I thoroughly enjoyed "The Wedding" but "The Living is Easy" is brilliant. Cleo is excellently portrayed....the kind of person that you want to hate but you can't help but admire her determination to attain her goal. Dorothy West skillfully reveals to us the inner woman of Cleo and we see that she is not so cold-hearted but has her share of hurt, pain, vulnerability etc. Her way of dealing with her emotions which to her is a weakness, is incredible. Her anguish when her husband leaves is the most revealing because she has become dependent on his strength.
The story deals with the universal problem of skin color and status in an upper-class society...this ongoing problem brings about such a sadness....such a waste of energy.....will it ever go away?

The main character has little feeling and reading about how she came to be that way was great. The entire plot was wonderful, cleanly written with nothing left hanging and Cleo was endearing but maddening. The author's description of the era and township was flattering and understandable. You will never forget Cleo.

I read this book months ago and it stayed with me. Her characters are fully drawn, not two-dimensional caricatures. The writing displays all sides of this complex heroine and her ultimately devastating impact on everyone associated with her. Also, a fascinating look into a society not portrayed elsewhere.

I rarely buy poetry, and when I do, it's always classic poetry.This book is a great discovery for me.
Dorothy Walters is an extraordinary poet-mystic; Her poems are filled with insights; This book is an act of redemption for our world without magic.i will give it to all my friends.I can't wait for the next volume!

Marrow Of Flame superbly debuts the poetry of Dorothy Walters in a compilation of 105 new poems documenting and celebrating her talents at revealing deep and enduring spiritual truths and metaphysical observations. The God's Abode: Some say the god lies coiled/at the base/of the slender tree,/serpent waiting to/raise his head.//Other seek/rapture in the belly,/hands curving over navel.//Still others/would find a quiet opening/into heart or forehead,/imploring gift of compassion,/jewel of knowing.//The god is/all around us,/and in us.//As light pours through water,/she enters us.//We are her translucent vessel,/container and contained.

I can't recommend these wonderful moving ,poignant,poems highly enough.They encourage and inspire and elevate and seduce the soul.They are ,without exception, beautifully constructed and harmonious.Anyone wanting some fresh water for their spiritual thirst need look no further.

The Doolittle Raid has always been a favorite chapter in history and Ross Greenings account of flying the Hari Kari-er (#11 off the deck of the Hornet) is an incredible new addition. More remarkable is his experience in the N. African and Italian air campaigns resulting in being shot down, capture, escape, capture again and eventual liberation. Because Greening was an illustrator, the book is full of his original work done during the war. In this regard, the experiences and parallels between Greening and Private Robert Knox Sneden of the Civil War are remarkable. Both recorded their respective combat and prison
experiences in journals and illustrations. The printing of "Not as Briefed" is excellent and Washington State University Press has done an incredible job. One can read 50 to 100 books a year, but it is only every 2 or 3 years that one finds a real gem. "Not as Briefed" is one of those gems. It is a simple and humble recounting of a remarkable life. Kudos to WSU Press and the family of Ross Greening for publishing such an historical treasure.

The unpublished manuscript of this book was discovered by the author's neice many years after the author's death. The neice, obviously captivated by her uncle's writing and World War II experiences was motivated in spending 5 years putting together this incredible biography.

Her uncle, Ross Greening, was #11 on the Doolittle Raid. After surviving that assignment, we was transferred to the North African/Italian theater of operations where his B-26 was shot down and his story of evasion and escape from the enemy is what makes Hollywood Movies but don't wait for this to be made into a movie. It is too long and detailed for Hollywood but is a heck of a page turner. It is well written and reads like a novel. But as you read, remember this isn't fiction. This stuff really happened.

Greening was an art major from Washington State U and uses these skills throughout the book with hundreds of illustrations of the events of this story.

If you are at all interested in the human side of war, you will love this one.

I enjoyed this book very much and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys WWII stories. This book was an easy read and was filled with exciting and touching events. The personal perspective that Ross gave to the war and his situation made the book very informative. This is a book that you will read more than once.

Dottie is my fave poet and my literary hero. Wouldn't model my life after hers, but I sure wish I could sharpen my tongue to match hers sometimes. Loved reading this.

A friend allowed me to borrow this book as he happened to buy it the same day I happened to be reading a short story written by Dorothy Parker. This book of Dorothy Parker's lost poems is completely amazing. Her wit is remarkable and I love the unexpected turns that hit you right at the end of her poems. The footnotes are fantastic and as I read about her life I became even more fascinated by her. I would recommend this amazingly witty and fun book to anyone.

The introduction and ancedotes were what really drew me to this book. The footnotes are wonderful!

Our Texas Heritage: Ethnic Traditions And Recipes is a truly wonderful compendium and survey of the history of Texas food culture that is the result of the combined influences and culinary legacies of thirteen unique ethnic groups ranging from early Texas settlers down to the present day. From Grandma Techa's Menudo, Dark Irish Soda Bread, and German Potato Salad, to Ukrainian Pickled Mushrooms, Kneydlakh (Matzo Balls), Kransekage (Traditional Danish Wedding Cake), and Italian Baked Eggplant, Our Texas Heritage is an outstanding testament to the rich and diverse culinary spectrum that has fed and feasted Texas for more than two hundred years.

Chicken fried steak isn't the only yummy thing served in Texas.

Ever since the Spaniards encountered the Native Americans, the opportunities in Texas have attracted people from all over the world. Many families continue to celebrate favorite traditions carried from their original homeland or culture.

Our Texas Heritage includes traditional recipes, modified for today's kitchen, that are fun and simple to follow. Just as enticing are the stories and traditions the author liberally sprinkles among the recipes.

Use the book as a travel resource when exploring the Texas highways. Discover the Polish and their customs in Panna Maria, the Wends in Serbin, or the Danes in Danevang.

As a newcomer to Texas, I found this book a delightful way to discover the diversity of my new home.

I learned so much about my _own_ heritage by reading Ms. McConachie's book. She simplifies the recipes of our grandmothers into a form that we can all use -- and the recipes are delicious! I especially enjoyed making the Danish apple cake and the Syrian-Lebanese Meat Pies. I've tasted a bit more of Texas through this book. Whether you're a history buff, cook, or one just interested in the life and food of years past, this book is for you!

This book is the best resource I've found for passing both the Proficient and the Expert exams. I passed both on the 1st try, however, I also encountered a few questions that were not covered in the book. Just make certain you have an above average user's knowledge before you try to take the exams. Otherwise, you may find this book cannot teach you all that you need to pass the exams.

Superb. I looked at, and bought, a number of books focused on studying for the Word 97 Exam. This was the best. It is carefully edited, concise, and accurate. I just took the Expert test and scored 90% with the help of this book (75% is passing). Highly recommended!

I bought this book to prepare for the exam. I've used Word for years, but needed to make sure I had all the exam requirements covered. The book was perfect. It taught exactly what I needed to know. It was concise, and it presented each topic three ways: step-by-step narrative, review questions, lab exercises. I highly recommend it.

Mrs. Pollifax is thrilled when Mr. Carstairs, her boss at the CIA, gives her an assignment to China. As luck would have it, Mrs. P. has recently completed a course in Chinese history, so she is primed and ready to go. She joins a tour group and is told that one of the other group members is actually a CIA agent who will become her partner later on. She tries unsuccessfully to detect her future partner and is very surprised when the agent's identity is revealed. She sees a lot of interesting Chinese countryside and tries to get acquainted with other tour group members. Later in the book, she rides a runaway horse and encounters some rough stuff from a Russian spy. This book, as the others in the series, is charming, and a little romance adds some pizzazz to this one.

Dorothy Gilman rarely ceases to amaze with her talent at keeping the pages turning. In "Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station," Gilman once again creates plausible situations that never fail to catch the reader off guard. Again it is nearly impossible to decide whom to trust. A very fun read!

I'm a big fan of the intrepid Mrs. Pollifax and especially enjoy this book. The intrigue, adventure and characters are wonderful and I find real involvement with the plot. Don't miss a chance to live the spying life vicariously through Emily Pollifax - especially the earlier novels which I have found are much better than her more recent additions!

This wonderful book is written for care givers. It's message is about offering spiritual care to patients. It it well-written by two career nurses (Carol J. Smucker, RN, Ph.D and Dorothy
L. Wilt, RN, MSN, MPS)who have decades of of combined experience.

Not only nurses will benefit. Even though I am not a care giver, "Nursing the Spirit" feeds my soul each time I read from it. Scattered throughout the well-researched book, is practical spiritual advice for all of us. Yet, this advice is not overwhelming to medical professionals, because Smucker and Wilt also discuss maintaining boundaries as the care-giver attends to the spiritual needs of the patient.

I couldn't help but think of the year my mother had breast cancer. I left home and spent the summer by her side in the hospital. I can almost guess which of her nurses will rejoice for this book. And also, I could name a couple whose spirit needs the advice, research data, and encouragement this
wonderful book has to offer.

It is filled with real-life situations and case studies that prove, without a doubt, that it is just as important to give care to the patient's spirit as it is to their body. Naturally, the book also offers wise advice about dealing with the terminally ill.

In short, this book will benefit the life and career of anyone who is lucky enough to read it.

Science and technology have defined and shaped modern health care. In our pursuit of the cure and the "fix" for all ailments we have lost the relationship between the body, mind and spirit. "Nursing the Spirit" brings us back to the roots of health care-how to weave together the physical needs with the emotional, spiritual and existential. Through exercises and examples the book takes nurses through the process of defining their own spirit, then helps them integrate spirituality back into their practice. The book uses a multitude of examples including caring for patients who are victims of violence to caring for patients who are dying. "Nursing the Spirit" is an excellent resource for integrating the art of nursing back into practice.

Carol Smucker writes with an open mind and heart. She offers practical and understandable guidelines on how to achieve compassionate nursing care in a pressure-filled and time-limited environment. She explains universal spiritual needs, and illustrates the importance of respecting and understanding another's religious/spiritual practice so as to provide meaningful care.

If every health care professional would read Nursing the Spirit, the results would be profound: the often problematic relationship between provider and patient would change to compassion and love.

Nursing the Spirit should be read by all who want to deepen their capacity to give, whether in a personal or professional relationship, health care or non-medical field.

This book is a compilation of all three of Parker's books of poetry as well as her published book of short stories. As for the price, it can't be beat, especially considering it's in hardcover. Plus, you also don't have to worry about buying 2 or 3 books to make sure you've got all of the poems you wanted.

Dorothy Parker's writing is fantastic anyway, and uses cynical wit to draw the reader into the poem. The reader laughs, but manages to feel empathetic. Her style is unique and doesn't seem outdated, even though most of this was written at least half a century ago. If you've ever wanted to laugh about being broken-hearted, this is the book for you.

Great book. Ideal for any Dorothy Parker fan

Having been exposed only to the most famous few of Parker's poems and quips, I was surprised to find she had written so much poetry and that, in fact, she was an accomplished short story writer as well. It's her short fiction which has engrossed me. Her dialogues are killingly accurate in their pacing and cadences. Her take on human nature is razor sharp as always. I'm finding her fiction more rewarding than her poetry because it is less self-indulgent and her range of subjects is broader. It's only a shame she never got it together to write more stories or a novel. Most definitely worth exploring if you haven't read her before.

This book has all of the interesting aspects of the previous two, such as politics and fighting, plus there is more romance though still not quite enough. I am disappointed in that even after reading the first three books of the series I still don't feel like I know the main character. The only other complaint I have is the lack of explanation as to how Niccolo has survived all of his injures without the least problem. Perhaps there is some magic involved? Even with today's medicine, someone with Niccolo's injures would at least have some trouble with their arms or legs. The story is none-the-less quite engaging especially in seeing how Niccolo gets out of all his difficulties.

On this, the third chapter in the Niccolo series, we fin Nicholas has been "kidnapped" by the 'presumptuous' King of Cyprus who is actually trying to recover his kingdom from his sister.

Nicholas is able to help the king and at the same time obtain franchises in his dye works and sugar fields. He meets with Katelina, the mother of his only child, only to lose her once more after they reconcile. Finally, once the island is secure to King Zacco, Nicholas is allowed to return to Venice, where he faces once more his rival family, the de St Pol and Riberac.

In this chapter of the story the author makes great use of description in her scenes and they are so vivid! the characters, the settings everything is so masterfully blended with reality and fiction.

I loved this book and I have already started the fourth chapter. Good!

Dorothy Dunnett never disappoints her faithful readers. This, third in the Niccolo series is a wonderful book that depicts the unsettledness of the Island of Cyprus. We learn that this tempestuous island has always been an important one because of its strategic location. I enjoyed this book, because we actually got to see some of the mask come off Nicolo in his encounter with his Katelina. In true Dunnett fashion, this encounter did not take place in a private and safe bedchamber, but in a place where nature abounded, as well as danger. The history that we find out in this book is also equally interesting and true to what actually happened. This is certainly another great series.