Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes is a charming collection of stories that range from sweetly sentimental tear-jerkers to laugh out loud funny slice-of-life tales. And, best of all, there isn't a dud in the entire bunch. All of the stories were obviously written with love and each is an author's memory of living in the South. The book is broken up into three sections titled: Precious Memories, Family Portraits (wow, do these ladies have some nutty relatives and neighbors!) and Beloved Critters. Being an animal lover the "Beloved Critters" section contained some of my favorite stories in the collection. The hands down winner for me was Donna Ball's UP JUMPS THE DEVIL. It's about a big, slobbering, affectionate dog that sends an entire town into an uproar and gives one grasping old bitty her comeuppance. This story had me in stitches and will be reread whenever I'm in dire need of a good laugh. The book is a little pricey, at $14.95 for only 171 pages of storytelling, but I feel its stories are worth splurging on (or saving for).

"Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes" is a book of short stories. The kind of stories that family and close friends tell at reunions. The kind of stories in which truth is stranger and funnier than fiction.

You'll walk to Bible School with children in the depression. You'll wait at home with the women while the men folk go hunting. You'll see both sides of the long standing feud between a southern woman and her in-laws. You'll meet a mixed breed black dog named Lucifer who went to a picnic and a revival.

Get a glass of sweet tea, and sit in a rocker by the fireplace. Rock your way back in time with five southern women storytellers as your tour guide. You're sure to end each story with a smile on your face and a contented sigh.

Published May 2000 by BelleBooks, authors Deborah Smith, Donna Ball, Nancy Knight, Sandra Chastain, Debra Dixon, Virginia Ellis.

This book is worth the price. I was only part way done with it, when I had to e-mail my friends and tell them all about it. I was chuckling and sighing through the stories, and enjoying it every bit, good enough to read aloud. And when I do, I swear I start to have a bit of a twang in my words, even though I'm not from the South. The authors' voices are sure and strong, the stories are funny and heartwarming, and I really can't say enough good things about them.

This is a book sure to get you out of a funk. In particular, "Up Jumps the Devil," by Donna Ball had me falling off my chair because I was laughing so hard! I must have been pretty loud, too, because my husband ran up wondering what all the commotion was about. Of course, I gave him the book, and had the prime opportunity to see him fall off his chair, too. Good job, ladies! I'm buying this book for my relatives in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas, and sending it to them.

You have to hand it to Keith Ellis. He's created a new hook for the goal-setting self-help book market.

There's not much new here that you won't find in other goal-setting books. Mostly he changes the word 'goals' to 'wishes', but its a fine distinction. And there is a lot more inspirational, 'you can do it' talk. But if you have read other goal setting books, this is about the same.

It's not bad, as goal setting books go, but it's nothing new.

The Magic Lamp is fantastic-it's helpful; it's clear; it's fun to read. Nearly every page is full of memorable, excellent advice. It's the perfect book for people who know they should be setting goals, but resist at all costs.

This book is different. It avoids all the cliches used in so many other books. I have already started implementing many of the ideas from this book in my daily life. Alot of self-help books get me excited as I read them, but when I finish them I put them back on the shelf and forget about them. Not this one. It will never be too far out of reach. It's funny, but all self-help authors seem very egotistical, thinking that their book is the answer to the worlds problems. This author shows no pretense, but portrays a consise, easy to understand method of setting goals. Changing ourselves is not easy. No matter what methods we us, or who tells us of an easier way to do it. This book is better than most at putting the message across.

This memoir of the relationship between Novalyne Price and Robert Ervin Howard is a fine historical document. It does have its moments of humor, pathos, and insight. However, it's not a very entertaining book, and one can see why Mrs. Ellis (Novalyne's married name)never became a professional author (until this book). I'm glad I bought it and read it, but principally for its historical significance into the life of Robert E. Howard, one of the 20th Century's finest writers of adventure fiction. ONE WHO WALKS ALONE was made into the excellent flim, THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, starring Vincent Donofrio as Howard, and Renee' Zellwegger as Price. A case in which a film was better and more effective than the book.

Still and all, I do highly recommend ONE WHO WALKED ALONE. It's a fairly good read, and does give a great deal of insight into the strange life of Robert Ervin Howard.

Like a dandelion pushing through a crack in the sidewalk, love blooms in the most unlikely of places. One such love story took place on the hot and dusty fields of Cross Plains, Texas. Set in the Depression, this is a story about a man and a woman... one with dreams and hope for the future... the other doomed forever, out of fear for what the future might bring.

Some love stories wither and die, like the dandelion in the sidewalk, only when the characters realize there is nothing left to sustain them. Forever separated in their story's final chapter, only one of them will walk off into the beautiful Texas sunset.

This heartbreaking story, told by Novalyn Price-Ellis, describes the author's brief relationship with one of the greatest Pulp-Fiction writers of the time, Robert E. Howard. Their story is also retold in the film version called The Whole Wide World starring Renee Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio. For more information about the film, please visit the official Sony Pictures Classics website.

This is a wonderful memoir about Robert E. Howard,the creator of Conan the Barbarian. The author, Novalyne Price Ellis, fondly remembers her close relationship with the troubled pulp fiction writer before he killed himself. An inspiring movie, The Whole Wide World (starring Renee Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio), based on One Who Walked Alone, was critically well accepted. Because of viewer and reader requests, the book has been reprinted by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, with a beautiful new jacket cover. The book and movie are both very touching and worthwhile.

i liked this book very much. i read it in two days because icouldn't put it down. slappy can do some evil things. he's a verytough ventriliquist dummy. there are a lot of scary parts where amy is thinking about a plan. and stops and looks at slappy. he's staring right at her with a big fat grin. but at the end is really kool because someone else destroyes slappy. they don't know who did fight slappy.

This Book is about a girl named Amy, her sister Sara, her brotherJed,and her Mom and Dad. Amy's good at being a ventriloquist. When herdad gets her a new dummy she starts practicing and practicing. But thenshe finds a little note in the dummy's pocket and she reads it. Aftershe reads it weird things start happening. The dummy then starts breaking things and saying and doing bad things. But everyone thinks its Amy,not the dummy. There's only one person who knows the truth besides Amy,Sara. Now they are trying to get rid if the dummy,but its not going to be as easy as they think.

This book was great. It was thrilling. The horror was good and the dummy was great. I hate it when Amy's parents don't beleive her about the dummy. Very good book R.L. Stine.

This is the best book of its kind I have seen. In a straightforward fashion, the authors review the ways in which you can get involved with the many, many organizations available working on social issues. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a better world.

Accessible, comprehensive, and inspiring. The Better World Handbook is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the world. These authors take a critical look at environmental, social, and political issues from an uncommon angle by addressing the question: what can I do? I felt empowered after reading this book because it's such a practical, hands-on guide. I'll be using it for years to come!

Mahatma Gandhi said that we must be the change we wish to see in the world (p. 1). This is also the premise of THE BETTER WORLD HANDBOOK, which demonstrates that you don't have to be a Ghandhi, Mother Teresa, Cesar Chavez, or Martin Luther King, Jr. to make a positive difference in the world. By turning our good intentions into everyday actions, even ordinary people can make a profound impact on our local and global communities.

The authors of this definitive, 291-page handbook are college instructors and Ph.D candidates at the University of Colorado, Boulder. (Okay, so some Boulder residents believe that the rest of the planet rotates around our city. But when it comes to serious issues of land development, diversity, endangered species, public smoking, chain stores and restaurants, shopping malls, alternatives to SUVs, and recycling, there is indeed much for the rest of our country to learn from this very special community.) THE BETTER WORLD HANDBOOK first identifies the problems facing our planet. For instance, while "we have become a nation of sleepwalkers" (p. 1), the wealthiest 20 percent of the world's population earns 30 times as much income as the poorest 20 percent (p. 13). The average American CEO makes 475 times as much as the average worker (p. 13). The richest 1 percent of Americans own almost as much wealth as the bottom 95 percent of the U. S. population (p. 14). The average American consumes as much energy as two Germans, six Mexicans, twelve Chinese, twenty-nine Indians, or 117 Bangladeshi (p. 25). Air pollution kills nearly 70,000 Americans every year (p. 25). Development results in the extinction of 137 species each day, while the world's population grows by 212,000 people a day (p. 26). Our children watch 20,000 to 40,000 commercials on television every year (p. 42).

After confronting these alarming statistics, in an easy-to-read format, the HANDBOOK then reveals how we can make the world a better place through our actions involving money, shopping, food, friends and family, community, work, transportation, and travel. For example, the authors encourage us to vote, invest in socially responsible companies, take a daily walk, get to know our neighbors, ride a bike to work or take the bus, work less, shop locally and buy less stuff, eat organic foods and less meat, watch less tv, volunteer, recycle, and appreciate others. They even go so far as to offer suggestions for our personal transformation, cultivating emotional and spiritual well-being, maintaining physical health, and taking time for reflection in our lives. Offering us words to live by, THE BETTER WORLD HANDBOOK is sure to become a trusted resource for anyone hoping to change the world through the power of one.

G. Merritt

Though first published some 40 years ago, this volume remains useful as a serious, yet accessible overview of Norse mythology. But, as a starting point to those new to the subject, I would recommend The Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland, which is a wonderfully evocative account of the Northern pantheon.

Davidson's book is a fine overview of the subject from a more scholarly perspective. It is a book of modest scope and the author is conservative in her assertions. At times her diffidence is endearing, at others it is frustrating. Clearly, the book is a product of its time. Overall, it has withstood the test of time and I anticipate it will be used for decades to come.

This book provides a fine introduction to the myths of Northern Europe. The book examines the few remnants we have in the forms of epic poems and prose, written by Christian writers after the fact - the Eddas, Beowulf, and the Viking sagas. From these sources, especially the Edda, the author reconstructs the myths and stories relating to the Norse gods and their subsequent twilight in Ragnarok. Then, the author seeks to answer various questions about this myth and determine whatever relation it may have had to the original religion of the Northern European peoples. The figures of Odin, Thor, Loki, Balder, and the rest of the Norse gods play an important part in our European cultural heritage and it is nice to see them presented in an introduction as here. Whatever underlying mental constructs are behind such accounts as that of Ragnarok (the Twilight of the Gods) they certainly appear to be universal to the human race, as revealed in all forms of apocalyptic literature. Ultimately these beliefs died a rather easy death at the hands of the Christian worldview. Whatever your personal opinion about the replacement of the pagan beliefs by Christianity and whether or not the pagan beliefs should be resurrected or remain buried, you will certainly profit from reading this book and it will help you to better understand Northern Europe in pre-Christian times. Finally, it must be noted that in many ways, at least in my opinion, the society of the Vikings was superior to our own. I admire the strong sense of individualism that the Vikings expressed and enjoy greatly reading about their heroic feats.

Hail! Anyone whom is interested in studying anceint Northern European(English, German, Dutch, Scandinavian) pagan beleifs should most definitely purchase this book. Those whom are interested in learning about REAL witchcraft(the word witch is Anglo Saxon, thus Teutonic and NOT Celtic), will find the section on the Vanir(Earth Gods) very interesting and insightfull(after all, Frey and Freya literally translate to "Lord"[bread/power weilder] and "Lady"[bread/power maker]). I highly recommend this book to those whom are interested in ALL aspects of Northern Heathenism(which is not limited to warriors, but also judges, lawyers, wizards, tradesman, witches and farmers as well).

This is another in Ellis Peters' Cadfael series. As period pieces, these books are quite good, and they make an enjoyable read on that basis. Brother Cadfael and the other ongoing Shrewsbury characters are well-drawn and believable. As mysteries, these stories are engaging if not always awfully difficult to figure out. Cadfael bases a lot of his sleuthing on his assessments of the character of other protagonists, which can sometimes make the plots a bit transparent.

Also, keep in mind that the pace of life was considerably slower in the 12th century than it is today. Nowhere will you get the urgency or the sometimes frenetic pace of a John Grisham or Robin Cook tale. This can be a blessing, though.

This particular installment is one of the better ones. It is a good light read for the general reader and is especially interesting for Brother Cadfael fans because of the extra insight into earlier events in his life. The who, what, when and where remain a puzzle until it all gets sorted out at the end.

SPOILER WARNING: Do not read this review unless you have read Pilgrim of Hate or Brother Cadfael's Penance! Unlike Brother Cadfael, who hugs his precious secret and private joy to his thankful breast, I can restrain my "pen" only with the greatest difficulty. I want to publish the news abroad, but also have an obligation not to spoil the thrill of future discovery for readers who will follow.

All Ellis Peters' movels in this fabulous series offer excellent mysteries per se; indeed, many offer overlapping crimes by multiple malefactors. Yet to my medievally-inclined mind, the most satisfying are those novels which reveal more fascinating details or penetrating insight into the psyche and active past of our favorite monk-turned-sleuth. For Cadfael has been a soldier, sailor, sinner and Crusader--in his own unabashed words--in late 12th century Wales, England and the Holy Land. After 40 years of lusty living in the World, he willingly gave up arms forever, to take up the cowl and honor the cross.

But the cream of Peters' novels are those in which we meet the special characters do dear to Cadfael: his Saint, his best friend, Hugh, his lost amours and now...? What a joy for readers who have grown to love and respect this dedicated monk, as he gradually reveals his personal journey into a past not so dead after all! Peters makes a great case for mixed marriage in VIRGIN, as she does for the role of a faithful mistress in LEPER. Guilty men believe they see the ghosts of their victims here, as in BONES. The murderer thinks he can slip in an extra crime amid the general carnage, as in ONE CORPSE, but luckily for justice, Brother Cadfael does not permit these foul deeds to remain unnoticed on go unpunished. Vengeance may belong to the Lord, but Cadfael hovers nearby to provide a helping hand when necessary. Don't keep your curiosity frozen in a shroud of ice along with the unnamed virgin; read this wonderful mystery and be enlightened--not to mention--superbly entertained!

"The Virgin in the Ice" is one in a series of books about the monk Brother Cadfael. Based in Shrewsbury, this intelligent, shrewd and often resourceful monk sets about solving murders in 13th century England. "The Virgin in the Ice" follows the murder of a nun, the seeming guilt of a lovesick young monk, and the arrival of a strange young man seeking out two fugitive children. Add to this a band of outlaws, a nobleman with a horrific secret, and you have the trappings for another good Brother Cadfael mystery that keeps you guessing until the last page. There is also a subplot that reveals a surprising secret about Brother Cadfael's Crusade past. If you want a series of books that are easy and enjoyable to read, then you can't go far wrong with Brother Cadfael.

This book is, definitely the one of the best references available. It provided a lot of things that you won't find in any other references.

However, this is the reference for "C++" not its library. (And being the reference for the language itself made this book a timeless reference). So, if you want those information, you might be disappoint. But if the thing you want to the better understanding of C++, this book belong to your shelf.

This is _the_ reference for the C++ language. Even though the C++ standard is presently something of a moving target, this is a good working reference manual for the basics (and not-so-basics) of C++. Once you think you've learned C++, get this book and read it -- you'll find things you didn't know, or things you thought you did but don't. Warning: This is a reference manual, and shouldn't be read from cover to cover, or used to learn the language. As a reference, though, it's an excellent resource.

This was "The" standard for creating C++ 99. Since then the standard libraries were added, a full implementation of templates and exception handleing etc. So while its a good reference for the "core" of C++, i.e. the classes etc, it shouldn't be the first book (or even the 2nd) on C++ you buy. Better to get the Hardcover "The C++ Programming Language (Special 3rd Edition)" which has chapters on all of the language.

Note: That's not the first book on C++ you should get either, if you are just learning, it is however one you should own if you are going to profressionally write C++.

On why there isn't a second edition of the ARM, has in part due to the restrictions for republishing the ISO standard. And its also 2003 and now the language looks like it will continue to evolve and thus a second ed. ARM would be soon out of date as well. Maybe we'll be lucky and there will be one for C++2005.

Dire times for Shrewsbury

In this book the second of Ellis Peter's Brother Cadfael series we find Shrewsbury in 1138 in deep trouble. The forces of King Stephen are approaching and citizens are scrambling to align themselves with the victor. Unfortunately those in the castle were aligned with the Empress Maude and paid dearly for it.

This book introduces us to the crafty Hugh Beringar a worthy friend or foe to Cadfael. Part of Cadfael's dilemma in this chronicle is to determine which Beringar is. They are evenly matched for foxiness, but we hope that Cadfael's age may assist him in the end.

This series is a must for the medieval lover. It is an excellent mystery and will keep the reader guessing.

This is probably my favorite of the "chronicles." I discovered Brother Cadfael through the series on PBS and went to the books out of curiosity. The books are ever so much better than the television representations, for the richness of history, setting, characterizations, the wealth that Peters can deliver in such "short" books. ONE CORPSE TOO MANY is not only a good mystery but a pleasing adventure, a contest of wit and will between Cadfael and the newcomer Hugh Beringar. Even if you don't generally read mysteries (as I don't), this book and most of the others in the series are true delights.

This is one story which I had seen on PBS, which inspired me to read the original. What a treasure lay waiting in my bookcase!
I found that all Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael books are "Excellent Mysteries", even if I occasionally question her private brand of clerical or secular justice. But the literary gems of extreme value are those five novels which enhance our understanding of the protagonist's character. An additional bonus to the delectable mysteries themselves with their beautifully landscaped setting of England or Wales is our introduction to medieval customs and monastic ritual.

I promise to be careful not to give anything away which might diminish the reader's enjoyment of future novels in the series (20, plus a prequel book of 3 short tales). My favorites are #1, where we realize the importance of Cafael's devotion to his Saint Winifrid, also Welsh. Next comes #2 because we have the wonderful relationship with Hugh Beringar, his friend and fellow sleuth--no matter which of the warring cousins they seem to serve: King Stephen or Empress Maud. My last 3 favorites are those novels which reveal Cadfael's gradual relationship with Olivier--no hints or spoilers. Thus the unlikely hero who has retired from the world to pursue a life of inner peace within the cloister becomes increasingly more human; he earns our sympathy, respect and love.

Forget the clever plot on this one--for it is the unique and fascinating countredance of personalities that makes this novel precious. Each side in the battle for the kingdom is distrustful, trying to outmaneuver the other. Readers must decide for themselves who gains the most, who loses the most and who has the last laugh. Brother Cadfael certainly enjoys great freedom of movement--missing many masses and daily offices in purusit of justice--thanks to the old Abbot's pious nature and shunning of secular matters. Ellis Peters offers us much more than mystery artfully blended with medieval history; she presents great insight into the human heart and mind. Savor each novel and Brother Cadfeal will surely become your favorite herbalist-detective.