I am almost ashamed to admit that the book version of this title sat on my bookshelf for a year, as I thought it would be a very cumbersome read. Recently I picked up a CD version, of the title, from my local library. (There are approximately 10 CD's, each covering approx. 200 years of history). Now I am devouring the book, wondering why I waited so long to read it. I have borrowed & re-borrowed the CD's from the library, & I listen to them at home over & over again. What I particularly like about this title is the way the author refers to contemporary documents relevant to the time in history being covered. Christopher Lee has taken a subject which, in other's hands, can sometimes be flat & 'dry', & he has created a masterpiece. If you have even the slighest interest in history I urge you to either read the print version of the title, or if you can't get your hands on that beg or borrow a copy, in either print, on tape, or on CD. You WON'T be disappointed. I only wish someone would produce a masterpiece of this calibre for 'other' history e.g. French, Italian etc Oh, & BTW, 'This Sceptred Isle - Twentieth Century' has just hit the shelves in Australia. I have already purchased my copy. I expect it will be every bit as good as '55BC - 1901'

Given sets of these tapes as a holiday gift, I was slowed in my enthusiasm toward the givers. Facing a long drive, with ample entertainment backup, I listened to the first of many tapes. Could history on tape possibly subvert popular culture and current events ? I have now listened to these tapes more than 6 times. The presentation, content, and most of all attitude of the material is addictive. The BBC should be commended again for their quality educational products, and their significant contributions toward restoring the positive reputation of the British people. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing these tapes for yourselves and your children's enlightenment.

I was totally captivated! What an incredible, sweeping history, sumptuously written and produced; rich by far in audio than if it were produced on film. Bravo BBC! At one point I even briefly understood the English soccer hooligans - after all, rampaging around the Continent thumping foreigners is only what their predecessors have done for 1000 years! With an incredibly rich and diverse history and an incalculable contribution to the world's culture (hooliganism excepted!), Britons almost have the right to be admired and to be what they are not - arrogant and boastful. We must admire too, their charm, wit and self-effacing modesty. A tip of the hat from California!

This book is so cute! This is a great version of the classic rhyme, and my kids absolutely adore it. The illustrations are sweet and old-fashioned, and remind me of one of my all-time favorite illustrators, Rosemary Wells.

ms. alter has created a gem here, in her second published children's book. the colors are soft and beautiful. i am anxiously awaiting her next creation!

this is a beautiful book. the colors, both rich and soft, contribute to a very warm atmosphere. a wonderful follow up to ms. alter's "estelle and lucy". i cannot wait to see even more books from this talented artist.

This is an awesome book from cover to cover. I was enchanted with the text and the many fabulous pictures and have read it over and over again. I especially loved the Christening section and drooled over the pictures of the many exquisite gowns. I am thrilled to have this beautiful book to add to my antique book collection. I have found the author Anna MacPhail also has an equally superb web site (www.[...].com) which I have started to visit on a regular basis.

Anna MacPhail's book is a work of art in itself. Every page is glossy photo paper, and only one page has no photos. Each photo is in color, (even the black and whites are sepia toned), and some of the items are priced, giving collectors an idea of value. This book has very little text, so if visual history is your thing, this book is superb.

I ENJOYED THIS BOOK VERY MUCH. IT WAS EDUCATIONAL AND INTERESTING TO READ. THE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE BEAUTIFUL! IT WAS SUCH A PLEASURE TO SEE A BOOK LIKE THIS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER BOOKS ON VINTAGE CLOTHING BUT THEY ARE DISORGANIZED AND NOT FACTUAL. THIS BOOK TOOK ME BACK TO A TIME I THINK I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO LIVE IN. ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS IN MY COLLECTION.

If you enjoy poetry, then you will absolutely love these poems by Anna Marie Fritz. I enjoyed every line of the easy to read, beautiful flowing of words. Some of the poems in ANNA-VERSERY left me spellbound as I read the feelings that came through by this author. This is a book of poetry that should be on your bookshelf. Don't miss out on these words of love, happiness and sadness. You will smile at some; feel anguish at others. If you have an ounce of passion, I recommend keeping a hanky nearby from the tears you will shed.

Reviewed by Bobby Ruble, Award winning author

Anna Marie Fritz has chosen to present her poetry as snapshots of memory, so that each poem in the collection recalls information and events - some perplexing, others clear - that she apparently collected from life's experiences. She had diligently preserved the feelings and concepts her mind had stored up in the course of life, which have resurfaced in these verses. And now, even as she tries to externalize these musings, she can't help clinging to emotions that take her back to the "lost chances," the "yearnings" and the "outstanding moments" she had encountered in life.

Anna-Versery is a lovely work of art. Provocatively nostalgic. Delightfully lyrical.

I've read quite a few books of poetry and none have been as easy to relate to as Ms. Fritz's book. She writes about things that everyone can relate to in such a beautiful and unique way. Some poets like to write very abstract poetry, but THESE poems are easy to get a hold of, visually and emotionally. "Fruitless Mission", "A Kindred Spirit" and "The Dark Space" are among my favorites. This a book every poetry lover MUST HAVE!

I thought that this book offered an excellent view of what life was like in Afghanistan under the Taliban. In fact, it is the best book I have read on the subject.
"Blind Chickens and Social Animals" is most effective as a guide to the realities of everyday life in Afghanistan. It resulted from numerous interviews in the period from 1998 to 2000 with women from the regions of strong Taliban control. Some of these women were in refugee camps at the time, others had remained in Afghanistan.
The book discusses the things these women had to say about a number of issues, including: Dress restrictions, health care, women's work, changes in technology, and differences between towns and villages. By focusing on what the women themselves thought about these issues, it gives a very personal look into the difficulties of life under the Taliban and the struggles of women to survive that regime.
The book is especially valuable because of the limited number of worthwhile books on contemporary Afghanistan. This is the only book I know of that adequately discusses the plight of women there in recent years.

I found this book to be an honest and straight-forward portrayal of women in Afghanistan, especially having had been there nearly 30 years ago. If you ever wonder about what you hear on the news...i.e. the constant negative referrals to womens role/dress in Afghanistan....then read this book for a reality check. Although the rule of the Taliban was harsh compared to the pre-Taliban era, things really aren't all that different for the majority of Afghan women. Most women wore the burka (covering) and they still do. It's a tradition that is not necessarily the terrible symbol of oppression that we place upon it. Also, most Afghans, both men and women, are poor, uneducated and live in a rural, agricultural society...not just the women. What I liked about this book is that the discussions are in the womens own words. Women describe their lives without being screened through some academic psycho-babble interpretation of what they really mean to say. This is valuable because it is the only book of its kind that I know of. Reports on rural Afghan women that are written mostly in their own words are rare as Afghanistan is so isolated and most women there live in seclusion. Yes, some women held professional jobs, but this was the minority and mostly in Kabul; rural lives have not changed as much. It was interesting to hear that these women were just recently introduced to radio, cars, and television...things that were largely unavailable when I was there. It was also illuminating to see how many were married at an early age...before they were even 10 years old, but that they want this to change. It is apparent from reading this book, that the international community can continue to help by providing things that these people want and benefit from, such as basic health care, education, and micro-economic development. The things that we take for granted over here are generally unavailable in most of Afghanistan, from clean water and central heat to jobs and education, but the Afghans are strong, resiliant people that have a rich, ancient and beautiful culture to share. I hope that we can help ensure the survival of their way of life, and not diminish it with our Western perspectives. This book lifts the veil and helps us to understand their way of life by giving a true and honest portrayal... and it's a quick and easy read that won't bog you down with the rhetoric we so commonly hear.

Two Hundred-eighteen women were interviewed over a 3 year period from southern Afghanistan and the refugee villages of Pakistan. While this is a scholarly work, clearly laying out the research methodology, I found it a compelling read for the content as expressed by the women who were interviewed, and the details of their daily lives. We learn how they experience their own situations and lives, their hopes and aspirations, their sources of information, health care, how they view dress codes, how they generate income, what it's like to be a woman alone in their society, and views on so many more topics on interest to us all.

I thought this book was delightful. I gave it as a gift to my friends 4 year old granddaughter who is not very interested in books and she sat still the whole time my daughter read it to her!

Hey! I just found these great reviews. Why haven't you run these next to the grumpy one? <>

A charming look at a day in the life of a busy toddler, from waking to bedtime with many adventures in between. My two year old loves the rhyming and the sweet illustrations. A great bedtime story, too.

This book has the most outstanding photos and directions for making amazing cakes- all created by this talented woman. From the most basic of instructions to the finest detail of a work of art!! This is the first book I bought on wedding cakes when I opened my own cake business and made my first sugarpaste flowers following her instructions. Very contemporary in style, whilst still capturing the wonder of a romantic and unique wedding day. Definitely a must-have!!

I have always enjoyed cake decorating but most of the books I looked at seem to lack interests and seem to repeat much of the same (Pretty) cakes. But Anna Von Marbug's Cakes in Bloom is in a class by itself. It is pure art. These cakes should be in galleries. The color photos are very well taken showing these lovely and quite unique decorated cakes. Also this book offers guidance on what equipments is used to decorate, including step by step illustration in B/W photographs, cakes and frosting recipes, plus advice on which cakes works well with what style of frosting for decorating. The only problem I have with this book is that I wanted to see more. I hope she comes out with a nice chunky cake decorating book with new design soon.

If you have to have a book in your personal library that can be used as both a reference and a motivator, then search no more. Anna's talent is phenomenal! The visual beauty, the fluid structure of her creations need to be seen in order to be appreciated. She is truly a talented and gifted artist. If for no other reason, the photography is fabulous (even a hesitant baker would be inspired to make her creations!) This is one of my most prized cake decorating books and I refer to it constantly. To achieve her level of talent may seem overwhelming at first but with patience and practice, you will be able to create the fantasies in the book. Another great piece of news is that she will be coming out with a new book entitled "Birthday Cakes" some time this year. This will definitely need to be another addition into your reference library!

Carbonel is a wonderful story that will stay with your child throughout her life. I read this book as girl and now, many, many years later, I have just read it to my 6 year old daughter. She was spell bound with the tale of the magical royal cat, laughed at the antics of the broom and was riveted in the search for the necessary magic to restore Carbonel to his kingdom. Even though the book is set in an era quite foreign to a 6 year old in the year 2000, children will still enjoy this classic tale (or shold I say, tail!)

When I saw this book and read the summary at the back I knew I would like it, but when I read it turned out to be fantastic, I had some good laughs at Carbonel and Rosemary, the part I liked best was the one where they gave MS.Parker her Popsey Dinkums. The book was purr-fect!

This was a story I have kept with me through my whole life.... Barbara Sleigh knows how to weave that magic carpet ride and keep you afloat. Any child with a taste for magic or cats, will love this book!!!!

Telephone medicine has become an increasingly large part of our practice, and much of the required knowledge and skills differ substantially from those required for "in-person" office-based medicine. This book was extremely well-organized, clearly and concisely written, and contained an abundance of useful tips. The authors used a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to common medical complaints, and the medico-legal section has already had an impact on our practice workflow.

As a physician in a busy clinical practice, I am flooded with phone calls from patients, many of whom are unable or unwilling to come to the office for an evaluation. Many crucial clinical decisions need to be made over the phone, and our medical training never covered this area. Thus, I was excited to see this book come on the market. Reisman and Stevens do not disappoint. In a concise manner, they review the major medical and ethical issues that arise in the course of a phone call. In the few months that I've owned the book, I've found myself turning to it over and over. One unique aspect is the discussion of medico-legal liability -- an area that all of us worry about but no one wants to talk about. I use this book for myself and in my teaching. This book is a must-have reference, and it sits on my shelf next to Harrison's, The Washington Manual, The PDR and the Sanford Guide.

Drs. Reisman and Stevens should be congratulated on their focused yet comprehensive text on telephone medicine for the practicing physician. As stated by the editors, the telephone call between patient and physician has become an integral part of providing medical care. This book provides crucial educational information regarding improving communication skills while it addresses the important and common issues that arise and prompt patients to call their physicians. In our clinic, attending physicians as well as resident physicians, carry out much of their clinical practice by phone and therefore, this book gives practical instruction on what questions to ask and how to examine from a "distance". This book has been waiting to be written. It has now been written, and written very well, and I would recommend it as required reading for all practicing physicians, especially resident physicians who are just learning how to incorporate telephone medicine into their medical practice.

I read the chapter about sadistic sex abuse and non-sadistic sex abuse. The examples were horrifying, so I do not recommend this book to everyone. This is one of the few books on sexual abuse that talks about sadistic abuse. By sadistic abuse I mean sadistic incest and sexual assault not ritual abuse (there are many books that address that topic). Reading this chapter helped me to understand the motivations behind the cruel acts that were committed against me, and the after effects that I experience. I could see myself in both the survivors of sadistic abuse and non-sadistic abuse because I was abused in both ways. This book offers important insight into a painful topic.

As a survivor, I can tell you that Anna Salter knows what she is talking about. Reading her book was like spending time with a person who is wise, informed, experienced, witty and kind. Even, at times, poetic. When I finished reading, I felt known and respected. Helen Bonner, author of The Laid Daughter (Amazon.com)

Anna Salter's "Transforming Trauma" is a must-read for survivors, therapists and anyone interested in the field. She starts off with an often overlooked component of the abuser/victim cycle -- getting into the mind and thought pattern of the abuser. It is *essential* to thorougly understand this, for it is only then that the competent therapist can truly help the victim. The abusers are masters of introjecting their sick thought patterns into the victim's mind, and any help at recovery must begin with teasing out that subtle "other voice" -- so subtle, the victim might not even recognize that he/she has heard it ever since the abuse.

Even therapists who have experience in this area would do well to read this book. It goes into some typical pitfalls in which well-meaning therapists-- unwittingly -- fail their clientele. A particularly good section deals with how to help the client move from victim to survivor and beyond -- to thriving person. It is powerful, direct, readable even from a non-clinical point of view.

Some political questions are raised about so-called "false memory" syndrome, statutes of limitations, prison/rehabilitation for perpetrators, and an excellent section regarding apologies from perps--and how they can go wrong.

I can't rate this highly enough. Please, read this book!