If you are a fan of Ronnie Milsap or just a fan of life in general, this is a MUST READ! Ronnie and Co-Writer Tom Carter, present Ronnie's life in a sometimes comedic and sometimes sad manner. Ronnis IS a true to life "RAGS TO RICHES" story and I personally am thankful Ronnie has been through everything he has in his life. It has not only made him what he is today but has caused me to reflect on my own life which has posed many "situations" for me to grow from. Ronnie is an awesome individual and if you want a chance to get away from all the "[stuff]" on television these days, this is a book for you. The man born blind in poverty in the mountains of N. Carolina, disowned by his mother because she thought his blindness was a curse from God, raised by poor but loving grandparents, sent to the State School for the Blind on welfare, turned out to have the IQ on the genius level. Ronnie tells of how fascinated he was the first time he experienced a commode when he was about 6 years old. Now his home probably not only has 7 or 8 of them but probably has heated seats as well. PLEASE, if you never treat yourself to another gift, purchase this one. It is truly a gift that you should not miss out on. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

Donna Ashworth-Dallas, Texas

Born blind in the poverty stricken Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina, Ronnie Milsap grew up to become a self-made multi-millionaire and internationally known country music superstar. His prosperous life proves in America that any dream is achievable. But his Cinderella-caliber transformation was not merely professional. Dismayed that her baby was blind, Ronnie's disturbed mother abandoned him. He was raised primarily by his loving paternal grandparents although his well-intentioned yet somewhat hapless father was a constant presence in his life. Today he has been happily married for well over 30 years and is a doting grandfather when not out on tour entertaining his legions of fans.

Attending a state-run high school for the blind, the talented youngster gained independence but was subjected to the unchecked discipline of certain thuggish teachers. In college he considered a career as an attorney, but wisely determined music was more his speed.

In addition to the typical biographical data, Ronnie expounds on numerous subjects. Politically speaking, he expresses outrage over the Supreme Court decision (recent when this work was first published) legalizing flag burning. The conservative patriotic principles he advocates are a welcome change from the usual show biz liberal diatribes. That's just one of many stereotypes Ronnie Milsap's life has shattered.

I have always had great admiration and respect for Ronnie Milsap. He has been a true inspriration to me for nearly 25 years. My piano teacher knew how much a role model he was to me as a child, and she used that to keep me from giving up. After reading the book, my love, respect, and admiration for him is 5 times greater! The book is beautifully written with so much honesty, emotion, and love. It made me cry, and it made me laugh outloud! This man is a phenomenon that we could all learn a lesson or two from. "It Was Almost Like A Song" inspired me all over again! I haven't read a book with so much feeling since I was in high school; I couldn't put it down at night to go to sleep! No Milsap fan would want to miss this one!

...a must have to add to you collection. I read this book in one day. The author has chosen a subject very close to HOME! Please read this book and purchase a copy for your best friend. You may just learn a thing or two about your FRIENDS! ( it is a great stocking stuffer)

It took me longer to get the book than it took to read it. Mr. Carter, did a great job of slicing a piece of life onto the pages of his wonderful story and allowing us to experience a world which we don't see very often. I would recommend his work to anyone, and look forward to his next project.

Carter did a superb job on his portrayal of friendship in this story. This book was fun to read, hard to put down. Now that I've finished it, I wish there was more.

I enjoyed this book to the hilt!

This book came to me from a friend, I was stunned by the authors candor, his willingness to reveal what his experiences have been, and to tell what had happend to him as he was thrust into the 'system'. Not an offender, but for protection!! His choices spiraled him into a repetitive whirwind without a possibility of escape. How sad that adults abuse children to relieve their own frustrations and perversions. This book should be destributed to every high school in the country, so that these, so called, 'tough kids' can see their possible future in the makeing... by the choices they make. They do have them, this book will help them make the right ones. We were not put here, without a way out, that way out is to use our God given intelligence and a willingness to understand our nature..

I can't say much since the author tells it in great detail. I don't think a doubted any of the facts that are presented to the reader with a lot of emotion. It was by accident that I came upon the book at the Los Angeles City College Library. On the cover was a picture of this innocent boy looking at me with sad eyes. I opened the book and enetered a world where misery is welcomed, where it is a matter of survival of the fittest but stripped of any chance. Being a man, I have cried over this book like a baby. Alas, I have not been able to do much since I don't know who to contact. This book should be reprinted, and, with good marketing, distributed all over the world. IT IS POSSIBLE.

I recently interviewed Mr. Abbott after a years wait. I sat in his office where he struggles to build his business. Before me was an imposing man, intelligent and handsome. His smile and sense of humor caught me off guard. I expected something else from a man who had lived inside a eight by ten foot prison cell for nearly forty years of his fifty seven years upon this earth. He admits he has robbed raped and murdered. He shares with me his past life has been a nightmare he will never forget. I will not go into all we discussed but, I must wonder how such a man can forgive us for creating a juvenile penal system that molded him in preperation for the life he lived when we find it so very difficult to forgive him. His book leaves anyone who reads it with haunting thoughts. Yet, few who have read it has taken the time to seek change within the system we, society, entrust our troubled youth to. I Cried, You Didn't Listen is a haunting horror story of what really goes on behind the fences and walls where we place children who need help. We learn that instead of a "rehabilitation" process there is widespread abuse in all forms, long stays in solitary confinement, beatings and a condoned by staff pecking order amongst the children that is intimadating and destructive. Will we now move to change a system that destroys what we intended for these children? Or will we turn our backs and convince ourselves it is "the best we have?" I asked Mr. Abbott what he would do if he had it all to do over. His response was, "I would ask not to be born."I left Mr, Abbott convinced he would never again offend us, societies members, by returning to criminal acts but, I now realize there are many incarcerated children being prepared to follow in the footsteps of the man who shared his shame, and his pain, with us.

A friend gave me the book to read a few years ago. It was great! It helped me to see the controlling part of my personality. I didn't know how damaging it was to me and others. Now, I need to share it with others who are struggling with the same issues, but I can't find a copy. Please let me know where I can find this book.

I learned from this book how one of my greatest strengths in controlling circumstances at work created problems with relationships with those i loved the most when i used those same techniques at home. i also learned ways to change my behavior for the better which has made life at home much more harmonious for all. i have loaned this book to so many others that have found it extremely helpful that my copy is now dog-eared. Please let me know if anyone has info on how to purchase additional copies, since i would like to have them available to give to others. badges@gate.net.

I have used this book with many clients and their families. It is a great resource tool in understanding controlling personalities. However, I loaned by book to a client and never got it back. Does any one know where i can obtain another? chastainjb@aol.com.

This is an excellent guide if you have questions regarding your own home-based business. You can find out what you can deduct and what you can not deduct all from this book.

This book was OUTSTANDING. It completely and simply explained everything that I needed to know about taxes, expenses, etc. before I started my business. Most HIGHLY recommend that anyone considering starting a business purchase this book.

Reverting back to my comments on Mr. Daily's( Tax Savvy For Small Businesses) and Mr. Kamoroff's(A Small time Operator)reviews, this book coupled with the two previously mentioned books, should provide an outstanding foundation to start off with, as far as what you should and must do to operate a small business when it concerns your tax liability.

This books concentration is based more on past precedents passed down by both the Appeals Courts and the Tax Courts, and what procedures can and cannot be implemented. Gives specific instruction in accordance with the IRC code, to follow and to determine what can be done to legally lower your tax liability.

This book is more legally technical than both books I mentioned above. While Daily's book gives you general examples of accounting procedures and legalities, Kamoroff book gets into the nuts and bolts of accounting procedures, along with a step by step guide to implement those procedures. These 3 books should be on every entrepenuer's shelf, for future reference and procedures.

I recommend this book only for serious enthusiasts who are truly passionate about authentic Thai cooking/food and are not looking for quick, adapted recipes!

Having enjoyed authentic Thai food during my trips to Thailand, I am repeatedly disappointed with the adapted versions found in most local restaurants here. Since I am an avid cook, I have been experimenting to replicate the dishes I had in Thailand.

After some research I found David Thompson's "Thai Food" to be a rare find. Most Thai cook books I have come across provide adapted recipes with shortcuts and suggested substitutes for ingredients! How dreadful! Undoubtedly, Thai food involves much effort and can even be tedious. But the taste is well worth it. More importantly, ingredients in Thai cooking CAN NOT be substituted if the REAL flavor and aroma are to be achieved. For example, if you are going to substitute regular ginger for galangal (Thai ginger), or lime zest for kaffir lime zest, as many books suggest - you may as well not cook Thai food!

This is what sets David's book apart from the rest - he sticks to the real stuff! He painstakingly explains all the details of real Thai cooking, discussing each ingredient and various techniques followed by the recipes. While some recipes are quite cumbersome or require ingredients which are not easily available, the book is worth the insight it provides into authentic Thai cuisine. Once you understand the basics, you can be creative by combing basic Thai ingredients with techniques and create your own recipes without straying from the flavors, tastes and aroma of REAL Thai cuisine!

One complaint however: where is the recipe for Yum Woon Sen??

This is the one. The definitive guide to Thai cuisine. Having lived in Thailand I can say that this book is destined to be a classic. Thorough is an understatement. Beautiful design and photography. The only fault is a disappointing Thai transliteration system devised by the author and no Thai script to back it up. But the average reader will have no use for Thai script anyway. This isn't a weekend cookbook, it's Larousse. And that's why it's great.

After cooking about the fifth dish from this book ("Stir Fried Beef with Spices") with palate-boggling success , I would like to recommend this book to anybody serious about Thai cooking. While there are no shortcuts (consistent with the author's view to keep things as original as possible) the result is well worth the effort. Some things sound more complicated than they are. Furthermore, this is the first Thai cookbook out of the five or six I have got which explains in detail some really important techniques (like the cracking of coconut cream and why this is important for frying curry pastes). The background chapters are highly recommended.

My two open questions are why the Gaeng Panaeng is far from "dry" (with about five cups of coconut milk/cream) and why there is no recipe for Yam Wun Sen (a favourite of my Thai girlfriend, and I thought it was a classic dish). But these are minor points and maybe there is a good reason (I would be curious to learn).

All in all: Highly recommended, together with "Vatch" Bhumichitr's books (whose writing style and inside country knowledge I also like very much) my favourite cookbook.

I only thought I had heard about Billy Carter. This is a wonderful book, written by a sensitive, loving son of a famous man. Buddy Carter is a thoughtful, intellegent author who gives an unvarnished account of his battle with and affection for his dad. I recommend this book to all of us who struggle to understand our relationship with our parents. Buddy Carter and his book are a gift.

This is a magnificent book. It is often painful and yet also very funny. Buddy Carter's relationship with his father is reminicent of the struggle many children go through for approval, while striving for independence. I am buying copies of this wonderful story for family and friends. Buddy has not only told his story...he has told the father/son story of many, including me. This is a must read!

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Buddy Carter writes with a style that is poignant, funny and very touching. This tale of pain and forgiveness touched my soul and I will recommend it to everyone. Buddy Carter is quite a writer and I am sure BOTH of his parents are quite proud of the way he brought forth this wonderful family story.

Jimmy Answell is summoned for an audience with Avory Hume. The two men are later discovered after witnesses break into Hume's study - a room with bolted steel shutters and a heavy door locked on the inside. Answell is found lying unconscious and Hume stabbed to death with an arrow. How can young Answell but be guilty? How could Sir Henry Merrivale (H.M.!) be foolhardy enough to undertake his defence at the Old Bailey? And what is the 'Judas Window' to which H.M. keeps alluding?

This is John Dickson Carr (aka Carter Dickson), the acknowledged master of the locked room mystery, in top form. The quality of the puzzle in The Judas Window is superior to that in The Three Coffins (popularly regarded as Carr's best book and the most famous locked room murder mystery). The case unfolds through the medium of a riveting courtroom drama that simply ought to have been filmed. The comic touches provided by H.M. as defence counsel are terrific. And the modus operandi of the crime is stunning in its simplicity and the conviction it carries. Less convincing however (and this is what makes the book stop just short of perfection) is the murderer's motive. But this flaw makes only a ripple in the overall masterly construction of the mystery.

Don't miss it!

Carter Dickson (also known as John Dickson Carr) created another wonderful golden age locked room mystery in his novel, The Judas Window. Sir Henry Marrivale is the sleuth and he is, as always, a dependable joy. The author has surrounded him with an able cast of supporting characters to help nudge the story along. The triumph, of course, and the reason for this book's existence is the locked room crime. Carter Dickson knows how to tease the mystery and drama out of this glorious cliche, making it seem fresh and new. This is a classic from a thrilling time in mystery writing by a true master of the form. Not to be missed.

Dickson and John Dickson Carr are the same. He specialized in Locked Room mysteries. In various polls in mystery mags he always ends up at the top of locked room mysteries. I like this the best of his novels, but the Hollw Man (under Carr) is usually considered the best. His short story "The House in Goblin Wood" is I think even better -- simply the best locked room story ever.

Other writers to look for in locked rooms: Clayton Rawson, Ellery Queen (sometimes a locked room).

Ishould point out that as a novel aside from the puzzle its not very interesting. You read these things for the mystery and the detective!

What an incredible account of these lost people. The book does have an academic sound to it, but the events more than keep you interested. Its almost like real-life science fiction. They have an idea that something's out there. They look for it and find more than they bargained for. Those that like history or lost and found will like this one.

I purchased this book on a visit to Williamsburg and it sat on my shelf for quite a while before I seriously dove in. This book combines a clear explaination of archaeological methods with the building suspense of a good detective novel. As The author and his team uncover the existence of an early Virginia colony and utilize an astounding range of techniques and research to slowly piece together the lives of the inhabitants you will be drawn into the past. More than that you will be excited to read on and discover with these archaeologists what really happened. I.N. Hume writes eloquently on all aspects of organizing and proceeding with a project of this scale and mixes those details regarding administration and method with the fascinating story of the settlement of Martin's Hundred flawlessly. I could not imagine a better introduction to the discipline of archaeology for the layperson.

While you might think that a book about historic archaeology would be dry and boring (and many are!), Ivor Noel Hume's story of the archaeological dig, the background research, and the people of the 17th century who lived at Martin's Hundred is fascinating. This is probably the only archaeology book that you won't be able to put down because you will want to find out what happened next. If only I could write as well!

Anyone who is interested in knowing more about the personal side of Gen. Robert E. Lee and the people who stood behind him and allowed him to become great (his family) will enjoy this insight into their everyday lives and the heritage the author (Lee's great-granddaughter) has had to live up to throughout her life.

I would strongly recommend this.

This book is a great one for providing us a glimpse into life over 100 years ago. It is hard to imagine what a woman had to do back then to create the genteel life. Every household had to be self-sufficient, as this remarkable volume shows, making its own foodstuff, soap and cleansers. I loved this book and have shared it with good friends.

Mix together some spicy ingredients of Southern history, add "receipts" (aka recipes) for food, plus personal memoir, and a fascinating book is ready for you to devour or to send to friends as a gift.
What a marvelous, brilliant weaving together of the family history of the Robert E. Lee family, along with insider Civil War history, social history, food history, family characters and so on, have been put together by Anne Carter Zimmer, who gives us recipes one longs to try. I definitely want to attempt the Charlotte Russe and certainly the Sally Lunn. (Wish I had the courage for the oyster dish where, halfway throughout, you throw out one batch of oysters and add a fresh batch.) When I read the book's first line, "We didn't make much of ancestors when I was growing up," (this from the great-grandaughter of Robert E. Lee), I knew I was in touch with an authentic voice and that I would love this book. And love it I did.