DRUMS OF MEMORY: The Autobiography of Sir Stephen Hastings MC

Book Description

Stephen Hastings has led an extraordinarily interesting life, which he describes with literary skill which is apparently a family trait (his cousin is the noted military historian Max Hastings). Hastings participated in many of the SAS's classic raids across the desert, playing a role in shaping that famous units expertise and esprit. Hastings devotes considerable detail to this fascinating campaign about which too little is available in English.

Customer Reviews:

Superb book by a great man.......2003-04-01

Stephen Hastings, war hero, secret agent, Member of Parliament, painter, sculptor, public speaker, Master of Foxhounds, raconteur, etc., etc. would be a fit subject for either a novelist like Ian Fleming, or a great biographer. His autobiography is both engaging and informative, and gives the reader a picture of a reanaissance man of his times. As the late Ouida Huxley (Aldou's sister-in-law) once said, "They don't make men today like they did in the '30s." Buy this book. It's a great read.

Average customer rating:

Everything you want to know aabout NASA

Pretty good book

Excellent

A Good Story and a Decent Book

An American hero

High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband
Evelyn Husband , and Donna VanLiere
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Religious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Adventurers & Explorers | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Astronauts | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0785261958

Book Description

Rick Husband wanted to be an astronaut since his fourth birthday, but it wasn't always for the right reasons. Initially, he thought it would be neat . . . cool . . . a fun thing to do. It wasn't until he came to a spiritual crossroads and was able to give that dream up to discover the true desires of his heart before he actually got into the space shuttle program at NASA. Three failed attempts didn't daunt this driven pilot-and the fourth interview process, though lengthy and difficult, proved successful for him.

Husband's years at NASA served not only to develop his integrity and character, but also to increase his faith in a Creator that could not be denied in the vastness of space. His story is not only inspirational but exhilarating and invigorating, as readers will witness the life of a man who consistently pursued the desires of his heart even as he served a faithful God.

Customer Reviews:

Everything you want to know aabout NASA.......2007-04-10

I was surprised how really good this book was. As well as telling you tons of fascinating info about NASA and lots of interesting detail about the work of the astronauts, the reader is given an intimate look into what their families are put through. I highly recommend it.

Pretty good book.......2006-05-22

The book High Calling is good. I recommend that if you enjoy real life novels you buy this book. It is about the astronaut Rick Husband and his wife Evelyn Husband. I liked it for that reason. Also, it gets to the point without too much detail but it has enough. It was also interesting how it told about all of the procedures that astronauts do and how their lives are. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books about real people in real situations. Another good thing is that the book is spiritual and tells people who read it to become more spiritual.

Excellent.......2005-08-25

Very meaningful personal testimony to a most important event in our Nation's history.
Should be read by everyone.

A Good Story and a Decent Book.......2005-07-30

Like Rick, I grew up in Amarillo Texas and attended Texas Tech University as an engineering major so his story was naturally interesting to me. Unfortunately, the book seemed to focus too much on his faith. I realize his faith was a large part of his life. Remember this is the life AND faith of Rick. Ultimately I was left with the impression that working on this book provided an avenue of closure for a mourning wife.

An American hero.......2005-06-11

Astronaut Rick Husband was a true American hero in more than one way. From childhood, his dream was to be an astronaut, and he was willing to do whatever it took to fulfill his dream.
Rick Husband was also a devoted husband and father who took the time to record daily inspirational video messages for his children.
But, most of all, Husband was a devout Christian man who was dedicated to serving the Lord.
The Columbia tragedy happened only two years ago, so it is still easy for most of us to remember that terrible day. In this book, you can truly feel Evelyn Husband's pain and sorrow when she learned that she had lost Rick. Evelyn also remembers the other six astronauts who lost their lives that day.

High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband

Average customer rating:

High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband
Vanliere, Evelyn, Donna Husband
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0007SMBYS

Customer Reviews:

OVER THE EDGE.......2007-04-14

THE IDEA THAT " THE MARKET " CAN FIX ANYTHING HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.
AND IT CAN IF YOU ARE ON THE RECEIVING END OF THE PAYMENT SYSTEM. IT'S GREAT! HOWEVER IF YOU ARE THE " PAYER " I.E. WORKING FOR LITTLE OR NOTHING, PAYING TAXES, BUYING THREE DOLLAR GAS, GETTING YOUR RATTLE TRAP CAR FIXED SO YOU CAN GO TO YOUR EIGHT DOLLAR AN HOUR JOB...YOU REALLY CAN'T FIX ANYTHING.
VOTING DOES NO GOOD WHAT-SO-EVER AS EVERY POLITICIAN WHO HAS EVER LIVED IS ON BOARD FOR ALL THE MONEY THEY CAN GET. THE ONLY THING THAT WILL WORK, REALLY WORK IS IF THE PEOPLE OF THE USA TAKE THEIR GOVERNMENT BACK AND MAKE IT WORK IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL. THIS IS NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN SOON BECAUSE 99%
OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE BRAIN-WASHED DAILY INTO BELIEVING THEY HAVE NO POWER.
GET READY FOR MORE "MARKET" DRIVEN "SOLUTIONS" FOR YOUR EVER MOUNTING PROBLEMS. AND IF YOU HAVE YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET IN THE END...

market s in healthcare? .......2005-07-30

Herzlinger is a card-carrying member of the club that believes that markets can cure all social ills, and like all members of this club, she plays fast and loose with reality. For instance, she tries to present the vision market as an exemplar of how market forces can work in healthcare. Vision is one of the few areas of medicine where patients can appraise the value of the service, the quality of the provider, and make decisions about how much they are willing to pay. That is simply not the case when a patient is really sick with heart failure, and needs multiple medications, multiple doctors, and is probably going to be hospitalized repeatedly.

In trying to argue that all aspects of medicine can follow market rules the way vision services do, Herzlinger conveniently ignores one critical fact: there is no true market in the healthcare industry, and there can't be. Kenneth J. Arrow, Nobel Prize winning economist pointed this out 30 years ago, and his observations are still true today. Providers (doctors and hospitals, and increasingly the drug and device industries) drive demand for their services. They are the ones who decide what patients need. The notion that patients can have suffient information to be able to determine what they need is probably only true for the 80 percent of people who consume 20 percent of healthcare costs. The 20 percent who eat up 80 percent of costs are sick with multiple conditions. Imagine your grandmother is in the hospital, sick with diabetes, and pneumonia, scared, having a hard time breathing, and she's supposed to sort through whether or not she should pay the $600 to call in the pulmonologist? The patients with chronic, multiple, debilitating disorders actually need the exerpertise of medical professionals.

Her focused factories have come to pass: they are called specialty, or even super-specialty, hospitals, which focus on one procedure, or one category of specialty. There are cardiac hospitals, for instance, that only perform by-pass surgery, cardiac catheterization,angioplasty, and stenting. Are they good at what they do? Sure, because they focus on a narrow range of procedures, they only take insured patients, and they don't take anybody with comorbidities. Of course, the really expensive patients tend to have comorbidies. The effect of the specialty hospitals on local healthcare markets? They do not bring down costs, they simply drain profit from full-spectrum community hospitals, which still have to care for all those patients with pneumonia and who don't have health insurance.

The imbalance of information between physician and patient is simply insurmoutable, and without that kind of balance, markets don't work very well.

So she's no Tolstoy, but the ideas are great........2004-03-15

No one will accuse Ms. Herzlinger of being a great writer, but her conversational style is easy to read and she does have some good ideas for how the healthcare industry should be. Ideas that still haven't been implemented even now, 8 years after it was written. She does make a fairly convincing argument for how focused factories could reduce costs. In addition, suggestions that everybody should have health insurance, that healthcare providers should not be insulated from market forces, that consumers are the ones with the real power to stop the soaring healthcare costs, and that they'll only curtail spending when given incentive to do so are good points that can't be made often enough. Points that seem even more relevant today given the continued increase in healthcare costs, the inability of the HMO system to manage them, and the spiraling problem the growing uninsured population is creating (the more uninsured people there are, the more insurance costs, which increases the number of uninsured, etc.). She has good ideas, I think it's time people listened. It's of vital importance that the healthcare system incorporate what's great about America, what has made America a leader in every other industry: innovation and sensibly regulated free markets. Ms. Herzlinger gives us a good way to get it done.

I also have to ask if some of the other reviewers actually read the book. The author gives a pretty good analysis of how focused factories would reduce costs, using that 20% of the people produce 80% of the costs as a cornerstone of her argument. Also, she cites physicians' inability to deal with market forces as a cause of the problem and gives suggestions for how to deal with it.

There is no "market" in American medical care, period........2003-12-13

Market forces cannot solve the medical crisis. No market exists. Knowledge of what is sold is inequivalent: if patients knew the difference between colonoscopy and colposcopy, they would not know the fair market value of either procedure. Unlike buying a car, where the dealer knows you can walk off, patients cannot negotiate, and can't determine the quantity of medical services needed. Eyeglasses constitute a misleading example. Physicians are the principal drivers of all expenditure on medical care. Without a medical license, nothing can be ordered or prescribed. This fact must be faced squarely: the supplier of services regulates the level of demand for medical services. Annual outlays have now reached $1.6 trillion with no end in sight to the physician-driven escalation in expenditures. This is not COST inflation, but relentless EXPENDITURE INCREASE driven chiefly by an oversupply of medical doctors. If this system is ever to be fixed, these stubborn realities must be faced. This author evidently has no clue that there is not a "market" operating in the world of medical care delivery, thus her analysis is unhelpful.

Admirable goals,solutions ignore some regulatory constraints.......1999-03-01

The author accurately identifies a subpopulation of patients who are middle class,time constrained, and annoyed with the difficulty of obtaining quick evaluation and therapy for a variety of health problems of varying complexity. After examining a number of systems for health care delivery, she gives the nod to highly specialized and focused units such as the Shouldice Clinic for hernia surgery in Canada. There are several problems with the soultions she proposes: 1) Goverment regulatory agencies and third party payers currently refuse to pay multiple consultants for seeing a patient on the same day. 2)Patients with complex multisystem problems may be ill served in such a focused system- eg. the patient who has congestive heart failure and a hernia. 3)There would monumental problems with education of medical students and residents in such a system. While this is a secondary consideration in a market driven system in which there is a physician surplus, if we fail to adequately educate physicians for future generations the law of supply and demand will ultimately come back to haunt us.

Book Description

Put simply, if you love food, you'll love Portugal. In your hands is the definitive guide to eating in Portugal, revealing dried salt cod, luscious Serra cheese, spicy sausages, the best coffee in the world, egg yolk sweets and Portugal's local firewater, aguardente. There's a rich history to soak up, along with girth-stretching food and a warmth of hospitality that's unique to the Portuguese. So whet your appetite for knowledge and get ready to expand body and mind!

the essential guide to the culture of food and drink in Portugal
a guide to the mind-boggling variety of wine regions and types, including Madeira and port
an exploration of the regional influences of Portuguese cuisine
the definitive culinary dictionary, quick reference glossary and useful phrases for every food and drink occasion
tantalizing photography and recipes

Customer Reviews:

THOROUGH AND CONCISELY ACCURATE.......2002-08-26

For such a small country, Portugal has a wonderfully varied and diverse cuisine. Until now, the only other book that gave it any justice was Jean Anderson's "The Food of Portugal." This book is right-on with regional specialties like the "queijada" of Sintra, and many other delights.

THOROUGH AND CONCISELY ACCURATE.......2002-08-26

Book Description

In the land of Cervantes, Cádiz and castanets, food binds and defines Spanish culture. This guide explores Spain's culinary soul, whether it lurks in a 24-hour tapas bar, in the crowds of La Boqueria Market or even in your own kitchen. Spanish cuisine goes way beyond recipes and you'll discover that history, simplicity and conviviality are just some of the vital ingredients in the real taste of Spain.

the essential guide to the culture of eating & drinking in Spain
hunting down the finest Spanish wines
out on the town in Madrid
Basque, Catalan, Andalucian and other regional specialties
the definitive culinary dictionary, a quick-reference glossary and useful phrases for every food & drink occasion
tantalising photography & recipes

Customer Reviews:

More books on food!.......2000-12-19

We travel quite a bit and spend a lot of time beforehand getting information about the food where we're headed. Before taking off for Turkey some 3 years ago we bought "Eat Smart in Turkey," (there are several countries covered in that series), which was just what we were looking for. We used LP guides a lot, so welcome the debut of their food guides. Bought the one on Spain for an upcoming repeat trip and expect this guide to be helpful. No McD's for us!

Lonely Planet World Food: Spain.......2000-04-10

As frequent world travelers, there are certain "rituals" we perform prior to departure. Chief among these familiarizing ourselves with the local cuisine, and preparing dishes we expect to be eating. This little volume does the best job I have ever seen in explaining local food and drink, food preparation tools and techniques, and regional variations on all of these. Some recipes are included: the paella is the easiest I have ever prepared, and equally flavorful. The book is beautifully illustrated and whets one's appetite for travel to Spain as well as eating there. Descriptions of restaurant types are excellent: do YOU know what to expect at a horno asador, versus a terraza? And just what sort of drink WOULD you find at a sidreria? The one downside of the book is the lack of specific recommendations of restaurants, tavernas, etc. This is somewhat countered by a very precise guide to recommended stalls to visit in the Barcelona market. However, other guide books would have to steer you to eating establishments. The section on "Fit and Healthy" eating should be read by any traveler to a foreign country. Kudos to Lonely Planet. We look forward with great enthusiasm to their editions related to other cuisines.

Lonely Planet World Food: Spain.......2000-03-30

As frequent world travelers, we have certain "rituals" we perform prior to departure. Chief among these is "studying" food - reading and preparing dishes from appropriate cookbooks. We're going to Barcelona and Costa Brava in May, and have prepared numerous Paella dishes. The recipe in this book is much easier to prepare than most and equally excellent in flavor. We had read in Saveur Magazine a bit about Sidrerias. (Cider Houses, but not as in the bestselling book.) The Lonely Planet guide gave much more information. The one downside to this book is the lack recommendations of good restaurants, bars, etc. Perhaps their travel guide does this, but it would have been much better to incorporate this into the volume under discussion. The book is extremely well organized, and it's easy to access information on virtually any food-related subject. This would be a great addition to the library of anyone interested in Spanish cuisine. The section on "Fit & Healthy" does a much better than usual job of explaining potential risk factors for American tourists, and how to deal with them. This will be one of three books we bring with us to Spain. I look forward to acquiring any other titles published in this series. Kudos to Lonely Planet.

Average customer rating:
Out On A Loom : Instructions and 15 Patterns for Loom Bead Weaving
Margie Deeb
Manufacturer: Minoa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Beadwork | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Weaving | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0967096405

Book Description

Out On A Loom is a creative journey through color, design, and form for the bead artist.

The softcover book features 32 full-color pages of detailed instructions, illustrations and diagrams for creating loom woven bracelets, mini-tapestries and split loom necklaces.

Photos of Margie Deeb's bead work (including the weaving skills of renowned bead artist Frieda Bates) provide stunning examples of what can be created from the pages of Out On A Loom.

Book Description

Whether landscaping a new house or sprucing up an old one, readers will find this a unique and indispensable guide. The Tree and Shrub Finder is organized to help the homeowner choose plants for their beauty as well as for other features, such as privacy, shade, low-maintenance care, and even "kid-friendliness" for treehouses and hammocks. Also included are little-known tricks for plant care.

Book Description

Let internationally recognized fitness and aquatics expert and best-selling author Jane Katz, EdD, show you how to feel better about yourself, your body, and your baby during pregnancy.

Katz presents a safe and effective swimming and water exercise program for keeping fit during your pregnancy and after. Regardless of your current fitness level, you'll enjoy these 44 workouts that prepare you for the birth process by teaching you how to stretch, tone, and strengthen your body--gently.

The 12-week postpartum workout program will help you keep in shape and involve the rest of the family in water activities.

Take the stress out of exercise! Water Fitness During Your Pregnancy will help you be stronger, healthier, and ready to enjoy life with your new baby.

Customer Reviews:

If you do it in a pool, call it water fitness..........2003-08-13

I was extremely disappointed in this book. It read like an instruction manual dumbed down to elementary grade levels. The stretches in the book could mostly be done on land. The definitions were over the top. Defining water, then defining fitness, then (they actually put them together)... I'll save you the money. If you already know how to swim, do that.

An excellent resource for mothers-to-be.......1999-06-26

This book is packed with useful information for women who are eager to remain active during their pregnancies. The clear instructions and easy-to-follow illustrations ensure that even beginners can enjoy a safe and healthy workout. The book also contains clear guidelines on modifying your workout as your pregnancy progresses. This is the best book of its type available, which is why I recommended it in my own book, The Unofficial Guide to Having A Baby.

Book Description

Izumi Kyoka (1872-1939) wrote some 300 stories, plays, and essays. In the first book-length study in English of Kyoka, Charles Shiro Inouye argues that his writings were a refinement of a vision that came into focus around 1900. This narrative archetype formed the aesthetic and ethical bases of his work. Kyoka does not fit the conventional story of Japanese literary modernization. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he did not jettison the Japanese literary tradition in favor of modernist imports from the West. The highly visual mode of figuration that was Kyoka's compromise with the demands of literary modernism allows us to see the continuation of Edo culture in the Japanese modern and expand our understanding of literary reform in the early twentieth century.

Customer Reviews:

A Model of Literary Criticism.......2006-04-01

In a day when critical biographies are still suffering under the stigma instigated by Roland Barthes' alleged "death of the author" and all such postmodernish fluff, this work really stands out. Much scholarly care has gone into this study, which thus overflows with Inouye's deep interest and respect for Izumi Kyoka and his work. Never descending into useless detail and anecdote for its own sake, Inouye deals expertly with those aspects of Izumi Kyoka's life that grant us some familiarity with this man's experience and personality in ways that add to our appreciation of his incredibly eccentric and fascinating fictional works. One also gets a very tangible sense of this author's artistic development, as everything from his earliest attempts to his final masterpiece (including some of his flops) are discussed in relation with each other and to the "archetype" as a whole (the latter being Kyoka's overall vision more or less informing his various works and to some degree offering the key to unlocking some of their more obscure passages). After reading this, one wants to go back and re-read "Japanese Gothic Tales" and "In Light of Shadows" again with new insight.

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