A gem of a product, this is a lovely book about an ugly subject -- slavery as we know from the Bible to the US Civil War, and as it continues, to this day. It is well laid out in pleasing font, with sufficient photos and sidebars to be interesting without distracting. The story lines are clear and the vocabulary detailed to middle-school age, it seems. In the section on slavery in the Americas, there is good information not always shared in such detail in textbooks.

A very well-written explanation of the transformation of American health care from care to a for-profit industry whose primary concern is not the health or care of the American people, but the profits enjoyed by the companies, CEOs and stock holders. I wish I had the funds to buy copies for my senators and representative, but I have to pay health insurance premiums.

From it's embossed cover of neighborhood names, to the final acknowledgments, this book is a thing of beauty. The history, from two hundred years ago or six years ago, is a facet not brought to such successful life in other books of this genre. The connection of the short stories to their place and time is superb. It results in a love story of a people, place and culture that transcends time and should become a classic. It was absolutely enthralling.

This is not the book I thought it would be, but it's good for its purpose. As a classroom or school library (middle-high school, I think) book, it's fine -- attractive, well illustrated and quality text, if brief. It's not a reference book, but rather an "inspire" book, and if it could be left out for young people to grab and glance, I think it would help the creative thinking process.

This Early Reviewers edition arrived much later than expected (I think my mail carrier read it, but didn't write a review!) so has had to go to a back burner due to previous commitments. I have started the book, and it is *very* interesting, so far. Character development is intriguing, and the plot is not obvious. I look forward to finishing it as soon as possible. Three stars only because I've not completed it; the quality of writing is great.

Golly, it's a lot like the Gospels!

An indepth, refreshing look at the tablets. Even what's written in stone, may be written differently than we see at first glance.

Stephen DeSilva's book successfully speaks to the importance of the healthy or "prosperous" soul in creating and keeping good stewardship in all things. His writing and references come from a decidedly evangelical Christian viewpoint which may be off-putting, but I appreciate his emphasis on soul-health, rather than magical thinking. A little cheesy in parts . . .

A fascinating account of how the American voter has and continues to expect to be entertained and appeased rather than study the character (or lack thereof) and issues of our time.

Tears, laughter, memories . . . a very touching compilation of columnist Chris Rose's days in New Orleans following The Storm.

Set in the Mississippi of the Civil Rights era, this novel is about lines -- particularly black domestics and their white employers. But, also about the lines between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, freedom and imprisonment. An intensely readable book.

Two young girls whose young Dad gets a surprising and serious cancer diagnosis. Depressing, right? No, Bruce Feiler has written one of the most touching and meaningful stories I've read in a long time. Yes, he's still alive (which certainly helps considering the overall tone of the book!), but it's his courage and forthright assertion to prepare for his girls to know him should he *not* survive which leads one to seriously think and ponder about life, friends, family, love and legacy.

While by no means the be-all and end-all, this is a delightfully inviting and charming book about people and their various pets -- considerations for today as well as brief snippets of animal history. It includes not just cats and dogs (though does so with joy!), but birds, reptiles, and small mammals. The authors judiciously address concerns about wild and exotic animals, as well.
The text is neither overwhelming nor condescending. Very young readers may need some help, but the wonderful illustrations are appropriately helpful.
This book begged to be opened as soon as it was received, and each turn of the page brought more enjoyment.

As a friend describes it, Wright is better as a biblical scholar than theologian. There's not been anything to "grab hold of" in this work; it's all fine and very good and worthy of consideration, but I'm still waiting for the, "Yet . . ." A better book to answer this question, in my opinion, would be Leonel Mitchell's "Praying Shapes Believing," or Holland's brief, "Why Work . . ."

Not for the faint of heart -- or mind.

A tolerant medical self-help book including traditional, homeopathic, alternative and spiritual ideas. With a background in ENT and emergency medicine, and degrees from Harvard and Univ. of Texas, as well as the practical, no-nonsense advice offered, there is more to take and much less to leave than most other books in the field. It is well and clearly-written and easily understood and accessible. Perhaps some of the MDs in Washington telling us health-care reform is all about patient education and choice should put their money where their mouths are and pass this book out to their constituents!

A moving, forthright account of a family dealing with the sudden death of their daughter, wife, mother. How we respond, how we go on living, and loving, in a tender, real story. Rosenblatt has chronicled how his life changed with the death of his daughter, a young and vibrant wife, mother and doctor, and he and his own wife stepped in to provide -- and receive -- some stability during a painful time.

A must read for anyone trying to understand what's happened to the Republican (and Democratic) parties. How the "backlash" of the boomers has led Middle Americans to the far right, resulting in "lower wages, more dangerous jobs, dirtier air, a new overlord class that comports itself like King Farouk . . . without significant interference from the grandstanding Christers whom they send triumphantly back to Washington every couple of years."
Frank lays out the self-destructive policies that have pushed the backlashers, as he calls them, in Kansas, and the effect is felt (and threatened) nationwide.

A photographic coffee table book about Swaziland with brief history of the country.

Interesting and poignant story of the Sternberg family. I would have liked to have been able to enjoy the earlier years of Goudchaux's in Baton Rouge, I think.

Easily the most entertaining introduction to statistics and critical thinking I've come across. (What's my experience rate, you ask? You must have read the book!)

While many examples are dated, they remain relevant and the lessons on how to separate the wheat from the chaff are vital. This should be required reading, but that may make it even more inaccessible. Let's do a study on that!

When do mothers share with their daughters the seminal events of young adulthood that shaped their lives? That made them reconsider the world and those around them? For Laura, it was writing a letter while waiting for word about runaway daughter, Liz.

This is a poignant story of love, hurt, and hope. How easily those feelings and fears of high school can come back! Yes, dear daughter, I remember. And, I survived.

If you want to talk with your daughter, or want to talk with your mom, this might be the book to leave out on the lamp table. Hopefully no one person's story is quite so chock-full, but it might help open the space to begin the conversation.

"Radical forgiveness occurs simply as a consequence of being open to the possibility that everything happens for a reason, and there are no mistakes," writes Philip H. Friedman, Ph.D. in "The Forgiveness Solution."

Much of the author's writing is intriguing, and perhaps helpful when the exercises and mantras are carried through as suggested. The ability to forgive oneself and others is vitally important to mental and physical well-being. However, Dr. Friedman's position, that only what he calls "radical forgiveness" as described above, is the means to the end, is untenable.

This is a well-written, well-outlined book with good information, all to be considered carefully. I would suggest it could even be inappropriate for certain situations.

Clear, well-written reference for spiritual directors and directees.

The sequel to Freakonomics, an intriguing look at the economic reality around us, this, too, is a lively, fascinating book. Are all the suppositions made in the book true? The detail of study doesn't allow indepth examination (the TV market growth in the 50s related to increasing crime rates of the 70s doesn't seem to include any other demographics of those children other than television viewing, for instance).
The good, the bad, the intended and unintended . . . and the cheap and easy we seem to avoid.

This was an entertaining look at the interesting side of economics. I'd like to review, more closely, some of the methodology of the studies cited in the book, and the statistics, but in leading one to think beyond the obvious, to realize the factors that affect economic decisions -- from the individual, to the world -- was fascinating.

What an interesting look at mid-twentieth century childhood in America! I'm still thinking about various episodes chronicled in this collection of stories . . . some hauntingly heartbreaking, and some hilariously familiar and funny. Having been a moved-around kid, too, the search for one's place -- at home, at school, in the world -- is a familiar one.

A wonderfully written, exquisite story of the complex relationship of a mother, race, religion and her children.

Rich young widow accused of bilking estate. I held this book for a "fluff" weekend as I really didn't expect to enjoy it very much. Surprise! It is a quick, suspenseful story, while predictable, written in an engaging style. Well done!

A detailed, intriguing novelization of the changing landscape of the Niagra river and the people around it in the era of World War I and hydro-electric development. The author successfully details the physical as well as spiritual changes her characters undergo amidst the natural environment and the man-made changes of war and industrialization. A sober story with quiet hope.