It's 1849, and the Gold Rush has begun. Susanna, her sister, and her father are off to California in the search for gold and the competition is ablaze. Susanna wants her family to find gold, too, but she also doesn't want her family to forget about the love they must share with each as a family. Along the way, she must confront her feelings, even as the craze for gold increases. There are more dangers to her family other than the loss of money, and Susanna must react bravely to whatever happens. Will she and her family be victorious in the Gold Rush, and will their family values fade? Seeds Of Hope is a well --written and nice addition to the Dear America series by Kristiana Gregory. It wasn't the best in the series, but I enjoyed it a lot.

It is January, 1849. Fourteen-year-old Susanna Fairchild, her father, and her sixteen-year-old sister Clara are on board a ship, almost to the end of their long sea voyage from New York to Oregon, when they hear news of a gold strike in California. Susanna's desperate father, grieving after the death of his wife and nearly penniless after losing all his money, abandons his plan of establishing a medical practice in Oregon and decides to mine for gold in the hope of gaining back the money he lost. Writing in the diary left behind by her mother, Susanna describes life in a rough-and-tumble mining camp and the dangers she and Clara face when they are left alone for weeks at a time. But in spite of the many hardships they face, the two sisters grow closer and experience the joys of finding new friends and their first loves. I highly reccomend this book to all fans of the Dear America series. Kristiana Gregory has written a beautiful story about a family that faces many losses but manages to grow stronger, not from the riches that they struggle to find, but through the love they share. This has quickly become my favorite book in the Dear America series.

This book is really good! I read it at least once a month!
It's about a family that's heading to Oregon to settle with other realitives. While they're heading to OR they hear news of the gold rush! The captin of the ship decides to change course and head to San Fransico Bay where all of the crew jupms ship and head for the gold fields.
Susanna's Pa gets geared up and is ready to go gold mining also. Taking Susanna and her sister along.
This is a very intruiging book about her life in the Cal. gold fields.

Shannon Miller, America's Most Decorated Gymnast is a great easy to read biography. Krista Quiner did an excellent job telling about Shannon's days in the former Soviot Union when she was just nine. This book goes through her first day at Steve Nunno's gym, Barcelona in '92, the days everyone was saying she was past her prime in the sport, right up until the '96 Olympics. Shannon's courage to never give up because she was older than most of her competition won her two gold medals in Atlanta, the team gold and her gold for her balance beam routine. This absolutly the best book written about Shannon Miller

This was the best book that I ever read on Shannon (i have read many). It tells you just about everything you'd ever want to know about Shannon Miller. She is the best gymnast ever and this book is great for fans of all ages. I loved it!

Here's another awesome gymnastics bio from Krista Quiner! This was a terrific, nice and detailed book about Shannon Miller's life. From the minute she was born to the end of the '96 Olympic Games, this book is the ultimate one to learn about Shannon Miller. The book had plenty of great information, and you learn tons and tons of stuff about her. There were also tons of awesome pictures too! This is a must-read for all gymnastics fans.

I cannot put in words how much I enjoyed this book! I loved it! When John died at the end I cried. I literally had to put the book down to control myself. This is one of the best written books I have ever read! The part of the book that really touched my heart is when John was about to die. This book inspired me. That doesn't happen very often. I will keep this book close to my heart forever. Thank You.

In the spring of 1982, I borrowed this book. I was in the 9th grade, and had to get a book for my English class. I couldn't put the book down. I was so touched by John Baker and his incredible courage and compassion for others. I soon bought the book and found myself reading it for inspiration when I joined the track team. John showed me something I never had realized--that by doing one's best, one can accomplish amazing things. I soon found myself putting much greater efforts in not only track, but also school and life.

In 1992 I became an elementary teacher. I have read aloud this book to my various classes. I have found my students loving the book. Many tell me it is their new favorite book. Together we come up with service ideas of how we can make our year "A Shining Season". This books reaches right into their hearts and stays there. John Baker is the role model that our children and young adults need. If you only buy one book this year, I recommend highly that "A Shining Season" be the one. I can never express enough how thankful I am for this book.

This is the best book I have ever read. I think it was really neat how John helped kids with disabilities. He helped them get involved in areas they never thought possible. I wish I could have the same effect on others that John did.

... you just HAVE to check out Deb Butterfield's book "Showdown With Diabetes"! In her book she tells about her life with diabetes and her transplant! In the second part of her book, she talks about the progress over the years that pancreas and islet transplants have made! What impressed me is how she takes all the MANY researchers' information and discusses it all in an easy to understand and positive manner! I'm just so impressed and just had to share this book with you! It's the best thing I've read in a long time!

Wow! I just finished reading Showdown with Diabetes. It is a beautifully researched work and is the first book (I have read many) that tells the truth about diabetes. This is a MUST read for everyone with diabetes. It is full of optimism and is truly an inspiration to all those who love someone with diabetes to get out and advocate for a cure. Thank you Ms. Butterfield!

The truth about diabetes until now has been smothered in lies and false bravado. The governmental policies and research inititatives have for too long been focused on the management of diabetes. Deb Butterfield tells it like it is. Diabetes is a serious disease that needs to be CURED. Diabetics need to stop hiding and start speaking out otherwise they will be left behind again and again. We can't afford to let history repeat itself for the economic, emotional and physical toll of diabetes is overwhelming. Showdown with Diabetes is a must read for anyone who wants to know the truth about this grossly underestimated disease. This book makes it clear that we need to stop blaming the diabetic and start holding the disease itself, diabetes, accountable for the progressive and unrelenting destruction of human life. Whether you're a parent of a child or yourself a diabetic, you can't afford to choose ignorance over knowledge or convenient platitudes over reality. I wish more people had the courage of Deb Buttefield to simply tell the TRUTH.

There are so many relationship books available and so many focus on the 'other' person. Gail and Basha have done us all a huge favor. They've introduced totally new concepts to finding lasting love...it starts from within. You can't find a soul mate if you're own soul is lost and with the 'self-work' they do, you will find your soul or spirit. If I had to pick the BEST concept in this book, it would be the one which talks about discovering your "Non-Negotiables" What an amazing break through. You date some one who does or behaves in such a way you disagree, but you accept it thinking "he'll change" years later, a few kids, he still does those things. Is it his fault "NO"! It's yours for compromising on your non-negotiable. Read this book cover to cover, write notes and do what they say, your life and the way you approach relationships will change for the better and there is no turning back. Bravo Gail and Basha. Excellent!

Soul Dating to Soul Mating is totally unique. It touches the heart and spirit and shows you how to prepare yourself for a soulmate relationship and the potential for a spiritual partnership. The Seven Spiritual Wisdoms are totally inspirational as I try to prepare myself for the relationship that I know is possible. When I do my spiritual work, following these tenets, I am sure that my soulful partner will appear. I was most moved by Basha and Jeff's story. It's magical, to say the least. I suspect that a movie will be made based on it. It has given me faith that I will find my spiritual partner or soulmate. The soulwork steps are very inspirational, especially the one where Basha learns to forgive her father. I was moved to tears while reading it. The dating steps are ingenious and will help any reader find a partner who supports who she is. I really want to commend the authors for creating a real and soulful work and I plan on recommending it to all my single friends.

Bravo to Basha and Gail. This book has really changed my perspective in looking for the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. My recent dating experiences, I now realize, have been superficial at best, looking for the outer qualities rather than the inner beauty I really need to fulfill my needs and desires. Beauty is really only skin deep and the inner qualities of my dates needs to be judged as far more important. The Wisdoms have given me a much better look at myself. I was especially moved by the forgiveness piece Basha wrote concerning her dad. It was truly memorable. I recommend this book to all men who truly seek a spiritual connection. I dream about the kind of relationship that Basha and Jeff have as described in the last chapter of the book. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Ever wonder what the difference is between an LCI, LCM, LCVP, or LST? All these mysteries and a host of others are clearly explained with charts, maps color graphics, etc. Equipment and D-Day organization of all amphibious elements including Naval Beach battalions, Amphibious Engineers, Rangers and Infantry are depicted along with their equipment and objectives. Suffice it to say I learned more in one hour of perusing this book than in four decades of reading other books on D-Day. Although the author chose not to write about the Airborne landings, I even found obscure details pertaining to the 101st (thrown in as incidentals by the author) which I didn't know about-and Airborne is my specialty. Don't miss this valuable book-it's every bit as important as The Longest Day. From Mark Bando, author of The 101st Airborne at Normandy and Breakout At Normandy.

I just bought this book the other day and I must say that it's an amazing book filled with info and plenty of great photos. I haven't even seen a lot of the material in this book ever before and I have done a fair amount of research on D-Day. Bottom line this is a great book!

didn't buy this book earlier!!! Absolutely top notch history of the special sea-bourne American units at Normandy. Maps & photos and narrative all combine into an informative and captivating tale. Even if you are a D-Day buff with a large reference library, you will learn much from this excellent edition. It seems pricey, but it is worth all of it & more. You will not regret getting this one!
I hope this sets a pattern for books about the British & Canadian units and their efforts and successes that day. When you realise the scope of just the American beach landings, you will see the huge, multi-volume collection that would be needed to address *all* the units involved. Buy it and and spend some time with it.

Sight and Insight! As a painter this book is invaluable to me, as an appreciator of art and a viewer it is an opportunity to view some of the most magnificent and masterfully executed paintings all bound together in a spectacular reproduction of artwork in itself. The execution in his draftsmanship, the use of form and the genius of the use of color by Mr. Silverman is incredible to behold. The narrative is clear and thoughfully written. I have purchased not just one book but two, one for use in my studio as a reference book. The other is a special edition signed by the Master. All who pick up the book have a delightful treat in store for them, for each time one gazes at his art, there are new discoveries to be made. As an artist I am in awe and hold a great deal of admiration and respect for his art, to have this treasure to enjoy and learn from in the form of a book is indeed a feast.

"I purchased Sight & Insight ;the art of Burton Silverman several months ago, but just came across his listing with Amazon. I think it's a beautiful book with some of the best paintings I've seen that uses representational realism. The people depicted are both very real and very arresting in a thoughtful, reflective way. It's like reading a good book and looking up to conjure the image of the character in ones mind only this artist does that for you. He doesn't exclude the viewer though, because there's a lot of ambiguity in his characters that leaves room for ones own speculations as to the meanings of the paintings. The writing, by both Prof. McGrath and Philip Saietta are excellent if sometimes difficult sledding, particularly with the Professor. But it's really a very readable and informative collection of essays. Silverman also writes about his career with compelling honesty. It's a real treat to go through this book and well worth the price, many times over."

As the art director of the Merrill-Johnson Gallery, we are privileged to exhibit Mr. Silverman's work including several of the paintings in the book, "Sight and Insight". The paintings depicted in the book are fine example of the work that has made Mr. Silverman one of America's most respected realist painters. There are many books that are "how-to" paint (in fact Silverman has written two wonderful ones himself), but there are few "why-tos." "Sight and Insight" provides the reader an insight into the interpretive and artistic motivations behind his paintings. The book deserves to be in every serious art book collection for both the artist and the art appreciator.

It never stops amazing me. I had the good fortune to work with my close friend Rick Bragg in reporting some of the stories that appear on these pages, and I've read most of these stories a dozen times. Each time, though, they still have the fresh emotion of the people because no one can bring out those people's stories like Rick. Even after being there, the tales seem more real in his words. If you enjoyed his best-selling memoir, "All Over But the Shoutin'," then this collection of his best newspaper stories should keep you satisfied until he releases the follow-up to "All Over," which is already in progress.

Rick Bragg writes in the introduction to SOMEBODY TOLD ME that he was tickled to death that somebody wanted to put his newspaper stories into a collection. Well, he was not much more tickled than I was, since I've been trying to track down his stories since reading his wonderful memoir, ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING. The little snippets of his stories that were reprinted in the book simply whetted my appetite for more!

Whether Rick Bragg is reporting on the big stories like those of Susan Smith and the horrible dragging death in Jasper,Texas, or the little ones like the ice tea contest he is able to get to the human heart of every story and leave an indelible impression on the reader. I don't think I'll ever forget the story of Dirty Red--it broke my heart.

There aren't many books that I read and hold onto to read again. This will be one of the few, just for the joy of reading such finely crafted prose. If I could, I'd give it 6 Stars!

When you read Rick Bragg, you get the impression not of a reporter, methodically gathering information, quotes and background and then arranging it into a neat story for the copy editor. You get a voice telling you a story about real people, and you can feel the wind in the trees and hear the passing cars on the streets where the people were born.

These people exist, something that is not always possible to discern in a newspaper report. And if a reporter is best when there is a little of every man in him, then Rick Bragg speaks with a voice that is the same as the people in the stories he tells. Enjoy.

This book is the first book I always consult when beginning a new research project on serial murder. Hickey has done an excellent job evaluating previous research as well as conducting his own study. He covers a wide range of topics that are valuable to students and professionals. I highly recommend this book and look forward to Hickey's future works!

Dr. Hickey's hard work is proven in this book. The serial profiling that he has done has made this book outstanding reference material. I have had the good fortune of meeting this man and I think anyone who has anything to do with any type of law work should read this.

This book should be your first reference if you would like to understand the "reality" of serial murder. Cutting through the sensationalism this crime attracts, Dr. Hickey provides an in-depth, research-based analysis of almost 400 serial murderers and their crimes. He also offers the reader insight into the numerous theories (biological, psychological, sociological, etc.) that help to explain this phenomenon, including his own Trauma-Control Model. Of special interest in this 3rd edition of the book is Dr. Hickey's coverage of the phenomenon as a global problem, including a study of 300 Foriegn serial murderers.

After reading reviews from everyone about this book, I had to purchase it myself before a trip to Maui. This book was an indispensable guide! It offered great advice about snorkel equipment and safety which was VERY helpful for us beginners. The authors rate snorkeling places according to quality and difficulty. Maps and detailed information are provided so that even the most remote places are easy to find. We did the "'Ahihi-Kina'u unmarked trail" and loved it! It was amazing to have a beautiful cove all to ourselves. I definitely recommend it for anyone wanting to snorkel in Maui.

We bought the Maui/Lanai version of the book and found it was the book we used most once we got to Maui. We spent 6 days snorkeling in the mornings and this book gave us exact information about where to go! Some of the sites were wonderful and off the beaten path.(None of the other books or the dive shops had ALL of this information.) Well worth the small investment!

This book made our trip to Maui! So much more detail about the good places to snorkel, and how to find them, than any other guidebooks. We loved all the tips about how to have more fun snorkeling. Lanai made a great day trip, too, just like the book says.