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I've read a few negative reviews that are a bit too critical of the subject matter. Seriously people, it's D&D fantasy. If you want something deep to analyze and pick apart, go read Kafka. When I first picked up The Crystal Shard in 88 (wow, that was a while ago) I was hooked. I don't read these for deep meaning or analysis; I read them because the characters are great, the stories are fun and they are great escapist fantasy. Maybe Salvatore is milking Drizzt for all he's worth but I don't care too much because I'll keep reading them. That being said, this was another great series.

I really like RA Salvatore's books. Sometimes the fighting can become repetetive but thats just because it is hard to imagine Drizzt's erratic fighting style. Nonetheless, the characters are deeper than the mines of Mithral Hall, and the plot while sometimes predictable takes twists in directions you've never imagined. If you read the earlier books of this series you need to read these ones, and if you haven't you need to pick it up (just bear in mind that the second one isn't so good).

The legend continues, as does the legacy. The next books in the series live up to the expectations laid by the others as the series of Drizzt continues. The only reason I gave this book four stars was for the numerous grammatical errors. Misspellings and such. They drive me batty. Otherwise, it's wonderful.

This wasn't even processed for the library shelves when it attracted my high school students' attention. It seems that everyone loves Drizzt! I would recommend it heartily based on my students' feedback.

The Legacy of the Drow is a great series and fantastic addition to the Drizzt legend (may it never end!). You may consider this review sided - I have loved all of the Salvatore-Drizzt books leading up to this - but this series is one of the best. Great surprises, great new characters, introduction of old characters you thought you might never see again, and overall superb storytelling and character development. I recommend reading the books leading up to this series (Homeland, Exile, Sojourn, The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver, and The Halfling's Gem) so you can understand what's going on with all the characters, story-arcs, etc., but Salvatore does a nice job of explaining reintroduced characters and concepts enough that new readers would understand what's going on.

I was not disappointed with this second in a series. Not sure why some of the reviews are so brutal, bad day perhaps? I found it to be a light, fast read.

Dierdre Cantor is the most beautiful of her cousins. The same cousins she is vying against to win her grandfather's fortune. Dierdre is determined to be the first to marry a duke. When Calder, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is left without a bride, Dierdre makes her move.

Before her wedding day is over, Dierdre's hope of a fantastic new life is crushed when she learns that Calder has kept a devastating secret from her. Hurt and let down, Dierdre resolves to make Calder pay for his transgression. Whereas Calder is just as single-minded in his desire to make Dierdre his true wife in every way.

Fans of the historical romance genre must try Celeste Bradley. The Heiress trilogy is a great place to start. The Duke Next Door is filled with sexual tension, sharp dialogue and heart scalding romance. You'll love Dierdre's stubborn resolve and Calder's sensual persuasion. The Duke Next Door is delicious!

Annmarie
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

It's an entertaining book, with sparks of humor, although it's not great in the romance department.

After Rafe's and Phoebe's wedding in Desperately Seeking a Duke, Deirdre proposes to Calder and he accepts. The book covers the relationship between the new couple, intertwined with the continuous schemes of the solicitors, the romance between the butler and the maid, and the beginnings of a friendship between cousin Sophie and Graham, Lady Tessa's cousin.

Calder is a character difficult to warm up to. He's very obtuse and clumsy with his feelings, somewhat cold, almost like a robot sometimes. In some moments it's very frustrating, comparing Deirdre with his first wife, but at least his behaviour is somewhat coherent with his character. I didn't love him, but he made a better impression than in the last book, especially towards the end.
Deirdre, or Dee, it's a more interesting character, although sometimes tiresome. She'd fell in love with Calder years ago, something not very understandable, so their relationship loses spark. It's interesting to see her planning how things are going to be in their marriage, to have them fall apart when she begins to really know her husband and discovers he has a daughter.

Their relationship isn't great, it seems forced and doesn't have much chemistry. It's more interesting and real the relationship between Dee and Calder's daughter, first with acceptance and uncertainty, and finally with care and love.

The book left me wanting Sophie and Graham story, which has the potential to be the best of the trilogy. I give it 3 stars, but like the first book, it would be better 2 ½.

I liked The Duke Next Door better than Desperately Seeking a Duke. Mostly because I liked the two main characters - Calder and Deirdre. They both had some baggage and worked their way through it. I didn't like Phoebe at all in the first book so I had a hard time finishing it. I thought Calder and Deirdre's story followed a nice progression and parts made me laugh and cry. I also thought the end was very satisfying. I mostly want to read the third book just to find out more about Calder and Deidre's continuing life.

I have read all three in the series, with this one being the last. I am glad I read the other two before reading The Duke Next Door, or I would never have picked up the other two in the series. The character turn-around was weak and banal. Where as the other two books in the series seemed more plausible (as plausible as you can get in a romance novel--not that I am complaining) and the characters more likeable, this seemed compulsory. All that being said, I do like this author, this book just wasn't her best attempt.

This is a good book if your just starting out. A lot of it is common sense but there are some good pointers. I would recommend it. Easy read. Also has some good resources.

I received this book really quickly and very pleased with it. I love the book and I couldn't wait to get it. The transaction was effortless.

Viki Lareau's book Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry is a well-written, experience-based guide for the novice. With the exception of a couple of small number of typos or misspellings, the book is a delight. I found that I wanted to read it straight through and almost succeeded in doing so before being interrupted. The photos complement the text, and it helps that the reader comes to like the person writing the book (at least I did).

I have purchased other similar books in the past that I skim, but never really take time to read. This book was not only worth the money, it was worth the time. Concisely written, clearly categorized, useful information. I only wish I had read it seven years ago when I first started selling my jewelry, as some of the lessons I have learned a much harder way!
My little company is currently turning into something much bigger and I am so glad I have the insight from this book to help me in negotiating and decision making.

If you're just getting started in the hand-made jewelry selling business, this is a straightforward, well written, and practical guide for the basics of setting up your business. The author provides tips on pricing your work, which are especially helpful. Overall, I found the tone warm and helpful, and it's a quick, easy read.

Michele Cozzens, Owner of Dream Life Designs Jewelry

I bought this book for my 5-yr.-old son and it was a huge hit. He will look at it for a couple of days and then it's back on the shelf, but it regularly is pulled off again. He loves the little Pokemon-like characters and is getting tonnes of info (as am I) about the elements of the periodic table at the same time. He also makes it a point to tell everyone that there is chromium in our spoons which always catches them off guard :)

This book has almost singlehandedly convinced my 6 year old he wants to be a chemist. He has read it repeatedly, memorized the chemical abbreviations and periodic numbers, learned about protons, neutrons, electrons, etc, and his favorite question to ask a new friend is now "What is your favorite element?" OK, not all kids will geek out this much, but the fun pictures and engaging text may just convince some other children to spend thier braincells on chemistry instead of Pokemon. Highly recommended!

I bought this book for my eight year old daughter. My nine year old son hangs over her shoulder to read along. They will read two or three pages a day every day for a while, then, ignore it for a week or so. I'll think they've lost interest in it, but, nope, it will come out again after a rest. I think there is a chance that, unlike their mother, they will someday pass high school chemistry.

My son, age 6, received this book almost 5 months age. The binding is just about to go - he takes it everywhere and is the only book he willingly reads to himself. Detailed descriptions of the elements are definantly included in the book but unlike my own experience with the elements the author makes it fun. The uses of each element are described so the elements become relevant to even a six year. The included poster is informative and cute enough that he wants to keep it on his wall. The only problem now is to find another chemistry book written so a six year old can understand it.

This book describes over 100 elements of the periodic table from a first-person point of view, making the elements seem like they are people. Each element has a two-page spread, with one page containing information about the element and the other page showing a cartoon picture of the element. The information listed includes the element's symbol, atomic number, color, and date of discovery. Each element then describes its characteristics through a first-person narrative. A glossary and index are available at the end, and a poster of the periodic table with the cartoon pictures is included.

This book is so cute and clever! It makes a topic which can be boring to students into something fun. Having the information written in first person helps to draw the reader into the book because it is more like a story. It includes some information on how the elements are grouped together, but mostly concentrates on describing the individual elements. The poster is an added bonus. My students loved this book! If you teach chemistry, this should definitely be part of your collection.

I couldn't resist the pun for the title, but it expresses my feelings about this book. I can actually say, for the first time, having read this book, that I understand the basics of finish materials themselves, how they work chemically, how they may be combined (alternatively, when they should not be), what processes each finish type is best suited to, the roles of solvents (thinners) and cleaners as well as the differences between them, sheen, dyes vs. pigment-based coloration, sealing and washcoats, finish leveling and rubout, and a score of other topics this book covers. I can tell you - precisely - the differences between evaporative, reactive, and coalescing finishes, how each builds a film, the strengths and shortcomings of each, the differences in repairability and protection, and more.

This book removes the BS factor from the horribly muddled world of commercially-available finishes, explaining along the way WHY it's as muddled as it is - reducing to history, marketing, and the role of finish manufacturers as middlemen - the finish chemists being employed not by them, but by the ingredient manufacturers. The author demolishes a lot of myths along the way, literally by listing myths and the corresponding truth in sidebars throughout the book.

There are specific topics and bits of advice that are priceless. Among them I would list the process for dyeing figured maple, pre-finish cleaning of oily woods, food-safe finishes, and a dozen or more ways to use shellac to solve problems.

I don't agree with everything in the book. I think the author is too generous to the polish manufacturers, for example, particularly as regards silicone. While he discusses fisheye and silicone issues mostly as a refinishing issue, for example, I think it is actually destructive to existing finishes due to its propensity to migrate under finishes by way of cracks and other surface flaws. I also think he comes off as a bit harsh on oil finishes, though I don't know if that was intended.

I found the book very readable. You will want to read it from beginning to end, as succeeding text builds on earlier concepts. The exception to that would be the final section, on refinishing and strippers.

Understand this book and you will be able to select and apply finishes with complete confidence. Be aware, however, that despite the title, it is not a step-by-step finishing manual. The focus is on understanding the materials.

Excellent book on the fundamentals of finishing wood, including detailed description of the three major categories of finishes and their characteristics. You must do some interpretation to make it work for you, as Flexner does not give extensive details and options for each wood species. Instead, he explores the functional properties of finishes, dyes, stains, fillers, etc.

I checked the hardcover version out from the library and enjoyed the detailed instructions for specific finishing techniques, as well as the general information on the types of wood finished and illustrative photos. A received the paperback version as a Christmas present only to be thoroughly disappointed that the beautiful photos had all been converted to sepia tones. That eliminated all of the detail! Save yourself the disappointment and go straight to hardcover.

This book is not a list of grandma recipes, it explains wood finishes to enable you to create your recipes.

a waste of time if you are actually looking for constructive finishing of a specific wood. This guy is more interested in impressing you with what he knows rather than helping you understand how to finish your project.

Kathy Harrison has written the definitive guide for family preparedness. This book is not only chock full of useful information, it is also a great read. She not only gives you information, she actually reveals a quality of thinking defensively which is often missing in similar books. A great read from a great writer. Buy this book now before you need it!

DON'T BE SCARED, BE PREPARED, A Review Of Kathy Harrison's "Just In Case"

[...]

As we mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the horrors of a ravaged New Orleans and Gulf Coast and as the residents of those areas again wait breathlessly to see where the volatile Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna are headed, a review of Harrison's third book, Just In Case: How To Be Self-Sufficient When The Unexpected Happens is especially timely.


Kathy Harrison and her husband Bruce live in Western Massachusetts and have spent many years parenting hundreds of foster kids, and in fact, in 1996 were named by their state as Foster Parents of the Year. Kathy has devoted her life to caring for homeless, abused, and neglected children, and has written two other books before Just In Case entitled Another Place At The Table and One Small Boat. That's why, unlike most preparedness books, this one is supremely family-oriented, born in the heart of an ordinary mom who simply cares about the safety and well being of her family.


As we mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the horrors of a ravaged New Orleans and Gulf Coast and as the residents of those areas again wait breathlessly to see where the volatile Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna are headed, a review of Harrison's third book, Just In Case: How To Be Self-Sufficient When The Unexpected Happens is especially timely.


Harrison notes that this book is not about long-term survival and emphasizes that her "objective with this book is to offer access to the kind of crisis information that will be helpful to ordinary families in extraordinary situations." Therefore, she hasn't offered directions for making shoes or clothing or hunting and skinning game animals for food. Consequently, her introduction asks some exceedingly practical but tough questions:


**Can you provide your family with sufficient food if the grocery stores are closed?
**Do you have access to safe, clean water if the municipal water system or you well is compromised?
**Can you keep your home warm if fuel supplies are disrupted?
**Do you have a source of light if the power grid goes down during a storm?
**Can you evacuate your home with three days' worth of supplies for each family member in five minutes?
**Can you shut down your home systems in ten minutes?

Many Truth To Power readers are also familiar with Sharon Astyk's Causabon's Book site and the Simply Living website which offer an abundance of suggestions for food storage and rotation and which I cannot recommend highly enough. Their emphasis, however, is a bit more long-term whereas Just In Case is specifically a family disaster prep tool intended to prepare folks for an acute crisis situation.


The book's first section uses the acronym "OAR" which stands for "Organize, Acquire, and Rotate". As we organize what we already have, we get clear on what we need to acquire, and then after acquiring it, we need to rotate those materials so that they do not become antiquated and therefore useless in an emergency.


In Harrison's Preparedness section, her "Personal Preparedness" chapter, addresses health, skills, bookkeeping and financial preparedness, and how to conduct "trial run" drills with the family once a month to practice for a quick evacuation of the home. Also addressed are: preparedness with children, pets, and preparing your car.


A section dealing specifically with disaster instructs the reader about what to do in an emergencies such as the loss of power, fire in the home, natural disasters, toxic hazards, pandemics, and terrorism.


Although Just In Case, as stated above, does not focus on long-term preparation, its last section offers skills for independence which indeed are useful for a more protracted descent away from the status quo as energy depletion, infrastructure, financial, and climate change collapses intensify. The skills section addresses water purification, cold storage, heating with wood, and gathering and harvesting wild foods. In addition, Harrison has included a section on wilderness survival.


Her "Food From Scratch" section offers in-depth instructions regarding canning and dehydrating food, as well as pickling and making yogurt and cheese. And for those wondering how they might actually prepare stored foods that would produce tasty, tantalizing meals from them, Harrison gives us an entire chapter entitled "The Stored Food Cookbook."


I must confess that Kathy Harrison not only captured my mind in this book but also won my heart. I feel her compassion and protectiveness of her readers and their families in every page. Here's one exemplary paragraph from her introduction:


We live in precarious times, with a looming specter of global warming and climate change, pandemics, terrorism, and food insecurity assaulting us every day. Many families live only a paycheck away from homelessness. Our fragile and interdependent system of transportation, communication, and finance leaves most Americans only a few days away from hunger. My intention is to encourage all families to become familiar with the basic goods and skills necessary for self-reliance should the worst happen.


While as Harrison notes, the world has always been a scary place, this is the first generation that has fallen into total dependence on a fragile network of vulnerable independent systems. Food, for example, as became so blatantly obvious this year, is inextricably connected to transportation and fuel. Those who occasionally shop at big box or chain stores have certainly noticed sections of shelves or entire shelves that are empty these days. When one inquires about where these items are, the usual response is, "Well, the trucks haven't delivered them yet" or "we were out of that item for weeks, and finally the trucks came and brought a shipment, but customers have cleaned them out already." All of these systems depend on the others, and as Harrison succinctly summarizes: "...the whole system will collapse in a domino effect that could bring our usual lives to a screeching halt. The shelves will be empty, the money will dry up, the lights will go out, the cars won't run, and people will stay at home."


The other possibility is that people won't stay home because they will no longer have a home to go to as a result of foreclosure or natural disaster. In that case, we would see massive homelessness, wandering, and migration, and then it would be crucial to have a variety of wilderness survival skills.


I haven't been able to put Kathy Harrison's book down and move on to another. I highly recommend your purchasing it sooner rather than later as an indispensable investment in your own and your family's survival.

I would have rated this book much higher but for a glaring omission: readers who are new to preparedness need to have access to an appendix listing resources for the many products the author suggests owning. Which retailers/websites sell washer-ringers, generators, Aladdin lamps, propane-fed appliances, woodstoves, etc.? Which makes and models are suggested? Otherwise locating some of these products may be difficult, and people may purchase inferior products due to their inexperience.

How to create a home and keep a house... an art often forgotten in this busy world we live in.

I love that this book is a definitive guide. It's approached with information and analysis as it's base. A real 'how-to' in many ways, that allows the individual to apply what is needed.

I love when things are orderly and efficient, and never learned to clean. (my mother was extraodinarily organized and efficient, and I never learned outside of my narrow list of chores).

I'm not sure how much of this book I will apply to our home/needs. I am planning to have the binding cut off, and the pages 3 hole drilled so I can create my own 'home keeping book' by adding and deleting over time.

This is a weighty tome that celebrates homekeeping with enthusiasm and a healthy dose of obbsessive-compulsiveness. The author, a doctorate in philosopy, has a law degree as well. Her childhood was influenced by two grandmothers with radically different styles of housekeeping, and her own home in a rural setting. She brings history, intellect, and a thoughtful approach to all the things that go into running a household, from food, cleaning, maintenance and all areas in between. The book is not for people who hate to clean, and if you have problems hearing about germs and in-depth ponderings on bed linens and folding towels skip it. There are gems for practical approaches to age-old problems, and her insights on diverse topics are innovative. Read it in small dollops and refer back so as not to become overwhelmed.

Absolutely fantastic book- I bought it knowing little about it, just knowing that I needed a kind of resource manual for the 'how' of housekeeping. What I got was not only the 'how' but the 'why'. She is highly detailed (I don't recommend trying to read this book in the traditional sense) but its a great book to pick up when you're wondering what the best way to clean the fridge shelves is. As a newlywed, this book has been great as I start setting my own housekeeping routines and standards!

The author made a point that most house keeping books are of the tone, "I hate housework...here are some quick tips...get on with life..." while her book is about appreciating and enjoying housework. After all, she wrote an 800+ book about it, so either she's eccentric, or she truly enjoys housekeeping. This makes one wonder, "What is there to enjoy about housekeeping?" and can find the answer within the pages of this wonderfully-written book.

I give this 4 stars: She is thorough with instruction and ideas, she doesn't tell you why she enjoys housework, but rather SHOWS why, and there are excellent illustrations to explain what is already well-explained in word (for example, folding a fitted sheet).

I didn't give it 5 stars because if you already do well at keeping house, this book would at best be used only as reference or to get new ideas. As a new house keeper, it may be intimidating. There is a tone of "you HAVE to do all this work" but if you overcome that tone, and realize that you can choose to do what you feel is appropriate for your household, family life, etc, then this book is excellent.

What I personally have done is to use it as a reference manual in some sections and thoroughly read through other sections.

This is an outstanding book on remodeling your home to blend in with nature, and to avoid introducing toxic products into your home. Great ideas and photos.

I've been teaching at a community college for 16 years on the topic of energy efficiency, Passive solar, Building Science, green building, healthy home and alternative structures. These fields have evolved over this period of time. During the past 5 years there have been many good books on new construction, but few on Remodeling.

Since remodeling would recycle a whole building, it is "greener" than new construction, especially in Suburbia or rural agricultural land. I would like to emphasize Remodeling in community colleges and think this would be the best textbook on the subject. The photographs alone are worthwhile. I also own the book, "Green Remodeling" by David Johnston and would use it as a secondary reference.

I would also recommend Natural Remodeling for homeowners.

And I am glad I did! I am even gladder to know that more people are waking up to the idea of natural remodeling. I am not sure whether it alone will save our earth but it's a good start. If enough people do it, it will certainly raise the level of our appreciation of nature to a higher level.

We're in the process of buying a house. Having been brainwashed by the mainstream culture and the media, I had grand dreams of huge expansion with piles of the latest and the biggest "goods" we're all programmed to consume - things like an all powerful over sized profession stainless oven even though I would never use it. But I now have a completely different mind set after reading this book.

We've decided to go small and practical and recycle, reuse as much as possible. Let mother Nature live so that we can too!

I could not put this book down. It answers all of my questions and concerns as I begin to contemplate the large undertaking of creating a healthy, eco-friendly home for our family. Very thorough, creative and well-written... I only wish I could hire these women directly. Just enough information to cover all of the key considerations, with plenty of guidance on how to dig deeper if necessary. Should be required reading for every builder on the planet!

There were many good ideas in this book. Some more expensive than the average person could afford. I read Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods Earth Plaster * Straw Bale * Cordwood * Cob * Living Roofs; By: Clarke Snell (Author), Tim Callahan (Author). Which was very comprehensive and enjoyable. While Snell and Callahan focus on building from scratch I was more interested at this moment in remodeling. I wouldn't dismiss this book, but I would identify what your needs are first.

Although done in Eleanor's breezy style, the historical view is surfacy, but fun. The quilts and directions, however, are worth every penny of the book. I found myself thinking that even I could make the airplane quilt which is one of my favorites.

"Quilt In A Day" folks have put out another amazing book. This is the first one I actually read through before making anything. It was good to remember what our parents did for us and I pray all fighting will end.

I have all the Eleanor Burns books now that I have this one! She is one of my favorite Quilt Queens and will continue to purchase any future books she does. All instructions are very simplestic and easy to follow.

I purchased this book for myself and 5 of my quilting friends. Beginning in August we are all going to make a Victory Quilt following the directions from this book Victory Quilts. So far we have only looked over directions to begin selecting our material. But if you have ever used an Eleanor Burns book before you know that it is easy to follow and includes ALL of the information that you will need to make a Victory Quilt. The book includes directions for over 20 different squares and different ways they can be put together. Each quilt will be unique! Our only disappointment is that the book is not spiral bound so that it stays open to the directions while you are working.

This book was well worth the money. Outstanding bargin, one of Eleanor Burns best books.

SLE

This was purchased as a gift for my son-in-law. As I told him, it is by far the best do-it-yourself home repair manual I have ever seen or used. It is clearly and logically laid out. Illustrations are in full color and large enough to easily identify the part(s) to be worked on. Diagnostics are systematic without being wordy, and very accurate. It also tells you when you have exhausted all do-it-yourself op;tions and need to call in a professional -- something some repair manuals don't do. It's the first and usually final place I look go to for information on home repairs, major appliances, electrical repairs, and plumbing repairs.

My only complaint is that the binding on my copy eventually broke after several years of heavy use. I guess I'll just have to buy another copy.

I had one once before but was lost.But the new ones cover more and they are real handy when you need info about working onthings and tells you what tools you will need.

Good book for the first time home buyer or anyone that is interested in doing some basic fix-it-up or simple repairs. There are good illustrations and explanations. Some of the book is outdated, but there is plenty here to recommend it.

I purchased this book as a Christmas gift for my son. I started to leaf through it prior to wraping it and I am glad I did. This book was published in 1977 and although there is a lot of information - much of it is outdated - how many people do you know who own electric typewriters or bonnet style dryers in 2007??? I would have been very embarassed to give this gift. It has been returned and we purchased another book from the local home improvement store which contains all of the newest technology with regards to home repairs, etc. Sorry I was not happy with my Amazon purchase!!

I was somewhat disappointed in this book. I was expecting some good how-to pointers on fixing things around the house. I received a book that is very outdated. It gave instructions on fixing cassette decks and turntables. And who fixes broken toasters? I did find a few good pointers, but not like I expected.