This collection of photographs from the author's two visits to Mexico are quite striking. Cartier-Bresson knows his craft well, and yet I feel a slight disappointment in the book, as I had hoped that his range of subject matter would be a little more varied, and perhaps show a few more pictures of the countryside. This collection of photos is nice, but consists mostly of shots of a sociological nature, from the poor classes of Mexican society. I understand that this is Cartier-Bresson's personal photo essay, but perhaps he could have widened his scope of Mexico to have included a wider array of subject matter. I do like the pictures, there just should have been more of a variance of them. If you like Cartier-Bresson, his book of India is simply fantastic.

this is a very touching and intimate look at everyday life, but Cartier-Brenson's experienced eye has also captured the powerful light that alludes to heat, the mood of poverty, and the history that pervades this country. At different points this volume is disturbing, humorous, spiritual, and abstract. a masterpiece.

There is a consistant light which runs through Cartier-Bresson's work. It is the late afternoon light or the early morning glow, that enters his leica. We see it in the streets, behind the waitress in the Mexican bar as she leans unknowingly towards Cartier-Bresson's lens. It's surrounded by this light that Cartier-Bresson feels most at home, even in Mexico. Mexican notebooks is full of all Cartier-Bresson's hallmarks; real people in real situations. Circumstance and the click of his shutter fixes them in their descisive moment. This is a collection no photojournalist should be without.

This version of 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' is carefully and thoughtfully photo-illustrated by Bruce McMillan. The book's self-proclaimed purpose is to interpret 'a traditional verse in a contemporary manner'. McMillan therefore uses as his model for Mary an African-American first-grader whose loving lamb follows her to school. Special techniques were used to allow her glasses to be included in the illustrations, a rare depiction in children's books. The setting is much more traditional, including a schoolhouse with a bell and a Border Chaviot lamb who is captured well by McMillan's lens. A note at the end of the book gives a history of the poem, its original form, and it's use in early reading textbooks. McMillan uses colour and contrasts to draw the reader's eye. All in all, children should readily identify with this modern update, and it would be very useful when putting together a multicultural collection. Furthermore, the version I have is 9 by 10 inches, a good size for those sharing stories with several children at once. This could be a very special book for a child, for a storytime, or for a library collection.

Our daughter keeps asking to read this classic poem/song again and again. Mayor's illustrations are a masterpiece of three-dimensional textile work, combining many different techniques. She has also captured many historical details of the era in which the poem was originally written. The result adds depth and detail to a simple story, which makes it a pleasure to read again and again.

Mavor is a genius in using scraps of whatever to create a textural world that is as comfortable as this classic story poem. Look at each page, and look again, there seems no end to details that embellish these sewn illustrations. Yummies for your eye, and if only we could touch!

The book is a touching story about a man who saves a baby beaver and nurses it until maturity. The author does not try to impress you with lingo rather you get the impression that he is just down to earth . If you love beavers this is a wonderful book . P.S,. Really good for young readers.

This has been one of my five year olds favourite books -- for the last two years!

Not really a young childrens book, but the appeal of the subject makes it attractive to all ages. Defintely a book to have and revisit.

R. D. Lawrence as always gives a heart rendering account of his travels and times in the wild. A chance adoption of a wild beaver kit in the wild and how this wild animal can show love to a person who saved him. Lots of laughs and good insight into the wild nature here in Canada.

I would have preferred to have had some pictures/diagrams to help explain the more detailed technical aspects of the book. However overall an enjoyable and interesting book.

I agree with the other reviews of this book in that the author does a great job of keeping you interested and making it entertaining. However, I feel that book would have been greatly enhanced with the addition of some technical drawings or illustrations. The descriptions get somewhat complicated at times, and a diagram or two would ensure clear understanding. If you aren't interested in the details, then as it is written should be fine, but if you want to understand completly, diagrams are required. I also think the text jumps around quite a bit in time, not following a strictly linear timeline. While this makes for easier reading in following specific tangents and topics, it clouds the overall understanding of what is going on... I have read many crash investigation books, and this one does a credible job of mixing storytelling with technical explanations.

Despite the lack of pictures, I was surprised with the ease with which this writer pulled me into what becomes a very complicated technical detective story about the problems which caused two 737s to crash and few other near misses. He carefully introduces things and explains them early on so that even the layperson who knows nothing about flying can easily follow the plot (my girlfiend can't change a lighbulb and she's reading it now). For example, I'm fascinated by aviation but never knew so much about the way crashes get investigated. Apart from telling in some detail the story of two 737 crashes, this book is a good introduction to the field of air crash investigation and one of the best of the four on the subject I've read so far. It's a departure from the norm of disaster books where there is usually a lot about the victims and their relatives. This book lets the issues speak for themselves and exposes the real scandal of these crashes. This book is a wakeup call for the FAA and the people who design airplanes.

In this edition of the Berenstain Bears series, the Bear famiy's next door neighbor, Mr. Skunk moves away and his house is for sale. Several prospective buyers look at the home, but it is the Beaver family that buys the building and moves in next door. The Beavers are hardworkers and don't seem to have much fun. On the other hand, the Bears tend to have too much fun and neglict chores that are needed to be done.

This book teaches a lesson in finding a balance between work and play and is great reading to children, especially those who have just started or will be starting to have household chores.

In a school of all kindergarteners whose mascot is the eager beaver, this book is a big hit. The lesson of a balance between work and fun is presented in a fun and interesting manner. This book is a great introduction to many life lessons.

The author-photographer uses a scientific approach by asking a question about beavers and/or their skills, then proceeding with text and photos to answer the question with facts. In this style a beaver's lodge and dam are explained as are the beavers' anatomical adaptations, diet and family life. This is a lovely book giving great information in a simple format for young and those who might be reading with them. There is a simple glossary, index and diagram of a beaver. The photographs are excellent showing beavers building, repairing, playing with or supporting the young, and even underwater shots. Easy to read and understand but with lots of information. Enjoy!

Ms. Martin-James has written an engaging and fun book that is a delight for children AND their parents -- and is educational at the same time. Highly recommended for a nature-loving youngster.

This book does a relatively good job of introducing the IFC from Netscape, but beware that some of the code that appears in the book does not appear on the CD-ROM. Contact with the publisher two months ago brought promises to hunt down the authors and make the code available, but I've yet to be notified that any of the missing code has been provided. Other code that IS on the CD-ROM is notably buggy, whereas the code in the book is often correct.

I acquired this book and a similar one, Mastering Netscape IFC, at the same time. This book was tremendously useful while the other one was a waste of time & money. You will be satisfied with this book if you want to really take advantage of IFC.

As a book-loving child, I always took it as an article of faith that Jules Verne and H.G. Wells were the two great pioneers of modern science fiction. But "The Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe," edited and with an introduction by Harold Beaver, well demonstrates that Poe was the pioneer who preceded those two giants of the genre. In fact, in his introduction Beaver notes that "Jules Verne himself acknowledged his debt to Poe." This book brings together a good selection of Poe's writings, with extensive endnotes.

The book as a whole is a mixed bag. Some of the pieces strike me as experiments which don't quite hold up. But the best of these pieces superbly showcase Poe's wit, descriptive skill, and active imagination. My favorite pieces are as follows:

"The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall": the story of a fantastic balloon journey; filled with clever details. "A Descent into the Maelstrom": an adventure story about an encounter with a horrific whirlpool. "Some Words with a Mummy": a humorous satire about an Egyptian mummy revived scientifically. And "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar": a creepy tale about death and "Mesmerism" (i.e. hypnosis); this story has the most in common with Poe's famous canon of horror tales.

Other selections in the book include "The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion," "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains," "The Balloon-Hoax," "The System of Dr Tarr and Prof. Fether," and some others. The longest piece in the book (at about 100 pages) is "Eureka: An Essay on the Material and Spiritual Universe." It's rather tedious and dated; in it Poe discusses such topics as the formation of the solar system, the age of the stars, and the nature of the human soul.

The best pieces in this book are truly remarkable. If you want to trace the genealogy of science fiction, don't miss this collection.

Many people believe that Edgar Allan Poe was merely a horror writer who penned his dark tales while under the mind-warping influence of laudanum (opium). What is misunderstood, underestimated or perhaps disregarded altogether is the greatness of Poe's philosophical mind and the genius of his theories about reality and existence. In the Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe his philosophical prowess is evident, most notably in 'Eureka,' where he lays out his intense -- certainly somewhat surreal -- but always fascinating interpretation of the universe and the nature of human existence. For those readers who want to go beyond the traditional canon of Poe works and discover the incredible range and depth of this man's writing and the substance of his philosophy, this is the book for you.

If I used the sign of the beaver in my classroom I'd get suspended. In fact, an angry Sun reading mob would probably rush round to my house, daub my walls with "PEEDO SCUM" or somesuch, and set fire to my car.
I'd not buy this book.

I just finished teaching "The Sign of the Beaver" and used this guide along with the reading. This guide is quite helpful. It's broken down in chapter groups and has quizes that are nicely written. My students are currently working on the end of the book projects. They are having a blast. Well written and very easy to use. If your going to teach "The Sign of the Beaver" in your classroom you need this guide before you start!

My class has done a novel study of this book every year for the past five years. It goes along really well with our Alabama History chapter on the indians of Alabama. It gives us an almost firsthand "look" at early indian life. It also teaches friendship and is great when doing a multicultural theme

I first read Moby Dick; or The Whale over thirty years ago and I didn't understand it. I thought I was reading a sea adventure, like Westward Ho! or Poe's Arthur Gordon Pym. In fact, it did start out like an adventure story but after twenty chapters or so, things began to get strange. I knew I was in deep water. It was rough, it seemed disjointed, there were lengthy passages that seemed like interruptions to the story, the language was odd and difficult, and often it was just downright bizarre. I plodded through it, some of it I liked, but I believe I was glad when it ended. I knew I was missing something and I understood that it was in me! It wasn't the book; it was manifestly a great book, but I hadn't the knowledge of literature or experience to understand it.

I read it again a few years later. I don't remember what I thought of it. The third time I read it, it was hilarious; parts of it made me laugh out loud! I was amazed at all the puns Melville used, and the crazy characters, and quirky dialog. The fourth or fifth reading, it was finally that adventure story I wanted in the first place. I've read Moby Dick more times than I've counted, more often than any other book. At some point I began to get the symbolism. Somewhere along the line I could see the structure. It's been funny, awesome, exciting, weird, religious, overwhelming and inspiring. It's made my hair stand on end...

Now, when I get near the end I slow down. I go back and reread the chapters about killing the whale, and cutting him up, and boiling him down. Or about the right whale's head versus the sperm whale's. I want to get to The Chase but I want to put it off. I draw Queequeg with his tattoos in the oval of a dollar bill. I take a flask with Starbuck and a Decanter with Flask. Listen to The Symphony and smell The Try-Works. Stubb's Supper on The Cabin Table is a noble dish, but what is a Gam? Heads or Tails, it's a Leg and Arm. I get my Bible and read about Rachel and Jonah. Ahab would Delight in that; he's a wonderful old man. For a Doubloon he'd play King Lear! What if Shakespeare wrote The Tragedy of The Whale? Would Fedallah blind Ishmael with a harpoon, or would The Pequod weave flowers in The Virgin's hair?

Now I know. To say you understand Moby Dick is a lie. It is not a plain thing, but one of the knottiest of all. No one understands it. The best you can hope to do is come to terms with it. Grapple with it. Read it and read it and study the literature around it. Melville didn't understand it. He set out to write another didactic adventure/travelogue with some satire thrown in. He needed another success like Typee or Omoo. He needed some money. He wrote for five or six months and had it nearly finished. And then things began to get strange. A fire deep inside fret his mind like some cosmic boil and came to a head bursting words on the page like splashes of burning metal. He worked with the point of red-hot harpoon and spent a year forging his curious adventure into a bloody ride to hell and back. "...what in the world is equal to it?"

Moby Dick is a masterpiece of literature, the great American novel. Nothing else Melville wrote is even in the water with it, but Steinbeck can't touch it, and no giant's shoulders would let Faulkner wade near it. Melville, The pale Usher, warned the timid: "...don't you read it, ...it is by no means the sort of book for you. ...It is... of the horrible texture of a fabric that should be woven of ships' cables and hausers. A Polar wind blows through it, & birds of prey hover over it. Warn all gentle fastidious people from so much as peeping into the book..." But I say if you've never read it, read it now. If you've read it before, read it again. Think Dostoevsky, Shakespeare, Goethe, and The Bible. If you understand it, think again.

It's always dangerous to label a book as a "masterpiece": that word seems to scare away most readers and distances everyone from the substance of the book itself. Still, I'm going to say that this is the Greatest American Novel because I really think that it is--after having read it myself.

Honestly, Moby Dick IS long and looping, shooting off in random digressions as Ishmael waxes philosophical or explains a whale's anatomy or gives the ingredients for Nantucket clam chowder--and that's exactly what I love about it. This is not a neat novel: Melville refused to conform to anyone else's conventions. There is so much in Moby Dick that you can enjoy it on so many completely different levels: you can read it as a Biblical-Shakespearean-level epic tragedy, as a canonical part of 19th Century philosophy, as a gothic whaling adventure story, or almost anything else. Look at all the lowbrow humor. And I'm sorry, but Ishmael is simply one of the most likable and engaging narrators of all time.

A lot of academics love Moby Dick because academics tend to have good taste in literature. But the book itself takes you about as far from academia as any book written--as Ishmael himself says, "A whale-ship was my Yale College and my Harvard." Take that advice and forget what others say about it, and just experience Moby Dick for yourself.

Most readers of Moby Dick seem to praise it for the wrong reasons and some miss the boat completely.

Criticize all you want of Melville's scientific inaccuracy, wandering themes, or even his improper punctuation. The guy wrote this thing in a year - not enough time to refine it, and it was a book he knew would not sell.

Underneath a mess of useless whaling information and Ishmael's rambling are ideas and questions that most people don't dare think about. Unlike Charles Darwin, Galileo or the fearless Ahab, Melville hid safely behind his metaphors and guided the careful readers to draw their own conclusions without completely leading the way.

Let me explain.

While to Ishmael, Moby Dick is nature's wonder and to Starbuck is just a whale, to Ahab Moby Dick is God, with his infinite power.

There are some disturbing things in the universe begging for an explaination, such as why one person is rewarded with happyness while another punished in suffering. There are feel-good answers, like the idea that the score will be evened in the afterlife and there are humble answers, like the book of Job, which suggests that man has no right to complain or question God. Melville's Ahab takes this to another level when he asks why man needs to be God's puppets. Ahab is insulted by God's creation of man, letting man live in suffering, "with half a heart and half a lung".

The bewildered God-fearing masses will not comprehend the depth Melville trys to take them. This most important theme was written for the pursuit of truth, not happyness. This book is not for everyone, and a lot of chapters are better off skipped, but those with enough empathy for Melville will find an emotional and intellectual adventure.