This book is filled with ideas on how to practically meet the needs of inclusive education. "Stepping Stones" give suggested activities to find how "inclusive" your school is and ways to collaborate with other individuals within your school and community on the road to inclusive schools. This would be a useful tool to educators and parents, to discover ways to adapt academic instruction to meet the needs of all students, both general and special education.

I will be using this text for my graduate and undergraduate courses. It provides one of the best descriptions of an inclusive school environment that I have encounter in all the textbooks that I have reviewed. There are many practical tips and strategies for meeting the special learning needs of a variety of populations. It promotes a child-centered philosophy pervades. This is a great professional resource for anyone who wants to get a good overview of inclusive education.
Andrew Johnson

Minnesota State University, Mankato

We bought this book for all the schools in a New York City district (33) and principals and teachers have been raving about it. The text has so many examples from real classrooms that teachers are excited about trying some of the strategies the authors explain.

I was surprised at the level of detail and specificity included and am eager to see what my preservice students think of the book.

I read this book in the 8th grade. I found a copy of it at the library, and decided that it looked like something I'd like. I was so wrong...It was something that I LOVED. Luckily, the library that I checked it out at decided to sell it to me, since I was the only one to check it out. This is a fabulous book with beautiful imagery. After reading it, I found myself thinking about it constantly, and wanting to know as much about the former voodoo queen as I possibly could. To anyone that loves to read, I would reccomend this book. Totally fabulous!

I am so sorry it is out of print! The language soars from the opening paragraph to the very last sentence. The story is fascinating, the characters well-sketched and varied. The author's adept interweaving of the myths and realities of old New Orleans makes for a "can't miss" novel that should be a classic.

This book is very well written. Francine Prose does well in her other novels, but this one is, by far, her best, in my opinion. With her skillful use of words she opens a door into another world, one of magic and beauty. It's a shame it's out of print.

Mr. Bonsall's Molly book is a work of art. In his first bookabout his real-life cat, he has shown us through the eyes of a cat, how the world looks. Children love the book and adults can learn from "Molly".

Everytime my nieces and nephews come to my home, they ask me to read Molly to them!! I'll read it to them three or four times in one sitting!! When they are not here, there's nothing I like better to do than curl up on my couch and read Molly to myself, especially after a rough day at work!! This is an awesome book!!

Being both a teacher and a counselor I see many books that are aimed at children and have become rather critical of the content and approach. I would recommend this book without hesitation. It is well written with many ideas and approaches that can be expanded on all the way from the issue of abandonment and security of family and friends (in human and animal form)to just plain fun. It is written on the child's level but has concepts and vocabulary that challenge thought. It's a winner.It is in its second printing so I am not alone in this opinion.Don't miss it.

"At this moment, there are a hundred thousand madmen of our species wearing hats killing or being killed by a hundred thousand other animals wearing turbans and that over almost all the face of the earth this has been the custom from time immemorial?" Voltaire speaking, possibly on the Iraq crisis?--In fact, Voltaire has something to teach us all on practically every subject I could think of in my free-wheeling literary comedy, 3A Visit From Voltaire,2 (amazon.co.uk) and this book was one of the most basic texts I could find in English before moving on to the French originals. It1s helpful to have read a biography of Voltaire--and Ben Ray Redman's introduction is one of the best quickie bios available with real insight into the man's personality--in order to put all these riches of Voltaire1s thoughts and writings into some kind of political context. I shamefully abused and excused the Wigged One's sayings and witticisms in my novel, but especially students need this delightfully condensed resource with a reliable feel for translation.
Dinah Lee Küng

With a shelf-full of books about the man to work from, this was my most dogged-eared English-language source for his many quips used and abused in my literary comedy, A Visit from Voltaire" (amazon.co.uk) because I needed to know how he actually sounded, to complement in-depth research into his struggle to Ecrasez-infame! It's well-organized, and checking the translations, I found they captured the spirit of Voltaire very well.
Voltaire afficionado
Dinah Lee Küng

This volume provides a wonderful introduction to the writings and thought of one of the great cynics of the ages. Voltaire exemplifies the age of reason in his questioning of both authority and the prevailing beliefs of his day. His writing as presented here is very accessable and this book can be picked up and opened to any selection and read with enjoyment. An excellent intro for the general reader.

Lynette Marie DesMarais has produced a very special and unique book which will appeal not only to horse lovers but to any sensitive readers with an affinity for animals.

Her book was especially significant to me because I'm a horse lover and spiritualist. I have no doubt that the so-called "dumb" animals are far more articulate than common belief would hold. There is increasing evidence from many sources, scientific and popular, that animals communicate in subtle ways that we are only beginning to appreciate, let alone understand.

Lynette is a gifted scribe for the subtle spiritual messages she has received from her beloved Andalusian horses. Each chapter in this book is devoted to a different horse in her stable and the words come straight from the "horse's mouth" -- so to speak.

They include words of gentle wisdom from Regala, a matriarch mare, elucidating the story of the seven dwarfs and also from a colt called Avatario whose teachings about the spiritual dimension of life on earth is as astute as that of any human Eastern guru.

Lynette's several horses each "speak" with her in their own "tone of voice" about things that concern them individually. But all have wisdom to teach us. I get the feeling that they (horses), not us, are the superior beings in the horse/human relationship.

I'm looking forward to this writer's future books in this same vein, it's a vein of gold, thank you, Lynette!

Dr. Patti Barton, B.A.Ph.D.
Australia

As a medical educator I have admired the rare physician who is so connected with his patients that he seems to hear the whisperings of their spirits. Lynette DesMarais has developed such a relationship with her horses and she describes it beautifully in The Spirituality of Horses.

Clyde B. Jensen, Ph.D.

Former president of conventional and complementary medical schools.

Love...Is The Spirit of the Horse!!! Lynette DesMarais's book, "The Spiritual Life of Horses" projects thihs love in Total Truth."
Sherie Leveen Clemons,President, New Beginning Equine Shelter, Inc.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK I WISH IT HAD BEEN AVAIABLE TO OUR FAMILY WHEN OUR SON KODEY WAS BORN IN 1995. HE HAS HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER PROBLEMS. THAT OCCURED TO THE FACT HE WAS A PREMMIE AND THE RESULT OF HIS SURGERIES. BUT THANKS TO A WONDERFUL CARDIOLOGIST DR.DANIEL SCHNEIDER AND SURGEON MARSHALL JACOBS AND THE STAFF AT CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILA.WHERE HAD BEEN FLOWN TO AND HAS HAD STAGES 1 AND 2 OF THE NORWOOD PROCEDURE. HE MADE IT AND IS NOW 4 YEARS OLD AND STILL A FIGHTER HE HAS OVERCOME MANY OSTACLES IN HIS 4 YEARS. BUT THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO WRITE SUCH A WONDERFUL INFORMATIVE BOOK IT WILL HELP MANY FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE. IT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE FAMILIES OF SPECIAL ANGELS THAT HAVE HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART IN THE CARDIOLOGISTS OFFICE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO EACH FAMILY WITH A CHILD WITH THIS HEART DEFECT. DEBBIE SLAUGHTER VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA

This book was given to me by a hospital administrator 2 weeks after my son underwent the Norwood operation. My husband and I had spent the last 3 weeks studying the internet, and books that were made available to us by the nurses, and found nothing that explained Colin's defect the way this book did. Not only that, but we were hard-pressed to find stories of other children with HLHS. Mrs. Jaworski's book provided us with a bit of inspiration that had been unavailable to us before.

I found this book through my local library after the death of my son Cameron, he was only 12 days old. After his death we were told he had HLHS. If we had been aware of his condition I think your book would have been one of the best places for us to find information.

This is a great book for Christian women. I am a victim and was concerned about what the Bible and the Lord would think about me having to get away of my husband because I was in fear of my life. This book points out specific scriptures of what the Bible says about husband's and wives staying together or apart and why it is okay to get away from your husband if he is abusive. I no longer feel guilty about having to get away from my husband. This is an absolutely fabulous book and I would recommend it for any woman who has been abused by her husband.

As a trainer of police officers on domestic violence response, and as a counselor of survivors, I highly recommend this book for all who suspect they are experiencing intimate partner abuse. It is also very important for family and friends. I have given away at least 20 copies to survivors and will continue to. Religion and faith are a foundation for the worldview of many and Ms. Fortune shows us all how scripture, used properly, can support and liberate victims. Keep copies of this book in stock for your clients, family members, and friends.

This book was purchased and distributed by our local Domestic Violence Shelter to women who's faith stood in the way of their safety and sanity regarding whether or not it is God's will for them to live with abuse. I hope to buy more booklets to have available for this dedicated population.

Remember when you first fell in love; that feeling which overpowers you and consumes your entire being? You HAVE to be with your lover or you'll die. Then came the marriage proposal; THEE question you waited for, prayed for, and almost died for.

True Love is filled all of these emotions that will take you back to your own wedding proposal. It is a great read and makes the perfect gift for a new bride (or even an old one!!!). The true stories in this book are engaging and easy to read through quickly since we're in the "micro wave" time frame. Some of the stories are humorus while others might solicate emotions of frustration and even anger. But they all leave you with that "ahhhhh" feeling when the "Will you marry me?" question is asked. These true-life couples will help any young couple plan their engagement and wedding.

The book also contains a section with a list of engagement rings that can be chosen and are proper to chose. For example: A bride born in October may choose an opal engagement ring because opals symbolize hope. At the end there are pages to fill in about your own wedding, such as: Our Wedding Day with names of the best man, groomsmen, maid of honor, bridesmaids etc; The Groom's Memoirs and the Bride's Memoirs; and a Certificate to be filled in on your wedding day.

The book is also sprinked with great quotes and fillers from various people and even celebrities such as John Tesh and Connie Selleca's proposal and the Rev. Billy and Ruth Graham among others. Poems and quotes from Shakespear, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Charles Dickens also fill the pages.

I highly recommend this wonderful, inspiring book filled with love stories.

...

What a joy it is to read this book filled with true stories of love and marriage. Poems and prose and scriptures enrich every page and bring a smile to the face and a lift the heart. In this constantly changing world it's refreshing to read of true love and marriage divine style. Eva Everson's lyrical prose has given us an intimate look into the hearts of very special people. This book is a classic look at true love.

Special Forces and Army Ranger training didn't prepare me for the most important battle of my life: overcoming years of military training and finding the art of appreciating the delicacy of the perfect moment for the perfect marriage proposal. True Love : Engaging Stories of Real-Life Proposals by Eva Marie Everson does just that. Guys don't pass this book up as a "chick flick" sort of thing! It's going to be you on the bent knee with your future, as you hope it will unfold from that moment on! For those bold souls, (and that goes for you women of action who decide to propose e.g. the author Eva Marie), read and learn. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail! This book's many stories about how men and women accomplished the perfect proposals (well, not always perfect!) but always conducted with the fine art of being at our most human; was great reading! I didn't realize this book was of the "Christian Bookstore" fare and like every great book the Bible and Shakespere are referred to. However, because this book has applicability to the most wonderful human condition of being in love and proposing marriage it deserves the widest possible readership. Fortunately, the author had that in mind. So go get it. This book is a whole lotta fun that encouraged me to ask all of my Army buddies about their proposal stories! HOOHAH!

Evans does a phenomenal job of expressing what's on every right-winger's mind. Chapter after chapter he hits the nail on the head and drvies to the heart of our country's problems.

I'd refer to it as the guide to America's struggles: Liberal quest for power vs. Republicans desire for progress.

James Evans has done a good job in creating a simple, straightforward book that debunks the liberal trends in our country. He explains clearly the imaginary concepts that liberals conceive their ideals. He illustrates the roots that took shape in the 1960s that evolved into the leadership coming of age today. He exposes very well the outcomes of the law, Affirmative Action and public education. He also demonstrates common sense rules to live by that would create an orderly society. Mr. Evans was of the hippie culture of the 1960s. He later understood the irrational thinking that this liberal ideology would bring about. His book is an easy to read guide to the trends our country has been on for the past 40 years. He simply demonstrates good alternatives to develop good citizenship, self-directed responsibility, and a better community for us all.

Not only is Mr. Evans right on the money, but he does is hilariously. If you are a liberal standing on shaky, Mr. Evans is going to get you. The humor is gut wrenching, the satire thick and the message right on. Another good work from Mr. Evans.

If you are looking for stories of teachers who got what you don't seem to have, you may more or less enjoy this book. It will keep Liberation at a safe distance: only for the few "awakened ones" and not (yet) for you, the reader.
If you really want to know what true awakening is, you'd better read Tony Parson's book "As It Is". Or a book from Steven Harrison, Chuck Hillig or Nathan Gill.
I am disappointed the whole enlightenment issue is personalised in this book. Not all the teachers in these interviews do so, but one has to be careful, here. Several claim to be awakened, or to be special - or at least they allow people to say so. And I am sure they really are special: it is indeed very inspiring and powerful to be around with those teachers, to connect with them, to listen to them. The resonance may be very powerful. A lot of readers however may be confused about all that. Liberation has nothing to do with a person, and even less with perfection or holiness (as is suggested in a lot of books from the East). Remember: awakening has nothing to do with me or Ramana or Nisargadatta or John or Thimothee, it is about That which we all share. And when we keep that in mind, this book is very inspiring, indeed. And highly recommended.
If you like interviews, you may also read "Dialogues With Emerging Spiritual Teachers
by John W. Parker". I interviewed myself some of these teachers in those 2 books, like Mira, Tony Parsons, Douglas Harding, Eckhart Tolle and Francis Lucille, and can indeed tell you that seeing these people may be very inspiring indeed. I also had interesting conversation with Mark Mc Closkey (puresilence.com), UG Krishnamurti and Chuck Hillig.
If you read books like these, just don't get confused by the personal stories, use them as pointers to the infinite.

Jan Kersschot, author of "Nobody Home"

A magnificent contribution! This book is a welcome companion on the journey of awakening. It has a special place on my bookshelf alongside three other recent books of similar consciousness: "The Healing Companion" by Dr. Jeff Kane, "After the Ecstasy, the Laundry" by Jack Kornfield, and "Widening Circles" by Joanna Macy.

Reading The Awakening West offered me the opportunity to discover with each of the 15 men and women interviewed - what it's like to live an awakened life and to realize that I am not exempt from this awakening but am a part of it. In each of the interviews, the same questions were asked to each person, starting with the classic question "Who am I?" I found that the unique responses and dialogue with the authors often touched my heart and opened a doorway in my mind.

I have been exposed to many teachers and teachings from various traditions over the years and appreciated how each interview pointed to the luminous quality of presence that is always here in each of us. Many questions I didn't know I had were answered. Of the 15 interviews, there was only one I didn't complete. I think this is an important book for exposing people to deeply committed teachers who are mirrors of our own inner wakefulness. Each interview is like dipping into a rich and unique reservoir of understanding that is refreshing and original in its perspective and yet pointing to a universal truth.