I read the 1994 edition of the book. Cradock's work is essential reading for anyone whose work involves interacting with Chinese officials. Although much of his "experiences" were recollections of China in the 1960s and 1970s and also the negotiations over Hong Kong in the 1980s, many of the author's observations about the Chinese mindset still hold true today. The only drawback of the book is that Cradock tries rather hard to defend his government's management of the Hong Kong issue. Perhaps history will be the best judge on whether the British government had done enough for Hong Kong. All in all, this is a highly readable book which is both enlightening and entertaining.

Gerald Durrell's books, The Fantastic Dinosaur Adventure, and The Fantastic Flying Journey are two of my family's favorite books. Gerald Durrell wrote over 35 books, mainly for adults, about his real life adventures all over the globe collecting animals for zoos, primarily for the zoo he founded, and funded through his books, on the island of Jersey.
Durrell had a life-long love of animals, first described in his book My Family and Other Animals, an autobiographical account of his unusual childhood, growing up on the island of Corfu, where his mother brought Gerald (age 10) and her three older children, at the badgering of the eldest, Lawrence Durrell (author of The Alexandria Quartet), in order to escape the cold, wet weather of England.
The Fantastic Flying Journey and The Fantastic Dinosaur Adventure describe the adventures and mishaps of "Great Uncle Lancelot" and the Dollybutt children, Emma and her twin brothers, Ivan and Conrad. In The Fantastic Flying Journey, they travel around the world, in a self-contained eco-system house, carried by a hot-air balloon, the Belladonna. Great Uncle Lancelot has persuaded Mrs. Dollybutt to let him take her children with him, while he searches for his brother Percival. Percival had invented some special powder which enabled the wearer to speak to, and be understood by, animals. Thus they were able to trace the route followed by Percival. It's a charming tale, relished by young and old.
Our daughter's third grade teacher used the book as part of a year-long project, because it encompassed so many topics.
The Fantastic Dinosaur Adventure is the story of the second journey made by Great Uncle Lancelot and the Dollybutt children, as they travel back in time to the Age (actually there are 3 ages) of the Dinosaurs, to help save the dinosaurs from an evil Dinosaur hunter who has stolen a time machine. Saving animals from hunters and from extinction due to the destruction of their environment was a real-life theme for Durrell. It was/is the purpose for his zoo, and he was the first person to impress upon zoos of the world a need for a calling greater than entertainment, i.e., to teach people about animals and to help save animals from extinction by founding breeding pairs to keep the species alive.
Durrell's warm humor and love of animals permeates his books, which are both entertaining and cleverly educational. The illustrations in both these books heighten the readers' enjoyment.

We have used this book as a basis for our study of around the world and learning about the continents. We would love to find 3 more copies for all teachers. We have not been able to locate these. Can you give an address of where to find them in England? A former student got one for us from a relative who lived in England in less than 4 days. Here in the states we cannot locate any.

Lack of colored pictures. Very informative. Super guide for scuba divers and naturalists as well as shell collectors.

The Poetry of this astounding collection is heart-taking. It captures the moment of the struggles, hopes, and dreams of each poet presenting his work. The arrangement of each work of poetic art and word painting builds in intensity as it slowely, yet enjoyably leads the reader to a climactic conclusion with Coleridge's heart-pounding and breath-taking "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." For poetry fans, it is a must read, and for casaual readers, the joy and plaeasure of reading this colection still shines through.

This book begins with chapters on materials, hardware and adhesives, and tools and techniques. After that, there are plans and step-by-step instructions on making 74 (if I counted correctly) different toys. I found the plans and instructions clear, and easy to follow, and have already made two toys found herein. If you want to make wooden toys for kids, then start here.

Sophisticated, elegant, and luxurous! These are the words that immediately come to mind when I hear the name Lalique. Lalique's glass was commissioned by kings and connoisseurs alike. This book focuses on his designs, and the manufacture of this glorious glass. The photographs feature everything from the very simple, to what is known as "Prestige Pieces." You will be in awe when you go through this book!

In a simple, straightforward style Percy Wollaston relates a memoir of his youth and his family's attempt to wrest a livelihood by dryland farming on Montana's eastern plains in the 1920s & 1930s. Their experience was heartbreaking, but there was nothing pitiful about these resilient people. What a treasure Wollaston left his descendants and all of us who want to hear a first-person account of that era! It's easy to see why the British writer, Jonathan Raban, was so taken with Wollaston's story. Wonderful!

If you are serious about understanding the JFK assassination then you need to get all ten volumes of Bruce Adamson's works on the Dallas assassination. The deep and wide research in Mr. Adamson's volumes allows one to see the inportant people surrounding the mysterious Lee Harvey Oswald. You can learn about someone by knowing a persons friends . These volumes contain valuable info on George DeMohrenschildt== self proclaimed == best friend of Lee Harvey Oswald. Knowing who DeMohrenschildt was helps to understand the important question --Who was Lee Harvey Oswald ? Words to the wise ....get these volumes !

This ICD-O is a must have item for the reference shelf of any and all people employed or interested in the scientific documentation, analysis, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Its head to toe alpha-numeric categorization is logical and easy to follow. The standardization of codes for international use facilitates data sharing and comparison studies in the search for cancer causes and effective cures. I recommend this book for every Cancer Registrar, Medical Records Department, Oncologic Epidemiologist and Medical professional who specializes in oncology and related fields.

Kathy Marineau, RN, CTR, DP Manager