Gobo won the Best Book in Education Award this year from Independent Publisher.

I am not a neutral reviewer. I am Lawrence Baines' brother. I am also not a teacher, though education has long been an intense passion of mine. For ten years now I have been a member and officer of SEAL (Society for Effective and Affective Learning). I have always admired Lawrence's many creative pursuits in music and art, and have long wondered just why he had decided to lend his great passion and enthusiasm to traditional education. The answer is that the field of education in which he works is a long way from traditional education. He is a revolutionary who continually seeks to bring that, perhaps, childish delight and joy of learning back into the classroom. Going Bohemian is a delightful collaboration of a group of very competent and passionate people who are all committed to empowering education and to making it more efficient, effective and fun for all concerned. There is no dry education theory in this book. It is a collection of very compelling ideas to fire and hold the attention of student and teacher alike. As I read it, I got excited as I turned page after page which I could vividly see transforming the boring thing which I have long considered traditional education to be. You can't go wrong. Buy, read, and use this book. Robert Baines

Going Bohemian is an excellent resource for the classroom teacher. Its innovative suggestions for enhancing the writing assignments in English class are state-of-the-art and will excite both students and teachers. I have tried several of the writing projects with my students, and I enjoy the enthusiasm with which they have been met. The variety, freshness, and appeal to adolescent interests of Bohemian's writing assignments should make it a staple in language arts classrooms.

Dr. Prete has put together a collection of the works of the finest research minds in the field, organized into a concise reference. Scientists and laymen alike will marvel at the quality of the presentation and the full color plates. Serious researchers will appreciate the quality of the data and the organized and well indexed approach. This volume is essential to the collection of any fan of the marvelous mantids.

A truly fascinating book based on serious research in the field of entomology. The book caters to the readers who are aware and appreciate the beauty of pursuing knowledge by way of science. This is not a book for the beginner or temporary hobbyist wishing to only read about keeping a mantis alive. The concepts addressed in The Praying Mantids are often complicated and require a seriousness of thought and a scientific base to work with. Finally, The Praying Mantids is a long awaited and comprehensive book on mantids written from the perspective of a scientist.

Excellent book,a comprehensive reference for both technical and non-technical readers on the insects that continue to fascinate people after thousands of years. Zoologists, biologists, psychologists, and ecologists cover history, morphology, and taxonomy; ecology and mating behavior; hearing and vision, motor behaviors; defensive behavior; and techniques for rearing, breeding, and researching. A battery of color plates include several that resemble find-the-mantis puzzles. Information is also provided on permits and responsibilities and sources of equipment and supplies for rearing and breeding, and on museums housing major mantic collections. This book has everything you want to know, so get it!

I had just finished "Last Full Measure" when I started this book. It was a wonderful, imaginative work that kept me wondering just what the bag limits would be on major issues addressed and historic military, sports and political figures brought into the picture along with the fictitious "father" of sports agents. Hilarious combinations of characters, circumstances and events left me shaking my head in amazement, while I still was made to focus on the real, not- so-funny issues that challenged our society and country in 1896 and still challenge us today. The image of Gens. Longstreet and Sickles laying out a football field on the Gettysburg battlefield is one not easily purged from my mind, sort of like the rest of the book, a combination of the absolutely unthinkable and the "Why not?".

What a fun ride through the turn of the century attitudes toward sex roles, race, athletics, and social class. I loved every minute of it. After having read a lot of serious history of the Civil War, I found this to be a welcome change.

I picked this up in Louisiana, to dull the 6 hours of fly time back home to Wasington DC. Wow! Frankly, I read it twice, and have passed it on to a friend, and he'd better take good care of it. A great story, with details, intriguing situations, and thorough emotional context. A really great book. I highly recommend it.

It could have happened. Edwin Rommel meets William Faulkner for a pre - WWII romp through North Mississippi in search of Nathan Bedford Forrest's war waging strategy. What fun and what a great means of absorbing history in this delighful work of fiction...or did it happen?

Despite its slow start and somewhat dull style, the dynamite content of this book is worth mining: What work habits do Winston Churchill and Steven Hawking share that helped make them incredible acheivers? How can a simple 20 minute break (two or three times a day) profoundly affect creativity, productiveness, body fat storage, and problem solving?

A long time ago I read somewhere that the British army once made record time over some incredible journey on foot by the simple trick of resting many short times each day. I've often pondered how to apply this to my own marathon workaholic style and this book is the answer I sought. Attention workaholics - this book is for you.

What absolutely free and painless thing can we do to work smarter, think better, boost creativity, and lose weight? The answer (and the scientific evidence) is right here. My guess is that techniques described here will massively boost productivity - and health! But my fear is that this man and his theories are ahead of his time. And his lackluster writing style will fail to start the revolution to this "tortoise" style of winning life's race to achievement and health.

Highly recommended for content, this book's only flaws are style and organization (surprising from publisher Jeremy Tarcher). Somebody else will probably rewrite this info into a bestseller. But if you're ready for some terrific advice now - be ahead of the crowd - buy this and read it. Life changing.

Give me fifty Marines not afraid to die is a book written from the guts of a modern warrior. Obviously Lt. Wells is not a writer, he is a Soldier. He has been a Soldier and he always will be one, no matter what he do to earn his life.
We are presented with the shocking story of Iwo Jima battle seen with the eyes (the soul I'll better say) of a front line combat Marine. Wells let us share his feelings from the time he is still a college student, how he decide to be a Marine in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, his life at Boots Camp, Paratroop training, Guadalcanal experience, more training at the States and finally through all the rugged strife of Iwo Jima.
This book is a very straightforward account of a teenager evolving into hardened young soldier ready to give his life for his Country. At the same time gives the reader an inkling of the historical period, its values, ideals and expectations. Also pictures the life style of the Marines Corp, its written and unwritten codes, language, ethics, training, etc.
Every word in this book sounds true and without ornament. A must read for any WWII buff.

I have known the author for over thirty years. He is man of integrity and courage. This book took several years for him to complete due to its personal nature. His dedication to the Corps, his men and his mission are obvious in every chapter. I am proud to have him as a friend. Read this book!!!

This is one of the best memoirs I've read about the battle for Iwo Jima and ranks right up there with the best from the Pacific War. It's style is akin to Eugene Sledge's "With the Old Breed", only from an officer's perspective. As with Sledge's book, Wells' book is very readable. In fact, I was fascinated and found it very hard to put down. Wells starts off with a taste of his experiences of the battle to wet our appetites and then shifts to the early years of his preparations and various trainings that led him to that place. These are the sections in many other memoirs that I find somewhat ho-hum or lackluster. I usually find myself wanting to get on to the 'action' and combat experience. Not so with Wells' book! His story telling ability held my attention and his vivid descriptions of the personalities in his unit made the battle scenes (where you find out what happened to each of these young men) more poignant. Even though his time in battle was limited (due to wounds) there is still a wealth of information rich in detail pertaining to this campaign. Taken along with Richard Wheeler's "The Bloody Battle for Suribachi", Wells' book provides a fascinating insider's view of the experiences of his unit (Wheeler was a corporal under Wells). This book is a must-read for students of this campaign!

A TIME WELL SPENT "BY LAWRENCE S. FREUNDLICH IS THE STORY OF A GENTLEMAN WHO APPEARED T O "HAVE IT ALL" ONLY TO HAVE TRE PROVERBIAL RUG PULLED OUT FROM UNDER HIM. HIS STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, THE LOVE AND LOYALTY OF HIS WIFE MARLENE, AND HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS HELPED HIM TO RISE TO UNPRECEDENTED HEIGHTS.

THE PRIVATE LIFE OF JERRY BRODY WAS KEPT TO A VERY COMFORTABLE LEVEL WHILE LETTING THE BOOK CONCENTRATE ON THE MAN. THIS INDEED MADE FOR MUCH MORE PLEASURABLE READING. THERE IS A DELECTIBLE MIXTURE OF NEW YORK LIFE AND SOCIETY CONNECTED WITH HIS RESTAURANT SUCCESSES INCLUDING THE FOUR SEASONS, GALLAGHER'S STEAK HOUSE AND THE GRAND CENTRAL OYSTER BAR. HIS ACHIEVEMENTS CONTINUED IN THE "BLACK ANGUS" CATTLE BUSINESS WITH WINNING AWARDS FOR MANHATTAN GAL AS NATIONAL BLACK ANGUS HEIFER AND PATRIOT AS NATIONAL BLACK ANGUS BULL JERRY BRODY'S BELOVED FARM "GALLAGHER'S STUD", WAS REPSONSIBLE FOR BREEDING A MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPION RACE HORSE, ALLEZ-MILORD, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER NEW YORK BRED WINNING THOROUGHBREDS. ONCE AGAIN MR. FREUDLICH WEAVES IN ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE FASCINATING LIFE OF JERRY BRODY.

ANYONE WOULD ENJOY READING THIS STORY WHERE MANY LIVES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS AND THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS WERE TOUCHED. HIS LOYALTY NEVER WAIVERED AND HIS BRILLIANT MIND NEVER STOPPED WORKING. THERE IS A LESSON TO BE LEARNED FROM THIS BIOGRAPRY - THAT SHEER "STICKTUITIVENESS" AND FOLLOWING A LIFE'S PASSION AND DREAM MADE HIS "TIME WEELL SPENT"

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN IT.

BY BARBARA MONKMAN

A dear friend in the restaurant business recommended this book to me, and I was a bit skeptical not being an advid reader of books devoted to restaurant themes. However, I found the book delightfully surprising.

The behind the scenes story of the hardwork and hardship required by Jerome Brody to create such legendary dining establishments as The Grand Central Oyster Bar & Grill were insipiring and honest. Freundlich brilliantly wove personal antectodes through a buiness oriented biography, although more information on certain personal subjects (such as his children) would have been appreciated. However, today it seems so many writers include intimate personal information not necessarily wanted by readers, that the lack of graphic details gave me respect for Freundlich's decision to only include bits of personal information, therefore not divulgeing confidential information about famous acquaintances and friends such as Michael Ondaatje.

Overall, the book appealed to a wide range of audiences and dealt with everyday themes such as dealing with terrible inlaws, something many of us can relate to! I've recommended it to several friends as well as my mother who seems to be enjoying the book, and I'll be sure to pass it along to others.

90 Days with the Christian Classics is perfectly suited for once a day dosing! For each day there is a portion of the Bible connected to a passage from a Christian author of yesteryear. My only disappointment was some difficulty in identifying the sources cited for each authors. The lives of the authors cited spans over 1000 years, so these are words from history for our age! Pertinent biographical information on the authors is also included briefly. The editors have done well to anchor this work with substantial amounts of Bible excerts. The Bible, which is the best selling book of all time, is truly a treasured echo from history for our age! The hard padded book cover is magnificent and will serve well when readers bring it along on their travels.

This book is the product of international work since 1994 among close to 80 professionals from 27 countries in order to re-define and bring consensus to the issue of measuring and monitoring the status of children in our societies.
For many years many countries have gathered information and statistics about their children, but mostly in the area of basic needs and survival. This book and the international project is going beyond and looking at indicators to measure and monitor the well-being of our children. A task not easy to come about, but important, because it will provide important information, knowledge, tools for better planning and make monitoring more possible, when you have hard facts to compare with.
This book has nine chapters: Rationale for measuring child well- being, existing efforts around the world, basic guidelines, five new domains, indicators, how to measure, the community level, making of policy and summary with an agenda for future efforts in this field.
The message of the book is the importance of measurements of child well-being finding indicators that you will be able to monitor over time both improvements and change. The new approach can be described as looking at well-being instead of just survival, from negative aspects to positive aspects of child life, from well-becoming to well-being and from traditonal to new domains. The five 'new' domains the authors propose are in children's activities, children's economic resources and contribution, civic life skills, personal life skills, and safety and physical status with 49 indicators.
This is an easy-to-read book with good information for professionals trying to find ways to measure and monitor well-being in today's children and adolescents.

Professor Joav Merrick, MD
Medical director, Division for Mental Retardation, Box 1260, IL-91012 Jerusalem, Israel. E-mail: jmerrick@aquanet.co.il

This is a worthwhile book for anyone interested in business in general, and advertising specifically. Mary Wells Lawrence relates the "facts" of her professional life story well, and even delves a little bit into her personal life. The keys/reminders of how the best business relationships are forged are peppered among tales of how she WON the business, almost LOST clients and then miraculously redeemed the situation, and this adds drama and sometimes makes for compelling reading. She never goes beneath the surface, however, and ultimately this wasn't as satisfying a read as I'd hoped for. She might have revealed some of her worst FLUBS, as well - disasters tend to be even more revealing than successes, and we certainly learn more from failure! She also rarely tells her own emotional "take" on the events of her life - After reading this, I have no doubt that she's had A BIG LIFE - but she's holding back so much, the reader is never "clued in" as to what REALLY matters in this BIG LIFE of hers!?

This is indeed a poorly written book, but it does share the insight of a great icon of the 70s and 80s ad game. For those who were/are in advertising, the perspective Lawrence gives is fun to remember when people and personalities really made a difference. An easy read, a few insights but really like reminiscing with a colleague about the "good old days." Lots of us would have loved to have just one of those tales to tell. The other reviews I've read on Amazon are pretty accurate. Reader beware.

I was especially interested in reading this memoir after having recently read Byron's study of Martha Stewart, curious to learn what Lawrence and Stewart seem to share in common (both professionally and personally) and to learn, also, to what extent they differ. Predictably, "that depends" at which point in time correlations are drawn Both have exceptional intelligence and energy, a flare for drama, uncommon business acumen, and a passion to succeed...especially in a business world (then and now) dominated by men. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this book is a memoir from Lawrence's perspective whereas Byron's book (which apparently has infuriated Stewart) offers his perspective (not hers) on arguably the world's most successful businesswoman. Presumably at some point, Stewart will tell her own story just as others such as Bob Knight, Vernon Jordan, Jack Welch, and Sumner Redstone have in their own recently published memoirs.

Lawrence did indeed have a :"big life in advertising," founding and then heading her own firm (Wells Rich Greene) for more than 30 years. Of special interest to me is what she has to say about the corporate leadership and management principles which guided and informed her during her three decades as a CEO. I agree with Ruth Shalit's characterization of that style as being "the CEO as It Girl, a jingle-writing, brand-building, Holly Golightly" but as Shalit then observes, "Ms. Wells Lawrence's blend of female emotionalism and careerist cunning is unlikely to delight management theorists or university synmposiasts." In this instance, Lawrence really does seem to be "one of a kind," as is Herb Kelleher, but surely there is much more to their success (in two of the most ferociously competitive marketplaces) than having a powerful personality. Lawrence will charm most of her readers, just as she must have charmed most of those with whom she was associated during the Wells Rich Greene period. Her agency is deservedly renowned for memorable campaigns to promote products such as Alka-Selzer, Pringles, and Bic lighters. Lawrence had a flair which characterized her agency and its work for such clients. She also had uncommon courage which she demanded of others: "I wanted a heroic agency. I dared everybody to be bold, to be thrilling, and I dared our clients to be bold and thrilling." (Her courage later proved to be a decisive factor during her battle with cancer.) Over time, the terms of engagement and criteria for measuring success in the advertising world changed. Calling herself "an old fashioned girl," Lawrence decided to sell her agency.

In certain respects, her account of the agency's final years under her leadership reminds me of the major changes which occurred as film studios were absorbed by multi-media international conglomerates. There was no longer any appropriate role for the "characters" who once ruled those studios, notably Goldwyn, Mayer, Zanuck, Cohn, and Selznick. As did they, Lawrence lived a "big life" in her own industry for as along as possible and then moved on. Unlike most of the displaced moguls, however, she indicates no bitterness and few regrets. She now seeks what she once referred to as a "pink beach." In this memoir, she allows her readers to accompany her on the journey thus far. To those of us who encounter frustration during our own quest for happiness, she would probably recommend "Plop plop, fizz fizz...."