This is a little silly story about a man who has a rather humorous betting habit and focuses on the account of some bets he placed with a highly talented jumping-frog that he owned.

The story is not half bad and I understand that it became quite popular and was one of the first writings to bring Twain into the limelight. Even so, I do not feel that story - short as it is - stands the test of time as do other writings of Mark Twain. Don't be fooled though, the story is a nice quick and light read, especially if you want to divert your attention from the lull of boredom or any other times of inactivity.

I've decided to renew my interest in Mark Twain, having read and enjoyed "Roughing It". I found out that this was Twain's first success, and decided to give it a try. It's a very short, amusing and enjoyable story that adults should be able get through in a matter of minutes, and I should imagine that kids would enjoy: but I would not recommend experimenting on the local amphibia to test the veracity of Twain's story!

Comparing this book with other thrillers, I think it's not the Casablanca of this century but rather the most confusing book I have ever read. A very good introduction but too many characters lost the plot and thus as a result the reader may find the book boring just like I felt. I've just finished reading Home Run by Gerald Seymour and I really enjoyed the latter. It's about international terro. as well but it's simpler and much more entertaining. Hope that not too many authors copy the style of this book.

This book, like "The Rhythm Section", is at least timely. Whereas that book partially predicted 9/11, "Chameleon" partially deals with current, and volatile issues:Russia,Chechens, violence, and chemical weapons."Chameleon" again features Stephanie/Petra, here compelled to search for Koba, the unknowable magnate of Russian organized crime.She thus penetrates one of Russia's most powerful Mafiyas, displays her skills as an international assassin, and encounters deadly, even evil players leading to a climax involving the purchase of biological weapons.She also finds love with Kostya, a money launderer and man of respect within Russia's Mafiyas. This, though believably done, is one of the book's weaknesses. Their brief, passionate meetings don't sustain interest. More compelling but confusing is the plotting. Some events (the torture and murder of Salibi and his bodyguard) seem not fully explained. The author, however, has done his homework. His description of Russian crime, its structure in various countries, and those minor or major figures within or around it are authentic. So is his knowledge of the former Soviet Union's ethnic composition and description of chemical weapons. Though not as engrossing as "The Rhythm Section,""Chameleon" is an intelligent, above average installment in Stephanie/Petra's career. Where, if anywhere, will the author take her next?

...I ordered this book as a gift for my brother-in-law, who's into motorcycles. I thought the book would be exactly what the title said: a celebration of the long, proud history of Harley-Davidson, replete with gorgeous, suitable-for-framing photos of the company's products. The book arrived. I took one look at it, and gave it instead to my friend Bob, who has a taste for oddities. Bob took one look at it, and exclaimed, "THIS IS A COFFEE-TABLE BOOK ABOUT HELL'S ANGELS!" As indeed it is, down to the last bike-chain-wielding bruiser and Jello-wrestling biker babe. Sure, they all ride Harleys, but Harley-Davidson itself is--shall we say--peripheral to the book's actual theme. The photos are very well-done, if suitable-for-framing pix of Hell's Angels are what you want.

Considered a classically American symbol of freedom, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle is captured in 150 full-color photographs and engaging writing in this Thunder Bay Press hardback. "Classic Harley-Davidson" focuses on the machines' emotive power as well as biker lifestyle. Written by Mark Williams. 144 pages.

I used this book for my Con Law I and II course, so I feel that I know this book pretty well. For Con Law I, the book was absolutely TERRIBLE. The cases are edited down so much that they are borderline incoherent, such as in Marbury v. Madison and McCullough v. Maryland. There is a great deal of "commentary" in between cases from the authors regarding the information they edited out within the cases, but the structure of learning what was in the case AFTER reading through the case is confusing and time consuming, forcing you to retrace a lot of your steps needlessly. The bottom line on this book for Con Law I is to buy the Legalines supplement for this book, and read it religiously after every case. Chemerinsky's supplement is a great deal of assistance as well, because Con Law I is much more confusing for students using this book (from inquiring through other classmates using different texts). For Con Law II, the subject matter gets 100 times more interesting, but the content of the book remains the same. As a reviewer previously stated, the editing of Brown v. Board of Education is absolutely unacceptable. Such a landmark case fit into four pages? Ridiculous! However, there will be a lot of stimulating class discussion to supplement the extremely edited-down cases presented in Con Law II. My best advice? Buy supplements and keep yourself on top of what you're reading before you get too lost, and make notecards to keep the tests for different circumstances (like justiciability, commerce clause, dormant commerce clause, etc.) straight.

A good starting Con Law book, however, as the title of this review states, it was too well edited. Crucial facts surrounding key cases like Marbery were not included. The omission makes it easier to read through the voluminous pages, but it's not enough. The reader will *have* to supplement the text with strong in-class notes or a commercial text/outline. There are some key cases simply 'missing' and the coverage of prominent cases like "Brown" is simply insufficient. Comparison and analysis of how one case indirectly may overrule another is also lacking. Overall, it is not a BAD book, the authors probably need to cut some dead weight so they have room to include the missing pieces. Also -- a word to the wise -- since the current Supreme Court is the most active, it is essential for the student to keep up with the latest decsions.

This book is not worth the money. It has outdated information and in my opinion is poorly written. Save your money.

I found this book to be a good introduction to Satellite TV. It was an easy read. I think I went through the whole thing in a weekend. The first half of the book is pretty general. The second half is focused more on specific home satellite TV systems (I skimmed this part). The book comes with a CD-ROM which has color copies of many of the books figures.

Interesting that this would be published. A transcript of the average middle-school talent show would yield a more diverting result.

I disagree with the other review for this play. I directed a production of it, and it was very well-received, and by a crowd of jaded theatre-goers, no less. It's a great play for young directors, as it requires a simple, flexible set, and provides some excellent and insightful scene study.

After reading a review of this book I bought it in the expectation it would be a similar mixture to the fifth element. Instead its full of mystic mumbo jumbo that's not even interesting to read. The style of the writing is very simplestic, with heavy references to early books by the same author. Other readers seeking well written books on similar topics will be better off reading Greg Egan.

As I suggest in the title: the theme is comparable to the film "the fifth element": a beautiful woman is synthesized out of energy and some organics and she is there to save the world. But the book is writen very humoristic, and the writer has excellent creative ideas about how the world (and the rest) is built. The next book: Mind surfing, should be the next book to read. The book is writen in a way that a movie must be made from it, and in my mind i've already seen it. Beautiful!

Perhaps Mr. Richman should stick to acting. He's written a book alright--it's got ink, paper--even a dust jacket, but one wonders why he decided to leave the lucrative world of character acting for the literary life. The book is shamefully autobiographical--perhaps typical of the cultivated Hollywood ego. The plot is uninteresting, the characters are one dimensional, and the language so contrived it's almost laughable. Save the money you would have spent on this one, and, if you really want to see Mr. Richman's finest work, go rent reruns of "Three's Company".

Five minutes after you've picked up this novel, you'll be hooked. -It entraps you with interesting, multi-dimensional characters, a plot that has you wondering what will come next, conflict that makes for honest drama, and a vitality that illumines every scene. There's no doubt that the author's background as actor and artist infects every page. Mr. Richman has an ear for dialogue, sometimes passionate, sometimes humorous, but always interesting, always keeping the story moving, always in character, always revealing. As an artist, the author has the ability to give verity to his scenes by vivid description that has both detail and coloration, makes time and place come alive. And, of course, he knows the theatrical and motion picture world his characters inhabit. Rich in humor, in action, in steamy sex, in narrative drive, Hollander's Deal guarantees the reader a memorable adventure. My advice: Buy it!

This book isn't nearly as good as a similar book, called Homeschool Your Child for Free (Gold/Zielinski), which is very well organized, easy to use, and includes a recommended scope and sequence that ties it all together. I am a big reader of homeschooling books, and this Guide to the Internet doesn't come close to the quality of Homeschool Your Child for Free.

Some of the book is hard to understand, if you know nothing about computers. Some of the websites no longer exist. For the most part i have found 2 really good sites and i think they have made the book worth my money

This book is very limited, only showing 4 structures to build. They each have moveable sections which are supposed to be fun for kids to rearrange their play structure, but these pieces are big and a kid could get injured very easily by dropping one. Also, contrary to the book description, this does NOT include plans on building a climbing net or a climbing rope (which was the main reason I bought it). The book wastes the first third of its limited pages telling you why you should build a play structure. Obviously you already know why or you would not be reading a book on HOW to build one. There are much better books on the subject like the David Stiles books. Now they know how to build imaginative play structures, play houses, and tree houses. This book mentions in the beginning how great treehouses are, but has no instructions.This is one to borrow from the library, but not worth the price of purchase.

I given this book in hopes of helping me build a play area for my son. The book was informative, but it did have limited ideas for play areas. It was a good reference tool, but again iI am looking for another book with more options and building ideas for the weekend builder.