This book was published in 1971 as a fond look back on 20 years of articles in Metronome magazine. The author, George Simon, was a reviewer of bands and his articles are full of humour and a feeling for the sights and sounds of that time. There are band reviews, singer reviews, articles about the (then) future, some great pictures or the bands and a diary (written in a pseudonym in the magazine).

That alone is worth the price, but you also get an added bonus. George wrote to many of the musicians for responses to the articles (in 1970, so in some cases it's over 30 years since the article was written). There are many fascinating responses and extra notes from George himself as to what the article meant, what happened to the musician, who married whom, or when George got it wrong.

Nearly 500 pages oozing with the Swing Era. Find it and enjoy.

If you are new to the world of taoism then this book is NOT for you. It provides a fasinating insight into the Western and Eastern paradigms. Very revealing and exhausable; nearly every aspect is covered in comendable detail. But, and this is a big but, it is very complex and leaves you on more than one occassion feeling a little out of your depth. There are no exercises detailed to practise (that is not the point of the book) but lots of interesting parallels are drawn between the two schools of thought. If you are interested in the science of chi gong and/or what to write a paper for your University/college that will quite literally blow your teacher's mind then this is the book for you. I personally loved it, but I am not sure if it is to the general public's taste. However as you are reading this, then 'The Tao of bioenergetics' IS probarly for you - just don't be surprised if you end up reading each page at least twice! A brillant investment for the future!!

I looked for the best Edison story book for a kid who is attending ESL (English as the second language) class to learn his third language (Chinese, French and English). I found too many books on Edison. I didn't find any good one until I saw this book. After I read it over in bookstore, I bought it. I like it and the kid likes it. Now I will ask Edison Museum if it has this book. If not, I will buy one and donate it for the museum. It is the best Edison story book for all kids.

This is more a beautiful poem than a story book. With it's short and sweet wording you feel like you can hear the sounds, feel the breeze, and smell the scents surrounding the waterfall as if you are there. And with the beautiful full page illustrations, you are there! What serenity! I highly recommend this book and not only for children.

This book is great. It is filled with all the information you could possibly want in a city. From Location, history, to demography. I highly recommend it for several reasons. It could be of great help for a research paper, as it was for me, or if you plan on moving to a new city, you can research it quite a bit.

So you didn't play much baseball as a kid. Or, maybe you played so much baseball that you know too much to work with your inexperienced kids without loosing your patience.

This handbook has it all. How do you get a 4 year old to throw a ball effectively? Not an easy task for someone with a short attention span an no idea what you are talking about. Swing a bat level? Why bother when you can hack at the ball like a woodsman? Tips, techniques, and pictures either teach a parent what is important, or remind him or her what they have known for so long they have forgetten to pass it along.

These are just a couple of examples of the problems I faced in teaching baseball to my kids and areas the handbook was helpful. From catching, throwing and hitting for the youngest of players, all the way through to strategy, baserunning and conditioning for older players. This book will help you get them started on the right track and help them help themselves when they are old enough to read on their own.

Talk yourself into coaching your kid's team so you can be sure they get quality instruction - only to find that the parents are the ones who drive you to give it up? This handbook can help you lay the groundwork up front that will turn your parents into assets.

I could go on and on. This book may not have everything you will ever need, but it does have something useful about everything. A great read and a great resource.

This biography of the U.S.'s father figure was very informative, and gives equal attention to the important points of Washington's life. Flexner did a good job of highlighting the key parts of Washington's career: his war-time service, and his activities as President. This book does pass fairly quickly through Washington's childhood and adolescence, which I wished to have learned more about, but it is a 1 volume summation, so that should be expected. The author was very fair and objective in this book. While he sees Washington as having been an average, if not below average, soldier, Flexner does show Washington to have excelled in other areas such as leadership and management which became very critical to his success as President. So for anyone looking for a reasonably quick cover of Washington's public career, with a shorter background of his private life, I definitely recommend this book.

This book is the best one-volume biography of Washington I have found. As the title hints, Flexner takes the approach that Washington was an indispensible figure in the period leading up to and through the Revolutionary War, as well as the drafting and ratification of the Constitution and the formation of the first truly republican government. He makes a pretty good argument! This book gave me a much better appreciation of how remarkable Washington was to willingly and conscientiously refuse to assume the autocratic powers that were surely his for the taking, thus setting the precedent for the remarkably peaceful and unopposed transfer of leadership that is the hallmark of the US government to this day (recent presidential elections notwithstanding). If you really want to plumb the depths of Washington's life and career, read the entire multivolume biography by Flexner (from which this book was condensed). If you want a single-volume biography of the "Father of His Country" (who, ironically, was sterile as a matter of fact), you will not be disappointed with this volume--although I would not put it in the David McCullough class of presidential biographies (which is a small class indeed).

Several years ago, I spent Thanksgiving with the parents of a friend of mine and started reading this book based on their reccomendation. Well, this book so inspired me, I've continued with biographies of most of our Founding Fathers(including Flexner's "Young Hamilton") as well as the other Presidents and into the Civil War. James Thomas Flexner brings to life a man whom I only knew as the first President, the guy on the dollar bill, and yes, the one who chopped down the cherry tree. My perspective on American history and the man responsible for such a great piece of our history was completely changed by this book. It reads like a novel, though I admit was a bit rough getting started. Once in, however, I was hooked. This biography takes you through Washington's early years as a child, his courtship struggles and life as a surveyor: then, we travel with our hero through the Revolutionary War, the precarious aftermath and his tenure as the first President of the newly founded nation. Flexner shows us that much of this was, for Washington, a struggle indeed, and he seems very much the reluctant hero, whose journey is destined for greatness in spite of himself and the enormous odds against him. It is an epic journey masterfully navigated by Flexner. This biography is worthy of it's subject. If you are an American, read it.

No one plots as well as Elizabeth George and her books are worth every penny for that alone. With the execption of Barbara Havers, though, I just don't like her characters and find them more than a little unbelievable. (I can usually overlook this, however, because the basic story is so darn good.) With this book, however, Ms. George veers into the wierd and the absurd. Olivia was so very disgusting that I could barely finish the book despite the engaging plot. George did do a fabulous job of intertwining the two stories but Olivia was just too much of a freak to feel any empathy for her or for her plight. Frankly, I wished she'd just drop dead. Olivia, that is. I'm probably one of the least prudish persons in the world, but there are things I prefer not to read about in an otherwise first-rate mystery. The softening of Olivia would have done a lot to improve this book and render it a true classic. I wish Ms. George would leave the sexually explicit themes to others, but I'll keep reading--her plots are simply the best.

Before reading this book, I had read all the previous books in the series, and loved them. As I began reading this novel, I was at first a little put-off by the sudden change in the author's style. With this novel, Ms. George had a adopted a new method of narration...the simultaneous telling of two stories. Both stories are completely compelling. However, the character Olivia quickly became one of the most vivid and well defined characters I've ever encountered in a novel of this type. The telling of her story left me stunned. On occasion I've had to remind myself that Olivia is a character in a novel and not a real person. Her impact on me was that great. In my opinion, the challenge now facing Ms. George is attempting to surpass with future novels, the heights she's attained with this one. I'm actually reluctant to read the subsequent novels. Playing for the Ashes has left some very big shoes to fill.

This was the first Elizabeth George book I had an opportunity to read. Since then I have eagerly pored through the entire Lynley/Havers series, to the point of waiting for 353 other readers on the list at the library to get through her most recent one. I immediately fell in love with Tommy Lynley and Helen. They are so charming and misguided! The gruff Barbara Havers adds an additional level of poignancy and humor. I check Amazon every day in hopes that Elizabeth George somehow wrote a book that I missed somewhere along the way. If you haven't read one of her books yet, you are definitely in for a treat! She treats her readers with respect, and offers a well-rounded story in addition to a satisfying mystery. George has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I wish I could thank her.

This book is of interest not only as an account of an interesting solo sea voyage, but also because of its historical perspective. Slocum was the first person to sail alone around the world in the late 1800's. His boat, equipment, methods, prejudices, language and writing style reflect that era. The book left me with a mental image of Slocum as an undoubtedly skilled seaman, but a dour and humourless sod. Some of his claims about the capabilities of his boat "Spray" tend to challenge credibility. Still, not a bad read.

My feeling, upon finishing this book, was that I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet this remarkable man. What a great story of adventure as Slocum sets out in the Spray to sail solo around the world. He seems to have such a wonderful attitude about the whole thing, never really taking anything too seriously, but just enjoying the whole epic. It is incredible that this was done way back in 1895, long before the sophisticated navigational aides sailors and yachtsmen have available today. Yet, he seems to almost casually find his way around the world, meeting interesting people, avoiding mishaps and just generally having a great time. His writing is simple and a joy to read. It's a wonderful story for all ages and certainly not surprising that it has been so popular over the years.

I've been on somewhat of an adventure mode lately with all the Shackleton books, modern sailing travels and rescues, Everest, etc...., but this one is worth reading because Slocum was one of the "original" adventurers. He took a very small boat and made it seaworthy -- it's interesting to note that he felt so comfortable on the boat that he never shows fear, not even as he rounds the Horn or passes through major storms. He downplays his skill, but with little more than dead reckoning, he manages to find little islands in the middle of the Pacific and never fears getting lost. After his first wife died, he didn't feel happy on land, so he set off to sail around the globe which takes him 3 years. Particularly interesting are all the ports of call and how he is treated in each one. In the late 19th century, there was great interest in his trip and usually he was greated with fanfare. In this well-written and adventure filled travelogue, he recounts his travels and the details of his trip around the world with many interesting stops along the way. A great read.