We are so used to thinking of China as a single Han culture that we forget the existence of other cultures, such as the Tibetans (Xizang), Diao, Miao, and Hani -- not to mention the Islamic peoples of the far west. When I read SOUL MOUNTAIN, I received my first education in the subject.

Now I have received quite by chance this children's book from University of Hawaii Press. Upon looking at it, I was drawn in by the excellent illustrations and started reading. I can't speak for what a child would think (and I don't have one to act as a guinea pig), but I loved it.

The book consists of four folk tales, each from a minority culture. After each tale is a description of how it has given birth to a festival, and how that festival is celebrated today. In a society such as ours which has so little understanding of other cultures, this would be a particularly painless way of introducing children to a wider, more colorful, and fascinating world. My congratulations to Carolyn and Jay Han and the excellent illustrator Li Ji.

All I have to say is that you should get this book if you have any interest in Mars at all.

A fine book with unbelievable tenderness.
Each story takes the reader on a love journey with compassion and understanding. I enjoyed every story and found that the more I read the better I liked these stories. With delicacy and wisdom each story has focus. What brings us all closer is why and how we love. In each story the lovers have faults with strengths, just like we all do. Gay love is not different and in reading these stories I could see that love changes each of us, sometimes for better and sometimes not. In reality, love is true companionship and understanding. Don't make me pick a favorite story because I liked all of them. If you haven't tried this excellent book, do so now. It is worth every moment of your reading time.

John Bradley and his colleagues are imbued with wisdom and insights that are very practical and applicable to our daily lives. I use the insights presented in this book to develop the talents of my three teenagers. My students love this book as a major reading material in my Personal Development classes and Leadership Development training sessions. Now, I can honestly say to myself and to my Creator that "I love what I do and I do what I love!"

Diversity in America is one of the most inclusive and innovating compilation of diversity topics that I've seen to date. There are over two dozen chapters written by authors from around the country covering topics that range from traditonal discussions on multicultural diversity to topics on diversity of service delivery of college student services. Each chapter is researched based and concludes with end of the chapter questions which allows for class or group discussion around the thematic chapter topic. This book can be used in training, as a textbook for classroom instruction, and to impact policy development.

Cuts through the red internet tape right to the medical site. This is a comprehensive, well organized book that can save time, which is crucial ,when you're sick or a loved on is ,and you are looking for help on the internet. It has every conceivable category in a handy paperback edition. It's contents tell all from How the Internet works to a detailed list of chapters(alphabetical of course)ranging from allergy, asthma to urology. Within each category the authors almost seem to read your mind. The sub -headings under Urology,for example, are from bedwetting to prostate problems and vasectomy. There's even a chapter on Sports Medicine. Given the state of our Medical profession in the USA today this is really an essential tool up there with the dictionary and Dr. Spock.

Also recommended: The Abandonment of the Patient The Lost Art of Healing

I saw some of these pieces before in Spleen magazine in Seattle, and they struck me as odd little manifestoes, with fangs and humor ringing together in each poem. "The Doormat of the Labor Industry", especially, is a hilarious and heartbreaking ode for the downtrodden working stiff. Sometimes the feel of the writing can be airy and imaginitive, like in BAD MATERIAL (one of my favorites): "I sip the clear fluid bitterly./ the olive, a lobotomy;/ I use my teeth. 124 days into the fiscal year, months are boulders, or tubas." There are some real great moments, heavy doses of truth, in some of these poems. He's not afraid of exposing a philosophical revelation within a description of taking a crap, say, or watching a woman towel off in the bathroom. Passer seems to live in a very strangely compelling universe, and he has the sharp perception and sense of humor to describe it quite well. Sometimes it feels like he is showing off, but even then, there's always a reward by the end of the poem, sometimes a big payoff. If this isn't Passer's break-out book yet, I can't wait until his next one. Strongly recommended for all who enjoy Bukowski, Rimbaud or Henry Miller.

Finally, a book on money management that speaks my language! Don't Die Broke! (A Guide to Secure Retirement), by Melvin Jay Swartz, is the original handbook that cuts through all the garbage put out by self-proclaimed financial gurus who sell their 10-steps-to-greater-wealth nonsense on TV infomercials, audio cassettes, and the Internet. Swartz writes for the average person who just wants to make the most of what he or she has and avoid unnecessary costs when making plans for retirement. He seems to care sincerely about the reader. He's not trying to push a product, or even his own service. In fact, he encourages people to seek financial, tax and legal advice only from local professionals who are credentialed, licensed and certified to practice in their areas. Don't Die Broke! is an eye-opener. It warns of the real dangers of taking bad advice that can literally cost people their life savings. Swartz is a straight shooter who avoids jargon and legalese. What a breath of fresh air in this age of canned self-help programs.

Down to the Sea by Jay Nicholas captures the imagination of both children and adults. A young salmon calls for help to the man kneeling on the riverbank, "My neighborhood is no longer safe," the little smolt cries, "and no one seems to care." The man tells the smolt that people in Oregon do care and have written a four volume Plan to help. The Plan is too heavy for the little fish to carry back to his friends, so the man reduces its length to one volume, then one page, and finally a single sentence. Now the smolt can carry the good news to the other salmon that the people of Oregon have pledged to make their ecosystem safe.

This fanciful tale with its Picasso-like art is a must for every concerned person's library.

This unique format for a biography helps young people remember all about Ike's life, by intrducing each chapter with one of the many hats he wore. The illustations, in watercolor, line drawings, and historic photos, add tremendously to the story. The history is presented in an accurate and easily read style and covers Eisenhower's childhood, West Point years, WWII, Columbia Univ., the Presidency, and his retirement years. Perfect for ages 12 to adult.