This book is tounge-in-cheek funny. A must for all working in librarianship professionally or para-professionally.

I am an MLS student and have not yet made my mind up whether to work in reference or cataloging...my heart calls me to reference work, but part of me admires such cataloging luminaries as Sandy Berman, etc.

Moreover, catalogers of the new Era will have to be among the most computer-savvy, too. Like or no, that's the way it's gonna be.

Anyway, as with most of Will Manley's books, very funny treatment of his subject matter. He is truly the Dave Barry of the library world.

Before reading The Truth About Catalogers, I had no interest in librarians, and I certainly didn't want to be one. After reading The Truth About Catalogers, I still don't want to be a librarian. But I did find the humor to be accesible, the writing to be direct and amusing, and the illustrations to be cute. Mostly, I felt that Will Manley had captured the whimsical tone made so popular by Robert Fulghum (of the All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten fame). I found the stories to be less about Card Catalogers, and more to be about people. I feel that was the greatest strength of the book - I've never understood the Dewey Decimal system, but I laughed out loud at the exploits of people who obsess about it!

I'm a graduate student in Library and Information science major. Actually, my professor recommanded this book to us. After reading this book, I feel great. It deals with real situation in library and gives us a lot of helpful illustrations for each situation which we can encounter when we catalog a lot of resources. Anyway, you should read this book, if you want to be real librarian.

I rate this book not because the book is "so wonderful", but because it is a must have for the tournament player. Every chess player in general should know the rules to chess. But the tournament player must know the rules and procedures of a tournament. Such rules as "touch move" are all explained in detail in this book.

The book contains the explaination of the use of chess notation, the correct chess equipment, player's rights and responsibilities, explaination of the USCF rating system, and a section called "Ten tips to Winning chess".

If you are a tournament director, then this book is also a must have.

The writers of the fifth edition, due out in three years or so, will have their hands full matching the quality of this fourth edition. It is twice as large as its predecessor, and includes details every tournament director has always wanted, but no previous author has dared include. For example, if a player promotes a pawn to an upside-down rook, it is considered a queen. There is an entire chapter on the well-run tournament, which even includes advice to use duct-tape to silence those noisy door latches in hotel tournament rooms. Please, future writers, follow this example! A new edition is necessary, largely because of some new technology in the area of digital chess clocks with a 5-second delay. Let's hope this topic can be treated as comprehensively in the next edition as everything else has been in the current one. It'll be a few years for the 5th edition, so go ahead and acquire this 4th edition if you are a tournament chess player or aspiring tournament director.

The Official Rules of Chess is a carefully written book. While the actual rules of chess have changed very little over time, this is a COMPREHENSIVE book, and has all of the rules in existence mentioned and covered clearly. I have often used this book as a Tournament Director in the Santa-Monica-Bay-Chess-Club for two years, and NEVER found it to be unclear. While I might not have liked some of the rules, every TD has his own pet interpretation of the rules. The object is to make a decision that satisfies both players as often as possible, and this book helps the reader to do just that.

Superbly written, exciting depiction of a magical yet increasingly scientific world. The first of a wonderful series, this book entices you to become part of the experiences of the war in Strand. The search for unicorns brings not only a possible weapon to the magical kingdoms, but also hope for the lone humans on the planet. The unicorns have much to teach the humans, but first their lives must be saved. Now the humans only have to convince the unicorns to help them.

The book was difficult to put down, in fact I found myself flying through it to continue on with the series. Keep in mind, that you too will soon have the entire series on your bookshelf so you can read the adventures again and a again.

This is one of the best book I've read and I would definately recommend it. The ending is very surprising and original - not what you expect. Too bad this book cannot be brought in the UK though. Can't wait to read the sequel.

I want more John Lee!!! One Unicorn series is not enough. I tore thru them in no time, and can't wait to see more from this author.

I missed the Vietnam War by a year or two. I served as an 11B from 72-78. I always wondered what it would have been like to have been there in a rifle company. Plenty of books about SF and LRRPs, but not very many written by a real platoon leader. I never had a tremensous desire to be an elite soldier in an elite unit (if I could have even made it). I only wanted to be a rifle squad leader. This book really made me feel what it would have been like. What I missed. It is a real world book. Not a battle every minute book filled with stories of great exploits. Just a real world grunt in Vietnam book. I recommend the companion book "The Only War We Had."

this book is the best book ive ever read.This book started out in hawaii lee was a luitenant at the time but he wanted to upgrade his level in office so he was asked to become company commader his journey through the viet kong was very exiting it was full of action and outrage his tale was very inspireing he stood up for his men and became very popular as bravo company commander and became one of the best plotoon in vietnam his wife lived in sanfracico her name was linda when lee move out of the states his wife was pregnant with there girl rosallie.he was waiting to come home after 8 months in the war he was a month awayfrom coming home to the states when he got a rear job which he was waiting for and then took his long ride back home to sanfracisco.

This book is the second in the set, the first being THE ONLY WAR WE HAD. This book, however, is different in that the author is no longer a naive Lieutenant being shipped off to Vietnam. This book begins with the same Lieutenant--now aged and matured--returning to Vietnam from leave in Hawaii. Like his first book, VIETNAM 1969-1970: A COMPANY COMMANDER'S JOURNAL is both detailed and exciting.

If you have never read a Christian biography, put this at the top of your must-read list. If you are a reader of Christian biographies and have not read this biography, you are missing out on the life of one of the most useful servants of the Lord in the past century.

It's time well-spent. I absolutely recommend it.

I would like to recommend this book to seeking Christians who desire to be encouraged and strengthened to pursue Christ as life! Witness Lee does an outstanding job of collecting and expounding some of the most valuable life experiences of one of God's faithful servants, Watchman Nee. This book, from cover to cover, portrays an overwhelming portrait of how God needs and uses man for His plan. From the highest to the lowest points in his life, Brother Nee remained faithful to the revelation he received from the Lord. It is inspiring to see what God can accomplish through His chosen people! Brother Nee's life is truly a pattern for those who desire to be one with the Lord's heart's desire on the earth today. Witness Lee, was captured by such a life and was led by the Lord to release the testimony of his dear co-worker. Tears will come to your eyes when you read this amazing story of God's expression through man.

This book is on a great man of faith, Watchman Nee. The book clearly portrays his conversion, his vision, and the kind of life he lived because of his vision. A sober and honest Christian will see a genuine human being, serving God in a normal way, but with abounding grace to meet large and small problems with divine humanity, for the purpose of building the Body of Christ, and not just his own ministry.

As the book reveals, Watchman Nee's ministry was one of crystal clear vision and specificity. Yet he was able to take correction and adjustment from God in any form, even from Watchman's own employees.

His martyrdom in prison ended a life of subjection to the cross. Thus the result of his ministry was always something of resurrection. This book was the best story I have ever read. The tears and repentence I found in its pages have helped me a great deal in my spiritual walk.

There are reproductions of original documents, old photos, and letters. Many interesting historical items. But the book is not so much from a historical perspective, as it is from a perspective of how brother Watchman Nee's vision developed within him, as he served the Lord to minister to the Body of Christ. Over his life time, he became more and more clear as to the deep intent of the Bible, and was always ministering with this very particular view. He did not believe in the artificial separations imposed by organized Christianity, and the Lord was able to bring in a revival of simple Christian oneness through his ministry.

His life was not a fairy tale of artificial perfection that many Christians seem to seek, but he was a faithful person, and an example to us all of how to live and serve in simplicity, singleness to the Lord, and faithfulness, in a holy, uncommon way.

Grace be to the diligent reader.

David Dewey's text on watercolor is not just another vanity book showcasing one artist's personal work, but a thorough in-depth introduction to both visualizing & handling a most difficult medium. Nor does it pretend to be an easy does it 1-2-3 & your painting watercolors type of book. Rather it is layered & dense with information that could easily keep you preoccupied for a year or more worth of instruction. Start with the monochromatic exercises in the beginning of the book & follow them religiously till you know them blindfolded. Do the same with the invaluable content on color theory & the related exercises. The lessons provided will reward you with a mastery of the medium & help you to find your own voice in watercolor. This book is not another feeble attempt at learning to carbon copy of someone else's technique. The many examples of various watercolor artist's work & their analysis is excellent as well.

This is a model of concise instruction, wise advice, deceptively simple exercises, and compact design. Like they say on TV: if you buy just one watercolor book, make it this one.

Dewey gives equal emphasis to materials, theory, technique, the principles of design, and simple practice. He sees the whole art. He begins with an overview of paint manufacturers, brushes, papers and other supplies, and closes with an invitation to try mixed media and a step-by-step explanation of how to do a large studio painting. There are penetrating discussions of color theory and mixing paints, on selecting the palette for each painting, and on building a painting from value sketches.

The technical advice in this book is exceptionally accurate and easy to understand. The four pages explaining how to paint washes avoid the errors or omissions common in most other books. All topics are illustrated with pictures that add information rather than decorate the page. Dewey includes several traditional techniques that other methods don't mention: pen and ink wash drawings, value design sketches, using a sketchbook, monochrome paintings, color chords for color design, the "color" of gray, and much more. The book is so compactly organized that many gems of advice are tucked in the picture captions; the book can be studied repeatedly and still teach something new.

Dewey has painted the student lessons and technical examples displayed throughout the book. The more advanced lessons build on simple but beautifully designed demonstration paintings (my favorite is the still life on a patterned rug). Everything comes together in a harmonious vision of watercolor art, a reference and inspiration for many hours of happy experimentation and learning.

An outstanding book for the watercolor enthusiast. Dewey's chapters cover materials, subject matter and technique that even the advanced watercolorist can learn from. The book is a handy item to help both the practicing artist and teacher. Not so much a step by step study, but rather information that can be applied to the artists individual style and subject matter.

I was astonished to discover how many interesting and amazing facts Lee Wardlaw came up with in her history of ice cream. This carefully researched book is written with style and humor -- just like all her books. It's full of amusing stories and reads almost like a novel. Kids will love telling their friends what they've learned about this delicious subject. An excellent book for kids -- and their parents too.

Lee Wardlaw, the fun food expert who also wrote BUBBLEMANIA: THE CHEWY HISTORY OF BUBBLE GUM, has topped that smackin' good read with one about the number-1-greatest-dessert-on-earth...ice cream. You might ask me why I would read about ice cream when I could just eat ice cream, and I would say you have a pretty good question. But I have ten great answers. (By the way, I could think of 101 reasons why you should read this book, but Lee Wardlaw already wrote 101 WAYS TO BUG YOUR PARENTS, and I don't want to bug her!)

TEN REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ ABOUT ICE CREAM WHEN YOU COULD BE EATING IT:

1. If there is ever an earthquake large enough to destroy all of the ice cream companies on earth, you will have this book and be able to start your own company and save the world.

2. This book has GREAT ideas about the best possible careers. Name one job better than inventing ice cream flavors.

3. The next time your moms tells you not to stir up your ice cream, you can tell her authority that ice cream is better that way. The man with the million dollar taste buds says so.

4. When you go out with friends, you can win the game of naming the weirdest flavors of ice cream. How about tuna fish ice cream?

5. Feel like royalty. Ice cream was once so rare that only kings and queens could afford it.

6. When your teacher starts going on and on about the father of our country, you can point out that there was somebody much more important: Jacob Fussell, the father of the American ice cream industry.

7. Improve your self-esteem. Did you know that it was a kid who first got the idea for an ice cream Sundae? Talk about an important invention.

8. This book will give you reasons to LOVE math and science. Ice cream couldn't happen without them. Your grades are guaranteed to go up a whole mark after reading this book. We'll start with an easy one: If you have a gallon of cookies'n'cream ice cream and four hungry kids, how much fudge sauce will your mom have to buy?

9. There's a whole chapter of recipes! Make your own ice cream! No freezer? Make it in a plastic sandwich bag!

10. I saved the best for last. You don't have to read about ice cream instead of eating it. You can do both at the same time. Just don't get the book sticky. Your mom and dad will want to read it, too!

With this book, Lee Wardlaw has completed the great triumvirate of ice cream books. First there was Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla by Anne Cooper Funderburg, giving us the first really accurate, complete, and very readable history of ice cream published in the twentieth century. And then there was Frozen Desserts by Caroline Liddell and Robin Weir, the best and most complete recipe book on ice cream written in the twentieth century. All that was lacking in the Ice Screamer's library was a good, readable, accurate book for children, and now, after having patiently waited until the new millenium and thanks to Lee Wardlaw, noted children's author, we have that book. The library is complete, God is on his throne, all is right with the world, and the only emperor is the emperor of ice cream. So what makes this book so good? Where to start.....well, just take a look at the cover. You cannot resist picking up this book, and then, well, then you've had it. First, there is the readability. I started the book and didn't stop until it was finished. Like I usually do with a good bowl of homemade ice cream, I devoured it too fast. So I had to read it again...same thing, couldn't put it down. Immediately apparent in Lee's style in all her books, and it is evident here as well, is that she doesn't talk "down" to children. The language is direct and simple wihout being patronizing; the style "speaks" to the reader casually yet matter-of-factly, which of course means that adults flock to her books as eagerly as children do. Then there are the delightful illustrations by Sandra Forrest. My personal favorite is the soda jerk on page 76. And besides these illustrations, each chapter begins with a great black and white photo of a classic ice cream scene, many are historic and rare. The book is complete. Chapters on the history of ice cream, the story of certain ice cream treats, and recipes are of course to be expected and these are complete, concise and accurate. When fact tends to blur with fancy, Lee tells us so. When myth runs smack into history, Lee tells us so. But her facts are impeccable; accurate and concise. It is a very, very well researched book, yet so fun to read, every page turns with a smile or a chuckle. And then, like the surprise bit of crunch in butter brickle, there are the sidebars, adding tantalizing factoids and anecdotes just to make us salivate for more. Mmmmm....Good! But the real charm to me is in the "extra" chapters. I didn't expect to see a chapter on soda fountains and soda jerks, but here it is! I didn't expect to see a chapter on cones and cone manufacturers, but surprise!, here it is! The story behind some well known ice cream companies? Here it is! And just as a good topping makes a great sundae, take a look at the the chapter called The Man With the Million Dollar Taste Buds. I've met this wild and crazy guy, and if anyone could do justice to him, Lee Wardlaw has done so. To be perfectly honest, I've known for nearly two years that this book would be published this year, and I've been eagerly awaiting its release with great anticipation. I am happy to say that this book far exceeds all my greatest expectations. Are there any faults to this book? Well, yes, there are; ...two, in fact. First, I find that just like a bowl of my favorite ice cream, it's finished before I am satisfied. But this is the same problem I have with any good book on ice cream; I just want it to go on, and on, and on, never really having to close the final cover. And second, it seems to be classified as a children's book, and I suspect when it hits the bookshelves this summer, we'll find it in the children's section, but don't let it fool you. It is actually advertised as "Ages 8 and up"; especially notice the "and up"... that means it's for children of all ages. One of the uniquely endearing qualities of ice cream is that with every bite, it continually reminds us that inside we have always been, and will always be... children. The obvious conclusion is that this book is for anyone who loves ice cream. So the question begs to be asked: Who in the world could possibly not enjoy it? I can't imagine.

Ed Watz's book 'Wheeler & Woolsey' is a superb film history of a great and sadly forgotten movie comedy team. This volume evokes the golden days of both Vaudeville and Hollywood, as we follow the rise and sad fall of Wheeler & Woolsey. Mr. Watz also sets straight the historical record that the boys were second only to the great Laurel & Hardy in the 1930's and certainly ahead of their rivals the Marx Bros., the Ritz Bros., and the Three Stooges! Readers of this book will want to go out and see the films of Wheeler & Woolsey. Watz's book is a lost treasure.

This "sleeper" book, which I picked up because of my curiosity about the subjects (they are appearing regularly on the Turner Classic Movies station) is a revelation. Positively one of the best researched and entertaining books about a comedy team from the movies' golden age, the 1930s. To watch Wheeler & Woolsey is to understand what vaudeville-type comedy is (was) all about. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey have been overlooked in favor of teams like the Marx Bros. or the 3 Stooges. This book corrects that oversight. It is also a highly readable accounts of Hollywood politics behind the scenes at some of the major studios. If you're a fan of vintage movie comedy, get this book.

Wheeler and Woolsey were second to Laurel and Hardy in the heart's of movie going audiences of the 1930's. Since then, however, their star has faded and their acomplishments have been relegated to footnote status in the history of the golden age of comedy. Thanks to Edward Watz, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey are alive and kicking again in a definitive history of the lovable pair and their films. Exhaustingly researched and lovingly executed, the book chronicles the career ups and downs of the most unjustifiably forgotten comedians in the history of show business. Personal biographies are included, as well as detailed accounts of all of their features and short subjects. Long time leading lady Dorothy Lee lends her first hand account of the way things happend with a refreshingly candid foreward. She also shares her memories of each of the films that she participated in with a fascinating view that only an insider could relate. The later years are chronicled in the final chapter, featuring accounts of Bert Wheeler's career after the untimely death of his partner. All in all, this book ranks along side the superlative Laurel and Hardy, The Magic Behind The Movies, and Abbott and Costello in Hollywood, as one of the most enjoyable and informative demonstration's of film history as can be expected. If you love film comedy, you should not be without this book.

My children, ages 5 and 3, love this book. We have the paperback in pieces. The repetitive, rhyming nature and terrific pictures, combined with all of the elements of a classic "good vs. bad" fable keep them enthralled.

Whiffle Squeek has many elements associated with a quality children's book. The plot is captivating and leads to a satisfying ending. The rhythmic and repetitive narrative involves young children. They relate to the colorful characters and follow the sing-song progression of the story. Often the children in my preschool class would plead "again, again," and I would reply, "Yes, with pleasure" If you like this book I would also recommend CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM (author unknown)

I have used this book for the last 8 years in my kindergarten classroom. I sing it to the tune of Aiken Drum, and the children all adore it. They especially love the monster Gazook Gaboot, and the fact that the cat swims home to sleep. Our public library has only one copy and my classes have nearly single-handedly worn it out with love. Anyone who reads aloud to groups of children, or young at heart will enjoy Whiffle Squeek.

This is the first book of poetry that didn't leave me feeling ill after reading it. This is true life without all the cosmetic work made to spice it up into something it isn't. Instead we get the real thing, which is more interesting. Wonderful work from a talented writer. Hope to see something else from this writer in the near future. I recommend this book for anybody interested in real poetry from the heart.

Somehow I'm under the impression that poetry books are meant to be read a poem at a time, thoughtfully relished and slowly. I read Wishbone like a bestseller paperback, page after page consumed in the subliminal drama of the heroine's life. It's the only book of poetry I've read in one sitting. I'm really pleased to have five of her poems in the Modern Wife Library so you can see for yourself why I love Priscilla Lee's poetry....

I was moved by this debut book. I loved how the images of bridges and of eyes connected the range of sections from the early familial content of the first section through the sections having to do with loves, friends, and finally the "new" family. I also liked the whole question of one's life relative to what is fated, even predicted about it: how one chooses one's life as much as one is chosen by it.

I was intrigued by the style of her long-lined poems in the section titled "Peel". I found them consistently successful, and unique to her rich and thoughtful mind. And the humor in "Burnt Offerings" simply underscored the wisdom I sense throughout the book.

I'm glad Priscilla Lee write this book, and I look forward to her other work.