Generally I read pretty heavy murder mysteries (James Patterson, John Sandford, etc.). But now and then I like to take a break from novels that are of course fiction, but are close enough to reality to make you uneasy. The Maggody books are murder mysteries but they are also little gems of cartoon like comedy set in a one stop light town on a not so busy highway. This was my fourth Maggody book and it had all the zany regulars back along with a set of newcomers who supply the book with both victims and suspects. If you're looking for an easy read and a pleasant diversion try this Maggody or any of the three that came before.

My favorite Maggody story yet, what with hot X-rated action and sexual tension all over town, it seems maggody is ready to have its own soap opera. A movie company from Hollywood (well close to Hollywood anyway) comes to our little town to make a modern version of "Romeo and Juliet" complete with sex,sex and more sex, much to the confused delight of Brother Verber. A sexy Hollywood starlet, a Hunky Hollywood stud and a complete cast of potential victims makes this a wonderful read.

If you are looking for a book that will give you some real evidence that humanity is well equipped for peace, harmony, and wisdom, put this one by your bed and savor it through the winter days ahead. You'll find yourself more eager to tap into your own capacities for love, wisdom, patience and courage by keeping company with this sage, gentle voice. He'll likely convince you that we CAN navigate our way to a better world, and these days, what better gift can we give ourselves and one another?

This book speaks to my heart and gives me hope for the future. David La Chapelle draws on economic, scientific and social history as he pinpoints where we are in the changing tides of our tumultuous world. But he goes beyond that and delves straight into the heart of the human spirit, giving inspiration and meaning to our role as human beings. He shows how we are linked in a reciprocal relationship with the rest of the world. The thread that weaves throughout this book is the power of Love to transform and heal. The author asserts that "whenever the passion of the true heart is summoned, the course of life is changed." The Interludes after each chapter are inspiring stories of historical beings who, with passion and courage, changed the course of their world. Florence Nightingale, Black Elk and Gandhi are but three of the guides who show us, by their example, what can happen when we dare to follow our hearts and our dreams. Mr. La Chapelle invites us to "find a song, search for a star, listen to your heart, and join me as we search for a way through the turbulence of our times." It is a pathway of healing that encourages us to open our hearts and begin to restore a sacred balance to this world that we call home.

Joan has done an outstanding job with this book. This book is written for the Yorkie lover in mind. Joan's expertise from years of experience is absolutely priceless. This book is written for both the pet lover and the show lover in mind. This book is extremely informative and an absolute must to own!

This book is truly a wonderful book for any one involved with Yorkshire Terriers. It gives plenty of information on its history, so maybe by understanding it, you'll know your Yorkie a little better. Great tips on grooming, show, breeding, obedience, and many other things about your Yorkie. I think this is a wonderful book and wouldn't trade it for the world.

I am on my second read through of Joan's classic treatise having just bought a new Newf puppy. The book remains indispensible. The only flaw would be the inordinate emphasis placed on the "in" NCA breeders and their animals.

The more even handed parts of the book deal with why you would want one of these great dogs and what you do once you realize you own a 130 pound couch potatoe.

Simply the best book to date on this best of all breeds.

For all the women of my generation who are confused and frustrated by the millions of options and pitfalls involved in combining career, family and self, this book is a strong answer to those questions. Peters writes clearly and well about the encouraging possibility that we can do everything we want without sacrificing ourselves, our families, or our careers. Sound impossible? That's because we've been brainwashed by the generations before us to believe that we must either be workaholics or stay-at-home mom. Thanks to Peters, we can now remember that there is a balance between them.

Choose your life...don't let it choose you. What a great message this fascinating book sends to our young women.

Helping young women plan ahead for their lives is a crucial and extremely well-done theme in this book. The stories of women who have "been there" and are "going through it now" are excellent. I also appreciated that the importance of parenthood was a theme, such as this message: "Nothing predicts failure in a family life more certainly than one or both parents working around the clock."

Julia, author of Teen girlfriends: celebrating the good times, getting through the hard times

As a O.E.S.owner and breeder I found this to be a MUST for any new O.E.S. owner. After reading the book cover to cover I believe it has the most accurate information and advise of any Dog book that I have ever read on O.E.S. My compliants to anyone to had anything to do with the information included in this book. Even a layman can tell that the photos were of well breed and well cared for animals.

According to the cover, this book was written as a "Pet Owner's Guide" and truly lives up to it's name! It is an excellent tool for anyone who is interested in purchasing an Old English Sheepdog puppy as a companion or family pet. There is also a section that informs the reader how to find an adult dog and explains about breed rescue programs.

The author completely covers all aspects of Old English Sheepdog ownership, beginning with how to find the 'right' puppy or adult. It is written in a clear, easy to understand style while realistically informing the prospective owner of the "cons" as well as the "pros" of living with an Old English Sheepdog. The book contains many color photographs some of which illustrate the versatility of the breed.

As an owner, breeder and exhibitor of Old English Sheepdogs for 27 years, I feel this book is a "MUST READ" for anyone considering this breed as a pet.

this book is great! it takes you right to the carribbean and makes you feel like you're inside of the story watching and learning. it tells 4 stories which enchant me and my family and make us all realize that if you were to change around some of the characters you can put yourself into the story, and your own everyday life. you can teach yourself that mistakes that happen in fiction stories could happen in real life. its a collection of stories that im sure will be passed down through the generations, and always be welcome on anybody's bookshelf.

An enchanting book that will transport the reader to the Carribean. Four fables where animals work their way through challenges to happy ends. They are brilliantly written in the patois of the islands.They are visually most unusual, and sophisticated. The book is interesting, and keeps you bound in curiosity. Once read... the words are yours. Once seen, the images are also part of you.

I include this book with every new-baby gift I give -- it barely costs more than a card and I get endless thank-yous for it. Parents use it as constant reference for the first few years. In addition to recommendations for the best toys, books, and videos, it includes safety tips and classic games to play with the new person in the house. It's easy to carry along and refer to. And succinct and easy to read during those years when you're too tired to get through more than a paragraph of anything. Really stands out in the sea of baby books: something practical that gets used again and again. What more could you ask for...

This book is a well-written, well-organized book which is great for all parents of babies and toddlers, as well as anyone else (grandparents, etc.) who would like to be well-informed about all aspects of the toys they buy their children.

I was looking for a present for my baby's first birthday and was overwhelmed with the choices in the store. I looked at the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, 2003 and it greatly simplified the process for me. It not only told me which toys one year olds enjoy, but how best to use the toys from an educational standpoint. I can't imagine ever purchasing a toy for a child without first looking at this book. I would highly recommend it.

This crew never stops. Thankfully, there are people in this world who spend the time actually helping parents. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, 2003 is as great as ever. I can't even imagine how they rate all these toys, books, videos, cd-roms, etc. Once again Toy Portfolio, 2003 is excellent. Their recommendations have become my bible. I share this book with every parent I know and I have yet to find any parent who hasn't gone out and bought it for themselves. Thank you so much and I look forward to 2004.

This is a book for children (with wonderful illustrations) that attempts to tell the story of the friendship between Alice Liddell and "Lewis Carroll". It is written is a somewhat episodic style. The episodes are chosen, for the most part, due to the bearing that each one has on illuminating characters and situations found in the "Alice" books. The author does not completely avoid the controversial, and this is somewhat of a pleasant surprise. Though originally written in Swedish, it reads very well in translation. I found the book to be both poignant and scholarly (i.e., well-researched), and with great adult appeal for a childrens' book. (Even if the text were less rewarding than it is, the book would be worth keeping for the illustrations alone)

Although The Other Alice is technically a children's book, any fan of Lewis Carroll will find it rewarding. The meticulous art work, showing Alice Liddell and her sisters and Charles Dodgeson [Carroll] and many Oxford settings is superb. The book is also includes many actual photgraphs of Alice, her family and Dodgeson's other child friends. Although this is a book for children, it does not shy away from the rather sad life and obsession which drove Dodgeson, nor does it give an artifically happy ending to the story. If you wonder where many of Dodgeson's plot developments came from [e.g. the Dodo, the wet 'caucus race' you'll find it all here. The author [who also wrote the delightful Linnea in Monet's Garden] and illustrator deserve kudos for this book [translated from the Sweedish, there is apparently a different translation avaiable in England under the title Alice's Oxford Adventure]. Well worth reading in a more adult approach is Staphanie Stoffel's Lewis Carroll in Wonderland [which includes some of the paintings done by Erickson for this book] both are better reads [and far more fun] than Gardner's Carroll biography.