I am a novice seamstress and found some of these patterns a little challenging, yet I was able to complete others with no problem. I managed to make the doll bathrobe in about an hour and it looks professional! Just like an American Girl Doll store bought version! What I don't like about the book is that you have to have a variety of fabrics on hand to make the clothes. Most of which, are stretch knits which I don't stock pile. You also have to have access to 7 inch doll zippers something that is hard to locate in my rural location. Other than that, there are many outfits to select from, which you can make out of scrap cottons. I don't regret buying it. Erin Pennington, Carmi, IL

This book is great for making quick and simple doll clothes. I have had a lot of fun making a great variety of clothes for my granddaughters AG doll. Let you imagination go and there is no limit to what you can do with these patterns. Some days I think I have more fun than my granddaughter.

I bought this book for the sweater pattern, and I'm extremely pleased with the easy directions, clear photography and stylish patterns.

I made the doll sweater, turtleneck and jeans then adapted a toddlers pullover sweater and made the same sweater for my grandaughter. If Jordan and her AG doll aren't the cutest things in their matching creations. This book was worth the price just for the sweater design.

David wiltse's follow-up to his magnificient A PRAYER FOR THE DYING is a dynamite entertainment which reveals more and more about its landmark hero John Becker. What was implied about Becker's demons in the first outing is explained in more detail here, exuding dramatic plausibility and disturbing undertones. And Bahoud makes for a very worthy adversary, a man who's not too behaviorally different from the man hunting him. Bogs down a little in Bahoud's scenes with the handicapped Myrtle, and maybe Becker picks up his trail a little too implausibly at times. But the overall result is a definite winner.

Author David Wiltse must be prescient. A friend loaned me his copy of this wonderful book which is out of print (why?) and I was bowled over. It's about the search for a terrorist in New York City. Talk about relevant after September 11. But for all the adventure and plot (and what a great character John Becker is) he also has a very moving portrayal of a young woman in conflict with herself and her yearning sensuality. My only regret is that I didn't read it when it first came out so I could be rereading it now.

In "Close to the Bone" John Becker is after a different kind of killer, a paid assassin with skills nearly matching his own. The characters are vividly drawn by this expert of suspense. David Wiltse did it again with this book. Be prepared to hold on to this book with both hands and make sure your doors are locked. Excellent! Wiltse is truly the master of keeping the tension building

For people whose roots are from the Carolina Piedmont through east Texas, and between Louisville and the Gulf Coast. It's heavier on really southern names than Upper South names. Funny but not mean. I went to grade school and church with these names when I was a child. Features the adventures of Fern, Vern, and their bowling trophies, among other "real" meanings of names

This book is absolutely hilarious - especially for soon-to-be parents who are reading baby books with highlighters in hand. It provides great descriptions of redneck names, and the way your child may turn out if given such a name. Great gift for all expectant couples!

A great book. It is brought out often and more than one guest has sat for quite a while reading each name and description out loud. I buy it for anyone I hear of expecting a child.

This is a cute little book that would probably be fun for someone who had recently moved to New York City and was trying to find their way to fun things to do and see. We didn't find it very useful for our very brief visit to the city. The references to fun places to have "girl stuff" done were intriguing, and, as I said, would probably be fun for someone who lived in the city. Overall, for planning a quick visit -- or a first-time visit -- I don't think people would find this book very helpful.

This book will become your new best friend. You will absolutely refuse to take a trip to NYC without it. It has everything you need to know to feel like a native of the city.

Without a doubt - my favorite New York Travelers book that goes so far beyond the usual "tourist" finds. This book is for the unknown and "local" treasures. "Savvy in the City: New York City" a - See Jane Go Guide to City Living by Sheridan Becker and Jayne Young is a wonderful little gem that breaks down those hard to find places by neighborhood and category. Each of those contains :

Eats ... (from the best and greatest - to those small little gems)
Treats ... (from massages to tattoo's)
Traumas... (for when you break your Prada heals)
Treasures ... (those really whims)
Twilight... (all the great clubs)
Tripping ... (for those with adventure on their mind)

You'll find great little sections such as best cheap manicures and diviest pubs. It's all those must haves for young woman in the BIG CITY. Great resource and really user friendly. Loved the whole feel and illustration.

Cheers!

The first time I met Larry he had a fisherman's sunburn and a contented smile on his face .... and that was in 1963 in Mrs. Holitzke's 2nd grade class in a small town south of Houston, TX! His dad had taken him and his brother fishing on the 'Lone Star' off the Galveston jetties and Larry was still flickin' the scales off himself.

Well, all these years later, it's a joy to read his stories and live the saltwater adventures that he describes so vividly right before your eyes.

And, though I have a biased opinion about the author, having lived some of the adventures myself, and having heard many stories about some of the others, I can tell you that there are few people along the Gulf Coast that can match the skills of Senor Bozka.

He can fish. He can use the English Language to weave an interesting and well-composed tale. And he can shoot photos so clear and imaginative, they could fill a thousand art galleries.

When you put all 3 of those together, and add the thousands of technical references gleaned from decades of experimentation and investigation and good ole 'field research', well, you get 'Saltwater Strategies'.

A book packed with tecnical information and spirited anecdotes and wonderful illustrative photography. Whether you seek trophies for the wall or the frying pan, this book will help you get that what you seek. KEEPERS!

And that's just what Larry Bozka's 'Saltwater Strategies' is ... a KEEPER.

Bozka makes angling simple for all levels of fishermen. Never plan on leaving for water without this book! Looking forward to future works. --KF

I want to thank Larry Bozka for putting the info in the "Saltwater Strategies" book together. I know this is old hat, but I recieved the book as a Christmas gift from my wife and really enjoyed the reading. I have been fishing the coast consistently for the past few years, and improving my techniques, yet I still coonsider myself a novice in the shadow of someone with so much experience. Thanks for sharing this with us.

In the final chapter of his book, Becker writes that "(r)eading this book will not solve all your writing problems. It will hardly solve any of them." I agree.

Starting Chapter 1 of my dissertation proposal scared the living daylights out of me. Where to start? How much do I need to research and read before I actually start writing? And then there is the never-ending "Here's just one more article/book/website I need to read/investigate before I can even start *thinking* about writing" refrain...

Becker, in a very straight-forward and humorous manner, gets you going. He lets you know the absolute fear you are feeling is perfectly normal and that the first draft is just that - a first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect; in fact it *shouldn't* be perfect. After reading this book, I simply sat down and started writing. I didn't worry about punctuation or sentence structure, I just wrote. Some of it ended up in the trash, but much of what I wrote on the first go-around was molded into some very good work.

Thanks to Howard Becker I think I might actual graduate!

Several others reviewed this book already. but I want to mention a point on this book. You could peep into what is the life of scholar throughout reading this book. this book is not merely writing guide. there are many other books on writing. but the place where this book should be put is not there, I think. the author, he himself has some name in Sociology, show you what is the life of scholar by the topic of writing. he persuasively illustrate the fear to write of not only graduate students but also professional scholars. I recommend to read Randall Collins¡¯ ¡®The Sociology of Philosophies¡¯, if you want to peep into more details on the life of scholar. I think Collins¡¯s book is better, volumetric and systematic on that matter. But the merit of this book is that you can capture what is like living as scholar in more private sight.

Nancy Lancaster, daughter of one of the fabled Langhorne sisters of Virginia, is a worthy biographical subject on her own. From the time she married until her death at the great age of 97 in 1994, she lived in splendor, most of which she created herself.

Nancy was born in Abermarle county, VA in 1897 at Mirador, the plantation of her grandfather, Chiswell (Chillie) Langhorne. She was raised there and in Richmond until the sudden death of her parents when she was a teenager. The lovely Nancy lived with aunts (Irene, who was the prototype of the famous Gibson Girl and Nancy, who became Lady Astor and was the first woman to be elected to Parliament). She married Henry Field, of the fabulously wealthy Marshall Field family, but five months later he died suddenly of a minor operation. Subsequently, she remarried Ronald Tree, American born, but raised in England. The Trees, if possible, were even wealthier than the Fields. Nancy's goal was to live at Mirador, but Ronald's ties and ambitions in politics were all in England. She spent the greater part of her life in England and became renowned for her brilliant decorating of her grand country houses and her skill as a charming hostess.

The book is part biography (Becker) interspersed with Nancy's own recollections that are printed in boldface. The first part of the book is excellent in giving a real feel of the very conservative upper class South still recovering from the ravages of the Civil War. Nancy draws vivid word pictures of her family and surroundings. She displays a vibrant wit and sense of humor. From the time of her second marriage forward, the emphasis is on her homes and how she decorated them.

Though I am not a big fan of "tell-all" types of memoirs, "Nancy Lancaster" is downright curious in the way factual information is elided or ignored. She was very close to all her famous aunts, yet never mentions when or how they died except for Lady Astor. She states Lady Astor was the "last" of the sisters, and that is the first the reader knows the other four are deceased. Nancy has an older brother, who is mentioned twice in the entire book. We aren't told if he was a black sheep, disliked by Nancy or ran off to South America. Nancy seems to have a fond relationship with Ronald Tree but for unknown reasons divorces him in 1945 and marries (briefly we suppose, as he never is mentioned again) "Jubie" Lancaster.

All readers will not enjoy the heavy emphasis on how she renovated, decorated, and beautified all her homes and gardens. The book lacks enough pictures to show adequately what she has done. I found the book highly readable, but unless you have an interest in early 20th century English society, stately homes and Virginia, you will be disappointed.
-sweetmolly-Amazon.com Reviewer

Robert Becker has written a fascinating book on the life of Nancy Lancaster which I have just read in the summer of 2000. It is even more timely with the new biography of Sister Parrish just out this summer. Becker is an extremely good story teller, with a fine ability to capture the life and times of his subject. My family is from the same area of Virginia, and he has the piedmont Virginia people described in the most believeable way, including expressions of the eras covered. The technique of incorporating Nancy Lancaster's own account in the body of the book is most effective. I was worried in reading the introduction that it might be intrusive, but not so. The book made me think of Eleanor Brown of Mcmillan and Company in New York, and Sarah Hunter Kelly - all decorators of the same generation. Hats off to Robert Becker!!! Nicholas Bragg

I could not put this book down! This woman, who most of the public probably never heard of, lived a fascinating life. The world WAS a smaller place long ago and far away....

I would recommend this book to people who want to speak Thai but don't know how to read and write it. This is because once you know the Thai alphabet, you can usually pronounce words the correct way by just looking at them. This is from my own personal experience. I wouldn't bother with this book because when I compared the written Thai word to the English phonetic or how my Thai teacher said the word, they were sometimes not the same pronunciation, but similar. And similar doesn't cut it when trying to speak this language because you could be saying something else ;) But honestly, it's pretty good for speakers and even the tone-deaf.

one of the best 'pocket' dictionaries around. It has the best transliteration system around, and offers translations in 3 different ways. only 4 out of 5 stars because some common words arent present, but an alternate is easy to find.

B.P. Becker also writes the learning texts for Thai that are used almost exclusively by thai schools. So if youre learning Thai this is an excellent accompaniment.

This is by far the most useful dictionary I have used while traveling in Thailand. Even if you know the Thai alphabet, the phonetic transliterations of Thai can be very helpful in real-time communication. The three sections (English-phonetic-Thai, phonetic-Thai-English, and Thai-phonetic-English) work well together to get you what you need. There are some handy extras: a section on the Thai writing system, a list of common classifiers, and a sampling of Thai fonts. Good study material for long bus rides!

This great understanding of hatred is truly a universal theme not limited to the Jew.

Sartre's key point is that hatred is a creation of the hater not rooted in fact but an imaginary fantasy that gives the hater a sense of superiority over that which he hates.

As he writes if no Jew exists the anti semite would need to create one. It is this creation of false myth, real or in fantasy, to give power to the anti semite that leads to mass hatred death camps,ongoing hatred.
Sartre further states that once you hate one man it becomes natural then to hate all Jews or mankind.
Anti Semites have a preconceived notion of a Jew even before meeting one ie: Jews all have horns.

This passion is anti democratic and racist and does not permit the "other" to freely choose however he wishes to define himself since in Sartre's philosophy one is born into a state of nothingness till he freely creates and chooses an identity from objects and phenomena existing in outside reality.

This book is not a statement on Jewish "superiority" , since Judaism never claims to be superior but a distinct worldview recognizing a creator and different roles for different nations.

Hostile anti semitism theological, political, racial, economic and so on is often based on the conflict between universalism and parochialism.

The Jew's uniqueness and aloofness is often a choosen path of protection from universalism. Universalism like hatred can also destroy Jewish continuity.

Jewish choice is rooted in freedom of will and respect for all living beings. It is the triumph of individualism and group identity in the face of what Sartre calls the mediocre conforming mass unthinking man.
Why Jew's continue to live as Jews is the key question.Are the doors of acceptance truly open? must Jews change and if so why?Sartre wrote this in the late 40's and fully understood the Nazi horrors. These days the question becomes one of promoting individual thinking rooted in diversity and respect for lifestyles different from the confirmist's simple and homogeneous uncomplicated simple view of reality.
Studies now show that people are indeed born with genetic predispositions which throws questions on Sartre's tabula rasa.

Which came first: the anti-gentile or the anti-semite?
A semite is a racial type: kinky hair, aquiline nose, olive complexion.

The Arabs and Jews both are Semites, while many converts to Judaism are blond straight-haired, pug nosed people.

Sarte's book is confusing.

.
There is an implied racist ideology in the Chosenness theme of Judaism. Chosenness is a form of ethnic (and economic) supremacy, as is clearly revealed in The Torah.

Exodus 22:25: If you lend money to any of My people (Israelites, Jews) who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, you shall not charge him interest (as you would to Gentiles).

Leviticus 25:43-46: And as for the male and female slaves whom you may have from the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves . . .and they shall become your property. And you may take them as an inheritance for your childdren after you to inherit them as a possession; they shall be your permanent slaves. BUT REGARDING YOUR BRETHREN, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, YOU SHALL NOT RULE OVER ONE ANOTHER WITH RIGOR.

Thus, The Torah, the Jewish Law, well establishes the ethnic and economic supremancy theme of Judaism. It is the Anti-Gentilism of Judaism that has traditionally provoked mistrust of people who do not embrace Judaism.

Sartre has borrowed the concept of "authentic" and "inauthentic"
from Martin Heidegger, a German Nazi, who used the term inauthentic to describe an alienated German worker, who was exploited by capitalist industrialist-bankers.

The Nazis and the Arabs, as well as some radical Christian groups have so resented the Chosenness theme of Judaism that they have turned the tables on the Jews of Judaism and declared themselves the "chosen people."

Anti-Semitism is not created by Gentiles. It is created by the philosophy of Judaism, which designates the Jews themselves as appointed by God (as revealed to Moses) to rule the Earth. Any Jew who denies this is in my opinion guilty of what Sartre himself calls "bad faith." Bad faith is when one lies to himself about the true meaning of his own acts.

Freud used the term projection, an ego defense mechanism in which one attributes one own unacceptable impulses or attitudes to others.

Once again, it is not the Gentile that has created anti-Semitism, but the pervasive chosenness theme of Judaism, which is undeniably fascist. There is no getting around it!

One more point might be made, that it is the Arab, who is also a Semite, who is indeed one of the greatest foes of Judaism.

Sartre seemingly can't see the forest for the trees!

I purchased this book before a recent trip to Los Angeles. We had a vehicle and were able, in a few days to get to many of the places described by Moore. The book is an excellent cross-section of many of the choice sites in Greater L.A. For this reason alone, the book is well worth purchasing if you are interested in architecture.

Moore is also a very entertaining writer. He is not afraid to express his opinions on anything and this makes his book both good reading and a helpful guide. If one has limited time, Moore's guide to the best places to visit is reliable.

The one "down side" to this book is that it is somewhat dated. It was published in 1984 and has not been revised. Accordingly, some of the places he describes have disappeared. Furthermore, his description of when certain buildings are open to the public is out-of-date.

In any event, if you are interested in architecture and wish to see some of what L.A. has to offer, this book is well worth getting.

In 1994, I learned I would be living in Los Angeles for the following two years. A survey of guidebooks at the local library turned up this well-organized volume of Southern California's architectural points of interest by the late co-owner (with Frank Gehry) of the title of LA's finest architect.

The book was in my Mustang convertible for the next 24 months of exploring the "only-in-LA" landscape. The history of the Mayan Theater and other grand movie palaces, Los Angeles City Hall, unique residences in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Frank Lloyd Wright's Pasadena homes, UCLA, and so many other sites came to life through Moore's succinct, academic but accessible summaries. Maps were excellent, and photos were provided for almost half of the hundreds of entries. The chapter exclusively on Disneyland as an architectural metaphor for SoCal was particularly intriguing.

I forgot to mention: in 1994 this book had been out of print for 8 years and unavailable in stores. I "lost" the library's copy and paid the fine for it, it was so good. Presumably the edition on Amazon is new and revised, and I'll be ordering it for my frequent returns to Charles Moore's modern architectural sandbox.

This book is the first one to disagree with Postmodernists and seriously treat Disneyland as a humane rather than "simulated" space. Very much worth reading.