I am a grandparent and can't wait to read this book to my two year old grandson. The bright action-like illustrations that you see as you turn every page I know will capture his attention as I read the simple short rhyming story on the corresponding page. I think children who have been exposed to the ocean and its creatures will particularly love this story.

This book is a wonderful story that has a rhyme on every page. The illustrations are beautiful and full of depth and meaning. My children and I have read it time and again and my 2 year old is learning the rhymes! We laugh everytime we see how Ray shows his frown...

I absolutely adore this book! The pictures are vibrant and eye catching, the rhyming makes it easy to read, and the story is phenomenal! This is an excellent example for children - it shows great character. Children are mesmorized by the blue ocean scenes and all the ocean characters. The facts at the end of the book are a nice touch also. I highly recommend this book for children and adults. It teaches us ALL how to be a great friend!

I love midgets, and reading aboot buildings designed for midgets is the greatest thing.

This book starts with a graphical, three part model that forms the basis of the book. It describes each task / journey / endeavor / relationship, etc. as going through three stages - the initial startup phase, the "problem phase" and the success or maintenance phase. It then provides valuable insight to what characterizes each phase and prepares you for barriers that will occur and offers sound strategies to counter them. Forewarned is forearmed. Some would say this is pretty simple, but I think many powerful concepts are indeed simple. This is a book that you can easily read in a few sittings but it's model and message will stay with you forever. I've given copies to my 3 children and two friends - one contemplating divorce and the other wanting to quit his job. Highly recommeneded to all ages and all people. Wish I had read it when I was in high school.

I would have to say the book made a little more wiser especially when it comes to buying a house, car or my favorite shopping for clothes!!!! Now I will have more money in my pocket thanks to the book! I recommend this book to everyone because we all been taken for a ride by some salesperson.

After reading your book, Dirty Little Tricks, a thought was evoked in my mind of the Latin truism "Non scholae, sed vital discimus--We learn not for the school but for the life." You as a learned individual and a vast background in business describe in this book the amoral practices in merchandising and the pitfalls thereof with a judicious and eclectic manner. Since you passed through your profession from the very bottom up to the top, you know both the bright and dark sides of the enterprise. You are indeed a teacher of the truth which is often camouflaged in all walks of our life. It is said that a picture is more eloquent than any sophisticated word. And your book employs this veracity. Moreoever, many a clipping from sundry newspapers form a suitable frame to the content of the respective narratives. Your linguistic dexterity, non-convoluted phraseology, and truly businesslike insights create a mosaic pleasing to a beholder. Tom, my appreciation for your book can be hardly expressed by mere words.

The first thought that came to mind after finishing "Dirty Little Tricks: How Sales People are Robbing You Blind" was I've been robbed! Mr. Crowel has spared no professional occupation as he opens my eyes to the world of "shading dealings." This book is definitely a page-turning as it sheds light on the value of caution and points directly to the fact that not all salespeople are honest or have your best interest in mind when they're repairing your vehicle, diagnosing a health problem, selling you a car or trying to get you to sell their products to family and friends. Because of the author's open review of companies and their dirty tricks, I've committed to being an educated consumer. This book is a must for anyone who's contemplating the world of sales.

I used this guide on a recent and very enjoyable sojourn in Kauai. While I enjoyed the guide's expertise on Hawaiian history and culture and the information on the hidden beaches, I felt that the author does a great disservice to his readers when he equates budget or affordable dining and lodging options as very basic while dubbing very expensive options as "ultra-deluxe." Hawaii can be very expensive, but paying a lot of money for a hotel room or a restaurant dinner does not automatically insure that one receives ultra-deluxe treatment. Often the same thing can be had at a more affordable price by looking around--the information a reputable travel guide is supposed to give. Paying 40 dollars for a restaurant entree--something all too easy to do when eating at a resort restaurant on the island--often provides no better quality food than eating at a cheap but good restaurant. Look for places full of happy locals as opposed to tourists. The expensive Bali Hai restaurant, recommended in the guide, served very mediocre if overpriced food, with very mediocre service. However, the Hanalei Mixed Plate, a village take out stand, served superb fresh fish everyday for less than 10 dollars. The food was better, only you ate it outside on wooden tables surrounded by local people as opposed to other tourists. You be the judge of how you want to spend your money. In my opinion, the 8 dollars I spent to rent a boogie board one day yielded far more fun than a 40 dollar restaurant entree could ever manage to do.

If you enjoy touring on your own, this is a great drive along reference. We found many of the things to see were off the main track. Hidden Hawaii guides you to attractions in sequence as you drive. The only thing missing is flora and fauna. This should be the bible for first time Hawaii visitors!

My wife & I lived on Oahu for 3 years and frequently traveled to the neighbor islands as well. We scored everytime we used the book. Great tips on standard tourist info, but the strength is on the items marked "hidden." When you have a little more time than the average molohini (visitor), the "hidden" suggestions are always worth the effort!

If you can't have fun with this guide, you can't have fun!

PS: Hidden Florida & Hidden California guides worked for us as well!

If you really want to read it, you probably will end up doing so. I read an uncomplimentry review of the book in the Washington Post, but proceeded to buy and read the book anyway. I think the concept is what is so intruiging - who has read Lolita and not wondered what was going on through little Lo's head the entire time? But having read Lo's Diary I found it terribly dissapointing, so unimaginative and lacking in great prose - especially compared to Lolita! - that it becomes worthless. I read the entire thing, and although there were a few good parts (the part that is quoted on the back of the book is one of the few exceptional lines) there is truly nothing in it that sheds any more light on Lolita.

I just finished Lo's Diary last night, and my reaction from page one was purely delight that Pia Pera was able to so perfectly give voice to Lolita. I think this is the best example of a continuum of a familiar story that I have ever read. In my opinion, Ms. Pera is quite successful in her portrayal of Lo as a misguided but intelligent nymphet who knows exactly what she is doing, yet is too hardened to have any idea that she is being cheated and used.

I fell in love with her character, in the sense that she needed so desperately to be loved. Although I don't possess a degree in psychology, I think it is clear that Humbert, Filthy and Lo are all perfectly drawn profiles of the pedophile, the troubled and desperate child, and the hedonist. I would rush to the nearest bookstore to read a further account of Lo's life if Pia Pera ever decided to carry on with her interpretation.

I am rather appalled by the reviews posted here concerning Ms. Pia Pera's novel. They are caustic, nasty, giving the impression that this is infact a badly-written, unrealistic piece of trash. Which it is anything but. Sure, it is not quite of the caliber of Nabokov's original story, but then, what is?

As a sequel, and by its own merits, 'Lo's Diary' is a wicked-good piece of literature. Pera's Dolores is charming and sadistic, a very particular, though not wholly unrealistic, protagonist. Some may say that she sounds too sophisticated for her age in Pera's version....Too cold and calculating, too aware of her own power. And while it is true that most children that age are not as worldly as little, red-lipped Dolly Maze, she is not supposed to represent your average adolescent.

Rather, she is nymphet incarnate. And Pera's is a very convincing portrait of a nymphet.

Read it. Read it.

As the others have posted this book only wants to show you that you can buy their plans for more detailed designs. Don't waste your money.

I purchase this book I wanted ideas and information on how to do my own landscaping. This book is a scheme, really that is all it is, a scheme to get me and anyone else who wants a how to do it yourself project book to buy they landscaping designs plans. This books show you layouts without details and then tell you where to purchase the plans. I needed do it yourself information and this book could not assist me at all, so don't buy this book if you are looking for do it yourself information because quite frankly there is no help between the [pages.]

In my area of the country, a professional landscape design is very expensive. I consider this book a bargain, even if I have to purchase an additional plan. Each plan comes with a Regionalized Plant & Materials List that is customized for your area of the country, so with some modifications to accomodate your lot, you can have a beautiful professional landscape design for a fraction of the regular cost.

Even if you don't want to puchase a plan, this book is helpful. It describes the basics of an artistic landscaping design: Space, Line, Form, Texture, Color, Pattern, Balance, Dominance, Contrast, Scale and Porportion, and Rhythm. Also covered is how to choose plants and materials in order to provide a cohesive, well designed landscape. But most of all, the plans are beautiful and adaptable to various styles of homes and lot-sizes. Reading this book you may inspire and guide you to create your own landscape design.

Plus, if you plan to hire a designer, this book may help you evaluate the designer. I have had two "landscape designers" advise me to build a low fieldstone wall in my front yard. After reading this book, I realize that a rough-textured wall is not appropriate for my formal-looking house.

Do not buy this book if you are looking for a lot of detailed plant information. If you are interested in good landscape design, this book is an excellent resource.