I picked this book up hurriedly and found it to be excellent. I have a gift shop that I have displayed some of my crafts that I made and I am unable to keep them in the store for the enjoyment of my customers. Everyone wanted to purchase the terracotta fountains especially. The book is easy to follow that any beginner would be able to do. I could not recommend it more highly.

This book has some wonderful (and beautiful) ideas for your yard and patio. Instructions for making wimsical painted tables, bird feeders from natural materials, fountains from stock terra-cotta, trellises, how to build and decorate birdhouses, how to make windsocks and banners as well as ideas for container gardening, planters, hanging pots, water gardens and more, I think it's a terrific book for do-it-yourself types!

This story chronicles the survival of small Jewish girls who were hidden in an armoire by their desperate parents in the closing days of the Warsaw ghetto. It easily matches the personal resonance and innocent terror of the far more famous Anne Frank Story.

Even after their final liberation as perhaps the only intact nuclear family to survive that infamous ghetto, the Skorecki family was due one more date with history. Survival, it turns out, was the story within the story. Little Anne Skorecki Levi, the little girl who survived by staying silent inside that armoire struck a blow five decades later for Jewish survival by speaking out against Louisiana's Neo-Nazi gubernatorial candidate David Duke, and helping to engineer his electoral defeat.

This account of Anne's travel along the arc from victim to victor is an inspiration and a reminder that each of us can and must preserve our collective memory, however troubling.

I read books on the Holocaust to try to understand the times, the mileu, the horror, and the suffering. After more than 20 books, I realize that I can only scratch the surface. I will, however, never stop reading because of my fear that someday the deniers and the downgraders might get the upper hand.

Thank you to the the author and Anne Skorecki Levy for relating a story that is very, very moving as well as insightful and timely.

Lawrence Powell set out to write a book about the David Duke phenomenon, about how a KKK leader and Nazi could sit in the Louisiana legislature and run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. But work on the book took him in another direction after he interviewed Anne Levy, a Holocaust survivor who confronted Duke in the state capital. Captivated by Levy's story, Powell has produced a terrifying, poignant and finally a triumphant book about the Holoaust as witnessed through the life of one of its survisors, Anne Levy.

Troubled Memory is a beautifully written and tender account of a personal story that stands as an intimate history of Hitler's final solution. Powell's prose will carry you into the Warsaw and Lodz ghettos and into the vegetable bin where 6-year-old Anne and her sister hid from the SS. This is a book that makes the Holocaust relevant to every reader. It will fill you with horror and wonder, and it will move you to tears.

I love David and Marc Muench's photography and this book is a treasured addition to my library. The color and production values are exquisite and up to the high standards I expect from Muench.

These photos capture the awesome beauty and fantastic variety in California's natural landscape through the seasons. The book is divided into sections for the mountains, forests & plains, coast and desert.

Muench has brought new life to many often photographed landmarks with his mastery of light and detail. He has also uncovered many beautiful but less known places; dawn & dusk skies, vibrant flowers, delicate waterfalls & more.

James Lawrence's accompanying text touching on a wide range of topics relating to California's natural history is fascinating and entertaining. I have loved spending hours with this magnificent book.

This book confirmed my feeling that David Muench is, for lack of a better description, the Ansel Adams of color photography. I already owned his Appalachian Trail book, "Uncommon Places" (I think it's called), but my brother wanted a California-related book for Christmas, so I picked this up, sight unseen. Quite simply, it's breathtaking. The photos span the length and breadth of the state, from Humboldt County's misty redwood stands to the La Jolla coast, to Yosemite and the mountain passes and lakes of the Southern Sierras along the John Muir Trail. There are even a handful of urban photos that make downtown L.A. look quite nice. If ever you doubted that we live in the closest to a natural paradise as there is, take a look at this book, and doubt no more.

The most beautiful book with California's photos I've ever seen. I have already one book by Muenches and when I so this one I didn't have to open it to make sure it's gorgeous. But it was even better then I expected. It has 4 parts: Mountains, Oak and Grass, Coast and Deserts. So, you are not gonna miss any detail of nature in California (of course poppies, redwoods and spanish moss on the trees are there too). If you want to make somebody going to California give him this book :) I promise anybody will fall in love with California and Muenches' books.

There are very few stories that can make you just want to sit for a while after you've finished them. You're not sure if you're happy or sad: they just fill your body and you need to sit for a while because you know something special has just gone through you. Maybe they have a way of looking at the world that's just somehow more right than anything you've come across before. Chekhov's "The Bishop" is a story that does that for me, and Salinger's "For Esme, With Love and Squalor." A couple of others.

It's not that they make you happy, exactly, but they give you a sense that life is a more worthwhile thing than you might have felt before, stranger and more full. Frank O'Connor has more stories that give me that feeling than any other writer I've read in English - The Drunkard, My Oedipal Complex, The Mad Luceys, The Ugly Duckling, Don Juan's Temptation. He gave me the same feeling I got when I read Tolstoy and Chekhov for the first time: this guy is onto something: he knows the secret, and if I just read closely enough I'll figure it out too. Well, no luck yet - but each time I read one of O'Connor's stories I feel like everything around me is both more sensible and more mysterious than it used to seem, which is possibly all the answer any book is going to give.

The tradition of the Irish story teller has been reborn in this century in her marvelous short story writers. None was finer than Corkman, Frank O'Connor. All of O'Connor's classic stories are here. O'Connor truly captures Irish life in the early part of this century. The wit and humor that are legendary among Corkmen is present throughout this book. This is one of my favorite books ever. I have given it as a gift too many times to count. Every person that I gave it to came back raving about it!

Frank O'Connor is likely our time's and our language's best at telling the short story. Don't miss "First Confession" or "The Drunkard."

You don't have to be Irish to recognize the pattern and rhythm of life and speech in his stories. They capture a place and time perfectly, but yet transcend the confinements of culture or period.

This a delightful book. David Muench's ability to use light and contrast to capture the varied landscapes of Arizona is unsurpassed. He truly has a gift.

This is a wonderful coffee table book packed with a wide variety of spectacular photos of Arizona. It is a stunning display of the tremendous variety found in Arizona's natural habitat. Muench focuses on different aspects of the landscape including light, form, life and ecology. Captions tell where the photograph was taken with some brief commentary. A short essay by the photographer leads off each section with some of his personal thoughts and insights.

You will find an awesome view looking up through the trees to the sky, and the beautiful azure color of the Colorado River contrasting against white and rust colored rocks. Views of waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, autumn leaves and desert sands will take your breath away. Natural rock formations and cactus plants are seen in a new light as they become elegant sculptures. Endless, brilliant blue skies are captured against fields, mountains and red rock formations. Close-up of photos vibrant pink cactus flowers and sunny yellow poppies will brighten your day. You also get an occasional glimpse of lush green trees and plants.

As with all of Muench's books this one is printed on quality glossy paper with the highest of production values doing justice to the photography. As a Muench fan this is a treasured addition to my library.

David Muench's photographs show the incredible beauty and variety of Arizona's scenery. The book is a wonderful gift for anyone who loves Arizona or color photography. We received it as a gift and have purchased two more copies since then to give to others.

When I first heard about "Get the Ring," my initial reaction was, "Do we really need another series of advice on relationships?" The market seems to be flooded with them.

But then I listened to it. Impressed is not the word.

First of all, let me explain what "Get the Ring" is and what it isn't. It is a six CD/cassette series on dating and marriage. However, it is not preachy, and it is not dry. It is based on a series of interviews with seven top marriage counselors, each with his or her own style and manner of presentation. The interviews are lively, humorous and unbelievably on target. You can tell that the interviewees are dealing with these issues on a daily basis.

One of the most unique aspects of the series is that it's not geared to any specific population. Lots of books on relationships focus on either singles or marrieds. Rarely do they offer information that is useful to both. But I would highly recommend "Get the Ring" to anyone, whether never-married, divorced and looking, married but having difficulties or married happily. I, for example, have been happily married for 8 ½ years and I still found lots of great ideas for making our marriage even better. My husband listened, too, and he said the same thing.

Another unusual facet of "Get the Ring" is the source material of its content. All seven speakers plus David LeVine, the producer of the series as well as the interviewer, are practicing, traditional Jews. As such, their presentations are based on Judaism. But their advice and guidelines are so right-on, and ring so true, that you'd never know that they're formed by a tradition thousands of years old if nobody told you. The series is geared toward an entirely secular audience, so everyone can enjoy and benefit.

The range of topics is so wide that it's hard to believe that it all fits into just over five hours. Some of the topics include defining love, differences between men and women (unbelievable!), detailed dating advice, how to discern true character, and how to make time for each other despite hectic schedules. One of my personal favorites is the "Ten Ways to Marry the Wrong Person." I thought it to be an absolutely mind-boggling presentation, especially the down-to-earth, practical advice on discovering true character, common interests and life goals. Just that information alone could totally change the way a single man or woman would approach dating - and it gave me some interesting ideas on how to enhance my own marriage. I could add some more details, but I don't want to spoil it for you.

A word of caution, however. (Some people might consider this a "con" even though I think it's a "pro.") A lot of the ideas presented seem at first glance to be revolutionary, especially in today's day and age. An open mind is a prerequisite for listening to this series. So if all you're looking for is to have your old opinions and preconceptions reinforced, you're not going to be very happy after listening. Then again, maybe the series will open your eyes and you'll see where you've been going wrong and how to fix your mistakes.

If there are any real "cons," the only one I can think of is that, because the recording was done in an office, there is occasionally some background noise that can be distracting - although the sound quality happens to be excellent. As far as I'm concerned, it's a small price to pay for information that could change your life.

Having listened to "Get the Ring" over five times, my opinion is that anyone who seriously wants to get married or to have a better marriage cannot go wrong by following the advice in the series. In his introduction, David LeVine says that your chances of finding the right one increase every time you listen. I couldn't agree more.

Get the Ring is a must-buy! There is at least something (actually, lots of things) for everyone on every single CD. I myself was amazed at how the series seemed to be talking personally to me. The issues it addresses are exactly the ones that I have come up against again and again while dating.

For example, the information about the differences between men and women is priceless. I know that lots of people today have trouble with this idea, but what can you do? Men and women really are different, and this series does an excellent job of describing each one fairly.

Not looking for perfection is another key theme that struck home. I found that I have really been looking for that "perfect" someone, just like in the movies and the novels, and that's one reason why I've always been disappointed in relationships - they never measured up!

The advice on actual dating is terrific. Even though it might not all be relevant to everyone, there are a lot of good, sound principles in there that can be applied in different ways to fit different situations - for example, the need for down time, which is something I had been ignoring.

Another aspect of the series that I really appreciated was the emphasis on character development and how the person you are is what's really going to determine the nature of the relationship and how well it goes. That was a big revelation to me.

The 10 ways to marry the wrong person are fantastic! I felt like whacking myself on the head with each one. Why couldn't I have heard this five years ago?!

But the biggest advantage to Get the Ring is how realistic it is. On the one hand, it dispels a lot of illusions that people (including me) have (in my case had, because I already heard the series) about dating and marriage. But on the other hand, it doesn't leave you with the feeling that you're stranded holding a burst balloon. Each speaker explains - with lots of empathy, I must add - how to rebuild your outlook on dating so that, if you follow their guidelines, you're sure to be more successful in the future.

If you are dating - or married, for that matter - than you owe it to yourself to buy "Get the Ring." Even if you never listen to self-help products, change your policy this one time. I promise you that you won't regret it. I didn't. I am now going out with someone and Get the Ring is my bible - and things are going great!

Get The Ring is an excellent six CD audio collection that provides invaluable insight for singles about finding the right person for marriage. David LeVine interviews many reliable resources within the Jewish Dating Community who provide common sense back to basics advise. Whereas this CD is a bit more focused on the Jewish Community, persons of other faiths can certainly utilize this information.

The people interviewed on this CD set all have varying styles. Rabbi Shimon Green is certainly the must humorous of the bunch. Lawrence Kelemen certainly reflects on societal issues the most. Excellent points on how seeking the one you love is not taught in school. Too much of an emphasis on veneral diseases instead of how to treat a member of the opposite sex.

Regardless of who is speaking, excellent advise flows like a river into a stream. Its important for single people to evaluate strengths and weaknesses carefully. What are key deal breakers? Also what are potential red flags? Its very important to notice how someone treats those whom he or she has a casual relationship with like a telephone operator.

Also the importance of physical attraction, ethics, and how long should one date someone. Another key point is to network when dating someone. Getting recommendations from trustworthy people always helps. You are oh so precious why not go the extra mile.

Other sections emphasize the value of being humble and acts of kindness as more important than raw chemistry. Kindness and a humble attitude can actually create long lasting chemistry as opposed to a flash in the pan relationship where both parties never take the time to know the person.

I could emphasize so many other good moments of this CD for many more moments. However the deep meaning behind the words of wisdom from these speakers is what will provide long lasting knowledge to many single people out there. This is a must purchase for anyone in search for true love.

This is one of my favorite books of all times. It's written as a play, so unlike many wordy and obtruse novels, it flows very smoothly. The authors depict Thoreau very well in his life and detailing his ideas and views on individualism, nonconformity, nature, and corrupted governments. For anyone who has dreamed of being different, you must read this book. It's so easy to grasp onto and filled with enough wit and humor to entice you to finish it within one sitting. Highly recommended.

This is a great play to read before reading anything by Thoreau himself--it will help you to get a better understanding of him. Also great for Thoreau fans, or anyone who likes to read something worthwhile. This book is simply amazing, you will not regret reading it. I don't often cry when reading....but I'll admit that I did when reading this one. The authors of this play depicted Henry David Thoreau's life and philosophies so clearly yet with such an eloquent and touching manner. I loved this play 100% and I will definitely read it again!

Review of ¡°The night Thoreau Spent in Jail¡± Henry David Thoreau, born in Concord, Massachusetts, in early 1800¡¯s, rejected paying taxes because the U.S. government exercised its authority to the slaves, Mexicans, and pageants through the fugitives slave law, the Mexican War, and so on. The play, ¡°The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail,¡± written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is based on his spending one night in jail. The circumstance, a cell in the prison, allowed him to recall his past and discover himself as a pencil-maker, a school teacher, an author, a handy man, etc. Each scene implies his various talents as showing him not just as a great philosopher or a writer, but as a human being.

Thoreau had been inspired by the humanism speech of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was the Sage of Concord. In order to follow Waldo¡¯s lecture, he declared himself free, and he tried not to yield another¡¯s will. He practiced his philosophy by teaching the nature to the students, trying to distinguish himself from others, surveying living things in the meadow, and refusing the taxes to the unfair government. He was so called, a ¡°transcendentalist¡±, and he kept emphasizing ¡°BE YOUR OWN MAN!¡± His saying, ¡°The freest man in the world! And you, out there, are chained to what you have to do tomorrow morning!¡± in jail showed his position against the civilization and the world. After spending one night in jail, Thoreau eventually decided to face the real lives instead of avoiding them.

Thoreau met another prisoner, Bailey, who had waited for the chance to prove his guiltlessness and had never spoken up for himself to avoid trouble. Bailey barely understood what happened in the world or what were right things to be done. He stands for the victims, who can¡¯t get along with others and be protected by the authorities, like Henry Williams, an escapee and slave trying to get to Canada. On the other hand, Deacon Nehemiah ball, the chairman of the Concord School Committee, stuck to insisting on having an obedient attitude, taking the strict policy. He is the symbol of the power and violence.

Thoreau¡¯s brother, John, understood, supported, and ran the meadow school with Thoreau, but he died young from lockjaw. Besides John, the young lady Ellen Sewell also understood Thoreau¡¯s transcendentalism. She attended his lectures and attracted his attention. However, she didn¡¯t dare to stand up to the authority. One more woman is there, Lydian Emerson, who is Dr. Emerson¡¯s obedient wife. She, who is warm-hearted, tries to make Thoreau get in the mainstream. Despite her sympathy toward Thoreau, she maintains her position, observing the majority. Sam Stapler, the constable in Concord, has difficulties because he persuades Thoreau to pay his dues. Finally, he carries out the law and arrests Thoreau.

This play is not just for those who started to know new spirits, which are the transcendental movement and the abolition movement in the late 1800¡¯s, but for all of us who are educated, rationalized, and law-abiding in the societies, so that we can justify their own determinations. We always assimilate social conditions to be alike. We often forget thinking about what we are doing as keeping pace with others. This play is insightful enough to extend their point of view about the world and think over our attitudes toward societies. It deserves the best compliment and is recommended to read. Why don¡¯t you stop wandering around in your cage to see your outside world?

This is a great dictionary for students who are past the introductory college level, and are reading Latin prose and poetry; or other readers who need a dictionary more extensive than a pocket edition. Each entry contains pronounciation, numerous examples, usage by Latin authors, and some word etymology.

This is the only satisfactory "intermediate" Latin dictionary for the student who has just finished basic grammar and wants to read actual Latin authors. No other dictionary provides such a comprehensive overview of meanings at such an affordable price and attractive layout. Lewis' "Elementary Latin Dictionary" is by comparison twice as expensive and painful on the eyes. In addition, this Cassell Latin Dictionary has a more than adequate (although very brief) English to Latin dictionary for those who wish to compose in Latin themselves.

For any student who wants to appreciate the Latin language, and how it changed over time, Cassell is by far the best buy (short of purchasing the [more expensive]Oxford Latin Dictionary).

As a student, and taking Latin for my 3rd year, I found that Cassell's Latin Dictionary was the most helpful thing I had come across, and I wish that I had sooner! Every word comes equipt with all of the information about it! From pronunciation, to history of the word! It is an excellent dictionary and I reccomend it for all.

If you want to know where short story writing is at the moment, then you have to read this collection by one of the genres stars. The stories read like a perfect combination of TC Boyle and David Foster Wallace, though, underneath, there seems to be more humanity in Saunders writing than in either of the arguably more famous writers' works.

A MAJOR WARNING, though: All of the stories in this collection appeared in The New Yorker. I bought the book thinking I'd find at least four new stories, but I found only small changes-- and I'm not sure they made the stories better. This really bugged me, and, as enjoyable as the collection was, I wondered if the stories didn't read better in the pages of The New Yorker, seperated from each other by a few issues ....

The stories are excellent, but the collection brings nothing new to the table, and brings nothing more from the stories.

Saunders is back with a new collection and shows no sign of slacking. There are some great stories published here in this collection (many of them previously published in the New Yorker). If you don't already know Saunders, I envy you your moment of discovery. This literary genius's work pulled the proverbial rug out from under my feet the first time I read such stories of his as "CivilWarLand in Bad Decline" and "Downtrodden Mary's Failed Campaign of Terror." In this collection, "Sea Oak," "Winky," and the title story stand out as exemplary contemporary fictions. Buy this book! and buy _CivilWarLand in Bad Decline_ if you haven't already!

The first story in this book, the title story, grabbed me immediately. I laughed aloud, delighted at the inventiveness of Saunders' depiction of the corporate culture, as seen through the eyes of a poor working stiff in the pre-historic-land exhibit of a theme park. And really, be it a cubicle or a cave, corporate jargon or grunts and gestures, the author reinforces a universal truth: we are a flawed species, and when pressed, we default to some very strange, very typical behavior. His characters are both bizarre and entirely recognizable: so many hapless, imperfect souls stuck in an even more imperfect world, trying to find happiness in spite of themselves--even, in one case, in spite of being dead. As Pogo was known to say, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." Saunders' sense of humor elevates our mundane dance with discontent to a charming, hilarious, sad, familiar but refreshing jig.

Susan O'Neill
Author: Don't Mean Nothing: Short Stories of Viet Nam

(Ballantine Books, 2001)