Dave is probably our best modern humorist. This has to be his funniest book. I laughed so hard I hurt, then laughed even more. Men may be from Mars but Guys are everywhere you look on Earth. Guys, read this you'll laugh at yourselves and high five. Women, (my girlfriend gave me the book) you'll be nodding and saying "I told ya so", and get a great laugh out of it.

Truly one of his funniest works, this insane little book is hilarious. However, it is NOT recommended that those who have no clue that this book is humor read it-Some people I know assumed I was reading a book on male pubertyO_o However, if you are a guy OR a girl, you shall enjoy this rollicking guide to that gender only classified as-GUYS! All guys should be required to take the guy quiz, please!

I have read: Dave Barry Slept Here, Dave Barry is From Mars And Venus, Dave Barry in Cyberspace, Dave Barry's Bad Habits, Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys, and just recently Big Trouble.

Dave Barry is the funniest person alive! I love all of the books of his that I have read. However, I didn't laugh anywhere near as hard reading the other books as I did when I read this. It is so funny, and so true! If you like Dave Barry, you will love this book!

I feel May Sarton pretty much hit the nail on the head with her praise found on the back of the book. "A good book to take to a desert island as sole companion, so rich is it in knowledge and insight." I can't sum up my feelings towards the book in any more concise terms. This is basically an entire biology textbook expanded and opinionated. This is one of the few textbooks that isn't one. If you are able to complete this entire book and retain all of its teachings you would now have a comprehensive knowlegde of all life. This book is almost a sacred text, you can gather most of your knowledge of life from its contents. This brings me to the downside of this illuminating book. This author may turn off several scientific readers in the book because part of the exploration into science and philosophy includes facing the spiritual world as Murchie would have said it. His wider thinking is in no way dogmatic, but it more closely resembles a new age type. However I urge you, a religious skeptic, to read this book. There is NO other book of its kind penned by another author. So buy it. I would buy a couple dozen copies just to own. To conclude with the praise of Buckminster Fuller, "Embraces all the most important information about everything humanity needs to know for continuance aboard planet Earth, or anywhere else in the universe."

Guy Murchie was an amazing man and "The Seven Mysteries ofLife" was his most astonishing and magnificent book. It presentshis comprehensive, systematic, and brilliant vision of the worlds of matter, life, mind, and spirit in extraordinarily beautiful, simple, poetic, and apt language, with an endless series of absorbing and inspired illustrations that are mostly drawn, with noble erudition, from the scientific literature. It is a work of genius - a masterpiece of ideonomy - and I feel little hesitation in declaring it one of the 200 greatest books that have ever been written.

- Patrick Gunkel

I first read this book many years ago - and then made the mistake of lending it out a few years ago, and losing it! I have missed it, and am delighted to find it again. A fascinating - and highly original, yet scientific examination of what Mr Murchie quite rightly decribes as the Seven Mysteries of Life. From breathing, through the nature of Life itself, and including a sometimes quite hilarious look at the sexuality of everything from fungi to sea slugs. Correlating the planet and its activities to human existance and behaviour, he writes in a totally entertaining way. I was unable to put this rather large book down, and look forward to receiving my new copy - now that I have found it again. Recommendation: Anyone who enjoys learning something about many things, who has love of life and nature, and a fascination with different philosophical views. Thick, wordy, and worth savouring

Vivid, colorful illustrations are the first feature readers will notice about this new title by Audrey Wood, but the story will keep them coming back to this delightful book. The lively, lower-case letters, called Charley's Alphabet, have a problem - the little i has lost his dot and the letters must help find it or they can't go to school. The story draws the reader to the conclusion, even answering my question, "Who's Charley?" Children will enjoy searching the illustrations for the hints about the ending. While there are many alphabet books, this one has great appeal for the young child, including a plot along with opportunities to repeat the alphabet. As a school media specialist, I look forward to sharing this with my young students.

As a kindergarten teacher, I was excited to find this book in time for the schoolyear to begin. What a wonderful way to introduce the alphabet to a group of wide-eyed children. This is a must-have for all pre-school and primary teachers.

The story is charming and simple. Before the letters of the alphabet can go off to school to become "Charley's Alphabet", they are delayed by the loss of the lower case i's dot. All of the letters must help to find the missing dot ... or find a way to make the dot return so that they may get to school in time for Charley, the boy who needs them.

Bruce Wood is the illustrator on this book and he has continued the family legacy of producing bright, captivating illustrations which are just begging the reader to look more closely. Indeed, there is a story in the pictures alone. My own eight-year-old daughter read the book and then immediately went back through and looked at the pictures, pointing out little details in each illustration. This is a wonderful book. I can't wait to introduce it to my class.

What a wonderful collaboration! The story of "Little i" by Audrey Wood and the illustrations by son Bruce are wonderful. This is an imaginative introduction to the alphabet for even the youngest child. The illustrations are colorful and BUSY. My children love this book!

Guy Jones is an emerging author who really knows how to tell a story. The fast-moving plot, in-depth characterizations and vivid, authentic detail are outstanding--entertaining from beginning to end. Even readers who know nothing about the Air Force will warm up to the characters in this book, and the perilous situations they find themselves in. I found myself holding my breath more than once. Chillingly authentic, as real as today, and with an ending that made me slam the book down and say, "I want more!" You owe it to yourself to get COMFORTABLY NUMB!

What immediately stands out in "Comfortably Numb" is the easy way sophisticated technology is meshed with the plot. So often, such technology, though intriguing, intimidates the reader, diffusing the impact of the story, but not in the hands of new author, Guy Jones. He makes computerized weapons and defense technology as simple to understand as driving a car-an important feat, for technology is as big a star in this story as the characters.

While the pace starts off slowly during the set up of the characters and plot, it picks up speed and never lets go. The reader becomes embroiled in the lives of Drew Martin and Jamie Dupree, who are thrust in Harm's Way repeatedly with no visible control to stop events overtaking them. This represents the most frightening frustration that military people face, but Drew and Jamie do not accept the "do or die" code of military order. Rather, they assume a "can do" attitude and rise above the conspiracy threatening them and the world at large.

Guy Jones is an author who sticks to his vision. This is evident in his character development, where the background of Captain Jason ("Weeds") Lee becomes a story within the story. This treatment breaks all conventional writing techniques, but it works and utterly engages the reader's sympathy. Taking his readers inside the lives of America's "warriors," Guy Jones shows the dedicated courage they bring to their jobs every moment of every day.

Through an evocative plot that twists and turns like a plane in an uncontrolled spin, Jones barely pulls it out in time, thus making "Comfortably Numb" a thrill ride no reader can forget. It's also a chilling experience, for the possibilities portrayed serve as a stark and scary look into a future that may already be here. Above all, "Comfortably Numb" is a tribute to the Joint STARS that raises this lesser known of our armed forces' "guardians" to public view where, at last, they can be fully appreciated and honored.

Doctors, lawyers, and military people who write books have always given us the most real and heartfelt glimps of their worlds. An insider's view point, so to speak. So it is with author Guy "Indy" Jones, former Air Force.

In "Comfortably Numb" (I've achieved this state on numbness on occasion. I was sitting in a dentist's chair, so I can relate, somewhat, to his characters) yet what a descriptive title for a book. We do what we have to do regardless of the danger it presents to our lives.

"Regadless of the danger" should be the creedo of every military soul. So it was for Air Force reqruits Drew Martin and Jamie Dupree. Through the eyes of Jamie and Drew author Jones shows us the world of two young heros. From training to real life and of death and ultimately heroism.

The setting is aboard a JOINT STARS aircraft. North Korea is about to invade South Korea. Or is it? Life and death decisions have to be made in the blink of an eye. Some will die. Some will live. When the dust settles and the smoke clears, all will carry the badge of "hero."

Well done Mr. Jones.

What an incredible book. After reading this book, you realize the impact you have on your friends and family and you will want to be an evangelist for more products and services. The case studies in this book also show that it's not about investing millions of dollars in a marketing campaign - but about using a little creativity and personality to give your customers a feeling of excitement in buying your product or service so they will WANT to spread the word about your offering.

This book is excellent - not only as a must read for businesses but for anyone who buys anything. Everyone is an evangelist for something, but this book really makes you realize the benefits of your evangelism - and it makes you want to be an evangelist for more products, services and people. From a business perspective, it shows you how other companies have provided an atmosphere for growing evangelists - do you know how you are growing customer evangelists in your organization? Read the book - and I guarantee you will get ideas on how to create these relationships with your customers.

Anyone considering purchasing this book is likely to be a marketing or business professional, and has probably already read many other books that turned out to be marketing 101, re-hashed. Well, if you are looking for some true inspiration and useful tactics for your own business or industry, you've found the right book. In Creating Customer Evangelists, Jackie and Ben present their theory, six tenets and case studies in just the way that will get you pumped to be your own company's evangelist.

For example, I loved being reminded of the oft-ignored opportunity of having suggestions and ideas filter through the company from the top down (as in the book's case studies of Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks, Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshops, and Colleen Barrett, Southwest Airlines). With the head of the company showing an interest (often reading all the customer email or snail mail they receive) and assigning follow-through, the company's employees can more fully understand and participate in the company's directive. When that's the case, authentic change and continual upgrades in customer experience are sure to follow. In theory, "bottom up" filters should also work, but if someone on the sales floor of the chain athletic supply store in Bozeman, MT, has a customer idea to share with the company president, there's much more chance the suggestion will fall by the wayside as it fights its way upstream.

Fortune 500 companies might not realistically be able to put such a program into place, but they can certainly set up a system that works almost as well - like creating "customer evangelist" positions within their company and giving that person/team true and direct access to the ear of the CEO. For the many more of us who aren't operating within such huge corporate bodies, the possible rewards seem worth the effort when you look at the successes covered in Creating Customer Evangelists. Buy this book and see the possibilities for evangelizing your company in a whole new light.

CREATING CUSTOMERS EVANGELISTS is a book with back to basic values ideas - very refreshing! If what you do is good people will share that with others and create more business. Sounds so simple you may say but how do I help that along. That's what this informative book is about. There are so many flashy things out there in the world of marketing - why not just do what you do well and "get the word out" from the new relationships you've created with your quality product. Jackie and Ben have presented their ideas in an easy to read format - through stories of people who already have succeeded in this process. This book will give you new ideas to think about and great suggestions on how to implement them. I've also heard them speak and teach - very down-to-earth real people!

In this age of pop culture and instant bestsellerdom for many books whose primary value seems to be their bankability as future films, it's disappointing that a book this good remains relatively unknown. Yet author Vanderhaeghe probably would not have been surprised by this. In fact, one of the main themes of this absorbing and satisfying book is the power of film, "the glory of American lightning," and the different goals to which it can be adapted by "artists" and "visionaries."

Structurally, the book tells two stories in alternate chapters set in the Canadian Wild West of the l870's and in Hollywood in the l920's. The author makes no real attempt to create suspense about the identity of the Englishman's boy of the 1870's and who he has become by the 1920's. Instead, he chooses to reveal small parts of the continuum of history between these dates until at the end the full story of the Englishman's boy is revealed. At the same time, the thematically subtle juxtaposition of specific events from these dramatically different times and places shows how little human nature has changed and how much it is important to be true to ideals and values, whatever they may be and however they may have to accommodate the changes of history.

Had this beautifully wrought novel not received some publicity for winning the Governor General's Award in Canada in l996, I'd never have known of its existence, and what a sad oversight that would have been in this age of pop culture and instant bestsellerdom for many books whose primary value seems to be their bankability as future films. Yet author Vanderhaeghe probably would not have been surprised by this. In fact, one of the main themes of this absorbing and satisfying book is the power of film, "the glory of American lightning," and the different goals to which it can be adapted by "artists" and "visionaries."

Structurally, the book tells two stories in alternate chapters set in the Canadian Wild West of the l870's and in Hollywood in the l920's. The author makes no real attempt to create suspense about the identity of the Englishman's boy of the 1870's and who he has become by the 1920's. The author has a bigger vision than that. Instead, he chooses to reveal small parts of the continuum of history between these dates until at the end the full story of the Englishman's boy is revealed. At the same time, the thematically subtle juxtaposition of specific events from these dramatically different times and places shows how little human nature has changed and how much it is important to be true to ideals and values, whatever they may be and however they may have to accommodate the changes of history.

In this astutely crafted story of wolfer/hunters, Indians, Hollywood moguls, young strivers toward success, Socialists, preservers of the status quo, barely surviving traders, immigrants, hard men, and "visionaries" who would impose their dreams on the masses via film, the reader is caught up in the swirl of history and asked to think about the extent to which history is simply a succession of random events, whether the events have been imposed upon us, and how much, if at all, we can control our own dreams and our futures.

Had this beautifully wrought novel not received some publicity for winning the Governor General's Award in Canada in l996, I'd never have known of its existence, and what a sad oversight that would have been in this age of pop culture and instant bestsellerdom for many books whose primary value seems to be their bankability as future films. Yet author Vanderhaeghe probably would not have been surprised by this. In fact, one of the main themes of this absorbing and satisfying book is the power of film, "the glory of American lightning," and the different goals to which it can be adapted by "artists" and "visionaries."

Structurally, the book tells two stories in alternate chapters set in the Canadian Wild West of the l870's and in Hollywood in the l920's. The author makes no real attempt to create suspense about the identity of the Englishman's boy of the 1870's and who he has become by the 1920's. The author has a bigger vision than that. Instead, he chooses to reveal small parts of the continuum of history between these dates until at the end the full story of the Englishman's boy is revealed. At the same time, the thematically subtle juxtaposition of specific events from these dramatically different times and places shows how little human nature has changed and how much it is important to be true to ideals and values, whatever they may be and however they may have to accommodate the changes of history.

In this astutely crafted story of wolfer/hunters, Indians, Hollywood moguls, young strivers toward success, Socialists, preservers of the status quo, barely surviving traders, immigrants, hard men, and "visionaries" who would impose their dreams on the masses via film, the reader is caught up in the swirl of history and asked to think about the extent to which history is simply a succession of random events, whether the events have been imposed upon us, and how much, if at all, we can control our own dreams and our futures

This was the first book by Dave Barry that I ever read. I loved it. He really captures the funny fundementals of what it means to be a guy. Now I'm hooked on Dave Barry and plan to read his other titles.

Barry is not an American Literary Classic, but he is funny as a wet weasle. Everyone I have recommended it agrees. The book is so good my friends and I would take turns reading random passages aloud to each other. This is his one of his best works. If you like Dave Barry, or silly humor you may like this light read.

hmm..be the first to review this book the link says... I'm quite surprised no one has reviewed this yet.. well this edition of the book anyway. This was the first Dave Barry book I ever read, I was snooping around the Paul Reiser(enough with the Paul Reiser!) area in the library hoping there'd be some more funny books and found this one. Well I was not disappointed. It is.. extremely funny. It caused me to pursue further Dave Barry books, although I must say this is probably funnier than the rest. I showed bits to friends and they could not stop laughing (especially the sex bit..whoo whoo). It is a pity that Dave Barry is not really known in Australia since few people borrowed this book. I would personally promote this book vigorously to other readers but I'd just end up annoying them again. Oh what do they know. This is one of those great books where the humour is not strained like some books where you know they're trying to be funny and frankly, they're not.

I enjoyed this book immensely. As an amateur WWII historian, I like to get all sorts of perspectives on the war. Sajer's work provides a viewpoint that is rarely explored in the literature about WWII. I have heard much criticism of the historical accuracy of the book, with some "experts" even calling it work of pure fiction. Apparently there are a number of references to uniforms, equipment, etc. which no "real" German infantryman would have mistaken. I'm not one of those self-styled "experts", and therefore have not noticed the alleged inaccuracies. In any case, even if Sajer fashioned his tale from whole cloth, it's still a great read. It will give you a look inside the head of a scared, exhausted and demoralized human being who is fighting for his continued existence. Powerful stuff, indeed!

If you like this one, I would also recommend "Roll Me Over: An Infantryman's World War II", by Raymond Gantter. It's along the same lines as Sajer, but from the American perspective. Not quite as gripping, but still very insightful.

I have long strived to find out what "the real war" was like. I've talked to WWII and Vietnam vets, read the personal accounts, read the books, seen the movies, etc.

It's true that the victors write the history books. And consequently, you're always told one side of the story.

Guy Sajer's masterpiece is the best of the BEST, bar none. It accomplishes several goals that have never been as fully acheived as in The Forgotten Soldier. Never before has the horror of battle and the stress of long-term combat been so vividly detailed. Never before has the closeness and brotherhood of soldiering been so well portrayed.

Perhaps the most remarkable accomplishment is that for the first time ever, you don't walk away from this book cursing the Nazi soldiers. One realizes that the grunts on the other side were patriotic humans just like you and me, swept up in the camraraderie and huzzahs of a nation going off to war. They had no concept of the evil that their Fuhrer was involved in; they just wanted their share of the glory of a rising nation. Sadly, millions of brave young German boys had to die countless tragic deaths, for a poor cause.

READ IT NOW!

"The Forgotten Soldier" is all the explanation you need on the horrors of war in general, and World War Two on the Eastern Front in particular. It is the story of Guy Sajer, a young Alsatian who volunteers for service in the Wermacht as a member of a supply unit. He ends the war having served as an infantryman with one of the Wermacht's (not the Waffen-SS's) elite Panzer divisions in some of the most ferocious battles of the war. I read this book when I was a teenager and wasn't able to leave behind its most vivid images: the men of his squad under intense artillery fire outside Belgorod, the living misery of existence in Memel, the seemingly endless and deadly Russian winters, his falling in love with a young Berliner. Years after reading it the first time with dropped jaw and tears, I picked it up again; I was amazed at its undiminished ability to jar my emotions and leave me mentally exhausted. I won't lie: this book is difficult to read simply because it encapsulates every morsel of TRUTH about one of the most horrible chapters of human history. That said, if you are a student of history or simply humanity, brace yourself for a harrowing journey into hell, and read it. To read this book is to understand humanity's duality: its magnificence and nobility in being able to rise above adverse conditions; and its depravity and ignobility in its massive capacity to inflict them. Quite possibly the greatest work of military non-fiction ever written.

For the past 20 years I have invested in real estate and found a world of great information and advice in this book. I only wish I had bought this book sooner since it would have saved me a lot of money. Whenever I buy an investment property I hired a home inspector and after reading this book I realized how amatuer they really were. Now I have a gauge to use to determine who is a good inspector and who isn't. I will be able to inspect houses on my own shortly.

The primary purpose of this book is to help you become an effective inspector of homes, but the audience is much broader than that. If you own a home or are thinking about buying one, then you should read it. It will help you develop that critical, discerning eye concerning what to look for in spotting flaws in a house.
I spent almost eight years as a construction worker, six where I was the foreman, and have performed many repairs to my own homes. And yet, there was much in the book that I was unaware of. It was a learning experience for me, and it will be for you. Unless you find the perfect house or are already an expert, buying this book and reading it will be time and money that will be returned many times over.

Reading this book opened my eyes to all the ways I should inspect my home to maintain and repair all parts of my home. I didn't realize how many hazardous conditions there are in a home effecting my family's safety. Highly recommend this information for anyone who owns a home.

When I finished this book, I got up and left the room in search of a tissue...and I'm not often moved to tears by a book! While Sybill is initially a difficult character to warm up to, in the end -- and thanks to Nora Roberts skill -- we not only understand her, we've come to care for her, just as we have all the wonderful characters in this series. INNER HARBOR is moving, quite funny in parts (Anna is in rare form again), full of surprises, and altogether too excellent to miss. But be sure to read its predecessors first!

I really enjoyed this book and am starting to re-read it. But, first I had to read the first two books of this trilogy. For some reason, wasn't previously interested in these books, but decided to try this last one when it came out, and after I read it ran out and bought the others. I loved reading about all three adult Quinn brothers (and the women they met) - maybe some day there will be a book about Seth so we can find out how they all turned out. (I just wonder, tho, how children could really live the way the Quinns did when they were boys. I would hope such child abuse would be discovered.) But, still, thank you, Nora Roberts for writing these interesting books!

A superbly sensitive book full of love, hope, and humour. Phillip Quinn's reaction to his deceased father's ghost was perfect and gave him a chance for closure. The book accurately shows that money can not buy happiness or love. Dr. Sybill Griffin is wonderful as the latest of the Quinn women. She is perfect for Phillip. The revelation of Seth's true relationship to raymond Quinn was great. It would have been so easy to bungle it and make it look silly but Nora Roberts comes through again. With her talent for vivid characters and fabulous story, I eagerly await her next novel. Jennifer Thrower