Many non-fiction books have great content, are well-researched but are written in a poor style and in a language you don't understand. So what do you do? You put the book back on the shelf and it will never be read.

The author Jan Yager, Ph.D., teaches us to keep things simple and write so it's understandable to anyone. This is not just a book for a professional writer. This is a book for everybody who writes. Everything from e-mails to non-fiction books is featured and don't we all write non-fiction in our daily life? Think about that!

In 'Effective business and non-fiction writing you'll learn about time management, how to get your writing published, how to overcome writer's block, researching, interviewing and much more. Furthermore, the book is filled with examples and exercises. This is really good work and the book is very well-written.

No matter whether you need to write a business letter, report, proposal, procedures manual, nonfiction book, or simple e-mail we all write on a regular basis. Why not make your writing the best it can be? Why not make it the most readable and easily understood writing that you can? This book will help you to do just that.

In "Effective Business and Nonfiction Writing" Jan Yager shares her experience and knowledge gathered through years of teaching writing at the collegiate level as well as writing several successful books. The book is very thorough and includes information on evaluating your current skill level, steps to effective business or nonfiction writing, overcoming writer's block, style, getting published, time management and other areas. At the end of each chapter you can further your knowledge in that area by utilizing the exercises, references and additional resources listed there.

Easy to read, easy to understand, and well written using the same principles put forward in the book it is a highly recommended read that is sure to improve anyone's communication skills.

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Jan Yager's Effective Business & Nonfiction Writing is a seminal reference and instruction book for anyone seeking to master the techniques of writing in general, and creating effective business letters, memos, emails, proposals, reports, articles, as well as books of all categories, subjects and genres. Aspiring writers will be afforded a self-evaluation to access their current writing skills; the four basic steps to effective business or nonfiction writing; how to overcome writer's block; crafting a style that's right for them and their particular readership; how to get an article or manuscript published; time tips for managing their writing; exercises to hone writing skills; and a great deal more. Effective Business & Nonfiction Writing is a key and valued contribution to any personal or professional writing skills reference collection.

My daughter got dressed up and did a beautiful creative dance for me last week. When she was done, she said, "Mom, don't I look like that pretty little girl in the carrot book?" That in itself wouldn't be amazing except for the fact that WE DON'T OWN THIS BOOK! WE HAD CHECKED THIS BOOK OUT FROM THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO! I'm buying my copy today! The illustrations grab you. They're realistic, colorful and created with a sense of humor. I could say the same for the text which builds page to page allowing each member of the family to play a role in contributing to the success of the giant carrot. My children love this book, especially when I read it with a "southern drawl."

I conduct a weekly preschool storytime at a public library in California. After I finished reading this book, there was a physical confrontation between two children who both wanted to check it out! What a crowd-pleaser, and a pleasure to read aloud.

The prose glows as warmly as the sun-drenched illustrations. Definitely one of the best of the recent crop of picture books. I just wish the author had included, not only a recipe for sweet carrot puddin', but also one for wide Mama Bess's thick carrot stew! Yum!

This was a beautifully written book that will completely touch your soul. I lost my firstborn son and this was a book I could defintely relate to! The author talks about her struggles with her faith in God and then shares how she surrendered all to the Lord and how her healing began. This is a definite must read for all those who have lost a baby. We all share the same heartache and this book speaks right to your soul.

Chosen as an, "Editor's Choice" in the September 10, 2000 Chicago Tribune. Rosales' book is part catharsis and part journal, but it's mostly a guide for other parents facing a similar tragedy. Rosales explains how to find comfort in religion and family, and what a person can do to cope with and try to understand the loss of a child.

Author Jan Rosales lost her firstborn child when he was just four days old. Baby Joe died in his mother's arms in the backseat of an automobile on an Iowa Turnpike, on their way home from the hospital where the best university doctors couldn't undo his fatal heart defect. Joe's young parents were devastated, bereaved, and very angry with God. Given In Love, But Not Mine To Keep is a candid, intimate revelation about loss and repair, about finding a source of strength beyond imagination. It is an exceptional powerful testimony of faith, a tribute to a son who was given everything but length of days, and a testament to the faith that guided a young woman through her valley of the shadow of death. Given In Love, But Not Mine To Keep is highly recommended, redeeming reading for anyone who has ever suffered the loss of a child.

I was introduced to Jaroslav Pelikan's "The Christian Tradition," of which this is the second volume, last March while researching a term paper for a History of Christianity class. This volume was so invaluable to me during my research that I immediately went out and bought the rest of the series as my funds would allow. Pelikan is a clear and readable writer who conveys both the context and the importance of his subject matter. THE SPIRIT OF EASTERN CHRISTIENDOM is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in the Ecumenical Council's and their affects upon Church dogma and the growing apart of the Western and Eastern Churches. The marginalia is also an indispensable resource which makes the primary sources extremely accessible to the reader. I highly recomend this book to everyone.

Jaroslav Pelikan, is one of the foremost scholars on historic Christianty in the world. This book, the second in a series, examines the Eatern Christian tradition between 600 and 1700. Many of the improtant issues and controversies are discussed to include many of the councils about the nature of Christ and prevelant heresies of the period and the schism between the Eastern and Western church.

The reader will find much information and refernces on the inconoclast controversy, Filioque controversy, and the rise of the Islamic relgion in the Christian world. A short review cannot do this book jsutice. A must resource for any serious Christian student. His research is immpecable and his righting style easy to follow, which is surprising considering the scope and scholarly detail of this book.

Jaroslav Pelikan, once again, provides readers with a thorough, pluralistic view of the major theological thoughts and innovations of the period. The work, which thankfully does not ignore the Eastern church and therefore gives a truly comprehensive picture, is based on quotations from major theologians, and neither is speculative nor dilutes the writings by trying to fit them into a modern mold.

This book is a superb reference for students of theology and history, and definitely "fills in the blanks" for anyone with a limited view of medieval theology. Pelikan's writing is surprisingly readable, though it is sometimes cumbersome to have to keep checking the "marginalia" and separate listing of sources to ascertain who wrote what. It is purely a scholarly work, and not likely to please those looking for engaging narratives, but is invaluable for those with a serious interest in the subjects.

This book is a favorite of St. James' Preschool in Maryland. Since 1993 our logo has been the hedgehog (we've raised several real "Hedgies"!)The children and families love the imaginative story of The Hat. The beautiful drawings perfectly depict this sweet, friendly fellow who cleverly makes the best of a prickly situation!

Jan Brett's picture book, The Hat, is about a hedgehog that gets a little girl's stocking stuck on his head. He says it is his new hat, but everyone makes fun of him. Eventually, though, all the animals pull something off the girl's clothesline to use as a hat. At the end, after she plucks the stocking off of the hedgehog, the little girl chases the other animals around the yard to try to gather her clothes. Illustrations are a wonderful way to enhance a story. They help the reader to really see what is happening. Jan Brett uses borders in her illustrations. Her borders inform the reader of what is going on in other parts of the story while at the same time foreshadowing what is to come.

Brett incorporates small pictures in her borders to give the reader clues to what is going on in other parts of the story. For example, while the animals are being introduced in the main illustration, illustrations of Lisa, the little girl, appear in the left-hand side of the borders. These pictures show her inside her house doing things such as reading and watering the plants. Later in the story, these illustrations are reversed: Lisa appears in the main picture and the animals appear in the border. This is because Lisa becomes the focus of the story when she finds that the hedgehog is wearing her stocking; whereas, before the animals are the main focus of the story. William Moebius explains this when he says, "the frame enables the reader to identify with a world inside and outside the story" (150). At the top of the border, there is a picture of the clothesline. This shows the progress of the story. Each time an animal takes a piece of clothing, that piece of clothing no longer appears on the clothesline. In Moebius' article, he says that Tomi Ungerer believes that "the design itself tells much of the story" (142). These pictures in the border make The Hat a multidimensional story. The reader knows what is going on with the animals outside while being able to know what Lisa is doing inside.

Brett has a distinctive technique of foreshadowing. She uses the borders of her illustrations to hint at what will come next in the story. On each page, in the right-hand side of the border, the animal that will appear next is shown. For example, the hedgehog is on the right in the border, foreshadowing his appearance on the next page. Once all of the animals have been introduced, Lisa appears in the right of the border, informing the reader that she realizes something is going on. In the second to last page, the hedgehog appears in the border yawning. This picture wraps up the story and informs the reader that the story is almost over. Using the border is an excellent way to foreshadow events. It gives the reader insight into the developing plot while using the main illustration to describe the current events.

The unique style of illustrating that Brett uses serves many purposes simultaneously. The main illustration, large and centered, focuses only on the current situation. The border around that, however, notifies the reader of events that are taking place in the story at the same time as the event that is being focused on in the main illustration. These borders also cue the reader into the event that is about to occur. Brett's borders are important in her stories in order to give the reader the entire picture and to foreshadow the coming events.

Moebius, William. "Introduction to Picturebook Codes." Word and Image 2.2 (1986): 141-158.

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This book takes you into a beautiful winter wonderland.

Inspired by a visit to Hans Christian Andersen's home in Denmark, Jan Brett's latest work is a triumph of the illustrator's art.

The story is simple. It is in part inspired by Jan's earlier success with "The Mitten". We see Hedgie the hedgehog getting his nose stuck inside a woollen sock.

The beauty of the book is in the clever use of the double page format of the illustrations. We have a large central panel, which is almost like a window, where we see most of the activity. Along the top of the page we have a long narrow panel which shows the clothesline, with the items gradually disappearing as they are borrowed by the animals. On the left side we have an oval "mirror" which shows young Lisa (the owner of the hat and other clothes on the line) going about her household chores.

In the right panel we have another small oval pane, which tells us who is coming next. We get to see the succession of animals (hedgehog, hen, goose, cat, dog, pig, and horse) each eventually wearing an item of clothing they have stolen off the line. We don't see what the animals have done in the main frame until the end of the book. It's one of those picture books that you can go back to many times to pick up the various clues.

The use of the four windows on each double page gives an almost split-screen cinematic quality to the book. We get a multi-threaded and linked storyline which any web oriented reader would appreciate. This innovative approach works very well and we can expect to see more picture books pick up on this story telling technique.

The illustrations are enhanced by the use of warm bright colors within the winter greys, from the Danish flag flying on the thatched farmhouse, to the red colors of Lisa's clothes, to the vivacity of the farm animals. The accuracy and beauty of the drawings is outstanding. The keen observer will even see moss and lichen growing on the north side of the trees. We know this because we can see the dim winter sunshine on the southern skyline when looking through the forest.

"The Hat" has to be one of the classiest children's picture books published in recent years. It will bring great joy to both children and their parents.

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Cameron Malloy's life has been one of constant ease. His great looks have allotted him a revolving door policy where women are concerned and he has made a success of his advertising company, on the surface. In truth, his concern with the image of his company has marred the perfection of his life and now he must pay the price, in more ways than one.

Elizabeth, Cameron's partner and longtime friend, has loved him for years. So when Cameron verbally explodes in her face and reveals painfully pent up truths about her inability to handle reality, Elizabeth hands him the reality of her resignation. Now Cameron must hurry to regain what was overlooked and underappreciated in order to save a friendship he has come to count on implicitly.

This is the first novel I've ever read by Jan Freed and I enjoyed it tremendously. Cameron Malloy commits plenty of blunders throughout this novel but it is clear that Elizabeth is ready to give as good as she gets where he is concerned. I enjoyed the fact that her resignation from his company liberated her in many ways even though a deal is in place that ties her temporarily to it. Her subsequent actions reflect that she can no longer stand back and watch life unfold in front of her and Cameron is at his wit's end trying to reconcile the Elizabeth he's known with the Elizabeth he is discovering. This is a fantastic story about a man who learns what the consequences are for taking things for granted the hard way.

Jan Freed once again provides all her readers with a light hearted look at relationships between men and women. This title proves to be just as hysterical as the last one in The Malloy Men series. We were treated to the second brother, Cameron, in this latest book.

I always enjoy the interactions between her characters, and the dialogue is always excellent. This story's focus is on two partners in an Ad Agency. They've known one another since college, and have worked together since. With a little plan and a nudge from Elizabeth, Cameron begins to see that partners at work isn't all they could be.

I always head right out to check the shelves when one of Ms. Freed's books is due out. Once found, I read them in one sitting. And they're well worth the wait! I recommend this title, as well as any of her others! Enjoy!

Once again Jan Freed has given us a book that is truly a pleasure to read. I always head out early looking for her titles to hit the shelves. This latest book is the second in The Malloy Men series. The last one was hysterical and this one proves to be the same. The dialogue between Cameron and Elizabeth is funny, without feeling forced or stilted. I love her characters, and the interaction between them. She has a set of more minor characters that you get to know in this book as well. Her hero and heroine have known each other for years....and it just takes a little plan and a nudge for her to have him reconsidering their relationship. I loved this one, as I love all of Ms. Freed's titles. Enjoy!

During my doctoral work in Leadership Studies, my literature review on Creativity that led me to Kent/Steward's coloful and wise book. Corita Kent was a woman way ahead of her times, and Jan Steward did the world a favor by collaborating with this amazing artist to share with the world her engaging and charismatic teaching methodology.

This book is a must for all teachers of art, women's studies professors, and anyone interested in creativity, multiculturalism, and leadership. Why don't they republish this treasure so that new readers can access it for a reasonable price? It is worth the $..., but unfair to the humanities!

Rarely have I met a book that invites me to join in such a luscious romp in creativity. Since this book found its way to me 10 years ago, I keep it close at hand and revisit its pages with the same pleasure as visiting a dear friend. The writing style and images are inviting, informative and inspiring.

This is a valuable tool abundant with ideas for the artist as well as the educator who dreams of a rejuvenation in their teaching and learning. I wish to see this book in print once again, to continue to inspire the joy found in true creativity.

As Education Director for a large arts organization, I desperately need 30 copies to pass on to our teaching artists to ignite the fires we all kindle deeply inside. And then of course, I'll need a spare to takes its place alongside my own rather tattered and loved - Learning by Heart.

Since I bought this book about eight years ago, I've loaned it to many who have been loath to return it to me. I continue to hope that it will be republished. I think it deserves a revival. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in exploring their own creativity or enabling others creativity. This is a resource that should be availble for a long time. Please let me know as soon as it becomes available again.

This handbook survival guide is a FAST, accurate, useful way to reference any topic in Ob/GYN & Infertility.
As a medical student, this book has allowed me to shine many times over while on my OB/GYN rotation. All students and beyond should own this book. In fact, I feel extremely confident taking my national OB/GYN exam after studying and learning this book. EVERYTHING you need to know is broken down in an easy to read, organized, precise manner containing the most relevant needed information on a topic. Residents and attendings have been amazed at my depth of knowledge since I've read this book. What more could you ask for...

This book is a must have for any clinician working with Obstetrics and Gynocology. This pocket sized reference covers critical topics and provides immediate answers to questions of issues that arise for anyone working with female patients. The book has easy to read algorithms and charts, information on all aspects of Gyn practice, including uro-gynocology and oncologic staging.

This book continues to be a must have for everybody interested in or practicing Ob/Gyn. It is certainly the most convenient pocket reference anyone can expect to have.

This revision is definitely worth the investment, with updated information in all the disciplines within the field. New additions include the B-Lynch suture, expanded cancer staging and treatment algorhythms as well as expanded information on HRT. I highly reccomend picking up the 5th edition to add to your pocket!!

Put this beautiful book of Saudek's hand-colored photographs on your coffee table and wait for an unsuspecting guest to pick it up! That is exactly how I was introduced to the equisite artistry of Jan Saudek. Rarely seen outside of Europe, Saudek's imaginative and erotic photos are at once sensual and disturbing in composition.

Jan Saudek is the most important artist of his type. This beautiful hard-cover edition has many of Jan's most obscure work as well as some of his earlier works, many of which can not be found anywhere else. I have been amazed by this work and recommend it to anyone. It shows both the power and the development of Jan. We can see his style change from a wide eyed-ideailst to a bitter man, consumed with the evils of life and the horrors of humanity. Jan Saudek is truley the master.

This is a very interesting and beautiful book

This neatly packed, fast paced thriller is a real page turner that should distract the reader from the reality of current terrifying events. It would make an exciting movie.
Two young, surburban couples are long time friends. One pair is ordinary, naive with wholesome values--what one expects from "everyday people" The other couple conceals a sociopathic nature until a shared routine happy hour at a local bar leads to attempted blackmail, theft, mayhem and murder, drawing the ordinary couple into a chilling ordeal sure to keep the reader in suspense.

In their latest suspense-filled yarn, "Just Your Everyday People", the Yagers have gone beyond the crime novel genre to create a work with a literary theme that should challenge any modern reader. That theme is fidelity and how the lack thereof can undermine the stability of the best of marriages or the fondest of friendships. Which is not to say that the book isn't a good read. It's real page-turner too!

Husband and wife writing team Fred and Jan Yager follow up their first suspense novel, Untimely Death With Just Your Everyday People. With Fred's background as a television executive and screenwriter, plus his degree in psychology and Jan's doctorate in Sociology, they pack enough knowledge to write a gritty teeth clenching story. Fred was also a war correspondent in Viet Nam and considerable experience as a news writer for CBS News and Fox Television. Jan has more than a dozen nonfiction books to her credit, has taught criminology at Temple University and The New School

Just Your Everyday People begins as two couples look forward to a night out drinking after the long work week ends. But what begins as a classic night out in our society soon dissolves into murder, deception, and poor choices. Julia and Paul Stanton meet their friends Lizzie and John in a bar. But when Lizzie seduces a stranger in a bizarre scheme for quick cash, their lives quickly unravel:

"He remembered floating to shore and pulling his bleeding body on to a rocky bank where he lay exhausted, falling in and out of consciousness. But where was all the rest? What else had happened? His memory was like a black hole, an endless void. The sound of a car approaching had awakened him again and he managed to crawl into the prickly bush just as the headlights flooded the bank of the reservoir."

Written tongue-in-cheek, Just Your Everyday People is the sad story of what lurks beneath apparently ordinary people's exteriors. It is also about how easily people make completely bad choices, which can escalate into tragic and terrible situations. From this vantage point, the book is completely successful. It makes the reader cringe more and more as each chapter pulls the characters further into a mire of murder and mayhem. The cover promises the reader a new appreciation of the dark side of people's psyches after reading this tale, and it delivers. The Yagers know how to entrap the reader, as well as the characters in their tales. An entertaining and eerie read, Just Your Everyday People is also well crafted storytelling.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer