The Child Whisperer, The Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, and Cooperative Children [Paperback] reviews

The Child Whisperer, The Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, and Cooperative Children [Paperback]

The Child Whisperer, The Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, and Cooperative Children [Paperback] Reviews

I've worked in the child development field for over 28 years and have a degree in professional child care. With all of the training and books I have read, I have never seen such a thorough resource for understanding children's individuality and how to guide them into joyful, productive adults. It's one of those "wish I would have had it years ago" book full of incredible information on understanding the four types of energy profiles in children. I have 6 children and 6 grandchildren and am thrilled to have a deeper understanding of their individuality. It's so much more than just understanding a personality as other books have identified. It's about physical features, movement, ways of relating to the world and what motivates each type. By understanding a child's true nature, you can learn to parent or teach them without wounding and stifling their natural talents, abilities and tendencies which are the things that make them amazing and wonderful. As you become a "Child Whisperer" you will learn to guide them in a positively enriching way rather than trying to change them to what you think they should be or a traditional "mold" of social expectations. Many tips throughout the book give you ideas in relating to each child's type. There is also a section on the pitfalls of traditional parenting methods and beliefs. This is a book that every parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, daycare provider or anyone who cares about children should have on their bookshelf. If you want to see more joy and peace and a better relationship between you and a child, you need this book!. this is my The Child Whisperer, The Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, and Cooperative Children [Paperback] reviews

The Child Whisperer, The Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, and Cooperative Children [Paperback] Specs

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Live Your Truth Press (October 23, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984402136
• ISBN-13: 978-0984402137
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (149 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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. The Child Whisperer, The Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, and Cooperative Children [Paperback]

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7 out of 10 based on 64 ratings

The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover] special offers

The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover]

The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover] Reviews

Wreck-It Ralph has an interesting premise that will probably tickle gamers. It's amusing to see how gaming is spoofed. The book features the concept art, character designs, storyboards and colorscripts. There are lots of funny ideas and art. The book is split into roughly three parts that correspond to the game worlds that Ralph has to travel through. There's the 8-bit world, the First Person Shooter world, and finally the Sugar Rush world where the go-karts are racing. The first part looks at the 8-bit world as realised in 3D. The character designs are the cute big-head-short-legs type. I was looking out for game villains designs for the nostalgia but there aren't as many compared to the other characters. The FPS world is a strong juxtaposition from the two other worlds. The concept art here looks like they can for Halo, Mass Effect, or Gears of War. There are background art, vehicles and the technology. The only giveaway is the more caricatured character faces, cute cy-bugs and Ralph's armoured suit showing his big belly. The last part featuring the Sugar Rush world will get you into a sugar high just from looking at the pictures. There are landscape paintings of chocolate and candy, fluffy candy floss clouds, house of cakes, candy go-karts, biscuit soldiers and donut cops. There are even photos of the staff making models out of real confectionery. I feel unhealthy already after looking at so much sugar. The contrasting worlds and their quirky game characters makes this a wonderful artbook. (There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.). this is my The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover] reviews

The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover] Specs

• Review
• " If you like the movie - and that is almost guaranteed - you will have to have this book."
• --Animation World Network
• "Usually I recommend these "Art of" books because - let's face it - even if the movie is no-good, the pre-vis and character designs are usually fantastic. Wreck-It Ralph is not only a great little film, but the artwork is especially fun. Director Rich Moore assembled a hand-picked crew of cartoonists to inspire the look of the film and they did not fail. No wonder the stuff on the screen looks so good - the preliminary art pictured here shows he had a lot of quality to choose from. Mike Gabriel, Jin Kim, Bill Schwab, Lorelay Bove, Glen Keane, and Minkyu Lee are just a few of the artists supplying the eye candy here, providing the appropriate "sugar rush" you require. This is a good one."
• -CartoonBrew.com
• "The Art of Wreck-It Ralph takes you through every iteration of the wreckage inducing lug and his party. You'll find awesome stuff like the fact that early Sargeant Calhoun designs could have easily been used to model Fem Shep, find out the backstory of the cut character of General Locknload and discover lost levels that didn't make it into the final film based on Rock Band, Dance Dance Revolution and even a GTA-inspired level called EZ Livin 2. After reading this book you'll understand how rich of a world Ralph actually lives in and how great the rumored sequel Super Wreck-It Ralph could be."
• --Nerdist
• "Movie devotees as well as readers with an interest in visual design and animation will enjoy perusing the profusely illustrated pages of Jennifer Lee and Maggie Malone's The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (Chronicle, 2012; Gr 5 Up). Stating that the movie is a bit of a departure for Disney Animation, the authors point to the involvement of Moore, who brought with him "an edgy animation aesthetic and a bold, risky sense of humor" along with a commitment to creating a film with a modern sensibility. Well-written chapters delve into each of the very different video-game worlds, describing the design process, settings, and character development (at various times, Ralph was envisioned as a troll, caveman, Sasquatch, and gorilla, as shown in the concept artwork).
• Other sections introduce "Game Central" (a train-station-like hub through which the characters travel from one game console to another), scenes set in the human world of the arcade, and characters that were cut before production. Commentary from the creative staff is woven into the narrative, along with pull-out quotes, providing an interesting look at how the film's look and storyline evolved side by side. The handsome pages are filled with concept art, character sketches, story boards, and models (including an amazing built-from-candy rendition of the Sugar Rush town square)."
• -School Library Journal "Extra Helping"
• "Filled with the usual copious amounts of development and production artwork, interviews with the creators, and more, it's the definitive visual exploration of Disney's latest CG animated offering."
• A Site Called Fred
• About the Author
• Maggie Malone is director of development at Walt Disney Animation Studios, where she has worked on films including Tangled, Tinker Bell, and The Princess and the Frog.
• Jennifer Lee worked in book publishing for eight years before becoming a filmmaker. She joined the Walt Disney Animation Studios as a screenwriter in the Spring of 2011, and was a writer on Wreck-It Ralph.
• Rich Moore is the director of Wreck-It Ralph. He is a multiple Emmy® Award-winning director on TV's The Simpsons and Futurama.
• John Lasseter is a two-time Academy Award®-winning director, chief creative officer at Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, and principal creative officer at Walt Disney Imagineering.

. The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover]

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The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover]
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The Art of Wreck-It Ralph (The Art of Disney) [Hardcover],

9 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

The Sins of the Mother: A Novel [Hardcover] special discount

The Sins of the Mother: A Novel [Hardcover]

The Sins of the Mother: A Novel [Hardcover] Reviews

A few of DS's recent books have been readable and higher concept. But Friends Forever signaled a reversion to thin plots, hastily crafted scenes, and detail overload. Unfortunately, The Sins of the Mother suffers from the same problems. We're given a glimpse into the world of Olivia Greyson...er, Grayson (has DS been watching Revenge?) as she manages a global business called The Factory. She's a workaholic and left the raising of her children to her husband and mother. To win back their affections she indulges them with a luxury vacation every year. It takes ninety pages to get to the South of France, where a world-class yacht waits to transport the Grayson family to Mediteranean hotspots like Portofino and Elba. An overwhelming number of characters bounces in and out of the sputtering plot. The descriptions of the destinations are disappointing, even mundane, and the dialogue is uninspired ("No more travel plans for August?"). Much of it rephrases what has already been explained in paragraph upon paragraph of narrative. I had a hard time developing an emotional connection to the characters. Liz was too spineless, and how her "allegorical" book will have commercial appeal remains to be explained. (It's ridiculous to think she wouldn't at least know her previous literary agent had died.) Amanda reminded me of Brianna from Betrayal, especially with her ultimatums and luxury label addiction, and Granibelle was a lot like Buster, another character from Betrayal. Olivia's relationship to her grandson, Alex (who is about to enter college but sounds like he's ten years old for much of the trip), had potential, but a more skillful writer could have handled his revelation with more sensitivity and realism. There was an excessive amount of additional details, from breaking down outfits in nearly every scene to what the characters like to read or the complete history of their family. It's hard to care about these details when you know the character will disappear from the plot for several pages a few sentences later. There are the signature glitches in the writing, such as the overuse of "And." At times, it appears nearly thirty times (!) on one page. And it really becomes irritating. And an editor should catch this. I would have liked to learn more about The Factory as a business--the problems it faces (beyond strikes), the issue of globalization in manufacturing, etc. It's handled in extremely vague terms, but some corporate intrigue could have added some much needed tension to the plot. I'm looking forward to a DS book that focuses on the experiences of a single strong woman heroine and isn't crowded with characters. The formula of bringing several different people together and waiting for the plot emerge has lost steam.. this is my The Sins of the Mother: A Novel [Hardcover] reviews

The Sins of the Mother: A Novel [Hardcover] Specs

• About the Author
• Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with over 600 million copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include Friends Forever, Betrayal, Hotel Vendôme, Happy Birthday, 44 Charles Street, Legacy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death, and the memoir A Gift of Hope.

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The Sins of the Mother: A Novel [Hardcover]
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The Sins of the Mother: A Novel [Hardcover],

9 out of 10 based on 68 ratings

Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover] reviews

Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover]

Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover] Reviews

Macomber fans will enjoy. Her not-so-perfect angels return for Christmas reading. Shirley, Goodness & Mercy have sneaked apprentice Will (yes all angels from Psalms 23) a New Year's preview of N.Y.C. Earth. Despite a do not touch/talk rule, Will assists 2 strangers to a New Year kiss. More sparkles than the descending Time Square ball. Lucie is a chef soon opening her own upscale "Heavenly Delights", an off-shoot of Mrs. Miracle intervention. She lip smacks Aren, a new Gazette food critic. Ah. . .romantic conflict and a promise of an angel quartet to right all wrong. But Gabriel's less than punctual backlog of Earthly prayer requests puts the Heavenly assistance off until the next Christmas season. In the meantime, our love-at-first-kiss couple has lost all contact following the first night out. Well it's funny and heart-warming throughout, to the conclusion. Solid Debbie Macomber Christmas story, what more needs said? It's a perfect length for holiday reading. Just right for the ladies, and for men who like a bit of Christmas romance in their eggnog. And I can smell another TV Hallmark adaptation roasting like chestnuts by an open fire. `. this is my Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover] reviews

Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover] Specs

• Review
• "This delightful mix of romance, humor, hope and happenstance is the perfect recipe for holiday cheer."—Examiner.com
•  
• "Rings in Christmas in tried-and-true Macomber style, with romance and a touch of heavenly magic."—Kirkus Reviews
•  
• "The angels' antics are a hugely hilarious and entertaining bonus to a warm love story."—Bookreporter
•  
• "[A] sweetly charming holiday romance."—Library Journal
• About the Author
• Debbie Macomber, the author of The Inn at Rose Harbor, as well as the Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series, is a leading voice in women's fiction. Five of her novels have scored the #1 slot on the New York Times bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly lists. In 2009 and 2010, Mrs. Miracle and Call Me Mrs. Miracle were Hallmark Channel's top-watched movies for the year. This prolific author has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
• See all Editorial Reviews

. Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover]

Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover] Best buy

Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover]
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Angels at the Table: A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story [Hardcover],

7 out of 10 based on 71 ratings

Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover] special discount

Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover]

Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover] Reviews

Author David Von Drehle's premise is that 1862 was the pivotal year of the Civil War, the year that ultimately guaranteed the Federal victory orchestrated by President Lincoln. Having read about the Civil War for 45 years, this theme seemed dissonant at first. Is "1862" a typo? Doesn't Von Drehle mean 18 SIXTY-THREE? Didn't that year begin with Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson running rampant at Chancellorsville? Didn't it end with the Confederates severed along the Mississippi and driven back toward Richmond and Atlanta? Wasn't THAT the year that the tide of the war was irrevocably reversed to favor the eventual triumph of the Union? Von Drehle makes a convincing case that 1862 is AT LEAST AS DECISIVE as the later years. He points out that a lot of things could have gone wrong in 1862 that would have wrecked the Union BEFORE the calendar turned over to 1863: 1. The North might have convinced itself that the Confederacy was unconquerable. Conventional wisdom is that the North overpowered the South with manpower, industry, and railroads, but that was far from obvious in the early years of the war. Before the war most of the nation's foreign exchange was generated by the South's cotton exports. Cotton made money for Northern shippers, brokers, and banks. Could the North's economy sustain itself without the South? The immense land area of the Confederacy might have made the logistics of subduing and occupying it impossible even if the Federals somehow managed to win every battle. ================ Pressure aside, the idea that the Confederacy-- now a powerful country in its own right-- could be tamed and forced back into the Union by an army of raw volunteers, led by an unschooled frontier lawyer as commander in chief, struck most European observers as far-fetched, even preposterous. "It is in the highest Degree likely that the North will not be able to subdue the South," the British, Lord Palmerston, counseled his Foreign Office. ================ 2. Lincoln had to convince the North that it was fighting on the right side of history. The notion that the United States was a confederation of sovereign states was widespread even in the North. In the years before the war Jefferson Davis' States Rights speeches had been cheered as loudly in New York City and Boston as in Charleston and Savannah. Confederate leaders expected to reverse-engineer the United States such that even most of the Free States would secede from the old Union and seek admittance to the Confederacy. Lincoln had to win the NORTH over to the idea that the United States was a nation indivisible. 3. Lincoln had to mobilize the North for war. The logistical effort of raising, training, and equipping a National Army of hundreds of thousands was immense. Lincoln understood that besides mobilizing an army he had to finance it: "The result of this war is a question of resources. That side will win in the end where the money holds out longest." 4. Lincoln had to manage egotistical personalities in his Cabinet, in the Federal Congress, and among his army officers --- most of whom thought he was a hick. Cabinet members like Simon Cameron and Generals like McClellan were outrageously insubordinate. Yet their services at the beginning of the war were essential. The Congress' Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War constantly second-guessed Lincoln's decisions and interfered with his chain of command. 5. He had to ferret out the Union's military talent and promote it to high command. Lincoln had astoundingly bad luck with most of the generals who were prominent early in the war. Fremont, Pope, Burnside, Hooker and McClellan all had failings that made them ineffective as army commanders. Lincoln had to discern the abilities of men he did not know, such as Grant, Sherman, Thomas and get them promoted to army command where they could be effective in winning the war. ================ Lincoln's job was to glean somehow, from these thousands of unproven men, the few with the stuff of true leaders. As he was already discovering, a West Point education or a long stretch in uniform provided no guarantee of military ability. ================ 6. He had to manage diplomacy, including irritating incidents like the Trent Affair, so as to keep the British and French from recognizing the Confederacy and perhaps intervening on its behalf. To keep the Europeans from intervening he had to prove that his armies could fight well enough to have reasonable prospects of restoring the Union by force of arms. 7. He had to time the Emancipation Proclamation perfectly. If he had done it any earlier he would have driven Kentucky and Missouri into the Confederacy. If he had waited any longer the Republican Party would have shattered and undermined the war. 8. He had to maintain his Administration on an even keel during times when rumors of exaggerated calamities, such as McClellan's retreat from the Peninsula and the slaughter at Fredericksburg reached Washington. Had Lincoln once given way to the panic that infected many in his Cabinet, his army, and in the Congress, the war effort would have unraveled. 9. He had to make his generals and the people understand that attrition favored the Union. After the slaughter of Burnside's army at Fredericksburg he said: "If the same battle were to be fought over again, every day, through a week of days, with the same relative results, the army under Lee would be wiped out to its last man, the Army of the Potomac would still be a mighty host, the war would be over, the Confederacy gone, and peace would be won.... No general yet found can face the arithmetic, but the end of the war will be at hand when he shall be discovered." This foreshadowed the rise of General U.S. Grant to supreme command in the following years. 10. Finally, he had to overcome personal tragedies in 1862 that would have incapacitated many men. His wife's erratic behavior was a public and private embarrassment. He endured the death by typhoid of his most beloved son Willie. He had to maintain his sanity, let alone his judgment, with both a family and a nation in turmoil. The book demonstrates that by the end of 1862 Lincoln had accomplished substantially all of these objectives. He had mobilized for the war and financed it. He had convinced most Northerners that the United States was a real nation, not merely a confederation of "sovereign" states. He had replaced his old fogey generals with Grant, Sherman, Thomas, and other rising stars. He had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. And he had proven HIMSELF to be a great deal more than the backwoods bumpkin that so many had perceived him to be the year before. The war would continue for another year and a half, but by the end of 1862 the pattern had been set. The book is written in an engaging style that takes the reader right into the Civil War. It is an education on the higher level aspects of the war that Lincoln dealt with as well as his colorful day-to-day routines. It will satisfy scholars and casual readers of popular history, including those who may not have read much about Lincoln or the Civil War. It also provides insights into the controversial characters that surrounded Lincoln, such as George McClellan, Henry Halleck, Edwin Stanton, William Seward, Simon Cameron, and not least Mrs. Lincoln. The right amount of emphasis is paced on the military operations and battles --- explaining them sufficiently but without bogging the reader down in detail. Maps are included. This book is all the more convincing because Von Drehle's knowledge of the Civil War and how people thought and acted in that time is COMPLETE. His expressive style conveys the drama of that year day-by-day in diary style so that the reader can imagine being right there at Lincoln's side as he receives each day's news, some of exhilarating victories and others of brutally discouraging defeats. I approached this book skeptically, doubting whether Von Drehle really had a sound premise in his concept of 1862 being the pivotal year of the war. I finished the book by being educated as to all the reasons why it was. It's hard to believe that ANY book about the Civil War could seem "fresh" after so much has already been written, but David Von Drehle succeeds in presenting a uniquely fresh perspective to the war in focusing in on 1862 as its critical year.. this is my Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover] reviews

Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover] Specs

• From Booklist
• The year 1863 is often described as the decisive of the Civil War, given the Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Von Drehle, editor at large at Time and author of the widely acclaimed Triangle (2003), the story of the infamous 1911 New York factory fire, asserts that 1862 was the transformative year that led directly to the ultimate Union triumph. It commenced with Union fortunes appearing bleak. Confederate forces threatened Washington, and Union general McClellan had a bad case of the slows, despite his command of a huge army. In the political realm, Lincoln was struggling to master the strong egos in his cabinet, and he seemed to lack the will or confidence to demand more aggressive action from McClellan. As the year advanced, von Drehle illustrates Lincoln's transformation into a great political and war leader, who learned to manage and effectively utilize the talents of his advisors and decisively assumed the role of commander in chief, dismissing McClellan and beginning the advancement of fighting officers, especially Grant. This is an excellently researched chronicle of the year that helped change the direction of the war. --Jay Freeman
• Review
• One of Kansas City Star's Top 100 Books of 2012
• Featured in PBS "Washington Week" Holiday Gift Guide
• One of Kirkus Reviews's Best Nonfiction 2012
• "1862 was the year of Lincoln's 'Rise to Greatness'… Von Drehle recounts the dramatic military and political events of that year, interspersing them with human-interest stories of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary times… These pages crackle with life and energy."—James McPherson, New York Review of Books
• "Outstanding… Lean, insightful and often lyrical."—USA Today
• "Spellbinding….Von Drehle has done a masterful job of extracting riveting anecdotes from original sources and balancing them with recent contributions to the field. Blending good research with a gift for page-turning narrative, he adroitly weaves together the complex military, diplomatic, political, legal and moral saga of the 12 months of 1862."— The Washington Post
• "An invigorating, inspiring and often heartrending portrait of a great man and a troubled country…Von Drehle's deeply researched book provides a degree of detail that Hollywood can't touch."—Kansas City Star
• "A compelling, sharply written narrative of the events of 1862, when the odds were against the survival of the Union itself…　 Amid the shelves of Civil War tomes, Rise to Greatness stands out as a brisk, compact history of Lincoln's evolution as a leader. Von Drehle persuasively calls 1862 'the hinge of American history'."—Miami Herald
• "Riveting … Equal parts war story, political intrigue and character study, the book at times reads as much like a John Grisham page-turner as serious history… For those with an invigorated taste to learn more about Lincoln — the real man, not the icon — The Rise of Greatness is a must read."— The Omaha World-Herald
• "More has been written and discussed about Abraham Lincoln than about any other U.S. president, and for good reason… The Von Drehle book and the Spielberg film effectively serve as bookends to the story of how Lincoln's personality allowed him to navigate and shape the beginning of the war and the end of it."—Harvard Business Review
• "Appealingly written and artistically constructed…Von Drehle, a first-rank narrator, writes better than most historians… Von Drehle's largest contribution lies in his illuminating discussions of Lincoln as a superb leader."—The Oregonian
• "A marvelous and gripping story, compellingly and beautifully written." —Commentary Magazine
• "In Rise to Greatness, acclaimed author David Von Drehle has created a deeply human portrait of arguably America's greatest president fueled by a rich, dramatic narrative focusing on our most fateful year."—The Blaze
• "Brilliant."—Real Clear Politics
• "Von Drehle's polished style and sense of drama will appeal to general readers interested in this formative time in American history… Von Drehle makes a strong case that Lincoln's remarkable development both as a military strategist and as a political genius occurred during [1862], laying the groundwork for eventual Union triumph."—Library Journal
• "A thoroughly engaging examination of the irreversible changes emerging from a year when the nation's very survival remained in doubt."—Kirkus Reviews
• "Von Drehle has chosen a critical year ('the most eventful year in American history' and the year Lincoln rose to greatness), done his homework, and written a spirited account."— Publishers Weekly
• "With his keen journalist's eye for detail, and the surefooted feel of an historian, David Von Drehle has produced an enthralling book. Rise to Greatness is a marvelous and important story, marvelously told."—Jay Winik, author of April 1865
• "Rise to Greatness is a terrific read packed with fascinating facts that add color to a powerful depiction of the Civil War's second year.　 The narrative is driven by Lincoln's movement toward freedom for the slaves and his growing disenchantment with General McClellan, climaxed by the general's removal from command and the president's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation."--James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom
• "In the perilous year leading up to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln had to maneuver against his own generals and cabinet officers while fending off dark forces desiring disunion or dictatorship. By succeeding, as David von Drehle shows in this fascinating narrative, Lincoln saved the Union and redefined the American presidency. This is not only an important work of history but also a valuable manual on leadership."--Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein and Steve Jobs
• "Rise to Greatness is a fascinating and fast-paced account of Lincoln's pivotal year. David Von Drehle brilliantly captures the epic events and outsized personalities that accompanied the birth of the Emancipation Proclamation. His book succeeds in making a well-known story feel absolutely compelling."--Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire and Georgiana
• "In this vivid, writerly, well-researched account, David Von Drehle demonstrates, month by month, that 1862 made Lincoln's presidency. In the haze of Civil War nostalgia, we can easily lose sight of the reality that the odds were terrible that a United States in any form would survive that harrowing year. Yet as Rise to Greatness shows, the events of 1862 gave birth to a different nation, one rooted in emancipation."--David W. Blight, author of American Oracle: The Civil War in the Civil Rights Era
• "With his great gift for stirring portraiture and historical narrative, David von Drehle takes us into the world of the Civil War and 1862 so convincingly that you almost wonder how it will all turn out."--Michael Beschloss, author of Presidential Courage
• See all Editorial Reviews

. Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover]

Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover] Best buy

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Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year [Hardcover],

7 out of 10 based on 53 ratings

Mastery [Hardcover] reviews

Mastery [Hardcover]

Mastery [Hardcover] Reviews

"Mastery - the feeling that we have a greater command of reality, other people, and ourselves." "Mastery is not a function of genius or talent. It is a function of time and intense focus applied to a particular field of knowledge." Mastery is a book that will stand the test of time. Robert Greene writes to instruct others how to achieve mastery in any field, told through a series of mini-biographies, life lessons, timeless quotes, and a modern understanding of psychology and human nature. Mastery combines these different varieties of anecdotes and instructions simply and beautifully. It is a great read, and one that would have been relevant 500 years ago and will still be relevant 500 years from now. Few non-fiction books that are published today can claim such an accomplishment. Greene identifies three levels of learning a subject. First there is apprenticeship, marked by intense learning. Secondly, the creative-active level, set apart by practice. The third and final phase is mastery. The first four chapters of the book focus on apprenticeship, followed by one chapter each for the final two phases. The entire books is an excellent read, but here are some of the bright spots that stood out to me: * The biographies are really, really good. The four that stood out to me tell the life story of Benjamin Franklin, Freddie Roach, Marcel Proust, and Temple Grandin. Good mix of contemporary and ancient biographies. Its worth reading Mastery just for the mini-biographies. * Chapter four on social intelligence is excellent. Social intelligence is often overlooked as a step to mastering anything, but Greene highlights here and provides some great tips on dealing navigating the social landscape. * The first chapter deals with finding your life's task. The last part focuses on strategies to identify your life's task, and there are some very helpful tips here. * The layout of the book is great. You can open to any chapter and find useful information right away. It is a great read the first time through, and will remain a useful reference once you are finished. A few things I didn't love: * It reads like a timeless book. The principles it contains and the methods that Greene prescribes will always be useful. That said, at times it feels too dense - almost like you are reading an ancient Zen manuscript. * Many of the biographies are continued and built on in subsequent chapters. The first few paragraphs of each are usually very similar, and I found myself skipping through them quickly. Will actually make it more useful when using as a reference in the future, but you will want to skip a few paragraphs if you are reading it straight through. Mastery is an excellent book, and one that I can highly recommend to anyone. The focus on the apprenticeship model and how you can apply it in the modern world is unique and will only become more relevant in the future. Though Greene never denounces formal higher education, many of the examples he gives highlight alternative routes you can take. I will recommend this book to many, but will buy a few copies to give to high school juniors and seniors considering which education/career path to take.. this is my Mastery [Hardcover] reviews

Mastery [Hardcover] Specs

• About the Author
• Robert Greene has a degree in classical studies and is the author of four previous, bestselling books, including The 48 Laws of Power and The 50th Law.

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8 out of 10 based on 64 ratings

A Thousand Mornings [Hardcover] reviews

A Thousand Mornings [Hardcover]

A Thousand Mornings [Hardcover] Reviews

There is one complaint to be made about A Thousand Mornings: it is far too short -- 80 pages, and many of those pages are blank. However, when the pages are not blank, we are drawn into the world of Mary Oliver, and it is a world from which we do not eagerly depart! The book opens with the wry humor of "I Go Down to the Shore," and moves from there to the Roethkean questionings of "I Happened to Be Standing": "But I thought, of the wren's singing, what could this be if it isn't a prayer?" There are several one-paragraph prose poems of "earth-praise," which will entice those readers who are willing to be enticed. There is a dialogue with a fox, resumed from earlier books, and a nod to Bob Dylan, expanding on one of the book's epigraphs, Dylan's words: "Anything worth thinking about is also worth singing about." Oliver speaks of growth in the midst of devastation in the poem "Hurricane"; and this reader smiled at "Three Things to Remember," even if the poem was too baldly "proverbial." The change of the seasons, summer to autumn, is depicted in "Lines Written in the Days of Growing Darkness," although to be sure, there is metaphoric darkness: So let us go on, cheerfully enough, this and every crisping day, though the sun be swinging east, and the ponds be cold and black, and the sweets of the year be doomed. The title poem, "A Thousand Mornings," is a prose-poem of a single sentence, but we do not indict the poem for brevity, when it speaks of "mak[ing] its way however it can over the rough ground of uncertainties, but only until night meets and then is overwhelmed by morning, the light deepening, the wind easing..." Centrally placed, and perhaps the central achievement of the book, is the sequence "Hum, Hum" -- ostensibly about a swarm of bees, but probing into the personal life of the narrator: That child was myself, that kept running away to the also running creek, to colt's foot and trilliams, to the effortless prattle of the birds. Section 4 of the poem, a section which bears the title "Of the Father" contains the narrator's revelation of a deep trauma suffered in childhood, a trauma which Oliver describes tersely, undramatically, and devastatingly. The lovely litany in section 6 of "Hum, Hum" would be a compendium of the anodynes to pains suffered by the poet, and also an antidote to any readerly "disappointment." Thomas Merton, we feel, would applaud Oliver's prose-poem "I Have Decided": a brief apologia for the contemplative life. There are poems about William Blake, black snakes, and "the way of the world" -- a carnivorous and (if I may) piscivorous world. There is a poem against "Extending the Airport Runway" and a poem of dismay at the news presented by "The Morning Paper": some readers, even those favorably disposed to Oliver, might fairly describe these protests as routine. But there are apt rewards for the reader willing to find them, from "the thrush singing in the glowing woods" to the sea which "can rise, ebb, froth, like an incoming frenzy of fountains." As noted in the beginning of this review, we might have cause to complain of brevity -- the apothegmatic brevity of some of the poems, or of the modest size of the book as a whole -- but such complaints are out of court when we enter the world of humble, inquisitive, creative Mary Oliver: the spiritual heiress to the great poet-mystics Whitman, Blake, and Roethke -- Mary Oliver, a poet who resembles no one as much as she resembles herself. I recommend this book highly.. this is my A Thousand Mornings [Hardcover] reviews

A Thousand Mornings [Hardcover] Specs

• From Booklist
• Beginning with her first poetry book in 1963, Oliver has chronicled her enthrallment to the living world, especially the land and sea surrounding Provincetown, Massachusetts, and her spiritual evolution. In her newest collection, her compact poems are conversational and teasing, yet their taproots reach deeply into the aquifers of religion, philosophy, and literature. Some read like brief fables, such as when an old fox compares their respective species and tells the poet, "You fuss, we live." A Bob Dylan quote inspires a poem about song, while a mockingbird's mimicry elicits thoughts about authenticity and one's true self. The crucial and moving poem "Hum, Hum" describes a scarring childhood redeemed by the solace of the embracing, living world and the words of poets. Oliver is funny and renegade as she protests cultural vapidity, greed, violence, and environmental decimation and ravishing in her close readings of nature, such as the resplendent "Tides," which surges like the sea. Ultimately, Oliver warns us that "the only ship there is / is the ship we are all on / burning the world as we go." --Donna Seaman
• About the Author
• Born in a small town in Ohio, MARY OLIVER published her first book of poetry in 1963 at the age of twenty-eight. Over the course of her long career, she has received numerous awards. Her fourth book, American Primitive, won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1984. She has led workshops and held residencies at various colleges and universities, including Bennington College, where she held the Catherine Osgood Foster Chair for Distinguished Teaching. Oliver currently lives in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
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A Thousand Mornings [Hardcover],

7 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

The Thankful Book [Hardcover] best price

The Thankful Book [Hardcover]

The Thankful Book [Hardcover] Reviews

Bright and bold as ever are Todd Parr books. Most of my experience with his books so far have been board books, and this is not a board book, but more like a picture book, but the content would work well again as a board book. This is a list about things to be thankful for and would go great with an interactive thankgiving theme, but it is not overly for the fall/autumn/winter/holiday season and could easily be used at anytime of the year. I definitely seeing this one spark some interest in a classroom to encourage kiddos to perhaps draw out their own thankful book. *Thanks to LB Kids for providing a copy for review.*. this is my The Thankful Book [Hardcover] reviews

The Thankful Book [Hardcover] Specs

• From School Library Journal
• PreS-Gr 2-Parr explores the idea of gratitude in this picture book: "Every day I try to think about the things I am thankful for." Those "things" include personal characteristics-"I am thankful for my hair because it makes me unique"; music- "because it makes me want to dance"; nature, and so on. Readers are sure to get a laugh out of the notion of being thankful for underwear-"because I like to wear it on my head." Parr's signature illustrations employ bold outlines and bright colors and feature an array of characters both human and animal. The theme is ripe for discussion and lends itself to extension activities in which readers create their own "I'm thankful for" pictures. Pair this book with Mercer Mayer's Just So Thankful (HarperCollins, 2006) or Greg Foley's Thank You Bear (Viking, 2007) for storytimes filled with gratitude.-Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York Cityα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
• Review
• Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein...Well I've found another to add to the list: Todd Parr. Kansas CITY Star
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7 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples [Paperback] special discount

Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples [Paperback]

Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples [Paperback] Reviews

The beauty of multiply is not in its unique approach to discipleship, its discovery of a hidden facet of training up strong followers of Jesus, or even in its back to basics approach. The beauty of the book is found in how easy it is to repeat with others. One of the other reviewers, who was basically positive, mentioned that this was no different from Sunday school curriculum. In a lot of ways, he is correct. The difference is that this isn't dependent on a lay-leader or "Christian professional" to use. If used properly, it can be a powerful tool in the hands of your everyday church attender. How we are trained is often the way that we will train others. If you were trained in a Sunday school, than you will, most likely, bring your neighbor to church and let someone else train him up or tell him about Jesus. With multiply, you could (and should), have your disciplee begin discipling someone on the first part of the book before you are even done going through it with them. They should, in turn, encourage the person that they are discipling to do the same. This has the potential to create a culture of discipleship whereby it spreads as a way of life instead of a forced program. That, I think, is the true power of the book. You don't need to reinvent the wheel and write your own discipleship study or train 10 guys on how to do discipleship. The book provides all the tools necessary (especially when coupled with the website) to equip someone to disciple another person. Even if the person you are discipling isn't done with the book, they are equipped to wrestle through the first few sections. By the time that you have finished going through it with them, you are in a position to monitor and assist them as they go through it with someone else. You learn by teaching/doing, and they do the same. Doing this doesn't pigeonhole discipleship as a job for the professionals, the pastors, or the teachers - it puts discipleship in the hands of every person. Other Pros: The book covers the basics of what people need to do know about the nature of discipleship (what it means to follow Jesus), the Bible, and the church. Right off the bat, I have to give kudos to Chan for including a section on the church. One of the downfalls of so many discipleship materials produced over the last few decades is a glaring omission of anything related to the church. All the material is available for free on their website, multiplymovement. This is comforting to me because it gives proof to the point that they aren't trying to make money by getting as many books purchased as possible (with a discipleship method reliant on their book). You can download the pdf chapters and print them out at your leisure, watch leadership videos, and even stream Chan reading his book to you - all for free. Incredible. Too Long Didn't Read Version: Multiply is great because it puts discipleship on the bottom shelf, not by diminishing the depth of content, but by making it accessible to everyone - not just pastors/leaders. I truly believe that this could be a discipleship tool that anyone could use to disciple another person with little preparation beforehand.. this is my Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples [Paperback] reviews

Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples [Paperback] Specs

• Review
• "Multiply is a simple, practical, biblical, helpful, and personal tool for disciples of Jesus who want to make disciples of Jesus."
• —from the foreword by David Platt
• About the Author
• A pastor and church planter based in San Francisco, Francis Chan speaks to tens of thousands of people around the world every year. Known for his passionate, biblical style, Chan is on the board of World Impact and Children's Hunger Fund. Chan is the author of Forgotten God, Erasing Hell, and Crazy Love, which has sold nearly two million copies. 
• Mark Beuving is a professor at Eternity Bible College in Southern California, where he lives with his wife and daughters.    

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8 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

Cooking with Love: Comfort Food that Hugs You [Hardcover] reviews

Cooking with Love: Comfort Food that Hugs You [Hardcover]

Cooking with Love: Comfort Food that Hugs You [Hardcover] Reviews

I purchased the book yesterday and I have to say that it's one of the best cookbooks that I have bought to date. Every time I buy a new book, I like to test some of the recipes out for dinner that night. I made the sweet potato tomato bisque, the grilled cheese and the curried beef dumplings and they were outstanding!!! My family loved them. There are so many tips to help you get it right. Carla really nails it with these recipes. I hope you all take the chance to try it.. this is my Cooking with Love: Comfort Food that Hugs You [Hardcover] reviews

Cooking with Love: Comfort Food that Hugs You [Hardcover] Specs

• Review
• "Whoever put this book in your hands loves you - and you're about to love them right back! Carla is a born teacher. Full of useful insights, helpful quick-fixes learned from years of trial and error, and her signature humor (and patience), Cooking With Love puts Ms. Hootie Hoo herself right there at the stove next to you, every step of the way. Whether you're a novice or expert, she'll have you dancing into the kitchen to whip up unbelievably simple, sumptuous feasts from scratch, whether it's weeknight Buffalo Wing Burgers, or The Saints' Gumbo for a weekend get together. If I'm coming to dinner, please make the Groundnut Stew - it's my favorite!" (Daphne Oz The Dorm Room Diet )
• "Carla Hall knocks it out of the park with her first book, all about love, tradition, family, flavor and style, and flavor again. Her true natural ability to make things delicious is all over every single recipe. I love working with Carla on "The Chew" every day and simply get jiggy every time we get to taste her magic on set. With this sweet tome in the home kitchen anyone can make thoughtful tasty food with real style." (Mario Batali )
• "As a cook who enjoys kitchen experiments, I love Carla's stories of how she develops her delicious dishes, tinkering with flavor combinations until she gets them just right. And they really are just right. And what a range: her rustic mushroom tart is great and Granny's five-flavor pound cake is worth the price of the book." (Jennifer Reese Make the Bread, Buy the Butter )
• About the Author
• Carla Hall attended L'Academie de Cuisine in Maryland and is owner and executive chef of Alchemy by Carla Hall, an artisan cookie company based out of Washington, DC. A cohost on the ABC talk show The Chew, she lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Matthew Lyons, and stepson, Noah.
• Genevieve Ko is coauthor of Home Cooking with Jean-Georges and senior food editor at Good Housekeeping.

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9 out of 10 based on 68 ratings

Lucky Peach Issue 5 [Paperback] best price

Lucky Peach Issue 5 [Paperback]

Lucky Peach Issue 5 [Paperback] Reviews

Anyone with a food interest who orders Chinese Takeaways and Chow Mein, should buy this issue. Not only did I like the subject matter and the writing on it, but enjoyed the little tidbits of historic information on packaged Chinese sauces, and the small affects of the Chinese Alien Act in the late 1800's, the origin of the name for "Bing" cherry, etc. I own every Thomas Keller cookbook, but give me cold, leftover Chinese takeaways and Chinese peasant food for breakfast any day! Again, I enjoyed the articles.. this is my Lucky Peach Issue 5 [Paperback] reviews

Lucky Peach Issue 5 [Paperback] Specs

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: McSweeney's Insatiables (November 13, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193807307X
• ISBN-13: 978-1938073076
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
• #21 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Gastronomy > Essays
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Lucky Peach Issue 5 [Paperback],

9 out of 10 based on 50 ratings

The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] special discount

The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] Reviews

I have never given a Karen Kingsbury book less than 5 stars! I love her books and her writing, but I can't find words to describe what I feel is lacking with THE BRIDGE. I read the short story prequel THE BEGINNING and was immediately sucked into the story because I felt a great connection with Charlie and Donna and their love of books. I couldn't find that same connection with Molly and Ryan in THE BRIDGE. THE BRIDGE seemed really short. Only 77% of the Kindle edition was the actual book. My favorite part of THE BRIDGE was the group of people coming together to try and help the bookstore. I could identify with that. There are good people out there who will help! Good people helped my family when my son underwent brain surgery with prayers, money or just a shoulder to cry on. In a nutshell, I enjoyed the book but felt something was missing. I wanted more book, more story, more something. Again, I can't rightly express my feelings. However, I continue to be a KK fan and will continue to read her books. Additional thoughts...I just realized what bugged me about this book. I didn't feel God in the pages. Every other KK book has been very much about prayer, seeking God's wisdom, etc. I like Karen's very in your face writing about God and seeking a relationship with him. I didn't feel that here. Other than Charlie praying about the store, I didn't see the other characters really going to God.. this is my The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] reviews

The Bridge: A Novel [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover] Specs

• From Booklist
• What's left when you lose everything? Kingsbury (Coming Home, 2012) works through that tough question in her newest novel. Charlie Barton and his wife, Donna, ran the Bridge, a historic bookstore in Franklin, Tennessee, for 30 years, but a declining industry and a devastating flood left them with an empty storefront and insurmountable bills. Molly Allen and Ryan Kelly connected in college over their passion for reading, using the Bridge as their getaway from the very different lives they lead. ED: S/B "they led"? Years later, both look back and wonder what could have been. When Charlie gets into a horrible accident, Ryan decides to organize a book drive and gather donations, so Charlie can rebuild the bookstore when he heals. Through the effort, Ryan and Molly reconnect. It's hard to know what is most important until something forces you to change your perspective. Kingsbury's characters are confronted with the hard choices readers face daily. The award-winning author brings her trademark empathy for the people she writes for to this tale, and fans will love her dramatic take on real issues. --Carolyn Richard
• Review
• "Popular inspirational novelist Kingsbury goes mainstream in her newest, which mixes a love story with a seasonal one that borrows from the Christmas favorite It's A Wonderful Life. . . . Kingsbury fans may acquire a new holiday favorite read in this sugary tale of second chances." (Publishers Weekly )
• Reader Praise for The Bridge:
• "The Bridge is a reminder that all things aren't as they seem. That things really do work together for the good! That God IS in control even when we can't see it. Karen's books make you laugh, cry, and leave you wanting more! Her characters are so real you feel like you know them, and want to be friends with them. Once I read the first page of The Bridge I couldn't put it down. I read the entire book in one day!!" (Hellen (Annette) H. )
• "Karen Kingsbury once again uses her beautiful talent to illustrate God's awesome love and grace for us! Each new story speaks to so many hearts across the world. Karen's gift is certainly a loving legacy that I share with others!" (Cyndi A. )
• "Gripping from the beginning, The Bridge is an amazing story where we learn even in tragedy or loss God is the God of second chances and we should learn to treasure the miracles He sends our way." (Chris V. )
• "Karen Kingsbury's newest book, The Bridge, will tug at the heart-strings of old time bookstore lovers everywhere! Blend in a little romance with the timeless principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, and you have a classic story built around classic books!" (Annette W. )
• "The Bridge is a story of friendship, love, forgiveness, and God's amazing grace. Join Charlie, Donna, Molly, and Ryan on an adventure of never-ending friendship in this wonderful story that God will never leave us and always protect us." (Hope P. )
• "Karen Kingsbury has done it again with The Bridge. She is more than an author. She's a vessel that God has used to minister to myself, as well as her other readers. She is a passionate and inspirational woman of God. I am grateful for her faithfulness and obedience to write when God gives her a story. Thank you, Karen, for your faithfulness. Your stories have touched my life more than you could ever know." (Tami D. )
• "Once again Karen writes such strong characters that draw deep emotions, you feel like you are right there, a part of the story. The Bridge is a beautiful love story intertwined with many types of love. You will be truly moved and inspired by this story. Have the tissues ready!!!" (Renette S. )
• "The Bridge is an incredibly heart-warming collection of love stories—the story of a young couple in love, the story of an older couple who love each other and their fledgling business, and the love of a community coming together for one of its own. I could not put The Bridge down, because I was captivated by the events and anxious to read 'the rest of the story!' Inspirational! A beautiful story about second chances!" (Lisa H. )
• "The Bridge will be a bridge to your heart. It is a heart-warming story of second chances that you will not want to put down until you finish it. You will fall in love with the Barton's and their wonderful store & ministry as well as Molly and Ryan. This is a must read. God does give second chances and answer our prayers." (Marnie M. )
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9 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] special discount

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover]

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] Reviews

I have read through all of the Rangers Apprentice books and now all of the Brotherand Chronicles books as well. John Flanagan has a great way of developing the characters and the story so that you become emotionally invested in them both. If you're interested in this book you've probably already book 1 and 2 and already have a interest or need to know what becomes of our brotherband. I couldn't wait to see how they were going to finish the story and if they would make it home myself, and I was not disappointed. Without giving anything away, the group gets stronger, closer and ultimately in this coming of age tale, they all become the men they are supposed to be. Flanagan's books are just fun reads and I definitely recommend this, but only after you read the 1st two.. this is my The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] reviews

The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover] Specs

• Review
• Picking up the story soon after events in The Invaders (2012), this engaging sequel opens aboard the Heron as Hal, his fellow Skandians, and their friend Lydia sail up a river in search of Zavac, the ruthless pirate who has stolen a precious relic from their village. Welcome humor lessens the dramatic tension at times, and the shipmates' individuality and comradeship make their adventures more meaningful. [This] novel provides a satisfying conclusion to the three-book cycle that opened with The Outcasts (2011). [A] vigorous offshoot of the Ranger's Apprentice series.
• —Booklist
• (Booklist )
• About the Author
• John Flanagan grew up in Sydney, Australia, hoping to be a writer. John began writing Ranger's Apprentice for his son, Michael, ten years ago, and is still hard at work on the series and its spinoff, Brotherband Chronicles. He currently lives in the suburb of Manly, Australia, with his wife. In addition to their son, they have two grown daughters and four grandsons.
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. The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover]

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The Hunters: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 3 [Hardcover],

8 out of 10 based on 50 ratings

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] special offers

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover]

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] Reviews

DC's Earth One books were designed to be the companies' attempt at making stories in graphic novels for their respected characters, as opposed to making individual comics. These stories exist outside of the main continuity as to let writers have more leeway in writing about aspects that haven't been written about before, without interfering with overlapping details. And it all started with 2010's Superman: Earth One. Writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis made a cinematic reimaging of Clark Kent becoming Superman, that became a huge seller overnight. DC made JMS drop all of his projects at the time of release to get to work on a volume 2. After 2 years, does it proceed or trump Vol.1? I think so. SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL.2 picks up right after the end of Vol.1, where we see Clark settling into his new persona of glasses and keeping to himself. He finally gets his own apartment with some new neighbors, including a flirtatious woman named Lisa Lasalle. Lois Lane, questioning how a young nobody like Clark Kent could get Superman's story, starts an investigation into Clark's background. And Raymond Maxwell Jensen, homicidal killer, accidently becomes the Parasite, a metahuman who can suck living beings powers and essence. How will Superman fight a creature who can steal his powers away? You'll have to find out. After reading both Earth One books of Superman Vol.1 and Batman, I've come to the conclusion the EO books are more about humanizing our protagonist and changing some aspects of the mythos, while stretching some of the taboos of the character. Batman: Earth One did this exceptionally well, with making a Bruce Wayne who never left Gotham, as well as being angst-ridden and making human errors. Superman Vol.1 did some subtle changes, but it played safe to the overall mythos. Vol.2 on the other hand, actually takes more risks on dealing with Clark Kent, the human side of Superman, including the subject of the 70+ year old question regarding sex for The Man of Steel, and I find it commendable. It's different to read about and is handled fairly well, which I'll talk about in a bit. There are two over-arching themes here: Superman represents power and Clark Kent represents isolation. Of the two, Clark Kent takes majority of the screen time and for someone like me who doesn't see a lot of stories on Clark, this is fresh perspective. The theme of being alone is so prevalent that a good majority of the interactions Clark has throughout the story are brief. Lois looks up Clarks background and finds out his whole life has been about keeping away from others due to his power and origins, and to the point that Clark had straight C-grades in school to stay under the radar. Lois, Jimmy, and Perry White are rarely seen for this intention as well to further this theme. It's handled well and you actually care for Clark being an outcast because of who he is. It makes his turmoil that much acceptable to the reader--especially a sad and lovely story about Clarks first pet. But this theme gets challenged by the only friend Clark gets (and love interest) Lisa Lasalle. Lisa pushes Clark into new territories, being a voluptuous redhead with tattoos immediately coming on to Clark from page one. The interaction of this one and only friend, as well as pushing Clark's boundaries in intimacy, gives Clark human qualities we all feel and sympathize with. And the taboo with dealing with sex for Superman (and the awkward and funny scene with Jonathan Kent and Clark over sex) is something that works out well, and adds those qualities never talked about before. I know JMS gets a lot of heat for shaking things up for characters, but I applaud him for trying. The other theme is power; power to rule, corrupt, and lust for. Power of Superman doing just about anything he wishes, and because of it, the world views him from both perspectives: a savior of a god or a destructive weapon ready to go off. This is shown when Superman goes to a foreign land and tries to help, only to be threatened about "guns are the power". The Parasite represents greed and monstrosity of what power can do. Even Superman has an edgy persona about him that drool's power. And even when Superman loses majority of his power, he finds something more about those who don't have it. It's a good metaphor and theme about where Superman stands in this world and universe, and it offsets the more somberness of the book with action. The theme isn't handled as well as the theme of isolation, but it works. As for art, Shane Davis is up there with some of the more underrated artist. He puts on the same level of detail and cinematic feel about it here like he did in Vol.1, but even more so. His detail to human expressions are key here. They go well with Straczynski's writing. 80% of the book is in the expressions, with only 20% in the action. So you'll do well to take your time and really take in the panels. As for complaints, it lies in the character usage of Lisa, Lois, and the Parasite. The Parasite is written somewhat one-dimensional. He plays a great monstrosity of a character, but lacks some polish on his background. As for Lisa, she is and will probably be the biggest lighting rod for debate, due to the nature of her. For one, JMS writes some horribly cheesy lines for her. She immediately slathers her way onto Clark from page one, which is something most people would never do. JMS could have at least eased into her coming on to Clark, but it feels way to fast and ridiculous to believe. The other is her being the new love interest over Lois. Lois and Clark barely have anything to do with one another in Earth One, so this will feel uneasy with readers who feel Lois should be the love interest. And the other...well sorry if this feels like spoiler, but...Lisa is a prostitute (occasionally). This little nugget of information has already made people up-in-arms over feminist as seeing Lisa as stereotypical. People might see this as Clark being around a women who is "impure" to someone like himself. I don't mind this take, but some people out there might really go nuts over this. SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL.2 does everything Vol.1 does, but ups it up greatly. This is a great character study on Clark Kent, and using the Earth One title to deal with such forbidden discussion to great effect. If you're one who didn't enjoy Vol.1, then this book probably won't change your mind. But if you did enjoy Vol.1 and want to take it further, Vol.2 shouldn't disappoint. And if your one who wants a different take on the Clark Kent/Superman mythos, then this too is worth checking out. The big teases and set-ups for the inevitable Vol.3, I'm looking forward on what JMS and Davis do in the future.. this is my Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] reviews

Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 [Hardcover] Specs

• Amazon.com Review
• Q&A with J. Michael Straczynski
• Q. Were you surprised by the tremendous success of SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE Vol. 1?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: Yes and no. Any time one writes a book of any sort, one hopes for success with it. I knew that the story was as solid as I could make it, the art was great, and our lead character is one of the most recognizable figures in the world, so all of the elements were there. The question then becomes the degree to which it resonates with an audience: do they care about the story and the characters?
• So while I suspected the book would do well, given the elements above, I never expected that it would spend 37 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels. What's especially interesting about that is that in the weeks and months since it came out, I heard from a massive number of readers who said that they'd never picked up a Superman comic before, that the character hadn't really interested them previously, but that they bought, and enjoyed, this one. I think we managed to reach a considerable number of folks who had never been able to dial into the character before.
• We'd taken a rather risky path with the character of Clark Kent in the book, so to receive both a very strong response in both critical reception and sales was a huge validation that we'd made the right choice.
• Q. Many creators have re-imagined Superman's origin story throughout the years. What frame of mind did you put yourself in to create a new, unique vision that stands by itself?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: The answer to that dovetails rather neatly into the comments above, but requires a bit of a long story. For two years I'd worked in Vancouver as writer/producer on a Showtime TV series called Jeremiah. Every week, I'd go down to the comics store on Granville near Robson for my comics fix. Now, if you know that area, then you know that Granville is a haven for street kids: the lost and the transitional, the runaways and the throwaways. I would often see them walk into the comics store in search of something, anything that resonated with them, and the world in which they had to live. They would scan the multicolored racks with desperate eyes, looking for something uplifting that would speak to them...and return to the streets empty handed.
• For Superman to remain relevant, the character must grow and change and evolve, must be re-invented for each new generation. So that's what I decided to do with Superman: bring him to Metropolis in his early 20s today, right now, and give him the same task that awaits so many others at that age: let him define himself, figure out what he wants to do with his life and show the difficulties, but also the joys, of making that happen.
• Q. What is the core tenet behind the SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE mythology you and artist Shane Davis have created?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: To show the human side of Clark and make him relatable. The key thing about Superman is that while you cannot pierce his skin, you can pierce his heart. His journey has to be one filled with action but it must also be a very personal journey of discovery. We must all discover who we are, and what we stand for when standing is the most difficult. Clark Kent is no different in that respect, and that key gave us our central approach to the character.
• Q. Parasite is the starring villain in Vol. 2. What aspects of the character have you focused on?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: The Parasite is in a way the mirror image of Superman, in that Superman gives of himself to help others, and the Parasite takes from others to strengthen himself. So that gave us our focus from a thematic perspective. Before the accident that transforms him, he is a serial killer who exploits people until he no longer needs them, then murders them and moves on. Cold, calculating, conscienceless and very much in control. As Parasite, when the hunger for power hits him, he is very much out of control, and that dichotomy gave us some really cool dynamics to play with.
• Q. Your version of Clark Kent isn't the instantly heroic Boy Scout archetype we all know. Will we see further change in Clark in Vol. 2?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: For me, the fun in writing Clark is that he's not so much a boy scout as he is, in his way, kind of naive when he comes to Metropolis for the first time. He's led a life in which he was always afraid that he might accidentally hurt someone, or that his powers might be discovered, so he withdrew into himself, leading a life where he touched as few people as possible, and was touched by few of them in return. Because he was an outsider, in a very literal sense, there was always a barrier between him and other people, between him and fun. But now that he's out in the world, on his own for the first time, he has to relate to other people more intimately than he has in the past, and there's a certain amount of fun involved in that, some of it at his expense. He has to figure out how to rent an apartment on his own, and how to deal with the beautiful young woman next door who thinks he's really cute. He's protective, and strong, but also very shy in his ways, and that ends up being very attractive.
• Q. Are there any other supporting characters from the Superman mythos we'll see in Vol. 2?
• A. J. Michael Straczynski: In addition to Parasite, there's an appearance by one character known well to fans of Superman, but whom I've been deliberately holding back until I could bring him in via a new path, reinventing him in ways that parallel what we're doing with Clark. I think this will be a pleasant surprise for readers, especially given the character he arrives alongside. I don't think anybody will see this one coming.
• About the Author
• J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI has worked in television, comics and, most recently, motion pictures. In comics, he is known for The Amazing Spider-Man, The Twelve, Thor and Silver Surfer: Requiem, as well as SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE Volumes 1 & 2 and BEFORE WATCHMEN for DC Comics. He is the creator of the hit TV series Babylon 5, and was nominated for the 2009 Best Writer Eisner Award. In movies, he is known for writing films including Changeling, Thor and a forthcoming reinterpretation of Forbidden Planet.

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8 out of 10 based on 68 ratings

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] best price

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover]

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] Reviews

I'm a fan of the Vorkosigan series, so for me, this was a five star book. I bought the electronic version through Baen and have already reread it. For non fans, I'm not sure how it would go, but probably 4 stars. Would people who don't know Ivan understand the complaint of Ivan's boss? The boss asked why Ivan's mother asked him about Ivan's personal life instead of asking Ivan. Ivan responded, "Experience, maybe." There are gems all the way through the book for fans and non fans. It is mentioned that on Barrayar people were subjects, not citizens. Someone notes that the emperor is the only one on Barrayar that isn't a subject and wonders if that makes him an object. Humor abounds and all sorts of characters from previous novels make cameo appearances. Bujold sensibly keeps Cordelia, Miles, and Mark largely out of the picture, because they tend to dominate. The plethora of minor characters would be a problem for a new reader of the series, but are enjoyable to people who've met them before. Bujold had a difficult task in this book. She has a hero that is not an overly ambitious man, and she made him sympathetic and enjoyable. Ivan is shown at his best. He is brave, loyal and chivalrous. He comes through when he needs to. He's not as bright as Miles or Cordelia, but he isn't stupid. I would not advise people who haven't read Bujold before to start here, although her writing has never been better. If you haven't read the Vorkosigan series, there are a number of good books waiting for you.. this is my Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] reviews

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover] Specs

• From Booklist
• *Starred Review* Set a few years before the most recent Miles Vorkosigan story (Cryoburn, 2011), this may be one of the most anticipated and long-awaited entries to Bujold's acclaimed Vorkosigan saga. For years fans have clamored for Ivan Vorpatril's story, and at last Bujold delivers something that will both thrill the devoted audience and entrance new readers. For many years, Ivan has been perfectly content to live a quiet bachelor life and serve as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. With no desire for the imperial throne or the types of death-defying adventures that his cousin Miles so adores, Ivan has become a master at avoiding political intrigue and entangling alliances. Asked to look after a young woman during a brief trip to Komarr, Ivan is happy to oblige. But when his attempt to ask the woman out ends up with her handmaiden knocking him out and tying him to a chair, Ivan realizes that something very bad is going on. It quickly becomes clear that the only way Ivan can save himself and his charge is to marry Tej Arqua and bring her home to Barrayar. Longtime readers will love seeing a new side of Ivan as well as hearing his views on many of the series characters. New readers can enjoy Ivan's story on its own but will miss many of the nuances that add depth and character; best to begin at the beginning. Essential for all SF collections and a must-read for Bujold and Vorkosigan fans. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: In the SF world, a new release doesn't get much bigger than this one. The wait is finally over for Bujold's followers. --Jessica Moyer
• About the Author
• A science fiction legend, Lois McMaster Bujold has won six Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. Her Miles Vorkosigan saga is a hugely popular science fiction mainstay with multiple New York Times bestsellers including previous entries, Cryoburn and Diplomatic Immunity. The mother of two, Ms. Bujold lives in Minneapolis.

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8 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] special offers

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover]

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] Reviews

I've bought about 12-15 WWE books, so I know what they are all about. This one is the best on EVER, hands down. It has anybody who has ever wrestled in WWE, including many of the jobbers. Heck, even Chris Benoit is in it. If you are a wrestling fan, you must own this book.. this is my WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] reviews

WWE Encyclopedia Updated & Expanded [Hardcover] Specs

• Review
• "[A] welcome addition to any wrestling fan's coffee table or library collection. This book…remains an invaluable source for any WWE fan looking to become more well-versed on the company's storied history." – Post and Courier

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7 out of 10 based on 60 ratings

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] best price

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover]

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] Reviews

* * * INTRO * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Avengers Vs X-Men is the culmination of a long and intricate Marvel macro-saga that started in the year 2004 with Avengers Disassembled and continued with House Of M, Messiah Complex, Second Coming and The Children's Crusade (and pretty much every other Marvel event from Civil War to Schism, though those mentioned before are the most relevant ones to AVX, as they deal directly with the Scarlet Witch and Hope). But AVX not only is the culmination of an entire age of Marvel events, it also sets the stage for a new era of storylines that start with the "Marvel NOW!" initiative. * * * CONTENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This volume includes: - Avengers Vs. X-Men #0 to 12 - This is the main series, where pretty much everything happens. - AVX: VS #1 to 6 - Each issue of this series features two 10-pages long short stories "expanding" fight scenes from the main series. Nothing really relevant happens here, it's only fight scenes, some of them pretty good, but others a little weak and irrelevant. - Avengers Vs X-Men: Infinite Comics #1, 6 and 10 - Now for the first time in print, this issues were originaly released only in digital form, serving as prologues to issues #1, 6 and 10 of the main series respectively, as those are turning points in the story. (NOTE: These three issues are the only ones ever created for the Infinite Comics series, don't mind the interrupted numbering, issues #2, 3, 4, etc, DON'T EXIST) - Point One - A 7-pages short story introducing the new Nova character for the first time. This story acts as a prologue to the AVX series. Point One originally featured seven different short-stories, but only this one is printed here, as the rest of them are not related to the AVX event. IMPORTANT NOTE: AVX had a lot of tie-ins running in other ongoing series, such as Avengers, New Avengers, Secret Avengers, Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine & The X-Men. Those tie-in issues are NOT INCLUDED in this volume. Don't worry, they are not really necessary to understand the story, as most of them rather focus on characters and situations of those specific ongoing series. * * * ABOUT THE STORY * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I'll try to be as objective and spoiler-free as I can. This event is written by Brian Bendis, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and Jonathan Hickman. All of them plotted the whole series and then each of them wrote the script for 2 (or 3, in some cases) individual issues. The Infinite Comics issues are written by Mark Waid with Ives Bigerel, and the short stories from AVX VS feature Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen, Rick Remender, Jeph Loeb, Christopher Yost, Kathryn Immonen, Kaare Andrews and Steve McNiven. About Avengers Vs X-Men (main series): Issue #0 features two short stories, one focusing on the Scarlet Witch, the responsible for the near extinction of the mutant race and the other one features Hope, the first mutant to be born after the near extinction event caused by the Scarlet Witch. These two are going to be major player in the story, that's why they are introduced here. Issue #1 pretty much sets up the story: the Phoenix Force is coming to Earth and no one is safe. The X-Men lead by Cyclops think that Hope, the "Mutant Messiah", is destined to channel the Phoenix and kickstart the rebirth of the mutant race. However, the Avengers and Wolverine (who is leading his own team of X-Men) think that the arrival of the Phoenix can only mean the obliteration of our planet and want to stop it from reaching Hope. The problem comes with issues #2 to 5: they are a complete mess of inconsequentional fight after fight, which are cut in the middle of the action to then be ill-expanded in the respective AVX VS issues. This hurts the sense of narrative in a very serious way. I love action as anyone else (and expect it from this particular title), but this is completely senseless action and does no good to the book. With issue #6 the story picks up: there's a major turning point, the writers start to put more meaning into the action and the narrative improves as well (the battles are much better accomplished and the AVX VS complements stories are well-designed to expand them without hurting the narrative so much). I won't tell what happens in issue #6, but suffice to say that the conflict between the Avengers and the X-Men escalates exponentially. The last 3 issues of the series take the conflict to its climax, setting up the stage for a new status quo in the Marvel Universe, at least for short-term and maybe medium-term future (probably in the same way Avengers Disassembled and House Of M did a few years ago). The problem with the resolution of the story is that it becomes a bit predicatable and feels too editorially-driven. There are some shocking events nearing the end of the book, but they aren't surprising at all: maybe event after event, year after year, developed a numbing effect to this kind of shocks and nothing surprises anymore. * * * ABOUT THE ART * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * John Romita Jr. illustrates the 5 first issues of the series, and they are the most unattractive of the whole book. I usually like (even love) Romita Jr.'s art, but in this case his pages look very rushed and uninspired. Fortunately issues 6, 7 and 11 are illustrated by Oliver Coipel, and issues 8 to 10 and 12 by Adam Kubert. Both of them do a great job, showcasing beautiful art and raising the bar of the series immediately. Additional art in the AVX VS series and Infinite Comics feature a cast of notable artists, including: Ed McGuiness, Stuart Immonen, Adam Kubert, Steve McNiven, Leinil Yu, Salvador Larroca, Terry Dodson, Brandon Peterson, Kaare Andrews, Tom Raney, Carlo Barberi and Reilly Brown. Many of them are well-known stars and deliver high quality performances, so you won't be disappointed with their art. * * * ABOUT THE EDITION * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITIVE aspects: + This is an over-sized hardcover edition (with larger trim size than standard comic-books). + It's a high quality book, with glossy paper stock and excellent printing quality: colors are vibrant and line art is sharp. + Extras include 9 pages of pencil pages, sketches and designs by the main artists and a 4-pages "Scorecard" with a well-designed index of all the battles accross the book. There's also a 2-pages introduction by WWE Champion CM Punk. + This edition includes a code to be redeemed for a FREE Digital Copy if you use the Marvel Comics app. (Unfortunately I can't give you any insight about this feature, because I don't use the Marvel Comics app). NEGATIVE aspects: - This is NOT a sewn-binding book. This hardcover features a glued-binding and this causes gutter loss that prevents from fully appreciating the art in double-page spreads. The book still reads well and the binding is solid, so it will last for a very long time, but with an expensive $75 edition, one would expect the highest quality standards of the Marvel Omnibus line. - The variant covers are NOT reproduced in full-page size, instead we get a gallery that showcases 4 variant covers per page. These covers are illustrated by some top talent artists like Jerome Opeña and Esad Ribic among many others, so they'd deserve to be printed in full size so one could appreciate the detail properly. SPECIAL NOTE: The issues are NOT presented in chronological order. They are printed in the following order: Point One's Nova story, Avengers Vs X-Men #0 to 12, AVX #1 to 6, Avengers Vs X-Men Infinite Comics. * * * CONCLUSION * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Avengers Vs X-Men could have been an epic series, but in the end I can't help but feel it formulaic and flawed. I really wanted to enjoy the series and had high hopes in the star-ensemble of writers, featuring veteran Marvel architects like Bendis and Brubaker and promising newcomers like Aaron and Hickman, but in the end there's not really a lot of difference between AVX and other Marvel events like Siege or Civil War: rushed action, some out of character depictions and incidents for editorial sake. However this story has its positive aspects also: I think it sucessfuly closes a lot of loose ends and brings closure to the 9-years of continued events that Bendis inaugurated with Avengers Disassembled, while setting up a new and promising status for the Marvel Universe, for both Avengers and X-Men franchises. In the end Avengers Vs X-Men is just a "good" story: it's not bad at all, but it doesn't really excel in any aspect. It could have been epic, but it just limits itself to decently tell a story in order to set up a new stage for new stories in the Marvel Universe.. this is my Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] reviews

Avengers vs. X-Men [Hardcover] Specs

• Hardcover: 568 pages
• Publisher: Marvel; Har/Psc Lt edition (November 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785163174
• ISBN-13: 978-0785163176
• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 7.8 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
• #14 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > Marvel
• #64 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Graphic Novels > Superheroes
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9 out of 10 based on 57 ratings