Young people today aren't keeping to the small-town or suburban lifestyles of their parents. They're going to the cities to rent studio apartments. Once there, they're likely to end up moving into family-size spaces.

City planners and administrators are taking this back-to-the-cities trend into consideration. They're trying to make city living appeal to young future owners. One way is by business building up a neighborhood around it, in brownstones; floor-through flats; high-rise apartments; lofts; offbeat converted places such as autoshops and stables; rowhouses; and townhouses.

Likewise, architects are thinking about the loss of peace, privacy and quiet that usually comes with city living. They're coming up with designs that meet young needs for shelter and express young personalities. The result really is personal space inside, even with such impersonal space outside as "shadowy" concrete buildings.

This is done by clearly-defined lines, hand-worked materials, soothing planes, and unusual details indoors. It's also by putting in balconies and terraces and opening up roofs and windows to light and views onto deliberately planted small, green spaces. Similarly, not much space inside looks bigger, for example, by using the same materials in and out, such as cedar flooring, fencing and decking.

THE NEW CITY HOME even brings working spaces inside, while keeping them attractively and cleverly separate from living spaces. In one case, for example, the outside has cottage-style clapboard cladding for the first floor. Indoors, the kitchen and living spaces have a cozy look, what with simple cabinetry, low ceilings and boldly painted colors. The second floor has plywood panels on the outside. Inside, spotlights, skylights, and high ceilings show the upper level to be for work.

What if the two can't always be separated, as in bathrooms or kitchens? Space isn't clearly personal or work, if it brings in universal design. This means, for example, lever handles to doors and faucets, rocker-panel light switches, and textured non-slip flooring.

Leslie Plummer Clagett's book is organized and written in an understandable, user-friendly way. Her choice of illustrations works perfectly with what she says. This practical help to city living is rounded out with Elizabeth Franklin's THE FRANKLIN REPORT, NEW YORK CITY 2003: THE INSIDER'S GUIDE TO HOME SERVICES.

I've browsed about twenty different contemporary interior books, and I've found this to be most interesting and slightly more inspiring.

One piece of advice: I don't think any of the contemporary interior books have as much variety as one might expect. Make sure to browse the physical books before making a final decision - don't base you decision on these reviews alone. I've done this with many book on interior design and I've been disappointed.

This book has wonderful photography and covers a broad range of city homes including renovations and lofts. The style of this book is modern and contemporary. Very nice ideas!

Leslie Winfield Williams is a very insightful author who shares her experiences with the reader, as well as, the wisdom she has gained through her walk with God. I found her book to be honest, again insightful, and an inspiration. I recommend "Night Wrestling" to any one who seeks encouragement in their life.

This is one of the most powerful, thought-provoking books I've ever read. Leslie's honesty and vulnerability in sharing her own experiences draws you in and helps you see God's unfailing presence in the midst of all of our troubled times.

I had the good fortune of meeting the author prior to reading her book.She shares with the reader her personal / family tragedies, trials and tribulations in such a way that draws you in and makes you wonder how she has found the strength to continue. Her ability to convey that in many ways she is like the person reading her book.. i.e cooks ,cleans, does laundry,renews ones belief that we mere mortals can find the strength to receive Gods love and grace in every moment if we can open the door just a crack. And even if we don't open the door, His grace and love is ever present within each of us. God never gives up on us, unfortunately we cannot say the same about ourselves.

"Radio Replies" is considered a foundation text for Catholic apologetics. The three volumes are transcripts of a 1930's radio program in which two priests, one from Australia and one from the United States, answer write-in questions inquiring about (or in many cases outright attacking) Catholic beliefs on just about every subject you can think of.

Volume One is fascinating both as a work of apologetics and as an historical document. In terms of apologetics, Catholic positions are stated coherently, concisely, and consistently, with arguments appealing to reason as well as drawing heavily from Scripture. The overriding message is that the Catholic Church is alone the true church established by Christ, and this assertion is backed up with arguments that can not be easily dismissed.

The stridency of tone in this book will sound peculiar to many readers today. Historically, it is interesting to see how things have changed over the last seventy-odd years. Frs. Rumble and Carty speak often of man's duty to himself, to fellow man, and the necessity to submit totally to the will of God. Such talk is certainly not in vogue today. In the strongest language, the priests assert the Catholic's profound responsibility to attend Mass every Sunday, to abstain from meat on Friday, to refuse participation in other religious services, etc. Since Vatican II, many such strict guidelines have been loosened, and one wonders, when reading this, how beneficial that has been. The priests abhor a world of moral relativism, and attribute its development in part to Protestantism, with its ever-increasing theological fragmentation, its substitution of man-made law for God's law, and the crisis in faith and morals that result. (It is important to note the priests do not attack Protestants personally, their good will, or their good works; they object only to the underlying precepts of the movement itself.) When one looks at the moral chaos in our society today, the words of caution and dire predictions of "Radio Replies" seem at times prophetic.

One weakness in this volume-the vast majority of questions (over 1500 in Volume One) are posed by lay people who obviously have little understanding of Catholicism and a highly prejudiced attitude toward Catholic people and practices. The one- or two-line questions are basically softballs, which the priests easily hit clear out of the park. So although "Radio Replies" contains an enormous amount of indispensable information, it does not take on many intellectually rigorous challenges. That being said, "Radio Replies" provides incredibly clear insight on what the Catholic Church stands for, and why.

If you have ever wondered about some of the tenets of the Roman Catholic faith, then this is the book for you. Nearly every question you could have about the Church is addressed here in the three volumes of this series. And no, they're not simple questions, either. I found this series to be fascinating reading.

Fathers Rumble and Carty take the questions about the Catholic Church and Church doctrine head on; and answer them from 2000 years of Catholic Doctrine, The Bible and Tradition. What was written by these two men in the 1930's, is still true today.

Every Catholic and non-Catholic, who really wants to learn the truths about what the Catholic Church teaches, needs all three Volumes in their library.

My 10 year old grandson has leukemia and is currently hospitalized for it. I used this book to help him visualize his immune system and create a healing experience. I haven't found much out there that is actually written for kids (this book is also a guide for adults), but it's easy to adapt what there is in this book to fit your child's situation with a just a little effort and imagination. I found the examples very encouraging and helpful as well. Following the examples of paintings and drawings found in the book...I think this helped him feel more in control over the disease.

I appreciated this book so much that after checking it out from the library I decided to buy it. It describes the ritual process step-by-step, and offers great guided imagery scripts. I believe there is a strong connection between the body and the mind, and this book affirms it.

I have scanned a friend's copy of this book, and must buy my own. The imagery scripts are detailed, but simple to use on your own with practice. The book contains a comprehensive section on the immune system, which I found very helpful. We all are learning that the mind-body connection is where healing truly takes place. This book helps you find that place within yourself and walks you down a path of self-discovery.

This book contains three stories; "The Gold Standard", "The Man from St. Louis" and "The Death Penalty".

The first story seems to be a continuation to "The Saint vs Scotland Yard" in which the Saint stole illicit diamonds and ran away to Europe. In "The Gold Standard", the Saint is involved in a murder at Paris and goes back to England to be a headache for poor Inspector Teal. The second story is a continuation to the first story, but the third story has little connection with the previous two stories and Mr. Teal doesn't appear on the stage.

All the three stories are much better plotted than earlier Saint novels (such as "Knight Templar" and "Alias the Saint" I read before). The stories are fast-paced and action-packed. And the endings are sophisticated; the Saint gets rid of the evil illegally as always, but he exhibits various solutions, not only simply kill the evil.

This book is that kind of "beloved jewels" that if you have ever liked thrillers, it deserves a place in your bookshelf. The Saint personality is the "ideal" way of behavior that every man had had at least once in his life. I have been involved in such dangerous adventures with my friend Simon Templar, that I encourage you to join us... Deliciuos reading, suspense, and the illusion of accomplishing impossible tasks utilizing methods that only true gentelmen are capable to perform. Do not miss this book!!!

The Saint, one of mystery's more unique characters, was the subject of over 40 books, many movies, and a television series. Simon Templar, the Robin Hood of Modern Crime was more than a dectective, more than a criminal -- a law to himself. In the name of Justice The Saint preyed on criminals and con artists that the Law could not or would not touch. At the same time he tweeked the noses of Scotland Yard, specifically Chief Inspector Teal. If you are looking for a hero with the morals of a pirate and the sense of humor of PG Wodehouse, the Saint is one

Rather than one connected novel, this volume of the Saint's adventures contains 7 short stories. As Charteris remarks in the first story, at this point in his career, Templar didn't have to seek adventure - it found him.

"The Effete Angler" (Bimini) - Why would a man who won't even use light tackle for game fishing have a bodyguard?

"The Arrow of God" (Nassau) - Why is a dead journalist found with a beach umbrella through his chest?

"The Black Commmissar" (Jamaica) - Templar meets an old acquaintance, one of the Maroons of Jamaica, on his way to the islands. (Forester's _Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies_ has an adventure in Maroon country, if you're interested.)

"The Unkind Philanthropist" (Puerto Rico) - The lovely Tristan Brown introduces herself as a lawyer for the Kiel foundation, on the lookout for worthy causes to receive funds. Quire, a local 'natural philanthropist', would love to get a chunk of money to disburse as he sees fit. So Templar, being familiar with the Colossal Lie strategy, begins checking bona fides and seeking opportunity, after seeing a man cheated out of his farm by one of the parties involved...

"The Old Treasure Story" (The Virgin Islands) - April Mallory, having inherited a small nest egg and the family legend of a sunken ship, has opted to be the first to *do* something about it.

"The Questing Tycoon" (Haiti) - The tycoon in question doesn't care about religion as such, but only about what he can use. Falsely promising to marry the daughter of a respected houngan to learn the ways of voodoo has certain drawbacks, though...

One of my favorite Saint novels. Seven short stories showing the good and bad side of the Saint.

One of the best Saint novels I have read. It is filled with both sides of the Saint: crime and good deeds. Even if you are not a fan of the saint, you will enjoy this book.

In Separate by Degree, Prof. Miller-Bernal brings to life the history of women's higher education at different institutions. The various approaches to educating women and the changes along the way are presented in a well-rounded manner and make for interesting reading. A lot of ground is covered here and some hallowed halls of learning get tough scrutiny. Insightful, well-written and pertinent for many different kinds of readers, I recommend this book. As a Wells graduate who took part in the four-year study, the second half of the book was of special interest to me. There were a couple of surprises when I got to review how my fellow students had responded to questions posed to us over ten years ago and a bit of regret that I can't exactly remember how I responded myself! The actual data from the four year survey may not be for everyone, but Prof. Miller-Bernal presents it clearly and draws some thoughtful conclusions that are relevant to the endangered status of women's single-sex education today.

Choosing the right college is a difficult decision. For many it is based upon reasons that may not be totally valid. For some, the choice is not given much thought at all. For this reason, Professor Miller-Bernal's new book, Separate by Degree, should be on the reference shelves of our libraries and in the guidance offices of our high schools, for Professor Miller-Bernal gives some cogent reasons why single-sexed education might be a more suitable option for many of our young women.

Professor Miller-Bernal has done extensive and well-documented research on the treatment of women in four different kinds of colleges. She takes us to Wells (a small single-sexed institution), Middlebury, (a long-time coeducational college), Hobart and William Smith ( a coordinate school), and Kirkland/Hamilton (once a coordinate school and now a coeducational institution). She is totally honest about the good and bad points of all four colleges and has thoroughly researched what is happening to the women who graduated in the class of '88. She also tells us about the academic and social opportunities for women at these different institutions and how women fared in positions of leadership and responsibility in campus life. She shares suggestions on how all four colleges might better serve their female populations.

Professor Miller-Bernal has also done extensive research into the history of women's colleges. The cliche, "You've come a long way, baby," really does say it all in this case. Fortunately, society's reasons for educating women have changed, and truly it is only in recent years that women are finally receiving some sort of equitable treatment in higher education. Anyone interested in learning about women's struggle for rights will find this book enlightening and informative.

Madeline Nelson Teacher West Islip Public School System

Leslie Miller-Bernal's Separate By Degree is a timely, engaging and accessible book about the important differences in the educational experiences of women who attend women's colleges compared to those who attend coeducational institutions. The book is timely because it calls on the reader to reconsider the value of single-sex education at a critical moment of decline in the history of women's colleges. The book is engaging because Miller-Bernal tells an exciting and frustrating story of the struggle of women for gender equity in higher education. And the book is accessible, thanks to the easily understood manner in which the author writes.

Professor Miller-Bernal argues that single-sex education still has advantages for women. Those advantages include: a high proportion of women faculty who can act as role models for students; more opportunities for young women to develop leadership skills; and a supportive atmosphere where women do not have to defer to men. Her argument is based on quality research, including longitudinal surveys of women students at four Northeastern colleges: Wells, Middlebury, William Smith and Hamilton. The histories of the colleges are described in rich detail, the differences in the experiences of women students at the four institutions are carefully compared and contrasted, and the most recent literature on single-sex education is well presented and thoughtfully critiqued.

Although Professor Miller-Bernal asks the reader to reconsider the value of single-sex education for women, she does not fall into the nostalgia trap. She recognizes some of the past and current limitations of women's colleges, and she details the many factors that have made coeducational institutions more viable than women's colleges. She ends Separate By Degree with a set of recommendations for applying the beneficial aspects of women's colleges to coeducational institutions and a caveat--If colleges are really concerned about women and equality, they will have to attend carefully to meeting the needs of all women students and never waiver from the goal of achieving gender equity.

There's no room for the 12 first graders on the bus ' they'll have to divide themselves into groups to get under each of its four seats. Math is the underlying lesson of The Smushy Bus, a zany title in which a too-full bus must be appropriately packed by its driver.

I just read this book in our school library. I was so taken that I had to hurry to my computer to order a copy for myself. I teach first grade and I know my students will love this book. It plays says stuff like there were 76 students on the bus and 18 got off, smushed all over each other. How many are left, and a kid says, "What's the difference?" the teacher replies,"Exanctly!" It's a crack-up and does math all the way through. Your kids will love the sillyness and the challenges.

My son enjoys math and The Smushy Bus really had him thinking about adding and subtracting all the students that had to get on and off the bus on their way home from school. This was a fun story to share with him and we both really enjoyed the illustrations too! Your child will laugh and giggle while reading AND learning that math can be fun!

This book is a category-killer, in that it's not easily confined to any category. I'm a non-surfing 40 year old, and I love this book! It's an entertaining and lively read - and the illustrations are done with vivid, unusual colors. My nephew lives in Portland Oregon, and he was captivated all afternoon, read the book straight through, didn't speak to anyone until he was done. Then a sly smile accompanied his "it was good!" This, folks, is high praise indeed. I've passed it on to other family members, and we all look forward to the continuing adventures of the Surf Clowns. Authors? We DO hope there are more in store for us!

Surf Clowns definitely fit the bill for my almost eleven year old - tired of Pokeman, waiting for more Harry Potter and too cool for most kid-oriented chapter books, my skateboarding, snowboarding preteen really enjoyed this tale. When you have to nag them to turn out their reading light again and again to go to sleep, you know the book has found its target!

Trying to get your teens to read? Or tired of them reading the same old formulaic fare? Then this selection is a must gift. As a school teacher who has a copy of this book on hand in class, I can tell you that kids are initially captivated by the splashy graphics depicting the surf clown heroes vanquishing ecoterrorists and generally saving the world in alluring locales such as Maui, the Amazon, and southern California. Yet, soon enough, they just can't help themselves from trying to find out what the action is all about. Yes, they read the book! And why not? The colorful, easy-to-follow story-telling and clean, hip dialogue nicely complement the sun-drenched illustrations. Wary adults, be at ease. Comfortably motivating subplots within the globe-trotting surf clowns' exploits are down-home values like loyalty, respect, friendship, and conservation. It's a morality tale hanging ten.

The late Leslie Kish published this classic text on survey sampling in 1965 with Wiley. In 1995 they reprinted it in their statistics classic series. Professor Kish had a long career at the University of Michigan where he taught survey sampling to social scientists. There he also established a summer program in survey sampling design and one of the top consulting services for designing and implementing surveys.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Kish in the late 1970s when he was consulting on sampling issues for the newly formed US Department of Energy. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory I was working on survey sampling research for generating and validating energy data. Dr. Kish was charming and very humble. He treated young researchers like me the same way as he would treat his famous colleagues.

This book covers all the practical aspects of surveys and emphasizes the human population studies that Dr. Kish was involved in. But he is quick to point out in the introduction, the generality of the methods and their applications to other populations and many other disciplines (his experience was mainly in the social sciences at that time). The mathematics is presented as simply as possible. There is a great deal of verbal description throughout the text. He wrote it with practitioners in mind and tried to keep the mathematics simple.

It differs in style and coverage (but not quality) from the more technical book by Cochran. He puts more effort into the discussion of philosophical and practical issues than Cochran does and he illustrates his ideas through many practical and real examples.

For a book written in the 1960s many researchers might be surprise to find the detailed coverage of issues of bias and nonsampling errors in surveys, including problems of missing data and non-response and a whole chapter on sampling from imperfect frames.

All the important classical topics are covered including stratification, cluster sampling, sampling proportional to size, area sampling, and multi-stage sampling.

The topics are all there. Today the issues of nonsampling errors and adjustment for underreporting (e.g. in decennial Censuses)are as important as ever.

This book is a great reference source. It only lacks some of the modern advances that may play roles in important applications such as the implimentation of hierarchical Bayesian models through the use of Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and the bootstrap and jackknife to better assess survey uncertainty.

Originally designed as an undergraduate classroom text for a third course in statistics, Kish provides an adequate number of homework problems at the end of each chapter and he provides a brief selection of solutions to some of the problems in the first seven chapters.

I have used this book for a number of years & found that in most cases it has been THE book that I should have in my library. It is a must for the work place to buy.

I studied this book in my university here in Ecuador, and i believe that is a good book; in this moment i am working in "Census Agricultura Project" and think to recommend to buy