I wrote this plug for the reading recommendations in Barbara Conable's "How to Learn the Alexander Technique." My recommendation still holds.

To date, the richest and most informative book on the Technique. Jones reviews the history of the Technique, summarizes Alexander's books, gives an account of his own experiences as student, trainee and teacher, and gives a short presentation of the contents of his 31 published experimental papers. Some beginners may find this book a little rich for their blood, but this is the one to take to that desert island; the superb bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. Required reading for serious students and teachers.

One the best books on the Alexander Technique, including a good biography of FM Alexander. Also read Body Learning by Michael Gelb.

"Black Jack" Logan was perhaps the best of the "political" generals of the Union army.
His military service, from Forts Henry and Donelson, through Vicksburg and Atlanta and on to the Carolinas, demonstrated not only his own abilities and personal courage, but also was emblematic of the skilll and sacrifice of his "Egyptians" of southern Illinois generally. His political thought, too, illustrative of the times, reflected the shift in Illinois opinion from initial confusion and wavering, to near-solid support for Lincoln and his war policies.
In conjunction with this very readable biography, the reader might be also be interested in "Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife", Mrs. Logan's memoirs, which cannot be regarded as entirely reliable but which are a valuable adjunct to Jones' biography and give a colorful insight into the times.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not 'score" books.)

This book has been available for about a year in an edition entitled Freedom to Change, published by Mouritz in the U.K. It has all of the (present) older edition, a few corrections, and additional material Jones had begun to prepare for an additional chapter. This remains one of the best books on the Alexander Technique.

A wonderful multidisciplinary approach which shows that Dance can be political and literary, in addition to being physical and visual. Engages the reader to consider dance and choreography in a new way -- including that there need not be an edge to the stage, i.e. that the stage can be the world so that the performance can even be the self of the "viewer."

This line-by-line commentary by a classical scholar is written for non-specialists. It is keyed to the popular translation by R. Lattimore, used in many college courses. Jones points to special features of the poem (such as "ring composition"), explains place names and other obscure phrases, and suggests interpretations of various scenes. There is a wealth of information here. Rather than summarizing the poem (like Monarch notes and other shortcuts around the reading process), this commentary is designed to make your reading deeper and more historical.

This is a fabulous book that truly depicts the down home feel of Indiana. As a life-long resident, I am able to reflect on the many places I have visited throughout the years. The photography was beautiful and made me proud of my midwest heritage. I first purchased this book for my daughter to take to her host family in Germany and have now purchased it for myself and for gifts.

I ordered my copy of the Jerusalem Bible over the objection of a previous reviewer who warned of a poor print job. Wow was he right! A 2 minute scan of the book reveals how miserable it would be to actually read it. Small font, light, uneven print. An abomination! It goes back today.

Looking at translation alone, this Bible is one of the best to be done in the 20th century. It is much easier to read than the older Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible, but its translation (particularly of the Psalms) is more flowing and beautiful than the New American Bible. The original Jerusalem Bible also does not contain the inclusive language added in the New Jerusalem Bible.

Unfortunately, as several others have pointed out, the printing job is poor, and my copy (as well as the others I have seen) is bound extremely poorly, looking as though it could fall apart at any moment even in the store. I only wish the publisher would add some more introductions and footnotes, bind it better, and republish it as something better than this "Reader's Edition."

How fortunate that this wonderful translation is still in print. After nearly 40 years, the Jerusalem Bible in English is still as exciting and fresh as when it first appeared in 1966. At the time, it heralded an entirely new approach to the Scriptures. It was the first translation by Catholic scholars to use the original languages rather than the Latin Vulgate. It was translated into modern English. It was the only version to break with King James tradition and spell out the divine name (Yahweh). Despite being the work of French Dominicans, the annotations were non-doctrinal and acclaimed by scholars of all faiths.

How disingenuous to the original spirit, therefore, that the back cover proclaims that "it still holds to the traditional (noninclusive) language that appeals to conservative Catholic and Protestant Christians." It was not the specific intention of the editors and translators to produce a Bible described like that. Gender inclusive language was not even an issue at that time. If the Jerusalem Bible lacks gender inclusive language, it's due to its historical dating rather than a deliberate decision taken by its translators. There has also been some writing about how the JB compares to the New Jerusalem Bible (1985) in this regard. While the producers of the NJB acknowledge that they made some very minor changes to accomodate gender neutrality, they are by no means severe. In both the JB and NJB, for example, "brothers" does not become "brothers and sisters" throughout the New Testament (as it does in the NRSV). Also God created "man" in both the JB's and NJB's accounts of Genesis--not "humankind"(as in the NRSV). Gender inclusive language, therefore, does not seem like a significant factor in choosing between the JB and NJB.

In other regards, however, there are some differences between the older and newer versions. The NJB, being newer, has the advantage of 20 additional years of scholarship. A lot of new research and discoveries were made in that time that are reflected in the text and notes. (In fact we are probably due for yet another updated English edition soon as there has already been a new French version released in 1997).

Other differences between JB and NJB involve personal preferences which can not be objectified. I like the Psalms in the older version (compare Psalm 23: "In meadows of green grass he lets me lie. To the waters of repose he leads me; there he revives my soul." [JB] with "In grassy meadows he lets me lie. By tranquil streams he leads me to restore my spirit." [NJB]). On the other hand, I prefer the NJB where Matthew's Beatitudes are "blessed" over the JB where they are merely "happy."

In closing, I would recommend adding the Jerusalem Bible to one's library. Unfortuately this "Reader's Edition" with abridged notes is the only one still in print. The copy that I saw was not as poorly printed and bound as noted by others. It was not, however, as nice as my original 1966 edition. Another reviewer called for republishing the full edition, which I think is a marvelous idea.

When Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr fought their infamous duel in 1804 it is quite possible that there were the two most arrogant politicians in the entire United States. I recently finished David McCullough's biography of John Adams, so I was not inclined to think highly of Hamilton and Veda Boyd Jones faces a problem in trying to tell young readers about her subject's less than stellar character. This juvenile biography provides Alexander Hamilton's resume, but without really getting into why he was so admired by George Washington and so reviled by many others, beyond the idea that he was ambitious and wanted to achieve success as a military leader. The tone is set early in the book when Hamilton's illegitimacy and the intense social stigma of the times is reduced to the declaration "This bothered Alexander because it was very unusual at that time." While later scandals in Hamilton's life are ignored completely, I do recognize that there is little value in getting into the salacious aspects with this particular age group.

Consequently, my stronger criticism is for the general way in which Hamilton's strengths are presented; they are essentially reduced to the fact he supported a strong central government. The political struggle between the Federalists and the Republicans that led to the fatal duel is also reduced to the vague point that Hamilton called Burr dangerous in the newspapers. So, on the one hand I recognize that Hamilton is a problematic figure for a juvenile biography, but on the other hand this volume misses giving young readers a solid understanding of why he was one of the most important political figures of his day despite the fact he was never elected to political office. We are told Hamilton was an excellent writer, but while there are references to the Federalist Papers and other important pamphlets, we never really get a taste of his public rhetoric. The book is illustrated with historic paintings and etchings, some of which show Hamilton. Other titles in the Revolutionary War Leaders series look at not only Jefferson and Washington, but also Benedict Arnold, Nathan Hale, Thomas Paine, and Betsy Ross.

This book [and separate tape are] essential for ESL/EFL teachers who teach intermediate or advanced communications courses. Each chapter focuses on a business theme such as negotiation, business meetings, telephoning. The tapes are slow for learners above an intermediate level; however, the speaking activities can easily be used by both intermediate and advanced learners. One good aspect of the tapes is the British Accents which makes a nice contrast to my North American accent for learners in EFL situations. You can even stretch certain exercises into writing exercises. However, the book lacks any structured grammar lessons. At an intermediate level in some contexts you might find the book a bit thin because of this.The teachers guide is unfortunately essential because you often can't complete exercises without having the companioned instructions. Which means more of a cost outlay for some teachers.This book absolutely cannot be used for self-study or one-on-ones. Nevertheless, it is the best resource I've had for these types of courses so far. Definitely worth investing in.

I have found this workbook extremely helpful in instructing business English to the many foreign professional students I receive. For the intermediate English speaker it is helpful in teaching them the basic communication that they need as they communicate around the world with colleagues. The book makes my instructing easy and covers all the basics I need to convey the language to them. I use the book with all my International professional businessmen .