If, like me, you've been meaning to read The Raj Quartet, but have been daunted by it's gargantuan bulk, this shorter sequel offers an ideal entree to Paul Scott's Anglo-Indian world. Here he takes what I understand are two very minor characters from the quartet, Colonel Tusker Smalley and his long-suffering wife Lucy, and makes their story the centerpiece of a sweetly elegiac comic novel.

The year is 1972 and the Smalleys have stayed on in Pankot, India even after Independence in 1947, less out of love of the country or it's people, than out of financial need and sheer spite on Tusker's part. Where the upper class Brits were able to just scamper home, the Smalleys represent the folk of the middle class, who felt that they had invested something in the colony and now deserved to get something out of it. As he explains to Lucy:

I know for years you've thought I was a damn' fool to have stayed on, but I was forty-six when Independence came, which is bloody early in life for a man to retire but too old to start afresh somewhere you don't know. I didn't fancy my chances back home, at that age, and I knew the pension would go further in India than in England. I still think we were right to stay on, though I don't think of it any longer as staying on , but just as hanging on, which people of our age and upbringing and limited talents, people who have never been really poor but never had any real money, never inherited money, never made real money, have to do, wherever they happen to be, when they can't work anymore. I'm happier hanging on in India, not for India as India but because I just can't merely think of it as a place where I drew my pay for 25 years of my working life, which is a hell of a long time anyway, though by rights it should have been longer.

But now, with Tusker's health in decline, Lucy has increasing concerns about her own future. As is, they have led a pretty precarious existence for the past 15 years, having been reduced to living in a hotel, the new owner of which is a ghastly Indian woman, who married the manager, Mr. Bhoolabhoy, one of Tusker's few remaining friends. The author etches a finely detailed portrait of his characters and in particular of the difficult marriage of the Smalleys. Tusker is an irascible curmudgeon straight out of an old British barracks. Lucy has been disappointed that their relationship did not fulfill her romantic ideals. These strains are exacerbated by the daily indignities they must now suffer as the last seedy remnants of the departed British Empire, looked down upon by the very natives they once lorded it over. In the final scenes of the novel, two letters are written which will change these peoples' lives, for better and for worse.

This is a very funny and ultimately a deeply moving story. The Smalleys are a couple the reader won't soon forget. I liked it so much, I think I may finally heft that colossal Quartet off of the shelf and give it a go.

GRADE: A-

I would not rank this lovely novel with the Raj Quartet in power or scope, but it is certainly a delightful read. It is tragi-comic... comic in the characters Scott presents to us; tragic (or at least sad) in its portrayal of a marriage coming to its natural end.

Out of all his novels, including those set in India, this is his greatest work. Funny, wonderfully written, and sometimes disturbing, this novel is truly brilliant.

It is rare for me to read a book that in seemingly every page
is an "a-ha" realization...the proverbial "lightbulb effect". I would guess that those who have been trying to cope with or
understand the bizarre behaviors of their borderline loved one will have a similar reaction in reading this book. I commend the authors for their diligent research into BPD and their accurate assessment of this serious disorder.
In my previous relationship, I was sure that everything would

eventually be OK as long as I loved her enough and continued to be patient with her. I knew she was suffering
inside but I didn't know why. Since then, with the help of this
book and others, I have learned a great deal about this debilitating condition. I am grateful to the authors for this understanding of BPD for with understanding comes
added COMPASSION and love for this troubled person.
In my case, I finally began to realize that nobody can "make"
another person happy if that person is not happy inside, and does not begin to take responsibility for their own abnormal thinking and actions. Hopefully,
by the invaluable knowledge presented in this book and by
working together as a loving team, you will have a happier outcome than I.....I hope so.
In closing, I would like to offer what I believe could possibly be the
only real hope for borderlines for it deals directly at the
core of BPD- their dysfunctional thinking (thoughts).
I believe that borderlines can change the way they think and
thereby reduce or eliminate their destructive behaviors. I would encourage you to at least investigate this profound
possibility by reading, "You Can Be Happy No Matter What," and, "The Wisdom Within", and further study the life-changing principles and concepts of "Health Realization" on the web.
I wish you the best!

This book is an absolute life-saver when dealing with the BP in your life, and how you interact with them. I never realised how completely enraged my BP got me because it was all piling up into problems elsewhere, until doing some of the exercises in here. Now I know where my buttons are, and when my BP is trying to hit them, and different ways that I can deal with this without making the situation worse in the long run. This book is a must for anyone living with a BP, whatever the age.

-Daughter of a BP (18)

A tremendous resouce for anyone involved with borderline or other disorders. I can't say enough about this book. It will change your life in ways you never thought possible. I was able to regain my dignity, self esteem and take steps to put me in control of a situation I thought hopeless. Both books, Stop Walking on Eggshells and the Workbook are at the top of the list of the books we recommend at MSN Psychopath forum. There should be a 10-star rating for this one!!
Darla B.

This is definitely one of my favorite books - my son laughs every time we read it. The perspective on monsters, and the combination of adult and child humor make it a great son for my son and i to read together.

My daughter and I originally found this book in the library. She absolutely loves it! It's the story of two monsters named Grump and Pout who live in a forest. Obviously with names like Grump and Pout they are not the most charming monsters but they have a chance to change their ways. Even though the pictures are of monsters they are not scary! It's illustrated by Sandra Boynton who has done numerous board books for 9 to 24 month olds. It also has a very funny ending that's written on two levels for both children and adults. Plus it's a great to read out loud. This is an excellent book. I highly recommend it.

When reading this book, every page makes my son and I laugh. We've read it to friends, and everyone finds the writing hilarious. It offers such an unusual view, and the illustrations enhance the humour. It's great for all ages!

Jack Wattley is the man but Jim Quarles has the book. Get this book AND Jims Success With Discus book. I go back to these books often as a reference. Both are easy reading and to the point. Not just pictures but a THIS IS HOW I DO IT book. RichieE/simplydiscus.com

A thorough book and a MUST read for anyone who is serious about the hobby of Discus keeping; further if you plan on breeding these wonderful fish... don't bother without this book. It contains so much usuful information that it is like having Jim Q at your fingertips.... ewuuh what a thought... ;)

Jim Quarles says it like it is. He's been breeding and sellingdiscus for many years, and is very knowledgeable about fish in general. His book epitomizes his philosophy of helping less experienced fish keepers. He is very active on the discus in profile discussion board...and will always answer questions, frequently e-mailing the questioner in person. He's a great guy, and his book stands out among the crowd of discus books. If you'd like to know how to keep your discus healthy and happy, his book probably has the best advice you can buy. Happy reading, and thanks for all your help Jim!

If your looking for a book to help you learn about the amazing powers of Anti-Oxidants this is a great book loaded with plenty of info. Worth the price.

This book is a tell-all source for the person wanting to learn about antioxidants and/or free radical damage. The only thing this book does not tell you is the absolute best supplements on the market today that contain all of the antioxidants listed in this book. But I can tell you that . . ....

I couldn't agree more with the focus of Balch's book on Anti-Oxidants! We can no longer expect our food to contain enough of those wonderful supplements necessary for our bodies to sustain/prolong life in these stressful/toxic times. YES we need to eat well - cut out that fast food - to keep our everyday focus on being healthy, but unfortunately that isn't enough. If this book isn't enough to convince you (which I believe it is) access a site, PapaNature, and research further their documentation on anti-oxidants. They offer the same combinations as Balch recommends to his readership.

When I am asked to recommend a good book on project management I always recommend Visualizing Project Management by Forsberg, Cotterman and Mooz. That book teaches project management the right way, in my opinion, by laying a solid foundation. However, at some point you will master the material through application and experience, and you'll want to go to the next level. That is where this excellent book will take you.

As you mature as a project manager you eventually discover that the technical aspects are a great foundation, but the 'soft skills' are essential to success. The book starts with these. The author provides some excellent material on how to make effective oral and written presentations, negotiation skills and leadership.

Don't get the impression that this book does not cover technical material. It does, and it goes pretty deep into some advanced techniques. For example, the author provides a very comprehensive discussion of work breakdown structures (WBS) and how to develop them. In my opinion the biggest failure of projects is the fact that a WBS is never developed before the estimating and scheduling is performed. I really liked the network analysis chapter. It presented in clear prose how to risk-adjust a critical path, which is something I learned over a decade ago, but am met with blank stares when I mention this to most project manager. Indeed, most project managers don't know what a critical path is (they use the term often enough, they just don't know what it means), much less how to perform a critical path analysis. This book will provide this information and a few easy-to-learn techniques as well. I thought that the chapter on earned value was adequate. I was glad to see it included in the book and give the author credit for his comprehensive treatment, but I almost fell asleep here. I recommend that serious project managers augment the earned value knowledge in this book with Earned Value Project Management, 2nd Edition by Quentin Fleming and Joel Koppleman. That book was written by authors who developed the 32 earned value criteria for the Project Management Body of Knowledge (2000 version).

The part of the book that covers managing a project is filled with great advice. I thought the chapter on project selection was particularly valuable because it is objective and based on financial formulae that should be applied to these kinds of decisions. The sample reports are also good templates that should be in every project manager's tool kit.

Overall, this book will give a seasoned project manager much sound advice and provide him or her with an array of advanced techniques. It is truly a project manager's survival guide earning it a solid five stars and a place on the list of the handful of books that I always recommend.

This book is exactly what I was looking for. I took a Project Management Course back in College, but did not remember much of it. I needed a book that would give the basics of this subject, without being too involved in particular software.

This book does exactly that, and also lists some of the most frequent pitfalls for projects, with half the book emphasizing the human side of Project Management.

An excellent "survey" book on project management. It will be especially useful to new-comers to project management, both individuals and companies. Unlike other books, it shows how to adapt to the realities around you, rather than jumping a rigid "analytical" approach. His emphasis on the human element is refreshing.

When the Old Testament reports that someone inquired of the Lord, what action did that person take? What are we to make of the New Testament accounts of people who spoke in languages they did not know? What of the numerous mentions in both Old and New Testaments of visits of beings from Heaven? Are these tales or are they actual historical events, and if they are historical events, what really took place? James Scarborough, who holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Arizona, has spent his professional career investigating phenomena that do not fit in the present-day understanding of the laws of physics. In this book, he provides plausible explanations for biblical accounts of contact with beings from another world. I highly recommend The Steppingstones to anyone who values truth, whether scientist or layman, Christian or atheist or other.

James A. Scarborough wrote The Steppingstones during the mid 1980s. He accomplished the writing and private publication of his book despite the obstacles he faced. The book chimes with clarity and logic that is easy to read and understand. The book attempts to clarify aspects of Christianity and the Bible that have puzzled generations of inquisitive minds. The attempts are a success. Unless one is locked into a particular air-tight
orthodoxy, the book removes the shackles that have laid hold of and bound Christianity for centuries. The book makes copious reference to Johannes Greber's Communication with the Spirit World of God: Its Laws and Purpose. Indeed, Scarborough's book seems to be a sort of prelude to the Greber book, a companion volume. Scarborough eases the reader into the Greber book whose contents may, at first, be a bit heavy and unnerving to some Christian readers. By the end of Scar's book, terms such as "reincarnation," "karma," "angels," and "spirits," are compatible with Christianity and need not be characterized as New Age delusions or simply unique to Eastern thought and religious traditions. Scarborough also discusses the Resurrection of the Dead, a topic that has bewildered many learned men and women, with logic that cuts through the jabberwocky of Theology and Dogma. The discussion is based on Greber's book with additional scripture references and clarification. There is also a chapter on Hebrew history reminiscent of the "America-(Ancient)Israel" connection. An inquisitive soul not locked into a theological framework, but who is searching and searching for something more satisfying than what the Churches offer or, for that matter, the Universities and Divinity Schools, should look no further than James Scarborough's The Steppingstones.

Steppingstones is an engrossing "sleeper" that packs a wallop. It's unorthodox and unusual, but it will resonate with all who wonder about our true nature and our purpose in this universe. Steppingstones brings some real surprises. It develops on Christian roots, but it is not a book about religion. Scarborough's crisp logic and clarity throughout this work points the way to apprehending truths hidden so well and so long by dogma. A momentous spiritual whodunit!

Short stories are snapshots. Snapshots often reveal a truth that a formal photograph cannot. The seventeen snapshots in this collection are divided into sections (Teaching, Love, Death, Time) but they all feature the same thing: touching characters in extraordinary and true circumstances.

No matter how odd the situation, the reader can connect with the character; under the nonsensical lies plain truths we can all understand. Don't fit into your surroundings? Don't despair; neither do many of the people you'll meet in these stories.

Take Miss Hathaway. She has a problem with a spider in her classroom and when she's directed to take care of it herself, she does, but in an altogether unexpected manner. Demi has the ability to sense the life-force of insects, but even better, she can channel that energy. Yet, nothing ever goes how one expects it to--good for readers, heartbreaking for Demi.

The death dwarves have even bigger problems. They're just trying to do their job, which is to bring death to the masses. Our Intrepid Hero John Minor gets in the way. What's he thinking? Another man trying to do his job is Pierce. That job involves recording the voices of the past. He's recording something he shouldn't be, and just can't stop himself.

Ever have a neighbor who doesn't want to adhere to the covenants of the community? You're already familiar with Gary then, who seems determined to paint his house black. Owen doesn't like this at all, though his wife keeps going over there...

Have you ever sacrificed something near and dear for love? Ever dared to speak forbidden words? Relied on a sixth sense during a baseball game? Have you crouched atop your desk at work while sharks circle? Of course you have.

Which means you'll relate to the people in these stories. You'll understand their dilemmas, their heartbreak, their fear.

And that makes this collection a treasure. It's science fiction and it's fantasy, but at its heart, it's truth.

Simply put, "Strangers and Beggars" is one of the best short story collections I've ever read.

Sixteen of the seventeen stories kept me riveted from start to finish. Though the stories cover a wide variety of themes, settings, and characters, they share a solid foundation of Mr. Van Pelt's great writing and vivid imagination. If you enjoy the book even half as much as I did, you'll have gotten more than your money's worth.

Jim is a friend. While he was collecting the short stories for Strangers and Beggars he withdrew one. Not right for this collection. This collection might be used in a classroom and as a teacher Jim knew that the withdrawn story was not right for a classroom.

Great decision. I can share each and every one of his tales and keep the young reader's interest. The book is on the American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults.

I found the strongest part of the book was the early years - growing up in Brooklyn, and the determination to build an acting career. I was surprised that it was almost a revelation to Barbra that she might make a career out of singing, undertaken in order to keep the wolves from the door. I'm not an obsessive fan by any means but I found this book about a woman who is such an icon a good and meaty read. I kind of admnire her "obsessive" single-mindednessto achieve what she wants in her art. Not a hagiography, but a respectful look at an interesting and complex woman.

I am currently 12 years old and I am the biggest Streisand fan. I have been for over six years. I started to read this books in hopes to get an insight on how her life has been going, and what her dreams and aspects of the future where. As a result, I got exactly what I was hoping for. The book told about her childhood, and her ambition to become an entertainer, in a way that I could easily relate to I found this book very hard to put down, and I finished the almost six-hundred page book in less than four days. You don't really have to be a diehard fan of Barbra to enjoy this book, but it is helpful if you are. I reccomends this book to anyone 12 and up, because some parts may be hard to understand for younger children.

I am not a Barbra Streisand fan, so I went in with a biased mind set against the book from the beginning. I am happy to report that this is an informative and interesting book. Spada gave great detail into Barbra's life and captures the essence of her persona both good and bad. It was hard for me to put the book down. Worth a reading.

It's a good text book about project management with clear examples and logical chapter development via the following order: Project Management Concepts, Needs Identification,Proposed Solutions,The Project,People: The Key to Project Success,The Project Manager,The Project Team,Types of Project, Organizations,Project Communication and Documentation,Project Planning and Control, Planning, Scheduling,Schedule Control,Resource Considerations, Cost Planning and Performance.

I was assigned this book for my project management class. This book is straight-forward and to the point. It gives comprehensive insight into the world of managing projects.

I am currently teaching Project Management in BILGI MBA program.
Searching for a textbook, I have ordered more than 7-8 related
books from Amazon and been to a couple of libraries. This book
seemed to be the best one to cover in class.
The feedback from the students are amazingly positive and made my life extreamly easier. If you want to have the questions, www resources and case studies, you have to get the hardcover version...
Cenk Soyak-Ernst&Young Turkey