1 comments about Travel Jumble: Puzzles on the Move! (Jumble (Triumph Books)).

1. I really enjoy this Travel Jumbo. I don't regret buying it. The only thing I wish, is that it was a little smaller in size. But I can overlook that because it's a very good book.

5 comments about Making Toys That Teach: With Step-by-Step Instructions and Plans.

1. This is just the book I was hoping to find. The projects are fun to make and fun to play with. I was especially hoping to find plans for some unit building blocks for my grandkids for Christmas, and I just finished making the set from this book. I couldn't keep my wife away from them; she kept playing with them before they were finished! The plans are very detailed and easy to understand. The equipment needed is usually pretty basic, and there's a list of all the tools needed for each project. I'm anxious to get to work on some more of the toys. I don't hesitate to fully recommend this book.



2. This is a great book- Great projects, clear instructions. I really like the learning through play secion which explains why these are great learning toys and the growth opportunity they present.
   
   I think what would have really made this book is a section on tools. Showing the different tool, explaining their individual uses what sets them apart....for example how a table saw is diffferent from a band saw etc. Which is the most versatile saw for a beginner getting into toy making
   
   If you are a woodworking beginner I recommend you begin with The Kids' Building Workshop : 15 Woodworking Projects for Kids and Parents to Build Together
   by Craig Robertson, Barbara Robertson



3. An excellent book with projects that are above the elementary level. Toys that provide continual challenge as the child develops. I have built the block set, a long-time favorite of my grandchildren despite their many "modern" electronic toys, and the train.
   
   Caution: Be sure to double-check the dimensional drawings. There are several errors in the train drawings.



4. Neufeld presents a set of children's toys of extremely high quality that are fun to build. And, my grandkids play with them for hours. I believe the book describes how to make heirlooms. I highly recommend this for any woodworker.



5. This Book is a great guide to making children's toys. The toys are simple and elegant. Great illustrations and directions.

2 comments about Paper Illuminated: 15 Projects for Making Handcrafted Luminaria, Lanterns, Screens, Lamp Shades and Window Treatments.

1. This book succeeds at two levels. First, it does what the title promises to do. It shows a dozen or more projects, all centered on the common theme of paper and light. There are window shades, lanterns and screens, laid out in plenty of detail for the skilled reader to follow. The projects differ in complexity, from kid-friendly simplicity up to tasks requiring some light carpentry and electrical wiring. There are no exotic tools or materials required - any good craft store would have just about everything, except for some of the unusual papers. Even they aren't compulsory in most cases, lots of alteratives will work well.
   
   The second level is where this book delivers its real value. You'll get past the fixed recipes for defined projects in a hurry, then want to experiment on your own. Hiebert offers dozens of techniques that can be applied in ways limited only by your imagination. There are "marbling" techniques based on soap bubbles or chalk, coloring processes like tie-dye and batik, and lots of others. She gives tips on testing materials and light bulbs for safety, and a few pointers about combinations likely to cause problems. She also hints at some of the issues in turning your craft into a business.
   
   There's somthing here for every level, from the rainy Saturday crowd to the professional artisan looking for something new to try. It's good fun - try it.
   
   //wiredweird



2. This book delivered 110%. I was looking for instruction on how to create simple paper shades. What I found in this book is that and much, much more. The explanations of the interplay of light and paper, the surprisingly simple processes to create subtle beauty are fantastic. All of the projects in the book use basic skills and tools, the line drawings are very easy to follow and picture the process very well. The photographs are beautiful and inspiring.

No comments about The Thomas Guide 2009 Portland: Street Guide.

5 comments about Black Maestro: The Epic Life of an American Legend.

1. What a story! Born one of 17 children in a poor, black, Kentucky farm, Jimmy Winkfield won the Kentucky Derby twice. He tried again in 1903 but failed and his career was over. Except that by moving to Europe and Russia he continued as a top rider in the Sport of Kings.
   
   He was doing exceedingly well when the 1917 Revolution came along to disrupt. So what he did then was to collect some 250 horses and drive them to Poland. Later he moved to Paris and was living there when the Germans came in 1940. He returned to the United States where he again became a victum of the blatent racism of the time. Again he was able to persevere and prosper by turning broken-down thoroughbreds into money-making racehorses.
   
   This is an exceedingly well researched, very well written book that brings a little known sports figure a small amount of the recognition he deserves. This book follows 'Wink: The Incredible Life and Epic Journey of Jimmy Winkfield (ISBN: 0071418628)'
   
   When asked why he picked this subject, the author responded: 'Jimmy Winkfield lived a life that transcended sports or horses. He witnessed lynchings, felt the constraints of Jim Crow laws. He was a rich man with a white valet in Russia. He romanced beautiful women on three continents, dodged bullets and the Bolsheviks to save some of the world's finest thoroughbreds in a trail drive that makes 'Lonesome Dove' look like a walk in the park. He was chased out of France by the Nazis and, in 1961, had to demand the right to enter a party that he was invited to at Louisville's Brown Hotel. This wild arc was all made possible because of Jimmy's singular gift for communicating with racehorses.'



2. I read Black Maestro this summer. It was a great read so I'm buying several more copies to give as Christmas presents. The book works on several levels. It is first and foremost a book that details the triumphs of a black man at the turn of the century and his subsequent quest to do what he loves to do - race horses. The book also describes the trials that the black athelete faced in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. It would take 50 years before atheletes such as Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron were able to break the "color barrier". Finally, Black Maestro is a great adventure across two continents and through two world wars - I imagine Hollywood is already chomping at the bit to get this story on the silver screen.



3. The media sometimes works in very strange ways. Several years ago, middle-distance running star Steve Prefontaine had two movies on his life released literally simultaneously.
   
   And with forgotten jockey legend Jimmy Winkfield, two of the best turf scribes going - Ed Hotaling and Joe Drape - end up publishing biographies within several months of each other, with Drape's being the second to reach the bookstores.
   
   Winkfield's story is one for the ages, as this black jockey battled racism on and off the track in the United States & financial ruin caused by two world wars while forging a racing and training career in Europe. Winkfield was aboard the winning mounts in the 1901 and 1902 Kentucky Derbies - the last black jockey to win the renowned race - and rode in the 1903 event, before Jim Crow destroyed the remaining careers of black riders.
   
   Born into a family of sharecroppers, Winkfield initially pursued his racing dream at Latonia Ractetrack, grooming horses and as an exercise rider before getting the opportunity as a jockey.
   
   Early in his riding career he got caught in the middle of the turf wars by mobsters at the Chicago racetracks, where it wasn't good for business - or health - for a jockey to ride races honestly.
   
   After racism slammed the sport's doors, Winkfield forged an outstanding career in pre-revolutionary Russia. But World War I and the Communist Revolution found Winkfield leading an expedition of individuals and Thoroughbreds out of the war-torn nation. The escape alone is worthy of a book or movie.
   
   Settling in Paris, Winkfield again picked up the pieces at the track as a trainer and jockey. But the opening salvos of World War II forced Winkfield to flee France before the Nazi occupation and return to America.
   
   A telling and tragic scene is his invitation by Churchill Downs officials to be honored in a ceremony before the 1961 Kentucky Derby and the ugly racism he faced in trying to walk through the front doors to the banquet.
   
   Buried in France with a plain gravestone that - in Russian - says, "Moscow," sums up the feelings Winkfield felt about where he was most comfortable and accepted as an athlete and - importantly - as a human being.
   
   Winkfield is arguably the greatest jockey ever to ride in this country. And maybe having two biographies published in rapid-fire fashion will finally help him gain the recognition he truly deserved after all these years.



4. This book is so well written that it got me hooked on it right away and I am not a racing fan. The author, Joe Drape really captured the essence of Jimmy Winkfield and brought his story to life in this book. After reading this book I was left with the firm understanding that man can accomplish so much in a lifetime; it is up to us to make something of our lives regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It is a truly amazing account of one man's life. Jimmy Winkfield is a legend and I would not have heard about him if it were not for this book.



5. the sport of horseracing owes much to the African Americans who have nutured its athletes. Rarely, however, are those unsung heros shared with the public.
   
   This well written and very well researched book shares the life of one of the sport's more colorful participants and gifted partners to equine athletes - Jimmy Winkfield.
   
   The pages kept turning, the story was fascinating, and the author did a lovely job in both pace and content.
   
   If you have any interest in the "sport of kings" and those who make it come to life, this book is an important read. For those who just want to read the story of a gifted athlete whose genetic makeup destroyed his promise on American soil, this will inspire you as to Jimmy's fortitude and once again bewilder you at the mindset that eventually took his craft out of his home country.
   
   put it on your read list.

5 comments about Xbox 360 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

1. Hi... I'm not a gamer, but I have one in my household. I can't tell you how many game consoles we've purchased over the last 20 years, but I don't think we've missed very many. I'm a bit surprised I haven't gotten the hard-sell from "da kid" on getting an Xbox 360 yet. But after reading Xbox 360 for Dummies by Brian Johnson and Duncan Mackenzie, I'm somewhat tempted to get one anyway for myself... :)
   
   Contents:
   Part 1 - Xbox 360 Out of the Box: Meet the Xbox 360; Setting Up Your Xbox 360
   Part 2 - The Xbox 360 Blades: Dealing with the Dashboard; The Live Blade; The Media Blade; The System Blade; The Games Blade
   Part 3 - Xbox 360 in Your Entertainment System: HDTV, EDTV, Plain Old TV; Getting the Best Audio Experience; Customizing Your Console
   Part 4 - Pushing the Outer Limits: Parental Control; LAN Parties; Windows Media Center Extender
   Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Great Web Sites; More Than Ten Great Games; Ten Tips for Parents; Ten Ways to Make Friends; Ten Great Accessories; Original Xbox Games; Index
   
   Xbox has definitely crossed the line from being a gaming console with extra features to being a multimedia computer that happens to play games really well. Johnson and Mackenzie do a very good job of covering and demonstrating all the features of the Xbox 360, how it all meshes together, and how to get the most out of the platform. This includes everything from, of course, playing games, to making the device the central point of a multimedia setup for your home. The Xbox 360 integrates with Windows Media Center, so you can use it to watch TV, record shows, play music, etc. In fact, it's very possible to buy an Xbox 360 and never even play a game on it. :) Add in network connectivity, and now you can reach out to others as part of Xbox Live. The capabilities are truly impressive, and this book is an excellent way to delve into those areas that you may not have yet uncovered.
   
   Granted, most 12 year olds will probably have most of this figured out an hour after opening the box, all without reading the directions. Yes, and my DVD player still flashes 12:00. At least it's not a VCR any more. But a book like this will appeal to those of us who are interested in the latest and greatest, but want a little structure and guidance added to our exploration.
   
   Now to keep this book out of my kid's hands...



2. Not a bad book, although it is more written for someone with little to know computer/gaming experience.



3. If you want to know your Xbox 360 really well then this books for you, it covers everything about the system and the hardware that can be added later on. The book even covers Xbox Live and also some games. you will not be sorry if you purchase this book, it is a perfect addition to anyones home library.



4. I love this book -- everything is well explained. It also explains the concepts in an easy to understand style for parents who are not too game savvy.
   
   Only problem though is that the book is too US centric -- the Xbox 360 is sold all over the world with slightly different specifications, and this book just ignores everything except the US Xbox 360.



5. This was a fantastic resource. I have never really played video games until my wife bought me this Xbox 360. I didn't know all the ins and outs so I bought this book. It has been truly helpful in finding the many things i can do, plus it has some valuable web links for some extra stuff that really works.

5 comments about One Thousand and One Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations.

1. What I like about this book, is that it doesn't have anything like stars according to how "difficult" it is to solve each problem. What really matters is how beautiful it is, how it makes one surprised. If you agree with me, get this.



2. This book has the worst quality binding. Every page you turn will drop out. And the puzzles are categorized, making it too easy and pointless. When you're in a game, someone doesn't say to you, find the pin or find the x-ray attack. No, the themes must be jumbled for it to be of any use.



3. You've got to accept this book for what it is -- a very large set of chess puzzles to solve. No, it's not a comprehensive manual of the game. No, it doesn't teach openings. No, it's got nothing on strategic conceptions of middle-game play. There could be a whole long list of what it is not.
   
   But take it for what it is. One, it's fun to try to solve these puzzles. If you like that kind of thing, you can throw this inexpensive book in a briefcase, purse, or pocket. (Or keep it in the john.) The puzzles are nice diversion. Two, I believe it can really help play to go over and over the puzzles. Doing that will, I think, imprint the repeating patterns that allow these kinds of combinations. It will become easier feel when a position offers combinational opportunities - for you or your opponent - and smoke the combinations out.
   
   A word about the descriptive notation. The publishers have kept this book in print by some photoprocess from the original of it, which is now a half century old. A half century ago, descriptive notation was the standard in the English-speaking world. It's now all but died out. The publisher could find a wider audience by having someone translate the notations to algebraic. I assume they've thought of it but decided it's not a profitable move. I don't know; maybe they're right. Hate them for that decision if you will, but anyone still can enjoy and profit from this book as is. Descriptive notation is very easy to master, even if you think it stinks, and the the book includes a clear explanation of how it works.



4. Very good book will be hard and barely any text but this is a great classic book it will give u many many many hours of chess . very hard not a beginners books! so if ur starting chess dont get this try something easier but if u are familar with chess and looking for a good problems books to get ur mind sharp this is it !!!



5. This book is great for three reasons:
   
   1. It's nothing but problems and solutions, not longwinded explanations with every possible permutation calculated out (major ones are). So it's not an instruction book on tactics in itself, but it is a great expansion compared to the 5-10 problems a more in-depth book like Seirawan's series.
   
   2. It's categorized by theme but not by difficulty--so you can't predict the difficulty level of your problem, but you do know what technique you're looking to exploit.
   
   3. It's a book--there's less eyestrain than working with a computer, no annoying computer voice reading notation aloud, no six hundred different testing modes all of which keep your score & make you feel inadequate for figuring the problem wrong. Just you and your brain--old fashioned learning without all the bells & whistles to get in the way.

3 comments about Fixed Odds Sports Betting: Statistical Forecasting and Risk Management.

1. I have searched and searched for a book which describes how to generate a winning betting strategy. This book tells you about the reality of sports betting and not the fact that you will win 70% of your games. It is a practical explination of all the steps and mathmatical calculations to help you understand what sports betting is about. I wish I read this book prior to my first sports bet. It explains how to research the wager and all the backend work that you need to do to evaluate a value bet. If you wanted to understand the mathmatics behind the process of betting then this is the book for you.



2. As a sportbettor for the better part of the last 8 years this book has more of college statistics text book feel to it.. I have a Bach in civil engineering and took classes covered these very same topics in great depth.. this book could be way over the heads of a lot of people with little to no statistical background.. i was dissapointed as it is mainly aimed to soccer and Money lines, which is hard to apply to my 2 most bet sports, (hoops and football).. i have been attempting to learn MLB and risk analysis of future wagers and this book has helped clear a few things up.. THIS IS NOT A HOW TO HANDICAP BOOK, but it does help you point out 'value' bets out, which should be included with capping a game... so in short if you love excel and statistics this book is for you.. if you gamble by feel or are just looking for a niche this book is not for you...
   
   Great data and usuage of stastical modeling



3. This is a good book to help you devise your own system and not necessarily tell you how to do it. It has very good discussion on bank roll management, and you can use this book to accentuate and validate a system you have devised yourself.

1 comments about Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Omnibus, Volume 6 (LA Times).

1. If you like the LA Times series of Sunday crossword puzzles, you'll love this collection. It's got the same contemporary references in the clues, lots of puns, and the puzzles get progressively harder as you go along. Plus, they have dumped the newspaper-type paper and are now using something with a hard finish . . . a minor thing unless you spend a lot of time using pencil and erasing -- which I surely do.
   
   If you've not tried the LA Times puzzles before, think about it. The difficulty level is about medium . . . nowhere near as brainy as the NY Times Sunday puzzle, but nowhere near as duh-simple as the NY Times Monday puzzle. The thing I love about these puzzles is that the references are fairly modern. For instance, if they use actors, the answer is more likely to be Meryl Streep than Myrna Loy; except for classics, no movies before, say, the 1980s; and perhaps best of all, constant plays on words. Give them a try; if you enjoy puzzles, these might become your favs.

5 comments about The Light and the Glory : Children's Activity Book.

1. The information in this book is invaluable to each and every American. Now more than ever we should cherish our early beginnings in this country and pass this on to generations to come. The more intimate happenings to our early fathers become more relevant and personal through this well documented study.



2. In my judgment "The Light & The Glory" should be required reading for every citizen of the United States as well as those seeking citizenship. This is one of the best books I have every read!



3. I really loved reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. It reads much like the Old Testament except the main characters are our forefathers. There is a lot of information in this book that they never told us in school, but should have. The authors of this book tell where they got the information and did a great job putting this book together. I wish I would have read it years ago. It's one of those books you want to pass on to others after you read it.



4. This book details how to achieve great things by serving God first. It shows us what we must do to get our country back on the track of democracy. Even though it seems like we have completely lost our way, all we have to do is turn whole-heartedly to God and ask for His help. The story of how our forefathers did this is wonderful and inspiring.



5. This volume of early American history is limited in its scope, covering a period of about 300 years from Columbus through the colonial era, the Revolution, and the Washington presidency. Its purpose, however, is not merely to chronologize these events, but to examine them from a spiritual perspective. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, both Yale alumni, seek to discover our country's earliest spiritual heritage and how it relates to the moral and cultural degeneration they were observing in 1977, and that continues today. While the book is not without its flaws, I think it offers a critically important and often purposefully omitted piece of the historical puzzle regarding the roots of America.
   
   The authors begin with Columbus, whose early missionary ardor to bear the light of Christ to the New World was ultimately corrupted by the powerful lures of wealth, prestige and power. Next come fairly detailed examinations of the colonies at Jamestown, Plymouth, Salem and Boston. Of particular emphasis, again, were the spiritual actors, such as the Franciscans, Jesuits, Pilgrims and Puritans. Throughout, the authors provide a quite unvarnished look at the shortcomings of all of these personalities, but also strip away the false images and caricatures of them that are so prevalent in modern scholarship. In particular, they restore some desperately needed balance to the discussion of the Pilgrims and Puritans.
   
   The thing that gives this book such strong credibility, as with any good history, is the authors' heavy reliance on primary sources, particularly from Columbus, Bradford, the Mathers, Winthrop, Washington, Adams and many others. Their own writings reveal much about the deep Christian faith of our country's founders, much that is never mentioned or even considered a valid topic of discussion in most modern (i.e., revisionistic) history books. Over and over, the hand of God's providence is highlighted, whether in the survival of the early colonies, or the war for independence, or the unlikely success of the Constitutional Convention.
   
   My key criticism of the book, however, is the extent to which the authors presume to tell us what the will of God was or was not in various situations. In so doing, they depart from the demands of the documentary evidence, and thus take what are, in my opinion, speculative leaps that are impermissible for historians. I understand the authors' tendency to surmise such things from surrounding circumstances, but just as I found this kind of speculation to be objectionable in the work of Will Durant, that is equally true here.
   
   Still, this history was written by Christians for Christians, and the authors make no bones about that. As a result, they are prone to occasionally slip into sermonizing as they consider spiritual parallels between conditions in the 17th and 20th centuries. The book also ends with a call to national repentence and a reestablishment of the Covenant Way that marked the lives of the first colonials. As a committed Christian, I am comfortable with this perspective because all knowledge is God's knowledge and may be fairly integrated in this way. Secularists, however, will likely find this aspect of the book distracting. Nevertheless, the value of this book for filling in an important gap in most people's historical knowledge cannot be overstated.