From unexpected viewpoints and using an unusally gifted talent for lighting his subjects, you could say Philippe's work is "Extreme Garden Photography". For what extreme sports have done to staid, traditional games, Philippe has done to the world of Garden Photography. The colors and textures are in-your-face bold: these are not your Grandmother's pale flowers!
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While it is the color and the boldness of scope that first grabs your attention, once you study them you see it is the composition, the lighting, and the contrast of focus that bring you back time and again to each photo. The knife-edged sharpness of a forefront flower leaps out at you from the softened background. Make no mistake: these photos are Art. In fact, some of the photos even cross over into the 'abstract' realm, perhaps even "Extreme Closeups".
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I don't pretend to be an expert on professional photography but as they say, "I know what I like." So if you love color, contrast, textures and a unique insight to your art - even if you don't particularly care for flowers in general - you really should get your hands on a copy of 'Brilliance'.
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Be aware though: many of the photos are small in size, almost overwhelmed by the surrounding white of the pages. This is the only negative commment I have. But I think I understand why they did this: doing full pages of each might be overwhelming when comprised together, not to mention the punch you get when you do come across a full page photo. I just wish they were a bit bigger so I could enjoy them all equally. Otherwise this is a brilliant piece of work.

Philippe Glade captures the sensual essence of the flowers he photographs.. the color is palpable.. the images pull the viewer into velvety petals and drench you in vibrant color.. providing a lift of spirit nearly as pure and warm as sunshine. I encourage you to experience and spend some quality time in his intimate garden of floral splendor...

I own the 2000 Engagement calender by P. Glade, and every page amazes me... The photographs are breathtaking; I highly recommend this artist to anyone who appreciates true beauty!

Every student must BUY THIS BOOK TODAY! I just finished three UW assignments in one day using the one sitting paper technique.
The tips for organization that I did in one day last week-end paid off when I could buzz through my work so quickly.
With two little kids and a husband to take care of this book has saved my life with all the ideas for enhancing family peace while struggling to get through school

As a nearly full-time student/employee, I have struggled to maintain high performance levels while maintaining some glimmer of sanity. This book delivers.

The writer does not offer condescending platitudes about "sucking it up, or toughing it out." Instead, he writes from personal experience as a husband, father, professional and student, who strives admirably, and frequently succeeds in fulfilling his many demanding roles. Informed by a scientist's deliberate and exacting approach, and a healthy dose of humor, the author outlines specific, practical strategies. His suggestions about managing space, maximizing learning, and combining and condensing projects, are indispensable for busy people who demand success in their lives. The author has provided a terrific resource that will benefit anyone looking to keep their edge, while balancing their life

I have not had the opportunity to meet Peter Mathiessen, but I could relate to his mention of sitting and listening to Captain Rob's tales, because I, too, have had that privilege. The book, Cracker in the Glade, is a collection of his ledger and it is written in his conversational tone. It is a recount of how Captain Rob saw the evolution of the growth in population in south Florida and the consequential degredation of the environment as he knew it. He is not judgmental in his description, rather it is matter of fact. Just as he viewed the hardships of living in Florida in the early 1900's as matter of fact. The reader is left with the sense that he knows the history of the Collier County area, and the inhabitants that endured the hardships together. While they were separate families with their own trials, they were one as a family of pioneers in area that was as rife with dangers as it was beautiful in the pristene sense of the tropical paradise. Betty Briggs is to be complimented for her sharing of her grandfather with the rest of us, so that we, too can know the adventures and evolution of this part of the Everglades.

Philippe Glade's spectacular images,in this weekly engangement calendar, bring fantastic pleasure in the simple grace and beauty found in flowers. Each week reveals botanical images, such as a stem, stamin or petal; brought in focus in a colorful and glorious "brilliance". Perhaps it's not so much the focus but the vibrance of color surrounding the cental point which is equally spendid.

This is a must see the sketches transport the viewer into a strange otherworld unknown to anyone. get this book it rocks and I love it buy it cos it's really good.

These poems are part of an essential and still little known body of war literature-that of the "police action" in Vietnam. People don't talk much about it but here are some crisp sketches from that event/those events to refresh memories or give you new ones. This book has not received the attention it deserves!

A cute little story with an underlying environmental message. My 4 year old daughter likes this one a lot.

This is a gentle tale about a woodland community who must find a new home because of encroaching urban development upon their land. It is a story about small creatures who must be brave and seek out a new safe place for themselves, despite the unknowns ahead.

The courageous decision of the group to leave their familiar home and embark on a journey to find a new "safe place" really speaks to my five year old who is nervous about the change from Preschool to Kindergarten this fall. She loves the "nice old brave raccoon," and says, "all the animals are so brave!" This book has helped show her that although transition can be scary, it can also be worked through; it has been comforting and reassuring for her.

I recommend this for any young child who is approaching a transition in their life.

Bill Peet worked for Disney animating such classics as 101 Dalmations. His "solo" work, however, eclipses his contributions to Disney's films.

Shady Glade is the peak of Peet's storytelling and artistry. It's a great story about a group of forest creatures who's home is about to be destroyed by the progress of man. They leave their home, ironically, on the very instrument that brought man so quickly across the continent, a train, in search of a new shady glade.

Peet's sketches are beautiful, the story is simple with a moral, and his charaterizations of woodland creatures are classic.

This was my favorite book as a child. I highly recommend it.

Long after the Wild West had come under the umbrella of civilization, lawmen had yet to stop the outlaws of Florida's Everglades. Plume hunters, gator poachers, smugglers and the vilest of murderers found seclusion and concealment amid the sawgrass and reptiles of America's greatest wetland. It took a special breed of lawman to track down and arrest the bandits who ruled the Everglades. Jim Huffstodt's subject matter is history in his book, "Everglades Lawmen," but his writing style is that of a southern "yarn spinner," one who recounts the tales as an old-timer would, sitting around a campfire with group of wide-eyed children hanging onto every word. Everglades lawmen were the toughest creatures in the swamp. Otherwise they would never have survived and never would have succeeded in taming the Everglades and tormenting its outlaws. In fascinating detail and lively presentation, Huffstodt recounts the tales that trace the transition from the times when wilderness law enforcement rested in the hands of men of iron up to today when Everglades lawmen...and women...rely on science and technology to build their cases. They still are men and women made of iron. They have to be to patrol alone, at night in the swamplands where some of America's most wicked criminals have sought consealment for centuries. But today, the criminals live in fear, because they know the Everglades lawmen are lurking in the darkness, just out of sight...watching, waiting...ready to swoop down on them like red-tailed hawks upon the snakes the bandits are. Huffstodt recounts tales told by the lawmen and versions of the same stories told by the outlaws they tracked. He captures both in a beautiful, understandable style. Hats off to Jim Huffstodt and his "Everglades Lawmen."

If you are interested in conservation and the outdoors, you'll really enjoy this book. The true tales of the people who dedicate their lives to protect our resources, are not only exciting, but served to enhance my appreciation of the jobs they do. I sent this book to my brother (an officer in Pennsylvania), to reinforce that while most calls end up as "routine", there is no such thing as a routine call. This book doesn't disappoint!

Everglades Lawmen tells a great story about the many and varied jobs facing today's game wardens.

The books goes into the early game wardens and the skills needed to get the job done in the "good old" days. The tragic stories of man killer alligators and the role of game wardens in protecting the species. Some great "war stories" about chasing and catching some interesting and colorful poachers.

Huffstodt does a great job telling about the many dangers facing today's game warden which the majority of the public has no idea about.

Highly recommended to anyone who cares about the natural resources left and what is needed to protect them.

I am an English teacher here in Southwest Florida. This summer I have been working with a colleague to design an interdisciplinary curriculum on Florida history for our 7th graders. We want to begin the year with the Calusa Indians, and as the English teacher it is my job to find fitting literary selections -- not always an easy sell to the 11-13 year old crowd. Was I excited then to find Panther Glade! The historical content is great: from Billy's experiences with his aunt and at a dig site, the reader learns about the Key-Cat of Marco Island, how the Calusas lived, how they disappeared -- yet all in a very palatable story vs. a dry history text. Even with this historical content, however (a teacher's dream), the novel has some modern themes my students can buy into as well: the protagonist is "dumped" on an aunt he barely knows so his parents can travel for a summer without him; he is excited to learn about the Calusas, but reluctant to show it for fear of looking "nerdy"; and he is a tad scared by being in a strange environment such as the Everglades, but unwilling to let that show, either. I want this for all 50 of my seventh graders, but have not been able to find 50 copies! I am contacting the publisher, Simon & Schuster, and trying to find copyright information in order to gain permission to copy my own volumes if needed -- I want the kids to read this! The reading level is easy and the story "flows" nicely. I will keep this site posted about any publshing developments!

As a Florida teacher (home school and classroom), I found Panther Glade was a wonderful lead-in to the study of Native Floridians, ancient Florida, and the Everglades and its inhabitants. As a reader, I found the story both informative and compelling. In Panther Glade, young Bill Carven spends the summer in Florida with his Great-aunt, an archaeologist investigating a Calusa burial mound. He quickly gains interest in the Calusa Indians, especially in the legend of Manther, the Cat-god of the Calusa. Bill learns how Calusa boys went alone into the Everglades to search for a vision and find their own spirit guides and protectors. The thought of being alone in the Everglades terrifies Bill, but he confronts his fears and finds the courage to survive when a sudden storm leaves him stranded in the Everglades. This coming-of-age book successfully connects present day readers/students with the past - a teacher's dream come true.

Dear Readers/Buyers,
It breaks my heart that PANTHER GLADE has not yet
found a paperback publisher. Schools in Southwest Florida (where the book is set, and where I live now, have used this book for studies about the still mysterious Calusa Indians, and
to explain and celebrate the beautiful Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands,thousands of years ago, and now.
PANTHER GLADE is set in the present day, features ongoing archaeology, Native American culture, and the fate of the Florida Panther. Just as important, today, after 9/11, PANTHER GLADE is a story about a boy's desperate but ultimately successful quest for personal courage. A coming-of-age tale,
it has more than a hint of the mystical and spirituality.
Is there a publisher out there who might want to reprint this 1993 hardcover (Simon & Schuster)still relevant novel? Get in touch. It was nominated for the ALA "Best Book for Reluctant Readers", and the "F.A.M.E. Sunshine Award" and received many good reviews.
I've recently secured all rights to PANTHER GLADE. (P.S. Why did I give it 5 stars? Probably because I loved writing it, because it brought me to Marco Island, Florida, a little piece of paradise, for sure.
Thanks for "listening". Helen Cavanagh

I loved this book, kept it right by my bedside for easy access and reread pertinent chapters. I felt more comfortable about my pregnancy knowing what was happening to my body and my baby. I especially enjoyed the detail in which the author described conception and the subtle changes which occur in the mother's body. With this edition, I can now share it with my Spanish speaking friends. ¡Gracias!

Creo que es uno de los libros mas completos que hemos visto. Mi esposa y yo lo leemos semana a semana para ver cuales son los cambios, tanto en ella como en el bebe. Lo recomiendo con los ojos cerrados!!!