Locked-in

This book is written for anyone concerned about an older parent, grandparent or other older adult who has a problem with alcohol or mood-altering medications. It is the only book I've found that covers this topic so completely and, not only does it explain the problem clearly, it offers practical steps to help the older person get the right kind of help and live out the rest of their golden years sober -- able to, once again, enjoy family, grandchildren and friends. Best insight: many of the things attributed to aging can be a result of addiction. With sobriety, many or all of the problems go away.

I have suffered from food addiction for many years. This book has helped me dig deep into myself to find out when my eating disorder began. If you suffer from an eating disorder or would like to better understand how an eating disorder affects the life of someone you care about, this book is definately worth purchasing.

This book gave me what I'd been searching for -- a guide to help my 67 year old mother who has a serious alcohol problem. She didn't remember conversations, slurred her words, had falls during the night, had bruises on her face and arms, ate poorly, isolated from us and her friends, and refused to see a doctor. I slowly watched my wonderful mother change before my eyes. I couldn't even trust her to babysit her grandchildren. This book not only gave me the information I needed, but helped get my reluctant brother and sister to finally agree to get our mother help. I give this book my wholehearted endorsement and recommend it to anyone worried about an older parent who has an alcohol problem. I haven't found any other book like it.

We live in difficult times for citizens who take seriously our responsibilities of active involvement with the policies and directions of "our" government. More and more it is clear that we are in a phase where the corporate interests own and direct the directions and programs undertaken in out name. Ordinary people have little or no power to influence policy. Likewise, the flow of information allowed to filter down through the mass media is more and more limited and controlled by the same forces, thus effectively silencing public debate of the most important issues. In "Why Bother" author, Sam Smith, honestly addresses this condition, dangerous to the very foundations of our democratic way of life, and he offers a variety of active responses enabling the citizen to envision a "life in a locked-down land".
This is not a pleasant book. It confronts the readers with a stark vision of where we are and describes ways of living in the face of that reality- in paths fashioned to maintain personal integrity and perhaps eventually engender social change as well. Smith offers no easy or quick solutions. The book is clear about the danger and destructiveness of the present path our institutions are embarked upon and about the power ranked against genuine efforts of reform. Yet, for myself, I value my own and Sam Smith's effort to see social and political "reality" for what it is. It is refreshing to live with a clear and coherent vision of what the issues are, even if they be difficult and unpleasant ones. To live in a world of lies and ingenuineness, to be a helpless, witless target of government and media propaganda is not to be fully alive. For those who prefer to live in the light of this difficult truth, I highly recommend this book!

We live in difficult times to for citizens who take seriously the responsibilities of active involvement with the policies and directions of "our" government. More and more it is clear that we are in a phase where the corporate interests own and direct the directions and programs undertaken. Ordinary people have little or no power to influence policy. Likewise, the flow of information allowed to filter down through the mass media is more and more limited and controlled by the same forces thus effectively silencing the range of public debate. In Why Bother Sam Smith honestly addresses this condition, dangerous to the very foundations of our democratic way of life and offers a variety of active responses enabling one to envisiion "a life in a locked-down land".
This is not a pleasant book. It confronts its readers with a stark vision of where we are and the ways of living in the face of that reality- in paths fashioned to maintain integrity and eventually engender change are neither easy nor promising of quick solutions. It is clear about the danger and distructiveness of the present path our institutions are taking and about the power ranked against genuine efforts of reform. Yet, for myself, I value my own and Sam Smith's effort to see social and political "reality" for what it is. It is refreshing to live with a clear and coherent vision of what the issues are, even if they be difficult and unpleasant ones. To live in a world of lies and ingenuineness, to be a helpless witless target of government and media propaganda is not not be fully alive. For those who prefer to live in the light of this difficult truth, I highly recommend this book!

After reading Sam Smith's online "Undernews" newsletter for some time, and being impressed with his analysis of current events, I bought this book. After two complete readings of the book I think I understand the gist of Smith's message -- but only after struggling with Smith's complex (and dismal) view of the current US political/social situation. I come away from my reading inspired to "bother" and to get involved in some of the ways that Smith suggests.

The following paragraph from the book's Introduction captures his theme well:

"Why bother? Only to be alive. Only to be real, to be made not just of what we acquire or do under instruction, but of what we think and do of our own free will. Only, Winston Churchill said, to fight while there is still a small chance so that we don't have to fight when there is none. Only to climb the rock face of risk and doubt in order to engage in the most extreme sport of all -- that of being a free and conscious human. Free and conscious even in a society that seems determined to reduce our lives to a barren pair of mandatory functions: consumption and compliance."

"Jean and Dinah" offers you an insight into a country that does not only exist as palm trees and white beaches. The paly offers an inside perspective on a culture that has to deal with poverty and social problems. 'Jean and Dinah' - the two heroines - are two Jamettes that lead and live a fight against colonialism and history. Carnival, Trinidad's most important event of the year, functions as a frame for the drama. In Trinidad Tony Hall's drama is considered to be one of the most important dramas in contemporary writing. Whoever wants to get to know Trinidad and its people should put the Baedeker (travelling guide) aside and read this play.

Sandy Stoll aus Stuttgart Deutshland

The context of the play commands Caribbean, but especially Trinidadian, jamette history - all those who live below the diameter of respectable society. Badjohns such as Mastife, Batonier and Hannibal, and legendary women of the streets such as Alice Sugar and Boadicea (Bodi) are invoked as part of its natural landscape. Creole language is also interestingly utilized, commanding calypso as poetic and literary referential points along with Shakespeare and the Romantics.

Rambai Espinet, Poet

Toronto,

I couldn't put it down because of the adventures,Arthur and Francine had.

I am a second grader. I think this is a very good book to read for a kid my age. It is a very exciting and funny book. I think it is the best "Arthur" chapter book I have ever read. I think you should read it.

I enjoyed this book very much. The suspense built until the end. Very nice plot twists. I recommend buying this book ... if you can find a copy.

The kids love the graphics and the story is fun. Being able to use the CD in a MAC, PC or an audio Stereo is a real plus. I intend to get the other books in the series soon.

The book is not only the second funnest accelerated reading book I ever read, but I also liked how it asked questions at the end of the page. And it was a really fun book to read.

TJ McBride 7 years old

My six year old daughter loves these books, and I agree with her. The protagonist is a clever girl who solves mysteries primarily through visual clues. The story stops from time to time and alerts the reader to figure out some question before proceeding, which is very helpful. The difficulty level is about age 6-12, and it's a fun series for both kids and grownups.

I really enjoyed reading the novel, Locked in Time, by Lois Duncan. She has great ideas and uses details in her writing, which makes you feel like you're actually in the story. I give this book a 9.5, with 10 being the highest. I enjoyed the novel, but it isn't a favorite of mine. Lois would describe what Lisette, one of the characters, looked like, instead of saying "she was pretty." Showing, not telling, helped me visualize what was going on and helped keep me interested in the book. The storyline was about a girl who goes to live with her dad and step family down in Louisiana. She finds out her step family has a very big secret they'd been hiding for a long time. When she found out, they were going to try to get rid of her. This was a very interesting novel with a strange, but exciting, storyline. If you like suspense and entertainment, I think you'll like this book.

I had to read this book as a noel study for school in gr. 7. I couldnt believe how good this book is! It's the kinda book u start to read and never wanna put down(i didnt always have that option) I couldnt believe how the clues built up. The first clue was how she saw death in Lisette's eyes. Imagine seeing death in ur own stepmothers eyes! Then she had the dream about her mother telling her she was in danger. What i don't understand is why Nore ignores her gut feelings. Then she has this incredible awareness of time. And at dinner that first night Nore's stepsister Josie starts talking about a fire that happened 50 years ago. Then Lisette didn't want Gabe coming with nore and Josie to town. They live in a totally isolated place where u can't get help easily. They don't have a phone and Lisette doesnt want one. And how Lisette didnt want Gabe taking Nore and Josie to the 'Teen Dance Machine' and how Nore overhears Josie and Lisette's conversation about how Nore was a danger because of her 'uncanny awareness of time' and how she didnt want a romance to happen between Gabe and Nore because she was afraid Gabe might tell Nore about a deal Lisette had made. That day when Dave came to Shadow Grove to see Nore and Josie thought he was there to see her when he left she threw a tantrum about how ugly she was and how she was going to be 13 forever and time wasnt going on. And how Gabe's ex gf Felicite was dead and they had been going out for 'a long time' and then Lisette told Nore to go fishing with Gabe. Nore had also mentioned earlier that she couldnt swim which was a major clue! Gabe tells her she doesnt have to come if the water made her feel uneasy. Then Gabe asked her to go away with him. To california or something. He was trying to protect Nore because Lisette wanted her dead and Gabe likes her. He also tells Nore that he ran away with Felicite and they were going out for 8 years even though Gabe is only 17. Gabe tells her they went out when he was 17 when Nore asks how they started going out at 9. Nore doesnt understand what he's talking about and thats all im gonna say about the book! If you havent read it it's a MUST read! it's so suspenseful and they build up clues and suspense throughout the chapters. It's the best book of read!!

Every teenager's first impression of their father's or mother's new marriage is that they will not like the new family at all, but isn't it awful when someone you think you can love and trust tries to kill you? That is exactly what happens to Nore Robbins in the book Locked in Time, by Lois Duncan.
In my opinion, Locked in Time is a good book with a lot of mystery. Nore's dad is a widower who marries a widow named Lisette Berge, who has a son named Gabe and a daughter named Josie. The Berge seem like a pretty nice step-family to Nore and her father, but what Nore doesn't understand about her new stepmom is why she is so over-protective about privacy.
The mystery doesn't begin there; it starts when Gabe tries to get Nore to run away with him, and when he tries to kill her on a boat ride. What is Gabe trying to hide from Nore? Another thing is when Josie takes money from her mother to give to Nore so she can go buy a plane ticket so Nore can get away from her step-family. One thing that will go through your mind is if Nore's father is in on the Berge's plan or not, because he never seems to be around when "accidents" happen to Nore. So that is why I think this is a good book with mystery.

As someone in political science, I found Reich's book an endlessly fascinating read, for several reasons:

1) His wit and humor, which he was not afraid to aim at himself.

2) Seeing national policymaking from a Cabinet Secretarial perspective, which we almost never see in books. You literally see how and why the Clinton Administration struggled with its attempts to follow through on some of its significant policy reform promises of 1992. You also see through Reich's eyes the intense competition for just mere access to a President's ear, particularly between White House staffers and Cabinet Secretaries. Finally, he states clearly one main obstacle he and other Cabinet secretaries face in policymaking and implementing: the cross-pressuredness from organized labor and free-trade advocates and how they "keep talking past each other" without seeing the partial truth in each other's positions.

3) How Reich raises some serious macroeconomic policy questions regarding economic globalization, free trade, income equality, job security, and how they possibly relate to each other and to other non-economic issues facing the nation and the world. One criticism I do have with Reich's work is that he perhaps goes overboard in citing over and over again his arguments from "The Work of Nations" and other previous books.

Note: Reich also has admitted to exaggerating about experiences with conservatives (i.e. at the National Association of Manufacturers' meeting and before one House committee) where he wasn't as "roasted" by them as he claimed to be in the hardcover version. However, we are reminded that this is a book about his own personal experiences as Secretary of Labor, so naturally we'll be seeing everything through his eyes and his political & ideological points of view.

In short, this book works on many levels, especially in the sharper focus and perspective it puts upon the seemingly maddening and confusing dynamics of 1990s politics.

Mr. Reich's book, Locked in the Cabinet, is really a wonderful way of looking "inside" government. He is painfully honest and painfully funny too. His assessment of the other cabinet members is interesting to read and hash over in your mind. His comments on missing his family, as he is in Washington and they are in Cambridge, are touching. Finally, his study of public policy in the areas of work is extremely educational. Mr. Reich: won't you please come back to Washington? America needs you!

I was reading this book at the beach when two security officers appeared on the scene and carted off two rather attractive women. They had been sitting less than ten feet in front of me, and apparently had caused a significant disturbance by smoking marijuana. I was so deeply buried in the text, however, that I was completely oblivious until the officers showed up. Needless to say, I found this book to be highly entertaining and engrossing.

I started this book hoping to get a better sense of the internal workings of the Clinton administration. On that count it delivered, but the book also provided an insightful look into many of the other element driving Washington - Congress, the media, lobbyists, unions, political consultants, Alan Greenspan, etc. While I don't agree with all of Reich's views, I really appreciated his wonderful sense of humor and his keen insights into both people and policies. Except for the most jaded of conservatives, I think anyone who has even a passing interest in politics would enjoy this book.