Lily Brett has written a novel that makes you laugh and cry in turns. Things Could Be Worse captures the life of a child of two Holocaust survivors.

The novel explores many themes such as; the impact of the Holocaust not only on survivors, but their children; growing up as a migrant in Melbourne and; the struggle to find identity and happiness. The characters are brilliantly illustrated by David Rankin, an artist and the author's husband.

Every word and picture in the book rings true, and it gives an insight on what, for most of us, would be unimaginable. A truly wonderful book.

Peg Rankin has brought the scriptures to life in her words to those who are hurting. Her book will bring your closer to the Lord, and help you to find that "peace that surpasses all understanding" that the Lord wants so much for us.

For all of us, there are symbols of Christmas that were permanently etched in our minds in childhood. Few of those etchings come close to the magic that was created by Rankin/Bass holiday classic, 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'. No child can resist viewing it when it is televised, because it renders a timeless story about what it means to be human - exploring some of our failings and triumphs, as seen through the eyes of a child. This message is carefully delivered to us through the interaction of irresistible animated puppets.

I consider myself a fan of the TV special, having seen it when it first aired in 1964 (I was eleven years old)... and virtually every time since, that it has been aired.

After reading Rick Goldschmidt's latest book (The Making of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), I have a much deeper appreciation of what was involved in its production.

Rick, once again, conducts exhaustive research on this Rankin/Bass classic... and then does an eloquent job placing the critical ingredients of the Rudolph TV Special on the pages of his latest book for us to ponder. We learn that the TV Special was successful because contributions to its success were made by a number of key people - all gifted in their own areas. Noteworthy, was the fact that a significant amount of animation frontiering that was done during its production. We also learn that the TV Special was comercially feasible through the involvement of one of the premier technology companies of the day - General Electric.

Rick's book pays homage to these creative individuals (and their work), while enabling us to appreciate them as well. The book includes not only a tidy assortment of 'one of a kind' behind the scenes pictures, but the 'original' screenplay. It is fascinating reading, and will be on display on my coffee table throughout the holidays, and beyond.

I highly recommend it.

This insightful, intensely well-research book is the definitive look at the inner-workings of a classic animated TV special. Whether you're a fan of the show, a fan of vintage stop-motion animation, a die-hard baby-boomer, or just plain old in a yuletide mood, this book delivers the goods! Don't miss out!

Finally someone has taken on this Holiday Classic by the Horns, and the result is a flawless behind the scenes guide to what has become America's favorite Holiday Story.
The Book, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, is filled with more Rankin/Bass Tidbits, facts, photos, Secrets, & behind the scenes stories than anyone could hope for.
Rudolph, is Mr. Goldschmidt's second book about the RANKIN / BASS STUDIOS. His first, The Enchanted world of Rankin Bass, is the most comprehensive guide to All of Rankin Bass's Holiday Classics. It too, is fill with Great Detail & Art from Many of the Studio's Original Artists such as Paul Coker, Jack Davis & Don Duga.
I would highly recommend both of these books to people of all ages. They not only bring back great memories, they will bring a smile to your face. They are what ANIMAGIC is all about.

Any novel named after a Cure song must be good. Amongst Ian Rankin's previous jobs was a stint as a punk musician, so this choice of title is quite appropriate for that reason. The title also refers to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. However, Rankin's main character, Detective Inspector John Rebus, does not himself appear to be an article of antiquity or an early 80s throwback (much the same thing). Rebus works in the gritty city of Edinburgh (see Irving Welsh's FILTH). With crime boss Big Ger Cafferty in gaol, a vacuum has opened up in Edinburgh's underworld. Tommy Telford is the man moving in on Cafferty's patch. Rebus' bosses are intent that he should not get involved, and so assign him to a war crimes case involving an elderly Nazi. But then Rebus' daughter is knocked down in a suspect hit and run. Is someone gunning out after Rebus? And what will Rebus do when he discovers the identity of the driver? This is a well crafted, subtle novel on the theme of revenge, with repercussions from the Second World War to the modern Chechen conflict. And Ian Rankin is not a one to provide easy answers. This is a novel which will certainly have you searching your own soul. It's also the best British crime novel I've read this year, and was the winner of the 1997 CWA Gold Dagger for fiction.

This is my first Ian Rankin novel and it will definitely not be my last. John Rebus is a complex character who is battling his own personal demons. He is an Edinburgh Detective Inspector who is a recovering alcoholic and who is trying to reconnect with his daughter, Sammy, after many years of separation.

In this novel, Sammy is a victim of a hit-and-run and is currently unconscious in the hospital; a gang war is brewing and seems that the Yakuza might be involved; and an elderly man is being investigated as a Nazi war criminal. Rebus is trying to save Karina, a Bosnian refugee who is working as a prostitute in the streets of Edinburgh. Rankin does an excellent job with characterization giving depth to all the supporting players involved in the story. He focuses on their strengths as well as their weaknesses and does a great job in showing irony on several occasions.

The author knows how to structure the story. He makes use of flashbacks without warning the readers. It helps one to appreciate the then as well as the now. The story is not linear and it helps one to understand the motivation of most of the characters. I enjoyed my first John Rebus novel and I hope that all the others are as good as this one.

Ian Rankin captivates the reader again with this intriguing novel about gang turf wars, Nazi war criminals, prostitutes shipped to Britain from Bosnia, and crooked business deals with Japanese gangsters. Reality hits home when personal tragedy confronts Inspector John Rebus - his daughter is the target of a hit-and-run which appears to be related to the cases Inspector Rebus is currently pursuing. As usual, he becomes irretrievably involved in all these sub-plots to the detriment of his personal and professional relationships. This is all par for the course as Inspector Rebus cannot help but find some sort of tie-in between each case. Ian Rankin puts a very real face on the workings of a city's police force. The humor is always there with great one-liners courtesy of Inspector Rebus, usually uttered when he is on the carpet in front of his superiors. And there's an unexpected and interesting twist at the end.

Inspector John Rebus is always in trouble. But when he throws a tea cup at his boss, he has gone too far.

The book begins with him at Tulliallan, the Scottish Police College, where he, and several other officers who have disobeyed authority, are supposed to mend their ways. As punishment, this Wild Bunch is given an old murder case to solve.

But the problem is Rebus has ties to this case. And the ties may end his career permanently. Somehow he must solve the case without letting the others know about his involvement.

Meanwhile, his associate and friend, DS Siobhan Clarke, is investigating the death of a prominent Edinburgh art dealer who was found bludgeoned right outside his front door. Soon enough, Clarke finds that her current murder has ties to the old one Rebus is investigating and both of them are in some way related to Scottish crime lord, Morris Cafferty.

One of the great pleasures of reading an Ian Rankin mystery is in the gritty and realistic setting he uses for his novel. Edinburgh is so vividly depicted that it almost seems to be a character in this story.

Rankin is also a master at characterization and Rebus and Clarke are both fascinating individuals. The plot seems to hold less interest for Rankin and sometimes it takes several readings to figure out how he got from point A to point B. But overall this is a fine and intelligent book.

Inspector John Rebus has outdone even his own previous record for behaving badly --- he threw a cup of tea at DCS Gill Templer and got himself sent back to the police academy for some remedial lessons in playing well with others. Those who know Rebus well from previous books about him by Ian Rankin (this is the 14th, plus a novella) will be skeptical that this old Scottish dog can take on any new tricks --- and those who haven't yet had the pleasure are well advised to make his acquaintance very soon.

The Resurrection Men, as they are collectively called, is a group that, like Rebus, is being given one last chance to behave, or be tossed out of their various precincts. That's on the surface. Beneath the surface, it's not so simple. There are, as you might expect, shades within shades of bad cop behavior. Some difficult cops are worse than others --- that's the real problem Rebus takes on in this complexly plotted novel.

There are really three stories here, two of them are about crime (one past, one present) and the other is the ongoing, absorbing tale of Rebus's personal life, which has taken a new turn since the book just previous, THE FALLS. Our Scots Detective Inspector has, no matter how improbably, entered a relationship with an interesting woman of his own age named Jean Burchill. Jean works as a curator in a museum in Edinburgh; she can hold her own and doesn't take any guff off anybody, including John Rebus. His sudden remand to the police academy, with its outside-Edinburgh location, together with his having to maintain a certain amount of secrecy, soon puts the new relationship at risk. Dealing with this personal problem, Rebus gains new depth to his personality. It's painful. There's nothing easy about these things, ever, especially for Rebus.

The remedial instructor at the academy assigns the group of Resurrection Men a cold case, ostensibly as an exercise to teach them to work as a team. Each of the six men has had difficulty with teamwork in the past --- but three of them, as Rebus gets to know them better, appear to have some prior connection they're keeping mum about. The cold case assignment deals with an unprosecuted murder, some years earlier, of Rico Lomax, a thoroughly bad sort of man who took others down with him. It's a case in which Rebus was more involved than he wants to admit and one he does not like to remember. As their investigation deepens, Rebus begins to wonder if someone at Headquarters has set him up, if they may not be using this old case as a means to drive him off the police force once and for all.

Meanwhile, back at the home precinct, DS Siobhan Clarke continues to work on the case of Edward Marber, a murdered art dealer; she was partnered with a new recruit, DC Hynds, when Rebus was shipped off to Tulliallan (the academy). Some years his junior, Siobhan is perhaps too much like Rebus in personality for her own good. He has trouble letting go of the Marber case and she is more than willing to consult him behind the scenes, thus keeping him involved. As the Marber investigation goes broader and deeper, some of the same personalities who were involved in the old Lomax case begin to surface as players in the new case as well. Lines begin to cross and the Resurrection Men begin to behave very badly indeed.

One does not read a Rebus novel solely for the plot, though in this book there is plot enough and more besides. Rather, one reads Ian Rankin for the totality of the experience, which is as much sensual as it is intellectual. Rankin gives us all of Edinburgh, of today's Scotland, in his novels -- much more so than any other novelist working at present. We get the sounds, the smells, the taste, the feel of the weather, of the nights, of the very air on the skin. With it all, we too have the enormous privilege of getting to know John Rebus. I have no words to adequately describe this remarkable character --- Rebus is a man you must know for yourself.

--- Reviewed by Ava Dianne Day

Detective John Rebus goes "under" at the request of his superiors to find the "dirty cops" in this Scottish novel.
This is superb writing, you get the feel of the characters, are inside their minds editing as they speak and wondering as they do what will happen next. I have read enough mysteries that I can often guess the ending- this story was more subtle and more exciting- a great, great read...

This is quite a good short story collection from Ian Rankin. Indeed, it is good not just by his standards, but by most authors.

There are some really very good stories here..."A Good Hanging" "The Gentlemen's Club" and "Concrete Evidence". All of which are very enjoyable. the final story "Monstrous Trumpet" would be included in the above category, but for it's rather unbelieveable solution. The inclusion of the French visiting policeman, though, was a stroke of genius. His presence is incredibly enjoyable.

All of the stories are clever, and all enjoyable. there are several nice twists here and there, and Rebus, of course, to provide for extra entertainment.

"Sunday" is perhaps the most inventive story, certainly the one most "Rebus orientated". "Auld Lang Syne" is a very dull story until the final two or three pages, where it picks up some life. Of "Not Provan" , the same can be said.

"Playback" is a nice lite story to ease you into the collection.

All in all, there are some very good short stories contained herein. I would prefer a novel, but these will do. (Edinburgh is not quite so much a presence. Nor is the character development awfully good.)

I have read Rankin's works in chronological order (well actually still having to read the last four because I am not spoiling myself...). This collection is a good way to be introduced to the series, and believe me I loved Inspector Morse novels, but this is on a class of his own (and far above realistic). Well researched/written/beliavable/human.
TRY AND COMPARE.

A collection of short stories is an excellent way to be introduced to an author, and this collection should net Ian Rankin many, many new readers.

Such an edition as this is rather a throw-back to those good-old 'golden' days of the great mystery writers, such as Dame Agatha, Ellery Queen, Rex Stout and many others who regularly wrote short stories along with their full-length novels. Eventually, when a dozen or so of these little gems had accrued in the author's basket, they would be brought out in their own separate volume. Many of these collections are as well known as the authors' full-length novels.

Following this lead, Mr. Rankin displays a sure touch with this batch of shorter stories, all of which feature Detective Inspector John Rebus of the Edinburgh police force. There are other continuing characters as well, who surface here or there, providing a spot of humor or compassion or just camaraderie.

I'd not read anthing by Mr. Rankin before finding this book. That situation is about to be remedied as I go looking for "Knots and Crosses" to begin at the beginning of the Inspector Rebus tales. I would highly recommend a similar path to any other devoted readers of mystery novels, especially those who treasure a setting that's nearly part of the plot, characters with whom one can practically form a friendship, and above all, exellent writing.

Who would have known that J.R.R. Tolkien's dark, war-ravaged epic fantasy Lord of the Rings would have sprung from such an innocent, light-hearted adventure?

When a peace-loving Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins has his humble home visited by the legendary wizard Gandalf the Grey and an entourage of 13 dwarves, Bilbo finds himself embarking on a quest that will take him all across the great lands of Middle Earth, meeting a host of characters and creatures both friendly and not, and stumbling across great treasures and wild predicaments.

I truly feel sorry for anyone who would dismiss the Hobbit as a "children's book." While it may have been intended that way, it hardly reads as so. The Hobbit is intelligent, gripping, sophisticated and wondrous. I found that I always had a smile on my face for the greater portion of the book. Tolkien's vivid and often times comedic approach to Bilbo's situations help convey an intriguing and entertaining story that can be enjoyed by anyone.

The characters, for the most part, are very well developed. The main characters (Bilbo, Thorin, Gandalf) get the most attention, but Tolkien balances the 12 remaning Dwarves and other side characters quite well. Bilbo's encounter with Gollum is chilling and memorable, and the finding of the Ring seems so very insignificant in the grand scheme of things...yet who would've known that such an innocent discovery would have led to the tragic, dark and terribly evil events to follow in Tolkien's legendary Lord of the Rings?

This book should definitely keep you enthralled and reading to the very end. Like I said earlier, though this may have been intended to be a children's book, it hardly reads like one at all. I don't ever remember reading any books way back when I was a kid that were this epic, descriptive or intelligent. All you need is an open mind with a little twinge of fantasy, and you'll definitely enjoy the Hobbit. You can't read the Lord of the Rings without reading the Hobbit out of principle. I don't know why I waited so long to read this book, but now that I have, I am very glad that I did. It's probably one of the best books i've ever read. I very highly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in fantasy. Most of the fantasy today is inspired by The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings.

This Leatherette Collector's Edition of the book sports some illustrations inserted into key areas of the book,gold embossment on the cover of elvish 'moonletters' and runes, as well as a leather sheath for the book. Definitely worthwhile for any Tolkien fan! On a side note, if you REALLY want to add dimension and life to the characters, I suggest watching The Fellowship of the Ring and The The Towers either before or just after you read this book...Gandalf and Bilbo and company just have so much more personality afterwards!

The Hobbit is JRR Tolkien's prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Though it stood on its own legs for 30 years, it is now difficult to disentangle this tale of Bilbo Baggins' adventuring with dwarves and finding of the One Ring from the grandly-scaled tale that would follow. This is a charming story, less an epic than a good old-fashioned tale, as Bilbo, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield and the rest trek to the Lonely Mountain to wrest dwarvish gold from the dragon Smaug. Along the way they encounter Beorn the Bear-Man, elves, trolls and spiders.

Rob Inglis, who reads the unabridged edition of this fantasy classic, is a Shakespearean actor, and has the chops. His voice is clear, resonant and beautiful, and he has created unique voices for each character -- even the fourteen dwarves. He could relate the dialogue with no intervening narration and you would be able to tell who is speaking! In addition, he lends animation to the text, not reading in a dry style, but with appropriate inflection, humor and drama. It is a pleasure to hear this beloved book brought to life by such a talented actor.

Minimal packaging of ten CDs, each approximately 1 hour in length.

This is a wonderful way to introduce The Hobbit to children, to enjoy the book as a family, or to give to someone who, for whatever reason, can't read the book for themselves.

"The Hobbit: or There and Back Again" was my introduction to the extraordinary world of J.R.R. Tolkien. I have read "The Hobbit" at least four times in the thirty-five years since I first discovered it, and have never ceased to be thrilled by Bilbo Baggins and his brave cohorts. Their quest to destroy the evil dragon Smaug, recover stolen gold, deliver the enslaved people of Lake Town, and the strong bond of friendship they forge along the way, has thrilled millions of readers. Although "The Hobbit" is a prequel, of sorts, to the "Lord Of The Rings Trilogy," it stands on its own as a wonderful tale of magical fantasy, and as a story of personal courage and growth.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube-shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs." Tolkein's description of the Hobbit's home is important to form an understanding of Bilbo Baggins' character. Mr Baggins is the particular Hobbit of note, for whom the book is titled. He likes nothing more than comfort, and dislikes nothing more than change. What is a hobbit, you ask? Hobbits are "a race of small, plump people about half the size of humans, with furry toes and a great love of good food and drink." Unfortunately they no longer live on Earth.

Bilbo, who leads a very comfortable life at his home, Bag End, near the bustling village of Hobbiton, is rudely interrupted one day by a wise old wizard, Gandolf the Gray. Gandolf, with a great deal of pressure, persuades Bilbo to set out with thirteen angry, and determined dwarves, to reclaim their stolen treasure from a terrible dragon. The Hobbit, who has never stolen anything in his life, nor would he think to do so, is proclaimed "The Burglar." And the skeptical dwarves are reassured by Gandolf that "there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye."

The troop ventures off, through various mysterious, mystical lands that no longer exist on Earth - Rivendell, the elves stronghold, the Misty Mountains, Mirkwood Forest, Lake Town and the Lonely Mountains. They meet and befriend numerous memorable characters along the way, and encounter fiendish enemies also. It is on this journey that Bilbo finds the all powerful golden ring, that plays such an important role in Tolkein's masterful epic the "Lord Of The Ring Trilogy."

Before Bilbo can return to the comfort and security of Bag End, he will fight many battles, change lives, influence the future, and undergo changes himself. The drama, suspense and sheer beauty of Tolkien's tale will captivate you. It is truly an unforgettable story, written in a most unique literary style, by a man who has created and peopled an entire world, and given its inhabitants a new language. Brilliant!

Impeccably researched and comprehensively detailed, "The Enchanted World Of Rankin/Bass" is a treasure trove of info for fans of the wonderful animated programs created by the duo. Lovingly written by Rick Goldschmidt, the book is a wonderful keepsake chronicling the creation and enduring impact of the classic rankin/Bass animated shows. Tons of rare photos--many in breathtaking color--rare memorabilia plus lots more await the reader on this terrific journey back in time. Compelling interviews with many of the personnel involved with the shows --voiceover artists, script writers, set designers, inudstry big wigs---draw the reader into the story. From "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" to "Frosty The Snowman," all your faviorites are here in this terrific tome. This is the bible for fans of Rankin/Bass and author Goldschmidt should be commended for his exemplary efforts. Refreshing, informative and full of fascinating minutaie, the book is a true labor of love. What are you waiting for? Stop reading this review and buy the book...NOW!

The Rankin/Bass animagic Holiday specials are as much a part of my childhood memories as putting up the tree, hanging the stockings and painting the eggs.

It is nice to see Rick Goldschmidt drag them from the foggy haze of my nostalgia and bring them back into the light. I never new that there was so much information on Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass. "The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass" has it all, from the most obscure cel animated cartoon to the classic animagic of Rudolph and Santa.

Everything you could want is here: Behind the scenes photographs, a complete list of Rankin/Bass works, well-written articles and a jumble of Rankin/Bass memorabilia. This book is even more relevant, now that the Rankin/Bass filmography is being released on DVD. It will make you chomp at the bit for each new release.

If Peter Cottontail, The Snow Miser and Heat Miser, Frosty the Snowman and Happy the Christmas Baby ("those ears!") ring any bells for you, then you will enjoy "The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass."

I think the other reviewers here have just about covered it BUT I wanted to add that this is the way a book should be done on a classic HOLIDAY TV SPECIAL. It is loaded with information and gives background on everything from the voice actors to the Stop-motion animation. In Rick's other book he covered the entire body of RANKIN/BASS work, which was quite an undertaking, considering there were many reference books out there with incorrect info. In this book, he covered the process. The two book collection cover the history of RANKIN/BASS PRODUCTIONS very nicely! A Perfect Holiday gift set!

"Dead Souls" is quality thriller that keeps you reading from the first page to the last. Rankin's hero, Edinburgh policeman John Rebus, juggles three plot lines: the suicide of a fellow officer, the release of two former criminals (a paedophile and a murderer) and their return to Edinburgh, and the disappearance of his secondary school sweat-heart's son. As a result, the plot and action move quickly, with creative twists and overlapping clues. The criminals are creative and keep Rebus and the reader on their toes.

For those readers devoted to the Rebus series, the "Dead Souls" installment is an opportunity to gain insight into the inner-workings of our hero. We find out about his home-town, his school-boy shannanigans, his old friends, and old ghosts. Rankin uses "Dead Souls" to develop Rebus as a character.

Unlike some of Rankin's other novels, "Deal Souls" does not fall into a series of clichés. The climax is exciting. The characters are believable and have more depth than you find in run-of-the-mill-mysteries.

I was first introduced to the work of Ian Rankin in an airport when departing for Edinburgh. I was looking for an entertaining read to get me through the flight, and found "The Falls" in the airport bookshop. Because the novel took place in Edinburgh, I thought I'd give it a shot to learn a bit about the city. I wasn't disappointed. Not only does Rankin (always) offer the reader a great mystery, but he also offers an inside look on the "real" Edinburgh. He describes real streets, real cafes, and real history. Through the ever-cynical Rebus, Rankin addresses issues facing the city as only an insider could. His writing bring Edinburgh to life for those who already know and love it, and those who want to get know it better.

"Dead Souls" is a good, entertaining, mystery/thriller. Perfect for plane rides, long commutes, and lazy Sundays. I recommend it!

Since "Black and Blue," Rankin's novels have had very tight, complicated plots, with about four independent strands coming together (or not). Here the plot lines are more thematically linked than anything else, further illuminating the character of DI Rebus, one of the most interesting characters in crime fiction. He's hard-boiled, he smokes and drinks, he's too wrapped up in his work to have satisfying relationships, yada yada, but he's always trying very hard. He comes away from the stories if not changed, at least recognizing something and working at some aspect of himself. He's not a forever constant, Marlowian hero. In this one, novel #9, the crimes are of a personal nature, no business dealings, no crime syndicates, so the story inevitably is more about Rebus, and less about the puzzles to be solved. It's a matter of personal taste, perhaps, but probably for that reason I felt this one wasn't quite up to the level of the last two (B&B, and "The Hanging Garden"). Rankin should be better known, and would probably be compared to Michael Connelly if he was American and writing about a cop in a US city. He remains one of the best writers of police procedurals out there.

One feels the weariness, the weight of guilt and depression as DI Rebus literally slogs his way through several investigations, some of which have no relation to one another. A released paedophile and the weight of guilt over his brutal death, the missing son of a former high school sweetheart in the throes of a bad marriage, the return of a convicted serial killer from the US, all these combine in to a fascinating tale of crime and punishment in contemporary Scotland. Yes, the plot is convuluted and at times as plodding as Rebus himself, but Rankin is more concerned with exploring his characters and what motivates them to action or inaction, a plus in my view. Dead Souls, though distantly akin to Gogol's novel, is a fascinating read, and though somewhat overly long, is utterly more satisfying than many of Rankin's contemporary mystery writers.

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THE TOP 5 REASONS YOU MIGHT THINK THE AUTHOR IS A FLAKE:

5) The bright-light story!
4) She practically chants that "yoga is not a religion"...she mentions this at least twice, possibly three times.
3) The word "yoga" is capitalized throughout the book! Do most people capitalize the word "aerobics" in a sentence? I didn't think so...why yoga?
2) She states (p.17), "...do not be in a hurry to 'convert' family and friends to Yoga.". Ummm, good..I won't! Afterall, she said it wasn't a religion, right?
1) She states (p.16), "The fact is, no one knows where or when yoga began". What? Are we supposed to believe that yoga is infinite, like God? (woman, please!).

THE TOP 5 REASONS YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU BOUGHT THIS BOOK:

5) Under the title of each exercise, you will find a list of the body areas it targets.
4) Easy-to-understand instructions of the exercises.
3) Good tips under each set of instructions...these help to ensure correct breathing and form.
2) Good photos for visual guidance as to form and posture.
1) Yoga IS enjoyable and this book makes it easy to get started.

THE TOP REASON TO HAVE A FEW BOOKMARKS HANDY:

1) You'll want to bookmark the warm-up chapter and a few different pages of specific exercises that are out of order until you memorize the routine and know the poses well.

I have found this book helpful for many years, and have ordered copies for family and friends who are interested in yoga as a health and fitness practice. A stroke survivor myself (some 20 years ago), I find yoga a great aid in staying alive and functional!

To be perfectly honest, the author's short little intro story in the beginning is a tad too new agey for most who don't want to do yoga from a spiritual position, but would benefit greatly from a health position -- don't let that turn you off! Do what I did (and what I recommend to people I'm giving this to) -- read it once, say, "hmmm" and then get on with the program.

Christensen has laid out a wonderful program starting with daily stretches (you can do these even if you can't do the individual exercises, or asans, every day) and then offering a week by week series of exercises to help you advance through -- or stay where you are comfortable.

She also has special programs for pregnancy and other times when you can't go full tilt.

Easy directions, clear photographs that truly help you know what you should be doing, breathing exercises. Excellent for the beginner or person who (like me) slips off and on the yoga and exercise path.

First let me state that this is not a religious or Hindu book but a book on stretching and toning the muscles etc. This is an excellent book for the beginner because it not only explains what yoga is and isn't it stresses the importance of practicing regularly, what to expect, equipment, finding the right environment so you wont be interrupted, advise and cautions if you are on any kind of drugs to make sure your physician knows you are taking up yoga. The book discusses food and drink and why it is important to not do yoga after eating. I watch a yoga show on Oxygen and its on early morning which I think is best for me.

The book stresses warming up, doing slow and deliberate moves, repetitions and that one should never do yoga when ill. In today's society where people rush, rush, rush the advise on doing slowwwwww deliberate moves is really important as is the advise on environment. The book then shows the proper warm up exercises to do. Then goes thru the varies step and levels of the 3 ten week programs for Yoga.

The photographs are excellent and the author discusses in the beginning of the book how Yoga wasn't popular in the United states when she began in the 1950's. And that it was something her subconscious had been seeking and answer to and that is where she woke one morning and saw the light so to speak and the word Yoga came to mind. This is something that in my opinion happens to most people who seek God, and ones prayers are answered