This book is just wonderful for making you feel warm and fuzzy all over about how simple life could be if only you simplified and got back to the basics. The instructions are useful and will make you a better person. This is better then 99% of the motivational and self-help books out there. Life a simple and honorable life, and this book will help.

With its pretty plaid exterior and easily read pages, this little book packed full of wisdom is perfect for most coffee tables. What an excellent gift! I treasure my copy of LIFE'S LITTLE INSTRUCTION BOOK. Jane Riley, author of SOLOMON'S PORCH

#1 New York Times bestseller. Since its introduction in 1991, this little book continues to touch the lives of readers with 511 suggestions, observations and reminders on how to live a happy and fulfilling life. Originally written as a gift to his son, H. Jackson Brown, Jr.'s simple fatherly advice is loved by people of all ages. Author website: www.instructionbook.com

Over the years, I have thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Herriot's wonderful stories. When I found this book for my 7 year old daughter, I wasn't sure if she'd be able to follow along. What makes this book stand out is the fabulous drawings--they are full paged drawings, with not too much writing on each page. Each drawing is very detailed, perfectly matched to the accompanying text. I can't get over the talented illustrators (this book has two different ones, although the drawings are similar in appearance). I've loved re-reading these familiar stories and sharing them. This is one of the best books we've read this year, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it for a permanent library collection.

This is our family's all time favorite book. James Herrriot's true stories paired with magnificent illustations make this a wonderful book to read to a variety of ages of children; adults find the stories equally enjoyable. We have frequently given this book as a "family gift"(a spread of ages and boys and girls), gift to siblings of a new baby and even to babies who have everything, but will later appreciate this lovely book.

This book is perfect for curling up with your children to read. One of the stories is Christmas-related and makes a lovely story to read the night before Christmas. The illustrations are beautiful and James Herriot is a master story-teller. You do not have to grow up in England or on a farm to appreciate his stories. If you love animals, you will love this book. My children look forward to cuddling up and reading another story with me and they are 8 and 11 year old boys! (But they love animal stories.)

I am currently transitioning from my previous career as an Army aviator flying helicopters to a career with the airlines. This book is a terrific aid in understanding the differences and realities of high speed and highly technical flight.

The systems and advanced avionics sections are phenomenal! They are generalized in order to apply to as many aircraft as possible, but really explain well how they operate and how you will interact with them.

My favorite part about the book is that the authors write it in an easy to understand manner. They do not write in an overly complicated technical manner, but rather at a level that a new or transitioning professional pilot can understand. They don't baby talk to you either. It's just right.

Big Kudos and a must buy!!

This book was a great help in understanding turbine and transport category aircraft. I read and re-read this book to help prepare for my airline interview. Many questions asked in my interview had been answered in the Turbine Pilots Flight Manual....buy it, you be glad you did.

This manual gives me a general idea on how an aircraft turbine engine operates. This book is for any teens who want to be a turbine engineer. There are no complex technical drawings or discussions in this book, therefore it's a nice book for begineers.

I have copies of both JOKE SOUP and JOKE STEW. I actually bought several copies of both to have on hand as gifts for any and all occasions. You'll find an amazing amount of comics and their funniest material in these books. Whether you're a stand-up comic yourself or you need to give a speech for any occasion, you'll find Judy's books invaluable as inspiration in writing your own funny jokes.

Joke Stew is a great way for a reader to get in touch with his or her favorite stand-up comedians. It's a lot of fun to read over and over again as you try and remember your favorite jokes. Same recipe as Joke Soup, but with all new comedians and quotes. Great Book!!!

I was studying stand-up comedy when I was introduced to Joke Stew. This is an excellent compilation of well-known stand-up comedians, as well as some up-and-coming talent. If you're interested in the craft of writing a joke or just looking for a good laugh, Joke Stew is a great addition to your library. Many of these jokes, particularly from the unknowns are hysterical, even without the verbal delivery. If laughter is the best medicine, you can get your daily dosage from Joke Stew!

I just want to clarify something written in a previous review, that seems to suggest some sort of consistency between Suzuki roshi's teaching and Kapleau's. I personally think it is pretty important to bear in mind the vast ... in teaching style and in stated purpose between these two schools. When, a few years ago, I read Kapleau's book I was startled and disturbed by it. As a practitioner in a lineage similar to Suzuki's I felt Three Pillars of Zen was antithetical to what I had experienced in my zen practice. Just a word of warning for those who might think Kapleau's book is a complementary text to Suzuki's.

"Not Always So" is exactly as great as "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." Edward Espe Brown has lovingly edited these talks by Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi. The talks are at the same time completely simple, and amazingly complex. Now we just need Peter Coyote to narrate the book on tape.

This is another series of talks given by Shunryu Suzuki who died
in 1971. He seems to have been the greatest Zen Master in the
occidental world to date. The first series of talks is in "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" which came out in 1970. This seems to be the most inspirational book in Zen of our time. Please buy both
of these treasures. Please don't buy these two books (or one if
you already have "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind) if you believe that
this book will teach you zen formally. The author makes it clear
that you need a teacher. But once you have one, these two books are the most inspirational books that you can have. I guess that
the most practical is still "The Three Pillars of Zen" by Roshi Kapleau. This second book of talks seems just as good as the first. I don't know why Zen Center waited 32 years to print it.
Nevertheless, it is a real treasure. Please don't treat this great man's teaching as basic. He implys in this book that just sitting can lead you to seeing the source of all phenomena. So
this is not a "cute" book. It's quite deep. Thank you.

Standing The Watch is a heartwarming story that will take you through a range of emotions, including tears and laughter. Author Rebecca Brown guides the reader through her father in-law's final days which she and her husband lovingly attend to in every way. The couple brings an attitude of honor and gratitude to a time that most people turn away from. If you are worried about death or taking care of a loved one who is dying, I highly recommend this book.

After reading Rebecca Brown's wonderful and in many ways, groundbreaking STANDING THE WATCH, I couldn't help wishing I had this book during the time my father was dying from Alzheimer's. What a comfort it would have been to read it and follow Rebecca and David Brown's thirteen-day odyssey as they lovingly care for Lincoln, David's father, during the last days of the elder's life.

There are many remarkable things about this book--one of the most obvious is the extraordinary bond between David and his father, and how the son kept his promise to care for him at home. Rebecca's solid support of her husband's decision and her unwavering devotion to her father-in-law is no less than heroic. Both are compassionate people who loved Lincoln enough to respect his wishes to keep him at home in his beloved cabin in the Seattle peninsula until he drew his last breath at age 89.

STANDING THE WATCH is not only a wise book, and a practical lesson in caring for our elderly, especially in our homes--a topic Americans avoid--but so very well written that the reader is eager to follow Rebecca wherever she takes us.

For those of us who are put into the usually overwhelming position of caring for our ill and elderly parents, STANDING THE WATCH is an invaluable book to read for its wisdom, humor, and most of all, for the guidance Rebecca and David Brown offer.

Standing The Watch: Memories Of A Home Death is the personal memoir of Rebecca Brown, a woman who took care of her dying father. A profound testimony and tribute filled with grief, love, and courage, narrating a terrible trial, Rebecca Brown wrote this candid, sensitive, at times inspiring autobiographical treatise in order to help others prepare for the inevitable day when they too must say goodbye to a loved one. Standing The Watch is very highly recommended reading for anyone charged with the responsibility of caring for a terminally ill parent, whether at home or in a residential care facility.

I am currently reading these books to my daughter who just turned five. We are both really enjoying them. I know the recommended age is seven and up but these books are great even before then but be prepared to discuss it also. My daughter can't wait to find out what Addy is going to do next. I think that these books are a great foundation for young girls. It can help them understand history as well as know that they can make a difference in the world no matter how small they are. We are working our way through the different American Girl series but I definately recommend the Addy books to everyone young and old. I think the history section at the end of each book is fabulous and really puts it in language a child can understand. It also helps that they relate the history to Addy since she is someone your child "knows" after reading the books.

I like this book because it is fun and easy to read. It only has
69 pages and a lot of good pictures. Addy is an American girl who
is a slave and wants to be free. At the end of the book she was
free. I was happy for her.

I liked the Addy books a lot when I was younger, and got the hardcover boxed set for Christmas. Addy is one of the better American Girls in the American Girls Collection, and her books should be a recommended read.

What Dumar has done here will shock the world. It's a must read for teenage girls and middle-aged men alike. The relationships developed and explored in this piece will redefine the works of Freud as bunk and open society to a new form of free-wheeling self-therapy. READ THIS BOOK!!!!

-Z

This is definetly one of the best books I have ever read. It really made me think and question basic tenents of soceity. This book can be anything you need, a quick, fun read; or it can be really read into. I can't really state why this is a great book. Just BUY IT and READ IT!

This book blew me away. So fast. So angry. So strong. I hate reading but this book I read three times already.

This is to the response from Gloria Alibaruho dated 25 December 1999.

I just read your review of the book, Sacred Bond: Black Men and Their Mothers. You said in your review. "All of the mothers are acquainted with life as a journey rather than a destination." I think that is a very profound statement - your focus on "journey" implies a continuous activity as opposed to "destination" which is a fixed point in time. Too often, whether we set the stage or someone else does, we focus on a fixed point in our lives, the time when the journey is completed. We forget to celebrate the activities that brought us to our goal. This celebration serves to strengthen us and provides inspiration for the next day. That is why some goals are never reached - the preparations for the journey are not made and then we loose sight of our destination. Metaphorically, it is like taking a hike in a dense forest and forgetting to bring a map or compass.

I have a notebook of quotations that give me inspiration and I have just included your quotation in the book. Thanks for your words of wisdom.

Sincerely,

Susan Lightfeather lightfeather@exotrope.net

From the beginning to the ending of this book, I cried and laughed. It is the most uplifting book I have ever read in my life. It helped me to reminisce on my upbringing and how I am blessed to have had my mother and both grandmothers set examples for me as strong matriarchs. Sacred bond is very precious to me, especially now that I have my own son. I haved learned some of the things I should focus on and encourage him with from this book. It has helped me to see that I too need to be involved with my son not just while he is a baby but always. It helped me to see that I should make sure he is educated and stand up for what he believes. This was a resounding theme I got from all the mothers in Sacred Bond. I also learned from Sacred Bond that once my son achieves adulthood I should be active in his life, but learn to let him live his own life. James Love's story about his mother Henrietta Love was my favorite. Through his tragedy of being shot while under cover as a narcartics agent, he was helped to see his mother's strength and learned how it affected his life as a narcartics agent and in general. He thought his mother would go off her rocker when she found out he had been shot. Instead, she was cool and kept her head. She was strong through it all and helped her baby heal and get back on his feet. My favorite picture in the book is the one with Eric H. Holder, Jr., United States Deputy Attorney General and his mother Miriam Holder. This photo captures the love and pride a mother has when she sees all the work and devotion she has given to her child or children come to fruition. I could tell from the photo that both were proud to be apart of the other.

I loved this book and throughout the rest of my life will always refer back to it from time to time as I grow with my own son. I hope that one day my son will be able to look back and say that I too was a strong, devoted and determined mother. Most of all I hope he can say he is proud to be my son. I don't think any of the sons in sacred bond would trade their mother in, regardless of the situations they grew up in. I hope my son will fill the same about me.

As I read this book, I could see myself in every one of the mothers. I laughed, I cried, and I was blessed to be touched by their experiences. As a mother, it was reassuring to read that I am on the right track. Through their trials and tribulations, the bond strengthened. To the authoris: Thank you for capturing these magnificent stories. To the mothers/sons: Thank you for letting us into your life.

"Sculpting in Time" is basically a rant by a great film director. That's not to say that his rants don't have their merit. They do. They illuminate his aesthetic approaches to filmmaking and his concept of art (or, as he would say, Art) in society. The trouble is, his comments do not really assist those who simply want to better understand his films. If you're like me and want to gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for Tarkovsky's works, get "The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky: A Visual Fugue" by Vida T. Johnson and Graham Petrie.

SCULPTING IN TIME, gives the reader an intimate invitation into the mind of filmmaker, Andrei Tarkovsky. In this single, slim volume, Tarkovsky gives penetrating insight into his conceptualization of cinema as an art form. Although he does not refer to all of his films, one finds detailed information concerning his approach to cinematic form and why his films are so different and affecting. Tarkovksy, speculates on the role of the artist in today's world. He points the direction that others who may want to enter into the cinematic arts should go. Most importantly, one gets an engrossing look at the aspects of the cinema that define it as an artform outside of literature, painting, and the theatre. It is a profound book and one that you will find yourself re-reading again and again. It is to be cherished.

The idea behind the title of the book is that the film-goer goes to the cinema to experience time, and that the director's job is to sculpt the time that the audience experiences-- cut away the inessential words and seconds and pieces. This book is an introduction to the rules that Tarkovsky set for himself in achieving this goal.

The book covers his thoughts around a wide range of his films, beginning with "Ivan's Childhood" and finally ending with "The Sacrifice". On the way he covers his view of various aspects (both concrete and philisophical) of the cinema. Other chapter titles include "Cinema's destined role" and "The author in search of an audience".

The book is beautifully written and the ideas are important and relevant. It's useful on the level of the student learning film techniques (he provides some wonderful examples of the difference in how major and minor directors handle the same character moments in different films. It's also useful as a book about the philosophy of art in general (and cinema, obviously, in specific).