"Solo" is a refreshing, absorbing read. What makes it so interesting is that all of the excerpts are written by the artists themselves, all brilliant yet human artists whose experiences are lucidly and effectively related throughout the book. As a singer-songwriter myself, it was a pleasure to gather inspiration and encouragement from these women, most of whom have travelled the long and lonely road in search of artistic and spiritual breakthrough. Each entry is very intimate and personal, and I felt like I was having coffee with each artist! The accompanying photographs by Emma Dodge-Hanson are lovely and introspective, showing thoughtful, quiet sides of each dynamic woman that are often ignored in the glossy images of magazines or music videos. I often return to "Solo" to draw out words of wisdom from my favorite artists. I can only hope there will be a companion book to follow! *****

Accolades to Mr. Woodworth and Ms. Hanson and Solo. Mr. Woodworth has managed to capture and transform the words of these woman singers/songwriters (Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan, Joan Osborne, Lucinda Williams, Jewel, Suzanne Vega just to name a few) into a dynamic first person narrative that brings you face to face with your favorite artist. The accompanying pictures by Ms. Hanson are stunning. I have yet to see such revealing, sensitive and poignant pictures of these artists published anywhere else. This book is pure energy and art that rivals the vitality of the women it portrays. When I read a good book or am inspired by a song I hear, I react to it physically and emotionally. In this moment of reaction it becomes art. I want to talk to that author/songwriter about their work. I want to discover the impetus behind their thoughts and ideas. Solo takes me to that place. It takes me to a place were stories are layered in astonishing depth. It is no less than an opportunity to sit with your favorite singer/songwriter and hear their ideas, insights, dreams, and fears. You are welcomed into their living spaces to find out what they think about their careers and music. Sometimes when I am reading a chapter about one of my favorite singers/songwriters, I put their music on and listen. Deeper meanings emerge, and I hear them speaking to me. This is an enlightening and excellent read.

SOLO: Women Singer-Songwriters In Their Own Words is just that: a compilation of 'collected wisdom' from some of today's female singer-songwriters. Each piece is accompanied by striking black and white photographs by Emma Dodge Hanson, and the essays themselves are written ina laid-back conversational style that makes it easy to curl up on the couch on a cold winter's day and read the book.

Editor Marc Woodworth has done a fine job of presenting these outstanding women as intelligent and wise -- or perhaps it could be said that they didn't need any help from Woodworth to come across that way? Woodworth has given each songwriter a clean slate to talk about themselves and their work, and ech artist shines. The end product is a compendium of "selected wisdom", if you will, that flows fluidly from the pages. To the reader, it feels as though one were listening to each artist chat about life, over a coffee at the local cafe. Gone are the cliched phrases and anecodtes that all too often mar books about artists in the music industry.

The remarkable thing that Woodworth has managed to accomplish is to present these women as human beings, not just as songwriters. While they talk about their craft a great deal, each comes across as being very experienced (or embattled!) in matters of the heart. Very often a given artist chats about her upbringing, how they got into music, and their various influences, topics that I found very interesting. Each artist is very honest about mistakes they have made, not only on a practical level but on a emotional one as well, information that I suspect would be difficult to glean from male singers!

Because the book reads like a "book of conversations", and not a "book of discussions about each artist's individual style", I found even the writings of artists I don't like to be very interesting. For example, I'm not a huge fan of Mary Chapin Carpenter, but she had some very intelligent things to say. Someone else who I don't recognize writes that "I realized it's okay to feel multiple ways about a certain thing," a concept that struck me as being very true and very human. The book is full of these little observations about life and human behaviour.

Overall, I was very impressed with the content of the book and the way in which it was assembled. The layout is very aesthetically pleasing and the photos are beautifully done. Thanks to Marc and Emma on a job well done.

When I picked up this book at my local library, I wasn't expecting to be impressed. I had fallen in love with one of Thurber's other books that I had read (The Owl in the Attic and Other Perplexities) and decided to see if this was any good. That night I read it through, 3 times and another 2 the following morning. It just seemed all so wonderful to me I couldent get enough of it. A classic story with a handsom prince, an evil duke, and a beautiful princess, and the seemingly impossable tasks the prince had to do to win the princess's hand. I hope that all around the world people enjoy this book, for years to come.

...the writing is so lyrical, the characters so funny, and characteristic of thurber, frought with human flaws while still being heroes, and each adventure solved, in the end, by wit and ingenuity. the prose is beautifully tight. it is written, like E.B. White, for the inner ear -- sonorous, and full of Thurber mischief. "I am the Golux, the one and only Golux -- and not a mere device." My eight-year old loves the rhythm. My 11 year old loves the humor, and I love thurber's wink to me about literary devices...for us, this book is always at hand for the sheer joy of reading it aloud.

I first heard this enchantingly wonderful book on cassette tape when i was at art lessons. I would wait impatiently till the next week so I could hear more~ more about the Golux (who resembles only half the things he says he doesn't) and about Princess Saralinda and the Prince whose name begins with X... and doesn't. This book is full of whimsical wonderful wordplay and contains almost all of my favorite quotations of all time. It isn't very long, but every sentence is filled with some little quips or verbal oddities that, quite literally, made me laugh aloud. This book is without question one of my favorites of all time, a truly wonderful tale that can be read over and over again without ever growing old. Really classique. I mean, the book that's given me my tagline HAS to be great: "We all have flaws and mine is being evil."

In July of 1999 while I was working as Neale Donald Walsch's Personal/Executive Assistant, a letter came across my desk from Joel Rothschild, author of SIGNALS and one of the longest living AIDS survivors on the planet. It was a very humble letter, asking for nothing, other than for Neale to view his manuscript and possibly give Joel an endorsement for the book, which was already scheduled for publication by New World Library. As it is with authors, such as Neale, whose every waking day is filled with requests for everything imaginable from people all over the world, there is a warm place in their hearts for fellow writers, knowing the courage it takes to write the things dearest to their souls. After having read Joel's letter, Neale handed me Joel's letter and said, "Contact this man and ask him to please send me his manuscript." I e-mailed Joel that very day, and received a nearly instant reply, telling me what a difference it made in his day to hear from me. He was having a difficult day, battling an AIDS related virus. My seemingly small e-mail made a HUGE impact on his day, soon to be life. He did send the manuscript, however, I was not able to review it for several weeks. I kept telling myself that I was going to set aside all of the other 100 plus tasks that were waiting for and receiving my attention and just read his manuscript. Neale and Nancy were on a tour of lectures and it was part of my job to read the manuscripts, give Neale my review and then allow him to look at them when time permitted him to do so. One afternoon in late August, I set all other tasks aside, took the book outside along with the cordless phone and started to read. Almost instantly I was in tears and had chills at various times throughout reading. I couldn't believe it when a few hours had passed and I realized the sun was setting. Feeling a bit hungry and ready for dinner, I took the manuscript with me, and stopping at a restaurant, continued to read. Again, I read with tears and chills, accompanied by a warmth in my heart for a man that I had only e-mailed a couple of times. To share this incredible story and the intimate details of some of the people that he has loved the most in this lifetime took such courage. Needless to say, the next morning the book accompanied me to the gym, and as I walked on the treadmill, I couldn't believe that I was walking, reading, and crying. As I was reading, I was amazed at some of the synchronicities in my life - hummingbirds, the song "The Wind Beneath My Wings", and a little heart printed on a blank piece of paper. These will all make sense while you are reading the book. I e-mailed Joel, once again, and told him he wouldn't believe the synchronicities, and I then said, "Yes, of course you will!" Neale and Nancy returned from their tour and while catching up on things, I told Neale that I had read Joel's manuscript and told him what I thought about it. They were about to leave for a tour of Korea and Europe, so Neale asked me to put the manuscript in with his luggage so that he could look at it when he had a chance. By this time, Joel and I were talking on the phone, knowing of our soul connection - reunited like long-lost comrades. Not only did Neale choose to endorse "Signals", Neale asked Joel if he could write the foreward (another incredible "synchronicity" as you will see in the book, proving our connectedness, the "oneness" that we all are.) I was honored to be one of the first to have read SIGNALS, and even more so to come to know the man who so willingly and lovingly shares such a very personal story. Guaranteed tears and chills. And that's a GOOD thing!

Signals came to me in a very serendipitous manner, and when I opened it up to read it, I had "chills" I could not explain. I've read many books on "life after death", watched many mediums connect with those who've passed on, but something was different about Joel's story......something that connected to my SOUL like nothing else ever had.

Throughout this book, I found hope, encouragement, affirmation of love as well as closure that I'd not been able to find through any other way. (I was especially thrilled to know that Albert, like my dearly departed mother, loved hummingbirds too! And mom fed every stray cat around as well!) This book gave me hope -- reminded me that those we've "lost" are NOT gone..... they are just not "seen", and that LOVE, never, ever, dies.

Instead of crying with grief over my "lost" loved ones, as I usually did after reading such a book, I closed Joel's book and literally cried with JOY! For the first time since my loved ones passed on, I felt that they truly were with me and not "gone" forever.

This has been one of the most inspiring and heartwarming books I've read and I am truly grateful to Albert and Joel for reminding me that love is the ONLY thing that matters!!!

I loved SIGNALS written by Joel Rothschild, a man with AIDS, who lost many of his friends to that disease. His best-loved friend, Albert, who also suffered from AIDS, committed suicide leaving Joel desolately alone. The two had made a pact that whoever died first would contact the other. Well, Albert did, and in many startling, magical and also, symbolic ways, demonstrates his continued life on another dimension. Following Albert's death, Joel, a skeptic in the beginning, receives the gift of perception that allows him to sense the presence of souls wishing to communicate with their loved ones. Joel's story is highly engaging and thought-provoking. It will tug at your heart and it will open your mind.

We receive another gift from Joel's book. Through his afterdeath experiences with Albert, Joel is taught about the preciousness of life--to live every single moment with full attention and awareness. He also learns the role of attitude in health and healing. Joel attributes his long-standing survival of AIDS to this knowledge. After reading SIGNALS you will never think about the moments that comprise your day in the same way. And, you will want to stop any negative thinking in its tracks!

We have an inexpensive paperback version (see our reviews) of this classic poem, and we said that's enough for us. That was before we looked through this beautifully illustrated (by Bruce Whatley) edition of The Night Before Christmas.

The lyrics are the same, from book to book, but the fanciful illustrations in this one are enough to engage adults and children as they read this book together.

The perfect gift for any family whose Christmas tradition includes reading this classic!

I discovered this book 31 years ago, for my daughter and it is still loved by all the family. The illustrations are wonderful, warm, charming and delightful and bring a special meaning to the story. We still read it to all the young children on Christmas Eve and for adults we read the story and pass a grab bag gift every time the word THE is mentioned. It would not be Christmas without this book. It is magical.

This beautiful book was in my family as a hard cover edition for many years and was a Christmas Eve tradition for my four sons when they were growing up. It's poor battered body disappeared some time after the last of my little ones went off into the adult world. I am so delighted to see it back again, though this time as a nicely affordable soft cover. Clement C. Moore's enchanting story poem already provides an atmosphere filled with warmth and joyful expectation and with the addition of Tasha Tudor's quaint, nostalgic water-colors from an antique New England the Christmas magic is complete!
The winter landscapes fill our senses and Tasha's own gray tabby cat and Welsh Corgi welcome us into this charming world.
Tasha's Santa that you will meet in this book has been portrayed as the poem describes him...a right jolly old elf. He's not that much larger than the corgi and his team really consists of eight "tiny" reindeer. His pointy ears and his Eskimo mukluks add to the delightful ambiance of the book. He dances with the toys and with the happy animals and we can truly believe it will be a happy Christmas for all.
I hope this book becomes a Christmas Eve tradition for many, many more families.

This book is perhaps the most engrossing book I've ever read, with the possible exception of the Gaiman/McKean MASTERPIECE, Mr. Punch. This was the 2nd Sandman book I read, though I have since completed the series, and trust me, though it's amazing on its own, once you recognize the themes and motifs that have been continued throughout the series (The triple Goddess/Kindly Ones theme has been in every single Sandman collection; look it up if you don't believe me.) as well as the insights into the motivations of all the characters, this is nothing short of a masterpeice. I can't possibly say enough good things about this book, or the entire series. Added bonus: for the first time, the art is ALMOST equal to the story. Don't get me wrong, Jill Thomson, Shaun McManus, Mike Dirginberg, etc, did some great work, but up until now that kind of "comic book-y" style has dominated the series, whereas Mark Hempel's smooth lines and more abstract, angular style compliment Gaiman's writing much better, to my mind. Overall, this is, I'll say it again, an AMAZING book. Buy it. Please. For your own sake.

The Kindly Ones is the climax of the series. I'm not going to talk about that part of the story. It's too huge, too--agh! You'll have to find out for yourself. This, the climax, is, of course, the most important thing in the storyline, but if I try to put words on the feeling it gives me I will miserably fail. Instead, I'm going to talk about the little reasons besides that main reason which, for me, make The Kindly Ones the best.

1) The Corinthian is in it: my favorite Sandman character second only to Dream himself. I can't quite say why, but I just love this character. Since The Doll's House I've found him absolutely fascinating, a creation of genius. And when he came back in Brief Lives, I practically jumped for joy. Unfortunately, that was only about three pages plus one panel. But now he's back again, and--yes! --He's a major character! And he's way more interesting in The Kindly Ones than he was in The Doll's House--this is a new Corinthian. Yes!

2) Delirium is in it, my second favorite of the Endless. She always brightens up a story; luckily, she doesn't steal the attention from Dream in this storyline, as she did in Brief Lives (although that was the right thing for that story, and not a drawback). Here, she's searching for her doggie and following her fish.

3) Thessaly's back! Dream's mystery lover from Brief Lives, last seen in A Game of You. I adore this character. (I also like her name very much, as you can tell since I stole it for my handle.) I always found her one of the most intriguing characters in the series, and I still wish I knew more about her...This is one of the great things about Sandman. Everyone finds their own favorite things to hook onto, a favorite issue, favorite character, that might not mean much to someone else, but somehow is really fascinating to you. Some people love Death or Nuala or Hob Gadling or Mervyn; for me, it's The Corinthian and Thessaly, and I love Brief Lives 3 and 9, A Game of You part 3 and 5, Season of Mists Epilogue, and Ramadan, to name a few. (Not to mention all of The Kindly Ones.) And you, no doubt, have your own favorites, or will have, once you read the series. If you haven't, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

One other reason why The Kindly Ones is the greatest: Marc Hempel's art. Some people hate it. I love it. I love the way he's managed to capture the look and expression of all the old characters while doing it in such a different, simplified style. I'm really glad that this crucial volume of Sandman was illustrated by someone with such talent, such a particular mood to his work.

I really can't express what _The Kindly Ones_ is in this brief review; read Sandman for yourself and find out. (I can't stress this enough. Read Sandman. Now. If you want me to tell you again, e-mail me and I will rant on and on about it.) However, being the ninth of ten volumes, this is NOT the place to start--go to Preludes and Nocturnes (Book 1) or The Doll's House (2) for that.

If you think comics are just for kids, this collection will change your mind. The same can be said of the entire Sandman series, but for sheer drama, tightly woven storytelling, and fascinating characterization, "The Kindly Ones" is the best of the lot.

Readers of previous Sandman collections will recognize many plotlines and characters finding closure here, but the story is also fascinating for the new reader. In a previous story arc, the Lord of Dreams killed his own son, Orpheus (yes, *that* Orpheus). The consequences of blood-debt, as any reader of Shakespeare will tell you, are terrible; in "The Kindly Ones," Dream, arguably one of the most powerful entities in all of creation, must face those consequences himself.

In contrast with previous Sandman story arcs, Dream takes a much more active role; instead of being a catalyst, he is a central figure who drives the story. This does not mean that other characters who have taken that role in the past are forgotten, however. They're all here -- Hippolyta, Rose Walker, Queen Titania and her royal court of Faerie, Matthew the Raven, Cain and Abel, Lucifer, even Death herself. And the Corinthian...but I won't spoil that for you.

If there is any justice in this world, Neil Gaiman will be remembered as one of the finest storytellers of our times. Sure, it's a comic book -- or, if you prefer, the more adult term "graphic novel" -- but you shouldn't let that stop you. This isn't Spiderman or Mary Worth. It isn't Tintin or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Gaiman has taken the medium to a whole different level, a level that demands that you take it seriously to fully appreciate the content. And if nothing else, the covers by Dave McKean are alone worth the price of admission

Louisa May Alcott is a trustworthy author - you know what you're getting. Although I hadn't read An Old-Fashioned Girl, I gave my sister a copy, thinking it would be a nice way to get her to continue reading. Not only did it get her reading, she got me so into it, I was waiting to read it for myself. Alcott is a good writer with some great books that have beautifully stood the test of time - this is one of them.

Polly Milton is a country girl visiting friends in the big city. Her quaintness charms the Shaws, especially the adults. As much as the Shaw children also love Polly, they think she is unfashionable and even embarrassing. They are shamed by her unaffected wholesomeness and act as children do, by being unkind and unjust. Polly's innocence and pride are bruised by the careless Fanny, spoiled Maud, and gruff Tom. Her modest ways are tested by the temptations of living with the wealthy Shaws, but her sensitivity to this only supports her personal credo to be as good as possible.

Polly is old-fashioned even by Victorian standards, but her honesty and cheerfulness are contagious. Even as a pragmatic adult, every time I read her story I feel a surge of inspiration and affirmation that it's still worth being good. Her charismatic personality will both beguile and challenge you. A moral, but not moralistic character, Polly leads by example by having fun, (eventually) blooming in the face of adversity, and always being true to herself. Polly's gentleness is layered around a steely core. She doesn't aim to convert you, but won't let others convince her to do what she feels is wrong, as Fanny and her trendy group find out. This is the sort of girl every parent wishes for, every girl needs for a friend, and every guy is looking for.

"Good" heroines usually ring false and are burdensome to the reader. Alcott creates a real girl, who happens to be extremely loving. Polly embraces the world with wise, but accepting arms. She's magnetically sincere, drawing out the best in others. It's hard not to be affected. The Shaws and their friends become interesting and layered characters due to her quiet influence. I didn't like the children intially, but as they became increasingly complex and conflicted, I found them nearly as dear as Polly. There isn't much of a plot per se, but small episodes tied together over the course of a few years, often very funny in the end. The last part in particular will be a surprise - even this experienced reader didn't see it coming!

Read this and feel Polly's (er, Alcott's) magic for yourself! A real treasure you'll want to pass on. It will only get better with age. A few books are part of a journey of a lifetime and I've found that An Old-Fashioned Girl is one of them.

I am 18 and have read this book at least 30 times. Its simplicity and reality seem to reach into my soul and I seem to have found a "kindred spirit" in the heroine. No other fictitious character has ever moved me as has Polly, an old-fashioned girl. A country girl named Polly is visiting city friends and comes to realize that this world is quite different than which she has left. Here people are judged according to their dress and manner of speech rather than for their honesty and hardwork. Yet all who meet Polly cannot help but be enamored of her; her sweet simplicity is unlike any that they have ever seen, and soon everyone comes to realize that Polly is not someone to be laughed at and ridiculed, but someone to put upon a pedistal for failing to become willing prey to the cynicism of the times. Polly is the most understanding and genuine character I have ever read about. Her love for others and her unwillingness to lower her standards and morals for popularity are an inspiration to people of all ages and prove that nothing is wrong with being "an old fashioned girl."

I was introduced to An Old-Fashioned Girl when I was in fourth grade, and I must have read it hundreds of times since. Now that I am in college, I've read Plato, Aristotle, Dante, and other famous authors. But none of these authors have impacted me as much as this classic by Louisa May Alcott. This book gave me the confidence I needed to hold true to my values, and whenever I am tempted to give in to peer pressure, I just think about Polly and her bronze boots. I love this book, and I'm sure I will continue rereading it until the time I die. A definite classic that leaves you feeling warm inside!

This is a book review of Chasing Redbird, which is an interesting, funny, and realistic story by Sharon Creech! Zinny, the main character in the book is a 13-year-old girl who feels she's responsible for the deaths of her aunt and Cousin. Having a large family of many brothers and sisters, she is feeling lost without her Aunt Jessie. She discovers a trail in her back yard, and finds out from a museum that leads to the neighboring town. Meanwhile an old friend of the family has moved back to town along with her son, who is a few years older than Zinny. He starts bringing her presents, and Zinny, who is used to boys using her, doesn't think much of it. During summer break Zinny asks her parents if she can start camping on the trail so she can finish clearing it by the time school starts, and they actually let her. While up there she discovers someone very special, and gets help from someone unexpected, while accomplishing her dreams and her goals. The author uses great humor, and realistic events to capture your attention throughout the book. The most important character in this book is Zinny, or formally known as Zinnia. She is brave but sometimes lonely. Even though she has a handful of brothers and sister, they sometimes dis-clude her. During this story she deals with the death of her aunt and cousin, her uncle who misses his wife, finishing uncovering the trail, and achieving her goals, and reaching her dreams. My favorite character in this book is Zinny. She has a lot of stuff going on in her life and deals with all of the bad things. Always leaving time for the trail, she makes a goal to finish it by the end of summer vacation. Zinny is a courageous character throughout this book, she doesn't stop for anything until she reaches her dreams, and catches her goals. From this book I learned to follow your heart. If you don't know what path to take in a situation do what your heart feels is right. You might ask yourself what you are doing and why you're doing it, but in the end you know that the decision you chose was best for you. "Life is like a bowl of spaghetti once in a while you get a meatball." This is my favorite saying in the book because it explains exactly how life is. Sometimes, while your life is okay or on the downside, something great happens. While I read this story I felt happy when Zinny accomplished her goals, and discovered the trail. Sad, was what I felt during the times of death in her family. I found myself laughing at some things that her younger brothers say, and when her uncle would stomp on a hose thinking it was a snake. Overall this book made me feel good, and helped me overcome situations in my own life! All the characters in this story are realistic and can probably relate to one of your friends or somebody in your life. They all have interesting personalities and are great to read about. To make the book more personal the author used first person writing to not only share the main characters experiences in more detail but also to share thoughts and feelings only the main character would know about. Most of this story is interesting, and kept you on the edge of your seat at some parts. Some parts of the book aren't as thrilling as others though the plot and setting fit the moral or message. Whether you live an interesting and exciting life, or you think its normal and average, this book will show you how to take any life, add a goal and make something great happen.

This book is great! It tells of a young girls struggle with having such a big family and everyone thinking of her as "which one are you?," since her family is so big. Zinnia(Zinny) Taylor is the main character and is still coping with her cousin Roses death who died of whopping cough, when she was four (nine years ago,)and she got it from Zinny. It shows her on personal struggles of coping with her own personal issuses, by her visiting "her" trail. Since her Aunt Jessie died, she has been feeling real sad, not to mention her Uncle Nate, who was her husband. He calls her his sweetheart still and calls her Redbird..because of her red hair. He chases her around(even though she's dead), because he can still see her, and so can Zinny's brother Ben! Why can't "she" see Aunt Jessie though?, she wonders, and now that Jake Bonne's back in town, May(her sister), is interested! He's changed alot in his looks...and he's changed from liking the peron he did years ago also. What will become of Zinny? How will she get through these ordeals in her life? I read it in 2 days...and stayed up to 12:00 a.m. reading this book! It's a great book, and I hope that Sharon Creech will continue writing books. She surely is VERY talented!

This book tells the story of Salamanca Hiddle's (from "Walk Two Moons") best friend Zinny Taylor who lives back in Bybanks, Kentucky. Zinny's one of seven children and she prefers her aunt and uncle's quiet house next door to her own noisy one, even though her aunt and uncle are kind of strange. After her aunt ("Redbird") dies, her uncle is always chasing after her, claiming he's seen her, but Zinny doesn't really believe him. In the meantime, Jake Boone, a boy who's just moved back to their town, has started chasing after Zinny, in spite of the fact that her older sister is the one who really likes him. To escape some of this craziness, because she likes things calm and quiet, Zinny spends her summer working by herself to uncover an overgrown trail on their farm. But the family secrets she uncovers on the trail keep things from being far from calm and quiet! Like "Walk Two Moons," this book has a lot of humor, even though it deals with some serious issues. It has some weird characters but the kids in it always seem like real kids. And there's sort of a mystery to it that'll keep you reading because you can't wait to find out what happens next

I am a very active 40ish woman with some physical problems, particularly a contracted hip muscle. I can't walk much without pain, so I swim laps and do other exercises. Convinced that core strengthening would help me, I bought this book. Brill outlines the benefits of PT (physical therapy) from an anatomic and physiologic perspective, which I appreciated because I am changing my career to medicine. The exercises themselves are sound and helpful. I wish she had suggested more modifications for different physical problems; I also wish she sold a VHS or DVD version. She does give some bad advice about pain in a place or two, where she assures the reader "it will get better as you practice," when in fact some things, like sacral spine stiffness, are serious warnings to be attended. Nonetheless, her advice and the program itself are excellent and helpful. I imagine if I continue it (I have only been doing it for a week) I could write an entirely different review, telling of its benefits to me. I hope to do so. I also hope the book helps you.

Wow! I can't belive how much better I feel after only three weeks. When I was growing up, my dad was always pulling my shoulders back and telling me to sit up straight. After the first week of the Core, three co-workers complimented me on my posture. Two of them are now reading the book.

There are clear instructions and good photographs of each exercise. I had to refer to the book the first two or three times I performed the program (which was annoying), but quickly got the hang of it without refering back to the book. There are modifications for every exercise to match your current abilities.

Just so you know, I'm no altheltic, small thing. I'm 30 lbs overweight and was not exercising at all before I began this program. After the second week, I started on the next level, the Intermediate Core. The third and final level is the Ultimate Core with progressively 'harder' exercises. For those who know yoga, Peggy Brill recommends and shows the moves for the sun saluation. For those not familiar with yoga, don't be afraid.

Peggy explains her life experience and physical therapy training. She talks about injuries: how to avoid them, and how to recuperate from them. She walks you through a self-test to determine your own core areas of weakness. One of the last chapters covers weight training (free weights and gym equipment). My only complaint about that chapter was that she did not include alternatives to using gym equipment. She, ever so briefly, recommends healthy eating, sleeping positions, sitting posture, and the standard 20-30 min 3x/wk cardiovascular workout.

One thing that I noted right away with her introduction was that she didn't say you "should" or "might" feel better, but that you "will" feel better. I cannot deny that, for me, that is so true.

I took my body measurements at the end of the second week and then again at the end of the third. I've lost 3/4" in my waste and 1" in my hips in one week. That's all the motivation I need to do this for 15 mins 5x/wk. I'm actually doing it closer to 7x/wk because I've felt so much better since I started.

I don't know you or your lifestyle, but I'm recommending some of these exercises to my 85 year old grandma who is hunched over from osteoporosis. She'll be so thrilled that I am activly seeking a way to prevent that disease from affecting my future!

Good health!

I am 40 years old and have been running 20-25 miles a week for about 3 years. You'd THINK I was in great physical shape! And yet I was developing some nagging pains - sore lower back, constantly stiff left hamstring, intermittently painful right knee. I attributed this to running too much or too hard.... or me just getting old or not stretching enough. I tried yoga classes, but that just seemed to make my hamstring worse! and I am just not calm enough to devote THAT much time to deep breathing and such.

Then I saw an article about Core Training in my running magazine. It explained how strengthening your "core" could improve your running and reduce injury by 'shoring up your foundation.' It made sense!
Then I stumbled on Ms. Brill's book and decided to give it a try.

Well, I have been doing the program for 4 weeks now (I am up to the intermediate level) and absolutely LOVE it! I feel so much stronger, I have no aches and pains, and my running HAS improved!Now I feel fit ALL over.

This is DEFINTELY something that I will do for LIFE.

"I'll try and do anything and be anything you want if only you'll keep me." This is how "Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery begins.
Anne Shirley is a twelve-year-old girl who is brought to Green Gables only to find they were expecting a boy. The Cuthberts however, are one over by this queer, imaginative girl with bright, red hair and decide to allow her to stay.
Green Gables is a lovely, little farm just outside of a small town on Prince Edward Island called Avonlea. It is surrounded by fields and forests, which hold many surprises for adventurous Anne.
Throughout this book Anne's fierce temper and wild imagination often get the better of her, but she usually manages to squeeze out of these scrapes.
Anne's melodramatic nature and fiery temper keeps you interested as you read this marvelous book.
Montgomery's humorous writing style gives life to the characters so that you feel like you are meeting them in person.
I think that this was a wonderful book filled with humor, drama and tears. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever had a dream and loves a good book.

first of all, let me begin with I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read this book more times than I can remember...easily more than a dozen...thus, I am going to set my mind to write a glowing review of it.

This book portrays a stunning sketch of Canadian History and Culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The character personalities are so real and so amazingly "human" that one cannot help but fall in love with them. You really get a taste of PEI in its glory.

This story is set in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island (Canada), a fictional settlement which is really Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author grew up.

The main character is Anne Shirley...and eleven year old, enigmatic, imaginative, sparkling, highly intelligent orphan who is sent to Green Gables, a farmhouse in Avonlea, under the impression that she was to be adopted by a pair of elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthburt. But, apon arrival to Green Gables, Anne discovers that there had been a horrible mistake...the Cuthburts never wanted a girl...they wanted a boy who could do the chores and help Matthew with the farm. Anne was was in the "depths of dispair". Matthew, on the drive home from the train station had taken a great shine to Anne and had his heart set on keeping her, regardless of any mistake. Marilla, however, was not so easily enchanted. She agreed to let Anne stay at Green Gables on trial, to see if she would behave herself and lend a helpful hand to Marilla. After the trial, Anne is welcomed to Green Gables and flourishes under the love of the Cuthburts and all Avonlea folk. Anne, however, has one big problem. Her Hair. It is a hopeless shade of carrotty red and Anne felt that it was the ugliest hair anyone could imagine. She was extremely sensitive about it and she was horribly embarrassed about it. On her first day of school, Anne's hair was made fun of by Gilbert Blythe, the smartest and handsomest boy in school. "Carrots! Carrots!" he said. Anne's temper got the better of her and she was so angry she broke a slate over his head. After that, for many years, she snubbed Gilbert every time he spoke to her and he developed a boyhood crush on her.

Ah, but to keep this review interesting and the book mysterious, I will stop telling you the story and begin reviewing. The characters in the book are so well-defined that it seems to you that you know every character personally, like an old friend or neighbour.

And by all means, don't let the age recommendation fool you either...this book can be read by all ages alike...and I have no doubt that this book will still be my avid favorite at the age of 85.

The book is not boring, contrary to many opinions of those who read the first chapter of small print and historical settings. The discriptions will place you right into the heart of the story and you find you will laugh and cry while reading this story. Every time I read it I cry at a certain part which I'm not sure if I should reveal to you for fear of spoiling the good parts in the story, but it is dreadfully sad. If you read the book, then you will know what part I am talking about. The one saddest part in the whole story.

Although this book has some old ideas and ways of expressing them, you will learn a great deal of Canadian history through them and there's no doubt in my mind that this book will still be popular decades and most likely even centuries to come.

Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books. Anne is a person almost everyone can relate to in some way or another. Anne is launched into the "depths of despair" as soon as she finds out the horrible truth that the Mathew and Marilla really sent for a boy from the orphanage. Her fiery temper gets the better of her at some of the worst possible times. Such as when she vows that she will never forgive Gilbert Blythe for calling her carrots, as if smashing a slate over his head is not enough. This is a wonderful book that L. M. Montgomery has really shown her skill as a writer and novelist in. I have read the entire Anne of Green Gables Series and am also, like another reader, saving them all for my daughter some day. If you want a book that you can thoroughly enjoy, this is the one, although I have one warning that you may have a hard time putting it down.

"Shakespeare In Love" is one of my favorite movies of all time. Everything about the movie was brilliant--acting, screenplay, customes, etc. I'm a college student who has had a year of in-depth Shakespeare courses and I *know* it is fiction but it was the best kind of fiction--one that made you love the characters even more and want to re-read the plays for years to come. I loved all the inside jokes.

To be frank, I've seen the movie more times than I'd like to admit. I was going to give this book four stars based on the movie (the movie was excellent, but not the year's best, even if it is my preferred one), but that wouldn't be honest. This review is about the screenplay, not the movie. Besides, the best part of the movie is the script, anyway. Boastful, light-hearted, and delightful, this romp plays around with you, targeting you with its acid wit. It is also completely fictional, so don't expect much truth in it, even if the background and some of the history is real (including the subtle fact that Shakespeare really didn't have his own stories, with exception to two of his plays). There was no Viola, nor was there a Lord Wessex. This script is not to be taken seriously. But even if you are serious, you'll find yourself defrosting around the edges by the time you flip to page two.

How can anyone dislike this film and screenplay? Perhaps the information wasn't all 100%accuarate, but writers and moviemakers often use creative license when producing a film with such a historic main character.

This movie was worthy of a best picture nod, perhaps not as much as Life Is Beautiful, and should be considered a classic in centuries to come. You would have to be completely dense to not like what this movie stands for--love at first sight.

As for the homosexuality of Shakespeare--did anyone ever personally ask him about his sexual preferance? Even if he was homosexual--who cares--THIS IS A MOVIE!

And a great one at that!