After reading so many reviews, I am excited to see that the book that has forever touched my heart, has had as much meaning to others as it did for me. Everytime I mention to someone the title of this book, I get a quizzical look, but now I know there were others who found this book too. I first read it in 6th grade- the only book by this author- and I was intrigued and summoned to read it many times in just that one school year. I felt so lucky last year to find it in an obscure library at my University, and I loved reading it even as an adult. I truly believe that this book helped to mold my desire to work in the social work field and especially with youth who are going through such critical issues like the ones Claire experienced.

I read it in high school. I just happened to find it on the shelf and decided to try it. One thing that caught my attention was that the author had gone to school to be an archeologist or something like that. This was her first book and it was better than some I have read by authors who have written many books. She really made us care about Claire, and we got caught up in what was happening to her. She seemed very real. I hope I can find a copy. I've searched everywhere.

This book is the most memorable book I have ever read. I first read this 16 years ago. I just happen to come across it in my school library. I have never forgotten it. This book let me know that I wasn't the only one who knew what some children like my self were going through. Claire took the abuse but never completely gave up. People really did care about her and she finally came to realize that in the end. As I also came to realize that people cared about me too. I recommend this book to anyone who needs to know that too.

This is so much more than just a how to book. Yes, Karen does take you step by step through Charlotte Mason's methods.She uses examples of how her own family emplimented narration , nature study,copywork ect. ect..
The real meat of the book is in the chapters about the philosophy of Charlotte Mason.The ideals behind the methods.
Charlotte Mason's original works are a little difficult to read.The Companion captures the very heart and soul of the original books and in a very modern , easy to read manner.
Reading this book has brought a sense of renewed purpose to my homeschooling efforts.

After reading some of this authors' magazine columns, I read this book as my introduction to the Charlotte Mason method of home education. Overall the tone of the book is very serious. This is not a fast read by any means. It is not difficult to understand but I found that I was savoring the words and reading it slowly. Some of Andreola's statements were so profound that they made me stop to ponder the ideas. At the end of each chapter is a listing of questions for further thought or discussion. These would be great to use for group discussion such as at a homeschooling support group meeting.

Andreola is very interested in the Charlotte Mason method and her passion for the method comes through clearly. She is very thorough in her discussions about ways to put into practice Ms. Mason's theories. One of my favorite things about this book is that first and foremost it focuses on the importance of a happy and healthy home and family life for raising children. The backbone here is teaching the children respect, values, and virtues. Once those foundations are in place then it is time for introducing "school subjects".

All the components of the over 100-year-old Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling is here: using living books instead of textbooks, using narration instead of testing, teaching reading, writing, music, nature study, poetry, history and music. This book is so well written. It is not a quick read manual of how to implement the Charlotte Mason method; it is a well-thought out series of essays and personal reflections. Many times while reading the book I wanted to highlight passages and makes notes in the borders. This is a book to buy and keep for future reference. Even if you are homeschooling with Charlotte Mason's method as an inspiration this book is useful. The book heavily refers to Christianity but if that is not your belief system I feel you can still apply everything to your homeschooling, just ignore the references to Christianity.

Andreola repeatedly states that she didn't intend this book to be a replacement of Charlotte Mason's original books and she urges the reader to go on to read Mason's books as well. I think Andreola's book is a great introduction and if you want more then go on to read Mason's works.

Addendum: This addendum is being written 18 months after my original review was posted. Even after reading this book I felt a little confused about the day to day planning of how to homeschool with this method. This missing link was bridged by attending a workshop given by another author/homeschooling parent named Catherine Levison, which was an oral presentation of the information presented her book called "More Charlotte Mason Education". If you want a quick read that focuses on the bare bones of how to do the Charlotte Mason method (not theory) then I suggest reading "More Charlotte Mason Education".

If you are looking for a faster read about the theory of Charlotte Mason education then I'd recommend either Catherine Levison's "A Charlotte Mason Education" or Susan Schaeffer Macaulay's "For the Children's Sake". Andreola's book "A Charlotte Mason Companion" is wonderful reading when you have the time and desire to ponder over her thought-provoking passages.

I am now in a book discussion group where we are reading Andreola's "A Charlotte Mason Companion" together and discussing it. We read the sections aloud and stop to discuss our thoughts, and when the chapter is finished, we discuss the questions that Andreola provides at the end of every chapter. This discussion group has been enjoyable and an invaluable source of support and fellowship between other mothers homeschooling using the Charlotte Mason method.

This is a beautifully written and thorough introduction to the Charlotte Mason philosophy. What makes Karen Andreola's book so magnificent is that she not only tells you what to do and how to do it, she tells you WHY!!! That made all the difference to me. She also demonstrates a very strong command of the English language, writing with spectacular elegance and ease.

Andreola has also taken a very personal approach in this book. You feel as if you are taking tea with a trusted friend as she reveals her personal testimonies, and narratives. I thought this was a crucial underlying strength in this work, because I found Charlotte Mason's philosophies to be complicated and arcane at first glance; whereas reading this book quiets your spirit and makes this an enjoyable journey. I also found tactful admonition for the preconceived notions I conjured up about Charlotte Mason and her so-called "gentle learning" approach. Take my advice, don't believe everything you hear on a chat board. Peruse this marvelous overview to get the facts, and then make up your mind as to whether this makes sense for your home school.

Immensely enjoyable and valuable guide. Karen Andreola truly is the perfect Charlotte Mason "Companion"!

5 Stars.

This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I have the thoughtful people who recommended it to thank. Joko Beck's straightforward, no nonsense approach makes Zen practice a day-to-day, moment-to-moment experience that truly changes the way you see yourself and the world, but ONLY if you work diligently. I love the way she refuses to promise a blissful, enlightened life, yet engages you to strive for pure joy, whether happy OR sad. I am now looking forward to reading Everyday Zen!

A while ago somebody mentioned a quote by Joko Beck, and I felt that the quote was quite wrong. This started a discussion thread, in which I've tried to defend my assertion that her views are unfair. Eventually, and because the participants were defending her fiercely, I was forced to read, and re-read her books. So you can imagine how biased I was. "I'll show them how wrong this lady is..." was my primary intention.

Miraculously, and much to my surprise, I was transformed by her prose into a huge supporter. This kind of thing never happened to me before!

So, from the mouth of a disbeliever: read this book! It is excellent, one of the best ever.

This book should be read in conjunction with "Living Zen". I don't know which book is actually better. When you get to the end of both of these books, you wish that there is more, although she kindly said much more than needs to be said.

I bow deeply to Joko Beck.

"Nothing Special" is paradoxically something very special. It is a simple and enjoyable read and yet gives much insight into the essence of Zen. I have read many Zen related books and this one stands out as one of the best. It would be valuable to those familiar with Zen and Buddhism, as a reminder that the very root of Zen is "nothing special" and is most often best kept uncomplicated. Even more, this is an excellent book for readers who are unfamiliar but curious about Zen practice and ideas, as the author has a gift for relating the concepts simply and without unnecessary dogma. The question and answer portion at the end of each chapter is also helpful, as her students ask many questions which the reader may have as well. Based upon my reading of her books, it is my opinion that Ms. Beck is one of the true Western Zen Masters. She is one of the few here in America who has managed to keep the Zen in Zen and still make it pallatable, practical, and practicable.

Parenthetically, her other books, "Everyday Zen", and "Now Zen" are equally worthwhile. "Now Zen" is a little compilation book and an absolute gem. It is the first book I would give to anyone who was interested in Zen or what is so special about Nothing.

My youngest child in now 14. I thought I wouldn't have an opportunity to read "Piggy in the Puddle" again until I had grandchildren. However, having recently started a music enrichment business for preschoolers, I am thrilled to be able to again dig out my well-used copy of this book. Before reading the book in my music class, I explain a little about rhythm and rhyme and have the children start a tapping pattern on their legs and I read the book along to their rhythm. They love the book just like my children did. My older daughter has written a review of this book starting that we have it memorized and we do. The first time my male friend was introduced to "family dinner" at our home, he had to sit through four of us reciting, from memory, "see the piggy, see the puddle, etc.". He now also reads it in the preschool music classes he teaches. And to add another generation, my 77 year young mother reads it to the inhabitants of a nursing home she visits to bring cheer and laughter to them. If you have children (or don't but love fun, giggly books), be sure to order "The Piggy in the Puddle"

Let me endorse the other reviews. This book is fun to read. Kids and adults love it. My 7 year old and 4 year old have it memorized and we still read it frequently. Piggy in the Puddle holds up under thousands of readings.

I started reading Piggy in the Puddle when my children were little and my oldest is now an adult. Our copy mysteriously disapeared when it was taken to school for a 9th grader's project. Everyone in our family still recites it from memory 7 years later. One our daughter is now studying to be an elementary teacher and wants a copy of the book for student teaching. I am sure that this book was an important part of the reason that all of our children love to read to this day. It is an essential for the library of every family of young children.

Stuart Little is a mouse that is about 2 inches tall. Stuart is part of the family of the Fredrick.C.Littles. He has a friendly but shy manner. He's very smart for a mouse but his size gives him trouble sometimes. His life is an adventure when he sets out on the age of seven,he trys to find his dearest friend,Margalo, a friendly little bird who stayed with the Littles in their Boston Fern.

Stuart Little is an interesting book. I enjoyed reading it beacause it was funny and it had interesting vocabulary. There were some sad parts in the book. This Book got me absorbed into it.

I would recommend this book for children of the ages of 8 to 12. If you like fantasy stories then you would love this book. If you are a person who likes certain kinds of fantasy books then you should probably enjoy Stuart Little because you may get absorbed into the book. Also if you like fantasy books that have animals in it that talk and you like the Author E.B.White then you'll like this book.

The best part of this book was when the sail boat race took place. I liked that part because the policeman fell in the water. Also, I liked being able to see the world through a mouse's eyes. Margalo is a great character in the book because she is smart and she helped Stuart. I am looking forward to reading another book by E.B. White, such as Charlotte's Web and the Trumpet of the Swan.

All three books are pretty good. Charlottes web is the best with a cute little pig named wilbur longing for a friend. Stuart little is also a good book. You get to see the world through the eyes of a mouse. The third book-Trumpet of the swan-is only ok!

Larousse Gastronomique is a must have for any serious cook or for anyone who would just like to know more about the food that they eat. Whether the reader is looking for information about something exotic or commonplace, it's all there. Larousse Gastronomique will provide the reader with a better understanding of the ingredients, techniques, "hows" and "whys" involved in every recipe. I highly recommend reading it from cover to cover. It will serve as an invaluable reference for any cook for many years to come.

This book was recommended to me by my brother, an executive chef in Florida. He was absolutely right!! This is a beautiful book full of well organized information on ingredients, techniques, recipes, theory, etc. It is not completely inclusive as it is focused on the French culinary style, but it is fascinating and fun to browse, research and just plain discover! This is a staple for most professional chefs according to my brother. It is a book that will not stay on a shelf but will stay in a handy place because it will be in frequent use. Even if you are "just" a novice cook or home cook this is a wonderful book to own. Just having it around makes you feel like a more accomplished cook and it may inspire you to stretch your talents and grow!!

First published in 1938 and last revised in 1988, Larousse Gastronomique one of the culinary world's most familiar reference sources has been updated again with a sleek, stylish look for a new generation of cooks. The encyclopedia continues to retain its focus on the classic continental culinary tradition, but this new edition acknowledges the growing importance of other cuisines by including, for the first time, entries on American cooking and by offering more information on terms, ingredients, and dishes from other parts of the world. Larousse does overlap with The Oxford Companion to Food (LJ 10/15/99), a recent addition to the culinary reference shelves, in that both works cover ingredients, dishes, famous persons, and cooking techniques. However, even when the same topics are covered, such as chocolate or lemons, there is enough difference that libraries will want to have both. Larousse will probably be the first choice of cooks who need information on culinary terms and cooking techniques, and, unlike Oxford, it contains more than 3500 recipes and an array of gorgeous color photographs. An indispensable part of any culinary reference collection, this is highly recommended for all libraries.

this is d 1st book from judith mcnaught that ive ever read....& trust me....it is SOOO good!! ive since been a huge fan of hers...but i got to admit this is by far her bes. in fact, it is THE best EVER....
at first, after seeing that it was about business, i kinda wasnt so interested, but i was wrong. the love n i mean LOVE (not just lust, but true all-consuming love) between Matt & Meredith was so touching, & their pain from the misunderstanding that Mer's dad caused will just tear your heart apart. but them making up was just blissful. but that's not all....then they find out that they're still married....ahhhh.....thats even better.
i just love it when Matthew said 'you have no idea just how much-i'd do for you' *sigh*
once you start....you'll totally get so entranced by the book (that you'll totally be able 2 relate to) that u just cant put it down... you'll just get so caught up with their lives & their feelings that it makes you sometimes wanna jump in & sort evryting out between the characters. sometimes it's hard to remember that they're just FICTIONAl characters cuz they seem so real. everything that's felt between matt & mer is just evrything you'll want in real life....true love
cheers to judith mcnaught....& may you write more books that'll take us to Paradise :))
P.S. the book Perfect (Paradise's supposed kinda sequel) is nothing compared to Paradise

Despite hearing good comments about Judith McNaught books, I have never read one before Paradise. The book was totally captivating, a real page turner! I wasn't really a romance novel reader before this book, but I became so completly absorbed into the lives of these two vivid, striking characters, that I can say I am now one of the converted. After reading this book I had to buy the next novel available by J.M. I haven't been let down yet, Whitney, My love was equally enjoyable! Paradise is definately fast-paced, with witty lines and two irresistible main characters. Meredith, was a capable heroine, but her character was also bolstered by her friend Lisa who adds a light-hearted frank air to the books atmosphere. There were some good plot twists, and brief distractions from the focus of the main characters to develop the other characters in the book. I found that interesting as the romance novels I had read before were completly centred and fixated on the main characters only using the others as bystanders or convenient devices to bring some issue to a climax. They were that and more. All in all it was a good read. More importantly was that each time I read it (5 times and counting) i found something fresh and new, to love about the storyline, or the charaters. Read the excerpt on this site, but don't draw any conclusions from the first few pages of the book, buy it and delve into the heart of it and discover the true gem that I found when I read it.

Paradise was the first book I read by Judith McNaught and I was glad to start off which such a winner. It is a complicated extremely well written book about two complex and challenging people with a long history. The book compells you to keep reading and is a page turner from the first chapter.

It is the story of Meredith and Matthew- two people who met as teens, married and separated due to a cruel misunderstanding. Both have spent the intervening years apart trying to forget and concentrate on their careers. Years later they meet up when Meredith discovers that their divorce was never finalized- and she has a new fiancee (parker)! The years have allowed meredith to grow up and has allowed matthew to become a wealthy and successful businessman. Both have their own misunderstandings about their youthful marriage and what drove them apart and matthew wants desperately to try to make things work again- despite thinking that Meredith had betrayed him earlier.

This book was heartwrenching and complex- making you cry and root for the characters. Even the secondary characters of parker, meredith's best friend and their parents are well written and interesting! A very worth while read!!

alright, like some others here, this book was brought to my attention by robert smith of the cure... and i can't thank him enough!!! this is truly one of the best books i've ever read...charlotte's time travel through her bed in a boarding school is one of the most unique ideas i've seen in literature, and farmer's adding of the shared diary is pure genius... charlotte and every other character in the book were more alive to me than most any character in books i've read... a very emotional book built from a wonderful imagination!!!i couldn't put the book down and have passed it on to numerous friends to read since finishing it (anyone who is looking for a copy, i got mine from truprice books: truprice@aol.com... don't know that they've got another copy lying around, but it's worth a try!)read this book!!! you will not be sorry you did!

I read this book years ago, but it still stays in the forefront of my mind. Recently its been stronger than ever thanks to a friend of mine who loves The Cure. Charlotte goes back and forth through time. living her life, and someone elses. She's only Charlotte sometimes, as the title dictates. The story is eerie, but fascinating, Charlotte makes friend with her 'sister" who is not her sister, but the sister of the girl whose life she sometimes lives. She has to keep this fact a secret, and the plot gets deeper and deeper. The end of the book shocked me with the emotion I felt, especially the revelations that comes at the end. It's sad, bittersweet and lovely all at once, this is the kind of book I would keep forever.

Like several people who wrote reviews of this book, I borrowed it because of my fondness for the Cure song of the same name. For you Cure fans out there, from the very first sentence you can see Farmer's influence on the lyrics and the dark mood of the song, which is a great bonus for people who love the song. And the story also stands on its own merits. It is a wonderful story about a young girl who finds herself losing her identity when she switches places with another girl. I highly recommend it to people of all ages.

The local library by my house has just about all of Penelope Farmer's books, and I plan on checking out and reading all of them. I'm still also on a quest to find a copy of Charlotte Sometimes to own myself.

Charlotte Hardwick's use of the military metaphor throughout (including a photo of a child in a Marine Corps dress uniform on the cover) is in recognition of two salient facts about custody disputes: they can be psychologically as brutal as war; and the stakes can be extremely high. Yet, as Hardwick details and documents, negotiations are possible, and if the welfare of the child has the highest priority, both sides can win.

I would advise you, however, NOT to go into court without having first read this remarkable book. Over the course of 672 doubled-columned pages, Hardwick shares her personal experience and her painfully accumulated knowledge on just about every conceivable aspect of the child custody wars while guiding the reader toward a powerful strategy. If you don't have this book you are likely to be overmatched; indeed if your attorney doesn't have this book, he or she is likely to be overmatched. In fact, I would say that the first thing you should do after reading the book yourself, is buy a copy for your attorney and somehow persuade him or her to open the pages and to start reading--anywhere in the book. I promise you your attorney will learn facts, ideas, strategies new to him or her. The expanse and depth of the material presented here quite frankly amazed me. This extensive tome constitutes an entire course not only in child custody disputes but in human psychology, parenting, and the law itself. Some items:

There are 91 pages citing, summarizing, quoting from, and referencing relevant cases and decisions (Chapter 23).

There is a detailed guide on how to negotiate and what conflict resolution is all about (Chapter 4); a chapter on how to handle discovery and depositions (Chapter 17); another on judges, what to expect from them and how you might get a good one or avoid a bad one; there's guidance on what to expect in court and how to present yourself and your case; how to select an attorney; what your case is likely to cost and how to discover the assets of your adversaries, including (this floored me) hidden assets such as "Overpayments to the IRS" (from a list on page 435). You will learn about how much you can expect to pay or receive in child support, and again how to gauge assets, including hidden income such as "excessive deductions on paychecks" (p. 445)--a nice dodge which amounts to loaning Uncle Sam the money until tax time!

You will also:

--Discover how to handle psychologists and other "evaluators" and influence them to your advantage. For example beware of the "halo effect." (Have your side evaluated by the psychologist first to secure that effect.) (p. 235)

--Understand what psychological tests can be given and what they can mean in the dispute. Sometimes the judge makes the court-ordered decision of a professional binding, so that "you have in fact a new judge." (Chapter 12)

--Appreciate the role of other experts, what they can and cannot do to further your case, and how to evaluate and get a reliable expert who will make an effective witness.

--Learn the value of keeping a detailed log of everything pertaining to your case and its possible use as documentation. Hardwick presents this with some tips on how e-mail and computer files can come back to haunt you if you share the wrong information, even anonymously or through the assumption of an Internet moniker.

--Become knowledgeable about lie detectors and their use and misuse (pp. 137-138) and the reach of DNA testing.

--Know which problems or accusations are issues and which are non-issues in the eyes of the law. For example, child endangerment is an issue; a "blended" family is not. Physical abuse is an issue; false accusations may or may not be. (pp. 26-29)

--Be introduced to the infamous Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) in which one parent tries to alienate the child from the other parent through lies and distortions. (p. 190) PAS includes "The Grand Lie" in which one side falsely accuses the other of child sexual abuse, a charge that is hard to become completely free of, regardless of the truth of the accusation. (p. 282)

Hardwick even includes some humor with eleven ways on how to know "You've Been in Court Too Long" on page 97 (from Dean Hughson). If this isn't enough there is a presentation of ingrained psychological strategies that you might use or encounter such as the famous "Tit for Tat" from game theory or the sneaky "Tranquilizer" who lulls you to inattention and then takes advantage. (p. 59)

There is a Glossary of Terms and a detailed Index as well as a lot information on resources throughout including Internet sites on page 103. There's even a chapter on lies and how to correct them (should you be the liar!).

The mass of information and the sharp, sound guidance contained herein really amount to a post graduate course in child custody disputes. Even so I was almost as much impressed with Hardwick's assertive, no-nonsense writing style and organization that managed to painlessly inform while emphasizing a positive approach. Her philosophy is perhaps best expressed in this quote from page 472:

"In truth, if custody is solely decided on what is best for the children, there can be no loser."

They say this book is updated more often than any other on the market. Now that I have it I believe it. My attorney said she is is impressed enough with it that she is going to order one for herself. It isn't the cheapest book out there but I have spent so much that another 80 bucks just didn't matter. My children matter. It all boils down to that doesn't it.
I thought I had it bad because I live in a big city and couldn't find anyone who would take an interest in what I was facing. At a father's rights meeting I met a guy from a small town. His exwife's family has so much influence he couldn't get a local attorney to take his case. Then the small town court treats the out of town attorneys like interlopers. When he saw my book he took some notes and then ordered one. I keep in tough with him and we compare notes on our cases and what we are learning about from the Win Your Child Custody War book. I am thinking of starting a men's study group for child custody. I think this book is a Great Buy!

I bought Win Your Child Custody Battle. In the first chapter the reader cannot help but shift their thinking to "what is best for my children?" This book does a masterful job of steering a divorcing parent through the custody war, and showing that parent how to WIN! While making sure their children WIN! too.

What makes this book better than the others is:
1. It teaches you how to win so that your children ultimately have what they need
2. It teaches you how to win so that the other parent is not killed in the war, you learn how to use anger constructively!
3. It does not favor either parent, like books just for Moms or Dads
4. Both parents could use the information in the same custody battle and do the best job for their children!
It is the best, most complete book on the subject I've ever seen.