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Seth Lindstromberg has edited several excellent books of ideas for language teaching. This one is filled with brilliant ideas for teaching writing, business English, and other areas, as well as some warm-up activities. One thing I really like about his books is that instead of merely putting together a random collection of activities, he shows you how the ideas can fit into your class, and be a part of one's own development as a teacher. As always, the author has done a great job in selecting some very original and interesting ideas.

33 experienced and creative EFL teachers from around the world have contributed to this anthology that contains most valuable teaching ideas for many areas of EFL, e.g. warm-ups, vocabulary, communicative activities, working with a coursebook in a different way, using magazines/newspapers/literature. Most activities are intended for use in classes of intermediate or advanced learners of English, but some (such as the 'warm-ups') are suitable for lower levels as well. In general, the activities involve students in pairwork or group work and challenge them to be 'active' and 'creative'. Each activity is described briefly, but clearly; information about level of students, time required, focus, material needed and, above all, procedure is always given in a concise and helpful way. The activities are grouped under twelve different subject headings; moreover, an index at the end of the book makes it easy for you to find the activity you may need for tomorrow's lesson (or for developing a whole series of activities). This is a book full of ideas that can serve as inspirations to teachers who want to create(or maintain) a lively and 'interactive' EFL or ESL classroom.

It is rare for a book to cover the distance and depth found in Stones, Stars and Scholars by Andis Kaulins. However the conclusion of the book, that the ancient megaliths tell a story about a world wide system of surveying and measurement well in effect in 3000 BC, will turn the world of scholarship upside down. While it is a pioneering work, there is more than enough information here to prove the authors basic premise that the megalithic sites, all over the world, represent a map of the sky on the ground.

Implications in this book for historians include granting ancient peoples much more credibility for understanding our place in the solar system, movements of people and ideas in the ancient world, the origin of scientific methods and an uncanny knowledge of these ideas around the world.

When I was growing up I always heard that our human cognitive abilities were developed in part from observing the sun, moon and stars. This book begins to develop the meaning of that statement by showing that the depth of understanding of the relationship of the sky to terrestrial geography was profound in the human species for a very long time. It is a shame that most historians and archeologists have forgotten or never knew basic astronomy and its relationship with the reality structure of ancient people. This book begins to mend this problem.

A bonus with the book is the linguistic comparison of the names of the constellations, stars, megalithic sites and local town names with the local native language, and other languages including Latvian. This analysis supports the theory that the ancients were aware of precession, the pole of the ecliptic and other astronomical facts that historians are reluctant to admit.

The dating of the monuments by analyzing carvings on the stones to represent moments where solstices and other astronomical events occured in the past is revolutionary. The author presents the idea that "modern time" began on December 25, 3117 BC and is found in carvings supporting that idea located around the world.

This book requires close study but is extremely rewarding in understanding human development: As above, so below.

Stars, Stones and Scholars is a pioneer analysis of prehistoric art, megalithic sites, astronomy, archaeology and the history of civilization. The book title is an intentional play on the title of C.W. Ceram's famous book, Gods, Graves and Scholars, which analyzed the history of archaeology from a quite limited perspective - starting with the Gods and the Graves, placing too much emphasis on the Scholars, and ignoring the study of the Stars and the workmanship of Stones which PRECEDED them. Stars, Stones and Scholars presents the decipherment of the megaliths (standing stones) as an ancient survey of the Earth by astronomy. The book presents initial proofs and discussion claiming that ancient megalithic sites are remnants of ancient local, regional and worldwide Neolithic surveys oriented to the stars. This hypothesis is not even speculative - in ancient days, no other means except astronomy were available for earthly orientation. The book's ca. 40 photographs, 240 drawings and 80 maps show how megaliths were carved and "sculpted" with figures in relief (what can still be made of them) and cupmarks (holes in the stones) to intentionally represent specific stars, constellations and asterisms, long before our modern astrological Zodiac was allegedly known. Megalithic sites from around the world are analyzed and shown to be part of ancient SYSTEMATIC survey systems covering entire regions ca. 3000 BC. The countries analyzed include, for example, England (all the major Neolithic sites including e.g. Stonehenge, Wayland's Smithy, Kents Cavern), Wales (all the major Neolithic sites including e.g. Paviland), Scotland (all the major Neolithic sites including e.g. the Clava Cairns), Ireland (all the major Neolithic sites including Newgrange, Knowth, Tara), Germany (most of the major sites including the Externsteine, Nebra, Gollenstein, Felsenmeer), Benelux (Weris), France (Carnac, Lascaux, Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc), Italy (La Spezia), all the Malta Temples (e.g. Tarxien and the Hypogeum), Scandinavia (Tanum), as well as individual sites in the Baltic, Russia, the Near East, the Far East (China - the Great Wall, and Japan - e.g. Asuka, Kanayama), Africa (e.g. the Central African Republic), Central and South America (Tikal), Oceania (Hawaii), the continental USA (Cahokia, Miami Circle) and Canada (the Peterborough Petroglyphs). Many of these sites are examined and deciphered in great detail showing a site such as the Peterborough Petroglyphs in Canada, for example, to be an ancient map of the heavens and the Ki'i Petroglyphs on the island of Hawaii to be an ancient map of the world. The intent of the author is not so much to convince the reader of the correctness of his analysis, but rather to urge the reader to look at ancient sites and stones differently than before and, for example, to examine old vacation photographs of Stonehenge or similar sites, and see the figures carved on the stones. As far as the interpretation of the megaliths is concerned, there is no question that this is the way of the future.

This book is really a must-read for anyone at any age thinking about pursuing illustration as a living. It's a very competitive field, and you'll need more than a cute apartment and winning smile to make it. If you read it and decide not to become an illustrator, it's the best $15 you ever spent.

If you get overwhelmed by the image you may have of what the life of a freelance illustrator is like, read this book. It is encouraging, while also being very practical. It tells you that you can start a career as a freelancer, but with a few practical IFs attached. Follow his advice and answer his questions honestly. Then ,if practical, take a deep breath, jump in and have a blast at FINALLY doing something with your life that you LOVE.

Starting Your Career As A Freelance Writer by professional author Moira Anderson Allen is an extremely practical and detailed career guide for the aspiring writer seeking to become a paid professional. Starting Your Career As A Freelance Writer comprehensively and accessibly covers how to make time for writing; honing research and interview techniques; find markets for written work of all kinds; writing and marketing nonfiction books and articles, and a great deal more. A no-nonsense advice guide packed with tips, tricks, and techniques, Starting Your Career As A Freelance Writer is an absolute "must-read" for anyone seriously interested in developing a successful career as a professional freelance writing.

I am a fan of Moira Allen's incredibly resourceful website WRITING-WORLD (www.writing-world.com) and looked forward to reading her all-in-one guide on freelancing writing. As I expected, NO disappointments here - all you ever wanted to know about the basics of writing for magazines and going freelance is explained simply and expertly in this book.

I normally don't take more than 3 days to read a non-fiction book, but Moira Allen's took me over a week! You can have an idea just how comprehensive and thorough the contents must be. Fromtime management to setting goals, from finding ideas to handling accounts, Moira helps you to become a successful freelance writer, with her words of wisdom (born out of a 20+ year-old writing career) and conversational-yet-pithy 'tone'.

On the craft of writing, Moira teaches you how to face the first draft and write the perfect query to target the right market. There is a seperate division on rights and contacts and how to keep records and go full-time freelancing. You also have a special chapter by Peter Bowerman, the 'Guru' of Cold-Calling Strategy and the author of THE WELL-FED WRITER.

It doesn't matter if you're a clueless layman, a budding freelancer or a veteran freelancer. This book serves both as an excellent introduction on the freelance writing biz for new writers and as a refresher for experienced ones. Don't miss it!

That's Star Wars as in the movie trilogy by George Lucas

One of my favorite books of all time--it still haunts me, over a year after I first read it. It ranges over (and awoke in me a curiosity about) cultural anthropology, the history of technological development, Galileo & the "Scientific Revolution," the Manhattan Project, science fiction, and Star Wars as an expression of Technocratic mythology, among many other things. In a word, a stupendous, intensely interesting, perspective-altering and -warping work, written with style and a sense of humor. Recommended for anyone who likes to think

I have listened to this audio book several times with my two young children. Not only is the song universal, but also the message. This audio book lets adults and children know that any pain is a signal that some self-work needs to be completed and, if we let our intuition take over (listen to our gut), we will gain guidance from above and our questions will be answered.

A wonderful mixture of childhood memories with a powerful message for dealing with pain in life.

Eric Allen's book is a vital component to any urban educator's professional library. The book is full of useful, real-world advice that leads to greater student achievement, classroom management, and effectiveness overall. For those who don't know, over half of all beginning urban educators quit within five years! This is certainly not a positive thing for the future of our country. "Surviving and Thriving in the Beginning Years as an Urban Educator" reminds urban educators why we went into teaching in the first place, and helps us to not only "survive" the first few years, but "thrive" for many successful years to come.

Excellent book for ALL teachers! The author does a fantastic job of accomplishing what he set out to do- provide valuable insight and motivation to educators who have just begun careers in an urban setting. Furthermore, "Mr. Allen" was able to surpass this goal tremendously! This book reminds us why we chose our profession. The author draws on his own and many other educators' experiences to give us CONCISE and CONCRETE suggestions for improving our ability to reach our students. In the process, the book also rejuvenates our sense of fulfillment from our demanding career.

This was one of the best books on the subject of the Bataan death March and Philippine Invasion that I've read. Col. Alexander's personal account brings the events upfront and real to the reader. You truly feel part of the Col.'s ordeal. I reccomend it highly.

I cannot of course write a review of this book yet as I do not have a copy. I do have the original manuscript and I will give you my opinions after I read the book. I am his daughter in law and the mother of his four grandchildren.

Janet Alexander 4910 Meadowlark ln. DICKINSON tX, 77539

"The Tao of Teaching" is an excellent book for both new and old educators alike. Not only does Ms. Nagel provide beautiful interpretations and wonderful explinations of the 81 principles of "Taoism" she does so through the every-day practices of teachers like ourselves. I found the book to be an excellent form of encouragement, helping me to search deep within myself to find those qualities that make me an efficient teacher. The book also provides practical examples of teaching in a way that not only brings joy to the children, but also to ourselves. I highly recommend this book to all teachers and educators, of all religious denominations!

Lao Tzé, himself beeing a teacher. Greta Nagel, herself beeing a supervisor of lecturers, this book helps teachers to refind time, enthousiasm and inspiration for teaching children and learning themselves about the easy way of living without stress.

This is a must both for current and prospective teachers! It is well-written and well structured. It encompasses effective methods and guidelines that will optimize teaching. The book is divided in chapters which facilitates reading. To exemplify, if you are not a native speaker of english language and you intend to teach english as a foreign language, there is a special section only for you. This has helped me a lot and it will help you too, believe me! This is a comprehensive yet lucid account of the most effective approaches to teaching. I highly recommend this book especially to prospective teachers!

This is a truly splendid book! I am an experienced ESL teacher, and I wish someone had passed this book along to me when I was beginning in the field. The main areas of the book--teaching methodology, language skills, integrated approaches, focusing on the learner, and skills for teachers--are daily issues for ESL teachers. The fact that the book is an anthology is also very good, as it provides a variety of perspectives. I found the earliest entries--dealing with the history of the field--superb. Similarly, I found the sections on the different levels/situations in which ESL is taught also very useful.

Well worth what I paid for it.