We got this book as a Christmas gift last year. This pop-up book is like no other that I have seen. The children learn to count as they watch the paper come alive. The rhymes are easy to learn and my 3 year old daughter loves to say them as she turns the pages. Note: She is a very careful child, many children would tear the book as it is kind of delicate. She also counts the cookies and the hiding mice on each page. The colors are explosive and even I like reading this book over and over. I cannot even imagine how he gets paper to do the things that they do... cookies rotate, pinwheels rise out of the page and twirl, and a life sized gingerbread house magically climbs out of the book. I would highly recommend this book as long as they will not handle the book roughly. Better yet, read it with them and teach them to be gentle.

Absolutely a stunning feat of paper engineering!

You almost wish you could eat the cookies as they pop off the page into your eyes. A clever little story without words occurs behind the simple rhyme that counts out all the cookies. For those watching the waistline, be glad you can only look at the pictures, and this book will stuff only stockings this holiday season and not tummies!

This is an amazing pop-up! It isn't for little fingers though. Lots of tantalizing papers to pull! However, seated on your lap, your child will adore the book. Mr. Sabuda has fabulous books, they are fantastic to look at. I have his butterly book also, and it is just as engaging.
You will love to count cookies with your little one!

Mr. Ray's Weekend Novelist is an excellent reference book. However, I wouldn't necessarily use it as a template for writing a novel . . . unless you plan on writing novels similar to Mr. Ray's or to Ann Tyler's "The Accidental Tourist", the novel that Ray uses as an template throughout citing it as a perfect example of a well written novel.

For those new to the daunting task of writing a novel, this book can pigeonhole you into thinking this is the only way to tackling writing. I came across that dilemma. After getting halfway through the book, doing the exercises and starting to write my own novel I began to abandon my old habits of writing and started to adopt Mr. Ray's. I started to feel that I couldn't put pen to paper UNLESS I completely plotted my novel, developed my characters and set up every scene. This didn't work for me. The natural flow I usually feel when writing was taken away and eventually I completely gave up on the process returning to my methods of writing: sitting down with a pad and pencil and allowing the ideas to flow. Then fine tuning the story only after I have a huge chunk of it written and some idea of what I want to convey. Not all novels are structured in Mr. Ray's manner, not all novels use Aristotle's incline to develop plot and storylines and not all novels can be written in 52 weekends.

Not to say this is a bad book at all. It's a wonderful reference book full of ideas and exercises to help you strengthen your writing. For example, it never occurred to me to create backstories and timelines for each of my characters giving them dimension and realism. Ray also offers exercises to help you set up scenes, write dialogue, write action and plot your novel. I now find that I refer to these exercises to help me develop my writing but I no longer follow the program.

This book is a great starting point for those interested in writing a novel but do not have an idea how to start (one more thing: you definitely have to have some idea of what you want to write BEFORE you start). However, for experienced writers you will find that this book is more useful as a reference guide rather than a program to follow.

I wish I had studied this book before I ever put pen to paper. I used to think that if only I had something very interesting to write about, then all I would have to do is start writing, and a great story would magically appear. Robert Ray helped me understand just how much planning and preparation go into writing a good novel, as well as what to focus on when plotting your story. There are three things in particular that this book taught me which were especially helpful.

First, this book taught me that what really drives a novel is the characters and their relationships to each other and to events. I looked at Grisham and Clancy and thought that smooth prose filled with action would make a novel into a bestseller. Although that is sometimes true, Robert Ray showed me that the real key to a compelling, meaningful story is a stellar character through which the reader can identify. A good character can drive the whole novel.

The second thing this book taught me, which was perhaps the most valuable for me, is that the basic building block of the novel is not the chapter or even the major plot points, but the individual scenes. Robert Ray shows that each scene is like a compact story within your story, with a set-up, a middle part for conflict and development, and a climax which pushes the story into the next scene. The section on scene building in this book was excellent, and it gave me the breakthrough I needed in understanding how to give a story real structure.

Finally, this book helped me understand the importance of the major plot points, and what has to happen in the scenes at these points in order to make your writing tight.

In addition to the above, this book has many basic tips on how to organize yourself, how to approach your writing, and how to work through the major revisions of your story. There's even an appendix at the end with tips on getting published.

For an amateur like me who has never had any classes in story writing, this book was the most helpful guide that I was able to find.

Robert J. Ray's "The Weekend Novelist" can help just about anyone realize their potential as a novelist. I don't think any of us out there can drop everything to become a professional novelist (unless you're born into wealth, I guess). We all have to work sometime. So, Mr. Ray puts together a program that will allow you to not only write a novel on the weekends but also write a novel with depth and meaning.

Before I read this book, I wrote lots of short stories and the start of a few novels. I used this book to turn some of my old ideas into the reality of a manuscript.

I felt myself getting bogged down at first by following his program of hashing out the details of the lives of the characters. But I quickly realized the commitment that is involved in writing a novel. It's important to develop meaningful characters/structure before you start writing.

Thanks, Mr. Ray! I highly recommend this book to any aspiring writer.

This book was recommended to me by a referral clinic as one of two volumes that are helpful in explaining brain injury.

Coping with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury is an excellent and informative book. It is very difficult to find a comprehensive explanation for the symptoms of tbi much less a solution for dealing with the problems.

Before coping can begin identifying the problems is necessary. This volume provided enlightenment and hope to me where years of seeking treatment have left a sense of doubting my own perceptions and reality and sense of self.

Just to know "yes, this IS happening to me" has made a world of difference in the experience of recovering in what is often a lonely, frustrating and disappointing journey.

This account by someone who has experienced brain and psychic trauma has a quality of truth that cannot be mistaken.

This book is a good resource for persons who has sustanded a brain injury, there family, friends, and the medical community. I sustained a brain injury in 1997 as a result from a car accident.I am taking things one day at a time. Without this book I won't be able to cope without having the necessary resources that this book has provide for me.

The bad news is that I didn't find this book till 1 1/2 years after my husband's brain injury. The GOOD news is that I found this book, just 1 1/2 years after my husband's brain injury! I'm insisting that his children and my siblings all read it. Our anger and frustration over the myriad changes in him have nearly ended our 20-year marriage. This book is giving us the information we need to begin asking the right questions and finding some answers. Thank God, we are not alone in this.

For any African-American writer, published or unpublished, self-published or mainstream published, this book is priceless. It is a powerhouse of information that any writer can benefit from. From tips on writing and submitting book proposals, query letters, and manuscripts to advice on locating and obtaining an agent to interviews with some of the top people in the business, you can walk away with a ton of knowledge that will help you push your writing career forward.

The AA Writers Handbook can save you dozens of hours of research because everything you need to know is comprised in this one gem of a book. While there are a ton of writing handbooks, it is a breath of fresh air to see one completely dedicated to the plight of AA authors. This book should definitely be included on the reference shelf of any writer serious about their craft.

Aspiring African-American writers will find this book an invaluable resource in breaking into the world of publishing. Written with a no nonsense approach, Robert Fleming gives the reader fundamental information concerning the publishing business that every writer should know. He insists that you do your research and homework about the publishing field and your market before an article or perspective novel is sent out. You must know the rules of the game before you can play.

Yes, the book is for serious writers who want to get published. Follow his guidelines and you will make it happen. Included in the text are profiles regarding African-American writers in the past who made a comfortable living in their field. You receive from them their thoughts regarding the industry and just being a writer. Fleming also tells you what fields and genres Blacks have written in which they have been promoted by the mainstream publishing houses. All fictional genres and poetry are open wide for Black talent.

This book is highly informative, entertaining and realistic in presenting to the reader the obstacles that they must overcome in order to become published. Its mood is very optimistic and there isn't any doubt that you can get in print if you do your homework, work hard, have a hard skin and keep on perservering. The only fault that I find with the book is its failure to deal with non-fiction opportunities and the absence of Black writers in the horror and action fiction genres. Other than those absent fields I would say this book is great. It is a must to have as a resource in your library.

The African American Writer's Handbook is an excellent writer's source, even for me and I am not an aspiring writer. I cannot believe how much information there is in this small book for writer's and reader's as well. Mr. Fleming shares his vast knowledge with the reader. His excellent Writer's Resource section alone is worth more than the cost of the book. Mr. Fleming has removed weeks maybe months of research legwork and has put everything one needs to know to get started in the world of writing in less than 400 pages.This book is a very necessary tool for all would be authors. It also gave me a diffferent view of and a brand new respect for my favorite authors for their hard work and dedication to their craft.Why would anyone not interested in writing buy this book? Because it gives you insight into the whole genre of writing. Because you get a chance to read interviews with editors and author profiles. You also get URL's to websites, a list of AA booksellers with addressses, telephone and fax numbers and much more.I so recommend this book.Vannie

If you want to finally get behind the curtain of what a management buyout is,how it works, and more importantly how you can profit from it, read BUYOUT. This well researched and well conceived book, written by two of the most credible professionals in the business, will help investment professionals, entrepreneurs, and managers with the financial engineering and operational exigencies that will create shareholder value. A must read!

This is a book from the real world that business students should read. I found this book tremendously readable. The lessons that Rick has learned are enjoyable and entertaining--while teaching the reader valuable lessons about business and buyouts.

BUYOUT will become the 'bible' of buyouts for managers and investment bankers/advisors. One of the first good books on buyouts. The book covers all aspects of the buyout considerations/process/tactics/contracts etc, is an easy read, but above all the joy of which it is clearly written with(and the convincing arguments) must inspire managers to pursue a buyout. I think no manager will be imune to this great book. BUYOUT is a guide, a motivator, a sales pitch and fun book to read at the same time. Also a recommended read to sellers of businesses to show that a buyout is nothing to be scared of. A must read for everyone unknown and known with the buyout business. Just read the book and find out why I am so enthusiastic about it.

In Canis author Robert Amrstrong paints a picture of malevolent crossbred canines, the products of unscrupulous breeders, preying on street people against a background of Houston city politics. The vicious attacks result in the deaths of several homeless unfortunates. The protagonist, Duncan McDonnell, DVM, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Regulations and Care for the City of Houston, finds himself at cross purposes with the powers that be as he pursues his eventually successful investigation resulting in the discovery of the person behind the attacks. Canis builds to an exciting conclusion before we learn who is responsible for the carnage.

It is always a pleasure to read fiction by someone who is a bona fide authority on the subject of his story. Robert Armstrong, professional veterinarian, is that, having served for ten years with the same department as his protagonist. Not only will you be entertained, but you will learn a great deal about the vicissitudes of animal regulation in a major city, most of which are surely never appreciated by the public.

CANIS is a dark story-- have you ever noticed that nearly all
good vet mysteries are dark? Robert Armstrong's main character, Duncan MacDonell, is the Houston city vet. He works for animal control in a city where the annual euthanasia statistics are given in TONS. He spends a lot of his time trying not to beat the snot out of local politicians who want to look good to the animal-loving public while doing absolutely nothing to help his
department, where morale is understandably low. And then something starts attacking homeless people.

CANIS is a good example of Lawrence Block's comment that people who really know their subject can confidently take you along without telling you every step. Armstrong injects credible information when and where it's needed, and he doesn't overdo it. At the same time, readers are so steeped in the miasma
of the Animal Control department that I had to stop reading several times, because I was getting as depressed as some of the euthanasia techs. A warning to sensitive readers: chapter twenty-four is very hard to read. We're taken along as Mac does his weekly walk-through of the shelter, and in few vivid lines he describes what the workers there deal with every day. There were a few descriptions of animals in the euthanasia ward that haunted
me all weekend, even though they were only a couple of lines long. (Your pets ARE spayed and neutered, right? Right?)

The thing is, by this point in the story, Mac is up to his neck in trying to figure out who and what is responsible for the gruesome deaths of at least four people, and the chapter reinforces our impression of his state of mind. It's atmospherically very effective. And his feelings of anger and
helplessness are channelled into his quest to solve this crime.

Mystery-wise, I suspected everyone. There's at least one unexpected turn of events that converts the story from a thriller to a true mystery, and although I suspected everyone, I completely missed a number of clues and so was honestly surprised by the solution. I also give Mr Armstrong kudos
for making the victims into real people, rather than pieces of a puzzle. This isn't a story for the squeamish, but it features real people and a satisfying mystery.

The book Canis, starts out in a puppy mill. You'll read about the atrocities carried out in these places. Animal lover or not you'll be dragged into this story against your will.

Duncan A. MacDonell is the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care. Before that he served twenty years in the military.

None of his prior service in the military, nor his years working for the Health Department, is helping him deal with the political idiots that are running it. You will experience the sheer frustration he deals with every single day, while he tries to get the basic necessities to run his department. Such as skilled workers, dog handlers, and equipment.

When a Homicide Detective, Sam Goodson, calls on MacDonell to help them with a series of gruesome murders around the city, the heat is turned up a notch under MacDonell's hide. It all comes back to Politics.

Robert E. Armstrong has written a sensational book! I found his characters highly interesting and realistic. His main character, MacDonell and his wife Jeannie, I really liked a lot. Of course he put plenty in his book I couldn't stand as well. And that only made the book that much better.

Mr. Armstrong has a truly gifted way with words. I loved his descriptions of the area, the crime scenes, and the characters. Most of all, I chuckled time and time again whenever MacDonell would let go with one of his quirky sayings.

I highly recommend Canis. You will have a truly eye opening experience when you come to understand what our animal bureaus are up against. I for one, can't wait to read another book by Mr. Armstrong.

This book starts out with an introduction by coauthor de Camp and a letter written by Howard which aren't stories but provide some background on Howard and his style, etcetera.

Then there is "The Hyborian Age," by Howard, which isn't a story but a history of the world that Conan lives in. This doesn't read like a story but is nifty if you're a Conan lover.

Next come the stories.

Opening is "The Thing in the Crypt," (de Camp & Carter), which isn't an especially bad story, just completely pointless -- it spends thirty pages detailing how Conan acquires his sword. (They tried to incorporate this one into the movie)

This is followed by "The Tower of the Elephant," (Howard), which is an excellent story and a great example of Howard's writing in any genre. (They also incorporated this story into the movie)

"The Hall of the Dead," (de Camp and Howard) comes next, written by de Camp based on an outline by Howard. It's an ok story with some cool stuff, but Conan being attacked by a 50-foot acid spitting slug? Come on!

"The God in the Bowl" (Howard) is a whodunnit detective story which is pretty interesting, but has nothing really to contribute to the Conan saga.

"Rogues in the House" (Howard) is probably the best story in this volume, with political intrigue, sorcerors, dank warrens beneath trap-infested houses and everything.

"The Hand of Nergal" is said to be by de Camp and Howard, but it doesn't say how exactly Howard was connected to the story. It's pretty cool, and it helps to define and develop Conan's story.

"The City of Skulls" is the final story in this book, written by Carter & de Camp, and while it has some action, it really sucks.

Overall, this is a worthy book. The stories by Howard are really good, those by the others are at least readable, and it gives a pretty good look at Conan's early life.

What we have in this series of books (starting with Conan, and proceding through Conan The Cimmerian, Conan The Wanderer, etc.) is an attempt to put the stories in chronological sequence, filling in the gaps from the late Howard's notes. It's a valiant effort, both respectable and respectful though it's certain that whatever demons possessed Howard and allowed him to write as knowledgably (even "truthfully") about Conan as he did do not possess Carter and de Camp.

It's too easy (and fruitless) to criticize the effort for that. The series gives you a look at Conan as he grows and matures, and presents as cohesive a picture of him as any literary (or even actual) character ever documented. Aspiring fantasists would do well to read this for an idea of how to build a lasting character.

Beyond that, the stories are just plain fun. Violent, of course, with a smattering of non-graphic... (less here than in other books), and lots of good weird stuff. Because these are short stories, you don't get the kind of cliffhangers you get from a "Tarzan" book, but you do get non-stop action from one of the best. And that ain't bad.

Besides Robert E. Howard's suicide at the age of 30, the greatest tragedy of this brutally talented writer is that his work has not enjoyed the literary praise and societal acceptance that it so clearly deserves. Howard is one of the most overlooked authors of the last century, in part due to academia's refusal to seriously study the Fantasy genre. Conan, Howard's greatest character, lives, prowls, "wenches", boozes, adventures, and cajoles among the paperback pages of this first Conan book, due entirely to Howard's distinct narrative voice.

The reader feels the flexing muscle and sinew, the weathered and tanned skin, the animal reflexes, the very strength in Conan's mercenary grip when they read these short stories - beyond Howard's brilliance at character creation, the very narrative voice is written in the tune of savage ruthlessness. No matter your sex, you can't help but boil with testosterone and reel in the wicked pleasure of cleaving cut-throats with a broadsword, because the simple and powerfully persuasive narrative voice places you in Conan's world. Howard's delicate and meticulous word choice not only provide the uniqueness of his voice - a style rich with texture, details, and cinematic imagery - but it also provides the barbarian lens by which we view his world.

The stories are often dripping with blood, but the imagery is so vivid and artistic it in no way diminishes the quality of the text. The knocked out teeth and the crimson sprays seem natural, because they're natural to Conan. Few authors have ever displayed such a profound ability at placing the reader into a character's blood, brain, and hormones. Conan, after all, is not the stereotypical Hollywood action hero - he is a character designed with his own unique combination of strength and flaws. Flaws found in all humanity. He may be built and wired like a Siberian tiger, but he is plagued with a deeply embedded fear of the supernatural. His temper often gets the better of him. When times are good and the riches spill from his saddlebags, he's a boastful braggart that earns the unforeseen whack at the end of a dark alley. When times are tough, he hits the goblet. He's everything we want to be and one of us when we need him to be.

Howard's voice and style make all of this possible. This first book in the Conan series displays that voice of reluctant role model as good as any other. Finding a copy may be difficult, but for the reader that enjoys Fantasy written at the depth and quality of literary genre fiction, the search and the expenditure will yield a bountiful harvest.

I've bought almost a dozen books about Windows NT and TCP/IP for my job and to prepare for the MCSE TCP exam. This book is by far the best of them for overall coverage of TCP/IP in the NT environment. It's not sold as an exam prep book but I found it much more useful for exam prep than the several books I bought that supposedly were for that. Buy this one first. You probably won't need any others.

I've been a UNIX admin for about ten years. Hunt's crab book has pretty much lived on my desk since it came out. I've got NT boxes sneaking in the back door now and needed to learn the NT TCP environment fast. This book gave me what I needed. It's going to end up living on my desk too.

If I could buy only five books to help me run my network, Windows Nt Tcp/Ip Network Administration would be near the top of that list. (Another would be Minasi's Mastering NT Server 4.) The advice is detailed and practical, the writing is down-to-earth, and it's obvious that the authors are deeply familiar with the protocols and applications they are writing about. I start with this book first when I have a TCP-IP question--even before TechNet, because Hunt and Thompson give you the real skinny, not the "company" answer. Also--and this is rare for technical titles--this book is carefully-edited and a pleasure to read.

Thomas J. Ryan wrote The Adolescence of P-1 in the mid-seventies, and for its time, it must have been a breakthrough in computer science-fiction literature. The story is compelling: an adaptive computer program is created and set loose by a bored college student and becomes so advanced that it develops self-awareness. The computer virus, dubbed P-1 by its creator, can communicate with humans in English through a computer terminal. The dialog between P-1 and the humans is both amusing and provocative, while P-1's ominous nature tugs at the imagination. P-1's existence has a purpose: to survive. Eventually, P-1 must deal with the value of human life and the meaning of what it means to be human. The theme of the novel centers on those two topics while tying in to the speculations on Artificial Intelligence.

However, the novel is not perfect. The Adolescence of P-1 was written by and for those in the nascent computer industry of the mid 70's, an intensely male-dominated industry. As a result, the female character in the novel (the hero's girlfriend) seems a bit oversexed for reality, especially in the beginning. I read through the cheesy, unrealistic dialog and laughed at its wackiness. It seems as if the author dreamed desperately about a woman like this, and had to write her in somehow. Or Ryan might have done a little satire on the flat characters of pop culture by putting one in his novel. But I wouldn't rule out the first possibility. Later, however, when the plot's theme broadens to encompass the more philosophical scope of humanity, she is portrayed as the vital feminine counterpart to the hero.

I think of myself as quite the computer buff, with a comprehensive knowledge of the computer industry and its technological history. However, in my short 17 years of age, I had never encountered the level of computer competence that this book demands. The actual technology described in the book is ancient. Although the author clearly explains the concepts that are required for believability, a few explanations cover too much depth and move too quickly for any normal reader to follow.

But I thoroughly enjoyed the book despite these minor setbacks.

Ah, the wit of a computer geek.

"The Adolescence of P-1" is one of those rare books: one that will satisfy computer enthusiasts as well as those who STILL can't program their VCR. It is an engaging tale about a programmer who creates a computer program that will find its own way into large computers. All the while the program "learns" from its mistakes and improves itself. Then one day it disappears ... and that's where the story starts. Considering this novel was published in 1977, I have been constantly amazed as to how well the author describes the workings of computer systems. Even though the computers in the novel are way out of date now, the story still seems surprisingly contemporary. The characters in the novel are believable and are well developed. This is one of the few books I can pick up and re-read many times. Many people I have lent the book to also like the story very much.

I read this book the first time decades ago. I was just getting my feet wet in the computer industry and the story was compelling and exciting. We didn't really know it at the time, but the hero of P1 wrote a polymorphic computer virus that could learn and grow. We are getting to this point only now, so the story has enormous relevance. Don't get me wrong, I'm not glorifying computer viruses. What attracted me then, and still does, is the possibility that we may one day interact with machines that are our equals, emotionally and intellectually. This book gives us a glimpse of that brave new world.

This is the first Robert Inman book I have read. I heard Mr. Inman on NPR doing a book review with Rebecca Bain, mediator of a program called Fine Print.
I enjoyed his program, so I wanted to get a copy of his book.
How delightful is this book! This is not only a "good southern book", but it is meaningful to all who read it. It reminds us once again, it is our relationships to others (wifes, sons, relatives), that truly brings us happiness.
Each of us has a little "Will Baggett in us". Have we not all built our image carefully, so that others see us one way and our family really knows the true person?
Will Baggett is a survivor. After 9/11, we all need positive affirmations that no matter what happens we are the master of our own fate making mistakes, but also making corrections (along with a good dose of God's mercy).

Read IT..I plan on getting other books by this author, right away.

Will Baggett, the main character, is Raleigh, NC's favorite TV weatherman. But Captain Saturday is not about weather, and it's not about TV (even though you will find insights about TV news that could only be given by someone who's been on the inside). The book is about "being real", knowing one's self, and investing oneself in what is important.

By any popular notion of what it means to be a success, Will Baggett is a great success. And Will is a good person: hardworking, loyal, honest, courteous, polite, devoted to community service. But in reality, he has lost his way and doesn't even know it. Someone once said, "Integrity is making the inside match the outside." That is Will's problem.

Captain Saturday is intense at times, funny and full of surprises. It cost me several hours of sleep since I couldn't put it down. You'll relate to Will's plight and find yourself wanting to join his quest for integrity. Absolutely loved it, except that (as a Southerner would say after a good sermon) "Bob Inman dun quit preachin' an' went to meddlin'". The book hits home.

In the hands of many modern novelists (of the John cheever ilk) this novel of a middle-aged man losing his job, wife and self-respect would be a dreary depiction of life in the "soulness" of their America. But not here.

Will Baggett, formerly lead weatherman at Raleigh's channel 7 is a man who seeks out validation and human connection in malls rather than at home, Baggett is fired when a conglomerate buys out the family-run station and decides to cut costs by hiring a younger, cheaper weather personality. Within short order Will injures himself, his wife gives him the boot, he learns that his soon is failing med school and he goes to jail for possession of marijuana.

Rather than dwelling on the failure of the protagonist, Inman goes back in time to sketch Will's goofily eccentric family and in the process lets the reader figure out the man Will has become. Upon his release from jail, Will begins to remake himself and finally finds out the person he could have been.

Peopled with wonderfully quirky Southern characters and imbued with a generous loving spirit, CAPTAIN SATURDAY is an affirmation of love, family, honor and generosity. A delghtful subplot is the romance between his cousin Wingfoot and a former basketball player now country singer. Read this book for an uplifting, yet honest, portrayal of a good man.