Ralph Edwards of lonesome lake is a book about carving out a life for ones family in a remote wilderness. This book is such a contrast to our technical world with cell phones, internet, e mail "Big Box shopping" malls. Our lives are so full but really so empty. I felt an extreme feeling of sadness after having read this book. Ralph Edwards and his wife are now dead after having lived a hard but full life. We all struggle through life with different goals and yet we all have to face death. I felt the sadness of Ralph Edwards when he realised that he was too old to be independant and look after himself. This book has to make us all stop and concider what we are doing and what is the purpose of life. What could possibly be more important than these questions?

Jo Ann Roe has written a magnificent book, adding considerable information and insight on Ranald MacDonald. In addition to the biographical content, she added valuable scope by describing and explaining the context, for instance the Japanese forces at play at the time of MacDonald's arrival, the gold rush in Australia and British Columbia, etc. Thanks to her lively style, Ranald MacDonald becomes very present to the reader. It is a remarkable historical research.

Meg Strathmann (and her colleagues) put together a wonderful reference book that is a must-have item for anyone doing work on the reproductive biology or larval biology of marine invertebrate animals along the Pacific coast of the North America. This book is also a great source of reference material for invertebrate biologists anywhere in the world.

This book includes information about methods, and hints about culturing and maintaining marine invertebrate larvae. It also contains published or unpublished (but documented) observations on the reproduction and development of marine invertebrates of the northern Pacific coast.

The book is divided into chapters devoted to different invertebrate phyla, including methods for culturing their larvae, as well as information on the timing of spawning and development of as many Pacific NW species as have been studied.

The book, published in 1987, is now approaching its 15th year in publication. Even though some parts of it are slowing slipping out of date, this book remains the best reference book on this topic.

Absolutely top notch reference material, 5-stars!

Alan Holyoak Dept of Biology Manchester College, IN

Rick Hansen was pushing his wheel chair around the world when my son had a spinal accident that left him tetraplegic. Rick Hansen's story gave him goals, attitude and encouragement. He is now completing an MSc in marine ecology and is starting to live alone. This book - in our family - was one we were glad to find when we needed it

We planned our honeymoon out of this book, and boy am I glad that we did. The places in here are all splurges, but it's money well spent. Jacuzzis, balconies, and all sorts of romantic touches. This book never steered us wrong. Plus it's a delight just to look at the photos, and dream of trying more spots.

Here we have the, I think, ultimate guidebook to driving British Columbia. Condensing the rich possibilities into a single book is an overwhelming task, but is successfully accomplished here. Some of the drives listed are difficult to get to, especially the ones in Northern BC, but they are exhaustively documented and obviously well researched. I am planning to take many of the drives this year, at least the paved ones. I now have a good idea what to expect. The author takes great pains to mention other side roads that contain hidden wonders that await you, as well as the ones that might be not worthwhile. All in all, this is a very handy guide I have studied cover to cover, and have mined for information about this beautiful destination.

This book provides the most accurate and interesting history of the original television studio that brought the industry to life and for nearly four and a half decades brought us our favorite classic sitcoms. They defined the television industry as being the first Hollywood studio-owned company to produce television programs. It may be outdated, but it is an excellent look at this ancient television studio!

I received this book as a gift and at the time, little did I know that it would save a life--that of my 49-year-old sister who was recently diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

We read through the book together and followed Dr.Rose's steps and guidelines about why you should seek a Second Opinion. The doctors my sister saw when she was first diagnosed were not experienced in breast cancer. The Second Opinion book gave us the correct advice about what to ask a doctor, such as how many prccedures he/she performed or cases he's/she's handled of a certain type. The most practice advice it gives is: If you don't feel comfortable with the answer you're getting from the first doctor you've seen, definitely get that second opinion!

Needless to say, she sought a Second Opinion at a nearby major medical center that has an entire division exclusively devoted to breast cancer. The doctors here have given her more hope for a longer term survival and even re-evaluated her from a Stage 4 cancer to a Stage 3 cancer, based on their vast knowledge and better experience with this disease.

The advice provided in Second Opinion is accurate, practical, and right on the mark! Anyone considering surgery, whether it's gall bladder or a heart transplant, should would definiately benefit from reading this book and following Dr. Rose's advice. Both my sister and I feel so much more empowered after having read it. And you know what they say: "Knowledge is Power!"

The Second Opinion book also details some of the things she might expect when she has her breast surgery, which makes the whole thing seem a lot less scary.

I don't want to think what the outcome would have been had I not been given this book and shared it with my sister. This is a definit "must read" for anyone who is not getting the medical treatment they feel they should be getting. It's also significant that a doctor is the author and he's the one who's saying: Not all doctors' diagnoses are accurate. Don't take it at face value. Get a Second Opinion.

Enough Said!

Hace que uno revalue lo que tiene o lo que no tiene en la vida. Lo que uno piensa que es grabe y lo peor, para otros en diferentes situaciones es solo un juego, o una vanalidad. El libro es muy real, es como estar ahi, viendo todo, sintiendo cosas similares.

Esa nina es una berraca!

Professor Lucas has written a well researched analysis of the burning of Columbia, South
Carolina by the Federal army. There were strategic military reasons for Sherman's march
through central South Carolina. Columbia "was an important war manufacturing
center--one of the few still in Confederate hands--providing munitions, equipment, and
uniforms....central South Carolina contained the last Confederate sources of food
untouched by war." Governor Magrath pointed out to Jefferson Davis that the borders of
South Carolina were Richmond's second line of defense which was confirmed when
Richmond fell less than two months after Columbia surrendered.

The author outlines the wartime conditions in Columbia noting that both the civilian and
military authorities were tardy in realizing the obvious danger to the city and even slower
to act. Finally the author writes "The missing ingredient with the Confederate camp....was
a belief in the possibility of success. The defeatism of Beauregard's leadership was
abundantly clear...."

Chapter 2 gives a succinct account of the evacuation of Columbia noting that inspite of
the desperate condition of the Confederate armies, the large arsenals and war supplies in
Columbia were not evacuated. The cotton in storage was moved into the streets with
orders for it to be burned which contributed to the later fires. Columbia Mayor Goodwyn
surrendered the city while scores of bewildered Columbians, in an ill-conceived attempt to
placate a dreaded conqueror, began distributing alcoholic beverages to the soldiers. This
precipitated an insurmountable problem.

A balanced account of the burning of Columbia is given. The most damaging fire began
about eight p.m.on February 17th, was of inexplicable origin and was not extinguished for
six or seven hours when the wind abated. With drunken men roaming the streets, rioting
and acts of personal violence were bound to occur. Confusion reigned and most control
over the city was lost . The extent of the damage following the fire is reviewed. About
one-third of Columbia was destroyed with the business community virtually wiped out and
265 residences burned.

Regarding who burned Columbia, the conclusions were (and still are) along partisan lines.
South Carolinians charged Sherman as "morally responsible for the burning of Columbia".
Union officers and troops felt that while the events in Columbia were regrettable they
were the results of acts of war. Sherman entered South Carolina to disrupt the state's
transportation system and bring an end to the war by destroying Southern morale.
However, Professor Lucas notes "The failure of Sherman's psychological warfare, a new
kind of war which Southern civilians did not understand, was that the hatred generated
during the invasion did not terminate with the war's end."

The post war criticisms of and charges against Sherman and the Union army are reviewed.
The author notes that the Confederates as they evacuated the city began the looting and
plundering then the entering Federal troops seized what was left. The unanswered
question of incendiarism, the most disputed issue, is complicated by a lack of reliable
eyewitness accounts.
In summary, Sherman failed to take timely and sufficient action to control both the fires
and the riots. However, the author notes that the failure of Confederate leadership in the
defense of South Carolina and the evacuation of the city played a major role in creating a
situation which resulted in the destruction of the city. In addition no preparations were
made by Beauregard, Hampton or the city fathers for the official surrender of the city
when a formal declaration of Columbia as an open city may have produced positive
results.

In conclusion, Professor Lucas writes that the burning of Columbia was a great tragedy
for South Carolina and the Union stating "....when the Union Army left Columbia on
February 20, 1865, it left behind bitter hatred. Many citizens had lost everything they
possessed, while others had gone through the catastrophe relatively unscathed. All,
however, suffered psychologically. They had promised to give their "all" in defense of
South Carolina and the Confederacy; it was painfully apparent that few had done so. Long
before Columbia was captured, Columbians had given up."