This is, by far, the finest Bible I've ever had the awesome opportunity to hold in my hands and heart! It is a "door-opener" for all those who NEED to READ the Bible, but who balk at being given one, saying, "I can't understand all those begats and that old language."

I simply hand this God-Blessed Bible to someone, and say, "What do you want to read about? Family? Prophecy? Satan? Just look at the bookmark, and thumb through this Bible until you find verses that are the COLOR you are looking for! It's THAT easy!" They are ALWAYS amazed! I have no idea how many copies of this Bible I have given away in the past 10 years, nor do I know how many more I will gift others with. PLEASE never let this one go out of print; people NEED it too much!

As a 52 year old female, I have never been very good at remembering dates and names and places. This study bible has been exactly what I needed to enable me to remember more of God's word. The Rainbow edition's color code seems to make things stand out and become more personal to me. Thank you for making it easier to study and read this book of God's words to us.

I was amazed at what a useful version of God's Word this Bible is! The rainbow system of color-coding each and every verse makes reading and studying the Bible more enjoyable and productive. I can't remember how many times I've flipped through the gospels looking for a particular verse by its color. There is no extraneous information (i.e. devotional sections or in-text explanations), and this helps to make this Bible a great study aid, giving each verse importance in a particular topic area (God, Commandments, Discipleship, Faith, etc.). I would heartily recommend this book to everyone, ESPECIALLY to the Christian who is reading his/her Bible for the first time. The simple rainbow system allows one to read the Word of God without the interpretation of theologians or scholars; I found that it constantly inspires me to pray and seek God's wisdom in understanding what He's saying to me.

Sidra Stone shows us that the feminist revolution has to be an inside job. It doesn't matter how much we try to change the world outside of us - if we're still carrying the expectations of the patriarchy within our own psyches, it's not too likely that we'll be able to change. Dr. Stone not only shows how the Inner Patriarch functions within women, she gives clear and creative ideas about how we can disengage from this energy and even turn it into an ally. Working with this has been an enormous help to me personally on a daily basis. Since reading this book, I am much more aware of the messages I receive from my own Inner Patriarch and can take action to calm him down and rebalance my life. I think The Shadow King is one of the most significant books for women (and the men who are in relationship with them) written in the last 20 years.

I do not measure up in a patriarchy, and I am dispensable in a matriarchy, so I am pleased when either of them is put in its place, as Sidra Stone does magisterially in this book about the 'inner patriarchy.'

Sidra Stone is the co-founder with her husband, Hal, of Voice Dialogue, a beautiful formula for experiencing and researching archetypal energies within our selves and between each other in bonding patterns. It is full of variations, like music-making. About the 'inner patriarch' she says that he is taught to women unconsciously by their mothers and remains disowned in their unconscious to devastate their lives, unless he is brought out of the shadows into awareness.

Sidra Stone has brought out and owned the patriarch in this book, having worked with him both alone and with other women whom she respects and admires. She gives advice that has been successful both for her and for them on how to deal with him. The antidote to the inner paatrach's idealising and denigratory power is to adopt his own strong qualities, so that he no longer feels he has to control and protect daughters, wives and mothers and demean women and their partners. Her advice is to own and cherish complementary and other non-patriarchal energies, both tame and wild. Her subtle and judicious mind clarifies the contradictions in the patriarch's prejudiced and dualistic thinking. She certainly gets to know and even befriends, if not sleeps with, her enemy.

Sidra Stone has the psychologist's penchant for lists and vignettes but not, thankfully, for quotes from her extensive book list. She recommends two books but does not use extracts from them -- instead, she quotes from dreams and archetypal energies. She is an optimistic writer. Her optimism does not come only from her privileges and gifts,but, I believe, from her celebration of the rich variety of archetypal energies and of how we can resolve conflict by celebrating sameness and difference inside and between us, so that we can become more fully human and equal inside and out. I love this book.

Dave Jones

The Shadow King is a must-read for anyone wanting to discover a new key to an old block that thousands of years of Patriarchy has instilled deep within each of us! I am grateful for Sidra's clear vision into the underpinnings of such a significant and previously unrecognized force of cultural conditioning.

Babe captured my heart, as he was trying to save his own skin. This book is truly a classic animal tale, where the creatures take on believable and human emotions and personalities. We see intelligence, fear, hope, and love, in a heartwarming pig, and his other animal friends. The inter-species bond between Babe and his human farmer is delightful! I have read it several times, and each time, see another angle, in this Pig-Shepherd memoir. Should not be limited to any age group, because adults as well as children will be entertained.
Arlene Millman
author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY
(The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier)

When I read the book I thought it was great. I think that Babe set a good example because he never gave up.Babe is a pig that wants to be a sheep-dog.But since he is a pig he can't.But he still tried and his owner entered him in the sheep dog trials.I dont want to spoil the ending for youso that is all I have to say.

I had to read Babe in school. I didn't think I'd like it but I really did. I think Babe is very nice. He was always kind to others and never tried to be mean in any way. He got people (sheep) to obey him by just being kind. I think people in the whole world should read Babe and try to be like him.

The study helps and insights were very enlightening. The articles of life in times were informative and educational in today's understanding. In each book of the bible there was something extremely interesting which I had never read or heard of before. I love the Word in Life Bible.

This is probably the best study Bible I've ever read. It has so much help for anyone seeking the truth of what the Bible is all about. It opens windows to understanding the Bible and completely erases any difficulty or dryness. The Bible has come alive for me and I understand so much more because of this Study Bible. It's awesome and well worth every penny. The definitions, maps, comments and helps in understanding how it relates to me and my life are life changing for me. The Bible has now become more than just my favorite book, it has become life giving and teaches me daily how to live for Christ and remain faithful to His Word.

I really have found the book very easy to read and understand. for a begainner the person would find it understandable. the book is a good source of information.

This total insider's guide to the fitness modeling industry offers valuable information in a conversational manner, lets you know who's looking for the next fitness superstars, AND tells you exactly how to contact them.

Clark Bartram's own accounts of his success are honest, candid, and loaded with advice and encouragement for aspiring fitness models - guys and girls. You really feel like he's opening up and telling you everything you need to know. Plus, a lot of his influential friends - agents, photographers, and magazine editors - have contributed chapters explaining the business from every angle.

You come away learning that fitness modeling isn't just about being in tremendous shape, it's about being a shrewd businessperson with a positive attitude. You really learn what it takes - and as a bonus you get simple but effective advice on training and nutrition to keep in top shape all year long.

If you decide you want to be a fitness model after reading this book, you'll feel like you have some real friends in the industry. If you call anyone mentioned in the book and tell them that you read it, I think they'd give you a real shot if you're serious. If you decide you don't want to be a fitness model after reading this book, you'll still have a positive guide with powerful advice you can use to look, feel, and be your very best.

Wow! I couldn't put this book down once I picked it up.

If you ever wanted to be a fitness model or thought you could do it if only you knew what to do, then this is the book for you. Clark Bartram shares everything with you, this is the most honest and insightful book I've ever read about fitness modeling.

This book covers everything from A-to-Z. You'll learn exactly what to do as well as what not to do. You will find all the information you need to make it a reality for you. The information is very clear and easy to follow. The step-by-step approach will help you get where you want to go.

Once you finish this book you will know exactly what to do and have the key to making it a reality for you.

Working as a fitness model can be an enjoyable and profitable career. However, there are many pitfalls and dangers to avoid on this path, and for the first time someone who not only works, but has had tremendous success in this field is available to guide you. From creating your first portfolio, to the details of endorsement contracts, fitness model extraordinaire Clark Bartram will advise you, drawing on years of experience. You'll read about the great satisfaction such a career can bring, but perhaps more importantly you'll be told the truth about the reality of being a fitness model. This includes not only what attributes you'll need to succeed, but also your attitude, and how much money you can honestly expect to earn per shoot. In any field, links with people on the 'inside' are often what's needed to get that big break, and there's plenty of insiders in this book sharing their knowledge with you.

It's not only great man-to-man advice in this book though. The beautiful, and very successful Monica Brant offers advice from a woman's perspective, which is of use to both male and female readers. Also, the people behind the cameras talk about what they look for in a model in the 'Lessons From The Other Side' section. All invaluable knowledge. The structure of the text is such that you can read from cover to cover, but also go straight to a particular topic and still have all the information you need.

In short, if you're serious about a career as a fitness model, or just curious about what such a job would involve, then you cannot afford to pass up on this book. Agencies, self-promotion, tricks of the trade, training programs, possible employers, useful resources and even haircuts are all covered. I've found this book an exceptional resource, and my thanks to Clark Bartram for writing it.

The King of Billy Goat Hill By Mark Stanleigh

This wonderful story is about two boys growing up. The boys will make you laugh and make you cry, but never -- ever will they fail to entertain you.

Wade is nine and Luke is seven when the story opens in northern Los Angeles in the late 1950s. The boy's father has abandoned the family and their mother is out of touch with them, so they are very much on their own, especially in the summer.

Like most kids, boy or girls, they get into some sticky situations at times all through the book. Mac, their beloved dog, saves their hides more than once and is so smart, you'll be amazed. Then, when the boys befriend a Police Sargeant and his girfriend, they begin to find some direction to their lives.

An innocent mishap at "Three Ponds" leaves Wade frightened and consumed with guilt. On a chance meeting -- or is it really a chance meeting? -- the Sargeant slips the ball-bearing Wade used in his sling-shot that fateful day, into Wade's hand, and the boy is stunned. How did the Sargeant get it? Does he know the whole story? Can he help?

The young couple -- the Sergeant and Miss Cherry -- take the boys to their hearts, but it's obvious that Wade is the favorite for some reason. It looks like nothing will ever ruin the friendship between the four of them.

You will get to see "Eagle Rock" and "Cavendish Caverns" and "Three Ponds" among other places, in the story. All with the lovable Mac tagging along.

Finally, when Wade reaches 16, and after Mac is killed by a mysterious burgler, he leaves his mother and his brother. He sort of floats in an alcohol-haze for a few years, gets married, then sinks deeper into depression and drinks himself into jail.

The ending is poignant and as warm and loving as the entire book. True reading enjoyment. I can't wait for Mr. Stanleigh's next book. Review by Barbara A. Garrett.

Mark Stanleigh has written a wonderful novel, THE KING OF BILLY GOAT HILL, a story of growing up in Los Angeles. However, this poignant recounting of childhood challenges and adventure could take place in any city that has children, police, hills, gangs and siblings. Stanleigh has created a novel full of tension and dark places. The characters are packed with color and action. As you read, even in the early pages, it is easy to sense the ominous and sad overtones which certainly influence and surround the narrator. This is Wade, the older brother, only eight years old as the story opens with his poignant recollections. His younger brother, Luke, looks up to him, cries when Wade cries, follows and loves him. Wade and Luke, lacking a functional family in their lives depend not only on each other and their dog, Mac, but also on two fascinating people who are part of the local police force. A third police officer plays a role as well, but in a manner that will be a surprise as Wade reveals his story. This very young narrator needs to come to terms with a dreadful truth. He lives with the certainty that he is a ten year old murderer. This fear and dreadful belief colors the rest of his life and THE KING OF BILLY GOAT HILL chronicles his methods, activities, and strengths to cope with it. As a secondary theme, you baseball lovers will appreciate Wade's total devotion to and joy derived from Duke Snider, the famous Dodger baseball player. He is like a rainbow that brings a smile to Wade's face and peaceful dreams to his soul. In Stanleigh's clear and descriptive style, you'll find humor, tension, love and terror. THE KING OF BILLY GOAT HILL covers a life of a man upon whose childhood terror has made an indelible imprint. The closeness of the two brothers is warm, their lives become meaningful and creative, and trust and love do seem to win out!

I received this book as a surprise Christmas present from an old childhood friend. It turned out to be the best gift of the season. "The story embodies the essence of our own childhoods," my friend wrote. "If Wade and Luke don't transport you back to our humble beginnings, you've either lost your imagination, or we never knew each other!" Was she ever right. I could have been The "Queen" of Billy Goat Hill. This is a wonderful novel about life and how to survive it. One of the best, most satisfying, special reads of all time. I will always recommend this book and hope it stays in print forever.

Powerful Prayers is a Must Read Reading Powerful Prayers provides you amazingly simple examples of commuincating with God through personal everyday prayer. It opens the door to an otherwise complex arena of thought. The discussion between Larry King and Rabbi Katsof is sensitive and thought provoking. The interviews add incredible depth to the discussion. They also legitimize informal prayer, and the many different ways people have found to communicate with their respective spiritual beings. I recommend this book to everyone who is open to exlporing their individual communication with God. It is a must read. It has changed my entire understanding or paradigm in regards to my relationship with God outside of a house of worship.

Mr. King delved into the foundation of Spirituality and Religion and made simple an otherwise complex and controversial issue. The book focuses on the individual and his or her communication with God, while setting aside religious beliefs. I would like to recommend to friends who are too formal about prayers and to those who maybe agnostic such as Larry King in his book.

Unlike most "religious" category books, this book lacks the preachy quality that causes most readers to not absorb the text. This book insightfully breaks down barriers between different religious beliefs and simply brings forth the universal belief in a higher power. The people that Larry King and Rabbi Katsof chose to interview are made more personable and are made more tangible through their everyday prayers, which are similar to ours, and their quest to be closer to God. This book would make a fabulous holiday gift that is sure to please a recipient of any religious background.

This has some dazzling reviews of untaped concerts from SRV and DT. Also it has lots of information on Stevie Ray's life with other bands, Jimmie Vaughan, girlfriends, parents etc. Keri Leigh was a friend of SRV's and his chosen biographer. Hower this book does have big problems. The quality of the literal material like the binding of the book has almost completely fallen apart since December of 2000. I only read it once! Also, there is no direct interviews of any of the 4 members that past through Dt. Not Tommy, Chris, Jackie Newhouse or Reese. And no interviews from Keri of Jimmie Vaughan either. Only quotes from other publications, no real stories. That seemed alot less personal and to add to it, Keri Leigh his ''friend'' really didn't have any anecdotes of her own of Stevie Ray to tell. I loved the book in general though, and actually shed tears a few times, however was surprised in many of the things I just mentioned. Also, there were a massive amount of typos through here that just don't show up in professional books usually. There were great sections on the Vaughan brother rivalry and Srv and Bonnie Rait and Buddy Guy though. There were definetely some mysterious happenings with Stevie and the last few months of his life. Many horrifying coincidences. There was plenty talk of Stevie's amps and strings and so forth that should be interesting to any electric guitar player. That was a redeeming quality not to be overlooked. There were some odd choices in pictures here, but 80 percent of them were worthy of making into posters, that's how good they are. Another good reason to get the book. You get a real sense of Stevie's feelings of inadequacy and vulnerability, as Keri quotes him talking about his idols and his manner towards them. I really did expect far more rhetoric about Albert King who really did have more respect than King Fans might be able to imagine. Albert didn't give much credit to more than a few bluesman, [particularly guitarists] but as he said on the In Session album and Tv show- something like this anyway- '' Lots a guitar players out here. They play loud and they play fast-don't concentrate on no soul... But you Got 'em both....You pretty good.'' And so on. But only a few lines of Albert show up here. That was surprising. All in all, if you're a fan you shouldn't be dissappointed with what is there, and should get lots of enjoyment out of it too. However if you only want one book about Stevie, remember that this one does have some faults though lots of good reading. Also There is quite a large portion of the pages devoted to keeping you up with the Jimmie Vaughan, The Thunderbirds, and many Austin players to grow up with SRV and their intertwining timelines.

Ever since I was a kid, I loved Stevie Ray's music, but never knew much about him or his dedication to the music he loved and shared so emotionally with anyone who would listen. "Soul to Soul" is the story of his short life by someone who cared about him and felt the need to tell others who loved him all about him. I was riveted from the first page to the last, and found myself turning back and forth to reread some detail or laugh again at something Stevie Ray did or said. The only problem with this book is that, tragically, the hero dies. But then again, You know that going in. If you think you're over it, that you've shed your last tear for him, think again and read this book. I love you Stevie, wherever you are, Thank you so much.

This book is an excellant read for anyone who is remotely interested in Stevie Ray. Unlike 'Caught in the Crossfire', this book told the story of Stevie Ray's love for music and later on, for life. There are lots of great photos and bits and pieces including set lists, lyrics on napkins, etc. Well done Keri for telling the story how it should be told. All Stevie is now is a memory, but a memory that will live forever in our hearts and soul. SOUL TO SOUL! Go get it!

King has written a masterpiece. Web site response time can literally make or break a Web site's success. Companies spend millions on strategies to drive visitors to their expensive Web sites but if the site doesn't load quickly enough, it's over; you have lost an opportunity to win a new customer. Internet users are not patient! Get your site to pop up quickly or you lose, no matter how many people find your site in search engines or click on your banner ads -- what a terrible waste of marketing dollars!

This book is loaded with practical information on speeding load time via changes to HTML, JavaScript, graphics, PDF files, multimedia, and other elements. Plus, it includes an entire chapter on compression, and not just the graphic variety.

"Speed Up Your Site" is simply a must-read for anyone, not just Web developers, who are responsible for a Web site's success.

There's even great data to help you make your case to your boss that you've got a problem that needs to be addressed, and, a powerful chapter on Search Engine Optimization -- a chapter that distills down a great deal of complicated information into some very simple to follow steps that will get your site top rankings in search engines.

I read this book, I loved this book, it was easy to read, and I have already sent copies to friends in the industry. It is that valuable. I recommend this book and I encourage you to own it -- you will not be disappointed. It is, hands down, the best book I have read on building or re-designing a Web site.

Fredrick Marckini

King's book focuses on an overlooked but critical aspect of website usability: response time. I think it's often overlooked by developers because they tend to have fast machines and fast connections, but even if individual response time is not a concern, the techniques discussed in the book could save money by requiring fewer servers and lower bandwidth requirements.

There are two chapters on the psychology of performance, which might provide motivation or ammunition to convince
people who need convincing. Many of the chapters focus on methods to reduce the size of textual languages like
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Better and easier gains are obtained by configuring the server for compression, but many sites do not have that sort of control. The benefits of all these methods are covered well. Optimizing graphics is covered thoroughly, explaining the properties of different formats. Although it is mentioned in a summary, the practice of specifying
the height and width of images is not explained. It seems so obvious to many developers, but it's a disaster when not followed because the page can not be rendered until the sizes of all the images have been determined. Techniques for writing efficient code are applied to JavaScript, and there is good coverage of what takes a long time to execute on some browsers.

The book has a web site: http://www.....com/ It shows figures, chapter summaries, links to resources, etc.

Andy King, the guru behind WebReference.com and JavaScript.com, sent me a review copy of his new book "Speed Up Your Site: Web Site Optimization" a few weeks ago, and it absolutely knocked my socks off.

If you aren't familiar with Web site optimization (WSO), it's a series of techniques that minimize Web page file sizes and maximize page display speeds. In other words, WSO is simple stuff you can do to the Web pages you create to make those pages load faster. After all, people HATE waiting for slow Web pages.

What King has done in "Speed Up Your Site" is not only assemble pretty much every WSO technique known to man, he's also collected the research and conducted the interviews explaining WHY these techniques actually work.

While the entire book is exceptional, the four chapters in "Part II - Optimizing Markup: HTML and XHTML" are absolutely worth their weight in gold. It is in these four chapters that King shows you, step-by-step, how to clean up HTML bloat; minimize HTTP requests; tighten up comma-delimited attributes; speed up table rendering; and much, much more. And the results will ASTOUND you.

For example, using the techniques in just these four chapters alone, I was able to make my NetSquirrel.com homepage 26.5% smaller and load 42.9% faster. Words can't describe how cool that is.

The four chapters in Part II of King's book are accessible to ANYONE who knows simple HTML. That's not quite true for the next five chapters. In "Part III - DHTML Optimization: CSS and JavaScript," King shows you how to optimize your CSS and speed up your JS download and execution speeds. Of course, if [like me] you don't know CSS or JS from a hole in the ground, these five chapters aren't going to be much help to you. CSS and JS aren't topics for the weak of heart, and optimization only makes those topics that much more complex. But, if you *DO* know CSS and JS, King offers step-by-step instructions and real-world examples that show you what you need to do to maximize your page display speeds.

Let me also put in a plug for Chapter 15 - Keyword Optimization. This chapter shows you how to fine tune your page's meta keywords so that you can attract both search engines and, more importantly, visitors. Every Web design book tells you that you need to use meta keywords. King actually shows you how to find the meta keywords that yield the highest results. Instead of paying someone else lots of money to attract visitors to your site, follow the 10 steps that King outlines in this chapter. You'll save yourself both time and, more importantly, LOTS of money.

As I said earlier, Andy King's "Speed Up Your Site" absolutely knocked my socks off. There are a squillion Web design books out there, but this one belongs on the bookshelf of every serious Web designer.

I read 17 Syllables for an English class, and it will be one of the books that I won't sell back. My favorite stories were Las Vegas Charlie, Legend of Miss Sasagawara, and 17 Syllables. Many of the stories describe Asian characters trying to find their niche in America. Themes include generational and cultural conflicts, addiction struggles, and financial insecurities. Yamamoto seems to take a minimalist approach to her writing, which encourages one to reread her stories in order to extract more information.

Hisaye Yamamoto was not a prolific writer, but her output of fine short stories spans decades. Central themes include assimilation and the loss of traditional cultural values, troubled marraiges, and, of course, the shameful internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. As a writer who was raised in the culture and who originally published many of these stories in Japanese American publications for a largely Japanese American audience, she produces uniquely authentic accounts of a lifestyle that has largely disappeared. Here are the farms, the oil fields, the New Year's celebrations, the dusty internment camps, the tragic generation gaps, the hopes, dreams, and loneliness of a people who are inclined to remain quiet about personal matters--these stories present a fully developed portrait of the Japanese experience in American and its consequences. Highly recommended.

"Seventeen Syllables and Other Stories," by Hisaye Yamamoto, was first published in 1988. The revised and expanded edition adds 4 more stories, for a total of 19. Yamamoto was born in 1921 in California to parents who were immigrants from Japan, and hers is one of the most remarkable voices in 20th century United States literature. These stories originally were written or published between 1942 and 1995, and thus represent many decades of Yamamoto's literary career.

Her style is a blend of delicacy and determined passion. The book as a whole strikes a balance between tragedy and tenderness, and her best stories are quite moving. Yamamoto's stories mainly have Japanese-American female protagonists, and offer glimpses into many decades of Japanese-American life. Some topics include troubled marriages, crippling addictions, racism, and relations among the many ethnic groups of the U.S.

Some stories deal with the experience of Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated in concentration camps by their own government during World War II. Other important themes include the human toll of World War II on those Japanese Americans who lost family members in the war, and the cultural shift between generations in Japanese-American families.

The four new stories in the expanded edition are "Death Rides the Rails in Poston," a murder mystery; "Eucalyptus," about a woman's experience in a mental facility; "A Fire in Fontana," about a Japanese-American woman's connection to the African-American community; and "Florentine Gardens," which centers around a visit to a military cemetery in Italy.

Hisaye Yamamoto's work is highly regarded by many, and many of her stories have been anthologized (which is how I first read her work). It is wonderful to have her stories brought together in one volume; I feel richer for having read "Seventeen Syllables and Other Stories." One final note: as a fitting complement to the title story of this collection, I recommend Richard Wright's book "Haiku: This Other World."