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Dr. Harlan, retired professor of plant genetics (there's a clue for you) states that the book is for "enthusiastic gardeners, plant breeders and those interested in the preservation of seed stocks." Now I think of myself as an enthusiastic amateur gardener, but it will take a whole lot more than my enthusiasm to really make this tome useful. This is a book that a professor of plant genetics should have. This is the book that the owners of one of the 255 seed companies listed in the book should have, and this is the book that a seed zealot would have, but not your normal 'enthusiastic gardener'.

Don't get me wrong, this book is extremely valuable to the right person. As Wendell Berry said, "The saving of seeds has become a matter of the greatest importance, for we are on the verge of losing the genetic diversity of our food crops.". Over the last 20 years, because of mega-transnational corporations buying out the small seed companies, there has been a significant loss of local or regional varieties. Here's why; when a large corporation gets into the seed business they have to cover a large market, so they breed for a variety of vegetables plants that can grow anywhere across North America (hybrid) and dump the regional plants. In 1981, the first edition of "Garden Seed Inventory" there were 493 tomatoes (red) varieties available; by 1998 there were 108 still available (78% drop). Then again, in the same period, there were 546 new varieties brought to market.

What this book is really about is saving our vegetable heritage and assuring genetic preservation. It is the seed squealer of horticulture books. It will tell you which varieties are about to be dropped and it also helps you find regional varieties that you can plant, thus preserve the lineage. It is a great tool for those that are ready to move from enthusiastic gardener to zealous, non-hybrid vegetable seed gardener. However, for the rest of us Americans, we will probably plant our gardens with the seeds that were on the rack at the local stores and when they come up, if they come up, enthusiastically smile. Highly Recommended for the zealot, conditionally recommended for the rest of us.

Cal Bodeutsch, author of The Grace Way (www.thegraceway.com)

For anyone who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle with a realistic approach, this book is for you. Joanna Lund shows how to create healthy food that uses normal ingredients. Her recipes are all easy to make and mouth-watering good. Lund gives sensible advice on how to add exercise and eat properly. Low-fat does not mean low taste, Lund has created a low-fat cookbook masterpiece!

Some insight is given on how to study a 'sector' carefully then narrow down to a specific company that my serve as the best investment potential. Mr. Wyckoff gives his views from both as a trader and as a broker and investment advisor. You will also learn the procedure of how he turned an odd-lot campaign into a fortune, thus providing hope for small traders and investors.

Much of the advice and caution given has not changed after so many years has passed. For instance, he said that you cannot get real good advice to buy because newsletter writers are usually ripped-off by some person subscribing and giving it free to their friends etc. Sure enough all of this still continues till this day. This is certainly a great book for stock and bond traders.

Understand Wyckoff and you'll understand the engine that drives stocks and markets rather than be distracted by the genuine imitation wood trim and the smell of the leather seats.

Good for both students and busy professionals. END