D-A Books

I love everything about this novel! This is one of the most powerful teen novels I've read so far. It has all the ingredients for a great read: real characters, strong emotions, incredible imagery, and all the conflict one could ever want. Highly Recommended (and I look forward to reading more novels by Ms. Erskine)!

Kathryn Erskine respects her readers. She tackles subjects that others seem to avoid like the plague. She does it with wit and grace through Matt, the sarcastic and cynical main character of QUAKING.

Matt (not Mattie, and certainly not Matilda) has once again been dumped into the hands of distant relatives of distant relatives. And this time, she has to make it work because there's nowhere else left for her to go.

But these peace-loving Quaker people will have to understand that she doesn't have any feelings, so she does not intend give in to their silent pleas for love and affection. It's just not worth it to let her guard down only to have everything taken away again.

And she doesn't intend to take their advice and stand against bullies, either. Don't they even have the common sense to run and hide at the first sign of trouble? This tactic has always served her well in the past.

Or has it? Maybe it is time to stand, especially if she wants to stay in one place for once.


This book was my favorite of 2007 Young Adult Novels.

Off to Turn Another Page....

This review was cross posted at The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents ([...])

By Professional Reviewer, Julie M. Prince
(www.juliemprince.com)

Fourteen-year-old Matt (Matilda) is a Goth, but that partially a pose to keep the world away. She uses her look, and her humor - a knife-like sarcasm - to avoid connection and taking action. But she finds at her new home, the parents, in particular the father Sam, are devout Quakers and activists engaged in the anti-Iraq war movement. As she moves closer to Sam, those same beliefs lead to her harassment at school by a big mouth bully and a pro-war civic teacher. As the title suggests, after years of an almost dormant emotional life, Matt begins "quaking" and moving toward action. The ending -- which echoes that of Crutcher's Whale Talk --is tragic, and thus befitting of a book about the Iraq war. Like my own novel Nailed Quaking also explores kids who decide not to fit in and thus turn high school into a trip through the badlands.

If you are mad at the war in Iraq you will like this book. If you wonder how it feels to be a foster kid tossed from house to house, you will love this book. If you've had a really crazy fanatical teacher like the main character Matt does, you will totally relate. Really great read.

Beckie Weinheimer, author CONVERTING KATE, Viking Books 2007.

When I saw "Quaking" reviewed on the TeensReadToo web site, I mentioned it to my best friend who is a Quaker. She said she'd read it and found it very moving, and encouraged me to read it too. I'm certainly glad I did.

What she failed to tell me is that it's a kid's book--and I love to read kid's books. Actually, Amazon has it listed in the 9-12 age range, but since the protagonist is fourteen, it should be listed as Young Adult (YA). Personally, I think it's one of those books that's a cross-over, written to appeal to adults as well as kids ... like so many YA books are.

Kathryn Erskine's debut novel tells the story of Matt (and DON'T call her Matilda!) who is an abused fourteen-year-old shunted from one foster home to another. Matt dresses Goth and memorizes the floor, hiding from the trauma of her past, spurning all offers of kindness and care. What a culture shock for her to end up in the home of Quakers Sam and Jessica Fox!

The story builds in intensity as Matt begins to care about her foster parents and becomes involved with the Quaker peace testimony. Feelings about the war in the Middle East run high in her school and her town, with the school bully ("the Rat") and a teacher ("Mr. Warhead") leading the charge against local pacifists.

Matt tries to hide her fear of the Rat and his gang, but as the town begins to erupt with violent attacks against houses of worship, she knows it's only a matter of time until the Quaker Meeting House and her foster father are victims. Eventually, in an explosive ending, Matt finds her voice and the strength to face her fear and stand up for her own convictions.

The author challenges herself by telling the story in Matt's own voice and does a masterful job of bringing the strong, loving girl out of her protective shell. She uses icons of a happy childhood to expose cracks in Matt's armor. The mesmerizing rhythm of Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham" find the first chink: <<"And then I remember how dangerous it is to go to that place. The place you think is safe. Because it is not.">>

Jessica's homemade soup dissolves the last of Matt's defenses: <<"I love this soup. I want to hide in this soup, among its carrots and potatoes and celery and chicken and warm breath ... I want to fall asleep in this soup, wrapping myself in its wide noodles and using a soft lima bean for a pillow.">>

That last passage is like magic to me; a marvelous image that may be my favorite in the entire book!

I particularly enjoyed this book because I learned more about my friend's church. "Quaking" reveals a lot about Quakers and their testimonies, but first and foremost, it's a brilliant YA novel about a young girl who opens her heart to unconditional love. I recommend this beautifully written story for the whole family.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008

Arrived very promptly in perfect condition. great book for review. gives you need to knows for boards.

I would totally recommend this book to anyone who is going to be taking the ARRT registry. It's a great review from the x-ray program. A must have!!

It's not a good idea to spend time memorizing answers to questions. It is in your best interest to know the principles behind the answers, if you plan on passing the registry. This book is a fine condensed version of your 2 year program.

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO GET READY FOR THE TEST , AFTER BEING COUPLE YEARS OUT OF THE FIELD I USED THIS BOOK AND THE Q & A BOOK, AND I PASS WITH AN 85%. IT HAVE SOME MISTAKES BUT THEY ARE OBVIOUS.. ITS A VERYYYY GOOD BOOK !!

This book helped me pass the ARRT Exam. I haven't been in school for a couple of years...plus I went to school overseas. I had the old version of this book but I needed to buy the newer one. It lived up to it's title "Radiography PREP". This book together with the Lange Q&A - Radiography Examination were the only books I needed...now I'm a Registered RT.

Summary: A comical story of what first appears to be a threatening dragon who the setting's people want to slay. The dragon, however, is of no threat. When St. George is sent to "take care of it" the dragon cowers. When faced with this threat he sullenly, but humorously, replies ". . . Say he can write if he likes, but I can't give him an interview. I am not seeing anybody at present" (page not numbered). The three end fast friends and an uncertain threat is no longer a bother.
The author creates a believable character of a harmless dragon. What usually is portrayed as evil and dangerous, the persona of the dragon generates into a believable story. The twist of the dragon being afraid of St. George adds to the imaginable meaning the writer wants to evolve. Carefully setting the story, the author helps establish the voice of the characters. It evolves into a theme that proves that "things aren't always as they appear."

this is a great kids book. and even i love anything that rhymes. thank you so much.

The original "St. George and the Dragon" story is a frightening tale. Depending on which version you read, the townspeople give the scaly, stinking, vicious, dragon tribute of two sheep per day, and, when they invariably run out of sheep, they begin feeding it their own children. The King is obviously horrified, but what can he do? However, when the lottery selects his own daughter, who should appear but Sir George, (later the patron Saint of England) just in time for the king, if not for the subjects. The daughter worries for his safety, but the knight spears the dragon in its one vulnerable spot, then in a gallant display, borrows the daughter's girdle to drag the wounded dragon down to the town. For his own tribute, George asks only that the citizens become baptized; after this, he cuts off the dragon's head. Not a good ending for the dragon, but then, he wasn't a very nice dragon.

Like others before him, Kenneth Grahame modified this bloody tale for the consumption of the very young, and turned it completely on its head. This dragon would rather sleep than slay, purr than prey, and his true nature is discovered by a tow-headed young boy who gradually becomes friends with the pacifist, poetry-loving beast ("why I wouldn't hurt a fly."). Lay low, he advises him. Naturally, though, St. George arrives, and everyone acts as expected--except for the dragon. He simply refuses to attend his own demise:

"Well, tell him [St. George] to go away," said the dragon. "I'm sure he's not nice. Say he can write if he likes. But I won't see him." The boy, however, understands the underlying social pressures (which echo those of the British class system during Grahame's time) and replies: "But you've got to," said the boy. "You've got to fight him, you know, because he's St. George and you're the dragon."

The dragon, the knight, and the young boy, a person with neither power nor social distinction, make a plan. The plan is simple: Fake it. And so, like one of Vince McMahon's TV "wrestling" matches, St. George and the Dragon have it out, with flames and fury, and, as St. George just barely pierces the dragon in a pre-arranged safe spot. The townspeople, who have brought picnics for the presumed slaughter, were satisfied with the spectacle: "And all the others were happy because there had been a fight, and-well, they didn't need any other reason."

The original story, one of several short studies published in Grahame's "Dream Days" (1898, ten years before Grahame's most famous and beloved work, "The Wind in the Willows") may be found at http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=GraDrea.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=7&division=div1. Grahame wrote "The Reluctant Dragon" long at times, and one sees his concerns with religion and nature so evident in the river adventure scene of Wind in the Willows. Inga Moore takes out most of the slower, descriptive narrative (which might be enjoyed by older readers), and focuses instead on the dragon/boy/St. George relationships and the exciting battle. Compare the following excerpts (the first is Grahame's); this is great abridgement except for the inexplicable deletion of the last sentence, a very funny, modernist touch by Graham:

1. Then a cloud of smoke obscured the mouth of the cave, and out of the midst of it the dragon himself, shining, sea-blue, magnificent, pranced splendidly forth; and everybody said, "Oo-oo-oo!" as if he had been a mighty rocket! His scales were glittering, his long spiky tail lashed his sides, his claws tore up the turf and sent it flying high over his back, and smoke and fire incessantly jetted from his angry nostrils. "Oh, well done, dragon!" cried the Boy, excitedly. "Didn't think he had it in him!" he added to himself.
2. Then a cloud of smoke billowed from the mouth of the cave, and out of the midst of it the dragon himself, shining, sea-blue, magnificent, pranced splendidly forth; and everybody said, "Oo-oo-oo!" His scales were glittering, his long spiky tail lashed his sides, his claws tore up the turf and sent it flying high over his back, and smoke and fire jetted from his nostrils. "Oh, well done, dragon!" cried the Boy, excitedly. "Didn't think he had it in him!" he added to himself.

Moore also displays great taste and talent in her beautiful colored pencil and ink drawings. She draws landscapes and houses in a traditional style with meticulous shading and detail, trees show the undertones of illustration from a 1912 publication. The friendly, easygoing dragon is drawn showing an easy confidence and an engaging smile, but he's actor enough to look ferocious when required. He's drawn in one of the most striking shades of blue since the ceramic in the movie "Diva." Overall, Inga Moore honors the original Grahame story while making the story and pictures maximally entertaining for young children. Publisher Candlewick has done it again; this is an extraordinary book.

Fanciful and charming. I enjoyed reading it to my nephew and he loved it too. The artwork is lovely also. I'm looking forward to reading it again, with or without my nephew.

I bought this book for my future child (due Feb 2006) as part of my growing library. I read it through and thought it was cute, if a bit antiquated (what do you expect for a book that was written over 100 years ago?) Basically, a young boy befriends a dragon. When the townsfolk realize the dragon exists, they call upon a champion to vanquish him, blaming the dragon for crimes that he didn't commit. The boy talks to the champion about his friend and they all agree to stage a fight, rather than fight to the death. Once the play fight is over (the champion only gives the dragon a small flesh wound), it is agreed by all that the dragon will not harm anyone and the townsfolk will stop telling lies about the dragon. Nice moral story.

My only problem with the book is that it has been "sensitively abridged". I'm not sure what that means for "The Reluctant Dragon", but my "sensitively abridged" copy of "The Wind in the Willows" (also by Kenneth Graham) edits out silly things like "splashes of whitewash all over his black fur". If the book has to be so politically correct that it can't even refer to the color of an animal's fur, I'm not sure that I really want to associate with the edition. I'd be curious to compare this edition of "The Reluctant Dragon" with the original text now.

This book and CD are a wealth of knowledge. As a person of African descent, hearing how these persons were treated in a county supposedly for freedom and equality, not only was a horrified but very angry.
I will NEVER forgive this coutry for the ill treatment and hardship that racism and bigotry ahs and still is causing.

This is a must have, must read, must hear book. With the sixty-nine minute recording of the actual slave interviews from the 1930s, we have the only known recording of the actual voices of actual slaves telling their story. Hearing their voices is like being tele-ported back in time. The book itself also examines those same interviews, primarily through "Weevils in the Wheat: Interviews with Virginia Ex-Slaves."

Teachers and speakers will want their students and audiences to hear these voices. They give voice to the voiceless and bring alive these heroic survivors.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Spiritual Friends, and Soul Physicians.

For several years I've been reading powerful thought-provoking slave narratives. This is probably the most moving due to accompanying tapes of slaves discussing their thoughts and conditions when they were slaves. This book and tapes should be used in every high school American and World history classes. I recommend this book to everyone above the age of twelve. If you want to begin educating your children earlier about American history, specifically slavery have them read K.J. McWilliams books; The Journal of Darien Duff, an Emancipated Slave, The Diary of a Slave Girl, Ruby Jo, and The Journal of Leroy Jones, a Fugitive Slave. They are based on slave narratives such as this one and include many interesting photos as well as additional information.

I am currently a high school student that read part of this for a Civil War class and let me say this is one powerful book. With people who were the slaves themselves tell you their stories, you learn alot about the antebellum period. I would recommend this book for any mature person due to the fact that some of these stories show the true horror of slavery.

this is a Must for all to have.The Books&tapes show the RawNess and Emotions of Americas Worst NightMare that still Haunts Her.the Voices run Deep down your skin.until SLavery is Properly Discussed and Dealt with America will continue to be a Land of The Unknown.a Must Have Book.

You must get this book. Authur Fife give his story of his encounter with God and the prophesy he recieved during several encounters. This book will stir you up to get hungry for the intimacy with God to recieve your own encounter.

I really liked this book. It encourages you to know there are greater and deeper encounters with God that you can have and a deeper place in Him where you can live. I shared it with a friend and she decided in the first few pages she wanted the book for herself and another friend to have to read and re-read.

I absolutely positively agree with all of the comments that were given.
I just wanted to add one. I love how Fife conveys his dialogue with the Lord -- there is such candor in it and I was like -- YES!!!!! -- he hears the same type of language, etc...I do! I'm not that weird after all -- I'm just Kingdom Normal :0)

Anyways, if you are considering purchasing this book -- get it and read it!!!! You will be immensely blessed. Fife is obedient to the Lord and sound in the Word.

This is one of the best books I have EVER read about the PRESENCE of God!
The only negative thing I have to say is...I regret that it was not in hardback. This is a book that I will gladly pass down through my generations. I normally do not write reviews but in this case...If the Rapture takes me away....This is the path to His Presence!

This book was a gift from heaven, for a month I savored every page, looked up every scripture reference and digested every line as I paused prayed and allowed the Holy Spirit to speak to me, I had a journal next to me, it became a "must" for the Spirit would give me so many things . I literlally brought revival to my heart, God used it to bring Spiritual insight into His ways, His purposes, His heart, I'm very greatful for this book.

I found myself shocked and surprise about the begining of this story The Secrets in the Grave. The story had taken place in a rural town in northern Pennsylvania in the mid 1970's, Two succesful people that go by the names of Marty Dillion who is a lawyer and a doctor who name is Stephen Scher.

These two men were tareget practing with rifles and shooting at clay pigeions. When Stephen had fired a shot from his rifle, accidently Marty was in the way and got a bullet in his chest. Marty had died in less then a hour before the authoritys and help came.

Stephen had told the authoritys that Dillion had accidently shot himself which he had manage to keep a straight face to make it look like he had nothing to do with the murder. If i was in stephen shoes i wouldn't beable to live with myself with out paying the consequences. I would have told the truth and less of a charge would be bought. But by lieing he would be getting himself into more trouble in the years to come by. There is a secret that is laying beneath the ground that will help authoritys solve this case but it will not be found right away. We will just have to continue to find out how they will solve this case.

The book is a typical true crime book but it does provide background information about the mysterious accidental shooting death of beloved Pennsylvania attorney, Martin Thomas Dillon. He goes on a shooting trip to Gunsmoke with his supposed friend, Dr. Stephen Scher. Ironically, his friend is having an affair with Marty's wife, Patty. It's practically common knowledge. Sadly, the death was first ruled as an accident but Marty's family persisted to know the truth. They didn't believe Marty could accidentally shoot himself. The book is an easy read and I was more interested in the relationship between Patty and Stephen, the doctor and nurse. The author does an adequate job in providing details and reasoning. I felt sorry for the children, Michael and Suzanne Dillon, who would be raised by Patty and her second husband, Stephen, in New Mexico. Only a year later, the couple married and remained married until Stephen's arrest and trial. I don't think he could have gotten a fair trial or jury in the Montrose area. Anyway, he testified on his behalf which allowed a conviction. He is serving time in prison. Ironically, his former wife Ann was on the verge of suicide at the news of Marty's accidental death. She moved on and remarried happily to a wonderful guy.

A great book, but...I wanted more character description. It is very obvious who was willing to be interviewed by the author and who was not (namely, Dr. Scher and his wife Pat Dillon Scher). I guess they felt they would come out worse than they already do in the story. This book has been one of the saddest true crime stories I have ever read. Almost all of the main characters are despicable, but you can't put the book down.

The author does a superb job of bringing the reader all the details of the gruesome murder of Pennsylvania Attorney Marty Dillon.... June 2, 1976 Marty and his friend, Dr. Stephen Scher, went hunting.........according to Dr. Scher, Marty got killed while chasing a porpupine, when he tripped and his gun went off.... Before two years were gone by, the doctor married Marty's widow...the town became a little suspicious, and Marty's parents always believed something was "fishy"......... It took 20 years of battling the system, but at last Marty's body was exhumed .... the autopsy showed that the wounds were not found to be self-inflicted and his death was finally ruled a homicide......... I don't read true-crime novels as I find them too gory, gritty and disturbing..........however, while visiting my Mom, and forgetting to bring the book I was reading, I looked through her large pile..........since she's not a reader of fiction, my selection was limited........] This book was a quick and compelling read...My heart broke for Marty's parents......I suggest you read it yourself and draw your conclusions..........as for mine, I'm so glad that our great legal system still (for the most part) works!

Maria Eftimiades has given us a well-written, well-researched book on a murder that took 20 years to solve.

I don't know who I was more disgusted by: the sociopathic, cruel murderer Stephen Scher (who drove his first wife, Anne, to the brink of suicide); Pat Dillon Scher, who remains a spoiled brat to this day; Martin Dillon's two children who "disowned" their own grandparents for wanting the murder of their own father to pay for his heinous deed (Suzanne I would especially love to slap) or Pat's parents, who raised her to think she was better than everyone else in the world and "deserved the best", no matter who she hurt to get it.

All in all, great book. Difficult to put down!

This book is filled with great information BUT as an executive recruiter Chapter 9 on cold calls is not just good but indispensible! It sure helped my cold calling routine.

What a great read! This is a great book that takes a refreshing new look at sales tactics. Not only do you learn new ways to sell, but also understanding the type of salesperson that you are. I've read many books on selling and found this one to be one of the best! An easy read that is packed with great information that is easily applicable to any salesperson.

"As executive editor of Incentive Magazine, I see a multitude of business books come across my desk and I have to review many of them. Selling Without Selling: 4 1/2 Steps to Success was a refreshing change. It was an easy read and I really got a lot out of your unique ideas on rapport building."
~ Jeanie Casison, Incentive Magazine

"Two days after I began using the Selling Without Selling system, my boss was told by my latest customers that I was the most professional sales person they had ever met. Thanks for making me look good!"

~Jim Smith, Jim Smith Chevrolet

Carol has really taken the time to write this book from both the brain and the heart. You learn to appreciate how selling can be an integration of who you are and what you aspire to be. Take that passion and apply it to selling. Her tricks of the trade are both personal and universal. At the end of the day you end up enjoying what you have ventured to do, having respect for yourself and the sellee. A timeless book, indeed.

Book arrived quickly and in shape described. I am very satisfied with the seller. Thanks.

I am interested in good clean stories that leave one feeling like life has some value. The A D Chronicles are such books. I would recommend them
for any adult's reading. The Thoenes are wonderful writers that have the ability to transport a reader back in time to share the action first hand.

This is the 7th book in the A.D. Chronicles series. This is the best series of books I have ever read, and I have read many. I would highly recommend this book. I am understanding the Bible better as I get insights into the history and traditions of the 1st century A.D.

I love this authors series. This one follows the life of Christ with very interesting characters. They weave truthful facts and stories into a well developed story line. I am always anticipating the next one in the series - can't wait! Very well written.

I have been reading the Thoene's books for over 20 years now. I have all except the most recent that I haven't purchased yet. The Thoene's are my all-time favorite authors. I love the insight to the history of the times: whether it's Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, post WWI going into the depression, the old west, or Ireland during the oppressive reign of over-lords, they bring you right there. You feel the emotion, understand what people's lives were like, and gain knowledge and insight you never had.

I would recommend ALL of their books!!!!

These reviews are all fictional, including the Ellen Tanner Marsh editioral review. Google her, she was paid off. Not all self-published books are bad, but this, supplemented by fake reviews and possessing no redeeming content whatsoever, is the lowest of the low in the literary world.

Shadow Fields is a wonderful book which captures you the minute you open and start reading the first page. I found that I could not put it down. D. F. Whipple's main character, Jack Maguire, comes alive immediately. You are sure you know him or someone like him and so you keep on reading because you really want to know what will happen.

When you read this book you will feel the impact of the story because it hits home for many of us who are control people or who know control-type people--this is such a story where Jack Maguire who has money, power and all that goes with it. His journey of how he handles the gamut of life, death and all the ramifications that come with his decisions will keep you riveted. Like many, we can relate to Jack's successes, failures and finally the impact his lifestyle had on himself, his family and friends.

I most highly recommend this wonderful book--you will love it. I know we will be hearing more from this new, exciting writer--D. F. Whipple. Remember this name.

As a minor, upon reading the synopsis of the book, I believed the subject matter would prove to be too far removed to be of any interest to me. But - as I found myself increasingly engrossed in Jack's marital and familial trails - I realized just how universal Whipple's message resonates.

The style is uniquely his own; fresh, inviting, and ideal for Whipple's forays into matters of philosophy just as much as it is for his quick, dry, descriptions of the world in which he explores. Also of note is the feeling one gets upon reading his work; one is left with a need to contribute a voice to the issues he raises and pick up the pen themselves. Personally, the inspiration derived from his own ambition contributed greatly to my overall enjoyment of Shadow Fields.

Nor is his diction daunting or off-putting. Indeed, most passages from the book read at a fast clip. I point this out not as a flaw, but as a compliment - no unnecessary words are used nor does, at any part, the story slow to "pad out" the read. I believe Whipple has found a way, through combination of word and wit, to marriage Aristotelian philosophy with the best of modern writing.

Wall Street would appear to be a complex issue to introduce to unfamiliar readers but this is handled expertly within the text. In fact, all technical issues seem expertly handled under Whipple's guidance; an astounding feat most especially for a first time novelist.

My only gripe would not be the way in which Shadow Fields was explored, but in the way it wasn't; I felt that Whipple, himself, was on the cusp of some greater illumination that glimmered repeatedly throughout his writing but was left absent from the greater body of work. (Although I would like to point out that all conclusions Shadow Fields draws upon the morale of the human condition do not fall to stale, idle, abstractions. All insights are fresh without a feeling of disconnect from the reader) This arises, perhaps, from the many threads woven at Jack's childhood gone unacknowledged by the close of the book.

However, I did find the conclusion a satisfying end. (I'll attempt not to give too much away.) Not all ends were wrapped up but this did not lead to a cheapened feeling. In fact, one feels that Jack continues to exist in pursuance of the Great American Dream.

I highly recommend this book to all who are interested and to those looking for a fresh, inviting take on an issue grown long stale in the literary world. I have already picked up Snooker Glen, his second delve into the literary world, and look forward to seeing what new devices Whipple has forged.

From the moment I opened this book, I knew I would want to know everything there is to know about Jack's life. I felt every pain and victory with him. The writing is truly glorious. Thank you D.F. Whipple!
Stephanie D.

If you have ever heard someone describe seeing Springsteen at the Stone Pony *before* Greetings from Asbury Park, or saw LeBron play basketball in high school, you can get a sense for how I feel having read D.F. Whipple's Shadow Fields. The book is beautifully written, not just engaging but engrossing. That it comes without the hype of a major publishing house makes it even more delicious.

Shadow Fields tells the story of Jack Maguire, a man on the fast track who gets to the top and wonders what he has sacrificed and whether he should change course. But this is a fresh take on this not uncommon story.

I'm no literary critic, so I can't delve too deeply here, but the highlights of the book for me were the characters and their conversations, which are vivid and oh-so-real; the examination of the marriage, which will have anyone in a relationship doing some soul-searching; and the fact that I did not want to put this book down.

The book also passes my other tests: I will give it to friends confidently; and I will read it again myself to delve deeper into some of the important themes.

Look--I'm rooting for Whipple, in part because he is not backed (yet) by the big publishers. I just ordered Snooker Glen, his second novel, although I wonder if an author who scores big with his first novel can possibly nail the second as well.

And I recommend this book highly. You will enjoy reading it, and it will get you thinking. And someday, we'll all boast about how early we were aboard Whipple's career.

You don't have to be a gardener to appreciate all the similarities between getting back to nature in your own back yard, and finding inner peace. Eva not only gives you many fresh ideas to cultivate your own garden sactuary but she dually shows you the steps you need to truly enjoy the sanctuary you have built. This book makes you realize how much nature can soothe and revitalize our tired souls. With all the books on the market that promise self help and inner peace, I have never seen one put these ideas to such practical use. Eva gets her message across with humor and knowledeable advice you'd oly get from a good friend. Do yourself a favor and read this book from cover to cover.

Eva's done it again. Imparting her down-to-earth good sense, she talks with her reader - never at them - as only a friend could. A perfect book for these turbulent and unsettling times, Eva reminds us what is good in life. And, she encourages us to take the time to enjoy it, too. A must-have read for all gardeners - or those who want to garden.

To borrow from a popular credit card commercial: Shovel It : Nature's Health Plan, $16; gardening gloves, $5; a pack of seeds, $2; Eva's words of inspiration, a mitt full of soil and endless hours of soul-soothing enjoyment - priceless.

Eva Shaw's Shovel It: Nature's Health Plan is loaded with good ideas for gardeners and would-be gardeners. It inspired me to start a garden journal(one of her many suggestions), and caused me to come up with some new and exciting plans for my garden this spring. Eva helped me remember that a garden is a tremendous source of pleasure even when it is a lot of work!

Eva Shaw has created a wonderful way of living through gardening in her book, Shovel It: Nature's Health Plan. But, more importantly, this is a book for everyone to read - even if gardening is the furthest thing from your mind. Eva Shaw keeps her book uplifting with a wonderful sense of humor and beautiful quotes. This is definitely a book you will want to share with everyone.

Reading Eva Shaw's book was like sitting out in the garden having a heart to heart chat with a best friend. Shovel It came about b/c the author was curious as to why gardeners appear happier and healthier. She's done her homework and now even reports in the AMA state that gardening could improve your life, maybe even save it per Dr. Shaw and her research.
The subject matter is wonderful, chock full of ideas and suggestions at growing a garden that is perfect JUST FOR YOU.I loved the "gardening personality" test and so will you. But what I especially loved is Eva Shaw's no nonsense, down home friendly way of writing.I just love this book...it is upbeat, positive and downright funny at times. But it also hits on the truths of the ups and downs we ALL experience in life and how the simple act of gardening can and will restore us. I've already given my sister a copy and I want to order 10 more for gifts. If you're a gardener already, you will defiitely smile and relate to these pages. If you're not, read it because I bet you'll be a gardener before you're done. Thank you Eva Shaw!