Editorial Review

Reviews

Great for overall planning, not just saving money., October 25, 2002
I just got engaged a few months ago, and another bride-to-be recommended this book. I've already found it to be extremely helpful in my planning, as the book thoroughly reviews your options for various aspects of the wedding such as bride/bridesmaids dresses, invitations, photography, etc. I particularly liked the lists of suggested questions for vendors--when I emailed one photographer with some of the questions in the book, he wrote back and said "you couldn't have asked better questions if I had given them to you myself!" I've actually found the book to be less helpful in the area of saving money. This might be partly due to the fact that we're having a pretty small wedding--we only expect about 40 guests to attend, and we're not having a bridal party. Another minor negative is that when I tried some of the websites in the book, the URLs were no longer valid; although they talked about use of the internet in planning quite a bit, I wish they had addressed this area even more, especially use of email to get information from potential vendors. Overall, however, this is a great book that you definitely will use frequently in your planning--I find myself referring to my copy again and again.

This book was my bible. . ., December 6, 2000
I used the 4th edition to plan my wedding last year, and was able to save a considerable amount of money. To be honest, I was amazed to find several negative reviews stating the book was "tacky" and "paranoid". Everytime one of my friends becomes engaged I send a copy to them as an engagement gift, and they all love it too. By following most of the Fields advice, we had the wedding we wanted for a reasonable price. Most of the scams they discuss I encountered. Such as the charge to cut a cake if you don't use the caterers baker. They are especially on target about Bridal shops. After spending over $1,400.00 for my dress, shoes, veil, and alterations, the repairs that the shop assured me would be made to my dress, were never made. Even though I had provided them with a detailed list of needed repairs and writing a letter to the shop manager expressing my concern that these repairs would not be done. I had to spend the day before my wedding back at the the bridal shop,and stand there and watch to make sure the repairs were done. Their advice on saving money on the reception was fabulous. We found a site that allowed us to provide our own alochol and only pay for the bartender. Our total bill for champagne, wine, and beer was only $350.00.

The unfortunate reality of the bridal industry is there are plenty of vendors who will rip you off, and they provide you with the advice and know how to avoid bad vendors and their scams.

Great Wedding Budget Planner, August 20, 2000
As the Best Man of my friend's wedding, I referred to this book in a zillion occasions for practical advice. From the wedding count-down clock to ceremony etiquette to wedding apparels and catering and limousines, this book has got it all! You might not need everything covered in this guide yet it will be very useful for almost every aspect of your wedding. I personally find the sections on reception sites and catering particularly interesting and useful. The book provides a lot of hand-on tips that are not usually commonly known. Ever wondered about a dessert reception instead of a traditional 2-entree banquet? What about a wedding being held at a local university faculty club that offers in-site catering? This is the one book that you will have to keep your fingers on throughout wedding planning. The newest edition of this book will come out this fall, yet don't worry about the up-to-date figures and costs. Focus on the variables that will directly affect the cost of your Big Day. Each topic features a section of questions to ask the service provider (i.e. florist, entertainer, DJ, caterer, reception site...) If you really want to make the most of your budget, read this book carefully and read over again.

Great for the not-so-fouffy bride, February 12, 1997
I'm not your typical BRIDE magazine reader. I live in Las Vegas, and I would have been happy to get married at the drive-thru wedding chapel on the back of my fiance's motorcycle. Believe it or not, HE wanted a regular wedding back east, and I agreed. Having heard just enough about the shark-infested waters of the bridal industry to fill me with dread, I was very unwilling to be its victim. This book made me feel much more confident in my ability to defend myself against the rip-offs. It saved me a lot of wasted time trying to figure out (probably unsuccessfully) how to find the best bargains myself. I knew what to expect and was able to decide which items or services I felt were worth the money. I am actually starting to enjoy the whole wedding planning process thanks to this book. It was the only wedding book I found with realistic money saving advice besides the blatantly obvious suggestions like "make your own decorations." This book is to weddings what Consumer Reports' dealer cost reports are to car buying. Buy it

The most important book for planning your wedding!, June 26, 2001
I absolutely love this book! I'm one of those lucky people that has to pay for a majority of my wedding - this book has been my bible - not just for finding bargains and insider tips on everything from gowns to caterers to DJ's, but also just for basic planning and practical advice. This book, in addition the the authors' website... are really all you'll need to plan your wedding. With so many new websites popping up on wedding services, this book sorts out the good from the bad, saving you time and frustration. The author's write as if they are your good friends - and no offense, but no maid-of-honor could ever be this helpful or knowledgable! They've gone undercover to unmask the ugly side of the bridal industry, while still being optimistic about brides finding good quality service at great prices. Even if you're not bargain hunting, you should get this book for it's great lists of important questions to ask any service provider. And if you ARE bargain shopping, you need this book for sure. Older editions may be available at your library, but to be really useful (especially with updated web advice) you need the latest edition. Take it from me - I found my wedding gown, brand new and BEAUTIFUL for $152.00 including tax - in MY size, no alterations needed, and I brought it home the same day I paid for it! My Veil was only $18.00! I'm finding that I can do many things myself - this adds not only a personal touch, but it's exactly what I want at great prices. I can't reccomend it enough and from what I read, other brides feel the same. Buy this book!

Your Wedding: Make It Real -- Make it Affordable, July 23, 2004
My personal favorite tip from Bridal Bargains? Either make your own veil (buy a do-it-yourself book and fabric at WalMart or Michael's) or have your seamstress save material and make one. You save up to $200.

Inside Bridal Bargains:
From front cover to back cover (literally), this book delivers.

My original idea for this review was to include the table of contents with a short summary, however, the table of contents takes up six pages, and we just do not have that luxury. Instead, I will focus on the chapters.

The idea of this book is to teach brides (this book's target reader) to find bargains without cheapening their wedding, honeymoon or reception.

There are sections in this book that hit every aspect of your wedding:

engagement
bridal shower
wedding ceremony
wedding reception
honeymoon
Canadian bridal bargains

When you are finished reading this book (are you ever really finished?), you will be engrossed in their Seven Keys to Planning an Affordable Wedding:

1 - fighting the trends magazines and overpriced bridal saloons subject us to

2 - using the Internet for all it's worth

3 - making a deal they can't refuse (especially when you get them in writing; see number four)

4 - get everything in writing or else

5 - planning in advance (this says it all, or so you think, this book tells you how much is too far in advance as well as reminding you to not wait for the last moment)

6 - research (we and they cannot say enough about this

7 - unleashing and using your creative genius

(all this and we are not even on page one yet!)

Chapter One:
Introduction
Eleven pages delving into the author's, the goals of the book, your bridal clock time, and what is new in this particular edition.

Chapter Two:
Your Wedding
Exhausting is the best word for this almost one-hundred page chapter. Not in a bad way, it's just -- there is a TON of information to learn! This chapter seems to be most about wedding gowns than anything else. Includes advice on wedding gown scams, where to buy good gowns at better prices, information about mark ups, factory wedding gowns, catalog gowns, bridal outlets, money saving secrets, tag ripping, using your credit card, questions to ask before you buy, oversizing, bridal magazines and oh so much more! Best reason for this chapter? It highlights in detail the top forty bridal designers.

Chapter Three:
Apparel For the Wedding Party
And you thought we were finished with apparel, right? Basically, the same information as above, except this chapter focuses on the bridesmaids dresses and the tuxedos. I had no idea the groom often got his tuxedo rental free.

Chapter Four:
Ceremony Sites
Differences between civil ceremony and religious ceremonies may just be biggest in your wallet. Chapter four discusses it all, including offering just the right questions to ask when selecting an officiant.

Chapter Five:
Wedding Flowers
Whoever thought there was enough information on flowers to warrant its own chapter? Includes not only seventeen money-savers, but also a spotlight on flower types and colors and a floral dictionary.

Chapter Six:
Invitations
Invitations are the scariest part, once you pay "an arm and a leg" for printing, you cannot undo it (well, you can, but...). According to the Field's, though, you won't have to pay as much if you do your research and plan ahead.

Chapter Seven:
Reception Sites
Places you wouldn't imagine might be the perfect place for your wedding reception and at the perfect price, as well.

Chapter Eight:
Catering
Meals and deals. Caterer or loving family member? Should you save by using plastic? Frozen food? Wholesale clubs and alcohol. Also; includes alternatives to consuming alcohol.

Chapter Nine:
Photography
Drink up this chapters thirty pages worth of photograpy pitfalls and disasters, money-saving hints, camera and film information, blurred shot tricks and more.

Chapter Ten:
Cakes
Even the chapter is yummy. I love the part that told me I could actually request samples of the cake. I had no idea! Anyway, this chapter is excellent and important. Tip: Buy a simple plain white cake and spruce it up with inexpensive fresh flowers.

Chapter Eleven:
Wedding Videos
Huh? I was surprised this wasn't included in the photography chapter, but then I saw how much was in each chapter and realized, there's no room to combine them. Do you need photos and videos? In my opinion, there are two things I plan to spend the most money on, in order to get the best results: pictures and rings. Why? You have to wear your ring for the rest of your life, you may as well love it. And pictures, well, you can never repeat this day and pictures are what you need to share and relive your wedding over and over again.

Chapter Twelve:
Entertainment
I had to crack up when I read one of the subchapters within this chapter: Milli Vanilli Demo Tapes and 4 More Pitfalls. I laugh because I actually understand what it means without having read it. Anyway, wonderful entertainment ideas and money-saving strategies. DJ or musicians? Why avoid December? Do you need an agent? The chapter answers all your entertainment questions.

Chapter Thirteen:
Etcetera
Everything they did not touch on before is here. Rings (tip: buy white gold over platinum; not only is it less expensive, but it's more durable, as well), limosines, insurance, changing your name...

Chapter Fourteen:
Canada
This should speak for itself. While I would not buy this book for this lone chapter, it's still great advice. And what a surprise to me -- an American -- to read about Canada's lack of bridal bargains! Does include Canadian websites and catalogs.

Chapter Fifteen:
Last Minute Consumer Tips
Surviving wedding day emergencies. This chapter should have been read before I was a matron of honor, it would have saved us all time and energy. The authors wisely suggest having a "surrogate bad cop." Someone who will have a list or copy of everything that can go wrong on your special day and how to handle any crisis that should come up (and they will).

Chapter Sixteen:
Conclusion
Naturally, this chapter ties it all together; "After reading through all the tips and advice in this book, your first thought may be 'Let's elope!'" Told you, even the authors know it's overwhelming. But then again, this is one of the most special times of your life. Let it overwhelm.

Bridal Bargain Tips:
Tips are spread like disease throughout the book. For instance, the authors share what previous readers wrote in on certain wedding/bridal scams.

Did you know some hotel waiters would carry around an appetizer tray for the wedding guests, and when the tray was half emptied, they would take the leftover food to the employee's lounge? And of course, the couple was charged for full trays.

Wait! There's more...
Not only is every website mentioned in the book conveniently listed in the back of the book, but a tear-out check list of questions to included.

What's On the Website?

Free Newsletter:
Bridal Bargains is full of pleasant surprises, but one of my favorite's is their free newsletter. That means, though you finished the book, you are not finished with the bridal bargains.

Free book updates
New bargains
Great ideas
Links to other great sites



Go to www.BridalBargainsBook.com
Click on free newsletter
Type in your email address

Last Word:
Though after reading the extensive first chapter, I feel no need to buy a bridal dress book, the Field's also have a few other wonderful books for sale.

Your New House: the alert consumer's guide to buying and building a quality home

Baby Bargains: secrets to saving 20% to 50% on baby furniture, equipment, clothes, toys, maternity wear and much, much, much more!

The Bridal Gown Guide

I give this as a gift to every engaged couple!, June 16, 2005
When I started reading this book, I had to get out post-its to mark all the fantastic information I was getting from each page. The stuff on the bridal boutique industry, how it works, why you pay what you pay, what David's Bridal is really like, how to maximize your dollar, etc. is worth it alone. This was the first really good introduction I got to the industry, and it made me understand a lot of why things work like they do.

I basically marked every other page because this book had so much useful info. This is invaluable. Other bargain books might say, "oh, hire a photo student to do your pics and have your friend do arrangements." Well, both of those courses of action are RIPE for disappointment, hard feelings, etc. This is the FIRST bridal book I have seen that seriously talks about doing it right, doing it well, and doing it for a reasonable cost.

One great tip I got was that "wedding" packages often cost more, so price your food as a "party" or "reunion" to see if the price is lower than what vendors what to scam a princess's Daddy out of paying.

The authors also have a great website where more links and information are available.

Do not try to plan your wedding without this book!

Don't plan a wedding without it!, February 2, 2002
After becoming engaged, I, like most prospective brides, bought several "wedding" books. After reading the others (or, in most cases, perusing the glossy photos of zillion-dollar dresses, cakes, flowers, etc...) I put them on a shelf where they have gathered dust (hey, a wedding planning bride doesn't have THAT much time for dusting, does she?) Not so with Bridal Bargains! My copy is dog-eared, highlighted, and liberally stuffed with post-it notes. No one else in those magazines and websites devoted to weddings will tell you the real dirt that you need to know to navigate the deceptive practices in this business. (They know which side their bread is buttered on, after all). Ladies, this book will save you money, but more importantly it will give you confidence in your knowledge, and that's no small thing since most of us have never planned a wedding before. Good luck!

A must, no matter the budget, January 12, 2000
No matter how much money you have, if you do not enjoy getting screwed over by evil shopkeepers and devious consultants, buy this book. I am constantly surprised at how people will try to fleece brides, with the thought, "Well, she's only getting married once, it's not like I have to keep her as a customer!" Stories in this book will scare you with tales of lost money, missing dresses, and deception worthy of international spies! But even better than just informing you as to how you can identify a scam when you see it, this book gives you weapons to combat the scam-artists!

This book takes time to rate the big bridal gown makers (as does its excellent "sequel," also by the Fields, on finding a quality bridal gown), tell you about ways to check out your florist, etc.

It also provides money saving ideas which are invaluable and numerous. Comes with a money-back guarantee, which should speak volumes for the helpfulness of the book.

Get this book and save yourself money, time, and tears.

This is THE book you MUST get, October 3, 2002
I highly recommend this book. Unlike the Knot's Complete Guide, it doesn't assume you have all the money and time in the world. And unlike 1001 Ways to Save Money, it doesn't merely give you a list of ideas. What Bridal Bargains does is show you how to save money, gives you lots of ideas, and then tells you what to do and where to go to turn those ideas into reality. There are TONS of ideas for ceremony and reception sites, and tips on dealing with vendors of all types. There are a lot of websites featured. They review all the major designers and vendors, and there are some excellent tips on how to find the perfect dress. DO NOT do what I did - I bought all the books referenced above, and found out that most were worthless. Only get this one. BTW, this book paid for itself within two weeks - I found a tiara I loved in a bridal shop for $200 and this book told me where to look for a less expensive one - so I used their suggestion and found an almost identical tiara for $43! I have several more exapmles of how I saved money and frustration by following this book, but that was the first! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The first book to survey the work of this iconic designer, known for her serene "new American classic" look. One of today’s most influential designers, Victoria Hagan exploded onto the scene in 1988 when New York magazine devoted the cover of its design issue to one of her rooms. Since then she has become renowned for her intelligent integration of architectural and interior design, her refined use of materials, her sophisticated color palette, and her strong silhouettes. Always looking to the view, Hagan effortlessly makes a close connection of interior spaces to the surrounding landscape. The houses profiled—ranging from elegant urban residences to casual weekend retreats—reveal Hagan’s unerring attention to what Proust called "the unexpected detail," which makes her interiors beautiful as well as timeless. Throughout, Hagan discourses on the spirit of cherished objects—a print of birds in flight, a vintage star-shaped mirror, or a chair with an unusual silhouette—that add soul and modernity. With stunning photography and personal insights into Hagan’s design philosophy, Victoria Hagan: Interior Portraits is an artful and inspiring collection of this design superstar’s oeuvre. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

By following the foolproof methods set out in this instructional, even those who have never tried this intriguing craft before will soon find themselves able to turn out sophisticated origami pieces. Includes 200 color illustrations, ten sheets of origami paper and ten sheets of practice paper. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Wolf Almanac -- Great Information and Beautiful pictures, July 27, 2008
The Wolf Almanac, New and Revised: A Celebration of Wolves and Their World If you are a wolf lover, or know anyone who is, this is the best book I have ever purchased about wolves. The pictures are outstanding and the information is accurate. Great read!

Excellent content and pictures, August 8, 2008
This book is wonderful. I own both this revised copy and the previous one. Not much has changed between them. There is some updated information and brand new photos. This is an excellent book. I really enjoyed this book. It is chock-a-block full of useful information and some fun facts as well. Good as a referance book as well.

Love this book, October 29, 2007
as an avid wolf lover, i found this book insightful. It gave me new insight and questions as to wolf behavior and communication. The pictures were beautiful and I fell in love the black wolf's eyes.

a piece of the puzzle about wolves in our world, March 13, 2010
I am a cancer patient with many side effects. I have deovtd my second career since cancer to the study of wolves. Collecting data and wolf books has shown me that each piece of the writing about wolves connects and makes a collective understanding of wolves and the human condition and how we approach sharing our world with wolves and other creatures in the environment. THis bok shows the readr how to understand the human approach to both control of where wolves live and how they live. It also opens the door to the intimate nature of the pack and how the wolves within a pack grow, learn and survive.

Bought as present, January 7, 2010
I brought this as a present for my husband and he loves it. It seems to be very informative about wolfs for those who are interested.

Wolf Almanac, November 17, 2009
This is the most comprehensive book on Wolves that I have read.
It gives a lot more details. This is not just a story book.

Beautiful Graphics, November 3, 2009
This book is really informative and beautiful. I could not have found a more detailed and beautifully photographed book on Wolves, and it is exactly what I was looking for. The hardcover book makes it a delight, a collector's item, and it would be a waste to use it merely as a coffee table book. It is simple to read, and nicely laid out, very professionally done. It gives such an intimate look into the lives of wolves, and is suitable for both amateurs and hardcore wolf-lovers.

well written, May 5, 2010
insightful and touching. Teaches you history from their perspective and many interesting facts you never knew

good introduction, December 19, 2009
I give this book a four star because it is only a good introduction to the study of wolves and their world. The facts presented are listed as if in a thesis paper, so it is not considered well written, and it did not tell me much I did not already know, even though I've never formally read any other books on Wolves. The illustrations are good and it is a good pointer for resources to look into if you are interested in pursuing studies in this awesome animal. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Lacy, sexy summer tops. Chic, cozy sweaters. Chunky, funky hats and colorfully crafty afghans—it all starts with the single, simple act of wrapping a hook around a strand of yarn. Then come the stitches, the flourishes, the unlimited creativity. Stylish, cheeky in tone, chock-full of information and inspiration, this is the indispensable guide. Learn the skills. Speak the lingo. Make the stuff. And give old granny square a chance. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Pure Sea Glass is an incredible reference for any coastal enthusiast. More than 200 elegant images by photographer Celia Pearson present some of the best sea glass ever collected, along with samples of the classical glassware that is often its source. Author Richard LaMotte provides tremendous detail on all aspects of identifying sea glass, its historical significance, ways to assess rarity, and the most advantageous locations and times to search for it. The reader also is introduced to the science of how sea glass develops its uniquely frosted patina. LaMotte explains how crystalline formations on the surface ofsea glass shards transform them into highly prized gems. The book's color- rating scale is based on an intensive study of more than 30,000 pieces of sea glass. It helps readers determine how rare each piece in their own collections might be.A comprehensive assemblage of antique bottles and tableware informs the reader while paying tribute to the great American glass industry prior to mass-production. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

This classic has now taught generations of gardeners how to use the natural benefits of plants to protect and support each other. Here is a reader's complete reference to which plants nourish the soil, which keep away bugs and pests, and which plants just don't get along. Here is a complete guide to using companion planting to grow a better garden. 555,000 copies in print. ... Read more

Editorial Review

• argues that language is not a requirement for consciousness--and that animals do have consciousness
• applies the autism theory of "hyper-specificity" to animals, showing that animals and autistic people are so sensitive to detail that they "can't see the forest for the trees"--a talent as well as a "deficit"
• explores the "interpreter" in the normal human brain that filters out detail, leaving people blind to much of the reality that surrounds them--a reality animals and autistic people see, sometimes all too clearly
• explains how animals have "superhuman" skills: animals have animal genius
• compares animals to autistic savants, declaring that animals may in fact be autistic savants, with special forms of genius that normal people do not possess and sometimes cannot even see
• examines how humans and animals use their emotions to think, to decide, and even to predict the future�
• reveals the remarkable abilities of handicapped people and animals�
• maintains that the single worst thing you can do to an animal is to make it feel afraid
  
  
  

Reviews

Fascinating and delightful read, January 21, 2005
I savored every moment of reading this book. Grandin has an enthusiasm for her subject that she combines with endless quantities of fascinating research and observations about animals. The book isn't exactly what I expected - I thought it would focus more on her own interactions with animals. However, because the book is so engagingly written and the information is so interesting, the difference between what I expected and what I got didn't diminish my enjoyment in the least.

Grandin does a much better job of making the scientific information more interesting and less dry than in her previous book, Thinking in Pictures, which contained long passages about medications that could be used to treat autistic people. I found that book to be much more uneven. Animals in Translation, however, held on to my attention from the first page to the last. While she also includes a generous amount of scientific information in this book, it is all so interesting and sometimes surprising, that I was never bored. If you have pets or are simply interested in animals and/or biology, this is a must-read.

A novel look at animal behavior, but with room for improvement., August 27, 2006
What author Temple Grandin has attempted to do here is to use her own experiences as an autistic person to gain insight into the way animals perceive and react to the world around them. She explains that autism seems to impair the ability of the neocortex, or frontal lobes of the brain, to obtain and process information, and that animals likewise have less well-developed frontal lobes than normal humans do. Her theory is that the impairment of an autistic person's brain, in essence, makes them far closer to other animals than to non-autistic humans in how they view the world. As a result, Grandin has largely been able to help people better relate to their pets, and also to design more humane slaughterhouse equipment and more effective auditing procedures for slaughter facilities.

The book starts off well, with Grandin offering many insights that show that, in some ways, she really does have a better understanding of animal perception and thought than "normal" humans. Her principle examples revolve around the fact that animals, like autistic people, are detail-oriented. Their inability to generalize and see the "big picture" often leads to fixations on small things that the average person would not notice. Grandin illustrates this with stories from her inspections of meat plants, where something as simple as an abrupt change in lighting, or a reflection on a puddle - things which have entirely escaped the plant operators' notice - have been causing cattle to balk and refuse to go where they are being directed. She goes on to explain exactly why these details, which don't seem like much of a reason to be afraid, are so disturbing to the animals. Her observations, while not things that would immediately jump out at most people, make a lot of sense once she has explained them. Grandin also includes a useful checklist of things to look for when trying to determine what may be frightening an animal.

However, there are also some not-so-positive aspects to the book. In many places Grandin deviates from her theme of using autism to understand animals, and starts making speculations that not only have no connection to autism, but which seem to have little to back them up at all beyond the author's own opinions. She uses phrases like "statistics have shown" but then fails to elaborate on these supposedly evidential statistics, giving no information on who collected the information, when the study was done, or how large of a sample was used. This particularly comes into play when she discusses pit bulls - a topic she turns to repeatedly throughout the book. Grandin makes no attempt to hide her great distaste for pit bulls (she does not specify whether she is referring to American Pit Bull Terriers in particular, or all of the various breeds that fall under the generic "pit bull" label) and also Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Chows.

In addition, Grandin puts forth some opinions on dog training that range from strange to absurd. Two things in particular caught my attention. First, she strongly advocates the outdated "alpha" theory for establishing dominance over one's dog. And secondly, I found myself greatly puzzled when she posed her theory that leash laws result in undersocialized dogs. She goes on to reminisce about how, when she was a child, dogs in her neighborhood were allowed to roam free, and that there were rarely any fights. Perhaps this was the case in her neighborhood, but in most places allowing one's dogs to roam free without supervision poses many risks. And leash laws in no way prevent a dog from being well socialized - they just require that a dog owner take an active role in introducing their pets to other animals and humans.

Finally, I was slightly dismayed with Grandin's writing style itself, though I'm not sure whether this is just a lack of writing skill, or a by-product of her autism. Grandin is obviously well-educated and experienced, but the text felt more like a junior high research report with a lot of scientific words thrown in. She often uses the same phrases repetitively, and also uses juvenalized terms for some things. However, the author does admit that written language does not come naturally to her, and that she often draws on a collection of "stock phrases" to communicate, which is what makes me wonder if this aspect of the writing is actually due to the nature of her autism. However, she also makes the mistake of repeatedly using terms like "I believe" or "my opinion is" when putting forth her theories. While these theories obviously ARE her ideas, making statements of the "I think" variety in scientific writing makes the arguments sound weaker, especially when she fails to back up her claims with research or other evidence. Many times she simply concludes an argument with the statement "and I can prove it!" but then fails to go on to give actual proof.

On the whole, the book is a bit of a mixed bag. Though my previous three paragraphs focused on things I found disappointing, I do not mean to give the impression that Grandin's work is all bad. It's certainly not. She does have a lot of good insights, and when she backs up her assertions with specific evidence, her ideas are quite fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the book, where she explains the differences in detail-perception between animals, autistic people, and non-autistic people, and also the sections devoted to animal language / communication, and the co-evolution of dogs and humans. In the end I would probably still recommend Grandin's book to readers, with the provision that one should take a slightly hesitant approach in deciding which of her arguments should be readily accepted, and which need further proof.

2 1/2 stars, because it is half a good book, September 16, 2006
When the author focuses on what she knows - autism, neurobiology, and domestic livestock - this book offers many insights. By applying some excellent existing research in neurobiology about what animals are truly capable of perceiving and feeling (read some of the referenced books for confirmation of emotions in animals) and applying her own experiences with domestic livestock and insights founded in her autism (a much more visual world than "normal" people (her word, not mine)), Dr. Grandin shows how a more visual, detail-oriented animal encounters the world.

Sadly, Dr. Grandin - perhaps wanting to appeal to a wider audience - tries also to include predator species such as our companion dogs and cats in her book. Her lack of direct experience with predator species is palpable in everything she writes about them. Her data sources are extremely outdated(Monks of New Skete, anyone?) and her own discussions are highly anecdotal ("my neighbor's dog..." "my childhood cat..."). Her word choices reveal her discomfort with the subject matter (much use of terms such as "probably" "pretty much" "nobody knows why"). Nor does she make any effort to validate her suppositions. Her "Troubleshooting" chapter should be avoided like the plague (recommending a shock collar for chasing behavior can create aggression, as the dog learns to associate the chase object with pain).

If you read this book, take it with a grain of salt and by no means use it as your only reference. Her own references are excellent and can be used for further study. Also, for those interested primarily in dogs, Patricia McConnell has an exceptional new book, For the Love of a Dog, that is grounded in more recent data and a lifetime of working with dogs.

New Insights, The Same Old Same-Old, Or Both?, August 14, 2005

Let me just say up front that this is a wonderful book in many ways, and offers a unique, and in most cases, accurate view of animal consciousness. My own area of expertise is canine behavior, so I was really looking forward to Temple Grandin's perspective on that. She's absolutely right when she says that animals are specifically geared toward perceiving vivid sensory details rather than the way the human brain tends to automatically generalize things and gather such details into conceptual, symbolic, or "meaningful" chunks.

I hope all dog owners will read this book and finally realize that their dogs are both "smarter" and not quite as smart as they thought they were. I tell my dog training clients that dogs are natural-born geniuses at pattern recognition--which goes beyond the sense of smell, by the way, which Grandin focuses on, and includes visual data (body language) and aural input (vocalizations)--but that they're innately incapable of symbolic, conceptual, or linguistic thought processes.

So imagine my disappointment when instead of continuing to break new ground, Grandin and her co-author trot out the washed-up alpha theory* with most, if not all, of its attendant fallacies firmly in place. Just where I was hoping to get her unique perspective on something truly important (at least to me and the dogs I train), her insight fails her and she falls back on old, outdated, and thoroughly discredited research.

This is maddening since her views on aggression are semi-accurate (most aggression in dogs IS based on fear). But how can she believe in this myth of alpha, especially since she's put forth the position that animals aren't capable of symbolic and conceptual thinking, and for the alpha theory to be true it would require dogs and wolves to be able to think this way?

Let me make another thing clear: dogs are not inherently dangerous! They are genetically programmed to want to attain a state of harmony with other dogs and with people. It's what they live for. In fact, this is what the pack instinct is really about since it's what enables canids to hunt large prey, by working together in group harmony. The primary thing that makes dogs dangerous is the way they've been mistreated by people who've been brainwashed about having to be the dog's pack leader, which has been woefully misused in many cases as an excuse to hurt, scare, intimidate, and punish these innately loving and sweet-natured animals... (whew! -- glad I got that off my chest...)

Anyway, that's why I'm only giving this book three stars. Grandin has done good work, at least partially. We should all be thankful for her insights and her unique perspective. Just ignore most of what she says about canine social behavior.

*Wolf experts don't even like to use the word alpha anymore because, as Dr. L. David Mech puts it, "it falsely implies a hierarchical system in which each wolf assumes a place in a linear pecking order," (Canadian Journal of Zoology, 2002).

Landmark book., March 12, 2005
Animals in Translation: Using the mysteries of autism to decode animal behavior.
I will never think about animals, and about autism, and about "normal" people quite the same way again. This is a landmark book.

The book is badly organized. You will have to read every page. You may not be interested in the long pages where she talks about slaughter houses, but then right in the middle of a paragraph you suddenly come across a bit of wisdom that you would not want to have missed. Right then you must underline it or you will never find it back again.

The upshot of this book is that animals do not have a fully functioning frontal lobe, nor do autistic people, and she tells us throughout the book what that is like, over and over again until you start to get a deep understanding of what it is like. We get a better understanding of ourselves too. The frontal lobe "puts it all together", and having put it all together, we race over the details like a speed boat over water. We do not see the details. An autistic person on the other hand, can not help but see them. He sees all the details, and only the details. He is overwhelmed by them. He sees all forty shades of brown. He can not see the forest for the trees, and more trees, and more trees. He hears every tone. He smells every odor. His life is a jumble of details. As you might expect, her book is rich in details about her own life and about all the animals she knows and when you emerge at the other end of the book, you feel immersed. Being a "normal" person you can not remember all the details, but you "know" something about these people's lives, and about animals' lives in a way you could never get from a text book. And yet, at the same time, she also has a doctorate and she does her own research. She has the training to write the text book, but then, being autistic, she can not. She does not hold the whole picture and therefore it remains a badly organized book. That is the message. That is what it is like to be autistic. That is what it is like to be an animal.

Nicholas Dormaar
British Columbia, Canada.

fascinating, February 1, 2005
I am a wildlife rehabilitator and do a good deal of reading about animals and their needs/behavior etc. 'Animals in Translation' is the most facinating book on animals that I've ever come across. It includes examples of wildlife as well as domestic and farm animals. It's beautifully written and the author makes very complicated information completely comprehensible to the non scientific person. In her book, Ms Grandin has opened the door to the mysteries of the animal kingdom and in doing so, made us wiser to their plight of living amongst humans. This book has answered many questions and given me a whole new perspective on our furry friends. Anyone who is curious about animals, has a pet or works with animals, should be reading the material written in this book.

not quite as wonderful as I'd been led to believe, March 28, 2005
I was interested in this book as a dog trainer, hoping to acquire insights into dog behavior. Unlike some other reviewers, I am also happy to read about autism and the meat packing industry as well. On those subjects I am incompetent to judge. However, as far as dogs go, Ms. Grandin has nothing on truly observant experienced dog trainers. She makes wild generalizations I know are not supported by evidence ("all Labs are like x"; "wolflike-appearing breeds are actually more wolflike in behavior"; "white dogs are crazy", etc.) Her ideas about dogs might be taken as remarkable by the complete novice to the subject--which is most people--but are no news to anyone who has been around the block, except where they are apparently inventions of her own.
She could be way cool on the other subjects she touches on. She has a very accessible style of writing, possibly attributable to her co-author.
If you want an understanding of dog behavior, try the classic "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson.

Inspirational and revealing...., April 19, 2006
I bought this book because I have a special relationship with my dog and was attracted to the topic offered.

I got much more than I expected and I am a new devotee of Ms. Grandin and her writing. I am not autistic, however after reading Ms. Grandin's book I recognize that I have autistic tendencies; that is some of the ways of autistic thinking that Ms. Grandin describes in this book are the same as mine, causing me to believe that there are just degrees of autism. I always thought that I was missing something in life; I couldn't understand how other people did things so easily and I could not; how other people seemed to handle people and situations with ease and I could not. In my family there are several members with ADD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and being able to find a connection between those things and my thinking was nothing short of miraculous. I have learned to embrace my different thinking and be able to understand how others think differently and I have found strength in that and can offer my strengths instead of focusing on my weaknesses.

In addition, I have a new appreciation for my dog and feel that I can relate to her and her needs much more effectively than before reading the book.

I think that this book should be required reading in school and I am it's new champion on the street; I tell everyone I meet with a dog about this book and I have told my friends and family. I think about it's themes almost every day, thinking in pictures, compression, abstract thinking versus reality and I hope to get as many people to read it as possible and spread the word.

I thank Ms. Grandin for putting herself out there in such a personal and understandable way.

The only thing that I can say as a negative, the reason for my four stars, is that Ms. Grandin's writing style is sometimes repetitive and jerky. Despite that, I couldn't put it down until I was finished reading it.

Divide the science from opinion., November 24, 2005
This is the fourth co-authored book featuring Temple Grandin as one of the authors, here together with Catherine Johnson, the author of 'Shadow Syndromes' and its an interesting combination of authors who have come together on this book.

One of the myths Temple Grandin, perhaps unintentionally, busts in this book is the view that people on the autistic spectrum are not interested in other minds.

As a person labelled in infancy as autistic and rediagnosed in adulthood with Asperger's Syndrome, Temple displays an intense, obsessive observation of detail of her animal subjects which, whilst its not the work of a zoologist specialising in animal psychology, her contribution to this book comes from the heart of Temple's work as an engineer renowned for designing humane slaughter facilities for cattle.

Already emerging as a clearly scientific mind in childhood, Temple is clearly the born scientist and here she turns that scientific mind to the study of animals, in particular perhaps those she has the most experience with, cattle and extrapolating many of those experiences to dogs and other animals.

Whilst humans may fastidiously study animals to the degree they imagine or believe they know how they think, doesn't necessarily follow, however, that this is so.

Whilst Temple thinks in pictures rather than in words, visually rather than auditorily, this doesn't necessarily mean that animals think this way even if, like her, as a scientist, they notice and react to detail. If a water bowl is placed on the ground for a new dog, it doesn't necessarily recognise what it is, even if its seen 20 water bowls. But if you tap the bowl or flick the surface of the water it comes running to the bowl. Does the cat which has already had 10 similar toys, know what the new toy is visually until it taps it and smells it? Hence, is this visual thinking or is it kinesthetic in which the animal can't interpret things once they are moving, making noise or somehow in action? Whilst those in educational psychology would use awareness of three main modalities of processing; auditory, visual and kinesthetic, Temple seems to have little grasp that there is as vast a difference between the visual and kinesthetic worlds of processing as their are between the visual and auditory.

Whilst not all people on the autistic spectrum have deeply scientific minds (for this is a common stereotype) nor think in pictures, it may true that humans have lost a valuable piece of understanding and key to empathising which they can find through connection with animals, or perhaps, more to the point, that animals retain a 'system of sensing' as captured in Donna Williams' (another autistic author) book, Autism And Sensing; The Unlost Instinct (1998). If this is so, then where Donna suggests we re-discover our capacity to use this kinesthetic system of sensing that we lost in moving into using our interpretive minds and language, then here Temple shows us that scientific minds of verbal people which rely on interpretive thinking (whether visual or auditory) may find a pathway to re-discovering this system of sensing through relationships with animals.

Studying animals as a scientist is a different way of grasping their world than that of feeling their systems and nature through being with them without analysing them. What Temple shows us in this book is that even the most clinical, logical, emotionally detached and scientific of minds can attempt to build a capacity for empathic understanding and put that into occupational uses, in Temple's particular case, within the slaughter industry.

Very interesting on animal behavior, but not much about autism, February 16, 2006
This book has a great idea at its core, but the authors don't really pull it off. "Using autism to understand animal behavior" would be very interesting, but that would imply a much more thorough discussion of autism than this book provides. Unfortunately, the book will go twenty or thirty pages at a time without even mentioning the word "autism," much less discussing it seriously. Chapter 4 on aggression does not contain the word "autism" and several other chapters mention it only at the start or end of the chapter. However, the conclusion does tie together the themes of autism and animal behavior, though it's really about animal talents.

Instead, this book is mostly about Temple Grandin's personal insights into animal behavior. These are interesting. She is autistic, and the first, autobiographical chapter explains how she learned that it gave her a different perspective into animals. She is also a professor of animal behavior and draws extensively on the scientific literature. Despite the use of science, the book is very easy to read; in fact, it's written at about a 9th grade level.

The core idea is that animals, like autistic people, tend to think in pictures. They are also much more sensitive to detail and generalize less widely than typical people. Grandin makes these claims plausible and interesting. I learned why my dog will walk through one of our doors in only one direction, for example.

Much of Grandin's career has involved the behavior of livestock. Some animal lovers will not like her discussion of humane slaughtering methods, and will not be impressed that she works with McDonald's and Wendy's to improve the life quality of cattle that grows up to be hamburgers. She talks about her own feelings on this issue a little, but it would be good to have more.

In addition to livestock, she discusses the behavior of other domestic animals, mostly dogs and cats. Sometimes she extrapolates to wild animals but I'm not very confident about what she says there, as some of her claims about wolves are flatly contradicted by the literature.

You may have noticed that my review says Temple Grandin this or that, though the book is co-authored. They wrote the entire book in the first person *singular*, and whenever the authors say "I," they clearly mean the first author. I found this repeatedly odd but it doesn't really affect the quality of the book.

Those weaknesses aside, this is a very interesting book about the behavior of domestic animals and livestock. I understand some of my dog's quirks better now. But if you're looking for insights into autism, you'll be disappointed. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum holds the country's premier collection of historic aircrafts, but visitors must view these impressive structures at a distance.

IN THE COCKPIT captures the feeling of helming these historic craft with big, gorgeous four–color photographs that will give flight enthusiasts a true pilot's eye view of many of history's most important domestic and military airplanes, jets, and helicopters. Each entry includes archival images of the craft and authoritative text that places each one in the context of the development of aviation technology and world history

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Reviews

Excellent work!, May 2, 2007
This book is beautiful! I saw it at Borders today. Even if you are not interested in cockpits you should pick up this book. Cockpits are interesting and these are some of the most famous aircraft of all time.

BEAUTIFUL photography. In addition to the photos I really enjoyed the nostalgic look and feel to the book. A very cool book indeed by two of the world's best aircraft photographers. No wonder they work at the Smithsonian...

David Palermo

can you imagine yourself flying a plane?, March 5, 2009
There are some wonderful flight sims out there. You can sit at your PC and fly all sorts of aircraft. Not too bad, huh? With most of these sims you can see the controls. Sometimes the controls are rendered quite faithfully, at other times you get a generic rendition. In this book, however, you'll find that other than for WW I craft, interiors get very complex indeed.

50 aircraft interiors are covered here--lots of well-done full-color photographs. With the Halberstadt CL IV in 1917 you get a spartan cockpit--about a half-dozen gauges and a handful of switches and levers. It shouldn't be too hard remembering which is which. Taking off, flying, and landing, well, that's different. The 1937 Piper Cub--still quite simple. The 1927 Lockheed Vega--maybe 15 gauges, and 20 levers. The Hurricane of WW II begins to look quite a bit more intimidating: the Corsair takes another jump in complexity. The MIG-15 begins to look despairingly difficult (yet pilots regularly flew it). The Concorde looks as if it might require its own 250-page section in a flight sim manual. Leave the actual flying to others--while you browse this delightful book!

Wonderful, Informative Book, January 21, 2010
I purchased this book for my husband for Christmas and he has thoroughly enjoyed the book. He is a former pilot (retired) so he had a "built-in" interest. There were so many cockpits he had not seen and he enjoyed seeing and reading about each. I highly recommend this book for anyone with a pilot in their family.

Xmas Present, January 8, 2010
Beautiful book. The cover looks like leather, the book's quality reminds you of an antique book. The photographs are excellent and extremely detailed. I purchased it for a nephew who is really into WWII plains, trains and ships. For a historical aircraft lover it's a perfect gift. I only read a page or two, so I can not comment on the writing, but I believe the real beauty is in the photographs. Even someone who has little interst in aircraft found the pictures compelling.

Great for modelers, January 30, 2010
Being hung up on internal details I really liked this book. It is a treasure trove for cockpit color data. Favorites are the He 219 Ki-45, Ju 388 and FJ-1. Ideal for modelers and armchair aeronuts.

Great Book-beautifully photographed!, February 8, 2008
Gave this as a gift to my pilot father and he loved it. Perfect choice for anyone who aprreciates these aircraft. Great pictures and cover design!

Great Christmas Gift, October 19, 2009
This will be a perfect gift for my son, who loves aviation and history. The book, itself, is very attractively done, definitely one to keep. I skimmed through it, and know my son will be interested in all the information it provides.

Just an alert to some marketing hype., May 23, 2007
The book looks interesting and the concept is solid. If you're into flying and especially old planes this glimpse into so many cockpits should prove of more than passing interest. That said, it's a sign of the times that even the Smithsonian Institute would stoop to some dubious marketing. If you enlarge the cover photo you'll see that John Tavolta's name is in large print just below the title. Indeed Mr. Travolta did write the forward, all five sentences of it. Literally, five generic sentences that offer nothing more than cover tease to snag some buyer interest. If you do buy the book at least lend it to those who only have a mild interest and let the Smithsonian know that they should have more integrity than promoting products with cheap celebrity hype. Since comments here must be accompanied by a rating, I'll leave it at 3 as a neutral comment.

MY STEP_BROTHER_IN LAW Loved this book, December 17, 2008
My sister told me her husband couldnt put the book down ... He is an aviator and loves the rich history nthis book intails. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The most complete guide to sewing basics

People are always looking for ways to cut expenses and be creative and stylish at the same time. Learning to sew is a great way to arm yourself with the skills to repair and create clothing and furnishings for yourself and your family for little to no cost. But learning how to sew and how to choose the tools and supplies to begin sewing can be confusing.

Now, you can turn to this hands-on, friendly guide for the most up-to-date information, the best techniques, and fun projects for learning (or brushing up on) the art of sewing.

• Easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step illustrations make it easier to learn
• Fresh new patterns, projects, stitches, and techniques for fashion and the home
• Budget-conscious tips for breathing new life into existing garments

Complete with a section on common sewing mistakes and how to avoid them, Sewing For Dummies, 3rd edition gives you the confidence and know-how to sew like a pro. ... Read more

Editorial Review

How many parents have found themselves thinking: I can't believe I just said to my child the very thing my parents used to say to me! Am I just destined to repeat the mistakes of my parents? In Parenting from the Inside Out, child psychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and early childhood expert Mary Hartzell, M.Ed., explore the extent to which our childhood experiences actually do shape the way we parent. Drawing upon stunning new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships directly impact the development of the brain, and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories, which will help them raise compassionate and resilient children.

Born out of a series of parents' workshops that combined Siegel's cutting-edge research on how communication impacts brain development with Hartzell's thirty years of experience as a child-development specialist and parent educator, Parenting from the Inside Out guides parents through creating the necessary foundations for loving and secure relationships with their children. ... Read more

Reviews

Parenting from Inside the Parent Brain, September 29, 2006
While other authors have focused their attention on the brain of the developing child (What's Going on in There by Lise Eliot, Ph.D. and The Scientist in the Crib by Alison Gopnik, PhD, Andrew N. Meltzoff, Ph.D., and Patricia K. Kuhl, Ph.D.), in their book Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help you Raise Children Who Thrive, Siegel and Hartzell zero in on what's going on inside the parent's brain -- specifically how new research in the areas of neurobiology and attachment theory can help parents to understand why they parent the way they do and what they can do to use that knowledge to become better parents.

The authors stress the importance of making peace with your past so that you can avoid repeating any negative patterns of family interaction with your own kids: "In the absence of reflection, history often repeats itself and parents are vulnerable to passing on to their children unhealthy patterns from the past. Understanding our lives can free us from the otherwise predictable situation in which we recreate the damage to our children that was done to us in our own childhoods....By making sense of our lives we can deepen a capacity for self-understanding and bring coherence to our emotional experience, our views of the world, and our interactions with our children."

The book's content is excellent, but it's pretty heavy-going at times. The authors offer the reader a mix of straight narrative, introspective journaling exercises, and lessons in neurobiology. It's all fascinating stuff, but it requires a lot of focus and attention. Definitely not to be attempted with a child in the room!

Parenting from the Inside Out, November 18, 2004
This parenting book is far more than a "how-to". It examines the importance of the parent child relationship from the perspective of the child's neurological and social development. It challenges parents to examine their own upbringing and to evaluate how their experiences as a child now influence their functioning as a parent. The premises exlpained in the book are supported by recent breakthroughs in brain research. As a psychotherapist who works with children and famlies, this is the book I recommend the most to my clients. At times the writing in the book is somewhat techinical in nature, but there are many stories and exercies for parents that are beneficial even if the reader doesn't understand all of the language.

Buy this Book!, September 10, 2005
This book is informative, insightful, and a must read for everyone not just parents. It will help you understand what is going on in all your relationships (especially your relationships with your children). Participate with the book: do the exercises at the end of each chapter, and you will grow and mature. I am a Marriage Family Therapist and I have all my clients read the book to enhance their therapy and enable them to progress at a faster pace.

As simple as it is profound, as warm as it is scientific, April 22, 2003
It's impossible to say something can change your life without slipping into cliche-land, but this book is all about the possibility of change and the crux of life: brain, to mind, to heart, and though the book is too grounded in science to say it, to soul; it's the neurology behind the fact that mind is love; but more than anything the ideas in this book are simply fascinating and useful! I have read other work by Dan Siegel and each time I revisit his sythesis of brain science, attachment theory and a warm-hearted psychiatrist's view of Buber's I-Thou, I am filled with new thoughts and emotions.

Amazing life altering!, April 25, 2005
This book provides a basis for overcoming your childhood issues and creating a better future for your child and future generations. What could be better than that? I found this book to be one of the best books I've ever read and wish they made everyone read it before having children.

One of the best parenting books I have read (Ive read lots), January 28, 2005
Some readers may find this book "too scientific for a parenting book" but I found it utterly facinating and ate up every word.

The age old "nature vs. nurture" debate is examined and the newer concept of nurture effecting nature emerges with either positive or negative outcomes depending on the experiences of the child and the effects of their developing brain.

At times I had to take breaks from reading it to allow for integration of all the information, but the effect was that this book changed my parenting philosophy and approach, because instead of asking "what is going on in those little heads??" Now I know.

Valuable Information, February 20, 2006
Siegel and Hartzell provide valuable information for parents regarding the emotional development of children. Perhaps more valuable, though, is how parents can use the information to understand their own patterns of emotion. Information is accessible to a lay audience and includes learning exercises. Bibliographies provide connection to professional literature.

I recommend this book to all parents of young children, to those who work with children, and to those seeking understanding of their own emotional behaviors.

Interesting; probably most useful if you want to improve on your own childhood experience, February 17, 2007
I found this book very interesting and supportive of a sensitive style of parenting. The central idea of looking back to your own childhood, thinking about how you feel about it and understanding how it can shape your behaviour, is both interesting and illuminating. The assertion that a negative experience need not create a pattern that is repeated in the next generation is very positive and encouraging. I found the explanations of how brain development is linked to emotional well-being fascinating and also very encouraging of investing in building and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. I have a couple of minor reservations about the book: that is is probably most useful for people who have experienced trauma as a child and have issues to work through and that that the scientific sections are a little dry and repetitive. I thought the case stories were interesting but that more in the way of tips - perhaps in a table or summary at the end of each chapter, would have been useful. Still, overall a thoughtful and thought-provoking book which could just reassure you that all your parenting efforts are worthwhile and may even provoke deep personal healing (although I'm not sure this book could replace professional help).

Gems of insight and clinical expertise, May 17, 2003
Collaboratively written by skilled child psychiatrist Daniel J. Sigel and parenting educator Mary Hartzell, Parenting From The Inside Out: How A Deeper Self-understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive is a thoroughly "reader friendly" psychological guide to improving one's parenting skills through improved self-understanding and through learning from one's own childhood experiences. Presented in terms accessible to parents of all backgrounds, Parenting From The Inside Out offers gems of insight and clinical expertise and is a strongly recommended addition to personal and community library Parenting Skills reading lists and reference shelves.

A Synthesis of All the Good Stuff, November 16, 2007
This book ties together information from Neuropsychology, Attachment Theory, Memory/Information Processing therories... and more. All the disparate strands combine to shed light on just what happens when your child presses your buttons and you lose it big time. As a Psychologist with prior knowledge in this area, I found the book fantastic reading but I wonder if it is a little too technical for the uninitiated. Then again, you could always skip the stand-alone sections that address scientific findings as the rest of the text is easier reading. I will certainly make good use of it in my client and teaching work. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Raleigh Briggs collects her zines, illustrations, and thoughts around what it is that makes a great DIY household—homemade cleaning solvents that aren't made from poison, herbs that will heal you, and how to setup a great garden. These tips and tricks fill in the gaps for those of us longing to live this lifestyle but lacking the necesary know-how. ... Read more

Reviews

Dozens of people ask where I got this book!, July 27, 2009
In July 2009, I demonstrated various urban sustainability projects at a festival in Baltimore City. This book was part of my natural, homemade cleaning supplies display. Dozens of people picked up the book and were very curious to know where I got it. They all wanted to purchase it right then and there. I wished I had contacted Raleigh or Microcosm Publishing to become a distributor!

Throughout the day, many people asked me for natural ways to get rid of pests, clean different types of surfaces, etc. and I often picked up the book and turned right to Raleigh's very detailed Table of Contents. How to get rid of fleas? Clean wood floors? Make liquid dish soap? It's all right there.

From gardening to essential oils, Raleigh included it all! Not to mention the fact that the book is beautifully handwritten and illustrated. I often get my tips from the internet, but Raleigh's book is wonderful to leave in the kitchen or bathroom as an instant recipe book and guide.

A definite must-have starting guide for anyone interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle.

Surprisingly Wonderful, May 6, 2010
I love books, and have collected quite a library of volumes relating to my varied interests. Some of those interests are natural/herbal health care, natural body care, "green" household cleaning, and urban homesteading. All of those books in my library have one or more of the same ideas contained in this little volume. Yet for some reason, I absolutely love this book. It may be the awkward but adorable handwriting complete with heart-dotted i's, reminding me of my middle school diary. It could be the cute illustrations, with flowers that talk and bubble letter titles, or the little flowers and stars that emphasize the text. I have rarely read a book of this type that uses words like "nast" and "barf", or describes how to deal with crabs or yeast infections with such aplomb. And really, while it may contain recipes and ideas I have found in many other places, it also has some very new ideas that I enjoyed with surprise. All in all, I have the strangest feeling that this book will see more use in my house than several other more comprehensive volumes in my library, and I know that I will have fun in the process.

A fine and recommended read for anyone who wants to make their life a little smoother and more enjoyable, August 8, 2009
Some skills are just good to have. "Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable, Nesting Skills" is a collection of simple and effective skills to improve one's life around the house. The skills range from dealing with the simple messes, to the injuries one faces in life, to dealing with menstrual-cycle induced bad moods. "Make Your Place" is a fine and recommended read for anyone who wants to make their life a little smoother and more enjoyable.

Not what I expected, October 9, 2010
It does have useful information. But, I was under the impression you would be taught to make things by your own hand. I was surprised so many things were so dependent on Castile Soap. I was also taken aback but finding swear words sprinkled through out. I guess it makes it conversational? It was ok, and had some good home remedy things in their too and how to use different herbs and teas, but I guess I thought it would explain more on how to acquire, where to start and such. It does have many things to make such as soft scrub with everyday items and homemade bleach ect. So useful, just wish it has pictures and where to start to get things that you may not have heard of yet.

Quick Guide, March 22, 2010
This book has been a nice guide in helping us limit the toxic chemicals we use in and around our home. I purchased it mainly for house cleaner recipes but have also found the healthcare and hygiene recipes to be quite useful. In addition, there is a wonderful chapter that covers the how-to's of gardening. Great for someone interested in\or new to organic gardening. I enjoy the handwritten text....it gives a fun, simple, organic feel to this handly little book.

Wonderful, March 16, 2010
This book contains TONS of information! I'm just beginning to realize my impact on the environment so I'm a total noobie but I think this book is great for people like me or for people who have experience with things like growing their own food, etc. There are some things in here that I probably won't do right away (like grow my own herbs)but if I ever want to I'll sure know how! If you're considering getting this book to further your knowledge on living sustainably I would tell you to get it! My only complaint about the book is that there are no pictures...

Awesome book, September 20, 2010
"Make Your Place" is way cool. I've already crafted a good number of the items in the book. It might also be beneficial to get a wild-crafting book, as stated by the author. Some of the items may be pricey to get - the dark bottles and essential oils. I used a lot of empty jars from my kitchen for most things, though. This is absolutely a good buy, and I'll always have this book on my shelf!

Interesting read, August 23, 2010
This book is full of interesting and helpful ideas. How to mix almost every household item you would ever need.
And, in the long run, it may be cheaper than buying these things. That is after you have made the first purchases of all of the herbs, essential oils and other things you will need to make these concoctions. But there is a part of the book dedicated to gardening (a very good section!) that explains how you can grow many of these things yourself. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in replacing the chemicals in their home with more natural ingredients. But read her warnings on allergies carefully!

Awesome book!, June 21, 2010
I absolutely love this book! I read the whole thing the first day I got it. I love the zine style of it. I bought a bunch of the ingredients and I am excited to start using my new recipes!

Great for skin care!, May 2, 2010
This book has opened my eyes to all the things I can make for me and my household. I have very dry sensitive skin and I think the face oil is amazing. I can make it just right for my skin. Plus the book is so cute! ... Read more

Editorial Review

A remarkable cat. A special gift. A life-changing journey.

They thought he was just a cat.

When Oscar arrived at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island he was a cute little guy with attitude. He loved to stretch out in a puddle of sunlight and chase his tail until he was dizzy. Occasionally he consented to a scratch behind the ears, but only when it suited him. In other words, he was a typical cat. Or so it seemed. It wasn't long before Oscar had created something of a stir.

Apparently, this ordinary cat possesses an extraordinary gift: he knows instinctively when the end of life is near.

Oscar is a welcome distraction for the residents of Steere House, many of whom are living with Alzheimer's. But he never spends much time with them--until they are in their last hours. Then, as if this were his job, Oscar strides purposely into a patient's room, curls up on the bed, and begins his vigil. Oscar provides comfort and companionship when people need him most. And his presence lets caregivers and loved ones know that it's time to say good-bye.

Oscar's gift is a tender mercy. He teaches by example: embracing moments of life that so many of us shy away from.

Making Rounds with Oscar is the story of an unusual cat, the patients he serves, their caregivers, and of one doctor who learned how to listen. Heartfelt, inspiring, and full of humor and pathos, this book allows readers to take a walk into a world rarely seen from the outside, a world we often misunderstand.

Praise for Making Rounds With Oscar

"I love this book -- Oscar has much to teach us about empathy and courage. I couldn't put it down."
-Sarah Gruen, author of Water for Elephants

"At its heart, Dosa's search is more about how people cope with death than Oscar's purported ability to predict it."
-The Associated Press

"Beautifully written, heartwarming [...] Told with profound insight and great respect for all involved, this is more than just a cat story (although it will appeal to fans of Vicki Myron's Dewey)."
-Library Journal

"You'll be moved."
-People

Reviews

A very special cat, January 28, 2010

Even better than you think!, February 1, 2010

Good Book, Misleading Title, February 4, 2010

Dying Slowing With Dementia......., January 30, 2010

PURRFECT in Every Way, February 2, 2010
On July 27, 2007 Oscar the amazing cat who seemed to be able to predict the imminent death of patients at Steere House Nursing and Rehab Center in Providence, Rhode Island made the AP news . Oscar was a stray cat that began to wander the construction site of the current facility, and one day, shortly after the dedication ceremony, he decided to take a tour of the completed facility....."At first the staff tried to shoo the animal away, to no avail, each day the cat returned undaunted, through the lobby's sliding glass doors. His attitude was one of entitlement." He was finally allowed to stay and named Oscar after the building's benefactor.

Oscar was not the only animal that resided at the nursing home. Steere House was unlike other nursing homes in the area. At Steere House, several cats, rabbits and birds resided there, and the residents seemed to enjoy having them there as well. Oscar had not been a very sociable cat during his first year at the nursing and rehab center. He was not one to cuddle up to staff residents or family members. However, one day they found him laying on the bed, purring next to Mrs. Davis, a dementia patient. Dr.Dosa, who was not fond of cats, went to pet Oscar and he hit his hand with his paw refusing to budge from the bed. The doctor examined Mrs Davis, and then left the facility, and about one hour latter the nurse called Dr. Dosa to let him know that Mrs. Davis had passed away. The doctor could not believe what he was hearing; he just left his patent.

Mary, the charge nurse, told Dr. Dosa that this behavior and pattern of Oscars, was not new. In fact it had happened 5-6 times before. The patients were examined, no staff members sensed anything was wrong, and then Oscar would enter the room and sit vigil on the bed of the resident. After a few hours all of these patients peacefully passed away. Suddenly doctors and staff took notice, as to who Oscar choose to visit, and it wasn't long before Oscar had created quite a stir. This ordinary cat instinctively seemed to know when the end of life was near.

MY THOUGHTS - I LOVED this book, and not just because I love cats -- it's full of beautiful quotes about cats, and the story just made me feel good all over. Dr. Dosa has written a book that compassionately addresses end of life issues. The stories he shares about residents and their families who must deal with such painful issues such as Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia, and terminal illness, are tender and heartfelt. The book cites amazing examples of unexpected deaths, as well as miracles in other residents who had been expected to die. There is valuable information about hospice, and the book even touches on that expression "the sweet smell of death", and how perhaps Oscar, may have been able to smell elevated level of chemical compounds which are believed to be released as cells die off." If you like to read tender stories about amazing animals, or need a touching, compassionate read about life, death and dying, this book will not disappoint you. Dewey the Small - Town Library Cat may have touched the world in 2008, but more over Dewey, Oscar is the cat everyone will be talking about in 2010. READ THIS BOOK it's AWESOME! (5/5 stars)

More about the last days of dementia than Oscar the Cat, February 5, 2010

Lessons for All Caregivers of Parents and Other Loved Ones, February 3, 2010
I won't repeat the summaries or insights given by previous good reviewers. I just want to add what this book did for me. This book helped me to better understand, appreciate, and have patience with those aspects of my elderly mother's character and behavior that have been most persistently frustrating to me.

About 3 years ago, my husband and I brought my 87 year old frail mother into our family to live with us for the rest of her life, and she fell and broke her neck, necessitating major surgery, shortly after she came to us. The recovery and life together since has been more rewarding but also more frustrating and taxing than we ever could have imagined. Although she does not have any form of senility, and in fact remains one of the smartest people I've ever known, she is often very frustratingly reckless and uncooperative in her health and wellness care, and that takes a huge toll on those who love her, especially me and my siblings. At times I have found myself more consumed with worry and frustration than love and enjoyment. At times I've felt like the mother who lives with me is not the mother who raised me -- especially when she says or does things that she always taught us not to do.

Making Rounds with Oscar has taught me to enjoy the mother I have today without forsaking the mother I thought I had yesterday. It has taught me to respect her for who she is, even when she endangers or neglects herself despite my husband's and my "due diligence." It has taught me to experience "the moment" for what it is without regret for the past or fear for the future.

In fact, I think any adult child who has any worthwhile relationship with his/her parent should memorize the list of considerations at the end of the book. I'm thankful Dr. Dosa reminded me that part of "honoring" my mother is to honor her today as well as yesterday.

One of the most practical insights this book gave me was the reassurance that care giving for the elderly takes an enormous toll on the care giver, and that is not selfish but even beneficial for me to seek relief help even as my mother insists she does not need it and cannot afford it. I need it and therefore she needs it. Thankfully, her depression-era estimation of being unable to afford it and the realities of the support my father left her are not the same.

Whether your elderly loved one has dementia or not, whether you care about pets or not, whether you believe Oscar can sense impending death and acts in compassion or not, anyone who loves someone nearing the end of his/her life can benefit from this book.

I couldn't put this book down., February 21, 2010
I received this book in the mail on Friday, and by Sunday evening had finished it with tears in my eyes. Not only am I an animal lover, but I have worked with dementia patients in the past. I had the opportunity to see firsthand how going through something like this affects not only the patients, but the families as well. I certainly would hope that a loving presence like Oscar will be there for my loved ones or myself if that were to happen to anyone of us. I would highly recommend this book.

A definite read - especially for those who have family with dementia, February 1, 2010

Heart Warming, February 22, 2010
This book is about so much more than the extraordinary powers of Oscar the cat. It is about the compassionate Dr. Dosa and his caring staff at Steere House. It also gives a strong voice to Dementia and the damage and confusion it causes the elderly and their loved ones. I liked Dr. Dosa's approach in interviewing family members of deceased patients in an attempt to get a better understanding of Oscar's work. Dr. Dosa has to be one of the most down to earth and selfless doctors in this country. Although he can find no medical explanation for Oscar's abilities, he still recognizes that this beautiful creature provides a very necessary service to the Steere House patients and their families. To die alone has to be one of the harshest realities. To watch a loved one die is absolute agony. I just hope Oscar's fame encourages more geriatric medical facilities to add animals to their wards in some capacity. I can only hope that an animal as sensitive and caring as Oscar is around when it is my time to go.

Oscar is truly an amazing cat. This wonderful creature makes sure no one dies alone or grieves alone on his watch. In return, he earns the eternal gratitude of the families...not to mention some well earned affection. Some of the patients' family members were alone when their loved ones were dying and having Oscar there gave them great comfort. Some patients had no family left and would have died alone if not for Oscar's presence.

This book will make you laugh and it will make you cry. If you have ever lost a loved one to Alzheimers or Dementia, this book will give you insight on their suffering. If you have ever felt the unconditional love of a pet, you will come to love Oscar. If you feel that all doctors lack compassion, Dr. Dosa will prove you wrong. Please read this book, it may restore your faith in miracles. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Canine expert Victoria Stilwell shows readers how to train their dogs out of even the most difficult and persistent bad behaviors. It’s Supernanny for your dog

Victoria Stilwell is one of the world’s most recognized and respected dog trainers. As the host of Britain’s hit television series It’s Me or the Dog and the founder of training schools on both sides of the Atlantic, she is known as much for her spunky attitude as for her caring, effective methods. Now, in her first book, Victoria shows how to tame even the most problematic dog. Simple, intuitive instructions and color photographs help dog owners not merely train their pets, but understand them -- so when a new issue arises, they’ll be able to adjust their approach and nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. Throughout, she reminds owners that training isn’t about imposing their will on a dog; it’s about giving him the tools he needs to live in the human world. Topics include:

--Think Dog: understanding your pup--Talk Dog: canine communication--Dog School: basic obedience training--Dog’s Dinner: the right diet--Accidents Will Happen: house-training--You’ll Never Walk Alone: exercise--Worker’s Playtime: having fun with your dog ... Read more

Reviews

Absolute must for dog owners - FANTASTIC!!!, March 12, 2007
This book is wonderful. A friend of mine who lives in England ordered it for me, as Victoria Stilwell has a dog training TV show ('It's Me or the Dog') over there that started around the same time as Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer show here. Apparently, the show is coming to Animal Planet in the US in April.

First of all, the book is beautiful. Could be a coffee table book in its own right considering the beautiful photography and layout. It's presented so that you can flip around from chapter to chapter as needed, which is nice for a dog training book. I'd recommend reading it all the way through first, though, as you get a real sense of her philosophy that way.

Which is the best thing about the book. The whole concept is to try to get us dog owners to view things from a dog's point of view and understand the reasons behind the behavior we're trying to change in our dogs. She still says to treat the dog like an animal and not a child, but it really opened my eyes about how and why certain things were happening, and I feel like my relationship with my dog (which was great before I read it) is even better now. It's like discovering there's another plane from which you can view things. Very positive-reward-based training methods which have worked wonders for us so far. Really easy to read yet intelligently presented.

My friend in England says Victoria is the biggest name in dog training there now because of her show, and after reading her book, I can see why. Good for dog lovers or dog owners. Even if you've got everything sorted out between you and your dog, you'll love this book, as it's truly a celebration of dogs and our relationship with them, as well as a fantastic training tool. A must for all dog people!!!

Excellent all-around training guide, May 23, 2007
This clearly written book covers all the essential topics (including some that many books overlook) in a very accessible way. The author believes in leadership, but she also stresses that your job is to help your dog learn to live in a human world. Her philosophy: "Training is not about imposing types of behavior on your dog that are alien to his nature. It's not about making your dog fearful or breaking his will. It's giving him the tools to live in your world." Her advice is practical and effective, and for "show me" people, her tv series is also excellent.

Chapters:
Think Dog/understanding your dog
Talk Dog/communicating with your dog
Dog School/basic obedience training
Dog's Dinner/feeding your dog the right diet
Accidents Will Happen/how to house-train your dog
You'll Never Walk Alone/exercising your dog
Ain't Misbehaving/teach your dog how to live in your world
Worker's Playtime/how to have fun with your dog

For those looking for problem-solving guides with a similar practical, positive approach, try Outwitting Dogs: Revolutionary Techniques For Dog Training That Work!.

It's me or the Dog: How to have the Perfect Pet, August 17, 2007
Her approach to dog training is very postive and upbeat. She helps you remember that while it is a process training your pet that you shouldn't forget that you can have fun and enjoy them. I wish there would have been a bit more information on puppy specific issues but on the whole still a good tool for understanding and training your dog.

Who needs Cesar Millan when you have Victoria Stilwell, June 21, 2008
Best dog training guide ever! I used this book to help me solve my problems I had with my Labrador Retriever pulling on the lead,being unfriendly toward strange dogs,barking,and his mild separation anxiety.I also love this book because Victoria uses positive training methods unlike Cesar. I highly recommend this book.

Great Book for Training, a must have!!, July 3, 2007
I found this book to be very helpful, I had a Rat Terrier that was out of control. Victoria Stilwell knows her stuff when it comes to training our four legged friends, this book is a must for anyone wanting to have a good relationship with their pet. I have bought several books on dog training and this one surpasses them all, I myself learned several training techniques never seen before. Highly recommend this book!!

Victoria Stilwell is terrific!, March 11, 2009
This book is very informative and I love her positive approach to training. Most of the information in the book you can view on her tv show "It's Me or the Dog", but the book is great for a quick review on how to handle situations if you have seen all her shows. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a dog of any age! Victoria's information really helps you to understand a dog's point of view and therefore helps you to understand your dog. I have learned so much from her show and this book! Truthfully it was watching her show that made us go to a rescue center and buy a dog so we could train it. Her methods really work. Our new 2 year old Boston Terrier mix isn't perfect...yet, but Victoria has helped us over several hurdles and we can foresee a wonderful life with our new bundle of joy.

Would just like to mention that we also watched several Dog Whisperer shows and found his (Ceaser Millan)methods much too aggresive. He was too forcefull and it seemed like Victoria got faster and better results with patience, kindness, and understanding with your dog.

Great for first time dog owners, July 14, 2008
I bought this book after seeing Victoria Stillwell's program on Animal Planet. What I liked was her simple approach to dog training and her book is exactly that. As a first time dog owner I was challenged by my rescue dog who had never been on a leash before I adopted her let alone gone potty outside or been trained at all. At almost 6 months, she was becoming a rowdy teenager with no manners!

After a month, she's better. There's still a ways to go but this book helps a lot with exactly how to train, how to reinforce the training, and how to bond with your dog. I highly recomment it!

Absolutely delivers on the title's promise, April 9, 2008
This is an excellent book, both for the insight into "dog thinking" that every dog owner should know and for its concise, no-nonsense instructions on every aspect of caring for and training your dog. The book is well laid-out, easy to read, to-the-point--it's prepared to solve most if not all of your concerns for training your dog.

This is simply--a great book. If you are planning to own a dog, currently have puppy woes, or simply want the best start in life for your dog, buy this book. It absolutely does not disappoint and does something extremely rare for many books today--it actually delivers on its title's promise.

It's Me or the Dog, March 8, 2007
Excellent guide to understanding your dog's thoughts and feelings and understanding how to properly train them. I now have a better insite regarding her behavior and learned ways to correct any problems when they arrise..

dog lovers should read it, June 5, 2008
I used to watch the show and thought that things happened too fast on screen, so I needed something handy that I could check any time I had doubts. For me it was a good surprise to find this book. It gives a lot of tips, explains many behaviors, and everything looks reasonable and obvious somehow! It's my bedside book right now, when I have to deal closely with my family "crazy" labrador. I didn't give it 5 stars because I couldn't find all the answers to my questions. But it sure was a very good start! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Celebrated designer Amy Butler's most coveted products are her handbag sewing patterns. In Style Stitches, Butler presents an array of new bag designs for her fans across the globe. The book offers 12 basic patterns with enough variations to achieve 26 unique looks. Ranging from chic clutches and delicate wristlets to pretty hobo bags and handy coin purses, with instructions for altering dimensions, straps, and embellishments to get the desired look, each project incorporates Butler's fresh, modern style and attention to detail. With illustrated step-by-step directions, a comprehensive techniques section, and a bound-in pocket filled with the patterns themselves, Style Stitches is an essential and fashionable addition to every sewer's library. ... Read more