Anyone who enjoys collecting Barbie & her Friends, especially those dolls which came out during the 1981 to 1991 decade, will love this book. I wanted to find out what Barbies were around when I was a kid in the 80's, and this book was a find! Not only does it include all dolls, gift sets, fashions and other barbie products put out during 1981 - 1991, but also has color photos of each and every product as well as values for each item (NRFB). So if you have been looking for a book which covers this decade of dolls, buy this one now!!

One of my favorite hobbies is collecting Barbies from the 1980's. This book is my Bible for this hobby. Since it covers a specific ten year period, this book is able to include almost every Barbie product that was produced. Included are dolls, clothes, Kens, accessories, houses, cars, boxed sets, and a couple of Skippers. The pictures are fabulous. I love looking through this book to find Barbies that I want to purchase at auction. A price guide is even given so that I know what to expect to pay. All in all, this is a great collectors' guide.

The information was great, but some showed pictures no prices

This is a fun little guidebook, and a must-have for serious fantasy fans. It has actually been helpful in some of my writing, and it definitely is an entertaining read. You can learn how to spot a dragon in today's world (difficult, but possible--look for burn marks on buildings!), how to befriend it (sometimes), how to negotiate peace between the dragon and nearby humans, and how to (if all else fails) slay one without being slain yourself!

You'll love Lori's work. I've know her work for years and it only gets better! Kudos on the book, Lori.

A faithful Paradigm fan,
Ophelia

Lori is an awesome author, I suggest all of you get this book. I know Lori's work ,and you won't be disappointed!

Guy Johnson, once again, has written another un-put-downable novel. The plot is so intricate and compelling that the reader reflexively considers the various permutations of the plot-lines as if the story is reality. I am grateful to Johnson for writing about strong, black male characters. He has reinvigorated my interest in black literature. His research is extremely thorough because he creates multilayered and textured settings. From a technical standpoint, Johnson needs to work on his dialogue. No one, especaily not in the '80s, talked with such high-handed vocabularies. His prose remains outstanding, but the characters often sound like talking dictionaries. For instance, instead of saying that a person is preachy, a Johnson character will say "He's didactic." And that's another criticism of the book --Johnson preaches constantly about how blacks should be and what they should be about. His messages -- while true -- are not subtle and, ultimately, off-putting. Dialogue and didacticism notwithstanding, Johnson has shown that he is without question his mother's son. This is a must read for black men everywhere.

If you read the first book "Standing in the Scratch Line", then you will be familiar with the saga of King Tremain. This book picks up where the last one left off. It is now 1982 and King Tremain's orphaned grandson, long estranged from both of his grandparents, is pulled back into the family fold when King is assisnated. I won't give it away, but many characters from the first book return in this one, and this book also fills in the gaps from 1947, where the last book stopped. It's a long read but you will not be disappointed. Johnson has a rare talent for character and plot development, and it's a shame that he is not a household name like his Mother (Maya Angelou).

This sequel to Standing at the Scratch Line is as good as, if not better than, Standing.. It is superb!! For those who have read Standing At The Scratch Line, this novel continues with the saga of the Tremain family. This story picks up with the adult grandson, Jackson, who has been estranged from his grandfather King Tremain for several years. As King is near death, Jackson flies to Mexico to see his grandfather and leaves with a mission and desire that proves he truly is the grandson of King Tremain, whether he likes it or not.

Although this is a lengthy novel, the auhtor uses every word, phrase,page, etc., to draw an in-depth, complete and wonderful picture of who Jackson is, but more importantly the Tremain legacy and past that King has left to his grandson...whether he wants it or not. Although King is assassinated very early on in the book, through well placed, smooth and poignant flashbacks to the 1950's and 1960's, the reader gets much more insight into King Tremain and his life and legacy. Finally, to sum it up "you better ask joe 'cause you sho' don't know" what you are missing if you miss out on the chance to read this wonderful novel.

Curt Sampson has ably resurrected the magic of golf in 1960, the famous year in which Palmer became King, Nicklaus loomed, and Hogan and Snead made last runs at majors. Reading this tale one is transported back to what seems to us nostalgically as a simpler time. For a golf nut it is so much fun to relive those dramatic events. I would have given this book 5 stars except John Feinstein has demonstrated what a 5-star golf book is really like (The Majors, A Good Walk Spoiled). Sampson does not quite write with the same level of detail and insight as Feinstein, and lapses a bit more into the rehashing of familiar stories, but he is still quite good.

Only on the fringe of my teenage years in 1960, Sampson marvelously chronicles this year in golf and society. Society we all know because of the revolution that was gaining momentum.

TV is growing and would play a major role in golf's history as well. Along with three individuals, Hogan, Palmer and Nicklaus.

The "y" in the road is the televised Open at Cherry Creek, when Palmer made the celebrated charge. Hogan tries but comes short, and Nicklaus, not knowing for sure his position, didn't really grind, or he likely would have tied. Palmer wins, the sport grows, and as fate seemed to dictate, the game is on the way to the marvelous heights we now see it occupy.

Reading this wonderful book, it gives one more insight and compassion into those early pioneers who made it what it is. Today's pros seemed so pampered, however, the stress is large and looming larger.

Sampson is articulate writer and delivers great insights: Hagen's saying to Sarazen before the shot heard round the world at Augusta: "Come on, hurry up, I've got a date tonight."; and Gary Player calls up Hogan for some advice on his swing, so Hogan asks, whose clubs do you play? When Player answers Dunlop, Hogan responds, "Ask Mr. Dunlop."

Empathy for those like Sampson who wrote passionately about the game and didn't really make a living, let alone get rich. Loved the story about Bob Drum being snubbed by his paper until they hear Palmer is leading The Open, then cable him to send a story. Upon receipt of telegram, Drum crumbles it into ball, and said: "Hope to hell you get it."

This is a must for any serious golf collection of books on the game.

I've read a lot of golf books. This is one of my favorites, and I'm glad to see it's finally back in print--there are a lot of golfers I need to recommend this to. It's more just plain fun to read than almost any one I can name. One of golf's great years, and one of the sport's all-time great cast of characters: Hogan, past his prime at 48 but trying to win one more major; Arnie, the greatest golfer of the 50s, trying to win the Grand Slam; 20-year-old Nicklaus, the chunky college kid; and plenty of other characters, like the irascible Charlie Sifford, the first black player on the tour; the legendary Sam Snead; Chi Chi Rodriguez, who weighed 118 pounds; party animal Doug Sanders; Gary Player, the Man in Black from South Africa; and several others. Reading about these guys is just fascinating, they come alive in this book, and the story of how several of them could have and should have won the Open is one of the best in golf. Sampson has a breezy, highly readable style and has a good sense of humor. I highly recommend this book to any fan of golf.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Felicity Merriman, a nine-year-old girl living in the America of 1774. In this book, Felicity begins another charming summer at her grandfather's plantation. However, when Ben, her father's runaway apprentice, shows up, Felicity must make some very profound decisions.

The final chapter of this book contains an interesting look at outdoor life in 1774 America. This is another very good American Girls book. Not as gritty as some others, it is nonetheless highly informative, and a really good read. My daughter and I both highly recommend it to you.

While all of the books in the American Girls series teach young girls about the role of women throughout American history, the Felicity stories show a young woman well ahead of her time in Colonial Virginia.

In this book, she rescues her friend Ben Davidson after he unsuccessfully tries to sneak away from his apprentice contract to join George Washington's army. Because the idea of young girls rescuing older men is radical even by today's standards (tradditional culture says it should be the other way around) this is inspiring for young women. Ms. Tripp shows that women have as much right to take charge of a dangerous sittuation as young men do.

In this book alone, Felicity argues with Ben, gets dirty and sweaty and devises a successfull rescue plan. This is a long ways from the "dainty behavior" that was prefered by her society. Throughout the book other characters attempt to remind her to be more ladylike only to come up short--Felicity is too independent for their tastes.

Even though the fictional story is set in the past, I am willing to bet it will inspire more than a few girls to acchieve their dreams.

When Felicity goes to grandfathers plantation, she finds a message in a bird bottle that starts her off on another adventure.I love Felicity Saves The Day and you should definitly read it!

This is one of my 5-year-old's first "read all by myself books", and judging from the laughs and re-reads, it was a hit. I thought it was written at the appropriate "silly" level, and was also challenging.

My 7 year old loves these books. They are funny, imaginative, and interesting to read. Cute illustrations too!

My 6 year old absolutely loves Fluffy. Not only are the books informative and use the same characters (so that she feels 'familiar' with each different Fluffy book) but Fluffy himself even makes me laugh! He is forthwright and cool! We always have to read at least one Fluffy every night.

I think this book was named the best book on tennis by some or other panel. Though I have not read all that many books on the sport, I cannot imagine a better book on tennis, or any other sport for that matter. Forbes is a delightful author, writing with gentle wit and charm about his childhood on a farm in the Eastern Cape, his tennis career and his life after tennis. Reading the book it is impossible not to mourn the passing of an era when sport was played for the enjoyment thereof, and sports star were friends.

A book that should be read by everybody, not only people interested in tennis or sport.

Gordon Forbes has captured the essence of what sport used to and should still be. From South African farmlands to the lawns of Wimbledon "Forbsie" paints a humorous picture of tennis in the fifties and sixtys. The cast of characters become personal friends and the author like a big brother. A Handful of Summers is among the classics on my bookshelf.

This is a journey through one man's life in an era so different from today. An insight into the world of 'amateur' tennis and its twists of professionalism. An era when tennis was played for the joy of the game, travelling, a varied existence, and a lack of anything better to do!

This traces the realities of life on the tennis tour in the 50s and 60s and the ups and downs which went with it, especially given that Gordon Forbes was from a culture as complex as that of South Africa.

This books gets you really involved in the lives of some of the greatest tennis legends of all time, and others who strove to reach their heady heights, but never quite made it to the top! This book contains so much passion and honesty that it draws you in. You can almost believe that you are right beside these tennis greats, treading in their every footstep, hearing their every breath. You feel as if you grew up with them, laughed their every laugh, and suffered their every defeat.

This is a must for every lover of tennis, and should not be written off by those who have no interest in the game. This is no ordinary tennis chronicle.

Conspiracy is what got me hooked on the Kennedy Assassination but the real bottom line book on the case is Case Closed as it refutes the main ideas of all the conspiracy theories.

One of the best volumes of inquiry into the conspiracy behind John Fitzgerald Kennedy's murder.

Although the author,Anthony Summers,sticks mainly to the official story-(that Lee Harvey Oswald fired 3 shots from the 'Book Depository' building)-he DOES explore the many disturbing yet fascinating avenues of revelation that surfaced with the Congress-appointed 'House Select Committee on Assassinations' investigations of the mid to late 70's.

The real significance to JFK's death was covered up~(knowingly or not)~in 1964 when the 'Warren Commission' staff examined the evidence before them. They covered up everything really; The grassy knoll rifleman--(50 odd witnesses in Dealy Plaza,that day,mentioned commotion behind the white picket fence on the knoll...some even saw smoke...the 'Warren-Report' basically disregards this lead altogether)--the late 50's/early 60's CIA/Mafia alliance which was conceived in-order to kill Fidel Castro--(which may of 'backfired' on the Cuba sympathising Mr.Kennedy)--,the mob ties to Ruby,the intelligence ties to Oswald,the intelligence ties to Ruby,the mob ties to Oswald..; all of which establishes a conspiracy.... (for me,anyway)

Summers compiled this one nicely. Probably his best book. Worth the investment.

Anthony Summers' comprehensive work on the assassination of JFK is among the top books on the subject, ranking alongside Gaeton Fonzi's "The Last Investigation." The author's voluminous research brings together the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle in a lucid and rare way. In a nutshell, the anti-Castro Cuban organizations [CRC, Alpha-66, etc.]and their right-wing American supporters [Gerry Patrick Hemming and Interpen, for example], the Mafia [Trafficante, Marcello, Giancana, Roselli], and elements within the CIA [David Atlee Phillips, E.Howard Hunt, Theodore Shackley, David Sanchez Morales, William Harvey, etc.] and their numerous contract agents [David Ferrie, Guy Banister, Lee Harvey Oswald(?)]were collaborating in an effort to assassinate Fidel Castro and reverse the socialist revolution in Cuba. The Mob wanted their gambling casinos back, while the anti-Castro Cubans and the CIA wanted multi-national corporate capitalism back. In a classic case of "blowback", the forces working to destroy Fidel and the Cuban Revolution failed in their efforts and subsequently conspired to destroy the man [JFK] they believed responsible for their failure. Elements within the CIA, CIA contract agents, Mob and anti-Castro Cubans had the motive, means and opportunity to effectuate the "blowback" assassination of JFK. For the meticulously researched details which support this thesis, read Anthony Summers' work: "Conspiracy". It's one of the most well-reasoned and articulate works on the subject of the JFK assassination.

As opposed to Terry Pluto's book, "The Curse of Rocky Colavito, which focused more on the colorful personalities behind the Tribe's years of mediocrity, this book focuses on the front office and ownership changes and their effect on the team.

I definitely recommend the book as a companion to Pluto's book. But read Pluto first. It's more fun and you'll understand some of the characters in the second book better. And if you can only read one of the two books, read Pluto.

A book that desperately needed to be written, if only so the true fan can relive the depths of our despair. As Nixon (shudder)once said, "Only when you've been in the deepest valley.."

The Indians had the distinction of being the poorest franchise in the American League for a period roughly between 1968 and 1989. This book is a thorough and well written documentation of that era and how it came to pass. A great deal of blame is laid at the feet of poor trading (often for NO REASON), the cavern that was Municipal Stadium and its adverse affects, and underfinanced or inept ownership (one exception).

The end of the book, which is rivalled only by Job in redemptive quality, focuses on the rebuilding of the team and the galvanizing of the local fans.

For all true fans, a smile, a tear, and a hard pinch to the nether regions to make certain we are not dreaming. Names have been omitted (by me) to encourage sales as well as protect the innocent.

This is an essential read if you love, or even like, the game of baseball. I never learned so much about how business decisions and money impact what you see on the field.

Anyone interested in American military history should have this book. It covers the gap between World Wars I and II and important aspects of the early careers of Marshall and MacArthur. Reagan and Truman both attended the summer military training explained here. Robert Penn Warren wrote his first poem while in CMTC training at Fort Knox. Great blending of military and social history of the 1920s and 1930s.

Between the two World Wars (1921 to 1940), thousands of American males trained at some 50 camps located all over the U.S.and in Puerto Rico. The CMTC program (not to be confused with CCC and other programs of the Depression) was the brainchild of Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing and benefited from the management skills of Douglas MacArthur and George C. Marshall. Two future presidents, Truman and Reagan, participated, and Robert Penn Warren published one of his first poems in the CMTC yearbook at Fort Knox. Two things make this book especially interesting reading. First, it is based in part on questionnaires from CMTC alumni, many of whom used their summertime soldier skills in World War II. Second, the author, a retired Army colonel with a felicitous style, is keenly interested in the social history of the time and leavens his account of life in the camps with anecdotes from the sports, political, and cultural worlds of the era, which provides a view of the simpler America that the trainees lived in. In short, this is military history combined gracefully with Americana. It is, I believe, the only account of a program that should not be forgotten.

First of all, this book made me nostalgic for a time before (way before) I was born. It contains fascinating insights into the psyche of the American public, viewed through the lens of the CMTC. This book sheds light on what Americans of all types were actually feeling during the years leading up to World War II. A great history book allows its readers to experience vicariously what life was really like-alongside, and in relation to the subject matter. The author has done a marvelous job in doing so here. Highly recommended.