After years of all sorts of therapies ranging from medication, play, family, attachment and you name it, we FINALLY found something that has worked in the long term for our two Russian adopted children. We were told by the agency that "time will heal", and by all the therapists that it is "RAD/ODD/ADHD" which we later found out is the "classic combination" that all these therapists diagnosis. Dr. Federici's book gave us hope and a solid "treatment plan" which was missing after all these years. It was a tough one, but so were our kids as we adopted them older (told they were "healthy and fine"). We put everything into effect and even consulted with him and he added to our hope and gave even more guidelines. After six months, we feel we have our family back in order but will continue to work the program outlined. This book is a "must buy" for the struggling family needing direction. It looked tough at first, almost beyond our ability, then turned out to be very practical and systematic.

After reading countless books on attachment, behavior problems, treatment, etc, we stumbled across this book and it was just what we needed when we about to give up. We tried all the traditional therapies ranging from play, family, medication and even "holding therapy" which made matters worse and ran up our bill even higher by giving us false hope (our children were smarter than the therapist). We worked Dr. Federici's "program" to the letter (with some e-mail guidance from him, and a therapist he trained), and saw more improvement in 3 months than in 3 years of all the other costly and ineffective treatments. This book was great for the average family struggling, who could devote the time and energy. Practical, common sense, safe, professional and well-written for families. After being broke from all these useless therapies, especially the thousands we spent on attachment therapists trained at Evergreen (who did some real strange and worthless interventions), we were happy that we have found an approach that REALLY works if you are committed completely to helping get things right with your family/kids. A MUST BUY for the family in crisis.

This book by Dr. Federici is so long overdue that we bought several copies for all the therapists we had seen over the past four years who tried to help us with our two very difficult and disturbed Romanian children.. This book is not the "hand-holding" type as it got us to mobilize and deal with all the problems that all the other so-called "experts" had missed. It also made us realize how easy it is to get in denial of the problem and how easy it is to waste money and valuable time on non-productive therapies like holding time, attachment centers, people/therapists who tell us to "just wait and it will be fine".We even went to the "Internet" for advice and became frustrated as there were only hundreds of others who were equally confused with no real solutions offered. We went around the country seeking out all of the named experts who gave us bits and pieces but no real direction or plan. Well, it was not fine as we were told many times and our family was almost destroyed until we read this book and utilized it to the letter. It was VERY TOUGH for us to do what was asked, but six months later we are back in control and have a family again. We hope that this Author will continue to challenge families and write more books which give us "Hope" in the face of hopelessness. It is recommended for anyone wanting to just "give up".

Mr. Woolfe's book is just what the horse-lover and racing fan needs to remember the astounding racing career of Secretariat. To think that his records still stand to this day --it gives the reader an idea of his true greatness. The only fact that wasn't mentioned in the final chapter was that Secretariat won three Eclipse Awards in 1973, and I'm sure that was just an inadvertent oversight. To those who saw Real Quiet race in the Kentucky Derby--Secretariat would have been many, many lengths ahead of him. It will be a long time before there is another like him.

This big beautiful book brings back the magnificence of Big Red like no other. Crammed with photos of everything form his Jockey Club ID photo as a foal (adorable) to workouts and races, grooming and bathing, and of the people around him - Penny (Tweedy) Chenery, Lucian Lauren, Eddie Sweat, Ron Turcotte and others - these alone are worth the price of admission. The photo of him and Turcotte taking off in the Preakness is as close to a flying horse as you'll ever see. The text is an engaging biography of Secretariat's earliest days at Meadow Farm, to his record shattering, history making races, ending with his retirement and success in the breeding barn - including photos and deeds of a few of his most accomplished get. It concludes with his untimely death at only 19 years. This book is also full of the history of, and interviews with, those who surrounded this awesome horse, and well known racing people who witnessed him run. As a horse loving 12 year old I watched history being made in 1973 - though it was only on TV - as Secretariat galloped seemingly effortlessly into history with those three races. I knew even in my youth and naivete that I would never see a feat that magnificent again. It's been 30 years now, and I haven't been wrong yet. This book is a must for those who love, and still love, this horse and racing. And for those who doubt - read the book. You will doubt no more.

I remember checking this book out of the library several times in the late 70's as I was a big fan of Secretariat, the greatest race horse in history. It gives a great summary of his life from birth, including the story of how his ownership was determined by the LOSS of a coin flip. It gives a great summary of all his races, especially the 1973 Triple Crown, where Secretariat battled his West Coast nemesis Sham and wiped him out with his 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes. But what I like about the 1998 version of the book is that Mr. Woolfe updated it to discuss Secretariat's life after racing, including a review of his successful proginy. The pictures are great. If you combine this book with William Nack's book on Secretariat, you will have a very good understanding of the horse of a lifetime. A must for horse racing enthusiasts!

On January 4 2001, my 15 year old son and I were in for a check up at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. Justin was diagnosed with leukemia June of 1997. During that appointment we met up with another family who we had gone through chemotherapy with. This other child had relapsed and had just had a stem cell transplant. While visiting with them I noticed a book they were reading. It was "There Are Survivors", they expressed a great comfort and joy in reading it. After leaving the hospital we bought our copy. Immediatley while reading, I was overcome with emotion on the strong personality of each of the family members, and the support each had for each other. As a mother who has helped her child fight to live, I could not have told the story any other way. The story was told from a loving and strong heart. I learned of Michaels' death before I had finished his story. Michael was a gift from God. Each person who reads his story will remember Michael from his incrediable positive and strong personality who touched many hearts. Each person who takes a moment to get to know Michael by reading his book, will always have a special spot in thier heart to cherish him.

I don't own the book just yet, but I have read some passages from the book on the Michael Cuccione Foundation web site. Right after I read the first couple paragraphs, I knew I had to get it. Like many people, I first heard of Michael from the movie 2Ge+her. I loved the movie and the series, but I didn't know anything about any of the actors. I didn't even know that Michael had cancer until I found out about his death. I started to cry, because it's so tragic that only 8 days after he turned 16, he died. I thought it was great when I learned about the accomplishments he has made. When I read about the radiation and chemotherapy, it made me think about how petty my problems actually are. It made me think about how greatful I should be that I'm in perfect health. I guess what they say is true. Only the good die young. We are all going to miss you Michael. Your legacy will live on forever and forever you'll be in our hearts. God bless.

Like most fans, I first saw Michael on 2Gether. I loved the concept and went to work on finding out more info on Mike and the show. Of course, Mike was my favorite, not just be cause he was cute, but I loved his personality. Once I learned that he, in fact, did have cancer, I was shocked. I ordered his book and read it. I am only 14, but I could only imagine the pain that he must have gone through. I had signed up for many fan newsletters and egroups that involved him and I was even thinking about starting a website dedicated to Mike. One day, I signed on to AOL and read that Michael had died. Even though I had never met Michael, I felt grief for him. He was very strong and his light will live on forever. I have a sort of tribute in my locker at school which is dedicated to Michael. I also gave magnets that I made to all my friends to put in their lockers so everyone can see what an impact he had on others. He prooved that you CAN fight something that's going against you. I reccomend you all to buy this book and learn the story.

As a teenager in the early 60's, I slogged through The Lord of the Rings, realizing its worth but never fully understanding the background of the epic work. The recent success of the motion picture, The Two Towers, has reinvigorated my interest in all things Tolkien. I read the Simarillion and am now in the midst of this fascinating compilation of Tolkien's letters.

I highly recommend this book to readers of The Lord of the Rings. It brings to light the background and philosophy behind Tolkien's writing.

Thank God Tolkien was such a prodigious letter writer. We are all the beneficiaries of his correspondence with family, friends such as C.S. Lewis, fans, and critics alike.

If you have read "The Lord of the Rings" or other works by Tolkien, and are interested in learning more about him (what inspired him, what his views on things were, and what kind of person he was, and the process by which he wrote his literary works, especially "LotR"), this is a book you should definitely read. I found this book to be highly interesting and entertaining, and even educational. There is a huge index to help you find any subject or topic you're looking for. You will find letters to his family members, to his publishers, to friends like C.S. Lewis, and many more-all covering a variety of topics and thoughts from this brilliant writer and philologist. Thoughts on Christianity, and Tolkien's beliefs; his views of World War I (in which he fought) and World War II; a great deal of letters to his readers answering a multitude of questions about his books, especially "The Lord of the Rings"; his personal views and goals of his works; and so much more. It's really a look into the minds and thoughts of a genius, although he would never agree with that-his letters are filled with the upmost humility, even self-deprecation, of himself and his abilities. At the same time, he takes very strong, even stubborn, stances on issues he felt strongly about. His letter-writing style is so unique and is quite fascinating to me, and he can be quite funny. I definitely recommend this informative and very interesting book.

. . .with this collection of correspondence from the pen of the Master of Middle-Earth, Professor JRR Tolkien. Although, unfortunately, not all hobbits are lettered, those of us that are, write letters constantly to our friends and to a selection of our relations. The Professor's habits in this area definitely suggest that he is, as has long been suspected, himself a hobbit. (And, in fact, probably a Baggins!)

From his wartime correspondence, to his letters of love (and sound advice) to members of his family, to the vast amount of commentary on his literary masterpieces, this volume sheds a great deal of light into the life and thought of the Professor.

This book is a worthy companion to Mr. Carpenter's earlier biography. Both volumes should find a place on the shelf of every hobbit in the Shire.

This title by Drs. Jacob and Lawrence is by far the best word on MSM (along with product manufacturers dmso2.com etc).

I, also, prefer the hardback version of this book. It is out of print but I found that it is still available at the distributor (msmsupplement.com as mentioned by someone in another review).

I hope that there is a new, updated version of this book on the horizon, because I know that MSM is helping so many people with a variety of problems (e.g. Arthritis, Allergies, Energy, Joint and Muscle & Nerve Pain, Skin Conditions ...). I even give it to my dogs and cats now!

By the way, Dr. Lawrence (on of the authors) is the doctor of the famous actor James Coburn. Mr. Coburn now attributes his recovery from crippling arthritis pain to benefits derived from MSM.

I am a 43 year old female who for 3 1/2 years have been battling with back pain, headaches, muscle pain, fibromyalgia, TOS, tmj and many,many more problems due to many accidents. I throught I was finally to the point of giving up until last week my doctor told me to try MSM. What A Miracle. I started with 1000mg tablets 2 times a day and I am now taking 3, 2 times a day until I get to a level that I can live with. I have been on every medication known to man and I am now cutting all med's in half or not having to take them at all. I would love to get my book signed and after reading it I gave it to my physical therapist to read and all of my friends who also have many of the problems I suffer with. You are a god send for such a wonderful pill. One question after reading the book it keeps telling all about the crystals, is there a difference between the pills, tablets or crystals. The bottle states that it is pure Methylsulfonymethane and nothing else but I would like to no if there is a difference between the three and would like to know who I can ask regarding this. Once again thank you for saving another person who thought all hope was gone.............. Cheryl Thanks-you:)

This book is interesting and easy to read. It is an information-packed resource for anyone with a wide variety of chronic pain and health problems. Based on this book, I have already recommended MSM to many of my animal patients--and to their owners! MSM gave me immediate and thorough relief for my own chronic arthritis pain.

This is a quick and easy read about the Vietnam War. Focus is on stories related to the the soldier's care in Vietnam and the
critical cases sent to Japan. For those interested in the glamour of war, read this book for the cost of such glamour, crippled men. Since this book was written in 1971, it does not
contain much of the later aspects of the war. Generally it is unsypathetic to the American pursuit of the war.

As a student of SE Asia history I have over 300 books on the subject and 365 Days ranks in the top 5%. (Also a veteran of three tours in Vietnam & Cambodia). I first read Dr. Glassner's book over two decades ago and yet remember it as if it was yesterday.

For those who want to know what it was like to be in Vietnam, this is a must read book. The writing is very graphic and it is a book you will not soon forget.

My deepest gratitude to Dr. Glassner for his fine work. Not only for writing it but especially for publishing it at a time when it was not fashionable to be writing about Vietnam or Vietnam veterans. My sincerest thanks to Dr. Glassner.

Dr. Glassner provides a unique perspective on the American experience in Vietnam -- that of a medical officer responsible for treating the shattered, burned, and exhausted men caught up in that conflict. There is plenty of heroism in his short tales, but usually it is the heroism of brute survival, of adapting to impossible conditions, of enduring the unendurable.

I have heard this book referred to as an "anti-war" work, and one that derides America's involvement in Southeast Asia. I disagree. Glassner simply tells it like it was -- he pulls no punches, so oftentimes reading this book is very unpleasant: how many "John Wayne shoot 'em up" memoirs of Vietnam recount the suffering endured on a burn ward?

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Vietnam War, the continued psychological and physical suffering of combat vets from all eras, or to anyone concerned with the consequences for our sons and daughters when politicans send our troops to war. Should be required reading for college students,...

Common Sons is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite novels. The story transcends time, culture or sexual orientation. It's about two people who find love and the courage to share it, no matter the obstacles or challenges society may bring upon them. Common Sons also presents a uniquely refreshing perspective as being a "nice" book with a good message that is accessible to all readers. Its characters are normal people from a small town, showing that not every gay person has to live in a downtown metropolis or hop from one club to the next. Joel and Tom are a benchmark for the kind of human beings we should all strive to be - Ron Donaghe is to be commended for offering such a wonderful story to the world. If you order no other book today, order this one. --Andrew Barriger, ...

I picked this book at the library and read it in one sitting. The first few pages were weird to me becaue of the obscurity of the prose, I didn't know where Donaghe was going at first, but read past those first few pages and you just get deeper and deeper. It is interesting to see the depth of honesty and purity in Joel's character and his complete devotion to Tom. I was very happy with the story as Tom and Joel became completely committed to each other. Donaghe dragged out the agony of falling in love just enough to give you that little pain in your heart for Joel, the religious aspects of the novel are interesting as well, but I am a love-story person and Donaghe delivered that...if you are straight and interested in gay fiction, take it from me, don't be afraid, pick up this book, it's worth the read!

Common Sons by Ronald Donaghe is an awesome novel that allows you to look back in your life when you could identify with the characters. Joel Reece is a star boxer at the high school, he gets along well with his parents and is a farmer. Tom Allen, a son of a minister, is the epitome of obedience to his father and God, and quite the scholar. What do these two young men have in common? They are both gay and in love - with each other. The way Mr. Donaghe weaves the plot between the two boys and the people of Common is magical. You will laugh, you will cry and you will get angry. This is how life is, the author pulls no punches in this novel. The best news yet is the fact that there is a sequel! Thank you for an awesome book, Ronald L. Donaghe!

"There is little to be satisfied in reading this book"?? I couldn't disagree more. Bleak House left a profound impression on me, and was so utterly satisfying a reading experience that I wanted it never to end. I've read it twice over the years and look forward to reading it again. Definitely my favorite novel.

I don't know what the previous reviewer's demands are when reading a novel, but mine are these: the story must create its world - whatever and wherever that world might be - and make me BELIEVE it. If the novelist cannot create that world in my mind, and convince me of its truths, they've wasted my time (style doesn't matter - it can be clean and spare like Orwell or verbose like Dickens, because any style can work in the hands of someone who knows how to use it). Many novels fail this test, but Bleak House is not one of them.

Bleak House succeeds in creating a wonderfully dark and complex spider web of a world. On the surface it's unfamiliar: Victorian London and the court of Chancery - obviously no one alive today knows that world first hand. And yet as you read it you know it to be real: the deviousness, the longing, the secrets, the bureaucracy, the overblown egos, the unfairness of it all. Wait a minute... could that be because all those things still exist today?

But it's not all doom and gloom. It also has Dickens's many shades of humor: silliness, word play, comic dialogue, preposterous characters with mocking names, and of course a constant satirical edge. It also has anger and passion and tenderness.

I will grant one thing: if you don't love reading enough to get into the flow of Dickens's sentences, you'll probably feel like the previous reviewer that "...it goes on and on, in interminable detail and description...". It's a different dance rhythm folks, but well worth getting used to. If you have to, work your way up to it. Don't start with a biggie like Bleak House, start with one of his wonderful short pieces such as A Christmas Carol.

Dickens was a gifted storyteller and Bleak House is his masterpiece. If you love to dive into a book, read and enjoy this gem!

This is the second book by Dickens I have read so far, but it will not be the last. "Bleak House" is long, tightly plotted, wonderfully descriptive, and full of memorable characters. Dickens has written a vast story centered on the Jarndyce inheritance, and masterly manages the switches between third person omniscient narrator and first person limited narrator. His main character Esther never quite convinces me of her all-around goodness, but the novel is so well-written that I just took Esther as she was described and ran along with the story. In this book a poor boy (Jo) will be literally chased from places of refuge and thus provide Dickens with one of his most powerful ways to indict a system that was particularly cruel to children. Mr. Skimpole, pretending not to be interested in money; Mr. Jarndyce, generous and good; Richard, stupid and blind; the memorable Dedlocks, and My Lady Dedlock's secret being uncovered by the sinister Mr. Tulkinghorn; Mrs. Jellyby and her telescopic philanthropy; the Ironmaster described in Chapter 28, presenting quite a different view of industralization than that shown by Dickens in his next work, "Hard Times." Here is a veritable cosmos of people, neighbors, friends, enemies, lovers, rivals, sinners, and saints, and Dickens proves himself a true master at describing their lives and the environment they dwell in. There are landmark chapters: Chapter One must be the best description of a dismal city under attack by dismal weather and tightly tied by perfectly dismal laws, where the Lord Chancellor sits eternally in Lincoln's Inn Hall. Chapter 32 has one of the eeriest scenes ever written, with suspicious smoke, greasy and reeking, as a prelude to a grisly discovery. Chapter 47 is when Jo cannot "move along" anymore. This Norton Critical is perhaps the best edition of "Bleak House" so far: the footnotes help a lot, and the two Introductions are key to understanding the Law system at the time the action takes place, plus Dickens' interest in this particular topic. To round everything off, read also the criticism of our contemporaries, as well as that of Dickens' time. "Bleak House" is a long, complex novel that opens a window for us to another world. It is never boring and, appearances to the contrary, is not bleak. Enjoy.

After years without picking up a novel by Dickens (memories of starchy classes at school), I decided to plunge into "Bleak House", a novel that had been sitting on my bookshelf for about ten years, waiting to be read. Although I found it heavy going at first, mainly because the style is so unfamiliar to modern readers, after about ten pages I was swept up and carried off, unable to put the hefty tome down until I had finished it. This book is a definite classic. The sheer scope of the tale, the wit of the satire (which could still be applied to many legal proceedings today) and the believable characters gripped me up until the magnificent conclusion. One particularly striking thing is the "cinematic" aspect of certain chapters as they switch between different angles, building up to a pitch that leaves the reader breathless. I can't recommend "Bleak House" too highly. And I won't wait so long before reading more Dickens novels.

Peter Pan is a good adventure/fantasy that kids and adults can enjoy alike. With much exaggeration, it is something kids can enjoy and read into. It's a page-turning book that once you started you can't stop.

This isn't like the Disney movie! I loved this book but at the same time I was shocked by the violence of the fighting between Hook and the Lost Boys and the Indians. I don't think I'll be reading this one to my nephews and neices, not until I have edited out the violent bits. It wasn't that In-Your-Face violence of the Hollywood movies, it was more insinuated and there was definetly a menacing atmosphere surrounding Wendy's, Peter's and Michael's adventures in Never Never Land. I do recommend it though, just not for easily frightened youngsters. This is definetly in need of a PG rating on the cover. PARENTS: This is no Disney Peter Pan!

My 10 year old daughter found this book in the school library. She read it one weekend and has checked it out several times. The classic story along with the beautiful illustrations by Eric Kincaid have made this one of her favorite books. When I surprised her with her own copy that I had found on Amazon she was thrilled and commented on it's excellent condition.

I somehow made it long past adolescence without reading THE LORD OF THE RINGS books. I read THE RETURN OF THE KING and the others (in order, of course) because I wanted to before the movies came out. Somehow I didn't get into these books as much as I felt I should. I found the battle scenes no less boring than the over-extended descriptions of journey. The smaller-scale conflict, especially the part of the story revolving around Frodo and Sam were more interesting, but requiring a greater suspension of disbelief. The climatic moment in the final book (more than 100 pages before the actual end of the book) was anti-climatic in the extreme, and while a friend of mine who is a devotee of these books found Sauron's lack of appearance to be "brilliant," I was disappointed. The evil faced by our heroes had a name, but no face, I guess (the move got around this by explaining that he is non-corporeal).

Still, the last 100 pages, essentially a post-script, brought the whole series together for me. The allegory was strongest, or at least most obvious, here. The hobbits are a race of Cincinatuses, only wanting to mind their own business. They are totally innocent and un-ambitious. That's why they were the only ones who could be trusted with the evil ring. At the same time, they were all too quick to accept authoritarian rule without question or resistance. Frodo lost his innocence to save the world, but a little loss of innocence was needed to save the hobbits from their own apathy. The message of the last part of the book is that evil must be engaged; those who hope to ignore evil will be suppressed like everyone else, and ultimately give in to its ways.

As for the battles and daring escapes, they didn't do it for me. Battle participants are often built up as Davids and Goliaths, with Goliath always losing because of David's will, luck, outside help, or reasons unexplained. Seldom do our heroes' wits or cleverness get them out of trouble, more often they are saved by eagles dropping out of the sky. Still I will miss these characters and enjoyed the movies. I'm actually thinking of re-reading THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. Maybe someday I'll re-read this one, too.

The mighty fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings comes to it's final conclusion in The Return of the King, a once-again stroll through brilliance and imaginative flair. Author J.R.R. Tolkien has definitely created something genuine. Though it's a little saddening that the last part of this fantastic story is once again diseased by it's predecessor's problems.

The Return of the King starts out with the wizard Gandalf as he rides to Minas Tirith, captital of Gondor (with Pippin in hand), to seek it's leader. Meanwhile, Aragorn and King Theoden march triumphantly into battle against the forces of Mordor along with Legolas, Gimli and Merry. The reunited six members of the Fellowship, joined by Eoywn, Eomer and Faramir, face off in a final war against the Dark Lord Sauron's forces.

In the dark depths of the tower of Cirith Ungol, Frodo has been captured by Orcs after the climactic battle against the spider Shelob, leaving Sam with the Ring. Gollum has slinked away, and Sam must brave through Mordor to fulfil his master's duties. But when Frodo escapes, both of the hobbits enter Mordor to finally finish the dreadful deed of having the evil One Ring destroyed.

Plot-wise, The Return of the King beats out both first and second parts of the story. Battles and fights in the final installment just steal your heart away, one coming from Merry defeating a deadly foe. However, the first part of the book easily suffers from the problems of The Two Towers and Fellowship of the Ring: Tolkien constantly tells of nothing that is crucial to the story, and unessessary dialogue. Indeed it doesn't hurt the book's main story, but it doesn't add to it either.

The characters, however, save this novel a great deal. One thing Tolkien succeeds mostly is his character creations. They are all likable and completely entertaining in originality and depth. With new characters and of course, Middle-Earth's wonderful landscapes, this is a triumphant end to the story. The Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest novels ever created, and The Return of the King fits with it perfectly.

Lord of the Rings reads like one very long book that the reader finds themselves unable to put down. It goes without saying that you must read "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" before you read this one. This, the third segment, is the climax to what the other two stories built up. This was astonishingly real for a book about wizards, hobbits and elves and I loved it. It is the only book that I have ever found myself crying when it was over. It was a sad sort of ending, (I won't spoil it), but it wasn't because of that. These vivid characters whom I had come to know and love for the months that it took me to go through "The Hobbit" and the other Lord of the Rings books were abandoning me. They would go on with their lives and have glorious new adventures of which I could not be a part of...I miss Sam most of all. The afterward of this book is a gem as well, since you can learn to read and write in Elvish and in runes, and find out histories and afterwards behind the epic. This is a must read for anybody. You are missing out if you do not read this. (And I might add that if you haven't, you are among a shrinking number of people, since the series continues only to grow in popularity.)