This is not the entire Female Spectator (which would be very long indeed, and much more pricey). Instead, it is an affordable, carefully chosen selection from Eliza Haywood's _Female Spectator_ (a magazine-like publication that ran for several years). The introduction is top-notch. I own this book and refer to it often. This is a great book to read a little at a time. It gives wonderful insight into issues of 18th-century life for women (marriage, manners, and morals). I highly recommend it.

This book presents trees as you rarely see them: you learn to draw them while you read about them. Dedicated to the great singer and humanitarian John Denver, This book helps raise money for Plant it 2000 and each illustration is actually a print of the artists work, worthy of framing. A great book for kids, Trees introduces them in a fun and unique fashion.

I'm looking for Pratricia Ann Benners biblioghaphy can anyone help me???I'm doing an article on her and anything else would help also..

The ultimate irony of the behavioral health field is that grief should be considered an area of speciality -- rather than the very backbone of mental health care and intervention. When reasonably considered, NO ONE goes to therapy who has not lost something or someone. But a speciality it is, and useful and readable books on the subject of grief are not overwhelming the bookstore shelves. Many of those that ARE on the shelves attempt to quantify grief, to treat it as a process with tidy stages and reliable timelines. Grieving people know better.

"When Death Comes Suddenly" quickly distinguishes itself from either sentimental platitudes or technical psychology. The strength of this book is the power of narrative. The authors have assembled eleven first-person accounts of surviving a sudden death. The editing of these accounts is exceptional: the accounts flow intimately, dramatically, and realistically. As a reader who has never experienced a sudden death, I found the stories to stir deep wells of empathy and emotion.

This book's success, I believe, will be similiar to the success of the alcohol recovery narratives in the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous. Especially in our culture of "grief denial," grieving people will find in these narratives pieces of their own stories -- AND a tacit permission and inspiration to tell them! For many broken-hearted survivors, this book could serve as the first antidote to the isolation that grief initially invites. (Someone out there understands exactly how empty and hopeless this feels!)

The authors follow-up the narratives with a brief outline of current discussion regarding grief and grief recovery: narrative, ritual, children, faith, legalities, gender, finance, etc. Here the authors do not break new ground. Rather than distract us with textbook, technical descriptions and psychodynamics, they instead let the narratives speak for themselves, and provide us with a lucid inventory of issues likely to confront survivors of sudden loss.

In addition to its usefulness for survivors, this book, too, would do well on a graduate school syllabus for students newly embarked in behavioral health careers, especially counseling and psychotherapy.

Tell our story is most often a positive, healing event. Authors Patricia Duncombe and Ann Titus have assembled compelling stories of sudden death and the agony and courage of survivors. In so doing, they will help other survivors 'assemble' and tell their important story. This book is, then, first and foremost an act of generosity.

I knew nothing of Eca de Queiros before surfing the Amazon website, and was glad that I bought and read this book. "The Maias" is not without its irritations - at times the narrative becomes bogged down and therefore, I felt like I was merely "ticking over" until the next interesting sequence arrived. Added to which, I found this edition somewhat frustrating, as it is very lightly edited (helpful footnotes only appear towards the end of the book, and up until that point, as my knowledge of Portuguese history is not as good as it should be, I found myself having to pass over some references in the hope that they were not crucial to the overall story) and there are irritating printing errors scattered through the early pages.

However, on the whole Eca de Queiros's novel is challenging and interesting on a number of levels. The author had a keen wit, a finely-tuned sense of irony and, at times a deeply thoughful and observant insight into human behaviour which enriches the book for the reader.

The first hundred pages are essentially scene-setting, a description of the recent history of the Maia family. From there, the reader is given a fly-on-the-wall account of the habits and attitudes of a group of wealthy young Portuguese men-about-town. Eca de Queiros spares nothing in exposing the hypocrisy and double-standards of Portuguese high society - married women are fair game to these men, and yet at the same time they are outraged if the same married women are not "faithful" to them. There is a powerful message about the decay of, perhaps not morality, but certainly of honor, and exposure of the inequality between the sexes: Carlos's mother is branded a whore for being unfaithful to his father, yet the men hop in and out beds with little fear of social shame. No need to spoil the ending, but the author does not let his characters get away with all this without some repercussions.

Much of "The Maias" seemed to me to be very similar to Emile Zola's writing - "Nana" in particular, and so I suppose it could be argued that Eca de Queiros merely comes out of the same stable as Zola and others. Yet I found that the added value of this novel came from the Portuguese flavor Eca de Queiros gave the story. The reader is presented with a society (or at least, part of one), and possibly a nation, that was struggling to come to terms with its past and present: how to reconcile wanting to be part of the European mainstream yet maintain its proud identity. Through the mouth of Ega, Carlos's friend, Eca de Queiros relates this dilemma - the frustration that Portugal copied other countries rather than doing anything original yet had a deep sense of its own history and worth (at one point, Ega bemoans that everything of worth in Portugal has to be imported or copied, at another point he advocates, somewhat provocatively, a Spanish takeover of the country in order to arouse Portuguese nationalism).

Recommended, therefore, for many reasons.

Anyone who reads classic literature cannot ignore The Maias. Eca de Queiroz's comparison to Balzac and Tolstoy is spot on. Clearly his best novel, the Maias deals brilliantly with the arocratic nature of people. It is extremely well-written, and reads very quickly. This is a must read for anybody who likes 19th century works.

it fills me with enormous joy to see how my favourite novel is appreciated around the world. i think eça would be proud of this.

if the maias were a movie (and i'm sure it will be, sooner or later), it would clearly be a "chick-flick"... from this perspective it wouldn't even be very original. the whole romance is actually quite common and not surprising at all (except for the ending, if you're not familiar with eça's own fears and traumas)... what the maias have of spectacularity is the social portrait of portugal in particular of the lisbon society... eça's characters are so plausible and real, even in present days, that one is forced to believe that they are not the product of an ingenious imagination, but the result of a daily observation. this book can surely transport you to lisbon, as it describes the existing mentality in a city that longs for the glamour and importance of a central european capital, like london or paris. what is impressive is that this sense was already prevailing more than a century ago...

I'm obviously in the minority, but I didn't find this book very helpful. The approach described in the book may be well suited for people just beginning their careers or entering/re-entering the workforce mid-life. However, I don't think that the advice in the book is really geared toward the person who is established in a career and seeking advice on how to realistically make a change. I wish I had not spent my money; there are definitely more helpful books out there.

For anyone who desires to create a more meaningful career or life path for themselves - "The Best Work of Your Life" is a must-read. In their own voices, authors Pat Alea and Patty Mullins present an insightful, three-step approach, "clarity-strategy-action", that serves as a road map for finding your best work. This practical and results-oriented approach is illustrated with exercises and examples throughout the book - and it works. It gave me a framework for figuring out what meant the most to me, and it helped me develop and implement strategies for getting there.

I recently attended a most meaningful workshop in which the authors took a small group step-by-step through the beginning of the process detailed in their book. It was time and money well spent. What is important about this book, is that one can use it to take a special look at what skills one most wants to use and take steps to do just that. Their resume format is wonderful, and the work you will do based on their straight-forward approach will serve you well whether looking for a different job, career, lifestyle, or education. The authors are sincere in writing this book as a tool for everyone -- whether you are 18 or 80 and no matter what your goals (which you may discover while working through this great book).

Some readers will marvel at the "mind control" endured by the writer - others may be mildly annoyed at her utter naivete. The long, hand-wringing letters reprinted in the book are a case in point. While the book is highly personal and may not appeal to everyone, reading the psychological processes of its narrator as they are described can be an enveloping experience.

Enlightening & Awesome !!!

This book is one the professional counselors who deal with cult abuse will find a must read! This author has exposed her own innocence, naivety, and early childhood 'programming' that set the stage for her to submit to an authoritarian religious figure who could become a life-altering influence at a very vulnerable time. Step by step through her journey, she leads the reader right along with her, into the depth of her experience of mind control, spiritual abuse, emotional abuse, and eventual recovery process. This book will aid anyone who has been through a religious cult experience, to validate their own feelings of betrayal and exploitation. I laughed with her and I cried with her, as she took me on this odyssey of her life. This is a brilliant work, exposing not only the tools of mind control--but also the pathway out of the depths of deception! I recommend this book to anyone interested in non-fiction at its best!

Ms. Laessig enthralled me from the first page to the very last as I journeyed through her life with her. She shares her emotions and experiences so honestly and vividly that it became my adventure as well. I could not put the book down and tears flowed and fell on the pages leaving their mark as I read about her loves and losses, her fears and triumphs.
As I journeyed with her, I marveled at her spirit and what courage it took to relive her life in order to share it with her readers. It's truly a spiritual journey.

This is a truly glorious book! It combines linguistics, science fiction, feminist thought and alternative history all in one. The introduction of Laadan as a women's language fascinates me with its concept. The characters are extremely well-drawn and believable. The little side jaunts to the average woman's life in this time period is almost scary to imagine possible. It's enough to make a woman look at men differently for awhile. For men, it provides excellent insight into women's perspective.

This is truly a brilliant book. Like "The handmaiden's tale" it sketches a future in which women don't have equal rights. Like "Memoirs of a spacewoman" it is written from a distinctly feminine perspective. However, it quite outclasses these books, by at least two orders of magnitude. It is believable science fiction, full of interesting ideas and truly mindstretching. In addition it is warmly human, at least for such a bitingly incisive book. As I said, a brilliant book!

I loved this book ... it presented issues relating to prejudice from a national, class and gender perspective. Although it was written in almost a different era, it is still able to portray the enormous difficulties encountered when one is 'different'.

.. Jealousies rage where there is truly no justification. .. Individuals are sacrificed for the good of the group. .. Language both empowers and divides. .. The science fiction element is sufficient to enhance the scope of a book that potentially could have been bound by western culture.

I have never written to an author before, but I did this time ... and not only that, I have taken up Linguistics in addition to my Psychology studies at University.

This book is a gteat guide to structure conversation with loved ones about how THEY want us to be prepared for their death. I am starting to use the guidelines and forms to help ME figure out what I want. Many of my forty something friends are buying this book for their spouses AND their parents.

Sometimes it takes a life-altering event to make you question your own mortality. Too often we think of ourselves as invincible, but we are merely biding time here on earth.

Being prepared for the inevitable end of our lives is very important, and author Pat Cochran addresses this subject in her book, "Last Rights: Taking Care With Your Final Journey." This book is designed to help with the process of broaching the subject of death, and making the necessary preparations so that the decisions concerning final arrangements are in place when the time comes, making the grieving process easier for your surviving family members. Following the advice found in "Last Rights" will also help insure that your wishes are honored in the way you want to be remembered upon your death.

Cochran takes a gentle, non-threatening approach to the subject of dying. This book offers practical advice on end-of-life issues, such as estate and funeral planning, writing an obituary and eulogy, and how to write advance medical directives. She also liberally uses personal stories from others who have faced death with dignity. From these touching stories comes real-life lessons on how to take the necessary steps to depart from this life with dignity and grace.

There are specific chapters on how to write a will, how to engage a healthcare spokesman, how to plan your own memorial service, and even how to preplan your own funeral. The final sixty-nine pages contain examples of some of the important forms that might be used when the end of life is near.

Sprinkled among the stories and advice are meaningful quotes and poems that might be used in eulogies or remembrances. I was particularly touched by the sage wisdom found in the "Ten Truths About Grief."

This is not a gruesome or sad book in any way, but an uplifting and practical guide to something we all must face one day. There is a certain comfort that can be gained from knowing just how you will be remembered when you've passed. With "Last Rights," Pat Cochran has just made the journey a little easier.

Sharon Galligar Chance, Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Tx.

My husband and I received this book from Pat Cochrane who had asked permission to use one of his poems called "Conections" in her book. He asked for a copy of her book in return for using the poem. It came at a most appropriate time: Phil has Parkinson's Disease and we have been discussing the end of life. Pat has clearly, matter-of- factly, intelligently set out the steps one needs to take to ensure that one's affairs are in order before your time is come - complete with all the necessary forms to fill out right in the book, including your epitaph and your obituary. An invaluable asset for all who wish to save their family unnecessary anguish.

b

Everything She Ever Wanted is the true story of a southern 'belle' who makes the gradual transition from being a spoiled, selfish child into a manipulative, overbearing witch. Her ego and cold disregard for the people who love her leads her down the path of murder. From a 10,000 ft perspective Everything She Ever Wanted sounds a bit formulaic. However what makes this book compulsive reading is the fascinating interrelationship between the murderess and her manipulated family. I was amazed at how much she got away with, and how her family defended her until the end (despite being victims themselves). Familial love is indeed blind.

Bottom line: Everything She Ever Wanted is typical Ann Rule stuff. That is, it is well-written and researched. No, it's not among her best works. But it makes for pure reading enjoyment nonetheless.

This book was completely shocking. I can't believe that so many people stood by and let Pat Taylor ruin their lives.
She is the perfect example of a wacko. Ann Rule does a great job of showing what a fake this woman is. Her oldest daughter should be thankful she has nothing more to do with her family that has so obviously lost touch with reality. Too bad her son doesn't support her and instead chooses to side with his pathetic excuse for a grandmother. The worst thing about this crime is that Pat Taylor isn't in jail for the rest of her sad life. Not Ann's best book, but still a good read.

"Everything She Ever Wanted" stands out among the 8 Ann Rule books I have read to date. It is not the most suspenseful or most interesting. It is not set in an especially attractive locale or does not introduce compelling characters.It DOES have Pat Taylor/Allanson. To me, she is the lowest of the low,including that sicko from "Lust Killer". One has to complete all 500+ pages to appreciate how bad/evil/manipulative this woman is. Husbands, children and family mean absolutely nothing to Pat as she schemes her way through life. The title is a bit of a tease, since it was not exactly clear just want Pat "wanted" so badly or if she will ever achieve it. "ESEW" is lengthy by necessity because Pat casts a wide net with her behavior. There is a plethora of children,family members,spouses, cops, defense attorneys, district attorneys and innocent bystanders drawn into the maelstrom surrounding her. This point demonstrates the tale's only weakness. It's too long! I believe the author could have drawn the reader into the plot quicker. With so many "main" characters, some of the minor ones could have been deleted entirely or had their roles abbreviated. I almost put "ESEW" away before being drawn into the same maelstrom mentioned above. Apart from this, the book is definitely recommended. Ann Rule fans need not think twice. New readers may wish to start with the briefer "Lust Killer" or perhaps "I-5 Killer" before tackling the longer fare here. On a positive note, I was inspired by the very real characters of Tom and Susan. They battled back! More power to them. Also, my compliments to two previous reviewers: "Sarbery" observed that owning a few horses doesn't make a Souhern family "refined". Good one!. Another observant reviewer noticed the photographic changes in Susan as the plot thickened. All the more reason NOT to read those pesky centerfold photos (or the back cover!) until the end.Of all A.R.s efforts, I sense a possible sequel here. Have we or haven't we heard the last of Pat?