Scott makes playing the flute a treat with this instructional book on flute playing. It had been about twelve years since I'd picked up my dusty, tarnished flute, and I admit that I had forgotten everything I learned. After the first few lessons, I was hooked again! My husband was shocked that I could remember so quickly, but it's not me, it's the book!

The book goes through the necessary steps including how to make a sound (which is easier said than done), fingering, charts, and the language of music. It is simple, fun and you'll be anything but frustrated! It may be a bit juvenile (come on, the first songs you learn are "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and so on) but it is still a very worthwhile investment. If you're serious about learning to play the flute, this is the beginner's book of choice!

Since I am no longer young, learning to play the flute has presented me with a considerable challenge. This book has simplified technical aspects that caused me the most difficulty. Having a cd with the exercises means even a novice like me can replicate the exercises in tune and at the correct tempo. The book starts off very basic, but quickly provides recognizable tunes even beginners can play. It makes the whole learning process so much more fun!

I didn't know which method book to buy so I bought 6 different method books. This one is without doubt the best one. It is neatly presented and the CD is great. This method is just pure fun.

As a liberal democrat, I am likely somewhat more conservative when paired against Mr. Tucker's own evidently admitted political ideologies, but I found this essay collection well researched, thoughful, and useful for a final course project on American Queer political theory.

The exact subjects of the essays varry by topic, but an overall theme examines how the late 20th century GLBT political movement undersold it's own radical roots for political expidency, and a chance to sit at the proverbial policy making table with some people who would altogether pretend they not exist.

Obvious and easy to only launch attacks (however well-deserved) at the religious right, whose various campaigns against GLBT Americans all come back to bigotry and intolerance, he also takes on allies who mince words and confuse policy making's inherent requirements with the right to sell out all of one's principles.

Intra-community criticism is never easy (especially in the middle of various social movement struggles) but a neccessary pre-condition to ensure policy innovations continue to impact the dominant society while keeping the social movement relevant.

"The author, a gay health activist and journalist, offers a progressive vision of democracy as an experiment, a process in need of constant renewal, as seen through the lens of the gay rights movement. The essays cover such topics as the right to privacy vs. the right to live openly in the world, the need to redefine the family to include the true nature of relations in modern society, feminism and gay porn, and the reinvigoration of what the author views as an all too moribund social democratic agenda now abandoned by the traditional left wing in the United States. Tucker has an effective, almost relentless gift for pushing the envelope of an argument, taking nothing for granted and questioning every position, including his own. This challenging, often provocative work by a distinctive voice of a newer, more radicalized left is highly recommended." Library Journal, Nov. 1, 1977

"From time immemorial," Emma Goldman declared in 1913, "the wise and practical have denounced every heroic spirit... idealists and visionaries, foolish enough to throw caution to the winds, have advanced mankind." Scott Tucker belongs to the second category. He dares to call himself not only queer but non-monogamous, and - horror of horrors - a democratic socialist. Tucker reminds us that Oscar Wilde shared all three stances, which is not immodesty, but a salutary reminder that queer liberation can and must be linked with social and economic liberation. For Tucker, freedom is indivisible, a position which leads him into witty polemics against his fellow gay activists, not to mention the current President of the United States.
The real achievement of The Queer Question (South End Press, $30 hardcover/$18 paper) is Tucker's linkage of queer consciousness with class: "For many people in this country, including queers, the social climate is only tolerable at best, and sometimes murderous at worst." His idealism consists in connecting the oppression queers feel to sexism, classism and the horrors of "the corporate state."
Tucker refers to Wilhelm Reich, the Freudian heretic who made these same connections over 60 years ago, but to his credit, The Queer Question (unique among books of its sort) advances no Theory and shills for no Discourse. Indeed, the essay on Foucault brilliantly criticizes him as a "materialist mystic" whose bravura philosophizing blinds his readers to social fact.
Most of the essays are, however, more topical, centering especially on the culture wars of the past 10 years with special reference to the queers' "battered wife" relationship to Bill Clinton. Tucker makes the point, so obvious that almost nobody else seems to get it, that a President who ends welfare and backs the Defense of Marriage Act was never a "friend" of gays and lesbians, merely a shrewd opportunist. One wishes that Tucker can find the time for an essay devoted purely to the growing literature about Clinton and his queer "allies," like David Mixner's memoir.
If The Queer Question has a weakness, it's precisely this topicality. I suspect that in 10 or 20 years, the book will need footnotes to explain who are half of Tucker's targets - a hazard of all political writing. But right now, right here, the book should inspire any Left radical with hope and canny tactical advice.
Although he doesn't write much about ACT UP, Tucker's commitment to the group evidently taught him many of the bitter lessons he recounts here: lessons in the uselessness of "liberals," in the importance of connecting queer struggles with anti-racist and anti-sexist battles, in the indivisibility of freedom. One might guess that Tucker's vision of socialism stems at least partly from ACT UP's freewheeling style. But since he lays out no program for American socialism different from, say, Michael Harrington, he probably intends his book as (to quote Emerson) provocation, not instruction.
And Tucker is provocative! Camille Paglia is "the Rush Limbaugh of post-feminism." Larry Kramer displays "the anarchism of the arrogant." And - an insight worth the price of admission - "Liberalism is class-consciousness with a bad conscience." With jabs like these, Tucker forces you to think (even while you gasp and laugh) and rethink your own positions. The essayist who comes to mind is Gore Vidal, and since Vidal may be the best around, that's a compliment to Tucker's wit.
The other great virtue of The Queer Question is its historical perspective. An essay on the Netherlands reminds on that persecuting queers didn't start with Jesse Helms, and throughout the book Tucker puts into context 1997's struggles by referring to the ugly traditions of intolerance against queers and all sexual "deviants." Yet Tucker reads history in a more hopeful light as well, very much in the socialist tradition of Marx and Gramsci - as the forward movement of the struggle for freedom. To that extent, he's an idealist, the very trait he deplores in Foucault. He does seem to believe that queers' struggles to belong to some unfolding, historical design. Let's hope Tucker has that one right. Certainly the closet doors of America can't be nailed shut just because the Falwells and the Buchanans want them sealed. The Queer Question reminds one that, however disgusting this moment in American life may be, there is a revolutionary tradition we can connect with, and also the certainty that even bigotry may yet be forced to yield.
Book Review by Lawrence Richette
Courtesy of Au Courant:

I think that this is an excellent and touching book about the impact of Rachel's life and of her beliefs. I don't agree with certain things that was said in the book(specicially about Eric and Dylan and their impact[as someone who looked into what happened extensively, their impact is more than Rachel's father says, or more accurately, does not say, in the book]), but I think that it's a great book for anyone who wants to know about Rachel's impact and legacy.

From the author of the best-seller "Rachel's Tears" comes a book not about the life of Rachel Scott, but about the lives her story has changed. It isn't surprising that this book is touching and impactful. Rachel Scott's dad is a wonderful writer, and the other books her family has written are just as touching and impactful. This one especially impacted me because I am one of those who was deeply touched by Rachel's death and life story. Although I was not featured in the book, it was totally inspiring and encouraging to hear how other people were touched by her as well. This world is a hurting world, and sometimes we feel there is no hope and it seems there is no hope. The stories in this book give me hope. They show me that God really CAN work miracles, and that people really can be transformed. Rachel Scott wanted to start a chain reaction, and she wanted to be used to reached the unreached-- God answered those prayers, and through her family and her own stories being published, Rachel Joy has done just that! We need more people like her in this world! If Rachel Scott or the tragedy at Columbine touched your life in any way, you should read this book.

"Rachels Smiles" will sure make you smiles while reading. Its amazing how many lives were touched by this wonderful lady. If you enjoyed reading "Rachel's Tears", you'll sure enjoy reading this. Darrell Scott is an amazing writer and really brings out her story in its true colors. When I read this, I felt as if Rachel and I had been best friends before! This book will encourage you to continue the Chain Reaction!

"Raising A Loving Family" offers sound, practical advice and skills training for families. The book comes out of over twenty years of experience teaching "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" to families in all economic circles. It reads easy and lays the skills out before you in simple language and real-life illustrations. My first exposure to the "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" was at Fort Knox, KY as an Army Chaplain in 1993. I attended an "Introduction to Family Wellness" at the Smart Marriages in July 1998, then attended the Family Wellness Instructor Training in September 1998. As the Family Advocacy Program Manager for the United States Army Recruiting Command, I was looking for a program that could be placed in the hands of our recruiters and their families across America - in big cities and small towns. The workbook for "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" met the need for those families that were very interested in developing healthy relationships and enhancing their communication skills. It required true desire on their part, because we are not able to offer the training to all recruiters and their families due to time and logistics. "Raising A Loving Family" 'answers the mail' for our families. It offers an excellent presentation of the "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" with real-life illustrations of the skills. It also includes worksheets and activities to help develop the skills. Just as I learn something every time I lead a "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" session, I again learned something as I reviewed "Raising A Loving Family". I wish I could put a copy of "Raising A Loving Family" in the hands of every recruiting family.

As a marriage & family therapist and school counselor, I highly recommend this book to clients and parents of students. The book describes a step-by-step process that gives struggling parents the practical skills they need to stop the confusion and chaos and move towards creating a happy, loving family. The techniques, while direct and simple, prove powerful and effective. I believe parents who begin using the principles and strategies described in this book will see immediate results.

As a parent of three children (5 -7 -9)and a former teacher, I found this book to be very helpful and comprehensive. One basic premise of the book is that the marriage relationship is critical to a happy family. The authors also realize that most people have some of their own problems or isues to deal with and/or do not have extensive parenting education. Many chapters come with easy-to-do exercises that allow parents to do their homework, so to speak, on some of their own values and how they want to handle things in their own home. You will get more out of the book if you read it simultaneously with your partner, do the exercises, and discuss each chapter. The layout of each chapter has a nice consistent format: Summary of the key points, the actual information, with expansion through anecdoes, tips, and traps. I especially liked the traps: all of the things that could cause you to fail. Attention is also given to single parenting, divorce, special problems, and relationships with adult children. My favorite chapter: 'Parents are in charge' *Stick togethr *Make rules *Define consequences *Stay in charge If you like the no-nonsense format of the above ideas, you will love this book!

For anyone who struggled to understand why the nephron concentrates, then dilutes, then concentrates again the urine, this book will do much to ease your pain. Since medical school I've purchased Editions 1, 3, & 5, just so that I could keep up with my interns & residents. Here's how he does it:
#1: short book, (you know how intimidating those tomes can be)
#2: lots of diagrams
#3: end-of-chapter questions (with answers & explanations)

If you want to understand the Kidney, no matter where you are in your studies or practice, I wholeheartedly recommend this text.

Renal physiology can be very difficult to truly understand, and yet an understanding of it is essential to understanding so many aspects of physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Studying diuretics for cardio pharm is nightmarish unless you understand the physiology of the loop of Henle. Vander takes this difficult yet important subject and makes it easy to understand. The book reads extremely quickly, and the flow-charts and diagrams are amazing. I never even opened Berne & Levy for renal phys--I read Vander's book (which is no longer than B&L's renal chapters) and cruised through renal phys. I am writing this review now, a year after I took physiology, because I am now studying for the USMLE Step 1. I have not looked at Vander's book in a year, but I still remember renal phys, and reviewing it now is the easiest part of my studying (the only easy part, in fact). That is because, thanks to Vander, I actually understand renal physiology. A great book!!

For any medical student that needs a comprehensive, but easily understood explanation of the structure and function of kidneys, I highly recommend Renal Physiology by Vander. It is very well written, and covers all the basic principles that you will need to know to understand pathologies associated with the kidneys.

What Chris & Scott did was allow me to stroll down memory land; bring me back to my younger days growing up in Timmins. The heritage, the way of life. Wow! I am saddened that my 3 boys and daughter will miss out on 'The Rink'. For my peer group, our families were all poor. We had no money. 'The Rink' broke down ALL barriers. The Mahovolich's, Vail's, Lever's.Babando's, Hannigans's, Prentice's, Guidlon's and so on had no money,. But, when we went into 'The Rink', we were equal. And we excelled. 'The Rink' was a way of life. It transcened what living was all about; it really was a contradiction n terms as 'sociologists' would say. For so many of us it was like dying and going to heaven; nothing was wrong with it. When we walked in, the smell was distinct and sooooo familiar. We knew we were at 'home'! We felt secure. When we entered the dressing roomss, we were in a differnet 'mode', one that was somewhat esoteric. The smell of stinky, musty equipment within the sacred, hallowed dressing room was sooo sweet. As our collegues (players) filled in, the commaraderie (as Ken Dryden so poignantly points out in his book THE GAME) is instantly redefined from individuals to a 'team'. 'The Rink' allowed us to be many things to many people. We were more than players and 'they were more than 'fans'. In some respect it ('The Rink') was really the focal point of our lives during the winter months from October until April. If you are not from Northern Canada, this book means nothing to you. If you read it, there is no significance to you, no association. And if you're from the U.S. of A. reading this book is not esoterically confusing, you just won't understand it. IT was not written for people outside of Canada. The unfortunate thing ab out hte book is that it misses 'Rinks' that 'should've ' bee in it. however, we all know that the authors couldn't get all rinks in Canada. So be it. To Chris and Scott, excellent job.

I believe this is one of the most enjoyable books i have ever read about hockey. I especially liked it because myself, and my hockey team, are spoken of in a section of the book. Cuthbert and Russell really capture the history and spirit of some of hockey's most famous institutions. A must-read for hockey players or fans.

Having just returned from a Canadian youth hocky tournament, it was easy to relate to the stories in the book. I felt I was experiencing the history of the rinks told about. Excellent book.

"Ronnie" reminds me of how I was in college. The characters of Veronica & Jared are so lovable & I enjoyed reading about their journey down the path of love & self-discovery. The first time I read it, I couldn't put it down. The next few times were just as enjoyable. Great read!...& not JUST for girls!!

Any girl who's ever been in love will relate to what "Ronnie" goes through. And any guy who's ever had a girl in love with him will relate to this story. Get ready to laugh at mistakes we've all made...but don't forget your kleenex!!

Madison Scott immediately invited me into the life of Ronnie. This book isn't too long, yet is packed with the roller coaster experiences and emotions of a college girl. It is full of deep thoughts, true love, and great conversation. Each time I picked up the book, I was transported into Ronnie's life. It pulled me through each one of her emotions and I even cried with her. I'd love to read a sequel to "Ronnie".

Western society's intense interest in Eastern culture and religion is best exemplified in this beautifully detailed and comprehensive book. With an engaging look at the history of each of the East's major religions, the authors offer the reader a special insight in the sacred rites and rituals which typify each of these religions. For those who subscribe to Buddhist, Taoist, Shinto philosophy, or Confucian wisdom, it a rare gem of a book, through which Eastern philosophy devotees can command a better appreciation of their tenets and worldviews. Fastidiously detailed, with brilliantly photographed selections of the various sects in costume, architecture and symbolism, the authors also offer a penetrating look into the minds and hearts of the believers, while assisting the reader in a better understanding of Eastern mysticism and metaphysicalism. Editor Scott Littleton and his colleagues have written a "primer extraordinaire" for Eastern religious thought!

This text is a very well laid out and detailed script. The photos are excellent. If you had to buy one book explaining all the religions / belief systems covered...... I would suggest this one as your pick!

This is a beautiful, well-laid out and easy to read book that covers all the basics of Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto. The contributors and editors all have excellent backgrounds in the study of these various religions. The text is extremely accessible and lends itself well to use as a text book in a college course.

This is a great book, he even seems to be able to add some humor to such a special topic. He presents a great argument for why he thinks that Sex is sacred, too bad my husband has no desire to read this book. I think it should be required reading for couples in pre marital counseling or in marriage counseling and any couple who care to increase their joy together.

Yo...

This book presents a different view on sex - a Biblical view. A lot of analogies that author makes are great and helpful. I don't know that I agree with the view that sex is worship, but overall the book is a MUST read.

Honestly, think about the title! In today's world the sex is an animalistic act. Author positions sex as sacred act that belongs in its right context - marriage!

Bottom line: this book is a worthy read!

Funny, thoughtful, witty, and challenging. This is NOT a simply a "how to," but answers the deeper questions concerning all of the "whys" of sexual intimacy between a husband and a wife. Helps take sex from a battlefield to what God intended it to be. Helpful for couples and counselors. I highly recommend it.

Sahara Overland: A Route & Planning Guide is the first truly comprehensive guidebook to one of the world's most compelling and challenging environments, North Africa's Sahara Desert. Ranging from the Moroccan Atlas Mountains to the Red Sea, Sahara Overland is ideal for Saharan travelers whether for a weekend excursion, a week long vacation, or a season spanning safari. Thirty-five detailed itineraries are available, covering more than 15,000 miles through nine countries: Morocco, Mauritania, Libya, Mali, Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad and Egypt. The only Saharan guidebook covering all aspects of traveling the great desert by vehicle, Sahara Overland provides tips on how not to get lost, and what to do when things go wrong. Chris Scott's informative, "traveler friendly" text is enhanced with fifty maps and more than 300 b&w and color photographs. If you are planning a trip through the Sahara, begin with acquiring and throughly reading Chris Scott's Sahara Overland.

Chris Scott's book was worth the wait. I've been exploring the deserts of the United States and Mexico for decades, and my wife and I plan to ship our vehicle to Morocco and explore the Sahara soon. This book has left no question unanswered.

Chris's approach is always engaging, but exhaustive where necessary. He isn't afraid to be honest in equipment choices. For example, since he is from the U.K. I expected the vehicle selection chapter to be a Tom Sheppard-esque sermon about the perfection of the Land Rover. Instead, while pointing out the strengths of Land Rovers, he quite bluntly states that anyone needing the utmost in reliability should buy a Toyota Land Cruiser instead. The section on vehicle preparation is full of good, practical advice.

The route descriptions are excellent (and you can visit the author's web site for updates). However, I would recommend this book strongly to anyone considering traveling by vehicle in any desert in the world--there's that much information in it.

This guide is simply fantastic, it is amazingly accurate, and makes traveling across the Sahara so incredably easy! It is truly a fabulous guide, and comes highly reccommended!