Here is an anthology of poetic riches. Maxine Cassin writes of our common dilemmas, joys, and sorrows --the immediacies of human experience--with penetrating insight. She speaks directly to the reader, with a clarity of expression reminiscent of Wordsworth; but the style is original, uniquely hers. And the poems are beautifully crafted. "Technique" is not obtrusive, however, and there is no striving after novelty. But the author's gift for metaphor and felicitous turns of phrase is a continuing source of surprise and delight. In contrast to a great deal of contemporary poetry, which appears to be choreographed and designed for the eye rather than the ear, Ms. Cassin's poems are made to be heard as well as seen. When they are read aloud, both sound and "meaning" are harmoniously united and enhanced. There are many memorable lines in this fine collection. Here is just one example that invites further exploration:

Perhaps the well-behaved can never become

transmitters of song...(p. 127)

I read the poem "Dandelion" to my class of gifted students.

It is a fine poem (even if I inspired it when I was about three years old.)

My grandnmother is listed in Susan's Larsen's NEW ORLEANS WRITERS

along with some very famous people. She is not famous yet but

deserves to be read. (By the way , she is NOT a photographer.

The poems are by her . The photographs are by Clarence John Laughlin and J.K. Potter)

Maxine Cassin's Grandson

This book is great for any coming-of-age teenager. I was 13 when I first read this, and it made more sense to me at that time than any other book I've ever read.

This is my all time favorite book! I love it! The Potter of Charles Street tells about going outside of your comfort zone and just is a wonderful book.

This is it. This book is by far the most powerful thing I have ever read. I actually cried as I read the ending. This is the first book by Mr. Roderus that I have read but it will certainly not be the last. I have only 3 words of advise to you if you have not yet read this one. "BUY IT NOW !" This one will change your life.

In my opinion few writers can handle a novel where very few characters are onstage. Mr Roderus has given us a great novel. I read Potter's Fields at one sitting and I am sure that you will too. I was right there with Joe Potter in that line shack. I looked around and saw how miserable and ornery and cold it was and how a man carries more than just his emotions around with him. And how the tenderness of a woman is something that man ignores to his detriment. In short, this book is great -- buy it.

Clary Illian has given the ceramics community an amazing gift by writing this book. Not only is she thoughtful and clear, she inspires potters (whether beginners or professionals) to make better, more personal pots. Filled with examples -- beautifully photographed by Charles Metzger -- which add flesh to her supurb text. Every potter should consider this must-reading.

I have been teaching ceramics for over 20 years and have been looking for a book like this one to share with my students. I am also a studio artist and have and will find it an invaluable tool when considering the importance of form while I work. Clary Illian is a fabulous potter. She has a great love of the material and her instincts and knowledge about beauty in functionality in pottery is clear and lovely.

I recommend this book for advanced as well as beginner potters.
This book is crammed with useful techniques as well as good,
illustrative photos.

The solutions cover a good spread of problems - but do not cover the basics. I still recommend it as a supplement for beginner potters, as a lot of common problems are explained well here.

For advanced potters, some techniques in this book may be redundant, but there are a lot that should provide some new directions. For example, covered in this book is how to make a good teapot that can pour well - always a good topic to review;
However topics such as: How can i Make More dynammic work - offers some new directions. Or, How can i translate my drawn designs into clay?

The largest sections are handbuilding and throwing, but there are some good sections on decorating. The kiln and firing section was a bit weak - as this is a complicated topic.

I have many pottery books, but find this refreshingly well done.
I do not have to comprise on good subject matter vs good photographs. It's a great book....

I recomend this book to anyone who does or is interested in pottery. This book has every question to do with pottery and their solution. Every page is filled with color photos and great ideas. I have learned so many things from this book and yet every time I open it I learn something new and useful. It shows how to glaze and decorate your peices in so many different techniques and ways. This book is a great gift for any potter, and a book you are sure to use a life time.

Awsome book. Lent it to my friend and he loved it to!

Reluctant Hero is a must read for anyone interested in the Korean conflict, or war history of any kind. Although a fictionalized account, written in a toungue-in-cheek style, the story offers a tremendous insight into a place and time that will never be forgotten by those who experienced it first hand. Using humorous accounts of events that could actually be described as traumatic and often life-threatening, and detailed imagery, the author paints a vivid picture of an event in our history that many people seem to have forgotten. That the characters are able to deal with horrible conditions, faulty equipment, lack of supplies,etc., and still find humour in their situation may sound a little far fetched. But what else could they do but make the best of a rotten situation, and hope they could all go home to their loved ones as soon as possible. Between the lines of this story are the stories of many men and women who actually lived, worked, and even died in a truly forgotten war. An entertaining and insightful story that will keep you turning pages just to see what happens next.

samara is one of my favourite romance of all time. i only had to look at the front cover and it beckoned me to open its' pages and read its' amazing story. i applaud patricia potter for such an inspiring romance between the fabulous heroine samara and the very handsome reese.i became lost into the characters and felt alive with the almost surreal adventures and emotional amongst the turmoil.this book is one of a kind in which you never get tired of reading,the type you read and dream forever.

if you love samara,i recommend anne mather's leopard in the snow, another must-have for your bookcase.

I love to read romances and I liked all the books I've read. But Samara was the most beautiful love story in my life. There's no book like it. When I bought it, I didn't know Patricia Potter's Books yet. And when I opened this book in the first page, I could never imagine it would be so wonderful. The love between Samara O'Neill and Reese Hampton is so deep that you can notice in the smaller things. Patricia Potter wrote it so well, in the right words. I read this book three times and I still miss Samara and Reese. I tell everybody to read this romance,to know Samara's spirit and Reese's honor. It's just unforgettable. P.S. If you've ever read Swamp Fire, you'll love Samara more, because she is Samantha and Connor's daughter.

The Singing Detective may be the best screenplay ever written. I have the video and the original text (including cast) which I obtained thru interlibrary loan and copied. Its richness derives, not only from its excellent production, directing and cast, but also from its similarities to Dennis Potter's own life. Am now looking for the soundtrack: The Other Side of the Singing Detective, BBC CD 708 or ZCN 708 (cassette). email address: hbduck@koyote.com

As the Designer responsible for producing the "prop" book to which the protagonist refers throughout the series, I can tell you it existed only as a cover pasted over an unrelated 1940's pulp novel. Extracts from the book, as read by Michael Gambon on screen, formed part of the original scripts written by Dennis Potter, a copy of which I am fortunate to hold. These are well worth the read for the rich visual imagery interwoven with dialogue. If this book exists, I guess it reproduces the same shooting script. If not, that would be a pity.