This was a truly excellent read - if you are interested in how they make those impressive aquarium displays, how they catch the livestock, overcome the challenges of adapting them to aquarium life and lots of stories along the way, this is the book for you from the man widely acknowledged as being "it" when it comes to designing pioneering public aquaria.

Highly recommended for anyone out there fascinated by fish and the marvellous public aquariums around the world. Enjoy it!

David C. Powell provides the reader with an excellent insight into the life experiences of a dedicated biologist. His detailed descriptions and insights of all the efforts that went into sharing his exciting discoveries is a joy to read. For anyone who visits aquariums this is a must read book. It provides rare, behind the scenes, information about the enormous effort and dedication involved in providing public aquarium exhibits. Dave's style has the flavor of Ricketts and Stienbeck all in one.

If among the things you have to confess you know nothing about are designing, stocking, and running a public aquarium, you can change that and have a darned good time filling in these particular voids. David C. Powell, who knows more about running aquariums than just about anyone, has written a memoir, _A Fascination for Fish: Adventures of an Underwater Pioneer_ (University of California Press) that tells about his unusual career and has more than its share of pleasing anecdotes.

Powell took the first fish he caught as a kid and slept with it under his pillow. He maintained the lobster tank at a fancy Malibu restaurant. When he read Cousteau's first book, _The Silent World_, he knew he had to start diving. As he kept specimens in his home aquarium, he joined the Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles. A fellow member told him of a job opening as an aquarist at Marineland of the Pacific; it was just what he wanted to do, and from there he worked at various aquariums, directing the live exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium until retiring four years ago. He now seems to be the most frequently consulted consultant whenever towns or nations want to set up aquariums.

Powell writes with admiration and affection about the creatures he has to capture and then keep in as home-like an environment as possible, including the wonderfully named sarcastic fringehead, the "thumbsplitter" mantis shrimp with its faster-than-the-eye claw, and many more. He tells about the process of capturing samples in many different ways, but diving and capturing fish is the easy part. Transporting them is hard. There are different gadgets and containers that have to be used, including the truck transport named the "Tunabago." It is planning the displays of the fish that obviously has given Powell the most satisfaction in his career. His description, for instance, of the responsibilities of putting up the largest window in the world, a gigantic acrylic pane fifty-five by fifteen feet, thirteen inches thick, and weighing thirty-eight tons, is completely engrossing.

Powell's book, a mixture of autobiography, oceanography, ichthyology, museology, and funny stories, is a delight. In seemingly effortless style, he conveys the excitement even in the minor aspects of his career. He gives a final essay on the importance of aquariums (disdained by Cousteau as "fish prisons") in bringing people closer to nature and in promoting the conservation that could keep the oceans healthy. His book is a worthy summary of a lifetime's effort in that cause.

We went to Glacier Bay in August 2001 and I can truthfully say that Mr. Kelley's photo's captured what we saw. We never got as close to the brown bear and we didn't see a hoary marmot, but, hey, we're not professionals and we were just there for a week. The glacier shots are so perfect; just open your freezer, put on some warm clothes, look at those photos and save yourself a few thousand dollars in air-fare, etc.

We just came back from kayaking for a week in Glacier Bay and this boook captures the place and the experience beautifully! A "must have" book if you've been there to relive the experience or just to feel like you've been there without leaving home. A great book!

I just bought this beautiful "coffee-table" book in Juneau 2 weeks ago. We had spent almost an entire day cruising Glacier Bay. This is the first collection of pictures I've ever seen that truly does justice to the majesty of the place. I love it so much I'm buying another as a gift. You can tell Mark Kelly lives in and loves this very special part of the world. This guy is gifted!

...is to say that it is well-written enough that it will hold a reader with no particular interest in the subject matter.

Such is the case with "Instant Replay". The earlier reviewer is right -- this is without a doubt, and by far, the best book on pro football ever written. It is very engaging, informative, and humorous.

(With due respect to Kramer, I suspect that Schaap is probably 90% responsible for the excellence of the book. His writing brings about the result I alluded to in my first sentence).

So much has been written over the years about the Green Bay Packers of the 1960's that at times one may grow weary of the same old ancedotes and cliches about about legendary coach Vince Lombardi and his troops. Kramer's book is the perfect tonic for that: a diary of the 1967 season, Lombardi's last in Green Bay, that gives the only in-the-trenches, as-it-happens look at this great team (and coach) ever written. Not only do we get an up-close look at Lombardi (and other legends like Bart Starr) as the season unfolds, but we are also shown the mindset of Kramer as he tries to disect why he does what he does. The kicker is that the ending remains as much as mystery to him as to us until the book's climax- the classic 1967 title game. The whirlwind of emotions Kramer experiences as he and and his aging teamates try to wring one more championship from their exhausted bodies range from jubilation to instrospection to fear to disgust. This is a page turner in the classic sense- absolutely no predicatbiltiy whatsoever infects it. Over thirty years after it release, Instant Replay, although dated in spots, remains in all probablity the best book on pro football ever written.

This is a good book for bedtime reading. Easy to pick up where you let off without finishing lengthy chapters. Very well written and entertaining even if you are not into sports. Jerry Kramer gives a day by day journal of his season with the 1968 world champion Green Bay Packers. His journal includes personal stories of his first days of summer to the super bowl II victory over Oakland. He gives insight into the players love/hate relationship with Vince Lombardi and his thrill of the winning block over Dallas in the ice bowl.

Jan Chozen Bays Roshi's new book Jizo Bodhisattva, Modern Healing & Traditional Buddhist Practice shows many sides to the complex character of this modern western Zen Teacher. This Book will also aquaint many western readers with Jizo Bohdisattva, the Japanese interpretation of Quan Yin (the chinese goddess of good fortune.) This book contains a wonderful blend of interesting scholarly work, heart opening personal experience and inspiration from some of the grittier aspects of zen practice. Far from being a remote monastic, Chozen Roshi has "taken the mountain to the market place," and as this book clearly demonstrates, all those who have been touched by her practice have benefited. From her compassionate listening to the victims of sexual abuse, to her one on one training interviews with her students, Chozen Roshi's inspiration truly makes her a living bodhisattva.
Cultivating the same qualities that mystics throughout the ages have taught, these stories of Jizo demonstrate the value of selflessness, compassionate action and fearlessness. Jizo Bodhisattva is the showing of the way, the support we need to do it ourselves, the compassionate voice in our heart and in the heart of all things. Truly mystics will recognize the immortal spirit of wisdom incarnate in Jizo Bodhisattva and scholars will welcome Chozen Roshi's addition to the field of Buddhist studies.

Noah Soule
4/10/02

I could go on and on about this book, but what I really want to say is that this is a perfect book for our troubled times. I hope many people read it, learn from it, and practice with it.

Historically sound and especially relevant in these uncertain times, Chozen Bays' clear writing creates a wondrous collage of this sweet 'saint' of Buddism. Travellers in transition all, may we benefit from Jizo's healing protection. I highly recommend this book to anyone--Buddhist or not

These books are REALLY good. Alice Turner Curtis has the remarkable ability to be able to blend delightful, historically accurate plots with an old fashioned charm and morality.

I read this series as a child, and I was very happy to see them reprinted, and keeping the all the lovely illustrations intact, too. Now I can buy them when I have children, continuing the tradition.

I read the complete set of books as a young girl. Fifty years ago, I found them in the Warwick Public Library, yellowed, loose-leafed, dog-earred, but very interesting. Imagine my delight when I learned they were being reprinted. Presently, I am buying them for my granddaughter. Having performed some genealogical research, I find that Colonel Barton, who captured General Preston in this story, was a distant relative of mine. I went to church in the meeting house at Warwick. It still stands. I have no reason but to believe that Alice Turner Curtis, the author, researched her books well, and that her writtings have historic happenings supporting them. Give to all the female 9-10-year-olds and enjoy them yourself. They may lack sophistication for many 11-12 year-old girls of today, but read them to your child or grandchild and establish a bond. These make excellent gifts to "young maids."

This book told about the Revolutionary War through the story of 11 year old Penelope Balfourd, who lives on a farm on Rhode Island with her mother and older brother Ted while her father fights in the American army. Penelope is determined to do something for her country. She manages to deliver a message to the American army. Because of her message a British officer is captured. I really enjoyed this book.

I'm an avid Monterey Area scuba diver who was on the verge of thinking I knew something about Monterey marine life. That was before I read this book. Despite my many hundreds of dives and many hours of time spent studying the things I'd seen this book opened my eyes to all sorts of things I'd never noticed before. Anybody interested in west coast marine life simply must have this book.

One of it's best features is the novel organization. It's broken up into habitat areas rather than by Phylum/Genus/Species etc. This really helps the reader understand the relationships between the various organisms. Also the photographs are truly exceptional.

Overall a real gem.

An exceptional book. Those tar spots on the beach, those yucky lumps of rotting kelp, those minor shellfish will all become fascinating interacting worlds for you. Beautiful photos that excite and succinct explanations that educate in a package that could well be an excellent coffee table book. We should all hope that this is what all nature books would become. I recommend this book to anyone interested in ocean life (not just Monterey Bay).

I am giving this book out as gifts to friends and relatives.

This book provides many many photographs of marine organisms found in Monterey Bay (California coast). The photographs are clear, well-reproduced, and organisms are identified by common and Latin name. This alone would be a good reason to buy the book. However, the authors went beyond excellent photography into detailed marine biology. For every organism, they provide fascinating details from the biology of the organism, often supplemented with additional photographs illustrating the phenomenon being described. I have taught chemistry, biology, and marine biology at the high school level, as well as being a SCUBA diver; I found this book to be full of new and fascinating information, well presented and carefully documented, with scientific sources cited (but not obnoxiously). I loaned this book to two high school students, one fascinated with marine biology, one not so fascinated, and they were both enthralled: "that book is so cool!" "did you know anemones fight?" One of the best books on the ocean environment I've ever seen; clearly a labor of love on the part of the authors.

This is the same book that was formerly stocked by Amazon as the Longstreet Highroad Guide to the Chesapeake Bay - I think it's being printed by a different publisher now. It's an excellent guide, particularly if you are interested in nature. It includes a nice overview of the natural history of the Bay and then goes on to list attractions around the Bay, divided up into different regions. Each section includes maps, general attractions, parks, natural areas, fishing and boating opportunities, restaurants, driving directions, lodging and campground information.

This book povides a lot more then visitor information. I've read several guides to the Chesapeake Bay region and this is the only one that gives the reader a real feel for the area. Places an emphasis on the natural environment. Some guide books spend a lot of time on things around the Bay and ignore the BAY itself. This one has it all. I find myself going back to it often.

This is a very comprehensive guide to enjoying the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding rivers and parks. I have on several occasions used the phone numbers on the book to contact fishing holes and parks, and they all have been reliable and true to their descriptions on my visits.

The book gives ample attention to the lesser known regions of the area, and spends equal amounts of time exploring Maryland, Virginia and the Delmarva penninsula. In each geographical section, the authors describe the natural and historic draws, as well as give directions, cite a few restaurants and hotels (with prices). Very helpful for someone who is not very familiar with the area.

The thing I really liked about this book was it explained wildlife and history of the Bay region well, as well as explain the delicate environmental state of the Bay in the last 100 years. This book is a must have for those exploring the Bay region.

Our entire family enjoyed this book after a family vacation in Maine. It's a darling story, well written. We've read it over and over again! Emily Chetkowski sure seems to be a talented writer of children's books.

We love Mabel! This is our first book of the series and we can't wait to read the other books. A wonderful adventure that has become my 4 year old's favorite story. We read it every night before bed!:o)

I've been to the exact place in Maine that Mabel took her stroll and I was able to picture this book very clearly in my mind. This is a wondeful book, especially for those of us who love their dogs like they are one of the family.

Very few guitar instruction books are revolutionary or breakthrough for me. I will buy them on the number of stars in a review and find them quite disappointing. I've always believed that there are a few keys that can unlock your understanding of the fretboard and its modes - the guitar is a deceptively simple instrument - and this book is truly it. Not only that, the tracks on the CD are keyed directly to the tracks in the book - one for one. Great great book.

The approach Jon Finn brings in this book is something that revolutionized all the music theory i have learned in 17 years of guitar playing. The coolest thing about this book is not WHAT is covered but HOW and WHEN. Dont expect to find anything else but the old scales and modes you already know. But you will find yourself in a new way of viewing the guitar neck geometry, bringing your improvising skills to a 'higher' level. Congrats Jon!

I have been playing the guitar for about 7 years from now. In this time I have been improvising with the pentatonic licks from the gratest rock guitar players. After I began to master them all, I just noticed that I was doing always the same thing. After I read this book, I began to learn new ways of playing the guitar. I think that I was able to play my improvisations with a pencil, now I improvise with full color. The content is presented on an easy and funny way, making it a really a great experience. It also has a CD, which has all the examples of the book and some tracks where you can improvise applying the learned lessions.

A member of the Denver Mile High Harmonica Club has developed his blues technique tremendously with this book. Impressed with his progress, I orderd the book and am working my way through the book and CD. I have improved a lot in only a few lessons.

Great book! Not for the beginner that can't bend notes yet. I just picked up the Harmonica about 4 months ago and just getting bending down now. Almost all of the written examples appear on the CD. A book that will get lots of use!

This book is primarily about one thing, learning how to solo with a harmonica. It teaches various techniques and has exercises to build your soloing ability. A great book, helpful to me!