are shown how all parts of the web are connected, and create "bands" that ideally are nether too tight or too loose. I didn't know much about Rolfing either, but apparently this bodywork deals specificly with c.t. Good book, great publishing company.

The connective tissues -- the myofascial network that surrounds, cushions, and supports muscle, bone, and organ within the human body -- is the underlying determinant of movement quality, mood, alertness, and general well-being. This work is a fully illustrated guide to understanding how the myofascia works, its supportive role within the body's anatomy, and how gentle manipulation of the myofascial tissue is central to lasting therapeutic intervention.The authors explore the embryological and post-birth factors that conform the connective tissue body and thereby predispose and influence the shape and characteristic movement of the individual . They describe the body bands and body anatomy and function in light of the myofascial structures. Finally they discuss practical applications -- doing bodywork based on the connective tissue concept.

I found this book very encouraging and it gave me a whole new perspective in understanding Down Syndrome. Being a new mother of a baby with Down Syndrome, I can relate to much of this and I am glad to see it gets easier.

Eric's Gift is the story of a small boy with a loving heart and the family that learns what unconditional love really means. Kimberly Thompson is the mother of Eric, a little boy with Down syndrome, and this book is the journal of her first two years being Eric's mom. Kimberly takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions as she records the fear, anger, happiness, and love she experiences. Finally, the little boy with a congenital heart defect gives her the greatest gift; he teaches her to love unconditionally. This book is the gift that Kimberly gives us. Through it she shows us that we are not alone and that other parents are experiencing the same emotions.

Although the book has lots of good information, like any first editions, this has some glitches and errors about river information. Some features like dams, diversions and rapids don't exist where they are depicted yet some features are more hazardous that indicated. Use caution and don't accept at face value. It should be verified through some other source before depending on it. (Fish & Game, canoe dealers, local paddlers, other guide books, etc.) Originally published in 1993, some of the information is now dated. The author has provided a great quantity of useful facts for floaters and fishermen and the appendices are also chockful of valuable information. I think the out-of-state visitor will find a lot of this especially helpful.

Hydrographs are always interesting and a worthwhile addition to any river guide. However, Mr. Thompson, for some reason, used just 1991 flows for many of the rivers. This has skewed the information because, in some areas of the state, 1991 was an exceptionally good snowpack year and produces a hydrograph much higher than an average would be.

His overuse of quotation marks to deliniate the river miles is quite disconcerting. The glossary, called "River Talk", has included some definitions a paddler would probably never use but other, important terms have been omitted.

To summarize--this book does have helpful info but do use caution because there are errors.

I have really enjoyed this book. It has plenty of information, much of which is on history, river features and species of fish that will not be outdated for decades. The practical knowledge and safety tips are worth the price of the book. I used this book to prepare for my last three floats and even enjoy reading about the areas of Montana (and facilities/campgrounds) that I travel through by car.

One of the problems with most books is the geographical influence of the flies presented. One seldom finds a book that covers flies from many regions of the world. The author does with relative success. It must be a daunting task for an author to put together a book on flies, as the number of flies in the world can not be covered in one book. Taff Price appears to have picked up the most popular flies in the various regions I am familiar with. As a fly tier I found it to be a good source of reference for flies to tie. This is made easier by covering the materials used in the making of these flies. The sections covered vary from trout flies both wet and dry, to most other game fish. The sections on trout flies are the strongest of the book. The other sections covering the various game fish pursed on a fly tend to be a less comprehensive. This is not only a fault with this book but most other fly reference books. One is probably better off get specialist books covering the flies needed for a specific game fish type. The flies in these sections, are the more popular flies used for these game fish. This guide is most adequate for most fly fisherman and fly tier's requirements. The color illustrations of the flies tend to be very good. In some of the fly reference books I have used I have found there to be a color reproduction problem with the illustrations, this is not true for this book. This book is a good buy for the fly fisherman or fly tier looking for new flies from around the world.

This is probably the best fly-tying instruction book I have ever used. It is very simple, yet has everything. It is great for beginners, but also for profesionals!

This book is a great resource for a gay male looking for viewpoints on sexuality, spirituality, and morality. The various essays included are mostly in interview form, and make it feel that you are "listening" into a conversation. In this indirect eavesdropping, you find a wealth of viewpoints and guidance on issues that have traditionally plagued many gay men -- sex, self-esteem, and sense of purpose in society.

At long last someone has done a study of gay spirituality! Soul and Spirituality among gay men are increasingly becoming much stronger and deeper as we approach the millenium and the Age of Aquarius. When overcoming difficulties of the modern age such as homophobia and the stigmatisation of the AIDS epidemic, gay men such as myself have started to look inside themselves for the fulfilment that lacks in society, and this book is one of very few available that studies the many different aspects of this new spritiuality. The interview format takes a bit of getting used to at first, but from the start the writing has a conversational style which makes it much easier to read, and more difficult to put down! I would highly recommend this for any gay man seeking to discover his true spirituality in whatever form- it truly is a brilliant book!

This is a fairly good book on the subject of Yoruba masks and drumming. Contains good pictures of masks (Gelede) and is very informative with regards to ceremonies performed at the Gelede.

Is recommended reading for any of the followers of the Yoruba religion and to students as well.

I would have liked to have seen a more in depth review of the ceremonies and religious aspects of the Gelede, therefore I have not rated it a 5 Star.

Nonetheless, I would still read it all over again !

I do recommend this nice book to all those engaged in the practice of the Yoruba cult. The author gives a good persp- ective of what is behind the cerimony. Mo juba Iyami Osoronga!

On the positive side, this book gives a glimpse at Ozian history, telling about some of Mombi's hitherto unknown evil deeds, the rulership of the Munchkin Country, and the origins of the Good Witch of the North. On the negative side, Thompson shows her usual carelessness with dates and times, and some people have objected to the Good Witch's origins. The story itself is somewhat weak on plot, with everything resolved as soon as the main characters get to the Emerald City. On the other hand, it contains some of Thompson's best creations: a fire-breathing sea monster, a medicine man with an actual medicine chest, a naive animated statue, and the title character, a horse with expanding legs. The creativity level of this book makes it well worth reading, despite its minor flaws.

What a story! A ferocious sea monster demands a mortal maiden be brought from Oz to serve him, or else he'll destroy the Ozure Isles. When Trot is kidnapped and whisked away to the monster's lair, the Scarecrow and a living statue named Benny rush to her rescue. Later they encounter High Boy, the giant horse with telescoping legs, escape a tribe of shadow people, defeat the violent Round-abouties and solve the mystery of Tattypoo the witch. A wild, imaginative tale, which ranks among Ruth Plumly Thompson's finest.