Like many "first's" in life, I can recall the first time I read Ash Road. It depicted a time, and place, and culture, that was completely different to my own. As a young person, the book moved me to interpret life, and indeed the world, in a new light. From that point on in my educational career, I embraced the idea of reading for "pleasure", an undertaking that has literally changed my life. Thank you Mr. Southall. Now I plan on giving Ash Road as a birthday gift to my sixth grade daughter, who is constantly bothering me to stay up "just a little longer", .......to read.

This excellent title describes in good detail the small wars that the United States Marine Corps was involved in from 1898-1989 in the Caribbean. Mr. Musicant (a former Marine himself) weaves a well-written tale, which is primarily focused in the military situation, but adding just enough of the political background so that one who has little or no knowledge on the subject comes away with a full understanding of our involvement in these "banana wars". Recommended reading!

Whether a rainy (or snowy!) day or not, our son has thoroughly enjoyed playing with the pages of this oversize (20 x 30 inches) book! There are no words, just "scenes" that unfold as he turns the pages of the book:

- A city with roads, a traffic circle, gas station and other points of interest, the perfect size and place for small toy cars

- A "snakes and ladders" game board which we have also used to teach our son concepts of counting

- A picnic blanket with place settings. Our son "pretend eats" on this scene!

- An underwater maze with deep sea diver, sea animals and treasure chests

- A farm scene with barn, pastures, fields and farm animals, to which our son and his play group friends add own toy animals and farmers.

We have spent many happy times playing with our son on the pages of this book; and he has also played by himself and expanded his own imagination as well. When playtime's over we store this book right in a cabinet in the kitchen, so that it's ready for next time.

We all highly recommend it!

I teach Molecular Biology for Biologyst students. This book has been a good tool to teach, because has all the main points that are need to know the bases of Microbial genetics. Other books are excellents but this book has the minimun to know and understand other books.

This book is one of only a few books that I own that I have been able to use as both a reference book and an enjoyable reading book (enjoyable to a structural engineer). It had many great examples on different ways to use composite design that I had not learned about in school. It also did this in a way that was useful at work. I have impemented many of the design principles from this book into my designs.

I would recommend this book to any structural, civil, or architectural engineer with a basic understanding of composite design.

Often times authors attempt to create characters over a period of time for the reader to identify with and Clancy's "Ryan" is a perfect example of such an effort. But, what if you were the "character" and you were able to literally "listen in" and/or peek inside the personal diary of someone who actually lived this life? Bill Reed's, aka "Boatman", Crazy Ivan is a great read and one where I felt more in synch with because this story did represent some real world experiences this individual found himself involved. Even the sheer fact of enlisting was more by accident then deliberate and to tell these stories in such a context to real-world events was fascinating. I found myself wondering what else is happening, even today, that for most part many of us will never know. I give thanks more and more each day to those who serve in the armed forces for our country and Reed's book here illustrates how many of us take their actions for granted. I would have rated this a 5 star if the book had been longer....

This story of the rise and fall of DeLorean Motor Company is exhaustively researched and fabulously detailed, but the authors make no attempt to hide their loathing for the man. From the Prologue onward, snide jabs (such as "The DeLorean story warns us to be more cautious and reluctant to entrust our dreams to others") pepper the narrative.

Personally, I would have preferred the facts speak for themselves. JZD was (and remains) a complex character whose story is considerably more multi-faceted than Fallon/Srodes allow for. You can see it physically pains the authors when they have to admit John's fidelity, sobriety and work ethic. A less-biased accounting would have allowed the reader to form his or her own opinion, and there's plenty of material to support any range of opinion.

But the book is readable and fairly well organized (except for the occasional sudden appearance of important people or events that we are told figured prominently earlier on) and, as mentioned, seems to be well-researched. I give it four stars for effort, none for attitude.

Economic reform in Latin America is an excellent compilation of well-written and interesting articles focused on the sweeping economic reforms adopted by many Latin American governments since the end of the 80's. The book is divided in four main parts. The first one, the historical framework, offers the reader the invaluable opportunity to learn about Latin American economic history in just a few pages written by Victor Bulmer-Thomas. The second one analyzes the new economic model implemented in the vast majority of Latin American countries by offering different positions regarding the pros and the cons of the neoliberal economic model. The third part complements the second one by examining in detail the reforms adopted in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Colombia. Finally, the last part analyzes the trends regarding economic integration, an examination that is absolutely necessary given the actual process of trade integration in the Western Hemisphere.

The only criticism I have of this book is that it leaves a great deal out! Ivan Barrett has done a masterful job of research, and has put together many great stories. But the book left me wanting the details, more fill-in. I'd love to read his research notes for this book.

This book is a good book, and I recommend it to anybody who wants to read a book. I'm an extremely bad reader - and so may not have picked up on all the nuances, but at the end I was touched by that fuzzy feeling of truth one gets with good art. Is the end a little like D. Thomas' poem "Mourning" something or other - you know the one! - or was it my imagination.