Super book! Easy to understand. Chapters on allergy, asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and lung disease. Great information on medications and how they work--but understandable, not over the head of the reader. Also enjoyed the alternative medicine chapter and understanding how stress affects breathing. This book helped me get back in control with my chronic allergies. I've learned WHEN to take medication and how they will work to stop swelling and mucus production. AWESOME.

As a physician, I'm always looking for books that explain diseases to patients--but that are comprehensive and easy-to-read. Breathe Right Now fits the bill. It describes the most common breathing problems in a manner that my patients can understand and gives easy, practical ways in which they can take control of their environment and their health. Superb chapter on exercise and stress!! I'm recommending to all of my allergy, asthma, and COPD patients in my clinics.

I've had allergic rhinitis all my life. Recently I've developed asthma. My doctor has been treating each of these ailments separately. A friend gave me BREATHE RIGHT NOW for my birthday last month. Once I opened it, I could not put it down. It is the only book that tells how the nose and lungs are all related. I've read about sinobronchial syndrome and it sounded exactly like what I have, so I showed this to my doctor. He was also amazed. We started to treat my condition differently--using preventive measures like steroid nasal sprays to stop the constant drip. I have not had an asthma attack in several weeks--and it's pollen season. Thank you for this book.

This is the book that really got me into the Kennedy clan. Leamer tackeled an immense project by chronicling the lives of 5 generations of women and is met with great success!

It is not often that an author can find sympathy for both Jackie Kennedy and Rose Kennedy (the 2 women had conflicts and were quite different!), but Leamer allows both to be understood in new light. My favorite parts were the ones that introduced the reader to JFK's ill fated sister, Kathleen ("Kick") Kennedy. She is truly a fascinating woman who has been largely forgotten.

This is a true page turner that manages to be both fun and scholarly! It is easily one of the best Kennedy books on the market today!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an intimate look into the lives of five generations of Kennedy women, from the first who immigrated to America in the mid-1800s to the Caroline Kennedy and Maria Shriver we know today. I found it fascinating to read about the women behind the great political men of recent decades, and how these women actually shaped events more than we know. I was at times shocked at the attitudes of Rose and her daughters to their husbands' excesses, choosing to turn the other way rather than face reality. The evolution of generations of one family of women is, in part, a look at how all women from the early days of our country have advanced and flourished. This book is also written quite well; it is a joy to read what is almost a novel, yet still learn so much about our history. Bravo, Mr. Leamer!!

For five years bestselling author, journalist & social historian Laurence Leamer researched the book, receiving unprecedented cooperation from Kennedy family members, interviewing scores of relatives & close associates, & gaining access to hundreds of personal documents. The book combines his exhaustive & superb scholarship with a gripping narrative that will forever alter our perception of America's royal family.

The Kennedy Women is a virtual feast for Kennedy lovers. The book could serve as a university course on the life of the family, chronicling five matrilineal generations in our nation's foremost political dynasty. It provides a poetic panorama of the history of American womanhood, as we are taken from the life of Bridget Murphy Kennedy, who arrived steerage class on an immigrant vessel to work as a servant in the slums of Boston, to the presentation of Joseph Kennedy's daughters to the Queen of England, to John F. Kennedy's White House, through discussions of the future Kennedy matriarchs Caroline Kennedy Scholossberg, Maria Shriver Schwartzenegger, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, & Rory Kennedy.

Wonderful, in-depth portraits with much new material are given of all the Kennedy women, particularly the ubiquitous Jackie, Ethel, & Eunice, & the mentally challenged Rosemary, whose story in all its horror & duplicity is revealed in detail.

It isn't often that one mourns coming to the end of a book. Although The Kennedy Women covers 933 pages, I was saddened to find myself on the last page.

A really great reading experience. A friend recommended this book and I was addicted from the first chapter. Do yourself a favor and read this one. Great ending.

Recommended by A friend, I couldn't put it down Kept me riveted from start to finish. Terrific Character development, and great ending. Best book I've read in years.

From the first page to the last, I was riveted to this book. It's filled with fascinating characters, written with such insight, that they seem real. The continually changing and challenging circumstances in which they find themselves, and the constant twists and turns of the plot leave you breathless with anticipation and wanting to read on and on. The story is truly original and ingenius, totally different from all the usual "formula" books I have read, and just when you think you've figured it out, it swoops you off in a different direction winding tighter and tighter until the end, which frankly, knocked me off my feet. I would recommend this book to anyone. This is a fresh new talent and I can't wait to read Laurence Hutner's next one.

I have read and followed financial, investment and business books for close to 30 years. Many are informative and some are brilliant. This book is one of the latter ones. I've been watching the cash flow industry develop for 10 years now, but this is the first time the entire industry is explained in one book by the founder of it. It's an added bonus that the book is thorough, entertaining, and easy to read.

Cash In On Cash Flow is one of the most clearly written and well organized books that I have ever read on business opportunities or investing. Mr. Pino presents an excellent overview of the entire cash flow industry. At the same time, he explains the initial step-by-step actions required for one to profit from brokering and/or investing in each type of cash flow. This book was written by someone who has learned his subject through practical experience. Mr. Pino also possesses, a sometimes rare gift among authors, the ability to teach others. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the cash flow and discounted paper businesses.

THIS BOOK WAS A VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND, VERY PLEASANT TO READ OVER-VIEW OF THE CASH FLOW INDUSTRY AND ITS POTENTIAL TO EARN MONEY. ITS WRITTEN IN LANGUAGE THAT ANYONE CAN UNDERSTAND, AND BE ABLE TO APPLY IN THE REAL WORLD. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE BOOK IS ACCURATE, COHESIVE, AND WRITTEN IN SUCH A WAY AS TO BE ENJOYABLE. TIME WELL SPENT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE SEEKING A VIABLE, LUCRATIVE CAREER IN THE MONEY BUSINESS, OR ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE ALREADY IN THE BUSINESS WHO WANT TO REFRESH THEMSELVES AND EXPAND THEIR POTENTIAL. A MUST READ!!!

If you are looking for a discography of Louis Armstrong, don't look to this book. However, if what you want is the life and times of the man - then this is the book for you. Personally, this is what I want in a jazz biography - I'll listen to the CD's or radio for a discography. Mr Bergreen describes in telling detail the early stages of Louis's life in New Orleans - and believe me, it was no paradise! He (Bergreen)is also adept at giving the reader the overall feel of New Orleans at the turn of the century. So at the beginning we get a view of Louis hauling coal to make money for his mother amidst abject poverty and racial discrimination. It is really beyond belief that Louis - at the very bottom of the heap - was able to struggle through this and become an American icon. We are also introduced to a cast of characters that entered or played significantly in Louis's life. None of these people were angels - so in effect they all make for interesting reading. And although Louis is "King of Jazz" he is no saint himself (his 4 wives could attest to that!). This book is a great read - not only if you are interested in the rise to fame of a great African American, but it truly captures the spirit and tough times of that era from New Orleans to Chicago to New York.

Kim C.

Louis Armstrong, An Extravant Life is superb because it recreates the man and his times--and how the man changed his time. Laurence Bergreen details the poverty of Storyville, New Orleans: its honky tonks and violence, and the surprising sustenance a resilent child found there. We see how Louis Armstrong found his family among the white, Jewish Karnovskys, and in the stern Waif's Home where he became a musician.

Bergreen shows us the shameful racism of the South (and North), and how Louis' exuberant personality and music helped transcend it. The Armstrong we come to know is humble, humorous, brimming with the energy of jazz itself. We learn how Armstrong invented solos and scat singing, and how his jazz went beyond even music. That is, he mesmerized America with a personality that brought rich and poor, black and white, hip and square together.

Armstrong's blowing and singing, his restless amiable spirit, is a bracing ode to being alive. Bergreen's meticulous empathy lets us share the extravagance.

This biography does an excellent job of painting a portrait of a man who changed 20th Century music, not only in America, but across the globe. Learning the details of Louis' life and struggles only enhances my appreciation of his music.

The impact of Louis Armstrong is still felt on several levels in our society. While Armstrong did not have a hand in inventing jazz, he was instrumental in pushing it artistically. With a minimum of formal instruction, he revolutionized the trumpet as well as singing in Jazz and popular music. He was also instrumental as one of the early African-American celebrities, in breaking down racial barriers.
Laurence Begreen does a fine job of illustrating the joys and struggles that Armstrong encountered. The devatating poverty and harsh socail environment of Louis youth are keenly detailed. He shows how these obstacles are overcome by Armstong's love of music and of life. He also shows the prejudice and mob intimidation that Louis had to endure on his road to stardom.

All in all, this book is an inspiring work and testimonial to the life and music of one of the greatest trumpet players and entertainers to grace this planet. I would seriously recommend this to anyone with an interest in music, especially jazz.

W. Laurence Willis' debut novel, Freedom's Menace is an action-packed adventure that pits heroic agent Trevor Brice against evil mastermind An Lolo. This Asian mastermind has secured the title of Chinese premier and wages a war of terror against the United States. The secret of Lolo's power lies hidden in the volcanic fires of Hawaii; Trevor Brice must brave the wrath of Pele the Fire Goddess and many more mundane dangers to uncover the truth and save America. Freedom's Menace is a fast-paced, vivacious read that can confidently be recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections.

This is an excellent summer read, especially if you're going to Hawaii. Freedom's Menace is set on the Big Island and centers around the Kilauea volcano. Not only is this story action packed, I also learned a lot. I like a good mix of reality with my fiction. This is a well constructed, seamless novel.

Highly recommended!

I've read a great many action novels. Clancy is a favorite or should I say was. Mr. Willis just may take his place on my book shelf. Freedom's Menace is the most imaginative and exciting story I've read in a long time. For me, Trevor Brice, the protaginist is just like someone we could all emulate and aspire to be. He is very human with a real family, real dreams and a love for his country.

I particularly enjoyed the Hawaiian setting for the story. It's nice to be take away to a far off place, educated and entertained all at the same time. This was a great story. I would strongly recommend it to all my fellow readers, who are constant search for a bright new author.

Martha

An experience of organic change can enter one's presence upon inner recognition (resonance) while reading, since the "Miraculous" is now as it always has been, yet is explained here in concise language representing a living tradition. Not a psychology, a religion, or a science, the in-the-moment practice outlined in text and diagrams, reaches our depths if upon our approach we open our minds, hearts, and the sensation of being in the moment while reading. A book to live by and refer to with renewed attention indefinitely.

Truely profound.

G. I. Gurdjieff - a difficult subject. He was a Russian/Turkistani/Armenian/Ousbeck (they didn't really have countries there when he lived) mystic - but a rather hard nosed one, lived 1880 - 1947, I believe. Started a movement called "The Work". best intro - "In Search of the Miraculous" by his student PD Ouspensky, Uspenski, Ouspenskj, Ospenski (depending on how they translate the Russian), who had a photographic memory. If you get and read this book it WILL change your life. Truely profound. Mr G's ideas, presented by Ouspensky, are nothing less than the central idea behind all religions. The essence, when you throw away the bull...waste, superstition and the outer trappings, the unifying spiritual essence behind the mystical traditions of all religions. Christainity, Kaballa (Judaism), Vedanta, Sufiism, Taoism, Buddhism etc.

Unfortunately, Mr G got fed up with his bonehead students and didn't tell all he knew...(pay particular attention to the subtitle)

Having said that, those who have EYES will SEE, those who don't, will scoff.

This is a recursive book. It cannot be understood with one reading. It's ideas will only reveal themselves gradually with many readings , preferably with the help of a local "Work" group, who, it is rumoured, can give you exercises. Reading the book will change your essence, changing your essence will allow you to understand more, next time you read!

This has nothing whatsoever to do with drugs, LSD, (as stated below) it is the opposite of drugs. One of the central idea is that we are all asleep. When you are asleep and you dream that you are awake, you cannot understand this. This book points the way to becoming awake.

Ouspensky named his book 'Fragments of an Unknown Teaching', but when the book was published in 1950, after his own and Gurdjieff's death, the name was changed due to its similarity to 'Fragments of a Faith Forgotten' by G.R.S. Mead.

Gurdjieff's lectures and answers are recorded in the 'Fragments' so exactly that when Madame Ouspensky showed the book to Gurdjieff he said: 'I can hear myself speaking' and gave permission to publish the book, but insisted that his own book 'Beelzebub's Tales' must come out first. 'Beelzebub's Tales' was eventually also published first time in 1950.

The contents of the 'Fragments' were delivered in meetings in Moscow and Petrograd (earlier St. Petersburg, later Leningrad and now again St. Petersburg) in 1915 - 1918, in other words just before, during and just after the October revolution, in conditions G. described as favourable for 'picking up ideas'.

The 'Fragments' has the whole theory of Gurdjieff's teaching, often known as the Fourth Way, and moreover presented in such clear way that the book is easy reading taking into account the difficulty of the subject.

To get to know what Gurdjieff's teaching is can be found out by reading the book. To put it in just a few words is not really possible, but Ouspensky writes about it like this:

"G. began the next talk as follows:
"Man's possibilities are very great. You cannot conceive even a shadow of what man is capable of attaining. But nothing can be attained in sleep. In the consiousness of a sleeping man his illusions, his 'dreams' are mixed with reality. He lives in a subjective world and he can never escape from it. An this is the reason why he can never make use of all the powers he possesses and why he always lives in only a small part of himself."

WOW! Start with the cover with its dawn view across Baltimore's famed Inner Harbor of Domino's "Sugar House." Inside it gets even better. Laura knows Bawlmer and brings it to life. Throughout the Tess Monaghan series, she brings you the sights; the smells of McCormick's spices wafting across the harbor; the taste and diversity of the ethnic neighborhoods and foods (although I think I'll pass on the 'green pepper rings with powdered sugar'). Combine this with a well rounded mystery story with well developed and believable characters (including the animals) and you have a great book. Each of her books can be read individually, but I recommend starting with the first of the series, BALTIMORE BLUES, and following the series in order. And it's not just for Baltimoreans -- most other cities have similar neighborhoods, so no matter where you're from you will ENJOY!

As a mystery writer with my first book in its initial release, I genuinely admire Laura Lippman, an author who is clearly at the top of her game. SUGAR HOUSE is Lippman's first hardcover mystery, and it is a fabulous novel. Lippman's protagonist, Tess Monaghan, agrees to her father's request and attempts to identify a nameless dead girl whose murderer himself was murdered. To accomplish this task, Lippman takes us on a tour of the Atlantic coast. Tess journeys from her usual stomping grounds of Baltimore to Annapolis, Philadelphia, and Maryland's Eastern Shore. Lippman continues to develop her Tess character, as well as several supporting characters. SUGAR HOUSE's plot is first-rate, and Lippman's writing is smooth. It is difficult to believe that it has taken five paperback books for Tess to reach hardcover. SUGAR HOUSE is a great mystery, and I recommend it highly.

Tess Monaghan is a blue collar woman in Baltimore, the ultimate blue collar city. She agrees to take a case for a friend of her father's--trying to find out why the friend's brother died in prison. Her investigation leads her into both the upper reaches of society and down to a strange underworld of prostitution, unethical centers for treatment of eating disorders, and crooked politicians.

Laura Lippman has surrounded Tess with a charming assortment of friends and family members. Their obvious affection for Tess makes her more compelling to the reader. As Tess steps more and more deeply into danger, you'll find yourself turning the pages faster and faster. The mystery is well crafted and Lippman dangles clues, one by one, leaving the reader like Tess certain that there is a way of connecting them without actually able to do it.

This book is especially popular in Maryland which is great--as a longtime resident of Maryland I felt at home reading it--but it is far to good to be missed out on by the rest of us.

THE SUGAR HOUSE may be the best mystery you read this year.

This is a useful book, but beginners will probably get more out of it than intermediates. It does cover some useful intermediate material, like buying your own cue or table, how to apply english, and some useful practice drills. But it is a curious mix of material for beginners also. It spends too much time explaining things (for idiots, I suppose). Explaining that balls are round and what 'cue' and 'scratch' mean. This may be useful for someone who's never ever played a game of pool before and decides to buy a book to learn, but most readers will have to flip over lots of rudimentary explanations to get to something useful. So, it's got all the really basic material that intermediates don't need, and lots of good intermediate material that beginners can't use. It's also a bit repetitive, you'll find identical explanations of 8-ball and 9-ball breaks in two different chapters. And sometimes it's contradictory, Mataya explains twice that if you miscue on the break that you can grab the cueball because the game doesn't start till the cueball hits the rack. But in the official rules in the appendix, it seems that the game starts when your stick hits the cueball. I couldn't figure this out.

Having said all this, it's not a bad book at all. It's simple, the layout is engaging. You can read a few pages and come back later. You can flip around easily, the index is ample so you can quickly find what you need. So it may be a bit schizophrenic, and it could seriously use some re-organization in the next edition, but it's not too bad at all.

It would be unfair to give this book 3 stars, but I think 4 stars may be a bit too high from some perspectives. This book is mainly for beginners, but I don't think intermediate or advanced players will get too much out of it. The book is well-written and is a good read for history, stories, and factoids about the sport, but as an instruction manual I was left very wanting.

Although the latter part of this book includes information on english, banking, and drills, it never really educates the reader on how to look for cluster combinations, throw combinations, multi-ball caroms, etc. which come up frequently in other games besides eight-ball. This book only teaches the theory and leaves it up to the reader to work out much more than the book explains.

For a beginner I will definitely recommend this book, but for the intermediate or more advanced player I can't honestly say this book will help them other than providing them with a few drills and trick shots. Like the title says, it's a "Complete Idiot's Guide" and will help the "complete idiot," but for someone who has already read some other books and already knows about draw, follow, and english, this book won't provide any more insight into the game.

I have loved the game of billiards for some time, but only recently decided to get serious about improving my game. I have read other books including "The 99 Critical Shots in Pool" by Ray Martin. This is simply the best book that I have read on the subject.

The book's scope is ambitious. The authors give essential information on all the equipment you need, everything from choosing a cue to play with when you go to play at your local pool hall to setting up a billiard room at home. The critical aspects of pool etiquette are also covered. The book gives detailed instructions on how to develop the fundamentals of the game, from the rules (which are explained clearly) to how to hold the cue, stand at the table, and so forth.

Furthermore, for an experienced player who may have a handle on the fundamentals, the book explains the principles of position play, English, and even explains several trick shots, not to mention important tips on how to spot a hustle.

The book is exceptionally well-written and I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone interested in billiards. For the beginner, it provides easy-to-follow instructions on the fundamentals of the game. For the accomplished player, it can help you get to the next level.

While this book summarized the concept of working knowledge with thoughtfulness and communicated these concepts clearly, it is not a comprehensive step-by-step instruction guide for knowledge management. Also, the book examples from organizations seemed more like a portfolio of successes or resume of experiences by the authors rather than serving as a means to more clearly covey working knowledge in action. While the examples did allow the reader to delve into more areas of working knowledge and better understand it in action, the parallel of how one would implement such strategy in one's own workplace was not nearly explored. All that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and feels it serves a good, basic introduction into working knowledge. It covers what knowledge is, who has it, who uses and needs it, what skills are necessary to form and manage it, cultural and other issues related to knowledge management, ways to incorporate it (with or without technology) into the workplace, and what measurements can be used. The measurements area was a little weak. But, again, the absence of true measurement analysis and instruction remind the reader that this is a book intended for a solid look and understanding of knowledge management--not a comprehensive guide for implements and assessing it within an organization. This book provides the information that might persuade someone to value and seek knowledge management. Additional reads and study would be required in order to master it.

I must say that I really enjoyed this well rounded overview of Knowledge Management. The layout/structure of the information is great. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to explore the realm of Knowledge Management (KM) and is new to the thought and theories behind it. The authors date the book by offering only two technology solutions (Notes and Web Applications) as KM technology solutions however this doesn't distract from the basics and value that should be placed on KM in organizations.

I found Davenport's work to be of enormous value as I begin my work in the KM area. This is the first book you should read on KM -- it is concise and provides a very good foundation. I would then highly recommend moving on to Amrit Tiwana's Knowledge Management Toolkit. It's hands-on approach was an excellent follow-up to Davenport, as it lays out specific scenarios, guidelines, and tools for implementing KM in your organization.