The front half of the book has Spanish words defined in English and the second half has the Spanish translation of English words. This dual reference is very useful. I used this dictionary during the four years I lived in Ecuador and in Spanish classes I have taught. What I like most about it is how it specifies the uniqueness of words to particular regions. A word unique to a particular country will have a country designation next to it. A useful tool for the multi-country traveler. It is also small (the text is quite small, but well spaced), so not at all cumbersome to carry around, yet complete enough to have what you are looking for. Additionally, there are language guides, such as verb conjugations. Overall, it's the best Spanish/English dictionary available.

This book is unique. I believe that no other sociologist could have filed such a consistently readable record of "social concerns" (NOT social problems!), all within a highly disciplined and explicit sociological framework. Otto Larsen in this book, and in countless others, has also left an indelible mark on sociology as a profession. Of that, I can speak with authority.

Werk und Werkzeug des Kunstschmieds (Tools and work methods of the Art-Smith) by Otto Schmirler, printed in Austria by Ernst Wasmuth Tübingen from 1981. This is a how-to style book for ornamental ironworkers. By far the most sought after book for the artist-blacksmith (ornamental ironworker) today. It is printed with 3 languages altogether, German-English-French. It is one of the most wonderfully illustrated books loaded with hundreds of pictures and wonderful water color drawings on blacksmithing and blacksmiths tools. Schmirler uses these illustrations to produce fantastically clear images of many specialized and rarely seen tools and how to use them. Also shown is a large variety of work used in wrought iron gates, railings, hardware, lanterns, grills, and other items. This book contains a vast amount of ideas and methods that blacksmiths of any skill level from will find useful. This book is printed in Europe and now out of print - very hard to find. This is considered by artist blacksmith's every where to be one of the best examples of the art. Otto Schmirler wrote "...I decided upon watercolor or black-and-white illustrations that are especially easy to understand and remember, in order to avoid long written explanations." He does this so easily - each pages has up to 12 illustrations making some of the most complicated processes look easy.

This newest edition of "Zhukov" is a must for anyone that has an interest in the Marshal's career and/or an interest in the former USSR military machine and how it operated. After years of false and censored information on Zhukov and the Soviet military, "Zhukov" brings to light the the personalities (and incompetence) of such Soviet individuals as Stalin, Khruschev, and Breznev. The book helps show how these 'leaders' (through their low level of intelligence and maturity) helped stunt the growth of the USSR as a nation. Most importantly, the book brings to light the actual accomplishments of Marshal Zhukov (ie. Moscow, Stalingrad, Berlin, etc.) and how much of a role he had in the planning of these operations. From these accomplishments of the Marshal, one can see how 'cults of personalities' were able to appear in such magnitude in the former USSR. The book is a fast reader and highly enjoyable. Read it if interested in WWII from the Soviet perspective.

Otto Friedrich's biography of legendary pianist Glenn Gould is a dense, finely researched, extensive look at the man George Szell once described with the phrase, "That nut is a genius." I couldn't agree more. As a product of my culture, I was utterly ignorant of classical music growing up, seeing it as that boring music old people listened to when they didn't care anymore about dancing. Glenn Gould changed all that for me. One night at a dinner party, the host heard me say something disdainful about classical music, and he wordlessly turned around and put on Gould's 1955 rendition of the Goldberg Variations. I haven't been the same since. I now own every single recording he ever made; I still find it hard to keep from laughing at people who suggest Gould didn't know Bach better than anyone this side of God. While I can recognize that other renditions have merit, to this day I cannot hear a Bach keyboard piece without comparing it to Gould's version. This book was a wonderful companion to those recordings, and I heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to understand how genius and lunacy go so often hand in hand.

Otto Friedrich has combined spotless research, objectivity, and real empathy in what will probaly go down in history as the definitive book on this complex artist. His real understanding both of music and of a human being making music conspire to shape together a very readable and rereadable work. Gould has been covered in many ways by many authors, but never so comprehensively under one roof as he is here. Truly a must-read for anybody with even the slightest interest in the piano as it pertains to this century of music.

I found this book to be the best overall general biography on Glenn Gould. Mr Friedrich did not personally know Gould, so we have what is a good look, objectively, of Gould. He had some very good interviews with some of Glenn's closest friends and those whom he worked with. I've read it more than 4 times. We are not overwhelmed from a Musician's biographical data here, but more of what is percieved through others here. Of Course, Friedrich has some personal views but really helps to move the book along. The biggest surprise is finding out how some individuals coped with having discussions (pre-written by Gould), and their responses prewritten for them....Interesting.
Great Book....

Kroeger and Thuesen have written an interesting book about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a "test" that indicates your personality preferences and helps you begin to understand why you communicate differently from others, perceive situations differently, and enjoy different activities. Readers need not be psychological professionals: this is easy to understand, and full of things that make you say, "So THAT's why Bob always..."

After over 10 years of studying and using the MBTI in corporate and not for profit work, I have found Otto and Janet's books most useful. Their writing is non-judgemental and very acurate. There are many useful "job aids" throughout that give excellent tips in areas like communication, conflict, etc... They explain type through stories and experiences that illustrate meaning behind the model. I have not found better authors on the subject of MBTI.

I first read this book about twelve years ago, and it was my first exposure to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It's a great introduction to the topic, and remains one of the best references. I definitely recommend it to everyone, whether or not you are already familiar with the MBTI.

For those who are not familiar with the theory, prepare to be amazed by this deceptively simple way of understanding people's personality and behavior.

Anne Frank is a young Jewish girl living in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne and her whole family go into hiding with the Van Daans and Mr. Dussel. She must leave everything behind and can't say goodbye to anyone. They hide in an area attached to Mr. Frank's old office building which has come to be known as "The Secret Annexe." Anne stays in the Annexe for three years. She is not allowed to leave and must find ways to amuse herself such as gymnastics, reading, and writing to her diary Kitty. Anne grows closer with the Van Daans and the rest of her family. This book is about Anne's life and struggles while hiding in the Secret Annexe, such as lack of food and what is discused among the Secret Annexe inhabitants. Anne also tells Kitty about the people who risked their lives by helping her family while in hiding, and what she does in her spare time. During the day everyone in the Annexe could not talk or move for fear that people would hear them and tell the police where they were hiding. This book deals with the will to survive under terrible conditions and being a Jew during World War II.

Anne Franks Diary:The diary of a young girl

Anne Franks Diary is a remarkable book. Written by a young girl in a time of trouble and terror, she writes what she feels, and what is happening around her, in first person. Anne Franks Diary, is an autobiography of her short life. This book takes readers back to the time of power, greed and expresses what life was like. Also known as the Great Depression.

This book is what the world lived through and how this war impacted human beings, of all sorts. I enjoyed this book because of the high intensity of how this young girl felt. She suffered day on end to survive, with family and friends holding on with her.

" Leave me in peace, let me sleep one night at least without my pillow being wet with my tears, my eyes burning and my head throbbing. Let me get away from it all, preferably away from the world." This quote explains the suffering Anne Frank went threw to survive in this hard time.

The reason why I liked this book is because of the honest opinions honest thoughts and feelings. For people that enjoy historical events and the detail be hide them you will enjoy this book like me. The quotes that really come from the inner sprit of Anne Frank, can get to you, with a few powerful feelings, and words. "A voice sobs within me: There you are, That's what's become of you: you're uncharitable, you look
supercilious and peevish, people dislike you and all because you won't listen to the advice given to you by your own better half." I personally like this quote because it explains how Anne changes she becomes more grown up and more marcher.
I found that I really endured this book because of the reality to her life and thoughts. I also found that the sad times or the touching moments really are what put the book together.

Some other quotes that make this book what it is, are these, "I hope I shall be able to confide in you completely, as I have never been able to do before, and I hope that you will be a great support and comfort to me." "I started by being snappy, than unhappy, and finally I twist my heart round again, so that the bad is on the outside and the good is on the inside and keep on trying to find a way of becoming what I would so like to be, and what I could be, If ...... there weren't any other people living in the world."

I think you should read the book, Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl. Enjoy reading.

This is an at times uncomfortably frank (no pun intended) diary of a girl going through adolescence. This period in people's lives is typically emotionally charged anyway, but the social strain of living in very close quarters with about 10 other people for long periods of time makes it even worse.

The usual view of this book is that it's about WW II and how evil Nazis are. Some crazy neo-Nazi revisionists have even attacked the book and questioned its authenticity.

I think most people are missing the boat. Nazis hardly appear at all in the story. The diary is mostly about the relationships amoungst the unfortunate people hiding out with Anne. Most of Anne's fellow hideaways come off looking pretty bad; she naturally discusses (and criticizes) the people she's cooped up with much more than she mentions Nazis, whom she basically never sees.

The Diary of a Young Girl is a good book, but it's not a war story--it's a book about relationships and growing of age.

The premise for the "premises" is extremely weak, seeming more of a feeble excuse than a reason for the ensuing chapters. Each chapter is enticing and well written however the book would have been a better read as a collection of short stories. The weak and grasping premise of the novel rendered the read in its entirety, contrived. The author is highly talented but the writing seemed to be more of an expression of his ego rather than the creation of a valid literary work.

The book begins with the graphic description of the murder of a woman. I found this description far too gory and detailed, and, above all, useless, in context to the narrative as a whole. The following chapters are the diaries of the fictional Otto Gast which are apparently meant to implicate and prove the existence of a certain Rose Clephane, a party to the above mentioned murder. These diaries ensue as a series of intriguing stories but have absolutely nothing to with the above murder. Otto Gast's mad invention and insane confabulation are a suite of non-sequeters. Unfortunately, the author screams his intention far too loudly: surrealism and ambiguity. Anything goes. I would suggest a little more subtlety and a smoother transition. Obviously Mr. Raff has a great talent, I look forward to more accomplished works as I am sure they will be brilliant.

Would be interested to hear the author's views on this book...

This novella begins with a description of a grisly murder of a young woman in her Berlin flat. All evidence points to a poet, Otto Gast, who insists that the crime may be "explained," and that he has constructed a 700 page manuscript that details the involvement of a Scottish girl in the killing. What follows are seven premises, each of them finely crafted vignettes that comment upon and further illuminate the mystery. The writing is stunningly evocative and reminiscent of Surrealist writers like Roussel and Breton. The book is also quite short and rewards a second reading. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Symbolist/Surrealist writing and is searching for something more substantial than most horror fiction.

I had heard about this book and its great twists so I was eagerto read it at once. As I had hoped, A KISS BEFORE DYING delivered twounbelievable surprises that shot me out of my seat. And, as with Levin's superior novel ROSEMARY'S BABY, Levin uses a simple but firm prose. It was a fairly satisfying read. On the other hand, I was disappointed. The first part of the book is almost a blow by blow ripoff of Dreiser's AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. Between its clever surprises, I was left bored and counting pages. And the ending is sadly contrived coming off of its earlier brilliance. A KISS BEFORE DYING is worth a read for its several shocks, but the rest is dismissable, dated, and sadly predictable after fifty years of similar TV movies.

The thing that sets this book apart from other, similarly plotted stories is the way that Levin plays with our emotions concerning the murderer. For the first third of the novel, there is a small part of us that is sypathetic with this man; we almost catch ourselves hoping that he does not get caught. Several surprises later, however, and our emotions are totally flip-flopped. Now we are gived things from another persons perspective, and we can see just how monstrous this man really is. The book is very addictive (I finished it easily in two days), but the ending left me slightly unsatisfied. I would still place Levin's "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Stepford Wives" above it, but it is impressive nonetheless considering that it is one of Levin's earlier novels.

I've read almost all of Ira Levin's works, and this is definitely my favorite. Simply written, yet deeply clever, this book will draw you into the antagonist's brilliant and greedy plan, and it won't let you go. I read it in a day and a half. Please don't be dissuaded by the two horrible movies based on this book. I give the book a 9, and the movies a 1.5. This book will not dissappoint!

Siebold's zany illustrations accompany whimsical poems by Wilbur which combine plays on words with instructions about language. Kids receive some fun lessons on word usage along with some fun images representing the best of fantasy.

I really like these little poems -- and the OPPOSITES books by Wilbur, too (recently republished in a single volume) but the humor and style might not be appreciated by all kids. I don't think is aimed at kids just learning how to read, it's more of an introduction to light poetry and wordplay.

I have to add I just don't like the J. Otto Seibold illustrations much (well, the grateful little pig rescued from the spigot is cute) -- I have some friends who love the Mr. Lunch series and I never really got it, they just seem cluttered and ugly to me. But Richard Wilbur is great!

My 8 year old son likes these poems, too, though perhaps not as much as I do -- on the other hand, he doesn't seem to find the illustrations as ugly as I do, either, so we may balance each other out.

We spent some time after reading the book trying to think of similar word combinations -- we might even write our own poems about them. Any book that gets me playing word games with Morris gets 5 stars! (Not that it's hard to get him to play, it's just so much fun to do it!)

Incidentally, the opposite books are great for this, too!

Great illustrations, a fun addition to a phonics-based curriculum! I really enjoy reading this with my grandchildren. Some of the words will probably be new for many children... a good thing!