Much of our popular culture defines heroism as laughing in the face of death. Square-jawed heroes and voluptuous heroines in books and movies show us what they're made of as they make light of their impending demise.

Allen Klein writes about heroes, death, and laughter, too. Klein's heroes aren't cartoon characters, they're ordinary people. They are you and me. Klein's heroes haven't been chained in the path of an onrushing train. They're teathered to an IV during chemo-therapy or living with a chronic condition that won't kill them but just make life more difficult as time goes by. Klein's heroes have one thing in common; their ability to laugh at themselves and their situations. They've also given others The gift of laughing with them.

Allen Klein has done a remarkable thing. Rather than celebrate heroism by elevating it out of our grasp, he celebrates it by bringing it to a level where its accessible to all of us. Klein's heroism is facing our time here with dignity, optimism, and a sense of humor in spite of an uncertain future. That's living. That's dying. That's the point.

Years ago, I learned about the work of Norman Cousins, then editor of "The Saturday Review." My late father was a real fan of that magazine and told me about Cousin's then radical ideas about how humor could help healing. His work is covered in his 1979 book, Anatomy of an Illness (Norton). Since then, I've had an interest in humor and how it helps us cope with the trials and tribulations of life.

Allen Klein has taken the concept a step further, exploring in great detail how humor helps us cope with death. As I began the book, I read about Klein's experience with the death of his father. Thoughts of my father's death came creeping into my consciousness. Do I want to read this book? I continued reading, and I'm glad I did. This book is a fascinating sociological study of humor and death. It's very well done, so well that the book could qualify as a college textbook as well as a very interesting read . . . and even a valuable guidebook for people working in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, or caring for a loved one.

The organization of The Courage to Laugh was obvious, and made the book easier to read, understand, and absorb. Part I answers the question, "Is Death Too Serious for Humor?" with four strong background chapters. The second part of the book, Seeing Demise Thru Humorous Eyes, is filled with an amazing collection of wit and understanding from a wide variety of sources. I became so engaged with this material, that I couldn't put the book down. I just kept reading! I also enjoyed the last part of the book, Leave' Em Laughing, that looks at the subject through the eyes of those who are dying.

Highly recommended for anyone dealing with death and dying or studying the topic. If you're a student of humor, this book is a treasure.

After having read and loved one of Allen's other books, "The Healing Power of Humor," I read this book as soon as it came out. Before reading "The Courage to Laugh," I never thought about connecting courage with laughter. Now I never separate the two concepts! In this book, Allen refers to clowns and their courage. I was not a "Caring Clown" (a clown that works specifically in health care) when I first read this book. I am now. Some days I need to muster a lot of courage to connect with people who are old and dying. One thing I learned from this book is that even a nanosecond of relief from pain through humor can make a profound difference is a person's life. A second idea (of many) I've embraced is the spiritual component of laughter and mirth. Thanks to you, Allen, my spirit is soaring!

I purchased both of Susan Allen's Crocheted Christmas Cover books and was truly pleased with them. I enjoy many types of crafts, but especially crochet, so when I started working on her patterns, and saw how quickly they made up it was a real treat! I especially enjoy the gasps of pleasure and awe that I receive from family and friends when I show off my finished ornaments. They're such a treasure and a great way to make a few extra dollars during the holidays. They can also be an easy but special gift for your 'long list' of friends and co-workers. I can't wait to start my batch for Christmas 2001. Thanks Susan!

From the minute I received Susan Allen's 1st book of crochet patterns to cover ordinary Christmas balls with a crocheted cover in metallic thread, I couldn't wait to get started. Not only was I fascinated with "the look" of the metallic crocheted thread, but her clever way to cover the Christmas balls made the task go lightning quick. The patterns are easy to follow and the color photos are so glittery and festive.

I had tried other ornament cover patterns before, but they were cumbersome once you had to insert the ornament. But those days are over since these patterns use a very innovative way to cover ornaments. There are a variety of patterns to follow in this book, so you can have fun creating different color combinations. I gave some of my crocheted ornaments to a friend wrapped up in a Christmas basket this year and she said she didn't have the heart to put them away after the holidays because of their beauty!

If you love to crochet as I do, you will find this book to be a valuable addition to your collection of patterns.

Susan's books are wonderful for the beginner as well as the experienced crocheter. The directions are clear and easy to understand. Her designs are beautiful and include a full color photo for each pattern. These books are a must-have for any crocheter!

Got this for my 9 yr. old granddaughter. We were spending 4 hrs a nite on homework, her room was a disaster area and she was on a continuous restriction for her mouthing back and attitude. Knew something had to change. Wrote up the behavior plan based on this book; She actually liked the plan. Daily rewards and punishments, no more restrictions lasting days or a week, and privelege and money chips for good behavior, homework done in 1 1/2hrs and room straightened,dog fed,table set,coat hung up, etc every day. Amazingly within a few days, everything done as above! Her room is straightened with bed made and everything off floor in about 4 minutes(allowed 10 min). Homework always done without any hassle as soon as she comes in! Guess what she bought with her first savings? An ORGANIZER! Cannot praise this book enough! If you follow her steps and stick to the program yourself, you too can have amazing changes in your child. Her parents and I were so pleased and amazed with the change. I just wish I had had this book when my daughter was little. Would have made life so much easier! Every month or so, we reevaluate her program and make small changes on problem areas and that's about all the extra time needed. On the weekends, instead of homework, she straightens her closet or drawers or bookshelves. I showed her teacher the behavior plan and this book and she made copies of it for herself and other mothers when they are having problems. It will save your sanity and family and give house control back to you!

This book is absolutely readable! You learn real-life approaches to dealing with your kids! This is not a book of psycho-babble.

My husband and I have been married for five years. He has 3 children from his first marriage and his ex-wife is the classic "emotionally needy parent" plus she is having problems with alcohol abuse. When we had visitations with the kids we would have an adjustment period of 2 or 3 days. After that their behavior would usually mellow out and the rest of the stay was okay. Recently DCFS stepped in and ruled that the children were no longer safe in her care and turned them over to my husband and I. The children are 14, 12, and 9, plus they have a 3 year old half sister that was given into our custody. Our house has been a combination zoo and war zone since they arrived. My husband and I were at the end of our ropes when I found this book. She has been the answer to my prayers.

I've been in the Jail bussiness now since 1996, and I can tell you that a read of this book will instantly give you a years expereince or better in the corrections proffession. It includes all the "tricks" that inmates and criminals use to "get one over on you" Since these people have nothing to do all day but dream up new crimes and manipulation techniques, the knowledge this book will impart will allow one to "see them coming a mile away". Reading this book will enhance ones safety both in the corrections environment and on the street.

This book has great information for those in the career field of corrections or anyone who works with criminals or inmates. Some of the information covers the psychological reasons and steps. If nothing else read the scenarios of actual cases. It will definitely make you look closer at your own actions as well as those of the offenders. Learn not to get burned. Read this book!

Games Criminals Play is a very easy to read, straight-forward account of the manipulations inmates are so skilled in often as a means of survival, and how easily susceptible the correctional employee can be. Accounts given demonstrate how easily the manipulations can begin; how difficult they can be to terminate, and how to proactively and professionally ward off the inmates' manipulative games. The book would serve anyone new to the corrections environment very well.

I have been placed on many different psychiatric drugs which seemed to do more harm than good and given many different diagnoses as though no two doctors could agree. I have finally come to the conclusion that for some of us...prayer and meditation may be a more miraculous medicine and less barbaric and less of a waste of time. I bought this book many years ago and it somehow got lost. I could not find it until today. I bought it today and can't wait to start back on the path I began a long time ago but fell off of. I really did feel it gave me hope and helped me think more positive and better things came to me when I had applied what I read in this book devoutly.

This is a simple book that outlines the Bible's rules for mental health. It starts with an enlightened interpretation of Psalm 23 (The lord is my sheperd...)and moves on to the Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, and the Beatitudes found in Matthew.

What is most impressive about this book is that it sticks to the true meaning of the scriptures without getting too caught up in the author's own opinion. The author's insights and examples shed light on how these writings apply to today's problems. This book was written in 1953 and is still fresh, today. This short, practical book is the most useful self-help book that I've ever read (and I've read a bunch). You'll marvel at how these simple truths can really change your life.

The book "God's Psychiatry" is the most empowering book I have ever read. Through the understading of the 23rd Psalm, The Ten Commandents, The Lord's prayer, and the Beatitudes I found a much clearer understanding of who God is and my relationship with him. I am much more confident and happy for having read this book and I believe that any Christian who has ever been wounded in mind or spirit would benefit from this book. I have ordered three more copies of this book which I am sending to family and friends because I think it will be so helpful.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

There are now two editions of Boyle, the older version with an orange cover and the Barred Owl, and a newer version with a photo of a Hooded Warbler on the front. You'll want to make sure you get the latter, since many things have changed over the years.

It is one of the milder species of blasphemy, I suppose, to call any book one's "bible"; but since its appearance 17 years ago (!), Bill Boyle's NJBFG has served thousands of the birding faithful as ritual object and authoritative companion alike. My own copy of the first printing, with its ugly laminated binding in shreds and the bookblock bulging from tipped-in notes, photocopies, and clippings, is probably the single most used volume in my birding library: field guides come and go, but for nearly two decades now, Boyle has come and gone wherever I have.
Just how intensive my use of the book has been came clear to me with the arrival--"long-awaited," in the reviewer's cliche--of the second edition. As I read through the new treatments of areas long familiar to me, I discovered that (like many NJ birders) I'd actually memorized verbatim great chunks of the first edition, and that I noticed every new word and every new turn of phrase in the revised accounts. If it is true that every obsession is at its base religious, then this book truly is the birder's bible.
The birder's bible: divine in inspiration, certainly, but here and there the mortal nature of its human author peeks through. As anyone who has ever written anything knows, it is even more difficult to revise than to write, and this revised edition has some flaws that were not apparent in the first. There are far more copy-editing errors this time around, and the index--more important than ever, given the new book's rather breathless layout--is not an infallible help (just try to find the main entry for Merrill Creek!). Compared to the enjoyably expansive style of the first edition, the new entries strike me as occasionally a bit too concise, a problem that might have been eased by simply eliminating even more of the old sections treating sites that, like the Institute Woods, now offer (in Boyle's words) "the mere shadow" of their former glory; valuable space is also sacrificed to a number of new full-page illustrations.
These things having been said, the book is still an outstanding example of the bird-finding guide. The maps seem to be largely up to date and accurate (Sussex County birders: are Rockport and Blackdirt marshes really the same place?), the annotated species list is even more useful than in the first edition, and the binding isn't likely to crackle and peel. It will take only weeks, I am sure, for New Jersey birders to start quoting this new Boyle, chapter and verse.

This book is just as useful for seasoned birders as it is for the beginner, or the person new to New Jersey. Beginners will appreciate its review of New Jersey's best birding destinations; seasoned pros will enjoy the depth of the information and the amount of detail on nesting species and accounts of rarities.

For us locals, "Bird Finding" is great for those days when you want to hop in the car and travel to somewhere a little different, or if you want to explore a familiar destination a little more closely. The book offers detailed directions (although some of the exit numbers and streets have changed since its publication date), including which trail to follow, which tree to investigate, etc. Its accuracy is remarkable. It's clear Bill Boyle knows each location intimately and visits them often.

This is a must-have for any birder living in the state (and there are lots), and any vacationer planning to spend more than a weekend in New Jersey.

Educational and entertaining, this book relays convincing evidence as to the psychological and physiological benefits of humor. The author gives concrete and helpgful techniques and suggestions as to how we can begin to bring more joy and laughter into our lives. Lots of humorous anecdotes and examples bring the points home. I found this book informative and motivational.

Since reading this book in 1994, I have used it as a reference for my life AND work. Using a warm and witty style of writing, Allen teaches us the physiological and emotional benefits of mirth. My favorite chapter title is "Strike While the Irony is Hot!" So clever!! I recommend this book to friends who are facing life challenges and to everyone who attends my workshops. On a more personal note, since embracing The Healing Power of Humor, I felt freer to add a little levity to my Aunt Alice's funeral. My family was amazingly grateful. Me too!

Wonderful book, which truly elevated my spirits so much that people started complimenting me about my positive attitude. Good bedtime reading. Chapters are written so that you study one "lesson" per day.

Every last shot heard in the world of motion pictures is displayed here. From Pre-code films like LADIES THEY TALK ABOUT to the Code-in-your-face PULP FICTION, Bruce Hershenson captures the poster art of these films in splashy high quality color. A bonus is that Bruce always includes lobby card art, cherished by many a collector, but not displayed often.

Absolutely stunning! Superb graphics of some of our favorite movie posters! Highly recommend.

How can crime be bad and yet so good! Look inside the cover of these pages for the answer. Not much reading required but plenty of illustrations. And what illustrations!! Cigarettes, dangling from shadowey faces, killer guns begging for victums, and behind every crime there's a "good" women to lead him on to both heaven or hell. These images can usually sum up the classic Crime Movie Poster. In cronological order the images take us from the birth of this gendre to it's present. This is no small feat, as the first poster is dated 1913! That's how many years? Page after page is loaded with poster art that grabs the eye and makes you want to view the film. Vivid coloring shows the excellent printing quality of this volume. One only needs to turn the pages to discover "the stuff dreams are made of".

"Eight American Poets," edited by Joel Conarroe, is a fine anthology. The introduction notes that this book was "designed as a companion volume to 'Six American Poets,'" also edited by Conarroe. "Eight" follows the same plan as "Six": rather than anthologize a huge company of poets who are represented by only a few pieces each, each of Conarroe's books focuses on a relatively small group of poets, each of whom is represented by a substantial selection. Conarroe's approach allows the reader to get a fuller feel of each poet in the anthology format.

The poets of "Eight" are Theodore Roethke, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Lowell, John Berryman, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, Allen Ginsburg, and James Merrill. Each poet's work is prefaced by a substantial individual introduction.

There are many masterpieces in this book. Curiously, I found the most compelling poems to be those that focus on nature: Roethke's "The Meadow Mouse," Bishop's "The Fish," Plath's "Mushrooms," and Merrill's "The Octopus." Poems like these combine skillfully used language with keen insight, and reveal these poets to be true heirs of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson (two of the featured artists in "Six American Poets").

Overall, I felt that "Eight" was not as strong as its sister volume, "Six." Although there are many poetic masterpieces in "Eight," there is also much material which, in my opinion, hasn't aged well. The so-called "confessional poetry" of some of these writers strikes me as overwrought. Some of the longer poems failed to resonate with me. I was particularly disappointed by Berryman's "Homage to Mistress Bradstreet," especially since I am an admirer of Anne Bradtreet's own work. Admittedly, this criticism may merely reflect my own personal tastes, but I submit it for the reader's consideration.

The fact that so many of these poets either wrote about each other, or pop up in the editor's introductions to each others' work, sometimes gives the book as a whole a creepy, incestuous feel. And the fact that so many of these poets committed suicide, had long-term mental health problems, and/or suffered from addictions further gives the book as a whole a rather morbid feel. On second thought, maybe this group of eight is a bit problematic!

Still, editor Conarroe has assembled an impressive anthology that I would recommend for students and teachers, as well as to a general readership. Although a mixed bag, "Eight American Poets" contains some truly enduring work by an octet whose legacy is secure.

.........the best known and loved poetry of eight well-known twentieth century American poets. Includes well known poems such as Bishop's "The Fish", Roethke's "My Papa's Waltz", Berryman's "Dream Songs", Merrill's "Lost in Translation", Sexton's "Ringing the Bells", and many others.

Like Conarroe's "Six American Poets", the anthology introduces us to each poet with a short biography that is presented before the poet's work. We learn about their lives and come to understand some of the primary forces that have shaped their poetry. I have found that this greatly enriches the experience of reading poetry because I better see the struggles that lead to each individual creation. After each collection, Conarroe offers a list of books and anthologies where each poet has been published so that we, should we wish, can come to know the work of a given poet much better.

This anthology is a wonderful starting place for someone who, like me, desires an introduction to some of the greatest American poetry ever produced. Personally, I feel, after reading this anthology that I have come to truly appreciate the work of Elizabeth Bishop and Theodore Roethke, in particular. I had never known their work well, but suddenly each jumped off the page at me, Bishop for her wonderfully vivid descriptions and Roethke for his intensely moving subjects. Plath and Sexton also really spoke to me, their work so reflecting their lives. Overall, this anthology is superbly worthwhile reading!

Ah, a fine comparison and contrast in studies on the eight best American confessional poets ever. Kudos to the editor on a fine choice of poems, and candid biographies on each poet. Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Allen Ginsberg, John Berryman, Theodore Roethke, Elizabeth Bishop and the other guy, here's to you.

This book inspired a love of reading in my second grader. She ranked reading right up there with going to the dentist (no offense), until she got her hands on this book. The short, captivating stories seemed to fascinate her, and she begged me to order the rest of the series. I hope Bruce Lansky keeps up the good work!

This book was SO COOL!!! My favorite story was either The Fairy Godmother's Assistant, For Love of Sunny, The Royal Joust, orLian and the Unicorn. But ALL of the stories were awsome; I loved them all! Keep writing/editing, Bruce Lansky!!!

GIRL POWER! THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR ALL GIRLS! I AM A SECOND GRADER AND I THINK THIS IS THE COOLEST BOOK. ALL THE GIRL CHARACTERS ARE SMART, FUNNY , COURAGEOUS AND KNOW HOW TO THINK AND SOLVE PROBLEMS! I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF HEROES IN THIS BOOK!