In "The Power of Touch", Phyllis Davis has written an extremely useful guide book on a topic rarely discussed in serious terms. Her informal, anecdotal, and very personal style belie the research and scholarship of her work. Though an "easy read", it is a book with a message for the medical and behavioral sciance professional as well as the general public. In addition to research and personal and professional anecdotes, Ms. Davis has included exercises that may be used with a loved one, or in therapy sessions.

If "touch" is in itself, as powerful a tool for health as Ms. Davis's research shows us, then it is sadly underused inter-personally and medically in our society. I hope that the lessons of this little book will be broadcast far and wide.

As a managing editor working in the field of human potential and spirituality, I have been privileged to read the marvelous insights and practices of hundreds of authors. This incredible body of work has expanded my knowledge and understanding of what it means to be human, but none of these others works has ever touched me as deeply and helped me to transform myself and others as much as Dr. Phyllis Davis' The Power of Touch.

Dr. Davis addresses a painful, aching need for society and individuals: "skin hunger," the need to feel human touch, a desire that she says "runs much deeper than the desire for sex." This need-largely unfulfilled during the ages of more traditional lifestyles-will increase by many orders of magnitude, I fear, as we choose to immerse ourselves in an information technology-driven world where our main involvement with others rests with e-mail and "reality shows" like Survivor and Big Brother.

In The Power of Touch, Dr. Davis examines all aspects of our world-families, friendships, intimate relationships, and the workplace-to reveal the painful results of touch deprivation. In a world where so many people are living without the validation and self-assurance that come from touches and hugs, or a simple caress, it is no wonder that the movement toward increased spirituality in the workplace has faltered. Too many people have never experienced the power and the magic Dr. Davis attributes to touch, but they are hungering to do so.

A few years ago, after one of my first readings of The Power of Touch (in its first edition), I put Dr. Davis' ideas to the test. I was then working as a media relations specialist for a Fortune 500 company in Los Angeles. At a City Hall reception one evening, I saw a company executive who earlier in the day had completed his first broadcast media interview. "How did it go?" I asked, standing a comfortable "businesslike" distance from him. He replied in what can only be described as an engineer's technical monotone (he is an engineer). I then proceeded to "bubble over" as I expressed how proud I was of him. Without thinking (and I did not know this executive particularly well), I touched his arm and his back in a brief, but friendly hug. An electric jolt could not have changed this man's outward expression more. The stern lines of his face melted. A huge, almost boyish smile came over his face. He became animated and the rush of words were quite a departure from the monotone a moment earlier. His eyes glistened. He was human. He was happy. All because of a touch.

I just finished reading The Power of Touch by Dr. Phyllis K. Davis. I was immediately impressed by the author's voice that seemed as warm, and inviting as it was wise. The more I read of the book, the more I wanted to read. The content seemed well researched, without sounding clinical. What really amazed me was how many of my roles Dr. Davis addressed: wife, mother, daughter, teacher and even volunteer to Alzheimer patients. By reading her book I have learned why I wouldn't let go of my husband's hand during all six hours of childbirth labor, or why my teen age son loves to have his mom give him foot massages or why my students are more attentive to my comments when I put my hand on their shoulder, or why my widowed mother seems to cling longer to those goodbye hugs. In my volunteer work, I now take my elderly friends by the hand while we talk and walk together. I only wish I had had Dr. Davis's book when my sons were babies. My mothering techniques would have included considerably more tactile stimulation. At least it will impact my future approach to grandmothering. While The Power of Touch affirms so many of my natural inclinations about touch, it also challenges me to use more of its potential, especially for its impact on healing. The central idea that I will carry with me from this book is really summed up in the title. I will never feel as ineffective in interpersonal communication because I know that I can rely on the power of touch to communicate where words are inadequate. Intriqued by the title, my husband has asked questions about the book, leading into much discussion, and now drawing him into reading the book as well. I look forward to the impact it will have on him and on our relationship. Thank you Dr. Davis for your impactful book, The Power of Touch.

A teacher from Okemos, Michigan

My son, Maxwell, loves this book. We brought it for his 1st birthday. His dad reads it to him often. It's a positive reinforcement of the uniqueness of being African American. This book does a great job at highlighting the beautiful features of African American children. Maxwell smiles and laughs when he sees his own pretty brown reflection at the end of the book.

A beautifully written and illustrated book for children of all races. My daughter especially enjoys looking in the mirror on the last page. Its a wonderful self exploratory book for babies.

This bought this book for my grandsons (2 1/2 and 15 months). It quickly became one of their favorite books. They especially enjoy the mirror in the back. Thanks for such a positive and very simple book. SEG

This was a great book. The first few pages were hard to read but the rest of the book made up for it. It gavea detailed account from poultry,government and scientific sources. Youll never feel the same way about eating chicken or eggs in the same way again. Great job!!!

I bought Karen Davis' book at the Vegetarian Summerfest 2000, an event from which omnivores and herbivores alike can gain a lifetime worth of empowerment. I read her book in two days, despite the density of information within. Inspired, curious, and horrified, I checked out the University of Georgia's poultry science department and the local Goldkist "processing" plant (more accurately referred to as a slaughterhouse), and found them to boast of the same atrocities Dr Davis had rightly condemned. It's a must-read!

but, "you could reduce it." Karen Davis is commended for the passion and dedication she shows when taking on the topic of poultry production. This book opens our eyes to the truth about just what animal suffering and environmental degradation goes into that chicken soup. No educational program is complete without a course in modern food production...not the side presented by the factory farming industry, but by those who have a different slant. Prisoned Chickens, Poisoned Eggs shows us what the poultry producers don't want us to see. A must read for those who want to know how to change the world, for those who wish to "reduce the suffering."ÿ

Dr. Davis approaches this text employing an organized and proficient methodology to communicate large amounts of data in an efficient way. If you are planning on taking the praxis test, this book is an absolute necessity. She has several years of teaching expertise, and is evident in this book.

I have the privilege of experiencing Dr. Davis' expertise in teaching reading firsthand. I am currently enrolled in her course entitled Teaching Reading where we use her text, Reading Instruction Essentials. Not only is this text easy to read due to clearly deliniated chapters and its straightforward tone, but it is also a resource educators will use again and again. Much of the information included in this book covers the skills and knowledge needed for those taking the Praxis II.
Dr. Davis' book covers the whole language and the phonics approach as well as the four stages of emergent literacy. She delves into writing in the classroom, reading comprehension, how to accommodate individual differences and even measurement, statistics and evaluation.
I would heartily reccommend this book to everyone in the educational field, especially those in the fields of early childhood and elementary. This is a resource no teacher of reading should be without.

This textbook, which released a second edition in 1999, is a well-organized and thorough introduction to the subject of the teaching of reading. Drawing from important people in the history of literacy, the book covers different methods, stages, and approaches to reading in a most readable and logical format. Included are practice exercises, bibliographies, biographies, a glossary and much more for the teacher in training. A wonderful college reference book!

Black hair, black outfit, black Harley -- who could ask for anything more?? And who can forget the rumble of those Harley engines? What a way to introduce Luke McGuire! "He is a splash on the wild side" [this was Amelia's thoughts on her first sight of Luke].
Davie wanted to emulate his big brother - someone who had been able to walk away. But that never does tell the whole story. It takes patient delving into the cause and effects. And a sense of humor which thankfully Amelia had and used quite well.
What does it take to tame a bad boy? Maybe a lot of love, patience and willingness to understand and reserving judgement.
Wonderful characters, great plot and great pace to keep you happy with the oncuring events. Don't miss this one -- definitely recommended.

Luke is the ultimate bad boy. Amelia is the good girl. When these two get together to help out Luke's younger brother, Davie, sparks fly. And that's only the beginning. If you like dangerous bad boys with a heart of gold, you'll love this book.

This is the story of why bad boy Luke McGuire returns to place that was never a home, but where he grew up, to try and help his brother, who is going through a rough time after the death of the brother's father.

Luke's brother, David, writes him a letter asking him to come and help him because their mother is making his life terrible. So, Luke decides to go back to a town where everyone dislikes him, especially his mother, for his brother's sake. When he returns he finds out that everyone stills feels the same about him, except for Amelia Blair, who has moved to town since he left. They become friends, because of their love for David, and their fear of the firends he is hanging out with. David is facinated by Luke's reputation and wants to emulate it. So Luke has to try to get across to David that he was not the person to look up to, that his reputation was not so great, and not all that much fun.

While trying to help David to get back on the right path, Luke and Ameila began to get closer, and the meek little book store owner starts to come into her own. This is a good story about opposits, who attract, about someone who has really turned themselves around to become a very nice person, and finds himself in the end. This is a very enjoyable book, and I think everyone who reads this book will like it.

"We will choose wisely where we are going, only when we know where we have been." --Maggie Davis

Maggie believes when she studied history at school, the beautiful story of how the Native people gave to our country was never told. The story of how they gave up so much of their life was also never told to her.

"Most often, history is written by the takers in the world, not by those who are taken from." --Maggie Davis

She has not written this book to erase the wrongs, but to help the healing.

"Peace is more than the absence of war - it is a desire for life." --Maggie Davis

Maggie invites her readers to journey with her to look at life through Native eyes. Through her writing she explains the path of the Native peoples and how their lives changed from the days of Columbus. I could relate to this book because I sometimes wish we could all leave the stressful lives we lead and go back to a simpler life.

Each chapter begins with a verbal image of a setting in Native life. You imagine you are the person she is describing. In this way you can empathize.

"You are living in this land a thousand years ago. The source of what you use, you see in everything around you. Your medicine comes from plants and trees and flowers. Your food is what you have gathered or hunted or grown. You breath fresh air. You drink pure water. Silence is your friend. Always, you prize your visions and your dreams. When you plant, you sing songs. You read the weather in the sky and in the trees and in the sounds that animals are making. The sun gives you warmth. And warmth comes from the fire you fuel with branches that you find beneath the trees. You make tools from bone or from wood or bone or antler. You build shelters--you make clothes--from other gifts of Earth you see around you. Your music is the rush of waterfalls. It is the crackling of your cookfire, the sounds of flutes and rattles and drums, and your own voice singing. Everywhere you turn, you see beauty. Everything you notice is important to your life. You walk gently on Earth and live in balance. To you, all that surrounds you--all that lives--is blessed." -- Roots of Peace

Then, Maggie gives a historical account explaining the situation, while looking at both sides of the issues.

"The history of this country sweeps back thousands of years. Long before settlers reached our shores........"

"Roots of Peace" is a book which alerts us to the other side of the story! This book will start you on your own journey of discovering your role as a peacemaker. It is a book which explains what Native and non-Native people have been to one another in this country.

"In it, I put what I wish I'd known when I was young." --Maggie Davis

The sense of calm instilled by Maggie Davis' gentle but direct prose touched me as deeply as the message of peace that she conveys. This story cannot be read or spoken of often enough. A heartfelt and elegantly crafted book.

Roots of Peace, Seeds of Hope is one of the most beautiful and powerful pieces of literature ever written. We all have the right to know the truth about our past. It is imperative that children are being educated correctly, or we as adults have done mankind a great injustice. All parents, teachers, and adults should consider Roots for themselves and their children.

It's THE definitive, honest look at the operation. A thorough trip through the show's run and the personalities involved. My only criticism, which pales in insignifcance, is that I would have liked a lot more photos.

One even less important event the author missed was the day the Princess Summerfallwinterspring puppet changed *poof* into a real person and was introduced to the whole Doodyville cast, including the cameramen.

Buffalo Bob had that rare ability to look through the camera, past the picture tube and right into your eyes. When I buy toothpaste, it's still Colgate. I think that ability comes through in this book.

I'm still ticked off that the Buffalo backtimed the show so well that we didn't know until Monday what he unveiled in front of the Peanut Gallery on Friday: There was a new circus. I complained to my mother about that and I'm still right. But in my later years as a broadcaster, I still marvel at how he timed it out right to the second. Bob Keeshan makes reference to that ability near the back of the book.

Fun, factual and no-holds-barred. Not only does this book trace the history, creation, long run and bittersweet ending of the Howdy Doody Show but it goes into behind the scenes politics, personality problems, and sometimes adult-oriented rehearsals. There are lots of valentine-like books about this wonderful baby-boomer show (which still is FUNNY on videotape if you can get the right episodes!). But those usually gloss over the time the show fired most of its cast, the frustrations of some cast members, and the extent to which the show became a corporate money-machine for NBC. In the end it's demise had little to do with ratings or show quality but production costs. If you liked Howdy Doody, are interested in the show from a nostalgic standpoint, a show biz standpoint, a puppetry standpoint, or are simply interested in solid show biz history this is a CRUCIAL book since you won't find a lot of this info elswhere. Yes, it's lovingly written in parts...but it doesn't cover the warts. And it's a GREAT read!

Everything you ever wanted to know about the back stage activities of the Howdy Doody show.

Well written, entertaining and authoritative. This book is a MUST if you want to know about the program.

In the spring 2001 issue of "Rain Taxi," esteemed novelist David Foster Wallace not only praised this book to the skies, but even paid for an ad for the book in the same issue--an act probably unprecedented in book-reviewing history. In his review, Wallace said Davis's prose poems are "off-the-charts terrific."

Robert Hass called this "one of the best books of poetry I've read in the last year or so." I agree. I can't say I always understand where Jon Davis is taking me in these poems, but I can say I'm enjoying and being challenged by the ride. I'm especially intrigued by the long sequence of poems the poet calls "The Ochre World." Here the poems work by juxtaposition and implication, each line sparking off the others, each section adding and enlarging the flame that eventually--how?--gives off enough light to illuminate the cave we're in at the poem's close. I don't know of another poet who tightropes along the edge of incoherence so beautifully. The sequence is unlike anything I've read, yet is somehow welcoming in its difficulties. On second thought, I'll go further than Robert Hass: This is the best book of poetry I've read since Hass's own Human Wishes.

Jon Davis was recently a recipient of a Lannan Foundation Award for his work in poetry. It couldn't have gone to a better person, having known and worked with Jon in Santa Fe, NM. However, without a biased personal relationship, this book is phenomenal. Whether you're an experienced reader of poetry or just looking to make your way into this form of reading, Jon's work is accessible on many levels, and will move and impress you, as it has so many others.

America's favorite lazy, fat-cat is back. And, as always, he's sleeping.

It's fun to sit back, read, and take a stroll down memory lane with some of the characters we haven't seen in a while in the recent strips. There's Lyman (Odie's master), Arlene (Garfield's sometime girlfriend), Nermal (the world's cutese kitten), and the veterinarian (the only human being to go out with Jon more than once).

"The Second Garfield Treasury" is a collection of Sunday comic strips from July 1980 through August 1982. In this collection you will see the evolution of the drawing of the characters into what we see today.

So make a pan of lasagna, sit back, and watch everyone's favorite cat gulp it down right before your eyes.

After the success of The Garfield treasury, a sort of sequel book was inevitable. So, this is The Second Garfield Treasury. While not quite as good as the original, this book dishes up on plenty of laughs, with Garfield kicking, eating and sleeping through his kitty-life (he finds time to get locked in a dog pound, however), but making sure to never forget to joke.

Recommended.

Jim Davis is a hillarious man and I hope he won't stop making Garfield books. I have all 35 garfield books and am waiting for the 36th to come out. I recomened this book to all Garfield lovers.

This was perfect for my daughter's wedding. It took all the guess work out of the planning and my daughter and I were able to enjoy her beautiful wedding. A must have!!

Okay, girls... Let's face it, your wedding is the most anticipated event of your life! I know, I've spent the last year planning mine. It's going to get stressful at times, but if you stay well organized, you can pull it off without an expensive wedding coordinator! The Secretly Chic wedding planner never left my side! I carried it to all my important meetings with caterers, florists, cake decorators, photographers...etc. The Secretly Chic planner contains tips, organizers (with pockets!!), advice (money saving ideas), budget tracker, check lists (down to the wedding day). It has everything you could possibly need and it's stylish! I got compliments on mine all the time. I recommended it to many new brides! There's no way you can keep up with every little detail from bridesmaid dress sizes, shoe sizes, addresses, rental costs, contracts..etc. You HAVE to HAVE this planner!! The Secretly Chic planner will make your planning so much smoother and your life a whole lot easier, so do it for yourself! Let someone else handle the stress. After all, you're the bride! Enjoy every minute of it!!

The Secretly Chic wedding planner has been a life saver for me. I got engaged in September and felt completely clueless as to how to start organizing this huge event. A friend of mine gave me the Secretly Chic planner as an engagement present, and it has answered all my questions.

This book not only lays out a timeline of when to get everything accomplished by, but it also has separate sections focusing on the gown; the bridesmaids; the music; the invitations; etc.

Since I got engaged, I have come across a lot of different wedding planning books. Secretly Chic is the only one I've found that has all the information I need in one place, along with helpful hints that I would never have thought of. While many wedding planning books are extremely out of date, Secretly Chic is definitely geared towards today's brides and today's weddings.

I started off feeling clueless on how to plan this wedding. Thanks to Secretly Chic, I'm happy to say that I feel like a subject matter expert now.

If you are getting married, you can't do without it!