You should read my grandpa's book. He's the best pool builder in the world.

This book saved me trouble and money. I'm glad I bought it and have recommended it to all my friends.

This is more of a consumer guide for people considering buying a pool. Mr.Garcia explains all the details one must consider before making an investment in a pool. The book is very informative.

I'm honest and I am fussy and I am very medical. This is an awesome book that will save you money and worries. This gives you multiple , common, realistic probabilities as to what is wrong , what to look for, when to DEFINITELY call the vet etc.
Short and to the point, it is in my "dog bible trio"--books I will not do without!!Vet on Call is also VERY good, by the same publishers-Rodale.

This book is terrific!! It can help ANYONE even those of us who are medical alraedy. I find that while I may have medical knowledge, I do not always see the common sense solution.This book gives one that invaluable info and it is worth it's weight in gold!

Very easy to read and understand. I totally agree with the other 5 star ratings!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Vets from all over the country tell you helpful things to do etc.

This book shows How suffering can bring you closer to God. It is the story of ten people who experience tragedies in their lives,and how they made through with the help of Gods grace. Some of the people knew God before their experiences and they turned to God for strength, others didn't but came to know God through their suffering. This is a powerful book that will touch your heart.

This book is riveting and pierces right to one's heart. In this collection of 10 true stories, written by the very people who suffered severe heartache of one kind or another, everyone should be able to find a situation they can relate to. And they can be greatly helped in finding God in all things, including pain and suffering. It's a long, difficult road from the time a heartache or trauma occurs until our spirits heal. This book would be a great help in sustaining and "walking with" anyone who is making such a journey. I can't recommend it highly enough!

In the wake of September 11, 2001 and the recent sniper shootings, this book offers an answer to the question of why God allows suffering.

The 10 real life stories contained in the book do not make for easy reading. I guarantee that they will have you in tears.

They include:

- The story of Janet Moylan who lost her husband and 10-year-old daughter to a freak drowning accident.

- Debbie Harding, a former cheerleader for the New England Patriots that survived breast cancer and her marriage to a drug addict.

- Peggy Stoks, who was molested by her grandfather.

- Mike and Kathie Clarey, parents whose 11-year-old daughter was murdered while on her newspaper route.

- Grace MacKinnon, who faced and overcame her congenital disability.

- Thomas Howard, a teacher and author that suffered from disabling migraines.

- Dr. Kim Hardey, who suffered the death of his 9-year-old son.

- Debbie, a mother that has suffered eight miscarriages.

- Joan Ulicny, whose life was dramatically altered by an accident with a semi-truck.

- Carl Cleveland, a New Orleans lawyer that faced 10 years in prison for unfounded legal charges.

Even more compelling than the stories, however, are how each individual responds to the cross that they were given. Their responses of healing and hope show how good can come of evil.

"Christ had to suffer and die," says co-editor Jeff Cavins. "Salvation isn't just about Jesus' dying: otherwise he could have been sacrificed as a baby. Suffering - even Christ's own suffering - was part of the Father's plan, and we are called to cooperate with that plan."

Most readers of the book will realize how good their lives currently are. Not only does the book offer insight into suffering, but it prepares readers for potential future suffering, and helps them to know how to respond to others that are suffering.

I wholeheartedly recommend this first book in the Amazing Grace series - a kind of Catholic "Chicken Soup for the Soul". It's unlike anything I've ever seen or read before.

Terrific stories. Of course, I may like them more because I try to look at my own dreams for the odd concrete element like the tooth that the priest kept or the car lighter that glowed and brought the family together. Matthew Iribarne knows about the quirky sacramentals that are always revealing us to ourselves. I hope that he keeps writing and helping us cope with the ephemeral relationships of everyday life.

Take a look around the new fiction section at any bookstore these days and you'll see there's a welcome boon in short story collections. And this wonderful book by Matt Iribarne is sure proof that this trend consists of fine, exquisitely written material. I dare you to pick up this collection, read "Make Me Laugh"-a funny, sad and wise tale about a disgraced priest-and not wish you had a couple of hours to wade through all of this smart and witty new writer's stories. This is the kind of book that reminds you of all the greats-Tobias Wolff, Ron Carlsen, Charles Baxter-and offers fantastic nuggets of originality that suggests the beginning of a long and fruitful career for Mr. Iribarne. Don't miss this one.

Recently, I had the pleasure of not only hearing the author read from his debut collection, but talking to him about craft. "I want to hover over these characters," he said, over a pint at the Newtonville Times here in Newton, Massachusetts. He does just that -- observantly, unobtrusively -- and in Astronauts & Other Stories, winds up sending back to earth some radiant, revealing photographs. I'll dispense with the synopses, and say only that the characters are human, the stories inventive, and the tone clear, lyrical, and almost Zen-like throughout. Don't be misled by the author's tenderness. It's genuine, but not without its acknowledgement of sorrow, despair and hurtful behavior. Matthew Iribarne picks up where another of my favorites -- Andre Dubus --left off just a few years ago. Both seems to enjoy a celestial perspective on us. A joy to recommend.

Bryan

I read The Attic to my third grade class and they really enjoyed it. A very sweet and touching story about a young boy who discovers his family history and rediscovers his Christmas spirit. Very enjoyable for adults and children.

I purchased The Attic this past Christmas as a gift for my son. He was fascinated by the story as we read it aloud over his holiday break from school. The charming story captured not only my sons interest - but mine as well. I was surprised to find that The Attic was a delight for my 11 year old son, my 8 year old daughter, my wife and myself. This work is a perfect fit for youth who are too old for childrens stories - but too young for adult fiction - and it is a joy to read aloud to your whole family. I would absolutely reccommend this book for holiday enjoyment!

This endearing story really captures the sense of wonder and discovery that exist in the hearts of children and adults at Christmas time. It is so exciting to read along as the main character discovers his great-grandfathers journal and reveals the "truth" of Santa Claus. The book is written in the language of a twelve year old boy who is not sure he still believes - but has held onto the belief for the benefit of his two younger sisters. As he affirms his belief through the exciting North Pole expedition of his great grandfather - so does the reader! The Attic has everything an endearing story should have - readability, adventure, suspense, love of family, and discovery. This is a great story for the whole family!

It's pretty good if you would like to solve a mystery, and at the same time learn. It does need something more, besides Abby's pet pumpkin...just a little something more twistier!

This book is so good. Kristy,Mary Anne, Stacey,Mallory and Abby are going to Salem or a school trip. They don't expect to be involved in one of the most thrilling mysteries ever. Find out what I mean by reading it!

This book is an excelent example of Ann Martin's writing abilities. The plot catches your attention right away, and you feel as if you're there. You begin to sympathize with the so-called sixth grader "witch" and sit on on the edge of your seat because of Abby's bad luck. While reading, the author unearths suspects whom may have stolen the Witche's Eye, but there's no way to tell intill the end because of the plot's interesting aspects on the suspects. All fans of Ann Martin should definately read this fantastic view of the mystery in Salem. And if you've never read a book by Ann Martin, this is definately a great place to start!!!

In reaction to a blizzard that hits Stoneybrook, Connecticut, the seven BSC members--with the guidance of Kristy Thomas--decide to write about their separate blizzard experiences in a group article for 'The Stoneybrook News.' "Snowbound" is the result of that.

During the blizzard, everyone gets stranded someplace overnight--Jessi Ramsey at her ballet school; Mallory Pike and Mary Anne Spier at Mal's house, while baby-sitting the Pike kids; Stacey McGill and her mother in their car alongside a deserted road; Kristy Thomas and her boyfriend, Bart, at her house; Claudia Kishi at the Perkinses' (her baby-sitting clients); and Dawn Schafer and her mother at the airport. While most of them are without power and the use of phones, they're relatively safe compared to Stacey, who is stranded in a car with no heat and gas--and no possible way of getting help if her diabetes gets out of hand.

What I liked the most about "Snowbound"--as well as every other Super Special--is that the point of view changes with each new chapter. Plus the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter are a nice touch.

This is a great Super Special addition to the Baby-sitters Club series. BSC fans should like this one, particularly 8 to 12-year-old readers who like snow adventures set during the winter holidays. If you've already read and enjoyed "Snowbound," then you'll probably like "Super Special #3: Baby-sitters' Winter Vacation" as well.

I used to love BSC books, I had them all, read them constantly. I finally outgrew them and decided to sell them. I collected them all and got ready to take them to the dealership, but I saw "Snowbound". This one was always my favorite and I couldn't part with it. It was the only one I have kept all this time. I'm 15 now, and I still pull out "Snowbound" every now and then, curl up in bed and have a good read.

Snowbound! was one of the best BSC super specials. Unlike some, like #13 and #15, this book is pretty realistic. I recommend you read this, you won't regret it!

In just a short 76 pages Hans-Jurgen Martin touches on all aspects of Zebra husbandry. The information goes somewhat beyond beginners' interest and includes an excellent introduction to genetics. The quality of photos in the book are excellent,I only wish these nice photos where dedicated to more photos of the various varieties of Zebras instead of nests and types of seed. I find it to be a valuable quick reference source and it sparks further interest in the care and breeding of Zebras. I would highly recommend it to anyone who keeps Zebra Finches. Kathy Dezern

I have purchased this book for my Business Fobex South Africa cc (Fish or Bird exports )and after reading and studing the whole book I had more then success with all the information I gained from all the wonderful topics. This book is a must for those who want to have a deeper knowledge of the Zebra Finch. e-mail fobex@iafrica.com " and remember that any Barron Books of the Pet Owners Manual is always a good buy "

This book has given me all the information I needed to help in raising my finches. I enjoy it and refer to it everyday.

Our lab used this book for a study group on effective scientific writing. We are located in Korea, so with the exception of the instructor and I, all participants were not native speakers of English. As a result, this review is from the viewpoint of foreign students. It is based on chapter reviews written by the members of our lab after finishing the book.

The book is just what it claims to be, a step-by-step approach to writing a scientific manuscript intended for publication. The first chapter helpfully furnishes a checklist (Table 1.3) for preparing a research paper. The chapter is actually a summary of the rest of the book so a reader already in the process of writing can easily find which chapter they wish to skip to via Table 1.3.

In the subsequent chapters, the authors provide good advice accompanied by helpful tables, examples and exercises, although the figure chapter could have used more tips on actually preparing the figures. Examples of poorly prepared and corrected figures would be a useful study aid. One student suggested that the second chapter on computer use was not particularly informative for graduate-level students. Regarding the chapter on grammar (chapter 6), another student pointed out that in some scientific articles, ungrammatical sentences are not corrected in order to effectively deliver the point.

The overall use of informal expressions and phrases seemed intended to make the text livelier for English-speaking students, but was confusing for several participants with English as a second language. We would like to suggest that the authors take their own advice and refrain from using slang and jargon. Several of us liked Appendix 2 and thought it was a good read for those unfamiliar with the practice of journal editors.

Apparently the authors had intended to attract those who had not already submitted a manuscript to read their book, but Successful Scientific Writing contains many helpful pointers for published scientists and journal editors, as well.

it is unfortunate the authors did not review the most recent scientific style and format conventions of the council of biology editors(accepted internationally) that were published in 1994. had they done so, they would not have made a number of the errors that show up scattered about in the text. i use parts of this text , especially the exercises, in a course i teach on scientific writing and have to make the corrections as we go along

Words can hardly express the beauty and cleverness of "Successful Scientific Writing" by Matthews, Bowen and Matthews as a step-by-step guide on how to write scientific reports for publication in English. I am using this book for a course that I teach on scientific writing at the Postgraduate School of Health Sciences at Aarhus University in Denmark, and I find it to be perfect! Before this book was published, there was none that dealt so well and so entertainingly with so many aspects of what it actually takes to prepare a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal. Many young (and old) scientists are good thinkers, but they are often poor writers! Thus, although they may have been able to design and carry out an experiment, they often lack the ability to express what they have done clearly and concisely. This book is for them! The first few chapters provide mainly words of encouragement for getting the writing process underway. There are also remarkable bits of advice, such as the notion of avoiding certan snacks that could derail ones momentum. In my view, the crux of the book appears in chapters 5, 6 and 7 in which extraordinarily lucid and practical instructions and exercises are presented for improving one's ability to write scientifically. There are also tips on how to optimize word-processing so that the manuscript submitted to the editor of a journal is most likely to be accepted for publication. Perhaps some old-timers in Science can do without this book, but they should nevertheless have a copy of it on hand for their students.