Having been through a year of loss myself, I wanted to retreat back into the days when I was a young girl. So I read a lot of classic books reminding me of those days such as A Secret Garden, Little Women, and Nancy Drew. I picked up Lucy and the Liberty Quilt, as well, and read this book from cover to cover in one sitting.

The intertwining of fantasy, fiction, and faith in this book combined with elements of growing up in today's times is very good. I especially liked how September 11 became a natural part of this book. Published a month after September 11, the fictional retelling of the event made it so real, I was brought back to that day. I congratulate this new author for being the first children's fiction book author to realize how significant and historical it is to incorporate September 11 into a book for children. The inspirational message in this book helped me see how important it is to take positive action and move forward.

I know this book has slowly made its way to classrooms across the U.S. and some readers who have read the book have actually started making their own September 11 memorabilias. I share the sentiment with one of the reviewers here that this book will become a classroom and childhood classic.

It's been almost an year since September 11. So many books have now been written about it. I bought this book since it was the first fiction book written and published about the September 11 tragedy. It captures everything in such detail, bringing me back to those horrible moments. Although I don't really like to dwell in the past, this is one event that I'd like to remember. From such a terrible tragedy came some of the most faith and pride-building works by ordinary people. Lucy and the Liberty Quilt, written and published just a month after September 11 by first-time fiction writer Victoria London, is one of those works.

Not often does a series for girls combine lessons in life, as well as in history and culture so easily! Victoria London weaves a tale about an ordinary girl who becomes extraordinary because of circumstances and who she is. Lots of positive themes for girls growing up today. I also thought Ms. London handled the backdrop of the September 11 tragedy with grace and sensitivity. This book is sure to be a classic - if not for the introduction of the wonderful characters in the Lucy Series for the Gifted Girls, but for it's timeliness and handling of the September 11 tragedy for girls and their parents. Highly recommend this book and the series. Fans of the Gifted Girls Series can also find more stuff on the characters, historical figures, discussion sheets, and even the Gifted Girls "Creed" on the fan site giftedgirls.net.

This was the first of the Knut Hamsun novels that I read, and my favorite. It's a love story like no other, there's a mixture of emotions throughout the novel, which makes it a scarcely unwritten type of love story. The use of words in this novel is excellent. You feel like you really learn when you're done reading this book, which will not take long because it's hard to put down.

Would the the doomed lovers depicted in Victoria be as heart wrenching in a 21st century United States setting as they were in Norway in the 1800's? Would honor,social standing, duty and stubborness still doom Johannes to a life of yearning for the unattainable Victoria? Through the years,as he sublimated his unrequited passion into poetry, Johannes the lowly miller's son became a modest literary celebrity. Meanwhile Victoria's self worth plummeted, the result of promising to marry a wealthy suitor able to provide desperately needed funds necessary to save her father's deteriorating castle and land. Thus, loyalty and duty toward her father drove her to repress her strong attraction to Johannes. The tragedies which resulted perhaps triggered her subsequent illness. In an outpouring of love in the letter to Johannes which she insisted be withheld until her death, she declared the love which she had denied him in life. Was the ending poetic justice for two persons whose adherence to rules outweighed their willingness to "risk it all for love"? In this novel, originally published in 1898, Knut Hamsun has demonstrated that the conflicts and consequences of love and life are universal. I enjoyed every page of this timeless masterpiece.

While one of Hamsun's other novels such as "Mysteries" or "Hunger" might be artistically superior to "Victoria", this novel is a favorite of Hamsun readers because of its lyricism and beauty. I cannot help but think of the passionate but doomed loves of my own life when reading this book, and so perhaps will you. This novel was a favorite of Henry Miller, who has a reputation as a sex-hound but was actually, like Hamsun, an old-fashioned romantic. "Victoria" does not succeed as a complete depiction of love, because the book describes a love that never came to fruition. Readers searching for an epic representation of mature, complex love might find "Victoria" to be too flowery and adolescent in its approach to romance...those looking for the final word on love will be disappointed. Instead, Hamsun's success lies in his capturing for all time the nature of passion and longing, the rawness of emotion and soaring of the heart that many of us, sadly, have forgotten. Anyone who has become numbed over the years by life's events may find that their long-slumbering heart awakens again upon reading this novel. Hailed as a classic in its day, "Victoria" may be even more valuable now in this era of cynicism and hearts that have forgotten the majesty of love.

An excellent book -- the best I've ever read on the subject. As a financial advisor I can't recommend it enough. Most find estate planning confusing. This book is not confusing. It's an easy read. Each simple, short, touching story illustrates a different problem that can arise by not doing good estate planning. It will make you think about your own situation with more clarity than was possible before. This book could be called Chicken Soup For Your Legacy.

This is the first book I have actually seen on estate planning that was actually interesting. The stories and letters are captivating. I found myself drawn into the next one without even knowing it. By the time I had finished the book I felt like I not only learned a fair amount about estate planning, but that I also learned a lot about myself. I found myself thinking about what I really wanted to pass on to my heirs (and not so much thinking about the money). Kudos to these great authors.

Almost all books on estate planning explain how to minimize taxes and avoid probate. Colleen Barney and Victoria Collins take a totally different approach focusing on the emotional aspects of leaving money. Using compelling real life stories and letters, the authors focus on what fairness really means, passing values, wisdom, goals, ideals and life's lessons in a meaningful way, preventing fights after your death, who are the "right" people to choose as trustees and more importantly as guardians, sweating the small stuff like passing personal effects and dealing with the always sticky situation of second marriages. With a great deal of emotion, the authors take a very non-technical, understandable and realistic look at the personal side of estate planning with the goal of ensuring that your best intentions are realized after the estate has been settled.

I only just read this book recently after seeing the movie. I found the movie good, but had the feeling there were a lot of holes and unanswered questions. So I started to search the internet for information on Sam Alden, coming up with absolutely nothing, until I finally found a book of the same name by a Victoria POOLE. Realizing it must be the same person, but that they'd changed the name in the movie, I clicked on it and read the reviews. I immediately ordered the book, and was totally wrapped up in it. Sam's strength and courage is an inspiration to me, as I'm sure it was and will be to a lot of people. When Sam says the stronger the pain gets, the more you learn to handle it, you just adjust, it makes me feel that I can take anything coming to me, if I just think of these words. I had cancer 4 years ago, and I'm glad I got through it. I agree with Sam, there's a lot one can take if one has to.
I was really sad when I read the reviews and found out that Sam had eventually died. I don't know when it happened, how long he survived after the transplant, but I want the Poole family to know that he won my heart in retrospect and that, in inspiring all of us to just deal with things and live, he will always live on.

I remember picking up a paperback version of Thursday's Child in the Portland Jetport while on a layover from a business trip in 1981. And I remember being overwhelmed by the story and by the love, strength and dedication of the Poole family. Mostly, I remember being in awe of Sam's courage. Victoria Poole made us laugh with her sometimes wry observations, she touched all of our hearts and she communicated a powerful message about the importance of family. Actually, her writing made us feel as if we were right there with the family, whether at the "Sunday picnics" or in the waiting room at Stanford University Medical Center. I still have that faded, tattered paperback and I must admit I re read it occasionally - usually when I need to be reminded that my daily problems are miniscule compared to what Sam and his family faced. And, yes, I think all of our hearts broke a little when we heard that Sam died. He was a hero for all of us and it would have been grand to see him remain at the top of the glass mountain forever. I have often thought of writng Mrs. Poole to tell her the impact her story had on how I view life and its challenges. For now, however, I will simply say a public thank you to "Aunt Vic" and the rest of the Poole family for sharing their lives with us.

Sam Poole was my uncle. I never got to meet him because he died before I was born. However, from what I know of him he was a great person. I have heard stories and I feel like I know him through the rest of my family. Thursday's Child tells a remarkable story that is really a page turner. It hit home for me because it was written by my grandmother and talked about all the members of my family. My grandmother doesn't talk about writing the book all that much but I have read it and I know about it from my other family members. I recommend this book to anyone, it tells a story of any normal family and one incident that changes their whole lives.

I purchased this book in March of 2002 and began my "diet" in April. I was obese to say the least. I have since lost a total of 60 pounds and overall 22 inches (13 from my hips and waist alone)I am sure that my personal motivation has had a lot to do with my success and I now have more energy than I have had in years. I am now able to wear a pair of jeans that I purchased my senior year of high school (I know... why would you save them?) which was 15 years and 2 children ago. I am absolutely NEVER hungry and actually crave drinking water now. (which I used to gag just at the thought of drinking) I have promoted this book to EVERYONE I know and even laugh about the fact that it was published so long ago, but still applies and is so useful.

My additional motivation is that I have gone from a size 22W pants to a comfortable 12 and often a 10. I run /walk 3 - 6 miles each day with my son, something I would not have been able to do 6 months ago and this also gives us some special time together.

I will say that this is obsessive, and my family hates to eat with me. Everytime we cook or eat together I do a lot of "do you know how much fat that has" or "I can't believe you ate sausages for breakfast!"

If you are even thinking of buying this book ... DO IT... RIGHT NOW!

I love this book! This is the only "diet" I have ever followed and I am still my high school weight at 45 years old. I first ordered the paperback from the back of the Special K cereal box at least ten years ago and have completely worn out the book. I've just ordered a hardcover edition hoping it will last into my old age. If you're new to this book, keep in mind the fat comes off slowly - replaced by muscle. It's not an overnight diet - but a forever body change. Give yourself a couple of months to really see the difference. Also, you won't be hungry. The only thing I do differently from the book is to have two starches at lunch and one at dinner; this seems to work better for me. Also, I've found that water-packed tuna with BBQ sauce for flavor really sticks with you. Have fun and be creative!

I first saw this diet in " Ladies Home Journal" back in 1989ish.
It had a page size color chart to figure your fat index, which the paperback book lacks.

I used this diet back in 1992 and lost 48 pounds. However, during the holidays over the years, the weight crept back.

Now my wife and I are both on this diet and in the first two weeks, I have lost:

14 pounds

2 inches in the hips

3 inches in the waist

1 1/2 inches across the breast

My wife keeps her weight secret, even after 14 years of marriage, but she has lost 4 inches in the waist, 3 inches in the hips, and 2 inches across the breasts, in our first two weeks. HINT: Buy a scale with a memory!
I would say the diet still works. In addition, I don't feel any hunger pangs between meals.

The exercise is important, but drinking 64 oz of water each day is more important, to wash out those fatty acids that accumulate from burning your stored up fat. DON'T WAIT until you are thirsty, start with water before the first cup of coffee.

There is no mention of increasing your water intake after drinking caffeinated drinks, that in hot weather would leave you dehydrated. The typical rule is to drink 2 times the amount of water for each amount of caffienated diet soda. Apparently, the fluid intake and outgo with 64 ounces of any liquid is enough to flush the system.

Our sample supper meal for one person:

Fruit: 4 oz high pulp Orange juice

1 Vege: 2 cups salad mix with 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar dressing

Protein; 1 Vege; 2 starch & 1/2 dairy:
2 yellow no fat tortillos
1/2 can no fat refried beans
1/2 can diced tomatoes with green chillies
grated cheese on top

Heated in microwave 2 1/2 minutes. Magnifique!

I whole heartedly recommend this diet. DON"T FORGET to exercise at least 30 minutes every other day. Walk, spade your garden, put up stuff upstairs or like I'm doing this morning...unloading 20 sacks of humas, 40 pounds each, which I found last night @ 49 cents each.

I first discovered this book whilst searching for novels to serial-read to my class (I am a primary school teacher.) Having seen the original 'Parent Trap' and read 'Emil' as a boy, I felt Lottie and Lisa would be good to try. With one exception (a class containing mostly angry, macho boys), all my classes have enjoyed it, even loved it. Most children have seen the Parent Trap (sadly, most never saw the Hayley Mills version), and they are intrigued by the comparison in plots and characterisation. The reference to Shirley Temple and the double standards of American censorship at the time leave them puzzled, as does the excitement at the prospect that, when the busload of new girls arrives at the holiday home, 'one of them might have a ball (to play with'). Explaining to them that this book was written shortly after WW2 when toys were in short supply in Germany, helps them understand.

WARNING: Any teacher reading this to a class of 8-12 year olds, be ready - Chapter 9 is an emotional minefield: I've noticed my voice getting shaky towards the end of it. Just letting you know.

I read this book as a ten-year old and it stuck with me for what has been the next seventeen years. Warm, wonderful, very charming. The ORIGINAL, BEST and should have been the ONLY version of the Parent Trap. I wish I had known that this book would be largely forgotten, I would have held on to my copy to share with my own kids.

I've read this book in Elementary School. I used to have a copy of it. It somehow got misplaced. Since of the moving I have done. I've also tried looking at libraries to find it. I haven't found it at a library. I believe this book belongs on the Children's Classice Literature. It really deserves that recognition. Disney made three sequel to the orginal one. Also the remake. Since, the Original Film is a classic so should the book!

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is about a bear, a squirrel, an eagle and a little girl fighting to protect a forest from the rumblers.I would recommed it to any one who likes adventure.

Tribe of Star Bear Victoria Mihalyi Let your imagination soar with the novel Tribe of Star Bear. Victoria Mihalyi's first book is an unforgettable reading experience. In the beginning, Tribe of Star Bear is set in a calm forest, where the birds sing their songs. The atmosphere changes to fear and desperation however as the plot unfolds.

Mihalyi's characters are funny and touching. The forest-folk live much as humans do; they even have a community council. The deer dislike mess and disorder and consider it their job to clean up the left-over peach pits, corn husks and nut-shells left behind by the party-going wild raccoons. Almedon is a wise golden eagle. Bohadea is a kind bear who wishes to make anyone ill well. Ollidollinderi (known as Olli) is a funny squirrel who rides on Amber, a lost little girl who wants to be a part of the tribe. As the Warriors of the Rainbow they must stop the Rumblers from destroying the forest. The novel is based on a Hopi Indian legend, which warns that people will have to band together and work with actions, not words to save the earth. The Rumblers, large mean animals, gorge the forest and leave only black wasteland behind. There is no time for anything. The forest folk unite under the title Tribe of Star Bear and try to defeat the Rumblers. They must leave their homes immediately to get advice and use an old bear Song as their guide.

They start out on their search for Istarna, where they will receive advice and magical talismans. Star Bears great-granddaughter is so old her fur is white. I loved the part where the tribe entered Istarna's cave. The author described the gems and diamonds in the cave so clearly I could picture it perfectly in my mind. Istarna gives them advice and magical talismans to help them with their fight. Pudd Wudd Princeling, the witty cat that they meet just before finding Istarna also gives them advice (in the form of tricky riddles). They meet Pudd Wudd while looking for Istarna ."Don't ignore half moon door" and "At a howl in the night, strike with red light" were just two of his many riddles. The enigmas puzzled them and me for awhile.

I found this a great book to read because I can easily relate to the characters love for the forest. I could see the paths leading to each animal's home, the tall old trees, the smell of the morning dew's dampness, and all the deep rich natural colors. The animals love their forest home where they have lived in peace. In my mind's eye I thought of the Rumblers as big heartless machines. I also enjoyed trying to figure out the cat's riddles and how the tribe would defeat the Rumblers. I found this book very imaginative and magical with its flying bears, talking animals and talismans. It left me sad over the loss of some friends but glad that the Tribe defeated the Rumblers.

This book will capture any reader's mind has left me thinking about it since I finished it. Any child or adult would love this book. As the cat would say " Rum tum tum diddle, no time fiddle"- get reading

Tribe of Star Bear Victoria Mihalyi Let your imagination soar with the novel Tribe of Star Bear. Victoria Mihalyi's first book is an unforgettable reading experience. In the beginning, Tribe of Star Bear is set in a calm forest, where the birds sing their songs. The atmosphere changes to fear and desperation however as the plot unfolds. Mihalyi's characters are funny and touching. The forest-folk live much as humans do; they even have a community council. The deer dislike mess and disorder and consider it their job to clean up the left-over peach pits, corn husks and nut-shells left behind by the party-going wild raccoons. Almedon is a wise golden eagle. Bohadea is a kind bear who wishes to make anyone ill well. Ollidollinderi (known as Olli) is a funny squirrel who rides on Amber, a lost little girl who wants to be a part of the tribe. As the Warriors of the Rainbow they must stop the Rumblers from destroying the forest. The novel is based on a Hopi Indian legend, which warns that people will have to band together and work with actions, not words to save the earth. The Rumblers, large mean animals, gorge the forest and leave only black wasteland behind. There is no time for anything. The forest folk unite under the title Tribe of Star Bear and try to defeat the Rumblers. They must leave their homes immediately to get advice and use an old bear Song as their guide. They start out on their search for Istarna, where they will receive advice and magical talismans. Star Bears great-granddaughter is so old her fur is white. I loved the part where the tribe entered Istarna's cave. The author described the gems and diamonds in the cave so clearly I could picture it perfectly in my mind. Istarna gives them advice and magical talismans to help them with their fight. Pudd Wudd Princeling, the witty cat that they meet just before finding Istarna also gives them advice (in the form of tricky riddles). They meet Pudd Wudd while looking for Istarna ."Don't ignore half moon door" and "At a howl in the night, strike with red light" were just two of his many riddles. The enigmas puzzled them and me for awhile. I found this a great book to read because I can easily relate to the characters love for the forest. I could see the paths leading to each animal's home, the tall old trees, the smell of the morning dew's dampness, and all the deep rich natural colors. The animals love their forest home where they have lived in peace. In my mind's eye I thought of the Rumblers as big heartless machines. I also enjoyed trying to figure out the cat's riddles and how the tribe would defeat the Rumblers. I found this book very imaginative and magical with its flying bears, talking animals and talismans. It left me sad over the loss of some friends but glad that the Tribe defeated the Rumblers. This book will capture any reader's mind has left me thinking about it since I finished it. Any child or adult would love this book. As the cat would say " Rum tum tum diddle, no time fiddle"- get reading!

The experiences and explanations provided are primarily devoted to total hip replacement. Interesting combination of viewpoints - orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist and patient - makes book more helpful to those facing the daunting prospect of a total hip replacement. Helps somewhat to decrease anxiety about the surgery and recovery. Information is generally accurate.

When I first picked up this book I thought that its utility would be limited to "living with arthritis" but my hip arthritis progressed quickly and within two years I was planning for total hip replacement. Ron Allen's perpective has helped buoy my spirits and has helped me find the determination to make it through what will be a tough few months.

I'm 43 and was pretty surprised and scared when I was told I needed hip replacement surgery- although I was in a lot of pain and having difficulty walking. This book goes through, step by step, making the decision to have surgery and what takes place during and after. I've read several books, but this is easy to read and from the patients perspective.

This is indeed a terrific guidebook for B.C. Previous editions, however, included Banff and Jasper National Parks, which admittedly are in Alberta, not B.C., but are usually included in Canadian Rockies travel itineraries. There's no excuse including Yoho (which is just over the border) but not Banff and Jasper, except to sell more books. So this is not an improvement.

I know of no better book to my home province of British Columbia than this Moon guide. On my travels as a semi-retired geologist, I also carry copies of the Lonely Planet and Frommer's book and have reviewed both of them and others at Amazon.com, but Moon Handbooks British Columbia stands alone for its usefulness. The other books have their good points, but this one encapsulates everything one needs to enjoy the wonders of the province, whether it's their first trip or they live here. It covers every single corner of BC and is thorough and up to date.

The Moon guide is cleverly written and arranged to appeal to all budgets. The bulk of the text relates to towns and parks of BC, with informative coverage of everything from museums to fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing. Each section ends with details of the best places to stay and recommendations for dining. If you're camping out or RVing I'd suggest also getting a campground guide, but the Moon book suggests at least one campground in each town, each of which the author has obviously visited. Motels are also detailed, and over previous editions I'm yet to find fault with the author's choices. Ditto for bed and breakfasts and restaurants.

In my opinion, thois is definitely the best allround guidebook for British Columbia

I've used Moon Handbooks for years and they are simply the best! I have the Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Alberta, and now the British Columbia book, and I've never been disappointed. These books include the usual stuff, such as lodging, restaurants, and recreation, but they also include local history and cultural information that makes them far superior to most guides. Buy a Moon Handbook that covers the state you live in--you will be surprised at how much you can learn. If you're going traveling, they are indispensable.

The title really doesn't do the scope of this book justice. I picked up this book because I was having some problems with a novel in progress. Then I read it and just sighed....clear insight into the writing process, the good, and useless, habits we form and their impact on our productivity. The book addresses a wide spectrum, such as: "Beginner's Block", Procrastination, Perfectionism, Obsessive Rewriting, and Success. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, this book should be part of your toolbox. It will get you writing....happily.

After publishing my first book, I thought the next one would be easier. That was definitely not the case but after reading "On Writer's Block," I am slowly making my way back to the writing table. This book helped take a whole new look at how I approach writing. I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to be a part of any creative process. Thank you Victoria Nelson for writing this book. It is wonderfully inspiring.

When I read in the preface of "On Writer's Block" that it was based on the tenets of humanistic psychology so popular in the mid-80's, I groaned. Not another book telling me to get in touch with my inner child! Well, it may be a case of "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear," but this book helped bring me out of a seven-year struggle with wanting desperately to write, but not being able to.

The key is not to take the "inner child" notion too literally, but to look on it as a metaphor that can help bridge the gap between the subconscious (the realm of myth and dreams) and the conscious (the rational world, whose demands and vagaries we seek to illuminate). If you are constantly barking orders at your inner self, as I have for years, treating it as a recalcitrant subordinate who is going to be in big trouble if he doesn't get with the program, then there's no wonder the poor kid cringes in the corner and refuses to come out. Victoria Nelson urges us to think about creativity as a form of play, a release of emotions, truths, and insights that is unmediated by analysis or judgment.

I've run across the notion of creativity as play before, in Julia Cameron's "Artist Way" and "Vein of Gold," but have successfully resisted the beneficial effects of Cameron's rituals for years. (Nevertheless I recommend these books very highly--they may have helped set the stage for my breakthrough here.) Nelson's approach is different. Each short chapter is like the soft voice of an old friend, cutting right to the heart of things and giving you the hard truths you need to hear. If any of the chapter titles in this book ring the slightest bell for you--if, in fact, you are interested enough in this topic to be reading this review--then you owe it to yourself to take a look at this book.