A real fan of Ruhlman's previous books, I knew that this would make for good reading. Squeemish at times for those of us not use to inside O.R. environments with all the procedures and organs being talked about, this rivets one to pediatric heart surgery.

Fashioned around a premier surgeon at a leading hospital, the reader is taken on a whirlwind of living on the edge of technology and skill and emotions as heart defects are diagnosed during pregnancy while others found at birth and thereafter are the daily routine of this top notch surgical team which Ruhlman lived with and writes about.

One is touched by the intensity of the whole enterprise, the stark reality of it all, day after day, year after year. The enormity of it all. Patching this, switching that, shunting here, stiching this together---all to keep young precious life.

The history of the discipline and current happenings are reviewed, with its emphasis on comparative mortality stats for various surgical procedures. Scary to think one's future might well be determined by where one lives and where taken when heart defects occur.

The precision and dedication of those who live in this arena is beyond most of our scopes to even begin to fathom, but this book seems to take one there in spirit and interest. The compassionate care looms ever large.

Thoughtful, provocative and reflective view of speciality surgery at the leading edge and all the while on edge.

I found the book an exciting read and helpful even for me, a practicing pediatric intensivist. I can't wait to read it again and underline some thoughts. I can not emphasize enough how helpful this book is for someone interested in medicine and health care delivery in this country. If you ever wonder whether it is worthwhile for our society to compensate doctors so well (although I can guarantee that Dr. Mee is not even in the same ballpark as a Roger Clemens or a Jason Kidd when it comes to salary) and for healthcare to cost so much this book will give you a reality check. If you ever wonder why we need to keep the predatory lawyers in check so that surgeons like Dr. Mee can continue to practice their craft, this book will give you a reality check. Wake up America, we are not making cupcakes around here. We are delivering the best health care in the world!

This book by Michael Ruhlman detailing the day to day work at Cleveland Children's Hospital is one of the best medical narritives that I've read. On par with "The Healing Blade" or "When the Air Hits Your Brain".

Michael does a masterful job of telling both the technical/medical side of the story as well as the deeply human side of the patients and families throughout the book.

Given my background (EMT) and my wife's (CardioVascular ICU RN in Milwaukee) we both agree that the facts are correct and showed a balanced view of the topic. Many times books of this type show only "glowing successes" rather here reality is shown in that not everyone gets better like on TV and lives happily ever after.

Lastly, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Mee's Coordinator Deb Gilchrist at Ceveland Cinic shortly after finishing the book and she did bring up one point, the language was commented on by one reader and former patient as being too "rough". While I agree that the language is at times quite frank, the reality of the world is that these are real people and real life somtimes isn't neat and clean as we would like it to be. I don't see this as a reason to NOT read the book, however parents might want to be aware of this if children might be reading it.

ALl in all and excellent work and definately 5 stars.

Oliveri is, quite simply, one of the most talented authors to spring forth from this much heralded "new wave" of horror. This is grim, brutal, and emotionally wrenching stuff. Highly recommend it!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Mike Oliveri's DEADLIEST OF THE SPECIES won the 2001 Bram Stoker award in the First Novel category. Check out the book, it's a great read from a rising talent.

Deadliest of the Species was a pleasant surprise, a first novel that did not read like a first novel. Deadliest is not your typical male vs. female novel. It dug deeper, to deal with faith and belief, without being preachy or boring.

I found that Deadliest of the Species kept up a good pace throughout the novel and it was difficult to put it down without wanting to pick it right back up and see what happened next. I've been a fan of Oliveri's short stories for quite a while now, and it was nice to see that his novel did not disappoint. I'm looking forward to more like this in the future!

I live in a desert climate, so farming is something that interests me in this desolate place I live in. I really enjoyed this book because of the success story and the farming aspect of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes farms.

This book was an inspiration to read. It gives me hope that urban sprawl might be contained in some small parts of the world. It's also a good guide to organic farming and living, and getting past the "hippie" stereotype that organics still have. I'd highly recommend this book.

Reading Michael Ableman's book was like stumbling upon his personal journal. I could imagine it's dirt-stained, hand-written pages - the miscellaneous seed or wind-blown earthen particles stuck deep in the creases of the binding. This book is filled with earnest, intimate tales - the everyday woes and triumphs of a gentle farmer, side-by-side with the battle stories of a true community activist. It is his journey that I found so fascinating, so inspiring. Ableman's story is compelling because he has been on the good path and done the good work for a long time - more than 17 years. From the early days of setting up the produce stand on weekends at a local farmer's market, to lamenting a killing winter frost, he draws the reader into the drama. Ableman's intensely close relationship with the land is his reward for paying close attention to its needs. His goals were clear - to grow healthy food for local people in a way that respected the land's ability to sustain itself. He learned by doing, followed his intuition, and made tough decisions based on what was right, or what he believed to be right at the moment. This book offers its readers as much "food for thought" about life, as it does about farming!

Michael Meade has picked up right where Robert Bly's "Iron John" left off.

"Men And The Water Of Life" is an in-depth collection of tales and myths from all over the world that will offer profound insight into the question of what it means to be a man. Deeply affecting and informative ... this book is essential.

I highly recommend this book to everybody.

....if you want to understand men. Celtic storyteller Michael Meade has put together a remarkable blend of ancient stories and modern insight into the psychology of the development of men from boys. Can't recommend this one enough.

Like Joseph Campbell, Michael Meade understands the mythic meanings of our human story and illuminates our sometimes shadowy roles as men in modern society. Michael doesn't pander to anyone and his insights go beyond the touchy, feely, washed out views of masculinity of the latter 20th century. This book is a treatise on the core of true masculinity, which honors and nurtures all of life. It is a book I am proud to have grace my book shelves.

This book really is a gift. Once you read former Poet Laureate Robert Hass's beautiful introduction, you won't want to stop -- and you won't be disappointed. We're talking range here -- from Isabel Allende's Amazon to Lorian Hemingway's Arkansas to William Least Heat-Moon's Mississippi ... and from icy mountain torrents like the En in Switzerland to cultural main streets like the Seine in France and the Nile in Egypt and the Ganges in India, to rivers choked by industry and neglect like the Columbia in the U.S. -- honestly, you'll laugh, you'll cry.

If all of the world's rivers formed a giant continuous watershed (which in a sense they do), I'd put-in at the top and proceed to ride, glide and meander my way down the arteries of our earth. As I entered into each unique river system - Congo, Amazon, Seine, Futaleufu, Siuslaw, Mississippi, Narmada - the human and natural histories of each river would be revealed to me, uncovered, discovered like the layers of time and tide of the Grand Canyon. At the take-out I'd be changed. I'd better understand John Calderazzo's observation that a river can "turn into a state of mind, a kind of feeling." That is the gift of rivers. Of course, there is no such thing as a put-in at the top of the world's watershed, but just as good is Pamela Michael's book, "The Gift of Rivers." Turn the page, enter into river time, hear the stories, and fall in love with our watery ancestors, the world's rivers.

I feel fortunate to have had the chance to read the precious river stories contained in this collection. Some brought me and my friends to fits of laughter, others to tears and amazement- most of all they inspired us to listen more carefully to the rivers and waterways that bring nourishment and joy to all our lives.

Thank you Pamela Michael for sharing these stories from around the world with us!

We can know that water problem is not lying in the future but now. Especially Dead Sea basin is the source of armed conflicts over years. The Aral Sea problem shows no sighn to recover.
As previous reviewer said, this books let you blue. But it's necessary to think over the water management problem for our future.

Water is the main issue of our security in 21st century.

i bought this UN publication for research into my Masters thesis on Caspian pipelines. I was curious about the impact that such hydrocarbon exploration could have on the environment. I need not of worried the ecology of Central Asia is already beyound hope.

This book is technical yet informative - and sad to read - it reminded me of a chapter in James Critchlows book on Uzbelistan about the rape of the environment. Divided into 5 sections of which 2 focus on the Aral, and the Caspian and a third on the Dead Seas - the other 2 sections proved and introduction and a final commeentary on the role of IGOs.

There are some colour satellite image maps and photographs, useful charts and there are useful recommendations made by some contributors.

It is very useful in relation to the Caspian that until recently ecological and environmental concerns were not adequately addressed - this book is a must for any seeking a factual analysis of the water crisis that is already here. Other newer books may seek to cover topical material but this is a must for those who want regional commentary on the problem. I recommend it.

A clever poetic presentation integrates Language Arts and Science in a creative way. In addition to accuracy of content information, the author, Barbara Shaw McKinney incorporates literary devices: figurative language, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and personification. The opportunities for learning are endless as children read across the curriculum.

I particularly like the symbols that appear throughout the text, where the drop demonstrates the water cycle properties. They are further explained in the end pages titled, "A Magic Show Starring H2O." During subsequent readings, my students enjoyed dramatizing Drop's travels. "A Drop Around the World" lends itself well to interactive dramatization. For example, by pairing an action and sound effect with each water property/symbol, students are able to reenact Drop's journey, totally engaged in the text.

On another level, children are anxious to locate the drop on each page as it is revealed by the context of the story.

A "must have jewel" for innovative teachers attempting to engage the imagination of their students! Barbara Shaw McKinney's love of Nature's Magic is contagious as evidenced by the response of my students. They loved it!

I can hardly wait to see what wonders her next book will unearth!

Who would have ever thought the water cycle could be so entertaining! As an Environmental Educator, I am very VERY picky about children's nature books. Many are too technical to become a household favorite. Many others are too "watered down" (sorry very bad pun) to have any value in the classroom as a content book. Once in a very long while will a book be able to accomplish both goals. "A Drop Around the World" does this and much more.

Amazon lists it as suitable for ages 4-8 -- a conservative estimate, at best. Like only the best children books can, it appeals to all ages. And like only the best EE books, it has educational messages for young and old. At first, my 3-year-old was mainly concerned with searching out the "protagonist" drop from the rest of the water on each page. Now he also enjoys identifying all of the animals, so expertly drawn, as the pages go by. I myself get caught up in the text. I marvel at how factual and informative McKinney can be and still maintain an engaging and unforced rhyme scheme.

And finally as an added bonus, even the artwork is virtually flawless. I'm pleased to say that after close inspection I have found only one error. On the African Rainforest pages there is a Harpy Eagle which is a species only found in South America. Few $60-$80 ecology textbooks fair as well under my scrutiny!

GREAT BOOK!! I have never laughed out loud this hard while reading a book. There is a first rate cast of unique characters in this book. Anyone who has spent time in the south can put the face of someone they know, or have run across, to one of these characters, as well as finding a little of themselves in the main character Doug.

I read "The Edge of the Water" over the weekend and found myself laughing outloud at several of McNabb's descriptions of characters and situations. He's got a wicked sense of humor.

IF YOU LOVE TO DIVE, AND WOULD LIKE TO DIVE LAKE ERIE, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. THIS BOOK GIVES YOU EVERY DETAIL YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW, WITH NUMBERS THAT WILL HAVE YOU SITTING ON THE WRECK. I WOULD AND WILL RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE THAT WOULD WANT TO DIVE LAKE ERIE

A well organized reference of shipwrecks in Lake Erie, Erie Wrecks East provides vivid discriptions of Lake Erie's underwater treasures. The authors' 20 years of SCUBA diving in the Great Lake provide an insight that is unavailable in most other works about the wrecks in Lake Erie.

Where Rails Meet the Sea is a wonderful book not only from the historical value but also from the wonderful pictures of which there are many. I borrowed my copy from the library but I fell in love with it and realized that it is a book that should grace my bookshelf. I will reference many, many more times. Love it.

As a model builder and artist, I found this book a double treat. First, for the reference material I was looking for and then the old travel posters and paintings were a nice surprise. Beautifully done.