Books

The Revolution: A Manifesto: Ron Paul: Books

2009-02-06T00:51:00.001-08:00

Author:Ron Paul

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Congressman, Republican Presidential candidate and author Paul (A Foreign Policy of Freedom) says "Let the revolution begin" with this libertarian plea for a return to "the principles of our Founding Fathers: liberty, self-government, the Constitution, and a noninterventionist foreign policy." Specific examples demonstrate how far U.S. law has strayed from this path, particularly over the past century, as well as Paul's firm grasp of history and dedication to meaningful debate: "it is revolutionary to ask whether we need troops in 130 countries... whether the accumulation of more and more power in Washington has been good for us...to ask fundamental questions about privacy, police-state measures, taxation, social policy." Though he can rant, Paul is informative and impassioned, giving readers of any political bent food for thought. With harsh words for both Democrats and Republicans, and especially George W. Bush, Paul's no-nonsense text questions the "imperialist" foreign policy that's led to the war in Iraq ("one of the most ill considered, poorly planned, and... unnecessary military conflicts in American history"), the economic situation and rampant federalism treading on states' rights and identities ("The Founding Fathers did not intend for every American neighborhood to be exactly the same"). Though his policy suggestions can seem extreme, Paul's book gives new life to old debates.
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"The real truth about Liberty.This book takes a wrecking ball to the political establishment.Senator Goldwater would have loved it -- it's The Conscience of a Conservative for the 21^st century." (Barry M. Goldwater, Jr., former member of Congress )

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Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency: Barton Gellman: Books

2009-02-03T22:54:00.001-08:00

Author:Barton Gellman

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Barton Gellman%26#x92;s newsbreaking investigative journalism documents how Vice President Dick Cheney redefined the role of the American vice presidency, assuming unprecedented responsibilities and making it a post of historic power.

Dick Cheney changed history, defining his times and shaping a White House as no vice president has before%26#x97; yet concealing most of his work from public view. Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter Barton Gellman parts the curtains of secrecy to show how Cheney operated, why, and what he wrought.

Angler, Gellman%26#x92;s embargoed and highly explosive book, is a work of careful, concrete, and original reporting backed by hundreds of interviews with close Cheney allies as well as rivals, many speaking candidly on the record for the first time. On the signature issues of war and peace, Angler takes readers behind the scenes as Cheney maneuvers for dominance on what he calls the iron issues from Iraq, Iran, and North Korea to executive supremacy, interrogation of Al Qaeda suspects, and domestic espionage. Gellman explores the behind-the- scenes story of Cheney%26#x92;s tremendous influence on foreign policy, exposing how he misled the four ranking members of Congress with faulty intelligence on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, how he derailed Bush from venturing into Israeli- Palestinian peace talks for nearly five years, and how his policy left North Korea and Iran free to make major advances in their nuclear programs.

Domestically, Gellman details Cheney%26#x92;s role as %26#x93;super Chief of Staff %26#x94;, enforcer of conservative orthodoxy; gatekeeper of Supreme Court nominees; referee of Cabinet turf; editor of tax and budget laws; and regulator in chief of the administration%26#x92;s environment policy. We watch as Cheney, the ultimate Washington insider, leverages his influence within the Bush administration in order to implement his policy goals. Gellman%26#x92;s discoveries will surprise even the most astute students of political science.

Above all, Angler is a study of the inner workings of the Bush administration and the vice president%26#x92;s central role as the administration%26#x92;s canniest power player. Gellman exposes the mechanics of Cheney%26#x92;s largely successful post-September 11 campaign to win unchecked power for the commander in chief, and reflects upon, and perhaps changes, the legacy that Cheney%26#x97;and the Bush administration as a whole%26#x97;will leave as they exit office.

About the Author

Barton Gellman is a special projects reporter on the national staff of The Washington Post, following tours as diplomatic correspondent, Jerusalem bureau chief, Pentagon correspondent, and D.C. Superior Court reporter. He shared the Pulitzer Prize in 2002 and has won honors from the Overseas Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists, and American Society of Newspaper Editors. Gellman graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and earned a master%26#x92;s degree in politics at University College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar. He is the author of Contending With Kennan: Toward a Philosophy of American Power.

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Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Italy, India and Indonesia: Elizabeth Gilbert: Books

2009-02-03T22:53:00.007-08:00

Author:Elizabeth Gilbert

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review.Gilbert (The Last American Man) grafts the structure of romantic fiction upon the inquiries of reporting in this sprawling yet methodical travelogue of soul-searching and self-discovery. Plagued with despair after a nasty divorce, the author, in her early 30s, divides a year equally among three dissimilar countries, exploring her competing urges for earthly delights and divine transcendence. First, pleasure: savoring Italy's buffet of delights--the world's best pizza, free-flowing wine and dashing conversation partners--Gilbert consumes la dolce vita as spiritual succor. "I came to Italy pinched and thin," she writes, but soon fills out in waist and soul. Then, prayer and ascetic rigor: seeking communion with the divine at a sacred ashram in India, Gilbert emulates the ways of yogis in grueling hours of meditation, struggling to still her churning mind. Finally, a balancing act in Bali, where Gilbert tries for equipoise "betwixt and between" realms, studies with a merry medicine man and plunges into a charged love affair. Sustaining a chatty, conspiratorial tone, Gilbert fully engages readers in the year's cultural and emotional tapestry--conveying rapture with infectious brio, recalling anguish with touching candor--as she details her exotic tableau with history, anecdote and impression.
Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From The New Yorker

At the age of thirty-one, Gilbert moved with her husband to the suburbs of New York and began trying to get pregnant, only to realize that she wanted neither a child nor a husband. Three years later, after a protracted divorce, she embarked on a yearlong trip of recovery, with three main stops: Rome, for pleasure (mostly gustatory, with a special emphasis on gelato); an ashram outside of Mumbai, for spiritual searching; and Bali, for "balancing." These destinations are all on the beaten track, but Gilbert's exuberance and her self-deprecating humor enliven the proceedings: recalling the first time she attempted to speak directly to God, she says, "It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, 'I've always been a big fan of your work.'"
Copyright %26copy; 2006 The New Yorker
--This text refers to the

Hardcover
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A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity: Bill O'Reilly: Books

2009-02-03T22:53:00.005-08:00

Author:Bill O'Reilly

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The year was 1957, the month September, and I had just turned eight years old. Dwight Eisenhower was President, but in my life it was the diminutive, intense Sister Mary Lurana who ruled, at least in the third-grade class where I was held captive. For reasons you will soon understand, my parents had remanded me to the penal institution of St. Brigid%26#8217;s School in Westbury, New York, a cruel and unusual punishment if there ever was one.

Already, I had barely survived my first two years at St. Brigid%26#8217;s because I was, well, a little nitwit. Not satisfied with memorizing the Baltimore Catechism%26#8217;s fine prose, which featured passages like %26#8220;God made me to show his goodness and to make me happy with him in heaven,%26#8221; I was constantly annoying my classmates and, of course, the no-nonsense Sister Lurana. With sixty overactive students in her class, she was understandably short on patience. For survival, she had also become quick on the draw.

Then it happened. One day I blurted out some dumb remark, and Sister Lurana was on me like a panther. Her black habit blocked out all distractions as she leaned down, looked me in the eye, and uttered words I have never forgotten: %26#8220;William, you are a bold, fresh piece of humanity.%26#8221;

And she was dead-on.One day in 1957, in the third-grade classroom of St. Brigid%26#8217;s parochial school, an exasperated Sister Mary Lurana bent over a restless young William O%26#8217;Reilly and said, %26#8220;William, you are a bold, fresh piece of humanity.%26#8221; Little did she know that she was, early in his career as a troublemaker, defining the essence of Bill O%26#8217;Reilly and providing him with the title of his brash and entertaining issues-based memoir.

And this time it%26#8217;s personal. In his most intimate book yet, O%26#8217;Reilly goes back in time to examine the people, places, and experiences that launched him on his journey from working-class kid to immensely influential television personality and bestselling author. Readers will learn how his traditional outlook was formed in the crucible of his family, his neighborhood, his church, and his schools, and how his views on America%26#8217;s proper role in the world emerged from covering four wars on five continents over three-plus decades as a news correspondent. What will delight his numerous fans and surprise many others is the humor and self-deprecation with which he handles one of his core subjects: himself, and just how O%26#8217;Reilly became O%26#8217;Reilly.

About the Author

BILL O%26#8217;REILLY, a three-time Emmy Award winner for excellence in reporting, served as national correspondent for ABC News and as anchor of the nationally syndicated news magazine program Inside Edition before becoming executive producer and anchor of Fox News%26#8217;s breakout hit The O%26#8217;Reilly Factor. He is the author of the mega-bestsellers The O%26#8217;Reilly Factor, The No Spin Zone, Who%26#8217;s Looking Out for You?, and Culture Warrior, as well as Kids Are Americans Too, The O%26#8217;Reilly Factor for Kids, and the novel Those Who Trespass. He holds master%26#8217;s degrees from Harvard%26#8217;s Kennedy School of Government and Boston University.

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The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life: Alice Schroeder: Books

2009-02-03T22:53:00.003-08:00

Author:Alice Schroeder

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Here is THE book recounting the life and times of one of the most respected men in the world, Warren Buffett. The legendary Omaha investor has never written a memoir, but now he has allowed one writer, Alice Schroeder, unprecedented access to explore directly with him and with those closest to him his work, opinions, struggles, triumphs, follies, and wisdom. The result is the personally revealing and complete biography of the man known everywhere as %26#8220;The Oracle of Omaha.%26#8221;

Although the media track him constantly, Buffett himself has never told his full life story. His reality is private, especially by celebrity standards. Indeed, while the homespun persona that the public sees is true as far as it goes, it goes only so far. Warren Buffett is an array of paradoxes. He set out to prove that nice guys can finish first. Over the years he treated his investors as partners, acted as their steward, and championed honesty as an investor, CEO, board member, essayist, and speaker. At the same time he became the world%26#8217;s richest man, all from the modest Omaha headquarters of his company Berkshire Hathaway. None of this fits the term %26#8220;simple.%26#8221;

When Alice Schroeder met Warren Buffett she was an insurance industry analyst and a gifted writer known for her keen perception and business acumen. Her writings on finance impressed him, and as she came to know him she realized that while much had been written on the subject of his investing style, no one had moved beyond that to explore his larger philosophy, which is bound up in a complex personality and the details of his life. Out of this came his decision to cooperate with her on the book about himself that he would never write.

Never before has Buffett spent countless hours responding to a writer%26#8217;s questions, talking, giving complete access to his wife, children, friends, and business associates%26#8212;opening his files, recalling his childhood. It was an act of courage, as The Snowball makes immensely clear. Being human, his own life, like most lives, has been a mix of strengths and frailties. Yet notable though his wealth may be, Buffett%26#8217;s legacy will not be his ranking on the scorecard of wealth; it will be his principles and ideas that have enriched people%26#8217;s lives. This book tells you why Warren Buffett is the most fascinating American success story of our time.

About the Author

Author Alice Schroeder was a noted insurance industry analyst and writer who was a managing director at Morgan Stanley. She first met Warren Buffett when she published research on Berkshire Hathaway; her grasp of the subject and insight so impressed him that he offered her access to his files and to himself. Their friendship and mutual respect make her ideally positioned to write the The Snowball.

Ms. Schroeder was born in Texas, and she earned an undergraduate degree and her MBA at the University of Texas at Austin before moving east to work in finance. She is a former CPA and lives in Connecticut with her husband.

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Pieces of My Heart: A Life: Robert J. Wagner, Scott Eyman: Books

2009-02-03T22:53:00.001-08:00

Author:Robert J. Wagner

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this moving memoir, Robert J. Wagner opens his heart to share the romances, the drama, and the humor of an incredible life

He grew up in Bel Air next door to a golf course that changed his life. As a young boy, he saw a foursome playing one morning featuring none other than Fred Astaire, Clark Gable, Randolph Scott, and Cary Grant. Seeing these giants of the silver screen awed him and fueled his dreams of becoming a movie star. Battling a revolving door of boarding schools and a father who wanted him to forget Hollywood and join the family business, sixteen-year-old Wagner started like any na%26#239;ve kid would%26#8212;walking along Sunset Boulevard, hoping that a producer or director would notice him. Under the mentorship of stars like Spencer Tracy, he would become a salaried actor in Hollywood's studio system among other hot actors of the moment such as his friends Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis. Working with studio mogul Darryl Zanuck, Wagner began to appear in a number of films alongside the most beautiful starlets%26#8212;but his first love was Barbara Stanwyck, an actress twice his age. As his career blossomed, and after he separated from Stanwyck, he met the woman who would change his life forever, Natalie Wood. They fell instantly and deeply in love and stayed together until the stress of their careers%26#8212;hers marching upward, his inexplicably deflating%26#8212;drove them to divorce. Trying to forget the pain, he made more movies and spent his time in Europe with the likes of Steve McQueen, Sophia Loren, Peter Sellers, Laurence Olivier, David Niven, Liz Taylor, and Joan Collins. He would meet and marry the beautiful former model and actress Marion Marshall. Together they had a daughter and made their way back to America, where he found himself at the beginning of a new era in Hollywood%26#8212;the blossoming of television. Lew Wasserman and later Aaron Spelling would work with Wagner as he produced and starred in some of the most successful programs in history. Despite his newfound success, his marriage to Marion fell apart. He looked no further than Natalie Wood, for whom he still pined. To the world's surprise, they fell in love all over again, this time more deeply and with maturity. As she settled into a domestic life, raising their own daughter, Courtney, as well as their children from previous marriages, Wagner became the sole provider, reaping the riches of television success. Their life together was cut tragically short, though, when Wood died after falling from their yacht. For the first time, Wagner writes about that tremendously painful time. After a serious bout with depression, he finally resurfaced and eventually married Jill St. John, who helped keep his family and his fractured heart together. With color photographs and never-before-told stories, this is a quintessentially American story of one of the great sons of Hollywood.

About the Author

Robert J. Wagner has been active in Hollywood for more than five decades and has starred in such films as A Kiss Before Dying, The Longest Day, The Pink Panther, and, most recently, the Austin Powers movies. On television, Wagner also starred in three long-running series, It Takes a Thief (with Fred Astaire), Switch (with Eddie Albert and Sharon Gless), and Hart to Hart (with Stefanie Powers). He is currently featured on Two and a Half Men. Wagner is married to actress Jill St. John and lives in Los Angeles.

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Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time: Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin: Books

2009-02-03T22:52:00.005-08:00

Author:Greg Mortenson

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts. (Mar.)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the

Hardcover
edition.

From Bookmarks Magazine

While critics agree that Three Cups of Tea should be read for its inspirational value rather than for its literary merit, the book's central theme, derived from a Baltistan proverb, rings loud and clear. "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger," a villager tells Greg Mortenson. "The second time, you are an honored guest. The third time you become family." An inspirational story of one man's efforts to address poverty, educate girls, and overcome cultural divides, Three Cups, which won the 2007 Kiriyama Prize for nonfiction, reveals the enormous obstacles inherent in becoming such "family." Despite the important message, critics quibbled over the awkward prose and some melodrama. After all, a story as dramatic and satisfying as this should tell itself.Copyright %26#169; 2004 Phillips %26amp; Nelson Media, Inc.

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Steering by Starlight: Find Your Right Life, No Matter What!: Martha Beck: Books

2009-02-03T22:52:00.003-08:00

Author:Martha Beck

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the tradition of her bestseller, Finding Your Own North Star, Oprah Magazine columnist Martha Beck reconnects readers with their best destinies.Described as one of the best-known life coaches in America in media such as Psychology Today, NPR, and USA Today, Martha Beck has demonstrated a rare gift for helping people whose lives have gone off course find their way back to authentic, rewarding lives. Now, in Steering by Starlight: Find Your Right Life, No Matter What!, Martha Beck describes the step-by-step process she uses with her private clients to help them navigate the terrain of their best lives.Bringing together cutting-edge research in psychiatry, neurology, and related fields in an accessible, substantive, original way, Dr. Beck offers powerful new methods for solving the problems that beset ordinary people. Using her trademark wisdom, empathy, and engaging style, she connects readers with fresh, never-before published strategies that have proven most effective and efficient for the hundreds of people she has coached. For readers who have found their North Stars, this book will be an invaluable tool to stay the course and overcome obstacles. For those who still feel adrift, it will provide a way to find true North and follow the path of best destiny.Dr. Beck identifies three stages along the path to recapturing a satisfying life:-%26#8220;the stargazer%26#8221; helps readers understand why it%26#8217;s so easy to lose themselves and offers strategies for sighting their North Star-%26#8220;the mapmaker%26#8221; uses this newly clarified perspective to evaluate one%26#8217;s situation and plot a course for upcoming years-%26#8220;the pathfinder%26#8221; discusses the adventures that may be encountered as one travels along this new life courseWhether it%26#8217;s seeking better relationships, more focused career direction, the achievement of specific fitness goals, or a more harmonious lifestyle, Steering by Starlight%26#8217;s colorful anecdotes, case studies, and exercises will point the way.

About the Author

MARTHA BECK, PHD, is a life coach and monthly columnist for O: The Oprah Magazine. She has taught career development at the American Graduate School of International Management and was research assistant to Dr. John Kotter at Harvard Business School. The author of the bestsellers Finding Your Own North Star and the memoir Expecting Adam, and The Four-Day Win, she lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Luncheon of the Boating Party: Susan Vreeland: Books

2009-02-03T22:52:00.001-08:00

Author:Susan Vreeland

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Imagining the banks of the Seine in the thick of la vie moderne, Vreeland (Girl in Hyacinth Blue) tracks Auguste Renoir as he conceives, plans and paints the 1880 masterpiece that gives her vivid fourth novel its title. Renoir, then 39, pays the rent on his Montmartre garret by painting "overbred society women in their fussy parlors," but, goaded by negative criticism from %26Eacute;mile Zola, he dreams of doing a breakout work. On July 20, the daughter of a resort innkeeper close to Paris suggests that Auguste paint from the restaurant's terrace. The party of 13 subjects Renoir puts together (with difficulty) eventually spends several Sundays drinking and flirting under the spell of the painter's brush. Renoir, who declares, "I only want to paint women I love," falls desperately for his newest models, while trying to win his last subject back from her rich fianc%26eacute;. But Auguste and his friends only have two months to catch the light he wants and fend off charges that he and his fellow Impressionists see the world "through rose-colored glasses." Vreeland achieves a detailed and surprising group portrait, individualized and immediate. (May)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the

Hardcover
edition.

From Bookmarks Magazine

Author of the previous hit Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Susan Vreeland comes through with another compelling historical novel centered on artists and their work. Critics agree that the concept (tracing Renoir's steps back from this joyous painting) and the research (combining facts not only about Renoir's inner circle but also details about French caf%26eacute; society, culture, and painting techniques) demonstrate considerable skill and dedication. The Seattle Times even calls Luncheon "this summer's most satisfying historical novel." Others find that Vreeland gets too bogged down in historical detail, which slows the plot and sometimes creates a strained narrative. Despite this perhaps overabundance of historical material, Luncheon succeeds as a portrait of both a man and an era.
Copyright %26#169; 2004 Phillips %26amp; Nelson Media, Inc.
--This text refers to the

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The Historian: Elizabeth Kostova: Books

2008-10-19T17:41:00.007-07:00

Author:Elizabeth Kostova

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If your pulse flutters at the thought of castle ruins and descents into crypts bymoonlight, you will savor every creepy page of Elizabeth Kostova's long butbeautifully structured thriller The Historian.The story opens inAmsterdam in 1972, when a teenage girl discovers a medieval book and a cacheof yellowed letters in her diplomat father's library. The pages of thebook are empty except for a woodcut of a dragon. The letters are addressedto: "My dear and unfortunate successor." When the girl confronts herfather, he reluctantly confesses an unsettling story: his involvement,twenty years earlier, in a search for his graduate school mentor, whodisappeared from his office only moments after confiding to Paul hiscertainty that Dracula--Vlad the Impaler, an inventively cruel ruler ofWallachia in the mid-15th century--was still alive. The story turns out toconcern our narrator directly because Paul's collaborator in the search wasa fellow student named Helen Rossi (the unacknowledged daughter of hismentor) and our narrator's long-dead mother, about whom she knows almostnothing. And then her father, leaving just a note, disappears also.As well as numerous settings, both in and out of the East Bloc, Kostovahas three basic story lines to keep straight--one from 1930, when ProfessorBartolomew Rossi begins his dangerous research into Dracula, one from 1950,when Professor Rossi's student Paul takes up the scent, and the mainnarrative from 1972. The criss-crossing story lines mirror the politicaladvances, retreats, triumphs, and losses that shaped Dracula's beleagueredhomeland--sometimes with the Byzantines on top, sometimes the Ottomans,sometimes the rag-tag local tribes, or the Orthodox church, and sometimes afresh conqueror like the Soviet Union.Although the book is appropriately suspenseful and a delight toread--even the minor characters are distinctive and vividly seen--its mostpowerful moments are those that describe real horrors. Our narrator recallsthat after reading descriptions of Vlad burning young boys or impaling "alarge family," she tried to forget the words: "For all his attention to myhistorical education, my father had neglected to tell me this: history'sterrible moments were real. I understand now, decades later, that he couldnever have told me. Only history itself can convince you of such a truth."The reader, although given a satisfying ending, gets a strong enough dose ofEuropean history to temper the usual comforts of the closing words. --Regina Marler
--This text refers to the

Hardcover
edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Considering the recent rush of door-stopping historical novels, first-timer Kostova is getting a big launch%26mdash;fortunately, a lot here lives up to the hype. In 1972, a 16-year-old American living in Amsterdam finds a mysterious book in her diplomat father's library. The book is ancient, blank except for a sinister woodcut of a dragon and the word "Drakulya," but it's the letters tucked inside, dated 1930 and addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," that really pique her curiosity. Her widowed father, Paul, reluctantly provides pieces of a chilling story; it seems this ominous little book has a way of forcing itself on its owners, with terrifying results. Paul's former adviser at Oxford, Professor Rossi, became obsessed with researching Dracula and was convinced that he remained alive. When Rossi disappeared, Paul continued his quest with the help of another scholar, Helen, who had her own reasons for seeking the truth. As Paul relates these stories to his daughter, she secretly begins her own research. Kostova builds suspense by revealing the threads of her story as the narrator discovers them: what she's told, what she reads in old letters and, of course, what she discovers directly when the legendary threat of Dracula looms. Along with all the fascinating historical information, there's also a mounting casualty count, and the big showdown amps up the drama by pulling at the heartstrings at the same time it revels in the gruesome. Exotic locales, tantalizing history, a family legacy and a love of the bloodthirsty: it's hard to imagine that readers won't be bitten, too.
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the

Hardcover
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Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guides(R)): Roger Tory Peterson: Books

2008-10-19T17:41:00.005-07:00

Author:Roger Tory Peterson

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Roger Tory Peterson was an early adopter of technology because it helped him share his passion for nature. If he hwere alive today, our video podcasts, designed to help make bird watching easier and more fun, would surely have his stamp of approval." (Bill Thompson III contributor and coproducer of video podcasts )

Product Description

In celebration of the centennial of Roger Tory Peterson's birth comes a historic collaboration among renowned birding experts and artists to preserve and enhance the Peterson legacy. This new book combines the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds and Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds into one volume, filled with accessible, concise information and including almost three hours of video podcasts to make bird watching even easier.

%26bull; 40 new paintings

%26bull; Digital updates to Peterson's original paintings, reflecting the latest knowledge of bird identification

%26bull; All new maps for the most up-to-date range information available

%26bull; Text rewritten to cover the U.S. and Canada in one guide

%26bull; Larger trim size accommodates range maps on every spread

%26bull; Contributors include: Michael DiGiorgio, Jeff Gordon, Paul Lehman, Michael O'Brien, Larry Rosche, and Bill Thompson III

%26bull; Includes URL to register for access to video podcasts

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Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life: Linda Sivertsen, Tosh Sivertsen: Books

2008-10-19T17:41:00.003-07:00

Author:Linda Sivertsen

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

We all know about the Earth's environmental crisis, but there is someone who can truly make a difference: you. If you text your friends or chat with them online, download music to your iPod, or toss bottles and papers into recycling bins, you're already more eco-savvy than you think. It's just as easy to do even more to help save the earth, and Generation Green shows you how. This book: Lays out the inside scoop on the biggest issues affecting our planet, such as global warming and overflowing landfills Offers dozens of tips on how to shop, dress, eat, and travel the green way Includes interviews with teens like you who are involved with fun, innovative green causes Shows that being environmentally conscious can be a natural part of your life -- and your generation's contribution to turning things around.It doesn't matter if you can't vote or drive. Your efforts -- big or small -- will contribute to saving the planet. It's time for all of us to take action. It's time to go green!

Excerpt. %26copy; Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

you are generation green!When I was a kid, I didn't know that we were more environmentally conscious -- greener -- than my friends' families. I just thought everybody lived like we did, and there weren't a whole lot of other people around to tell me otherwise. From age four until I was nine my parents raised me in the woods in northern New Mexico, where we lived on hundreds of acres of raw land. My folks built our house themselves, which was 100 percent solar-powered. (Mom even juiced her laptop from the sun.) We lived "off the grid," meaning we weren't connected to the electrical system or public utilities. We didn't need an alarm clock; we just went to sleep after it got dark and woke up with the sun. It was so far away from everything that friends always got lost trying to find us down the maze of dirt roads. I loved it, even though we had so few of the things most kids take for granted -- working toilets, indoor heating, phones, trash pickup, a dishwasher. If we wanted water, we couldn't just turn on a faucet; we had to catch it from the roof -- did you know you can save hundreds of gallons from a single summer afternoon's storm? -- or lug it in five-gallon jugs from a well a quarter of a mile away. Water was so precious we'd even catch the morning dew in our tank.As a five-year-old I used to help my folks chop up dead wood for heat with a small ax. That was a blast, and I never even got a nick. When my friends visited, Mom would take us on treasure hunts, looking for deer and moose tracks, and arrowheads. That was all great, but I had to use an outhouse for forever, which was a total drag. We had empty jars stored under the kitchen sink that we used for those "late night" emergencies when I didn't want to go outside in the pitch-dark and walk the thirty feet in the freezing cold to use the outhouse. And without a heater (can you say 22 degrees in the living room at three a.m.?) if I used one of those jars in the middle of the night in the wintertime, by morning the contents were often frozen. Okay, pretty gross, I know. T.M.I.Living in a forest and being so close to nature changes you. I used to run for hours in the woods with my siblings -- ha, really my pack of dogs -- so townspeople called me Mowgli the Jungle Boy. Sometimes I'd put newborn puppies into my pockets to keep them warm while I went out walking in the snow. Life in New Mexico taught me so many things. Like how precious our natural resources are. You become a homegrown expert in low-impact living because being even a little wasteful in that environment feels all wrong -- like wearing a tuxedo to a hip-hop concert. Some things just don't go together.We bought our land from a Native-American medicine man who lived in a small makeshift cabin nearby. We lived next to his tepee and his inepi -- an igloo-shaped contraption where he did these amazing sweat lodge ceremonies. The medicine man taught us to "walk lightly" on Mother Earth and ponder the thoughts of plants and rocks, "who had seen so much." He taught us to think about how everything we do affects future generations -- perhaps the most important lesson passed down to him from his elders. It's easier to learn that lesson when you're surrounded by grass and brown earth and can literally see your own footprints.We saw so many different approaches to caring for the earth in rural New Mexico -- but also so many contradictions. The medicine man said that he wanted nothing but a can of beans every day and a tepee to live in, and that he dreamed of going totally back to nature -- but when he got a gas generator, he always had his TV blaring the news. The consique (tribal spiritual leader) of the Taos Pueblo, "Grampa" Pete Concha, told us he feared for our safety every time we went to "the outworld" -- Los Angeles, where Mom and Dad had to go for work (Mom's a writer and Dad's an actor). But wasn't our favorite city also sacred by just being part of the earth? I was confused. When we first moved to New Mexico, the locals didn't immediately trust our good intentions, calling us "Hollywood" and "Easy Money" and "Indian Wannabes." We had to work hard to fit in and convince them that we cared about the land and their ways as much as they did. Sometimes it felt like we were living in two worlds.When I was in fourth grade, we moved back to a suburb of Los Angeles so my dad could be closer to his acting auditions and Mom could do press for her first book. Then I really did have to figure out how to live in two worlds! I remember being psyched about the running water -- turning the faucet in the bathroom on and off...how totally easy! It was around that time I quickly figured out that, unlike my dad, I was a city dude and loved living a more comfortable lifestyle. Flush toilets are the shizz! Mom and I are more alike in that way, but we're so grateful for our years living in the forest, for the seasons we spent living simply in the middle of so much natural beauty. It's too remote for more than brief visits right now, but that experience stays with you no matter where you go, kind of the way I imagine taking a long safari in Africa would. Or going to the moon.Each day I find myself playing a balancing act in both of my lives. I love the best of what our modern world provides (like indoor toilets and heaters), but I don't want to stress out the planet to live my life.I'm guessing you're doing that same balancing act. You're worried about pollution and global warming and running out of resources, but you also love your five pairs of designer jeans and daily custom-built Frappuccinos. I feel ya. And maybe it seems like global warming and other world problems are so big and "out there" that they barely touch you -- and it's not like you'll ever live on a melting glacier. But really, those problems and their ripple effects are closer than you think.For instance, do you love going to the beach? If so, have you noticed the litter? Here on the West Coast they're always closing the beaches because bacteria-laden raw sewage keeps showing up in the water. Ugh, is anything more disgusting? According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, sewage spills and overflows caused 1,301 national beach closing and advisory days in 2006. Another fourteen thousand closing and advisory days were due to unknown sources of pollution. Ugh. On a good day you're cruising along the shore looking for seashells and you find a ton of plastic bottles instead. It's not only gross, but it's bad news, because those plastics don't biodegrade. They just break down into tinier and tinier pieces until they turn into a kind of toxic dust that the fish eat -- and then we eat the fish! Some scientists think there are six times as many of these microplastics in the oceans as plankton, which is one of the most important food supplies to aquatic life.If you're not into the beach, maybe you love skiing or snowboarding. You can see signs of the ripple effects there, too. Thanks to rising global temperatures and record droughts, the snowpacks are often weak and unpredictable, and the ski season can end before it even seems to get rolling. Perhaps you have asthma, and pollution is making you wheeze? Or you're sick of all the rain. Or you aren't getting enough rain. Or you just want to go play sports without sucking down thick brown air. Maybe you live on the coast and everyone around you is nervous. It makes you wonder if the house you grew up in will be on dry land by the time you have your own kids.So maybe it's starting to hit home that all this environmental stuff isn't really "out there." It's right in our own backyards, all around us. It's hard to believe, but while we were working on this very book, Mom and I had to pack up two cars' worth of our belongings and our dogs and cat in an hour and flee a raging wildfire at the top of our hill. And then, as we were finishing up the last chapters, Mom got stuck in the middle of a storm with eighty-five-mile-an-hour hurricane winds! It's as though Mother Nature's trying to make a statement here -- as if to warn us that she needs our cooperation! I've been reading about how fires and hurricanes and other extreme weather events are indications that the environment is stressed out, out of balance. Sure seems so. It's really gotten me thinking even more about what my friends and I can do to lighten our impact.A lot of people think that teens are too self-involved to care about global issues. Sure, if your dad and mom are fighting or your ex-best friend is going out with your ex or your family cat just had to be put to sleep or you flunked your last math test, okay, you're going to worry more about that stuff than about a melting glacier thousands of miles away. At least for that day or week or month.But that doesn't mean we don't care. I'm convinced we do. We're just not sure what to do next. My mom and I have a theory. We think both teens and adults are waiting to be asked to do more. We're expecting someone in power to ask us to step up, to sacrifice for the greater good. Like the Greatest Generation did during WWII when people rationed everything they used. Back in the 1940s people really appreciated the smallest things and found uses for everything. (My grandma took the burlap from flour sacks and made them into dish towels -- can you imagine?) I think teens today are just as willing to do our part; maybe we simply need a little more information and a little more motivation.So that's why Mom and I are doing this book; it's our way of inviting everyone to step up and become our own Greatest Generation: Generation Green. We may not have gotten ourselves into this mess, but let's face it, our elders are hoping we find the solutions. So let's do it. Let's surprise everyone. Do you have anything better to do? Okay, don't answer that. Video games and texting BFFs don't count!This book can help you get started. You'll be reading about a lot of different ideas here that you may not have heard before. We're not scientists, but we're passionate and a bit wacky, and we love to research and write about all the options. We'll introduce you to teens an...

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The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A Leadership Fable About Restoring Sanity To The Most Important Organization In Your Life: Patrick M. Lencioni: Books

2008-10-19T17:41:00.001-07:00

Author:Patrick M. Lencioni

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lencioni (The Three Signs of a Miserable Job) makes an eloquent case for applying business tools to manage scattered and stressful home lives. He observes that even successful people who apply strategies and long-term thinking at work neglect to implement plans and goals for their own families, noting that family chaos is just part of life and so we accept levels of confusion and disorganization and craziness at home that we would not tolerate at work. Lencioni invites readers into the lives of a fictional family, describing how overwhelmed stay-at-home mom Theresa brings greater serenity into her home by integrating business pointers into a three-step plan in which her family identifies what makes them unique, their top priority or rallying cry (a big project that can be worked on in two to six months) and a regular time to discuss their progress, preferably 10 minutes a week. Although Lencioni admits that his own family's experience using these tools has been limited, his book is a worthwhile if brief attempt to grapple with a particularly thorny problem facing overextended families. (Sept.)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Memo to mom: "if my clients ran their companies the way we run this family, they'd be out of business." So says the management-consultant dad in this slim but thought-provoking volume. BlackBerrys are blurring the line between work and home. Why not apply business principles to "the most important organization in your life"? It's hard to argue with the idea that family goals should be carefully articulated. Likewise, a weekly family meeting can only help team spirit. But please, let's draw the line at pink slips.

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McCain's Promise: Aboard the Straight Talk Express with John McCain and a Whole Bunch of Actual Reporters, Thinking About Hope: David Foster Wallace, Jacob Weisberg: Books

2008-10-19T17:40:00.007-07:00

Author:David Foster Wallace

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wallace's inexperience as a campaign reporter is an advantage here, leading to unvarnished insights." (Miami Herald Ariel Gonzalez )

"Compelling...A patient and thoughtful meditation on what McCain's military past-specifically, his five-plus years as a prisoner of war-means about his moral fiber." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution Kevin Canfield )

"Wallace conveys a geniuine disillusionment at the sham of the whole arrangement: the endless political posturing, the robotic news coverage...At the same time, he recognize's McCain's essential magnetism." (Los Angeles Time Book Review Steve Almond )

"Bracingly insightful." (New York Times Book Review Pankaj Mishra )

Product Description

Is John McCain "For Real?"

That's the question David Foster Wallace set out to explore when he first climbed aboard Senator McCain's campaign caravan in February 2000. It was a moment when Mccain was increasingly perceived as a harbinger of change, the anticandidate whose goal was "to inspire young Americans to devote themselves to causes greater than their own self-interest." And many young Americans were beginning to take notice.

To get at "something riveting and unspinnable and true" about John Mccain, Wallace finds he must pierce the smoke screen of spin doctors and media manipulators. And he succeeds-in a characteristically potent blast of journalistic brio that not only captures the lunatic rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign but also delivers a compelling inquiry into John McCain himself: the senator, the POW, the campaign finance reformer, the candidate, the man.

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The Biggest Loser: The Weight Loss Program to Transform Your Body, Health, and Life--Adapted from Hit Show!: Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, Cheryl Forberg, Michael Dansinger MD, Bob Harper: Books

2008-10-19T17:40:00.005-07:00

Author:Maggie Greenwood-Robinson

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The book fans have been clamoring for%26#8212;the diet and exercise plan that enabled contestants to transform their bodies and their lives on TV%26#8217;s new smash hit reality show
The Biggest Loser was NBC%26#8217;s surprise hit of the Fall 2004 television season, drawing a passionate audience and prompting people nationwide to start their own Biggest Loser competitions. This unscripted weight-loss drama was based on overweight contestants competing to lose weight and win a quarter of a million dollars with the help of a team of doctors, dietitians, and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.
On the evening that the first season%26#8217;s finale aired, legions of fans went to the NBC Web site to look for the diet and fitness plan that the contestants used. It wasn%26#8217;t available to the public%26#8212;until now. With this book, people looking for change can accomplish the same type of radical makeover of their bodies, their health, and their lives that they saw on The Biggest Loser.
The book features the food and fitness plans from Bob and Jillian, health advice from the show%26#8217;s medical experts, and motivational tips from the contestants themselves. The contestants%26#8217; compelling stories and reasons for losing weight, dramatic before-and-after photos, and real-life advice provide the inspiration and upbeat attitude that made this show a smash hit.

About the Author

BOB HARPER, trainer on The Biggest Loser, is known as the go-to trainer for Hollywood%26#8217;s elite and counts Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, and Laura Dern among his past and present clients. He lives in Los Angeles.

MAGGIE GREENWOOD-ROBINSON, PhD, is a leading health and medical writer. She has authored or coauthored more than 30 books, including Good Carbs versus Bad Carbs and The Bikini Diet. She has a doctorate in nutritional counseling.

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Skeletons at the Feast: Chris Bohjalian: Books

2008-10-19T17:40:00.003-07:00

Author:Chris Bohjalian

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his 12th novel, Bohjalian (The Double Bind) paints the brutal landscape of Nazi Germany as German refugees struggle westward ahead of the advancing Russian army. Inspired by the unpublished diary of a Prussian woman who fled west in 1945, the novel exhumes the ruin of spirit, flesh and faith that accompanied thousands of such desperate journeys. Prussian aristocrat Rolf Emmerich and his two elder sons are sent into battle, while his wife flees with their other children and a Scottish POW who has been working on their estate. Before long, they meet up with Uri Singer, a Jewish escapee from an Auschwitz-bound train, who becomes the group's protector. In a parallel story line, hundreds of Jewish women shuffle west on a gruesome death march from a concentration camp. Bohjalian presents the difficulties confronting both sets of travelers with carefully researched detail and an unflinching eye, but he blinks when creating the Emmerichs, painting them as untainted by either their privileged status, their indoctrination by the Nazi Party or their adoration of Hitler. Although most of the characters lack complexity, Bohjalian's well-chosen descriptions capture the anguish of a tragic era and the dehumanizing desolation wrought by war. (May)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

%26quot;The perfect novel for a book club. . .this book sucked me right in. It%26#8217;s vivid and heart-wrenching.%26quot;
%26#8212;John Searles, The Today Show

%26quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II....While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war....Right and wrong shift depending on the situation. Ignorance is tolerated and murder is justified. But Bohjalian does posit that one absolute exists: No one wins at war.%26quot;
%26#8212;Dennis Moore, USA Today

%26quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in Skeletons at the Feast, and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.%26quot;
%26#8212;Paula L. Woods, The Los Angeles Times

%26quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.%26quot;
-- Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World

%26quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.%26quot;
%26#8212;Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe

%26quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Jodi Picoult, Real Simple

%26quot;Bohjalian has shown a prodigious gift for exploring how people are transformed.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Entertainment Weekly

%26quot;Chris Bohjalian has done it again! His latest novel, Skeletons at the Feast ... is more than well worth the read ... Along this journey we not only see the horrors of the war unfold, we see the individuals evolve.%26quot;
%26#8212;The Valley Voice

%26quot;A bittersweet story of romance, war and death, inspired in part by a real diary. . .Strongly dramatic and full of the heartbreaking horror of war, this novel is Bohjalian at his imaginative best.%26quot;
%26#8212;Carole Godlberg, The Hartford Courant

%26quot;Skeletons at the Feast is a prime example of a well-written historical fiction. Readers will feel the despair experienced by the characters but will be able to find the bit of hope that keeps them moving forward. Bohjalian provides a vivid and well-researched look at the horrors experienced by the characters and presents a more personal account of anguish caused by the events of World War II.%26quot;
%26#8212;Courtney Holschuh, The Huntington, W.V. Herald-Dispatch

%26quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.%26quot;
%26#8212;The Rocky Mountain News

%26quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of 'The Kite Runner' with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.%26quot;
%26#8212;Austin American-Statesman

%26quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books.He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs.evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.%26quot;
%26#8212;The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

%26quot;Riveting. . .an unforgettable finale. . .Chris Bohjalian handles the context of this story effortlessly and has created characters so engaging that any reader will find themselves connecting with these very real people.. . .I hail Bohjalian's new novel and its fearless account of one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century.%26quot;
%26#8212;Ray Palen, Bookreporter

%26quot;This is the perfect novel for a book club because there%26#8217;s so much to discuss. It%26#8217;s vivid and heart-wrenching.%26quot;
%26#8212;John Searles, Cosmopolitan, on The Today Show, %26#8220;Top 10 Summer Reads%26#8221;

%26quot;Nail-biting, heart-ripping. . .The reader of Skeletons at the Feast is quietly checkmated by Bohjalian into a radical compassion we've heard somewhere before: Love Thy Enemy . . . I loved this unforgettable novel.%26quot;
%26#8212;Tom Paine, The Burlington Free Press

%26quot;A lush romance, reflecting resilience in the face of nearly certain tragedy....a trenchant epic that is both agonizing and enriching.%26quot;
%26#8212;AirTran Magazine

%26quot;A fictional tale of love, violence and redemption. . . Bohjalian deftly moves from the journey to the back stories of each character, fleshing out their histories and making their choices more poignant as their friendship and interdependence develop. Who will live and who will die? The author keeps up the suspense until the last page, with a surprise twist at the end.%26quot;
%26#8212;Capital Living Magazine

%26quot;Powerful . . . Skeletons at the Feast positively resonates with authenticity. I've read several accounts of that small part of World War II, but it took this novel to bring home to me, most clearly and vividly, the dreadful ordeal these people endured...[The Holocaust's] evils are more palpable when its victims come to life-and, in so many cases, death-in the pages of a well-crafted novel. Bohjalian allows the reader to know them and identify with them in a way that no photographs or program on the History Channel can match.%26quot;
%26#8212;A.C. Hutchinson, The Times-Argus

%26quot;Chris Bohjalian has written his finest novel to date, set against the brutal, waning days of World War Two in Eastern Germany....Skeletons at the Feast is Bohjalian's masterpiece. The power of the narrative will stay with the reader long after it is put down. Inspired by an actual World War II diary the author read, it will stand as one of the best novels ever written about one of the most brutal periods in history.%26quot;
%26#8212;Marvin Minkler, The North Star Monthly

%26quot;A deeply moving and engrossing novel. . .Bohjalian has created a microcosm of that devastating winter of 1945. . . he makes us care deeply for his characters. His terse, dry prose renders the most appalling atrocities in an almost stoic manner, doubling the emotional impact.%26quot;
%26#8212;The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

%26quot;Immensely readable...Bohjalian takes a fresh perspective and details the brutal realities of World War II in a novel that for once does not focus entirely on the Allies. Recommended for fiction collections.%26quot;
%26#8212;Library Journal

%26#8220;Careful research and an unflinching eye. . . Bohjalian's well-chosen descriptions capture the anguish of a tragic era and the dehumanizing desolation wrought by war.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Publisher%26#8217;s Weekly

%26quot;Bohjalian is especially good at conveying the surreal 'beauty,' the misshapen lyricism, of the war-torn landscape: 'Even the stone church had collapsed upon itself%26#8230;the once imposing pipes of the organ reshaped by heat and flame into giant copper-colored mushrooms.'From harrowing to inspiring.%26quot;
%26#8212;Kirkus Reviews

%26#8220;Bohjalian demonstrates an intricate historical knowledge and impressively illustrates the stark horrors of the time. . .A compelling read with its mix of history, romance and portrayals of strength in the midst of severe adversity: War really is hell, the book says, but the human spirit is ultimately salvageable.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Rebecca Stropoli, Bookpage

More Praise for Chris Bohjalian

%26#8220;The Double Bind is the sort of book you want to read in one sitting, and it packs a twist at the end that will leave you speechless.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Jodi Picoult

%26#8220;Bohjalian is a master of literary suspense. . . . [His] are the sorts of books people stay awake all night to finish.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Washington Post Book World

%26#8220;Few writers can manipulate a plot with Bohjalian%26#8217;s grace and power.%26#8221;
%26#8212;New York Times Book Review

%26#8220;Bohjalian [is] America%26#8217;s answer to Joanna Trollope.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Kirkus Reviews

%26#8220;Bohjalian beautifully captures those dizzying moments that follow a tragedy, when disbelief and horror give way to an attempt to understand what has happened . . . authentic . . . haunting. . . . In Before You Know Kindness, our eyes are opened to the possibility of redemption, even in these careless times.%26#8221;
%26#8212;San Francisco Chronicle

%26#8220;Bohjalian proves once again that he is a master novelist.%26#8221;
%26#8212;Boston Globe

%26#8220;The Double Bind is simply one of the best written, most compelling, artfully woven novels to grace bookshelves in years. Immediately after the spellbinding surprise ending, readers will want to...

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Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4 of 6): Jack Campbell: Books

2008-10-19T17:40:00.001-07:00

Author:Jack Campbell

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

%26#x93;Black Jack%26#x94; Geary has ordered his fleet back to the Lakota Star System where the Syndics nearly destroyed them, a desperate gamble that may give them a fighting chance of survival%26#x97;or tear them apart.

Details and Pictures of " Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4 of 6): Jack Campbell: Books"

Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6): Christine Feehan: Books

2008-10-19T17:39:00.001-07:00

Author:Christine Feehan

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An All-New Drake Sisters Novel

Bewitching rock superstar Joley Drake can have any lover she wants. But when her life is threatened, her dangerously sexy bodyguard is the only man she needs. There%26#x92;s just one problem: his shadowy reputation as a secret Russian hit man may put Joley in even greater peril%26#x85;

Details and Pictures of " Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6): Christine Feehan: Books"

American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21stCentury: Kevin Phillips: Books

2008-10-16T18:03:00.001-07:00

Author:Kevin Phillips

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Scientists repeatedly prove the limited amount of fossil-based fuels left in the world and emphasize the environmental effects of using them. Yet many Republicans ignore science in the name of God while promoting a debt-driven consumer society. Debt, radical religion and fuel have been individual sources of expansion and destruction for many nations throughout history. Utilizing these precedents, Phillips provides detailed and troubling criticism of the United States' excessive dependence on and promotion of these three factors. Phillips predicts these practices will significantly diminish the power of the United States in international politics. In navigating this sometimes complicated book, Scott Brick delivers an outstanding performance. His command of the text will leave listeners believing that he wrote the book. His intensity matches the author's urgency while his emphasis proves a great value in determining the important information. Nonfiction audiobooks of this breadth often become cumbersome and daunting with information overload. But Brick leads his listeners with the gift of a master performer who knows his audience. While extras such as a time line, bibliography or character glossary could only improve this audiobook, the clarity of the text through the efforts of the author and narrator make it well worth the listen.
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the

Audio CD
edition.

From The Washington Post

Few political strategists have relied so extensively on history to understand the American political system as Kevin Phillips. Often identified as a former Republican strategist, Phillips has made a career of charting his disillusion with the GOP inbooks such as American Dynasty, a blistering look at the Bush family. His latest, American Theocracy, continues this scrutiny--with mixed results. American Theocracy is three books in one. He argues that a "reckless dependency on shrinking oil supplies, a milieu of radicalized (and much too influential) religion, and a reliance on borrowed money . . . now constitute the three major perils to the United States of the twenty-first century." His first worry is oil. "Over the last several hundred years each leading global economic power has ridden an emergent fuel resource into the pages of history," he notes, citing Britain's 19th-century reliance on the coal industry as an example. But such reliance can prove disastrous if that resource dries up, which Phillips believes will happen. Citing the more pessimistic of geologists' projections about declining global oil reserves, he argues that our dependence on oil has ushered in an era of "petro-imperialism" that spawned the war in Iraq. Phillips is equally pessimistic about the emergence of a "debt and credit-industrial complex" that endangers the U.S. economy's foundations. "Historically," he writes, dominance of an economy by the financial-services industry, as has now taken place in the United States, has been "a sign of late-stage debilitation, marked by excessive debt, great disparity between rich and poor, and unfolding economic decline." He's clear on who's to blame: the supposedly conservative Republican Party, which, rather than governing in a fiscally responsible manner, has compromised the country's future out of both "ignorance of history and a classic onset of greed." But as the book's title suggests, it is the religious right that most occupies Phillips. He is not subtle in his descriptions of this group: "The rapture, end-times, and Armageddon hucksters in the United States rank with any Shiite ayatollahs." The GOP has been transformed into "the first religious party in U.S. history," Phillips argues, and it is ushering in an "American Disenlightenment" that rejects the separation of church and state and ignores the teachings of science. Much of Phillips's focus is on the eschatology of evangelical, fundamentalist and Pentecostal Christians, including their understanding of the prophecies in the New Testament book of Revelation that describe the events leading to the world's end, events that some evangelicals believe may be foreshadowed by today's turmoil in the Middle East. "Conservative politicians understood that for true believers their imminent rapture and the subsequent second coming of Jesus Christ were the only endgame," Phillips argues. "We can estimate that for 20 to 30 percent of Christians, this chronology superseded or muted other issues," such as economic self-interest and the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But Phillips provides no source for this estimate. He also asserts, rather than proves, that such ideas animate the Bush administration--worrying, for example, about "White House implementation of domestic and international political agendas that seem to be driven by religious motivations and biblical worldviews." This seems due in part to the low opinion Phillips has of born-again Christians, whom he sees as victims of a form of religious false consciousness. He argues that "Some 30 to 40 percent of the Bush electorate, many of whom might otherwise resent their employment conditions, credit-card debt, heating bills, or escalating costs of automobile upkeep . . . often subordinate these economic concerns to a broader religious preoccupation with biblical prophecy and the second coming of Jesus Christ." But contrary to Phillips's claims, speculation about the doomsday-era "end times"--which has been present among certain segments of America's Christian population for more than a century--does not necessarily lead to the embrace of apocalyptic economic or foreign policy goals. It does not even guarantee sustained support for war; the percentage of white evangelical Christians who back the war in Iraq has dropped from 87 in 2003 to 68 in January 2006, according to Charles Marsh, an evangelical professor of religion at the University of Virginia. To suggest, as Phillips does, that the Bush administration, at the behest of born-again Christians, is intent on launching "international warfare to spread the gospel" is astonishingly simplistic. This tendency for overstatement stems in part from Phillips's reliance on questionable sources, including partisan radio networks such as Air America and books (such as Esther Kaplan's With God on Their Side: How Christian Fundamentalists Trampled Science, Policy, and Democracy in George W. Bush's White House) that are far from balanced. He also cites statements by self-appointed evangelical spokesmen like Jerry Falwell as evidence of the religious right's extreme views. But a survey conducted last year by the PBS program "Religion %26 Ethics NewsWeekly" found that most evangelicals themselves view Falwell unfavorably. Phillips is more successful with his summaries of religious history, where he relies on the work of well-regarded scholars such as Mark Noll of Wheaton College and George Marsden of Notre Dame. Yet even Phillips must admit that in terms of concrete policies, the so-called theocracy he describes has been surprisingly ineffective at turning its agenda into law. "As of this writing," he concedes, "none of the half-dozen pieces of quasi-theocratic legislation drafted by the religious right. . . had achieved passage, but the time could come." In fact, according to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, white evangelicals' electoral influence is not on the rise; they constituted only 23 percent of the electorate in both 2000 and 2004. And the percentage of Bush voters who are white evangelicals remained constant at 36 percent in 2000 and 2004; as the Pew Center noted, Bush in 2004 "made relatively bigger gains among infrequent churchgoers than he did among religiously observant voters." Still, Phillips sees the religious right's influence on nearly every major decision the Bush administration has made. He pins the invasion of Iraq not on the influence of advisers such as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld but on the power of "the tens of millions of true believers viewing events through a Left Behind perspective." Whether discussing oil, the economy or American faith, when Phillips abandons his thoughtful explorations of history for the present, he produces polemics ill-suited to his talents--seemingly written for an audience that wants its prejudices reaffirmed rather than examined. Years from now, historians studying the early 21st century will be able to judge how many of Phillips's dire predictions proved prescient. Lately, even the Bush administration has given lip service to the idea that the country needs to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. But in his disillusionment with the GOP, Phillips has allowed intemperance to infect his analysis. As a result, what could have been a thoughtful critique has become yet another book that caters to partisan passions.Reviewed by Christine Rosen
Copyright 2006, The Washington Post. All Rights Reserved.
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Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6): J.R. Ward: Books

2008-10-16T18:02:00.007-07:00

Author:J.R. Ward

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Wards's terrific latest picks up the Black Dagger Brotherhood of vampires where Lover Unbound left off. Phury, a sworn Brother who has also become the Primale, is wrestling with a destiny he doesn't want, an addiction he can't handle and an insurmountable feeling of inadequacy that bleeds over into his love for Cormia, his Chosen First Mate. He holes up at the Brotherhood's rural New York base. The Omega, bent on destroying the vampire race, is meanwhile growing ever stronger, and his long-held plan to destroy the Brothers, via the Lessening Society, is coming to fruition. Younger Brotherhood trainees John Matthew, Qhuinn and Blaylock are learning what it means to come of age and are immersed in their own drama with Qhuinn's malicious cousin, Lash. The stories all reach a shared climax, leading to explosive revelations that set up the next book beautifully. Focusing less on Phury and Cormia and more on the Omega's plot amps the tension on all sides. A subplot involving Rhevenge, John Matthew and the female symphath Xhex is particularly exciting, with Ward diving into varied subspecies, sexual predilections and questions of identity. Ward has outdone herself with this latest Brotherhood novel. (June)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

As Primale of the Chosen, the fiercely loyal Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of his race. But his first mate, the Chosen Cormia, wants not only his body but his heart for herself. As tragedy looms over the Brotherhood%26#x92;s mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love%26#x85;

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The Gargoyle: Andrew Davidson: Books

2008-10-16T18:02:00.005-07:00

Author:Andrew Davidson

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Product Description
An extraordinary debut novel of love that survives the fires of hell and transcends the boundaries of time.

The narrator of The Gargoyle is a very contemporary cynic, physically beautiful and sexually adept, who dwells in the moral vacuum that is modern life. As the book opens, he is driving along a dark road when he is distracted by what seems to be a flight of arrows. He crashes into a ravine and suffers horrible burns over much of his body. As he recovers in a burn ward, undergoing the tortures of the damned, he awaits the day when he can leave the hospital and commit carefully planned suicide%26#x97;for he is now a monster in appearance as well as in soul.

A beautiful and compelling, but clearly unhinged, sculptress of gargoyles by the name of Marianne Engel appears at the foot of his bed and insists that they were once lovers in medieval Germany. In her telling, he was a badly injured mercenary and she was a nun and scribe in the famed monastery of Engelthal who nursed him back to health. As she spins their tale in Scheherazade fashion and relates equally mesmerizing stories of deathless love in Japan, Iceland, Italy, and England, he finds himself drawn back to life%26#x97;and, finally, in love. He is released into Marianne's care and takes up residence in her huge stone house. But all is not well. For one thing, the pull of his past sins becomes ever more powerful as the morphine he is prescribed becomes ever more addictive. For another, Marianne receives word from God that she has only twenty-seven sculptures left to complete%26#x97;and her time on earth will be finished.

Already an international literary sensation, The Gargoyle is an Inferno for our time. It will have you believing in the impossible.

Andrew Davidson Talks About Becoming a Writer
Some of what follows is true.

When I was about seven, I had a turtle named Stripe. I decided, because I liked my turtle and JacquesCousteau, that I wanted to be a marine biologist. This ambition lasted until I was ten years old, when Ispent a year gazing into the abyss, hoping that the abyss would not gaze back at me. At eleven, Ilonged for a master to teach me the secrets of the ninja, but the teacher did not appear; this probablymeans that as a student I was not ready. As I entered my teens, I set my heart upon becoming aprofessional hockey player. On weekend nights, the final game at the local arena ended around 10 p.m.but the icemaker was unable to leave the building until about midnight, as he had to clean the dressingrooms and do maintenance. I bribed him with presents of Aqua Velva aftershave to let me play aloneon the rink until he headed home. Despite my devotion, I never developed the skills to make it off thesmall-town rink and into the big leagues. My dream shattered, at sixteen I started to spend more timewriting. I began by changing the lyrics to Doors songs. I rewrote "Break On Through" so that it became"Live to Die": "Soldier in the forest / dodging bullets thick / only took one / to make him cry / All of usjust live to die." Clearly, writing was my future.

I soon realized that, since I still had no authorial voice of my own, I should at least imitate better poetsthan Jim Morrison. Soon I was word-raping Leonard Cohen, e.e. cummings, Sylvia Plath, WilliamBlake, and John Milton. After writing much abusively derivative poetry, I moved onto stage playswritten in a mockery of the style of Tennessee Williams, which also didn%26#x92;t work out so well. Next, Itried to put baby in a corner, until it was explained to me that nobody puts baby in a corner. Followingthis, I produced short stories that would have been much better if they were much shorter. Then,screenplays that even Alan Smithee wouldn%26#x92;t direct.

Somewhere along the way, I managed to get a degree in English Literature; this was strange, as Ithought I was studying cardiology. Undaunted, off to Vancouver Film School I went, but naturally notto study film. Instead, I took the new media course, because there was this thing called the internetthat was just taking off. I also spent a fair amount of time using digital editing software for video andaudio. An example project: I slowed down the final movement to Beethoven%26#x92;s Ninth Symphony, loopedit backwards, put in a heavy drumbeat, and end up with a funeral dirge. "Ode to Joy"? I think not. "Odeto Bleakness" is more like it; I was very deep, and showed it by destroying joy.

After this course finished, I had tens of thousands of dollars of student debt, and could no longer avoidgetting a job. I soon discovered, in no uncertain terms, that work is no fun. I stuck it out for as long asI could, which was way less than a lifetime. As my thirtieth birthday approached, I became incrediblyaware that I had never lived abroad, so I moved to Japan.

I had no idea if I would like Japan, but I vowed to stick it out for a year. I did, and then another year,and another, and another, and another. In the beginning, I worked as a kind of substitute teacher ofEnglish, covering stints in classrooms that needed a temporary instructor. I lived in fifteen differentcities during my first two years, traveling from the northern island of Hokkaido all the way down to thesouthern island of Okinawa. It was a great introduction to the country, but eventually the constantrelocation became too much. I got a job in a Tokyo office, writing English lessons for Japaneselearners on the internet. I lived in the big city for three years, and loved it: hooray for sushi, hooray forsumo, and hooray for cartoon mascots.

While in Japan, I entertained myself by writing and, having already mangled poetry, short stories, stageplays and screenplays, I thought it was time to give a novel a shot. A strange thing happened: I foundthat I don%26#x92;t write like other people when it comes to novels%26#x97;or at least, none of which I know. It%26#x92;s truethat I%26#x92;ve read comparisons of my novel to a number of other books%26#x97;The Name of the Rose, TheEnglish Patient, The Shadow of the Wind%26#x97;but I haven%26#x92;t read any of them. (To my great shame, really,and I suppose I should. Since they are my supposed influences, I should become familiar with them. I%26#x92;ll appear more intelligent in interviews.)

I liked writing The Gargoyle, and I think I%26#x92;ll write another novel. If I can, I%26#x92;ll make up new charactersand a new plot. That%26#x92;s my plan.

While in Japan, I entertained myself by writing and, having already mangled poetry, short stories, stageplays and screenplays, I thought it was time to give a novel a shot. A strange thing happened: I foundthat I don%26#x92;t write like other people when it comes to novels%26#x97;or at least, none of which I know. It%26#x92;s truethat I%26#x92;ve read comparisons of my novel to a number of other books%26#x97;The Name of the Rose, TheEnglish Patient, The Shadow of the Wind%26#x97;but I haven%26#x92;t read any of them. (To my great shame, really,and I suppose I should. Since they are my supposed influences, I should become familiar with them. I%26#x92;ll appear more intelligent in interviews.)

I liked writing The Gargoyle, and I think I%26#x92;ll write another novel. If I can, I%26#x92;ll make up new charactersand a new plot. That%26#x92;s my plan.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. At the start of Davidson's powerful debut, the unnamed narrator, a coke-addled pornographer, drives his car off a mountain road in a part of the country that's never specified. During his painful recovery from horrific burns suffered in the crash, the narrator plots to end his life after his release from the hospital. When a schizophrenic fellow patient, Marianne Engel, begins to visit him and describe her memories of their love affair in medieval Germany, the narrator is at first skeptical, but grows less so. Eventually, he abandons his elaborate suicide plan and envisions a life with Engel, a sculptress specializing in gargoyles. Davidson, in addition to making his flawed protagonist fully sympathetic, blends convincing historical detail with deeply felt emotion in both Engel's recollections of her past life with the narrator and her moving accounts of tragic love. Once launched into this intense tale of unconventional romance, few readers will want to put it down. (Aug.)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army: Jeremy Scahill: Books

2008-10-16T18:02:00.003-07:00

Author:Jeremy Scahill

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Scahill's liberal horror story is about the company that has deployed many of the private contractors who have assisted the U.S. military in Iraq and been responsible for more than its share of death and disorder. Scahill, a regular contributor to the Nation, amps up the scare language in his study of both Blackwater and the wealthy, ultra-conservative Prince family that founded the company, but luckily, Weiner does not. With his booming baritone reined tightly in check, Weiner coolly and calmly delivers the bad news. The parade of scaremongering may grow wearying, but Weiner maintains his composure throughout, offsetting Scahill (to a degree) by virtue of his unyielding temperateness.
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the

Audio CD
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From AudioFile

The dark, largely unknown, story of Blackwater, the world's most secretive, powerful, and fastest growing private army, is chillingly told in Jeremy Scahill's expos%26#xE9;. Fact by fact, Scahill demonstrates the widespread outsourcing of military tasks to private companies bankrolled by right-wing millionaire Eric Prince, the scion of a conservative dynasty (founded, ironically, on the invention of the lighted car visor and the car cup-holder). Tom Weiner has precise diction and a rumbling, authoritative delivery. Listeners might detect a slight jarring note when his masculine voice attempts women's voices, but nothing detracts from the saga of self-regulated profiteering armies being entrusted with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. lives.A.W. %26copy; AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright %26#169; AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History: Newt Gingrich: Books

2008-10-16T18:02:00.001-07:00

Author:Newt Gingrich

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This brief mandate by Gingrich, the architect of 1994's conservative congressional manifesto "The Contract with America," opens with a battle cry: "There is no attack on American culture more deadly and more historically dishonest than the secular effort to drive God out of America's public life." The book's arguments are predictable: Gingrich claims that references to God are sprinkled everywhere in our nation's founding documents; that most Americans believe in God; and our classrooms and courtrooms are the laboratories where such belief is being irrevocably eroded. He trots out quotations from founding fathers that suggest their allegiance to Christianity or at least to theism, but conveniently ignores evidence that some of these men%26mdash;particularly Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson%26mdash;believed religion should have little, if any, role in the nation's government. If the book's thesis is tired and essentially unpersuasive, its unique contribution is its innovative, even brilliant, method of organization. Gingrich presents his arguments as a "walking tour" of the nation's capital, beginning with the National Archives and winding through the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Capitol, White House and other sites. This structure does much to freshen up a book that is otherwise indistinguishable from prior offerings by Pat Robertson and David Barton. (Aug. 22)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the

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From AudioFile

This short work, written by the former speaker of the House of Representatives and narrated jointly by him and his wife, argues against a purely secular interpretation of our nation's founding and history. They do this by taking a tour of the nation's capital and pointing out references to God in the writings of the Founders and on many of the buildings of Washington, DC. This work will probably not change many minds, but it does have some interesting points to make. Mr. Gingrich is a polished and experienced speaker who gives this production an easygoing and confident reading that is quite easy to follow. Mrs. Gingrich is not so polished, but she quickly warms up to the text.M.T.F.%26copy; AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright %26#169; AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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The Kingdom Keepers: Ridley Pearson: Books

2008-10-16T18:01:00.003-07:00

Author:Ridley Pearson

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8%26ndash;Using cutting-edge technology, five Florida teens have been transformed into Holographic Hosts at Disney World. Their images appear throughout the Magic Kingdom, giving visitors information about the various attractions. It all seems to be going well, until the participants begin having disturbing dreams that start affecting their everyday lives. They sneak in after the park has closed, and Wayne, a retired Imagineer, directs them in their fight against the Dark Side, embodied by Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. Audio-animatronic pirates from The Pirates of the Caribbean travel through the Magic Kingdom in the little cars from the Buzz Lightyear ride. The dolls from It's a Small World clamber into the boats and start biting the occupants. Cinderella's Castle is filled with an eye-popping array of staircases, %26agrave; la Escher. There's a certain coolness factor for the notion that people could be both human and hologram at the same time, and the illicit thrill of seeing all the things you don't normally get to see (both real and imaginary) makes this a must-read for serious Disney fans. However, readers never really get to know any of the characters well, except for Finn, the narrator, and the mystery is so convoluted that it's hard to follow, and even harder to care about. Additional.%26ndash;Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the

Hardcover
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From AudioFile

Suddenly something is very wrong in Disney World. Rides close unexpectedly, parade schedules change without notice, and costumes disappear. Are the animatronics coming alive after the park closes? Who are the Overtakers? Only Finn and his four friends can save the Magic Kingdom. Displaying an impressive range of kid voices, narrator Gary Littman lets Finn and company act like normal preteens, obnoxious, skeptical, jealous, goofy, and macho, in turns. As Wayne, their Imagineer-guide, his voice crackles with age, and his Robert Newton impression when the Pirates of the Caribbean try to shanghai Finn is super. The "Disney after dark" premise is engaging, and Littman makes it fun.S.J.H.%26copy; AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright %26#169; AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature: Daniel J. Levitin: Books

2008-10-16T18:01:00.001-07:00

Author:Daniel J. Levitin

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Charles Darwin meets the Beatles in this attempt to blend neuroscience and evolutionary biology to explain why music is such a powerful force. In this rewarding though often repetitious study by bestselling author Levitin (This Is Your Brain on Music), a rock musician turned neuroscientist, argues that music is a core element of human identity, paving the way for language, cooperative work projects and the recording of our lives and history. Through his studies, Levitin has identified six kinds of songs that help us achieve these goals: songs of friendship, joy, comfort, knowledge, religion and love. He cites lyrics ranging from the songs of Johnny Cash to work songs, which, he says, promote feelings of togetherness. According to Levitin, evolution may have selected individuals who were able to use nonviolent means like dance and music to settle disputes. Songs also serve as memory-aids, as records of our lives and legends. Some may find Levitin's evolutionary explanations reductionist, but he lightens the science with personal anecdotes and chats with Sting and others, offering an intriguing explanation for the power of music in our lives as individuals and as a society. (Aug.)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

%26#x93;Music seems to have an almost willful, evasive quality, defying simple explanation, so that the more we find out, the more there is to know, leaving its power and mystery intact, however much we may dig and delve.Daniel%26#x92;s book is an eloquent and poetic exploration of this paradox. There may be no simple answer or end in sight, but the ride is nonetheless a thrilling one, especially in the company of a writer who is an accomplished musician, a poet, a hard-nosed scientist, and someone who can still look upon the universe with a sense of wonder.%26#x94;
--Sting

%26#x93;Without music, we would be little more than animals, and Daniel Levitin explains it beautifully.%26#x94;
--Sir George Martin, CBE, producer of The Beatles

%26#x93;Why can a song make you cry in a matter of seconds? Six Songs is the only book that explains why.With original and awe-inspiring insights into the nature of human artistry, it%26#x92;s irresistibly entertaining.Anyone who loves music should read it.%26#x94;
--Bobby McFerrin, vocalist and guest conductor, London Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic

%26#x93;Daniel Levitin takes the most sophisticated ideas that exist about the brain and mind, applies them to the most emotionally direct art we have, our songs, and makes beautiful music of the two together.%26#x94;
--Adam Gopnik, author of Paris to the Moon

%26#x93;Daniel Levitin writes about music with all the exuberance of a die-hard fan, and all the insight of a natural-born scientist. This is a fascinating, entertaining book, and some of its most inventive themes may stay stick in your head forever, something like a well-loved song.%26#x94;
--Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

%26#x93;To try to cover the meaning of music throughout the history of mankind to how we still use it everyday is extraordinarily ambitious.Combining musical expertise, psychology, anthropology and evolutionary science, Daniel Levitin%26#x92;s Six Songs has accomplished this astonishing task.%26#x94;
--Jon Appleton, Composer and Professor of Music, Dartmouth College and Stanford University

%26#x93;I was skeptical when I began reading. The stated goal seemed outlandish. But by the time I was about one-third the way into The World in Six Songs, I realized just how powerful it is. It really is a tour de force. It is exquisitely written, and brings together a vast array of knowledge, tying things together in creative ways, while always remaining accessible. This promises to be not only another widely read hit, but also an important document for the field of music cognition.%26#x94;
--Jamshed Bharucha, Provost and Professor of Psychology, Tufts University

%26#x93;Passionate and insightful.Daniel Levitin has written a delightfully personal epic poem proposing a central role for music in the evolution of human emotion and behavior.Now, musicians and neuroscientists have a common vocabulary with which to argue our human origins.%26#x94;
--Julie R. Korenberg, M.D. Ph.D., The Brain Institute, University of Utah

%26#x93;In a brilliantly novel approach to human evolution, Levitin has sought to encapsulate diverse cultures in a set of six songs representative of friendship, joy, comfort, knowledge, religion and love.That he is able to achieve so much with this small set of songs says something truly important about our common humanity.%26#x94;
--Michael I. Posner, Professor of Psychology, University of Oregon

%26#x93;This wonderful, lucid book takes on one of the great eternal questions: Why is there music?What does music do for humanity%26#x97;for individual development and for a culture--that in turn accounts for its existence in every known society? Daniel Levitin is not only the preeminent expert in answering such questions, but one of those unique writers about science who understands his field so profoundly that he can make the complex straightforward.This is an exciting, revelatory book.%26#x94;
--Scott Turow, author of Presumed Innocent and Ordinary Heroes

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The Mystery Method: How to Get Beautiful Women Into Bed: Mystery, Lovedrop, Neil Strauss: Books

2008-10-15T23:09:00.005-07:00

Author:Mystery

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Never at risk of being called humble, Mystery (aka Erik von Markovik), heralded as one of the best pick-up artists in the country, has created a science of seduction. His meticulously researched system, the "Mystery Method," offers advice to men of every ilk, along with complex charts, social science jargon (e.g., Dynamic Social Homostasis and DHV%26mdash;Demonstrations of Higher Value) and potty humor Mystery comes off as forceful, provocative and excessively arrogant, but one thing is clear: he's good at what he does. You'll laugh, you'll scoff, but in the end, you'll probably learn something. (Feb.)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

%26#8220;One of the most admired men in the world of seduction%26#8221; (The New York Times) teaches average guys how to approach, attract and begin intimate relationships with beautiful women
For every man who always wondered why some guys have all the luck, Mystery, considered by many to be the world%26#8217;s greatest pickup artist, finally reveals his secrets for finding and forming relationships with some of the world%26#8217;s most beautiful women. Mystery gained mainstream attention for his role in Neil Strauss%26#8217;s New York Times bestselling expos%26#233;, The Game. Now he has written the definitive handbook on the art of the pickup.
Hedeveloped his unique method over years of observing social dynamics and interacting withwomenin clubs to learn how to overcome the guard shield thatmany women use to deflect come-ons from "average frustrated chumps."

His tips include:
*Give more attention toher less attractive friend at first, so your target will get jealous and try to win your attention.
*Always approach a target within 3 seconds of noticing her. If a woman senses your hesitation, her perception of your value will be lower.
*Don't be picky. Approach as many groups of people in a bar as you can and entertain them with fun conversation. As you move about the room, positive perception of you will grow. Now it's easy to meet anyone you want.
*Smile. Guys who don't get laid, don't smile.

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Brown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set: Bill Martin, Eric Carle: Books

2008-10-15T23:09:00.003-07:00

Author:Bill Martin

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

With more than 6.5 million copies sold in board book alone, Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle%26#8217;s classic Bear books have been a hit with young children for many generations. Now, for the first time, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Polar Bear, Polar Bear,What Do You Hear?; and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? are available together in a boxed board book gift set%26#8212;perfect for every baby%26#8217;s first library.

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Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction: David Sheff: Books

2008-10-15T23:09:00.001-07:00

Author:David Sheff

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best of the Month, February 2008: From as early as grade school, the world seemed to be on Nic Sheff's string. Bright and athletic, he excelled in any setting and appeared destined for greatness. Yet as childhood exuberance faded into teenage angst, the precocious boy found himself going down a much different path. Seduced by the illicit world of drugs and alcohol, he quickly found himself caught in the clutches of addiction. Beautiful Boy is Nic's story, but from the perspective of his father, David. Achingly honest, it chronicles the betrayal, pain, and terrifying question marks that haunt the loved ones of an addict. Many respond to addiction with a painful oath of silence, but David Sheff opens up personal wounds to reinforce that it is a disease, and must be treated as such. Most importantly, his journey provides those in similar situations with a commodity that they can never lose: hope --Dave Callanan

From Publishers Weekly

Expanding on his New York Times Magazine article, Sheff chronicles his son's downward spiral into addiction and the impact on him and his family. A bright, capable teenager, Nic began trying mind- and mood-altering substances when he was 17. In months, use became abuse, then abuse became addiction. By the time Sheff knew of his son's condition, Nic was strung out on meth, the highly potent stimulant. While his son struggles to get clean, his second wife and two younger children are pulled helplessly into the drama. Sheff, as the parent of an addict, cycles through denial and acceptance and resistance. The author was already a journalist of considerable standing when this painful story began to unfold, and his impulse for detail serves him personally as well as professionally: there are hard, solid facts about meth and the kinds of havoc it wreaks on individuals, families and communities both urban and rural. His journey is long and harrowing, but Sheff does not spare himself or anyone else from keen professional scrutiny any more than he was himself spared the pains%26mdash;and joys%26mdash;of watching a loved one struggling with addiction and recovery. Real recovery creates%26mdash;and can itself be%26mdash;its own reward; this is an honest, hopeful book, coming at a propitious moment in the meth epidemic.
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples, 20th Anniversary Edition: Harville Hendrix: Books

2008-10-15T23:08:00.007-07:00

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Harville Hendrix writes about relationships, he discussesthem not just as an educator and a therapist, but as a man who hashimself been through a failed marriage. Hendrix felt the sting of hisdivorce intensely because he believed it signaled not only his failureas a husband but also his failure as a couplescounselor. Investigating why his marriage dissolved led him to startlooking into the psychology of love. Marriage, he ultimatelydiscovered, is the %26quot;practice of becoming passionatefriends.%26quot; As a result of his research, Hendrix created atherapy he calls Imago Relationship Therapy. In it, he combines whathe's learned in a number of disciplines, including the behavioralsciences, depth psychology, cognitive therapy, and Gestalt therapy, toname just a few. He expounds upon this approach in Getting the LoveYou Want: A Guide for Couples. His purpose in writing the book, hesays, is %26quot;to share with you what I have learned about thepsychology of love relationships, and to help you transform yourrelationship into a lasting source of love and companionship.%26quot;Divided into three sections, the book covers %26quot;The UnconsciousMarriage,%26quot; which details a marriage in which the remainingdesires and behavior of childhood interfere with the currentrelationship; %26quot;The Conscious Marriage,%26quot; which shows amarriage that fulfils those childhood needs in a positive manner; anda 10-week %26quot;course in relationship therapy, %26quot; which givesdetailed exercises for you and your partner to follow in order tolearn how to %26quot;replace confrontation and criticism ... with ahealing process of mutual growth and support.%26quot; The text isoccasionally dry and technical; however, the information provided isvaluable, the case studies are interesting, and the exercises arerevealing and helpful. By utilizing his program, Hendrix hopes youtoo will be able to solve your marital difficulties without theexpense of a therapist. --Jenny Brown
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

For 17 years the author and his wife have been writing about how couples can express frustrated childhood needs constructively, instead of acting them out and poisoning any chance for happiness. Providing exercises that get everyone's cards on the table, his approach to marital communication is widely used across the country. In a clear abridgment, Dr. Hendrix covers the essentials of long-term relationships and what it takes to get past the most common forms of relationship dysfunction. The author's resonant baritone and utter lack of pretense would serve all personal growth audios, regardless of authorship. These ideas won't save every marriage, but they're worthwhile tools that anyone can understand and try.T.W.Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award %26copy; AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright %26#169; AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the

Audio CD
edition.

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Tuned In: Uncover the Extraordinary Opportunities That Lead to Business Breakthroughs: Craig Stull, Phil Myers, David Meerman Scott: Books

2008-10-15T23:08:00.005-07:00

Author:Craig Stull

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This well-reasoned and useful guide argues that successful innovators can develop products that resonate by connecting deeply with consumers. This simple idea is delivered in a conversational tone and illustrated in well-structured chapters laying out a six-step Tuned in Process and examples that span borders and industries. From anecdotes about countryside hotels that sprouted up to provide respite for Japanese salarymen to Nalgene plastic bottles, which escaped the laboratory to achieve cult status and ultimately mass market consumer appeal, fascinating case studies abound. However, as appealing as the concept and the many examples are, the enthusiastic presentation begins to grate; the repeated invocation of the Tuned in Process may tire readers looking for more subtlety and fewer sound bites. Still, there is sufficient fodder for anyone who wants to shake the sleep out of an organization and renew a focus on creating the kind of value that customers are willing to pay for. (June)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

This well-reasoned and useful guide argues that successful innovators can develop products that "resonate" by connecting deeply with consumers. This simple idea is delivered in a conversational tone and illustrated in well-structured chapters laying out a six-step "Tuned in Process" and examples that span borders and industries. From anecdotes about countryside hotels that sprouted up to provide respite for Japanese salarymen to Nalgene plastic bottles, which escaped the laboratory to achieve cult status and ultimately mass market consumer appeal, fascinating case studies abound. However, as appealing as the concept and the many examples are, the enthusiastic presentation begins to grate; the repeated invocation of the "Tuned in Process" may tire readers looking for more subtlety and fewer sound bites. Still, there is sufficient fodder for anyone who wants to shake the sleep out of an organization and renew a focus on creating the kind of value that customers are willing to pay for. (June) (Publishers Weekly, April 7, 2008)

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Building Construction Illustrated: Francis D. K. Ching: Books

2008-10-15T23:08:00.003-07:00

Author:Francis D. K. Ching

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The classic visual guide to the basics of building construction, now with the most current information

For nearly three decades, Building Construction Illustrated has offered an outstanding introduction to the principles of building construction. This new edition of the revered classic remains as relevant as ever-providing the latest information in Francis D.K. Ching's signature style. Its rich and comprehensive approach clearly presents all of the basic concepts underlying building construction and equips readers with useful guidelines for approaching virtually any new materials or techniques they may encounter.

Laying out the material and structural choices available, it provides a full under-standing of how these choices affect a building's form and dimensions. Complete with more than 1,000 illustrations, the book moves through each of the key stages of the design process, from site selection to building components, mechanical systems, and finishes.
*

Illustrated throughout with clear and accurate drawings that present the state of the art in construction processes and materials
*

Updated and revised to include the latest knowledge on sustainability, incorporation of building systems, and use of new materials
*

Archetypal drawings offer clear inspiration for designers and drafters
*

Reflects the most current building codes and CSI Master Format numbering scheme

With its comprehensive and lucid presentation of everything from foundations and floor systems to finish work, Building Construction Illustrated, Fourth Edition equips students and professionals in all areas of architecture and construction with useful guidelines for approaching virtually any new materials or techniques they may encounter in building planning, design, and construction.

From the Back Cover

The classic visual guide to the basics of building construction, now with the most current informationFor nearly three decades, Building Construction Illustrated has offered an outstanding introduction to the principles of building construction. This new edition of the revered classic remains as relevant as ever%26#151;providing the latest information in Francis D.K. Ching's signature style. Its rich and comprehensive approach clearly presents all of the basic concepts underlying building construction and equips readers with useful guidelines for approaching virtually any new materials or techniques they may encounter. Laying out the material and structural choices available, it provides a full under%26#150;standing of how these choices affect a building's form and dimensions. Complete with more than 1,000 illustrations, the book moves through each of the key stages of the design process, from site selection to building components, mechanical systems, and finishes.Illustrated throughout with clear and accurate drawings that present the state of the art in construction processes and materials Updated and revised to include the latest knowledge on sustainability, incorporation of building systems, and use of new materials Archetypal drawings offer clear inspiration for designers and drafters Reflects the most current building codes and CSI Master Format numbering schemeWith its comprehensive and lucid presentation of everything from foundations and floor systems to finish work, Building Construction Illustrated, Fourth Edition equips students and professionals in all areas of architecture and construction with useful guidelines for approaching virtually any new materials or techniques they may encounter in building planning, design, and construction.

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The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd edition: Edward R. Tufte: Books

2008-10-15T23:08:00.001-07:00

Author:Edward R. Tufte

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A timeless classic in how complex information should bepresented graphically. The Strunk %26 White of visual design.Should occupy a place of honor--within arm's reach--of everyone attempting to understand or depict numerical data graphically. The design of the book is an exemplar of the principles it espouses: elegant typography and layout, and seamless integration of lucid text andperfectly chosen graphical examples. Very Highly Recommended.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A tour de force. -- John Tukey, Bell Laboratories and Princeton University

One of the best books you will ever see. -- Datamation

The century's best book on statistical graphics.-- Computing Reviews
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Photography (Amphoto Guide Series): Jim Miotke: Books

2008-10-14T17:53:00.001-07:00

Author:Jim Miotke

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The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos: Michael Freeman: Books

2008-10-14T17:52:00.005-07:00

Author:Michael Freeman

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Focal Press continues with its excellent repertoire of groundbreaking books educating readers in the aer %26 technique of photography."

"Beautifully presented with genrous and helpful color illustrations, this book is a very affordable addition to the library of the serious photographer."
-Candian Camera (Feb. 08)

Book Description

GOLDEN BOY MICHAEL FREEMAN WRITES AGAIN!

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Style A to Zoe: The Kindle Store: Rachel Zoe

2008-10-14T17:52:00.003-07:00

Author:Rachel Zoe

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Have you ever dreamed of having your own red carpet moment? Or wondered how to emulate the effortlessly chic style of the most photographed trendsetters? Or wished you could master the art of all things glamorous? In STYLE A TO ZOE, Hollywood's hottest celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe, shares her insider tips in this essential guide to the art of a fashionable, behind-the velvet-rope lifestyle. With an eye toward living the luxe life, even if it's on a dime, Zoe zeroes in on the must-have accessories and wardrobe staples for all occasions, when to splurge and save on handbags and heels, how to decorate, entertain, and travel in style. From award shows to advertising campaigns, Zoe is the go-to force among A-list actresses, fashion houses, beauty firms, and magazine editors. Now she offers full access to the style secrets that skyrocketed her famous clients to the top of best-dressed lists worldwide. With the help of some of fashion's biggest names-including Michael Kors, Donatella Versace, and Diane von Fursten

About the Author

Rachel Zoe is an internationally renowned stylist who dresses some of Hollywood's most-photographed fashion stars. Her effortlessly chic glamour has transformed red carpet and runway style and led to collaborations with fashion and beauty brands, in advertising campaigns and magazine editorials.

Rose Apodaca is a fashion and pop-culture journalist and editor who has spent the last two decades reporting the business and culture of fashion. She was most recently the West Coast Editor of WWD.

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Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature: Matt Kloskowski: Books

2008-10-14T17:52:00.001-07:00

Author:Matt Kloskowski

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When Photoshop guru Matt Kloskowski was asked why he wrote this book, he replied, %26ldquo;It%26rsquo;s simple: I wanted to write the Photoshop book that I wished was around when I was learning Photoshop%26rdquo;. You%26rsquo;ve always known that layers were the key to understanding Photoshop, and now you have a resource to show you exactly how. With Matt%26rsquo;s clear, easy-to-follow, and concise writing style you%26rsquo;ll learn about:
Working with and managing multiple layersBuilding multiple layered images
Blending layers togetherExactly which of the 25+ Blend Modes you need to worry about (there%26rsquo;s just a few)Layer Masking and just how easy it is.Using layers to enhance and retouch your photosAll of the tips and tricks that make using layers a breeze.If you want to finally understand layers in Photoshop, this book is the one you%26rsquo;ve been waiting for.

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The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: Betty Edwards: Books

2008-10-14T17:51:00.005-07:00

Author:Betty Edwards

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

illustrated with 12-page color photo insert and line art throughout

A revised and expanded edition of the classic drawing-instruction book that has sold more than 2,500,000 copies.

When Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain was first published in 1979, it hit the New York Times bestseller list within two weeks and stayed there for more than a year. In 1989, when Dr. Betty Edwards revised the book, it went straight to the Times list again. Now Dr. Edwards celebrates the twentieth anniversary of her classic book with a second revised edition.

Over the last decade, Dr. Edwards has refined her material through teaching hundreds of workshops and seminars. Truly The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, this edition includes:

* the very latest developments in brain research;
* new material on using drawing techniques in the corporate world and in education;
* instruction on self-expression through drawing;
* an updated section on using color; and
* detailed information on using the five basic skills of drawing for problem solving.

Translated into thirteen languages, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is the world's most widely used drawing-instructionguide. People from just about every walk of life--artists, students, corporate executives, architects, real estate agents, designers, engineers--have applied its revolutionary approach to problem solving. The Los Angeles Times said it best: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is "not only a book about drawing, it is a book about living. This brilliant approach to the teaching of drawing . . . should not be dismissed as a mere text. It emancipates."

About the Author

Dr. Betty Edwards is Professor Emeritus in Art at California State University in Long Beach. She has been profiled by the Los Angeles Times, the Seattle Times, Reader's Digest, Time magazine, New York magazine, Intuition magazine, and the Today show. She speaks about the relationship of drawing to brain process at universities, art schools, and major corporations, including IBM, General Electric, and Disney. She lives in Santa Monica, California.

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Head First Java, 2nd Edition: Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates: Books

2008-10-14T17:51:00.003-07:00

Author:Kathy Sierra

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It has taken four years, but with Head First Java the introductory Java book category has finally come of age. This is an excellent book, far more capable than any of the scores of Java-for-novices books that have come before it. Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates deserve rich kudos--and big sales--for developing this book's new way of teaching the Java programming language, because any reader with even a little bit of discipline will come away with true understanding of how the language works. Perhaps best of all, this is no protracted "Hello, World" introductory guide. Readers get substantial exposure to object-oriented design and implementation, serialization, neatwork programming, threads, and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).Key to the authors' teaching style are carefully designed graphics. Rather than explain class inheritance (to cite one example) primarily with text, the authors use a series of tree diagrams that clarify the mechanism far more succinctly. The diagrams are carefully annotated with arrows and notes. Also characteristic of the unique teaching strategy is heavy reliance on exercises, in which the reader is asked to complete partial classes, write whole new code segments and do design work. Though there's little discussion of why the exercises' correct answers are what they are, it's clear that the practice work was carefully designed to reinforce the lesson at hand. If you've waited this long to give Java a try, this book is a great choice. --David WallTopics covered: The Java programming language for people with no Java experience, and even people with no programming experience at all. Key concepts read like a list of Java features: Object oriented design, variable type and scope, object properties and methods, inheritance and polymorphism, exceptions, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), network connectivity, Java archives (JAR files), and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java.You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn't always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you're forced to study.

The fact is your brain craves novelty. It's constantly searching, scanning, waiting for something unusual to happen. After all, that's the way it was built to help you stay alive. It takes all the routine, ordinary, dull stuff and filters it to the background so it won't interfere with your brain's real work--recording things that matter. How does your brain know what matters? It's like the creators of the Head First approach say, suppose you're out for a hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens in your brain? Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge.

That's how your brain knows.

And that's how your brain will learn Java. Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It's fast, it's fun, and it's effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java.You'll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI.And the new. second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java language and development platform.Because Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required.So learning the Head First way is more important than ever.

If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. You'll see why people say it's unlike any other Java book you've ever read.

By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain--complex information.Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book's for you.

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The Photoshop Elements 6 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter): Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski: Books

2008-10-14T17:51:00.001-07:00

Author:Scott Kelby

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Best-selling author Scott Kelby pairs up with Matt Kloskowski to deliver the definitive book on using Photoshop Elements 6 to create the best possible images. With this newest release of Photoshop Elements, Scott and Matt show readers how to work with their images like a pro, from importing to organization to correction to output. Readers will learn all they need to know about the digital photography workflow, as well as the latest secrets of the pros to help them create the best special effects, apply the most useful sharpening techniques, and avoid many of the hassles and problems that are encountered in digital photography (such as digital noise and color halos).

About the Author

Scott Kelby is Editor-in-Chief of Photoshop User magazine, President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, Executive Editor of the Photoshop Elements Techniques newsletter, and is technical chair of Photoshop World, the largest Photoshop gathering in the industry.

Matt Kloskowski is the Education and Curriculum Developer for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, editor-in-chief of the Photoshop Elements Techniques newsletter, and (along with Scott Kelby and Dave Cross) co-host of Adobe Photoshop TV, the popular video podcast.

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Hamlet (The New Folger Library Shakespeare): William Shakespeare: Books

2008-10-13T17:45:00.001-07:00

Author:William Shakespeare

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Each edition includes:%26#149; Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play%26#149; Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play%26#149; Scene-by-scene plot summaries%26#149; A key to famous lines and phrases%26#149; An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language%26#149; An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play%26#149; Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare booksEssay by Michael NeillThe Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe.In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs.For more information, visit www.folger.edu.

Excerpt. %26copy; Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Shakespeare's LifeSurviving documents that give us glimpses into the life of William Shakespeare show us a playwright, poet, and actor who grew up in the market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, spent his professional life in London, and returned to Stratford a wealthy landowner. He was born in April 1564, died in April 1616, and is buried inside the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.We wish we could know more about the life of the world's greatest dramatist. His plays and poems are testaments to his wide reading -- especially to his knowledge of Virgil, Ovid, Plutarch, Holinshed's Chronicles, and the Bible -- and to his mastery of the English language, but we can only speculate about his education. We know that the King's New School in Stratford-upon-Avon was considered excellent. The school was one of the English "grammar schools" established to educate young men, primarily in Latin grammar and literature. As in other schools of the time, students began their studies at the age of four or five in the attached "petty school," and there learned to read and write in English, studying primarily the catechism from the Book of Common Prayer. After two years in the petty school, students entered the lower form (grade) of the grammar school, where they began the serious study of Latin grammar and Latin texts that would occupy most of the remainder of their school days. (Several Latin texts that Shakespeare used repeatedly in writing his plays and poems were texts that schoolboys memorized and recited.) Latin comedies were introduced early in the lower form; in the upper form, which the boys entered at age ten or eleven, students wrote their own Latin orations and declamations, studied Latin historians and rhetoricians, and began the study of Greek using the Greek New Testament.Since the records of the Stratford "grammar school" do not survive, we cannot prove that William Shakespeare attended the school; however, every indication (his father's position as an alderman and bailiff of Stratford, the playwright's own knowledge of the Latin classics, scenes in the plays that recall grammar-school experiences -- for example, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 4.1) suggests that he did. We also lack generally accepted documentation about Shakespeare's life after his schooling ended and his professional life in London began. His marriage in 1582 (at age eighteen) to Anne Hathaway and the subsequent births of his daughter Susanna (1583) and the twins Judith and Hamnet (1585) are recorded, but how he supported himself and where he lived are not known. Nor do we know when and why he left Stratford for the London theatrical world, nor how he rose to be the important figure in that world that he had become by the early 1590s.We do know that by 1592 he had achieved some prominence in London as both an actor and a playwright. In that year was published a book by the playwright Robert Greene attacking an actor who had the audacity to write blank-verse drama and who was "in his own conceit [i.e., opinion] the only Shake-scene in a country." Since Greene's attack includes a parody of a line from one of Shakespeare's early plays, there is little doubt that it is Shakespeare to whom he refers, a "Shake-scene" who had aroused Greene's fury by successfully competing with university-educated dramatists like Greene himself. It was in 1593 that Shakespeare became a published poet. In that year he published his long narrative poem Venus and Adonis; in 1594, he followed it with The Rape of Lucrece. Both poems were dedicated to the young earl of Southampton (Henry Wriothesley), who may have become Shakespeare's patron.It seems no coincidence that Shakespeare wrote these narrative poems at a time when the theaters were closed because of the plague, a contagious epidemic disease that devastated the population of London. When the theaters reopened in 1594, Shakespeare apparently resumed his double career of actor and playwright and began his long (and seemingly profitable) service as an acting-company shareholder. Records for December of 1594 show him to be a leading member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men. It was this company of actors, later named the King's Men, for whom he would be a principal actor, dramatist, and shareholder for the rest of his career.So far as we can tell, that career spanned about twenty years. In the 1590s, he wrote his plays on English history as well as several comedies and at least two tragedies (Titus Andronicus and Romeo and Juliet). These histories, comedies, and tragedies are the plays credited to him in 1598 in a work, Palladis Tamia, that in one chapter compares English writers with "Greek, Latin, and Italian Poets." There the author, Francis Meres, claims that Shakespeare is comparable to the Latin dramatists Seneca for tragedy and Plautus for comedy, and calls him "the most excellent in both kinds for the stage." He also names him "Mellifluous and honey-tongued Shakespeare": "I say," writes Meres, "that the Muses would speak with Shakespeare's fine filed phrase, if they would speak English." Since Meres also mentions Shakespeare's "sugared sonnets among his private friends," it is assumed that many of Shakespeare's sonnets (not published until 1609) were also written in the 1590s.In 1599, Shakespeare's company built a theater for themselves across the river from London, naming it the Globe. The plays that are considered by many to be Shakespeare's major tragedies (Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth) were written while the company was resident in this theater, as were such comedies as Twelfth Night and Measure for Measure. Many of Shakespeare's plays were performed at court (both for Queen Elizabeth I and, after her death in 1603, for King James I), some were presented at the Inns of Court (the residences of London's legal societies), and some were doubtless performed in other towns, at the universities, and at great houses when the King's Men went on tour; otherwise, his plays from 1599 to 1608 were, so far as we know, performed only at the Globe. Between 1608 and 1612, Shakespeare wrote several plays -- among them The Winter's Tale and The Tempest -- presumably for the company's new indoor Blackfriars theater, though the plays seem to have been performed also at the Globe and at court. Surviving documents describe a performance of The Winter's Tale in 1611 at the Globe, for example, and performances of The Tempest in 1611 and 1613 at the royal palace of Whitehall.Shakespeare wrote very little after 1612, the year in which he probably wrote King Henry VIII. (It was at a performance of Henry VIII in 1613 that the Globe caught fire and burned to the ground.) Sometime between 1610 and 1613 he seems to have returned to live in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he owned a large house and considerable property, and where his wife and his two daughters and their husbands lived. (His son Hamnet had died in 1596.) During his professional years in London, Shakespeare had presumably derived income from the acting company's profits as well as from his own career as an actor, from the sale of his play manuscripts to the acting company, and, after 1599, from his shares as an owner of the Globe. It was presumably that income, carefully invested in land and other property, which made him the wealthy man that surviving documents show him to have become. It is also assumed that William Shakespeare's growing wealth and reputation played some part in inclining the crown, in 1596, to grant John Shakespeare, William's father, the coat of arms that he had so long sought. William Shakespeare died in Stratford on April 23, 1616 (according to the epitaph carved under his bust in Holy Trinity Church) and was buried on April 25. Seven years after his death, his collected plays were published as Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, %26 Tragedies (the work now known as the First Folio).The years in which Shakespeare wrote were among the most exciting in English history. Intellectually, the discovery, translation, and printing of Greek and Roman classics were making available a set of works and worldviews that interacted complexly with Christian texts and beliefs. The result was a questioning, a vital intellectual ferment, that provided energy for the period's amazing dramatic and literary output and that fed directly into Shakespeare's plays. The Ghost in Hamlet, for example, is wonderfully complicated in part because he is a figure from Roman tragedy -- the spirit of the dead returning to seek revenge -- who at the same time inhabits a Christian hell (or purgatory); Hamlet's description of humankind reflects at one moment the Neoplatonic wonderment at mankind ("What a piece of work is a man!") and, at the next, the Christian disparagement of human sinners ("And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?").As intellectual horizons expanded, so also did geographical and cosmological horizons. New worlds -- both North and South America -- were explored, and in them were found human beings who lived and worshiped in ways radically different from those of Renaissance Europeans and Englishmen. The universe during these years also seemed to shift and expand. Copernicus had earlier theorized that the earth was not the center of the cosmos but revolved as a planet around the sun. Galileo's telescope, created in 1609, allowed scientists to see that Copernicus had been correct; the universe was not organized with the earth at the center, nor was it so nicely circumscribed as people had, until that time, thought. In terms of expanding horizons, the impact of these discoveries on people's beliefs -- religious, scientific, and philosophical -- cannot be overstated.London, too, rapidly expanded and changed during the years (from the early 1590s to around 1610) that Shakespeare lived there. London -- the center of England's government, its economy, its royal court, its overseas trade -- was, during these years, becoming an exciting metropolis, drawing to it thousands of new c...

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Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories: Ty Pennington: Books

2008-10-13T17:44:00.007-07:00

Author:Ty Pennington

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

If you want to inject light, energy, and optimism into your life, making over your home%26mdash;or even just a single room%26mdash;is a good place to start, maintains Ty Pennington, the spiky-haired host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and designer of a home goods line for Sears. With that credo in mind, Pennington sets out to help average homeowners redesign their home%26mdash;and presumably their life%26mdash;one room at a time. The book focuses on the three high-impact areas of the house: the bedrooms, living spaces and work spaces, and includes lists and special sections such as Balancing a Room with Art and Big Ideas for Small Spaces. The text relies heavily on personal stories and design experiences from the families that have appeared on his show. In the end, Pennington, with his off-the-wall personality, provides a solid and basic design manual. (Sept.)
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

BRING TY PENNINGTON, THE HOST OF EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, INTO YOUR HOME AND MAKE YOUR DESIGN DREAMS BECOME REALITY.Ty Pennington and the millions of people who watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition know that you can not only transform a home in seven days, you can transform someone's life. If he could, Ty would renovate every home in America, but even he doesn't have that much energy! So he's written Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories and filled the book with proof that you don't need a bulldozer and a million bucks to realize your dreams.Focusing on the three most important parts of your home -- sleeping spaces, living spaces, and working spaces -- Ty offers low-cost, high-impact ideas for every budget. You'll learn how to express your personality and your passions in your design and how to get the most out of small spaces and limited time. Whether you want to create a welcoming living room that helps you connect with friends and family, a restful bedroom that lets you face the day energized and optimistic, or a streamlined home office that keeps you productive, Ty has some great ideas to share. From the elegant to the funky, the whimsical to the restful; from walls, floors, and lighting to storage, wallpaper, and fabric -- it's all here, infused with Ty's vitality and great style, along with the emotional stories of the people who changed his life as much as the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew changed theirs.

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A Global History of Architecture: Francis D. K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek, Vikramaditya Prakash: Books

2008-10-13T17:44:00.005-07:00

Author:Francis D. K. Ching

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Unabashedly huge in its proportions, this book differs from the standard architecture survey in that it doesn't approach the topic from a Western perspective, but rather, as the title indicates, through a global lens. This bodes well for its success as a textbook, but will also please the casual reader. Chronologically organized, the work spans the globe within each time period, occasionally taking time to discuss certain styles and major historical periods, but devoting most of its space to specific architectural works. This chronological organization keeps the book from feeling divided geographically, and maintains a diverse view without manic overextension-a look at the palace at New Delhi is followed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund, which is followed by the Hollyhock House in Los Angeles. Throughout, the authors make connections that have rarely been explored ("An important influence on European architecture in the west came from the direction of Armenia"). The book disseminates textbook amounts of need-to-know information, but it does so clearly-more like a down-to-earth conversation than a grad-school dissertation. A practicing architect and two academics, respectively, Ching, Jarzombek and Prakash aren't afraid to get into the meaning and emotion behind the architecture, addressing its passionate, intangible aspects, as in their discussion of irony's place in postmodern design. That personal and phenomenological angle, along with the book's giant scope, makes it a strong addition to the field, an example of successfully going macro without getting muddled. 1000 b %26 w photos, 50 color photos, 1500 b %26 w illustrations.
Copyright %26copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"%26#8230;the work offers a fresh and engaging outlook for an architectural history survey course. It affords the student an opportunity to view architecture differently and make connections that might not otherwise be apparent." (American Reference Books Annual, 2008)"%26#8230;it constitutes a wonderful and interesting read in its own right, and because of its exceptionally wide perspective, even architectural historians who do not teach general survey courses are likely to enjoy and appreciate it." (Annali d'architecthura, 2008)"Not only does A Global History of Architecture own the territory [of world architecture], it pulls off this audacious task with panache, intelligence and -- for the most part -- grace. The slices of time in A Global History provide a richer learning experience for an introductory course." (Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 2008)"The book's most informative and attractive feature is its illustrations, hundreds of drawings by Ching, a noted author and architectural illustrator." (Choice, March 2007)A decade after the 100th anniversary of Banister Fletcher's venerable and indispensable A History of Architecture (20th ed.) comes this fresh, one-volume historical encyclopedia of world architecture. Ching (architecture, Univ. of Washington; Architecture: Form, Space, and Order), Mark M. Jarzombek (architecture %26amp; art, MIT), and Vikramaditya Prakash (architecture, Univ. of Washington) recast the story of the last 5000 years of building into a simple but brilliantly workable chronological schema of "timecuts," flexible time spans growing shorter and denser as we reach the present. These timecuts succeed in facilitating cross-cultural analysis and minimizing Eurocentric bias. Best of all, they prevent yet another rehash of architectural history as a monotonous procession of endless and unconnected styles, periods, and places. Thus, the Forbidden City, Topkapi Palace, and Villa Medici are viewed as phenomena interdependent upon international trade routes and as outgrowths of an emergent "global urbanism." Fifteenhundred elegant and superbly legible hand drawings by Ching, along with 1000 photographs and maps, illustrate a lucid and engaging text. Something of a hybrid, this is as much a solid reference resource as a revisionist textbook. Essential for most collections.
%26#8212;David Solt%26#233;sz, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, OH (Library Journal, October 15, 2006)"%26#8230;a unique and ambitious undertaking%26#8230;" (The London Review of Books, November 2006)"Extremely informative, it will no doubt become a standard reference book." (The Herald {Glasgow}, Saturday 15th December 2007)

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PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives: Frank Warren: Books

2008-10-13T17:44:00.003-07:00

Author:Frank Warren

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating public airing of private thoughts. . . The range of efforts (meticulous, sloppy, artful, ponderous) will astound you." -- %26#x96; TIME.com, "50 Coolest Websites of 2005"

"Humanity at its finest . . . And because of it I am falling in love with the world again." -- %26#x96; A contributor on Postsecret.com

3rd Place, Special Trade-Fine Art under $75 Category, New York Book Show -- No Source

Product Description

The project that captured a nation's imagination. The instructions were simple, but the results were extraordinary. "You are invited to anonymously contribute a secret to a group art project. Your secret can be a regret, fear, betrayal, desire, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything -- as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before. Be brief. Be legible. Be creative." It all began with an idea Frank Warren had for a community art project. He began handing out postcards to strangers and leaving them in public places -- asking people to write down a secret they had never told anyone and mail it to him, anonymously. The response was overwhelming. The secrets were both provocative and profound, and the cards themselves were works of art -- carefully and creatively constructed by hand. Addictively compelling, the cards reveal our deepest fears, desires, regrets, and obsessions. Frank calls them "graphic haiku," beautiful, elegant, and small in structure but powerfully emotional. As Frank began posting the cards on his website, PostSecret took on a life of its own, becoming much more than a simple art project. It has grown into a global phenomenon, exposing our individual aspirations, fantasies, and frailties -- our common humanity. Every day dozens of postcards still make their way to Frank, with postmarks from around the world, touching on every aspect of human experience. This extraordinary collection brings together the most powerful, personal, and beautifully intimate secrets Frank Warren has received -- and brilliantly illuminates that human emotions can be unique and universal at the same time.

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The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter): Scott Kelby: Books

2008-10-13T17:44:00.001-07:00

Author:Scott Kelby

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is not some reprint of an old book, but new text with tons of great, new ideas on how to polish your images. Our capture devises while good don%26rsquo;t capture everything we see. Our images also go to many places, not just the computer monitor. Scott%26rsquo;s book is full of techniques for cleaning up color, sharpening, presentation either by print, web gallery or a host of other ideas, organization, black and white conversion and the list just goes on and on. And all of these techniques take advantage of all the power and ease of Photoshop CS3.This is one monster of a book!" -- Moose Peterson, moosepeterson.com

%26ldquo;In my opinion, The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book is one of those books that contains so much information that it really is a must have. If you are a beginner to Photoshop, you will have everything you need to create better photos. You will be able to learn things in a step-by-step approach that will fine tune your learning. If you are experienced, The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book will fill in many of the holes that you may have because of the depth and breath of Photoshop itself.%26rdquo; -- T. Michael Testi, Blogcritics

Product Description

Scott Kelby was honored with Professional Photographer magazine%26rsquo;s highly coveted 2008 Hot One Award for The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers. Here%26rsquo;s what Jeff Kent, the Hot One Editor at Professional Photographer, has to say about the book: %26ldquo;In a how-to published by Peachpit Press, Scott Kelby, best-selling author on Adobe Photoshop, delves into CS3 to uncover the most important and useful techniques for digital photographers. Our judges liked Kelby%26rsquo;s direct approach with step-by-step instructions. In this new edition, Kelby shares even more secrets from the top pros.%26rdquo;

Shutterbug magazine chose The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers as a Top Digital Book of 2007. Here%26rsquo;s what Joe Farace of Shutterbug has to say about the book: %26ldquo;Scott Kelby%26rsquo;s name on a Photoshop book is like the Dodge brand on the front of a pickup truck. You know it%26rsquo;s built RAM%26mdash;or pixel%26mdash;tough. Combining his famous twisted wit with unwaveringly straight tutorials, Kelby takes you through a detailed tour of Photoshop CS3 by showing how to use the new features. No fluff; just page after page of well-illustrated tutorials showing photographers how to get the most out of the new features, commands, and effects found in the latest version of Adobe%26rsquo;s flagship. It will get you up to speed on CS3%26rsquo;s new features faster than you can all by yourself.%26rdquo;

Scott Kelby, the #1 best-selling Photoshop author in the world today, once again takes this book to a whole new level as he uncovers the latest, most important, and most exciting new Adobe Photoshop CS3 techniques for digital photographers. This major update to his award-winning, record-breaking book does something for digital photographers that%26rsquo;s never been done before%26ndash;it cuts through the bull and shows you exactly %26ldquo;how to do it.%26rdquo; It%26rsquo;s not a bunch of theory; it doesn%26rsquo;t challenge you to come up with your own settings or figure it out on your own. Instead, Scott shows you step-by-step the exact techniques used by today%26rsquo;s cutting-edge digital photographers, and best of all, he shows you flat-out exactly which settings to use, when to use them, and why.

That%26rsquo;s why the previous editions of this book are widely used as the official course study guide in photography courses at college and universities around the world, and this new edition for Photoshop CS3 exposes even more of the top pros%26rsquo; most closely-guarded secrets.

Learn How The Pros Do It
Each year Scott trains thousands of professional photographers on how to use Photoshop, and almost without exception they have the same questions, the same problems, and the same challenges%26ndash;and that%26rsquo;s exactly what he covers in this book. You%26rsquo;ll learn:

%26bull; The sharpening techniques the pros really use.
%26bull; The pros%26rsquo; tricks for fixing the most common digital photo problems fast!
%26bull; How to get great looking prints (that actually match your screen!)
%26bull; A whole chapter on the latest, most requested Photoshop special effects!
%26bull; How to color correct any photo without breaking a sweat.
%26bull; How to process Raw images, plus how to take advantage of all the new Camera Raw features in CS3!
%26bull; The portrait retouching secrets only the pros know about!
%26bull; How to add real automation to your work.
%26bull; How to show your work like a pro!

Plus a host of shortcuts, workarounds, and slick %26ldquo;insider%26rdquo; tricks to send your productivity through the roof! If you%26rsquo;re a digital photographer, and you%26rsquo;re ready to learn the %26ldquo;tricks of the trade%26rdquo;%26ndash;the same ones that today%26rsquo;s leading pros use to correct, edit, sharpen, retouch, and present their work%26ndash;then you%26rsquo;re holding the book that will do just that.

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The Little Black Book of Style: Nina Garcia, Ruben Toledo: Books

2008-10-13T17:43:00.005-07:00

Author:Nina Garcia

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Every time you dress, you assert your identity. With style, you tell the world your story. In that way, style affords you opportunities to think about your appearance as a quality of your creative character. The Little Black Book of Style helps you to explore your own fashion voice%26#8212;the piece of you that joyously revels in the glamorous experience of creating your best self. From cultivating good taste to guarding against definite fashion faux pas, Nina Garcia offers readers the ultimate guide to follow when it comes to dressing their best. Including tips on how and when to wear an outfit, occasion-appropriate wear, advice on how to combine colors and textures, and inspiration on how to achieve your own signature look, you learn how to experiment, storyboard, archive, and play. Timeless and universal, this book seeks to remind women that eternal style is internal style, and that everyone has what it takes to discover themselves through the colorful palette that is fashion.

Details and Pictures of " The Little Black Book of Style: Nina Garcia, Ruben Toledo: Books"

Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective: Al Santasiere, Mark Vancil: Books

2008-10-13T17:43:00.003-07:00

Author:Al Santasiere

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It's been eighty-five years since Yankee Stadium opened. Soon the Yankees will leave the field, fans will file out and the lights will fade. But the lights will never go out on the Stadium that has proudly worn the moniker "The House That Ruth Built."Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective recounts the story of this extraordinary American landmark. It captures the creation of a home for the New York Yankees that began in 1923 and was driven by co-owner Jacob Ruppert, who envisioned a ballpark grander than any other conceived at the time. It takes the reader from the field to the dugout, from the press box to the clubhouse, from principal owner George Steinbrenner's office to Monument Park. Every corner of the stadium is revealed.But Yankee Stadium is more than a ballpark. The most iconic moments in history have taken place within its walls: Lou Gehrig's poignant farewell to his team and the fans who would never forget him; epic heavy-weight fights, from Louis versus Schmeling to Ali versus Norton; the 1958 National Football League championship, christened the "Greatest Game Ever Played"; exciting college football games, including the one immortalized by Knute Rockne in which he asked Notre Dame to "win one for the Gipper"; and the unrivaled record-breaking successes of the New York Yankees, from the very first home run hit at the Stadium by Babe Ruth to Alex Rodriguez' 500th.With the unprecedented cooperation of the New York Yankees organization, photographs have been culled from every conceivable source. More than 250 photographs - many never before published - will allow you to walk in the Stadium beside Mantle and Maris, witness the only perfect game in World Series history, and see the Stadium during the stirring 2001 World Series.Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective is more than just photographs. It is also graced with firsthand accounts of what it was like to be there as history unfolded. Some of the contributors include: George Steinbrenner, Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, former Vice President Dan Quayle, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, Paul McCartney, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Don Shula, Sugar Ray Leonard, Frank Gifford, Regis Philbin, Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Reggie Jackson, and Cal Ripken Jr.It has been said that the shaded outfield of Yankee Stadium houses the ghosts of long-gone Yankee greats - at least that's what the players swear they feel as the long days of summer wane into the heated race for the pennant. Or could it be the knowledge that, within those walls, they will always be measured against the titans who came before them? It is the power of the place that led Sports Illustrated to call Yankee Stadium the greatest venue of the twentieth century. And only here, within the pages of Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective, can you feel what they feel.

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The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity [10th Anniversary Edition]: Julia Cameron: Books

2008-10-13T17:43:00.001-07:00

Author:Julia Cameron

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With the basic principle that creative expression is the naturaldirection of life, Julia Cameron and Mark Bryan lead you through acomprehensive twelve-week program to recover your creativity from avariety of blocks, including limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage,jealousy, guilt, addictions, and other inhibiting forces, replacingthem with artistic confidence and productivity. This book linkscreativity to spirituality by showing how to connect with the creativeenergies of the universe, and has, in the four years since itspublication, spawned a remarkable number of support groups for artistsdedicated to practicing the exercises it contains.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This program consists of segments from the author's book of the same name (Tarcher, 1992). She recommends two ongoing activities that will conquer blocks and self-destructive tendencies: morning pages and artist's dates. Morning pages are three pages of writing, performed daily, about anything at all. This exercise overcomes the writer's internal censor and makes writing habitual, she claims. The artist's date is a weekly block of two hours spent observing, experiencing, and sensing. The balance of the recording describes how the artist can overcome human tendencies such as jealousy, fear, and addiction. This abridgment leaves much to be desired. In her introduction, Cameron states that the audio is an interactive abridgment of her 12-week program. There is nothing interactive about it, however. The sound quality is poor, and the content is similar to the many available 12-step programs. In that sense, it is redundant and will appeal to a very small audience. Not recommended.?Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Coll. of Continuing Ed. Lib.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the

Audio Cassette
edition.

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The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2: Scott Kelby: Books

2008-10-12T17:40:00.005-07:00

Author:Scott Kelby

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Scott Kelby, author of the groundbreaking bestseller %26ldquo;The Digital Photography Book, Vol. 1%26rdquo; is back with an entirely new book that picks up right where Vol. 1 left off. It%26rsquo;s more of that %26ldquo;Ah ha%26mdash;so that%26rsquo;s how they do it,%26rdquo; straight-to-the-point, skip the techno jargon; packed with stuff you can really use today, that made Vol. 1 the world%26rsquo;s bestselling book on digital photography.

In Volume 2, Scott adds entirely new chapters packed with Plain English tips on using flash, shooting close up photography, travel photography, shooting people, and even how to build a studio from scratch, where he demystifies the process so anyone can start taking pro-quality portraits today! Plus, he%26#39;s got full chapters on his most requested topics, including loads of tips for landscape photographers, wedding photographers, and there%26#39;s anentirechapter devoted to sharing some of the pro%26#39;s secrets for making your photos look more professional, no matter what you%26#39;re shooting.

This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here%26rsquo;s how Scott describes it: %26ldquo;If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, %26lsquo;When I use my flash, the background behind the person I%26rsquo;m shooting turns black. How do I fix that?%26rsquo; I wouldn%26rsquo;t give you a lecture on flash ratios, or start a discussion on flash synchronization and rear curtain sync. I%26rsquo;d just say %26ldquo;Lower your shutter speed to 1/60 of a second. That should do it%26rdquo; Well, that%26rsquo;s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I%26rsquo;ve learned just like I would with a friend%26mdash;without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.%26rdquo;

Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you%26rsquo;ll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you%26rsquo;re tired of taking shots that look %26ldquo;okay,%26rdquo; and if you%26rsquo;re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, %26ldquo;Why don%26rsquo;t my shots look like that?%26rdquo; then this is the book for you.

This isn%26rsquo;t a book of theory%26mdash;full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly another 200 of the most closely guarded photographic %26ldquo;tricks of the trade,%26rdquo; this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.

About the Author

Scott Kelby is President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and Editor-in-Chief of both Photoshop User and Layers magazines. Scott serves as training director for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour and is the technical chair of the largest Photoshop gathering in the industry, Photoshop World. He has written numerous best-selling creative technology books.

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The Digital Photography Book: Scott Kelby: Books

2008-10-12T17:40:00.003-07:00

Author:Scott Kelby

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers,now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to takepro-quality shots using the same tricks today%26#39;s top digital pros use(and it%26#39;s easier than you%26#39;d think).

This entire book iswritten with a brilliant premise, and here%26rsquo;s how Scott describes it:"If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, %26#39;Hey, how do I getthis flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?%26#39; Iwouldn%26#39;t stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure,and depth of field. In real life, I%26#39;d just say, %26#39;Get out your telephotolens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.%26#39;You d say, %26#39;OK,%26#39; and you%26#39;d get the shot. That%26#39;s what this book is allabout. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, giveyou advice, and share the secrets I%26#39;ve learned just like I would with afriend, without all the technical explanations and without all thetechno-photo-speak."

This isn%26#39;t a book of theory%26mdash;it isn%26#39;t fullof confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of whichbutton to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly twohundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade"to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, morecolorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital cameraevery time you press the shutter button.

Here%26#39;s another thingthat makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, justone single concept that makes your photography better. Every time youturn the page, you%26#39;ll learn another pro setting, another pro tool,another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into galleryprints. There%26#39;s never been a book like it, and if you%26#39;re tired oftaking shots that look "OK," and if you%26rsquo;re tired of looking inphotography magazines and thinking, "Why don%26#39;t my shots look likethat?" then this is the book for you.

About the Author

Scott Kelby is President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and Editor-in-Chief of both Photoshop User and Layers magazines. Scott serves as training director for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour and is the technical chair of the largest Photoshop gathering in the industry, Photoshop World. He has written numerous best-selling creative technology books.

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Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition): Bryan Peterson: Books

2008-10-12T17:40:00.001-07:00

Author:Bryan Peterson

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For serious amateur photographers who already shoot perfectly focused, accurately exposed images but want to be more creative with a camera, here%26#x92;s the book to consult. More than seventy techniques, both popular and less-familiar approaches, are covered in detail, including advanced exposure, bounced flash and candlelight, infrared, multiple images, soft-focus effects, unusual vantage points, zooming, and other carefully chosen ways to enhance photographs. The A-Z format make sit easy for readers to find a specific technique, and each one is explained in jargon-free language. Top Tips for each technique help readers achieve superb results, even on the first attempt.

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Vanity Fair: The Portraits: A Century of Iconic Images: Graydon Carter, David Friend, Christopher Hitchens: Books

2008-10-12T17:39:00.007-07:00

Author:Graydon Carter

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Vanity Fair: The Portraits brings together 300 iconic portraits from Vanity Fair%26#8217;s 95-year history in a remarkable book that captures the image of modern fame%26#8212;the magical thing that happens when individual talent and beauty (and sometimes genius) is caught in the spotlight of popular curiosity and passion. The photographers%26#8212;from Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton to Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino%26#8212;are a glittering and celebrated group themselves. Their portraits have become the iconic likenesses of the best-known figures from the worlds of art, film, music, sports, business, and politics.From legends such as Pablo Picasso, Amelia Earhart, Cary Grant, and Katharine Hepburn to the stars, writers, athletes, style icons, and titans of business and politics of today, Vanity Fair: The Portraits offers an authoritative roster of talent and glamour in the 20th century.

About the Author

Graydon Carter is the editor of Vanity Fair. David Friend is editor of creative development at Vanity Fair and author of Watching the World Change. Christopher Hitchens is a journalist, literary critic, and social commentator. He is the author most recently of the bestselling God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Terence Pepper, curator of photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, London, was awarded an OBE for services to photography and art.

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The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter): Scott Kelby: Books

2008-10-12T17:39:00.005-07:00

Author:Scott Kelby

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Written in concert with Adobe%26#39;s development of the Photoshop Lightroom 2 Beta, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers - by #1 bestselling computer and technology author, Scott Kelby - is the most complete and concise Lightroom "how-to" book for digital photographers of all skill levels.

In The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers, Scott walks readers through the basics of Lightroom use, leading them to a brilliantly devised and super efficient digital photography workflow that dramatically improves productivity and allows photographers to spend less time processing photos and more time shooting them.

Throughout the book Scott shares his personal camera and Lightroom settings, as well as the studio-tested techniques he%26#39;s developed for his own photography workflow. The book is written in his trademark step-by-step, plain English style, and because he knows what really works and what doesn%26#39;t, he isn%26#39;t shy to tell you flat out which tools to use, which to avoid, and why. This allows digital photographers of any skill level to jump right in using Lightroom like a pro from the very start, sidestepping a lot of the frustrations that typically haunt those unfamiliar with new applications%26hellip;especially those as powerful as Lightroom.

What really sets The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers apart from other Lightroom books on the market are the last two bonus chapters where Scott answers the questions, "In exactly what order am I supposed to do things in Lightoom," and "Where does Photoshop fit in to the mix?" Both chapters start with an on-location photo shoot, including full details on the equipment, camera settings, and lighting techniques. Readers then witness as he takes the photos from each shoot through the entire workflow process, to the final output of the 16"x20" prints. And, because he incorporates Photoshop seamlessly right into this workflow, you%26#39;ll learn some of the latest Photoshop techniques for portrait and landscape photography as well.

If you%26#39;re one of those people who learns best by actually doing the projects yourself; who learns best without all the complicated technical explanations and confusing jargon, and if you really want to start using Lightroom today to unlock the productivity secrets of "The new digital photography workflow,"---there is no faster, more "straight-to-the-point" or more fun way to learn than this groundbreaking new book, and you are absolutely going to love it!

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21 Nights: Prince: Books

2008-10-12T17:39:00.003-07:00

Author:Prince

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

21 Nights--a first book by Prince and celebrated photographer Randee St. Nicholas is a stunning multimedia volume offering a rare glimpse into the life, lyrics and mystique of one of the most notable and prolific musicians of our time. This beautifully designed photographic essay flows from Prince's sensational, unprecedented, record-breaking, sold-out 21 concerts in 21 Nights at London's 02 Arena in 2007. Giving insight into his dueling worlds of performance and solitude, 21 Nights incorporates Prince's evocative poetry and lyrics to new songs and other selections, and 124 full-color, sumptuous never-before-published images by Randee St. Nicholas. As part of the multi-dimensional experience, it will also include %26#34;Indigo Night,%26#34; a CD--available only with the book--capturing Prince's after-hours, live after-show sessions--rare and profound moments of musical genius.

21 Nights takes the reader from the passenger seat of a limousine zipping through the streets of London to his sleeping quarters in a luxury hotel. In between we see him and his phenomenal band of musicians, singers and dancers backstage in the make up room to onstage, bathed in purple lights and a fog of gray smoke. Like a movie-in-a-book, readers are taken on his journey from London to Prague, in a style that takes glam rock to a new level.

Then there is poetry and lyrics that reveal the heart and soul of Prince--in addition to his incomparable talent. Going beyond the catchy hook, he expresses himself on everything from the destructive forces of war, greed and superficiality the life giving energy of love, beauty, and--of course--music.

Excerpt. %26copy; Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Those who have spent the most time with him are both frustrated and inspired. To know him is to know that you probably will never really know him and to question that is a waste of time...wasting time is something one should never do...and something Prince holds in high disregard. He is passionate and funny and smarter than any of you will probably ever believe...he stretches everyone around him and I'm not sure he even understands why...and those who get it without trying to understand soar and grow creatively in a way they probably could not find on their own...it is not a manipulation for control's sake as it is often judged...it is a way of being...a way of constantly stirring things up...a conduit to achieve creative exhaustion...so that you just do whatever it is you do, free of the limits of how you think you should do it...you are simply forced to trust yourself and to trust him...and in the end it is a gift, one that you have worked very hard for and there is great satisfaction in that. Now that you know this you will see him as I have seen him over these few weeks during the summer of 2007 in a city we hold synonymous with royalty...fitting for a Prince...a man...a musician...an artist who is truly like no other. -- Randee St. Nicholas,
From the Introduction

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Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty, & Everything Glamour: Rachel Zoe, Rose Apodaca: Books

2008-10-12T17:39:00.001-07:00

Author:Rachel Zoe

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Have you ever dreamed of having your own red carpet moment? Or wondered how to emulate the effortlessly chic style of the most photographed trendsetters? Or wished you could master the art of all things glamorous?

In STYLE A TO ZOE, Hollywood's hottest celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe, shares her insider tips in this essential guide to the art of a fashionable, behind-the velvet-rope lifestyle. With an eye toward living the luxe life, even if it's on a dime, Zoe zeroes in on the must-have accessories and wardrobe staples for all occasions, when to splurge and save on handbags and heels, how to decorate, entertain, and travel in style.

From award shows to advertising campaigns, Zoe is the go-to force among A-list actresses, fashion houses, beauty firms, and magazine editors. Now she offers full access to the style secrets that skyrocketed her famous clients to the top of best-dressed lists worldwide. With the help of some of fashion's biggest names-including Michael Kors, Donatella Versace, and Diane von Furstenberg-Zoe shares her invaluable insights on:

Mastering red carpet moments in your own life

Developing a style for work or play that's unstudied and glamorous

Personalizing your own modern look by referencing your favorite style icons and vintage clothes

The importance of the "wow" piece-and how to choose one right for you

Throwing a chic dinner party and creating a luxuriously cozy living space

Packing and traveling like a jet-setter

Enjoying every day, living it up in style.

About the Author

Rachel Zoe is an internationally renowned stylist who dresses some of Hollywood's most-photographed fashion stars. Her effortlessly chic glamour has transformed red carpet and runway style and led to collaborations with fashion and beauty brands, in advertising campaigns and magazine editorials.

Rose Apodaca is a fashion and pop-culture journalist and editor who has spent the last two decades reporting the business and culture of fashion. She was most recently the West Coast Editor of WWD.

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I Want: Jarod Kintz: Books

2008-10-12T17:38:00.005-07:00

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I Know What You Did: Neil S. Plakcy: Books

2008-10-12T17:38:00.003-07:00

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The Train: Jeff Howe: Books

2008-10-12T17:38:00.001-07:00

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The Indiscretion: Robert A Meacham: Books

2008-10-12T17:37:00.007-07:00

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The House of All Octobers: Eric Enck: Books

2008-10-12T17:37:00.005-07:00

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No Novocaine: Eric Enck: Books

2008-10-12T17:37:00.003-07:00

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Phil's Place: Joseph McGee: Books

2008-10-12T17:37:00.001-07:00

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The Inheritance: Robin Hobb: Books

2008-10-09T16:38:00.001-07:00

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Clara's Secret: Richard Neal Huffman: Books

2008-10-09T16:37:00.007-07:00

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Road Rage: Richard Neal Huffman: Books

2008-10-09T16:37:00.005-07:00

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Bad Frank: Richard Neal Huffman: Books

2008-10-09T16:37:00.003-07:00

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A Killer Diary: Patrick Raley: Books

2008-10-09T16:37:00.001-07:00

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Doc Holliday's Dilemma: S.m. Ballard: Books

2008-10-09T16:36:00.007-07:00

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Promised Land, Behind the Scenes: M. A. Laborde: Books

2008-10-09T16:36:00.005-07:00

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The Last Striper: May Lattanzio: Books

2008-10-09T16:36:00.003-07:00

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The Iraqi Woman: Mark Biskeborn: Books

2008-10-09T16:36:00.001-07:00

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How I Accidentally Started the Sixties - Part One: Howard Bloom: Books

2008-10-08T17:12:00.001-07:00

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How to Write Salable/Commercial Short Stories for Popular Magazines Using the Formula of Multiples of Three for Balance: Anne Hart: Books

2008-10-08T17:11:00.005-07:00

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Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee: Dean Cycon: Books

2008-10-08T17:11:00.003-07:00

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Soul Communication: Opening Your Spiritual Channels for Success and Fulfillment: Zhi Gang Sha: Books

2008-10-08T17:11:00.001-07:00

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Bubble After Bubble in The Ongoing Bubble Boom: Oil Bursts, the Housing Bubble Fades and Now Stocks Emerge Into a Greater Bubble that Finally Ends in 2010: Harry S. Dent: Books

2008-10-08T17:10:00.003-07:00

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Make Anyone Loyal: David J. Lieberman Ph.D.: Books

2008-10-08T17:10:00.001-07:00

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And Then There Were Four: Emma Holly: Books

2008-10-07T18:40:00.001-07:00

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The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot: Naomi Wolf: Books

2008-10-07T18:39:00.006-07:00

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How to Write a Great Query Letter: Noah Lukeman: Books

2008-10-07T18:39:00.005-07:00

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Mary Engelbreit's Mary Days: 2009 Day-to-Day Calendar: Mary Engelbreit: Books

2008-10-07T18:39:00.003-07:00

Author:Mary Engelbreit

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

People magazine has dubbed Mary Engelbreit a Norman Rockwell for our times. For 2009, let Mary Engelbreit's calendar brighten your day, every day.Make your days the "Maryest" they can be with Mary Engelbreit's calendar, Mary Days. This warm and engaging calendar invites you to share in the magic of Mary's captivating artwork and to reflect on what makes your days blissful. Whether it's picking flowers, playing at the beach, or giving someone you love a special hug, the images and quotes in this calendar help make each day one to cherish.

About the Author

Mary Engelbreit's aphorisms and illustrations appear on 14 million greeting cards sold annually. With a range of licensed products spanning from books and calendars to dinnerware and fabric, along with her award-winning magazine, Engelbreit truly is "The Queen of Everything." She lives in St. Louis, Mo.

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All About Us: Philipp Keel: Books

2008-10-07T18:39:00.001-07:00

Author:Philipp Keel

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for All About Me:

"Philipp Keel's book of discover-yourself queries gives us pause indeed. With questions like this, who needs Barbara Walters?"
--Entertainment Weekly -- Review

Review

Praise for All About Me:

%26quot;Philipp Keel's book of discover-yourself queries gives us pause indeed. With questions like this, who needs Barbara Walters?%26quot;
--Entertainment Weekly

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Sierra Club 2009 Wilderness Calendar: Sierra Club: Books

2008-10-07T18:38:00.001-07:00

Author:Sierra Club

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Sierra Club 2009 Engagement Calendar: Sierra Club: Books

2008-10-06T18:16:00.005-07:00

Author:Sierra Club

Details and Pictures of " Sierra Club 2009 Engagement Calendar: Sierra Club: Books"

The Jewish Calendar 2009: 16 month Wall Calendar: Amsterdam Jewish Historical Museum: Books

2008-10-06T18:16:00.003-07:00

Author:Amsterdam Jewish Historical Museum

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The indispensable Jewish Calendar 2009 features selections from the superb collection of the Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam. Full-color illustrations of Judaic ceremonial and historical masterpieces are beautifully reproduced in this outstanding oversize wall calendar. Included are U.S. and Jewish holidays, Sabbath candle-lighting times, and a list of Jewish holidays through the year 2014.* Span a full 16 months from September 2008 through December 2009.* Provide detailed information about Jewish holidays and observances, which, along with their selections of Judaica and fine art, make them essential for every Jewish household.

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Art Of Charley Harper 2009 Wall Calendar: Charley Harper, Pomegranate: Books

2008-10-06T18:16:00.001-07:00

Author:Charley Harper

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Minimal realism was how wildlife artist Charley Harper defined his style. I don t count feathers, he said, I just count the wings. Born in rural West Virginia, Harper (1922 2007) developed an unmistakable style, capturing an animal s essence with geometric shapes and vivid colors. His work has been featured in many publications, including the two books from which this calendar s twelve images are selected: Beguiled by the Wild (1994) and Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life (2007).

Size: 13 x 12 in.; opens to 13 x 24 in.

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Twelve Monet Bookmarks (Small-Format Bookmarks): Claude Monet, Maggie Kate: Books

2008-10-06T18:15:00.005-07:00

Author:Claude Monet

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Monet came to be regarded as one of the greatest of all landscape painters. Details from 12 of his famed paintings appear on these lovely bookmarks, among them waterlilies in the gardens at Giverny, The Boulevard des Capucines, Rouen Cathedral, Portal and the Tour d'Albane, Camille Monet in Japanese Costume, and more.

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Dilbert: 2009 Day-to-Day Calendar (Dilbert): Scott Adams: Books

2008-10-06T18:15:00.003-07:00

Author:Scott Adams

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Wally practices work avoidance as if it's some New Age religion, Alice resorts to violent measures to relieve stress, and Dilbert remains cluelessly above it all. Throw in a boss who manages via buzzwords, and you have the main players in the favorite strip among office dwellers everywhere: Dilbert. It's a cast of characters all too familiar to most, which accounts for no small part of its amazing success. It seems that everyone knows, has worked with, or unknowingly is a Dilbert type.This Dilbert day-to-day takes on a new look for 2009 with every one of the strips in full color.

About the Author

Scott Adams was born in Windham, N.Y., and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1979. Initially conceived as a doodle, Dilbert was formally launched in 1989 and netted Scott a Reuben Award in 1997. Author's web site: dilbertblog.typepad.com/

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Llewellyn's 2009 Witches' Datebook: Llewellyn: Books

2008-10-06T18:15:00.001-07:00

Author:Llewellyn

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Llewellyn%26#39;s 2009 Witches%26#39; Datebook is perfect for the busy Witch on the go. An appointment book, calendar, and magical reference all rolled in one%26mdash;this practical datebook will help you align your life with the Wheel of the Year. Packed with Sabbat recipes, Moon rituals, meditations, Sabbat musings, and astrological information, you%26#39;ll also find fun, fresh ways to celebrate the sacred seasons and enhance your practice.

The 2009 edition features articles on tools of the trade (James Kambos), tarot card applications (Magenta Griffith), scents to effect magic (Diana Rajchel), autumn magic of the first people (Nancy V. Bennett), clearing your unwanted attachments (Michelle Skye), and more!

About the Author

Llewellyn Publications has grown and expanded into new areas of personal growth and transformation since it began as the Portland School of Astrology in 1901. Along with the strong line of astrology books the company was founded upon, Llewellyn publishes books on everything from alternative health and healing, Wicca and Paganism, to metaphysics and the paranormal-and since 1994 has published a growing list of Spanish-language titles.

Llewellyn has long been know as one of America's leading publishers of New Age books, producing a wide variety of valuable tools for transformation of the mind, body and spirit. Reach for the Moon-and discover that self-help and spiritual growth is what Llewellyn is all about.

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Cat Gallery Calendar 2009 (Page a Day Gallery Calendar): Workman Publishing Company: Books

2008-10-05T19:01:00.007-07:00

Author:Workman Publishing Company

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The attitude, the grace, the beauty and mystique of the cat, captured in hundreds of exquisitely composed and reproduced photographs. A white cat curled against a brilliant green door. A sleepy Siamese in mid-yawn. Silver tabby kittens piled in a heap. A Maine Coon, fluffed out to the max. These exceptional portraits, in color and black and white, are saturated in mesmerizing detail%26#8212;a finely textured pink nose, the languid curve of a tail, brilliant gold-flecked eyes%26#8212;and are a singular tribute to the ever-alluring cat.

About the Author

Since 1971. Workman is a publisher that's always around big ideas.B. Kliban's Cat, The Official Preppy Handbook, The Silver Palate Cookbook, the original Page-A-Day Calendars, the What to Expect books, BRAIN QUEST %26#x2013; landmark bestsellers such as these reflect a knack for publishing books and calendars that lead with a commitment to publish them with a mixture of care and innovation. The bright, appealing trade-paperback format has succeeded with high standards of design and production. Authors who are authorities, who tour extensively and are spokespeople for their subjects, enjoy books of unexpected formats, unique packaging of books with objects, and yet above all, value through conscientious, aggressive pricing.

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365 Cats Page-A-Day Calendar 2009 (Color Page-A-Day(r) Calendars): Workman Publishing Company: Books

2008-10-05T19:01:00.005-07:00

Author:Workman Publishing Company

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Here they are, hundreds of lovable winners of the 2008 Cat Calendar Contest: tiger tabbies, colorful calicoes, smoky grays. Chatty Siamese, poufy Persians, Aby athletes and cheetah-like Egyptian Maus. They're dangling from scratching posts, lurking by fish tanks, stalking squirrels, napping in bowls and baskets, and just hanging out%26#x2014;all that feline attitude on full display. Includes breed information, quotes and lore, health and care tips, and trivia.

Book Description

There are cat calendars. And then there's the cat calendar.For 2009 comes a brand-new bunch of lovable felines in full color%26#8212;the hundreds of winners of the 2008 Cat Calendar Contest. Here they are: sleek Abyssinians, so-adorable orange cats, tigers, and talkative Siamese. Cats dangling from scratching posts, cats snoozing in sinks, cats posing in profile, cats slinking through the grass. And tiny little kittens nestled in shoes. Accompanying the photos are quotes, breed information, health and care tips, and lore.

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All About Me: Philipp Keel: Books

2008-10-05T19:01:00.003-07:00

Author:Philipp Keel

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As you've probably heard before, an unexamined life... may bepretty darn boring. You can remedy that with All About Me, ajournal filled with checklists and fill-in-the-blank questions dividedinto 25 categories, including sexuality, ego, wishes %26 dreams,opinions, emotions, memories, and choices. What authors have affectedyou? Do you believe in God? What film can you watch over and over?Ever had sex on an airplane? Do you want to be buried or cremated? All About Me can serve as a fine tool for improving yourself-knowledge; it's also been used by couples who want to get to knoweach other better, and would make great fodder for getting a partygoing (especially the question, "Does a photo of you nakedexist?"). If you're interested in self-actualization or improving yourrelationships, you'll find the book fascinating, while anyone justlooking for a fun way to spend a rainy day or make a long trip go byfaster will be rewarded, too.

Product Description

Is there someone special you'd like to open up to? Do you want to know yourself better? Self-discovery and self-revelation aren't easy. With simple but provocative questions, All About Me is a great tool for self-reflection that spotlights everything your loved ones would be interested to know about you but never thought--or dared--to ask. Such as: Name a friend you should not have kissed. Describe a moment when you achieved absolute happiness. Recall a compliment that made you blush. Write about your most beautiful and your most horrifying memory of your parents. Does a naked photo of you exist?

The wide-ranging questions--from short yes/no's to open-ended ones that probe your psyche--are personal, direct, and addictively fun to answer. The basic specs, including blood type and annual salary, are also covered.

If you've ever wished that you or your loved ones had been born with an operating manual, your wish has been granted. Filled in or left blank, All About Me is a perfect gift for everyone you care about--friends, relatives, mentors, and lovers. Published just in time for Valentine's Day, but also ideal for Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, birthdays, showers, and weddings, this unique book gives the best present of all: the gift of you.

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Ansel Adams 2009 Wall Calendar: Ansel Adams: Books

2008-10-05T19:01:00.001-07:00

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The latest edition of the Ansel Adams wall calendar reproduces, in impeccably printed duotone, thirteen breathtaking images by the master photographer, chosen to reflect the changing seasons. With a mix of well-known and less familiar photographs of the American West, this splendid calendar will delight loyal fans of the previous twenty-four calendars, as well as attract new buyers.

About the Author

In a career that spanned more than five decades, Ansel Adams was at once America's foremost landscape photographer and one of its most ardent environmentalists. His work has been published in a multitude of books, posters, and calendars.

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Mom's Family Desk Planner 2009: Sandra Boynton: Books

2008-10-05T19:00:00.003-07:00

Author:Sandra Boynton

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It's a calendar, a planner, and so much more. Combining organizational finesse with zesty Boynton illustrations, Mom's Family Desk Planner goes everywhere and anywhere Mom does. And now this planner runs a full 16 months, beginning boldly when school starts in September 2008, and ending gracefully on New Year's Eve 2009.

On the lefthand side of each spread is an emissary from the Boynton menagerie to brighten your week (a cat, a rhino, a penguin, the obligatory cow). On the righthand side, there's a week-at-a-glance grid with two generously-sized write-in columns, one for Mom's schedule, one for the family's comings and goings.

Section 2 of the desk planner features space for important phone numbers%26#x2014;from doctors to school contacts to restaurants. Then there are tear-out grocery and to-do lists, and some extra pages for scribbling down important and/or inconsequential things. And stickers! Put them on special dates, or perhaps use them to lavishly decorate your tax return. After all, Moms need to have fun too.

Book Description

Now running 16 full months beginning in September 2008, this portable companion to Mom's Family Calendar slips easily into a purse and brings its organizational brawn everywhere Mom goes. On the left side of each spread is one of Boynton's lively color illustrations. On the right side is a week-at-a-glance grid with two generously sized write-in columns%26#8212;one for Mom's schedule, one for the whole family's. In the back are spaces for important phone numbers and perforated grocery and %26quot;to do%26quot; lists, and bound into the planner are 150 full-color stickers. Storage pockets on the inside front and back covers are perfect for coupons and receipts.

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Moleskine Ruled Notebook Large: Books

2008-10-05T19:00:00.001-07:00

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This basicyet classic Large Ruled notebook is one of the best selling Moleskine notebooks. This reliable travel companionperfect for writingsthoughts and passing noteshas a cardboard bound cover with rounded cornersacid free papera bookmarkan elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket that contains the Moleskine history.

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The Pregnancy Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy: A. Christine Harris: Books

2008-09-27T22:19:00.001-07:00

Author:A. Christine Harris

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether this is pregnancy number 1 or number 10, nothing makes it easier to connect with a growing baby than knowing exactly what magical development is happening every day. Filling the need for practical information, medical data, emotional and spiritual fuel, and even "pregnancy trivia," The Pregnancy Journal is easily one of the best books available for a woman or couple expecting a baby. The journal contains about half a page of information for each day from conception through delivery. Nutrition, how to avoid discomforts associated with pregnancy, childbirth customs in other cultures, and practical parenting tips are among the topics touched on. Many days in the journal have a great section called "Did You Know"; for example, from Day 49: "The baby's arms at this point are only as long as this printed 1." At the bottom of each page is a quote from a literary or historical figure; some are sentimental, some pithy, some humorous, all inspiring. The information and quotes seem to invite musings and speculation on the miracle unfolding inside the womb; there is some space for recording data and thoughts, but if you want to write more than just a few lines every few days, you might want to have a blank journal to accompany The Pregnancy Journal. The format of this book makes it much more manageable andinviting than most books on pregnancy, and the information is made even more accessibleby the inclusion of a glossary/subject index in the back. Don't wait until the shower to give this excellent resource and thoughtful gift--moms-to-be will want to have it from the very beginning. --Katherine Ferguson
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Since its publication in 1996, this definitive journal for expectant families has sold over a million copies. Author A. Christine Harris brings a revised and thoroughly updated edition to today s parents-to-be. Still featuring daily entries, a personalized timeline, and pregnancy glossary, the revised edition provides a clearer picture of the baby's in-utero development and the latest advice about giving a growing baby every advantage prior to birth.

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BodyMinder Workout and Exercise Journal (A Fitness Diary): F. E. Wilkins: Books

2008-09-27T22:18:00.003-07:00

Author:F. E. Wilkins

Editorial Reviews

Review

BodyMinder is easy-to-use, fits nicely in a gym bag; a good choice for anyone who wants a little extra motivation. -- About Exercise.com, February 2004

Our sincere thanks for your tremendous contribution (of BodyMinders) to this year's Emmy Performer Nominee gift bags. Splendid! -- Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Fall 2003

The BodyMinder (pictured) has spacious daily pages for tracking reps, sets, etc. -- Muscle Mag International, June 2003

The BodyMinder helps by encouraging you to record your exercise...meet your fitness goals once and for all! -- Short Hairstyles, September 2003

Product Description

The BODYMINDER is the ultimate physical fitness diary. With a focus on workouts, it can also be used to keep track of any and all other exercise.Each "day" consists of two pages with an organized, easy-to-use layout for recording workout details...from equipment %26 settings, to reps %26 sets, to difficulty level, to heart rate, to muscle groups, and more. There is also space for listing the details of other (non-gym) exercise...from walking the dog, to playing a sport, to dancing up a storm! In addition, each day's meals can be recorded as well as any vitamins or supplements taken.The 224-page book is spiral bound with a durable leatherette cover. There are 91 days' worth of daily records and thirteen Weekly Schedule forms to help you keep on track. Other sections include food counts on over 100 common foods, heart and blood pressure range charts, progress charts, personal game scores, fitness expenses, and more. In the back there is a vinyl pocket for holding photos, notes, cards, etc.The BODYMINDER is compatible with virtually all popular exercise and fitness plans and can, indeed, be your key to reaching and maintaining your fitness goals.

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Amy Butler's Little Stitches: Amy Butler, Colin McGuire: Books

2008-09-27T22:18:00.001-07:00

Author:Amy Butler

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this lavishly illustrated collectiondesigner Amy Butler presents 20 charmingcontemporary projects for the nursery and beyond. There's a snuggly wrap blanketimaginative plush toysbright diaper bagshandy travel bibsand much more. Our innovative packaging makes for easy use%26#xF3;7 pattern sheets are neatly tucked into a folder on the inside cover while lay-flatspiral binding makes for easy reference while sewing. Beautiful photos inspirewhile illustrations and simple instructions explain the techniques. Amy also shares tips on choosing baby-friendly fabrics and includes a comprehensive techniques sectionglossaryand resource guide. With her eye for detail and her signature fine craftsmanshipAmy has created a delightful offering of handcrafted keepsakes sure to be cherished by generations to come.

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Madonna: 2009 Wall Calendar: Signatures Network: Books

2008-09-27T22:17:00.007-07:00

Author:Signatures Network

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Mom's Family Calendar 2009: Sandra Boynton: Books

2008-09-27T22:17:00.005-07:00

Author:Sandra Boynton

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A superstar, just like Mom herself. What is it about this bestselling calendar? Is it those irresistible cows, hippos, chicks, penguins, and piggies skipping and prancing through the pages? Or is it the innovative and ultra-practical wall-calendar-meets-planner format? Yes...and yes! It's the whole package: a calendar that looks great and is indispensable for families on the go. Mom%26#8217;s starts in September and runs 16 full months. Spreads feature an oversized, vertical grid with five columns across (one for each family member) and the days of the month running down the left side. With just a glance, Mom and Dad can see who is doing what, and when. Includes a new drop-down storage pocket, plus 500 stickers and a write-on, wipe-off magnetic phone list for the fridge.

About the Author

Sandra Boynton has been a bestselling Workman author for 25 years. She's written the New York Times bestseller Chocolate: The Consuming Passion,the national (and New York Times) bestselling musical for the whole family, Philadelphia Chickens, the phenomenally successful Boynton on Board series (led by Barnyard Dance!),and the one-of-a-kindGrunt, the sublime collection of Pigoroian chant. All told, her books for Workman have over 8.6 million copies in print, a number that will already be out-of-date when you read this. She lives with her family in western Connecticut.

Details and Pictures of " Mom's Family Calendar 2009: Sandra Boynton: Books"

Cute Overload Page-A-Day Calendar 2009 (Color Page-A-Day(r) Calendars): Meg Frost: Books

2008-09-27T22:17:00.003-07:00

Author:Meg Frost

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

%26quot;Omigosh%26#8212;so cute!%26quot; (The Boston Globe). Introducing a brand-new calendar based on the phenomenally popular, award-winning blog%26#8212;with the singular mission of scouring the Web for %26quot;only the finest in cute imagery%26quot;%26#8212;anointed %26quot;#1 MOOD LIFTER%26quot; in Time magazine's %26quot;50 Coolest Websites%26quot; issue. Cute Overload features day after day of sheer animal adorability: wiggly-nosed bunny rabbits, palm-size puppies, kittens mimicking human traits, fuzzy chicks, koalas, baby pandas, the occasional hedgehog, and The Rules of Cuteness, including #5: Fisheye lens + baby animal is always cute and #10: If you haven't grown into your feet yet, it's cute. Accompanied by a pitch-perfect, smart caption, every picture is guaranteed to elicit an %26quot;awww.%26quot; Truly, %26quot;The Gold Standard of Cute%26quot; (Wonkette).

From the Back Cover

A nonstop parade of utter cuteness, adapted from the outlandishly adorable website anointed %26ldquo;#1 Mood Lifter%26rdquo; by Time magazine and praised by The Boston Globe as %26ldquo;Omigosh%26mdash;so cute!%26rdquo; Here are wiggly nosed bunny rabbits, fuzzy chicks, snuggly squirrels, roly-poly hamsters, baby pandas, the occasional hedgehog, and, of course, kittens and puppies galore. So many little tongues, soft paws, perky tails, furrowed brows. And those %26lsquo;tocks! Accompanied by a smart, pitch-perfect caption, each full-color photograph is guaranteed to make your day. Includes The Rules of Cuteness (#37: If you tilt your head to the side, it%26rsquo;s cute).

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