AS

The food is delicious and the recipes are easy to follow. The whole family will love these dishes.

There are very helpful aids to daily living with diabetes. The pictures are attractive and the print is large. If I was only going to have one cookbook this would be it.

The folks at Betty Crocker have done it again: given us mere mortals great, easy recipes my whole family can enjoy. The best thing about this book is that the recipes aren't made from weird food you have to hunt for; they are made from items already in your kitchen. And they are recipes anyone can eat for good health. So, if one member of your family has diabetes, the whole family can eat this food and love it.

The recipes are great, especially the desserts. And you thought you couldn't eat dessert with diabetes! The Carbohydrate Choices is a great counting device. I've never seen it in any other cookbook and I find it much easier to use than exchanges. Plus, it's not just a cookbook. There's doctor's advice and management plans inside. This book is very uplifting and practical.

GET THIS BOOK! IT'S THE BEST DIABETES COOKBOOK, hands down.

This cookbook is an outstanding guide!
As always- Betty got it right!

This is an excellent piece of art for Toefl test! Especially 10 tests in CD are extremely well-organized and thought provoking. I highly recommend this book and CD. I got help a lot through this book. I am sure that this one is the best book for Toefl test as compared with many other books. Of course, the sound, picture quality of 10 tests is better than that of Toefl and the question level seems to be more difficult than that of Toefl especially in reading section. So if you practice toefl test only with this, you will be embarrassed because the picture and sould in the real toefl test is not that good qualitatively. Neverthless, it is helpful and excellent!

A lot of practice. There are ten tests on CD Rom. Tests are very close to the real exam.In terms of practice it is the best book on the market. Be careful, do not forget to buy book with cassets and CD Rom. CD Rom has the tests all in the same computer format as the real test. Cassets have listening material for Listening Comprehansion part of the book. So you will need both CD Rom and cassets.
However, essay section in Cambridge Preparation for Toefl Test is certainly better.
In addition, for grammar section you may wish to buy Cliff's Toefl. Cliff's Toefl has better grammar review especially for those who are afraid of grammar in the test. After Cliff's Toefl you will more confident not only in Toefl grammar but also in English grammar as a whole. Cliff's Toefl also has 6 full lenght practice tests.
Therefore, if you want to save money just buy only CD Rom of Delat without book and cassetts for practicing and buy Cliff's Toefl for Grammar and Essay sections.

I found this book very helpful. It has a lot of tests and very close to the real TOEFL. If one can do all the practice of this book, the person is sure to get good scores.

As an RN who has always owned and appreciated animals of all types, I was deeply moved by the documentation of actual events that could not be explained away by coincidence. I now give this book to my patients and their families who are in need of the intuitive wisdom and love that only an animal can provide

This book really touched me. The stories are profound and touching beyond words. Animals are definitely "man's best friend" and it seems to be proven over and over again in this book, with each tale telling a compelling and poignent story of how an animal touched the life of someone in need. In my own perception of it......animals are true angels, put on this earth to help us and guide us along our own journeys. We should be thankful.

Susan McElroy has put together a most memorable book. It expresses the beautiful relationships and experiences people have had with animals in a way that deeply touches the heart. I could not read this book with a dry eye. Having grown up with many animals, I have long been an animal lover. Reading about the moving experiences that others have had with animals confirmed the feeling that I have often had that we are connected with them on a deeper than conscious level. This book accords animals the honor they deserve.

This book is very informative, and contains just about all the information you'll need to care for leopard geckos. This should be the first book you buy if you decide to get a leopard gecko for a pet.

In terms of printed text on Leopard Geckos, this book sets the standard. The information is brief and comprehensive. It's a must own for Leo keepers. I spend a lot of my time giving advice to people about these guys and the first thing I always tell new owners is: Get the Leopard Gecko Manual, read it cover to cover.

this is a great book it tells you allot about leopard geckos I could have done without the part about the african fat tail gecko but it is a good read buy now

If you are looking for a beautiful example of love and dedication, look no more. This is a true story that will inspire readers of all ages to think about the world around them and the balance of nature that exists within that world. The illustrations are art that truly come from the heart. The text is enthralling and personal. The reader can visualize the two girls in the family who name the owl Jackson, "Faster than you could say bouncing, bobbling ponytails four times."

As a teacher of young children, I can attest to the appeal that this book will hold for all. Readers often ask what it is that compels writers to write or artists to paint. One answer to that question can be found in this book. Write and draw what you know and love.

This is a very impressive book, no matter your age! I can see the little grandkids in my lap as I read this book to them and they in turn show me their reading skills. The kids are going to get some good lessons in the ecology of owls; how food chains work; and how we can show some compassion for nature around us. The illustrations by "Nick" are incredibly beautiful. As such it makes a great book for the coffee table, to be opened again and again, especially when you are stuck inside the house. Henry David Thoreau said it best when he said he was thankful there were owls. I am thankful for owls too, and thankful to Robbyn and Gijsbert for bringing this volume to us. Gijsbert, in his paintings, has skillfully brought the living owl right into our living rooms. Not only the owl in question himself, but the beauty of the changing seasons are masterfully done. Of all the owls books in my library (and their are many) this volume portrays the great horned owl (the French call Le Grand Duke) in all of its majesty. I think you and your kids will like this book too!

Adopted By An Owl is a truly enduring tale. It tells of the Van Frankehuyzen family's rehabilitation of a Great Horned Owl and of the Owl, named Jackson, taking to the family as if he were the family dog! It is just amazing to read about the Jackson's interactions with the family, his healing process, and his overall protectiveness of them. Most people see these critters as frightening but you see how amazingly enough, Jackson was able to be both a free wild bird and yet an integral part of the family for many years. This is a wonderful book to share with Children as I think it helps to teach them compassion towards animals. It shows children that we can all be a part of nature by helping even the littlest creature live on. Hopefully, it teaches some that certain animals are not meant to be in captivity either .If you like this book, you must look for Saving Samantha. It is the Van Frankehuyzen's journal account of raising a baby fox pup who they found as a small kitten captured in a trap. I do not want to give too much away, but as a bookseller, this is my favorite Sleeping Bear Press children's book to date!

I bought this book because of a deep and abiding interest in all things Roman (an exception - Roman Catholicism) and I could not put it down. Mr. Wilken is, first of all, an engaging writer who makes each page a delight. The amount of information he includes in this book is tremendous - Galen, Julian, Porphyry, Celsus = they're all here in living color! Most of us are used to the Christian side of the story concerning the church's origins and the pagans never come out unscathed. This book shows that the Roman pagans were not superstitious twits but philosophers who delved into their religion with as much depth and passion as any church father ever did. Mr. Wilken lays out in detail the weaknesses in Christian theology that the pagans used against them. The chapter on Roman burial societies, which served as social clubs, gave a new perspective on the church as a fellowship group that was often seen as no different from other societies. It is also nice to know that the Christians then acted as arrogantly and obnoxiously as they do now toward those who disagree with them. Every student of western religion and every Christian who thinks they know the history of their church should read this book.

Early Christian folklore is permeated with the idea that the
"saints" merely had to tell the story of Jesus and all who heard it believed. The story made perfect sense and all that was required was someone to tell the story and all of a sudden all the clouded thinking of the listener was cleared away. The rapid growth of Christianity during the first four centuries of the Common Era confirm this.

For readers who have such an idea of early Christianity, this book may be an eye-opener, perhaps one of the most significant books one ever reads. Robert Wilken does an excellent job of describing the attitudes of the Romans toward Christianity as it grew. Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, and Seutonius saw Christianity as a "superstition," a foreign cult whose practices stood outside the accepted standards of religion in the Greco-Roman world. Galen saw Christianity as a philosophical way of life but found its members dogmatic and uncritical in their thinking. Celsus saw Jesus as a magician and accused Christians of magic. (See _Ancient Christian Magic_ by Marvin Meyer) Celsus was also concerned about Christians becoming a counterculture that
"drained their energies away from the larger society." Porphyry was considered by Augustine the "most learned of scholars" yet when Porphyry heard Origen attempt to reconcile Christianity with the Greek intellectual tradition, he thought it an
"absurdity." The last Roman persecution of Christians took place under the reign of Maximin Daia, an emperor who took piety seriously. A later emperor, Julian, earned the name "apostate" for being raised as a Christian and then rejecting Christianity.

Since it first began, Christianity has not only been championed by intelligent people but questioned seriously by some as well. Adolf von Harnack once wrote that Porphyry's objections had not yet been answered in his own day. Christianity did spread rapidly, but that the message of Christianity was readily accepted at face value is not the reason for this growth. For that one must look elsewhere.

An excellent book on the early days of Christians. An interesting
look at where Christianity came from, and how the Romans
thought about monotheism. I did purchase several other
books mentioned in this one. It is good and I do recommend
it. I often buy or don't buy books based upon these kind of
reports, so let me say, you will not be disappointed in buying
this one.

Once again Pimsleur offers an excellent course for the spoken language with relevent conversations and a teaching style that is both automatic and effective. Users should realize that spoken and written Mandarin are different and this course is ONLY for the spoken language. However, it is excellent for listening and speaking. The speakers in the series are clear and easy to understand. My only objection to this course is the lack of written material to accompany it (though the booklet that does come with it is very intersting and informative). Unfortunately, much of Mandarin sounds alike and most 'words' have multiple meanings depending on tone, accompanying words and context. A pinyin or other phonetic guide to the conversations would be very helpful. But for those with a good ear who want to learn by listening and speaking, this course is excellent.

This was a very solid method of learning that focuses heavily on speaking and conversation. Learning characters at the same time as the speaking language can be very intimidating and most professors would agree that there should be a substantial amount of lag between the spoken and written chinese. (see Chinese Primer Ta-Tuan Ch'En - the books I use for my Georgetown University Chinese classes) The Pimsleur method does not offer character knowledge, but it does allow a student to grasp the tones and sounds which are so vital to the language. I would suggest to anyone who is listening to the audio cds to begin with the cds and then, only when comfortable with pronounciation and tones, to go pick up some character and vocabulary texts. This was definitely money well spent because it really was a great way to begin my intensive Mandarin Chinese course.

When I first started Pimsleur Mandarin I, about six months ago, I gave up after the fourth lesson thinking it was too difficult. I just couldn't get my head around the tones and the difficult pronunciation. It seemed as though every sentence that I tried to make was too slow or had a wrong tone. Then about a week later, I tried it again and it wasn't quite so hard. I made it to lesson eleven, but then took another week-long break out of frustration. When I picked it up for the third time, it was much easier. I had finally figured out how to position my tongue to create most of the non-english phenomes (pinyin: q, x, j, r, ü, z, c), and the tones were starting to get easier, although I still had trouble when combining two falling-rising tones. After two months, I managed to finish Mandarin I, and then, with a bit more effort and patience, I finished Mandarin II and III. I can now repeat or say any sentence at full speed, and the tones have become almost entirely subconscious, making the language much more reasonable. This is the main strength of the Pimsleur program, it gets your ears accustomed to the sounds, and it forces you to make correct sentences quickly, with good pronunciation. This is especially important for a tonal language such as Mandarin.

Of the three levels, Mandarin I is by far the most difficult and frustrating. This is because the four tones and many of the difficult phenomes are all introduced at once, and it seems almost impossible to master them. I had to listen to the first four lessons about four or five times each. After that, I listened to the remaining twenty-six lessons three times each. When I got to Mandarin III, I only had to listen to each lesson twice, as I had already mastered the tones and phenomes by that point and I only needed to deal with the vocabulary and relatively easy syntax. It gets much, much easier as you progress - trust me. It is also tremendously rewarding. I can carry out basic conversations with Chinese people, which suprises everyone (myself included). However, it doesn't take long before I encounter a word or sentence structure that I'm not familiar with. Oh well, I can't expect to become fluent in six months. As for pronunciation, I've been told that I don't have an accent, which is almost entirely because of Pimsleur.

I highly recommend getting this course if you are serious about Mandarin. It is much more efficient than a tutor, and you'll see results. As for the cost, I'm only reviewing the qualilty of the product and not the cost/quality ratio. However, you should realize that there are other ways of obtaining this course. It is possible to buy it used, or rent it, and some libraries even carry Pimsleur programs. Keep this in mind...

"The Good Old Days" is a haunting and disturbing glimpse into the Holocaust. This book chronicles a number of events associated with the Nazi attempts to exterminate the entire Jewish people from the globe. Certainly any story of the Holocaust is disturbing to a rational person but "The Good Old Days" presents these events through the words/tales of people who were there - soldiers, killers, non-Jewish citizenry. Most of the events described are related through several people (making the reading a bit tedious) and in all cases the stories, while slightly different in detail - and almost always apologetic when told after the passage of time - would make my stomach wrench at how indifferently the waste of human life was taken. This is especially true in cases where stories are supported by diaries written at the time of the events. It is a oft used generalization that the Germans are a people of exactness and precision. This has never been more true than in assiocation with the Holocaust. The SS and its minions went about their gruesome business with the efficiency stereotypically expected of the Germans - they kept exacting notes, approached it impassively as to not become emotionally attached to the situation (or they were removed from the situation - generally voluntarily, or so it is claimed), and strove to generate more efficient, quick and "humane" ways to dispose of those felt inferior. The passages in this book are presented without any candy coating and thus this text is not for the faint of heart. Yet in doing so the reader is truly left with a feeling of collective human guilt that any culture could perpetrate such acts and in such a detacted fashion. To say that no one in Germany cared about what was happening is unfair, yet it is fair from this text and others on the subject that many were active participants and while some revelled in the experience - which is disturbing enough - most acted as murderers out of duty to service, comrades, Fatherland, and/or their Fuhrer - and this is a TRULY DISTURBING thought. How far mankind is capable of sinking.

This is a solid 4 star effort. It is only the repetitive nature of the text that keeps it from being a 5 star book. Having said this, it is clear why the editors chose to present each story multiple times from several sources: for impact by showing that these were not simply acts of a few that no one knew about or that were ebing acting fought against - in short to show the impassive brutality and collusion of cause. "The Good Old Days" is recommended reading for anyone trying to understand the Holocaust and how such an event so pivotal in the history of man could have happened. Yet beware of the content going into it - it is highly disturbing and often graphic.

"The Good Old Days" caught my eye upon seeing the cover photo. It depicts several Germans in WWII uniforms at a "Gasthaus" enjoying a few beers, with relaxed and unconcerned expressions. The title was perfect for the content.

Being in the military, and stationed in Germany when I purchased the book, I was interested in the subject that was never talked about by my closest German friends. Now, I know why my German friends never discussed the war.

This book is a collection of diaries, official and personal letters, and eyewitness accounts of answers to the "Jewish Question". There is no hearsay or rumors. It is a cold, hard, and blunt account of the extreme cruelty that people are capable of.

This is an excellent piece of history that is rarely seen in the U.S. It doesn't contradict the facts regarding the Jewish extermination. Rather, it makes you understand what it was like to be the "bad guy".

The old "I was only following orders" defense is put to rest. A common theme was that the people who took part in the extermination knew that they could refuse. Without any punishment. However, the persons portrayed in the book, felt it was their duty. And some even enjoyed it. The majority of the documents used in this book appear to be written with no emotion. As if accounting for the number of dead, was just another boring task of completing the daily "red tape".

It makes you wonder. If you were in their shoes, would you do the same?

Hearing about this book offered few surprises for what was inside on the pages. Absolute chaos conformed into the minds of men who have lost all grasps of humanity.

This has to be the only book I know of that actually hears out the personal stories of death camp guards, workers, etc. And, unlike the books by Rudolph Hoess, these give a glimpse of the life of the guys doing the shooting rather the ones ordering them. Much different perspective none the less.

One thing this book does put forth is the interaction of the SS and SD with the Wehrmacht. Actual accounts of Army volunteers for shooting squads proves that the military did know about the holocaust despite what is always thrown back and forth, being involvement depended on who was in charge.

To understand the basic mantality possesed by the people told about within this book, all you have to do is look at the cover photo and read on.

Excellent book written by German authors. No holds barred.

"Managing IT as a Business" will help senior business management executives understand how to view and manage the Information Technology (IT) organization. How should IT be structured and aligned to support the business vision? What does IT really cost? The author, Mark Lutchen, has developed an IT management "lens" framework to view the critical drivers of IT success. This framework provides an excellent way for business management to think about what IT needs to accomplish.

The book really delivers its value through nine key initiatives for the business and the IT organization to realize the full potential of IT resources. Mr. Lutchen's use of case studies involving considerable business issues and applied IT management solutions, has helped me visualize how these initiatives can dramatically impact a business. The author's coverage of issues such as IT governance, alignment, organization structure, spend, investment cycles, and focus on outcomes are precise and timely, given the mixed success that IT professional management has progressed in corporations today.

I think what is unique about the author's perspective is his experience not only as an IT management consultant, but a Global CIO for one of the big-4 accounting firms. Business and financial management are key underlying themes in this book. You will find this book insightful and thought-provoking, enabling a business leader to establish and leverage a more powerful IT organization.

"Managing IT as a Business" is an interesting read. I think a lot of the concepts can be applied to marketing, HR and finance organizations as well. That being the case, this book is indeed a "survival guide", relevant for all the enabling business units that report into the CEO/COO.

This is a fabulous book for experienced or aspiring IT managers whose goal is to prepare for ascension through the ranks, especially to the CIO level. In simple yet rich language, Mark presents a clear picture of the future of the IT organization and the competencies needed in the CIO and senior team heading up this professional services operation. The examples and case studies are rich with insights. In short, this book is pragmatic and weighty, yet also highly readable and I dare say outright enjoyable. I highly recommend it as a must read for anyone who wants to develop an effective IT career roadmap. Thank you Mark Lutchen.

Joe Santana,
Co-author Manage IT

The book contains edited and slightly commented oral arguments for a number of cases brought before the Supreme Court of the United States since Earl Warren ordered that oral arguments be recorded. Few know that it is possible to attend oral arguments at the court (highly recommended if you ever visit Washington D.C.), and even fewer know the recordings exist. This is a set of six tapes with edited and commented (by Peter Irons) cases, together with a book which transcribes the tapes and includes highlights of the opinions in the case. There is also a brief introduction to the Court in the first tape.

The cases touch on a number of issues, ranging from the highly controversial (Roe v. Wade and abortion rights, Edwards v. Aguillard and teaching of creationism in school, Johnson v. Texas and flag burning) to issues which perhaps aren't so controversial anymore (such as the 'one person, one vote' rule). They are, nonetheless, very interesting to listen to.

I have very few regrets about the book, but they should perhaps be mentioned. First, there is no doubt that there is a somewhat liberal slant to the presentation and comments by Peter Irons in the tapes; I don't find it too problematical since they tend to agree with my own feelings on the subject, but others may find it annoying. Second, I cannot but be somewhat disappointed that these are ->edited<- and not the full arguments. I realize one hour or more per case may be prohibitive and it is perhaps better to have more cases and edited highlights of the arguments, but I would have loved to have access to the full argument nonetheless. At least in some cases, the impression given is certainly not that of the whole argument (in Edwards v. Aguillard, one gets the feeling that the attorney for Aguillard did pretty well, but one need only read Stephen J. Gould's account of the arguments to know that Justice Scalia trounced him and it was only through the intervention of the amicus curiae brief by the Nobel Laureates that the eventual decision was reached). And thirdly, it is very disappointing that the companion book has only highlights of the opinions in the case. The full opinion (together with full dissents and concurrences) would have been a very welcome addition to the set.

Despite these problems (which are the reason I give it a 4 star rating rather than a 5; I wish we had a 4.5 rating), this is a highly recommended set. This is a great and facinating look at the Court and at oral arguments therein, and it is highly recommended. Even if you are only interested in three or four of the cases or issues, you will find it a very worthwhile investment.

I am not a U.S. Supreme Court enthusiast, but in light of the Courts activity in the 2000 presidential election case (George W. Bush vs. Al Gore), I searched out books on the U.S. Supreme Court and found "May It Please the Court" to be a fascinating read. It sheds light on the ebb and flow of the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings and reasonings over the past 30 years.

Recently millions of Americans were privileged to hear live the two presidential election cases that the U.S. Supreme Court took and vicariously we all had a "fascinating you-are-there experience." In "May It Please the Court" editors Peter Irons and Stephanie Guitton spent scores of hours at the National Archives in Washington retrieving and editing twenty-three cases and once again give average Americans the opportunity to experience, in proxy, each court case.

In 1955 the U.S. Supreme Court began tape recording all cases from which twenty-three ground-breaking cases were selected by Peter Irons and Stephanie Guitton. These are segmented into five sections: "Secure the Blessings of Liberty," "Congress Shall Make No Law," "In All Criminal Prosecutions," The Equal Protection of the Law" and "A Right of Personal Privacy." Each section has an informative foreword by the Editors.

Skilled advocates on both sides, as in the two presidential election cases, argue each landmark case forcefully, and most often, as in the recent presidential election cases, the Court's opinions have sparked controversy. Our Constitution invested great powers in government officials and these powers are only kept in check by the Bill of Rights. And these Rights only have meaning if government officials can be forced to obey them. Only the courts have the ultimate power of enforcement and thus the Supreme Court of the United States of America has the ultimate power. This excellent book helps all Americans to understand how this Court balances the legitimate powers of government officials and the rights of the people. Highly Recommended.

Peter Irons has consistently written books that describe with amazing clarity and insight the inner workings of the American judicial system. "May It Please the Court" is brilliant in large part because of a very simple, straight forward idea: ensure publicity for Supreme Court hearings that should have been quite public from the outset. Those who accuse Irons of partisanship have missed the mark: it is the contents of the very Supreme Court hearings he describes which provoke thought and evoke political response - not Irons' commentary. I look forward to the next work by Peter Irons, and can only hope he sees fit to comment on the Supreme Court's various controversial rulings since the turn of the century. His thoughtful consideration would be helpful to lawyers and non-lawyers alike.