Nor - this being one of Heinlein's pre-decline stories - does Lazarus Long show up in the "Dora" to rescue everybody, render the first two-thirds of the book moot, and spend the rest of the book having sex with all the new characters.

After you've read Heinlein's best four books - THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS, STARSHIP TROOPERS, THE DOOR INTO SUMMER, and DOUBLE STAR - you can move on to this one if you're still interested. Or not.

I've read and re-read all of Mr Heinlein's published works, he is so easy to read. I hope this classic tale does not fall under some action movie director's axe like Troopers. The story is perfect as it is and does not need to be re-told.

I must mention that this books language and writing style could be difficult for some people to understand who are not already somewhat familar with biology and biological terms.

There is a reason why this book is still continued to be used today in classrooms as it is on its sixth edition. The authors use of layout in the book is well thought out and organized. His vast use of pictures, graphs, and tables streamline with the text of the book. In addition, the companion CD and web site provide the reader with an even greater study guide-- using interactive flash programs and video to further explain biological processes.

Further, in addition to the basic Biology taught in classrooms, this book goes one step further and explains some advancing fields in the Biology Profession. For example, chapter 20 covers the use of computers in analyzing biological data and gives prime examples from the current Human Genome Project. Further, every section of this book covers an interview with a specific individual in that profession. Such, if one is not aware of what exact field one wish's to pursue, interviews that cover some of the daily activities of these individuals are provided.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is seriously interested in Biology.

There is a reason why this book is still continued to be used today in classrooms as it is on its sixth edition. The authors use of layout in the book is well thought out and organized. His vast use of pictures, graphs, and tables streamline with the text of the book. In addition, the companion CD and web site provide the reader with an even greater study guide-- using interactive flash programs and video to further explain biological processes.

Further, in addition to the basic Biology taught in classrooms, this book goes one step further and explains some advancing fields in the Biology Profession. For example, chapter 20 covers the use of computers in analyzing biological data and gives prime examples from the current Human Genome Project. Further, every section of this book covers an interview with a specific individual in that profession. Such, if one is not aware of what exact field one wish's to pursue, interviews that cover some of the daily activities of these individuals are provided.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is seriously interested in Biology.

From the start, this reassuring, warmly-written book proved an excellent choice. The tone is conversational but intelligent, and the book informs without being pushy, patronizing or condescending. The information contained is up-to-date and presented neutrally. Also contained are supplementary "Where We Stand" sections, which outline the opinions of the American Academy of Pediatrics (the organization that compiled the book) for further reader consideration. In addition, a helpful 225-page section at the back of the book deals with a variety of important topics including emergencies, behaviour, family issues, immunizations, and assorted developmental concerns.

As a new parent with endless questions and apprehensions, I welcomed the detailed month-by-month explanations of what to expect developmentally after birth (the book covers up to age five). Further, I was delighted to discover from the first chapter that the authors clearly love children and working in the pediatric field. This is quickly apparent from the way that children and parenting are discussed.

My son is now three months old, and I enjoy browsing ahead through the book for a sense of what to expect in the days and years ahead. Overall, this title is to be highly recommended for its good humour, clarity, informative content, and celebration of the very reason it was written--our children. It's amazing how many authors and publishers tend to forget this.

Conversely, "Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five" by Penelope Leach (another of the three books I selected) is to be avoided for its preachy tone and use of scare-tactics. While not a terrible book, I found Ms. Leach's style heavy-handed. The author is prone to making parents believe that if a baby or child is not attended to in a certain way (such as the one she suggests), then dreadful things will result. Despite its many high recommendations on Amazon's site, I found that Ms. Leach's book presents only her set view of parenting. Even the "Parents Have Their Say" supplements throughout seem to do little more than support the author's own opinions on such issues as circumcision. A far better supplementary choice would be the excellent and informative (although bulky) "Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby's First Year."

What is so impressive about this particular book is the way it is organized and "complete" - a one stop shop for advice. The fact the advice comes from a sound and reliable source is definitely another huge plus. There are many books available in the marketplace on child care and development but often they contain information based on personal opinion and not necessarily sound and qualified expertise. This book excells in professional and qualified opinions. The extensive content covers a w-i-d-e range of topics: nutrition; basic child care; physical, emotional and social development; first aid and common illnesses; family structures; behaviour issues, etc. The presentation style is easy to read, factual, and outlines the information in such a way that it is practical but does not instill undue fear and anxiety into the parent(s). I believe every parent goes through that stage when we tend to automatically assume the worst possible illness is going to befell our child only to discover, after a visit to our family physician, our fears were totally unfounded. It is human nature to react that way because we love our children and want to keep them safe and healthy. Whether a child has a common cold or an ear infection, we tend to lose as much sleep as the child, simply out of concern and worry. This unnerving experience is magnified if this happens to be your first child. Knowing what I know now, both as a parent and in the field of psychology, if anyone asked me for a book on a child's first formative years, this would be one of the first I would recommend, and it certainly is worth the price.

The quotation in the summary is from Mary Shelley, and the ending reads...he only mistakes it for happiness..." Keep that in mind as you read or think about the book.

You will either hate or find you self feeling sorry for Eric, and that is what Cormier wants, he wants you to identify with the character and have strong feelings...if not the book fails. It is ironic that we find sympathy for a serial killer, but that is not the only irony in the novel.

Keep in mind that "Lori" is short for "Lorelei", a German maiden who lured sailors to shipwreck on the rocks of the Rhine River. How fitting!

Enjoy this book, and read Cormier's The Chocolate War...the novel that is a study in conformity and cruelty.

The quotation in the summary is from Mary Shelley, and the ending reads...he only mistakes it for happiness..." Keep that in mind as you read or think about the book.

You will either hate or find you self feeling sorry for Eric, and that is what Cormier wants, he wants you to identify with the character and have strong feelings...if not the book fails. It is ironic that we find sympathy for a serial killer, but that is not the only irony in the novel.

Keep in mind that "Lori" is short for "Lorelei", a German maiden who lured sailors to shipwreck on the rocks of the Rhine River. How fitting!

Enjoy this book, and read Cormier's The Chocolate War...the novel that is a study in conformity and cruelty.

The quotation in the summary is from Mary Shelley, and the ending reads...he only mistakes it for happiness..." Keep that in mind as you read or think about the book.

You will either hate or find you self feeling sorry for Eric, and that is what Cormier wants, he wants you to identify with the character and have strong feelings...if not the book fails. It is ironic that we find sympathy for a serial killer, but that is not the only irony in the novel.

Keep in mind that "Lori" is short for "Lorelei", a German maiden who lured sailors to shipwreck on the rocks of the Rhine River. How fitting!

Enjoy this book, and read Cormier's The Chocolate War...the novel that is a study in conformity and cruelty.

Inherit the Wind is a short and sweet book which not only makes a good point, but makes it quickly and clearly. This is something I can respect...after sorting out Jane Austen's mess of romantic words and snotty characters in Pride and Prejudice, it was a relief to say the least.

It takes place in small town called Hillsboro in Tennessee and revolves around a freethinking teacher named Bertram Cates who deliberately broke the law by teaching about evolution in his classroom. His trial becomes known nation-wide for both political and religious reasons. His lawyer is smart, practical but heartless Henry Drummond and the prosecutor is the likable Mathew Harrison Brady, both huge political figures. The trial erupts into a rude awakening for the ignorant residents of Hillsboro and changes the way they all think about the world.

It is one of only three or four required reading books I've managed to enjoy and this is why I recommend it completely.

The play freely adapts the details of history. The authors even change the names of the principal characters involved: Bryan becomes "Matthew Harrison Brady," Darrow becomes "Henry Drummond," etc. But the core events of that historic trial remain firmly embedded in the play.

"Inherit" is an excellent play that is very readable in book form. Lawrence and Lee write superb dialogue, and create vivid characters in Brady, Drummond, and the rest. The play is an effective satire of religious fundamentalism.

With the continuing efforts of religious fundamentalists to force their views on the general public (both in the United States and elsewhere), "Inherit the Wind" remains as relevant as ever. Highly recommended.

Until pop's death, at which time he delivers a message to a ship in port which Baslim the Cripple has instructed him to do in case of his death. He is adopted by this ship's family, and becomes on of them...a tribe of people, proud of thier heritage and elitist freedom. But, once again he must loose all which has become dear to him and move on to another fate, to find his true heritage.

Many lessons are contained within Citizen of the Galaxy. Learning to become one with the culture you are in, what 'family' can mean, learning to fight for what is right, and finally, learning that fighting for what is right may not nessicarily be on the front lines in the battle against slavery, but can be far away, buried in legal mazes of businesses who's leaders may not be aware of what evils are burried in the depths of thier empire.

Now, in our current age of a battle against terrorism, this lesson is espically apparent. The evils which lurk across the globe can have connections to us at home, through finantial ties, and levels upon hiden levels of business fronts and drug cartels. All levels, from executive office to the streets to forign lands must have those who are vigilant against a threat.

One Of the Guys is reminiscent of a cross between Hemingway and Kafka but Young's prose is singular and strikingly fresh. His language is spare but incisive, never wasting words, and he moves the plot forward with a disciplined pacing and progression that is all too rare in today's fiction. Young is an excellent writer but he never gets so carried away with his style that he compromises the story. For a first novel, this is a very impressive achievement.

Some of the previous reviews summarize the plot, so I won't go into detail, but let me just remark that I may have never read a book that so deftly explores how men, when uprooted from the familiar, can find their morals and ethics may be more a reaction to their environment than deeply rooted manifestations of individual will. Institutional mores and base instincts can challenge and indeed overcome morally based inhibitions. Conversely, some men when confronted with challenges previously alien to their existence will discover moral strength they never knew they possessed.

I highly recommend One Of The Guys and look forward to Young's next book. He has the potential to become an important 21st Century voice.

I've heard Robert Young Pelton speak, and he is, if anything, even more thoughtful and provocative in person. He has written an extraordinary book that ordinary people will take to be a sensationalist travel guide, while real experts scrutinize every page for the hard truths about the real world that neither the CIA nor the media report. The 5th Edition is even better than the earlier version that I distributed to all the professional intelligence officers attending the annual Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) conference, so I am going to distribute the new improved version.

Unlike clandestine case officers and normal foreign service officers, all of them confined to capital cities and/or relying on third party reporting, Robert Young Pelton actually goes to the scene of the fighting, the scene of the butchery, the scene of the grand thefts, and unlike all these so-called authoritative sources, he actually has had eyeballs on the targets and boots in the mud.

I have learned two important lessons from this book, and from its author Robert Young Pelton:

First, trust no source that has not actually been there. He is not the first to point out that most journalists are "hotel warriors", but his veracity, courage, and insights provide compelling evidence of what journalism could be if it were done properly. Government sources are even worse--it was not until I heard him speak candidly about certain situations that I realized that most of our Embassy reporting--both secret and open--is largely worthless because it is third hand, not direct.

Second, I have learned from this book and the author that sometimes the most important reason for visiting a war zone is to learn about what is NOT happening. His accounts of Chechnya, and his personal first-hand testimony that the Russians were terrorizing their Muslims in the *absence* of any uprising or provocation, are very disturbing. His books offers other accounts of internal terrorism that are being officially ignored by the U.S. Government, and I am most impressed by the value of his work as an alternative source of "national intelligence" and "ground truth".

There are a number of very important works now available to the public on the major threats to any country's national security, and most of them are as unconventional as this one--Laurie Garrett on public health, Marq de Villiers on Water, Joe Thorton on chlorine-based industry and the environment--and some, like Robert D. Kaplan's books on his personal travels, are moving and inspiring reflections on reality as few in the Western world could understand it--but Robert Young Pelton is in my own mind the most structured, the most competent, the most truthful, and hence the most valuable reporter of fact on the world's most dangerous places.

What most readers may not realize until they read this book is that one does not have to travel to these places to be threatened by them--what is happening there today, and what the U.S. government does or does not do about developments in these places, today, will haunt this generation and many generations to follow. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who cares to contemplate the real world right now.

1. Updated yearly. Where to avoid changes quickly, ya know.
2. Acts as a jumping off point. Most sections have net address, mailing addresses, or phone numbers for more current research.
3. Keeps things in perspective. How dangerous is terrorism compared to disease compared to driving compared to medical emergencies, etc..
4. Lighthearted, easy to read approach.
5. Political outlook. This isn't only a travel guide. Read this one cover to cover and you'll find out just how many petty dictators the CIA has installed and what the long term effects of that have been.
6. Chapters specific to both nations and hazards. Whether you need to know how to deal with Kurdistan or Kidnapping, there's a chapter on each.
7. General travel info. Great concentrated sections on general purpose travel planning for those who's idea of a great travel catalog runs closer to MSR than LLBean.
8. Actual accounts. Real stories from the places discussed, where the authors tell you who they ran from and who they had to bribe to still be alive to write this book for you. No macho hooey.

I've read it several times over the last year and remain impressed with the humanity and cheer with which he writes. In many ways his friendly, live-with-the-locals style of travel is a perfect antidote to the Lonely Planet syndrome, which has travelers bunking with other backpackers at guesthouses and haggling every last shekel out of the most kindly third-world merchants.

I've been to a couple of these places and found the dangers overstated in the book, but that may be a function of the book's age.

Unfortunately, it appears that some sections of the book are very poorly edited, and by now, the third edition is long out of date. I would never use it as my sole source of information on a place, but it's a wonderful way to get a quick idea of what's happening where, and what you might have to do if you're unlucky enough to find yourself there.