The problem with this book is that it takes a fairly simple approach to teaching writing, even though teaching writing is quite complicated and difficult. Also, the book doesn't say enough about ESL writers or writers with dialects. Finally, I couldn't find any discussion of the fact that writing skills in our schools have declined even as research in writing has increased. Overall, I would say that this is a "feel-good" book that doesn't address the hard issues of writing instruction.

I have found this book to be well received by students preparing to teach HS English classes, as well as people already in the classroom. It covers thoroughly all the major aspects of composition theory in a succint and careful way, with lots of examples and good bibliography. For anyone who really wants to know what we have learned from comp theory in the last 25 years, this is a good book. It is not a how-to, and does not offer detailed ideas for the classroom; it is based on principles and research.

Daniel O'Brien puts together an outsider's version of the great director's life in film. O'Brien is obviously a faux-critic/fan of the director that can get no closer to his subject than to have seen each of his films repeatedly. Basically this amateurish drivel reviews each of Altman's films with a weak eye while dropping vague and incidental biographical info along the way. The first edition that I unfortunately labored through featured numerous misprints and spelling errors to boot. This book delivers no insight or clear perspective on the enigmatic director whatsoever.

Daniel O'Brien's book on Robert Altman is a fascinating insight into the workings of the director's films. I found it particularly interesting the way O'Brien leads the reader through the journey from Altman's beginings in television through to his more commercial successes. For the first time, I could understand what it's like to start from nothing and make your way as a director. Hope for all us film students. I thouroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to film students and anyone interested in the film industry. Excellent.

Intrigue's part of the Texas Trueblood series continues with "Secret Bodyguard." Jesse McCall is undercover as a chauffeur as he investigates a mobster. When the man's daughter reports her child has been kidnapped, he doesn't believe her. After all, a mobster's daughter has to be a liar, right? Can Amanda make this mysterious man believe her?

"Secret Bodyguard" reminded me a lot of Daniels's "Love at First Sight." In that book, all the characters were connected to one another in a dozen different ways, something that was implausible in a city the size she was describing. In "Secret Bodyguard," it's even worse, especially in a state the size of Texas. "Love at First Sight" pushed the limits of believability. "Secret Bodyguard" bulldozes straight through them.

For most of the book, there are two separate stories: the kidnapping of Amanda's daughter and the mystery of Jesse's birth. This isn't a very successful tactic. The stories don't progress together. The characters focus on one, then turn to the other, then back again. For a woman whose child is missing, Amanda doesn't have too much trouble forgetting about that while she and Jesse investigate his birth. I had the impression the book would have been stronger if the mystery surrounding Jesse's past was left out and the story focused on the other storyline.

Jesse isn't much of a hero. He continually jumps to the wrong conclusions about Amanda and his arrogance toward her is not endearing. It does provide the book's best moment, though, when he guesses what Amanda majored in at college and she knocks him out of his seat with her answer. There's nothing like seeing an arrogant hero get his comeuppance. The story is fast-paced and full of action, but the romance is underwhelming. Jesse and Amanda have very little contact for the first 75 pages of the book, which means they have to fall in love in a very short period of time. It's not very convincing, and the love scene in particular seems forced in rather than a natural reaction on the part of the characters.

Daniels does a good job setting up the next book, "Unconditional Surrender" by Joanna Wayne. "Secret Bodyguard" is an entertaining read, but is ultimately too far-fetched to be credible.

This book is good for a quick read, but it didn't thrill me. The characters' stories were too conviently linked. Although I will suspend my belief in reality for a book, I just wasn't able to get wrapped up enough to truly get lost in the story and its characters.

Daniel Lerner's primer on Scotch whisky (no "e" allowed!) is a useful book primarily for those with no knowledge of the subject- as Mr. Lerner admits he himself was when he embarked on this project. As a single-malt enthusiast but by no means an expert, I bought this book for its promised survey of and tasting notes on more than 100 whiskies. I regret to say that I was disappointed.

The greatest liability of the book is in the tasting notes, which are often vague, frequently simplistic, and rarely informative. Part of this is doubtless due to the rather scattershot tasting methods employed, described in an appendix by the author; however, if you're looking for detailed information on which whiskies match your personal tastes, this is not the book to buy.

For the beginner, perhaps, this manual, with its glossy color photography and useful general overview of the process of whisky production, is a decent buy; next time, however, I'll spend more money to get a more detailed book.

Excellent information and background on the scotch whiskey. They all sounded delicious. However, I could not find any description of the Glenfidicch.

This book had some nice photos and did include a bit of information on the wrecks and dive sites, but is definitely not a book for a serious wreck diver. For example, no information is given on the locations of the wrecks so anyone interested in seeing the wrecks is forced to find a local dive operation. Since most local dive trips cater to casual, recreational divers who normally follow the recommendations of the operator and have little input on the destination anyway one wonders about the usefulness or potential audience for this book.

I have read almost all of the Bergs books and those penned by Daniel Berg solo. The Bergs are well known wreck divers. The book has many really exellent photos and hits most of the highlights of Island wreck diving. It is broken down by Islands and gives a little blurb about history and conditions for each wreck. What the book lacks are, the exact locations of the wrecks and the accessability, e.g. shore dive, dive charter, 1 hr. trip or 2 hr. trip? A good photo book to get psyched up for your vacation.

If there was a rating lower than one star, I would use it.

This book is a real bottom feeder. It's filled with sludge....racism, profanity, dehumanization, sexism and, yes, violence as well. Since the author has other, better books the only possible excuse for this book is that he was trying to spoof the old hardboiled detective genre...and missed by about a million miles.

I can see no reason to explore the lives and motives of such stereotyped characters, who are thoroughly awful humans, shallow and (thank goodness!) unbelievable.

I am not easily offended, and in fact like some of this author's other work. But this book is a total waste of time and money.

Do yourself (and the author) a big favor and skip this one!

A great start to a great series! The "Rene Shade novels" by Daniel Woodrell will kick your royal petunia from here to kingdom come!

I am not a devotee of statistics; as a matter of fact I findthe subject impossible at best. The fact that my professor has foundthree errors in the mathematical computations doesn't help a fledglingstudent understand the subject better...especially if one uses theseformulas to try to get a grasp on the subject. For example, thecomputational formula for a group t-test is incorrect (p.69) I don'tthink that there is much excuse for this. I purchased the paperbackversion at over ... and therefore I issue this warning to those whothink that they will find this book helpful

Since I got this book two years ago it has become well-worn with my constant thumbing through it. It has proven an invaluable resource for doing statistics in papers and reports I have been writing. I'm in graduate school studying economics, policy, environmental studies and public policy issues and this book has been very helpful in teaching me and reminding me of statistical methods to use, without overwhelming me. It's easy to read and the explanations are well thought out.

I found myself paraphrasing the entire book because of its horrifying storyline. I never read it again to my kids. I didn't think it was funny, sweet or cute that the author (or the publisher) thought it was OK to suggest that baby Daniel had been stolen, kidnapped, was dead or boiled in oil by pirates! To add insult to injury, the big sister speculates that she'll be locked up at Grandma's and then shipped away in a suitcase, only to be arrested by a policeman (and sent to prison) for losing her baby brother. To avoid this inevitable fate, the big sister decides to run away because she's not loved anymore. There is not one redeeming quality about this book.

I like where can Daniel be because it was funny and it was colorful. I like his drawings because they're funny. I really liked the picture of the cat on the vaccumn cleaner. I also like Where Can Danial be because the words rhyme.

For the average disgruntled law student this book provides nothing but added burden and drudgery. This specific product is the update to the previous edition, which, while well researched, and despite interjections of humor, is typically dull in its presentation. Perhaps the dullness is mutual between textbook and student? As a lay person becoming a law person, this series does not make the transition much easier. Still, the foundation series often manages to run circles around much of its stodgier competition. This book does provide sufficient fodder for discussion to at least reach its goal of providing fundamentals. Anything above that is lost due to the sheer vastness of the subject doctrines.

This book is a very detailed depiction of how an all woman team of sailors(or mostly women by the end) lead by Dawn Riley compete for America's Cup 1995. With great photography, this book is without a doubt worth a look, but one will be enough. Unless you find that the pictures are worth looking at multiple times.