Cute illustrations and some useful Japanese words make this an enjoyable book to read but I finished it in 10 minutes so don't expect anything more than an amusing introduction to some of the unusual things a visitor would encounter. When I go to Tokyo I will bring this with me for some light reading on the plane.
It is a clever idea though and a good supplememt to some of the drier guidebooks out there.

Yes, it says so in the reviews, but somehow I missed it. I thought it was a travel guide for the "clueless." I can see how it might be amusing to some Westerners though. Now I need to get a real guide book for our trip to Tokyo.... Got any recommendations?

The artist of this book has summed up some of the strange things that Americans will discover when visiting Japan. With headings like "Toire : Terrifying Toilets " and " Venerable Vending Machines " you can't help but chuckle along with the artist as she sees some of the strange differences between East and West. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with a hearty interest in visiting Japan as it will serve as a 'cultural buffer' and ready them mentally for some of the strange sights they'll be treated to!

I bought this book thinking it would explain about blood testing and how I can learn more about what each blood test means.

Well, after reading the book, I realize now that it's function is really a marketing tool to sell the YFH services that the author supplies.

This book is helping me look at my bloodwork, and my health, with a totally new thought process. I had never before stopped to think about the fact that "sick" bloodwork doesn't just look sick overnight. . . and by knowing what your blood looks like when it's healthy, you may notice important changes earlier, before symptoms. What a concept! I can't believe I had never heard about this before.

Beyond this concept (which is apparently the basis of Cullen's company), the book is just a flat-out great bloodwork manual. If you've had bloodtests and want to know more than just the standard "blurb" about each test, this book explains them in layman's terms. Minimally, it would be a good reference manual.

This book is an incredibly impactful and easy to understand guide to taking control of your health. It does a great job of presenting the details of blood testing and preventative medicine without getting too technical. The case studies were compelling and the reference material in the back is a very helpful guide to blood testing. I read the entire book in one sitting and found myself wanting to tell everyone I met about it. Definitely read this book if you are interested in learning how to become more proactive in maintaining or improving your health.

If you really like salty foods or lots of dark soy sause, then this might be for you.

I'm not an expert chief, but I do cook quiet a bit of ethnic foods. I like my dishes to have a range of flavours that are pleasent to the palete and easy on the eyes.

I found that most of the recipes looked good but following the directions caused me to throw them out because I couldn't stand the taste.

I enjoy oriental foods and wanted to learn to cook some of my favorite dishes. This cook book is excellent. It gives clear and concise instructions as well as a wide variety of dishes to choose from. Also, the cook book has beautiful photographs for most of the receips. Items are not hard to find in your local grocery store. This cook book was also made in conjunction with the Betty Cooker cook books. So if you love Betty Cooker cook books this cook book is a plus!

My first Chinese cookbook for my first foray into Chinese cooking. The recipes here are simple and classic, if rather plain. I like that the ingredients are all easy to find in my area, and that the recipes are very quick! Important for me as a working person who still likes to come home and cook something interesting for dinner. I don't like recipes with ingredient lists that are a foot long. These recipes are short and easy to follow, although a bit cryptic, which led me to make a mistake in one recipe. But I was able to start over on the mistake and the recipe came out well. I would have liked more photos - one per dish would be ideal. I recommend this for the beginning Chinese cook, but not for the beginning cook.

Tom Casey, aka Hawkman, is the kind of private detective you like to read about. He's big and bold and a cowboy type, yet he loves children and animals especially birds. Lapierre has cooked up another intricate plot. A murder, then a few more murders, a bank robbery which was successful only in that the money is not recovered though the thieves have to do the time. Lies and deceit and greed and seduction and a thrilling conclusion. It's a thrilling read.

The message on his answering machine was foreboding: "Mr. Casey, my name's Nancy Gilbert. I need your help. My sister's been murdered."

Hawkman listened with interest while hanging up his suit coat and pouring himself a cup of coffee. He snapped up his eye-patch and rubbed his eyes with his fingers. The injury he'd received while working for the Agency was still sensitive to light. He flipped the patch back into place, turned on the desk light and punched the replay button, this

time jotting down the information. Rolling his shoulders, he dialed the woman's number, then leaned back in his chair.

Fond of cowboy hats, falconry and fresh donuts, Private Investigator Tom Casey, aka Hawkman, takes on another case from his office in a small town in southern Oregon. Traveling between Los Angeles and Medford, he investigates first one murder, that of his client's sister, and discovers a possible blackmail scheme and a link to an old bank robbery. Then up pops another homicide that feels like it's tied to Nancy Gilbert's sister too. Two more suspicious deaths occur and Hawkman has more than he bargained for. Cooperating with the LAPD detective on the case, they unearth evidence of adultery, including some vividly detailed videotapes, the victim's graphically-written diary and the family Bible, all containing important clues. As Hawkman works with his wife Jennifer, he tirelessly dogs the suspects, nails the culprit and rescues the lady in distress.

Betty Sullivan LaPierre has written this tale with a classic hero, several surprising plot twists and rich characters you really want to invite to the table at your daily latte breaks. Double Trouble is a literary roller-coaster ride, fast paced and very readable. When you reach the last page, you're sorry it ended so soon. Mystery lovers will feast on this book.

Second in the series, Double Trouble instantly makes you hungry for the third. We're eagerly waiting, Ms. LaPierre.

By TT reviewer Jaycee [full review on our website]

It was supposed to be a simple case. A simple body guard case that somehow went terribly wrong.

When Nancy Gilbert's sister, Tanya Stowell is murdered, the person she turns to for help is former Company agent Tom Casey. Afraid for herself and her family, Nancy hires Tom to protect her from her ex-husband who's just gotten out of prison. Believing Drew Harland, the ex, killed her sister, she panics when he suddenly turns up in town.

What Nancy, Tom, and his associates don't realize is that someone else is in the background with murder on the mind. When some of the main players, including the main suspect, start turning up dead themselves, Tom realizes that they could all be victims if this silent killer isn't caught, and soon! The question is are they too close to the forest to see the trees?
~~~
This is the stand-alone sequel to Ms LaPierre's THE ENEMY STALKS, and is every bit as good and then some. It takes place several years after TES and it was great to have a little update on how everyone is doing now.

DOUBLE TROUBLE is the perfect title for this story. It's exactly what Tom Casey, his wife Jennifer, and his associates have on their hands. For a while it's kind of hard to tell the warden from the inmates so-to-speak because at one time or another everyone seems to be a suspect to Tom.

Ms LaPierre does a terrific job of slowly revealing what she wants you to know. The plot is tightly woven, and the characters realistic enough to keep me turning pages as fast as I could read. I was as much in the dark as the characters about who was doing all the killing until the author finally gave enough clues for me to 'get it'.

If you're into suspenseful stories without a lot of graphic blood and guts you'll really enjoy this one from Ms LaPierre. I can highly recommend it

I read mysteries for the simple enjoyment of it all. I don't expect great literature - but I struggled to get through this one. Maybe I've been spoiled by J.A. Jance. I've come to expect interesting plots and subplots, compelling dialog, and likeable characters. None of these are evident in Desert Noir. I'll continue my search for new mystery/suspense writers.

This was a very unique book. As a native New Yorker who has never met an Indian or been to the Southwest, it provided a fascinating introduction to Scottsdale, AZ. And I was fascinated with the main character, Lena, as she searched for her own identity along with proving her client innocent, etc.
There were also many gut-wrenching glimpses into Lena's childhood in foster care; the book made me thankful for my own loving family, and helped me become more empathetic to those les fortunate. Although parts of the book seemed unbelievably far-fetched, it nonetheless held my interest to the very last page, and makes me hope that it will become a series, and eager to read
subsequent books.

My one and only quibble is with the vulgarity of the language. I don't expect violent criminals to say "Golly, gee, he shot me!" -- but, to put it mildly, every character doesn't have to use vulgarity/profanity on every page. However, I'm admittedly a prude. The book was unusual as well as outstanding, and I grealy enjoyed it.

With a compelling story and a wonderfully sympathetic female heroine, this book has all of the components of a wonderful mystery. The main character is well-developed and offers hints at an intriguing backstory yet to be developed in future books. I am looking forward to the sequel, "Desert Wives."

Don't get this book...such a waste of money. It doesn't show you (in great detail) what to do with enochian magick. Although, it shows the purpose of each angel with gematria. But the original magick system had no relation whatsoever with gematria (the golden dawn included that part). This book has made me more confuse about this magickal system and it is a useless reference! This reference may be an asset to the golden dawn practitioners but as for me....I'm trying to look for references to the the genuine, authentic, orignial enochian magick system....and this book doesn't seem to help at all......

Ok this is a good book but its not the best one out there. I did learn how to pronounce and understand some of the words with the help of this book and another one by the Schuelers. But their pentagram ritual and hexagram ritual is not that good. especially their hexagram ritual as they put lets say the hexagram of air in the east. WRONG! when on a higher level as the hexagram ritual originally is the hexagram should be placed in the west. Let me explain when you want to stay on your earth realm and skry the east fine face east. But when you want to travel the watchtower of air you need to face west. This is because on the astral which is a higher less dense realm fire is in the east, earth is in the south, air is in the west, and water is in the north. Now for their pentagram ritual look at the star you thrace on your self it does not complete the circuit. an open circuit will not work right. When you need to do the LBRP or BRH follow the OTO or Golden Dawn way. As for their rituals I have done it. But as for me I prefer Sir Aleister Crowley's way. Now on to the good stuf. The book has accurate information. I have learned from this book and i do not regret buying this book. When a copy was stolen from me I brought another one regardless of the fact i am not a mere beginner in this system of magick. I also like the writting style of the Schuelers as they do not play loads of head games with the readers. Even though Enochian is a complicated system thet make it more easy to understand.

This book is full of informations, but many of them are taken from other books and not from autors own expirience. This is most obvious in the chapter about projection into Aethyrs, which is adapted from A.C. "Vision and Voice".

I read A House is a House for me by Mary Ann Hoberman. The book has a lot of homes in it. Home of animals and other kinds too. I only liked the pictures and the ryhming parts. It was not so exciting. I think little kids would like it.

I have only been a first grade teacher for two years now, and am just starting to build up my own children's literature collection. House is a House for Me is without a question one of my favorites. The children loved it so much when I read this book of rhyme, not a peep was made on the rug. When I was finished reading the book, the children wanted to create their own class version entitled House is a House for Me 2! If you are a teacher or a parent, this is a small investment, but one that you and your children will treasure for years to come.

I read this book to my daughter fifty times or more. It is a wonderful piece of poetry to recite; rhythmic and fun. The pictures are very detailed, with lots for a child to discover and ask questions about. Every page has an intricate drawing with many different recognizable details. I found it to be a good jumping off point for many varied discussions when my daughter was a tot. I send it to my friends who are having their first baby....

Throughout the entire recording, I kept waiting for Jazz to be told by SOMEONE, ANYONE, to grow up and stop thinking the world revolved around her. No such luck! She just goes her merry way, insulting absolutely anyone and everyone, and everything comes up roses for her. NO redeeming qualities, like those that saved Billie in "Scruples" and "Scruples 2" - just a nasty woman and a group of people who adore her for no apparent reason! I'd rather listen to static on my radio. :)

I've read most of Judith Krantz's novels and this one was a disappointment. Jazz was her usual likeable main character, but too many unnecessary characters really weakened this novel. It seemed that even great-great-grandparents were brought in as characters as the story went on! The male character who seemed to be a challenging, interesting match for Jazz just disappeared halfway through the story. There were some fun and memorable moments, but Mrs. Krantz usually does a much better job than this.

At first, I really liked Eve. She was such a wild character. Then it got boring really quick, and even though the author tried to make both Dalphine and Freddy exciting and adventurous, it was obvious that they were just dull and boring characters.

I have not read this book cover-to-cover, but I think I get the idea from reading large sections throughout the book. I don't like it. First of all, much of the contents is OK, but seems like very basic common sense, so I didn't find it that useful. Things that bugged me, though, were:

Talking about how this age is good for using a harness and leash. (not that I haven't considered this!! :-) )

They gave an example of a child's dexterity by talking about how she picked up a toy simultaneously with a cigarette that had fallen out of her father's cigarette pack. I think the authors are European, so smoking is rampant in Europe. But to me, this is an odd example in a book that's supposed to be teaching good practices for parents.

Lastly, they talk about how children at a certain age aren't very social and how they consider people to be like inanimate objects. They gave the example of how toddlers in a stroller don't engage at all with the person pushing the stroller, and that there may as well be a machine pushing the stroller. Therefore, they don't like engaging much with people. Well . . . can you imagine sitting in a stroller facing out and trying to engage with the person pushing you from behind? My child loves to engage with me and others, but in a stroller it's practically impossible!

These examples, and the fact that they totally miss the mark in describing my child - saying they aren't interested in books at all at this age (she loves books! And spends long periods flipping through pages, babbling away, and letting me read to her), among other strange generalizations, make me glad i bought this book used instead of new. It may be helpful to someone out there, but didn't help me.

This book is very outdated. ... says it has been revised, but mine was 15 years old, with no revisions. I returned it.

I must disagree with the above reviewer who complained that the book is 15 years old and is therefore outdated. That criticism would be more vaild if it concerned a book about teenagers or pre-teens, since our culture has changed so much in just 15 years. However, one-year-old children have behaved in similar fashion since the beginning of time. They learn to stand, to totter, they grab ahold of everything in sight. This book is short, easy to read, and packed with a lot of insight. I especially like the suggested toys section--old magazines, blocks, plastic play hammer, old purse, etc. One-year-olds are fascinated by everything, so concentrate on simple, unbreakable items instead of spending hundreds on smashable toys. Good read!

The book was to slow and never really picked up.The Readers want exictement not boredom i give it 2 stars on account of it being to SLOW!

I've read this book many times, and it keeps you on your toes the whole way through. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a thrill, or trying to get the required amount of Accelerated Reader points.

Katie Blaine couldn't be happier about spending the summer in the tiny town of Newquay. She had a great desire to leave her hometown. She pictured a little village with a town square and a general store, a perfect place for her mother, stepbrother, and her to become a family again. As soon as she gets there, Katie knows she was definitely wrong. The town is dreary and deserted, and something eerie about the old house they are staying in. Then when she feels that nothing can get worse than that, she hears groaning noises under the floorboards of the house, and sees a ghost. This girl who Katie knows is trying to tell her something. Although Katie can not understand the girls warning, she knows that her family is in great danger. The only person that can save them is the ghost girl.

What I liked about this book was that they had cliffhangers after every chapter and that really got me jumping off my seat. I also liked it when the author gave surprise places for the ghosts to appear. I usually don't like scary books, but I read this book successfully. This book has kept me going because it just kept getting better. Right when you think its over, it starts all over again. Betty Ren Wright did a terrific job in writing this book.

What I disliked about this book is the fact that it was a scary book. I hate scary books; I just cannot stand them. But I really enjoyed this book. It gave me entertainment through books that I have never picked up due to the fact that I will get major nightmares. This book provided nightmares a few nights but not as bad as other books. But I wouldn't recommend this book to people who have a weakness' to ghosts or other make believe. Other wise, this book is terrific!