It provides a precise and to the point review of what is required for the USMLE !

I used several prep. test books for the test and this one most closely matched the content of the exam. It covers many of the topics and it's explanations are perfectly detailed. It's a great tutor. It needs better diagrams and the version I read had an insulting degree of editing errors--the publisher informs me the edition currently for sale is corrected. Even with the errors, this was the best collections of printed tests I used. Good luck!

First let me say I am in no way a fan of Van Johnson. At best, he was only a slightly talented actor, he was mainly as the author notes a bobby-soxer teen idol who girls of the 1940's briefly made one of the top three box-office draws in America. Teen idols, then as now, are rarely on anybody's list of great actors or of particular interest to anyone outside of contemporary teenaged girls. I only picked up this book because I enjoy reading movie star biographies but I am sorry I wasted my time on this little effort, the very definition of a hatchet job. The author reveals - shock, shock - Van Johnson was a homosexual. Actually, he only manages to be the author of the first biography on Johnson and states this, previous books (including one written by Johnson's stepson) have proclaimed this tidbit and in fact quoting those books is pretty much the limit of Mr. Davis' details on Johnson's homosexuality. Oh, that and a brief, unsourced report that Johnson once propositioned an man in a Texas store. Davis feigns journalistic impartiality but it seems clear his opinion of Johnson as one might expect from a professor at Southern Methodist University or author of book on John Wayne. Practically from the first page it's obvious Davis wants to paint Johnson's as a pathetic, empty life (he certainly gives no evidence on why anyone would be interested in Johnson today, dimissing his talent repeatedly.) Friends of Johnson seem to have been avoided to keep any good words about him out, other than Janet Leigh. One of Davis's main sources is Johnson's ex-wife, from whom he had a very bitter divorce. Davis seems to take everything she has to say as the undiluted truth. Davis keeps up his attack on Johnson right to the last page, proclaiming he is not a legendary figure like John Wayne or Marilyn Monroe (oh no! I thought Van Johnson was one of the five greatest stars ever!!) and as such presumably unworthy of future attention. So what's the point of the book?? He even insults Johnson down to his very last sentence, basically dismissing him as a worthless fake. I never dreamed I would ever have sympathy for a man who has cut off contact with his only child (one of the most unfortunate effects of the divorce) but Johnson's often incredibly sad and hollow life should move many people though clearly not Mr. Davis, who at no point seems to have compassion for Johnson and his life in the closet and the cost of it on him (though he does have sympathy for the other victims of Johnson's private life like his ex-wife and child.) Saddest of all is Van Johnson is still living and around to read this malicious effort. A final word: this book's design and size are appropiately ugly (it's scarcely bigger than a small softcover book, a strange size for a hardcover biography) for such a mean-spirited tome. This is allegedly the first in a series of books on "Hollywood Legends" edited or written by Mr. Davis, one hopes this series ends very soon.

After reading this book, I have come to the opinion that not interviewing the subject of a biography may be the only way to go. Ronald Davis has put together a very objective account of Van Johnson's career and life based upon interviews with many people who had been in close contact with the subject at one time or another. By not interviewing Mr. Johnson, the author has been able to maintain editorial integrity and not present one of those artificially sweet tomes that claw and stick to you like honey fresh from the hive.
The public Van Johnson and the private Van Johnson appear to be two very different people who are diametrically opposed to one another. Is that good or bad? In my opinion, it doesn't really matter. Each reader will come to his/her own conclusion by the end of the book. I walked away feeling really bad about the lousy relationship (or should I say non-relationship) Johnson has with his only daughter and people he should have remained close to. However, I also admire Mr. Johnson's tenacious will to survive and succeed under difficult circumstances.

I grew up watching Van Johnson in the movies, and enjoyed him immensely. The bright, sunny smile, the hair that you just KNEW was red, and the cheerful blue eyes. VJ literally brought out the sun in his films, and for that I thank him. As I grew older, I heard the many "rumours" about him, and essentially dismissed them, feeling it was no one's business but his. At the age of 50, I still feel this way. The book gave us the facts in a caring, considerate way, and there was nothing gratuitous in the way the sexuality issues were handed. Mr. Davis did a wonderful job of research, and told VJ's many fans just how magnificent an actor he really was. Imagine living the role of "Van Johnson", while tormented with confusion, depression and ambiguity.

Kudos to to Schuyler V. Johnson. Her scholarly review and connection to the subject in question got me to buy this book.

Soble and Johnson are both reporters for the Los Angeles Times. The latter fact shines through in this book, which is nothing more than an extended newspaper article on the tragic and wildly infamous Menendez murders. There is no new information here: it was all dragged out at the trial, which was covered in it's entirety by Court TV ("Gavel to Gavel coverage" is, after all, their motto). What's more, the menendez trial was one of the first truly sensational ones COURT TV ever covered. It is clear that almost all of the information, from the beginning to the end of the book, was taken from the trial transcript. All of the background information on the Menendez family, the anecdotes including the Menendez children and Jose Menendez's much publicized infidelities are all a result of a careful reading of the trial transcript. The only significant background information provided is that of Jose's rise to the top of his business (whichever it may have been: car rentals, music publishing or video sales) and a detailed accounting of the Menendez's boys travels through the ranks of competitive tennis (as well as the fact that Kitty was "Miss Oak Lawn"). For people who did not follow the trial and are hungry for Menendez information, this can be a good book to read, because it is a fuller portrait of the trial and the family than, say, "Bad Blood" by Don Davis. But do not expect an original analysis of the boy's motivation. This book is purely reporting: facts, facts, facts. The only scenarios you will get here are those that were presented at the trial and surfaced during the police investigation (which is also amply covered): both of which were interesting enough in the first place to keep this book afloat. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that most fans of the true crime genre will appreciate this book, but it will be more out of a desire to learn more about the case and because of the dynamics of this genre, than out of an intensity for the story developed by the book.

Good, more information then 'Bad Blood: The true story behind the Menendez killings'. Informative if looking for more of an inside view of the first trial and Jose Menendezes' rise to the top. But, like another reviewer stated, its just a drawn out version of the trial transcript. Leaves you with enough facts to decide for yourself if you believe these boys defense. When you read it, it sounds like a script version of the movie, 'Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills'. If you saw Court TV's live coverage of the trial, and the movie's they made you'll basically have read the book.

Soble & Johnson are fabulous writers, leaving one "chilled" after a brief read of the Preface alone. In addition to their powerful prose, the authors provide a very equalized, thorough discussion of Erik and Lyle Menendez and the events leading up to their parents' slaying. Though one gets the feeling that they harbored little sympathy for the brothers, the authors' portrayal of "both sides of the story" -- from Erik's recounted sexual abuse to Lyle's statement that it was not about "manslaughter or life sentences" but about "winning or losing" -- allows the reader to do what in the end 3 juries had to do: decide just which story one believes.

This book has some astounding recipes that you can make with ingredients you probably already have. Simple combinations of spices and staples make for wonderful taste sensations. The meats are superb, the side dishes are amazing. Everytime I serve dishes from the recipes in this book, I get rave reviews.
Worth the price for the Pork Arista and Potatoes Maxime alone are worth the price of the book.

I felt more comfortable in the course knowing that I had an edge. This study guide really clarified ideas brought up in the text and gave me practice in areas where I needed more clarification. Thanks to you, I passed with flying colors!

As of now I am completing drivers Ed. We take tests over this book, and I feel it is rather outdated for what it is being used for. The pictures are helpful, but the text I found boring and most of the text seemed just to be fill. They streched out simple procedures, and filled the usefull information with unimportant details. If you want to pass the test, read your state drivers manual. If you think this will help you, try it, but I warn you, its not worth it. Your state drivers manual is worth you time, check it out!

I have read some of the reviews and it appears to me that the ones who don't like this book are the children who had to read it. First of all this book is not written for each state, so you will have to check on your own state or county laws along with this book. As for this book not helping you pass the "TEST". Responsible drivers know that their is much much more to driving then passing the "TEST", which this book goes into great detail letting its readers know. I've been A police officer for almost 9 years and now work at a school and deal with children all the time and a lot of thing seem boring to them. But we as adults must continue the teach, and hope that some of what they read sinks in. When dealing with driving a vehicle, learning by experience a lot of times ends up to late. This book doesn't teach you how to pass the "TEST" it teaches you how to be a better driver, something we all need to be...

This driver's ed curriculum is outstanding! My son knows things I don't. I would fail the final test if I had to take it. It is thorough and keeps the reader's interest with colorful illustrations. My son passed the DMV test with flying colors.

Written with a liberally conservative bias, aggrandizing the man who was president rather than providing any useful or substantive information about events that transpired during his tenure of office.

Darv Johnson's insightful Reagan biography is a wonderful reasource for anyone writing a paper on that president, or even anyone with even the slightest interest in American history or politics. Unbiased and informative this book stands an unparalleled reasource to all who take the time to read it. Excellent.

Darv Johnson may have written the greatest biography ever. Period. His book on Reagan is objective and brilliant