This book is very well written, the explanations are very clear and accompanied by high-quality illustrations. I recommend using it together with "Self Assessment Picture Tests in Medicine: Clinical Medicine", the companion book with question covering the content of "Color Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine" for a better preparation for USMLE Step 2.

It is a great book. More than 1,500 color pictures that you can see on all USMLE Steps and speciality Boards.

This text was a perfect review for USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3! Has full color reproductions of classic ECG's, X-Rays, V/Q's and clinical patient presentations. As an example, I only found pictures of "rachitic rosary" in one book and this one was it! A must have for board review.

Don't stop until you have read this book, written by a truly talented and savvy Navy veteran of 24 years. The incidents of his childhood and career in the Navy are so well selected and artfully drawn that the reader is kept in a state of continued anticipation, awaiting the unfolding of more of the life events. The true life story chronicles the remarkable chapters of Captain Barnard's life and we are in his debt for sharing them with us. A must read for all and a great example for our youth, as well.

This is one of the funniest and most engaging autobiographies I've read in a long time. Bill Barnard must be part cat, because he has lived a full and often dangerous life and has survived unscathed. From his early escapades involving homemade rollercoasters to his later adventures overseas, Bill manages to describe the excitement in a way that makes the reader feel a part of the action. This book is proof that fascinating people live among us, and thankfully, sometimes, they tell their story.

This is a great book, of the shaping of a young man in the 1920's South and the changing U.S. Navy of the 1930's and 1940's. Bill has a remarkable memory and delivers a rich account of the everyday events that molded many of our fathers. His stories of growing up, in familar vocabulary and youthful excitement, are strikingly similar to the stories my own father told but never wrote down. His description of the U.S. Navy of the 30's and 40's was through the eyes of the ever optimistic and overly self-confident young sailor. The book is a colorful description of the service force ships, the support squadrons, and the search aircraft of a changing Navy.
It is a delight to read and offers a very positive,humorous and personal perspective of the changing Navy from the "boot" seaman, the pilot, and the squadron commanding Officer.

The photos collected in this book, about 150 of them, capture a period in time from 1872 to the early 1930s, when the area along the upper Snake River below Yellowstone was explored and settled. There are photos taken by seven photographers, the earliest of them William Henry Jackson (1843-1942) traveling with a scientific expedition and working with cumbersome equipment and 11x14 wet glass negatives.

The bios of all seven of these men recount the lives of 19th and early 20th century adventurers, intrepid trekkers across the wilderness and frontier to make a visual record of the West during its early years of settlement. Their images are joined by those of scores of amateur photographers, whose snapshots were collected for this edition and fill many of the pages of the book.

The book is organized by various themes, from rodeo (see cover) to farming and ranching, communities, dudes, hunting, and so on. An interesting sequence captures a landslide which blocked the Snake River for 2 years in the 1920s and then gave way, causing a flood that inundated the valley, wiping out the town of Kelly. Another sequence illustrates the years of change at Teton Pass, the only winter access to the valley, transport progressing from horses to automobiles.

Lest we think of this as entirely a man's world, there's a photo of the all-woman town council of Jackson, the first U.S. town to be governed entirely by women (1920-1924). There are photos of the first aeroplane landing, winter dog sled racing, and the environmental devastation caused by the damming of Lake Jackson. Photos record the vists of European royalty and the John D. Rockefellers, whose influence and money helped create Grand Teton National Park.

For lovers of the Old West and old photographs, the images reproduced here are a rich treasure. From significant and historic events to everyday life, the book is a picture album of Americana. I also recommend another excellent collection of old Western photographs in Richard Collins' "The American Cowboy."

This wonderful book shows you the real spirit behind the town of Jackson. Before it became a resort and a vacation town, Jackson was a gateway through the Teton Mountains.

Through vivid photography, the author relay to the reader the struggles and hardships associated with living in a small western town during the turn of the century while also expose them to the joy and beauty that make people move to the Jackson Valley today.

Seeing Jackson in this early state makes you appreciate what is there today and what is lost of yesterday.

When my mother first began work on her second book, I thought, what is she up to now? At any rate, she saw the project through, and it actually came out very good. It truly gives the reader or looker, a feel for life in Jackson Hole in the early days. My mother gave birth to me in 1951, (not the early days) and I had just opened my eyes, and she said "son, "Life" magazine is for people who can't read, and "Time" is for people who can't think. Her book covers both basis (bases), so is something an entire family can enjoy. If it passes my test, it's worth a peek. Jim Huidekoper Jackson Hole Wyoming 4/11/97

Our kids love this book and ask for it over and over. They love to see Elim try new things until he finds something he can excel in. They especially love the drawings of Elim trying out new sports. Our family highly recommends this story.

Our family loves this book and can't wait to see what future adventures are in store for Elim.

This adorable book gives little tykes a taste of Alaska--and the determination and spunk that characterizes its citizens. Its lively spirited humor and expressively illustrated pictures teach children early on that it pays to follow your dreams and never give up. "Elim" is good material both for reading to small children--and children learning to read, with helpful educational questions and vocabulary list at the end,

Christy Lowry

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This would have to be one of the best kid's books around. My 5 year-old just loves hunting for all the hidden critters and counting them off. Sometimes all you see is a tail, or an ear, or a familiar silhouette far off on the horizon.

There is no better way to get children developing a sense of the different environments around the globe and the animals that live in all the different habitats: from the arctic to the equatorial rainforests and from the mountains to the deserts; under the water and by the seaside.

We have only one criticism with this book. It was my budding, junior-zoologist that spotted it. Mr Ibex in not in the comprehensive index although there are ten ibices (?) to be seen on page 26. With 300 different kinds of animals in this book, we have to give it a score of 299 out of 300, that is, almost perfect!

In The Great Animal Search there are some 100 animals to spot and identify on every double-page of this oversized book. Each scenario showcases a different part of the world and the wildlife that lives there. In addition to countless hours of puzzle solving fun, there is a wealth of fascinating animal facts presented in succinct, easy-to-read captions.

These books are great! The entire concept of the hidden picture gets the kids really thinking. The adventure of learning that follows each picture just amazes me. The Where's Waldo books did not appeal to our family. We love the " I spy " books and those pictures are magnificent! These books however, the pictures do captivate you but there is a learning process with each picture. My children are 10, 8, and 5 and I notice the difference in what each one asks from these pictures. I think this series is wonderful because it does combine the puzzle concept with so much else. The Great Animal Search is my 5-year-old son's favorite!

If life was fair and simple, Stephen Kirton would be happily married to a respectable lady. However, as far as Stephen is concerned life is unreasonable and complex so he knows his dream will never happen, as Polite Society will never accept a person born on the wrong side of the sheets let alone his commerce with the "lower classes".

Instead, he seeks a night of revelry at the hedonistic Ormstead Park where he is shocked to see Annabelle Winston, an unattainable fantasy from his less complicated youth. They share drunken kisses at night, but that morning she rejects his proposal of marriage to avoid scandal. BELLE flees, but Stephen follows because he knows she is the one person who could bring happiness into his bleak dismal world.

BELLE is a warm historical romance though readers will wonder if the hero is a Regency adult or a disenchanted 1960s youth failing to score during the summer of Love. Stephen is the duel edge sword of the exciting plot. Readers will either moan along with him as a charmer who deserves the love of a good woman or tell him to get a life. Belle is an intriguing individual whose fall from grace contrasts with her letters to her mother. Melanie Jackson provides a well-written tale, but readers need to decide whether Stephen is an immature whiner or a misfortunate antihero.

Harriet Klausner

Melanie Jackson has fashioned a fun romp, laced with historical detail and a lyrical feel. Stephen and Annabelle fall into each others' arms when they are nothing short of "foxed." Both have been jilted and are looking for what love really means. The opening, where we slowly discover through the characters' own points of view, just how incapacitated they are becoming, is really excellent writing. When they wake the next morning, compromised in reputation, if not in fact, and feeling the worse for wear, the chase begins with each trying to save the other from him or herself. Reavers, poison, and a series of delightful card games where the lovers play for stakes much higher than money, are barriers to their final bliss. But we know they are going to get there. Ms. Jackson has obviously spent time in the English country-side and in some wonderful inns. You can feel the reality of the settings right along with the characters as you join them on their wild ride to love.

Most people who adore Melanie Jackson know her as one of the finest historical writers around. She draws vivid characters, who grab you from the start, that are intelligent, with sparkling wit and a sparkle in the eye. This time she paints her story with a lighter, whimiscal touch and scores another bullseye, showing you she is a talent to watch.

Stephan Kirton has been dumped - the lady in question having no ambition to marry the scarred, ...son of a Duke; while Belle had been abandoned by her betrothed, Quincy. ...

Their journey is one escapade after another, meeting Sweeney Todd, Scottish reivers and various others characters along the way and scandalising the whole countryside in the process!

This is one delightful read I could not put down!!

WISE WRITERS AND READERS Book of the Month...

Asperger's Syndrome or AS is a neurological condition that is on the spectrum as autism. It is NOT a mental illness. Luke Jackson, the young author of this sterling work gives a clear and pure voice of what "undefined behavioral/sensory differences" mean in terms of coping on a routine daily basis. Heightened sensory modes in addition to many of the behaviors that often accomopany AS such as rigid adherence to routines and/or ideas; social difficulties and literal interpretations of statements often stand out even more during puberty. This brilliant young man has presented a good case for nutrition and autism/Aspeger's; (a/A) several of his siblings exhibit varying degrees of spectrum behaviors.

Dr. Tony Attwood, an author and Asperger's specialist has contributed to this book. Dr. Attwood gives the Voice of Hope and the Stamp of Validity on Aspeger's. He provides clear, logical descriptions of spectrum behavior as well as clear, logical definitions of Asperger's and its neurological relationship to autism. Hats off to Dr. Attwood!

This is a book that will be cherished and used by parents, professionals, people with spectrum differences and people who are interested in spectrum differences. This invaluable book is for everybody!

As the mother of an AS son, I've read plenty of books about Asperger Syndrome, and am quickly becoming an expert on all the buzzwords and checklists associated with AS. I cannot tell you how refreshing it was to read an upbeat, practical book about the challenges and rewards (yes, rewards!) of Asperger's, written by a cheerful teenager who lives in the AS world. Luke's lighthearted first-hand approach to a wide range of topics was a breath of fresh air after reading several helpful but rather scholarly books, all written from an 'outsider's' point of view. Thise guide is a must in any AS collection.

As a parent of a newly diagnoised adolescent with Aspergers, I am trying to read as much as I can get my hands on. This book is by far, one of the best. As I read, I had to constantly remind myself that the author was only 13 years old!! His writing style is amazing. He writes intellegently, passionately and with humor. I chuckled through many chapters. He offers discriptions of how it feels to be different,( "it's cool to be different") his everyday struggles and suggests how to cope. My 12 year old sleeps with the book under her pillow!! I wish I could give Luke Jackson a big hug.

Current US international policy shows just how brilliant and enduring Frederick Turner's Frontier Thesis really is.

The basic idea is that after the initial explorations by Spain, England, etc., the real colonisation of America was a flight from conditions in Europe (including Ireland and Britain) which led to a European-style culture and settlement of the East Coast.

This led to a second flight from European-like influences into the interior - which simply pulled European-style culture further west. And so it continued until Europe finally reached the West Coast.

There are numerous ramifications of the thesis, including the "force majeur" (might=right) attitude of the settlers towards the Native Americans - with its ominous overtones on the eve of war in the Middle-East.

As far as I understand it, for all the "warts", Turner was looking to UNDERSTAND the American mentality/culture, as shaped by by historical experience, and the Frontier Thesis is a critique, NOT a criticism.

Read this book and gain a whole new, or at least greatly expanded, view of what it means to be an "American".

Current US international policy shows just how brilliant and enduring Frederick Turner's Frontier Thesis really is.

The basic idea is that after the initial explorations by Spain, England, etc., the real colonisation of America was a flight from conditions in Europe (including Ireland and Britain) which led to a European-style culture and settlement of the East Coast.

This led to a second flight from European-like influences into the interior - which simply pulled European-style culture further west. And so it continued until Europe finally reached the West Coast.

There are numerous ramifications of the thesis, including the "force majeur" (might=right) attitude of the settlers towards the Native Americans - with its ominous overtones on the eve of war in the Middle-East.

As far as I understand it, for all the "warts", Turner was looking to UNDERSTAND the American mentality/culture, as shaped by by historical experience, and the Frontier Thesis is a critique, NOT a criticism.

Read this book and gain a whole new, or at least greatly expanded, view of what it means to be an "American".

Mr. Turner ingeniously express's who we are and the reasons why. This work produced last century harbors a number of ideas on what made this country the greatest nation in the world. Mr. Turner correctly weaves his thesis on the frontier in a very short span.

By reading this work you will realize what separates the United States from every other land. All other works on the history of this special place we call home are details and footnotes on the events that have taken place over our brief span of time.

This is a highly useful book. The information in it can be applied to almost any genre or campaign. The listing of martial arts is comprehensive and there are rules to design your own new ones. I use this book more often than almost any other gurps book that I own. The only downside is the increase in complexity for combat. Extra realism brings extra complexity as usual. Note: you must have the gurps basic set to use this book.

GURPS Martial Arts is a well-written, informative supplement for every serious (or otherwise) GURPS layer or GM. As with so many other GURPS books, however, it is an excellent resources in and of itself, and knowldge of the base system is NOT needed to enjoy this publication. For GURPS, however, this book includes rules for a new type of combat, with manuvers, spin-offs of base skills. There are rules for Realistic and Cinematic/Chambara styles, as well as weapons, history and campaign ideas, making this book one of the best of its kind.

I have been interested in GURPS and Martial Arts for a long time. This book contains tons of styles and the rules for skills and manuvers are very nicely done. Although it doesn't have Every martial art in existance it does have a wide selection and rules for creating/integrating your own. I integrated Taido in and it worked really well. This book can add flavor to GURPS combat even if it is weapon-oriented (a lot of martial arts are.) However I would recommend the 2nd Edition but overall I loved it! The possiblities are pretty much limitless and that is what makes it so good