I don't actually own this book, but I took it out from the library and enjoyed reading it. The author, who lived in Angola for several years, did a good job of explaining the history of Angola and its people from the first contact with the Portuguese up until the independence. The book explains many of the conflicts Angola has suffered and continues to suffer as a result of colonialism, ethnolinguistic clashes, and the conflict of African and european nationalisms. A good resource for information on how the April 25 Movement in Portugal related to the independence of Angola.

In an age where children are coaxed by Sony Playstations, and the wintery outdoors; it's hard to find something simple that they can cuddle up with in the corner and quietly explore.

The story of Annabelle's Wish seems to facinate both younger children and more experienced level reader's.

Because its from Golden Books interactive series the child could "sound off" characters at any point in the reading. The book offers large bold illustrations, a clever plot twist, and original narration.

As all Christmas classics remind us, this book does make you think about the reason of the Season, and try to make your Heart feel warmer. It builds on the folklore of Santa giving the farm animals "voices" once a year on Christmas. And the friendship that builds between a mute boy and the calf, Annabelle, born on this Holiday.

Although Tommy and Annabelle are its main characters, the storey is about more than the "special" gift they exchanged. It was about how others around them put aside their personal differences to come together in Friendship.

Your child can easily relate to the animals and the frienships found in the storey. And if they understand what is being shown by "unselfish giving" recreate for your Family a special and powerful magic.

Since Amazon hasn't provided an editorial review for this book, here's the description from the DJ to help you decide if this book is for you: "Ever since On Assignment aired three yesrs ago, audiences tuned in each weak to watch the news reported with Arden's touch, the wit and savvy of rehead Charlie Arden. Now a network wants Charlie to research a story for national broadcast, but charly is dismayed by the topic. A ghost hunt at McCrimmon manor is just the sort of fluff she cuts out of each show, and the ghost story is sure to be a hoax to creat publicity for one of the McCrimmon brothers who is about to enter the political arena ..." I read this one. It's a neat contemporary romance with a ghostly twist. Are there ghosts, or aren't there? You'll have to read to find out. This was a fun read.

Professor Henderson's new translations of Aristophanes are uncensored, readable, fresh, and ultimately extremely enjoyable. He captures how Aristophanes probably would write if he lived today, with frank yet poetic language that brings these comedic gems to light. I have heard Professor Henderson's translation of Women at the Thesmophoria read aloud; the only thing funnier--and raunchier--I have heard since then has been a reading of his translation of Assemblywomen. Somehow Aristophanes manages to entertain his audience with the lowest of humor while invoking serious intellectual themes. (Imagine if people like Adam Sandler had brains. . .)
N.B. This is not your grandmother's Greek theater! Aristophanes, particularly as rendered by Professor Henderson, will make you rethink your notion of the Classics as dull, snooty, Stoic dust-gatherers in the far corner of the libary.
Enjoy!

I think this is the best presentation of a Greek text, because there is a good introduction, a lot of help behind in the book, but no translation. So this is the ideal Lysistrata for students.

The "Acharnians" is one of the earliest extant plays of Aristophanes, the winner of first prize at the festival when it was produced in 425 B.C. Dicaeopolis, a farmer tired of a war he considers to be stupid, decides to make an individual peace with the Spartans. However, before he can celebrate his private treaty, which allows him to trade for goods lacked by those in Athens, he is attacked by a chorus of Acharnian charcoal burners who support the war. The centerpiece of the comedy is Dicaeopolis's speech arguing the causes of the war are pretty stupid. This seriocomic speech, which is a parody of "Telephus" by Euripides, wins over half the chorus. Of course the other half immediately attacks them in a violent agon. The general Lamachus is called in to help, but Dicaeopolis destroys him with cutting arguments as well, and the chorus is united at the end to delivery Aristophanes's parabasis. Meanwhile, Discaeopolis has a drinking contest to attend, while Lamachus is sent back to the war. Pacificism and the folly of war are two recurring themes in the comedies of Aristophanes and both are explicit in the "Acharnians." It is also a good example of the standard format of a Greek comedy, at least as represented by the works of Aristophanes, including the giant party at the end.

The Loeb Classical Library features the original Greek texts that remain for both of these comedies by Aristophanes and is obviously of great benefit to those who actually read Greek and are interested in playing with the translation in the hopes of arriving at a better understanding of these plays, their author and the time in which they were performed. The "Acharnians" is one of the earliest extant plays of Aristophanes, the winner of first prize at the festival when it was produced in 425 B.C. Dicaeopolis, a farmer tired of a war he considers to be stupid, decides to make an individual peace with the Spartans. However, before he can celebrate his private treaty, which allows him to trade for goods lacked by those in Athens, he is attacked by a chorus of Acharnian charcoal burners who support the war. The centerpiece of the comedy is Dicaeopolis's speech arguing the causes of the war are pretty stupid. This seriocomic speech, which is a parody of "Telephus" by Euripides, wins over half the chorus. Of course the other half immediately attacks them in a violent agon. The general Lamachus is called in to help, but Dicaeopolis destroys him with cutting arguments as well, and the chorus is united at the end to delivery Aristophanes's parabasis. Meanwhile, Discaeopolis has a drinking contest to attend, while Lamachus is sent back to the war. Pacificism and the folly of war are two recurring themes in the comedies of Aristophanes and both are explicit in the "Acharnians." It is also a good example of the standard format of a Greek comedy, at least as represented by the works of Aristophanes, including the giant party at the end.

The Knights," produced in 424 B.C., is clearly an all-out attack on Cleon, the leader of Athens after the death of Pericles. As related by Thucydides, earlier that year Cleon had induced the Spartans to propose peace. Consequently, Aristophanes opens the comedy with two slaves of the crotchety old Demos ("the people of Athens") dressed up to resemble the generals Demosthenes and Nicias. The two slaves complain about how everyone is picking on Paphlagon, a leather seller who is the favorite of Demos and clearly intended to be Cleon. The oracles tell that Paphlagon is going to be replaced by a sausage seller named Agoracritus. "The Knights" is a second-tier comedy by Aristophanes because it is devoted entirely to making fun of Cleon. Consequently, Aristophanes makes his point early on and by the time Agoracritus the sausage seller beats Cleon at this own game, the comic dramatist is beating a dead horse all the way into the ground. This comedy always struck me as being like a SNL skit that lasts the entire show. In the end Demos, rejuvenated by being stewed in a plot by Agoracritus, takes control and declares he will abolish all innovations and restore the old traditions.

I've always loved Brita Granstrom's babies and this one is particularly delicious! I visited this book three times in the bookstore before breaking down and buying it. This story tackles a universal truth -- that babies prefer Real Stuff -- in a fresh and lively voice. Adults and older children enjoy the build-ups and inevitable outcome of each scenario, while baby readers are satisifed that this baby get what she really wants. A loving and realistic portrayal of life with little ones.

This is the most beautiful book of this region that I have ever seen, and I have read dozens! As a life-long hiker in this area, I can assure you that the trail discriptions tell you everything you need to know, and the photographs are exquisite. The historical sections are well written, entertaining, and incredibly informative. I can't imagine visiting this area without this book. Just reading this it almost makes you feel like an expert on this gorgeous region. Buy It!

I used this book in planning a recent trip to Oregon. Although my wife and I used to be avid hikers, we're not exactly in shape right now, so this book was an excellent guide to pick out a few short hikes in Crater Lake National Park and another near Bend.

Hikes can be located on a numbered map of western and central Oregon, or through the index in back. Each hike is rated by type of hike (day hike or backpack), difficulty, distance, terrain, high point, when it is hikable and contact information. The narrative gives a clear description of the hike, its popularity, what you'll see and how to get there. There is an explanation of the symbols used in the book, and the introduction discusses why you should hike with children, how to use the book, what to take, safety issues, good trail manners and trailhead fees.

So, whether you're a parent looking for some fun hikes for the children, or you're an adult looking to stretch your legs in the Oregon outdoors, this is an excellent guide to help you plan your outing.