I loved this book! It made me appreciate my true friends so much more. This is just a really good "feel good" read. I was sad when the book was over and can't wait to read the next one!

This is a wonderful story of two 'at odds' women & their friendship. I liked the very short chapters that had the women telling about the same incident from their perception. Very well written. One really feels a part of their lives & 'lives' through it all with them.

Ms. Henke's first novel was engaging from the very first page. She did a wonderful job of bringing these two characters to life, with all their virtues and their shortcomings. Ms. Henke has that enviable storyteller's talent for including particular details that make the characters, the setting, and the situations universal. She uses humor to balance tragedy, thus we never feel sorry for her characters Anne and Libby (neither would tolerate pity). Rather, we identify and empathize with them. Well done!

This book is great! We have enjoyed reading it together as a family. The illustrations are incredible. Can't wait for the next book!

Brewster the Rain-Making Rooster was an incredible book with a cute and educational story accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Written for children but enjoyed by everyone who reads it. I can't wait for the follow-up book.

As an elementary teacher I'm always on the hunt for exceptional books for our reading times...on a tip from another teacher I found Brewster the Rain Makin' Rooster...my kids loved the writing and the beautiful illustrations...I highly recommend this book!

Step on board the world's most famous ship with "The Titanic Collection", a fascinating assemblage of documents that is as valuable for historians as it is for collectors. It goes one step further than any book on the subject by placing in your hands the very things that those who travelled on that fateful maiden voyage in 1912 would themselves have touched, giving you a "Titanic" experience more vivid than anything one could possibly get from staring at lifeless photographs.

The reproductions included in the collection are first-rate: sharp, clear, and alive with colour . . . in short, nothing less than museum-quality. Choose a first-class cabin from detailed deck plans, much as prospective passengers would have done all those years ago. Examine the brochure that the White Star Line gave out to those who were planning to book passage on their newest vessels, "Olympic" and "Titanic". Hand over your boarding card and step aboard, but don't forget to read the passenger list before hobnobbing with the industrialists on first class!

Pick an entree from the first-class lunch menu. Write a note to your friends back home on one of seven different postcards. Then, sit down to a glorious Sunday dinner with such dishes as filets mignons lili and french ice cream for dessert. Finish your day in the D-deck reception room with a relaxing selection from White Star's music booklet.

There's so much more to see: luggage stickers; wireless messages; a White Star Line information booklet for first-class passengers; even an official landing card, issued to one of the survivors for presentation to immigration officials shortly before the "Carpathia"'s arrival in New York (note the haunting words CARPATHIA EX TITANIC). Background information on every item is provided by the excellent supplementary booklet included with the collection, written by Eric Sauder and Hugh Brewster. With a detailed timeline of significant events and a brief list of must-reads for budding "Titanic" buffs, it's far more than an exhibition catalogue. It even discusses how the Titanic Historical Society -- from which most of the original items reproduced in the set were obtained -- was formed and how one might become a member of this renowned organisation.

For less than twenty dollars (a fraction of what these priceless documents would be worth today), one could get a front-row seat to life on board one of the world's greatest maritime wonders.

I hadn't even finished looking through this wonderful collection before having to quickly sign on and place my review here! What a surprising, impressive, and very authenticated collection. The box itself is a replica of a small steamer trunk. Inside, the treasures are truly wonderous! There is nothing cheap here. The postcards, the booklets, the ship's plans--some of the postcards have original writings and postmarks on them. Notice the water spots on some, indelibly marked and haunting to look at. The materials used to create these momentos are thick and sturdy cardboard-like; nothing flimsy in this little trunk. The "Notes" booklet is fascinating itself...I felt as if I had truly boarded this ill-fated steamer, and wished to rent a rug and deck chair upon arrival to my cabin!

When I first saw this collection at the book store I thought it was priced a little high, but I bought it anyway, and im happy I did. It was worth any penny. It has many things to offer such as: deck plans showing the layout of the first class rooms showing the funiture, it has the menus from the last day on board, it has passanger lists, and has poastcards, pasanger listings and many other things. I hope that you you spend that little bit of money for something so great as I did. You will be very satisfied.

I was reffered to this book by my mentor. He is aging but took on the challenge of teaching a young man the art of stone carving. I am not a big reader. Of the many books he had me read that year, this one was the most influential. The basis for any advancement can be found with in its covers. IT has helped me with everything from goal planning, to the importance of building off what others have left. Read it! Memorize it!

This book is a survey of the creative process over artists and scientists across different fields and times, including Mozart, the mathematician and philosopher of science Henri Poincare etc. The book gets to the heart of what life is all about.

This review refers to the first edition of this book: more may have been added in the reissue.

I'm very touched to find this book again as i browsed through the net, 25 years after i first bought it in a flee market in New York. The essay by Henry Miller, literally blew my young artist mind back then. It inspired me to follow on his crazy steps. I quit my civil service job(without official leave) and went to Paris ,where I lived for ten years. I read and re-read that essay on creativity and it just kept giving me the courage to step further into the unknown, thus changing my life completely.

and his translation of the Organon has taken homeopathy and homeopathic prescribing light-years ahead in this work of art, edited by O'Reilly.

After a century or two of misunderstandings of Hahnemann's writings, at last there is a glimpse of Hahnemann's genial gift to mankind. I await further illumination of this medical system from Mr. Decker!

I frequently return from visits to the family physician with the vague feeling that I am dealing with a very peculiar form of healing. There seems to be little sense of "the ankle bone being connected to the knee bone" in modern medicine. Millions of people have registered their opinions in this regard by visiting alternative medical practictioners. But why does alternative medicine work? What are the dynamics of its very real affects? How does the science of Homeopathy work?

Wenda O'Reilly has given us the definitive translation of the homeopathic bible, The Organon of the Medical Art and a handle on the new metaphysics that needs to be engaged for medicine to become the healing art not just of malfunction but of health. All public health officials and anyone interested in medicine should read this book. This is science rendered into beauty by art.

I did not truly understand homeopathy until I read this new translation, this beautifully and wisely edited edition. The insights I gained reading it I can only liken to religious revelations. I now have an understanding of healing and cure that will guide me for the rest of my life. O'Reilly and Decker have taken a dense work of absolute genius and made it accessible to anyone who wants to understand the meaning of health and the gift of life.

AS AN AVID READER OF SUSPENSE NOVELS, IT'S HARD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN SURPRISE ME WITH A "WHO DONE-IT" BREWSTER MILTON ROBERTSON WITH "RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS" DID JUST THAT! THE SURPRISE ENDING WILL KEEP YOU AWAKE NIGHTS TO FINISH THE BOOK. A GREAT READ! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

Brewster Milton Robertson's hot thriller, RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS, set at the Carolina seashore is a heck of a read. The protagonist, Buchanan Forbes, star pharmaceutical salesperson, devoted father and family man, intellectual, and all around good guy, finds himself on the wrong side of a Federal drug bust. The Feds are aiming to clean up the multi-billion dollar black market in prescription drug and medical device samples involving manufacturers, crooked detailmen, and physicians. To make matters worse the Feds are following the lead of a dingbat conservative President who has just outlawed all abortions and seems determined to return to dark ages politics of the 1950's.

Forbes finds himself in the middle of this mess when several young Carolina women die as a result of botched abortions involving experimental IUD's. The Feds pour on the heat and Forbes is wrongly accused of prescription drug theft and sales. His life is further shattered when his faithless wife leaves him taking with her Forbes's four beloved sons. Forbes sets out to put his life and reputation right and he has to fight mighty odds. If and how he is to succeed makes great suspense and a powerful read. Get the book and read it now. It won't wait for a "Rainy Day" or a "Sunday."

couldnt put it down.... was reading it during traffic stops.
oh...was truely great enjoyment... a must read...

It's a nice book, with excerpts of letters, and many photographs; although geared towards children, I at sixteen found it adorable. Although when you look at it, it's sad--how an innocent girl, caught up in politics, was shot. It's a nice look into the "eyes" of Anastasia, and I bet 'Shvyzbik' would be pleased.

Beautifully and honestly presented, "Anastasia's Album" tells the story of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicolaievna Romanova. It offers a delightful glimpse of life in Imperial Russia, before and during its collapse, enhanced by photographs from the Romanov family albums and quotes from the family's letters and diaries. "Anastasia's Album" covers Anastasia's life from birth up to the family's imprisonment. It very tastefully tells of the family's tragic end and also has an epilogue that addresses the Anna Anderson controversy and subsequent films, setting the reader straight on the historical truth.

One of the greatest things about "Anastasia's Album" is how children absolutely love it! I teach elementary school, and the book has been a favorite among my students every year. It has turned several of my students on to history, and many of them did their own Russian history research after starting with "Anastasia's Album."

In all, this is a fantastic book, and Shelley Tanaka did the world a great service in writing it! "Anastasia's Album" should be in every school library and is a must-read for history buffs of all ages.

I loved this book. I did wish it was longer, with more pictures.
Also more quotes from Anastasia herself, not just the author's
words.

We have been using The Voucher System for 6 weeks and it has turned our family life around! I appreciate so much the fact that I was able to read the material and get started right away. I have 2 children (6 and almost 8), one of whom is extremely high-maintenance with quite a temper. I informed them that This system was going to work because we were going to Make it Work! We have tried various reward systems, time-out, etc. Nothing lasted and behaviors did NOT improve.

THIS system has been Such a Good Tool for us because it helps me focus on the Good behavior and deal with the bad behavior. The kids know that good behavior earns them points, which earns them vouchers to be able to do things they want to do. We actually have been doing More things as a family. Evidently we had gotten into a downward spiral where there seemed to be no daylight! The Voucher System has forced us, as parents, to focus more on our children in a Positive way! The kids know they can have points deducted; but they know not All of them will be taken away = they are not All bad. We give more positive feedback and the behavior blowups are fewer in number and less in intensity.

In addition, I had the pleasant surprise of talking to Gail, personally! She has extended an open invitation to contact her with questions and view her on-line newsletter, which I gladly took advantage of! We are also trying MindCare,Jr. I hope ANYONE who is serious about searching until they have THE KEY to their child's behavior will take advantage of this tool. Children are multi-faceted gifts (as we all are) and it is our job as parents to help them live and function to the very Best of their ability.

I didn't have any idea what a difference The Voucher System would make with my strong willed child and other children. Not only did I have a kit complete with colorful vouchers, points sheets and other useful tools, but the free Newsletter and personal consultation with the author supplied me with a veriety of information I could use. This Voucher System is the best this to happen to us in a long while. I highly recomend this program for parent with a high maintence child. It works well with all of our children!

Additopnally, I am a school bus driver and use the vouchers with my special needs kids. They respond very well. One student in particlar,was fascinated by the vouchers and worked exceptionally hard to earn them. Before we started the voucher system he was out of control and unable to stay buckled in his seat for any length of time. That all changed in the first week and he remained one of our best behaved kids the rest of the year!

I just started the voucher system last week while my husband was out of town. What a nice surprise awaited him. The kids were so excited and wanted to keep it a surprise and see if he noticed a difference. He did! The vouchers offer the motivation they needed. They are learning better time management, the advantage of planning ahead, and economics. The first day I started The Voucher System, I actually got the giggles as I sat in the chair nursing my new baby while the other four kids raced around doing work and begging me for more things to do so they could earn points. Things they had completely taken for granted were suddenly important. Instead of nagging or getting upset, I simply give deductions for whatever they have done wrong and my kids accept it gracefully and we move on. It amazes me how quickly it has turned around negative behavior by focusing on positive behavior. This system has taken a lot of the frustration away and given our home a wonderful calm that I never want to give back. The kids are every bit as happy as I am! We are having more fun and free time as a family. I heartily recommend it to any family!

I'm grateful to Gail for The Voucher System and the willingness to help me get started, both on the phone and via e-mail. I thank the Lord for my friend who recommended this program to me!

The USLA Manual of Open Water Lifesaving edited by Chris Brewster is the basic textbook used in the training programs for the following agencies in the State of Hawaii: Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, City and County of Honolulu, Aquatics Division, County of Maui, Water Safety Section, County of Kauai, and the Aquatics Division, County of Hawaii. These agencies are responsible for providing ocean lifeguard services for their respective counties (each Hawaiian Island is considered a county, with Maui County including Molokai and Lanai and Kauai County including the island of Niihau.) All of the mentioned agencies are certified by the USLA under the Agency Certification Program. The USLA Manual of Open Water Lifesaving is the only manual of its kind that addresses the ocean/open water environment and the skills and knowledge essential to become an open water lifeguard. The manual is the result of the collaboration of lifeguards from across the country and provides historical as well as up to date information on open water lifeguarding. Descriptions of environmental conditions that the beach lifeguard will encounter and methods of dealing with these conditions are included in the text, as well as excellent chapters on drowning, prevention, rescues and equipment, and emergency medical treatment. An appendix which includes sample forms used by lifeguard agencies is also a valuable resource for those who administer lifeguard services. The textbook is well written, clearly organized, and serves as the fundamental resource for our agencies in the Hawaiian Islands.

The United States Manual of Open Water Lifesaving is a required text for training all of our seasonal ocean lifeguards. As an Operations Lieutenant for the City of Newport Beach the book has been an invaluable reference with general information, concepts and specific procedural techniques. There are photographs that depict various aspects of modern lifesaving and example report forms. A lifeguard agency or public safety agency that engages in open water rescue is remiss in not having this book for their students and as a reference. Renowned lifeguard experts from around the United States contributed to this excellent book. The book could also have significant impact internationally if a beach had to start a lifguard agency where one does not exist today. If one wants to become a lifeguard, this is a must have text. I am glad that this book exists and am hoping for a new edition that will be even better. Buy it today, you can't go wrong.

Open Water Lifeguards now have a manual written by veteran lifeguards who have put a lifetime of experience into easily read text. Used in combination with local training plans and protocols the USLA manual provides the supplementary material necessary for the complete training and retraining of open water lifeguards..Chapters on professionalism, the aquatic environment, meteorological considerations, preventative lifeguarding and surveillance, emergency planning and management, lifeguard health and safety and many other related topics provide a depth of training keyed to the open water environment unavailable from any other resource. Appendices providing useful beach management forms, an extensive glossary, surf boat rowing techniques and a thorough index complete usefulness of this valuable reference.

Open water lifeguarding in the 21st century requires thorough preparatory training in techniques and procedures as well as mental and physical conditioning. This manual provides an excellent tool for establishing a training plan that will develop competent lifeguards in accordance with contemporary standards of care emergency management guidelines.

David M. Shotwell, Sr., Beachfront Supervisor, Ocean Grove NJ

Because Lily Brewster and her brother Robert live in a big house and drive a Duesenberg, their neighbors in Voorburg-on-Hudson assume they're well off. They don't know that the pair, wiped out in the crash of '29, will inherit their late great-uncle Horatio's estate, including that grand house and automobile, only if they satisfy his executor, Elgin Prinney, that they can support themselves for ten years. And what better way to support themselves than investigating the odd murder-like the case of a mummified corpse Robert finds in Horatio's long-disused icehouse, or the more recent demise of local vegetable grower Roxanne Anderson's lecherous husband Donald? Both these pale homicides are eclipsed by a subplot in which Jack Summer, editor of the newspaper Lily and Robert don't own, goes to Washington to report on the Bonus Army March-an episode that has precious little to do with the murders but at least generates some emotional warmth when President Hoover sends in troops to fire on the veterans of the world war. Even the home-front intrigue has less to do with crime and punishment-the tiny mystery breaks every rule for plotting the detective novel-than soap opera, as Lily's heroic sacrifice in getting her hair permed twice in order to pump a key witness upstages any interest in whodunit. The lack of momentum in Lily's and Robert's hardcover debut won't surprise Churchill's fans, who may well be curious to see how she handles a tale set in the '30s, the spiritual matrix for her contemporary Jane Jeffry series

At one time siblings Robert and Lily were card-carrying members of the idle rich, living off their father's fortune. When the stock market crashed in 1929, the duo was left destitute as their father committed suicide. Sadly, neither has a skill to earn a decent living--upper-class style, that is. However, a relative comes to the rescue by dying and leaving his vast estate to the brother and sister if they move into his mansion in Upstate New York and support themselves for the next ten years.

It proves very difficult to find work in 1932, but neither sit idle. Robert finds a body on the property and is determined to find out who he was, especially since Lily's new friend Roxanne is believed to have killed her husband though no corpse has been found. Lily knows her friend did not commit any homicide and decides to prove she is right. Is amateur sleuthing acceptable under the stipulations of their inheritance? The Brewsters do not care because they believe they must do the right thing regardless.

Jill Churchill has written a delightful historical cozy that captures much of the ambience of America's Great Depression. The bewitching Brewsters brood is adjusting to a radical lifestyle change while trying to help a neighbor. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME is enjoyable: the characters are engaging, the plot strong and vibrant, and the mystery cleverly executed.

Harriet Klausner

Someone to Watch Over Me by Jill Churchill is the third book in her Grace and Favor series. The previous two titles, Anything Goes and In the Still of the Night were delightful mysteries and Someone to Watch Over Me is a welcome addition to this series.

Set during the Depression, the once wealthy Brother and sister Lily and Robert inherit their uncle's mansion on the Hudson River. But the inheritance is predicated on the English law of Grace and Favor where they must live in the house for a period of time before they can rightfully own it. And their uncle added one more element to this inheritance in that both Lily and Robert must have jobs in the area and live only in the house before they inherit anything. The house comes with an array of interesting people who work for them in addition to some of the townspeople who quickly become part of their lives.

Unfortunately, times are tough for all including Lily and Robert who few in the village know that their family was a casualty of the Depression early on and their fortune no longer exists. With both their parents now gone, they must figure out a way to make ends meet. They come up with one idea after another to bring in some much needed income while they also somehow become amateur detectives. As she did in her two previous books, Ms. Churchill presents first one murder victim and then another as Lily and Robert become entangled in solving the murder And not content to have only one main plot at work, Churchill fully explores the plight of the average person as they deal with the Depression. A most interesting part of the book is when the author describes the workers march on Washington, DC for wages as well as their living conditions in tent cities erected around this area.

While I enjoyed the mystery angle of this book, which is enough to satisfy most mystery readers, it is the description of the area around the Hudson and the characters that really interest me in these books. Now once again I am waiting for the next title in this series to find out what everyone is doing and how life has been treating all of them.