All For Animals: Tips And Inspiration For Living A More Compassionate Life by Karen Lee Stevens (founder of All For Animals, a pro-animal organization based in Santa Barbara, California) is a straightforward, detailed, "pet owner friendly" guide to living a life kind to animals. Stevens' informed advice ranges from purchasing household products and cosmetics that have not been animal tested, to spaying and neutering to curb pet overpopulation, to making healthier food choices. All For Animals is a must-read guide and reference for every animal lover, and a very useful consumer information resource for the shopper who wants to know which brand-name companies have a cruelty-free track record.

This book truly has a "sleeper" effect. It comes off as unassuming and just generally pleasant, and when I finished reading it I sort of shrugged and thought, "Well, what a nice little book."

Ha! The truth is, this book is quietly but steadily reshaping my life. I guard against being strident towards others and generally despise "confrontation," but All for Animals has helped me learn that in the past I've been completely silent where this wasn't necessary. This book has suggested to me a peaceable yet strong way to express myself to others in the context of hurt toward animals. I suspect this is because it has given me a whole new way to talk to myself on the subject.

For instance: this week at work I found myself getting up and walking around my cubicle and engaging myself in a conversation with a fellow who was talking about killing chickens for research and tossing off casual remarks like "Well, if you have to kill an animal, why not a chicken?"

We had a spirited yet amicable discussion. In the end, the fact that I've been a mostly a vegetarian since I was a teenager wasn't sufficient ammunition against the fact I was wearing leather shoes. But because the discussion was kept at a friendly level, what I took away from it wasn't animosity against this other person, but self-examination about those leather shoes. Had I not read this "nice little book," I know I would have overheard my coworker and thought, momentarily, "Gosh, that's not right," but brushed it off and not got up and talked with him. And was I beating myself over the head about wearing leather? No, not at all: I was just calmly (but steadily) wondering about it.

Karen Lee Stevens has something special to offer in a world that stampedes to become polarized and politicized around animals as an "issue." The deep beauty of this book is its ability to reach out to the human species with warmth and subtle depth and say: I understand that you can't do everything all at once, just try this one little thing and see if you like it. I am eager to see Ms. Stevens continue and expand upon the gifts she has to offer, and I challenge savvy booksellers to place this title not just among the animal-related offerings but in the (human)self-improvement category as well.

Wondering how you can help animals? The new book "All for Animals: Tips and Inspiration for Living a More Compassionate Life" by Karen Lee Stevens helps answer that question. This book is full of simple, easy ways to adopt a cruelty-free lifestyle. For example, buy household and personal care products that haven't been tested on animals, have a meat-free meal, attend an animal-free circus, voice your opinions against dissection of animals in the classroom and show your support for animal protection legislation."All for Animals" includes interesting animal rescue stories written by people who share what they learned from these encounters and the profound emotional rewards they received. In all these instances, the animals were saved from lonely, painful lives and introduced into environments where they were loved and well cared for. "All for Animals" also includes a reading list for those interested in learning more about animal issues, a list of on-line resources, and a list of companies that don't test their products on animals. "All for Animals" isn't preachy, overly sentimental, or graphic to shock you to into living a more humane, compassionate life. It simply offers information on how to be more animal-friendly in ways that makes sense. You'll learn to love and appreciate your companion animals more deeply as well as respect the rights of all animals to a peaceful existence.

The authors of this book have tracked down, and provided color photos, of no less than 250 waterfalls in Yellowstone. While some were previously well known, many are new discoveries or re-discoveries of falls not seen in many years. That so many notable falls could occur in one area (even as large as Yellowstone)is remarkable; that so many significant falls could have remained to be discovered is downright ming-boggling. The authors provide interesting histories and excellent photos of each fall, and the book will be a joy to read and look at for any waterfall lover. My slight quibble is that while they provide coordinates and category of access for each fall, they don't provide directions or hiking distance. (In fairness, it can well be argued that if the information isn't readily available elsewhere for a given fall then the trek is one that should only be undertaken by a hardcore hiker.) Despite the quibble, this is a great book for any waterfall lover, and especially for one planning a trip to Yellowstone.



Waterfalls are one of natures natural high producers. Do a search on negative ions and you will find that falling water creates an abundance of negative ions in the air. Breathing in this charged air mixture gives a body a natural, invigorating, temporary high. In their book, the authors have obviously been infected by this condition as evidenced by there irrepressible quest to seek out more and more sources of the negative ion producing waterfalls.

This book scores high marks on many fronts. With three different authors contributing, the book does a marvelous job of providing a general education on waterfalls. By clarifying the terms and classes of the waterfalls described, author Rubenstein helps to give personality and color to each individual plume.

Author Whittlesey's extensive historic perspective of the park gives each of the known waterfalls a vivid background description. When the authors caution you not to lean over the trail barrier too far to view a particular waterfall, they then follow up with the details of the tourist that died falling down that very cliff at the same site. As a drive guide to Yellowstones' waterfalls this book cannot be beat. All of the easily accessed falls are covered and described in detail including seasonal variations. For the typical tourist driving through the park, this book will appeal immediately because of the revelation that many more falls are visible with just a short car stop and walk to a viewpoint.

As a hikers guide to the Parks waterfalls this book will have even more appeal. Having spent over 15 years researching the back country for this book, author Mike Stevens has been to many of the falls on repeat occasions under a variety of conditions. In this aspect the book becomes a must for anyone hiking in the back country of Yellowstone. All of the standard trail recommendations are detailed along with accurate descriptions of how to find the falls and experience them in their best display. There are so many falls in the Yellowstone region that this book will certainly add color to almost any hike in the park.

Yellowstone Park is like a huge treasure chest of wild gems. By revealing and putting names to some of the previously 'unknown' falls the authors have dug a little deeper into the treasures and helped us realize there is a lot more value in this park than any of us realize. For the experienced Yellowstone back country explorers this book is a must. The authors even give GPS coordinates to many falls that have previously not been written about. Many of the falls have no trails and require at least an overnight stay in the back country. Others are so inaccessible that the authors honestly suggest that the strenuous hike is not worth the effort. The authors even give suggested locations for other waterfalls that have yet to be discovered.

Being a Yellowstone park fan myself I give this book my highest rating and only wish it would have been available when I was employed in the park. The authors show a true enthusiasm for the whole park not just the waterfalls. This book will make you want to get out and get some of those negative ions from the cascading waters. From the text and photos it is apparent that the authors have already had a healthy dose of their own!

This is a truly amazing book on Yellowstone. I have not seen one like it. Although much of the book is devoted to newly discovered waterfalls, all the famous ones are in here too. Like Lower Falls, Tower Falls, and the Gibbon Falls. It makes this a great book for any lover of Yellowstone. Whether you've been to the park for a day or visited every year since childhood like myself you will enjoy this book. Even if you just want information on a beautiful part of America.

It has so much information. Waterfall heights, locations, streams and much much more. The hundreds of photos, which are all color, are beautiful; and the numerous maps are very helpful.

If you love Yellowstone, waterfalls, or just great natural scenery you'll want to add this classic to your collection.

If you're thinking of purchasing Ramtha, be prepared for everything in your life to change (I believe for the better, but that's just my opinion). Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down, and after, you'll never have the same unconsciousness again. You'll be more awake; more aware (for some people, that's not a good thing). If you are a universal truth junkey, like myself, then Ramtha will fit in perfectly with your collection of other spiritual reads. If you are a novice, then I have one question for you... Did you see the movie, The Matrix? Remember when Keaneau Reeves took the blue pill? That's what this book is... the blue pill. Before you buy, make sure you're ready to peek behind the curtains of "life."

I was shocked to see no reviews of Ramtha. I read this a few years ago. He is one of my favorite teachers. Determine for yourself if you think you might be interested in reading Ramtha.

"Do you know what "the" truth is? That there is none. There being none means that everything is."-From Chapter 12, which is entitled "Nothing But Truth".

"You are the only creation that is directly of God. Everything else you have created by thinking and feeling it into being."-From Chapter 8, which is entitled "Creation and Evolution".

"The more you love yourself, the more your brain is opened up. Then you are becoming more than your body. You are becoming that which holds you together."-From Chapter 19, which is entitled "Opening the Mind".

"You have the ability to know all that is, for everything there is to know is in the Great Consciousness of God, and the Mind of God beats like a heart to pump it to you."-From Chapter 17, which is entitled "The Science of Knowing."

As a seeker of Spiritual Truth and a Medium/Teacher who conducts workshops on Sp. Enlightenment; I have found RAMTHA closest to my heart. When given a copy a few years ago, it 'shook me to my roots'. It was as though I had experienced a look into my own life and yes, 'I tingled from head to toe'. RAMTHA has been a constant companion on our (my wife Beatrice and I) travels. I have quoted excerpts from these pages so eloquently written and, like arrows shot from the bow of a marksman, most have struck the target. It has been a wonderful experience to see how these words have struck home to my students. IT HAS MADE THEM THINK. IT HAS MADE THEM BECOME MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS. I thoroughly recommend it The best answer for any query about the book must surely be "Try it for yourself - life is individual, not all are ready for it".

BearWalker is a great book with a ton of potential. As I read the book I kept thinking, this is gonna be a hit TV series some day. It has everything: government conspiracy, mysticism, betrayal...the works! His use of Native American myth, and his great development of Paul Dillinger(my personal favorite in the book) just left me wishing the book was 500 pages and not 150. I hope he writes more in this line!

Wow! Steven King, the king of horror fiction, had better prepare his abdication speech because Steven Lee Climer is the heir apparent, the crown prince, and his works of dark fantasy declare him ready to reign. Based on Chippewa and Ottawa myths and legends of shape shifters and healers, Bear Walkers and Bloodstoppers, BEARWALKER, set in present day Ann Arbor, puts a whole new spin on the myths. Unable to control his shape shifting by any other means, David Walking Bear has become an alcoholic, a street person. And manages to survive in the shadows until a group of men, armed with chains and bats, descend on his alley and start beating David and two of his derelict buddies. Changing into a monster, David kills them all, including one friend who is still alive, and has to run again. Jeanette Towson, gifted by Manitou (the Great Spirit) with the ability to take ills and wounds from the patient to herself, has hidden herself by adopting different strategies. A news junkie, she almost knows what David is, but gets herself involved in the news when she saves a victim of an auto accident. There is still another important character in BEARWALKER. Paul Dillinger, a tabloid reporter, wants the stories of the "monster that kills" and the "angel that heals" for his rag and is determined to find the truth of it without regard to the people involved. The author's previous book, DREAM THIEVES, was nominated for Best First Novel 1997 from the International Horror Guild. I had the honor of reviewing it also. It has all the makings of a classic, a book that defines the horror/dark fantasy genre. I'm not sure, but I think BEARWALKER is their first book. If so, it's a grand debut into the publishing world. Rumors are rampant regarding the death of the horror genre, but my guess is: Steven Lee Climer and Indigo will be the Bloodstopper for horror. Reviewed by Patricia Lucas White, award-winning author of A Wizard Scorned.

Listening to "Buckminster Fuller An Audio Biography" is like sitting at a coffee shop with Lloyd Sieden as he tells engaging stories of the life of his friend Buckminster Fuller. Stories range from Bucky's acheivements to his struggles to continue his "life as an experiement". The human side of Bucky is protrayed and I felt a connection with his unique spirit. I especially enjoyed the story of how Bucky's uncles raised money to pay for his college. With money in hand Bucky's interest in a good time diverted him from making it to college.

David W. Steadman, Steven Zousmer, and Lee M. Steadman have done an outstanding job on this book on Galapagos wildlife. The book is basically divided into two parts. The first part, amply illustrated by highly quality full color photographs, describes the overall geology, topography, climate, flora, and especially fauna of this important group of islands. Much of this stems from the fieldwork of David Steadman and his brother Lee. Truly fascinating, everything from paleonotological research in the islands, speciation of the island's famous finches, Charles Darwin's explorations and work in the islands, to conservation and more are addressed. Also found in part one are maps, both modern day and some early maps from when the island's were first being explored, as well some early scientific illustrations of the island's plants and animals.

Part two though to me is the main reason to buy this fine book, which contains the color plates by artist and scientist Lee M. Steadman. These excellent illustrations depict every resident species of bird from the islands as well as least one species of each major group of native reptiles and mammals. Even a few extinct species are illustrated. Accompanying each full page illustration of an animal in its native habitat is a full page description of the species, noting physical description in detail, ecological role, natural history notes, life habits, how the group got to the islands, possible relations to other species not only on other islands in the Galapagos but also on the mainland, and notes relating to conservation. The color plates are excellent, very true to life and quite beautiful, illustrating such species as the Galapagos Tortoise (of course!), the Marine Iguana, Red Bat, Galapagos Fur Seal, Galapagos Penguin, Dark-rumped Petrel, Flightless Cormorant, Lava Heron, and the San Cristobal Mockingbird. The famous finches of course are given several great pages of illustrations with several pages of text devoted to them.

This is a great buy, and it is a true shame that this book is out of print! I'll never understand why some books go out of print, this book is in my opinion a classic not only on the Galapagos but in the field of natural history in general, and should be reprinted again and again. I highly urged all of those interested in these wondrous isles to get Amazon to search for this book for you.

This is one of the best UNIX books ever written. Period. It's too bad that New Riders never bothered to update it, as it is kind of dated nowadays. It is still very useful, and not a waste by any means, but an update would be nice. It hits on every major aspect of UNIX and has examples. I have found things in there that I didn't find even in the Nemeth books. This belongs on every UNIX Sysadmin's bookshelf. The next time I ask for some Unix and tech books at work, I will see if this or other used copies are still available and try to get them to buy it. I don't want to take mine to work because I don't want to damage it, and because it is just too big and bulky to carry back and forth.

Oh, and you have to love that cover art.....

This is a difficult book for a lay reader to follow, but it is the best account of the moral issues surrounding nuclear weapons. Steven Lee, a professor of philosophy at Hobart & William Smith Colleges, did an outstanding job in explaining in great detail the moral paradoxes and puzzles involving nuclear weapons. I wish this book would have been published in the early 1980s, in the height of the Cold War, the period when its author got the impulse and momentum for his project. Ironically, many of the arguments lost their political relevancy after the Cold War.

I thought I'd never be able to ski. Look at me now! Young kids are amazed at my skill. This one is the best.

Doctor Steven Heller has written a fascinating book based on something that looks to be a passion. It's not that he is completely skeptical of any form of hypnosis, but he takes a hard look at the ritual and unnecessary dramatics of the professional "hypnotist." The word is in quotes, because you will see it that way all through the book. He was a clinical hypnotist for years. You should know that this title is not "Reader's Digest-level reading," it is intense and academic in approach. Steven Heller does believe in hypnosis, but under a different definition than most are used to. Monsters and Magical Sticks is filled with metaphors, imagery, and amazing success stories of his own case sessions. Learn about the "magic" behind Ericksonian techniques and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. This book will show you how hypnotism really works.

Not only did I find this book instructive, but very entertaining to read. I highly appreciate the fact that this book treats hypnosis as a natural aspect of daily life and yes it can be used intentionally and covertly as in this story from the book:

"One evening, a group of friends and I were having dinner at a local restaurant. Our waiter was very distracted and he appeared to be agitated and depressed. He was abrupt, slow and unfriendly. As a result, our service left a great deal to be desired. Since I wanted to have an enjoyable evening, I decided to "talk funny" to him in order to help him feel better.

As he walked by our table holding a coffee pot, I touched his arm and said, "I'm sorry that you forgot that special night ... with that special person ... those exciting things that happened ... those very warm feelings that would embarrass you to talk about ... since we are all strangers."

For a moment his face went blank; he looked up to his left; his face then lift up and he said, "How do you know about that?" He then smiled and began to laugh, and his whole attitude changed as if by magic. He said, "Wow. that was some night. I don't know how you know about it."

The next time he came to our table, I said to him, "Wasn't it simply amazing that when you remember those happy, warm feelings, your attitude continues to change, and you continue to feel even better?"

We received a delightful service throughout the rest of the evening. What was even nicer, was that as we left he told us that we were one of the nicest parties he had ever waited on. He also asked us to be sure and ask for him whenever we returned.

Now, I have absolutely no idea as to what he hallucinated, but my communication resulted in his going back into his own history. He then found an experience that filled in the blanks, and that memory helped him to change his whole attitude in a matter of seconds. Of course, there's no such thing as hypnosis, and if there is, he should have gone deeper and deeper into a trance."

Several years ago a friend loaned me his copy of Monsters and Magical Sticks. Within a few pages I knew that I was reading the work of geniuses. For months after I searched for a copy to call my own. Finally I found one. Both my training and therapeutic style have been fantastically improved! I am thrilled that this jewel is now more readily accessible. IT'S A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE WHO CONDUCTS TRAININGS AND/OR THERAPY. My hope is to one day talk with Dr. Heller or Ms. Steele and/or to attend one of their trainings. ...