What does the average Ethiopian home look like? What is the average Cuban family's hope for the future? How much does a carrot cost on the black Market in Bosnia? Which country has the highest fish consumption per capita? What does the average Japanese father have for breakfast?

It may seem trivial, but these are the questions that Peter Menzel and the creators of "Material World" have tried to answer. And the answers they found are more profound than you might think. 30 very different countries, and 16 excellent photographers, trying to show through images, statistics and interviews how the world's average families live. The differences are astonishing: the financially average Abdullah family in Kuwait is both literally and figuratively a world removed from the Cakonis in Albania.

In this book, created to celebrate the United Nations International Year Of The Family, sumptuous photographs, show each family with their material possessions spread around them outside their homes: while one family's material wealth seems to consist almost entirely of carpets, another's is made up of animals and cooking pots. One family has four cars, another a single and ragged looking donkey. More photographs show each family in the course of the average day, and coupled with data based on interviews, they answer questions such as: do the children go to school? Where does their food come from? What does their house look like? And most tellingly, what is their most treasured possession? More light hearted sections, which explore average televisions, toilets and meals across the world, show at once how alike and different we are.

The creators of "Material World" have sought, and achieved a fine balance. They contrast not only those countries which we know to be rich or poor, but also look at how other factors, such as war and technology, affect families. The information is implicit rather than explicit, conveyed only through the images and words of each family; while the photographers' impressions are expressed in small "photographer's notes" sections, their main function is simply to show us the real lives of their subjects. No judgements are passed, nor opinions given. The reader is left to examine the evidence for themselves.

"Material World" works on many levels. The quality of photography and the compilation of each section make it beautiful to look at - a smart and very PC coffee table book. The statistical information and photographs together provide a wealth of material for use in schools. Flipping backwards and forwards to explore the differences yourself is as much fun as "Where's Waldo", and the writing is so good that "Material World" is a great book to snuggle up with and read. I can only pick one fault with this book: the more trivial statistical data is not always consistent. For example, data on percentages of income spent on food is only available for some families, making comparison impossible. However, this is a small fault. "Material World" is a fantastic book, original, interesting and well put together. Highly recommended to anyone with even a slight interest in the subject.

"Material World" is one of those books that EVERYONE should read. It really is beyond description...deceptively simply yet incredibly moving in its stark simplicity. In these pages about families across the globe, we see scenes from their everyday life. When we glance at the pictures of each family on their lawn surrounded by all of their material goods, the difference between the average American family and the average Ethiopian family couldn't be plainer. We look at the faces on these pages, hear their thoughts on the future, and compare their lives to our own...and suddenly the people in other countries seem real to us, and the faceless people of the news suddenly have faces and thoughts and homes and families. Peter Menzel and all of the others who have worked on this book have done a brilliant and wonderful thing when they created "Material World". They have done what no "You should be grateful..." or "Think of those people in other countries..." could have done...they have made the world real to us.

This book was a required "textbook" in a high school "Science and Sustainability" pilot class my school did in junior year. I remember we generally used the books in class but could check them out to take home if we wanted. I checked one out and din't want to give it back. I think I skipped two classes that day just sitting in the student lounge poring over it, and I think the people reading over my shoulder probably had other things to do as well, but I couldn't put it down, it was so fascinating. So of course I bought my own and I can still pick it up and pore over it for another three hours with the same fascination. It's real life, and the families are real people that you feel somehow close to after reading this. I love this book and show it to everyone. This book will change the way you look at things. Also, for those who think that this book is primarily about material goods around the world, you couldn't be more wrong. Each chapter shows an incredibly detailed portrait of life in another country, and is as wonderful for introducing kids to other cultures as it is for opening their eyes to economic realities. Enjoy.

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We have prepared many great recipes that were absolutely delicious!

The recipes / preparations are easy to read, with clearly detailed preparation steps.

Highly recommend this book if you like hot Cajun dishes; (our favorite - Cajun Meatloaf with extra spices. Best enjoyed when re-heated after sitting in the refrigerator for 24 hours - I have no idea why!)

Favorite Recipes:
1.....Shrimp Etouffe'e (page 75) - of course!

2.....Cajun Meatloaf (page 112)

3.....Cajun Seafood Gumbo with Andoulle Smoked Sausage (page 208)

Negatives:
1.....I only give it 4 stars because it does lack some of the enticing glossy pictures we have grown to expect for visual pleasure. (I have the 1990, or so, edition, so this may no longer be accurate)

2.....Many recipes have multiple steps to make the sauce, or base, then prepare the recipe. If you are strapped for time, or not a dedicated chef, this can be disappointing.

3.....Not everyone likes Cajun heat; so, while not all recipes are hot, this issue will limit the recipes to choose from.

4.....Diet with Prudhomme? Forget it!

Years ago watching Phil Dohahue, my husband and I viewed Paul Prudhomme promoting his book the Louisianna Kitchen. we were intrigued and had to have his book. Thus began our journey. We loved the illustrations and poured over them trying to decide which recipes we would do. We tried many and they have since become standards in our household.

I remember our first attempt at Crawfish enchiladas con Queso. we went over to a bait shop on the sacramento river to get the real thing. After the ordeal of immersing them in boiling water and the tedium of peeling them. we decided bay shrimp may make a good substitute and have used them ever since. It is a wonderful meal that starts me drooling just thinking about it.

Other tasty treats are Chicken big mamou (watch out for the scovil units), Cajun shepherd's pie, paneed veal and fettucini, cajun meatloaf and shrimp creole.

Over the years we have learned to cut down on the butter, without hurting the recipe and adjust heat to our taste. These recipes are not for the timid or diet conscious - but they are Deeeelicious!!

I grew up in Louisiana and have eaten many of these recipes in restaurants all over the state. Without a doubt, you won't find a better source of cajun recipes than this book. Literally, every one of them is a gem. Yes, he uses a lot of butter and some of the recipes sound time consuming but you can cut back on the butter and you can make the stocks (easily) ahead of time. One word of caution: if Chef Paul says it is *hot*, he means it. His Shrimp Sauce Piquante recipe will cook your ears off if you don't tone it down. I cut the peppers in half and it is just about right for me (and again, I grew up eating spicy food). The beauty of these recipes are his simple instructions and the spice mixtures. Follow the instructions to a 't' and your friends will think you are a cajun cooking god. Enjoy!

Anybody with even a passing interest in The Beatles must have this book. Set out in a diary format it gives details of all recording sessions by the group. Sometimes it gets fairly technical with details about recording equipment, overdubs, etc but it is still essential information. One criticism, if you can call it that - most Beatles songs have gained legendary status and it can be quite disconcerting at times to have them clinically dissected in this fashion. But that is a small criticism. The fact that the book is apparently out of print is deplorable. It would be good if it were issued free whenever anybody buys their first Beatles CD, it is that important. It isn't a book, it's a rite of passage.

Almost ten years ago I bought this book --hardcover-- in Mexico City, noy quite knowing its content. As a growing Beatles fan myself, I found it as a perfect guide to the group's development into studio techniques. If one wants to know how the Beatles turned the recording studio into an instrument in itself, one just has to read in detail: the 1962-1966 period (when the simplest, most straightforward music was composed) has only 60 pages, whereas the complex 1966-1970 period accumulates 120. One can know the origin of the backwards tapes, the tape edition (ie, at the end of "...Mr Kite!"), the outside musicians, the psdychedelic "sonic textures", the fundamental roles of producer George Martin and engineers Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick. One can even know the names of the orchestra performers. One can know the problematic "Get Back" sessions held in January 1969. This book opens a window to the landscape of the big experiments going on in Abbey Road studio two where the history of popular music changed. It's no surprise Paul McCartney calls this book "the bible".

I am simply dumbfounded that this book has gone out of print. There is simply no other source for the information contained in this book, and it is consistently fascinating, entertaining and enlightening. In view of the never-ending interest in The Beatles CDs, and the fascination with how the band was able to make such huge strides forward in the evolution and revolution of pop and rock music, not to mention our popular culture in general, it is amazing that this book even exists in the first place as a miraculous wellspring of information. It contains virtually everything you would ever want to know about how all of the Beatles songs were recorded, from many different perspectives including producer George Martin, engineer Geoff Emerick, the Beatles crew members, and anyone and everyone who was present. You will see the exact sequence of events as song ideas turned to demos, demos to masters, overdubs, special effects, recording accidents, mixes and mastering. You will see how albums took shape, and songs from one period ended up on albums from another period. Amazing facts abound...how about the fact that in the entire recording history of The Beatles, drummer Ringo Starr never made a musical mistake which caused the tape machines to stop rolling. Think about it...a perfect record of studio drumming! With all the complexity and variety of the music, not to mention 16-20 hour recording sessions for months on end, with guitars hitting wrong notes, voices cracking, piano note bloopers etc. A truly amazing feat! As the owner of both a Hardcover copy and a Softcover copy of this book, I suddenly realize that I am far richer than I thought! Find this book, read it, study it, and treasure it!

I was a big player of the old AD&D system in highschool and only recently returned to Dungeons and Dragons. Have been learning the D20 system and have been quite impressed with the changes. One of the problems I always encountered with AD&D was finding many of the hirelings and townsfolk completely two dimensional with no clear definition of their abilities and skills other than a name, hit points and an armor class to await slaughter by the next attack of bandits/orcs/or chaotic PCs.

'Experts' is awesome. Everything I always wanted to have back in my AD&D days, providing detailed skills, career development paths and background information on a host of professions that will often interact with players as hirelings and NPCs. Actually the book has a tremendous potential for Dungeon Masters who want to develop a thinking man's dungeon in which the use of NPC or even PC experts is the initial plot hook or required for the successful completion of the adventure.

The book is a great resource and I HIGHLY recommend it. The perfect cure for the cardboard NPC... and even offering a unique challenge for PC's who want to try their hand as an expert character on a special adventure.

This d20 system publication provides the DM or player with a huge store of Expert character classes and sample NPCs for use in fantasy games. Alchemists, blacksmiths, shipwrights, sages... the people that make a town or city more real. New d20 skills and feats help you work out PC interactions when they need an Expert's services - or if you have a PC who wants take a few levels of the Expert class. Highly recommended.

Experts, by Varhola, Knorr, and the SGDG, expands the world of TSR's Dungeons and Dragons and all related role-playing games by covering the unexplored and under-exploited of the professional non-player characters (NPCs) who make the background of every adventure, mission, and campaign.
For the gamesmaster (GM), this tome gives new ideas for adding depth and colour to the setting where the player characters (PCs) are based and to where they adventure. By listing more than 25 new NPC expert classes and over 50 new NPC skills, a GM can design any number of unique NPCs to service his/her world of play.
For the player, a greater choice of secondary classes and skills will increase the excitement of the game. Most players will find that achieving the goal of becoming a successful expert will be as challenging as achieving success in the main classes. From my own experience, when I created a wizard character I randomly selected that the PC's secondary class was that of Merchant. I spent as much time acting as a go-between for PC-PC, PC-NPC, and NPC-NPC negotiations as I did battling monsters and villains. Currently in Living Greyhawk I play a wizard who tries to make a living as an alchemist in the city of Greyhawk but occasionally takes adventures to acquire fresh spell components.
For the students of serious history, Varhola, Knorr, and the SGDG have written a text that amounts to a Cliff's Notes summary of life in Mideval Europe, Africa, and Asia. The book is replete with historical tie-ins and useful information (such as the list of medicinal herbs of the Mideval world on page 85).
For those who play non D&D role-playing games, such as World of Darkness, Traveller, or Deadlands, because the authors dedicated their efforts to elucidate the non-magic-using expert and profession classes, the ideas in this book can be used in any role-playing setting, including Sci-Fi, Modern Day, and Mideval/Fantasy genres.
Whether you are a player, an independent GM with a weekend club, or a member of a seasoned organization, I feel you will find Experts an essential supplement to the TSR's Players' Handbook and Dungeonmaster's Guide.

Paul Fein's Tennis Confidential is a fantastic collection of essays and interviews. As a former collegiate tennis player and current teaching pro who has avidly followed and played tennis my whole life, I learned more from Tennis Confidential than any other tennis book. Fein combines his expert journalism with his supreme knowledge of the sport to produce a gem. I found the essay style very convenient. With just 10 minutes of spare time, I could be transported behind the scenes of tennis and into Fein's world with one of his essays, interviews, or match coverage. My favorite part of the book was the "Fascinating Facts." True tennis fans will be in heaven with some of the trivia that Fein has collected over the years. Importantly, too, Tennis Confidential has diversity appeal. Newcomers to the sport will be enticed to learn more, and seasoned fans and players will be reminded of how unique the game and its personalities are. I am anxiously awaiting Tennis Confidential II !

Being an avid tennis fan, I am always looking for tennis books that have interesting but factual stories about players of years past to the players of present. Paul Fein's Tennis Confidential held my interest throughout the book. There are wonderful interviews and tennis trivia in his 'Fascinating Facts' that will amaze even the most remote tennis fans. He deals with all the issues that confront tennis today, and talks about the ten greatest tennis matches in history. Many books talk about tennis players in a textbook way, but not this book. It is filled with stories that make you want to keep reading. This is definitely one of tennis' Fein-est books!

Tennis Confidential by Paul Fein is a logically organized collection of essays, reports on remarkable matches, and interviews, that I found serendipitously searching the web, and read with the appreciation of the author's ability to get deep into the topic while enjoying plastic description of events, matches, broader impact of events for pro-tennis, and post-game interviews etc. The style of writing was concise and to the point. The author is at his best in the middle of the book conveying the ongoing issues of pro-tennis from the possible rule changes, computer and year to date; to the Prize-Money equality/inequalities. This book wont help to improve your game, but will definitely provide a collection of deep thoughts about the game of tennis, and the paradoxical and complicated psyche of the players that have shaped the Open-Era. In my opinion, the book reaches the quality of B. Collins's My Life with the Pros, and P. Bodo's The Courts of Babylon, while keeping its own unique concept of tennis and style, and selection of topics surviving the tests of time. TC II deserves its consideration

Kavik the Wolf-dog was the first book about wolf-dogs I have ever read. Because of this book, it inspired me to respect and raise my own wolf-dogs and wolves to teach people how noble these animals are. I was in second grade when I read it.Now I'm almost thirty and this book stills vividly sticks in my mind. This is a classic novel.

Kavik was just an ordinary sled dog, except for one thing he is a half husky, half wolf sled dog. Kavik was also much more athletic than the other dogs, which is exactly why one businessman from California took a special interest in him. On his way to California Kavik is involved in a horrible plane crash, which kills the pilot and leaves Kavik hanging onto life by a thread. After being stranded in a metal cage for three days and facing things such as hunger, loneliness, and being attacked by wild animals, Kavik is barely alive when a boy finds him and frees him from his metal prison. The boy, with the help of his family, nurses Kavik back to health. The businessman comes looking for Kavik, and to the boy's dismay, takes him to his home in California. After spending countless weeks there, Kavik decides he has had enough and escapes from his home and tries to get back to Alaska. Along the way back, Kavik encounters many helping hands and many obstacles such as an old man and woman who live on a boat house, a pack of wolves, hunters, and miles of nearly impassible glaciers, all to get back to the family he loves.

I think all the characters in this book are very believable, especially since there is nothing like flying pigs or talking animals. This book kept me very emotionally involved because of all the twists and turns and because of all of the emotions involved in this book, ranging from humorous to heartbreaking. Kavik The Wolf Dog also teaches a very important lesson, that family is more important than anything. Not only does the book keep you involved, but it also has a great plot that has many surprises.

This story is a great book and it was hard to put down because it is one of the best books I have ever read. I also think this book has some things in common with the book White Fang, so those of you who have read White Fang would enjoy this book. I really enjoyed this book because of the twists and all of the emotions involved in the plot. Although this book is hard to find, I would recommend this book to wolf lovers, people whom like adventurous stories, and anyone who likes a story about surviving and facing the elements of nature.

I loved this book! It may be dull at first, but soon you'll be hooked. I liked it so much, I didn't want it to end.

Kavik is a wolf dog who is a champion sled dog who belongs to Charlie One-Eye. He gets sold, but the plane flying him to his new "owner" Mr. Hunter it crashes, and Kavik is left to die. His only hope is a boy named Andy Evans who is out hunting. He is shocked when he finds Kavik, and wonders if he should take his gun and put him out of misery. But Kavik's golden eyes say "I'm not ready to die." Andy takes him home, and after a while, with the help of a nearby doctor, Kavik heals, But his courage is damaged from the crash. His owner returns to take him. Kavik is miserable in the puny dog run Mr. Hunter looked him in, and hates Mr. Hunter as well. One day when Mr. hunter is showing off Kavik, he runs away, on his quest to get home to Andy. Kavik gets a ride back up north on a boat with an elderly couple. He runs away from them, and meets a young female wolf and falls in love. Like in the real world, Kavik must fight another wolf for her, and he gets his courage back. But a hunter kills her, and Kavik continues to travel until he finally makes it home to Andy, and Andy gets to keep him. It is a wonderful book that has everything. Love, compassion, loyalty, adventure, action, and all that other stuff. You gotta read it!

It is so amazing to me how one man's work and experiences can touch the lives of so many people. This is a true miracle. Mr. Evans is an exquisite man with the ability to help others see the true purpose in life and cope with tragedy that may come their way. I read the book cover to cover without putting it down. I cried, I laughed, I felt the pain and the joy shared in each story. This book came at the perfect time for this nation. A time to understand destiny, healing, and hope. Thank you, Mr. Evans, for a wonderful book that I will cherish and share with many others.

As I sat down and read Richard Paul Evans' The Christmas Box Miracle from cover to cover, it gave me hope, a sense of healing and reminded me of the miracles that truly do happen in our lives!
At a time that our nation feels so unsecure, this book gave me the confidence and hope that I was searching for. I cannot thank you Mr. Evans for being so humble and willing to share your experiences and miracles. What a divine destiny we all have and a reminder that when tragedy strikes, we can pull together and know that we are not alone! I treasured the stories about The Christmas Box Angel Monuments, that you have created a place for those who have lost loved ones can go to grieve and heal from our losses. TRULY A BOOK TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE! Thank you Mr. Evans for giving us hope!

Last night i read The Christmas Box Miracle and i must say that i was deeply moved by it's contents. The stories shared by Mr. Evans are real and can be easily related to the struggles that we all encounter. After the tragedy we have faced as a nation this book comes at just the right time to give us all hope. Reading this book left me with such a good feeling and a desire to use whatever capacity i have to improve the quality of my life as well as the lives of others. Mr. Evans has a gift and i am thankful that he has made the effort to share it with everyone- He is truely a miracle to many!

Java Thread Programming is by far the best treatment of this subject in the marketplace. I have found that the structure, code samples, and reference very handy. Paul Hyde is a very easy to understand writing artist. His approach is informational and practical. This book is for the experienced Java developers who would like to learn, and revisit threads from a more thorough standpoint. Therefore, I highly recommend this book to all serious Java developers.

Thread programming is not easy but this book contains knowledge and techniques that will help any real-world Java programmer gain skill in this area. The examples work well and helps one to "learn by doing".

This is a brilliantly clear book. There are far too many 'brilliant' books out there that are as abstruse as mud.

This book was a pleasure to read. I am incorporating the threading techniques in my projects at work.

However I am troubled by the fact that the book was published in 1999. Since then much has changed in the Java world. Is it not time for an updated book? Also there does not seem to be any errata or companion website for the book.

Paul does an extremely good job of explaining threads. Even
though I haven't yet completed the book, I have already gotten
my moneys worth out of it.
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It has been quite awhile since I looked into threads. I've had
little opportunity to use them, and none in Java. So, I was
quite pleased to see the number of very positive comments about
this book. I have yet to understand the harsh rating by Dan.
.
I bought this book (mainly because of the number of good
reviews) because I had a problem I was trying to solve. Since
getting the book, I've worked my way through 8 chapters, and
have greatly enjoyed reading the material, as well as having
learned/relearned a vast amount about Java threads.
.
Pros:
- Excellent writing style
- Very few (as far as I can tell anyway ;-) errors
- Use of a variety of example styles to demonstrate thread
relationships, and timings - these make for much better
comprehension of the material.
.
Cons: (nothing significant)
- End of section/chapter exercises could be of benefit.

What makes this book the best science book that I've ever read, is its simplisity. Many scientific books are hard to read because while whatever is written in them is clear to the writer, usually a doctor or a professor, it is far beyond the understanding of the average reader. Most of the science books start high, they will explain you anything about black holes, assuming you know what a black hole is. They could tell you about the wonders of galaxies that are thousainds of miles away, assuming of course you can understand what they are saying without checking every second word in the dictionary.

"Broca's Brain" is the exact opposite. Instead of starting high, and force the reader to climb up to the book's level, Sagan is starting in the low and simple things (A grain of salt, for example.) and takes the fascinated reader to the high and miraculous.

Sagan is a great teacher, and more than that, he is a great storyteller. He is teaching science as it should be taught: As a story. Without funky formulas that most people can't even understand, and in simple and clear words. He is telling us the story of ourselves and everything that's around us, and in this book he is turning science from a magical and isolated thing to what it really should be: Simple, understandable by everyone, interesting and basically fun.

In Broca's Brain, Dr. Sagan debunks many of the myths that bind us together. He describes various hoaxes throughout the ages; how easily those myths have been perpertrated. And does so without making the reader feel foolish. From THE HORSE THAT CAN ADD, to IDENTICAL TWIN CHILD CON-ARTISTS, to PHONY RUSSIAN SCIENCE, Sagan shows us not to believe what we see, but rather to depend on scientific experimentation to learn the truth. "Theres a sucker born every minute". pt Barnum

Broca's Brain may not be as famous as other works such as Cosmos or Contact, but it's every bit as engaging. In particular, the chapter entitled "A Sunday Sermon" contains tidbits I believe every person on this planet, whatever their religious beliefs or lack therof are, can gain important insight from. He manages to tackle this difficult subject with grace and dignity, without lambasting any view. As he says (paraphrased) "I believe that those beliefs that can't survive scrutiny aren't worth having. Those that do, have at least a kernal of truth within them". So true, Mr. Sagan.

Some of the chapters are simply fun; the chapter on how heavenly bodies are named, and the opening chapter on Paul Broca, and his brain, are like this. You do not need a science degree to enjoy/understand this book. I do possess one, however I read it in early high school, and it's just as relevant to me now.

Carl Sagan performed a difficult feat: to make science interesting and accessable to an entire generation. I am in science, loving every minute of it, due in part to Mr. Sagan's efforts. Don't miss this important and fascinating book that covers an amazing array of subjects.

Biddulph is brilliant in this book...good tips, very insightful, written with compassion and in simple English...as the father of a teenage son I appreciate a clear roadmap like this..Other books I've found great lately on the subject of raising boys include: Real Boys (Pollack), about the myths of boys and how to overcome them; Raising a Son, which also has great basic advice, and some very insightful chapters in the PC Dads Guide to Becoming a Computer Smart Parent (Ivey), which talks about raising a son in the computer age.

As a first time expecting parent of a boy I have many concerns. My biggest one being that I am single and will be raisig my new son without a father. This book stresses the importance of male role models but also helped give me many alternatives to a father. Now I feel better knowing ways I can do things to help make up for him not having a father and that things can work out just as well. Plus the book also covers areas such as gender differences, sexuality, and how to help him in everyday life and what he needs in a parent(s)as well as from other people in his life. This book has given me confidence that I can raise him well. I recommend this book highly to single mothers who are concerned about male role models for their son and also to first time parents of boys.

This is the BEST book I have read on raising boys. Biddulph writes in a clear, crisp voice making it easy for anyone to understand the fine art of being a male. He has made me realize how and why my husband and son are the same in some ways and very different in others. Girls are not ignored here, either. He compares and contrasts the two, so subtle differences are made just as obvious as the not-so-subtle ones. He takes time show why the two can act and/or react differently in the same situations. Everyone, especially teachers, should read this great book!