Very surprised that this book is not reviewed much. Has great case-based questions for a majority of the tested topics with detailed and valuable answers that help to distinguish between even the most apparently similar diagnosis. It is question and answer based USMLE Step 2 review at its very best. Because of this book, I passed Step 2 after an initial unsuccessful try using other really dry, boring review books that just took up space on my bookshelf. Keep it simple, this book is all you need for Step 2. Thanks a bunch to Dr. Alario and the whole cast for having written such an exceptional review book.

The Spanish-American war basically boils down to two events, the sinking of the battleship Maine and the charge of the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill. In writing about the latter for the Cornerstones of Freedom series, Zachary Kent talks about the former in the context of the yellow journalism of William Randolph Hearst's "New York Journal" and Joseph Pulitzer's "New York World." One of those eager to go to war was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt. Along with White House physician Leonard Wood, they organized the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The group that would be known as the Rough Riders was supposed to be composed of frontiersmen from the western territories, but they were joined by Ivy League college students and New York rich kids as well. Kent details the training of the unit and their transport to Cuba before telling the story of their military activities in Cuba.

Because of illness, Colonel Wood ended up taking command of the U.S. Second Cavalry, leaving Roosevelt in charge of the Rough Riders. After an initial skirmish, the Rough Riders made their name taking first Kettle Hill and then San Juan Hill, protecting the Cuban stronghold of Santiago. Once the city was surrounded the Spanish fleet tried to escape from Santiago Harbor, but was destroyed by the U.S. battleships under Commodore Winfield S. Schley, thereby effectively ending the Spanish-American War. Kent then turns to the triumphant return of Roosevelt and "his" Rough Riders and how T.R. took full advantage of the political capital of his war experiences. For a fuller understanding of the Spanish-American War you can look at the Cornerstones of Freedom volume on that topic, while Kent's volume provides a focus on the most famous military unit to come out of that "Splendid Little War." As always, this series provides an excellent first place for teachers and students alike to look for more information than they will get from an American History textbook.

Most teachers and school administrators recognize that they rely heaviliy on paraeducators for the success of inclusive education. Unfortunately, many paraeducators have vague job descriptions, inadequate preparation, and poor supervision, and as a result, have difficulty fulfilling their roles. Pickett and Gerlach propose strategies to address these needs proactively. If this book were put into practice in schools, most issues with paraeducators could be eliminated.

A wonderful account by a wonderful teacher and human being.

With this, Kent Harrington's fourth (and best) novel to date, we get a big shot in the arm to chase away all the boredom and repetition that we, as readers, are so often subjected to. The Tattooed Muse is an homage to the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Now, over the years, many book and films have been called 'Hitchcockian' but this novel is the first to actually earn and deserve that praise.
The power of the writing here is that not only does Harrington weave a tight, multi-layered, and complex plot, but he also entertains in spades, and, as if all that were not enough to earn this novel a strong review, he also shows us the darkness, obsession, and by-god power at work in people's minds, souls, and hearts.
There are enough twists and turns here to satisfy any and every fan of suspense. Martin Anderson and Paul Kline in particular come to vibrant life as characters. Harrington is able to explore and show us terrible truths without ever falling into long-winded passages that bog down the plot and make the eyes grow heavy.
I have never enjoyed reading books where the main characters are writers, I fiond it to be overbearing, and there have been few exceptions to this rule. Harrington not only uses characters who are writers to tell his story, but he speaks of writing, and the myriad form and foibles of fiction, with intelligence. I will go ahead and say it: Not only is this one of the best new books I've read in quite some time, it is also the best I have ever read to feature characters who also happen to be writers. Cheers to you, Mr. Harrington.
The Tattooed Muse: Call it suspense. Call it mystery. Call it whatever you want, but, in the end, this is quite simply a fine American novel written by one of the best American novelists at work today.
Kent Harrington's work deserves to be widely read, and you owe it to yourself to sink your hooks into The Tattooed Muse.

I thought I had this subject down, but I didn't. If you read this short book with an open heart, as I believe I did, you'll find yourself exposed by the Word. I thought I was "saved", but I wasn't. NOW I AM! Thanks Kent!

You will love this book. Anyone who has read Kent Conwell's westerns will not be disappointed. You will be on the edge of your seat and the children will have you wishing that you could jump into the pages with them. This is a ten stars book. Mr. Conwell has indeed done it again. I wish that it could have gone on and on. I love his storytelling!!!

Most of the juvenile biographies of Theodore Roosevelt begin in media res, with a defining moment in T.R.'s history. The usual choice is when T.R. became the youngest President in history when William McKinley was assassinated, but Zachary Kent picks instead the Rough Riders storming San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War. The choice is significant because Kent presents the life of Theodore Roosevelt as being that of a fighter who charged through life the same way he charged up San Juan Hill. But Kent also argues throughout this juvenile biography that Roosevelt's progressive politics helped thrust the United States into the modern age.

Kent divides T.R.'s life into nine chapters: (1) "Get Action!" introduces Roosevelt as a Colonel in the Rough Riders storming San Juan Hill; (2) A Fighter is Born looks at his childhood, where the young boy suffering from asthma transformed himself into a boxer, and how his early political career went off track following the tragic day when both his wife and mother died; (3) The Four-Eyed Maverick tells about both T.R.'s life as a rancher in the Dakota Badlands and his return to politics after his second marriage; (4) From Police Department ot Navy Department looks at the two jobs where T.R. made his reputation in New York and Washington; (5) Rough Rider to the White House covers how T.R.'s experiences in Cuba got him elected governor of New York and his reputation put him on the national Republican ticket in 1900 as the Vice Presidential candidate. Young readers will be surprised to learn he did not want the position, and it was only an ironic twist of fate that made him President.

Kent covers the Roosevelt presidency in a pair of chapters: (6) Wielding a Big Stick details how T.R. invigorated the White House as he filled out McKinley's term, continuing to lead "The Strenuous Life" and advancing the Progressive cause, from inviting Booker T. Washington to the White House to breaking up business monopolites; (7) Adventurous President deals with the 1904 election, when T.R. was elected to the White House in his own right, and his focus shifted to foreign affairs, most notably settling the Russo-Japanese War (for which he would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize) and visiting the construction of the Panana Canal. If they have been working through the Presidents in chronological order (I have been going alphabetically), young readers will note that with T.R. we have what they would recognize as being the first "modern" President.

This volume is also rather unique in the Encyclopedia of Presidents series because it is one of the view that devotes two chapters to the life of its subject after leaving the White House: (8) Bull Moose Candidate relates how T.R. was unhappy with his hand-picked successor, William Howard Taft, and ran the most successful third party campaign in 1912 on the Progressive ticket, finishing second to Woodrow Wilson; and (9) The Lion is Dead covers T.R.'s active retirement exploring Brazil and his dterioration after his youngest son Quentin was killed during World War II.

The volume is illustrated with black & white historical photographs, along with a few choice political cartoons (including the famous one of Roosevelt and his "big stick"). As always, the production values look rather outdated, but the Encyclopedia of Presidents volumes are as informative as any set of juvenile biographies of the Presidents available. Kent has once again authored an above average entry in the series because of the dual focus on both Roosevelt as a man of action and how his policies turned the U.S. into a modern nation and a world power.

State trooper Pete Mitchell pulls over a woman driving a red Porsche for driving 84.7 on the interstate. The last person he expects to be driving is Mary Rose Bowdrey, the women to whom his first marriage lasted only thirty-six days. Despite her ten-year absence from New Skye, North Carolina, Pete never forgot her. And despite his vow to remain single after a second failed marriage, Mary Rose's sudden reappearance in his life may change everything.

After her divorce, Mary Rose left her hometown to attend college, finding success in Charleston working in the world of finance and earning a healthy salary that buys luxuries like a Porsche and a lakeside condo. Now her sister faces divorce and her teen niece Kelsey and nephew Trace react with self-destructive behavior, getting in trouble with the law. When the judge sentences Kelsey and Trace to Pete's rehabilitation program for troubled teens, Mary Rose and Pete find themselves irresistibly drawn together.

The At the Carolina Diner continuity kicks off with THE THIRD MRS. MITCHELL, which combines the warm ambiance of a small town, the pain of a family in crisis, and unexpected second chances. Indeed, author Lynnette Kent creates a dazzling cast of characters readers and surprising depth of plot. Pete's devotion to troubled teens inspires Mary Rose to reexamine her own priorities. Pete and Mary Rose's shared history adds a touch of poignancy as they struggle with issues of the past and their irrepressible attraction to one another. Further, the teens become an intricate part of the plot as their rebellion at their stepmother and resentment toward their father motivates extreme behavior. Kelsey's attraction to an older boy from the wrong side of the tracks skillfully addresses the prejudices of small town living. Kent's willingness to tackle the difficult issues of modern reading, from divorce and remarriage to troubled teens lends THE THIRD MRS. MITCHELL both the resounding realism and the happily ever after ending readers demand. Consequently, THE THIRD MRS. MITCHELL comes very highly recommended.

Wow! This one has changed my whole view on the subject of the "Age of Accountability". I just ran out and got baptized! And this time, for the right reasons! Thank You Kent! Thank God!