Okay, I give this book 4 stars because it's a joy to read when you're in a hurry to get other things done, mainly because the book only has an average of 4 words a page, and if I ignore the illustrations (Not easy - read on to find out why) I can finish the book in within one minute. Also, I got this book cheap but in near mint condition at a second-hand books store, so I'll go easy on it... Oh, yeah - the four-words-a-page-average also helps out if you somehow got yourself into a bet with a friend that requires you to read a whole book in a minute.

But the best thing about the book is it's illustrations. It's wonderfully done, and the puppets that we see on the show are well drawn (yes, this one has illustrations of the puppets and not photographs of the puppets). The illustrations are bright and are accurate enough so that you can tell which's a illustration of which puppet. Mathieu has done another great job at illustrating this one.

The only thing to remember when you're getting the book (and this being my only major gripe of the book) is that you're _not_ getting a novelization of the episode on TV. The differences, unlike those of Marc Brown's D.W. books, are major. Never mind that the plot is about the same - in the TV show, Leona did not go into Gawain's world and cause the knights and spectators to clash among themsleves, nor did she wonder into a fairy tale neighbourhood and cause the fairy tale characters to clash among themselves either. And Dr. Nitwhite (whom I, like many others, are fond of calling him Dr. Nit-wit) wasn't even in that episode, as far as I can remember, yet he still makes an appearance in the book.

In a nutshell: Nice book for toddlers or to have as backup in case of those dreaded I-can-read-a-whole-book-in-a-minute bets, but not for those who want a novelization of the episode.

My four year old son finally has a book that he feels confidant enough to read to any person that he might come across on the street. He is so proud that he can read the book, and is now able to correctly read these words in other books as well. It is so nice to have a first reader that is truly a first reader.

This delightful book contains only six words, which repeat over and over, so even non-readers will be able to "read" it back to you after only a couple of hearings. The story -- based on an episode from the wonderful new PBS show, Between the Lions -- is great fun, and Joe Mathieu's clever illustrations -- as always -- are amusing for both kids AND adults.

Interesting background information on one of this country's foremost contemporary artists. A somewhat fatuous portrayal of the artist and his lifestyle, but a terrific and - thankfully - colorful exhibit of the recent works of this talented artist. Definitely worth buying.

REFLECTIONS OF NATURE: Paintings of Joseph Raffael is one of the most elegant monographs on a practicing artist I have had the pleasure of reading. Yes, "reading" is an operative word here. Too often artist monographs are coffee table picture books, lush and lovely to look at, enlightening as to a chronologial path of achievement, and even historically relevant - solely on the basis of the images: the written essays are seldom read and if they are read, they are merely perused. Such is not the case with this warmly informative and evocative collection of the works of this fine realist painter. Authors Amei Wallach and Donald Kuspit write with courage about techniques (use of the photograph as the springboard, method of appropriation form the photo image to the paper or canvas, etc) that would frighten most of our painters today, so revealing of secrets and methods publically scorned as "copying" or NOT "representational". But the real coups in this valuable volume is having the artist talk us through not only his techniques, but is personal history and vulnerabilites.

As for the paintings, there are splendid reproductions of those paintings we all know and love (koi, water, water lilies, flowers) but there are also many examples of Raffael's wildlife images, spiritual images, and those of his wife Lannis seeming to metamorphose out of her garden. This book is a fine standard for future art books that stirve to inform as well as document an artist's work. Even if you don't know Raffael's paintings, I would recommend your adding this volume ot your library - for you eye's AND your soul's sake. Outstanding!

Well Written and full of wonderful photos and Illustrations. 5 Stars! Totally Satisfied.

I have looked over this work several times, and can proudly say that the authors have managed to write a text without committing a single error of commission, logic, or spelling. However, several errors of omission remain.

Although I found the arguments a bit transparent in the beginning, it is clear what Meier and Stewart have done here is produce a classic post-constructionist work of scholarship--this book literally is what you make of it. Nonetheless, it is a rollicking good read in same tradition as their earlier work, "A General Theory of Everything, and Other Things We Keep Meaning To Get Around To." Highly recommended, though I'm not sure what Keith Gaddie (see first review) read.

Meier and Stewart have proven once again that they can produce invisible masterpieces in the area of policy study. Indeed, if I did not know better, I would think it impossible that anyone could have written this book.

Joseph Fitzmyer is a foremost Roman Catholic figure the latter half of this century. His New Testament scholarship and exegetical/historical prowess is rightly world-renowned; and his two volume set on Luke is a 5 star commentary. Fitzmyer, living up to his reputation, gives a scholarly and penetrating treatment of the text of Romans; and, to his credit, ends up sounding more like Luther and Calvin than the council of Trent. Nevertheless, Fitzmyer is a good Catholic, and, though shrouded at times by his meticulous and forthright treatment of the text, his Catholicism can be discerned at times to the critical reader. One wonders if his Catholic commitments keep him from delving deeper into the riches of this extraordinary epistle. But at certain points Fitzmyer is very perceptive and his exegesis enlightening.

As a part of the Anchor Bible, Fitzmyer's Romans is highly critical and scholarly--not intended for the uninformed or novice in Biblical studies. Among the critical Romans scholars Fitzmyer is probably not at the very head of the list (Cranfield is the best), but he's a well-recongized scholar whose well worth the read.

All of Fitzmyer's work is unquestionably of the highest scholarly rank, but this Romans commentary exceeds all expectations. What a magnificent introduction!! Fitzmyer also provides a massive bibliography covering the entire scope of church history.

Fitzmyer's exegesis is, for the most part, cogent and lucid. I am Protestant by conviction and cannot follow Fitzmyer at all points, but there is very little in this work with which I disagree. While many New Testament scholars are adopting the views of Sanders, Dunn, and Wright concerning intertestamental and first-century Judaism, Fitzmyer is content with traditional perspectives. In the best of worlds, Fitzmyer could have interacted with the "New Perspective on Paul", but that would have seriously lengthened an already large commentary.

Fitzmyer's exegesis of the fourth chapter of Romans will surprise some in that he defines justification in legal terms. Fitzmyer writes, "Justification in the Old Testament denotes one who stood acquitted or vindicated before a judges' tribunal...This uprightness (righteousness) does not belong to human beings (Rom. 10:3), and is not something that they produced or merited; it is an alien uprightness, one belonging to another (Christ) and attributed to them because of what that other had done for them...This justification comes about by grace and through faith (pp.116-19).

There are a number of excellent excursuses throughout this work that will prove insightful to the advanced reader. Joseph Fitzmyer has provided us with an excellent work on this great Pauline epistle. Pick up and read!

In the world of biblical commentaries, Catholics have generally tended to produce the really great ones on John (Brown, Schnakenburg), while Protestants have excelled on Romans. One needs merely to think of the magisterial commentaries on Romans by Kasemann, Cranfield, Dodd, Barth, etc. Enter Fitzmyer on Romans. It is like entering into a room of fresh air and sea breezes. Fitzmyer has all the intellectual apparatus, an astounding sense of history and tradition, and the guts to take them all on, not only Luther and company, but also the so-called "New Look" at Paul (Sanders, Dunn, et al.), who are tacitly ignored by Fitzmyer as if they did not matter. Actually they don't - such is the power of this commentary. It makes no difference whether you are Protestant, Catholic or Jewish, Kasemann will stimulate you with this commentary. A must for preachers on Romans.

The book was about a young boy who was having vision at an early age. Not only that he was very ill when he had his first vision. At the end he became a Shaman which is closed enoughed as being a preist.

Black Elk has channeled a deeply spiritual work from the Great Spirit, and in my mind will become another of the worlds holiest scriptures. Black Elk has lifted his self to saint hood right alongside the great ones. I love his work. I would recommend this book to all spiritual aspirants.

The whole of creation is essentially one, all parts within the whole are related...realize that at the center dwells Wakan Tanka, and that center is really everywhere, it is within each of us... May we walk with love and mercy upon the path which is holy... "Mita kuye oyasin!"

Mr. Brown actualy lived with Ben Black Elk's family for a period of time while gathering material for this book, and he has the accurate information.

This book has several nice photos of the famous holy man Nick Black Elk.

Questions or comments E-Mail me. Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda

This book is a rather tedious narrative of a not so tedious "starets", or Russian holy man, G.E. Rasputin, who apparently was anything but holy. However,the book is useful in carefully depicting the enormous amount of influence this malevolent monk had upon the Russian Tsar Nicholas II and particularly on Alexandra, his wife. Rasputin's early life, climb to power and influence, exercise of power, and decline and assassination are covered in exquisite detail--almost too much. Not covered are details of his sexual conquests (although apparently there were many!)of Russian ladies of the nobility. The book also shows that Rasputin's celebrated "treatment" of the Tsarevich Alexis' hemophilia was most likely a combination of good timing and luck. If you like wading through a maze of Russian political and Orthodox church personalities, plots and counterplots, and some genuinely interesting tidbits about the "mad monk"--this book is for you.

Fuhrmann's book has given rise to many different reactions. It is true that there seems to be a lack of a central thesis. But in this excellent biography Rasputin's search for influence serves, in some ways, as a thesis. The problem is that this character was quite complex, and no one has better elucidated the problems and issues concerning Rasputin. Fuhrmann is also adept at extending these themes to this entire period of Russian history. The third section (focusing on government and religious officials) is a bit thick. But this was Rasputin's world as he lived it, and this book is a scholarly biography. If you want 400 pages that list Rasputin's debaucheries, go elsewhere. Yet the book is never dull, for nor was Rasputin. His sinful side and his holy side are both clearly and abundantly explained via fascinating examples. Fuhrmann deserves praise for making controversial judgments. For instance, he unequivocally declares that Rasputin possessed healing abilities that are unexplainable. This is an excellent book for expert or beginner. The author richly brings Rasputin and his dead world back to life. The reader will be pulled to this strange land, and thus will gain insight into the tragedy of Russia's 20th century history. Particularly compelling is the (often) sad end of the people who were important in Rasputin's life. With painful detail, Fuhrmann presents this material in the concudling section.

Furhmann's thoroughly - researched & enjoyable book debunks the legend of the sex-crazed peasant that toppled an empire. The author shows how the reaction by many to Rasputin contributed to the Empire's downfall. Rather than the sole cunning puppet-master, Rasputin was only one of several who controlled the strings that tangled & toppled the last Tsar. Although he is, at best, a secondary character throughout most of the narrative, Furhmann clearly shows how Nicholas II was simply not "born to rule."

its a fair source of basic concepts, but lacks the true reflection of standard of difficulty of boards.if you are a foreign medical graduate and have time it's much better to use NMS BOARD SIMULATOR SERIES.

I thought this book was a great review of Step 1 material. Has 1,000 questions with pretty good answer explanations.

I would not recommend using this as your only source of questions. However, it is a good question source for rapid review of a lot of information. You can get through the questions rather quickly. Offers a nice change of pace from the NMS series or Board Review Series (which tend to bog you down with long, very detailed answers requiring intense attention).

Highly recommend as an additional source of questions.

P.S. Remember, the best way to score high on Step 1 is QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS!!!

This book gives excellent examples of what you will face during the real test. It is a good guideline to show how you are doing in terms of preparation. It gave me great confidence which I desperately needed to do well on this test

I saw Diana in person at an Early Childhood Conference, bought her book and have benefited greatly by the information. Strange thing though... I have loaned out two copies to friends with children on ritilin and the book isn't one to make it back, seems it is a good reference for ongoing parenting of a child exhibiting symptoms of ADHD. Many useful tips and I recomend the book.

The Ritalin-Free Child is filled with helpful thoughts and insights into dealing with this disorder.Written in plain english and not technical jargon, so anyone can grasp these useful suggestions and use them in their day to day struggles in dealing with this disorder without medication. Should be a mandatory read for every parent with or without an ADHD child.

The Ritalin Free child is a book that I have read and recommended to everyone I've met as a volunteer in the kindergarten through fourth grade classroom. Working with children on a daily basis, I see first hand how many of these children have had total changes in their behavior just by addressing the foods that they eat. This book has not only background information with regard to the drug ritalin and its many side effects, but also gives key instruction on how to manage your child's behavior without the use of drugs, preferring instead the natural mode of delivery being that of healthy foods and herbal remedies designed to encourage good health rather than an artificially stimulated child. Anyone buying this book will be thankful that at last, a book containing information designed to help parents help their children in a natural and healthy way rather than encouraging them to continue to medicate with potentially harmful chemicals. I say Amen to Diana Hunter's philosophy and hope that in the future, all parents seek other, more healthy ways to help their child adjust to the world in which we all live, rather than accepting the social directive of the times. Be aware!

The cover sports one of the worst picures of Columbo available to the author. almost as bad as the one on the cover of RCA's Legendary performers album.That picture can be found on page 108 of the book.While there are many interesting pictures, anticdotes and some facts the pseudo-analysis plus the innuendos about Columbos romances etc. gives a tabloidish air to what could have been a better book.It does not compare with Lou Miano's "The amazing life and mysterious death of a hollywood singing legend."

A wonderful portrait of the dashing, romantic Columbo. Virtually forgotten for the last half-century, Columbo was as popular as Bing Crosby in the early 1930s and considered a heart-throb on a par with actor Rudolph Valentino. But at age 26, he was shot and killed by his best friend in a freak accident, ending one of the most promising careers in music and film. Columbo was the archetypal 1930s "crooner," who gave "an impression of emotional restraint, of power in reserve." Despite the co-author credit, the book was in fact written by Lanza, a master wordsmith (and author of Elevator Music, The Cocktail, and Gravity). Penna supplied the copious archival photographs, letters and news clippings that beautifully augment the text. Lanza, who calls Columbo "an enigma wrapped inside a press release," treats his subject with respect, yet with a proper historical detachment that avoids hagiography. Columbo was as talented and charismatic as he was troubled, flawed, ambivalent, and stubborn, and Lanza makes no excuses for him. At the same time, the chronology is authoritative, and there's abundant humor, even when considering Columbo's inner torment (referring to Columbo's pet name for his adored Carole Lombard, Lanza refers to the singer's despair at not getting enough "quality Pookie time"). Lanza describing Columbo emerging from a swimming pool: "...a sight no less mythical than Venus rising from her half-shell. His dark eyes sparkled as the refracted sunlight grafted a halo around his wet hair, the water pouring like pearls of amniotic effluvia from a chlorinated incubator." Such vivid images tantalize on every page, but the book never bogs down in literary preciousness; it represents solid, well-researched journalism. Columbo's love letters to Lombard are revealing in their pathetic desperation, demonstrating that the adoration of a million wistful female fans cannot allay unrequited passion. An excellent read, and the cast of characters are richly drawn.

Definitely brings this neglected singer and mysterious show biz legend into the third dimension. It not only tells more than I ever hoped to know about the man but also takes it to another creative level which could have been a disaster, but in fact works very well. The graphics and overall design of the book are also superior. Its an amazing yarn and a wonderful introduction to this underated musician. Highly recommended

Dear fellow readers: I recently read Schaum's outline of feedback and control systems. This book was recommended to me as a text that will give me a clear understanding of control systems. I am sorry to say that this book did not meet my original expectations. The basic concepts are very well illustrated in the first two chapters, but then it dives into explaining the mathematics of control systems (differential equations, z-transform etc.). They're simply too much emphasis of the vocabulary, which is down right confusing. The book also fails to give a clear picture of how different design methods (e.g. Root-Locus) can be employed in a real situation. It is my recommendation that this book should not be the only source of information, and must be used in junction with another control book. This statement holds true especially for university students. In a positive note, there are many examples that can help the reader gain insightful knowledge in this subject, and it also does a good job giving an overall picture of how different concepts relate to each other. These alone are good enough reasons to have a look at this book when studying control systems.

I'm currently taking a Feedback Control Theory course at the undergrad level, and I think this book is an excellent exposition of classical control theory. Our text for the course is Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, written by people from Stanford. Schaum's Outline actually has more *theory* than the textbook we are using. It eliminates all of the frills and pretty colored diagrams in favor of exposing everything an undergraduate would have trouble with. And for those people who think the emphasis is only on problem solving, this "Outline" has more mathematical proof than the book from Stanford I just mentioned! I highly recommend using this book to get off on the right foot in control systems, whether you are an engineer just learning the material or an undergraduate; it solidifies the foundations of the theory so that practical problems will come more easily. Also, it is a practical book as well.

I only bought this book after I went through undegraduate control and digital control classes. And after getting very fragmented knowledge of these disciplines, this book was very good in helping me sort it out. Yes, if you don't know a thing about control theory or don't have basic math background, it probably is hard to grasp without any other sourses. But if you have some basic understanding of the subject, then it is a very good review and reference for the classical control theory. I used this book for review before taking a PhD preliminary exam in controls, and it helped a lot. Now I am using it for the same reason for the job I just started. I like the way it describes digital control theory in parallel with the continuous-time controls, which is the best way to understand the discrete-time tools, instead of taking a whole other class starting from scratch. Constant examples to illustrate the theory are very good, so are the excersises. Mind you, this book doesn't go into details like some 800pp. volumes but it doesn't leave out anything important either. I highly recommend this book to undegrad and grad students, as well as a reference for the engineers.