I have given this book to five friends and several family members who have become new grandmother's!! Now all my friends and their relatives want this book! It is an excellent family storybook that shares fun times and special feelings! A "must have" for Grandmothers reading list! I guarantee your friends will love the gift!

When I first found out that I was going to be a grandmother for the first time, I started noticing books about grandmothers. I looked through this book and thought it was so cute, so I bought it, intending to give it to my grandchild.
When my son was married, his wife had a seven year old daughter. Now that they are expecting, I decided I needed to make her daughter feel special to me before the baby was born. They haven't been married for long, so I haven't had the chance to bond with her as yet. So, one day, when she was at my house and climbing all over my son, I decided she needed something to settle her down, so I went and got this book and gave it to her. She immediately wanted to read it with me. So she began reading and looking at the pictures. It got her attention quickly with the wording of the way grandmothers and their grandchildren could spend quality time. She'd read and then look at me with those big brown eyes and smile or giggle. It was the first time we had connected as a grandmother and grandchild. I finished the last couple of pages for her as she sat in my lap. When we finished it, she hugged my neck. That was when my heart melted for the first time as a "Grammy."
I went shopping yesterday and bought some super soaker water guns that she and I could play with...which was a way to have fun together, which is the theme of this book. I can't wait until I surprise her with them. It is a sweet book to share with your grandchild about how you can bond with your grandchild by doing silly things. Leave the discipline to the parents and just enjoy them. It was the first time I had experienced the unconditional love that a grandchild can give you in return. I might be going through the experience of a first grandchild's birth, but I have learned that this will surely be my second grandchild; my first is a seven year old little girl with big brown eyes that loved this book.

I have read the book, and loved it! Grandchildrens' hearts will be warmed! Grandparents's feelings shared!

Very good and fast moving adventure of evil and good. Once you started the book it was hard to put down. Every time I walked passed the book I had to pick it up and read a couple more pages....need #2 to come about....I love a book that everyone is not killed off.

I thuroughly enjoyed this action fantasy adventure. Although this novel is not my usual genre of literature, I must admit it was a joy to read. It keeps you in the thick of the adventure from page to page. I highly recommend this book to any that want a great story with action, romance and conquest.

This is not my usual type of reading material but I thuroughly enjoyed this fabulous fantasy. It takes you on a journey into the battle that goes on daily as evil tries to overtake good. This is one of few novels I just couldn't put down. Prepare yourself for action, romance and victory. A deffinate recommended read.

There are millions of lonely people out there, and this book can help. Most people have ended up lonely because of bad luck and a little shyness--but they usually blame themselves. Dr. Austin writes with understanding and sympathy for these feelings, and encourages the reader to take a fresh perspective on the situation. Then she offers direct, concrete solutions. I've recommended this book to many patients, and they always are grateful.

Linda Austin has written another book that challenged me to think "outside the box" in finding the life I wanted. She writes with insight about relationships that only an experienced therapist can bring to the table. I especially enjoyed the chapter on engagement, a concept and set of behaviors that were key to my finding the right partner for my life after years of feeling trapped in the wrong marriage. Thanks, Dr. Austin for helping me find the life I wanted.

Dr. Austin's book is so good that you won't ever have to buy another "self-help how-to-find love book" after reading it. While most books cover one aspect of the love game, Dr. Austin's book instead addresses it all: what is love, how to find it, how to know if it is any good for you, and how to do all this while becoming a better person in the process. While most books give you theoretical concepts, Dr. Austin's book gives you quick and easy, nuts and bolts advice on how to make love happen for you. It's the kind of book that you can give to your boyfriend to read, or that you can read with your girlfriends as a starting point for great discussions. In other words, if any book can help you find love and make it work, it's this one. I recommend that anyone looking for love should read it to put their love life on track as soon as they can!

This is the best travel book, I have come across. I have used it for one year and it has not failed me. The restaurant, lodging and daytrip sections have been particularly helpful. You can't go wrong with this book.

Thank you Hilary and Cam. I hope the 3rd Edition is on its way.

This book is full of details and descriptions. Everything you could want to know about Austin. Great for travellers as well as prospective residents (has chapters about neighborhoods and schools). The CitySmart guide is a good supplement, but not nearly as thorough.

This book is not dry like many guidebooks can be. The authors give enough history and background to put their topics in context, but not so much that it becomes boring. I bought this book because I am considering moving to Austin from Northern California, and every question I have is answered in this book. Specific descriptions of individual neighborhoods, indoor and outdoor activities, annual events, arts and music, food, and the list goes on.

I cannot reccommend this book strongly enough.

When I was young, my parents bought me this book. It fascinated me, and I adored it. I read it so many times, parts of it still come back to me today. In the chaos of growing up, my copy was lost. As I got older and began to think about how to help raise the next generation of children, my thoughts kept coming back to this book. I tried without success to find it in bookstores, and asked all my local chains to special order it--but to no avail. Today, logging onto Amazon.com, I searched on a whim and FOUND IT! I can hardly believe my luck! I await my new copy with anticipation. It's as though an old, beloved friend is coming back to me. Buy this book for your kids, and buy it for them young. If I can remember it twenty-some years later, it must be something special.

I READ THIS BOOK WHEN I WAS 8 YEARS OLD AND NEVER FORGOT THE MESSAGE, IN LIFE THERE IS ALWYS A CHOICE ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND IE. POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE..I NOW HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD SON AND I AM DELIGHTED TO SHARE THIS BOOK WITH HIM.

A great message that young readers can not get enough of. There is an activity that demonstrates the message very well. The story stimulates an interactive conversation about a great subject.

I love this series so much that I have had to replace the entire set three times. I lend them out and they disappear!
These are by far the finest novels that Ms. Austin has written. I was drawn into the story, and I just couldn't put the books down. Ms. Austin provides Scriptural references so it is easy to see what she is basing her story on. After reading the Scriptures, elements in the story that are taken right out of the Bible are easily discerned from those that the writer may be taking an artist license with. It breathed life into these characters and made them very relevant to me.

I immediately began reading the remaining books in the series, and every one was a delight. I enthusiastically recommend the series.

The writing is well-done; the content is well-researched, inspirational, provoking AND entertaining!

In this book, Austin aligns the brief Biblical account of King Hezekiah to the words of the prophets of the times along an exciting line of fiction. Prophecies, often confusing or misunderstood suddenly come alive as they are placed into everyday situations and applied to specific situations. This book creates in your mind a thrilling scene of the reality of the despair of Israel and Judah and an understanding of the great compassion Yaweh has for his Chosen People. After reading this book, you will never read prophecy the same again.

I've been an RSC fan since their early renfaire days, & their work is as timeless as the Bard's. This is Shakespeare thru the eyes of American pop culture with references to everything from Casablanca to Dr. Ruth to rap music. But it's not Shakespeare for dummies -- the RSC lads know the real texts inside & out. They show Shakespeare's greatness thru their humor -- & they remind us how funny Shakespeare really is. The RSC would be an excellent introduction to Shakespeare for students or anyone who thinks the Bard is stuffy & boring.

As the child of a teacher of English, I'd been introducted to many of Shakespeare's plays at a very early age. This has lead to two things - a twisted sense of humour and an appreciation of the same. The Reduced Shakespeare Company fits the bill perfectly. Silly, witty, and intelligent, the RSC puts life back into the bard. If you're looking for a serious scholarly thesis on Shakespeare, look elsewhere. If you're looking for somthing that will make you laugh until you cry, the RSC is for you! And hey, you never know - you might learn something too.

A whimsical mixture of slapstick humor and witty parody. Somewhat sophmoric at times, but generally insightful.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company knows their stuff, and are very creative about their presentation.

Finally, someone has written a book that provides detailed directions on how to hold training & development departments fiscally accountable. Michael Austin dispels the myth that training departments cannot document return on investment objectively. To me as an Accounting Manager with more than 20 years experience, this is welcomed news. My past experience includes involvement with many financial and software conversion projects that undoubtedly would have been far more accountable had many of the concepts presented in this book been adopted by my employer.

If you have budgetary responsibilities, Results-Based Development is a book you will want to buy for your training manager with one caveat, read it first! Austin doesn't pull any punches. He presents a comprehensive strategy for developing employees that define responsibilities for everyone in the organization.

The book is an easy read, but it is deceptively complex. The best part of every chapter is the case study at the end. It is clear that Austin has the experience to back up what he says.

Mark Baumgarten
Accounting Manager
GPX, Inc.

As a small business owner, I have searched long and hard for books that will help me set up a development program for my employees. My search has turned up everything from academic gobbledygook written without any clear relation to the real world, all the way to bromide filled nonsense written in such a simplistic manner that there is no clear relation to the real world. The one thing they all seem to have in common is that they present development models that only work under perfect conditions. What I like about Results-Based Development is that it describes an approach that fits in with the imperfect and dynamic landscape of real world organizations. The case studies at the end of each chapter are recognizable for any organization, large or small; and the skills are transferable. Also, the monthly newsletter that I signed up for at the website listed in the book has the makings of a great tool to aid in skill transference.

The writing is reminiscent of Blanchard's "One Minute" books with the emphasis given to collaboration, goal setting, evaluation, and most importantly, pacing. Also, performance-based training fans will feel at home with the emphasis on performance as a primary measure of effectiveness. Michael Austin may well have given us the next gold standard by which to measure all organizational development initiatives.

Michael Austin compares his results-Based Training Development strategies to running four legs of a relay race. He uses entertaining analogies, stimulating diagrams, and straightforward common sense to guide you through this process. Not only will you learn how to run, but also when to pass the baton. From large corporations to small businesses, these step by step instructions will provide personnel at all levels the necessary tools and insights to ensure your company can gain the competitive edge by operating at full efficiency.

This book can be described in one word, AWESOME! Beard approaches history as a science and that is the way it should be talked about. Today we think history is simple; that is only because we simplify it. It gets complicated when we try to analyze it and make bold statements about it from opinions of the time and the general thought of the people of that time. Beard is a genius and a truly great writer of history. I am a high school student that is in love with American History and I am sure that any lover of history will enjoy this book as much as I am enjoying it this very moment. I admit, the price tag is a little hefty, but if you have the money, then spend it on this book!

I did not realize how slanted most of our texts on social subjects, history, and the like had become until I read again this masterpiece that was used 50 years ago to teach American History in my high school. For example, the authors endeavor to ferret out the causes of the Civil War and make clear the number of socioeconomic factors that were involved in the two entirely different ways of life in the North and South. They assign slavery its proper place, but point out that the slave trade had been outlawed and give figures on the number who were being freed. They tell what was known then about mechanized means of picking cotton that in a few more years would have eliminated slavery completely without the loss of more than 600,000 American lives. In this bright light of truth, Lincoln comes through as something less than the hero he is regarded as today.

At the least these two volumes will present facts that have not received balanced treatment for more than 30 years and stimulate your thinking...

This classic account of the the rise of american civilization has long been out of print. For any serious student of history, however, it is one that should be on every bookshelf. Beard takes an objective unvarnished approach to history, that is both refreshing and scholarly. Outstanding!

Gregg Cantrell has tackled a sacred cow and come out unscathed. His new book, Stephen F. Austin, Empresario of Texas is a meticulously researched and carefully written profile of a man we only thought we knew.

Our knowledge of Stephen Fuller Austin, is gleaned largely from the work of Eugene C. Barker. His 1925 tome, Life of Stephen F. Austin, painted this renowned figure as "The Father of Texas"...and rightly so. However, the Austin we see in Barker's work is a flat two-dimensional character lacking much of the humanity needed to explain the heroism behind the hero.

Though technically accurate, Barker provided little to help us understand the motivations behind Austin the man or of the dynamic forces that led to the making of a republic.

In Stephen F. Austin, Empresario of Texas. Gregg Cantrell brings to life the real Stephen F. Austin with all of his strengths and foibles. We learn in some depth how Austin was destined for greatness, a direct product of his father's influence. His father, Moses Austin, at one point was quite wealthy and wielded a powerful hand in creating his son in his own image. He wanted him to be a gentleman living in the world of high finance. Who Stephen F. Austin was and the way he thought all bear the mark of Moses Austin's influence.

When the younger Austin grew into manhood, his father put him in charge of various business ventures within the Austin empire. Stephen's training paid off as he showed himself to be adroit at business. Unfortunately, an economic depression and several bad business dealings (mostly initiated by the elder Austin), left the family buried in overwhelming debt.

By 1820, Moses Austin saw a possible way to get his head above financial water. He became the first Anglo to get permission to colonize Spanish Texas. Unfortunately, he died before realizing his goal. His deathbed request was that Stephen bring the colony to fruition. Under a sense of instilled familial loyalty very characteristic of the young Austin, he reluctantly abandoned his own course to obey his father's wishes.

When Mexican independence became a reality, Stephen F. Austin skillfully navigated through the waters of the diplomatic intricacies to which he had been thrust. He began to see that building his colony was a way to repay the enormous debts the family had accumulated and to restore a measure of honor to his father's name. He would make his fortune through land. He threw himself wholeheartedly into the work of colonizing Texas and it soon became clear that it was not just another business venture but a mission. This mission would eventually be to create an independent Texas by any means.

Austin earned the title "Father of Texas" by overseeing every aspect of the colony and the lives of those under his care. He became a fierce advocate for the rights of his colonists and worked tirelessly for many years (many times to his own detriment) to ensure the success of the colony.

His was not an easy task. The central government in Mexico was in a constant state of turmoil. Cantrell shows us that one of Austin's biggest strengths was his ability to forge alliances with the powers at the heart of Mexico and the Tejano elite of Texas. Men like Don Erasmo Seguín and Lorenzo de Zavala had the deepest respect for Stephen F. Austin and shared his vision of Texas. He even earned the respect of those who opposed him.

Throughout the book, Cantrell discusses Austin's struggle with his personal demons. All through his life, Austin was plagued with self-doubt and self-pity. He also experienced bouts of deep depression. His physical stature was not great and sometimes even frail due to chronic illness. What set Stephen F. Austin apart was that he pushed himself to the limits of human endurance and set his own interests aside many times for the good of others. Therein lies his heroism. He persisted when lesser men would have quit.

Our tendency with heroes is to deify them and negate their humanity. Cantrell pulls no punches in revealing the full human nature of Stephen F. Austin. It was surprising to this reader to learn Austin's attitudes toward blacks and toward Catholics. Though in theory, Austin opposed the institution of slavery, he himself owned slaves. He fought diligently for his colonists to keep their slaves and not to free slaves already living in Texas. He feared that if blacks were freed, their number would increase. His vision was for a Texas populated predominately by whites.

He looked upon Catholicism as gross 12th century ignorance, a yoke of oppression that retarded Mexico's progress into the 19th century. Austin seldom voiced these feelings except to a few close friends. It would not have faired well in his diplomatic relations.

Stephen F. Austin was indeed human. He wasn't perfect. He made mistakes; but until his death at age 43, he never faltered in his devotion to Texas.

Stephen F. Austin, Empresario of Texas brings a clear understanding of the events that led to the Texas Revolution. If you have ever wondered why there was an Alamo, Goliad or San Jacinto, then you should read this book.

The narrative is clear and well written and it held my attention from page one. I highly recommend this book.

Comments about the personal development of historical figures are sometimes ignored in favor a list of achievements. Cantrell includes details of how Moses Austin encouraged his son to be a big thinker. The Austin family's "can do" attitude is certainly reflected in in Stephen's life.

This biography is written so well, and the story so interesting, it could be a novel from James Michener. If you are interested in Texas history, Southwest history, Mexican history, or Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny, this book is a must read. I'll be VERY suprised if you don't like it.