This book caught my eye in a Vancouver boat store, and I'm glad that I bought it. Tugs are part of the unseen infrastructure that brings us food and cars--we don't take them for granted so much as ignore them completely. This is unfortunate, because tugboats are a fascinatingly complex subject. They are built-to-order, specialized for open water, harbor and river service. They push, they pull, and they put out fires. This book assumes no knowledge of the subject, making concepts such as towing and thrust propulsion mechanisms accessible and interesting. Well-illustrated, well-written, and engrossing, I recommend this book for those who enjoy boats of any kind, or are merely curious about how things work.

Jack Gaston is probably the mostly widely published tug writer and is one of the best tug photographers in the world. This book is the most complete survey of tugboating ever written, lacking only some tugboat history, which appears in his earlier "Tugs and Towing." If you want to know about tugs and tugboating, get this book. And I don't say this merely because I'm honored to call Jack a friend.

A VARY WELL WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BOOK ABOUT THE UNSUNG AND OFTEN FORGOTTEN LINK BETWEEN GENERAL SHIPPING AND THE SHORE INFRASTRUCTURE OF SHIPPING AND TRANSPORTATION. THE PHOTO'S ARE OF GOOD QUALITY AND GIVE THE OUTSIDER AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE WORKHORSES OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY. PLENTY OF DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS CLARIFY SOME ASPECTS THAT ARE HARDLY NOTICEABLE WHEN WATCHING TUGS AT WORK.

Bachelard's book on reverie wonderfully explores the space that looms somewhere in between wakefulness and dream. Reverie is a form of consciousness that departs from the words of poets and then grows. Each section of this essay refines or sketches further some of the liminal suggestions of the author. Some of these excursions resonate more sensibly than others of course, but all of the chapters thoughtfully meditate on a placid and exciting state. I do not think the second section on the significance of word gender is terribly fruitful, since gender is a grammatical rather than semantic property, but even such meanderings around and slight abuses of traditional understandings leads to some joyful venues and phenomenal considerations. A book need not be useful to be pleasant. This book has a mite of the former quality and a might of the latter quality.

Bachelard's Poetics of Reverie is a fascinating, fascinating book, but those with no previous training in phenomenology might want to do some intro reading first. A must-read for anyone who's ever tried their hand at creative writing, especially poetry, and a must-read for anyone whose mind has ever been stuck in a state of reverie concerning the world around them.

This little book constitutes, for me, an excellent introductory piece to the thoughts of Gaston Bachelard. Much more clearly than "Poetics of Space", or "The Right to Dream", this book gives insight into Bachelard's transition from scientist to philosopher. If you haven't yet read any of his works, you should consider doing so if only to reevaluate your own methods of analysis of the world around you, both the material and the immaterial. In the "Psychoanalysis of Fire" Bachelard turns his sciento-phenomonologist methods of analysis to the existence of fire, both as a real presence throughout the history of mankind and as a literary, symbolic presence with perhaps even more significance.

Forget about The Poetics of Space (for now) and immerse yourself in The Psychoanalysis of Fire. Watch Bachelard circle and destroy modern rationality through a proto-rationalistic, Socratic assault on the concept of fire. Bachelard's subject is the 'concept' rather than the real thing, fire itself, the number one immaterial 'substance' prefiguring even light. Read, in amazement, as scientific scrutiny of this primordial phenomenon approaches farce. But pay very, very, very close attention to the section on Novalis, "Psychoanalysis and Prehistory: The Novalis Complex", and you'll find Bachelard's genius swooping in for the kill. "These scientific explanations originate in an arid and cursory rationalism which claims to be profiting by recurring factual evidence; but which is, however, quite unrelated to the psychological conditions of the primitive discoveries." Bachelard is not the prophet of surrationalism for nothing! It is this book (first published in 1938) that locates his critical method at the forefront of philosophical critical idealism. Unlike Ernst Cassirer, Bachelard is more than willing to take the plunge into the abyss of imagination - that Coleridgean imagination that is the mostly unacknowledged source of our collective intelligence.

I love books that flirt with the concept of destiny. This one intertwines romance, betrayal, mystery and passion without getting too off kilter with the drama like some other stories can. I also enjoyed how the friend where bound through the history of the families. It was Great I can't wait to read the Prequel. The only thing that i was confussed on was the randomly place photo inside the book. not quite sure if that was even supposed to be there.

This book is what I call a car crash book. You can't stand to read it but you can't turn away either because you're liable to read something horrific and terrifying. Paulette Crain has produced a twisted, steamy, sensual novel of terror suitable for adults only. I enjoyed it, and it's accurate, and I should know. I am a practicing vampire.

Finally!!! A gothic romance/erotic thriller without the all the sap! The charactors are captivating, the sort of people you'll want to follow for years to come. With the story sweeping from ocean to ocean, spanning lifetimes and eras, Ms Crain has created an alternate reality that blurs the lines we walk every day. Ms Crain is a writer ahead of her time, and "Delore's Confession" a book to which you will eagerly await a sequel. If you are a fan of Anne Rice and her "Vampire Lestat", you will fall in love with Tryn Delore! An absolute MUST READ!! (We love you Paulette)

THE SHAD TREATMENT lacks creativity. The author borrowed heavily from Warren's ALL THE KING'S MEN, an excellent book. The main characters are similair--wealthy but living modestly, disallutioned, estranged from their social class, both are law school drop out, and both have the same felling that they are angry at the world. The author also immitates Warren's use of the family's history. Both writers tell of the family history prior to and after the Civil War. However, where Warren ties in this history, THE SHAD TREATMENT adds it for no reason, leaving it as a long unneccesary divergant that fails to relate to the main plot. What the author did not take from that ALL THE KING'S MEN, he took from a gubernaotrial campaign in Virginia during the 70s. Again, he failed to use any creativity. The plot follows the very same path as the campiagn with only minor variations. If the reader knows Virginia history and has already read a ALL THE KINGS MEN, then there is nothing new to read. Otherwise, this book still lacks anything gripping in its poorly constructed plot.

This book is a semi-fictional account of a race for Governor of Virginia. An earlier reviewer critized Epps'for borrowing his characters. Epps did borrow his characters -- not from another author -- but from real life. Epps account is excellent, enthralling, and a must read for every Virginian.

If you're interested in politics, family relations, recent history, southern culture or Virginia, this is a book you should read. The thinly-fictionalized story of gubernatorial race, The Shad Treatment is a latter-day All the King's Men.

For those who know NOTHING about Mont Blanc, it is a nice start. This book was a nice introduction to Mont Blanc, but it was not sufficiently detailed to do any serious planning for a climb to the summit. There are plenty of routes, but no detailed maps, like perhaps a 1:50,000, or 1:100,000 scale. Also, there was no detailed explaination of the hut system and how to actually make reservations, etc. In addition, there were no phone numbers or addresses for more detailed information. Furthermore, there was no discussion of where to park cars, or get off of trains to start via the cable cars. Also, there were no climatology graphs for temperature or precipitation on Mont Blanc. There were not even recommendations for more detailed guide books. In my opinion, Mount Whitney, California has exponentially better information with a computer message board, maps, and very detailed guide books.

A beautifully presented, large format, book with thorough history and art portrayed for Mt. Blanc. Covering the history of many of the great first climbers of not only Mt. Blanc but also several of the world's great summits, truly aids in putting mountaineering into perspective. Reading of this book before climbing Mt. Blanc, visiting Chomanix, or touring The Alps at all, will greatly aid in your appreciaion of some of the most breath-taking peaks in the world.

The book is an inspiration to anyone contemplating visiting the Mont Blanc Massif to climb. Route descriptions for 100 routes with inspirational colour photos of each route. My only regret is that my skill is not up to climbing most of the routes - but one can always dream.

I've only had the cookbook a couple of weeks but have already cooked several meals from it, including a brunch from their Breakfast/Brunch section. I am not an accomplished cook but have been able to look like I am. The helpful hints that are throughout the book have been great and it is pretty enough to leave out on my Kitchen counter. I have always heard Junior League cookbooks were good and now I see why people say that!

What a wonderful, "cookable" cookbook! I can cook for my family during the week, but I can also provide splashy meals for guests on the weekends! The recipes are easy to make and are easy to follow. The book is pretty to look at but also functional too! I especially like the Holiday and Gift Giving section! I have given it as a wedding gift several times as well as a house warming gift.

After using this book in conjunction with my anatomy and physiology for school, the information was easier to understand and helped me to pass the class. Springhouse takes a large amount of in- formation,and simplifies it. I didn't feel so overwhelmed.... Thank You Springhouse Notes...... You saved my grade..

I really liked this book, but I believe one has to be enraptured of the Alps, or the history of mountain climbing, to share my enthusiasm for it. After living in Europe, and continuing to travel there frequently, I find that I am fascinated by the Alps and their history. This book is a pleasant excursion into the Alps for those interested in mountain climbing, but not a travel book, or even much of a story book, although the story is interesting. I find myself comparing old maps to new ones, and relating them to the places I have been. A bit more of a research project than light reading. This book is like watching a documentary, one that airs on public TV for specific audiences, not one on the networks for general consumption. If you are interested in the Alps, or personal stories of mountain climbing you will enjoy this book.

Lyrically written, the author, Gaston Rebuffat, one of the world's climbing greats, expresses such joy for mountaineering that it is infectious. No climbing enthusiast's library should be without this book. The photograph of Rebuffat which graces the cover of this book is alone worth the price of the book.

Rebuffat is positively poetic in his description of various climbs. The reader almost feels as if one were one with the mountain. A purist, the author climbed not for the glory of it, but for the sheer joy of the brotherhood of the rope. In these days, where climbing is often just a reason for a media event, the author's approach is refreshing, indeed.

This is a great book, one of the classics. However, I do agree with the reviewer who complains that there isn't enough stuff about the actual climbing. Not only did Rebuffat do many famous ascents, but he also climbed with the greatest French climbers of his generation, most notably fellow Annapurna expedition members Louis Lachenal and Lionel Terray -- and he basically never mentions them. It is as if Gaston was too humble, and thought no one would be interested -- but we are, we are!

Anyone who enjoys this book needs to run not walk to find Lionel Terray's "Conquistadors of the Useless" which is very sadly out of print in English (although still a mainstay of French climbing literature). Not only do you get great stories of Gaston himself from Terray (including their ill-starred and hysterically funny attempt to run a farm together), but you also get all the blow by blow descriptions you could ever want of the big climbs -- the Walker, the Eiger, etc, -- as done by the legendary Lachenal-Terray rope.

Also, look out for "True Summit" by David Roberts, a new history of the Annapurna expedition which is due to be released later this Spring. And if you read French, try the two hot books in French climbing circles these days: Rebuffat's recently published biography and Louis Lachenal's memoirs ("Carnets du Vertige")

... not to mention Rebuffat's several other books and, yes, even movies!