Richard Ellis and Dr. John E. McCosker bring their years of experience and knowledge about the Great White Shark to the public in this exhaustive study of the world's most fearsome predator. With their words and hundreds of stunning photographs (by Al Giddings and others), they reveal an animal that is not the monster of popular fiction but instead, an efficient and awesome product of evolution. This book is a must for any student or fan of the Great White

Richard Ellis does a wonderful job treating his subject with respect, revealing the Great White Shark as a predator whose reputation is largely undeserved. The book reveals many facets to a powerful animal that can be extremely dangerous to people who intrude upon its domain. But there is no malice toward humans on the shark's behalf, and the book tells it like it is with text that is comprehensive and fun to read. Great White Shark biology is featured in detail, and shark attacks and the reasons behind them (they aren't what most people would think!) are researched with great attention to detail.

The photographs and paintings (done by the author) are superb. Two of the most fascinating sections of the book feature the study of the extinct Charcaradon Megalodon (a massive relative to the Great White whose only earthly remains are fossilized teeth) and the thus-far unsuccessful attempts to keep Great Whites in captivity. The story of "Sandy," a female Great White who was released following an ill-fated tenure in a public aquarium, is actually very touching. It shows how many in the public wished to see the shark's best interests served, while others spoke out against it, seeing only an evil monster.

A wonderful volume on one of nature's most beautiful and infamous creatures.

Ellis, McCosker, and Giddings have produced an informative and entertaining book on the Great White shark. While the book does provide scientific information it does not require that you hold a degree in marine biology or physiology to comprehend the information being presented. Adding to the text are an abundance of quality photographs. I read this book several years ago, but still open it up again and again to re-read passages and look at the photographs. One of the best shark books I have ever read.

I first read White Lotus by John Hersey when it was published in 1965, when the civil rights movement was a very hot topic, and I was just 17, an age when social (in)justice seems to be the only thing worth fighting for. At the time, I thought it was a truly excellent book. So I decided to read it again, here in my old age, just to see if my youthful evaluation would hold up.

First off, I'm not really sure in what category this book should be placed. It's nominally an alternate history story where China(?!) won WWI (? - it's only referred to once as the 'Great War', and other internal evidence places the start of the story somewhere in the early '20's). But in many of its aspects, I think it might be better to treat this one as an allegory, in the vein of Orwell's Animal Farm. In any case, the story traces the life of a young American girl who, along with all the rest of her village, is forcibly kidnapped by a version of the 'Mob' and sold into slavery in mainland China - the pre-Communist version of China, which in the '20s had seen very little of technological progress, a society that had changed very little in the prior 1500 years. Upon reaching China, the story follows White Lotus (her Chinese name) as she is transferred to various owners, starting with a near-upper class mandarin, to a 'mid' level plantation owner, to a poor cotton farmer, to 'freedom' as she escapes to a province that has outlawed slavery, but finds herself just as desperately bound by her limited job opportunities, to life in a 'free' white community where the 'yellows' still own all the land so her only choice is to work as no-hope share-cropper, to industrialized life in the big city, where job choices for whites are still very limited, and finally as a civil rights agitator/activist. With each change of locale, White Lotus becomes attached to a local strong man (Nose, Peace, Dolphin, Rock), each of whom is the personification of a possible 'answer' to life as a slave/dis-enfranchised minority (become totally worthless, give the owner no value for his slave; stage an armed revolt; run to 'freedom', try to build a life based on self-respect and inner fortitude), each possible answer is demolished by the events as they unfold (executed for supposedly starting fires in Chinese houses; revolt is crushed and leaders executed; runner is caught and ripped apart by dogs; each attempt at building a better life is met by impossible economic demands and job restrictions till there is no hope left).

As you go through the story, it becomes increasingly obvious that Hersey is re-telling the history of the Afro-American in America, from the initial forceful grab in Africa, to the 'genteel' society of the early South, to the heyday of large cotton plantations, to the Civil War and through the Reconstruction era, to the move to urban America and the ghettos, and finally right up to the civil rights movement of the '60s, all compressed into 20 years of White Lotus' life. Along the way, he draws some striking portraits of the reasons for so-called 'black' behavior, of the self-blinding hypocrisy of the 'owners', of each individual's struggle to make sense of life, and grindingly destroying all superstitions, (white/yellow/black), heaping copious quantities of lotus petal dung upon them (and most religious beliefs also). If this book was only an exacting mirror of the White/Black struggle, though, it would not be much more than a well-told polemic. But there is an added dimension here: Hersey's portrait of the Chinese culture. The glimpses we are given (looking at it from the perspective of the very bottom of the society) of this China are impressively authentic. Hersey was born in Tienstin, China, in 1914, spent his first 11 years there, and spent much of his early adult life as a journalist in various places in the Orient, and this experience clearly lands on and illuminates these pages. And because the Oriental culture really is different, it provides an odd 'side' look at the whole issue, giving it a whole other dimension of realization. And the final 'solution' of his protagonist, her method of finding her own self-worth and a possible better life for all whites, is uniquely Chinese in character -- shame the yellows into recognizing them as human, by imitating a sleeping bird. This portion of the story is told within an enfolding prologue and epilogue that form a complete (and very powerful) self-standing story, including a very recognizable portrait of Gov. George Wallace as a Chinese warlord (though he never speaks a word).

There are places where this work drags a bit, becomes almost repetitious, where the parallels he draws are too obvious, and the portrayed horrors of life as a slave never reach quite the depths of despair plumbed by something like Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, but this is still a very honest, insightful, competent, and in places brilliant work. It will make you think. It will make you drag out your own prejudices and carefully examine them. It will show you that the American way of life is far from the only model for good living - others may be just as valid or even better. I've had this one on my top 50 SF works ever since I first read it -- it remains there.

This is absolutely the best fictional work about slavery and emancipation I have ever read--eat your heart out, Toni Morrison.

Although Hersey offers very little explanation about how the world got to be the way it was in the book (how would a nation ravaged by smallpox be able to successfully prosecute a war?), he spares no detail concerning how white slaves could fit into Chinese culture.

And yet, the book is not prophetic; it is simply a good read for anyone who is interested in a fresh look at an old issue.

I first read White Lotus when I was in high school (and that's been awhile). I have read this book three times and would read it again. It's a book I would like to pass on to my grandchildren. I enjoyed it thoroughly. (Now all I have to do is find another copy). Instead of requiring Shakespeare in school, maybe this book should be required reading. It would sure keep a teenager's interest better. I think it should be marked as a classic and be reprinted. I'll be first in line.

As a busy mother of two young children, and at present 9 months pregnant, I seldom have the time or energy to read novels. After hearing about this book, I decided to make time. I am so glad that I did! Once I opened the book, I could not put it down. The story is about Lori, the baby who can only be described as "God's baby" as John refers to her. She had multiple odds against her, yet miraculously through her many painful surgeries and obstacles continues to shine her bright smile at the world. John's insight into his family's journey is both heartwrenching and inspirational. He describes a world of uncertainty about his daughters survival, describing treatments and medical interventions that are the things of parents nightmares, yet all the while he does so with dignity and strength. I have great admiration for Johns talent as an author and a parent. Thank you for sharing your story, I wish your family well.

I knew I wanted to read this book when I read the synopsis. It surpassed my expectations. Once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down. I have never been more touched by a story. Lori is a special child, who was fortunate enough to be born to special parents.

Lori was never expected to live and yet she defied all the odds. She endured operations and setbacks that were unbelieveable. Yet, she continued to survive and maintain her smile and enjoy the simple things in life.

This is a beautifully written story of adversity, hope, and most of all - love. It allows the reader into the world of pediatric hospitals and neonatal units that see miracles and heartbreak on a daily basis. I found it to be so inspirational, especially since it was written from a man's point of view. I highly recommend this book.

I read Lori's Miracle and was impressed by the telling of a story that seemed to be about a family with a child who had medical problem after medical problem and how they were able to cope with it all. But I learned towards the end of the book that this was only the custodial type part of the telling. The real miracle was in how this child has come to be the miracle in the family's life because of the lessons they have learned from her. Lori is retarded and the lessons she has taught the family have impacted their lives more than anything they could have learned in a book or been instructed about by learned scholars. Lori teaches what God wants us all to know: to listen to each other and love and attend to one other. This is what I, too, learned from John White's excellent telling of Lori's Miracle. This book will move the reader to tears and give them something so profoundly simple to take away from it that I believe my life has been truly blessed because I chose to read it.

Great Ekg pocket!!. Very straight, not boring and easy understanding of the Ekg. Really helpful and time saving. Not a headache anymore on reading Ekg. From simple explanation to more complicated but easy to understand. Great for interns and residents.You should have it!.

Dr. Brose's "Guide to EKG Interpretation" is a resource that all physicians in training should seriously consider acquiring. It is an extremely thorough book, and its size is deceptive. You wouldn't think a small pocket-size book could pack this much information! As an illustration, I had a question on my Part II board exam about a "J wave", something I had never heard of, even after my EKG rotation and delivering a few EKG lectures. As it turns out, Dr. Brose's book addresses the J wave, while many other resources make no mention of it. Also, the material is presented in a way that is clear and very easy to follow. Full of cross-references, you can quickly gain a solid understanding of virtually any issue you'll encounter when interpreting an EKG. I believe that medical students, interns, residents, and attending physicians alike will benefit from owning this book. Certainly, it is something that medical students and interns should have in their pockets (it is not cumbersome...it's a perfect size).

Dr. Brose's book is an amazing tool for mastering the EKG. I have personally used this text each and every day on rounds and seeing patients in clinic. It is easy to read and contains what every student/intern/resident needs to know. I implore all of you out there that haven't conquered the EKG, to purchase this book and learn how to become a master at interpretation.

Over the past few years, my husband and I have been growing in our uncomfortableness with the way our church and most churches have organized themselves. Without understanding why, or what it was we were sensing, we began to discover that what we were growing to want and believe in, was something very different than what contemporary churches were offering. We treasure our family, and wanted to find a way to worship, learn and grow together, not just at home, but in our church as well.

The segration of ages was disturbing to us because of what we were seeing happen. We couldn't put a finger on it, but something didn't feel right.

After reading this book, we were so encouraged! Most people didn't understand what we tried to explain to them because they had never felt like anything was wrong with the current way of doing things. And unfortunately, most still don't.

This book clearly lays out the very things we had been trying to understand, and gives great biblical insight into why we need to become churches that are uniting families, and not pulling them away from each other.

I could never even begin to explain how much reading this book meant to us, or how much it taught us. Our prayer now, is that someone, somewhere in our community will be receptive to the ideas in the book, and desire to become a church that doesn't segregate, but joins families together in worship and learning.

Eric Wallace has written a tremendous book that I hope you will read!

What a blessing to find a book that verbalizes the very things we have been feeling for so many years! The household approach to worship, teaching and ministery is exactly what is needed to bring our families back to living out their faith together in a manner that witnesses to the world.

It was with such relief that we read this book. Churches need to support the role of the families, and families in turn need to support the church. When these two are working to build each other up, a beautiful relationship that doesn't pull the family away from each other, but toward each other will result.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any family, household and pastor that senses a need for a different kind of balance between church and home, one that brings the family together AND stimulates the life of their church, all while eliminating segregation between the ages and encourages biblical roles and responsibilities.

Wallace brings to the forefront real solutions to issues that both churches and families deal with in our dis-integrated culture today. This book puts into words thoughts that I have had for 10 years as a father and pastor.

read one of the short pieces in this anthology. They are also incredibly uplifting too. A brilliant bedside companion for any dog lover.

Although each of the pieces in this book was inspired by the loss of a much beloved dog, this is really a book about vibrant, fully-alive dogs: family pets, fellow hunters, soul mates, and best friends. And while none of the dogs remembered so fondly here still lives, Old Dogs affirms the remarkably special place in the heart we reserve for our dogs. My own dog is sturdy in her middle-age, but reading the eulogies and odes in this moving anthology has made me appreciate more all the quirky habits I take for granted, like how she can't resist running off with one of my Reeboks when I'm shoeing up for our evening walk--the little prance she performs when I tell her, "Bring the shoe back!" Not a sad read but a celebratory one, required for every dog owner!

This is a remarkable anthology of stories and poems by outstanding authors of the past, as well as more recent times. Although these moving remembrances are only of beloved dogs, the lovers of any species of pet will find identical sentiments for their own losses. Whatever kind of companion animal you had, you will find your own bereavement and healing tears reflected here, as well.

Care was taken to avoid over-sentimentality, in this assortment of loving reflections of dogs, celebrated here. These accounts are full of love, and are sometimes even funny - and we are thrust into the realization that perhaps that is the most wonderful kind of living memorials we can have for a beloved pet. Too often, we lose this perspective, while trying to keep from drowning in our own bereavement and sorrows.

Rather than being a collection of sad literary memorials Old Dogs Remembered is a joyful celebration of life with pets. This inspires healthy new points of view and adjustments to moving on into our new lives, without them.

Here we are treated to many different outlooks on how they permanently enriched the lives of their owners. Reading these heartwarming pages will broaden the understanding of each reader, concerning his/her own personal bereavement. Here, we are offered the collective wisdom of others, who reminisce on their honored pets. There is much to be shared and learned here, as well as enjoyed.

With so many different authors, one must appreciate that references and styles have changed drastically, through the ages. As an example of this, some might find the essay by the dramatist John Galsworthy to be interesting, but a bit troublesome to read. And, as with any anthology, there may be some accounts not everyone would appreciate. But all pet lovers will readily identify with the overall shared remembrances, here. This is a heartwarming collection, which can be enjoyed comfortably, in several installments.

There will be many an uplifting tear shed in its reading, and we suggest it for your reading pleasure.

I already own Rene Verdon's White House cookbook which is an enjoyable read as well as a great reference. Many of his great, classic recipes from that collection re-appear in this wonderful, picture-filled book that recreates the magic of Jackie's style that made Camelot. Rene Verdon and Letitia Baldridge show that they have not lost their touch and guide us through a host of beautiful occasions. My personal highlight is the famous state dinner at Mount Vernon. We find out many intriguing details about entertaining at the highest level and are able to take a little of the glamour to our own table. Rene Verdon's recipes are great classics that are meant to be enjoyed over and over again. They can be reproduced by the capable home cook with highly satisfying results.

The Kennedy administration was before my time--but just barely, and I grew up interested in Jackie and her kids, but never really understood the mystique until I read this book. Tish Baldrige's book lays out the effort to update The White House for two young, modern parents who inhabited it. She also makes a case for the art of entertaining--a dying or even lost art--and makes me want to throw a dinner party. The Kennedy's lived like royality, it's true. I don't know if The White House would ever get away with the extravagance and glamour today (now that we spend all our money on defense and security), but the more innocent time of the Kennedy administration was ripe for the kind of magic a handsome rancouteur and his well-bred wife could generate. Every page of this book is fascinating, and it's the most delicious slice of history I've ever read. And with the recipes, you too can throw the same luncheon the Kennedys served Prince Ranier and Princess Grace!

This is a marvellous, beautifully presented look at the entertaining done by President and Mrs. Kennedy during their too-brief thousand days in the White House. Letitia Baldrige was Mrs. Kennedy's Social Secretary, and she has collaborated with Kennedy White House Chef Rene Verdon on reminiscences and recipes that really do evoke that very special time and place. Baldrige's anecdotes give glimpses behind the scenes that help us all understand how distinguished the hosts, guests, and entertaining really were- and her comments are often very funny indeed. Verdon's recipes are drawn from menus actually served at the White House on historic occasions, such as the famed evening when cellist Pablo Casals played for the Kennedys and their guests. The book is incredibly generous with its illustrations, which range from White House photos, to pictures of actual invitations for the events described, to fashion designer Oleg Cassini's original sketches for Mrs. Kennedy's clothes. For Jackie devotees, the book is a bonanza, with many photos showing her in her full splendour as First Lady; one 1954 photo of her lighting the candles on her dinner table may be the single most beautiful ever taken of her. I have one small, gentle caveat: Verdon's recipes have been given before, in different form, in his 1967 "The White House Chef Cookbook". The versions of the recipes in this new book have been changed a bit from the 1967 incarnations, mainly with an eye to increasing the strength of flavour; today's palates are evidently more demanding than those of the Sixties. Still, you're getting a look at the Kennedy White House from the people who made it HAPPEN- no gossip, no hearsay, no errors of research. Baldrige and Verdon were indisputably THERE, and you could do much worse than to buy their book. Come to think of it, if you've been reading some of the other Kennedy books issued recently, you have.

By this fourth novel, it is quite clear that Irishman John Connolly is a brilliant, effusive and poetic writer. Who else could take such dark themes, and with his art of writing, create such somber yet optimistic landscapes. In this book, this brilliance sometimes gets in the way of the plot, and manages to slow the pacing of the book down at times, but it is nonetheless a mesmerizing addition to the Charlie Parker series.
Parker has a remarkable narrative tone, and his humor is downright incredible at times. I don't think readers will enjoy this as much as they should if they haven't read at least "The Killing Kind," the brilliant predecessor to this work. There are too many holdovers from that novel to enable anyone to fully grasp the situation if they haven't met Reverend Faulkner and Pudd before.
Some real surprises here, including the murderous rampage of Louis and Angel; Angel's morose attitude since the incident with Rev. Faulkner in the previous book; Rachel's pregnancy and her love for the sometimes misguided Charlie; a horrifying killer in Cyrus Nairn; Connolly's elegant use of the supernatural in his detective tales; and a compelling "ghost"...all add up to another fantastic read.
You can't do much better than this series; in four novels, Connolly has demonstrated what a terrific writer he is.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Charlie "Bird" Parker has settled down in rural Maine with his new love, Rachel, and is awaiting the birth of their child when he gets a call from an old friend, Elliot Norton. Elliot is a lawyer in Charleston, SC, who is handling a powder-keg of a case -- a young black man accused of the rape/murder of the daughter of a rich and powerful white family. When Elliot all but grovels as he begs Charlie to come to SC and do some investigation for him, Charlie can't say no.

And so begins Charlie's odyssey on the long and twisted White Road. Connolly writes of the dank Congaree Swamp and other Low Country environs as though he were born in the languid South rather than Ireland, and every paragraph he writes flows like dark and haunted poetry. For every step forward Charlie takes in seeking information to help Elliot's client's case, forces and villains from his past converge to drive him backwards and to kill him if they can. (*Note: do read "The Killing Kind" first to understand who Faulkner, Pudd, et al., are.) And then there is the hooded Lady in White, who might or might not be real as she wanders the shimmering White Road where the past meets present and future and where old wrongs are righted.

This stunning novel is absolutely mesmerizing as it races forward to a shattering denouement. It will leave you breathless, but don't read it at home alone late at night.

South Carolina lawyer Elliot Norton calls his pal Charlie Parker to help him with a case in which his client a black man has been accused of murdering his white girlfriend, the daughter of wealthy powerful parents. Charlie would like to help his friend, but is concerned about leaving his pregnant girlfriend Rachel alone. He fears that their enemy Reverend Aaron Faulkner will retaliate for the deaths of his murderous son and daughter though he is standing trial for killing his congregation members and other people.

Charlie reluctantly travels to South Carolina, but arranges for Rachel's protection while he is away. In the South, Charlie becomes involved in a world where hatred is the norm and the pretrial may prove deadly for the defense team. Though perilous, Charlie investigates the case that leads him to several other murders and a trip to hell down THE WHITE ROAD coaxed by a malevolence beyond anything he ever faced before even while evil stalks Rachel back in Maine.

John Connolly provides an exhilarating Parker tale as the audience receives more than an investigative novel. Readers obtain a taste of the historical South cleverly interwoven into the drama as well as a powerful crime story occurring in two states. Parker is at his best as he tries to solve a mystery, stay alive, keep his friend and client safe, and struggle with being in two places at the same time in order to insure no harm comes to his beloved. Readers will want to travel THE WHITE ROAD and when attaining the final destination will look for previous Parker treks (see THE KILLING KIND).

Harriet Klausner

How can you not like Tina St. John's medieval romance adventures!?

WLL is another winner with Isabel on her way to her betrothed, an Earl chosen by her guardian, King Richard, only to be kidnapped by none other than Griffin of Droghallow. Her childhood hero. He has changed though; there is no more heroic and gallant behaviour from the once golden boy. Now it's only raw passion and disillusionment from a fallen angel, a lost soul. Sounds good? You bet!

In her third book, Tina St. John perfects a hero so courageous, dangerous, protective and sensual, I couldn't help but fall for him. Not only that, she toped it with a heroine who matches him in all actions and emotions,creating a perfect balance of exciting action scenes and loving tender ones. Nothing pretentious about Tina's style or her characters.

I highly recommend White Lion's Lady to all you medieval romance fans out there!

WHITE LION'S LADY is a romance to be treasured. Tina St. John shows us why she is truly one of the rising stars of romance. Griffin and Isabel's story will touch your heart from first page to last. Ms. St. John moves her reader through the innocence of a little girl's crush to a woman's reality that love is never easy and the dreams of childhood are easily shattered. Griffin is a dark and enigmatic hero and Isabel is a heroine that you can't help but adore. This is true page turner! Well done, Tina!

Prepare yourself for an exciting medieval romance you will not want to put down.

WHITE LION'S LADY is the 1st in a 2 part series.

Eighteen year old Isabel de Lamere, ward to the Crown, is on her way to her betrothed, Sebastian Montborne (who you will read about in BLACK LION'S BRIDE). On her way to the Montborne's she is abducted by Griffin, the White Lion. She does not realize at first that this is the man who she met first as a boy, the boy whose medallion she carries everywhere she goes. The boy she remembers represents honor and chivalry.

Unfortunately Griffin has become a hardened man, made to carry out tasks that are distasteful and each day wear at his soul. His evil step-brother now sets him out on the task of kidnapping Isabel. Upon returning Isabel to his step-brother, and being denied the bounty promised him, Griffin and Isabel escape and continue on to her betrothed. During this time, they fall into a forbidden love.

Tina St. John weaves an enchanting tale of love, acceptance, and high adventure. The chemistry between these two characters sizzles, and it is a delightful read that you won't want to miss.

I read this book a year or so ago, and it really drilled home the important disciplines of the Christian life. Easy to read, but it will take some effort to live it out! Highly recommended.

The best recommendation one can give for John White's "The Fight" simply comes in its longevity in the marketplace. Christian books go out of print like mad, but the classic ones go on and on. The main reason for this is timelessness, and White's primer on how to start one's Christian walk is as appropriate today as it was when first released.

One of three books I recommend to every new Christian (Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and Ortiz's "Disciple" being the other two), this book is so chock full of basics that it even works as a book for people who are just beginning to seek the Lord. In "The Fight" are found the core parts of the daily Christian life (summarized here as): Prayer, Listening to God, Sharing the Faith, The Devil, Faith, One's Standing in Christ, Holiness, God's Will, Christian Excellence, and the Battle Around Us.

White's background as a psychologist comes through as many of his illustrations have a profundity that comes from understanding the foibles of humanity, while also avoiding the pitfall of framing everything within psychology's constructs rather than Christianity's (a problem with many Christian books today.) He also brings clarity to difficult issues that every man and woman struggle with in life, shining the light of Christ into even the darkest areas. His insights into topics like lust are so exemplary that I continue to use them when teaching today, since I have never found better explanations that are so human and yet so spiritually astute at the same time.

A must for any new Christian, I have routinely given people this book for a baptism gift, so useful is it for starting the journey.

Yes, at least in my book. (Pun intended.) At least among the top all-time ten in Christian literature. A complete, well-balanced and powerful guide to the ins and outs of Christian life, this is the perfect introduction for a newborn believer (yes, do give it as a gift!) and it can make a grizzled old veteran in the wars of life (like myself) cry (real tears) and even laugh out loud (even on a public bus, once...). I've read it at least four times, maybe more, and it moves me every time. I've got three copies on my bookshelves, except when they're out on loan to others. And now that I've found I can buy it at Amazon (haven't found it in my local Christian bookstore lately), I'll start giving it away as a gift again... Especially to young people. As a gift for confirmation, for example. (I sure wish this book had been available when I was fifteen...) As to content, the book (at least in my quite early editions) is divided into 11 sections: Beginnings, Prayer, God still speaks, On being a signpost, His Infernal Majesty, Faith, Changed relationships, Guidance, Holiness, Deliverance from drudgery, and The fight. If you haven't read it, by all means do! If you have read it, buy another one and give it away!