Form-3 Books

This book is incredible. I wish this book were around when I was a baby. It would make my doctor's appointments so much easier. I'm so grateful that I can do this for my baby so that she'll have no questions about her medical records from day 1. My only complaint about this book is that it's impossible to find. When I first heard about this book 4 months ago, I searched everywhere to get it. I just now found it. I'm not sure if it's out of print or just in high demand, but it's difficult to find. If it were easily accessible, I would be giving this as a baby gift for every shower I attend.

I purchased 2 of these books as I have two children 23 months apart. I found this book to be invaluable in keeping their medical records straight and in one place. I bring the books to their pediatrician appointments with me and document everything right there - great space provided for well visits, illnesses, surgeries, medications, etc. Even my pediatrician thought it was terrific - she had never seen it. And for when my children are adults, they will have a good history of their health for their own familiy records. I have recommended this book to all my friends who are parents as indeed a must-have. All moms seem to know about "what to expect when you're expecting" and I think all need to know about this as well. Kudos to the author!

This book is a blessing. When my daughter was 6 months old, she had numerous recurring medical problems, from ear infections to allergies. I searched and searched for something to record all of the information that I was trying to keep track of. I was so desperate that I thought about authoring some type of journal myself. However, I stumbled upon this Medical Journal, and it is truly wonderful. It has sections to record anything about your child's medical information. Truly Wonderful!!!!

I received this book as a gift and I LOVE IT. Being a new mom this book has given me an understanding of what to expect at each doctors appt. It has also helped me with tracking any medication that my little guy has used. I find it hard to remember names of all the drugs out there, and then trying to remebered if they worked? This book has help me track that kind of information, plus all the other details I learn at each doctors visit. The one addition I have made to this book is I have added tabs to each section. When I am in the doctors office I like to flip to diffrent sections of the book while talking with the nurse or doctor. I can get the answers faster in my book that the nurse or doctor cana by flipping through thier files and charts. I now give this book to anyone having a baby, it is the most valued gift we have rec'd... and it is for life. Thanks for a great book.

This book is a wonderful baby shower gift! Everyone I have sent it to loves it. This book helps you to record your child's medical records in an easy organized way. With today's HMO environment it is a way to keep your doctors informed about past history and family medical problems as well. I buy 12 at a time. You can never have enough on hand for gifts! If you love your child you must own this book. It could save a life!

this book was made into a movie by stanley kubrick that won 4 academy awards. it relates the amazing adventures of the most dishonest man in history, redmond barry. it chronicles his unlikely rise to the top and subsequent comeuppance. he is fond of fighting, lying and ripping people off. despite his love of dishonesty and treachery, and his total lack of compassion for other people, he sees himself as a good person because he only hit his wife when he was drunk, at least for the first three years of their marriage.

Having seen the movie "Barry Lyndon" by Stanley Kubrick years ago, I was taken aback by this book which is so markedly different than the 1975 film. In the book, Lord Bullingdon is actually the hero, where Kubrick presented him merely as a cowardly cad. Redmond Barry (later as Barry Lyndon)deserves all the evils that befall him and his first person narrative is quite humorous especially when blaming everyone for his own shortcomings. Unfortunately, the ending leaves one a bit unsatisfied, quite like the dismal end of Mr. Lyndon himself. This novel is not on the level of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair", but fun to read nonetheless.

When one is about to take the big plunge and give oneself the trouble of making what is always -in our age of lighter reading, of course - the strenuous effort of reading a XIXth. Century novelist, one - at least me - must make the following question: What was this author's particular attitude, as a man (or woman) of the most bourgeois of all centuries, towards his/her preceding century, the most aristocratic and un-bourgeois XVIIIth. Century? If s/he scorns the XVIIIth. Century, or is indifferent to it, it's quite likely that the author in question is a bourgeois philistine regarding Victorian times as the undisputed acme of human civilization. If s/he is an admirer, than s/he is obviously starting out of a clear sense of alienation from his/her own society, and one should expect at least for this XIXth. Century _avis rara_, genuine sense of humor. Thackeray was one of such Victorians who realized the philisteism of his own society;Eça de Queiroz, his Portuguese disciple (who seems to have learned a lot from reading him) was another. Therefore: Read this book, QED.

Having seen the movie "Barry Lyndon" by Stanley Kubrick years ago, I was taken aback by this book which is so markedly different than the 1975 film. In the book, Lord Bullingdon is actually the hero, where Kubrick presented him merely as a cowardly cad. Redmond Barry (later as Barry Lyndon)deserves all the evils that befall him and his first person narrative is quite humorous especially when blaming everyone for his own shortcomings. Unfortunately, the ending leaves one a bit unsatisfied, quite like the dismal end of Mr. Lyndon himself. This novel is not on the level of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair", but fun to read nonetheless.

Here, in this relatively obscure work, Thackeray is at his ironic and satiric best. Modern critics lightly dismiss the book as a piece of journalistic hack work, but it is much more than that. Redmond Barry, later Barry Lyndon, chronicles in a fairly sophistocated and always lighthearted manner his rise from a poor Irish country boy to the astral heights of polite English society from 1750-1820. Mr. Barry is always Machievellian in his way, and is quick and efficient with his sword. He is Odysseus, Holden Caulfield, Don Juan, and Nabokov's Humbert Humbert merged. In a word, he is very, very entertaining and very, very good. The book's only glaring flaw is it's belabored and uninspired ending. But it is much worth reading to watch Redmond Barry when young

It is not a beginner's book. Sometime it can be too complex for a normal person to do. If you are intermidate or up then enjoy...

This is an outstandig ballooning book. Captain Visual gets 5 stars from me. After reading this book you can turn any room into a super party fun zone! Congradulations Captain Visual! If I could give this book 100 stars I would. The ballons I made from this book saved me from a crisis when i forgot to get decorations for my sons big birthday party. This book truly lifted my spirits.

This is an outstandig ballooning book. Captain Visual gets 5 stars from me. After reading this book you can turn any room into a super party fun zone! Congradulations Captain Visual! If I could give this book 100 stars I would. The ballons I made from this book saved me from a crisis when i forgot to get decorations for my sons big birthday party. This book truly lifted my spirits.

WOW! This book is a MUST for anybody who wants to learn ballooning! It has everything, from simple to complex! And it's got great diagrams to help explain the process. This is the only Captain Visual book I own, but I've seen others, and they are ALL wonderful. He does some really good stuff. I highly recommend this book!

This is an outstandig ballooning book. Captain Visual gets 5 stars from me. After reading this book you can turn any room into a super party fun zone! Congradulations Captain Visual! If I could give this book 100 stars I would. The ballons I made from this book saved me from a crisis when i forgot to get decorations for my sons big birthday party. This book truly lifted my spirits.

Barton's work is amazing. I've seen many of the pieces featured in his book and they are breathtaking and hilarious.

Anyone who has ever collected anything will be mesmerized by this book.It shows what it means to be bitten by the urge to "collect".There are many terms used to describe it; collections,assemblages,amassment,stockpile,assortment,bunch,hoard,gathering and many other descriptions. The thing is,that with a personal collection ,there are absolutely no nules,other than those the collector decides to impose upon himself. Even then,the only reason for restrictions is that the collection is forever struggling to get out of hand;not that some object isn't worthwhile. The one thing every collector soon learns,and which is immediately evident with this collector and his museum and book,is that the real fun is in acquiring the object and the people and experiences along the way.No sooner is an object added to the collection,catalogued and given its home,in a box,drawer,shelf,cabinet,or whatever;that accomplishment is absorbed;now onward and upward to the next.
Some collectors start off with the objects in mind and set out to acquire them.The author does some of that,as do any collectors,but his approach is to be totally open for any item;and in most cases had not even thought of the object before it ,or the opportunity, presented itself.
I have always admired the art of collecting,even as a kid;and as an adult have a special admiration for a collection that is unique or "off-the - wall",such as this one. How anyone can go through life and never collect anything always amazes me.I guess come people do it with money,taking trips,buying companies,having mistresses,or whatever;and isn't that all the same thing?
The author with his collection shows that it can be,but it is not necessarily,a matter of money,to build a collection. Even in his case,when people get to know what his interests are; the "stuff"just keeps coming and coming.
Keeping the whole thing focused and controlled becomes a major problem.
Personally,I have been a collector most of my life.
The first one I dreamed up as a kid was a twig collection.In my hometown was a Government Experimental Farm featuring,trees,plants and other agricultural sciences. One day,I noticed that trees were labeled with their species in English and Latin. So,off I'd go with my little notebook,pencil and jackknife and clip me a twig. I would display it by splitting the twig,exposing the inside,alongside with the bark .
There is no limit to what one can collect other than ones imagination,and of course where to keep it all.
In no way,have I taken this obsession as serious as the author;but I do have something from my time in New York,where I worked a block away ,while they were building The World Trade Towers.During the initial excavation;I picked up a piece of the bedrock.It is a piece of Gneiss ,with tiny,sparkling ruby-red Garnets in it .Worth nothing but its sentimental value. Then later, when they were covering the outside of the the plaza with marble,I picked up a piece .There was a pile of scrap pieces.Though,who would have thought at the time,these pieces would have made great bookends.
I am sure every knows someone who collects something,be it stamps,coffee spoons,Election paraphernalia,coins,matchbook covers,swizzle sticks,beer cans,puzzles,books,postcards,etc.I have a friend who collects a little soil,sand or stones,from famous spots,beaches etc. and displays them in little bottles. Worthless, but for the memories.
I have another friend who ,has a fairly large property ,and through the years collected various species of birch trees, and now has probably the largest collection in the Province.Part of his enjoymentis in having Naturalist groups visit him as he tells the source of them and the stories behind them.
All in all ,a fascinating read for anyone bitten by the "collecting bug".

As you browse the book you think, "How did the artist get this stuff? How do we know it's authentic?" Then you trust that it is, because he would have artistic integrity. "Who cares!" you say to yourself. You're in the next phase of enjoying the book - the voyeuristic delight of being so up close and personal to all these bizarre snipets of fame and history. What a collector! Thoroughly enjoyable!

I think that readers will most enjoy this book if they, like Benes, have a compulsion for keepsakes. But this book is not a typical museum (even though Benes calls his curio cabinets "museums"-probably ironically?). He preserves mostly mundane everyday objects that are identifiable as extraordinary only by descriptive captions; this is what makes his work fascinating. But Benes doesn't approach "preservation" as a museum would; like saints' relics, he willingly destroys some objects to maximize the number of relics, which he then sells. Most museums would never do that--at least not with a typical painting or sculpture. When Benes got Julia Child's mug, he apparently broke off the handle. He put a Picasso lithograph in a blender, and then sold it in cocaine bottles by the gram. Eventually, when down to the last vial, he blended the remainder with plain paper and sold "cut" Picasso. His work made me think about why we preserve what we do, what it is we are trying to remember and record about our lives and our society, perhaps especially why a brush with celebrity makes an object special. The joy of the book, however, is Benes' storytelling. No less voyeuristic than marveling at his friend's prosthetic testicle or Eunice Shriver's toothbrush, there is guilty pleasure in reading the stories of how Benes or his friends acquired the relics... often by stealing.

I gave Curiosa to friends, relatives and business associates for Christmas this year and it was a hit every time. The book itself is beautifully produced, with gorgeous photography and excellent design. Benes' text is funny, engaging and insightful. Leafing through the book is addictive; once started, it is difficult to put down. I hope Benes produces more books of his work. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil author John Berendt's humorous introduction tells the story of how he saved a prescription medicine bottle ("one nasal douche, use twice daily or as needed") belonging to Roy Rogers for 30 years, not knowing what to do with it but not quite being able to throw it away. When he meant Benes at a dinner party, he knew he had finally found its ultimate home, in one of Benes' museums. Some of Benes' relics could cause squeamishness in a different context, but Benes' work and in particular the beautiful presentation in Curiosa, makes them palatable and meaningful to virtually anyone.

From its very beginning until the end the book contains adaptations of software design and architecture patterns to the field of dating. This makes dating an engineering discipline. It is a fun book, though the author claimed on her homepage that the patterns somewhat resulted from personal experience and so there was some truth in the patterns proposed.

The fun a reader might experience for sure while reading this book may result both from his or her a priori knowledge on software design and architecture patterns and from his or her insight into the specific subculture the book talks about.

OK, when I saw this under the tree I thought that the Gang had a new little workbook deal out or something, and then I saw that there was a silhouette of a naked woman on the front and that it was very very doubtful that this was going to help me figure out distributed programming. But at that point I didn't care anymore and it is now officially my favorite gift. Applies the rules of patterns (strategies, refactorings, all that) to dating and it's hilarious. Definitely a kick for anyone with even remotely geeky tendencies.

It's like the Gang of Four had a little too much to drink (or something) at a National Lampoon party and went home and wrote a sequel. I think my favorite pattern is goTo guy, which is prefaced with a note that the article "GoTo Considered Harmful" doesn't apply to dating patterns. Haven't tried any of the patterns since my SO disapproves strongly of multithreading.

I don't know what kind of mind is so into patterns that they come out the other end with this book, but the result is very funny. You need to be a geek to get it, but if you do it's definitely worth it. It's a satire of patterns and of some fairly leading figures in the computer industry. Basically the authors say that the Gang of Four came up with these dating patterns in college: Trojan Proxy, Interested Listener, Half Bad Boy Plus Protocol, Unexpected Persistence, Container-Managed Relationships, etc. Christopher Alexander was in on it, too, starting off kind of geeky and playing Dungeons and Dragons and going on to be a dating machine.

I've never laughed this hard reading a patterns book. (Well, OK, I haven't really laughed much at all at patterns books.) Can hardly wait for the book on refactoring. Wonder if Martin Fowler was dating refactoring god in college?

We all know that software development has benefited tremendously from design patterns. But I had no idea what you could REALLY do with patterns. Fortunately, my partner Bert was a beta tester for some of these patterns, and let me tell you, without half-bad-boy-plus-protocol, I'm not sure he would BE my partner today ; )
If you have a brother/friend/co-worker geek in your life who is still single and searching, you might want to slip this under the tree as, you know, a "gag" gift. But it's really a lot more than that--there's REAL dating advice in there! Don't be fooled by the fun; this book is really stealth love-life-improvement wrapped up in a package that will look funny and geeky and won't embarass the guy who needs it. He can put it on his desk or bookshelf where it'll look right at home next to the Dilbert-a-day thing. It'll make every developer/programmer (and yes, even the *architects*) laugh out loud, but secretly they'll be learning how to apply a pattern language of design to... dating. (Sorry, no sex patterns in this edition, so if the advice works and you find yourself in a successful dating scenario, you're on your own for what happens after that. Perhaps there'll be an eXtreme Dating (XD) version?)

Heck, forget the single guys--if you're a woman, you might give this to your partner if he's forgotten (or never knew) how to *act* like he's trying to sweep you off your feet.
There's one more reason I like this book... if even a fraction of the guys who work in cube farms take up the advice, the workplace will get a lot more fun and stimulating! How could more chocolate, games, and toys at work be anything but GOOD? (Yes, they really are girl magnets...although they might be guy magnets too, but that's OK too... the more friends you have in your camp, the more likely it may be that one of them will introduce you to your next hot date. And don't forget the puppy.
This is no fluffy, foofy, self-help, mars vs. venus, get-in-touch-with-your-inner-whatever book. You'll find all the things that make a software developer feel right at home, beginning with UML. If you've read GOF or just skimmed it, you know what to expect from the format.
So, get it for the humour, get it for the practical advice. And for gosh sakes, go get a slinky, a couple of unusual action figures (there's even an Einstein action figure now and a Starbucks-style barrista--either one a better choice than G.I.Joe) and some chocolate, right now, and put them on your desk tomorrow.
Have fun!!

Modern "philosophizer" and Saturday Night Live scribe Jack Handey's second installment in the Deep Thoughts series falls short of the author's own criteria for literary greatness ("at the very end, there's a page you can lick and it tastes like Kool-Aid" says Handey of the ideal novel), but it is nonetheless a consistently funny collection of a unique brand of humor. Handey's offbeat musings, familiar to viewers of early 1990's SNL, are somewhat more sophisticated than fortune cookies, much more readable than Nietsche or Chomsky, and funnier than all of the above. The book contains close to 100 Deep Thoughts, ranging from some which provoke a thoughtful chuckle to others which will have you laughing out loud before you even finish reading them.

If you are a Handey fan, chances are you already have this book. If you are unfamiliar with Deep Thoughts, I recommend you check out this book for a simple but hearty laugh - it is a nice contrast to the political satire, funny golf books and comic strip collections that dominate humor publishing. For as Handey says, "Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis."

In short, it's easy to sit there and say you'd like to have more books by Jack Handey. And I guess that's what I like about it. It's easy. Just sitting there, rocking back and forth, wanting those books.

Jack Handy is well known on SNL, but it's not until you read his words on paper that you realize the scope and depth of his thoughts. He is without a doubt one of the funniest people of all time, and I'm sure that even the legendary Mark Twain would have been seriously impressed with the wit and humor of Handy.

as expected with jack handey, the book is random and so dog gone funny. (i think that the postcard book is funnier, just fyi). my only real complaint was that the book is cheaply made. there are only about 5 black and white ink-jet quality pictures of nature used, and then on top of that they are repeated throughout the book. perhaps that adds to the handey charm.

enough said, jack handey is a genius, what else could you want?!

If this book doesn't cheer you up, nothing will. I suppose you have to get the humor... but if you do you will read Jack Handy thoughts and laugh just as hard as the first time you read it.

For some strange reason, the Don Camillo series is hard to get. Guareschi is in the small category of authors whose works shine with a gentle, simple humour. Think of him as an Italian James Herriot or PG Wodehouse. I suspect that the English translation dampens some of the verbal gymsastics (aka Wodehouse), but the stories still shine through with a charming simplicity.

Each story will bring a smile to your lips.

I was about ten when I read my first Don Camillo book. I think I found and read all the rest of them in two weeks (Finding was the hardest part). I think these books transport you to a different world, the world of Don Camillo and his flock and the problems, boy the problems *L*! The humor is mostly unparalleled, subtle yet makes you laugh out, everytime! Guareschi is certainly in the same class as Wodehouse et al.

I fell in love with Don Camillo's Little World (a little Italian village on the Po River) over 3 decades ago, when I was ten. I delighted in the perpetual battles between Catholic Priest Don Camillo and Communist Mayor Peppone, and the admonitions of Christ (from the crucifix above the altar). The dialogues and characterizations are magical, hilarious--and so true to life that the author affirmed that many things he wrote about actually happened afterwards! I also love the black and white line drawings of the devil and angel who are forever warring with each other. I suspect they were the inspiration for my own simple drawings which I use in my books on China (Amoy Magic--Guide to Xiamen and Fujian, Fujian Adventure, and Mystic Quanzhou--City of Light). Too bad Don Camillo is not out in Chinese!
Buy this book. It will captivate everyone, young and old! Dr. Bill Brown, Xiamen (Amoy) China. Amoymagic.com

I found this book purely by chance - it is superb and is currently doing the rounds of my family. Definitely buy it - if you can get a copy. This was my first introduction to Don Camillo and I am trying to acquire the rest of the series. Brilliant short stories about Don Camillo and Pepponne - example being letting fireworks off during Pepponnes Communist speach and giving him a 'kick in the backside'. a top read.

I was about 12 when my father brought me home a copy of "The Little World of Don Camillo", and I couldn't put it down. Over the years I have searched high and low for more of these delightful stories (with varying success). They have the attraction of being interesting, humourous and heartwarming all at the same time, and have a great appeal for children and adults alike. They also show a real understanding of human nature and the human condition. Often when I feel a little low I pick up Don Camillo and cheer myself up again.

The stories are set in a little village on the Po river in Italy soon after the end of World War II (note that some stories are set later than this, although most are set in this time period). They deal with the never-ending rivalry between the local parish priest, Don Camillo, and the communist Mayor, Peppone. I really can't recommend these stories highly enough.

For Eeyore lovers, this is a must read. It is short, cute and reminded me of "The Tao of Pooh," but Eeyore style. It was gift quality and in good condition. It arrived well packaged with bubble wrap and extra TLC. Thanks!

If you love Eeyore you'll love the Eeyorisms in this Book. The pictures go along with every page of Eeyore Wisdom. I am sure anyone who buys this Book will treasure it--I Really recommend getting Eeyore's(Gloomy)Little Instruction Book.

Just 5"X6" this charming little book, inspired by A.A. Milne, makes an excellent gift. It has delightful illustrations and lots of sage advice from the beloved dreary donkey. Have a copy on hand for yourself to read on those days when you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself and are on the verge of becoming a whiner. It always makes me laugh at myself and there's nothing like a laugh to lift the gloom...but don't tell Eeyore. If you don't like this book just remember what Eeyore said, "Don't blame me."

...doesn't mean you're going to get any honey." That's kind of how I felt. This book, overall, wasn't quite as witty as I had anticipated. But then, don't the teachings of Eeyore the wise prepare us for such a moment?:) There were a few very cute quotes, but most of it was fluff. The art was most enjoyable, though, and I loved the book despite the fact that it fell short of my expectations. I wouldn't recommend Eeyore's (Gloomy) Little Instruction Book to just anyone. But the artwork and the few really good quotes, not to mention the beautiful binding and quality paper, make this book the perfect gift for every Eeyore fan; indeed, their library will not be complete without it!

This small book makes an appropriate gift for anybody who appreciates a nice laugh while reflecting on life. Each page takes you through some of the adversity and fortuity that Eeyore encountered in the A.A. Milne books. Cute quote: "When someone says `How-do-you-do,' just say that you didn't." It's remarkable regarding the optimism that comes from our beloved little donkey.

Believe me this book is a must have for writers, students, professional and anyone who wants to add new words to their vocabulary. I've been using this book since I was a teenager when I began writing poetry. Now while working on my first novel I'm still using it. I also like to just read it for information and I find that the section that gives the origin of the words to be interesting. If you purchase this book you'll find that it's much more than your standard word finder.

I am a licensed interpreter. I am continually analyzing words in order to interpret them. This is the best word reference book I have ever owned. I wanted to buy a couple copies for gifts and was disappointed to find out it was out of print. If you can find a copy, grab it.

I have written a dictionary and have studied them for years. In my opinion, the R. D. Word Finder is one of the very best books of its type. What I particularly like about the book is the care with which commonly confused words are disambiguated. See, for instance, the distinction explained between strategy and tactic. Then compare the distinction made in RDWF with what is commonly presented in most other word references. I think you will then see that the RDWF is really quite good.

I purchased this book for college, but still use it over 10 years later. It is the most throrough thesaurus I have ever used. When I am at a loss for words, it has all I ever need. It also provides numerous word choices for several uses of each word. It is disappointing to use any other thesaurus after this one. I am sorry to see that this book is out of print.

This is the most functional thesaurus that I have ever used. I attempted to buy one for my entire family, and learned that it was out of print. Reader's Digest should reprint another edition for all word lovers.

For those of us who could never afford a Lichtenfels piece, this is the next best thing. The realism and detail she is able to achieve in cloth is phenomenal. The beautiful large-format all-color photography does justice to these amazing works. One of the most important artists in the field.

You don't have to be a doll collector to appreciate the art dolls created by Lisa Lichtenfels. Her dolls are more like people than anything else. The work she does with needle and thread, batting, wire and nylons is phenomenal. If you are a doll artist, then this is the book to take you to the next level in doll artistry. I would highly recommend this book for the art collector, doll collector as well as doll makers who want to become doll artists like Lisa.

Outstanding book on a unique artist with the professional photography that matches her work.

Buy for yourself, coffee table, inspiration!

A must have for all doll makers for whatever reason!

For those of us who could never afford a Lichtenfels piece, this is the next best thing. The realism and detail she is able to achieve in cloth is phenomenal. The beautiful large-format all-color photography does justice to these amazing works. One of the most important artists in the field.

For those of us who could never afford a Lichtenfels piece, this is the next best thing. The realism and detail she is able to achieve in cloth is astonishing. The beautiful large-format all-color photography does justice to these amazing works. One of the most important artists in the field.