Product Description

"Mark Twain was born fully grown, with a cheap cigar clamped between his teeth." So begins Sid Fleischman's ramble-scramble biography of the great American author and wit, who started life in a Missouri village as a barefoot boy named Samuel Clemens.

Customer Reviews (6)

The life and times of Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain
Though the publisher's recommended age for this book is 9-12, I feel that older children in middle school and junior high will also find this an interesting and informative read. In fact, I read it through in one sitting and was quite entertained. The book traces Twain's life from childhood until his attainment of fame as an author. There are interesting anecdotes scattered throughout, e.g. being Twain's confession to feeding his medicine (as a child) to the household cats, etc. There are many archival photographs and whimsical illustrations in this book that are sure to delight readers. Recommended!

"Don't let schooling interfere with your education."Mark Twain
On March 18,I was driving to a bookstore with my daughter and one of the things I was saying to here was that in school we had never learned about one of my favourite writers.In Canada,American literature was not part of the curriculum .The attitude was that English Literature had to come from England;because we were part of the British Empire and real literature consisted of Shakespear,Stevenson,Kipling,Dickens,Scott,Byron,Swift,and such;and that American writers just didn't measure up.It wasn't till I finished my "education" that I began to find and love writers like Twain,Hemingway,Steinbeck,Caldwell,Mitchell,and the many other writers that became my favorites.
Anyway, as we were about to leave the store,my daughter came up to me with Sid Fleischman's book "The Trouble Begins at 8" in her hand."I suppose you've read this",she said.Of course,the caricature of Mark Twain on the cover got my attention ,but neither the book,nor the name of Fleischman, was familiar to me.Having read most of Twain's books,I immediately bought it.
What a surprise I was in for,to say the least. Although it states on the dust jacket ,that it is for ages 9-12,I found it a exellent book for all ages.Fleischman is a wonderful writer,and the approach he takes keeps the reader's interest from beginning to end.The book is really a biography and much more than just an accounting of Twain's life.He tells us many things about Twain that are different and interesting.It is filled with photographs and illustrations that I simply had not seen before.There is a detailed "Mark Twain Time Line" that is very helpful and which ,along with References and aBibliography that make it an excellent reference resourceon the life and works of Twain.
While I thought that it was quite a coincidence to find this book after having discussed Twain with my daughter;after I finished reading the book,I deecided to read up on the author Sid Fleischman.Talk about coincidences!!!I found out that he had just passed away on March 17th, at the age of 90,the day before I bought his book.
Twain has to be one of America's most frequently quoted characters.Thiscoincidental passing of of Sid Fleischman reminded me of two quotes of Twain's: "In 1897,James Ross Clemens.a cousin of mine,was seriously ill two or three weeks ago in London,but is well now.The report of my illness,grew out of his illness,the report of my death was an exaggeration."Many versions of this famous quip have been attributed to Mark Twain;this version appears to be the most authorative.
Another time,July 13,1907,in an interview in the New York Times ,he said,"For two years past I have been planning my funeral,but I have changed my mind and have postponed it."
This is a marvellous book and sure to be enjoyed by any Mark Twain fan.

Wisecracking View of A Classic
A thorough, detailed, beautifully written book about one of the most beloved authors of all time, Samuel Clemens, but we know him as the master-writer of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer... Mark Twain. Sid Fleischman has once again taken a topic that causes most kids to run screaming in the opposite direction - and made it interesting, intriguing and most importantly - Fun! You will thoroughly enjoy the wisecrack for which the book is named..."The Trouble Begins At 8."

From his early days in Missouri, through many of his personal adventures; as a steamboat pilot, mining for gold, dancing the `kangaroo' in San Francisco, just to name a few,He was often referred to as a `gentlemen of leisure,' Mark Twain's life was above all, interesting. Sid Fleischman has captured the essence of this free spirited writer that today is one of only a handful of authors counted as true masters of the pen. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in literature, regardless of age. Sid Fleischman is a talented writer and his ability to continually breath new life into old stories is unparalleled. This is an exceptionally well written and highly enjoyable read - Don't Miss it!

Happy Reading!

lots of fun and info
Well, seeing that our author is a great story teller i expected this book to be ok, and it was. there is plenty of funny stories that mix perfectly with info about Mark Twains life, or lack thereof. I thought this book was great and i recommend it.

Outstanding Book for any age
While this book is written for teens it doesn't matter because it does an exceptional job of telling the story of Mark Twain's life and the Wild West. Amazon and the critical reviews indicate it is for ages 9-12 but it easily goes higher, through middle school, to paint a picture of this character's life. Plus, Sid Fleischman is nothing shy of a genius when it comes to writing. He's givens readers engaging and thought provoking books. This book is brilliant. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

An Amazing Collection of Games from an American Game Design Genius!
I have been a big fan of Sid Sackson for a lot of years, collecting many of his games such as Acquire and Can't Stop.I was very disappointed to hear of his passing right after it happened, and was fortunate to obtain his personal copy of this book from his estate (which is stamped inside stating authenticity).Maybe it's just holding his personal copy of the book, but I can't help but be in awe at the originality of his work.Some of these games were later developed into full games, such as Focus.

Sid was known to combine the games in his collection, citing the "duplicate parts" often included with each game for no reason.As a result, he tended to use common, existing game pieces in the development of his new games.Most of the games in thisbook require minimal extra equipment to enjoy them.Some of the games require as little as a pencil and paper, and others may require a checkerboard or deck of cards.

If you are a fan of abstract strategy, like I am, you will not be let down with the purchase of this book.While not everyone can own Sid's personal copy, as I have been blessed to, even the paperback version is inexpensive enough to own and enjoy for years to come.Highly recommended.

Great author. Fun and simple games.
This is a great book for those interested in 'creative time' with the kids while waiting for food to arrive at restaurants. Very well written.

Too bad this hasn;t been reprinted
An amazing, fascinating book about games before the "Avalon Hill" revolution-way before the video game revolution. This book shows what a small group of nerdy, brilliant pioneers can come up with, working in their dark little basements. Too bad these games are essentially "lost" in the Guitar hero cacphony. You didn;t jump aorund when you were conquering the world, but it did make you think and imagine and interact with your friends and family.

A Must Read for all Game Players
Sid Sackson was probably the most prolific collector of board games in the United States (and probably the world).Sid loved games and he loved inventing games, too.With many published games to his credit (some of which made their first public appearance in this book), Sid Sackson (the designer of one of my favorite games of all time, "Acquire") is my personal game guru and I have made a point of acquiring any game or book with his name attached.This book is full of fun and very playable games discovered, re-discovered, and invented by Sid Sackson.Do your brain a favor and buy this book now!

Outstanding - lots of great new games for you to play
This is a brilliant book by Sid Sackson.It compiles the rules for a variety of games, with the common feature that all can be played with the materials that you already have at home.Some games use cards, others usea chess or checkers set.There are a lot of paper and pencil games whichare great to play while travelling.

The games are a mixture of"forgotten" games, new games invented by friends of Sid, as wellas lots of games invented by the author.Many of these games havesubsequently been published in a boxed format by major companies, but thisbook gives you a chance to try them out at no cost.

There are simplegames, solitaire games, serious strategy games, party games for 20 or morepeople, and everything in-between.

My favourites in the collectioninclude a 2 player card game of pure skill ("Mate"), a card gamethat resembles Canasta but which is rather more fun ("Paks"), ascrabble-like pencil and paper game ("CrossWords"), and a gamecalled Focus that is 2 or 4 player strategy game that weakly resembles across between checkers and Shogi.

If you love games, then you should havethis book. If you don't, then buying this book just might change yourmind! ... Read more

Product Description
A one-man dog

Part wolf and fiercely independent, Jim Ugly is a dog who answers to only one person. Unfortunately, that man -- Sam Bannock -- has disappeared. Rumor has it that Sam is dead, but to his son, Jake, something about that doesn't sound quite right. So Jake and Jim Ugly embark on a wild journey into the frontier West, where they find themselves pursued by a pretty lady, a theater troupe, and one very ornery yellow-legged man. And they all want to know one thing: Where is Sam Bannock?

Customer Reviews (15)

Jim Ugly
Jim Ugly
Sid Fleishman
Review by Stergios Dinopoulos



What if you thought your father was dead, but found out his coffin was filled with ice? Read Jim Ugly to find out about a boy named Jake whose father faked death because of a bounty on his head.
Jake embarks on an adventure to find his father. He takes Jim Ugly, his father's grey, unfriendly husky with him. Jim will not listen to Jake, making it harder for them to find Sam, Jake's father. There's also Aurora, Jake's aunt who wants the diamonds that Sam stole. There's another problem, D.D Skeats, the bounty hunter, didn't fall for "Sam's funeral play act" and is trying to catch him.
Jim Ugly is a great book for young readers who enjoy suspense and mystery and are okay with some frustration when Jim Ugly will not obey. I personally enjoyed this book a lot, but I did get frustrated.
The message in Jim Ugly is that you can make friends when you least expect it.
... Will Jim Ugly and Jake get along and find Sam or will they never see him again?

Cause nobody's going to buy a book called "Pug Ugly"
I run a homeschooler bookgroup.Interesting little group.Anyway, they know what they like and I (a humble public librarian) try to provide them accordingly.Now in the bookgroup some of the members have only two kinds of books they enjoy.Dog stories and mysteries.To save time I decided to seek out some dog related mysteries in my library branch.Now you would think that this was a relatively easy request.Dog mysteries?No problem!Unfortunately this is not the case.Aside from the occasional "Something Queer" book in the Elizabeth Levy series, the only other title that popped out at me was "Jim Ugly" by Sid Fleischman.I'm well aware of Mr. Fleischman's work.This is the fellow that wrote the eternally popular, "The Whipping Boy" and I am currently enjoying a full-cast production recording of his, "By the Great Horn Spoon".Fleischman (NOT to be confused with fellow children's author Paul Fleischman) is sort of the Larry McMurty of children's literature.Lots of frontiersmen, rootin' tootin' Western fare, and plenty of good rollicking adventures, usually starring boys."Jim Ugly", I found, was an entirely likable tale of a boy and the dog that doesn't respect him more than a common plugged nickel.There's attempted murder, mystery, fake funerals, diamond mines, and more flying arrows than you could shake a stick at.I dunno if the kids in my homeschooler bookgroup will dig it, but I for one think this book is the ideal boy-and-his-dog-mystery out there today.The fact that as of this date my review is one of the very few adult reviews of "Jim Ugly" should stand as a big big indicator of its popularity with the young `uns.

Jake's dad was an actor, a prospector, and now a dead man.To his only son, Sam Bannock left only one item: a large, mean, part-wolf dog that was Amigo to its original owner but is referred to as Jim Ugly by his son.Jake doesn't like Jim Ugly and Jim Ugly doesn't like him, but when the kid hears his cousin Aurora say that she intends to shoot the animal, he feels a bit protective towards it.And then theres's the fact that Jake doesn't quite feel right about the death of his pa.They say he was thrown by a horse, but Jake's unconvinced.And the fact that Jim Ugly can still follow the man's sent becomes more interesting when the dog doesn't go anywhere near a graveyard.Now a boy and a dog are off to rediscover the man they both loved and to figure out what all this has to do with a traveling actress, stolen diamonds, and a half-crazed cavalry sergeant who claims that there's a bounty on Sam Banock's head.Dead or alive.

Credit Fleischman with this, he certainly knows how to keep a book exciting.Characters jump from place to place and from chase to freight train without any of it ever striking the reader as hard to credit or too unbelievable.Fleischman really has the feel of the era down too.When you hear Jake talk, you feel as if you're actually witnessing a nineteenth-century kid in a hostile environment.The quick encapsulation at the end of diamonds and a villain getting his comeuppance rings a bit false, I guess, but it's a small price to pay for such a rousing good time.With children's books getting longer and longer and longer, it's wonderful to think that there are still guys like Fleischman out there who can tell a concise fast-paced tale without getting wrapped up in a lot of gobblety-gook.Parents are forever asking me (as a librarian) to recommend books for their young, male, reluctant readers.And after pointing out Jon Scieszka's website "Guys Read" (Google it, it's fun) I tend to steer them towards Fleischman's works.They're short but well-written and a heckuva lot of fun."Jim Ugly" is certainly no exception.So if you've a kid who's been handed an assignment in school to read a little historical fiction, definitely consider "Jim Ugly" as perfect for their needs.A good-natured yarn with plenty of daring-do and quick escapes to satisfy even the toughest critic.

Jim Ugly
Jim Ugly is a book about a boy named Jake and his dog named Jim Ugly. When Jake's father dies he has to stay with his aunt and his uncle but his aunt hates Jim Ugly. She siad that she would shoot him after Jake fell asleep. Jake was going to lt him go until he heard of a treasure that was said to have been stolen by his father. Instead of letting Jim Ugly go he decided to run away because he suddenly did not think his father had really died...

I really liked this book and would recomend it to everyone who likes to read. Jim Ugly is kind of like a mystery because it gives you clues to figure out what happens next but half of the time I was wrong and that the exact opposite happend. It also leaves you hanging for a few chapters. I could not put the book down once I started reaaading. The part that i thought was the funniest was that Jakes aunt kept on and on about that she wanted Jim Ugly gone and his uncle kept telling her that she was not going to kill him and that he told Jake to run away so that she would not kill Jim Ugly.

Janelle's Book Review
Jake was a young boy about 13 years old that had a dog named Jim Ugly. Jim Ugly is part wolf and part dog. Jakes dad supposively just died, at his funeral that casket wasn't open to see. Jake thought that was suspicious. So he went looking for him. Jim ugly wasnt really Jakes dog he had found him. He didn't want him because he was accused of being a sheep killer. Jim Ugly can sniff things down from miles away. Thats when Jake got the idea that Jim Ugly could sniff down his father if he was still alive. So Jake went home to get one of his fathers dirty shirts so Jim Ugly could smell to track Jake's dad down. When he arrived at his home he found his stepmom and 2 guys talking in the kitchen he quitely listened to them. They were talking about a bag of diamonds that Jakes father had baried. Jake quitely snuck in the house got his fathers shirt and all the money he owned so he could ride the train. After he grabbed his money and left and went back to the train station. At the train station he had to sit in the baggage area with Jim Ugly. When he was boarding he saw his stepmom and quickly ducked out of sight. Finally the train was off and the train sstopped about 30 miles down the road. Jim Ugly jumped off and didnt smell anything and jumped back on and they were off again. They arrived at the next stop and Jim Ugly jumped off again and dashed down the street, Jake jumped off immediatly and chased after him when he finally stopped at someones door. Jake walked up to the house and knocked on the door. When someone came to the door......

Jim Ugly
Jim Ugly

This book will make you want to read it over and over again. The author described the characters very well.I felt like I was the boy in the story.And I felt like I was going along on the journey with the boy and his dad's one man dog.The dog's name is Jim Ugly, but sometimes gets called amigo.
The boy went to find his dad. He didn't know if his dad was dead or alive.He heard a myth that his dad got shot and was dead. He went out looking for his dad with his dad's dog.The dog also has thenose of apolice dog.The dog ends up needing to run away from the boy because the boy wanted the dog to go find his dad.So the dog went. But the boy didn't find out till the end, if he is dead or alive.
I do recommend this book to others that are interested in mystery books. And if you like
dogs and adventure.
... Read more

Product Description
A young boy and his wandering family foil villains and rout nasty varmints as they make a home for themselves in a beached boat on the banks of the Missouri. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Sid does it again!
Another delightful and funny book, this time about a traveling family,bound for Humbug Mountain to find a rich relative and settle down in peace. This being a Fleischman novel, you can bet there are plenty of twists andturns along the way--and laughs to go with them.Check it out!

The Amazing Humbug Mountain
This book has an amazing combination of mystery, adventure, fantasy, and everything in between!When a family decides to head to a new land they are amazed at what they find and how they going to servive!I couldn't put this book down untill I finished the last page, and then I read it overagain! ... Read more

Product Description
The new Think and Grow Rich for the 1990s, this is the most powerful, comprehensive guide to developing a vision for success since Napoleon Hill's much-loved classic. Essential for readers interested in self-improvement, this book is a complete course in thinking to succeed by writer, speaker, and acclaimed chiropractic leader Sid E. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Lasting Purpose is Powerful
Have you any idea of how powerful an idea, who's time has come can be? This book is the written word of the energy that espouses the chiropractic vision beholden to Dr. Sid. Being a chiropractor for eleven years it has delivered the message of success to me over and over again. I can find power in the words that Sid wrote to guide me the correct way everytime. I reccomend this book to any seeker and definately every chiropractor who has a quest to fulfill in patient care and in goal acheivement.

The Lasting Purpose is a way of life that brings the person face to face with the dynamic essential of life. Many knock but few enter. Few know where to look. LOOK HERE.

To refute a prior reviewer who never the read the book, his information was wrong. I hope that you read along this far to find out that Dr. Sid's legacy Life University is not shut down but continues to prosper and produce many great chiropractors. Although Dr. Sid has stepped away, his power still rings strongly in the chiropractic community and his chiropractic progeny continue living prosperous lives and helping many people find their true health that lies within.
John F. Przybylak DC Buffalo, NY

Inspiring
An inspiring autobiography of a man who turned his vision into a reality.

Buyer Beware!
I haven't read ths book , but being a student of chiropractic, I've learned a little bit about the author..Sid Williams is the recently fired/retired president of Life Chiropractic college in GA. Under his giudence, Life is has had their accademic accreditation revoked and is now being shut down.Keep this in mind when you read it!

A must read for anyone who thinks money is the answer.
Dr. Williams gives his wonderful insights to what made a poor boy from Georgia into one of the most powerful leaders in any healthcare profession.By emphasizing loving, giving and serving just for the sake of it out ofyour own abundance, this book acts as a guide to allow you to reach whatyou never thought possible. ... Read more

Product Description
The new Think and Grow Rich for the 1990s, this is the most powerful, comprehensive guide to developing a vision for success since Napoleon Hill's much-loved classic. Essential for readers interested in self-improvement, this book is a complete course in thinking to succeed by writer, speaker, and acclaimed chiropractic leader Sid E. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Lasting Purpose is Powerful
Have you any idea of how powerful an idea, who's time has come can be? This book is the written word of the energy that espouses the chiropractic vision beholden to Dr. Sid. Being a chiropractor for eleven years it has delivered the message of success to me over and over again. I can find power in the words that Sid wrote to guide me the correct way everytime. I reccomend this book to any seeker and definately every chiropractor who has a quest to fulfill in patient care and in goal acheivement.

The Lasting Purpose is a way of life that brings the person face to face with the dynamic essential of life. Many knock but few enter. Few know where to look. LOOK HERE.

To refute a prior reviewer who never the read the book, his information was wrong. I hope that you read along this far to find out that Dr. Sid's legacy Life University is not shut down but continues to prosper and produce many great chiropractors. Although Dr. Sid has stepped away, his power still rings strongly in the chiropractic community and his chiropractic progeny continue living prosperous lives and helping many people find their true health that lies within.
John F. Przybylak DC Buffalo, NY

Inspiring
An inspiring autobiography of a man who turned his vision into a reality.

Buyer Beware!
I haven't read ths book , but being a student of chiropractic, I've learned a little bit about the author..Sid Williams is the recently fired/retired president of Life Chiropractic college in GA. Under his giudence, Life is has had their accademic accreditation revoked and is now being shut down.Keep this in mind when you read it!

A must read for anyone who thinks money is the answer.
Dr. Williams gives his wonderful insights to what made a poor boy from Georgia into one of the most powerful leaders in any healthcare profession.By emphasizing loving, giving and serving just for the sake of it out ofyour own abundance, this book acts as a guide to allow you to reach whatyou never thought possible. ... Read more

Product Description
Christianity today is very different from the original. To experience the original the miracles, healings, power, and intimacy with God we have to examine our Jewish roots. For 2,000 years, there has been a separation between Judaism and Christianity resulting in a lack of miracle power and intimacy with God.The Incomplete Church explores what was stolen by the deceiver in both religions and reveals what will happen when the truth in both converges. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Incomplete
This book talks about the Jew and Gentile becoming one in God or One New Man.Jewish people as a whole are spirtually blind to the gospel message.

Christian believers are to reach the Jewish people with the Gospel.The supernatural unity of Jew and Gentile will prepare the way for the Lord.

Unification
You will find in this book the roots of anti-Semitism in the Church revealed and a prophetically proclaimed outline for the next great move of Father.

It will also reveal that the Church is incomplete without Jewish believers coming together with non-Jewish believers, as they did in the Book of Acts. Most people don't realize that the first apostles and leaders were Jews who evangelized the non-Jewish world. ... Read more

Product Description
"Anyone who finds Data Warehouse Project Management has found for themselves a veritable gold mine, a wealth of wisdom and experience from some real pros . . . it is the most thorough and thoughtful work on data warehouse projects I have ever read."--From the Foreword by John A. Zachman
Data warehouse development projects present a unique set of management challenges that can confound even the most experienced project manager. Data Warehouse Project Management addresses these challenges and provides a comprehensive roadmap to managing every aspect of data warehouse design, development, and implementation. Drawing on their extensive experience in the field, Sid Adelman and Larissa Moss point to critical success factors, reveal the many pitfalls to watch out for, and offer proven solutions that will enable you to put a successful data warehouse project into place.
You will find in-depth coverage of such topics as:
Critical success factors and reasons for failures
Measuring results
Cost-benefit analysis
Selecting the right software and vendors
Roles and responsibilities of team members
Methodology, including rapid application development and parallel development tracks
Developing a logical and physical data model for smooth data integration
The important issue of data quality and how to cleanse dirty data from source files
At the end of each chapter, "A Cautionary Tale" warns you of potential problems, and a workshop enables you to practice what you've just learned. The book concludes with a comprehensive example that illustrates project planning and management in action, from determining milestones, schedules, and tasks to maintaining control when the project goes off course. An accompanying CD-ROM contains the workshops in electronic format as well as helpful templates and additional reading material. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Need a big update
In general a very good book about the topic. it didn't bring much new information than I found using 2 hours surfing on the Internet.
It dosn't say a word about agile projectmodels - that is a seriuos lack. Therefore a big update is recommended to the writer!

Superficial, hardly any practical value
The book spends too much time on general project management topics and contains virtually nothing that can be practically applied to a data warehouse project. Too superficial.

Decent but there's better out there.
If you wanted to get two three books I wouldn't get this one. The same author wrote"Business Intelligence Roadmap" which I find to be a much more comprehensive book. Coming from a Java App implementation background I found this book lacking in depth, and much of the material was much better explained in the BI Roadmap and the Lifecycle toolkit book - making this book a bit redundant.

Lack any depth on how really set up a Data Warehouse
I am just starting a large scale Data Warehouse project. I hoped this book would give real insight to architect the solution - but I found the book weak and superficial - too much focused on the "usual" project team fluff

Great book !!!
This is a really valuable book. The pages contain a lot of useful tips and advices. The authors reaaly know about implementing DW.
Great book for anyone involved in managing and implementing DWs! ... Read more

Product Description
Fulfill your manifest destiny to rule beneath a new star.
Complete data and analysis on all Tech, Secret Projects, Facilities, and Units
Detailed Strategies for quick conquest and long-term development
Guidelines for creating your own scenarios and maps
Hints, tips, shortcuts, and much more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Liked the Software, Liked the Book
The book is a good reference when playing the game.The information in the strategy guide contains more information than the game's on-line help.The strategy guide has a cross reference to easily find information in the guide and in the software manual.For me, the quick reference makes the game play more enjoyable.

I particularly liked Appendix C, which gives insight on how to modify the game play.Alpha Centauri has seven players.The computer players have certain personalities.Quite frankly, there is one personality I do not like to play with.By changing a file, I was able to change offending personality.

Keep in mind, some of the fun to playing a game is learning what works on your own.A strategy book that told you all the nitty-gritty information up front, it would "spoil the plot".

Alternative manual - not strategy guide
The official strategy guide to SMAC was a disappointment. In retrospect, I realize I should have heeded the warnings in the other reviews. The beginning is good, with nice tips on general gameplay and the various victory types, but then it reverts to nothing more than a rewrite of the game manual and online help.

The Alpha Centauri strategy guide pales in comparison with the corresponding book for Civilization II, which is required reading for any Civ2 fan.

Not Necessary: And Now Packaged Free With Game
Go to ZDNet: GameSpot: Game Guides for a free, downloadable and far superior guide to SMAC. We're (the reviewers) mostly in agreement here that this guide doesn't do enough "right" (like faction strategies, unit design, etc.) and does too much "wrong" (like trivial descriptions of already available game info with little or no explanations of how a player might best make use of the info). I would have appreciated a book half as thick but withopinions on the how and why for designing well-equipped armed forces, choosing government types, allocating research, and so on.

Not good
This SG's maps are hard too read, and the stratageys are dumb. it is not good at all, although it does have cool discriptions of the techs. bottom line; unless you are a billionair, dont buy this

This isn't strategy
It would be charitable to say that the book had more than twenty pages ofuseful information. Most of the materiol is taking the information withinthe games own rather good help files and rewriting them, and the tips theygive are excrutiatingly obvious.

Just don't bother. ... Read more

Product Description
The long-awaited follow-up to the best-selling Wine Lover's Cookbook, The Wine Lover Cooks with Wine sets its sights on wine as an ingredient. Whether used to delicately poach fresh fish or braise a hearty stew, wine adds complexity and intensity to food -- not to mention flavor. In his usual engaging style, Goldstein explores a range of wine and reveals how each is used best in cooking. From classic Marsala Chicken to savory pork tenderloin topped with a zinfandel-based roasted-plum jam, each tantalizing recipe illustrates to dazzling effect the benefits -- and pleasures -- of cooking with wine. Complete with enticing photographs of both the food and the wine, this cookbook is an inspiring resource for wine lovers looking to think outside of the glass. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Books that I like.
I love to cook and also try new items with wines and that is why I have this book. I do need help with the wines.

Another cookbook without photos?!
It's killing me! Recipies are not complicated enough, wines are not difficult enough to get a hold of, figuring out american measurement system and calculating it into metric is not bad enough?
Oh yes, let's make it HARDER and let's not include any photos.
Jesus and Blessed Virgin Mary!
I need pictures in my cookbooks. What the meal is supposed to look like in the end for sure. A "how to" strip - even better!
I'm gonna be too intimidated by my absolute lack of culinary experience / finesse and lack of pictures in this cookbook to even TRY to use it!
Other than that (is there anything left? oh yeah) book is beautifully designed, paper quality is excellent but format is kinda weird (square and rather large) so it sticks out the cookbook shelf.

Magical Ingredient = Fruit of the Vine
Wine/food lover Goldstein offers yet another excellent collection of wine recipes, this time though emphasizing wine as ingredient, even the likes of mirin, marasala, et al.

It is the perfect marinade, braising liquid, deglazer, etc.Wine has thus become the essential ingredient, and this book has the recipes to prove.

With each recipe there is wine to drink with selection as well as alternative, many times not the wine ingredient used.Most every recipe has its own wonderful full color photo, sometimes two.There is even delightful side dishes and desserts as well.

This is sophisticated, creative and balanced for max flavor:Pork Chops Stuffed with Stilton, Currants and Pistachios with Port Sauce; Monkfish Tagine; Goat Cheese and Roasted Garlic Timbales; Maytag Blue Cheese Polenta Cylinders; Spiced Berry Martinis with Pinot Noir Syrup and Star Anise Ice Cream.

Beautiful volume to give or use.

It manages to be special without being fussy
I bought this cookbook a while ago, but postponed its review until I'd made several of the recipes. As you can see from the rating I've given it, The Wine Lover Cooks With Wine is a winner.

In his earlier book, the Wine Lover's Cookbook (which I also like a lot), the author's premise was that you had a special bottle of wine and wanted to make a dish that would complement it. This one is similar, in that wine is an inextricable part of the meal. Primarily it's an ingredient, though each recipe also has two what-to-drink recommendations to accompany it, which may not be the same as the wine used in cooking. (For instance, the Asian eggplant salad, which I'm apt to make as "what to take to the Fourth of July BBQ," suggests serving either sake or riesling.)

I think the author was stretching his definitions in a few places, because some recipes use only a little wine; that is, don't expect that you'll neccesarily be pouring 2 cups of expensive stuff into your dinner.

However, the "about wine" portion of this book isn't the key ingredient, so to speak. It's about cooking, and this is a REALLY nice cookbook. Some of the recipes sound fancy, as though you'd be likely to find them in the kind of white-tablecloth restaurant where the waiters speak in hushed tones and begin by asking, "Would you like sparkling or still water with your meal?"

However, most of the recipes are, if not dead easy, simple enough for you to make on a weeknight for the family, and delicious enough for them to say "Wow!" For example, I made "Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Orange-Port Reduction," served with his recommendation of cinnamon-scented couscous. (But not the wine, which happened to be Zinfandel or Merlot; as it turns out, I've made most of the recipes at lunchtime, when I have to go back to work afterwards. Darnit.) This is essentially a "marinate and then brown the meat, create a pan sauce, and reduce" recipe. You've done that plenty of times, but with less interesting liquids.

Best of all, this is an inexpensive cookbook; at least half the recipes have useful and attractive photos, too, which are rather inspiring.

Lots of fun and inspiring too
Organized by technique - Sauces, Steaming, Marinating, Braising - Goldstein's ("The Wine Lover's Cookbook) colorful book encourages wine lovers to jump from the glass into the pan with Seared Peppercorn and Spice Crusted Rib-Eye, Portuguese Steamed Clams with Sausage, Asian Eggplant Salad, Grilled Quail in Red Onion Escabeche, Monkfish Tagine and Drunken Chocolate Cake with Port.

The classics are here too: Coq au Vin, Onion Soup, Braised Beef short Ribs, Port-Poached Pears, and the blend of modern international dishes and homey classics strikes a charmingly sophisticated note. Each chapter begins with tips on technique and each sparely designed recipe includes suggestions for the accompanying wine. Close-up photos stimulate the palate and offer presentation ideas. An inspiring collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Without a data strategy, the people within an organization have no guidelinesfor making decisions that are absolutely crucial to the success of the ITorganization and to the entire organization. The absence of a strategy gives ablank check to those who want to pursue their own agendas, including thosewho want to try new database management systems, new technologies (oftenunproven), and new tools. This type of environment provides no hope forsuccess.Data Strategy should result in the development of systems with less risk, higherquality systems, and reusability of assets. This is key to keeping cost andmaintenance down, thus running lean and mean. Data Strategy provides a CIOwith a rationale to counter arguments for immature technology and datastrategies that are inconsistent with existing strategies. This book uses casestudies and best practices to give the reader the tools they need to create thebest strategy for the organization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great overview plus plenty of actionable advice
As an IT salesperson, I wanted to know more about the data issues that my customers deal with. This book was perfect for that. I was pleasantly surprised at how readable it is, and with a minimum of "filler." It almost reads like an internal best practices document that an IT consulting firm might use (and closely guard). All concepts are explained thoroughly and with good examples. I thought all the check-off lists were particularly useful. But since I'm not an IT practitioner myself, I wouldn't be able to use them directly, but at least it achieved the goal of helping me better understand what my customers go through. Especially the intro, data integration chapter, and sections on how to deal with vendors and ROI/cost benefit analysis.

One of the other reviewers commented that the book doesn't deal with the reality of IT workloads and scarcity of budget & resources many IT practitioners face today. My opinion is that IT professionals probably have the greatest need for time management than most other professionals. Seems that there are always urgent fires to put out (at least at companies where I've worked). Even so, I still think that one can and should aim to follow the guidelines in the book, without shortcuts, using the various time management principles that are taught in management courses. We all have to learn to find the time to do those things that are extremely important even though they're not urgent. An ounce of prevention...

An introductory book only
If you are data management professional, you will find that this book is only surface deep. For example, there is a chapter on Data Quality. If you want to learn more about data quality, you should read Larry English's book Improving Data Warehouse and Business Information Quality. There is a chapter on metadata. Again, if you want to know more about metadata, get a book or a few books on metadata. Use the reference after each chapter to find out the books on the chapter topic.

If you find this book helpful, this indicates you are new to data management.

A good introductory data management book.

Great data strategy book presented from a practical perspective
I found this book extremely useful as a reminder of all the important areas to be considered in applying a data strategy to my organization.Especially useful was the chapter on logical and physical data modeling along with the many checklists presented.

I recommend this book to anyone concerned about data strategy and the need to manage that most important of corporate assets.

Efficient, to-the-point discussion of data strategy
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, both for its delineation of a myriad of different data strategies, and as a valuable resource to walk one through the deployment of these strategies.

I am definitely recommending this book to my peers!

useful, a bit 'light' on the content
Data Strategy doesn't really deliver what it promises. The book starts out hopeful, but then you keep wondering when the 'data-strategy part' is going to materialze. It doesn't.

What DOES the book offer? In various disciplines surrounding database management, data warehousing, data quality, etc. the authors have loads of experience and truly valuable advice. The book comes packed with all sorts of checklists which some may find useful (I didn't care for them so much). These people have clearly been around, and share quite some of their experience with the reader. ... Read more

Product Description

When Buddy Stebbins stumbles onto the thirteenth floor of a shabby old building, he finds himself suddenly transported aboard a leaking pirate ship in a howling storm—three hundred years in the past! Cast adrift with Captain John Crack-stone, Buddy washes up in New England, where his plucky ancestor, Abigail, is caught up in the witchcraft mania. In an adventure filled with ghosts, witches, pirates, and razzle-dazzle treasure, Buddy might be able to save his wayward ancestors. But will he find his way back to the thirteenth floor—and home?

Customer Reviews (21)

A Step Back in Time
The 13th Floor a Ghost Story is a well written very entertaining read.It keeps your attention and is hard to put the book down.When Liz Stebbins (a beginning lawyer raising her younger brother, Bud alone after their parents die) receives a mysterious phone message from a relative who died over 300 years ago she thinks it's a joke.The voice on the answering machine says Abigail Parsons is in terrible trouble and needs a lawyer and to please meet her on the 13th floor of an office building where Liz's great grandfather worked.Knowing buildings never have a 13th floor she thinks the call is a joke.But obviously intrigued she goes alone to the building and finds the 13th floor and ends up 300 years in the past in Boston.She soon finds herself trying to defend her relative, a ten year old girl named Abigail Parsons who is being tried for being a witch.The morning after she "went back to Boston" Bud discovers she is missing thinking she may have went to go check out the call he goes to the office building and finds the 13th floor by way of the elevator.He soon finds himself 300 years in the past and on a pirate ship in the middle of the Atlactic Ocean.The ship is captained by their relative, John Crackstone.But ashore he is known as John Stebbins.Liz and Buddy have a lot of adventures trying to get back to their home in San Diego and the twenty-first century.

This book would be great for boys and for teachers doing a read aloud with their class.

The Days of Pirates and Witches
The 13th Floor is not so much a ghost story as it is a story of time-travelling adventure.Twelve-year-old Buddy and his sister Liz (a grown-up lawyer) lost their parents to a plane crash and are about to lose their house in order to pay off their father's debts when Buddy, acting on an old family legend, calls on one of their ancestors, the fierce pirate Captain Crackstone.A ghostly voice on their answering machine directs Liz and Buddy to the 13th floor of an office building.Once they each find their way there, they tumble through time to the year 1692.It will take all of their cleverness to get themselves back home again.A fantastic historical adventure, even if the book's present time feels a little dated now.

The 13th floor: Icky!
The 13th Floor: A Ghost Story
By: Mrs. Messy
I do not recommend The 13th Floor: A Ghost Story because the author (Sid Fleischman) mad many mistakes, causing this to be a terrible book.The characters are extremely boring.They hardly had any personality.There were many things missing in the text.Such as when Buddy went back in time, nobody noticed how his clothes were different, as they were clothes from the future.That was an important detail about one of the main characters that the author should have realized.The ending was stupid because it would have more excitement if they had found the treasure at an area where it was possible to dig, and the story would be better if the loot had been buried an a more uncommon place.I would rate this 0 stars, but there were a few good parts.Firstly, it made a good discussion.A few of the words were unknown to our discussion group, so we discussed their meanings.We also were able to make predictions.But when I say predictions, I mean it in a bad way.The author was too obvious on what was going to happen next.Another good thing was how it was about the Salem witch trials, which taught us about history.The author could have used a bit more detail when they were describing the Salem witch trials.Overall, I think it The 13th Floor: A Ghost Story was a terrible book.

Triskaidekaphobia anyone?
Any superstitious person knows that the number 13 does nobody any good.Buildings don't have thirteenth floors, and nobody seats thirteen for dinner.Bakers however, have been known to prefer bad luck over the consequences of being caught short with the dough, but that's another story.

This book explores the popular plot of the mysterious floor between twelve and fourteen, and this time it's a portal to the bad old days of privateers and witch hunts.

Lured by a weird message on their answering machine, Buddy Stebbins and his older sister Liz make separate quantum leaps (via elevator) three hundred years into the past, and join their ancestors on a dangerous but funny adventure.

It's up to Buddy to find Liz, provide legal aid to his ancestors - an accused witch and a pirate Captain - and find a way back to the 13th floor, preferably with all their limbs intact.However, time is running out and the ship that houses the portal is about to sink.

A clever and fast moving time traveling tale, but not at all scary or ghostly.

Amanda Richards, February 24, 2005

The 13th Floor
The book The 13th Floor written by Sid Flieshman was good. The story was a mystery. Also it was good because it was a ghost story. I didn't like the story because it was very predictable. Over all the book was ok. I wouldn't recommend this book to a frien ... Read more

Product Description

Sid's dad has a cold. He is sneezing. His nose is runny. But how come Sid has to keep washing his hands, if his dad is the one who's sick?

Customer Reviews (2)

Sid Knows Germs
Jennifer Frantz tackles a complex subject in "Trouble With Germs"; she simplifies without dumbing down or talking down to convey an important message to young readers.

This is a Level One, beginning reading book with "short sentences and familiar words for children eager to read on their own." The author hits her targets on all accounts. It's difficult to write a science book for children without using difficult terms or scientific jargon. Somehow Frantz does it and at hopefully the same time impresses readers with the importance of hand washing.

I like everything about this book: the storyline, characters, illustrations, message, and appropriate vocabulary.
I'd prefer one syllable names for characters instead of names like Gerald or Gabriela, but I'm nitpicking here.

Fun and educational
Reviewed by Cayden Aures (age 5 ½) and Mom for Reader Views (04/10)


Cayden:"We always watch Sid the Science Kid.I am glad that there are books with him in them too!The people in the book were the same as in the show.I liked that they learned about germs.We learned about germs in school just like he did.In the book they say to sneeze in your elbow.I knew that because that is what we learned too.I could read almost all of the words in the book.I only had trouble with a couple of them.I liked when there was a picture of all kinds of germs under the microscope.The jokes at the end were funny too!"

Parent's comments:

I was very happy to see Sid the Science Kid books as my children both love to watch Sid on TV!Just like the show, the book was educational and fun!"The Trouble with Germs" is a Level 1 "I Can Read!" book which contains familiar words and very short sentences.It is a wonderful book for any beginning reader, especially a Sid fan!

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The best strategy guide that I have ever read!
Informative, witty, a good book even if you don't play the game

A great book
Since it only handles Civilization 1 it's out of date, but it's informative AND hilarious...

Stinks...
This book is really, really, bad, it has less information then the instruction manual concering strategy... i wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fantastic
I love reading this book to my kids.The hand puppet is easy to operate, and the kids love "conversing" back and forth with Scary Sid.

Highly recommended.

Great book!
We found this collection of books by this author while vacationing in England.They are very interactive, hands on, and fun for all ages.Sure to be a hit in your house.We love them! ... Read more

Product Description

When Sid smells something funny coming from the other room, he just has to know: Why can you smell things from far away?

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful Learning Exercise
Reviewed by Madison Schlarman (age 4) and Mom for Reader Views (05/10)

Sid's nose is being tickled by many smells!Some of them are far away!How can he still smell the scent if he is not in the same room?What makes us be able to smell?Will he ever find out?Can anyone help him understand our system of smell?This fun children's book will teach you and your little one all about smells in a short, interactive story that will keep you turning the pages.

Madison: "Sid the Science Kid: What's that Smell?" is about smells. Sid smelled something icky.His brother pooped. He told his friends about stinky baby diapers, pancakes, and ewww!He smelled his dad's pancakes.A smell is a type of little smell that you smell.Smells are for your nose.I want to read the last page again.I like it, it was good!"

Mom:We really enjoyed reading this book together!Sid the Science Kid is a wonderful tool to help explain everyday scientific discoveries and lessons to your children!I learned a little bit myself!"Sid the Science Kid: What's that Smell?" has wonderful illustrations and an interesting storyline that you can easily follow along.The author does a wonderful job of explaining a more difficult subject to little ones who are very curious!Madison really enjoyed learning about smells and why we smell things.She doesn't quite understand molecules yet, but with some repetition reading, she will.I really enjoyed sharing this education experience with my daughter.It was great to hear her ask questions even after the book was done. ... Read more

Product Description
Two legends of the comic book industry bring to life the story of gore and lust that inspired Dracula.

Vlad the man had a devilish streak-a vicious temper, a passion for women, and a thirst for revenge.

Vlad the ruler was a true devil-a relentless torturer, a brutal murderer, and a paranoid leader whose megalomania would be his own undoing.

Responsible for the merciless deaths of thousands, this savage 15th century ruler earned himself the moniker Vlad the Impaler. His bloody reign struck terror into the hearts of his disciples and inspired generations of vampire myths-most famously Bram Stoker's ghoulish protagonist, Dracula. However that beloved bloodsucker doesn't hold a candle to the real-life fiend whose brutal treachery has made him immortal. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Vlad.In color...and the color is blood.
I was walking through our comic book shop in the back of my bookstore and this book was sitting face up on the table.Stop.Read.Shirk work duties.Everyone knows who Vlad is and how incredibly evil and disgusting this fool was... but still this book made it FUN.Barbaric and gory, this book is ripe with violence, rape, horror, sex, and enough savagery to satisfy even the thirstiest fanatic.If you're looking for a *true* history book, then check out the Library of Congress.This is just a blood lusty, artistic jaunt through the life of one of history's meanest and notorious butchers.

This is the type of graphic novel that you flip through (often) from time to time just for the sheer voyeurism of the drawings."Vlad - The Impaler"; you wonder if they are talking about his erotic lust for blood or his erotic lust for women.Either way, both are depicted here... in all of the rapacious glory you would expect from Vlad.I looked around to see if there was more work by Sid Jacobson & Ernie Colon and didn't find anything.I truly hope they change that. ... Read more

Product Description
When a glass of wine is paired with the right dish, it can resonate in a magnificent way. This gorgeous cookbook lets anyone plan a meal in perfect concert with a favorite or special wine. 45 color photos.Amazon.com Review
Which came first: the chicken or the Eglise-Clinet? Well, if you're adisciple of author Sid Goldstein--and you will be--you've had that Bordeauxdecanted long before you even thought of shopping for those Cacciatoreingredients. And "wine-first" cooking is precisely what Goldstein--vice president and director of marketing communications at Mendocino, California's Fetzer Vineyards--so ably demonstrates in The Wine Lover's Cookbook, soonto become indispensable to anyone who has ever chosen the wine first andthe groceries second. In 100 easy-to-follow-yet-impressive-as-heck recipes,Goldstein shows you how to exquisitely match the tastes and textures ofwine varietals to food. In fact, if you want to find specific recipes, youhave to look in the back index; the chapters themselves are divided intogrape types! Serving a Chardonnay? Chapter 7's Spinach Fettuccine with SeaBass and Lemongrass-Coconut Cream Sauce is seamless. Pinot Noir?Coffee-and-Spice-Rubbed Lamb with Coffee-Vanilla Sauce shouldn't work; andyet lamb marinated for hours in mint, pepper, red wine, freshly groundcoffee beans, and rosemary, then grilled and sauced with a combination ofhoney, brewed coffee, shallots and vanilla bean--any one of which elementsshould have bullied a Russian River Pinot--provides a tightly woven hammockon which the wine can luxuriate.

Chapters discuss the grape variety and list "Base Ingredients"--the mainmedium of the dish (Game Hen and Rabbit are a couple for Sangiovese)--aswell as "Bridge Ingredients"--those connectors of food and wine (Plums,Fennel, and Green Peppercorns among those for Syrah). This "wine-first"regimen is not without pitfalls: it's fine to decide that tonight isRiesling or Pinot night, but if you can't find radicchio or pomegranate,you might as well skip a few pages. Yet if you've ever been made to feelimmoral by cookbooks that give you the recipe first, then deign to suggesta "perfect" wine pairing beyond your means, let Father Sid absolve you ofall your Zins (or Merlots or Viogniers). After all, the Bible talks of wine650 times; food barely rates a mention. Perhaps if they'd had The WineLover's Cookbook in the Garden of Eden, Adam wouldn't have wasted allthat time trying to pair ribs and an apple with a Sauvignon Blanc. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Great Book; Great Recipes
Before looking at any of the recipes, read the book first.There are about 20 pages of information and tips on pairing wine with food, and it is very helpful and insightful.After that, the recipes are incredible.Definitely recommend!

inspiring cookbook
this is a really good cookbook.Actually, a few of my friends also have the book and soon we're going to have a dinner party with everyone bringing recipes from the book.

Only for very special occasions
The recipes in this book are extremely time-consuming, and only for advanced cooks on days when they are willing to devote a couple of hours shopping for specialty ingredients and all afternoon preparing dinner, which usually means the kinds of occasions that happen only a few times a year.I was hoping for something I could use more often.The author provides some ideas for pairing which I think were done in a more organized and accessible way in Wine with Food.Some of what Goldstein said on pairing contradicted my own experience.A prime example is the author's proclamation regarding Gewurztraminer that the dishes should never be sweeter than the wine or it will seem flat.One of my most memorable wine/food experiences was when an expert wine merchant in NYC recommended a quality dry Alsatian Gewurztraminer to go with my Thanksgiving dinner which included the traditional sweet foods.I still haven't forgotten how the fragrant floral aromas of the wine married it to the sweet food, how the spicy finish harmonized with the meal as cinnamon does with sugar, and how the wine's dryness cut through the richness of the food and refreshed the palate.The key was that a high quality Gewurz has intense flavors that stand up to heavy food. Overall, I'd have to say that I found the book a disappointment.

Best Cookbook Ever
If you enjoy cooking, consider yourself somewhat of a foodie and love wine then this cookbook is for you.My husband and I make dishes from this about 3 times a week and wish another version with even more delicious recipes was being published.I cannot say enough good things about this.Sure the recipes sound frou frou and may make you start buying red wine vinegar on a regular basis but aside from a few, they are really not difficult or that time consuming.Plus, it will force you to expand your food horizon and make you experience flavors you may not have tried previously.This has truly transformed how we eat and drink wine.We actually have trouble spending gobs of money at high-end restaurants now because we know we can make just as good (and usually better) meals for 1/4 - 1/3 of the price!I've already recommended this book to all of my friends who I knew would appreciate it, so go on, be adventurous and try something exciting!You truly will be amazed.

Resource for Cooks who are interested in Wine
This book has interesting recipes, but it's more than a cookbook. It offers information on popular wine varietals and explains why certain foods taste good with certain wines. I find and bookmark most of my recipes on the Internet. This is the one cookbook I own. ... Read more