It was hard to believe that this novel I was reading was published in 1901! It kept thinking that the fiction writers of the turn of the century were very similar to the young adult writers of today.

Connor wrote a book which was an accurate recount of life in the Canadian wilderness, and did it in a way that was not offensive in vernacular or boring in content.

Truly a timeless novel that your children should read. It very refreshing compared to some of the acidic laced young adult "literature" of today. (but they do need some of that to get a perspective on the real world, as it is now)

I studied this book in Canadian Lit at St. Francis Xavier University, and the whole class loved it. Our professor tied it in with our Scottish heritage and culture, which is very strong in Nova Scotia and in rural Ontario. It may be hard to believe but the values in the book were the same I was taught growing up 25 years ago, even the Gaelic phrases were familiar. Our class came to the conclusion that the book could explain a great deal about the roots of the so-called Canadian Identity. If you want to read about the real Canadian pioneers, this is it.

This book covers some of the basics, but you also need Beitler's "Strategic Organizational Change."

This really was a fifty-minute book, but it was packed with well thought-out skills and strategies. It is a book that you will be able to turn to again and again for tips and tricks to use as different situations come up during organizational changes. The topics not only prepare you for change, they guide you through it and position you for the future. You will be able to identify your own style and recognize areas that need to be improved to facilitate change allowing you to create a one-minute advantage over your competitors. It covers not only how to deal with people and their attitudes but also topics as important as establishing an action plan. I recommend this book to anyone that needs a simple, concise guide to help move their company forward in today's and tomorrow's fast-paced competitive environment.

There are a number of texts in this field. This one is by authors whose professional reputations are top notch. However, this book's strengths lie in their qualitative approach. It is a very good book for a short course, and introduction or overview, but for a graduate text I feel it falls short in that it is lacking in mathematics and too qualitative. That said, the illustrations of specific
types of fatigue are terrific. The thought process they use to think through a fatigue problem is very appropriate and a great approach to most problems. If you do forensics of fatigue
problems you want to create for yourself a catalog of failure modes photos and this shows you how to start. With great examples of a number of different types of failures.

Alternative texts for a more quantitative approach that I would
recommend, are Bannantine's and Comer's books for undergraduate
engineering students, or Norman Dowling's book for graduate students.

Still, I own the book and am glad I do. So I give it 3.5 stars.

If there is a single book on *just* metal fatigue for your shelf, this is it. The treatment of material is rigorous without being too terse or long-winded. There's an enjoyable amount of real-world experience mixed in with the text: bits of highly relevant distilled information. Plus, there is data in the appendix that is difficult to find elsewhere (aluminum, etc).

If you are looking for some good high level ideas on Project Management Methodologies, then you might want to consider this book... it does contain some good information and forms. I've used it in developing the Project Management Methodology where I am employed, mainly as a reference. However, if you are looking for a solid PM Methodology, then don't buy this book.

It's excellent reading if you're looking for managing projects and you don't have expertise on it. The book is easy and shows the main aspects in this area. I recommend.

This is a goo, solid, but average book. A good quick read with interesting characters and a story that builds up steam as it goes. A little like Elmore Leonard. If you need a book for a flight or for a doctors office visit, get this one.

It has been some time since I've read an Ralph Arnote novel. His wonderful characters come jumping off the page. Arnote has a great sense of mixing the crime fighting super rich like Willy Hanson and mixing in the rotten bad guys. At times Arnote is a mix between Elmore Leonard and Lawrence Sanders

This story centers on Cliff Blaylock, friend of Willy Hanson and coin collector. On his way home from a coin show Blaylock is robbed of his briefcase containing many coins, one which is a valuable mint condition penny. The robbery does not go off without a hitch. Blaylock shoots one of the robbers, only to find out that he has killed his next door neighbors son. Blaylock trys to cover up the killing until friend Hanson starts investigating on good faith to find the coins. Then the second robber starts blackmailing Blaylock for the the killing.

This story really zips along. You can also feel the tension the Blaylock is going through. Heavy Leval is your typical bad guy, who is easy to hate. Peaches Collins is another one of Arnote's middle characters who is generally good but caught in a bad place. In total the characters here are worth the read.

Save money if you want to buy this three year old guide and buy it direct from the publisher in the Amazon auction section where he offers it for only 12.00 which is fair since it is out of date material..for the up to date prices try the Official Price Guide that is published by the Autograph Collector magazine..who better to know the real skinny on prices then the top magazine in the field.

This book is a must for autograph collectors. Seems like everyone (non-sports) who is collectable is in this book. I don't purchase an autograph (or bid on one) until I check this book. Don't pay too much for an autograph -- this book pays for itself.

I really enjoy the main characters in this series, but the stories are so similar that I can simply scan the book and get enough of the plot to have my fill. Gervase and Ralph make a great team.

"The Serpents of Harbledown" is Volume V of the Domesday Books, and author A.E. Marston continues his Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret series in a convincing manner!

Ralph and Gervase are dispatched to Canterbury to help solve a dispute between the cathedral and St. Augustine's Abbey involving some land, not to mention liturgical authority. This complementary duo are royal officials commissioned by King William to see that justice is meted out and the issue settled. The entourage includes Ralph's new bride (Golde), Canon Hubert, Brother Simon (all whom we've met in previous episodes) and their military retainers. They are eager to dispense their judicial findings.

Alas, a young girl is found dead and at first she is assumed to have died from a poisonous snake, as the teeth marks are readily seen. However, we soon begin to suspect more than accidental death and, true to Marston's nature, we have a full-blown mysstery on our hands. It will take all the logical skill Gervase has, the military bearing of Ralph, and the religious observances of the Canon and Brother Simon to unravel this conundrum. Before its solution, however, we find that, indeed, a serpent has invaded the community, in the form of heresy, and the story takes on even greater meaning.

Marston's fifth tale begins rather slowly, but with patience the reader will find that the narrative begins to jell and the desire to find out the solutions to all the problems compels one to complete the book. Marston seems to have some trouble with his dialogue, especially the passages involving Delchard and his new bride. These conversations borders readily on the stilted, as of course, even in 11th century England meaningful conversation between husband and wife would not be this formal! But that aside--and do push it aside--the book is worth reading through. Marston writes with a social conscience, especially as he deals with the leper issue, and, quite importantly, the relationship of the church with its dissident priests (who seem fully justified in their dissidence!). The author has also spent some time in the presentation of his characters, all the while trying to keep in mind that this is England just after the Norman conquest.

"The Serpents of Harbledown" ends another episode in the King's commissioners' efforts at demonstrating the king's justice, to Norman, Saxon, and Church member alike. Marston seems fully in command of his characters, his plot, and his themes.

(Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

I have being looking around for some quick ideas of making an effective presentation. However, this book is organised in chapters without clear descriptions of their content. It is definitely not a book for busy people.

don;t buy this book if you look for quickie tips; don;t buy this book if you look for "sales-talk" style self-help book; but do buy this book if you want a thorough lecture in presentation skills. It;s entertaining as a novel and yet informative as a lecture in presentation skills

One has to know and understand the original German text of the Dreigroschenoper to be really able to judge the quality of the English translations. This one, used among others by Helen Schneider on her album with Weill songs, has nothing of the sarcasms of the German lyrics. Better read the 1954 translation of Marc Blitzstein or the translation made by Frank McGuinness in the early 1990s.

Of all the translations on the market, this one is the best -- most are watered-down, tepid versions. Manheim & Willet's was used in the late 1970's revival of the piece by the New York Shakespeare Festival, which starred the late Raul Julia and Ellen Greene (of "Little Shop of Horrors" fame, in the role originally intended for Lotte Lenya).

I have used an older version of this set for about 10 years and have given 10th anniversary sets to each of my two sons.

I have done other sorts of readings in the past 15 or so years - tarot, color, aura, and energy / subconscious states. (The last three are systems I developed myself.) I consult the runes on a regular basis and find Ralph Blum's interpretations to be insightful, practical and very helpful.

Personally, I am not interested in historical continuity. I want answers, guidance, to know and understand myself better. Blum's interpretations are excellent for personal exploration and growth. They are very metaphysical and spiritual.

My sons find Blum's book to be an invaluable tool in resolving difficult emotional states / mental blocks. As a mother trying to raise responsible, well-balanced and open-minded individuals, I appreciate the relief they offer me. When I have talked myself blue and still not gotten through to one my sons about an issue I'll say, "Go pick a rune." Invariably, he'll come back to me laughing because he gave himself the same message through the runes! It's wonderful that they have this tool with which they can access their own inner wisdom.

This book has proven to be a most valuable resource to facilitate the access, interpretation and understanding of the knowledge that runes can provide. My perception has been that it has been written without context, rather than with any specific motivation in mind. That in fact is what draws me to it. I find it hard to believe, as has been postulated, that there is any extraordinary influence from Christian beliefs. For that matter any religious beliefs (well maybe Buddhism, but it seems to have keeping it's wisdom aside from time and cultural contexts as part of it's core principals - 8 steps = K-I-S-S). I find this book easy for people to relate to. In fact the interpretations have astounded people I have done readings for, particularly when using the runic cross layout. Really, in the end you aren't reading this book because you want to know about Nordic folklore or follow two thousand year old middle eastern morals, you are looking for guidance and introspection. It would take another thousand words (at least ;) to discuss where any guiding information may originate from, but this book can surely help provide introspection. I have felt it has brought me more.

As a final note, I would like to say that I am still only borrowing a copy of this book. Strangely in the past I have had many copies loaned to me and given to me (and also taken back from me) by many different people over several years. I've got a beautiful set of runes (which came with a [bad]little "included" interpretation guide, photocopied and stapled), but without a relevant interpretation like I feel this book provides they would be useless.

I discovered this little book about 8 years ago, at a time in my life when I needed to seek answers from deep within myself. I had tried the Tarot and several other methods of divination, but none of them really clicked with me. However, I immediately felt comfortable with the runes and Ralph Blums book on the subject. Now, as you read some of the other reviews, you will find several people who truly detest Mr. Blum's work and see it as an affront to "true runic masters". That's all well and good, but I would guess that the vast majority of people contemplating purchasing this book are anything but runic masters and just want a written source that will give them a good start. If you are one of those individuals, then this is the book for you. As for the rune stones themselves...okay, they are not works of art, but they serve the purpose...and in the end, that is all that matters. Yes, you undoubtably will want to make your own at some point, but probably not in the beginning, and that's fine. These little stones, as crude as they may be, will do the trick. I have found great wisdom in the messages of these runes and a greater understanding of my own inner world. This book is a great tool in the quest for spiritual awakening. I have recently felt the need for a more in depth understanding of the runes and have discovered Edred Thorsson's books on the subject. He is definitely a runic master of the highest order and I would recommend him to anyone who already has an understanding of the rune stones and is ready to move to another level. But, Mr. Blum's book is an excellent resource as well and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment in recommending it.