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Book reviews for "Kelly,_John" sorted by average review score:

The Turkey That Crowed
Published in Paperback by Eva Johns Haynes (05 May, 2000)
Authors: Eva Johns Haynes and Kelly Paige Bozarth
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Great book
This book teaches a great lesson about confidence, something that all of us, adults and kids alike need. Told in a rich style that appeals to all ages, this book truly deserves a five star rating.

A true work of art
I love this story! The author did a beautiful job delivering a message of confidence. I would definitely recommend reading this book, especially to children.

"Crow like you own the world"
CON-FI-DENCE, a word and idea that is somewhat ignored now-a-days. This great little book conveys the message that being "unique" is not such a bad thing after all. By looking at the world or one's situation from a different angle, a perceived negative can indeed become a positive, shame can turn into pride, ignorance into acceptance. Parents would be wise to spend some time sharing this story with their young children and hopefully it will rekindle a small fire in their souls as well. Having the pleasure of meeting the author I can see where the energy of her message comes from; I'm sure that her influences will be felt by many now and for years to come.


Kid-O-Rama
Published in Paperback by Washington Post Books (01 December, 1998)
Authors: John F. Kelly, Craig Stoltz, Noel Epstein, and Susan Davis
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Great book!
This is the best guide to the DC and surrounding area, but in some cases this book needs to be updated. Some attractions have relocated or closed since the book was published. Fortunately, the book lists phone numbers and websites so you can make sure of the current location and hours of operation. I would highly recommend it to anyone, with or without kids, who wants to see the sights in DC and the surrounding Virginia and Maryland area.

hoping for a second edition!
Great resource. I just was hoping it would be updated, since it's been a while, and not all information is still current.

Great resource for curious kids (and their parents)
We live in DC and we love this book! Whenever I feel like we need a new place to visit, I flip the pages and find something perfect to do. All of the places we've discovered through the book have been places we've vowed to return. My son is one and a half -- I look forward to exploring more and more as he grows up in DC. I work at a school and have also purchased copies for teachers to give them great ideas for field trips.


Warning Signs: A Guidebook for Parents : How to Read the Early Signals of Low Self-Esteem, Addiction, and Hidden Violence in Your Kids
Published in Hardcover by Lifeline Press (2002)
Authors: John Kelly and Brian J. Karem
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Warning Signs
This is a book that anyone can read and feel a sense of understanding about. Mr. Kelly hits the nail on the head w/ regards to self esteem and its relationship to the addictive process. I also like how he gives examples throughout the book as identifiers.

As a therapist in the addictions/eap field I have suggested this book on more that one occasion to individuals coming in to discuss the concerns for their children. It speaks to the lay person in common sense language and guides them on a path that can be difficult but will pay benefits in healthier family relations and children who will have improved skills to navigate the many obstacles to becoming productive individuals.

Warning Signs
John Kelly makes key points when he reminds his readers that adolescents have not fully matured emotionally. Parents need to help their children through their emotional growth. Parents are helping their children when they keep a close watch on them and also when they provide behavioral boundaries such as strict curfews, appropriate activities and guidance in selecting friends.

The book is well written, with many case studies. It is a quick but important read.

Reading the Warning Signs
Warning Signs by John Kelly and Brian J. Karem is a must- read for parents in this demanding and fast paced world where nurture and love are essential for developing a healthy value system for childhood development.

Easy to read and chocked full of common sense based on years of counseling troubled children and their parents, Kelly gives practical advice and sets priorities where they should be. Those of us who have children intrinsically know we should spend time with them and that building self esteem pays untold dividends in the future. Our actions as well as our words convey messages that our children pick up on and listening to what they say is vital.

When something cataclysmic happens most of us turn to see if our loved ones are unharmed. As parents time invested with our children ought to be our first priority rather than the more superficial goals we chase each day. Thanks, John for the advice.

Frank Adamson Retired Chief of Criminal Investigations King County Sheriffs Department
Seattle, Washington.


The Hillier Gardener's Guide to Trees & Shrubs
Published in Hardcover by Reader's Digest Adult (1997)
Authors: John Kelly and John Hillier
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An excellent encyclopedia of woody plants, plus more.
There is a pocket version of this magnificent book, but I can't imagine not wanting the real thing. This is a book lovingly written by members of the renowned Hillier Arboretum. The book can be considered an excellent reference for all woody plants, not only trees and shrubs. Many vines are included as well as woody perennials and herbs.

The design is easy to use, laid out in order by genus, and includes many good color photos. All the major chapters include culture tips and information not easily found elsewhere. With more and more cultivars available each year, this work does not strive to be all-inclusive, but instead will stand the test of time as a guide to the real backbones of the garden: the trees, shrubs, vines, and woody perennials. This is a book for the beginner eager to learn more but will also capture the fascination of the more seasoned gardener. I continually reach for it when coming across an unfamiliar name, or enjoy perusing it after a trip the arboretum.

My favorite reference for woody plants
Simply put, I love this book! Its listings are extensive, and I can usually find the specific cultivar that I am looking for. The pictures are a good balance between close-up detail shots and distance shots that show the overall structure of the plant. The information is quite detailed and often includes such tidbits as, "This cultivar is beautiful, but quite susceptable to fireblight...". My one complaint is that they don't give estimates on the eventual size of the trees/shrubs. They do tend to clasify them as small/ medium/ or large, however they don't give a definition as to what size ranges these catagories correspond to. Other than that, however, I have no complaints what-so-ever, except for lack of funds to by all of the fantastic specimins I fall in love with in this book!

Superb! Better than Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs
Every connoisseur of ornamental trees & shrubs will love this book. Containing more than 3,000 crisp, very detailed color photos, including the most awesome Cedar of Lebanon photo one can imagine, it is the single best illustrated encyclopedia on the subject of woody ornamentals. Although it is based on ornamental plants that can grow in the United Kingdom, and therefore incomplete for the U.S. gardener (ex., Lagerstroemia (Crapemyrtle) was not included), it more than makes up for these few omissions in rich horticultural detail. Beginning with some basics (glossary of terms, U.S. and Canadian climate zone maps, basic biology of trees & shrubs, etc.), it quickly moves to topics of greater interest to the common gardening enthusiast, such as selection, care & maintenance, propagation, and pests & diseases of woody ornamentals. In the Plant Directory, the Latin and Common names of each plant are listed, followed by a detailed description of its character, its geographic derivation, the date that it was introduced into the nursery trade, the northern extreme of the U.S. and Canadian hardiness zone that it will live in unprotected, and whether or not it has received the Award of Garden Merit (AGM), given by the Royal Horticultural Society to recognize plants of outstanding excellence for garden use. A sample entry in the Plant Directory is "Prunus Sargentii (Sargent Cherry) Considered by many people to be the lovelist cherry, this is a round-headed, small deciduous tree with chestnut brown bark and bronze-red young foliage. The single pink flowers open in early spring, and the small, almost black fruits ripen in midsummer. It is one of the first trees to color in fall, when its leaves turn orange and crimson. Japan, Korea. Introduced 1890. Zone 4 U.S., 5b Can. AGM". The Plant Selector is of great value to the gardener, containing detailed listings of plants and trees for various soil types and growing conditions, plants of pendulous and upright habit, plants with ornamental bark, bold foliage, good Fall color, ornamental fruits, fragrant flowers and foliage, and flowering plants with typical time of flowering, just to name a few. In short, if you could only have one book on Ornamental Trees & Shrubs in your library, this should be the one.


Justice As Fairness: A Restatement
Published in Hardcover by Harvard Univ Pr (2001)
Authors: John Rawls and Erin Kelly
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Culmination of a half century's work on political philosophy
Whether one agrees or disagrees with Rawls' theory of justice, almost all contemporary moral and political philosophy takes place in its shadow. If not for A Theory of Justice, generations of grad students would still indulge in tired debates over the meaning of Kant's categorical imperative and whether analytic philosophy merely defines the words we use to talk about philosophy. Luckily, this was not the case and we now have this book that expresses the most refined exposition of Rawls' views on justice to date. Attempting to address the criticisms leveled by Sandel, Walzer, Habermas, and others at his initial theory, Justice as Fairness integrates the concepts of "reasonable pluralism" and "stability for the right reasons" (the core concerns of Political Liberalism, although not in those words) articulated in articles scattered throughout journals over a span of three decades with the comprehensive philosophical doctrine in A Theory of Justice. Whether he succeeds in fully rebutting their objections is certainly up for debate, but Justice as Fairness should be essential reading for anybody interested in the philosophical underpinnings of a liberal, property-owning democracy.

That said, I would agree with the previous reviewer that a reader should at least be conversant in Rawls' ethical theory as described in A Theory of Justice to get the most out of this book. However, to those uninterested in the evolution of his thought and how its shortcomings have been repaired, Justice as Fairness is still a momentous work and will probably be used in introduction to ethics or political philosophy classes everywhere.

An obligatory note, since another reviewer is certain to mention Nozick: Nozick eventually became convinced that the Lockean proviso of justice in acquisitional holdings did not possess the requisite stability that would ensure that liberties owed to free and equal persons would be preserved and recanted some of the conclusions in Anarchy, Utopia, and State. As for Hayek's brilliant works, nobody seriously disagrees with his thesis that central economic planning leads inevitably to abuses as state oversteps individual liberties and that the mechanism of prices in a free market is the best aggregator and distributor of preferences. I just don't see what this has to do with libertarianism. Hayek is too fine a thinker to be shoehorned into such a confining box.

Profound
Rawls set himself the difficult task of accomplishing for political philosophy what Kant attempted for moral philosophy; developing a systematic logical rationale for an intuitively attactive body of thought that raises this body of thought to new levels. Kant attempted to find a rational basis for the Pietist Christian ethics that he grew up with; Rawls attempts to find a rational basis for modern democratic polities. Both Kant and Rawls struggle not merely to rationalize existing arrangements and beliefs but to extract the best features of these intuitively attractive systems, to place these features on coherent and rational foundations, and to logically derive important new features of these systems from the described foundations. Rawls made this project his life's work. His output includes his magisterial 1971 book, A Theory of Justice, which set out most of the basis of his theory, the subsequent Political Liberalism, which introduced important qualifications into his scheme, and a large number of essays. Justice as Fairness is an attempt to summarize his views at the end of his remarkably productive career. This book is the best way available to enter Rawls's work in its final state. Having said that, I have to acknowledge some substantial drawbacks of Justice as Fairness. Rawls is not a gifted writer and this book derives to a large extent from lecture notes from one of his courses. Rawls has apparently been ill in recent years and this book was not completed by him. This is doubly unfortunate because Rawls's extended thoughts on some the issues discussed would be worth reading. The last couple of sections of the book are relatively sketchy, reflecting his inability to flesh them out. Since this book is an effort to abstract thousands of pages of prior writing, it is still rather dense. Still, because of the importance of Rawls's ideas, this book is very welcome and the reading public owes a debt of gratitude to Erin Kelly, the editor of this book.

Rawls espouses an ingenious social contract theory, an intellectual device in which we are asked to imagine the basis for government behind a "veil of ignorance". This "original position' prevents us from knowing what our position would be in the new regime or even from knowing what our native endowments (intelligence, heatlth, etc.) would be. In this situation, Rawls proposes that we would rationally proceed to developing a society where certain civil and property rights are guaranteed and have priority, where basic institutions are constructed to permit equal opportunity and certain minimum guarantees for education, health care, and economic support. Rawls construes his system as requiring the development of a "property owning democracy" in which basic institutions are constructed to prevent the development of large concentrations of wealth and political power. Rawls' system does not ban inequality but he insists on the existence of the difference principle, a rule that structural inequalities are permitted only if they rebound in some way to the advantage of the less advantages. An important modification of A Theory of Justice that Rawls introduced in Political Liberalism is the emphasis on pluralism and a reduction in some ways of the scope of his system. Rawls points out that modern democracies are pluralistic and contain many who legitimately disagree about the ends of society. Since Rawls original conception of political society can be construed as sponsoring a complete moral system (one of its attractions fo many of his followers, Rawls modified his ideas to insist that his scheme is restricted to political issues. This is a stronger scheme in many ways because it allows Rawls to argue that by restricting the scope of his system, it actually enfranchises citizens to pursue their own diverse ideas of ultimate good.

Rawls' ideas have been and will be debated vigorously. Many will object that despite his effort to narrow the scope of his system to political ideas, it still has important aspects of a complete moral doctrine. For example, in this book, Rawls himself points out that his system has signficant impact on the organization of family life. The difference principle has always been controversial and will continue to be so. Rawls himself points out one problem. He argues that it would not greatly impair economic efficiency but this may not be true. Indeed, I suspect that a property owning democracy, even if tenable, would be less efficient than a modern capitalist welfare state and consequently such a state can arise only after the development of capitalist welfare states. I suspect that one of the reason's Rawls wanted to produce this book is that he hoped a more accessible version of his ideas would spur the development what he regards as a more just world.

Second time around
Exactly a year later and after a second reading, I'm happy to revise my two star signal that this book might not stand alone. I'm now happy to give it the full praise it deserves. Rawls is a rigorous, systematic thinker who demands a focused and patient reader with a copious memory. Nevertheless, this restatement of pathbreaking earlier work sets a model for generous consideration and cogent response to the best objections raised over three decades by the most competent critics any author could desire. If you only have time to read one book by the foremost political philosopher of our time, read this one several times.


The Transition to Parenthood: How a First Child Changes a Marriage: Why Some Couples Grow Closer and Others Apart
Published in Paperback by DTP (04 April, 1995)
Authors: John Kelly and Jay, Ph.D. Belsky
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Accurately assessing the health of your marriage post-baby
I first read this book 7 yrs. ago when my husband and I were expecting our first child. We now have a 2 yr. old girl as well. I had actually all but forgotten about this book but accidentally came across it the other day as we have been preparing for a move. I have not been able to put it down since. The authors have made an amazing discovery through their experiment on 250 couples that is amazingly accurate in assessing the health of one's marriage post-baby. Going from a couple to becoming parents is the hugest adjustment most couples will go through, and this book illustrates which marriages are most likely to end in divorce and which are most likely to survive this difficult adjustment/transition. I have been astounded to find myself, my marriage, and my parenting and relating styles on these pages. I just ordered another copy to my best friend, who's a newlywed, contemplating having their first child! I highly recommend it to all first-time parents, and even if you've been a parent a while and want your marriage to be better, it will help point out things you can change and ways to improve your marriage.

A must read for all "wanna-be" parents!
I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to enter parenthood. Extremely incitive, even a bit scary at times. While it is written as a case study, it is still easy to read. This book has passed through my entire circle of friends.

The best book I read on preparing to have a new baby
The book focuses on the most important relationship to a baby--how the parent's relate to each other after the first child is born. The stability and love (or lack thereof) in the parental relationship creates the environment in which the child is raised. Men and women have different expectations and reactions to the birth of a child. This book is a long-term case study of what types of marriages grow stronger, stay the same or get weaker as a result of the birth of a child. The insights I gained helped me to modify and be aware of issues in my marriage that having children creates. I believe my marriage has grown stronger after children and part of the reason was the insight gained from this book.


The wooden wolf
Published in Unknown Binding by E. P. Dutton ()
Author: John Kelly
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A Night fighter in WWII writes from experience!
I trained with Jack Kelly at Quonset Point so followed his story with extreme interest. Good description of cockpit actions. I would like to make contact with him if anybody knows where the author can be found. "Bruns"

One of the best historical novels I have ever read.
Like Deighton's "Goodbye Micky Mouse", "The Wooden Wolf" transports the reader to another time. A time when a hero was real and war was fought for a just cause. Kelly writes with expertise and makes us care for the calloused pilot Croft. The shocking ending leaves the reader breathless and the intimate detail of the planes and tactics used just add to the realism. If there ever was a book that deserved to be made into a movie, this is it. "The Wooden Wolf" is a classic.

An excellent WW II aviation novel by a combat aviator
Jack Kelly was a carrier-based night fighter
pilot during WW II. He has used
his experience to portray a protagonist much
like himself--a naval aviator on exchange
duty with the Royal Air Force, flying DeHavilland
Mosquitos over Occupied Europe.

Kelly's intimate knowledge of night flying
is shown through his hero, Lt. John Croft, who
is assigned to a mission of vital importance
--assassinating Adolf Hitler
from the air. Croft's romance with SubLt
Rosemary Ince, a radar controller, adds
dimension to the story.

The climax, involving Croft's duel with
an equally skilled opponent in a Heinkel 219,
will surprise many readers and leave them in
admiration of a novel that comes close to
equaling Len Deighton's excellent "Bomber."


Cases and Materials on Torts, 9th Ed.
Published in Hardcover by Foundation Press (12 May, 1994)
Authors: William Lloyd Prosser, John W. Wade, Victor E. Schwartz, David F. Partlett, and Kathryn Kelly
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Best Textbook Ever
Wohoo! Great book! Read it cover to cover in 2 days! Makes law easy! I love it! My kids love it! Kids everywhere will love it! Read it to your children at bedtime!

Excellent introduction and review of all Tort law subjects.
A first year law school case book. Covers all relevant Tort Law in historical and modern contexts.


The Ketogenic Diet: A Treatment for Epilepsy, 3rd Edition
Published in Paperback by Demos Medical Publishing (2000)
Authors: John Mark Freeman, Jennifer B. Freeman, Millicent T. Kelly, Jim Abrahams, John, M. Freeman M.D., and Jennifer, B., Freeman
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Excellent and informative!
I read this edition after reading the 2nd edition, and I couldn't be happier with it. This edition includes information about the diet's use in infants, as well as tube feeding issues. I was very glad to see the added info, as my 4 month old son began the diet recently and we're still fine-tuning it. Thanks to this book, not only do I understand more about the diet's "quirks", I feel I'm more able to assist the dietitians and neurologists in the planning of my son's diet. I highly recommend it to anyone who's considering implementing the diet.

Even Better Than Before!
I just got my copy of the third edition of this wonderfulbook.It's even better than the second edition.

1. The menu plansare better and more complete. 2. They include information on howthey think the diet works. 3. The whole book just flows better thanbefore.

I highly recommend this book (and the diet) to all withepilepsy -- adults too!


Successful Glamour Photography
Published in Paperback by Watson-Guptill Pubns (1983)
Author: John Kelly
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I love this book!!!
The articles are very informative. The writing style is very clear and readable even for the amatures. The pictures of the ladies are very gogerous and fit very well with the accompanying texts. Lots and lots of clues on how to use lighting and camera angles in this book.

Still the best...
This book will answer many questions for you. The information is dated and could use an update on some of the technical items, but most of these items are easy to update yourself with a little simple research ( things like film and various camera attachments etc). This book has remained a favorite of mine, John is very instinctual in his shooting style, but is still technical enough give the reader a well rounded view of glamour photography. The overall content is well laid out and logical. There is something here for anyone interested in this type of photography. If you are looking for just one book to assist you in developing your glamour style, I would consider this the book to use.

A really nice book
I read this book after reading a couple of others on Glamour photography. John Kelly writes with a style that is easy to read and the images were outstanding. This book is a great reference that I am happy to own.


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