Having purchased abroad the last two in the Casebook series, I can assure other American fans of the BBC Holmes series that in these, the last, and in many people's minds, weakest of the Holmes stories, the BBC team excels, filling in logical extensions of the stories to make them as good, or in some cases better than the earlier ones. They are a treat!

"The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes" was Doyle's last collection of short stories on the great detective. The stories may not have been uniformly as good as the earlier Holmes stories, and some of the plots may have been derivative, but they still entertain.

"The Three Garridebs" rehashed the plot of "The Red Headed League". "The Creeping Man" turned in a creepy tale whose premise has been disproved by later science. "The Veiled Lodger" was not even a mystery.

The rest of the stories were much better. "The Blanched Soldier" presented a conundrum which Holmes solved without visiting the scene. "The Sussex Vampire" had a perfectly natural explanation. "The Lion's Mane" involved violent death, but was there a crime? Holmes worked for an unnamed "Illustrious Client", but you should be able to figure out who it was. We meet Holmes' page, Billy, for the first and last time in "The Mazarin Stone". We meet international intrigue in "Shoscombe Old Place" and an arrogant murderer in "The Retired Colourman". My favorite story of the lot is "The Problem of Thor Bridge", where Holmes assists a young lady of murder in the face of almost overwhelming evidence of guilt.

The BBC production of "The Case Book" was done in three packets of two cassettes, each containing two stories from "The Case Book". Clive Merrison once again turns in a virtuoso performance as Holmes, and Michael Williams portrays a far more capable Watson than Nigel Bruce ever imagined.

Bert Coules and Vincent McInerney took more liberties with the plotlines in this collection than they did in any of their other treatments of the Holmes saga. They write Billy out of "The Mazarin Stone" and replace her with Mrs. Hudson, who participates more actively in the solution of the case than she ever did in any of Doyle's writings. In fact, Doyle's story occupies only about 10 minutes of the production, with 20 minutes of leadup in which Lord Cantlemere serves as Holmes' chief suspect. The changes consist of additions which make the story more enjoyable without altering Doyle's original plot. The same cannot be said for their treatment of "The Three Gables". Langdale Pike, a minor character in Doyle's original rendition, becomes a major actor. Pike assists Holmes in the ruination of the villainess. This constitutes a major change from Doyle's original plot, in which Holmes allows the villainess to escape upon payment of "punitive damages". In "The Sussex Vampire" they manage to work in a few references to Bram Stoker's "Dracula", but don't otherwise tamper too much with the plot.

If you like Holmes, mysteries, or radio plays; you'll like this collection.

This book very effectively shows the candidates of 1988 in black and white. The pictures are candid and mostly behind-the-scenes. These pictures are revealing because the candidates were often unaware they were being photographed. The Republican nominees, Bush and Quayle, are shown. So are the other GOP contenders, including; Al Haig, Jack Kemp, Bob Dole and Pete duPont. The Democrats include Michael Dukakis, Gary Hart, Bruce Babbitt, Richard Gephardt, Al Gore and others. The Foreward is written by Sam Donaldson.

This book shows the 1988 presidential campaign with everyone from Gary Hart to George Herbert Walker Bush in various stages of stumping. Some of the black-and-white are hilarious, some moving, but all are necessary in completely depicting a time in America's history with all its national and human impact.

This book establishes the advantages of the nonjudgmental, empowering experience of cognitive coaching over that of the traditional behavioristic supervisory model in the mentoring process. The three major goals of cognitive coaching are establishing and maintaining trust, facilitating mutual learning, and enhancing growth toward holonomy (individuals acting autonomously while simultaneously acting interdependently within the group). Efficacy, flexibility, craftsmanship, consciousness, and interdependence are the five states of mind that combine to provide the actualization energy of holonomy. Trust in self, trust between individuals, and trust in the coaching process are all necessary characteristics in aiding the facilitation of mutual learning. This strategy is demonstrated at the individual level with teachers and students and at the school level with administrators and teachers working in conjunction. Costa and Garmston use the concept of renaissance to describe the rebirth and redefinition of schools and a greater understanding of how we learn. They view the renaissance school as a holonomous organization that embodies all of the above principles in a value-centered, idealistic environment. While this book details cognitive coaching in the educational environment it could easily translate into the corporate or government arena. It is rich with graphs, charts, tables, and other tools that can be used in the mentoring process. The layout is similar to a textbook, which may negatively effect reading continuity, but is written in an easy, conversational style. I would recommend it as a useful primer in understanding the mentoring process at multiple user levels of student, teacher, and schools. Although in many cases the coaching relationship is between a more experience mentor and a less experienced mentee the authors also discuss the merits of peer coaching.

The authors of this book wrote not only about coaching as a method for professional growth in education but also about proven practices in education with ideas to better create a productive learning climate to help everyone learn. The concept of a school as a learning community with a focus on the students is wonderful. This is one of the best works on the powers of total staff collaboration that I have come across. You need to read this and talk through it in a discusion group to really grasp the power of its message. The only criticism that I have is how the work of Madeline Hunter was portrayed. I believe that parts of many programs should be integrated and adapted for benefits. Madeline Hunter strongly advocated reflection for improvement and did not intend her research to be the basis for staff evaluation. I also advocate the 'clinical model' be used as part of evaluation, and cognitive coaching is a wonderful component for everyone in education to keep growing!

I read this book when I was 11 and it was a great introduction to science fiction. I still own a copy, although it's ratty from being dropped in the bathtub and carried around for the past 14 years.

The conclusion to this series lived up to the promise of the first book and far surpassed the second.

The "scards" of "Exiles of ColSec" and "The Caves of Klydor" are back--but this time, they've got a spaceship and a mission! "ColSec Rebellion" chronicles their trials and tribulations on their return to Earth.

This was a clever children's book that definitely opens up topics for discussion. It explores discrimination, fear and acceptance. A great read for children in 1st and 2nd grade, but younger children would be amused as well. The illustrations are imaginative and fun. The writing is perfect for the younger reader (6 to 8 years old).

This book is delightful blend of humor with great wit. It has become one of our families favorites.

When I compare this edition of the libretto to the Ian Bradley edition of the collected librettos (Oxford), I find that this has more weak points compared to the Bradley book. Of course, both books suffer from inaccuracies in the libretto, but here is a more serious case. Also, the print of the book is a little bit hard to read, because of its age from many years ago. The Bradley book seems to be easier. Yet even despite these shortcomings I am happy to know that you can still sing along to ANY G&S song in here, or find your favourite passage, be it from MIKADO, PIRATES or PINAFORE, or any other opera. But this book still has two advantages to it - containg the librettist's drawings, and its cheaper price compared to the Bradley book. As well as the libretto for the never-before-heard THESPIS opera. Overall, while I am prepared to recommend this to the true Savoyard, I am not really prepared to recommend this to a beginner, except those who cannot afford to spend more money on the Bradley book. Still, this edition is an easy one with which you can live.

If you are a Savoyard, or even if you know what that means, this jumbo collection is one you will treasure. With a preface by esteemed music critic, Deems Taylor, and illustrations by W. S. Gilbert himself, the complete librettos from all fourteen Gilbert & Sullivan operettas is the perfect companion at a great low price. You'll find yourself humming the Arthur Sullivan melodies as you read "I polished up the handles so carefully," "Let the punishment fit the crime," and "I'm called little Buttercup, Sweet little Buttercup." In one attractive volume are the complete and unabridged texts of "The Mikado," "The Pirates of Penzance, "H.M.S Pinafore," and the eleven other operettas that set a world standard for intelligent musical theatre.

Most books about recruitment are either comprehensive manuals by people who live on Planet IPD or they fit the "how to interview people" mould. This book is neither. It's a pragmatic manual for the recruitment process, from job analysis, through advertising and selection to appointment.

It's ideal for the practical manager who wants to fill his vacancy quickly and effectively and needs his questions answered. Well indexed and referenced, with a lively style and plenty of useful tips, it's a book you can comfortably read and comprehend on the train to work.

Adding a new person to your team or department can be one of the most important decisions you must make on your job. Hiring the wrong person will not only cost you money in wasted time and lost productivity, but can be an emotional drain on you and others in the company.

If you've had to fill a job opening recently, you've undoubtedly learned the hard way that it's not an easy task. You may spend a bundle of money and waste lots of valuable time just trying to find applicants - and that' before you even start screening them.

There are ways to facilitate this process. By better utilization of current sources and expanding into additional sources, you can attract more and better candidates. That's how successful companies keep becoming more successful. You can do it too.

Finding candidates is only the beginning. You have to learn and apply the skills needed to screen and interview applicants to ensure that the person(s) you finally choose really can do the job. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recruiting the Right Stuff will show you how.
This book is not an academic treatise, but a pragmatic guide to recruiting and selection that can be immediately applied on the job. Read it to become acquainted with the many facets of this subject. . Keep this book handy to refer to when special problems arise.

This book is honest, entertaining, and jam-packed with great ideas, helpful hints, and how-to's. There is information about everything from reasons for using teams in the workplace, to forming strong ones, to helping yours become more successful. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know anything about working in teams!

Unfortunately, although this book was loaded with so much good stuff, it still didn't have what I wanted. I work in student affairs at a college, and I was looking for a book with activities on team-building to use with student groups. If this is what you're looking for, don't buy this book!

This book has some great stuff for anyone who works with teams, but be careful not to expect any more than concepts and explanations...no activities.

Has your company moved from traditional work groups to a team format? Is it contemplating such a move? Over 80 percent of Fortune 500 firms already are using teams as all or part of their organizational structure. Nobody know how many less well known companies are following suit.

The Complete Idiots Guide to Team Building will teach you the tools and techniques needed to be a successful team leader. It will enable those with previous supervisory experience to become aware of the changes they must make in management style to succeed in their new roles and what they must do to implement them. It will also prepare newly appointed leaders to move rapidly into productive leadership.

Not only team leaders, but also all team members can benefit from reading this book. Why? In many teams, members assume sub-team or project leadership from time to time. In addition, more and more organizations are turning to self-directed teams -- teams that have no permanent leader. All members are expected to be ready to lead a project.

This book is not an academic treatise, but a pragmatic guide to team leadership than can be immediately applied on the job. Read it to become acquainted with the many facets of team leadership. Keep this book handy to refer to when special problems arise.

Whether you are an experienced team leader, starting your first job, or you are preparing for promotion, this book will serve as a road map to successful leadership.

I think Arthur Schwartz writes the most thorough cookbooks. I found a copy of this one for my daughter when she was moving into her first apartment with the smallest kitchen I ever saw. The book starts with the very basic things that are needed by a beginning cook, including a checklist. While the recipes are somewhat dated, in that they use a great deal more of the fats than we are used to in today's diet, it is the best book for techniques for the beginning cook. I loved the french toast recipe and have made it several times.

This is the best cookbook I have ever owned - regardless of kitchen size! - and I'd love to find some more of Schwartz's books or recipes. I bought it in a used-book store in Champaign, IL, years ago and have cooked many of the recipes. My favorites are the south african lamb stew, the tuscan bean soup, and the chick-pea and sausage soup.

I was ready to leave the professional altogether when I stumbled across this book. It really cut down on the amount of time I spent filling out forms and fighting with case managers. I can't recommend it highly enough!

This book is an excellent resource tool that therapists can utilize in the treatment planning process. I would highly recommend it to any professional who is challenged to meet the demands of managed care in today's workplace.