my son started reading this series last year when he was in forth grade... he is a good reader but can easily be *turned off* when the book appears too hard (ie words too small...too many pages...picture on the cover too seriious) he really enjoyed this book from cover to cover and actually did a report on it in school... i like that the series is in paper back (it saves money)...i like that some are *special* titles and are a bit longer (it encourges him to read longer books than normally he would) he likes that they are about children solving problems/mysteries.. and that they have animals in them... this book, and the others have been something to look foward to for him

I really liked this book alot! I think it is better than all the Petsitters Club books I have read!

The petsitters provide an enjoyable adventure to share with your children. Every chapter gives you clues to the "monkey puzzle" until the mystery is finally caught. A true delight to read.

John Milton's Paradise Lost is perhaps the most debated work in western literature. On one side you have those who say that Milton was secretly on the Devil's side. (Due to the realistic portrayal of Satan and the seemingly far off and tyrannical portrayal of God) On the other side you have those who say that Milton's sympathies were with God and the angels. (Due to the loving portrayal of the angels and mankind) C.S. Lewis was of the later camp. In 1942, he stood up against those who said otherwise.

I have a hard time labeling this as a 'preface'; Lewis was obviously writing to the learned elite at Cambridge, not to new readers of Milton. But Lewis does an excellent job of explaining Milton's worldview and how it works in Paradise Lost. His chapters on Primary and Secondary Epics, Miton and St. Augustine, and Hierarchy are EXTREMELY helpful. (Particularly the helpful to American readers is the Hierarchy chapter; we just don't understand what it means to live under and totally submit to a king or emperor.)

I highly recommend this to readers of Lewis or fans of Medieval and Renaissance literature.

Lewis's lectures, though half a century old, speak today with the same clarity, simplicity, and depth of learning as when they were first delivered. His presentation of background information sets the great English epic in its contemporary context--literary, historical, and theological--with a minimum of fuss and footnotes. Some of his negative judgments, such as calling the last two books "an undigested lump of futurity," deserve reconsideration, but on the whole his judgments encourage critical reading rather than bardolatry.

This book was a pleasure to read both before and after reading PARADISE LOST. In fact, one can make a nice trilogy out of PREFACE TO PARADISE LOST, PARADISE LOST, and Lewis's PERELANDRA. Lewis's PREFACE should interest both the general reader and the specialist. Lewis gives a roadmap for working through Milton's epic poem, discussing what an epic is and why Milton chose it, for example, or why Milton used a certain style for writing; he also comments on Milton's theology, medieval hierarchy, and a number of other pertinent subjects with which the reader will probably not be overly familiar. The writing is clear, the discussion lucid and enlightening, and the subjects are interesting. This is certainly worth purchasing.

This book is a summary of the 97-98 Utah Jazz season; and even as a diehard Jazz fan, I didn't know of some of the sticky situations that went on in their season and what a miracle it was that they made the finals. The whole state of Utah (they're all Jazz fans, right?) needs to read this book; along with any other Jazz fan.

I just finished this book and I can't say enough about it. It describes the Jazz's season perfectly! If you get 1 book this year make it this one.

I bought this book recently and I must say that I love it! The author is honest about the team, writing about the good times, bad times and how players react to all kind of distraction. I strongly recommend this book for all the Jazz fans out there. This is a well written book which alows the reader to travel with the team, hear what they have to say and see how they react to reporters for example. Just buy it.

"Africa" is the companion volume to the recent PBS series of the same name, and like the series, is organized into eight parts, each one focusing on a particular geographical region of the continent. In clear, concise language, John Reader gives us the historical and geographical background of each area, the current economic and social structure, and the problems affecting the particular region. The photographs are mind-blowing; they are so gorgeous that they almost dominate the excellent text. The one disappointment, for one who has also seen the PBS series, is that the book doesn't follow the individual stories of people in depth as the PBS production did; however, no one who hasn't seen the TV production will miss it, and it in no way detracts from the overall value of the book. This is one book about the "dark continent" that does the continent, and its people, proud.

This is an excellent book for anyone who might find Reader's earlier book "A Biography of the Continent" too much of a good thing. "Africa" explores many of the same themes and issues, but the information is arranged differently and there are more illustrations; this book is aimed at the educated lay-reader. Still it is an important and outstanding book. Reader is a good writer and his research and grasp of a myriad of disciplines related to his subject is impressive.

The story is told by geography: Savanna, Desert, Rain Forest, Mountains, Sahel, Great Lakes, Coast, Southern Africa. Being a "companion" to the PBS/NGS TV series there is some (but not much) focus on the people who appeared in the television documentaries. Mostly Reader tells the stories behind the story; his history of Africa is as much about the environmental, geographical, and physiological as merely chronological. For example, Reader tells why bananas and plantains are so important in African history; what makes camels so invaluable in the Sahara, how sickle cells and malaria are related, even the advantages and disadvantages of walking upright. Of course there is some in-this-year-such-and-such happened, but that is kept to a minimum. This "Africa" is not only an outstanding introduction to Africa, it should also be of interest to any Africanist.

The photographs by Michael Lewis are good enough to be a book of their own; they combine with Reader's well organized and informative text to make "Africa" an excellent portrait of the continent. Reader's "Biography of the Continent" is also highly recommended.

I gave this book to my niece for Christmas and it was a huge hit, both with her and with my sister. This was no surprise to me as I had to really guilt myself into giving it away instead of keeping it here in our house.... good thing it's readily available, at least for the time being. Next purchase I make from Amazon I'm throwing this in my basket too. :)

The selections of prose complement the puzzle scenes beautifully and give kids a nice overview of both the Alice and Through the Looking Glass books. The puzzles themselves did not succumb to either "Eat Me" or "Drink Me" (i.e. they're not too big, and not too small, but just right). Each piece is color-coded on the back so you don't mix up the different scenes - a very nice touch. Also included are mylar protector sleeves so the puzzles will presumably stay put after being worked and reworked - another nice touch. Overall, the book is extremely well made and something that deserves to be handed down through generations.

This is the only book of its kind I've found, besides the Escher puzzle book which I haven't yet seen except on Amazon. Bravo to the publishers! Please make more!

A perennial favorite from generation to generation returns in a delightful set of 7 jigsaw puzzles housed in attractive and practical book form. Youngsters and adults will derive additional hours of pleasure from Lewis Carroll's enchanting stories as they piece together episodes from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass."

Each puzzle is paired with corresponding texts from these beloved tales. Thus, we rediscover Alice looking longingly down the rabbit hole, participating in the Dodo's race, chatting with the Cheshire-Cat, listening to the Mock Turtle's tale of woe, watching the trial of the Knave of Hearts, even meeting the hilarious White Knight.

Forty-eight piece puzzles seems an appropriate choice as they challenge younger solvers and entertain older children. Perhaps best of all is the discovery that we can put Humpty Dumpty together again!

In this major work of narrative theology, Alan Lewis breaks new ground with his moving and comprehensive exposition of the neglected but vital place of Holy Saturday in the Paschal mystery. Writing passionately but with precision, during his own Holy Saturday experience of temporary remission from terminal cancer, he offers compelling insights into "God's powerful weakness." Prayer, for him, is the "posture of those who foreswear the idolatry of self-reliance and affirm rather the perfection, primacy and power of God." It is only because of God's self-surrender to death, "that those and only those who lose and give themselves away shall find and fulfill themselves." Lewis calls us to a Christocentric catholicity that defies the individualism, nationalism, and group conflicts nurtured by a "secular pluralism." When "power is the expression, not the opposite, of service," the Easter Saturday community will be characterized by "audacious speech as well as suffering silence." Not a book for the faint-hearted, this book, prayerfully pondered, will leave no reader's life unchanged. Lenora Black, OSB

I learned more theology from one course under Dr. Alan Lewis than from over 40 years of church sermons. He taught, as he wrote, from his personal knowledge and understanding of Christianity during the months he was living with painful, incurable cancer. As more fully explained in the last chapter of this book, healing is a gift from God. No one person is more deserving of it than another. Diseases are not God's punishments. They happen. I am renewing and reviewing my Christian beliefs during my personal struggles with my dad's end-stage Parkinson's disease and my young cousin's ovarian cancer.

I hope that amazon.com promotes this book because it deserves reading by all thoughtful Christians.

I have read and directed over eight productions this wonderful drama and each time I have done so it continues to excite and challenge me as a director and as a responsible member of the community . Each of the actors plays multiple roles and all who have participated have conveyed their insights that this particular play presents an important message about drug addiction in our communties as well as a theartical challenge to the actor and their craft. In my interpertation the actor employ movement and multimedia effects to enhance the original script which was performed on stools with the only props being music stands . I have found both methods of presentation effective. The play captures the life and pressures that cause a young man to finnaly loose his life to his addictions. Churches, schools, community goups and ensemble acting companies will find this play one of the best. I cannot reccommend it highly enough. Mr Carlino is a gifted writer and screen dirctor, his film scripts and direction include " The Deer Hunter" , "Class" and " Ressurection " A graduate of NYU school of the Arts all of his works are excellent. In particular another work " Telemachus Clay is a longer and more developed work written in the same style as the Brick and also dealing with a young man's struggles with life situations, again using several actors who must play multiple roles. "The Brick and The Rose" is an icon of one pathology of our modern society. It provides insight and instruction to the causes and tragic results of one of the major ills of our present community both urban and rural . Excellent for teens and adults alike. Highly recommended .

The Brick and the Rose is my favorite play in the world. It is about a teenager who tragically dies of an overdose of drugs. The play is a flashback starting at his funeral and going to the time of his birth and then moving forward from there. It is a deep and moving play, and I love it to death!

This book is an excellent description of the extensive renge of issues dealing with changing the appearance of a patient's smile. The book is clear about its objectives and is very easy for anyone to read and follow.After reading this book, patients can easily decide whether they are candidates for cosmetic dentistry and get a reasonably good idea of the procedures involved. The author has discussed several treatment options for every situation, and he has included self-evaluations for patients to use in making informed decisions. An introductory chapter of relating the smile to the entire face presents a unique perspective. Dr. Goldstein discusses contemporary interdisciplinary approaches in creating different aesthetic effects. The explanations are accompanied by excellent illustrations that demonstrate the changes possible by procedures in modern dentistry and medicine. Often the patient and the doctors are not on the same page as far as the patient's chief complaint is concerned. This may lead to a situation in which the treatment provided may be superior; however, the treatment did not address the patient's chief complaint, leading to the patient's being dissatisfied. This book may provide the critical link to complete the communication circuit between the doctor and the patient. After reading it, patients can have a better understanding of their problems, the steps required to address these problems, and the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure.Further, details of expenses provide the consumer with an idea of the financial commitment involved. In summary, this 324-page hardcover book with 575 high quality illustrations is the most comprehensive and clear presentation of an important self-assessment tool used in cosmetic dentistry. A must-read for patients, students, and clinicians involved with cosmetic dentistry.......reviewed for the Journal of the American Dental Association by Dr. Pramod K. Sinha, Assistant Professor, Univ. of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, April l99

This book lets you analyze your smile and come up with the most practical solutions for whatever smile problem you have. There doesn't seem to be anything left out of the cosmetic problems and solutions to a better smile.....and a more attractive face as well. This is because there are chapters that involve the role of facial plastic surgery, orthognathic(done by the oral surgeon) surgery, and cosmetology. It contains a simple smile analysis in the first chapter and logically helps you understand what your problem or problems are. It is easy to comprehend what your choices are because both the patient photographs and illustrations are so easy to understand. In each treatment summary the author describes not only what the result can look like but more importantly, the maintenance required with each restoration as well as a realistic range of fees and life expectancy. Too often people fail to get what they want mostly because they really don't know what they want,and they don't know how to get it. The best way is to take this book with you to your dentist!!!

If there has ever been a wake up call, this book is the alarm clock. We (black) have got to start taking responsibility for ourselves and our children. We are all parents. There is an old African saying, "It takes a whole village to raise one child." If we want to be called African-Americans, let's get to the real grit of the matter and not just wear the print as a symbol. Dr. Lewis made it when it was easier not to make it and blame others for our lack of achievement! That soup won't mix today. Let us help our children make it by taking a stand. Don't know how to begin? Buy this book; help the cause and it will in return help you to get the back bone to help our children. I am undelining different passages for my grandchildren so they will know what the future is going to be like by studying the past. Haven't you heard, history repeats itself. Experience is the best teacher. Wisdom says let's learn from the experience of others.

Empowerment of a Race doesn't just tell what is wrong, but what can be done to correct the error. It states: "For all people, education is the key to survival and to prosperity. The extended family needs to understand that as a race of people who are attempting to achieve political, economic, and social empowerment for the yet unborn black Americans, they cannot afford to accept handouts or welfare. They must understand that no one is going to do any more for the black community than the black community is willing to do for itself." The book maintains, "When foreigners come to our country with a language barrier and overcome this obstacle and set every type of academic record, the question is why can't we black Americans? We cannot because we are not committed. If we were, we would limit television viewing to two hours a day and restrict it largely to educational news." I enjoyed the book! It is not only filled with historical facts--and not in a boring way--but it tells what can and should be done to move forward. Everyone may not agree with some of his strong statements, but I got the feeling he cares so much about his people...the black race, he wants to shake us and say..."Hey! Wake up. You have time to do something to make the world an even greater place for our children's children. But you have to get up and do something." Dr. Lewis is donating ALL proceeds from this book to the NAACP, SCLC, UNCF, and the URBAN LEAGUE. He's not just talking the talk, but he's walking the talk of which he writes about! Bravo!!!

Everybody has a hero mine is Billy Graham. Finally, a book that does justice to a great man and his message of salvation through the LORD Jesus Christ. Iam a Christian and after I read this book,I learn more about the man that I ever imagine before. I attended his Philadelphia crusade in 1992, but if you want to know the whole story buy this book and listen to his message. You will never regret it.

I was very impressed with this book. This book can be for anyone. If you just want to learn about Billy Graham and his ministry and how it functions and how it has served God then this book is for you. If your in the ministry and want to feel inspired you can learn about how Billy Grahams ministry has chnaged the world that may give you inspiration in your ministry. I recomend this book to anyone really. It's easy to read and understand and covers the material very well. The special CD on Billy Graham is also very nice and inspirational. Every time I read about Billy Graham, I am in awe about him and how faithfull he was and is to God's calling to be a evangelist. This will make a addition to any library.