I've been kayaking whitewater for about 5 years, seriously the past 2 seasons. I stumbled on this while on a visit back to the States last summer. It is clear and concise and builds on a series of simple paddling and 'awareness' excercises - as if a gifted 'professor' collected his/her lecture notes. No kayaker should be without this book, even if you're a pro, there's bound to be some thought-provoking new material here for you or a new spin on how to pass on techniques to newbies. Nealy's book ('Kayak') opens your eyes about 'reading' water and routefinding, this book opens your eyes about boat control. It's a gift, worth 3X the price...

On the cover of this book there's a picture of what appears to be a gnome with an atomic grin sitting in a kayak. The picture is the clue to both the book's underlying philosophy and its explicit message: kayaking on white water is fun. And the best way to have the most fun is to get the basics right. The book is unique in that it consists of nothing more than a series of well illustrated drills which are aimed at developing good boat control, and good paddle technique, so the next time you get on a white water river you can do whatever you want to do better. It's not aimed at wanna be rodeo stars. Text is kept to a minimum and the book is remarkably uncluttered and direct. Unless you're a champion slalom paddler there's lots here that is useful to help you refine and improve your technique and you don't have to wait til your next white water trip to get on with it. If you want to improve your paddling, buy this book. The authors offer a money back guarantee that it will improve your skills. If you've got a frend who's just started paddling, buy them this book. (And read it yerself!) If you're an instructor, especially a new one, buy this book. It's a ready made repetoire of drills and activities you can use to help your students improve facets of their paddling. For instructors it's also good on the little differences between the way racers and recreational boaters do things. Which given the authors' backgrounds is hardly suprising. (You might want to deduct half a star from the rating if you don't like yo-dude-speak)

As soon as I found the laminated exercise card in the back of the book, I knew that this was much more than a book to be read. It was written in such a way that the info inside could go with me in the boat! The B & W photos are more than adequate for the purpose and Kent Ford never writes DOWN to the reader, World Champ though he is...A great resource and confidence builder

This amazingly talented author has given us yet another of her incredible stories. Her characters will reach out and grab your mind and your heart. You will feel your heart being squeezed and will shed tears of happiness for them. I dare you to read this story and not look at your own life differently. You will watch these characters face the challenges life throws at them with strength of character, deep natural compassion and unlimited ability to love others. You will feel your belief in the goodness of people renewed. You will absolutely fall in love with the three characters in this Beauty and the Beast meets Little Orphan Annie story and will be very grateful for the roller-coaster ride. But be warned, you will not be able to put it down. This author is MAGIC.

If you love dark brooding mansions, tortured heros and spunky heroines you'll love this book. I did. The sexy hero made me wish I'd gotten stranded in his old mansion with him. And the heart warming love story of two people finding it within themselves not only to love each other, but themselves as well made me laugh and cry. The girl with her legion of gargoyles was a novel addition. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to Ms. Lyons next one.

When journalist Angie Rose hikes up the mountain her objective is clear. She can't bring herself to visit Kent's orphanage to write a story about the children. In an effort to save her job, she'll seek audience with the reclusive Jason Kent himself, hopefully appeasing her editor with the story of the remarkable man who funds the orphanage. But when he opens door in the blinding snowstorm, inviting her in much against his will, Jason's shocking physical appearance and infirmity quickly changes her mind. She can't destroy the wall of privacy that protects this incredible man.

Lt. Jason Kent lives secluded in an 800-year-old gothic mansion, brought stone by stone from Germany. However, the gargoyles, which guard its turrets, can't keep the pain the world offers Jason at bay. A mission gone wrong has forever changed his physical appearance and abilities. Now he only interacts with the world through the computers in his study and the occasional visit of one of the children from his nearby orphanage.

The recluse had started his orphanage as an extension of a gag. He'd risked everything once to save a child from certain starvation, smuggling her into the United States. He had all kinds of money and nothing to do with it, so he started an orphanage for hard to place children in memory of that first child he'd rescued. But the terrible scars resulting from his last mission keeps him from the halls of the orphanage, and from the hugs of the grateful children.

Angie understands the need to hide. She lives with her own deep-set fears; that is, if she risks her heart with Jason he will find her wanting. She can't stand for him to look at her with that look of pity and disappointment that she'd seen in her previous fiancé's eyes after the drunk driver came around the curve at her on the wrong side of the road. Sure, Stephen had said all the right things, but he had also left her standing at the altar. She absolutely believes that Jason will want more, and certainly deserves more, than she can possibly give.

Talented author Judith Lyons has a marvelous gift of characterization. Even as she exposes the deep-set emotional vulnerability of her characters, Lyons doesn't allow them to wallow in self-pity, but forces them to confront their weaknesses and grow. The well-crafted plot, unique setting, and intrusion of a whimsical child weave together in an exhilarating plot. Reflecting both the tragedy and the triumphs of life and love, SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT comes highly recommended.

As a divorce attorney and mediator, I am always looking for books to recommend to my clients. So many books for children only deal with one or two of their fears about divorce. This book is a gem because it covers many common feelings. It is also wonderful because it can be read one chapter at a time. Too many books give children too much to digest at once. This book is an exception. I have bought extra copies to give to my clients and they love the book. It is also helpful for parents as well. Highly recommended!

As a chid custody mediator, this is a great resource book for families facing divorce. The split in a family does not have to be on-going conflict and traumatic. This book can help parents understand ways that they can help their children adjust. It also helps children understand that what they might be feeling is "normal" when a divorce occurs. It is also a useful book for therapists and mediators working with families.

This is the best book I have seen for children whose parents are divorced or about to be divorced. Children need simple bright reminders that the divorce is not their fault and that their lives will return to normal. Childhood should be a time of wonder and happiness and security and this little book sends kids the message that they will continue to have all that, just in a new and different way.

However, I think the book might be even more valuable for parents. All divorcing parents want to do the best thing for their children and they could do much worse than simply following the suggestions in this little book. Every parent who reads it will benefit.

Elvis, the Beatles and Marilyn Monroe have received the A to Z treatment in which every aspect of their lives and works have been reordered alphabetically, so it was only a matter of time that the mania would spread to lesser figures, in this case Mark Twain, James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. This series of three books, originally published by Facts On File and now updated and reprinted by Oxford University Press, combines facts culled from the writers' lives and works, shakes them up thoroughly, and recasts them into easily locatable entries. The result is an addictive pleasure, a page-turning odyessy for anyone interested in learning more about their favorite writer. Mark Twain's fans will rightfully go ga-ga over this 500-page slab of scholarship, research and story telling. All of Twain's major works are discussed, as well as many of his short stories, speeches, newspaper articles, essays and unpublished works. Photos of the great man himself and his contemporaries are thrown in alongside illustrations from the novels. A year-by-year multi-columned chronology charts Twain's personal, professional and public lives. In short, the breadth and depth of this book is astonishing.

This book helped me extensively during my search for biographical information about Mark Twain. It gives great insight to the life and times of Mark Twain. It contains anything and everything one would care to know about Samuel Clemens and his metamorphosis to one of the greatest writers ever known; Mark Twain.

Mark Twain is justly regarded as the first modern American novelist, but he was also a fabulous character; one of the most prominent figures of the 19th century, who seems to have gone everywhere and met everyone, and wrote about it all.
The present work is a fitting introduction to his life and works for those new to Twain, and a boon companion for those deep into the pleasures of one of the original minds of American literature.
Rasmussen has alphabetically arranged the major works with synopses, analyses of characters, people, places, and events Clemens knew, and more, with illustrations, chronology, list of Twain's works, reading list, and an admirable index.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in Twain, American writing, humor, or 19th century life and times.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

This is a wonderful little book. All quotations are printed in meditation format, and some are no longer than a few brief paragraphs. Others are as long as a page. They all rejuvenate my mind, like sitting next to a crystal stream in the forest. The font, spacing, and layout of the book are exquisite.

This book has meant so much to me for almost a decade. I still remember the time I found this book, and my initial reaction to the quotes within; imagine, a time when there were no high-rises on the American landscape, indeed, a time before it was called "America." A world before pollution and overpopulation were concerns. This afforded a connection with the world and a spiritual experience that none of us will ever truly know. This world is now gone, and if not for books like this its memory would not be preserved. This book helped make me more aware of Indian/Native American thought.

When the commotion of the world around you is overwhelming you, this book makes for a great escape. Especially insightful is the quote that reads, "We do not want churches because they will teach us to argue about God."

This book is a gem.

This book is fantastic! If you are considering purchasing it then do not hesitate. It is full of things that made me think. It is very educational and practical. I love it! It is helpful because it has such intellegent information in it. There are different passages in it from different Native Americans. There are several chapters, and background information about the Native Americans that were quoted in the book. I think it is an awesome book, and it had a great impact on me after reading it.

This compilation of Native American sayings is appropriately called wisdom. Full of the logic and simple things that they lived and strived for. And how they were trying to understand the newcomers to their land...they could not believe that there were others in the world that were so violent, immoral, dishonest and treacherous...after reading what they have to say, it is not hard to see where their bitterness comes from. Some very well chosen statements from wise Native Americans.

This book is sometimes refreshingly witty (with plenty of scrumptious literary allusions for those lucky enough to pick up on them). It can also be refreshingly dim. It's almost obscenely colourful--Cherry Jell-O, lemon muffins, at least one seductress dressed like Ronald McDonald... It's very stylish, but touchingly honest. It's almost too real to be art. I give this project 3 stars out of 5 for typesetting but 7+ for a book that would have made Mark Twain laugh and Lord Byron wince.

In some ways this book is similar to _Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman_, in that it's written as a series of vignettes and anecdotes, and the author is a mathematician. But whereas in Feynman's book the stories were directly or indirectly associated with science, _Prometheus in Bondage_ has more to say about life - its joy and sadness, bizarre coincidence and tragic regret.

It's difficult to pin this book down to a single theme. In one sense it's about a lingering sense of loss, about "the road not taken," but this theme is blended together with humor and a bizarre kind of synchronicity. The author's quixotic search for a long-lost childhood friend, for instance, which forms the spiritual center of the narrative, is woven in and out of a much larger story involving Scandinavia,"The Guiding Light", Howard the Duck, Trisha Yearwood, and Jack the Ripper. The overall effect is something like a layer cake made by a mad baker, with alternating layers of sour and sweet, flour and salt.

Throughout it all, however, the book conveys a sense of poignance. It was impossible for me to read it and not think about my own life - the people I've known and the ones I wish I'd known better, the strange happenings and unavoidable tragedies, the unlikely adventures and the few perfect moments.

This book was an inspiration to me, to try to live a life of fewer regrets.

Kent Boklan is witty, literate, and brutally honest as he tells--through a series of non-chronological vignettes--about his search for an old friend, and the tale of his life's regrets.

Why should I care? As he puts it, "these are not the memoirs of an extraordinary life"--but they are memoirs that made me laugh, cringe, and made me think. They are memoirs that brought me back to my days in college, and memoirs that showed me a different view of a world--the view from the eyes of the eccentric Kent Boklan.

It's a very different kind of book, with several different layers to it--up to and including the title itself.

But if you read it, you won't forget it.

This is one of the most heart-wrenching books in the series, no longer just action stories but studies in personality. It is intensely personal amidst the usual carnage. It's fascinating to watch Bolitho struggle with his promotion to Commodore and his new, enforced aloofness from shipboard affairs and his officers. Bolitho's typical concern for his crew is now extended to an entire squadron of some 2000 men, their faces no longer known but their fates wracking poor Bolitho. Particularly affecting is his struggle to contend with the failing nerve of his closest friend and protegé, flag captain Herrick, who has been with him from early days. The waters of personality move into the deeps as Bolitho rises in rank and others reach their limits. Bolitho suffers a relapse of the malarial fever at a critical junction in the cruise from Gibralter to Egypt, and rivalries among his subordinates come to the fore. Just another source of the immense tension Kent builds in this novel of the desperate British attempt to fathom Napoleon's intent for his vast Mediterranean fleet buildup. Kent again avoids including Bolitho in one of the great historical fleet actions, this time at Aboukir Bay. While he does give Bolitho a role in directing the French into a weaker position, and does explain the battle's great importance, that climactic battle passes much too remotely and quickly to satisfy.

The suspense in this series is partly the eventual goal and task set to Bolitho and mostly how Bolitho is ever going to solve impossible tactical situations at sea. The usual solution he proposes is a surprise maneuver, but what form will it take this time? Like many of Kent's book titles, "Signal - Close Action!" is a stirring phrase but barely hints at the situations and solutions to be found within. Conversely, his chapter titles too often prefigure the event. As usual it's easy to spot who will be "good" officers and who "bad," so thorough are the differences, but Kent does provide one surprising development. As always, it is absolutely vital to pay closest attention to the sailing directions (wind, tack, etc.) if you want to visualize the sea maneuvers, because Kent won't tell us in lubber's terms. The cover bears an excellent wrap-around picture, "ripped from the living text."

It is with relief that admirers of Richard Bolitho learn that when Bonaparte launched his invasion of Egypt, the dashing sea-officer was not found wanting and was in the thick of efforts to frustrate the future Emperor's knavish tricks. As Mr.Kent tells the story in this splendid addition to the Bolitho Chronicles, the experience was however a far from pleasant one, and though Bolitho deservedly flies his flag at last, he must weather illness, conflict with his old friend Herrick , betrayal by an old colleague and a ferocious battle with a French squadron in the Corfu Channel before he can lay his ship alongside the enemy in the climactic Battle of the Nile. As always the historical and technical details add colour to the story and the faithful reader gets considerable satisfaction from following the fortunes and developing characters of the hero and his colleagues. Those who enjoy this book will also find satisfaction in Brian Lavery's excellent "Nelson and the Nile", which describes the entire 1798 Mediterranean Campaign from both the British and French viewpoints in lively and entertaining prose. One is only disappointed that t omits any mention of Bolitho's pivotal role. One wonders why!

I've yet to read a Richard Bolitho book that I did not thoroughly enjoy. This one is my favorite one so far. It's full of the attention to detail, superb phrasing, and outstanding character description and development that Kent/Reeman's readers have grown accustomed to.

This work is a glittering example of why Bolitho is one of the most well-crafted and developed characters I've read. He is truly a classic hero, and with it is truly human with no trace of the superman tendencies which a lesser writer would use with the resulting lack of believability. Bolitho's foibles and imperfections are used here to great advantage.

The result is that I look forward to setting sail again with Bolitho more than ever. Any admirer of good fiction should be greatly pleased that the entire series is being reprinted and being made available in U.S. editions.

There are many books on Signals & Systems available today, but this book is different because it not only explains but it also compares the mathematical tools commonly used for the analyis and synthesis of linear systems. You don't get bored by simplistic examples, but in the contrary the examples given do show the power of these mathematical tools. As student, I read the book twice and it gave me a good understanding about the underlying principles behind linear systems. Anyone looking for a reference on linear systems at an undergraduate level will find this book very useful.

This is an excellent reference for any undergraduate studying signals and systems. It provides many clear and concise examples of hard to grasp topics such as Fourier series, Fast Fourier Transforms, convolution, and state space methods, etc. Although no solutions are provided for the chapter excercises, there are plenty of examples and explanation in the text to comprehend the topics. I highly recommend it!

This is a great book that can be used in a Signals and Systems class. The theory is presented very well. This book can be complemented with software tools such as MATLAB.

Pastor Brandenburg brings the word and work of the Masters Music to life in this God filled book. Filled with truth and inspiration, a deep abiding love for the work, word, and music of our worship services today. I found the book to bring new meaning to my musical ministry. To fully understand the depth of this book, one must search as deeply as Pastor Brandenburg in the outstanding Christian work. Thank you, Pastor for sharing these insights with us.
Martha Lacy
Texas

This book has been a long time coming. Pastor Kent Brandenburg exposits thoroughly, in context, the issue of truly God honoring music in Worship and its purpose vs. Todays Contemporary Christian pragmatic approach to implementing worldly and ungodly music in today's worship services in hopes of drawing true believers. I highly recommend reading this book to all interested in profoundly understanding what the Bible really teaches about God honoring music and its use in worship.

Having worked with Pastor Brandenburg and known him personally over the course of several years, I recommend this book very highly. His stand on music is Biblical, his presentation of issues God-honoring. Here is a book on music from a man of God who leads a church of God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:15), which has, as I personally know, Biblical high music standards. I recommend this book to any lover of the truth and of the Bible warmly.

Having read Kent Week's book "The Lost Tomb" I was impressed with his accessable writing style. So, seeing this book was like waving a red flag at a bull. I have been to many of the sights featured in this book and could not afford to visit all. To my joy, on opening this volume and seeing the quality of the photographs I realised now that I could! It is the next best thing to actually BEING tere and in some cases .. better! I know that sounds odd ... but in reality a lot of the KV paintings are covered with glass to prevent damage ... or you are not allowed to take a camera in ... even if you can, you may not use flash. So your own pictures always fall short. THIS is professionally lit, photographed and documented ... with great care taken to render the Theabian west bank in all it's glory. Bravo!

I had looked forward with great anticipation to the arrival of this book - and I am not at all disappointed. In the past few years a few books have been published which have delighted my eyes, Tutankhamun, by T.G.H. James, and Egyptian Treasures from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and now the present work. They share in common the photographer - Araldo De Luca.

De Luca is a consumate artist of light. Throughout this book you will see exquisite shots, described and formed by the light of Egypt - Medinet Habu at dawn, The Temples of Hatshepsut and Mentuhotep, from the air in the dawn light, at the precise moment that the entire Valley of the Kings lies in shadows between golden cliffs behind. There are more - photographs of objects and buildings that I have never seen, or at least not so clearly. De Luca has found the perfect vantage point for every shot, it seems, and has waited for the light to lift the ordinary into statement, explanation rather than simple recording.

Sprinkled through the various essays - and each essay written by a distinguished expert in their field - are delightful drawings, diagrams and maps. We have sumptuous renderings of the interior of Tutankhamon's tomb, which are not so uncommon, but this volume goes on to show us drawings of the interior of Nefertari's tomb, and there's more! The tombs of the Nobles are pictured with the same fine sensitivity as well as the mortuary temples of the west bank.

The essays take a back seat, at first glance, so truly wonderful are the photographs, but here you will find rich descriptions and explanations of the monuments and the objects found within them. Kent Weeks is the general editor; there is an introduction by Her Excellency Mrs. Suzanne Mubarek; Rita Freed, Melinda K. Hartwig, Erik Hornung, Christian Leblanc ... the list of eminent persons goes on.

Congratulations to the publishers, Friedman/Fairfax, and to all those who produced this wonderful book, from type-setters to press persons. This is a treasure! Thank you! L.P.H.!!

With out a doubt one of the best and most stuning visual
books I have ever seen about ancient Egypt. Dr Kent Weeks
narative is both interesting and detailed yet should still
appeal to the amateur with an interest in Egypt.
The book details the modern exploration of the valley over the
last few hundred years. It then details the great Temples of
the Luxor area useing altitude photos, maps, line drawings, artist drawings floor plans and photos...lots of photos.
The book then moves into the Valley of the Kings, tomb by
tomb using the same type detailed drawings, photos, plans and
artists renditions.
There is also a detailed section of the Queens Valley using the same techniques as the rest of the book.
But the star of the book is Araldo de Lucas photos. The clearity and detail of the close ups leaps off the pages
and are as near flawless as one can get in colour and content. there are several fold out pages and the detail
is incredable. This book is excellent in every aspect. A must for
anyone interested in Ancient Egyptolgy .