Radio has become such a background part of our lives, we forget just how astounding an impact it has had on our culture and psyche. Susan Douglas brings it all back to the foreground in her book "Listening In." This is not just a chronicle of the development of the media, this book takes us deep into the social impacts of radio, and how it changed how we react and interact with each other. Douglas has perfectly captured the feel and "tone" of different periods of radio listening, and explores a lot of the psychological aspects of how radio let us sample and explore different parts of our American cultue in a safe and nonthreatening way.

As a present-day radio fanatic, the book gave me hope: hope that the medium hasn't been corporatized into complete blandness. Radio will continue to evolve, just like our American culture.

Whether your're a radio technology type, an old time radio fan, or just a student of American history, you'll find something to love in this book.

Please take note that Susan J. Douglas' (Times Books, 1999) is no mere history of radio. It was triggered by a request from the Sloan Foundation that was preparing a series of books on technology and American culture; and the emphasis is not on the details but on the general effect radio has on us from its beginnings. And take another note. This is too enjoyable a read to be considered a textbook.

My favorite chapter was the one called "Radio Comedy and Linguistic Slapstick." Here only a few comics are used as examples to support her several theses, one of which is the emasculation of the American male by the use of such high-pitched speakers as Jack Benny and Joe Penner. Of course there is lots of room for argument, but she does let the facts speak for themselves (pun intended).

The other chapters are "The Zen of Listening," "The Ethereal World," "Exploratory Listening in the 1920s," "Tuning In to Jazz" "The Invention of the Audience," "World War II and the Invention of Broadcast Journalism," "Playing Fields of the Mind," "The Kids Take Over: Transistors, DJs, and Rock 'n' Roll," "The FM Revolution," "Talk Talk," "Why Ham Radio Matters," and "Conclusion: Is Listening Dead?"

Which of us has not been affected in many of the ways Ms. Douglas points out in this book? Therefore, which of us can afford to miss being shown how radio has helped make us what we are? And I do hope she produces a similar book about television.

I've got Douglas' book today for her take on ham radio (I'm part of the Amateur Radio community) and I was very impressed with the rest of the book. Though I wrinkled my nose at the over-emphasis on the gender conflict in radio, Listening In reminded me of a time when people participate in a common culture instead of idly sitting by listening to the umpteenth Top 40 hit made by over-commercialized "plastic" bands.

The ham radio chapter was simply great and I give Dr. Douglas her due for mentioning the American Radio Relay League as the national association for hams. From this chapter, I can see why hams have a nurturing touch in their approach to life! The section on radio comedy is well done (the comedy bits are good for a chuckle or two). I recommend it to those who have a deep affinity for radio and communications.

There may be no better individual to explain the workings of liturgy to curious Evangelicals than Thomas Howard. Raised in a notable Evangelical/Fundamentalist family and with a gift of literary expression, Howard has written numerous books on the spirituality of his new homes in the historic Churches - initially Anglicanism, then later Roman Catholicism. The Liturgy Explained, a little booklet of less than 50 pages written during his Anglican period, is a wonderful introduction to Christian liturgy to those searching for more reverent worship but unsure of what is happening in traditional liturgical services. It is not meant to be comprehensive but as is noted in the book, you have to start somewhere.

In the introduction, Howard focuses on the true purpose of worship, the use of ritual and ceremony, and the nature of Sacraments. The true focus should always be what God has called us to do and not what we experience.

Howard divides the main part of the booklet into two sections corresponding to the two parts of the Lord's Day services of the Church. The first covers the Liturgy of the Word. This initial phase of the service begins with an opening acclamation and a collect (prayer) for purity of heart. The congregation then sings two hymns: the first asking for mercy (Kyrie Eleison) and the second a hymn of praise (Gloria in Excelsis Deo). This is followed by a collect for the day (corresponding to the appropriate day in the Church calendar). Then come lessons from the Old Testament and New Testament Epistles followed by a reading from the Gospels and a sermon. The people then respond by stating their beliefs (The Nicene Creed), offering prayers (Prayers of the People), asking God for forgiveness (Confession) and having their sins declared forgiven (Absolution). The close of the Liturgy of the Word is the passing of the Peace of Christ. Howard manages to offer clear outlines of each step - not only explaining the practice, but also demonstrating why it is in its proper place in the service.

Howard then moves to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Beginning with the collection of gifts (Offertory) and hymns of adoration (Sanctus, Benedictus), to the prayer of consecration, and the Holy Communion, and ending with the Benediction and dismissal, Howard paints a picture of a great mystical drama where Christ feeds His Church by faith by the means He ordained. A fine line is walked here as the Anglican understanding of the Eucharist affirms the Real Presence but allows for differing opinions of the mode of that presence. Howard stays neutral on this and other thorny subjects - thus admirably submitting his personal opinion to his Church in areas of public teaching (this booklet was intended as catechetical material - in other works intended as personal opinion, Howard affirmed his more "high church" beliefs). As in the earlier section, the explanations of liturgical practice are clearly presented.

Howard finishes with an appendix on certain liturgical practices and customs that may be used in some parishes and not others. Such items as Saints' Days and incense are far more common in high church Anglicanism. Howard explains why the rationale for allowing - though they are left optional.

The Liturgy Explained is a straightforward tool for catechesis of those confused by liturgical practice. There is often a need in parishes for a "Liturgy 101" course and for that purpose this little booklet should be required reading.

Anyone participating in the liturgical Christian traditions, especially Episcopalian, will find this book to be an invaluable guide. Howard clearly explains the whys and wherefores of the liturgical service.

You'll feel quite comfortable in a liturgical church after reading this.

I have found no other book to be so helpful in both understanding the liturgy and explaining it to others. I had many epiphany moments, saying (often aloud) 'Oh, that's why we do that!' This is a must not only for Anglicans, but for anyone from the historic Christian liturgical traditions. An easy, quick read. Suitable for Confirmation classes!

Most worship services have no more to do with our spiritual experience than a $50,000 wedding has to do with a marriage when tempers escalate and the ego takes over.
Reverend Westin has walked the secular and theological path and bravely takes an unconventional perspective in a direction that is not yet universal. But he follows one who had no fear at all. The fortunate will join them.
What man has assundered remains unchanged and Rev. Westin points us forward in the original direction. He is not prescriptive, but shares the resources that he has found to be valuable in his journey.

Are we willing to listen? That really is the crux of Howard Westin's wonderful new book: "Love Letter to Humanity." One of my many criteria in deciding how much credence (or willingness to listen) I give to what someone says or writes is: "Do they walk the talk?" With Howard Westin, I can resoundingly reply "yes." His book, and his life, are shining examples of a man who has searched, questioned, transformed himself and profoundly touched those around him. It is with this background of extensive biblical, spiritual and personal research and experience that he brings us a deeply felt message of love in his unique and powerful voice.

The fact that this book arrives at a time of great turmoil in the world makes it deeply relevant. It is too easy to be drawn into false thinking by the media and politicians and Westin lovingly challenges us on this and several other fronts.

The first, and undoubtedly for some the most difficult and controversial, is his questioning of traditional Christianity's view of the message of Christ. By looking at the genesis of the bible and the historical background of its writing he gives us valuable insight into what Jesus, the man, and Jesus, the Christ stood for-and how his teachings have been distorted over the years. If you're a traditional Christian you may find such questioning threatening-but if you give Westin a chance he is simply trying to help you be happy and one with God. His impeccable scholarship on the subject notwithstanding, as a Christian I appreciate any person's ability to make me see something in a new light. That, to me, is what reading and learning is all about. I don't want to blindly follow the herd-and the passion and conviction with which Westin writes is deeply affecting. He distills the huge body of Christian biblical scholarship on this subject into easily understandable and digestible bites that make profound sense. Are we willing to listen?

The second, and equally powerful message in the book, is the resounding affirmation that "we are love." In the most consumer-oriented society on earth it's so easy to be distracted by what is seemingly Real, and what we perceive to be real. From different directions, "or spiral" as Westin calls it, he takes us on an inner journey of gentle re-minding of what will give us peace and oneness with God. If you've been exposed to the Course in Miracles, most of what he writes will resonate with you. This book will be invaluable in hearing the message of the Course in a different voice. Course or not, it is a message we need to hear in different forms-and Westin's different take (with plenty of highlighting of central themes and thoughts) is an invaluable contribution to our ability to absorb the most profound of Christ's teachings: That we lack nothing, that the most profound Knowledge of the universe resides in you right now, and that we are Love itself. Are we willing to listen?

Finally, Westin suggests several methods that have worked for him in connecting with his inner truth, or guide (the Holy Spirit). In emphasizing simple, easy to do things that will help to connect with what is Real, he shows us that all we need is the willingness to see things differently so we can remove the blocks to Love's awareness. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will touch your heart, open your mind and bring you one step (or more) closer to God. Are you willing to listen?

Are we willing to listen? That really is the crux of Howard Westin's wonderful new book: "Love Letter to Humanity." One of my many criteria in deciding how much credence (or willingness to listen) I give to what someone says or writes is: "Do they walk the talk?" With Howard Westin, I can resoundingly reply "yes." His book, and his life, are shining examples of a man who has searched, questioned, transformed himself and profoundly touched those around him. It is with this background of extensive biblical, spiritual and personal research and experience that he brings us a deeply felt message of love in his unique and powerful voice.

The fact that this book arrives at a time of great turmoil in the world makes it deeply relevant. It is too easy to be drawn into false thinking by the media and politicians and Westin lovingly challenges us on this and several other fronts.

The first, and undoubtedly for some the most difficult and controversial, is his questioning of traditional Christianity's view of the message of Christ. By looking at the genesis of the bible and the historical background of its writing he gives us valuable insight into what Jesus, the man, and Jesus, the Christ stood for-and how his teachings have been distorted over the years. If you're a traditional Christian you may find such questioning threatening-but if you give Westin a chance he is simply trying to help you be happy and one with God. His impeccable scholarship on the subject notwithstanding, as a Christian I appreciate any person's ability to make me see something in a new light. That, to me, is what reading and learning is all about. I don't want to blindly follow the herd-and the passion and conviction with which Westin writes is deeply affecting. He distills the huge body of Christian biblical scholarship on this subject into easily understandable and digestible bites that make profound sense. Are we willing to listen?

The second, and equally powerful message in the book, is the resounding affirmation that "we are love." In the most consumer-oriented society on earth it's so easy to be distracted by what is seemingly Real, and what we perceive to be real. From different directions, "or spiral" as Westin calls it, he takes us on an inner journey of gentle re-minding of what will give us peace and oneness with God. If you've been exposed to the Course in Miracles, most of what he writes will resonate with you. This book will be invaluable in hearing the message of the Course in a different voice. Course or not, it is a message we need to hear in different forms-and Westin's different take (with plenty of highlighting of central themes and thoughts) is an invaluable contribution to our ability to absorb the most profound of Christ's teachings: That we lack nothing, that the most profound Knowledge of the universe resides in you right now, and that we are Love itself. Are we willing to listen?

Finally, Westin suggests several methods that have worked for him in connecting with his inner truth, or guide (the Holy Spirit). In emphasizing simple, easy to do things that will help to connect with what is Real, he shows us that all we need is the willingness to see things differently so we can remove the blocks to Love's awareness. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will touch your heart, open your mind and bring you one step (or more) closer to God. Are you willing to listen?

My name is Becky. I have a 3 yr. old gelding, Applejack, who was dependant on his mother until just before his second birthday. Totally barn sour and resenting me and everything I did, I turned to books and profesional help. The books I read previous to Love On Horseback were of no help. Don't get me wrong. They would have been helpful had I known what they were talking about. Unfortunately for me, I have no one to translate what these books were saying. Love On Horseback explained everything to me and helped me to bond with him. Thanks to this book, Applejack and I are on our way to a solid relationship and fun times.

This book is perfect as the title (Training for the backyard horseman) It teaches u the proper ways to train a horse from when u get it to when ur ready to ride it. It was very helpful for me and my family. It taught me the basics and the the most important things about owning a horse.

I'm not really a big book reader, but i really needed help training my horse, alot of people told me how to do it, but nothing really worked. Then one of my friends told me about this book and it's almost put an end to my bratty horse's behavior. And i never got to bored reading it cause it actually has little mini stories in about some of the authors horses and the problems of her horse and how she fixed it. some r quite humorous.
it is a all around good book and i refer to it alot when i have a problem or a new horse.

This book helped me a great deal. It was so fun to read and the author really walked me through the problems I was having. If you have a horse at home and want a good book that covers everything you need to know about training, horse behavior, etc... this is the book! I am passing it on to all my friends.

I think it's great for those on a fixed income who would like to save a little money on convenience items. It's also great fun to mix up your own mixes and be able to use them anytime. It saves time as well as money.

A practical addition to your cookbook collection, for anyone interested in saving time and money. Howard's hunorous asides make cooking fun in more ways than one.

This book has some great ideas on how to tailor your mixes to your own tastes and gives you a chance to control what additives you are adding to your diet. Takes the mystery out of things like biscuit mix and brownie mix.

It makes fun reading even if you don't cook and the ratgirl's salsa recipe is very fast and easy. You can expand on the recipes and make them your own.

In his eponymous novel Marie Blythe, Howard Frank Mosher proves again why he is one of my favorite writers. French Canadian Marie, the book's heroine, is truly a remarkable woman. She survives the loss of her parents, life with a clan of gypsies, an unmarried pregnancy and loss of her child, and near death by exposure to change her identity. Over time, she goes on to learn to read, go to normal school, and become a teacher. Oh, yes, she is nearly murdered in the end by her crazed ex-lover. While all of this may sound somewhat melodramatic, it is not; Mosher makes it merely the stuff of a captivating, totally engaging story. Set, as all of Mosher's books are in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, Blythe vividly evokes both a time (post-Civil war to early twentieth century) and place (Vermont village of Hell's Gate). Above all, though, this is a novel of character, and Marie's combination of bullheadedness, naivete, energy and faith carries the day. Recalling the French Canadian priest who counseled her as a child, Marie in a time of crisis "remembered his advice to maintain a little faith in something, if only in fishing." Mosher, for his part, renews my faith again in great writing.

I have to say, A reader from South Berwick, Maine, sums it up perfectly. But I'd like to add this to it by saying it is a yet another "can't put it down" book. Mr. Mosher has captured the area he writes most about. When you read this book, you will be taken there.

This novel covers one woman's struggle to survive in the harsh environment between Quebec and Vermont at the turn of the century. You can't help but admire her strength. For anyone interested in Franco-American culture in northern New England as well as Mosher fans like me

COBOL is still the dominant mainframe production language and new applications continue to be created using it. It was therefore with a great deal of anticipation that I started Howard Hinman's rewarding series of tutorials for COBOL using Microsoft's Visual Studio.NET development environment. Fujitsu offers a trial version of .netCOBOL for download from their Web site ... and Microsoft also offers a download of the trial version of VisualStudio.NET. Prior to starting this excellent set of tutorials, I installed both the trial versions of netCOBOL and Visual Studio.NET. Although neither are necessary for you to view and benefit from the netCOBOL videos, being able to recreate Howard's examples on your machine will significantly increase your understanding of netCOBOL when you can see that the examples that he presents really do work. Too many times I have attempted to create and run application examples from "How To" texts only to have them inexplicably fail. Howard's narratives follow his step-by-step examples completely and accurately. If you have programmed in COBOL before but have not yet used either Visual Studio.NET or the .NET framework, you will be pleased to see that no previous knowledge of either is required or assumed. I found nothing to complain about while completing the nine lessons and the entire experience was pleasurable and rewarding. My operating system is Windows XP Professsional, which I installed only because the use of IIS, which neither Windows 98 or XP Home Edition includes, is recommended. The tutorials run on Windows Media Player and the video and audio presentations are excellent.

With this email I would like to express my opinion about your two NetCOBOL CD's called Microsoft .NET for COBOL Programmers.

First, a brief description about my professional background:

I have 15 years of COBOL programming experience on different mainframe platforms.
I have been working with Fujitsu Consulting for 5+ years.
I have taken numerous courses in VB, Java, UML, Web Development using VB, and lately several .NET events, presentations or conferences.

My next project is not going to use mainframe but Microsoft .NET, particularly ASP .NET and VB.NET.

Now about your CD's:

These were the best educational CD's I have ever taken.

Because of my knowledge of Microsoft .NET and VB, and my long experience with COBOL, your CD's were easy to follow. I noticed that NetCOBOL has a lot of similarities with VB, which made it easier to understand OO NetCOBOL.. It helped me very much to understand .NET and VB features which were not quite clear to me until now.

Your CD's are very much like a live classroom setting, and even better because you can repeat parts if you want to see or hear again. Windows Media Audio/Video Player was probably the best technology to use for these lessons. It made them dynamic and not boring. Other educational CD's, like Computer Based Training CD's, are without voice and motion and thus were too static and boring. Your CD's are very detailed and thoroughly done, showing each detail, each step, and each cursor movement.

I especially liked the fact that Howard was creating most of the projects from scratch. On other CD's projects or programs are already created and you don't see start to finish how to do it. They usually just show some parts or creating small parts from already created entity.

I also enjoyed trying to create same projects on my own in my Visual Studio .NET environment. I had small challenging problems, because of some differences between my installed production version of NetCOBOL and the one that Howard was using. But I was able to resolve them quickly and it just added value to my learning process.

I am very excited about the possibility to work in the near future on some projects using NetCOBOL.
But I am also a little cautious and ready to expect more challenges when using it in the real world. The real world COBOL programs and mainframe environments can be much more complicated than the examples presented.

Again, congratulations for excellent CD's.

This training video is superb.

The level of detail is almost always on target. Each new section begins with a broader perspective and then narrows down to repeatable lessons that bring home the concepts. Howard almost always starts with a blank project so every detail is covered; there are no mysteries left over.

I think this is the most effective video training I have ever seen.

What a great find, a book written about the life of an animal and all the people and things that have touched him,and make him the great horse that he was. Howard Small must be a great man I would love to meet a man that has done so much in his life .His family has a lot to live up to.The stories he must be able to tell. I work in a store that sells Monty's Pal and it is a great gift for people to get for loved ones .And they usally .come back for a second copy because they couldn't give the first one away. I'm looking forward to reading it to my five year old daughter as her first chapter book and she hopefully will love it as much as I

I am not a big reader but this true story is almost beyond belief. I even contacted the author. He told me that from the time he bought Pal it was. It may start out like a book for the young reader but it gets anyones attention and keeps it.

If this doesn,t fit into the word classic i wouldn,tknow what does. I couldn,t put it down when I got into it. I have researched and find that the author is famous in all phases of horses. great redingfor all ages. Set in the days before TV when Western movie stars were the idols of the day Montyand Pal were engaged by show that had previously used Tex Ritter and Ken Maynard as teir headliners.

This is a well-written, important book that addresses an issue that is often discussed but rarely truly understood. While the scholarship is impressive, the authors work their way through case studies and examples so well that the reader is drawn in and engaged in their arguments on an almost experiential level. Their powerful insights on moral aspects of modern education stand in stark contrast to the platitudes we hear from politicians and policymakers. Now if only we could get our leaders to read the book...

Character education has received a good deal of national attention during the most recent presidential campaign. Two professors from the University of Pennsylvania - Joan Goodman, a professor of education, and Howard Lesnick, a law professor, have teamed up to write a useful, thought-provoking book about moral education which brings even more attention to this crucial issue.

Each chapter contains three parts: "at school," where several teachers, with different political beliefs and different experience levels discuss issues that arise within their classroom; "at the university," where theories related to that issue are discussed; and "at the library," which includes excerpts from other works on character education and resources.

Overall I think the book would be an excellent resource for teachers, social workers, and anyone who works with children at a professional level. It can be read individually or provide an excellent jumping-off point for discussions of these crucial issues within schools.

Within "Moral Stake," the important issues of moral education are discussed in an academic, captivating, and sincere manner. The most appealing asset of the book is that each chapter is divided into three separate sections: the first, an easy-to-read story section that weaves the chapter's topic into the ongoings of a fictional school, second, a section with the authors' perspectives and analysis of the topic, and finally, a section including relevant exerpts from primary researchers and thinkers in the field. These three levels of analysis allow the reader ample opportunity to evaluate and examine the underlying questions facing moral education in today's schools, making this book an invaluable resource for all educators. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and studying from this book, and highly recommend it.

This book is a great children's book, as our ALL in this series. It is the one series that myself and my two children always look for on our bookmobile that visits us every week in town. They simply are great stories, that really leave you with a good feeling inside. You can really see the love in the stories.

Ted Tatosian Vernon Hills, Illinois

The flowing language and engaging text and illustrations encouraged my 6 year old son to try to read this "all by himself". Unlike many "early reader" books, the language is not awkward, and the repetitions are very natural. A pleasure.

My daughter, 4, loves this story best of the several Mr Putter and Tabby stories that we have read. Unlike so many children's stories, this one (and the others in the series) convey a sense of real sense of human (and cat)character. The relationship between Mr. Putter and Tabby is loving and supportive. Most important, each story -- and especially this one -- communicates a wonderful sense of life lived with joy, respect, compassion and the muted simple little "heroics" of everyday life. In this case, sharing a wonderful red-and-white remote controlled biplane with neighborhood youngsters, especially with one boy who reminds Mr. Putter of himself as a boy.

While directed mainly to children 4 to 8 years old, they have touched by wife and I as much as my daughter as we have read them at bedtime. The small price of these books is more than worth the time spent and re-spent in the simple, caring world of Mr. Putter and Tabby.