This book is a breath of fresh air. Singers are a beaten up, battered down, ignored and abandoned lot. Nothing feels worse than standing on stage and not knowing what to do with your hands, face, body. Directors rarely help. Teachers make you sound pretty. This book gives you a strategy for looking good and coming across well to the audience. If everyone would read this book and pay attention to its message, opera would be far more popular, and would lose its reputation for dramatic boredom. Helfgot and Beeman have real wisdom between two covers. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Very useful for the opera performer and director as well, with lots of practical tips and details for never appearing vacant-eyed onstage. This is the nitty-gritty. Especially useful for those who have to deal with, as the book says, 'traffic cop' opera directors - "Okay, you come down here and sing your aria, and then..." Bar-by-bar analyses of such greats as "Ella giammai m'amo", "Non so piu cosa son, cosa faccio", etc. It shows you how to get at the emotion underlying the words, and how to access your own and the characters' motivation, in a practical, bar-by-bar method, using the music itself as a guide ... Great for teaching you how to access the character, acting and staging clues hidden in the music. A bit 'product-oriented' rather than 'process-oriented' but this is hardly a flaw - there are plenty of Stanislavsky technique books out there if you're so inclined. ...

This book is an epiphany for singers. It tells singers how to empower themselves as interpretive artists through the analysis of music and text in opera. It is so rich and so full of good advice, one wants to keep it close at hand at all times. Performers of every stripe will find it a treasure trove of inspiration. Opera lovers everywhere will read this book with pleasure, since it also gives a rare set of insights into the business and inner workings of opera. I hope it will be republished soon, since it is a totally invaluable addition to anyone's musical bookshelf.

Tintin, of course, is the intrepid reporter created by Georges Remi (1907-1983), better known as Hergé, who appeared in a series of adventures set around the world. The character first appeared in a serial newspaper strip with an adventure in the Soviet Union, then going to the Belgian Congo, America, and over a dozen other places (including a memorable two-part trip to the Moon). Tintin is usually accompanied by his dog, a white fox terrier named Snowy, an old seaman, Captain Haddock, an eccentric professor, Cuthbert Calculus, the look-alike bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson, and a cast of other colorful characters. "The Adventures of Tintin" appeared in newspaper and books all over the world and reflected Hergé's own interest in and knowledge of places around the world.

Consequently, "Tintin's Travel Diaries" are inspired by Hergé's characters and based on notebooks Tintin may have kept as he traveled on his adventures. Each book in the series take young readers (or even us older ones) to a different country visited by Tintin, exploring its geography, and the customs, the culture, and the heritage of the people living there. The books combine Hergé's original artwork from the appropriate Tintin adventure, which is usually juxtaposed with photographs showing the country as it is today, thereby combining education with a bit of fun. Other volumes in the series look at Africa, the Amazon, China, Egypt, India, Peru, Russia, Scotland, and the United States.

"Tintin's Travel Diaries: Tibet" is organized around thirty key questions designed for young readers, from "Why is Tibet called the 'Roof of the World'" to "Where is the Dalai Lama?" Each question is dealt with in a two-page spread, the left side containing artwork from Hergé's "Tintin in Tibet" and the right with corresponding photographs showing his fidelity to the actual geography, costumes, and traditions of the land. The text, by Daniel De Bruycker and Marine Noblet (translated by Maureen Walker).

Of course, it is hoped that anyone who picks up this volume has already enjoyed "Tintin in Tibet," in which our hero has a dream that his friend Chang is calling to him for help. When it turns out Chang was on an airplane that crashed in Tibet, Tintin takes Snowy and Captain Haddock with him to rescue his friend. With the original Tintin adventure serving as an introduction to the land of Tibet, this travel diary will answer the many questions young readers will have about the far off land. The back of the volume includes a glossary of key terms, both a chronology and a map of the region, along with an index and bibliography "for readers from 7 to 77."

This is the very first Tintin book I have been exposed to. I read it for a University course in Children's Literature, and found the story to be fascinating and entertaining. The illustrations are detailed and marvelous -- grasping the attention of young and older readers alike. I am anticipating my next order of Tintin books!

This is the very first Tintin book I have been exposed to. I read it for a University course in Children's Literature, and found the story to be fascinating and entertaining. The illustrations are detailed and marvelous -- grasping the attention of young and older readers alike. I am anticipating my next order of Tintin books!

An easy to read and reflective commentary on the life and events in lives and times of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist and the other apostles. I believe it has made a difference in my life and in the lives of those to whom I gave this wonderful book. You can read it over and over and be inspired again and again. I recommend it highly especially to those who take Jesus and his life seriously. I give it five stars!

Against the stream of "biblical scholars" whose writings conclude that the Gospel portrait of Jesus of Nazareth is almost totally fiction, Msgr. Jeremiah F. Kenney has authored a book that brings the Risen Christ into personal and close encounter with the reader; so close, that the reader wants to do exactly what the book's title says: "Trust Jesus." The book revolves around questions that throb in the heart of every disciple -- Who is Jesus? Can I expect one of Jesus' miracles today? How did Jesus pray? What must I expect if I live close to Jesus? Can I ever go back to Calvary? How does Jesus deal with evil -- and, in a series of 13 chapters, offers a dynamic and structure helpful to meditation. Each chapter presents a "gospel cameo" from the New Testament, followed by a prayerful response and a concluding application to one's life. In the "gospel cameos," Msgr. Kenney, who peppers the chapters with many years of pastoral experience and insight, excels at drawing the reader into intimate moments of the personal lives of biblical figures such as Mary, St. Joseph, John the Baptist, the Apostles, and, of course, Jesus himself. Rewarded with unusual biblical insights, the reader inevitably discovers or recovers his or her appetite for a truly enriching and enlivening spiritual life. "Trust Jesus" is not only a book for all seasons for young and old, but also a volume to which one will want to return over and again as years go by.

Against the stream of "bilblical scholars" whose writings conclude that the Gospel portrait of Jesus of Nazareth is almost totally fiction. Msgr. Jeremiah Kenney has authored a book that brings the Risen Christ into personal and close encounter with the reader, so close, that the reader wants to do exactly what the book title says; Trust Jesus. The book revolves around questions that throb in the heart of every disciple- Who is Jesus?...Can I expect one of Jesus' miracles?...How did Jesus pray?...How does Jesus deal with evil?.. and in a series of thirteen chapters, offers a dynamic and structure helpful to meditation. Each chapter presents a "gospel cameo" from the New Testament, followed by a prayerful response and concluding application to one's life. Trust Jesus is not only a book for all seasons for young and old, but also a volume to which one will want to return over and again as years go by. Fr. Steve Torraco, Editor, Catholic International

When I used to work at Oracle, these books were our bibles. I had to learn a great deal about Oracle in a very short time (I knew extremely little about technology, and didn't know a database from a ring ding). These books are remarkably thorough, and go into a lot of detail. The added benefit is that they are extremely widely read by Oracle developers (both working for Oracle and not), that they get TONS of feedback, so any inaccuracies, developments or new ideas/tricks get back to the publisher and often get incorporated in new editions. The Oracle series is general is a great foundation to start with for Oracle knowledge. The thick white Oracle books (published by Oracle) are also extremely good, and come with the server software. I believe that they are more easily available in soft copy, as Oracle is trying to limit the documentation that they distribute with their software.

Good book for a novoice or an average DBA. All tuning tips are given in a nutshell and neatly organized. However, this book doesn't go into very dip for some of the tuning concepts and doesn't cover some of the topics like different types of fragmentation, parallel query, partitioning views etc. in detail. But then you can't find everything in one book. So, if you are very experienced DBA and looking for something extra ordinary, you may not find that very high level stuff here.

it not only helps in increasing knowledge about oracledba but it also gives oracle users a truly efficient guide

This book is a great eye opener for those studying religion and missions. Everyone involved in (cross cultural) ministry needs to reflect on his or her own christian worldview and come to the understanding of the influence of western culture on western theology. This book is from an anthropological perspective well documented on folkreligion and from an evangelical theological perspective well balanced in dealing with the occult. In a curriculum for worldreligion this book is included in a christian bible college in the Netherlands, not only for missionstudents; all students in ministry need this subject on how religion from below affects the daily practises of people.

Don't be misled by the title. Don't be tempted to think this is a book only for missionaries ministering in contexts of tribal societies or among Folk Catholics, Muslims etc. What this book deals with is a plethora of religious ideas and questions that you will confront in any society, urban, rural or tribal. It is concerned with the everyday problems and issues experienced or sensed by ordinary people in any culture, and how they answer them with their folk beliefs (within or outside the stream of organized religion) -- what the writers call the "middle zone" between the high level divine/supernatural realm and the material/tangible world.

The book looks at how Christians can address the questions people raise about this middle zone and it deals with four main areas: (1)What is the meaning of life, and how the living must contend with the problems of death; (2) The "good life" of health, prosperity, safety, welfare and progeny/descendents in the face of poverty, ill health, suffering, danger, disaster, infant mortality etc; (3) Concern for knowledge of the past, understanding of the present and insight into the future, in order to know how to live; and (4) Questions of morality, right and wrong.

I highly recommend this book. It is comprehensive in scope, theological as well as missiological, and above all it is practical and well illustrated with mini "case studies" and examples from the cultures the three authors are familiar with.

Don't be misled by the title. Don't be tempted to think this is a book only for missionaries ministering in contexts of tribal societies or among folk religionists. What this book deals with is a plethora of religious ideas and questions that are commont in any society, whether urban, rural or tribal. It is concerned with the everyday problems and issues experienced or sensed by ordinary people in any culture, and how they answer them with their folk beliefs (within or outside the stream of organized religion). The book addresses what the writers call the "middle zone" between the high-level divine/supernatural realm and the material/tangible world.

The book looks at how Christians can address the nitty-gritty questions people raise about life and how they seek answers in this middle zone. It deals with four main areas: (1)What is the meaning of life, and how can the living contend with the problems of death; (2) We all desire it, but how can we assure the "good life" of health, prosperity, safety, welfare and progeny/descendents in the face of poverty, ill health, suffering, danger, disaster, infant mortality etc; (3) Everyone is concerned with their past, and wants to understand the present and gain insights into the future, in order to know how to live; and (4) We all have questions of morality, what is right and what is wrong.

Understanding Folk Religion gets to grips with these basic questions. It is comprehensive in scope, theological and missiological, but above all it is practical and well illustrated with mini "case studies" and examples from the cultures the three authors are familiar with in Melanesia, Asia, Africa and North America.

I found this guide to be immensely helpful in getting the real story - good, bad and ugly - about the leading consulting firms. The book also has a fascinating new poll/ranking of the 50 most prestigious management consulting firms to work for. (As might be expected, the consultants surveyed rated McKinsey as the #1 most prestigious and BCG as #2). I would highly recommend reading this guide.

I found this guide to be immensely helpful in getting the real story - good, bad and ugly - about the consulting industry and the leading consulting firms. I would highly recommend reading this guide.

I don't normally write reviews, but I just got this book and had to write. The book has detailed insider accounts of life inside every major consulting firm, including its history, areas of specialization, and tips on the hiring and interviewing process. Highly recommended for job seekers and consultants alike.

I read about this in the New York Times and the LA Times, so I figured it was worth the buy. And it was! It's a very different approach to the Bug -- more about the people who buy it than the car itself. Ouellette is a great writer. somewhere between Gore Vidal and Garry Trudeau. A must for the Bug library.

Not since ancient Egyptians bowed down to scarabs has such a devout cult worshipped a bug -- the Volkswagen Beetle, that is. Under-powered, unglamorous, a complete oddity when it first arrived in the U.S., somehow the VW Bug won the hearts, minds, and automotive budgets of thousands, and eventually hundreds of thousands of Americans. In this delightful "family album" of a book, Dan Ouellette has captured, in apt, economical prose and a witty selection of pictures, all the rapture and counter-cultural fun that Bugs brought to life on the road. His book may be the best record yet of the car that shocked Detroit and changed the way we relate to the automobile. It's a timely reminder that the affection Bugophiles feel toward the cars they have (or used to have) is powerful enough to jump over the generations and embrace VW's new Beetle. Poster boy Che Guevera decorated countless college dorm rooms, but the Bug brought a real revolution to our garages. If you love cars, design, history -- or the Bug -- you'll want this book.

OK, so I got an advance copy. I can't help it if I got it at a book convention. I couldn't resist. This is a wonderful book. There's not a spec or motor description to be found. This book is all about the love of the Bug. And the history. and the advertising. But most of all about the way people get attached to their Buglets and drive 'em forever. And everyone who drives one has a story. Even the people who don't drive them have a story. This book features incredible design and pictures that I, a bug lover, have never seen before. And for Beetle 2 nuts, there's plenty of attention paid to it. The author has one of each. I think that's hilarious. His writing style is even funnier. Bug somebody to buy it! I'm thinking of actually buying one to give to my dad for Father's Day. After all, he bought me my first bug and we repaired it together. He'll like this bit of Bug nostalgia.

Daniel Joseph's book is priceless. I wish I had read it before my first trip to China. Despite many trips to China, and a lot of exposure to Chinese Culture - I found I had a lot to learn from Joseph. Not only does he cover the important cultural topics, but he weaves them into a fascinating novel-like story which highlights each of the business and cultural issues. It's one of the few books I have read cover-to-cover (even though he says it's not necessary!).

Mr. Joseph's book, while dealing with Business matters, also applies to travelers. If you're aware that cultural differences exist, it is easier to handle situations that may arise when traveling. I found myself thinking about what I had learned from the book when traveling Prague. Prague, another delevoping Capitalist ecomony, has made great strides but still has not quite grasped the supply and demand ideas that make a market ecomony work. I don't know if that would have struck me had I not read Mr. Joseph's book. We tend to think that everyone in the world understands the American mindset and that we understand them. Not always true, but easier to deal with if you've read Mr. Joseph's book and begin to understand the role culture plays in people's lives.

I recommend it for the average reader who what to know what goes on in the world.

This book is an excellent guide to those interested in setting up a business venture in remote areas of China. The cultural impact on operations are so vividly described that one feels the problem. The situations which describe the cultural impact on ooperatons are very clearly defined with a historical knowledge of the area and country

Those corpoarate managers making selections of managers to set up operations in remote sections of China should read this book as a guide. Those assigned to the task should also be aware of the cultural problems they face. The technical problems are relatively easy to solve, but, it is the people problem coupled with the cultural impact that operational situations become harder to manage. I personally had such experiences in setting up operations in remote locations but not of a deep cultural difference nor a major language problem.

What is enlightening is the approach that China is taking to economically develop the country away from a communision. Mr. Joseph describes the approach China is taking and why he sees much progress in its systematic approach. The remote regions will be their biggest problem as Mr. Joseph's experience so indicates. The attitude of the die hard "war lord" types are clearly described in the book.

Mr.Joseph's grasp of the Chinese language allows him to describe the problems of communicating as the dialects vary in different areas of China. The differences in food, lodging and transportation are also well described. Those interested in taking on such an operational task need to be aware that remote regions are quite different than the urban areas.

The book provides food for thought on how to set up in China, with partners of former goverment operations, private or go it alone. Mr Joseph discusses the options and comments on each.

This book is easy reading and is filled with humor as he cites situations on his personnel and himself.

Dr. Raphael must have an angel on his shoulder. His insights as to the motives of the Father are very logical and follow the idea that God is Love. And that God's actions and motives flow from that first fact. Thank you for your work.

REVIEW BY JOHN SHELBY SPONG
March 12, 2002
Dear Dr. Raphael,
Thank you for your letter and the book. .... I think you have a brilliant idea. It reads more like a manual for students than a book. .... My sense is that if you would think of it as an Adult Study Educational piece - couple it with a lesson plan - then it might have a good run as Adult Ed. Material in churches. Your insights are beautiful. // I wish you well, John Shelby Spong

What Was God Thinking?! is a powerful essay, in which author Daniel Raphael proclaims three truths of God - that God is loving, compassionate, and good; that God has never needed or required sacrifices for His love; and that God created humans for a profound reason. What Was God Thinking?! is highly recommended as an uplifting and enlightening treatise on faith, the power of love, and a reverence for the divine that may diverge in "letter of the law" according to some traditional Christian teachings, but that is undeniably written straight from a faithful heart and soul.

Elizabeth Daniels Squire's new Peaches Dann mystery, Where There's a Will, has everything: the beauty and danger of a high mountain setting in western North Carolina; a hazardous trans-Atlantic voyage on the fictional British luxury liner, the Ocean Queen; and a motley cast of newly made multimillionaires, one of whom may be out to murder the others. To this mixture is added a baffling plot with more twists and turns than a DNA helix. The result is an exciting adventure in mystery reading, especially the climactic scene in which Peaches, at the risk of her own life, solves the murder of handsome, charming Wingate Scott. When you start reading Where There's a Will, be prepared to read it straight through to the end, because you won't be able to put it down.

If you haven't met Peaches Dann, an amateur detective with a memory problem, you are in for a real treat. I would, of course, suggest that you pick up the first books in this series as well. When an reclusive multi-millionaire dies and leaves his fortune to various members of the family to the tune of fifteen million each. Deaths begin to occur even though it seems each member of the family is satisfied with the portion received. A friend of Peaches asks for her help in uncovering the killer. The family must make a joint trip to England to satisfy the terms of the will. When Peaches' friend is almost killed, Peaches flies to England to come back with them on the ship. This is no "Love Boat" cruise. Attempted poisonings, near misses on pushing members of the party overboard and a most humiliating, but hilarious, attempt on Peaches' life add to the non-stop excitement and fun of "Where There's a Will." This is a must-read for all cozy fans.

Suffering from a terrible memory, Peaches Dan takes lessons to learn a few tricks that will help her survive in the everyday world. She writes a book, How To Survive Without A Memory, to help others with similar afflictions recall critical things. Surprisingly, Peaches also solves murder mysteries by using her tricks to help her recall the clues.

Marietta, a high school friend, asks Peaches to investigate the death of her brother Winston, who allegedly jumped off a cliff. Marietta insists her sibling would never venture near an overhang because he deeply feared heights. Money could be a motive as Winston and his relatives recently came into a $15 million inheritance each. On a trip to England, someone tries to kill Marietta, who immediately persuades Peaches to join her. On the luxurious return trip by sea, several other murder attempts occur, including one on the sleuth. Peaches knows she must identify the culprit rather quickly before someone else dies at the hands of the unknown assailant.

Elizabeth Daniels Squire has created a near perfect sleuth in Peaches. The middle aged person with a faulty memory refuses to allow her ailment to stop her activities. WHERE THERE'S A WILL is a who-done-it loaded with misdirection cleverly executed by the author. Anyone who reads this novel will search for the previous five books in this humorous series with a deep message.

Harriet Klausner