What's our hesitancy to give in to idealism? Duane's scribblings are exactly what a culture defined by people defining it needs. Soft and gentle California Dreaming with a backdrop of adventure and open, honest living...who doesn't need a dose of Duane's California? I adore Duane and all of his meanderings and observations on his surroundings. Any man that can write about love and the Grateful Dead, El Cap and surf towns, and not sell his soul to the new vision of extreme California is something of a gift. Duane is a deep breath of high Sierra air after a life of choking on the smog...read what you can while you can because the California that Duane writes about won't be here forever.

This is by far the best book I have ever read. I keep coming back to it, and reading it again. If you love the mountains, yosemite, climbing, california, or just an entertaining read, this book will supply you with plenty of adventure. It will have you dreaming of warm days in the El Cap valley for months!!!

Being interested in the legality of Lincoln calling on troops to supress a domestic and not a foreign threat is appealing to me, since it was, what I thought, a violation of the powers of the presidency. Grabbing this, I thought it might bring aboveboard his actions. The title is somewhat deceieving in that the first 4 1/2 chapters discuss the founding fathers and their ideaology on various presidential powers and states' rights: intriguing to read, but way too much history of the constitutional debates. Finishing the book, I came to realize this was the author's way of defending his conclusions: that Lincoln did not abuse his powers and acted within the bounderies of constitutional law (though the last chapter discussing Lincoln's enfringement on Free Speech is hard to swallow as legal.) Still a fascinating read on the topic of constitutional power,that is just as important today as it was then.

"Lincoln's Constitution" first examines the Constitution as Lincoln found it at the beginning of his administration, with emphasis on state - federal relations, including the right of secession. Like most modern legal scholars, Prof. Faber clearly sides with Lincoln on this (and most other constitutional issues), but he is also careful to show that believers in states' rights and secession had good historical reasons for their views. With this background, the author then examines the Constitutional issues Lincoln faced in dealing with the unprecedented challenge of waging the Civil War. Here the focus shifts to presidential war powers and civil liberties in time of war. The author points out where Lincoln was right (in light of later precedents) and where he was wrong. Again, the views of both his supporters and his critics are fully examined. Finally, Faber clearly explains the relevance of all these issues for citizens of our own time.
Authoritative, up-to-date and balanced, "Lincoln's Constitution" is an essential supplement to J.G. Randall's classic (but now dated) "Constitutional Problems Under Lincoln."

A careful and caring overview of the tragic life and times of the man who started the Hodag myth. Very entertaining, but a little dry at times. Vivid proof that truth is stranger (and more fun) than fiction. A must-read for any student of Wisconsin history.

It it a fun loving, re-creation of growing up in the great area of Rhinelander. Regardless where you go in the State of Wisconsin, every one knows about the HODAG. It is the only one in the entire World, let alone in the State of WISCONSIN. LONG LIVE THE HODAG!!!!!!

If Zorba the Greek had been a doctor, then this is the book he would have written! I really liked it.

Dr. Zorba's main point, just like the Greek's, is that there's more to life than simply good cholesterol and a low blood pressure. It's not that these strictly medical points are unimportant, it's just that the other areas in one's world can be just as significant, if not more so, in making life long.....and sweet. Dr. Zorba divides life into five interconnected spheres: physical, mental, kinship/social, spiritual and material (financial and job-related.) In each of these spheres readers are encouraged to find their own personal strengths and weaknesses. The book has a series of fill-in-the-blank charts and lists to help you personalize this information. There is a set of cards in the book's center with which can be used for "Playing the hand you're dealt." The game is to arrange you longevity "boosters" and "busters" into some kind of order, discarding the ones that don't count for your specific genetics and lifestyle, and then to work on the ones that define your own unique longevity "game." It may be a little hokey, but I got a lot of good ideas for myself out of it.

What I really enjoyed about the book, though, were the stories. Just as things would start to get a little dull, the good doctor would tell a little tale about one of his own patients to make the point. I particularly liked the one about "Ralph," whose two-month ride up to Alaska on a Harley did more good for his good health and longevity than all the standard medical advice he'd been given before it. This was true despite the fact that motorcycle riding is "dangerous," if looked at out of context. Although riding a motorcycle may worsen your odds in the strictly physical sphere, it may actually boost your overall life expectancy when the mental, social and even spiritual spheres of the experience are included. In fact, motorcycling your way to a long life has a kind of Zen feeling about it, especially when you include the bike maintenance.

This actually seems relevant, by the way, given the book's unexpected introduction by the Dalai Lama.

Anyway, "The Longevity Code" seems like a well-balanced book, written by a natural storyteller whose advice is backed up by scientific evidence and clarified by examples from his life as an actual family doctor. I was surprised how much I really liked it.

Just under 400 pages the book covers topics like cracking the code and identifying the factors that contribute to or threaten your longevity. FInding your personal longevity prescription and his own guide to the 76 most effective longevity boosters.... . Common sense suggestions that may sound easy but anyone who knows the statistics knows that he makes sense and that sadly too many people dont follow the advise.

He covers issues like getting out of abusive an relationship and a negative job environment and much of what he has in the book has been covered in a vast number of other books and magazines, and even on TV.

But for someone who doesn't read alot of books on making lifestyle changes this is one that will probably have in it, the information that one might need 5-6 other books to cover.

It is a great book for the person who has never made positive lifestyle choices and needs a book that will cover all the bases.

"The Werewolf Club #2: The Lunchroom of Doom," is a fun entry in this young adult series by Daniel Pinkwater. The book is illustrated by Jill Pinkwater. The story is narrated by Norman Gnormal, a member of the Watson Elementary School Werewolf Club -- a sort of peer support group for kids who are werewolves.

This installment brings some interesting new elements into the series -- most notably, Honest Tom's Tibetan-American Lunchroom, were the 'wolves eat lunch. The kids face a naysayer in the form of a narrow-minded Board of Ed psychiatrist who claims that werewolves don't exist. They also discover a fiendish extraterrestrial plot. Good fun, with a nice message of empowerment for kids who are different.

Poor Billy Furball, he's been thrown out of the school lunchroom for having a food fight with himself. It was so bad, they had to bring in special cleaning equipment. And on top of that, because of his behavior, Billy has to see the school psychiatrist, who has informed him that there is no such thing as werewolves...it's just a game that got out of hand. Now, to support and cheer up their fellow werewolf, the rest of the club has decided not to eat in the lunchroom either. First, they tried to eat outside, but it rained. Next they tried to each in their club sponsor's car, but it was too full of shedded werewolf hair. So, finally they went down the block to eat at Honest Tom's Tibetan-American Lunchroom. The food wasn't bad and they got to meet Captain Sterling of the North American Space Squad. He has been abducted by aliens more than 400 times. Now as the club lunches each day at Honest Tom's, strange things begin to happen...This is the second book in Daniel Pinkwater's Werewolf series, and just like the first, it is full of wacky characters and laugh out loud scenes. The easy to read short chapters and hip, kid-speak language will keep your youngsters hooked and turning pages to the very end. This is a silly, funny, very absurd story that is just perfect for 7-10 year olds.

This main reason to buy this is for the annotated glossary od massoretic terms. It's the best guide to use those oh-so-cryptic massoretic notes on the margins of BHS. Many detailed definitions of the words and abbreviations-- far more useful information than most other similar introductions to BHS. I give it four stars instead of five because I wish they had done the same thing for the critical apparatus at the bottom. Other books cover the critical apparatus, but I think these authors could explain it much better than any other book currently does.

Indispensible tool for any serious Hebrew student: this book answers most questions that I have concerning the notation of the Masoretic. I recommend all Christians to own and study this book whenever they could.

I bought this book because it was needed in my course. But if you are new to the COMPLEX world of Immunology, then beware! If you want to get the full use of the depth of this book, first read the subject in THE GREATEST BOOK FOR NEWBIES in Immunology, I mean by "IMMUNOBIOLOGY" by Charles Janeway. Then you can skip to Parslow-Stites and be prepared for the test. If you already have concepts in this subject, then go for it, you will not be dissapointed.

Stites manages to explain a really complicated subject with simplicity. Enjoyful to read and easy to learn from.

I must first note that this book is extremely poorly edited. It oscillates from current commentary to previously published essays and articles without significant distinction. This along with an introduction that occupies a third of the book makes for a frustrating read. Moreover, Moynihan doesn't always state what he is trying to say so the reader must be alert for not-so-obvious implications.

Having said all this, this book is a true resevoir of wisdom. In tackling issues from moral decline to welfare reform to the drug war to "Reaganism," Moynihan both parts ways with contemporary liberalism while offering sharp critiques of past and current policies. Ever the social scientist, Moynihan is quick to demonstrate how "conventional wisdom" can be utterly wrong while at the same time dismissing those who would sieze on simplistice generalizations of scientific research in furtherance of radical agendas.

A difficult read but well worth it.

First, let's realize what this book isn't. It is not a collection of previous essays, although it excerpts heavily from a number of essays, both from the 60s and the 90s. It is also not a memoir.

It's an argument for a different role for the social sciences in policy making. First, it's an argument by repeated example of the predictive power of the social sciences. And, second, it's a call for social scientists and the government to start doing work seriously on the issues of the day.

So, first. He's telling us that we can do social science that tells us things about the world that we live in. Like what? One, government supervision of the economy from WWII to the present day. Two, his observation in the 70s that the Soviet Union was already in the early stages of collapse. Three, his argument that the illegitimacy rates where (1) going to skyrocket and (2) that it would be a problem. He tells us that these were not mysterious phenomena and that had the data not been ignored, public policy could have addressed them appropriately. This is important, partly to remind us of it, but also to challenge some writers on the right, such as Thomas Sowell, who argues, essentially, the opposite.

Second, this book argues that both the social scientists and the politicians need to take social science seriously. And, furthermore, part of the problem is the liberal professionalization of "Do Gooders". Why wasn't illegitimacy attacked in the 60s and 70s? Because some of the people on the left really are as morally squishy as the people on the right say they are! They were afraid to push a family structure, especially a "traditional" one. However, the people on the right were too moralizing to achieve anything. Furthermore, he argues, that this phenomenon had been described by Durkheim in the Rules of Sociological Method.

This book is, in the end, a call for a scientifically-informed moderate social policy. A social policy that is not afraid to speak of "values" and, indeed, "family values", but is also not vindictive or punitive. Furthermore, it's proof-by-example that it is achievable.

This one was of the best books I've ever read! It tells about some thoughts about the year 2000 and some of the history behind it! Its even got some great photos in it!

I loved the book! I was looking for a book on the year 2000 and I found this! It tells a whole bunch of fact in a story about the new Millennium. It even tells about the Y2K bug!

This is an incredibly original and detailed work. Golf historians and enthusiasts will appreciate the detail, but the average sports fan might find it too tedious. But if you are a golfer, Wexner spookily evokes lost courses and estimates how the courses would play today. The book is a bit pricey; yet, that won't matter to the right customer. An excellent book within a narrow frame.

Summary: The enthusiasm for private golf courses is almost as high now as it was when most were established around a hundred years ago in the United States. During the Depression and in the suburban expansions after World War II, many private golf courses either disappeared or were turned into home lots. Mr. Wexler has done an outstanding job of bringing these courses to life, even though we will never see most of these holes in person. The book features 27 of over 100 lost courses that he has found. Among these are courses that hosted the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. So much for fame!

Review: If you did not know that these courses have ceased to exist in their original form, you would think that existing courses were being described. The 27 featured courses include a visual layout of the course, scorecard, hole-by-hole descriptions, history of its development, photographs of play and holes, a little about the course designer, and an assessment of how the course would be viewed today.

I was particularly impressed to see that many of these courses disappeared in New York State. Imagine having so many scenic spots changed away from golf today. It would never happen. Or at least I hope it wouldn't. What do you think?

Of the courses, I was shocked to learn that 6 or 7 would be in the top 100 in the U.S. today. Even if that is optimistic, it does seem like a shame to lose any great golf tracks.

As a Donald Ross fan, I was astounded to find out that expanding I-95 in New Jersey had helped doom his course, the Englewood Country Club. Even more remarkable was the loss of Pinehurst number four, so close to his masterpiece of Pinehurst number two.

In addition to enjoying this book, golf club members should think about how to provide for the financial security of the courses where they play. After all, many of these are on land that would sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars an acre. What is to stop conversions of more top courses into building lots in the future during times of economic troubles? Certainly, the many clubs that have invested extra millions in clubhouses and courses recently may have made this more likely.

After you finish enjoying this book, think about what else may have disappeared from your community. See if your local historical society has photographic records to help you see those missing parts of history.

Cherish what is fine . . . even when the costs are high!