5 comments about All the Presidents' Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families.

1. This book is chock full of history. It tells the stories of the lives of the Presidents children.
   
   The book tells about such things as:
   
   The life of George Washington's step-son John Park "Jacky" Custis who embarrassed the first President
   
   Abigail Adams-the daughter of John who wanted to please her father
   
   Letitia "Letty" Tyler Semple: the daughter of John Tyler who did not like her step-mother and did battle with her over the affections of her father.
   
   Quentin Roosevelt: the son of Teddy who was shot down during World War One.
   
   James "Jimmy" Roosevelt- son of FDR who used his connections with the White House to help his business
   
   Martha "Patsy" Washington Jefferson Randolph: one of the only surviving children of Thomas and Martha Jefferson who helped her father entertain after the death of her mother.
   
   Robert Todd Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln's son who was with three presidents when they died
   
   Caroline Kennedy Scholssberg-daughter of John and Jackie Kennedy a writer and mother of three.
   
   Maureen Reagan: daughter of Ronald Reagan and his first wife Jane Wyman who grew up to be an actress and was also in politics. She died of cancer shortly before her father past away.
   
   Michael Reagan-adopted son of Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman a radio host
   
   Patricia Ann "Patti Davis" Reagan-daughter of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis a writer who uses her mothers maiden name to write.
   
   John Ellis "Jeb" Bush-son of George H.W. Bush and Governor of Florida
   
   George W. Bush-son of George H.W. Bush and "President" of the U.S.
   
   And many more interesting stories that will keep you fascinated for hours.



2. Doug is not only a great author, but and excellent speaker. So fortunate to have met him.



3. This is a most fascinating book combining history, parenting and child psychology. It is written extrememly well and will engage you from the very first page. Each man who became president was a unique, high achieving, individual. How each president viewed his children, who in many cases, were simply bright, average kids, directly effected their children's future and happiness in life. The stories of some kids will break your heart, others will make you glad for their success. After reading this book, high achieving parents will be much less likely to try to mold little clones of themselves (which as you will read, can meet with distasterous, unhappy results), but encourage their children's interests, perhaps different from your own, and help them along their path in life. I have given and recommended this book to my parents and friends and everybody has said it was one of the best books they have ever read. I also recommend the book Doug Wead wrote about presidential parents.



4. This is a book that fills a void in the historical record of Presidential Families. There is piecemeal information in other volumes, but this book brings all the history into one very readable account. Mr. Wead is known to be close to the Bush Family, and thus he appears to have a personal reason to research this aspect of the Presidency.
   
   I teach classes on"First Ladies", and my audience had urged me to tell them more about their children, but I had been largely unsuccessful at finding interesting, reliable information which covered the President's children, their joys, health, and trials and tribulations, including their similarities in how they coped with their celebrity with all its benefits and disadvantages.
   This is a book that anyone who is interested in people and history should enjoy and find enlightening. This is facts, not gossip.



5. Doug Wead's "All the Presidents' Children" is one of my favorite history reads. Periodically, I go back to it and am always amazed at how well it is written and how fascinating the characters are. It has taught me much about family foibles and how presidents must strive to be statesmen and fathers at the same time. It makes me more tolerant, and that is always a good thing.

5 comments about Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson.

1. "The class met on Tuesdays. It began after breakfast. The subject was the Meaning of Life. It was taught from experience." This is a passage selected from the wonderful story TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE by Mitch Albom. A memoir, written in 1st person, Mitch shares how his life changed when he learned his old college professor, Morrie, was dying. Every Tuesday, until Morrie's death, Mitch went to Morrie. Taking place at Morrie's house, they discuss the theme of the book, the Meaning of Life, and to live everyday like you were dying. My opinion on this book is that it is very inspiring and can teach you a lot about living life. I especially like, a passage on page 83 stating, "Oh, yes. You strip away all that stuff and you focus on the essentials. When you realize you are going to die, you see everything much differently. He sighed. Learn how to die, and you learn how to live." I believe this passage captures the whole meaning of the book. This is a very good book that I would definitely recommend for anyone fifth grade or older. The concept of death may be too harsh for anyone younger. A quick read, this book is definitely one to cherish.



2. This is the most profound book I have ever read. I am an avid reader and am always looking for self-help, inspirational, and moving books. This is by far the most moving and inspiring books I have ever read. Mitch Albom did an excellent job carrying on what Morrie hoped he would-his message. Morrie wanted to touch lives and with this book he continues to do so even after his death. I felt a connection to this man, who has been deceased for quite a while now, thanks to this wonderful book. I only hope others will allow themselves the priviledge of getting to know Morrie by reading this book. I will change their lives forever, like it did mine!



3. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I didn't think this book was that good. I have read a lot (!!) of memoirs and this one I could only rate at a 1-and that is stretching it. I didn't really get any new (or old) life lessons from Morrie..sorry. I was glad the book wasn't very long because I couldn't have read much more. :(



4. Tuesdays with Morrie is a "final thesis" between a young man and his old, beloved college professor who is diagnosed with a deadly, unforgiving illness called ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
   
   This book made Morrie's death much more valuable by making it a life lesson for people. People fear death and let it take over them instead of preparing for it and cherishing the moments they have to live. Morrie is only human, and he must have had his fears as well, but Morrie was strong, and he used his death to teach one more class, to share the experience to the public and give others the message of life and death.
   
   Morrie died painfully, but he didn't die lonely. He was a great teacher, husband, father, and friend. He had many loved ones who watched over him. He didn't die without meaning either. He left the world a better place.
   
   After reading this book, I was deeply moved, and I've thought a lot about life and death. I'm still young and I don't really know much about the two broad subjects. After reading the book twice, I truly believe this book is the answer to life.
   
   Life is a long, tiring trip and death is like your last stop to home sweet home and knowing that you've been there before.
   
   No matter how busy or how much your life is filled with earthly activities, this book reminds us of the simple gifts we have in life and to cherish the loved ones. After I finished the book, I've been able to appreciate the little things in life, such as the color of leaves, the sounds of birds chirping, the laughter of loved ones, and the simple daily activities that I am able to do.
   
   This is the type of book that can be read over and over and you'll still find more valuable hidden meanings and lessons in the text. It is beautifully written and simple, yet contains much complex lessons. This book touches your heart and soul and gets your mind thinking about the values of life. This is a book that never leaves your soul after you read it. Trust me on that.
   
   **I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT**



5. frankly, i have to say this book is sentimental drivel, if i even remember it. i read it (someone gave it to me as a gift, i think) and quickly forgot all about it. just the kind of feel-good, therapeutic prose that is the stuff of lifetime movies (it WAS made into a movie, didn't it?). save your money.

5 comments about The Sum of Our Days: A Memoir.

1. Isabel Allende's book "The Sum Of Our Days" bring both extraordinary insight and what I consider thoughtful availability to her memoir that touched me deeply. I got to "be" a part of her story, her family...it was truly intimate.
   
   Her conversations and storytelling throughout the book, with her deceased daughter Paula, are both beautiful and haunting. Watching through Isabel's eyes, her family life unfolding around her, and dealing with their grief was amazing. It aided me personally in my own grief over the loss of my daughter Martha to breast cancer in Febuary of 2007.
   
   Isabel gives hope in sharing her memoir. We can move forward through all of life's changes, both joyful and sorrowful. After all, we are the sum of our days...



2. I loved this memoir and could hardly put it down. Allende is honest, open, and emotional. She touches your heart and makes you laugh at the same time. I love getting to "know" her family. I wouldn't recommend this as first Allende book, however.



3. Isabel Allende's memoir "The Sum of Our Days" is the much awaited sequel to "My Invented Country" and "Paula." Together they provide insight into this brilliant writer's very real life which crosses three continents. Numerous challenges, a sometimes dysfunctional blended "family," incredible coping skills and heartfelt family connections reveal a truly complex human being imbued with soul. Having read all of Isabel's novels, it is inspiring to know the genuine person within. Thank you Isabel!



4. I found this book when perusing thru the library and I wanted to read it because the author had lost her adult daughter. A very good friend of mine lost her daughter just a few months ago and I wanted to try and understand the grief process she was going thru and hoped that this book would give me some insight. For the most part, I did like this story and it was interesting, but for some reason the author thought we all needed to have the liberal agenda spewed out to us over and over again throughout the book. I won't get into all of it here, but most disturbing was on page 239 where she talks about how Christians oppose abortion, but do not mobilize against war or the death penalty. She apparently wrote this with a straight face, oblivous to the irony that the liberals oppose the death penalty and war, but actively promote abortion. Yeah, that makes all kinds of sense. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm getting weary of the fact that so many authors and other celebrities think we are interested in their political views. I was very much looking forward to this book, but the fact that she took the opportunity to get up on her soapbox ruined it for me.
   Needless to say, I'm glad this was a library book and not one I paid for.



5. I really enjoyed reading this book and purchased it for one of my closest friends. The sisters of perpetual disorder had me cracking up laughing. And there were tender moments when I had to put the book down to stop from crying. I would recommend this book to just about anyone who wants an honest read and a look into a writer's life.

5 comments about Enemy Pie (Reading Rainbow book).

1. What an outstanding piece of children's literature! This book reminds me of the old fashioned picture books of my youth with a modern feel. It teaches a valuable lesson without being preachy or didactic. Throughout the story a young boy struggles with a new neighbor who is not very nice. The two become sworn enemies, until, our main character, with the help of his Dad, decides to get even by serving enemy pie. While Dad bakes the pie, it is the protagonist's job to keep the enemy occipied by playing with him. Finally the pie is ready and he no longer wants to serve him the dreaded pie. After all, we don't serve our friends nasty pie, do we?



2. This is a fun book that teaches a good lesson about kindness, acceptance and friendship. As an adult, I find myself judging too quickly at times, when all I really need to do is allow myself to know and understand others...and maybe share some pie with them, too : )



3. I LOVE this book and my kids do as well. It is such a great tale of how to not judge a book by it's cover. Many times young people can feel threatened by a new kid in school/town/etc. This shows if you give someone a chance you may like them more than you would have realized.



4. I absolutely loved this book!!! It has a great message about friendship and changing around a negative situation into a positive one. Both my 4 year old and 6 year old were hanging on every word. The best part for us is that our son's name is JEREMY ROSS and we have a trampoline in our backyard!!! So you can imagine how shocked I was when I starting reading this book to my kids that I randomly grabbed off the shelf at the library:) My son was delighted that his name was in such a cool book! It almost seemed like we had the book made with our info in it. We are going to purchase this to have as a keepsake.



5. This book is great for a child who is afraid to make friends. Very cute.

5 comments about Learning Their Language: Intuitive Communication with Animals and Nature.

1. I just finished Learning Their Language, and am getting ready to re-read it, highlighter in hand. It is that good, if your goal is to gain expertise in animal communication. I began with Carol Gurney's book, The Language of Animals, which I felt was a good starter book. It sort of primes the reader for this book. Learning Their Language was extremely well written for use as a text book/learning tool (which is the reason I wanted it in the first place) using a good combination of Ms. Williams own experiences, the experiences of her students, and liberal "homework" assignments.
   
   This book goes a step further than most, offering techniques for communication with plants, rocks, and mountain ranges (to name a few) but Ms. Williams herself invites you to skip over any sections that are out of your range of comfort or your belief system. At the very least, when reading the plant/nature/landscape sections, you will come away with a sense that God can't be too happy with modern man's stewardship of all that we were graciously given. And that, in my humble opinion, is a lesson we should ALL learn.



2. Marta Williams has done an excellent job of organizing, presenting and providing scientific back-up for her information, where appropriate. She is a teacher in the true sense of the word and patiently guides students through all the pitfalls of negative mind traps, suggesting methods to overcome initial fears of failure.
   
   I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all who are truly interested in animal communication and feel it will be a good investment for you.



3. This book helped me to understand the experiences I have had on my ranch with several of my anamals. I now know what took place and I agree with the author fully. I have actually used her tichnique on my "Best Friend" a Chocolate Lab, and it worked! I have also been the RECEIVER of messages.



4. This is such a fascinating topic. If you want to dive deeper I recommend "Adam's Task: Calling Animals by Name," by Vicki Hearne, which combines animal training with philosophy, linguistics, and literary criticism. It'll certainly expand your understanding of human-animal communication. If you are an animal trainer-- or even just an animal lover-- it's definitely worth checking out.



5. As a writer of cat mysteries, I often speak to large groups of people, and they frequently ask about animal communication, since Marmalade, an orange tabby cat, (a major character in my mystery series) speaks in italics throughout the books. I answer that I know we can communicate with animals and hear what they say to us. As evidence I cite the story of Polly, my alarm clock cat. Whether people express belief or they raise their eyebrows at me, I send them to this book.
   
   I like the way Marta Williams emphasizes that we would get further by listening than by constantly telling animals what we think. They know what we think, because they're very good at listening already.
   
   When we take the time, as she suggests, to tell an animal "I admire your intelligence and beauty," we grow in the process. LEARNING THEIR LANGUAGE is a lesson in life skills that we all could use.

5 comments about Foods That Fight Pain: Revolutionary New Strategies for Maximum Pain Relief.

1. Excellent book from a physician who has researched this topic thoroughly. Many of the studies here are so informative and crucial to our health, yet you may not find them in other places. Finally a medical authority brave enough to tell the truth and the whole truth with all the science and studies well-documented. More than just a way to treat disease, this book helps you to prevent it in the first place. The chapter about the early human diet is worth its weight in gold. Must read this book...it may save your life, a wise purchase.



2. I wish I knew this book years ago. This is the best book on the topic of food and diseases.
   
   After acting on book's principles, I have solved a number of healthy issues that have been with me and my wife. Just mention a few: 1) with immune system boosting, we rarely get cold as compared to previously, 2) arthritics pain is gone. 3) back muscle pain is gone.
   
   In addition to solving problems, this is the best book on preventative medicine.



3. This book has changed my life! I was diagnosed with fibro 13 years ago and have had my ups and downs. This past year, I had a flair up like never before and found out I also have osteoarthritis. After going through the typical meds cycle and physical therapy, someone recommended this book to me. I have to say I cried the day after I read it because it seemed so drastic, but my pain was great and I was willing to try anything. After 8 weeks, my symptoms decreased and my sleep was restored. I've been on the diet since the beginning of March, and can't rave about it enough. I've found that tomatoes and chocolate are triggers for me. I've added everything except meat, dairy and eggs back into my diet.
   
   Thanks to this book, my fibro is under control, my pain is practically gone, I sleep through the night, and I'm not on any medications. I highly recommend this book to anyone with chronic pain. Not only did the diet work for me, but I learned so much about how food affects my body. I also recommend Dr. Barnard's other book Nutrition Food For Life. I am a believer that you are what you eat.



4. This is an excellent resource, well documented, very well written, providing significant suggestions for overall health as well as specific pain-fighting strategies. Pleasantly surprised to see large section of cookbook recipies incorporating the research into practical dishes. Highly recommend.



5. Dr. Neal Barnard dares to tell the truth about foods that others won't. If you're looking for REAL solutions, this is a MUST READ. His books are VERY revealing and his suggestions/prescriptions actually work!! Don't pass this up! They will absolutely change the way you look and feel, and the way you think about food. I've only just begun to incorporate his suggestions, and the weight is dropping off like I've never experienced before! I recommend "Breaking the Food Seduction," and "Foods That Cause You to Lose Weight." If you're ready to face the truth about food and how it really affects you, I encourage you to trust Dr. Barnard as a true health expert! Keep them coming, Dr. Barnard - I'm waiting for your next book!

5 comments about Orgasms: How to Have Them, Give Them, and Keep Them Coming.

1. This is a great book. The best I have found on the subject and I am definitely looking into buying her first book for women now. She has opened my eyes about many different topics and has made sex itself alot more enjoyable.



2. LOU PAGET WRITES THE PERFECT BOOKS FOR ME!
   
   I am a conservative Christian woman that kept her virtue until her wedding night, so did my husband... NOW WHAT DO WE DO? We knew the mechanics our mom/dad and sex ed. teachers taught us... but we quickly learned there must be more to it than that! My husband and I wanted to find something informative, without being too ronchy. We wanted something that respected us as a couple and didn't care about becoming porn stars. I wanted a book that I wouldn't mind leaving my husband alone with either, lol.
   
   I love how Lou writes: informative and straight to the point. I love the experiences she shares (her own and those of her seminar students).
   
   This is the bridal shower gift I give to other conservative brides. This way they know get more bang for their punch, even when they've waited a long time to have it ;)



3. I haven't finished reading this book yet, but what I have read has been great. This book is filled with practical information, useful techniques and has taught me and my partner a thing or two. I highly recommend it.



4. This is a very interesting book which will basically tell you about all the different types of orgasms for men and women and how to give them like the cover says. It also has pictures to show how to give them using each method. I also recieved the book 2-3 business days after I ordered it so it was shipped quickly.



5. Dear ladies and gentelmen,
   I guess the book is for those who think that should know a special techniques of sex, it's true! The initial knowledge is Important but as soon as you see the simplicity of it and begin to like youself, your body, you pros and cons, you'll see that sex is just manifistation of LOVE and it is extremely creative action!
   Take care and enjoy the book. It's worth reading

1 comments about Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul II: Tales of Passion, Achievement and Devotion (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. Another great book of stories about horses & how they have affected the lives of the humans that care for them!

5 comments about We Can Work It Out: How to Solve Conflicts, Save Your Marriage.

1. This book has changed my life! It was a very emotional read for me, I read so many examples of relationship communication problems I had throughout my life. I closed up or withdrew when relationship problems surfaced. I was afraid to talk and held everything inside. The book explains communication difficulties, it tells you how to effectively work through them and also how to prevent it from happening in the future. The book relates to any relationship you're in, whether you're married or dating. I wish I found this book years ago, I didn't seek help until it was too late. I recently dated someone for a little over two years, we broke up once and got back together, but we had the same problems, poor communication. If I knew about this book sooner, I know my outcome would have changed! Don't make the same mistake I did and think it'll get better, read this book now to become a better person and learn how to effectively communicate with your mate.



2. My husband and I separated after years and years of the same problems that we couldn't resolve. Realizing that perhaps it's not just what we are saying to each other but HOW we are saying it, I bought 6 books on communication. This was hands down the best one.
   
   The first part of this book is a little slow, as it deals with research on couples and commonalities among happy and unhappy couples, blah, blah, blah. The 2nd and 3rd part of the book are the real meat of it. This book is excellent at not only helping you identfy the dysfunctional communication patterns you and your partner use, but also to determine WHY you use them. Most importantly, once you understand what NOT to do, this book tells you exactly what to DO in order to have successful communications with your partner. This book was an absolute eye-opener and my perception of my husband and his perspective has done a complete 180.
   
   Now don't get me wrong, this book isn't going to do the work for you. You still have to commit to being open-minded enough to see YOUR faults in communication, not just be looking for everything wrong with your mate. However, I did see a lot of my mate in this book but instead of giving me ammo against him, this book really helped me understand him better. Also, this plan will be work. Changing old habits is ALWAYS hard work. But, my gosh...isn't it worth it? I can't stress enough though the importance of taking a hard look at yourself first. You have to be willing to consider that your partner has been just as hurt in your relationship as you have...and that you have caused as much destruction as you feel your partner has caused.
   
   I have asked my husband to read the book. I don't know if he will. If he does, this book may very well save our marriage. Either way, I'm going to implement what I've learned into my own every day life. Because, if things don't work out with my husband, I need to be a healthier partner for any future relationships...and I need to be healthier for ME. I do have to say though, that reading this book has given me real hope that my marriage can be saved. Sadly, it shows me how unnecessary a lot of our pain has been. Every therapist tells you to talk about it but no one ever teaches you HOW to talk about it. You will be amazed how much HOW you talk is really what's going on in your relationship conflicts.
   
   Every couple should have to read and discuss this book before they are allowed to get married. In fact, I may make this book my standard wedding gift from now on. In the end, where did all of those china place-settings ever get anyone? This book would be a real gift! I can not recommend this book more highly. If you are searching for books on this subject, than you need this book. Buy it now. Read it with an open heart. Share it with your mate. Good luck.
   
   (Also, another great book to read to just better understand the many dynamics of all communication is Messages by McKay, Davis & Fanning...this book was also very helpful and I recommend it as a companion to We Can Work It Out. If you are dealing with an affair, "Not Just Friends" was the best of the several I read. That one deals with emotional affairs (which was my situation), not just sexual affairs.)



3. This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and offers a lot of hope. It gives you real tools to use. I wish it had focused just a tiny bit more on how you can only take care of yourself and your own point of view and emotions - or perhaps it would have been nice if they recommended a companion book on that subject - since it is such a large factor in relating. But overall I'd say it's a great buy for anyone looking to find ways to start improving their communication with anyone, right away.



4. This book is based upon an innovative, revolutionary twenty-year study. It is a simple-to-understand and clearly-worded guide that provides you with straightforward, scientifically demonstrated techniques that can help you make your relationship work.
   
   At the heart of the concepts presented by authors Clifford Notarius, Ph.D., and Howard Markman, Ph.D., is their "Better Talk" program. This program is unique among communication improvement practices. Better Talk builds upon the foundation set up in the introduction of the book. It permits couples to understand how to communicate using respect and shared understanding, especially when having conversations of a problem-solving nature. Instead of arguing with one another, couples discover how to work together to tackle their problems. Couples learn how to work on the same team, and to use constructive interaction instead of anger.
   
   What truly stands out about this book is that instead of focusing on what makes a relationship fail, We Can Work It Out instead looks at what makes a couple succeed. To determine what the key elements of successful relationships actually are, the authors dedicated 20 years to studying relationships and what makes them work. Their key finding: A happy and successful relationship is based upon the couple's capacity to work through their differences, not actually on the individuals themselves.
   
   By using diagnostic questionnaires, examples, and easy-to-understand explanations, We Can Work It Out very practically and realistically helps you to identify your problem areas and patterns, and to use the techniques outlined in the book in your own unique situation and relationship.
   
   Though this book does tend to feel as though it is dating itself on occasion. The authors frequently refers to their findings and writing in the early 1990's. However, the lessons here are in no way obsolete. The findings of We Can Work It Out remain just as accurate, relevant, and current as they were when they were first printed.
   
   This book provides you with a useable, optimistic, and realistic management approach for dealing with the issues troubling your relationship. It provides a levelheaded, sensible way to find your way back to the happiness you were once able to enjoy when your relationship was better fulfilling your needs.



5. After being with my husband for 7 years, we seem to row over the silliest and smallest thing. I knew my relationship is not going well. Having found this book on the internet, I decided to give it a try.
   
   I have to say this book is purely based on research on what makes couples happy or unhappy. Communication is very important and I liked the "relationship bank account", which I found very true. I have applied the knowledge and recommendation and even after a week, my marriage has turned around for the best and we are enjoying a very fruitful relationship now.
   
   It is a very good book for couples and I think it should be mandatory to people prior to marriage. I will certainly highly recommend it to friends and family.
   
   Another good book : Joseph Bailey "Slowing down to the speed of love".

5 comments about The First Anti-Coloring Book: Creative Activities for Ages 6 and Up (Anti-Coloring Book).

1. My son is 9 and absolutely loves this book. We've limited it to one activity a day so that he doesn't finish it too quickly (there are only about 35 or 40 in the book). I would recommend this book for any creative child - we will definately be buying more in this series.



2. I remember having one of these books when I was a kid. And now, twenty years later, I have another one. I love it.



3. I grew up with these books, and am thrilled they are still in print. The Anti-Coloring books are a wonderful alternative to mindlessly coloring between the lines. And at 9 years old, my oldest is not even close to outgrowing this series. Highly recommended!!!



4. I work with kids in K-6 and I bought this for them. The book is very cool and it has been fun seeing what the kids do with the different pages!



5. I ordered two of these for six year olds but ended up putting them aside for older children. I'd say eight or ten would be the youngest. Also, I was surprised that one page asks the children to draw what they think God looks like. I'm not totally comfortable giving that as a gift. I believe there was also a question about a crime and another about someone they hated. I hope most six year olds don't hate anyone yet. I'm not sure I even want them thinking about it. Anyway, just keep this in mind before you buy. The concept is great, but not sure about the product.