I just discoverd this wonderful book at a local bed and breakfast near the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The photos are remarkable and I had to get my own copy after climbing the same dunes.

This is an absolutely gorgeous book. Thomas has truly put the best of Sleeping Bear on paper! The bad news is that now it will be more crowded up there because so many will see what they've been missing.

A stunning and beautiful book showcasing the legendary Sleeping Bear Dunes. The photos come to life on the page, included are views no longer visible because of natural growth. The text has captured the soul of the area and does nature proud to be so well represented. A perfect addition to your library, or as a gift.

I was 5 yrs. old when the Viet Nam war ended. I've often wondered about what happened there? I never knew that the US Marines worked in programs such as the CAC/CAP special forces units. this book made my skin crawl as I felt I was there! I recommend this as a read for anyone like me, wanting to know about Viet Nam!

Buy this book and you will be taken back to Vietnam. This book isnt hollywoodized. It is one mans account and feelings this is his life. The author isnt polished but he is genuine. He lets you feel as he did this is not the story of a hero although he is it is about a very young man growing up quickly adapting to change and surviving once you pick it up you wont put it down. What you will do is laugh, cry, and do a lot of thinking. Most of us know someone who was in vietnam and while no man lived the experience exactly the same there were many similarities. Read this story as its told through the eyes of Private Flynn. You wont regret it.

I was the "Hospital Corspman aka 'Doc' " in Tom Flynn's Vietnam story. He did complete justice to the soldiers actual experience! The names were changed, but I can testify to the incidents that he wrote about. Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down until I finished. Get the book... You won't be disappointed. John Whitten CHA aka "Doc"

Up until recently the group I game with has avoided 3rd ed like the plague. Now I may finally have the chance to get us to play since Warriors offers some intresting alternatives to typically fantasy play. After all it's not every day you see Massive fleets of dirgibles and balloons coming at you (not unless you play warcraft at least.)

Mike Varhola & co. have done an amazing job in adapting historically-based classes and weaponry to the d20 system. With over 30 military subtypes, they've covered everything from gladiators to templars and beyond. Each category is thoroughly layed out with a description, requirements to play that class, skills, and special features. In addition, there are skills, equipment, spells, and creatures that are described in great detail to fill out any campaign. A special treat included is a breakdown of heraldry and suggestions on how you can apply it to a classic D&D campaign setting. I can't help but recommend this text to anyone who wants to add a little historical flavor to their game.

I reviewed a book called Experts last year which I thought was a really great sourcebook for NPC's. When I saw Skirmisher was releasing another NPC sourcebook, I snatched it up right away.

The first thing I noticed was the cover. It has a very striking and beautiful painted cover. With regards to art and design, the developers have made great strides since Experts. There is a ton of original art, and the layout is very clean and easy to read.

I was originally worried that this book might be too similar to some other books that cover similar topics such as "Sword and Fist". Happily, there is almost NO similarity. "Warriors" doesn't mess around invent stupid non-sensical character types. All the prestige classes and sub-types are based on real military units. This doesn't mean that there is no magic or fantasy, it just means it is implemented in a rational way. I think history buffs will really get a kick out of this book because it is so well researched. Want to add some infantry men, artillerists, marines, etc to your game? Warriors will help you had dimension to your warrior NPCs. Highly Recommended.

for years, i've been searching for the answers about the taoist principles such as the wu wei or the yin and yang. i had a very good collection of taoist books in my library such as the tao te ching (i got three versions), the chuang tzu (2 versions), a lieh tzu e book, and many more. i've been reading them but it is just so hard for me to learn how to use the taoist principles to my everyday life. tao te ching is too esoteric, chuang tzu is too complicated due to his story-telling and fables, lieh tzu is alright but i needed something direct.

one day, i was walking in a bookstore and i saw the wen tzu. i asked myself, "what the hell is the wen tzu?" so as i looked at the cover, it says that it is the further teachings of lao tzu. now that adds more to the "what the hell" in my head. but i gave it a try. after reading a few passages, i am very happy to say that Wen Tzu is actually the book i've been waiting for. why? first of all, it's very direct like an "in your face" kind of explanation. second, wen tzu for me is actually an extension, more detailed version of the Tao Te Ching, not mentioning how big the book is. it's safe to say that this is the tao te ching, the director's cut, or the guide to the tao te ching. it is that good. believe me. even i believe that it was written by lao tzu because of its content. you'll just have to read it to believe it, and i'm happy to share this book to those who are looking for a great taoist book, or a book that can motivate you to live peacefully.

always smile a lot and take care.

I hadn't heard of the Wen-Tzu until I'd noticed it among other Taoist books, and figured I'd give it a try. I was impressed - it's another one of those Taoist books that, like the Hui-Nan-Tzu, contains a lot, but gets less "airtime" than the Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu, and Lieh-Tzu.

This is a good solid read, and the influence of previous Taoist works (especially the Tao Te Ching) is obvious, and common Taoist trains of thought are further analyzed.

In short, buy it.

Written more than 2000 years ago, this book addresses subjects in a manner still relevant to modern problems.

See Chapter 87 on the absurdity of get-tough laws, and on the impotence of intellectual social experimentation. See Chapter 89 for an ancient articulation of post-modern anti-foundationalism, Chapter 103 on why class-based laws ultimately fail. Chapter 107 advocates proactivism over reactionism. Chapters 111-112 explain why well-intentioned social programs often harm their beneficiaries. 125 explains why government is needed to protect minorities. 151 advocates environmentalism. 158 demostrates the dire results of partisan politics and poll-watching.

All in all a remarkable text that makes modern politics and society stand up in new relief.

Because West Nile virus disease is an emerging
concern in my area, I was really interested to
find out more about the virus and the disease.
West Nile - Outbreak in New York City was just
what I needed. Not only was the book informative,
but the writing style pulls the reader into the
plot very quickly. O'Brien presents an exceptional
narrative voice, and this novel is likely to become
a movie!

West Nile is a compelling read. All the action and plot of a Patricia Cornwell novel, but a heck of a lot more interesting!
Can't wait for the next novel.

O'Brien has followed up on his previous work, THE TATA-BOX VIRUS, with an amazing book. This is an exceptionally interesting, fast-paced medical thriller. O'Brien's plots are gripping and the characters are fully developed. This is one of those books that is hard to put down once you've started it, and I am waiting for his next novel! It is a great read!

For quite some time I have been searching for a book that explains 'how' the brain works in simple although not simplistic terms. Too many books spend too much time on tangents of debatable psychology or hotly contentious theories currently in vogue. This book hits the nail on the head. It provides enough historical information to put the subject matter in context. It describes enough of the current theories to give the reader an idea of the current state of research. It uses wit and humour in such a way as to make the subject matter easy to relate to. It answers the questions such as 'what exactly happens when we see things' by following the chain of events from the point at which a photon reaches our eye and then provides an understandable, yet scientific / biological / mechanical explanation of the series of events that follow. Significant detail (down to the molecular level) is provided without boring the reader and is also presented in the context of 'the big picture'. Other science writers should read this book and learn from Czerner's writing style. A tasteful blend of biology, chemistry, psychology, philosophy and wit. This book will make you want to read more on the subject. My only disappointment is that Czerner hasn't published more!

Dr. Czerner brings us up to date about the discoveries and theories laymen need to understand about the brain. The fascinating result is just what he promises, that we can never think the same way again about how the brain thinks. Indeed, there is much more mechanical stuff there than is to be believed. He interweaves a lot of difficult science with a light touch and friendly air. All scientists and science writers need to learn to write like this, taking the jargon out while preserving the mysteries, miracles, and majesty of the brain and the neuro-scientists who have learned so much about it during the past fifty years.

Contrary to conventional wisdown, thousands of new neurons arrive at your frontal lobes every day. Our daily experiences can literally change our mind, rerouting paths which were once believed to be hard-wired. As the author puts it (pg 3), "Sadly, reports of this research are relished almost exclusively by a small community of neuroscientists." And as he quotes (pg 173) Daniel Dennett , "vision requires expectations". A professor of Ophtalmology in San Francisco, his writing is not only clear and vivid, but also his breadth of knowledge and his insights are among the things that makes this book a delight to read. There will be so many fascinating things you will learn from this book that I could hardly recommend it more. Your neuronal paths will not remain the same.

I read this collection of sermons in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. And I wished I could have heard them. This message is powerful (of course! It's got the power of the Creator of the universe behind it!) and practical. These words grasp the hurting soul and show a better way, a way out of pain. No sugar coating or shortcuts here.

In looking for a book to give advice to a heartbroken teenage Christian girl - who had fallen into sexual sin- I stumbled upon this treasure. How refreshing to hear from an African American male on this subject. As a female, we can only give girls so much advice, but when the girls hear it from the male point of view, maybe they will believe what Christian mothers have been trying to say to their daughters for years. I also found the book helpful for parents as well. Have your teen read this book as soon as the issue of dating comes up!

It went from curiosity to a life-changing journey. Dr. Thomas has delivered his soul to people struggling with relationship additions. He delivered his heart and faith to the fiber of my feelings. It was during the second reading that I transformed from teacher to pupil. I have taught teens for years the fundamentals of love God's way. Never have I heard so succinctly the truth God's love His way. Melodramas, relationship additions, sex-capades and stuck on stupid are all spelled with care and honesty from an author with an attitude. His book shook my soul and broke my heart. I knew God was dealing with my own weaknesses, then. When God's uses this author in real time, you know a booklet of this caliber has the passion and power of a preacher at large. He delivered his soul and saved mine. Read it and be changed. It may save your relationships.

"The White and The Gold" tell the epic story of the French regime in Canada. Beginning with the early explorers, we meet the heroes and villains who charted the northern rivers and lakes, cleared the forests, evangelized the Indians and built the country that grew into Canada. The names from history books come alive on these pages. Jacques Cartier, Etienne Brule, Samuel de Champlain, Jean de Breboeuf, Msgr. Laval, Frontenac and so many others become real people to the reader.

The French settlers' conflict with the Iroquois receives much deserved attention. The conflict with the Iroquois dominated the development and settlement patterns throughout the French era. I always wondered how the Iroquois could give the French so much trouble when the other Indian tribes were allied with the French. In this book Costain gives the answer. The Iroquois were more intelligent and better warriors than the Huron, Erie and other tribes with whom the French allied themselves. The Iroquois not only harassed the French but actually destroyed some of their adversarial tribes, leaving place names as their only legacies.

I was surprised to see how much attention is devoted to the French personalities and events which had an impact on New France. We hear much of Louis XIV, Cardinal Richeleau and other figures who shaped French policy regarding Canada.

I started this book in hopes of learning about my French-Canadian ancestors. If finished it very well satisfied.

Fascinating book, captivating, and easily readable. It tells an accurate, historical story of the colonial French history in North America (New France). From the discovery of St Lawrence seaway to voyages along the Great Lakes, inland rivers of the Northeast,the Mississippi River, and settlements all the way to New Orleans; the French clearly provided lasting profound imprints on North America. The book's last chapter ends with the loss of the French to the English on the Plains of Abraham in Montreal. This battle ended the French and Indian War. New France was renamed Canada. The White and the Gold vividly brings to life this exciting and pivotal historical aspects of North America.

Magnificent history of early French- Canada. Costain has a very readable style.

This is one of the few nonfictional books that I have ever read that I have literally had a hard time putting it down. Dr. Altman not only wrote a book of significant importance about the need for self-experimentation, and the history of it...but he wrote it so well that I wanted to know what and who did the next group of experiments. It also explained a lot of procedures I learned about in medical school, but sometimes without the knowledge of the history behind it complete understanding is impossible. The author also explains quite clearly why we can't use just animals in experimentation, and gives numerous illustrations of physicians and scientists who...surprise!...actually think about others compassionately and are able to put themselves in the shoes of the patients. After undergoing an experimental cochlear implant which failed (in its early days), this book makes it a lot easier for me to explain to others why I undertook such a risk and didn't sue when it failed and made me ill. The book also makes clear the need for both patient and doctor awareness of informed consent...for all patients, including those who are disabled or those who lack a complete education. Dr. Altman wrote a book that should definitely be required reading by all medical personnel in ethics classes. Karen L. Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.edu

This book discusses a taboo in medical research--self-experimentation. The self-experimenters ranged from the oddball to the dedicated, experiments ranged from shots in the dark to well planed out Gives a glimpse into the courage of these men and women. I highly recommend this unusual and thrilling book.

This is a wonderful book about a nearly wholly ignored aspect of medical research - - doctors who are the cutting edge of experimentation. Hopefully it will be in paperback soon

Champ of Champs is a wonderful, wholesome book for young readers. As a parent, I thought the message in the book is important. It teaches honesty and to value diversity. My kids loved the story. My 6 year old really identified with the characters and my 3 year old loved the illustrations. He frequently will set and look at the book on his own while I homeschool our oldest child. Camp of Champs is so popular in our family, it is on our all-time favorite book list for bedtime stories.

As a grandparent invested in seeing my granddaughter learn in a relaxed environment, it was a joy to see how much my granddaughter loved this book. The illustrations are exceptional, with vibrant colors and fanciful fruits gently teaching, in a simple but powerful way, the values of honesty and integrity. Faith loves this book and it is already one of her most treasured possessions. This is a wonderfully well written book, reflecting positive values through an enjoyable and fun experience. Looking forward to more!

Engagingly written by Jeana Thomas and brightly illustrated by Lisa Allen Triefenbach, Champ Of Champs: Why Was Blueberry Orange? launches a new series designed to entertain and teach young readers ages 4 to 8 some of life's lessons. This time it's about the virtue of honesty as Buddy Blueberry gets himself into a compromising position his first day at the "Camp of Champs". In the conclusion of this lively and engaging story, children are presented with questions which will ensure that the lesson about the value of telling the truth and the possible consequences of dishonesty reflected in the story has been understood. Champ Of Champs: Why Was Blueberry Orange? is strongly recommended for private school, parochial school, public elementary school, and home school library collections and reading lists for preschool through first grade students.