Romeo and Juliet is the best of Shakespeares work ever. Everyone knows the story, but once you read it, it brings the meaning and connection to a different level. The language is beautiful. The words passed betweem Romeo and his love are so moving, you read them over and over. Even if you don't understand what they are saying, you'll still get the general idea and fall in love with this forbidden romance. Even though its a sad ending. The tragedy just adds more to the play. A magnificent book...you have to read it.

Romeo and Juliet has been performed so often that it has become almost tedious. But it might be a thoroughly enjoyable play if it were seen with fresh eyes. The story and its main characters are exaggerated, and at times Romeo appears to be a parody of the young, ardent lover. The play contains more rhymed lines than most of Shakespeare's others, and this can have the tendency to make the play appear less realistic. But it also makes the lines very pleasing to the ear. The pure endurance of Romeo and Juliet's story line attests to its greatness. My favorite character is Mercutio, whose energy and witticism make the play worth reading. I also appreciated the friar, who serves as a foil to Romeo's excessiveness and offers tempering words of wisdom. The play is quite bawdy at times and the double meanings are numerous.

This is one of the best books I've ever read! I think anyone with tast for drama should read this book! Maybe not anyone under seven, but even so, maybe even they could read it!!!And it's also pretty easy to understand! If you do choose this book, I think you will love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found this book buried in the back of my local public library, and am extremely happy that I did. I think I can say, without any hyperbole, it's one of the best books I've read in my life. I've read it about a dozen times, and each time I find something new to laugh at.

An oral history of a deranged movie producer's rise to the top, fall from grace, and return to power, there are more laughs and over the top situations in this book than in any other. The discussion of the flying pigs had me on the floor, crying my eyes out because it was so funny. While the situations are over the top, never once does the book cross over into being ridiculous or unbelievable.

I don't know of there being any real problem with the book. As I said, I've read the book many times and each time I finish I'm amazed at how excellent a writer James Robert Baker was. It's a shame he decided to end his life; I've also read his first novel, "Fuel-Injected Dreams," which is quite good as well. ...

Bottom line: if you get a chance to read this, do so immediately. You won't be disappointed.

Looking at the world through the skewed eyeslits of Hunter S. Thompson creates altered perception and thank God for it. Without a foundation in his world of paranoid, cryptofascist metaphors there is not a hope that you could begin to appreciate the ways both subtle and hammerlike that James Robert Baker japslaps the entire stomping grounds Hollywoods best and brightest. I picked it up in Germany before a trip to Greece in '90 and not only have I read it nine times but it is in simply deplorable condition due to manic thumbing of pages by close friends and those with a sense of humor that have torn through these pages at warp speed. Most of those were men but not all. There are scenes depicted in this book that are so visually stunning and dramatic it makes the fact that your attention is riveted to the laserthin beam of twisted irony that runs throughout as electricity through a conduit that much funnier. The review that should have been on what was once the front cover of my copy of "Boy Wonder" should have stated that it was the literary equivalent of flying down the freeway at midnight with the top down and the dronelike buzzing of cocaine frazzled fingers massaging your scalp. Only then would the rightous hands of the gifted few be lured into exploring the inner reaches of a parralel world. One that skitters along the wavecrest of reality only to pick up speed before crashing onto the cacophonous frenzy of slewed wit and sarcasm. Check this first novel out and beg Amazon.com to aquire more copies and hurry!!! This is a cult train that you simply MUST be on!! END

While far from being an important literary work in the grand scheme of things, Boy Wonder is, without exception, the most entertaing book I have ever read, and the ONLY book, besides Gatsby, that I have read more than 5 times. Having first read the book almost six years ago, I still regularly find myself thinking about, and laughing at, some of the subtle and not so subtle humor throughout the book. No other book has so successfully sent up so much of what America holds so dear. Not only is this the most biting novel about the film industry I have ever read, but Boy Wonder is a wonderful look at the sheer insanity that surrounds the baby boom generation.If you are easily offended, hold the products of the baby boomers' sacred, or have no sense of irony and satire, don't even think about reading this book. For everyone else, get a copy at any cost. This is a must have for true lovers of modern fiction

A play in three acts, a very simple setting, and only four characters who live in a small, university town in America: a middle-aged couple, Martha and George. And a "young and innocent" couple, Nick and Honey. They all meet in a room, in Martha and George's house, very late one night, for a nightcap. And then...all hell breaks lose.

The play tears apart both marriages: the middle aged couple, who seem to hate each other and in the end turn out to be much more devoted to each other as it would seem. The young, seemingly perfect couple, who turn out to have lots of problems of their own. In three heart-breaking scenes, using dialogue that cuts like a knife, Edward Albee has written a masterpiece. He manages to give a clear-cut, honest picture of the reality of marriage, the reality of love, and the fears that go hand in hand with love and intimacy. At some point, in act three, Martha talks about her husband- and it's probably one of the best pieces of literature I've read:

"...George who is out somewhere there in the dark...George who is good to me, and whom I revile; who understands me, and whom I push off; who can make me laugh, and I choke it back in my throat; who can hold me, at night, so that it's warm, and whom I will bite so there's blood; who keeps learning the games we play as quickly as I can change the rules; who can make me happy and I do not wish to be happy, and yes I do wish to be happy, George and Martha: sad, sad, sad."

What more can I say? just read the play, and if you get the chance, watch it performed in the theatre, too.

Considered by some to be Albee's masterpiece, Virginia Woolf presents all of the playwright's main themes in this tightly compressed play. In a mere three acts, Albee breeches social as well as physical masochism at its most malevolent while displaying its truth-revealing effects while exposing its subconscious motivations. As for other Albee-eque motifs, there is his presentation of truth verses reality, linguistics aerobics, and, as par, a heavy dose of black humor. Albee remains faithful as a master of literature in that he never lapses into didacticism even when his characters voice personal soliloquies. As an aside, the play does differ from the famous film in that the former takes place within the confides of George and Martha's household, thus keeping their guests, Nick and Honey, as metaphorical prisoners throughout the night. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the play, upon a close reading, is Albee's almost virtuoso execution of symbolism, especially Christian (comparable to Henry James). Highly recommended.

Wow. I never thought I could like a play so much. I had to read this for a class in college, so I admit that I didn't know what I was in for. I would've never thought that I would enjoy reading a play. This is a work of art with every line having meaning and significance.

A quick summary of the story without giving too much away: This is the story about an elderly couple who seem to hate each other with a passion. They're rude, loud, offensive, and insulting. When they invite a younger couple to their house, things quickly start to get out of control, while the elderly couple use their guests as sheilds and pawns in their brutal arguements and such. The story ends with a shocking resolution that will catch you off guard.

The dialogue in this play is so beautifully written. It reads like the way people actually talk. That is why I enjoyed it so much. It also enriched the characters that much more. Edward Albee did a magnificent job of weaving a tale that seems so realistic it's as if we are there at that house on that very night. There are no minor characters; everyone is important in a very significant way. It is refreshing to be able to get to know each character and the hopes, dreams, ambitions, and the conflicts that lie within.

I really enjoyed reading this wonderfully structured play. Much so that I have already read it at least seven times. It is a very easy read. And since it is mostly dialogue, it really doesn't take long to read. You could easily finish it in a day or two if you really put your heart to it. Even if you don't enjoy reading novels, maybe this is the solution. There is no lengthy descriptions of what color the characters' eyes are or what they're wearing. Just good old dialogue that will have you hooked from the very beginning. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is an outstanding play that will forever remain a true classic in American Literature.

"Once you become a star, you are always a star." Mae Murray said that long after her name recognition had lapsed. If you don't know who Mae Murray was and care about film, buy 'Hollywood Divas.' It's another in a long series of books by the hard-working James Robert Parish who has been chronicling the lives of stars -- past and present -- for longer than Britney Spears has been alive.
His latest volume offers 70 short biographies of leading ladies known as much for their egos as their talents. From Bette Davis to Barbra Streisand, most of the difficult ones are here.
The book is chockablock with quotations by and about this contingent of prima donnas. For instance, Gloria Swanson wired her studio the date of her arrival from Paris, adding "Please arrange ovation." She might be pleased to know that nearly two decades after her death Parish is doing exactly that.

The term "high maintenance" used to be a liability for movie stars; now it's a prerequisite. At least, that's one of the two attributes of Diva-hood in motion pictures, the other being talent. As chronicled by James Robert Parish in his latest book, "Hollywood Divas: The Good, the Bad, and the Fabulous," such women have always been the mainstay of movies, they were just known by their own above-the-title names: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, and Elizabeth Taylor, right up through Cher, Whitney Houston, Sharon Stone and Drew Barrymore. Here is a clever sorority roster of nearly a century's worth of unforgettable screen women from Theda Bara to Jennifer Lopez. What they have in common is that they can dominate a scene simply by entering it (that and make their male co-stars go crazy for them). Parish -- the dean of American film historians with over 40 books to his credit -- has the knack of writing in a tone that is both confident and confidential without sounding pandering, like a friend at a party who happens to know the inside story. We learn, for example, that Miriam Hopkins -- who almost played Scarlett O'Hara -- was smart enough to negotiate her own contracts but too volatile to keep them. We shudder at Demi Moore's contract demands yet admire her for her devotion to her child (if not her husband). And we read how Cybill Shepherd trumped the trash-mongers by the "simple" act of having character. But that's not to say there isn't enough scandal in these pages to grease the gossip gears: unwanted pregnancies, substance abuse, divorces, loonies and lovers abound. Yet it's not embarrassing to read about them. Each essay -- there are 70 plus an introduction -- is well-focused and individual, yet finds the quintessence in each great lady of the screen. An index and huge bibliography wrap up the package.

James Robert Parish, the author of The RKO Gals and The Fox Girls, has now written a witty and remarkably informative new book about 70 major "Divas" of the entertainment world. The most surprising thing about this book is that it contains not only current idols like Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, and perennial idols like Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland, but also some rather obscure (in terms of early 21sts century) idols, including Kay Francis, Mae Murray, and Greer Garson. Yes, this book covers the whole gamut, from Theda Bara to Britney Spears. The quotes are fantastic, the photos are great, and the information is fabulous. Highly recommended.

Though not of Polish ancestry, I chose to read this book because I marvel at James Michener books, in general. I found it to be an excellent read, don't let my 4 star rating fool you. In fact, it will compete for the coveted "Goochie" award for best read book of the year. It was not as interesting a plot as Centennial or Chesapeake, but it definitely exposes the reader to some valuable history that is not normally seen in mainstream fiction. Worth the time to read it.

I am half Polish and I finally committed myself to reading an imposing Michener novel. Once I got past the first few chapters I couldn't put it down. I have always felt the tragedy that is and was Poland and Michener has told a magnificent story. My maternal grandparents fled Poland at the turn of the century. I could see their story and my history on these pages. I read it several years ago, but it is the best I've read to date and I feel compelled to give it my highest rating for the benefit of Amazon's readership. There is a flow and a rythm to Mr Michener's writing style that is hard to resist. He deserves his place in history as best-selling author. Larry (Possum) Ronnow

Exactly the type of book that every American should read. Finely written; a gripping drama that provides the rich, detailed history of one of the most misunderstood countries in the modern world. It will change the way you feel about Poland, her people, and her neighbors. Michener proves again his amazing ability to weave a rich tapestry blending historical fact with fictional drama that will leave you breathless in its splendor.

Stowaway by Karen Hesse was a very educational fun read. It included most of the elements which make a good book. The story is about the voyage of a young boy named Nicholas who stows away on a ship which he doesn't realize is going on an important expedition for the king. With a mixture of action, adventure, fun, friendship, and education, I found the book fun and easy to keep reading. The characters, plot, genre, and themes of Stowaway were mostly creative and interesting. Although I don't usually like historical fiction, I found this book very enjoyable.
The characters in Stowaway were very well described and detailed so I could almost feel each character's feelings. Every character served a big purpose, whether it be a captain, a scientist, or a Native boy. I found this book kind of disturbing because much more than half of the characters who I came to read about and liked either died or became sick. But the book follows very close to what actually used to happen and of course people had to die. Every character was illustrated in my mind so when that character did come to the plot, I immediately recognized it. The characters and personalities of Stowaway were one of my favorite parts of the novel.
The plot in Stowaway was one of the weakest parts of the book. It never got anywhere; the novel was just a series of mostly random events that, although interesting to read about, did not contribute to the story line and plot of the book. There really was no point to each event that happened, making me wish something relevant would happen. Instead of having just one point to which the author could create, she created many different scenes. With this type of plot, I found it annoying to read because I wanted there to be something that could be accomplished or solved at the end. Karen Hesse never set up any plot elements like this, making a very poor plot in the novel. I also realized while reading the book, that it most likely was not set up to be read by someone my age. Although some of the events may have been disturbing and harsh, Stowaway was definitely aimed toward younger children. One very positive thing to say about the plot is the amount of research and effort the author must have put into the story to make it so realistic and historical. Overall the plot was probably the weakest part of the novel.
Stowaway is a great example of its genre, historical fiction. Almost the entire read is realistic and very believable. After reading Stowaway I learned very much about the quests, diseases, boats, land, countries, people, and world of the late 1700's. Because of the abundance of research and historical facts in this book, it made up for the poor plot. Although the plot was boring, the educational parts of Stowaway almost made up for it because of how realistic it made the novel seem. There was one main scientist on the boat who obviously had the most research put into. He brought exotic plants and animals onto the boat from native countries. At least every chapter, he would find something new and interesting which Karen Hesse described in detail. Stowaway fit perfectly into the historical fiction section.
I enjoyed reading Stowaway although it could have been a much better book. Altogether, I would rate Stowaway three stars out of five. The reason this isn't higher is because of the plot. The characters and research were both amazing, which made it a pretty good read. I would recommend this book to any kid under the age of eleven or twelve because although it was educational, the writing was not very advanced and used short, easy sentences. If you enjoy reading historical fiction or you want to learn a few new things, you should read Stowaway.

My grandson is going to be 11 this month. I've decided that he's getting this book as his birthday book. Nicholas, the boy in the book, is 11 when he stows away on the HMS Endeavor, which is captained by Captain JamesCook. What better way to show an 11 year old what the future can be than to follow the exploits of another 11 year old in his trek around the world. I picked this book up to read because of the author. I loved OUT OF THE DUST by Karen Hesse. I figured that this one would be as good. It is, but in a different way. I loved how much it taught me about history and how it's sent me hunting for answers to questions it raised. The map on the inside of the front and back covers was invaluable in tracking the trip. And what a nice surprise at the end of the book to find out there was a real Nicholas.

I think Stowaway by Karen Hesse was the best book I have ever read. Stowaway is about a boy named Nicholas Young who stows
-away on a ship called Endeavour.The crew on this ship go to islands botanizing.(study of plants and animals.) Nicholas and the crew are on this ship for two years ,and a lot of adventures and surprises.I hope you read this book because it is the most exciting,adventurousand surpising book I have ever read!!!!

Typically, I have a bias against abridged editions of literary works. Nevertheless, prudent editing and abridgement enhances the casual reader's appreciation of this literary tome. Undergraduates working a required reading list for English Lit classes are on their own. Anyway, Samuel Johnson was a noted author and editor of the 18th century English literary scene. Instead of an exhaustive study of Johnson's life as author and editor, biographer Boswell compiled a series of anecdotes, quotations, and correspondence that is held together by his friendship with Johnson. Boswell's purpose was to capture the essence of the man. Johnson was adept at articulating pithy remarks with surgical precision. For example, "...a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprized to find it done at all." The 18th century spellings, etc. remain intact. We have Johnson to thank for the familiar "...hell is paved with good intentions," and "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." Boswell takes care to portray Johnson as sexually moral. After the death of his wife, Johnson (according to Boswell) was apparently celibate. Johnson rebuffed "women of the town," and said he wasn't interested in their carnal delights. Johnson told David Garrick, the actor, that he would not go backstage at the theater because "the white bubbies and silk stockings of your Actresses excite my genitals." As an interesting aside, the editor's introduction speculates that Johnson's relationship with the widow Thrale may have been sexual, with bondage overtones. Who knows? The description of London coffeehouses, theaters, and gathering places are heavy with 18th century atmosphere. Bottom line, reading this book is interesting as a curiosity. Its relevance for 21st century readers may seem limited, but don't let that stop you from sampling the fare. ;-)

Needless to say, Boswell's LIFE OF JOHNSON is one of the preeminent works of biography and should be read by anyone interested in Johnson or the genre. It is a great book (also great is W. Jackson Bate's SAMUEL JOHNSON [1st published 1975]which is a MUST for anyone interested in Johnson). But although I love the Everyman's Library, I do not recommend this edition of Boswell. Unlike the usual quality of the Everyman's Library, its Boswell is rife with typographical errors (there's even missing text!). Though it's the only edition of Boswell I've read, I regret that a correct edition is not on my bookshelf. That being said, if this is the only affordable hardcover version you can find -- and you buy only hardcovers -- go ahead and purchase the Everyman's despite the numerous and distracting errors.

I chose the 1,000 or so page Wordsworth Classics paperback edition of The Life Of Johnson (ISBN 1 85326 797 x) and was very pleased I did. The book had a nice heft to it, and the print was large enough for a comfortable read. My only major beef with this edition is that Boswell's text is replete with quotations from a variety of languages including Latin, Greek, French, Italian and others, and very few of them are translated into English. Whether the editor assumed that the average modern reader is a polyglot, or was unable to provide the translations for some other reason, I feel deprived at not having had access to this portion of the book's material, particularly as the quotes are most often used to gild the lily of one of Johnson's witticisms. Nevertheless, the book rewards the diligent reader with a wealth of intellectual stimulation, and offers a fascinating look into the England of the period including: polite London society, Oxford University, and jaunts around the British and Scottish countryside. Johnson's somewhat eccentric life and personal habits are lovingly and affectionately relayed by his close friend Boswell, who somehow managed to preserve a vast amount of Johnson's conversation without the aid of a tape recorder. With everyday life as a backdrop, we see how Johnson, a self-described lazy man, managed to produce such an abundant literary legacy, not the least of which was his groundbreaking dictionary. I recommend this book highly to people with an interest in 18th century England, the literary society of the period, or who simply love a great biography.

After sending Elvis Cole to the East Coast in third installment of the series, Robert Crais keeps it in L.A. for the fourth installment, Free Fall. Elvis and his partner Joe Pike try to weed out corruption in the L.A. Police Department. They are approached by a young woman who thinks her police officer finance is involved is less than scrupulous activities. We know that Pike was a one-time L.A. cop and we learn a little bit more about his time on the force. What we discover is that he didn't leave on the best of terms and the mention of his name still rankles some of the men in blue. Free Fall loses some momentum in terms of the plot, but Mr. Crais is more interested in peeling back some of Joe Pike's layers and exposing more of his skin (an area that will be further explored in future releases). As usual, Mr. Crais spikes his plots with liberal doses of humor and comes up with yet another winner

I was turned onto Robert Crais by my Doctor who knew I was a big fan of mystery writer Michael Connelly. Like Connelly's character Harry Bosch, Crais has created a tough wise cracking LA detective named Elvis Cole. Woman want him. Men want to be him. My suggestion if you've never read him, is to start at the beginning with "The Monkey's Raincoat" and work your way through all of them. One of the greatest things about Crais' novels is Elvis' partner Joe Pike. An aviator glasses wearing silent but deadly killing machine. Think Dirty Harry with a drier sense of humor. In reference to "Free Fall", I always feel like knowing less is more when telling the plot of a mystery. The basic gist is an attractive woman shows up at Cole's office to ask him to investigate what's going on with her boyfriend who's an L.A.P.D. Officer who's been hiding something from her. He claims it's an affair. She thinks it's something deeper. Crap hits the fan, and you'll be off turning pages faster than you thought possible. Great characters, great plot twists, great writing. Long live Elvis & Robert Crais!

Robert Crais has proven again and again that he can keep us on the edge of our seats, and yet at the same time laughing our butts off, to be polite. "Free Fall" is a perfect example of that. It is an installment in the "Elvis Cole Series", but you do not have to have read any of the previous novels to read this one: I didn't. I've read other Cole novels, but they've been written after this one.
Anyway, this novel takes place in Los Angeles. It finds Elvis Cole sitting in his office, just another normal day. In walks an innocent looking young woman named Jenifer Sheridan. She tells Cole that she has a problem: She thinks her fiancee, Mark Thurman, is involved in something illegal. Willingly, unwillingly? It is Cole's task to find out the answer, and just what exactly Thurman is up to. Could it be another woman? Or is it something much worse, something much deadlier?
Cole and his partner, Joe Pike, find themselves up against rogue cops, South-side gangsters, and a haunting mystery. Oh, yeah: They're also wanted by the cops for murder.
Only Crais could weave a novel this complicated and powerful. You'll be loving every minute of "Free Fall", I promise you. I would know: I've been there.

Perry's has been gathering dust on my bookshelf at home for years. I always think of it as the book to go to if you want to NOT find the answer to something. In my 20 year career and in my PE test effort, the only thing I ever used it for was to look up properties of substances. It is NOT friendly to the working engineer, since it quickly veers into arcane academic territory on every subject, or else is too general to be useful. This is a serious review of this book by a ChE PE, but I know this review will get panned by all, not because it is not useful, but because you do not agree with it.

This is the best book to show how distant are the theory and the practice of a Chemical Engineer.

Perry's Handbook has been found indispensable by chemical engineers, and a wide variety of other engineers and scientists, through six previous editions spanning more than sixty years. The NST/Engineers, Inc. reviewer, a Ph.D., PE favors the hardbound book as a desk reference, whereas he favors the CD format (ISBN# 0071344128) where a laptop or copying text or calculations are required. Users familiar with previous editions of Perry's will find additional text sections, tables, and figures. The reviewer did not detect deletions of any required material.

You will notice the increased use of SI units. Section 1, of thirty Handbook sections, "Conversion Factors and Mathematical Symbols", provides a rescue line for those of us much more accustomed to U.S., British, and older Metric units and who are not fully conversant with S.I. units. The first one-third of the Handbook lays the theoretical groundwork for a fuller understanding of its final two-thirds.

Section 2 provides physical properties data, including tables of constants for properties' correlations covering wide temperature ranges. Methods for the prediction and correlation of physical properties are explained. Section 3 summarizes mathematics through differential equations and statistics. Sections 4 through 7 may be considered short texts on "Thermodynamics", "Heat and Mass Transfer", "Fluid and Particle Dynamics", and "Reaction Kinetics".

In its eighty-four double column text pages, Section 8 covers the "Fundamentals of Process Dynamics and Control". It includes model predictive control, process optimization, unit operations control, process measurements, and concludes with controllers, final control elements, and regulators. Section 9, "Process Economics", takes the reader through calculations involved in investment and profitability decisions, cost control, and cost estimation. Starting with Section 10, "Transport and Storage of Fluids", and for most of the following twenty sections, the chemical engineering unit operations, details of more specialized theories and operating practices, calculation methods, interface studies between chemical engineering and other disciplines (i.e., Biochemical Engineering and Waste Management), and data specific to the topic being presented are given.

As previously stated, these latter sections, about two-thirds of the book, build upon an understanding of the fundamentals presented earlier. For example, Section 10; Section 11, "Heat Transfer Equipment"; Section 12, "Psychrometry, Evaporative Cooling, and Solids Drying"; Section 13, "Distillation"; Section 14, "Gas Absorption"; Section 15, "Liquid-Liquid Extraction"; Section 16, "Adsorption and Ion Exchange"; Section 17, "Gas-Solid Operations and Equipment"; and Section 18, "Liquid-Solid Operations and Equipment"; build on an understanding of Section 4, "Thermodynamics", Section 5, "Heat and Mass Transfer", and Section 6 "Fluid and Particle Dynamics". However, the book sections are all prepared to be rather self-sufficient so that readers without the earlier fundamental background can still gather useful working information.

The final twelve sections complete the review of unit operations and add important interdisciplinary studies. The sections are: "Solid-Solid Operations and Equipment"; "Size Reduction and Size Enlargement"; "Handling of Bulk Solids and Packaging of Solids and Liquids"; "Alternative Separation Processes"; "Chemical Reactors" (building on Section 7 "Reaction Kinetics"); "Biochemical Engineering"; "Waste Management"; "Process Safety"; "Energy resources, Conversion, and Utilization"; "Materials of Construction"; "Process Machinery Drives"; and "Analysis of Plant Performance";

Actually, a reasonable understanding of the contents of Perry's, including how to find and use the voluminous data, is equivalent to the text-based learning at the completion of a Master's degree in chemical engineering.

For many alcoholics and those who live with them, it's not enough to know that this disease is a mysterious "allergy." Under the Influence explains the physical aspects of alcoholism in a matter-of-fact, easily readable form. The authors follow the progressive stages of alcoholism with clear descriptions of what the disease does to the way the liver, the brain, and the emotions respond to alcohol at each stage.

This book explains how the bodies of alcoholics metabolize liquor differently from those of non-alcoholics, and the changes in the brain that take place over years of continued drinking. (It confirms, for example, the observation that many late-stage alcoholics' function deteriorates as they go without liquor for a number of hours). After a complete description of the stages of alcoholism, it provides some insight on intervention and treatment, and some valuable information about treating the physical aspects of the disease in sobriety, with proper diet and rest in addition to AA attendance.

Nothing in Under the Influence will replace the role of the experience, strength and hope of other alcoholics in helping alcoholics recover. Yet this book provides valuable information, especially about the often-overlooked physical aspects of the three-fold disease of alcoholism.

Before I read this book I had the slightest clue about my past and present relationship with alcohol. I was especially intruiged when they named off to the dime, the feelings of anxiety, isolation, guilt, and shame that I was feeling. All this time I was looking for reasons to blame my family for the way that I felt. While reading this book, I realized that my binge drinking on the weekends had been deteriorating my relationships with real people. And alcohol, my best friend, was the one doing it! This book offers fundamental information about alcohol and alcoholism that every single person should know.

I have now read five books on this subject, due to family members and a dear friend being alcoholics. This is the most readable, "states it like it is," book I have read. Many, many questions are answered when reading this book. For me, of particular interest, was Chapter Five, wherein "The Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome" is described...it explains my friend exactly, and the doctors (three so far) are not picking up on his being in this stage, even tho they know he is an alcoholic! The information on types of food is especially good, and the authors are correct, that FEW (if any) doctors discuss the very important role of nutrition counseling!! I am getting three of these for family and friends and feel it will really help them understand others and themselves. I am most pleased to see that it is still in print. I got my copy from a friend about a year ago and just started re-reading it and realized it just "hits the bullet" as the saying goes, and is one that the alcoholism counselor (that originally gave it to me), had UNDERLINED and highly recommended.