I just bought this book a week ago and read it in two days. Now that Game Show Network has brought the show back, it's nice to also read about it. Peter Marshall has written a book not about his life, but his time on "The Hollywood Squares". He talks about what life was like with Paul Lynde, Rose-Marie, George Gobel and many others that I loved as a kid watching the show.

I gave this five stars because of the book. It also includes a wonderful CD with the zingers that we all loved to hear after a question was asked. The only drawback on this CD is hearing Buddy Hackett's laugh for much of the CD, and it's always the same laugh! It's irritating to listen to, but I can get past that.

The book answers many questions and gives many secrets of what went on in the heyday of this show. I won't spoil it for others, but it has information on the recently discovered thought to be destroyed episodes that GSN now airs. Plus, you can read about stars of today who were contestants on the show. One secret I'll give away is the fact that Naomi Judd was once a contestant!

Buy this book today. You'll find it's worth the money!

... is a phrase Peter Marshall admits he would have loved to hear on his hit television show "The Hollywood Squares". That fact, and a thousand others, come in a new and downright funny book, "Backstage with the Original Hollywood Square", written by Peter Marshall and Adrienne Armstrong.

Part memoir, part fond walk down memory lane, "Backstage" provides insights to the creation and hosting of one of America's all time successful games. Peter Marshall recants many stories, some of which he told on the E! True Hollywood Story of the "Squares" and others are brand new.

He starts off with a quick summation of his early career, and how he was offered the emcee job of a lifetime. Then he delves in to all the people behind the scenes that were important to the show. The book starts running when he reminisces about all the stars we grew to love over the years: Paul Lynde, Wally Cox, Rose Marie. While each section of the star could have been longer, he sheds some light on each one admirably.

Throughout the book, Peter comes across very polite and respectful. It's almost his persona on the Squares. He allowed the stars to shine by taking a somewhat backseat approach to hosting, yet you realize after watching it he was the glue that kept them together. In this book, he is the mere storyteller, and showcases everyone else.

What's more fantastic about this book is the CD that accompanies it. From an album entitled "Zingers from the Hollywood Squares" that was released in the 70's, this CD holds some of the Squares funniest one liners. That alone is worth the cost of the book. I had the album as a kid, and listened to it constantly, and to this day, recalled many of the jokes still!

This book was a long time coming, and needed. For many people, The Hollywood Squares wasn't a showcase for has beens, but a welcome comedic relief during some of our nation's most turbulant times. Thanks to Peter Marshall for writing this, and bringing back all the laughter!

You will have hours of entertaining escapist reading!
I don't normally read "showbiz" books, but bought this on an impulse, as it had so many great photographs. What was such a nice surprise is that Peter Marshall and his co-author Adrienne Armstrong, are excellent writers. They make the reader feel like he is sitting in a cozy bar with Peter, drink in hand, listening to wonderful tales about the making, and eventual breaking of Hollywood Squares.
Peter is refreshingly honest, delightfully candid, yet never disrespectful when discussing the celebrities and contestants who appeared on the show over the years.
An added bonus is the CD that comes with the book.
I'm a new Peter Marshall fan, who hopes he and his partner write again. Soon.

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.

adelle davis has been treated more than a million pregnant woman and their babies wich make her very expirienced in her 37 working years.she brings in this book all the nutrition preparations that a woman should do in order to prevent:misscarige\small babies\toxemia while in pregnancy\vomiting\and prevention of beeing depleted of milk, and much more.she explains the benefits of the mother's milk and how to improve his quality and quantity, and also what kind of nutritional supplements should be giving during and after pregnancy.also she explains what role of prevention has every vitamin in the development of a healthy baby.stages of feeding the baby such as when to give him solid food\when\and what kinds are also discovered and the book in short is dealing with all the health strategies even from before the pregnancy untill the baby becomes a child.the only thing that she recommands there that i dislike there is brewer- yeasts that she is recommand that only because of the fear that it might cause candida,all the other book recommandations are great.

In this classic book for child nutrition, Adele makes understanding how to keep your child healthy so simple. Her story of how she brought both her adopted children back to health is touching and eye-opening. This is a Must Read for any Mother or Mother-to-be. It also gives you great insight applied to yourself. Keep your children and yourself healthy using information that works. It may have been published a while back but the information is still sound today. Human Bodies have not changed that much since she wrote this. In fact, doctors and health professionals just keep (re)discovering the basic truths she wrote about here. Alergies, asthma, building strong bones, preventing colds...is all here. This should be the primary healthcare book for keeping kids well. Give that index a good look. It is the quickest way to solving problems. Doctors should refer to this one and Let's Get Well first.

When we learned we would be able to adopt a baby, I knew I couldn't breastfeed, so I began to study nutrition. I learned a lot, but as with any research, I learned that not everyone agreed. This was twenty-five years ago when doctors were still telling you that Vitamin E was totally unneccessary. After reading everything in our local library, I selected this book as the one that made the most sense. Following Adelle Davis' advice I raised a very healthy son and improved the health of the rest of the family as well. Now I'm looking for the book again because my daughter has misplaced her copy and is frantic to get it for my sixth grandchild--all raised on Adelle Davis, all remarkably healthy.

Like a field guide to a mushroom gatherer, this book teaches how to recognize the poisonous types. In that sense, this is a money, time and life-saving guide. Just as you would not sample The Angel of Death mushroom, you would not try out one of these guys in hopes that he is not really true to type. Nor would you take one home, hoping that with enough love and care and hope, the poison will dissolve and the mushroom will be wholesome and edible. As she explains:

"This guide does not address what you can do to make yourself more attractive to men, how to improve your own character, or guy-meeting strategies. Its purpose is to help you sort through and reject the bad apples up front. Too many bad relationships are the result of women being so grateful that some guy even looks at them, that they jump at the chance to become intimate because they fear it will be their last chance in life. They are petrified that they will be old maids, alone on New Year's Eve. They marry some unloving guy who is full of himself, and they still feel alone on New Year's Eve."

Ms. Marshall casts her scathing eye on (unfortunately for them), the seven types of men she has learned to avoid. She describes each type mercilessly, occasionally softening the hatchet job with a touch of wit and humor. Women, by reading this book, can take advantage of the groundwork she has done and save themselves a lot of pain and trouble. Men too can benefit by this action. They may identify some of their character flaws and set out to improve themselves (and their suitability as mates). If for no other reason, men should read the book so that if they overhear some women calling them a "bagman" they'll know what it means! - Peter O'Brien, Senior Programmer, Somerset, NJ

This gem of a book by June Marshall has its thumb on the pulse of why so many women spin their wheels in dead end relationships. Marshall desribes in colorful detail the characteristics of "Mr. wrong", how to avoid the endless pain and suffering that a relationship with him will bring. The Dirty Seven sheds light on the subtle and insidious elements of a bad catch that most of us easliy look over in attempts to have a man in our life. The refreshing part is that Marshall does not male bash or leave the reader feeling that a fulfilling relationship with a man is impossible. On the contrary- I left feeling empowered and ready to seek out the qualities in a partner that count such as the ability to give and good character. But aside from the invaluable information presented in The Dirty Seven, it is hilariously written. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book!

Those who decry the current state of judicial affairs in this country will be interested to learn that our modern court system has changed very little since its inception back in the 18th Century. This, along with many other scholarly insights, is the compelling undercurrent running through Jean Edward Smith's John Marshall: Definer of a Nation.

Smith, no stranger to scholarship himself, guides the reader in painstaking detail through the rise of one of the most renoun jurists of early American history, John Marshall. Marshall, who served his country first as a soldier under General George Washington and later as the first truly influential chief justice of the Supreme Court, is a figure ripe for investigation at this particularly legal-oriented period in our history. For it was Marshall who, in his landmark decision, Marbury v. Madison, first gave rise to the notion of judicial review, the concept that suggests that the Supreme Court indeed has final say over the constitutionality of a given state action.

What is fascinating about Marshall's life is how bitterly he had to fight to establish what we today take for granted, the Court's supreme authority. Marshall's relentless pursuit of a powerful judiciary was often at odds with the vision of his fellow founding father, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson, who pushed for a small, decentralized federal government in a largely agrarian America, was constanly at odds with Marshall, and the tale of their stormy political battles resonates throughout the pages of Smith's biography.

Of course, the philosophical musings and feindishly political battles of our founding fathers may not make for interesting reading for everyone. Smith's book is chock full of obscure anectdotes and oftentimes difficult-to-get-through detail. All the same, the interested reader seeking to understand just how our current court system got to be this way can do worse than pick up Smith's tome for some insight. For, in the end, the battles fought between America's early political titans bear a strong correlation to -- and perhaps even explain -- blips on the judicial radar screen now called things like "O.J."

The author acknowledges up front that the book has little to say that is critical of the great Chief Justice. Nevertheless, the author presents a balanced view of the man and his times. As befits one of the greatest writers in legal history, Smith's prose is clear, precise and entertaining. Given Marshall's long tenure on the Court and his many accomplishments and associations with great historical figures, this book should be of interest to anyone with a serious interest in American History. One is left with the strong impression that Marshall's role in shaping the government has not been fully appreciated.

John Marshall defined American law, politics and power. This book paints a vivid picture of who Marshall was, and why he is still important today. The author does an excellent job stating the facts and letting the reader decide for her/himself whether or not Marshall did the right or wrong in the very important decisions he made. This book is enlightening and well written. Marshall's life is wonderfully told through the authors use of clear and concise writing. This book is excellent. It clarifies many misconceptions of this great man who came out of a generation that claims many great men. Marshall may be the least understood of them all, but he certainly is no less important than any of his contemporaries in forming and defining the United States of America.

This is a unique book and a great gift for newlyweds. Kind of like the baby books you buy when you have children, this is a wonderfual book for lovers to work in together and chronical their love story.

I have several friends getting married this Spring so I've been looking for inexpensive yet nice, thoughtful gifts. This book really fits the bill. I'm buying one for all the showers I'm going to. It's a wonderful way to show your support for the couple's future together. It's a lovely, touching book that shows you care.

This is great! I was looking for something unique for my husband for our upcoming Anniversary (on Valentines Day). I wanted to do something more than a box of chocolates. I can't wait to present my beloved with this nice-looking journal, all filled out with the many wonderful memories and stories of our courtship, wedding, early years and now middle years together. The prompts on each page really helped get my memories flowing, so it was easy to fill out. What a great way to say I LOVE YOU!

Colonel Michel's "The 11 Days of Christmas," is a powerful sequel to his previous work "Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam 1965-1972." I found "11 Days" to be almost impossible to put down, finishing the book in two days. If you are interested in the conduct of the air war in Vietnam this book is required reading.

"11 Days" is a no holds barred look at Operation Linebacker II, the December 1972 bombing of North Vietnam, the performance of the B-52s, their crews, and the Strategic Air Command (SAC). It also covers, in a limited way, President Nixon's less than totally successful efforts in getting SAC to execute the operation as he desired. "11 Days" illustrates that while many aspects of Nixon's Presidency can be debated, his assessment regarding the results of massive air strikes into the heart of North Vietnam cannot and the release of 591 American POWs serve as proof of that conviction. "11 Days" also provides a view of the operation as seen by the North Vietnamese, with excellent discussions in each mission on the employment of the SA-2 surface-to-air missile (SAM) and the Fan Song radars and how the North Vietnamese determined exactly when to launch their missiles that resulted in the lost of 15 B-52s.

While SAC might have been the capable of professionally executing a retaliatory nuclear strike against the Soviet Union, "11 Days" aptly demonstrates how ill prepared the organization was in conducting massive conventional bombing strikes against a technologically challenged third world nation. There were a variety of reasons for the near failure of Linebacker II, but the principal one, as shown by Colonel Michel, was that of weak and near fatally flawed leadership at SAC and its staff. Fortunately for the crews of the B-52s and the POWs, the North Vietnamese were not equipped with the Soviet Union's latest SAMs, otherwise even their best efforts would probably not have been sufficient to overcome the shortcomings and shortsightedness within SAC.

My one complaint (far too strong a word) about "11 Days" is that Colonel Michel did not include, as an appendix, the article by Dana Drenkowski's "The Tragedy of Linebacker II."

This book is indeed a worthy sucessor to Michel's "Clashes" which I consider the definitive source on Vietnam counter-air operations.

Marshall Michel scores a "shack" (fighter parlance for hitting the bullseye) with this latest offering. His carefully researched and documented material provides an in-depth insight into Linebacker II operations that are just coming to light 30 year later.

This book is a must read for all Vietnam War fighter and bomber crews plus any other history buffs who want to know the "hows and whys" of the 11 day war."

Any reader with a military background or an interest in military history will appreciate Michel's insight. This is a sobering look at just how close the both sides narrowly averted military disaster. The focus is mainly upon the long-distance micro management by HQ Strategic Air Command of the B-52 raids over Hanoi. Michel (a fighter pilot who was there) explains the dismay of bomber crews ordered to comply with ill-conceived and untested tactics dictated by "staff pukes" at Offutt AFB. This was a complex issue based upon SAC culture. Michel also explores the polar opposite approach to the lousy SAC plans by Commanders at Andersen AFB and U-Tapao AB. The post-war "revisionism" by SAC concerning their plans and tactical flexibility is illuminating. SAC privately acknowledged their shortcomings (destroyed the evidence) and promptly proclaimed their triumphs. Clearly Linebacker II was not SAC's finest moment.

This is no hatchet job, it's a great piece of scholarship. "Eleven Days," clearly leaves for the reader to decide which side was luckier, and which side won America's last battle in Vietnam.

Highly Recommended

THE best book on Basquiat out there! A very talented New York artist that started out doing graffiti on the New York Subways as SAMO and instantly became famous after one day meeting Andy Warhol and giving him a postcard of his artwork. They became quick friends and Warhol had a great influence on his very short career even though Jean-Michel's work is totally different. Jean Michel died tragically from a drug overdose. Cool little known fact - He dated Madonna! Great photos of the Jean-Michel and an incredible extended chronology in the back of the book. Best yet info on the artist existing anywhere in the the book. Color plates of his art work are superb, large, and mostly one per page, incredible color. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of Jean-Michel or his friends Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, or Andy Warhol.

This is a great book with many of Basquiat's paintings and drawings. It also has various essays by art critics and people who knew him. I suppose the reviewers who slammed Basquiat also think anybody could knock over a couple of paint buckets and be Jackson Pollock. The genius of Basquit in my mind is his ability to create truly beautiful paintings while painting in a seemingly uncontrolled, primitive (I hate that word) fashion. The way he layered colors, and added details is incredible. My favorite is "Untitled (Skull)" 1981. Here is a brilliant example of how Basquiat combines dissarray, ugliness, harmony, and beauty all into the same striking painting. I know Basquiat idolized Hendrix and ultimately went out much like he did, unable to cope with his talent and the attention it brought. To me Basquiat's painting very much mirrors Hendrix's musical talents. They both created wild, noisy, seemingly unharnessed, unpolished art. But to the careful, sensitive observer the true beauty and magic is revealed.

Such a tragedy for a talented fellow like Basquiat to succumb to the temptations of drugs at such an early age. His paintings are so raw and fresh. I feel as though he used canvasses as giant doodle pads which he displayed to the world. Many of our own doodle pads (next to our phones, on our office desks, etc.) end up in the [bin] but Basquiat's ended up in the galleries and museums of the world. Some think of his work as [bad] but I view it as a treasure. Fine art, cartoons, grafitti and doodling...the best things in life. This book is the best collection I've seen of his work. The reproductions are well done and the essays are enlightening. For the art afficianado, this book needs to join the collection.

The Pocket Guide is one of my desk reference books...It is written so even idiots like me can understand it, and use it. I think it is in the same league as Glover's Pocket Ref, and the Pocket
Pal for graphic artists. If you work with Industrial Ethernet, you better buy this book, and stick it in your pocket, briefcase, tool box, or whatever you carry around on the job with you. If you think you need to know about
Industrial Ethernet, buy this book and carry it around in your pocket for when you have a chance to catch five minutes and read a few pages.

This is the best book published by ISA this year...

I'm used to Ethernet reference books that occupy huge volumes in my company's library; they require time and determination to find answers to a specific problem and are never accessible when you are out in the field. When I saw Perry S. Marshall's Industrial Ethernet- A pocket guide, I was surprised by its small size; it's, well, really pocket sized. And it is nort small, once you start working with it; it is rather compact, or concise, and to the point. Information is laid out systematically,topically and logically; you can find both general info and troubleshooting tips on hardware, cabling and protocols covering the whole range of typical problems found in network maintenance. This little book is now part of my toolbox, and it should complement anyone's who is faced with Ethernet problems on the plant floor. It has already proven its worth to me in helping me correct networking problems I have been faced with in the field.

If you are using Ethernet in an industrial environment, you've got to have this book! Even though it's billed as a pocket guide (it really is pocket sized), you could also use it as a desk reference. It has concise and to the point coverage of every aspect of Industrial Ethernet.

Even though I had planned on using this just for reference, I found so many interesting things in it that I started reading it. I really enjoyed the writing style which, unlike other books, didn't put me to sleep. This book is easy to read and understand, even for an old timer like me.

Excellent!

This book is wonderful reading for both adults and children, especially adolescents. And especially during these times when there seems to be so much focus on the dark side of what is happening around us. Gideon McGee's Dream takes us to the only place -- inside ourselves -- where we can find the key that will open the door and introduce light where the shadows threaten to deprive us of the hope and enthusiasm necessary to live life fully and with courage. Thank you Bill Marshall for such a jewel. :-)

I'm eighteen and graduated from highschool in June. I was on a fast track to nowhere when a friend suggested I read this book. I'm not much for reading, but I trusted this friend. Get this book if you think there's no reason for why things happen! It made me realize that all my misery was self made. Things that made no sense before, suddenly made sense. I've read it through three times now and at first I didn't think the story really took off until about page forty. But each time I read it I find that every page has something to say. If you think life isn't fair, read this book. It could save your life. It did mine.

I liked this book more than any other I've read because it was so different than all the other books. Gideon's spirit travels to many different lands to find out why his life was the way it was. He goes to the land of the gatekeeper, the land of what is good, what is bad, the land of the tree clingers, the land of no opposites and the incredible shrinking planet. My favorite was the incredible shrinking planet where the more money you make the fatter you get and the skinnier someone else gets. The book made me think about things I never thought of before. It's a great book for anyone, but especially if you're feeling low and want to be picked up. I'll probably read it again before the summer is over. There's so much in it.