To read "Chuck Amuck: The Life and Times of an Animated Cartoonist" is to be transported back to the days when Termite Terrace turned out the most popular cartoons the world will ever know. Not only does Chuck (how can we call someone we know so well "Mr. Jones" or just "Jones"?) explain the childhood, adolescence and career life that brought him to where he is, he also takes the reader into that wonderful nether-world in a neglected corner of the Warner Bros. Studios lot where Leon Schlessinger ruled a bunch of underpaid, barely appreciated cartoonists. And they actually LOVED what they were doing! The people who gave the world Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies come to life so vividly, one can almost smell the ink and paint.

Profusely illustrated with doodles, sketches, caricatures and photographs, "Chuck Amuck" is a literary and visual delight. And, as an added bonus, there's even an actual Wile E. Coyote cartoon that you can enjoy without a VCR or a movie projector!

The book's only low point is that the foreword was written by Steven Spielberg, whose "Tiny Toons" and "Animaniacs" are little more than flagrant rip-offs of Chuck's (and Tex Avery's and Bob Clampett's) best material.

Please do yourself a favor and read this wonderful book. Chuck Jones is an American treasure and a fantastic artist. The Warner Brothers Cartoons were directed to audiences of all ages, they do not talk down to children, nor do they pretentiously preach to adults. Unfortunately, we only seem to recognize as "great" those artists who do these things. If you believe an artist has to be "serious" to be a genius, I hope this book will change your mind! Check out his new book, "Chuck Reducks" too

The world lost an animation genius recently with the death of Chuck Jones. Luckily, there is a book like this that celebrates the animation genius he was. Arguably, Jones was the father of some of the best Warner Brothers cartoons ever made, including "Duck Amuck," "Duck Dogers in the 24th and 1/2 Century," and my personal favorite "What's Opera Doc?" He also is responsible for giving us such great pieces of pop culture as the original "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Part autobiography, part instruction, part tribute, this book shows us the man behind the screen, or should I say behind the pencil? We often wonder where a genius comes from - Chuck seems to say from anywhere. His mark on the development of the cartoon is undeniable, and monumental. But just as you cannot appreciate art fully until you know about the painter, so it is with Chuck's cartoons. I have a greater appreciation for the work that goes into developing these 8 minute masterpieces. Yes, it's true that Jones gave us some of the clunkers in the 60's as the Warner Brothers studio (and the MGM studio) animation division gasped what seemed to be its last breath. But it's all the more amazing that Chuck could produce such works given what little he had to work with. The world would be poorer were it not for the gives Chuck has given us, including Wile E. Coyote (super genius!),and the Road Runner, Pepe Le Pew, Marvin the Martian and many others. His style was distinctive, his contributions monumental and behind it all, he was a fascinating and talented man. This book stands as a tribute to this genius now that he's no longer with us.

I collect cookbooks. Many of them sit on the shelf, and are used very rarely. However, this cookbook is in a very small minority of books that get used over and over again. I just bought my second copy, as the sprial binding finally gave out on my first copy. The only other cookbooks that I use as often as this one are Joy of Cooking and Fannie Farmer.

I've had my Joy of Cooking since 1962 and it's well-used. I've been given Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, Southern Living Cookbook, many others over the years and they're all good sources. But my copy of Cotton Country Collection purchased about 1980 has been my all-purpose standby ever since. It fell completely apart four years ago and I still kept it in a plastic shoe box so I could refer to it often. Now the pages are dogeared and ruffled and stained so I plan to purchase a new copy and give the old one a well-deserved rest. It is my one indespensable kitchen secret. I can't praise this cookbook enough.

I was first given a copy of "Cotton Country" when we moved to Monroe in 1977 from Chicago. Many recipes were new to us but I was excited about becoming a true 'southerner'. I have since tried many of the recipes and have enjoyed cooking as well as eating them. My cookbook has only a few of the original spirals left due to much useage. It is my favorite cookbook even though I have added many more books to my collection. We have moved several times since living in La., but I continue to reach for the 'Cotton Country Collection" and now that our daughter recently married, she received a copy. Best of the best!

I bought this book as a souvenir on a trip to Colorado. Not only is it a great memento of a wonderful trip, I've just enjoyed flipping through it many times reading the recipes. The "Apple Salad" made with yogurt, cheese, raisins and nuts has brought rave reviews and demands for the recipe each time it's been served. Considering I prepared it twice for 130 people, I'd say it's a winner. This is a delightful book to own and to give as a present. A definite step above the traditional "community cookbook."

If we know you and you're married, we've probably sent you a copy of this book. It's a great wedding present--because it offers so many easy, yet creative and satisfying recipes. It's the best Junior League cookbook that this "foodie" has seen--even better than the other Junior League of Denver offerings. My personal favorites are the Szechwan Cashew Chicken, the Marinated Chicken Breasts in Pepper Sauce and the Angel Hair with Basil and Crab. I would note that the book is light on seafood recipes (it's from land-locked Colorado--duh!), but more than makes up for it with excellent poultry, pasta and salad offerings.

I don't cook much. I don't like to cook. I don't cook well.

People always give me cookbooks "to help". I would try one or two recipes, but they were always mediocre or I would eventually make a recipe that tasted awful.

... and then I got this book. EVERY dish I've made from this book has gotten rave reviews and people photocopying my book. I've tried at least a dozen recipes and they are outstanding. It is the only cookbook I use.

Jonathan Gold appreciates one of the main benefits of LA-- all the ethnic enclaves with their respective specialized cuisines. As an angeleno, I love the cultural diversity, and I love it even more now with Mr. Gold's guide to eat my way through all the different restaurants. Thank you, Mr. Gold!

Other mainstream guides like Zagat neglect to mention the really great ethnic places, probably because their reviewers don't know about those places. So if you have an adventurous palate, look for an "A" sign (the grade given to the restaurant by the health dept.) in the window and follow Mr. Gold's book.

Jonathan Gold is a master at finding interesting, delicious, out of the mainstream kind of places. He's introduced me to so many different cuisings and he really knows what he's talking about. I always feel like he has researched the different cuisines and goes regularly, unlike most reviewers who deign to visit a hole-in-the-wall once and talk about it forever. With respect to my title, this book proves LA has more interesting ethnic and "real" food restaurants than NY. This book is a bible for serious food people, living in LA or not.

Anyone worth their stuff on underground dining in LA knows Jonathan Gold from his days as a LA Times food critic. His counter intelligence reviews are still proudly displayed by restraunters all over LA. Mr. Gold will introduce you to the astonishing variety of authentic multi-ethnic cuisines that are hidden by LA's huge geographical expanse. The book is heavy on regional Asian and Latin cuisines. The columns are very entertaining. If you are looking for trendy dining experiences, then this book isn't for you. It could use an index that sorts the restaurants by geography. I grew up in LA and make the effort to find out of the way dining experiences, but Mr. Gold takes it to another level. He is the master. I just wish he would bring back his counter intelligence column and make my life a bit easier.

Perhaps the most important points that this book makes are 1) If you can't build the structure, add a few bricks! and 2) Community Wealth and Social Capital are re-inventing business from the soul out!

In this well-written book, Shore (Founder of Share Our Strength) uses the model of a cathedral to demonstrate that large dreams are community efforts that reach beyond personal lifetimes to accomplish, and that appear impossible until the collective brainpower of the community engages to find a solution. This metaphor addresses the "perfectionism" that sometimes stops people from making efforts towards social change. In the inspirational stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, readers feel the passion that rebounds of the pages. Echoing the human voice for meaning in an increasingly digital and isolated world, this book suggests practical ways for American wealth to be redefined, redistributed, and built upon foundations that include social interests. It is a blueprint for building ethics into today's business values and ventures that will create a social structure of community wealth.

I read it in one sitting, underlined heavily, and have placed 39 page markers within its covers. The inspiration found between its pages has helped me redesign my own business plan towards the greater good. In short, read it.

Relying on anecdotes and his own experience as a philanthropic executive, Bill Shore has mapped out a new way for nonprofits to generate revenue -- by creating it. By forming corporate partnerships that "create" wealth rather than rely on charitable contributions, which aren't necessarily guaranteed and which represent someone else's money, nonprofits can generate new revenue and thus grow the community's ecomony. The author offers up profiles of some of those leading the charge and he outlines a general means through which charitable contributions and/or "community wealth" enterprise participation can also grow the soul. This is an important book that will be widely read by anyone wanting to make a difference in American society.

Billy Shore doesn't just have a message; he is a great storyteller with a message. The result is a book that you won't want to stop reading until you get to the very last page. Then you will want to go out and do something to make yourself and the world a little bit better place. It has been a long time since I read a book that made me think so much, or reflect so deeply on the world in which we live; or the one that we will leave to the next generations. Shore guides us to the realization that there is much that we can be doing to leave our children the basic freedoms of safety, education and the ability to earn a decent livelihood; things that many of us took for granted. This book has genuine heros and heroines, great parenting stories, humour, lots of examples of what's working, and some very pointed examples of why the clock is ticking for the children of our country. And as the title promises, just reading the book makes you begin to feel empowered to start giving more to get more out of life. A great dose of inspiration and direction for individuals and organizations.

This book blew me away. I love the way it covers the whole spectrum of indie film, not just "art" but "exploitation" as well. The story of how these films came to be against great odds makes for great reading. I learned something knew on every page. Highly recommended for fans of non-Hollywood films.

This is the best book ever written on independent film. I wish I could give it move than 5 stars, because Celluloid Mavericks is a pure pleasure to read: witty, informative and always extremely entertaining. No other book comes close to its breadth and detail, especially in regards to the previously uncharted territory between 1896 and 1960. This is my all-time favorite film book, well deserving of its many raves reviews.

This was the book that needed to be written on indie film. It's amazingly thorough, covering 1896-1999 and all types of film (not just "art films"), including exploitation. Merritt has done a fantastic job with much penetrating research, great photos, incredible stories, etc. At nearly 500 pages with dozens of rare photos, this might be the best bargain on amazon.com. This is my first 5 star review, but this book blew me away!

Not that it is a bad book, but it is very different than all of the other (12) Chicken Soup books that I own. I was surprised, I guess. There aren't many up-lifting stories. It's more of a documentary type book. Telling people's experiences on 9-11. I usually finish my Chicken Soup books in a very short period of time. This one,.. I could only really read 1 story a night. It was too depressing.

I think this is one of the coolest Chicken Soup books. Its 101 stories to heal the heart of our nation. Right when I saw it at Shopko I wanted it. I just got it for my birthday and I have started to read it. So far I really enjoy it. My Mom has read some of it and also liked it. It has sad stories in it like one is about a person whos reltive died in the Twin Towers. there great stories about September 11, 2001 The chapters are

September 11, 2001
Amarica Responds
The World Resonds
Renewed Patriotism
United We Stand
Reflection
Wheres next?

All the Chapters are fulled with good stories

I love Chicken Soup for the Soul books and my kids know it, so they got me this one for Fathers Day. As a retired Coast Guard officer, someone trained to do just what those policemen and firemen did on September 11, this one in particular strikes at my heart strings - I found myself crying, then laughing, then struck with an overwhelming love for my country and all of the people that make up this great land.

It's this book that inspired the following article.

******

"Proactive Prosperity: How To Keep Filling Your Glass"

By Randy Gilbert (c)2002

A kindly looking man, who worked as a janitor in the World Trade Center, approached an old and graying homeless woman one cold September morning last year. She looked chilled as she stood there clinging to her shopping cart containing all of her meager belongings.

The janitor smiled and held out an old thermos to the woman and said to her, "This old thermos has been my friend for many years and I want you to have it. It's a very special thermos, because as long as you share its contents, it always has enough for everyone. Please take it, for I have a feeling I won't be needing it any more after today."

Do you have a favorite book that you read over and over again? I have one that tells about how people view the world and the profound impact that it has on their lives. It uses an age-old illustration of how some see a glass half empty and others half full. As I pondered this again, a story-like vision came to me, which doesn't happen often, so I paid close attention.

The clear glass that I was picturing turned into a metal thermos, like the ones carried by construction workers. Instead of big hands, small hands in tattered gloves held it. An old woman was stooping down in front of a small child and her mother. It was snowing and they were clinging to each other for warmth.

The old woman asked the little girl, "would you like some sweet warm cocoa?" She used the thermos top as a cup and I could see steam rise as she placed the cup in half frozen little hands. The girl drank it down and then flashed the biggest smile she had ever smiled and her eyes shown as bright as a rainbow.

"Mommy, is she an angel?" the little girl asked. "Yes dear, and that is what we're going to become. Do you remember that happy song we used to sing when your daddy was still alive?" They began singing the sweetest and most enchanting melody. People walking by and those coming up from the subway station were drawn to them as if by magic.

Some people stood there transfixed, tears welling in their eyes. Others said a quiet "thank you" and laid money down on the walk in front of them.

Two of the listeners were a young boy and his father. They had been shopping and the well-dressed man held a large bag of packages. "Father, are they angels?" the son asked. "Yes, I think so, and that is what we are going to become. Do you remember we used to make gifts when your mommy was with us and give them to people who needed them?"

The father reached into his bag and began handing the bright packages to his son, who gave them out to the homeless people along the street. I thought to myself, this is truly a miracle, the bag seemed to never empty.

My attention was drawn to a man in a wheelchair who received a shiny red pocketknife. In a voice that was choking back tears, he said, "Thanks son, I lost one just like this in Nam. You know, I used to be quite a toy maker; I can whittle just about anything with a knife."

The story in my mind began to fade as he wheeled himself up the sidewalk and breathlessly said, "I know an alley where I can get some wood and I'm going to start sharing this gift right now."

Wow, that's what it means to be proactive. Pessimists see the glass as half empty. They say, "it's not enough." Their negative attitude causes them to turn inward and be selfish. When a decision comes along they believe their doubts, which turn into fears, which then produces unhealthy stress and anxieties. They end up experiencing the lack they saw in their minds.

Optimists see the glass as half full. They say, "I'm happy to enjoy whatever life gives me." However, their positive attitude of sufficiency doesn't last long, especially after a few swallows are taken and the glass is nearly empty. Optimism without prosperity becomes a limiting belief of being content with poverty.

However, Proactive people see the glass as something to be used, both for themselves and to serve others. Like the thermos in the story-vision, there will always be abundance. You're a very special person. As long as you share your contents, you'll always have enough for everyone.

This story-vision extends to other things, such as your smile, your talents, your bank account, the skills you've acquired, and the knowledge you have. Your life will always have these in abundance if you use them to serve others.

Prosperity is not a glass half empty or half full; it's you becoming a glass and being used to bring joy and abundance to others, knowing that your source of supply will never run dry.

###

I have a very high regard for Mark, that's why I incorporated many of his philosophies into my life and into my first book "Success Bound." When it was completed I sent him a copy to read. I was totally amazed when I received back the following testimonial.

"If you're ready to be permanently success bound, read this book!"

Thank you Mark!!! You are now my super-hero.

"The challenge to Conservatives today is quite simply to demonstrate the bearing of a proven philosophy on the problems of our own time," notes Barry Goldwater in his introduction. The problems from 1960 that Mr. Goldwater chose as topics for his book were: States' Rights, Civil Rights, Freedom for the Farmer, Freedom for Labor, Taxes and Spending, The Welfare State, Education and the Soviet Menace.

His thoughts later became political gospel for conservative activists and a measuring stick against which politicians were held to see if they were truly conservative. One such prominent conservative activist, Phyllis Schlafly, stated: "It is hard to overestimate the importance of Barry Goldwater to the conservative movement. If there hadn't been a Barry Goldwater, there wouldn't have been a Ronald Reagan."

A closer look at what Mr. Goldwater wrote in 1960 convinces one that he would still have plenty to say today. His barbs would target both Democrats and Republicans. Perhaps it's discovering the barbs he would have tossed at today's Republicans that makes reading this book full of surprises.

States' rights formed a cornerstone to Barry Goldwater's conservative thought. Although the States' rights to permit slavery were ended by war and constitutional amendment, Goldwater saw no such restrictions on a state's right to keep racially segregated schools. Simply put: "no powers regarding education were given the federal government" and "it has never been seriously argued ... that the authors of the Fourteenth Amendment intended to alter the Constitutional scheme with regard to education. ... I therefore support all efforts by the States ... to preserve their rightful powers over education." (p.35) The Bush Administration supports a court challenge to the University of Michigan's policy of giving African Americans racial preferences in admissions. Mr. Goldwater would shout "NO" to this interference. You can't have it both ways: supporting States' rights when they result in segregated schools, and opposing them when they result in greater African American enrolments.

Goldwater further proclaimed: "federal intervention in education is unconstitutional" and "the alleged need for federal funds (for education) has never been convincingly demonstrated." (p. 79) It's doubtful if Barry Goldwater would have supported the Bush Administration's much touted educational initiative, the "No Child Left Behind Act," which involves the federal government in policy-making and funding.

Forty years ago Barry Goldwater led the conservative attack on federal tax and related spending policies. Faced with the Bush Administration's tax cuts and its disregard for ensuing deficits, Barry would be fuming. He wrote: "While there is something to be said for the proposition that spending will never be reduced so long as there is money in the federal treasury, I believe that as a practical matter spending cuts must come before tax cuts. If we reduce taxes before firm, principled decisions are made about expenditures, we will court deficit spending and the inflationary effects that invariably follow." (p. 65)

Finally, Goldwater called for "prompt and final termination of the farm subsidy program." (p. 43) He considered it unconstitutional. Last May President Bush boosted U.S. crop and dairy subsidies by 67 percent by signing a $51.7 billion farm law.

Mr. Goldwater's analysis of the Soviet menace also makes fascinating reading in our post-Soviet world.

First, he opposed the U.S. halt to nuclear testing. Tests were "needed to develop tactical nuclear weapons for possible use in limited wars" (p. 112). Barry Goldwater believed that limited nuclear wars were almost inevitable, for they provided our only answer to superior Communist conventional military power. Moreover, the U.S. government was tricked into halting tests. "Our government was originally pushed into suspending tests by Communist-induced hysteria on the subject of radio-active fallout." (p.113). I'm sure Mr. Goldwater would be among the first to rejoice that his worst fears were wrong.

Second, Barry Goldwater opposed our official exchange programs with the Soviet Union, even though they received major support in some Republican circles (Eisenhower, Nixon and Kissenger). Exchanges would lull Americans into accepting Communism and reduce our willingness to make sacrifices to halt Communist expansion. (p.108) I think, however, it can now be argued that these exchange programs played a major role in undermining the Soviet Union by creating a core of internal opposition. Many Soviet citizens who saw the West first hand on official exchanges later risked the "knock on the door" in opposing Communism. They are the unsung individuals who "won" the Cold War. Ironically, Mr. Goldwater's vocal opposition to these exchange programs probably made it easier to gain support for them within the Soviet bureaucracy.

Upon finishing Mr. Goldwater's book, it appears to me that Conservatives are still being challenged to "demonstrate the bearing of a proven philosophy" today, especially to many Republicans. On turning the last page, I was left wondering, if the Bush Administration fails so many of Goldwater's litmus tests for Conservatism, who are the Conservatives today?

Beyond the issues that are presented, beyond the thoughts that are conveyed, this book shows the greatest cause of America and the aim of a any true conservative: to preserve freedom.

Mr. Goldwater showed himself to be a politician who understands government, a kind of politician that would have made Bastiat proud, a politician who sought nothing more than to perpetuate the ideals of the constitution with every vote he casted.

Although some of the issues presented are a bit out of date (i.e. the Soviet Menace), this book has merit beyond time showing how any American ought to develop his or her political thoughts: simply on the platform of freedom.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to extend their political knowledge, or to even begin it.

Don't be fooled by the brevity of this book. Goldwater managed to hit a home run with his synopsis of conservative values. Many of today's conservatives owe their involvement in conservatism to Barry Goldwater. He is a forgotten hero.

Goldwater was derided in the 1980s for turning off social conservatives. Yet, the 1980s revealed Goldwater for what he really was - a libertarian. He was consistent in his belief that government ought not to be involved in our lives in any way, shape, or form. That included our bedrooms as well as our wallets.

He was a visionary who had keen insight on virtually every topic imaginable. Reading his three-decade-old book today is like reading yesterday's news. It is still pertinent and applicable. And there is still much to be learned from what he said and did.

No conservative can possibly go without reading this book. It is historical - a building block towards the Reagan 80s and the GOP Congress 90s. It belongs on the shelf of every political scientist (or junkie) as a reference on the conservative governing philosophy.

Since I was a child I have always gravitated to books and true stories of animals and their encounters with man. This book is so well written that as a reader I felt I had truly gotten to know Amy. Though this story is not as exciting and eventful as "Modoc," it is better written. I'm going to buy several copies now and get my Christmas shopping out of the way in July!

Grab your reading glasses and a big box of Kleenex. I finished this slim book in a few hours and simultaneously wiped out a box of tissues, too. (I am a 200 pound 52-year-old grandpa, and not used to snuffling and blowing because of a book!)

Once you start reading the story of baby elephant Amy and the bond all female elephants have with each other, and her subsequent separation from the herd due to merciless "culling" of the adults, your heart will break with the fate of the poor orphaned calf.

Only through the warm heart of the "Marlboro Man" cowboy does Amy become adopted and brought onto his Colorado ranch to grow up and learn how to be an elephant. Cowboy Bob gives her a little goat as her playmate, and little by little draws her out of her fear of everything and turns her into a mischievous, intelligent and loving creature.

Of course, nature takes its predestined course and Amy grows to quite a bit of tonnage and can't remain the cowboy's pet forever. The cowboy's decision to part with his "large love" is heart-wrenching on himself, the elephant, and the reader.

The book is written in a flowing style rich with elephant facts and wild west allusions to fence mending and cattle driving. There's not a reader alive who wouldn't succumb to this touching story.

Highly recommended....buy it, read it, and pass it around.

What can you say about a book that details the love story betwen a man and his elephant? One word: FANTASTIC! I came across this book by sheer accident and only picked it up because of the cute cover photo. Intrigued, I bought it and found it hard to put down. The relationship between Bob and his sometimes feisty but lovable elephant, Amy,was just so sweet and touching, not at all cloying or silly the way it could have been in the hands of a less gifted writer. I really, really enjoyed this book. You can read it in a day or two but the emotions the book stirs up will stay with you for a long,long time. Wherever you are, Bob Norris, thank you for taking care of Amyand giving her such a good life.