The selection of essays covers both classic and contemporary philosophy.

This would be an ideal choice for the "Average Jo" who wants to contribute to philosophy conversations.

While reading, you might find yourself having more confidence in some beliefs and re-thinking other beliefs.

"Philosophy... It separates humans from animals." - The Wise Old Owl.

This book is state of the art and easily understood. The 18 orignal essays make sophisticated philosophy understandable.

This book takes difficult concepts and makes them relevant for both college students and lay persons. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges it presented to my belief system and the growth I have experienced because of it. I strongly recommend it.

As one who wishes to know more about the "nuts and bolts" of jazz, I always insist on reveling in the research conducted by these, the finest jazz authorities on the planet. Unlike the contributions of Ken Burns and others of his genre, this is the real stuff written by the real guys. Very Highly Recomended!!

AN EXCITING AND COLORFUL BOOK WITH SUPERB EXPLAINATIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MANY TYPES OF PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES. I FOUND IT MOST ENLIGHTINING AS A NOVICE TO THIS AREA OF ART. IT NOT ONLY TEACHES THE MANY FORMS OF PRINTMAKING, BUT IT IS AN EXCELLENT GUIDE TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF WORKS UNDER THE TITLE OF "PRINTS" WHEN FACED WITH A JURORED EXHIBITION. ONLY POSSIBLE WEAKNESS I FOUND WAS A LACK OF A GLOSSARY OF TERMS SUCH AS"CHINE COLLE",BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN ENTERING THE FIELD OF PRINTMAKING.

It is wonderful that Sara gathers the ingredients for her seaweed soup and makes it all by herself. Her independent spirit makes her a valuable character for children to read about and to know in Famous Seaweed Soup. For parents and children looking for characters who find they can make such joy for themselves Malinda Martha and her Skipping Stones(also available on amazon.com) is a worthy addition. In learning to skip a pocketful of stones, Malinda Martha discovers the joy inside that she can make for herself. I want Sara and Malinda Martha both in my children's library.

Starting in 1976, Edward Said has argued that Western scholars of the Middle East are continuing "an unbroken tradition in European thought of profound hostility, even hatred, toward Islam," and he singles out Bernard Lewis as their de facto leader. Strangely, when Lewis in turn argued in favor of the Orientalist tradition - that unique effort by members of one civilization to understand the outside world in depth - his colleagues with near-unanimity abandoned him. Still, the battle is not entirely over. While Lewis himself retired from the fray, his highly talented ex-student, Martin Kramer continues the not-entirely-lonely effort to defend several centuries of Western scholarship on the Middle East.

In The Jewish Discovery of Islam, Kramer takes as his starting point several comments by Lewis about the important role of Jews in developing nineteenth-century European attitudes toward the Middle East and Islam, then asks: Did Jews actually made a distinct contribution to the Western discovery of Islam? His reply - and that of his nine contributing authors - is a resounding yes. He and they argue that nineteenth-century Jews found in the Muslim world a model directly relevant to their current situation. Looking about for arguments to bolster their case to join the mainstream of European life, they pointed to Islamic civilization at its height as to show the benefits of integrating Jewry. This in turn meant they had to prove that Baghdad and Cordoba represented peaks of human achievement.

These "pro-Islamic Jews" routed the opposition and their empathetic, sympathetic approach rules the roost today. Kramer's book has many implications: By showing that the main Orientalist tradition derived far more from sympathetic Jewish approach than from the hostile Christian one, it devastates Said's grand theory of Orientalism. It establishes that recent Western attitudes to the outside world - such as the Third-Worldism of the 1960s and the multiculturalism of today - owe their existence in good part to the success of the pro-Islamic Jews' long-ago efforts of humanize Islam. Muslims eventually also picked up on the romantic Jewish myths about Islam and made these a standard part of their own self-image. Finally, Muslims now living in the West owe much to the Jewish scholars who laid the groundwork for their finding an at least partially hospitable reception.

Middle East Quarterly, December 1999

"Bears are curiously appealing to man. We like to think of them as wise, friendly, gentle animals, perhaps like grown-up teddy bears. Scientist who have studied them tell another story." Pg. 9

There is hardly anything that will turn me to a piece of melted butter like kittens and bear cubs. I am absolutely captivated when nature shows reveal the cuteness of baby animal life.

Little rolly-polly bears soon grow up into strong and destructive forces which don't enjoy being caged or tethered and can become bored and aggressive. So, cats it will have to be for me. Bears also have uncertain tempers while cats are mostly always friendly.

The following topics each have two pages: The bears and their relations, Giant cave bears, Eurasian brown bears, Siberian brown bears, Grizzly bears, Kodiak bears, Polar bears, Wanderers of the North, Family Life, American black bears, Asian black bears, Sloth bears, Sun bears, Spectacled bears, Giant pandas, Bears and man, Bears at risk and Saving the bears.

Each bear is pictured in its own environment and is given two pages with full-color illustrations.

Fact File - On the left upper corner of the page, shows order, family, Latin name, color, length, height, weight and range.

Interesting Fact - is next on the left hand section below fact file.

In the center of the page, a picture of the bear and information on the actual bear being discussed.

Bear Watching Around The World - a section introducing subjects like:

How bears began, How bears became scarce, Where can we see grizzly bears, Behavior: how bears live together and Bears and Early humans.

Well until I can have a bear as a pet, I'll just stick to sleeping with a teddy bear. ~:>

An Introduction to Bears.

This book on sharks is very cool. It almost has all you wanted to know on sharks. Norman Barrett did not make a mistake on writeing this book.

I bought this book for a 6th grader who is in love with cats. Before I wraped it I read through it. This book is a wonderful read for all generations. I certainly learned more then I ever knew about cats. The pictures are stunning and Beautiful and sure to keep cat lovers of all kinds entertained. I would recomend this book for anyone 6th grade and older.

This is a very cute story that was a huge hit with my 5 yearold. It is very well told and I will definitely buy more books by BillMartin in the future. it also has a very nice moral, and it isn't preachy at all.

However, I do have to say it is the ugliest childrens book cover I have ever seen- you can barely read the title because it's on shiny reflective paper. The scan really doesn't do it justice.

This whimsical charmer hearkens back to the Golden Age of children's books. The story is simple yet involving with a barnyard-full of engaging characters.

The book really shines in its beautifully-drawn illustrations that recall the best of 40's and 50's picturebooks. Boldly composed double-page spreads, they're elaborate and humorous and delighted my daughter.

This is an unusually well crafted tale and should be snapped up.

CHICKEN CHUCK is truly a delightful story to read to the special children in your life. The illustrations are spectacular, fulled with explosive colors that capture a child's imagionation.Reading this story book to your child is a gift in itself.. Too see the excitement on their faces, as each page is turned, is such a pleasure for Parents and Grandparents to share with the greatest joys of their lives.. "children & grandchildren" Thanks to the Author & Illustrator for a fantastic & charming book. Recommended Highly. I even enjoyed it and I am no spring CHICKEN!

As a lover of photography, I've never gone wrong with this book. Whether you're a beginner who wants to learn the basics, or a serious shutterbug who's in need of the occasional reference, this one has to be in your Library. Best of all, "The Joy of Photography" is not a book that demands to be understood on its own terms. It's as thorough, informative and technically detailed as you need it to be, or light enough to jump around to get whatever you want from it. However you may want to use this book, it's a valuable resource.

The J of P has great referencing for beginner's, intermediates, or those who take shooting casually and need to brush up occasionally. The comprehensive index makes it easy to find information on a technical topic, or matter of technique. Simple explanations, examples, and common-sense tips will help your pictures mean more to you. This will also help you "see what you saw and felt when you took that shot." One can learn from the endless pointers on techniques, equipment, methods, and manual settings for the best results, as well as some philosophical insights into what different types of photography is intended to bring about.

There is good referencing and historical notes on photography as well. Where did the photography term "candid" come from? Erich Salomon, an early photojournalist, who so enthusiastically wanted to capture the true and natural human condition, he hid his cameras in hollowed-out books. The authors note quite correctly, that keeping a low-profile, shooting frequently and rapidly, brings the best chances of getting a successful candid--because very few shots actually will capture those moments that typify everyday life.

Some photo history tid-bits mention for example, that in 1878 Eadweard Muybridge won a famous bet. He wanted to prove that all four of a trotting horse's hooves are off the ground at one time. His picture proved him right.

Some photographers' works and their techniques explained in the the J of P include: Annie Leibovitz, Joyce Tenneson, and one of my favorites for unique shots of natural wonder and travel photography, Galen Rowell. The chronology of photojournalism, pioneered by Dorothea Lange, is also covered.

The authors note that as you take more pictures of what feels good and right to you, you will start to develop your own unique style that is yours. It's a style that you and others will be able to recognize. Photos, are a part of you: your likes, perceptions, and beliefs about what is worth immortalizing. This takes place on a subconscious level as well as a cognizant one. You can't always quantify it; that's the beauty of it.

Digital is steadily making it's way to dominate photography. But still, For the 35 mm this book contains hundreds of tips, techniques and practical advice, expressed plainly, that will make all the difference in your photos. From the serious minded to the casual shooter, to someone who pops off their point and shoot. We all wants the photos to represent what we felt when you snapped the shot.

I have advanced beyond this book, but it was a very integral part in my learning of photography. It is a great resource to use while learning the basics, to be able to question how to shoot a particular subject and so forth. Also deals with the basics of film, camera, lens etc. although I find it quite outdated (as this has progressed so rapidly over the years).