The first thing that strikes one about this book is the illustrations - they're wonderful! Claudia Nocke's pencil figures capture the essence of many of the carnivores included in this guide. We find views from many aspects of their lives - not just pictures of an animal walking or lying down, but little pictorial vignettes of their daily lives.

This book is not just a dry recounting of facts on central american carnivores -that information is there (dental formulae, common names and taxonomy, skull figures, behavior, reproduction, etc). Included in each chapter are Carlos's little tales that go along with each animal discussed - it can give one a greater sense of the animals and their habitats, etc., and adds to the character of this guide - a personal view into the personal lives of the animals included.

Also included are sobering notes on the conservation of these animals - food for thought ...

"Haiti," by Roseline Ngcheong-Lum, is part of the "Festivals of the World" book series. This book combines a very readable text with many wonderful full-color photographs. Also included are a map, glossary, and index. There are also instructions for making a Haitian-inspired Carnival headdress, as well as a recipe for the dessert known as blancmange.

The book explains such festivals as Carnival, Mardi Gras, Haitian Independence Day, and the Day of the Dead. A number of related topics are covered: the voodoo religion, beliefs about zombies, and the importance of Haitian heroes like Toussaint L'Ouverture. The photographs are really great: we see a statue memorializing national hero Henri Christophe, a richly decorated church interior, a colorfully decorated "taptap" (public bus), and more. Overall, a fine entry in this series.

This is an excellent reference on the complex ancient and modern histories of the 5 new post-Soviet Republics of Central Asia.
Each section of the book - Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikstan, and Kyrgyzstan - contains detailed maps, and the ethnic, religious, linguistic and socio-economic history of each area in detail.
The environmental devastation from Soviet activities, such as the drying up of the Aral Sea and the radioactive contamination from atmospheric testing in Kazakhstan, makes it an excellent source for environmentalists.
It also covers the geo-political significance of an area that U.S. foreign policy has targeted for its oil pipelines. The impact of Afghanistan and instabilities in the area on these republics is outlined.
This is an excellent reference for researchers, historians, the business community or people working in these regions. Extensive bibliographical sources, the detailed maps and in-depth coverage of complex issues makes this source unique. It is one of the only one-volume books, up to date, available in English on an increasingly important region.

Handbook Of The New Eastern Europe is recommended for both middle school and public library collections: it packs in reference questions on Eastern European nations, blending full color maps with an encyclopedia of personalities, events and places. Country-by-country geography and basic information present over 250 pages of details. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent reference book for those who seek scientific information on mammals of the northern Midwest. It contains an entire section which covers the various environments in this area, the geology past and present, the soils, climate, vegetation, and the influence of human beings on the ecology.

The book also has a wonderful section on the animals themselves, with a page devoted to each creature, complete with scientific name, habitat map, photograph or line drawing of the animal, distribution, written description, natural history, and in many cases additional reference suggestions. It is a very thorough and complete book, well researched and presented.

This is an absolutely fabulous book that should be in every library (just like all of Choate's books). Of course, I am the proud son of the lead author, so what do you expect me to say.

The first edition of this book was exceptionally useful to the forensic psychologist attempting to stay current in both theory and applications in the field of cognition and memory. The second edition is also excellent -- it is readable, relevant, and accessible to the non-specialist in this area.

Please send me a note of similiar bok Dr. Elena Kosevich

Odessa, Ukraine emai: asl@farlep.net attention Elena Kosevich

Beautifully photographed and engagingly written, this is a thoughtful portrayal of the Mayan people presented as a day-in-the-life, and focusing on a lifestyle where hands still do the work (instead of dishwashers, food processors, etc!) It would be a wonderful gift book for a young child, or a great classroom supplement for a pre-K through 2nd grade class focusing on the Americas, community, indigenous peoples... or even the human body!

It has now been more than four decades since the Statue of Hans Christian Andersen was unveiled in New York City's Central Park. There have been many tellers entertaining the old and the young alike every summer since 1956...but I believe Diane Wolkstein - who made her début in 1966 - will be the most fondly remembered. Hans Christian Andersen in Central Park is the storyteller's first album (made in 1982), and it should serve as the best introduction to anyone hearing her or Andersen's stories for the first time. Aided by musicians Shirley Keller, Janet Stuart, and Rachel Zucker (the storyteller's daughter), Diane Wolkstein's voice carries the listener through six of the Danish master's tales - not just familiar ones such as "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emperor's New Clothes" but also such finds as "The Goblin and the Grocer" and the uproarious "Hans Clodhopper." I love it when a great story is told well, and Wolkstein - who was named "the official storyteller" of New York City in the late 1960's - is that city's greatest treasure.