I am a big fan of Ann Douglas' pregnancy/parenting books, so I decided to take a chance on this book, too. I'm glad I did because it's a funny, down-to-earth, girlfriend-to-girlfriend guide about something I've struggled with for years: losing weight. This is the first book I've read that understands that there's more to losing weight than just reducing your caloric intake and increasing the amount of exercise you do. Ann knows what it's like to go through "Diet Eve" (that pre-diet binge) and what awful headgames we play with ourselves when it comes to the number on the scale, and she gives us powerful strategies for battling these and other weight loss challenges. This book belongs on any serious "shrinking woman's" bookshelf!

This is the best weight-loss book I have ever read! Not because the medical advice is necessarily new or different, but because Ms. Douglas writes the "real story". She seems to get inside the head of a woman struggling with weight-loss, and she tells it like it is. Combined with great tips and strategies, this is the only book you'll ever need if you have weight loss issues.

This book certainly lives up to its name. It is, indeed, an "all-Canadian" guide to everything related to conception, pregnancy, and birth. The book is packed with all kinds of need-to-know information that American pregnancy books simply don't deliver, like the specifics on Canada's new extended parental leave benefits, detailed information on prenatal testing regimes in Canada (e.g., maternal serum screening), and directories of Canadian organizations, web sites, etc. The book was recommended to me by both my family doctor and my childbirth class instructor and I received two copies of this book from different friends the moment I announced my pregnancy. Clearly, I'm not the only one who likes this book!

As an expecting couple in canada this is the book to own. Its well written and gives you all the canadian facts. Our system and the american system are different and most books are geared to the american system leaving all the the hospital and ins information useless. This book has all the facts and more.
I highly recommend it to expecting canadian couples.

This book explains clearly and simply to kids how to get started researching their family tree. Ann Douglas delves into a bit of genetics and then talks about how kids can get started -- how to interview family members (including giving sample interview questions to use), tips on getting people's stories on audio or videotape, how to store their research, and gives great ideas on how to share the information learned with family members.

The bright, colorful illustrations give the book a fun look, and the charts throughout the book are very helpful.

I loved this little book. I heard the song before I saw and read the book and I thought ,what a great thought for a song and then I found the book and I believe it is something anyone would enjoy.

As a long-time reader of Beat literature, and as a man, I must say that Joyce Johnson's take on those heady, wine soaked days of poetry and madness is absolutely as good and as necessary as anything Kerouac or Ginsberg or any of the more famous (male) crew ever wrote. For my money it's right up there with On the Road.

I guess I've read this book three or four times now and it never gets old.

I also recommend Ms. Johnson's novel, In the Night Cafe, another skillful invocation of the Beat period.

Wow. This book did more for me than I expected it to. I picked it up for the same reason many others probalby did - because of my interest in Kerouac. But Johnson is not telling his story, she is telling hers. And, despite obvious difficulties and social aspects that let us know it is the fifties, it is really a timeless story, something that can be identified with today. She has put into words what every female person who feels like they don't quite belong in the society in which they grew up has difficulties articulating. I found myself talking to the book - "Yes, that's IT! Exactly." I read this book twice this month.

Her unique and fresh writing style should not be overlooked either. She wrote this book at a good time in her life as well, it is reflective and filled with the insight and intelligence of years and experience.

I picked up this book because a friend recommended it. The Beats had never much interested me except as a movement. I didn't much like the the literature or the adulation that surrounded them. But this is primarily a book about Joyce Johnson and her experience with the Beats. She has a real talent for evoking a specific time and place and giving readers a sense of what it was like to be part of this mileu. She makes going for a cup of coffee in Greenwich Village seem incredibly exciting. This is not the story of a Beat groupie yearning to hang out or sleep with famous men but rather Ms. Johnson's coming of age. The Beats are an important part of that story but not the whole story.

It is said that no loss in life affects us as deeply and profoundly as that which we experience when a child of ours dies. Whether the child is a 6-week-old embryo, a 39-week-old fetus, or a grown adult, the mother or father in us feels a sadness that is hard to understand, describe, or come to terms with. Making the decision to try again can be courageous, impetuous, desperate--and a supreme physical and emotional sacrifice. This book can help make the decision informed.

Many books are available for people who are pregnant, who want to get pregnant, or who are grieving the loss of a baby. This book is different because it focuses on that fragile period between having lost a child and the decision to, and the act of, trying to become pregnant with another one. Instead of glossing over or whispering about death, this book faces this common experience head on, offering both compassion and practical information and advice about why this happens and how to go on from here. The personal accounts of the several women and men who went through miscarriage, stillbirth, and early infant death are especially helpful, because readers can understand that this experience is not uncommon--even though their emotional response to it may be unique.

I wish this book had been available when I lost my first baby at 12 weeks into the pregnancy. It would have helped me get through the five months of grief, anger, resentment, guilt, and shattered trust and self-confidence that followed. I plan to give copies of this book to friends, and I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to try again.

Having just lost a baby to stillbirth, I ordered this book in hopes to trying to conceive again. It is a reassuring book for those of us who have lost a baby and anxiously want to try again, but are nervous and scared. The author addresses all the fears you encounter in a subsequent pregnancy and also offers a lot of tangible information. I'd certainly recommend this book to a mother who has experienced a loss and wants to try again. Now, wish me luck in conceiving!

First, I must admit to a slight bias, as I was one of the bereaved parents, trying again, whom Ann Douglas interviewed for this book. Having eagerly awaited its publication, I can say that it is everything I was hoping to read and more.

Losing a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth is a tragedy that few people can imagine until they have had the unfortunate experience of living through it. Many people urge the bereaved couple to "try again" (as if that will make everything all better). They often do not realize how the loss of the previous pregnancy colours every facet of trying or being pregnant again.

As someone who has lived through the loss of a child and the birth of a subsequent baby -- as well as being a gifted writer on pregnancy and parenting issues -- Ann is uniquely qualified to explore every aspect of this largely unexplored subject. The book is thorough and presents lots of factual information, as well as the voices of bereaved parents who have made the courageous decision to try again to bring a living child home. For me, it was the stories and examples of these other bereaved parents that really "made" the book.

I would highly recommend this book for any bereaved parent struggling with the decision to try again or going through a subsequent pregnancy, as well as those in a position to provide support to these brave couples.

This story is about four girls¡¯ growth into women in Plumfield during the Civil War, and their brave father, who came back home from the battlefield, and the mother who, devotedly watched over the girls. The sisters include the beautiful and very womanly Meg; strong and sensitive tomboy Jo; innocent, kind, and quiet Beth; and free minded, sometimes selfish, but attractive girl Amy. These four girls¡¯ weaving story touches my heart deeply. Laurie, a charming young man, has an unusually sincere love for Jo, yet marries her sister Amy in the end. This scenario gives me another answer about the love and deep affection. John, who is Meg¡¯s husband, and Friedrich, who is Jo¡¯s husband, helps the story becomes more exciting. Before I started to read this book, I thought it was such a long story. But as soon as I got through a few pages, I realized I was getting into this book so fast. All of the discord and the love are compiled with various characters in this book so well that you won¡¯t ever regret reading.

When people ask me how I became such an avid reader, my answer is because I read Little Women in High School. This timeless classic of four sister growing up during the Civil War is my all time favorite book and I do not even know how many times I have read it. I treasure my copy of this book and it is one I could never part with.

Little Women is a coming of age story about four sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, and it always amazed me how Marmee would sit back and let them learn life's lessons and always find the right words to say to each of them afterward. Family values and morals as well are hard lessons to teach but through love and understanding they all learn.

Jo is my favorite character, she is so vibrant and full of life and the character based on Louisa May Alcott herself. My favorite movie version of this movie is the 1933 version with Katherine Hepburn as Jo, she truly captured Jo's spirit.

This story has been read by many generations and I'm sure that there will be many more generations enjoying the story of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy for many many years to come.

The heartwarming story Little Women is a timeless masterpiece in which Louisa May Alcott describes the lives and adventures of four sisters growing up in New England in the 1800's during the Civil War. They are faced with many challenges they must overcome bringing them closer and closer. Little Women brings the trials and tribulations of young people dealing with family crises, the mending of broken hearts, and the death of a loved one. The four sisters of the March family, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy manage to live their lives willingly, and interesting lives despite their father at war and the lack of money the family has. The closeness bondage of the sisters intrigues you as you read through the long, but exhilarating book. The love that the March family share is remarkable and leads to my jealousy due to the childhood I grew up without siblings. Marmee March is the mother of the family and holds the family together. She displays infinite wisdom in dealing with her daughters and also shows unlimited patience with an exceptionally charitable nature. Marmee also diligently teaches them the lessons they need to achieve a happiness that will carry them through their adult life.
The story of these sisters describes Meg's joys and mishaps as a young wife and mother, Jo's struggle to become a writer, Beth's tragedy, and Amy's artistic pursuits and unexpected romance. Meg, the oldest, is somewhat vain and does not like the poverty status she has to live. She dreams of having money to spend on beautiful clothes and live like the rich society girls that have become her friends. Jo is the second oldest, and is the tomboy growing into maturity with a quick temper. She is always quick to chastise her inner self and live the values that Marmee has taught her. Her main goal in life is to be a writer and she spends endless time pursuing this goal. Beth is the quiet, very shy, child who is third oldest who strives to help the less fortunate in any way she can portraying herself as an angel. Amy is the youngest, who is quite selfish and spoiled. Her desire in life is to be an artist in which she diligently looks for the beauty in the world around her to paint on canvas and dreams of painting in Paris. Alcott portrays the characters that make them come to life as you read and the thrill you have that lures you into reading more and more. This book leads you to realize what family love is.

I was recently given a review copy of this book so that I could evaluate it for use in a prenatal clinic I run for expectant mothers. I am highly impressed with the book and will be recommending it to all of my clients. Not only is the book highly readable: it's medically accurate and does an excellent job of pointing readers in the direction of other top-notch health resources.

I also highly recommend The Mother of All Baby Books, another terrific book by the same author.

Some pregnancy books seem to assume that you lose your critical thinking abilities the moment the pregnancy test comes back positive and that you need to be spoonfed dumbed-down information about your "condition." This book treats you like the intelligent woman that you are and provides you with a highly comprehensive look at the amazing changes that will occur during the months ahead. While an earlier reviewer objected to being provided with information about birth defects -- information that reader considered scary -- I prefer to have all the facts about pregnancy available to me in case one of my prenatal tests indicates that there could be something wrong with my baby. How can I expect to make informed decisions about my pregnancy if I simply choose to bury my head in the sand?

Something else I really like about this book is its method of organization. All the information on the key issues (e.g., prenatal nutrition) is clustered together in one chapter. I don't have to hunt and peck in order to get my nutrition questions answered -- a problem if you read books that rigidly stick to a week-by-week or month-by-month format.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this pregnancy book and will be recommending it to every pregnant woman I know!

I was given a copy of this book at my baby shower this summer. Since that time, it's become the gift I give to friends who are having a baby.

There aren't many books on the market that are as comprehensive as this one. It covers much more than your standard pregnancy book. But unlike a lot of really medical pregnancy books that pretty much scare you to death, this book is highly reassuring. In fact, the author does a great job of anticipating what your biggest fears about pregnancy are and telling you why you don't have to worry.

Something else I liked about the book was the fact that the book is sprinkled with quotes from moms who are either pregnant or who have recently given birth. Those quotes really brought the book to life for me because they spoke to how I was feeling. For me, it was the best thing about the book.

I also highly recommend the sequel to this book, The Mother of All Baby Books -- the book that has become my baby bible since my daughter was born.

There is not that much to say about this brilliantly crafted book, for it is almost too good to describe. I decided to give this book four stars because in some cases she didn't write as enthusiaticly as in her other books. Don't get me wrong though, as a book, it deserves ten stars! As a Louisa May book, only four (out of five that is!) I cannot write to you, reader, too much about the sumery because every chapter was a new scrape or story. But don't worry, everything is connected. Jo March from Little Women now is married and has two boys of her own, plus a few orphans and sons of busy fathers. In Plumfield, boys are every where, including the musical Nat, book worm Demi Brooke, indestructable Tommy, Dan, adorable Teddy, and deticated Rob! But don't forget the three girls: timid Daisy Brooke, Giddy-Gaddy Nan, and the loveable Bess. All share scrapes and adventures that will leave you scandalized. Jo and her husband have a lot in store for them! Plus, a hint of romance at the end. Look for the sequal, Jo's Boys! So, reader, thank you for taking you time to read this review, and I honostly insist for you to read this book! Louisa May Alcott is one of my favorite authors, and maybe she can be yours too! Sincerly, A grateful reader.

This is the continuation of Little Women, and Jo's Boys will be the cont. of this book. Little Men is a book about the boys and girls of all ages, and if you thought little women was much about women, READ THIS BOOK. The boys are all different ages. There is musical Nat, bookworm Demi, troublesome Tommy, fireband Dan(my fav't character), resonsible Franz, commodore Emil, Little Ted, Rob...and dont forget girls, Lovely Daisy, ms.giddy gaddy Nan, and pretty Bess....and so many other characters. They just will not be friends, but a great big FAMILY. They will be happy, sad, confused, angry...at each other, but will not be a problem for Mr.&Mrs. Bhaer(Jo), Mr.&Mrs. Brooke(Meg), and Mr.and Mrs. Laurence(laurie&Amy). These young men and women will be so different, yet so together and close!

Little Men is the funniest of all the three books. I like this book, but not as much as the Jo's Boys or Little Women. Little Men begins with 'Nat as the 1st ch. If you have seen the movie and think it is great, wait till you read the book. The novel is much more sophisticated and very touching. The movie basically concentrates on Nat and Dan, but the novel is about every single boy and girl. If you've seen the movie and didnt like it, guess what, try the novel! My fav't characters are everybody. Old Chirper(Nat), Dan, Demi, Daisy, Tommy, Franz, Commodore(Emil), Nan, Princess(Bess), little Ted, Rob, Jack..too many people. If you like the story of boys and girls, this is one of the books to read. If this is the Alcott's 1st book you've read, TRY ALL! ALCOTT IS THE BEST! My fav't part is the LITTLE COOKSTOVE(iron). Its so neat, and how Daisy, Nat, Demi, Dan, Emil, Tommy, and dont forget our Teddy, and Rob, standing up for each others.

I purchased this book looking to learn more about getting pregnant, being pregnant and giving birth. The book reviews every aspect of being pregnant, and giving birth while touching slightly on the decisions to be made pre- pregnancy. I could easily skip over sections that I knew didn't apply to me.
Overall, I am very glad I purchased and read the book, as I believe it has given me more to think about as well as some great advice/tips. The sections about doctor, and childcare are extremely helpful as they provide you with a list of questions to ask. Additionally the chapters on what to buy and how to save are VERY helpful. I am extremely glad I read these chapters since I am not pregnant yet. I feel that I am more informed and armed with some good information.

I'm trying to get pregnant for the first time. The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby has proven invaluable. I've poured over practically every chapter -- preparing for pregnancy, misconceptions about fertility and infertility, getting pregnant, fertility treatments, symptoms of early pregnancy, how to choose a doctor and hospital or birthing center, childbirth education, and so much more! There are also chapters jam-packed with great information that I'll need to know later on, like carrying multiples, coping with a high-risk pregnancy, going through each trimester, delivery, and getting ready for the baby. To me, this book seems like a godsend. Lots of my friends have given me copies of other pregnancy books, but I like the Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby the best -- it's incredibly reader-friendly (finding information is a breeze!), and I have yet to look up something in this 800-page book and not have it be in there! Plus, there are short information blurbs on almost every page that offer terrific extra information, from recent studies to how to to save money to quotes from women like me. I can't imagine anyone not loving this book.

I'm only 3 months pregnant, but have already started to wear out this book! So far it has addressed every single question I've had. I've been amazed at how thorough it is. It covers all of the basics that books like Girlfriends Guide and What to Expect leave out. And I've appreciated the way the info. is presented -not judgmental in any way. For instance, you can read the section on breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding and come away informed, without feeling like you're going to ruin your child's life if you opt not to breastfeed.

There's a really useful section on over-the-counter and prescription medications that I've referred to numerous times to make sure I was making smart decisions.

I highly recommend this book for the medical perspective on pregnancy. A really useful reference.