Collaboratively edited by Peter Weber and J. J. Newby, and now in a fully revised third edition, Find It Online: The Complete Guide To Online Research by journalist and online trainer Alan M. Schlein is the all-purpose single resource and reference book to looking up the latest and most useful information on anything, anywhere, using the resources of the Internet. Individual chapters address the basics of the Internet, framing one's search strategy, the best tools and search engines available, government resources, evaluating the credibility of information found on the net, and a great deal more. Find It Online is a very highly recommended addition to any personal, professional, school or community library Internet Information Resources reference collection.

I do online marketing and because of my knowledge of the internet, am often asked to do research projects, as well.

Schlein's book is a wonderful resource and is proving to be a great time-saver for me in my work. I highly recommend it to anyone who uses the internet as a research tool, or simply wants to find information quickly and easily.

This book deserves more than 5 stars for making the Internet fully accessible to anyone for a minimum of cost in time and money.

If you have enough skill to turn on your computer and get onto the Internet, this book will take you where you want to go in the fastest, least frustrating way. Within hours, you will be more efficient and effective than people who have done online research for years, but have not yet read this book.

Although Web addresses and sites will change, the best basic methods of how to do research online will shift much less often. You should be able to apply what you learn from this book for some time to come.

Some of the many helpful things you will learn include:

(1) which search engines work best for which kinds of questions

(2) how to get the fewest possible sites from a search with the greatest likelihood that they will be helpful to you

(3) which sources of information to go to directly without a search first

(4) how to assess the credibility of a source

(5) how to get things for free that most people pay for

(6) when to spend money to save time

(7) how to manage your e-mail to spend less time on it.

You will also benefit from three sample search models in chapter 12, one for finding a person, another for doing a business profile, and a third for problem solving. Most of your searches will involve one of these three search types.

An area you may not think about now is what people can learn about you while you do your research. The sections on privacy issues and how you can protect yourself are outstanding.

About a third of the book is devoted to indexes to make it easier for you to find government public records and the right Web site for your research needs.

Even though I have been doing online research for many years, I plan to keep this book next to my computer from now on. If you read many of my reviews, you will notice that that is something I rarely say about a book.

After you have finished learning how to do better and faster online research with this wonderful resource, I suggest that you step back and think about new questions that you should be asking now that you have improved access to good and timely information. For example, should you be doing more to check out investments? Or should you be learning more about becoming a better parent? Or spouse? Asking and answering those questions will probably be the biggest payoff you can get from this very helpful guide.

Be rich in knowledge and turn it into wisdom!

Even if you don't think of yourself as the "type" who reads romances, you will enjoy this book, and if you are a romance fan, you will fall head over heels for it!

Shirley Jump has written a funny, engaging page-turner that is just perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's day... or if you read it when it's warm outside, better make sure you have air-conditioning or ice, because it's a hot one!

Jump has created two totally realistic characters, an intelligent and spunky heroine and a tall, dark and sexier-than- all-get-out hero. Of course there are obstacles in the path to their shared happiness, and of course you know there will be a happy ending, but Jump puts the pieces into place with such originality and charm that you will find yourself completely caught up in these people's lives and anxious to know how everything resolves itself.

The dialogue is dead-on, the feelings and emotions the characters express are natural, and the love scenes positively sizzle.

Put some love, laughter and libido in your life -- read The Virgin's Proposal!

Katie Dole is ready for a change...but is she ready for Matt Webster? He's been gone for a decade but his resident bad-boy image is still very much in place as he roars into town on his Harley. Their first meeting is interesting, mainly because Katie's wearing a banana suit. The second time they meet? They're kissing in the supermarket! What begins as a ruse soon grows into something bigger...something important. Maybe love? But before Katie and Matt can truly commit to each other they'll both have to let go of the past. Is their love strong enough for that?

Humor and emotion pack this fantastic debut novel by Shirley Jump.

This was the first romance novel I've ever read, and I have to say--I'M HOOKED! My husband is away with the military right now, and this book is helping to keep the home fires burning. :-) This book inspires the same kinds of feelings in me that all of my favorite movies inspire--When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Notting Hill--all the great romantic comedies. It brings me back to the days when I first met my husband. It's a MUST READ! I can't wait for this author to come out with more!

The usual problem with a book about writing is that writers tend to be stingy with their ideas. Freelance writing is a desperate enterprise, and few people want to give up actual trade "secrets"--today's reader is tomorrow's competition! I have read dozens of books that gave me tiny scraps of information, little hints, but no actual help in making the sale--and if you can't sell, you may as well pop those manuscripts in the furnace and get some use out of them.
Ms. Kawa-Jump's book holds nothing back, she is a writer's guru of the highest order. Her book is full of practical advice and suggestions, and her friendly style makes you feel you have a mentor right there cheering for you. You can find the real nitty gritty in here, the meat about what it takes to be a successful freelancer and how to tweak your submissions to fit your dream publications. If you want to be a writer, fantastic. Work hard, write hard--but before you send out that query, BUY THIS BOOK.

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson,award-winning author of This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered

I asked for a copy of How to Publish Your Articles by Shirley Kawa-Jump because I'm writing a series of how-to books for retailers and wanted to recommend a tell-it-all book on a subject I would just be touching on. Having published many articles in the national and local media, I was afraid I wouldn't find a good one, that I would be too tough a critic.

Now I'll have to eat my fears. If that is similar to eating crow, so be it. Having published more than 2500 articles herself, Kawa-Jump's book is thorough and knowledgeable. It's also both basic enough for beginners and advanced enough to be a good review for accomplished writers. Seasoned article writers might even find a new tidbit or two that will help them with marketing, with their contracts or with building their careers.

What I liked best about HTPYA is that it gives a mini insider's view of how an article reaches a publication's desk and it does it for categories from large consumer magazines to e-outlets.

I was surprised that the chapter I found the most rewarding was all about goals. Obviously, my retailers who choose to pursue writing articles in their area of expertise are going to have to narrow their goals very drastically. If it will work for someone with such a strict objective, it's sure to do even more for writers with big dreams.
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(Carolyn Howard-Johnson's first novel, This is the Place, has won eight awards. Her newly released Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remember,has won three.)

This is the book I wish I'd had when I began my freelance career.
I've benefited from Shirley Kawa-Jump's experience for several years as I've read her articles advising writers on everything from markets to marketing. Her "Complete Guide" is just that -- a complete guide to everything a freelancer needs to know as he begins or expands his freelancing career. I recommend this book to my writing students and to any freelancer desiring success in the writing world.

When you read Picture Perfect, you can't believe that this is the work of a first time author. It was an absolutely good book. Romantic suspense is always a plus in my book. The storyline was convincing and the characters quite real flaws and all.

I truly enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend for others to read the book. I was quite impressed with Ms. Harrison's work, especially since this is her first work of fiction. It was well written and believable.

I just can't say enough about the book, except to say that I enjoyed it, and that I am looking forward to her next work to be released.

This is such a wonderful book on so many levels. Harrison creates characters with whom one can truly identify. I found myself unable to put the book down--the suspense is so captivating that I was drawn to keep reading and reading and reading. I found myself experiencing the same emotions as Davina...the passion, the mystery, and the intrigue make it one of the best works I have read to date. Harrison's first work will surely capture the heart of any reader...I hope there is a sequel to continue this incredible story.

THIS BOOK IS SIMPLY FANTASTIC. ONCE I STARTED TO READ IT, I COULD HARDLY PUT IT DOWN. THE CHARACTERS OF JUSTIN AND DAVINA WERE VERY MUCH LIKE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN ONLY THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT. THE AUTHOR REALLY KNEW HOW TO DRAW YOU INTO THE LIVES OF THE CHARACTERS AND MAKE YOU BEG FOR MORE!!! THE PLOT TWISTS WERE SO GREAT. WHEN YOU THOUGHT THAT YOU HAD THE PLOT FIGURED OUT, IT WAS NOT AT ALL WHAT YOU THOUGHT. THE MYSTERY AND THE ROMANCE WAS SO INTENSE THAT I FOUND MYSELF STAYING UP LATE BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. (THIS COMING FROM FROM A PERSON WHO HAD TO BE UP AT 4 A.M.).

JOB WELL DONE, MS. HARRISON. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT BOOK. HURRY!!!!

Anne Of The Island is a great book. It is about a girl with dark strawberry-blonde hair. She goes off to college with her friends: Charlie, Gilbert, and Diana. She makes some new friends and one of them, Priscila which is Pris for short, they meet in the graveyard across from the college. She meets many men she thinks she is in love with, including Gilbert, but when the propose to her she finds out she really doesn't love them that much. She even turns down the man of her dreams. So, it is partially a love story. She was adopted when she was young by Marilla. Now they have taken in twins when their mother died and their only relative can't take care of them. The younger one is Davy, who is always asking questions and getting in to mischief. He especially likes to bother his twin sister, Dora. She is always quiet and quite lady-like. They all live on Prince Edward Island in Canada. If you want to know the rest, you can read the book for yourself. Happy reading!

If you like the Anne of Green Gables series this is the best one in the whole thing! Anne of the Island has something for everyone! Anne Shirley leaves the small town of Avonlea to attend Redmond collage.. There the novel introduces you to a character who is extremely funny named Pricella! (Hope I spelled her name right). In this novel Anne falls in love with a fellow school mate, while her long time friend Gilbert Blythe finds a love interest as well! Do they end up together at last? Read the book and find out! This book is definatly for people who liked the movie "Anne of Avonlea". They are without a doubt slightly similar, but the book is definatly better!

I love alll of the Anne of Green Gables series. They are so vividly written you find yourself wishing that you were born as Anne a hundered years ago on PE Island. I would have happily endured all her hardships for all the wonderful moments in her life, and the fact she married Gilbert Blythe! It's so well written that you actually feel that you know Gilbert and I actually found my self falling in love with him! I've read the series 2 times. The first time I couldn't stop thinking about Anne. I read Anne, I tried to live like Anne and I dreamt Anne. Anyway, although I love all 8 books almost equally Anne of the Island is just a little better. And although it's romantic it's definitely not just a romance. Anne of the island includes wit and humour that makes it an all-round perfect book. If you're an Anne fan you havvvvvve to read this. I could not describe how wonderful it is in 1000 words. Anne of the Island is truly a book you CANNOT put down. After reading this I recommend you read all the rest of the Anne of Green Gables series (there are 5 more book,) although you'll probably be rushing to buy them anyway.

I am a storyteller when I am trying to convey an idea to someone. This book conveys very important ideas about mentoring in a very readable story. The characters in this story are people we can relate to on a personal level, either as ourselves or as people we know. Shirley Peddy focuses on mentorship, using a common sense approach to the subject of mentoring, and giving excellent real-life examples to illustrate her main points. This book gives practical advice on everything from familial interactions to asking for a raise. Each chapter has a summation of the relevant points in that chapter, so you do not have to pause to pull them out of the story and write them down. Peddy includes the ten things every mentee should know or learn and the ten things every mentor should do, as well as potential pitfalls for each. The book is very readable; the writing is fluid, and, if you have an afternoon or so, you can read this entire book. You can also put this book down and easily pick up the story at a later reading. I look forward to reading more books by Shirley Peddy.

I learned so much from this book. The three most important things I learned about being a successful mentor were I need to do a lot more listening and a lot less speaking, I need to remember that the commitments that we make to ourselves are our most important commitments and serve as examples to others, and I need to adhere to the steps of lead, follow, and get out of the way.

Listening more and speaking less. This ties into the author's message of "Lead, Follow, and Get Out Of The Way." In order to lead, I need to know what information would be most beneficial to my mentee. Listening is a primary skill by which to gather this information. This is done best by asking open-ending questions and giving space for the person to fully answer and for me to fully listen.

Commitments to self. The best way to mentor is to lead by example. I need to be firmly grounded in my self-commitments in order to be in a place to establish interpersonal boundaries, to listen to the needs of others, and to model successful ways of dealing with situations.

Adhere to the steps. These instructional guidelines give a simple, but not an easy, way to monitor the health of my mentor-mentee relationship. The hardest part about this process is getting out of the way. Mentoring has a life cycle and it will not always have the same level of need. I must learn how to release the relationship when it is time to do so.

I am a storyteller when I am trying to convey an idea to someone. This book conveys very important ideas about mentoring in a very readable story. The characters in this story are people we can relate to on a personal level, either as ourselves or as people we know. Shirley Peddy focuses on mentorship, using a common sense approach to the subject of mentoring, and giving excellent real-life examples to illustrate her main points. This book gives practical advice on everything from familial interactions to asking for a raise. Each chapter has a summation of the relevant points in that chapter, so you do not have to pause to pull them out of the story and write them down. The book is very readable; the writing is fluid, and, if you have an afternoon or so, you can read this entire book. You can also put this book down and easily pick up the story at a later reading. I look forward to reading more books by Shirley Peddy.

Shirley Peddy addresses key mentoring skills, not in a sterile antiseptic way, but in real-life, 'it could happen', situations. In fact I found myself associating each mentoring challenge with a situation in my own environment. When skills are outlined and discussed, often it is the 'nitty gritty' of how would you really go about saying that to someone, that is not addressed. Not true here. You experience not only the dialogue, but also the toss and turn nights and the talks that don't end with the desired outcomes. I found this book entertaining as well as a keeper for referring back to for various mentoring issues. Peddy's work and family parallel story lines added to the picture of what mentoring is and isn't.

The title itself is very telling and helpful as a masterplan. I would recommend this book to anyone who's goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Susie =>

This is one of the most informative books I have ever read, it gives you a real understanding of exactly what the Shirley Dolls, etc., are worth. You can tell that the book is written from the authors heart, and I think that is what makes this so special. The pictures are absolutely beautiful. I would buy another book of this type if another one comes available because of the incredible talent the author has in explaining exactly what these dolls are actually worth and the absolute love Mrs. Mancuso apparently has for the dolls...

Awesome and amazing! Need I say more! This book is fabulous as was Volume One! The pictures are incredible and the information is extremely helpful. This author did a fantastic job creating this price guide for all the Shirley fans in the world who just can't get enough! It has been quite a while since an author has done a new Shirley price guide and it was much needed. But this Author's version was much different than the other price guides as it shows everything and anything that is out there...old and new! Shows us Shirley fans that there is still a high demand for our loved Shirley and her memorbilia. Highly recommend! A++++++

I am a big Shirley Temple fan, and I loved this book.

It has a lot of information, and many color photo's.
I enjoyed it very much.

thank you,
Jamie Mancuso

If you were an orphan and all your life you continued to move from house because no one wanted to keep you,then finally,all of a sudden you find someone who actually likes you and wants you. That's exactly what L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Grenn Gables is about.

Anne Shirely is a smart talkative,very imaginative little girl who lived all over until one day the Cuthberts of Avonlea,Canada adopted her. Deciding to kepp her didn't come easily. They finnally did decide and she was so happy about it. During her stay she got into lots of trouble. Anne then has something that happens that is very nice but sad. In order to find out whatg happened,you will have to read the book.

I liked Anne of Green Gable because the character was very smart and had a big imagination. I also liked it because the plot was excellent. I recommend the book to anyone who is into reading stories with lots of plots and if so you will sure love this book!

A few weeks ago, I got really sick of today's children's literature. I had read enough mysteries and trashy books about romance to last me a lifetime. So I wanted something else to read, something well-written with a good plot and lifelike characters. I had to look no further than the first book I picked up- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne of Green Gables is the first book in the Anne of Green Gables series. It takes place, as most of L. M. Montgomery's books do, on Prince Edward Island in Canada. This particular story takes place in the town of Avonlea. It follows young Anne Shirley, an orphan brought to Green Gables to help Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm. Much to Anne's dismay, Marilla tells her that they wanted a boy to help around the farm, not a girl. However, Marilla changes her mind and decides to keep the dynamic young girl who would become Anne of Green Gables.

This novel is incredibly written, with well-developed characters and an intricate plot. I absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great example of children's literature at its height.

first of all, let me begin with I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read this book more times than I can remember...easily more than a dozen...thus, I am going to set my mind to write a glowing review of it.

This book portrays a stunning sketch of Canadian History and Culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The character personalities are so real and so amazingly "human" that one cannot help but fall in love with them. You really get a taste of PEI in its glory.

This story is set in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island (Canada), a fictional settlement which is really Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author grew up.

The main character is Anne Shirley...and eleven year old, enigmatic, imaginative, sparkling, highly intelligent orphan who is sent to Green Gables, a farmhouse in Avonlea, under the impression that she was to be adopted by a pair of elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthburt. But, apon arrival to Green Gables, Anne discovers that there had been a horrible mistake...the Cuthburts never wanted a girl...they wanted a boy who could do the chores and help Matthew with the farm. Anne was was in the "depths of dispair". Matthew, on the drive home from the train station had taken a great shine to Anne and had his heart set on keeping her, regardless of any mistake. Marilla, however, was not so easily enchanted. She agreed to let Anne stay at Green Gables on trial, to see if she would behave herself and lend a helpful hand to Marilla. After the trial, Anne is welcomed to Green Gables and flourishes under the love of the Cuthburts and all Avonlea folk. Anne, however, has one big problem. Her Hair. It is a hopeless shade of carrotty red and Anne felt that it was the ugliest hair anyone could imagine. She was extremely sensitive about it and she was horribly embarrassed about it. On her first day of school, Anne's hair was made fun of by Gilbert Blythe, the smartest and handsomest boy in school. "Carrots! Carrots!" he said. Anne's temper got the better of her and she was so angry she broke a slate over his head. After that, for many years, she snubbed Gilbert every time he spoke to her and he developed a boyhood crush on her.

Ah, but to keep this review interesting and the book mysterious, I will stop telling you the story and begin reviewing. The characters in the book are so well-defined that it seems to you that you know every character personally, like an old friend or neighbour.

And by all means, don't let the age recommendation fool you either...this book can be read by all ages alike...and I have no doubt that this book will still be my avid favorite at the age of 85.

The book is not boring, contrary to many opinions of those who read the first chapter of small print and historical settings. The discriptions will place you right into the heart of the story and you find you will laugh and cry while reading this story. Every time I read it I cry at a certain part which I'm not sure if I should reveal to you for fear of spoiling the good parts in the story, but it is dreadfully sad. If you read the book, then you will know what part I am talking about. The one saddest part in the whole story.

Although this book has some old ideas and ways of expressing them, you will learn a great deal of Canadian history through them and there's no doubt in my mind that this book will still be popular decades and most likely even centuries to come.

I have had to read Miracles for a book review. I'm training for ordained Christian ministry and never expected, during my three years of study, to read any book as interesting and darned right clever as this one. Most of them are very boring!

Like many people, I had only read 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' when I was younger but never knew how starved of Lewis' passion for Christ, which is reflected through his theological publications, I had been. He is clearly very much in love with God whom he sees as incomparable with Nature.

The genius of 'Miracles' to me, lies in the fact that it is a very readable evangelistic text disguised as 'a philosophical preparation for the possibility of the existence of Miracles'. Lewis' method is very good. He uses a mixture of friendly sarcasm, reverse psychology and intense detail to get right alongside the reader who he assumes is not a Christian. As a Christian myself, I felt that the book was wasted on me, it should be being read by a person who does not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord.

Most of the book is dedicated to excrutiating explanations of the Incarnation, God's use of the Miraculous in His constant governance of the Earth and Prayer.

If I had any problem with the book it would be that at times it is quite un-focussed on Christ. Lewis cites the Incarnation (God made Man in Jesus Christ) as God's primary miracle but he does not really explain what this means for the ordinary person in terms of grace (undeserved love of God for us all)and cancellation of sin through the Cross. Maybe, as an evangelistic type of person, I will never be satisfied with any book like Miracles! At times the book feels like a labour of love, his writing on the Law of Nature is painstaking and at times, a little tedious but this, I believe, is only a reflection of his passionate desire for the reader to know Christ. He just has to take you everywhere before taking you home to God!

One last obvious and unintended problem is founded in the fact that this book was written for a different age when the post-modernist free for all denial of absolute truth was just a glint in the modernist's eye. Lewis would also clearly be shocked that unlike his own 'unvenerated' age, sexual intercourse has lost its mystery and need for self-control. I think he would be shocked by today's society - or lack of it.

But really, this is a terrific book. Reading Miracles as a committed Christian, I can see the method he uses and where he will take the reader. It's as if he is speaking in code to Christians! But this code is no secret, to decipher it is to know the greatest gift ever given to humankind, the person of God in Jesus Christ.

It is only when you are almost finished does Lewis just about admit that he had an alterior motive for writing Miracles. But by then, he hopes, the reader will be ready to begin looking into the riches of the Christian Gospel (good news), not just the possibility of the Miraculous!

Go and read it or I could send you my notes on the book. Feel free to get in touch.

Enjoy! Nicola.

This is the fourth Christian C.S. Lewis book that I have read (the others: Mere Christianity, The Abolition of Man and The Screwtape Letters). This is typical Lewis style; a common sense approach to the writing that makes me imagine Lewis in a conversation saying something like, "Come now, let's be reasonable."

In the introduction, Lewis says what his subject matter will be. He notes that before one can look at historical evidence, one must settle the question philosophically (i.e. whether miracles are possible). If someone is persuaded that miracles, per se, are impossible then no amount of evidence will convince. So, it you are looking for argumentation regarding specific miracles look else (I suggest William Lane Craig; his defence of the Resurrection is the best available).

I think there are better, shorter and more forceful defences of miracles but this book is not too bad. Other places to look for a defence of miracles: The Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Norman Geisler and Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig.

Lewis' first task is to define naturalism (I think he does a muddled job but the gist of it is: the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms without recourse to spiritual or supernatural explanations or that only the physical world [i.e. Nature] exists). Lewis refutes this by showing that immaterial objects exist namely Reason (that is to say both the existence and validity of logic and the part of human beings that performs acts of reasoning) and the existence of morality or ethics (i.e. When somebody suggests that I ought not to sit in his seat in the theatre, he is not simply making an emotional statement, he is saying that I have violated a rule. The fact that the language of ethics, "ought" "should" etc are meaningful shows this).

He deals with the objection that miracles are against the laws of nature or that experience in general is against miracles happening. Lewis also deals with the objection that miracles were believed and wrote about millennia ago because the people were simple-minded, misunderstood the world and lacked modern science. Lewis also deals with the "problem" of language (i.e. the literal "v.s." metaphorical uses). The remaining portion of the book is on different topics...

For example the chapter: Christianity and "Religion", Lewis compares Christianity with pantheism. He says that modern people hold to pantheism because they think it is a sophisticated belief that doesn't have all the old-fashioned mythology et al that theism has. Lewis then goes on to show that merely because pantheism is easy or popular is no reason to accept it as true. In one of his insights, near the end of the chapter he says:

"Man are reluctant to pass over from the notion of an abstract and negative deity to the living God. I do not wonder. Here lies the deepest tap=root of Pantheism and of the objection to traditional imagery. It was hated not, at bottom, because it pictured Him as a man but because it pictured Him as king, or even as warrior. The Pantheist's God does nothing, demands nothing. He is there if you wish for him like a book on a shelf. He will not pursue you." (page 124)

Lewis then looks at the issue of how probable miracles are. He then has a chapter entitled, "The Grand Miracle," which is on the Incarnation, the Resurrection and the Ascension. However, it does not seem to be an argument as such to me, rather it is an explanation and discussion of what the Incarnation is. This is fine, but I don't think this sort of material is appropriate in work that is setting out to DEFEND Christianity rather than simply explain it. He also has a chapter on the general Resurrection.

The book ends with an admonition to keep Naturalism out of our minds. I agree with Lewis that it is defeated as a philosophy; the problem is that it can easily gain a foothold in our minds and before we know we are thinking with naturalistic assumptions.

This is a fairly good book but sometimes I wondered while reading it, "Where are you going with this, Lewis," or, "How is this relevant?"

Anyone who thinks that C.S. Lewis only wrote children's stories, fantasy and science fiction tales probably wouldn't be reading this book anyway. But if they did, they would find a book written by one of the 20th century's great thinkers. "Miracles" begins with an early quote that sets the tone for the rest of the book: "What we learn from experience depends on the kind of philosophy we bring to experience." Two experiences or worldviews are contrasted - the Naturalists who believe that nothing exists except Nature, and the Supernaturalists who believe in something beyond Nature. Lewis spends quite a bit of time examining the two views. Readers may think that too much time is devoted to this subject before getting to a discussion of miracles themselves, but the time spent is a necessary foundation to everything that follows.

How exactly do you define a miracle? Lewis defines a miracle as "an interference with Nature by supernatural power." Lewis then presents many questions. Are miracles in contrast to the laws of Nature? What exactly ARE the laws of Nature? Are exceptions possible? How does probability fit into the discussion of miracles? Later in the book, Lewis focuses on three categories of miracles: The Grand Miracle (God becoming man in Jesus Christ), Miracles of the Old Creation (miracles of fertility, healing, destruction, etc.), and Miracles of the New Creation (miracles of reversal, glory, resurrection). This last portion of the book I found to be the most fascinating as Lewis examines several specific miracles from the Old and New Testaments.

"Miracles" is a relatively short book, but properly read will take a little time to read. Take time to absorb and contemplate each chapter. Lewis left us with a lot of things to think about here, regardless of your worldview. You may not agree with everything Lewis says, but it will cause you to think long after you've closed the book.

First off, she defines autism in layman's terms and with first person testimonials.

Secondly, she provides a life cycle view of autism, so that you have SOME idea of what the future might hold for your child.

Third, she describes how families cope with autism, that some become driven, others fall apart, others adopt a "Holland" approach.

Then she discusses treatments, including a solid analysis of educational approaches such as Lovaas (leans positive), mainstreaming, TEACH, DAP, etc... and non-traditional approaches, such as AIT, FC, etc...

And she talks about recovery too, the controversy that very term raises. She closes this chapter with a quote that could have come straight out of my own heart: "A parent asked, What if my child remains autistic? What will we do? The best you can - with your love, your skills, and all the resources you can marshal - to help him achieve as independent and joyful a life as possible for him."

Perhaps I love this book because so much of what she writes does articulate what I have felt as I've gone over the different options for my son's interventions.

But also, her testimonials from a wide range of sources really help to illuminate autism as well.

And finally, her book is very REASONED in tone.

The only thing missing is a chapter that summarizes her thoughts about what she thinks parents should do. I mean really, most parents are reading these books for ADVICE! Even if parents eventually do something else, its always nice to have a plan laid out that you can either agree with or react against and develop your own. You won't find an action plan here, but the information provided should help you in making one of your own.

A well researched book by an extremely qualified author. Excellent information on various interventions and treatments. This topic can be quite cut and dry, but this author has a wonderful writing style that makes the topic less clinical. It will appeal to parents, professionals and others interested in Autism. (I am the father of a 7 year old with autism)

After reading several other books on autism, I recommend this one as an up-to-date summary. One source for current "medical" understanding of autism. Excellent overview and perspective on multiple treatment approaches. This is a super first or only book for genearl information on autism.