Tetched: A Novel in Fractals

Product Description

In this offbeat coming-of-age novel, a biracial narrator tells of growing up in rural America and later escaping to a new life in a city. Early on, the boy witnesses his fathers struggles with idealism, alcoholism and an unrealized art career. The boys mother tries to comfort him with her own brand of Eastern wisdom, but her statements only create more confusion. After a series of almost surreal incidents involving parents, teachers and the children around him, the boy manages to move away to attend college. During and after school, he travels in search of companionship, but finds nothing that lasts. Eventually, he settles in a city and begins to build a life. Not surprisingly, his preoccupations dog his personal relationshipsuntil he succeeds in putting his past in perspective.

Customer Reviews:

Trapping Love.......2007-06-10

Thaddeus Rutkowski's moving novel TETCHED chronicles the dilemma of a character who feels so unlovable that he tries to get women to agree to participate in his inept bondage sessions in order to be sure they will actually have sex with him. Beginning in the character's bizarre childhood, the novel gives an account of his life with an abusive, alcoholic father and a hardworking Asian mother who tries to help her children by quoting Chinese proverbs that seem to have little bearing on their problems. Horrifying though the events are, they are made palatable by Rutkowski's deadpan delivery and his unfailing ability to find elements of humor in them. I highly recommend this novel and will be on the lookout for other work by this author.

An edgy, twitchy tale about not fitting in.......2006-01-31

Rutkowski's style may seem easy on the surface--a series of snapshot narratives related in a deadpan, matter-of-fact tone--but the scenes he chooses to evoke are very precise and focused, the way a photographer composes his images within a frame. This is concentrated angst, potent stuff, but with humor often peeking slyly through the keyhole. An edgy, twitchy book about not fitting in, and ultimately carving out one's own uniquely-shaped space.

Behind Closed Doors.......2006-01-07

Tetched leaves the door partially open on every bedroom in the house. Through small intimate vignettes, No-Restraints- Rutkowski's narrative leads readers down dark hallways and around shadowy corners to come up with a no holds barred portrait of coming of age in America in a biracial family. A sometimes humorous and always stimulating read.

A vibrant story of self- discovery and learning what it means to become a well-adjusted adult.......2005-11-11

Written by a finalist for an Asian American Literary Award, Tetched is a coming-of-age novel from the first-person perspective of a biracial narrator, who grows up in rural America yet escapes the repetition of country life for new experiences in the city, pursuing a college career. Far from his father's floundering struggles with alcoholism and unfulfilled art career, and his mother's confusing brand of Eastern wisdom, the protagonist struggles to live life on his own terms, a difficult task indeed - until he learns how to put the past in perspective. A vibrant story of self- discovery and learning what it means to become a well-adjusted adult.

Average customer rating:

The Apocalypse of Silence

Mesphisto's Seed 2: The Apocalypse of Silence

An impressive sequel that redefines the battle between good and evil

Full of energy, imagination and stunning imagery...

Venture into Hell
The Apocalypse of Silence
William, P. Haynes
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dark Fantasy | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1411624793

Book Description

Semjaza: The Apocalypse of Silence is the second book in the CURSE OF MESPHISTO'S SEED trilogy. The apocalypse chronicles the death of Elliott and the birth of Lifthrasir. It reveals the plans of Mesphisto, the trial of Mark Talbot and Josh Riley and the rise of The Cult of the Wayward Souls as the new age religion of choice. Reviewers called book one a fantastic apocalyptic thriller, a hellish battle between good and evil, a haunting journey. The journey truly begins in book two with its jinns, doppelgangers, necromancy, Roman gods and a certain devil named Michael Orcus with a penchant for beautiful women. The landscapes of hell are more brutal, the action more furious and this time only Nox, the goddess of death and her acolyte, the black cat can decide the final outcome.

Customer Reviews:

The Apocalypse of Silence.......2007-07-14

The Apocalypse of Silence is the second book of The Curse of Mesphisto's Seed series. In the first book of this series, The Day of the Awakening, the reader is introduced to Elliott Stephens. This highly intelligent seemingly shy and withdraw boy has a terrifying destiny and a mysterious connection to Satan. In this first book, a group of unwary individuals learns of Elliot's secret. Their world is soon full of terror, death, and events beyond their worst nightmares.

The Apocalypse of Silence starts where the first book ends. Everyone believed that they had destroyed Elliot and that life would gradually get back to normal, despite the resent terrifying and disturbing events. Happy in this knowledge, the group settled down for a wedding celebration. Celebration soon turned to torture, pain, and even more terrifying events as Elliot and his father continued on their rampage.

Like the first book in this series, The Apocalypse of Silence is a terror-filled thriller. This book, however, descends into an even deeper level of psychological terror. Of particular significance is the personal hells that each of the main characters must face at the beginning of the book. Not only is this part of the story well thought out, extremely creative, chilling, and often disturbing but it brings a whole new dimension to the personalities of these characters without losing any of the story's high paced energy. Elliot's actions in this book are also very intriguing adding some very unique twists and turns to an already exciting storyline. I look forward to book three of this series.

Mesphisto's Seed 2: The Apocalypse of Silence.......2006-01-04

Mesphisto's Seed 2:
The Apocalypse of Silence

William P. Haynes

ISBN1-4116-2479-3
Page count: 177

Reviewed by Lee Pletzers www.leepletzers.net

After reading the first book in this series of three, The Curse of Mesphisto's Seed, the Day of Awakening, I was desperately awaiting this second book. And book two delivers in two ways. First it is better written than the previous book, it is so much easier to follow the characters. And secondly, the pace is incredibly fast from the get-go. Mark and Peggy are married, and Elliott is believed dead, at the end of book one. Book 2 shows Elliott alive and well and in the presence of his father. But this book focuses more on the dark prince--Mesphisto than the first did, and naturally our heroes struggle.

Mark, Peggy, Josh and Anne find themselves in the presence of The Devil and Elliott and on trial for mankind, from the first line. Naturally they are quickly found guilty and are locked up in Hell's death row.

Mark's wedding present from Josh was a set of lock-picks and with this set Josh frees them, only to discover they may still be on trail as they check doors in a hallway looking for a way out. Each door they open leads somewhere and each one is sucked into a time in their past where they questioned God. Usually in times of great turmoil and fear and Peggy gets a glimpse of the future, a bad future, a future without Josh.

They finally get out of Hell to discover 16 years have past and doppelgangers have destroyed their lives. Debt is an ugly beast facing Mark, Anne has left him. Peggy has a terrible hairstyle and Josh owns a lodge. The Devil has finally put them out of the way, via the doppelgangers. Our heroes decide to find out why.

We also learn that Mesphisto has a weakness thrust upon him by God. Once every three days, his powers are stripped from him and he is suddenly mortal. And to help him past the time, he has taken a human woman, Denise, as a lover. Problem: he has something akin to love for her.

From the introduction of William, a detective from the twenty-third, the story jumps into an even high gear and fantasy takes a firm hold as we delve deeper and deeper into the apocalypse of silence.

This book far outweighs the first. The author has come a long way since the first book, the style is his very own but the story has more power, the words bring up emotions that most mass market books fail to attain. Reading the first book is a must, if only to discover why our heroes are in the situation they are in, learn about Elliott and his discovery of whom his real father is. Book 2 can almost stand on it's own--almost.

Wait until you meet, Lifthrasir...

Lee Pletzers
www.leepletzers.net

An impressive sequel that redefines the battle between good and evil.......2005-12-05

The Curse of Mesphisto's Seed: The Day of the Awakening was a tantalizing introduction to an epic battle between good and evil waged, for the most part, on Earth. The Apocalypse of Silence builds strongly upon the events and people of the previous novel, placing the overall storyline in a much more focused and crowd-pleasing light and granting readers further visions of hell itself. This second novel is a much more impressive, polished piece of fiction than its predecessor, showing how much author William P. Haynes has grown as a writer in a very short time. It also, by the end, shifts the Mesphisto's Seed series onto a higher plane as the nature of the struggle changes dramatically in the book's latter moments.

In The Apocalypse of Silence, Haynes takes you immediately to hell. The heroes of the first novel have been taken prisoner by the devil and sentenced to death for their "crimes." Mark Talbot, who gained unworldly powers after his "death" (in the first book) finds himself momentarily stripped of those powers, but he, his new wife Anne, best friend Josh Riley, and Riley's companion Peggy are never to be found without a trick or two up one of their sleeves, and they effect a breakout - but only after coming face to face, individually, with their most private fears. Unlike what readers found in the first novel, the devil rather than Elliott himself is the true antagonist in these pages, and as such we learn much more about him and his ways than we knew before - such as the fact that he spends some of his days in human form and that he can be, if not blinded, certainly distracted by an obsession that might be considered love in a different context.

You don't leave hell and return to Earth without paying a price. In this case, our heroes find that some twenty years have passed in their world, years in which devilish doppelgangers have gone about making messes of their lives. Their unity is sorely tested, particularly as one of them has no memory of the group's past struggles with evil, at a most inopportune time. The devil's plans for a silent apocalypse are very much in motion, and only Mark, Josh, and the others stand a chance at stopping it. Some wonderful new characters are introduced (including Death and her acolyte), adding a richer dimension to the storyline, and the ending comes with a couple of surprises that totally redefine the nature of everything that has already happened and will happen in the future.

I think the plot takes on a more mythological air in the pages of this second book, and not only with the addition of Nox (Death) into the mix. The implication is that this is not a new conflict at all, but rather a restaging of an epic battle between good and evil that has been waged before. Given the nature of the ending, it's hard for me to predict how and where the story will go in the upcoming third book of the series - and that certainly serves to whet my appetite for what is to come.

Full of energy, imagination and stunning imagery..........2005-08-28

Sunday, August 28, 2005
60. An Alternative VIEW: The Apocalypse of Silence ~ William P Haynes ~ Lulu.com

Title: Mesphisto's Seed 2: The Apocalypse of Silence
Author: William P Haynes
Publisher: Lulu.com
Genre: Fantasy /Horror
Publication date: 2005
ISBN: 1-4116-2479-3
Length: 177 pages
Edition: Paperback

Mesphito's Seed 2: The Apocalypse of Silence~ William P Haynes ~ Lulu.Com

"The Apocalypse of Silence as a book full of energy, imagination and stunning imagery, not to be missed. Keep your eye's peeled on Mr Haynes' progress, he is definitely one to watch..."

Back in the sixties, Josh Riley, a sheriff, and Mark Talbot were tied up in Jim Franklyn's murder case and it involved devil worship. Years later, during Mark and Anne Talbot's wedding, Mesphisto, the devil and his son Elliot trap Mark, Josh, Anne and their friend, Peggy, in hell, for their trial and sentencing. The devil, with all his contempt for humanity and its eternal suffering, finds them guilty, imprisons them in cells and condemns the incarcerated to eternal punishment.

Upon their escape from the confines of their cells they discover other members of Anne's Wedding party are held captive too. One by one, their true journey for deliverance begins as they search for a way out. Hell is a labyrinth of corridors and difficult to flee. These passages lead them to only where the devil wants them to go. Every door opened teleports each member of the cast into their own private turmoil, taking them to different points in their past, back to times they'd rather forget. The devil attempts to break their spirits, hoping not only they will loose faith, but the battle also.

Meanwhile, they realise Elliot's plans don't include his father, Mesphisto. To add more conflict, unbeknown to all, there is one lord of darkness whose rule is greater than that of all devils. Named by the father as Satan -- Michael Orcus of Dudael, is watching, with plans of his own. Luckily, Josh, Mark and their friends are not playing by the rules either and intend to survive and win. Fighting the devil and other beasts roaming the cursed landscape; wolves, the three headed Cerebus, Jinns, Doppelgangers and dragons. Amongst these creatures there comes a little help from the hand of death, a goddess and her pet, a black cat, both of whom have the power to determine their human fate, but which way will their luck swing?

I recommend you read the preceding book of Mesphisto's Seed Trilogy if you want to find out how the characters were thrown into this epic clash of good verses evil, although not essential. The author, William P Haynes, is more than capable of writing his many characters into a plot full of tension and hellish horror. Grabbing my attention from page one, this apocalyptic fantasy has a fresh, original style. I loved Peggy (who incidentally, once had an affair with Josh which adds to the drama) a tough policewoman with a few special moves of her own! The Apocalypse of Silence as a book full of energy, imagination and stunning imagery, not to be missed. Keep your eye's peeled, on Mr Haynes' progress, he is definitely one to watch. Find him at his website, or his blog, where you can read his work online.

http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com

Venture into Hell.......2005-08-22

Being the second book in the Haynes trilogy, The Apocalypse of Silence takes us deeper into the story of the characters. We see more of the background in which our heroes and heroins had suffered, and get to explore the world in which we only caught a small peek of earlier. The suspense builds even more in Apocalypse, and makes the reader eager to find our what will happen in the third book.

Average customer rating:

Minutes Silence for Apocalypse
Robertson
Manufacturer: Efstathiadis Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 9602265523

Dimension X: Dwellers in Silence (Dramatized)

Average customer rating:

Dimension X: Dwellers in Silence (Dramatized)
Ray Bradbury
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download

Customer Reviews:

Here There Be Raiders..........2007-05-01

Accusations is the second of a series of nine novels. The book is set during the second season, between "The Coming of Shadows," and "All Alone in the Night." Commander Ivanova's former instructor pilot is murdered on Babylon 5 before she has a chance to meet with him and all suspicions fall on her. Could this be what it seems or is there more than meets than eye...
Lois Tilton makes use of existing B5 plots and subplots, i.e. the Mars Troubles, on which she bases this novel.
The book is well written and presented, and the reader feels that they have been transported to another plane of existence and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense.
Ivanova's handling of a Narn captain on page 42 is enjoyable to say the least.
On page 123-127, the author provides for an excellent description of a run-in between B 5's Alpha Wing Starfuries and Raiders.
Finally, on pages 274-275, the author foreshadows the erotic relationship between Talia Winters and Susan Ivanova that is to come.
On the downside, the novel focuses too much on Susan Ivanova and Michael Garibaldi. The alien characters are literally nowhere to be seen.
With the series over, thank goodness for the novels. 3.5 Stars
More novels please...

Jhaeman's Review.......2006-06-22

Accusations, the second Babylon 5 novel, focuses primarily on Ivanova and Garibaldi (despite his prominence on the cover, G'kar doesn't get much attention). The plot concerns an old friend of Ivanova who gets murdered after coming to Babylon 5 to deliver an important message. Ivanova gets framed for the murder and her and Garibaldi have to figure out how it all ties into frequent raider attacks on incoming shipments of a rare metal.
Plot-wise, this is fairly standard stuff (indeed, the framing of a character for a crime they didn't commit was used in the first B5 novel). Accusations is well-written, however, with good characterization and a few twists. It's not the best book ever, but it's worth reading.

An out-standing futuristic detective novel........1997-09-27

This book has all the elements of a good detective story: crime, suspense, and it makes you think. The story keeps surprising the reader with new and fascinating events or evidence.

Even though it's based on the TV show, it definitely could have been a stand-alone book. All the information based on the series is explained shortly and a person with no knowledge of the show can understand it easily.

Almost all the book is very well written, except for one part where the author shows a "trashy" side, when Garibaldi holds Ivanova and feels attracted to her, and feels "her feminine body shivering". The author stopped herself at the right time, not writing sleezy lines, and getting back to the problems of the investigation.

This is the best book of the Babylon 5 novel series, and for Babylon 5 fans it is very highly recommended, a "don't miss" book, and for non-fans it's recommended, a "can read" book.

Suspense all the way.......1997-08-19

Juggling with quite a complex plot succeeds very well in this book. The story keeps the suspense up until to the very end, with couple of good twists on the way getting there. Although it was clear that Ivanova would return to her post at the end of the story, I was still worried that it wouldn't work out that way.

The events take place after "The Coming of Shadows" and before "All Alone in the Night".

Non-arc whodunit.......1997-04-27

I assume the only people who read this will be fans of B5, but even if they're not, it is still a good book. There is very little in the way of the story arc, but it is a well crafted suspense novel that just happens to be a few hundred years in the future. Pretty much any fan of detective fiction should like this one, but don't look for any revelations about the nature of the Vorlons or technical facts like how many crew serve aboard a Narn heavy cruiser

Average customer rating:

Never got this product

One of the Best Health Food Books I Own!!!!

Good Book for Juicer users. Otherwise, not the best!

average book for the title

Baby drank it -- I'm sold!

The Ultimate Smoothie Book: 101 Delicious Recipes for Blender Drinks, Frozen Desserts, Shakes, and More!
Cherie Calbom
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Special Appliances | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Smoothies | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Ultimate Smoothies: Delicious Recipes for Over 125 of the Best Smoothies, Freezes, and Blasts

The Best 50 Smoothies (Best 50)

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Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0446677752

Book Description

Smoothies are the latest nutritional trend, more and more people are getting their five servings a day of fruits and vegetables in a scrumptious smoothie. In The Ultimate Smoothie Book, nutritionist Cherie Calbom has created a complete resource for the smoothie lover.

Customer Reviews:

Never got this product.......2007-03-11

The bookstore that I ordered this from said they didn't have this in their inventory so I didn't actually get this. Can't really give a review.

One of the Best Health Food Books I Own!!!!.......2006-01-14

My husband and I have been trying to switch from our unhealthy, sugar-laden, fast-food ridden eating habits to a more organic, whole-food way of eating for a few years now, but it is not an easy thing to do. One of the hardest parts for us was eating 5-8 servings of fruits and veggies everyday, especially when we were trying not to add any processed food to the mix.

Well, this book makes it easy to get all of your vitamins, minerals, protein, and more, with recipes that are really easy to prepare, and if you follow the instructions, really, really delicious. It really only takes a few minutes to throw together a smoothie. Especially if you follow her tips on things you can prepare the night before (for a morning smoothie). Plus, she has tips on freezing smoothies for future enjoyment.

The ingredients are not hard to find, if you actually try. There are things like organic protein powder, flax-seed oil, and rose water in some of the recipes, but if you go into a health food store, or look online (if you don't have a local health food store), they are not difficult to find at all. The author tells you where to find most of the ingredients, anyway. The first time I went out to look for them, I just wrote them all down, and found them all, without any help. It did cost a little money up front to stock up on everything, but it all lasted me quite a while (I still have about half a can of protein powder that I bought a few months ago.) It's kind of like when you run out of all your condiments all at once, and you have to go stock up, but then you have them for a long time.

Not all of the recipes include "exotic" ingredients, though. Some are just strawberries, oranges, yogurt and ice (or something like that). I think there's one that has only grapes and blueberries.

The book has a section that tells you briefly about the different health benefits of many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and supplements, as well as when they are in season, and how to wash/prepare/measure them. This section is very, very useful.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to better their health, or who just loves smoothies. However, I would recommend buying a juicer. Many things, like ginger root, taste much better juiced than grated, so you don't have to have all the little pieces in your drink. I love this book!!

Good Book for Juicer users. Otherwise, not the best!.......2005-08-16

`The Smoothies Bible' by Pat Crocker and `The Ultimate Smoothies Book' by Cherie Calbom both profess to be a complete guide to making all sorts of smoothies. In many ways, both are better than the book, `Smoothies for Life' by Daniella Chace and Maureen B. Keane which I reviewed recently. All three focus on making smoothies for good health, but `Smoothies for Life' does little else and depends heavily on ingredients available only in some health food stores.

Of the two subjects of this review, the first, `The Smoothies Bible' is clearly the better book. In fact, it is also clearly superior to a similar book by the same publisher, `The Blender Bible' which has many fine attributes, but which simply does not stack up to the `Bible' title.

`The Smoothies Bible' includes everything that makes it deserve its honorific title. The most important aspect of the book's organization is that it looks at all sides of smoothie making and even gives us a lot more information on blender use than `The Blender Bible'.

The book begins with an excellent two page `Guidelines to Good Health' with a brief on what one should eat and especially what we should avoid such as white sugar and flour, red meat, shellfish, excess salt, coffee and strong tea, and excess alcohol. I simply do not agree with the bans on flour, shellfish, red meat, coffee and strong tea.

I believe unbleached flour is simply too important an ingredient, in reasonable amounts, as a source of gluten in yeast breads to ban entirely. The stricture against shellfish is not based on the animal but on contaminants it may pick up. This is something that may not be true of all shellfish and it may improve as time goes on. I suspect the benefits of carefully selected shellfish outweigh the dangers. I feel one or two four ounce portions of red meat a week, especially for women (source of iron), is a good thing (I am especially wary of soy as a substitute for meat on seeing some warnings on soy products for some eaters in Ms. Calbom's book. It seems that there is simply no concoction on the face of this earth that has not dangers for anyone.) On coffee and tea, I believe the final jury is still out and the weight of informed opinion on something as simple as caffeine is still flipping back and forth with each new study.

I am not an expert nutritionist, but I always wonder about certain health claims for some regimens since I have never once heard from a family doctor that I should burn all my beef recipes, eat lots of seaweed, and drink pureed, cooked rhubarb, as the authors of these books seem to suggest. I am a strong believer in the value of moderation and variety. If you avoid eating a lot of any one thing and eat a wide variety of all sorts of foods, I believe you simply cannot go wrong.

But, If you buy into the superior properties of certain foods, `The Blender Bible' gives you the very best rundown of how to make the best of these foods. It continues with an `The A to Z of Smoothies' which advises us on all the different types of smoothies and how they fit into a healthy diet.

The second major section on `Health Conditions' offers us an index to the smoothies that are best suited as an adjunct to the treatment of 63 different common conditions. And, most of these conditions are pretty common and some, such as Anemia, Constipation, Diarrhea, Flatulence, Hangover, Heartburn, Hypoglycemia, Indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Overweight, Peptic Ulcers, and Water Retention may even be effectively aided by this book's recommendations. I single these out because most are directly or indirectly related to our gastrointestinal or circulatory systems, which can be quickly influenced by what we eat. Each of these 63 sections contains a brief description of the problem, general food recommendations for the problem, general suggestions on how much to eat and drink of selected items, and one or more, usually several, smoothie recipes for relieving the condition or its symptoms. From what I can see, the book is pretty careful about recommending that one rely heavily on a doctor's advice for most of the conditions.

The next section is `Ingredient Profiles' which I find interesting, but just a bit more doctrinaire than the rest of the book. Of the 76 herbs, I commonly stock or use 24, and I have no interest whatsoever in tracking down sources for the other 52 to put into my smoothies. I also disagree with a few of the health claims for some ingredients, such as when the author states that carob is healthier than chocolate, which is another of those things whose nutritional reputation is on the rise.

I really like the smoothie recipes in this book, as they are simple and contain both English and Metric units. Important since many smoothie ingredients are liquid and metric liquid measurement is far easier to double or half than English units.

`The Ultimate Smoothie Book' simply does not deserve its title when compared to Crocker's `Bible'. Three things were especially annoying. The first was that the author used the book to push her juicing products and slant the smoothie recipes toward using output from a juicer. The second was that there were several simple grammatical errors in the text. Not acceptable from a major house such as Warner Books. The third suspicious content was the fact that potassium and some other nutrients was given as a major benefit for practically every other ingredient. While this may be true, it is unhelpful when you are looking for the very best food for potassium (probably bananas). Ms. Calbom's smoothie recipes are good with elaborate nutritional analyses, but not as clearly written as Ms. Crocker's `Bible'. I recommend Calbom's `Ultimate' book only if you have a good juicer and like using it.

average book for the title.......2005-03-16

I agree with the other reviewer.There are alot of recipes with stuff I haven't even heard of.I have tried a couple of these with what ingredients I could find and it wasn't that bad or great either,Maybe tolerable would be the word.I would say if you can find the ingredients good but the book is average.

Baby drank it -- I'm sold!.......2005-03-11

When my daughter brought this book home, I admit I was skeptical. Many of the recipes do call for ingredients available from your local health food store; many others use ingredients from the general grocery. Our baby of the family absolutely refused to drink anything from a sippy cup -- until, in desperation, I made him "Baby's First Smoothie" from Cherie Calbom's book. He drank three glasses of the pear-and-banana concoction, straight from the sippy cup. After three months of frustration over mealtimes, that alone is worth my keeping this book on the shelf.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Resource

More pecific for certain bio types

Beginer's aquarium book only!

Lovely book!

Somewhat disappointing

Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature
Peter Hiscock
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fish & Aquariums | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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This lavishly photo-filled volume demonstrates that having an aquarium to be proud of means much more than keeping fish in a glass tank. The aquarium enthusiast who takes his hobby seriously reproduces a part of the aquatic natural environment in miniature inside his home. Author Peter Hiscock offers practical instructions on setting up a freshwater tropical aquarium. He describes substrate, aquarium plants, and appropriate combinations of fish. Much of this book focuses on fish and plant life in nature, and then offers details on replicating natural settings that are to be found in many different parts of the world. This lavish volume?s main sections discuss the following topics: Setting up an Aquarium: A practical introduction to the process of assembling a freshwater tropical aquarium with descriptions of all needed materials, from substrate to filters. Choosing and Using Aquarium Plants: A detailed review of aquarium plants and how to use them effectively in a freshwater tropical aquarium. How Fishes Live: A look at the lifestyles and physiology of freshwater tropical fish. This chapter serves as a foundation for the book?s main section , which follows. A World Tour in Your Aquarium: This major section of the book offers readers a tour of the world?s freshwater habitats as they exist in different parts of the world. It describes methods to set up an aquarium that recreates the atmosphere and fish life of each location, including a mountain stream of fast-flowing water, a mangrove swamp, a flooded Amazon forest, a Southeast Asian swamp, and several others. Both plants and fish varieties are shown in vivid color photos and described in detail. More than 450 color photos and illustrations. Hardcover w/ jacket / 208 Pages / 8 1/2 x 10 / 2003

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource.......2007-09-13

Outstanding book. It helped me visualize the design and layout of my aquarium. An excellent resource for beginners or pros.

More pecific for certain bio types.......2007-06-02

This book give you more of an idear of setting up aquariums for specific bio types or areas with certain fish and plants. Very good if you want to set up and aquarium with plants and fish and dont quite know where to start and what to do. Even for experienced people you still can learn somthing form this book. Not a stand alone book but partnered with a couple of others is a very good referance .

Beginer's aquarium book only!.......2005-11-15

Is java fern found in an Australian river, I don't think so. This book is not accurate!
All of the aquarium displays are not even mature, probably because most of the plants would be quite unhealthy by the time the display is mature enough to photograph, very unprofessional!
Another example: there are no mangroves in the mangrove swamp design, Hygrophila corymbosa was used instead with the author stating it is a good substitute for mangroves, what the, right up until the brackish water kills it! What's almost as worse is that the heater is not even hidden in the aquarium background.

Lovely book! .......2005-09-16

As an experienced fishkeeper, I can't say I learned a lot from this book. However, I think it is an excellent overall reference for hobbyists above a beginner's level. The pictures are just gorgeous! Each of the 200 pages has at least one or two photos. You will definitely be inspired! The biotopte profiles are in-depth enough, but I feel Hiscock could have better explained how to actually assemble some of the tank features--namely the Chinese Stream waterfall. Although some of the plant types listed do not always "go" with the specified biotope, the finished product looks great and could be easily modified for the purists out there. The only complaint I have is that most of the designs are intended for large tanks. I think you could probably scale down some of the designs, but they might not have the same impact. Regardless, this is a great book for the money!

Somewhat disappointing.......2005-06-09

Given the glowing reviews I read on this site, I was somewhat disappointed with the book when it finally arrived. The general information is fine, as far as it goes, if on a rather basic level. I guess what annoyed me most was that the author makes only a half-hearted effort to use plants indigenous to the various biotopes he describes--for example, Anubias, an African genus, finds its way into the Amazon acid pool. Also, the lists of appropriate fishes are fairly sketchy. And maybe I'm alone in this, but I found it odd that none of the finished biotope aquaria are photographed with fish in them!

What I was hoping for was information on a par with that provided on the Italian website www.natureaquarium.it; this book, while pleasant enough, doesn't begin to reach that level of sophistication or specificity.

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Decorative American Pottery & Whiteware

Beautiful and informative.......

Decorative American Pottery & Whiteware
Jeanie Klamm Wilby
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pottery & Ceramics | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Pictorial Guide to Pottery & Porcelain Marks

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Kovels' Dictionary of Marks -- Pottery And Porcelain: 1650 to 1850 (Kovel's Dictionary of Marks)

ASIN: 1574323423

Book Description

American pottery is one of the fastest growing categories of the collecting world. This beautifully illustrated guide to collecting decorative American pottery and whiteware features more than 600 examples of gorgeous decorative wares produced around the turn of the century and identifies over 60 American potteries. In addition to current collector values, author Jeanie Klamm Wilby gives tips on how to begin a collection and clean stained china. This book will appeal to the novice as well as the experienced collector and is sure to become an invaluable resource for years to come. 2004 values. AUTHORBIO: Jeanie Wilby teaches Exceptional Student Education at Freedom Elementary School in Deland, Florida. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master's degree from Florida International University. Besides collecting American pottery, she enjoys buying and selling on eBay Internet auction site. REVIEW: Author Jeanie Wilby features hundreds of beautiful pieces of American pottery and Whiteware in this book. The large group shots show great detail of pieces. This book is a must-have for collectors.

Customer Reviews:

Decorative American Pottery & Whiteware.......2005-09-14

The many quality color illustrations are what count the most in my situation. Very worthy resource.

Beautiful and informative..............2003-11-12

This book is beautiful to look at and packed with valuable information. If you are a collector, this book is a must have. If you are not a collector, you will be after viewing this book.

DECORATIVE AMERICAN POTTERY WHITEWARE: IDENTIFICATION AND VALUE GUIDE

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DECORATIVE AMERICAN POTTERY WHITEWARE: IDENTIFICATION AND VALUE GUIDE
Jeanie Klamm Wilby
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WR1T5Q

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Do It Yourself Hairstyling Taught Step by Step

How to set and style your own wig
Angela Stevens
Manufacturer: Arco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006CAHR8

Customer Reviews:

Do It Yourself Hairstyling Taught Step by Step.......2006-08-01

I admit that I am prejudiced about this book, because it was my mother who wrote it (Angela Stevens is a pen name assigned by the publisher). I remember when she and my father were working on this. She wrote all the steps down by hand, set up the wigs, and my father did all the typing and photography. Those are my mother's hands and rings in the picture! This book was written in the late 60's but endures through today due to its unique way of simplifying hairstyling, suitable for those who have never attended beauty school (and even those who have). You can actually use the instructions and pictures in it for styling your own hair--just don't use the T-pins! : ) The book was written in simple and direct language by a woman gifted in being able to teach the hairstyling craft to others. She studied under the most famous New York stylists in her day and ran a very successful beauty salon.

This book is a treasure trove of instructional, step-by-step instructions and photographs, enabling the totally inexperienced to learn to style. I cherish my personally autographed copy.

Book Description

Celebrated transsexual trailblazer Kate Bornstein has, with more humor and spunk than any other, ushered us into a world of limitless possibility through a daring re-envisionment of the gender system as we know it.

Here, Kate bravely and wittily shares personal and unorthodox methods of survival for navigating an often cruel world. A one-of-a-kind guide to staying alive outside the box, Hello, Cruel World is a much-needed unconventional approach to teenage suicide prevention for marginalized youth who want to stay on the edge, but alive.

Hello, Cruel World features a catalog of 101 Alternatives to Suicide that range from the playful (Moisturize), to the irreverent (Disbelieve the Binary), to the highly controversial (Get Laid. Please). Designed to encourage readers to give themselves permission to unleash their hearts' harmless desires, the book has only one directive: "Don't be mean." It is this guiding principle that brings its reader on a self-validating journey, which forges wholly new paths toward a resounding decision to choose life.

Tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy, Kate is the radical role model, the affectionate best friend, and the guiding mentor all in one kind and spirited package.

A celebrated pioneer for the LGBTQI community, transsexual author and performance artist, Kate Bornstein is the author of the wildly successful books My Gender Workbook and Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and The Rest of Us.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected.......2007-10-03

I think there are better ways to help kids than to say that anything they do is okay. I was alarmed by the advice in this book.

Get to the Root of the Problem.......2007-05-21

All high school libraries should have this book, which could save a life. Troubled teens will understand where the root of their problems lies.

REAL-DEAL HELP.......2007-04-18

This book could save your life. I wish it had been around when I was a suicidal seventh-grader. One of the readers at Amazon.com says, "Every high school library should carry this book!" and that's probably the best possible endorsement. This is a wonderful book.

Hello, Cruel World is the best depiction I have seen of the real world of troubled teens. It accurately locates the bully as the most common cause of self-esteem issues that can take years, even decades, to resolve. Kate's only rule for readers is "don't be mean," and that is certainly the most obvious characteristic of every bully I've ever faced. Kate's winning personality and irresistible sense of humor prevail over the heavy topic matter. Her writing is inspired, passionate, and empathic. There is little if anything that goes uncovered here. (Well, okay, she includes "sex worker" but omits "drug dealer" and "rock and roller" from her list of freak-admissible careers in alternative 34, "Sing for your Supper." I mean, if you're going to include the Unholy Trinity, you might as well go all the way, right?)

Actually, my only real quibble with this book (and it is a quibble) is that I thought this book might be even "safer" if the cover were more discreet. I admit that it's a bit busy for my taste, but perhaps a plain cover would have been even better for the sake of the kids who might have to sneak around with this book.

Hello - Fellow Survivors.......2006-11-10

My three favorite passages:(not verbatim - as I remember them)
1:In high school, we didn't kill the freaks - we did something worse - we made them want to kill themselves.

2:The next time you want to kill yourself - kill the offending part of yourself instead- selective serial suicide.

3: I want to become that which I'm most attracted to.

Not a teen, freak, or outlaw - just suicidal?.......2006-09-30

Actually, I've met very few people in my life that didn't at least at times fall into the freak or outlaw catagories... but I wouldn't want you to get the idea that you have to be outrageous or extraspectacular or political in your freakiness to be able to benefit from this book.

I've been suicidal off and on for ten years. I've been waiting for this book. From the expected, almost mandatory "call a suicide hotline," to "stop f-ing around and get to work," to "stay in bed," most of the 101 alternatives to suicide presented here are workable for me. It's a question, perhaps, of choosing the right one for the moment I'm in.

But, much more importantly, Kate shares her life experience and repeats ideas like - desires are not inherently wrong, and it's good to be different, and the only rule you need to fuss over is "Don't be mean."

You don't have to be a gender outlaw, you don't have to be a teenager, to get a lot of kind, warm support from reading this book. And I've got five bucks here that says you'll learn something, too. Can't beat that.

Average customer rating:

Hello Cruel World
Mekons
Manufacturer: Verse Chorus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1891241141

Book Description

Provincial punk iconoclasts turned pan-global maverick legends of music and art, the Mekons walk tall into their second quarter century - still impossible to pigeonhole, still kicking against the pricks, still burrowing feverishly beneath the soft white belly of the rock beast.

Hello Cruel World contains the lyrics to 125 Mekons songs, many of them illustrated by the band in stunning fashion. Also included are numerous handwritten drafts of songs (often very different from the final versions) and a portfolio of candid pictures of the band on the road by photographer Anne L. Lehman.

Customer Reviews:

Goodbye Jumbo a Funny, Sad, and Inspiring Book.......2004-07-29

Louie Anderson continues to battle the demons of his dysfunctional upbringing in this second of his three books. In his first book, Dear Dad, Louie focused on his abusive father's alcoholism and the impact it has had on the comedian's life and overall psychological well being. In this book, he tries to come to grips with his own obesity and the negative impact it has had on his life. He largely attributes it to his father's alcoholism and the lack of love he received as a child. Anderson's reflections are often laugh out loud funny. Yet, throughout the book, there is an overall sense of pain. As somebody who grew up battling obesity (I eventually lost 150 lbs), I can understand the psychological abuse that fat people receive on a daily basis. They are insulted, ridiculed, and treated like outcasts. This leaves the victim feeling angry, bitter, and very lonely. He or she turns to food to ease the pain, which only makes the problem worse. For anybody who has battled obesity, this book will be very therapeutic. If you've never had a weight problem, this book will no doubt give you more compassion for those who have. The 250 page book is an easy, quick read and is very inspiring.

This is a great book about all types of additions.......1998-11-21

Louie Anderson once again brings the struggles of his life to print, and opens up his heart and soul. I found this book even better than his first. I hope he decides to keep writing, he is very talented at bringing the reader into his situation.

Excellent, Entertaining, & Eating too.......1998-07-10

Funny and poignant, from Anderson's heart and stomach are a guide to life, coping, eating, love, comedy, and performing. Also manages to be downright hilarious with straight-ahead stand-up comedy. Somehow it all works. And very nicely, too. Inspired and inspiring.

Wonderful, sad, emotional.......1998-04-16

Louie Anderson does a wonderful job of revealing the true self. Especially the dialogue where he becomes Jumbo the elephant. He never mentioned a Love interest (human, not food) who could be support he so needed during these transitions he struggled with, the treadmill, death of his mom, selling the home, etc. Louie remains a real human, down to earth, complete with dysfunctional family. It was difficult to see him as the superstar wealthy comedian image we see. Whether it is food or some other controlling addiction, low self-esteem, children of alcoholics, pained school years, many can relate to his struggle. A good book by a funny man!

Goodbye cruel world, hello sunshine.(KING OF THE ROAD 2005: TEAM ZERO) : An article from: Thrasher

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Goodbye cruel world, hello sunshine.(KING OF THE ROAD 2005: TEAM ZERO) : An article from: Thrasher
John Rattray
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Sports | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Thrasher, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2005. The length of the article is 4322 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Goodbye cruel world, hello sunshine.(KING OF THE ROAD 2005: TEAM ZERO)
Author: John Rattray
Publication: Thrasher (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Issue: 301 Page: 166(22)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Goodbye Jumbo. Hello Cruel World
Louie Anderson
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ4QBG

Book Description

What is a child's emotional legacy when one parent's origins are treated as a shameful secret? This is the provocative question addressed by Susan Jacoby in a probing work of personal memory and social history that excavates four generations of lies and secrets in her father's accomplished but deeply insecure New York German Jewish family.

Blending meticulous historical research with compassionate emotional insight, this writer of "fierce intelligence and a nimble, unfettered imagination" (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times) not only reclaims the family's past but also offers a beautifully nuanced close-up of a bond between a father and daughter.

The author knew from early childhood that her father was a Roman Catholic convert but never knew he had been born a Jew. Yet she sensed, growing up Catholic in the 1950s in Michigan, that there were missing pieces in her father's -- and her own -- story.

In search of her family's real history, Jacoby mined New York newspaper and university archives, which yielded a rich cast of characters, beginning in 1849 with the arrival of her great-grandfather from Germany. We meet her tormented grandfather, who built a brilliant legal career in the early 1900s but gambled away a fortune and died a cocaine addict in 1931; her great-uncle Harold, a distinguished astronomer whose map of the constellations still shines brightly on the ceiling of New York's Grand Central Terminal; and her beloved uncle Ozzie, the famous bridge champion Oswald Jacoby.

Half-Jew breaks new ground by exploring the link between personal shame -- the gambling compulsion that haunted four generations of Jacoby men -- and the social shame that impelled an entire family to deny its Jewishness. With unflinching honesty, and in tender but unsentimental prose, Susan Jacoby explores the damage inflicted by intimate lies and the rich opportunities for repair when a parent and an adult child face long-buried truths.

Customer Reviews:

A fascinating book.......2002-03-07

This was an amazing book. I am always interested in books about Jews who convert or who move away from Judaism because my parents, Holocaust survivors, subliminally encouraged assimilation and intermarriage among their children, although not conversion. Ms. Jacoby's analysis of all topics, no matter how brutally honest she had to be, was incredible to read. This book comes out of her journalism background and yet it doesn't read like journalism, it reads like an amazing journey...All in all, I learned much from this book. I learned a history of the German Jewish immigrants that I had never heard before, the history of our own country's anti-semitism, and about pre-Vatican II Catholicism, among other topics. The book put a personal stamp on these topics; it's impossible for me now to judge the "Aunt Edith's" for converting, not when the conversion came out of genuine faith. The book also inspires me to read more about the Holocaust, which I have avoided due to my parents' experiences. Although Ms. Jacoby says you can't stop being a Jew, which I believe, I also believe that if enough generations intermarry, their Jewishness will eventually disappear and they will hide successfully. Maybe not from Nuremberg Laws, but certainly within the pluralism of American society.

Repetitious, no surprises.......2001-06-05

I had to quit reading this book at page 189. Terminal boredom had set in. I wish Jacoby had written her book in chronological order instead of dividing the chapters by subject matter. Maybe then I would not have had to hear over and over about her nasty grandmother, brilliant uncle and unloving grandfather. I never felt like I knew these people or empathized with their emotions. Jacoby added some interesting insights into the history of Jewish-Americans, but not enough to support a book-length account of her ordinary 1950s childhood. Turbulent Souls by Stephen Dubner and A Good Enough Daughter by Aliz Kates Shulman are far better examples of this genre.

Brutal Honesty.......2000-10-27

Wow! Susan Jacoby has written a fantastic account of her childhood and her family's history. She thoroughly documents her emotions, thoughts, and historical facts. The reader only wants to support her and discover intrinsic truths regarding their own heritage. A good book for people of all religious backgrounds.

An uniquely impressive, engaging, poignant biography........2000-09-07

Half-Jew is Susan Jacoby's impressive, highly recommended family history in which she shares a meticulous historical research into the suppressed Judaic roots of her personal genealogy. In these pages, Susan writes with compassion, emotional insight, and candor about her father (who was a Roman Catholic convert) and her own search for ancestral roots that led her to the discovery of her German Jewish grand-grandfather who arrived in American in 1849, her tormented grandfather who built a brilliant legal career in the early 1900s only to gamble it away and die a cocaine addiction in 1941, of her great-uncle Harold, a distinguished astronomy whose map of the constellations still shines up on the ceiling of New York's Grand Central Terminal, and her beloved uncle Oswald Jacoby, a famous bridge champion. Susan also explores the damage inflicted by intimate parental lies, and the rich opportunities for redress when a parent and an adult child face long-buried truths about themselves and who they are.

a must read for the mischlinge among us.......2000-07-30

I always pick up books on being part Jewish, if only to counter the religious view that there is no such thing. Flipping through Susan Jacoby's book, I really identified with her feelings about uncovering a hidden Jewish past (my own "Russian" grandfather was Jewish) and gambling (he was a bookie). I'm more convinced than ever that "part Jewish" is a valid identity. But the most startling part was to realize that Susan is a cousin of my best friend in college, Mary Jacoby Simpson. Weird small world...

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