I read the book and found it very helpful with my plan to form a real estate parnership. I found the examples at the end of each subjet very helpful. However, it seems the authors went to a great length to demonstrate to readers that they are NOT gender biased, to the point where one would find himself sometimes cringing. Their objective could have been attained better by replacing all the He, she, him, her, with "he/she" or "him/her", and let each readers to choose the jender for themselves.

I found this title to be all-encompassing if you're considering entering into a partnership - whether it's an existing partnership or whether you're starting up a new partnership. In fact, I purchased another title on this same topic and I ended up returning it because I didn't see where it covered anything that wasn't already covered in The Partnership Book. I feel much more comfortable entering into a partnership after reading this book as I feel that I now have the necessary information to make proper decisions. I strongly urge anyone considering entering into a partnership to read this book.

The book gives you everything: from how to plan a sassion and arranging all the way to mastering. Full of usefull tips and techinques to get the job done. Setting up mics for acoustic guitar and using the right effect on vocals is easy after reading this book.

I was a bit surprised about the lack of reviews for this book, because it is the ONLY book I ever reference when I run into a problem in the studio. And believe me, I own a lot of books on recording.

I bought this book in 1999 and have had no need to even look for other books on recording since. What makes this book so much better than the others is the quality of the information. Every sentence and tip in the recording section conveys a new useful point. There is absolutley no extraneous information here. All the techniques that I have learned from this book have worked like magic. Acoustic guitars and vocals have never sounded better.

The only downside of this book is the lack of a chapter on recording bass guitar. There is an entire chapter devoted to the future of ananlog tape, but absolutely nothing on recording bass guitar. Otherwise, the book is fantastic, and easily worth the [money] price. Happy recording...

This book was about the Aldens and Soo Lee playing on a soccer team. Like a usual Boxcar book, mysterious things start to happen. This was a pretty good book, but it could have had a better ending, that's why I only gave this chapter book 4 stars. By the way, this book has 116 pages, but it has fairly big print.

I read The Soccer Mystery. I thought this book was really great because I really like soccer and mysteries, and I've never read a book from The Box Car Children. I recommend that kids under 7th grade should read this book because this is a really great book! If you read this book you will probably enjoy it!

Summer Will Show is Sylvia Townsend Warner's most bold lesbian novel. The book uses numerous scenes and even characters from other great English novels such as Great Expectations. After Sophia Willoughby loses her children to smallpox, she goes to find her husband with his mistress in Paris. She finds them both and his mistress Minna and Sophia find themselves unnaturally drawn to each other. Eventually they find themselves to be soulmates and both become actively involved in the French Revolution. The book contains the wonderful style and metaphors characteristic of Sylvia Townsend Warner. A must-read for Warner fans.

A witty, romantic, political, feminist classic, Summer Will Show is the coming-out story of Sophia Willoughby, an apparently rigidly conventional upper-class early Victorian lady. Her history is gloriously downwardly-mobile as she abandons her arid marriage and ancestral home to find love in the arms of her husband's ex-mistress and life in the underground activities of the new communist movement during the Revolution of 1848 in Paris. Warner's delight in the absurd and the romantic is balanced by her meticulous sense of history; first published in 1936, her narrative's vitality reflects her new political excitement--she joined the communist party in its fight against fascism in 1935--and her day-to-day delight in her ongoing lesbian relationship with poet Valentine Ackland. Summer Will Show is the best "lesbian novel" I have read; celebratory, funny, and worldly-wise, it carries no trace of the anxiety in Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness and most other representations of lesbianism of that time.

The lyrics and musical score of Sondheim is pure elegance. His decadent style reaches a creative "stroke" of shear brilliance. To put it simply this peice of music encompasses the time , the mood, and the mindset of Sondheim.

I, myself being a person who thuroughly enjoys Sondheim, completely enjoyed singing some of these songs. Though I was never in the show, the songs have a deep meaning for me. Some of the songs are perfect for auditions, and I personally use "Move On" sometimes as my balad. It is an excellent compliment to an amazing show.

As a Workers' Compensation practitioner, this is the book that I recommend to all the aquaintances that ask for free advice. I also tend to recommend it to large companies that operate in CA and other states, because it gives the law and requirements in terms that a high school graduate can understand.

There is more emphasis in this book on answers and "by the number" processes than legal precedent or analysis, which I find easier to follow for the lay person. Chris Ball also has a number of forms included with simple completion directions.

If someone is looking for an overview with more legal justification or reference to statutes, the California Workers' Compensation Handbook is an excellent choice. This book by Stanford Herlick is updated every year, and has shorter sections with less hand-holding.

I think that the Herlick paperback is the reference source of choice for the attorney or paralegal to carry in the car or briefcase for quick review of issues and solutions.

This book has so much vitually important information for the employee going through a worker's comp situation. It covers all from the begining to the end. THIS BOOK WILL GIVE YOU THE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO FIGHT FOR YOUR LAWFUL RIGHTS -- DO NOT GIVE IN OR GIVE UP -- WITH THIS BOOK YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE THAT THE FIGHTERS ARE THE ONES THAT RECEIVE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY/LAWFULLY INTITLED TO THEN.

KEEP FIGHTING AND BELIEVING THAT 'JUSTIFICATION FOR EMPLOYEER'S WRONG DOING CAN BE ACHIEVED.

READ THIS BOOK AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!!!

If you like Malmsteen's marching out album, you should get this book. It has the most complete tabs you'll ever find of Malmsteen the only problem with it is that you buy it hopping that you'll end up playing like Yingwie, and of course you don't, unless you practice enough. The only reason I don't give this book 5 stars, is because the frustration one gets, but anyway, if you like Malmsteen, you should get it.

Unless you are prepared to extend yourself technically, don't bother. Yngwie plays with incredible feeling, spirit, and tone, and may master the notes but not get the underlying core of the piece.

Good luck!

I had Peglet's experience when reading this book (and "Jude the Obscure" as well). I recommend, as she does, that the reader not try to empathize with the characters; it'll make you too angry. I wanted to reach into the book and strangle Angel a few times, for reasons that are obvious to anyone who has read the book.

I must point out that one reviewer has stated incorrectly that Tess was "raped." If she had been, the book would not have had the force it does. It would have just been another "victim of society" or "victim of men" book. Take a close look at Tess' confession to Angel on their wedding night.

Think of this book not as an indictment of marriage and Victorian mores (although it certainly was meant to be, as "Jude" further develops), but rather look at it as the relationships of three people who are never quite able to understand themselves and their natures well enough to avoid disaster. An excellent book. But once again, don't try to empathize with the characters.

Having just finished this book a mere few hours ago the pain of it is fresh in my mind, but I'm sure it will distract me for weeks, such is the intensity of this tragedy. The only other novel of Hardy's I have ever read - Jude the Obscure - was a good book, stable and interesting, though not compelling until it's heart-wrenching twist three quarters of the way through the book. It was, in essence, more a social commentary, so it was with some surprise that I absorbed the constant emotion and passion that was this book. The basic storyline is as follows: Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of a poor country family, is sent to visit her rich cousin, Alec d'Urbeville, after learning of her (perhaps mythical) relation to the ancient family which bears his name. In the obscure randomness that fate casts over life, innocent Tess is then pursued by perhaps the only man she could never tolerate (Alec), who is as his most evil in the early parts of the book. At Alec's house Tess works as a keeper to the poultry and is assaulted by Alec's constant sexual attentions until finally (and this is suggested rather than explained), exhausted and numb, she submits to intercourse with him. She later gives birth to a baby, whom she names Sorrow, who soon dies; and then meets a man she had glimpsed once years before at a dance: Angel Clare. Working together at a milking farm, they become drawn to each other despite Tess's unwillingness to incite the attentions of any man. Their love for each other grows but Tess knows that she dare not enter into marriage considering her past and a society that is both ludcrously religious and prejudiced. The strength of her love finally wears her down and they wed. However, on that very night she confesses her past, and is cruelly thrown aside by Clare, who now begins to view her as an impure woman separate to the Tess he had always loved (despite his past containing a similar history). After suffering years of solitutde and hardship, Tess finally gives up on Clare and falls in the way of Alec d'Urbeville again, relying upon him for the care of herself and her family. Sick and wasted, Clare eventually realizes the mistake he has made in casting Tess aside and finds her at d'Urbeville's mansion: too late. This brings the story to its close where greater tragedy ensues.

The book was brilliant in its emotive persuasion and its depiction of Tess, who is impossible to not feel for, and, indeed, love. The misfortunes of her life are never self-inflicted, and we are left to wonder at the end at the awful nature of a world that would bring such sorrow upon one person. Tess is wonderful, stoic, and pure in her unyielding love for Clare; d'Urbeville is horrible in his initial portrayal as the villain who will singlehandedly destroy Tess's life, though is perhaps a little less repulsive at the end as one understand's the depths of his feeling for her; and Clare is the one who holds in his hands the ability to restore all past wrongness and find joy himself, but tragically fails to do so because of pride and convention.

Overall, there were only two problems I had with the storyline: the first being Tess's succumbing to Alec's sexual persuasion in the beginning - if we are to believe that she is repulsed so many times by Alec's advances so completely and bodily, how are we to believe that she so easily concedes in one (unmentioned) incident? Her strength is greater than that. And the second is one which has been mentioned by another reviewer here: the ending, where a minor, unimportant character is introduced as a means through which to resolve everything, where in fact she is incapable of doing so, since we know nothing about this character, and can therefore put no faith in her.

Despite these minor quibbles the whole of the book, with its engaging plot and brilliant prose, is worth more than the sum of its parts, with the pain of lost love being the principle effect one experiences long after the reading is over. Tess is beautiful.

Please ignore the immature high-school student reviews and understand that this book is a masterpiece. Hardy analyzes the relationship between human desire and society's mores to an unprecendented degree. The characters are multi-faceted and very life-like. Hardly aptly avoids the mistake of creating mere carciatures of the pure woman, idealistic intellectual, and spoiled playboy. Moreover, his use of religious allusion is excellent although this may alienate the modern, secular reader. And perhaps this is the problem with some readers. Finally, Tess is an admirable and strong woman who had difficult circumstances. How many people would act as admirably in her circumstance? Not many! The reviewers that criticize her actions should realize this and that they ignore one of Hardy's key points: Don't be so judgemental! This is one of the best books I have read and believe me, I have read a lot of the "good" books.

I saw the original movie when I was a small child and thought it was the scariest thing I had ever seen! When I was a teenager I read the book and have re-read it many times since. If you are looking for cheap thrills, in-your-face gore and sudden shocks this is not the book for you. If you are a fan of deeper, more subtle psychological terror, you have come to the right place! Every re-reading brings you to a different level of understanding Eleanor's descent into madness. At first the house seems just evil, trying to shake the people out of it like a dog would with fleas. Then you start to wonder--is it the house or is it Eleanor who is causing all of the trouble. Her youthful experiences with poltergeists--which many believe are the manifestations of unbalanced teen-aged minds, awakens the dormant evil of the house. When she becomes angry and jealous of Theo, the house destroys Theo's belongings. Eleanor's insanity becomes woven into the insanity of Hill House. Soon they become deeply intertwined in each other and the rest of the houseguests can only watch in horror. For those that hated or didnt understand the ending, there was no other way out for Eleanor but to have history repeat itself (didnt you pay attention to the beginning of the book?) It was the final struggle between her rational and insane personalities--the rational one screaming in terror as it loses to the insane one which knows where is wants to be...where it must call home. As for the movie versions...The original was a very frightening, somewhat faithful rendering with fabulous performances by Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. The second one was a dreadful pile with little resemblence to the book and a really inane Joan of Arc martyr twist. Dont waste your time!

Shirley Jackson is truly the master of horror. She weaves a dark tale of loneliness, depression, sadness, obsession and fear. Most readers, who have seen the remake, seem to be impressed with special effects and cheesy plots. This story is chilling not because of the supernatural themes, but because of the dark recesses of human nature. People don't seem to realize that the ending (without giving too much away) depicts Eleanor's response towards her feelings of isolation and depression. Who knows if she did what she did because of a ghost or because she was truly mad? was she trying to stay in the only place that understood her or was the house trying to keep her? Please, don't base this literary masterpiece on a REALLY bad movie. read the book and decide WHO was in control-Eleanor or Hill House?

Ghost and horror stories today take the "blunt instrument" approach of trying to scare us with threats of physical violence, or trying to shock and disgust us with blood and guts. They're the "fast food" of the genre, mass-produced, lacking distinction, and bad for us. Anyone can write about chainsaw-wielding demons and other such things. But Shirley Jackson has written a masterpiece. This book gets you where you really live, in more ways than one. It shows that true terror lies in a threat not to the body, but to the sanity, will, mind, and soul. The characters in this book are fully human, the language poetic, the plot a work of art. Half of the chills come from the mounting tension of waiting for something to happen, and when it finally does, we, like Eleanor and the others, live through the terror, and then we (again, like Eleanor) have the further distress of not knowing quite what to make of it. The house catches not just her but us off-guard and then it keeps us there. I only regret that although Hollywood has made two movies out of this book, both of them miss the mark completely. Maybe the third time will be the charm. Be warned: Once you read this book, you'll find that nothing else in the genre, except for _The Turn of the Screw_, can possibly measure up to it.

I may have an advantage, here, since I saw The Ninth Gate in Paris last month, but I think it was pretty clear throughout the book: Irene is the Devil. Fallen angel who fought with God? Pretty good clue right there. There were plenty of other indications that she wasn't just some bimbo who was dropped in to be the love and sex interest. But Roman Polanski may have realized people would have the same problem with the movie, so he pretty much hits you over the head with her true identity. He also totally drops the Club Dumas angle -- there is nothing about it -- and adapts the surviving characters to the Ninth Door story. Probably a good move; for me, it works in the book, and it's fascinating history, but it would take too much talking to explain it in a movie. This is very clever book that works on different levels -- as a mystery of course, but also about literature and, obviously, about good and evil. (BTW: I totally apologize if I sounded condescending about Irene. I have certainly missed the point before in books. I didn't realize until reading this book that the devil is in The Brothers Karamazov; it's been 15 years since I read that, but I sure don't remember it.)

Arturo Perez-Reverte is a mystery/thriller writer with a decidedly intellectual bent. When I first started looking for his work, I expected it to be in the general fiction or literature section of the book store, but finally found it listed under mystery. This is a wonderful book for people who like books in the way that antique people like the antiques roadshow on PBS. It revels in the details of book-making, old texts, and bindings. Lucas Corso, the main character, is trying to discover the link between a fragment of a Dumas manuscript and a possibly Satanic text.

Though the movie version, the Ninth Gate, goes whole hog on the occult angle, the book is more about the Dumas manuscript and its connection to the other book. This makes the movie really irrelevant to the enjoyment of the book, other than if you liked the general idea of the movie, then this book is surely for you.

If you like to go to second hand book stores, or you enjoy talking about an old book, or if you go to garage sales to look through the old books, then Club Dumas is your type of book. I like Perez-Reverte's ability to go off on small tangents as part of the story, as when he digresses to discuss the ways to restore an old book or insert pages to complete it ... this may not appeal to everyone, but he doesn't use anything that isn't essential to an understanding of the plot.

The Club Dumas is written for the true book-lover; for those who love the physicality of the novel as well as the knowledge it promises. Arturo Perez-Reverte?s novel delivers on its promise--it?s main character entertains while philosophizing on weighty subjects as morality, friendship, and love between shots of gin. Lucas Corso is a trader of books. While this man of wolf-like appearance and dizzying intellect will openly admit his sole purpose in the profession is for financial gain, it?s truly a veil for his true love: books. The 40-something Corso takes on the financially profitable and intellectually fascinating task of tracking down the only three copies of The Nine Doors, a text that supposedly has information necessary for summoning the devil. While the novel is as much a search for what many of the characters consider ultimate enlightenment (for the devil is associated with knowledge) as it is an exploration of Alexander Dumas? The Three Musketeers. From the start of the novel, Corso makes connections between his own experiences to those of Dumas? novel. This text-within-a-text becomes ironic, for the character Corso begins to question his own ?reality?; he questions whether he is a person or a character in a novel. Sometimes it?s hard to tell whether Perez-Reverte is parodying the often melodramatic cliffhangers common to serial novels such as Dumas?: (One example: ?[Corso] felt tender, like the soft center of a candy.) In general though, the writing is lucid, intelligent and at times, beautiful. The following is an example of Perez-Reverte?s precise prose, but it also speaks to all writers and all those who appreciate the written word: ?[Corso] was looking out the window at the streets and seemed to be searching in the night in the silent flow of car lights reflected in his glasses, for the lost word, the key to uniting all these different stories that floated like dead leaves on the dark waters of time? (107).