Book Review - The Plot Against America by Philip J. Roth

The Plot Against America is an unusual alternate history fiction novel by Philip J. Roth. It is set in an early 1940s, principally in Newark, New Jersey, (the time and location where Roth himself grew up), and tells the story of an America which is increasingly turning towards fascism and anti-semitism.The novel's main viewpoint character is a young Jewish boy named Philip. It is from his perspective that we see the rise of anti-semitism, but we also learn many other details of Philip's childhood. As a result, the book is not just about the changes to history, but also about growing up - and these details are one of the things that gives the book its very unique flavor.According to Roth, he was not aware of the alternate history genre at the time he wrote this novel, and while that seems surprising in many ways (and some reviews and critics have questioned this claim), it does seem possible that Roth's claim could be true, especially since there are a number of aspects of the story which don't follow the normal conventions of the alternate history genre. Perhaps the most obvious example of this is the ending (and what happens after America's fascist period) - which I won't reveal in this review - but which I am confident that anybody with even the slightest belief in the butterfly effect will find unbelievable and perhaps even contrived, and which in my opinion is more along the lines of secret history than alternate history. That said, I personally did not find the ending detracted from the novel as whole - because I felt the novel was really about what Philip's feelings and life in the situation described, rather than the specific historical details of the political background story.It is probably worth mentioning as well that the book has attracted some criticisms, especially from some sections of the conservative press, for its portrayals of real life characters (such as Charles Lindbergh), and for the apparent ease with which anti-semitism becomes common in th United States. Addressing the second criticism first, Roth has actually written in his autobiography about the anti-semitism that he himself encountered during his childhood, and many of the anti-semitic incidents he describes in the novel seem to be clearly based on the anti-semitism that he found in our timeline's non-fascist America. As for the portrayal of historical characters, I don't think that you would want to read any alternate history if you were highly sensitive about that sort of thing!Over all, this is one of my favorite alternate history novels, not in spite of the differences from most of the genre, but because of them. Yes, I could make many nitpicking criticisms about flaws that I perceived in the plausibility of the historical events described in the novel - but as I've already said, the book isn't really about historical events or even alternate historical events, rather it's a high quality work of literature, largely about growing-up, in which alternate history simply provides the background.If you're the kind of alternate history fan who is only interested in the historical details such as specific battles, weapons and leadership decisions, then this book is not for you. On the other hand, if you have a broader appreciation of good and interesting writing, and want something different from the glut of run-of-the-mill alternate history novels, then this books is for you. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

The Potty Boot Camp - Basic Training For Toddlers

Like many parents, I was overwhelmed and intimidated when embarking upon the toilet training process. Have you actually spent time surfing the web to find advice, books, and tips about potty training? A search on Google for the keywords "potty training" yields over two million results!I found so many options - from books that are hundreds of pages long to online training programs that cost $39.99. I found advice about why to train early, advice about why to train late, and advice that just did not make sense at all. I did not find what I was looking for. I was searching for a step-by-step, no-nonsense, brief, and to-the-point training program. I wanted something so concrete that I could even have a checklist or flow-chart to follow. Needless to say, I became pretty convinced that nothing like that existed.My next step was to go ahead and invest in some of the products I mentioned above. I spent $19.99 on a "train in three days" system online. I spent another $25.00 on books on Amazon.com regarding toilet training. After I started training and realized I needed even more advice, I spent another $19.99! It seemed to me that there just had to be an easier and more straightforward way.Finally, I was successful and my daughter was potty trained! It was hard work and I felt like I had actually figured it out - but only after hours and hours and hours of research and frustration. My final training method was a combination of my own preparatory work, the "toilet training in a day" methods, the timer method, and the "Naked and $75" method. For each of the programs, I found something I liked and something I did not. For example, the "Train in a Day" methods did no preliminary work - your child is supposed to just give up diapers one day with absolutely no warning! I took the best and most logical advice from each potty training theory and combined them all together.My daughter was young when I trained her - only 20 months old. At music class, gym class, and the playground I was asked over and over again how I had trained my daughter at such an early age. It finally dawned on me that I should write it all down. I spent hours of my time and a lot of my own money to get this point. It really would be a waste if I could not share my new found "expertise" with other parents. Thus, "The Potty Boot Camp" was born!"The Potty Boot Camp" is a brief (15 page), to-the-point, step-by-step potty training method. Much of what I learned is summarized in a book that is easily readable during nap time. It includes a shopping list, a flow-chart, and easy to follow instruction manual. It breaks down the training process into what to do on a daily basis - one step at a time. In addition, The Potty Boot Camp will not bore you with a lot of theory - only practical and logical advice. Think - your child could be enlisted, trained, and diaper free forever! dr seuss cat in hat history

Book Review - The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick is perhaps the most famous alternate history book that there is. It is also one of Philip K. Dick's most famous novels, and one of his best - because it is one of the most tightly structured and well-written - possibly because Dick had the luxury, unusually of him, of preparing several drafts before releasing the novel.The novel is set in an alternate United States that was defeated by the Axis in World War II, and which is divided between Japanese and German occupation zones (with an autonomous central region serving as a buffer).The story itself contains no single plot, but instead is a collection of interconnected story lines about various characters, many of these involving a fictional alternate history book called "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy". In the now familiar fashion for Double Blind What Ifs, "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy" imagines a world where the Allies had won the War - although, of course this imagined world is rather different from our own.According to Dick, he wrote the book using I Ching to determine plot events - Dick even blamed I Ching for those plot elements that he was unhappy with. This is mirrored in the novel itself, where I Ching is used by several Japanese and American characters to make life decisions, and was supposedly even used by Hawthorne Abendsen, the fiction author of "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy", to determine its plot.As with many of Dick's works, a persistent theme throughout the novel is difference between real and false realities. The most prominent example of this theme is "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy", but it also occurs in characters selling fake historical artifacts, characters travelling under false identities, and characters even seeing hints of our reality.There is a lot more that I could say about this book, but let me simply say this: get it. If really is not only one of the defining books of the alternate history genre, but also one of the best pieces of science fiction literature that there is. dr seuss cat in hat book

eBook Review - Natural Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia by Jane Thompson

If you think you or someone you know has symptoms indicating fibromyalgia, this ebook is a super starting place for information gathering. Natural Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia by Jane Thompson is a quick read for an overview of the current understanding of fibromyalgia. It will inform you and give you a place from which to start a dialog with your healthcare provider.
Thompson covers the symptoms and associated disorders that most people who have the illness experience in varying degrees and at different times. Muscle and joint pain, headaches, fatigue, "brain fog", and skin sensitivity are all possible symptoms that can occur gradually over time, or appear suddenly after a traumatic event that is either physical or emotional in origin.The possible diseases and disorders that may lead up to fibromyalgia and the risk factors that could indicate a likelihood of coming down with fibromyalgia are discussed. One of the closest links of fibromyalgia is with sleep disorders. Our bodies need deep and regular sleep so our nervous system can rejuvenate itself. The pain and other issues of the illness may keep the person with fibromyalgia from getting a good night's sleep, thus keeping the body from maintaining itself properly, and so misreading what the body feels.The natural treatment options fall into four categories that create balance in the body: exercise, diet and nutrition, stress management, and rest. Thompson gives a thorough examination in each category of various options available to help each person choose what is most appropriate for them. There are many different approaches suggested here and treatment would best be managed by a wellness professional in a comprehensive treatment plan.The author does cover the prescription medications most commonly used to treat fibromyalgia and their possible side effects. She highly recommends considering the natural treatment options before turning to medical therapy. The books ends with a medical disclaimer that this book is for informational purposes only and is not designed to provide medical advice.Included in the purchase of Natural Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia are four related ebooks: Natural Cure To Fibromyalgia Bonus Guide, Overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Secrets, and Stop Acid Reflux Now.If you want to learn the basics of fibromyalgia and possible treatment options, this is the book for you. Its easy-to-read style and accessible format make it an excellent "go to" book for anyone who wants to know the issues surrounding this illness. dr seuss book collection

"The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley - Book Review

Arthurian Legends have been with us for a long time. Who hasn't heard of King Arthur, Merlin, Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot, or the Knights of the Round Table? What makes "The Mists of Avalon" so special, and my favourite of all the many books available on this topic, is that it is told from the perspective of the women, and especially Morgaine, otherwise known as Morgan le Fay.The story begins with Igraine, mother of Arthur, and takes us on her journey from the wife of Gorlois to becoming the wife of Uther, and High Queen of Britain. From this we follow the journey of Morgaine, Arthur's sister, and her arrival at the Isle of Avalon where she studies to become a priestess. She finds herself betrayed by the Lady of the Lake and leaves the Isle, though it will forever be her home and calls to her heart. We learn about Gwenhwyfar, Arthur's new bride, and slowly all the threads of the web come together and interweave into a tale of love, hope, faith, despair and pure beauty.It is the most complete Arthurian book I have ever read. Marion Zimmer Bradley spent a lot of time researching not only the other Arthurian legends and the factual data of that era, she also researched the different faiths and rituals of the time. All this hard work has paid off. I could envision myself in that time and found everything to be completely believable. For me, this is the book all other Arthurian stories are measured against.Aside from the research, the strength of "The Mists of Avalon" lies in the deep insights we get into the various characters. These are strong women but like all of us they have their doubts and insecurities, experience their losses and fears. They are easy to relate to, and though we may not always agree with their logic and their actions, as a reader we can understand where they are coming from and why they do the things they do.Another strength is revealed in the relationships between the characters. The love, the dislike, the heartbreak... all are realistic and we experience the various emotions along with them, hoping for the best and sometimes being rewarded in our hope, yet sometimes being disappointed because life is not always fair.I would recommend this book to anyone. It's not a light read and the book contains 1009 pages (soft back). But it's a read that is truly worthwhile. It's a story that will stay with you."The Mists of Avalon" made the bestsellers list. There are several other books related to it, including "Lady of Avalon" and "The Forest House".Unfortunately, Marion Zimmer Bradley passed away in 1999."The Mists of Avalon" was first published by Michael Joseph Ltd. The ISBN is 0-14-017719-1. seuss book collection sets cat hat

"Tall, Dark & Hungry" by Lynsay Sands - Book Review

It's not every day your cousin gets married. Terri decides that the best thing she can do is fly over from England to help with the final preparations. Besides, every bride can do with a bit of support.Unfortunately, her cousin needs to go away for work. It's an emergency. And her husband-to-be is going with her, leaving Terri stranded with his brother, Bastien. There's plenty of space available and sharing a place with a tall, dark, handsome man may be a bit awkward but there are worse things in the world.She is not the only one who is temporarily moving in. Whilst rushing through, her cousin has dropped off her unfortunate colleague, as he's broken his leg and has nowhere else to stay. And there's the strange actor, Vincent, who is pretending to be a vampire. To get into his role, presumably...And so Bastien, a self-confessed workaholic, finds his routine interrupted. He has to keep Vincent away from sweet Terri, has an unlucky editor to look after and Terri herself proves to be quite distracting... in a rather nice way.Whilst cousin Kate is out of town, everything that can go wrong is going wrong. There are all those last minute preparations that need sorting, and sorting fast. The four find themselves having to work together in order to overcome all the obstacles and ensure that Kate will have the wedding of her dreams."Tall, Dark & Hungry" is a lovely, entertaining novel. In true Lynsay Sands style, there are some very funny scenarios that have the reader smiling and, at times, laughing out loud.What I love about this book is that it's such a gentle read. Sure, there are all these things going wrong and they need sorting out, but on the whole everything is working out as it should. That does not mean the book is boring or lacking tension. On the contrary. It held my attention throughout and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. It's just nice that there is no nasty drama. Rather, it's all very believable and I could easily envision everything that happened.I adore the character of Bastien. If there was ever a fictional character a woman could fall for, it's him. He's a wonderful guy with good morals, and he's so very sweet and gentle. I wanted everything to work out for him. I wanted to give him a big hug. If he weren't fictional, that is. He's a credit to the author.And Terri is a lovely woman. She isn't your standard heroine. She isn't tall, with long legs and a tiny waist. She comes across as a real woman, with a warm, gentle nature. I felt for her and, again, I wanted everything to work out for her.The other characters are a great addition to the story. The poor, unlucky editor who had so many bad things happening to him turned out to be a good sport in the end. Vincent, the actor, is funny. I loved the scenes he was involved in. I wouldn't mind reading more about him in the future. I'm sure he will be a main character one day.I recommend this book to anyone who wants a nice and entertaining read. It's a true feel-good kind of tale and we all need one of those from time to time.According to the author's bio, Lynsay Sands has been writing since she was a child. She has a degree in psychology, enjoys reading both horror and romance and believes a sense of humor can "see you through nearly anything"."Tall, Dark & Hungry" was published by Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc. The ISBN is 0-505-52583-6. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

"Equal Rites" by Terry Pratchett - Book Review

This is the Discworld, supported by four giant elephants that stand on the back of the Great A'Tuin - a turtle, ten thousand miles long, making his (or her) way through space. This is a world where anything is possible. And on this world everyone knows what it means when an eighth son of an eighth son is born. That's when you have a wizard in your family.And so a wizard's staff is passed on to a particular newborn. Except that this eighth son of an eighth son is actually a girl. And everyone knows that girls can't be wizards...It's a lucky thing for the family that Granny Weatherwax is around, keeping a close eye on Esk and her staff. When the girl grows up and the magic is finding a way out, Granny decides to take the girl under her wing and teach her the witching. However, there are differences between witches and wizards, and for good reason. There comes a time when a girl must find her destiny, and that destiny lies in Ankh-Morpork, the home of the Unseen University, the place where wizards learn to be, well, wizards.But just because you have a staff and just because you have power does not mean that you will get accepted. Girls are girls, and ancient views are not easily changed. Until the time comes when you need to stand up for yourself and show that tradition is not always correct, just because that's how things were always done..."Equal Rites" is the story of a girl on a mission, a girl going against all odds to find out about herself and to claim her rightful place. It's also a story about tradition and how resistant people can be to change. And it's a story about respect, for yourself and for others.That sounds very serious, so I must not forget to mention that the book is funny and generally quite light-hearted. Terry Pratchett is a creative, inventive author and a delightful storyteller. No matter what mood you are in when you start reading this book, you will soon find yourself smiling.Pratchett has a way of bringing characters to life. His insights into human nature reflect the silliness in us all. Even the darker, more serious aspects we are all familiar with do have a place on the Discworld and are given a humorous spin.I would recommend this book to everyone, young and old.According to the author's bio, Terry Pratchett lives behind a keyboard in Wiltshire and says he 'doesn't want to get a life, because it feels as though he's trying to lead three already'. He was appointed OBE in 1998 and his first Discworld novel for children, "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents", was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal."Equal Rites" was published by HarperTorch, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. The ISBN is 0-06-102069-9. dr seuss cat in hat history

"Single White Vampire" by Lynsay Sands - Book Review

Lucern is a biographer of family books. However, seeing as he comes from a rather unusual family, they are published as "paranormal romances" and he's building quite a fan base. This does not matter much to Lucern - he is happy so long as his books are getting published and he's very adapt at not responding to any letters and keeping himself far away from the limelight.That is, until Kate becomes his new editor. Trying to safeguard her career, she is on a mission to do something about all the requests for an interview with the mysterious author. When he doesn't respond, she decides that drastic action is needed. How hard can it be for anyone to pay some attention to the people who buy his books?When she shows up on his doorstep, Lucern is not sure what to do. It doesn't look like she is going away, so he decides that he should offer her a drink and get rid of her as soon as possible. Before he knows it, she is staying over and being invited by his mother to attend a wedding. On top of all that, he gets tricked into doing the "R.T. thing". He's quite unaware of what this means, but if his mother recommended it, it can't be that bad. Can it?What follows is the entertaining story of Lucern, the introvert vampire, attending a five-day conference, surrounded by fans, having to attend book signings, balls and trying to get to terms with his attraction to his troublesome editor. Add to that a dangerous incident, the codpiece issue and his other, rather bemused caretaker and you have here the kind of book you can curl up with, with the guarantee of many smiles and a few good laughs.Lucern is an endearing character. I truly felt for the man, having to face his problems and getting stuck in the various situations he is dragged into. Vampire or not, he is a realistic character and one worthy of the reader's sympathy.Kate is a strong woman who knows what she wants, and she goes for it. She is quite admirable and quite sweet. I found myself mentally cheering for her at times and like Lucern, she comes across as realistic and sympathetic.I love it when I find a book I have trouble putting down. The story is unique, creative and interesting. It's a smooth read, with one event leading neatly into the other, a good host of interesting and entertaining secondary characters and although the whole scenario is, of course, fictional, it all feels very believable.There are some memorable scenes in this book. The one that had me laughing out loud and that I don't think I will ever forget is the Renaissance ball. It's a classic.I would recommend this book to anyone. It's definitely worth a read.According to the author's bio, Lynsay Sands has been writing since she was a child. She has a degree in psychology, enjoys reading both horror and romance and believes a sense of humor can "see you through nearly anything"."Single White Vampire" was published by Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc. The ISBN is 0-505-52552-6. dr seuss cat in hat book

"The Last Juror" by John Grisham - Book Review

Willie Traynor is a bit lost. He's dropped out of college and his grandmother is somewhat worried that he will not come to any good. That is, until he gets hired by The Ford County Times, a small local newspaper in a place far away from the hustle and bustle Willie is used to. It takes a while for him to settle in and for the people of Ford County to accept him. It's a different lifestyle, at a different pace. But when the newspaper goes bankrupt, Willie decides to take over, to the surprise and dismay of many.The future of the paper looks uncertain, until a young mother becomes the victim of a horrible crime. The suspect is a member of the Padgitt family - a family of known criminals who are highly skilled at corruption and various means of manipulation. Willie, being young and perhaps a bit naive, decides to report the details, as many as he can find out. Overnight, the newspaper begins to prosper.It is a tough trial, of a shocking case. And it comes to a dramatic end when Danny Padgitt, the defendant, threatens the jurors with revenge if they convict him. He gets sentenced to life in prison, but in that day and age, "life" didn't mean what the jurors thought it did. Nine years later Danny gets himself paroled and returns to Ford County. Soon after, the trouble begins..."The Last Juror" is the story of a young reporter who takes on a struggling local newspaper and transforms it. It is also the story of a crime and the criminal justice system. More than that, it is a story about friendship and it touches on the issues of a time of change in American history.This is an intelligent novel. Whilst the views of the author are evident throughout the book, the reader is allowed to make up their own minds. I found myself taken on a highly interesting journey and soon began to care for the unique and courageous characters introduced to me.Although the story is a blend of themes - the court case, the crime, the system and the important topic of racial equality, I never found myself confused. Everything worked together and everything made sense. The story never lost its pace and held my attention to the end.There were smiles and a few tears which, to me, means that I have experienced a satisfying read. The tone of voice throughout was warm and pleasant.I would recommend this book to anyone apart from, perhaps, the very young. There are some details of a horrid crime and though they are not presented in a shocking way, this makes the book unsuitable for some.If this is your first John Grisham novel, you will soon find out why his books are so popular. He's a master of courtroom scenes and a great storyteller. If you are already familiar with his work, you won't be disappointed. This is one of his best.John Grisham was born in 1955, and is a retired attorney. As an author, he is best known for his works of modern legal drama."The Last Juror" was first published in 2004 by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc. The ISBN is 0-09-945715-6. dr seuss book collection

"A Hat Full of Sky" by Terry Pratchett - Book Review

Tiffany Aching is a witch. At least, she is a junior witch and she is off to learn from the experts. Born and raised on the Chalk, she has inherited her significant powers from her grandmother. It's a nerve-wracking time for little Tiffany because she is going out into the big world, away from the gently rolling hills that are her home.Soon she is on her way to Miss Level, a complex lady who will be teaching her all about the witching. But there is something after Tiffany, drawn to her, and it's gaining ground. It's scared, needy and dangerous...And she is stuck in a strange world, where some of the other junior witches make fun of her. Experiencing peer pressure, jealousy and ridicule, and learning that witching is not all that glamorous but rather a lot of hard work, looking after people who really should be looking after themselves, Tiffany finds herself alone and unhappy. She starts questioning herself. She starts questioning that she ever had any power and does the one trick she is sure she knows how to do... Whilst lurking, close, there's the something, yearning to take over her body.Will Tiffany be able to fight something that has lasted since the dawn of time? Something not even skilled wizards have managed to evade? Luckily, she is not as alone as she thinks. She has the Wee Free Men, who will fight anything. And she has the aid of Granny Weatherwax, the most notorious and respected witch on Discworld."A Hat Full of Sky" is the second book in the Tiffany Aching series. It is the follow-up to "The Wee Free Men". I loved the first book, but I think that this addition shines even more.Although Discworld novels never try to teach moral lessons to their readers, "A Hat Full of Sky" does offer the message that when you are true to yourself, accept yourself and believe in yourself, you can do anything. This can be a hard lesson to learn, as it is for Tiffany, but it is something important that people discover through trial and error.Terry Pratchett is a wonderful author, who can blend humour and sadness with excellent and creative skill. I had many a smile and giggle reading this book, but when I closed it the overall impression I had was that this is a truly beautiful read.The story is gripping, imaginative and it held my full attention all the way through. I know that I will take it from my shelf again and again in the future. It's a book I will happily read more than once.Though it is the second Tiffany Aching book, new readers will find themselves easily at home. However, the first in the series is certainly worth a read as well. And at the time of this review there is a third installment available, titled "Wintersmith".I recommend "A Hat Full of Sky" to readers of all ages.According to the author's bio, Terry Pratchett lives behind a keyboard in Wiltshire and says he 'doesn't want to get a life, because it feels as though he's trying to lead three already'. He was appointed OBE in 1998 and his first Discworld novel for children, "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents", was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal."A Hat Full of Sky" was first published in Great Britain by Doubleday, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, with ISBN 0-552-55144-9. seuss book collection sets cat hat

"Going Postal" by Terry Pratchett - Book Review

There are times in your life when you have to make a choice, and none of the options available are particularly tempting. Moist von Lipwig faces such a choice. He can either go put the Ankh-Morpork's postal service back into working order, or he can go for the more... final solution.After a failed attempt at escape - well, anyone would try, wouldn't they - Moist finds himself trying to find out the truth. There is a hidden, dark secret involving the post office and some people are determined that he won't find out. But secrets have a way of getting themselves exposed. And the mail has to be delivered...Not everyone is happy with Moist's growing determination. The Grand Trunk Semaphore Company has a secret of its own and it was doing just fine without the postal service being up and running, thank you very much. And there is a dangerous being on the loose, with a taste for pigeons.Moist's only aides are ancient Junior Postmaster Groat and his charge Stanley, a young man with a pin addiction. And then there's Adora Bell Dearheart, a woman unlike any other Moist has ever met. And let's not forget the Post Office Worker's Friendly and Benevolent Society...The mail must be delivered, come rain, garden tools, dogs, and big green things with teeth."Going Postal" is a Discworld novel. It is set in the infamous Ankh-Morpork, that melting pot of different cultures and fascinating characters.If you haven't been introduced to the Discworld before, you can jump right in with this one. Most of the main characters are brand new, and you will soon feel right at home. Like any other Discworld novel, this book will likely make you want to read the rest of them, but that's a risk you will just have to take.If you are already familiar with the Discworld novels, you won't be disappointed with this one. Con artist Moist von Lipwig is a fascinating character. He has his very own way of seeing the world and he is not necessarily nice, but he is likeable, in a morbidly fascinating sort of way.Terry Pratchett's characters tend to have this unique blend of being rather entertaining and fascinating, and perhaps a bit peculiar, but they are also so very human that they are instantly recognisable and you can't help but sympathise with them. This is part of Pratchett's art."Going Postal" held my interest from beginning to end. In fact, I had a difficult time closing it to get some sleep. It's a series of giggles, a walk on a tightrope, balancing between humor and morality, a flow of jokes and puns and heart-warming vision. Every Discworld novel is an adventure. I have yet to find one I regretted taking part in.I definitely recommend this book to anyone.According to the author's bio, Terry Pratchett lives behind a keyboard in Wiltshire and says he 'doesn't want to get a life, because it feels as though he's trying to lead three already'. He was appointed OBE in 1998 and his first Discworld novel for children, "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents", was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal."Going Postal" is the twenty-ninth novel in the Discworld series. It was originally published in Great Britain by Doubleday, a division of Transworld Publishers. The ISBN is 0-552-14943-8. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

"Somebody Someday" by Mark McCrum - Book Review

At first glance, "Somebody Someday" appears to have been written by Robbie Williams. That seems to be what it says on the cover. But in actuality, the words are by someone called Mark McCrum. This is not necessarily a bad thing, because the author has spent plenty of time with Rob and the book offers some excellent insights into life on tour.That's where we find ourselves at the start of this book. After a handy listing of "who is who", the crew are rehearsing and preparing for life on the road. There will be changes, this time around. Rob is trying to live a clean lifestyle and he is determined to stick with it. It's going to be different. It's going to be a challenge. Nobody quite knows what to expect, least of all Rob himself.Throughout the book we are introduced to the various people in Rob's life. This provides nice background information and helps us get to know them that bit better. The relations between everyone become clear and some interesting insights are offered.As we tour along we share the various ups and downs, we learn what goes on behind the scenes of such a massive project, we learn more about the press, the music industry and the general madness that accompanies it. Above all, we learn more about Rob, the man, and Robbie, the media figure. There is a difference between the two.The events illustrated in this book take place before "Feel" by Chris Heath. Between these two projects, a person feels as close to Rob as one can get without actually speaking with him and meeting him face to face. These novels, combined, cover a significant amount of time in the life of the artist."Somebody Someday" contains a generous amount of photographs, some printed in colour, some in black and white. This is a pleasant bonus and Rob's fans will surely appreciate their addition.The author did a decent job. The book is not amazingly well-written, but then, it does offer a pleasant read and I had no problems with feeling involved. With a cast of "characters" as large as he was tackling I do feel he did a good job, giving everyone a bit of limelight.I would recommend "Somebody Someday" to any Robbie fan who would like to learn more about him than is commonly shared in the media. It's an enjoyable and entertaining read. I would also recommend it to anyone who would like to learn more about life on tour, and the life of a modern-day artist. You won't be disappointed."Somebody Someday" was first published by Ebury Press, with ISBN 0-091-88473-X. dr seuss cat in hat history

Book Review - The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling

This is an interesting novel, written by two authors, William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, principally known for their work in the cyberpunk genre. The Difference Engine however is an alternate history story based on steampunk ideas.The basic premise of the novel is that Charles Babbage's general purpose mechanical computer (which in reality was called the "Analytic Engine" - the real-life Difference Engine was a mechanical calculator) was not only successfully created, but widely adopted. Thus Victorian England, experiences something akin to the late 20th century's information technology revolution. Furthermore, Britain is ruled by the "Industrial Radical Party", which places a great emphasis on industry, science and technology, leading to an even more powerful British Empire than experienced in our timeline.The plot, such as it is, basically concerns the hunt for some extremely powerful punched cards (used to program Babbage's computers). While it would be incorrect to say that there isn't a story - there clearly is - the real joy of the novel comes more from the wealth of detail and the well-realized alternate world, than the plot.I am sure that William Gibson's and Bruce Sterling's many fans will snap up the book regardless of anything that I might say. That said, my own personal view, is that while I enjoyed reading the novel (and would recommend it to others), I didn't enjoy quite as much as some other steampunk novels that I have read - the reason is, for me, the plot was not interesting enough, even though the background of the world was beautifully portrayed. dr seuss cat in hat book

Long Tail Traffic Scam

With tens of thousands of new users signing up for internet service each and every day and the help of sites like clickbank, paypal, cj.com, paydot.com, and many others it has never been easier to promote products online.These days one doesn't have to know a thing about product creation, rebranding, or taking a private label product and creating a unique product or developing a usp(unique selling position) to make money. However the one thing we all need no matter if we are creating our own products, selling others products, or selling a service is Traffic and not just any traffic but highly targeted and motivated to but now traffic.Jason Dolman's new e-book "Long Tail Traffic Secrets" is about getting this highly targeted traffic using new web 2.0 techniques and doing it for little to no cost. Honestly it seems that each week somebody new is jumping up and down and telling us how easy it is to get traffic, sales, or advertising for free or about getting paid to get those things if you know a few secrets.I don't know about you but I'm quite frankly sick of all this b.s., I mean really, when is enough ever going to be enough? Against my better judgment I broke out my credit card and ordered his new e-book. Here's what I found out:These are the main things I was interested in about "Long Tail Traffic Secrets":a. Is it an easy read or do you have to be a programmer to figure out what the heck your supposed to do?b. Is the information rehashed crap or truly new?c. Do these techniques and methods really work?d. How long before I will see any real results from my actionsThe one thing I noticed right away was that this guy really does a good job at explaining his ideas to you. He'll use just enough examples to explain something that may otherwise be a little complicated to most of us regular people but he's not long winded or over doing it when it's not needed which I thought was really cool. Someone who seems to write a lot like the way I think can't be all bad, lol.I can't truly explain just how happy I was when I did not see what I actually thought I was going to see, you know the same old tired information being restated again for the 10,000TH time. I was very pleased to see original thoughts and ideas using brand new Web 2.0 methods. However, do they actually work?The answer to that question is simply yes. By applying 2 techniques from Jason's e-book I have increased traffic to my site by a factor of 1.70 in just 5 days. In case your math skills are not that strong that's a 70% increase. Along with that my conversions increased by 18% which means I'm getting more targeted traffic than I was before knowing any of his techniques. Yeehaaaw!Somewhere in his book I read that Google said that almost 50% of all the searches done on their site are unique! Wow, so what does this mean? It means that there's a lot of room out there for people like you and me to optimize for as many of these long tail keyword searches as we possibly can and just explode our sales and bank account.Another thing I liked about the e-book is that Jason teaches you how to not only work and set yourself up to make money now but he also shows you how to lay the framework for future growth and sales.I also really like that he shows you how to use Web 2.0 sites to generate all the traffic you need and while not spending a penny on pay-per-click advertising unless of course you want to make it part of your total traffic campaign but that's really not needed once you apply what he's teaching you.Ok, I've gone on long enough about this but I'm really excited about the results I've gotten so far because it has been my experience that a good 90+% of everything I've purchased about making money, getting traffic, etc has really been a waste of money and when I get proven wrong which is rare I love it, love it, love it.If you need high quality, targeted, and free traffic you better run, NOT walk over to his site and grab this e-book before your competition beats you to it.I've purchased over 50 plus e-books since Jan 2007 and this is the 3rd one that actually exceeded my expectation and is actually already paid for itself! dr seuss book collection

If You Ran a Think Tank - Which Books Would You Choose to Review

There are many Think Tanks out there, indeed nearly every major industry has one or more. Every political party has one or more. There are think tanks for nearly every aspect of the human experience. Some think tanks specialize, others are more well-rounded and cover a very diverse set of topics. Needless to say, running a think tank with unlimited topics is not easy at all.At the Online Think Tank we take a much different approach to choosing our intake of information. We believe as many other diverse subject think tanks that it makes sense to read all types of books in every category, pulling out bits and pieces of important information from each. So let's look at some of the books we reviewed this week to give you an example of one way that you might use in information gathering for your think tank group. Below are selected sample of this weeks reading:"Great Quotes from Great Leaders" compiled by Peggy Anderson, 1992. This little book is a gold mine for inspirational writers. This is a very good opener, as it is bits and pieces of words of wisdom from famous leaders of days gone by. What did they have to say? What did they learn and why aren't more people listening and thinking about these things? Is the human race doomed in a continual repeating loop? Well, are they?"Managing for Excellence - The Guide to developing high performance in contemporary organizations" by David L. Bradford and Allan R. Cohen - 1984. Considering the manager as a technician or conductor, as a developer and other various new roles and models of leadership for the modern day corporation, all the while we must remember this book was written in 1984 before the corporation was re-engineered, before TQM, right-sizing and reality checks of Building to last. Sharing team responsibility, getting the most performance out of key personnel are common themes in this book.This book was written by scholars from Stanford and Babson College so you might get a sense of the importance of what is written here. How do you turn around an Aircraft Carrier with a paddle? Nothing good in life is every easy, it takes a lot of uphill rowing and that means many paddles paddling in synchronicity. The book talks of the paradox's of management and how this knowledge can be used to increase the ability of leadership.What happened to quality, excellence and performance? Since when is just getting by acceptable? Perhaps we ought to consider the words in this work and how they can be used to improve how we run things? Worthy of thought and consideration indeed."Scratching Your Entrepreneurial Itch" by Peter Channing - 1977. What are the personal characteristics of an entrepreneur? Watching for traps, getting financing, taking the risk, ego pitfalls and illusions of success, all discussed. Sales and marketing, production, management, financial recording, exit strategies and the conclusion includes a fictitious business plan that does not look all that fictitious to me.Are we short-changing today's entrepreneur and if so are we losing efficiency in our free-markets? Can we do better? Can we help them do better, as they deliver us everything we see everywhere we go? Well, what say you?"Service America - doing business in the new economy" by Karl Albrecht and Ron Zemke - 1985. Why is service the place to be, as manufacturing is on the decline in America. The triangle of service - whereby good service leads to referrals and to additional business. The customer, as the king and determining the level and quality of service for the price point. Service is an attitude, finding the best people is imperative.Companies that top the customer service charts are discussed and how they got there. Teaching the elephant to dance in the modern corporation. The future of service and competition for the customer heats up, where will you be? Rising expectations, innovation, de-regulations (remember when it was written). The exporting of services and importing of such. Management as a service considered.With the changing industry percentages and with service businesses employing more and more, how can we improve this sector to run at optimum? What can we do to prevent further declines in other sectors? Is there a breaking point, a job maximum for the service business or an end point to the number of new market entrants in this sector? Does anyone really know the answer to these questions? Will we have to learn the hard way? Will robots one day do all the service jobs instead of people?"Advertising" by James S. Norris - 1977. This book starts by putting advertising in perspective and what happens in the marketplace. Why does the consumer buy and what different forms of advertising work best for which products and services? Why marketing research is serious and not merely an item on a list to check off. Copywriting for advertising, what sells, sparks emotions, get the consumer to notice and think - how to write radio, teleselling or TV scripts and magazines, billboards and print too, whether it is for a newspaper, brochure, signage or direct mail all covered in depth in this work. Discussion of the promotional push is a dedicated chapter, while industrial and agricultural advertising are discussed separately from consumer driven products and services. The legal eagle chapter tells of all the advertising laws of the day.Are we over advertising in America? What is happening in media markets as Magazine Ad revenue collapses and migrates to Internet Advertising? Will Mobile Advertising change the game forever? If TV is now second to time expenditures to the Internet, will TV advertising decline also? What about the huge media networks, will they diversify or fail to adapt? Can they compete with Google? Who will rule the advertising and media world in the future?"Maxi Marketing - The New Direction in Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Strategy" by Stan Rapp and Tom Collins - 1987. The book answers the question; why should companies re-think their marketing strategy? The authors start by explaining the dynamic changes in the market place in 1987, which are not as dissimilar to today just not as fast and finicky. Getting to the one-on-one communication with customers in advertising phrases and points of impressions. Narrowing in on niche target markets, customizing the message directly.The book suggests new mediums of marketing like the Internet, if only they knew how right they were? Allowing advertising to do more than one job without diluting brand or direction. Opening the door for consumers to take a look, check us out or do a little more research. Using multiple channels of distribution. The book is full of checklists, pointers and some pretty excellent advice as well, I would recommend this book for your library if you are a small, medium or large business owner.How can small businesses do more for less? Where can your business or group's advertising take advantages and save costs? What really works, why does it work? Do you have a plan or are you systematically planning to fail with your advertising and marketing strategies?"The Double Win" by Dennis Waitley - 1982. How can you spot a "Double Winner?" Dennis explains in this classic book of how Western Civilization entrepreneurs should operate if they want to win both short and long term. How can we convince our trading partners to think Win-Win in order to ensure long-term relations and fair trade? Are we being fair with them, are they winning too? When you negotiate or make a deal, do you keep your work, do you make sure it is fair for all concerned? Are you one to instantly take advantage of ever situation without regard to others you are dealing with? Think on this, as it takes a mirror to do the Double Win."Starting and Managing a Small Business of Your Own" by Wendell O. Metcalf - SBA - 1973. This small book is Vol. I of "The Starting and Managing Series" by the Small Business Administration. The book asks you the questions you should ask yourself if you are considering a small business of your own. If I had 4,000 copies of this book, I would have sent them out to everyone who ever inquired to by one of our 187 franchises. Do you have what it takes? What are your chances of success?Should you buy a business or start one - what about a franchise? How much money will you really need and where will you get it all? How will you manage your business, set prices, what is the competition doing, where can you get professional help, where will your business be located, how will you keep records, what about insurance, payroll, employees and location? Setting goals and then evaluating the risk?In the United States the small business failure rate is too high. Many blame unfair regulation, barriers to entry in the form of laws and too many lawyers. Of course, undercapitalization is probably the biggest factor, but so too is the lack of business acumen. If small business employs 2/3rds of our population, perhaps we need to be thinking here as we enter a slight down turn in the business cycle?"Reality Check" by WIRED Magazine authors; Brad Wieners and David Pescovitz - 1996. This book is a quick read and it really makes you think. Some of the predictions did not come in the predicted times, others that were projected well into the future have already come true. It is interesting to give Futurists a reality check now and again as well. The forward progression of mankind is at stake and it is rather serious, as too much innovation too soon disrupts while too slow causes stagnation.Predicting the future is never easy, but attempting to plan ahead best on the best advice is vital to the ongoing success of our society and civilization, thus, everyone should be a futurist at heart. Have you been thinking here - we have and we hope you will put the future into your thoughts to prevent crisis and challenges or problems."At the Waters Edge - Macroevolutions and the transformation of life" by Carl Zimmerman - 1998. The human body is well adapted for life on the surface of the planet, while other species are even more adapted to their environments in the sea or in fresh water. Some species have adapted well to both. Surprisingly enough most species in the sea and on land are not all that different really. Where arms are there are fins, where legs are there are tails. Many species have left over points that might have been used for other things. The facts are that humans are now really that different at all.If we deny evolution and Darwin's thoughts we will be living in a falsehood, as we see evolution before us now. Religion aside we must consider all the innate characteristics of the human species if we are to build the best possible situation for the on-going saga of mankind, you should be thinking here."The Secrets of Closing Sales" by Charles Roth 1953. Charles equates making the sale to winning, something that today is often considered taboo by academia, as a "win-win" is the minimal acceptable. "You cannot win unless you close" says Charles Roth. He goes through the thought processes of buyers, sales people and sales departments. He reminds the salesman that he can always try, thus the trial close techniques are described in their earliest, simplest and less evolved present period form. He describes techniques such as; Assumptive, Subordinate, Physical Action, Impending Event, Narrative, Inducement and Ask-them-to-buy strategies in great detail.Have salesmen or saleswomen been given a bad rap? Why are we so quick to decry sales people, when nothing really transpires until the sale is made? Without them we are in big trouble? Think how many people are employed as sales people. Think how many people would be unemployed without them?"How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling" by Frank Bettger 1949. Dale Carnegie sets the tone in the Introduction of the book, Dale Carnegie was a friend to Frank Bettger from as early as 1917. The met on a train and Dale told him of a one-week class he was teaching with the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Frank quit his early sales career, then out of desperation restarted it, got organized and work his way back to the top. He tells of a 15-minute $250,000 sale and all the lessons he learned along the way. This book is a classic and must read for the motivated salesperson who wants to achieve, make more sales and win in life.Frank, discusses all aspects of selling from looking the part to closing the sale. How he made friends, remembered names and overcoming fear. Also amazing techniques he learned from a master salesman. He talks of Lincoln, Franklin and others as mentors, and discusses their words of wisdom.Where do you work? How much of your company is involved in some sort of sales in order to ensure that your products and services are wanted or desired, bought or purchased? How can you assist working with the sales people and interfacing to keep things running smoothly? Did you hug your sales person today?"The 1991 What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard Nelson Bolles 1991 edition, although realize that this book has evolved from the very early 1970's. For the person who wished to seek a career as an employee in a Corporation, this book is a classic, taking the reader through the interview process, overcoming rejection, motivating them to continue job hunting, tips and skills needed to land the perfect job, valuating potential job opportunities, how to contact the right person for referrals or to get hired. Then there is resume writing, presentation, and how to fill out forms.Corporate America employs between 1/3 and 1/4 of our population, and yet so few people understand the true dynamics of corporate life. If one spends a good part of their career working there, shouldn't they attempt to work for the best company, best pay and make the best out of their experience? Well?"Do You Believe in Magic - Bringing the 60's Back Home" by Annie Gottlieb 1987. This book is a collection of interviews, stories, and tales of thoughts. There are many stories in the book that stop and make you think about, what it is people really want. The book is good for a "Communist" leaning present period liberal or a someone who likens the prospect of Socialism, or even an Anarchist.Our society is constantly changing and in doing so each era has its own flavor. Amazingly enough the 21st Century appeared to be much like the 1990's and now things are so different, from attitude to economics and from technology to relationships. What will the next generation think of what we had built? Will they embrace the previous period or decry our arcane way of doing things?"Reference Checking for Personnel Selection: The State of the Art" by Edward Levine and Stephen M. Randolph - 1997 in conjunction with the American Society for Personnel Administration, (ASPA). The laws for hiring and employment have vastly changed since 1977, and this book is no longer valid and yet it sheds some light on the reality of things employers need to know before they hire people.There is quite a bit of background theory on the hiring process. I think anyone in the Human Resource sector needs to review some theory and how it was done, to make sure that they have the basic skills and understanding of what they are really trying to do. This book discusses applicant lying, behavior issues, court records, interviewing techniques and how to get people to discuss references and why all this is important.Background checks are very important in so many industries to protect our society. For a business good employees are the key to success. They must often deal with customers and must maintain a good positive image and attitude. They must be efficient, capable and possess the talent and intellect to get the job done. Finding the best team members is paramount to success."The Changing American Voter" by Norman H. Nie, Sidney Verba and John R. Petrocik - 1976 Harvard University Press. Very interesting perspectives in how voters had changed from the 1950s to the 1970s. How this shift, changed things and how people looked back at the New Deal and the Eisenhower years as well. The book also speculates the Nixon, McGovern election well and shows the sliding popularity poles of each candidate. So interesting to see how things have changed during that period as the political climate continues to change in the current period.The American voter has changed over time immensely in the past. Today the major parties in America have also changed to the point it is difficult for one to recognize them from before. Will you follow your party lines in the future or will you sway and become the swing voter that they are going to be vying for in the future? Does your vote actually count as so many have surrendered their minds to their TV sets?These are just some of the books our Think Tank discussed this week and some of the thoughts that they provoked. I hope you have enjoyed this overview and I hope it helps you in whatever thinktank you are in presently. Sincerely, Lance. seuss book collection sets cat hat

Book Review - The Peshawar Lancers by S M Stirling

Before starting to talk about The Peshawar Lancers, specifically, I want to briefly mention two tendencies that I've observed in many of S. M. Stirling's works. I'll return, in a moment to why these are important.1. Many of Stirling's works include strong elements of homage to older works, for example, The Stone Dogs clearly uses many science fiction elements drawn from the pulp era. In the appendix, S. M. Stirling himself describes the world of the novel as being "yesterday's tomorrow".2. I've also felt that often times, Stirling plays games with his readers and their expectations. This is most obvious in some of the Draka novels, such as Marching through Georgia. In this book, Stirling uses slaving holding racist villains (the Draka) as viewpoint characters, and almost makes the reader feel sorry for the Nazis whom they are conquering. These writing decisions have certainly raised a few eyebrows, and even provoked outrage in some online discussions. And while Stirling always plays it dead straight in his reponses, saying (a) it's just fiction, (b) the views of his characters aren't necessarily his own - I've always suspected that, when in private, he might enjoy the odd sly-smile about the reaction that he has been able to provoke from some readers.Now turning to The Peshawar Lancers, I'll say that I think it's, by a quite considerable margin, the best of S. M. Stirling's books which I have read. One of the main reasons for this is that the homeage element is forefront and center - there is a very obvious inspiration from some of the works of Rudyard Kipling, H. Rider Haggard and similar authors. Additonally, the "games" that Stirling plays in this novel, instead of being with readers' expectations, are games that readers can fully participate in - for example, can they spot the literary reference in the name of the hero, Athelstane King.Stirling nearly always comes up with interesting premises for his novels, and this book is no exception. However, it's not just the premise that is interesting - one of the things that I like best about this book is that the plot is genuinely engaging, and the lead characters are genuinely sympathetic.I can't say that this is a plausible (in my opinion) alternate history, but I will say that it's definitely a lot of fun! If you enjoy ripping adventure yarns, like Flashman series, or the novels of Rudyard Kipling and H. Rider Haggard, then I'm sure you'll enjoy this book too. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Grisham and Clancy Fans - Add Macomber To Your List!

Renaissance Man James Macomber explored a number of careers before trying his hand at writing. Obviously, he's found his nitch - "A Grave Breach" will be his third published novel. And judging from this one, it won't be his last!Macomber's character, John Cann is back for another thrilling international adventure, this time involving events from the Balkans conflict. As an associate at a prestigious D.C.-based legal firm, Cann is asked to defend a war criminal - something especially difficult to do when he views a recording of the man's inhumane actions. Despite his principles, he agrees to do so only because this unusual request has come from his very dear friend and mentor. As Cann accepts the case, he gets caught up in a whirlwind of secret pasts, unmerciful genocide, an appalling underworld of trafficking, and a revenge that knows no boundaries of country or time.Author James Macomber possesses a wealth of knowledge from years of legal education and practice which conveys a very intelligent and organized feel to his writing style. Plots and subplots are vividly descriptive and weave in and out of each other, giving every page a thrilling mixture of tension and events. His talent for complex character development is also extremely impressive - you truly get to know them on a deeper level. I found myself celebrating their wins, mourning their losses, and thinking about them long after I finished the last page. Even his choice of title is remarkable becomes clear as the story develops. Macomber pulls you in immediately, has you holding your breath as you turn each page, and leaves you shocked at its conclusion when he brings everything full circle. You can't read it fast enough!"A Grave Breach" is a perfect read for adult readers of legal thrillers and fictional stories built around real-world events. I would, however, caution those readers who are sensitive to graphic violence against women. Normally, I don't condone books with this type of subject matter as I feel it has no place in the 'entertainment' industry. In this case, though, Macomber's story centers around the Balkans conflict - a conflict where horrible atrocities of genocide, rape, and sex slavery really did occur. Even today, much of Europe continues to be plagued by human trafficking. Despite Macomber's explicit descriptions, he writes with respect toward his female characters and also brings to light an ongoing but hushed problem in Europe today that many people in the Western world just turn a blind eye to.Grisham and Clancy fans, add Macomber to your list! "A Grave Breach" delivers a brilliant combination of shrewd legal moves, the terrifying international underworld, the real-life crisis in the Balkans, and a movie-worthy plot for a story that will have you spinning. Think that Macomber can't hold his own with the big boys of legal thrillers? I object!--Vicki Landes, author of "Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal" dr seuss cat in hat history

Book Review - Thirteen Moons

There are scores of books about the American Civil War that give a more comprehensive account of that war than Charles Frazier's "Cold Mountain." Over 600,000 Americans died, more than in any other of America's wars. But "Cold Mountain" is essentially about people, two in particular, whose lives that war so tragically shattered; and that's what makes it so compelling. In similar fashion "Thirteen Moons," which was published nine years later, is again a story of people who live, love and die during a less heroic period in our history, the Indian Wars of the 1830s. Once again Frazier makes you care deeply about what happens to the people until he and his protagonist seem to lose their way in a longing for something beyond their grasp."Thirteen Moons"The reader is at once immersed in pre-Civil War America-a time when it is neither politically correct nor particularly safe for a white man to live with a Native American Indian, much less become his son. In the first few pages, I was charmed by the author's mystical relationship with the unspoiled land, its original people and the major character, Will Cooper. Equally stirring is Frazier's frank and honest take on the callous white foreigners who at first deceitfully steal the land, then deal with its inhabitants in a manner that can only be described as genocide.Historically the period has the unfortunate imprint of the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson whose greatest claim to fame is the annihilation of Native Americans. Officially referred to as the "Indian Removal" period, which translates to ship out or drop dead, Jackson turns the U.S. Army into removal and execution squads. While whites consistently raid Indian land, steal their property and cause every kind of mayhem, complaints from the Indians reach all the way to the halls of Congress. This leads Jackson to eventually order one of his most infamous death marches, the entire Cherokee Nation's "relocation" to Oklahoma where thousands die along the way. Survivors later call it "The Trail of Tears."In the wild and gorgeous setting of the Appalachian Mountains, Frazier's fictional story threads its way through carefully researched history. As the story goes back and forward in time, it is narrated by the protagonist Will Cooper, a white orphan boy adopted by the Cherokee Indian Chief, Bear who becomes Will's mentor. From his meager beginnings Will becomes the "White" Indian Chief, U.S. Army Colonel and U.S. Senator with a lifelong passion for the same woman, Claire, to whom sadly he can never commit. Claire on the other hand is the capricious, enigmatic beauty who appears to cast a spell on the man she loves while remaining chained to another.As a twelve-year-old bound boy Will is sent away from home by an aunt and uncle to pay a debt by serving at an old trading post. Barely surviving his first days and nights alone in the wilderness, Will stumbles onto a café where he first meets Claire who has been won by a rich Indian gambler called Featherstone.When Will finally reaches the trading post he finds a neglected ramshackle hovel with some dust-covered books, bottles and other sundries. Having gone to school, Will is smart; he can read and write and devours whatever books he can lay his hands on including eventually the law books that will move him toward success. He cleans the place up and makes it work. His visitors are mostly Indians who speak no English and come for what's in the bottles. Here Will meets Bear who supposedly runs the trading post. Bear drifts in and out of Will's life, teaches him the way of the Cherokee and ultimately formally adopts Will.From their first coming of age encounter at the café, the destinies of Will and Claire are inextricably woven into the rough fabric of the expanding 1830s landscape. Due to the power and wealth of the fearsome Featherstone, and Claire's strange relationship with him, for most of their lives Will and Claire continue to meet secretly. In the period of their youth the book is magical and page turning, with Will always the Davy Crockett frontiers adventurer; he actually befriends Crockett later in the story. But with the restlessness of a seeker, always looking ahead, Will never really sees what is right in front of him-his for the taking. Instead, later life finds him rich, famous and bemoaning his lost love.At the beginning of "Thirteen Moons" the author lights a roaring fire that burns through the pages. About three quarters of the way the flames begin to flicker and fade with the author's reluctance to move Will's life forward to some conclusion. Perhaps it is a reflection of the sad hopeless plight of the Cherokee whose ending is too horrific to contemplate.Although "Cold Mountain" and its heartbreaking denouement really gets to me, whereas "Thirteen Moons" becomes the follow-up that could, I would nonetheless recommend reading it. Charles Frazier is too good to leave on the shelf. His romantic realism is to be celebrated by anyone who longs for the pure rushing waters, the sweet aroma of wilderness those honest and true Americans bequeathed us.BOOK REVIEW-Thirteen Moons by Charles FrazierISBN-13 978-0-8129-6758-62006 Random House dr seuss cat in hat book

Crest of Eagles - Book Review

Jocelyn Howe has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the writing craft. The author interweaves multiple, strong, leading characters and two completely different time frames masterfully. Crest of Eagles reminds me of some of the great works of Wilbur Smith. This exceptional book certainly ranks with some of the best that I have reviewed to date and I would not hesitate to give Crest of Eagles the highest rating available.Mandhla is taken prisoner by terrorists during an attack of a mission run by white people with generous hearts for children who had no one to turn to. Everyone was mercilessly killed except those who could not be turned into soldiers or whores.Peter Kennedy, leader of the top military team, set out to save the children, but in fouling the job, Peter earned the revenge of one very mixed-up boy. Kuru joins Peter in the war against the terrorists with the hope of saving his brother - never dreaming that when he did meet Mandhla again, it would be as enemies.Ancient tribal religion works its way into present day. The lives of Tcana, a high priestess, and Rebecca, a bombshell journalist, are connected in some kind of cosmic manor -though they live centuries apart.Romance, adventure, suspense, ancient tribal history and modern day action - this book has it all! Crest of Eagles is destined to be one of the most dog-eared fiction books in my collection.ISBN#: 0976773252
Author: Jocelyn Howe
Publisher: A Better Be Write Publisher dr seuss book collection

The Reincarnationist - Book Review

Ancient secrets are uncovered and little by little the truth is revealed. If you have ever had a moment of wonder about reincarnation, about seeming to instantly know someone you've just met, I give you my highest recommendation for M.J. Rose's book, "The Reincarnationist." It will call to you to read its pages until you've frantically gotten to the last.Josh Ryder survives a bomb's explosion only to become haunted by flashes of someone else's life. These flashes hit him as vividly as memories but seduce him with a desperate need for knowledge, a need to know just who lived these memories. After exhausting every medical approach to his turmoil, Josh discovers the Phoenix Foundation - a research facility that scientifically documents cases of past life experiences in children. Josh becomes an understudy and soon understands that the flashes he goes through are experiences from his own past lives. Desperate to understand the feelings of despair and urgency he feels regarding those in his previous lives, he ends up in Rome, at the heart of his memories' settings. There he meets Professor Gabriella Chase who has just made a remarkable archaeological discovery - the tomb of a Vestal Virgin, buried alive in approximately the year 390 A.D. So how does Josh know that the tomb is the resting place of a woman named Sabina, and that she was put to death for breaking her vow of celibacy? His sense of urgency to understand grows stronger and more intense with every clue he uncovers. There is something much greater at risk than his sanity though. In her death, Sabina held tight to a treasure that is said to unlock the mysteries of reincarnation, and it was stolen. Ironically, the cost of the treasure is valued in human lives."The Reincarnationist" is superbly written. It is fresh and compelling, creative and intellectual. This novel is a delightful mix of psychological thriller, suspense, and paranormal, and the writing is mesmerizing in its own right. With a plot that flows around the world and through a millennium of time, the excitement doesn't stop until the book is reluctantly closed and completed. With sophistication and class, M.J. Rose offers a novel to be remembered.The Reincarnationistby M.J. RoseISBN-10: 0778324206Review by Heather Froeschl seuss book collection sets cat hat

Dr Seuss and The Cat in the Hat Story

Born Theodor Seuss Geisel in March 1904 in Massachusetts, America; Dr Seuss never earned a Ph.D rather he simply took the title 'Dr' in acknowledgment of his family's unfulfilled hopes of him earning a doctorate in literature during his time at Oxford University. It was during his time at Oxford that he wed and it was later that same year 1927, that he and his new wife Helen returned to America.On his return to the States he began to develop his career by writing and illustrating humorous articles and cartoons which were published by various magazine titles. It is on his return from a vacation in Europe that Geisel gets the idea for his first poem 'And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street', the tempo of which was set whilst he listened to the beat of the ships engines.This poem was to become his first book but was repeatedly rejected by publishers and was only printed when a friend finally stepped in to help. The war years saw Dr. Seuss turn his attention back to political cartoons producing over 400 in a two year period. Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood where he wrote a number of propaganda films winning an Academy Award for best Documentary in 1947 for the film Design for Death. Away from military propaganda his short animated movie 'Gerald McBoing-Boing' also won him an Oscar.His popular childrens works evolved principally from an article which appeared in Life magazine in May 1954. The article was a report on literacy standards of school children and identified that the low levels of literacy attainment were primarily as a direct result of their books being boring. Spurred by the article, Geisel's publisher created a list of 400 words which he forwarded to Geisel with the challenge to reduce the list to 250 and then create a work that would retain the interest of the reader. Despite disliking the fact that the words included in the list were based on the sight vocabulary learning method commonly used in schools (and not supported by Geisel); nearly a year later, he completed The Cat in the Hat, a masterpiece that used only 223 of the words provided yet displayed all of the imaginative prowess of his earlier works.The book became an instant success due not only to it's simplified vocabulary but also to Geisel's simple drawing style. The Cat in the Hat story is about two children and their talking goldfish who are left alone in the house when their parents go out. As it is raining, they are left inside with nothing to do. Enter The Cat in the Hat with Thing One and Thing Two and whilst attempting to amuse and cheer the children up all manner of chaos results.This is the first appearance of the Cat in the Hat character who appeared again in four further books: The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, The Cat in the Hat Song Book, The Cat's Quizzer, and I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!.The Cat in the Hat books have become treasured children's stories that have retained their popularity for more than five decades. This popularity has been boosted further by the release of a major motion picture in 2003 which starred Mike Myers cast in the title character and the adoption of the Dr Seuss characters and settings by Universal Studios in its Orlando amusement park. The movie of the Cat in the Hat followed the 2000 release of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas', which starred Jim Carey as The Grinch. Due to its unending popularity, and the large amount of material available; The Cat in the Hat and the other Dr Seuss characters are great choices for the theme of a children's party. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Who Wrote Don Quixote?

What evidence is there that Miguel de Cervantes wrote 'Don Quixote'? Little indeed. Not only do we know little of his life;the standard of his Work,apart from 'Quixote', is low. Most of his books remain unpublished abroad. What do we know about Thomas Shelton,whose translation into English has Won the praise of literary historians ever since it appeared in 1612? What do we know of Cid Hamet Benengeli,the Arab historian who,we Are told,is the real author?Until now no proper attempt has been made to place Quixote in the wider Context of the great plays of this period. And no-one has paid attention To the Shelton version,which is seldom read today.We start with an examination of the actual publication of Quixote in Madrid and London in 1605 and 1612. Then we move,in the story itself,from La Mancha to Sussex,from Madrid to London,to the court of Queen Elizabeth. Two characters in Quixote,who always appear together,are Queen Madasima and Master Elisabat. Other name s which invite scrutiny include Thomas Cecial(almost Cecil), Friston,an odd name for the Devil,and Pyramus and Thisbe,which make us think ofo Shakespeare.'Don Quixote' is full of pithy statements,epigrams and mock proverbs which can be found in the Shakespeare plays. 'I was born free. The naked truth. Comparisons are odious. Time out of mind.' and many ,many more. 70 quotations are set out in table form in the book.But why would anyone write a very long novel and use the name of a struggling Spanish author? Why the secrecy? The sixth rule of the Rosicrucians was that that members Should remain anonymous for a hundred years. The first rule was that they should heal the sick. The leading member of this secret society in England at this time was Francis Bacon.No attention has been paid to the date of Quixote's publication in Madrid in 1605,only six Years after the fourth Armada of 1599. An important element in this work,seldom mentioned, Is its surprising lack of animosity towards England. If it had appeared in Spain as an English book,everyone would have been understandably prejudiced against it. It took a long Time to win the lasting admiration of the Spaniards. Allowing a Spanish author to present This book as his own work,Bacon gave this subtly pro-English novel the best possible chance Of being accepted in Spain without prejudice.'Don Quixote' should be regarded as an instrument of reconciliation between Spain and England,two great countries kept apart by war and the threat of war for five decades. Distrust and hatred of the foreigner had caused the death of innocent men in both countries. Now was the time for peace and good will,a policy that James I keenly pursued. In England Quixote acted as a healer of the wide gulf between the two countries.When "Don Quixote" appeared in Madrid and London,the great Shakespeare plays were being Acted on the London stage. When the English plays and the Spanish novel are looked at Together,a clear picture emerges: the creation of a pan-European literary master-plan. The greatest play about Denmark is 'Hamlet'. The greatest plays about Italy are 'Romeo and Juliet','The Merchant of Venice' and 'Othello,the Moor of Venice'. The greatest play about Rome is 'Julius Caesar'. The greatest play about Egypt is 'Antony and Cleopatra'. The greatest Plays about England are the Shakespeare history dramas. All these plays are the work of one man, Written under a pen-name. There is no world-famous play about Spain which is on the same Level of genius as the plays just mentioned. But there is one great novel about Spain which is just as famous throughout the world - 'Don Quixote'. Like all the Shakespeare plays,this appeared under an alias. Bacon,casting his eye over the whole of Europe,found that this area lacked an appropriate masterpiece,an epic story to match those of Greece and Rome and Great Britain.In a letter to Lord Burleigh written in 1592,Bacon declared "I have taken all knowledge to be my Province." A play would not have been the right format for a Spanish epic. Needing a larger Canvas,he chose to write a work of fiction. dr seuss cat in hat history

Super Foods Book Review

It was many years ago that Hippocrates said "let food be your medicine." Since there has been a dramatic increase in sales of organic foods, as well as different health juices and supplements, that more and more people are taking this seriously.While anyone would agree that good nutrition is important for health, there has been and increase articles and books on "super foods", which are named that due to them being the most nutrient dense food available, and having the most health benefits.The Super Food ebook has a list of 31 super foods, which in most cases are easy to obtain and generally reasonably priced. Some of them come in different forms as well, such as herbs.The benefits of a healthy diet are many and superfoods can provide the extra boost that health conscious people are usually looking for.You will find detail for each of the 31 super foods as to what health benefits they have, and any additional information that might be apply to that particular item, such as how to choose the best ones when you are shopping, how to store and how to use them at home.In addition to the book itself, there are bonuses offered. The first is the alkaline diet, which is very easy to follow. Just making a few simple changes in diet is all that is required.Also included are calorie and nutritional content of common food, foods that can help someone lose weight, foods that burn fat and what nutrition your body needs. And there even are certain food combinations that should be avoided. Some combinations can produce unwanted side effects and you can find out what foods they are.The one thing that surprised me was no mention of the mangosteen fruit. I feel with all the research that has been done on it, plus the known benefits of xanthones (the antioxidants in the mangosteen) would have made it worth mentioning.If you are really interested in living a healthy lifestyle with the right food then you will likely find, as I have, that the information is very valuable. The benefits of eating well are many, and this is becoming more and more well known all the time. For this reason I think educating yourself on the very best foods available is a good use of your time. dr seuss cat in hat book

Diet Books

Right from Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution to Low Carb Dieting, bookshelves are filled with diet books that woo the people who are embarrassed about swimsuits and outdoor activities. Hundreds (or thousands) of them promise dear chubby girl and boy to help her or him enjoy a nice trimmed body for themselves.Many countries today think obesity is a national disaster. It is especially true for the developed world, where people hardly have a choice to move their body. From morning to night, they have all the comforts right at arms length. They pull out their four-wheel drive for grocery shopping from the shop down the street. At home they watch TV for 4-12 hours a day, while also putting something into their mouth.Health Books identify all these habits as unhealthy. Just as taking nutrient rich food, it is also essential to maintain an active lifestyle to build an attractive physique. Physically active persons - those people who walk a lot, jog, dance, swim or ride bicycle burn more fat from their body and make sure they are far from the risks of heart problems, knee pains, etc.Health books that give specific tips and advice on food choice, lifestyle and healthy eating habits are of important to you. It will be a waste of time and money to drool over those so called diet books, fully illustrated and full of fluff. There are books that tell you exactly what to do to achieve desirable physique. There are also books that will make you feel guilty of your existence.Some books like Dr Atkins', A Week in the Zone, Protein Power, The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet , Choose to Lose, and a few others are good choices for those people worry too much about their body growing out of their wishes. Though this is not an endorsement, you can try these books if you are overweight and if you plan to shed extra pounds off your body.Health books, without failure come with loads of testimonials of how a specific diet plan works. They endorse their system or diet plan so much that you think it is the only thing you need to do to get out of your fat body.In fact, before you follow the guidance of any medical books, make sure you keep a healthy diet plan, that doesn't violently shake your present eating habits. A drastic change from you eating habits, even if the diet books recommend it, will cause more problems than good. Again, if you feel committed to a diet program and you think your body will accept it, most probably it will. Practice that diet till desired physique is achieved.If you feel appetite towards these books, it is a serious symptom, a good one too. You or someone you care about want to lose weight and want to gain attractive physical shape. Reading these books is not the prescription for weight loss and achieving adorable body. Systematically and dedicatedly practicing the suggestions is. dr seuss book collection

To Full Term - A Must Read Book

I am a visual reader and this book affected me more than I would have expected. What I mean is that I "see" what I read. It is almost as if I am experiencing it myself as I read the words on the page. I had no idea before hand just how much this book would pull at my heart or how much time I would spend crying, unable to read any further for hours at a time. This is a personal journey written almost like a combination between a blog and journal. If you are sensitive to miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth, or have ever experienced any of these, this book may bring those memories screaming back to you as it did for me. I recommend keeping tissues or a hankie on hand while reading the book.What this book will also do is inform you of different conditions that cause miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. One that the author Darci has is called Factor V Leiden. This condition impairs the body's natural ability to breakdown and dissolve blood clots. These clots can then travel through the blood stream and find their way to a developing baby's placenta or umbilical cord blocking the flow of needed nutrients and either causing miscarriage or fetal growth retardation. Another condition that the author has is an incompetent cervix. This is the label placed on a cervix that, for unknown reasons, weakens in the second trimester of pregnancy and can no longer support the weight of the developing baby. As the cervix weakens and becomes thinner labor starts and very premature delivery is the normal outcome.There are treatments for both Factor V Leiden and for incompetent cervix, which the author experiences and shares with you in her book. It's more than just the treatment that Darci receives that stirs the emotions as you read; it's her vivid memories of her losses, her daily struggle to maintain a pregnancy that she could lose at any moment, and the family dynamic that changes throughout her pregnancy. As I read the book I could "see" Darci resting on her couch in her new house, or confined to bed and scared to move. I could picture the conversations with her husband, the looks that they would exchange, the pain and fear that would show in their eyes.Darci's pregnancy journey ends in the triumphant birth of her son Sam by scheduled C-section, but that is not where the story ends by any means at all. Included in the book are several wonderful resources for the reader. In "What Every Woman Should Know About Pregnancy Loss" Darci makes statements and offers as much information as a woman needs to make her choices about getting additional testing, as well as knowing what the current guidelines set forth by the ACOG are and why most women are not offered additional testing and treatment for different conditions. She also explains why many miscarriages and stillbirths can be prevented with different treatments, like cervical cerclage.Other resources offered in the book include information on organizations that offer referrals to different physicians. An explanation of the organization and what it offers as well as their URL is included for the reader. She also recommends books about the newest treatments to prevent pregnancy loss as well as the emotional tolls that are experienced after a pregnancy loss and how to prepare for a future pregnancy.This is such a well-written book that is full of information, reality, and hope that I recommend it to all women and couples that have suffered a loss. If you as a woman have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth, and you and your partner are having difficulties understanding how each other is coping with the loss, this book may give your partner a look at how one woman has lived with and relived her loss. It may open the doors of communication that is needed and allow you to support each other as you grieve and hopefully prepare to take the pregnancy journey again. seuss book collection sets cat hat

Book Review - Al-the-Gator and Freddy Frog

Scientist and student of animal behavior, E. Norbert Smith PhD, aka Doc Gator, wove his knowledge of alligators into an entertaining tale for children. He collected and studied 200 plus wild alligators for over a decade.Al-the-Alligator and Freddy Frog, a story about natural enemies alligator and frog, is recommended as a first reader for readers aged six to eight or as a book to read to children aged two and above.4RV Publishing LLC packed the 48-page book with a relatively short story geared for young children and with vivid illustrations created by Valerie Broesch and Randy Zabel, another PhD. The pictures will entertain both children and adults with their primitive art form and bright colors.Doc Gator wrote the story as a Christmas gift years ago for his now-adult grandson, Brent. The mighty Al-the-Gator, ruler of the farm pond where he lives, needs no one: His only enemy is man. Yet a small, slimy frog dares to believe that he can save Al's life someday.The book holds the attention of children, whether they listen as they watch the colorful illustrations, or if they read the book themselves. (Adults also sneak peeks.) While the story unfolds and illustrations delight the eye, values and interesting scientific facts are revealed in an entertaining, yet non-offensive, manner. Doc Gator is also planning to release a Spanish version soon.An added section to the book is "Learn More," with facts about both animals: alligators and frogs, which will interest those who want more information. Any parent wanting to add to their child's comprehension of the book can find discussion questions toward the back of the publication.Parents and grandparents can feel free to present the book to any child, knowing that it will appeal to and teach children. It would be a suitable Christian or moral selection as well, even though no direct religious message is included.Although the release date is November 1, the book can be ordered on the 4RV Publishing LLC web site store. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Organizing For Your Brain Type By Lanna Nakone

There are thousands of organizing books on the market. In fact, a search for books on Amazon using the keyword "organizing" yields over 160,000 results, which tells us, if nothing else, that there are thousands of people out there who consider themselves experts in this area.The problem is that many of these experts prescribe a "one-size-fits-all" approach to organizing that tends to be quite structured. Many of them are naturally organized and believe that by sharing what they do, they can teach the rest of the world to be organized as well. Readers who are also naturally organized may gain a tip or two from these books, but in many cases, will not find them terribly helpful. Others, to whom organizing does not come naturally, may find some of the ideas appealing, but have difficulty carrying them out. Still others will find the suggestions completely unrealistic and not at all suited to their style of living or working.Occasionally an author comes along who recognizes that we are not all the same, and that an organizing system needs to fit the individual. Lanna Nakone is one of those authors.The book begins with a self-assessment quiz to identify the reader as having one of four brain styles:The Innovating StyleThis style is associated with the frontal right section of the brain, and seems to correspond with the SP personality types, Artisan temperament, or Orange personality style.The Harmonizing StyleThis style is associated with the posterior right section of the brain, and seems to correspond with the NF personality types, Idealist temperament, or Blue personality style.The Prioritizing StyleThis style is associated with the frontal left section of the brain, and seems to correspond with the NT personality types, Rational temperament, or Green personality style.The Maintaining StyleThis style is associated with the posterior left section of the brain, and seems to correspond with the SJ personality types, Guardian temperament, or Gold personality style.A full chapter is dedicated to each brain style, including general information about typical strengths and challenges, as well as specific suggestions for managing space and time at home and at work. Ms. Nakone even makes a point of describing how each style may be perceived by individuals who have different styles.As someone with the Maintaining Style, I especially appreciated the author acknowledging that my greatest organizing challenges aren't about what to do with my "stuff" but about dealing with interruptions, relaxing my expectations, and remembering to schedule a little fun in my calendar!Adding to the book's appeal was the insertion of organizing-related quotes throughout each chapter, most of which I'd never come across in previous reading.Supplementary material includes a Sensory Preference Assessment to identify the reader's preference as auditory, visual, or kinesthetic, along with tools and strategies to enhance productivity for each combination of brain type and sensory preference, and a chapter dedicated to addressing the typical challenges that arise when individuals with different brain types live or work together.If you've read other organizing books and found they weren't helpful, I highly recommend that you check this one out. Once you've completed the self-assessment at the beginning of the book, you can easily jump to the chapter which applies to you. I also recommend it to anyone who helps others with time management or spatial organizing. dr seuss cat in hat history

Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It - Book Review

Have you ever had a girlfriend who just got you and could make you see that you were overreacting but would also make you feel completely at ease with your idiosyncrasies? Aren't they the best? Roz Van Meter offers her psychologically qualified yet girlfriend-friendly advice in her book, "Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It..." and it's just like having that special girlfriend by your side or a life coach with a fantastic sense of humor on speed dial.It's a no-nonsense guide to getting what you want, but it's also a little book of inspiration to getting what you need. Roz shares her own stories to relay some messages and also those of people she knows. It's the latest thoughts on self help psychology, marriage, relationship and sex therapy, and life coaching, but it is done in such a light hearted and easy going tone that you don't realize you're getting a bigger message until it has already sunk in. The book is made light and fun by the analogy of knickers in every form and relating them to what you want in life. For instance, figuratively (or literally) putting on those practical, comfortable, business like panties to get a goal attained, or sliding into that risqué g-string when the lights go down in the city for some fun. Humor aside, the book offers advice on everything from how to say no and mean it to how to say yes and feel free enough to enjoy it. It explores ways in which you can reconnect with your inner child and nourish her and also take control and know when to get that kid out from behind the driver's wheel. This book is about organizing your life, one drawer at a time, learning to laugh at yourself, being a friend, and charging head on into passion for life.Roz Van Meter is a psychotherapist, but she writes like that best friend who spells it all out for you in a fun and endearing way. Buy a copy of "Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It..." for yourself, one for your husband (who just might learn a thing about the female persuasion), and one for every close girlfriend you have. You'll be looking at yourself and your underwear drawer in a whole new light.Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It...by Roz Van MeterISBN-10: 1402208820Review by Heather Froeschl dr seuss cat in hat book

"The Park" by Maryann Davenport - Book Review

Maryann Davenport takes the reader of "The Park" on an adventure-packed journey of romance, mystery and intrigue while introducing important social and political issues which will impact future generations.Coral Wood returns to Grand Valley, California to join her grandfather, Fred Clay, on his ranch and to take an assignment as social studies teacher at Grand Valley High School. In her high-school social-studies classes she incorporates lessons into the curriculum relating to the conflict between Grand Valley's local ranchers and an environmentalist group who want to transform Grand Valley into a public park. Coral uses the concern to help the students determine for themselves the rights and freedoms provided by our nation's founding fathers in our country's constitution. Coral joins forces with a group of landowners led by the biology teacher, Mac Maclane, in backing the ranchers in their battle to maintain ownership of their land. A romantic link develops between Coral and Mac in a surprising plot twist.Bigotry, bias, prejudice, and intolerance create distrust, hatred, and malice as the townspeople take sides in the growing schism and the threat of violence. A college professor is found dead. Coral, Mac, and Fred become involved in a tug-of-war between the ranchers, the sheriff, the rangers, and the Emerald Park boosters, while pursuing the killer. They discover background evidence that brings the case to an unexpected closure.Political pressures, personality clashes, and family divisions continue to mount as the school year nears an end. Students have taken their lessons seriously and are discovering the wisdom of finding alternate choices.Davenport brings her characters to life through a careful combination of descriptive narrative and lively dialog. She has skillfully used the platform of fiction to present the reader with an important lesson in recognizing our rights and freedoms as citizens and how to use the democratic process properly to protect these rights."The Park" is designed for the reader who enjoys novels that are both informative and entertaining.iUniverse (2007)ISBN 9780595445264Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (8/07) dr seuss book collection