nest Books

I highly recommend this book. I bought it because of the Band of Brothers TV series. I got hooked with the story. I enjoy reading novels and documentaries about WWII, but this book is different than a novel. It is plain record of events that took place in real life. Amazingly told and related. Greatly structured and written in a fashion that is pretty easy to read. The story evolves like the best of the novels. You really get attached to the characters and get to know them prety well. Great job by Ambrose.
This is a must if you like army stories, want to read a good book, and by the way learn some history about one of the greatest soldier group and events of the greatest of wars in history.

Band of Brothers is the kind of stories I used to hear from my father and uncles of their experiences in World War Two. Stephen Ambrose has a particular talent for making the reader feel all the emotions these very brave men went through. I read the book before I saw the HBO mini-series, and I bought the autdo book for when I am traveling. I never want to forget, and I hope the country never forgets what these citizen soldiers did to change the world we live in.

This book defines what it means to be an American Soldier. It's a story of victory, defeat, good times and hellish times. It's not just a war story; it's a story of the human spirit. I recommend those of you who typically distance yourselves away from war stories to make an exception. This story is at times exciting, at times heart warming and at times tear jerking. I love it and I can't wait to read Major Winter's memoirs when the book arrives.

One of those books; I can't seem to put down. I'm thankful I have watched the movie, Band of Brothers, for I could "picture" everything that was happening though all these pages. This Regiment was truly remarkably determined and proud to be a participant in this long relentless war. How do you understand anything, unless you were there and have gone through all the circumstances? There are so many things we don't realize or understand and this book almost took you there to see what they had to experience. To be so proud and honored is an understatement for men like these and for all of our Military.

Anthony Bates couldn't have said it better. It's shocking that so many readers out there just gobble up Ambrose's "feel good history" as unquestionable fact, when in reality what Ambrose writes little more than entertainment for ignorant readers. Everything Bate's mentions is true...the fact that other less fabled, yet equally brave and crucial formations that served in Bastogne get ignored by Ambrose is shameful. Also, his knowledge of the German Army in all of his writings is down right pathetic and revolves more around old 'folk lore' than any type of dedicated research. Ambrose does know how write an compelling story, I'll give him that...although there is a lot of better academic history out there, and it is not very hard to find.

Multiple people told me before I read this book and while I was reading it that it's a great book and one of the best they've ever read. With only twenty pages left, I agree that it is a well written and very interesting. I would recommend it to almost anyone that is looking for something different to read.
I didn't have any idea what this book was about before I started reading it. About halfway through the book, I could almost say the same thing, I wouldn't be able to summarize what had happened at that point. This book is not hard to read or understand, but in the beginning not very much happens. Mostly beginning introduces us to the characters and allows the reader to get to know them, and it also describes the setting, which is a mental institution. The characters are all well defined and unique; they're very interesting to read about.
Ken Kesey writes in a descriptive way, but not to the point that it's boring. Actually this book isn't boring at all; it's the type of book that keeps you turning the pages. For most people, the situations and characters aren't familiar at all, and it's hard not to become intrigued. Of all the classic books that I have read, this is by far the best one.

This book is a very good read. You feel as though you are truly experiencing the hospital through the eyes of the chief and it is refreshing to be in the third person from all the action. Found the book to be extremely refreshing.

This book was sent to me in great condition. i'm very happy with my purchase

'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' is easily one of the greatest novels ever written. Chief Bromden is, by far, the most humanizing narrator I've ever read. Though this novel is an unyielding social criticism, it's also a very effective one in that it forces the reader to empathize with confined characters while realizing the authoritarians' actions - particularly those of Nurse Ratched - seem even more villainous due to the demoralization which is felt when one is corrected or otherwise censored without being capable of understanding what it is they've done to deserve such.

A beautifully written and timeless novel.

Let me first explain that I can no longer write a long review for Amazon: time after time I have spent an hour writing one only to be cut off before I can even preview it. It is no doubt the fault of my own system-- I am not blaming Amazon-- but in any case, if anyone wants I the full text of this review, they must refer to my blogspot. I shall try to put it in a nutshell, if that is possible: McMurphy seems to me to be the perfect metaphor for the terrorist suspect facing US interrogators today. The techniques used by Nurse Ratched are similar to those developed by the CIA in collusion with unscrupulous doctors. The cornerstone of this method is ECT. It is used in combination with narco-hypnosis, but the latter would not be effective without the erasure of memory which ECT causes. I must note that this book, famous for its depiction of ECT, greatly underrates the dangers inherent in the treatment. For one thing, it does not mention the long-term effects on memory. Secondly, it leaves the impression that ECT is going out of fashion, when in fact it is experiencing an upsurge. Some 100,000 people a year receive the treatment, according to Dr. Peter Breggin. But the most sinister thing about ECT is that was found very effective in creating "Manchurian candidates" by the CIA, and may now be being used to create "phony terrorists". Must finish here, if I write any more I will be cut off-- please consult my personal profile for my blogspot.

Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (7/08)

I haven't yet begun to worry about my future empty nest, but I already feel better knowing I can turn to this book and its two authors when the need arises. These two women earnestly share their personal experiences and those of women they've encountered to help us all. The idea of "losing" our children to the world and being the mother bird left behind with an empty nest hits women in many different ways. Since our experiences are all slightly different there is no one way to make everything better. Rainey and Yates describe this "...like Jell-O, hard to grab hold of and constantly changing shape." But they have many suggestions to help us survive this life transition as painlessly as possible.

Since my own nest is still full I had not begun to think of the many issues the book details. But reading this makes me aware of the importance of preparing in advance so it won't be such a negative time. The authors acknowledge that it seems to hit women harder, but that men also have issues with this time and we should talk about it and help each other as much as possible. Marriages should still remain a priority.

They also introduce the "Season Principle" reminding readers that this is only another season of our life. Nothing stays the same forever as we travel through different seasons, or phases, of our life. Each has their own challenges and rewards. There is a lot of discussion about how women wrap their lives around their children making it an overwhelming change when they are no longer there. I was surprised that women who work outside the home fulltime found it just as hard to make the transition. I also appreciated how the authors addressed all the different kinds of empty nests and how they might affect our responses.

These women have a strong spiritual background and encourage women to turn to God during this time, just as we would during other stressful situations. They also support having a strong network of women friends who have been through similar experiences and can offer support and comfort during this time.

This is one of those books you can read straight through or you can use it as a workbook and answer the questions found at the end of the chapters to allow you to contemplate further. There are also recommendations of other books that readers may find useful. I love that this is very well-rounded and brings up issues from many different angles. Just a side note, it is a pretty book. I found the brown and blue color combination and the font choice very soothing.

I am glad I got a head start on being prepared for this transition during my own life. With my children six-and-a-half years apart and different sexes, I realize now that I will probably go through it twice and in very different ways. With "Barbara & Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest" on my bookshelf I don't need to fear the future.

When my first daughter moved out after high school, I was devastated. I walked around like I had a piano tied to my butt and I cried for hours every time she'd visit. This continued until she moved back in, with boyfriend in tow. When they finally moved out, I was more than ready to let them go. Now my other kids are readying to leave the nest, all at once it would seem. I hate to admit it but I feel elated. I can't wait for quiet dinners with my husband, a house that stays clean, and the ability to spend more time on my writing.

I picked up Barbara & Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest because I didn't want to be a basket case again when the exodus finally does occur. My attitude seems different this time but I was a little worried that I was in denial. I was also feeling rather guilty about being happy to have the freedom of a quieter life.

I would highly suggest Barbara & Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest to any parent with older children. The authors have been through the process themselves and know that we all react in our own unique ways. I guess really we all grieve and move on at different speeds and with various with stops and starts. Sometimes, it just isn't pretty and we don't all react the way others would expect. It's good to know that we aren't alone.

This is the greatest book, and one that every woman needs to read at this time in her life! My husband has been telling me that he's worried about me because I've "changed". He says I'm not as much fun as I used to be, and that he thinks I'm depressed. Well guess what...I'M NORMAL!!! With all the different emotional and physical changes that we go through during this time, it's no wonder we seem different. The good news is that it's temporary, and should be embraced as a new beginning to the next season of our lives! Thank you, Barbara and Susan!

I love the way Barbara and Susan are upbeat and encouraging. Even when they talk about the downside (and they do talk about the downside) of the empty nest years, they do so with an attitude of hope and encouragment. Especially helpful are the suggestions on finding out who you are once you separate your identity from your children's and then discovering what to do with yourself in a meaningful way for the many years you probably have left to make a difference on this earth. A great read, whether your kids are gone or just getting ready to leave.

If u can follow this, and @ times it gets difficult, u can see why its classic. The observations reming me of 1984 and Animal Farm. Big Brother movin in to control us all, put us in our little molds, and if we dont fit... who knows where this world will lead us, eh?

All part of the great american adventure. Randall P. McMurphy is my new hero . Very enlightining because we always think about the movie but what I liked about the book was, it was chief's story as much as macks. I feel the movie was censored. I must admit when McMurpy spoke it was with Jack Nicholson's voice

This review is for the Penguin Books paperback edition, 2003, with illustrations by Ken Kesey and introduction by Robert Faggen. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, first published in 1962, was Ken Kesey's debut novel.

The setting is a ward at a hospital for the mentally ill, probably in the late fifty's. Chief Nurse Ratched has absolute control over her ward. Through insinuation and intimidation, she has oppressed the patients, aides, junior nurses and even the ward doctor into wimps. We see this through the eyes of the narrator, Big Chief Bromden Jr., a half-Indian who pretends he is a deaf-mute. The staff ignores him, and allows him to clean the staff room during their meetings. He's the all knowing fly on the wall.

Enter the new admission, Randal Patrick McMurphy, the roughneck gambler who got himself transferred to a mental hospital to escape the rigors of a prison work farm. McMurphy considers most of the patients essentially sane, and cannot understand why they have allowed Nurse Ratched to dominate and humiliate them. McMurphy rallies his fellow inmates towards mutiny in a long battle to undermine Nurse Ratched's authority.

Weaved into ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST is a social commentary on the mid-century ideas for treatment of those who could not or would not conform to normality. The novel, and the subsequent movie and play, undoubtedly helped popularize the need for change. Although that is behind us, this entertaining and often hilarious read remains.

One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kasey *****


One of the most important pieces of literature ever, and not just for American literature. One Flew Over The Cuckoos nest is simply put....perfect. It is the classic tail of good versus evil as told through the eyes of an Indian Cheif as he watches his once comfortable solitude be interupted by a one McMurphy who is just claiming insanity to escape a court ordered work farm. The head nurse, Nurse Racthed is maybe the most hanious villion in all of American literature. The book cronicles the up rising of the insane wards 'inmates' and their struggle to maintain their new found power. Easily one of the five best novels ever written.

I knew this book as one of the anthems of the sixties, bringing to the fore the themes of rebellion against arbitrary authority and the rejection of conformity. But I did not actually read the book till recently.

I found that Kesey's "sixties" novel passes the test of great literature. It transcends its moment in time and gains universality. The struggle between the individual and the demands of society is nowhere portrayed as sharply and brilliantly as in this novel. McMurphy is a bit extreme, as is Nurse Ratched, but the interplay of extremes is fascinating.

Do not ignore the fact that Bromden, the narrator, actually shows serious signs of mental illness. His constant references to the "Combine" and his fear of the "fog" are paranoid delusions. It's an amazing tribute to Kesey's skill that he chose to tell the story this way rather than in a more conventional mode of narration, and that he succeeded.

This book was recommended in the Wall Street Journal as an excellent read-aloud. Because the WSJ reviews are generally on-point, I purchased it for a future grandchild, thinking it would be an enduring classic. I was sorely disappointed in the story-line and the quality of the writing. This book is merely okay, but nothing that I would recommend as a choice for someone special. There are much better children's books out there.

This book is a must have for any child's library. Jack the cat sets out on a scheme to make the perfect omelet and in the end learns an important lesson about family. This book is funny, and meaningful. It is one of those stories that the kids will want to hear again and again, and also one the parents won't mind reading over and over.

This is a delightful book for children that teaches responsibility and consequences. The cat is so expressive and my granddaughter loves the different accents for the hen, duck and goose. I highly recommend this book for children.

Reviewed by Three Silly Chicks - Readers, Writers, and Reviewers of funny books for kids.


Oh how we love Spring here in the coop! Everywhere we look we see chicks and eggs! We feel the love. We get especially light-headed whenever we see a new chick-and-egg book, which is why we practically passed out when we saw The Perfect Nest.

In this hilarious tale, Jack the Cat, who's hungry for an omelet, decides to build the perfect nest to attract the perfect chicken who would lay the perfect egg. A perfect plan! Things turn out even better than Jack imagined when his cozy nest attracts a chicken, a duck, and a goose, all of whom lay eggs. Jack drools in anticipation. Now he has breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all in one nest. But the frisky fowl don't want to leave. After lots of failed attempts, Jack is finally able to trick them into leaving by telling them there's an even better nest at the next farm. They fly the coop, leaving their eggs behind. Alone at last, Jack is just about to crack open his glorious eggs when suddenly out pops a baby chick, a baby duck, and a baby goose. All three think the wily feline is their mama and proceed to follow him around the farm, much to Jack's dismay. How can he eat something that calls him mama? He can't, of course, and after a snuggle fest with his new brood he realizes that he has made the perfect nest after all.

Tight writing and lively illustrations make this book a chick magnet. We love the idea of pairing it with An Egg is Quiet by Dianne Aston for an absolutely eggcellent storytime. And that's no yolk! (Oh, geez, sorry 'bout that. It couldn't be helped.)

My family absolutely loves this adorable book. We read it over and over again. We highly recommend it!

I don't think that I am considered a "newlywed" any longer. That being said, I love "The Nest" magazine and thought this would be a great addition to my extensive book collection. There are so many wonderful strategies for all kinds of personalities to help with everything from the not so big of decorating, frustrating family situations to the BIG, BIG challenges of life of finances. With tips, thoughts, and how it worked for me exerpts. This is now the "card" that will be attached to EVERY wedding gift I give from here on out!!!

The Nest book for newlyweds is a great book for those in a committed relationship or marriage. The practical tips are helpful and the links are a great way to go further. I don't find the short comments and feedback from nesters is helpful but overall the book is essential! I love the size and colorful pages.

I've been reading this on and off with my husband of 8 months during long car trips and it's been a really good conversation starter. The open ended question lists are a great way of finding things out about your spouse that I wouldn't have thought to ask directly. A fun read.

Love this book- I am a subscriber to 'The Nest' web-site and when I found this book for sale, I bought one for myself. As a woman who is in the midst of her own wedding planning and has 6 weddings to attend this summer alone, I thought it would make a very nice compliment to a wedding gift or as a bridal shower gift. I tucked the envelope of cash into the inside cover to make the cash wedding gift a little more personal. Tons of great tips for after all the craziness of the wedding is over and the reality of building a future together sinks in. My girlfriend said she took it with her on the plane to their honeymoon and loved it, and her husband appreciated it too. There are so many wedding guides and planners, but not many practical books for AFTER the big day! Great tips on money merging, decorating for BOTH your tastes, in-laws, etc., and it is modern and well designed. Great gift, I bought 6!

The Nest Newlywed Handbook is a fun an informative read. It is well organized, and has sound advice about money, keeping house, friends, family, sex, and kids. The checklists and guides on the green-colored pages in the book are particularly useful--they include a changing your name checklist, a glossary of investing terms, a tax guide, a home-buying guide, and more. Most of all, however, the book is written and presented in a way that make it fun to read.

Other reviewers have covered the book's assets, so I won't go into any more detail here. But the Nest Newlywed Handbook had a few major flaws that I think should be mentioned and that caused me to dock an otherwise 4-star rating to a 3-star rating.

-The book is obviously written for those who are at least moderately well-off financially. It is unlikely that couples who are struggling to make ends meet will find this book very useful. This is not surprising given the demographics of people who frequent sites such as The Knot and The Nest, but is still disappointing.

-This one is not a flaw so much as a warning--while the book has good coverage of money issues, it should not be considered (and is not meant to be) a complete guide to your finances. I would recommend Suze Orman's Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke as a better introduction to money matters.

-Wives with serious in-law issues will find this section of the book useless. While a few intense situations are covered, most of the advice is geared towards minor quibbles (e.g. "Mother-in-law constantly buys me preppy clothes that she wishes I would wear"). More importantly, even the advice on some of these peccadillos is inane. While I would be comforted to believe that a mother-in-law who makes comments about her daughter-in-law's weight is simply "self-conscious about her appearance and is projecting her low self-esteem," this reminds me of the similarly well-meaning but useless advice parents give their children about junior high bullies.

-These last two complaints may appear to be minor, but I found these mistakes serious enough to nitpick. In the "Sex" chapter, the author suggests that one way to liven up your love life is to "Call your honey's boss and schedule a day off for him or her. When the day rolls around, surprise your spouse with the no-work news and a day's worth of things you plan to do...together." I hope I don't have to list all the potential dangers of calling your husband's boss to schedule a day off for him, especially when the reason is less than legitimate. Furthermore, it's simply inappropriate.

-In the "Kids" chapter, the author treats the topic of miscarriages with blatant insensitivity. If you miscarry early in your pregnancy, the author advises "[D]on't worry. Be upbeat, try again, and consider your false alarm a practice run." But, the author continues generously, if you miscarry later in your pregnancy, it's okay to be upset. The idea of treating a miscarriage as a "false alarm" or "practice run" at any stage of the pregnancy is against all medical and psychological advice I have heard about dealing with a miscarriage, and also offends me personally.

Overall, I can't deny that The Nest Newlywed Handbook was a fun read. But it contains too many flaws to make it a great book.

Excellent resource for curriculum unit on social insects, ants, cooperation for pk-k.

As a professional eco-friendly interior designer, I find Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet by Norma Lehmeier Hartie to be an indispensable tool for my work.

This book started the "green part" of my career. The sections on green living and green products for the home, along with the hundreds of resources, taught me everything I need to know--and where to purchase--green products for the home. There is also a chapter on organic and healthy food and eco-friendly personal care products and on cleaning supplies.

I utilize the tips on organizing and de-cluttering for my clients, too. (For those clients that simply can't get rid of stuff or organize, I give them the book as a gift! It works!)

The sections on Feng Shui are fantastic. Hartie makes difficult concepts easy to understand and execute. I also appreciate the fact that she takes Feng Shui into the 21st century and advises based on Western culture what makes sense. Superstitions based on eastern culture from 1000's of years ago are replaced with down-to-earth and timely advice.

As an interior designer, color is a big part of my job. Hartie incorporates the psychology of color into decorating and this works really well. For example, cool colors like purples and blues work best in rooms that need quiet--like bedrooms--because they will decrease your blood pressure and allow you to rest.

The book has tons of information, but it is easily understood and includes a good index for future reference.

Harmonious Environment is a must-have!

Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet, by Norma Lehmeier Hartie, is an indispensable reference book for anyone who cares about their health and well being and for the future of the planet.

Hartie concisely covers a wide range of subjects and includes a comprehensive listing of advisory organizations, product and service resources. Part I of the book, "Banish the Ugly from Your Life," is a blueprint for green, sustainable living. Discover how to replace toxic and unsustainable products from household cleaners to food (including recipes) to furniture to personal care products with safe, eco-friendly ones. Hartie is the tough but motivational Life Coach in her approach to cleaning, removing clutter and on organizing the home or office.

Part II, "Bring in the Beautiful to Create a Harmonious Environment and Self," includes a chapter on Earth-based spirituality and a fascinating look at the Four Elements (Earth, Fire, Air and Water) and the Medicine Wheel. The core of Hartie's philosophy blossoms in Chapter Seven, "Applying Harmonious Adjustments(tm): Using Feng Shui and Other Techniques for Powerful Results." Unlike other Feng Shui authors, Hartie has experience as a designer and her skills are apparent in this chapter and the following two. She has combined principles of Feng Shui, the Four Elements, color, energy, Vastu, creative visualization, and good design principles that create a unique and eclectic approach to home decorating. Finally, Hartie provides guidance on how to manifest personal or professional desires.

In Part III, "Putting the Pieces Together," Hartie skillfully integrates the many subjects of the book into a unified and cohesive whole.

At its cover price of $19.95, Harmonious Environment is a value alone for the comprehensive green living product suppliers in the Resources section.

What makes this book so truly ambitious, however, is what lies beneath the surface. In a sense, this book is only marginally about decorating ones home per se; it is a tome about personal transformation and about saving the earth. A theme that runs throughout the book is that all beings on earth are interconnected energetically. It is empowering to read that each person has the ability to manipulate their homes and self to both raise the collective energy and to manifest their own desires. Motivational, enlightening and well organized, Harmonious Environment is one remarkable book.

The most impressive aspect of Harmonious Environment is the cover of the book. I found the information to be very basic, idealistic, or common sense. If someone has lived in total chaos and now wants to morph into harmony, this is the book for you! If, however, you're already seeking harmony in your home, I would not recommend this book to you. Harmonious Environment is a primer and only for beginners.

This is a great book for both the beginner and those working on clearing their environment. A very interesting read.

This book has a little bit of everything - feng shui, zodiac signs, dowsing, recipes, and organizational tips. It's so full of information it can be a little overwhelming, but she does organize the book very well. I enjoyed the food recipes and the recipes for natural cleaning solutions. The author also states that dogs prefer positive energy and that cats prefer negative energy, which I have long suspected.

The book has too much of a mystical hoopla vibe for me, though. I stopped when she got to the section about the negative effects of tampons on my spiritual energy or whatever.

I purchased this book because I wanted some unique ideas in an easy to read format and sure enough, this is what I was given!!! I love it!!! It is FULL of pictures which makes it easy for my husband to flip through and say like it/hate it....and that brings a huge grin to my face ;-) Oh, we relocate every three to four years (nope, not a military family) and we ALWAYS have new places and spaces. This gives great advice on using what you have and really adding speacial pieces.