Jane Austen wrote these short snippets on a number of the rulers of England in chronological order - using, as she says, 'very few dates'. The result is a wonderful collection of highly prejudicial outlines of various Kings and Queens - and after all the purpose of history to be scandalous and slanderous can be undermined by sticking too closely to extraneous detail such as dates and so on. The whole thing would probably take you much less than hour to read. Austen proves her talent for sharp observation and wit from an early age for this little book was written while she was still a teenager in the early 1790's. Its a lovely introduction to her writing for those who haven't had much to do with Austen before but are keen to try her out.

This book may not be used in any history class, but it is one of the most charming works she ever wrote. I had this smile painted on my face the entire 15 minutes it took to read it. Very, very witty.

Jane Austen may be best known for her biting and sarcastic wit, her compassion for her characters, and her understanding of the truth of their lives and situations. But this short piece of juvenilia combines all of her mature insight with the confidence, humour, and unmitigated self-satisfaction of a younger and more whimsical Austen. Definitely not to be overlooked in favour of her more serious work, this book will take merely minutes to read but leave you with astoundingly funny comments to treasure and smile over for years to come. It is Jane Austen at her very best: uninhibited, cruel, funny and ultimately self-deprecating. She knows what she is doing and does it with consumate skill. A must read for any Austen fan or anyone with a sense of humour.

Owners of Lancaster's original Active Filter Cookbook: read on. I just bought Lancaster's Active Filter Cookbook, Second Edition. For years I have owned a copy of the original (1975) edition (mine is the 17th (1992) SAMS reprinting). Based on a cursory inspection, I can find no difference between the 1992 reprinting of the original edition and the so-called second edition. The Preface, the Table of Contents, the page numbering, the contents of numerous pages I examined, the List of References, the Index, are all identical, as far as I can tell. There is no new preface to the second edition. There is no description, either inside or on the outside cover, of what has been changed in the second edition. Based on my examination, I would recommend that, if you already own a copy of the first edition, there is no reason to buy the second.

The design of electronic filters is usually seen as a complex and difficult task, best handled by specialists. Don Lancaster, with this durable treatise, has written a clear and easy to follow guide. The principles and mathematics at the root of this subject are not trivialised but are explained in such a way that the non-specialist will have little trouble achieving success.

A great book for filter design and analysis. This book has been a great help in understanding the detailed aspects of multiple filter types.

Mr. Lancaster's first book is a compendium of short stories centered around the world of international high finance. The book's well-developed and interesting characters face a variety of ethical challenges and, in the main, fail miserably. It's just as we knew all along--finance is a profession overrun with self-centered and amoral get-rich-quick artists. Though the book pulls no punches, the reader is still drawn to the humanity of its characters, warts and all. In sum, a good read.

What a wonderful read! I was captivated by the imaginative plots and the exotic settings of this financial thriller. I also learned so much about the world of finance in language that was easy to understand. The John Grisham of the world of finance!

What a great read! I was captivated by the imaginative plots and the exotic settings of this financial thriller. I also learned so much about the world of finance in language that was easy to understand. The John Grisham of the world of finance!!!

I bought the second edition cookbook in the early '90s. I have used Mr. Lancasters' book to design many audio active filters. I am ordering another copy of the "Active Filter Cookbook" because I gave away my other copy to an engineer in Asia (while on a business trip) who desparately needed it. The math is kept to a minimum, but very accurate if good quality parts (Op-Amps, resistors, caps etc) are used. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific topic, which makes reading very easy. Mr. Lancaster arms the reader with the tools neccessary to understand, build and/or modify existing designs. I would only recommend this book to readers who have built previous projects, as Mr. Lancaster does not go into any construction details/techniques.

I have used this book to design many active filters for audio applications. The book is non-mathematical in nature, many design tables are given, but most importantly the book connects theory and real world applications. Many other books are way too theoretical in nature to be of any use. If you want to build filter circuits, then this book is a must. If you want lots of elegant mathematics, look elsewhere. An excellent book.

This well crafted hardbound volume is in it's third edition and a welcome standard for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Written and edited by a team of doctors, nurses, and socialworkers, this book aspires to be the comprehensive guide to caring for patients with dementia. The first section focuses on brain function and how alzheimer's disease is identified; section two turns it's attention to causes and diagnoses of alzheimer's; section three brings forth an array of issues related to patient care and management of alzheimer's behaviors (perhaps the best and most pratical section of the book, because much of it is directly related to day to day care of the patient); section for focuses on special issues such as stress caregivers experience and legal issues; section five is perhaps the second best unit of the book, with practical ideas and solutions for caregivers in finding support and resources in the community to assist in caregiving. Overall, I highly recommend this book. It does have a hefty price tag, but it is well worth it

This well crafted hardbound volume is in it's third edition and a welcome standard for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.  Written and edited by a team of doctors, nurses, and socialworkers, this book aspires to be the comprehensive guide to caring for patients with dementia.  The first section focuses on brain function and how alzheimer's disease is identified; section two turns it's attention to causes and diagnoses of alzheimer's; section three brings forth an array of issues related to patient care and management of alzheimer's behaviors (perhaps the best and most pratical section of the book, because much of it is directly related to day to day care of the patient);   section for focuses on special issues such as stress caregivers experience and legal issues; section five is perhaps the second best unit of the book, with practical ideas and solutions for caregivers in finding support and resources in the community to assist in caregiving.  Overall, I highly recommend this book.  It does have a hefty price tag, but it is well worth it

a book with a text written by one of the most important art critics. Finally quilts seen as art pieces. An incredibly beautiful collection of amish quilts to show you the world of this religious group artistic crafts. If you look for new ideas for your quilting palette, don't miss this book.

Amish: The Art of the Quilt by Robert Hughes chronicles the quilt collection at Esprit corporate headquarters in San Francisco. Begun haphazardly by Doug Tompkins in 1971 as a way to cover bare office walls, it has evolved into a showcase of exquisite examples of Amish artistry.

Robert Hughes writes a concise history of the Amish people and their distinctive quilts. But best of all are the 9" by 9" full-color plates of 82 representative quilts. Julie Silber, who became the collection's curator in 1983, shares her comments on each quilt, pointing out its adherence to or deviation from Amish tradition.

This book represents an excellent investment for all lovers of the vibrant colors and intricate stitching so characteristic of Amish quiltmaking.

reviewed by Andrea R. Huelsenbeck

The pastel paintings in this book are incredibely beautiful.Any pastel painter would absolutly love this.The work portrays the artist's experience among the Amish with the"artist's eye"giving a sensitive and intimate view of day to day life and even more-some great art!

This book is a loving look at the Pennsylvania Amish culture, and it really captures that world, with simple words and luminous illustrations. Instead of being kitschy or tacky like many feeble attempts at representing the Amish, it's very esthetically pleasing--a gorgeous coffee-table book, at an unbelievable price, and very engrossing to read. You really enter another world when you open it. Americans tend to idealize the Amish, with their old-world values: They live on beautiful farms, raise organic food, and seem to thrive without tv, cars, and other modern conveniences. I think of this book as sort of "soft-core" anthropology, because while the illustrations are beautiful and museum-quality, the Amish aren't idealized. You realize how hard they work, and what their limitations are. It's clear that Bowen actually spent a lot of time "among" them, observing their life respectfully but giving a very clear picture of it at the same time.

Written by health, fitness, and martial arts expert Linda Davis Kyle as a straightforward introduction to self-improvement through learning self-defense, Change Your Life With Martial Arts is a very thoroughly "reader friendly" guide to how martial arts can be employed to enhance daily life. This superbly presented, step-by-step instructional guide to finding the best martial arts school for oneself and one's family, how to guard against overtraining, and so much more, Change Your Life With Martial Arts is commended for providing a basic overview which is especially suited for newcomers to the exciting, physically and emotionally enhancing world of the martial arts.

An Essential Introduction to the Martial Arts
Reviewer: Billie A. Williams from Bayfield, CO, United States
The wealth of information in Change Your Life with Martial Arts is sure to guide readers in choosing a martial art most suited to them.

In chapter one, author Linda Davis Kyle highlights a generous sampling from the vast array of martial arts and their founders or grandmasters, gives tidbits of the origins of the arts and how they may relate to each other, and annotates the references for each. She also summarizes the goals of a selection of the various martial arts and the qualities that each attempts to instill in their dedicated practitioners.

In chapter two, the author tells the benefits and rewards of martial arts no matter which one you choose. She says that "The martial arts nurture a fine balance of body and mind that helps to create physical endurance and mental ruggedness" and stresses that the aggression and violence sometimes portrayed in martial arts movies veers far from the traditions of being humble, honorable, respectful, responsible, and ethical, which are the true goals of martial arts practitioners.

In chapter three, Kyle takes readers through the process of selecting a teacher and suggests qualities to look for in the instructor and the school itself.

With appendixes that glimpse into the topics of overtraining and the impact of exercise on children and a list of directories, federations, institutions, and organizations associated with the various martial arts and suppliers of equipment, Kyle has prepared a user-friendly manual to help interested learners to get onto the right track to begin the study and practice of these ancient arts. The book also may serve more advanced martial artists by placing at their fingertips more than 70 other useful resources.
This book is not only for those looking to begin training in one of the martial arts for better physical and mental health, but also I would highly recommend Change Your Life with Martial Arts to those seeking a higher consciousness and inner peace, for as the author says, "The influence of martial arts overflows into every aspect of the practitioner's life."

A truly educational experience in the first person. Grace Kaiser has done an excellent job of documenting her many years of experience as a Practicing Physician living amongst the Amish people. She leaves nothing to the imagination on her birthing experiences. Learned much from reading this book of short stories.

I used to live near the Amish, growing up in Illinois, and so ordered this book. How comforting it was to read about a lifestyle that hasn't changed in hundreds of years. It is somehow comforting to know that there are still places in America where life carries on like this. The book was humerous too, especially if you grew up on a farm. She does a great job of portraying some of the more subtle differences in how the Amish regard money, work and life. This is a terrific read and I would recommend it to anyone. (I can almost see my German-descended grandfather in here - in some ways, he was not too different than the Amish when it came to squeezing a penny.) Anyone who had grandparents who worked the farm, particularly around some of the old German communities, will love this book. It would also be a great book for schools, I think, when the children are studying history and/or different cultures.

I found this book provided innovative and real solutions to the various problems I've faced at my children's baseball and hockey games over the past several years.

I am very fortunate that I have two sons that are naturally talented
athletes and are always selected to be on travel and all-star teams. When I
read Fair Play I was surprised to find that despite the success my sons have
had I learned that they could be excelling and learning more if they were
invovled in programs such as the book suggests and illustrates. This is
truly a book for every parent to read.