It's urgent that you and your children visit the redwoods! This book will inspire you to do so. Joan, the author, takes you on a journey through the redwood forest and through your conscience. Her artistic expression of her humanity in words and in nature drawings often made me laugh with the insights ("Humboldt County, Log it or Leave it - a bumper sticker she saw), yet also cry with the vulgarities. It's a wonderful read, but one should also be aware of the astounding photography in the middle section. I kept referring back to the photos the whole time while reading the book. I'll offer TWO of my FAVORITE QUOTES that epitomize the book's strenghts: "Like Kristi, and many other residents of various watersheds who have suffered loss of private property and peace of mind, Mike seemes strangely perfect to be one of the people who have no choice but to stand up to MAXXAM. He can't sell his house because he would have to disclose the danger it is in. He can't rent it out for the same reason. His insurance company has canceled his house insurance. He doesn't have the money to buy a new house and walk away from the situation. Right now his house stands abandoned, simply a liability, while Mike is forced to rent at his own expense in Rio Dell." (p.145) ALSO, Joan includes her 12-year-old son in her adventures. At the end of the book they have this conversation: "At one point he said, 'I forgot what I was going to say.' 'Well, it'll come back to you,' I reassured. 'Yes, but I was just making conversation before. This was something I really wanted to say.'" (p.259) I'm not ruining the end for you by saying that you'll really want to say something, do something, express something when you finish this book!

No book has ever moved me the way this one has, I have tears in my eyes as I write this. I've just read many of the other reviews, and I don't have the way with words that some do, but they tell it like it is. Joan tells it like it is. Books don't get any better, and this one will change your life, like someone said it isn't all about happiness, and I have become informed and aware of too much to not so something about what is being done to our Redwood Forests, and what is being allowed to be done to our envirnment and watersheds. It's a true story, happening right now, this book documents it succinctly with amazing one of a kind pictures. It will open your eyes. Something needs to be done about Charles Hurwitz from Houston, Texas and his company MAXXAM. He is savaging The last of the Virgin Redwood Rainforest in California. I cannot beleive the CDF and the department of Forestry are "letting him get away with it." Not to mention the way he "aquired" the land, which is explained in the book. Please read this book. This book will light a fire in you, and like me you will have to do something. There are several websites listed in the back to point you in the right direction. I beleive this book is THE BEST one on the subject and if you plan on reading only one this should definitely be it. It has the most facts, information, and insight and is so well written, I couldn't say enough. And 57 pages of priceless color pictures! I am buying used copies for people, I would give one to EVERYONE if I could, and I have only said that about 2 books, and I read alot. The book is priceless. Thank You Joan

This journal is a tough analysis of an unscrupulous corporate raider's methods of mining the temperate old growth redwood rain forests of Humboldt County, California. Joan and Doug's curiosity and observations lead her and us through all the resent events and to many victims of such a mass liquidation of forest, soil, waterways and wildlife. As a resident of the area, I have read news accounts regarding the Headwaters Forest, but none have even come close to the articulate passion that Joan has focused on to repeatedly hit her mark. The natural descriptions of the remaining groves and wildlife are tender and capable of grinding the callousness from even the hardest of hearts. I find myself walking in circles of despair for all of the destruction that has already taken place. Doug's photo journal validates every accusation made against this corporations blatant grab for money at the expense our community, our children's future and everything sacred. Read this book, then make it required reading for all of your friends and family.

This was the first book I learned to read all by myself. That was almost 30 years ago! I can't believe it's still in print, but I'm so glad it is. I'm going to be getting a copy for my great-nephew's 3rd birthday in May. The reading level is more appropriate for a 4-6 year old, but he'll "grow" into it. It's a really great story that inspired my young imagination. Besides, even at 3 years, he'll be able to appreciate the absolutely splendid watercolor illustrations. I can actually remember the SMELL of the book just by thinking about it now! My copy had a recipe for blueberry pancakes either on the inside or outside back cover. I can't remember, because I tore it off to give to my mom so she could make some! I still have my copy, by the way - minus the back cover. Many thanks to the Devlins for so many wonderful memories - and for creating the first of my thousands of adventures in reading!

This is undeniably my favorite book of all time.

I don't say this lightly. Wende and Harry Devlin's Old Black Witch is the first book that I have any memory of. If I'm feeling low, I still get it out and give it a quick read, even today. It still brings a smile. You could say this book is my oldest friend.

My copy has seen more wear and abuse than any book should. Not only did I draw on it (on almost every page) but I also took it into the bath tub, added a few of my own crayola styled illustrations and cut pages out--removing them to cut out the Old Black Witch herself, so I would have a facsimile to play with.

Several years ago, I spotted a paperback reprint and bought one for myself and my nephew. He was completely indifferent to it. I guess a pancake making New England Witch can't compete with Pokémon in the eyes of a modern child.....but she sure wins out with me.

If you ever find a copy of this, do yourself a favor and grab hold of it.

The pancake recipe on the back is great too!

I first read Old Black witch when I was seven years old. That was thirty two years ago. I recently ran across the book at the library while there with my eight year old daughter. I was so delighted to see her again with her fat little body, beedy eyes and funny pointed shoes. As I read this book to my own daughter. I found myself falling in love with it all over again. When old black witch makes her room in the dusty attic, complaining all the way, she sits upon a cozy patch work quilt. Her head is tilted, looking into the spider web above her bed for comfort. My heart breaks for the funny little wonderful creature that she is, and how wonderfully she is represented in the illustrations. Old Black Witch speaks volumes about the unspoken love between children and their elders, especially those elders who may not be as demonstrative as they could be. Though old black witch is grumpy and difficult, Nickey knows that "she really is a good witch." And we know that Old Black Witch loves Nickey and will always watch over him. The story is a simple one, nicely told, of a displaced boy and his mother looking for a life. They find a family and a place in the world when they enter the domain of Old Black Witch. What really makes this story magical though are the illustrations, filled with bright 1960's color and detail and yet they are timeless. Just the tilt of OBW's head as she sits upon that quilt is and will always be a master piece to me. I'm so glad to see she's still around.

I grew up reading this book and loved the stories. Now, the copy I read is packed away, and I would love a new, hardcover copy! I'd buy this book in a heartbeat, and I'm sure several of my teacher friends would end up picking up copies, too!

I first read this book when I was 10. That would be 40 years ago. I've tried to find a copy of my own ever since. It was one of the best and most memorable children's books I ever read. It's right up there with Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

I got a used paperback copy of all Ooka's stories and still have it. I came online to see if there were any more collections- unfortunately I haven't been able to find any, but I would love to see this book reprinted! I'd really hate to wear out the one copy I own.

"Peppermints in the Parlor" is one of those books you never forget. The characters creep into your heart, curl up there, and won't leave. Emily, the little girl who finds herself in frightening and inexplicable distress at the beginning of the book, has become more like a real little girl to me each time I've read the book. In fact, she becomes more like ME every time I read her story. Last summer some people in Alexandria, Virginia, produced the novel as a musical and I realized after seeing the characters on the stage that the book is so vivid it really needs no dramatization (although the musical version was a lot of fun and I liked the songs.) I can hear the characters talking as I read. I have favorite scenes that are fresh every time I read them: an incident regarding a tea bag that never fails to shock me; the day when a kitten arrives at Sugarhill Hall bringing with it tremendous hope for the old people. I feel bad for Emily and the other characters as they struggle with the miseries at the beautiful old house, but I know that things will work out in the end just as I would have them do. I'm looking forward to the audio version.

I must say that it has been many years since I first read Peppermints in the Parlor, but I remember my sixth grade teacher assigning us this book and I became so attached to it that I sat down and read the entire book in one day! And for me that was an extremely big deal because I had never really liked to read. Now I liked To Kill A Mockingbird, A Brave New World, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but out of all the books I read in school I must say that this was by far the one book that stood out the most to me! Even if you're not a kid this book will thoroughly entertain you! This book was the first to spark my interest in reading and I always keep searching for books that can entertain me the way that this one did. While my taste in reading material has matured as I've gotten older, this book has stayed at the top of my favorites list. Once you read this book you will understand just why it changed my outlook on reading, it was the first book that I found to be fun!!!

Peppermints in the Parlor is a terrific book! As a young girl Emily Luccock lost both of her parents. She went to live with her aunt and uncle in their mansion, Suger Hill Hall. But when she arrives at the house, everything is not as she expects. Two stange and mean women, strange shodows in the parlor, and the mansion darker and gloomier than ever! And most of all where is her Uncle Twice, and why does Aunt Twice seems to be a prisoner in her own house?

I loved this book from the very first page, to the very last! I reccomend this book to everyone to read! (It's a great book to use for a book report!!)

Your're Only Old Once!, by Dr. Seuss is excellent! I think You're Only Old Once is a great story. I also think it was pretty funny. I never knew what was going to happen next.

One day an old man walked into the doctor's office. Then the doctor said,"wait just a moment". next sombody told him to come here. Finally, he had to fill out a lot of papers and he also had to pay a very big bill. It's bad to be old.

This Dr. Seuss book is a funny book. It's also known for it's tongue twisters. The last thing it's known for is it's famous author, the great Dr. Seuss.

If you're over 50 or know somebody who is, and they happen to be a Dr. Seuss fan, then this is the perfect book for them! It's fun and colorful and sadly true! Worth adding to any Seuss collection.

I read this book while waiting for my husband at a Cardiologist's office. I work for a senior center, and my husband & I AREN'T getting younger. I love the way it recognizes some of the worries of elders & entertains. My copy will go to our senior center's library.

Recently I've been revisiting my Jewish heritage. I have quite a few bibles, of different translations, since I like to compare versions. I suddenly realized that I had English, Latin, Greek, and even Aramaic available, but that I had no Hebrew bible. Anyone rambling about the web quickly discovers that The Stone Edition (so called because Irving I. Stone was its patron) commands much respect for it's Hebrew and English versions as well as a wealth of supporting material.

I am not well equipped to evaluate the Hebrew text but I found the English translation endlessly fascinating. For example, Bereishis (Genesis) opens "In the beginning of God's creating the heavens and the earth -- when the earth was astonishingly empty...." Suddenly we are in the mind of narrator who feels quite different than the other voices that have been given to the Bible. It is a voice that is just a bit more like people than oratory or rhetoric. It was a difference I quickly came to like.

I also found the commentary that runs with the text very useful often resolving questions and keeping the focus on the intent of the text. The Parashas are clearly marked in the Torah, as are the Haftaras elsewhere. The books are each provided with a short introduction that provides insight into the background and context of the writing. An overview of the Tanach is provided as well as the requisite blessings and guides to pronunciation. We are also given extensive tables for everything from Torah readings, to timelines, biblical genealogy to the construction of the Tabernacle.

This is actually the richest and most informative bible I own, and is already providing me much to think about. While it is of most value to someone who is practicing Judaism, I thing it would repay the investment of many people who have an interest in the bible as spiritual history and inspiration. For the academic student, it is required reading. I chose to acquire the leather bound edition, for it's durability. To be honest, though, the lower priced editions available here are every bit as good in quality. There is no material missing from them so they actually represent an tremendous bargain.

Not only are the Torah, Prophets and Writings fully translated in modern English, the Hebrew with the cantellations for chanting (trop) are legibly included. Therefore, if you take the time to search out where the haftorahs begin and end, you may use the Stone edition as a chumash. In fact, Artscroll publishes a Chumash but why not get every word of the Bible rather than just those parts of the Prophets which are included among the Haftorahs? The best feature of a good Bible is the use of commentaries which illuminate the text. Artscroll, as in all their publications, includes excellent commentaries. The comments are from a fundamentalist Orthodox viewpoint and are very illuminating. I also recommend the JPS Tanakh which is also a faithful translation of the original Hebrew but which may contain a slightly different viewpoint in the comments. However, the Stone edition, with the full Hebrew text including trop, all in one volume, is the best Bible published anywhere.

My main purpose in purchasing this volume was to have the Hebrew text as an incentive to continue studying Hebrew. I was brought up as a Christian to love and respect the Hebrew Bible.
It has been fascinating to read the English translation. It is slighly easier to read than the NKJV, although not quite as fluid as the NIV. I am not commenting on the accuracy of these other translations, as most people reading this will already have their own opinions about that.
The greatest thing about this edition is the Jewish perspective: The introduction is beautifully written and very sensitive. The comments, while not overwhelming in quantity, convey the essence of Jewish thought over the centuries and certainly put many passages in perspective.
I recommend this volume to anyone, Jewish or not, who wants a high quality, readable, well presented Jewish Bible. In particular, I recommend it to other Christians who realise the importance of the Tanach and want to get a slightly different perspective.

It isn't very often that I get time to read fiction anymore, but when I read a good book I feel a certain responsibility to let people know about it. I'm James Drury, and I've played in plenty of Western shows myself. For those of you who don't know me I portrayed The Virginian on NBC television for many years. So I hope that qualifies me to leave a review on a Western book. Of course I could say the same thing about any Elmore Leonard book I've had the pleasure of reading, but the Bounty Hunters was great. It was short and to the point, but Leonard has this way of giving you such a great feel for the country and old West settings it just makes the book pleasant. He excels at making us see what he does in very few words. I have read all of the Western novels of Kirby Jonas on audio, and while I of course think he is my favorite author of Westerns, I have to say I have never read a bad Elmore Leonard book, and The Bounty Hunters is no exception. I don't know Leonard's history as far as how he does his research. I know Kirby Jonas lived in southeast Arizona when he was working on his first books, however, and it seems to me that Leonard has done a large amount of work in getting the facts about the Arizona and Mexico country down pat. I guess I've gotten into the habit of comparing every Western author not to Louis L'Amour but to Kirby Jonas, and although I would never put Leonard above Jonas I would sure say his books would "do to ride the river," with Jonas', so to speak. Give the Bounty Hunters a try. Right now I'm starting into Escape from Five Shadows, and it already holds great promise!

Since I was given three of Elmore Leonards westerns by a good friend of mine I have been buying and reading them often. As yet I have not read a bad one. So far they are ALL GOOD.

Forty Lashes Less One is a great story. Two prisoners, Chiricahua Raymond San Carlos and a black man Harold Jackson are in Yuma prison for murder. At first they are bitter enemies but the warden puts them in an experiment to see if a training routine of long distance running can be used for rehabilatation. And then the warden sends them after 5 mean dangerous men. The trail is rough and bloody but they are sucessfull. As soon as they bring these men in they tell the warden to kiss !!! . A great story, you'll love it.

This book brought tears my eyes and also made me smile. It is for anyone who has loved an elderly cat and appreciated the joys of a frisky new kitten. Children will enjoy the idea of a cat taking care of a kitten and all readers will admire the watercolor illustrations. Through text and pictures the spirit of both cats is nicely captured!

This is a charming, loving story about an aging cat and the family who loves him. The text is enhanced by beautiful,flowing watercolor illustrations that are full of humor and capture a cat's spirit. It will warm your heart!

Anyone who has ever loved an aging cat will get a little misty-eyed over this story of Simon, a blind, deaf and toothless old Siamese. His family takes good care of Simon, feeding him baby food, providing places for him to warm his achy old bones and letting him sleep in bed with them, despite his stinky cat breath.

But despite this loving treatment, Simon is tired of living. After spending a night shuffling through old memories of his kittenhood, he sticks his legs in the air and breaths his last.

Or so he thinks. At that moment, his family plops a kitten on his stomach and the old trouper discovers a new purpose in life--to become the kitten's "Grannyman."

Schachner's story is poignant and her illustrations, done in textured charcoal with watercolors, are expressive and show the artist's deep love for cats. Her Simon is at once both pitiable and noble. The Grannyman is highly recommended for cat lovers and sentimentalists alike.

Wayne Sarf's Little Bighorn Campaign is a clearly written and accurate account of the famous battle of 1876. Its other great virtue is balance. Sarf presents all aspects of this complex event in a fair and readable manner, a "must read" for anyone interested in the Littler Bighorn Campaign.

Here's where to start if you want to read just one book on the Summer Campaign of 1876 against the "off-reservation" plains indians. This paperback from 2000 is a reprint, with a few minor corrections of misprints, of the 1993 hardback edition. The only actual new text is the "preface to the revised edition," dated May 1999.

Sarf's approach is even-handed, and he has a real eye for telling details and for vivid quotes from participants and eyewitnesses. Boxes set apart from the main text give needed detail and background, particularly on individuals participating. A great deal of exotic color is provided by the various indians who rode with both sides in the conflict. For example, riding with General Crooke were The Other Magpie, a beautiful female warrior, and Finds Them And Kills Them, a transvestite who dressed and lived as a woman except during battles! You don't encounter soldiers of that calibre in most military histories!

The Summer Campaign of 1876 is distinguished by the almost staggering military incompetence displayed by the U.S. Army leaders. Apart from Custer, who generally seemed to know what he was up to, and the canny Nelson Miles, virtually every commander in the field seemed to be clueless, cowardly, vacillating, and in a couple of cases (Gibbon comes to mind at once) apparently paralyzed by mental illness.

Well-written and extremely readable. If you have ever wondered how Custer really got into that very bad fix, this is the best place to start your quest for understanding, and Sarf also offers a good annotated list for further reading.

Wayne Sarf has researched all the master historians in the past and present to provide a fascinating well written history and objective book on the LBH and Sioux Campaign. The book tells the complete history of the campaign from its inception to its finale, Custer's and the Sioux's as a free people. Sarf quotes both the participants concerning their actions in the campaign as well as perspectives of major historians. He also offers his own views based on the historical record and logic. An important example is his evidence and commentary concerning General Terry's June 26th rendezvouz which is pure fiction and self serving. As Sarf well proves, Custer acted judiciously and appropriately based on the information, circumstances and the expectations provided to him in synch with all the military commanders . Unfortunately for him, the circumstances changed once he was committed to the attack. Wonderful perspectives including side bars on the military participants, weapons and Native Americans. Also includes a readers guide for additional reading including critiques and some cheeky comments.

This book is a great self help tool not only in the area of memory - but in using the power of positive thinking.

Right from the start the exercises give you power to enhance your memory by teaching techniques to pay attention, to associate and to accept your own abilities.

For anyone who has a tendancy to forget, you can learn your strengths, boost your weaknesses and even smile at them. If you fear Aging, Alzheimers, Dimentia or Senility - there is an explanation that is understandable. Medication, Depression and other factors that can alter one's memory are also described.

I would recommend this book to anyone who suffers from or knows someone else who has concerns regarding his or her memory.

I'm writing this review because I really liked a lot of aspects of the book. I recommended it to my friends, so I figured I'll recommend it to internet users as well. I've read some other books on memory improvement, but I think this book was more engaging. It includes most of the principles found in the other memory books I've read, but this book seemed to make it more cohesive. I think the other aspect I enjoyed was the emphasis on personal attitudes. It honestly left me with a new perspective on growing old. Also I felt the book spoke well to some of the sometimes-negative feelings I've had about growing old (to be honest I was surprised by just how many negative perceptions I had that this book revealed to me - and corrected, so to speak). Actually, the more I think about it, the more I can say I really liked the book and do highly recommend it. Enjoy

The Memory Workbook is a must for anyone over the age of 40. It explains in a way that anyone can understand how memory works and what to expect as you age. It helped me to feel better about myself and my memory and helped me to realize that occasional forgetfulness is ok. It also help me to realize that a particular medication that I was on was actually affecting my memory. So I conslulted my doctor and my memory has greatly improved. I really recommend this book!