This book is as good, if not better than the "making of" book for the first Jurassic Park Movie. It's filled with great pictures, and stories of preproduction, and production. If you want a good look behind the scenes, this is what you'll want!

I enjoined this book very much and I think that every one who saw this movie (The Lost World: Jurassic Park) and saw all those amazing special effects that where used in the movie, will love to read it and impress even more!

The Man Who Made Parks is a beautifully illustrated and inspiring book for children. It tells the story of a brilliant and complicated man in words that children can understand. Olmsted's love of nature, his childhood illness, his mixed feelings about school, and the convoluted path that led him to his special place in American history are all described in the book, as well as his triumph in Central Park and much of what came after that. Mary G. Dabbs marydabbs@hotmail.com

The Man Who Made Parks is a beautifully illustrated and inspiring book for children. It tells the story of a complicated man who found his way into American history by way of a convoluted path, but it tells the story in words that children can understand. Olmsted's love of nature, his health problems, his mixed feelings about school, and the difficulties he had finding his special calling are all covered in the book, as well as his triumph in Central Park and some of the highlights of what came after that. Mary G.

This large-scale, easy-to-read map of Yosemite Valley and surrounding areas is a must-have for anyone visiting Yosemite National Park, especially if you are a hiker. Instead of a straight down view, as is done in most maps, you see the valley from an oblique perspective, from south of the valley, with the mountains shown as they would look in 3-Dimensions - a very pleasing effect. All trails are shown, of course, but also bicycle paths, shuttle bus stops, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, parking areas, etc.

But this is only the beginning! Each trail also has its own description, including approximate time to complete, distance, elevation gain, and trailhead location. Another really nice feature is that many "Vista Points" are included, which are shown on the map, including which direction to look, and are described in their own section, complete with a color photo. Several other parts of the park are also descibed, with photos. There are also detailed write-ups concerning Yosemite's history and geology, plus info on tourist facilities at Yosemite Village. And last, but not least, lots of Natural History information, including photos and drawings to aid in identification of mammals, birds, wildflowers and trees found in the area.

Writing as one who has been a cartographer for more than twenty years, and also as an avid hiker, I wish that I had the opportunity to produce something like this myself!

It gives you an up close view of Yosemite Valley mapped. No more squinting and turning your Yosemite park map every which way just to get a bird's eye view of the valley trails. Major trails are listed along with their milage. It even gives an adequate view of how the trails bend and curve, so you have a rough idea what to expect while out on your valley hikes. Included in the map is historical captions about some of the landmarks along with blk/wht and color photo snippets. There is even a basic park phone directory and a time line of historical events. This is a great magnified map made from a thick durable paper and easy to handle because of its smaller size, NO map folding FUSS! That's an A+ in itself. Just an overall great map to take along on your hikes.

Three kids in crime. One day three kids Maxie, Earl, and Rosie got in trouble for a little something that they did in homeroom so they got sent to Mr. Shivers office. But Mr. Shivers could't get to them so he said "come back early Monday morning". The secretary Mrs. Trumbull gave them a hall pass. Maxie said "lets leave, sense Mr. Shivers thinks that we are in class and our teachers think that we are still in the office". So they did but it took some brains to leave school. On Saturday they got together and thought about how they were going to tell Mr. Shivers about what they did. One kid said "lets just tell the truth". So early Monday morning they went to the office and Mr. Shivers took them one at a time and he didn't even talk about the dumpster thing so they were all off the hook.

I loved the book because I liked how the author put everything together and how the author only said about two days. I liked how they thought they were going to get in trouble but they didn't.

Maxie, Rosie and Earl are outcasts. Maxie Zuckerman is a brainiac; so smart that the other kids in his class make fun of him for getting all A's---but his problem could be solved if only the teacher agreed to move him to the front of the class. Rosie Swanson is a snitch; her teacher frequently has to speak to her about her habit of constantly writing notes... To him. She writes notes to him and tattles on everyone in her class. But she has her reasons. After all, her grandfather was a detective, of course...
And Earl Wilber is overweight. Plus he's a wimp. And he's the new kid.
All three wonderfully individual characters meet in the principal's office---Maxie because he finally got fed up with his classmates bullying him and got a little out of control with the craft supplies, Rosie because she was passing notes to the teacher again, and Earl because he refused to read in front of the class. (He has reasons, too. Last time he tried to it came out horribly wrong.)
But, when the principal turns out to be too busy to see them and excuses them from his office until Monday... Their teachers think they're at the office. And the principal thinks they're in class.
So they have the perfect chance to escape.

This book is hilarious. Barbara Park is a brilliant writer, humorous and capable of telling a story with genuine realism as a child. Children will relate to this book, to the feeling of being different... And sometimes just needing to get out. It doesn't actually encourage skipping school, by the way. In fact, it sort of even discourages it.
Read it! The characters are quirky and funny and real. They could be actual children speaking to you. Also, it's just... Entertaining. There's no other way to put it.

I was born and reared in Miami, the fourth generation of my Pioneer South Florida family. I was delighted with this book, it brought back so many memories.

The old photographs are gems, and the descriptions well written and informative. I enjoyed the "then" pictures with the "now", in some instances they are almost unbelievable, the Coconut Grove Womens Club little Club House which I went to frequently is a good example, long may it survive!

Parks and Klepser do a wonderful job documenting the evolution and transformation of Miami and Miami Beach. A great book for illustrating Miami and Miami Beach's past history (for those people who believe there is little) and a wonderful guide to our present tropical metropolis.

My family and I enjoy camping and visiting the State parks all over Michigan. I have found this book to be very accurate, and helpful. There are easy-to-read descriptions of the parks, and great maps included. Color photographs would have been a nice feature to the book, but the loads of information inside make up for it. I highly recommend this book!

This book carefully explains each park, allowing for the advantages and disadvantages. I found it extremely helpful in planning our camping adventures in Michigan. I only wish Ohio's parks were as nice. This book is a must have for picking a place to camp anywhere in Michigan.

Simply the most enjoyable hiking book on Middle Tennessee one can buy. It is informative, with plenty of maps and photos, and the text is conversational, something you'll want to read again and again as you plan your trips or reminisce on trails already covered. I've done about 100 miles of the trails in this book and have yet to be disappointed. Virgin Falls, South Cumberland, Radnor Lake, Cedars Of Lebanon, Cardwell Mountain...other books cover more concentrated natural areas of Tennessee with more depth, but not as much charm. If you live in Middle Tennessee or are planning a visit, this book is the perfect starting point. Thanks, Mr. Brandt!

Robert Brandt's book is a "Must Have" for anyone who enjoys hiking the trails in Middle Tennessee. In addition to an accurate, vivid description of the trails and the hiking conditions, Mr. Brandt also includes a very informative history lesson of the area as well as discussing it's geology, botany and wildlife. "Middle Tennessee On Foot" now accompanies my wife & I when we lace on the boots and strike out on a new hiking adventure. Thank you, Mr. Brandt.

Pam MacKay's 'Mojave Desert Wildflowers' is a wonderfully informative & beautifully photographed guide to the wildflowers of the Mojave. This sturdy plastic-coated field guide contains over 300 gorgeous photos, finely detailed plant descriptions, and is virtually an introductory textbook on Mojave Desert ecology. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves---or is even mildly intereseted in---the Mojave Desert. The author lives & teaches in the Mojave and her love, attention to detail, and dedication to the desert are revealed on every page.

Jim Otterstrom

This guide is so easy to use and the pictures are beautiful. I highly recommend this guide for first time wildflower enthusiasts!

This is an excellent book. Sure, every woman should read it, but it is a great fundamental financial planning resource for men, too. If you are looking for a way to get started, start here. You will learn the basics of investments, insurance, estate planning, etc. And the book gradually progresses to more complex concepts.

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO READ ANDEXPERIENCE WHAT EVEN THE MOST SOPHISTICATED WOMEN IGNORED...THEIR FINANCIAL HEALTH. 9 OUT OF 10 WOMEN WILL AT ONE TIME BE ALONE IN THEIR LIVES...6 OF 8 WOMEN WHOSE HUSBAND DIES NOW WILL SUFFER SEVERE FINANCIAL DISTRESS...THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL...IT HAPPENED TO ME---AND THIS BOOK IS FILLED WITH HORROR STORIES OF WHAT OTHER WOMEN JUST LIKE YOU HAVE IGNORED FOR SO LONG. I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY IT

Ellen Tifft deftly paints a story of the past, of a time when carnival sideshows traveled the country, when carved wooden horses seemed to come to life on carousels, and when simple things like truth and honor and love were still important. Tifft masterfully weaves together two stories of love: one is the tale of a young sideshow dancer named Zelma who somehow manages to find the keeper of her heart even though fate seems to have other plans, and the second is the Indian myth of two doomed lovers forever associated with the bottomless Aldridge Lake. But the true beauty of the novel is the fact that Tifft has the commendable ability to take the reader to a deeper level of involvement with the characters, beyond that of mere observers of the central love stories. She allows the reader a unique and uninhibited look into the very essence of her soul, and the experience proves to be both exhilirating and cleansing. The further one delves into the lives of the characters of Tifft's novel, the more real they seem and, despite the difficulties they endure, the more at peace the reader feels. Mrs. Tifft's poetic powers are obvious, and the imagery she employs lends an almost magical element to her prose, sweeping the reader up in a tale of love and sacrifice and courage. Zelma is no cardboard character, she is full of innocence and desire and verve. She is a dreamer whose naive actions lead to consequences which appear to wipe out any chance of her realizing her dreams, which would smother the passion and exuberance of most, yet she somehow manages to persevere. Zelma is a wonderful example of the modern literary hero, as she encounters various faces of evil and despair without losing her sense of intergrity and hope. Mrs. Tifft offers the reader a remarkable ride on a carousel of the imagination which is sure to haunt and to please.

Ellen Tifft, lifelong resident of Elmira, New York, has published poetry and short fiction in a variety of literary magazines, including The New Yorker and Poetry, for the past forty some years. Moon, Moon, Tell Me True is her first published novel, but it reads like something she's been preparing for all her life. Set in Annovia, a fictionalized Elmira, from 1947 to 1956, the novel's heroine is 19 yr old Zelma Prokova, daughter of Gene Tunney Prokov and his wife Peg. Gene and Peg are the stick man and fat woman of a traveling sideshow that spends five months on the road and six months in Annovia. Zelma has been performing since she was five and is a regular dancer in the "girly show," but she dreams of performing for much larger audiences than the side show world brings in. All of this sounds realistic, but Tifft is a home grown magic realist. Her characters, from Mister and Al, the side show's Indian fortune teller and hermaphrodite, to Raymond-Guy, the itinerant, foreign-born sidewalk chalk painting artist, who sweeps Zelma off her feet, inhabit a world in which the villainous Dwain Slocum, sideshow manager, attempts the rape and even murder of our heroine Zelma. Zelma dances herself into mystical trances, falls in love, gives birth on a river barge, and is almost lured into death by drowning in the lake at Aldridge Park. And all of this Tifft achieves through a language, half dialect, half poetry that captures the offhand way people talk better than anything I've ever read. But you really have to read this unique novel for yourself. It will take you on a journey through mythic realms to a resolution as satisfying as the end of The Tempest or The Magic Flute.