Although the title would lead you to believe that this is a "easy goin"" type of book, this author has a grasp of Classical horsemanship methods. While the Masters books relay the same fundamentals, Marys presentation may let you see the Art of Riding in a less threatening light. Marys concern over how to use words to convey a skill based on "Feel" is especially appreciated, after all riding is really all about "feel" isn't it? She presents tools to convey this awareness, something that is not done as effectively in the older books. Her use of the "indirect rein" term is a bit out of sync with classical teaching, but all in all the title does not do the book justice.

I borrowed this book from the library, and am planning to buy a copy of my own. This is an excellent reference book to go back to for training, warming up, and building up your horse's athletic ability and responsiveness. Whether you are an experienced rider, or new to horses, Mary's style of writing is down to earth, and the exercises she gives are explained very well. She gives the reasoning behind the instruction.

I have been recommending this book to people new to horses or who want to improve their riding and training ability for several years. Mary Twelveponies writes clearly and non-technically about riding and training your horse using dressage methods without scaring people into thinking they are going to getting in over their heads. She instructs the reader in how to be a better rider which in turn helps your horse become more responsive. She utilizes both western and english disciplines to show that anyone can accomplish the goals in this book. It was the beginning for me in learning how to train my horses. I am a strong believer in dressage as a foundation method of training a horse for any discpline you wish to pursue and Mary Twelveponies makes it easy to understand and incorporate. You and your horse will be happier!

It's obvious the Destroyer series is back on track. This book isn't the best Destroyer novel I've read, but it is by no means a bad book. There's something for almost everyone here--some great scenes with Remo doing what he does best, some great scenes with Remo and Chiun doing what they do best (whether you feel that's bantering and annoying the hell out of each other or killing, they're both served up in spades here), a treasure hunt, clones, hints of things to come, twists, turns, cave-ins...whew!...) I look forward to reading more from Jim Mullaney. Way to go, Jim, ya dun good.

A fitting conclusion to a trilogy that gave us more of the classic Remo and Chiun. An insightful peek into the House of Sinanju, a treasure hunt, clones, Nazis, killings--all are present and served up in the style that true Destroyer fans crave including the Yin/Yang of Remo and Chiun's father/son love/hate relationship. The magic is back in the series--and the ending gives us enough clues to see that more is on the way!

It was iffy for awhile but the new author has got a good grasp of the essence of the series.

In the introduction of his third book, Author Mark Wiley states that his purpose is not to rehash materials already presented in his previous two books ("Filipino Martial Arts: Cbalas Cerrada Escrima" (1994), and Filipino Martial Culture" (1996)). Unlike his volume "Filipino Martial Culture", the focus of this writing is on 27 different specific Filipino arts, rather than the history of the masters or organizations which propagate them.

Wiley admits his work is not exhaustive, but it is (as I write) the most exhaustive guide to concern itself with he stylistic differences between different schools of Filipino arts. Wiley describes training, training methods, theory, fighting concepts and progressions, strategies, and photographic depictions of fighting techniques. You will gain as I did, a better understanding of the similarities and differences between different schools, from practice and theory to custom and tradition. The closest I have come to seeing a collection Like Wiley's is the out-of-print book, "Masters of Arnis, Kali and Ecrima" written by Edgar Sulite of the Bakbakan, which focused on teachers and styles of Filipino fighting. It is nice to be in the middle of the Filipino arts renaisance, and finally have the resources available to understand these practical combative methods.

If you're looking for a somewhat detailed look at Filipino Martial Arts, whether it be Arnis or escrima, you'll love this book. It's packed with different sub-styles of Escrima & Arnis. If you want to learn Filipino MA, go to a qualified instructor. Don't learn from a book.

Fantastic. Mr. Wiley has outdone himself. His previous works were terrific. This one picks up were "Martial Culture" left off. A must have for all those involved in the filipino combatives and anyone mildly interested in the eastern martial disciplines. Well written full of well documented research. Will be on my gift list.

The definitive guide to identifying chile peppers, this book is conveniently divided into sections on dried and fresh peppers. Beware - this is NOT a recipe book (although a few more recipes would be nice), nor does it contain more than brief instructions on preparing and using chile peppers. However, with bright colour photographs, taste descriptions, and a clear and accurate guide to hotness from bell pepper (0) to habanero (10), this book is essential kitchen equipment for those who like their cooking fiery.

A fabulous resource book for the chile head or novice seeking knowledge. The book is limited on the written word except for a brief survey. The survey gives you all the general information needed for the average person interested in cooking with heat. The strength of this book lies in it's beautiful color photographs that are the actual size of the chile itself. This book serves a number of purposes, one of which is the identification of the various closely related strands od chiles. Probably the most commonly known chile is the jalepen~o but there are variations. One is knnown as huachinango that originates from Oaxaca and the Puebla region. I was able to identify the huachinango chile from my garden after first thinking it was an ordinary jalapen~o. Turns out they have a distinct "sweetness" and are a highly prized, (translation, they cost 3-4 times more) and are used to make "chipotle grande" in it's dried form. There are a few chiles that are exotic and unfamiliar to most people outside of the area of origin. There is a section showing four different types of the ever growing in popularity habanero. The dried chile section is informative and provides helpful hints in curing your own chiles. There is a small receipe section that compliments the chile heads kitchen. To round it all out there is a source of information with addresses and phone numbers for chile seeds and fresh and dried chiles. A handy little book for the amateur grower of chiles or cook who on occasion forays into the kitchen to serve up some heat.

If you've ever read a cookbook that tried to verbally go into the differences on chiles, and you felt yourself get just a little lost when it came to the physical descriptions, than this book will be a great resource. The full color photos are nicely done, actual size, and very helpful, especially since chiles often get misnamed, or get labeled with a regional name that is not the one most widely used. Actually knowing what to look for by sight has been very helpful at the market.

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom has hit the nail on the head: this book is a helpful introduction for the absolute beginner, but from a Traditional point of view, it's "Shabbos Lite."

My suggestion? Use the book as an introductory guide -- and then, if you want to learn more about Shabbat observance (and incidentally rid yourself of some silly prejudices at the same time), make friends with some Traditionally observant Jews and spend an occasional Shabbat with them.

It's a mitzvah for you, it's a mitzvah for them, everybody's happy. And fostering Ahavat Yisrael in this way is very much in the spirit of Shabbat.

As an Orthodox Jew, I naturally have certain reservations about recommending a Reform book, especially one that says you can just sort of make up your own level of Shabbat observance as you go along. I guess you would have to call me the "traditionalist" among the smorgasbord of pick-and-choose choices the authors offer for how Reform Jews observe Shabbat.

Now, having said that, I think the book can still be a useable gate for the absolute beginner, coming from a secular or Reform background, who is trying to bring Shabbat observance into the home. It does have good "how-to" instructions for the home rituals, non-sexist translations, and clear transliterations of the Hebrew text. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the how-tos for the rituals are very traditional, reflecting, perhaps, the recent movement within Reform to introduce more Hebrew into the service and more observance into the home.

Plus it has the written music for the blessings and songs around the table, and there are nice explanations of some of the "whys" for the traditions, such as why we have two candles, etc.

All of which makes it an appealing reference for the non-Orthodox Jew who is trying to explore Shabbat but does not want anything "too heavy." I especially liked the relaxed, user-friendly writing style. (My Orthodox brethren could learn a lesson here, because, sad to say, many Orthodox book in English are just too academic and formal, making them inaccessible to the rank beginner.)

At the same time, because it takes the Reform approach, tending to see Judaism as a man-made culture rather than a divinely-revealed religion, it doesn't really go into much depth about the halachic (Jewish law) details for observing Shabbat, nor does it stress our obligation to God to observe it, etc.

So, if I may use an analogy, "Gates of Shabbat" is more like a fast-food burger, rather than a full Sabbath meal.

My advice would be to use the how-to instructions for making the blessings and singing the songs, and regard the various "models" as essays for helping you to examine your own relationship to God, Judaism, and Shabbat as you evolve toward greater levels of observance. Once you are really inside the Gate, you'll need other resources as well, to deepen your learning.

I bought this book because I felt that I was not learning enough about Shabbat in my conversion class. It is an excellent book for people converting or who want to know more about the Sabbath as Jews observe it. There is Hebrew, English and transliteration for the prayers. There are wonderful stories, there are explanations to the how and why of many things done on shabbat. The book has songs in transliterated Hebrew and at the end of most of them it tells you what you are actually singing about for those who don't fully comprehend Hebrew. It helped to make services more meaningful for me because now I actually know what I am sininging about. There is also a companion tape of music put out by the Reform movemnet for this book.

This book is a waste of paper. The only worthwhile information is copied from other books, in diluted form! Most of the entries are so general to be of no value. Spend your money elsewhere, and save a tree.

This Book was an excelent recourse to me. An autograph and cd collector myself... this was very helpful. Its full of crazy memoribila with the prices you can buy and sell them at. I took a look through my own memoribila.. and even made some money from the knowlege of this book. Its ver interesting and even funny! GREAT BOOK!!!

I found this book to be an excellent resource guide. It has invaluable information regarding all aspects of collectibles. I particularly enjoyed the authors humorous insight into various bands! BRAVO!

It can get your hopes up for easy stuff, but the hard stuff is left out. It lacks the real stuff that shop mechanics' manuals have for each specific year and model changes. I know you; "get what you pay for!"

I would like to know why you state that the oil pan can be removed from the Crown Victoria without removing the motor. I have a 1992 and I followed the manual and the oil pan will not pass between the frame and motor. I even removed the cam covers but there is not enough clearance. Am I doing something wrong or is your manual wrong?

I have a 1997 Mercury Marqui Does Haynes have a manual for m

A good introdution to the band for neo-garbage fans. It got facts, but no theme or styleistic prose (like you really care. Anyway it's a bio, so you can let that slide). On the plus side it got pictures of Shirley, thats always gotta be good.

I wouldn't go so far to say this is a biography... it's not indept enough. But it does offer enough information to sasitify your basic intrests about Garbage, and it's members. It reads like a magizine, but has a little more info, and a lot of cool pictures.
It is out of print at the moment, but if you can get a used copy, and you are a garbage fan, I would if i were you. This is pretty much the only bio for one of the coolest bands out there at this time.

it's good, it's got some new pictures, and alot of basic info. if you're a hardcore fan you probably already know the book but you can tell some research went into it. it's nicely written, and besides a pair of switched pictures, it's accurate.

The problem with Mark Slouka is that he fancies himself to be (a) a stylist, (b) an intellectual, (c) a creative genius, and, at least in his "critical" writings, (d) a contrarian. Which would have made him a very interesting writer to read indeed if he only knew how to tell the difference between (a) style and clutter, (b) thinking and whining, (c) originality and cliche, and (d) courage and boneheaded idiocy. As for this novel, it kind of reminds me of . . . wait a minute here, wasn't there . . . yes, wasn't there something--a novel, I dare say--on a similar--no, no, on EXACTLY the same theme, published, let's see now, about three years ago? I wonder what Mr. Slouka is working on now. Maybe a novel about a one-legged man in mad pursuit of a whale. Narrated, of course, by a third party. Yes, I quite like this idea. Just call me Slouka.

In some ways, I really preferred this book to David Strauss' Chang and Eng. This one, told from Chang's perspective, was much more lyrical and better written. The descriptions of the Mekong Valley, the surreal world of Siam, and the familial love between Chang and Eng and their parents, wives and children were superbly drawn. Don't believe the reviews that say this is some sort of copy of Chang and Eng. It simply isn't true. The subject of 2 conjoined brothers who leave Siam and end up slaveowners, husbands and fathers certainly provides enough material for two novels, and many more than that as well. This book does a good job exploring the ontological aspects of the twins' conjoined state. They had one body, but did they have 2 souls? An interesting novel, well written and full of lucid observations about human nature.

Slouka takes the story of siamese twins and paints a beautiful image of their homeland, their life, and the politics of their time. The story starting in Siam and ending up in the American Civil War is engaging and heartfelt throughout. If you try to imagine what life would be like from the character's perspectives it lends a new level of appreciation for Slouka's intimate details of their epic struggles and their hinderances in everyday life. It is impossible not to feel for the characters as they are thrown into a world that views them as a circus act, which seems to corrupt everything from brotherhood to pure love. Of particular interest are the portions of the story where Slouka also relates to the reader how the two help each other out along their journeys, bound by fate for their eternity. It was a rare find on a random purchase that I came about this book, but I highly recommend reading it and passing it onto your friends, if nothing else the sociology of their lives and of the many places they visit is worth the buy.

I was disappointed with many of the designs in this book. I think the pasted on fabric was tacky and extra-homemade looking. The colors she chose for the painted pieces are hard to look beyond. There is a great buffet and an interesting kitchen cabinet piece in here, though. I would recommend her previous book entitled "2 x 4 Furniture - Simple, Inexpensive & Great-Looking Projects You Can Make" over this selection.

As a beginning woodworker, I thought this book might be a good place to start, and I was right. It begins with a discussion of tools you'll need, with a picture of and writeup about each. It gives options about differing tools you could use and explains their pros and cons. Next it discusses wood, explaining how wood is sized and graded, and discussing how to select and purchase wood, nails, glues, screws, and nails.

The projects are simple and I feel they are well documented, with lots of drawings depicting key techniques of construction. They do a good job of using simple shapes and pre-made parts to simplify construction.

In all, I recommend this book to beginning woodworkers or anyone looking to make relatively simple furniture.

This is a fine book for people (women and men!) on a budget who want nice furniture and are willing to put some sweat equity into their decorating. I am a beginner at woodworking and I learned a lot about the basics. Plus, I have some good looking furniture that was inexpensive and fun to make.