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Book reviews for "Altabe,_Joan_B." sorted by average review score:

And a Voice to Sing With: A Memoir
Published in Paperback by Signet (October, 1990)
Author: Joan Baez
Amazon base price: $5.95
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Moving, intelligent, and haunting display of self
An excruciatingly lovely, honest portrayal of Joan Baez' life, from self-conscious childhood through more self-confident adulthood (she speaks of self demons that haunt her yet). Includes photographs of self, family, performances, and other public appearances. A professed non-reader, non afficionado of public (regimented) learning, Joan intelligently writes about non violence, her public issues, and relationships, and in doing so, encourages readers to make more of their own personal and public lives. Powers to be: Please give this woman a Grammy for all of her talent!!

And a Voice to Sing With : A Memoir
An excruciatingly lovely, honest portrayal of Joan Baez' life, from self-conscious childhood through more self-confident adulthood (she speaks of self demons that haunt her yet). Includes photographs of self, family, performances, and other public appearances. A professed non-reader, non afficionado of public (regimented) learning, Joan intelligently writes about non violence, her public issues, and relationships, and in doing so, encourages readers to make more of their own personal and public lives. Powers to be: Please give this woman a Grammy for all of her talent!!

Sensitive and delicate in the personal sense.
This is the only "novel" I have read twice and would like to pick up again. I found the truth more fascinating and heart-warming than any good fiction! Ms. Baez's openness in sharing personal information gives the reader insight into understanding her motives/lyrics and direction. It is also interesting to "see" inside the workings of one who is trying to make a difference in the world versus personal and public views of a performer. Ms. Baez literary style displays her intelligence, forsight, and concerns. I would like to read future works by Ms. Baez reflecting, as a woman, how she acquired her aspirations and confidence...familial and/or inborn!


Animal Equality : Language and Liberation
Published in Hardcover by Ryce Publishing (May, 2001)
Authors: Joan Dunayer and Carol J. Adams
Amazon base price: $25.00
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Language is powerful
Joan Dunayer compellingly argues that the cruel treatment of nonhuman animals (in vivisection, entertainment, sport, rearing/slaughter for food consumption, etc.) is often masked by the euphemisms we employ. We are all familiar with our tendency to call the flesh of dead cow "beef," but Dunayer digs deeper and calls for an end to other common practices that undermine the individuality and unique personality of each and every nonhuman animal that exists. "Wildlife management" groups facilitate hunting. "Animal welfare committees" often oversee research in which countless nonhumans are blinded, subjected to burns, and killed. Zoos market themselves as "wildlife conservationists," imprisoning sentient beings in cages and tanks, depriving them of natural stimuli, and driving them to repetitive and self-destructive behaviors.

Dunayer dispels the myth that language separates humans from nonhumans. Two of her many examples include Alex the African gray parrot who can count, identify objects, and convey fear and sorrow (all using human English), and Washoe the chimpanzee who learned American Sign Language then spontaneously taught it to her son.

The author draws analogies between the current treatment of nonhumans and past abuses of human slaves and women. (At one time both human slaves and women were not considered "persons," much like nonhumans today.) Words like emancipation and abolitionist are resurrected and applied to a cause just as worthy of our concern and immediate action.

The book incorporates a handy thesaurus of words that can be used as alternatives to speciesist terms (e.g. use "flesh" or "muscle" instead of "meat," use "captor" or "keeper" instead of "caretaker") as well as style guidelines for countering speciesism (e.g. use the term animals to include all creatures, human and nonhuman, with a nervous system; avoid expressions that elevate humans above other animals, such as human kindness, the rational species, the sanctity of human life).

This book is a very important building block in making the world a better place for everyone.

An Important Book
We use words not only to inform -- but to deceive and retain our biases. This important book shows how we use words to cover-up and desensitize ourselves to our abuse and cruelty toward other species. It shows how our use language to support our attitudes toward non-human animals as being things or "tools." Dunayer also compares our speciesist language with our expressions of gender bias -- we use the term "mankind" for humankind and "lower" animals for all but humans.

Even people who are sensitive to our more obvious speciesist epithets (like the use of "animal" or "subhuman" to refer to bad actions and "pig" to refer to human sloppiness) and our use of impersonal pronouns when referring to non-humans -- even such sensitized people might still find themselves not exactly "off the hook" (also speciesist).

The book includes a useful thesaurus of speciesist terms and substitute, preferred expressions, as well as a list of style guidelines.

Although this is not a book that one can read in one sitting, it is an important work for both people who care about our treatment and "use" of animals as well as those who care about how we use language.

Brilliant!! A Much Needed Book
This book is a MUST read!! Read it and "mind your bees and shrews."


The Babies Are Landing
Published in Hardcover by Chronicle Books (April, 2000)
Authors: Linda Bronson and Joan L. Margalith
Amazon base price: $9.95
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a great book!
This would be a great book for anyone you know who has recently adopted a baby. Although it doesn't specifically discuss adoption, it talks about how babies end up in the arms of the people they were meant to be with. Cute book with cheerful illustrations.

A Wonderful Book!!
We received this boook as a gift and our son loves it! In fact, I love it so much I purchased several copies to give to family and friends who have babies. It makes a great new baby/shower gift!!

Review- The Babies Are Landing
I love this book... I saw it, flipped though it, and knew I had to get it for my daughter. It's a beautifully written, sweet book and the illustrations are museum quality art. My daughter (1 year old) loves the pictures, the rhymes, and sitting with us and reading this book. HIGHLY recommended-- get it for your own child, or even better, get it for a friend with a new baby. It'll make her happy-cry!


Backyard Grilling: Grill Like A Professional!
Published in Paperback by Richard W. McPeake (May, 2003)
Authors: Richard W. McPeake, Jim Cattey, and Joan Cattey
Amazon base price: $13.95
Average review score:

Backyard Grilling For Dummies
Backyard Grilling - Grill Like A Professional is not alot of hype. This book really delivers! Anything you ever wanted to know about grilling is in this book. For example, I learned so much about rubs and marinating that my food has been terrific since I purchased this book. Any "Dummy" can follow the suggestions and enjoy great food! The recipes are easy to follow, with language that is easy for a beginner to understand. Thanks for such a great guide. Buy it, you'll be glad you did!!!

Fine Tuning for the 'Professional' Griller
As the man of the house, I consider myself a capable griller. Chef McPeake's Backyard Grilling book has elevated me to a new level of outdoor cooking! His very creative recipes have given me a whole new outlook on what I can prepare on the grill. ( Who knew you could do an outstanding Jamabalya on the grill?)

What a treat for the taste buds!!![.]
If you have always liked to grill but wanted to take your grilling to the next levels, THIS IS THE BOOK! Diagrams about grills, heat, coals, etc. plus an abundance of dishes. Every single recipe I wanted to try out. I can't wait to have a Clam Bake, grill the best burgers, whip together that incredible bbq sauce, dry rub my steaks, and have a margarita chicken party. These are fun, simple, and will bring anyone to the next level.
Perfect timing for the summer!


Beyond the Limit: The Dream of Sofya Kovalevskaya
Published in Hardcover by Forge (August, 2002)
Author: Joan Spicci
Amazon base price: $18.87
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truly compelling!
This is a true piece of art, a compelling love story wrapped into the trials and tribulations of humanity's pursuit of balance with being true to oneself and to those you love. This true story is beautifully told of the tribulations faced by a woman in pursuit of mathematics in a world unaccustomed or accepting of women. I couldn't put it down!

Beyond The Limit
We enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it to all readers who enjoy history. The book captures the struggles of women who persued higher education in a time of world governmental and social change. The romantic twists and turns of the characters are sure to keep the reader's interest from cover to cover.

Brilliant, inspirational, important
I highly recommend this book! From the very first page, the story engages the reader and the writing dazzles. This true story is about the trials and struggles of a brilliant, Russian female mathematician, Sofya Kovalevskaya, in the late 1800s. This was not a popular time to be a woman in Russia, and certainly not popular to be a smart woman -- especially if you wanted to study mathematics! However, the development of mathematics and science in Europe at this time was on fire (as was the politics), and Sofya was right in the thick of it all.

This work of historical fiction is well researched, with information gathered from many sources (including translations of personal letters), and masterfully retold. It's romantic, exciting and fascinating. A true gift to be able to walk these years in Sofya's shoes.

If you've ever struggled against societial prejudices, or struggled to succeed in a field of work not intended for your race, sex or color, you'll find this book an inspiration.

I anxiously await the sequel!


Blessed Grieving: Reflections on Life's Losses
Published in Paperback by St. Mary's Press (December, 1995)
Author: Joan Guntzelman
Amazon base price: $7.95
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Average review score:

Beautiful Gift of Healing
This book has reflections and prayers for any sort of loss, which is a natural part of life. I have given this book as a gift to many different people in many different life situations and stages of loss. I find it very comforting and hope they do also. From loss of job, to loss of a loved one, relationship, your own health, or your own life, it is a moving and healing book. I highly recommend it.

many types of loss are invitations to new life
from Spiritual Life, Winter 1994: this book "suggests that many types of loss are really invitations into new life. Guntzelman, a nurse and psychologist, says that however puzzling 'Blessed are they who grieve' seems when we are mourning, the only way we 'will be comforted' is to say yes to the losses life presents, let go, and move on."

wonderful for bereavement groups & grieving individuals
from Church, Winter '94, p. 45:"provides faith-based reflections using prayers, stories, exercises of the imagination and commentary. Topics include losses connected to aging, relationships, jobs or roles, death of loved ones, dreams, hope, and expectations. This book can be used by parish bereavement groups as well as by individuals."


Carp in the Bathtub
Published in Paperback by Kar-Ben Publishing (April, 1987)
Authors: Barbara Cohen and Joan Halpern
Amazon base price: $5.95
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Gefilte fish
This wonderful 1972 story recalls the days in Brooklyn when most families had to share their bathrooms with neighbors and everyone managed.

The narrator recalls a particular year, perhaps during the 1930s or 1940s. Rosh Hashonah and Passover, aside from more important things, then also meant eating Mama's gefilte fish, which she made from fresh carp. By the day before the holiday, the market had no more big fish, so Mama always bought her carp a week in advance, and stored it, fresh, in the bathtub.

This particular year, though, Harry and Leah fell in love with the carp. "Some carp are much more lovable than others, and that Passover, we had an unusually playful and intelligent carp in our bathtub," says Leah. To save the carp, they brought the fish downstairs to Mrs. Ginzburg, who agreed to put the carp in her bathtub instead.

They hoped their father would save "Joe," but Papa would have none of it. He went straight to Mrs. Ginzburg's apartment, and retrieved their beloved fish before their mother even knew he was missing.

The children in the story never ate gefilte fish again, but a few weeks after their favorite carp died, their father brought home a cat, which they also named Joe.

Aside from teaching kids about bygone traditions, this story explains that they cannot always have what they want. No surprise, they love it as much as most kids love gefilte fish. Alyssa A. Lappen

Loved this book!
I loved this book growing up. I agree with the previous reviewer...I am not Jewish and this ranks up with one of my favorite children's books. (My favorite being Fourteen Bears in Summer and Winter). I always thought it was so neat that they had a carp swimming in their bathtub!

A GREAT BOOK !
I think that Carp In The Bathtub is a great book for ages 4-13 the pictures were very funny ,and creative. It was interesting. It was entertaining also you can picture it in your head like you were in their shoes. The characters were pretty average people. I think the ending was a surprise. Like the rest of the normal books it starts off as a normal day some of it is boring. also some of it is exciting to. The basicage spain is about 4-13 on average ofmost of the readers would find it entereasting most of the book and so do I.


Antidote to Apocalypse: Rx for Doomsday Fears
Published in Paperback by Booklocker.com (October, 2001)
Author: Joan Lanahan Schira
Amazon base price: $19.00
Average review score:

A BIBLICAL CHALLENGE
A penetrating insight,examining the biblical contents within the time frame in which they were written. The author's opinion is thoughtfully presented and substantiated by meticulous research. A recommended challenge is presented to all, especially biblical enthusiasts.

Antidote to Apocalypse Scores High
If you, like many others, have been confused by conflicting and illogical interpretations of biblical "end times", this is the book for you. Based on years of research into the bible and historical records of the time, the author presents a logically reasoned argument to banish doomsday fears. "Antidote to Apocalypse" can not fail to give you new insights into this material.

A new interpretation
An interesting provocative study of the Bible in relation to the Apocalypse. Ms.Schira apparently has researched her material well and suggests a different interpretation to "The Last Days"...... .......a must read for Bible study students, and theologians.


A Bully Father: Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children
Published in Hardcover by Random House (October, 1995)
Authors: Theodore Roosevelt, Joan Paterson Kerr, Robert D. Loomis, Joan Patterson Kerr, and David G. McCullough
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Delightful!
"A Bully Father" is a delightful insight into a remarkable American family. The first portion of the book is a biographical narrative of Theodore Roosevelt, with a strong emphasis on his family life. The remainder is a collection of letters from TR to his children. Although the letters are identified by topic, they are otherwise left to speak for themselves.

These letters were generally written to his children while they were away at school. The letters are treasures from the Age of Letters. Things which today would be communicated in person, by telephone or e-mail were, in TR's day, communicated and preserved in correspondence. The letters cover a wide variety of topics. Events of daily life of the Roosevelt family and evaluations, favorable and unfavorable, of the child constitute the majority of the letters. Nothing was too small for TR's attention. Horse and carriage rides, playing with children or wrestling with Japanese wrestlers, his tennis partners and White House visitors are all recorded for our enjoyment. TR also used these letters to give vocational advice as well as to comment on public events of the day. TR also expounds on his views on literature and history, as well as his views on family values. The classical literature which he and "Mother" read to the children are mind boggling!

This is a book which is enjoyable to read and also makes you think. TR's relationship with his children and his interactions with them provide a standard against which we can measure our own lives. Read this book and treasure it!

A shining light across the century
Teddy shines through as a true inspiration to all fathers. I read this book, and then "played bear" with my children.

The Essence of Fatherhood
The greatest legacy a father can leave the world is his children. Theodore Roosevelt is more popularly remembered in history as the great Trust Buster and the hero of San Juan Hill, but his greatest contribution was something that until this book, has been overlooked, the impact of a loving and nurturing father on his children.

Reading this book, one gets the unmistakable impression that Teddy Roosevelt was infinitely more concerned about the lives of his children than he ever was about the affairs of the Presidency. Readers are left with the impression that at a moments notice, he would give up everything for the welfare of even one of his kids. What a legacy to leave for history.

In an age where families are under siege and children are becoming more like trophies that are displayed, Teddy Roosevelt's letters to his children shine as a beacon pointing us to what being a parent is all about, raising, loving, and nurturing our children.

What ever happened to writing letters? The art of letter writing has all but passed away. In T.R.'s time reading letters was a family event, something that was eagerly anticipated by the entire family. Today's family is forced to deal with the constant barrage of faxes, e-mails and cellular phones. Family conversation has been reduced to digital bytes rather than meaningful conversation. George Washington may have been the father of our nation, but Teddy Roosevelt had a far more lasting impact, he was a father to his children.


Carriage Driving: A Logical Approach Through Dressage Training
Published in Hardcover by Hungry Minds, Inc (July, 1992)
Authors: Heike Bean, Sarah Blanchard, and Joan Muller
Amazon base price: $30.00
Average review score:

A Comprehensive, easy to read and deatiled book on driving
This book covers training the driving horse from start to finish. It reveals training techniques, patterns, conditioning suggestions and carriage and cart explainations.

For anyone who presently drives or is aspiring to do so, this book would be an asset.

Extremely Well Written and Quite Comprehensive!
This book gave some of the most practical advise I have seen yet for training the driving horse using logical and humane methods. The principles involved apply equally well to riding as to driving, so I would recommend this book to anyone interested in training their horse themselves, or even if they plan on taking it to a trainer. It addresses problems that may arise and also gives good illustrations of various steps in the learning process. Wonderful Book!

Logically presented and well-written
This is an excellent source for people beginning to drive their horse, or for those who want to improve their driving techniques and their horse's performance.

The only thing I found lacking was consideration given to the training of miniature horses to harness. There are some differences and I think at least one chapter discussing those diferences would make this a perfect book.

I am buying a second copy as a gift for my friend who is learning to drive.


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