I bought this for our father and wife to help them on their safari to Tanzania. They loved it! I recommend it highly!

My wife and I went on our first safari to Northern Tanzania National Parks with a very experienced leader (over 100 safaries). He recommended this book and that we keep a journal--something I have not done in 35 years. HE WAS RIGHT! We carried this book with us on every game drive and refered to it often. At camp we entered journal entries. These proved very valuable after our return to organize and present video and photos. This book has almost everything you want to look up. In addition the packing checklists were 100% right on for our experience.

If you take only one book on safari, I strongly recommend this one. If yhou can take more, I recommend Estes's Safari Companion and a good field guide with color pictures like the Audubon.

I just got back from Africa where I climbed Kilamanjaro and went on a safari. This book is an awesome way to organize ahead of time. On my trip I used the journal to organize my thoughts on the trip and to keep track of my film and what I had on each roll. If you are going on a safari in Africa this is a must. Take my word for it. I took 24 rolls of film on my trip and was able to keep track of all my info with this book. Enough said.

I loved the main character, Alice Rose. Her adventures with Sam Clemens were both fun and educational. I learned quite a bit about the time period -- Lasky should be commended for her thorough research!

A while ago, I was faced with a decision: to read Alice Rose and Sam or another book for a book review. I decided, not really caring, to read Alice Rose and Sam. Now I am so happy that I did so I could tell other people about this great book. You just can't put it down! You learn about Alice Rose's time, too, so this is a simply marvelous book to read.

This novel is great fun. Alice Rose - never simply Alice - is a dynamic lead character who treads a narrow path between defying her era's gender roles and wanting nothing more than to go to Boston and be like her refined, petticoated cousins. Sam Clemens plays a supporting part, but does so memorably; his outrageous stories first land him a job on the paper, and then drive him out of town. Through the character of a Chinese immigrant, Lasky shows the reader the virulent racism of the time. Some readers may be put off by the novel's attitudes toward religion. Both Alice Rose and Sam rail against quotation-mark Christians, the sort who wear the name but do not live by the principles they espouse. However, both, also speak favorably of people they have known who have lived up to the name. The books only real flaw is a climax that may leave readers wondering for a moment just what has happened. The confusion is cleared up quickly, however. An author's note at the end describes the historical elements of the book and explains which are fact-based and which are totally fictional. All in all, an appealling heroine, the irrepressible Sam Clemens, and an exciting plot make this an excellent choice.

A long-awaited feast: several of Mark's stories in a single pub. After partaking you'll feel glutted, uncomfortable, and disturbingly aware of your animal nature. It's great, important stuff. Thanks.

Wisniewski writes with a hilarious cynicism. There is the hot woman who at her peril, ignores her baby to cheer on her team, the small-time gambler who nails his bookie roommate's girlfriend in her hour of need, and the musical beds of ravenous college men and women. Story after story speaks of unconsummated love, such as the man who, on the verge of nailing the cashier, loses his prophylactic in the sheets! The stories are short and captivating, the dialogue sharp and very credible. Read it. You won't be disappointed.

Once again, Wisniewski does it! He writes with hilarious cynicism. There is the hot woman who, at her peril, ignores her baby to cheer on her team, the small-time gambler who nails his roommate's girlfriend, and the musical beds of ravenous college men and women. Story after story speaks of unconsummated love, such as the man who, on the verge of scoring with the cashier, loses his prophylactic in the sheets! Read it. The stories are short and captivating, the dialogue sharp and credible. You won't be disappointed.

This book speaks to what children love ... adventures they wish they could have. The author must have written the book for my grandchildren, for they didn't want to stop reading. Maybe they could imagine themselves as the main characters: ordinary kids who were confronted by weird beings and strange happenings, in a land unlike anything on our earth, facing adult-sized problems with kid-inspired ingenuity. As a grandparent, I appreciated the good values displayed and learned, like building a better sibling relationship and trust in friends. The grandkids ... they delighted in vicariously living a rousing adventure!

The Amazing Adventure in Tovia will keep you captivated from page 1 to 151. I loved the book and was amazed by the level of the characters. From the outstanding dogs to the evil Dreadlins I was hooked to the end. This book is one of a kind and I garentee you will love it. Now i'm trying to get my friends to read it. Josh,13

I'm 11 years old. The reason i liked this book so much is that it is very humerous, but it also keeps you turning the pages all through the night. If your the kind of person that loves adventure then this is the book for you!

I read about the Phaidon 55S series in Popular Photography and thought I would check out the volume on Mary Ellen Mark. I have been drawn to her photographs for years and had recently seen an exhibition of her work in NYC. She has Walker Evan's gift for capturing moments in people's lives and she finds the life beyond the smile or grimace of the subject.Her subjects are lively and a bit wicked at times, but there is supreme truth in her photographs. This series gets its title from the fact that each book has 55 photos by the subject. The price is excellent for someone who wants to collect some great art for a low price. Great introduction to a talented artist....highly recommended.

Summary: These black-and-white images are produced on wonderful paper and with great quality. They explore the underlying human qualities we all share. The work is introduced by a Maya Angelou poem, and is concluded by an excellent essay in which Ms. Mark explains her work. Her subjects are mostly people of the economic and social underclasses as they pursue their hopes and dreams, while dealing with their day-to-day problems. Viewing these photographs will draw you closer to people who, on the surface, are quite different from you. The models are often captured over time and in alternative settings to help explain their lives and personalities.

Content Caution: The images in this book contain a few involving minor female nudity that would earn its contents an R rating if it were a motion picture.

Review:

"I note the obvious differences

in the human family."

" . . . but we are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike." -- Maya Angelou

The theme of this poem nicely captures the focus of this book of loving photographic images. As Ms. Mark says, "I much prefer to photograph people I care about." She wants to "build a rapport with my subjects." In studying them, "I am guided by what moves and surprises me." That final element will affect you as well. Too often, we mentally pass by those around us. Ms. Mark's images make us want to reach out with our hearts and minds.

The book shows people from all parts of America over the period from 1963 through 1999. The photographs portray all kinds of races, creeds, colors, and political and sexual persuasions. Ideas that you may not like are portrayed involving people you will probably find appealing. That juxtaposition of people and issues will cause you to rethink how you relate to others. It will probably make you more modest and humble, and that's good. Special themes involve the mentally ill, twins, homelessness, beauty contests, political rallies, and families over time.

My favorite images in the book are as follows:

Santa Claus at Lunch, New York City, 1963;

Marky Mark concert, Jersey City, New Jersey, 1993;

Hot Tub, West Orange, New Jersey, 1999;

Bodybuilder, Daytona Beach, Florida, 1991;

Russell, Kansas, 1986;

Mary Frances in the tub, Ward 81, Salem, Oregon, 1976;

Jail, Houston, Texas, 1977;

Husband and wife, Harland County, Kentucky, 1971;

Jesse Damm, Llano, California, 1994;

Hurstie Laxton after the flood, St. Louis, Missouri, 1993;

Million Youth March, New York City, 1998;

Lakiesha, South Dallas, Texas, 1988;

Clinton Albright and his father, Santa Clarita, California, 1982;

Nightclub off of Highway 61, Michigan, 1991;

Vashira and Tashira Hargrove, twins, H.E.L.P. Shelter, Suffolk, New York, 1993; and

Tiny, pregnant, Seattle, Washington, 1985.

After you see these photographs, you will probably agree with Ms. Mark that she has been on "a long and blessed journey" that has opened her heart and ours.

Seeing these photographs should encourage you to become acquainted with people you see who you would normally not think to speak to. Try living that way for a day. If you enjoy the experience, keep on going -- taking it . . . one day at a time.

Find the common ground . . . wherever you go!

I was fortunate enough to see the exhibition of these photographs at the International Center of Photography a few days ago. If you can, go to see the show before it closes. If you can't, buy this book and get a glimpse at the power of a photograph.

Though no expert, I enjoy the art of photography. I am particularly interested in portraits of real people. Mary Ellen Mark has the ability to capture people with extra-ordinary depth and feeling. Almost without fail, her images are moving. With a skill beyond the normal artist, however, her images have the ability to be thought-provoking.

Consider a photo labelled "Aryan Nations, Hayden Lake, Idaho, 1986." Three pleasant-looking, smiling women--the cherubic face of the woman on the far right particularly draws the eye--set in counterpoint to their white supremacist garb. Or consider the series of photographs of Tiny who has clearly experienced many things in her life but who face, amazingly, holds the same soul in each image. Or consider the contrast between the photographs of Julie d'Aquili and Cynthia Galves despite their similar poses. Julie is a healthy young woman but her somber expression stands out starkly against the cancer-ridden Cynthia who still manages a smile.

I believe that I could write something about every single photograph in this collection. Let me instead just say that these photographs will grip you and hold your attention for hours. You will come back to them again and again. And, unlike reproductions of paintings in a book, photographs do not suffer from the process nearly as much. I would encourage anyone with an interest in photography to take a look at this book.

It would be difficult to assemble a finer 3-D book. Everything works. Until you see this book, you have not seen a frog, a snake or a gecko. The detail in the eyes, feet and tongues are amaizing. This book really puts things in perspective. For children AND adults.

Fabulous book with stereo 3-D photos!

I highly recommended this book for school children and adults alike.

I was introduced to one of Blum's books by a friend and liked it so much that I sought out and bought all of his 3D books. I find the price so reasonable that I've since bought more to give as gifts.

I enjoy looking at the 3-D photos as much as my seven year old son so I already know several adults as well as children who will be getting this book as a gift.

The technical quality of the photos and printing of the books is very good. A magnifying, stereo viewer is built into a unique bi-fold cover of the book A little research showed that this idea is well over a hundred years old (like stereo photography) but I still find it very innovative because it is so rare and unusual.

The photographer has an inspired eye and top technical skill. The close-up photography is wild. I wonder how he got those frogs to hold still like that. Some of them are beautifully colored too.

The writing accompanying each image adds to the photos with just the right amount of scientific and general information to serve both young and old reader. I like this book very much and I hope you find this review helpful. I recommend looking for the other 3-D books by Blum. They are all great!

Well, I am running out of superlatives for Mark Blum's work! I just have to repeat myself - AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN 3-D is simply FABULOUS!! One of the MANY wonderful aspects of this book is how it takes you right INTO the world of these creatures. YOU get shrunk down to the size of a tree frog to meet one! AMAZING!

The content quality is excellent!
The production quality is excellent!
The overall experience is excellent!
And all for this price!?!? How DO they do it?

Can't I give it 10 stars? 20?
BUY IT!

This is not a book to read, but to listen to. Its a great intro to an often misunderstood part of the Christian experience. It takes prayer out of its formulary Sunday morning approach and places it at the center of life, where it should be. This is a low impact, no wrong answers, don'[t worry if you don't get it the first time, way to worship God. I shared it with a friend at church who is involved with parish prayer groups and he's going to introduce it to them. It lends itself to a 12/14 week study in prayer and spirituality.

This book, as promised by the subtitle ("Easing Into Contemplative Prayer") gently teaches you to bring yourself into intimate conversation with God.

The tone of this book is gentle and light, and yet it has a great many insights to impart.
I've very much enjoyed reading it and will definitely be reading it again. - It never hurts to repeatedly read a good book, to get it ingrained in you - so that it becomes a sort of second nature sort of thing - yes ?
Assuming that you'll want to read more then one book, on such an indepth topic as centering/contemplative prayer, please refer to the above recommended books.

This morning I finished reading a lovely book, _The Agony of the Leaves_ by Helen Gustafson, who is the tea buyer for Chez Panisse in Berkeley. The title refers to a description of what happens to tea leaves when boiling water is poured over them; they contort and twist, releasing their flavor.

The book is subtititled "The Ecstasy of My Life in Tea," and it's a charming chatty thing about tea cultivation and technology and history, woven in with reminiscences of tea parties from childhood to middle age. I've been reading it a few minutes at a time, while my tea brews in the morning.

I was afraid this was going to be another restaurant-puffery book, but I was so pleasantly surprised! The engaging stories and accompanying recipes were charming. In fact, I borrowed this book from the library and then ran out and bought three copies to give away as gifts and one copy for myself!

This lady's knowledge and talents are utterly wasted at Chez Panisse. She really needs her own creative space where people who would prefer to give Chez Panisse a pass could congregate to enjoy tea in all of its varieties. I would love to enjoy a pot of white tea some afternoon, but the clientele and snobbery of that establishment would ruin it.

This is an incredible and useful guide if you are looking to explore what internships our out there and what you need to know to get into them. I was suprised the book covered so many different fields from MTV to The United Nations. Each listing is really clear and easy to understand. It lays out the facts and not the writers opinions. You also get to hear from other people who have compleated a interships and thier thoughts about how useful it was. I would not only recomend this book to college students, but to high school students as well. A job well done!

I used this book as my crutch all through college -- it got me 3 out of my 4 internships. It's the best internship book out there.

I really liked this book. There aren't too many internships guides out there -- but this one's pretty neat. It gives the scoop on internships like Microsoft, Letterman, Intel, Nightline, etc. It's detailed and sassy -- not just a generic listing.

My interest in Angels started when I was a very small child. This book has answered many questions and helped me to better understand the power of Angels and Prayer.

As an Angel lover and an Angel believer I was drawn to this title. It is easy reading and can be quite comforting. During a very difficult time I read it and truly felt better. There are many areas, such as LEARNING TO ASK and WHY PEOPLE DON'T ASK GOD FOR HELP? that give insight. There are stories shared, angelic drawings and changes in ink color to keep you directed and interested. A book that eases you from page to page.

This is probably one of the best ANGEL books I have read both in style and in content.

I LOVE THESE BOOKS! I'VE READ THE BOOK, AND CAN'T EVER SEEM TO PUT THEM DOWN ONCE I START READING THEM. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE. MY FAMILY HAD A TRAGEDY IN OUR LIVES ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO AND THE BOOKS ARE STILL HELPING US COPE. THESE ARE BOOKS YOU CAN READ AGAIN AND AGAIN. PICK ONE UP, YOU MAY BE SURPRISED HOW YOU FEEL AFTER YOU READ IT.