I am a college student and I am majoring in education. I read Black Teachers on Teaching for the class. The book was some what interesting. The characters were interested only in educating a certain group of people. I would recommend this book to anyone thats interested in helping the African American race to progress in education. The author is very concerned about the education of his people. He wants them to have an education just as good as the Caucasians; he wants them to have the best books and teachers who knows how to teach and understands children of the black race. The author is bias, I believe. He is more interested in educating his people. I did like the book but I'm interested in the education of all children.

Black Teachers On Teaching is a book every black woman should read. Even if your're not pursuing education as your field, you should read the book. It helped me to understand the trials and tribulations that blacks went through in order to become a teacher. The book was divided into 4 parts: 1)The Introduction 2)The Elders 3)The Veterans 4)The Novices. In each part there were interviews with different people. I thought they were very helpful to me because sometimes I felt like I was there. Even if this book was not required of me to read, I would have enjoyed reading it anyway because it has changed my whole outlook on becoming a teacher.

black teachers on teaching was a very powerful novel.The teachers that Michele Foster and Lisa Delpit interviewed were very strong. This book really opened my eyes to the struggle that many teachers went through during the intergration and segregation of public schools . This book has really motivated me to be the best teachers I could be and to stand up for any of my rights that Iwould feel have been violated. I recommend any teacher, black or white, to read this book because it will help everyone to know where the black teachers are coming from and where were planning on going.

As both a professional Chef & a faithful patron of Foster's Market, my expectations have been exceeded by The Foster's Market Cookbook.

Not only does the book seem to give away all of Sara's favorites- from her Tarragon Chicken Salad with Granny Smith Apples & Grapes (this might possibly be the BEST chicken salad i've had anywhere in the world), to the Roast Pork Tenderloin with Dried Cherries & Rosemary, to the ultimate cookie- The Chocolate Whopper- but she does so with refreshing ease. Where most "Celebrity Chef" cookbooks are filled with multi-task & complicated recipes, the ones in this cookbook are very simple- yet produce real food with real flavors that fit with today's real work schedules & culinary skill levels.

The Cookbook is the same as her Market- warm, informative & friendly. This is a book that i will cherish using for the rest of my life.

Sara Foster's "Foster's Market Cookbook" is a hands-down winner. She combines a comfortable manner with comfort food galore--usually comfort food with just enough of a twist to make it new and interesting. Granny Foster's Refrigerator Rolls (which keep for an amazing two weeks in the fridge if you want to put off baking them) are highly recommended!

In addition to featuring terrific, simple, delicious recipes, the layout of the book makes it a breeze to read. It's amazing to me how many cookbooks are actually sort of hard to follow when it comes to the directions, but this one isn't. The design is attractive and the font easy to read. Each recipe direction is numbered--a wonderful thing if you happen to look away and lose your place. For the most part, each recipe is complete on a single page and when this is not the case, the recipe is usually complete on the facing page. This makes following the recipes a breeze. This one is a keeper.

I completely LOVED "The Foster's Market Cookbook" by Sara Foster et al. I found her recipes beautiful, easy to perform and glorious to eat. She's a woman I can really get behind. I found her approach very familiar and comforting. I think we have the same basic food philosophy and you can really see her catering background. This is a great book for parties, gatherings or those special occasions when you really want something special with fresh ingredients.

I am a sucker for a gorgeous cookbook and this one did not disappoint. I love it and think it might be holiday gift for more than one of my friends. A real treasure!

Eight Cousins in one of my favorite books! The stories behind the pages showsuspense and brilliance in every word. Please, reader, read this book, for you wont regret it! Rose Campbell has it all: wealth, brains, beauty, and kindness, well, she has every thing but a mother. But her father is kind and cherishes her beyond love, but then suddenly Rose is an orphan at her Aunts' house. Her many aunts all want custedy of her, but finaly, she is put into the hands of her Uncle Alec for a year. Alec is a kind and simple gentleman who gets rid of Roses corsets and things and though she is aghast at such notions, she soon becomes grateful for him. Then, seven boys come into the picture, though all gentlemen, still were boys! Rose dispises boys, but must learn to get along with them for the sake of Alec, for she is ready to do every thing possible for him. But after the year, through tragety and scorn, Rose finds that she can't tear away from them. This novel is possesive and ful of suspense and I recomend it with full heart. Sincerly, a reader of this book.

When my teacher told us that we had to choose a book from her book list for our book reports, I had no idea what book to choose. After a while I finally chose this book, Eight Cousins. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down!!

The book is about the time when Rose Campbell's father died, and Rose went to live with her Aunt Peace and her Aunt Plenty , who lived in a big house on Aunt Hill, until her uncle, her legal guardian, came for her. When Rose arrived she was a very sickly & scared girl. Her aunts didn't know what to do with her, and she was surrounded by 7 loud and wild boy cousins. When her savior/guardian, Uncle Alec arrives, she puts her full trust into him, and he helps overcome her fears, & turns her into a very pretty and healthy child. It wasn't long before Rose was as happy, healthy and lively as any of her cousins.

Don't worry, I didn't give away the ending, (the back of the book tells even more than this)! As I said before, this is one of the best books I have ever read, (I even cried a little at the end!!!).

ENJOY!!!!!!

Rose is a sad little girl. Orphaned at the tender age of 13, she has been in the hands of several well-meaning but misguided aunts, all of whom are stifling her with their good intentions.

When Uncle Alec finally arrives on the scene, he vows to undue the damage done by the aunts. To that end, he demands one year to do with Rose as he will. If, at the end of that time, the results are not satisfactory to all, he will again concede control to the females.

Touching and sweet, most little girls will enjoy this book. I read it over and over as a child, and never tired of the antics of Rose's 7 boy cousins as they tried to please, entertain, and earn her favor. Reading it over again as an adult, I'd say there's nothing in this book to worry a parent. It's a good, wholesome story, and some of the lessons found inside it's pages still apply today.

I hadn't tried these romance anthologies until now. Glad I did! This is one of the most mind-blowingly great reads I have had all summer. Romance and erotica are a match made in heaven!

I Love Bad Boys has three stories. Lori Foster's "Indulge Me" is my favorite one. It was a pleasure -- so to speak -- to indulge in the story of shy-girl-breaking-out-her-shell Becky and her fantasy to experience bondage with George Westin, her boss and long-time crush, come true. The scenes are provocative to the max. I also enjoyed the two other stories, "Naughty By Night," by Janelle Denison and "...And When They Were Bad," by Donna Kauffman. But, unlike "Indulge Me," these stories have chapters that are completely devoted to intimate scenes. As a fan of erotica, I love to read books of this sort, but reading chapters with only intimate scenes in them is like reading a thriller with nothing but murder scenes in chapters. There's just too much sex! I would have liked to know more about the characters. But, alas, the stories are still great and romantic. I also love the fact that the book's so-called "Bad Boys" aren't bad at all, save for the bedroom.

I look forward to reading more of these romance/erotica anthologies in the future. The stories are sensuous and romantic at the same time. I highly recommend this gem!

Three's a crowd - but the triumvirate of erotic romance author can hardly do any wrong here except being at their most irreverent and indulgent to translate their inner fantasies to sizzling stories. Lori Foster spearheads with INDULGE ME picking up the story on innocent Becky Harte fulfilling a dare to venture into the scandalous porn shop in local Indiana. Mortification grips her when she meets her gorgeous supervisor George Westin - and erroneously thought her to develop a fetish for bondage. It is such riotous fun when the devilish George gets more than he bargains for and tender passion when Becky reveals her insecurities with the flaws on her body. Seasoned Harlequin writer Janelle Denison raises temperature with Naughty By Night - a simple tale about Gabe Mackenzie reclaiming his lost love through a poker card game that grants Chloe four nights of enslaved passion. Ms. Denison's idea of an erotic night is sparkingly romantic and original - and proves even watching a date movie with a loved one can be evocative in communication. Even Donna Kauffman cannot resist to stage a full-blown sexual escapade with distressed magnate Cameron James VI coming to a private resort dedicated to sensual pleasures and finds love in a remote island. The passionate play at the waterfall is sensuous and mystic; Ally and Cameron are two kindred spirits with heart and soul. I Love Bad Boys teases the senses with its risque theme on dangerous and virile men in their quest for love. It is wild, lush and deliciously sexy. Serves to remind us that sometimes being badder can be better.

I Love Bad Boys is a collection of three hot, fun-to-read stories. Lori Foster's contribution, Indulge Me, is the second installment in her trilogy of novellas about 3 friends, the new sex shop in town, a pact - and a steamy romance for each. Indulge Me is Becky and George's story, a fun and sexy tale about shy Becky's fantasies, and how George fullfills them. (Don't miss Lori Foster's stories about Becky's friends! You can find Asia and Cameron's story in Satisfy Me, Lori Foster's contribution to the anthology All Through the Night. Erica has her turn in Drive Me Wild, in the I Brake for Bad Boys anthology.) In "Naughty by Night," Janelle Denison tells the story of former football player Gabe and Chloe, the woman he's wanted for years. When he blew out his knee - and with it, his chances of an NFL career - giving her up seemed like the honorable thing to do. Now, he's back. Can Chloe forgive him? "When They Were Bad" by Donna Kauffman is the story of Cameron and Allison, two people who temporarily leave their "real" lives behind, in hopes of finding their wild sides at an intimate resort in the Caribbean. You'll want to read more by all three of these authors!

Whether your predilection is liberal or conservative, you must agree that the death of Vincent Foster was most unusual. Christopher Ruddy focuses on these unusual circumstances in a compelling narrative that reveals the possibility of obstruction of justice both within and outside the White House. I read the book cover to cover without putting it down. The thing I liked most about Ruddy's treatment was the fact that he did not confuse the reader by inserting his own beliefs into the book. He states the facts, but doesn't draw the obvious conclusions. He allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. If you like a good murder mystery; if you like a good conspiracy drama; if you like to believe that someone still cares about the Constitution, you'll like this book.

Christopher Ruddy has written a well-documented account of a very disturbing incident. You will no doubt be amazed at some of the facts that he mentions.

For instance, Foster's eyeglasses were found about 20 feet from his body. Sounds logical: he must have thrown them before the suicide. But actually, the glasses had gunpowder residue on them.

It was also claimed that Foster walked through Fort Marcy Park, which consists of a dirt path. Of course, no dirt or grass stains were found on Foster's shoes.

The Park Police searched Foster at the scene and found no keys on him. But his 1989 Honda was parked there. Later, at the morgue, not one but TWO sets of keys were found on Foster. A nurse there said that Messrs. Livingstone and Kennedy arrived before the Police to identify the body.

Or the gun. When Foster's wife was shown the gun, she said she didn't recognize it.

I could go on and on. Read this book and find out the truth. It's an excellent piece of work.

Ruddy has extensively researched his topic and is to be congratulated for all the work he put into this book. A top-notch mystery if it were only fiction, however, as true-crime, it is frightening. Ruddy demonstrates how power can so easily be abused in a well-written, moderately easy-to-understand book. The reader must approach this book with an open mind, study the evidence the author presents and come to his/her own conclusion. There are dozens of inconsistencies regarding Mr. Foster's death, and Mr. Ruddy examines them all. I was appalled at one particular incident he relates. If a good friend of mine suffered death under questionable circumstances, I would want a detailed investigation, however, the White House kept pushing to "hurry up," "wrap it up." Even the most avid Clinton-lover will have to admit that "something's rotten in the state of Washington, DC." Perhaps when this administration is out-of-office and no longer in power, someone will finally tell the truth. Ruddy is very courageous to name names, quote documents and testimony extensively. He has been blacklisted by the White House. How much more do we need to know?

I think than many of us are bigger than we ought to be. Yes, maybe we should all diet down, but what are you supposed to do right now? Feel bad and hate yourself? Ms Johnson's answer to that is No, No NO! I think it is time that people stop treating obesity as the unpardonable sin. There are worst characteristics in the world than being fat. Some people blame everything bad in their life on whatever weight they happen to be at the moment, and this is not right. Not everyone is meant to be skinny, and they should not be ostracized nor discriminated against because of size. You should be able to have a happy life filled with love whether you are a size 2 or a size 22. This is all that Ms Johnson's book is trying to assert. Which I why I like this book.

I thought the book was excellent. Is it too much to believe that not all fat people gorge themselves all day? I am a fat person struggling with anorexia. I damaged my metabolism from dieting and severe starvation. I've been tube-fed and hospitalized. I finally went to a treatment center and it saved my life. I still struggle daily. I DO NOT eat in fast food places. I have seen plenty of thin people in the window at McDonalds. I have several thin friends who can eat 2 Quarter Pounders. I can't even eat half of one, yet I'm twice their size. I exercise daily and do not eat junk food because I don't want to put that into my body. Yet I am fat. My blood pressure is 120/60. My pulse is 60. My cholesterol is 135. My blood sugars are normal. I am fit and fat. I do not eat all day. I have breakfast and lunch. Dinner is still too hard. This book helped me see that I am OK at this weight. I am lucky that I have a doctor who agrees that size has very little to do with how much a person eats. Yes, obesity rates are at an all time high, yet people are living longer and healthier lives. Deaths from heart attacks are down. HMMM? We're fatter, yet we're living longer? Think about it. Carol is an inspiration to everyone. Live your life, take care of yourself, and don't pay any attention to the people who are jealous because they're always miserable on their diets, yet they don't seem to lose weight. Be happy. You can be healthy and large. I am proof. Carol is proof. A lot of people are. Pay attention. We don't all eat all day. That's a myth. I know a lot of skinny people who eat all day. Are they bad? Most of them eat more than me. When I want to feel better about myself and get some inspiration, I will read Carol's book. Get off or your diets that make you cranky and miserable to be around. I am tired of hearing about your latest diet, how it doesn't work, seeing you stuff yourself because you've deprived yourself by dieting. Shut up! Get a life! When you're dead, your family won't remark on how wonderful you looked, or how thin you were. You are more than what you weigh. Use the energy that you devote to dieting in more constructive ways. Eat normal, healthy meals and move every day. Most people are not familiar with the data on fat and health. It doesn't get publicized because it isn't funded by the diet industry. They want you to believe that being fat is unhealthy so they can keep you coming in for their bogus diets that don't work. Thank you, Carol, for your wonderful and enlightening book. I have bought several copies for friends and realtives. I will go out and buy more and give them to my dieting friends in hopes that they'll see the light. Peace.

_Self-Esteem Comes In All Sizes_ is one of my favorite self-help books of all time. In fact, I've gone back and read it more than once.

For those who think this might be a book about "giving up on yourself," be aware that there's nothing here that says we shouldn't take care of our health, enhance our looks, or be aware of what we eat; quite the contrary, it's all about how to have a healthy--and happy--lifestyle, including normal eating and exercise. The author reminds us, however, that in our current culture, being fat isn't regarded simply as a health or even an aesthetic problem, it's viewed as "sin." To compare weight with other health issues, she asks, "Would I have let the number that represents my blood pressure dictate my worthiness as a person?"

In response to the way women beat ourselves up about our appearance and use our feelings about how we look as a reason for self-hatred and emotional paralysis, Johnson urges us to remember that "your beauty also comes from your zest for life, your fun-loving spirit, a smile that lights up your face, your compassion for others..." Many women's lives are so consumed by their obession with weight that they put their lives on hold. "The anxiety it breeds fills the mind to overflowing and washes away any ambition that is not related to losing weight."

She points out that one of the foremost authorities on eating disorders, Hilde Bruch, said, "There is a great deal of talk about the weakness and self-indulgence of overweight people who eat 'too much.' Very little is said about the selfishness and self-indulgence involved in a life which makes one's appareance the center of all values."

_Self-Esteem Comes In All Sizes_ emphasizes that we need to be proud of our differences. She wonders "why should a tulip aspire to be a rose?" and one of the members of her Largely Positive support groups reminds us: "God made both St. Bernards and Chihuahas."

This is a book that encourages its readers to commend themselves for their good health decisions every day, and think of each positive step as a "bonus" rather than focusing on our deficits.

I find this book very difficult to understand. Too often, there are formulas written right into sentences, and not in any special order. I would much prefer that the definition for a particular term is given in a sentence, then have the formula off to the right, or in the middle of the page, separated from the definition. This book gives very good definitions of terms, but very poor examples of the exercises that are given in the back of the chapters for review. In the chapter, there is maybe one type of problem, yet in the back of the chapter, 10 different problems too different from the given example.

I've studied cost accounting for 2 years in Hong Kong. The first year I used a really bad text book named 'Costing', I hated studying Costing. However after using the 'Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis (10 Edition)', I become interested in Costing and Management Accounting. And deceide to have CMA exam in future. THIS BOOK IS REALLY GOOD ONE.

If you are looking for a single volume "bible" on cost accounting, this is likely the best book in print today to fit that bill. It is comprehensive in scope yet has many strengths to ease comprehension and aid readability.

The topics are grouped in six main sections each with several chapters on that topic. Since it is unlikely that you will read this reference / text book left to right as you would a novel this organization helps in finding what you are looking for and focusing on the area(s) of interest.

There are many helpful illustrations and a good use of color as well as chapter summaries and all the exercises you could ever hope for.

A very excellent feature is the use of application problems that take you step-by-step through building an Excel spreadsheet. This is tremendously useful.

The web support is also a good help as well as the streaming video vignettes.

I honestly find this topic very interesting and the 11th edition of this book to be a very valuable resource.

This review of the book Pollyanna may be affected by the fact that it's being written by a boy, but let me say first that I enjoyed the Disney film version with Hayley Mills. I just didn't like the book as much. It's really nothing more than your average "irrepresible orphan turns everything upside-down" story, and like most of them, it's filled with cliches and is blatantly unrealistic, not to mention cloyingly cute. I could not stand the character of Pollyanna; she spent too much time chatting her mouth off and misinterpreting every cold act of her aunt's as an expression of love to really make an impression on me with her "glad game." While the characters are somewhat interesting, they're all stereotypes: the cold, unloving mother figure (in this case an aunt), the kind doctor who spends too much time with his patients to blot out an unhappy personal life, the embittered millionaire with a secret, the hypochondriac, grumpy invalid. It's so easy to notice these stereotypes that it makes everything so much less real than it already is. The movie was different in that it was completely believeable, thanks to the talented cast and the calm, subtle playing of Hayley Mills, who actually made a difference and had an obvious, BELIEVEABLE effect on the town without drowning us in cuteness. Get the movie; forget the book.

This book so effected me as a child, to this day, many many years later the phrase, "If you look for the good, you will find it" still serves as a valuable reminder for how we can effect our realitiy with our personal perspectives. This little girl, Pollyanna, teaches other children how to play the glad game in a wonderful and engaging story. Too few children today, know how to recognize or be happy. They haven't learned the "glass is half full" thinking. This book is a great spiritual guide, without trying to be one. Please read it and discuss it with your child. You'll both be happier. Thanks.

Have you ever been dropped into a house where you feel invisiable? Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter is a tender heartwarming story about a girl and her aunt's relationship. Eleanor H. Porter has touched many souls with this heartwarming and loving story.

This heartwarming story is about the relationship and concern of an aunt and her niece. They both try to accept that there's someone important and new in their lives.

Meet Pollyanna, and her aunt Polly, they both live in Vermont. Pollyanna and her aunt devolp trustcin each other after facing many obsticles.

Eleanor H. Porter brought in very discriptive detail. She changed font and size when she expressed what each of the character did, said,see and thought. Eleanor H.Porter is a very talented author. She convinces the reader with her expressive chapter endings.

You will find this story irrestible if you love stories that have characters who devolp many relationships. Adults and kids who have read this book will say its hard to put down. Don't miss this wonderful oppertuinty to see how this very good relationship begins, devolps and ends.

As a college professor at Delgado in New Orleans, La., I found the book to be very informative and fact based for anyone interested in substance abuse and/or addictions. I am using this book as a text for a class entitled "Introduction to Substance Abuse". The authors are clear, concise and discuss various drugs (including alcohol) at differing levels of use. This is an excellent text book for those preparing to enter the prevention and treatment fields. If you are expecting to read that "all drugs are bad", and other typical statements, this book will not appease you. It has value for the professional interested in the field as well as the parent who may simply wish to be better informed on the current trends in the world of drugs and alcohol. Warren J. Perret,BSCW/BCSAC

I am a health care professional who just started working with patients in a hospital detox setting. This book was exactly what I was looking for as a review and primer on the effects different drugs had on the brain and body. The book is in two parts. Part one is basically a quick reference to the different classes of addictive substances, how they affect the brain, how the body disposes of them, the type of withdrawl someone will experience, etc. Part two covers some basics of neuropharmacology which you will need to understand some of the technical info in part one, and also goes into things as varied as the addictive process and social and legal issues involved with drug use. There is a good bibliography and a great index with many of the common street names for a variety of drugs and drug related activities.
I would highly reccommend this to anyone in health care, education, or any type of drug counseling or rehab. Great tool for patient/client/student education about drugs that is factual and easy to understand.

As a police officer (and Drug Recognition Expert), I found this book excellent. It provides real insight on both the scientific level and street use/abuse of some of the most common drugs. Each drug category is covered and special emphasis is given to particularly common drugs found on the street.

It breaks down each of these and discusses numerous aspects of the drugs: brief history, common/slang names, discussion on who the typical user would most likely be and in what setting, addictive potential, description of effects, potential side effects and overdose information. The authors write in a good style that ANYONE can relate to (without being talked down to). It does it in a style that is not judgemental but tries to remain nuetral for informational purposes.

Very insightful and highly recommended for anyone wishing to be better informed about drugs.

Man Without a Face engaged me from the first page. I picked it up because I had heard of (but not seen) the movie, and was further intrigued because I have read and liked some of Holland's mysteries. Finished Man without a Face in one sitting. Among other things, this book shows the complexity of human relationships, and how difficult it is to judge any relationship from the outside. One of the other reviewers takes the most negative view of the relationship: that it is predatory, with Justin's goal being the seduction of Charles. The most generous view is that the sexual event happened with no action on Justin's part other than holding Charles to comfort him. Given Justin's actions throughout the book, the latter is the interpretation I would place on it. I am curious, of course, what Isabelle Holland intended, and would love to know the genesis of this story.

I do think she copped out on the ending. While it neatly tied up the close of the book, life is rarely that tidy, and what's more, Charles will be haunted by Justin the rest of his (fictional) life. Thank god he has Barry, who becomes a real person to Charles toward the end of the book.

A book to be read and discussed in the family. Freedom and consequences, love, trust, intimacy, affection, and boundaries: all important themes that are worth considering whether one is 14 or 44.

I bought the book because I liked the movie. I watched the movie several years ago and liked it then. I watched it again recently and it really hit home because the movie takes to heart the faulty assumptions people make about friendships... thinking they are all Freudian. In the movie, a genuine love (in the true, non-sexual sense of the word) develops between McLeod and Charles, the 14 year old boy. Gibson et. al. in the movie did a wonderful job of portraying the fact that it is not wrong for cross-generational loving friendships to develop. It addresses the prejudices people have about these relationships and I believe McLeod (played by Gibson) in the film shows true love by not dragging the issue out, which could easily damage the mind of Charles (all this is going along with the assumption that sexual contact did NOT occur in the movie- which most viewers are led to believe- especially if they have not yet read the book).

The book has its own merit and is good in its own sense. It is very easy to read (I read through in about 4 hours) and develops the characters well. I believe that Charles's relationship with his mother in the novel better fits the plot than the relationship in the movie. Each of the 5 main characters in the novel have well-defined needs, all of which are not developed in the movie. Charles's mother needs family and multiple social relationships. His older sister needs personality and control, while his younger sister (Meg) needs self-confidence and encouragement. The bond between Charles and Meg is accentuated by their mutual need and ability to fufill eachother's need for encouragement. While Charles slips at fulfillment occasionally, he does care for Meg (better displayed in the novel). Charles also needs a father-figure who truly cares about him (not out of obligation). Both his need for encouragement and need for a father-figure are met by McLeod, who he in turn provides needed companionship for.

The one thing I didn't like about the book as much as the movie was the way the "last night" scene was dealt with in the book. While the movie leads the viewer to believe that McLeod was a true, positive, non-sexual friend and mentor to Charles, the book leaves me thinking that there was more sexual attraction. I'm not going to try to say I know what the author was thinking or meaning by the "last night" scene. I do think that in the book there was attraction (shown by McLeod's quick negative reactions to moments when Charles showed son-like affection) and whether or not he really let his guard down when Charles's was down in the end is debatable since it is not explicitly stated (more so in the book that the movie). Read it for yourself and decide yourself. It could mean different things to different people.

I suggest watching the movie first because I like its portrayl of the relationship more. However, the book is good reading and will allow you to think more about the characters without turning you off as it could possibly do if you didn't watch the movie first.

Isabelle Holland is a well-established writer of distinction and needs no plaudits from me. I had already seen the excellent film version of the 'The Man without a Face' before reading the book, and indeed was impelled by the substance and beauty of the film to do so. I am very glad to have taken this further step: this slim volume is a minor masterpiece, gripping, insightful, and disturbing. And it is so easy, so natural to read - the boy tells his own story with all the guilelessness and spontaneity of youth. His emotional questions, problems and finally trauma are palpable.

It is an important book for another reason: it treats of a relationship between a teenage boy and an adult male, and the peculiar force that such a relationship can have. In these times when such contacts are often viewed as exploitative or even abusive, it is refreshing to find a story which presents a different picture. Here an adolescent (Charles Norstadt) struggling to cope with a family in emotional disarray, reaches out for help, support and love, which he finds - eventually and fleetingly - in the person of a lonely and eccentric retired teacher (Justin McLeod), who reluctantly responds to the boy's almost desperate plea to be coached for an all-important school entrance exam.

The author is too sophisticated to overplay the drama of the story's conclusion which (I have noted) has elicited some negative reviewer comment. There is a certain ambiguity about the physical contact which occurred, but seen in the context of the boy's pain and distress, it would seem unnatural to exclude such human contact even if - in Chuck's mind - there is subsequent concern for its implications. After all, Chuck had consciously 'desired' to touch and be touched earlier in the story, which does not necessarily imply an overt sexual feeling. Whether or not this is important to know, the writer is sure of her ground as far as Justin is concerned - he at no point made any 'overtures', and there is no suggestion that he wanted to.

This book is only mildly provocative but nonetheless makes a powerful statement on a theme of courage and love.