I was almost mad after I finished reading "Roadside Ron" because I wished there was more. I had to make myself stop reading so I could extend the pleasure of it. Looking at the cover and topic I wasn't sure I would like it, but I found myself riding along with Ron and hoping for happiness. I was intrigued to see the male point of view in relationships. I would not say this is a romance but it captivated me like a romance would. I would recommemnd this book to anyone who has or wished they had a cool friend that travels and takes chances.

Have you ever wanted to just erase your chalkboard and start all over with your life? Roadside Ron did exactly that! It has a wonderful story line and so true to life that most everyone who reads it will be able to relate....and may just find the courage to TRULY LIVE after reading this book!

This tale encompasses new beginnings born from total devastation of the human spirit. It is threaded together with hope and encouragement and the adventure and nostalgia of a cross country trip on old Route 66. The characters you meet on the way are unforgettable and will be missed long after the book is finished. Truly the best motorcycle story out since "Easy Rider."

"University Physics" is a wonderful introductory physics text --- I should know, I'm a student who used it last semester! Reese pares no material -- he isn't afraid to use vector calculus (after the introductory chapters on vectors, of course) and will show formulas that have partial derivaties -- he even has a conceptual section of a chapter on Fourier series. This book is excellent -- there are very many problems so the student gets lots of practice, and some of the problems are quite tough, but end up being beautifully crafted -- once you discover the answer! All of the problems, in fact, rely on material explicitly covered in each chapter, so there are no surprises or new concepts sprung on the student while he is doing the problems, just the sense that he is doing things by the most general method possible, and hence learning them in the most efficient manner possible. Reese does not rely on special tricks of symmetry or vector identities to transform equations that he believes may be 'scary looking' to the student into soft, over-simplified special cases. Reese treats the student as if he is intensely interested in physics and is planning on making a career in it.

However, this book is not beyond students on even a more rudimentary level, like those who are engineering, chemistry, or biology majors. In fact, I found this book much easier to use and much more accessible than another book by Giancoli meant for non-physics majors -- mainly because Reese presents the material in its most general form, allowing students to hence derive all they need to know about special cases from the general form. Instructors, this is what makes physics easier! It is harder -- even for non-physics majors -- to learn just about the special cases, as simpler books often try to press.

This book is ideal for freshmen in college, but can also be used for high school students who have some knowledge of very rudimentary calculus.

I am a Physics Enginnering student at Washington and Lee, and I was blessed to not only be able to use this text, but be taught by the author of the book! Who was my freshman physics prof. His book is the most well structered as well as complete text book I have come in contact with!

(As an engineering student who utilized this textbook in an introductory physics course, I can attest to the magnificence of University Physics.)

Having entered college with little background in physics and having used an antiquated textbook in high school that simply reported facts in a stale manner, it was an absolute blessing to have used University Physics as a part of my freshman year physics course.

University Physics masterfully synthesizes technical detail with a colloquial writing style that facilitates the reading of the text. Furthermore, each chapter contains example and practice problems that are refreshingly lucid, funny, and thoroughly entertaining and engage the student in the problem solving process. Never before have I solved problems of any kind with such passion and delight!

Professor Reese's added touch of humor, incorporated quotes, clear step-by-step derivations, non-assumption of knowledge, delightfully detailed and colorful illustrations, and wonderful creativity put into this book make it one of the most worthwhile textbooks that I have ever purchased!

I highly recommend University Physics to anyone interested in a thoughtfully engaging and dynamic textbook for learning introductory college physics. It is a marvelous text that effectively teaches one of the most intimidating and difficult subjects for students.

Before using University Physics, I never knew learning physics could be so much fun! While many textbooks at the end of an academic period are destined for bookstore "buyback," my edition of University Physics was destined elsewhere: It has become a personal part of my professional library.

Following my mother's death, my faith in the afterlife was sorely challenged until I read "When the Dying Speak". This book provided a reaffirmation of my beliefs. The myriad of messages shared with Mr. Wooten-Green by dying patients and by their families provided VALUABLE insights and understanding of what the dying may be experiencing, what they may be needing, and what the families may be needing. A most significant message shared by the author is that when we are with the dying, we are on holy ground! I will be forever grateful that this author took the time to "put to paper" such an inspirational review and commentary. GET THIS BOOK FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS!

My mother (Rosemarie Twomey - see review above) gave me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed it so much and it has given me such a different way to approach my fear of death of loved ones that I'm here at Amazon.com to buy copies for friends of mine who have recently lost loved ones and also one who ministers to the dying and bereaved. I'm so glad to have the opportunity to read this while my parents, spouse and siblings are still alive and healthy. Thank you Ron!
- Teresa Twomey

This is an easy-to-read book that, I believe, would be extremely useful to anyone facing the imminent death of a loved one or friend, or (as will happen to most of us) will face that at some time in the future. For me, it takes away the feeling of helplessness I have felt in the past when dealing with such a situation. The author gives some practical and edifying guidance as to how to "be there" for the dying person. Beyond that, it is an uplifting and spiritual rendering of the experiences that the author has had in his ministry as a Hospice chaplain, including some painful, but beautiful, accounts from his personal life. Anyone in the hospice or caring industry would be well-served by a reading of this book.

This is a very good little book. The poems are fun and interesting to read. The riddle section is especially fun. buy it. Read it.

The writings of Professor Tolkien are absolutely Timeless. These books are the gauge by-which all Fantasy books are measured. The Hobbit and The Trilogy have been the Inspiration for decades of works by other authors, yet I have not ever seen these works surpassed by anyone. Terry Brooks is the only author I have read who even compares to J.R.R. Tolkien and his epic style. I became fascinated with The Hobbit and Trilogy when I was in the seventh grade. I borrowed them from a friend and snuck them home. I was completely enthralled with the world Tolkien created. I was not allowed to read anything that was even remotely related to Wizards, Witches, Astrology, D&D, etc., so these books were like nothing I had ever seen, before. I was captivated and felt the call to become a Writer. Previously, the poetry and such that we were studying in school BORED me to tears. I found my schooling to be mind-numbingly BORING and Tolkien became my Inspiration to Learn, create Poetry, Write stories, Study, become an Anthropologist, delve into Masonic Lore and so much more.... Throughout High-School, I had pictures of Prof. Tolkien on my wall and I desired to be like him. Not-only was he the Greatest Fantasy Writer the world has known, but he was "Professor of Anglo-Saxon, at Oxford University, from 1925 to 1945....and professor of English Language and Literature....and a Fellow of Merton College from '45 to his retirement in '59." Check out his translations of (book title:)"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo" (J.R.R. Tolkien) Also, Prof. Tolkien wrote wonderful stories like "Smith of Wooten Major (&) Farmer Giles of Ham" for children. Pop those titles into the search box! I can honestly say that reading Tolkien changed my life...for the Better! Tolkien created the highest standards of writing for generations of authors....I am quite sure he would be deeply disappointed with the majority of books published today, with numerous spelling errors and pathetic grammar. I believe Tolkien is a god-send to English teachers. Perhaps, he can still inspire young people to elevate their Writing and English skills, from beyond. I would fight to keep his works on the shelves. I was not allowed to do my Senior Thesis about this author, despite the fact that he is such an amazing author and advocate of Literature. I lost interest in doing my thesis and threw something together at the last minute. Perhaps teachers should Recognize the potential for inspiring youth, via the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

This small pocket sized book has all the poems and ridlles from the Hobbit! It is illstrated with Tolkien's artwork from the Hobbit (and some of his artwork not from the Hobbit). It is small enough to take it with you everywhere you go. If only there was one for the Lord of the Rings.

Having chosen not to circumcise my son, and being an observant Reform Jew, I found Doctor Goldman's book to be incredibly instructional. He opens the door to a thoughtful introspection on the question of circumcision in the Jewish world. A difficult, almost taboo subject, we find that Jews, as a constantly evolving and forever questioning people, need to look circumcision in the face and sincerely question its validity. Circumcision continues to be performed even if there are many reasons for one not to practice it. Goldman's precise examination of circumcision brings us to question not only the Historical and religious aspects of this tradition, but also to look at the medical and sexual facts. Finally, the author exposes the psychological and ethical consequences of such an act. For example: are we ethically entitled to alter the genitals of our infant sons? Have they given us permission to do so? What psychological consequences can circumcision have on these infants? How about their mothers? What do men who were circumcised as adults have to say about the psychological and sexual changes they experienced? A professional and thorought examination, "Questioning Circumcision, a Jewish Perspective" is a brilliant analysis that one will find extremely educational and...easy to read!

Ronald Goldman's second book, Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective, follows on the heels of his masterpiece Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma. While the earlier book provided a stunning, magisterial overview of the entire subject of circumcision, this slimmer volume focuses on a more specialized analysis of the procedure from a Jewish point of view. Goldman again succeeds at integrating emotional, psychological,scientific, and humanistic considerations while surveying the great diversity of attitudes held toward this procedure among Jews. He reveals and meticulously documents a number of surprising facts which contravene widely held beliefs about the subject. Far from enjoying a consensus within the Jewish community, circumcision has not always been practiced by all Jews. As early as the 1840's, leaders of the Reform movement tried to stop circumcision. In the 1860's, a group of sixty-six Jewish physicians opposed the practice. The procedure as performed today in the United States is much more extensive than the original circumcisions, which merely removed the very tip of the foreskin. These changes and conflicts suggest that the supposed Jewish mandate for circumcision may be suspect.

Goldman discusses and questions a number of suggested benefits to Jewish males of the procedure. Although many believe circumcision necessary for Jewish survival and identity, under Jewish law, any child born of a Jewish mother is a Jew, whether circumcised or not.

While the procedure is often suggested to promote connection with other Jews, Goldman notes that the extreme discomfort and anxiety often provoked by circumcision may actually inhibit connection. Crisply summarizing some of the highlights from his earlier book, Goldman notes that health claims are highly speculative at best, and pain research has proven the extreme trauma suffered by the infant boy. Behavioral changes have been documented to follow most circumcisions, as boys become very irritable and interruption occurs to parent-infant bonding and feeding schedules.

Goldman writes that unrecognized consequences of the procedure may include promotion of a negative attitude to male sexuality. The personal stories by circumcised men and by mothers and fathers are quite moving. Some parents came to deeply regret their decision to circumcise while others feel gratified that they reached eleventh-hour determinations not to carry out the procedure.

Goldman takes the offensive later in the book, suggestion that the Torah's commandment against assaulting another person actually forbids circumcision. He notes that blind conformance to authority is antithetical to Jewish values, and many potential benefits of foregoing circumcision exist. An appendix contains Goldman's response to traditionalist supporters of the procedure, which is drawn entirely from passages in the Torah.

Future research needs to be carried out in accordance with his insightful suggestion that many Jewish men may harbor anger toward Jewish women due to their circumcisions, for which they may subconsciously hold their mothers primarily responsible. From the infant's perspective, Goldman notes, he is experiencing betrayal by his mother at a most vulnerable time in his life.

Goldman includes several useful appendices including two mothers' stories, a discussion of circumcision and anti-Semitism, and sample alternative rituals in which the baby's foreskin is not touched.

Ronald Goldman has gifted us with his second tightly reasoned, impeccably documented, and heartfully written book about a procedure which should be of concern to all men and women who care about children or society, whatever your faith may be.

Dr. Goldman provides ample and compelling proof that conscientious Jews are justified in questioning circumcision, and leaving their sons intact.

As Dr. Goldman demonstrates, medical evidence purporting to show the benefits of routine infant circumcision have, in the last few years, been thoroughly disproven. Further studies have also shown that circumcision, far from being a harmless and painless procedure, is one of the most painful procedures that can be performed on an infant and has potentially far-reaching detrimental physical and psychological consequences.

Dr. Goldman points out that an ever growing movement among Jews, seeking more compassionate and just rituals with which to welcome our new-born sons, are seriously considering the moral and spiritual dilemma surrounding circumcision brought about by the weight of this medical evidence. This growing, grass-roots movement among Jews is creating a variety of new rituals that celebrate the birth of Jewish baby boys without subjecting them to needless pain and suffering.

With medical evidence proving the merits of leaving our sons uncircumcised, and spiritual evidence demonstrating that leaving our sons uncircumcised is entirely congruent with Jewish ethics, Jewish parents-to-be no longer need to feel the secret dread accompanying the birth of a boy. In dispensing with painful rites of circumcision in favor of painless and loving ceremonies, the birth of Jewish baby, boy or girl, can be a truely joyous event.

For years I have observed the characteristics of successful, long-term relationships. The one trait that seems to cut across all of these was the ability to tell a partner your feelings and desires, whether trivial or radical, in a clear and nonthreatening way.

Despite the fact that I've been told professionally that I am an excellent communicator, this book helped me realize that in intimate relationships I still play the "crazymaking" game of confusing coded and conflicting messages.

The book's examples showed how confusing coded and double messages exist in most relationships, why they are there, and what to do about them. It's especially relevant for couples in which one partner is passive-aggressive, though useful for nearly any couple who wants to improve their effectiveness at talking to one another.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5 *s is because there are several places where the authors wander off into theoretical space that won't mean a lot to anyone without a psychology degree. If you skip over those parts to the next example, you'll find this book fast and easy reading.

This is the clearest description of how people (especially couples) get into the tangled web of resentments and withholds so common in a marriage and how to get out of the tangle. It is profusely sprinkled with examples of dialog, which not only makes the book easier to read, but makes the principles crystal clear.

The first part of the book clarifies exactly what the problem is. The second part of the book spells out what you can do about it. I'm the author of the book, Self-Help Stuff That Works, and much of what I've learned that really matters about communication can be traced back to this book. It is a shame it is out of print, but if you can find a copy, buy it!

If you want to find out why you make the statement" he/she is driving me crazy", then read this book and you will have the understanding necessary to finally figure out what is really going on. It truly is an amazing book and gives you what you need to once and for all put a stop to some of the crazy-making going on in your relationship. A must reading for everyone, not just someone in a relationship. It helps you to understand why you do the things you do.

Suicide Inc. is a fabulous book, I loved it! It's full of suspense and intrigue with plot twists at every turn. It is also very thought provoking and really makes you think about the scary possibilities of assisted suicide. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Suicide Inc. brims with suspense and excitement from beginning to end! A "must read" for all New Englanders and healthcare professionals! Azzolina brilliantly focuses on the debated concept of "assisted suicide" through the eyes of Dan Antinori and his partner Carol Ann Stimson. After being hired to oversee the sale of Arrow Dynamics, Dan Antinorri discovers conspicious links to illegal health care practices in Maine hospitals, and others. Committed to doing the right thing, Dan and Carol Ann unfold a drama that makes for non-stop reading and puts Azzolina in a class with authors like Dennis Lehane and James Lee Burke!

Suicide Inc. brims with suspense and excitement from beginning to end! A "must read" for all New Englanders and healthcare professionals! Azzolina brilliantly focuses on the debated concept of "assisted suicide" through the eyes of Dan Antinori and his partner Carol Ann Stimson. After being hired to oversee the sale of Arrow Dynamics, Dan Antinorri discovers conspicious links to illegal health care practices in Maine hospitals, and others. Committed to doing the right thing, Dan and Carol Ann unfold a drama that makes for non-stop reading and puts Azzolina in a class with authors like Dennis Lehane and James Lee Burke!

This is a terrific book for sharing with yor family and almost every family likes movies. The analysis is quite inciteful and the movies choices are interesting and inspired. The lessons are good ones and easily followed by children and adults.

I just saw this book listed in my local paper and I ordered it right away because I have teens who are difficult to communicate with. Last night I actually sat down with my son and daughter and we watched "Scent of a Woman." We had a great discussion afterwards about cheating, friendships etc. This book was a god send. I recommend it to anyone with children who are tough to talk to. Thank you to the authors for this wonderful addition to our library.

I actually bought this book because I am always looking for great, meaningful movies to watch and when I saw it I thought this would be perfect!

Also - I passed it along to my friend who is a teacher and she has used it in her class for friday movie-days . . .

If you liked Common Sons you'll like this book, assuming you like science fiction & fantasy as I do. This is a better fantasy book than many that I've read. It gets slow in a few places (what fantasy book doesn't?) but it's a good read. Instead of sorcerers we have different earth powers pitted against the industrial pollution of the Ch'turc. It's an eco-fantasty that's well done.

And ... Jeru meeting his mysterious partner Eril adds a good romance. This isn't a gay novel but the fact that the main character is gay may put some folks off -- for me it's a plus. For the rigid Ch'turc, it's a hanging offense.

For a good fantasy you need a "real" world to escape into. Donaghe scores well in this area. Omoham is a great world -- in a sense it's like our world should be. Some of the places we visit and people we meet are fascinating. Jeru and Eril are fun to travel with. I'd like to visit there more and get to know the main characters better.

Minuses: slow in places; dialogue too formal; and, it would be nice if some of the other characters played larger roles -- I suspect this will happen in future books. Pluses: a creative and appealing new world; earth powers; Jeru and Eril; strong support of the environment; and, the interesting race of ancient ones that lingeres on the edges.

The pluses definitely outweigh the minuses. I give it four stars.

First acquainted with Donaghe's Common Brothers series, I was hoping his first attempt at the sf/fantasy genre would be as good. I was not disappointed. The work invites comparison with Grimsley's "Kirith Kirin" in a favorable way. The author brings his reader into a very different world, slowly introducing new ways of thinking, new words, new concepts.

Mr. Donaghe makes no secret in his works that the worst enemy of anyone's happiness is the regimented belief structure of organized religion, cut off from the strength, joy and beauty of nature and love. This book had me cheering throughout for the victories of men and women who love openly, whether gay or straight, and who care for one another without regard to personal gain.

Don't read this book expecting the intricacies of Dune or the grand scale of the original Foundation series. But be ready to have your heart warmed, and don't be surprised if you find yourself wishing "if only I could, too..."

I love Common Son and being also a sci-fi and fantasy fan, I acquire Mr Donaghe's latest endeavor at once. I am not disappointed. Great science fiction/fantasy with romance between same sex, in particular men, is rare. And I am pleased and delighted that Mr Donaghe has added a promising series to this rarity. The main characters, Jeru and Eril are lovers and soul mates. But there is no erotic sex scence. Their love making or more correctly bonding is abstract, delving into the mingling of their souls and essence, resulting in the joining and enhancemenet of their minds , strengths and souls. In Cinatis, Mr Donaghe has created an amazing world split into two types of humans/beings. You have the ones who live freely and close to nature while endowed with incredible abilities. And on the other hand, you have those slaves to conservatism and bigotry living with the mechanics of science. The struggle between these two races, the evils of a power hungry individual and Jeru desperately trying to come to terms with his growing power and responsibilities set the theme of the first book of a promising series. The only shortcoming I find is the lack of depth of character in Jeru and Eril which Mr Donaghe succeeded so beautifully with Joel and Tom in the Common Son. On the other hand this is a long series and I hope Mr Donaghe will add beauty to his two main characters and have them shine like Alex and Seregil in the "Nightrunner" series and Cal and Pell in the "Wraeththu". Looking forward to Volume two of Cinatis which I pray is not too far away.