As someone unfamiliar with construction techniques, this book was a god send to me. The writing is clear and straightforward, and it contains a series of easy to understand illustrations showing construction details. From my simplistic laymen's perspective, I can say that after reading this book, I was able to have intelligent and informed conversations with architects and contractors regarding my studio. I'm sure readers who know how to swing a hammer will feel prepared to do a lot more than just talk.

This book was excellant. I have read many studio books- this one takes a few extra steps to setup a more professional envirionment then just converting a garage. I am in my 4th phase-building a house with an addition for the studio; and used this book for development of the floor plan

Cooper's book is an excelent source of practical tips on studio design. He covers all aspects of soundproofing (isolating the studio from sound transmission) as well as improving the acoustics of interior of the studio and control room.

Particularly useful are the illustrations showing different ways to construct the walls and flooring. I use these as examples in courses that I teach in Acoustics.

The book is highly readable, without a lot of unnecessary formulas and theory that one commonly finds in bools on this topic. I highly recommend this book to someone interested in building a home, project, or even a commercial recording studio. The small investment made in purchasing this book is worthwhile compared to the expense of having to correct acoustical problems down the road.

Stephen B. Ward, Professor of Music Industry and Technology Mercy College, White Plains, NY.

I ran across this book when looking for Christmas books to read to my son. This is a wonderful book that tells the story of Christ's birth with vivid illustration that reflect us as African-Americans. Easy read for the young reader and reading aloud (as we did before we opened gifts). With delightful illustration for everyone as well.

My two year old son loves looking at the pictures in this book. The baby looks so real. I was pleased to find a book that is simple enough for a 2 year old to enjoy it and so beautiful that an adult will love reading it as well. My son especially likes the picture of the lovely mother gazing down at her child. Although the art work and Wise's poetry are what make the book enjoyable, the fact that the characters are people of color make this book a must have for our family. Because it seems very unlikely that Jesus was a blonde with blue eyes, I want to present images of a more colorful Jesus to my son. I also appreciate the depiction of many wise men from the East, not just 3.

I borrowed this book from the public library and found that it took my breath away. Author Margaret Wise Brown has done many of what are now considered classics such as RUNAWAY BUNNY,LITTLE ISLAND and GOODNIGHT MOON has one more to add to her collection. The illustrations by Cooper are amazing. The realistic pictures of the newborn baby (which remind me so much of my own sons when they were that small)in the manger are very moving. Some narrow-minded people may be put off by the fact that the main characters are African American and the book "appears" to be depicting the Holy family, although Brown's text does not actually indicate this. I also find it ironic that two different online bookstores that I went to for this title do not actually have the cover displayed. The illustrations depicting angels are absolutely gorgeous. I took the book to work to share it with my co-workers who would appreciate it and they agreed with me. I was very reluctant to take it back because I knew I would not be able to have it over the Christmas holiday. I just have to have this book for my personal collection to share with my two sons. This book celebrates the miracle of life and the joy of two parents gazing upon their son with hopes for the future. I hope this book wins an ALA (Caldecott or Coretta Scott King) award or awards this year.

In Dave Cooper's latest graphic novel (collected from Zero Zero where it was serialized), the lead character, Crumple, seems to be the only decent male left in the world. Sure, he is awkward around women thanks to the interaction of his shyness and sexual drive, but he is a nice guy who treats women as equals. Unfortunately his more confident male friend (as well as the few other males in the story) are complete and utter pigs. As it turns out, however, the women have the upper hand because their sexuality gives them power over man.

This is the background for Cooper's satirical and surreal look at the Battle of the Sexes and what happens when males are rendered useless thanks to a bizarre alien intervention. Of course, neither sex gets off too easily. Only the most intolerant of man-haters would consider the ultimate fate of male-kind tolerable despite how disgusting some of the male characters are. And the male reader should ask himself why the females would be willing to resort to such an outcome. This graphic novel should have both males and females questioning their unconscious attitudes towards the opposite sex. Sure many of the characters are stereotypes of both males and females, but only to raise the point that either extreme of Male Chauvanism and Capital F Feminism is intolerable. Cooper's deceptively cartoony style is very effective in adding to the mood of this nightmare.

In addition to creating perverse cartoon visions of anot-too-distant and eerily plausible future, Dave Cooper illustrateschildren's books. That influence shows here quite evidently, resultingin a disturbing blend of cuteness and venom. A young man sells hisGranny's hoverwalker to finance a foray into the Hollywood pornindustry while news of recent UFO sightings slowly moves from theperiphery to center stage. What in its first pages seems nothing morethan adolescent misogyny transforms brilliantly into a twisted butredeeming vision of the future of women, sending a message to the pornaddicts of the world: be careful what you wish for...

five stars. this should be in any collection. dave is a soo-poib arteest that deserves to be seen by all.

from what i hear the comic book industry is dieing. more like it's growing up and casting off all the excess fan-boy stuff from over the years. stuff like this will be taking it's place. high quality printing, art and story. stuff you'll put on your bookshelf and read again and again and again. typical fantagraphics stuff here.

i'm going to dwell on the art here. i'm familiar with dave's work from his pip and norton story in dark horse's "scatterbrain" mini-series from what seems like too-long ago (why aren't there more comics like this?). anyhoo, if you're like me and enjoy dips into dave's subconcious that allow us to view his skewed universes, then this books is heartily recommended.

put down those super-hero comics! now! look at what you're paying for them! way too much! read this instead. your eyeballs will thank you.

cheers,

beatnik bandit

I was so impressed with this book and Cobb Island that comes before it. Cooper's writing is magnificient. I could not read these books fast enough. I was reading every spare second that I had and still could not get enough. I wanted this story to go on and on. I want MORE!! I want these stories to keep going, so I can keep reading. I have never read a story that kept me wanting more. The characters become so personal. You learn so much about them. It's like reading about someone you know like your bestfriend. When I was reading I would laugh with them, cry with them, and feel for them over all. I would stop reading my book to run in the other room to tell my partner what had just happened, like she should know these people in real life.
Needless to say, these are WONDERFUL books !! You will love them !

I would have to say one of my very favorite books of all time is the prequel to this story, Cobb Island. I didn't know if I would get satisfaction from a sequel as most just don't live up to the original. I am happy to report this one isn't most!

This author did a fantastic job keeping to the story, making it as exciting, if not more so, than the first one. The twist was really a twist, not something I had guessed before I was a chapter into the story.

I *highly* recommend this book (and her others, especially Cobb Island!) for anyone looking to purchase some great reading and support one of the better authors around.

The story of Liv and Kayla, and Bridget and Faylinn continues in this sequel to Cobb Island. More of the Redding Family history is revealed, but from an unusual source. Just as good, or even a little better than Cobb Island, Blayne Cooper has once again woven an intriguing tale of love and mystery for us.

As a recently certified yoga instructor,and woman who has personally dealt with Fibromyalgia for 8 years, I can truly say this is one of the best companions for anyone suffering with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue. This book is thoroughly informative with descriptions of symptoms and reasons for onset of disorders, to ways to rebuild the immune system, to bodywork,to aromatherapy, to client education. It is an excellently balanced book geared to holistic practitioners and patients alike. It is very important to be personally involved in your own health and wellbeing. If you are ready to make a lifestyle change that will improve your way of life, I highly recommend buying this companion book which you will refer to again and again.

I found this book to be the most thorough dissertation on the subject of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue for the holistic practitioner that I have read to date. It addresses the symptomology from not just the physical, but the mental and emotional levels as well. While the book is geared toward practitioners trained in Asian bodywork techniques, it is an invaluable tool for Western massage therapists such as myself. It is the first book I have found that discusses a true holistic approach including bodywork, mind-body approaches, aromatherapy, nutrition, and self-care.

I would highly recommend this book to all health care practitioners and their patients.

As a yoga instructor working with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue clients, I highly recommend this book to my clients, their loved ones and practicioners. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue: Acutherapy and Holistic Approaches is the most useful of the many books on the topic today. Clients find Ms. Cooper's information beneficial, practical and accessible. Friends and family find ideas on how to engage in a cooperative role in the healing of their loved one. Practioners gain a deeper understanding of the syndromes and how to treat their clients in a more productive manner. This book is a vital tool that empowers the individual's road to recovery. Ms. Cooper's book is especially unique in that is addresses many topics not covered by other fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue books. They range from presenting the holistic paradigm and mind/body concepts well to specific, detailed work for the lymphatic system and rebuilding the immune system. Her extensive, direct therapeutic experience with these syndromes and the methods that provide the best results ensure this book to be highly educational. This book has helped many by providing key strategies for improving the quality of life and embracing the concept of living a life of health and comfort with the syndromes in full remission. Valuable tables help clarify symptoms and appropriate choices in healing. In depth questions help the reader recognize their present mode of thinking; with suggestions on how to open up to more options and actions to heal. Practical worksheets help state goals, tract progress and identify what's working and what's not. They can accurately keep record of the progress made and aid in future decisions. The above are all valuable to my clients and their practioner. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue: Acutherapy and Holistic Approaches is a must for the individual ready to take control of their own health and healing, the loved one ready to encourage the ailing, and the practioner ready to better serve the client. Don't hesitate to purchase this book!

This book should be mandatory reading for any course about the civil rights or black arts movement of the 60s. Freedomways magazine, edited by Esther Cooper Jackson, chronicled the entire civil rights and black arts movement with insightful analysis, critique and articles. Includes work by W.E.B. DuBois, James Baldwin, Alice Walker, Angela Davis, and other legendary Black poets and writers who first started out by publishing in the magazine. Also, it provides interesting research on the struggle for social, civil, and political rights here in this country and abroad. A must read as many of the articles within the "Reader" have never been published elsewhere.

this is a Great book that covers so much Historical important information.a wide view of knowledge of the struggle all here.a must have.books like this cover so much.

From 1961 to 1986, Freedomways published the words and thoughts of the leaders of the freedom movement; yet few modern Americans have heard of the publication. Esther Cooper Jackson and Constance Pohl's Freedomways Reader gathers key writings from the pages of the various Freedomways booklets, charting the struggles for racial equality and providing an oral history of black freedom struggles, from reports of the Freedom Riders to short stories.

Jefferson Davis remains a dark, remote Civil War figure, hardly as romantic as Lincoln or as inspiring as Lee.

What William C. Davis has done is to make both the man and the forces that gave him fire and light more immediate and tangible.

Weaving through the myriad controversies and struggles of the pre-Civil War, Civil War and post war years, the author somehow manages to explain endless geographical, political and societal issues without ever losing sight of Davis' central role in them.

A dense but vastly entertaining book that even readers who are not interested in the Civil War would find fascinating.

Really enjoyed listening to this book, especially the themes in which Jeff Davis' strengths and flaws were carry on throughout his entire adult life. The last few tapes are outstanding on how the confederacy got reduced to a well guarded 3 mile wagon train.

William C. Davis has written THE biography of Jefferson Davis. The book not only reads as easily as a novel, it also has been meticulously researched. Keep your eye on this Davis. He is fast becoming one of America's best popular historian.

clear & full of illustrations..
good book for new parents..
give clear explanation from the beginning the the pregnancy until the first 5 years of the baby

Look at the subject then read on. I took courses about this subject while in high school. I'm currently 21 years old, born with a speech/learning disabitly. I watch TLC's A Baby Story, Maternity Ward, a special that was on 1/2002 and going to be on again (a new episode) its called World Birth Day. I read online journals that are written real mother (sometimes fathers as well). One author wrote about her pregnancy was one MSN' Women Central, then her baby's first year (which a book now, its called It Could Happen to You!). She writing on her own website now. The another as written on her own website since Fall, 2001. I reallly them. I read 2 other books about this subject which are by Dr. Miriam Stoppard. I found this book better Dr. Miriam Stoppard books because I like there were other people who wrote book besides the author. Oh, I love DK Parenting Collection then What You are Expecting, and other books with out pictures that aren't of women models or real women that pregnant or anything else. Thank you.

THIS BOOK IS BETTER THEN DR. MIRIAM STOPPARD'S BOOKS BECAUSE IT HAS EVERY ASPECT OF PREGNANCY/BABY AND CHILD CARE/CHILD DEVELOPMENT/ HEALTH/SAFETY AND FIRST AID

\Look at subject first then read on. Her books are far less informative in my eyes then this book is. I know I'm a little young for this, but I feel its important learn about this subject at a early adult age then when you just find out you pregnant or getting married soon. Thank you.

Also recommended: It Can Happen to You: A Diary of Pregnancy and First Year of Your Child Life, by Martha Brockenbrough

There are some who consider Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln the two greatest writers in American history- and not in that order. Others have compared Lincoln's eloquence to none other than Shakespeare. Both are wonderful compliments, and in my mind highly accurate. Abraham Lincoln was a master of the English language.

This is a nice single volume of Lincoln's best known writings. It has all the great speeches you have heard of (Gettysburg Address, etc.)plus many the non specialist might have missed. If you are a specialist, you probably already own Roy Basler's nine volume set of Lincoln's writings. If you do not, this fine volume will suit you nicely and help you to understand why Lincoln is the revered man that he is.

This is a great book. I think the introduction is the best. It is interesting plus you really feel Lincoln was a man of the people. My favorite part was when Lincoln had one of his sons in a wagon. Lincoln was so much in his thoughts that the child fell out and was crying loudly and Lincoln kept walking dragging an empty wagon behind him.

I have a large Civil War library, and if there was a fire, this is the one Lincoln book I would try to rescue. Despite being written almost 50 years ago, the book's strong point is not its selection of Lincoln's writings (although that is quite good), but its masterful biographical sketch of Lincoln by Stern. Almost seven score since Lincoln's death, there is still no other satisfying BRIEF biography. In about 200 pages, Stern has managed to capture, in skilfull prose, all the important facts while still having room for some less-wordy, interesting comments. Each important event is succinctly captured in a couple paragraphs. I like that Stern actually calls Lincoln "neurotic" in certain personal aspects. I also like his passages on Willie Lincoln's death, emancipation, and the war's closing. There's really not enough room for any heavy politically-influenced interpretations of issues like those in modern long biographies,and that's why Stern's sketch can't be considered outdated. Some people may not like the short description of Lincoln's assassination, and I thought Stern spent too much ink on Lincoln's final attempts to compensate the South. Since the book predates the most comprehensive, closely-inspected collection of Lincoln's letters, there may be some inaccuracies in the writings reproduced here. However, the selection is an excellent one, linked together well with intros by Stern. I can't imagine this was an easy job for Stern and I'm lost why it's been virtually ignored. But all in all, I can only repeat, if you want to know the most about Lincoln in the fewest words, and have your interest held throughout, just buy this book and you're set!

This wonderful overview of Chinese art takes the reader on a delightful trip through 6000 years of history. Some 100 beautiful full-color photographs, some of them filling the entire oversized page, are used to illustrate this fascinating journey. The text is insightful and well-written and should appeal even to readers who are not especially interested in the study of Asian art. This beautiful (and remarkably inexpensive) book is not to be missed!

This wonderful overview of Chinese art takes the reader on a delightful trip through 6000 years of history. Some 100 beautiful full-color photographs, some of them filling the entire oversized page, are used to illustrate this fascinating journey. The text is insightful and well-written and should appeal even to readers who are not especially interested in the study of Asian art. This beautiful (and remarkably inexpensive) book is not to be missed!

This is an amazing overview of the very best in Chinese art, including sculpture, painting, drawings, and pottery from ancient times to the present day. Roughly 100 full-color illustrations--many of which fill an entire page--are used to illuminate this insightful stroll through Chinese art history. The text is clearly written, and even readers with only a minimal interest in art are likely to enjoy learning about the fascinating history of Chinese civilization. Don't miss this one!