We have copies of the 1942 edition of this book which contain poetry and snip-its of literature. The selections are diverse with pieces for many tastes. As a child many hours of pleasure was derived from the selections held within this volume. It will bring back memories for the past generations and a new door on poetry for the young. Happy reading.

Like the other two books by Ralph Woods in this series, this book contains hundreds of poems, speeches and other literary golden nuggets that will delight any family that reads. My copy goes to all family wedding rehersals, christenings, funerals and family functions where people search for just the right quotation to match the occasion. My home library shelves would feel bare without a copy. My only problem with this book is getting my friends to return it after they have "borrowed" it to verify some half-forgotten gem from their childhood.

My parents bought a collection of books from a door-to-door salesman when I was very young. This book was included. My family used this book until it was visibly more worn than the rest. My favorite poem was "Casey at the Bat" and we all loved so many items in the book. In college I borrowed this book and lost it. We have all been so sad about that for years and years. I am so happy to find it again through Amazon.com! I will buy a copy for Mom and myself!

This is one of those books that actually helps one in developing their spirituality. There are many books out there for spiritual fulfillment, yet they often leave you in a state of limbo or barely touched, this books is much different. St. Louis DeMontfort writes straight from the heart and speaks of Mary as a child for love of his mother. At the same time, his theology is one to be reckoned with, especially one so Marian yet so Christological. John Paul II attributed this book to his great marian devotion and Mother Teresa recommended the pope make him a doctor of the Church, as a result of this sound and very well laid out Marian theology. I recommend this book highly and, although there are times when his theology can become hard to follow, it is worth the time and effort to figure it out, you will not be disappointed.

This is a new reprint of the much acclaimed Father Frederick Faber translation which has been out-of-print for several years. True Devotion To Mary by St. Louis Marie Grignion De Montfort (1673-1716) is considered to be the greatest single book on the Blessed Virgin Mary ever written. Seemingly divinely inspired, it is the classic statement on the spiritual way to Jesus Christ through Our Lady. Beloved by countless souls, this books sums up the entire Christian life, showing a way of holiness that is short, easy, secure and perfect - a way of life chosen by Our Lord Himself, as explained here in this book by the "Apostle of Mary." In this beautiful and sublimely inspiring book, St. Louis De Montfort explains the wonderful spiritual effects which True Devotion to Mary brings about in a person's life, leaving the reader with no doubt that this devotion provides the key both to sanctity and to salvation. No Catholic should reach age 20 without having read this book. 215pp. PB. Imprimatur.

Saint Louis de Monfort, in his masterwork dedicated to marian devotion, explains who is Mary, why the Mother of God must be glorified and why honouring Mary is also a form that the faithful has to honour Jesus.

This is an ideal book to improve the growth of spiritual life and, considering the truths that presents, should be known by all the catholics, very especially those ones blinded by post-conciliar confusion or, even, by protestant teachings about Mary.

Finally, the way Saint Louis de Monfort writes is a pleasant surprise: simple, clear, concise, direct and modern... without being modernist. Excellent!

This book is witty and funny and exciting and merits a lot of attention. Filled with avatars of Apache culture heros and the creative/destructive Vulva Woman, the text is rich with wry humor. Where else will you find a sexy elder woman spiritual leader whose long dead or absent husband was a preacher named John Edwards. And the brothers, each a "surviving twin," babies she brilliantly gave different surnames to trick the gods. Where else but in a Louis Owens novel will you find the hilarious discussion of the establishment of an American Indian theme park, or a wise-cracking ghost stuck in an acrylic wolf suit? And the ending of this one is sublime, impressive in its incredible appropriateness, but a real surprise, nonetheless.

Louis Owens' latest book is a tightly woven mystery, the story of Black Mountain Apache tribal game warden Jacob Nashoba's fast, difficult trip into the Dark River canyon to retrieve his granddaughter, left there to fast during a four day vision quest by a well-meaning entrepreneurial Apache whose occupation is to sell vision quests to Anglos. Nashoba's unresolved post-traumatic stress from his days in Vietnam on long-range reconnaissance patrols has alienated him from his Apache wife and most of the residents of the Black Mountain community, and over the years Jake has routinely sought peace in the wild and deserted river canyon, fishing and hiking its length. The usually deserted steep river canyon is particularly busy this trip, and the cultural, narrative, and mythic intersections are complex. Nashoba's Choctaw roots bring new facets to the Apache creation stories brought to life in this sophisticated novel, dovetailed with popular culture Vietnam-era legends and backed by a chorus that lends anthropological and Hollywood moviemaking insights to the mix. Brothers and brotherhood, and stories and how they are told (and who should tell them) are recurring Owens themes also interrogated in this powerful and lucid story.

Like a hologram, Louis Owens' novel Dark River shimmers in the light and shadow. For newcomers to Owens' work, this mystery is an adventure that defies the common adventure stereotypes. For readers of American Indian literature, this novel is studded with subtle but hilarious references to other works in the field, and reveals Owens' versatility within the canon. For fans of Owens' other novels, this one is a tour de force, revealing again his talented verbal play and ability to charm and surprise the reader with his wry humor.

In DARK RIVER, Owens creates memorable characters (one of his strenths, I think) and tells a compelling story with laugh-out-loud humor. Consider one of the minor characters: the resident anthropologist Avrum Goldberg, who wears a traditonal breechcloth and Apache leggings and moccasins. He shares traditonal lore with tourists, who mistake him for an Apache and call him Chief Gold Bird, a title he denies without success. Goldberg's dream is for the Apaches to turn the reservation into a tribal theme park to attract more tourists and generate income, a scheme that does not gain favor with the Apaches, who are reluctant to give up their cars, televisions, and other twentieth-century technologies. This is by no means the central focus of the novel, but Owens skillfully weaves his imaginative subplots and characters into the central story, his concern about what is happening on a river in the reservation where he goes to flyfish.

I think this is Owens's best novel yet. Furthermore, it is accessible to any reader--one doesn't need to be familiar with his other work or knowlegable about American Indian literature to read it. Actually this is true for THE SHARPEST SIGHT (1992), which my then 85-year-old mother compared to Norman McLean's "A River Runs Through It." She would read and reread passages from each.

I understand DARK RIVER is a finalist for the Best Novel of the West from the Western Writers of America, and I wouldn't be surprised if he wins. He has received several awards for his earlier works.

An absolute must for anyone studying Cuba or communism in general. This book provides a fascinating account of the unknown secret struggles within Cuba's political élites. Thanks to classified documents he was able to obtain, this author - a young and promising Oxford and Cambridge graduate - puts us into the picture of the delicate and intricate power games at the regime's peaks. Thrilling throughout all its pages, and very easy to read.

In this book, Maurizio Giuliano has been able to collect material which may otherwise have been destroyed, on the secret tensions and divergencies among Cuba's political élites. It is the first time that this type of documents are published, enabling scholars and others to know more on this delicate issue. The stories of repression against Cuba's dissidents are no news, but the repression and internal purges within the élites are something very different, which can indeed tell us a lot about the prospects for change in Cuba 'from within'. This book therefore does a marvelous job. It constitutes an extremely valuable source, as well as fascinating reading with extremely astute intepretations and observations.

Even now, almost five years after the tragic purge of 1996 against the academics of the CEA (Centro de Estudios sobre América), the relevance of this book is paramount. To this day, this collection of highly sensitive documents, together with the author's able reconstruction of facts and his analysis, remains one of the best sources to understand intra-élite conflicts in contemporary Cuba. Which is, in turn, the most likely basis for future change towards democracy in the communist island. Every single document and piece of information in this book should be carefully scrutinized, in any attempt to forecast possible 'openings' towards a democratic transition 'from within' the apparatus.

The book is neatly written,it explain step by step "How to Caste your own Horoscope", and interpret it. Further the book explain the importance of not only Sun,but moon,the houses and the importance of aspects in study of horoscope.This book is unique because it considers the horoscope not only from Sun sign,but in totality.Acker & Frances have intelligently used their previous experience as writers to explain in clear,concise way "the systems approach" of casting and analysis of horoscope.Book is free from any ambiguity.The book is recommended for beginners as well as advanced lovers of Western Astrology.After reading this book you will be hungry for the next book by the writers.
Dr.Parihar(Vedic Medical Astrologer)

This book is the corner stone of astrology. It is easily understood by serious students of astology. It gets five stars not because it is the best written book on the subject, but because it is a must have for your astrology library.

Popular astrology, as most people think of it, deals exclusively with sun signs -- the astrological sign in which the sun was located at your date of birth. But the moon and each of the planets were also in a sign when you were born -- and each might be in a different sign. Serious astrology takes into consideration your moon sign and the signs in which each planet was located at your birth time, as well as your sun sign. This collection of the positions of the "lights" (sun and moon) and planets in the zodiac of signs makes up your personal horoscope. Also important are the angles (called "aspects") which the lights and planets make with respect to each other. All of these factors -- plus the astrological "houses" -- are explained both simply and clearly in this excellent introduction to serious astrology. If you want to go beyond "newspaper astrology" this is the best book to start with.

If They Mated is one of my favorite skits on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, so I just had to buy this book. I am glad I did, it is one of the funniest books I've ever read. Even if you never saw the show before, or this skit, I highly recommend getting this book, I guaranty you'll laugh! I would have rated it a 5 but the pictures in the book are grayscale, color would have been much better, but it is still a great book.

Ive always loved Conans humor. He is the king of couch humor. A classic comedian. In this book he showcases my favorite, and I think everyone elses too, jokes that he does. IF THEY MATED. Very funny book. Purchase this now.

Conan O'Brien is one of the funniest men alieve and this book proves that!This book evolved from a sketch on the show(one of the best, other than Pimpbot 5000). He and the Late Night Writers are amazing,they come up with so many diffrent sketches that its not even funny. If you have ever wondered what celebrities babies looked like this book is a must have.
HAIL CONAN!

heart,
ivy the barbarian

I have been a fan of Rachel Gold since Michael A. Kahn's first book came out, and the waiting time for "Bearing Witness" was way too long. But was worth it! This is his best ever! A very serious subject as well. I had gooseskin reading it. Considering that I live in Switzerland and that we went through serious times here with our banks and the Holocaust money, the book came at a really appropriate time. I hope there are many more Rachel Gold stories in the pipeline.

I discovered Rachel Gold through a short story in EQMM - thank heaven, as I don't think I would have found them otherwise; for anyone who is looking for a terrific mystery, interesting characters and courtroom drama - run don't walk to buy one of Michael Kahn's Rachel Gold books.

This is, by far, the best of the lot; full of history (Nazi treasure), present day issues(age discrimination and excellent sleuthing. The plotting and the characters are so well drawn that I find I have re-read this book several times even though I know "who dun it" and enjoyed it all over again.

It's not often in a book that the heroine and her allies are so good, and the guys on the other side so bad that you utter a verbal "Yes!" when they get their comeuppance, but in happens in this marvelous continuation of the too-often-overlooked Rachel Gold legal-detective series by Michael Kahn. Taking on the age-discrimination suit of her mother's friend leads to a captain of industry with swastikas in his past and, with her oddball friend Prof. Benny Goldberg and his legal-research irregulars on the case, Rachel parries all the legal roadblocks a multimillion-dollar legal staff can throw at her in unraveling a long-buried puzzle. This sets up an unforgettable and unforgettably dramatic courtroom confrontation. And woven throughout the fabric are a reverent look at the suffering of the Jews, even in the United States, before World War II. And, oh, yes, there's a sweet, growing romance, too. And it all works together. This is a book I've savored even more afterward than when I read it, and I keep coming back to that courtroom confrontation and going "Yes!"

I was a little skeptical about purchasing this novella. Because frankly, I DON'T DO NOVELLAS. I am a fan for life of Brenda Jackson's and were familiar with Cindi Louis, Kayla Perrin, Felicia Mason's work and basically bought this book because I promised someone that I would. Well, I must say, I was very, VERY IMPRESSED! Brenda has never disappointed me and I must say. Cindi Louis was EXCELLENT!!!! That story was HOT! She has truly grown into an excellent writer. Her writing is up there with Brenda Jackson and Rochelle Alers. I loved this book. I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance and likes it H-O-T!

This book was very hot! It was difficult to choose which story to read first because I like everything these ladies write especially Brenda Jackson and Cindi Louis. Each story was could have been a full novella on its own. The characters and their stories were well written and I couldn't put the book down. I would like to see these ladies write another book like this one. This is one of the best anthologies this year that I have read. Great Job ladies!! -JaT

THE BOOK "THE BEST MAN" IS WONDERFUL THERE IS NO WORDS THAT CAN DESCRIBE IT. IT KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SIT. I EVEN FOUND FOUND MYSELF WAKING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO READ THE BOOK. IT'S SO GOOD YOU CAN BEARLY PUT IT DOWN TO EAT. IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT BUYING THIS BOOK YOU WILL REALLY BE PLEASED.

If I was to choose a coffee table book of cheesecake and magically, could live on an island surrounded by the models in that book, I'd have to pass up Sorayama, Olivia, and Vargas, and go for Gil Elvgren, the collection being this 200+ page work that covers Elvgren's work from the 1930's to the 1970's.

The girls in Elvgren's paintings not only come alive, but seem more warm and human, innocent with a twinge of spice. So this is what they meant by "sugar, spice, and everything nice." Maybe because most of them are smiling, with those pearly whites showing. I could spend hours looking through those pages, forming stories around the paintings.

Many look like celebrities. In "Let's Go (1957)," the blonde getting out of a white car looks a lot like Marilyn Monroe. The girl in "True To You (Sitting Pretty) (1950)" also resembles Marilyn but with brown hair. And the honey in "Evening Out (1969)" reminds me of Geri Halliwell.

Okay, so many of the drawings can be construed as sexist. The particular theme on that being girls who get their skirt lifted up by well handles, pipes, fence rails, ladders, and elevator doors, revealing two very shapely legs.

Equally interesting are paintings that were repaints of earlier work. "In For A Tanning" featured a sitting nude girl holding her bikini with a black dog to her side. "Dumb Pluck" featured the girl in the same pose, except she was wearing a candy-cane striped bathing suit and holding a shovel, the dog still on her left.

Some were risque even for their time and the more amusing ones are beach shots where the girls get into distress, such as having their beachware stolen by a dachsund (Taking Ways, 1950) And his nudes were never full frontal, only seen from the rear or side, the sole exception being "Harem," an undated painting of an innocent maiden captured by Arabs.

It's when looking at his work during the 1960's and 1970's, that yes, the models have changed with the times and despite having Elvgren's signature style, their hairstyle are with their times.
Other notes: the paintings are clearly better than the real-live model replications hands and legs down.

So, my favorites? That's a difficult one, as the models are oh so cute, but I'd have to settle for "Well Picked," of a girl in yellow dress wading in a pool and picking up a lily flower, "Golden Beauty," of a Diana Dors-lookalike, "Surprise Package," where the girl wrapping the X-mas present is clearly the title object, and "Lazy Days," of the girl lying leisurely on the summer grass.

Proof that too much of a good thing is better, and that too much cheesecake can be good for one and not be fattening. And with all apologies to the Beach Boys, "I wish they all could be Gil Elvgren girls!"

This is a great collection of his work. There are few artists to rival his ability, not only in drawing the female form, but in capturing innocence, playfulness, and seduction all at the same time. He's been called the "Norman Rockwell of pin-up art" and in a way, it's a shame that he is limited to that category of art, but the comparison to Rockwell's ability is warranted. Some of Elvgren's advertising art is in this book too, and it is all well worth having.

This book is a good 300-400 pages thick, all in colorful high quality papers! It pretty much contains all(about 99%) of Gil Elvgren's works ever painted. It's even got some exceptional nude pictures that Gil had presented to his close friends as gifts. Buy this book for its beautiful American sweet hearts! Buy this book for its vivid brush works. Buy this book for its historical value as an momento of America! :)

Ramona may be the most popular Cleary character, but Ellen was the one with whom I identified. The chapter where she and Austine try to have matching dresses, but Austine's mother doesn't sew as well as Ellen's, and things don't turn out the way Ellen planned, was so believable that as a child I knew exactly how Ellen felt. And who could forget Ellen's long underwear, or taking the beet to school? An absolutely charming book that I reread just last year. (I'm forty-something!)

I read Ellen Tebbits when I was 7 years old. It was my first "chapter" book. I was so entranced by Beverly Cleary's fictional world that I went on to read all the Cleary books available at the time. I have never stopped reading Beverly Cleary, and I have never stopped reading.

Cleary truly understands the feelings of children. She takes their problems seriously - whether it's spats with a best friend, the challenge of bringing in a beet for school, or surviving the shame of long woolen underwear. How well she knows the small and large humiliations of childhood. Her world, one of caring families, healthy and sunlit, is one I never tire of visiting. Now my 10-year-old niece is happily devouring the Ramona books. Beverly Cleary has brought her creative radiance to generations of children. Bless her and her "runaway imagination."

Back forty-something years ago Ellen Tebbits was the second book Beverly Cleary wrote. It told the story of an 8-year-old girl who basically has no best friends, wants a best friend, and gets one out of the "Californian" Austine Allen. Friendships like the one between Ellen and Austine (who happen to be in the same class, have the same woolen underwear problem, and also hate the pest Otis Spofford) are rare, and the two girls hold it strong for what should seem like a while. Even though they don't share some of the same characteristics - Austine would rather ride a horse then spend her time reading, Ellen's scared to death about them - they're still best friends. But unfortunately something DOES happen to this friendship, causing what Ellen feared for the most: the absolute silent treatment. For weeks these two former friends aren't speaking to each other. Could this friendship be saved? Will the eight year old girl who feared changing at ballet - until she met Austine - find a best friend in the spunky Californian again? Read and you might just find out. This book is certainly a joy forever, taking you back in time to the 1950s' where woolen underwear was just the world's greatest disappointment. Ellen thought this all - until she met Austine Allen, and things looked up.