Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History is a great book. John Fiske said "Without genealogy, the study of history is lifeless." I believe that without history, the study of genealogy is meaningless. With this book, you can make your family history meaningful. From the forward: "Trust me. You are not alone. I felt exactly the same way you do. Names and dates on a genealogical chart were fun - for a while. Then I remember thinking, 'Is this all there is to genealogy? [...]' I was craving for something more than sterile facts." Sturdevant shows you how to make it all come to life.

The book has numerous examples, some published, some private collection materials, to help you see what you can do with your family's history. Even if you don't intend to get your stories published, there will probably be someone to follow you who will be overjoyed to read the detailed descriptions you can create with this book.

If you have a huge list of names and dates which have no real meaning, this is the book for you. It really will breathe new life into your genealogical research. I *highly* recommend Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History. I find it to be a very useful book, and an excellent reminder when my research stalls.

Kathy Sturdevant brings her expertise of social history to the world of family history and genealogy with humor, flair, and solid information. With clear examples and explanations of the many sources/resources available to family historians, this book bridges the often separated worlds of history and genealogy with a lively style and enjoyable wit. Tips on preserving and documenting family "artifacts," a meaty bibliography, photos (and how to "read" them), research pointers, thought-provoking ideas for research, helpful and accessible academic orientation. I took Kathy's course on the same topic (co-taught with Certified Genealogist Sharon DeBartolo Carmack)--the book demonstrates why Kathy is such a popular instructor at her institution. Reading the book is almost as good as taking the course; maybe better if you prefer to skip the required term paper. :-) On the other hand, you'll miss Sharon's infamous Halloween lecture at the local cemetery and the intriguing antique artifacts Kathy brings to class.

I find myself flipping through this book at least three times a month. The author, Scott Howard-Cooper, did a wonderful job. I've seen several of the memorable games he selected. After reading his book, I feel as though I've seen all 100. Bravo, Scott.

I got lost in this book, just flipping page by page and remembering stuff I'd forgotten and reading stuff I never knew about Wooden and Bibby, Baron and Goodrich, Harrick and Hazzard... I loved the way the author interspersed the GIANT games that everybody remembers--the 1968 loss to Houston, all of the national title games, Tyus Edney over Missouri--with the little moments that really make you think and wonder. About Wooden's first game as coach, about Rafer Johnson's first start in 1958, about Cal's Pauley Pavilion upset in 1995, about Reggie Miller and Kris Johnson and Pete Blackman, about Gene Bartow and Harrick's firing and Ed O's goodbye... about some incredible things and some sad things and always memorable things. You can read this book from start to finish, or just drop in and out, from game to game, and relish the details. From Kareem's foreword to the great stat package in the back, and all the great, evocative story-telling in between, this is a tremendous book.

The Buckets are a great family... and somehow they go through the same experiences that my own family does! We can see ourselves in the characters, it's scary! This is a terrific book that we all enjoy. Wild, wacky, and also sweet. I can't wait to get the next book from this brilliant cartoonist - Scott Stantis is terrific!

If you have kids, or are a past or present one, you'll love this one. Big pistures, small words. I loved it.

I stumbled upon this book while doing some lunchtime shopping in a kids book store in Portsmouth, NH. The owner highly recommended it. I brought it back to my office and started to read through it. My chuckling outloud caused my colleagues around me to look at me funny :)

The story of an introverted bug turned hero flows from page to page with a cadence that keeps the attention of both child and parent. There are amusing quips that make parents grin and their kids smile while wondering what's so funny ("the mantysis prayed" is a simple but amusing phrase given the context). At the same time, there's plenty of humor and excitement that the child will understand and enjoy.

Beyond the written word, the illustrations are amazingly colorful and fun. The pages have a depth to them that need to be seen to understand.

My son loves all the bugs and asks questions about nearly every one. It has quickly become a bedtime staple. Highly recommend. A welcome diversion from Bob the Builder and Arthur!

This is such a fantastic book-I cannot rave enough!! It is a story of a bug contest to determine which bug is the "bugliest" of them all. Of course Dilly, our heroine, is filled with self-doubt and low esteem but she attends anyway. Well, she proceeds to save the day but I won't reveal how it ends.

The story is a great learning tool about the different types of insects and their characteristics. Moreoever, it is filled with self-esteem and basic character education.

In the back of the book, you get free bug trading cards loaded with information on the various insects featured in the story. This book is thoroughly entertaining and educationally sound!

I've been researching decks and screen porches for the last few months, with the intention of building a 16'X 34' elevated deck and screen porch on my home in Southern CT. I've done many home construction project big and small; however, I'm not in the construction business. Scott Schuttner's Build Like a Pro book on decks, is by far the best book on decks, period. It is clearly superior to the other books I've read on the subject (and I've purchase over four of them and flipped through a lot more). This one was really the only one I need to buy; unfortunately, I came across it after studying the other books and still not feeling that I had a full understanding on deck construction and design options. Schuttner's book lives up to its opening dedication: "...to all those who desire to do the best they can."

I though this book was significantly superior to other books in the following ways: 1) Excellent descriptive text and photo detail. 2) The "Pro Tips" were enlightening. 3) The comments made about the style and appearance of deck were very helpful. It discusses what aspect of the deck are the better place to spend your money. For example, is it better to spend more to install a unique floor pattern or on the railing detail? The book is loaded with insightful design and construction stuff. For example, the different choices of railing design and appearance. Other books had one or two railing designs the Build Like A Pro book had several. These somewhat subjective but important insights weren't touched upon in the other books. 4) The scope of this book was much broader than other books, while also being more detailed and insightful. >From the planning / drawing, the footing, framing, decking, on through to the finishing, this book does it all in presentation and language that even a non construction person can follow.

The other books I've read were Ok for an easy low frills deck. Those books could also help a homeowner talk to a contract about having a basic deck built. However, this book was much better in those areas, plus provided a great deal more insight for the person actually designing and constructing (workin' da tools), a higher value added / better looking deck. If I could change things, I would have purchased only this book. It's no more expensive than the others and a lot better.

In summary, I believe this is a FIVE STAR book and a must have for those planning and building a deck. My only regret is that the author, Scott Schuttner, obviously a very experienced builder, didn't write additional chapters or another book simply devoted to screen porches. But heck, lets be fair, this book is all about decks from A to Z. OUTSTANDING BOOK!!

... Thanks

I've been researching decks and screen porches for the last few months, with the intention of building a 16'X 34' elevated deck and screen porch on my home in Southern CT. I've done many home construction project big and small; however, I'm not in the construction business. Scott Schuttner's Build Like a Pro book on decks, is by far the best book on decks, period. It is clearly superior to the other books I've read on the subject (and I've purchase over four of them and flipped through a lot more). This one was really the only one I need to buy; unfortunately, I came across it after studying the other books and still not feeling that I had a full understanding on deck construction and design options. Schuttner's book lives up to its opening dedication: "...to all those who desire to do the best they can."

I though this book was significantly superior to other books in the following ways: 1) Excellent descriptive text and photo detail. 2) The "Pro Tips" were enlightening. 3) The comments made about the style and appearance of deck were very helpful. It discusses what aspect of the deck are the better place to spend your money. For example, is it better to spend more to install a unique floor pattern or on the railing detail? The book is loaded with insightful design and construction stuff. For example, the different choices of railing design and appearance. Other books had one or two railing designs the Build Like A Pro book had several. These somewhat subjective but important insights weren't touched upon in the other books. 4) The scope of this book was much broader than other books, while also being more detailed and insightful. From the planning / drawing, the footing, framing, decking, on through to the finishing, this book does it all in presentation and language that even a non construction person can follow.

The other books I've read were Ok for an easy low frills deck. Those books could also help a homeowner talk to a contract about having a basic deck built. However, this book was much better in those areas, plus provided a great deal more insight for the person actually designing and constructing (workin' da tools), a higher value added / better looking deck. If I could change things, I would have purchased only this book. It's no more expensive than the others and a lot better.

In summary, I believe this is a FIVE STAR book and a must have for those planning and building a deck. My only regret is that the author, Scott Schuttner, obviously a very experienced builder, didn't write additional chapters or another book simply devoted to screen porches. But heck, lets be fair, this book is all about decks from A to Z. OUTSTANDING BOOK!!... Thanks

Extremely easy to read and understand. The section on charts is exceptional!

I found The Business Grammar Handbook to be a no-nonsense, straightforward, solid guide to business communications and presentations. Not only does it provide an insightful set of guidelines for grammar, but it also presents invaluable information for effective chart presentations. This, to my mind, is a sorely needed and frequently overlooked area of important business communication. There is no doubt that the authors know their subjects thoroughly. They also know how to "instruct" the reader clearly, logically, and with a light touch. The book is eminently readable...I heartily recommend it to all business communicators.

Zits is an amazingly accurate potrayal of teenage life and the relationship between teens and their parents. I should know. I am one. It is laugh-out-loud funny and it will be appreciated by parents, teens and anyone in between. A great gift for that teenage niece that owns everything. I would defnitely recommend it.

Poor Jeremy, forever stuck at 15: how is he ever to learn from his adventures? From breaking & making up again with Sara, from building koi ponds ... . The funny tales of our favorite teenager and his family are continued in this book and IMHO the stip is getting stronger and stronger but still I hope that Jeremy will turn 16 one day.

I read this book when it was first published and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was really interesting to me. I bought additional copies as gifts for nieces and nephews, who loved it. Having known the author (from aerobics classes) I looked forward to this historically correct novel. As I now buy a copy for my nanny's son, I anxiously await any new additions to her series. Ms Scott's writing will engage your child. Your kids will like reading her book!!

As a sequel, this book is definitely NOT a disappointment! Once again we are back with Flattop learning the Medieval lifestyle, but are plunged into a journey across the land as William must go to pay his loyalty to his brother James. Flattop follows along meeting many different characters along the way. The book weaves a tale of adventure and deception that finds the reader frustrated for Flattop and for William who is stuck in a class system that cannot easily be swayed. What will they do? Does happiness really matter? I recently read this book to a group of Grade 5 students who thoroughly enjoyed it, and were always begging for more!!! Congratulations Deborah! You've done it again! I recommend it to all those who have read "The Kid Who Got Zapped Through Time"

A friend in Pennsylvania told me about this book and I figured that it would be OK because I trust the friend, but I really felt amazed by this book's approach to a book in the Bible that never seemed like much to me. Gerrit Dawson writes incredible stories about exile and restoration that made me feel as if I were there, as if I were the one in the middle of that exile, and somehow the history became real and became my history. Even better than that was the fact that becoming a part of the story helped me become more open to God, letting my life be a part of God's love.

To move from shame and isolation into love of self and of God and of others is healing. This is Dawson's concern in Called By A New Name. He considers the effect of alienation on contemporary society, something we need not look far to see, and connects that alienation with the terrible Babylonian Exile of the Hebrew people, a move that uprooted their society and their theological underpinnings--their very relationship with God. Dawson examines the work of the prophet Isaiah in speaking to these alienated exiles. The word concerns healing and restoration and hope. Dawson elevates these concerns in an ancient culture to connect with our very modern societal disease.

After the school shootings, Dawson's voice is one we need listen to.

This is an excellent compilation of Burns' work, including many poems that were previously unpublished, unpublished in English language compilations or published under Burns' pseudonyms. The annotations, translations, and commentary are both helpful in understanding and interpreting this evocative and beautiful cornerstone of modern Scottish culture

There are of course many editions of Burns's poetry available, but sadly most mass-market editions seem more concerned with perpetuating some kind of twee, Brigadoony version of Burns and Scotland. Of the ostensibly scholarly paperback editions of Burns, however, I have not seen anything that comes close to Andrew Noble and Patrick Scott Hogg's for comprehensiveness, annotation, and context. Noble's introduction is brilliant and takes great care to rehabilitate Burns's image by taking him out of the hands of St. Andrew's Society sentimentality and resituating the poet in the political and social climate of his time. Burns was politically radical, sexually promiscuous, and intellectually engaged...all qualities that are effaced by the defanged, Burns supper bardie image that has been so popular with many Scots and Scottish-Americans alike. If you're seriously interested in Burns as a man and a poet, this is the edition you should own. If you want something to dust off once a year on January 25th (along with your kilt, sporran, and bagpipes), go buy one of the editions with the tartan cover.