This book answers, with outstanding instruction, pictures and humor, any and all of your questions on vegetable gardening. Had Ed Smith published it earlier we would have saved a ton of dirt along with a ton of money! We keep it in our little greenhouse alll during the growing season as we refer to it daily. And we are now buying it for gifts for both novice and experienced gardening friends.

I started my own garden using the wide, deep, rised
bed technique described in this book and the yields were
really quite stunning. I used planks to rise my beds by
a feet.

Explains every step from designing/planning via building
and planting and taking care of your garden to harvesting
and readying for the winter.

Fabulous gardening book for the beginner and advanced
gardener. Full of wonderful tips and info about everything
vegetable garden.

The title says it all. This is my vegetable bible. Being a novice, I was looking for something as simple and informative as a "Dummies" book but without insulting my intelligence. Not only is all the information you need to start or continue a garden, the pictures fill in details that as a first time grower I might not quite understand in words. His explanations are simple, concise and extremely informative. Most of all, it's filled with little hints throughout the book so that you may have a successful garden. It was the best purchase I had made on a gardening book so far. Thank you Ed! Happy growing!

Rabbit Angstrom exemplifies the human core in ways that aren't shown enough in other popular fiction. He is nice, funny, mean, angry, selfish, well.....you get the picture. John Updike clearly portrays what a man goes through in his life from his petty grievances to his untamed lust and his hatred for people he should love. It's just so damn realistic that a lot of people don't want to believe these are normal characterisitcs of the human condition....but they are. They are! Excellent writing!

For anyone who has yet to discover these extraordinary, sad. poignant, hilarious novels about the lives of middle class Americans in suburbia, I have this to say: I envy you.

These four novels, each written a different decade (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s) do more than capture the spirit of their era. They mark the changes in our neighborhoods, politics, entertainment and sports.

At the center is Harry Angstrom, a high school basketball star who never finds his niche in life. Harry is selfish, insensitive, yet also heart-breakingly sincere and a kind of protypical American romantic.

These books also are quite [nice] and have some of the best descriptions of sex I have read. And people have this picture of Updike as some boring WASP writer. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Say what you may about Updike, whether you think he overwrites or he's obsessed with sex, the man's power shines through in these novels. The Rabbit tetralogy represents some of the best American Literature of the century. Harry Angstrom is an unlikeable antihero, but his life holds significance for every American. Through him we see America "progress" and perceive what Americans want, need, and don't need. Updike juggles so many balls in this tetralogy it's amazing; one can look at these novels on so many different levels. Sure, Updike sometimes hits you over the head with imagery, but many readers miss much of the subtlety in the novels. The tetralogy deals with the question as to how modern man can live life without spiritual nourishment. Rabbit is questing for Grace. These novels will be resilient because when we read and reflect about Rabbit, we're really just looking in the mirror.

John Jaffe's "Thief of Words" is a damned good book. It details the blossoming love of two, world-weary, divorced baby boomers. In a culture filled with stories of romances between young, well-chiseled model types, it was wonderful to read about a love between two people who had lived in the real world, two people with all of life's wrinkles and warts and wisdom.

And what a couple! Jack DePaul is a curmudgeonly journalist, bitingly honest and witty. Of course, beneath the crusty exterior Jack is a die-hard romantic, still searching for true love" in a world that seems to have little but heartbreak.

However, it was Annie Hollerman who stole my heart. Despite a titanic mistake in her past and a rocky romantic history, Annie still manages to woo the readers with her self-effacing humor and passion. Annie Hollerman's beauty flows from inside as well as out. She has dazzling red hair but it's her wisdom and wit that makes her appealing.

By the end of the book, I felt a real connection to the destiny of these wonderful people. They, like so many of us, must conquer a past filled with mistakes and pain, in order to create a present filled with love and joy. Although it would ruin the book if I spelled out just how they triumph over their histories, know that it made me see email in a completely fresh way.

Mr. Jaffe's writing is humorous, rich, and filled with life. He is an alchemist of words, yet never did I feel that the writing was showy. But even more important than the charm of his words was the power they had - the power to convince me that maybe love doesn't die at 40, that it is possible to right our pasts.

I could rave about the wonders of Thief of Words for days, but they are yours to discover.

Let it conquer your cynicism like it did mine.

Annie Hollerman is a has-been star newspaper reporter banished into oblivion for unknown reasons to the reader as the story opens. Jack DePaul is the features editor at the Baltimore Star-News. Both Jack and Annie are divorced and both are in denial about much of their personal life.

An arranged blind date by a mutual friend of the two, Laura Goodbread, leads the pair into a wonderful and continuing encounter of exploration and mutual respect...leading toward love.

The mystery of Annie's fall from her reporters job hovers in the background, lending an interesting air of mystery during their courtship. As their infatuation deepens, author Jaffe creates a real and caring sense for the characters by the reader.

As readers wend their way through this tale, they will be moved to laugh, cry, hope and believe in the genuineness of Jack and Annie. They will be caught up and immersed in the reality of the settings and events of those two lives.

This is a really wonderful love story that transcends the usual in this genre and becomes compelling and mustn't-put-the-book-down reading. It's a love story that transcends the genre and is involving, moving and believable. Here's a true to life Romeo and Juliet story based on an actual series of events.

The authors state John Jaffe is "a pseudonym for us: John Muncie and Jody Jaffe. We wrote the book together. In fact, our novel, Thief of Words, is based on our meeting and our romance. It's the prequel to our current lives. Now we're married and work together writing books."

Dazzlingly poetic, "A Thief of Words" has stolen my heart and has captured my literary attention. Penned by a new, soulful author, this book will deceive first-time readers with its cover's description of courting and romance; This book is a tool for healing. We all have painful memories which are seemingly impossible to forget, but Jaffe's exploration of healing allows readers to identify with characters who have not only "moved on" from their past struggles but have taken used their experiences as a sprinboard into a hopeful future and a refreshed past. The writing is captivating and descriptive, allowing readers to feel and visualize transformations along with the lovingly imperfect characters. Getting lost in this nurturing tale of reconnection with life's love and loss gives us a window not only into Jaffe's world, but allows us a glimpse into our lives as well. This is not the average romance novel- It is a soul-searching, thought-provoking, carefully crafted tale of rediscovering oneself through vulnerability, a lesson which we can all most certainly benefit from.

This updated (1999) version of The Annapolis Book of Seamanship is a wonderful volume for both the new and more experienced sailor. With clear, lucid text and wonderful illustrations, Mr. Rousmaniere and Mr. Smith have created a truly useful guide. In particular, I found the section dealing with the "physics" of the boat to be very enlightening. I also was pleased with the strong emphasis on safety throughout the book. All around, one of the best books available on the topic, and highly recommended.

Have you forgotten some of the terminology or manovers you learned in a sailing course last year? Are you an experienced sailor but would like more detailed information on a subject?This book has all the answers to the questions many novice sailors have; from parts of the boat, commands, moanovering in a harbour to sailor terminology. Themes also go into great detail on the subject matter accompanied with excellent illustrations to re-enforce your learning of a subject. It doesn't matter if your are a seasoned salt or new to the world of cruising. It belongs on every sailors book shelf.

John Rousmaniere has created a comprehensive text on the sport of sailing and seamanship which is enjoyable to read and very authoritative. By their nature, sailors have strongly held opinions on most subjects, but virtually every sailor I know of who has read John's book holds it in very high regard. The illustrations are clear and not too busy to get in the way of showing the frequently complicated topics which are inherent in the sport. I also find that Seamanship is not just a repeat of tired old sailing methods of 30 years ago, but rather integrates the classic techniques (storm tactics, navigation) with the modern (Crew Overboard Recovery, modern anchors and electronics).

I highly recommend this book, and encourage anyone to buy it if they want to improve their sailing skills.

John Annerino portrays the Apache Puberty Ceremony, known as Na ih es, with a pictoral essay in a way that shows the sacredness of this rite. In "Dreams and Journeys", the first third of the book, the author tells of the experiences that brought him to the Apache. In "Images"(the reason I would recommend adding Sacred Path to Womanhood to your library), he takes you through "the Sunrise Ceremony" from the time they dress the girl to the point where she is filled with power and becomes White Painted Woman and blesses her people. Included are glossary terms and an extensive bibliography. In Annerino, I see respect for the Apache(Ndee). I recommend this book particularly for girls approaching and who have recently come into puberty, of any cultural background.

APACHE: The Sacred Path to Womanhood is a beautiful book, illustrated with fascinating photographs. The writing is wonderful, which makes it all the more enjoyable. Annerino's dedication to documenting Native American culture should be commended, and I'm certain it has been. What a pleasure!

APACHE: The Sacred Path to Womanhood is incredible. I think it's Annerino's best book yet. It's really, really good.I love the pictures and the design. The pictures are really strong. It looks like a video - just walks you right through the ceremony. It's really exciting. The reproduction is really nice, too. I love the fire shots with the silhouettes. There are a lot of really nice shots in the book. I love the photograph of the girl with her hand over her mouth. This is an important book. Amazing.

Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare were indeed grand masters of literature for all time. "Paradise Lost" and "Paradise Regained" is enough to put John Milton in the same category. Like Marlowe and Shakespeare, Milton demonstrates extreme scholarship and a superb mastery of the language. It is interesting how Milton takes figures that are mentioned briefly in the scriptures and turns them into major characters. It is also frightening how Milton was able to make God and Satan 3 dimensional as opposed to simply good (in God's case) and evil (in Satan's case). This book is not for everyone. But if you do not mind an unorthodox portrayal of God and Satan and if you want to enjoy beautiful language, superb images, dramatic confrontations, and powerful images, you must read this masterpiece composed with superb and delicate skill.

John Milton's Paradise Lost and Paradise regained are enticing, interesting, enjoyable, and thought provoking. Milton creats Satan, he whom we were all raised to hate, as a being not purely evil, but with aspirations just like the rest. More disturbing so, was the way Milton managed to portray God as not only good. This book causes one to think and reexamine everything they have believed to be true since they began studying and learning about their own religion. That isn't always a bad thing.

A few days ago I finished Paradise Lost for a book club I'm in. It took me the whole first chapter to get adjusted, but then the book really swept me away. The language is beautiful and the concepts very deep and thoughtful. I can't always agree with Milton's thoedicy, but it definitely provides rich and spicy food for thought. The book requires a lot from the reader, but it's well worth every moment. We also read all 3 books of Dante's Divine Comedy for the book club. I was frequently lost, especially while reading Purgatorio and Paradisio, but Milton is different. You can understand - and enjoy - most of what he says even without the footnotes (though you'll miss 90% of the allusions without them). The poetry is sublime. Like a really great novel, this work hangs over you for days after you finish it, tugging at your heart.

I read this book 14 years ago and loaned it out to someone because it was so good that in parts I laughed out loud and at parts felt my heart in my throat nearly ready to cry. Although todays Turkey has changed considerably, the books description of the Turkish people remains valid. The short stories are ones anyone can relate to that has visited a foreign country for any extended time period. Read the book, go to Turkey or vice versa. Unless you are narrow minded and demand other countries to be as 'enlightened' as the US you'll appreciate all of what Turkey has to offer.

I first came across Scotch and Holy Water when I was a student in Alanya, Turkey, in 1994, and fell in love both with the country and the book. Unfortunately, the book belonged to someone else in the program, and I was never able to find a copy in the States until now. The stories inside are some of the funniest and warmest portrayls of a people you'll ever see, and Tumpane's wry (and self-deprecating) style of writing and living comes through on every page. If you have any interest in Turkey, read this book.

When I met John D. (as his friends called him) at the Karamursel Air Force Base in 1964, he had already been in Turkey for 6 years and was quite familiar with Turkish way of life. Having studied Latin, French and German and taught speech at the University of Notre Dame, he learned Turkish quickly. His passion for archeology motivated him to travel extensively in Turkey and visit the many ancient Greek and Roman sites there. As a bachelor he engaged himself in night life where he met interesting people, experienced local customs and became an expert (Saki) in drinking RAKI. An empathetic character, John D. had the innate talent to get along with people. He was a perfect diplomat with a charming smile, intelligence, humility (rare in those days for an American in Turkey) and a scholarly knowledge about practically everything. As an expert bridge player with capacity to drink anyone under the table, he was very popular in social circles. My brief friendship with him ended in 1965 when I left Turkey for an assignment in Canada. As a Turk I loved the book. It was a joy to read it. Thanks to "Scotch and Holy Water" I learned more about ancient history, Greek and Roman mythology and places I have not yet visited in Turkey. My Scottish wife who has been to Turkey several times and is very knowledgeable about Turkish culture also loved it. John D's humor, wit and description of Turks and American alike were just hilarious. When I read about my former colleagues Yuksel Enginsu, Bertram Crane, Kemal Simsek and John Hicks, it evoked so many fond memories of my days in Turkey. More than anything else in this book, as in life, John D. illustrates his deep understanding and respect for Turks and their culture. Anyone who has any interest in or connection to Turkey should read his insightful book. I was deeply saddened to learn that John David Tumpane, a truly Renaissance Man, died in October 1997. Muharrem Sev (Istanbul native), still residing in Ottawa, Canada (Sep 3, 1999)

Several years ago, co-author Patricia Sierra sent me a rough draft of this book. I couldn't put it down. Philpin and Sierra have great insight into "what makes people tick." I was thrilled when the second book in this series, "Tunnel of Night" was released. Keep 'em coming. Philpin and Sierra are a fantastic writing team. This book is a must read.

From the very first page, Prettiest Feathers is an eminently readable book. The smooth prose is comfortable to read. John Philpin speaks directly to the reader using the unusual device of first person narrative from the deviously brilliant mind of a serial killer, John Wolf. Building a complex scenario of seduction and murder, the reader is guided through the maze of deception by a master of murder and impersonation. I found the author's use of cultural and counterculture references a secondary pleasure to identify and interpret. Probably revealing my age, I will say I felt a twinge of pride having recognized most of what Philpin is alluding to. The music of Julian Cope escaped my knowledge, prompting me to delve into some pretty weird stuff to discover what John Wolf was really listening to. Prettiest Feathers contains enough mental challenges for even the most discerning intellectual. It is also possible to read the story just for the marvelous plot twists and turns. The ending reads like the climax of a motion picture. The pace quickens and excitement mounts. I was left breathless at the conclusion to what seems the final act of a killer seeking acknowledgment of his successful career from his able nemesis. But, is it really over?

What impressed me the most with this book was the way it is written. It is written in "first person" perspective, but from five different people. The victim, the murderer, the two cops hunting the murderer, and the profiler who comes in to assist on the case. It is well written enough that without the characters name on the chapter you would still know which character was telling the story. Excellent viewpoint, and extremely well executed. The storyline itself never falters, keeps you in suspense, and doesn't disappoint in the end. Sarah wanted to die, and John wanted to murder her. Her ex-husband Robert is the first to find her, but not only can he not take the case because of the family relationship, he is also an alchoholic who is drinking far too much. It's up to Lane, his partner and ex-lover, to find the killer. She brings in her father, a retired profiler, to assist her. Very good murder/mystery/thriller. I highly recommend it.

If you talk to ANY Russian in the world, and mention "The Twelve Chairs" from their cultural heritage, or the "Rogei e kapuuta" phony business in the book, ALL Russians will spontaneously and uncontrollably smile. Normally glum Russians are unable to resist a smile at remembering the hilarious antics and insights in "The Twelve Chairs." It is set in the 'crazy time' when Russian society was in upheaval and some men just wanted to make their fortune. What do the Russians know that you are MISSING out on? They get the joke. You should get it, too! This English translation is a MUST read.

10 stars on a five-stars scale! Perhaps, the best way to describe this masterpiece is to say that I have re-read so many times, that I even don't know how many. You can pick up this book and open it on random pages, you can read the chapters in the backward order (I have done both)- it is still the best of the best! Several generations of Russians have incorporated quatations from "12 Chairs" and "Golden Calf" in their everyday vocabulary - these novels are just that great and popular. If you want to understand "the mysterious Russian soul" of the socialist period - this is perhaps the best way to do so. Oh, and be prepared to constantly laugh so hard that your neighbors will attempt to commit you! It definitely is one of the funniest pieces ever written. Borrow "12 Chairs" and "Golden Calf" books, buy them, steal them - just READ THEM!

I've read the novel together with its sequel, The Golden Calf, in Russian about a dozen times. Now I simply have to get an English copy to share it with my non-Russian speaking friends! It is true: the speech of an average Russian contains quite a few quotations from the novel (also due to a number of film versions). Twelve Chairs is something definitely worth having in your home library: you can open it at any time and start reading on any page. In minutes, you're guaranteed, if not to laugh, then to smile.

This book gave me a good over view of the sales process and specifics on how to relate to the buyer. I have read many sales books, but this one hits the mark. I would recommend anyone who is either a professional sales person or striving to be one read this book. It goes way beyond basic sales training and gets into the mind of the buyer and the seller. Great Job.

I finally discovered why I am not making more sales. I have been plateaued for 5 years. this book opened my eyes and showed me that if I understand where my buyer is in their process, I can then time my sales thoughts. Every sales person should read this book.

This is an incredible book with great insights for CPA's and attorneys. This author brings new understanding to the buyer's process and helped me see why I was losing client opprotunities. I think any professional - whether in direct sales or not should read this. Great Book.