My first reading of Pat Califia's work was in PoMoSexuals, a collection of essays where she was one of the contributors. Her writing was so eloquent and coherent that I sought out her books. In this collection of her essays, Califia challenges the muddled thinking and hyperbole so prevalent among feminists (especially Andrea Dworkin) about pornography and sexual "deviance." Califia's knowledge and arguments are stated clearly with humor and compassion. Many quotable quotes such as: "It is true that pornography is marketed for a male audience, but there are women who enjoy it. I do not think it sufficient to say these women are brainwashed by the patriarchy, since women are socialized NOT to use erotic materials." (p. 109)

[about teen interest in sex] "Any attempt at independence and autonomy by a young person is seen as wickedness, rebellion, and evil." (p. 80) And: "It is adult outrage and shame over such perfectly normal activities that give young people the idea that there's something wrong with sex or nudity, and intimidates them out of asking the questions they need to explore their own erotic natures." (p. 81)

"Instead of praying for extraordinary talents, we should pray for the good sense to fully use the talents we have been given." (p. 259)

I found this book informative and very thought provoking and recommend it for anyone with strong feelings, pro or con, about the rights of sexual minorities.

~~Joan Mazza, author of Dream Back Your Life; Dreaming Your Real Self; Things That Tick Me Off; and Exploring Your Sexual Self.

"...and possibly change your mind about some things. At the very least, it will require you to think about some things in a way you've never done before.

at one point in Public Sex, Pat Califia says that "you can still be a sex radical even if you prefer to get off in the missionary position and still believe there are only two genders." it's an important thing to remember. in this collection of essays, Califia explores -- over a period of about a dozen years -- issues of sex, politics, and where the two intersect (usually by bolstering the latter at the expense of the former). she explains why sexual freedoms and sexual responsibility are rights we all deserve, though many of us don't get them. she confronts the p.c. "feminist" positions on issues like pornography, prostitution, and S/M, and her well-thought-out points will make any reader pause. Public Sex changed my life, making me more aware than i had ever been of the sheer *perversity* of the strictures on sexual behavior in our culture today. the more people read this book, the better our chances of gaining those liberties that all of us deserve.

The SIDS Survival Guide was my beacon of light during the darkest part of my life. My son, Dominic, passed away from SIDS on April 10, 2001, at only 4 1/2 months young. I began to reach out and search for all the information I could find on SIDS, drinking it all in by the bucket. A few months after he died, I found "The SIDS Survival Guide", and am so incredibly thankful. There was so much information, so many stories so like my own. I shed many tears while reading it for the first time, and even now, when I go back to read sections, I still cry. I am now expecting our second child in June 2002, and am scared to death. But knowing that I am informed about SIDS is somewhat of a comfort to me; in a way, I am as prepared as I can ever be. I would recommend this book to anyone expecting a child, who has a young baby, or knows someone who is or does.

My husband and I lost our son to SIDS in September of 2000. Our souls have been torn. The grieving process over his death has been draining. I recall little over the past 4+ months since his death. The one thing I do recall is thinking I was going crazy. I had wished their was another SIDS survivor I could speak with. Someone who could possibly relate to what my husband and I were going through. Someone who could understand our emotions. I searched under the keyword SIDS and found this book. I have not read the book in its entirety. I have read the sections I have needed at the particular times in my grieving. This book has helped me confirm that I am not going crazy. What I am feeling, though very personal, is normal. I feel this book is a neccesity for any parent who has to suffer this terrible tragedy. I have placed an order of these books in my babies memory to send to my state SIDS Coordinator in hopes that other parents may find comfort in its contents. Thank you Joani and Robin.

This book is one of the best for SIDS information

I'm a returning student and eating out was one of the things I had to give up to survive on my smaller budget. This cookbook helps because I can make meals that I like better than most restaurant food with little fuss and cheap ingredients. The recipes are easy to follow and the introductory content helped me understand the basics of bean preparation so I don't have to rely on over-priced, high-sodium content canned beans!

There are many good bean books on the market, but this one is perhaps a cut above the rest. The recipes are easy, delicious, and plentiful. A great addition to your bean book collection, or the only one you'll want if you are creating one.

Just make sure to open all the windows, cause you'll fart up a storm, and a deliciously supplied one at that!

I have owned beagles before, both as pups and adopted as adults, so I was already familliar with the breed's behaviors, but did want to buy this for a 'refresher course' in Beag-ology.

This is one of the best books I have read on Beagle-owning. From behavior to feeding, breeding, etc. The writing style is very easy to digest and the information is partitioned for quick reference if you need it. Very informative and easy to understand.

And, if you are unfamilliar with beagles at all and are thinking of adding one to your family, I can't stress enough how helpful this book will be in either 1.) your decision-making or 2.) adoption. Anyone not used to the beagles temperment and behavior needs to get this before being faced with a bevy of adorable pups. They are as 'energetic' and destructive as they are cute and do require some atypical attention. This book explains beagle pros and cons perfectly and can provide you with adequate information necessary in deciding if a beagle is right for you.

This was a wonderful, informative book about Beagles. The author wrote the book using "Sam" & "Rosy" as Beagle examples (fictionary Beagles) throughout the entire book, giving the dogs a more positive personal presence while you are reading it. It has been so very helpful to me in the decision making of the purchase of a puppy Beagle and will help me prepare for the days ahead (and some sleepless nights as well)... My husband even enjoyed reading it to better prepare for the arrival of our new little one.

A great book that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in or already owns a Beagle.

I love this book and it gives me all the info I need to take care of my beagle. I would recommend this book to any owners of beagles hard to train or has bad habits. So go get this wonderfully written book with great pictures.

If you've seen the Webber musical, this book will provide great memories. Rich photos and artwork, premium stock paper, all the lyrics and scenes. Great gift for fans of Webber! Contains pull-out poster.

Why is this book out of print? It's really quite good. It gives a great look at the hard work that is put into a show before, during, and after each performance. I got it after years of searching in a used bookstore. It's really worth the hunt if you want it. It comes complete with a nice poster and there's a picture of a young Michael Ball with a rat tail. How can you lose?

This book has oodles of photographs and information about the musical. It is very well researched, and includes information about David Garnett, the history of the time period of the musical, and of course Andrew Lloyd Webber's writing the musical.

Excellent choice for a chidren's library, even my older kids loved this book, clever, innovative, can't wait for the color purple.

As our young narrator tells us, he's got a huge problem. He has a report due about the planet Mars, you know the RED planet, and his RED crayon has run away. They've had a lot good times together this year, learned lots of cool RED things, and done a few special RED projects, but now, when he really needs him the most, that RED crayon has just up and disappeared. What's a guy to do? He could try coloring Mars purple. Purple's almost like red, and maybe no one will notice..... Tony Porto and partners, Mitch Rice and Glenn Deutsch offer a clever and entertaining tribute to the color red. Their engaging text, written in an easy to read, conversational style, is filled with humor and marvelous red fun facts and trivia. The bold, bright, and busy illustrations, rich in playful details and wit, add to all the fun. Perfect for emerging readers or as a story time crowd pleaser, Get Red! is a manic, fun-filled romp, and we can only hope, the beginning of a new and colorful series.

Get Red is a fun book with an engaging story. I appreciated that the book had fun facts at the bottom of each page that I could share with my kids. I even learned some red things my self. The book is beautifully designed and illustrated. I am looking forward to reading the next color to my kids. I highly recommend this book for family reading.

Robin Rice's smooth narritive and descriptive abilities artfully lead the reader through the web of storytelling. Incorporporating the medium of journeying Robin enlists all the senses to contemplate the mysteries of reincarnation, astral travel, parallel space, dream work and spiritual teachers. Instead of leaving a confused and doubting reader, the theme of "know what you know" leaves a validation and hope to truely "Be Who You Are".

I love this book! I started reading, and couldn't put it down!
There are a lot of things in it that 'clicked' for me, and
brought 'light bulb' moments. The way the book is written makes it very easy to understand, and to become wrapped up in the story.
I also got the CD that has a guided drum journey, and when I took
the journey, I was released from a fear that I had carried all my life. I highly recommend reading the book, then getting the CD.

After the recent and tragic death of my mother, I found this book very inspirational as it delves into the area of reincarnation. The main character in this novel takes you through a journey that is exciting and fascinating.
The story has a great message and leaves you much to consider at the end. I looked forward to picking it up each time and enjoyed it so much I was sorry when I was done. I look forward to Robin Rice's next novel.

This is an in-depth look at Anne Rice's novels from an analytical perspective. Not only did it give me more insight into one of my favorite authors, but it was written in clear-sighted prose by another of my favorite authors.

What a great book. I felt like I was in class taking Anne Rice 101! Great insights on her books especially on "Interview with a vampire". Great reading.

No serious Rice scholar can miss this thoughtful treatise on the novelist's art, life, and oeuvre. Less serious readers will also enjoy the concise, lively prose and clear-headed insights from Crusie, famous on her own for genre-bending novels of love and life. Highly recommended.

I gave this to my wife as a gift before our recent trip to New Orleans, and she carried this book everywhere. While any book like this is a bit out-of-date as soon as it is published, it was still very useful for finding all the sites and giving us good background information. One important note though is that Anne Rice is selling off her doll collection and the orphanage, so there is no longer any tour. That was really a disappointment.

If you're going to New Orleans largely because you're a fan of Anne Rice's Vampire and Mayfair Witches novels, then this is an essential.

I used it on my first trip to New Orleans. It includes self-guided tours of the French Quarter and Garden District that include Vampire Chronicle and Mayfair sites respectively without leaving out the must-see unrelated sites and experiences. The only caveat is that zoo fans should be aware that the Audobon is one of the best in the country.

Three types of sites are covered - those related to Anne Rice herself, those used in - or speculated to have inspired locations in - the books, and those where parts of "Interview" were filmed.

With chapters on guided plantation, swamp and cemetary tours, as well as restaurants and hotels (the last including descriptions of ambviance that helped me considerably in my choice of hotel), you'll have everything you need to plan your trip and not miss anything like the Ursuline convent where Louis found Claudia and the Gardiner House that inspired the home that Lestat, Louis and Claudia shared.

Best of all, Ms. Dickinson wants us all to be careful out there in a city that can become ominous if you go too far off the beaten track sans tour group - especially at night. As she wittily reminds us, we're not all as indestructable as Lestat, and if an area - even one that contains an Anne Rice site - is unsafe, she doesn't hesitate to tell us so. Following her advice, you'll see everything you want to see and get home safe and sound.

Last year, for Christmas 97 we had to go to New Orleans to see my father's family, I was having a a horrible time because of the weather. (We went the year before for Mardi Gras, the weather makes my hair go afro-y; it doesn't help to use your normal hair-care products.) We went to the French Quarter the day we were leaving and pow there was this cool book. I had to get it, I've read all of the Mayfair Witches books. I recommend it to anyone that's ever wondered about where their favorite characters lived.