Customer Reviews (9)

"Worse than the physical tragedy..."-Colonel Barakat
"was the assassination of the truth." Colonel Barakat was speaking before the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee about conditions of christian Lebanese refugees in Israel. Those refugees had fought against pro-Syrian islamist forces and the anti-Israeli group Hizbollah; they had been victims of jihad, islamic wars in South Lebanon, and had been ignored, abandoned by the international community. This story is found in the last chapter of this book.

I think Isaiah agrees with Colonel Barakat when he says in Isaiah 59:14-15:

Justice is turned back,
          And righteousness stands afar off;
          For truth has fallen in the public squares,
          And uprightness cannot enter.
   
       Yes, truth is lacking;
          And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
          Now the LORD saw,
          And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.

In talking about this book, I'm always asked "what is dhimmitude", and I still don't have a good answer. Bat Ye'Or defines it in her introduction as "a domain which embraces the social, political, and religious relations of different human groups", and "dhimmitude embraces the condition of the dhimmi (non-muslim "protected" by islamic law). What helped me was her analogy that "the concepts of dhimmi and dhimmitude are equivalent to Jew and Judaism, of Christian and Christianity." If you're still mystified, as I am, Bat Ye'Or has websites devoted to these subjects on the worldwide web.

An "Amazon friend" recommended that I attend a talk by Bat Ye'Or in my neighborhood. So glad I did, and I bought my book directly from the source! I was impressed by this woman's soft-spoken demeanor, her mastery of the English language, (better than mine!), and the subject matter which is so relevant today. Unfortunately, students at Georgetown University were not so receptive when she gave a talk there soon after this book was published in 2002. The research in this book is incredible, Bat Ye'Or's research navigating through unchartered areas of islamic history, revealing how islamic law really deals with the "other" religions and peoples (dhimmis) to be found in their theocratic society. It took me two weeks to slowly plod through this book, underlining, highlighting so many pages, the information and islamic terms totally unfathomable and foreign to me. (I recommend bookmarking or photocopying the two page glossary of islamic words at the end, before and while reading it).

In this book, she looks at "the people of the book", jews and christians in islamic lands all over the globe. She has been criticized, because she is a jew, of being biased in her research. However, I was surprised that she didn't write of Israel and anti-zionism more. That information is to be found in this book, but there is plenty of evidence from other dhimmi groups to make a case that, at least to me, islamic laws need reforming. Except that is no easy solution; Islamic law is perfect and to criticize it is blasphemous and the sentence for blasphemy is death! What helped me in reading this book was what little I knew about the Armenian genocide during WWI from reading the Forty Days of Musa Dagh and Peter Balakian's The Burning Tigris. The deportations and slaughters, somehow becoming understandable upon reading this book, Bat Ye'Or revealing how islamic law and jihad, islamic war, operate in the dar al-Islam (land of Islam). Ownership of ammunition is forbidden the dhimmi as well as the building of new churches or synagogues. Mohammed has said that "the bell is the devil's pipe", Chapter 3:Religious and Social Aspects of Dhimmitude; therefore, without the simple church bell, communities are rendered utterly defenseless, unable to warn one another of dangers, unable to mobilize any defenses when protection (Jezhiya/poll tax) cannot be paid for. (Thank goodness for the second amendment in this country).

No telling how many people in the Sudan are being murdered as I type this right now. A jihad there has been going on for decades. In Chapter 8: The Return of Dhimmitude, Bat Ye'Or mentions that in 2000, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum had an exhibit entitled "Genocide Warning:Sudan"; Amnesty International, this past week or so, now claims that today that warning is now a reality.

We must understand Islam, but we must be selective about the sources we listen to. Bat Ye'Or's voice is, in my opinion, as Major Joppolo explains in A Bell for Adano, "another broadcast, that you cannot hear quite so clearly."

Brilliant, work of a scholar
This is a brilliant piece of writing by a most intelligent and distinguished scholar.

It is a historically accurate account of the old hatred and persecutions of Christians and Jews as ordered by the Koran, and Islamic Sharia law.

Most people think Islam is only anti-Israel. Not so. Even if there were no country of Israel, Islam would still hate America, England, and all democratic nations.

This is a must read.

Interesting but open to be misread?
An interesting book, but looking from the reviews given on this book, one can see how this book might be popular with amongst those who have a manichean view of the world, who may "percieve" Islam to be an inversion of their beliefs (an "Evil"?), the "other".

As I mentioned earlier, it's an interesting book which charts the (institutional?) prejudice towards non-muslims in muslim countries.

However one must bear in mind the following, that prejudice towards individuals and groups whose beliefs are the minority in societies is phenomena that has been around for a long time (Eg: one only has to take a look at the eventual decimation of the followers of Arius) and has been practiced across many cultures.

(Perhaps someone should do a genealogy of the laws relating to religious minorities?)

That aside, on an interesting note: Considering that the muslim laws related to the status of the "dhimmi" is supposed to be a "minimum" gurantee/protection of rights for non-muslims which muslims are obliged to protect and not the "limitation" of rights as we were lead to believe, one has to ask an interesting question: How many religious texts in the world gurantee's the rights of non-believers?, the bible?: Think again... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General   2. Christianity - General   3. Dhimmis   4. Ethnic relations   5. History   6. History: World   7. Islam - General   8. Islamic Empire   9. Islamic countries   10. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy   11. Rhetoric   

Customer Reviews (1)

A teacher's dream
This book will tear at your heartstrings if you are a teacher. Another teacher read it at a faculty meeting and we all loved it. It would be a great gift for a student teacher or a friend who is a teacher. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death   2. Elementary school teachers   3. Fiction   4. Fiction - General   5. General   6. Mothers   7. Teacher-student relationships   

Customer Reviews (1)

Your Roles and Responsibilities As a Board Member (Carvergui
If you or your board uses Policy Governance and need to understand your job quickly, then read this book. Policy governance is difficult for many board members to grasp, but this handy text brings it home fast. It's more brief, better written and to the point than Carver's 240 page "Boards That Make a Difference." Yet it is only an overview, so don't count on it making you an expert.

I like the basic job description section; it gets to the real job of boards and helps you see the danger of activities--being busy is not always best. However the content is a bit insubstantial, so that you will need to find your own applications of the three "board products. Carver offers 18 useful bullets to the job of board member.

I find this booklet essential for all board member orientations. I would highly recommend this (and the other 11 booklets in the series) to all board members. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics   2. Business / Economics / Finance   3. Corporate governance   4. Directors of corporations   5. Leadership   6. Leadership In Business   7. Reference   8. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities   9. Management & management techniques   

Customer Reviews (58)

Army Officer, Wife and Mother
This is THE BEST PREGNANCY BOOK EVER!!! My time is severly limited, so bottomline directness is a necessity in my life - that's why this book was invaluable during my first pregnancy. I leant this book, and a few other books to a close friend during her pregnancy- guess which one was never returned. This book is a gem because it gives you a strong visual cue that you can identify with - It's comforting to see what you and your baby may look like during each month of pregnancy. The text writing is precise, with very appropriately sized, meaty chunks of information that seem to answer every question as they come to mind - it's wonderful! I love the set up of the book too, just reading Dr. Stoppard's book was like embarking on a journey, little treasures of pertinent information around every corner. I'm now expecting my second child and my first thought was -I need to order my Pregnancy Bible! (Dr. Stoppard's Conception, Pregnancy and Birth) With this book in hand, I'll feel informed, confident and prepared, just as I did through my first pregnancy.

THE BEST PREGNANCY GUIDE ON THE MARKET!!
After a depressing and guilt-ridden "What to Expect When You're Expecting", I felt so refreshed after reading this book. I'm a first time expectant mother, and I found this book to be so much more informative and appealing!! The colorful pictures and great medical advice along with the sections on breastfeeding and post-natal care were absolutely wonderful. I would definitely recommend this guide to any mom. Dr. Stoppard's opinions are much like my OB/GYN's and my husband has learned a lot as well. A definite MUST HAVE!!

great additional information
My husband and I really like this one as a supplemental pregancy guide. The pictures/photos are terrific and provide a great overview of what is happening to mom & bubby. It also has good 'real life' reports of say a working mom, diabetes mom, rhesus neagtive one etc. And covers most aspects of what is happening during pregnancy from a more medical/scientific perspective on a high level and therefore very easy to understand but so that it's still valuable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting   2. Childbirth   3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth   4. Popular works   5. Pregnancy   6. Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Customer Reviews (4)

Why wasn't this taught when I was in school???
I wholeheartedly recommend this book; however, it's probably so different from anything you were taught in school that it might be difficult to incorporate anything into your writing style.

I was never taught logic in school--either high school or college. Thus, I found the sections on logic very interesting. The author describes every logical argument you could think of in detail, and (the editor) provides examples for most. Not easy reading, though--I found myself having to go back and re-read/study portions routinely.

As an aside, I think this book, unintentionally, does a lot to point out the failures of modern government-controlled schools. The "trivium" should be taught to all grade-school students.

Barbara Celarent and a lot more
This book is as much fun as I've had from a book in quite some time, even though the subject matters (grammar, logic, rhetoric) are usually thought of as serious if not outright grim.

The book was originally written for first-year students at college in the 1930s and 40s. It is simply amazing how much knowledge the teacher could assume from her students and build on. Fortunately, the current edition has been copiously footnoted for us. These and other updatings occasionally give an anachronistic flavor to the material, but more often highlight its timelessness.

After introductory chapters on the liberal arts and on language, two chapters on grammar (which are not dull summaries of long-familiar rules - in the 1930s these could be taken as given) lead smoothly into several chapters on logic, ending with a fine chapter summarizing fallacies. This material will be challenging, but a lot of fun, and for the most part presented with great clarity. (I have to admit, however, that after repeated readings I still do not understand why John is a rabbit.) Along the way you get to meet Barbara Celarent. The book concludes with a sadly brief chapter on composition and reading (i.e., rhetoric) which I wish I had read many years ago. An appendix gives a brief biography of the author, a nun who taught for many years at Saint Mary's College (South Bend). A lecture by Mortimer Adler crystallized her interest in the trivium.

Highly recommended - a 6-star book if ever there was one.

VATICAN ENGLISH
You need a spell-checker if you write. To put hyphens where they belong you can buy the NEW YORK TIMES MANUAL OF STYLE. To avoid mistakes in logic see Sister Miriam. Her book is an encyclopedia of fallacies, logical blunders.

From the blurbs you may surmise that this is official "Christian" English. A timeless text. One basic refrence is Thrax (166 BC); another is Porphry, who died in 305 AD. The good Sister - who went to her reward in 1982 - informs about Latin absolutes - unfortunately rare these days, but we ought to recognize them. And Greek lLITOTES such as "She is not unaware of her beauty.." Magic grammar !

This is a difficult read; ringing changes on logical fallacies seems endless. What is a "second intention?" An "enthymeme?" Venn diagrams - the author calls them "Euler circles" - help a bit. But it seems almost anything a person may say is foolish and illogical; which must go double for lawyers and judges. That should be humbling, in case you ever need to humiliate a judge. Pull out a slip of paper with "Glocenian sorites" written on iit.

The ablative absolute, in case you're wondering, goes like this: With Caesar away, Senators conspired to murder hm. That's lively writing, isn't it? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education   2. Education / Teaching   3. Educational Policy & Reform   4. English language   5. General   6. Grammar   7. Language and logic   8. Philosophy & Social Aspects   9. Reading comprehension   10. Rhetoric   

Customer Reviews (1)

Children's Literature for Adults
This book offers indepth information about a variety of topics concerning childrens literature. In the first chapters it focuses on the development of children and their perceptions of literature at different ages. It then informs the reader about the historical development of children's literature. The biggest part of the book, however, is about the different genres of literature available. What I liked about this book was that it offered many examples and reading samples. It also included several essays from children book authors who wrote about their profession. The teaching aids and the recommended reading at the end of each chapter proved helpful. However, some areas of this book, such as this one, are only helpful to people interested in child education as a profession. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12   2. Education   3. General   4. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading   5. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading   

Customer Reviews (1)

An easy introduction
This basic introduction to gestalt therapy, first published thirty years ago, is relatively easy to read and covers quite a lot of concepts and practices. It also provides many anecdotal accounts of example cases to help illustrate its themes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gestalt psychology   2. Gestalt therapy   3. Movements - Behaviorism   4. Psychology   5. Psychotherapy - General   6. Body & health   7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent overview of Carver's Policy Governance theory .
This first in a 12-part series of general guides on Policy Governance is a great introduction to author John Carver's new approach to nonprofit board development. Basically, this approach clearly separates the roles of board and staff as they go about their separate but related jobs of organizational governance and management. Policy Governance clarifies these roles through policy development and permits the board---governing as a body---to control the management and direction of the organization in a global policy approach. This guide is a good start in grasping the concepts of the approach. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics   2. Business / Economics / Finance   3. Corporate governance   4. Directors of corporations   5. Leadership   6. Leadership In Business   7. Reference   8. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities   9. Business strategy   10. Management & management techniques   

Customer Reviews (21)

The knowledge is excellent and the recipes are scrumptious!
I have accumulated many recipe books over the years. What most impressed me about "Heaven's Banquet" is that it is much more than a cookbook. It presents a philosophy of life and a philosophy of cooking and eating that create health by bringing mind, body, spirit and environment together. The author's warmth, humor and excellent writing style make this fascinating knowledge easy to understand and absorb. The recipes are easy to follow and scrumptious! I will be reading, thinking about, and using this book for a long, long time.

Keeps me on the Ayurvedic wagon!
Before this book, I'd be a devoted Ayurvedic cook for about one week and then fall off the wagon when I got bored "eating Indian" at every meal. Hospodar's recipies are varied (providing Ayurvedic versions of well-loved dishes from around the world) and their flavours and seasonings diverse (even finding favour with my non-vegetarian husband who claims the Moussaka on p. 96 is the "best dish" I make). Other family faves--scones, paella, squash with wild rice succotash, dal II, chili (be prepared for a taste surprise--it's not your traditional chili, but if I don't call it "chili" I always get compliments on the unique seasonings in this dish). Not only are the recipes simple to make, they're also easy to adapt, allowing even the non-experimental cook like me the joy of substituting ingredients and still having it turn out okay!

Hospodar's introduction to Ayurveda is an adequate first overview, but those interested will learn more about this ancient practice by reading Robert Svoboda or Nancy Lonsdorf's books. I also found a better background on Ayurveda in the first Morningstar cookbook (although her recipes, while delicious, are pretty much all "Indian" in taste).

I recommend this over any other Ayurvedic cookbook--and I've used several over the past 8 years. These recipes allow practitioners of Ayurveda to eat standard fare ("what's available elsewhere") without straying from a path to good health and balance. No need to be suspect of this review: I was introduced to this book at a panchakarma retreat so can't be counted as a friend or relative--just a grateful reader!

High Praise
An absolutely inspiring and clear, concise book of recipes for abilities ranging from novice to expert that might just change your whole outlook on food preparation. I HIGHLY recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking   2. Cooking / Wine   3. Health & Healing - General   4. Medicine, Ayurvedic   5. Vegetarian - General   6. Vegetarian cookery   

Customer Reviews (28)

A must-have for all singers!!
I don't think I am exxagerating when I say that this book, along with the CD "The First Lesson", has the capacity to change your life - just as much as it has changed mine. Feeling the strong urge to sing, somehow knowing that there MUST be a way to release a voice you instinctively feel exists somewhere within you, and then feeling frustration over years and years because nobody can really tap in to you and your voice, is a very painful experience - both emotionally and physically. I suffered from a hoarse and paining throat, and felt like an athlete with broken legs. For years. After reading the book, I finally found the answers I had so desperately been looking for on my quest. For the first time since childhood I was able to sing with a powerful voice - for hours. Still my throat was totally unharmed. As a result, I didn't hesitate to fly to Florida - I am from Europe - in order to take private lessons with the author, Ms.Arman. Her personality and personal history finally convinced me that here was something special.
Of course, singing is a process, and it will still take a long time, possibly including some setbacks, for the voice to develop and attain its full potential, but now I know that my voice is growing - not dying. Thank you, Ms. Miriam Arman.

The simplest theory is usually the correct theory
I first started studying voice when I was 8 years old and worked very hard in choir and competitions, always trying to become a soloist. I never reached that goal and I finally gave up about 5 years later. I was completely convinced that I had no voice and no talent.

Almost 20 years later I finally began singing again, hoping against hope I would find a teacher who would be able to communicate how to place the voice.

I have found that teacher with Miriam Arman's book. Her writing is easy and enjoyable, making the voice not only technically correct but fun to learn. I now also firmly believe that I do have a voice and that it's strong and pure enough for all the classics that I love.

Many of my friends know that I sing and lately have been asking me why my voice has changed so much in such a short time. I owe it to Ms. Arman's amazingly simple, vivid techniques.

Thank you, Ms. Arman, for writing a book that even a tender beginner can understand. And thank you for teaching in such a way as to preserve, not damage, the voice.

I've never sounded better.

Excellent book
This slender book is packed with a wealth of valuable information, if you take the time to study it. It's definitely not the type you read while falling asleep in an airplane.

The main piece of advice is "up and back" and it's really all you need to know. The rest of the chapters flesh out the idea quite beautifully.

Invest in this book and you'll soon have a voice that can light up stars. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education   2. General   3. Instruction & Study - Voice   4. Music   5. Voice   

Customer Reviews (3)

interesting traditional style
the surprise for me was that this book covers mostly non-standard points (with some overlap at points like ST 36 and LR 3). This makes it a bit more difficult to integrate with my current treatment strategies, but offers a new approach to consider for some difficult patients. I like that each time I have needled these points there has been a definate 'da qi' sensation, also the advice about needling mainly on one side for most treatments (which I follow 80 % of the time now in my clinic)

Horribly Flawed
Unfortunately, this is the best book out there on the subject. But not for long...

Master Tong's student, Yang Wei Jie is currently publishing his own book in English. He has already written many in Chinese.

Besides the errors in point location in this book, the biggest problem is that it fails to convey the system that Master Tong used to choose his points.

That's to be expected, since this is basically a translation of Master Tong's first book. Master Tong did not explain his system to his students until after that book was written.

So, if you want to learn the system by which you can choose and find and create your own points for whoever walks into your clinic, wait for another book! Either Yang Wei Jie's, or one that has yet to be written on the clinical use of the system by someone else like Dr. Robert Chu.

No mere curiosity
Tong's Acupuncture is a system of treatment that developed in parallel to the more widely-known channel-style acupuncture. It was preserved as a Tong family lineage up until this century, when political upheaval saw the last Tong lineage-holder leave China for Taiwan. Dr. Tong often treated 100 patients daily in his Taiwan clinic. Upon realizing that he had no heir apparent to the Tong lineage, he allowed his students to persuade him to publish the Tong acupuncture system.

It is a blessing, indeed, that this system has survived. This is what I would term a "zone" system of acupuncture as opposed to a channel system. Extensive use is made of contralateral treatment (miu ci), and the Tong perspective on five-phase theory, while not explicitly discussed, will gradually reveal itself to the careful student. The Tong system applies five-phase theory in a way that at first seems very alien to the more familiar channel acupuncture, but it turns out to be a different application of the same concepts, and it will be accessible, with nominal effort, to anyone versed in five-phase thinking.

I owe Miriam Lee an enormous debt of gratitude for translating this material. This book has had a profound influence on my conceptualization and practice of acupuncture, and my patients would confirm the healing potential of Tong-style treatment. The Tong system continues to enjoy popularity on Taiwan, and is now becoming increasingly known abroad as an effective and elegant style of treatment, appropriate for internal diseases as well as pain.

Even if you never use any Tong points, this book will forever change your view of acupuncture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acupressure & Acupuncture   2. Acupuncture   3. Health & Fitness   4. Health/Fitness   5. Medical / Nursing   

Customer Reviews (7)

Outstanding Reference !!!!
Miriam Stoppard has written an outstanding work of reference of common & not so common childhood illnesses & injury. The outstanding feature of this work teaches the parent when it's OKay NOT to take baby to the doctor. It teaches the parent what problems can effectively be dealt with at home, and how to deal with each problem. It also includes threshold signs & symptoms that identify when it really is time to get the little one to professional, competent medical care. The book also advises the parent when it's time to activate EMS for the most urgent medical emergencies. As an Emergency Paramedic I give copies of this book away to friends, family and patients like candy. This is an outstanding work that no home with children under ten years of age should be without.

Baby & Child A to Z Medical Handbook
This is the best shower gift I ever received. I received this book 13 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child and I am still using it today. It is a great easy reference book for not only new Moms, but old Moms as well. With three kids, it has kept me from calling the doctor with stupid questions many times. Great gift!

diagnostic! specific! an easy reference!
A number of child-care books have the frustrating problem of being too vague. For example, a number of books I own will say something along the lines of: "if there is X symptom, call your doctor." But I want to know what does X symptom mean? Why is it occurring and why do I need to call the doctor? This book is helpful in these regards.

You look up a symptom such as "rashes" and it will lead you to the various diseases/illnesses that express themselves with rashes, and you can try to figure out which one best fits your child. The book is also arranged alphabetically so that you can look up, e.g., "diarrhea" and it will list the common causes, the symptoms, how to treat it, whether you should consult a doctor, what the doctor might do, etc.

A very useful diagnostic tool.

(If it came with photographs rather than drawings, I would give it 5 stars.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Care and hygiene   2. Child Care   3. Child Care/Parenting   4. Children   5. Family & Relationships   6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth   7. Handbooks, manuals, etc   8. Infants   9. Infants & Toddlers - Infants   10. Pediatrics   11. Popular works   

Customer Reviews (8)

Good Nutrition Advice, Tiresome "Perfect" Family
I have loved Miriam Nelson's other books, and eagerly anticipated this one that would focus only on nutrition, especially for women. The good news is that she does not disappoint in this area: solid, sensible information, with eating plans that are like those in her other books. LOTS of data, based on research, and split up into great chapters, like "water" and "calcium."

If only she hadn't felt the need to incorporate her and her family into each section. I really got tired of reading about their perfect eating plans and perfect life with a community dairy, nearby farmer's market---and apparently no restriction on spending or time to buy and prepare food! While it's nice to practice what you preach, it is tiresome to readers who have to hear about the perfect eating habits of a family who dotes on tofu and fresh-ground corn for breakfast pancakes several times a week. And don't forget the sunflower seeds in your Sunday morning whole wheat waffles. On and on she drones, at least that is how it seemed to me. I was very disappointed and wondered how her editors let this happen.

I will keep the book for its sound information, but after reading it, I won't be buying more to give as a gift to others, which I did many times with her "Strong Women Stay Slim" book.

good sense and good eating
I have read most of the newest diet books on the market, looking for just some good scientific background for what the author recommends. All of them leave me wondering what the author actually knows about nutrition.

Dr. Nelson does nutrition and fitness for a living, and has studied exercise and strength training also. This is the first book I've found that has actual science backing up what is being written. I am so glad to read that margarine is not good for me, and it's OK to use butter sparingly! Also, finally someone is writing about the high protein/low carb diets as being bad.

There are not specific diet plans in this book, because you don't need them. You don't measure every drop of stuff you put in your mouth, you have to rely on your knowledge of the food pyramid and serving sizes, which if you don't already know are not difficult to learn. The recipes might seem exotic to some, and ingredients hard to find, but you have to start expanding your horizons. Health food stores sell whole grains and other foods, most large grocery stores carry tofu and a good assortment of vegetables.

The section on calcium was interesting to me, since I have just started taking calcium supplements. I had heard about there being some supplements that were contaminated with lead, and the author discusses this. Do you want to know what brand of calcium supplement to take? You just have to read page 97, she tells which brand she takes herself.

This is an eating plan I can live with.

Sensible easy-to-read advice on how to eat well
Tired of counting calories, making cabbage soup? Tired of eating high-protein, low-fat, no-fat? Are you now so completely confused by what to feed your family that you run screaming from the supermarket? Take a deep breath and read this book! Dr. Nelson answers your questions thoroughly, like are high-protein diets healthy and are carbs bad for you? Complex topics (like the glycemic index) that can really help you are explained fully. An invaluable book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness   2. Diets - General   3. Health & Fitness   4. Health and hygiene   5. Health/Fitness   6. Nutrition   7. Women   8. Women's Health - General   

Customer Reviews (2)

A great book for more experienced dollmakers
I knew I would enjoy this book even before I opened it, as Miriam Gourley's previous book on cloth dollmaking was so good. The earlier book had more basics in it, I feel this book is for more experienced dollmakers who want to be a bit adventurous. Miriam includes some interesting sections on home-made felt and felting, armatures, cloth doll construction and painting effects. For me, the best part was the 10 cloth doll projects at the back of the book, ranging from a simple cloth doll to a policeman to a doll with felted clothing. I loved the charm, diversity and sheer adventurousness of these projects. Definitely worth buying if you have any interest in cloth dolls at all.

Beautiful Book
I really like the book "Crafting Cloth Dolls" for several reasons. It is loaded with color photos of dolls ranging from the simple, painted on faced muslin body styles to complicated, wire armature bodied dolls with clay and needle sculpted faces. A basic doll body pattern is included as well for users to create and expound upon.

Doll techniques covered include armature making, dyeing doll hair, wig making, shoe making, fairy wing making, face painting, and drafting doll clothing patterns. A technique for needle sculpted faces and a button joining technique were drawn and explained.

Patterns with body and clothing templates, supply lists, and clearly written instructions are included with the book to make 10 different styles of dolls. The dolls include Tulip (the doll on the cover), a tomato man, a constable, medieval knight, Japanese woman (from Japanese "Little Peach" fairy tale), simple rag doll, felted doll, felt body doll with paper clay mask, whimsical doll made of wire clothed with embillishments, and a very elegant maid doll.

The final pages of the book include a source sheet to locate the various doll artists that contributed to the book and order their respective patterns.

With so many doll making techniques abounding, this book cannot possibly cover them all; however, the patterns and easy to follow instruction with this book make it an excellent addition to the beginning doll makers library and an excellent source of inspiration for the more advanced doll maker. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cloth dolls   2. Crafts & Hobbies   3. Crafts / Hobbies   4. Dollmaking   5. General   6. Hobbies/Crafts   7. Textile Arts   8. Toymaking - General   9. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies   2. Language   3. Language Arts & Disciplines   4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy   5. Language and sex   6. Linguistics   7. Reference   8. Sociolinguistics   

Customer Reviews (1)

A MUST FOR ALL VINTAGE JEWELRY COLLECTORS
MIRIAM HASKELL JEWELRY A Schiffer Book For Collectors - With Price Guide by Cathy Gordon & Sheila Pamfiloff just released is a must for all vintage costume jewelry collectors.

This hard cover book with dust cover has over 600 photographs
by co-author Sheila Pamfiloff unless otherwise indicated - other contributions duly noted on the acknowledgement page....text starting with the history of Miriam Haskell - to identifying and dating Haskell Jewelry - advertising and a fine example of Haskell Watercolors - on to the Haskell Designers , Frank Hess, Robert Clark, Peter Raines, Larry Vrba, to Camille Petronzio who will carry the Legacy Forward - into the future of Miriam Haskell.

Each page of this 256 tome of work is aglow with text or pictures of this exquisite work of Miriam Haskell. Cathy and Sheila
in their text and photographs have paid close attention to
showing detail plus workmanship and design even finding a group
of a collection of old Haskell filigree charts.

Chapter 3- Advertising and the Haskell Watercolors - have matched the watercolor with an actual piece of the jewerly. What
finer attribution could be shown as with the ad and the piece
of jewelry.

Great care was taken in the presentation and page set up of
this publication. Jewelry collectors of all levels will find
this work of art a must for their jewelry library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1899-1981   2. 20th century   3. Antiques & Collectibles   4. Antiques/Collectibles   5. Costume jewelry   6. General   7. Haskell, Miriam,   8. History   9. Technical & Manufacturing Trades   10. Technology   11. Technology & Industrial Arts   12. United States   

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - General   2. Chronically ill   3. Health & Fitness   4. Health/Fitness   5. Long-Term Patient Care   6. Love / Sex / Marriage   7. People with disabilities   8. Personal & Practical Guides   9. Sex Relations   10. Sex instruction for people wit   11. Sexual Instruction   12. Sexual behavior   13. Sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies   2. Crafts / Hobbies   3. Hobbies/Crafts   4. Soft toy making   5. Stuffed Animals   6. Stuffed animals (Toys)   7. Toymaking - General   8. Crafts & Hobbies / Stuffed Animals   

Customer Reviews (9)

just what I needed
As a total beginner, this book has been wonderful. Easy to understand and leaves me feeling a little less "wimpy".

request for mechanical change
The book is wonderful, if only the publisher made it a book which could be laid flat, different binding

Great for those who aren't very flexible.
I got this one for my husband. I practice yoga and he is way more flexibly impaired then I. Nice book. I recommend it to beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness   2. Hatha yoga   3. Health & Fitness   4. Health/Fitness   5. Stretching exercises   6. Yoga   7. Yoga, Hatha   8. Health & Fitness / Yoga   

Customer Reviews (2)

An Indispensible Resource
"The Board Member's Playbook..." is an indispensible resource for board members and those interested in policy govenance. The writing is very intelligent, clear, concise; a pleasure to read. A separate section provides a thorough overview of the Carver model for those unfamiliar with policy governance, as well as those needing a refresher. An accompanying CD-ROM is another excellent resource for helping board members with implementation.

This book is a roadmap to success for anyone who uses it. The real world examples and worksheets offer a practical, hands-on exercise in policy govenance. After reading and completing the exercises on my own, I felt well-prepared and energized to take on a board-related challenge using the model.

While this book brings everything a board member needs to effectively use the Carver model, it is the board members themselves who are ultimately responsible for their success. Board members must commit to being honest with themselves and one another, and be dedicated to the rigors of the process to properly implement the Carver model.

This wonderful resource also raises a very important question in my mind - why is the Carver model used predominantly in the non-profit sector? Why isn't the Carver model de rigeur for the for-profit sector? I can only see great benefits and progress ahead should this actually occur.

A Welcomed Addition
A welcomed addition to the "Policy Governance" corpus, "A Board Member's Playbook" provides a clear, concise and easily useable framework for Board practice. Complete with worksheets and an CD Rom, the book helps policy governance Boards work through simulated issues, forming a bridge between the theory of policy governance and its practical application. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boards of directors   2. Business & Economics   3. Business / Economics / Finance   4. Business/Economics   5. Corporate governance   6. Non-Profit Organizations Management   7. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities   8. Strategic Planning   9. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities   10. Management & management techniques