The book is a fantastic collection of the most popular East Coast drinks, and I use it often, but it lacks a West Coast feel, and severl drinks from it. It's a great starter book, though.

This is just a good "tool" to have around your house. Even if you don't throw any parties this year (or any year), it will come in handy, whether you want a good martini recipe or if the evening calls for something silly like "Alabama Slamma's".

The book is easy to use, and will be well-enjoyed by the adventuresome who are looking for a buzz more refined than a "sixer of bud."

I have also given this book to a couple of friends who are normally difficult to shop for on their birthdays, and they both loved it. Cheers!

This is an excellent book for the professional bartender to the home partier. The drink list is unlimited; it's filled with the most popular and most unlikely drinks, it will keep your guests entertained for hours. It does lack a "shooters" section, but overall it is great.

Provides a great selection of varying martinis. Good introduction into the world of martinis and suggestions on setting up a martini bar. Guaranteed to not allow one to get bored with martinis.

I just started making martini's and this book has really helped me. There are a lot of recipes (I think around 200). A lot of these recipes are just variations of garnish but there are many, many other recipes for every martini you could ever think of. The Cosmopolitan, Manhattan, Winston Churchill's recipe, the Daydream Martini, the apple martini, cajun, peppermint, coffee martini, etc., etc., etc. The beginning of the book talks about the difference between gin and vodka martini's, how to set up your martini bar, the difference between shaking and stirring, the history of martini shakers, the difference in selections of vermouth and famus martini drinkers. There are also quotes throughout the book about martinis. It is a great book and would be an excellent guide to have in your bar for making martini's. And for people who want to perfect making different kinds of martini's, this is a great book. This book is excellent for veterans and newcomers to the drink.

I received this book as a gift last Christmas. As a martini lover....I've tried several versions that I LOVE but have never been able to recreate due to the fact that I couldn't remember the ingredients. For example....I enjoyed a Cajun Martini while in New Orleans. I couldn't ever recreate this drink that I loved so much. All in all........I've only altered one martini drink and that's the Chocolate Martini. I add clear creme cocoa liquor vs. colored. I absolutely LOVE this book and it is a MUST have for anyone who loves martini's. It leaves you the option of never being bored with this cocktail because there are so many variations. In other words.....whatever suits your mood.

I was very disappointed in this set. The book should have been hardcover, the cards should not have been so incredibly cheap and small (they look like they came out of a bubble gum machine; I only used them twice and they are already worn), and the drumming on the CD was not done very well (probably because the drummers were John Matthews & his wife, and they don't seem to be able to keep a steady beat, which I found most annoying).

Having said that, the information contained in the book is okay; I agree with the previous reviewer that it really is for the true beginner. If you've already read anything about shamanism, this book will not hold any new information.

I just feel that if you are going to put together a boxed set, the components should not be done as cheaply as possible. For heaven's sake, put a little quality into it!

CONCLUSION: Not worth the asking price. You're better off spending a little more money for a great drumming CD & a better book on shamanism.

Mention the topic 'Celtic shamanism' and one will eventually encounter the writings and prolific work of John and Caitlin Matthews, both wisdomkeepers in the Celtic visionary traditions, living in Britain. CELTIC TOTEM ANIMALS is the latest project of John Matthews in 2002 and is a good overall introduction to those beginning students who have not been exposed to Celtic traditions, the totems, or to the specific method of shamanic journeying (sometimes referred to as 'soul flight', 'active dreaming' or 'walking between the worlds').

CELTIC TOTEM ANIMALS is just exactly that: a beautifully conceived project, providing a good doorway for introducing the beginning student of shamanism to the influence of the totemic dimensions, clearly showing that John Matthews is as much in tune with those people who are just learning about the Celtic traditions as he is those seasoned practitioners who benefit from his other writings.

NOTE: For those who are long-time practitioners of shamanic work or who are practiced with various divinatory systems, do note that CELTIC TOTEM ANIMALS is--in my estimation--designed for beginning students. CELTIC TOTEM ANIMALS will be basic gnosis and praxis. However, I also think even some seasoned practitioners--especially of Celtic mysticism and shamanism--will find value in the versions of the traditional stories that John shares in the book; stories that clearly express and articulate the totemic and shamanic dimension within Celtic tradition.

CELTIC TOTEM ANIMALS consists of: a.) a well-researched and informative book (complete with profile of the major totems of Celtic tradition, nine sacred stories from the Celtic tradition expressing the totemic influence of the animal powers in the Celtic mythos, along with an introductory explanation and instruction in shamanic journeywork, b.) a set of 20 cards depicting some of the major Celtic totems (note: the artwork is nice, in a kind of woodblock print form, however, the cards are also extremely small--2 inches by 2.5 inches and might be somewhat disappointing to those folks who were expecting full-sized cards as are found in tarot systems), and c.) a good basic shamanic journeying CD with three tracks of drumming, complete with call-back.

Get the printed version (excellent!) instead. This high-tech version is underwhelming, especially for the cost. It apparently has the same content as the standard text, but the interface looks like it was written for a computer running Windows 95.

The book is especially good to understand the mechanisms of Cell Biology. The beauty of the book is that it does not look at Cell Biology purely from the aspect of a cell and it's organelles but goes a step further to give a clear picture of how cell organelles and their components function in a cell and how it is impossible to study the cell without it's amalgamation with molecular biology. The chapters on DNA replication and RNA transcription are very lucid. Signal transduction is also very comprehensively explored. The book has kept abreast with latest studies and makes it an especially useful text for 1st year Masters/Ph.D students

If you can, pick a different family theory book. No, the information provided in this book is not difficult to grasp but the book rambles, repeats itself, and is frustrating to slog through. It seems as if the two authors decided who would write what chapter and then found themselves repeating each other. A good editing would cut the book by half. Goldenberg and Goldenberg would be a better choice or try Family Counseling and Therapy by Arthur Horne.

This book is a well thought out book with basic introductions to family therapy, as well as different theories, as well as case studies. This was the first book I bought about family therapy and I have been using it as a reference for the past year. This book is not too expensive, and will be a book the you will use throughout your entire therapy coursework.

I have tried several books on family therapy as texts for my graduate course on Family and Couple therapy. This book is superior to other books that I have tried. The authors explain theoretical positions clearly and most importantly organize this vast area of social science into a well-organized discussion that is interesting and easy to follow. It is a serious text rather than convoluted and I'm thankful a text such as this for my students. Dr. Deborah Khoshaba

Yeah, I didn't think so. I wanted a book on making smoothies with everyday items, and this wasn't it. It seems you should have a juicer to utilize the majority of the recipes in this book....I was unaware of that. Even if I had the juicer, I really wasn't that impressed with this book. A lot of the recipes seemed very similar to me. Well, I'm off to find the perfect smoothie book so I can get that VitaMix earning it's keep!

I purchased this book based on the number of recipes - wrong move! I found many of the recipes to be redundant in all the drink categories. And frankly, most just weren't that tasty. I don't know who Sally Ann Berk is, but it is evident that she isn't a chef. If volumes of marginal drinks are what you are looking for, perhaps you will find this appealing. However, you may want to save your money and buy a book with less recipes and more quality.

I purchased this book based on the number of recipes - wrong move!. I found many of the recipes to be redundant in all the drink categories. And frankly, most just weren't that tasty. I don't know who Sally Ann Berk is, but it is evident that she isn't a chef. If volumes of marginal drinks are what you are looking for, perhaps you will find this appealing. However, you may want to save your money and buy a book with less recipes and more quality.

The problem with the contents of this book is that they are mostly standard, or require a simple trick. Many problems also require quite a bit of knowledge in higher mathematics, which may be good if you want to test that.

However, this book is not for problem solving enthusiasts.

A GOOD COLLECTION OF PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN THE BENCH MARK OF SELECTION TO THE PhD PROGRAMME AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKLEY IN MATHEMATICS. THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF PROBLEMS THAT COMPRISE SOME SIMPLE AND SOME HARDER NUTS TO CRACK.THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY HAVE APPEARED IN THE EXAMS. NOT ALL QUESTIONS FIND SOLUTIONS IN THE BOOK HENCE THIS KEEPS UP THE SPIRIT OF THE EXAMINATION BUT THE SOLVED ONES SHALL HELP TO VENT FRUSTARTION OR OVER COME FALIURE AT TIMES. THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE PLANNING TO TAKE UP A PhD IN MATHEMATICS TO GUAGE THEIR AREAS OF STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS.A VERY WELL COMPILED SET THAT COMES YET AGAIN WITH THE GUIDENCE OF P.R.HALMOS.

i WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ARRIVING IN THE POST, BUT DISAPPOINTMENT DOES NOT EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE MY FEELINGS WHEN IT CAME. THE BOOK ITSELF IS FLIMSY, PRINTED ON CHEAP, NASTY PAPER AND BARELY WORTH 50P. ALTMEN WRITES WITH A DISTURBINGLY GIDDY, CHILDISH APPROACH, CONSIDERING SHE GIVES YOU THE IMPRESSION SHE IS A GROWN, MARRIED WOMAN. PLUS SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT. STATEMENTS SUCH AS 'YOU NEVER SEE TOMBOY JOEY IN A SKIRT OR DRESS' ARE BOUND TO IRRITATE FANS WHO WATCH EVERY WEEK,AND HAVE SEEN JOEY PROGRESS FROM A TOMBOY TO HAVING A WARDROBE WHICH A MODEL WOULD BE ENVIOUS OF. UNFORTUNEATELY, STATEMENTS SUCH AS THIS ARE FREQUENT AND ANNOYING, THIS WOMAN DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE. DON'T BE TEMPTED BY THE DECEPTIVELY CHEAP PRICE OF THIS, BUY A PROPER GUIDE. THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY.

I am pretty new to DC, but I still know a lot about it. I thought this book might have good info, but I was terribly mistaken and it was a waste of my $4.50. Sheryl Altman writes like a giddy teenybopper and obviously has no clue what the hell shes talking about. This book could've might as well been a 6th grade writing assignment. If you want to read a guide to a television show, you want someone who knows what they're talking about. I mean, the author spends a whole chapter discussing Dawson's interest for Steven Spielberg! Ms. Altman, i have five words for you: DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB.

This is an excellent book to read if you love the tv show Dawson`s Creek. You will know all of the info about the characters and all of the actresses and actors who play them. This is the best chance to know more than your friends about your favorite tv show!! Put this book on your list of books to read this summer. Trust me, this is coming from a Dawson`s Creek fanatic,you have to get this book and read it now!! Hope you enjoy it!!

I purchased this book for my first pregnancy and referred to it on many occasions. I found it very easy to understand and though it does cover medical related topics and subjects, it is still easy to follow and understand. There are no color photos but does feature drawings. The book also features a Pregnancy Calendar so you can track your pregnancy, doctor's appointments, important events, etc. This book covers the whole nine months of pregnancy, plus Body Basics, What Can Cause Infertility, Quick Tips For Getting Pregnant, and critical questions to ask yourself if you are trying to decide whether or not you should get pregnant. If this is your first pregnancy, I would recommend this book. I know it helped assure me on more than one occasion.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I found it not only to be on the level of a person who may not know a lot about human physiology, but also for people who may have a background in that area. (So many pregnancy books are patronizing.)

I think this book does a great job of explaining how to cope with morning sickness,backaches, and other small ailments associated with pregnancy. We all have little worries about our unborn baby and this book offers information that can help ease the mind. Plus it is nice to be able to walk into the doctor's office armed with some knowledge and knowing what questions to ask. A confident woman can have a confident labor when she knows what is going on.

In response to the reviewer who claims the book isn't good because Dr. Berk has malpractice claims against him, I have 2 things to say. First, Dr. Berk is not the primary author of the book. He writes bits and pieces throughout the book, but a woman wrote most of the book. It includes helpful advice on topics such as when to expect your clothes to feel tight, and what types of maternity clothes you should buy based on your due date. This is helpful information I have not seen elsewhere. Second, I don't know the specifics of these malpractice claims against Dr. Berk, but OB/GYN's have the highest rate of malpractice claims filed, and just because claims have been filed doesn't mean the doctor was provided negligent care. I work in the medical field, and have done research on this topic. Not all of the malpractice suits filed are due to negligence. Some times parents are just seeking compensation for a bad outcome that would have happened regardless of the situation. Don't let the previous reader's comments dissuade you from buying this very informative and helpful book!!

It would HELP everyone take this book seriously if the editors weren't self-involved on a truly scary level. Trust me, even post-marriage, the only time these two recite love poetry is when they're gazing at their own reflections in the mirror.

The question arises as to whether you'd ever let a guy from Haverford and a woman from Bryn Mawr do ANYTHING having to do with romance, never mind pick out poems. Face it, you're not talking about experts here -- they had to marry EACH OTHER.

I'm sorry this book didn't get such great reviews. I got it at a used bookstore and I love it. Don't let the editors take away from the book. These poems are beautiful, I haven't seen such a thorough collection before. Plus, I found the perfect poem to send to my lover, which is saying a lot.