I am a librarian in a public library. I first examined your book when a patron requested information on alcoholism and I was checking publication dates of materials in our collection. I found this book to be an excellent diagnostic tool, as I was dealing with the same problem at home. The book clearly defines the characteristics of an addiction. It provides a lens through which to see what is actually going on in a family where addiction affects everyone, not just the drinker. Armed with the knowledge that we can only change ourselves, it provides the reader with concrete approaches to the problem. It describes attitudes and actions that inadvertently feed the addiction as well as those that serve to intervene in the control addiction has over the whole family. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who suspects that alcohol may be a problem in their home. In this case, knowledge is power.

You won't come acoss a more side-splittingly funny portrait of America in 1976 than what Elkin gives us here. I don't know which is the more: the humor in America that is depressing or the depression that is humorous; in any event, the book is a must for anyone who likes his or her humor bitersweet, his or her prose lush, and his or her mind to be stimulated and entertained!

Great self-esteem booster. I read it over and over.

A no holds barred view of how Naval Aviation played an important role in the Vietnam War. Truely patriotic and humbling. This is an account of a man who loved his country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

I never need more than "Sandi Patty" on an item before it is in my possession, but this re-release went a bit further. My mother died exactly two years ago yesterday, 5/31/00. About three days prior to this passing mother's day I dreamed of my mother for only the second time since she has been gone. In the dream I saw her dancing around the throne singing "isn't He beautiful".

Although mother's day brings a bit of emptiness, she left behind three sisters who I take advantage of still be here with me. I rushed out to get each one of them Sandi Patty's Artist of My Soul which has a very special meaning to me. It served as one of the most intimate times I ever shared with my mother before she died. So with this mother's day, I decided to share this story which happened to me and mom before she died and accompany it with "Artist of My Soul".

To my suprise, I passed the book shelve and the book listing Sandi Patty as an author caught my eye. I picked it up and then remembered of the most unusual dream about mom singing around a throne singing "isn't He beautiful", and now this re-released song "I've Just Seen Jesus" with a book. Then it seemed to click. Mother's Day, mom "seeing Jesus", etc..... I picked up three copies for my aunts and bought two for my collection.

I listen to the CD which is enclosed in the book's rear plastic holder. Despite knowing the song and listening to it many times, it seemed to be different this time. My aunts all called crying after reading the note I wrote about my dream, the experience I had with mom in ICU while Artist of My Soul played, and how this all seemed to be a little "too perfect" for coincidence.

My rating is five stars for this item. And as for my Sandi Patty, well she will always have a special meaning and serve as a constant reminder of how much God loves me. She will always get 10 stars out of five.

This great song released in the mid 1980's written by the Gaithers serves as a modern day hymn that blessed so many then, and sure blessed one son that misses his mom everyday. Out of this, three aunts were introduced to something "new" and will serve as a reminder of my mom who will live on and on, even if just in a memory or song.

Jakes And Dustin Take Off is a combination story and activity book about a family of Soul Transporters, people who help lost and forgotten souls recharge and return to their proper owners. Readers young of years or young of heart will learn facts about color (including blue foods and rainbows!); trees and tree climbing; things that glow; lanterns and constellations; and much, much more. Unique, unusual, lively, creative, informative, and thoroughly entertaining, Jakes And Dustin Take Off is an especially recommended addition to family, school, and community library collection.

Jean Lafitte, le connaisseur de la vie du chien, and Elizabeth Elkins have put together a book that is not only full of useful resources for any NY dog owner or visitor to the City, but also very entertaining as well. Jean Lafitte, we learn, is regarded as dog royalty, and he and Elkins take the reader on a tour from dog-friendly restaurants and hotels to parks to dog portraitists and mind-readers to pet chauffeurs and so on. Also, practical information, like city pet rules and regulations and where to go in case of medical emergencies, is included. This book makes a great gift for any dog owner!

"The King Who Could Not Sleep" was my favorite book as a child. I wore out the binding, I read it so much! It is an excellent story, with wonderful illustrations. I definately recommend it!

Benjamin Elkin was a Principal at Roger's School in Chicago and a close friend of my family. "Uncle Ben" retired from teaching about the time I began elementary school, which provided him with the opportunity to visit my classroom at North Shore School on Sheridan Road. He would pass out Brach's butterscotch candies, perform magic tricks, challenge the kids with riddles, and tell tall tales. What a wonderful blessing it was to have an accomplished author visit our classroom (and my home during my younger years).

Of the dozen or so books Benjamin Elkin wrote, The King's Wish ranks among his best. Benjamin Elkin was truly a master storyteller, able to capture a child's attention on Page 1 and hold it until the end of the story. Most of his stories, including the King's Wish, appeal to both young children and beginning readers. This story is filled with wonderful imagery, good guys and bad guys, teamwork concepts, and grand adventure.

The King's Wish is divided into three short chapters. Chapter 1 begins with the King wishing that he could take a short vacation from his busy King's schedule. However, the King is concerned that his three young (teenage) sons are not yet responsible enough to handle the workload while the King is away.

In true Elkin fashion -- many of his stories contain riddles that must be solved -- the King decides to put the three young princes to a King's test. The princes are locked in a room with no apparent way to escape, yet they are told they must find a way out if they are to become kings. Sorry, I won't tell you how they manage to escape; but the princes' ingenuity convinces the King that he can take his long-overdue vacation.

Chapter 2 focuses on the king's vacation. While fishing and camping, the King is accosted by two wiley crooks. But the King, with that awesome red beard, is well loved in his kingdom and a furry friend soon comes to the King's rescue.

In the final chapter, the King awakes early and is getting ready to return from vacation when he notices off in the distance that his kingdom is on fire. How will the good King save his kingdom from burning to the ground? How can he wake the young princes up from their slumber? Its the final riddle of the book and you'll have to read the story to see how it is resolved.

Other stories by Elkin that I strongly recommend: Guillespe and the Guards (runner up for a Caldecott), Such is the Way of the World, the Big Jump (for younger children), the Loudest Noise in the World, Six Foolish Fishermen, Why the Sun Was Late, and Al and the Magic Lamp.