Meet Dan and Alex, two southern law students who don't have a clue about honor, but who clumsily wrap themselves in its protection by providing lip service to it...and like the effect of a news report covering a horrific event, sensibilities are offended, but the public craves more.

Evelyn and Alicia--two young women who stir in emotional and sexual ingredients, offend the senses a little less, but just a little less. Their ingrained pragmaticism--simply because they are female--prompts them to simply do whatever they feel they must to get along with the men they're presented with. It's the old, but thriving dilemma: "Men--can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em, can't shoot 'em."

The only true to one's self character found in this wryly humorous work is Jason; a truly repulsive frat cat with few, if any, scruples--but at least he knows he is unscrupulous and makes no attempt to play at being a gentleman. Neither Dan nor Alex have a clue about what really drives them--they hide behind what is best termed southern historical gentlemanliness only to be exposed as self-ingratiating clods; whereas Jason, a rebel of expected norms, has no reason to hide.

The characters living in this novel will drive a true loyalist to romantic southern mannerisms mad for the mostpart, whereas the storyline will grab them and have them examining their own southern ideals.

The New Southern Gentleman pricks the intellect with its edginess. Readers will shake their heads, laugh out loud, and ultimately applaud this Jim Booth treasure.

I have never had a problem with the South. I like grits and ACC sports and the Clintons. So I wasn't exactly anticipating the attack on chivalry and tradition (read chauvinism and classism) that The New Southern Gentleman delivers, with a vengeance even Sherman would envy.

The novel opens quietly on a young man, Dan Deal, as he confidently strides through a world completely under his command. But it quickly becomes clear just how much of that world is illusory, and we feel compelled to sympathize with Dan, the innocent dreamer, the gentleman among scoundrels. Then we discover that it has always been clear to Dan that his world is just a mirage, and things start to get really interesting.

Mr. Booth's writing is pure and precise, with those sweet, indolent tongues of Dixie concealing the all-steel construction of his New-South sentences. The tone is impartial and the timing is perfect. He's quite the storyteller.

The best first novel this side of Fitzgerald. Five Stars.

Reading this was a great joy. There are many of us who have waited a long time to read a published piece of work from Jim Booth - it was well worth the wait.

The main characters play both sides of the fence - you love them one minute, loathe them the next. I could not wait to turn the page to see what they would do next.

The book makes this southern girl wonder if there are still good ol' southern gentlemen out there.

Systems thinking provides structure to understanding our complex world. Stories, whether our own or selections from literature, offer a powerful hook to recognition of the interconnectedness within a system.

As an educator, I've been intrigued with the idea of systems thinking, but somewhat intimidated by its complexity. After reading and rereading WHEN A BUTTERFLY SNEEZES, I have a far deeper understanding of its power.

I''ve long believed in the power of story to enhance understanding. This little book affirms that belief.

Thank you, Linda Booth Sweeney, for this fine work.

I have used some of the same stories described in Linda's book in training courses with environmental professionals from many countries as well as in introducing systems thinking into my own organization. There is a universal appeal to stories by Dr. Seuss, for example, and much wisdom hidden just behind the wild drawings and imaginative language. Linda's unique contribution lies in showing teachers and parents how they can use a wide range of enchanting stories to tap into this deeper meaning in order to improve problem solving abilities in everyday life. The book's recommendations on using stories can easily be applied to improving our parenting and teaching skills by listening more carefully to the stories children tell, asking better questions, and sharing responsibility with our children for interpreting the answers.

The mark of a great story is that it plants a deep seed in ones psyche that penetrates and grows slowly but oh so steadily. Like a koan, it imbeds itself and connects the limbic system with the neo-cortex, the emotions with the intellect. As one encounters the world, the story keeps resurfacing just when appropriate, deepening ones learning. Linda Booth Sweeney has found magical ways to plant seeds in kids (young and old), about critical messages of connectedness and life, and elegantly woven ways of learning that are ancient and current. Readers are in some ways left with a living question in their hearts and minds: What is life asking of me now?

Ellen Booth Church's work is an excellent resource for parents and teachers. Education is constantly changing and coming up with new buzz words. The activities in this book are based on the one thing in education that has remained constant: How children retain, store, and retrieve learned information. The fact that this book is geared toward the primary grades reinforces the fact that these skills need to be taught early, so they can be built upon and reinforced throughout a child's education and life. We want our children to become life long learners. This book is a great help in starting them on that path.

Clear, fun and easy just like the title indicates! The activities are each described on one visually interesting page that invites the early childhood practitioner in. It begins with with a brief description of why and how the activities are beneficial and follows up with simple steps, skills, and materials for making the activity work. All pages end with a way to vary the the activity by changing one component.

Ms. Booth Church has written a real winner here. This book is filled with many wonderful and practical classroom ideas. She is a great interpreter of often verbose and sometimes indecipherable research. She has been able to translate that into applications that are not only effective activities, but ones that include a series of useful follow ups.

"Christ in the Voting Booth" is outstanding. A concise, very well written compendium of the Catholic Faith. Dr. Droleskey explains the Church founded by Jesus Christ, what it believes and what it teaches. The author has grasped very simply but very powerfully the problem of modern day society. For reasons explained, there will never be any lasting resolution until the basic truths enunciated are accepted and practiced.

The author's position is fully documented, juxtaposing Scripture and the prophetic wisdom of well known papal encyclicals with historic facts. In the process, the reader is enriched by the many historical, political, philosophical, and theological insights.

This book is not only a surprise find, it is a major accomplishment. It is a profoundly spiritual book, while at the same time of major practical importance. It focuses and explains the life-giving and essential relationship between Jesus Christ, His Church, and society. Read it. You will not be the same.

In this book, Dr. Droleskey, a renowned Catholic political scientist, brilliantly demonstrates the ways in which American principles contradict those of Catholicism. A must read for every Catholic who wishes to be informed!

Here is a book that should be read by all men of good will, who seek to find a way to apply the principles which they hold dear to their participation in our political system. Dr. Droleskey uses his extensive knowledge of Catholic political and social teaching to expose the flaws in the system, both theoretical and practical; and to map out a strategy for Catholics who wish to use the system to combat the terrible social consequences of those flaws, and at the same time not allow their principles to be compromised through subservience to the flawed system itself. A must read!

This book is a spiritual gift. It contains lots of examples, even exercizes of sorts to get you in touch with creative impulses of everyday life.

"The Everyday Art is alchemy. Let it in, and it will change your life, make it richer, sweeter, deeper and a whole lot more fun. It's already having that effect on me, delightfully and unexpectedly." Carl Frankel, US Editor, Tomorrow Magazine. Author, In Earth's Company: Business, Environment and the Challenge of Sustainability

As arts organizations struggle to jump into the last lifeboat of the NEA/Titanic and business executives attend conferences to make them creative, Eric Booth has come up with a do-it-yourself-at-home plan to foster personal creativity and as a side effect, to understand that the artistic process impacts all areas of life. Every parent, educator, Senator from North Carolina, congressman,American, donor, and artist should read this book. Booth is a dashing writer with such enthusiasm for the fun of life, for making things, of thinking about stuff... He has an unusual talent for writing for Everyperson and great warmth of storytelling. So many psycho-dream-catcher-recovery books on the shelf about creativity, why this? Booth bypasses all that grind and tells you how to make your daily chores a work of art. I guess he's the Martha Stewart of inner elegance. This is one that I will REREAD!

This book was a regular in our house when my brother, sister and I were young. Everything about it tickled us. We went on our own adventures in the great outdoors, exploring everywhere. Luckily I have been able to borrow it through inter library loan so I can share it with my children. It should be re released, and in the original form, no updated illustrations for this one!It is fine as is.

It's a shame this is out of print, as it's one of my most fondly remembered books from childhood. It inspired my brother and me to set out on our own neighborhood exploration when we moved to a new city--back in the day when a parent could let a six-year-old and a four-year-old roam suburban streets without worry.

Unfortunately, it must never have been widely read. I've never met anyone else who remembers it. That's a sad fate for such a good book.

"Henry the Explorer" is a gorgeous picture book about an imaginative boy who, having read about polar explorers, takes his dog ("Laird Angus McAngus") and several flags with an "H" on them and sets out to explore the snowy town he lives in. Eventually he goes off into the woods, where he discovers a cave. Seeing some rocks shaped like a bear, Henry is frightened and runs outside. (There is much comic irony to this moment, as Henry is only frightened by rocks, while the viewer can see what he can't, that there are real though harmless-looking bears asleep behind the rocks!) Now it is dark, and a party of neighbors has been sent to look for Henry. In another comic twist, Henry goes around in circles while the search party follows in circles, and never the twain meet. Henry arrives nonchalantly home, and the search party shows up eventually to be welcomed in for coffee while Henry goes up to bed. There he reads about exploring the jungle, and we are left to wonder what ideas that will put in his head! My summary does scant justice to the beauty of the painted illustrations, the memorable images, the gentle humor, or the genuine excitement of this story. Kids will not forget it.

Booth and Hiss describe in much detail the design process for residential landscapes. They strike a proper balance between basic design concepts and essential business knowledge. Landscape design students would do well to internalize the process described here, since the book's practical focus is unlikely to be duplicated in their Landscape Architecture curriculum.

This book is truly a gem -- it clearly and concisely explains every imaginable aspect of residential landscape design using very straigtforward and easy to understand text and diagrams.

Ignore the fact that this seems to have been written as some sort of textbook for a beginer's course for professional landscape architects. I am an ordinary homeowner and I found the book to be easy and enjoyable to read, and quite educational. I now feel like I understand enough to design a professional quality landscape for my own home.

In case it matters, I own the second edition (Amazon is now selling the third edition). I can only assume that this latest edition is even better than the edition I have.

what an outstanding book! i discovered this book during a course in garden planning that i'm taking this semester( i'm a student at the faculty of agriculture at the uni of jerusalem, in isreal) and it practically has all that you need to plan a super garden: the illustations are clear to understand, are varriable and give plenty of examples and of course ideas. the solutions to a lot of problems i encountered while trying to plan different spaces and gardens during my course, were solved with ease after looking through this easy to understand book. i dearly recommend any one with even the slightest love or nearness to gardening , design or just plain old mother nature to go out and get this book - it will surely help you get your house and garden design going in the right direction.

Professor Booth's unsurpassed edition of the immortal Sonnets has an exhaustive consideration of all the issues that can perplex a reader, but it may proving daunting to beginning students. Undergraduate students may wish to begin with Katherine Duncan-Jones edition from Routledge (The Arden Shakespeare) or Burrows edition from Oxford. Advanced students in Shakespeare or English literature who intend to continue mining this ore over the years will find Booth's edition a precious resource for their library.

Rather than repeat the fine points in other reviews, allow me just to caution the reader about the change in the publisher's standards of printing (beginning around 2000): the paper gets cheap, and the binding too. I would love to support Yale University Press in its commitment to keep this edition in print. Unfortunately, if you are a serious enough student to value Professor Booth's work, you will be using this volume enough to need a better printing, and I need to encourage you to seek out a used copy of an earlier printing.

SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS. Edited with analytic commentary by Stephen Booth. 583 pp. (Yale Nota Bene). New Haven & London : Yale University Press, 2000 (1977). ISBN 0-300-08506-0 (pbk.)

Shakespeare's 'Sonnets' is a deservedly well-loved body of poetry, and there have been innumerable editions. For the enthusiast and student, however, it's doubtful that there could be a better edition than that of Stephen Booth. Originally published in a bulky (and expensive) clothbound edition in 1977, it has now been reissued as a fat though fairly compact paperback that will put it within reach of a much wider audience.

One reason that Elizabethan lyrics are so powerful and memorable, is that they were composed in an age when poetry was still linked closely with music. Elizabethans were often competent musicians, and many of their poems were true lyrics or songs. Often their poems were set to music, and all were probably composed while the gentle plucking of a lute or some such instrument was running somewhere through the back of the poet's mind.

Today we live in an age when composers are no longer giving us real songs, songs that stay in the mind and that can be hummed or sung when for some reason or other they rise into consciousness; songs that are always there when we feel like singing, and that can help cheer us up, make us happy, and refresh our spirit; songs, too, for both light and more thoughtful moods.

In contrast to this true type of song, what we seem to be getting today is little more than words with little or no meaning accompanied by noise, the sort of stuff that a machine could write and probably is writing, and profoundly unmemorable.

Shakespeare's 'Sonnets,' however, bring us a world of meaning. The whole of life is in them - its joys and sorrows, its passions and frustrations and torments - and all expressed in some of the most sonorous and beautiful English ever written, and set to powerful rhythms that deeply penetrate the psyche.

Stephen Booth's edition, after a Preface in which he explains his procedures, gives us not one but two texts of the 'Sonnets,' each of which is printed on facing pages : The Text of the 1609 Quarto (Apsley imprint, the Huntington-Bridgewater copy), and Booth's edited text with modern spelling and punctuation.

Seeing the texts exactly as they were presented to Shakespeare's contemporaries is an interesting experience. Some readers will probably love the antique spellings and typography, other may hate it, but at least we've been given a choice. And having access to the Quarto can lead to a deeper understanding of the poems.

Booth's incredibly full and detailed commentary, a commentary for the advanced student and the scholar, and which "is designed to help a modern reader towards the kind of understanding that Renaissance readers brought to the works," is set in a rather tiny font and runs to over 400 pages. Here, in comments ranging from brief glosses to full-length essays, will be found the answer to every conceivable question we may have about an individual sonnet, and much more besides.

Booth has incorporated four extended essays into his analytic commentary : 1. On explications and emendations of unsatisfactory Shakespearian texts (pp.364-72); 2. On the special grandeur of the best sonnets (pp.387-92); 3. On spelling and punctuation (pp.447-520); 4. On the functions of criticism (pp.507-17).

Following the commentary Booth has provided a list of Abbreviations Used in the Commentary; two Appendixes (1. Facts and Theories about Shakespeare's Sonnets; 2. Excerpts from Book XIV of Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'); a detailed Index to the Commentary; an Index of First Lines; and a section of Additional Notes. The book also includes illustrations of two title pages, and the incredible 'literal portrait of a beauty' on page 453.

It will be seen that Booth has set quite a feast before us, and probably one far bigger than many readers are looking for. Those who would prefer to have a version which, though still offering the original Quarto text along with a modernized text, but with a less detailed though equally sophisticated commentary which takes the form of sonnet-by-sonnet essays, might take a look at the far better produced and more beautifully printed edition of Helen H. Vendler ('The Art of Shakespeare's Sonnets,' Belknap 1999).

Others might prefer to think of Booth's prize-winning edition as a sort of investment, which perhaps contains more than they presently need, but which they will probably be able to put to fuller use later on. In terms of its content, the Booth seems to me to be unexceptionable. In terms of its physical makeup, however, it leaves much to be desired.

Although it is well-printed, the paper is not of particularly good quality. The fonts used for the 'Sonnets,' though not large, are readable. But the fonts used in the rest of the book are so tiny as to make them tiring to read for any length of time. You will need very good eyesight and very good lighting to feel comfortable when reading this book.

To return to the 'Sonnets,' the fact that their lines stick so easily in our minds, and that the re-reading of favorites will soon see us having memorized, if not the whole sonnet then certainly substantial portions of it, seems to me proof that the 'Sonnets' are real sustenance for the spirit. They help at different times to to fortify our spirit, to clarify our own thoughts about life, and even on occasions to cheer us up.

As such, and whether we realize it or not, they become a kind of word-music that all of us need. So whether you go for the Booth or the Vendler or some other less ambitious edition, my advice would be to give Shakespeare's words a chance to work their magic. You may be surprised at what they can do for you.

134 pages of sonnets - 583 page book!

This is surely the definitive edition of Shakespeare's Sonnets.

I thought I knew the sonnets until I read this - and re-read and read again.

The poems are presented in facsimile with a modern version facing allowing the readers to attempt their own direct reading if they wish. The modern version has a British spelling slant - which I find gratifying!

Mr Booth is painstaking in his scholarship - attempting to give a feeling for the Renaissance reader's understanding of the poems as well as explaining the 'meaning' of the lines. And his attempts are successful.

I cannot imagine a better edition in my lifetime!

I read about this book in American Photo magazine, and having heard nothing else, decided to order it. I can say that this is my absolute favorite! If you are at all curious about it, don't hesitate - you may miss the chance to own this incredible book.

From the first image to the last, McCullin shows a perspective rarely seen in any sort of photo journalism. It's like he tries to separate from the action to be professional, but finds himself wound up in it time and time again. He intersperses images of hope, but all with the same pessimistic tone. Even from a sheerly technical standpoint, his images carry breathtaking weight.

It has been said time and time again, and even by McCullin himself, that his images are often printed very darkly. I think this style of contrasty grain enhances the experience and appreciation for his pictures. If you're looking for maximum slickness, look for the carefully planned and meticulously arranged portraits of Herb Ritts. If you're looking for photos that force the truth and emmotion of reality, this book is unmatched.

Many years ago I processed Don's films for him. Bags of films straight from the wars of Viet Nam etc. I was only young but I was in complete awe of Don. Don was one of many well known photographers I met during my time in a professional lab but he was rather special. The sights he had witnessed were written on his somewhat sad face. A terrific guy who even had the time to talk to me, the darkroom junior. That was 30 years ago but I still marvel at the images he has created. Good luck Don, I wish you every happiness.

I admired the photos in this book very much. Don McCullin is a powerful photographer. Many of these photos are mesmerizing and I would highly recommend this book.

I first heard about McCullin through a segment of the television documentary by Kathy and Amy Eldon on CNN called Dying To Tell the Story.

I bought SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS soon after watching that program because I was struck by McCullin's photos on television. It has been more than one year since I purchased this book through Amazon and I continue to learn things ( about photography, art, humanity, journalism ) as I look at it again and again. Each time I pick it up ( atleast once a month ) and look through the pages I learn something new, because McCullin is photojournalist in the finest sense of the word.

In this age of tabloid journalism and paparazzi - it is wonderful to see a shining example of what photo essays can and should be.

SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS is a reminder that documentary photography is IMPORTANT - it can have integrity - and it is a service to the world.

I'm greatly looking forward to looking through Don McCullin's new book, INDIA.

Janice Booth's Rwanda guide not only is the most updated travel guidebook on Rwanda, but it also goes culturally/historically where the other guidebooks do not go. I spent several weeks in Rwanda in 2003, finding almost all the information in other guidebooks almost completely useless or irrelevant. Due to the genocide, and subsequent arrival of international aid, the entire infrastructure of the country, especially Kigali, had changed, and so the nuts and bolts information of hotels, transport, and other practicalities found in the Bradt guide were of great use.
The personal relationship of the author with Rwandans made it easier for a post-war visitor to understand what the average Rwandan had been through, and the section on "giving back," and what a traveller who had been affected by the country and people could do AFTER visiting the country is something that should be included in a lot of guidebooks.
The only bit of impractical information was that regarding traveller's checks. They are not accepted in banks unless one has an account there, and this is a bit of an obstacle to be surmounted (the national parks office does, and can help with other needs).

The Bradt Guide is by far the most comprehensive guide to Rwanda that I was able to find. I don't know what I would have done on my trip without it. The book is a mix of background info and travel tips. One good thing to know is that Kigali has added a "5" in front of all the phone numbers since the guide was published.

To travel to Africa without a guide, paper or flesh, is a bit looney. But, this month, I found myself in Rwanda in said (and sad) condition. For the first few days I managed to blunder along, until I found and bought this great guide at a hotel side store (of course at a significant mark up).

For the next two weeks Briggs and Booth did a superb job of guiding me along the dirt roads and winding byways (This is the "Land of a thousand hills"). They always explained clearly the world where I wandered. They consistently helped me uncover destination gems that I would have surely overlooked.

Most impressive were their cultural, economic and ecological commentaries. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to traveling with the Office of Tourism across this country while I was working on a medical project for the President's office. I can say that the insights and comments of Briggs and Booth regarding Rwanda are extremely competent and on the mark. Their insight alone makes this book a needed purchase for those that will visit or work in Rwanda.

The 1994 genocide is, of course, briefly covered and the history, heath, culture, people, planning and preparing sections are all informative and full of needed information. Also, for an outstanding book on the 1994 genocide do read; 'We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families' by Philip Gourvitch.

I found Janice Booth's caring and engaging story of her friendship over the years with Peter - a Rwandan Tutsi a wonderful and caring addition. This story is found in the preface and concluded in the epilogue.

The only notable shortcomings are the maps. In today's competitive world of travel guides, good maps are essential. The maps are very basic on only fair. That said this guide is a 'must have' for all who journey to this beautiful and bewildering destination. Highly Recommended. 4.5 stars.