I am the editor of a newsletter for strength and conditioning coaches in high school, college and professional sports. Gene Coleman has written the ultimate book on conditioning. He covers all of the physical aspects of the game and provides day-by-day programs for each aspect. This is a dynamite book and I recommend it to all serious baseball and softball players, coaches and parents.

I have had the opportunity to work with Gene Coleman and observe his work with the Houston Astros for the past 10 years. His book is a must reading for all baseball players. He thoroughly explains what physical attributes are required to play the game and then gives step-by-step drills, procedures, workouts, sets and reps to achieve each of these attributes.

Gene Coleman's 52-Week Baseball Training is a definitive, practical, effective program for the aspiring athlete to achieve and maintain top physical conditioning for baseball, whether competing for a spot in the major or minor leagues, or just enjoying softball league or sandlot games. Coleman provides day-by-day, week-by-week, season-by-season workouts (including resistance training, total conditioning exercises, and position-specific activities) in a training plan that can be applied in high school, college, and summer-league schedules. Highly recommended for all novice as well as seasoned players, Coleman's 52-Week Baseball Training is laid out in four sequential phases: Postseason (active rest and recovery); Off-Season (fitness training); Preseason (training to play); and In-Season (training to win).

AFTER THE LOCUSTS is just right for those who feel they trying to survive tough times/ wasted years, and want to move on. Author Jan Coleman will take your hand and lead you into fresh hope. The writing is excellent, and you will be pulled into true experiences and personal discoveries---that can make all the difference. As I reader I experienced God's nearness and wisdom through these pages. Scriptures and gems of thought almost leaped off the pages. Now I want to read my Bible more. Women who are single, divorced, lonely, hurting will be especially blessed by this book. Yet it will speak to any woman at any time in her life. It makes a thoughtful gift.

Ever read a book that you couldn't stop talking about? After the Locusts is one of those books. Jan Coleman writes as if she's talking directly to you. She shares many stories from friends she's personally encouraged through ruined dreams, and gives you hope that you or someone you know will overcome those wasted years.

This book would be great for a women's Bible study. Highlighting the Book of Joel, Jan Coleman relives her own failed marriage; comparing that loss to the desolation left by a swarm of locusts. After the Locusts touches on coping with the loss of a loved oned, bankruptcy, dealing with troubled teens, divorce, and much more.

You will want to share this book with a friend. I did!

Jan opens her heart and life and shares wisdom found through her own experiences in the light of faith. This book does not offer pat answers or advice, but rather causes the reader to rethink their life in the light of God's love. I have a dear friend going through a "locust" time, and immediately knew that this would be a helpful resource. It's like sitting across the table from a wise and witty friend whose not afraid to help you through the tough times with hope, laughter, and a tear or two. This is a must-read for anyone who has faced the locusts and is ready to take a step to healing.

It's so hard to find books for my middle reader children that aren't either dark and violent or "too little kid-ish" for them (as they would say). This book is the perfect alternative: it's a fun read, but so beautifully and elegantly written that my kids were learning new vocabulary words without even realizing it. The story has a moral center, which I loved, but it's told in such an energetic and interesting way that as far as my kids were concerned, it was just a great tale. The illustrations are fantastic--I especially liked the Toad Prince. Highly recommended.

This book is not only well written and entertaining, but also magical and enchanting. Coleman creates an entire world with her words, adding enough description to keep the story moving smoothly, yet leaving room for our imaginations to wander. She also uses more challenging words than your standard young adult book, but the footnoted definitions help expand vocabulary and teach new words to readers. It is a definite must-read.

This book is not only well written and entertaining, but also magical and enchanting. Coleman creates an entire world with her words, adding enough description to keep the story moving smoothly, yet leaving room for our imaginations to wander. She also uses more challenging words than your standard young adult book, but the footnoted definitions help expand vocabulary and teach new words to readers. It is a definite must-read.

This slender book contains profound insights into the nature and essence of prayer. Based largely on the teachings of Shaikh Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (? -1986), a Sufi Shaikh from Sri Lanka who lived and taught from Philadelphia for the last 15 years of his life....

While written in the context of Muslim prayers, it's relevant to prayer in all religions. It is also an excellent guide to salat - ritual prayer in Islam.

The book explains in detail (with pictures) the various steps in salat. But more than that it relates the times of prayer and steps within prayer to spiritual development and awareness. And it is here that the real value of the book comes forth.

Using this as a base, the authors then describe a meditative prayer exercise - similar to Vedic "follow the breath" meditations.

In short this is not an academic description of prayer or theory but an invitation to readers to embark on the path.

The only negative - and this is a very very minor quibble - is with some of the transliterations of Arabic and grammatical comments.

This is definitely one of the best books on Salat that I have ever seen. I read it cover to cover without setting it down. Barks and Green have put together some of the most beautiful images with some of the most beautiful words and come through keeping all the sacredness of the prayers. They cover all the essentials of the Muslim prayers, explaining in very accessible terms the hows of what to do. But more than that, they also make the prayer palpable to even those that may never have done it. By combining art and the poetry of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi they create the atmosphere of the connection with God that one feels during the deepest salat.

I think that almost anyone, after reading this book will at least want to try out salat for a few days. Maybe even make a strong comitment to doing it for a long time. But even if not, after reading this book, more people will understand the heart of Islam, the prayer we repeat at least 5 times every day and what really is going on inside, what depth of feeling is during this prayer.

Recomended without reservation to anyone.

I was deeply impressed by the depth and poignant nature of this ecumenical work. This wonderful book embraces, lovingly, the essential truths of prayer and meditation found within all religions and also outside of religious traditions. I was especially moved by the powerful quotes from Sufi Sage Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a towering giant among Masters of Wisdom. Both Green and Barks are to be congratulated for their uncompromising clarity and depth. Whether you believe in a particular religious path, God, Allah, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, the Tao is not at issue here. The core of the material presented concerns the everlasting benefits of prayer regardless of ones religious leanings. Prayer ultimately guides one to that 'open space' where all religions, all truths merge into One. I cannot say enough about the exalted content of this gem!

This amounts to the 'bible' of organic growing. It is informative and inspirational in equal measure. While the approach Coleman takes is particularly suited to market gardening, it is also eminently suitable for smaller-scale gardeners who simply wish to feed their family.

Coleman writes, 'The premise of this book is that you can make a good living on 5 acres or less of intensive vegetable production. Thus it is those acres that concern us most.' (p16)

In a nutshell, Coleman's approach is to:

- plan and market effectively

- develop the healthiest soil

- grow the most valuable crops

- extend the growing season to the maximum

He show just how to do this in 334 pages with 28 chapters and four appendices. There isn't space here to offer a contents list, but here are some highlights:

Chapters addressing the question 'why do it?' - Agricultural craftsmanship', 'a final question'

Chapters on 'season extension', mobile greenhouses and 'the winter garden'.

'Plant-positive' solutions to pests.

Chapters on marketing strategy and marketing.

However, 'The New Organic Grower' covers far more than this - in fact everything you could need to start successful organic vegetable production! Readers living in cool/temperate climates may also want to check out Coleman's other popular book, 'Four Season Harvest'.

I would like to start up a small garden market and was looking for a good book to get me started. This book provided more than I asked for! It was very thorough on every detail of what would be involved - making a good soil, rotating crops, green manure, composting, greenhouses, seed producers, materials and costs, the benefit of animals, hiring/firing workers, marketing your product, irrigation, finding a good land plot to begin with and so much more! His information about start up costs and materials is in a simplistic, not extravagant and expensive way. He stresses reusing and recycling just about everything to save time, money, effort, and most importantly, our valuable earth resources. Although he makes strong suggestions about what will work successfully, he is always open to new ideas and techniques that could better improve any small farm. I appreciate his open-mindedness to new ideas and the value of constant learning. Reading this book makes you want to go out and start a farm right away with confidence that you'll be successful!

To feed yourself, feed the soil. Coleman has long been gardening under challenging conditions, has learned how to optimize soil fertility to produce health-giving harvests. Here he presents top-notch advice so you can do it too.

I think this is an excellent way to present the Titanic story to children. The story is told from Polar's point of view which helps to hold the children's attention. I am an elementary education major and I just read this book in one of my classes at my university for a project. I read it with the Titanic Suite playing in the background. I do not think one classmate of mine blinked during my entire presentation. This book is also wonderful for children because it does not focus on the devastation of the Titanic voyage, but rather the joyous times between a bear, his master, and his family.

Having read virtually dozens of books on the RMS Titanic, I figured a children's book on the topic to be entertaining at best, but certainly not informative. Polar the Titanic Bear was written by Daisy Corning Stone Spedden as a Christmas gift to her son, Douglas. The book chronicles a period of approximately two years in the life of the family's 6 year old son from the point of view of his new teddy bear, Polar. The story begins with Polar's assembly in one of the finer toy stores in North America. Polar is placed on display in a store and purchased as a Christmas gift for Douglas. The reader is then sent on various journeys throughout the world with the Spedden family, culminating with their voyage on and subsequent rescue from the Titanic. What makes this book most appealing is the real life glance into the lifestyle of the affluent family prior to the Depression. Because it was written by a mother to her child with no intention to publish, there is no fluff or marketing appeal added. This book is, in effect, a true-life diary of Pre World War I America complete with pictures from the author's own collection. The book is a touching display of motherly affection for her child. It ends with an epilogue (added for publication) detailing the years following the book's creation. The ending is emotional and sadly tragic. Though written for children, Polar the Titanic Bear is a touching story for readers of all ages and interests.

To me, "Polar, The Titanic Bear" is a precious book because it has so many fascinating dimensions to it. On the one hand, it is a charmingly written children's story about a child's stuffed polar bear and the journeys it takes with it's master around the world, culminating ultimately aboard the Titanic. Second, it is a must have for Titanic scholars as it provides us with insight into the Spedden family that traveled in First Class and survived the disaster by getting into Boat #3. The father, Frederic Spedden, was one of the few First Class male passengers who was so fortunate as so many other men that night died.

But finally, there is the extra poignance that this story takes on because of what it ultimately represents, and that is the love of a mother for her son in writing this book and presenting it to him as a Christmas gift, as Daisy Spedden did for eight year old Douglas. The closing narration of Polar reflects the hopes and wishes all parents have for their children, "I hope he will be blessed with a long and happy life" and then you find out that Douglas, after surviving the Titanic, lost his life just a year later at age nine when he was struck by a car while at his parents summer home. Only the hardest of hard-hearted people could not be moved to tears by learning that. In the end, as we read ultimately of how the Speddens were able to move on from this tragedy in their lives, this helps make "Polar" filled with more insights for adults than the average children's book might have. No Titanic enthusiast can afford to be without this book.

This is the consumate example of how Industrial and Engineering history should be written - not only technically and historically comprehensive, but perfectly balanced in its social and economic context. Granted, the text is at times too much the thesis, but the author's attention to painting the full picture (and conveying the vitality of the subject, while meeting all the academic expectations) leaves the reader not only in a forgiving mood but admiring the author for his courage. This is, after all, virtually the original dissertation 'verbatim' and doubtless the author must have found the 'viva' somewhat of an ordeal. For those who wish to read a definitive argument for industrial change - analytical, thoughtful but most of all deeply interesting, 'Copper Wire and Electrical Conductors - The Shaping of a Technology' should be first on the list. Furthermore, for once the detailed references and footnotes are where they should be, directly accessible at the bottom of the page. Other publishers please take note!

I believe many will agree that this book deserves its longevity. Having obtained a copy on the strength of the Amazon reviews (below) I have (for the first time) no argument with the reviewers. Those who have praised the scholarship, structure and insight of Blake-Coleman's work were right to do so. Verso, the criticisms where they occur are justified. Particularly in the light of the fact that much of the research dates back some 20 years! Yet there is little extant that supersedes any of the book's contents, and that speaks volumes!

As a study in how economic and industrial history should be written 'Copper Wire - ' has few equals, as a research excercise and a marvellous story of industrial and technological change it is peerless.

Copper Wire and Electrical Conductors : The Shaping of a Technology

Author: B. C. Blake-Coleman
Format: Hardcover Textbook
Published: December 1991
ISBN: 3718652005

This is a definitive work which critically examines the principal events and circumstances which influenced the evolution of copper wire as a crucial component in modern electrical technology.

Now established as a milestone in the publishing of technological histories, Blake-Coleman's 'Copper Wire-' provides the template for all subsequent authors in the field. Highly readable, yet completely authoratative in the depth and breadth of its research, this book went even further in showing how careful editing can enhance the way information is conveyed to the reader. (All footnotes and citations for example are given on the page where they appear. This is of enormous value; given that typically citations are confined to the end of a book, requiring the reader to constantly flick through pages).

The structure and content of 'Copper Wire-' is of itself a lesson. To avoid the problem of intermingling the use and application of Copper wire with the technology of wire making itself, the opening chapters cover the history of wire making technology and then proceed to focus on copper wire per se. This arms the reader at the outset with an understanding of the slow development of wire making technology from ancient times up to the end of the 19th/early 20th century when automated techniques were virtually mature.

The traditional applications, trades and supply chains for copper wire are given a full treatment in the middle sections. Not only in terms of markets and uses but the organizations and companies that developed on the specific businesses of the day. This extends to the single tradesman supplying copper articles for the local market and drawing his own copper wire, to the dockyard industries providing the massive levels of copper and copper wire for both naval and private vessels. We see how slowly (but inevitably) the provision of materials for the traditional markets slowly make available a commodity that could be used in early electrical work.

Electrical science is then shown to be an overwhelming force for change in the copper wire industry - not least because (as we are suprised to find) the traditionally made copper wire does not have the qualities and attributes appropriate for electrical applications. Indeed, iron and brass wire are at first the primary choice as conductors in telegraphy and experimental applications.

How electrical science and the acceleration in telegraphic and telephonic communications came to change the manufacture and properties of conventional copper wire is a fascinating story, and is not only well told in this book but told with an emphasis that conveys vividly the trials and tribulations of those individuals who made our modern electrical systems what they are. Having read the later sections of 'Copper Wire-' one is left in no doubt that dismissing the current monopoly of copper wire in electrical technology as purely an evolutionary step ignores the fact - as this book clearly recounts - that there was nothing natural or evolutionary about it!

Not only is this book a prime example of good scholarship and pragmatism in approaching the problem of presentation, but the wealth and quality of research leaves one admiring the persistance of the author. Few would see the subject as compelling. There is after all no central character or single historical perspective and technological histories are hardly the best platform for getting to grips with the economic and social conditions which prevail. Yet the author does turn a potentially turgid subject into something truly engaging.

There are many criticisms to be made about this book (mainly editorial and typographical) but this remains the definitive technological history. Copper Wire- is recommended to anyone who is embarking on a similar task. Not only as a model for writing this kind of material but as an example of understanding what makes a complex and highly technical subject easy to understand and assimilate.

This gorgeous book is worth its weight in gold. It sits open on my coffee table where every day I select a different spread of luscious photos upon which to feast my eyes and spirit. Feinstein's images are invitations to meditate on life's mysterious gifts and the manifold perfections all around us. What inspiring teachers these flowers are! The words are wonderful, too. Sydney Ellison taught me much about the secret life of flowers ... I'll never look at them in quite the same way again. A.D. Coleman's essay provides artistic context and testament to the breadth and depth of this photographer's vision and body of work. Greg Piotroski's descriptions of the individual flowers in the book range from practical to rhapsodic. I loved the literary references sprinkled throughout this book. My summation in four words is "Wow! and Thank You." This book is pure beauty. I know what gift I'll be giving my special friends this year!

This man's artwork is astounding! As rendered by Mr. Feinstein's photography these flowers will transport you to an inner world where the awesome detail of nature's beauty comes alive as never before observed by the human eye. I use his pictures as a form of personal meditation to elevate my mood and transform my consciousness.

I was so pleased to receive my copy of this wonderful book and share it with my friends - it makes for endless conversations on the nature of beauty. I don't have enough money to buy copies of all the prints Mr. Feinstein has to offer, so I bought the book instead! Now I have 100 of his most magnificent pieces of art in my home!

I have been following Mr. Feinstein's artistic pursuits and tremendously enjoy his remarkable photography as documented by Life Magazine and TV's Nightline (did you know his work was placed in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York when he was just 19?). He certainly is one of the world's greatest living photographers. I had to own this book!

ONE HUNDRED FLOWERS is a joy to behold! Harold Feinstein's magnificent photography of the flowers that grace our gardens are enclosed within the pages of this spectacular new book in a way not seen before. He teams with Gregory Piotrowski, who skillfully provides the lilting prose for this endeavor giving the reader information about each of the hundred and leaving him wanting to know more. After examining these glorious photographs, I don't think I will ever look at a flower in quite the same way again. Mr. Feinstein's photography pulls the reader into a place of brilliant color, design, and fluidity. This "bee's view" as it is called, allows the reader to see into the very soul of each flower pictured. One takes away a new appreciation of the miracles of creation. You will give yourself a gift by owning this book. I plan to purchase it for friends and family as I strongly feel that no one should be deprived the beauty, the sensuousness, the vitality found springing to life on the pages of ONE HUNDRED FLOWERS. I can only hope for one hundred more!

Through the years I've read many published articles and books in regards to this enigmatic creature. They were good to say the least but were missing vital ingredients, i.e., "The Story Behind the Story." This is where Loren Coleman comes in and fills in the missing pieces. He digs further into these accounts and we get a much clearer picture of important facts and details that other authors ignored,neglected or
inadverdantly left out. There is no glossing over or added embellishments to placate those in need of sensationalism.

Overall this book is a great read and relief from the canned gibberish that emanates from the so-called Bigfoot "experts"
whose sites proliferate the Internet. Like Joe Friday of Dragnet fame use to say,"Just the facts,ma'am."

This book is a welcome addition to anyone's library who has an interest in Bigfoot in America. It includes many interesting Native American legends and spans from Ape Canyon to the Skookum Cast. It includes an actual interview with Roger Patterson on the Patterson/Gimlin film and includes a wonderful bibliography.Its dedication to John Green is an indication of the depth to which this book goes in detailing this interesting enigma. It is well written and worth the time to read and keep as a reference book.

Loren Coleman has my attention!

Growing up under the influence of the "Boggy Creek" movie, I have always wanted to believe that a bigfooted creature exists. This book, which goes from the early sightings of Bigfoot all of the way to the new generation of internet Bigfoot trackers, has presented enough evidence and accounts of the creature that I am now a believer.

Now for those of you "action" people out there, Mr. Coleman presents at the end of the book, a list of "hot" spots out there where the average Joe is as likely as not to stumble upon some hair-raising Bigfoot experiences of his own.

So if you are an amateur Bigfoot junkie, like me, order and read this book. Then grab a camera and bedroll, and head for the hills.

When Tamsyn, Josh and Rob come across a sinister e-mail on the internet, they have no idea they will get caught up in a plot to blackmail an international theme park corporation. As they set off for summer vacations around the world, Josh and the others hope the warning is a hoax. But when more e-mails arrive, it seems "Icarus" is deadly serious. Their worst fears are confirmed when a one of them witnesses an explosion on the famous "Meteor" ride. With time running out and lives in danger, It is up to the Internet detectives in England, New York, Toronto and Perth to discover the identity of the blackmailer before some one gets hurt.

This was the fifth title in the eight book Internet Detective series. These are interesting, fast-paced books that are great for introducing kids to computers. I would recommend "System Crash" to eight to twelve year olds. If you enjoyed this, I would suggest reading the other Internet Detective books, especially #2 Escape Key, and #7 Virus Attack, which I think to be the best of the ID books.

"Net Bandits" is the first in the 8 book Internet Detective series about kids around the globe teaming up to solve mysteries via the World Wide Web. After reading this several years ago, I became interested in the internet and went on to purchase the remaining seven ID books.

What Happens? This books main purpose is to set the scene for further books, introduce and connect the characters, etc. Josh and Tamsyn are pupils at the Abbey School with different views on the internet. When Tamsyn begins receiving e-mails from the mysterious Z-Master, it is the beginning of what will become a desperate race against time to discover his identity. With the help of kids in New York, Perth and Toronto, Tamsyn and Josh attempt to decipher a cryptic e-mail that will lead them to a boy in danger...

"Net Bandits" is an action-packed fast-paced adventure and great for the purpose of introducing and encouraging children to use the Internet. I would recommend it to children aged from about eight to twelve.

If you enjoyed this, I would suggest reading the other Internet Detective books, especially #2 Escape Key, and #7 Virus Attack, which I think to be the best of the ID books.

I bought this book on a lark for my 9 year old daughter. She burned through it in 3 nights( a big deal for a 9yearold) and she loved it. Besides an engaing story I found my daughter had learned many internet concepts as well as emoticons. The :) and ;) symbols you see all over emails. She just shot through book 2 and asks everyday for book 3(which is currently outta stocK) :(