This best describes the condition of my copy of Karen Taylor's book. Karen Taylor is clearly a talented, knowledgeable artist and a gifted author. I have found her book to be an extremely valuable source of information on all facets of forensic art. I found it to be fascinating reading my first time through it, and it has a permanent place within arm's reach on my desk.

As a seasoned investigator, I entered the forensic art field with a limited understanding of its depth or its potential. As I read this book, I gained a thorough understanding of the history, applications and the importance of this important field of forensic science. "Forensic Art and Illustration" has been an excellent companion to the training I have received, and continues to fuel my enthusiasm for this profession.

Karen Taylor's book "Forensic Art and Illustration" is a wonderful distillate of many years of experience as a forensic artist. The style is very engaging and easy to read and understand. At no time does the reader feel patronized. There is also no pretention on the part of the author. Much of the wisdom and advice proffered is genuinely "take it leave it" with no insistence that this is the only way forward, merely this is how the author has found methods that have been successful. The book is not a scientific treatise but more a history of forensic art in Karen Taylor's hands. It is profusely illustrated using real casework and not mocked up with highly synthetic examples. In addition to being a wonderful primer in "how to do it", the book is enjoyable and interesting to read even for the lay reader. I regret that more books couldn't be written this way and I suspect that the very simple and straightforward approach conveyed in "Forensic Art and Illustration" only comes from those who feel the masters(or mistresses) of their field of expertise. I consider this book an essential part of every forensic anthropologist's and odontologist's library.

Anyone who is involved with forensic art at any level MUST read this book. For years forensic artists have operated without an "industry standard", often doing this important work with no direction at all. Karen Taylor has written a thorough and very informative text that will help every forensic artist regardless of experience. Whether the artist does only composite sketches or is involved in every aspect from age-progression drawing to post-mortem drawing to two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional facial reconstruction, this book is required reading.

"Fully updated in the 2002 Edition, Electronic Publishing: The Definitive Guide is a wealth of information for authors who are hesitant to venture into electronic publishing, giving them an in-depth look into this growing industry. Wiesner begins with a definition of electronic publishing
and then focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of -epublishers, pointing out the differences between subsidy and royalty-paying e-publishers. Various myths about electronic publishing are explained in addition to the benefits of the e-publishing industry versus traditional print publishing. An outstanding chapter on the various e-publishers and interviews conducted with them literally saves a new author days of searching the Internet for epublishers to submit manuscripts to. Her impressive table outlining the various e-publisher services is an excellent example of the time and effort that went into creating this publication. A potpourri of additional resources for e-book promotion includes examples of a press release and press kit for a newly published e-book. E-published authors share some creative ideas for ebook promotion varying from ingenious tips on how to utilize the Free Gallery of Author's Voices, where to apply for awards, teaching on-line workshops, free book excerpts, and even emery boards imprinted with the ebook's title and ISBN were used to promote their e-books. A comprehensive list of e-book publishing and promotional resources round off this outstanding guide making one of the best I have come across. Overall, Electronic Publishing: The Definitive Guide lives up to my expectations and I highly recommend it to all e-book authors, whether they have been e-published yet or not. Wiesner's growing knowledge of the e-publishing industry and her meticulous research in producing this e-book definitely shows and the quality shines throughout. In fact, I am so impressed with this resource that I have given it the eBooks N' Bytes Award of Excellence for the ePublishing Book of the Year."

"The best defense to arm yourself with is knowledge, says Karen Wiesner in her extensive guide to the world of e-publishing. And arm the reader she does in this updated and revised reference
volume, which focuses on nonsubsidy electronic publishing. Much of the book is devoted to a detailed directory of e-publishers. Each listing not only provides such facts as royalty percentages, contract terms, formats and services provided, but also furnishes background information on the publisher's development. A romance writer whose novels have been nominated for several e-book awards, Wiesner draws upon her own expertise and research, as well as the insights of other authors who have experience in this medium. Those hungry for even more information on any of the thought-provoking topics covered can look to the main Web site references Wiesner provides. The author's confidence in the merits of electronic publishing is evident in the text and she backs her opinions with data from a variety of resources. A self-proclaimed former skeptic of e-publishing, Wiesner now sees this medium as a writer's dream come true because of the limitless possibilities it provides. Even authors whose only interest in e-publishing is its effect on the fate of paperbound books and their historic home-the library-may at least find Wiesner's chapter on that topic interesting reading. She also gives a timeline history of books, from 2000 B.C. to the present, that provides perspective on the origins and future of the book. "Traditional books and their publishers will always be with us, but the bottom line is that electronic books and the publishers are also making a place for themselves," Wiesner tells us. "Within the next few years, it's more than likely that e-books will dramatically change the publishing industry as we know it." Wiesner isn't the only one who thinks so. The author refers to the Association of American Publishers, which predicts that by 2005, 28 million people will use electronic devices to do their reading. "So, grab your hat and hold on while you consider the realities," she says, "...and then thrill to the possibilities!"
--The Writer Magazine

"There are some books that you devour at one sitting. There are others that become dog-eared through your constant attentions. Well, if it was not an e-book, Electronic Publishing, The Definitive Guide would certainly deserve to be well thumbed... I thought this was a first-rate resource, whether for the writer just thinking about taking the plunge into e-publishing or the first time e-author. Ms. Wiesner covers everything you need to know, in a very simple, straightforward manner. The writing is crisp and the information...well, let's just say there is a lot of it and all of it useful... If you're an author considering e-publishing, or even if you've signed your first contract-buy this book, it belongs in your library with along with your dictionary and your style manual."
--Carole Nomarhas for The Goblin Muse

I thought this book was a wonderful book. It showed a family that struggled through hard times but pulled together. They could always count on each other for love and support. It was great to read about how they drew upon their faith to get them through the hard times. It was inspiring to read about Karen's triumph over her handicap. I would like to find out what happened to the family. I have read through these reviews that Marie and Jimmy were divorced and that Marie probably died from lung cancer in the 1980's. If anyone has further information or knows where to look, please e-mail me.

If you need to be uplifted, this is the book to read. My sister and I both read the book over 20 years ago while we were still teenagers...the lesson's within were not foremost in our minds though. Then along came Adam....my sisters son...who was born with C.P. All the lesson's came rushing back. The books were pulled from the attic and reread. My sister would love to know what became of Karen ( and the rest of the family) as she feels a kindredness to them. If anyone has information that would help my sister find out more about Karen , please feel free to contact me . In the meantime, please, recommend this book to anyone who feels despair and needs inspiration.

I first discovered Karen in the abreviated Readers Digest series when I was probably around nine or ten years old. I obtained the books Karen and With Love from Karen shortly after and I have probably read and reread these two books at least once a year since then. They are the books which have had the most influence on me out of all of the books that I've read over the years. I can't begin to express how much Karen and her family have ment to me, giving me insight into the lives and experiences of the handicapped in a way that I would never otherwise have had. But more then that, their family life, and their religious beliefs and their joy of living and each other has been a great example of how life should be led. I too have wondered constantly how Karen and her family are doing and would love to have an update since the time of "With Love from Karen". I would like to hear from anyone who could let me know. And if by some chance a member of the Killilea family or extended family should read this then know that I send my love and best wishes to them and many thanks for the pleasure that Marie's stories about their family have given to me and continue to give me. God Bless. Love Judy.

I first read the sequel "With Love from Karen" when I was in high school (100 years ago, approximately); my grandma had given me a box of old paperbacks, and that was among them. I enjoyed it and re-read it....quite frankly, this family was more wholesome than the Brady Bunch! But I found that comforting somehow, and subsequently read "Karen". Since then, I've re-read both books countless times.

A separate online group has made Karen and her family something of a detective mission, and the following facts have been unearthed:

Karen is alive and well, and working for a priest at a Catholic retreat not far from Sursum Corda.

Big Marie and Jimmy have, unfortunately, passed away (both in the 1990s).

Gloria just recently died (December 2001), and was still married to Russ. Oddly enough, her obituary mentioned two sons, but not the two daughters described in "With Love from Karen."

Little Marie has been divorced and apparently remarried.

Kristin has also grown up and gotten married. She was forced to sell Sursum Corda due to tax considerations.

This is a wonderful book for readers of all ages. I first read this book when I found it on the booshelf of a house we were renting for the summer. It is a sweet story and as you read it you will fall in love with Karen and all the Killileas. It is amazing as you look at the time that Big Marie and Jimmy put into helping Karen become self-sufficient. The story of Karen's birht is amazing also. KAren was born at 6 months 2 days weighing 1 lb. 12 oz. She spent the first 8 months of her life in the hospital, she was unable to gian sufficient weight because of an esaphagus problem. Weighing barely 8 lbs. The doctors risked everything and preformed surgery, completely fixing the problem. THen two days later Karene becomes so sick with the flu that she is put on critical. Miraculously a risky blood transfusion saved her again. Everyone should read this classic story of the Killilea family.

I too, like the other reviewers read this book and With Love from Karen as a child thirty years ago. I have since reread it countless times and it never fails to inspire and move me. I cannot wait for my children to be old enough to read it as well. Isn't it such a moving tribute to the Killilea family that so many people so many years from its first publication are still so touched by this story. Wouldn't it be great for the family to be able to continue this chapter for us. I truly hope that they are happy and healthy. I just wish I knew what happened to them. I contacted United Cerebal Palsy and no one has heard of Marie or Karen which I think is a disgrace since they blazed the trail for education and support for so many families.

Culinary Artistry is a book some may passover or leaf through in the bookstore for the likes of the Joy of Cooking or a Martha Stewart volume 20 cookbook. But look closer, the charts and the what-goes-well-with-what sections of this book alone are worth the price if only to give the food lover an inspired moment to create a dish with ingredients he or she may love. If you find yourself saying, "gee, I'd really love to have salmon tonight but I don't know what to put with it", pick up this book, find Salmon and refer to the extensive list of items that the interviewed chefs prefer with it and an idea is born. After that, all it takes is a little know-how in the kitchen and you've created your very own gourmet meal. If you choose to read from front to back you'll also discover page after page of insightful information from some of the nation's top chef's. Take your time, it's not a novel but it can be read like one and used as reference even after you've reached the last page. For the money, this is a book that will stay on your shelf for years to come and still manage to provide a new idea each time. So put down the Martha Stewart Haloween cookie issue and give Culinary Artistry a try, "It's a good thing". Sorry about that last one, she's infectious.

Great opera and great art have inspired rhapsodies -- so, too, can great food. In CULINARY ARTISTRY, best-selling authors Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page reveal the artistic "genius" of the chef and in doing so celebrate the complexity and subtlety of their creative process. You get a privileged look at the principles upon which great chefs base their cuisine. Also discussed are techniques for flavor enhancement, the development of new dishes and the principles behind their menus. Just as the authors' best-selling book BECOMING A CHEF was hailed as the most extraordinary and insightful book on the process of becoming a chef, so, too will CULINARY ARTISTRY make history as the first book to explore the art of food and truly celebrate the artistry of great American chefs. "This is not just a book -- it's a transcendental experience." -- SARA DUVALL, executive producer of the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes"

"CULINARY ARTISTRY receives Honorable Mention as one of the year's best culinary reference books...[It] offers insights into creative cooking."
--THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

"Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page go where no culinary writers have gone before, exploring what inspires great chefs to create new flavor combinations, dishes and menus."
--INTERNATIONAL COOKBOOK REVIEW

"CULINARY ARTISTRY chronicles the creative process of culinary composition and explores the architecture of flavors, dishes and menus."
--NATIONAL CULINARY REVIEW

"One of the best culinary books of the year."
--TIME OUT: NEW YORK

"A great achievement."
--Chef Daniel Boulud

"Fascinating...A philosophy book on the culinary arts."
--Arthur Schwartz, "Food Talk" on WOR RADIO

"A wealth of information."
--Lindsey Shere, pastry chef, Chez Panisse

"Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page have set me free...The sequel to 1995's BECOMING A CHEF, this fat volume offers limitless ways to compose dishes using the idea of food matches and menu plans from 30 of America's top chefs."
--Patty Stearns, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS

"I unconditionally recommend the book CULINARY ARTISTRY. One afternoon won't cut it with this book -- this is a definite buy. It tells when different fruits, vegetables, fish, etc. are in season, and how to make them taste good without the expense of a culinary school education. It will save your family a load of money, and greatly improve your own creativity with food and flavors."
--Liz Tarditi, chef and columnist, TODAY'S GOURMET

If you're not a disciplined person, this is a must read. If you consider yourself disciplined, as I do myself, it helps you affirm your methodology of attaining your goals through the discipline model you incorporate in your daily personal and professional life.

For those of you who know Harris, I'm sure that you all will agree that he is by far the most disciplined person you have ever met. This book tells it like Harris lives it. Karen Willi contributes great insights to family disciplines and brings a balance that many of us forget when we are so focused on our careers. This stuff really works, and if you haven't discovered how to set and attain goals by managing your time and efforts then you need to read this book. One of my favorite quotes from the book is where Harris tells his readers to live their lives as if this is your last year on earth.

This offering by Harris Kern and Karen Willi is the second in a series on the benefits of acquiring Discipline. Where the first book by Harris showed us how to succeed, this one shows us how to excel.

The book is simple to read, easy to follow, and hard to ignore. The authors distinguish their work from other books of this type by relating true-life experiences on how to overcome obstacles, organize your life, and give your goals an effective sense of urgency. It is loaded with inspiring personal success stories based on their Personally Regulated Improvement Model to Excel (PRIME). One of the unique aspects of this book is how PRIME can be applied to leverage the power of your mind with the will of your body. Those who are interested in excelling in any part of their personal or professional lives should definitely add this book to their personal library.

What a great read!. I sit here having just returned from another great workout at the local gym. In the past my visits have been 'sporadic'. Now every time I feel an excuse coming on I hear Harris and Karen's voices in my subconscious and know I am only cheating myself if I don't get out there and complete my goals.

Harris and Karen have a wealth of motivational suggestions within this gem of a book that are there for the taking - its just a matter of committing yourself to take action. As someone who thought they had a fairly high degree of discipline I now realise I have a long way to go. But taking it step by step as outlined in the book, the task is not nearly as daunting and already I am noticing changes in my attitudes and activity levels.

Even if you only pick up two or three of the many pertinent points within this book - READ IT - it has the power to change your life if you only open your mind to the possibilities. Harris - Thank You.

Very useful little book. The author is very upfront about how well her recipes stack up, compared with commercial products. I think you could probably use some of the other, cheaper essential oils that also have antibacterial properties rather than tea tree, which is a tad on the expensive side, but she does not seem to use an excessive amount in her products, compared to some other books I've seen. This book is a lot more fun to read than Clean and Green, by Annie Berthold-Bond, concentrating on recipes for everyday cleaning, and is an excellent introduction to nontoxic cleaning. Simple enough for older kids to use, too.

I would have rated this 5 stars except that the book itself has one of those el cheapo glued bindings where the spine cracks after only a few readings. I thought it was only my copy, but have since noticed the same problem in other copies at the bookstores. Buy the book by all means, but write out the recipes on index cards to refer back to so the book lasts a bit longer.

Also, the author supposedly has a website, but it's not up yet,and it's like she's disappeared from the face of the planet, to read other reviews on this site.. I would have liked to get the labels to put on the containers. I hope she comes out with another book.

Karen Noonan Logan has put together an extremely useful, honest recipe book for green cleaning products.

It is honest in that she rates the effectiveness of each formula provided, and not all of them are 95s or 100s (comparable to commercial cleaners). In fact, there are several in the book that aren't that effective, but at least they don't poison you.

However, the majority of her recipes *are* effective and very easy to make. Logan writes matter-of-factly, but with a positive style. It's not like reading a textbook or cookbook at all; you are entertained as you read.

There is a broad enough range of recipes that you can clean nearly anything, but not so many that you can't figure out which recipe to make for which cleaning job.

In contrast, I found that Annie Berthold-Bond's book "Clean and Green" was too cluttered by a confusing array of recipes, some of which are so specialized many people will probably never use them. Also, her writing style is far too dry to really be enjoyable.

If you really, really need a weird stain out of your clothes and don't want to reach for the bleach or stain stick, you may want to pick up "Clean and Green." But for just cleaning floors, tile, windows, etc. it is *much* easier to use the simple, multi-purpose recipes in "Clean House, Clean Planet."

Cleaning without toxic products makes life so much better, seems like a holy effort after growing up using harsh chemical cleaners. This book has an easy style, natural language, and simple recipes that cost but a few cents. It is inspiring to lift my cleaning tote, full of inexpensive homemade products, and do what must be done again and again in a sweet and fragrant manner. Thank you, Karen Logan, I am so grateful to you for sharing this with us~!

After reading these reviews I just had to buy this book and I'm glad I did... ...
This is a memoir-style story about how two animal loving people, a mutt and cat loving writer (Jeanne Marie Laskas) and a poodle packing physchologist, (her long time male friend) that begin as friends in the city and end up sharing their lives with each other and the pets they cherish on a 50 acre farm. This is both funny and entertaining, mixed with the realities of life when it comes to losing beloved pets and family. For anyone that thinks animals are people too, you will enjoy this fast-paced and humorous adventure!

I loved this book. Written with warmth and humor, it is the most original and enjoyable material I've read in months. Jeanne Marie Laskas doesn't have to try too hard to be funny. She just is. There are certain repetitions regarding her inner princess, her husband's all pants half-off joke, stupid sheep, etc. and the roo, roo, roo and woof, woof, woof that give voices to her beloved dogs, Betty and Marley, that make the story come alive. She is also not afraid to show her serious side and reveal her vulnerabilities. Mostly Laskas had me laughing, but sadly, there are elements that aren't so funny. Believing at first this would be a "fish out of water story"-city couple tries to make dream of farm living a reality and everything goes wrong-it is quite the contrary. This is a love story-love between a couple, their extended family (family members, city friends, country friends, their fifty acres of farmland, and lots and lots of animals. Bravo!!! I highly, highly recommend.

From the Author of "I'm Living Your Dream Life"

After completing spectacular literature, I have a tendency to really sputter. Over my Christmas break, I read a number of good books including Dennis Lehane's Mystic River and Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer. I thoroughly enjoyed both, but really needed a change of pace that did not come readily. Finally, in frustration I chose a recent read and plugged it into Listmania hoping for some sort of recommendation; SHAZAM!! I hit on Fifty Acres and a Poodle. The memoir deals with Ms. Laska's purchase, along with boyfriend Alex, of a Pennsylvania farm. A cast of humorous and lovable characters makes for a wonderful, moving piece of literature that everyone should read. Whether it is for the whole farm-purchasing adventure, journey of self discovery, love of animals, wonderful sense of humor, etc., I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I fell in love with Bob the basketball-playing cat, Marley who sounds so much like my family's dearly-departed Airedale, Chumley, and leading lady Betty. The purchase of Sassy and Cricket, the "Joe Crowleys," the blaze orange hats, the wedding mums, etc. I could wax poetic forever. Please do yourself a tremendous favor and read this moving, funny memoir.
In closing, please Ms. Laskas, continue your tale! I want more.

This is a WONDERFUL book. It satisfies my daughter's great love for peek a boo and naming and searching for different body parts. No matter how many times we read this book, she always acts "surprised" to see what is underneath the flap and finds great fun in searching for her own belly button or hands (or whatever the page says). The flaps are sturdy and have withstood my "toddler's terror" even after reading this book over...and over...and over... You and your little one will love this one.

My 18-month old son still loves this book, as well as Where's Baby's Mommy. He has lifted the flaps so much that I've had to tape some of them back together. Its easy to read and point out the body parts on ourselves, too! Beautiful big illustrations. A real necessity in any baby's library!

My son loves all books. The only time he will sit still is when I read to him. The rest of the time, he is on the move (even when he's eating). When I got him this book, he absolutely lit up! I had never seen a book elicit the kind of joy and amazement that this book does. So, it is defintely the favorite one in our house. I've read it to him hundreds of times, but he still giggles when I lift the first flap to expose Baby's eyes. He bends down to kiss every baby on every page. (Some of the pages are starting to stick together from all his wet kisses!) Some of the flaps are wearing down a bit from his uncoordinated hands trying to lift the flaps. But, I won't mind spending the extra $$ for a new one if I need to. The look on his face when I read him this book gets me every time!!

All I can say is that I highly recommend this book to anyone on the Low Carb way of eating. It is a must have - with great tasting, easy to follow recipes. The book opens many possibilities with just the bake mix alone and even the inexperienced cook will find these various recipes and fabulous fakes easy to follow with great results. I have heard many people say that they couldn't possibly succeed on this way of eating because it is so boring and restrictive. Let me tell you - once you have seen and tried some of those recipes you will never think of this way of eating as boring again !

I thought I had cooking down pat, until I went Low Carb. Then I got into the meat and salad rut, looking longingly at all my old favorites, the sauces, the casseroles and desserts. I figured doing my own thing in the kitchen was history and that I was doomed to being thinner, but bored.

Then I found Truly Low Carb Cooking - and found out that not only could I revisit old friends like chocolate cake, hearty dark bread, barbecue sauce and cheesecake - all made for minimal carb counts - but that this author truly cares about making food both taste good, and be good for you.

The recipes are easy to read and follow, the results are delicious, and Karen Rysavy's hints and tips make for delightful and informative reading.

Whether you're doing low carb for weight loss or disease control, this cookbook will soon become a treasured reference.

I found the TLC cookbook to be a VERY big help to me in starting my new way of eating! The recipes I have tried have been wonderful! This book has helped me stick with it, seeing the pictures of the author and how far she has come has been an inspiration, it is obvious eating this way can become a lifelong thing.

There are a few "specialty" items you will need for a handful of recipes but they are easy to find online and I have found they are less expensive than getting them local.

This book is definitely worth the price for anyone considering doing low carb or any already on low carb - they will find out they will miss NOTHING!