This is a great book. It illustrates the fundamental theories of health and excercise in a rational straight foward way. Also all the scientific proof is written in the book for the cynics. The point system may not be a favourite for everyone but once you get the gist of the program and start analysing food labels for yourself it is really easy to add in a few more exotic foods. It is very simple to keep track of what you have eaten and how much energy you have expended without having to anlalyse everything you do during the day. One point that may be relevant to note is the ratio that foods should be consumed in. Like all books, it is biased towards the authors background. Body builders like weider and bill phillips recommend far larger meat intakes than this book. This book also focusses on having a greater complex carbohydrate intake than some newer books.

The biggest benefit this book gave me was a reasonable, sensible goal. Without some kind of measurable goal (in this case, meeting the minimum number of exercise points per week), you have nothing to measure yourself against and I always felt I wasn't doing enough! Now, when I've done my exercise for the week and I don't feel like getting up on Saturday morning, I just crawl back into bed! And it's working! Without changing my diet I've lost 10 pounds over the last month, just by using my stationary bicycle, hiking, and exercise videos.

This is the closest thing to an idiot-proof fitness plan out there; trust me, I should know. Before I started using this book, I was overweight and not very fit. In school I was the kid who hated gym class and faked doctor's notes to get out of it. Over the years I had tried and failed at lots of fitness regimens. Then a friend gave me this book, saying it had worked for her. A year later I have slimmed down and I feel a lot stronger and more energetic. This may sound like a cheesy testimonial, but it's true. What's great is that the author, Dr. Richard Brown, uses the same plan with the Olympic athletes he coaches -- it is entirely customized to your level of fitness and your goals.

Under this plan, any exercise counts -- from scrubbing floors to Tae-Bo to sailing -- because you rate the effort yourself according to an easy-to-use scale (no heart-rate monitoring). The main point is to choose something you enjoy, the reasoning being that you'll be more likely to stick with it that way. I get my points mostly from walking, stationary cycling, and a strength-training video workout, but I can just as easily figure out my effort for the occasional day of hiking or swimming in the ocean. Even if you don't keep track of your points, you can still use the general principles to pace yourself. The result for me was that I didn't burn out the way I had on other plans, because I was doing exactly the right amount of exercise, and I started noticing the benefits right away. I'd like to thank the author: L.E.A.P. is quite an achievement.

Richard Yates is not for everybody. To read Yates's novels and short stories is to be confronted with irrefutable evidence of the inescapable bleakness, futility, and self-delusion inherent in modern human existence. Most people prefer stories about anthropomorphic bunnies who get into danger -- light danger -- overcome it, and get home in time for supper. This is not surprising, given the inescapable bleakness, futility, and self-delusion inherent in modern human existence. But for masochists, lovers of exquisitely crafted and unforgettable prose, and those capable of receiving and accepting harsh truths (without committing suicide), reading the works of Richard Yates is a rewarding (if unarguably depressing) experience.

The same is true of Blake Bailey's superb "A Tragic Honesty," the first biography of Yates. The book does full justice to its enigmatic subject, who died in relative obscurity and absolute penury in 1992. In the decade since, Richard Yates has come to exemplify the brilliant and tormented writer -- the "writer's writer," the consummate crafstman -- who achieves posthumously some of the recognition and adulation largely (and unfairly) denied him in life, rendering him, of course, all the more tragic. Getting rich and famous only after you're dead and can't enjoy it is quintessentially Yatesian; while Yates would have appreciated the irony, he probably would rather have had the cash. If there is cash now to be had, I'm glad it's going to Bailey and (I hope) Yates's heirs, his three beloved daughters.

Like Claire Tomalin's excellent recent biography of Samuel Pepys, "A Tragic Honesty" is both aided and constrained by the writings of the subject himself. Every word of "fiction" Yates wrote was autobiographical, often painfully and obviously so, and not even Bailey, a skillful writer, would presume to tell Yates's story better than Yates told it himself in his work. Bailey ably weaves the lives of Yates's thinly-veiled fictional "characters" into Yates's own tragic private life, which included his shabby-genteel upbringing, his unheroic experiences in World War II, his hatred of and embarrassment over his irresponsible "artistic" mother (an amateur sculptor with delusions of grandeur), his sadness at the mediocrity of his father's life and work, his lifelong raging alcoholism, his mental instability and repeated hospitalizations, his lung problems (TB and emphysema), his need of and failure to get and hold onto money, and his abuse and alienation of all (and there were many) who sought to help or love him (including two wives and three daughters, various agents and editors, other writers, and many, many impressionable and adoring young coeds). While never declining into tedium himself, Bailey details the years of tedious and painstaking craftsmanship that went into the production of some of the most devastating prose ever written, especially Yates's masterpiece, his first novel, "Revolutionary Road." It's always helpful (and somewhat chastening) to be reminded that great books do not simply spring forth fully-formed from the heads and hands of great writers, but rather are often the product of years of anguished and uncompensated effort. Bailey's biography manages to capture all of the contradictions of the great man -- his good humor (usually when not smashed), his vicious cruelty (usually when smashed), his personal generosity, both to young writers and young women (and especially when the two were one), his love of his art, and his abiding anger at the humiliating and pointless writing jobs at which he toiled for years merely to pay his bills -- without resorting to caricature or rendering Yates anything less than fully human. Bailey has steeped himself in Yatesiana, and, with the assistance of many thoughtful and caring people who knew Yates, has given us a valuable portrait of one of the twentieth-century's most under-heralded writers. Buy and read Yates's books first, and then this one.

This book is a masterpierce. I can scarcely comprehend the monomania that must have impelled Mr. Bailey to write such a meticulous and perceptive book.

This is truly a remarkable version (surely the best ever written) of Yates' life. The author seems to have had amazing access to family and colleagues of Yates. I am a Yates fan and have never seen such an indepth account of his struggles. A great read.

I enjoyed the book but it's not very original. While I was reading it I kept thinking I had read something similar by one of the other horror writers like King, Koontz or Little.

It takes a bunch to impress this old country boy, but Dale Bailey has done it. Over the years, working in a truckstop and driving eighteen wheelers, you read a bunch of horror and SF books that all read and sound the same. Well, not the Fallen. I was blown away by how well-written this book is! Every chapter played on my mind's eye like them midnight flicks at the all-nite drive-in here in Texas. Full of dread, wonder, and suspense, Bailey's book puts alot of these new fangled spooky writers (and some of the older ones too--you listening, Dean Koontz?) plumb to shame. I hope he does a sequel. Heck, make it a series. These characters are made for a more drawn out story they are so well developed. And the mystery involved is so deep and profound that you'll be thinking about it for days after you finish it wondering if you really saw what you thought you saw. It reminds me of HP Lovecraft where the hero only gets a glimpse of the monster, but it is enough to send his hair white. Bailey does this with the Fallen. A great first book and I cannot wait to get in something else by him!

I have to admit that when I picked up Dale Bailey's The Fallen, I was not expecting much. After all, the book is very thin and it comes from a first time author. There are no reviews or quotes on the book imploring its greatness. But from the very first page, I was gripped by the story and by the author's beautiful style. Not only is The Fallen a great horror story, it is also a very literary one at that.

Henry Sleep returns to his hometown of Sauls Run when he gets the news that his father has just passed away. It is in that town that Henry's old flame, Emily, still resides and where his once-friend Perry is now holding the reins of the family business.

Only, Henry doesn't believe that his father did commit suicide. And his suspicions are confirmed when strange things begins happening in Sauls Run. Saying anymore about the plot would be ruining a very original and very enthralling story. I will only say that you will be hooked from the very first page and that you will not want to see the book end.

It's hard to believe that this is Bailey's first book. The writing resembles that of someone who has been doing it for decades. His prose is beautifully descriptive and even poetic at times, which is something that you rarely find in a horror novel. And yet, The Fallen offers fully fleshed characters that you will care about and love. Even the so-called 'bad guys' will evoke some sympathy from you.

My only reproach is that the book was too short. I wanted more. I would have taken a lot more. Then again, the pacing is just perfect in The Fallen. There is never a dull moment, but you will get everything you need to know about the characters and their past, everything you'll need to enjoy this perfectly crafted story.

The Fallen is one of those rare gems that takes you my complete surprise. I can't wait to read another book by Dale Bailey. If his next one is half as good as The Fallen was, then we'll be in for yet another great treat!

I liked this book mainly because of the subjects. I'm not that big on photography as an art form. (As Andy Warhol said, "Photographers feel guilty that all they do for a living is press a button.") But I like Jim Morrison, Beatles, Stones, and a lot of others in this book. So really enjoy it because of that.

seeing this book and understanding the access that linda had even before being paul's wife is pretty amzing. her photos are very intimate, especially of the beatles and her accompanying text to each photo are superb. a great photographic book.

I first saw this book at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and was amazed at the photographs. Mrs. McCartney didn't seem to take posed pictures with bright lights in the musician's eyes. She used natural light and caught the musicians in their natural state. I love this book so much because of the honest quality to the photos. I'd definately recommend it!

PARTY GIRLS, by Roz Bailey, is another classic 'chick-lit' novel. PARTY GIRLS is the story of four friends - Zoey, Merlin, Marielle (or Mouse), and Jade. Merlin (their gorgeous, male, gay friend) and the three women are not totally satisfied with their lives, and looking to improve themselves and find a decent guy to settle down with. Zoey just got divorced and is disillusioned with life. Marielle can't seem to break into acting/performing, and can't seem to meet the right kind of man. Jade flies through life carelessly, only concerned about sleeping with men and then dumping them. Merlin is afraid of commitment, but knows he has a good thing with Josh. Then something "good" happens to throw them off course: Zoey meets a hunky workman who is doing work on the apartment she is staying in, and starts having an affair with him, even though he is married. Merlin, who was at first afraid of commitment when his boyfriend Josh started talking marriage, suddenly does an about-face and proposes to him. Marielle storms out of the bar she works at one night, but ends up landing a gig at a hot new club, and starts fooling around with the club owner. Jade meets a man who gave her such an amazing good time in bed that she wants him around permanently, but he is a married man. But for every good thing, something bad must happen. And so begins the downward spiral and the journey that leads to four to learning a lot about themselves, and finding out that what they wanted out of life may be closer than they think.

I did find the story a little too-good-to-be-true at times. However, I still liked the characters because they all were well-defined and stayed true to their personalities. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to spend a few hours immersed in four colorful characters' lives, who all live in New York City, and who are all searching for something or someone just a little bit better. It may be a little on the frothy side, but has just enough substance to keep you entertained. Recommended.

Having read nothing but dark and poignant books lately, I decided to indulge in my favorite guilty pleasure: a chick lit. And what a great chick novel Party Girls is too! Reading about three thirty-something Manhattanites' struggles with love, careers, cocktail bars and real estate was quite enjoyable. Roz Bailey has created characters so believable that I hoped things worked out for them at the end. Sex and the City has got nothing on this gem! Are you in the bargain for great chick lit? Pick up Party Girls.

This book has 3 main chicks in it. The first one being Zoey, an novelist with only one book on her bestseller list, she gets away from the pressures of her divorce and stays at a friends house in New York to help cure her writer's block. The second is Jade. She is the amourous one of the bunch. For every house she sells, it adds another on her list of sexual conquests. But lately she just feels unsatisfied and wants to experience a deeper feeling of intimancy in her sex life. Instead of a one hour romp in the floor of the new home she just sold. The third, and my favorite, is Marielle. She is an African-American struggling actress who has to change her hairstyle with every new audition she recieves. She doesn't realize that what she really needs is love and not a hairstylist.
I would highly reccomend this book to my friends. It is a great chick book with alot of problems women face today.

From the school that really started weight traininging in college football, Coach Arthur has done a great job of setting forward the principles that we should use in designing the programs that we use to build our athletes. You need this book.

This book is absolutely great if you are intersted in improving your all around ability in football. It lays out the foundation and goes with you step by step to get you where you need to be

This book outlines the strength program of one of the most poweful football programs in the Nation. This program is specifically designed to make you a better FOOTBALL PLAYER, not to make you a bodybuilder or any sort of other athlete. The methods and ideas that are outlined are for athletes trying to increace their core power.... not to train for a powerlifting compitition. If you buy the book expecting to learn how to be a well-conditioned, powerful football player.... you will be rewarded with a huge amount of viable knowlege!

Delightful mind morsel. Innowen and Razkili are very lovable main characters, the plot is thrilling, the beauty of it will leave you floating in a cloud of euphoria for days. My only gripe is, after I finished the book, I lusted for more about the lovers. Dangit, they never did the deed...

Shadowdance was my first introduction to the world of SciFi & Fantasy. Few books I've read have brought both tears and joy to my eyes. I loved Robin's poetic words to describe ordinary objects and the way the author took me to the dark side of sex and mankind. Robin's character development and use of gay overtones added a beautiful dimension to the fantasy. The love between Innowen and Razkilli gave me, a gay reader, an emotional feeling I could identify with.

I just found and read this book, and I'm completely in awe. It's dark and grim, and yet ultimately uplifting. Bailey's prose is tight and lush. His scenes are visual and intense, and he sustains a level of poetry throughout the entire book that few writers achieve. The magic is subtle and beautiful. No lightning bolts shooting from fingertips here, no fireballs or flashy stuff. In fact, one of the things I like best about this book is that it completely avoids all the cliches of most fantasy. I really like the bronze-age setting, and Bailey's research really shows. But most of all, I like the intensity of the building relationship between Innowen and Razkili. Like everything else about this book, the characters are subtle. They develop and grow as the story progresses. This book is definitely one to keep and reread again and again, and I'm delighted to have discovered this author.

I read this book because I truly enjoyed her previous work, Mama Makes Up Her Mind. But I was disappointed by this one. Several short stories seemed to have not much substance and not very funny altogether. I enjoyed less than half of all stories, ie. Red the Rat Man, Career Choices, Computer School, Horror Movies.

Bailey White's amusing stories supplied a quick and satisfying read. The humor and insight into life made me laugh and think. Some of the more poignant stories still echo in my mind. The voice created by White for these stories is real and it brings her characters and adventures to life.

I urge you to read anything you can that is written by Bailey White. I am currently sharing all three of her books, Mama makes up her mind, Sleeping at the Starlite Motel, and Quite a Year For Plums with my 70 year old mother and my 14 year old daughter. Her writing transcends generations. We read passages outloud to each other. From worms doing gymnastics from the ceilings to every possible strange character, her books are a delight.

In this collection of greatest hits by Swinging London plankholder David Bailey, we get:

Celebrities of the time, including pop artists, pop intellectuals, TV presenters, English film stars, and the emerging British rock glitterati. Of these last Mick Jagger appears the most frequently, evolving from A Portrait Of A Famous Person Taken By David Bailey to the most notorious man in show business by the end of the decade. A close second is fading golden boy Brian Jones. Among the more conventional celebs are Terence Stamp, Michael Caine, and Peter Sellers. Stamp is so young and unformed here that it is hard to recognize him at first; Caine is reduced to a pipe & black frame glasses Everyman; and Sellers' portrait looks like a Roman bust.

Documentary pictures of potato-nosed East Enders, including plenty of studio portraits of crime bosses the Kray brothers. Bailey won their respect for having come from the East End himself and achieving success. But, one photo shows the Kray twins with Bailey sitting in between, visibly hoping not to get bumped off.

Lots of images of the original super-model, Jean Shrimpton, mostly from Vogue layouts but also plenty from other photo dates as well. There is also a generous helping of photographs of model Penelope Tree, whose face Bailey aptly described as "an Egyptian Jiminy Cricket." We also see lots of other perfectly turned out Vogue models.

There are some exotic shots of Nepal and some snaps from his military service in Singapore, but the focus is in the main on early Sixties London. Though the book is not arranged chronologically, one can see his technical development, as he incorporates other photographers' ideas like askew framing, daylight flash, and tent lighting. There is a color section, but gorgeously inky b/w is the star here. Many of the subjects have been shorn of the celebrity that no doubt added to their portraits' impact, but that's no barrier to enjoying this big collection.

If your'e looking for a book to take a trip back to the late 50's through the 60's this is a good way to get there. The fashion and ad shots of Jean Shrimpton and other models of that era are a kick. Anyone into nostalgia of those times will find this book interesting, David Bailey seemed to be ahead of his time in his style and his photos are thought provoking as well as great pieces of art. He had some great friends (male and female) that became his subjects. I wish there was a book #2 to follow--this book made me want to see more of his work!

Bailey birthed the look and this book is chock a block full of it. It's a visual feast with very littly written clutter. A pity that there just wasn't a bit more...

I liked the premise of this story, as with the rest in Ms. Bailey's series, but I felt that there was quite a bit lacking to make this a great read. That Clarice and Dominic are mortals in a Fey/fairy world was perfectly executed. Dominic's position in the fairy world is an interesting one and fits into the legend which we have all heard of fairies stealing children Clarice and Dominic are likable characters themselves, though many times I was confused as to what made each of them "tick".

Dominic was trained as a warrior and Ms. Bailey tries to show how this would leave him with a lack of emotions. In the beginning of the story this works well, but as he starts to have feelings for Clarice, I lost all understanding of his character. How did he fall in love with her? What made her so special that he started to have feeling, let alone act on them? In the "real world" they avoided each other a lot and did not spend much time together so how did this love grow?

A great anomaly to me was also Morgain's position in this book. Clarice relies heavily on her nephew (who is only 9 years old) and yet what was he doing there with her for such a long time? Why would Clarice's sister and Blaic leave Morgain in her care and for such a long period? He could conjure up all kinds of fantasy animals, have a map of the other world without ever having been there and do all of this mature stuff; yet besides the traveling scene, he had no real consequence to the story. He was written about so much in the first half of the book and then he disappears. Was he important or not?

This is definitely a fantasy romance and a fun read if you have read its predecessors, but do not expect too much.

Viscountess Clarice Stavely welcomed the man named Dominic Knight into her home. After all, he had a letter from her brother-in-law vouching for his identity and honor. He was supposed to be a writer who was in the area to write a book on the relics in Hamdry and the moors. In truth, he was under orders by the Fay King, himself, to keep an eye on Clarice.

The most I can tell you without revealing the surprises, yet to help you understand what this book is about and whether you would enjoy it, is that the Fay King needed Clarice as a pawn due to a war in the Fay world. Dominic was to be her jailer and guardian, because the King's enemy was trying to kidnap Clarice for different reasons.

Full of magic, faeries, and a few mythical beings, this is the ULTIMATE of Super Natural Romance books!

I really enjoyed this book. I must say that it doesn't fit the usual romance mold -- in bed by a certain page, etc. It is far more of a fantasy novel than a romance novel, but it has just enough romance -- a fun read for romance readers & fantasy readers alike. It's about a woman living in the early 1800s England. She's wealthy and has a devoted staff and devoted tenants on her land. She wanders one night and finds herself on a "tor" where a rider comes out of nowhere and rides off, she has not been seen by the rider, but is completely terrified of him. She is alternately attacked by a "dark rider" and protected by one who has been sent by the faeries to protect her. About half the book takes place in the faery world -- full of intrigue, danger, war. I won't say more because I don't want to destroy the story for anyone.

On balance, die-hard fantasy reader's will feel this is more romance than fantasy & die-hard romance fans will feel this is more fantasy than romance. All will have different take on this book. All in all though, this book was a lot of fun to read!