This book will show how to turn a cold clinical facility into a warm, caring home. A place families want to visit, not make exuses to avoid. This truly can be revolutional. Anyone placing a person into a nursing facility should make sure they have Edenized.

As a Regional Ombudsman, responsible for a large county in N. CA, I used this book to inspire people to form a "Family Council" in a sample nursing home and to lobby for the changes that Thomas recommends. The home adopted several of the changes and they transformed the home, once known as the worst in the county into the best. Several people emerged from years of depression, others simply took a whole new interest in life, others simply had whole-hearted laughter reenter their lives for the fist time in years. The Eden alternative is indeed the "recipe" for making one's years in long term care "worth living."

I am a Regional Ombudsman for a county in Northern California with responsibility for 970 Skilled Nursing "beds", so I see first hand what happens even in the "best" of Nursing Homes. This book, if taken seriously represents such a profound, yet so seemingly simple approach, that nursing homes would become "homes" for the first time - places where one could look forward to living out one's last years still growing and still having a reason for living. One nursing home in my district is beginning to implement it and one example will suffice. There was a woman who was so severely depressed, nothing could reach her - no drugs, no therapy, nothing! Then the facility put a cockatiel across from her room (part of Thomas'"Eden Plan.") Ever so slowly, she started to take an interest in that bird. Then she got out of bed on her own for the first time so she could see it better. Then she crossed the hall and started talking to the bird. Then she started talking to other residents and to the staff. Her depression was gone. A simple bird had done what no drugs, no therapists, nothing else could do. And that is but a tiny part of the picture. This particular nursing home has gone from what many considered to be the worst home (it's name among the people outside was "Hellhaven")in my district to, in my opinion, the best, and they are just getting started! Read this great book. You won't be able to put it down and it will change the way look at nursing homes forever. Rev. Wayne Bradley Robinson, Ph.D., Regional Ombudsman for Placer County, California. wayner@cwia.com

It is a pleasure to study for a Microsoft Exam and actually learn something along the way. This book is well conceived and well written. It covers all of the material necessary to pass the .NET Solution Architectures exam. In fact, it includes enough real-world knowledge and background information that I would suggest it for learning about Microsoft architectures even if you aren't planning to take the exam.

Other reviewers have written about the execellent references that the book provides, so I won't repeat all of that here, except to say that the book was published after the exam came out and that some of the material in the book is more up-to-date than what is being tested by Microsoft. This will not pose a problem for the person taking the test, however.

I just passed the 70-300 exam and used this book to study for it.

The book is a comprehensive review of everything that you may need to know for the exam. However, some sections are repeated without any good reason. The questions at the end of each chapter are similar in nature to the ones that I saw on the exam.

It took me 12 days, spending about an hour - an hour and half per day, to get through the book. I did pass the other .Net tests before I read the book, so majority of the material was a review.

Although I do have many years of experience as an architect, I found a lot of useful information in this book that will help me design better products and solutions in the future.

This is a focused book - focused on the exam. The microsoft book is a propaganda book for the microsoft method and MIGHT be useful in general terms. However, this one has personality and examples, whereas the Microsoft book is dry, humorless, and is little more than an endless series of lists.

This book seems to be written by a person who has a lot of experience doing analysis and design and really wants to comunicate knowledge, whereas the Microsoft book seems written by a computer.

Ashcroft paints a Proverbs-like portrait of his dad's wisdom. You get the feeling that he wasn't around very much, but had a profound insight in instilling the most important life lessons in his children. It's a wonderful book for fathers who know the importance of the position God has entrusted them with, and I highly recommend it.

As a local sub-commandante for the Albuquerque Operation TIPS unit, I went door to door in my neighborhood trying to give this book away to its various denizens. As I live near a liberal university, I was quickly able to determine who the possible subversives were through each person's response. Thanks to this great book I was able to report over 30 suspected terrorist to the local PPPC (Patriotic Pentacostal Processing Center). And good news, I am told that many of the liberal subversives have now read this book and admitted to their secret tribunals that it is absolutely 100% correct in all its teachings!

In light of his role in the government at this time, it was enlightening and refreshing to read that John Ashcroft had such a great Christian upbringing. The lessons he learned from his father have served him well in public life. This book seems to strive not so much to give an autobiography of John D. Ashcroft, but to show how much his father influenced his life. It is an example to all Christian fathers. Even if the reader might not be a fundamentalist Christian, he or she will learn what an influence one person can be in the life of another. Excellent book!

While this book was extremely simple and easy to understand Locke did an excellenct job of "weaving" an exciting story with an awesome faith message. There were parts of the book that I wished had been more detailed, less brief, but all in all the story was interesting and fun to read. I also thought it was awesome how Locke managed to put a moving faith message in his story, while so many fantasy books these days focus on nothing but pagean and made up gods, Locke proves that it is possible to write an interesting story and put the true God into it.

Much like Katherine Paterson's books, "Light Weaver" is written in a simple format, with not a whole bunch of mumbo-jumbo about "intrigue" and "suspense." But Locke is an unmistakable professional at what he writes, and his character sketches are flawless as he tells the story of Dan and his transformation into Daniel, a knight who's going out into a magical country with no name, on a quest for something he knows nothing about. Excellent dialogue, nice plot, although the ending could have been played up a little more. Wonderful reading.

I wish this could happen to me! A guy gets in a car wreck and ends up in a fantasy world where all the skills he needs to survive are supplied by God. He meets a pretty girl who helps him with his quest and has a bunch of adventures with a talking rabbit. Then he wakes up and finds out that the girl is real! This book is great for kids and older folks too, and I'd also reccomend the sequels

The book is devastating. What it does that's unusual is tell its story at both the largest scale and the smallest, with both global context and heartbreaking detail. Initially I was wary of the technique, thinking that it would be better to just tell the villagers' story, but I was quickly won over; the other sections provided the answer to why, without which Hagop's and Sona's story would be less powerful. What it manages to do particularly well is to present such heartbreaking incidents in a voice that avoids all mawkishness and overt sentimentimentality, yet doesn't seem at all cold or dispassionate. I think a lot of this felt emotion is supplied by the reader, motivated by the sympathy we feel for the
charachters, who are so well-drawn that our identification with them comes naturally. This is a book that will stay with you for a long time.

Lines in the Sand, by Thomas Ohanian, is a brilliant story of love, courage, abd triumph over death and desruction in the wake of the Armenian genocide 1915-1917. The story fluctuates between historical events that led to the destuction of a peaceful people in small Armenian towns in what is now present day Turkey. Besides historical perspectives, this book tells of the fictional story of two Armenian families, one from the town of Palou, Turkey, and the other from the town of Bitlis. Hagop, the young Armenian man had fallen in love with Sova, a beautiful young Armenian girl, and they were bethrothed to marry each other in a years time. The story of their young lives, family, and traditions are beautifully portrayed in this unique story. The customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Armenian people are explained with beautiful description concerning the Christian rituals and religious holidays and feasts. In addition to different types of Armenian foods and deserts, the book captures the strong binding family ties that even today's Armenians continue to display. In conclusion, the book is phenomenal and captivating; it is one of the best done on this subject.

Mr. Ohanian's story educates and informs while putting the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. I enjoyed the descriptive insight into life of the Armenian people, their culture, customs and emphasis on family and religious faith. The depiction of the attrocities and apathy of the majority raises questions of morality and responsibility that continue to reverberate in the World today. I highly recommend this well documented, emotional story of a time in history that should never be forgotten!

If you're not sure whether you want to buy this book or not, why don't you get down to your local library or mega-bookshop and take a look-see for yourself, instead of reading the blather of dunderheads like those whose reviews disgrace the rest of this page?

Even my friend Paul whom I work with, whom has won piano competitions, and played all over the town,including The Whitney, and knew what it was like to be a virtuoso, and whom after 42 years of playing the piano still has a desire to play, even though now he sells pianos more than he plays, and I who also sell pianos, and know them very, very well, though can't play them as well as Paul, but knows just as well what makes them good, and also what makes a good book, believes this book to be a new book. And what I mean by a new book is that this book has never before been written, except for maybe other books written by the author, but with different characters. That this book is not a sad book, even though it may seem as such, just as my friend Paul is not a sad man even though he may seem as such, and I, who may be the most sad of all, although one may think me to be the least sad when compared to my freind Paul, or even this book, I thought.

thomas bernhard is a genius writer,a master no velist and"the loser" is my choice for the fiction book of the century...

I got this book and I enjoyed it. No, I didn't care for Regis being treated that way by Laine. She really went through issues that really strained the pregnancy. Laine thought he could NEVER give a baby to a woman, and he really thought that Regis had cheated on him. It really don't make it any better when Regis left the ship in Miami thinking that the woman Laine was crying out in his sleep about was his ex-wife, and in reality his sister. What a sad situation. I am glad they reconciled their differences to make the marriage work. I really enjoyed this book

i always have enjoyed ms.thomas books,they are the greatest.laine and regis story was a wonderful story to read they had problems but they worked them out.i didn't care for the way laine treated regis throughout her pregancy but at least he came to his senses and they wore able to resolve their negative feelings toward each other ;however i do understand why laine acted the way he did. they really love each other and thats all that counts.this should be a movie for the holidays. jacqueline you are one of the best.

Yes, Thomas has done it again with this new book! I loved it. I love that Ransom family. I have been waiting to here about Laine's story, I must say I never expected that type of storyline. I really enjoyed it a lot. Regis and Laine's love was a love at first sight and it just kept getting better and better. I read this one by Thomas in one setting. If you like family sagas with one of a kind family members, than you will love Thomas's new work with the Ramson family. And the very good thing is that Thomas is way from being finished with this crew. Matt and Kaitlin's story is coming out next year, so be on the look out for it, it is sure to please! Much love to Thomas!

In a review dated 9 May 2000.... "Pascal was a Jansenist, the Roman version of a Catholic...."

I am reasonably certain that he intended to say, "of a Calvinist." The Calvinists claimed, as did the Jansenists, that their view of sin and grace, free will and election, had the backing of St. Augustine. The proposed amendment makes the said review (and replies to the review) much clearer.

For a discussion of the theological issues here involved, I refer the reader to C S Lewis, Poetry and Prose in the Sixteenth Century (formerly English Literature in the Sixteenth Century Excluding Drama) pages 32-44, 162-165, 177-180, 181-192, 438-463.

There comes a point in almost everyone's life when they ask themselves, "What does it all mean?" Blaise Pascal, the French scientist, mathematician, and philospoher reached this point at the age of thirty-one, when he converted to Christianity, and began writing down a number of his thoughts on the meaning of life and the defense of his new-found faith. Pascal died before he could organize and publish his Pensees ("thoughts"), but fortunately for us modern readers, many fine editions have been edited and published through the years.

Tom Morris, a former philosophy professor from Notre Dame, examines Pascal's thoughts on the meaning of life, utilizing his witty and entertaining sense of humor. Morris writes for the everyday man, not just philospohers and theologians, making this book especially useful for high school and college age persons who are examining their lives and seeking to make sense of it all.

So go ahead, take Pascal's wager and bet on Morris's little book to bring you both enlightenment and joy.

[Other excellent editions of Pascal's Pensees are offered by Os Guinness (The Mind on Fire) and Peter Kreeft (Christianity for Modern Pagans) - both are recommended if you want more perspectives on Pascal.]

Morris explains and expounds upon Pascal's thought in an easy to read manner. A apologetic work in the line of G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis.

Pascal is an example of a brilliant scientific mind who found it very reasonable to believe in God, or more specifically a Christian God. Morris, through Pascal, shows that faith and reason can take you farther than either can alone. A great thought provoking book for the person seeking understanding of those hard questions.

One addendum to the reviewer of May 9, 2000 who said "Pascal was a Jansenist, the Roman version of a Catholic":

Jansenism is named after Cornelius Jansen, who was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ypres in the early 17th century. His main work, Augustinus, was published after his death. In this work, he claimed to have rediscovered the true teaching of St. Augustine concerning grace, which had been lost to the Church for centuries.

Jansenism was never approved of by the Roman Catholic Church, and while Pascal had several Jansenist friends, and wrote in support of their cause, it is questionable whether he himself was a Jansenist. Morris addresses this issue in pages 8 & 9 of this book.

Initially I purchased this book for the multitude of color photographs contained within it. Once I began leafing through its pages, I realized it was written in such elegant simplicity that I was drawn in immediately.

Each chapter covers a different aspect of Hindu worship in India: worship in the home, with one's community, at a temple, etc. The book does not so much explain Hinduism as it does the way Hindus approach their faith.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Indian culture or Hinduism. It's a fascinating read.

Tons of books have been written that explain and glorify the wisdom and philosophy of Hinduism. Many non-Hindus have been more than happy to embrace some or all of these concepts, one of the most ubiquitous being the concept of "karma". But even they can feel awed, confused, surprised or a combination of these emotions when they first encounter the seemingly anachronistic practices of Hinduism- like worshipping the stones or trees.

This is one of the few books that explain well to the western audience the whats and whys of the oldest religion in the world. It focuses on the approach of common Hindu folks to their religion and how it enhances their day-to-day life. Author starts with some basic concepts and then goes on to draw pen-pictures of daily lives of devout Hindus that, at least in the religious sense, defy modernization in contemporary India. The text aided by vivid pictures fires the imagination and magically transports the reader to India. The deep passion of the author is clearly reflected in the knowledgeable text. Hinduism is a very flexible religion, which is primarily the reason it has survived thousands of years. It is perfectly acceptable to practice faith in ways different from those of ancestors, provided certain basic tenets are kept in mind. The approach to religion may vary by region, by economic status, or caste but the important thing to note that diversity is acceptable.

Author has presented the approach to Hinduism in rural India or that practiced by lower income strata of the society, which comprises of a significant number of Indian Hindus. This approach is different from that practiced by urban Hindus or those in middle or upper income class. This book is highly recommended to all who have interest in religion, those who have an unquenchable thirst for anything Indian and even practicing Hindus.

Its books like this which are truly inspirational. Open it up and you will open up to India and the complex spiritual diversity of Hinduism. The process of 'meeting God' pervades all of life here. Everyone has their own unique and individual 'puja' for 'dharsa' This is a look at a whole culture, and not just a religion. The images are spectacular. These ancient rites flourish in the face of any modernization. Probably the best introduction to Hinduism out there.

A great book for those little things that come into the E.D. and Tintanelli and Rosen just don't cover.

You won't find how to dx and rx a AAA or SAH, but when you can't remeber for the life of you how ESE to try and remove a nasal foreign body from a 3 year old, you'll be glad to have it.

Covers many of the common "urgencies" seen in the E.D. Very well written; suggests what you should do as well as what you should NOT do...

The essential text for an urgent care setting. What to do for common aliments beyond general internal medicine training and especially what NOT TO DO. Simple language and specific recommendations are easily accesible in a busy clinic. It never leaves my desk.