Lucy Adams has written a book I will long keep at my chairside. Each story devotion to me is like a pebble being tossed into crystal clear waters creating ripples of new understanding, life, appreciation for, and connection to the hymns I've grown up with. They are stories I can share with my children to enhance their worship experience. The human connection behind the words and music along with Mrs. Adam's personal accounts just may serve as a seed planted towards another great hymn. The reader is encouraged that all it takes is one thought, pen in hand, and the desire to grow in their journey of faith.

Lucy Neeley Adams writes in a refreshing style, leaving the reader inspired and ready to sing old hymns with renewed enthusiasm! 52 Hymn Story Devotions clearly conveys the various shades of meaning surrounding each song,while guiding the reader into a warm relationship with the hymn writer. I will never again sing a hymn in Church without thinking of Lucy Neeley Adams and desiring to know more about the song that I am singing.

This is good for my wife to have written this book. It is very helpful in sermon preparation. The stories are brief, but filled with meaningful facts.

"Adam, Adam, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin is a beginning reader book of Bible stories.

Each two-page spread starts with the title question, only the name is replace with another name. Adam's response is "I see creation all around me." Genesis 2:4-25 is listed as the reference to learn more about Adam.

Other major Bible characters are asked the same question, and they answer uniquely: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samson, Ruth, David, Esther, Mary, John, Peter, Paul, a little child, and of course, Jesus, all with corresponding Bible references.

I fully recommend "Adam, Adam, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin as a fun way to introduce your children to your faith.

Anthony Trendl

As a preschool teacher, of course I'm a huge fan, but this book warmed my soul. I'm so thankful to have this religious book to share with the kids. They will learn the words just like my weekday kids recite Brown Bear... this will make the flannelboard story for Sunday School I have been waiting for! Excellent story by a dedicated Christian! Every young child's class should have this book.

What a beautiful and simple way to tell the Bible stories! I loved this book! If you liked "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle you will love this one even more. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see" has been my son's favorite book since he was 6months old, now "Adam, Adam, what do you see" will be my second son's favorite. Bill Martin Jr. has a wonderful way to tell the many stories of the Bible in simple sentences for young readers. I recommend this book to any parent, the children will love the repetition in this book and will learn it word by word.

The texts of many Eighteenth Century books are full of interpolations by printers and may contain thousands of edits by the author, too. What Dr. Brack has done is to identify and evaluate EVERY variant to assemble a DEFINITIVE TEXT. He's spent a lifetime tracking down what Smollett actually wrote. If you want to know what Smollet wrote, and not his printer, read an edition that Dr. Brack has collated. These volumes are triumphs of scholarship as well as a service to readers.

I read this book for the first time over 20 years ago, and I must admit it shaped my life. When I have kids (twin boys preferably) I will see to it that Machiavelli's Prince, and Smollet's Fathom are mandatory reading.

As you are lead through the life and adventures of FCF, you realize just how villanous a handsone dandy can be. Whistling as he makes love to your daughter so as not to let on that he is picking the lock on your safe with a toothpick between his toes definately displays a sense of arrogance that one must admire!

If you love the stories of Robin Hood then you'll love this book.It's some of the many stories of Robin Hood with Wishbone as your guide.It's good for young kids because Wishbone is right there explaining things like what is chain mail armor.I don't think I could give this book any thing but 5 stars.

I read a book called: WISHBONE THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. It was really good.A funny part was when little John tricked the sheriff that he was bad.I liked it a lot. The author is Joan Mattern.The book had a lot of bow and arrow shooting and a lot of fighting so if you like books with kings and knights and outlaws you'll like this one!

This author is truly wonderful,because he/she uses action, horror, fantsy and suprise.

This book was very helpful to me in being an informed health care consumer for my child. I especially found the detailed medication section helpful. My son's asthma had progressed from being mild to moderate and the thorough review of current medication options was very helpful. I purchased the book based on the fact that a pulmonary nurse clinician had recommended it. I am a nurse practicioner in women's health and value the recommendation from another practicioner who is involved in educating her patients regarding their conditon. This book really helped me in making informed decisions along with my son's pediatrician.

As a lifelong asthmatic, I strongly recommend The Asthma Sourcebook. It is the most informative and readable asthma book on the market today. It helped me and should be required reading for all asthmatics and their families.

I work as a nurse clinician specializing in pulmonary medicine. I also have asthma. I've read many books, articles, etc. on asthma and this book is by far the most informative (not to mention the most updated) asthma book I have read. I have found it very helpful both personally and professionally. I have recommended/bought this book for others with this disease. I know I'm too late to be a "winner", that's okay, my reason for writing was to "tell it like it is"

"...the book provides an invaluable guide for parents or professionals keen to update themselves on the diagnosis, treatment, and causes of autism. It should also prove a very useful introduction for students and others who want to nkow more about this fascinating condition."

From a parent's perspective, this is the first book to be read when autism is suspected in your child. Missing are the generalizations and stereotypes, as well as conflicting symptoms, found in many other books. Lots of helpful information to help you understand your child better, how to best help him/her at home and the various treatments/therapies available to your child. If your child doesn't meet the "classic" symptoms of autism, this book will bring better understanding of the all encompassing term "autism."

Manages to pack an incredible amount of information into a very small space, while remaining wonderfully clear and jargon-free. Invaluable for anyone who wants to acquire an overnight grasp on the state-of-the-art research into autistic spectrum conditions, their causes, and the best methods of education and treatment.

Adam Phillips' book THE BEAST IN THE NURSERY, is a collection of some of most compelling essays on psychoanalysis to be gathered together. His prose makes some of what might seem to be the most opaque ideas about pyschoanalysis appear shockingly lucid. He's a terrific writer and demands that you think for yourself as a reader.

This erudite author becomes even poetic in some of the text, making this book a joy to read. He gives a more positive, ideology-free reading of many of Freud's basic ideas and thoughts. While he does not advocate tossing theory into the wastebasket, he does enjoin the reader to go deeper into psychoanalytical tenets, to think less dogmatically about them, and to realize that theory is only an aid, not a mold into which each analysand must somehow be forced to fit. The reader must be familiar with psychoanalytical writing in order to get the full benefit from the book, however, since the ideas presented assume that the reader understands their background and meaning.

This is a collection of layered and complex writing by a clear and humane thinker -- and a wonderful writer. Phillips ranges widely, and cites inspired references from psychology (including his London practice), philosophy, and literature, and always with distinct purpose. Freud, Hanna Segal, H.G. Wells, Auden, Blake, Marion Milner, John Keats, D.W. Winnicott, and Melanie Klein (among others) are cited in this book, effectively. He's blazingly creative, more subtly political, and good-hearted -- and it shows. The book is a slower read than his earlier ones, but well worth it.

A bigger difference than between this book and "History of Greek fire and gunpowder" can hardly be imagined. "The big bang" is written like a history book and therefore much easier to read that professor Partington's book. It describes the history of all explosives, from black powder to the H-bomb. It is surprisingly complete. The book treats, among others, black powder, smokeless powder, cordite, ballistite, nitroglycerin, dynamite, gun cotton, TNT, ANFO, picric acid, safety fuse, detonators, the A- bomb and the H-bomb. It is clearly an historical account, not a recipe book. The writer not only describes the technical- and chemical aspects of explosives but also tells the story of the persons, production methods and companies that have played a role. Also he gives information on the application of explosives in military use, mining, demolition and quarrying and on all the problems that have occurred in the course of time. Even the "gunpowder machine" (predecessor to the steam engine) is mentioned. Obviously the writer is from Britain, which shows in his discussion of the patent controversy between Alfred Nobel and the British government concerning the production of Cordite. Generally, however, he takes a very objective position. The writer has also placed the development of explosives in the broader context of social development and a number of interesting facts are mentioned. It seems that the publication of the Balfour declaration (which led to the founding of the state of Israel) was very much due to the fact that it was a Jewish chemic (Chaim Weizmann, the later president of Israel) who found a solution to the shortage of acetone in England during the First World War, thus helping the war effort. Acetone is essential for the production of Cordite, the main propellant for the British guns. Also controversial characters like Fritz Haber and Robert Oppenheimer feature in this book besides large industries like Dupont de Nemours and Kynoch. The development of explosives is not only important to the war industry and mining but also plays a vital role in the realization of important, prestigious public works like canals, tunnels and railroads. The explosives industry stands at the basis of much of the modern chemical industry. All in all "The big bang" is an excellent book to learn the history of this very specialized and sometimes controversial subject.

THE BIG BANG a History of Explosives was written by George I Brown, and not by Adam Hart-Davis. Adam Hart-Davis is an exceptionally fine presenter, with the BBC. He has a programme called LOCAL HEROES, and is an ex professor of a university, in the UK(I'm sorry I can't remember which one). Adam Hart-Davis writes a foreword of one page long. Mr. George Brown wrote the other 256 pages, and a wonderful piece of work he wrote. If you want to kill people, then your looking @ the wrong book, move along. Other than that the Title says it all really.

The book is a thematic history of explosives. The largest coverage is for gun powder detailing the history of its use in guns, bombs, rockets and mining. Then the further advances of explosives are covered up to and including nuclear explosives.

The author presents a technical work easily understood by this non-chemist. He also gives the very human background of the various inventors and users of the explosives.

What was most interesting to me is the fact that many of our most famous chemical producing companies started with the production of explosives.

Also interesting was the history of the development of safe explosives both for war and for mining purposes.

The book is well illustrated and easily accessable for the layperson and for the professional.

I love every single book in the Lieberman series but this one is a particular favorite. As always, Lieberman is both worldly wise and all too human, with weaknesses that make him just that more believable and strangely lovable as well.
This time around, Lieberman and his associate, Hanrahan, are trying to guard the ex-wife and son of a mob informant while juggling the daily frustrations of their own lives. While the mystery will keep your attention, what is equally wonderful, to my mind, are Lieberman and Hanrahan, two guys who jump from the pages in vivid detail. Kaminsky is a wonderful writer and I hope more than mystery buffs discover him. He deserves the attention!

Dark, yet humorous. The entire Lieberman series is fantastic (I've read them all) but this one is the best. The plots are complex yet they move at breakneck speed. You really get involved in the characters and their lives. This cop series focuses on the minds and lives of the police, rather than focusing on the criminals. This series is tops. The only other writers that come close are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane and S.J. Rozan.

Chicago police officers Abe Lieberman and Bill Hanrahan are partners affectionately dubbed by their peers as the "Rabbi and the Priest". Their latest case involves mob accountant Mickey Gornitz willing to testify against his boss if certain conditions are met. Mickey insists he will only talk with Abe, who was a high school classmate several decades ago. Mickey also demands that his ex-wife and teenage son receive full protection though he has not seem either of them in fifteen years until the informer disappears into the witness protection program. Reluctantly, the Cook County District Attorney's Office agrees.

However, almost immediately after the moment that the Boston cop handed over the former wife and son to Bill, thugs kidnap the duo. When the abduction includes murder, Bill blames himself and not the brass who thought the wife and kid were low priority. As Abe works on a couple of cases and some personal shtick, he tries to help his partner deal with a severe case of depression caused by deep feelings of guilt.

The Abe Lieberman police procedural series is constantly one of the best the sub-genre has to offer. The current tale, THE BIG SILENCE, is an intriguing look at Chicago, various ethnic groups, and relationships. The police investigation is engaging because no great revelation occurs, just hard work. Stuart M. Kaminsky other sleuths (see Rostnikov and Peters) are very good and deserve fan accolades, but clearly neither one holds a candle to the Lieberman books.

Harriet Klausner

A fabulous book for beginning birders, Birdscaping your Garden acts as an all-purpose guide to identification, habitat, and feeding habits. Identification is aided by a short description as well as a black and white sketch and a full-color photo. Each two-page spread discusses one bird with details including migration and winter range, breeding range and behavior, nesting, and a short list of plants to use for bird food.
The feeding guide is garden and plant focused (rather than the typical hanging birdfeeder type focus) with the idea of using native plantings to attract and feed birds. Purchased seed options are rarely mentioned.
As organized and helpful as the individual page layouts are, the overall organization of the book is lacking. The reader is forced to browse through all 64 birds in the directory section to find what is being sought since the birds are not listed in any particular order. The book's lack of regional focus is also limiting and reduces the number of relevant entries to about 30 if you live in New Jersey, for example.
The final section of the book is a plant directory which is organized alphabetically by scientific name. The section includes photos and general cultural guidelines for plants that will shelter and feed the birds previously discussed. A list of "Birds Attracted" within the individual plant descriptions is a nice cross-reference with the bird directory section.
The dichotomy of the book should not put you off - it is clearly written and useful despite its overall lack of organization. There is no doubt it is valuable for creating a native, bird-friendly garden.

I first found this book at our local library and when I went to photocopy "a few pages" I realized I was about the copy the whole book so I decided to just buy the book for myself. It's terrific! It goes through all sorts of species of bushes and trees, indicates what type of wildlife is attracted to it, how they use it, etc. It has good pictures too. A real must have for the backyard gardener who wants to have some wildlife in their life. Highly highly recommended

Want to "reform" your backyard? This book is a great place to start. A wonderful primer on birds and plants, this book is also a solid reference book. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in, or is serious about, creating a great place for the birds and the bees to hang out.