MR

I learned of the Museum of Jurassic Technology through this very short book, which begins with journalist Lawrence Weschler's description of the exhibits and then goes briefly into the history of museums and the history of this particular museum and its proprietor. But I already feel I know more about it than Weschler.

Among other things, the museum is a straight-faced, Andy Kaufman-esque joke, blending exhibits that look too nutty to be true, but are true, with outright hoaxes. Weschler, who apparently came into the Museum of Jurassic Technology with little of the sort of education or interests that would have prepared him for such a place, continually mistakes the veracity of the exhibits one way or the other until he researches each and every one, and in his writing he expects everyone to have had the very same reaction to the exhibits that he did.

In other words, he didn't get the joke, and he writes as though he expects us not to. For those, like me, who already knew enough to get it in the first place, reading Weschler's book is like hearing someone explain a joke -- it struck me in many places as laborious and unfunny.

Fortunately, the museum itself and Weschler's other material is fascinating stuff on any terms. Weschler does not do justice to the material, but the material is so strong it carries the book anyway. If the idea of visiting a museum that claims to have an X-ray bat that flew so fast it embedded itself in a lead block does not interest you, this is not your book. But if this sort of quasi-Fortean esoterica sounds like your cup of tea, you will enjoy reading about the Museum of Jurassic Technology, if only to know that a place like that exists and to daydream about visiting it someday.

I can't think of another book that has so altered my perception of how we process new information in a world full of unexpected and remarkable scientific "wonders." Are we easily duped? Are we natural non-believers or natural believers? Weschler really gets us going about objects found in the "Museum of Jurassic Technology" in L.A., then suddenly we're caught short - is the Director of the Museum kidding Weschler, just to prove a point about how gullible we are? Is WESCHLER making it all up? Is this book itself a curio from a "cabinet of wonder" and are we being asked to accept it as non-fiction? Does the Museum exist? (I even tried to find it in the L.A. phone book when I visited - couldn't find it. Curiouser and curiouser....does anyone out there know for sure?) This book made me want to go sit in on graduate-level classes in Museology - how do museum professionals really decide what information will go on those little cards next to the e! xhibits in museums? How easily convinced are we by the authority of those stark, compact little "explanations" that what we are seeing is what they tell us we are seeing - especially in situations where we have very little ability to check out the infomation? Can we believe the unbelievable? Should we? How do museums - how does anyone, really - manipulate the way information is delivered to the uninformed or the unconvinced? Weschler keeps his readers wonderfully off-balance about what he's describing - we are often half-way to believing impossible information because that information comes wrapped up with the bows & ribbons of an exclusive academic vocabulary. Weschler brings in the phenomena of "cabinets of wonder", brought back from the New World to the Old, full of objects which we know now to be real but which seemed marvelous and almost surreal at the time. This whole book is like a trip through a carnival House of Mirrors - you're just never quit! e sure that what you're seeing is real. Delightful and thou! ght-provoking in absolutely every way. And it's short to boot - no excuse not to sit right down and read it. Then read it again because you were so perplexed the first time through. Then give a copy to a friend.

This remarkable book documents, in part, the extraordinary collection of the Museum of Jurassic Technology, a small storefront museum in Culver City, California. The MJT is something of an anomaly, existing in some strange territory between genuine (though odd) museum and performance art piece. As Weschler walks us through several of these exhibits, we are ultimately left in a wonderful state of suspension between credulity and skepticism, simultaneously unable to dismiss the museum as a joke and unable to accept its wonders without skepticism. At times, the experience is very much like reading BorgesÕ elaborately self-referential fictions; at other moments, it feels like youÕve wandered into a Pynchon novel in which a deeply strange and hidden world lies beneath the surface of the real.

The second part of the book places the MJT in the historical context of the wunderkammern of the 17th and early 18th centuries, those vast collections of natural and artificial curiosities that served as the first museums. The articulation of a profound sense of wonder is at the heart of WeschlerÕs fascinating book, which is in fact astounding in its elaboration of a world stranger than many found in fiction. Enthusiastically recommended.

I was disappointed with this book. True, it does have a lot of interesting information and I totally agree with his method of training with respect and trust, not using force or aggression. But I bought the book expecting to find the answer to an aggression problem I'm having with an adopted dog, who IS being trained only with respect and positive methods. Instead, the book is full of examples of dogs with behavioral problems, and if you find one that correlates with a problem you may be experiencing, as you hurriedly turn the pages to find the solution, instead you read "the dog was brought to me and I retrained him...and now he's a happy faithful friend." No where did I find any information about Mr. Meisterfeld's training program. He admonishes dog owners for causing their dog's behavioral problems by catering to the dog and treating it like a human, not giving it territorial and psychological boundaries, not giving it a job, but again no specifics are given. Just what is his definition of these boundaries? Dog stays outside? Dog is restricted to one room in the house? And psychological boundaries - dog's every move and waking moment are dictated by the owner? What constitutes a job? Are daily obedience lessons enough? I am not new to the breed that I have and my previous dog was obedience titled so I'm quite familiar with training. This new dog was put on the "nothing in life is free" program from the day I got him and it has been very effective in establishing me as his master and setting behavioral boundaries for him. However, an aggression problem is new to me. I was hoping to find the answer in this book but instead am no closer to a solution than before.

I came across this book about five years ago, and finally, after having read so much literature on dogs, this was something that made sense, that was palatable, and that dispelled prevalent and dangerous beleif systems about how dogs need be physically forced, intimidated, and abused in the name of dog training, and the tragic consequences as a result.
This book reveals so much about the true unique, and willing nature of dogs, and includes a tremendous amount regarding dog psychology, and the impact we as owners have on their behavior.
Thank you Dr. Meisterfeld, for your wisdom, your intuitive depth, and insight, and your unwavering respect for dogs.
Man's Best Friend has a true friend indeed. His name is Dr. Meisterfeld.

Thanks

Alexandra Weynerowski
Victoria, BC

I found this book to be concise and thorough in dealing with dog behavior problems and solutions. A must read for anyone with an aggressive dog who doesn't want to "give up". Mr. Meisterfeld substantiates his theories with case histories which give hope to owners of biters or agressive dogs.

I, like the reader below, from Michigan, usually don't hit the Romance Section when looking for reading material. However, I am glad that I "mistakenly" bought this book, not knowing it's category.

Of course it's not "deep", I don't think it is meant to be anything other than what it is--a really fun, entertaining read. Actually it IS a bit thought provoking, makes one wonder what really goes on in the afterlife!

I couldn't wait to find out the "secret", and also, (blushing a bit here) really enjoyed the love scenes!

If you want to just get away from it all, have fun and laugh out loud, this is the book for you! Some of the best lines are from "Miss Piggy" the dog, so suspend your disbelief and just go with it!

If you have personally known a Corgi, you HAVE to read this. The story had all the makings of a very nice romance (plot, characters, setting, good guy/bad guy, tension) but Lydia/Miss Piggy is what put this story into the VERY GOOD class. Ms. Carmichael took a whole new approach--a dog's eye view--at romance and our ideas of life-after-death and pulled it off hilariously well. I've always been a dog and cat lover, yet I know that not every dog could have the "attitude" Miss Piggy does. It works!!! If you're not a dog lover, maybe you should read this book to find out what THEY really think of YOU! A very fun read.

Lydia Keane is murdered while having an affair with her best friend's husband (the husband is also murdered). Before she is allowed to go to her eternal rest, however, Lydia must atone for her sins by finding a new husband for her now-widowed friend, Amy. The problem is that Lydia doesn't get to go back to earth in her own gorgeous body--she has to be in a dog's body. And not even a classy dog like an Afghan or an Irish Setter, but a short, scruffy, sausage-shaped Welsh Corgi.

As a stray Corgi, Lydia is adopted by Amy and named Miss Piggy. Amy, a freelance photographer who spends her weekends at dog shows and other people's weddings, was always the shy, bookish type without many boyfriends, but Lydia has *plenty* of experience with men... and before she knows it, sexy, wealthy, charming TV celebrity Tom Gordon is paying lots of attention to Amy--but so is Miss Piggy's new veterinarian, Jeff Berenger: definitely not rich, nor very stylish or handsome (not to mention those two holier-than-thou Border Collies he owns). How can Lydia/Miss Piggy steer Amy in the right direction when she is a prisoner in Amy's home (and has to deal with Amy's other two Corgis) and can't even talk?

When I first heard about this book, I was pulled two ways about reading it. Being a lover of both dogs and romances, I loved the premise--but I knew I would be disappointed if the author couldn't pull it off. Thank goodness I took the risk--Ms. Carmichael more than pulls it off, she makes it stunning. All of the characters--primary and secondary, human and canine--are multi-dimensional and well-rounded. Dog lovers will enjoy the dog shows, herding trials, and interpretation of canine senses; romance lovers will enjoy the building relationships, sexual tension, and, yes, actual dating (it seems that in many romance novels, characters never go on any dates, just fall into each other's arms). Ms. Carmichael makes a humorous premise believeable, and I'm ready to read more of her books, whether they have dogs in them or not.

When MR IVES' CHRISTMAS was first published, I read the book in just about one sitting, promptly purchased a number of copies of the book, and gave it as a Christmas gift to close friends and family. I still find myself buying multiple copies of the book as presents. The book tells the story of Edward Ives, a character Hijuelos has lovingly created. Ives' life is a mixture of joy and tragedy. Christmas is significant in this novel since many of the joyous events in Ives' life happen at Christmas, yet it is ironic that many of the tragic events of Ives' life dovetail the Christmas too. Immediately the reader connects with Ives. He deserves his wonderful wife and his model son. Ives' world is turned upside down when his son, who longs to be a priest, is killed in a senseless act of violence. Ives' becomes obsessed with reforming the young man who murdered his son. The book could easily be cliché. He is a firm believing Catholic, but he is no saint. He is a wonderful husband, but his marriage is troubled at various points. He wants to reform his son's killer, but he is also tormented by depression and loss.

The book is not necessarily a heart warming book. The Christmas story does not magically transform the events that have taken place in the book, but Ives' belief in, and questioning of the miracle behind the Christmas story is perhaps what makes the book so complex. The faith of Edward Ives is real and lived. The book does demonstrate, through a memorable and likable Edward Ives, the pivotal role that faith can play in a person's life, and how faith helps us cope and live rather than understand all the answers to life's questions.

It's a diamond that cuts into the great spiritual wasteland. Oscar Hijuelos nails the virtues of moral truths and redemption of love, forgiveness, compassion -- those simple selfless qualities that our world considers trite. He does it through an amazing story of a quiet, humble man whose deep faith inspired: Ed Ives. This book is among my top favorites ever. I laughed, cried (blubbered while reading parts to my wife, actually) . . .

Another wonderful Oscar Hijuelos novel-- so different than "Mambo Kings" yet so powerful. Hijuelos has done what thousands of sermonizers and preachers could never do. He has exemplified faith through the story of a real man in a real world with real problems. Edward Ives is not perfect and his struggle to find God is not dramatic - it takes his entire lifetime, but a simple faith sustains him. I'm not Catholic, but this story demonstrates how the church and those that are a part of it can be God's instrument in an imperfect world -- just the opposite of the tremendous beating the church has taken recently. "Mr. Ives' Christmas" is a beautiful story, the people are real, and the theme is profound. The author has made a powerful statement in a calm & quiet manner.

Ford moves beyond the Dark Curtain that seems to have descended sometime in the late `Eighties and early `Nineties into a joyous celebration of life as it is and always has been among us. He examines the world we live in not through any perceived or special angle but through us as "Beings-in-the-World." Certainly, he makes concessions for our unique perspectives, and, particularly, our fears, but what sentiment comes across more than any in this collection is our realization that we all - gay, straight, whatever - make our own unique way in this world, while at the same time proving that we are all human, that we all share the same laughter, the same disappointments and the same ability to look upon one another with a cynical and still-loving eye. This book is a joy. Read it, laugh, be wry, and weep. Ford is a master of the well-chosen word, and he provides his essays with a geography of irony few can match. The only reason I gave his book a four instead of a five is because in this milieu we cannot afford to even joke about violence towards others, even towards those who are violent towards us. Let's take the high road.

I recommend all of his books (Alec Baldwin doesn't love me) - they are very funny, well written and really amusing. I am constantly disappointed by gay humorous books (like Bob smith's lame book) but Mr. Fordn never disappoints.

Since the chapters are so short it is great for reading on the train or before bed.

I can't wait for his next one.

My best friend and I read and quote MTF's essays as if they were the Holy Bible itself. This is perhaps among the funniest books I've ever read (with MTF's others also up there) and perhaps among the most absolutely hilarious volumes ever published. Whether you are gay, straight, or any other flavor of sexuality, these essays are simultaneously true to the core, bitingly and sarcastically witty, and often serious and moving.

Dave

Oh, this was *such* a fun story!

Cherry Adair takes a faintly taboo subject - man/woman love towards your step-siblings - and makes a wonderful and sexy romp!

Cat Harris, daughter of a serial relationship mama, wants a family. A real family. One she gets in spades when her mama marries into the Van Buren family. Her mama doesn't stay married, but Cat remains close to her step dad and step brother. Luke isn't really nice to her and Cat spends years hoping for Luke to turn into a real big brother.

Unfortunately, by the time Luke turns into her dream big brother, she discovers she's helplessly in love with him.

After the death of Luke's father, whom she's been taking care of, Cat decides to join Luke in the "big city" and try to land her a husband - and she decides Luke is going to help her. She figures that Luke will realize she's there...and available...and he'll fall in love with her.

What follows is an absolute delight. And if you can keep from laughing during the opening scene of the book, you have more control than I do!!

This is a small book and my first by Cherry Adair; about Step-siblings. Cat Harris loves Luke, no blood-kin, and wants him to love and notice her as his sister. As Luke turns into the perfect brother for Cat, she discovers she is in love with him. He discovers he is attracted to her and trys to ignore the way he feels so he can be a "perfect" brother. The story is delightful and at times I literally laughed out loud. I fell-in-love with Cat and Luke as they SEAL their fate. And I fell in love with Cherry Adair's sensual,sexy, and warm writing style.

Catherine Harris has loved Luke Van Buren since she was six years old, when her mother married his father, and he became her stepbrother. She's been in love with him since she was sixteen. But Luke knows how hurt Cat was by him when they were kids, and he's resolved to make it up to her, and put his desires on hold. But Cat has other ideas, and sets out to seduce him within an inch of her life. Little does she know that Luke doesn't need to be seduced, that he's been in love with her forever. However, a little persuasion can't hurt!
This book had me laughing out loud at some of Cat's antics. The beginning was hilarious. It's also a VERY sexy read. I'd recommend it to anyone!

After Black Ajax the idea of an essentially serious Fraser novel is a little less strange; when this came out, though, it was viewed as a definite anomaly in the middle of the Flashman series. It's an excellent, grown-up book that rings some interesting variations on classic western and innocents-abroad archetypes-- in some ways the answer to H.L. Mencken's famous jest that Henry James could have been a really great writer if only he'd gone west instead of east to Europe.

The straight-shootin' ex-cowboy at the center of Mr. American is, for all his supposed outlaw background, ultimately as much of an innocent as one of James' flowery young debutantes. Having made his pile out west (by means rough and tumble but less vicious than all the Londoners like to imagine), he goes to Europe to find refinement, culture, and-- he imagines-- the decency that life out west lacked. Of course he finds the exact opposite in an Edwardian England that is morally rotten and on the verge of the greatest iniquity of all, the mad self-destruction of World War I. Fraser does a beautiful job of making Mr. American simple enough to be disillusioned yet not so naive as to be comical; this is a fine, intelligent read, and-- though this is hardly the highest measure of a novel-- with its blend of John Ford and Merchant Ivory, such perfect movie material that it's hard to imagine why some aging star like Eastwood or Harrison Ford hasn't snapped it up and won an Oscar with it.

If you've never read George MacDonald Fraser, you've been missing out on one of the best novelists of our time. His Flashman series chronicles the hilarious, ribald adventures of Harry Flashman, the most reprehensible (and charming) rogue the British Empire has ever produced. While the Flashman Papers span the Victorian era, Mr. American takes place about eight years before the outbreak of World War I. It's the story of an enigmatic cowboy/miner named Mr. Franklin who arrives in London with two six shooters, and a bank draft for a fortune in silver. Why is he there? How did he make his money? I wouldn't even dare to reveal the twists of this fascinating, funny, adventurous plot. (Watch out for the aged Sir Harry Flashman who makes a cameo appearance!) This is the kind of addictive story that will make you skip work or cut classes so that you can finish it

Mr. Fraser has a fabulous ability to mix history and fiction, and paints wonderful pictures, builds complex, realistic characters, and has great narrative skills. I have never read anything that I have enjoyed more. I recommend it strongly to anyone.

This book is quite unlike your typically self-help books. It provides the reader with a 'slant'on the intricacies of finding a mate. The best thing about the book is that the reader can use it to improve their own personal characteristics AND see if that significant other is really the one for you.

Although the art of graphology is quite new to me, I found the book quite interesting. Also this is an easy read for those of us with little to no time for leisure reading. You can choose the 'hour' of your choice for traits you find the most important in a relationship.

As far as validity of the science of graphology, I'm totally not bought on it yet. After I recieve my in-depth analysis from Ms. East then I'll make judgement. Until then, I think Ms. East succeeded in creating an interesting, thought provoking tool to use for understanding that special someone.

He says all the right things, but does he look good on paper?? That's the question I asked myself after reading "Mr. Write." How could I (how could anyone) resist the temptation to find out using the well-written, clear and insightful analyses provided by Ms. East. Intelligent, witty and sometimes disturbing, Ms. East shows us how cryptology reveals a person's personality through the simple act of writing a note and how anyone can can apply those theories. In addition, she provides easy to understand examples. So, if you're wondering if he's as good as he seems, or too good to be true. Is he kind, open, generous and straightforward or critical, controlling and deceitful? Find out for yourself. By the way, I did. Fortunately, I learned enough to to confirm what I already knew, which was, that while the gentleman in question may not be Mr. Right, he's perfectly suited for Mr. Right Now!! So I'm keeping pen and paper handy while my search continues.

I'll say this much: When I've put a few handwriting samples to the test, the theories in this book have been eerily dead on. I'm looking at my own handwriting differently.

Combining a look at graphology and a quest for romance is what I call applied science and Ms. East pulls it off in language both fun and easy to read. Shelve this one next to your dictionary and thesaurus.

Theresa is a teacher by day, and a bar cruiser by night. It's the seventies, and everybody's doing it, and as often as they can. I first read Goodbar a few years ago and have read it a total of 5 times since. It's a haunting story, one that gets into your blood and won't let go of your concious thoughts for days after finishing it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about the inner turmoil women face when confronted with situations where their sexuality faces off with their morality. I would also like to point out that the film based on this book and of the same title confronts the issues of sexual independence with stark and vivid imagery. I would recommend reading the book, though, before seeing the film as the book delivers a real kick to the theoretical groin while the movie doesn't delve as deeply into the mind, the heart and motivation of its main character.

I read this book in my third year of undergraduate study in English. This book challenges the paragdigms of the 50s and 60s and also serves as a coming of age story. Theresa is a very complex character whose actions are sometimes laudable but most always easily understood by the reader, and sometimes by Theresa herself. This book impacted me greatly because I identify with the protagonist. I am anxious to read it again and determine how it will affect me at yet another stage in my life. I highly recommend this book, but I especially encourage young women to read it. It is beautifully crafted and Rossner has the ability to profoundly affect every reader with her vivid imagery and insight into human instinct.

This is definitely one of those novels that is like a car accident-- it's ugly, but you can't look away. Rossner's hypnotic writing style and pitch-perfect characterization will hook you from page one. What is perhaps most haunting about this work, however, is not being ushered into this dark, lonely way of life that Theresa Dunn leads but rather finding out just how many similarities you share with her. This book will definitely stay with you, which isn't the best feeling, frankly, but trust me, if you don't read it, you're missing out on a superb literary experience.

A boy, somewhere in Vermont, never thought he would be in the Civil War. Willie Johnston impulsively enrolls in the army. Although too young to be a soldier, he enlists as a drummer boy with little experience. Willie is not the only Johnston going to Virginia to fight. His father also went with him. Willie meets many friends and struggles along the way.
When Willie arrives in Virginia with his father, he learns, to his disappointment, that he and his father will be separated into two different Companies. To top it off, his new friend and cabin mate, Russ, dies in their first battle. But there are a few positive things that happen. He meets Julian, who works at a small hospital. He also befriends Jeb, a soldier from the south side, who trades products such as tobacco, blankets and other things needed from side to side.
Now all Willie has to do is overcome the many obstacles of war. I suggest this book to people who love the Civil War. G. Clifton tells a heroic story of a young boy.

6th grade student from OHES

I read Mr. Lincoln's Drummer. This book is historical fiction. This is a high 5th grade book. There is a lot of gore and sadness. You would love this book if you like to learn about the children of the Civil War and if you like to read gory books. The story takes place in Vermont and on the battlefields in the South. You should NOT read this if you don't like reading about blood or sadness in a book.

"A drum is the heartbeat of the army. It tells soldiers when to get up, When to eat, when to assemble, when to attack, when to retreat, And when to go to bed. Without a drum, the army falls apart." This quote is from G. Clifton Whistlers award winning book, Mr. Lincoln's Drummer. The book takes place during the Civil War.
Willie Johnston Lives in a small Vermont town with his mother, his father,and his two brothers. His father is a tailor, and they run a family business. Willie, his mom, and his older brother help.
One day, a strange colonel and his company walk into town. The colonel is trying to get people to sign up for the war. Every day he comes out, and every evening he leaves. One day the colonel comes into their shop and tells them that he needs them to make uniforms. They went to work on the uniforms right away.
After a fortnight, the colonel had gotten 11 people to sign up. Willie follows him back one day. They arrive in a campsite, about a mile out from town. Willie meets a drummer boy, and they become fast friends. The boy teaches him some of the drum beats. Willie starts to see some of his friends at the camp.
Willie is banging assembly one day, without thinking about what he is doing. The colonel hears, and Willie ends up banging a drum in the middle of the street to attract people. Every day more sign up.
Eventually Willie and his dad sign up, too. How do they do? Does he die? Does he live? What is his fate?