Light from Within was one of Linda McCartney's last projects, completed by her daughter Mary and Martin Harrison, and subtitled "photojournals". Before the advent of photography, journals were written records, of journeys, or just life, and keeping a journal is often recommended to writers, as a way of capturing moments of revelation and reflection that might be of use in another sort of work altogether. In fact, the word photography means writing with light. This book is a real journal, a record of the author's preoccupations, her perceptions, and most of all, her tastes in life.

The phrase "light from within," of course, is also a lyric from another of her last projects, a song named from the chorus: "Oppression won't win. The light comes from within." She's clearly thinking of another kind of light than sunlight, which was crucial to her photographic methods. She preferred to photograph natural light falling on unposed people and the natural world, usually animals or landscapes. But the light from within is a different concept, and seems to have meant the light of the human mind and spirit, shining out from people's faces. It can mean curiosity, warmth, passion, humor, vision, and above all, creativity. So this book has been organized by the artist to reflect the light from without falling on the light from within.

In fact, I think Linda McCartney had a positive genius for finding something revelatory in the most ordinary scenes. (Which reveals that they weren't ordinary at all?) The cover photo is a case in point, and one we have seen before, unlike most of the photos in the book. It is not a conventionally well composed picture--there are too many focal points: a boy, a girl, a man, and a dog haphazardly arranged in an unimproved yardscape. But it is a great shot of a family: a flying five-year-old boy, a nine-year-old girl hunkered down over something in the grass, and the pater familias, who, from his expression, is offering admonishment to the flying child. The dog is calmly doing his dog thing. We will probably never know what the boy is doing: from the way he's holding his hands, he might be making a shadow figure, and watching to see how it will change when he moves. Perhaps, like any kid that age, he just feels like *jumping.* It is also not clear what the girl finds so fascinating in the grass, or why the father (clothed so conventionally in robe and slippers) is taking a morning stroll on top of a fence. (And *if* the father is telling the boy not to jump carelessly from Land Rovers, he's missing the irony of his own perch, one of the many pitfalls of parenthood.) The people and the animal are all related-- and busy being themselves.

Did Linda McCartney go out looking for scenes that might attract her? It seems more likely that she waited for them to happen next to her elbow and then whipped her camera out. She finds what she's looking for in faces very often: children's faces, artists' faces, aged faces, in people unaware they're being photographed, or carelessly aware. The first photo in the book is of her son James peering over her shoulder, trying perhaps to understand the magical act his mother performs with a camera, not conscious that his curious face in the rear-view mirror is magical. She catches Simon and Garfunkel in intense conversation under a leafless forest of microphones. She loves the contrast (and resemblance) between youth and age: a springy five-year-old riding a mechanical giraffe and an elderly man in suit, tie, and wedding ring, making his slower way with two canes. If a picture composes itself accidentally, she has no objection to snapping that, as when the three plump dancers in blue, yellow, and pink confront Brian Clarke who is stork-like in black and offers them cheerful homage. But the subjects are the point, not the abstract composition. Twice she takes a great shot immediately after a more conventionally composed photo has broken up: of a group of aged men in front of a wall, and a group of children wearing hats like flowers. There is innocence in the children's waves, and merriment in an old man's grin. In fact, the sight of this photographer tends to elicit grins and sometimes waves: in the case of her husband, he waves one foot from a ladder in one of his vaudeville imitations. And there is a stunning photo of McCartney's grown daughters, Mary and Stella, who glow with quiet inner passion and seem quite unaware of their own beauty.

McCartney was in love with the life and beauty of animals, and one glorious shot is of an animal of transcendant homeliness, the javelina, standing on a lawn transfigured by the setting sun. Besides getting drunk on her own senses, the photographer got the shot. The mystery of beauty is everywhere in this book, especially the most unlikely places.

And the last series of photos is particularly moving, in the context of the photographer's life at the time she was composing it: a set of shots of tables and whole walls wrecked by the efforts of artists to render their visions in paint. They are like battlefields after the shooting stops. The next-to-last photo in the book is a self-portrait of the artist looking into a cracked mirror, standing straight and serene, a woman with very good bones and very short hair, who was an instinctive and accomplished artist. It's a beautifully composed picture of meanings that I cannot render in words.

If we wish to learn to see the beauty that is all around us, all the time, this book is a fine place to start--to start looking at the faces we pass in the street, at our own families and friends, at the people who sell us newspapers, and at the passing poodles and javelinas of life.

Over 30 years of photography from the wild 60s of life among musicians & travel to her later years in & around her home this photographer has recorded her life with wit & grace in the form of surreal landscapes, spontaneous portraits reflecting her eclectic passions & interests.

Linda McCartney's particular point of view of America, Japan & England capture moments in time most of us wouldn't give a second glance to until you see her photos. Musicians in action: grimacing, angry, jaunty or sad. Children in motion: happy, sad, lost or hungry; elders in groups: talking, walking & looking back at us. Sumo wrestlers preparing; billboards like wallpaper - all in colors or black & white - all the busy-ness of our hectic world.

I like especially Linda's love of textures - the smooth with the rough, the close-up with distance, fabric upon brick, shadow over land. The pink water pistol tucked into a girl's hip pocket.

Linda McCartney's books of photographs grow on you, make you want to share her visions & talk about them.

Sonny,a little fish is the main character. When a small dirt bike is ditched, in the little lake he calls home, the saga begins. His daily routine interrupted, he goes to investigate. The bike has landed upright on an embankment. The handlebar streamers beckon him to come closer. His detailed observations of the "TWO-LEGGERS" leads him to conclude, he may be able to ride the bike. His preparations,doubts and discovery are sure to to make readers smile. His good freind,Catfish and The Nosy Perch are memorable characters. Vibrant, humourous watercolors add to the fun. The"Fishnotes"are wonderfull! Valuable lessons on life,language, ecology and self acceptance swim through the story. Pinellas Park, FL.

This is the kind of story that really tickles inside! A child will want to read it again and again! And parents will be pleased by the learning packed into these pages. Like a Fish on a Bike is the story of Sonny the fish, whose life is suddenly changed when a bicycle is thrown into the lake where he lives. Written in a poetic style, the underwater adventures of Sonny and his friends will amuse children with its playful, inventive language. And, the story's unique point-of-view will guide children with a subtle, underlying intelligence into thinking about their own above-water world in fresh and original ways.

A tremendous book recounting battles, fire-fights, ambushes, as well as the challenges of leading 18 and 19 year old marines in war time. Gives a good idea about the physical hardships and danger that our men encountered in Vietam. Capt. Camp also admits near the ending that he was "very, very, glad to get out of Vietnam." An honest insight !

Very even and factual account. I would encourage persons interested in USMC history to read this account of one man's perspective of events that occured in the second half of 1967, in I Corps. I have to tell you that I am slightly prejudiced: Captain Camp was my Company Commander in Viet Nam. He is the one against whom all others are judged. Skipper Camp is not only the finest Officer I encountered in the Marine Corps but, also, a real human being.

Halmos is one of the great mathematical expositors of the 20th Century, and his book "Finite Dimensional Vector Spaces" stands as the definitive introduction to the subject for budding mathematicians. This book, "Linear Algebra Problem Book", is perhaps best described as an engaging and semi-informal invitation and complement to that original work, which grew out of lectures given by the legendary John von Neumann. In contrast to typical treatments of linear algebra, "Finite Dimensional Vector Spaces" is abstract (introduces determinants through alternating forms), rigorous, concise, and demands a certain level of mathematical maturity. This book, "Linear Algebra" is exactly the opposite. Starting from very little assumed background, it all but gives away the store, written in plain language, anticipating students' questions and misconceptions, and leading them to a deeper understanding of mathematics through the Socratic method. This is not a problem book in the Schaum's outline sense; there is no drill or rote calculations. Every question is carefully chosen to illustrate a point or expose a potential misunderstanding in the student's knowledge or to exercise the student's intuition and ability to make connections. The answers are given as detailed explanations, integral to the exposition, which go far beyond merely answering the questions posed, raising deeper implications and questions. This is an excellent book for beginning students of higher mathematics, and a very user friendly guide to Halmos' classic text.

I'm no mathematician but, I own a number of linear algebra and abstract algebra books and this book makes them all pale in comparison. I really enjoyed working through it. Maybe a bit pedantic for more advanced types but, if you want to get a handle on the concepts this is the book.

What an excellent resource for any teacher. The activities are interesting and thought-provoking. My students were so excited about creating their very own books!

An excellent presentation of the holistic learning experience book arts can be for the child. Creating a book calls upon skills that will stand the child in good stead throughout life: planning, collaborating, discussing, consensus building. Also, technological, writing, visual, and design skills are challenged and strengthened.

I have this exact book from when I was little and now I am reading it to my 2 year old. The relatively simple text and repetition makes it a hit with budding readers. My son especially likes the "Not I" Said the Cat, "Not I" Said the Dog parts because the book incorporates different pics of each animal into the text each time this is repeated. (Making goofy voices for the cat, dog and mouse is a big hit too.) A nice lesson in the pay-back for working hard vs. laziness.

Teaches a valuable lesson about teamwork and helping out. Great illustrations. Easy to read for beginning readers. Paul Gladone has another winner!

Famous champion show-rider, Brad Martin, arrives at Half Moon Ranch one day. His cool, boasty, show-off manner makes most people suspect that something's up, including Matt, Kirstie's brother, who hates him for flirting with his mom, Sandy. Kirstie, though, has eyes only for his spectacularly talented paint, Little Vixen. When a barn fire occurs, starting in Little Vixen's stall, everyone at Half Moon Ranch suspects Brad Martin of planning to kill his horse for the insurance money. Is he responsible for the fire?

Little Vixen was the first Half Moon Ranch book I read. It was really exciting and I couldn't put it down! It just wasn't long enough! Half Moon Ranch books are all very good and the settigs and characters are described very well. This is a great book!!!

Much has been written about luxury hotels, but Paul Groth has chosen an overlooked subject: the bottom-rung hotels, often known as SROs (single-room occupancy), that serve as homes for those at the margins of society. Groth is an architecture professor who has actually lived in such places, which gives a refreshing personal touch to the book. He discusses the physical characteristics of such buildings, combined with a sympathetic description of who lives in them and what their lives are like. At the end of the book, Groth argues that SRO residents have been overlooked in urban renewal, and he explains how naive it is to expect that demolition of SROs will cause their residents to disappear.

The book has a distinct San Francisco emphasis. There are over 150 illustrations, mostly photos, but also including 12 floor plans. If you've ever wondered about the down-and-out hotels that are in every town and city, Paul Groth explains what is behind the facades.

Living Downtown is an evocative study of residence hotels, a misunderstood and often maligned type of housing stock. The book is effectively split into two parts: an examination of types of residence hotels and a discussion of how progressive ideals became policies that would instigate the SRO crisis following World War II. In his exploration of the history of residence hotels, Groth categorizes the structures into four categories based on class and presents anecdotes and newspaper accounts to paint a picture of how their residents and owners once lived, worked and interacted. The balance of the book is given over to analysis of how the attitudes of a few urban critics came to set national and local policies regarding housing and residence hotels, and how the demolition of the latter would create housing crises in cities across the country. Numerous schematic drawings and photographs show the layout of various residence hotels and the context of the neighborhoods in which they existed. Groth relies heavily on San Francisco examples to prove his points, but he presents cases from other cities as well, though sometimes in passing. Overall this book does an excellent job of explaining the residence hotel and the roots of the SRO crisis. Architects, planners, historians and even sociologists should find it an absorbing read.

Beautifully written, well organized, poignant account of the absolute pain and destruction a still misunderstood disease can cause. Although this book was disturbing in that the author is on the extreme end of CFIDS, in terms of the severity of his illness, his story is the story of EVERYONE who suffers from this insidious disease. One can not help but find comfort in the simple fact that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Buy this book if you have been diagnosed with CFIDS or if you are close to someone who has- you won't regret it!

In this age of MTV flashframes and six o'clock soundbites it becomes easy for people to make their evaluations and descions on any topic in an instant. This book gives this hard to define topic the attention it deserves. Rather than just telling you textbook definitions, it SHOWS you exactly what chronic fatigue is, and how it crushed the life of a very active television producer. Encouraging, though honest and frustrating, it enlightens those without the disease, and gives those who suffer from it a commonality to draw strength from. There's also an afterward by his wife, on how it has affected her, a message to those (like me) who have to watch someone they love gradually falling victim.

This book provides up to date coverage of a complex and commonly misunderstood disease. It is easy to read and well organized, yet provides a great deal of detail. Suggestions for action as well as for further inquiry are provided.

This book covers all the ins and outs of a disease that is just as much a mystery now as it was years ago. This gives detailed information about what to expect in testing, physician's appointments, symptoms, different treatment options and how to cope with the fact that you have a chronic disease.