I have been a paddler since 1973 when my husband and I bought a used aluminum canoe. Back then there were almost no comprehensive, well-written texts on the subject. How I wish a book like Mr. Grant's had been available to me.

In 1982 I became a certified canoeing instructor and have regularly taught canoe classes since that time. We supplement our canoeing instruction with numerous handouts. One handout is a list of recommended books and videos to help the students advance their knowledge of the sport.

I never envisioned that we would replace Bill Mason's Path of the Paddle at the top of the list but we have done so with Canoeing, A Trailside Guide. We now recommend it as the very FIRST book the students should acquire.

The manner in which the information is presented is so similar to the way we teach, we tell our students they will actually hear our voices coming from the pages. On our recommendation, the principal canoe retailer in the area keeps this book in stock and we have encouraged the local book stores to also carry it. The illustrations are quite well done, much better than most canoeing instruction texts.

I am delighted to have a book I can so enthusiastically recommend and that can be of significant value to new and to experienced paddlers also. Reading and practicing the instructions in this book will do more to assure you a safe and satisfying canoeing experience than any other text I have encountered. Happy paddling.

Memories of hours upon hours spent with my father, canoeing the ozark's rivers and lakes in the "Green Hornet", has stayed within my very soul. December 7th, my husband gave me a 16' "green" canoe with all the accessoriees for our 35th wedding anniversary. After 40 years-I can't wait to make my first trip! I immediately went to the book store and after reviewing every book on the shelf, I chose, "Canoeing-A Trialside Guide". The simplistic explanations and clear illustrtions grabbed my attention immediately. Christmas eve found me immersed in study, reviewing and learning from this easy to understand publication. Gordon Grant's writing technique has me anxioux to feel the tug of the waters - at my paddle and at my soul.

Armed with no more knowledge than provided by this book, my twelve year old son and I purchased our first canoe, practiced its use and successfully ran 12 miles of Class III river last summer. Several experienced kayakers that we met at the river (and paddled with for safety) were impressed with the skills we had achieved - this was a section of river not generally navigated by canoeists. We only flipped once and confidently avoided any dangerous situations. This was a good kick start to a lifestyle that I think we both will enjoy for many years to come. The book is straightforward but very thorough. Mr. Grant's writing style makes what could have been a dry technical treatise an enjoyable read. The appendices at the end with gear manufacturers and additional sources of information are concise and very useful.

This story is exciting and fun. Once you start to rerad it you can't put it down. Every chapter adds a new twist to the story. At first, the different chapters speak of different stories and characters, but as the story progresses all of the story lines and characters are intertwined. The plot is exciting and the language is up to date. It paints a very realistic picture of the life and times of society in the 1990's. This is a must read for any mystery enthusiast.

Vampire Bytes is a truely riveting contemporary horror/mystery. The horror comes not from blood sucking ghouls, it comes from something far scarier and real - teenagers! A very fun story with a fascinating look into roleplaying (in real life as well as on a computer).

Computer programmer Matt Deming, a fan of LARPING (live action role playing) is murdered on the same night Chloe Dorn disappears. Private Investigator Catherine Sayler is hired by the girl's parents to find the missing teenager. Catherine is also hired by the deceased's employers who want a computer game disc and associated code book that Matt had stolen from them returned.

As Catherine investigates both cases, she soon realizes that they merge. It seems that Chloe was having sex with Matt and was with him the night he was killed. Making the investigation even more difficult for Catherine is that the town's clergy and police are struck by anti-satanic fervor. Though the anti-Satan zeal interferes with her case, Catherine knows that she must quickly stop the killer before the missing girl becomes his next victim.

VAMPYRE BYTES is a well designed mystery that has many viable suspects with reasonable motives for committing the crimes, turning the novel into an almost unsolvable who-done-it. Additionally, the entertaining story line contains serious social issues that are intelligently presented in an informative yet entertaining manner. Linda Grant has scribed a very intriguing Catherine Sayler mystery that will have fans wanting more tales starring the intrepid sleuth.

Harriet Klausner

About six months prior to my husband's and my trip to Vermont, I purchased Tree & Jennison's book and poured over its contents, intrigued by all that the New England state could offer these Texans. Because the authors had taken the time to visit the various locations noted in the book, I had no worries about the trip. Once in Vermont, I used the book as a bible, knowing what to expect in each village. I met many of the people that they had mentioned, and each had glowing remarks about them. Without this book, my vacation would not have been as organized or enjoyable, and we even went during Mud Season! I recommend this book wholeheartedly because the information is well researched.

This book captures, for me, something close to the heart of Vermont--it's clean, simple, direct, truthful, and deeply entertaining. I have done a lot of travelling in the state over the last 18 months, and found the Explorer's Guide reflects with accuracy and cultural compassion the experience of living and wandering here. Some people will buy it for the inn and the restaurant listings, but its real strength is in its quiet delineation of the regions and their differences. If I were allowed another star, I would use it.

We did not know much about Vermont but the book got us on our way quickly. The different sections are clear and get straight to the point.Wide variety of things to do, places to stay, eat and shop. A very satisfying purchase.

I found this book when looking for supplemental materials for elementary school science units. This book is a good introduction to the concept of atoms. My sons (7 & 9) enjoyed it immensely; and it provided a good basis for a further discussion of what atoms and elements are.

I have had a very hard time finding high-quality children's books in the area of the sciences. (You know... books that are interesting and beautiful in addition to being educational). Thus, when I found this book I was so excited! My 8 yr old and 5 yr old boys were mesmerized by the story line... the author introduces a pygmy shrew that thinks he's small (at three inches long) and then progressively introduces smaller and smaller things (you're not so small, pygmy shrew!) until he delves into the world of one-celled animals and then molecules, atoms, and finally protons, neutrons, electrons and quarks!

Needless to say, this is an amazing introduction into one-celled animals, elements, molecules, protons/neutrons/electrons/quarks (and even the use of microscopes, both optical and electron)... and all delivered at the level of 5 yr old and 8 yr old boys (with very interesting and beautiful illustrations!) and above. I usually try to raid our library for books, but this book is very much worth owning, so as to be able to refresh your child's recollection of the material. I wish I could give it more than five stars!

From a pygmy shrew, the smallest mammal, to a ladybug, to an amoeba, to an atom, and even smaller (protons and neutrons, quarks...) this book takes a look at the miniature universe. It is a great book for kids with boundless curiosity, and it does not talk down to kids. The concepts are illustrated through comparisons; how small each thing is compared with something else. The illustrations are breezy and cartoon-ish.

My 30-month-old loves this book. It is colorful, durable and covers a wide range of airplane topics. We especially love the cut-away scenes showing the cockpit of a jet, with controls, dials and lights. Its wire-ring binding is a very nice touch; the pages turn very easily and resist tearing. Its a great choice for your juvenile library. We will be investigating others in the series.

My son is 18-months-old and loves looking at this book! The pages are easy to turn and the pictures are clear (uncluttered). There are also lots of facts about common flying machines AND old flying machines. This book has given him a love for airplanes. We thoroughly enjoy the First Discovery Book series. Of all their books, this is one of his favorites.

for 1-886508-28-3 and for 1-886508-10-0 : They are NO LONGER SHOWING, UNDER THE PUBLSISHERS REVIEWS/COMMENTS, as they did previously! What's happening?

Wow - its like condensed orange juice! Clearly explains the how, what, why of healing. The chapter and chart on Price versus Value of supplements was the clearest and easiest explanation in a few short pages, that I've ever read. The doctors and pharmacists involved in writing it, deserve applause - first time I got the whole picture, along with clear and easy to understand information about everything from herbs to vitamins, flower remedies and everything in between. Dr. Pettles one page description on his natural menopausal hormone replecment therapy and natural choices versus the drug approach, made getting the book worth every cent! I copied the page for a friend, who ended up getting the book and showing it to her doctor. She said it was so simple and clear, her doctor stopped trying to push the drugs and gave her a prescription for Dr Pettles natural hormone replacement therapy - on top of that its working for her. Not since I read Mindells Vitamin Bible, have I read such a clear, information packed book! A must have for anyone interested in natural remedies and supplements - fanstastic value for the money. Incidently, I am NOT related to the authors.

Buy this book if you have any interest at all in Southwest ruins. This book is not for the expert but can be used extensively by all who are interested-especially vacationers.

I became fascinated by the wealth of archaeological resources in the American Southwest while working as an archaeological photographer and editor at a research institute in New Mexico. I found that the Southwest is a veritable archaeological museum! I wrote this guidebook to offer people interested in American Indians and America's cultural heritage much more information than is available in standard travel guidebooks.

I did a lot of research on the sites, consulted with archaeologists who excavated them, and had all chapters professioanlly reviewed to make sure they are accurate and current. Using this guidebook will give you a unique cultural and historical framework for discovering the scenic beauty of the Southwest. I include current directions to sites (only sites that are open to the public, accessible, interpreted, monitored), suggest other nearby places to visit further reading.

This book has sold nearly 90,000 copies over to date. Happy exporing!

David Grant Noble: Author of "Ancient Ruins of the Southwest"

This is a timeless book -- his course was excellent as well. It is just plain common sense and a great foundation.

The Art of Fund Raising tells you nothing about "turn key" operations in development, nothing about "mass mailings." Warner tells you, in his wonderfully simple and very eloquent writing that fund raising is about giving of yourself to help people find what is best for them. He explains that fund raising is the very essence of humanity, and its only money that gets in the way. Your job is to take Warner's work and interpret fund raising and use your own contacts and skills
for your clients. I refer a lot to the Do's and Don'ts section and especially enjoy his
often humorous, and very insightful "It happened to me, don't let it happen to you" section. 35+ years of experience and hundreds of satisfied students, readers and clients can't be wrong. Enjoy

Howard Coffin has established himself as the premier authority on Vermont and the Civil War. He has exhaustively researched Vermont's historical records including countless letters and diaries from the actual participants. He allows them to directly share their personal, heroic, sorrowful and inspiring stories and insights. It is difficult today to appreciate the pain and suffering which was brought home to every Vermont family during this Campaign. Mr. Coffin does honor to their memories and has provided a valuable research source for those interested in this period.

A powerful historical account of Vermont's role in the Civil War, The Battered Stars: One State's Civil War Ordeal During Grant's Overland Campaign by American Civil War historian and expert Howard Coffin (himself a sixth generation Vermonter with four ancestors who served with the Vermont regiments in the Overland Campaign) is founded on a wealth of primary sources and archival materials, including wartime letters, diaries, and newspaper accounts. The state of Vermont paid a toll in blood from the strife of the war, and the brutal battles are explored in detail as well as the resolve of those who stayed at home and did their best to keep the wheels turning. A welcome and much appreciated contribution to the growing field of Civil War Studies, The Battered Stars is a powerful, fascinating account highly recommended for civil war buffs, as well as anyone native to Vermont who wants to immerse themselves in the gripping saga of a watershed time of civil war.