Excellent book with short insights into dealing with mediocre teacher. Any administrator who would like practical and up date insight on how to make teachers better teachers should read this book.

I loved reading this book for all it taught me and for all the important things it reminded me of. . . . Arguing passionately and convincingly that supervisors must have competence, conviction, and control, the authors provide the information and the tools supervisors need to help teachers mired in mediocrity, that sometimes discouragingly long stretch of the continuum between the incompetent and the skillful. Absent an uncommon talent for denial, you cannot read this book without being transformed as a supervisor.

Already a classic on the subject of dried flower gardening, this book has been re-released.

Choose your dried flower plants by color, method and or part to dry. Or, use one of Ms. Sheen's designs to get your garden jump started.

What do you fancy? An Orange, Yellow, White and Green Garden?

And, do you want that in perennials or annuals or both?

The extensive A-Z of Recommended Plants section examines her choices of plants in comprehensive detail, providing insight into each variety that only an experienced gardener can offer.

Methods of harvesting, drying and storing are clear and easy to follow,as are her craft ideas for everything from a simple bouquet to an elegant Autumn potpourri.

With Dried Flower Gardening you can enjoy the garden, fresh and forever.

This critical anthology collects various approaches that register the changes in contemporary theory pertinent to the thinking of the nation. There are no less than nine different critical responses exploring the equivocal significance of narratives of identity, origin and progress in the cultural formation of the nation. As Prem Poddar puts it in the Introduction, "such a redescription of the nation works to acknowledge the complexities of cultural difference by raising the question of translation" (8). And in the same way, according to Homi Bhabha, translation involves both persistence and change such that the discourses around the nation are both "lost and returned, superseded and restored" (9).

Because the volume encompasses a wide range of theoretical approaches that move back and forth from the western topographies of Denmark and Canada to the cultural specificities of South Africa, Sri-Lanka and India, Meena Alexander's refreshing cross-breeding of critical and creative writing over the issue of cultural translation is appropriately the opening essay of this collection. In Alexander's paper the fluid diasporic world within which she must carve a space to live goes hand in hand with her woman's body that she cannot escape.

In his fascinating essay entitled "Europe's Violence: Some Contemporary Reflections on W. Benjamin's Theories of Fascism", Graham MacPhee discusses Benjamin's engagement with the aesthetic as a part of his examination of the consequences of technological modernity for the social and political forms bequeathed by the Enlightenment. By relating Benjamin's essay on German fascism to Kant's "Perpetual Peace", MacPhee attempts to show how Benjamin's oeuvre offers resources in reformulating the parameters of the nation "through its exploration of the recognition and negotiation of violence both within and beyond the borders of nation-state" (25). If MacPhee's reading of Benjamin's work is taken to mark the emergence of a new global topography in the aftermath of the first War World, Neluka Silva's essay on literary representations of contemporary Sri Lankan politics seeks to explore individual, collective and gendered identities in relation to nationhood. Through an acute examination of different genres and various Sri Lankan literary texts written in English, Silva wishes to show the construction of ethnic identities as inextricably linked to the nationalist rhetoric of the Sinhalese state on one hand and to the separatist discourse of the Tamil Tiger guerilla force on the other.

Two interesting essays deal with issues connected to nationalist identity and post-colonial experience. Lars Jensen focuses on the position of contemporary Canadian and Australian writer in relation to the idea of space as a shaping force in constructions of national identity. After examining numerous literary texts as examples of post-colonial literature, Jensen concludes that Canadian and Australian writing's relation to the center -be it national or geographical - can only be fluid and process-oriented, constantly changing to the interpretations of history. This argument is taken further by David Johnson in his analysis of a particular ethnic minority, the Griqua in South Africa, and their claims to the South African government for recognition. By providing three versions of colonial history that deal with questions of origin and the possible deprivations the Griqua might have suffered because of colonialism and apartheid, Johnson argues that while the post-colonial critic will focus on "the historically defined discursive systems" constituting Griqua national identity the South African member of the parliament has until recently refused to include Griqua ethnicity in the South African rainbow nationhood.

Where Johnson offers a close reading of key colonial Griqua texts in order to disclose the violence included in the category of the nation, Hans Hauge undertakes an original comparison of South African and Danish literary history. He concludes by claiming to have found neo-Kantian echoes in post-colonial discourse and by identifying Edward Said's Orientalism as an Arab postmodern text.

A more telling take on Danish history is presented Prem Poddar and Cheralyn Mealor. Through a meticulous postcolonial reading of Peter Høeg's novel Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow, the critics provide a seminal, much-needed, and fascinating account of Danish nationalism. Poddar and Mealor view Smilla as a critique of Danish imperialism and Danish colonization of Greenland while at the same time they reveal the text's ambivalence in its treatment of Danish national identity. Read in this light, Høeg's novel becomes a paradigmatic text exploring the interrelated issues of colonialism, nation and migrancy.

Mahesh Daga's reading of vernacular archives seeks to demonstrate the ambiguities and confusions surrounding the use of the Indian term jati as nation during the closing decades of 19th century. More than questioning the uncritical translatability of such terms, Daga aims to demonstrate that the changes occurring in vocabulary of public discourse are "symptomatic of crucial changes in the conception of nation itself" (205).

Echoing the volume's opening essay, Caroline Bergvall's final paper seeks to explore questions of translation and translatability. Through an examination of texts written across several national languages, Bergvall argues that while translation from one language to another encourages notions of linguistic transparence and humanist universalism, plurilingual writing (writing that takes place across and between languages) operates "against the grains of conventional notions of translatability and intelligibility" (248). Moreover, by problematising the contemporaneity of hyphenated identities cross-lingual textuality foregrounds issues of personal and cultural memory and locatedness.

While the theoretical and methodological sophistication of Translating Nations may be lost on a reader who is not conversant with the related discourse, anybody interested in contemporary critical approaches to the nation should become acquainted with the volume.

In the quest to cross the Antartic Continent in 1914, brave-hearted soul Captain Ernest Shackleton and his twenty-seven man crew set sail on a perilous, nearly deadly journey. Less than 100 miles from their destination the "Endurance" became hopelessly trapped in an ice floe; slowing breaking apart. Their ordeal of living on this drifting berg for months, only to be stranded on a solid piece of land later for nearly two years is mind-boggling.

The personal accounts of the crew members daily treacherous turmoils, coupled with an undefeatable and inspired leader (Shackleford) is devastating. Photographer Frank Hurley supplied some of the most breathtaking and dynamic pictures of the saga of the trip, one can only become overwhelmed with the enormity of the dilema. It is simply too real and too heartbreaking.

This beautfully crafted "coffee table" book is one of many released regarding the extraordinary plight of this team against nature. Although author Caroline Alexander borrows heavily from previous accounts and repeats some of the adventures from her earlier "Mrs. Chippy's Last Expediton", "Endurance" is the classic adventure tale of the last Century.

A wonderful coolaboration of writer/photographer, this makes a great gift. A 'beyond Hollywood' story that many have never heard, much less seen in this manner makes it extraordinary!

Caroline Alexander brings a wealth of information into this "last of heroic Antarctic adventures". What sets this book apart from the several others written on this subject is the broad scope of details provided. Each of the 28 characters are individually described in the beginning although for the most part the majority have a collective role in the success of the expedition. Yes success, as in 28 start, 28 survive. It really is hard to go wrong with such a great story. By focusing on the ship's cat Caroline comes dangerously close. The collection of the thoughts from members diaries brings the gravity of their situation to a level the reader can feel and fear. The book itself is beautifully printed, the numerous photographs hit the highlights the trip and are captioned in detail. Where Alfred Lansing's book ends on a romanticized high note, Caroline Alexander goes on to detail the fates of the mates after the expedition. Needless to say such a journey is the high water mark for displaying character in the most oppressive of situations. My advice is to buy it for your coffee table, for it is a beautiful book, but read Alfred Lansing's' Endurance accompanied by the Nov. 1998 National Geographic article (by Ms. Alexander) which includes the Frank Hurley photographs.

I've read a lot of stuff in the past on Sir Ernest Shackleton's courageous ordeal in the Antarctic and have seen the PBS show a couple of times so I was a bit skeptical of being able to find any new material on this South Pole explorer. I was inspired by the feature in this month's National Geographic magazine which provided a glimpse of the book. Caroline Alexander does a superb job of putting human faces to each of the expedition members. The easy reading narrative is seamless and compelling enough to keep turning the pages even though you already know the outcome. The previously unreleased photos from expedition photographer Frank Hurley are reason enough to own this book. It's also a great introduction for your friends who might not be familiar with the story. It is rich enough to be a coffee table book and invites casual browsers to open and read. It makes a great gift book for Christmas. It's an inspirational story is one that I love to tell.

I love travel narratives that take me on slow, relaxing journeys to unusual places. This author takes a journey to find the sources of famous poetic fragment, trying to locate Xanadu. This is a pleasant, slow read, and it was intriguing to find that the one part of this search led her back to a neighborhood of her own childhood.

Travel book that not only details the author's journeys around the world, but also back in time, to find the origin of Coleridge's famous poem about Xanadu. Very interesting and readable, I have read it three or four times now, always with pleasure. Readers who like "The Road to Ubar" (another fabulous travel/detective story) will like the "Way to Xanadu."

You've read the tale of the Endurance and you can't get enough of this incredible epic. You must now read 'Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition'. Ms. Alexander, in a delightfully strange manner, has provided a unique perspective on both the expedition and on the relationship between a cat and its mates. If you read 'The Endurance', you already appreciate Ms. Alexander's scholarly and literary abilities. (Frankly, it easily rivals the accounts of Lansing and even Shackleton, himself.) When you read 'Mrs. Chippy', you will also appreciate her profound perception of both feline and human behavior. It's a pity that other reviewers feel they must exhibit their knowledge of Mrs. Chippy's actual fate, but don't worry, if you love cats, nothing can prepare you for the end of this book. Thank you, Caroline Alexander, for a truly remarkable story.

Mrs. Chippy's Last Adventure is the best-written book I have read in many years (and I read a LOT!) The book is written from the point of view of Mrs. Chippy, a (male) cat who was privileged enough to join Shackleford's Polar expedition in the early 1900's and who was stranded in the polar ice fields along with the remaining 28 crew members. The book is based on actual events and a great deal of research obviously went into the telling of this remarkable human and feline-interest story. The author captures Mrs. Chippy's world view remarkably well; cat lovers will KNOW that they are seeing these events unfold through the eyes of a very perspicacious cat. As an added bonus, Mrs. Chippy is a damn funny feline, albeit sometimes unintentionally - I laughed out loud throughout the book.

I can't say enough good things about this book. However, I think it's obvious that any review of it must take into account that while the story takes place in actual historical context, the book's literary content, being the journal of a domesticated cat, is clearly fabricated. I find it humorous that several reviewers seem to have forgotten this and have criticized it for being somehow unrealistic.

The book is a journal of the Endurance's carpenter's cat, Mrs. Chippy (apparently, ships' carpenters are often nicknamed "Chips"). We learn that Mrs. Chippy took his responsibilities as an explorer, including keeping a stern watch to monitor the ship's progress, helping his mate in carpentry projects, and mousing, quite seriously. In fact, Chippy's concern for the maintenance of ship routine through the monotony of the shipwreck period surpasses that of virtually any other crew member.

If you've read any account of the Endurance Expedition already, you will quite likely enjoy this book for its thoughtful alternative perspective. It is not sappy in the least - Chippy's intelligent writing allows us to see him as he sees himself: as the 29th crew member on the expedition.

If you have to ask, "how did Chippy learn how to write?" or "when did he find the time?", you're not appreciating the books purpose - to entertain and provide a little insight into how an animal might have been more than slightly responsible for maintaining the crew's sanity.

This story starts out with a football game against the Sequoyah Middle School and the Glenview Middle School. Sequoyah is Sam, David, and Joe's Middle School. The Sequoyah Bulldogs are loosing to the Glenview Middle School. Toby, the Bulldog mascot, tries to make the Bulldogs feel better by cheering them on. Three Bobcat people from Jefferson Middle School, laugh at Toby. The head of the Bulldog costume looks beaten up badly. After the game, Sam says she'll repair the Bulldog head in time for the next game. Sam goes to help her dad at Pepper Pete's. She leaves the Bulldog head in Ellen's Ford Explorer. When Sam has finished helping her dad, she goes out to check on the Bulldog head. The head is not there. Who stole the head? Could it have been Toby, the Bulldog mascot? Could it have been a rival from a football team that didn't like the Bulldogs? If you want to find out who stole the head, then read this book. This was a great wishbone Mystery. I would also reccomend reading Forgotten Heroes, by Michael Anthony Steele, and this book, Tale of the Missing Mascot, by Alexander Steele.

Just got back from China and used the latest edition as guide. That's all it is... a guide. Tries to be your "insider" pal but fails on several fronts. China's too darn big and changing too fast for any publisher to dare think a single "China" volume is sufficient. I mean, would you trust a single "USA" guidebook? Of course not, even if it's as thick as a phone book (and this ungainly little brick is just that).

Many wonderful sights/attractions/wonders are not even mentioned... Did editor decide to excise them, or do researchers look only so far?? I, for one, would have liked to see more attractions mentioned. But if the LP people are going to keep up the chatty little comments with every such entry (a Lonely Planet hallmark), they will have to break up "China" into many volumes. For example, book does not even show on Wuhan map the fascinating, large Taoist temple there... cutting the chit-chat about Mao's Villa there (worth visiting but the text on it is useless) could have made room. But if they want to keep the cute comments (surfing buddhas on a temple wall in Kunming, overrated herbalist in Lijiang, Europe in miniature in Chengdu), they are going to have to break the book up into at least three volumes.

Restaurant reviews could be chopped in half, that's for sure. They are boring, outdated, sometimes wholly erroneous. Phone numbers have always been a joke in LP editions for any country I have used ...I own some seventeen LP's... but these numbers were wholly useless to me on my recent trip.

As other reviewers note, it is necessary to concede that China is always changing, and with growing speed. Perhaps LP just can't send their researchers out fast enough. But there are enough expats living in Chinese cities to be tapped for updates. Incidentally, expats are a great resource for any traveller... already Shanghai and Beijing have weekly "what's on" style tabloids in English that are very helpful to the visitor. Anyway, on the expat account alone, generally clever LP editors really have little excuse for not having a finger on China's latest and greatest.

What's good about Lonely Planet China?? Liberal use of Chinese characters and Pinyin romanization, for one thing. Made it super easy to communicate with taxi drivers. The Orientation section for each city is excellent... three paragraphs to prepare you for the layout and characteristics of the city. History section is good, too. I truly love the off-the-beaten path viewpoint that makes Lonely Planet so much fun... so I hope future editions retain this, while getting on the ball with useful / necessary details.

Using this book, traveller / reader will get a generally good trip, but will be led astray / waste time more than once by old info (where to catch bus to Buddha, where to find Muslim food, etc), and from incomplete phone numbers.

I recently traveled for ten weeks in mainland China using LP's China guidebook. I have used the Lonely Planet series for over thirty countries and find them to be among the best if not the best of all the guidebooks out there. This edition falls short. Way short! I sometimes wondered if I was in the same city the guidebook was describing. For example, LP calls Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, a "budget traveler's paradise" and then goes on to mention three places in a city of over 9 million people. In Hangzhou, their first recommendation is a vacant lot and has been for a year. Second pick is a restaurant.I began to really wander if anyone actually "traveled" these places to update them or just sat around in Yunnan Province,a drank beer and depended on other travelers for information. The bood has many good points. The maps are good. The transportation info is still fairly accurate and the use of Chinese characters is extremely helpful. It is not impossible to use the latest edition as your only guide. It is just that you had better have some well-developed travel skills before venturing into China and hoping this book will save you. It won't.

Lonely Planet has THE BEST travel guides for anyone travelling in any country. In many cases, especially covering areas that see more visitors than others, the coverage is excellent, very detailed. HOWEVER, for areas that see fewer visitors (like the section on Changsha, Hunan), there are several errors, usually in the area of places to stay and eat. (In past editions of this book, the map of Changsha was wrong. I do not know whether this has been corrected.) It almost appears that the person who was supposed to cover this area couldn't be bothered to really check the city out.

No matter what, whether you are just going for a short visit OR going to live there for a while, you must pack this book. IT WILL BE A BIBLE TO LIVE BY!

This book seems to cover most of the right topics for explaining how MIDI works. However, I find the organization of the book very confusing and the advertised "plain English" missing. Where was the editor when this book was being written? Just a little more organization and better writing clarity could have made a huge difference.

The title of the book is "How MIDI Works" but the first three chapters barely mention MIDI as the system requirements of computers are explained. Eventually, when we get to Chapter 4, we see a discussion of "Multiport MIDI Devices". However, even at this point, MIDI has not even been defined. Only when we get to Chapter 9 do we start to see a definition and a real discussion of the MIDI interface and its data and control formats. However, I still have not found a concise summary of the MIDI format as it is sprinkled throughout the book but never really summarized. I would expect a book with this title to function well as a reference source for MIDI information. I looked for MIDI in the index but found there is no index!

It appears that the title of the book should have been "How to Build a PC-based Recording Studio" since that is what the book actually attempts to deliver. MIDI is just one technology that gets discussed among all the other ins and outs of putting together a PC-based audio system. I'll need to look elsewhere for a good reference on MIDI.

This book was "OK" at best. Like others have mentioned, it is kind of organized oddly as MIDI isn't even mentioned until a third of the way through. The title is semi-misleading because it strays from MIDI quite a bit from time to time to explain other things. And also as someone mentioned, he has a bad tendency to mention terms and concepts well before he actually explains them.

Also, it's already seriously outdated as far as system specs, software, etc...

One more complaint: This book is full of blatant advertisments for the author's other business ventures as well as the music school where he teaches, and also for Gigasampler/Studio which is mentioned SEVERAL (I mean SEVERAL) times in every chapter and shown in nearly all diagrams, and even goes as far as having an entire chapter dedicated to Gigasampler/Studio. If you were a complete newbie reading this, you would be convinced that having Gigasampler was the only way you could make music on your computer.

But, I'd say that the information is mostly straight forward, easy to understand and finally when it gets into actually talking about MIDI, has some good info. This book had potential, but the little things really add up to make it sub-par in my opinion.

I'd give it 2.5 stars if I had the option.

I am so excited that I found a music book that could help me with all the midi stuff. I needed somthing and this book is it. I gives you list and pictures of equipment that you could buy to make systems that work. It explains all the reasons for each piece of hardware and what their use is in the computer. For me it shows me how to buy the correct type and how much computer hardware. This book really has been great!

This book is for all intents and purposes a recording primer. I could see it possibly being useful to someone who has absolutely zero recording experience, but that's about it. Since there's a ton of basic recording articles already available out there on the web, this book's recording-related contents can be had for free by doing some surfing or by hanging out at the Home_Recording Yahoo group for a couple of days.

As far as its coverage of the BR1180 goes, if you've already attempted to record one or two songs on the unit and have read the manual through once or twice - and that's how I recommend you approach learning this unit - you've already learned more than this book will ever teach you. The author ducks the difficult topics - at one point saying something like, "Don't try to bounce, it's too complicated"!!! Again, you're time would be better spent hanging out at the BR1180 Yahoo group.