THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC!! I WAS FLOORED BY THE BEAUTIFUL GLOSSY PICTURES. ALSO, THE ATTENTION GIVEN TO INSURE ACCURATE, DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION IS VERY HELPFUL TO SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF, AN AVID BLACK DOLL COLLECTOR. THANK YOU MS. GARRETT FOR CREATING THIS ONE OF A KIND "FINE READ". MOVE OVER MYLA, THERE'S A NEW "DOLLOGIST" IN TOWN!! JUST KIDDING, THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE BOOKS AND PRICE GUIDES ON THE SOMETIMES OVERLOOKED, BUT NOT UNAPPRECIATED BEAUTIFUL BLACK DOLLS. BELIEVE ME PEOPLE, THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY COLLECTOR OF BLACK DOLLS, FROM "NEWBY" TO "EXPERT". THERE'S SOMETHING HERE FOR EVERYONE.

"The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls" by Debbie Garrett, is full of sharp, rich color photographs. Every doll, on every page is in color. By contrast, my other books of Black dolls are in black and white. Each chapter gives a brief description and/or history of the how and why of the material used in making the dolls to be discussed. The "The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls", is an informative book for the collector, and non-collector alike.

The name says it all!!! This is THE Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls. With gorgeous, color photos from cover to cover, it surpasses all expectations! I've never seen a book so lovely AND informative. It contains detailed information and wonderful photos of all types of Black dolls. I read the entire book the same day I received it. I could not put it down. It is obviously a true labor of love. There is NO other book that comes remotely close. I give it two thumbs up and rate it a 20 on a scale of 1 to 5!!!

This is a MUST HAVE for every library. This long overdue and much anticipated book is not just for the collector, it is for everybody. If you buy only one book this decade, make it The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls. You will LOVE it!! Already, I am looking forward to Volumes 2, 3, 4, etc. Thank you, Debbie Garrett, for writing THE foremost resource about Black dolls!! Your book is awesome!!!!!

The Garretts pull from their experieces from the "real world," as well as their healings and practical experience with the Cherokee to give us excellent starting points in helping ourselves and others. For such a thin book, there is a lot of advice hidden in the stories and accounts, if you know what to look for.

This book is wonderful!! It is written by two Cherokee men, father & son, who practice the Medicine. This is THE book to get for learning about Cherokee/Native spirituality and Medicine; as it gives some specifics in the 'how-to', and explains a lot.

The reader can sense that it was written out of love and respect for Cherokee heritage and the desire to share the beauty of The Way of Right Relationship. In a world filled with the sham of plastic books dedicated to the way of shamanism, Medicine of the Cherokee stands bright and clear.

You are given an understanding of the four sacred directions, animal totems, journeying, crystal vision, the way of the circle, the principle of noninterference and more. Father and son, J. T. Garrett and Michael Garrett, guide you along the path and at the same time give you the most important gift - the freedom to find your own path.

How would you feel if you were suddenly asked to live someone else's life? A life where you are being saught by the police, organised crime and an unwanted prospective bride. In The Gandalara Cycle novels, the old and dying Ricardo Carillo find's himself in the body of a young man, in an unfamiliar world, with a large lump on his head and a freakishly large cat stalking him.

There are seven books in this series and each of them is a good read. I particularly like the first novel because Ricardo is seeing everything with fresh eyes. His unique way of dealing with things prompts some interesting reactions from all those who think they know him. In a sense, many believe the problems of others are minor in comparison with their own. This story allows us to explore that theory. Can a complete stranger untangle a young man's life?

All seven novels are tied to a logical plot-line but this structure is only revealed a piece at a time. In this way the narrative is full of enough suspense and action to encourage some very quick reading. There is enough misdirection that we have to turn our personal theories upside-down, several times. This is good value, because each time that happens, you are forced to review everything that has already happened in the new light of new understanding.

The society depicted is not overly different to reality, although the inclusion of a small minority, who posess extrasensory gifts, is pivotal. This concept has been well explored elsewhere but the author uses the subtle variations well, drawing the possibilities into new and interesting directions, both political and metaphysical. These books should interest those who enjoy traditional science fiction as well as the fantasy buffs. Although often out of print, I recommend you try to find secondhand copies somewhere.

I borrowed this in high school from the local YMCA library and have beeen looking for a copy to add to my collection. From what I remember , this first cycle was a lot better than "Return to Eddarta" and "The River Wall" - found at a thrift shop. Rikardon may have the insight and wisdom of an old guy nearing death but he's still a bit too sensitive and feminine (for my taste) in portrayal. Gandalara is a small world so don't think this is an epic even if the whole series is made up of seven books. It isn't written in the grand style of Tolkien nor in the grim atmosphere of Donaldson's Covenant series. It concentrates more on the personalities and how they develop as they face their tasks and learn about the world they've entered. Worth reading if you don't want anything heavy.

These books depict a journey both physical and spiritual. The hero, Rikardon, and his partner Tarani make many discoveries about themselves and the world they inhabit. Many of the discoveries are a surprise and I won't give them away.

Suffice to say this series is very well written with well fleshed out characters (both human and non), a good historical background woven into the story, and a fast paced and detailed storyline which makes the book(s) hard to put down. They should not be out of print.

'These Old Shades' is my absolute favourite by Georgette Heyer. Out of so many wonderful stories that she has written this book is in a class of it's own. No romance reader should ignore this book. It has it all - romance, intrigue and humour. It is more enjoyable because it doesn't have any of the heavily erotic love-making scenes that can be popular today. 'These Old Shades' is so well written that it doesn't need to rely on them. It is, purely and simply, a romance story in its truest form.

In several ways Barbara Cartland's 'Love Me For Ever' is very similar to 'These Old Shades' - runaway meets cycnical Duke, is briefly disguised as his page, calls him Monseigner and becomes his ward. 'Love Me For Ever' is one of my favourite Barbara Cartland stories, but 'These Old Shades' has more depth and the characters, Justin, Duke of Avon and Leon/Leonie, and even the supporting characters are much stronger.

Please read 'These Old Shades'if you get a chance. You won't be sorry.

"These old shades" was the first Georgette Heyer I ever read. This was a few years ago and I never forgot this story of hate, revenge and true love. The duke of Avon is a cynical and cruel man, very aristocratic (this was before the french Revolution) and hautain. Leonie (or Leon) captures his heart with her passionate love and devotion for him, even when he was still her master and she his page. She is the most enchanting of romantic heroines and will never be forgotten. The other figures in this story are amusing and charming. There is the young brother, the silly and loving sister and a real villain. The book gives a very nice discription of the aristocratic "beau monde" in England and France before the Revolution, just like the Scarlet Pimpernel- books by baroness Orczy. I think many people will love this book.

For a light-hearted read, this is one of the most wittily written Regency romances ever published. Full of believable and captivating characters, These Old Shades will take you body and soul to a time and place long past, if indeed it ever existed. The Duc of Avon is the male lead; he is an unrepentant reprobate whose basic good nature has not quite entirely withered away. He adpots a street waif in Paris, playing along with the charade that the child is a boy. His motives are not of the best, at first, but as the story unfolds, we are allowed to watch a subtle shift in the thrust of his plans. The two main characters are supported by a rich cast of characters, from the household servants to the pinnacle of Paris society. The Duc's bubble-headed sister is not as much of a lightweight as she would have you believe, and his younger brother is just a simple, nice fellow. The biggest appeal of this book, for this reviewer at any rate, is the language-of-the-day, with which Ms. Heyer brings these people and this era to brilliant clarity.

A friend suggested this book during a very low point in my life. I'm so glad he did as it was very instrumental in me getting out of my rut :)

I also then bought another copy for a friend who was having a hard time and sent it to her, and she loved it!

the writer does an amazing job of storytelling then taking the time to convey what the sometimes hidden meanings are....a great book for anyone looking for enlightenment, whether they are native american or not! enjoy this book!

very helpful tool for life. Very inspiring and spiritual, but also funny. This book is a must.

For someone just discovering there Cherokee Heritage This book is a must. Very enlightening!

This book provides good color plates of the warblers in various stages of plummage. The distribution maps are easy to read and color coded. I bought the book because of the multiple pages of natural history information on each species. The birding guide I use in the field has excellent illustrations but total lacks in the supplemental information. So, when I get home, I grab this book to learn the biology of the species.

Several years ago, while watching the bird feeders at Muskatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour, Indiana, I heard a voice behind me pointing out that there were two races of White-crowned Sparrow at the feeder. He went into detail about the subtle differences between the two. At first I thought to myself, who is this guy? Later, I realized that it was Jon Dunn! I have had a high respect for him ever since.
Years later, he was the guest speaker at our bird club meeting. He presented some of the plates from his, at the time, upcoming new field guide to warblers. I fell in love with the plates from the very start. Thomas R. Shultz and Cindy House did a remarkable job, and the detail that was carefully gathered from museum specimens is second to none. I knew from the beginning that I had to have this new field guide and I couldn't wait until it appeared on the shelves.
When I bought my copy of the finished product, it was even more than I expected. Aside from the detailed plates making fall and female warbler identification easier, the text is filled with information on virtually every aspect of life history of each species, with cross-references that will aid any serious researcher. More than just a field guide for identification purposes, this book belongs on the shelf of beginners and experts alike who share a passion for warblers.

This book is essential to anyone who enjoys warblers. Just take one look at the various plumages of the black-throated green warbler and you'll see why this guide is so awesome.

The Handplane Book is a beautiful book. It's an excellent introduction to the aesthetic pleasures of handplanes (if you liked Sandor Nagyszanczy's Art of Fine Tools, I expect you will like this book, too).

There's more to this book than aesthetics. Garrett Hack provides an excellent introduction to the practical side of handplanes. There are a few areas where other experts disagree with Mr. Hack (e.g., whether one must lap the sole of a plane flat, or whether one should snug up the depth adjustment to "take out the slack").

As another reviewer commented, this makes a great coffe table book--but it also makes an excellent and inspiring workshop book. I recommend it whole-heartedly.

A great reference book!! This book is thoughtfully organized and starts with the history/evolution of the handplane. Each following chapter builds upon the previous one. Illustrations and pictures accompany technical information leaving nothing to the imagination. The book is full of picture examples representing the type of plane being discussed, and it's use.

Garrett Hack stears clear of personnal opinions. Although he will let you know which planes he owns/likes. He has a thorough knowlege of his subject, and covers a broad range of topics while keeping the book short in lenght.

This book is filled with encyclopedic information about planes, their history, their use, and their mechanics.

Included is information about different kinds of planes that are used for joining, truing, surfacing, shaping, and specialty planes such as those used by violin makers and others, as well as information on how to select, maintain, and tune a plane. I really liked the way the author gives due consideration to wooden planes, information one can use to help make their own. There are wonderful photographs and illustrations used throughout the book that accompany the professionally written text.

The author has defintely performed an excellent job compiling and presenting the information. Even as a coffee table book, those who peruse it will find it hard to put down. For the woodworker at any skill level this is a must have for the shop.

Using hand drawings that are clearer than any photograph, THE MARLINSPIKE SAILOR (c.1960) by Hervey Garrett Smith illustrated in a 131 page soft cover book a collection of the best detailed renditions of basic knot tying and ropework any beginner can learn to start his ropework career, or for an old hand to refresh his memory.

There is no waste as only essential rope skills are shown in clear etchings, line drawings, and pencil sketches, which will make the wooden sail boat owner self-sufficient from a lot of expensive, store-bought textile gear.

In a written text accompanying each excellent drawing, Hervey Garrett Smith explained the purpose of each rope related product; such as: knob knots used for drawer handles, baggy wrinkle for chafe gear, coach whipping for stanchion rails, rope shackles for your storage chest, sewing skills to make gear bags and sail mending, netmaking for storage, and rope fenders for hull protection. The author included no superfluous skills or fancy work (MacNamara's Lace as we called it in the Navy).

There is more than a hint of Yankee frugality pervading THE MARLINSPIKE SAILOR as Hervey Garrett Smith promotes self-sufficiency through recycling old rope and canvas, or anything else that can be salvaged and made useable.

THE MARLINSPIKE SAILOR is an important and useful book for the beginner to teach themselves the fundamental skills necessary to quickly make oneself a useful member of any traditional sailboat crew. This book should be read in conjunction with both THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS and SEAMANSHIP IN THE AGE OF SAIL.

This is essential reading for anyone who wants to work with laid line. It's a collection of articles first published in The Rudder in the 1950s, so synthetic and braided line are treated as afterthoughts, if at all.

The cream of the crop. Very usefull information for all mariners. Excelent explainations and drawings, get it.

The book was useful, but if you download the file of source code that covers all chapters, some examples are missing. At least for the middle chapters, you'll find the missing projects in the smaller downloads that cover only a few chapters. I didn't think of that possibility until chapter 12, so for a lot of the code in earlier chapters I couldn't make the comparisons I wanted to when I needed them. Other than that, if you already know GDI fairly well, you'll be able to burn through the material pretty quickly and pickup a good knowledge of GDI+. If you don't, I think this would be a pretty good place to start. It moves right along without a lot of hand-holding but seems to tell you everything you need to know for basic GDI+ and custom controls.

GREAT BOOK! The book was by far the easiest to follow book for GDI+ and Custom Controls using C#. I am very pleased and highly recommend this to all who wish to learn GDI+.

If you are moving up from GDI, you will find that GDI+ is about 50 times slower, but 50 times easier to program.

It delivers what it promises. You will be able to write printing code, make your own controls, etc., after reading this book.

Well organized book that does not skip on details. It explains in a clear and concise manner transmission line issues such as reflections, the why's and how's of matching impedance, and crosstalk among others.

Great explanations, with good examples. It is a very easy and interesting read, at the same time going into needed detail of high speed digital signalling issues. My course uses Digital Systems Engineering by Dally as text, but I find myself reading this book instead to get a better understanding, as it is clearer and better organized. Coming in really handy for my upcoming exam review!

This book is excellent. As an experienced I.C. designer, I found practical information about interconnect theory and design practices. The book was well written; a good balance between theory and problem solving. The information is useful from the chip level to the outside world.