This book does an excelent job of giving a brief history of each summer camp in Algonquin Park. The coloful pictures clearly illustrate the individuality of each camp. If you have any connection to the Park or any of the camps, I'm sure you will enjoy reading this book. Also this book makes an fabulous keepsake for any camper or alumni of the camps.

The photographs are excellent! The history of the company is interesting with information on designers, jewelry, crystal, fashion and much more. Very nicely done.

I read this book before giving it to my 10 year old niece for Christmas. I thought the book was fabulous, talking about how animals communicate with us and how to understand their behaviors. The author explains the value and mechanics of developing richer relationships with animals in ways that kids can understand. The author's attitude is open and trusting with animals, and is exactly the kind of attitude I wanted to foster within my budding vet-to-be-niece.

The author describes the unwrapping and examination of the Egyptian priest Horemkenesi's mummy, which dates back to the 11th century BC. Based on his research, the author has been able to picture the death and mummification of the Ancient Egyptians. Divided in two sections, the first one takes the priest's life in the Twenty-First Dynasty into account, and the second one focuses on his mummy. Illustrated in color as well as in black and white, this recommended book will be most enjoyed by the mummy enthusiast.

This book was one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and and his brother Hyrum. It was historical, it was unedited, and gave me a unique perspective into the events that lead to their death. I had no idea that the entire state of Illinois was virtually at war with the Mormons.

After finishing this book, a big heavy weight seemed to lift off my shoulders. This is a tribute to the prose -- which was vivid, convincing, and honest. But the content was so pathetic! Neither Taylor nor his wife seemed to feel any joy, share any humor. It made me realize how much I value the laughter that's a part of my own marriage. It made me realize there's nothing wrong with "lightening up!" I think one of the therapists that Taylor describes summed it up best when he told the couple they had less "energy" than any other couple he'd ever treated. I've never read an account of people more bogged down and burdened by the precious gift of life.

This book was extremely well written, sad, compelling, and frustrating. Mr. Taylor comes across as very introspective and thoughtful, except in the one critical area of his several extramarital affairs, which, if I was figuring the chronology correctly, began awfully early in his marriage. And if the idea of family was so important to him, as he stresses over and over, why didn't he try to strengthen his marriage and his family by NOT HAVING THE AFFAIRS? It's one thing to give your marriage every possible chance to succeed, and quite another to sabotage it from several angles. Mr. Taylor's character seems to combine admirable qualities of honor and duty with an unawareness of his sizable narcissism--which displays itself in his relationships with his lovers and their husbands as well. What kind of person would agree to be introduced to his lover's unknowing husband? This is an act either of cruelty, or completely oblivious narcissism.

The author's wife, though thinly sketched, seemed true to life, as my opinion of her wavered between sympathetic and unsympathetic. She felt limited and frustrated by her at-home-mother role, yet resisted finding full time work, and ultimately demanded lifetime financial maintenance from the author. I found myself wondering if the author had published this book in order to keep up his alimony payments.

In the interests of fairness, I don't mean to condemn the author simply for failing at marriage. I can't fault someone for entering into a union with more hope than realism; and after all, no one can see into the future. I guess all you can do is know yourself, and know the other person as best you can, and try your hardest. But it certainly seems that our tolerance for struggle, difficulty, and discontent has never been lower.

After having just finished Falling, I must comment on how truly comforted I feel. So many of the feelings John Taylor expresses really touched me. I had trouble expressing these very same feelings even to myself. How anyone could say this man is self-absorbed! I think he would have tried anything to make it work if he thought there was even a remote possibility the two of them could have been happy. I always remember saying I'd wish there was a magic button I could press to make me feel something in my marriage. Wonderful reading for anyone going through divorce. Its been 8 years for me and still, this book made me feel connected to someone who had experienced such emotional trauma, and still feeling it, it never goes away. I'd love to see how Mr. Taylor is doing today, as well as his wife and daughter. I hope he has found some peace within himself.

O.K, I have tried to review this philosophically and have edited the result many times. I will now base my critiques on some evidence. First, Taylor proposes that posterior consciousness (phenomenal) emerges from circuits all in posterior cortex. These are suficient for posterior consciousness in his model. Now, experiments of decortication in monkeys of all but posterior regions make these animals (presumably-I will not go into reportability and animal consciousness issues) visually unconcious, and do not even retain blindsight. Second, imaging studies of visual (phenomenal) concsciousness show activation not only in posterior cortex, but also in anterior (Brodmn. Areas 46, 47, dorsolateral PFC).
Taylors main model is the 'relational' paradigm, that is for something to be conscious, its imput must be intermingled with past mamories and processing. Now some cases of severe amnesia are caused just because of inability to relate present imput to past memories or experiences. These patients are nevertheles conscious, even if they cannot remember the imput after some minutes. Relational-model necesary for memory, recolection, recognition, maybe even recall, but not apparently for consciousnes sin general. In fact, Taylor seems at times to equate consciousness in general with working memory, and this does not hold up completely.
Finally, he tries to explain qualia with "bubbles" of activity in cortex, his argument being that these phenomena have apparent similarity to the properties of qualia itself. But why must something in the brain be like qualia for it to be able to explain it? Are language areas like language? MT like motion? V4 milticolored? The amygdala fearfull? this is the fallacy of isomorphism. It is no argument to say that since something in the brain resembles a phenomenon, then that something is the correlate of the phenomenon.
The model is nevertheless quite complete -that is, he tries to explain a lot, and considers many pieces of evidence. I belive Taylor has gotten many things right, but not explained consciousness in a satisfactory way. Good read nevertheless.

Author does good job in explaining area to readers who usually read Ophra books. Extremely fundamental. 75% of the world is illiterate, 20% of the remaining have technical agility to operate an automobile or computer, less than 1% of the remaining know how to build them. The cumulative knowledge of biophysical type knowledge generally requires at least graduate college work. For instance if I told you that human free choice was merely a matter of how long the hysterisis loops in your IPSP were established in the attractor would you know what was being said? (In other words is there a thing called choice?) Another example, all 5-HT of the SSRI catagory cause a frequency shift in the thalmic inhibition cycle, what does this mean in terms of drug therapy for other damaged cortical areas? Yes the information and the state of the science is there, but only for people curious enough to question.

The book is extremely fascinating, but I am left with a feeling that this field of science is hopelessly underdeveloped. Why haven't we made breakthroughs in this field decades ago? And is this theory really brand new? Some of these ideas about consciousness seem rather mainstream to me. Of course, kudos must go to Taylor for making an obviously needed effort in a young field.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm one of the biggest Capstick fans there is but what I've seen from him is this: He either writes a nail biting account of personal or researched adventures or he rambles on about some boring life chronology spiced up by only a few tidbits of adventure or peril. Thats the way parts of Silent Places is and thats how this book is. If you are a fan of John Taylor or are interested in getting a history lesson of the everyday life of someone like him, then you'll probably enjoy this book.

Me, I'm a fan of the man who writes about the true life (or not)near death experiences of Corbett, Patterson, and himself in exotic bush locations in a time long since forgotten.

I knew what I was getting into when I bought this book but, hey, it's a Capstick book and I have to read 'em all. It's not a terrible book but it's definitely not Long Grass or Dark Continent.

I have enjoyed Capstick other stories in the past, but this one bored me to tears. It is nought but a rehash of "Pondoro" with some extra information from casual acquaintances of the Irish writer/hunter. The fact that Taylor was a homosexual didn't deserve chapter after chapter since, despite Capstick's analysis, his more serious failings were a total disregard for the Law and an inability to hold on to his pennies. That brought about his downfall, not his preference for the same sex. John Taylor deserved a better epitaph than this book.

This is a very good review which is based upon many personal experiences with the subject. It is also honest and doesn't whitewash anything about the man. I found it riveting reading. I read it in only a couple of days.

A browsing of the reviews of Mr. Gatto's latest tretise would make one think that this book is The Bible incarnate. The book is a favorite of Home Schoolers, hence the lavish reviews here. But Mr. Gatto, through his many writings an position in the Libertarian Party, dislikes and mistrusts capitalism, corporations, and government in general.

Here's the scoop: yes, school systems can be better. But they are much better than they were when we were kids. AT least in the suburbs which Mr. Gatto has no clue. Mr. Gatto is against a national education system, but such a system would free kids frm the property-tax discrimination system now in place!

Mr. Gatto makes you think that School is the cause of all the ills in urban society where he taught. As a native New Yroker myself, the problems are far deeper. These children come to school from broken homes, with little discipline, and poor parenting with no value for learning. Why do Asian immigrants do so much better in the same school system? "It's the culture, stupid!" Not the school.

Mr. Gatto's solution (here an in his other writings) is to wax poetic about the pre-industrial world where folks lived simply in trademan jobs in small towns. Come to reality, Mr. Gatto! Those tradesmen did not elinamate the 1 in 5 kids who died before age five, or kept you alive to 90, or give you more time with your kids because of modern technological conveniences. Modern socieyt did all that. Everything has its tradeoffs.

Mr. Gatto believes that no school is best. Home schooling (just a little) is preferred. Great if we all could afford that. And the family culture of inner city families makes this a pipe dream.A s a New Yorker, I cannot imagine the masses of students hanging out causing trouble all day as they "learn naturally."

Apprentiships and providing trademen alternatives in school (not just college) is laudable, but Gatto's disdain for anything oganized makes this a well-disguised treatise of an Anarchist, plain and simple.

Gatto and his friends could be called radicals, but they're radicals with credentials--- and enormous credibility. They have the training, the experience, and the courage to look at the public school classroom experience and say "This is cultivated mediocrity at best, forcible dumbing-down at worst; and as such, it is unacceptable for our children, or for any children."

John Taylor Gatto is a great educator with decades of experience inside the New York public school system. But the best experiences--- for him, and for the kids he teaches--- have been outside the system; and the contrast is illuminating.

It is true that their advocacy of homeschooling and private schooling (as opposed to government schooling) has a vehemence which will make some people gulp or sweat. So be it. If you have one child, or two or three or more children whom you love more than your own life, and you want to shield them from the worst in education, and offer them the best, then you owe it to yourself and to them to read this book.

Do it now! It's exhilarating!

This book is the transcript of an event put together by John Taylor Gatto, featuring various educators as speakers, discussing successful alternatives to government (public) schools. The event was called "The Exhausted School" and took place in Carnegie Hall on 11/13/91. In addition to the transcript of the talk there is an introduction by Patrick Ferenga, organizational notes before the event, program notes (biographies of the speakers) and a special introduction and afterward by John Taylor Gatto.

The various educators present a brief speech on what their educational method is and why it is successful. Some former students of Gatto also spoke briefly about how little public schools contributed to their successful lives, and how almost all of what they consider important learning happened outside of school on a self-initiated basis. John Taylor Gatto is the only person whose words are speaking out about what is wrong with the present American government schools and why change is needed. For more detailed opinions of Gatto, read "A Different Kind of Teacher" or "Dumbing Us Down".

The purpose of this talk was to get the word out to educators and parents that there are alternatives to the public schools that are successful. I believe the goal was to get parents and teachers motivated to inspire reform of the public schools or at least to know there are working models that reform can be based on. If reform doesn't come fast enough (or ever) then know there are options out there for educational alternatives for our children. Parents who want options can either use the existing alternative schools or perhaps take on the endeavor to open a new school or to homeschool.

The educators briefly discuss what their schools are like and a scant overview of the educational philosophy behind their schools. This is great information for someone who is not yet familiar with these educational options-a good first start in hearing about these schools. If you are interested in more detailed information there is more on the Internet or in other books about those schools. Homeschooling is one option that is discussed by Patrick Farenga. The schools represented are: Sudbury Valley School (a democratic school), Hawthorne Valley Farm School (a Waldorf school), Alternative Community School of Ithaca (public school of choice), and the Albany Free School.

Gatto wraps up the book with an afterward that is a concise history of how American public schools grew to be what they are today. For a long expansion of this short afterward read "The Underground History of American Education".

This is a fast and short read that will be of interest to those interested in learning about educational alternatives to public school or those interested in reading about public school reform. As usual, Gatto does not mince words and gets right to the point. I look forward to more books and articles written by Gatto!

Seeing the title of this book was a great joy for me. I've gotten a little weary of all the nutrition police screaming that anything other than steamed or boiled food will kill us all.

The author certainly knows his stuff and I was impressed at the variety of foods one can fry and how to fry them as well. Taylor is also telling the truth when he says that if cooked right, fried food is surprisingly not greasy.

I tried my hand at his recipe for Southern Fried Chicken. I followed the instructions to a T: using a deep-fry thermometer and keeping the temp between 365-375 degrees F. The result? The crispiest, most tender and delicious chicken I've fried. Fantastic!

Get this book if you want to re-live the joys of fried food. Recommended.

With today's health consciousness it was interesting to pick up a cookbook named The Fearless Frying Cookbook written by Hoppin' John Martin Taylor. This book contained over 125 recipes that are almost all fried in one fashion or another. Recipes have the ingredients fried in butter, olive oil, peanut oil, lard, sesame oil, and vegetable oil to name a few. The recipes obviously do not offer any nutritional information. Many of the recipes are poorly laid-out making the cook turn the pages to look at the balance of the recipe that may only be a few extra lines.

While many cookbooks keep the recipes to the same or approximate serving sizes, this book goes from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 and 8 to 10 with some recipes designed for 3 and other unusal serving sizes. Almost all of the recipes are quick and easy and contain ingredients readily available at all basic grocery stores. The book is designed with three different font sizes or styles which make it harder on the eyes of the cook, but easier to pull out the ingredients the directions and the prefaces to each recipe.

Recipes include such items as Sopaipillas, Chickpea Fritters with Sorrel, Fried Egg Salad, Fried Calzone, Fried Shark, Sesame Fried Fish, Pan-Fried Crab Cakes, Deep-Fried Turkey Breast, Pan-Fried Pork Chops, Fried Lamb Patties, Okra Fritters, Fried Bananas, and Fried Ice Cream.

Published by Workman publishing, The Fearless Frying Cookbook bills itself as a cookbook with recipes that are "surprisingly greaseless". I give Hoppin' Taylor credit for putting together an entire cookbook on today's most sensitive health topic - frying of foods, but I would have like to see the book contain a few more alternatives to each recipe and the courage to show the nutritional data on each recipe.

Taylor's technical information was extremely helpful; giving me the courage to fire up 16,000 BTU's under a big stockpot of 400 degree oil! His suggestion for using potatoes to clean used oil was a great insight. After cleaning the oil, we tried the "taters". Yummy! Recipes are a nice addition to the terrific informative sections.