My son was diagnosed in 1989 at the age of 8 years old with three brain tumors. We were told her would die in surgery and if he did live he would be a vegetable. The doctor was wonderful and he lives and is doing wonderfully! I have been involved deeply with brain tumor suppport now for 11 years. I talk to families at least once a week. This book gives great insight into how the kids feel about their disease and the experience that goes with it. The most important part of this book is the section that the fathter's discuss their feelings. Dads have a very difficult time knowing how to help and "fix" it as they think they must! This chapter is priceless. Good Book, Good Information, Important learning here!

Erma Bombeck became renowned by highlighting the amusing aspects of the terrene. She did not usually make what are typically called "jokes"-just offbeat observations. Her columns more often initiated a satisfying smile than a hearty belly laugh. But even on the occasions that she was painfully funny she showed respect for her subjects and her audience. It was the proud acknowledgement that she was one of us that allowed us to chuckle at family life, grocery shopping, housework, and all the other quotidian errands that compose the bulk of our lives. Regardless of the subject she found some aspect that was good for a "laugh with" not a "laugh at."

How about the subject of children battling cancer? The thought of jocularly treating such a topic sounds comparable to the depraved entertainment regurgitated by the likes of Howard Stern. Surely, Erma Bombeck-the avatar of wholesomeness-would never approach such a subject. No, but it approached her. She was asked to write this book, and at first the thought of it repulsed her. Momentarily dropping her guard, she allowed herself to be talked in to attempting this work. We should all be thankful that she caved. The result is a reverent; inspiring read that has had a propitiatory impact on many, many children and adults battling cancer---not to mention legions of us who are blessed with good health.

Treading with great veneration for her subject, she produced a book overflowing with warmth, encouragement, and-as unbelievable as it may seem-tasteful mirth. It stands a proud addition to her rich legacy.

Having grown up in an era when "the 'C' word" meant a death sentence, I was taken aback when a friend of mine suggested this little-known work of Erma Bombeck's. Why would a humerous writer tackle such a depressing subject? Kids with cancer? The book was not depressing at all. Sure I cried, but they were tears of joy. I laughed at the antics of some of the kids. I praised the professionals who dedicate their time and money to these kids. Cancer is no longer necessarily a terminal disease. People beat it all the time. I was unaware of this until I read this book, and no one could do it like Erma. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but it is especially uplifting to someone who has a friend or family member with cancer.

Outstanding book that would be even better with pictures.

My brother sent me a copy of Beyond Burlap for my birthday. I fell in love with this cookbook. Now, I send it to all my friends who have ever asked what can I make with potatoes. It is very complete and appeals to all tastes and ages. A perfect gift for anyone!

Beyond Burlap has an excellent assortment of potato recipes! I never knew there were so many ways to prepare a potato! The Potato Mocha Poundcake is my favorite. The stories and fun potato tidbits make Beyond Burlap a fun cookbook to own!

All potato lovers should own this book!

The Boys of Boise is one of those books that anyone interested in understanding the issues besetting those living an alternative lifestyle must read.

John Gerassi writes an editorial history of a series of politically motivated arrests and harrassments of those in the homosexual community in Boise, Idaho in 1955. Gerassi writes from a mid-1960s perspective in the midst of the sexual revolution looking back on a different perspective when homosexuality was even less accepted than it was in the 1960s.

The book explores several issues as they impacted a prosecution of a given portion of the homosexual population: community politics, the input and influence of a religous community (in Boise - the LDS), the role of the popular local press, a grab for power by those outside the main community power structure, the role of law enforcement and the courts.

Why is this book a must read for understanding issues facing those living alternative lifestyles today? The events covered could happen in any community today - to those who are exploring poly relationships, BDSM, and Gor - as well as to those who continue to simply live within the Gay community. There are laws on our books in each state and locale that could be discriminatively enforced to bring problems to individuals or groups - in violation of protections they believe they have under the Bill of Rights.

The only possible negative in the book - and for some it is not a negative - is the amount of space devoted to reproducing the entirety of court dialogs and certain other primary sources. While I personally enjoyed having the sources there - other historians would prefer they be relegated to either appendices or simply referenced and summarized. It should be noted that when Gerassi wrote this book - he was a reporter/editor for a news periodical rather than a university professor.

The book definitely belongs in the library of scholars devoted to Urban studies, gay studies, the sociology of alternative lifestyles and the like.

From 1955 to 1957, Boise, Idaho, was caught in the grip of a full-blown Gay panic that made national headlines and gave Idaho's judicial system a black eye. This study of the panic, published in 1965, is both of its time and decades ahead of it. Gerassi brilliantly dissects the (chiefly economic) motives of people involved in promoting and prosecuting the scandal. He also displays a sharp eye for character and incidental detail.

A must-read for anyone interested in GLBT history, and also a classic piece of investigative journalism, Gerassi's book is an astonishing piece of work. (Neil Miller covers a similar scandal in Sioux City, IA, with the somewhat inferior _Sex Crime Panic_.)

It has been 20 years since I last lived in Boise. This book and its numerous color pictures, however, confirmed for me that despite intense growth, the essential character of the place remains the same. The strength of this book is the writers' obvious sensitivity to the character of the place and its people -- a sensitivity that allowed me to make this conclusion. For example, although the title says Boise, the authors, through pictures and descriptions of the rugged and beautiful Idaho outdoors, display an understanding that Idaho wilderness is inseparable from Boiseans' notions of themselves. Very much worth purchasing.

As Harlequins go, this is 5 star book. Very cute, amusing, sweet, romantic...a nice little book. It had me laughing out loud at times. (I liked the whole book, but I especially liked the epilogue.)

Great book! If you want to read a real romantic comedy (instead of a slightly amusing sorta-funny romance) then this is it.

They have even made a TV movie based on this book (re-named "Recipe for Revenge") a few years ago! Well! I guess I'll have to see that!

Although out of print, the author has some copies for folks who really want them such as those who own a house on the boulevard or those fighting for preservation and sensible planning.

The Idanha: Guests And Ghosts Of An Historic Idaho Inn by Dick d'Easum is the minutely detailed story of a picturesque and landmark Idaho hotel with it's grand and colorful history. This was a place where Governors lived, an assassin plied his trade, Celebrities like Ethel Barrymore, Sally Rand, and Clarence Darrow stayed. Black-and-white photographs enhance a wealth of enjoyable and memorable anecdotes. The Idanha is written in a warm, conversational tone providing the reader with a thoroughly enjoyable and informative glimpse into highlights of an Idaho past.

This book is as fine as a float down the Boise River on a sunny day. Although the writing isn't as clear as the Wood River's waters(That's what the Boise River was more commonly called pre-1836) it pleasantly meanders about Boise's rich history. Your eyes will strike gold with the many fascinating pictures of old Boise. Mine the words and there too you'll tap a vein of history as keen as any yellow nugget.

The USS Boise was one of the most famous fighting ships of World War II. An oral history by one of the sailors who served on the Boise would thus seem a welcome addition to the growing number of eye witness accounts of the war. Unfortunately, like the movie "Pearl Harbor", this book simply does not do justice to the ship or it's exploits. Historical inaccuracies abound. The account of the Battle of Cape Esperance (the Boise's shining moment of the war) appears to rely on original battle reports which claim the Boise was responsible for sinking six Japanese ships, rather than subsequent history which incorporated Japanese documents showing that only two ships were sunk and another damaged by the four US ships involved in the battle. The book refers offhandedly to the capture of Rabaul by the allies (p. 185). Even the most novice historian of World War II knows that Rabaul was bypassed as a part of the island hopping strategy. Good editorial oversight appears non-existant as events in individual chapters are strung together with little coherence or analysis. Understanding movements of the ship in different campaigns is impossible without better maps, which only appear as crude, handwritten sketches at the beginning of the book. The book's strengths are its account of radar operations (which the author was intimately involved in) and the gripping details of Cape Esperance and its aftermath. Unfortunately, these strengths do not offset what is otherwise a very dissappointing piece of work.

"U.S.S. Boise : With All Our Might" reveals the "ordinary" events of a remarkable time. The text delivers a "you are there" feel that can conjur up the chill of sudden death then suddenly replace it with the elation of unexpected victory. Refreshingly free of the saccharine tomes of WWII and relatied novels, the everyday interactions are peppered with the real-life conflicts which naturally occur among men involved in a single cause (voluntarily or otherwise), and leaves you with a sense of "possibility" in the midst of impossible events which can be applied to life in general. Highly recommended.

Hank McIntyre

I decided to purchase this book to perhaps find a new trail or two. I have attempted to use the book to locate three "out of the way" trails that were new to me. Unfortunately, the book is hopeless. The maps are unclear and the descriptions are inaccurate (i.e., "go 200 yards from the pavement and turn left" when the reality is 70 yards or "go 0.3 miles and bear right" when the reality is 0.48 miles"). No, it's not me. I have had years of orienteering and navigation training, and I have a Master of Science in Engineering. In other words, I can read a map and accurately judge distances (I also have an odometer on my bike). I found the three trails, but having to deal with inaccurate information from a book whose "job" it is, is to be dead accurate is very annoying. The book was no more help to me than having a random mountain biker say "I think there is a trail over there" while jabbing his finger at a foothill. I am assuming that the author hasn't biked some of these trails since the first printing of the book in 1994 and things have changed over the last decade. I gave up and bought "Mountain Biking Boise" by Martin Potucek (I have not used it on trail yet, but the maps are clearer and the descriptions are better).