This is not a type of beautifully decorated book usually found on coffee table to amuse guests even though it is of superb quality. It belongs in the workshop. It is written for both inspired and motivated beginners as well as serious luthiers. The chapter on tuning plates is revealing but can confuse a beginner. Since I am a beginner myself, I wished for complete measurements of the violin. I overcame the shortcomings by contacting a supplier of woods, tools and plans. Rest assured, the author included the list of suppliers at the end of the book.

I have purchased a few books on Violin making and this is by the far the most impressive of all. This book is full of clever techniques and lead you through the complete process from beginning to end, including the delicate area of varishing. Alternative methods are also give for some key areas, such as hollowing out the back and front of the voilin. The thing that makes this book stand out from the others is the artwork and the photographs that accompany each step of the process and the superb presentation. The tip I liked the best, was how to solve the problem of forming the rib joint at the bottom of the voilin. Being a novice, I struggled with this initially.

If there had to be a criticism it would be that it does not have typical template for the main mould, however this is only minor as templates are available from a various other sources.

This book is worth every penny..

This book has the best drawings and photographs of the process of violin making that I have ever seen. Large format, good camera angle, good shadowing and lighting. I have been an amateur violin maker for a long time and I learned about a half a dozen new procedures or tool modifications right away. I highly recommend this book for aspiring violin makers.

Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, And Corruption Of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson studies the history, politics, and personalities (both good and bad), that shaped and influenced Atlantic City during the years of the twentieth century. Ranging from corrupt crime bosses, to the influence of Republican politics, to the present day characterization of Atlantic City as a haven for entertainment and gambling, Boardwalk Empire is an absorbing, informative, and at times startling chronicle of an American city. Boardwalk Empire is a strongly recommended addition to Political Science and 20th Century American History collections.

I am pleased to be the first reader from Atlantic City to review this book. It goes without saying that it was of special interest to me. Throughout my life I have met several of the key figures in this book, so it was fascinating to learn more about their lives.

I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it to anyone interested in Atlantic City. It was well written and researched. Nelson Johnson repeats facts when they become relative to another incident. This makes it much easier to keep track of the players and how one event or person influences another years later.

Johnson helps local residents understand why a unique racial tension still exists in this small northern city. This may not be apparent to readers unfamiliar with the area.

If I were to change anything about this book, it would be the last few pages. It ends with Nelson Johnson giving his opinion on the future of Atlantic City and how it can avoid its mistakes of the past. It is my feeling that this possibly belonged in a separate conclusion but not as the ending to the last chapter.

History buffs and political junkies will love this book.

I have been interested in this most amazing city for about 30 years now. I thought that I had nothing else to learn about the city until I read Boardwalk Empire. Thank you Mr. Johnson for bringing a lot of new information to light in a most enjoyable fashion. Once started, it was hard to put this excellent book to rest. I highly recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in urban America. This book is a sure thing.

I am a home-school tutor and have read this book to some of my students. Besides thoroughly enjoying the storyline, they were able to grasp what life was like during this terrible time and understand that the Civil War was not just about slavery as so many people believe. They were also able to learn about forgiveness and that there are always two sides to every story. My students begged me to read it each day and were wanting more books by this author when it was over.

Jennifer Johnson Garrity has captured the hearts of my children with her true-to-life Civil War story, "The Bushwhacker." American history, to them, used to be filled the drudgery of memorizing dates and names, but through reading "The Bushwhacker," the Civil War has come alive through the story of two families and their struggles.

The story is of Jacob and Eliza Knight, two children severed from their parents by masked gunmen with torches, as they fled their home being engulfed by flames. Finding themselves alone, they struggle to survive in the war-torn state of Missouri, where a bushwhacker's mask at night hides the smile of a lifelong neighbor by day. They're forced to take refuge in a home of an enemy sympathizer where Jacob learns through the bitterness of revenge the freedom of forgiveness.

Through Eliza and Jacob's trials, my children gained an understanding of both sides of the war along with a message of forgiveness and unity that is powerful and engaging.

My ten-year-old is studying the Civil War this year at school, and shared her copy of "The Bushwhacker" with her teacher. Her teacher not only enjoyed reading it herself, but has also added it to her class curriculum.

I found THE BUSHWHACKER to be readable, interesting and informative. Although the setting is the Civil War, the book opens many opportunities for discussions as the situation is similar to events in many parts of our world today (such as Kosovo, N. Ireland). The theme of forgiveness and peacemaking can never be emphasized too often. Though I am an adult, I found the book held my interest to the very end.

"A Divorced Mother Talks to God," by impressive writer Shirley Priscilla Johnson is a non-fiction that reads better than a lot of fiction books I have read on this topic. I applaud this woman not just as a fabulous writer but for her strength as well. Ms. Johnson is a very impressive woman to be sure! To go through what she has gone through and survive is an amazing task in itself. Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are indeed a very brave woman and an inspiration to many. You have taken a few of life's stumbling blocks and turned them into stepping-stones! GOOD FOR YOU! Your story is both a real page turner and a tear-jerker and I would give your book "10" Stars if that were an option!

(A Highly Recommended True Story!)

Every so often I run across a book that stays in my mind and heart for weeks after reading it. This is just such a book. It was not what I expected in any way. Oh, I suspected it would be well worth reading, but the raw heart of this woman embedded in her prose was overwhelming. Her story made me cry until my nose ran and I couldn't see to read.

Shirley Johnson's non-fiction story is simply written, from a heart that manages to hope despite her struggles. How this young mother with small children found the strength to hope that her marriage would hold together is beyond my imagination. Years of physical and mental abuse, infidelity, and broken promises were all she had to show for her devotion. Despite it all, she still believed her marriage could be saved.

Hope finally dies on a long road trip south. With a callousness I found blood chilling, the author's husband puts on a loving masquerade to lure his wife and children far from home. He abandons his frightened wife and helpless babies, leaves them to fend for themselves. His parting shot is that he's found another woman and he wants a divorce. Reading of her shock and fear, her loneliness, almost broke my heart. In the wake of this abandonment, she turns to an always faithful God in her despair. Her painfully honest talks with God about every aspect of her life are recorded in stark detail. I imagined Shirley Johnson's tears on every page, in every prayer.

Don't expect closure or a happy ending to this first book of a continuing series. She will find her treasure with God's help before the series ends, I'm sure, and I look forward to future books with anticipation. The author's writing style is simple, effective, and her walk of faith is inspiring. I recommend this book to anyone who finds themselves in the throes of a divorce, or to those who need to understand the pain that comes of broken hearts and marriages....

This is by far the most heart wrenching story I've ever read. Any woman who has gone through a divorce could empathize with her, but she endured so much more. The lack of money and having 3 children, not knowing where her next meal was coming from or where she was going to live, dealing with cold, uncaring people had to have been almost unbearable. I can tell you that she is a better person than I am and her faith seems to be unshakable.

I can only pray that God blesses her for what she's been through.

I am a hugely ardent fan of the movie... and I think I have to admit that is even better. It goes into a lot more depth- this is apparently what Pogue really wanted to do with the screenplay but couldn't. You get tons more about character here too and the whole story is somehow filled out. There are some very funny bits (Gilbert's first encounter with Draco par example...), and some haunting dark passages - a lot of Einon's thoughts...
And everything describing Draco and his thoughts is just beautiful... There's a bit near the end where he wants a last flight and sunshine which completely breaks my heart *sob*.
It's the sort of book I will gladly stay up all night reading... beautifully written... just amazing!!!




(Pls. note: this review was written by me about the BOOK - I don't know how much the tape has been abridged, but I strongly suggest you read the book anyway cos, as I said, it's brilliant!!)

I read this book because of an article I read in which Charles Edward Pogue claimed that his screenplays for Dragonheart & Kull were savaged by their Directors. To give the man a fair shake, I read his Dragonheart Novel. I can see why he was so upset! Wherever the film takes a wrong turn, the Novel goes in the right direction. Everything that is wrong about the film is RIGHT in the Novel. The writing, while now and then a little spare [which is better than overwriting] and a little too modern, is, overall, exceedingly literate [some of the dialogue is close to Tad Williams level]. The characters are believable and involving. The story explains itself and it's world. I HIGHLY recommend buying a copy of Dragonheart!

Ijust have to say that I love this book!! Also the movie is Awesome!!!!

I loved this book! Libby, Caleb, and Jordan feel like friends. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. And I didn't know this stuff about the Underground Railroad. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson, for writing such a good book.

12-year-old Libby Norstad had lived with her aunt for several years because of her mother's death, hardly seeing her father, captain of the steamboat Christina, and leading a sheltered life. But things change quickly, and Libby moves onto the steamboat with her father! She meets Caleb, the cabin boy, who seems different to Libby. He's a part of the Underground Railroad, helping slaves reach freedom, and along with Captain Norstad, he teaches Libby some important lessons about being free. In fact, Caleb and Captain Norstad take a fugitive slave, Jordan, on board to help him find his family. Unfortunately, the Christina is being followed by Jordan's former owner, Riggs. Libby and Caleb need to keep Jordan hidden from him, but is it possible with such a crafty man?

This book was great! It was exciting and you didn't know what would happen next. I liked how they pulled off their plan of helping Jordan! I would recommend this book!

What a fun way to learn rock guitar via a superstar like Hendrix. As a teacher I found the book easy to understand and enjoyable to students who want to rock like Hendrix (who doesn't?). It introduces the right beginner chords, scales, and has a great accompanying CD.

This is a great book for beginners (4.5*). While it will not teach you everying, it covers most of the basics(although the minor pentatonic scale box is conspicuously absent) and surprisingly concisely. It is very attractively formated and includes a useful CD. By focusing on the music of well known Jimi Hendrix tracks the beginner can feel real meaningful progress from the start. There is also a good website associated with this book. I wish I had this book when I first started! This book alone is a good starting point and should provide inspiration -- I would also recommend David Meads excellent beginners guide to accompany this and fill in the gaps. By the way there is a more advanced Jimi Hendrix follow on to this book by the same author but I think it comes as a 2 video set possibly with a book attached -- I have not tried that (yet) so I cannot comment on its value.]

I checked out this book from the library out of curiosity. I figured that anything Hendrix would be impossible for a beginner. I couldn't have been more wrong. This book is a perfect book to start learning with. It teaches theory by demonstrating its use in Jimi's music. It is an excellent starter reference and has plenty of fun exercises to practice. On top of that it in includes a instructional CD so you can hear the ideas described and hear if you are practicing correctly. I have just begun learning how to play and this is my favorite book. For [X] you can learn to jam with Jimi!

****My mom bought this for 10-year-old Amanda, who has eczema, and has to be careful what she puts on her skin.
~ - ~ - ~
For other pre teens who need to be careful of skin, - this is great! You know what the ingredients are, as you make the concoctions yourself. Now all can join the herbal and scented shampoo/body potion craze.
****
Directions are easy to follow, but be prepared for a little searching for a couple ingredients (we initially had trouble finding sea salt which was used in one of the best recipes)

Great recipes included milk bath for dry skin, and salt skin scrubs (seriously-feels great!) for mild exfoliating and skin softening.

Pre-teens and teens can follow recipe instructions fairly easily, but may need help shopping for a couple of the more hard to find ingredients. (Natural beauty supply stores and the Internet helped)

****Lots of good, *clean*, healthy fun, attractive to young teen girls

I have to say, I'm a sucker for Klutz books. They give simple, easy to read instructions, and you get all of the supplies to do it with! How fun!
The Body Book is my favorite book of all, though. It has tons of recepies for your skin, hair, face, hands, nails, and feet. All the ingredients I have tried so far have made a signifant difference after I tried them! The book includes three essensial oil bottles, a shower cap, tools for your nails, a foot scrub, and a face brush. The pictures in the book are beautiful as well, which makes it all the more worthwile to read. Who would I suggest this book to? Girls 12 and up, teenage girls would especially love it, but I'm sure many women would too! It makes a great gift!

I recently purchased this book and it is fantastic! It has recipes for hair,face, hands, feet, etc. I've tried some recipes and they actually work! This book comes with a spa box that contain 3 essiential oils and other items that are necessary. It also shows you to give a complete facial, manicure and pedicure! All the recipes are simple and you could find the ingrediaents in your kitchen! Enjoy!

It was my privilege to have known Frank Johnson while serving with him in Vietnam. There were many times we set across from each other on our bunks and thanked God we were still alive. Frank indeed was a warrior and a man of great courage but there was also another side that was warm kind and gentle. A man that would take the time to listen to your problems, to help you when you were down and to support you when you needed a friend. This book is an accurate accountant of places and events that took place as seen through the eyes of Frank Johnson.With great pleasure I recommend you read this book. It is a supreme insight into what it was like for a 19 your old to have been exposed to the horrors of war. Burgess Wetta

This book really gives you the first hand account on what happen day by day to this soldier. What a great history lesson. It isn't soften down by someones memories of the Vietnam War but gives you the actual feelings that happen on that day. I find that when I am reading I get lost in the moment and feel like I am right in the jungle with this soldier. I was only 10 yrs old little girl when this was taking place. I looked up my birthday because I wanted to see what this guy was doing on that day when I was celebrating my birthday. Gave me a strange feeling. Thank you to ALL the war veterans who have fought for our freedom.

A LRRP'S YEAR IN A COMBAT ZONE...This was an excellent book. I just bought the book 2 days ago, and just finished it tonight. I had to read it every chance I got. The hell these guys went through, detailed explicitly in this book, is amazing. The honor and courage that these men showed, went above and beyond the call of duty. Definitely a must read, especially for those who have been in the military, and especially for those who have seen combat...it has certainly brought back memories for me.....

A useful guide to help identify specimens. They profile similiar species in similar poses, very helpful. It doesn't offer as many species as the RTP guides, but then RTP guides don't show photos. I also suspect that the guide I have isn't as likely to handle weathering (mud/rain/etc) as well as the RTP bindings.

Excellent guide, color plates are great aids for quicky identification as well as colored maps explaining range of each specie, it also explains details of each specie in a very detailed way and suggest many tips in order to recognize particular species. I own many guides and honestly this is part of my favorites and best guides, maybe you wont find anything better than this except for the Audubon Guides, considering the extensive color pictures on those...
Sorry about my grammar, Im from Mexico.

This book was my bible as a boy. For anyone who enjoys watching small creatures in their natural habitats, the life-histories of amphibians and reptiles can be very enjoyable. This book is educational and extremely comprehensive. Even after moving to Europe, I kept my copy of this book, purely for sentimental value (none of the species from back home are to be found over here).

The book is written for those who want a lot of information, yet it is accessible for anyone from a very inquisitive boy or girl, through to university students who want to identify species in the wild. (I know, I used my copy from the age of ten to twenty-five on countless field trips and excursions.)

It's sturdy and affordable, especially considering the amount of information it contains. There are many b/w illustrations within the text showing specific identifying features, and a nice set of colour and black and white plates. More useful than Audubon, if you like these peaceful little animals this book will be with you for a long time.