This is a Vocal Selections book, not the Vocal Score (as is clear from the large photo of the cover).

I was planning on getting this book for an audition at a local theater company. The songs are so fun and energetic that when I was looking for music, I knew that this book had the music that would work for me.

...The problem is that this books seems like it was written for high school students. The first chapter opens with a self-diagnosis: "I clarify the group's goals and ensure that the goals are formulated so members 'sink or swim' together and are committed to achieve them." Or how about, "I advocate my views and challenge the views of others in order to create high-quality and creative decions."

It never gets better. On page 231, for example, in the chapter "Using Power," the authors state, "Even though we sometimes do not like to admit it, power is a basic aspect of social life. It can be seized or given up, increased or lost. It can be used for good, evil, or trivial purposes. All relationships -- with family, friends, lovers, co-workers -- involve power and influence. Yet many person are unaware of the influence they exert on others, and many people are unaware of how necessary and constructive mutual influence is in building effective groups and collaborative relationships among members. Being skillful in influencing other group members and taking responsibility for such influences are important parts of being a member of a group."

Ya think?

The book goes on to identify "the process by which group members mobilize their power in order to accomplish their goals..." Each "action item" is followed by a paragraph of fluff just in case the heading isn't clear enough (not included here):

1. Determining Your Goals.
2. Assessing Your Relevant Resources.
3. Determining Your Needed Coalitions.
4. Negotiating a Mutual Support Agreement.
5. Implementing the Contracts.

I was really disappointed with this book because I was hoping for a book that analyzed the psychology of group behavior and offered practical rules based on that analysis. This book, however, is just too shallow to accomplish that. I imagine it was written for undergraduates, but I would think that even a sophmore would feel insulted.

I read this book as an assignment in a university sociology course. It is a great resouce to have on hand if you work with teams or are intersted in organizational/group behavior. Some of the activities have been used in my "Effective Social Relations" class and we found them not only fun, but educational. I have not read the 1999 edition, but am hoping to get it for a graduation present this April!

The author spins a tale of intrigue, lessons in history and basic human vices, all entwined in a tale of extraterresttrials who war among themselves. The book starts slow then moves to a faster pace, building a sense of foreboding for the "captives of the time warp". At times, I found myself wanting to spend more time reading the book than my schedule allowed. Good start for a novice author.

I found myself engrossed in the book by the third chapter. This author has written a book that is not just science fiction, but also historical. I like the way he combined the two. My favorite parts were the chapters involving the pirates and the love affair of Julia and Webb. The letter at the end brought tears to my eyes. It was a very well conceived and written book. For a first novel, I would rate it 4 to 5 stars, but thought 4 would be appropriate. Can't wait for books 2 and 3!

I had to give the book two stars simply because it is in part Gaston Leroux's novel. However, it is not the original. I was terribly disappointed to discover that, far from being the original novel in its entirety, it is "abridged and adapted especially for intermediate students of French." In other words, it was rewritten. The author's foreword is almost completely gone, retaining only "Le fantome de l'Opera a existe. Il a existe en chair et en os." [Please pardon the lack of accents.] The epilogue had vanished, too. I only explored a little farther, to discover that any sentences or words extra had been cut, even such simple things as "The Persian had seen the poor, unhappy Erik for the last time." Now, I can understand that some editing for students is necessary (did I mention there are questions at the end of each chapter?) However, this seems to me to be an extreme and heartless adaptation, and there was no mention of the alterations in the description of the book. For those who do not have a complete command of the French language and wish to read a novel in that language, fine. However, for Phantom fans who have read every English translation within reach (and own most of them), I regretfully suggest that you continue the search, and please tell me what you find. I wish you good hunting.

For those of you that don't understand French, don't try to read this, go for the English version, But I have to say that I loved this book, I don't see why it was so different. (though it was in French) I have six copies of the book in both French and English, and there is always some change, so I can tell you it was a great book, even though some of the wording was different, as it is in most of the others I have. I totally recomend it! I'm only fourteen but I loved this and other classical lit.

Very boring. I had to read it for something I did at school. The beggining is OK but after awile it gets really boring. For example they propose he gets turned down ect. I didn't really get
the feel for this book. I had heard it was supposed to be good. But I heard it from one of my substitutes she said it was really good but I don't really like romance, stress, and poverty in stories but if you like that you can try this book. I DO NOT. YES I DO NOT RECCOMEND THIS BOOK!!!

A must read for today's illiterate young people! Throw out the Harry Potter and other mindless twaddle on your bookshelves and pick up an unabridged classic, such as Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Heidi or Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates. Don't cheat yourself or your children out of the priceless experience of reading great literature.

Stacy D. McDonald
Editor-in-Chief
Homeschooling Today magazine...

As a life long fan, actually born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida myself, I figured Id read all there was to read and I already knew what there was to know and I was right. This book was a disappointment to me because it held very little personal stories. The beginning was fair, but that is really all there is to it. Three quarters of the book is just about the songs, how Allen or Gary played them, how skillful they were with their instruments which we already know, or the fact the Ronnie didnt "sing from his gut" he "sang from his throat". Just turn on any classic rock radio station and you can hear for yourself that the boys could play the devil out of their instruments and give me a throat singer anytime!! I would have preferred to read about Ronnie, Allen, Gary and all the rest in more of a personal sense. I say, skip this book unless you are into techno-babble about guitar playing. The portions about the plane crash are better, but I prefer to focus on the people instead of how they died. We have the music, nothing else matters. Thank You!

If you love lynyrd skynyrd you need to read this book. The book gives you an insight to the life of Ronnie Van Zant, who the author grew up with as a young boy. The author also was the security chief for the band, so he gives good insight on life on the road with the band. The author also talks about the other members of the band and talks about the talent that all of the members brought to the band. This book is great and should be read by anyone who wants to know more about this ledgendary rock band. I could not put this book down. The pictures were also great

This book is quite miss leading. 113 easy-to perform miracles boils down too about 5 basic magic tricks with dozens and dozens of variations. Although these tricks are essential for future card tricks I think its not worth it.

I found this book to be a great book that teaches card tricks ranging in skill from easy to difficult. It includes tricks based on the Si Stebbins Master System, Math-based tricks, and preforming tips and tricks. Overall, I give it 4 stars.

Mechtilde's perspective is different from that of other Christian mystics, in that she was a Beguine, and entered the convent at a much later age than Gertrude.

The work can be hard to follow, the style hard to grasp, but it is a worthy academic challenge.

The images Mechthild presents to the reader in wtritten words took my mind,heart and imagination to such beautiful spiritual hieghts, that I am still savoring the richness her revelations has brought to my soul. RRead at your liesure and absorb in contentment and spiritual pleasure....... Father Gregory Martin, Spiritual Director of the Holy Order of the Holy Ghost.

I gave him two stars for his vivid imagination. Semper Fi.

Frank Camper takes you into Vietnam..into the world that
we all knew existed, but would rather look the other way.A true life Vietnam adventure.
He carries on his excellent writing skills as he has in some of his other books like-L.L.R.P. and MK-ULTRA, Mind Benders and many more.BR>A contoversial real life guy that will take you where only a few have dared to go. If you like true life adventure-this ones for you. BCF

Over the years I've been a fan of William Bayer's books and particularly his Janek mysteries. However, Mirror Maze is definitey a book to skip. The plot was much too disjointed, the characters (even Janek in thsi book) were mostly uninteresting and not very credible, and the action was too sporadic to make me care much about what was going to happen next. I felt like I was in a maze reading this book and all I wanted to do was get out of it so I can move on to my next book. Finally, I took the easy way out and gave up on the book about 2/3s of the way through it.

It is too bad the Janek novels are hard to find these days. In spite of their falts they are excellent reads. Janek is a pragmatice cop who doesn't loose sight of his humanity. He represents a lot of what todays cop should be like. You will enjoy this novel in spite of its rather somber seting.