4 comments about Smells Like Dead Elephants: Dispatches from a Rotting Empire.

1. As a longtime fan of Hunter S. Thompson's political reporting and social commentary I was first exposed to Matt Taibbi when i learned that he had inherited the very same job that the good Dr. HST held at the Foriegn Affairs Desk at Rolling Stone magazine. Pretty bold move to take that one on because nobody (I thought) could inherit that mantle from HST and do it justice. Well, I was wrong. Matt did it and did it well.
   
   This book is a collection or articles (I assume from various sources - I don't recall seeing all of these in Rolling Stone). He takes us to see places and meet people we already think we know from the news stories of the day (or yesterday) and manages to make the stories (some now old and lame) fresh and new in the process.
   
   My only complaint is the same one I had upon reading HST - severe depression at the state of our government and our fellow humans. Damn but the truth is painful and this book is full of truth.
   
   You will love it. If you don't, there is probably something wrong with you.



2. I give Matt maybe another few years to become crotchety and bitter before he inherits the mantle of a Hunter S. Thompson, but this is an OK book with some decent play by play of how pathetic our Congress is, some good snark about the Enron scumbuckets, and a very good piece from Iraq that is probably the best of the bunch. Otherwise, occasionally uneven-poor choice opening up with a weak piece about Michael Jackson that gives the reader the impression that skipping around is something they'll want to do, but "Dead Elephants" is still better than anything Laura Ingraham is going to write, ever.



3. This book is a masterful creation of reality, snark, wit and intellect. Matt shines the light of truth on just how far gone our government is. You can find him on the show Real Time With Bill Maher often. That is how I found out about him and his book. It's so refreshing and disheartening to read this book. You never get the real story from TV news on just how incredibly broken every part of Washington DC is. This is probably one of the best books I have read in a while.



4. allright, i read this whole thing in 2 days. mainly, i couldnt put it down because i didnt want to wait for his next hilarious observation. the new orleans story made me feel like i was there. not a lot of humor there, but probably the best story. it took balls for a hotshot from RS and a millionare actor to drive a boat around the most neglected areas of flooded NO. i hope he got an award for that piece. anyway, here are some things i remember. he travels to the sheehan protest/counter-protest in tx and describes the scene as a "Crossfire" themed amusement park where both sides seem to pathologically "miss the point". his analysis of the lyndie england trial had me on the floor. he described the judge(army colonel) as a blockhead who seemed like the kind of guy who takes his wife on a date to the "elks club" and "yells at his kids at barbeques". the prototype liberal sociologist verbal exchange with this judge was insanely hilarious(when explained by taibbi). the real kicker came when england had her baby(fathered by fellow sadist, graner) and wrapped it up in a flag for a picture. Then, her lawyer presented it to the court as evidence of her patriotism. if i hadnt just served in the army for 5 years, i would have thought he was making this up. the tom delay analysis was alarming, painful(to remember) and funny. thanks matt, for making sense of all this s*** for me. the foreword was dead-on, it said it all. his goal(identical to mine) is trying to understand this facist little AMCON(american conservatism), fox news, W, "famed neocon" movement. like him, i thought there had to be more to it than what i see on television. but no, these folks really believe in bombing the hell out of a place and then rolling in with some tanks and machine guns looking for the victory parade. they really are that dumb. but does anyone say this? no! they are portrayed to us by the news channels as "intellectuals". on top of it all, what these guys all have in common(besides an utter lack of principals) is the inability to admit when they are wrong. you will see this time and time again throughout the book. everything we have heard for almost 8 years now has been wrong and stupid, but no one seems to calling anybody on any of it. WTF!!!!???? thanks again, matt. i wish i could get this guys email address so that i could write him a thank you letter myself.

5 comments about Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble (Skippyjon Jones).

1. I have two other skippyjon jones books, and this one doesn't disappoint! My daughter just turned 3 a month ago, and she absolutely loves these books! Sure she doesn't get the humor the way we adults do, but she finds it just as funny and enjoyable in her own way nonetheless. We sometimes read these every day, if not every other, and find that we miss them if we don't. The illustrations are just as good as the writing too! I highly recommend these, you will laugh your head off every time!



2. All the Skippyjon Jones books are adorable. As a school librarian I recommend them all for story time! They are funny and wonderfully illustrated. The funniest little Siamese kitten you will ever meet!



3. My five year old is obsessed with Egypt, mummies, pharoahs, etc. It is SO HARD to find good books directed towards a child on these topics and this one fit the bill wonderfully! Even if your child is not knowledgeable on these subjects, I think this book is a GREAT way to spark their interest. Not only do children get the fun of reading a fabulous book, but a mini, age-appropriate lesson in history, as well.



4. My children love these books and never tire of Skippyjon and his imagination. The stories are light-hearted and fun to read in a sing-song style. My husband likes to make the accent and the kids think that is so great! I would have given the book a 5, but I don't think it is as good as the first two books in the series. However, I can say that my children enjoy the book. I would suggest buying the first book and reading it to them before reading this one.



5. My child and I love to read the book and listen to the CD. The author is so creative and brings to life amazing characters. We are enjoying our reading experience as well learning Spanish phrases.

5 comments about The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat.

1. This book is more than just a "take this vitamin for this problem." He really gets you to think about wellness and nutrition as a whole and he backs up much of the information with footnotes and actual facts. This book was the final motivator for me to switch my dogs to a homecooked diet AND it finally got me & my husband on the right track with our own diets. If you want your dogs to live a good, long life without being bogged down by drugs and foods made from "rendered animals" (road kill, euthanized pets, etc) - READ THIS BOOK.



2. In July of 2006 my beloved Bogey was diagnosed with TCC of the bladder. The vets that I took him to said that he probably had less than 6 months to live. I did not accept their opinions as final so I started researching alternative treatments when my mom gave me this book. After reading it I contacted Dr. Marty at his office in New york and he began treating Bogey with supplements and we changed Bogey's diet to a raw diet. Unfortunately, we lost our battle with cancer on July 7, 2007 but Bogey lived 6 months longer than any of the other vets expected him too under Dr. Marty's care. I don't believe that every treatment works for every animal but I truly believe that Dr. Marty gave me 6 extra months with my baby when other vets wrote him off. This book gives you a different perspective on pet care and it works. Bogey was living proof.



3. This book is fantastic! I've gotten so many tips that have benefited my 13 year old dog. I wish I had this many years ago so I could have prevented some of the problems she is experiencing. I've already noticed a huge improvement in her health and I've only had the book for about a month.
   Dr. Goldstein's approach to the health and well being of animals just makes perfect sense. I will never again feed my dog commercial dog food and I feel like an idiot for believing it was healthy for her in the first place.
   
   If you want your dog (or cat) to live a long, healthy life, get this book!



4. The book is written by a veterinarian first trained in standard medical education. He took his education and added holistic training with experiences added by his brother who is also a veterinarian. I don't buy all the concepts presented, but it certainly gives hope to all of us who want our pets, and ourselves, to live long and high quality of life, lives.



5. I am still fininshing this book because I skipped the chapter that was about each individual illness that animals can get. I am going to go back through and read them later minus the cat illnesses as I don't have cats.
   
   This book was well written although it gets a bit technical at times and I had to read some stuff 2x but it gave me a lot of insight on the damage that pet food does to dogs and for that matter what is really in pet food!
   
   I would recommend it to anyone interested in improving thier pets life but wouldn't use it as my only resource I have bought several books to see what is in each of them and learn as much as I can mainly so my dogs can have a healthier lives and so I can be informed when talking to my vets who are very conventional.

5 comments about Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans (Warriors).

1. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR ALL WARRIORS FANS! IT INCLUDES BOTH THE FOREST AND LAKE MAPS, AND YOU GET A TOUR OF ALL THE CLAN'S CAMPS (BOTH FOREST AND LAKE) YOU GET A COOL HISTORY, AND YOU GET TO KNOW ALL THE PREVIOUS LEADERS AND MEDICINE CATS, THAT WERE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, AND ALL THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS! IT EVEN INCLUDES ALL THE HERBS AND OTHER THINGS (LIKE COBWEBS) AND WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR! YOU GET TO LOOK AT EVENTS THROUGH VARIOUS CATS' VIEWS, AND KNOW ABOUT EVENTS THAT HAPPENED (LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO WINDCLAN WHEN THEY WERE IN EXILE)
   THE ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ME WAS THAT I EXPECTED THERE TO BE (COLORED) PICTURES OF WHAT THE MAIN CHARACTERS LOOKED LIKE, BUT THERE WASN'T. ALSO, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF MISPELT WORDS, OR INCORRECT INFORMATION, LIKE TIGERSTAR WASN'T KILLED BY BLOOD.
   HOWEVER, THIS BOOK IS A SHOULD-BE-BOUGHT BOOK BY ALL FANS!



2. This book is one of many in a series about a clan of wild cats. It is a great read full of adventure. surprise, love and devotion



3. I really enjoyed this peticular Warriors Book (Field Guide)!! I learned a lot of information about the different Clans and their history!! A lot of information and stories make reading all of the other novels even better!!



4. This Field Guide, telling Secrets of the Clans gives some interesting excerpts from different cats of both the past and nearer to the present time in the books. There are also interesting little facts, such as Bluestar had a sister, and things like that, as well as past history of the Clans. Other than that, everything else is either just more info or a review to freshen up memories of past books, and that is fairly nice.



5. I purchased this for my 8 yr old son who is really into the Warriors books. This is what he had to say about it:
   
   "The Secrets of the Clans tells a lot about the Clans. You get a tour of each of the Clans' homes and territories. The book tells about the secrets and histories of the Clans. I like this book because it's really exciting and I've read it over and over again."
   
   So on that note, I guess we would strongly recommend it!

5 comments about Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.

1. Maybe it's just me but, do you know dogs like to eat bananas? And that they love carrots? And apples? And nuts?
   
   These are so healthy for them that I began, as the book advices, adding vegetables and fruits (make sure to check though, some plants--like a potato bush, potatoes are fine, it's the plant that's not--may be poisonous to animals)
   
   In just couple of weeks our ten year old labs look so much healthier, their furs are shinier!



2. Our 13 year old dog had more allergies than any dog the vet had ever seen. After being on a diet from this book for just a few weeks she has stopped scratching, biting her paws and her arthritis is even better. She used to go to the vet every six weeks for shots, now she hasn't been in a year and is doing great. A little technical, but great information on high-quality food for your pet. We make it in bulk every weekend or two and freeze it for the week.



3. This book is extremely helpful if you are looking for alternative foods for your cat or dog.



4. My vet, who specializes in alternative veterinary medicine, recommended this book. I have a 13-year-old dachshund that has had ear infections and severe skin allergies since she was 9-months-old. Over the years, the vet bills have been staggering. I began home cooking for her using this book, and her skin is completely clear after a couple months and her ear infections are much improved. I also have a yorkie puppy (7 months) and I'm following this book to give her a good start and, hopefully, she'll avoid developing allergies. I've been especially interested in what this book says about vaccines. We've been over vaccinating our dogs and many suffer serious side effects. The book is well written and organized. It's the most helpful book I've read on the subject of caring for a dog. I recommend it to all dog owners.



5. 
   This is a great book, the best I've ever read on a holistic approach to health for cats. I have some questions about the supplements to accompany the recipes, (which I couldn't find in the book) and was wondering if anyone knew of any chat rooms for Dr. Pitcarin, or even knew the answers to my questions listed below. I began feeding both my cats recipes from the book and they loved it, but because I wasn't clear on the supplements, I began intermittant feeding with Wellness cat food as I didn't want them to suffer any loss of vitamins. I emailed Dr. Pitcarin my questions, but didn't receive a response. If anyone can advise me, I'd be very grateful. Thank you.
   
   Questions:
   
   # 1 - Page 52 - Egg Shell Powder
   
   Can this be made in advance and stored for a few months? If yes, am I correct in that it won't need to be refrigerated?
   
   #2 - Page 56 - Cod Liver Oil:
   
   2-3 drops per day for arachidonic acid: OK - I bought Nordic Naturals brand for humans and put some of it in a dropper bottle. I will put one drop in each meal - two meals per day = 2 drops per cat.
   
   
   #3 - Page 56 - ODO's Choice Flax Seed Oil:
   
   I have searched the book but cannot find the dosage for this - can you please tell me how many drops to give daily?
   
   
   #4 - Page 57 - Vitamin A - Cod Liver Oil:
   
   They are already receiving 2-3 drops per day from the Cod Liver Oil, PLUS the Vitamin A supplement I added to the recipe. Correct? Or should I omit the Vitamin A supplement in the recipe and only give the Cod Liver drops in their food?
   
   
   #5 - Page 57 - Vitamin B Complex :
   
   Is this to be given daily? Mixed in with their food? It's not included in the recipes. I have two small cats, Segundo and Lily - about 12 lbs each. Should I proportion a B capsule?
   
   
   #6 - Vitamin C:
   
   I cannot find the dosage or how it should be given.
   
   
   #7 - Page 58 - Vitamin E:
   
   Can I double the dose for Vitamin E in the recipes?

5 comments about All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome.

1. Unlike a lot of conditions, Aspergers isn't something that can be detected by scans. It is basically a collection of attributes which actually differ in strength and in presence from one person to another. "All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome" basically bypasses all of the technical stuff and attempts to cover each of the symptoms with a one or two line answer and an appropriate picture.
   
   It's surprisingly detailed and accurate while still being a book you can read in under 30 minutes. It's suitable for explaining aspergers to relatives, parents, friends and school children.
   
   Every aspie should have a copy.



2. An amazing book, written delightfully for the innocent eyes of a child. Every page is the perfect expalnation, defining Aspergers with simplicity, accuracy and delightful humor. My son asked if this book was written just for him, for he found himself in every page. Thank you Kathy Hoopmann for your beautiful heart.



3. I stopped at a book store after receiving my son's diagnosis of AS. I was looking for a book by Tony Atwood and stumbled across "All Cats..." It was a godsend. That evening when I told my son that we finally knew what was "different" about him, he and I read this book together. He was 8 at the time. If I were a millionaire I would buy this book and have every psychologist in the world give it to clients when presenting the diagnosis.



4. Ten years ago, when I finally figured out what Asperger's was and, at the same time, I discovered that I had several Asperger's children, and a few Asperger's adults, on my caseload as a psychotherapist, I began searching for easy ways to explain Asperger's. It was, and still is, an uphill struggle.
   
   I'd already found what, to my knowledge, remains one of the best general books on Asperger's Syndrome: Tony Attwood's Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. It's great for adults wanting a clear, solid understanding -- parents, family members, teachers, mental health professionals, scout-leaders, church leaders, and friends of high school reading level & above. Later, Attwood produced some DVDs, Dr. Tony Attwood presents: Asperger's Syndrome, Volume 2, Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals with Dr. Tony Attwood, which broadened his outreach. Since then, AS book-publishing has become a cottage industry.
   
   But until I read Kathy Hoopmann's "All Cats Have Asperger's Syndrome", I hadn't found something quick, accurate and easy to read & to understand. Hoopmann makes the common cues of Asperger's Syndrome not only instantly accessible but memorable. Even children can read it, and say, "Oh, yeah! That's Joey!" It's ideal for a fast, simple introduction.
   
   The pictures -- all kittens -- are pure delight! Each one nails its idea. And the book invites re-reading -- it's almost addictively fun. I recommend it highly to those who want a confused grandparent or a modestly curious neighbor to better understand a child who, so often, operates out of a different world, while forced to live in this one.
   
   And if you get them hooked, and they want to know more, then give them Attwood's book or DVDs. After that, you can broaden them with more specialty books -- teens (such as Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence; Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Helping Preteens & Teens Get Ready for the Real World), girls (Asperger's and Girls -- girls/women are a bit different, with only a fifth as many girls as boys with AS), resources (the Oasis on-line site, Tony Attwood's on-line site), etc. There are many good books & on-line resources, with more all the time.
   
   And finally, hopefully, they can begin to see not only the Asperger's Syndrome & what it means/doesn't mean, but they can also see, most important of all: the real child in all his beauty, uniqueness & potential!
   
   By the way, I wouldn't recommend this to explain AS to someone with AS. It's a book of analogies, something someone with AS will have a hard time understanding, and they may take away wrong & negative messages.



5. This is an excellent selection for anyone who has a loved one or friend who has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. It is remarkably written and the cats make it easier for young people as well as older folks to understand the behavioral differences that invade the life of a child with Asperger. Our grandson who is 13 was recently diagnosed and I at first thought NO WAY!! then I saw the different behaviors that a child has with Asperger and it was like an EYE OPENER!! I recommend this book
   highly

No comments about Warriors: Cats of the Clans (Warriors).

5 comments about East of Eden.

1. This is by far my favorite Steinbeck novel. This is, in my opinion, one of the finest pieces of American literature. I enjoyed every word. I read it over and over again to enjoy Steinbeck's world.



2. I generally love ordering bookd from Amazon however, this book arrived with a ripped cover. was not BRAND NEW, as advertised.



3. Though it's been years since I read this book it still remains to be one of my favorites. A classic tale of good vs. evil... highly recommended.



4. This is a MUST READ book! The story is something we can all relate to in our darkest places we hide inside.



5. This was recommended to me by a friend because she thought I would enjoy the California scenery and history. This book totally exceeded my expectations. Steinbeck is an amazing story-teller. This novel is woven in such a complex, precise manner, with no excess details, that I marvel at his writing prowess. There is a reason it is a classic. I was bummed to come to the end of the book and I will definitely read more by this author. Why don't more modern writers write books of this quality? After reading this book, I feel like a lot of the more modern fiction I have read kind of sucks. In other words, this book is incredible and others should read it, especially people who intend to become professional fiction writers.

5 comments about Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need.

1. I just read Save the Cat! for the second time. There is so much easy-to-read information in this book, that this time I took notes to keep in my purse. I even gave my screenwriting partner a copy.



2. I bought this book recently and enjoyed it a lot. It made a good companion to a few other screenwriting books I have. I am an aspiring screenwriter working on my first script. I am a writer by profession but mostly marketing materials, proposals, and policy papers (so you can say I am a seasoned fiction writer already!). I recommend this book but as a companion to:
   
   Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting; A step-by-step guide from concept to finished script
   
   Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting
   
   Writer's Guide to Character Traits.
   
   Happy writing!



3. A good friend suggested Save The Cat to assist me in my screenwriting venture. I wasn't sure what to expect but he would rant and rave about the book. When I started reading, I realized why. This is one of them books where the author (Blake Snyder) not informs us, but cares about us. Save The Cat takes on a more practical approach and is geared towards anyone (from novices to pros). I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes required reading for film schools. I know I would recommend it. If anyone is interested in screenwriting, Save The Cat is a MUST HAVE.
   
   I give this 5 STARS!!!



4. One of my favorite quotes from law school comes from a professor who was talking about applying the moral and ethical rules of conduct to the difficult situations in which lawyers could find themselves. He said, "These rules don't make life easy. They make it possible." Save the Cat! doesn't make screenwriting easy, but it makes it possible. (And easy-er.) Blake Snyder details the "beats" that are followed by (almost) every successful movie. (Watch movies while following along with his "beat sheet" and you'll see that this is so. It's uncanny!) He explains what the beats are (eg-"Opening Image", "Debate", "Break into [Act] Two") and where they go in a screenplay.
   
   Imagine trying to write a sonnet without knowing the sonnet form - how many lines, rhyme scheme, &c. In StC, Blake Snyder reveals the form of a successful screenplay and gives many helpful examples.
   
   I've found following his rigorous structure to be a freeing experience. I know what has to go where (and why) and often the beat sheet serves as a prompt to help me write the next scene. (Snyder realizes that sometimes the rules need to be bent or broken, but one must know the rules before one can tinker with them.)
   
   This book describes movie genres, has some useful tips for advancing the plot and "amping up" the characters and conflict, and provides great advice on writing a marketable screenplay. All of this would make it valuable. The detailed instruction re structure make Save the Cat! invaluable. Thanks, Blake!



5. This type of books is Hollywood's main enemy. The type of books that make readers feel it is okay to not risk anything and just go for plain formula that has sold in the past.
   Really bad stuff.

5 comments about Warriors Box Set: Volumes 1 to 6 (Warriors).

1. I purchased this series for my 9 year old grandson..He absolutely loved it and zoomed through the whole set. He is reading them again. His 13 year old brother enjoyed them just as much!



2. I bought these books for my 12-year old son and he just zipped right through them, so I'm taking that as they must be awesome books!



3. My son is obsessed with this series. He and his friends started reading them in his 3rd grade class and he was very excited when he received the box set in the mail. Just what he wanted. Thx.



4. My 9 year old daughter wanted this series. I wound up starting to read book one on a lazy afternoon just out of curiosity and then couldn't put any of them down. Whether you're an adult or kid, the characters are enagaging and the storylines are action packed and interesting. Young age appropriate so buy them for your kids and read it along with them. It'll give you something in common to enjoy and talk about and you really will enjoy these novels as an adult.



5. The box set of books arrived very quickly and was greatly appreciated by my daughter!!