I was happily surprised with this book - it's really big and eye catching with it's pictures and colors! The two stories are wonderful - children love this book because it has everything - big print, color, superb graphics, stories, size, etc. Also, when you buy this book, the publisher ships an identical one to a child in the Ukraine, Moldova, or Russia, printed in their native language! What a wonderful idea and great generosity!

This is great Ukrainian fairy tale book. Very high quality of pictures and interesting content. My five kids almost killed me trying to make me read it ASAP. I'm a writer myself, and I called them and asked about their price. That what almost killed me. Really. It's like for free! Many TIMES cheaper than other publishers. Unbelievable! I know where I'll print my next book ...

Great buy! Check out those illustrations - VERY impressive. Aside from illustrations - this is a beautifull story of friendship. This book will keep your kid entertained for hours :)

If you believe in Lord Acton's dictum that "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely," this book is for you. There have been a variety of theories why some countries have prospered and some have not. Some say it depends on allowing free trade; some argue it depends on the degree of democracy as opposed to socialism or communism. Douglass North won a Nobel prize for his work to prove that the key is having the right societal institutions. Certainly it takes more than having natural resources.

Professor Powelson (Economics at the U. of Colorado) has worked extensively in developing countries and observed that despite all the good advice these countries received, and had been receiving for 50 years, they were making very little progress. To find out why, he decided to study history, going back over ten centuries in every important region of the world to see what lessons could be learned. His conclusions are startlingly simple: People prosper and societies thrive where there is genuine diffusion of power -- power earned, not bestowed by a ruler. Where power is centralized among a ruling few, the ruling few are able to take care of themselves, but their nations fail to grow and prosper and the people stay poor.

This book explains why every college freshman should be required to study Western Civilization before studying any other. As George Santayana has said already, "Those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them." Professor Powelson has written the most important history book of the past century for anyone interested in the lessons to be learned from the histories of Northern Europe, Japan, China, India, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, all covered beautifully in this one book.

Jack Powelson's book, Centruies of Economic Endeavour, gives a clear explanation of why some countries (like the U.S. and Japan) are so much better at providing economic resources to its citizens than other countries, like in Eastern Europe, Africa and South America. His many years in business as well as academia results in relevant and clearly detailed notes for the reader to follow up. This book helped me understand why, even today, so many countries with large amounts of natural resources, cannot seem to get their people out of poverty. Must reading. Highly recomended.

Powelson turns to the historical experience of nations for an answer to the central question of economic development: why do some nations grow rich while others do not? The answer lies in the relationship between the decentralization of power and the ability of economic actors to play a role in the formation of transactional institutions. Absolutely necessary for students of development.

Robert K. Oermann's carefully researched, amazingly detailed history of country music is essentially a grand storybook, bringing together a thousand characters in the course of a hundred years. Oermann weaves individual anecdotes about the stars -- among them Maybelle Carter, Bill Monroe, Alison Krauss, and Hank Williams (Junior AND Senior), to name a few -- into a tapestry that explains the culture from which country music came and describes some of the circumstances that allow it to remain vital. Clear, precise writing and numerous photographs (color and B&W) are two outward reasons that this book is worth owning, but any reader who enjoys a good story will find _A Century of Country_ hard to resist.

Mr. Oermann captivates the audience with his knowledge of were country music came from, to were it has gone today. The book is full of illustrations and pictures that go along with the wonderful history of country music. And not only is this book very educational, but it is very entertaining. I think all country music lovers should have a copy of this book in their home.

This book is a must for anyone who enjoy's any style of music. It show's not only how country music evolved, but how other styles have evolved from country music as well. It made a five hour trip from Nashville seem like minutes.

Also, the writing style and flow of the book was excellent as well. Buying the book is well worth it.

If you want a trip to where the arcane world of new physics meets the tropical wonderland of northern Australia, Janette Hospital Turner will take you there. Her Australian character is in search of her father at a university in the United States and spins in and out of a professor's life like an electron knocked out of its orbit. The story also takes you into her past, and her family's past, to a dead man in the woods who she befriends, to rural Australia with all its toughness and lushness. A book to be savoured, not least for its kick-in-the-pants twist at the end.

This book, as does most of her stuff, will turn your world view upside down. Do you feel secure in what you believe? How do you know? Like taking LSD in book form. Read 'Borderline', 'The Last Magician', 'Tiger in the Tiger Pit', for a similar experience. Janette - e-mail me

As is usually the case with Hospital, you start out slow and even a bit bored - but continue on and soon you find yourself saying "wow" at both the plot and the prose. "Spellbinding" is frequently used for alot of fiction in general, - for Hospital it fits. This is one you will sit down and read again as if taking a trip to a private magical place

My children adored it, even my son. I would definitely recommend it to every family and every teacher. I even told my children's teachers about it and I think they are going to start teaching it in the classroom.

I think Cinderella Tales from Around the World is extremely wonderful, creative, imaginative, and thought provoking for kids of all ages. I have three children ages 5,7, and 10 and all of them love each of the cinderella tales that are told from the points of view of countries all over the world. It is a blessing to have the ability to read to your children at night and this is one book that i have trouble putting down myself after they fall asleep. I recommend this to anyone looking to open their childrens eyes to the magical world around them.

My children adored it, even my son. I would definitely recommend it to every family and every teacher. I even told my children's teachers about it and I think they are going to start teaching it in the classroom.

My 5 year old son loves this story (me too). We also have the audio tape giving it even more Irish flavor! I recommend the purchase.

Tom Fitzpatrick hears a leprechauns tapping in the woods and catches the little man. The leprechaun agrees to show Tom where his golds is hidden in exchange for his freedom. He takes Tom on a long walk over the country-side to an gigantic field of boliuns. He points to a plant and tells Tom that buried under the earth is his pot of gold. Tom marks the plant with his garder and make the leprechaun swear that he will not remove the garder. The little fellow promises not to take off the marker. Tom races home to get his spade as he plans how he will spend the gold. Appon his return he finds EVERY plant marked with an identical garder. He digs under the plant were he thought he put his marker but finds no gold. He digs all night but to no avail. Years pass and Tom tells the story over and over to the children of the village. He always carries his spade so that the NEXT time he catches the leprechaun he will have his forchune made! A wonderful book; it is the illastations that really sell the story. Linda Shute's leprechaun is so lovable and charming you can't help but root for him!

Clever Tom is a big hit with my preschool class of 4 year olds. They laugh outloud as Tom is fooled by the leprechaun. Then, when I have finished reading the story, they beg to hear it again and again!

The only thing more fun for St. Patrick's Day is when we have our leprechaun hunt on the playground and find "leprechaun gold" scattered about the yard! The saddest part is trying to find my own copy so I can share it with my grandchildren at home!

Please hurry and find me a copy of the book Amazon!

In light of recent "diplomatic" activity, Mr. Teslik's magnum opus on the 1945 Arab Boycott of Israel is a must-read. Even a cursory understanding of today's world--a world in which vigilantism pervades, civility and discourse give way to fear and superstition, and structural marvels of modern technology fall from the skies they once scraped--requires grounding in the rudiments of historical Arab/Israeli/American relations. Mr. Teslik's is the book for the occasion. Never have I seen an author so deftly navigate the morass of foreign policy decisions that followed the fateful boycott. While I will not go so far as to say that Mr. Teslik's work provides a comprehensive understanding of modern diplomacy--if such a work exists anywhere, I fear I have yet to indulge in its wisdom--I can unreservedly recommend the work as a valuable piece of the puzzle.

Before reading this book, I knew very little about the Arab boycott of Israel. This fine work made my learning process most enjoyable. Mr. Teslik concisely covers all critical features of this turbulent historical period, from the international backdrop and the political pressures that incited the boycott, to the political ramifications in Israel, the Middle East, and the United States. I would seriously recommend this book to anyone interested in the on-going conflict in the Middle East, or more generally in international relations. Congratulations, Mr. Teslik, and thank you for this most rewarding experience.

What was seemingly a dry and re-hashed subject has been revitalized by Mr. Teslik. Providing brilliant insight to the framework of our country's foreign policy, Teslik gives a revolutionary perspective on the Arab boycott of Israel. We could have gotten minced meat but he gave us filet mignon. I have grown to value the viewpoints of distinguished writers over the years as a discriminatory reader. Even though this is the first work I have read by Kennan Lee Teslik, I extend an enthusiastic applause to his efforts. Kudos.

STILL A GREAT WALKING TAPE. Was surprised that the music (except in the Pump Up the Pace WalkFit tape there were a few different "pop" songs) was the same. I think maybe Kathy Smith should have different music for all her tapes? This is for people who like to walk and like country western music. Perfect time of year to start using these walking tapes.

This tape is just one of a series of excellent audio cassettes by Kathy Smith which motivate you to keep moving for a great walking workout. The music is upbeat and is interspersed with reminders about technique, posture and positive attitude. You are also reminded halfway through the tape so you can turn around. I have been able to stay with my walking program on a regular basis since I began using the Kathy Smith Walk-Fit tapes and I credit the tapes with keeping me interested and motivated.

Kathy showed me how to turn a walk into a workout--wow! I've burned more fat and toned my body like no other exercise. Walking is fun and easy! I've bought all her walking audios. They're great.

I love flowers and keep a journal myself, so it was a nice treat to find this book. The artist and domestic poet was Fanny Robinson, and her book reminds us all of how shallow modern life can be. Oh, we can make fun of these Victorian domestic ladies, sitting alone, doing their watercolors and romantic verse, but when you think about it seriously, it was active and not passive as many of our feminist lives are now. We work and struggle for power, recognition, and money. But we never slow down to take in life's simple pleasures, to stop and just be.

This book is an inspiration to me in many ways. It has taught me to sit alone again, to write real letters, and to paint the flowers that I grow in my garden. It has inspired me to slow down, to not analyze everything, to turn off the TV, and be more at one with my community, my own neighbors, and yes, my garden.
My world has become small in its largeness.

Fanny Robinson's paintings are beautiful. Her scroll work a delight, and her poems heartfelt. If you think her trite, then try to do the work she did yourself. You will find it a difficult task for our modern hands.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. A lovely book for all fans of flowers and Victoriana.

"Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady" is a wonderful book of botanical watercolors made as a personal album by Fanny Robinson in the latter half of the 1800's. Watercolor painting at that time was considered an acceptable and edifying pastime for women both young and old, and this grouping of flower portraits is superb. The comentaries on the facing pages offer quality insight into the hidden meanings of the flower groupings and educated speculation on the unknown aspects surrounding each picture.
I highly recommend this book for flower lovers, watercolor painting enthusiasts, and students of victorian culture. I participate in historic role acting, and this is one book I will request be added to the library of training materials for the program.

"Exqusite" is one of the many words I could use to describe this book. The most beautiful collection of Victorian watercolors one will ever see. The images were taken directly from an album that was created by Fanny Robinson (1802-1872) entitled "The Book of Memory". The author wove a mystery throughout her album. Each gorgeous watercolor is accompanied by a handwritten poem, which leaves the reader musing as to whom, or what, the verses were written. Was it a lost love...? a faded youth....?

She added a phrase on the front of her "Book of Memory" that is so very true "O, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o're ! but theres more in me than thou'lt understand". The Language of Flowers has never been more beautifully...or dramatically, illustrated. I will treasure this book, and a copy for my daughter is inevitible. I wish I could rate it more than five stars...

This is one of Cindy Holbrook's best books. The plot and the characters were so entertaining. Everyone who likes romance should read this book and any of the other books by Cindy Holbrook.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Country Gentleman. The characters and the story line were a lot of fun. I can recommend this book to anyone.

I have enjoyed reading Cindy Holbrook's work for a number of years. This one is right up there with Lord Sayer's Ghost - funny, fast-paced, and well-written! As a Regency writer myself, I can heartily recommend THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN! Donna Bell