One of the great bonuses of parenting is that you get to introduce books to your own kids that wowed you when you were a kid yourself. Sometimes your children love the books as much as you did; sometimes they don't. But in either case, you get to revisit with old friends and see how much you and they have changed and retained over the years.

Some of my best book friends when I was a kid were the wonderful illustrated histories of Genevieve Foster, and the one I loved most was *Augustus Caesar's World.* I recently introduced it (and a few others: *Washington's World*, *Lincoln's World*, *John Smith's World*, *Columbus's World*) to my 8 year old, and he's discovering the magic in them I did so many years ago.

There are three qualities to *Augustus Caesar's World* that make it so entertaining and educating. The first is that it's incredibly well written. Foster has the gift of breathing life into historical accounts. In reading about Cicero's execution or the life of Siddhartha, for example, one experiences all the dreadful waste of the one and the liberating wonder of the other. Second, the book is wonderfully illustrated by Foster herself. The illustrations are themselves instructive: along with individual scenarios, she provides time-lines, illustrated most fetchingly, that conveniently encapsulate events and persons. Finally, Foster's histories are really world histories. In *Augustus Caesar's World,* she focuses on the events leading up to the end of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Empire (roughly, 44BCE to 14 CE). But she doesn't limit herself to Roman history; she also examines events taking place across the world during the time frame in which she's working: the druids in Gaul, Hindus in India, Confucius in China, Mayans in the Americas, and so on. She even includes intellectual history: the origins of Christianity and Buddhism, the Upanishadic culture of the Hindus, etc. Her aim is to give the reader a wide angle of vision, and she succeeds wonderfully.

I'm grateful that Foster's histories are being republished. They don't patronize kids by resorting to silly gimmicks that supposedly make learning more palatable (or at least more marketable). Instead, they make history fascinating the old fashioned way: by showing that it's a great story in its own right. They're a great discovery for my son, and a great rediscovery for me.

This book was on the reading list in my daughter's 3rd grade curriculum. We read it together and found it fascinating. At first I thought it might be above her reading level, but it was just right. What surprised me was how interested she was in it. Genevieve Foster did a wonderful job with this book. I would also recommend her other history books on: Columbus, John Smith, and George Washington. One thing that makes all these books interesting is that Foster writes about most of the important events taking place around the main character; not just in the immediate vicinity, but in other countries. She gives a global outlook.

This is one of the best ancient history books I have ever read. Genevieve Foster manages to tell, not only of Agustus Caesar, and Rome, but about everything in the ancient world, with not too much information. Foster tells everything about the characters in her book, not only about their actions. This book is a good book for teaching, or just pleasure reading! I highly recommend!

If you are a fan of romance and action, then this is the book for you. I absolutely love this book. It is one of the most interesting reads I've had in a long, long time. Pick up a copy of it today! And don't be shocked to see this book made into a feature film one day, or maybe even in Oprah's book club.

Romance readers who enjoy steamy stories of love and plots which also involve a strong independent woman will find this filled with both: when newspaper reporter Stacy meets the handsome, alluring Ryan, she is immediately attracted to a man who may prove to be involved in high crime. The trappings of a romance and the steamy descriptions of lust blend with realistic portraits of a career woman challenged by a traditional male's view of her life - in a satisfying story filled with twists and turns.

Intrigued with the myths and legends of New Orleans, Texas-born B.J. Foster chose this city as the site of her first novel of love and suspense. Staci Stimmons is a cub reporter working for the infamous editor Mitch McGalliard. Known as one of the best editors in the South, Mitch sends Staci out to the Townsend Plantation to do a story on its upcoming sale. Staci meets Ryan Townsend, nephew of Josh Townsend, the aging owner of the plantation. Ryan is a young lawyer who has political aspirations in Louisiana government. Ryan immediately hones in on Staci, who can't decide if he is a pompous womanizer or the man of her dreams. Before their relationship can get off of the ground, Mitch assigns Staci to cover an impending drug bust. Ryan may be involved, and Staci feels she must know if he is a hero or villain...even if she puts herself in danger: "Apart from helping her career advancement, there was another reason why she couldn't turn it down. If Ryan was involved, she had to know it before she got any more entangled with him. If he wasn't, he was in danger. She might be in a position to discover facts that could protect him." Bayou Shadows is a fast-paced, entertaining story meant for a large audience. B.J. Foster employs an easy, straightforward style of writing that is descriptive and endearing. Her characters are the stuff of romance novels with a little depth added to make them more convincing. The plot is well-defined and easily pulls the reader in for its many ups and downs. B.J. Foster is a new voice on the literary front, and her particular blend of New Orleans mystique, engaging characters, and fast-paced action produce a likeable product that is not only bound for commercial success, but is also instructive. The character of Staci Stimmons is that of a young woman struggling with her own career goals against the backdrop of traditional courtship and love. It is a good story with excellent role models for young women to read, and a sweet and touching tale for the rest of us.

Shelley Glodowski Reviewer

Foster Simmons has an evil father. His brother leaves for world war II and Foster wants to help the soldiers, too. How is Foster going to help the U.S? I read this book from when I got back from school to when I went to bed. It was funny,addicting, and was suspenseful(very suspenseful).

I think that Foster's War should be five stars because there was a lot of detauls and desairption. I thought that their father lift to but every night he came home. This book was great.

Foster's War was a very well writen story. I was not alive during World War II, but this book was very realistic. From the family to coping with the war, it was realistic. I would highly recomend this to young readers.

Mr. Bonsall's Molly book is a work of art. In his first bookabout his real-life cat, he has shown us through the eyes of a cat, how the world looks. Children love the book and adults can learn from "Molly".

Everytime my nieces and nephews come to my home, they ask me to read Molly to them!! I'll read it to them three or four times in one sitting!! When they are not here, there's nothing I like better to do than curl up on my couch and read Molly to myself, especially after a rough day at work!! This is an awesome book!!

Being both a teacher and a counselor I see many books that are aimed at children and have become rather critical of the content and approach. I would recommend this book without hesitation. It is well written with many ideas and approaches that can be expanded on all the way from the issue of abandonment and security of family and friends (in human and animal form)to just plain fun. It is written on the child's level but has concepts and vocabulary that challenge thought. It's a winner.It is in its second printing so I am not alone in this opinion.Don't miss it.

I loved this book. I loved the characters names. Brought back a lot of memories. A great family story you can relate to their struggle and triumph.

All of the characters all stick in your mind a long time after you have finished the book. Sometimes I still find myself wondering what Edith or one of the other characters would say in reference to a current event that has happened in today's world. The dialogue used was realistic and true to the period of time. It was very refreshing to read language that was so descriptive and vibrant. The reader was allowed to feel as though they were present during the conversations between the characters. I read the last few chapters slower than the rest of the book to make it last longer. I didn't want it to end.

The characters were so real and the story written in a way so easy to read. I lived through the depression, so I can tell you that this author knows how to take you back in time with his words. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

I found the book to be extemely useful in communicating the 12 Leadership techniques and stressing the importance of each individual becoming a coach.
I was familiar with a lot of the recommendations so I was able to glean additional insight on the subject of leadership by reading the perspective of this author.
I found the assessment checklists found throughout the book to be helpful in reviewing my individual status concerning leadership.
I would highly recommend this book to any individual seeking to improve their visibility in their chosen field.

Due North encourages CEOs and any Executive level professional to share problems and concerns by providing an opportunity for its readers to hear from an internationally known executive.
Due North provides the formula that allow a leader to examine how their values and visions may influence the way they lead their company, organization or association.
I strongly recommend readers to utilize this high level blueprint that will enable you to explore your strategies and change the way you think and feel about your role as an executive leader.

Due North encourages CEOs and any Executive level professional to share problems and concerns by providing an opportunity for its readers to hear from an internationally known executive.
Due North provides the formula that will allow a leader to examine how their values and visions may influence the way they lead their company, organization or association.
I strongly recommend readers to utilize this high level blueprint that enables you to explore your strategies and change the way that you think and feel about your role as an executive leader.

This is a kinda obscure out-of-print (but easy to find) novel from 1974. Another Listmania selection (as most of my recent choices are), and as usual, very enjoyable. Icerigger is a swashbuckling tale full of heroes and battles, where 6 people crash land into a medieval civilization just in time for them to fight a war (of sorts). This is purely a story, there is no deeper meaning and nothing to think much about, but a very solid story indeed, what! The first in a trilogy.

Icerigger is a fantastic book that would probably make a good movie. On a frozen planet with skating tigers, giant slugs, and little human influence, we get a good story about humans being stranded with a medieval-type race.

The book is action packed through out, you like the main characters, and the plot is simple, making for a nice easy read.

This sci-fi novel would probably best be described as... earthy. It's written by ALAN DEAN Foster, and it's sometimes confusing, but written in a familiar, everyday-type style.

The book begins with a silly bar game, but moves on to the life of the main narrator, a 'nobody' salesman, Ethan F. Fortune. He is assigned to a city named Brass Monkey on the frozen world of Tran-ky-ky (a native name) to vend modern heaters (the inhabitants are maybe 800 years behind us). But instead he bumbles into a kidnapping along with a 'nobody' teacher. The kidnappers force the unfortunate victims into the lifeboat, but the bar guy had been tossed on board earlier in a drunken sleep. Plus they fail to leave before the kidnappers' bomb detonates and careen to the human-less outbacks of Tran-ky-ky. Now the party of 6 (Ethan, the drunkard - Skua September - , the schoolteacher, a wealthy industrialist, his overweight and sarcastic daughter, and the weak kidnapper - Skua kills the powerful one) must cope with the fascinating but hazardous planet.

Here are some things you'll read about:

--a *valuable* volcano

--a scholarly but dangerous monastery

--a feudal island, an old baron and his coquettish daughter

--a titanic, vacuum-cleaner ice slug

--hairy dragons, nocturnal carnivores, and alien ice plants

--a clipper-ship sled!

--violent sections involving marauding barbarians (the bulk of the story)

The whole thing is served up with clear, understandable writing that's so lifelike it sometimes gets raunchy. This isn't a book you would read more than one chapter at a time of, but the adventure story really does grip you. The science-fiction bits are great, too: the native "tran" (see "Barlowe's Guide to the Extra-Terrestrials") really are believable. So if you want to sit back and read about knights and castles on an ice world, well..... you'll love this novel!

Everyone understand that happy, confident, well- balanced Teen's do not just happen. This is why I feel that parent ought to read Parent/ Teen Breakthrough The relationships Approach. Everyone knows that being a parnet is life toughest job, but thanks to Mira Kirshenbaum and Charles Foster, Ph.D. has built a road map for parent to have a better understanding of thier child emotions needs and how to deal with them effectively. This book also show parents how to help children develop a healthy self image and understand thier own emotional. This book is very insightful and easy to read and easy to understand.

Excellent book for parents with preteens and teens. It is full of very compelling examples of behaviors that can be expected if a solid relationship between the parent and child has not been established. The crux of the problem is often the parent. We are comfortable controlling our children (it works) when they are smaller and we're quite surprised when they begin to mature and really need us to be a best friend. The book does not preach, but clarifies the value of building a new relationship. Perfectly appropriate for people of any religious faith. It is a gift that I give to parents very often.

During my son's eighth grade year I struggled constantly with conflicting ideas about how to control and moderate his behaviour. None worked and my husband and I spent many hours arguing and I spent many hours on the carpet at the school for various infractions. Completely seredipitously this book landed in my hands. I don't read self-help books and books of that ilk but after perusing the first chapter I thought "Yes, this sounds right." I have adopted the basic philosphy in all my dealings with my son. Despite my husbands claims that it is merely the easy way out (avoiding confrontation and bright lines), it is in fact a great challenge to stand up to the almost relentless advise that comes in on childrearing from all sides. It is not easy to say this is what I believe and I will stick with it understanding what you say about dire consequences. I often feel all alone and this book is a huge, absolutely huge, comfort to me.

The Raven Who Spoke With God is a superbly written inspirational novel by Christopher Foster about a journey to hope and healing, and a look at nature through the eyes of a creature who is part of it. When a young raven loses his friends and family to a massacre, he is at first consumed with despair; his subsequent journey and adventures form a parable in this highly engaging narrative. The Raven Who Spoke With God is highly recommended reading, especially for those who prefer their fiction to showcase a deftly presented and spiritually uplifting message. Also highly recommended is Christopher Foster's previous novel, Winds Across The Sky.

In addition to relating a fine story, well written, Foster reveals a sesitive understanding of the challenges young people make as they grow up.
The main character struggles, endeavoring to make decisions in keeping with his integrity. Is this not true of most individuals as they try to make sense of a confusing world?
As a clinical psychologist, having worked with children and teens most of my professional life, I am very appreciative of The Raven Who Spoke With God. Congratulations are merited!

How often it takes a myth, a legend, or a fable to awaken awareness and reveal the truth we cannot otherwise see. Such a tale is THE RAVEN WHO SPOKE WITH GOD.

Beneath the beautiful cover lies a heartening story of a hero's journey. Joshua, the disheaartened raven asks himself, "What does it matter? I wanted to find the truth, but it was an illusion." Confessing to naivete, he feels he can only hope for a normal life--"you know, eat, sleep, and die." Haven't we each known similar disillusionment?

Sharing his quest will reward the reader with insight, raised consciousness, and hope for our universe.

The book was very informative and insightful. It contained poems written by Zen masters from China, Japan and Korea. There was a briefing on the lives of Zen masters but over all it was very interesting to read. It helps you understand Zen a bit better. Who knows maybe you'll realize that "it is useless to pray to the gods about your destiny" What will happen will happen. We as humans have no control over it, so it is best to accept things as they are.

I began reading this book as a vehicle toward understanding the history of Zen. As the pages slowly passed, so did my perception of what it means to be a student of the way.

Zen study is a study of the present moment, nothing more. While reading The New Zen Reader, I was constantly faced with the reality that there is truely no way. Through the ever changing ways of being presented by the relationships these teachers, hermits, polititions, poets, warriors and monks shared with the divine, it is clear that there is truely no formula or method to the madness of Zen.

The beauty of this book is that it provides a silent retreat in the shade of the Zen tree of ancestors. Filled with love and pain, it represents all the flavors of our ever changing world in the timeless dance we humans share with the process of search and discovery.

Metaphor abounds in the words of these diverse teachers, and surprise lurks with ever turning of the page, as noone can know what will arise from the relationship these individuals nurtured with truth.

I encourage the reader to take this one slow. One word at a time. Think back to the time of each writing and enjoy the complexity of human experience and relationship. Here is an opportunity to see some of the unfolding of the great mystery, at the hands of a few committed to full expression in the moment. And remember, sometimes not knowing is most intimate.

Stories about zen masters and anecdotals are all very well. However, a view of their original work is needed to provide a well-rounded view of Zen. After searching for a simple book which did not dwell on the esoteric nor the speculative, I find this book very refreshing. Read the works expecting nothing, and their very meaning will jump out and hit you with the power of their simplicity and frankness. At a time when Zen has assumed such a complicated personna, and people are inundated with terminology which drives them away from such a great practice, this book comes across as a place where one can lay down under the shade of a big friendly tree,take the shoes off and wonder at the simple wisdom of the masters.