The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Animals

Customer Reviews:

Definitely could've been better.......2007-10-08

For a book about Weird New York, you're tackling a huge, fertile topic, and yet this guide at times seems...boring. For some reason, in a state containing everything from metropolitan cities to towering mountains and sprawling lakes, the information presented is really not that interesting. A few abandoned places, some local folklore, even an analysis of popular myths like alligators in the sewers all seem somewhat mediocre for a place that very well should have some of the weirdest stuff on the planet. New York City itself, which seems like it could merit an entire volume, gets very few mentions in the guide.

Part of it is due to the writing. The author really doesn't seem very enthused by anything he's describing, and not that I really care for a Weird volume, but his prose is pretty bad at times. I bought this next to Joseph Citro's Weird New England, and the two are lightyears apart - in addition to being a good writer, Citro seems geuinely excited by every fact and tidbit he includes. Whereas here, Chris seems like he's just trying to fill a volume.

I give it three stars because it's still the best of its kind out there, and a decent coffee table book at that. But there are definitely some better Weird editions out there.

Weird New York.......2007-05-12

Great value for a hard cover book with many photos and glossy pages.
However while the factual parts of the book are very interesting, the reader entries are a bit inplauible. Most of the reported ghost sightings sound like real BS.

Interesting, but.......2007-01-19

I would HOPE that when they found the obvious and gory evidence of animal sacrifices in that abandoned building that they immediately contacted the local Humane Society AND the local law authorities.

New York IS Weird.......2007-01-09

Great fun for residents, former residents, and transplants alike. It gives a good "overview" of this great state. Unfortunately, it focuses more on one locale than all of them. Long Islanders should be in their glory because much of the "weirdness" takes place in their area of the state. I wish some of the stories could have been trimmed to include more of a variety. There's a treasure trove of incidents from Upstate New York, particularly in the Herkimer-Utica area, that would have been interesting to read about. Perhaps a sequel is in order?

Lighthearted And A Lot Of Fun........2006-12-13

I first saw this book lying on a Specials table in a local bookstore. I picked it up, read a few exerpts and decided I have to had to have it. Weird New York is a collection of short stories and oddities regarding New York places, people and facinations. Although its a big book (almost 300 pages) its really affordably priced, a quick read and an absolute blast to read. Its interesting to read stories about places near where you live and you never even knew existed. I suggest this book to anyone with a fascination of the weird and wanting a lighthearted book to read.

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Weird Northern New York
Cheri Revai
Manufacturer: North Country Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Curiosities & Wonders | Fun Facts | Reference | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1595310126
Release Date: 2006-10-01

Product Description

From Cheri Revai--author of the best selling Haunted Northern New York series--Weird Northern New York chronicles strange occurrences in the North Country. Ghost stories are and always have been "weird," by the very definition of the word, so a few new ones are included in this book. But there's so much more that's truly weird than just ghosts to talk about. There was the stone fetus and the oldest person alive; earthquakes, devastating wind sheers, and even a year without summer; hangings, murders and amazing feats of accomplishment. There have been secret societies, blood libel, and mob mentality; tiny dinosaur-like beings, and giant river creatures. There was the vortex at Thompson Park, which caused several people to vanish and reappear elsewhere; a man who went deep into the woods of Essex County, chained himself to trees with padlocks and threw away the keys; and a record breaking forty-two point buck...

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Wonderfully Entertaining
REALLY REALLY GOOD!
Great!
It was a get down to reality kind of book.

Weird on the Outside
Shelley Stoehr
Manufacturer: Backinprint.Com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Crosses

ASIN: 0595269532

Amazon.com

New York City's lights are bright enough to thrill even the most jaded teen--at first, anyway. Tracey Bascombe runs away to the writhing metropolis in hopes of living anonymously, away from her neglectful father and pill-popping mother. Sparkling facades are rarely what they seem, however, and soon Tracey must confront New York's gritty underbelly. Alone in the huge city, without real skills, Tracey turns to stripping in order to survive. In what may be one of the most graphic books ever written for teens, author Shelley Stoehr takes readers inside the mind of a runaway teen as she splits apart in order to maintain her sanity. She may be Tracey by day, but at night, under the hazy glow of stage lights, she becomes Amanda and dances for slobbering, objectifying men. Stoehr bravely abandons all moralizing here. Instead, the author allows Tracey/Amanda to describe her own life in painful, lurid detail, resulting in a powerful, cautionary tale for mature teens everywhere.

Book Description

When sixteen-year-old Tracey runs away she finds that making ends meet in New York City for a young girl with few real skills is nearly impossible. That s when Tracey becomes Amanda, a topless dancer. On her first day of work, another dancer gives Amanda this advice: Never mix this place with the real world, but already Tracey s and Amanda s worlds seem like one big blur...

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully Entertaining.......2003-09-03

The first time I read this book was either in the sixth or seventh grade and I fell in love with it. I so amazed with such an adult matter the book had and even more amazed how well the author was able to word it for young teens to understand. Even as a young teen, I felt like I knew Tracy and understood her pain. I loved the book so much that I even stole it from the library in my hometown. Even being in my Twenties, I still enjoy this book. Everyone should read this book.

REALLY REALLY GOOD!.......1998-07-05

I live in the city and it was very real. I could also relate to her problems, because I am a girl around her age, however I have never gone to the extremes that she went too. It gets down to the nitty gritty, and is a great read for all ages. Infact I am surprised it's not also classified as an "adult book" because it's just as real for both age groups. It was the kind of book that made me laugh, while also making me cry at parts. A highly recomended read!

Great!.......1998-03-05

It really shows whats going on and tells it like it is. I'm 13 and LOVED the book... It ruled because it seemed like it was really written by a 17 year old runaway. She used language things that we use and can relate with...in all it RULED!

It was a get down to reality kind of book........1997-12-01

I avidly read this book in a matter of hours. From start to finish I was mysteriously drawn page-by-page into this dark reality. She uncovered a life that is unjustly criticized and I feel this will be an eye-opening experience for many to read.

A Weird Take on an Old Tale.(Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow")(Brief Article): An article from: New York Times Upfront

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A Weird Take on an Old Tale.(Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow")(Brief Article): An article from: New York Times Upfront
Frank Decaro
Manufacturer: Scholastic, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00099KXGS
Release Date: 2005-06-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from New York Times Upfront, published by Scholastic, Inc. on December 13, 1999. The length of the article is 5143 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: A Weird Take on an Old Tale.(Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow")(Brief Article)
Author: Frank Decaro
Publication: New York Times Upfront (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 13, 1999
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Volume: 132 Issue: 8 Page: 24

Article Type: Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Weird New York
Chris Gethard
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K1QEZO

Weird New York: Your Travel Guide To New York's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets (Weird)

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Weird New York: Your Travel Guide To New York's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets (Weird)
Chris Gethard
Manufacturer: Sterling Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N67N92

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A Helpful Book for Preachers

The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching

What a great Book!!!

The Best Sermon tool I have ever seen

The "How To" for Expository Preaching

12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching
Wayne McDill
Manufacturer: B&H Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Preaching Without Notes

Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository Sermons

Biblical Preaching,: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages

How To Prepare Sermons

On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons: Fourth Edition

ASIN: 0805432973

Book Description

In this newly expanded second edition of 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching, Dr. Wayne McDill draws on decades of experience as a preacher and homiletics professor to inspire other preachers to live up to their God-given potential.

Here are twelve proven ways to pack more content and effectiveness into every sermon, covering all of the bases from general preparation to the end result of increasing each listener's faith. Recent seminary graduates and seasoned pastors alike will identify skills that need personal improvement, and McDill encourages them to strengthen such areas at their own pace and in whatever order they feel is best.

Every chapter in this new edition has been revised and updated. Also included are additional worksheet helps and sermon examples.

Customer Reviews:

A Helpful Book for Preachers.......2007-03-29

With a desire to provide a "skills development approach" for training in the art and science of preaching, Dr. Wayne McDill pens a volume that aims to "identify and strengthen the specific skills needed for more effective sermon preparation" (ix). McDill serves as professor of preaching at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He has over forty years of experience as a pastor, denominational leader,
and a teacher of homiletics and is the author of numerous books, including Evangelism in a Tangled World, Becoming Who You Are, Making Friends for Christ, and The Message.

McDill contends that there are twelve essential skills to help preachers provide more and better content in their sermons. While he observes that God calls and His preachers, we have the responsibility to develop these specific skills through "discipline, hard work, and a commitment to clear thinking and Bible-based sermons" (15). He notes that:

This book is designed with a self-improvement format, a do-it-yourself approach which will let you concentrate on your own skills, at your own pace, and in the areas you see need to be strengthened (7).

Summary

McDill presents the first skill for great preaching in that the preacher must "get the text in view" by way of observation (17). With this skill, he desires to "recogniz[e] and not[e] details in the wording of the text and their significance for its meaning" through the means of structural diagramming via inductive Bible study (43). The second skill is "seeing what is there [through] recognizing and noting details in the wording of the text and their significance in the meaning (42).

The next skill is in "asking the right questions ... for the best research to interpret the writer's meaning" -- also known as hermeneutics (59, 61). The challenge here lies in trying to know what someone's intentions are when they are so far removed by historical, literary, and theological distance (63-64). One these questions are answered, the preacher moves to the next step which is "naming the textual idea" (80). Here, the preacher discovers "the writer's idea in the text and designat[es] it with precise terminology" (83). Once accomplished, the next step is to touch human needs by "tracing from theological concepts in the text to corresponding needs in contemporary hearers" (102).

After this step is executed in the interpretation stages, the time comes to bridge from text to sermon (121) followed by the writing of the sermon divisions which "clearly state the teachings of the text on its subject" (139). Next is the step of planning the sermon design which determines "the arrangement of sermon materials for the most effective communication" (159) followed by the development of sermon ideas which will aid in the "understanding, acceptance, and response of the hearer" (182). The next step in this area of understanding and acceptance is in "exploring natural analogies ... for illustrating sermon ideas" for, as McDill notes, "a concept does not impact our thinking unless we can see it" (203). Along this line of thinking, the next skill deals with "drawing pictures, telling stories" in an imaginative and creative way to bring biblical and contemporary stories to life in the mind of the listener (223).

Finally, the culminates all the steps thus far into this final step which aims to "[conform] every aspect of sermon design to the aim of a faith response in the hearer" (244) for it is the "only appropriate response to God and His Word" (258).

Critical Evaluation

As stated earlier, McDill's purpose in writing this book consists of "identify[ing] and strengthen[ing] the specific skills needed for more effective sermon preparation" (ix). By focusing on the content of the sermon, he succeeds for the most part in making a user-friendly volume that deserves a place on every pastor's bookshelf.

What immediately strikes the reader's cursory glance of this work is the layout. McDill deserves praise for achieving his goal of presenting a "self-improvement format [and] a do-it-yourself approach" (7). Each chapter contains a sentence that clearly and succinctly tells the "skill [McDill hopes] to develop with this exercise" (83). Each chapter also contains easily identifiable headings and subheadings, a box or boxes containing key definitions, guidelines for each exercise, a chapter summary, study questions, and examples of how to implement each exercise. He helps the preacher in his studies who is pressed for time. McDill's layout allows the preacher a quick reference guide as needed.

Another appealing aspect of this work is its practical nature. This is not a theoretical book on homiletical philosophy but a basic `how-to' manual for preachers to work their own pace (11). He notes that "just because you think you understand something doesn't mean you can do it. Practice is the only way to master a skill, even in sermon preparation" (4). McDill takes the preacher step-by-step through each of the skills he presents. As mentioned just previously, each chapter contains a segment guiding the reader through an exercise for each skill (32, 52, 73, 90, 114, 131, 146, 171, 193, 215, 235, 257). In these segments, the author certainly practices what he preaches in that not only does he tell the reader what each skill entails, he also helps the reader apply it step-by-step from the ground up . This portion is so helpful for the young preacher finding himself overwhelmed with the thought of sermon preparation. McDill figuratively takes the young preacher by the hand and guides him carefully through each process.

A highly commended chapter ib this work is Chapter Ten, "Exploring Natural Analogies" (201). A `natural analogy' takes a "relationship, circumstance, event, or other factor" in the natural realm and parallels it with a theological concept (207). McDill notes that an "incarnational (in human form) principle must guide us today as se seek, through preaching, to be channels of God's ongoing revelation" (203-204). He rightly notes that we must "look for analogies that will help your hearer understand the idea" (211) and are grounded in our respective "arenas of life" (216). This skill is vital in connecting with our contemporary audiences and is the same style of preaching that Jesus often used with the common people with His use of parables, which took a common situation, event, or person's position and used it to instill a heavenly truth.

Two weaknesses are found in this work. The most noticeable is the title. This reviewer finds the title a bit presumptuous, as if acquiring and applying these twelve skills will automatically make one's preaching `great.' For McDill, great content equals great preaching and clearly his focus is on fleshing out the content of the Scriptures in "the skills necessary to sermon preparation" (10). The title implies this would be a more comprehensive approach to sermon preparation and delivery in the whole realm of preaching. Instead, he minimizes the effect of delivery in favor of content alone.

The delivery style is not the critical factor in what we recognize as great preaching. Great delivery without effective content is often only "sound and fury, signifying nothing." On the other hand, striking content is of real interest to the hearer, even if the delivery is weak. (10).

Yet again, the title of the book implies preaching and delivery is part of the preaching process. Plus, the Scriptural accounts of the preachers and prophets indicate that the content and the way they communicated that content was part of the message. The Apostle Paul notes that:

My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, ESV).

The point here that Paul makes is that content alone does not a message make, but it is how the message crafts the speaker's heart and thus persuades passionately through the Spirit. McDill seems to miss this point completely. A better title would be "The 12 Essential Skills for Great Sermon Preparation."

Conclusion

After reading this work in its entirety, I would highly recommend this work to someone looking for a manual on sermon preparation. Even though the title is misleading, once the preacher enters into the contents of the book and sees the helpful way McDill fleshes out these various skills, he will be thankful for having such a wonderful volume in his hands.

I would recommend using this volume as a tune-up to specific areas of your preaching preparation that need work rather than trying to work from the beginning to the end of this book, for that would take a large amount of time. Absorbing this book little-by-little, however, will certainly transform your sermon preparation and your congregation will thank you all the more for this transformation.

The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching.......2005-08-29

Well please, I got just what they said. The book is well written, easy to apply-thanks.

What a great Book!!!.......2005-07-20

The book, "Twelve Essential Skills for Great Preaching" is an excellent book for student ministers, lay persons and even seasoned ministers. We can all learn some valuable tips and "essential skills" on how to improve our preaching and by so doing remove boredom from our congregations and encourage and motivate all audiences in strengthening their faith in the Gospel of jesus Christ. This book will assist us to enliven our messages and communicate far better with our community of believers.

The Best Sermon tool I have ever seen.......2003-02-09

McDill has captured the essence of expository Preaching. No other preaching method I have studied is as God honoring and powerful. It teaches you how to preach God's Word and not your own or anyone elses. At the same time it helps you to use your own life experiences to illustrate the points you pull directly out of God's Word. It takes the best of Inductive study methods and couples them with the art of expository preaching.

The "How To" for Expository Preaching.......2001-10-26

I must admit as a recent Bible college graduate I was intimidated by the task of expository preaching. However, as I finished each chapter I thought to myself, "I can do that." Soon I was through the entire book confident I could preach an effective expository sermon on any passage of Scripture.
McDill takes you through from text to sermon and everything in between showing exactly how to do everything. I readily admit that my preaching has changed since reading this book. It has added depth and meaning and my sermons are not just an exegetical speech but messages that connects with the hearts and spirits of the congregation.
This book is a must-read for the expository preacher!

Book Description

How often do illustrators, artists and commercial designers need a "pretty face" — an attractive, appealing portrait of a woman? Here are 312 new designs in sharp black-and-white on one side of a page, ready-to-use and copyright-free, of women's heads: women talking, laughing, working, making up, playing, and just being contemporary.

Customer Reviews:

hours of fun.......2000-11-21

i bought this book on a whim, and consequently spent hours in front of the Xerox machine making my own stationery with it! Lots of neat/"retro"/wacky/elegant black-and-white illustrations of, you guessed it, women's heads. Very stylized. Tons to choose from. A+!!

Book Description

THE RETRIEVER: ITS POINTS; MANAGEMENT; TRAINING and DISEASES. By Frank Townend Barton. M.R.C.V.S. A VINTAGE DOG BOOKS CLASSIC REPRINT Originally published in London 1907, this scarce early work on the Retriever is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS have now republished it using the original text and artwork as part of their CLASSIC BREED BOOKS series. One hundred and thirty four pages contain seventeen detailed chapters:- General Management. - External Parts and Conformation. - The Flat-Coated Retriever. - The Labrador. - The Curly-Coated Retriever. - Management of the Stud Dog. - Care of Brood Bitch and Rearing Puppies. - Breaking Retrievers. - Liability of Breakers and Trainers. - Diseases and Injuries affecting Retrievers. (9 chapters) etc.The author was a highly respected breeder of the day and wrote several other important dog books. This is a fascinating read for any Retriever enthusiast or historian, andalso contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest dog breed books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Our Friend the Retriever; Curly-Coated, Flat-Coated and Golden

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Our Friend the Retriever; Curly-Coated, Flat-Coated and Golden
Rowland, Editor Lohn
Manufacturer: Methuen & Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RWHA6I

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Month-by-Month Gardening in Minnesota: Revised Edition: What to Do Each Month to Have a Beautiful Garden All Year (Month-By-Month Gardening in Minnesota)
Melinda Myers
Manufacturer: Cool Springs Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Minnesota Gardener's Guide: Revised Edition (Minnesota Gardener's Guide)

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Perennials for Minnesota and Wisconsin

Annuals for Minnesota & Wisconsin

Tree & Shrub Gardening For Minnesota And Wisconsin

ASIN: 1591862531

Book Description

Gardening is now the favorite leisure pastime in America. Homeowners are realizing the health benefits derived from gardening and the increase in their home's property value.

Book retailers are well aware that the trend in gardening books is to regional titles that provide credible information on the plants that perform well in specific regions.

"Month-by-Month Gardening in Minnesota" is written for Minnesota gardeners who want to know how to properly care for their gardens and the correct timing for successful results. Each chapter is comprised of monthly plant-specific information. This book covers landscape and vegetable gardens and is appropriate for beginning to intermediate gardeners.

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Month-by-month Gardening In Minnesota
Melinda Myers
Manufacturer: Cool Springs Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Midwest | Regional | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Minnesota Gardener's Guide: Revised Edition (Minnesota Gardener's Guide)

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ASIN: 188860896X
Release Date: 2001-10-24

Book Description

Gardening is now the favorite leisure pastime in America. Homeowners are realizing the health benefits derived from gardening and the increase in their home's property value.

Book retailers are well aware that the trend in gardening books is to regional titles that provide credible information on the plants that perform well in specific regions.

Month-by-Month Gardening in Minnesota is written for Minnesota gardeners who want to know how to properly care for their gardens and the correct timing for successful results. Each chapter is comprised of monthly plant-specific information. This book covers landscape and vegetable gardens and is appropriate for beginning to intermediate gardeners.

Gardening Month by Month in Minnesota & Wisconsin

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Gardening Month by Month in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Don Engebretson , and Don Williamson
Manufacturer: Lone Pine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1551053837

Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: A Month by Month Guide to Natural Events--Minnesota, Michigan & Wisconsin

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Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: A Month by Month Guide to Natural Events--Minnesota, Michigan & Wisconsin
John Bates
Manufacturer: Fulcrum Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

Like all PeachPit books, this one's a winner.......1998-02-24

This book is much easier to navigate than the FrameMaker manual that comes with the software. Though about one third the length of the manual, I was able to find a couple of features and procedures in the PeachPit boook that I was unable to find in Adobe's own manual. I recommend all of the PeachPit books highly.

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Power Of... Framemaker 4 for Windows
David B. Doty
Manufacturer: Mis Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1558283145

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