This is a nearly perfect read-out-loud book. I have shared this book several times with my daughters (now 10 and 12). I am looking forward to the time when I can begin to read it aloud to my three year old son. The story within the story (the struggle between the Wolf, Rainbow and the heroic farmer boy Jimmy) effortlessly keeps the children involved. The external story (the father and son inventing the animal adventure tale over several days) makes me laugh out loud with its sly humor and insight; the boy's missing shoe gets me every time. It's great to see that a reprint edition is available again.

My favorite book as a child. My father read it to my brother and then to me, in chapters much like Michael's father tells him the story, until we were old enough to read it to him. It's so much a fairy tale but, at the same time, Michael's father loving him so much he creates this wonderful story off the top of his head combined with the father's slight impatience or perhaps the father and son's different priorities make it believable. The under-his-breath sarcasm/innuendo in the father's voice adds a little reality check for parents reading the book to their children. I am constantly on the look-out for this book so I can share it with my grandchildren (since I won't let go of my only copy) and my friends' children. I thought it was out of print and can't believe my good fortune in finding not only a printed copy, but an audiobook as well. I think this is the first thing in my childhood that really showed it was okay to think "outside the box". I could probably stand to re-read it more often to remind me of that early lesson and it's a good lesson for kids, too.

Every year I read Wolf Story to my second graders and at the end of the year when I ask them their favorite chapter book read to them, Wolf Story is chosen every year to be the favorite. They love to follow the adventures of Rainbow and Michael. When you complete Chapter 1, the kids are hooked. They can not wait for the next day. I have even had kids who have been sick ask if I can re-read a chapter that they missed or if they can stay in at recess to read the missed chapter on their own.

Wolf Story is wonderfully written and captivating to young children. Every year I can not wait to read the book. I find myself anxious to share the next chapter.
When my own children have children, Wolf Story will be the book that I can share with them. I strongly recommend this book to every child and to every adult who enjoys reading to their children at bedtime.

After reading it, I wanted to knock down every wall in my house. Or at least remove the window glass. My next house will definitely be designed based on the rooms in this book.

I didn't read much of the text because the pictures were so captivating. They show every aspect of the tropical Asian house, except perhaps kitchens, which seem to be nothing more than a stove-type device near the dining area. The predominant theme is living among nature and even inviting it to share the living space with you (or is it the other way around?). Instead of windows and doors, you see slatted screens and netting. Very romantic. And a far cry from most of America's obsession with locks and glass. I need to move......

My dream is to be surrounded by teak and orchids, eating curry and sipping lime juice, and not owning any sort of time piece. Since that isn't going to happen for several more years I bought this book. I am neither a designer nor a photographer so my only input is how this book makes me feel. I have come to love Southeast Asia after several all too brief trips to the region and Tropical Asian Style, specifically Tettoni's photos, has brought some life to my dull suburban living room. And, while I realize that this book comprises several distinct cultures, it is the overall effect, not any particular region, that is so overwhelmingly beautiful. If you feel trapped in your American workaholic routine, this book is a wonderful diversion.

This is an excellent look at the best examples of tropical Asian luxury living.

It is not a detailed exploration of regional design elements (look to Bali Style, Thai Style, Tropical Garden Design, et al, for the next degree of depth). It is, however, a rich overview of the best of SEAsian luxury architecture and furnishings.

Every page is simply gorgeous, with photos "bleeding" out past the paper, one trait of a good coffee table or style book. There is little or no image repetition in the coverage of the homes or boutique hotels featured, and each photo is perfectly focused, every composition seen in its best light.

In all the shuffle of Thai grandeur, Balinese earthiness, and Malaysian simplicity, the book might at first glance seem to be presenting a kind of fusion. I think it's fair to say that there is plenty of contemporary blurring of the distinctions between regions, but the reader can also look for regional elements and quickly learn them. Each property is given its own mini-chapter, which helps a lot. And the regional details and sensibilities really come alive when you read the accompanying texts, which are the work of expert style writers.

In fact, the contributors list reads like a who's who of style gurus. There is the clever and quippy Made Wijaya, descriptive Diana Darling, the meticulous William Warren, and details-minded Robert Powell. It's a great read!

Beautiful full-page color photos are liberal in this fine survey of Hassam's career as an important American Impressionist artist. Hassam explored Impressionist themes in a variety of mediums: many of his pictures have been hidden in private collections until now, others are on public display. Childe Hassam, Impressionist gathers many public and private holdings and adds a survey of the artist's life and times.

This book is a beautiful example of Hassam's many diverse styles. The book contains wonderful essays and photos with a chronology of Hassam's life. A great book for anyone who likes art.

This book is a beautiful exmple of Hassam's many diverse styles. The book contains wonderful essays and photos with a chronology of Hassam's life. A great book for anyone who likes art.

Worth every penny!! Used this as my main reference to study for the hand examination.

This book is wonderful.It was worth every penny. This is my main resource that I use when I have a question on any hand problems. The book is very thorough and informative.It is a "must have" for any hand therapist.

I doubt anyone can pass the CHT exam without this book. If I only could read one on the list, this would be it.

James H.W. Thompson was a legend. Born in 1906, he served during WWII in the O.S.S which later became the C.I.A. His real claims to fame however were first as the 'Thai Silk King' and secondly as a missing person rivaling Judge Crater and Jimmy Hoffa for mystery. This book should have inspired several others on Thompson since he lived such a legendary and fascinating life. Sadly, this is really the only authoritative book out there on him. Nearly 36 years have done nothing to dispel the myths and rumors about what may have happened to him during a fateful weekend in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia (Easter weekend of 1967). For those who love a real-life mystery, tantalizing clues, possibilities, and innuendos keep the reader guessing as to his possible fate. You won't find any definitive answers here, but what you will find is an extraordinary life laid out in the most entertaining of biographical narratives.

Bought this book on a recent trip to Thailand. Have known of the many stories surrounding Jim Thompson and wanted to read the definitive book on the subject. Unfortunately, I'm no further ahead in learning the solution but the book is fascinating and a page turner.

And since the author is a true fan of Jim Thompson, is what HE wrote the truth or is there still more out there?

This book will just make the reader want to know more.

I began this book on Christmas day while visiting Singapore after having spent a few days in Thailand. My son wouldn't give up possession of this book as he was also reading it. It just was made available this Spring in the U.S. I can't wait to get a copy and finish it! It is a great mystery story and also a fascinating account of a man who was instrumental in revitalizing Thailand's silk industry.

This delightful book of at least three hundred photos of advertising characters shows the public face of commercial America. Companies realised that a three-dimensional figure built brand awareness. Look through the photos and you have to admit they do look cute and so very collectable too.

This book is the author's second attempt at the same subject, he wrote an earlier book called 'Advertising Character Collectibles', more or less the same items in each book but the earlier copy had perhaps a bit more historical detail about the companies. I prefer 'What a Character', the photography and design are so much better and I think these count for a lot in a strongly visual book.

Both books have a photo of the character I would love to have, the Kraft Cameraman from Kraft Television Theatre. Yours for fifty cents and the end flap from a Velveeta carton in 1954, yours now for at least $100 without the end flap!

I ran across this book in a offbeat-stuff boutique and couldn't put it down. An amazingly comprehensive view of all kinds of advertising characters over a century. This can't help bring back childhood memories, whether you're 20 or 85. And the writing is quite interesting as well. This one quickly made my gift list for some hard-to-choose person's birthday or christmas.

I love this book and love giving it as a gift as well. The thick colored photographs glorify these quirky, spooky, adorable, impish, goofy figures. This is not just another boomer collector on my kitchy 50's coffee table book. Oh no! The writing is musical, provocative and sociologically insightful. I'll never look at an advertising character again in the same way. Chronicle does tasteful stuff but this book with it's tribe of characters is a yummier feast for those who long for magic from our breakfast cereal and motor oil and in moments once spent between the twilight zone and Mr. Clean . Bye bye kittie!

This is a great no nonsense overview which touches upon virtually all of the issues you need to be thinking about when going into busines for yourself. It's a good primer, an easy read, without getting overly technical.

One of the things I really appreciate about this book, is that Bruce Williams is realistic about being in business for yourself. He tells it like it is rather than espousing a lot of B.S. Mr. Williams has started several businesses of his own and his clear and to the point thoughts are conveyed well here.

I enjoy listening to Bruce Williams on the radio and enjoy his book even more. I read the chapters over and over. He is really a smart man.

Bruce Williams' book is simply a classic business primer. No pie in the sky here, just good, solid plain English advice about how to get it done. Bruce is not one of these professorial types who lectures about business with no practical experience. He's been there, done that. Far more useful than those Wall Street or academic jibberish books.

This book is a good reference for everyone who love tropical plant and garden, many beautiful photographs from good garden and healthy plant, I note some mistakes:
(pg 50) pict 1 is not jackfruit or breadfruit
(pg 50) pict 2 is not breadfruit, it's a jackfruit
(pg 105) pict 2 is also Dracaena marginata, not a wild type
(pg 226) pict 4 is Epidendrum radicans not a Dendrobium
(pg 226) pict 3 is not Arundina, probably Arachnis hybrid
(pg 228) pict 2 is not Phalaenopsis hybrid, probably Miltonia
(pg 232) pict 2 is not Vanda tricolor
(pg 236) pict 2 must be rotate clockwise

This book is the companion to 'The Tropical Garden' by the same author, and maintains the same high standards.

The book is well-organized with a large selection of some of the best known species of tropical plants. Concise but informative descriptions of each species are provided complete with the scientific and common names. The highlight, however is the superb full-color photographs that accompany every entry. While lacking in hints for the budding gardener, this book provides plenty of inspiration as well as probably the best pictorial summary of the subject matter currently in print.

I really loved this book. As a novice gardner I was able to learn more about plants, their correct names, how they reproduce and view spectular picturers. I keep wanting more and more. I've have read it several times and I refer to it frequently. It is informative without being too long winded. A must buy for the novice gardner.

In Barton Stone: A Spiritual Biography, Newell Williams (Christian Theological Seminary) takes great pains to paint a coherent well-balanced biographical picture of Barton Stone, one of the founders of the movement that would come to be called the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Williams opens this book with the statement, "...genuine Christian faith could only be the result of a miraculous or extraordinary experience of the Holy Spirit." It is very much through the filter of this experience that we learn about Barton Stone. Williams presents us with a Stone that is a vigorous advocate of Christian Unity; in 1832 he worked to unite the Christians with Alexander Campbell's followers known as the Reformers or Disciples. By 1860, this group numbering nearly 200,000 became the fifth largest religious group in the United States; they did not, however, organize as a denomination until the 1960's. On the issue of unity some of the difficulties of Stone's theology come through. His ideas on this issue (and many others) are puzzling. Williams works a great deal to clarify these aspects of Stone's theology and weave them into an easy to understand tapestry. In addition to focusing on Stones deep spirituality and proclivity for Christian unity, Williams shows his humanity in pointing out his frustration at the churches of his time because their apathy on the issue of unity and another issue that was central to Stone's theology, emancipation. The author spends a great deal of time focusing on this issue. Stone believed that slavery had no place in the Christian church and that it was a hindrance to both unity and the Second Coming of Christ. He wrote and preached a great deal on this issue and supported a colonization scheme for moving former slaves to offshore colonies; later he supported immediate abolition. While the author speaks of his subject's many contributions Christianity in America, he speaks little of the work of Alexander Campbell other than to mention in passing on a number of occasions some difficulties he had with Stone's theology. The author also fails to paint an accurate picture of the true unification process between Christians and Disciples. As I understand it, this union happened in local towns one congregation at a time. Stone and Campbell themselves never really seem to have united on all issues. In focusing on the spirituality of Stone, we learn little of his large ego; a trait that many scholars have attributed to both he and Campbell. Many have also sited this trait as one of the hindrances of unification. In conclusion, little has been written on Stone for the past forty years; this much needed updated biography gives us what in my opinion it yet the best balanced view of its subject. Stone is painted as a complex reformer, alive during the last great Christian revival, dedicated to unity, and integrity within Christ's church. While this book is academic in nature, it is also well written enough that even the casual reader will enjoy it. Students of the Stone-Campbellite movement will also be well served by this balanced historical resource.

I read this book a few days ago just because I thought it would be interisting. To my glee, i found that it was indeed very interesting. I have read all of Dr. Williams books and each one has a place in my top 5 favorite books list. I recomend this book to everyone.

"In Barton Stone: A Spiritual Biography, Newell Williams has given us the most thorough and clearly articulated description of Stone's theology ever produced. Williams provides a coherent overview of Stone's beliefs, placing his sometimes puzzling theological ideas into a context that makes sense. While highlighting Stone's deep spirituality with his focus on Christian union and practical Christianity, the author shows Stone's humanity in his frustration with the churches for their apathy toward emancipation and Christian unity. Douglas A. Foster, Abilene Christian University "Williams gives us the first critical analysis of Barton Stone's contribution to the Stone-Campbell movement. We find that Stone took his theological reasoning very seriously. More important is the way Williams demonstrates how Stone combined consistent reasoning with a thorough understanding of the importance of the experience of God. Through the lens of Stone's struggle with the meaning of salvation, Williams offers a story about the spirituality of early Disciples. Through this spiritual biography of Stone, we are reminded anew that Christ changed how human beings relate to God, not how God relates to human beings." Mark G. Toulouse, Brite Divinity School

"This updated biography of Barton Stone (the first in over forty years) displays the full breadth and depth of the 'faith seeking understanding' that animated this early nineteenth-century reformer. Stone emerges here as a complex personality on a lifelong quest to discern and articulate the meaning of the Christian gospel amid the social, cultural, and theological turmoil of his times. Of special interest to ministers and laity will be Stone's conviction that faithfulness unites spiritual vitality, intellectual integrity, and moral commitment. James O. Duke, Brite Divinity School