"Give It Up" is basically a collection of arguments for why someone should quit smoking. It starts with why a person smokes, then follows with how it hurts the smoker, the benefits of quitting and then finishes with stories from people who have quit. While this may be beneficial to some people it ignores the fact that for most people the reason they have a hard time quitting smoking is because it is an addiction. Many, many smokers would quit today if they were able to and all the ones I know already know the dangers of smoking and the health benefits of quitting, but that has not helped them to quit. There may be some smokers that benefit from a detailed discourse on how bad smoking is for you and how much better you are if you quit. Still others may benefit by using it as an aid to keep them motivated. If they are on a nicotine patch program, hypnosis program, or some other program then reading this may help to keep their motivation level high and increase their success. However, the greatest benefit of this book may be as a preventative with teenagers to make sure that they realize just how bad smoking can be.

When Anne spoke about my higher power wanting me to be a nonsmoker, that is what got to me the most. I know this intuitively and it resonated within me to hear it verbalized in such a way.

Jennifer

This slender volume provides a good basic account of the three primary kingdoms of ancient Africa. We have heard much in recent years from Afro-centric revisionist historians about the alleged wonder of ancient Africa. This book puts some of those myths into perspective. While obviously intended for a young reading audience, this book has some useful information. The maps and pictures have an ameturish quality to them, but will doubtless appeal to high school students and less sophisticated readers. The text is simple and a bit over-stated at times.

The three African kingdoms discussed here were certainly impressive for their time and place, but seem to have left little lasting influence. They were primarily trading empires, with some literature (Islamic Koranic writing and study) some archectecture and medicine. Music, art and higher forms of literature that would be found in Europe in the Renissiance appear to be non-existent. It is interesting to note that all three Kingdoms were heavily influenced by Islam, a non-indigeneous religion. Thus it seems Africa's greatest kingdoms were due more to the influence of Islam than anything else. Much about these kingdoms remains obscure and will likely remain so, thus providing numerous revisionist historians the means to make all sorts of outrageous statements. The perfect atmosphere for invention and fabrication. Still, this book provides a clearer look at the early history of Africa more so than recent ethno-centric studies like those compiled by the dubious Louis Gates. Young and older readers alike can certainly find some merit in this work

I have used this book to teach both fifth graders and college students about the basics of African history. This book effectively tells the tales of the Sundiata epic, Sonni Ali, the rise and fall of Timbuktu in a way that is entertaining, but also educational. If you want a basic foundation into African history while avoiding the political minefield of "Afrocentrism," read this, learn, and enjoy.

I read Goose on the Loose. I thought that it was a great book, because it was full of surprises and wasn't a slow or boring book at all. It was Mostly adventure. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves animals. Especially Geese. The book is also funny, the pictures are very clear. This book is great and I would recommend for any one to read this book. It isn't very hard to read and it's a great book. If you like animals that this is the book for you!

Mandy and James volunteer to watch Penny's pet goose Gussie, but then Gussie keeps disappearing and getting into trouble. Soon Gussie warns people about a fire and saves their lives. Will the villagers still be upset with Gussie or will they finally appreciate how she saved their lives?

A solid work based on the form of the Johannine text as we now have it. The commentary is divided into two parts: Interpretation and Notes, the former offering the main body of argument, and the latter the justification for the Interpretation. Some of its strengths include the following. First, although it belongs to a catholic series, there is nothing that is overtly "catholic" about the interpretation. Second, is not too large, as commentaries on John are inclined to be, and yet it offers significant new insight into the text. Third, Moloney tries and succeeds for the most part in interpreting the main thread of logical argument made in the Gospel. A pastor or scholar can quite easily look up a passage and trace its meaning and development.

I have a single criticism. Although the series is NOT meant primarily for the scholar, Moloney battles to write in a non-academic manner. He is clearly a highly intelligent man whose style is logical and deductive. I find the experience a little too clinical. Moloney seldom becomes existentially involved with the text. Some may see this as a flaw, and others as strength. One gets the impression that Moloney is trapped within the very strict confines of his methodology. The result: a scholarly and sane interpretation that lacks vigour.

Australia's leading Catholic biblical scholar, Francis Moloney, is the latest contributor to Liturgical Press' acclaimed series of New Testament commentaries, 'Sacra Pagina'. The series is being written by an international team of Catholic biblical scholars under the general editorship of Daniel J. Harrington SJ.

Fr Moloney's contribution is the commentary on the Gospel of John, a subject on which he is a world authority. His expert publications on John range from the 'Johannine Theology' article in 'The New Jerome Biblical Commentary' through to an innovative three-volume scholarly commentary on the Gospel of John being published by Fortress Press.

Which begs the question, why do we need another commentary on John from Professor Moloney? The answer lies in the distinctive approach adopted by the 'Sacra Pagina' series.

Produced with the needs of clergy, preachers, biblical professionals, graduate students, theologians, and religious educators in mind, the volumes present detailed, substantial exposition of the biblical texts, based on the best of modern Catholic scholarship while not bogging the reader down in the minutia of academic debates and references.

Moloney's volume is indicative of the well-structured nature of the books in the series. It begins with an introductory chapter that concisely examines general matters such as the Gospel's authorship and structure, as well as its theological contribution and contemporary significance.

The body of the commentary follows, the text broken down into major sections and subsections, according to the perceived intention of John's author. For each section, the book begins by presenting the text of John under consideration in English translation (Moloney uses the RSV with some alterations, including inclusive language; some other volumes have original translations). This is followed by the 'Interpretation', which is the core commentary, and in turn by the 'Notes'. The latter are where one finds the arguments for the particular positions adopted in the commentary, as well as presentations and evaluations of alternative points of view. Each section ends with a list of references and suggested further reading.

The beauty of this approach is that readers can easily access the level of commentary that they wish or require. Indexes of scripture texts, other ancient writings, and authors are also included.

Moloney's distinctive approach is to focus on the narrative design of John, aiming to trace the impact the Johannine form of the Jesus story makes on a reader, which brings its readers to a point of decision.

As with the other 'Sacra Pagina' volumes, the intention is to present the best of Catholic biblical scholarship, but also never to lose sight of the faith context, to continue to see the scripture as 'sacred page'.

Francis Moloney SDB is Foundation Professor of Theology at Australian Catholic University and was recently reappointed by Pope John Paul II to the International Theological Commission for a third five-year term, making him one of the commission's longest-serving members. [Book of the Month Selection, John Garratt Catholic Book Club.]

This excellent book can be read as a follow-up to Joseph Ellis' "Founding Brothers," although written at a more advanced level. Merrill D. Peterson examines the characters of Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and John C. Calhoun and the issues facing them in (roughly) the first half of the 19th century. These issues involved primarily the differing conceptions of the federal government (federal powers vs. states' rights) arising in the Constitution Conventions of the Revolutionary War period.

This fundamental political difference was linked to other fiercely divisive issues, such as the moral and economic conflict over slavery, and eventually led to the Civil War (to put it simply). Passions were so linked to sectional economic and political interests that the Civil War appears inevitable; indeed, one wonders why it didn't occur earlier. Part of the answer is that Clay and others, through a series of "Compromises" delayed the war. The reader's attitude toward these three "giants" will depend on his/her own values and politics.

Peterson paints vivid portraits of the characters, but he assumes a fair amount of historical knowledge by the reader. For example, his discussions on tariffs, the need to increase the debt, and other economic measures were often too dense, as were the detailed and somewhat confusing party realignments (e.g., Whigs, Republicans, Democrats, "Ultras," and various combinations of these). Although he is sometimes dry, Peterson also has a scholar's wit and appreciation for his subject. Furthermore, the political and legal manipulations of the principles are often fascinating (e.g., Calhoun's unconstitutional theory of states rights known as "Nullification;" the failure of all three to reach the presidency). At times, it feels lengthy (especially for the non expert; the book is basically written at a beginning graduate school level), but it is generally very well written and covers a fascinating period in American history.

Anyone who is fascinated by ante-bellum American history will, I think, enjoy this book. The great triumvirate played a dominating role in the history of our country from 1812 till they died, and reading this book is similar to reading the history of the country during that period, because everything happening politically during that time was affected by one or more of the principals in this work. Peterson does a great job telling the story. My only complaint about the book is that it has no bibliography, and it is tough trying to make up such from the 55 pages of notes which are in the book. How much the book would be enhanced by a bibliography! But if the lack of a bibliography does not bother you then you should find nothing to complain about in regard to this book. I was inspired to read the book by the fact that the author's Lincoln in American Memory is such a great book that it won my personal prize for the best book I read in 1996 (a year in which I read 126 books).

This book contains a collection of essays about the makings of a great leader. Some essays, particularly the one about emotional intelligence, I found invaluable. Others, were interesting, but not new news.

This is one in a series of volumes of articles which previously appeared in the Harvard Business Review. They offer direct and relatively inexpensive access to cutting-edge thinking on a major business subject. This volume provides eight essays, each preceded by an "Executive Summary." The first selection "What Makes a Leader?") was written by Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, Working with Emotional Intelligence, and the most recently published Primal Leadership. After years of wide and deep experience with all manner of executives, Goleman has found that "the most effective leaders are alike in one crucial way: they all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence [which Goleman asserts] is the sine qua non of leadership." He then identifies and briefly discusses what he calls "The Five Components of Emotional Intelligence at Work": Self-Awareness. Self-Regulation, motivation, empathy, and Social Skill." These are the titles and authors of the other seven essays:

"Narcissistic Leaders: The Incredible Pros, the Inevitable Cons" (Michael Maccoby)

"Leadership That Gets Results" (Goleman)

NOTE: Those especially interested in this subject are urged to check out Bossidy and Charan's Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done (June 2002).

"Getting the Attention You Need" (Thomas H. Davenport and John C. Beck)

NOTE: Davenport and Beck later developed their ideas in much greater depth in The Attention Economy.

"The Successor's Dilemma" Dan Ciampa and Michael Watkins)

"The Rise and Fall of the J. Peterman Company" (John Peterman)

NOTE: To "Seinfeld" fans, yes, he is that Peterman.

"Why Should Anyone Be Led by You?" (Robert Goffee and Gareth Jones)

"Leading Through Rough Times: An Interview with Novell's Eric Schmidt" (Bronwyn Fryer)

No brief commentary such as this can do full justice to the rigor and substance of the articles provided. It remains for each reader to examine the list to identify those subjects which are of greatest interest to her or him. My own opinion is that all of the articles are first-rate. A majority were later developed into books. For me, one of this volume's greatest benefits is derived from sharing a variety of perspectives provided by several different authorities on the same general subject. In terms of value, if all eight articles were purchased as an individual reprint, the total cost would be $56.00.

Bernard Shaw is a great playwright. In this particular play he exposes the shortcomings of English upper classes. They only think of mariage, business, politics, but England is in fact a drunken skipper, a skipper on which every sailor and even the captain are drunk with rum and unable to see the danger coming up and to deal with it. So the skipper is condemned to break on the rocks. England in the same way is condemned to break on the rocks because no one, in the upper classes, thinks beyond their interest. This catastrophe coming up is shown by some kind of supernatural explosion at the end of the play and the members of these upper classes admire the event as being beautiful and they are totally unable to cope. The picture given by Shaw of England is particularly pessimistic. Their is no future and no hope for that country. Along the way he discusses important issues such as the liberation of women within their enslavement and their power is nothing but hypnotism or drowning men in a sea of words and charm. The only sane man in the play is the captain, with an allusion to Whitman, « Captain my captain », who sees the catastrophes coming and is unable to convince his own daughters or their husbands and friends that they have to control the boat if they don't want it to capsize. But does he really want to convince them ?

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

I recently saw the production of this play in Atlanta and I was blown away. This is a fascinating, fast-paced comedy with dark undertones about a bankrupt society. It is set in the late nineteenth/early twentieth c., but the issues turn out to be very contemporary: the question of capitalism, security vs. adventure, gender roles... I recommend it!

This very timely look at hardcore smokers and the particular difficulties that they often face when attempting to stop smoking is addressed in this book. It raises the question or co-morbid conditions that most probably affect the outcome for smokers who are truly attempting to quit but don't succeed for reasons of unaddressed co-morbidity. Unfortunately very few health professionals are aware that smokers very often suffer from hidden or asymptomatic conditions. This book begins to touch on an emerging area of study that holds much promise for the dependant individual. Why 4 stars and not 5? There is a wealth of information available that was not touched upon in this book and although still at the benchside I believe that it is time for a paradigm shift with respect to smoking and dependency ( versus self-medication ). All in all it's a good place to start opening horizons.

This is a well-written, comprehensive guide that every clinician treating tobacco dependence should read. The chapters cover both theoretical and practical issues in the treatment and prevention of tobacco dependence. This book also addresses special populations of smokers: adolescents, women, the elderly, and those with comorbid disorders. Everything from group psychotherapy to nicotine and neurotransmitters is covered in this guide, and all information is based on the latest empirical research in the field. I highly recommend this text, and I refer to mine often.

This book is a wonderful collection of essays that give a fresh perspective on some well known historical events. Although you might think you know the history, Boorstin is like Paul Harvey, he tells you "the rest of the story". I would have liked to know his sources and other works about his topics so I could learn more.

Daniel Boorstin is one of the men I'd like to invite to dinner along with Justice Renquist and Thomas Jefferson. He's a historian par excellence. In HIDDEN HISTORY he publishes a series of essays that explore the more unfamiliar aspects of familiar events.

HIDDEN HISTORY helps us to see our forefathers in unexpected roles and learn to see our society from new perspectives.

"...the prize for which Europeans would have to shed blood would seem the free native birthright of Americans," he writes. "The history of the United States has thus had a unity and coherence unknown in Europe. Many factors -- our geographical isolation, our special opportunities for expansion and exploitation within our own borders and our remoteness from Europe have, of course, contributed...but, whatever the causes, the winds of dogma and the gusts of revolution which during the last two centuries have blown violently over Western Europe...have not ruffled our intellectual climate."

Boorstin says that the American Revolution was hardly a revolution at all, at least not in the sense of the modern European understanding of evolution. He quotes Alexis de Tocqueville, "the social condition and the Constitution of the Americans are democratic, but they have not had a democratic revolution." Boorstin says this fact "is surely one of the most important of our history."

Boorstin's theories, his arguments, the pictures he presents of events and people who shaped our nation's history -- all jolt the reader's awareness and awaken to higher interest and sensibilities. They fan the flicker of patriotism that hides in complacency.

HIDDEN HISTORY is scholarly but it is far from dull. It challenges our perceptions of our own history and our role in the world; it whets the appetite for understanding. It should NEVER go out of print.

A clever visual slight of hand makes this a fun book for children and adults. I couldn't get it away from my six year old long enough to really explore all the contents.

The price is a little steep-- the book is child-sized, meaning it's about seven square inches big-- but boy does it make up for its size in presentation! The flip-transparencies are ingenious, as well as the method for viewing it. My 5 1/2 year old son couldn't put it down. Its language is clear but not dumbed-down. There may be a few vocabulary words that the younger readers will ask about. But honestly, this is a GREAT introduction to human anatomy for this age group-- by far the best one I've seen.