My interest in the topic of workplace theft began, unexpectedly, after a recent outbreak of crime in my office. As a federal employee, I had always considered myself immune to the disruptive impact of workplace theft. That naivete ended when I became seperated with some objects of high sentimental value. Confused and distraught, I looked for some answer to this violation and began to research the available literature. Neil Snyder's book was the first one I discovered, and his writing proved to be especially supportive and helpful. His chapters explained the risks, the statistics, and essentially lifts the wool from over your eyes to reveal that the successful workplace is a defensive workplace. I have since formed a watchgroup and a worplace preparedness commission to help institute Snyder's and others teachings about this very important topic. A must read for anyone concerned with their safety while on the job.

Was "Anna Anderson" the Grand Duchess Anastasia? No; and there was a wealth of evidence proving that, long before the final blow of DNA testing, which the gullible and the credulous ignored. As the curious chronicle of a strange and eccentric woman, this book was a astonishing read...sorta. This sad story would be pathetically humorous were it not for the fact that it distracts us from the cruel reality of the brutal murder of a young girl by thugs along with the rest of her family. It is a shame that the real Anastasia is overshadowed, and ignored, by the charlatans that emerged after her murder. She is deserving of a better monument than that...

Contrary to recent DNA evidence, I still believe Anna Anderson could well have been Anastasia. The late James Blair Lovell, a friend of Anderson's had a unique and biased opinion. Though I agree with him that she was Anastasia, he was too ready to believe some of her more outlandish stories, due to his total faith and trust in her story. The book is well written but suffers in comparison to Peter Kurth's book Anastasia: The Riddle of Anna Anderson.

Anna Anderson, as portrayed in Lovell's book, is like a character from ALICE IN WONDERLAND by way of Ekaterinburg. He presents this mysterious, maddening, and enigmatic woman with sensitivity and compassion. Many questions remain about Anna Anderson, even though DNA testing has shown she was probably a Polish peasant. Lovell recounts her intimate knowledge of the Russian Imperial court, her knowledge of details only Anastasia would know (as evidenced by questions from those who knew the Grand Duchess), and the fact that her handwriting was an exact match to Anastasia's handwriting--only a few of the many fascinating similarities between Anna Anderson and Anastasia.

Socialism?? Entitlement??? My goodness. I have always felt the only drawback of this book is that it is overly simplistic, so I was stunned to see the hysteria in some other reviews.

Books for children this young are meant for parents to use as a teaching tool, and I've used this book to talk about how good it feels to share our gifts and blessings. The wonderful watercolor- and-glitter illustrations capture even wiggly kids' attention. After giving away my son's copy, I'm back to buy another because I'm using it with a class.

Is anyone else catching the irony of those reviewers who warn this book espouses Entitlement by demonstrating the virtues of sharing? I mean, what they are teaching their children -- that no one else is Entitled to what THEY own (sound like the snotty Rainbow Fish at the beginning of the story?) -- is the essence of Entitlement: I've got mine and the rest of you are out of luck. God help us.

My daughters love this book, primarily for the illustrations. This book often gets mixed reviews from adults, some who find the message troubling. However, to those who might see a Socialist bent, or other negative moral, as a Libertarian I offer this: By discussing the various aspects of the story with your child, you can make the moral lesson to your liking. The rainbow fish is unhappy and lonely because he has something that other fish covet, however he is unwilling to share. Certainly the rainbow fish has no obligation to share his scales and nobody (not government nor society) in the book coerces him into doing so. Indeed the rainbow fish discovers how good it can make one feel to voluntarily give to others. He doesn't just receive friends in exchange for goods as some have shallowly accused, but looked at in another light the rainbow fish donates not only for others' material wants but because it MAKES HIM FEEL GOOD INSIDE. It is also in the community's interest. An important lesson for children is that voluntary giving is a good thing and our society, if it is to remain free, depends on it. I applaud the lesson in this book of free giving over coerced taxation or socialism. And, so others might not think I'm off my rocker in over-politicizing this book..I must point out that the characters are fabulous, the paintings gorgeous and both my young daughters find it irresistable. My youngest, at 2 and 1/2 is a HUGE rainbow fish fan, and that makes me a fan too.

The Rainbow Fish is the story of a beautiful fish who was covered with glittery silver scales. The Rainbow fish would never play with the other fish because he thought he was too good for them. One day when a small fish asks for one of the scales, the Rainbow fish yells at him, saying, "Who do you think you are?" The little fish ends up telling the other fish how mean the Rainbow fish was, and from then on,the other fish ignore the Rainbow fish. This bothers him, and he asks a wise octopus why no one likes him when he is so beautiful. The octopus tells him to give a shimmery scale to each of the other fish. It is hard for the Rainbow fish to part with his scales, but he does, and seeing how happy the other fish are, he feels good inside. The story ends with the fish all playing together! This is a wonderful story, and the book contains silver foil on each page to make the scales stand out! Follow-up:This book can also be used in a unit about colors. Children can paint their own rainbow fish afterlearning about the primary colors and color mixing. I have children mix each of the primary colors on paper using watercolors. For example, I tell them to put blue on their paper. Then they put yellow on top of it. They are amazed when they see green. After an activity like this, they could paint their own fish by mixing the primary colors.

This book was absolutely riveting. I've learned from reading Mr. Patterson's books that you only start reading them in the morning, on a Saturday or Sunday, and if you're smart, you don't have any pressing engagements. If you do, you'll do one of two things.............you'll call and cancel or you just won't show up. I've read the Alex Cross books and they are some of my favorites, but this book was SPECIAL. The concept of these winged children was so unique that it truly captured my heart. You actually become so involved with Max that as you move through the book you actually form an emotional attachment to her and then to the other children. It would make a wonderful movie, but the casting would be very difficult. The children really would have to be unknowns or they wouldn't be believable. Someone would always say well "she" was so different in "...........". I read about 4 to 5 books a week, most of the mystery genre, but James Patterson is my absolute favorite. Please, if the publisher reads this, we need a sequel to "Max"........and soon. Believe me...this is one novel that everyone should read. Keep it up Mr. Patterson, just write faster!

'When The Wind Blows' has the strongest in-depth female characters written by anyone in years. Brilliant, touching, interesting, stunning, exciting, suspenseful, inventive, and thrilling are words that come to mind. I really couldn't put this one down, so luckily when I finished it at 4 AM Saturday morning, I didn't have to get up and go to work. My wife has since devoured it. I think some of the reviewers are children who don't like female lead characters or those who expected another slashing, raping, heavy breathing serial killer. All seven members of our writer's club who reviewed this book loved it. Only complaint was we wanted more. The scientific slant dealing with genetics and cloning and the dark government's interest remind me of my all time favorites: Crichton's 'Sphere', Koontz's 'Dark Rivers of the Heart', King's new 'Bag of Bones', Steiger's new 'Alien Rapture', and Preston's new 'Cobra Event'. The character Kit Harrison, an FBI agent, was also quite well done but my favorite was Max. This is unlike previous Patterson works and I commend him for the effort at something new. This is a suspenseful thriller that never lets up and you will relish each and every page. YES BUY IT!

Recent news articles about genetic experiments and cloning have stirred up a lot of controversy around the world; many people reading with fascination, others with moral outrage. But these experiments that were only in the minds of science fiction writers a few short years ago are very real today. Is it possible to mix human DNA with that of birds? Author James Patterson opens his new book, "When the Wind Blows" (Little, Brown hardcover) with an author's note that will make readers sit up and take notice: "Before I began this book, I had no idea how close to reality the story would be," he says. "Over 30 medical doctors and research scientists helped at the conceptual stage, and then again when the manuscript was nearing completion. As one medical doctor and Ph.D. at the National Institutes of Health said, 'Most people are not going to believe the breakthroughs that are coming in the very near future.'" Children soaring through the air on beautiful gilded wings, babies born with no faces in a covert lab where they will be used strictly for body parts may soon be more than just an author's "what if." James Patterson excels in this, his most exciting book yet, as he tells the story of veterinarian Frannie O'Neill, who withdrew to a sequestered life in her Colorado practice following the mysterious death of her husband several years before. Frannie's seclusion is disrupted when she allows her new tenant, Kit Harrison into her life. Handsome and friendly Kit is an FBI agent posing as a hunter. He is chasing a tip about a secret scientific lab where scientists are conducting genetic experiments. Frannie is disturbed even more when she sees an angelic little girl in the woods near her animal hospital lift her arms and spread her feathered wings. Eleven-year-old Max is the result of a monumental conspiracy revolving around secret genetic research and the scientific manipulation of the human species. Where did Max come from? Why is she more intelligent at age 11 than anyone twice her age? And most perplexing, how was she born with wings? "When the Wind Blows" just may be closer to the truth than you want to believe. I was first introduced to Patterson's work when a friend loaned me his copy of "Kiss the Girls" a few years ago. I was hooked from the first page and since that day I have read everything I could find that he has written. Patterson is perhaps the most gifted author of our time. His ability and imagination have no bounds. His Alex Cross series is extremely popular, but rather than fall into the rut of many famous authors, capitalizing only on the success of one subject, he varies his themes. Between Cross books he lends his talent to a multitude of subjects. "When the Wind Blows" has proven so popular in Palm Beach that Classic Bookshop at 310 South County Road has devoted an entire window display to the book. Royal Palm Beach resident Virginia Jacobus and her staff have been recommending it to their customers. "I just could not put this book down," Jacobus said. "This is probably his best yet."