Pam Munoz Ryan is a wonderful writer. I love the book The Flag We Love. I love all the interesting facts about our flag. My favorite page is when she explains Betsy Ross who created the American Flag. I really enjoyed reading about our flag.

I would give the book, The Flag We Love five stars because its illustrations are great, and it has a flag on every page. My favorite part of the story was when Pam Munoz Ryan told us about the American flag. I also liked how Ralph used models to do the pictures. On the page where there is a teacher holding the flag it is really Pam Ryan's daughter. This book is creative, excellent and has great pictures. Please read this book.

The Flag We Love is a FABULOUS book for all ages. It tells the history on the American flag. I think that the illustrations are very creative and dramatic. I like the written history part and the poem because they are very educational.I think that everyone should read this book so they will see how good it is.I also think that whoever reads it will want to read it over.

I first read a book from this series, "the fields of home" when I was 8 or 9, on my fathers recomendation, he said it reminded him of his father and himself. after reading the story, I found that rather than seeing my father and grandfather, I saw my dad and myself. I didnt know any other books from this author existed until a couple of years ago, when I ran accross the entire box set. my whole family has enjoyed them; both as read aloud books for the younger kids but as quiet reading for the older ones as well as my wife and I. I read the entire series at least once a year, and they never fail to bring a warm feeling to my heart, as well as a close feeling of family ties and kinship to the rural way of life. If the kids of today cared half as much for the well being of the family as Ralph Moody did for his, this would be a much better world to live in

I read this book after my 9-year old finished it for school. The lessons and values that Ralph Moody learned growing up are so good and true-even if sometimes they were learned the hard way. Mr. Moody's book teaches wonderful values like responsibility, respect, honesty, hard work, and committment and support of the family. The part I liked best was the relationship that Ralph had with his father. This world would be a much brighter place to live in if every son had a father like Ralph's. I think a dad reading this to his kids would teach lessons they all would remember.

I read my first book by Ralph Moody, "The fields of home" when I was 8, on my fathers recomendation. He told me that the story reminded him of he and his father, but after reading it I saw more of my dad and myself; rather than father and grandfather. A couple of years ago a friend told me of these great books he had bought, and said that he would loan them to me, once I saw the author I had to purchace the set for myself. I read these books at least once a year, and there hasn't been a time when they dont bring a warm feeling to my heart, and bring a feeling of kinship to Ralph and his family with its rural heritage. If the kids of today cared half as much for family as Ralph does for his, today would be a much better place.

This book serves me well as an IT project trainee with no engineering background. I find this book wonderful as it covers a wide range of IT terms and concepts in a simplified (at least understandable to me) and structured way. Low from the types of wires (like copper wire and glass fibres) and transmission media (such as infrared and laser) and then layer 1 hardware, up the layers IP/TCP, sockets, DNS, technologies of FTP, CGI, Java, and lands on network security. It is not that technical in nature but explains the concepts and how each item works. It really helps me much in conceptual nature. So if you are an IT starter like me and looking for an elementary widely-covered book, I do recommend this for you.

Excellent book for beginners. Great book for undergraduate and MBA courses.

This is an excellent book on understanding networking and the internet. I can't praise this book enough. You must have this as a reference.

As previous reviewers have noted, this is an excellent reference that is bound to become a standard at almost the level of its "Total" brethren in baseball and football. However, I believe that the editors applied misguided priorities to the content of the book to some extent. Allegedly the official encyclopedia of the NHL, it includes over 100 pages on international hockey (in case you needed to know the 1967-8 league champion in Iceland), but devotes only a single page to Stanley Cup results, with W-L in Finals games and the winning and losing teams and coaches. I would have expected a book of this scope to list the scores of ALL Stanley Cup games, if not line scores and scoring summaries. The Stanley Cup playoffs are the showcase of the NHL, and it struck me as odd that the annual game results, at some level, did not find their way into this book.

This book can tell you everything you every wanted to know about hockey and the tradition of hockey. You get to see so many stats about all the teams and the players of the NHL. A must have for all Hockey fans and players of the wonderful game.

If you're a hockey nut, this book is for you. It lists all the players who ever played an NHL game and also explains the origins of the game itself. The stats alone are worth the price. Now you can see who all Newsy Lalonde (the Wayne Gretzky of the early 1900's) played for, and his stats, as well as Gretzky's stats.

The parts on the origins of the game are extremely interesting and shows how the best sport on earth has become global. There are also good biographies of important hockey people, male and female, as well as NHL team histories, league stats, and minor pro and European league stats.

All in all, an excellent comprehensive hockey encyclopedia.

Bastian Balthazar Bux's life is not faring too good. There are many bullies at his school, who usually pick on him,he is fat and tubby and his father hasn't spoken to him ever since his mother's death. One day when Bastian passes a bookshop something makes him enter. When he enters he finds Mr.Coreandar, the shopkeeper reading a book. Bastian is mesmerized by the book's cover the minute his eyes are laid on it. Knowing that the book probably costs good money, Bastian picks up the book and runs out of the store. He then goes to his schoolhouse and goes to the attic where no one else ever goes. He begins to read the book ( The Neverending Story) and then is sent into the book as a hero. Bastian loves the country (Fantastica) and doesn't want to leave. People find him as the savior of their land for saving the childlike empress and also have no intention of forcing him to leave. During the book Bastian meets many friends like, Falkor, the luckdragon, and Artreyu, the hero who brings Bastian to Fantastica. This is a great read, but you will have to pay a lot of attention to the book because there are many, many, characters in the book. At times the book has it's tedious points, but I finished this book knowing that it was a 4 star book.

When I got my copy of the "Neverending Story" in last week, I dove for it right away. I had been dying to read it forever. But it's not what was in it that first grabbed my attention. The print is in two different colors: a beautiful maroon for stories relating to the Human world, and a vivid emerald for anything relating to Fantasia. Furthermore, each chapter begins with a full-page with a single letter on it. (The first chapter "A", the last chapter "Z," you get the idea). Add that to the beautiful cover and simple, yet detailed illustrations, and you have one of the best put-together books ever written.

Now, on to the actual story. "The NeverEnding Story" tells the story of Bastian Balthaazar Bux, an outcast trying to get over the shock of losing his mother. One morning, while running from the local bullies, he ducks into a bookstore. He finds a book there that literally calls out to him. Even though his conscience tries to dissuede him, he steals the book and has the urge to read it right away! What he finds in the book is an adventure most unlike any of the others he is used to finding in books. Things seem SO real! He can practically SEE each character, SMELL the earth, TASTE the seedcakes, HEAR the wind, and FEEL the cold. As things go along, he knows it is silly, but he somehow feels a part of the NeverEnding story....

Although this book was written in the 1980's, it has definitely stood the test of time. Michael Ende proves himself as one of the top fantasy writers. Like Bastian, you can almost imagine you are there. If you love books like "Chronicles of Narnia," "Harry Potter," and "The Princess Bride," PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this book!

The Neverending Story provides for its main character exactly what it provides for its readers; an escape from reality in order to take a look at their lives. There lives inside the most timid of all human beings a strong and corageous warrior. Every failing student has the right answer. Every bully has a soft spot. Michael Endes fantasy is targeted towards young adult readers, but young and old alike respond to the most incredible story ever told.

Bastian Balthazar Bux, the main character, feels his life is not worth living. His mother is dead, his father is disconnected from reality, his fellow students hate him, he's not happy with his appearance and it seems that his only escape is through literature. Only when he is at his lowest point does fate step in to point him in the right direction. He steals a book called the Neverending Story from a back alley book shop for some unexplained reason. All he knows is that he is compelled and meant to read the book. Hiding in the attic of his school, he reads the story as if he is a character himself... until at last he finally is. His life will never be the same again.

Deep within the mind of the creative artist often lies the tendency to become destructive. Nowhere is this more apparent than in this brilliantly written work. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" describes the effects of alcohal and drugs in calculated journo-prose. Initially assigned to cover a motorcyle race in the desert, the emphasis soon shifts from responsibility to reckless partying. The book meanders between odes to opium, mescaline and other mind-altering substances to ethical issues and social commentary. The book is a true story, which recounts the adventures of Thompson, alias Duke, and his obese lawyer, alias Gonzo in Las Vegas in the early 70s. Generally regarded as a collection of infamous drug exploits, the book also captured critical acclaim for it's abrupt and edgy style, and has remained a favorite in journalistic circles. The drug concotions enable Thompson to comment carelessly on everything from social issues to personal exploration, providing an objective critique of modern American life. The language is edgy and vulgar, lacking refinement and dignity. As well he knows, Thompson himself resembles these remarks and at least in this instance, life does imitate art. Overall, it is an odyssey into the mind of a true gonzo-journalist, chock full of emotion and definately worth a few hours of your time. The brains cells are up to you.

Other books of interest: "Post Office," by Charles Bukowski, and "THe Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," by Tom Wolfe.

Thompson possesses a magical way with words, and his writing style is a pure pleasure to read. Incredibly funny and surprisingly poetic and insightful; Hunter waxes on elegantly, with a perspective and intelligence that is astonishing. The first half of the book, and in particular the opening scene, is excellent, witty, and about the funniest thing in print. The latter half, while still intoxicating and good, is a bit chaotic, as the quest for the Dream winds down and the aftermath of the search is examined. The movie with Johnny Depp is also great; it is best to read the book and then immediatly watch the movie because so much is said in Hunter's unique way of talking, that without reading the book first, much of what he says is missed; also, everything takes on a greater significance, yeilding a better understanding of the rapid series of events. Thompson, with this book alone, proves his genius for all of time.

This fast paced drug filled search for the American Dream is pure madness. No one other than HST can pull of a trip like this. With the original jacket copy and the "Kentucky Derby" you get to see just some of his writing genius. "Rumblings in Mazatlan" is also a great article, where you see he can take things seriously. This man is "Gonzo" and the book is great, I have read it once, but will not be the last time.

I just finished the book Fig Pudding. It is a great book. I was sad when Brad died because it touched my heart and all of the character's hearts too. My favorite part is when Uncle Eddie said,"Did you add a new ingredient?". It was funny. I wonder what book Ralph Fletcher likes the most? I wonder if this book was based on his real life? I wonder if he had a brother that died? The mood kept on changing in the story. That is why I liked it.

Fig Pudding made me feel like reading more. In each chapter there was a new feeling. I wonder how Mr.Fletcher thought of these brilliant ideas to put in the chapters? I would love to read the sequel to Fig Pudding because I know that Mr.Fletcher will have some great ideas. I would like to know, were some of the characters in the story in his life, like Uncle Eddie? It was really sad when Brad died because everyone really cared about him and loved him. I thought it was funny when Uncle Eddie said,"Did you put some new ingredients in the Fig Pudding?" because Josh's shoe fell in it. I'd like to know if Mr. Fletcher is writing a new book and what is the title? This is one of my favorite books I've read because it changed my mood and that's what I like about reading. I wonder how Mr. Fletcher thought of writing this nice book? If I were Brad I would have told my father that I can't give away the tackle box. I've only read two books by Ralph Fletcher and I know I will enjoy reading more and more books by Ralph Fletcher. Fig Pudding is in my top three favorite books. This book is one of my classes favorite books!

This is an excellent book! Told as a story by the narrator, we experience a little bit about each of his 4 brothers and 1 sister. Each one is a true character in every sense of the word, but at the same time, is very realistic. This is a very real family with characters that I just fell in love with. They are not always as nice as can be and they make mistakes - even the adults. We follow the family through a year in their lives (all from the point of view of the oldest child). There are ups and downs, but in the end everyone does love each other and is there to support each other.

This is a wonderful book about the enduring strength of family and the love and support that can be found in them. There are moments that will make the reader laugh at loud and others that will bring a tear to the eye of even the hardest individual. I truly wish this book had gained more recognition.

The opportunities for writing activities and discussions based on the book are endless with a little creativity. I fully intend on using this book in my classroom and hope others will as well. Like other Ralph Fletcher books, this is quality literature for students and adults - not simply a kid's book.

Why 5 stars?:
This book is incredibly well written with very real characteristics. It brings the reader through a variety of emotions as the narrator tells us about his family and the events that occur over the course of a year. The chance to engage students in sharing and discussing literature are excellent. I highly recommend this book for school libraries, and literature circles in the classroom. Parents should be encouraged to read this book with their children as a bonding experience of the discussions about family that will undoubtedly come out.

Who wouldn't want to be assured of being able to protect ones own self and loved ones when attacked? Who wouldn't want to live freely in the knowledge that a stranger from the road would not be able to hurt them or their loved ones?

That's what this book is about. Self-protection. Not martial arts. Not karate. Not special training. Simply self-defense.

Right from the first page of this book, the author has made it clear that self-defense cannot be taught through martial arts. After all, if a thief or murderer has attacked you, you won't be given time to remember the dozens of movements you learnt in class, nor will a referee jump in to save you when you've been injured. In real life, you could get hurt. Or killed.

The first in a four-part series, this book aims to guide the reader on various techniques, programs and methods through which self-defense can be achieved. The author Ralph Haenel, a Personal Trainer and Motivational Coach who has trained for over two decades, advocates the system of Wing Tsun Kung Fu. Although he's been trained in various martial arts over the years, he continues to teach and learn this system because of its high self-defense nature.

An extremely informative book, "For the first time Understand Realistic Self Defense" covers all aspects of finding the right program, understanding your basic needs and motives for training, finding the right training school and most importantly, the right trainer. Further, the author goes into great depths to outline the aspect of women in self-defense. He also makes sure the reader understands that self-defense is nothing like that seen in movies or television.

"For the First time Understand Realistic Self-Defense" is a great book for the reader who's thinking of getting started in martial arts, feels the need for protection of his/her family or simply wants to feel confident in the knowledge that he/she can protect oneself if the time comes.

The author takes a step-by-step approach to show the reader how Wing Tsun Kung Fu can help enhance your life not only by protecting you and your loved ones, but also by helping you professionally, spiritually and mentally.

As the author mentions time and again, age, sex and physical conditions are not a factor. Anyone willing to learn how to defend herself can do so by following the simple guidelines that Kung Fu teaches. This book guides you towards achieving that goal. From choosing the system to finding the right instructor, this book spells out everything you need to get started on your road to self-defense.

The author writes in an easy-to-understand, conversational style and takes your hand as he guides you to the theories and concepts behind the techniques of self-defense.

Have you ever seen those quick-fix martial arts books that claim to be able to teach a person martial arts in 5 easy steps? Or how about the late night infomercial that sells a video teaching you "secret" techniques of the "Grandmasters"?ever encountered a school that advertises thousands of techniques to overwhelm your attacker with? The truth of the matter is that these books, videos and schools, just like the many diet books that are flooding the market are merely fads, and that real self-defense does not involve doing a triple axel spinning jump kick to the head or the stuff you see in movies. Real self-defense is not a joke, and it is not a game, nor should it be presented as such, and For the First Time Understand Realistic Self Defense! is a book that passes this message very well.

Ralph Haenel's book is one that doesn't pretend to be a solution manual for every hostile situation possible, but instead serves as a beginning point to lead you in the right direction. This direction is true self-defense, and self confidence, the self-confidence to know that what you learn will work, regardless of your gender, physical size, strenghth or speed. If you are looking to be able to do fancy moves that look cool, then take gymastics, but if you are seriously looking for a self defence system that works, this book is your best bet.

As you already know, most martial art books are filled w/ shallow pictures, and flowery poetic lines--and not worth the price paid. FFTURSD by Haenel is a "text-book" sized source of self defense--bringing out the realities of self defense that has been clouded by movies and the many uncredible martial art schools. Experiences from other black belts and students are shared--let alone the way the book opens your eyes. If you're like me, you know that there's always questionable doubt if that new punch you learned will really work in "crunch time". This book answered all of my questions. Of course, there's a huge load of pictures to accompany the theory itself but i must admit--the bulk of this book is written material worth investing in and belonging in your collection. This book is not about how to do a form or how to throw a beautiful kick. It's self defense to a "T" with true kung fu roots not some style some guy made up 2 years ago. If you're looking for theory, opinions, ideas, and understanding--this is something i recommend. I challege all of you guys to check it out and rate it yourself--i know you'll agree with me.

This book is like my second Bible. I am a studio engineer and a sound reinforcement technician. I have read it from cover to cover several times and would instantly recommend this book to anyone who works in the industry or is interested in learning about pro audio.

There aren't many things that recording engineers agree on. Sure we all like Neumann microphones, Neve Mic Pre's, and Studer 2 inch machines, but when it comes to things that the average studio can afford, there is much dissention.

That is not the case with this book. Without fail, every single audio engineer I've met learned SOMETHING from reading the Sound Reinforcement handbook. Collected in these pages is the wisdom of a generation of Audio Engineers, and given that our field is one that is so much based on oral tradition, a book like this is invaluable for someone who doesn't have the time or inclination to learn things in the traditional way by hanging around in recording studios working for free.

If you want to do anything in audio technology it would behoove you to learn this book backwards and forwards, because it contains between it's covers one of the most thorough and balanced presentations ever written on the topic. A great book.

This book is a must have for all students in the sound reinforcement industry. As a high school theatre sound tech, this book has saved me from disaster hundreds of times and allowed my performances to sound great. The discussed topics are clear, complete, and through. The information is very useful to a beginner or a seasoned pro. I see this book as the "bible" of the sound reinforcement industry. A must have!

Robert Richardson's biography of Emerson is superb. Though, as Richardson reminds us, Emerson did not like superlative language when precise and adequate language would do, it is the case that at times the superlative, the precise and the adequate converge (as, in fact, they often did in Emerson's writings). Richardson's biography is indeed superb in its unfolding of Emerson's life -- the loves, the friendships, the losses, the intellectual and spiritual hunger, the religious quest, the writers in America, in Europe, in Persia and elsewhere to whom Emerson owed and acknowledged debts, the grasping at and for a world, the determination of a single, brilliant human being to find his way and to see his life, and all individual lives, as imbued with the divine and thus worth living.

The book is also superbly written. Each short chapter offers enough substantive insight to urge the reader into the next. It is a long book, but not long-winded. Richardson provides the reader with some morsel of insight in a few pages of narrative, and then offers a rest to digest what has been said. His placement of quotations from Emerson's journals, essays and other works is brilliant, offering the reader a useful sketch of Emerson's metaphysics and ethics. In my own case, this has allowed time to reach for other literature more fully descriptive of the events or scenes offered in a particular chapter, or to reread chunks of Emerson's writings while moving through the biography. The book is a useful tool not merely for a study of Emerson's life but for a study of Transcendentalism and of the interplay of ideas across the Atlantic that shaped American thought in so many ways. One sees more clearly where and how such writers as Nietzsche and Thoreau obtained the seeds of their own truths from Emerson's works and thoughts.

Richardson has set the standard for the writing of future biographies. Again, simply superb.

A remarkable biography of an enduring genius in American history.'Emerson: The Mind on Fire', is a reading experience that was at once moving, educationally rewarding and, above all, inspiring. The book is a well- crafted, well- researched analysis of 'the' American philosopher of the 19th century. After completing the work, I felt as though I knew the great man intimately, and found myself feeling sad that he wasn't in the phone book or had an email address to invite him and his family over for dinner. As Thoreau once wrote, "Surely joy is the condition of life." And this is most certainly the leading emotion that I felt while reading this book. And as Emerson wrote: "The purpose of life is individual cultivation, self expression, and fulfillment." At the risk of sounding too praiseworthy, Richardson's commendable biography has given me the opportunity to experience all three of the above. Since a freshman in highschool, my predelication to Transcedentalism has moved in and out of my life like a warm breeze. This particular work has re-lit this old philosophical spark,causing the winds to rise again, so to speak, creating a kind of intellectual excitment. I have read hundreds of biographies on many great individuals, but this one ranks as one of the best. I recommend this book highly.

Richardson has given us a most profound biography of one of the world's most profound men. And in this case, I'm almost as impressed with the biographer as the man he reports. This book has 100 chapters, each one as full of outstanding ideas as some entire books I've read. I owe many wonderful evenings and mornings to Richardson who has given me the keenest insights into my favorite teacher and author. Richardson so accurately portrays Emerson's journey of a self-realized soul marching in his conviction of the final authority of the individual self that I personally felt I was making the same journey. In so many moments, something swelled within me while reading this book, that I thought perhaps even one such as myself might grasp these elevated concepts Richardson so lucidly explains. Emerson himself said, "only that book is good which puts the reader in a working mood." While reading this book I have felt encouraged in my own quest to do the work of unfolding my own nature with reverential awe, as Emerson admonishes us, by keeping my own journals and studying to unify myself with the eternity at the core of my being.

Richardson not only studied Emerson to write this book, he studied the books that Emerson studied thereby showing Emerson's method, intellectual origins, and his native genius that courageously broke with contemporary traditions to create a cohesive world-view that has inspired so many.

Emerson, more than any other author I have read, believed in the grandeur of the soul--not just his own--but in each of us. He wrote in his journal, "When I look at the rainbow I find myself the center of its arch. But so are you; and so is the man who sees it a mile from both of us. So also the globe is round, and every man therefore stands on the top. King George, and the chimney sweep no less."

If you are looking for a book to not only stretch your limits of understanding but help you realize the helping hand at the end of your own arm, do yourself the favor and get Richardson's biography and spend many enlightening hours studying Emerson with Richardson. You might also consider spending the extra few dollars and get the hardback . It'll last a lot longer under the wear you'll give it referring to it again and again.