Ms. Blair tells an action-filled story filled with humor and suspense. I reccomend this book to any and all readers interested in Civil War reenactment or time-travel. The characters are believable and honest, the true indication of a worth-while read.

This is a great book. I love it!!!!!!! The characters are really believable and funny. This author is much better than R. L. Stine.

The characters have depth and are really funny. I have read it at least three times before. If you like time travel, adventure, and all-out fun, this is the book for you.

The recipes in this book are great, especially the tomato soup and chicken salad (Chinese). I really liked the simple way in which they were written and the use of readily available ingredients. My favorite part of the book was all the minutae about the restaurant itself. From starting a restaurant, to running it, to buying provisions, to personnel, the book was a fascinating inside look at the business of food. The authors never complained, but they made me realize what a tough business they are in. Hope I can visit Cafe Beaujolais sometime.

I spent a lovely weekend on the coast and happened upon CAFE BEAUJOLAIS. After a splended meal, I purchased an autographed copy of this book. The recipes are all easy to follow and each have a history or source. Her spicy buttermilk coffee cake is to die for! Ms. Fox speaks of her cookbook collection and how she "looks up" the same recipe in many different cookbooks. This is where I first understood the concept of recipe comparing. I also enjoyed reading about the goings-on in her resturant. This is a fabulous book!

This is my one book that i go to again, and again and again. Everything in it from Chinese Chicken Salad to Mom's Banana Cake is scrumptious. It's hard to say what is my favorite - I guess they all are. You are missing out if you don't have this book. You won't be sorry; not to mention that simple instructions, simple ingredients, wonderful for the novice cook and then some. ENJOY!

This book is awesome. I'm a mother of 2 and didn't need any help with my first child, but my second child was very difficult and I found this to be an invaluable resource. It even lets you know when you should contact your doctor or when you should head to the emergency room. Being from Boston, I know that Boston Children's Hospital is one of the best in the nation. What is also great about this book is that it covers the developmental tasks of a typical child for a specific age group. It is a great basis to know if your child is under or over performing and helps you find your strengths and weaknnesses. It also has all of the growth charts in the back and an amazing appendix of different child illnesses. Anything you could possible want to know or have questions about when and if you need to be concerned is in here. It's like a Bible!

If you are about to have your first child, buy this book. If one of your children or grandchildren is about to have a first child, give this book to her or him as a gift. If you like this book as much as I think you will, you should consider having a copy at home and one in each of the family cars for situations that arise while away from home.

This book deserves more than five stars. It is the only comprehensive guide to childhood development and illnesses that I have seen. The content is remarkable for being easy to understand, concise, and representing many different perspectives (including those of moms, dads, elder siblings, physicians, and other health care professionals). The book exudes a respectful sense of optimism that parents will do a good job, and avoids taking stands about issues related to religious preferences. At the same time, the book is quite up-front about pointing out what works best for children and their families.

The book is organized so that the first four sections deal with developmental issues, from learning to mimic to toilet training to dealing with jealous siblings to school adjustment, on through the school age years in considerable detail. The fifth part gives you information on childhood illnesses, injuries, and conditions.

I particularly liked the way the development sections talked about how children usually regress just before making a major development, and that this is healthy. The book even points out the good sides of childish outbursts. I wish someone had told me these things many years ago!

Having been a parent of four children over the last 30 years, I checked out the book against every illness, emergency, and developmental issue that I ran into for my own children and their friends. In each case, there was relevant material that told me more than I knew when I had to deal with each of these issues, despite having read every book on child care that I could lay my hands on prior to the experience. In particular, the book is very good at explaining both the near-term and the long-term consequences of a situation. For example, one of our children went into severe convulsions with a sudden spike in fever to 106 degrees. The book points out that this happens to about five percent of all children, more often to boys, and that there usually are no long-term consequences. I wish I had known that at the time.

I would especially like to praise the chapter on child care, which has 31 pages that summarize the best and latest research on how to select the right kind of child care if both parents work. You even get what the ratio of child-care people should be to children at different ages. Further, there's an excellent section earlier on what's involved when a child is sick, including how parents should think about how to balance their work and the needs of a sick child who needs a parent at home.

Of particular value to new parents will be the sections in each area called "When to Call the Doctor" which gives you a sense of not only "when" but "how quickly" you should seek help.

To get some idea of how contemporary and extensive this book is, you will find a section on "Body Piercing Infections."

Unlike many books on childhood and pediatric illnesses, this one is not the views of one person. Instead, over 80 physicians and pediatric experts combined to share their expertise, drawing on individuals practicing at Boston Children's Hospital or teaching at Harvard Medical School. I have great faith in Boston Children's Hospital having often taken our children there to deal successfully with important illnesses. I am also pleased to say that one of our children has survived the experience to become a staff member in the hospital's emergency room.

The section on emergencies is not only good, it is also organized to help you prepare to handle emergencies before they occur . . . and to avoid them in some cases. Those pages are rimmed in pink so you can find them quickly if you are in a panic.

Give children the best informed and most loving attention you can!

I have been a pediatric nurse for 25 years and a parent for 15. I wanted to get a reference book for new parents and found this one published this year. I'm a big fan of Dr. Brazelton and his Touch Points which are included here regarding child development. The disease section was very thorough and I particularly liked the asthma section. It has the most recent treatment modalities laid out simply and clearly. I bought this at a regular bookstore for full price because I had to see for myself if it was of any value. It is an excellent reference, a "must have" for any parent. ....

I not only collect plants, I also collect books by Ken Druse. There are so many garden books out there today, and many are disappointing. Druse's books are the best. I read them over and over -- and the pictures are incredible. There could not be more inspirational and informational books onmy favorite hobby.

I just read that Ken Druse swept the Garden Book awards this year with The Collector's Garden. Best photography from The Garden Writers of America; Best book of the year from The American Horticultural Society. I have all his books -- this is the best one yet!

From my earliest years, I have devoured gardening books. Now in my wrinkly years and the owner of two gardens, one in the city and the other in Tasmania's beautiful countryside, I appreciate all the knowledge I have consumed over the years and I thank those garden writers that have helped to stir my creative juices and given aid when the inevitable mistakes have taken place. Through Internet, I have made the aquaintance of American gardeners and my interest in the revolution that is taking place in their gardens, has been aroused. The same movement is noticeably happening in the Australian gardening scene. Do you plant with only Australian native flora? Are you still homesick for the "old country" and religiously imitate the English country garden design? Perhaps the best is a blending of both styles? These are the questions that Australians are asking and American landscapers too. With interest aroused, I purchased American gardening books. I read serious tomes, the "this is what is happening in my garden" books and humerous offerings. This Christmas, as is my usual custom, I splashed out and bought myself two Kenneth Druse books: "The Collector's Garden: Designing with Extraordinary Plants" and "The Natural Garden". They were the best Christmas present ever, to be trite "A picture tells a Thousand Tales". The photographs are stunning, cream chocolates to be devoured over and over again with no weight gain! The script is concise and informative as it relates with gentle humour the drive that was used by these American gardeners to create their superb gardens. I would recommend both books to everyone, the beginner, the professional and the young at heart. There is nothing as exciting as beauty in pure form and in Kenneth Druse we find a genius who shares his love of beauty with us all, a luxury to be enjoyed and used time and time again.

The first time we heard this book, Toni Buzzeo actually read it. My daughter was only 6 months old and when Toni started to read it my daughter put all her attention to her and loved every minute of it. I got this book as soon as I could. She still loves it to this day!

"That's like me," my four year old said after our first reading of Dawdle Duckling. She totally related to day dreamer, Dawdle; she loves to do things her own way and her path is always filled with 'zigzags' and diversions that leave me trying to hurry her along. And like Dawdle, she knows that her mother is always waiting with open arms when trouble appears. After three readings she had the catchy refrain down and was 'reading' the book to herself. She loves the illustrations and picked right up on Dawdle's bent hat that sets him apart from his siblings. My daughter has proudly placed Toni Buzzeo's newest title in her special 'favorites' section of her bookshelf, and we are eager for more from Ms. Buzzeo.

Am I the only mom who always seemed to be saying, "Hurry up"? At one point, my oldest son said solemnly, "But I don't LIKE to hurry." Somehow it was a revelation. Oh. He doesn't LIKE to hurry. Anyone who has dealt with a dawdler will find this book hysterically funny...and great fun to share with kids. Toni Buzzeo has put her finger perfectly on the situation--and her dawdle duckling is a real charmer who doesn't get whapped with some punishment at the end but realizes for himself that there is a time to dawdle and a time to get zippy! Fabulous toddler book.

I had never read anything by M.M. Kaye. I have passed her books in the stores and they never seemed to jump out at me. However, this time I gave it a try and it was wonderful. First of all, it took place in the late 30's before World War II when the British were ruling India and it was chock full of characters, house, food, dances, etc., that fit right in to that period. Plus. several murders and two young girls trying to solve the murders without getting killed themselves. Just brimming with mystery and intrique.

When was the last time you curled up on a rainy day with a good whodunit? "Death in the Andamans" is the perfect book if you enjoy the "locked door" variety of murder mystery. The plot and characters can be found in many similar books - what separates this one is the good writing. It's all there: spunky young heroine, dark enigmatic stranger, a cast of suspects - all marrooned on an island during a hurricane. The outcome - a dead body and a murderer on the loose among them. Throw in some unearthly sightings and some clever detecting and you've got yourself a nice read. M.M. Kaye is one of my top five writers. In addition to her mysteries, she also wrote historical fiction. Try "Trade Wind", "Shadow of the Moon" or "The Far Pavillions" and you'll see how talented a writer she is.

Perhaps my favorite of M.M. Kaye's 'Death in' series. I wanted to visit the house in this book myself. All her mysteries take place in exotic locales under British rule. A favorite style of mine, the late 1930's to early 1950's. Tourists sightseeing, meeting for cocktails, planning murders, etc. All the fun British characters, without being heavy or too 'vedy vedy British'. I great read!

This book was a childhood favorite, after 30 years the story of the spider and all the good he did for the zoo has stuck with me. It has all the elements to keep a child interested and to teach good valuable lessons. It is easy reading for a child, I think both boys and girls will enjoy it.

I remember reading this book to my daughters who are now in their late 20's and early 30's! I've enjoy remembering how helpful Helen and her children were to those around them. I see myself now, even, trying not to harm a spider or their magnificent webs on the front porch or a bedding plant in the garden. My grandson enjoyed watching the web grow and grow last summer on our front porch and was disappointed when a storm destroyed it. :^(

I really liked this book because it really helps people understand what most people do not understand, the spider. It shows people that spiders can be useful and should not be harmed. I thought it was really great when the people in the zoo and the zookeeper found out that it was Helen that were keeping the animals healthy and made the rule to be nice to spiders.

.... "It has seventeen new essays and 37 new book lists added to the second edition mentioned here. Forty six essays describe how individual groups are organized and portray thier strengths, weaknesses, and unique characters. Special-interest groups, groups with professional leaders or sponsors, new groups, and groups that have been meeting for decades are all represented. Readers discover what makes a good group tick, from how to organize meetings, select members and books, and stimulate discussion to turning a flagging group around. More than three dozen reading lists supplied by the groups themselves help to provide insight and inspiration for all who currently belong to a book group or are tempted to start a group of thier own....

From Fall 2000, but Amazon does not carry it yet. Hopefully soon. "It has seventeen new essays and 37 new book lists added to the second edition mentioned here. Forty six essays describe how individual groups are organized and portray thier strengths, weaknesses, and unique characters. Special-interest groups, groups with professional leaders or sponsors, new groups, and groups that have been meeting for decades are all represented. Readers discover what makes a good group tick, from how to organize meetings, select members and books, and stimulate discussion to turning a flagging group around. More than three dozen reading lists supplied by the groups themselves help to provide insight and inspiration for all who currently belong to a book group or are tempted to start a group of thier own. This book replaces 1-55652-246-0" catalog

A Thoughtful Guide to Forming & Enjoying a Stimulating Book Discussion Group with essayss written, often collectively, by members of many & varied groups together with a What To Read section. With a foreword that only Margaret Atwood could write, this collection of quirky, humorous & serious essays gathered from book groups around the country, enchants, entertains & had me plotting how to start a group out of our local library. A really neat read. ................

I stumbled across this book in by accident in 1972 at age 12, and have seldom read anything (in historical fictional) as good since. It stands the test of time very well. Though some facts -- the infamous sixth finger included-- are historically disputed, the depth of characterization, description of events, and period details are impeccable. Anyone who is-- or is destined to be -- a lover of Tudor England, and Anne Boleyn in particular, will devour this book. A refreshing alternate to duller works like those by Jean Plaidy.

I spent over a year searching for this book and when I finally got my hands on it I couldn't have been more satisfied. I found the story romantic and clever and I absolutely fell in love with the character of Nan Bolyn. The author ingeniously mingles wit and elegance with tragedy. And even though my history lessons had already reveiled her inevitable outcome, I found myself in high hopes for Nan. I cried at the end.

Henry was a player who ALWAYS wins... until he meets Anne. Then only does he find himself a woman's fool...a woman he cannot stand to live with any longer.

Nicely-formatted book with a gazillion scripts. Made me get out my calligraphy pen immediately and start practicing, which is really the name-of-the-game to developing this delightful and useful skill. Knock your friends out and write in some of these beautiful hands!

Margaret Shepherd has written a gem for the new calligrapher. This is the book that I learned the most from. Anyone will enjoy and learn by following her fun and educational suggestion to invent alphabets. Loved It! Thank you Margaret Shepherd!

My wife took a caligraphy class and when she wanted to get a book of alphabets, we went right to Amazon, and here it is.

The book has a variety of different "fonts" and some penstroke instructions for each one. There are formal and whimsical styles, that will be appropriate for numerous different applications. She has created awards and membership certificates for several organizations using the inspiration of this book.

If you are looking for a source of new and different styles for your caligraphic projects, this is the first book you should buy. It has the greatest variety of practical alphabets that we have found.