I have been working with computers for years. I decided to go back to college and this book is required reading for one of my classes. It turned out to be one of the best computer books I have ever read. The book itself is well written, the information is comprehensive, the illustrations are great. I'm impressed! I thought I knew a lot about computers until I read this book. I am learning a great deal more. The reading is not like the dry, technical books usually found out in the computer market, but almost like a novel. I have a hard time putting it down.

I was given this book to use to teach an introductory course in IS for a community college. I have 25 years experience as a computer professional and educator. Therefore, I have read numerous IS books. This one is by far the easiest and most comprehensive overview of information systems. The layout of the book is easy to follow. Additionally, the format is conducive to reading because it includes a variety of colors, indentations, italics and bullets. These formatting changes help to hold the readers interest i.e keep the reader awake.

I recommend this book as a self-teaching tool or for educators who are teaching an introductory course.

I bought this cookbook a long time ago. The soup made from leftovers is extremely good, but the 1 teaspoon of pepper it calls for is a little extreme and burned my mouth. ( I suggest seasoning the soup to taste at the table. ) The Christmas tree ornament dough is very good and versatile. The only recipe I would not recommend is the dog biscuits- which looked terrible. I gave them to a dog owner who lives next door, and he said the dog ate them. Was he being polite, or where the dog biscuits virtually inedible? Beats me. This is a good book for small kids who want to cook.

This book is great! A fellow teacher of mine showed me this book that she uses every week for planning her lessons. The book explains how to make delicious food items and cool experiments. I have seen the children in great delight making their own frozen yogurt or taste testing honey that is made from different flowers. I enjoyed the book so much I intend to purchase it for my own collection and use it in my own classroom.

Once again, Liza Chaarlesworth has created a masterpiece! She left me nearly breathless as I followed along in her adventure among the giant lizards of days gone by. Although recommended for children, I remained captivated--almost prostrate--as my imagination careened between the here and now and the not here and then. Bravo, Liza! Keep delivering these masterpieces--your adoring fans await.

very educational, good pictures, great for kid

Fiction Writing Demystified is a powerhouse of solid information that will definitely improve your performance as a writer. Sawyer breaks his purpose down into a simple statement: "In a very real way, this book is about troubleshooting your own writing." He provides you with the tools to become a self-editor.

Sawyer walks you through the mindset of the writer, the beginning of the story, the writing process, the construction, and creating unique dialogue. But for me, the most enlightening portion of the book is the character development chapter. This lengthy chapter makes up almost half of the book and covers aspects of character development that I had not even considered.

Sawyer's writing style is conversational and bright. It moves along at a steady pace and propels you forward. I read the entire book before stopping for coffee. It is one how-to manual that you just cannot put down. From the beginning, I was reminded of my favorite writing how-to book, On Writing, by Stephen King. Sawyer's tone and style are so close to King's. His choice of words also resembles King's. Both men reduce the most complex topics into plain, easy to understand explanations.

Fiction Writing Demystified delivers on the promise to make you a more successful writer. If you follow the instructions in this book, I am certain that you will find your manuscripts being accepted more frequently and revised very little. My only problem with any of the advice is when Sawyer warns writers to omit dialect. I have heard this wisdom dispensed by professional writers, editors, publishers, and instructors ever since I began writing. Yet, we repeatedly fall in love with the very characters that have the strongest dialect, proving that the public does tire of making believe that all people are standard Middle American. From Cyndi Lauper and Fran the Nanny to Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, we love dialects and variety in our characters. Unfortunately, as long as the icons of the business continue to warn writers to avoid dialects, we will be stuck with Stepford Middle American speech patterns. I would have liked to hear Sawyer stating that dialect is okay, but I am sure that he feels it would greatly reduce the marketability of work. He is providing his readers with solid advice for success.

Thomas B. Sawyer has been on the writing staff of 15 network TV series. He has written 9 series pilots and 100 episode scripts. He was the Head-writer/Producer/Showrunner of Murder She Wrote. His resume goes on and only becomes more impressive.

Reprinted from Gotta Write Network Online.

If you are like me, one of the myriad of aspiring writers out there, you buy every book you can get your hands on about fiction writing. I, too, sadly, was once like you all. I'd buy a book and discover it to be nothing more than another "system" on how to write a million dollar script for Hollywood. In one night, yet. Or 21 days. Or 90 days. Bah. Humbug.
With no exaggeration whatsoever, Mr. Sawyer's book IS the ONLY book you will ever need. This book does not get bogged down in useless theories, ridiculous structure ideas or quirky character creation garbage. Reading this book is like having a produced writer sitting beside you, guiding your every step. This is fiction writing instruction at its best.
I want to thank Mr. Sawyer for writing this incredible book. It has inspired me to strive beyond "aspiring."

This book is at the top of my list of recommended reading for singles that want to find a successful life partnership. It is easy to read, jargon-free, and thorough, addressing all the topics important to preparing for and finding a mate. An effective tool in my relationship coaching work, it is the only book I purchase in bulk to give to clients.

By reading this book and completing the exercises, a single person can attain the necessary knowledge and clarity to make good relationship choices leading to a fulfilling life partnership. Experience relationship success and avoid relationship failure by reading this book!

-David Steele, MA, LMFCC President, LifeParterQuest Relationship Coaching Resources http://www.LifePartnerQuest.com

This book presents a good understanding about the hidden logic of falling in love. It is a known fact that we feel attracted to partners who (mostly subconscously) remind us of our first love-relationship in life - the one with our parents. The urge to heal old wounds by "getting it right this time" make the chemistry it takes for us to pursue a relationship, even if it brings back the very painful and unhealthy emotions we suffered from in the past! The book also includes several exercises that enable the reader to gain new insights into their own relationhship history and any unconscious patterns associated with it. For anyone interested in finding out why certain people seem to end up in the same unhappy relationship situations over and over again - and at the same time learning something about yourself, this is a highly recommendable book.

I've been looking all over the place for a gaming guide like this. Most of the books out are very basic or they just cover tips for using certain games. This book really captures what I want to know about gaming. The author seems to really know his stuff.

I was drawn to the book because it had a chapter on modding and enhancing game hardware (which turned out to be really good). But the more I read in the book, the more I liked. I didn't realize that there were so many interesting resources for gamers such as places to get old vintage games.

This is the sort of book that every gamer should get a copy of and read cover to cover. It's quite funny in places and just a blast to read in general. The author even included a chapter at the end of the book about what it is like to be a game developer, which was a treat for me because I'd like to develop games some day.

We at Fragland.net usually don't advertise for books or anything but we've received the book Monster Gaming which is written by Ben Sawyer and published by Paraglyph press and to be honest: it's great!

Everything that's got anything to do with gaming, from regular gaming over competitive gaming to even modding and real development, is covered here along with useful links and addresses for people who want to know even more.

So if you're going on holiday or want a book about gaming to read I suggest this book It's +300 pages will keep you occupied in the gaming atmosphere.

You won't regret it !

Stephen @ Fragland.net

We at Fragland.com usually don't advertise for books or anything but we've received the book Monster Gaming which is written by Ben Sawyer and published by Paraglyph press and to be honest: it's great!

Everything that's got anything to do with gaming, from regular gaming over competitive gaming to even modding and real development, is covered here along with useful links and addresses for people who want to know even more.

So if you're going on holiday or want a book about gaming to read I suggest this book It's +300 pages will keep you occupied in the gaming atmosphere.

You won't regret it !

This short book, in its telling of Mary's story, inspired me to read further on the subject. Even though few actual facts are documented on Mary's life, this book emphasizes Mary's faith and intuition, not in a theological way, but as a woman anywhere in the world of any religion might react given the unusual circumstances. I found it well worth reading and gave copies to my friends.

As I held Ms. Sawyer's book, My Name Is Mary, in my hands, I wondered what I would find between the covers. I believe in Mary as the Mother of Jesus, respect her and honor her. Sometimes I have almost felt envy that she was chosen by God for such a wonderful destiny. I wondered how Ms. Sawyer would handle a subject on a woman who has been as controversial as her son, Jesus.

The author pens her words as if written by Mary herself. Have you ever wondered what Mary's childhood was like? Did you ever think what emotions, fears or concerns she felt when she knew
she had the Son of God within her? When you have heard the sermons on the death of Christ, have you
ever shut your eyes and thought of the pain and suffering his mother had endured at the foot of that cross? And did you ever smile as you remember the first time she saw him after his death?
Her Resurrected Lord, her precious son!

Ms. Sawyer takes you on a journey inside the mind and heart of Mary. She answers these questions for you and more. She allows you to become one with a woman who many of us feel is so unapproachable, too holy to ever put her on the same level as we! Through the words of the author
you touch and feel the raw emotions of Mary, Mother of Jesus; yet a woman, just like any other, who laughed and cried, hoped and dreamed and placed her destiny in the hands of God.
Are her accounts of Mary's life fact or fiction? That is for you to decide!


My Name Is Mary is a story we are all familiar with, but Ms. Sawyer's account will make you stop, and celebrate ,the life of this exceptional woman. It is a tender story of a mother's love, told with her words, of her sorrows. joys, and her destiny.

This volume of essays was written and compiled as a college textbook for upper level undergraduate and graduate level seminars on terrorism and counterterrorism. These essays were written on both sides of the 9/11 divide, as such some of them predicted the occurrence of (large scale)acts of terror on American soil while others prescribe strategies for countering the terrorist threat in the future. Readers other than college students will find the book of interest too. After all, members of the general public, not simply college students, have asked such questions as "Why does America inspire such hatred?" or "What strategies should the US employ in the war against terror?" This book addresses these, and numerous other questions.

Although written by a variety of authors, the volume is well edited. Any work dealing with the US government and the bureaucratic responses to terrorism could easily be overwhelmed by a host of acronyms offputting to the general reader. The editors avoid this problem by consistent definition of acronyms and generous appendices covering foreign terrorist organizations, significant terrorist incidents, and weapons of mass destruction.

In addition to its coverage of specific incidents, the book addresses theoretical issues which will remain current in spite of the developments which will continue to unfold across the front pages of our daily newspapers. My favorite essays in the book were the ones which dealt with the intelligence failures prior to 9/11 as well as the ones which made specific recommendations to change or improve the intelligence community. I'll be curious to see which recommendations are incorporated into US policy in the future.

This is a very timely book which draws on the expertise of many first rate people. I especially liked the articles by Russ Howard and Richard Betts. Must reading for all citizens interested in the most important issue of our day.

I facilitate approximately 10 retreats per year for the Catholic diocese. The students that I work with are Sophmores/Juniors. This book is an excellent resource. The ideas are great, simple and in no way lame or uninteresting for the students. I get alot of praise when I use suggestions from this book.

This is a great source for anyone in Youth Ministry. the ideas are contemporary and fit in well with a young person's way of thinking. The presentations are easy to use as stated in the book, or just as easy to "mix and match" according to your own group. I found that Affirmations and Ice-breakers to be very useful, not corny! The book is complete, even down to sample rules and regulations to follow on a retreat so that things run smoothly - well written, easy to follow. I highly recommend this book.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to consider a unique, spiritual, down-to-earth, sometimes suprising, always enlightened perspective on a wide range of topics including the human condition, human spirituality, planetary events (past, present, future), the pursuit of happiness, cultural change, religion, politics and other topics important to us all. Sidney Saylor Farr does a great job capturing the words of Tom Sawyer, an ordinary man who had an extraordinary spiritual awakening during a near death experience and returned with a mission to help facilitate a far ranging spiritual awakening.

This book outlines Tom's experiences and perspectives in a way that can open you to the possibility of seeing your life in a new, perhaps more spiritual, way. Tom defines spirituality, not in a conventionally religiuos way, but as an attitude of compassion, selflessness and service to others. Although Tom doesn't offer false hope about the present and future human condition, he conveys the hopeful future that is available for us to choose.

Perhaps the most important message, conveyed in many different ways throughout this book, is Tom's firm conviction that positive change, in fact spiritual awakening, is possible for all of us, individually and collectively; that we can evolve from human creatures into a true identity as spiritual beings. This message is conveyed in a plausible way.

I had a hard time putting this book down and find myself going back to it often.

Tom Sawyer was and is an ordinary man. An ordinary man who had an extraordinary experience. In 1978 his pick-up truck fell on him, crushing his chest. He was clinically dead for 15 minutes yet he came back to tell of his first-hand experience with death and a new resolve to live. "Tom Sawyer and the Spiritual Whirlwind" is the second book written in collaboration with Sidney Saylor Farr, a respected writer and editor the the Appalachian Heritge. Tom's story of God's unconditional love and Tom's infectious enthusiasm for life helped to create this second book about how a shift in perception can change your entire outlook. "Tom Sawyer and the Spiritual Whirlwind" describes Tom's trips to Tibet and Nepal to visit the Dalai Lama. It also provides Tom's insights into the future of our world, coming earth changes, healing, politics and world peace. Tom says his mission is to enlighten all people on how to communicate with God through prayer. The book suggests that we try a deliberate shift of perception. This occurs "...when you step outside the limitations of your usual measurements and viewpoints." Such a shift can allow you to see things in a different light, thus changing how you see everyday things, which can benefit the spirit. "Tom Sawyer and the Spiritual Whirlwind" provides deep insight into the possibilities of change.