The author puts the story of the past into words we can understand. Historical figures were "people" just like us with the same problems, sadnesses, troubles, and self-doubt. These "letters" tell us of their discouragement and how they moved past it into success. From their "words" we can perhaps find just what we need to face our dark clouds of adversity. My kids enjoyed each letter and were spurred on to find out even more about some of these people from our past. A great teaching tool...

Storms of Perfection IV is a great book. Every historical hero in this book has a story that inspires and captivates. Each story offers knowledge and courage in obtaining our goals. A must read!

Often we feel the "heros" found in history are far beyond our reach. It's as though we could never accomplish the things we read about them doing. "Storms 4" changes all that. It places the responsibility for future history directly in our laps. After all, our historical hero figures also had to do laundry, feed kids and go to work, right? Read it... you may end up a hero, too!

I read, and reread this book, probably 5 times. I came to Amazon.com to find another copy since I have lost mine. It is a story of redemption and finding your way in life. The hero is a children's author, who has some kinky sexual habits (bisexual, S&M). He simultaneously becomes involved with a small child with emotional problems (and part of the text is a children's story starring Harold), and a homeless man who wants to be killed. You have to read it to understand the subtext, but it is truly a marvelous novel. I heartily recommend it, and hope Amazon can find me another copy.

It's amazing more people haven't found this book! Wry, passionate, aloof, deeply moving and disturbing at the same time. (Perhaps its explicit qualities turn some away, but for once an advertising blurb is profoundly correct: it IS "about everything important that goes on between people". Although it may be catagorized as a "gay" novel, it is not narrowly focused on gayness, just as gay people ourselves are not "just gay" but have the full spectrum of human concerns. At times painfully funny, at times hauntingly poetic, and times even fierce, unafraid to show its darkest shadows as well as its piercing lights, everyone with a heart and a head should experience this novel.

This is one of my all-time favorites. The narrator is an author of children's books (and according to the cover, "Terry Andrews" is the pseudonym of a well-known children's author!) who is in a series of relationships with both men and women. Unfortunately, his one true love (and hottest sex partner) is married and doesn't love him back. This isn't really a "gay" novel, but has some pretty explicit same-sex (and hetero sex) scenes. Oddly enough, it's ultimately a warm, thought-provoking, and pretty funny book.

Since reading this book I've had solid sucess in weight loss and am eating healtheir and feeling better. The book Sugar Busters for Kids did accomplish several key elements in my personal weight loss program.

This book helped me greatly to understand the "why" of my life long struggle with weight and obesity. It has given me a tool in the understanding of "how" certain foods affect my wieght loss. And it has provided me with the "what" to eat and feel good at the same time.

The Glycemic Index Tables provided an easy and useful referance to the everyday control of my diet and food intake. Dr. Andrews and team have made the concept easier to understand and workable.

The recipes work, and I love the use of Creole seasoning to put flavor into some of the dishes.

My daughter who is a sophmore in college also uses the info found in this book very helpful.

This book should be included in every dieters libray, know matter what the age.

We just loved this book. We have been followers of the Sugar Busters concept for over five years and have never been healthier. Since reading the original Sugar Busters book, we have been concerned about all the sugar and processed carbohydrates that children eat these days. This book has really allowed us the share the benefits we have received with our children. The book is informative and easy to read and the illustrations are great, but one of our favorite things about the book is the recipes which, I might add, are not just for children. They are great for the whole family.

This book will be most appealing to adults who have had success with the Sugar Busters! approach to weight control through reducing the amount of high glycemic foods (ones that raise insulin levels and thus slow down the metabolism) that they eat. Now, you will know how to integrate this approach for the whole family!

If you have not yet discovered the Sugar Busters! approach, it is well worth your time. As the authors (three M.D.'s and a former Fortune 500 CEO) point out, many diseases are related to overweight and obesity (such as Type 2 diabetes which is caused by insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases). Two terrible things are happening now. First, childhood overweight and obesity are growing rapidly as a percentage of the population around the world. Second, what were once adult diseases related to overweight and obesity are showing up in children. The authors point out that these trends are closely associated with the rise in the use of refined sugar. These trends run in families, suggesting both genetic (homone related) and environmental causes.

As to changing, the book is filled with directions for how to shop, menus (along with acceptable substitutes), and recipes (on the spicy side to appeal to the adults too). You can also use the recipes in any of the other Sugar Busters! series books. The recipes are almost all simple to prepare. Most include ingredients available at most food stores. There also seemed to be an attempt to keep the cost reasonable. I do think that households with younger kids will probably use fewer seasonings (but remember that no-sugar ketchup!).

There is a separate section with rhymes for kids at the back, which illustrates some of the key concepts. You can use this like a standard children's book for those in the 3-6 age range. My only criticism about the back is that the letter to kids uses gasoline for a car as the analogy to the need to eat better. Prior to the age of driving, I doubt if that analogy will work

One of the best parts of the book is that it keeps it as simple as possible. The authors also emphasize making better choices rather than treating this like a diet. They also point out that there are few long-term studies of the effects of diet on youngsters, but they have used the few that are available. For example, a low glycemic breakfast reduces what youngsters eat in calories for lunch. They also discuss how to introduce new foods (assume it will take at least 10 efforts before acceptance occurs, so be patient and persistent!). The menus are adjusted separately for the 6-8 and 9-12 year old groups. Over 12, they can use the adult Sugar Busters!

This book was unbelievable, I loved it! The writer really got into detail and made the book come alive. I read this book in three days, I just couldn't put it down, I was hooked. I think anybody can relate to the reality of this book about friends that are supposed to stick together no matter what and how your dreams are more important than anything else. Then the greed comes in and the drugs and the deception and the people you thought to be your friends turn out to be your worst enemies because of the cruel world they are living in and the influence of "HOLLYWOOD" turns them in to something they always promised never to be. The writer did such a wonderful job making this book become so alive. You can actually visualize everything that the three men feel and are going through and you really feel for them. It's even hard for me to explain. I thought the book was so good I was actually in awe at the end of it and I would definitely recommend reading this book. Afterwards you might not want to take things for granted!

My God, this book, I discovered through its awesome-like qualities and detail, is that I felt I was in the shoes of the lead character. The use of metaphors, the dialogue, as well as the mixture of intense mystery, wrapped with romance, true friendship and the Hollywood spotlight, allowed me to feel that I hope a Sugar Valley does exsist out there in this world. I never laughed, cried, and felt closure so much in my life. I heard about this book from a friend, and after reading it only once, I was ready to quit my job, and shoot for the Reality of my own dreams. To this author, Stephen Salamon, I would like to say, "Thank You," you did a perfect job writting this novel, and I am most definitly going to look for more of your future works. Please, keep on writting, because the recipe for this book was perfect in every way.

I love this novel! I actually feel like I walked in each characters shoes but still retaining a 3rd person perspetive that I could analyze the actions and manipulations of each character. It separated the fair-weather friends from the true friends that time and struggles ultimately show their depth. It removed the teenage rebellion or the misguided decisions of adulthood by teaching through example what our parents wish and pray that we learn with soft lessons. I can't truly say what this incredible novel did for me but I feel that it refreshed me in my dreams and put me back in control of my direction I will not give up on what I want to accomplish. To the author Stephen Andrew Salamon: Thank you for writing such a interesting novel and Thank you for letting me feel the euphoria of accomplishment of which now I can feel.

Wow, I couldn't stop howling after I read this book! A book that I have read several times, one that can teach lessons without "trying to teach lessons"! Good, easy reading for anyone who enjoys down home values. I am going to look into more of his books.

This collection of warm and witty short stories will please anyone who appreciates or longs for the charm of life in small town America. The characters that populate Sawyerton Springs are memorable, as are their antics. You'll be glad you've met Billy Pat, Ginny, Miss Edna and all the rest. You'll laugh so hard you'll cry, especially at "Baseball, Boys, and Bad Words," an innocent tale of the funniest thing in the world to young boys. I especially appreciated the wholesome fun of these coming-of-age stories of a Baptist's minister's son. These tales will warm your heart, as you relive or visit this lovely little town where you'll wish you could live.

Andy Andrews has a wonderful, whimsical way of telling stories in which you'll see yourself, your family and your friends in his characters and situations. He places these colorful characters in Sawyerton Springs...a gentle community...in a time of basic common sense, light-hearted fun and simple truths. He'll tug at your heartstrings; he'll make you laugh out loud; and he'll make you think about how life doesn't have to always be so complex. If you've ever seen Andy perform before, you know he has a mischievous streak in him...you can actually imagine the sparkle in his eyes as he tells these stories. I've bought multiple copies of this book as gifts for friends. I can't think of a better compliment to an author than sharing his book with folks you love. Enjoy....I promise you won't be disappointed!!!

I just got finished using this book for a course in Children's Literature, and it was extremely informative.

Since I am interested in children's literature (to read, and possibly to write), it was great to find out about all the different facets of literature for children, from historical children's lit, to multicultural lit, to award-winning literature.

If you are a teacher and haven't taken a course on children's literature, this book is a must-read (it even includes helps for the classroom at the end of each chapter). If you want to write for children, check this out -- it's a veritable goldmine of information to get your book noticed & published.

This book covers a wide range of genres of children's literature. It is written in an easy to read style, and covers everything a teacher or media specialist would need to begin working with children's literature. It was outstanding! The addition of the CD-ROM gives even more resources. I think it is a wonderful book.

Norton has once again done the impossible-- making her best-selling text on children's literature even better. The newest edition provides concise yet helpful summaries of the finest in children's books, and offers an updated CD-ROM tool to help teachers search and discover just right books. I heartily recommend it to all elementary teachers!

I borrowe this book from a friend. She had never read it. It was stuck in a box. This book is Indian & American History as if written By Clancey!!! This book presents the history of Indian and uropean settlement through the 1800's. It presnts cultural clashes from a global perspective starting in the 1600's. For once, I could understanfd the conflicts and their timing between Spain, Russia, England, France and the emerging US. The clear presentation of the Spanish presence as miners and slaveers. The English, French and Russians as fur robber barons represented by greedy men and the lowly US taking up the rear. The Indian population with thier established tribes, hunting areas and culture were spelled out clearly and convincingly. It was understandble now that Europeans really didn't or couldn't have removed the Indian without the use of our deseases such as small pox and meassles. More Indians died of small pox than any US Army battle. Not that we didn't remove, push, cheat them only that their population was overwhelmed by our deseases first. The history is written like a fast moving novel, exciting, detailed , twisting and turning. It has political plots, robber barons, government plots, greedy people and bungling fools. It tells of Indians against Indians, Indians against Spanish, French, English, Russians and the US. The vast majority of the western movement was only to pass through the plains, over the Rockies for most people to Oregon and California. It is remakable that Oregon has remained as rural as it has while California is the state which has really grown. The wealth of California apparently was sverely understated while Oregon was overstated.

.You will love this book.

These four volumes do more to explain the depth and extent of the Indian Nations that existed in the Northwest prior to the fur traders. A vast empire headquartered in present day central Oregon, near the major Indian trading centers on the Columbia River with influences extending east into present day Wyoming, south to Santa Fe, NM and Indio, CA. This series of books is perhaps the only written account of the Shoshone Indians. An Indian nation that witnessed and bore the brunt of the indiscretions of fur traders, explorers, gold hunters, religious pioneers, settlers, and others.

I was captivated by this writing that covers the history of the Western United States from before European intrusion, up through the peak years of the fur trade. Very interesting view from the Native American perspective and the white man's greed that laid waste to the animals and Indians alike. Very easy book to read. Once I got started, it was hard to put it down. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Toko Of Coco Oko is a picture book adventure deftly written and enhanced with full color artwork by Andrew J. Shoup, and presents the story of Toko, a young man on a faraway island, who has trouble finding his place in his island world and fitting into the life of his village. Wondering if greater powers have an unknown plan in store for him, Toko must search inside out in order to find his proper destiny. Toko Of Coco Oko is recommended as a philosophically timeless, entertainingly enjoyable, and emotionally moving story.

On the tiny island of Coco Oko each inhabitant persues the work they love the most. But one resident, Toko, doesn't know what he does best. So he goes to the god called The Great Coconut, to ask to be the best fisherman in all the village. But instead of accolades, Toko only gains laughter at his efforts. The same thing happenes when he tries to build a boat or gather bananas. All the while, Toko writes about his experiences in his journal.

The journey to discover one's self, whether young or old, comes alive with Andrew Shoup's TOKO OF COCO OKO. A remarkable tale in its simplicity, this illustrated book contains a vital lesson perfect for all ages. My youngest audience, age two, thought Toko very silly and asks for the story again and again. My oldest audience, thirty-something, likewise enjoyed the story even as they appreciated the message of finding the one thing that brings joy and doing it well. With terrific illustrations and a wonderful story all audiences will love, TOKO OF COCO OKO earns the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.

This is a wonderful book for those of us trying to find ourselves, young and old. Illustrations are GREAT!!

If you are into tropical architecture, this sure is the book for you! Not much text which makes it of "worth" + great photography! Before planning a house, this sure is a must-have! Houses featured here has its owne individuality and character! Dont miss it!...

This is a beautifully photographed and well-organized showcase of wonderful Philippine homes. The range of houses covered is amazing and you're sure to get inspiration from one of the many fine examples of East meets West design as well as the seamless blend of Spanish, Malay, and Western heritage that the Philippines has. The homes are fabulous and even if you aren't thinking of redecorating, you will be after you finish it. One of the things that I particularly like about this is that unlike many books on Asian homes which focus only on either architectural design OR the interiors, this one gives a good balance of both. I just wish that the book had more pages.

This was truly a feast for my senses. The Filipino elite is a highly sophisticated, well travelled, cosmopolitan, tropical, and casually elegant group who have developed a blended taste and style of their own. This book could be renamed "Tropical Dream Homes of the Philippines Rich and Famous". What is truly visible in this book is the rich diversity and fusion of the different cultures - Chinese, Spanish, Indonesian, Malaysian, and American - creating a Philippine cosmo-Asian blend. I highly recommend this book.

Very good summary of the work of Alan Turing: his influence on mathematics (where he tried to replace the notion of 'provable' by 'computable') and on the development of the computer.
For me, this little book proves that most of Turing's work has been countered by Roger Penrose. For Penrose, the human mind is capable of the uncomputable, while Turing treats the human brain as a computable machine.
The discussion Turing had with Wittgenstein on the 'liar' paradox has been solved by Tarski (see his difficult book 'Logic, Semantics, Metamathematics').
Obviously, Turing did not play in the same league as the one of geniuses like Gödel or Russell.
Also good information on his tragic personal life.

Look, sometimes you just don't want to spend days or weeks of your life getting to know some famous personage in intellectual history. At heart, you're lazy, and you're somewhat cheap too. So what better way to get a brief overview of Alan Turing than by Andrew Hodges' cheap and concise book on said? Well, I couldn't think of any, so I picked this up 53 page gem on a whim. It's a historical overview of Turing's career with balanced attention to his thought. With the exception of about 8 pages that only will profit those who have had some experience with what's called the "Halting Problem" in symbolic logic, this is a very readable book. What is a Turing Machine and why are they important to the modern notion of computers? Why is Turing considered the inventor of computational theory, even if not the outright inventor of the computer? (And this last claim is somewhat debatable, as the book points out.) What was Turing doing for the British Government during the war? Why did Turing get fired from his job? There are all sorts of little tidbits of information here, even about his sex life. Ho ho! Also in the book is some discussion of whether a computer can be made to think. Naturally, some of Turing's more interesting comments are quoted on this topic, and Hodges gives attention to the more recent ideas of Roger Penrose, a philosopher whose ideas on artificial consciousness have been influential on the contemporary scene. Okay, you got the time to read 53 pages, and for not more money than a good McDonald's meal, you could be reading it in a day or so if you'll just click the...ordering button...

This is a superb, yet brief overview of Turing, his life and his math. Although this is a sophisticated approach to the man and his work, the writing is readily accessible by a lay person, like myself. One can get a clear flavor of the importance of his work and how his Turing machine model is not just the framework for Bill Gate's wealth but also as a profound extention of the Undecidable problem first addressed by Godel.