5 comments about The Chicken Health Handbook.

1. Packed with information, this thick book is what you need if you take the plunge and buy chickens. Full of sound, clear, detailed information about health care needs of chickens. A must have.
   
   Chapters include:
   
   - Chicken Health
   - Health and Nutrition
   - Anatomy of a Chicken
   - External Parasites
   - Internal Parasites: Worms
   - Internal Parasites: Protozoa
   - Infectious Diseases
   - Environment Related Problems
   - Diagnostic Guides
   - Postmortem Examination
   - Therapy
   - Enhancing Immunity
   - Incubation and Brooding
   - Chickens and Human Health
   - Diseases and Disorders



2. This book is a great resource for beginners and advanced chicken lovers. There is a lot of great information and it's worded in a way that normal people can understand it!



3. Although there is no doubt that the author is very knowledgeable on her subject, I found the book not very user friendly.
   
   It was purchased with the intent of having a guide to go to when I had health issues with my chickens. There is much information that is technical and unless one wants to study it and try to commit information to memory, it is not a quick reference guide in emergencies.
   
   I also found that many of the medications recommended for treatment of a problem I took time to diagnose, were unavailable; thus rendering the information useless at the time I needed it the most.
   
   Although disappointed, I am unaware of any other current options for chicken health books; I give it a three star rating due to the vast knowledge given.



4. This is an easy to understand reference book for anyone who
   is raising chickens. Covers many chicken ailments as well
   as how to keep them healthy and even hatching suggestions.
   This book is a must for anyone who has chickens or
   wants to begin raising chickens.



5. This is just what I wanted in a book on chicke health. Raising a large flock of chickens this helps me identify health problems big and small. A great addition to our farm library.

5 comments about ADA Complete Guide to Carb Counting.

1. Great book if you already eat healthy. However, not practical in todays fast paced world. Needs more food groups to help count carbs. Takes for granted you already know how to count carbs and you have visited a RD.



2. Very important information to help anyone with carb counts. Highly recommend.



3. THIS BOOK IS VERY USEFUL. I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HAVE A GUIDE LIKE THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH



4. This is a very handy and excellent source for people with Diabetes, or
   for anyone else who most restrict their carbs on a daily basis. It is
   very easy to use.



5. This book was OK for basic information, but not up to date on current requirements suggested by the ADA. It's publication date is not that old, so I felt it was way off base.

5 comments about Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry (with CD-ROM and CengageNOW Printed Access Card).

1. This book is in its 8th Edition with two new authors. The style continues the high standards set in the previous edition. I find this book to be a very good quick reference guide for chemical reactions, stoichiometry, organic and biological chemistry. I am very sad to see that Bettelheim and March have passed away!



2. I bought this for self-study, to refresh myself on general and organic chem and to get a solid introduction to biochemistry. So far, I'm enjoying it. Well written with good illustrations although aimed at an introductory audience.



3. This is not an easy book, however it is the easiest Chem book I have ever seen. The CD-ROM and the CengageNOW are worth their weight in GOLD! USe them because they SURE make this process a ton easier. BY getting this through Amazon I save a good bit on what the FCCJ bookstore is selling it for. Plus I got this delivered directly to me AND no long lines to stand in. This is a good book! Enjoy it! Have fun with Chemistry!



4. Book is in much better condition that that which I would expect from a used book.



5. I went to my college bookstore and they wanted almost $200 for this same book, and I found it on here for 70 dollars less, new!
   
   So this is a fantastic book. Explains all concepts and terms well.

5 comments about Pastured Poultry Profits.

1. Joel does a great job overall. I'd just like to see better illustrations, especially concerning pen construction and processing the birds. I highly recommend newbies take a look at Herrick Kimball's [...]. He does a great job illustrating how to process the birds, with great pictures. Also, the homemade plucker, which he designed, is great. It plucks 3 birds in about 10-15 seconds! Now that's good stuff! But I'd highly recommend Joel's book, in spite of the poor illustrations. Maybe he should have a talk with his publisher and put out a new edition. We just did our first 50 Cornish X Rocks, largely based on his methods and it went off without a hitch...well, I accidentally ran over a couple of birds with the pen as I moved it. So, those were a couple of "hitches", but some of the little buggers just didn't want to march to my well-sung Marine Corps marching songs! Imagine that! So, the little non-hackers went off to join Colonel Sanders in a better place. Maybe he can get them to march:)



2. Grow some chickens, improve your land, make alot of money, eat well and ENJOY LIFE! Learn how in this book and in ALL of Joel Salatins' books!



3. there is nothing in this book that is not useful and to the point. no waffle, tried and workable advice, clearly written.
   the author has been a successful farmer for at least 20 years, so he knows what he is talking about.
   
   THANK YOU, JOEL SALATIN!



4. While some complained in their reviews about this book, I enjoyed reading it. If you are into farming on a small scale without going overboard on getting set up this book will inspire you. Covers a lot of information on rasing poultry for a profit. While the focus is on pastured poultry with movable trailers it will also work for just free range as well. A great additon to our farm library.



5. I like this book ok. I have a few problems with it though. It doesn't read very smoothly, seems the author goes back and forth between active and passive voice. I had to re-read sentences quite often. As far as the information goes, it seems that the author has found the one and only way to pasture chickens and he lets you know it. Now, maybe he has, I don't know. I will be using a lot of his advice and methods, but not all. Overall, I'm glad to have this book.

5 comments about The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, Third Edition.

1. Due to a plumbing fault in the house, my family have been composting in the back garden on a daily basis for over a year. What a bonus to stumble upon this book and find out that our actions have been helping to preserve the future of our planet! A number of residents in our street have complainined that the local environment has been suffering from some kind of unpleasant air pollution of late, so we feel proud to be putting something back.



2. Everyone should read this book, even if they have no intention or ability to use a humanure composting system. It provides a wealth of information on a subject that has been ignored for too long...human waste - how to dispose of it in a sensible, sustainable, practical, useful manner. We haven't flushed a toilet in this house in eight months, since we got this book and built our own sawdust toilet and composting box out back. We had a serious drought here this summer and our well was REAL low, but we had no problems because we weren't FLUSHING FOUR GALLONS OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER UNDERGROUND each time we went in the bathroom. I always wondered why we eliminate in water, anyway. And it doesn't stink, the compost box doesn't stink, it's simple and straightforward and clean and the humanure toilet's time has come! Everybody who comes in our house gets dragged into the bathroom by my husband to meet our new humanure toilet! Then I drag them outside to meet my wonderful compost box! So far we've had one convert, a couple with a camp who were using a stinking old outhouse, and they are just thrilled with the idea of using a humanure toilet next summer when they move back to camp. As a bonus, our electric bill dropped substantially, just because the water pump doesn't have to kick on every time a toilet is flushed. Buy this book, read it, start using a humanure toilet, tell all your friends, lend the book to your friends, do it now! Then read Joe Jenkins' other book, "Balance Point."



3. Fascinating and intelligent book that holds the key to sustainable practices that will help protect our drinking water supply. Why use 1.5 -5 gallons of precious drinking water to wash our poop away? It's a shameful and wasteful practice and this book provides the best solution to managing our excrement in a way that is healthy for us and for the planet.



4. the true revolution is in our poop! its a great read and is a vital piece to the new sustainable culture we are growing. thanks joe!



5. I wish my parents had known about this so they could have taught me instead of me having to teach them. Shame on anyone that has discouraged this sort of creative thinking. Let the rigor with which Joseph Jenkins has researched this topic be a lesson to anyone who wants to make a claim about the validity of any of our social norms.

5 comments about The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food.

1. Like most health-conscious people i stopped drinking milk years ago due to the amount of steroids and antibiotics that milk cows are injected with and get passed on to milk. Milk is not inherently bad for you, but unless i know exactly where the milk is coming from, i won't drink it. I doubt drinking milk from cows pumped with things such as Bovine Growth Hormone can be good for anyone.
   
   So i started researching the alternatives, and soy milk came up.
   Then after doing some research online, i was shocked by the amount of negative press and "reviews" soy products have been getting; so i decided to do my own research and purchased a large amount of soy beans to make soymilk at home.
   This little experiment showed me (as this book points out) why soybeans are not a staple in any diet in any part of the world, like other beans are: they are pretty much indigestible, regardless of how much you soak them overnight, and cook them..
   You can even blend a bunch of cooked soy beans with water to make a shake, but that will leave you with severe indigestion and nausea.
   I know because i tried it.
   So, yes, most of the things that are said about unfermented soy products are probably true. Unfermented soy products contains a lot of chemicals that cause adverse reaction in humans and probably animals.
   Just because soy beans are a naturally occuring vegetable doesn't mean we should be eating them.. after all one of the most potent poisons known to man, Ricin, comes from Castor beans.
   
   The thing that disturbs me, is that as another reviewer pointed out, the research for this book was probably financed by the "Weston A. Price Foundation" which is basically a front that the milk industry uses to smear soy products.
   Don't believe me? Richard James, an American lawyer living in New Zealand is the owner of the principal website against soy products.
   Do a internet search for "richard james" new+zealand+milk and on the third link down you will find a link to westonprice's website containing a picture of Mr. James in the Weston A. Price "Australia-New Zealand 2003 tour."
   Do you think the fact that such soyproduct bashing website is based in New Zealand, the biggest exporter of dairy products in the world, is accidental???
   I corresponded directly with Mr. James about the picture in question and his connection with the milk industry and he denied he is getting any funding, he even questioned the fact that New Zealand is the biggest exporter of dairy products in the world, until i showed him the links confirming this; then he proceeded to insult me when i questioned his motivation to create the website... his explanation was that one of his "kids" was affected by soy milk, which contradicts the story given on the website about him starting the website because his "birds" got sick because of soy feed.
   This lack of truthfulness makes me doubt the sincerity of Mr. James.. after all he was a lawyer!
   
   Soy products have cost the dairy industry billions of dollars in lost revenue.. do you expect the dairy industry to stand by with their arms crossed and not do anything about it???
   
   Folks, it is time we stop being so gullible.. we are caught between a multi-billion dollar war between the milk and the soy lobbies.
   None of these people writing books on behalf of either industry are interested in your health!, they are interested in making money..
   
   Don't believe anything you read.
   Any Phd will jump at the chance to do "research" on behalf of any industry for the right amount of money.
   Do your own research.
   Stop consuming any non-organic, mass-produced dairy products, stop consuming any non-fermented soy products and as a wise reviewer said.. Moderation is the key!



2. This book starts with a good factual history of soy. It's not your
   typical scare book, but rather loaded with facts in an almost historical
   novel fashion. If you're eating soy you NEED to read this book. Your health may depend on it.



3. Are you caught up in the deceptive hype from the soy industry? If so, you have likely been convinced that soy is a health food. This belief is an unfortunate side effect of not having done your homework, relying instead on the brainwashing propaganda of the soy industry, which in many ways is not much different than that of the drug companies.
   
   They have cleverly targeted health conscious consumers with a well thought out; well-financed campaign to convince you that soy is healthy. They were clearly effective, as "healthy soy" is one of the biggest health myths in the health food industry.
   
   I recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Kaayla Daniel for our Inner Circle Experts Series http://products.mercola.com/inner-circle/ . I had never spoken with her before and was really amazed at the depth of her knowledge on this important topic.
   
   The Truth About Soy
   
   Let me assure you that if you carefully review the thousands of studies published on soy you will reach the following conclusion:
   
   Any possible benefits of consuming soy are FAR outweighed by the well-proven risks of soy.
   
   The problem with many of these studies is that the conclusion is NOT supported by the study, or is only partially true, with serious omissions that are conveniently excluded from the conclusion. For example, they might say that soy reduces your risk of colon cancer but neglect to state that they found it increases your risk of ten other cancers.
   
   You could delve into these studies yourself and form your conclusion, or rely on Dr. Daniel to do this for you. She did her Ph.D. research on this topic, which eventually resulted in this book.
   
   The soy industry has been so effective in their manipulation techniques that they've even been able to hoodwink the FDA to allow soy to carry the health claim of reducing heart disease and cholesterol. However, the FDA may soon retract that claim, thanks to a 65-page petition recently filed by Dr. Daniel, Kilmer McCully M.D., Mary Enig, Ph.D., Galen Knight Ph.D., and the Weston A. Price Foundation.
   
   In 2005, the foundation also successfully stopped a soy-industry petition to the FDA requesting a soy-prevents-cancer health claim. Had it been approved, soy consumption would likely have doubled to more than $8 billion in annual U.S. sales.
   
   Soy Consumption and Thyroid Problems
   
   You might be aware that thyroid problems are pandemic in the U.S., especially in women. Well, one of the major reasons for this is because of the isoflavones in soy that is being widely consumed. Soy protein products contain isoflavones that can damage thyroid function, and for this reason alone should be avoided
   
   The Dangers of Soy Infant Formula
   
   This is perhaps the most tragic use of soy as a food. Many well intentioned parents put their infants on soy formula, either because they believe it is "healthier" or because they are allergic to traditional commercial infant formula.
   
   Either way, it's a prescription for disaster. Soy formula causes harm to your baby in two primary ways.
   
   First, most soy formula has 50 to 80 times the amount of manganese as dairy formula or breast milk, which can adversely affect brain development and lead to ADD/ADHD and other learning disabilities and behavioral disorders.
   
   Additionally, there is the hormonal equivalent of 2 to 5 birth control pills in a daily dose of soy formula, which can cause significantly premature puberty and other sexual abnormalities, thyroid damage and an increased risk of cancer.
   
   In my mind this product should be banned. In fact there was a recent movement in California to have that done but the proposal has been on hold since 2005.
   
   Additionally, there are a number of foreign governments like Israel, France and Germany that have taken very strong anti-soy positions.
   
   This book is an ABSOLUTE must read if someone you know or love is convinced soy is a health food. But even if you don't eat soy, it's still a valuable read, providing an entertaining, in-depth look at the "dirty little secrets" of the food processing industry.



4. Powerful soy lobby? Try powerful dairy lobby. This book is:
   
   1. Sensationalist;
   2. Inaccurate;
   3. Irresponsible;
   4. and Hypocritical.
   
   Clearly a biased book with an ulterior motive of greed, either for the dairy industry or book sales. As if we need MORE false information circulating, and in print, no less... Very irresponsible. Shame on the author.
   
   The world of soy, nutrition, or health (just like anything else) is not black and white. Rather than waste your time or money on this book, do your own research and form your own opinion.
   
   I personally consume both soy and dairy on a daily basis, often fermented or cultured (such as miso and yogurt) which I believe helps my digestive health. I try to eat organic products with the most "good" bacteria. I eat plenty of fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains. I eat very little meat, canned foods, and refined white sugar. My diet sounds healthy, but it is truly delicious and flavorful, including lots of garlic and spices. Many of my entrees are naturally sweetened by the sugars in onions and other produce. Luckily, I do not have any food allergies.



5. The meat and dairy industry must feel pretty threatened by the tiny little health food section found in some supermarkets to go to such great lengths to scare the public into believing that trying a glass of soymilk or sampling a veggie burger will eat you alive in the form of cancer. "Miracle food"? Now that's downright insulting. Common sense tells us moderation is key.

5 comments about Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog.

1. Big suprise, dogs know that we aren't dogs. The gig is up, dogs don't relate to us the way they relate to dogs. Get a book that really teaches you how dogs think and learn.



2. This is a very good book for training yourself to talk to dogs.



3. I have been a dog trainer for many years. This is one of two books that I suggest to my clients. So much common sense with a dash of humor. Easy to read and implement to your training program. Great book.



4. When this book was published in 1985 the concept of natural training was revolutionary. The Monks of New Skete followed in 1991 with a book advocating the same concept of training. However, the principles of a more natural training method have been greatly refined over the years and some of the advice that is contained in this book is wrong (or wrong in most situations).
   
   The author is adament that food should not be given as a reward, reward should be positive attention only. The Monks also believed this but weren't so adament. More recent books have recognized that different breeds respond differently. Breeds bred for close human interaction, primarily the herding breeds, are more closely focused on humans, breeds bred to act independently such as Beagles, and other hounds, and terriers, are not closely attuned to humans and respond better to food rewards. Hey, it's animal behavior 101 that lab rats are rewarded by food and learn from those rewards. Interestingly both Benjamin and the Monks work primarily with German Shepards.
   
   Benjamin also maintains that you can bring a dog back to the scene of its crime, i.e. where it destroyed a pillow, show it the destroyed pillow and correct the dog's behavior. All the recent books acknowledge that you can only correct a dog's behavior if you catch the dog while it is in the act.
   
   Potentially dangerous advice that she gives is to grab a dog by both sides of the neck and get in its face to stare it down. That is threatening and confrontational and may work with puppies but other books warn against that approach with agressive dogs as it will incite them to attack and bite.
   
   There are better books out there pass on this.



5. If you're looking to train your dog, this is a good book that shows you how. I would recommend Train Your Dog - The Positive Gentle Method and maybe a dog obedience class (that will help your dog learn to socialize) also.

5 comments about Winery Technology and Operations:A Handbook for Small Wineries.

1. Excellent reference book with solid chemistry terminology and descriptions, although those just getting started may want to take first year chemistry or at least refresh their grade 12 understanding for the boring bits.
   
   I find it best to just catch the intro to each chapter and refer back to it prior to crush each year for a refresher.
   
   If you are a home winemaker you may find it overwhelming, so maybe stick to consulting your best you-brew expert for advise. I used Bosa in Vancouver Canada.



2. Dr. Margalit's book is an easy to read primer useful for any wine student studying the technology and chemistry behind winemaking. His prose style intersperses the scientific elements with winemaking techniques from the grape ripening stages through the final production and quality checks of the produced wine. He defines most of the key acronyms and explains in simple to read precise language key winemaking concepts, using many graphs and well-placed illustrations. Topics are indexed well, and a series of appendices at the end of the book allow the reader to continue reading forward the topics at a high level, while being able to refer to added technical detail available when needed. The sections on wine acids are very concise and to the point. There is a lot of real world information in here, distilled from many more technical texts not as easy to read as this one. This is a very solid wine making primer. Kim Hartleroad - graduate of the UC Davis Winemaking for Distance Learners program



3. This text includes explanations and procedures which are easy to use and understand. My winery is small and private. With some basic equipment, I have been able to produce some well recieved good reviews.



4. Not your average beginner winemaking book, but good information for those who would like to take their winemaking to the next level. More rigorous material, but making the effort to sort through the science in this book will make your wine better. Great reference for small wineries, and valuable for serious hobbyists.



5. This book won't replace going to UC Davis, but it is a good start if you are looking to break into professional winemaking. It concisely touches on all of the important aspects of making wine with commercial equipment. It is well written and straight forward in its style. Basically, it is everything you want in an intro book.

5 comments about Grinding It Out: The Making Of McDonald's.

1. This is a great book for all entrepreneurs who are starting out and a good reminder for established ones. The title fits the book very well since it does show that Ray did make a lot of gambles to make it all work out and he started out an average middle income citizen like everybody else. Lessons like:
   - Sweating it out
   - Constantly trying new things
   - Learning from mistakes
   
   Very good lessons in business and life.
   
   Although the first few chapters on his biography do not have much to do about business.



2. There's a lot to say about McDonald's, or about any business. But this isn't a book about McDonald's, it's about the life of the man behind it. It's a quaint book. It doesn't tell you about the pathos of the man's life; he mentions his daughter I believe just once throughout the whole book. Instead, we're given a nostalgic rosey-colored view of what got this man up in the morning, the ideas that chewed at his mind, and his drive to achieve them.
   
   Ray Kroc didn't even become interested in McDonalds until he was in his 50's. In fact, the autobiography is most interesting when discussing the series of events leading up to his making the acquaintance of the McDonald brothers, who had a small family-owned venue which was able to pop out hamburgers for a nickel a piece. Before this time, Kroc worked various odd jobs around the city, during prohibition he even played piano at an illeagal salon. He eventually settled in as a sales-rep, eagerly hopping from one product to another, from one costumer to the next. It might not be the ideal life, but Kroc's enthusiasm sure makes it seem that way. At one point he was truly excited about marketing some type of outdoor fold-in chair that his friend had made - he was positive that it was going to take the world by storm. And later he gets into marketing a product called a multi-mixer, which can make six milk shakes at once! This, he thought, will really bring in the dough.
   
   In the meantime, he hauled from one business to another, trying out various ideas. Some days he would hardly sleep - in one passage in the book, he talks about his tricks for getting to sleep as quickly as possible after his head hit the mat. That way he wouldn't lose valuable time trying to fall asleep.
   
   There are a lot of fun anecdotes in the first third of the book. But what brings the book to the next level is the description of how he stumbled upon the McDonald's brothers, and made their business (unfortunately, without them) one of the most successful businesses of the century. Kroc applies the same raw enthusiasm and smarts, but the scale of his business keeps exponentially increasing. In this section, the nature of the anecdotes changes - they're more like what you would expect, with meeting so-and-so who now has millions of dollars, and striking a deal with so-and-so who is now stinking rich. And then there are still the more humbling stories, which match up with the folding-chair experience above - like the creation of the HulaBurger, a fried pinapple with cheese and fixins in a bun. Kroc thought it was the best thing he had ever tasted, how could it ever fail?
   
   McDonald's didn't change Ray Kroc, it's clear that the business came straight out of a person who knew what people wanted. Throughout the book, Kroc is solving problems, working his hardest, observing human nature. The ideals you see in a young piano-playing or door-peddling Ray are the same ideals that created the double arches. By connecting all of these dots, this autobiography depicts a very inspiring man, albeit from rose-tinted lenses, along with the values of remaining honest, genuine, and business-like.



3. A very good book, a definite read for anyone looking to learn more about start up business or true entrepreneurship.
   
   Although, I think it's very important to look at the fact that things are much different now of days then when Ray Kroc started up Mcdonalds. It is very inspiring though to find out how old he was when he started this business. Though, it's nice to read of all these young kids starting up business, it's also nice to read about a man in his 50's finally doing a start up that he'd dream t of.



4. It is not often you unearth a business biography that starts your stomach rumbling with hunger while maintaining your attention. No matter what your perception of the fast food hamburger industry, Grinding it Out provides a pleasant look into the origin of franchising and fast food. One will also find some gratification discovering the extent to which Ray Kroc put quality and integrity on an equal basis with profit; something possibly unexpected to those with prior negative perceptions of the mogul due to his abundant wealth.
   
   Anderson provides a wealth of detail outlining the business dealings behind the growth of the McDonalds franchise. This book will be of interest to those with a curiosity towards the making of an industry. I recommend reading this book but suggest doing so with a full stomach.



5. Ray Kroc's autobiography provides an interesting glimpse of the McDonald's system and it's development. The book is well written and interesting to read. Despite this, I do not recommend the book. It offers no wisdom or lessons learned to take away from the book besides Kroc's greatness. (Kroc never suffered from an excess of humility.) In addition, I found it difficult to like Kroc. He rarely found fault with himself and blamed others for his and his businesses problems. Particularly galling to me was when Kroc had the opportunity to invest in McDonalds and another earlier business opportunity, his wife of 30 years was unconvinced of the plans wisdom. Rather than spend the time to bring her aboard, he tossed her aside continued with his business plans.

5 comments about Nutrition for Foodservice and Culinary Professionals.

1. This book was exactly what I needed. It contains all the information I needed. A great learning tool. The part of the book I am most impressed with is the section of infant nutrition. It explains month by month what you can feed your infant. An example is the 4th month of life, you can start your child on iron enriched cereals.



2. Very knowledgable book on nutrition including information for children and older adults. As a culinary professional I wanted to read up on the latest nutrition especially on soy and to improve my diet. I am also considering taking some courses, one of them is Sanitation. The Study Guide for the National Servsafe Exam by Dr. Leonardi was a book I found also very knowledgable and I am certain that it will help me with my exam once I decide when to take it.



3. I was assigned this text in my nutrition class in culinary school. The book was a joy to read because it was fun and easy to read. I really liked the section on vitamins and food sources of each vitamin. However, if you really want to know the type of questions asked in nutrition class in culinary school get the following. "Nutrtion Study Guide for Food Service and Culinary Professionals: Key Review Questions and Answers by Melissa Heilman. The isbn of this book is 1933023058. This book is right on with the type of questions that I accounted on my tests. With the help of these two books getting an "A" was quite easy.



4. The Food Service is each day an wide open door for nutritionists. This book in particular is very helpfull on understanding the basic and advanced qualities needed for a professional acting in this area.



5. I am using this textbook for my Nutrition class at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. It makes class so much easier for me. The instructor speeds through the lessons and luckily for us all she uses the text as her guide. Without it, I would not continue to be a top student.