Nonfiction Books

My nine year old book hater loves this book! So it's silly and full of potty humor; IT GETS HIM READING! My brand new copy is now bent and riffled, and it got him interested enough to start reading the "chapter books". Hurray for Captain Underpants!

Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book O' Fun is about a superhero named Captain Underpants who protects his town from evil. The authers name is dav pilkey. George, Harold, and Captain Underpants are the main characters. George and Harold are funny. They play hilarious pranks on clueless Mr. Krupp and get caught in some very puzzle-ing situations. I would recommend this book to people who like funny books.

Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book O' Fun is about a superhero named Captain Underpants who protects his town from evil. The authers name is dav pilkey. George, Harold, and Captain Underpants are the main characters. George and Harold are funny. They play hilarious pranks on clueless Mr. Krupp and get caught in some very puzzle-ing situations. I would recommend this book to people who like funny books.

My son has enjoyed listening to Dav Pilkey books for years. We would read them to him as an infant, toddler and now he loves to read them himself. He has read the books Dav Pilkey wrote for school age children, all of them. The "Book O' Fun" books, he really has appreciated the activities included in the fun pack books, based on "The Captain Underpants Series." He is especially fond of the step by step examples given for drawing the different characters. We would recommend any of Dav Pilkey books. Your child can grow with the wide range of creative books Dav Pilkey has published. I suggest parents browse Dav Pilkey's various book collection and maybe even give him a try.

Although this isn't a great work of literature by any means.....it encouraged my 1st grader to read! He had to get everything Dave Pilkey wrote. He read all summer long! He's in 2nd greade now and has moved on to chapter books, but every once and a while the Captain Underpants books come off the shelf again!

Mad Libs have many uses: to teach parts of speech to students, to kill time on family vacations, as a bedtime treat with your children, as a reward activity in the elmentary classroom, to make yourself giggle, to make your friends giggle, to make strangers on the airplane giggle, etc. I love them. Always have.

Lucy Adams, author of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny

I laughed, I cried! It was better than Cats! I want to mad lib again, and again!

This book is an easily accessible introduction to earth science. It is an easy reader for children in second, third or fourth grade, It would also work well for English learners. It is informative, sympathetic, includes history, references Pliny, the historian, and yet maintains inerest. I have used it on 2nd, 3d, and 4th grade classes and all return to the book to read on their own.

I think you ought to read POMPEII. It is very cool. I like the middle part. My desired part is at the end. My favorite part is when the volcano blows its top. By:

As a 2nd grade teacher, I've been sharing this book with my students for about 2 years now. It keeps any group mesmorized! The best part about it is the way it makes kids understand that the people of Pompeii were just regular people going about their daily routines when Vesuvius erupted. They especially feel a connection with the little boy Pliny who watched the eruption from across the water and wrote about it in his later years. It is a great book to use as part of a classroom volcano unit or by itself.

I bought the book so that I could have a condensed version of the story. It was well worth the money. Good illustrations.

Good children's books on Ancient Rome are hard to find so when I came across Pompeii... Buried Alive!, I bought two copies for my son's and daughter's libraries.

The first chapter gives a glimpse into the lives of the people under the rule of the Roman Empire. Mount Vesuvius is introduced along with the assumption that the people of Pompeii were not aware that they were living beside a dangerous volcano.

The correct pronounciations are given for Pompeii and Vesuvius which are often mispronounced by children as well as adults.

In chapter two, the volcano erupts and descriptions are given as to how the people reacted. Descriptions are also given as to how the volcano eruption affected the air, sky, land, and sea.

The town of pompeii was buried under hot ash.

In the final chapter, chapter 3, Pompeii is forgotten. Time passes. A new town is built overtop of ancient Pompeii.

Workers, who were tunnelling for water, discover pieces of an ancient wall and, years later, Pompeii is rediscovered.

Pompeii... Buried Alive! is not only a well-rounded, excellent book, it is a necessity for teaching children about Pompeii. Everything a child needs to know are in its pages.

My grandson is participating in a rendition of 'Cats' at his elementary school and I wanted the book to show him how productions like 'Cats' are based on literature. In this case he was thrilled to be able to read the original poems and then see how they are staged for an audience. The product was delivered in perfect condition in a very timely manner. I would recommend this to anyone.

This is a must have for anyone who loves the broadway musical "Cats". Totally delightful!

I had read this book before and loved it, but when I met Boris, a real, live version of Rum Tum Tugger, I had to buy a copy to show his owner.
It is amazing how little had to be done to turn these poems into a great musical comedy. I am, of course, talking about Cats. Most of the poems went directly into the show without any change whatever in their wording, and only three songs were added. Let's give full credit to Mr. Webber, It took a musical genius to do that, and one of the added songs, Memories, could stand alone as a masterpiece in any company, but most of the delight of the show comes from the wonderful feline characters created in this book.
Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Gus the theatre cat, Spindleshanks, Bustipher Brown, McCavity, Mr. Mistofflees, Mungo Jerry, and Rumpleteaser all moved effortlessly from page to stage with no changes. That has to be some sort of record. If you loved Cats (the show) you need to read this book. If you love cats (the critters) you'll want to read this book. If you like poetry, you should read this book. If you like dogs, read the battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles. (You can skip over the part about the intervention of the great rumpus cat.)
It was written for his godchildren, but it's a great read for everyone. It's not expensive, so get it to read to your children, but read it for yourself first.

Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

Read the book if you want to better understand the acts of the play CATs

This course is very productive,interesting and fun. I am a teacher(of Russian language), and I would recommend "Spanish: Speak in week" to everybody
who is interested in learning a foreign language in an interesting and easy way.This course doesn't have a lot of exercises which is a very important aspect in learning a foreign language,so i would recommend to complete it with some other books which offer writing exercises.
Good Luck to everybody!
P.S.:it took me few weeks to complete the first week set(i couldn't study every day, so this is an approximate time people who have jobs and families and can't study every day will need to complete the first week set). I am sure the next 3 weeks will take a little bit longer because of the complexity.

This series is great. I started as a total beginner, and can now communicate with Spanish speaking people very well. Weeks one, two, and three will teach you a lot of the basics and once you get to week four you'll be speaking quite a bit of Spanish. Beyond the main grammar lessons, there are also lists of useful vocabulary, expressions, and conjugations of irregular verbs in various tenses. You'll see that by the end of week four you'll know how to say some pretty advanced stuff. Just be aware, unless you're spending 8 hours a day on the Speak in a Week, it's going to take you a lot longer than 4 weeks. Also, if you're trying to learn exclusively in your car, this probably isn't the right package for you. I found that learning the grammar rules using the book and then testing myself with the cd was the best method for me.

This set was a great value!! The books that come with the set are perfect, especially for me because I had a lot of brushing up to do on my Spanish. The audio cd is not much help and is a little fast-paced for me. I could do without it. Overall I would definitely recommend it.

These are great books for anyone (children and adults) who want to learn Spanish. The problem I find with most language teaching tools, is that they focus on the traveler (instead of the student) and teach the bare minimum. These books however really teach the language. These books are also great because they teach you how to properly pronounce the words, and lessons are taught at a desirable pace. If you're still unsure that you're saying the word correctly, you can easily listen to the audio CD that accompanies each lesson.

Actually, as an adult, I would rather learn from this set then from a standard class. I like learning at my own pace and I don't have to worry about grades.

Don't hesitate to buy this set for yourself or the kids. I will certainly buy these set's again when I want to learn a new language.

I guess it is a good CD and guide book. I learnt a few phrases, but I can't speak Spanish.

This is one of the best ways of learning SAT vocab, or simply vocab for your own personal gain. Read the classic work on the right, SAT words are in bold and defined on the left. The real kicker is that words are repeated throughout the book. After seeing words over and over you learn them extremely well. Great Concept, Great Study Aid, Great Book!

These Books are better than other SAT Score raising books. Most of these books are written for the sole purpose of raising your score. Their stories tend to be boring, the writing style is usually adequate. Instead Kaplan, defines SAT words inside great literary works. They are perfect for any student. You can now read a classic book, and Study for the SAT at the same time!

This book is great for those that need to review vocabulary for the SAT's. On the left side is the vocabulary and the definition, on the right is the story using the vocabulary in bold.

We purchased this book to use in our accelerated curriculum since we have a substantial vocabulary unit connected to Frankenstein. However, a few days into the book, we are noticing major departures from Mary Shelley's novel. Kaplan has irresponsibly marketed this book as if it is the original version.

I ordered this book to use with my AP Literature class. I was already teaching Frankenstein, and thought that my students would really benefit from the extra SAT study as well. However, as we are going through the book, I find that the story in this book is very different from the old copies I had always taught from. Key parts of the story are changed, and many of the parts are rearranged. If you are looking for an accurate version of Mary Shelley's story, this may not be the one for you.

I initially decided to read this book for three reasons: 1) I thought it seemed like an interesting story, 2) it appeared on my school's required-reading list, and 3) I was able to find this SAT-prep version of it! 629 essential SAT words appear in bold throughout the main text and are defined along with synonyms on the lefthand opposite page. Other useful vocabulary words that aren't part of the SAT-vocab are underlined as they appear and are included in a glossary at the back of the book. For me, reading vocabulary in context is much more helpful than studying hundreds of words separately through flash cards.

Other reviewers have mentioned that this version is different from other editions of "Frankenstein" that they have seen before. This could be because the 1831 edition of the book is one of the most widely read versions; this SAT-prep version appears to be derived from the original 1818 edition. There are a some key plot differences between the two, but I don't think that Kaplan's use of a lesser-read (and earlier) version of "Frankenstein" detracts from the main purposes of the book: to entertain and to educate.

(Miniture Plot Synopsis): The story opens with a series of letters from a ship's captain, Walton, to his sister Margaret. He is sailing north of the Arctic Circle and his ship becomes surrounded by ice. He notices a man travelling across the ice pursuing a bizarre creature. The man, Victor Frankenstein, ends up coming onboard the ship and relating the strange tale of his life. Walton records Frankenstein's dialogue, which then becomes the narrative of the story.

Frankenstein was a bright and intelligent youth and deeply interested in alchemy. He left his family in Switzerland to study modern science in other countries of Europe. Through much research and effort, he discovered the method of constructing a human being. As to what he created the human out of, Frankenstein keeps these details vague (only mentioning various bones and parts). He specifically intends his creature to be handsome, but once his work is complete and the "creature" wakes up, he is horrified by its disfigured appearance and Frankenstein flees his laboratory. After this, the monster wanders off and later teaches himself how to speak and understand human conversation through observing a group of villagers.

When Frankenstein is hiking in the mountains, he is confronted by the monster. The monster tells him of all of his suffering and confusion and begs him to create a female counterpart that would be just as disfigured as he his, so they could live happily together in seclusion and not bother with humanity any longer. Frankenstein refuses this request, and then the monster plagues his life and the lives of his dear friends and family.

Shelley's style is incredibly descriptive, making it an obvious candidate for Kaplan's series of SAT-prep books. In fact, it's a good thing that I read this version, because I would've been fumbling around with a dictionary the whole time if I read an edition without a vocabulary guide!

Tracy Kidder's "Soul of a New Machine" is over 20 years old now, and for a book about the creation of a new microcomputer and the engineers that worked on it, that's a very long time. Not necessarily about technology - a computers are by and large still Von Nuemann machines, and the principles are the same - but the engineer and the computer geek have become part of the culture in a way they weren't in 1980. The book, as a result, lacks some freshness to a modern reader - the bleary-eyed devotion of the engineer is an old story by now.

It's rarely told as well as it is here, though; Kidder has a knack for prose and handles everything well. The passages on computer technology slow down a little, but are still fairly impressive considering the ground he has to cover. The engineers, their quirks and motivations and doubts are depicted well, and he captures the drive and obsession with the machine and the long drag of testing as well as anything I've read. So even if the driven engineer is old hat by now, Kidder's book is still a great tome of the curious creation of a new machine.

Page turning nonfiction about the development of one of the first computers, and the work environment that made it possible.

Extremely well-written. If you don't have an interest in computers, you'll probably be bored by some of the technical descriptions, but you can get a lot out of the book and learn a lot about management styles even if you skim or skip those parts.

It gave me a lot of insight into the way that start up companies are able to overwork their employees.

Bitter about working long hours? You'll probably find this interesting, insightful, and therapeutic.

Nicely written. A good, quick read. I'd recommend it for anyone interested in the history of the computer industry.

Though the technology the story is about has become dated, the story itself hasn't; the book is about the building of a computer, yes, but then it is about Kidder's own mind coming to grips with the technology involved, and then more about the people who were doing the actual building

Kidder's book is engaging and terrifically written. It is a landmark work of modern non-fiction writing, and fully deserves its Pulitzer.

As one who lived and worked in this field through the era that Kidder described, I can tell you that his book totally and accurately captures it. Whether from the marketing standpoint, the business standpoint, the historical standpoint, or (the focus of the book) the engineering development and people standpoint, he got it onto the page. It is also a fun, interesting, and even suspenseful read. As its NY Times reviewer said (as quoted on the flyleaf of the hardback) it is understandable even if you are nontechnical and can't tell software from hardware. Kidder copyrighted it in 1981--the year the first IBM PC came out. It is thus really interesting to read this book from a 2007 perspective, since a lot of what has happened in the PC-microcomputer era is **just** like what Kidder described in 1981 at what turned out to be the end of the minicomputer era. Enjoy!!

Dr. Gurgevich knows what he is doing when it comes to hypnosis for weight loss. While I didn't have the problem that a lot of the reviewers had with his voice, I agree that the CD quality and production values could have been improved. I prefer his other book The Self-Hypnosis Diet: Use The Power Of Your Mind to Reach Your Perfect Weight.

If you're a woman looking to lose weight, I'd also recommend looking into Body Esteem: Weight Loss Through Self-Discovery (includes 2 Audio CDs). For the same price you get two CD's and a workbook. Sherri Dawson's audio programs are wonderful, accompanied by sounds of nature and relaxing music.

It's all about what works for you. The bottom line is I needed to look inside of me for the answer to my weight struggle rather than quick fix diets and pills. Find a book/audio program that is relaxing to listen to and helps you develop the inner path to self-awareness and happiness.

I absolutely LOVE this set of CDs!!! In approaching my own weight loss, I took the "buckshot" approach and bought every highly recommended book or CD I could find (many of them are rated 5 stars on Amazon). This set is the best - by far. It has helped me to completely turn around my attitudes and ideas about weight loss. It has helped me to EASILY make changes that were previously impossible (no sugar or flour) and make me look forward to exercise. The result is EASY weight loss and much better health. Thank you, Steven Gurgevitch!

Gurvevich has a smooth, assuring voice; and he teaches you how you can control your own mind. No one but you can hypnotize you. He doesn't control your mind; but, he teaches you how to be in better control of your 'self.'

I have lost 12 pounds in the first 2 weeks. After giving birth at middle age, when my body is resistant to weight loss, this has been a miracle. This product has given me the motivation to eat healthier smaller portions and to exercise. If you commit yourself to taking these CDs seriously, you will see results.

I find the author's voice actually quite soothing to listen to. I have the Audible audiobook (no CDs, just one big file) and I do wish that each hypnosis session was a separate track. I went through the audiobook via iTunes and wrote down the time when each hypnosis session begins. I printed it out and keep it nearby so I can fast forward to the specific session that I want to listen to. I hope this will help out anyone else with the program as an Audible file. (I tried to post this on the Audible website but I keep getting an error message.)

Healthy Habits 1:17:03
Emotional Barriers 1:41:10
Self Love & Acceptance 2:01:37
Self Control over Cravings 2:17:12
Morning Motivation 2:31:20
Before Dinner 2:52:44
Bedtime Hypnosis 3:07:47

Listening to this book it was an immense experience to hear how Dr Lipton explains about the ins and outs of the biology. What I found particularly higly interesting, was the constantly present buildup of lower-level phenomena (e.g. cell biochemistry interaction) to a collective higher level observables (e.g how a collection of cells express themselves).

Where I must compliment Dr Lipton is his enthusiasm with which he speaks. I necer heard an 'uh' or any other kind of pause and it never seems as if he is reading from a paper too. This for itself is a joy to listen to.

It all, makes a very well founded scientific piece of work and presented higly interestingly. As a physicist I feel pitty for myself not to have studied biology instead.

In the later chapters it comes to the point of mentally controlling the physics (of the body - the cells). There, and only there I am having a conflict. Not because I am in a tight scientific tube of thinking, but because it just can't be. What I mean to say is this:
Dr Lipton refers to 'buying into the disease'. To put my opinion clearly I will polarise with an example to the more extreme: Suppose I have no legs but 'I do not buy into that', will that make me walk?
OR: if I command my cells (in whatever way) not to feel the pain when walking hot coals, what happens with my command if the 'coals' appear to be 1000 degree Celcius. My feet will vaporise, if I feel it or not.

Dear Dr Lipton, you are a great man and I love you for this work and your enthusiasm, but there are real physical limitations as to what we can command our cells to do. I hope you can appreciate that.

I hope I'll ever meet you. Only one star reduction because of the latter argumentation.

Nevertheless one must and may not fail to share Dr Lipton's thoughts. A must have, a must read! Higly recommended.

This set of 8 CDs opens a window to understanding what is really going on at the cellular level of especially the human body and what this means for our health and well-being. Narrated by the author Bruce Lipton in an easy-to-listen-to way and also presented in language that is easily understood for the non-scientist, ordinary person in the street.

"I am listening to the CDs you sent me... they are fantastic... totally changing my understanding of life itself !

Thank you SOOO MUCH !"

That's the note I received from my son, a pretty brilliant guy himself, after sending him Bruce Lipton's The Wisdom of Your Cells CDs. My husband, a professor at UCLA, and I just sat enthralled by what we were hearing. We'd already read the book and I had also ordered all the DVDs available by Lipton. Listening to the CDs are totally expanding my consciousness. They wonderfully complement my other studies of quantum physics, consciousness, and health.

The information is enlightening and exciting. This is no small potatoes stuff. This is information people need to have. No matter who you are, you will get a lot from these CDs.

I love this series! Bruce Lipton discusses challenging topics with a passion that inspires my ears and mind. The chapters are well segmented too, and there are practical examples woven in.

Yey for teaching that soaks in.
Yey for updated health notions propagated by well-respected, western-trained experts.
Yey for holistic perspectives that allow us to be human, natural and in awe of existence.
Yey for passionate nerdiness.

The information to be found within this CD presentation is both indepth and astounding, HOWEVER there's a lot more and its even MORE MIND BLOWING!

Go to brucelipton. com and pick up these DVD PRESENTATIONS:

"The Biology of Perception - The Psychology of Change, Piecing it all together"

"As Above - So Below; An Introduction to Fractal Evolution"

"The New Biology - Where Mind & Matter Meet"

The information provided by Dr. Lipton in these presentations will make you VERY, VERY HAPPY - JOYOUS, POSITIVE ABOUT LIFE.....YOUR LIFE AND ALL LIFE ON THIS PLANET!

If you're at all concerned about your own health, the health of loved ones....the health of the planet and all life forms AND functioning systems and the elements within them.....GET THIS INFORMATION, UNDERSTAND IT, AND ALERT EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT IT ASAP!!!

Don't wait for Dr. Lipton and/or anyone else do do all the work getting this out into the mainstream consciousness!!!!! When you're familiar with the astounding revelations contained in these presentations, you'll know why you NEED to do this.....for the good of yourself and for the good of the entire planet and everything on it. GET MOVING!