The SAS survival guide, is, one of the best survival guides I have ever read in my life. As a Boy Scout, I should know. It packs loads of information into a small, compact book. I would recommend it for anyone who likes the outdoors and wants to learn more about nature.

Such a little book and so much information! No matter how sedate a life you lead you will find some knowledge in this book that will come in handy. Everyone should have a copy.

The book is thin but does not lack in content. It has a comprehensive coverage on almost everything and could guide you to survival in the wild. The book is a pocket guide and it's good buy. Get it today

There are only a handful of books in my whole life that have made a significant difference-- causing a major shift - a growth spurt. A kind of book that as I read it and even after Im finished I must keep it with me at all times. THE ART OF EFFORTLESS LIVING is that kind of book.

It addressses Fear and identifies how we allow it to paralyze us in so many aspects of our life - work, relationships, health, etc. Dr. Bacci explains the significance of making friends with our Fear rather than having it be our enemy. Thus using Fear to our benefit - to live our lives effortlessly and to its fullest.

Dr. Bacci provides various exericises and techniques that actually result in the releasing of one's fears, thus living a life filled with energy and passion -- not anxiety.

Dr. Bacci's personal experience is incredibly inspiring in itself. As I reader - I feel fortunate she choose to share it. This book has made a major contribution to my life and to those who I have shared it with.

My life had the usual struggles at work and with relationships from family to the clerk at the Motor Vehicle Department. Those struggles began to change as I read Effortless Living. I began to look at my relationship to the issues that I struggled with. I found that what I was doing that wasn't working was being generated by who I was being. If I was being fearful then I my words or behavior were skewed by the fear that was partnering my experience. Ingrid's book isn't a "how to change" book - rather it's an invitation to become present to what is happening. The awareness that has grown in me during my reading of Effortless Living has transformed my ability to wake up to my repetitive behaviors, see who I'm being and allow transformation to enter my life. The most positive outcome has been letting go of a successful career in New York and moving to Maui to begin a new life that is in line with who I (and my family have grown to be). Like all great teachers, Dr. Bacci doesn't tell us how to be - she leads us to the threshold of our own mind.

Ingrid Bacci is a generous and talented writer. There is profound wisdom on every page, and it is delivered with the down to earth style of talking across the kitchen table, touching hands over coffee. Her journey from being a professionally successful academic to a loving healer - traveled on the road of a long and painful illness, divorce, and the ultimate need to find safe haven for her troubled soul and body, is an odyssey we can all share on any number of levels in our own lives. Pick a page, a chapter; there are revelations and loving guidance for yourself and everyone you know, illustrated with personal experience. Read this book - you'll want to buy a copy for everyone else in your life as well.

In an attempt to read, my 5 year old would come to me a hundred times a day with some book or the other and ask,'what does this say, mommy?' As it is, I was already looking around for a good reading material her age and thankfully came across Bob Books Kids. Believe me, if you are trying to teach your child to be an independent reader, then this is just the thing for you. Bob books comes in a small box with such fun to do things like activity books and finger puppets besides palm size reading books. With just a few, small one-line sentences in each story, my daughter could finish one book in no time and was jumping up and down. To finish one book is a big achievement for any child her age and the fact that she was motivated to read more, made me like Bob books even more.Your child can even color the pictures given in these books. I would mention however that your child should have some knowledge of phonics,before he/she attempts these books.You don't want to frustrate the child. I would therefore suggest workbooks by American Education publishing on Phonics and reading. To further hold their attention, try mispronouncing easy words given in the books like Barb, Mop etc. and let them correct you. I would instantly get my daughter's attention back. Finally if you can ignore some uncommon words used in these books, you would be fine. Happy Teaching reading!

These are simply the finest first reading books on the market today! Each page has a sentence such as, 'Peg had a big cap,' along with a simple illustration. At the end of each book is a list of unique words contained in the book (usually about 20-40) listed by the vowel sound. The set of 12 books also comes with a teacher/parent guide that give the story behind the Bob Books, hints for teaching your child to read, and questions you can ask the child about each book to help with comprehension and enjoyment.

This set of books really hooked my daughter on reading. We gave these to her when she started Kindergarten and she would read them on the way to school. The nice thing about having 12, is that when she mastered one of them, her 'reward' was to get the next! These books provided her first good experience with reading.

These are the absolute best early reader books I have found anywhere! Short vowels, simple words and sounds to start off and then each book adds a little more so your child can have early success, then gradually move up to harder words and eventually long vowels. There's nothing else like them. Great for early phonics practice. Closest thing to the books we learned on. (Remember, "See Dot run. See Spot run. See Dot and Spot run.", etc?) These are the first books every child should read. Try one set, then buy them all.

"But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," - Galatians 6:14 NASB

The name John Stott is well recognized among Bible students today, and for good reason. He has long been recognized for his gifted teaching, penetrating insight and pastoral warmth. His writings take the profound teachings of Christianity; shine much needed light on them, and in the same fluid motion, they plug the teachings into the lives of their readers. This book is no exception. The Cross of Christ is considered to be Stott's greatest work by more than a few people and I myself would place it in the top five books I've ever read. It's that good. The central theme of this book is to explain why and how the finished work of Christ on the cross is central to the Christian faith. It deals more with how salvation was provided for on the cross and not so much how it becomes effective for salvation in the life of a person. Stott begins by considering some preliminary issues such as the centrality of the cross in our faith. Stott says of Christ, "What dominated his mind was not the living but the giving of His life"(32). Stott rightly suggests that the cause of Christ's death was both the wickedness of men and the plan of God. He was turned over to the priests out of Judas' greed, turned over to Pilate out of the priest's envy, and handed over to the soldiers out of Pilate's cowardice, and the soldiers crucified Him. However, the blame for Christ's death cannot be placed solely on these individuals because He was not only suffering for their sins, but ours too. All this was according to the plan of God also. His love desired out salvation, and the only righteous way to do such a thing was to place our sins on the Savior and to have Him pay our penalty. The chasm is great between ourselves and a holy God. Stott says that "sin is not only the attempt to be God; it is also the refusal to be man, by shuffling off the responsibility for our actions"(101). So in order for God to offer salvation to mankind, He must do so righteously, without contradicting Himself. Man can never repay such a tremendous debt. This is where the Savior enters the picture. In other words, "How can he save us and satisfy himself simultaneously? We reply to this point that, in order to satisfy himself, He sacrificed - indeed substituted - himself for us" (132). Stott declares, "...neither Christ alone as man not the Father alone as God could be our substitute. Only God in Christ, God the Father's own and only Son made man, could take our place" (160). The result of this divine transaction in that man can be pronounced legally righteous, justified, in the sight of God. Stott tells us that it is very important to understand the accomplishments of the cross, "for the better people understand the glory of the divine substitution, the easier it will be for them to trust in the Substitute" (203). After Stott delineates the details involved in the atonement of Christ he does something that few theologians do by discussing what it means to live under the shadow of the cross. He tells us that the greatest singe event, in which God simultaneously shows us His justice and His love, was in the cross. Ultimately, God dealt with the problem of evil at the cross when he provided salvation from it to all those who would trust Him. Now we have unlimited access to God which should mark our lives with joy.

Discipleship logically follows from salvation. Once God saves us, we give up "our supposed right to go on our own way" (279). We realize our position in Christ and we literally mortify the deeds of the flesh that once controlled us. Knowing that we are valuable in the sight of God should cause us to be giving in sacrificial service. Power and pride should now give way to service and humility. Last but not least, Stott deals with Christian suffering. The causes of suffering are varied, but its results should be patient endurance and mature holiness (315,16). Even while our faith is being tried, we can rest easier knowing that God loves us and has promised an ultimate deliverance. Our involvement with evil should not be in its repayment but on letting God deal righteously. The best examples of how we are to react to suffering are the meekness and trust in the sovereignty of God that were displayed in the life of Christ, culminating in His death. In summary, John Stott's The Cross of Christ is a book that teaches the prediction of, the necessity for, the accomplishments gained by and the benefits resulting from Christ's substitutionary death on the cross. I feel like this is a much-needed work at this point in time when much of Christianity is focused on Christian living with our never sufficiently knowing why we live like we do. I am a firm believer that correct behavior can only be consistently lived when our minds are thinking correctly beforehand. Observation tells me that it is virtually impossible to behave correctly without believing correctly. In my opinion, Stott places the importance of Christ's cross exactly where is should be in our list of priorities...right at the top.

From Satanists to pagans to the non-believing world at large, the cross of Christ is the most despised symbol in probably all creation. What it stands for brings out the snidest comments I have ever heard. And no wonder! Even Paul said that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who perish. Stott does a marvelous job tracking the centrality of the cross and just what it means for the faithful Christian. This is not a skimming kind of book that many non-Christians whose diet consists of 100% fiction will appreciate. It will cause you to think, but as an earlier reviewer hinted, it's the kind of book more people in our churches desperately need to read. If you want milk, as so many Christian bookstores offer, then you will live a superficial Christian life. If you want meat that will help you dig deeper into this relationship you have with God, then I suggest picking up The Cross of Christ and making sure your highlighter is in new condition...you will need it!

If you ever want to find out what is at the very heart of the Christian faith Stott argues that the death of Jesus is crucial. Although a serious read which convincingly refutes many of the wrong and inadequate views of the Cross, Stott leaves us with an understanding of the event that is coherrent, powerful and ultimately thrilling. As well as providing understanding, the book explores what it truly means to live 'under the shadow' of the Cross, demonstrating that the very best theology is extremely practical - indeed, life-changing.

Callahan is simply incredible. Never before could such a man who so obviously has so many faults be considered a hero. At my high school, Callahan has become a cult hero on level with South Park. But Callahan's story is more than his sick and demented humor. He overcame a lot to just be himself. This isn't a self-help book nor is it a typical autobiography of a noted comedian. Callahan is something special. He overcame adversity so deep and so self-inflicted that at times it seems like John himself is the only one who could overcome it. In this book, he shows his glaring weaknesses and for it endears himself to his readers. This book is not only Callahan's finest, but it is also a triumph of humanity. Callahan proves over and over again through the book that sometimes the best thing you can do is forgive him for being himself. Just like you need to forgive everyone for being themselves.

It's amazing how nasty, insightful and funny are Callahan's cartoons. In this book he relates the incidents that turned him into an alcoholic quadriplegic -and into one of the least PC humorists alive.

The book is very honest. Callahan don't put the blame of his miseries on external factors (unless when it comes to burocracy, and how the system penalize those who try make a living by working). He takes full responsibility of his mistakes and actions.

The book is extremely well written and easy to read. Callahan presents us his childhood, his drinking days and his insecurities in love as a teenager, the stupid accident, how he had to learn to live as quadriplegic, even more drinking years, his decision to take control of his life, the experience at AA, the search for his real mother, the ideas behind his cartoons and the reactions received, the frustration with welfare, and -of course- several of his cartoons.

Highly recommended.

John Callahan has written a fabulous book for almost any audience, mature mid-teens and older. One could call it irreverent and funny, morbidly funny in places. But it's much more than that.

The opener sets the tone: "On the last day I walked, I woke up without a hangover. I was still loaded from the night before." On one level it's the story of his life. We watch as he becomes addicted to chemicals at a very early age, starting with alcohol at twelve. We watch him cruising through his teen years, experimenting with other drugs. We learn about his adoptive family dynamics, his Catholic upbringing, his alienation from his father, how he was with friends, and his resentment towards his birth mother, who he feels abandoned him.

The last day he walked he was twenty-one. He and his buddy, also drunk and the driver, left a topless bar and drove into a utility pole at ninety. Callahan takes the reader through the most vivid description I've ever read of what it is like to become paralyzed in all four limbs, have sex as a person with quadriplegia, what the rehabilitation process entails, and how difficult re-entry is. For the first time I began to understand how critical a personal care assistant is for a person with quadriplegia, and how dealing with the vagaries of a state welfare program can virtually make or break one's ability to function.

He shares unusually open insights into his involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous, and his successful struggle to control his addiction, his triumph over self-pity. We follow his intense and persistent search for his birth mother, and his reconciliation with old friends and his adoptive family.

And finally, we see a gifted cartoonist and writer hone his skills, submit his work, and be rejected. Callahan shows us the real meaning of tenacity as he continues his craft, mostly at night, "his time." Eventually he becomes recognized and his sometimes infamous work is widely published, from Penthouse to the New Yorker. He relishes the thrill of creating.

In short, this is a sobering, instructive, yet humorous book about his life, and life in general, by a gifted man. On another level, it's a book about sheer guts, tenacity, and believing in oneself. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot is a very easy read, and although first published ten years ago, its appeal is timeless. I strongly recommend it and thank my friend Dennis for introducing me to it.

I am writing from Italy and I bought a lot of books about day trading. I read Clayburg interview on the issue of December of Tasc and I was striken by his words.
In particular way I appreciated the rationality and realism he shows towards the market, and the way he is at the same time easy to understand while being technical, precise and effective in creating this system trading. An interesting tool for everyone who uses normal indicators as stochastic, Rsi and William's %R. With studies about Support and Resistence. Nothing more nothing less. This is a "standalone" book, the first i think: you don't need to buy others seminars, software or to subscribe to newsletters, chat rooms and give other money away.

John Clayburg has produced a well written book that would be a valuable addition to the library of any serious trader. Although the book is directed primarily to intraday trading, his basic concepts are appropriate for all styles of trading. His method of always defining the major trend and never trading against that trend may seem fundamental, but it is a lesson that most traders (including me) have learned the hard and expensive way. The author provides a systematic approach which keeps the trader on the right side of the major trend while providing specific techniques for entry and exit. His entry methodology invloves defining exhaustion of minor pullbacks against the major trend and defining short term support and resistance levels. By requiring these support/resistance levels to be broken prior to entry, many bad trades are avoided. The book is also well illustrated with numerous example charts. If you are trading or planning to trade, you can save yourself some money by reading this book.

...Well, first of all, this book reveals a method of trading using only market-generated information - price action - no other input, including volume,
is needed. No forecasts, no guesses, no hocus-pocus mystery talk...
Secondly, I like the fact that he concentrates on producing high probability trades. I like to win - that's why I trade. ...BR> Thirdly, after reading his book, I honestly believe that I can use and successfully adapt my $.../Mo ... Basic subscription to building John's indicators into that online charting service so that I can profitably trade those Rydex index funds...I don't need the more expensive charting packages.
Fourthly, I believe him to be a man of integrity - this is of absolute importance to me. I believe this because (1) he is willing to share an eminently successful, crystal-clear, and
easy-to-implement trading strategy with the public, (2) his book not only includes examples of successful trades, but also trades that have not been successful, just like in real life (3) he goes
out of his way to ensure the reader's understanding of the concepts by clear and error-free text reference to charts, clear accurate definitions, appropriate examples, and repetition of past trading technics, and, finally (4) he has arranged his book to have all the necessary textbooklike qualities...including chapter reviews and an index (the "Putting It All Together" chapter is outstanding!) so as to ensure that his readers have every opportunity to learn. Let me say, considering the multitude of overpriced investment books I've bought in which I've found most of that structure lacking, I very much appreciated both the quality and clarity of John's writing throughout the entire book.
I am very happy with the book...I give it my highest recommendation.

Before I read this book, I knew nothing about Byzantium. So I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, and realized after I started that I had made a mistake; I didn't realize when I bought this book that it was the third volume of a three-volume set. Doubtless, it would have been less overwhelming to start at the beginning, especially for someone like me, with no previous knowledge of the subject. Still, I learned a great deal from this book; not only was it informative, but it wasn't nearly as dry and impenatrable as I'd been afraid it might be. In fact, the style is downright readable; Norwich actually has a rather pleasant, if dry, sense of humor.

I definitely plan on getting the first two volumes of this series, and continuing my education on the history of Byzantium.

The final volume of Norwich's Byzantine history is a literary trimph, despite the disintegrating nature of the civilization being written about. In this volume Norwich begins in the aftermath of the battle of Manzikert in 1071 and finishes with the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453. Norwich uses his elegant prose style to present this tragic story in a highly moving way.

All three volumes read like a eulogy at the funeral of beloved relative. In this period of dehumanizing social sciences Norwich brings the people of the past alive, and treats them with respect and dignity even when their behavior does not necessarily inspire kind treatment. The role and majesty of Byzantium has been overlooked in the West for centuries; in doing his best to rectify that Norwich has created one of the masterpieces of historical writing.

This, the final volume of a 3 book series, brings to end a rivetting and excellent histoty of the Byzantium Empire. I cannot add anything to the other reviews and comments on this series other than to say if your enjoy reading about history you should love these accounts of this Empire and its times. I found my first volume in a 2nd hand shop without knowing anything about its author or the subject matter. It was a great read and I could not wait to buy the following two volumes. I only wish I had read these books before I visited Istanbul in 1990. I loved them, they are excellent histories, the author does a great job in bringing the characters and times to live. Read the series and lose yourself in the history. Great books!

"Dessert Circus" is the companion cookbook to Jacques Torres' television series, filled with step-by-step instructions and photos to help you recreate all his delicacies at home. After flipping through the book, I had my doubts.

Every recipe I tried was delicious. My favorite recipe has to be his "Chocolate Cornflakes". Delicious and fun to make.

Things I noticed about these recipes: They seem designed for parties and less for home cooking. Yields were large, with servings for 8 seeming to be the magic number. If you want to impress, you'll love this book. There is a fair amount ingredients that may be hard to find.

To recreate many of the recipes listed will require: time, talent, and a little prayer to pull off. This is not to say that the results aren't worth it. Desserts like the impressive "Nougatine Basket with Fruit Sorbets" (three diamonds) can be accomplished, you simply have to take your time and be prepared.

If you've ever looked at an issue of "Chocolatier" or "Pastry: Art & Design" magazines, you have a good idea of what you'll be in for with this cookbook. Cooks looking for a challenge will find plenty of recipes to choose from.

From a rainbow of sorbets served on a chocolate artists "palette" complete with chocolate "paintbrushes", through to the strawberry and raspberry Fraisier Cake beautifully presented with layers of fresh strawberries, Jacques' highly original desserts win me over each time I open this book, and my guests each time I serve one of his creations.

The directions are clearly written, and every dessert recipe is accompanied with a finished photograph, and quite a few feature step by step pictures aswell. Jacques dedicates the first chapter solely to equipment and ingredients, plus a glossary of all terms used throughout the book. The second chapter covers basic or ingredient recipes, such as the perfect puff pastry and homemade chocolate sauce. He also shows you how to prepare my personal favorite, chocolate sculptures. You can also adapt these sculptures, turning just one of the pieces into an amazing garnish.

I highly recommend this and the second volume by Torres, "Dessert Circus at Home".

I have Jacques Torres first book and I plan on buying his second. I watch his show on TV and find his book a great buy. If you love desserts I highly recommend his book.

The whole presence of Jamaica and everything on the around the island was great. Fleming knew the place well. There are some great aspects to this book, but no matter what the handling of the villain--the fascinating Dr. No--was shoddy. His discription of Dr. No is fantastic and the character, or the little we learn of him, is one of the more intriguing villains in all of the Fleming canon. However, his early and rather laughable demise just stinks of having nothing to do with the whole setup. There was a big blank after the death of Dr. No and I was like, huh? The whole point was to dump bird crap on him and wrap up this whole complicated mission. Oh well. It's still a Fleming Bond, and I have yet to read a "bad" one. They are ALL good, but some are certainly stronger than others. This is on the weaker end but still very enjoyable.

As an avid Ian Fleming fan, I always recommend this one to newcomers who enjoy the films and want to check out the author who inspired them. Bond doesn't just waltz through this one unscathed... he goes through hell to accomplish his mission! The scene in which a poisonous centipede crawls all over Bond's naked body while he's in bed will make your skin crawl. The torture-tunnel sequence, in which he must worm his way through yards of heated metal, tarantulas and more, is also incredibly gripping. And Dr. No's demise in the book is even more unusual than the way he bought it in the film! Read this one, and see Bond the way Fleming intended him to be seen. Roger Moore never endured trials like these!

Probably the best Fleming Bond. Takes place in, and captures the flavor of Fleming's favorite site he knew so well: Jamaica. The progression of Bond's venture to Crab Key through to the denoument (which takes up the second half of the book) is the best -- and most exciting -- sustained writing Fleming did. This sequence contains the classic moments: the introduction to Honeychild Rider, the revelation of her past, the Dragon, the bizarre "hotel" within Dr. No's complex, the dinner, the extraordinary tunnel of horrors chapter (one of Fleming's most inspired scenes), and the ignomnious end of Dr. No. This is Fleming at his full powers of (sometimes weird) imagination. Unlike other Bonds -- say Moonraker --Dr. No can be read again and again

This book is a great show of how American people are in reality. Reading this book has been enjoyable as well as informative. As a journalist, I cannot imagine the amount of effort it must have taken to get the types of interviews done in this book accomplished. I feel like I know the person after I read their chapter. It is definitely worth the time and money. Gig is one of my most valuable books.

A hundred and twenty-five Americans tell us about their jobs, in a few pages each, in a frank, open way. Young, old, rich, poor, lowly or powerful, happy or frustrated, they are all there, with their successes, failures, doubts, dreams, and comical anecdotes. It is very entertaining, hilarious sometimes, always informative, and can be read in one or two sittings --yes, you read one piece, and want to read more --, or very slowly, a few pieces at the time. I particularly recommend this book to non-Americans (as most of them simply don't realise how hard Americans work), to young people (who get little information about what working is really like), to those who want to change jobs (its full of ideas, and just hearing about what others do is inspiring), and to those who have stopped working, who can grin, sit back and relax...
4 stars and not 5, because once you have finished the book the bright kaleidoscope of voices fades to a dull blurr and you are left with nothing but a reminiscent smile. A book to buy (definetly) and pass on for someone else to enjoy.

People from every walk of life talk about their jobs, their lives. The pieces read like very short - short stories - but they're true! Funny, sad, wonderful, heartening. I really enjoyed this book!

I find myself going back to re-read the interviews. This is really a fantastic book. Great reading for bedtime, on the plane, or anytime at all.