West examines relations between Native Americans, Americans, bison and the environment of the Great Plains. His explanation of environmental factors in depletion of the buffalo herds is very valuable in understanding what was happening on the Plains during the middle of the 19th century.

Both this book and Deejay & Betty I read in one sitting... fantastic accounts of people (espcecially women and children) and how they survive various forms of abuse with love and humor. Her ear for dialogue is fantastic. If there were an Anne Cameron fanzine I would be a charter subscriber!

This book, "Why is Everybody Always Picking on Us?", explores the roots of prejudice. I don't think I've seen another book like it. How wonderful if this book could be used in one's social studies classroom! I have learned where prejudice begins, how it is created, how it is perpetuated, and how it can be resolved. This book looks at stereotypes, bigotry, discrimination, scapegoating, racism, and more. It is a wonderfully comprehensive manual for young people and adults alike on understanding our conditioning and the root of prejudice.

Winning Is Everything was awesome. But the summary was pretty far off from the real plot. After D.J.'s party for getting good grades in college, Stephanie feels like she needs to win something. So, she decides to run for class president. But there's a problem; Allie, her best friend, is running for president too. Stephanie goes all out in her campaign, giving away candy, pulling showy-stunts, while Allie's campaign is much more conservative, and only focuses on the school's issues. Allie and Stephanie aren't really getting along, so Allie decides to drop out and become Stephanie's running mate. Then, Stephanie and Allie win! But things aren't turning out the way Stephanie plans. She forgets almost everything for the student councel, and Allie does all of Stephanie's work. Finally, Stephanie realizes that she can no longer be president, since she can't handle the job. But Steph is already president and stuck! Uh-oh. How will she get out of this mess?

If you enjoyed reading animal fiction classics like Watership Down then this book will be right up your alley. I took a chance on Winter of the Fisher when visiting a used bookstore on Cape Cod and I was pleasantly surprised by the accessible and engaging story. Langford portrayed the inquisitiveness and intelligence of the fisher without making the animal seem like a person in a fur suit. And his encounters with the only two humans for miles around seemed authentic. This book is an easy but rewarding read for both children and adults.

Constantin, my 7 year old son, got this book in Spanish from his grandmother...he was learning how to read and did not like the idea of reading out loud everyday, as his teacher Graciela recommended... this book made the trick! It was fun to read and had lots of little things to look at, easy puzzles and questions, made him think and wonder, and was super colourful. As he passed every page he found more little mazes... the book encouraged him to go on and on...to the end. He felt like a winner. Hurrah for this book! Of course, Constantin loves to read now and wants more and more books.

One of my children found this book in the library and it turned out to be a beautiful surprise.

We have a keen interest in woodworking and turning and want to pass this appreciation on to our children. The rhymes and pictures in this book will please most children.

If you don't have children, but appreciate fine wood work, this book should be on your shelf. Each page is made up of beautiful art work drawn on wood and framed with finely crafted wooden frames. And the end pages are covered in illustrations of the different sorts of trees and tools used in the book.

Sadly, this book is out of print--we are hoping to find a used copy--our woodworking library won't be complete without it.

Cameron West writes with humor, clarity, compassion, and remarkable, raw honesty. He draws the reader into the heart of his family and the intimate workings of his own mind. The book details his struggles with Dissociative Identity Disorder as a result of repeated instances of brutal childhood incest. And yet despite the enormity of his own suffering and pain, West never succumbs to narcissism or self-pity in his writing. We see his struggles to heal the disconnected parts of himself, so that he can be the kind of husband and father he wants to be (and has been able to be, before the troubling appearances of his alters). We see the profound effect his illness has upon his bright, energetic wife Rikki and his young son Kyle. And finally, we see the tremendous power of fierce love in action. This is the story of an amazing family, who traveled together through the dark tunnels of hopelessness, fear, despair, uncertainty -- hanging on to each other for dear life along the way -- and finally reached the light and solid ground.

It is wonderful to see Dissociative Identity Disorder portrayed in such human terms. I have a much greater understanding of how it works, and a deeper respect for the remarkable ways the human mind creates to survive impossible contradictions and pain. It seems to me that we all dissociate at one time or another, and we certainly all have many personas to get us through the roles we are required to play in any given day. In Cameron's case, the mind has simply used this ability as a tool to help keep him alive in deadly circumstances. I will never choose to label this illness as "crazy." I feel enormous respect and love for Cameron West and his family.

As I turned the final page and closed the book's cover one word came to mind...wow. A meditative silence followed as the impact of this incredible first book by Cameron West coursed through my veins.

I could not put this book down and found myself reading each line over and over - discovering hidden layers of beauty with each pass. As he describes his struggle to remain whole as his mind implodes - revealing 24 alter personalities seemingly 'stuck' in time and space created to protect him from a childhood history of sexual abuse by the very family he trusted and loved, along with a rapidly disintegrating life and family - West writes with striking candor and disarming wit about the truth of his life without portraying himself as 'victim.'

He weaves beautiful prose with potent imagery throughout his climb up the slippery mountain of sanity and the reader is not left holding the rope at the bottom. Conversely, West extends his hand to include us right along with him, his amazing wife Rikki and loving son Kyle. I felt he trusted me, and I found myself empowered by his sharing of their extraordinary experience.

West has blended a powerful love story and a compelling novel-esque tale of the ultimate triumph of the human spirit with an articulate and professional diagram of the workings of the mind. As we get to know Cameron, Rikki and Kyle - and ourselves - through this story, we realize our own power of evolution.

Everyone should read - and learn from - this important book.

After watching West's interview with Oprah Winfrey in my Abnormal Psychology class I had to read his book. This man touched my heart with his determined spirit and made me realize how difficult some of us make our own lives. His book is a straight forward explanation as to how just how complex the mind can be and how amazing and forceful the mind is in protecting itself. It shows aspects of his private life that are evident of the strong bond that is shared between himself and his wife, and how important their family unit has been in accepting all his alters and their individuality. Reading this book helped me understand Dissociative Identity Disorder in a new light, the disorder became more than just a definition in one of my textbooks. Dr. Cameron West is a true survivor and somebody that I know I will never forget. I read the book in two days and I have already given the book to three people who have also read it in the same amount of time. It's intriguing and lively, while being very educational. I highly recommend this book to anyone, be you interested in Dissociative Identity Disorder or not. The book gives inspiration to overcome all difficult stages of life in a constructive and self-respecting manner. AMAZING!!!

I was introduced to Dracula as a child watching Bela Lugosi portray the Count on the late night horror show "Shock Theater". This began a semi-fascination with vampire movies which continues to this day. I've not seen all the Dracula movies, but I'd seen dozens before I read the novel after graduating college. Nothing I've ever seen on the screen compares to Bram Stoker's original story. The story, which is told in the format of journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, engrossed me and carried me headlong to the final chapter.

The power of Stoker's written masterpiece exceeds the power of any screen production by a power of 10. Film isn't even the second most powerful medium for Dracula. The Naxos Audiobooks production of Dracula features a full cast but retains the format of the book. Different actors speak the journal entries of the various parties, with dialog and action being dramatized. Audio plays have been called "the theater of the mind", and that description well suits the Naxos production of Dracula. All in all, the audio play gives a satisfying way to experience the legend of Dracula.

Dracula is a masterpiece of Horror fiction, undoubtedly a classic and a necessary read for anyone who would consider him/herself a Horror fan. The title character has been forever imprinted on the minds of the world as the true name of the Vampire, and almost anyone who you could possibly ask could give you a pretty good description of the framework of the story.

A rich, reclusive count from the dark land of Transylvania tires of his homeland and searches for a home abroad to quench his thirst. Not for riches, not for glory, but for blood. For this count is a member of the damned breed, the Nosferatu, the Vampire. A demon condemned to live off of the blood of the living, while being neither alive, nor dead. It is a sad and frightening tale, filled with action and suspense.

Dracula is not only famous for its introduction of the mythology of Vlad the Impaler (in somewhat diluted form) to Western culture, but also for its formula. The inescapable evil (Dracula) to be confronted by a small, yet wary band of people lead by one who knows all of the creature's secrets and weaknesses (Van Helsing) has become a Horror staple. And folks never seem to get tired of it. The subject of Van Helsing, a character who almost, but not quite, overshadows Dracula in popularity is long overdue for a novelization of his own. Van Helsing's encounters with the supernatural would most definitely draw a fanbase.

If you're a Horror fan, or just like good old storytelling, Dracula is a book not to be missed. In fact, this novel should be required reading. It just might help increase the literacy rate!

Note: this edition has an awesome cover drawn by Boris Vallejo and it claims to be unabridged (abridging this story ought to be illegal!)

Bram Stoker's tale of terror, 'Dracula,' is just as chilling today as it must have been to readers a hundred years ago. Stoker's original story, which has been told many times since in film and book, is the tale of Johnathen Harker, his love, and his friends, and their horrific experiences at the hands of Count Dracula. The book begins with Harker traveling to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Dracula. Aquainting him with English customs and traditions when the Count buys land all over London from his firm, Harker soons learns of Dracula's true nature- that of an unnatural fiend who causes destruction wherever he goes. When Dracula travels to England Harker's friends enlist the aide of Dr. Van Helsing, the only man who understands just what evil the Count is capable of. The story that follows is one of love, hate, maddness, and adventure as Dracula seeks to destroy Harker and his friends. As well as being a great work of literature, 'Dracula' is a wonderful tale of horror that modern readers are sure to enjoy!

This was one of the best thriller novels I've ever read, and I've read too many to count. The plot centers around a brilliant retired police detecitve whose mind is trapped inside of a body that is paralyzed, save one finger. The detectives name: Lincoln Rhyme, and this book begins a series of novels written by Deaver with Rhyme as a central character. Amelia Sachs also appears as his beautiful, but self-doubting Watson to his Holmes. This book moves very quickly and the clues are sprinkled throughout the book in such a way that your mind never stops pondering "Who is the Bone Collector and who is his next victim?" This book gets good early and keeps you hooked. There is very little "down-time, except perhaps, the sub-plot of Rhyme's planned suicide, but even that adds to the story in the end. This is the kind of book you stay up late trying to finish because you just can't go to sleep not knowing how it will end. A VERY good book.

In The Bone Collector, the first in a series featuring Lincoln Rhymes, we are introduced to probably one of the best criminalist minds that have ever been written about. Perhaps it's because the main character, Lincoln Rhymes, does not have the day to day trivialities that cloud up one's mind on a daily basis. Rhymes is a quadriplegic and can only move one finger. He is a former NYPD criminalogist whose spine was severely injured while working a crime scene. Now he is confined to his townhouse apartment in Manhattan where, with the help of some state of the art electronics and equipment, he is still able to help the NYPD solve some gruesome crimes.

Enter Amelia Sachs, a beautiful policewoman, who becomes Lincoln's protege, possible love interest and eyes and ears on upcoming crime scenes. I read this book after the movie trailers were out so it was easy to picture Denzel Washington as Rhymes and Angelina Jolie as Sachs. Deaver is a master at explaining and detailing police procedure and is so adept at analyzing a crime scene that by the time I was finished, I felt as if I could "walk the grid" and "bag the evidence". The homicidal maniac in this book is as evil as they come but Lincoln is able to stay one step ahead of him. If there is a book that can honestly be termed a "page-turner", this is it. Upon its completion, however, I don't know if I'll ever be able to ride in a NYC cab and, if I do have to and I see some little toy hanging from the rear view mirror, "I'm outta here".

Jeffery Deaver is one the great writers of today -his thrillers are wonderfully twisted, intelligent and fast paced.

This was recently made into a movie which did not do the book justice. Lincoln Rhyme, the NYPD's best and considered to be the world's foremost criminalist - is paralyzed in an accident and seeks solace in silence yet the police desperately need him.

Walking the beat, Amelia Sachs discovers a body buried beneath an overpass (all but his ring finger) and she seals the area off in hopes of salvaging what clues might be left. This action brings her to the attention of Lincoln. The NYPD teams them up to hunt down what might be the cities most deranged killer.

This book was fabulous - but it had a major flaw -it ended! I fell in love with Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs and I couldn't put the book down. It was thriller through and through - and as a bonus it was well written and the characters were so real that you almost felt like you were there with them.

I can't wait to see where Jeffery Deaver takes us next