Toliver's Secret was a great book. It could capture anyone's interest. You find yourself in the begining of the Revolutionary War. The main character is Ellen or "Toliver". She is a very timid and shy girl. Then she finds courage she never new she had as she smuggles a mesage to Mr. Shannon. But can she walk twelve miles in the middle of winter? Escape from British soldiers? Read the book and find out!

This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction for young readers. It can be used in a classroom to bring the Revolutionary War alive in the minds of young readers. You take every step with Ellen Toliver and hold your breath with every obstacle she faces. Ten year old Ellen changes from a timid, shy girl to a confident, spunky girl,and young readers can identify with her feelings. The ending satisfies the reader's need for closure to Ellen's adventures, but it also leaves the reader with a question to wonder about. I couldn't put this book down the first time I read it. My fourth grade students want a sequel!

Tolivers secret was a reading choice for our class and i chose it because it sounded cool. And it turned out to be really interesting and exciting. I thought it made learning about the Revolutionary war fun because it was from a total different point of view than our textbook. i liked it because it was exciting because Ellen always had a interesting problem going on. I recomend this book for anyone. This is a definite read. I loved this book and also my other classmates! i hope you read it!

The Little girl in The Lobster and the Sea copes with the feelings of possible abandonment and loss at the departure of a grandparent. Her grandfather is not dying, but wants to go back "home" where he grew up, in this case, China. "I thought this was home," worries the girl. Understanding comes for her in a dream when a pet lobster weeps with the desire to go back to the sea. In the same way, her grandfather longs to see his home place. The lobster and the Sea is somewhat a mood book, both in the wistful crayon illustrations and in the cerebral notion of "wandering" in the world but finally returning to the place of one's birth. It attempts to explain this urge to the Asian American child who might well have no such urge. It also helps to impart the notion of the constant and loyal love pf parents or grandparents, even when they cannot be present.

What a wonderful, touching, and thoughtful story this is! I moved to America eight years ago from Eastern Europe, and I can deeply relate to the experiences of both the girl and the grandpa, as well as to the lobster.... I will be reading this tale to my son, who was born in America, so he can appreciate the bravery one must have, when choosing to live between two cultures and two homes. Ms. Chiu and Ms. Takahashi have created a beautiful children's book, with a thoughtful message to both children and adults!

I teach second grade and read this story to my class. It really struck a responsive chord in my students. Several parents told me their children came home and insisted upon calling out-of-state grandparents, aunts and uncles. Personally, I found it a really touching story and one that reminded me of how much I hated to leave my grandparents' house when I was a child.

I am a graduate student studying neurobiology, and I always try to expand my knowledge of everything from molecule to behavior. This book has been a great starting point to me. All authors are well-known neuroscientists and I even found more articles of those authors and those topics covered in it and enjoyed reading them. It's easy to read and I hope to read more books like this quality book. Highly recommend!! One last thing is that "mind" concept is not easy to catch for me yet, I think I have something in my mind to be figured out;)

This fine collection of essays provides an overview of the state of research on the mind/brain. Avoiding deeply technical or metaphysical issues [although not ignoring either] these essays describe some of the structural elements of the brain, how those elements guide our behaviour and what implications may be derived from this understanding. Roberta Conlan has chosen her authors well. Each selection clearly conveys its topic with supportive information and useful graphics to aid our grasp of the subject. This book is a fine starting point for any study of how the brain works, both physically and cognitively.

The underlying theme throughout the essays is the evolutionary process. How has adaptation led the human brain to today's conditions? In any study of the brain, it is the abnormalities that provide focus. These essayists accept that both genetics and environment work together to create the dispositions humans now possess. No single element can be isolated in understanding how the brain functions. Beginning with the physical, especially the neuron's structure and operation, they move on to demonstrate how changes in brain chemistry can lead to addictions, mood swings and even creativity. The authors don't shun the many ethical questions about brain research or therapies. However, they insist that a new framework for psychological studies is required, one based on evolutionary, hence, biological foundations. In essayist Eric Kandel's words, "Everything is organic."

If any of the essays must be selected as the outstanding one, it is J.Allan Hobsan's study of sleep and dreaming. He describes the neurochemistry of dreaming before relating studies of both human and animal dream indicators. Hobsan postulates five distinct sleep periods, REM [Rapid Eye Movement] sleep with Recognizing that relating dream content is fraught with imponderables, he nevertheless builds a case for a biological basis for dreams.

With the rapid advances being made in human cognitive studies, many works are quickly outdated. This book provides a foundation for analysing and assessing updating publications. It's a worthwhile investment and will retain a useful place on anyone's shelves for some time to come. Read it to find out how it will help understand yourself and those around you. You won't be disappointed.

This is a concise set of eight papers; which present to us with a mental and biological bases for our mannerisms. Although we generally manage to carry out without worrying too much about such philosophical conundrums, most of us at some point in our lives have been drawn with a desire for the need to understand our identity its formation and how our thinking process is set in place. Far from academic sciences, these questions and the answers we seek not only bear on the quality of our relationships with friends, family and associate but also has implications to our interactions with society. Our perception and analysis of events lie within this structure we call mind. To what extent is a bad temper or a joyous moment, a function of will and to what extent are they complex interactions between our genes and our environment. Ever wonder how some people react to situations with fear and hesitations while others react to the same situation without hesitation and care.

With advances in research over time, now it is known with certainty that a number of mental problems, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia are associated with structural abnormalities in the brain and can be cared for with proper medication. The interconnections of the 100 billion nerve cells define our personality. If these nerves in their respective regions get damaged, we can loose our ability to speak, make memories, and feel emotions and recognition. The balance or imbalance of these nerves disposes us to act or react differently from others with the life's ups and downs.

I highly recommend everyone to take the time to read this; it is highly informative and does not need any knowledge of biology or chemistry; just a curious mind

Almost everybody who's shown up here seems to like this book a lot. With good reason. It's fascinating, shocking and revealing, even though IMHO its style is a little too rabid in parts.

A reader from England said it was a pity that Vilar stated she did not have space to detail all the countless ways in which women manipulate men.

Well, she did that in two great sequels one of which is available here (as a used item). It's titled "The polygamous sex: a man's right to the other woman" (1974). I can recommend it to everyone who likes "The manipulated man" and who has appetite for more. So, all you other males out there, grab the copies and also lend them to as many friends as possible - but keep them safely hidden from your wives!

I first read this book in 1972 when a recently divorced friend gave it to me. Needless to say, I and other friends bought multiple copies and gave them to men and women to read. All the books given to women were distroyed. Esther Vilar caused quite a sensation with The Manipulated Man. Just read a book called Sex-Ploytation, sub title, How Women use Their Bodies To Extort Money From Men, that seems to take up where Esther left off 25 years ago. Anybody that loved Esters book will love this one. It is very powerful and definitly writen for the oppresed men in this pro feminist anti-male 90s.

Vilar's polemic slashes at the fabric of society. She states clearly and simply what many men and women suspect but dare not say: that men are women's slaves, not the reverse. Anyone interested in the gender wars must read this book. Anyone in Women's Studies, who truly< wants to study gender, must read this book, if only to be exposed to another point of view. True enquiring minds will find this book astonishing. Dogmatic minds will, of course, not even bother to read it.

Is Vilar's version of things correct? Is this the truth? For me, it is as much the "truth" as anything MacKinnon, Dworkin, Steinem or Faludi might write. The difference is that radical feminist writers receive national exposure and speaking engagements for their radical views, while Vilar, equally radical, receives death threats and near-anonymity. If men are really the oppressors then why can MacKinnon and Steinem publish and speak openly, while Vilar is thoroughly suppressed? ....

... Vilar's work, far from reinforcing traditional stereotypes, blows them wide open. She characterizes men as industrious and intelligent, but dupes. She writes that women are vapid and lazy, but also in command. It's enough to set Dworkin groupies AND conservative senators foaming at the mouth. Far from bolstering "traditional" viewpoints, it offends dogmatists on both sides of the fence.

The only unfortunate aspect of the reprint is that the material is dated. Although it is possible for a sympathetic reader to find present-day examples and view contemporary phenomena through her lens, it's annoying that the examples in the book seem to apply better to the 1950's than the year 2000. There is a new foreword by the author in which she states that nothing has changed in thirty years, but I would have preferred that she had updated the book to clearly demonstrate that argument, rather than leaving it to the reader. Vilar claims that the changes brought about by Women's Liberation are superficial, and she has a chapter on the topic, but the rest of the book hasn't caught up. As such, her work is less convincing than it could be.

Paul Revere and the World He Lived in by Esther Forbes is a well written authoritative biography about Paul Revere. The book has a flowing but romantic aire to it... painting a portrait with words and describing the life and times of early New England and Boston in particular.

Paul Revere was a multifarious man displaying many talents as the book points out. Well written, flowing narrative, being easily readable and well documented are just a few of the wonderful traits that the author brings to the reader. It's enjoyable to read and you feel like your right there seeing everything transpire right before your eyes. That's a talent raely found in writing and no wonder this book won a Pulitzer Prize in history.

This book is well worth reading and gives the reader a good foundation as to what life was like for people from 1735 - 1818. As well, this should be one of the books used in our schools for teaching American History. The author really brings out a love for her subject in this book.

I was pleased to find out that there is a newer edition of this book. The one I have is the 1942 edition and rather worn. I used sections from this book to help document certain events that occured during the time period. The social studies text we used didn't do justice to events such as the Boston Massacre and the Battle of Lexington & Concord, both events where Paul Revere played a part. Forbes detailing of events and characters helped to bring these events alive for my students...they also got to see that not all the colonists were noble, freedom-fighters, but that propagandizing was alive and kicking even then. I would heartily recommend this book as a resource for American History teachers!

This book deservedly won the Pulitzer Prize in History. It examines the life of Paul Revere in the setting of the era he lived in, but goes beyond a mere biography to include wonderful anecdotes about the Revolutionary War period. Oh, and it turns out that Paul Revere was a really nice, decent guy; he just is little remembered because he never turned into a politician. I recommend this book without reservation to every living soul on this planet!

"Witchopoly" is the second most boring Sabrina book that i have ever read ("Dogs Life" being the first). Im not even going to explain what the book is about as the back cover explains it all. It is very dragged out and not written very well either. I was majorly disapointed as so far John Vornholt has written my favorite sabrina book "Prisoner Of Cabin Thirteen" and my favorite Buffy book "Coyotee Moon". Something was definately missing from this book. Even if you are a Sabrina fan i would recomend that you skip this one as the best thing about it is Sabrinas cute outfit on the front cover.

This book put me to sleep! You call that an amazing book?

This book is wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the series. It is one of my favorite ones yet. If you are going to buy a book buy this one.

They say you can't judge a book by it's cover. This phrase applies to those books which promise much more than they deliver. Well this book delivered much more than I expected! I was pleasantly surprised to see how Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis provides fresh insights into our biblical teachings through inspirational stories which make them come to life. Most readers, I believe, will be impressed at how applicable these stories are to their own lives. I read this book over 2 Sabbaths and was surprised to see how often it's insights applied to my life in the time between. Rebbetzin Jungreis clearly possesses an abundance of Torah knowledge and real-world experience in counseling those in need. Furthermore, "The Committed Life," may be equally helpful to Jew or Gentile whether religious or secular. This book was given to me as a gift by a very special friend ... and I would like to extend this special gift to readers who are searching for spiritual guidance in their lives. Buy this book and see how you can contribute to Tikkun Olam!

Here is a book that encompasses a no nonsense, tried and true formula for living a fulfilling and successful life. No, it is not the world according to Tony Robbins or any superhyped new idea of the milennium. It is the tried and true formula written by G-d in the Torah (the Old Testament.) Yes, I am jewish, but trust me, you don't have to be to read and use the concepts in this book. In practical language, and beautiful stories Esther Jungreis will fill you with inspiration and you will not leave the world of this book without becoming a better person. Please read this book...It will change your life.

An amazing book by a wisdom-filled elder of our people! I absolutely loved it!

All too often, the only stories we ever hear about Holocaust survivors are those who lost their faith in God because he supposedly was "not there" and failed to rescue the Jews. Why be religious, the skeptics always say, if it doesn't help you to physically survive?

But for Rebbitzin Jungreis, descendant of an illustrious rabbinic dynasty and a survivor of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, there is more to life than mere survival. God is always there, even under the most horrible conditions that life can throw at us. The question is not how we die, but how we live. As her father taught her -- and she quotes him in the book -- "A long life is not good enough, but a good life is long enough."

To Rebbitzin Jungreis, the "good life" is not one filled with material possessions, but rather, a life devoted to God, Torah, and mitzvahs -- a life filled with hope, forgiveness, joy and love. Short or long, such a life is always a good life.

After surviving Bergen-Belsen, her father, who had been Chief Rabbi of Szeged, Hungary, before the Nazis came, charged her with a sacred mission: to help renew the faith in God among Jews, which the Nazis had tried to destroy. Rebbitzin Jungreis has devoted her life to doing just that. Her deep spirituality radiates from every page of this book -- not the wishy-washy, self-centered form of "spirituality" so often preached by New Agers nowadays, but the real thing -- the kind of spirituality that takes hard work -- and which manifests itself in a life committed to God and service to one's fellow human beings under any and all circumstances.

I especially liked the parts where she talks about about doing tikkun olam (repairing the world) and forgiveness, saying: "To respond to hatred with hated can only beget further hatred and reduce the world to chaos. Whenever possible, we have to try to communicate by using the formual of our father Abraham by attempting to awaken the Divine spark even in the darkest of souls." (p. 38) Remember, this is from a Holocaust survivor, who personally experienced the darkest chapter in Jewish history. But, unlike many Jews who became embittered and still say "Never forgive," Rebbitzin Jungreis does not allow hatred to fester and poison her soul. Instead, she lights a candle in the darkness, working to heal broken hearts and rescue wounded souls from the abyss.

This is a book you will want to read over and over. Whatever your own level of religious observance might be, her personal stories and heartwarming, down-to-earth advice will help you to lead a more meaningful life.

This is a nicely done comic fantasy book. The characters are fairly shallow, the cliches are rampant and yet the book is an well done poke in the ribs at traditional "serious" fantasy. At times it comes off like a cross between a Monty Python script and the "Who's on first" conversation.

My only complaint is that it takes a little bit (50 pages or so) to ramp up to the truly funny scenarios, and thus initially gives the mistaken initial impression of not being all that entertaining. Once it's warmed up though it's a good fun read.

This book is a hoot! It sends up most of the major conventions of the fantasy genre and has a great time doing it (what else would you expect from these authors?) Read this book a little at a time so you can savor all the zingers. But DON'T read it before bedtime--laughter is not conducive to sleep!

This great rip on fantasy cliches predates Dianna Wynne Jones' satire by almost a decade, and it's considerably funnier. I love rereading it every couple of years; it's a keeper.

As one expects from a Trek story, War Drums consists of recycled and borrowed plots; here, we have a Klingon version of Lord of the Flies. And, typically Trek, the resolution is too pat to be credited. Vornholt asks us to accept that the human colonists should "turn the other cheek" toward the feral Klingons who had brutally murdered their friends and family - with no apparent justification. (At no time are we told of anything the colonists did to trigger the attacks, other than simply being there.)

However, as he did with Contamination, Vornholt spins a good yarn, staying true to the characters, even making Ensign Ro somewhat likeable (a major feat in and of itself). Overall, an enjoyable read.

Star Trek - The Next Generation: War Drums written by John Vornholt is a book where the "bumpy heads" make an impression and action-adventure mixed with a little mystrey and intrigue keep your attention till the end.

This book is typical of Vornholt where he takes sometime and adds a Trek twist to it... the the case of "War Drums" it remineded me of the "Lord of the Flies" but with good character development as feral Klingon's and Erth settlers try to get along until a Romulan spy gets into the picture.

Worf leads an away team to the surface of the planet Selva to investigate why young feral Klingons were left on the planet and are now fighting the colonists. As the Starship Enterprise is called away on another mission and leave Worf and Deanna Troi, Data and Ro at the settlement called New Reykjavik to investigate.

Reading this book reveals some of the Klingon rituals of comming of age and Worf leads a mission to contact the feral Klingons as he and the others try to find out why the Klingons have decided to fight the colonists. The story is fast-paced and you will find that you can nearly finish the book in one setting as your interest is piqued.

I enjoyed the story as it was well-written and the characters were true to form and there is a rather intriguing ending to the story which was rather unusal for a TREK book. All in all, this was a solid 5 star book because of the writing style and character development.

This book was my introduction to John Vornholt, and I must say, this book is great! I would definately recommend this one to any Star Trek fan, new and old alike!

I definitely enjoyed this book, which was a quick read at 186 pages. It was atmospheric and I felt I had had an adventure when finished. The story stays with you. But I also felt like I'd read the Cliff Notes to the book. I felt like I was ready to move on to the "real" story. With many of the characters, I wondered who these people were and why they were doing what they were doing. Yes, the story is from a child's point of view, but having characters drift in and out, be troubled and do strange things without explanation was curious and unsatisfying. Perhaps you need to know the author's background to fully enjoy the sparsely filled-out story. I didn't know, and I was left a little dissatisfied because of this.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's lighthearteded and funny, yet still has a complexity that makes you want to reach out and hug these little girls. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

This book is interesting from beginning to end -- a wonderful story that is very enjoyable to read. The perspective from which it is written (through the eyes of a five-year-old) enables us to see and experience life a little differently, and that is unique. It is well written, and the characters are all richly drawn and memorable. I found it to be touching, funny, sad in parts, and very moving. I read a lot of books, and have not come across such a strikingly good one in quite a while. I didn't want it to end.