This is exactly what we expected it to be: A very helpful listing of symptoms/signs your pet could be displaying and what to make of it.
One major drawback of the volume is a political one: We are happy to live in a country decidedly more civilized where the surgical removal of a cat's claws is simply illegal. We could have well done without any advice regarding this disgusting notion: I mean if you are fonder of your furniture than of a living (pet or no) animal, then please get more furniture, not more pets...

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I read everything I could find at the local library concerning diagnosis of symptoms displayed by my cat. The technical books in the library were useless because of the plethora of technical terms that the average layman like me hasn't a clue on the meaning of. Also, the organization, or should I say lack of organization, of the other books made them tedious to follow. Many references and cross-references ad infinitum. I had to tease out answers to simple questions and, even then, didn't fully understand the points they were trying to make. I've had cats for most of my life and thought I was an expert, but I was stumped and worried about my little friend's symptomatic behavior. I needed help, and fast.

Five minutes with the guide to symptoms by Garvey, et al, answered my immediate question and led to a quick solution. The book is filled with well rendered drawings that illustrate and complement the text. The people who put this book together obviously know cats intimately and understand cat behavior. The writing is easy to understand and to the point. It also explains the "whys" behind the facts. The table at the back is both comprehensive and easy for the average reader to understand. This is a book to be USED, not just read.

No book is perfect but this one comes close and gave me what I needed. ....I'm totally satisfied with it.

The unique chart form in the second half of this book provides cat ownerns with an invaluable quick reference when a cat is ailing. My cats, like most, often do not complain when they are not feeling well, and I must figure out what's wrong. This is an excellent, helpful guide.

For those of you who read my reviews and use them to try to understand literature, I owe you an apology. I made a slight error in my review of this, and I will correct it now. For those of you who know me, I cherish the writings of Marlowe, Shakespeare, Milton, Hawthorne, and Dickens. I now have a 6th hero. The opening is quite captivating when through testimony we learn of Lodovico's evil. Webster also grabs our attention with the affair between Vittoria and Bracciano. Despite the questionable qualities of these 2 characters, they are easy to like. He also draws the division between the virtuous Francisco and the ambitious Bracciano well. Cornelia is memorable as the mother who despairs over the actions of her children Flamineo and Vittoria. Isabella is fine as a picture of innocence. The Cardinal is captivating as one of the most careful characters in the play,and we need not be surprised when he gets elected Pope. Bracciano's son Giovanni is drawn well. Through an early appearance, we get a look at his character. We then see him in mourning after he has lost both his parents. Finally, we see him restore order after the massacre has fully unleashed. Lodovico is fine as a picture of ambition. (The mistake I made was that I named Lodovico in the murder of Isabella. He was innocent of her murder. But it is possible to wonder if his affair with her 'Bracciano's wife' triggered Bracciano's affair with Vittoria. Ofcourse, the affair between Bracciano and Vittoria triggers the events of this play.) Webster also offers us horrifying and yet beautiful passages, chilling omens such as the ghosts of Isabella and Bracciano, and pure suspense. My only complaint about this is that Lodovico's delight in his massacre does not mix well with Giovanni's sudden rise to power and his restoration of order. In Marlowe's "Edward II," the 17 year old Edward III fills his enemies with pure terror when he gains control of the situation. Once again, I apologize for my error, and I wish to thank all of you who found my reviews helpful.

For those of you familiar with my writing, you know I cherish the works of Marlowe, Shakespeare, Milton, Hawthorne, and Dickens. Well, I now have a 6th favorite. Lodovico is frighteningly demonic. 1st he participates in the murder of Isabella, then he participates in the revenge of Isabella! Poor Isabella is memorable as a picture of innocence. Vittoria is an interesting woman. She is not exactly a picture of innocence, but she does carry herself well, and she faces her death with as much dignity as possible. Webster also draws the dissension between Francisco and Bracciano well. Bracciano is captivating with all of his ambition. Francisco is memorable as the good and decent man prompted to fury by the death of his innocent sister. The harsh tones between Cornelia and her son Flamineo are dramatic. Bracciano's son Giovanni is well drawn. First he is an innocent young man, but his lines reveal his good character. Then we see him after he has lost both his parents. Finally, he flips the tables on everyone and restores order. Cardinal Monticelso is also captivating. He is a very careful character who probes the situations without losing his sense of reason. And we need not be surprised when this careful character is promoted to Pope Paul IV. What's left? Only striking images, only well constructed passages, only pure terror side by side with beauty etc. My only complaint about this play is that Webster combines 2 wonderful final touches that would be wonderful by themselves, but do not combine well (in my opinion). Lodovico's delight in his massacre does not (in my opinion) mix well with Giovanni's sudden rise to power and his sudden crush of the situation. In my opinion what makes Edward III's restoration to order in Marlowe's "Edward II" so dramatic is the pure terror the 17 year old king instills in his enemies. At this point, I would like to thank all of you who found my reviews helpful.

The drama of John Webster is characterized by themes of revenge, misanthropy, misogyny, villainy, murder and ultimately violence. Webster's play, The White Devil parallels a modern day soap opera in which the plot keeps readers on their edge with its numerous twists and sub-plots.

I had doubts about reading Jacobean Drama, but once I picked up The White Devil, I was hooked. I was especially intrigued with the duality of the heroine Vittoria. In Vittoria, Webster offers us a character we love to hate, but finds ourselves pitying her, perhaps even siding with her.

The White Devil is certainly a play worth reading.

I read this book in 88 after my son was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and so much is similar to what I have lived. My husband and my other son did not understand why I was protecting him, they were reacting like the doctors the Hinkleys have seen before everything broke loose. I knew he was sick, and I did what Mrs Hinkley did. We have progressed in the field of mental illness, but there is still so much to be done. I wish all parents of mentally disabled people could share their pain. Go to A.M.I.' I know this not a true review of the book, but the book is a true review of the pain we suffer. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with others.

Thought this one would be dull but it's incredibly interesting, the story of an average American family and the trials of discovering their son's mental illness. Worth reading!

...evidently this is a very highly edited and perhaps even augmented version of her journal. In the editorial review from "500 Great Books by Women"--which does not appear on the Amazon page for this edition but is included on the page for for another, unavailable edition of the book (ISBN#0395493250)--it refers to the fact that some of the gaps have been filled in by the author's granddaughter, Betty John, who is the one who actually had the book published.

In the forward of the edition I read (which has a different ISBN from both this edition and the one mentioned above), Betty John notes that when she got the sketches and journal some of the pages were missing. She then says, "In Libby's book, therefore, I've had to fill in some gaps by conjuring up memories of the stories she told me and by doing research into her times. Her story, nonetheless, is the true tale of a very real woman... ."

In the epilogue, she adds "What was left of [Libby's] journal and sketches ... came to me after her death. Those pages have been the basis for the book."

In the book itself, there are maybe one or two small bracketed notes--not longer than a few words--where the editor fills in details.

So I am a little puzzled about how much of the book really is Libby's journal. The comments in the foreward and epilogue imply that more than just a few details are added, yet there isn't much notation in the text to show what has been added and what is original. I would rather the publishers had made it clear what parts of the text were added, edited, or paraphrased, and what were the real journal.

The way it reads, like a novel (almost like a romance novel at times) and the sometimes modern-sounding prose makes me suspect it may have been heavily edited and/or rewritten. Also the fact that she was commiting some very personal things--things she probably did not want her husband to read--to paper made me wonder a bit. (She talks about her husband's boss's attraction to her and hers to him. These are the parts that read like a romance novel--complete with the gruff, aloof-seeming hero who often seems to be mocking her, but actually is attracted to her--total romance-novel stereotype!)

That said, I found the book very enjoyable. Libby Beaman's family was very friendly with Abraham Lincoln and in the beginning she gives an interesting look at Lincoln's election and the circumstances under which he came into office--how he had to sneak into Washington because his life had been threatened by Southern sympathizers. Stuff I may have learned in school, but forgot. She was apparently an interesting woman, impatient with the restrictions that were put on her gender and class. (At the end of the book she recants a bit, though.) There are descriptions of the Alaskan wildlife and of the people and history, and just reading about how Libby and her husband coped with the culture shock and vastly different living conditions in Alaska was fascinating.

I just would have liked to be able to tell what was her authentic voice and what was added or changed in the editing.

Libby gives her account of her life before and during her time on the Pribilof Islands. Her letters and journals provide a look at what life was like for the middle class woman of her era with an honesty I have never come across in any other widely-available account of the post-Civil War years. I read the book while I was Alaska, and it was startling to see both similarities and differences between the lives people live in the far north now and in Libby's experience. Libby has the intensity of a well-written novel, and a depth of truth only a woman writing for her eyes alone could present. If you're interested in women of her era, life in the north, or simply an interesting story by an excellent writer, Libby is worth the purchase.

by Peggi MacDonald, a full-time RVer

John and Liz Plaxton tell it like it is in their newest book 'RVing into Canada's Arctic'.

They rave about the great places they saw and provide an interesting account of the many joys and beautiful sights they encountered while exploring Canada's North. Their many photos - both black & white and colour - complement the written word of each great adventure. They also include a few not so good points like a dusty or poor roads and scenery or weather that was less than perfect.

Even if you can't make the trip right now, reading the Plaxton's travelogue will take you on an armchair adventure to places most us will never travel.

This duo have the ability to visit a little known place and find something special about the area. In Tsiigehtchic, Yukon they watched ravens play in the breezes sweeping up the river. Many RVers by-pass similar scenes because they don't look beyond the obvious. Simple things that help build memories can be part of everyone's everyday RV excursions if they slow down their travels. John and Liz definitely feel they need time to 'stop and smell the roses', as the saying goes.

Although their off road jaunts may appear a bit rustic, John and Liz demonstrate time and time again that unbelievable sites can be found everywhere.

Reading the Plaxton's travelogue with an atlas in hand made it easy to follow their extraordinary journey.

John writes the first portion of the book but Liz's diary which follow provides daily observations, neat places, small quick change of plans like an emergency hair cut or dealing with the dust, and food costs and fuel prices. Her quips bring to life each day of their journey. Both writers include the great, the good and only OK events in their portion of the travelogue. The Plaxton's added five additional diaries and articles at the end of their publication; John states these extras provide more balance to their recorded activities.

The Plaxton's enjoyed an incredible journey, but unless you travel in a small older RV, plus you are a knowledgeable mechanic, you may want to rethink following their many off road side trips in your RV. The Plaxton's and I have discussed this and agree to disagree on this point. I recommend a safer and more enjoyable alternative would be to park someplace with several other units, like in a gravel pit or, better yet, in a recognized campground. Use your toad (towed car) or tow vehicle to visit many of the fascinating places the Plaxtons stopped at on their off-road trips.

Liz and John don't hesitate to become involved to add interest to their excursions either. While in Inuvik, NWT they volunteered to work during the annual Great Northern Arts Festival ten day July extravaganza. The festival named them "Super Volunteers for 1998".

By reading John and Liz's book before you go to northern British Columbia, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, you can discover some of the many neat places they researched and add them to your itinerary. This couple has the ability to take the reader by the hand on their adventuresome journey and alert you of what you could include in your itinerary and what side trips you may decide to bypass. I could go on and on about the special hints the Plaxton's include in their travelogue.

This entertaining, informative book is well worth reading either as research or to assist in planning your next trip to visit Canada's North.

RVing into Canada's Arctic Written By Liz and John Plaxton

Reviewed by Mrs. Pat Regan, Kelowna, BC [former-citizen of Norman Wells, NWT]

If you've ever longed to explore Canada's beckoning north country, RVing into Canada's Arctic by John and Liz Plaxton will be a friendly and helpful companion for your journey.

As you tour along Yukon, Alaska and Northwest Territory highways, you will be able to refer to the well documented and clearly presented information pertaining to many communities as they appear along the route you've chosen.

Through "tried and true" experiences, John and Liz share their recommendations for RV sites, RV service shops, museums, churches, and interesting curio shops. Other essential information include "the best" grocery stores (with price lists), the finest and not so fine northern "eateries", and the cleanest laundromats.

This adventuresome duo in their Class C motorhome have explored many less frequented roads and have discovered, to their pleasure, some amazing camping, fishing, wildlife observation and bird sanctuary sites.

Some short histories on several communities and their colourful characters are included.

Liz and John share their memoirs of participation in many northern activities: golfing under the Midnight Sun in Dawson City and volunteering for the Great Northern Arts Festival and stick-gambling with the locals in Inuvik, to name only three.

This book, whether used as a reference or read for pleasure, is truly refreshing.

Artistically written with vividly picturesque descriptions of scenery and wildlife, complemented with many fine photos, RVing into Canada's Arctic will be as beneficial to you as "having a good friend who's already been there" travel at your side.

San Francisco is a city with a long and unique history. With this history comes a wide variety of interesting and sometimes stunningly beautiful buildings. Wandering the streets of San Francisco, and noticing these buildings, one frequently wants to learn more about them. And that is why I bought this book.

However, I was disappointed by the fact that most of the houses featured in this volume only have the year it was built, who built it, and a very brief description. Often there is only one sentence saying this house was built in Queen Anne style and that it has a tower (self-evident from the picture, or once you actually see the building). The book says very little about the history of each house, why it was built like it was, notable persons that lived there, etc. It also does very little to put the houses in the context of the surrounding neighborhood.

The book features "tours" that you can take to view the described houses, but it doesn't quite pull it off, and the end result is a strange mix of tourist guide and architectural reference that performs mediocre at both.

San Francisco desperately needs a good book to picture, describe and catalog its unique architecture, but alas, this book is not it. It would have been better if the author concentrated the book on San Francisco houses only, instead of the entire Bay Area, and offered fewer houses with a better description of each. Still, it is the best I have been able to find, and it is better than nothing, hence the three stars.

You can look-up just about any noteworthy San Francisco building in this guide to the best. My own choice is the historic Monadnock Building at 685 Market Street. It was being constructed in 1906, but before its west wall was even completed the Great Earthquake and Fire struck. Somehow the building managed to survive not only those calamities but two separate attempts by the army to destroy it with dynamite (hoping to create a firebreak that was intended to save the original Palace Hotel). After the Monadnock was completed in 1907 it was casually referred to as "the railroad building," because it housed so many offices in that business. By 1985 it was thoroughly renovated, however, and the tenants inhabiting it became almost exclusively those involved in either art or law pursuits. As the book recommends, be sure to ask the guard in the lobby for the free leaflet by Hamilton Barrett, the building's own historian. When we went for our copy the guard even contributed a few additional details about one of the ghosts known to frequent the first floor at night. A "Lady in White," she wears a long turn of the century style dress and likes to silently float toward the guard's desk from the west hallway. She then touches anyone who would dare sleep.

This book collects five essays by scholars on different aspects of slavery in the Muslim Middle East. Contrary to the title, it is not a comprehensive review of the phenomenon -- vast in time, space, and social, political, and economic features -- but snapshots of slavery in a few limited contexts. Perhaps the essay that will appeal most to non-specialists is John Hunwick's discussion of the role race played in enslavement in northern and western Africa; he teases out the various conflicting strands of legal-religious theory and practice on the ground to bring to life a relationship between slavery and race with tantalizing differences from and similarities to the system Americans are most familiar with. Also good are the editor's (Shaun Marmon) discussion of domestic slavery among the Mamluks and Yvonne Seng's on slavery in Istanbul. Michel Le Gall contributes a translation of an account by a French doctor of the slave trade in late eighteenth-century Cairo; it contains some useful data and has been judiciously annotated, but anyone who wants to use it seriously will no doubt consult the original French. The volume ends with a posthumous essay ranging broadly over time and space by the great scholar David Ayalon. While there is probably nothing much new here, it is fun to watch a great mind playing with history on the broad scale. It is a pity that the editor did not feel the need to supply the references that a scholar like Ayalon would surely have included in a final revision had he lived to complete it.

Compiled and edited by Shaun E. Marmon, Slavery In The Islamic Middle East is an impressive and informative selection of scholarly essays examining the institution of slavery as recognized and regulated by Islamic law, and as incorporated into Muslim societies well into the modern day. Looking at military slavery in Islam in the pre-modern period, the connection between skin color and slavery, a memoir portraying a raw and real look at victims of the African slave trade, and more, Slavery In The Islamic Middle East is a welcome and invaluable addition to Middle Eastern History and Islamic Studies reference shelves and reading lists.

"A great deal has been written on Aestheticism in Victorian literature. Linda Dowling's bibliography of 1977, 'Aestheticism and Decadence,' lists 599 books and articles, and there is no slackening of interest since that date. Yet the equivalent phenomenon in the visual arts has a minuscule scholarly literature" (from the Introduction by Elizabeth Prettejohn in "After the Pre-Raphaelites"). This recent title edited by Prettejohn brings together contributions by numerous art scholars who address Aestheticism and art criticism in the late-Victorian period, with patricular focus on painting and sculpture. The Introduction by Prettejohn provides an excellent overview of the visual and literary art culture of the nineteenth-century. Other contributors offer new interpretations of important figures such as Swinburne, Pater, and Wilde. Important issues addressed include "art for art's sake" (prevalent in the Aesthetic Movement), morality and art, and the relationship between religion and art. In light of the current debate over the content and morality of the visual arts and literature, this book provides good material for understanding the comparable controversies that existed over a century ago, and how they were addressed. Prettejohn's compilation is a fine addition to the study of the Aesthetic Movement of the nineteenth-century, with fresh and provocative material well-suited for the ongoing study of art criticism. It is touted as being "the first scholarly study of parallel trends in the visual arts," and it upholds that distinction.

Burmese Design and Architecture by Johni. Falconer, et al, offers a perfect balance between excellent photography and enlighting commentary, which together bring alive the splendor of Burmese, Mon, Arakan and other architectural styles.

Certainly a recommended book for the Southeast-Asia enthusiast!

I was hoping for a LOT more. This is simplistic so anyone can understand it BUT the advice is almost always "SEE YOUR VET"
Having taught a college class on canine home ER, this is a ridiculous advertisement for the veterinary biz. Simple, common
non-health problems are looked upon as a situation requiring the vets help...and I am talking the every-dog-on-the-planet-does-this kind of things such as coughs up a bit of phlegm ( or whatever it ate too fast) and the occasional sneezes, as well as dry skin.Never is a simple, try the logical,home remedy suggested. Essential preventative supplements and care are not addressed nor much of any of the truly important aspects of the average dog.Being in a business where we have hundreds of customers as well as having been a breeder, I was totally disappointed. I can not even HONESTLY sell this book in our shop.We'll use it as a give away...maybe.My heart says "NO"
it is just too "the vet is god" so go see him/her.
I suppose it can come in handy if someone just happens to have a life threatening emergency come up and they are instructed to go to the vet when they might not have. But there are so many better books out there. The one by Giffin and the UC Davis one
are excellent and for the more medical person, the Merck.

Practical interpretations of dog symptoms, with easy to read flow charts. Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY (The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier).

Before diagnosing my eleven year old chihuahua with a fatal illness I used this book to troubleshoot the possible problems my dog was having. I also used this book as guide to articulate the different "signs" and "symptoms" of my dogs behavior so that my vet could help her. I recommend this book for every dog owner- treat it as a reference guide & always keep it handy for reference...who knows when you'll need to perform mouth-to mouth (YES) to your dog, or treat your dog for shock. My dog-wouldn't be here with me right now if I hadn't read this book. Sincerest thanks to the authors.