For parents with a desire to learn more about the psychological development of their child and the profound impact of peer pressure, this book contains some valuable information. The book deals with various aspects of development such as rejection, neglect and acceptance. The book helps the reader to understand how those elements can have a psychological influence on the child and their social interaction with others.

An extremely important section of the book deals with the school system itself and how changes need to be made to better adapt the learning environment to a childs emotional needs if the child is to development in a positive and socially acceptable manner. The book has been well researched and would be of particular interest not only to parents, but anyone invovled with the care and education of children.

This book has been a help in understanding my five-year-old's peer relationships, and is thought-provoking even for non-parents. I found the book well-organized and well-written. It helps make sense of children's behavior in terms of their needs for "connection, recognition, and power." It points out that children balance these three needs. Soon after reading this book, my son provided a stunningly concrete example of this. He and his friend had drawn chalk "tornado spinners" on the driveway. My son said, "My tornado spinner is more powerful than yours, because it's bigger." The other boy quietly said, "I'm not sure if I want to be friends with you any more." My son said, "OK, OK, they're the same power." The need for connection had won over the need for power and recognition.

There are some helpful hints to be gleaned from the book as well. Here's one I related to. Often, if a child has a problem at school with another child one day, the parent will tend to ask the child on the following day, "So, how did it go with Johnny today?" Your child, meanwhile, had forgotten all about the problem, but your comment provokes a "come to think of it..." reaction, causing the child to continue to dredge up negatives.

The book divides children into "accepted," "rejected," and "neglected" types, to describe how their peers treat them. I fell squarely into the "neglected" category, which I think explains my lack of understanding of the "need to belong" that so many people feel -- I wasn't really "in the game."

The authors mention a fascinating psychological experiment dealing with the need to belong. The subject was put into a group of people, and all were supposed to look at several pairs of lines and tell which was the longer line: A or B. The members of the group were told in advance to lie in one case, and say that Line B was longer. Two out of three subjects went along with the group, and also said that Line B was longer! I was truly stunned by this result -- it explains a lot about the dark side of human behavior. One of the authors asked a group of children why they thought the subject went along with the group, and she said, "He wanted to be in the 'B-Line Club'." The authors avoid any moral denunciation of this kind of follow-the-group behavior, apparently feeling it wouldn't be appropriate in a book on psychology.

I highly recommend this book. I found it useful, and also just plain intrinsically interesting.

This book deserves many more than five stars for its careful, thoughtful, and detailed look at how children develop their social lives. Like all remarkable books, it will extend your understanding beyond your personal life experiences and provide simple, common sense guidelines for achieving outstanding results. If you only read one book this year about improving the social life of your child, make it this one!

Every book I read about the psychological problems of youngsters focuses on the forms of social exclusion and bullying that typically occur in schools and neighborhoods. Best Friends, Worst Enemies takes that as the starting point, explains what causes the social exclusion and bullying, and details what schools and parents can do to eliminate it.

Social connection between children begins at a younger age than most people believe. The book details videotaped studies of infants watching and connecting with each other. Then, step-by-step, the authors show you how social interaction develops from those early months through to dating. I was particularly impressed by the conceptual description of youngsters being assigned a place versus the in group (in or out, and high or low status in that role). Although I could not articulate it, that certainly captures my recollection of those painful teenage years.

The use of animal studies is persuasive for the ways that humans often behave. I found myself chuckling over the descriptions of Alpha male and Queen Bee female behaviors.

The best part of the book is that it points out that exclusion is bad for those who do it, as well as for those who suffer from it. So all parents and all youngsters should be concerned.

The book avoids being too technical about psychological concepts. Everything described is built around the common human needs for connection, recognition, and power.

The section about how to improve schools was very sensitively done. It pointed out that teachers almost always know what's going on, but don't always know what to do about it. The many ideas for mixing the young people up and giving them all a chance to shine will, I'm sure, make many teachers enjoy their work more and help more students. I especially liked the idea of having a counselor meet with the kids who have trouble reading social clues, and helping them discuss and learn from each other how to connect. The idea of having high-status kids mentor low-status kids over the summer was also appealing.

Parents will have a tougher job to follow the advice here. You need to set a better example, and not be exclusionary in your own life . . . not gossip about others behind their backs . . . and help opens doors for your shy and excluded, or popular and obnoxious youngster. But, it's good advice . . . if you have what it takes to follow the advice.

Ask yourself at least once a day: How can I help someone feel included and appreciated today? Then, act!

The review by Kirkus Reviews of Chasing Grace shows a completemisunderstanding of the book. The reviewer states: "Her textseems like the record of a pleasurable, meandering conversation exchanging anecdotes about their childhood than a measured, reflective study." Maybe that's because it was a conversation about childhood, not a study of the Catholic Church. I was wary of this book. I thought that it might be a "I survived Catholicism" Catholic-bashing type book. I was pleasantly surprised. This book is about a woman's journey from childhood to adulthood. It is centered by experiences with her religion. That makes perfect sense because the seven sacraments are rites of passage for Catholics. To be sure she did have some horror stories to tell about her experiences in the Pre-Vatican II church, but she seems to have learned that The Church is populated by people - and people fail. Those wretched nuns she described did fail the church and maybe the church failed them. But, as anyone who knows anything about the Catholic Church, the Church has made such progress. Manning seems to recognize that. Or at least forgive the Church for it's transgressions. She sees past the human failings of the Church and sees the grace within. END

Not being Catholic, I was afraid when I picked this book up that parts would be over my head. However, Manning does an exceptional job of describing Catholic rites without getting bogged down in the explaination. I thought this book was touching and hysterical at the same time and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, even non-Catholics, who is interested in the religion.

Martha Manning not only writes a delightfully charming and hilarious account of her Catholic girlhood, she also, and more importantly, connects adult life experiences with acramental spirituality. Relating real life experiences in the context of each of the 7 Sacraments celebrated in the Catholic Church, she gives a tangible reality to spirituality and explores life as a place where one encounters the living presence of God. It is obvious that for Ms. Manning, all of life is sacred and sacraments are to be lived - not just as ritual moments, but as the very fabric of everyday experience. This is a gem.

Great short stories to read in your spare time. I read the first Chapter on "Copper Farming" aloud to my friends and I cried twice from laughing. You can't help but love Jones-- there is a little of him in all of us. Only one problem, I am dying to know what little snack Jones had in his pocket in "Deer Hunting in Suburbia." Imus book award? I think yes!

This is a sweet, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny book. Jones comes across as knowledgeable about food without sounding fussy. He tells a good story, with interesting characters. The drawings, though, don't really add to the design much... maybe more photos next time. Good for men who like to cook, by the way

This is a very funny book. The recipies are challenging, but very satisfying and rewarding to prepare. Momma Jones' poetry can't help but make you smile. His stories make you feel that there is a little Doug Jones in all of us. What a life! What interesting friends (and enemies)! After reading the book, I felt as if I have spent lots of time with this charming and creative author and know him well. I hope there will be more from him in the future!

I thought this book was so interesting. Fun and unusual facts fill the first part of the book, and a comprehensive list of chemicals and their healthful or toxic properties fill the latter part. It sure is interesting looking up the chemicals that are in things like the lipstick, soap, toothpaste, and deodorant we use, not to mention the FOOD and food additives!

This book blew me away! Every day we are exposed to so many difference chemicals, and we never even realize it. What do the ingredients in your makeup do to you? What chemicals in your soap, toothpaste, foods, and household cleansers can cause your allergies, medical problems, cancer?

This book lists these chemicals you (may) see listed on the products you come in contact with hourly, and tells you if they are toxic, harmful, or SAFE to use.

Wow - who would have thought that things like the colorings in foods we eat, or the inks, dyes, flavorings, preservatives, perfumes, etc. can cause us so many health problems? This book lets you take CONTROL of the chemicals you allow yourself to be exposed to daily.

Highly recommended!

- Joh

I really find this book valuable. The first part of the book has a large number of questions and answers about the chemicals in our lives and what effect they have on us. This section discusses the latest studies concerning what might be a cancer preventative, what chemicals found on and in fruits and other foods are harmful or beneficial, and much more.

Really interesting questions are answered, like when does a soap become a drug, what states are better than others when it comes to labeling laws, and what is the most dangerous chemical around the house. What does "fat free" really mean? Are poisons like sulfur dioxide used on our grapes? What useful chemicals are in garlic? These questions are answered in a very accessable manner.

Hot current topics such as the safety of antibacterial chemicals, plants that can harm your pets, and dangerous chemical additives and colorings are talked about. Olestra, melatonin and DHEA are discussed, along with fun topics like the chemical components of chocolate.

The second section of the book lists from A to Z the chemicals you find in your makeup, deodorants, foods, cleansers, and places you'd never suspect chemicals to be! The book talks about how these chemicals may irritate your skin, be poison, toxic, or if the chemical is safe and healthy to use.

This seems like a book that should be in every grocery store - we are exposed to so very many chemicals in our modern day lives, it's crucial we know what these are doing to us

Infinite Grace is just the most remarkable book! Diane Goldner not only investigates "where the worlds of science and spiritual healing meet," but also demonstrates convincingly that what unifies them is "intention, love, and consciousness" (page 280).

The book is divided into five numbered parts, each of which contains three chapters sharing a common theme. Two of these five parts deserve special mention.

"Part Three" consists of in-depth, not-uncritical discussions of the lives and works of three contemporary spiritual healers and the institutions that each founded: Rosalyn Bruyere and the Healing Light Center Church, Barbara Brennan and the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, as well as Jason Shulman and the Society of Souls. (Amy Skezas and the RoseLight work are appraised in a separate chapter in "Part Five.")

"Part Four" considers three of our most-pressing contemporary maladies: heart disease, cancer, and AIDS. Two things distinguish these three chapters from the usual discussions of same. First, they integrate empirical data with interview excerpts from both clinicians and clients. And second, they explore the spiritual, mental, and emotional antecedents of physical disease.

With regard to the latter point, the author writes that "Ultimately, healers find that the root causes of illness are not in a chakra or an organ, but in relationships that create loneliness, beliefs of unworthiness, and a lack of love for one's self or others. Narcissism, abandonment, rage, jealousy - these are the precipitating factors of disease. . . . Beyond all such human issues lies our deep sense of separation from God, Source, the 'All That Is'" (page 66).

In my view, these three chapters are the most practical and useful for the typical reader; so, too, they are the "proof of the pudding" vis-a-vis the efficacy of spiritual healing.

Ms. Goldner - a professional journalist and Barnard College graduate - spent over four years researching and composing this book. It was time well spent because the result is a landmark work that is thoroughly researched, reads easily, and deftly captures the evanescent essence of spiritual healing or energy work.

In accessible, almost lyrical prose - influenced, no doubt, by her own direct experiences with subtle energies - she writes that "Now I see how my thoughts, feelings, and intentions affect myself, other people, and my environment. Your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intentions also affect everything and everyone around you, including you and the cells of your body. We are helping to create the world in each moment. We have a choice: to be in fear, anger, or numbness. Or in love" (page 295).

Elsewhere, Ms. Goldner maintains that the key is "holding the intention for the highest good. This is the real lesson of spiritual healing" (page 306). "It is not the techniques per se. It is the healer and the clarity of intention" (page 179). "The highest healing comes from holding the highest and purest intention towards all being and all events at all times" (page 304).

The principal point - in both disease and healing - concerns our intentionality. Citing results generated at the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Laboratory, Ms. Goldner demonstrates that our intentions transcend time and space - and that every intention counts. The bottom line is that all of us help to bring into being not only states of disease, but also states of healing, wellness, and communion with God. Unfortunately, most of our intentions - to include our beliefs and desires, wishes and willings - emerge almost unconsciously. The not-so-subtle message is to become more intentional about our intentions: just like in fairy tales, whatever you wish for will come true - sooner or later!

In a review about an unrelated book, Fran Shaw proposes that we can "distinguish between writing which informs us about spiritual matters and writing which affects the spirit" ("Parabola," Summer 1999, page 98). Infinite Grace integrates both of these genres: it informs us about and affects our spirits.

Very highly recommended; a "MUST READ" for contemporary healers!

I met Diane Goldner briefly when she was researching this book. We were both attending an Energy Healing workshop for the Jaffe School of Energy Mastery. So when I saw a friend carrying the book, I had to get it.

What I got was more than I expected. I am very impressed with Infinite Grace. I rarely read non-fiction books cover-to-cover but I have found this book fascinating. The combination of case studies, research, personal experiences and discussions with healers is completely engaging. I have met most of the healers she mentions and have had some similar impressions. Diane's writing style is very clear and easy to read.

I was disappointed that she didn't include several other energy schools in her book (like the Jaffe School which is twice the size of S.O.S) or include a discussion of Reiki (probably the most popular and widespread form of energy healing these days).

Still, this book serves an important role in leading the world towards a broader understanding of alternative healing. I highly recommend it.

Diane Goldner has completed an exhaustive amount of research in compiling the information for Infinite Grace. Never has the world of spiritual healing been documented so thoroughly and clearly. Ms. Goldner has also presented the material with a personal point of view, reflecting her own emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual healing experiences. All that and a great read, too. Buy it.

Set in Seneca Falls, NY, at the time of the first Women's Rights Convention of 1848, author Miriam Monfredo has chosen a particularly intriguing setting for her mystery series starring librarian Glynis Tryon. Monfredo introduces a lot of information about women's rights, the area and the lifestyle of the times without awkwardness, and the book is readable for that alone. The heroine and her friends are realistic and likeable, though Glynis is definitely not a confident feminist, and I look forward to reading other books in the series to see if this changes. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the most famous resident of the town, is not a main character but she does show up occasionally and that is fun. The mystery is okay but not dazzling, so all-in-all I'd say this was a promising beginning to this series, and I intend to read more.

This is the first Glynis Tryon novel, and it is a rousing good story set against the background of Seneca Falls, an actual (NOT fictional) small town in the western part of upstate New York, in 1848, the year when the first women's rights convention was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and others. The convention took place in Seneca Falls.

The main characters of the story are fictional, but many of the minor characters are real people of the time. The historical background is well-researched and mostly accurate. (I can't point to any historical inaccuracy, but even the best historical scholarship is unlikely to produce perfect knowledge of every detail.)

Whether you are just looking for great light reading or for a story that enhances your knowledge of the early history of the women's movement, you'll find it here, and you'll also enjoy the sequels, "North Star Conspiracy," "Blackwater Spirits," "The Stalking Horse," and "Must the Maiden Die."

Note to high school history teachers: These novels, and the novels of Kenneth Roberts ("Rabble in Arms," "Arundel," and several others) provide an excellent means of bringing American history alive for your students, and getting them interested in the subject.

Whether you're a devoted mystery reader or just looking for a good book for the train-ride, this novel is worth a look. Glynis Tryon is an interesting protagonist--she's smart, she's kind, and she knows what she wants. In a nutshell, she's the kind of person you'd like for a friend. And Monfredo has a talent for expanding her characters, so that her Seneca Falls is populated by a whole town of people you'll get to know over the next few books, and will always be glad to see again. The next two books, North Star Conspiracy and Blackwater Spirits, are among the best mysteries I've ever read. But if you're going to read any of these books, make sure you start with this one, so that your familiarity with the characters develops along with the whole storyline. (I read North Star first, then had to go back and read this one and North Star again, in order to get the full effect.) This is a wonderful series--if you're at all interested in American history, you absolutely must r! ead these books--and a very good first novel.

Anyone who gets scared, don't bother to read this book. I read the woven path series (the English one)years ago, and it is still on my bookshelf. If you enjoy these books, try all the other ones by Robin Jarvis, you'll be hooked! (like me, I've been addicted to them for 5 years!)

This was the first time that I had read a Robin Jarvis book. From the moment that I picked the book up I was captivated by it and I could not bear to put it down. The struggle of the Ned, (sent to find Edie Dorkins in the time of the blitz) with his new friend, Ted, (who had been trapped inside a teddy for years) was heart warming. I have now followed the plight of the Webster sisters, Edie and Ned right through to the end of the third book and I enjoyed all three books thoroughly. I am now searching libraries and book shops for other Robin Jarvis titles. Read this book and you will be as captivated as I was. The Wyrd Museum never has a dull moment.

Read it. NOW! I mean what can I say? the charecters throughly touched me expecially Ted. This was the first time I have read one of Robin Jarvises books and iam glad i did. I couldent put this book down once! Jarvis is a very creative person.

The author covers many different systems for making a house "work" physically and spiritually, but not in any real depth. The book's focus is extremely broad. Despite the reference in the title, the witchcraft angle is downplayed quite a bit, as there are numerous Christian references. I'm sure this gives the book wider sales appeal, but at the expense of providing a detailed treatment on any topic. It would make a cute housewarming gift, maybe, but buy books which specifically cover Feng Shui, herb lore, candle magick, etc if you want in-depth information. Cunningham's "The Magical Household" is a better bet if you're looking for general information on how to make your house a magickal home.

House Magic: The Good Witch's Guide to Bringing Grace to Your Space is one of those indispensable little books that includes a wealth of wisdom. Author Ariana says that "there is such a diversity of information available from different sources and traditions that I thought an eclectic collection of ideas would help readers take control of their lives by getting their houses in order."

Although the focus is on living space, getting a house in order also puts a life in good order. Ariana includes lots of suggestions, but emphasizes that what's important is developing awareness of who you are and learning to follow your own intuition in eliminating all forms of clutter from your life.

She describes how to use techniques such as astrology, feng shui, plants, crystals, candles, and incense to create a harmonious environment full of positive energy. Each chapter ends with a section called "Bringing It All Together," which outlines the highlights of that chapter for quick reference.

Ariana reminds people that the first step is to know what they want. That puts them on the road to achieving it. Then they can use whatever seems right for bringing in the positive energy needed for turning dreams into reality.

"House Magic shows readers how to design their homes to fulfill personal needs and master the ability to display their own uniqueness using their homes as a medium." Anyone desiring to create that "perfect space" will discover that Ariana has provided an essential reference for choosing the best way to produce a "vibrant castle of creativity and warmth."

A simple, well-written little book that's not just for witches! Written with humor and intelligence, it offers practical advice, not just folklore. In fact, it deals far more with energy flow than with superstition. Excellent basic book for anyone who wants to go beyond the basic happy home books out there.

I just couldn't give more than 3 stars to this thriller. Basically a story about a new quantum energy source discovered by an American scientist but stolen by a Russian industrialist billionaire. The convenience of much of the story was too much. For example, The ring switch and the digging up of the parking lot. Everything fell too neatly in place. Since when do trained Navy Seal snipers allow sun reflections off their scopes to be seen? I think with a little more time, Tom Grace can come up with a better written novel. Older teenagers will enjoy his books.

Recommend...Library

This book started out fast paced and held my attention throughout. I recommend this book to anyone that likes the larger than life action heroes. This is my first book by Tom Grace, but it won't be my last.

On December 10, 1948 in Ann Arbor, someone guns down scientist Johann Wolf. The killer honestly thought Johann collaborated with the Nazis, helping murder innocent people through medical experiments.

Fifty years later at the University of Michigan, Professors Ted Sandstrom and Raphael Paramo invent a device that generates and stores a large amount of energy from a much smaller source. However, a Russian scientist listens to Ted's lecture before returning home to inform her bosses about the cutting edge technology. Moscow businessman Victor Olov plans to attain the device even if it requires KGB-like skills to succeed. This places Olov and his minions against Nolan Kilkenny who plans to make the eventual transfer of Ted's experimental design to industrial use. Olov and Kilkenny soon learn that Ted's work follows much of the theories of the ingenious Johann, missing for fifty years.

QUANTUM is an exciting thriller that entertains the reader although it's understandable there is a lot of difficult scientific information provided in the fast-paced story line. The lead couple is an enchanting duet who loves one another, but has not yet committed to each other. The villain is a stereotypical nasty character who is a Russian capitalist who will do anything to gain an edge. Fans of scientific espionage thrillers will fully enjoy Tom Grace returning with the stars of his previous triumphant work SPYDER WEB.

Harriet Klausner

this is a comedy only in the sense that the play ends well - ie, noone dies, most everyone is happy. else, there's little humor in this comedy, save for the knave, lucio. like others here have pointed out, this is actually a pretty serious play that takes a pretty hard look at human weakness, particularly lust. there are some fine, impassioned speeches by claudio and his sister, who pleads for his life. worth a read. but don't expect any laughs.

One of Shakespeare's lesser read and lesser performed plays, Measure for Measure profoundly explores the themes of justice and mercy. This exploration compensates for the defects of the play: the unbelievable resolution, the Duke's refusal to interfere early on (which causes pain to the characters), the inconsistency in the application of morality (Isabella considers it wrong for the betrothed Claudio and Juliet to have sex but justifies--and even helps to arrange--it between Angelo and Mariana), and the unexpected suddenness of the Duke's proposal to Isabella. The play seriously weighs the concerns of justice and mercy, and although it ultimately favors mercy, it recognizes the complexity of the issue. How can one practice mercy and yet restrain vice? How can one "hate the sin" yet "love the sinner?" Mercy seems to be the necessary choice over justice because man is too fallen to bear the brunt of justice. "Judge not lest ye be judged. For with what measure you mete," said Christ, "it shall be measured unto you." If you hold a high standard for others (as does Angelo for Claudio) and yet fall short of it yourself, you will be judged by the same standard. Since we seem destined to fall short of righteousness, it is best to practice forgiveness, so that we too may be judged lightly. And yet there is a concern that such practice of forgiveness will lead to a laxity that permits vice to flourish (which is the reason the Duke leaves Angelo in charge in the first place). Though mercy and forgiveness are favored, the arguments in favor of justice are not simply dismissed.

Quote: "Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it?
Why, every fault's condemned ere it be done.
Mine were the very cipher of a function,
To fine the faults whose fine stands in record,
And let go by the actor." (II.ii.38-42)

Measure for Measure is seldom read, and not often performed in the United States. Why? Although many of Shakespeare's plays deal bluntly with sexual issues, Measure for Measure does so in an unusually ugly and disgusting way for Shakespeare. This play is probably best suited for adults, as a result.

I see Measure for Measure as closest to The Merchant of Venice in its themes. Of the two plays, I prefer Measure for Measure for its unremitting look at the arbitrariness of laws, public hypocrisy and private venality, support for virtue, and encouragement of tempering public justice with common sense and mercy.

The play opens with Duke Vincentio turning over his authority to his deputy, Angelo. But while the duke says he is leaving for Poland, he in fact remains in Vienna posing as a friar. Angelo begins meting out justice according to the letter of the law. His first act is to condemn Claudio to death for impregnating Juliet. The two are willing to marry, but Angelo is not interested in finding a solution. In despair, Claudio gets word to his sister, the beautiful Isabella, that he is to be executed and prays that she will beg for mercy. Despite knowing that Isabella is a virgin novice who is about to take her vows, Angelo cruelly offers to release Claudio of Isabella will make herself sexually available to Angelo. The Duke works his influence behind the scenes to help create justice.

Although this play is a "comedy" in Shakespearean terms, the tension throughout is much more like a tragedy. In fact, there are powerful scenes where Shakespeare draws on foolish servants of the law to make his points clear. These serve a similar role of lessening the darkness to that of the gravediggers in Hamlet.

One of the things I like best about Measure for Measure is that the resolution is kept hidden better than in most of the comedies. As a result, the heavy and rising tension is only relieved right at the end. The relief you will feel at the end of act five will be very great, if you are like me.

After you read this play, I suggest that you compare Isabella and Portia. Why did Shakespeare choose two such strong women to be placed at the center of establishing justice? Could it have anything to do with wanting to establish the rightness of the heart? If you think so, reflect that both Isabella and Portia are tough in demanding that what is right be done. After you finish thinking about those two characters, you may also enjoy comparing King Lear and Claudio. What was their fault? What was their salvation? Why? What point is Shakespeare making? Finally, think about Angelo. Is he the norm or the exception in society? What makes someone act like Angelo does here? What is a person naturally going to do in his situation?

Look for fairness in all that you say and do!