I was very impressed with the quality of writing in this book, and the extraordinary compassion of the author that is evident even in the less likeable characters.The metaphors in the book are richly woven into the stories, especially the two dealing with the friends from the Jesuit college whose lives are profoundly affected by their relationships. I hope this book gets a wider reading public than gay men as several themes explored in the book- illness, breast cancer, finding the father figure, sexuality and sensuality, loss of traditional spirituality- are issues facing many men and women in society. I was distressed to learn that Mr Barnett himself had died of AIDS shortly after the book was published. He was a very gifted writer of perception and depth, and I mourn this loss to the literary world.

A most sensitive and yet powerful collection of short stories with 'The Body...' being the best of the lot. With this expressive power how come we didn't hear more from (and on) this VERY talented writer ???

Put simply, Barnett's "The Body and Its Dangers" is the best work of American fiction to come out of the AIDS pandemic--its beautiful prose, its rich and fierce vision. The long story "The 'Times' As It Knows Us" alludes to and is finally equal to Joyce's "The Dead": it's a story as large as the complexities and sorrows it describes.

"One of the best books that I've read! I keep Alan's "12 Rules for Bringing Out the Best in People" with me everyday. As America's Communication Coach, a motion picture director, a national speaker-author, a college instructor, and president of my company, I lead many people; and this book helps me fulfill big dreams."

This little book is one of the best guides there is for teaching people to succeed. As a mother and teacher, I try to use these principals to help the young people I care about to be the best that they can be. Instilling the trait of motivation is one of the most essential characteristics for a happy life. This book will help the reader guide others to successful choices. A must for parents, teachers and other leaders.

This book is a classic for leaders in all areas. McGinnis, who background is psychotherapy, lists twelve principles for bringing out the best in other people. He uses real-life examples of achievers who have utilized these principles to be successful and, importantly, help others succeed. There are thousands of leadership books on the market. I read hundreds. Read this one first.

If you are a fan of Gilda Radner's, then Bunny Bunny is the best book ever! The way that Alan Zweibel wrote about Gilda is so inspirational that you'll be saying Bunny Bunny as well! We all remember and love Gilda Radner and this book definitely allows her legacy to live on!

I've been a loyal, devoted fan of Radner's since I was about 8 years old - right before she died. I was overjoyed when this new view of her life from someone so close to her came out. Just reading the overwhelming reviews on the jacket - most from celebrities close to Radner and Zwiebel - is enough to move one to tears. The book is poignant, funny, touching, and moving. Fan or no, a valuable read just for the intense friendship between the two.

A wonderful book detailing the late Gilda Radner's relationship with her close friend Alan Zwiebel. This book had me alternately laughing and crying. A great tribute to a great woman.

If you need to know urology, then you need this set of book. This edition is set up very well. The 4 books make it easier to look up info. It covers all the major topics in urology and is as up to date as any book can be.

This is indeed the best urological textbook, or better to call it the bible of urology , I can not wait for the next edition

This is a thourough urology review, meanwhile contains contraversial aspects in your front.

This book is awesome. I'm a mother of 2 and didn't need any help with my first child, but my second child was very difficult and I found this to be an invaluable resource. It even lets you know when you should contact your doctor or when you should head to the emergency room. Being from Boston, I know that Boston Children's Hospital is one of the best in the nation. What is also great about this book is that it covers the developmental tasks of a typical child for a specific age group. It is a great basis to know if your child is under or over performing and helps you find your strengths and weaknnesses. It also has all of the growth charts in the back and an amazing appendix of different child illnesses. Anything you could possible want to know or have questions about when and if you need to be concerned is in here. It's like a Bible!

If you are about to have your first child, buy this book. If one of your children or grandchildren is about to have a first child, give this book to her or him as a gift. If you like this book as much as I think you will, you should consider having a copy at home and one in each of the family cars for situations that arise while away from home.

This book deserves more than five stars. It is the only comprehensive guide to childhood development and illnesses that I have seen. The content is remarkable for being easy to understand, concise, and representing many different perspectives (including those of moms, dads, elder siblings, physicians, and other health care professionals). The book exudes a respectful sense of optimism that parents will do a good job, and avoids taking stands about issues related to religious preferences. At the same time, the book is quite up-front about pointing out what works best for children and their families.

The book is organized so that the first four sections deal with developmental issues, from learning to mimic to toilet training to dealing with jealous siblings to school adjustment, on through the school age years in considerable detail. The fifth part gives you information on childhood illnesses, injuries, and conditions.

I particularly liked the way the development sections talked about how children usually regress just before making a major development, and that this is healthy. The book even points out the good sides of childish outbursts. I wish someone had told me these things many years ago!

Having been a parent of four children over the last 30 years, I checked out the book against every illness, emergency, and developmental issue that I ran into for my own children and their friends. In each case, there was relevant material that told me more than I knew when I had to deal with each of these issues, despite having read every book on child care that I could lay my hands on prior to the experience. In particular, the book is very good at explaining both the near-term and the long-term consequences of a situation. For example, one of our children went into severe convulsions with a sudden spike in fever to 106 degrees. The book points out that this happens to about five percent of all children, more often to boys, and that there usually are no long-term consequences. I wish I had known that at the time.

I would especially like to praise the chapter on child care, which has 31 pages that summarize the best and latest research on how to select the right kind of child care if both parents work. You even get what the ratio of child-care people should be to children at different ages. Further, there's an excellent section earlier on what's involved when a child is sick, including how parents should think about how to balance their work and the needs of a sick child who needs a parent at home.

Of particular value to new parents will be the sections in each area called "When to Call the Doctor" which gives you a sense of not only "when" but "how quickly" you should seek help.

To get some idea of how contemporary and extensive this book is, you will find a section on "Body Piercing Infections."

Unlike many books on childhood and pediatric illnesses, this one is not the views of one person. Instead, over 80 physicians and pediatric experts combined to share their expertise, drawing on individuals practicing at Boston Children's Hospital or teaching at Harvard Medical School. I have great faith in Boston Children's Hospital having often taken our children there to deal successfully with important illnesses. I am also pleased to say that one of our children has survived the experience to become a staff member in the hospital's emergency room.

The section on emergencies is not only good, it is also organized to help you prepare to handle emergencies before they occur . . . and to avoid them in some cases. Those pages are rimmed in pink so you can find them quickly if you are in a panic.

Give children the best informed and most loving attention you can!

I have been a pediatric nurse for 25 years and a parent for 15. I wanted to get a reference book for new parents and found this one published this year. I'm a big fan of Dr. Brazelton and his Touch Points which are included here regarding child development. The disease section was very thorough and I particularly liked the asthma section. It has the most recent treatment modalities laid out simply and clearly. I bought this at a regular bookstore for full price because I had to see for myself if it was of any value. It is an excellent reference, a "must have" for any parent. ....

I stumbled on this book when it was reviewed in the Religion section of the Houston Chronicle. Like Alan Morinis I am a secular person. Once I bought the book I couldn't put it down. Then I reread it and started to study it. I learned to do some of the exercises. I use The exercise with the elastic band whenever I am stuck in a line anywhere. It calms me down. (You'll have to get the book to learn it.)
I find this book to be an excellent introduction to Mussar. It is almost painless but it does require effort and concentration.

It's not often that one comes across a nonfiction book as smooth reading as "Climbing Jacob's Ladder." Alan Morinis has produced what might be called a spiritual autobiography, with a specific purpose, explained in the title as, "One Man's Discovery of a Jewish Spiritual Tradition." Underlying all is a searing honesty that is positively inspiring.
The tradition in question is Mussar, which has its roots in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust. This so decimated Mussar practitioners that Mussar did not gain prominence in the study of Judaism as a whole. So, for Alan Morinis, after much research, it was a "find". His description of it is so impelling that it is hard to put aside. As an autobiography, the character of the author as a secular Jew comes through very clearly in all its ramifications during his journey towards spiritual fulfilment.
Also central to the book's treatment of Mussar is the character of the person who ultimately became Morinis' teacher. Rabbi Yechiel Yitzchok Perr, living in New York to where the author travelled several times from Vancouver for study. Rabbi Perr, though orthodox himself teaches without imposing orthodoxy on the learner as the writer might have expected, since he found the subject grounded in orthodoxy.
However, Mussar is not only for studying, but for practising: its basic principles emanating from the soul of every practitioner, different as they are from every other practitioner.
I found the book positively exciting because of the honesty of expression about the author's feelings at every stage of the journey. The writing is imbued with a very human quality that draws the reader into the author's soul, which is the whole point of the exercise of Mussar: to develop the soul toward spiritual perfection as far as possible.
We are all different from each other with regard to the elements of our characters. Mussar calls these elements, "soul-traits". "We don't have a soul. We are a soul". Through the discipline of Mussar we are helped to improve these various soul-traits: for example, by working on our anger, impatience, etc. until we become more holy. Rabbi Perr side-steps a definition of holiness, saying that, "you'll know about holiness just from the experience."
There's a lot more to the book than can be described here, such as what the Mussar exercises consist of. Suffice it to say that the end result of the book is a beautiful document, the essence of it being the "soul-perspective", leading to the possibility of all who read it to face life with equanimity.
A. Naomi Katz

This is a wonderful book wrtten with courage, sensitivity and clarity.
The theme is a story of getting lost on life's journey and on finding a way back- no easy task in our North American culture of "materialism and self-centeredness".
Alan Morinis generously shares his "journey" which took him to the little known ancient Jewish spiritual practice called Musar.
At first through his reading and studying of obscure texts and eventually with the guidance of a wise and compassionate teacher, the author rediscovers his "true nature".
The book overflows with wisdom and ancient truths and the practices and techniques of Musar are clearly laid out at the end of each chapter.
Morinis wrestles with the question of whether one has to be a practicing Orthodox Jew to follow the path of Musar and concludes that one doesn't. In fact, I think that the path of Musar is open to all who genuinely thirst after truth and wisdom.
The author generously shares his "journey" and his discoveries in a way that enables the reader to begin an ancient practice that can be life transforming.

Most of all, this is a book about history and not about the men engaged in it. This book clearly covers the early history of Artic exploration, of the historic events of men and ships discovering and reaching the Artic. The detail is great and complete.

I ding this book one star because it leaves off the human element where more of the interest and drama lay. Artic exploration is full or great tales, of Scott and Shackelton and the like, the human dimension and cost of exploring the artic. This book concentrates on the historic events, not the people. Therefore, at times, the book is a bit dense and uninteresting to all but the most ardent arm-chair polar explorers. For instance, this book discussing Captain Gray's sails in the southern ocean, but didn't go into his interactions that made him the legend that he is today.

This is indeed a good book, well researched and full of detail. However, unless you're really interested, all of the detail can be a bit overwhealming and the historic accounts become dry unless you're really into the subject matter.

The subject-matter may seem a narrow historical theme but the great joy of this book is how well it relates to wider concerns and themes. It is superbly written (as well as being an excellent example of a well-produced book, with apposite text illustrations, maps and a good index). The passage on pp 59 to 61 of the ecology of the Southern Ocean gives a succinct and witty account of the food-chain and ends with a paragraph in celebration of the whales that have survived (just) the whalers which followed in the wake of the great discoverers. There are accounts to appeal to island-lovers of the earliest contacts with the wonderful remote islands of the Southern Ocean. Readers of The Times (London) will find good historial material here about Kerguelen (Desolation) Island to which one of the paper's best columnists (Matthew Parris) has just set off. No surprise to me that the author, Alan Gurney lives on a lovely and historic Scottish island, Islay. Read his book with a fine malt whisky from Islay close to hand. You can then regularly toast the many fine descriptive passages (both his own and in quotations from his sources, which he uses with great skill) and his narrative skill in telling an exciting story.

My brother, a 20th Century racing sailor extradordinaire, gave me this book while I was home from the sea for a week last Christmas. I have nothing but praise for Mr. Gurney's engaging and effortless prose and thoroughly enjoyed every moment in the frigid southern seas as my ship sailed over the Atlantic. There is something very appropriate in reading this book while ghosting along of an evening under topsails aboard a square rigged ship. Those hard and corageous men (perhaps foolish and motivated more by profit upon the hapless seal) cause a modern throw-back to admire their skill and endurance. Even more, lying comfortable & safe tucked into a climate controled cabin aboard a 350 foot square-rigged ship, I found the romance in Gurney's writing intoxicating. Here is an insight into our own seafaring history, of men long forgot who paved the way for the demystification of our small world.

An engrossing and satisfying read that everyone should devour.

This a terrific book for the preschoolers as well as school-age kids. The large pages and bright colored illustrations are funny and attention-grabbing. This looks like a book that boys would love, but it's one of my daughter's absolute favorites. The ending is happy, with a redeemed bunny- Hooray!

My son can't get enough of this book. It's read every day several times a day. It's easy to see why as the text is very catchy and the illustrations are attractive. I've also used the story to talk to him about good and rude behaviour, and how the bunny changes into Quite Good Bunny at the end of the book. Even as I'm frequently rereading the book to him, it's still a hoot every time as it's funny. We're both hooked on Big Bad Bunny.

I bought this book not sure if the kids in my four and five year old preschool classroom would like it or not, but I took and chance. It turned out to be one of the better buys I have made this year. The kids would ask for it to be read time and time again. It was also a huge favorite for those kids who choose to read a story as their job during circle time. I finally had to retire the book we heard it so often and then brought it back for an end of the year treat, even then the kids were as enthralled with "Big Bad Bunny" as the first time they heard it.

I loved this book so much, I went out and got the rest to the series to read. The story line and the characterizations of the characters are incredible. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read!

I am a very picky reader. I love to read, but it has to be the perfect story line. If you know what I mean. Lots of people think of Christain books as being boring. that is what I thought when I saw this book. After a friend told me to read it I was wrapped up in the story line! I even went out of my way to find, and buy the rest in the series! This book, By Honor Bound, is a story of real life problems, plus heros and heroines that will stay in your heart. If you are looking for a book (or books) to read, find one of the Guardians of the North books and dig in!!!

I have read the first 2 of the Guardians of the North so far. I have enjoyed them immensley and can't wait to read the others! I would definately recommend these books to anyone who enjoys history, a romance, or a wonderful Christian novel! I have enjoyed many other novels by his father Gilbert Morris. I have read the entire House of Winslow series and can't wait for the latest book to come out! I would certainly recommend this book to anyone willing to read it!

Being the only restoration guide based on materials from the Chevrolet archives, it is one of the most essential parts identification references available. Information and original part numbers on nearly everything from the wheels to the water pump are explained via well-written text, schematic diagrams, and photographs in 17 chapters (over 300 pages). Vehicle identification and firewall tags are also covered. Engine codes for six engine sizes are thoroughly covered, including the rare 262ci. There are only three complaints concerning the book: the photographs are all black and white, some of the diagrams are rather difficult to read, and paint codes are not covered when the ID codes are explained. However, this restoration guide is a must-have for the serious classic Chevrolet collector.

I work in a full line GM dealership and we have a copy of this and it's worn out from using as help to find parts and to see who's got what for sale when all they can tell you is a casting or part number. This guy did tons of homework on this book BEFORE he printed one.

This book contained the most complete collection of part numbers I have ever seen. Well organized and easy to understand. It will help you identify part numbers, date codes, VIN information, and much more. Well worth the price.