The collaborative effort of Katharine A. Dean, Miriam Conteh-Morgan, and James K. Bracken, The Undergraduate's Companion To Women Writers And Their Web Sites is an authoritative, informative, useful and "user friendly" guide to websites devoted to the lives and works women writers. Focusing on more than 180 women writers ranging from medieval to contemporary, and whose works are widely incorporated into college level literary studies, each individual entry comprising The Undergraduate's Companion To Women Writers And Their Web Sites includes concise lists of the best websites, printed sources (including biographies, criticisms, dictionaries, handbooks, indexes, concordances, journals, and bibliographies). The Undergraduate's Companion To Women Writers And Their Web Sites is an especially recommended addition to Women's Studies and Literary Studies academic reference resource collections.

The turning of the tide shows the uprise of the popularity of Shakespere. And rightly so too-it It seemed that for a while, his name was condemned to a fate of "just another white, male, Anglo-Saxon writer". This book has brought a different light to all of the plays that were once forgotten. Even though this book has also been forgotten and reshelved for the new, some libraries still have it, and I really enjoyed some of the offerings. My favorite was the "this is the way it actually happened" scenerio of Hamlet and the possible importance of Yorick. Another great one was the joke of the porn director trying to enlist the brightest stars of Hollywood to try to recapture the "prestige" of Hamlet with Mel Gibson. There is a little mention of Tom Stoppard in it too, which I liked. Recommended!

I thought this book was wonderful because it not only addresses women's health in the reproductive realm but it also addresses the realities of women's health in developing countries: injuries due to overwork, too many children, violence, malnutrition, and also addresses mental illnesses. It also has a great section on FGM, AIDS, Sexual Violence, and Commerical Sex Workers. It integrates gender issues with traditional women's health concerns. I am dying to know when it is coming out in Spanish so I can take it down to Guatemala with me.

Something can be done about poor student writing so that you WRITE YOUR WAY TO A HIGHER GPA, by keeping to good note-taking and study habits; choosing a topic that interests you and making every paper a further look at that one interest; going through the stages of researching, mindmapping or outlining, and drafting until you clean your writing of grammatical mistakes and logically order the main idea through supportive findings to a strong conclusion; and handing work in, on time and packaged the way the professor wants. Randall and Katharine Hansen say that their way works, and I believe them: all their suggestions make sense, not just about writing, but also about what else you can do, such as making sure that the professor knows you, that you get to class on time and that you take part in discussions. Readers might also want to look at STRATEGIES FOR COLLEGE WRITING by Jeanette Harris, PRENTICE HALL GUIDE FOR COLLEGE WRITERS by Stephen Reid, and REAL A+ COLLEGE TERM PAPERS by Mark Alan Stewart.

Yuletide Hearth: Christmas In An 1806 Pennsylvania Farmhouse by writer and photographer Katharine Z. Okie is warm, gentle book illustrated with her full-color photographs, about showcasing the celebration of Christmas as it was practiced in a simple country farmhouse nearly 200 years ago. Christmas carols and recreations of how people celebrated this joyous holiday make Yuletide Hearth a seasonal remembrance of love and an American heritage history to be treasured.

I carried a Revised English Bible with me through all three years of seminary; and constantly compared it to the Greek and Hebrew texts. Although it is not the most precise, literal translation (here I would lean towards the New Revised Standard because of my personal dislike for the scholarship behind the New American Standard), the sense of language and poetry in the REB is far superior to any reliable translation. For this reason, the REB is the translation that I read from the pulpit.

The scholarly articles and footnotes in the Oxford edition are top-notch; although they have a decidedly Anglican flavor in places they are generally ecumenical and quite informative. If you were to only have one study Bible, this is the one I would recommend.

The Revised English Bible is a joy to read; the text is clear, fluid, and does not read at all like a translation. The various study helps in the Oxford Study Bible put the text into context. The study articles are particularly good, and the foonotes give good basic information without being too overwhelming.

On occasion words are used that Americans may not be familiar with, such as calumny, obdurate, and betide, and the text does read at a literary level, but is still clear.

The text is not as gender-inclusive as the New Revised Standard Version, but more so than the New International Version; the English is also not as "British" as the New Jerusalem Bible. For sheer reading pleasure this translation is the best.

I carried a Revised English Bible with me through all three years of seminary; and constantly compared it to the Greek and Hebrew texts. Although it is not the most precise, literal translation (here I would lean towards the New Revised Standard because of my personal dislike for the scholarship behind the New American Standard), the sense of language and poetry in the REB is far superior to any reliable translation. For this reason, the REB is the translation that I read from the pulpit.

The scholarly articles and footnotes in the Oxford edition are top-notch; although they have a decidedly Anglican flavor in places they are generally ecumenical and quite informative. If you were to only have one study Bible, this is the one I would recommend.

Kerr's Books are the Seinfeld of fantasy series: what happens in the ENTIRE series of books can be detailed in a paragraph or two. IN other words, almost NOTHING really happens. As you read each novel after another, you begin to suspect that the author doesn't really have a grand story to tell, that the entire jumping from one timeline to another is simply a device to describe the identical story each time with minor variations here and there.

Ironically though, it doesn't matter.

Kerr has a such a superior writing style (esp. in the 3rd book onward) that the same boring story (a siege here and there, a new King disguised here and there, a foaming berserker here and there, Nevyn looking strong despite his burlap face here and there and EVERYWHERE, a main character getting killed with sudden regularity, the VERY bizarre appearance of a dragon, and finally the entire Guardian thread which appears to be pasted to the books rather than integrated) will keep you riveted to your seat, no minor achievement.

I read the series straight through and attempted numerous times to pick up something else. I couldn't do it. After reading Kerr's fluid prose, I couldn't handle anything else. You can only dream of how good she'd be if an original story was to be had.

As a longtime fan of the Deverry series, I usually rush right out to buy each new volume the day it's released. This latest installment is in no way a disappointment; it still contains Kerr's wonderful use of dialogue and the intriguing mysticism of the dweomer.

One aspect of this book, however, is less than satisfying. The section set during the Civil Wars contains infinetely more developed characters than the section set in "the present;" Kerr seems far more engaged and in tune with Nevyn, Lilli, Bellyra and Maryn than she does with Dallandra, Niffa, Raena and Rhodry. This has been a problem throughout the Dragon Mage series. As a result, the second half of this book feels flat compared to the first, and its characters seem strangely unrealistic when placed against the tortured, complex, wonderfully human characters described during the Civil Wars. Despite the imagination that has gone into the Horsekin, the Guardians and the dragon, these elements of blatant unreality detract a lot from one of the series' main strengths.

However, one shouldn't complain too loudly about a novel that's just "very good" instead of "brilliant." Anything by Kerr is usually vastly superior to the majority of fantasy novels out there (many of which seem to have been written on autopilot by authors trying to make condo payments). Deverry fans will find no reason here to stop loving the series!

And by that I don't mean this is the best so far, although it's great. I mean reading THE FIRE DRAGON didn't just keep me on the edge of my seat, it sent me back to read over all the rest--and, as readers of these books know, they just get better and better (and more nuanced and layered) with each read.

If you haven't read a Deverry book yet, start today with DAGGERSPELL. (If you know me and have any interest in fantasy at all, I have already bought you a copy; for the rest of the world, I will have to be satisfied with urging you to buy it yourself.) If you've read the books before, don't wait! This book's incredible and, I promise, it will send you scurrying back to every book in the series to pay closer attention to plots you *never knew were there*... plots I now *can't wait* for the next book to follow... esp. this 'falcon' book... we all know who that must be! Or I hope we do!

But I digress. My perspective? I was a little worried after A TIME OF OMENS and more recently that the books were losing a bit of their momentum--but I couldn't have been more wrong. The events of those books will take on new significance and now I'm ready to protest that two more books will not be enough! What can I say? I loved it. I feel like I'm discovering this series and the characters all over again, and I think everyone else should too! Happy reading!

*Shakes her head* I'm in utter shock that anyone could ever slightly diss this book. Filled with an intricate plot and devestating scenes, this goes on my favorite list. This book series does not go from 'beginning to end', like the traditional, but as Kerr explains, she borrows a Celt tradition. The story will get told, just not in a straight and narrow path. The story focuses on a saddening love story, kidnapping (on two counts), the past lives of our favorite characters, and a century old dweomer, or magic, worker living for the sole reason to atone for past sins. Read this book. It's worth your time and your money, a hundredfold at least.

After an uneven start in "Daggerspell," Katharine Kerr has continued to build upon and expand the characters and world of Deverry, and with "Bristling Wood," the third book of the octet, has brought her storytelling talents to full maturity. Description, while lacking the depth of a Jordan or Martin, is nonetheless detailed and vivid, characterizations diverse and singular, and the secondary characters have begun to contribute significant roles to the story, greatly enriching the tale. With this volume Kerr's series must begin to be considered as a contender among the few truly notable works of fantasy fiction, and I expectantly look forward to reading the rest of the eight to see if the story fulfills its undeniable promise. Fans of "The Mists of Avalon" would be making a mistake in ignoring celtic Deverry.

For the profit of kings, well did he attack the hosts
of the country, the bristling wood of spears,
the grievous flood of the enemy.
- The Gododdin of Aneirin, Stanza A 84

This volume interleaves two skeins of history: the 'present' (Jill and Rhodry's time) and the last years of the Time of Troubles (the civil wars between Cantrae, Cerrmor, and Eldidd, all of whom had claims to the high kingship of all Deverry). The Time of Troubles thread began in _Darkspell_, but picks up here a generation or so later in the course of the wars of that terrible era.

In the present, Salamander has determined that the mysterious ring of dwarven silver is destined for Rhodry. But Rhodry's fate is that of Aberwyn - his brother's "barren" ex-wife, now married to another man, has just given birth to her first son, so Rhodry's recall from exile is the only way to avert civil war over the rhan. The ring is his from his blood-father, but he's heir to the rhan through his legal father. This story is continued in _The Dragon Revenant_ - Salamander's puzzle of how to get the ring into Rhodry's hands without destroying his claim to the rhan.

In the past, Maddyn (later Rhodry) has been wounded unto death in his lord's last charge, and as an outlawed man, has no choice but to turn mercenary. Here we have the founding of the silver daggers, and the beginning of the thread that will later lead to the forging of the ring. Maddyn's story continues in _A Time of Omens_, _The Red Wyvern_, and _The Fire Dragon_, and is concluded in _A Time of Exile_.

This book offers the dark side of the modeling business, a much needed account since we only see the beauty and glamour associated with it. The dark side consists of grueling shoot hours and strict diets forcing young models into cocaine and drug habits just to keep up with the pace. Then there is the gloomy life of prostitution many struggling models turn to with no help from the horny old agents who would drug or blackmail them to have sex. It is very sick, but intriguing reading since most people like to read about beautiful people. I gave it three stars because the price is pretty steep for such a book. I can't believe I bought it. The pictures are really bad so there was no point of including them in the book. Also, the author went undercover with the intent to expose dirt, but only offers stories from other people's accounts. Most of the sleezy stuff happen to the no-name models so the title of the book is quite misleading. I like the section about the up-and-coming supermodels. My favorite being Devon Aoki because she looks so exotic. You should search for her website...cool stuph. But the chapter on Jenny McCartney and Versace is irrelevant. I pay good money to read about supermodels [...]!

Perhaps it's the English major in me, but I'm always on the lookout for typos or mistakes in the books I read. When I find one or two, I usually dismiss them, but when they appear with great consistency I begin to wonder how much faith the book company or editor had in whatever work I'm reading. Such is the case with Shut Up and Smile, a supposed journalistic account of the behind the scenes world of supermodels, a book as riddled with problems as it is rife with typos and formatting problems.

First of all, the subject is very interesting, and Halperin does discuss some truly frightening aspects of the trade, a definite wake up call to those considering entering the business. But a lot of what he writes is inconsistent or seemingly random - a chapter on the 'bad' years of the mega-supermodels merely catalogs some well known incidents without delving any further. And while he reiterates constantly about certain problems, he again just touches them on the surface, providing only a few examples to back up, for example, his claims that many, many models are murdered each year. One of the strangest chapters is one about Stella McCartney, and whether she is famous for her own talent or by virtue of being Paul's daughter. Not uninteresting, mind you, but what on earth does it have to do with the dark side of supermodels? And for that matter, if the author went undercover to 'discover' the true world of modeling, how come he uses mostly anecdotal and not personal references?

The only reason I gave this book three stars is because the topic is interesting - its presentation may be below par, but that doesn't change the importance or relevance of the subject. It's fascinating to learn about rampant criminal activity behind the scenes, drug use, virtual prostitution and so forth, and for that the book is worth reading. I suppose I just wish that he'd dug deeper, provided more insight or evidence or details, repeated less and proven his startling, and significant, claims. As an overview, it's a good introduction, but it only skims the surface. Its structural, language and editorial problems unfortunately undermine it's power yet it remains a fairly intriguing read.

This book is a must read for all models, agents and designers. I couldn't put it down. I've read other books about the modeling industry but Shut Up And Smile is the most riveting. My 15 year old daughter was considering to model for extra money but I think I'll keep her in school, far away from the sleazy modeling business.

Angelina Mousling loves to dance. Her dances cause her no end of troubles; when they make her late for school, make her crash into things, and so much more. Finally Angelina's father decides that it is time for her to take ballet lessons. This is the story of Angelina, and her path to stardom.

My ten-year-old daughter and I loved this book. The story is quite charming, with Helen Craig's illustrations adding to the book's charm. I must admit that it was a bit beneath my daughter's ability, she read through it in about 10 minutes, but she enjoyed it all the same. Therefore, my daughter and I both recommend this cute book.

Angelina Ballerina is a little mouse, whom loves to dance. She dances all over the schoolyard, and through the house. Finally her parents enroll her in a ballet class, where she becomes one of the best students.

Angelina Ballerina is enjoyable for little ballerinas of all ages. Not only will it encourage your little ones to read, but to also have faith in themselves when trying something new. The illustrations will also make you and your little ones smile in excitement. A must have book for all ballerinas.

My daughter has fallen in love with this book and the character of Angelina so quickly. It is a wonderful book with beautiful illustrations and we enjoy reading it so much. My daughter was already interested in ballet but this book has brought her imagination to a new level. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a young girl.