I have several of the "If You Grew Up...." titles in my free-reading area of my sixth grade classroom. The George Washington title is one of the most-often chosen titles--probably because they are curious about our first president. This title also gives a good description of what life was like for the gentry class of Virginia in the 1740s-1760s. Students have been able to use the information to write comparison pieces about GW's life and their own. I highly recommend this title and the others in the series for both the literature and social studies classroom. Weak readers have a high interest in the subject matter; strong readers enjoy a quick read.

Although I don't have all the books in this series ("if you..."), the six that I have are so fun and interesting, that I intend to get them all asap. My three children (3-8), my husband and I LOVE them.

Outstanding look backwards in time to discover what it would have been like to grow up with George Washington. The book answers lots of questions; What kind of clothes would you wear?, What about the bathroom?, What did children do to have fun?, What would you learn in school? How did people carry their tabacco around?, Who made the laws for the colony? and many more... Loads of cheery illustrations cover the pages.

This is a very good book on the Overland Campaign of 1864. It is the story of the great campaign between Lee and Grant. The author writes very good character sketches of Lee, Longstreet, Ewell, and Hill. He also tells about the lower level officers of the Army of Northern Virginia. He does show bias against Longstreet who he does not think very highly of. Grant fans will not be too happy with some of the narrative. But it is a book about Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia not Grant and the Army of the Potomac. For the flip side of the coin I highly recommend Bruce Catton's "Surrender at Appomattox" which is an excellent account of the Army of the Potomac in these campaigns.

An excellent work that in my opinion captures the essence of the Confederate failure. Dowdy debunks the myths of Grant the butcher and the subsequent "Lost Cause" explaination that the South lost the war due to the overwhelming superiority of Northern numbers, industry, weaponry and supply. Dowdy places the blame with Jefferson Davis, Braxton Bragg, the CSA War Department and to some extent on P.G.T. Beauregard. The decentralized defensive strategy adopted by Davis, led to the inability by General Lee and other CSA field commanders to sufficiently concentrate the forces necessary to defeat the Union armies.

The author writes a simply marvelous history of the great generalship of an almost god-like Robert E. Lee.
Read how sheer numbers, not superior leadership, allowed U.S. Grant final victory.
Although I think this book is out of print, I would highly recommend any history or Civil War buff to search hard for it. They will not be dissapointed.

These truly are "Life" skills in two ways--they help you live your life positively/effectively and they take a lifetime to master. There are no quick cures or miracle pills in this book.

The "book description" lists the 8 skills taught in the book. Here are some more details about each skill.
1. Identify your thoughts and feelings.
Acknowledge the feelings you are having; you cannot address the negative ones unless you are honest about them. Don't deny negative feelings because you feel guilty or bad about having them (anger fear, jealousy, insecurity, etc.). Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't be feeling them or that they are not real. Try writing down your thoughts and feelings. Write the situation that led up to them.
2. Evaluate negative thoughts/feelings.
Observe the objective facts that led up to the negative thoughts/feelings; do not make any assumptions or interpretations. Then, ask yourself 4 questions:
Is this matter Important to me?
Are my thoughts/feelings Appropriate given the objective facts?
Is the situation Modifiable?
Given my needs and the needs of others, is taking action Worth It?
If the answer to any of the 4 questions is no, then try to accept the status quo. To quell negative thoughts that might linger, reason with yourself, distract yourself from the situation, or meditate. If all of the 4 answers are yes, decide if the problem is a situation or a person. If it is just a situation, you need to solve the problem. If it is a person, decide between assertion and acceptance (details below).
3. Communicate better.
Listen to others. Have positive body language (lean forward slightly, look at the speaker, uncross your arms). Reflect back what you hear ("What I hear you saying is..."). Avoid responses that are hostile or evasive ("that may be..." "well of course..."). Do not give advice or bring the focus back to you. Do not judge or grill. You must hear, not just listen. Be willing to be changed by what you hear.
Speak with compassion. Make "I" statements instead of drawing general conclusions or blame statements ("I don't like it" vs. "It stinks;" "I feel sad" vs. "You are mean"). Speak about specifics when possible ("You promised to clean up the room this morning but it is still a mess" vs. "You never clean up").
4. Empathize with and understand other's behavior.
Learn what the other person is thinking and feeling. Be aware of how that person perceives himself or herself. Try to appreciate where the other person is coming from.
5. Solve problems (when it's a situation rather than a person, that's the source of distress).
Define the problem. Generate alternatives. Make a decision. Implement the decision. Evaluate the outcome.
6. Practice assertion.
Ask for what you want and need. Spell out the situation that is leading up to your request (perhaps including how it makes you feel), and then be specific in your request. If this repeatedly fails to be effective you may need to add consequences. Learn to say no (restate the request, empathize with the requester, perhaps share a statement of what you're feeling, and explicitly say no).
7. Practice acceptance.
Make an active decision not to act.
8. Emphasize the positive.
Your goal should be 5 times as many positive interchanges as negative (both with others and yourself). This is a stronger correlation with happiness than income, attractiveness, or good health.

All of these skills are very practical to your everyday life. They are simple, but very difficult to apply, especially when you are angry or upset about something. The authors acknowledge this difficulty throughout the book. They provide many examples of people struggling to apply these skills to their lives.

I have read inspirational books (e.g. Tuesdays with Morrie) and listed to motivational tapes (Dennis Waitley and Earl Nightingale). These usually make me "feel good," but provide very little advice that is practical in the "messy reality" of everyday life.

"Lifeskills" delivers what it promises.

"Lifeskills" focuses on what is important to us all: successful relationships and a healthy approach to getting along with others. This is not just another "how to" book but one that combines scientific research with common-sense readability. This insightful book gives helpful suggestions for improving and enhancing your approach and attitudes at home, at work, and in all of your encounters . Specific exercises are listed after each chapter to help the reader act on the ideas just presented. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Lifeskills makes a difference for all kinds of relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. The book helps you recognize strengths and problem areas that currently affect your relationships and then walks you through 8 steps for improving relationships and communication. Lifeskills also provides scientific evidence for how following these steps can make you healthier. The book is well written and easy and enjoyable to read.

A beautiful meditation upon the everyday details and context of first-century Palestine that adds adjectives and adverbs to the Gospels' action and dialogue. A thoughtful and thought-provoking piece that is faithful to what is written in the Scriptures, and celebrates the gift of imagination, as well. Bravo!

Virginia Owens is not only a knowledgeable Bibical scholar, but an entertaining writer, as well. Not only did she adress my miriad doubts and questions about Jesus and the Bible, but she actually made sense of seemingly nonsensical parables. By explaining the sociology of the era and the reasons for the choices Jesus made, she brought understanding and enlightenment to my weary soul. Her practical and lighthearted style make this an easy and irresistible read. I wholeheartedly recommend the book, especially for those whose concept of Jesus has outgrown a childlish belief.

This book could easily be read as a daily devotional, each chapter being short in words, but full of thought-provoking material. This book helps one push pass the stereotypical and well-known portrayals of Jesus and takes the reader to a level with Christ that far too few Christian writers have been able to accomplish.

I have read numerous books about Jesus Christ and this book brought to life once again my intrigue and passion for him. More than a historical review, each chapter looks at cultural, social, and spiritual meanings often overlooked in the Gospels. For those really Looking for Jesus, especially those who have already met him, but would like to know him, this book is a must read.

LOOKING FOR PA is a wonderful story that will capture the attention of young readers from the opening pages. A brother and sister, Jacob, 11 and Jessie, 8, are distraught, as they watch their father depart to fight with the Confederate forces. The unexpected death of their mother becomes a compelling reason for the two children to set off to locate their father. As the two travel by foot, accompanied by their pet goat, pig, and cat, they encounter some frightening obstacles, several fascinating people, and many disappointments. The satisfying conclusion will make all young readers feel proud, as they witness Jacob's and Jessie's tenacity, as they adapt and solve problems through the worst of times. The author, Geraldine Lee Susi, successfully combines the story of a desperate search with historical information and interesting details about the Civil War. The book provides many opportunities for children to gain insight into the issues and emotional turmoil surrounding this very difficult period in our history.

I am a Loudoun County 4th grade teacher. Three years ago I was looking for a novel to read to my class that would characterize the Piedmont Region of Virginia! I was fortunate to find the charming, historical fiction book, "Looking for Pa" by Geraldine Susi. Mrs.Susi's writing is vivid, descriptive, and a wonderful example of great writing for her young readers. Reading this novel is always a highlight in my school year. My students beg me to read this book each day! In 4th grade we have a great deal of Social Studies material to teach in a school year (Jamestown-present day). Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of spending a great deal of time teaching the Civil War. By reading this novel during my Language Arts time, I can spend a more in depth time on this period of history. Through this story she is able to present a vast knowlege of the Civil War Battle at Bull Run and the Piedmont region of Virginia. You feel like you are traveling along with this brother and sister caravan on their journey to find their Pa who is fighting for the Confederate Army. This novel gives my students an opportunity to internalize this period in history. I am so happy that my school ordered this novel as one of our 4th grade novel sets. I also highly recommend the teacher's guide that accompanies this book. Mrs. Susi, who is a retired reading teacher from Fairfax County, Virginia, has done a marvelous job suggesting various activities which stress vocabulary and reading comprehension. I can't wait to read Mrs.Susi's upcoming book. I am sure the sequal will be equally as exciting and educating as the first novel. Susie Geurin, Sterling Elementary School.

"Looking for Pa" is a wonderful historical fiction book that brings the Civil War to life for readers young and old. As a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher candidate, I have found multiple uses for Jeri Susi's book. She raises issues of the early Civil War in Virginia in a subtle way that allows excellent thinking and discussion opportunities for 4th grade through high school students. Well worth the price and highly recommended for pure entertainment. Superior maps and illustrations greatly enhance the dialogue rich text.

Even ten years after it was written, no other book documents the origins and failure of deinstitutionalization of people with severe mental illness so well. I only wish that the authors would update the book for the new decade.

I am so disappointed that this book is out of print! I have been recommending it to everyone including political leaders. This book explains so well why our mental health system is failing! From the ACLU who allow our loved ones to "die with their rights on" to the anti-psychiatry movement who deny that mental illness exist.The authors have uncovered the web of a failed system which advocates need to have as a resource. This book needs to be available.

Public policy regarding mental illness has been shrouded by myth, ideology, and fanatiscism. Madness in the Steets explains the history and myths that have caused the criminalization and neglect of people with no-fault brain disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Those myths now exposed, it is a clarion for legislative change. A must read for sociologists, legislators, and those who understand the tragedy of lack of treatment.

"Memories From Dante: The Life of a Coal Town" is far more than just a trip down memory lane of a small town in the coal fields of SW VA. The detailed oral histories and the huge number of photographs do provide those living in the area with the chance to renew old memories but it also provides researcheers and scholars with a social, economic, political, religious, and family history of the town and area. Anyone interested in a comprehensive study of a coal town needs this book. I especially recommend it for libraries and archives. Kathy Shearer has done a remarkable job of helping the people of Dante tell their story. Perhaps she never saw a lumb of coal before she came to the area (all the Dante mines are closed now) but the town and its elderly residents live in her book. Without any sense of superiority she has enpowered these people to tell the world what it was like to live in a time and a place now largely forgotten.

This Book took me back to a childhood that many of us only wish we could revisit. Kathy Shearer was able to catch the history of a wonderful little coal town and bring it to everyone's attention. People who grew up in a small town will be able to relate and relive the pleasures of a hometown community. Kathy Shearer took us all back to a time of childhood happiness. This is a wonderful book to read and learn of the struggles these people lived while trying to make a living mining coal and how they held on to each other for support and survival.

I bought this book thinking it's just another novice trying to write about something they know little about, but what a suprise when I started reading it. Kathy has done a thoroughly wonderful job describing these hard working, hard living and honest people in such vivid color you become friends with them instantly.
They become your family, and you love them, laught with them, cry with them, and hate them but you cannot forget them.
She is a first class writer and deserves high praise for a book which is both entertaining and historically founded.
I am just waiting for the sequel.

This book is a must read for all mothers no matter when you had your last child! My son is now 25 years old and I suffered for most of two and one half decades from many of the symptoms described in this book related to postpartum nutrient depletions. Like so many mothers, my symptoms started shortly after I gave birth to my son but none of my doctors knew to check me for deficiencies in the nutrients that my body donated to form the body of my baby.

As I have worked through this book making changes at my own pace, the rewards have been recognizable and very profound. My skin and hair, once dry are more supple and healthy. My digestive system is vastly improved. My mind clear without anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs, and my hormone balance is greatly improved eliminating mood swings and fatigue.

This book tells wonderful stories of real patients that had symptoms they turned around by working to give their body what it needed instead of dumping more chemicals in causing their detoxification systems to work overtime to deal with those chemical/medicines. Even though the stories are about women and are around pregnancy much of each story relates to anyone trying to give their bodies what they need in this stress filled environment with soil depletion, over processed foods, and environmental toxins.

This book has a comprehensive list of all vitamins, minerals, hormones, and nutrients and what they do for your body and what happens when they are out of balance. It also explains what to look for if you want a qualified doctor, someone certified in functional medicine. It also explains what lab work is available and how to read the lab work. If you are healthy and just want to give yourself the best chance to stay that way good recommendations are given on the best foods to eat and the most beneficial amounts and types of supplements needed to support this state of health.

If you don't know how to start there is a very easy to follow and clear plan on how to shop, prepare ahead and actually make healthy nutritious meals. There are even recipes included and suggestions on how to be creative. Spices and herbs are included not just for the taste quality but also for their actual health benefits.

I now know how important it is for all women to replenish their nutrient reserves after they give birth even if it is decades later! The information in this book inspires you to really take care of yourself!

This is a must read book for every pregnant mother, every new mother, every mother who developed chronic symptoms after a pregnancy, every spouse of one of these women, and anyone providing healthcare to pregnant or postpartum women. I have not seen any other book that deals so well with the many nutrient depletions and hormonal imbalances that pregnancy may cause in the mother and how to prevent or reverse them. Following the guidelines here for dietary changes, essential fatty acids, vitamin and mineral supplements, hormone balancing, amino acids and exercise could certainly prevent many of the very common problems in the postpartum period, such as depression, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, and decreased libido. If these symptoms are not treated early, they often become chronic longstanding problems that many of my medical colleagues have then treated with all sorts of medications, especially Prozac. There is an excellent chapter on breastfeeding problems and remedies along with a discussion of what herbs are safe or unsafe during nursing. The many case stories remind me of real-life patients I have treated. I am keenly interested in neurotransmitter and hormone problems and after reading this book I have a greater understanding of the cause of these problems in mothers and will more effectively treat them.

I consider myself one of the luckiest moms on earth that I got turned onto a healthy nutrient track when I was pregnant and for my post partum recovery. And I'm not talking about the blah, blah, blah healthy stuff.. The stuff we all know..eat right, exercise, etc...that stuff has been written about for years..from banal REader's Digest to Oprah Late At Night. What I'm talking about is the alternative, cutting edge stuff. Like replacing some of the lost omega-3 oils DHA and EPA which I leared awhile ago is downright stolen by the baby from the mom during pregnancy. And I made it my business to supplement my pregnancy and post pregnancy with the right nutrients so that I could avoid Post Partum depression with my new baby. I should say, avoid PPD without Prozac. Well, now new moms are lucky because everything I learned from various sources and vaious experts are now in ONE book. This is a one stop shop for any new mom who wants to take care of her body while taking care of her new baby. Raffelock and Roundtree have really answered any question I had and any new mom who might ask "what's happening to me?" Or things like, "Why is my skin so dry?" "Why am I forgetful?" And more importantly... "How can I fix it?"
This information is invaluable. ... But, if you follow some of the steps in this book, you can find some of the good nutrients at local health food stores. The key is the right items in the right amounts.
Personally, I think Prozac or as I call it, "Vitamin P" is being handed out way too easily and new moms have so much going on with their bodies that I would rather see nutrition be supplemented before jumping on Vitamin P.

This book must be read by all new moms!

This is an adorable parody of the story The Night Before Christmas. The illustrations are great, and the book is small enough to fit in your pocket. Not only that, it comes with a little charm that you can put on a bracelet.

This is a must read for any cat lover.

The Night Befoe Cat-Mas is a treasure for anyone who shares their life with a feline companion. It is beautifully illustrated, and the narrative is enjoyable.

This book is a take off of "The Night before Christmas" and is as dear as can be. A Purr..fect stocking stuffer for your friends who love felines.

This is the 1st in a trilogy. I highly enjoyed it. The heroine is a workaholic doctor. The hero is a devoted single father. His adorable son suffered a terrible accident that left him burned. The heroine takes a strong interest in his case and his father. Lovely story. Highly recommended. Can't wait for Sean's story!

Virginia Kantra is now on my autobuy list because of this book. She creates a hero that is everything a man should be... passionate, strong, family oriented. In Kate she creates a woman driven to suceed, her work his her life. Reading Patrick and Kate story is touching. I look forward to more stories by this talented author.

Kantra's first book came out just a few months ago to terrific reviews. Her second book lives up to the first. It opens with one of the most emotionally evocative scenes I've ever read in any book. Kate Sinclair is a plastic surgeon preparing to leave town for specialized study in burn reconstruction. Patrick MacNeill is the father of an infant burned in the auto accident that killed Patrick's wife, and the empathy between father and son affects Kate deeply. When she returns five years later, family is still the only thing Patrick allows himself to care about. Kate has her own obsession with medicine but somehow Patrick and his bright little boy worm their way into her heart. This is, plain and simple, a beautiful story and a great read.