As you would imagine, this is a lovely book. The paper is nice, the colorwork is great. And it is a sweet way to introduce (or reinforce) the beauty and diversity of the alphabet. The endpages show an upper- and lowercase alphabet and each letter pair is associated with a word. Aa with Artist, Bb with Bumblebee, etc. Once inside, you'll find facing 8-inch square pages for each letter -- on one side beautiful large letters ("U is for umbrella") and on the other a full-page color plate of a detail from one of the Museum's artworks (an umbrella from Degas's 'Waiting'). Small print on the text page gives you the artist's name, nationality and lifespan, and the work's title and date. The book ends with small representations of the entire works from which details were taken. The three features -- letter pairs with word, word with painting detail, and letter with full picture -- complement each other in a way that also makes this a book ripe for play. This is the kind of resource I would like to see more of from this country's artistic community -- educational, thoughtful and fun. Thanks, Getty!

The illustrations in this book are beyond wonderful.(Duh) Because, of course , they are reproductions of masterpieces. The alphabet letters are huge and displayed on a large negative space.Is also fun for the child to "find" the thing being represented by the letter. Very educational and a joy not to always have to look at the simplistic primary color illustrations in many of the childrens books. My 2yr. old grandchild loves this book and I purchased 3 others for my other granchildren of various ages. It is humorous ,elegant and charming. The"grape", "skull" and "umbrella" are favorites!!!

This was one of the first Martin Waddell books that we got and we still read it over and over. It shows true to life family dynamics--and beleive me it happens that you think one or the other is watching the little one in a big family!

It was Sammy's day for minding John Joe but he got bored so he ran of down Cow Lane to his friend Willie Brennan he was meant to take John Joe but he took Splinter the dog instead.Mary was very mad as it was not her day for minding John Joe.she went down to brennan's house to find Sammy but he was down at the river.Mary couldn't go because John Joe was too small so then John Joe offered to mind himself while Mary looked for Sammy.After Mary left the brennans big hen came up to John Joe and John Joe was very frightened. He called for help but no one could hear him so he ran away from the hen. he jumped up on the wall and the hen followed etc. When Mary and Sammy returned they couldn't find John Joe so Sammy sent Splinter to look for John Joe.They eventually found him asleep in the corn. All ended well and mammy said there was no way she was ever going to loose her John Joe. The story is excellently illustrated every child I have read it to enjoyed it thoroughly

Finally, a book about His Holiness that is full of pictures, but also full of Papal info. If you're a Roman Catholic or a fan of the Supreme Pontiff, this is a must buy.

I loved this book about John Paul II (the Pope of Hope)!!! The authors gave us a little of everything, not an easy task for a man with so much history behind him. This is the first book where I have gone over pages more than once, twice. I wanted to absorb every word, every picture. The side stories were also a special treat. I respect and admire the pope even more. I now feel well prepared to read George Weigel's recently published autobiography on JPII, Witness to Hope. Thank you Monsignor Virgilio Levi and Christine Allison for giving us something so inspiring.

This is the definitive bio on J. P. Sousa. The author has lovingly researched his topic, gathering in all sorts of details about the legendary March King. It is sad that most Americans are only familiar with a handful of the great mans works. What this book reveals about Sousa is the great variety of music that he composed. Besides 136 excellent marches, he composed operettas, humouresques, and many other kinds of works. Without a doubt Sousa is our most prolific composer, the sheer volume and qaulity of his works far surpassing all other American composers. Yet the vast majortiy of his music is little heard these days. It is true that Sousa's music appealed to an America of a different time. His marches have all the power of an emerging young United States, just entering into the realm of international politics and industrial might at the turn of the century. In these political correct times Sousa's music might be perceived as being too chauvanistically patriotic in outlook. Hopefully in the post 9/11 world that we live in there is room for a revival of his music to bring back some of the nations pride in itself. Mr. Bierley considers the Sousa band is the greatest of its kind in the world. There is more than a little typical American tendency for overstatement here. Certianly in the States in the latter part of the 19th century there were few rivals for Sousa's band. But in Europe many fine military bands already existed and Sousa, though well received on his numerous tours abraod, faced much more critical acclaim. As director of the US Marine Band, Sousa certainly transformed that musical organization into the top-notch band that it is today. In fact, Sousa probably modelled his own band on the Garde Republicanne of Paris, but also any of the British or Prussian Guards bands could have served as inspiration as well. Mr. Bierley has brought together a number of fine photos of Sousa and his band, and highlights the many well known and famous musicians that served within the Sousa Band during its 40 year life-span. The music of J P Sousa evokes a bygone era in the United States. He was instrumental in both introducing and uplifting the music that was performed in this country. We could certainly use his like again as current music standards and tastes have fallen fall below what they were even in Sousa's day. Let us hope for a healthy re-birth of music and someone like Sousa to inspire us musically once more.

This book is by far and away THE book for the life of John Philip Sousa. Mr. Bierly has researched his subject in depth from help with the Sousa family former sousa Band Members and material in the Library of Congress, Masrine Band Archives, Univ. of Illinois and others. If you want to know Sousa, this is the book Joe L. Norcross

The Lonely Planet guides are excellent for any locale..but this edition (covering Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Portugal and even Morocco) is a must-read for the quintessential backpacker jumping on a plane for Europa. These guides excel at recommending lodging of many price ranges (from youth hostels to 5-star hotels) and meal choices of the same range (excellent recommendation for outdoor markets.."buy a loaf of bread, a block of cheese and a bottle of wine here"..which is a plus as many guides catering to this area focus on only older travels with large budgets..or persons seeking to spend only a dollar a day or some insanity..it's always good to have the most information possible..and it's included here. Entertainments ideas from free plaza and park visiting to museums, discotechqes, architecture, boat rides etc. etc. are included..good for young and old. It even lists culture-sensitve information such as appropriate dress for visiting churches and monasteries as well as travel-safe tips for women. Book your Eurorail pass and get going.

Lonely Planet has great books and this one certainly was. It's very thorough and tells alot about things that interest travellers. They are up to date and tell you the pros and cons of the different countries. I liked it alot and I know that other people will too.

I found this work to be an extremely thorough examination of Pope John Paul II's views, thoughts and teachings that helps shapes contemporary Catholic thinking.

Antoine Nachef has a true vision into the Catholic faith, this book has incredible insight into the philosophy of Pope John Paul II and his ministry, it is an excellent read and only superlatives can adequately describe this magnificant work. As a former student of Nachef I have read all of his works and they are wonderful and Mary's Pope is no exception, an essential read for the faithful Christian.

Read this in conjunction with Intro to Film Studies ( ed Nelmes - Routledge) and Intro to Documentary Film ( ed Kochberg - Wallflower) and your reading list has a firm foundtion for your success. A common factor to both is uber film Prof Searle Kochberg: catch his infectious lectures if you can on tour.

excellent summary! If you want to know the depth and breadth of film (or cinema) studies, you need to read this book.

Through the words of Dr. Haggai and the life example of Paul J. Meyer, I have been unexpectedly swept up into the exciting world of sacrificial giving. There are very few examples like this of businessmen who model the JOY of sacrificial Christian giving. All I can say is that when I read about Paul, I was challeneged to do likewise. The book truly was the start of a great adventure for me as a businessman. Read it and let it transform you as well.

It is interesting how some of the best restaurants are littlehole in the walls that are hard to find. That is the case here with'Paul J. Meyer and The Art of Giving'. This book is a gem, and even amazon.com says it is hard to find.

This book is a testamentary to the goodness in giving. We all know it is better to give than to receive, Paul Meyer is a perfect example. There is story after story of the rewards in giving. You will receive the strength to lead your life in stewardship from this book. "What goes around comes around!" That saying is so true when it comes to giving.

The biblical basis in this book is a very strong feature and a welcome breath of fresh air in a book. "Give, and it will be given to you" Luke 6:38. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13. These are just a few, all good for the soul and one's strength in spirit. This is a great book. Read it and be blessed. Thank you.

These perspectives have helped me to learn more about my patients and improve their overall treatment. The theories are laid out in a clear, understandable manor, so the non-psychiatrist may learn. P.S. Dr.McHugh is a gem!

The field of psychiatry may at first appear bewildering. People are complicated. The variety of ways in which thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can go awry are plentiful. The history of psychiatry has seen a number of attempts at reductionism in the face of this complexity, most notably that of the psychoanalytic school, the behaviorists, and the biological psychiatrists. These monolithic viewpoints have each distorted psychiatry, emphasizing some important features of mental life and its abnormalities while giving short shrift to others. Further the acrimony between adherents of these schools have left psychiatric trainees as well as the general public uncertain of what to believe about the nature of mental illness. In this book Drs. McHugh and Slavney have done a masterful job of making clear what we know in psychiatry and how we know it. Paul McHugh has been chairman of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins from 1977-2000; Phillip Slavney was director of residency training in the Hopkins psychiatry department for most of that time, and now directs consultation psychiatry there. Their book describes four perspectives of psychiatry, or ways of seeing disturbance of mental life, and shows how each is especially illuminating for particular types of psychiatric issues. The disease perspective is most useful for explaining major mental illnesses such as dementia, schizophrenia,and bipolar disorder. It is the most clearly biological, and invokes medications for treatment and laboratory methods for research. The life story perspective is most useful for a person who has suffered a setback and is demoralized. It emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual and the meaning that people's experiences have for them. The behavioral perspective concerns things people do that get them into trouble. Drug and alcohol abuse are the most common of these, but eating disorders and sexual disorders are included as well. Treatment in this perspective prioritizes stopping bad behaviors over understanding them. The dimensional perspective looks at the vulnerabilities that people have as a result of their lifelong traits. These vulnerabilities may arise out cognitive limitations or out of features of personality such as being impulsive or being a worrier. McHugh and Slavney draw on both their vast knowledge of the literature of psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience, and their long experience of evaluating and treating patients in order to make the case for their perspectival approach to the field. They succeed impressively, I think, for two reasons. One reason is that the approach is such an intelligent and sensible one. The other reason is that they have had the benefit of 15 years between the first edition of their book and this second edition. Major changes and additions were made between the two and the result is greater clarity, especially in the opening chapters, as well as a fuller discussion of themes that were only touched on in the original edition. For example, new chapters were written in the behavioral perspective section on suicide and on hysteria. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand where psychiatry stands today. But more than that, it is essential because it makes clear on what psychiatry stands, i.e. what sets of reasoning have gotten us where we are. With this clarity the path towards new insights and new discoveries becomes navigable. In short, this book is a gem.

Each prayer is wonderfully written and Paul Chilcote captures the essence of Wesley's teaching. Praying is not easy for me, and it has been a delight to incorporate the reading of a single prayer from this book both when I first awake and last thing before I sleep. Paul Chilicote manages to write as though his very words are my own thoughts and struggles and brings me to an attitude of reflection and thoughtfullness as I prepare to offer my personal prayers to our Lord. I expect this book will be read many times over.

In the 18th century John Wesley took church to the people. He preached at British coal fields as well as in urban centers. 53 of his sermons became known as the Standard Sermons and were used as teaching tools.

Paul Chilcote distilled the 18th century language of Wesley's sermons (which might take an hour or more if read aloud) into 53 lyrical prayers. Very accessible. Very real. Very much in tune with the language of today's heart. These are prayers to pray daily and weekly, prayers to let grow from the lips and travel to the mind and the heart, prayers to become a part of the soul. Chilcote's work updates Wesley and continues to speak to Wesley's concern for the spiritual formation of all people.