Full Books

Written with intense passion and gusto by a 36-year veteran of education, Full Glass Half Empty dares to ask the difficult questions plaguing the world of education: Why is education America's least respected profession? Why are teachers America's least respected professional? Why are students America's least served client? This book explores a variety of topics such as: No Child Left Behind, parent involvement, teacher training, the role of assessment, teachers' salaries, school boards, staff development, special education, gifted education, and more. Throughout the book, the author wrestles passionately with a dichotomy: educating children vs. schooling them. Despite fully acknowledging the problems with our current public school system, Ron Voeller does not ignore the successes of our schools. He even offers a thought-provoking blueprint for success. The author's remedy is not so much a reform report as it is a call for action. As an educator, I was inspired by his call and anyone who reads this book will respond accordingly. Full Glass Half Empty offers remedies and, perhaps even more significantly, raises further questions to be explored. Mr. Voeller's passionate plea can be summarized in three words: America deserves better. The time to start performing at a higher level is now. Mr. Voeller shows that education is a project constantly in the making and one worthy of our passion, time, and funds. This is straight from the heart of a teacher who dedicated his life to his students and an administrator who wanted the best from his teachers.

This book is an up to date view of current issues in education.
It would be valuable for any student who wants to enter the profession of teaching. It is great material for discussion and lends itself to a undergraduate or graduate seminar.

This book was the clearest at explaining the workings of the body as it relates to eating. I really understood, for instance, how a can of pop is contributing to the health or deterioration of my body. There is nothing preachy about their appoach. The authors respect that we have the right to make our own decisions about our health. They simply equip us with the knowledge to make educationed decisions for ourselves. In layman's terms this book teaches a no diet approach to eating healthy for our physical wellbeing and also for maintaining a healthy emotional and spiritual self - all in the context of eating. What I like also, is that the book is set up so that, after reading it once, you can continue using it as a daily guide as you facilitate changes.

The book is great! It makes the mystery of the body and how it works so clear. It puts all the pieces together so you can clearly see how you get stuck and how to move on in your life. Thank You Thank You Thank You

Behind the Scenes tells you everything you need to know. With it there are some behind the scene pictures of the show and it tells you about each character in the show. The book also has a quiz in the back and you can keep track how many episodes of Full House you have seeen.

This is where my Mary-Kate & Ashley craze all began, reading this book all about all the charecters of the show Full House. Great book, also has a trivia quiz!

The story of a young girls struggle to survive to reach adulthood living in extreme poverty. She survives so many harrowing situations living with no roof over her head for many years with no loveing care. Her ability to see beauty in the absolute worst conditions of abuse and neglect leaves the reader hungry for the next page and obsessed to find out how she will survive. A wonderful spiritually uplifting triumph revealing the inner hope that carries the human heart past the pain and suffering this world can inflict.

The story of a young girls struggle to survive to reach adulthood living in extreme poverty. She survives so many harrowing situations living with no roof over her head for many years with no loveing care. Her ability to see beauty in the absolute worst conditions of abuse and neglect leaves the reader hungry for the next page and obsessed to find out how she will survive. A wonderful spiritually uplifting triumph revealing the inner hope that carries the human heart past the pain and suffering this world can inflict.

This is the final volume in the Full Metal Panic manga which brings it right up to the point where the first anime ended. Gauron has gained control of the Danaan and holds Tessa and Chidori's lives in his clutches. One false move and he won't hesitate to kill them. While Gauron knows that both of the girls are "Whispered" he has no idea that they can communicate telepathically. The girls hatch a desperate plan to take back control of the ship. Meanwhile, the Danaan's crew are virtual prisoners, locked by Gauron in the hangar, and he's thinking about cutting off their oxygen! Only Sousuke and Kurtz have gotten out and set out to rescue Tessa and Chidori, but they'll have to contend with some of the crew that turned traitor and now serve Gauron.

If you've already seen the Full Metal Panic anime series, there's really nothing new here. But that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of seeing a different interpretation of the same material. Retsu Tateo's art is spot-on and she has handled the mix of humor and action quite elegantly throughout the entire series. Most of volume 9 is missing comedy but the artist does a good job of conveying the energy and suspense leading up to the final battle between Sosuke and Gauron. The manga does a better job of conveying the affection between Sosuke and Chidori than the anime did. I'm sad to see this series end.

Sadly, this is the last graphic novel for the FMP series, according to the illustrator's notes in the back of the book. That said,

It does clear up and finish the main plot that has been building with Gauron, the Tuatha de Danaan, and Chidori. At the end of book 8, Kaname, worried about Sosuke as he returned from a mission, was verbally rebuffed by him and fled, crying, making her examine her purpose on board the TDD. As she flees, she runs into Guaron and two traitors, who hold her hostage and then take over the TDD in book 9!

Gauron, to assert his power, reprograms the computer to listen only to him, and then commences an attack on an innocent battleship nearby, but only after setting up a false Fire Drill to isolate most of the crew. Sosuke, feeling as though something is wrong, and realizing that he had been harsh to Chidori, defies direct orders and joins Kurz in a mission to save the ship and Kamane, who is just as determine not to "be annoying" and to save herself. Then Tessa plays her hand to rescue the day and her crew, but it is Kaname that saves everybody at the end (not spoiling it!). For another variation, see the end of the DVD series--Kaname's part is beautiful!

For more books on the FMP series, check out the Boku-Tachi website.

Cd, complete book and lyrics and music and lyrics arrived promptly as advertised. Completely met my expectations. Would buy from this vendor again.

The fine quality of the book amazed me with its completeness and illustrations. At the same time I got the original Broadway cast recording. Having both was magical. A few days after receiving my copies I auditioned for the show and was cast!

This is one of my favourite Wodehouse books!
Wodehouse is a wonderful tonic at any time; I always feel better after a trip to Blandings. Partly is it the wonderful Lord Emsworth's reverence for the Empress and the Zen-like peace and contentment he finds at her side. The pace of this story was zippy, the dialogue top drawer, and the characters particular and engaging as always.
I'd like a t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan: "Read more Wodehouse!"

Full Moon is one of the better Blandings Castle episodes and is graced by a delightful set of illustrations by Paul Galdone that increase the fun.

When there's a young American millionaire in the woods, the British nobility are apt to trot out their finest-looking, young unmarried women. In the latest generation, that's Veronica Wedge, daughter of Lady Hermione Wedge who is the sister to Clarence, ninth Earl of Emsworth. What Veronica offers in beauty, though, is more than lost in brainpower. So one needs a very shallow, very rich American for her. But unexpected difficulties arise because Freddie Threepwood, Clarence's not-too-bright son, is in charge of squiring Tipton Plimsoll, the American millionaire, around.

Tipton has been on a toot. He's just come into his money and seems dedicated to drinking it up. But some red spots lead him to wonder if he's overdoing it. A trip to the doctor's office warns him that seeing spectres could be next. That observation becomes the basis of a running gag as Plimsoll comes to regard another young lover, Bill Lister, as a spectre whenever Plimsoll sees Lister. Frightened by Lister, Plimsoll decides to go to Blandings to take the cure for his alcoholism . . . and falls madly for Veronica Wedge.

A new problem arises though when Plimsoll perceives that Veronica and Freddie are very friendly. Assuming the worst, Plimsoll stifles his feelings and wanders around depressed.

There's a second romance that needs help. Bill Lister finds himself stood up at the registry office where his awaited his bridge to be, Prudence Garland. Prudence has been bundled off to Blandings Castle by her mother, Dora, also one of Clarence's sisters so that Hermione can keep the young suitor at bay. Prudence becomes annoyed that Bill won't give up on painting in order to run an inn near Oxford. And even if he gives up on painting, they still need 700 pounds to fix the old place up.

Into the breach comes Galahad Threepwood who wants all the young lovers to be happy. In the process, he introduces Bill Lister into Blandings Castle on three occasions under false colors and helps overcome Plimsoll's wavering.

Along the way, there's enough good fun and goofiness to amuse anyone.

Dear Beloved Reader,
Fasten your seat belt. Welcome to a true transport novel. Petrillo is in the driver's seat, and he will take you to Newcastle, England at the turn of the nineteenth century, in a passionate search for the "Werewolf" killer. Whether you are sitting on the tram with the killer, riding on the back of a horse driven coach en route to his house, or stalking him in a beautiful English park at night, the author is there with you, unfolding his drama with characters pulsating with life. I love what he says on Page 125: "Indeed, the cast of characters in this melodrama is a bit on the odd side of unusual."
This is a magnificently written book, carefully crafted with subtle details that bring it to life. His writing is a mix of Hemingway and A. Conan Doyle. When I was a child and sick, my father would sit in a wingback arm chair and read the Holmes stories: this is that kind of book. Please join me in
welcoming a great new writer onto the American literary stage..
With best wishes for an exciting journey of the mind,
Thomas Weisman

Petrillo grabs you from the beginning with a well written hook. Fast pacing keeps you reading and the ending does not disappoint. The setting descriptions from flaring gas lamps on Race Street to Sheffield Green give the reader a feeling of being in Newcastle during 1902. We go with Anne as she crosses Northumberland Street and the old Barras bridge to the Hay Market where she purchases a hot baked potato for a penny. Chilling murder and frightening English lore combine to hold the reader. We were engrossed from page one to the end in this classic tale of horror.

Authors Bill and Suzanne Mortimer
Los Angeles, CA.

John's story came to life vividly in Barbara Bitela's creative mind and hands.I was not aware of the German refugees in Shanghai during WWII. But Barbara starts the story in Germany giving a inside glimpse of the beginnings of the horrors, the narrow escapes of some, the denial of neighbors that ultimately leads to their demise, then on to the couragous story of John and his family. There were the cruelities of war of course but shining through were the strong Christian faith of the familytheir will to survive even when parted from each other, and the kindness of complete strangers, strangers from another culture. I couldn't stop turning the pages and when I finally did I thought: "wow, I wonder who will make this into a moving picture?

[...]Reading John's Story truly moved me. I was completely unaware of the refugees that fled to Shanghai during WWII and the pearls they overcame. May it be a reminder to others that history needs to stop repeating itself - but more importantly that faith helps us through the good, the bad ,and the ugly. God is with us no matter what. Tea and faith is what kept us going and it's what the world needs now. Also a special appreciation for Barbara Bitela - I am at the age that if the style of writing does not hook me within the first 10 pages, no matter how good the story, I will not read the book. But Mrs. Bitela has a marvelous narrative style - I could not put the book down - and the journey she weaves was completely riveting. This book will take you on a satisfying and rewarding journey - and if nothing else remind us all what really matters in life. Thank you Barbara Bitela and John Ludwig. Sincerely... Mrs. E.M.Organ, Plymouth, UK

I finished reading this a couple weeks ago but couldn't get to a computer, or else couldn't use the one I could get to...same thing. To me this story is best complimented by saying I am reading the sequel, when I can get to a computer!

To me this is all about a nice elderly lady, Jennifer Green. Well you THINK she's elderly because she's 38, but pretty soon I wanted to invite her to play video games with me. She's so full of life. She's still young enough to look for love and does, and I'm saying this poor girl (yes by then I'm thinking of her as one) and I need to drink a few vailimas one night and tell each other our troubles. That was in MORNING COMES, In this one she turns it all around. Did I do a review of MORNING COMES? I meant to. Anyway, she finds her true match and they have all these bomb talks about all this Gem stuff, and WOW he really gets into it with her! So I guess I'll have to have a few vailimas and tell myself my troubles. But you can't help but be happy for her.

The dog is really great too. I love dogs and this is definitely one to love.

We both came from the same religious background by the way (not the dog, but Jennifer) and I like a lot of what she has to say on that topic, but then, just when you're about to invite her to play some video games the REAL video game, the video game within the story pops up on the screen, these elderly gods and goddesses (Mya isn't elderly, I have kind of a crush on her) and guess what, these gods and goddesses have no power! Totally bomb! They can't make poor Jennifer rich and famous, they can't get her Collecting History published, totally unbombly, but really great too, because in Jennifer's cosmology (is that someone who does makeup?)it's all up to you folks.

I read Why Is the Rose and the Pyramid A Collector's Item? so I had some background in this. And of course there is much more of same in Morning Comes: the Pre Dawn Blues - Part 1. MORNING COMES really has Jennifer going bonkers, but here it all smoothes out, proving that elderly people can have love too! And it's very nice. I missed seeing more of those elderly gods and goddesses but there were just enough to keep you hooked on to the Gem program, but here you get to be happy with a really nice lady. It was a really nice reading about marriage too. I haven't read too much on that and it was really bomb.

Another really nice story Linda. Where do you go to convert to Gem?

I just finished Full Moon Rising (The Books of Gem), the Third of the Gem books...if you count The Rose and the Pyramid (The Books of Gem) as the first instead of parallel, as the author is wont to do. I haven't read THE ROSE yet, but I did read Why Is the Rose and the Pyramid A Collector's Item? Inasmuch as it purports to be a partial amendment of the original work, I feel as if I've at least become acquainted with it.

After THE ROSE is Morning Comes: the Pre Dawn Blues - Part 1 when Jennifer Green, her world in something of a shambles, returns from many years in Portland, Oregon to her home town of Florence, Colorado to pick up the pieces. Jennifer is 37, with a failed marriage [though amicable divorce] and a mountain of debt. She has an even bigger problem, though...

She is beginning to doubt herself.

You see, during the rollercoaster ride that was her life in Portland, she wrote a book: THE ROSE AND THE PYRAMID. Jennifer discovered a Great Truth somewhere along the way. At the core is an outlook on life that holds that, subject to a Higher Good...or THEE Higher Good, human "wants" are not only okay, they are the path to happiness, and turning them into "haves" is the achievement of happiness. Happiness is even good...yes, is even better than the ennobled suffering of organized religions. Wrapped in layers around this core is an entire theological construct, with Creation and History accounted for within this vision of ultimate happiness.

While in Portland, Jennifer outlined this entire Truth in THE ROSE AND THE PYRAMID. She KNEW that once the book became a best seller,and how could it not become a best seller...it was TRUTH[?]... this New Truth would replace the conglomeration of partially true but ultimately fallacious thinking of the world's great religions and thereafter all Humankind, with hands joined, would together move toward the sunny uplands of Unbounded Joy.

The book didn't sell, her fragile health collapsed and she was back, doubting herself... at times unbearably so....living with her mom.

Both in her "religion" and in her heart, it was essential that Jennifer discover her True Mate, for it was with him that the remaining Books of Gem would be completed, they would all be on the best seller list and the semi-divine couple would unlock all the gates that barred Humanity from its dreams.

By the time Morning Comes: The Pre Dawn Blues - Part 10 is finished, the reader is in love with that nutty chick and really wanting her to succeed. Wanting her to find her True Mate, wanting her to be respected in the town that largely admires her guts and determination, but otherwise thinks she's a straight royal flush short of a full deck. Wanting her to push The Gem Project through to happy completion.

As MORNING COMES is completed, sweet Jennifer's head is a little higher off the deck, mind you, but she ain't there yet.

FULL MOON RISING is a delight for such a reader.

How can I sum up such a book in a few paragraphs? Summarize the highly readable, yet undeniably multi-faceted product of the author's complex yet soaring mind?

It's not easy. An entertaining story shifting back and forth through time and dimension...from the humble to the divine...from the little Colorado towns of Florence and Rockvale to the Heaven-Planet Kashmir...from delightful friends to annoying creditors...from disappointment, depression and discouragement to devotion, desire and delight is hard to encapsulate....but I'll try.

Above all, to me, FULL MOON RISING is a love story, told with the delightful detail and eloquent description that characterizes Linda Shelnutt's writing generally. When getting the reader to FEEL the love Jennifer feels in her heart toward her True Mate {YES! she FINDS him!!}, Linda takes you on a trip full of familiar, universal emotion and unique experiences. She doesn't tell you it's True Love,she doesn't have to. You sense it, you bask in it, your heart is gladdened by it.

Along the way you meet some wonderful friends, enjoy the beauty of western scenery, and learn a whole lot more about this Gem Project Linda has created. There's also a wonderful dog named Ebony that, if you're a dog lover, reminds you of the greatest of that species that have graced your own life.

Also it's a story of dreams...dreams of a loving woman you hope will come true. Dreams of a couple as they reach out for happiness from years of the opposite. Jennifer Green O'Reilly concludes:

"A big heart contains many dreams.

"Some are meant to take root into fertile soil and blossom into fields of flowers.

"Some are meant to stay in the heart, as fuel to keep it beating... as quiet places in the mind to visit now and then for refreshment, when days get too long and weigh too much."

FULL MOON RISING is the story of Love and Dreams, set against the backdrop of a philosophy that puts them both at the core of true human happiness. Five Stars

John W. Cassell

John W. Cassell is the author of six books on the American Counterculture of the 1960's and 1970's, including Soldier of Aquarius: 1969-1970 and one politico-military thriller, Uncertain Paradise: 1973 all in the action-adventure genre. He is a frequent contributor to the Amazon-Connect Blog and has published three guest editorials in Israel National News.

Cassell retired in 2006 from a career in law enforcement that spanned from 1971. He and his wife of twenty-eight years live in the Southwestern United States after spending ten of the last twelve years in American Samoa.

This is as tender and satisfying a love story as you'll ever read. Particularly if you've read MORNING COMES, you will celebrate sweet Jennifer's victory in finding her True Mate! I'm a sucker for a good love story now and then, particularly when I'm obsessed with some tragedy or monumental cruelty reported by the media.

But hang on, folks, this ain't all. While Linda Shelnutt writes a killer love story, remember this is one of the Books of Gem and Jennifer has a few duties to perform with the help of her True Mate. Will she succeed in bringing Kashmir to Earth? Read and find out!

As an aside, I protest the nasty and irrelevant tags some unhappy soul put on this story. If he has a beef with Kindle, there are other places to state it, not on an author's hard and well done work.

Mark Hartley, Yuma, AZ