Picnic With Piggins, by Jane Yolen was quite a good book. I recommend it to all. I wasn't quite interested in it at first, but I quickly became interested. The book takes a big turn and completely changes your sense of what's going to happen. It's a mystery, and as the book goes, you get to solve it yourself.

The butler has to solve a mystery. -Which You find yourself following along with the process of solving it. Any kid between the ages of 7-12 would like it. Also the descriptive pictures and different sense of vocabulary. Enjoy reading!

This book is about an animal family that goes on a picnic. The
butler has to solve a mystery. I really liked this book because I
got to solve the mystery as I read. The author shares that solving mysteries is fun.

The pictures and words of this book mold together flawlessly, and the illustrations can provide vital information. The world setting is bright and intriguing, and the characters are lovable and distinctive. The plot is not too long, and everything ties together beautifully. It left me smiling the first time that I read it, and it's even better the second time.

Finally - Jane Yolen and Jane Dyer have done that truly rare feat. They've created a unique type story (series) that Adults and young children can enjoy together actively. This would be a delightful tale with deliciously detailed illustrations on its own. What makes this so wonderful is the placing of "illustrated clues" to the solution of the mystery (a theft at the title Wedding) throughout the illustrations. The pictures themselves are intricate and beautiful, it is a pleasure to review them over and over to spot the little details missed on the first read through. The girls liked this best at ages 5-8 but everyone, from baby Ben at age 3 to Nana at age 67 loved to participate. For a treat to pamper yourself (hopefully with a child at your side to help you spot any significant details you might miss), or as a gift to any family with young children who treasure a good read- I would recommend this book most highly. If you haven't read the original "Piggins"- be sure to put it in your shopping cart too!

David Dodd has assembled a wide variety of stories to inspire and encourage addicted people to get clean. I was impressed that Twelve Step groups were NOT the focus of every tale, and that the one constant was that each individual made a PERSONAL CHOICE to forego their addiction and live sober. For all the help some people get from 12-Step groups, there are many who don't "relate" to the religiousity. But this book shows that recovery is still possible and worthwhile. The fact that most of these tales are told by celebrities and artists we KNOW only increases their value. Plus, it's nice to know that my gut feeling about Steven Tyler is "on the money" - he truly IS a mensch!!

I was attracted to the many well-known names listed on the cover, but once I began reading the book, I was overwhelmed with its passion and solutions. David Dodd has done a remarkable job which is reflected in this collection of interviews. My favorite part, however, is the introduction to the book, where the author tells his personal story on how he became sober with the help of Steven Tyler. His vivid description of the events were astonishing to me, they were absolutely incredible. This is a wonderful book!

Great book. Very informative and easy to understand. Was surprised at all the differences and technologies used to construct a golf ball. Became very aware of the types of balls available for the various types of golfers. The results of the independent study and testing of the golf balls were very interesting. This book really helped me in determining what ball to use for my type of game. I would recommend it to anyone who plays the game of golf...especially those who think the golf ball has little to do with their game. It also had a section on distance titanium drivers and an independent study and test as well...very interesting results.

Very nice, loved the statistics on the different ball

Talking With Artists volume.3

This book is pretty interesting. It is about artists who share what they like to draw and about their lives. They are asked questions such as, "Do you have any kids or pets?" The illustrators show some of pictures that they drew when they were children. They also show how the children illustrators got their inspiration to draw.

I liked this book because it was neat to see how good some of the kids are at drawing and then to see them draw as they are older. Also that was cool it showed how to draw pictures in the back of the book. I recommend this book to people who are just stating to draw and people that want to read an interesting book.

I got this book at the library for my children, but I think I enjoyed it as much as they did! (I plan to buy a copy of my own!) Instead of a cool, impersonal presentation of artists and their work, this book provides a refreshingly personal view. The artists talk about their childhoods, how they spend their days (the answers are fun & honest!), their families, and best of all, they give us peeks inside their studios. I don't know about you, but I love seeing inside of an artist's private workspace! It's like a glimpse inside his/her mind.
The styles of the artists are very diverse and they use many different techniques that kids and adults alike would like to try out. I highly recommend this book!

A Way Of His Own by T. A. Dyer is a good book. This book willmake you cry, frustrate you, and make you scream for joy. I likedthis book because it contained great information on how people used tolive, had great descriptions, and showed feelings between the characters extremely well. A good example of great description is on page 74 and it says, "The air outside was icy cold and the frosty ground bit into the boy's hands and knees." It was detail like that that helped me picture exactly what was being felt as Shutok struggled to stay alive. Another good example is on page 130 and it says, "Sitting here at other times, Shutok had almost felt the praire underfoot, the grass against his legs, the wind, rich with the smells of bison, brush against his cheeks." This detail made me feel like I was in the story myself!

This book also has a great plot. It is about a young boy named Shutok. He lives in a nomadic tribe, but once evil sneaks into his back while he is hunting bison, he cannot keep up with his family. This chilling story is about how Shutok and Uita, a female teenage slave, struggle to survive through the treacherous winter in a dark cave.

The main characters were Shutok, Uita, Aar, the shaman, and Shutok's brother, Yiaya. Shutok is the main character, and shares the role with Uita of living in the cave. Yiaya is just becoming a hunter and Aar is the tribe's leader. Aar and Yiaya both share the idea that Shutok is full of evil spirits because of his handicap, but Uita has learned to see past that and has became his friend. While reading the book, Aar and Yiaya might make you very mad because they are so harsh, and so well described. Through the story Aar resents Shutok. The tribe's beliefs about nature have influenced his thoughts too much. Since Shutok is handicapped, he is believed to be full of evil, and Aar tries to protect the tribe from it.

The author uses a very good style of writing. It makes you think it is happening at the speed the author intended. It also makes you stay more interested in the book. Using more advanced words helped me to visualize better what was happening throughout the story.

I would recommend this book to almost anybody. If you are between the ages of 10 and 14, and you like adventure, then this book is defiantly for you!

A disabled boy growing up in a Stone Age clan of Hunters who are nomadic. The clan leaves the protagonist in a cave to die because he slows the clan down in their search for bison. He does not die however in the snowy winter. He survives by killing a saber toothed tiger and by learning that he has strength and worth beyond his disability. When the clan returns in the spring they are in awe of their disabled clan member and his pelt of the "man-killer"

...but definitely a keeper. Wayne composed these CD's from several eras in his quest for enlightenment. Be careful though, a lot of the ideas are duplicated on more than one CD but in a different event. Nevertheless, personally that helped me reinforce what I wanted to hear. If you are not familiar with your own quest to enlightenment, take smaller steps, start with reading the book "Your Erroneous Zones" and ease into the wonderful world of a reality that you are personally incharge of.

I own a lot of Wayne Dyer tapes and books -- actualy probably most of what he has published. This CD set is nice because there are individual programs on each CD. At least one of the CD's contains a whole program of short sayings and affirmation read by Dr. Dyer. These serve as a nice refresher or as an introduction to Wayne Dyer himself. Highly recommended.

This is an awesome book that generates results! I've been a fan of Dr. Dyers since my teens and this one tops the list. I highly recommend this to anyone who has already decided on what they want in life whether it relates to finances, relationships, spirituality, leadership, love, career, etc.
The excercises and mantras listed in the book will help you to focus and channel your energies to manifest what you want in life. I started trying out the chants such as OM and AHHH with a vision of what I wanted going out in the universe. I imagined in my mind that my latest book titled "Psychology of the Hero Soul" was on its way to bestsellerdom. All of a sudden things started to happen. I started getting testimonials for the book. Speaking engagement opportunities. And I was able to launch my website herosouldotcom in record time! The right people started coming into my life.
By trying out these excercises I'm sure you will be headed on the right road to success and manifesting your destiny! Try it out for at least 30 days because it takes at least 30 days to form any new habits.
Hold a vision in your mind of yourself accomplishing what you desire with feeling exponentially multiplied and chant AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Imagine your request going out to the entire universe and you will be amazed at the results!

Having read other books by Dr. Dyer, I wasn't
sure what to expect here. I was surprised to
find he has incorporated some of his key
teachings and thoughts from past books on
issues like trust and the past, and added new
information on how the reader can connect with
their Higher Self though practicing the Nine
Spiritual Principles outlined and explained
in easy to understand and apply ways in each
chapter.

The book's subject matter and title may sound
lofty, etherial or real "metafizzie" but it's
written in language anyone interested in self
growth and/or spirituality issues can easily
understand and put to use. The title is very
direct and to the point. If one follows these
principles and lives their life as Dr. Dyer
is encouraging and teaching, I am sure they
will find as I have, that their life is more
peaceful, that they understand more of their
"purpose" for being here, and that they have
a greater sense of control over their destiny
just as the title suggests. Bravo, Wayne.

Unlike a few of the readers that had read his previous books, this was my first Wayne Dyer book. I have seen videos and listened to cassettes by him, but haven't been impressed by them. I feel he makes a better author than speaker. I do believe that we can each manifest our own destinies in life, and the steps he outlines- if followed, will bring a great measure of success into our lives. If his other books are equal to- or better than this one, I must read them. This book simply had a flow- which made it easy to read, and difficult to put down. Reading this book meant time well spent.

In reading any novel you bring a certain amount of yourself and your experiences with others to the table, which helps you to understand the characters you meet. For me it was difficult to comprehend the relationship between Paul and his mother; it is unlike anything I've experienced before, and I can't imagine the feelings he had or how they affected his relationships with his lovers.

Paul and Miriam were a trifle difficult, as well, though I was closer to getting it with them. One fo my problems was that I kept projecting personality characteristics onto Miriam as I grew to know her (sometimes verging on stereotypes), only to understand later that that wasn't who she was, that she too was unlike anyone I had met before, though similar in some respects. I would like to read Lawrence's account of the real person whom Miriam was based on.

The characters in Sons and Lovers are people that will ultimately expand your understanding of human nature, but for me, their motivations were so foreign that I didn't entirely grasp them the first time around. The best I could do was recognize that Lawrence was depicting very real people in a very detailed and compassionate way. I, however, remained out of the loop for most of the book.

The most I gained from Sons and Lovers was a detailed sketch of life in early 20th centurey England. It was interesting to note that, despite the stereotype of the proletariat during the industrial revolution, being a coal miners family did not automatically relegate you to a lifetime of poverty. Not only did the miners make decent enough wages to afford a house, furniture, good food and several pints of beer a week, but for a man (at least) of other talents, the sky was the limit as to how far he could go.

Sons and Lovers is intense, exciting, intriguing: cleverly sculpted scenes with double entenders indicate the sexual tensions that exist between Paul and his mother and with Miriam. This book is also a study in the shifting narrative technique; he is a pioneer and the bridge between the conventional pre-20th century omniscient narrative and authors such as Joyce and Woolf, where the very storyline consists of jumps between the personal emotions and opinions of the various characters of a novel. DH Lawrence is proof that quality literature with a distinct sexual edge CAN be produced. Bravo!

A tour de force! Bravo. It is story of Paul Morel who loves his mother more than himself. Mrs. Morel who is married to a ignorant, illiterate coal miner tries to find comfort, solace and love in her sons, first with Walter and when Walter dies unexpectedly, with Paul, the second son. She lives for him, he for her. She is so possessive of him that she objects his involvement with his first love, Miriam. He then goes after, Clara, a married woman. The book revolves around Paul and these three desperate women, who comfort him, torture him and
he scornfully resiprocates. But he is always faithful to his mother , who he adores. I guess we are all like Paul, in some
ways. Miriam is a haunting character who reverberates in the entire book, so innocent, pure, religious, pious and madly in love with Paul. Clara, on the other hand, very rigid, calculating, demanding and yet very vulnerable. In Paul we see callousness, sacrifice, piety, haughtiness, repentance, a bit of Roskolnikov, a young man whose life is torn between a adoring mother and two lovers. In the end his high spirits and intellegence prevail and he conquers his demons.

I have to admit that I have not really given Jack London his proper due up to now. Perhaps it is because I don't by my nature like outdoor adventure type stories, or perhaps it is because I associate White Fang and "To Build a Fire" with my youth. The fact is that Jack London is a tremendously talented writer. His understanding of the basics of life matches his great knowledge of the snow-enshrouded world of the upper latitudes. The Call of the Wild, despite its relative brevity and the fact that it is (at least on its surface) a dog's story, contains as much truth and reality of man's own struggles as that which can be sifted from the life's work of many another respected author. The story London tells is starkly real; as such, it is not pretty, and it is not elevating. As an animal lover, I found parts of this story heartbreaking: Buck's removal from the civilized Southland in which he reigned supreme among his animal kindred to the brutal cold and even more brutal machinations of hard, weathered men who literally beat him and whipped him full of lashes is supremely sad and bothersome. Even sadder are the stories of the dogs that fill the sled's traces around him. Poor good-spirited Curly never has a chance, while Dave's story is made the more unbearable by his brave, undying spirit. Even the harsh taskmaster Spitz has to be pitied, despite his harsh nature, for the reader knows full well that this harsh nature was forced upon him by man and his thirst for gold. Buck's travails are long and hard, but the nobility of his spirit makes of him a hero--this despite the fact that his primitive animal instincts and urges continually come to dominate him, pushing away the memory and reality of his younger, softer days among civilized man. Buck not only conquers all--the weather, the harshness of the men who harness his powers in turn, the other dogs and wolves he comes into contact with--he thrives. This isn't a story to read when you are depressed. London's writing is beautiful, poignant, and powerful, but it is also somber, sometimes morose, infinitely real, and at times gut-wrenching and heartbreaking.

The two rivals circle the ring, probing for any point of weakness. The duel has lasted longer than either competitor had anticipated. Weakened by fatigue, the challenger feints high and goes for a crippling blow. No, this is not a boxing title match in Las Vegas. This is a life-and-death struggle of one domestic dog for survival in the cold, icy, barren regions of the Alaskan plains. This is a clash between the civilized and the primordial. This is the conflict between domestication and liberation. This is the Call of the Wild.

Jack London centers his story on a dog by the name of Buck. Buck is a big, strong dog, his father being a St. Bernard and his mother being a Scottish shepherd dog. At one hundred and forty pounds, Buck was no mere house pet. Kept physically strong with a love of rigorous swimming and constant outdoor exercise, Buck was a lean, formidable dog. Undoubtedly, his great condition was part of the reason that the gardener's helper dog-napped and sold him to dog traders, who in turn sold him to Canadian government mail couriers. The gold rush in Alaska had created a huge demand for good dogs, which eventually led to the "disappearances" of many dogs on the West Coast. Buck was no exception. He was sold into a hostile environment, which was unforgiving and harsh. Although civilization domesticated him from birth, Buck soon begins almost involuntarily to rediscover himself, revealing a "primordial urge", a natural instinct, which London refers to as the Call of the Wild.

This book is set in the Klondike, a region in Alaska that was literally stormed by thousands of men looking to get rich quick via the gold rush. Transportation was increasingly important, but horses were near useless in winter, prone to slip and fall on snow and ice. Dogs were by far the best means of transportation in Alaska at the time, somewhere near the end of the 19th century. As the demand for dogs grew, the prices for good dogs skyrocketed. This price hike inevitably created a black-market- style selling of dogs, and the gardener's helper Manuel did what many men did; they sold the dogs for a good price.

A recurring theme in London's novel is the clash between natural instinct and domesticated obedience. Soon after the dog traders captured Buck, a man broke him with a club. Buck is thoroughly humiliated, but learned an all-important truth of the wild: The law of club and fang. Kill or be killed. Survival is above all. Buck resolved to himself to give way to men with clubs. In the beginning, Buck had problems with this new restriction, but learned that when his masters' hands hold whips or clubs, he must concede. However, that did not keep Buck from doing little deeds like stealing a chunk of bacon behind his masters' backs. However, as London says, "He did not steal for joy of it, but because of the clamor of his stomach . In short, the things he did were done because it was easier to do them than not to do them." In this way Buck learns the way of the wild but also acknowledges his inferiority to men with clubs or whips. Eventually in this novel, Buck throws away his old life completely and replaces it with his natural urge, the primordial version of himself, the Call of the Wild.

Another underlying theme is the relationship between dog and master. In the beginning, Buck is acquainted with the Judge with a dignified friendship, his sons with hunting partnership, his grandsons with protective guardianship, the mail couriers Francois and Perrault with a mutual respect. Against the man with a club he despised but gave respect. However, when Buck met John Thornton, he loved his master for the first time ever. There wasn't anything Buck wouldn't do for his master. Twice Buck saved Thornton's life, and pulled a thousand pounds of weight for Thornton's sake. Even after Buck routinely left his master's camp to flirt with nature, Buck always came back to appreciate his kind master. However, even after Thornton was gone and Buck had released all memories of his former life, Buck never forgot the kind hands of his master, even after answering the Call of the Wild.

Jack London truly brings Buck to life. Using a limited 3rd person view, the reader is told of Buck's thoughts and actions. Obviously, London gave several ideal human qualities to Buck, including a sharp wit, rational reasoning, quick thinking, and grounded common sense. However, he does not over-exaggerate the humanity in Buck, which would have given an almost cartoon-like feeling for a reader. Rather, being a good observer, London saw how dogs acted and worked backwards, trying to infer what the dogs think. The result is a masterful blend of human qualities and animal instinct that is entirely believable. It is obvious that Buck's experience was similar to many other dogs' experiences.

This novelette is a chiling, gripping masterpiece of Survival lore, set in the brutal harshness of the Yukon during the Alaskan gold rush of 1897. The plot is the gradual metamorphosis of Buck--a splendid rancho dog of the warm, soft Southlands (part St.Bernanrd/part German Shepherd). From pampered pet on his master's country estate, he is kidnpaped and sold into the bondage of dogteam slavery for sheer Greed, where he endures the horrors of weather plus those of cruel and stupid men. Yet Buck ultimately carves out his own domain in the bitter wilderness, leaving a legacy of prodigious strength, cunning and ferocity. When his last master dies, he answers the growing Call to revert to his ancestors' wild state, as the alpha male of a wolf pack. Despite little dialogue, this book reads swiftly and holds your interest. Fiction made absolutely Real by the pen of a master!