I purchased this book years ago (don't remember when) and was "talked" out of it by a dear friend who lived in England. I told him about the book and the gardening methods recommended. He was and is an avid gardener but living in England he was very limited by space. Mel Bartholomew's method of gardening (4x4 foot squares) was ideal for him and I just had to give the book to him. I recently was discussing gardening with another friend here in the States and I mentioned "Square Foot Gardening." They were also interested in the method. Just on a hunch I checked Amazon.com and sure enough here was the book. Can't wait to get my hands on it again and build a couple of squares in the back yard. This time I will keep the book ... and refer my eager friends to Amazon.com!

I am a beginning gardener -- ambitious, but not very experienced. I have a shady backyard, and I LOVE tomatoes -- not factors that really go together. This book explains how to save space, time, effort, and resources while you get more out of your harvest. It turns gardening into a few-minutes-at-a-time proposition, something you can easily do every day to keep up. Now I have an idea of how I *can* grow tomatoes, despite my big trees.

Square Foot Gardening offers specific information (valuable for a beginner!) in just about every area. I can't think of a single thing I still need to know. Mel Bartholomew also offers suggestions for wheelchair-bound gardeners (build planters and raise them to a comfortable level) that are also great for anyone who can't get down on the ground easily. He suggests good plants to try in a garden for kids. In short, this book is thorough and fascinating.

My seed catalogs are coming in the mail, and I have NEVER been so excited about the prospect of growing stuff -- because I have the tools to succeed at it now. Square Foot Gardening made it much less daunting.

This is one of the books Michael Hyatt recommends for a Y2K library. It is a true reference, which appears to include everything you need to know to efficiantly grow your own food.

If you have ever given any thought to growing your own food, herbs and/or flowers, this book presents a method by which you can do so with the minimum amount of space and work. It is claimed to be 5 times more space efficiant than row gardening and much easier to maintain. It tells you how to prepare the ground, what to plant, when to plant it and how to plant it. Also covered are protecting the plants from weather, disease and pests (birds, animals, insects), and some tips on harvesting and using.

The method is easily adaptable to patio, rooftop and indoor gardens, as well as for handicapped gardeners. It 'automatically' provides for crop rotation and companion planting, and continuous (possibly even year round) production.

It is unlikely that Y2K will be impacting food availability by harvest time, but there are other reasons to grow your own food - to save money, to increase nutrient content and lower chemical content, to have better taste and possibly for fun and relaxation. This book covers everything you need to do so, while maintaining the fun and relaxation aspects.

If you do get this book for Y2K, you will need to start following it NOW, as you will need to have the supplies, tools and experiance already in place before needing them under emergency conditions.

This book is a wonderful way to introduce God into someone's life. Not only for children but for adults too. In today's crazy world this book hits on the big picture of God and not the ever-changing and confusing religions that can warp that beautiful image. This book is also great for any classroom. I would gladly read it to my students!

I bought this book to use with my class at church. The children loved the beautiful story and the simple message. My class ranges in age from 2 years old to 7 years old, and they all truly enjoyed the book. I would recommend this book to anyone with a curious child or questions of their own about God and his place in the universe. A wonderful addition to any library.

The book is perfect for parents who are looking for ways to discuss spitituality with their kids without taking a particular religious point of view. It's an easy to read a loud book for younger ones and older kids will like reading the quick paced book themselves. Reinforces the message that God is part of all of us.

"Tween Time" is an enlightening and inspiring approach to the "tween" years. The importance of these years is often overlooked by both parents and pediatricians alike because most kids are "easier" during these years - no longer a young child, more independent, healthy, curious, eager to learn, but not YET a pubertal teen. These years, though, are the crucial foundation for teen, young adult, and adult life. Much of what occurs during these years will be part of a child's character forever. Creative, attentive, involved parenting during the years is the vital key to later success. This book deveops and shapes that key. A Must-Have for Parents of Tweens!

Tween Time is a great book for dads, too! I single parent two tweens and I loved the ideas in the book because they were simple and most of them cost nothing! For all you single dads out there who are looking for things to do with your tweens, buy this book and get started - it's a terrific source of ideas to help you stay connected to your tween!!

As a mother of three boys (two are tweens), I really enjoyed reading this book for ideas of ways to spend truly quality time with them. The ideas are for REAL people. They involve me -- and my kids -- in the community, so we find ways to give to others while giving to ourselves. The illustrations and lay out are also wonderful. It is so fun just to browse through and read tidbits. Congrats to Ginny Bishop and her daughter for creating such a wonderful and timely book... We need to focus more on our Tweens before they become Teens!

Mr. Field has written a book that no self-respecting harmonica should miss. It gives a comprehensive overview of the harmonica's rich and illustrious history. I learned more from a single reading about my instrument and it's players, than I did in the previous twenty years. Mr. Field should be applauded for a most outstanding effort.

Rarely has any instrument been given the treatment Fields provides: A panoramic look at the history of the harmonica as well as the great players from all musical categories--classical to jazz to rock--who have helped make it famous. Fields detailed biographies of great harmoinca players like John Sebastian Sr., Larry Adler, Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson, Paul Butterfield and others are unmatched, and his wonderful overview of the great harmonica bands of the early twentieth century collects stories and history neverbefore recounted. Sought after by ever growing legions of harmonica players, this book is also a terrific read for anyone interested in American music in the twentieth century.

Generations of harmonica players waited for this superb book. Nothing like it existed until its first publication and now it has been republished (thank you Cooper Square). It is certain to become a classic. Field is a wonderful writer with a great eye for detail and a journalists instinct for interviewing his subjects. To some the harmonica hardly qualifies as a musical instrument, but to millions of others blowing into the pocket-sized "tin sandwich" is the breath of life. The Dutch call it the "moothy", the Scotch call it a "gob iron" and American's call it a "harp," shortened from "French Harp," the label on early imports of the instrument [from Germany]. Field's book can leave no doubt that the harmonica is a serious instrument on which one can make great art. From the Grand Old Opry to Carnegie Hall, from Little Walter the pioneer of amplified blues harmonica to country great Charlie McCoy to classical concert musician John Sebastian (Sr.), Field covers them all with zest and style. All that's missing is a musical CD to illustrate the styles! Let us hope it stays in print for many years.

Since we take so few vacations, I like to make sure they're planned well so everyone gets the most out of them. I bought 3 Disney books (Unofficial Guide by Sehlinger and Birnbaum's 2001 edition too) but this is the one I found most useful for planning a trip with a 4 & 6 year-old. The tips saved us $1000 on room costs alone! The reviews of the Disney and off-site hotels offer useful details not found on websites. The excellent ride reviews feature details to help parents determine if it's too scary for your child (tells you if dark, noisy, surprise elements, etc) - not just a generic "may scare children under age 5" warning. The book is fun & easy to read... and with her realistic advice for visiting Disney with kids, you'll have more fun and be less stressed-out on vacation than if you did it without her book.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone planning to visit Disney World. I received my book just days ago, but have been enjoying it along with other members of my family. But I knew I would love it even before I got it, because, I had read a previous version of the authors Disney World guide about seven years ago. We followed her tips for the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and MGM and had a marvelous time. Following her tips made our trip a real time to remember-it saved us time, saved us stress and probably saved us money. All I can say is if you tackle Disney World with your kids without reading this book and using its well thought out tips, you will be sorry! Excellent, excellent book.

We used this for many months before our vacation last year. It was almost drenched with highlighter markings long before we left for Florida. When we got there, it was like our Bible as we toured the parks. It has everything you need to know for Disney and beyond. Her sense of humor is most amusing and she does let you know where to eat without losing your mind or cookies with toddler in tow. So buy it and then keep it, because you will write notes in it and after your trip it will become almost a souvenir of sorts with all your little articles and receipts etc, tucked away in side. You will look through it a year or two later and laugh at your comments about whatever you were thinking at the time. We had teenagers and toddler and everything worked out great, she has some real tips that do everyone good, not just the kids. Mom and dad won't lose their mind trying to please everyone. We are heading to Universal as well this year, so we will definitely be buying her Universal book.

The Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh...in his 100 Acre Wood Eden...are celebrations of friendship and loyalty. Maurice Sendak's WHERE the WILD THINGS Are, startlingly glimpses into fun; adventure and beckoning unknown dangers inhabiting the seemingly guileless imagination of children. THE VELVETEEN RABBIT might be thought to complement these major modern works of CHILDREN MYTHOLOGY. "How Toys become Real..." is subtitle and theme of this superbly crafted fable about LOVE: its promise; pain and overwhemling power to miraculously transform. Like all great fairy-tales, cuentoes and parables, the story is Once-upon-a-Time simple. It can be read to any child over three, and read by any child eight or older(3.5 g/e). It is told from point of view of a "really splendid, fat and bunchy Velveteen Rabbit...with coat spotted brown and white...real thread whiskers...and ears lined with pink sateen." The toy rabbit "quests" the love of his playmate master(BOY)that can...according to Mentor and friend THE SKIN HORSE...grant REALITY.
"When a child loves you for a long, long time...not just to play with...but REALLY loves you, then you become REAL."

Adorning this story is the wonderous art of illustrator Donna Green. In this 1995/98 edition, the "picture book" is illuminated with beautiful oil, acrylic, and lush pastel paintings that glow, and shimmer Life-like and LOVE-like. It is beautiful art work intrinsically conveying Margery Williams' mythical message to the young and young-at heart. (10 Stars)

Daughter Anna (now 19 years old) loved this book. It was her favorite above all others. As we sorted through some old kid things for give-away purposes, we stumbled upon this old, well worn copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit." She insisted we keep the book for HER children.

This was her book that Mama (me!) had to read to her again and again and again. As soon as the last word was read on the last page, it was "Mama, please read it again!"

(how I miss those days, by the way!)

The book also has a powerful message about Love that children understand and cherish.

This is a wonderful book. No child should be without their own copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit."

This is a heartwarming story about a toy rabbit filled with sawdust that wants to be real. He realizes what the meaning of "real" is when his owner, a young boy, gives him the answer for which he searches. My wife bought this book for me last month. I missed it as a child. I've learned the lesson in this book in traditional ways, by trial and error. I would have loved to have this treasure as a child and thank my beautiful wife, Lori, for giving it to me, now. Only real love has any meaning or longevity, at all. I ask you readers to not pass up this gem of a book. It is a must for children and adults alike.

Thank GOD for Ferrets for Dummies! Ms. Schilling has owned pet ferrets for many years and it shows! But what's even more helpful is that she writes about ferrets from the perspective of an adoring owner as well as a foster mom to ferrets awaiting new homes. She doesn't hold back and lets the reader know that ferrets aren't for everyone. Because of that, both the ferrets and the readers win! There's nothing sadder than a ferret in an uninformed home! On the flip side, if after reading Ferrets for Dummies you believe a ferret or two or three is for you, you will be well prepared! Bravo to the author for discussing those issues which many ferret fanatics (myself included) try to brush under the table.....such as odor, litter box woes and problem ferrets! Ms. Schilling was not only able to tackle the difficult issues with style and grace, but also with a great sense of humor - essential to any ferret owner! I can't say enough about this book! It's the best! I know many people who decided that ferrets were DEFINITELY for their household after reading Ferrets for Dummies! And there were a few that decided ferrets might not be the best pets for them! Wonderful! Matching the right pet with the right family is what it's all about! I hope Ms. Schilling keeps on writing!! She has a fan in me!

Thank GOD for Ferrets for Dummies! Ms. Schilling has owned pet ferrets for many years and it shows! But what's even more helpful is that she writes about ferrets from the perspective of an adoring owner as well as a foster mom to ferrets awaiting new homes. She doesn't hold back and lets the reader know that ferrets aren't for everyone. Because of that, both the ferrets and the readers win! There's nothing sadder than a ferret in an uninformed home! On the flip side, if after reading Ferrets for Dummies you believe a ferret or two or three is for you, you will be well prepared! Bravo to the author for discussing those issues which many ferret fanatics (myself included) try to brush under the table.....such as odor, litter box woes and problem ferrets! Ms. Schilling was not only able to tackle the difficult issues with style and grace, but also with a great sense of humor - essential to any ferret owner! I can't say enough about this book! It's the best! I know many people who decided that ferrets were DEFINITELY for their household after reading Ferrets for Dummies! And there were a few that decided ferrets might not be the best pets for them! Wonderful! Matching the right pet with the right family is what it's all about! I hope Ms. Schilling keeps on writing!! She has a fan in me!

Very well written. Easy to understand. For the beginner to the veteran ferret owner. I've had ferrets for 10 years and found the book very useful, especially the medical guidelines. I would highly recommend this book to people thinking about acquiring their first ferret, as well as the seasoned ferret owner.

I can't recommend this book more highly. I have only been Web Developing for 8 months after falling into the job with a fluke departmental transfer. I trained on the job with the Allaire CD that came with the CF Application Server and read manuals. This is the first CF book that I didn't have to strain to understand. It made difficult concepts simple to a newbie like myself. I ended up not only passing the exam, but also made an 82% that now brings me to Advanced ColdFusion Certified status!!! It was a change they made last month where scores of 80% and above get extra recognition. This book not only was the reason I scored so high, but also was instrumental in pointing out fixes to a host of CF problems I was having in my daily coding. There were practice questions at the end of these chapters that were actually on the test with slight wording changes. I will say that there were about 3 questions on the test that were not covered at all in the book. So I would suggest supplemental study if you want to make a 90% or something.

Now it is time for me to go negotiate that raise!

Mike Arms

Advanced ColdFusion Professional

(P.S. I like the sound of that. You will too after your own name. So get this book, read once with a high lighter, read it again, then outline the chapters you are hazy on.)

I just completed and passed the ColdFusion certification exam on June 23rd. I have been a CF developer for about 1.5 years. I have a pretty strong knowledge of the basics, but realized CF is very broad and that I definitely needed some sort of extra prep for the exam. So, I bought this book several weeks ago. However, I am an unrepentant procrastinator -- I waited till the day before the exam to start studying Ben's book. No matter. The text is so well written, that I could easily skim the material I was familiar with and focus on sections were my skills were weak. The end-of-chapter practice quizzes are challenging and are an excellent gauge of how you will perform on the real certification exam. My scores ended up being exactly the same -- 84!! It certainly helped me pass the exam and I'm sure it will remain handy as a quick reference guide. I highly recommend this book.

Disclaimer: My brother is one of the co-authors. Having said that, I can also say that I've been developing with CF for four years, and have read most of the books on the topic.

I don't have a need for the exam .. nor do I ever intend to take it, but I found this book to be a very thorough, detailed review of ColdFusion. It is certainly not a beginner's guide, as some familiarity with CF is assumed, but it gives better insight into advanced functions of CF (Structures, Associative arrays, etc) than I've read elsewhere, and differences between versions of CF (4.0, 4.5, 4.5.1) are better documented than in Allaire's own documentation.

This book is therefore for the intermediate to advanced CF programmer who is looking to build a deep, complete understanding of ColdFusion beyond the tutorial level of many of Ben Forta's other books.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Destiny's Song. The characters were so believable. Zay was one of a kind, this man knows how to love, too bad he is only fictional. It would be wonderful to met someone like Zay who is for real. Destiny was cool and I could relate to her. The storyline about an abusive boyfriend was so real for me.. I also love her friend Jacq it would be great to see her in her own story. This book is a must read. There is humor, suspense and drama.

For a new author Kim Louise comes out with a bang. Her characters are believable and with such a sensitive topic she writes in away that will touch everyone. Even the secondary characters are well developed.

After being in a abusive relationship Destiny needs to get away and get to know herself again. When her ex-boyfriend is sentence to 3 years in prison, Destiny decides to go to Atlanta to visit her high school boyfriend Davis. Before she leaves her best friend gives her Xavier Allgood's latest CD. While listening to the CD she develops a secret crush for Allgood.

After getting settled in Davis's house she is surprise to see Xavier watching her sing his music. Davis and Xavier talk Destiny into doing a photo shoot for Xavier. They begin to spend a lot of time with each other and fall in love. But are reluctant to explore their new found love because of their past relationships and Xavier thinks that Destiny and Davis are an item.

I don't want to tell you too much only that you have to go and get this book. You will enjoy every minute. And Destiny's friend Jacq will have you laughing out loud. I hope to see more of her in Kim's future book.

Great job Kim and I can't wait until your next book A Touch Away in July.

Detiny's Song is a definite must read. Why do I say this? Because Kim Whiteside has managed to cover issues of abuse and trust that many African American women face today. She does this in a realistic setting and with believeable characters.

Destiny's Song is about a woman whose life is turned upside down because of her bad choice in men. (Something that many sisters experience every day). One minute her life is picture perfect. She has a career she loves as a photo historian and a man who shares the same appreciation for the arts. Then in a flash when the pressure becomes too great for him, he sucuumbs to his weakness (alcohol) and become a vile and violent beast. When the crazed ex-boyfriend, Rico, is finally jailed for three years for his offenses, Destiny escapes to Atlanta, GA in search of the person she once was as well as to spend some time with an old friend.

Embracing the chance to get away, Destiny is impressed by the city as well as by the fact that her friend, Davis, is a well aquainted with the new recording artist, Xavier Allgood. Not once in a million years did she think she would meet the man behind the music whom she has developed a "crush".

She is equally surprised, when Davis suggests that she assists Xavier on his next project. Of course, Destiny jumps at the chance to work closely with the "man of her dreams". During the course of their time spent with each other, Destiny learns that Xavier is truly a genuine, caring and humble spirit who happens to make her smile at an given moment, and who helps her to put her past with Rico far out of her mind. Xavier knows what it is like to be in a failed relationship and he is apprehensive about getting involved with her. However, neither can deny the chemistry between them and feelings of admiration, turn into love. Destiny knows regardless of how their love-relationship turns out, her life will never be the same, if not for his friendship.The story continues to explore their discovery of one another ending with an unexpected altercation that requires them both to let down their guard and to let love lead the way.

Whiteside has managed to take a dream and turn it into a possibility. All of her characters, including the secondary ones are well developed and support the thrust of the story line. Any woman who has felt hopeless and helpless in an abusive relationship can heal from Destiny's experience and realize that they can conquer any obstacle.

When Butterflies Kiss is one man's story of growth, dreams, fear and love.
Dante, the main character of the story, is a young African American male that
is a social worker and aspiring writer. Dante is a complex and interesting
character. As the story progress we get a glimpse of his past, the
complexities of his current life and his goals and aspirations for the future.
His greatest weakness seems to be his relationship with women. He has buried
his sensitive side in order to protect his heart and is involved with any
number of meaningless sexual relationships. Most important however, is Dante's
desire to have more for his life. This journey for more meaning in his life,
career and relationships eventually leads him to some life changing decisions.

The other characters in the book are like a supporting cast; these characters
are not as thoroughly developed. Although the reader only knows these
characters in terms of Dante, each character plays a critical role in the plot
and in the growth that he eventually achieves. I would have liked to have read
a bit more about what made the female characters tick.

When Butterflies Kiss is a unique tale written by a team of authors. Ten
writers, each responsible for his or her own chapter, write the book. Each
author has their own style, but they do an excellent job of portraying the
characters and the plot consistently and the chapters flow beautifully. As I
began this book, I was curious about what reading a novel by several different
authors would be like but I was quite pleased with this collaborative effort.
I would have liked to have seen more detailed character development for the
female characters and there were a couple of aspects of the plot that I felt
were left hanging. Still, overall I thought this was a great effort and I look
forward to future works by each of the individual authors as well as future
collaborations...

"When Butterflies Kiss" is beautifully and fluidly written from the perspective of 10 distinct and diverse, dual-gender authors. What was most amazing to me was how these 10 authors were able to compose such a fluid novel independent of each other, dependent only on the previous chapters. The language used is very beautiful, filled with very descriptive and sensuous words to suck you in. Aside from the stellar writing (something missing from many current best sellers in my opinion), the self-discovery, coming-of-age and maturity story line was really well-developed as well. Buy the book and support these talented authors.

Have you ever watched a Butterfly? They move gracefully through transitions, keeping their momentum, landing in what appears an effortless fashion. When Butterflies Kiss, is no different. A perfect blend of imagery and realism, the opening chapter had me hooked. I read through the night entranced by Dante. The poetic verse of his journey pulled me into his world. His revelations became mine. Worried that with multiple writers I would be jolted from one style to another, the collaboration proved themselves capable of seamless dialogue. Page after page, this story progressed naturally. I recognize Dante in several of my friends and I saw myself in some of his encounters. This book is filled with rich, poignant prose. My only complaint is that it had to end. Praises to the Authors. I look forward to the sequel. I'm off to read it for a third time.