why didn't someone think of this sooner? lavin applies forster's literary theories to his own work. she and he come out ahead. as back cover blurb says, she "adds a much needed dimension." and the discussion in this book is "ambitious and stimulating." this book belongs in all major libraries, but also can be used effectively by any reader with an interest in emf.

I wrote this novel. It published in 1983 after winning an Idaho Fiction Competition. It's about an epileptic artist whose self-induced auras become more than he bargained for. I think only 600 copies were printed, maybe a few hundred more. Since then, I've published another novel, "Santiago and the Drinking Party" (Viking Penguin, Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award), a couple of photo-geography books, and a history of NASA's program with the Russians, "Shuttle-Mir." Dutton will pubish my young readers novel, "The Boy Who Spoke Dog," in November 2003.

Oh, Crumps!/Ay, Caramba! by Lee Bock is a thoroughly "kid friendly", English/Spanish bilingual picture book, about a tired farmer with an endless list of chores to do - and who becomes sleeper and sleeper as he works into the night. A friendly story illustrated by Morgan Midgett in whimsical color, Oh, Crumps!/Ay, Caramba! is ideal for sharing with young ones right before bedtime and a very strongly recommended addition to school and community bilingual picture book collections for young readers ages 4 to 8.

In Baffling Murder Mysteries: Famous Unsolved Homicides, crime buff Marilyn Morgan has assembled a collection of murders either involving popular celebrities, famous investigators, or community terrorizing serial killers. Along with the usual "who, what, where" kinds of descriptive scene settings, Morgan provides fascinating commentaries as to why these crimes were committed and how the perpetrators got away with it -- even when later findings give us a pretty good idea as to their identities such as with the famous homicide cases involving Teamster President Jimmy Hoffa, George "Superman" Reeves, and Bob "Hogan's Heroes" Crane. Baffling Murder Mysteries is strongly recommended reading for "true crime" enthusiasts wanting to decide if these famous (and infamous) murders really are unsolved.

During 1935-41 Barbara Morgan Photographed dancers in New York City and Bennington, I liked very much the pictures
of Anna Sokolow, Martha Graham, Pearl Primus, Valerie Bettis, Merce Cunningham, Jose Limon, Charles Weidman,
and Doris Humphrey that are included in this book.

When I decided to start entertaining professional colleagues in our home, I needed help FAST!I found it in this wonderful book which is full of creative and impressive meals. There are a variety of menus for a variety of situations; including "stand and nibble" entertaining,celebrations and holidays, buffets, sit-down dinners, brunches, and even outdoor entertaining. A section called Mixed-up Menus creates even more menus from those already laid out. The recipes use readily available ingredients and are not time-intensive. All are simple enough for a beginner like me (step-by-step with timetables,and illustrated) but sophisticated enough to make me look good! This book has been a real life-saver.

Pros: A definite must-have book and recommended reading for designers, artists and teachers. Excellent for art teachers seeking project ideas for students in traditional art/design media, also provides a design refresher for teachers with students in digital media, as the principles apply to web, cd-rom and new media design (but not animation. However, there is a section on objects in 3D space).

This book covers key design principles and art techniques that you may have forgotten after art school.

Cons: A lot easier to read for precticing artists and designers; may be brain freeze to art students goggling at the compact knowledge. Not recommended reading unless student is mature enough/is in the higher years/is truly interested.

Initial impression based on format, book thickness and the language used may appear too stiff and seem like very heavy reading at first, specially to first time art educators. Read the book in topics you need in order to digest info better.

After a while the format becomes familiar, the information astoundingly clear/well researched and you realize the book was brilliantly organized. Eureka!

As with all art/design reference book collections, this makes a good backbone book that could be supplemented by others, as it cannot cover everything. Ex: For selecting/using type and organizing layouts try "The Non-Designer's Design Book" by Robin Williams, Peachpit Press. There's a web book version as well.

Final comment: Basic Visual Concepts and Principles, a thumbs up, definitely must have reference.

The Beagle: An Owner's Survival Guide by Diane Morgan is a detailed and comprehensive guide to just about everything anyone would want to know about the widely beloved breed of faithful dog known as the beagle. From picking a beagle for one's home, to house training, feeding, and grooming, to correcting misbehavior, to protecting your pet from sickness and parasites, and so much more, The Beagle: An Owner's Survival Guide is written expressly and specifically for pet owners everywhere who just want to enjoy having and caring for a beagle of their own. The Beagle is a superb canine companion reference for any family with a beagle.

I lived in The City from '67 to '73 and was there during the heyday of Haight Ashbury and the mammoth explosion of all that was pre-Altimont but for some strange reason Beat San Francisco was far more important in my memory than The Haight. The reasons probably have much to do with why I finished Morgan's short book in only a day because I became so involved in his descriptions of the places that I considered my San Francisco-all of Upper Grant after it crosses Columbus with Caffe' Trieste and the New Pisa and of course City Lights, Discovery and Vesuvio with Tosca watching from the other side of the street.

Even though I now live on the other side of the planet, these places are burned into my memory. They're memories of cold winter evenings searching for the inevitable bargain in Discovery and then going next door to City Lights to troll through its basement looking at all the titles that I wanted but couldn't afford as a student. And on Saturday afternoons going into Trieste and buying a cafe' and knowing that not so many years ago this place was the epicenter for guys that wore old berets, had beards and thought.

I am indebted to Bill Morgan for writing such a heartwarming look back at a time and place that will go on in the hearts of Americans that realize there was a recent time when things could have gone another way. It didn't happen but with people like him keeping the memory alive and people who care enough to take pictures of City Lights for people like me who remember- perhaps all has not been lost.

Buy the book and revisit these modern American icons before they are redeveloped.

Humor helps healing, and this casette is perfect for the bed-ridden invalid. You simply can't keep from laughing!