My first book as a fledgling philosophy student was Cassirer's
work on the Enlightenment and I was in up over my head, but I stuck it out and learned a lot. So, when his book on myth and language came to my attention, I was familiar with the author and his reputation. I have not read the professional critiques on this work, but my personal opinion is that it is unique in every respect. I have not seen anything else that parallels the growth of myth (religion) and language as this does, nor have I seen anything that deals as effectively with the idea of epistemology that is quite apart from that of science and inductive probabilities. If you want to read what a brilliant man believes and substantiates about knowledge from a really different viewpoint, this may be the book for you. It is deep, but each page will grab you -- perhaps more than once.

This little book is a revelation in 99 pages. It is highly theoretical and while it is not an easy read it is not beyond the comprehension of a layperson either. Cassirer's arguments lead me to think about language and consciousness itself in ways which I never have before, but which seem so amazingly right that I experienced many moments of epiphany. This book is an excellent rebuttal to the argument that reason is the origin and culmination of human thought and that all myth is rooted in ignorance (take that, Carl Sagan). If you are interested in theories of mythology and/or theories of language/linguistics, this book is a must.

I loved this book. If you are interested in linguistics and philosophy, this is the book. After reading this you may have a whole new perspective on the origins of language, that is if you are a student of linguistics. I highly recommend this to those interested in ancient texts and languages, myths, logic and the development of human intellect.

Fine text & phenomenal photographs.

Wonderful photographs and narrative; this book captures the life and spirit of Berlin during its heyday. The final few pages address the emergence of the Nazi influence; other books thus are left to relate the ensuing horror that befell Berlin. One of my favourite Berlin books. Also worth a read are "Before the Deluge" and "Faust's Metropolis", two excellent books which cover Berlin in the 20's and 30's.

This book of Pre-World War II Berlin is eloquently told in a series of photographs the have an undeniable melancholy effect on the reader for days of tranquility and simplicity long gone. If you can get your hands on a copy it is well worth it.

Unfortunately by the time I got this book, I had to learn many things from other sources or simply by guessing and trying. Its first two parts confirmed most of my beliefs on the topics or put right the rest. The third part gave me tremendous help to become more effective and confident in the use of the tools. Having read it half way through I am pretty sure that what I am doing is right. Time to time I use it as a manual as well. Worth every cent!

I love this book even though its really thick. It covers TMS in excruciating detail while remaining quite readable for new Basis administrators and consultants. Much clearer than the confusing training materials for the SAP course I took recently. Get it and become a TMS SAP expert!

This well-written book has been immensely helpful in bringing me up to speed on R/3 change management practices. It certainly goes far beyond R/3 on-line help. It is both well-organized and of great depth and breadth. The glossary alone was worth the purchase price.

Volume I is probably the best music instruction book ever, but Volume II is an absolutly essential companion to it. If you're already an intermediate to advanced player, you could possibly get along without Volume I, but you've gotta get Volume II. It is comprised of two sections, songs and exercises.

First there are the songs, just about every song needed in a plectrum player's basic repertoire of tunes. But get this, not only are they presented in the usual "fake book" or "lead sheet" format (melody line in standard musical notation with chord names above and lyrics below), there is also a chord chart, as well as chord diagrams for every note in the chord melody!

The chord chart uses a box for each measure with the chord name(s) in each, a great compact memory jogger for use after you've learned the song.

The chord melody diagrams are the tour de force of this set of books and a major advance in the art of string music instruction books. They not only show how to form the chord, and where on the neck to play it, but they also show the timing and the picking. By following these diagrams, you can be playing the chord melody in a matter of minutes.

Part 2 is the exercises, a compendium of all the exercises in Volume I, which is to say all the really good exercises you will ever need to increase and maintain your skills as a plectrum banjo player. Once you have mastered a particular section in Volume I, all the exercises without the accompanying text will be found in Volume II.

When I was first working my way through Volume I, I tabbed each page with an exercise so I could go back and run through it. Then I looked in the back of Volume II and there they all were, exactly as I needed them to be!

Exercises include: Dexterity exercises; All the chords played up and down the neck; Chord transition exercises (same fret and inversions); Chromatic chord scales for every note on the neck; Single string scales; Harmonized scales; Runs and fillers; Intros, tags, and endings; Duoing; and Arpeggios.

If you can master these exercises, you can play any of the tunes in the first section with professional polish. I can't speak highly enough about these books and the accompanying CD's.

I ordered the Ultimate Book as soon as it came out, and I have gained more plectrum skills in the past few weeks than in the 5 years previous! It is absolutely fabulous. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, student or teacher, it is the perfect plectrum banjo book.

I live in a small town in Indiana, the middle of plectrum banjo nowhere, and have been trying to learn to play plectrum for the last five years. Despite years of 5-string playing, I just wasn't getting anywhere...particularly without a live teacher.Then along came The Ultimate Plectrum Guide. The chord diagrams are the best I've ever seen. They are used in a unique way to indicate timing, picking, and even whether to pick up or down. The organization of the book is superb. First of all the explanations are precise, including "Dave's Rules", neat little generalities that stick in your mind the way he intended them to. Exercises are meaningful...when Dave says play it 20 times, if you play it 20 times you will have learned it. The book starts with the basic chords, and just when you have had enough chord playing, they interject a secondary subject, then back to chords, etc. By the time you reach the end of the beginner's section, you can play all but the most arcane of chords with various picking styles. But then you come to part 3: "Adding Some Polish". Single string picking, turnarounds, etc. "Chord melody vs. improv vs. Background", "You're working too hard -- shortcuts" and "Transposing on the fly". Really great stuff.

Part Four, "Music Theory" is terrific, my wife is taking piano lessons and reading through this section clarified things her teacher was unable to. It is practical music theory, which sounds like a conflict in terms, but it is presented in such a way that you can put it to use immediately...building chords, transposing, converting to chord melody, etc.

Section 4 "Intermediate Banjo Playing" is about playing in groups. The first chapter, "When to cheat and how to do it", is full of techniques for playing above your head. The second, "What'd he say?" is a lexicon of band jargon so you don't feel stupid when you first sit in with a group.

Part 6, "Advanced Banjo Playing" really is, subjects like "single string and embelishments", "Differing Scales", modes and the harmonized scale, and "Inside chords and beyond". Then comes the Appendices! Every chord diagram you can conceive of, transposition charts, etc., etc.

This book is not only the very best plectrum banjo book, it should be the model for every "how to play anything". It is a whole new approach to writing music books, a superb teacher (David Frey) combined with an outstanding writer of technical manuals (Susanne Sagiacomo, who was actually learning to play) created honest-to-God synergy and advanced the art of music instruction by a whole order of magnitude.

"The Ultimate Plectrum Banjo Player's Guide" reallyis. It is not only the very best plectrum banjo book, it is a wholeorder of magnitude better than any music instruction book I've ever encountered.

I ordered the Ultimate Book as soon as it came out. I live in a small town in Indiana, which is in the middle of plectrum banjo nowhere, and have been trying to learn to play plectrum for the past 5 years. Despite many years of 5-string playing, I just wasn't getting anywhere. Then along came "The Ultimate Plectrum...Guide", I have gained more plectrum skills in the past few weeks than in the previous 5 years! It is absolutely fabulous. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, a student or a teacher, it is the perfect plectrum banjo book. The chord diagrams are the best I've ever seen. They are used in a unique way to indicate timing, picking, and even whether to pick up or down. The organization of the book is also superb. The explanations are precise, including "Dave's Rules", neat little generalities that stick in your mind the way he intended them to. Exercises are meaningful...when Dave says play it 20 times, if you play it 20 times you will have learned it. The book starts with the basic chords, and just when you have had enough chord playing, they interject an interesting secondary subject, then back to chords, etc. By the time you reach the end of the beginner's section, you can play all but the most arcane of chords with various timing and picking styles.

Next is part 3: "Adding Some Polish". Single string picking, turnarounds, etc. "Chord melody vs. improv vs. Background", "You're working too hard -- shortcuts" and "Transposing on the fly". Really great stuff.

Part Four, "Music Theory" is terrific, my wife is taking piano lessons and reading through this section clarified ideas her teacher was unable to get across. It is practical music theory, however, which may sound like a conflict in terms, but it is presented in such a way that you can put it to use immediately...building chords, transposing, converting to chord melody, etc.

Section 4 "Intermediate Banjo Playing" is about playing in groups. The first chapter, "When to cheat and how to do it", is full of techniques for playing above your head. The second, "What'd he say?" is a lexicon of band jargon so you don't feel stupid when you first sit in with a group.

Part 6, "Advanced Banjo Playing" really is, subjects like "single string and embelishments", "Differing Scales", modes and the harmonized scale, and "Inside chords and beyond".

Then comes the fabulous Appendices! Every chord diagram you can conceive of, transposition charts, etc., etc.

This book is not only the very best plectrum banjo book, it should be the model for every "how to play anything". It is a whole new approach to writing music books, a superb teacher (David Frey) combined with an outstanding writer of technical manuals (Susanne Sagiacomo, who was actually learning to play) created honest-to-God synergy and advanced the art of music. If you've read this far, buy it! END

This book was absolutely wonderful. There was a positive message displayed throughout the book and was very appropriate for all ages. The illustrations were great as well. I have enjoyed giving several of these books for gifts. The responses from recipients I've given them to have all been positive. I look forward to another of Ms. VanScoyoc's books in the future.

A really beautiful gift you would be thrilled to give any child. Very inspirational and well done. Highly recommended!

I just love this book, keep writing. Children need more stories like this one.

I really like how this author has woven a story out of the several strands - of Edith's own writings - of others who have written about her - of the history of the Jews in Germany - and of the life and times of Adolf Hitler as it affected Edith's life and that of millions of Jews and Christians. The author has braided together some wonderful connections that set Edith's life in the context of her times and of our times. I found special joy in these connections because I have read almost all of the sources - primary and secondary - separately - and it is good to see them woven together with spiritual meanings. This book now holds a place of prominece on my Edith Stein shelf of books.

Maria Scaperlanda's book on Edith Stein provides those unfamilar with this fascinating, modern Saint with a great introduction to her life and thought. The reader will be able to follow Edith Stein on her passionate life journey, sustained by her desire to find truth, first pursued in philosophy and finally completed in her embrace of Catholicism and life as a contemplative, Carmelite religious. Although there are various books about Edith Stein on the market, Maria Scaperlanda's work is the best work to provide the reader with an introduction to Edith Stein and guide the reader on to further works on the Saint with an excellent bibliography. Edith Stein's life and work should be studied by all those who seek meaning and truth (not only Catholics), especially in our current post-modern, relativistic culture that so vehemently denies absolute truth. This book is also an excellent choice as spiritual reading for Christians desiring to study the life of a contemporary Saint.

In her book, Maria Scaperlanda attempts to unfold the the complex figure of Edith Stein/St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. The author gives us "snapshots" of the feminist, philosopher, Carmelite and saint. Ms. Scaperlanda not only tells us Edith's story, she also interweaves it with the story of others who died in the Shoah,(including Edith's family)while locating it within its historical context. Ms. Scaperlanda also includes a section on the Jewish/Christian controversy surrounding this saint. She is to be admired for going where others fear to tread in this regard. She is also to be congratulated for making Edith Stein assessible to the average American reader. If one is looking for a book on phenomenology, this book will disappoint, however, if one is seeking to learn more about the multi-dimensional personality of Edith Stein, the reader will be rewarded. The author includes an extensive bibliography for those who wish to dig deeper into the study of this remarkable woman.

This book represents a revision and extension of Ms. Low's earlier work, An Index and Guide to Audubon's Birds of America (Abbeville, 1988). It is a valuable reference for anyone interested in Audubon's folio bird prints. If you have a choice, select this more recent version than the out-of-print Abbeville edition. As in her earlier book, Ms. Low includes sizes of the plate marks for Havell Edition prints, and adds more information on the variants she encountered in a systematic review of four complete Havell Edition sets. The book also includes a wonderful bonus -- a detailed description of the Bien Edition (sometimes called the second folio edition of The Birds of America). Ms. Low's treatment is by far the most comprehensive information available in one place on this important and neglected work. As an Audubon dealer, and someone who has prepared web-based study guides of all the major Audubon editions, I have found endless uses for this book. It is a must-have reference for all serious students and collectors of Audubon's art.

Susanne Low conducted years of painstaking research to write this lovely book. She examined four complete 435-print sets of Audubon's double elephant folio and this detailed, comprehensive Guide is the result. Every variant of every print is described including the birds depicted, the exact size of the plate mark, and where and when Audubon painted the original. A similar section describes the 150 Bien edition chromolithographs that were made in 1858-1860. The information presented is invaluable to antique dealers and collectors because it enables even the casual user to authenticate prints.

I especially like her cross-references and cross-indexes that make it easy to compare the double elephant folio prints with the Biens and the Octavos. She even included a biographical section that describes all the people who helped Audubon along the way. Writing my own book - Audubon Art Prints - would not have been possible without using Susanne's book as a reference.

Low's index has long been the bible for dealers and collectors of Audubon's Birds of America. Painstakingly accurate in its original edition, this new, updated and expanded version is produced with all the care of true booklovers. Elegant and useful. Thanks to Reese and Heald for making this invaluable tome available.

I live in the heart of the gay community in Brighton, and although I am not gay myself, I interact with the community on a regular basis. I found this wonderful book in a thrift shop, as I wanted my 6-year-old nephew to understand that the world is made up many different people but I didn't want to confuse him too much. This book is great and its fun to read as well. It tells the story of a little girl called Jenny and her two fathers. They live in Denmark, have regular contact with Jenny's mother who helps Jenny and her father Martin prepare a surprise birthday party for Eric. The story follows Jenny's life with her two fathers, and how various family disputes are sorted out such as Jenny not wanting to go to the launderette and a quarrel between her two fathers. It also gently points out that not all people are accepted in society but does it in such a way that children will not be upset. The book is filled with lovely black and white photos, and nice sized print that makes it easy for children to read or for an adult to read to younger children. It is a great book and it is a shame it is out of print. Well worth getting as it stands on its own as nice children's book that is both enjoyable and fun.

I have to say that I'm disappointed that this book is out of print. It was my favorite book when I was younger. Being a little girl with two gay dads myself, I really related to Jenny, who had blonde hair just like I did. Since there weren't any other books back then with families that looked like mine, I dragged this one practically everywhere I went. My copy is very old and tattered. I wish this book were available today, especially considering how few books there are that portray gay and lesbian families positively.

JENNY LIVES WITH ERIC AND MARTIN by Bosche, was one of the first children's picture books to be published which included gay characters. It is the story of a weekend spent by Jenny, her father and her father's partner, Eric. On Friday Jenny and her dad throw a surprise birthday party for Eric. They invite Jenny's mum, who often comes over to visit her and her two fathers. On Saturday morning Jenny looks through a book and has breakfast in bed with her fathers and then they go out into the garden. On Sunday they all clean the house and do the laundry. While both men are pulling Jenny back home in a cart, they run into a woman who wishes that gays would "...stay at home so the rest of us don't have to see you. Ugh!" Jenny is bothered and confused by the woman's comments. Eric explains that being gay is when two men love and live with each other. He goes on to explain the woman's behavior by saying that when people don't understand something or are told it is wrong, they get scared and angry. Using chalk to illustrate, he tells Jenny a story about a woman who disapproves of homosexual love until it is explained to her by her husband, who once loved another man. As Jenny is getting ready for bed she asks if her fathers can have babies. Eric explains that only men and women can have babies. The portrayal of Jenny's family will be familiar to children who live in a gay-headed household. Jenny's mother seems to have a role in the family that is unlike any of the other books which deal with this subject. There is a relationship between Jenny and her mother and between the mother and Eric and Martin. "Living nearby is Jenny's mum, Karen. She often comes to visit them." The original relationship between Martin and Karen is not made clear in the text. The black and white photos illustrate how the two men care for Jenny, each other, and their home in a variety of circumstances. The events that occur in the story (for example, holding the birthday party, doing the laundry, cleaning the house together, solving conflicts between parents) are familiar to all children and their families. Jenny's father's attempt to explain homophobia to her was simple, to the point, and successful. There are several issues about this book which must be addressed. One issue which can provoke powerful, almost visceral reactions from many adults is the photo of Jenny in bed with her two fathers, one of whom, though under blanket or pillow, appears to be in the nude. JENNY LIVES WITH ERIC AND MARTIN was authored in Sweden, translated in England and distributed in this country by Alyson Press. The difference in cultural practices and values may attribute to the seeming nonchalance in displaying such a photo in a children's book. The inclusion of this scene may make some adults uncomfortable, or for those individuals in families or cultures which are more open about their bodies, this book may be a nice addition to other story books about families. This frequently intense reaction is unfortunate because the book itself is one of the best in terms of the naturalness of being gay, being a parent and being a child who has gay parents. The books long length and detailed text make it more appropriate for children ages six and older.

Mondrian's work is, in my opinion, best appreciated in context. He didn't simply arrive at perpendicular lines as form overnight, and this book demonstrates how Mondrian evolved as an artist over time. The text is highly readable, never too lofty, and quite fascinating at times. Those who are not entirely familiar with Mondrian's career or who want insight into his vision as an artist would do best to consult this text and its many color plates.

Reading this is a must for any artist .

What can I say but I was told to read this and am so glad I was. Some of the best advise I ever got .

TO read the book and what is in it !

A good overall introductory-level book of Mondrian's work. Lots of full-color illustrations, many full page, and relatively short text make this book easy for the reader who is developing an interest in Mondrian's work.

The author places Mondrian's work within the context of the times it was made, discussing concurrent developments and how other artist's work was influential on Mondrian, and how his work in turn influenced other artists. Several illustrations reproduce the work of these other artists.

The text is both biographical and developmental, as the various periods of Mondrian's work are all discussed, from his earliest Hague school-influenced landscapes through his Cubist inspired works to his mature Neo-Plastic paintings.

The photographic reproductions are excellent, and the text is informative without being scholarly. For anyone needing an introduction to Mondrian's work and career, this is the book for you.

A "World of Respect" reflects many years of first hand disrespect through the eyes of a beautiful soul. Susanne has the mental scar tissue that clearly demonstrates our globe is fraught with disrespect. The bonus of this comprehensive book is the way in which she provides us with the tools to turning disrespect for one another into respect. Marble Falls, Texas

I think that everyone needs to read this book. Having also just read a local newspaper article that quoted a recent survey saying that 89% of people surveyed believe people are significantly more rude than 10 years ago, this book is relevant to us all. I especially appreciated her perspective on parenting and school teachers. Susanne has some very important information that has the potential to alter relationships significantly--maybe even change the world! Her chapter on respect in religion is needed more now than ever. Great book!!

Susanne Slay-Westbrook has really hit the nail on the head. Her book, especially in Enron times, truly outlines a system for a functional society...functional from in the home to the office and everyday relationships. Thank you Susanne!