There is nothing better than a book that cannot be put down. This is funny and touching story about three children dealing with the death of the father they loved. The narrator, a 12 year old boy, struggles with his own grief while he tries to be "the man of the house." He watches his mother and sister become enveloped in their private sadness. Time, with the assistance of a marvelously hysterically depicted group of neighbors ( my favorites being Big Ben and Mr. Grossman), help to ease the pain. I laughed a lot--especially at the part where one neighbor's religion (or lack thereof) is called hooeyism---and cried many times. Steinberg captures the feelings and thoughts of a 12 year old perfectly. I cannot wait to lose another night's sleep with his next book!

Although I purchased this book awhile ago, I just recently got to finish it. Poignant story of a boy's loss of his father and becoming a man. Told with sensitivity and humor, Steinberg invites the reader to share the emotions with his well written prose.
I spent my '60's in the Boston area, but Chicago didn't sound very different, and I enjoyed being taken back to a more innocent and kinder time in our society.
The Widow's Son is one such example.

The Widow's Son is a touchingly, brilliant story as real as most of it's readers will ever find. I'm a member of the "dead-father's club", and Steinberg's depiction of the thoughts, fears, and emotions that are experienced by grieving children is on target every time. I usually breeze through books, but read this one very slowly...deliberately...and carefully. Steinberg reminded me of the feelings I had as a child, and put them into words more beautifully than I could have ever expressed. Anyone who lost thier dad at a too early age needs to read this book. It will make them laugh, it will touch their hearts, and it will make them cry - for the loss of youth that all "dead-father kids" experience.

Writing instructors and conference speakers like to discourage writing wannabes. "You won't get rich, you'll get depressed and lonely, and you need a buddy to talk you off the window ledge."

So I was curious to see how Bruce Holland Rogers would address the psychology of writing. As other reviewers observed, this book is not about how to write or how to market your writing. It's about the day-to-day life of being a writer.
Get up. Go to word processor. Stare at computer awhile.

Rejection. Bad reviews. Writing a novel under deadline pressure. And a whole lot more.

Word Work is a collection of Rogers's columns, so each chapter can be read as a stand-alone. That's a plus and a potential downfall. If you open the book, as I did, to a chapter that's doesn't grab you right away, you may be tempted to toss the whole thing aside. I couldn't get excited about "best time to write." The message seems to be, "Whenever you want."

On the other hand, you can read a chapter at a time, in any order, and feel satisfied.

Which chapters are best? I suspect that will be a personal decison. What made the book work for me were "Death and the day job," "in the affirmative," and "advanced affirmations." That's when I realized Rogers was a thoughtful person who knows how to read self-help without getting suckered. And, like Natalie Goldberg in Thunder and Lightning, Rogers really writes about life, not just the writing life.

In particular, Chapter 1 - Hunters and Farmers - blew me away. I had never heard of this metaphor, which apparently comes from an author of a book on ADD. Writers are primarily hunters -- and so are entrepreneurs.

The chapters aren't light reading. You don't need to underline and read each sentence three times to get the meaning, but you won't always get hooked on the first sentence. And Rogers makes no effort to sell the reader. A chapter "The Foam White Bull" would be more approachable if titled "The Minotaur in the Basement."

I would like to see two major changes if Rogers gets to a second edition. First, Rogers needs an opening chapter, describing his own life, to unify the chapters and give us a context. The author of a daily or weekly column becomes an old friend. We see his name over and over again and sooner or later we read and we get hooked. In a book, however, we need bait. And Word Work is a very personal book, so we need more background about the author..

Second, the cover is off-putting. The design shows the back half of a wine-colored iMac and some stacks of paper. That's not the view most writers have of their own computers. I see the front of my computer, rarely the side view. And the cover artist needs to sacrifice esthetics for readability. The front words sprawl over the artwork and the back cover -- yellow on gray? -- presents a real challenge.

This is the book to give your writer friend for her birthday or his Christmas. As other reviewers have indicated, it's not for the raw beginner who is still busy asking, "What should I write and where do I send what I write?" It's really for someone who's committed to writing and wants to hear from someone who's been there. Writing is lonely and Rogers is a good companion for the journey.

I stopped buying writing books years ago when I had a couple of Xerox boxes filled with Strunk & White, Gardner, Burroway, and just about everyone else. But the back cover blurbs for this book -- by Peter Straub ("The most useful, reliable writer's guide imaginable.") and Jean Auel ("Word Work will likely end up on every writer's desk, or it should.") -- made me look. I opened right to a chapter about what I've always thought would make a pretty interesting book all by itself: things to keep in mind if you're in a relationship with someone who doesn't understand the writing life. (Nora Joyce to James Joyce, "Why don't you write books people can read?")

Word Work looks to be targeted at everyone from beginners to successful professionals. I think it will be most valuable to the writer who's made a commitment to the craft but who hasn't yet rocketed to acclaim and success. Do I quit my day job? (Ch. 11: 'Death and the Day Job') Am I getting usuable feedback from my workshop? (Ch. 16: 'The Hazards of Writing Workshops') Am I crazy to believe I'll ever get published? (Ch. 20: 'That's an Affirmative')

The impediments to writing, to writing well, to publishing, and to making a living at it, are myriad. Rogers touches on more of them than any book I've seen outside of Plimpton's Writer's Chapbook. He presents multiple practical and novel strategies for dealing with the psychological, logistical, and social roadblocks writers face. Of the three writing books I keep handy to help me through the rough times (the Chapbook, Gardner's Art of Fiction, and this book) 'Word Work' is the most useful for the dealing with the greatest number of demons. Simply put, it helps me get more writing done.

Word Work is a book about the writing life-not technique or how to become published. The author playfully describes surviving by becoming a lone wolf or a pack member, assuming the pack is the right one for you. Several chapters are devoted to the tireless subjects of writers and their relationships with friends, spouses and children. Packed with humorous examples and antics the author endured, it creates laugh-out-loud moments.Without forgetting the elements of competitivness, frustration and anticipation about publishing, Rogers suggests that the writer envision success and it will eventually happen. It's often choosing the right topics that make the most impact to the writer which, in turn, will imapct his or her readers.
This heartfelt book provides the writer with plenty of valuable strategies to keep on writing...and writing.

Reading this book made me feel good, like I had just taken a two week vacation in Hawaii. Why is that? You'll have to read it and find out for yourself. Psychiatry is a non-scientific profession that offers no real lasting solutions for problems people or society experience. There is a real reason for the demise of it's so-called popularity, yet government's still continue to use it to punish the population. The book explores how psychiatry grafted itself onto government support, and how it continues to be well connected to media and government sponsorhip and how it has intruded into the educational system and legal system. Anything invaded by psychiatric ideas [mental virus] seems to get worse and have more problems then ever. You'll read some things that I'll bet you didn't know had originated from psychiatry! Life doesn't have to be filled with fear, pain and unhappiness, that is, unless you're a psychiatrist harming people while pretending to 'help' them with unworkable technology . This book is one of the most excellent written and researched studies of psychiatry. It should be required reading for all students, not just those studying to become doctors! Oh yes, it should be required reading for every newly married couple. If you want to increase your chances of a successful marriage and have fewer problems with your children, read this book!

"Psychiatry: The Ultimate Betrayal" examines psychiatry from its beginnings to its current state. It dissects and evaluates the philosophy of psychiatry and the various treatments used by psychiatrists. It gives the actual facts about the results obtained by psychiatry and is a vital reference for anyone considering undergoing any type of psychiatric or psychological treatment.

The book is called "The Ultimate Betrayal" for good reason. As you read you realize that this profession is not just harming under the guise of help, but is destroying minds and lives as a normal part of its activities.

This is probably the best researched book I have ever read. Every fact is backed up with its source. It is well written and riveting but be prepared, Steven King is mild indeed compared to the evil of psychiatry.

I've read all the reviews to this book, and I purchased and have just recently completed reading this book. I already knew much of what psychiatry preaches is not too worth while, but this book has had a profound impression on me. This book has instilled in me to not only question everything related to psychiatry, but to start asking questions over so many other issues in my life. The book opens your mind up to the way things really are in reality, and not what we wish or would like things to be. There is nothing wrong with having high expectations in all our pursuits, but there is such great danger to be vulnerable to influences we have not questioned, examined, or investigated fully. I would think this book could help anyone who wants a quality understanding of mental health. I'm left with the opinion that I am my best mental health advocate, and I am capable of overcoming about anything in my life.

I purchased this particular bible based upon "Power for Living"'s praise for the New Living Translation, and the other reviewer who said I'd be glad I bought it in less than a month. They're both right. I'm sorry to say I had never sat down and read the Bible at any great length until now (at age 51). Now I've read most of the New Testament, and plan to finish the whole Book within a year. The "Daily Walk" introductions for the various pieces are very informative and well done. I think anyone who gets this version will be well-pleased.

A friend recommended this Bible to me. I usually use a NIV Bible and wasn't sure about this translation, but it is wonderful. It is not like the Living Bible where everything is written in more modern terms. It is similar to the NIV only easier to understand.

The Bible is divided so that you read six days and have the seventh day to reflect and/or catch up. Each day's reading begins with a devotion, a synopsis of the reading, things to think about concerning the reading, and suggestions as to how to apply the lessons learned to your everyday life. It is not simply a devotional. It is the complete Bible with thought provoking commentary and simple explanations that anyone can understand. I highly recommend it to anyone...even those who do not desire to read the Bible in a year. It is a great Bible for everyday study and use at church.

This is my 4th year in going thru this Bible. It has been an excellent tool in helping me be consistent in my quiet times.
The notes (Overview, Your Daily Walk, Insights) are wonderful, filled with lots of great illustrations and insights into the Scriptures.
As a Pastor for 25 years it has been a refreshing well of living water. I've personally purchased and have given away over 40 copies to those I've counseled and discipled. I want everyone in our church to start reading it! You can start any time/date!

Not only does this book present Photoshop 5 tools and features, the authors go the extra mile by providing background on topics like: Purchasing the right computer for Photoshop; Terms and Definitions; Setting Up PhotoShop 5; Color Theory; Choosing a Color Space; Tonal Correction; Linear vs Non-Linear Adjustments; and much more...

I have many books on Photoshop, but only two or three I recommend to fellow users or my students. Real World is one of them. Blatner and Fraser don't waste a lot of time with the 90 odd filters in Photoshop. Instead they focus on the tools and techniques the user needs to create the best prints or the best on-line graphics. In a world of also-rans, this book is top notch from start to finish. It's essential for beginners, professionals, and upgraders alike.

Real World Photoshop 5 is the one Photoshop book in my collection that I refer to the most. This is a book for those who want to learn or better understand the theory behind such things as color correction, color essentials and image essentials. The author's discussion of color settings is direct and written in clear, concise language.The chapter on color settings is required reading for making proper use of Photoshop's color capabilities. Real World Photoshop 5 covers basic color and tonal correction in depth. This book deserves a place on every serious Photoshop user's bookshelf. Weather a new or experienced user, Real World Photoshop 5 is a reference text you will refer to over and over again.

I owned the record/lp - still have a taped copy of the songs! Played it again and again. The movie was so "it" when I was 13 - guess I just admitted my age. The book is an enjoyable read and I do think teens would benefit from reading it or seeing the movie. Wish there were more "innocent" movies/books like this out there now adays - maybe our kids would be kinder to one another and more understanding of people's feelings.

I love this book and movie. I still have the movie and watch it at least once a month. It is a wonderful book for all ages. It brings back good memories from my younger years. I recommend this to anyone out there

I saw the movie I think it was a good movie! I am writing because I think it presents the adolence of the teen falling in love for the first time. I enjoyed the movie alot, Now I am looking for the book , but now it is no longer to get. Please bring back the story and the movie I want to see it again, you both did a fantastic Job of making the movie,

There isn't an easier way to learn about instructional design than by picking up a copy of Dr. Bruce's book. This book offers a step-by-step process for designing any training need whether it is business or education oriented. Each task within the design process is broken down and explained with clarity, allowing the reader to view specific examples and nonexamples for each component within this process. I have repeatedly used this book to improve the content and design of material for a distance learning course in behavior analysis. I have also used this book to design activities for business projects and education workshops. I highly recommend this book to those who are new to instructional design as well as to those who wish to improve their current practices.

Instructional Design Made Easy provides an insightful look into instructional design. After careful consideration of the material in this book, I considered using the concepts in an educational setting. A better use of this book would be in a business related setting, in which I have had some experience. The Efficient Design Checklists in each section is a great help in keeping users on track toward their objectives. I particularly like Exercise 2 which helps one to identify measureable results. The Performance Objective Template on page 53 of section 1 really helps translate ideas into action. This book is valuable to those who prefer a step by step approach, yet it is flexible enough to be useful to those who have experience in the fild of instructional design.

Instructional Design Made Easy is a good and useful book. It describes a systematic process for designing instruction and illustrates the steps in the process. In addition, it provides examples of correctly and incorrectly completed steps and checklists for evaluating each step. I recommend it highly for anyone given a training assignment or anyone new to instructional design. It is both readable and sophisticated; experienced instructional designers will find much that is valuable.

I've bought almost a dozen books about Windows NT and TCP/IP for my job and to prepare for the MCSE TCP exam. This book is by far the best of them for overall coverage of TCP/IP in the NT environment. It's not sold as an exam prep book but I found it much more useful for exam prep than the several books I bought that supposedly were for that. Buy this one first. You probably won't need any others.

If I could buy only five books to help me run my network, Windows Nt Tcp/Ip Network Administration would be near the top of that list. (Another would be Minasi's Mastering NT Server 4.) The advice is detailed and practical, the writing is down-to-earth, and it's obvious that the authors are deeply familiar with the protocols and applications they are writing about. I start with this book first when I have a TCP-IP question--even before TechNet, because Hunt and Thompson give you the real skinny, not the "company" answer. Also--and this is rare for technical titles--this book is carefully-edited and a pleasure to read.

I've been a UNIX admin for about ten years. Hunt's crab book has pretty much lived on my desk since it came out. I've got NT boxes sneaking in the back door now and needed to learn the NT TCP environment fast. This book gave me what I needed. It's going to end up living on my desk too.

I guess the truth hurts. She didn't find it funny at all. I, on the other hand, laughed so hard I nearly fell off the couch.

In addition to being EXTREMELY funny, I also found that this book left me with another, rather unexpected feeling: REASSURANCE. Reading his hilarious rants made me realize I'm not alone in facing this completely incomprehensible life form that so strikingly resembles the sweet little girl I've raised for the 12 previous years (but who changed so completely in the last 2).

Read this book. The man knows his subject matter. His description of a daughter's unspoken rules for being dropped at the mall was just TOO accurate - even MY daughter had to grudgingly agree. And his "8 rules" made perfect sense to ME....

A rare combination of truth and humor!

I bought this book for my husband who could use some lightening up when it comes to our teenage daughters. Glancing through it I found myself laughing my head off. I kept setting it down and picking it up, until I finally gave in and read the entire book. Incredibly a funny true to life! I learned more from this book than I do from many parenting materials. If not for Bruce Cameron I would still be wondering why my daughter connects with her dad like a weed whacker connects with a steal pole. To raise a teen you have to have a sense of humor and here is one dad who is an expert in both humor and being an observant father. Very Funny and fun to read for EVERYONE with a daughter over 10 years of age. An absolute must for EVERY Dad!!!

I am neither the mother of a teenage girl or a teenage girl, but I used to be. This is the funniest book I've read in a while. Dave, I mean Bruce hits the nail right on the head. I hope he writes one about raising his son. He sounds like good material all by himself.

Superior route photography and excellent route overlays set this book apart from all the rest. Gauthier's aerial photographs depict recent glacial conditions, and the generous number of photos show many of the routes from a variety of descriptive angles. The route descriptions are excellent and reflect the author's tremendous knowledge and experience all around the mountain. The first half of the book provides a comprehensive text on skills, strategies, and preparation for climbing Mt. Rainier. Anyone unfamiliar with Rainier- whether a novice climber or a seasoned alpinist- will find a wealth of useful information unique to this mountain. Gauthier addresses not only the fundamentals of mountaineering on Rainier, but provides sound advice coming from years of climbing the mountain in all seasons and conditions. Experienced climbers new to Rainier will appreciate the author's insights to safe climbing strategies on the mountain. Many experienced climbers have underestimated Rainier and have become the subject of a surprising number of rescues on the mountain. The author presents sound principles of "mountain sense", as particular to Rainier as anywhere else, that every climber should learn. Whether you're a novice climber aspiring to climb Rainier, a Rainier veteran looking for a new challenge, or a climber of any ability seeking to learn as much as possible about climbing this mountain, this book is a must-have.

For both the aspiring Rainier climber, and the veteran wishing to seek out a new adventure, the first step in a successful climb is to obtain this essential guide book. I found Gauthier's book contained absolutely all the information any climber needs to be successful on a climb of this wonderful mountain, and most importantly be able to come back home to talk about it. Climbers can also be sure that all the information is accurate and up to date due to Gauthier's unique position as the Lead Climbing Ranger for Mt. Rainier National Park. Where I was most impressed with this book however, was with the route descriptions and photographs. As with the rest of the book there is no "fluff" here. The route descriptions cover all the information you need to safely ascend these routes, and have no garbage to wade through to get to it. The clear, easy to follow route pictures set the standard for which I have yet to see an equal (and believe me I have wasted enough money and time looking). I was also relieved to see a guidebook written by someone who truly knows this great mountain, and lives and works on it year-round. Any climber can learn from Gauthier's vast, expansive knowledge and his experience is second to none. All this and it will actually fit in the top flap of your pack! The definitive guide to Mt. Rainier and the only book I will ever recommend.

This is a GREAT book! Incredible photos, excellent route descriptions and comprehensive information make "Mount Rainier: A Climbing Guide" the A-Z directory for your Rainier summit dreams. Gauthier is an expert; his enthusiasm and vast mountain experience are amply shared with the reader. Well organized and easy to follow, the book has 2 sections. The first details everything you want to know when thinking about or planning a Mount Rainier climb; what it takes, how to prepare, what to expect, when to go, where to get current information on permits, weather, route, avalanche conditions, guide services, rescues, and more. The second section is devoted to the 39 climbing routes and variations. These descriptions are easy to read and understand; outstanding photographs with route overlays clearly show the mountain and its climbing routes. All combined "Mount Rainier: A Climbing Guide" is the authoritative book to own when considering any climbing trip on Rainier. You won't be disappointed!