but readers should use their own common sense and knowledge of history as they consider the message that the author trys to present in some cases. She is obviously knowledgeable in this field and I consider her books an excellent source. But I reject some of her opinions, particularly her statement that "in this century, women have managed to change things for the better, and they owe this achievement in large part to their Christian heritage, though they may be unaware ot this". I reject it because it is completely false. Women have obtained all of their rights; to vote, to own property, to keep their inheritance after marriage and freedom from physical abuse at the hands of their own husbands, not with the help of the church/clergy, but inspite of it. The church and clergy fought them every step of the way on every issue and was nothing but an impedement as they have been through out history in many aspects of civil and human rights. True there were some people of faith who advocated for civil rights and womens sufferage. But for the most part, aside from their faith, they were simply 'humanists' and some agnostics, who with or without religion, had human intelligence and a genuine concern for humanity.
If 'intelligent' human beings hadn't made sacrifices and fought the clergy, women would still be second rate citizens who are chattel property of their husbands, to do with what they please, and denied so-called 'artificial'methods of contraception. Civilized people would still be afflicted with small pox,(as they opposed the vaccine at one time), we'd still be kowtowing to some Pope insisting that the earth was 'flat'(rejecting Galileo)in fear of being persecuted. If not for human 'intelligence' and 'reason', we'de still be Stone Age people, squatting in the dust, picking fleas off each other, as they have been in Afghanistan under fundamentalist rule there. The elements of humanism, have been the true moral compass for guiding both religion and humanity out of barbarity and inequality.

Stunning book. How can it be out of print? They must be planning some sort of reissue; maybe she is re-writing. I admit that I have read several others of her books and seen her speak and she is formidable. I think I am more impressed by this book than the others I have read. A remarkably erudite account of how the monotheistic religions of the West (it is NOT just about Christianity, although more space is devoted to that religion; Armstrong is an ex-nun) have systematically created and promulgated myths about the nature of women which have had tragic and violent consequences for them. The ancient complex which has targeted women in the Western collective mind is so immense and so deeply rooted that the book may surprise even those who are aware of it.

It's most unfortunant that this important work is out of print! Karen Armstrong is obviously a master of both history and theology to have explored the plight of women in such a clear easy read. Her treatment of Christianity's historical roots for relegating women to second class status makes it understandable why even now, women's struggle to gain recognition as equal to their male counterparts is still ongoing.

Who would have thought having those forgetful, sometimes embarrassing, senior moments could be so much fun--at least when they happen to someone else. I thoroughly enjoyed Karen O'Connor's depiction of the delightful roller coaster ride we take in the process of becoming "blessed with many years." Her humorous and sometimes touching stories provide models of how we can greet our advancing years with a philosophical attitude and a wry smile. Her comments and prayers at the end of each story help us put it all into perspective.

Karen O'Connor's new book is a gem. I found myself laughing out loud, nodding and then relaying her quips and common sense with friends and family. I've always enjoyed Ms. O'Connor's other books, but this is the best yet. It's also a book to share. Buy one for yourself and give 'em as presents "just because." That's what I'm going to do.

Karen has the knack to make every reader smile and feel better about some of those uncertain moments as we age!! I know her personally and not only does she write with a special creative talent, she lives her words. This makes a great gift for birthdays and any other special occassions. It will sure help make my Christmas list easier.

"Highballs High Heels" is what it says: a smart, witty cocktail guide for girls (and the authors mean anyone female, not just the young 'uns). I own this book and "Atomic Cocktails" by the same writers, and both are terrific, but "Highballs" is funkier and less basic, though still very easy to use. "Highballs" is not exclusively for women, but then, neither is "When Harry Met Sally"- it's just unlikely that men will have the same appreciation for these that we do. With recipes like Minivan Mom Meltdown Mixer and Shirley Temple's Evil Twin, these recipes are as much fun to read as they are to make. The graphics are so cool that it practically qualifies as a coffee-table book. "Highballs in High Heels" is now the first book I grab when I have the yen for a cocktail- you really can't go wrong.

OK so maybe I like to wear high heels every once in a while, but that's not the only reason why I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The simple and articulate writing, the flow of the layout from page to page and the tasteful vintage-like illustrations makes this book a really great gift or just to own for yourself.

Here are a few reasons why I love this book.

#1 It looks a lot cooler than having the Sports Illustrated (Swim Suit edition) laying around.
#2 It shows that I am sensitive to certain women's issues.
#3 I finally learned how to make a decent drink.
#4 It impressed all my gay friends as well as my female friends and left all my buddies wondering (gotta love that!)
#5 It shows how I can be in touch my feminine side.

Highballs High Heels is for everyone to anyone.
A beautiful book with a very practical nature.
Do not let the title fool you.

Before I read this book the complicated art of mixing drinks simply made my head spin. All those gadgets and gizmos, LORDY. Now I have it all...a career and the ability to please a house full of freeloaders while wearing heels and burning my bra.

Honky-Tonk Cinderella stands almost in a completely different genre of romance: TRUE romance.
Luanne sleeps with Alek without knowing his true identity, and he high-tails it out of there like the next day. well, she finds out she's pregnant, so one of her friends offers her marriage. she loves him, but she's not IN LOVE with him, and that's the greatest torture of all - for both of them. especially for her husband since everytime she looks at her son, her love for the father shows. so her husband kills himself and makes it look like an accident, but really hoping in a sneaky way keep her from ever allowing herself to truly love alek.

ahhhh, so much more complicated than that...haven't even touched on alek's issues...heheheheheh.

but i truly loved this book. another facet to that general label of "romance."

A night of magic brought a stranger and truck-stop waitress Luanne Evans together. He thought he had been careful, but he unknowingly left Luanne pregnant. Without knowing his true identity, Luanne could not contact her baby's father, so she married her "best friend," Jeff Henderson. Jeff raised Luanne's son Chase as his own and pursued a career racing cars. A year and half after the stranger left Luanne behind, he returned to the states to put a racing team together. Luanne's stranger, Prince Alek of Carpathia, was stunned to learn his future driver Jeff had married Luanne and they had a son. Ten years later Jeff dies in a tragic racetrack accident, leaving Luanne seven months pregnant.

Chase blames his mother and Alek for his father's death, as grief replaces the child's once sunny disposition. Alek persuades Luanne and Chase to accompany him home to Carpathia for two weeks. After all, the child is heir to his fortune and his throne. Chase quickly adjusts to life in the palace. Meanwhile, Alek's grandmother encourages him to marry Luanne and publicly declare Chase his heir. But complications with her pregnancy lead Luanne to return to the United States.

Author Karen Templeton brings a fresh perspective to this Cinderella tale in HONKY-TONK CINDERELLA. Her characters are believable, flawed and human with the expected misgivings and insecurities that make them sympathetic. Rather than the classically beautiful Cinderella beneath the grime and overwork, Laura is pregnant, unwieldy, and resentful. Conversely, Alek transforms over the years, forsaking his Peter Pan/playboy existence for responsibilities and maturity. Further, as in PLAIN-JANE PRINCESS, Templeton captures that surely kid attitude in all its nuances, making her young character sparkle as he struggles with grief and new beginnings. Indeed, Templeton once again masterfully makes royalty and happily-ever-after-ending believable without dodging painful emotional terrain. Consequently, Templeton's trademark balance of convincing romance, well-developed characters and a healthy dose of humor makes HONKY-TONK CINDERELLA very highly recommended.

Luanne Evans had one brief night of passion eleven years ago with a prince of a guy--a man so different than the boys from home. That one night that gave her one of her greatest gifts--her son. Now, that man is back throwing her life into chaos as he whisks the woman who's never been far from his thougths, and the boy he just recently found out about back home to his kingdom. For Aleksander Vlastos is truly a Prince. Has he found his Princess in a Texas honky-tonk?

Karen Templeton makes readers believe in the magic of love and in happily-ever-afters in a story that presents "real" characters making mistakes, making tough decisions...and making a fairy tale come true in Honky-Tonk Cinderella.

Very informative, well written in a clear and easy to read style.

Women who are into touchy feely relationship stuff will like this book. I did even though I am a guy.

This book is simply wonderful--moving, funny, uncompromisingly intimate and honest. The author has revealed her inner self to the reader--with all the ups and downs of real life. As characters in the book, the husband and wife pass through stages in which they evolve and reach a higher level of perception of the other. It reads like a novel, only better, because there are no pat answers and formulaic denouements in what is simply a story about the demands the realities of life make on two intelligent, sensitive and mature adults. This book is meaningful not only for prostate cancer survivors but for so many of us who are going through the changes aging makes in us and in the ways we relate to one another.

I have been somewhat deprived of reading time for the last five years--I have a young child, mortgage, aging parents, demanding career, expensive tastes and so forth. But after reading the first few pages--the first scene, I became dazzled with the way it was written and did not stop until I finished.

Though it deals with illness and serious loss, it reads as an adventure novel and entrances you with its dynamic cinematic style. Extreme dificulties provide the matrix for the story--but that matrix rests on a soft cushion of human warmth and life's conditions--things we can all relate to.

The personal honesty of the presentation lets you see yourself within such circumstances. It leaves a glimmer of hope that should such tragedy befall you, through reading this book, you might have learned to have the grace, sparkling insight and clarity of thought to experience your own life as richly as this story is told.

Quinn's work is an excellent guide / explorer for the 21st century. I highly recommend this groundbreaking work to everybody who is interested in changing nature of tomorrow's organizations.

Quinn's work is an excellent guide to explore the world of 21st century. I recommend this groundbreakink work to everybody who is interested in tomorrow's organizations.

Quinn has long been among the absolute finest academics at helping real world managers understand the best practices in the world for managing & generating innovation. In earlier works he brought to our attention such groundbreaking concepts as the role of chaos in innovative organizations, the implications of our shift to a services based economy, and the rise of intellect or human capital as the critcal resource for competition among companies. His newest book may be his most useful to date. With his usual meticulously fact based research Quinn not only lays out the emerging tools, techniques and approaches the world's leading companies are using, he also provides breathtaking evidence of the real world performance gains that are available. The sections on software paradigms, "beyond teams" organizational approaches, and knowledge systems deserve especially careful reading, in my opinion. As usual, the biggest problem with Quinn's work is the sheer density of important new ideas makes consuming this book and putting it to work a significant investement. As a private investor, I will suggest to the executives that I work with that they make the time.

Actually I was expecting a lot more from this book, but it is a good enough book. I have been cooking for 20+ years now and making my own tortillas for 10 (my grandmother taught me). By the way, I am a native of México. So far, GrandMa's recipe is the best and gives better results than the master recipe in this book. But, still, I have to hand it to Ms. Howarth, that her innovative add -ons yield very nice new flavors to an old recipe.
It is probably worth more by the recipes for the fillings that are very interesting, with very simple instructions to make a tortilla happy.

Gourmet Tortillas provides recipes for exotic and traditional tortilla dishes, opening with a set of unusual tortillas recipes for making different tortillas at home - from oatmeal to cream cheese - and then pairing these tortillas with fillings. The result is a fine gathering of dishes which require some preparation but produce unusual end results. No photos.

Karen Howarth's Gourmet Tortillas is a cross-cultural cookbook combining both exotic and traditional Mexican tortilla dishes with delicacies from around the world. From Lavender Tortillas with Garlic Chives, Sun-Dried Tomato Tortillas, and Chilled Asparagus on a Tortilla with Savory Raspberry Sauce, to Tortilla Stuffed Chile Peppers with Cashews & Avocado, Chipotle Chile Taco with Corn, and Tortilla Poor Boy Sandwich, Gourmet Tortillas is a unique and very welcome addition to the family cookbook shelf.

This is a great book... a must read... come and meet Gen-ee and Gray Hawk.. =) Trust me, you will like this book as well as I do... =) (If you like American Indian Romance) Thank you Kay... A great story...

PS: the reviewer from Arcadia, CA is me, I have moved to Norway :)

This is a great book... a must read... come and meet Gen-ee and Gray Hawk.. =) Trust me, you will like this book as well as I do... =) (If you like American Indian Romance) Thank you Kay... A great story...

I was so happy that Gen-ee's followed her heart, an went after Gray Hawk, and her father accepted him, love comes once in a life time, I am glad she didn't turn away. A must read book.

The book is both broad, covering a lot of ground, but intensely shallow. The pictures are almost worth the price of admission, but the details are seriously lacking. Reads like a Time/Life book which tantalizes but does not produce anything. I bought it as research for a novel in progress and was very dissatisfied.

The book is very well illustrated and done in full color throughout. It is fascinating and gory; a great reminder of how civilized we have become and how safe a world we live in now. Read it in doses because too much of it at once is apt to make you sick and disgusted with the human animal.

THE GOOD: History of Punishment & Torture is a morbidly fascinating book that takes you on a tour of the most horrific torture techniques, and capital punishments throughout history. It's as informative as it is engrossing. Within it's pages are the stories and descriptions of The Inquisition, witch burning, the wheel, the iron maiden, cruel kings and horrific public displays of torture. It covers quite a lot even though rather short in duration. Many people, places, and definately 'things' are contained between the covers. The design of the book is also beautiful and unique, made more so by the many illustrations and engravings throughout.

THE BAD: It's a bit too short. I would've loved to have more to read. Some topics are not given enough content.

THE UGLY: The torture techniques themselves, and realizing that people were actually put through them.

BOTTOM LINE: If you have an interest in the topic, a morbid fascination, or would just like to read a well designed history book, History of Punishment and Torture is an excellent buy. It was well worth my money, and I highly recommend it.

When I was younger (when the book first came out) I couldn't read this enough times! All of Ann M Martin's books have been a joy to read. I have obviously outgrown the Little Sister series, but I've read some of her other books as well. At the time I read it, I just loved it. I'd reccomend for younger girls, 8 and under.

I was 10 when I read this. It is a great way to teach kids about the aspects of caring for a horse in a fun way. It also teaches the value of friendship. p.s I'm not really 12 I'm fourteen but I can't use the adult's form.

I just like this book because Karen and her friends Hannie and Nancy go to Pony Camp.And her pony Bluebell is going to camp.The other campers tease she and her friends,their names are Casey and Mary Grace.