This is by far the best and most complete collection of diving knowledge i have seen. It is not an introduction to diving, but realy a manual for all levels of divers, from the novice diver searching for futher information, to the experienced instructor looking for the latest updates. Dont miss it.

Great Book. Invalueable to anyone from rec. divers to commercial/tech divers. Now I'm waiting for the 4th edition to come out.

I sincerely feel that the NOAA Diving Manual should be a required text for anybody who is a diving professional. The information presented is valuable to all divers: recreational, technical, scientific, and commercial. I refer to this text often and bring it to all classes I work.

"The Other Side Of Time" by Brendan Phibbs; sub-titled: "A Combat Surgeon In World War II. Little, Brown, and Company, Boston, 1987.

The writing in this book is superb. The insight equals the writing. Dr. Brendan Phipps was training as a surgeon when the Second World War interfered with his life. Some forty years later, after the death of his wife and after his children "scattered", he sat down with a box, full of notebooks ("...one stained with long-oxidized blood) , reports, a German soldier's paybook and a "...few pages of military jargon", to write his memoirs. He did a great job.

His book covers the end of the war in Europe, when American forces were advancing into Germany and it was becoming clear that the war was over. His comments hit the highpoints of many other books: "...they (the Germans) have dumber generals than we have". (Page 91). "An elderly Irishman ... (stated) ... that Germans learned slower than pigs at their Latin." (Page 90). American Sherman tanks burn: "Bitter commentary on American engineering. American slavish addition to high-octane gasoline; diesel-fueled , heavily armored German tanks keep right on coming." (Page 152). But, throughout it all, he is able to put a human face on the horror and terror that they experienced. Because of his ability in French and German, Dr. Phibbs also brings some of the other side into his book, as when he describes how the collaborators were dealt with in the so-called Colmar Pocket in France.

This book is, perhaps, one of the best-written memoirs of World War II. His last sentence in the Preface:
"Please, young people, listen to us before we leave."

This book deserves the accolades all of the reviews to date have given it. It is simply a great book, and no review can do justice to Phibbs' story and the way he tells it. This is a different take on war, from a surgeon who was 'there' but not fighting, at the end, as the Allies raced across Europe to cross the Rhine and end the bloody mess. Phibbs was like a fly on the wall in the command tents, and the things this fly saw were truly amazing. A poignant and beautifully told memoir of the horror of it all.

The Other Side of Time, is, along with Paul Fussell's Wartime, one of the best books ever written about World War II. Brendan Phibbs was a combat surgeon drafted into the Army in 1942 who saw service in Europe later in the war. The book is written from the diaries he kept at the time and re-read years later. Some of the passages in this book are incredibly beautiful, the first
story, about the burial of an ordinary soldier named Wally is
fantastic. The book pulls no punches, Phibbs talks about the anti-semitism of his fellow doctors, the incompetence of many US military officers, the evil of the Germans and the stupidity of our Department of State in repatriating Russian POWs and displaced persons back to Stalinist Russia after the war. These stories make it hard to read, you want to weep when you read about the indifference of American medical authorities to the suffering of death camp inmates and gnash your teeth at the incompetence of our officers who sent inferior American tanks into head to head battles with the superior German panzers, only to see them destroyed. But despite these stories the heroism of the soldiers that Phibbs served with shines through. I really wish that they would reprint this book, or that HBO would do a series based on it as they did on Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers.

This is a lovely, beautiful book. Author Owen Parry brings his trademark prose style to the short story form, making "Our Simple Gifts" a true gift to the reader. In four beautifully-crafted tales, set during the Civil War, Parry transports readers to that turbulent era and gives us a sense of how love and faith endure the strongest trials. Through Parry's graceful, lyrical prose the reader is moved by the lives of a maimed Union officer returning home, an immigrant soldier seeking to make sense of his new homeland, a newly-freed slave and a Confederate soldier just returning from a prison camp. With powerful atmosphere, vivid characters and a compelling message, this collection is bound to be a holiday classic. Parry is an American Dickens. A gift indeed.

For those of us who have come to appreciate and admire his series of Civil War mysteries, author Owen Parry has given us a sparkling gift this Christmas season. *Our Simple Gifts* is not another installment in the Abel Jones adventures, however, but a wonderful collection of four short Civil War-era Christmas tales.

The characters are lively and the book is similar to Parry's series of novels in the rich textures and scenes it provides. Its stories offer four markedly different views of Civil War Christmases. The first is the tale of a young, wealthy Union officer determined to make it home for the holidays no matter what the weather, and his encounter with a poor Irish widow. Next is the story of a Yankee soldier, and German immigrant, in a winter encampment. Third, we look through they eyes of an exhausted Southern private returning to his home deep in the hills. And finally is the story of a freed slave family near the war's end. The subjects' circumstances couldn't be more different, but in each of the stories I think there's a common thread: the decency that dwells in most of our hearts, brought out by the spirit of the season.

If that sentence seems ponderous or maudlin, don't let it dissuade you from giving this delightful book a try. Fault this reviewer, not the book. The book's stories touch a wide range of emotions, much like the Christmas season itself, but one doesn't need to search for deep meaning in these stories to appreciate *Our Simple Gifts.* The stories are enjoyable and entertaining, their laudable sentiments are near the surface, and they give the reader a nice little taste of Civil War-vintage Christmas cheer. This is a book I'll pick up again at Christmastime for many years to come.

For those who haven't read any of Parry's Abel Jones mysteries, *Our Simple Gifts* will give you an idea of what you've been missing. Whether you have an interest in the Civil War, are looking for a gift with a Christmas flavor that's different and interesting, or whether you just enjoy good writing, this book will fill the bill.

*Our Simple Gifts* is a wonderful little Christmas present from Owen Parry to those of us who admire and enjoy his work, and it will be a terrific introduction to many readers new to his work. I definitely plan to give copies to some of my family and friends this Christmas. What better recommendation could I offer? Merry Christmas, Owen Parry!

Readers of Owen Parry's series of Civil War novels have been the fortunate recipients of his exquisite literary gifts for several years now. With this collection of Civil War Christmas tales, Parry offers a sublime treasure for the holiday season. These are stories of the human spirit prevailing over the ravages of war, of quiet triumphs of hope and kindness over suffering and indignity. With their grace and wonder, these tales offer a welcome respite for anyone seeking the soul of a season now besieged by crass clutter. A perfect Christmas gift from a truly gifted writer.

I was not in Vietnam, I wasn't even in the service, but the recent movie WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE resparked my interest again in a war so few of us really understood. I didn't burn my draft card, protest, or march. I have read 20 books in the past 3 months about Vietnam, 1 was 9 lbs., 3 were the country as in the present. Richie put me right next to him on every page and in every situation. Where is that dog? The good and bad side of not taking gun to a chopper crash site. The Recondo school, I felt the cool breeze coming out of that rock cave as Burns looked inside. This book is writen as a young man would write, not like a middle aged mature man who had lived a good life after returning to the world. I am not sure how Burns does that, but it makes for great reading. I am truly sorry to hear that cancer has cut Richard R. Burns life short. I will make a monetary donation in his memory. Cancer has claimed many of my family members. The History Channel ran a special on Recon Teams and there sat Richie Burns talking about his weeks at Recondo.

This book never drags, and kept my interest throughout. Different from a Special Forces story, Burns seemed to be on the receiving end of enemy fire most of the time while he guided helicopters for landings. He knew some of the other well known authors on LRRP's and special forces in Vietnam. He was lucky to not be hurt while being blown over by mortars or lightning, and also have a dud mortar round land a foot away. Very upbeat and refreshing.

The way the author writes the story is the way he lived... Richie Burns, in his book, we were all young soldiers doing our jobs and he meant all of us that served with honor and dignity in that Vietnam War. PATHFINDERS is about setting the example. Leading soldiers in combat by courage not by rank and a deep faith in the man next to you on the "team." This book is remarkable and Richie downplays what he truly did do for all of his years on this earth. God Bless you, Richie. I know this book will do well. You wrote it with passion, honesty and integrity just as you lived your life.

The author, Dan Haley, an ex-congressman from N.Y. has written an historical account of immense importance. Here are detailed the true stories of ten physicians and their non-toxic cancer and other medical cures that were smashed by a pharmaceutical -AMA - federal machine which continues today. For anyone interested in the truth behind who controls the FDA and other federal agencies this is a must read. All health care professionals need to have a look at the reality existing today in the manipulation of the health care system as shown in these stories. POWERFUL!

Daniel Haley's book, "Politics In Healing", reveals a deeply disturbing portrait of agencies and organizations created to protect the health of the American People actually contributing to their unnecessary death. By embracing toxic chemotherapies and radiation therapies that are known to be carcinogenic, despite little proven success over the last fifty years in curing and preventing cancer, while actively supressing research and objective clinical trials on extremely promising non-toxic therapies, The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) indirectly kill more people each week than the almost 3,000 people who died on September 11 2001 in the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks.

On the surface this book documents twelve different non-toxic therapies that showed anecdotal or clinical benefit in slowing or reversing cancer. The discoverers and early advocates of each were persecuted and the therapy suppressed. The book really documents a cancer in our medical and government bureacracies that needs to be exposed to the killing radiation of public scrutiny and legally prosecuted for any duplicity and fraud it has perpitrated on a trusting and unsuspecting American People.

It is fairly well known that approximatley 10,000 people die each week in the United States from cancer. It is less well known that over 3,000 Americans die each week from FDA approved prescription medication prescribed appropriately and taken according to instructions. That is over four times as many people as died on September 11, 2001 each and every week.

The evidence presented in this book leads to the inescapable conclusion that the NCI, FDA and AMA are either totally incompetent or they have actively and maliciously sought to continue poisoning cancer patients rather than permit the discovery and free investigation of non-toxic therapies that have, in many cases, shown remarkable abilities to slow and reverse cancer.

I predict that history will look back on Medicine in the United States in the second half of the 20th Century and marvel at the wanton greed and barbaric practices that have prescribed fear without hope and death by poison and mutilation, while manipulating the political and legal sytems to maintain their unholy monopoly. As we look back in horror at the holocaust in Germany during World War II, future historians will wonder why good people did not step forward to stop the senseless slaughter. Despite spending more money per person on healthcare in the United States than any other country in the world, the people in at least nineteen other countries live longer. This book documents how the NCI, FDA, and AMA may contribute to this apparent contradiction. Many of these countries have embraced non-toxic cancer therapies suppressed in the US.

The "Politics in Healing" will open your eyes. The "Politics in Healing" is a clarion call to action. We must take responsibility for our own health. Knowledge is Power!!

LETS ROLL!!!

This book is shocking in its revelations of the motives of the medical establishment which keep patients from successful alternative treatments of disease, especially cancer. The book has ten stories of medical pioneers and their persecution by the medical establishment which read like horror stories, but unfortunately are true, not fiction.
This is a must read for persons interested in health and/or politics. The book outlines several successful treatments for persons with cancer and offers hope.

This book was a good book who becomes an orphan and hobo after her fater's death. She learn's many things from a friend on her adventure across the U.S. during the great depression. I found this book easy to read and I would recommend it for student's to learn how it might have been liked to live as a hobo in the great depression. I would recommend it for teacher's to tell about the harsh realities of the great depression.

This book was a book that was about a young girl named Frankie who became a hobo after her father's death. This book was based in the Great Depression and painted a good image of what it must be like living back then. I liked how the writer always kept the reader interested. I did not like however how short it was I waish it would have been longer. For who choses to read this I give it a thumbs up. I would recommend any teacher to read it to their class just to explain the hardship of those times.

This is a very interesting book. Lots of great characters, great details of the hobo life and the depression. Every detail was interesting.

Frances finds herself all alone in life after her father loses his money in the stock market crash and takes his own life. Junius, who worked for the family, told Frances about the hobo life. When the family home is to be sold, Frances decides to take to the rails. What follows, is a very exciting life after Frances, now Frankie-a boy in disguise-meets up with Stewpot. Stewpot takes Frankie under his wing and teaches her the ways of the road. There are exciting adventures, with a grim touch of reality as Stewpot becomes seriously ill.

Read this book for an exciting look at another time period and another way of life. Get to know Frankie as she gets to know herself and the world around her while she travels across the country, only to find herself back where she began her journey, only a much wiser young person than when she started out. The twists and turns the story takes will surprise you, as will the ending.

When my children were babies and toddlers, I found overwhelming amounts of information about their needs and care-- magazines, books, TV shows. Now that they are 15 and 9, I can't find much worth reading to help me with their needs. I found that this book was very helpful. The author interviewed many teenagers and profiled 12 of them in this book. The book is an interesting glimpse into their lives, and the lives of their families, and the unique problems they each face. Although this is not a "self-help" book, with prescriptions for how to solve the problems parents face, the final chapter summarizes the author's findings from the interviews and gives advice to parents. This summary should be copied and posted where every parent of a teenager will see it frequently because it's a very complete summary of things that teenagers need from their parents.

I am also starting to work my way through the books listed in the bibliography. It appears to be a great resource for further reading about adolescents.

Finally, I wanted to explain the reason I awarded only 4 stars. I felt that the book focussed too much on teenagers who have some kind of "problem": poverty, drugs, neglect, etc. Although the book was useful for all parents of older children and teens, I think it would have been better for me if there had been a few more middle-class kids who are doing well in school in the book. That's the kind of kids that I am dealing with, and they still have problems. I suspect that's the kind of kid a lot of... customers are raising too.

For Christmas 2000, I only requested a few gifts. Besides paper white bulbs and a red matte lipstick, I wanted this book. As a parent of younger children and a youth development consultant and writer, I had committed to reading it in the New Year!

I read Last Best Shot in less than 2 days and enjoyed it immensely. In 12 profiles of young adolescents, the author touches on the turbulence but wonderful promise of young teens. She cuts through all the theoretical jargon with an amazingly graceful writing style. This is its finest strength---to communicate what experts in the field know about youth development in engaging storytelling profiles. This makes it a wonderful read for anyone, with children or without.

Beautifully insightful, and at times poignant, the private look into the lives of these children gives you the freedom to draw many of your own conclusions. It is also extremely refreshing to see children from many backgrounds portrayed--Children of married families, divorced ones, white, city, rural, Hispanic and African American. My only wish is that we will see a followup. What will happen to all these children in three or four years?

I felt like I was reading "MY Last Best Shot" as I read through this book. I have three sons, ages 10, 12, & 13, and this book was lent to me by my middle son's teacher. I liked it so much I bought my own copy. Every chapter opened my eyes to something else I didn't know about or have not been doing with my sons. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with children near or at the pre-teen age level, particularly parents who find most parenting books boring, patronizing or unrealistic.

There is a lot of good information in this book, but most of it can be found toward the beginning. The tips on predicting the weather alone could be worth the price of the book. However, the maps of the various waterways were absolutely terrible. I would recommend this book for a general overview and lots of tips and tricks for paddlers, and the two "Canoeing and Kayaking the Streams of Florida" guides for detailed information on specific waterways.

Book Review- Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandy Huff

Coming from a whitewater paddling background, my first thought on looking at the river descriptions in Huff's book was, "Hm, not very detailed." On further reflection, though, this makes sense. Details of how to run rapids aren't needed in Florida, and the lack of details makes visiting the waterways described much more of a voyage of discovery- as paddling should be.
Huff has logically divided her book into three major sections. The first part contains tips for paddling in Florida, and includes chapters on gear and clothing and how to pack it, staying healthy, staying safe, and camping in Florida with sections on cooking and camp activities, all delightfully written by someone who clearly has had an abundance of paddling experience.
The second section describes in detail all the wildlife you might encounter on any trip on Sunshine State waterways, and your best strategies for safely dealing with those critters (Do NOT feed the wildlife!). Aunt Sally from Ohio will survive her first alligator encounter if you follow Huff's advice. There is even a short chapter on fishing.
Finally, the last section contains descriptions of over 200 trips on 91 waterways across the state. Every description contains all the information you'll need to make that trip: a map, where to put in, where to take out, the length of time and/or mileage involved, skill level needed, and local emergency phone numbers (great idea!). The descriptions are also keyed to the corresponding DeLorme atlas page numbers, and include a brief outline of what you can expect to encounter, all written in a tastefully understated manner.
It's difficult to find any flaws in this book, or figure out how to improve upon it. For every Sunshine State paddler or anyone who wants to become one, Huff's book is a must read.

-John Kumiski

If you want to have just one book on paddling in Florida then this is the one to get!! It has easy-to-read maps, web sites, addresses and phone numbers for further information. Paddling a river or creek is more than just knowing where to put in and take out. Sandy gives you all kinds of information on the area, fishing, wildlife, weather, safety and much more. I must have every book there is on paddling in Florida but they're going on the bottom shelf because this is the one I'm going to reach for when planning my next adventure!!

I am a Macon State College student majoring in education and I read A Passion for Teaching for a class. I really enjoyed this book because I felt as though I was able to peek into the lives of different teachers. It was like I was reading their personal journals on why they teach and how they are able to stay passionate about the profession. I also enjoyed this book because it was easy to read. I found this book useful because it proved that after spending several years in the classroom, teachers can remain excited and passionate about teaching. The one thing I didn't like, however, was that there were no articles from a middle or high school math teacher's point of view.

I am an Education student at Macon State College. I read A Passion For Teaching for one of my classes, and it is a wonderful book. I believe that any educator would find this book enjoyable and informative. It reminded me of a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I loved the personal stories that the teachers told and the enthusiasm that the teachers felt. If you enjoy stories and enjoy learning while you read, then this book is for you.

I am a college student majoring in education and I had to read A Passion for Teacher for a class. When I first picked this book I didn't even open the cover. I felt the title of the book said enough for me to know it was something I wanted to read. Now that I have read the book I am so glad I went with my first feelings about this book. It was so refreshing to hear positive comments from veteran teachers about teaching. Each excerpt spoke to me and had something I needed to hear. There are quotes in this book that I will reflect back on throughout my career. In a time where schools and the teaching profession are thought of as less than desireable, this book gives me a true desire to continue my education and teach simply for the love of teaching! Bravo to all of these veteran teachers!

Powerful Prayers is a Must Read Reading Powerful Prayers provides you amazingly simple examples of commuincating with God through personal everyday prayer. It opens the door to an otherwise complex arena of thought. The discussion between Larry King and Rabbi Katsof is sensitive and thought provoking. The interviews add incredible depth to the discussion. They also legitimize informal prayer, and the many different ways people have found to communicate with their respective spiritual beings. I recommend this book to everyone who is open to exlporing their individual communication with God. It is a must read. It has changed my entire understanding or paradigm in regards to my relationship with God outside of a house of worship.

Mr. King delved into the foundation of Spirituality and Religion and made simple an otherwise complex and controversial issue. The book focuses on the individual and his or her communication with God, while setting aside religious beliefs. I would like to recommend to friends who are too formal about prayers and to those who maybe agnostic such as Larry King in his book.

Unlike most "religious" category books, this book lacks the preachy quality that causes most readers to not absorb the text. This book insightfully breaks down barriers between different religious beliefs and simply brings forth the universal belief in a higher power. The people that Larry King and Rabbi Katsof chose to interview are made more personable and are made more tangible through their everyday prayers, which are similar to ours, and their quest to be closer to God. This book would make a fabulous holiday gift that is sure to please a recipient of any religious background.