'Amos and Boris' was my favorite book when I was in Kindergarten. It is now my children's favorite, too. The characters, Amos (a mouse) and Boris (a whale) learn about friendship, loss and love in a warm, comforting story. This is a book Mr. Rogers might read to his kids - but without the annoyance factor. The illustrations are peaceful, immpressionistic, and very grown up. Parents won't mind being asked to read 'Amos and Boris' night after night.

I love William Steig's work, and this is one of his best picture books. Steig always fills his books with love and family and friendship and with a love of life. Rarely in any type of literature will you find a book about friendship better than this one. The story of "Amos and Boris" is about a mouse and a whale. When the mouse has an accident in his sailing ship, he is saved by the whale. The two strike up an immediate and deep friendship which will continue though the two are forced to be worlds apart. "Amos and Boris" is a remarkable book for the meaningful lessons it teaches. It is also remarkable for the beautiful prose, the humor, and for the marvelous pictures by Steig. "Amos and Boris" is truly a perfect picture book for children and for adults.

This book is so charming and original and to top it off it is so poignant it almost brought tears to my eyes. The language is lyrical and the story is whimsical yet it explores issues such as lifelong friendship and our interconnectness. The mouse, Amos, heads off to sea and is so overwhelmed by its beauty and the feeling of oneness with creation that he rolls right off his boat and has to be saved by a friendly whale, Boris. Amos hopes he can repay his friend someday although it is hard to imagine how a little mouse could help a big powerful whale. Sure enough Amos will get his moment! This book is great for a range of ages and will delight both parents and children.

When I was in high school back on Guam, my Calculus class used this book. At first, I was pretty intimidated about taking this class, what more being intimidated with the SIZE of this book. Throughout my senior year, this book helped me conquer my "fear of calculus" and ensured me that I was ready to take on college, where I am currently majoring in Mech. Engineering. Till today, I still have a copy of this book, which I use for reference. I highly recommend this book for both high school and college students who feel that "calculus is too hard"...but actually it's really FUN!

This book is so comprehensive you can use it for any engineering and general purposes. You must also get it`s study guides and instructor`s book for an efficient study... Their study guide 1 ISBN: 0-534-936-261, 2 ISBN: 0-534-936-27X, Instructor`s manual 1 ISBN: 0-534-936-30X and 2 ISBN: 0-534-936-318.

I am teacher of calculus and I found this book an excelent reference for the beginners students of electrical engineering.

A story about a superintelligent talking dog? It sounds terrible, like something out of a twee Disney film, but in actual fact Stapledon manages to avoid anything like that, and has written an incredible, touching story. It reminds me of "Call of the Wild" and "White Fang", and doesn't avoid the dark side of Sirius' nature... there are a couple of particularly savage passages where Sirius kills a sadistic farmer, and also "murders" a horse just to indulge his canine instincts.

Sirius ends up seeing the full range of human life, from bad to good, and more. He is also not a true dog, and finds himself not only alienated from human beings who cannot accept him fully (with a handful of exceptions), but other dogs who are like cretins to him especially his "lovers" (as the book puts it). Despite having difficulty speaking and writing (he devises ways to get around that), Sirius has an advantage over other dogs through his intelligence, and over humans in his hearing, sense of smell etc. What we get is not only a satire on English life during WWII, but an almost autistic view of the world, seeing everything but not able to integrate oneself into it.

Of course some of the writing is dated, and Stapledon at times takes a very colonial view of the Welsh and their language (Sirius is originally brought up on a Welsh farm by English academics). Some of the style is very dry and typical of the period (for example when Sirius spots a holy roller farmboy pleasuring himself, Stapledon calls it "something unspeakable". Fortunately Victorian hangovers like these are not common).

Never before have I read such a book that encompasses so much, in such a wonderful way. I've only read the second half of the volume, the strange, coldly scientific fairy tale of Sirius. After what I've read there, I'm not quite sure I'm ready to read Odd John. In due time I shall, but for now, I'll have to be contented with mulling over the life of Sirius, sitting, thinking, reflecting on its harsh mysticism.

Never before have I read such a book that encompasses so much, in such a wonderful way. I've only read the second half of the volume, the strange, coldly scientific fairy tale of Sirius. After what I've read there, I'm not quite sure I'm ready to read Odd John. In due time I shall, but for now, I'll have to be contented with mulling over the life of Sirius, sitting, thinking, reflecting on its harsh mysticism.

A "must-read" for anyone who truly wants to understand small unit tactics. Studying the western way of war is only half of the equation. Reading and absorbing the lessons in this book is the other half - the most important half.

This well-written and well-researched book is sorely needed in today's U.S. military. To all those blinded by the technologies involved in transforming the U.S. military, or the so-called "revolution in military affairs," this book should serve as a 'reality check.' Poole repeatedly shows how the Western over-reliance on ordnance and technological superiority was effectively countered by adversaries who recognized the West's strengths and consciously decided to focus on small unit tactics and training.

Poole's message (some may call it a warning) is clear: the West will never live up to its military potential (or up to its over-inflated militarily superior opinion of itself) if it continues to ignore pursuing the tactical excellence needed to complement its unquestioned technological superiority. The real transformation or revolution in military affairs should be the paradigm shift to ensuring that our individuals and small units are as tactically proficient as they are technologically advanced.

This book can help all Western military decision-makers think differently about warfighting and can help save lives on the battlefield.

"Obsessed with American superiority in all things, Americans may have failed to appreciate what other cultures can accomplish" a quote from Colonel Poole's recent essay in Blood Treasure and Spirit.

"The first casualty of war is the truth," he says, and he proceeds to dispel the idea that America won every single tactical engagement in its three major wars in Asia. Lessons that could have been learned by examining Asian tactics were washed over in the need to protect American morale.

Poole argues convincingly that the Japanese, Koreans and Vietnamese were holders of great tactical and strategic insight, every bit the equal of our own. Many times, we claimed victory when the evidence for those victories was lacking. The Asian he argues could be a model for American small unit tactics.

Poole's thesis, in his own words is simple "The soldier of the future must be a phantom --remaining invisible in the defense, on patrol, and during the assault -- or he will be dead. Those that do the fighting are the ones best qualified to refine these techniques. Western military organizations seldom see their role as one of disseminating lessons learned from lower ranks."

Poole fears America's obsession with firepower, stand off weapons and the admiration for high command curtail the option for self-directed learning at the small unit level.

I admire Poole's work. Poole's train of thought seems to mirror those of his mentor, Colonel Michael Duncan Wyly (co-author of William S. Lind's Maneuver Warfare Handbook.) Colonel Wyly in many ways presented similar information in his tenure as the head of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School. Here are Col. Wyly's thoughts on his inclusion of Korean/Chinese tactics into his curriculum:

"I study the Korean War ... because the problems of the 50's have not yet been played out. It was in Korea that we see a very low-tech army doing quite well against the highest tech army (including the Marines) in the world. Even now, I am not comfortable with how either the Army or Marine Corps have faced up to preparing their "warriors." Our adversaries in the Far East had to be warriors; that is, they had to apply the art of war because they had no other option. I am neither holding them (North Korean, Chinese, and North Vietnamese) to be the premier soldiers in the world, nor am I condemning technology. I am simply pointing out that for years we neglected the essence of good tactics. Even though we have the best technology in the world, there is nothing wrong about having the best tactics as well."

Colonel Wyly's calm, even-tempered lectures on tactics form the nucleus of Poole's work.

Phantom Soldier is the natural follow-up to John Poole's book "Another Bridge to Cross".
In Phantom Soldier he continuous his effort to explain the right way to fight - this time with more clarity and easy-to-read style. I find the way he mixes the old, and still true, theories of war fighting with real world examples to be most helpful.

Every person slightest interested in learning the ways of war is probably familiar with Sun-Tzu, but in this book the author also introduces us to some of the less know Asian theorists like Sun Bin. For the uninitiated "The Art of War" by Sun-Wu (or Sun-Zi) seams to be the reference work to read, but the truth is that "The Art of War" is only one in the ancient collection "Seven books of war". A less well-known work, the Liu Tao, or Six Strategies for War, was also highly regarded by rulers of ancient China. The six strategies (Civil, Military, Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, and Hound) each deal with a different subject and corresponding plan for success.

In Phantom Soldier the Battle Arrays of Sun Bin are explained so they are applicable to modern units right now.

I don't agree with J R Dunn on his critic on John Poole's writing. J R Dunn referrers to him self as a military historian, if he really is this, he should know better than to confuse efforts that use history as example with absolute truths. I doubt that Mr. Dunn ever participated in a battle or even a fire-fight. If he had he would know that fighting is complex and very fluid, you cannot make science of art. What John Poole really does is to try and make use think the right way.

If a force with all its modern weapons, support, intelligence assets and the overall technological superiority would be able to adopt this way of thinking it would be unstoppable.

If you keep one eye on history and the other on the future - you will be blind on one eye.
If you keep two eyes on the future you will be blind on both.

The author, William Elliot is someone you might know, the boy living next door, who went away to the University, whose parents died when he was young, someone who was raised by loving parents, that is, until they died when he was a teen. He keeps alive the values and love his parents showed him but he is searching for something. He is looking for meaning - meaning to their death and his loss. He was a psychology major at the University of Wisconsin when he conceived of interviewing the "wise and spiritual" people who are alive today. His method was deceptively simple ... he sought answers to 25 - 30 questions that might unlock the secrets to his dilemma. Questions such as, "What is the meaning or purpose of life?" "Do you believe in G-d or Ulitmate Reality?" "Why is there suffering, evil in the world? and What is its cause?" "What is important to you?" "What are the three most important problems in life?" He was dissuaded from pursuing this endeavor, to write a book about his conversation with the "wise and spiritual" people whom he interviewed. He overcame challenges and obstacles to interview the people on his list, all the while holding firmly to his goal. He met and interviewed: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ram Dass, Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, Jean Houston, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Rabbi Harold Kushner, psychologist Albert Ellis, psychologist B.F. Skinner, Pir Vilayat Khan, Frances Vaughn, Stephen Levine and even Mother Theresa. He interviewed a total of 21 high-profile persons deemed 'wise and spiritual' by modern standards. The author does not interpret the answers for us, instead he writes out the answers given to him by each person interviewed. In some cases, he writes an introduction prior to the interview, letting the reader know how he managed to get an appointment or interview with the "important" person or else he describes some interesting event or circumstance concerning the interview. He seldom makes a judgement about the person or what they said ... his writing style is matter-of-fact and straight forward. This style of writing makes the book a valuable and worthwile reading experience. It is as if, you, yourself, decided what questions to ask and took the time to write out the answers, sometimes, in utter amazement, that you snagged the interview with his or her eminence ... The author also made a trek to Nepal to meditate and visit one of the most spiritual climates and areas of the world. We learn of his experiences and interactions with people he met there. This book is recommended for anyone who has any interest in spirituality or has read any book by the persons whom the author interviewed. It can be said the author found the truth which he was seeking ... Erika B. (erikab93)

William Elliott's writing style is easily read. The story of years and years of travels focuses on those interviewed and telling their story in such a way as to bring many interviews into a perspective for the reader's appreciation of what Elliott's life has been about -- all a well-woven fabric. His objective stays well-centered. That gave me a real sense in reading this most interesting book about various religous leaders and her/his successful living out their dedication. Elliott has indicated his next one is on experiences of 40 days in the desert in looking at how Jesus did his forty days there two centuries ago. I am excitedly looking for it to show on the market.

William Elliot is a brave soul who had the naive courage to approach some of the greatest philosophers and spiritual leaders of our times to gain their perspective on the meaning of life. Remarkably, he gained access to a number of these prophets, who answered his questions in a thoughtful and decidedly heartfelt manner. There is much to provoke thought and inspire action in these pages. As drawn as I was to the book, eager to move from interview to interview, I found I needed to pace myself to better absorb what I was reading. Sometimes I felt my heart sing with the joy of hearing the expression of a kindred spirit. Other times, my desire to be compassionate and respect the beliefs of all felt challenged by the expressions of people with a greatly divergent perspective. Both experiences were of great benefit to me. The wonder of this book, outside the fact that it even came to be, is the engaging narrative Elliott weaves through the interviews. In his unabashedly honest, touching, and humorous, style, Elliott wryly observes that the path to "knowing" can be a twisted and never ending journey of delightful surprises. Travel along with him, you won't be disappointed.

Nick's work on this book certainly shows his love for his subject. It is easy to read and the practical exercises helped me discover my new creative and fulfilling heart-centered career. It is like having Nick Williams as your personal guide to intrapective, honest and authentic decision making. A must-read for anyone wanting to discover their purpose and move into new life-enriching areas and be empowered to take "the risks" in making changes.

Nick's work on this book certainly shows his love for his subject. It's easy to read and the practical exercises helped me make tough decisions to change my attitudes and led me to work in my new creative and fulfilling heart-centered career. This is a personal book that makes you feel that Nick Williams is with you as your guide to intraspective, honest and authentic decision making. A must-read for anyone wanting to re-evaluate their current work experience.

Working in the field of Personal Development as I do, it rare to come across such a truly inspiring book. Nick Williams combines inspiring writing with practical exercises that I found life affirming.

The book helps individuals uncover how they can make a difference and ovecome the fear and barriers that stop us putting this into practice.

For anybody struggling to break free from the chains of their current work read this book. It can change your life.

This book is a wonderful piece of historical analysis into one of the most fascinating industrial dynasties ever to exist - the Krupp family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in German history. Das Buch is sehr gut.

William Manchester is by far one of the finest historians of his generation and this work, along with Death of a President and American Caesar have rightly made him famous. The Arms of Krupps joins this pantheon of great works by doing what few historical works of the post war generation even attempt: provide judgement. Too often modern historians confuse moral and intellectual ambiguity with objectivity. Part of any good work of history is the author saying what he thinks, given what he has presented, about the men, women and events covered in the work. This does not mean hiding or distorting facts but presenting all the relevant information, making a case for a particular point, and letting the reader make up his, or her, own mind. Manchester does this, to cite one example, by demonstrating that contrary to popular opinion Alfried Krupp was indeed responsible for war crimes committed at Krupp works throught out Germany, and the occupied territories, during WWII. What is equally impressive is the sheer volume of facts the author summons to defend his positions, the Nuremberg Trial of Alfried Krupp alone comprises some 100 pages of this nearly thousand page work. Yet despite the sheer volume of information presented The Arms of Krupp is never boring. Manchester possess an almost magical ability to make even the dullest events seem interesting all the while weaving together people, events and anectdotes to give the reader a remarable perspective. In one memorable, and ironical incident, a concentration camp survivor finds herself working as a concierge at the occupied Krupp mansion in late 1945 and early 1946.

Now in the twilight of his years Manchester has revealed he lacks the mental focus necessary to complete his trilogy on the life of Winston Churchill (while heroically fending off his publisher's suggestion that he graft on a co-author to complete it). In its zeal to conjure some way to make more money off the Manchester name, is it perhaps time for this publisher to ponder why one of the greatest biographers and historians in memory can only be read by combing the bins of used bookstalls or grasping the dog-eared library tome?

The Arms of Krupp (out of print), and many others of the canon are seminal works with a devoted readership. Perhaps the right marketing opportunity simply has yet to strike. Making a movie (and a bad one at that) about Pearl Harbor popped even the questionable Gordon Prange back into prominence. Clearly, in these days when book publishers are conveniently tied into the entertainment world as a matter of corporate domain, the lonely vigil of the Manchester devotee must await the serendipity of Hollywood. Until then, Mr. Manchester I laud you with the words of one still in print:

"To me fair friend you can never be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,
Such seems your beauty still."

Mr. Art Jacobs, the author of "The Prison Called Hohenasperg" writes his story out of love. Love of life, country, friends, and family. Unfortunately, Art, at the age of 12 was separated from these very basic essentials of life.

He narrarates this true story detailing his youth in school, boy scouts, and support for his ball club, the Brooklyn Dodgers. However, life will soon change for young Art and his family as his father is illegally taken from them and interned at Ellis Island as a "Nazi criminal". This is just the beginning of the Jacob's family internment journey that takes them from Ellis Island, to the Crystal City Texas Internment Camp, then to Germany where Art spends his 13th birthday in the Hohenasperg prison.

I believe that his intention and motive for writing his story is NOT for compensation, revenge, or to denounce the United States. As I read his story, I felt his sincerity, compassion, and most importantly his intention to MAKE THE TRUTH KNOWN. Because of Art's story, The United States Government has an opportunity to acknowlege Art and other internees that wrongdoings to Americans of German decent did occur.

I recommend this hard to put down, well documented book to those who are interested in WWII history, post WWII Germany, internment life, as well as those interested in reading a boy's burning desire to overcome and succeed under any circumstance to come back to his "Country 'tis of thee".

I started the process of researching German-American internment for a English-101 assignment. I found the author's web site and various other materials on internment. My schooling consisted of learning about Japanese relocation, and as 40-year-old adult, I never knew of the internment of others, called enemy aliens of the United States.

Locating Mr. Jacobs' book in my library, I read a fascinating account of what the author and his family endured during World War II, and after the war with the expatriation and repatriation to Germany.

Interviewing Mr. Jacobs for my research paper, culminated in a better understanding of what our government did, and may do once again with Arab-Americans in the attempt to prevent future terrorism. It is tragic when a government does what it thinks right at the time, but then refuses to apologize for the injustices committed against its own citizens.

I recommend this book to every German-American, as well as all Americans who never learned the whole story during their formative education.

... A young boy marched back and forth before the hangman's tree with his hands above his head, ordered not the speak, turn his head the wrong way, or even sit to eat - unless he wanted to be hanged - treated like the worst criminals the world has known - and called a little Nazi - He was an American Boy Scout! One day of such treatment, even if corrected immediately, is inexcuseable. We must stop thinking that the United States make mistakes, but the rest of the world makes criminal acts.

I believe this book should be an eye-opener. We need to be concerned that our government can give such power to one man such as Edward J. Ennis, that our military could treat even criminals the way this child was treated, and that most Americans still know nothing about the treatment of German Americans during World War II.

Santa Santa Calls Book Review

Santa Calls is a book by William Joyce. Art is a boy who lives on a farm. Santa sends his family a box and they fly north in it. When they get there, Santa takes them for a ride. When they are riding, dark elves take Art's sister. Art gets her from the dark elves. Santa Calls is an awesome story. I liked the part when Art made a candy bomb of his own design. To find out this stuff buy Santa Calls.

By: Joey

I sent this book to my nephews & nieces last year, and it was a huge hit. Both families have children ranging in age from 5-9, and finding read-aloud books that are interesting for everyone is always a challenge. This story was well-loved and enjoyed by the younger kids as well as the old, and its subtle message regarding sibling relationships is perfect for children who are struggling to be "good" for Santa!

In the weird and wonderful world of William Joyce, everything looks like a Little Nemo cartoon, and "Santa Calls" is no exception. You have to experience Joyce's illustrations to appreciate their lush intricacy, but even they aren't as good as this book's warm story, the tone of which perfectly captures the "Boy's Life" fiction of the American West, circa 1908.

Spunky Art Atchison, along with Spaulding his pal and Esther his little sister have a thrilling adventure after Santa calls them all North. They battle dark elves and evil queens with gee-whiz pluck (and a candy-bomb of Art's own design). But even THAT isn't the big hug in the book---it's the very end that makes this gem a keeper. Few read those two letters and go away untouched.

Every year several gooey Christmas books come out, both religious and secular, and very few are worth much. But years after purchasing this one, we still pull it out and comb the rich pictures for new details. Forget the "Ages 5-9" recommendation for this: "Santa Calls" is for everybody!

I picked up this book the other day, and It is by far the cutest out of all the Wegman books. You always see the full grown dogs in his prints, but this book puts together the puppies. There is a touching/nice story to follow from page to page, that gives meaning on to why he chose dogs to photograph, and how much they mean to him. The photo's are very cute, and it is a simple book, nice for children. I love Wegman's work, and this one is just plain cute, a change from his fashion prints with all the costumes, this book just takes a look at the puppies, plain and simple. ^^
The only thing I wish, is that there was a bigger showcase of pictures.

William Wegman is one of America's most important photographers,and Puppies is a wonderful,dear,sweet,happy and tragic book,all at the same time. Wegman's reputation may be in photography,but this beautiful book of photos proves that he is a great storyteller as well. Not only is it a picture book,it is a touching storybook of the lives of his beloved dogs. Sometimes that love gives me the creeps,but of course,I have never lived with dogs. Cats,on the other hand... A great book,get it!

I want to rate this wonderful book a ten, but it ends so abruptly. Maybe that was the intent, as a sort of creative style, but I actually thought some pages were missing. Wegman really captures the emotion of each dog, their personality. We dog lovers know how individual and special each dogs' personality can be. I really wanted this book to go on and on and I can't wait to see these puppies grow up! I really enjoyed it and I'm considering starting a collection of all of Wegman's books!