>> Last weekend, at a time when I was very distracted and unable to focus, I
>> picked up "Songs of the Blind Snowbird" and I was captured. It was totally absorbing and presented me with an interesting combination of mental and emotional qualities: lots of new and thought provoking information about what it is like to live life as a blind person, and lots of laughs as well! Last but not least, it tells a story of the strong bond between a loving and sensitive person and his dog, who is there as a stabilizing and well attuned presence through all kinds of difficulties.
This is a beautiful book, both funny and sad, about one man's life. By the end, the reader has gotten to know a special man and two special dogs.

>>

I've never read such a fascinating book. It was humorous, sad, enlightening, heartwarming and written in such a manner that you could picture the author as a bright, kind, strong individual. It's so obvious that this individual is a very talented writer, who is on his way towards a brilliant career! He's truly been through severe heartships.

I couldn't put this book down. I wish Robert Michael Jacobs only the very best on his first book and hope to review in the not to distant future his next book. He deserves much notoriety!

This is a wonderfully warm and funny book about the relationship of a man and this sometimes frustating and sometimes amusing world that we all inhabit. And it is especially so for the author, who is blind. Those sections about being blind in a sighted society are witty and enlightening. Some of the most hilarious chapters are the "Dear KC" columns where the author's ten pound dog answers questions from pets on the incomprehensible behaviors of humans. There are sad stories too, but, overall, the book is fun and clever.

Henry David Thoreau wrote, "It matters not how far you travel, but how much you are alive," and Jim LeMonds, a former English teacher of mine in the small "mill-town" city of Longview, WA embodies this phrase in his tight, solid prose and compassionate understanding of the area and it's people. For anybody to understand the psyche of this area, the Pacific Northwest, I recommend not only living here and listening, but also a cold plunge into the severely deprived art scene and it's few vibrant sectors. Jim LeMonds, in South of Seattle, provides us with one of these. My favorite essay was Scripture For The Land, for it's sheer intensity and truths.

Jim has captured the life of small town America. More precisely small town Pacific Northwest where the largest employer is the lumber companies and the county fair still attracks the whole town. Jim brings to light some of the hardships and personal obstacles that impede the daily lives of even the most simple lives. The memories that Jim shares will most definitely make you laugh and may even bring you to tears. An intimate exploration of a great geographical area.

I am a former English student of the author of "South of Seattle," and not only is this man an exceptional teacher, but he is the only writer of my acquaintance to so vibrantly capture the spirit of life in the ever-growing Pacific Northwest--roots, leaves, rain, et al. If you want to experience a small lumber town and are unfourtunate enough not to have been born and raised there, then take your next best option as an outsider and read this book. This journey through time and terrain is all the more meaningful due to the obvious love the author feels for his topic. Don't miss this one...

I have just finished reading Michael Yergin's new novel Kill Talk- a true story about the Mafia's plans to take over the federal prison system and the kidnapping amd murder of a beautiful young Chicago woman who is in the mob. A great read-could not put it down. I anxiously await the movie. Someone told be about Yergin's book on wealth building-I read it and found it very well written and it showed the diversity of one of Chicago's most talented writers(in my humle opinion)

I have read two of Michael Yergin's previous books on other subjects and some of his screenplays. Similiar to his cousin Danny Yergin (who has won two Pulitzer's;) Michael has a keen wit and great sense of humor.

I had always wanted to understand the rare coin business as more than just a hobby. This book gave me a great start and valuable insight into the world of numismatics

(Planeta.com Journal) - One of the most influential books this year, this work examines the relationship of parks and Indian cultures. Remarkably, this story has not been well told -- until now. The authors point out that "one can find thousands of books about American Indians, a considerable body of literature about natural parks, but almost nothing linking the two." The book draws on extensive research and more than 200 interviews with Native Americans, environmentalists, park rangers and politicians. It also asks important questions such as what are the obligations owed to those displaced by park creation and do aboriginal people have special rights to their homelands. This book is one of the year's must reads.

Beginning with Yosemite and Yellowstone, American Indians & National Parks explains how the creation of these two oldest national parks affected native peoples and set a pattern followed with the subsequent creations of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; Canyon de Chelly; Chaco Culture National Historical Park; Death Valley National Monument; Everglades National Park; Glacier National Park; Glen Canyon; Grand Canyon National Park; Mesa Verde National Park; Monument Valley Tribal Park; Navajo National Monument; Olympic National Park; Pipe Spring National Monument; Rainbow Bridge National Monument; and Wupatiki National Monument. Robert Keller and Michael Turek collaborate to show how and why the National Park Service changed its policies and attitudes toward Native American tribes, the response of environmental organizations to native demands, and how the park service dealt with native claims to hunting and fishing rights in Glacier, Olympic, and Everglades National Parks. American Indians & National Parks is a carefully researched, ably presented reference that is highly recommended to students of Native American studies, environmentalists, and National Park Service operatives.

If you're going to cook southwest, this is the one and only way to go about it! Tips from The Master of Southwest Cooking. You can't go wrong with the wide variety of unique and interesting recipes to "wow" your family and guests. EXCELLENT!

This is an excellent compendium of Robert McGrath's favorites. His Roaring Fork in Scottsdale has gained a wonderful reputation and deservedly so. Now this book shows how many of his magic tricks are performed. In addition to the recipes, it is beautifully illustrated with western scenes.

This is a wonderful story which conveys the resourcefulness of children. More than that, Michael provides a view from within the Inuit culture. He illuminates for those of us who did not grow up on the Arctic Circle what it is to live in that harsh environment. At the same time, he shows us how alike we all are: enjoying the holidays and a good baseball game with friends.
Vladyana's magnificent art is an added bonus.
I bought this book after hearing Michael tell the story at the International Reading Association teachers' conference in 1999. Since that time, it has become one of my favorites, as well as a favorite of my students and my colleagues.

i read this book to my brother who has asthma too. he is 4 and he realy enjoyed it i recommend it.

I gave copies of this book to a 6 year-old and a 12 -year old. Both loved it. It is a really well-researched and cleverly put together book, a great idea done well.

I bought this book largely because of its gorgeous, highly reflective cover. A true whim, particularly as I do not have children. However, as soon as I started to turn this highly engaging volume's pages, I found myself riveted. Hainey is a master at fascinating minutiae. He takes a simple topic--the color blue--and relates it to myriad topics ranging from animals to music to history. Kids will devour it. And this adult loves it.

Mr John Cotter and Group have written a wonderful book. If you are into "digging up the past" this is the material you've been looking. Just the wonderful pencil sketchs of the long past "Slate Roof House" makes this a absolute read. The digging up of the historical area and the great "finds" that were discovered. I feel any true Philadelphian will enjoy something out of this manual.

I used this book as a reference for a term paper on two African American burial grounds in Philadelphia. Contains information on major and some obscure archaeological finds in Philadelphia. History of Philadelphia as well.

I don't know what it is about Orson Scott Card -- Before I ever read him, I was prepared to not like him. I'd heard that he was a science fiction writer and that genre isn't a favorite of mine. However, my opinion now is that Card ranks as one of the absolute best and most skillful authors alive today. He has an amazing ability to get inside the person or circumstance he is writing about and make it into something that anyone could understand and be proundly moved by.

In addition, he comes up with some of the most fascinating ideas for a story. The title piece, 'The Elephants of Posnan', is one example. Although there is no doubt that Card wasn't suggesting that the premise of this story is truth, it still left me mulling the entire piece over and over again. He makes such a moving and brilliant case for something entirely bizarre, and insightfully comments on the nature of man in the process. 'The Elephants of Posnan' was positively spellbinding, beginning to end.

I love this collection. Orson Scott Card is a true master of his craft.

In this collection not only are you exposed to Orson Scott's Card's mastery of fiction, but you gain some insight into his creative process as well, thanks to the author's commentary on certain pieces.
The various storys are a joy to listen to and range from science fiction to fantasy, from psychological thriller to love story.
Whether you're a die hard Ender Series fan, a general fan of Card's, or a first time listener to the whole audiobook genre, there's something here you'll cherish.

This is really good stuff. Wallace Wood, Gil Kane and company certainly helped raise the bar on comic book art in the mid-sixties. The work is beautifully colored and the reprint quality is superior. However, if you are looking meaningful work from some of comicdom's true masters you may wish to look elsewhere. This work falls far short of Gil Kane's and Wallace Wood's best comic book work. The stories are entertaining but overly simplistic and predictable. There are continuity flaws throughout the THUNDER Agents series.

There are four enjoyable issues in this volume. That's right--only four issues. I was hoping for more. Volume #2 only takes you through issue #7. For this price, the original issues of The T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents can readily be had in decent condition. I'm glad someone, DC Comics in this case, has finally given us a archives version of this series. ...

Any student of comic history who hasn't read THUNDER Agents (as I was...) is clearly missing a significant part. It's like studying American History and skipping WW I. Yeah, most people find the Civil War and WW II more interesting, but WW I, as an event, gets more influential as time passes.
So does THUNDER Agents. Trying to imagine this sort of comic book coming out in the era that it did...it must have been head-spinning to some kid casually picking it out of the circular, rotating comic rack down at the local drug store. Interlocking stories, "personal" touches, fallible heroes...retrospectively hugely impressive.
Add this to your collection...and save space for the next few volumes. You've been warned.

I, like many others, judging from reading some articles in the comic book magazines, eagerly awaited this latest release in DC's Archives editions once I knew it was coming out. To be honest, I did not know DC Comics had the rights/were negotiating on them and even if I had would never have expected T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents to be one of their choices for 2003 release.

I recall when I first saw the original comic book on the racks back in England being curious due to the number of pages it contained (way more than usual, albeit at a higher price than comics back then,)the vibrant colors and not least the illustrations by Wally (Mad Comic/EC Comics) Wood, among other stars of comic books at the time who's work graced the pages; Gil (Green Lantern) Kane being another.

The introduction to this volume really says it all - and better than I, so I won't go on too long! Suffice it to say, in addition to eye-catching art, the reader is treated to great stories and much better characterization than the DC heroes at the time (maybe not as good as some Marvel characters of the day, but without their overly-done angst and problems).

I might be sounding a little heretic here, but I must admit I found some of Wood's poses a little wooden even at that young age, and still do. His heroes just don't have the fluidity of movement as say Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four, Steve Ditko's Spiderman, Gil Kane's Green Lantern and Carmine Infantino's Flash. A bit like Mike Sekowsky's Justice League of America - legs and arms a little stiff. Still, the rest of his work more than make up for this small quibble.

The stories are great - in my view better than most of the comic books of the time - certainly up there with Stan Lee's work on the Fantastic Four and Spiderman. The villain is sort of like Nick Fury, Agent of Shield's, Hydra - a head bad guy who never confrnts the good guys -having his minions get bowled over like bowling pins each issue. Not so good as the Flash's, Batman's or Spiderman's varied crews of miscreants, but you can't have it all.

The quality of DC's Archive Editions is top notch - collecting and reading many of them bring back my first exposure to the comics way back in my pre-teens. I heartily recommend them, irrespective of what some feel is a high price, judging from some of the reviews on Amazon. I feel they are reasonable - the $34.97 Amazon price compares favorably against the $19.95 one pays for many/most Graphic Novels/Trade Paperback collections of more recent comic books, that have many less pages/stories.

There are several other Archive collections I hope DC publish, all of them a little "left field" - Metal Men, Metamorpho, Eclipso, Kirby's Challenger's of the Unknown, to name few. However, I know which one I'll be eagerly awaiting - Volume Two of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, featuring Dynamo, Noman and Menthor, due out in the late Spring!