This book saved mee from a serious depression. Great advice for dealing with emotional issues as well as medical ones. I recommended this book to everyone in my support group. They loved it too. I also gave it to a friend who had a different chronic illness, and he got a lot out of it. You will too.
It's life-affirming.

This is a great book. It's easy to read and is written so that anyone can understand it. As I was recently diagnosed with Hep C I wanted to learn more about the disease. I learned so much from this book. Great for anyone with the disease or knows someone that has it.

I've read a bunch of books on hep C. This one is certainly the most compassionate and uplifting. It also covers the widest range of topics and is the most helpful all around. It's written by two women who have hep C themselves. They talk about relationships, sex and self-image, as well as medical topics. I felt they really understood what I'd gone through and what I'm still going through. The book is called "an essential guide for the newly diagnosed," but it's really for everyone with hep C. I got diagnosed with hep C about 4 years ago. The shock subsides, but the fear and confusion don't go away. I've met so many other people who are desperately seeking information. I'm glad this book is out there. It's a great reference book too. I've checked out some of the websites in the back & looked into some of the herbs they discuss. Highly recommended!

"Glory Road," the second volume in Bruce Catton's celebrated history of the Army of the Potomac, covers the critical months between the autumn of 1862 following the Battle of Antietam and the Confederacy's high water mark at the Battle of Gettysburg the following summer. In between the story of the army is marked by the bloody massacre at Fredericksburg, the aimless marching up and down the banks of the Rappahannock in the mud, and the catastrophic confusion of Chancellorsville before heading north to meet Lee's invasion in the hills of southern Pennsylvania. During this period the Army is commanded in turn by three generals--Burnside, Hooker and Meade--but Catton's exciting war narrative is more about the enlisted men, the volunteers and bounty men, who had to fight these engagements.

Catton's source material for this 1952 book is drawn primarily from dozens of Regimental Histories (the Third Indiana Calvary, the 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers, the 8th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, etc.) as well as Soldiers' Reminiscences to go along with autobiographies, biographical studies, memoirs, and military histories. The result is an attention to the human details. Within these pages you meet: the New York businessman who as a soldier wrote the mournful bugle call "Taps"; Clement Vallandigham, the Copperhead candidate for Ohio governor; Annie Etheridge. the army laundress who brought hot coffee and hardtack to the men on the front lines; John C. Robinson, who had the well deserved reputation as the hairiest officer in the entire army; Private Patrick Maloney, who captured a Confederate general with his bare hands.

"Glory Road" is divided into six sections: (1) "Deep River" tells the story of the insane advance up Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg; (2) "All Played Out" covers the dark days following that disaster at the Army's bitter mud marches and winter encampment; (3) "Revival" depicts the new hope that fueled the army when Hooker was appointed; (4) "On the Other Side of the River" relates Lee's strategic masterpiece at Chancellorsville; (5) "Lincoln Comin' Wid His Chariot" sets the stage, politically as well as militarily for the final turning point of the war; and (6) "End and Beginning" details not only the three days of battle at Gettysburg, but offers an absolutely lyrical conclusion to the book as the President attends the dedication ceremony for the national cemetery and begins to speak from two little sheets of paper in his hand. It is perhaps Catton's finest section, with an understated elegance that makes it clear that as a writer Catton owes as much to Homer as he does Herodotus. This is history that aspires to, and achieves the level of, literature. Catton might have received the Pulitzer prize for the final volume in his history of the Army of the Potomac, but "Glory Road" is the high water mark of the trilogy.

This is the second volume of Bruce Catton's Civil War trilogy. I've read the last "A Stillness at Appomattox," his Pulitzer-Prize winning final installment to the series. Like "Stillness," "Glory Road" is a masterpiece of history and writing.

Catton has the rare ability, similar to Shelby Foote and Barbara Tuchman, to write well researched history as prose. While thoroughly covering the trials of the Army of the Potomac in its middle period (post McClellan, pre-Grant), he paints an excellent human picture of those who guided and fought the battles. Liberal use of diary and contemporary accounts from field officers and privates portrays a gritty depiction of army life and battle conditions. He also is very adept at finding the color that bring characters such as Burnside, Hooker, Meade and a host of others to life.

The history is plentiful and solid. The stories of this transitional period for the Army of the Potomic are well told. Fredricksburg, a folly of planning and execution, tested the mettle of the army. Chancellorsville revealed its ability to act decisively (although the inability of Hooker to keep going set it up for spectacular defeat) as a well organized offensive war machine. Gettysburg gave it what it craved for two years -- an important victory over the Confederate forces.

The battles are well explained from both a strategic point as well as in execution. The evolving organization and professionalization of the army is well told. In this period (and primarily as a result of Hooker's reforms), cavalry was made an effective service, logistics were brought up to snuff, moral was given its proper weight in the care of the army. Many of these non-battlefield stories had great impact on the eventual success of this army and Catton does them justice.

Bruce Catton has here an excellent history that is also a wonderfully told story. Both the casual and involved Civil War fan will find much to enjoy in "The Glory Road."

This book by Bruce Catton follows Volume 1 in his famous Civil War Trilogy covering the Army of the Potomac. In this well written text, Catton covers the footsteps of the army dealing with the loss at Fredericksburg, following Burnside, then Hooker, Chancellorsville and then finally Gettysburg. Catton isn't truly descriptive of the battles and quickly covers the basics, though Catton loves to present the politics involving Union leadership and basically the war itself. While covering the end of 1862 and a majority of 1863, Catton's coverage brings the readers insight to popular sentiment, northern industrialization, the struggles facing the Lincoln administration, the perils of war and much more. Catton never dwells too long a subject and keeps things moving while bringing a bit of humor to uncommon situations or oddities of the war. Catton's books are never boring and either is this one. This is must read for any fan of the Civil War!

Kritzerland is author Bruce Kimmel's follow-up semi-autobiographical novel to the equal endearing Benjamin Kritzer. Kimmel easy going writing style makes both books an enjoyable reading.

The film obsessed hero who believes his parents are really from Mars is really a coming of age story set in the late 50's of Los Angeles when everything was more innocent. Who cannot relate to Benjamin Kritzer not only becoming a teenager, but becoming a man all in the same year as Kritzer celebrates his Bar Mitzvah.

Bruce Kimmel weaves a magical spell with this novel and you savor each comedic moment and I could not help relate to the adolescent Kritzer as I experienced many of the similar of adventures although I lived in Montreal of the 60's and 70's (Where Benjamin's Susan from the first novel moved to.) and never sold magazines to Corinne Calvet.

Kimmel reminds me of Mordecai Richler who wrote about growing up Jewish in Montreal both authors have written novels with elegance and comedic wit that make you want to read them more than once.

Once again, Bruce Kimmel has created a wonderful sequel to the story of Benjamin Kritzer. Kritzerland continues to take us through the life and times of a young boy growing up in Los Angeles in the 1950's. As in the first novel, Bruce has an amazing way of bringing every sentence to life. Both Kritzerland and Benjamin Kritzer will take no time to read, because you just can't put them down. I finished this book in 1 day (I have read it 3 times already). And, of course, I am anxiously awaiting the sequel to this novel! Again, another gem from Bruce Kimmel - a MUST read!!

Having read "Benjamin Kritzer", Bruce Kimmel's first book, there was little doubt that there would be a desire to read more about the life and times of Benjamin. Kritzerland is again, a poignant story about a boy coming of age in the 50s and the trials and tribulations that are associated with that transition. With memorable new characters and a feast of fun from the old ones painted against the backdrop of 1950s LA, Bruce Kimmel has again captured days of yesteryear. Bruce also manages to take Benjamin in new directions without ever compromising the heart and soul of what endeared us to him in the first place.

With this amazingly strong second helping of Kritzer, and the cliffhanger ending, one is already anxious for Kimmel's third endeavor!

Written in an unpretentious style, this book would appeal to anyone who is interested in the martial arts, and has a lot to say even to those who aren't. Glen Doyle's engaging personality brightens up every page and keeps the book lively. He is obviously someone who lives the talk and walks the walk. I found it fascinating even though I'm not a martial artist. Almost every page has quotes that will linger in my mind and which I can apply to my every day life. I would definitely recommend this book.

Sifu Doyle writes from the body, the mind and the spirit, and shares the depth of his experience in practical, down-to-earth terms. His book is like a new-found friend and a long-time buddy rolled into one - a welcome traveling companion on the journey of life. With clear examples and accessible language, Sifu Doyle elucidates the power and dissipates the myths of the inner world of martial arts. The chapters on Choosing a Style and a School contain sound advice for beginners. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Training, Cross-training, and the Street.

Sifu Doyle's book is a valuable resource for everyone because his style encourages the reader to look into themselves for answers and encompasses concepts that are universal to any ongoing process - training, running a business, running a household, any art or craft. As an acupuncturist and a martial artist, I wholeheartedly look forward to referring many people to "The Martial Artist's Way" in the years to come.

Having been a karate instructor for 10 years, I found the book incredibly informative; Sifu Doyle trancends the traditional martial art style barriers. This book provides the reader with fundamental knowledge and insight necessary for any would-be martial artist. Even an accomplished martial artist would find this book quite informative and enlightening, as it does not address the mechanics of any specific style, but rather the individual fighter as a whole. I particularily enjoyed the chapters on Competition, Psychological Make-Up and Cross-Training. I also appreciated Sifu Doyle's easy writing style which clearly explained the topic of discussion. Whereas most writers would preach about their style, Sifu Doyle takes an indepth look at you, the martial artist and pushes you to examine the things that make you tick.

If you have ever considered studying the martial arts, this book is for you. If you are an accomplished martial artist, you can learn that extra 15% that could push you to the top.

I've purchased two copies of this book for family members with OCD, and it has helped immensely. It gave me a much clearer understanding of the mind of the OCD sufferer, and helped my loved ones actively participate in their recovery. Highly recommended.

This is the best book on OCD I have read - not as a health professional but as a sufferer. It is clear and practical and the information is presented in a tight and clear way. I would thoroughly recommend this book.

As I am a person who has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and also a facilitator of a support group for the illness for seven years, I am so pleased to have a wonderful, new resource. THE OCD WORKBOOK:Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Dr. Bruce M. Hyman PhD. and Cherry Pedrick R.N. is the first book written about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that I have ever read that provides information in five key areas consolidated into one text. The five areas include:

1. AN INVALUABLE, DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE ILLNESS. This information includes an extensive definition of the illness and its symptoms. As is found throughout all of the book, the language is in laymen's terms so that all can learn from the information. 2. PERSONAL TESTIMONIALS. These are placed in various parts of the book to help sufferers and their loved ones better relate to the illness. 3. EXPLANATION OF TREATMENT OPTIONS. There is a very exptensive discussion of various treatment options and how they work. Once again, this is written in a language everyone can understand. 4. EXERCISES TO ASSIST IN TREATMENT. This is probably the most important and unique aspect of the book. As the name of the book suggests, this is a WORKBOOK that offers the reader the opportunity to stop and examine his or her personal situation. By actually writing answers to these exercises, a unique insight into how a person can tackle OCD or how a loved one can be helped is offered. Journalizing is often important in treatment and this book helps a person to do this in an orderly and non-intimidating manner. 5.IDEAS ON HOW TO HANDLE RELAPSES. Unfortunatley, those who are successful with treatment may very well have relapses. It is important to know that this is not a "weakness" or a situation in which a person is not "trying hard enough to get better". It is invaluable for those who have OCD to know that they are not alone even in the face of relapses. I do not remember a book that has handled the topic of relapses in such a positive way; not as a failure, but as a fact of life. The book offers many ways to help a sufferer and his or her family through these times.

In addition to these five areas, the book is very well laid out in an easy-to-read fashion. It is, as I said previously, thorough in its discussion of all facets of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and also related disorders.

We are using THE OCD WORKBOOK:Your Guide to Breaking Free From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as a tool in our support group meetings. By exploring the book as a group, together, the members are beginning to be more open, more informed about the illness, better able to have new coping skills and are more "bonded" as a group.

I highly recommend THE OCD WORKBOOK:Your Guide to Breaking Free From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to anyone who has OCD, cares about someone who does, or just wants to learn more about the illness. I thank Dr. Hyman and Ms. Pedrick for bring this workbook to us.

Janis D. McClure, Founder and President The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation of Jacksonville, Inc.

W. Bruce Lincoln does the best job I've seen so far of covering the ENTIRE Romanov history and that of her mother Russia. From rise to fall no writer could have imagined a greater plot. It was once said "to understand the present you must look to the past". To understand modern day Russia I suggest you look to this book.

Mr. Lincolm, unlike Robert Massie who wrote "Peter the Great," left me with the clear impression that he understood the source material he had at hand, and was able to verify through corroboration every thing he said. Some of the more incredible stories, or speculative rumors are left out. This does not make his work any less enjoyable, but it does lend Mr. Lincoln's work a feeling of solid thoroughness in its research--something that is lacking in Massie's book. If a story was left out, I felt quite confident that Mr. Lincoln knew of the story, but could not corroborate it to his satisfaction.

This book is very thorough and incredible in its vast sweep. But it is broken apart into major periods. Each period is further broken down into topics, such as political history, economic history, social history, and so on. This format makes the book quite useful as a reference as well as enjoyable to read. This is the best book on the story of the Romanov family in the English language to date. And I can see this book firmly establishing itself as a timeless classic, alongside Shelby Foote's "Civil War," or Gibbons, "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

This is a great history of the Romanov dynasty that teeters between biography and the novel. In some places, it is literally a page-turner. It's not as analytical as some historical texts, but Lincoln provides more than enough information to allow the reader to make his/her own decisions. Every detail is perfectly groomed for presentation, and few stones are left unturned. This book is accessible (ie, those with little background in Russian history will find it intriguing and highly readable) and informative. The only complaint I have is that, occassionaly, it jumps around in time in peculiar ways (but this is not something that really causes one to get lost or confused).

This is a beautiful little book which captures perfectly a moment of music history.

Springsteen's 78 tour is widely regarded as one of the seminal moments of his career. Coming of the back of Born to Run, the settled courtcase with his ex-managers and the Darkness album, Springsteen undertook a triumphant tour accross America, playing 1,000 to 5,000 seater concert halls.

This tour was a pure celebration of rock n'roll and Lynn Goldsmith's unrivalled access (she was Bruce's girlfriend at the time) allowed her to record it for posterity.

The concert shots capture the excitement of the shows perfectly, the sweat pouring off the performers, Bruce's mock collapse, the interaction with the audience. I've seen bootleg videos and heard many tapes from the tour but I have to say that Lynn Goldsmith's book captures the excitment of being in the crowd at one of those concerts better than any medium I have seen.

But this is more than a collection of superb concert photos, it also captures the quieter moments backstage both pre and post show (including the infamous Bruce shower shot!) Shots of the band eating breakfast, Bruce writing etc.

This book is pricey but will definately appeal to all Bruce fans and admirers of outstanding photojournalism.

There is no question that Lynn Goldsmith does what professional portrait photographers do: capture on film the essence of the person. A very difficult objective that only a few do well. Her book "Photodiaries" documents her portrait work with popular musical artists from the seventies to the nineties and places her work alongside that of Annie Liebowitz in creating the memorable images of our popular music culture. What wonderful fate that she also happened to be the girlfriend of Bruce Springsteen during the 1978 Darkness on the Edge of Town tour. This was an important time for those who beleive that Springsteen writes and performs music that describes a truth in our individual lives and our communities. In 1978, he had not yet "conquered the world". Unlike the years that followed, the audience was not expecting a phenomenal performance, so the concerts were a shock to most. Bruce and the E Street Band were hungry to prove it all night, every night. "All Areas Access" captures the incredible energy of the stage peformance and the reaction of the lucky audiences. My favorite image is of Clarence, Bruce, Gary and Little Steven all in the air and there is no doubt that they are bringing a rocker home one-tenth of a second later. Then the book goes farther. It captures the quiet moments of an artist creating, looking for inspiration, crafting a song, spending a moment with a friend, and of the artist completed exhausted from a peformance. If the music of Bruce Springsteen speaks to you, then this book will illuminate a special time in the life of the artist, the music, and quite possibly yourself.

Lynn Goldsmith's Springsteen Access All Areas is a photodiary of his 1978 Darkness On The Edge Of Town tour. The photos are all in black and white and they perfectly capture the spirit of Bruce Springsteen. Ms. Goldsmith was Mr. Springsteen's girlfriend at the time and she uses that cache to give us glimpses of the man and his band that other photographers may never have been able to get. For those of you old enough to remember or even attend a show at the tour, this book will bring you back to that time and for those of us who were too young to know, it provides us with a look at an artist establishing himself as an icon.

Bruce Cotter's experience, both personal, as a recovering alcoholic and as a practioner in the field of intervention and recovery come alive in these pages. His work is the most comprehensive and hopeful that I have seen in my twenty-five years in the field as an addiction counselor.

"Bruce Cotter's experience, both personal and as a practicioner
in the field of intervention and recovery come alive in these
pages. His work is the most comprehensive and hopeful that I
have seen in my 25 years in the field."

"Bruce Cotter's experience, both personal and as a practicioner
in the field of intervention and recovery come alive in these
pages. His work is the most comprehensive and hopeful that I
have seen in my 25 years in the field."

I have all four books in the My Teacher Is An Alien series, and all of them are great, but this climactic conclusion to the series is the most deep, touching, and downright SCARY of the series. In it, the aliens take down the three kids on an expedition to Earth to check out what should be done about the planet, which is the only planet EVER to be smart enough to achieve space travel, but dumb enough to have wars. Some of the places where they go chilled me to the bone, learning more about the evils of human nature.

In short, this is not the book to read if you're looking for a nice, cheerful book. In fact, it shouldn't be read at all without first reading the first three books in the series, which start out much simpler, and eventually build up to this one. However, it's still a great book, it's just that you'll be halfway through it and you'll say out loud "Geez, the human race sucks!"

This the climactic, heart-wrenching, chilling story in the "My teacher is an Alien" series is the most biting one. An unfogiving suspenseful look on how life is, and how the human race can be downright inhumane with eachother. This book gives you the downright truthful message to "Wake up" and do something. The minutes count down to the fate of Earth, as three earth students Peter thompson, Susan Simmons and Duncan Dougal are brought in to speak for their planet... to keep it from destruction. The Aliens point out the Earth's self destructing ways, so why not destroy it? Read the book and find out... the Spine tingling, cataclysmic, enjoyable and extremely intelligent final part to the series.. trust me read the three predecessors (My teacher is an alien/ My teacher fried my brains/ My teacher glows in the dark.) before this one. A book that does not treat its' readers as fools. It is all worth it. I recommend to everyone! -Alex M.

This eye-opening book is a great grand finale for the "MyTeacher Is An Alien" series. Three teens are intrusted with amission that could litteraly be the differance between life and death for the planet Earth. Somehow they must find a way to convince thousands of aliens not to blow up the Earth. They take you into the depths of the human heart trying to find hope for the human race. But what they find is both heart-wrenching and unbelievable but saddly real. This book will open your heart to the truths of this world that many try to deny. But don't take my word for it. Read it and see how you feel when you've finished.

I thought this book was cool as in it showed a whole nother side to the joker and it showed how Harley Quinn met the joker and fell in love with him. I loved it alot. Another book I recommend is Batman: Gotham Adventures. That was a very good book as well. If you like the Joker alot than I recommend Batman: The Killing Joke. I do not recommend Batman: The Killing Joke for readers under the age of 14.

The work that Paul Dini and Bruce Timm have done with the Batman -- a dramatric retro 1930s/1940s animation style -- works at top form, especially in this tale ... the origins of Harley Quinn, the Joker's twisted love/accomplice. While the character had hardly been heard of in the mainstream of Bat culture, she's one sick puppy and well worth the reading investiment. MAD LOVE shows her gradual descent into villainy by the workings of the Joker ... and I won't reveal any more for fear of spoiling the brilliance of the work.

If you haven't seen the excellent Batman cartoon episode "Mad Love," then this is the next best thing. It is amazingly close to actually watching the episode. The drawing is perfect, the dialogue is dead on and it's just an overall excellent story. Even someone who is not a comic book fan owes it to themselves to buy this book if they are even a marginal Batman cartoon fan. This is the kind of book and story that makes you realize that the cartoon is truly for people of all ages. I HIGHLY recommend this book, as you can probably tell.