A model of the Frolic is on display at the Cabrillo Lighthouse, Mendocino, CA. Before you visit the area, read this book. The book covers the entire history of the Frolic, those who built it, the course it took for its short 6 year life -- before sinking off Pt. Cabrillo. Its history includes its involvement with the Opium War, American incursions in China and exciting trade run with opium, Chinese ceramics and silks. A must read if you're interested in international history and the ships that created commerce and connection with the rest of the world.

Oddly enough, our book group chose Voyage of the Frolic and what great fun and an education it has been. I've always dreamed of going on an archeological expedition and here, without the dirt, pan, screens and brushes, I've discovered another layer of the past. What an eclectic history California has.

The Voyage of the Frolic is a readers dream. Bostonian History, Maritime life, Chinese trade, the Coast of California and our indigenous Indians all rolled into one well written and enjoyable read. Thank you Professor Layton for unraveling the past and placing it in a wonderful china bowl for all of us to peruse and get to know.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Thomas Glave for a local paper, and read his book in order to prepare for the interview. I'm reminded of something Toni Morrison said about her practice as a writer, and that is that she writes the kind of stories she would want to read. Thomas Glave writes the kind of stories I want to read, and gives voice through his writing to people and experience not often heard above the din of the rest of humanity. His writing is highly readable, and he tackles his subject matter with compassion for his characters and his reader, but without attempting to find pat answers to the challenges and choices his characters face. I highly recommend this book, and hope to see much more from Glave in the future.

Reading Mr. Glave's work was like coming home from a long journey and finding hidden treasures upon my arrival. His work is full of zest and a richness unseen since James Baldwin's eloquent voice graced us in the 50's and 60's. Mr. Glave is a very gifted writer and his work moved me in so many ways. His talent seems to be boundless. His work is a gift to all of us and I want to say thank you, Mr. Glave.

Fabulous! Leo Wilton, Ph.D.

When I consider how the Public Health Service has treated Native women, I am so disgusted and outraged by the white male agenda of hatred that I could scream. To think that Native women were FORCED into sterilization! It is just so typical of the white male government. As a radical feminist woman of european descent, I am OUTRAGED by the way the Native population has been treated. Apparently our government thinks that their suffering is just some sort of big joke. Let's remember, then, that someday white males will need affirmative action!

This book needs much wider exposure. Finally the Native people and especially Native women have an advocate.

There are others, for example, the elderly Native population and young Native people who are also suffering, unfortunately, from IHS's inability to meet the health needs of the Native People.

The IHS Director continues to allow and tolerate inter-office romantic affairs especially those between married staff. I can name names of Headquarters and Area staff who have had affairs still ongoing or within the past 4 years that include: Area Directors, Executive Officers, and Division Directors (all males). My next review will contain the names and this time it is not fiction.

I came across this book overseas 12+ years ago. It is a great read for anyone who enjoys WWII books and likes well written stories. Other reviewers have described the plot enough so I won't waste space.
Suffice it to say that Fleming captures the spirit of the times and has a true gift for filling out characters. Writing as a Navy veteran, I can say that he got this right. I would recommend this without reservation.

I read this book a while back. I just saw it in the library today. I remember it so well that I felt compelled to right a review.

Anyone that is familiar with WW II and the naval campaigns will want to read this book. This is the story of a light cruiser with a new captain. The previous captain (if I remember correctly) was court martialed for cowardice. He was a close friend of the new captain. That's the first sub plot in this book.

There are other plots that that happen throughout the book. The book is so well written and the character so well developed that I can still remember the pleasure of reading it. There were good guys and bad guys, creeps and regular Joes. The ship is like a small town.

Oh, I left out the battle sequences. Wow! Incredible. Even the aftermath and cleanup after the battles was well handled. The cruiser limping back to port for a refit and overhaul.

The ending is a little sad. But, after you read the book, you will understand why it had to be so.

If you at all enjoy WW II naval action, this is a must read book.

I just finished "Time and Tide" this morning and perhaps I'm still "under the influence" but I don't think so. I've read hundreds of novels...many about the Navy/military/WWII. This is truely a cut above the rest. I agree with the other reader/reviewer that this reminded me a lot of Herman Wouk only a little better. This is my first book by Flemming but it sure won't be the last. As a mustang Captain I could see myself and former shipmates in so many of the characters. They were alive for me. They were so real I find it hard to realize I must bid them "fair winds and following seas".

I really loved this book. I picked it up and could not put it down until it was completed. This is not only a good love story but it also gives you a lesson on SIDS. The author really put her heart and research into this book.

I will recommend that everyone read this because it will really touch your heart.

Congrates to Wanda on a job well done.

I've read this book several times because I was so touched with this unconditional love story. This couple faced one of the most difficult times of their lives and that's the loss of a child to Sudden Infant Crib Death. The author has done an outstanding performance in writing this story, every page of this book flowed so gracefully with the love and dealing with the loss. Even the secondary characters made this book good; the bookcover for once actually seems to match the description of the couple's love for one another. I strongly recommend to all the readers of romance to read this book, I will say you will not be disappointed by no means. Ms. Thomas, I look forward to your next one, because if you put the same spirit you did with this one, you will have many more fans!

While I am not an avid romance reader - if for no other reason than I am male- I found Truly Inseparable to easily hold my attention. It kept my interest throughout; wanting to know what happens to the characters next. The characters were well drawn and the storyline was tight. This is a great read for the romance enthusiast.

Thomas Locker's beautiful oil paintings make "Water Dance" a work of art and a wonderful way for kids to learn about the water cycle.I decided to see what's out there for kids about water and began with "Water Dance," "Where the River Begins," and "Cloud Dance," all by Locker. I fell in love with his art and . . . also bought "Sky Tree" and several others.
I just published a review of approximately 20 kids water books titled "Teaching Children about the Hydrologic Cycle." To read, go to www.ndwc.wvu.edu and click on the current issue of "On Tap," a magazine about drinking water in small communities.

"Water Dance" by Thomas Locker is one of those books you pick up because you like the look of the cover, a lake nestled amongst the hills beneath the purple sky of dusk, and then when you finish reading it you discovered it was actually teaching you something. "Water Dance" is actually about the water cycle, which starts with the rain that becomes a mountain stream that empties in a lake that is linked by a river to the sea. The cycle ends when the seawater becomes mist that forms into clouds and leads to a thunderstorm that once again brings the rain. Locker's thirteen paintings depicting the water cycle and accompanied by a poetic text describing each step of the process. In the back of the book each painting is reproduced in miniature as Candance Christiansen provides scientific information about what Locker is showing us about water. Students will find out about such things as the different types of clouds, what causes rainbows, and how the water in their bathtub might have been part of the Nile River a month earlier. "Water Dance" is a marvelous way of introducing young students to the water cycle. They will enjoy Locker's paintings even more once they learn how they all fit together to show one of the basic processes of nature. Teachers will be able to use "Water Dance" as an introduction to all sorts of science lessons.

I bought this book as a gift for my friend's son. He wanted to read over and over again for days (and it looks like this will continue for some time!) The pictures are absolutely beautiful, the poetry soothing, inspiring and educational, and this 3-year-old insists on reading the scientific explanations at the end of the book every time. I can't imagine a child (or an adult!) who wouldn't enjoy it!

In his book: Y2K: You Can Burn This Book!, Tom Potter has done an excellent job covering the basic elements all our communities should consider as the Year 2000 approaches. We've all spent many months and considerable resources reconfiguring our hardware and software so they will continue to support our businesses - now we need to look at our personal preparedness efforts and those of our employees. Potter devotes a chapter to each area of fundamental needs (water, heat, power, food, etc), explaining where disruptions might occur and then providing suggestions for different levels of planning. For a detailed resource that follows up on topics mentioned in many preparedness primers, this is just the book you need. ---Deben Tobias, Board of Directors; Business for Social Responsibility

Tom Potter's Y2K: You Can Burn This Book! is an excellent resource for anybody concerned with disaster preparedness. With an emphasis on personal and household preparation, he sets a positive but proactive tone for pursuing these preparation activities. Using his expertise in industrial energy use, he discusses the scope of neighborhood preparation that Boulder > is also concerned about, and offers a broad range of solutions. Potter's book is a great resource for taking that first step toward being informed - and ultimately being prepared. He's also been an excellent speaking resource for Boulder County Y2K meetings. > --K. Garcia, Community Coordinator, Boulder County Y2K Preparedness Group >

This book is thought provoking and droll. Ice storms and blizzards here in Canada make emergency preparations useful for everyone. Most of the information so delightfully presented here is of use in any of those situations. This book will be valuable even after the Y2k has passed.

I enjoyed reading this book even though I had to do a report on it. The main point of the book was to show that politics is about one's values combined with instincts; it is basically one's common sense. Some implications were: Though many candidates think it is essential to use the new campaigning and advertising strategies and technology to raise money, it is also important to remember that if the candidate and his issues find favor in the people's eyes, then many would gladly provide financial support when they are simply asked to. If one is loving and honest towards his constituents then his constituents will be honest and loving towards him. If you have clout and use it then many times you can even convince your most powerful opponents to take your side.
I believe the author's thesis to be true because politics is all about how well you know how to deal with people and the right thing to say at the right time, and that is basically what common sense is. Of course reputation, clout, and money are very influential, but if you are a good at politics and have good common sense, those will come in due time. I would recommend this book because it offers a different perspective than what government books give you. All Politics is Local and other rules of the game provides common sense that people interested in politics should know.

O'Neill displays his vast wit and wisdom in an entertaining series of stories from his political career and life. Politics may seem complicated and confusing at times but the former Speaker proves that the game is played on a short list of general rules that should always be followed. As one reviewer said, it makes for good bathroom reading with its short, entertaining stories.

I am a conservative Republican who loved this book. Folks of all political persuasions can appreciate the lessons and stories as told by one of the brightest, funniest, and most talented politicians of the century. If you even suspect that you might have an interest political life, by all means read it.

I must admit - I do not love annuals- Having said that much to preface my comments- For me this is the only book I need on this subject! It covers planning, planting and maintenence.

The planning section seems especially helpful and will be a tremendous help in achieving a finished product that fits a desired look. The color planning seems very well addressed with particular attention the area to be planted in formulation the design elements (suggested on graph paper).

The writer seems to love annuals and it shows! The photography is beautiful. This would make a nice housewarming gift!

Where perennials and shrubs provide static and permanent elements in your garden, annuals are a fluid element that you can change from year to year. This book gives you all the backround you need to get started with an attractive Annual garden.

It is divided into three parts: garden design; making them grow; and an illustrated guide to many common annuals. The design section details the process of selecting plants, not only for color, but compatability with their location and neighboring plants. The second section will help cure your "brown thumb" if you have difficulty keeping things alive. You will learn how to properly feed and water your plants. The last section has color photos and great detail about each plant presented; Latin name, sowing, growing and care are here.

This book is not only useful for researching and designing your garden, it is beautifully illustrated with rich color photographs throughout. There are also some color diagrams where appropriate.

Write your name in this book and chain it to your coffee table. After seeing your results the first season, the neighbors may be tempted to carry it off for their own use!

You may not look at annuals the same way again after reading this excellent book. It is full of ideas on how to use them in your garden and should offer any gardener bored with those boring old marigolds some inspiration! You can tell that the authors are passionate about their subject but the photographs alone could make this a book worth purchasing. Simply magnificient photography! A beautiful book and one of the best I have ever seen on annuals.

On most days Thomas Sowell's articles are the only thing worth reading in my local newspaper. In a time where most news is unenlightening fluff, Sowell preaches common sense and personal responsibility. This collection of writings is Sowell at his best, covering topics ranging from the death penalty to Clarence Thomas.

Anyone who is even slightly aware of Sowell's work knows his particular disdain for the education establishment. The articles on this topic are the best ones in the book, in my humble opinion. Sowell reveals the American educational establishment as the sick fraud....Sowell is unique in his criticism because he has kept plugging away on this topic for years while others drift in and out of the debate.

Sowell also throws lightening bolts at the leftist demagogues that he refers to as "the Anointed". These are the people in the media, educational establishment and the government that are constantly undermining the rights of everyone else in the country through such trendy ideas as safety, political correctness and a host of other ills...I did give this book four stars. This in no way reflects on the quality of the essays, which are excellent, but is due to the number of errors in the text...

..., says Sowell in this book and, really, he is not.

Sowell exercises with mastery and skillfully his favourite "hobby": bashing without mercy the anointed ones (leftists, in the peculiar sowellian vocabulary), giving no truces to their dogmas (lies) on the political, economical, social, racial and educational scenes, dismounting all them one by one.

"Barbarians inside the Gates" is an excellent work, from a leading figure of the movement against political correctness' intelectual dictatorship, constituting ammunition of the highest quality to be employed in the counter-cultural war on leftism.

Thomas Sowell is one of the finest critical thinkers of our time. More than that, he is uniquely able to state his views in a manner that is both comprehensive and concise. Few authors are able to pack as much valuable analysis into each line as Thomas Sowell.

This latest collection of his provocative essays will challenge the presumptions and beliefs of many people, especially in America. Sowell has a special talent for slicing through fallacies, poor research, and "mushy" thinking, and getting to the truth in practically any controversy. He's logical, but at the same time he writes from a 'common sense' perspective that can be readily understood by everyone. Everyone except, perhaps, the "anointed ones."

Covering culture, economics, politics, law, race, and education, the essays in this book will challenge your understanding of the world, as well as your thoughts on how society should deal with the many issues it faces.