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As the program coordinator, I've noticed that the stories never fail to touch our volunteers, too, whether they are written by an inmate, an inmate's family, a volunteer, warden or correctional officer. By the end of the book, the whole experience of incarceration can be seen from a new and fuller perspective, one that offers hope.
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For example, when your horse isn't going forwards when you give the cue, perhaps you're missing something. A shift in weight forwards means a lot to the horse, a sensitive animal. When you get angry, it assumes that going forwards isn't what you want it to do. This book gives clues on how to recognize a "try," as well as many other horse-perceptions.
It describes things from a horse's view. It clears up a lot of misunderstandings between humans and horses. It describes that instead of being a cruel and dominant alpha leader, maybe we can build a strong and lasting partnership. It explains that horses try to please us, but they don't react as dogs do.
I couldn't put it down. I read it all in the first day. The day after, when my horse refused to listen, I used a tip from the book and my horse came so willingly that I was stunned-I nearly fell backwards as I was about to jerk her head up when she suddenly lifted it with no fight!
You should definitely get this book; it will change the way you look at horses.
Like his other book, "Considering the Horse", this book, "Horses Never Lie" is worth reading. I would recommend this book for all who wish to become better horse handlers, and also for those who just love horses and want a wonderful and informative book to read on a rainy day. It is thought provoking. Even if you only have an "over-the-fence" relationship with horses, your equine-relationships will still greatly benefit from the information in this book. Rashid's love of horses is evident...and his discriptive writing style is most enjoyable.
Rashid's training techniques are not exacting in their implemetation-one must absorb the general flow of information and concepts, then put the stories to memory and use the techniques described in any given situation, essentially with a general bent toward the kind of relationship you (hopefully) desire with a horse. This book doesn't explain the exact methods one might need to know to turn out a high-schooled horse. It isn't a training manual, but more of a mind-emotion altering challenge, and I believe horses are the more blessed for his training ideas...he definitely loves horses and wants the best for them. You can't go wrong with this book for learning to be a more honest, capable and likable person around the barn!
After reading this book, I understand that some trainers have taken the "Alpha" role a bit too far...Rashid restores the Alpha method to what it should be--horse and handler having a healthy and mutually respectful relationship.
While I have not personally seen the Alpha idea taken to such extremes, Rashid apparently has seen far too many instances where "trainers" think they are in a wolf-pack! He implores us as horse-handlers to maintain a correct balance with our equine partners. He clearly opposes unnecessarily harsh training methods...with good reason. It is evident that Rashid has a passion for horses.
I also previously purchased "Horses Don't Lie", by Chris Irwin with Bob Weber. The three books together make a great set. Irwin's is much more a technical "hands-on" type of book, and applying his techniques and understanding along with Rashid's tempering of self makes for a whole new approach toward understanding and dealing well with our horses. Valued books, all!
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A long time science fiction reader
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Recently my son was diagnosed on the phone by our pediatrician with chicken pox and it was made clear that they did not want to see him for a physical exam. I was given a tiny bit of information by the office staff but was still curious for more information. I spent over an hour surfing the Internet looking for information but found watered down information, repeated many times over on multiple websites, including some written by physicians intended for laypeople to use. I looked at my parenting books written by doctors (one titled "The Portable Pediatrician", no less) and was still lacking any substantial information. When I consulted the Merck Manual home edition, (which I had forgotten I bought recently and had not yet used), I was surprised at the level of information given. There are many details that I had not found elsewhere, such as number of days from exposure to outbreak, how long it takes the pox to change from first appearance to crusted over, about how long the infection lasts, and treatment suggestions. Reasons why some children have a mild outbreak vs. a severe outbreak were even provided, something I had not found anywhere else.
The information here is not dumbed down in that it is not so vague that it is not useful. There is a lot of information here but it is written in a style for the layperson to understand. I appreciated the writing style, which presents information to the non-physician without putting on airs.
Anyone who, like me, prefers to gather information and learn about things rather than making a call or office visit to their doctor to get just one opinion will appreciate owning this book. At about 1500 pages it covers many illnesses and ailments. If you are interested in this book I suggest you buy it so that you have it at your fingertips 24 hours a day, for whatever may arise. I am not suggesting this take the place of a doctor, but I know from working with physicians that there are certain calls that are non-emergent in nature that are not appreciated when the office is closed!
If you are looking for a book about children's ailments that encompasses not only western medicine but lists an array of other treatment methods, I suggest Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child: A Practical A-To-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Infants and Children by Janet Zand. I found this to be an excellent companion to the Merck manual, home edition. The Merck manual gives more information about the disease or ailment itself through a Western medicine viewpoint while the Zand's books' specialty is sharing treatment options grouped by category (herbal, homeopathic, western, etc.).
In this work, I use both the "senior" Merck Manual, which is written for professionals (though many nonprofessionals have been referred to it by librarians and such), and this recently developed "home" version, which I can't praise highly enough. It is literally the first text I have encountered that provides essential medical information in terms the average educated person can understand, WITHOUT writing down to people. It covers all the basic diseases and conditions and many unusual ones, including prevention where prevention is possible. Clear, understandable charts cover such topics as common blood and laboratory tests. The index is superb, so finding things is easy, whether you are coming at the topic by way of some medical jawbreaker your doctor has mentioned (myocardial infarction) or by way of what most people call it (heart attack). Any household would benefit from having this reference on its bookshelves. Even as a professional, I look in this edition first and tackle "Papa Merck" or a specialized textbook only if I need more than the basic information.
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The love for Lolita Pulido is the essence of the book. Besides Zorro, there is Don Diego Vega, a lifeless caballero with a rich and influential father, Don Alejandro Vega, who asks Señorita Pulido to become his wife. The third man fighting for Señorita's love is Captain Ramon. As a high ranked military captain, he, too, has influence in the country of Old California. The reader will soon realize, that Senorita's heart speaks only to Zorro, the Curse of Capistrano. But Lolita's father, Don Carlos Pulido, a mistreated caballero of good blood, needs his daughter to marry Don Diego Vega or Captain Ramon, as it is his desire to become rich and influential again. In fact, Don Carlos is not informed about his daughter's love to the highwayman.
Zorro's job in the pueblo of Reina de Los Angeles is not done, after he gained the Señorita's love. The Curse of Capistrano helps the oppressed and mistreated natives against the corrupt governor and his army. Zorro fights several times with the governor's soldiers, Captain Ramon and Sergeant Pedro Gonzales. Although the highwayman seems to be an undefeatable enemy, the soldiers, led by Gonzales, always make fun of Zorro, by telling untruths about embarrassing defeats. The showdown, of course, will be in the end, after the Pulido's rescue from the jail, which keeps the reader on the edge.
Johnston McCulley shows an awesome skill for introducing new characters. He plays with the traditional image of good and evil. Zorro, the heroic figure, fights for peace and justice. Although considered a highwayman, he acts gentleman-like and charms the beautiful Senorita Lolita Pulido. On the other side, there are the soldiers and servants of a corrupt governor. Sergeant Gonzales, for sure, is the best example of the evil. Described as a fat landlord the reader often sees him drinking wine excessively in the pueblo's tavern. He does not even get close to capture the Curse of Capistrano. The most interesting character besides Zorro, is Don Diego Vega the lifeless caballero. He seems to struggle for the Senorita's love not with love by himself but with his money. Don Diego, also is a friend of the landlord and because of his name, the Don is highly respected by the governor. The lifeless caballero will show some great surprises throughout the story.
Overall, the Mark of Zorro is an exciting book, which keeps the reader interested from the sword-clashing intro to the dramatic showdown. The story of a heroic rogue, the love between Zorro and the Lolita and the soldiers' unsuccessful chase for the reward produces an awesome literary opus.
EN ESPAÑOL
Spanish paragraph de Cristobal
The Mark of Zorro es un libro muy emocionante. Sucede en California Vieja. El carácter principal es Zorro, Un caballero que lucha para la justicia. Él lucha para el amor de Señorita Lolita Pulido. Pero Zorro o La Maldición de Capistrano es cazada por el ejército de gobernador. Esta situación produce un cuento impresionante. El libro es magnífico y usted lo debe leer también.
Zorro's best-kept secret is the fact that there wasn't *one* Zorro story written by Johnston McCulley -- there were sixty! A wonderful new company is currently in production of republishing every one of these classic stories. I've read some of them; they're every bit as good as "Mark". Truly "must-reads". Miss them at your own expense.