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Book reviews for "Kost,_Robert_John" sorted by average review score:

Putting Out of Your Mind
Published in Hardcover by (2001)
Authors: Robert J. Rotella, Robert Cullen, Bob, Dr Rotella, and Bradford John Faxon
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About Time
So simple....gives good practice drills and backs up recommendations with real data...a must read!! Doesnt try to change anything about your technique just improves what you have.

Perfect for those who think "I can't putt worth..."
This book was great. Rotella guides you right off that path you've been walking that's called the mental approach to putting. One of the biggest things you should learn from this book is that you won't make every putt you look at. What's more, is that Rotella tells you why you won't make every putt and then goes on to show you how you can think that you're a great putter even though you're not sinking every putt. Read this book carefully, once your putting improves your whole game will because you won't put pressure on yourself to hit everything close.

Buy this book now!!!!

Putt for Dough with this Mental Aide
Dr. Bob aides putters with not expecting to hole every putt, but to make each and every putt have the great chance of dropping.

From routine to feel to rhythm to confidence, Rotella provides in this good read the mental expertise he has demonstrated in his work with golfing greats. Now, it's here for all golfers.

I find to listen to the tape on the way to the course helps prepare me for a great day of putting.


Charles Dickens: The Major Novels (Penguin Critical Studies)
Published in Paperback by Penguin USA (Paper) (1993)
Authors: John Lucas and Robert McCrum
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Many rivers lead to the sea...
Ralph Waldo Emerson once remarked of English that it is 'the sea which receives tributaries from every region under heaven.'

The English language is certainly a sea of words and constructs which has been fed into by almost every major language and ethnic tradition in the world. English began as a hodge-podge of languages, never pretending to the 'purity' of more continental or extra-European languages (which, by the by, were never quite as pure as they like to assume).

The book 'The Story of English', as a companion piece to accompany the PBS-produced series of the same name, hosted by Robert MacNeil, late of the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, is an articulate, engaging, wide-ranging and fair exposition of an ordinarily difficult and dry subject.

The study of English is difficult on several levels. 'Until the invention of the gramophone and the tape-recorder there was no reliable way of examining everyday speech.' What did English sound like 200 years ago, or 400 years ago? 'English is--and has always been--in a state of ungovernable change, and the limits of scholarship are demonstrated by phrases like the famous 'Great Vowel Shift', hardly more informative than the 'unknown land' of early cartography.'

Of course, written language has until modern times been the limited and limiting commodity of a very small minority of people. The balance between the written and spoken language has a variable history, which can still be seen today (compare the writing of the New York Times against the speech patterns and vocabulary choices of any dozen persons you will find on the street in New York City, and this divergence will be readily apparent).

English has many varieties, and this book explores many of them, explaining that the writings and speech-patterns we see and hear as being foreign are actually English variants with a pedigree as strong as any Oxford University Press book would carry. From the Scots language which migrated to the Appalachian mountains to the Aussie languages adapted to Pacific Islands, to the ever-changing barrow speech of inner London, English speakers have a wide variety of possibilities that no one is truly master of all the language.

'If our approach seems more journalistic than scholastic, we felt this was appropriate for a subject that, unlike many academic studies, is both popular and newsworthy. Hardly a week goes by without a news story, often on the front page, devoted to some aspect of English: the 'decline' of standards; the perils and hilarities of Franglais or Japlish; the adoption of English as a 'national' language by another Third World county.'

English is, for international trade and commerce, for travel, for science and most areas of major scholarship, and many other groupings, the language not only of preference, but of required discourse.

In trying to find the length and breadth of English infusion into the world, past and present, MacNeil and primary authors Robert McCrum and William Cran have produced an engaging history, literary survey, sociology, and etymological joyride. By no means, however, are the major streams of English overlooked in favour of the minor tributaries--Shakespeare warrants most of his own chapter, as is perhaps fitting for the most linguistically-influential of all English speakers in history.

Of course, about this same time, the Authorised Version of the Holy Bible (better known as the King James Version) was also produced, with its own particular genius of language. 'It's an interesting reflection on the state of the language that the poetry of the Authorised Version came not from a single writer but a committee.'

There is a substantial difference in aspect of these two works -- whereas Shakespeare had a huge vocabulary, with no fear of coining new words and terms to suit his need, the King James Bible uses a mere 8000 words, making it generally acceptable to the everyman of the day. 'From that day to this, the Shakespearian cornucopia and the biblical iron rations represent, as it were, the North and South Poles of the language, reference points for writers and speakers throughout the world, from the Shakespearian splendour of a Joyce or Dickens to the biblical rigour of a Bunyan, or a Hemingway.'

From Scots to Anglesey, from the Bayou to the Barrier Reef, English is destined to be a, if not the, dominant linguistic force in the world for some time to come, particularly as the internet, the vast global communication network, is top-heavy with English, albeit an ever changing variety.

Revel in the glories of the English language, and seek out this fun book. Everyone will find something new.

This is a companion to the PBS television series.
After watching the series it is fun to see the information in print.

Just about everything you ever wanted to know about the English Language is in this book. There are newer and older references but none so complete and at the same time readable. This book covers history, usage, almost usage and possible futures of the language.

One of my favorite antidotes was the one about how the Advisory Committee on Spoken English (ACSE) discussed the word "canine":

"Shaw brought up the word 'canine', and he wanted the recommendation to be 'cay-nine'... And somebody said 'Mr. Shaw, Mr. Chairman, I don't know why you bring this up, of course it's 'ca-nine'. Shaw said, 'I always pronounce things the way they are pronounced by people who use the word professionally every day.' And he said, 'My dentist always says (cay-nine)'. And somebody said, 'Well, in that case, Mr. Chairman, you must have an American dentist.' And he said, 'Of course, why do you think at 76 I have all my teeth!'"

After reading about how English came about, the next book to read would be "Divided by a Common Language" by Christopher Davies, Jason Murphy

Refreshing lack of triumphalism
I read this book back in my 'English Conversation Teacher' days in Japan. Having been embrassed one to many times by students having to lecture me, their teacher, on the history of English, I figured I should do some 'catch-up reading.' I asked around for suggestions and was recommended 'The Story of English'.

It is free of the linguistic jargon most general readers would find pedantic, and although it is aimed at the general reader it is never condescending. The first half of the book explains the historical development of English while the second half focues on modern English.

Most refreshing though, is that it is free of the triumphalism found in many books of this kind. Reflecting the demographic reality of English today, it gives even-handed attention to the many contemporary varieties of English spoken around the world in places such as North America, Singapore, India, the Anglophone West Indies, and so on.

'The Story of English' is best suited to those who are curious about the origins as well as the future of English, and who want an easy-to-understand introduction to the subject.


Flight of the Reindeer: The True Story of Santa Claus and His Christmas Mission
Published in Audio Cassette by Audio Literature (1997)
Authors: Robert Sullivan and John Ritter
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Fantastic Holiday Book
I was just at the point in my life where believing in Santa Claus seems extrememely childish, but then I read this book by Robert Sullivan. Pretty soon it had me convinced that Santa does exist and reindeer really do fly. The pictures are very interesting and the context is quite convincing, esp. the interviews. Many people (or Helpers) are questioned in this book. Some people that give testimonies are George Bush Sr. and Al Roker. Will Steger relates his conversation with Santa Claus to Robert Sullivan, who, fortunately, wrote it down in this book. Sullivan finds a lot of useful evidence too. Glenn Wolff illustrates the book wonderfully, and I like the fact that there is at least one picture or photo on every page. I do love the format of the book and all the extraordinary photos Sullivan puts in The Flight of the Reindeer From Santa's finding of Rudolph to Santa's current sleigh, this book gives an explanation for just about everything. Every Christmas season, I read this book. Without this book, I would probably be a non-believer.

Flight of the Reindeer
This book is great! If you need help believing in Santa, read this book. It has an interview w/Santa, curtousy of Will Steger, the only man to visit Santa's viliage. Also, there are amazing pictures of Santa's Villiage, Reindeer flying, and much much more! This is a must have book. Totally.

Simply the best
This book uses various experts and historical data to prove there is a Santa Claus. After reading this book even my wife (a non-believer) was convinced he is real.


My Dinner With Andrew (Touched by an Angel Fiction Series , No 1)
Published in Paperback by Thomas Nelson (1998)
Authors: Robert Tine, John Masius, and Martha My Dinner With Andrew Williamson
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MY DINNER WITH ANDREW
I ran into someone that was looking for a good book to read I would give them this book,because it is a fun book.I think it is kind of like a mystery because at one part you don't know what is going to happen to the main people If in the story until you get to the end of the book. I also thought that it was kind of funny because at the part were Andrew comes into the room were he had plans to take Katie to dinner he started to go crazy! I think that MY DINNER WITH ANDREW is the best book that Ihave read in my life!

OOOHHH SOOOO EXCELLENT!!!!! =)
This was one of the best books that I have ever read in my life! I loved the episode and the book was excellent, too! =) Any TBAA/JD/Andrew fan who haven't read this book...here's a suggestion: Buy the book! You won't regret it, I swear! I give it 5 stars, and if I could 10 or more! Hehehe...Way to go, writers! You've made an Androoler very happy with this book!

Erin

Table for two, non-smoking please.
Wow, what a great book. Immediately, My Dinner With Andrew took me straight to the heart of Manhattan and I wanted to step right into the story. From the onset, this book grabs your attention and never let's it go. I am not a big reader, but I couldn't put this book down. An easy read that allows you to feel touched by all the Angels. For anyone who is a fan of the TV show....this is another enjoyable journey!


Pumping Insulin: Everything You Need for Success With an Insulin Pump
Published in Paperback by Torrey Pines Pr (2000)
Authors: Ruth Roberts M.A., John T. Walsh P.A. C.D.E., and Barb Schreiner
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Great learning tool and reference
On the advice of my PA, I read the book before going on the pump in October 2001 (22 years after my diagnosis with Type I diabetes). The book is written extremely well and provides clear and concise coverage of the almost every aspect of pump therapy. The authors highlight considerations to make before going on the pump, as well as circumstances you will encounter after beginning pump therapy. The book offers explanations and calculations to figure total daily dosages and advice on how to change dosages for exercise, patterns of high and low bg's, etc. The material included in the book is really valuable when you begin working with your doctor, PA, etc, to help you know what questions to ask. I felt like I had more confidence and knowledge in the transition to pump therapy. "Pumping Insulin" helped me to better manage the pump and my diabetes as soon as I walked into the doctor's office for my initial pump appointment. And for those that have already started pumping, the book's a great reference tool to have on hand.

Must-have reference for pumping.
We got this book in late March, 2001, shortly after our then-6 year old son who has Type 1 diabetes started pumping insulin. This reference explains so well how short-acting insulin is used in the body, how to calculate for it during exercise, how to make adjustments to the basal rates....it save our pump trainer many late night calls. It was a lifesaver in helping us get through the insulin pump learning curve faster. Only thing it doesn't handle in-depth enough is "surprise" infusion set changeouts & sensitivity to Humalog. This book helped us understand how to take better care of our son.

a book to change your future
This book is the best I have read on pumping, having taken us(my son aged 10 and I) from very little knowledge on the subject, to convincing us it was for him, and to using it as an essential handbook and support tool now he is on the pump. Umlike some other books, it is so easy to read and understand, without having to read and re read it to get the meaning. The tables in it are so useful and much of the information is not easy to find altogether in one place in any other books. As in car repair books, this one is a 'dirty finger' book - you use it as you go along, and can never know more than the book or outgrow it. I have bought several copies for other people now, and everyone has been pleased with it.A must if you have a pump or are thinking about getting one.


Going Down
Published in Paperback by Writers Club Press (2001)
Authors: John St. Robert and John St Robert
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Should be made into a movie
Very good! Really holds your interest. Great plot, cleverly written. Exciting drama throughout. Should be made into a movie

A very clever crime novel
I found this book very entertaining. It keeps you reading and you don't want to put it down. A very clever opening, interesting from start to finish. If you love a mystery, this is it. Plus, it has a very surprise ending. Really enjoyed it and know other readers will, too.

Suzy Schaak

Excellent plot, very descriptive
Great crime novel. Holds your attention from start to finish. Places and characters very vividly portrayed. Unusual approach in capturing criminals by cop and his reporter uncle. Fast-paced and delightful "who dunnit" story with romance.Highly recommended. Looking for sequel to story.


Contract on America: The Mafia Murder of President John F. Kennedy
Published in Hardcover by SPI Books (1992)
Authors: David E. Scheim and John H. Davis
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Four sides of a circle.
David E. Scheim's fascinating research into the assassination of JFK makes for one of the most compelling publications ever. Far & away one of the best books about that day in Dallas;
Scheim dissects mafia involvement in Dealy Plaza,Texas,22.11.63. Not as much suggestive as masterfully investigated,there is stuff here that will blow you away; such as Lee Harvey Oswald's vastly covered-up significant ties to the Mafia~(Oswald's mob connected uncle "Charles Murret"). There's also a fantastic chapter dealing with Mafia associations to R.Nixon's Administration & to R.Reagan's Administration. And check out the "Appendix#2 Sources-on-the-Mafia" section; Seems that the Cosa Nostra has been networking an evil business empire ranging from Wall Street connections to an interest in child pornography.

An intriguing,powerful paperback. Check it out.

My Dad said this is the closest to the truth he saw
He's passed on now but when he handed me the book almost 20 years ago he said "This is almost dead on." And for reasons I won't elaborate on he knew some of those who knew those who carried this out. That coupled with the thorough research of the author gave me chills then and chills now. Who lost the most from Bay of Pigs? The crime bosses. Havana was well on its way to becoming the drug/sex/gambling playhouse of the New World, and only 90 miles from our shores! What a deal, with [people] like Batista in their pocket, they had a perfect plan. My Dad went to Havana twice pre-Castro to meet with his "friends". Keep in mind that part of the deal was the compliant Cubans at the top of the food chain, most of whom came here after Castro, which is why they get no sympathy from me. No matter how bad Castro has ever been, he's better than Batista who was a criminal and a traitor to his people, but they never mention that. If you're ever in a conversation with a Cuban without a gun, ask him to tell you what life was like for most Cubans before Fidel. It usually stops the conversation.

Excellent investigation.
This book covers one of the essential aspects of the murder of President Kennedy: the Mafia and his executioner Jack Ruby.
It is a thorough investigation: David E. Scheim went as far as analyzing all telephone calls by Ruby before the assassination.

The author gives us a most credible explanation of how the Mafia could benefit and did after the murder. More, he draws a disturbing portrait of how the Mafia penetrated the highest power ranks in the U.S. and how it could influence the life of every U.S. citizen.
He castigates the Warren Report as a shameful misjudgment.

This book is a must read. It describes how a secret organization could wield enormous power and influence to its own adavantage a whole democratic nation and its citizens.


Director 8 and Lingo Bible (With CD-ROM)
Published in Paperback by John Wiley & Sons (2000)
Authors: John R. Nyquist and Robert Martin
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Easing the Learning Curve
Director 8.5 is a monster application with huge range of functionality. Nyquist's "Bible" uses CD-ROM-based tutorials to carry you through the concepts with relative ease. The tutorials are part of one continuous complex project, taking the reader from the basics through media management, interactivity, project management and some pretty sophisticated Lingo programming. It is also organized to allow easy reference for specific issues. Having recently completed an 'Emedia & Design' programme I would have to say that Nyquist's book is probably the most valuable text in my library.

Un gran libro para comenzar con Director
Este libro es realmente extraordinario para aprender a usar director, pues se ve desde el uso basico de cada herramienta aplicando los ejemplos que incluye el cd-rom.

Recomiendo este libro a quien nunca haya usado director antes, y para aquellos que habiendo usado, solo han aprendido por su cuenta sin referencias técnicas.

I LOVE this book!
There is no better book with which to get involved in Director. I've read nearly all of them; nothing else comes CLOSE! Get IT! ENJOY IT! LOVE IT!


The Brazil Reader: History, Culture, Politics (Latin America Readers Series)
Published in Library Binding by Duke Univ Pr (Txt) (1999)
Authors: Robert M. Levine and John J. Crocitti
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A Unique Perspective, Generally Interesting
This book is a collection of short essays on Brazil. I found at least half to be quite interesting, though I probably skimmed about a quarter of them. Many of the essays frequently give a first hand account of life as a small farmer, favela resident or fisherman in Brazil. These essays capture and explain to the English reader the hopes, values and experiences of actual Brazilians. Most English readers gain their understanding of Brazil only second hand through academics or journalists. This book offers a fresh, reality based perspective on Brazil for English readers who haven't learned about Brazil outside of academia, the New York Times, or the beaches of Rio.

Short Pieces for Fun Reading
From exerpts of historical claims to letters from diplomats, from essays on slavery to descriptions of food, this book gives insights on the spirit and history of Brazil in easy to read snippets. A picture of a people emerges from original sources and non-academic evaluations that adds debth to what you will see when you go there.

I wish this book was in Portuguese
I brought this book in Los Angeles on the way back from a trip to Disney with my children. I finished it almost when I arrived home. The book has great insight and should be read by Brazilians, because it presents things as they are, not as they are supposed to be. Maybe the book will be públished in Brazil some day. I hope so.


I've Got Mail!
Published in Hardcover by Little Mai Press (01 October, 2001)
Authors: Robert Messinger and John Salerno
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Great Bedtime Reading!
Robert Messinger's new rhyming book, I've Got Mail!, is about a little girl who becomes intrigued with e-mail. It also supports my theory that children are more knowledgeable about the world than I was when I was growing up. But then again, I knew what an A-bomb was and how to take shelter.

This charming tale is of seven-year-old Laura who looks back over her life when she was a baby and her interest in the 'puter. Every evening Laura and her Daddy would log on and he would read his mail.

But it was those three little words, "You've got mail" that fascinated the tyke. She longed and wished to get e-mail of her own. But Laura must first make a promise to her Daddy before she gets an account of her own. (A lesson for Moms and Dads that supervision is a must.)

My five-year-old nephew, Joseph, loved Laura's tale, but now he wants his own e-mail account! Needless to say, my brother is not very happy with me.

John Salerno's illustrations are colorful, fun, and childlike without being condescending.

I've Got Mail! is a fun, happy book, sure to give those little ones happy thoughts before they go to sleep!

what a thrill!
Since she was an infant, Laura has been bouncing on her father's lap as he works on his computer. She laughs at his "mouse" & giggles at all the words he uses.

In the blink of an eye, or so it seems to Laura's Dad, she is ready & eager to learn how the computer works. Together they set up her own book, where her favorite pictures are kept.

Laura feels, somehow, that something is still missing. One day when her Dad opens up his email program & that chirpy voice tells him he's got mail, six-year old Laura knows that that's what's missing! She wants her own email, her Dad sets about helping her, & she writes a note to her best friend.

John Salerno's illustrations vividly portray the excitement & charm of this poetic adventure that just about every modern family is now enjoying.

I'VE GOT MAIL! will make a really fine Fathers' Day Gift - hint, hint!

Great book to share with a child
I'm not an editor or book reviewer, but I am a mother and have done my share of reading aloud. This book was a delight--so much that I bought another copy for my neighbor to read to her preschoolers. Children ARE fascinated when they see us using computers, and this book not only speaks to the child's point of view but will also encourage parents to see that they are the best ones to start their children's exploration of cyber space. Why wait for the schools to teach them and hope that the important safety message gets through? This book just provides an enjoyable way to teach without preaching and share this experience with your child.


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