It had some interesting opportunities in it, but after having served in the U.S. Peace Corps myself I wonder who would write a book of alternatives to it. Peace Corps is a non political, non religious, governmental organization that provides skilled professionals to countries that request volunteers and promotes a better understanding of American abroad and that foreign cultures when the volunteer returns home. They do a tremendous amount of good in the world, you also get top notch language and cultural training, get to work with other dedicated humanitarians and get the chance to make friends with a people you would never ordinarily have had a chance in your life to meet. To me there is no alternative.

This book is great. Here's why.

People may question why there need to be alternatives to the Peace Corps. In my opinion, this is such an self-centered and ignorant view to take. There are many people in the world who are not American -- and thus cannot be in the Peace Corps. Or AmeriCorps or whatnot. I'm one of those many people -- I'm Canadian. What am I supposed to do to have as great a time as the Peace Corps volunteers? The book gives a lot of descriptions of opportunities for me. On top of this, only 3,000 of 100,000 in the Peace Corps are placed internationally every year; people who desire to go overseas would be advised to research other options. The book also focuses on the overseas aspect. Working with other volunteer programs also keeps the volunteer market competitive -- only so many people can be placed by the Peace Corps, it is good to provide so many other people with fulfilling volunteer work. I thought this book laid out the opportunities very well and clearly, though perhaps even more resources would've been helpful.

Do you feel like helping out, but don't want to be a political pawn with the Peace Corps? Don't get me wrong, the Peace Corps do a lot of good work, but they are subject to the machinations of the US government. This little book is a great reference to other organizations, who do similar work without the government interference. Some of the groups are religious, some are not, and some are religious, but you don't have to be the same religion. It gives contact info, a brief summary of their purpose.

I came by this cookbook by way of a patient giving it away because she no longer cooked. Since I am an avid cook I gladly accepted it. The recipes have an old East Coast flavor. My 2 favorite recipes are: Shaker Chicken and Noodle Soup and Fresh Apple cake with Caramel Frosting which I just finished icing today.

Visited this little restaurant in Middlebury, Vermont many times, many years ago. This cookbook captures the quality and creativity of the Soup Bowl's menu and has been a perennial in my kitchen for close to 25 years. Don't be disappointed by what seems like a small number of recipes, they are all terrific.

I bought this book about 20 years ago, and it has a 1970's appeal to it. The foods remind me of little restaurant you might stumble across and be delighted to find that they serve decent, wholesome food. I especially like the Cheddar Cheese Soup, and they offer some basic salad recipes that one can follow verbatim or use as a springboard for your own creations. This would make a good gift for a novice cook because it offers many familiar recipes that are easy to make.

I live locally in Pacific Grove, where this story takes place. I hate to give a poor review of local writers but my sense of fair literary practice overrides any favoritism I might feel for locals. Either you have a good book, or you don't. This is not a very well written book. The characters are inconsistent in the beginning, their are HUGE gaps in the storyline (why did the woman with cancer up and commit suicide when there were no outward signs of severe depression?) and generally poor story development. That being said, the locations that the authors speak of are interesting (especially to those of us who know where they are) and that is what tended to shine through, not the characters themselves. Although I think some will find this book entertaining (especially those within the medical marijuana field and the elderly person who knows that life doesn't end at retirement).

This books celebrates the abilities inherent in everyone regardless of age, and illustrates how unused and hidden talents can be revealed and recycled at any age. The plot keeps you in suspense, while illustrating the potential for individual growth. It tells us that profound changes are still possible in spite of the trend for aging people to stop growing and to vegetate and that each of us can make valuable contributions to society and can participate in making things better for those less fortunate. It's a call to wake up, look around and get busy with life - to start new careers, contribute to and increase worth by caring and doing things for others. It celebrates facing fears and limitations, learning new things and rejoicing in the activities around us - and refusing to be "put out to pasture."

I love the philosophy illustrated in this story, even though I don't agree with the advocacy for the harmlessness of marijuana and recreational drugs. It a timely vehicle for illustrating the main theme - be useful and keep growing.

The authors succeed by their own example in showing that seniors can stop trying to hide the aging process, but celebrate its many strengths and values to society in general.

The "introductory horoscope" to this book states "Life will be unpredictable. That doesn't mean BAD unpredictable, simply irreverent toward your plans. Under the circumstances, the best way to prepare for it might be to imagine what it would be like keeping your balance while hula-dancing on the hood of a moving car." This is truly an appropriate beginning for this witty caper among three friends who inadvertantly find themselves a little over their heads trying to help a sick friend. Hilarity ensues amidst bongo brownies, a surprise in a storage locker, and adventures run amok - all driven by the questioning of society's rules and the warmth and compassion of friendship. Laugh a lot, cry a little, and have fun with this one.

I personally found this book to be a big disappointment. The designs were extremely old fashioned and not very exciting. The details on dying fabrics were the only things worth while. If you are looking for a fantastic book on this subject look at "The Rug Hook Book" by Thom Boswell, it covers it all from where to get supplies, choosing fabrics (with lots of ideas for adding fun and unusual materials for texture and color), great patterns from traditional to modern. I just can't say enough. If you only buy one book.....this should be the one!!!

When I was a beginning hooker, I borrowed this book from our local library. It was so good, and helpful, that I did not want to return it. Especially helpful then (and now) was the leaves & flowers section and finishing the rug. I have purchased the book and refer to it often!

If you are a serious, traditional rug hooker, or want to be, this is the book for you. Joan Moshimer was trained in the Perl McGowen style of hooking, but went out on her own with a bit more wimsey. This covers it all, including dying intructions.

I saw a short TV program about this author and wrote down her name because I was so impressed with the work she was doing in prisons, helping inmates see a better way to live their lives. Do I know if it really helped the inmates? No, but I do believe that the information in this book can help many people get over the hurts they have suffered in the past and move on with their lives. Anger keeps us tied to the past and impossible wishes. Forgiveness allows us to look at the past, learn from it, and then make changes in our OWN lives so that we can be happy. I've just reread the chapter on 'forgiving your parents'. One of the best exercises in the whole book is to imagine all the wrongs your parents did you, to list off all the times they embarrassed you or let you down, and to tell them what you truely needed from them....and then to realize that they did their best. That neither you nor they can change the past, and to forgive them for not giving you what you needed and then MOVE ON! I think this is a great book and this is the second copy I've bought because somebody stole the first one....but I forgive them. :-)

I read this book about three years ago. I was desperate for some help after my divorce. I found the book by browsing through the U of Chicago book store. As soon as I had read the book, even as I was reading, I felt better. The book gave me permission to stop hating. I had expected or at least hoped that it would help me get over the anger and hatred I felt towards my exhusband, but it went beyond that. It led me to what now seems like an obvious solution, to forgive myself. I gave this book to my brother after his divorce, and now my new love needs it to help him forgive his ex-wife. The premise may seem implausible and simplistic, but it works and I really can't think of anything else that can. Possibly years of therapy. It is well worth the price. Good Luck!

It has been about 3 years since I read this book. I was desperate for some help after my divorce. I found the book by browsing through the U of Chicago book store. After I read the book, I felt as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, as though I had been given permission to not hate anymore. I expected or hoped that the book would help me get over my anger and hatred towards my ex-husband, but it went much further. I was led to what now seems like the most obvious solution, to forgive myself for all the mistakes I had made. I gave the book to my brother when he was divorced and now I am buying it for my new love, who desperately needs to forgive his ex-wife. It seems like a simplistic premise, but that is the beauty, it is simple and it does work. Nothing else will.

The workbook is useless without the text book. It was unclear when ordering that I had ordered a workbook which had no information.

EXCELLENT. I'd have rate it 7 stars if it was also available in metric dimensions.

After I finished the book, I understood what residential architecture was truly about. A must read for a student of architecture. The book taught me the following: Architecture= The blending of Art, Engineering, and Construction with the responsibility of protecting the health, welfare and comfort of the public. With this premise, a residential architect designs a "work of architecture" by gracefully merging the Blend of ART/ENGINEERIN/CONSTRUCTION with public requirements to create a homogenious seamless solution that meets public need.

The pictures are delightful, but the story and prose are weak. There is too much going on -- a mother cat with kittens, the ballet, the mean stage manager, Degas, the ballet dancers and teacher --eek. The writing style is also passive, I assume to contibute to a sense of impressionistic and dreamy haze, but what it seems like is a shmaltzy and often wooden translation into English from some other language. I wouldn't reccommend this book if you or your child are particularly sensitive to well-written prose. (I know I'm opening up my review for criticism with that statement, but so be it! ;) )

I liked this book a great deal , but I wish that the authors would include a phonatic spelling for the French words. I loved the illustrations. I would recommend this book to others. My children love art as much as I do , they enjoyed the kittens in the story.Great read aloud book. Check you french dictonary first.

The best review I can give this book is that my 3 1/2 y.o. daughter just loves it. It is a sweet story about a mother cat and her kittens who live in a Parisian theatre and are cared for by the members of the ballet company. The story is simple for young children, but the presence of Degas sketching the ballerinas opens the door for many other discussions about art and may even inspire a trip to the museum.

Tara, I respectfully disagree with your asessment of the prose. Keep in mind this is a children's book. The tone flows smoothly and is a wonderful soothing story that does not excite my daughter when I'm trying to get her ready for bed.

This biography of Bill Gates had a lot of interesting facts about his entire life. It explained how he got started and how his company evolved. It also told about his family and his college years at Harvard. Many of his friends and associates are mentioned too. The book gave a little bit too much information at times but for the most part it was well-written. The author made Gates' work easy to understand even for someone who doesn't know much about computers. I believe this book would be great for a younger crowd to read but not for someone over 14 or 15. It is just on too low of a reading level. Since the book was written in 1997, it is somewhat outdated also. Other than that I liked the book a lot.

I enjoyed this book, but would most likely not reccomend it to anyone over the age of ten or eleven. It was interesting but was published in 1997, therefore it is not 100% up to date.

[...] but the book was great. It had a lot of interesting info.

A high school principal and janitor are poisoned with cynanide. The scene is Farberville and Claire Molloy the bookstore owner is the detective. Nobel Prize prose it's not. It's written in an almost old-fashioned style with lots of cliches and weak jokes (as you can see from sample pages on this WEB site) but I think this is deliberate attempt to create the cosy atmosphere (If it really is deliberate then I should have given an extra star). No sex or violence. It's light bland entertainment and the victims' deaths are no tragedy. Clues are placed that should enable you to figure whodunnit. The plot is clever enough and the suspects likely enough to keep you turning the pages. Not quite up to Agatha Christie, but in that style. The only ethnic diversity is that Molloy's policeman boy friend is called Rosen and comes from New York. Some curious anachronisms. There are references to jitterbugging and back street abortions but also to the high school class of 1990 and to the 60's "fifteen years ago" (Roe v Wade was 1973). Suspend critical judgement and relax and enjoy.

This book was saucy and I enjoyed it very much. Until the ending. I was left feeling as though it wasn't finished. But there wasn't any conclusion concerning Miss Dort, and Miss hart's fickle boyfriend. Miss Dort, helped the now dead principle with a crime, and I feel that before the book ended, they both should have been dealth with. So although I liked the book, I certainly didn't like the ending, it didn't solve anything. I hope in one of her future books she will take care of this. anna cook

When the journalism teacher at Faberville High School is accused of pilfering petty cash and suspended from work, Claire Malloy finds herself pushed into substitute teaching while trying to clear the teacher's name. The principal is poisoned and all clues point to the dear journalism teacher. Then a second body turns up. Claire works to clear the journalism teacher's name before having to chaperone the school's dreaded Friday night home coming dance. While the characters could have been better developed, this does not detract from the story. Antics at Farberville High rival the best soap opera plot, motives abound and humor prevails - all adding up to a page turning, fun mystery.

This book gave some helpful hints on dealing with the emotions I was having when my arm swelled after treatment for breast cancer, but seemed to say I was just going to have to learn to live with it. In spite of a good resource section, the book left me depressed and feeling hopeless. I have since found another book I use as a "how to" guide and I am managing the selling very well. If you are like me, "Coping with Lymphedema" may not be the most helpful book for you.

Although I commend the authors for addressing an issue that no one else has been able to address through this venue, I find it to be lacking in much information concerning Lymphedema of the lower extremities. While it is true that survivors of breast cancer are at risk for the development of lymphedema those with lower extremity lymphedema have been strugging with it for many years. In other words, lymphedema is not new on the scene. The book adequately addresses the issue of LE in relationship with BC but leaves barely touches on the remainder of the population with LE. I did not enjoy the book and did not find it at all helpful.

This book was very helpful to me. I have had lymphedema for 30 years, and because it is such a rare disorder, it has been impossible to find much information about it. The book exposed many treatment options that I was unaware of previously. Thank you, Joan and Diane, for doing such a wonderful job on the book. I know your book has a limited audience, but we need the information desperately.