This is one reference book that I read cover to cover, not wanting to miss a single wonderful idea. I bought the book mainly because I have a huge rose garden and wanted potpourri recipes, but I was enraptured by every chapter, including making sachets, door hangings, and dried arrangements, and the section on the centuries-old "meanings" that have been attached to many flowers. There is even an intriquing recipe for making "wet" potpourri, a concoction that I had never heard of before but now intend to try! This book is beautiful, nicely organized, and well written. I could almost smell the scents and see the colorful gardens as I read. A must have selection.

This book is wonderful. I have had this book for about ten years and, although I have purchased many beautiful books since, this one remains a favorite. The pictures are beautiful and the instructions are easy to follow. Also, sources for purchasing any ingredients you would need are listed at the back of the book. Buy it -- you will cherish it!

i've had this book for two days and i love it. it truly inspires me. its easy to read and the fragrant recipes are simple and inexpensive to make. i created my first dried floral arrangement and i was amazed with the results. i love to walk into a room and be surrounded by pretty flowers and nice aromas. you can definitely achieve that with the help of this book. enjoy!

OK, so I am biased because Milo Radulovich is my cousin, but speaking as an (amateur) historian, I can say this is book is excellently researched. Michael Ranville gives you not only an incredible story of the "little man in turbulent times" (which is an incredible way to learn history) but also places the chronology of the Radulovich story against other US & World events of the time, giving the book a depth and range that many stories written in this fashion lack. This book is also fascinating from the perspective of the immigrants and "third culture kids" who shaped (and continue to shape) the American vision. This book is a must-read if you teach or study American history 1945-Present professionally. I wish everyone could meet Milo Radulovich; his courage then AND now, and that of the entire family, shines.

Mr. Radulovich is an inspiration on the value of family honor and loyality in our society.

This is an awesome inspirational book! It's remarkable proof that one determined individual can make a difference and that "when you're right you have to stand up for yourself or you're dead". I plan on making sure my kids read and sharing with my friends.

If you are planning a trip to India, you should consider visiting the caves at Ajanta. If you are planning to visit the caves, you should read this book before the trip. You will get a lot more out of the experience of the caves if you know the Jataka stories and understand the Buddhist iconography described in this book.

Even if you have no plans to travel to Ajanta, the boook contains beautiful photograpghs which will make a nice addition to any collection of art books or, for that matter, to any coffee table.

The Ajanta caves can be considered among the wonders of the ancient world, both in terms of their artistic and their spiritual value, and this book captures the beauty and detail of the remarkable murals. If I were to make one criticism, it would be that it emphasizes the murals at the expense of largely neglecting the sculptures, which are magnificent in their own right. The book might better be titled, "Murals of the Ajanta Caves." I ordered it without seeing it first, and I was a little disappointed to see how few photographs were included of the sculptures. Nevertheless, the beautiful and clear photographs of the murals alone are worth the price of the book, and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone interested in the Ajanta caves, or in ancient Indian or Buddhist art.

This book offers the best color photographs of the Ajanta caves that I have seen. The text offers an excellent explication of the history and iconography of the images. Having been to the caves, I can honestly say that you see the paintings more clearly in this book than at the caves themselves. (This is due to crowded conditions and poor lighting at the caves.) This book is an important adjunct to any study of Buddhist art and inconography. If you're planning to travel to Ajanta, buy this book first.

This book is a lovely collection of positive statements by different personalities--famous, historic, etc. The statements reinforce the fact that with adequate effort, anything can be accomplished. This is a very attractive book too--a good gift item for a special friend, graduating senior, or co-worker.

This book was given to me as a gift about 5 years ago and I am still picking it up from time to time for encouragement. I keep my copy in my desk at work and pick it up when life, work, etc seems too much to handle. Its a great tool for getting a better, more productive outlook on things. A treasure!

This book helped me through my diabetic cat's final days while he endured acute kidney failure. It kept me going through the painful ordeal of finally letting him go through euthanasia.

On the eve of another Marilyn movie, "Blonde", I pulled this book out of my library and re-read it. The photos are amazing, and included in the book are official documentation copies that spur furthur contemplation about her death.

Will the questions and the responsiblitiy of her death ever be publicly accountable? I doubt it.

For those still fascinated by this lady, you will enjoy this book and find the facts well researched. Look at THESE pictures and tell me she is not one of the most fascinating, captivating, intriguing women of the world. She died in her prime, and she left the most beautiful part of her in everyone's memory.

That is SO "Marilyn", and someone took full advantage of that and of her.

This book is fantastic! Not only does it outline Miss Monroe's life in great detail, it also explains her death. Which, until this point, has seemed unexplainable. In order to truly understand her life and the reasons behind her sometimes obscure behavior, a complete, yet disturbing chronology was outlined by the authors. The book names her murderers and surprisingly, some of them were her trusted "friends" who - acting under strict orders - completely double-crossed her. The shameless cover-ups by a disgraceful group of people quickly followed her death and apparantly still continues today. A truly sad look into an American tragedy, this book should be written into a script and shown to the entire world!

I was truly amazed to read this book about the new revelations surounding Marilyn Monroe's death. First, the authors are able to examine all the evidences one by one, they ruly put you in that investigation! Since many false arguments about that subject have been said;one question remaining and this is what that book answered: WHO KILL MARILYN MONROE AND HOW? So, that's all I can say; just read that book yourself and you will find out the truth. Also, the book take a look at how Marilyn manage herself great about her last weeks, her futur ambitious plans, the way she want her carreer to go...In one word, it show Marilyn like she was; vulnerable, poignant, happy; on her own to find a new way to explore in her life. Unfortunately, she just don't have the time to do it. P.S. Sorry for my english mistakes...I'll hope you enjoy this book as much as me. Have a great reading!

Manara's art speaks for itself, so no need to go on and on about it. But the stories written by him are usually pointless sex tales. The difference with Indian Summer is that Pratt actually gave him a great story (the struggles of early settlers for survival, and their unpredictable relations with the native indians). Manara expresses the emotions of his characters beautifully through his pencil. For those who like action, there is plenty of that as well. The duo's other book 'El Gaucho' is also a powerful graphic novel. This was a $20 well spent. PS: I've reviewed hundreds of graphic novels at my personal web page. Give it a shot.

erotism for art sake

male character are as good as the females. He should draw both.

Based on the 1000 year old story The Adventure of the Monkey God (Hsi yu chi), by Wu Ch'eng-en and Arthur Waley's version of it.
What makes the ape so attractive is the social political comentary present in every frame. It gives us an insight to the atrists interpitation of the socialist ideals and events of china during the late 70's and early 80's in direct relation ship to the US as viewed by a european socialist. I especialy enjoyed the way they make fun of the US and point out our lack of culture and class as root of what makes us evil in their eyes.

This excellent graphic novel is based on the Chinese classic "The Journey West," which includes the monkey-god character Sun-Wu-Kong, one of the most popular characters in the Far East.

I read "The Ape," though meant for adults, in high-school as part of Heavy Metal Magazine, and loved it. It's a bit sexy, very artistic, and quite an adventure.

If you can find this anywhere, get it. When you finish it, you will probably want to read "The Journey West," as the stories are very close.

An excellent story for anyone who has ever asked the question, "How could something be wrong, when it feels so right." Enter the world of Claudia, an overly restrained beauty, whose eyes are forced open to the intense pleasure that can be had when you let go and enjoy the experience. A stirring story that is bound to leave you, like Claudia, begging for more.

Want to experience ? Ever wondered what fire burns within Life's most heavenly creature, the Woman ? Read this illustrated journey into sexual desire, crafted with unsurpassed mastery by Manara. The storyline was simple (a guy takes revenge on a cold swish lady by steering her sexual appetite via a remote control). It evolves into a celebration of absolute feminity in action. Manara's world: wonderfully real and suave women, in unusual circumstances. Leave you begging for lucky dreams tonight...

In 1831, on a suggestion from his doctor to travel west to improve his health, Josiah Gregg joined a wagon train of Sante Fe traders. The result is a highly acclaimed first hand narrative of the Sante Fe trade and life on the prairies during the 1830's. Gregg's vivid writing style illustrates the many hardships and adventures of life along the Sante Fe Trail and into Mexico. We read about traveling through barren deserts, inconsistencies of the weather, the always present danger of marauding Indians and Mexicans, the questionable Mexican governmental policies, etc. Being an amateur naturalist (he had several species of plants named after him), Gregg describes geographical landforms, geology, and plant and animal life extremely well. He also gives clear, precise and realistic descriptions of the cultures and customs of both the Indians and native Mexicans from how they dressed, to how they constructed their homes; religious, spiritual and matrimonial beliefs; how food was secured and prepared; theories on future agricultural practices and uses, etc. Gregg was a keen and acute observer of his immediate surroundings which is evident in both his writing style and presentation of the subject. Professor Moorhead's editing is second to none.

Shortly after Mexican Independence interest in establishing trade with Sante Fe, Mexico's most northerly province, became ever more popular. Josiah Gregg was preceded by Mountain Men who explored the area, but he was the first with sufficient education to describe the people, land features and Indians with whom traders would have to deal. His work constitues a PREFACE to other books dealing with the Santa Fe Trail and its growing interest to the United States. Independence, MO, and Fort Smith and Van Buren, AR. - were the northern and southern starting points for Santa Fe respectively. The book is as much a tale of encounters as it is a repository of valuable information. A 'FIRST READ' for persons interested in Santa Fe and the Westward Movement. Another of a variety of fascinating histories of the Southwest.

Glancing through Milo and the Mysterious Island was intriguing. Written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister, the book takes a new approach to children's literature: you get to decide what ending the book should have. You can opt for a happy or sad ending, depending on which you prefer. Milo and his friends embark on a journey, taking their magic stones, to find the mysterious island with striped mice. Things take a twist in each ending as the mice struggle with an unfamiliar culture and don't always make the right decision.

What first caught my eye about this book were the illustrations. Not only are they bright and colorful, but the magic stones actually seem to glow on the page. The reason for this is that the stones are done in a sort-of gold holographic material that jumps off the page. However, as I read, the book certainly had meaning as well.

Although the book has small words and is easy to read, the book packs a punch with its thought-provoking story. As the book progresses and you are given a decision as to which ending to read, a child is taught a valuable lesson. The book demonstrates on a child's level what happens when we jump to conclusions about other cultures. It demonstrates how unfair and mean we can sometimes be. On the other hand, the book also pushes the child into making a much more difficult decision: accepting and learning from other cultures.

This book is a terrific addition to children's literature. Not only are the illustrations visually enticing but the story itself holds value beyond its easily understandable words.

I love this book! I have read this book to my two toddlers, and plan to read it to my fourth grade students. I enjoyed the two different endings that are available. I always have to read both. This book is wonderful to help children talk about differences among people. In life we have two choices, we can embrace differences and learn from them or we can be fearful of differences. This book provides many opportunities for discussions with children on a very important topic, differences. Differences come in the form of disablities, languages, culture, and appearances. This story is fun to read with younger children and great for discussions with older children and even adults. This is a must read!