I knew people like this growing up. And I grew up in South Dakota. It's a story of poor people who could be anywhere. Characters are great -- I like a book where I don't necessarily like the characters -- they're just real. This is a "must read" just for the exposure to the Trailer Trash side of life.

This book is so much like the people that I know and have grown up with during my entire life. It was as if Patrick was writing about people that live up the street or around the corner that I have know since childhood. It was an excellent true to life accomplishment for him. He should definantly write us something new and as entertaining as this book. Sincerely, Sabra

From the moment you read the first chapters, you will be able to feel, hear, smell and see this story unfolding in your mind's eye. The characters are either family members or someone you know. It's as if Randal Patrick was raised in your neighborhood and he knows everyone you do and how they talk. You will recognize everyone in this book. As you are reading you will catch yourself smiling and wondering how Randal Patrick heard that conversation from your past. The book is most entertaining. Enjoy!!!!

the secret knowledge of water is tempting, sensual, humbling and even frightning. having recently moved into the area which childs so reverently describes, i was moved by the passion and understanding in his writing. the desert is ruthless. that much is clear from living here and reading this book. however, the desert also holds amazing beauty and power; all fluidly shared by the author. i highly reccomend this read to anyone who has experienced water in any form. i guarantee you will come away with a new respect for mother nature.

"The Secret Knowledge of Water" is prose poetry, without a single word wasted. Three or four months after reading it, many of the images are still in my head: images of ancient trails to waterholes; large, unexpected swimming holes, microbes so hardy their environment can go dry and they just curl up and wait...

This book will become even more valuable and compelling as drinking water supplies diminish in quality and quantity. Childs leads us with great flair to a subject of unparalleled importance. His musings blend with touches of humor, history and fascinating naturalism. "Secret Knowledge" should be on every nightstand and in every science (and literature) classroom. It's truly a work of art!

What John McPhee did for North American geology in "Annals of the Former World", Craig Childs does for the deserts of the southwestern U.S. in "The Secret Knowledge of Water". Childs does it better, however: he writes as a son of the desert, one whose intimate knowledge and love of the land and its ways percolate up through these pages like the waters of a favorite desert spring. And he shares his admiration and respect for the desert in a lyric prose that delights as much as it informs.

Childs has worked as a guide and teacher in this area of the country. That he wrote a book based on his knowledge of the terrain is not all that surprising, but his ability to provide a guided tour on paper and to paint word pictures of desert scenes like a novelist would is extraordinary. The successive sections of the book stand on their own as introductions to the desert world and, particularly, to the nature and role of water in the desert. But they also peel away a layer at a time, revealing more and more fascinations as he leads through the book. So we are treated at the start to an account of what John Wesley Powell called the "Thousand Wells" area of the Arizona-Utah border, a collection of potholes, or "waterpockets", each containing hundreds (or thousands) of gallons of water and found sitting on the surface of the land in one of the least likely places on the planet for water to be. But from there we are treated to more delights: underground reservoirs that bubble up to the surface in springs or spout out from a rock face in a waterfall; arroyos that carve the desert into creeks and then disappear; canyons that channel even modest rainfall into floods that are as fierce as they are fickle. Childs' prose is full of wonder and an eye for detail; he can get new-agey at times, though, especially in how often and how strongly he personifies water, and the account he tells of child sacrifice to stop a flood can be either poignant or horrifying, depending on one's point of view. So the accounts hit some bumps here and there, but nothing hard enough to make the jeep he's taking us around in bend an axle.

I have been to, or near, some of the places Childs describes in Secret Knowledge and, as a lifelong resident of the well-watered east, naturally missed every single feature he wrote about. So next time I go, I will be sure to bring this book along to point the way to some of the hidden gems of the desert. It's like having the best tour guide ever lead you around personally, but on the cheap.

Chunky Rice is like no other book I've ever read. Its at one time adorable and depressing, but always captivating. Comparable to Melvile's MOBY DICK, this tale of a wandering sprit's driving desire to leave his safe and almost perfect life in exchange for the uncertantity of life at sea is one that anyone can relate to. The fact that the central character is an almost genderless cartoon turtle makes him truly iconic so that anyone can put their own identity into the character's life journey. Once Chunky Rice sets sail we are introduced to a strange crew of freakish characters each with a striking vulnerability that they try to keep buried within them only to find it constantly resurfacing. This is the type of book to read and then share with a friend. I Highly encourage everyone one to pick up this book. It's quietly poetic and beautifully drawn with a wild imaginative style that truly stands out.

Craig is a master beyond his years. Moi, j'chapeau l'mec.

A book about the deep feelings and longings that are possible in the world of existence, told through a mythologized melange of lumpy dumpy bumpy people, "funny animals", a neurotic bird, motown, moments of passion, clinking clunking bottles, interpersonal and intrapersonal ignorance and discovery.

A very rich comic experience, sure to capivate those who already know the comics universe is bigger than many think, and probably a safe bet first foray for those who are looking to start exploring that universe.

I bought this at the Knockabout stall at the Angouleme (France) comics festival in January of 2000. But you don't have to go to France. If it will help you make the decision to buy this book, then think of buying this book via Amazon as possessing the magic and mystery of going to France. There; did that work?

You know that feeling when you see something for the first time, and it perfectly defines an undefinable emotion? Like the first time you heard Pink Floyd's "Great Gig in the Sky?"

Same thing here. This book manages to completely encapsulate that raw loss---of friends, of family, of innocence, of whatever while going to seek your fortune. I don't want to sound corny, but it's like an elegy to what you leave behind in order to get to your future.

Glorious glorious book. Go read it. Now.

God has used Dr. Mark Hanby, to bring to our generation a powerful word on the order of the kingdom of God. Dr. Hanby goes where few are realling in this powerful revelaion on the inheritaince of saints through the connection and submission to spiritual fahters. Dr. Hanby is very careful and catuious and identifies how people have abused this concept and misapplication of this concept. Somehow this revelation was lost to the church through the rise of relgious organzaitons, but when we look back in history of the church we find this applicaiton, as why the church grew to magnituide it did, during an era correctly named the Apostolic Fathers. This book is not for the religious or for babies in Christ, is for mature saints, who love the word of God, and long to walk with him in deeper truths then milk

Dr. Hanby has been teaching the importance of coming into spiritual alignment for many years but Craig finally got him to put it into writing. Thanks Craig. Here is what I learned: God loves the local church. He has Pastors who are trying their best, but like the rest of us, are flawed.

When the local church leaders and members can learn to bless their pastoral leadership instead of sniping at them and criticizing their decisions, the church prospers. When you can get to the point of trusting your Pastor you will remove the filter from your relationship. You will stop questioning whether you should or should not do the things the Pastor asks you. Trust God that He placed a spiritual covering over your life that is there to protect you and help you grow in Christ. Your Pastor is not perfect. Pastors make mistakes, but our abililty to love and serve the person in spite of their flaws is why "the gates of hell will not prevail against the church".

This book is not a "quick read". You will need to be serious about your study time - but it's well worth it!

This is a great book. Mark Hanby really has an understanding of the need for spiritual fathering. This book caused me to reflect greatly on my own life and helped me to be even more grateful to the men that poured into my life. This book is essential for anybody who leads others. Pastors, missionaries, small group leaders, worship leaders and anybody else who is in ministry or leads other Christians.

Using biblical principals, truths and examples Hanby reveals the secret to receiving generational blessings, and what prevents blessings from travelling through generations. He shows how God gives blessingand anointing from father to son. Using Elijah & Elisha, Hanby really shows how their relationship effected the blessings that had.

This book will get people to think about their own lives. This book is not just about spiritual fathering, it's about being a true godly figure in another's life, thus making this book every bit as applicable to women as to men. This book is written by a pair of men that live out the relationship that this book teaches. There is a lot of biblical principle combined with life experience and life stories. It really makes this book enjoyable to read. I am glad I read this book and highly recommend it to all those in leadership in ministry.

Can anyone tell me what the website is for this book's lessons. It references it many times but I cant seem to find out where it is actually "Stated" in the book.

Thanks in advance

I haven't read the book, but I find it suspious that every review posted so far was outrageously positive, and posted within an 8 day period. In addition, most of them are anonymous. Perhaps the Publisher or Author is trying to boost sales with duplicate reviews. Buyer Beware.

if u already know something about setting up web pages using html and u wish to add some interactive features to yr web pages,this will be a very good book to start with.This book contains very clear and simple explantions for javascripts.Many concepts are explained using simple yet relevant analogies....if u are hardworking enough u can learn good javascripts in one or two weeks using this book......definitely value for money.

"Paranoia" may be promising a lot already through the title but fails dramatically to live up to expectations.
A story full of holes never helped any book and this is the case here: Chad, who is a quite down to earth type and who works in a mental hospital sees his life fall apart as his wife leaves him and he loses his job. Suddenly he gets a sudden visit from his gone-for-years brother (Palmer). Palmer informs him that he's been a member of the notorious Illuminati and that they are ready to launch a plan that will throw the world in a global dictatorship while 100s of 1000s will die. Palmer then reveals to Chad that he's now an Illuminati foe and wants to foil the plan and for that he wants Chad to assasinate an Illuminati master so the evil plan can be spoiled.
Chad hears this out , buys it hands down, (oh, Palmer convinces him cuzz he predicts the assasination of the president), and then they go ahead to assasinate the masters of the infamous Illumicrew. Then the story goes on where poor Chad finds out his wife has been assasinated by the Illumis and that this was also part of the plan, and eventually, also finds out that his brother has tricked him into this as he wants to take over the leadership.
Now, why a supposed Illuminati would use poor ole Chad for his plan when he's got all this incredible power is anybody's guess. The story is as hilarious as that, sadly...Or why the supposedly ultra-powerful Illuminati masters would have such poor protection as they are shown to have in the book is also quite a joke.
Firstly, if this book intends to hook the conspiracy freaks then this will be exactly the crowd that will find "Paranoia" totally ridiculous. Riddled with cliches and totally naive dialogue the book is for the most part a torture to read. Only when the author goes on small sprees where he reveals his thoughts about the various conspiracies that may have gone on in history does the book become interesting.
But then, if you want to be informed about conspiracy lore and reality then why start with this sorry effort? Prefer some other of the dozens of books about the subject out there.
Making a cheap, hardly believable story where you do a "best-of-conspiracies" mix is hardly worth reading if you are a serious "truth seeker". It doesnt even have any entertainment value as there is zero fun in going through it.
A book best ignored.

Paranoia is a taut, compelling read from start to finish. The narrator, Chad Carver, is an ordinary guy who's pulled into a nightmare world of conspiracy theories. When his long missing brother Palmer re-enters his life and tells him that the Illuminati, an immensely powerful group of conspirators, are about to kill the president and then committ further atrocities against the population, Chad must decide whether or not to believe him. Paranoia weaves many fascinating facts about actual conspiracies into the plot, enticing readers to do their own research. The novel is aptly named, for Dilouie manages to capture the essence of that state --the reader, like Chad, has no idea until the final pages who or what is to be believed. Readers of The Illuminatus Trilogy (by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea) will especially appreciate this book, though it's also a good introduction to the intriguing but frightening realm of conspiracy theories.

Quite a good book- just finished the other day. Very
thought provoking, but from a different perspective,
one that says to the reader, "I'm going to make You a
conspiracy theorist...". It's almost as though this
is the type of book that would replace the book for
the people who always need The Catcher in the Rye, in
that it truly touches the reader, and brings out a new
enlightenment on life, even for those who are
conspiracy theorists. The spooks who needed Catcher as their safe-haven, does this novel bring out that feeling, emotion, and security blanket? We will see...

Why is it that people are so dependent on their cars? Why have all other forms of transportation been neglected? Does this dependency on cars lead to anything damaging and if so, how can that be changed? Alvord attends to these issues in her book and she suggests that the dependency should just be abandoned.

Katie Alvord begins her book with by explaining what divorcing your car means. She compares the relationship people have with cars to marriages and divorcing a car is much like divorcing a spouse. Then, she describes how this marriage or dependency between people and cars was formed, starting from when the car was introduced into society and finishing with the conditions of the present. In the next section of the book, Alvord discusses reasons why we should divorce our cars. That is, why we should consider trying to live a car-lite or even car-free life. In the final section of her book, she goes into detail on how living a car-lite or car-free life is possible. She addresses how individuals, communities, and societies can accomplish the goal of becoming car-free.

The main argument that Alvord makes is that anyone and everyone can go car-free or at least car-lite and they should in order to improve the condition of this world. This can be done by using other modes of transportation such as walking, biking, buses, trains, or car-share programs. She suggests that people gradually move in to a car-free lifestyle by first trying a car-lite lifestyle. This consists of using the car less or as little as possible, maybe for long trips only. Alvord even states that going car-free may not be possible for some so a car-lite lifestyle is the best idea in those situations which might include people living in rural areas. Alvord backs up her car-free argument by providing multiple reasons as to why people should use cars less. They cause overcrowded streets, health problems, indirect and direct pollution, and they are very expensive.

Divorce Your Car is a very good and convincing book. It not only makes and case for abandoning cars but it explains how this can be done. Alvord addresses each issue of her car-free idea in depth. She gives the reader history, evidence, and the how to. Another very impressive aspect of the book is that it is not preachy or condescending. It simply tells you the facts and what your options are. In approaching the argument this way, I think more people will be open to the idea of attempting a car-free or car-lite lifestyle.

Katie Alvord, the author of Divorce your Car states that the intention of the this book is to demonstrate both the pressing need to drive less and the many opportunities we have to do so. The book is set up into three parts. The first part attempts to explore some of the factors that explain how we as a society have become so dependent on automobiles. The second part gives reasons why the separation from the vehicle is so important. The third part closes the book illustrating some of the possible alternatives to being so car dependent.
The first part the author described how factors such as government policy, industry practices, and mass media have turned the automobile from a "how-to" technology into a "have-to" technology. A quote from the book to sum up the trend automobiles have taken is from the British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith in 1907 when he referred to automobiles as, "a luxury which is apt to degenerate into a nuisance."
I totally agree here with how she explained how that exact thing happened. When automobiles were first introduced they were seen as the invention for freedom. They led to huge advancements in labor force and manufacturing. The huge surge in automobile interest was not encouraged just by the usefulness of it alone. At the time cars were marketed as the great escape, a tool to gain freedom. They weren't however the only form of transportation. There were non-internal combustion engines providing transportation. These forms were soon eradicated by the automobile industry. The government did also use city planning to create freeways and a car in every garage and gas burning busses replaced systems of streets and the electric railcars. These structural changes now made it easier to move around, but only if you have a car.
The second part was very predictable. It does hit on several levels though. It goes over the negative environmental aspects from all the cars driving at once. The smog and global warming issues were her main topics. Alvord then brings up several other aspects such as the oil industry and their tendency for spills, and the cost of gas to the individual driver. This choice of topics is very persuasive. Its focuses on the manufacture, the facilitating industry, drivers in general, and then drivers individually. This leaves nothing out. It hits the driver on all levels.
The third part generally goes over the positive side of divorcing your car. In a generally overweight society obsessed with dieting starting off by giving the positives of exercising more. Then the author gives an optimistic answer to several problems stating that if you can't stop using the car for good you can do it in steps.
Overall I think that the book was well written and interesting. It describes the problem from beginning to possible solution. As being without a car for the last couple of months I can see some of the benefits but I am not sold on the idea of going without for good. Unless society in general changes its just easier to own a car. The one issue not brought up was time. Driving saves time period. Traffic jams do take up time but the busses will have to go through the same jams. I have so little free time between school, work and homework that the 20 minutes or so driving saves just going back and forth to the grocery, outweighs the negative aspects for right now.

In the book, Divorce Your Car!, Katie Alvord talks about how our increased auto-dependence has led many of us to give up alternate modes of transportation. She stresses that a car is like a marriage; once you have one, you feel obligated to use it. Not only are cars useful and convenient (as in we can go almost anywhere within a shorter amount of time), they also provide psychological benefits. Cars are status symbols, and in many ways, they outwardly reflect our wealth and personalities. However, this does not mean that cars should consume our lives. In fact, a car being referred to as a marriage is not necessarily a good thing. In the US, 50% of marriages end in divorce. Marriages can go wrong for several reasons, and this is why Katie Alvord compares a car to marriage.
Driving a car can obviously be very beneficial, but at the same time, it can also be very destructive. The worst part is that cars kill thousands of people each year, many of them children. Secondly, the environment is becoming more polluted, leading to global warming. But besides the physical effects, driving can be emotionally draining as well. As more and more people use cars, traffic and congestion is becoming a huge problem. Driving can be a very frustrating experience, mainly during rush hour and when there are road constructions. If people spend too much time cooped up in a car, their frustration and anger may come out while they are driving. Therefore, these negative effects along with others, are what made Katie Alvord decide to divorce her car.
It is clear throughout the book that Katie Alvord is in favor of divorcing a car. She constantly argues that the negative effects of driving outweigh the positive effects. Divorce Your Car! is thus a guide to help people find alternate ways to get places. These alternate modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and using trains and buses, will then effectively reduce our auto-dependence. It is evident that the author put a lot of time and effort into writing this book. I really enjoyed Divorce Your Car! because I also feel that people unnecessarily use their cars at times. I have to admit that I drive to save time, even if the place I'm going to is only a 10-minute walk. But there are many reasons why I have to drive, one being that places are so far away from each other. I am willing though to change my ways and get some exercise in the process. Katie Alvord does a great job in convincing readers that "divorcing a car can be fun, healthy, money-saving, and helpful to the planet" (Alvord, back cover). I find this book to be incredibly useful and I'm sure that others will feel the same.

Angelina Mousling loves to dance. Her dances cause her no end of troubles; when they make her late for school, make her crash into things, and so much more. Finally Angelina's father decides that it is time for her to take ballet lessons. This is the story of Angelina, and her path to stardom.

My ten-year-old daughter and I loved this book. The story is quite charming, with Helen Craig's illustrations adding to the book's charm. I must admit that it was a bit beneath my daughter's ability, she read through it in about 10 minutes, but she enjoyed it all the same. Therefore, my daughter and I both recommend this cute book.

Katharine Holabird's "Angelina Ballerina" is fun for any aspiring ballerina. Angelina Mouseling--a wee white mouse--loves to dance, to the exclusion of all other activities. She won't clean her room, she won't help clear the table, she listens to neither her mother or her father because she is dancing, dancing, dancing at every waking moment. Everything changes when her parents recognize that her interest needs to be taken seriously. Mr. and Mrs. Mouseling do just that when they go shopping and come home with--ooooh!--a ballerina's tutu for Angelina to wear.

Shortly thereafter, Angelina begins ballet lessons. Her perseverence pays off and she becomes a famous ballerina. In the interim, however, the attention her parents have paid to her love of ballet pays off in the form of her willingness to do all the things she didn't want to do before, because now she can dance all she likes in ballet class and in recitals.

I agree with the comments that have been made about the subdued sexism here. Angelina is presented as someone who is too fast and too nimble for the boys on the playground, but later in the book--once she has gotten what she wants--she is described as letting the boys catch her after all. It's a jarring note in an otherwise perfectly charming book.

Special mention must be made of Helen Craig's detailed, charming drawings. She doesn't completely anthropomorphize the mouse characters--they are clearly little animals, with anatomically correct limbs and quivering whiskers, but Craig somehow manages to humanize them and make them utterly winsome and dear. All around a very nice book for the aspiring ballerina!

Angelina Ballerina is a little mouse, whom loves to dance. She dances all over the schoolyard, and through the house. Finally her parents enroll her in a ballet class, where she becomes one of the best students.

Angelina Ballerina is enjoyable for little ballerinas of all ages. Not only will it encourage your little ones to read, but to also have faith in themselves when trying something new. The illustrations will also make you and your little ones smile in excitement. A must have book for all ballerinas.

I stuck with this book, even though the shallow and silly characters made me feel like a 12-year-old.

The premise isn't bad: a neighborhood of folks gets transported to a place where everybody seems to be at war with everybody else. Many of the people have latent powers, of course, and they get manipulated by the people in the new world, who are vying for control of their island. Nobody in the new world is pure "good", which makes things more interesting.

If only the people and creatures hadn't been so darned *silly*. . . .

Im over half way done with the first book and im worried about finding the next two.The characters are what keeps the plot going.Someone is allways in trouble.Raven,Obar and Nunn keeps you wondering who the bad guy realy is.The people of Chestnut Circle will never be the same.I hope Nick and his sword defeat the other realms evil and the good prevails.Im going back to my reading. thanks too Craig Shaw Gardner !!!!

It doesn't measure up to a Jordan or Edding's book, but it is very well thought out. The characterization is great. He really builds the characters while still having them go through a multitude of adventures. Each character has their own tests and their might be symbolism but I missed it except for one case if there was, and if there wasn't then I guess I have had too many english classes.

I've had a pre-pub copy, it's a laugh on every page, and a nice way to self reflect on the state of our lives and the world! Every one who comes over loves this book, we love it too. It's too funny!!

I was actually surprised by just how funny this book is. I'm getting copies for all my "recovery" friends. It's really fresh, funny. I'd recommend it over a Dave Barry book any day.

I love this book. I have shared it, much to the chagrin, of my friends and girlfriends. The humor is my favorite type, raw, hard edged, and with no appologies. Make no bones about it, Rypstat is one funny guy who is the line of no bullshit comedians, Lenny Bruce, Bill Cosby, Steve Martin, Martin Mull, Richard Pryor, and even Sam Kinison.

Throw away the lame mainstream humorists and bring in this gutsy sarcastic hero!