The story had potential to be good but the author didn't do a very good job at piecing the plot together. I was not convinced that the heroine Ka-tien (Kathleen) truly loved the hero, her stepbrother Robert. Ka-tien ends up bedding so many men that I doubted her intelligence. What's the point? To prove that she is so desirable that any man who laid eyes on her would want to sleep with her or to show that she is just too ignorant to learn from her mistakes? In the first chapter, Ka-tien closes the door of her cabin and drops the bar to prepare for a bath. Then, guess what? Robert walks in. How did he manage to walk in through the door with the bar in place? I liked the exotic setting and the ending was quite romantic. Read this story if you're really bored. Otherwise, spend your money on a better story.

I am somewhat inclined to be positive as I did the original edit. I couldn't put down the manuscript and I read it straight through. The detailed research of the time-period, of China's forced opening to British trade, and the neatly woven anti-cultural romance made for an exceptional literary ride.

I found this book to be a nice light, entertaining read, but it was a little slow at the start. Things speed up nicely at the end, although some of the revelations are somewhat easy to guess. The characters are interesting, however, they seem a little too cartoony at times. This was my first Joan Hess book, but I'd be willing to try another. If you're looking for a quick, fun read this book is a good choice.

Part of the charm of the Claire Malloy mysteries comes from following the characters throughout the series. I suggest that if you are interested in this book, please start with Joan Hess's first book in this series entitled "Strangled Prose". Death by Light of the Moon explores a side of Claire that we haven't ever got a glimpse of before--her in-laws! The mystery and clue development is especially strong in this novel and her characters are quirky and campy! If you enjoy a good mystery and some quick witted humor besides, this is a must read!

It's a solid book, nice to read, but it's no masterpiece

it was a cool book b/c it makes you think about who we really are and what do we doing earth. It also shows you how to think with more creativity

One thing I really liked about this cookbook was the section where you mark the recipe "loved it ( ), hated it ( ), maybe we'll try it again ( ), we'll use it for unwelcome guests ( )". Really liked the layout and background information on the sauces. Unfortunately, I did not like one sauce that I tried (I tried about 10 out of 160). I was looking for Marsalla wine sauce, Madera wine sauce, and tomato pasta sauce. I'm still looking.

I really like this book. It is what it says it is- an encyclopedia of sauces. I've probably made over 100 of the recipes, and have liked most. I'm especially fond of the pistachio sauce and the mushroom sauce. If you like pasta, and want to have a variety of sauces to add to your repertoire, this is a winner.

The English countryside has been divided into numerous districts, based on everything from soil type, landuse, tourist features, history, etc., so their distinctions are sometimes difficult to understand. This book contains dozens of short essays, one per area, and most of the essays are very interesting.

However, I found the book as a whole extremely difficult to use because there is no coordination between the maps at each end of the book, showing and numbering each land use area, and the text or the smaller detailed maps included with each short essay. Those essays, with area maps for each, are impossible to relate to other areas of the country using the end-page maps. It is very frustrating to try to find specific areas of interest to the reader, and then to further find adjacent areas, or similar areas of interest.

The essays are interesting as discreet little descriptions of an area in England, but as a whole, I find the book just a series of essays. The index is sketchy; so many, many towns mentioned in the essays, or of independent interest to the reader, aren't in the index. And, believe it or not, with the detailed maps containing numbered areas, in front and back, absolutely no use is made of those numbers in the essays, either in the text or individuals maps! So when you read an essay that interests the reader, you can't find that area in the end-paper maps, so you can't relate essays to the larger, overall picture of England.

And, if for further example, you read of an area, and you want to read about a neighboring area, there is no way to look up anything and just turn to it. All you can do is start thumbing through the whole book, or keep reading at length, hoping you can put together areas of interest on your own.

This book needs a considerably better index, and the absence of a relationship between the individual essays and the larger maps showing numbered areas is an astounding failure. Some editor did a terrible job of making this book readable and useable in relationship to an interest in England.

I have detailed AA maps of English roads and attractions, and even with those, this book was difficult to use in relationship to actual places to visit.

I found the book terribly uncoordinated, and the relationship between the maps and essays, and the overall maps of England, is non-existent.

That said, the individual essays are interesting, and there are numerous good photos of places, but it is nearly impossible to relate individual efforts to the whole.

With this book, I keep thinking of those old, hackneyed phrases: "close, but no cigar," "so near, yet so far," etc., but they are quite apt in this case. A better index and some use of the areas numbered in the maps of England with each essay would have turned this book into a winner. It just doesn't make it.

It is a wonderful book telling about all the hills and valleys and walking trails of England. You haven't seen an English country side until you have visited England. Highly recommend this book. Nice pictures and information.

I enjoyed reading Dr. Joan Denson's struggle to come to terms with her sexual orientation. Her desire to hide saddened me because of the toll it took on her well-being and relationships. Reading about the daunting challenges she faced helped me understand some of the reasons behind her reluctance to stay in the closet. This memoir does illustrate that the coming out process is a decision to be made on a daily basis rather than a one time task. I think readers will be able to empathize with her and hope they are inspired to muster the courage to come out themselves.

I devoured this book. It was eye opening and reassuring. How interesting to see how far the world has, and hasn't come in a few short years. It was comforting to hear her express some of the same thoughts and fears that I was sure only I have. The last few chapters were a bit frustrating but honest and real. I strongly encourage the reading of this excellent book. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you Joan.

Kris

I belive that the information is too basic. The only time it would be of need is that if you were going to Spain for a week. Not school material. Why? It teaches you nothing but of the rudamental facts. In other words... KEEP TRYING!!!

I have used this as a text in our school and find the vocabulary well controlled and comfortable for middle grade students who are waiting to be convinced they want to learn a new language. The units are set up around themes that appeal to students and are close to life. Later chapters on Music, Art, Literature provide a good challenge for students who are ready for that. Thanks for making this resource available.

Joan Grant was born into a well-off family and this book describes her childhood and young adulthood mainly in terms of nannies, holidays, parties etc. I didn't feel particularly drawn into the narrative - we rarely get to know the characters she introduces. The discovery of her past lives is of course interesting, so for someone who's already read about them, it's nice to find out who she was. However, as a piece of literature, I don't rate this book very highly (it's nothing like Winged Pharaoh).

Joan Grant writes her autobiographical story here of discovering, at a very young age, abilities and realities we usually consider unreal. Her childhood, in early 20th-century England, was decorated with experiences of other places, other times, and other selves, and she describes these myriad colorful episodes in delightful, whimsical, humorous, and thoughtful terms. Her ability to tap into and then write about other lifetimes makes a charming and piquant story. Highly recommended!

We moved to Kenya almost four years ago and bought the first and then the second edition of this book. In the beginning it was amazing how accurately the descriptions fit the places we visited, we agreed in almost 100% of the cases.

Having now been to more than 20 places in Kenya we are beginning to realize that the Fielding Guide is not keeping up with recent changes. Places like Larsen's Camp in Samburu were highly rated in the Fielding Guide but are now beginning to look dated. In many cases ownership and/or management have changed and this is often the main cause for change in the way the establishments are run.

My recommendation would still be to buy it but after determining potential destinations checking with a (preferably Kenya-based) travel agent to see whether there have been any significant changes.

Some of the itinerary planning and pictures of the most common animals are quite helpful, but you will definitely need another travel guide to properly plan your trip.

The Fielding's guide was very useful in developing my Safari trip to Kenya. It went over in great detail each of the tented camps, lodges and homestay you might wish to stay in, and it really felt like the authors had been there. I would recommend this book if you are planning a safari, and need assistance with accomodations. If you are looking for detailed informaton about Kenya, the people, the environment, this is NOT the book for you, Try Lonely Planet. Overall, a very accessible and useful book about places to stay in Kenya!

This was the first book I bought on pregnancy fitness. I found the information to be good, but not really informative. I felt that several topics were touched on, but I was not satisfied from my reading of any of them, and I still felt I had more questions after reading each section. I didn't feel that I was learning anything new that wasn't available in any other general pregnancy book. I returned it and got the Birgitta Gallo book instead, and I have found her book to be extremely informative and helpful and expect to be using it as a guide for many months to come!

I found this book helpful in keeping me on track with my workouts during my pregnancy. I also liked that the book was written by a woman athlete and doctor. She uses real examples from her own experience combined with up to date research.

If you are trying to keep on track with your workout schedual during pregnancy this is a great place for inspiration!