The chapters on preparation for emergencies and on the role of the family has been especially helpful to my daughter-in-law and me. Unfortunately, my son made a serious suicide attempt several weeks ago. Thankfully, he was not successful and has been in intensive therapy since that time. He is improving with medication adjustment and daily therapy. The whole family is learning about bipolar disorder, previously unrecognized signs and symptoms, and the link to alcohol abuse, unipolar depression and AD(H)D that is present in other family members. As we learn to deal with the diagnosis and it's impact on my son, his wife and children and the rest of us, I plan to buy more copies of this book to share with the family. I have always believed that knowledge is power and this book has assisted me in my quest to learn about bipolar disorder. Thank you Dr. Mondimore!

I do plan on reading another one of Mark Fisher's books to see if there is more going on. I would recommend the Aladin Factor, Unlimted Wealth, the Wealthy Barber, Feel the Fear and do it Anyway, before I would recommend this book. It's not bad... it's just that you can get this in other books and even more!

And if you your asking... why does he seem to be the only one baggin on this book? I don't know... the reason I got this book is becuase of the other reviews. I guess I've read so many of these that I'm still searching for REALLY good ones and that's getting harder and harder to find :-)

Simply put, 15 chapters of mystery, theory, and psychology. If this doesn't open your mind to a new reality and perspective on your financial self-worth, I don't think anything will.

Mr. Fisher writes this fable in the same style and format of bedtime stories that you listened to as a kid. The author is in fact a self-made millionaire that implemented this process himself in his own life.

This story is based on Mark Fishers experience when he met an old man who passed on his secret to success to Mark. The bottom line is that financial prosperity and a life well-lived are goals we can all achieve if we understand and practice the principles of success.

I highly recommend this book, and suggest you read it to your spouse or children at bed time, as it is an adult fable to be remembered.

This is a very short and simple book. It's written in very easy to understand language. It's basically a story about a young man who meets a millionaire and learns the "secret" to being a millionaire. I hate to give away the punchline, but the title of the book "Instant Millionaire" simply means that when you decide to become a millionaire and write that down as a goal with a deadline, that act in and of itself will make you an instant millionaire because before you can achieve it, you must first believe that it is possible and then set that as a goal. Of course you have to take all that on faith.

In terms of self-help books, there's not a whole lot of new information in here. If you've read "Think and Grow Rich" and "The Richest Man in Babylon" you kind of get the same information. I do recommend this book because it's nice and short and easy to read. It made me think long and hard, and part way through my first reading, I found myself stopping and writing down some goals. Unfortunately, with many self-help books, we tend to just read them and do nothing after that. If you like this sort of book, I also recommend "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace D. Wattles.

I'm giving this book 5 stars simply because I really liked it. There's nothing really new under the sun, but I like when somebody comes along and says it differently. It's easy to read and reread. The style of the book being that of a story made it that much more interesting. After reading it through, I find myself wanting to read it again. I did pick up a couple of good pieces of information from this book as well, so it's not completely a rehash of other stuff.

Spider-Man was originally created in 1963 and while his origin story is a comic book classic, let's just say some of the elements within the story have become somewhat dated. Bendis' rehash of Spidey's origin sets him in modern times, with the look of a modern 15-year-old, and the characters speaking in...you guessed it...modern dialogue.

Bendis has done a fine job of updating the character and doesn't give in to the temptation to pace the story too quickly. He takes his time, building up the characters and the story of how Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider and subsequently given super powers.

Mark Bagley competently, though not spectacularly, illustrates the story. Bagley's artistic storytelling skills are excellent, but I think Marvel might have been better served had they gone with a less traditional artistic style on this book.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY is a great new beginning for Spider-Man and appeals to fans of all ages.

First off, let me start by saying Brian Bendis is a FANTASTIC writer, and he clearly donates some of his greatest talents to this comic-book. How? Well, the characters. Peter is somewhat nerdy, but not necessarily uncool, making him likeable. Uncle Ben is, as always, the kind uncle, but is also calm and cool, and definitely the epitome of strength and respect. Mary-Jane is definitey toned down, soft-spoken, and intelligent but hip. Flash Thompson is every bit the bully, and is complimented by new cronies.

Bendis also shows off his ability of unique storytelling by taking a slower, more relaxed approach to the spiderman legacy. New characters are intoduced slowly, and the story unfolds slowly, easily, and never misses a beat. And these reasons make Ultimate Spiderman a must buy.

'Power And Responsibility' tells the origin of Spiderman, and introduces Mary-Jane, Uncle Ben, Kong, Flash Thompson and Liz allen (breifly).

But what's this "Ultimate" about? Spider-Man is a character who was created in the sixties, and since then he's been dragging forty years of continutity and backstory. Ultimate Spider-Man approaches the character from the ground up, with a contemporary voice and pop culture references that place the book squarely in the 21st century. This Peter Parker isn't married and successful yet; he's barely coming to grips with his powers. The origin is updated, the villains look different, and nothing about the hero's future is set.

Longtime Spider-Man fans may still be more comfortable with the original character that they've grown up with. (The "classic" Spider-Man is still thriving and his ongoing series is currently enjoying the excellent writing of Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski.) But for those who lost interest in comics years ago, or those who are approaching the medium for the first time, this book is absolutely perfect.

The writing, by comics wunderkind Brian Michael Bendis, is awesome. Dialogue is sharp and sparkling with very authentic voices. The art is attractive and expressive. The stories are easy to follow, even for a first time comics reader. It's a comic that anyone can enjoy, and one which I strongly recommend. I loved it, my girlfriend loved it, and I'm sure that you'll love it.

Make sure you get the original 1960 written by Maxwell himself. The 1993 "update" is so painful to read because the new author, Bobbe Sommer literally QUOTES Maxwell Maltz repeatedly while trying to add her own insightful messages. For example, on page 3 of her "update", she states:

"Whether we realize it or not," Maltz wrote, "each of us carries..."

Well, if you just read the original 1960's book, your eyeballs don't waste time on the "Maltz wrote" phrase altogether... duh!...because Maxwell was the one who wrote it!

The only reasons to endure Bobbe Sommer's endless "Maltz said....; Maltz learned that...; Maltz studied...; Maltz wrote...; Maltz realized..." is if she added some totally mindblowing ideas OR contradicted his work. In my opinion she didn't.

BTW, I was not prejudiced by reading the original first and then reading the 1993 update to see if it was any better; I actually (and unfortunately) read the 1993 book first. I thought the 1960 original was out of print but I accidentally stumbled on the original copy at Border's Books. I read a chapter and realized his true words were so much more inspirational. Not dry and academic like Bobbe Sommer's version. I think the publisher of the new book was deliberately trying to confuse the public by making the cover look the same as the old one. I think it's borderline unethical...buyer beware!

Apparently, Amazon's algorithm to link up user reviews with books is heavily based on the book's title. Most of the time, this works great when there's a paperback and a hardcopy version of the same book. But in this case, the 1960's book and the 1993 are completely different and should not point to the same user reviews! All the glowing reviews listed below? They are the same for both titles. You really don't know which book the reviewers were praising. I'm going to guess it's the 1960's version. See for yourself, plug in either ISBN #s and you'll get the identical list of user reviews.

BTW, this Amazon loophole gives me a great idea: I can write a new book about how to become a master at appraising and certifying jewelry like wedding bands and title it "Lord of the Rings"--and shazam--Amazon's engine will give my book the 5 stars and all the wonderful reviews of Tolkien's classic.

I give 5 stars for Maltz's 1960 original. I give 2 stars for Bobbe Sommer's update. Again, if the ISBN is 0671700758 click "add to cart". If it says ISBN 156731306X, try again.

This book covers human behavior, making us realize that we act exactly as we think we are. Dr. Maltz, as a plastic surgeon, demonstrated that with his magic wand, he transformed people's lives by making them "look better" in their own eyes which are the only eyes that matter.

This book has definately made a huge impact on me as I read it just before attending college. I'm sure you remember those years where you had everything figured out.

This book doesn't fill you up with empty promises. It simply tells you what you've already known for a long time, but maybe you were too busy to take time to develop what kind of person you want to be.

The book "Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart & Rekindle the Spirit" is an excellent book. The book was originally given to me by a friend who thought that I "would enjoy it". Me, the person who genuinely dislikes reading any kind of book for pleasure, "enjoy" this book. Definately not me, I thought to myself.

I had to travel on a business trip alone, therefore I took the book along (just in case I got extremely bored). Thoughtout my trip, the book didn't get cracked open. I found other things to do with my time, than read a book.

Yet, on my return flight, my reservations were mixed up for some reason or another. Therefore, I ended up having a 4 1/2 hour layover in the Dallas Airport. Being upset, I didn't even want to shop. I also didn't want to look out of place, so, I opened the book and started glancing at first, pretending to read.

Then all of a sudden, as if a magnet were pulling me closer, I began to read the first short story in the book. It was so real and inspiring that I continued to read. I couldn't wait to flip a page. As a matter of fact, I was really thirsty. Not wanting to put the book down, I continued reading. Every story hit close to home and I could relate to most everything being read.

At one point, I heard a young man say "I think you could use this tissue more than I can", as he handed me a tissue. Looking up at him, I noticed that my eyes were filled with tears. The story I had been reading was so real that I found myself crying and feeling the characters emotions. Being a little embarrased (but not much), I explained how I typically do not shed a tear for most books. I told the young man how this book was so capturing and inspiring, that it pulls you in and holds your mind,emotions, and attention captive. He laughed and said something to the effect of "most women cry over mushy things".

Sitting next to me, he read over my shoulder as I continued to read. When I finished the short story, I turned and looked and him and noticed that he too had tears in his eyes. I didn't say a word, but the spiritual emotions were evident. We were both captured by this wonderful book.

Till this day, I thank my friend for giving me this book. I have also given a copy of this same book to many friends (the first one, being my new friend that I met at the Dallas Airport that day).

I highly recommend this book to everyone, it will rekindle the spirit of everyone who reads it (especially the ones who think that this is just another one of the "mushy" books.

If I could, I would put a money back guarantee if not fully satisfied on this book. That is how much I enjoyed reading it.

Thank You, and I hope that you have the opportunity to pick up this book and give it a chance, I did and I loved it.

From a real Skeptical, Lucy R. Fonseca 3127 S. Nelson Amarillo, Texas 79103 (806) 379-9201

A well-written story if you are into the alternative rock scene in Seattle or if you can relate or identify with these characters and their lives. There are endless quotes of different songs and alternative bands. I enjoyed this story although at the end I couldn't relate to its conclusion. The story sounds almost autobiographical. If you loved "Nirvana" you love this book. Enjoy.

First, although the comparisons to Nick Hornby's High Fidelity are inevitable, this book doesn't quite measure up. Hornby's book was full of meaningful musical references most of us could get - when Rob was ripping U2, or putting some Motown R&B artists on his turntable, the reader could relate. Here, in Never Mind Nirvana, readers might get a little overwhelmed with the attention to detail given Seattle's 1990's grunge scene, since most of us don't know Temple of the Dog from Mother Love Bone.

Plus, in Hornby's book, the other characters have a lot more depth to them, especially the female ones. Here, women are seen more as targets for pick-up efforts by protagonist Pete Tyler and his prosecuting sidekick Scott Foss. Accordingly this book really strikes me as a guy book, that I would recommend to male friends but not females. Some reviewers have complained that the date rape trial which sets the plot in motion is given short thrift, and I must say the courtroom scenes were some of my favorite in the novel, but I don't think Lindquist set out to write a courtroom thriller about that subject. He set out to write a book about a 37 year old former rocker who is forced, by this case, to reassess his lifestyle and attitudes toward women.

As for the ending, which some have called unsatisfying, I thought the book ended perfectly. Hollywood might tie things up a little more neatly if they ever adapted this to the screen, but I found the end of the novel dead on and consistent with the preceding chapters.

A couple of final trivial complaints. Lindquist uses smoking and drinking a little too much, like a writer's crutch, having Pete and his companions constantly reaching for a Camel or a scotch every two pages to give them something to do. I was getting headaches just imagining the smell of stale smoke and scotch whiskey. Also, while every character he meets seems to remember Pete and his band Morph, at one point several people in a club confuse a band member from Alice in Chains for a guy from Pearl Jam. In Seattle, we are to believe fans recognize a bassist from Morph and yet mistake a member of Pearl Jam? Finally, I found the present tense narrative style a little unsettling at the start, but once the novel got going I quickly settled into the author's pace and forgot about it.

In summary, I enjoyed Mark's book and read it very quickly (perfect airplane reading I might add). Had Lindquist concentrated a little more on the other characters, and a little less on obscure Seattle nightclubs and artists foreign to most of us, he'd be basking in more 5 star reviews.

This is a very musical novel -- the music that's described in the novel blends well with the story and chapters. I don't usually listen to alternative music, but I did enjoy reading about Seattle's local bands. I highly recommend this novel.

Written at the British Museum, this is a textbook for learning to read hieroglyphs such as you find on the walls of a museum. It is not a complete grammar and won't teach you how to read complex literture, but will give you a complete enough command of the language to read most common material.

The book is well-printed and nicely bound, and is small enough to take to the museum with you! It contains a wealth of material, a glossary, king lists, and information about Egyptian gods.

Many of the exercises are drawings or pictures of wall paintings or carvings, making the book fun to use. Answers to exercises are given at the back.

If you don't know which hieroglyphic book to pick, this is the one!

Well laid-out chapters start you with the basics of one-syllable heiroglyphs, and finish with complex multi-syllabic words. The very first page has you memorizing heiroglyphs and their transliterations, and by the end of the first chapter you'll know how to translate an actual ancient Egyptian stela.

The book is very hands on... Each chapter has exercises so you can do your homework and get the practice you need to learn the heiroglyphs. The best part is knowing that the pictures of tomb walls and stelae that you're learning to read in the book are actual pieces in a museum. You're not learning how to read and write "Jack went to the ballgame" in heiroglyphs; you're learning about the life of actual ancient Egyptians.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to read Egyptian heiroglyphs. If, after reading this, you're still hungry for knowledge, check out Gardiner's book "Middle Egyptian".

The protagonist of the novel is Mark, a thirteen-year-old highly precocious boy who strides around in leather pants and no shirt. The entire novel is told from his perspective and it seems to be one bizarre tangent after another! I can't even remember a fraction of them. The humor is sophisticated, but so absurdist that I have found myself breaking out into guffaws at many points!

But because of it's ridiculous nature, tangents, etc., it is sometimes a bit hard to read - you start getting numb to the roller coaster ride that Leyner puts you on. So I have had to limit my exposure and put the book aside for a few days after reading each chapter or two.

This book is not for the weak of stomach or the uptight. However, if you have a good sense of humor and like your humor dry yet absurd, with a ton of references thrown in from the historical to the scientific, and you don't mind mixing your reality with a good deal of fantasy, you will find Tetherballs a fascinating read!

The narrative is, as usual with Leyner, taut with jackhammer style bursts of narrative. Leyner dispenses with detail and spends his time creating vivid, drug-like situations.

A execution goes wrong and the person to be executed is given a letter explaining he will be killed at a later date of the state's choosing without his knowledge, it may be while he's eating, etc.
The young protagonist gets it on with the female warden in a drug stupored sex scene.
The young protagonist is constantly interrupting procedings to take calls from his agent.

These are Mark Leyner themes. They crop up in all his work but here he manages to keep the narrative together and still deliver on the super-charged writing style that at once reads like a travel poster and a crazed rant.

Read the excerpts to see if this appeals to you. Leyner has some readers that dismiss him as fast food, faux literature. You may be one of these people, or you may appreciate the style which some newer authors have taken note of or have been influenced by.

Read Leyner and then read Chuck Palahniuk. Palahniuk is still a dense, fast read but seems languid compared to Leyner. Intentional or not these authors remind me of one another for their terse prose and cutural obsessions. Leyner tends to stick to seemingly lighter subjects but in fact makes the same points with the use of broader comedy and absurdism.

A fun, quick read that can be enjoyed more than once.

The new translation is excellent (I've read both translations) and puts an even grimmer spin on life in the village of the castle.

Please note: Kafka died before finishing the book and he never really prepared it for publication. There are sentences that run half a page, and paragaphs that run almost a whole chapter. The final page ends mid sentence.

If you are a fan of Kafka then this book is a must read, especially if you read the Muir translation of The Castle.

The problem is the book is tooo long. Kafka induces a sense of futility and alienation by making his story move at a glacial pace with minute changes taking chapters to occur. And while this technique works, it's certainly not some great literary accomplishment.

So while The Castle is a relevant treatise on how we give, or fail to give, meaning to our lives; it's also an incredibly dense and difficult read.

Mark Harmon's translation brought Kafka close to my ear and heart, the way he used to when I was younger. I could see the darkness of his interiors, feel the cold of his snow covered wind blown exteriors, smell the stale beer of the taproom, taste the small meals and strong coffee served, sense the animal []attractions of his characters. Most of all I could really hear the voices of his people as they simultaneously revealed and concealed themselves through their stories.

Sometimes I laughed out loud. Sometimes my hair stood on end at the dark realities which this book unveils. The Barnabas family stories in particular chilled me. Especially in this time of fear and shunning by powerful majorities of the 'others'in our societies and in the exhaustion of the 'cleansings' and genocides of the last century, the fall of that family made me feel like I was inside a hateful part of our past, present and future.

I've now lived part of my life within bureaucratic organizations, even as an 'official' and I understand as I couldn't as a youth how absolutely Kafka has gotten to the deepest truths about how our power structures work. What it's like to be enmeshed as part of them, and-or to be at their mercy. It is hard to find free space in the world.

I used to think Kafka was a genius and an artist of the highest rank. Now, reading him in an excellent translation I understand that he was also a prophet.