Product Description

Down-to-Earth Approach

James Henslin shares the excitement of sociology, with his acclaimed "down-to-earth" approach and personal writing style that highlight the sociology of everyday life and its relevance to students' lives. With wit, personal reflection, and illuminating examples, he shares with readers his passion for sociology.

In addition to this trademark down-to-earth approach, other distinctive features include:

Comparative perspectives. Two important themes are global comparisons - the diversity of social life across cultures and societies - and comparisons over time - what society used to be like, and how it has changed.

The Globalization of Capitalism. Many examples highlight the ways in which our global economy influences the skills and knowledge we need, the work we do, and the cost of goods and services.

Visual Presentations of Sociology. Outstanding maps, graphs, and photos grab students' interest and aid comprehension.

Customer Reviews (32)

Nice spin on a classic course text!
Even though subjects such as sociology don't change much, this text offers a nice modern twist on this topic. The graphics are clear and attention-grabbing. Not only does Henslin make the text easy to follow, but he also throws in some interesting real-life examples of important terms/topics. I couldn't have asked for a better text for this course! I earned an A because I was actually interested in what we were learning.

Very Pleased
It came in good condition. I am very pleased... I have yet to really need it but it was a requirement for my class there for I had no choice... But It came in fast and was in good condition very promising and I am very pleased. :)

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (9th Edition) [Hardcover]
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (9th Edition) [Hardcover]
James M. Henslin
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smells great, and has a nice body :)
i'm just playing, the book is n perfect condition, and i really like using it during my class lectures :)

THANK YOU

GREAT for College Students
I needed this book for a sociology course and I think it is fantastic! The author has done an amazing job to help readers easily relate to the subject and keep it interesting by describing his own experiences & other people's experiences around the world. The definitions are even in boldface & described on the page so that you don't have to keep flipping back to the glossary. The book is informative, yet delightful as the author shows you how to use your sociological imagination & how to open your mind. I'd recommend this book to any person interested in sociology because of how clear & enjoyable it is to read. I've never had so much fun reading a textbook! ... Read more

Product Description
The classic story of a Norwegian pioneer family's struggles with the land and the elements of the Dakota Territory as they try to make a new life in America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Giants indeed: The best novel you've never heard of
Even though there are not enough hours in a day to read all the classics of literature, I am generally aware of what novels are considered classics. About a month ago, however, I came across, by chance, an article written in the 1940s on American agrarian fiction. The article was basically a lament about the sad state of such fiction, dismissing pretty much everything that had been written, including Steinbeck and Cather. It did, however, give _Giants in the Earth_ considerable praise. My main reaction was "Giants in the what?" and checked it out.

Apparently, this novel is still read by those interested in the Dakotas and those interested in the Norwegian immigrant experience but has otherwise been relegated to the status of `local fiction'. This is a pity because if the insane number of ellipses and exclamation points doesn't make you queasy, then you'll likely appreciate why those that do read consider it a contender for `the Great American novel'.

So what makes this novel so great?The attention to detail and the psychology of the characters are so pitch perfect that it feels like it couldn't have been made up, that what you're reading is pure autobiography. But then you realize that so many different characters and situations are described so well that it's impossible for it to just be autobiography.

One detail summarized the extent to which this novel got it right: when my wife was pregnant, I read umpteen books and articles on pregnancy and childcare. I was very surprised when our kid was born to discover how noisily he ate. His swallowing sounded like a little slow motion air compressor. Nothing warned me of this. Everything presented eating as this quiet romantic `Madonna and child' moment. There's a paragraph in this novel that describes breastfeeding. In a euphemistic way, it describes it perfectly, ending with talking about the newborn grunting.

The center of the novel is an odd couple of immigrants, the anxious Beret and her manically optimistic husband Per. Per comes across as the thinner character at first because he is so excited about the prospect of owning his own land that he is initially oblivious to what a dangerous, if not reckless, adventure it is to be a pioneer and to the price to be paid, both physically and mentally. His emotions do not vary much depending on the situation and he comes across as cardboard. But he does evolve and come to a state of painful self-awareness.

The character of Beret has changed my view of American history. The conquest of the continent is typically portrayed as inevitable and thus in a sense safe and domesticated. Beret, however, finds the pioneer experience a complete nightmare and from her point of view, Giants in the Earth is a horror novel. To throw aside everything -- one's country, one's friends and family, every comfort and convenience -- to live in a dirt house in an endless sea of nothingness in a place where you can't even speak the same language as most people and where the nearest doctor is hundreds of miles away... it's madness. She feels her life has been thrown away, and she can't seem to get her husband to understand this.

The critical response to the novel often talks about the underpinnings of Norse mythology. Honestly, I didn't notice and couldn't care less. What's striking is the near perfectionism of its realism. The opening chapter is this lovely description of a family on a wagon moving through the sea of prairie: an insignificant dot swallowed up by the swooshing grass. Then the second chapter introduces a nagging anxiety: the family, far beyond the bounds of civilization, is lost. No one wants to say anything, but they know they're lost and things could get desperate very soon. This is all so modest and yet so suspenseful and engaging. (I can't help but think in contrast of the millions of dollars that is poured into the opening sequence of every James Bond movie.)

There are, however, three flaws in the book. First, the names make it tough to keep the male characters straight. There is: Per Hansa, Ole Hansa, Store-Hans Hansa and Hans Olsa. Surely there are people from Norway who don't have `Hans' in their name.Second, there's this bizarre episode in which the Per Hans saves the life of an Indian by taking care of an infected wound. This seems unrealistic and feels like a fantasy of whites helping the colonized peoples. Third, the exclamation points and ellipses are intense. I'm sure more than one reader has put it down as a result. In the introduction, the author expresses frustration that so much of the nuance of the book is lost in English. Given how subtle this book is and how lively the English text is, it's hard to imagine that anything could possibly be missing. That said, if there was a new translation, or perhaps a tweaking of the original, that cut back a little on the exclamation points, I think it would allow more people to appreciate why this deserves to be on any list of great American novels. (Hmm... I would have never guessed that I would some day write a sentence talking about translating into English one of the greatest American novels, but, as John Steinbeck would say, there it is.)

One final point of curiosity: the events of this novel take place at the same time as and are several hundred miles away from HBO's phenomenal _Deadwood_. It's amazing how unlike they are. They both display rare genius in their depiction of the same milieu but they have nothing in common other than a few references to Yankton and a murdered Scandinavian family in Deadwood. I mean, _Giants in the Earth_ doesn't have a single swear word.

Yes, You DO need to read this again.
I had to read this book in high school.I didn't really remember the story, I just remembered the book as long and boring.I wanted to read it again, now that I am a little bit more mature.

It is still long, and it still does not have a lot of action in it.But I think it is worth your time to read it.It gives some of the history of our nation's western movement and the reader gets an inside look at the hardship some of those Western pioneers went through.

The long lonely trek across a seemingly endless prairie, the desperate loneliness of a solitary sod house on the plains, the terror of one devastating event after another; storms, and hail, and locust, and snow and again, the endlessness of the horizon.

The book was written by someone who had experienced it all, out there on the plains.

It provides a lot of insight into those times and I found it all fascinating.

Giants of the Earth
Service from Amazon is superb!
Giants of the Earth arrived in great shape and is the thought provoking story
I remember. Rolvaag presents the story of the settling of South Dakota territory in a very personal and stirring manner.
I use the used book system from Amazon often. Thank you for the consistent quality.

A Fascinating Classic
This classic, written by Norwegian immigrant and professor O.E. Rolvaag, concerns a group of Norwegians who decide to move west from Minnesota. The hardships which beset them are described in detail, from hunger, to grasshopper plagues, to, finally, madness. This book is well written, with language accessible to the modern reader, even though it was written in the 1920's. This is my second time reading it and, as with every great book, there is more to be uncovered with every reading.

Giants in the Earth
Study of Norwegian immigrants settling in Iowa - well written and authorative.Gives you the sense of what the pioneers went through to create new settlements in the Dakota territory in the 1880's ... Read more

Product Description
This best-selling book is a comprehensive reference book to the metaphysical properties of hundreds of minerals, correlated to the astrological signs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (80)

crystal clear
This book is a must have if your path is leading you to crystal healing. Much of the information in the beginning of the book I already knew since I was little, and the missing information I was looking for is in the book. Enjoy your journey of healing self and others.

Crystal Reference
I love this book it is a great reference guide. It offers so much information so that one can really understand how to use and work with crystals. I love it as a tool and bring it to class when I am teaching. We often focus on the metaphysical properties. When I do readings I often find a crystal to send a client home with. It is an amazing book.

Susan Mavity Author The Light Within,The Gift of Rose

Most Useful Reference
Over the past fifteen years this book has been taken down more often than any other book on my reference shelf.It is well laid out, easy to understand and contains a great deal of useful information.If you are interested in stones, their properties and uses - this is the first volume you should buy.There are other books which are useful, illuminating and even entertaining, but Love Is In The Earth is the book you'll go to time and again.

Yay!
I have wanted this book FOREVER, just never got around to it. The copy was in excellent condition. Very happy with this purchase. My guess is you either already know of this book or don't. If you don',t this sort of thing is probably not something you're interested in. If you do know of it, then vice versa. My advise: Buy It, Buy It, Buy It!

Love Is In The Earth
I bought this book as a gift.I ordered it "used" & there is no way to tell it isn't new.My friend loves the book & I thank you! ... Read more

Product Description
As we witness the shifting of old forms that once stood as the foundation of our daily lives, parents—who must prepare the next generation to meet this changing world—have more questions now than ever before. Although our culture and the nature of the family may be changing, the atmosphere in the home continues to create the foundation of a child’s life. In Heaven on Earth, parent and educator Sharifa Oppenheimer reveals how to make the home environment warm, lively, loving, and consistent with your highest ideals.

Heaven on Earth balances theoretical understanding of child development with practical ideas, resources, and tips that can transform family life. Readers will learn how to establish the life rhythms that lay the foundation for all learning; how to design indoor play environments that allow children the broadest skills development; and how to create backyard play spaces that encourage vigorous movement and a wide sensory palette. Through art, storytelling, and the festival celebrations, this book is a guide to build a "family culture" based on the guiding principle of love. Such a culture supports children and allows the free development of each unique soul.

Responding to parents’ questions from more than twenty years of teaching, Oppenheimer has created a gift from the heart. This is a practical, inspiring resource that brings her informed, intuitive understanding of young children into the heart of the home. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Love It
I really enjoyed this book now if I can only put into practice what I learned. A great journey and worth the effort. One of those books you will want to pick up again and again as a reminder of where you would like to go.

excellent waldorf resource
the book is filled with great advice on parenting in general and great (waldorf-inspired)activities, mostly for ages 3 and up.I have a 2 year old and feel that most of the book is geared for slightly older children.The activities' emphasis is definitely on allowing children to self-discover in art and play and incorporating nature as much as possible. It really is a "resource" to refer to over and over.

lovely book
I love this book.I went to a Waldorf School as a child and love learning how to incporporate the spirit of Waldorf education -- which means wonder, love of nature, the magic of the seasons and clelbrations -- into the lives of my children.

Great Ideas, A Bit Too Rigid for Our Taste
This book is probably not ideal if you take a mainstream approach to education and child rearing. You might still find some good ideas, but it is quite a different way of thinking.

We ordered this book because were interested in an introduction to the Waldorf method of schooling/learning. There are lots of great ideas in here about activities for you and your children, how to create an environment that fosters creativity, the way that play shapes children's life and learning, etc. I really found some of the guidance helpful. However, we found as many challenges in the book as we did strengths.

First, the Waldorf method of learning and teaching is pretty specific. The author writes as if there is a specific way that you SHOULD structure your child's world in order for him/her to learn and grow and, essentially, for him or her to turn out well. It isn't so much presented as ONE way of raising children, but the best way and one of the only ways in order for your children to turn out well. And it is very specific about things that just don't seem like that big of a deal: she goes on for pages about the sort of clothes that are best for children to wear. I mean, okay, of course you want your kids to have comfortable clothes, but the time spent on really specific things like this seems to be a bit much.

Second, this book assumes that everyone must live in the country and have enough time and money to design very specific sorts of play environments for their children. There is a whole industry of buying specifically Waldorf toys and learning materials, which is the last thing we need: more specific, expensive things to buy. Also, if you live in an urban area - or, heaven forbid - a slum like so many children around the world - this book could make you feel like a bad parent because your kids don't have sand, water, hills, grasses, and bushes all put in a specific configuration. This raises a more general point that the book is pretty classist. It ASSUMES so much about the readers - time, energy, certain physical space, resources, etc. And it isn't as if this is just ONE WAY you CAN do things, but it is written as if this is THE WAY you need to do it so your kids turn out well.

Also, we were pretty shocked to find that the book suggests that, as an alternative to "war games" you children can play "hunting games" or "Native American" games. We find it rather racist to suggest that children should play games based on an ethnicity or that "hunting games" (oh! let's kill the innocent animals and watch them bleed and die) are somehow a lot better for children than "war games."

Anyway, I sound harder on this book that I mean to be. I guess we just discovered that Waldorf education is a very specific and regimented way of raising your kids if you follow it carefully and that it has some good ideas, but overall isn't exactly what we were looking for. Again, some good ideas, but overall the tone of the book was problematic for us.

Some beautiful ideas, along with some preachiness
This book came highly recommended to me by another mother because of the concrete tips and ideas for enriching young children's lives.On that front, the book does deliver: from creating bed-time rituals to free/repurposed toys to outdoor wonderlands, there are plenty of ideas to use as a springboard for your own family.The downside is that the author has some of her own biases, which she seems to pass to readers as truth without giving any scientific evidence.I can forgive the preaching, however, as there are so many other great ideas in the book. ... Read more

Product Description
The sweeping diversity of complex life on Earth, Ward and Brownlee argue, evolved out of an extraordinary set of physical conditions and chance events that would be extremely hard to duplicate- though not impossible. Many planets throughout the vastness of the Universe may be teeming with microbial life, but advancement beyond this stage is very rare. Everyone with an interest in the possible extent of life in the Universe and the nature of life's evolution on our own planet will be fascinated by RARE EARTH.

"...likely to cause a revolution in thinking..."The New York Times

"...[the book] has hit the world of astrobiologists like a killer asteroid..."Newsday (New York)

"...a sobering and valuable perspective..."Science

"...a startling new hypothesis..."Library Journal

"...Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee offer a powerful argument..."The Economist"...provocative, significant, and sweeping..."Northwest Science & Technology

"...a stellar example of clear writing..."American ScientistAmazon.com Review
"Do you feel lucky? Well do ya?" asked DirtyHarry. Paleontologist Peter Ward and astronomer Donald Brownlee thinkall of us should feel lucky. Their rare Earth hypothesis predicts thatwhile simple, microbial life will be very widespread in the universe,complex animal or plant life will be extremely rare.Ward andBrownlee admit that "It is very difficult to do statistics with an Nof 1. But in our defense, we have staked out a position rarelyarticulated but increasingly accepted by many astrobiologists."

Their new science

is the field of biology ratcheted up toencompass not just life on Earth but also life beyond Earth. It forcesus to reconsider the life of our planet as but a single example of howlife might work, rather than as the only example.

Therevolution in astrobiology during the 1990s was twofold. First,scientists grew to appreciate how incredibly robust microbial life canbe, found in the superheated water of deep-sea vents, pools of acid,or even within the crust of the Earth itself.The chance of findingsuch simple life on other bodies in our solar system has never seemedmore realistic.But second, scientists have begun to appreciate howmany unusual factors have cooperated to make Earth a congenial homefor animal life: Jupiter's stable orbit, the presence of the Moon,plate tectonics, just the right amount of water, the right position inthe right sort of galaxy.Ward and Brownlee make a convincing ifdepressing case for their hypothesis, undermining the principle ofmediocrity (or, "Earth isn't all that special") that has ruledastronomy since Copernicus. --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Customer Reviews (123)

Reads somewhat like a novel, but is scientific and interesting.
It is scientific, but it doesn't have the boredom of a chemistry class. Yet, it touches on those things you find in the Element Table. It reads somewhat like a novel about how the Earth came about, and why it supports life, combined with some of the complicated explanations from physics and chemistry that describe what was necessary to make it all happen. It does not talk about God, but as you read you can reflect on the intelligence that was necessary to produce all this, or you can simply give credit to science and leave all talk of "cause" out of it.

It gives a lot of essentials--which I only skim over here--beginning with the "Big Bang." From this came little more than three things--three elements: hydrogen, helium, and lithium. The hydrogen produced helium as a result of thermonuclear fusion. It was now the heaviest element in the universe. However, almost everything we take for granted to support life on earth requires elements heavier than helium--even the elements that make up 96% of the earth's mass--oxygen, magnesium, silicon, iron and sulfur! Where did these come from? How did they come about? It's a long story and complex--more than be explained here. But Peter Ward does explain the formation of the stars, planets, moon, galaxies, etc. It's really very interesting if you enjoy this stuff.

What I found most exciting is when he talked about the formation of "carbon," maybe because this has been tossed around as a political football. But this was the secret to having life in the universe. No carbon--no life--for a while! Carbon had to wait for the formation of giant red stars. These had such density that their inevitable explosions (and the thermonuclear fusion that accompanied them) were powerful enough to allow three way collisions of helium atoms to form carbon atoms. From carbon, heavier atoms could be formed. This all happened because the matter from the Big Bang was being cycled/recycled in and out of stars. Don't' believe it? The atoms of our bodies were once the matter of stars too! This gradually began to enrich the universe.

In my very simple summation: our sun was formed by this process and such resultant matter. While it was forming, it was surrounded by millions of miles of gas, dust and rocks. As the sun grew hotter, only certain elements could survive in certain areas orbiting the sun. Planets were formed by those elements. Those closer to the sun were too hot to end up with enough nitrogen and carbon to support life. Those too cold wound up with an abundance of these but were too unstable to form solid surfaces. The earth was the only one to have the right surface warmth (climate/temperature) where all the elements could survive. It makes sense too! Our atmosphere is a precise mixture: 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases, which is what supposedly works out to be the best for forming hard surfaces and supporting life.

Other things I found fascinating were the earth's characteristics and conclusions that can be drawn from them. One thing is that the earth is the only planet in our solar system that has water on the surface and a temperature range that allows it to always exist. It also has linear mountain ranges. These are not as important as the process that creates and adjusts them: plate tectonics. Although this is what causes such terrible things like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, it is what is also responsible for acting as the planet's thermostat, by recycling chemicals which are crucial in keeping the volume of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere relatively uniform and liquid water abundant. It is also the cause behind changes in our sea levels and the formation of minerals that keep the levels of carbon dioxide in check (yes, global temperatures). It also make possible one of earth's greatest characteristics: its magnetic fields which above all protects us from deadly cosmic radiation.

One of the pleasures this affords is that the author describes in much detail how all of this happens.

Interesting alternate view
I call this an alternate view because it has become somewhat accepted to assume that the universe must be teeming with life. Obviously, the hypothesis forwarded by these authors is that complex life is relatively rare in the universe. Most of this idea is developed by looking at the history of the planet Earth and its neighbors in the solar system and how or why life did or didn't develop on these planets. In the end, the claim is that life on Earth is the result of a number of very rare coincidences that might not be very common across the universe. This is similar to one of Peter Ward's other books in that a very interesting and thought provoking history of the planet is covered. Readers will undoubtedly find something they hadn't heard or thought about. On the other hand, unlike some of Ward's other books, this one doesn't have a lot of personal anecdotes or stories about trips to interesting locales. Some readers might be somewhat disappointed that the book never really gets around to being very detailed about planets outside of the solar system. However, this is only a minor drawback. Overall, the book is very interesting and presents a science-based alternate view on life across the universe.

Makes The Most Sense To Me
Is there a god? No. There is NO god. Is there a meaning to complex life on Earth? No. Complex life is nothing more than the temporary accidental result of two stars colliding in our galaxy. Is "simple" life such as bacteria and single celled organisms common in the universe? Very possible. Is "complex" life common in the universe? Absolutely NOT. Conclusion... Enjoy the time you have because eventually the sun will burn out, the Earth will disappear and all of human history, every war, every baby, every culture's concept of the afterlife will disappear with it and all that will remain of our brief tenure on this planet will be the long dead man-made satellites that have escaped the gravitational pull of our solar system and sail aimlessly and alone deep into the black depths of the univerise.

Rare - but no glory belongs to God.
This is an excellent book, and I highly recommend reading it, as I believe it to be the best compendium of scientific knowledge around this topic that I have yet seen. It is sad however, that the conclusions reached do not give glory to God, as creator of the Universe. This is not unusual for serious books based upon scientific evidence. But I have found that as science advances and new discoveries are made, the theories on the origin of life on Earth and in the Universe as a whole more and more agree with what can be found in the Bible. Scientists tend to not regard the Bible as relevant, or belief in God as important, but most of them appear to be awestruck by things like the rarity of life, and the apparently careful designs that are found in Nature. Carl Sagan always remarked on the beauty and awesomeness of the Universe, but went to his grave unmoved by the claims of Scripture, and at times openly hostile to any form of religion. What a shame! The Universe continually reveals its wonder to us, and I believe that wonder is intended to lead us to its creator. Have a look at Genesis as you read this book. You will see what I mean.

Excellent Review
Writers Ward and Brownlee have put together a very readable text on astrobiology in their Rare Earth, Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe. It discussed in detail many of the tough issues that scientists in the fields wrangle with such as the beginning of life and concepts of our Earth's history through its past 4Ga. They discuss what it has taken for our Earth to evolve and what some other planetary systems may have that would allow "life." They finally look at the Drake Equation and assess possibilities for other Earth-like existence. Some will differ in their opinion at the end. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed especially to help prepare students taking the New York State Regents Examination, this book makes a valuable supplementary text for high-school-level Earth Science classes throughout the country. Organized into three main study units—astronomy, meteorology, and geology—this book provides extensive subject review material with updated questions and answers. It also includes one recently given full-length Regents Exam in Earth Science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great review source for earth science
This is a great review source, I used it to suppliment my study for the CLEP natural sciences exam.It helped fill in the gaps, I wish REA would come out with a study guide for the natural sciences exam, but I was able to pass just fine with this book and a couple others.Great reference for sure.

WOW!TEST SCORES ARE UP^^!!!
Wow!! I am in 8th grade and taking the High School Regent Earth Science course, and before I bought this book I was getting 50s and 60s on tests (my quarter average was a 84) and after I did the review questions in each chapter I havn't gotten anything below a 85 (now my average is a 94)!! This made my average go up 10 points, and if it can work for me, it can definitely work for you.My mom said it was the best money she ever spent, and I also bought the Barron's Regents Earth Science Exams and Answers book, but unfortunately it was a "little" overused and I can't read anything in it..O WELL THIS REALLY HELPS!I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! it even has a full exam in the back and a vocab section that shows vocab words to know for the test, it's really good!

Excellent!
If you've been having trouble understanding the in-depth details of Earth Science and even just regular science, this book is for the new expert.It gives you plenty of details of every topic that you've learned in this course, and gives you many regents questions to study from (for the power pack).

You'll be amazed, just like I was.The book contains a lot of pictures/diagrams/etc. describing what you are learning about to help you comprehend better what you've just sighted out in the units.One thing I appreciated is that if by any chance, if you didn't understand the topic you were learning about, just go back in the index and it will show a secondary page number or a page where it shows more analysis of the particular topic you're studying.

Even though the Regents won't give you the exact same questions from an old exam on a new exam, it is still a very crucial part in studying old Regents questions.GUARENTEED:It will create more skills as a whole in terms of understanding the questions and answers; primarily eliminating answers that you cannot recognize or ones that don't make any sence, and keeping the one answer that makes the most logic or sence... This is a BIG help in trying to get a good grade on your exam.If you get the Regents questions book, you will be provided with answers to all questions, and it can really make you realize why that answer is the way it should be.It'll create more facts in your head.

One thing is for sure, is that you can't miss this book.My point of view is that you should review throughly throughout this book, and review as many questions as you can.I did this, and I received an 86 percent for my average on the regents, and you can even do better that I can!

NOTE:Order this book right when school starts or sooner, so you can be prepared.

earth science
earth science is an exctremely hard subject but with this book u willget straight A's all the tim.get this book and review all the notes, it will helpyou a great deal

A Great Book, which is a great subsitute to the old and....
Listen, this book is mad good. I took the Earth Science Regents in 8th Grade in June 2001, and all of the material was covered by this book. The day before I took the test, I was cramming out of this book. Even though I was getting 95s in science, the material did not make sense. But everyday in May, I studied with another version of this book, and it helped refresh my memory of Earth Science. With this book, it helped me comphrend and ace the regents with flying colors. I was able to get a 88 in the regents exam from this book. I highly recommend this book to everyone that is going to take the Earth Science Regents in New York State. For the difficult comprehender, it will help build connections to topics that will help you pass the regents, and for the forgetful type, it will refresh your memory. Take my word for it, and buy it. Its worth the price it is. ... Read more

Product Description
The 'event' storyline that started it all - collected for the first time! Back in 1985, when huge multi-part crossovers and 'event' storylines were unheard of, Crisis on Infinite Earths rocked comicdom with a literally Earth-shattering epic that impacted on every character in the DC Universe and beyond. Realities were turned inside and out and classic heroes met fearful deaths. It was the end and beginning of the DC Universe, and now at last it can be seen again, collected in all its glory for the first time. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Supergirl and a host of other heroes and villains must face a threat from an anti-matter universe, a foe intent on wiping out Earth again and again, in all its alternate froms. Battles and sagas come no bigger than this! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (83)

Maybe this was decent 25 years ago...
I purchased this as i have been getting back into comics and this is pretty much required reading for the DC universe. I had to force myself through it. It's a whole lot of text for what is at the core, a pretty simple plot. I get it's importance to the DCU, but it's not a great story... Maybe it could have been without all the worthless banter. How many times do you have to defeat the same villian in the same book? My suggestion is to read the synopsis on Wikipedia. I explained the plotline to my girlfriend and she said it sounded interesting. When thinking about what happens that is story related, it is interesting and a great idea, just cut out all the BS.

What a mess
I was an avid DC comic book reader in the 60s and 70s. I loved Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and the Flash. Yes, I knew that the timelines were screwed up and never made sense, but I wasn't really that critical. After all, it's a comic book world. If I wanted reality, I would just read the Wall Street Journal. During the 80s and 90s, I drifted over to Marvel comics, and was fascinated by the Watchmen Series. I was aware of the Crisis on Infinite Earths graphic novels, but I never got around to reading them all those years ago.
So recently, I saw the Watchman movie and I thought it was great. So why not finally read the DC version of a classic graphic novel from where my comic book roots began?

So I did, sort of......

What a mess...and a major disappointment. I read about a third of this thing and I was lost. I had no idea what is going on. I went back to the beginning and read it to the halfway point. Sorry, I'm completely bored, lost, and the storyline is contrived and non-sensical (even for a comic book). I'm not stupid or shallow. But I just don't get it. I would rather just forget this mess was ever written and go back to the original time paradox and enjoy THAT comic book world.

On second thought, I'm going to read The Watchmen again.

I gave this 2 stars, just for the artwork.

confusing and lengthy
This is the first time I have heard of Crisis on Infinite Earths.I thought I would give it a try.It was so long and wordy I gave up after the 5th chapter.I had a hard time finding it entertaining or follwoing the plot.It seemed all over the place to me with refernces and characters.I would say start with a shorter, less convoluted graphic novel.

Perfection.
This is hands down, one of the best, most beautifully drawn, most satisfying comics reading experiences ever produced. If you like superheroes, and DC heroes in particular, you need to own this. If nothing else, you'll come away from the series intrigued by DC's vast and colorful history, and the sheer inventiveness of the people who worked there, building the modern myhts that so many of us love. Highly recommended.

The book that ruined the DC Universe.
You read it right, apart from having great Perez & Ordway art, this filth ruined a great history of DC characters written by many such as Gardner Fox, Robert Kanigher and trashed Julius Schwartz's concept of alternate Earths.
This also paved other EVENTS book hopefully ending with a real... FINAL CRISES.
... Read more

Product Description
Celebrate the colors of children and the colors of love--not black or white or yellow or red, but roaring brown, whispering gold, tinkling pink, and more.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Meh
The theme of diversity is important, yes. However, I feel that it goes a lot deeper than just "Kids come in different colors and hair textures", however poetically it's expressed.

And honestly, I didn't like the writing style, though ymmv over that. Gave this one away.

Such a beautiful book
This is a really nice book with beautiful illustrations and an important message acknowledging the differences between people while recognizing that we're actually all the same underneath, no matter the differences in appearance. A great book for everyone.

Creating Community
This title is a must for educators of young children. The illustrations are beautiful and the language is understandable even for the youngest of school children. Reading and discussing this book with a classroom will help children discover that differences are what make us special and differences are a reason for celebration. Love builds the bridges that create community within any and all societies.

This is a beautiful book.
I was fortunate enough to receive this as a prize in a local contest for my kids; they love it!The text, the images, and the meaning are all wonderful.It promotes tolerance without the heavy-handed approach that some books take by simply presenting the reality that children are all different, and yet are bound by love and youthful innocence, and that *that* is a beautiful thing.I highly recommend this book.

Beautiful. Simple. Stunning.
Buy this book if you love all people.

~Shauna Schoenborn ... Read more

Product Description

A Down-to-Earth Approach

Henslin's popular brief paperback text shares the excitement of sociology, with its acclaimed “down-to-earth” approach and personal writing style that highlight the sociology of everyday life and its relevance to students' lives. James Henslin has a unique ability to engage students without talking down to them or sacrificing content. With wit, personal reflection, and illuminating examples, he shares with readers his passion for sociology.

Students are guided on their sociological journey with:

Down-to-Earth Approach

Comparative Perspectives

Globalization of Capitalism

Visual Presentations of Sociology

Customer Reviews (21)

Essentials of Sociology review
Interesting and easy to read. I'm glad this book is being used by my instructor.

DONT BUY FROM HERE.
i have yet to recieve my order and it is well after the delivery date. i have sent emails to the seller and nothing has happened. DONT BUY FROM HERE.

Good at getting the facts
This textbook is a great intro to sociology textbook. the author, while cheesy at times, does give really clear examples, and explains the various theories, perspectives, experiments, and concepts. the concept boxes that apply sociology to everyday life are really helpful as well.

GREAT
The posting said the book was in "GOOD" condition but when we got it we were amazed about how good of a condition it really was. We were expecting highlightings, notes in the margins and bent edges. BUT nothing. It was in almost brand new condition. I will definetly buy from this seller again! And the price was very good! I believe we only paid about $35 for the book itself that's over half off from the bookstore at the college AND the book was in almost new condition. How can you go wrong with that? In addition to that, we received it within 3 days of ordering it. Very impressed!!!

Thank you for the Essentials of Sociology Study Guide
Thank you so much for the book you sold to me back on 8/10/10. The quick service of shipping and the condition of the Sociology book, "A Down to Earth Approach is greatly appreciated. I never realized by something on-line and from a person instead of a company could work out the way this all did. Thank you so much for making this whole market of buying and selling work out so well. Thank You, Kim ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Great Buy
Both of my children (2 boys: 9 and 12) love the Basher books!We have all of them so far and they keep asking when the next ones will be coming out.The illustrations are great and the content is perfect for their ages.

Loved the rest, but.....
We have enjoyed the fun little snippets of info that come from this series of books and was excited to get the Planet Earth book.I was surprised when I got to the pages on greenhouse effect and climate change."Admittedly, I'm a natural phenomenon, but those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. My hothouse antics are just as much the fault of you stupid humans!..." I was offended at people being referred to as "stupid humans" and being chastised for my "insane" love for car, planes and fossil fuels.I would think a book for kids could have handled the subject with a bit more class.These pages seemed to lose their cheekiness and were just down right mean. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

thanks
Got the book in only a few days in better than the condition I expected. Waaay cheeper than buying it from the book store! Thanks

textbook: Understanding Earth
Good, clear information on the condition of this textbook. However, the outside condition is not so important, as a damaged textbook generally just shows it has been well loved. Highlighting, underlining, names inside cover however, decrease the value of books, because they diminish the aesthetic appeal, and just make it harder to read. This book had none of those problems.

Good?
Alot of higlighted text and notes written in book, cover and pages dogeared, quality could have been better For "GOOD Condition"

Not so Good Shape but Good service though
Not so Good Shape but Good service though. I was not comfort with the shape of the book, so i wanted to return it, they don't have the return policies right in their profile, but on the contrary for how hard i thought it was gonna be to return it, the process was really smooth.

Understanding Earth
I have some background in biological science and I have always wanted to find a way to get up to speed on geology because so much of evolutionary biology has reference to geology. I have gone through one textbook andnumbers of Internet readings on geology. I can say that I learnt a great deal from these. Yet when I started to read this book 'Understanding Earth' a whole new understanding opens up before me. I like this book for its simple and comprehensive explanations and its coloured cross sectional representations which seem to transport me to be right there on the spot! I am halfway through the book and I have a great feeling that whenI finish I will have then acquired a whole new discipline, not perhaps to the level of a graduate student but sufficient for me to base my biology on it. ... Read more

Product Description
The Bible has much to tell about the imminent future and this blockbuster reveals all the signs, seen in today's society, that foreshadow the return of Jesus Christ. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (93)

The Late Great Planet Earth
I read this book back in the early 70's and found it as intriguing today as back then.It is fun to see how the things he put together chronologically from Bible Prophecies has come to pass.I am keeping my eye on the happenings going on throughout the world and seem to always have the "predictions" from this book at the back of my mind, seeing how they play out.He did some great research and from a Christian's view-point, I would say he did an excellent job.Very enlightening and informative.

what?....they are still selling this TRASH!
Hal predicted the rapture to occur in or around 1988...whatever.
Much of the material he stole from the late Col. R B Thieme, jr of Berachah church in Houston texas.
What a complete disgrace! what trash! what a waste! Buy people continue to buy this garbage so Hal can live a rich life of luxury.

Very good
I really enjoyed listening to the cd's.I'm not much of a reader but really enjoyed this on my 10 hour trip.

Suckers and crooks are in this world to stay
I tried to read this trash-book, here in Brazil, in late 1980 decade. I was learning English and the instituition where I was studying English had more than one thousand books writen in English, including this trash-book. Any student could read any of them for free.
Knowing that this book had sold millions of copies (at least in the United States) and ever interested in religion, I decided to read this trash-book.
The main subject of this book are prophecies. And its author, Harold Lee "Hal" Lindsey makes many prophecies about almost anything: European Union, United States, Israel, Islamic world,etc. And all of the hundreds of "biblical" prophecies made in this book were and are 100% wrong. Reading another review I read that this new ediction had removed hundreds of fakes and gaffes from the ediction that I tried to read more than twenty years ago. Beyond doubt, looking for money the author decided to invent new fake "prophecies".
This book is now another ediction of the trash-book writen in 1970 decade that I tried to read decades ago, but its author Hal Lindsey is so crook today, as he was in 1970 decade. I didn't read and I don't want to read nothing writen by Hal Lindsey. Reading the wikipedia, I found these words about Hal Lindsey:"Harold Lee "Hal" Lindsey (born November 23, 1929) is an American evangelist and Christian writer. He is a Christian Zionist and dispensationalist author. He currently resides in the Palm Springs area of Southern California."
Well, the author of this book isn't a real Christian, but he is a charlatan and must be rich in Palm Springs, with the money that he got from the suckers that bought his useless books. Suckers and crooks are in this world to stay.

Still waiting for the rapture fairy.
I laugh at these rapture hustlers -- Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye and Pat Robertson -- who've all reached their 80's by now without getting raptured. Assuming that Lindsey believes what he's preached for the past 40 years, does he look at his aged face in the mirror in 2010 and wonder why he's wasted his life waiting for the rapture fairy (Jesus)? ... Read more

Product Description

Known for its thorough coverage of diversity, ecology, and environmental issues, this comprehensive book engages you with integrated, relevant case studies, and challenges you with thought-provoking questions throughout each chapter.   

The fully revised Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology, Ninth Edition, has the same friendly writing style appreciated by thousands of students, but with greater emphasis on engaging, real-world applications. New to this edition are “Case Study Continued” sections, which connect a chapter’s case study to relevant biological topics covered in the chapter, and “Have you ever wondered?” features that respond to commonly asked questions from students. Thoroughly revised illustrations and expanded critical thinking questions have been added to each chapter.   

For courses not covering plant and animal anatomy & physiology, an alternate version—Biology: Life on Earth, Ninth Edition—is also available.

Customer Reviews (22)

Fast and great condition!!!
I bought this book 2 weeks before school started and I received it really fast! It was shipped accordingly and the book was just like the description said; new! The price was great too. Im very happy with this seller and their product.

Water Damage
I received the book, but there was water damage on each page on the bottom of the book. It listed the book as "LIKE NEW". I understand it is a used book, but the condition was not Like New.

Ultimate Fail by Amazon
paid for a 2 day shipping, got general shipping instead, was a book i needed for my college biology class, still haven't received the item and may cost me about a 100 dollars to go buy it from the book store as well just so i don't start out the semester with a F.

Transaction Satisfaction
Excellent transaction. Received timely and in advertised condition. I would do business with this seller again.

A good biology book
I'd say that this is a fine Biology book, which gives good explanation of the concepts, with review questions and an interactive CD included. ... Read more

Product Description
The fifth novel in Asimov's popular Foundation series opens with second thoughts. Councilman Golan Trevize is wondering if he was right to choose a collective mind as the best possible future for humanity over the anarchy of contentious individuals, nations and planets. To test his conclusion, he decides he must know the past and goes in search of legendary Earth, all references to which have been erased from galactic libraries. The societies encountered along the way become arguing points in a book-long colloquy about man's fate, conducted by Trevize and traveling companion Bliss, who is part of the first world/mind, Gaia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (95)

I still have not received my purchase.
I ordered Foundation and Earth on July 28, 2010. I received the wrong book (Foundation and Empire) on August 6, 2010 and immediately notified the sender who said they would ship a replacement out immediately. It is now August 29, 2010 and I have still not received the book I ordered. I understand the book I ordered was ridiculously inexpensive, but that doesn't justify terrible service. If you could get the wrong book to me within a week, I don't understand why the correct order couldn't have been here within a week, though since you made the mistake I believe it should have been expedited. Very disappointed and still awaiting the book. Contacted seller a week ago and they said they could confirm it has been dispatched, but I still have not received it.

Dialog quality of Wheel of Time.
This book reminded me a lot of my experience reading the Wheel of Time books. The dialog is so tedious and repetitive that I found myself hating the characters and skipping any dialog that was obviously going to be a repeat of past discussions in the book. Remember hair pulling and dress straightening in the Wheel of Time books? There are plenty of similar irritating repetitive discussions in this book.

The first 3 books of the series are fantastic. The 4th (Foundations Edge) is decent and worth reading. This book should be avoided at all costs. Don't read it. It diminishes the events in the previous books and just made me angry.


SPOILER ALERT:
The strangest thing is that the first books in the series were supposed to have been written from a successful 2nd empire after the 1000 years was over. I fail to understand how that could be the case if Gaia was really the endpoint.

For my own happiness I think I'll just pretend that the 2nd foundation was successful, Daneel's brain froze up well before he could succeed at his idiotic plan, all robots in the universe were destroyed by humans for being hopelessly stupid, and that Gaia ended up dying when its star suddenly went nova.

Gaia wouldn't notice it happening because its mode of life caused it to be too uninquisitive. With a whole planet working together you'd think they'd be at the forefront of scientific inquiry instead of being well behind the first foundation!

The other side of the coin
This novel doesn't work very well as a standalone; you have to be familiar with the Trilogy, not only in terms of plot, but to get the proper emotional impact, because is the moodiest of all Asimov's novels.

Trevize is looking for Earth, so he is examining the oldest planets in the galaxy.Most of them have been positively presented in other novels; here we see them in decay, in different ways.Baleyworld/Comporellon was once mankind's newest world and a promise for the future; now it's the oldest inhabited world, lost in the past, and obsessed with wondering what went wrong.Aurora, a utopian world, has not only lost its human population but its ecology has gone feral. The Solarians have gone from being eccentric to basically turning inhuman, etc.

In Foundation you kept hearing about the decline of the Empire, but it was mostly a matter of plot.Here you FEEL the decline.

Things on shipboard aren't much better.Bliss and Trevize spend the first half of the novel arguing over ideology, and the last half arguing over Fallom; only their shared love and respect for Pelorat holds them together.

It's almost as if Asimov sensed death approaching and let the story reflect the loss of zest and life.

Foundation and Earth:Falls Flat
Title: Foundation and Earth by Isaac Asimov.

Pages: 494.

Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 3 years.

Days spent reading it: 4 days.

Why I read it: I started reading the Foundation series a few years ago. I made it through the first 4 books and this was the next book in the series (in order of copyright).

Brief review:
Let me start off by saying, I LOVED the first 3 Foundation books, especially the first one (simply called Foundation). Isaac Asimov creates interesting situations that his characters must resolve, and they usually do so with interesting insights. Asimov wrote the first 3 books as a series of short stories, and they were later compiled into what became the Foundation trilogy. I would highly recommend those to anyone who enjoys a truly unique story.

Having said that, books 4 and 5 were different. Instead of being short stories, they were true novels. They stayed with the same characters the whole time. I personally think the characters are flat and boring. Asimov's strength is not characters but dilemmas. Unfortunately book 4 (Foundation's Edge) does not have enough dilemma in it, and almost turned me off from the rest of the series. I also really did not like how it ended. However, Foundation and Earth returned to Asimov writing more in short story format, even though he stays with the same characters, the story is revealed as they leapfrog from planet to planet in search of Earth.

I will not give away the plot, but it would say it was a decent story. Not the best in the series, but not as disappointing as Foundation's Edge. The conclusion felt a little awkward and forced. Asimov did some strange things with this series as it progressed forward. I think he wanted to make it seem like his writings as a whole were more planned out and connected than he originally intended. In the end it seems gimmicky. I'm sure there are some Asimov fans who enjoy the connections, but I would not number myself among them.

Overall, I would recommend this book to the fans of the Foundation series, but slugging through Foundation's Edge along with Foundation and Earth means reading nearly 1,000 pages of frankly sub-par Asimov. For reader's interested in something truly unique--check out Foundation, it really is superior. But realize that the first book (which is awesome) is the best it gets.

Stars: 2 out of 5.

Final Word: Flat.

Great potential, but Gaia killed this series . . .
Very disappointing. Sure, it's readable, but also laughable. The story of finding Earth should have been fantastic, but instead meandered all over the place and seems to be a waste of time. There are a few good parts, mostly for those readers familiar with the Robot series, but the entire book is sadly a disappointment. This decline started with the introduction of Gaia in the previous book, when the whole series got derailed and never got back to what it was.

Spoilers ahead!

Who else was absolutely convinced that Golan Trevize would turn out to be a robot? For most of this book, that seemed to be the great 'mystery' that would be unveiled. It turned out to be false, but Trevize's ability to merge perfectly with the ship and his basic wooden personality had me willing to bet he was definitely, positively a robot. The guy was unreal. He did not respond at all to the nubile girl on board the ship, he let the old guy have her. Er, not likely, especially as he constantly referred to how horny he was and how long it had been, ect. . .

The series officially jumped shark with the introduction of the planet Gaia and never recovered. How could the search for Earth be so pointless? They spend most of the book running from one planet to another and barely escaping alive from each one - it gets a little repetitive. When they finally achieve their goal, it's very disappointing! And none of the larger issues are resolved. What happens at the end of 1000 years? Did the two Foundations achieve their purpose? Apparently, Asimov lost his way and we never find out if the Foundation was effective or not. The story of finding Earth had great potential, but the reader is left hanging at the end wondering what will happen at the 1000 year mark, the point at which the Foundation was supposed to prevent the Dark Ages extending to thirty thousand years.

This book was mostly fluff and the silly interactions between the nondescript Trevize and the silly lovers: Gaia girl and the old librarian. This part of the story seems to have been a fantasy of Mr Asimov's . . . The 'surprise' at the end was a total rip off and an excuse not to carry the ideas begun in the first book to their final conclusion. Instead we are left with Gaia on a galactic scale . . . ... Read more

Product Description
You can walk in the miraculous! If youve ever wanted to live and walk in the supernatural power of God, heres your chance! In this expanded edition of the best-selling book that helped many believers walk in the miraculous you will learn how to: Move in the promises of God, Rediscover your true identity, Live in Gods supernatural power. If youre not experiencing daily miracles, youre living far below your birthright. By laying a carefully constructed biblical foundation for walking in the extraordinary power of God, When Heaven Invades Earth is a practical guide to a life of miracles! They left and preached everywhere. And miracles went with them. The Lord used these miracles to prove that the message was true. He was working with them (Mark 16:20 PEB). Designed for individual exploration or small-group discussions, the wisdom in this book will launch you into a world of exciting, Spirit-filled signs and wonders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A Timely Message for the Church
Bill Johnson scriptually proves that saints can flow in the supernatural as Jesus did--even more so.While the concept may be radical to some, his practical approach leaves the reader hungry to cooperate with the Holy Spirit for 'a life of miracles'.His message is greatly needed for the Kingdom of God to harvest the lost and dying.

Applause for When Heaven Invades Earth
Well worth reading."Down to earth" and practical, as it were, yet equipping one to break through to another dimension.

Eye Opening, Life Changing
Technically I didn't read this edition, I read the original "When Heaven Invades Earth"; but there's not a huge difference in them so I'm posting my review here.=)Also, before I begin, I rate books on IMPACT - how much they've truly changed my life. God has used this book to literally effect every area of my life and the lives around me. It most certainly deserves the highest rating possible.
Growing up my dad would tell me stories from the Jesus Movement. Stories of angelic activity, people getting healed, saved, and delivered, people receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in radical ways, etc. All my life I wanted to experience these things: to see God work miracles through His people as He did in the early church, the Jesus Movement, and truly all throughout time. I wanted to see Jesus glorified through life altering encounters.
I read this book sometime around 2006. It took me 6 months to read. God used it to so transform my thinking that my life has never been the same; this has been one of the most impactful books I've ever read. Since reading it, I've known that God is still working miracles, that He's still healing people, that He is doing as much now as He did in the early church.
In 2008 I moved to Redding, CA, where Bill Johnson pastors Bethel Church and the leadership here runs a school called Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. After going through the 1st Year program, it is now a regular thing for me to see people healed of all sorts of ailments, sicknesses, diseases, etc. Does every person I pray for get healed? Not yet. But what if 1 person out of 1,000 got healed after you prayed for them? What if that person and their entire family was transformed, turning their hearts to God and living for Him? Wouldn't that be worth it - Christ receiving the reward for His suffering? God so wants us to fulfill the great commission; to preach His Kingdom and love; to bring Heaven to Earth in the most tangible of ways. I wish every Christian (including Catholics) would read this book and start the journey [if it hasn't already started for you] of partnering with our Lord - our Love - in bringing His Kingdom and His will into every person's life around us. He is so worthy. Bless you!=)
Much love,
Jonathan Cline

Life Changing
If you are tired of going through life knowing God and having a form of religion but not seeing the power of God work in and through you, reading this book could be the beginning of an amazing journey where you can actually witness the very power of God manifesting Himself everyday of your life. It's a very easy read full of testimonies and simple truths from the Bible that actually are happening in the lives of people everywhere just like you and me. I read it the first time and passed it on to a friend and now have the revised version and starting it all over again. This time I will read it more slowly. It really builds your faith and gives you the boldness to be all God wants you to be! So refreshing!

No Better Preacher in my time - EXCELLENT BOOK
I bought the original book quite some time ago. I was just beginning to hear about Bill Johnson and his teaching. If anyone has a chance to check his site out, do so - you will be changed forever. [...] We Christians can learn so much about how Christ Jesus truly wants us to be by gleaning from his words and writings. The Kingdom of God IS at hand! It's about time we get to work in the rest of the world and not let Redding, CA have all the fun! GREAT BOOK - GREAT TEACHER! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Story of war's aftermath and the meaning of humanity.
Barbara Kerley's GREETINGS FROM PLANET EARTH is set in 1977 and tells of Theo and his class who are creating a greeting to be carried into space from Earth. In the course of composing a letter which will address the wider questions of who humans are, Theo must confront his own identity - including family secrets - in this story of war's aftermath and the meaning of humanity.

Countdown to the truth
It's 1977 and twelve-year-old Theo is obsessed with space. So he's excited when his science teacher, Mr. Meyer, tells the class that the Voyager probes will "each...carry a golden record: a message, in pictures and sounds, from Earth to any aliens out there in space." Mr. Meyer charges the class to bring in one picture and one minute of sound conveying "what they thought was most important about Earth."

Without getting into what an amazing teacher Mr. Meyer is, let me tell you that this project gets Theo thinking. And he has quite a bit to figure out. You see, Theo's father never came home from the Vietnam War and Theo's mother doesn't want to talk about it. In fact, she tears up whenever Theo asks a question. Fortunately, Theo's grandmother, JeeBee, recognizes that Theo wants answers and helps him by talking about Theo's father and sharing his letters from Vietnam.

As Theo searches for the answer to what is most important about Earth, he becomes more and more frustrated because he doesn't know what's most important about himself and his family. He finds out his mother has hidden all his father's letters to her and to Theo and his sister. JeeBee knows the answers, but she's still not to the end of the story. Theo's frustration boils to such a point that he destroys his airplane and spacecraft model collection.

Barbara Kerley skillfully weaves Theo's thoughts about space and space craft, told in first person, with Theo's story, told in third. Theo is a compelling character, thoughtful and bright, and we sympathize with his search for answers. The ending is a complete surprise, yet utterly plausible.

The parallels between 1977 and 2007 are difficult to ignore, as is the thematic role of secrets in the novel. Secrets, no matter how well meaning, damage a family and a community. And they're particularly dangerous for a child like Theo. As Mr. Meyer tells him, "I've met a lot of people in my life, Theo. People who truly examine things--examine themselves, even. And people who don't. I see it in school all the time--the kids who memorize for the test and the kids who really want to understand." Theo wants to understand, even if it is more difficult.

"Greetings from Planet Earth" is highly recommended for children ages nine to fourteen. It's the perfect Middle School novel--ideally suited for kids who are just beginning to question everything themselves.

Richie's Picks: GREETINGS FROM PLANET EARTH
Theo is seeking the meaning of life on Earth when his birthday arrives and his unspoken questions about his dad once again erupt inside of him. For each year on Theo's birthday, "JeeBee" (his paternal grandmother, Bernadette) gives him a model rocket or plane that is meant to be from his father. Theo and his dad built the first one together when Theo was five, shortly before his dad departed for Vietnam. The models all hang on Theo's ceiling. However, nobody in the family really talks about his dad, the dad who never came home:

"Talking about it would be against the rules. Mom had never told Theo what the rules were, but he'd figured them out. Number One: If you pretend everything is fine, then everything is fine. And Number Two: Don't talk about Dad. Ever. 'It's like JeeBee wants me to remember him' -- he glanced at the red birthday card lying on his desk -- but my mom doesn't.' "

But this is the year when Theo will begin outgrowing his previous coping mechanisms and will find himself taking a giant leap in order to learn about his dad and what really happened to him. As we read about Theo's quest and his family's dysfunction, we see how, years after the monthly body count ends, the effects of war continue to reverberate through the families of soldiers.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
If you had one minute of sound and one picture to describe the very best thing about being a human on Earth, what would you do?That's Theo's assignment, and he has two weeks to figure it out.

It's 1977 and the Voyager Probes are due to launch soon.They will be the most extensive space exploration mission yet.Aboard one of the probes is a golden record, full of sounds from earth, that will be broadcast into space, intended as a greeting toward alien life.

At first Theo thinks the assignment will be simple.The more he thinks about it, the harder it becomes.He has some great ideas, but nothing seems quite good enough.How do you describe the very best thing about humans in one minute?Should it be something we've created?Should it avoid mention of anything bad?Who are we?

One question leads to the next, and the biggest ones start to come from outside of school.Who is Theo's father, really? What happened to him in Vietnam?Why can't they talk about him?Does keeping a secret hurt someone or protect them?

This is a story about much more than just space exploration, although I did learn quite a bit more about that than I ever did in a class.This is a story about exploring you family and yourself.It's about asking hard questions, even when you're not sure you want to know the answer.It's also about forgiveness and strength and understanding.All of these are ideas that transcend time, making GREETINGS FROM PLANET EARTH a great book to have now or ten years from now, and just as good for adults as it is for kids.

Reviewed by:Carrie Spellman ... Read more

Product Description

One of this century's most popular psychology scholars, Robert A.Johnson was among the first to present Carl Jung's rich but complex theories with simple elegance and grace,opening them to an entirely new and hungry audience. His masterful works--including the best selling He, She, Inner Work, and Owning Your Own Shadow-are known and loved as much for their beautiful retellings of timeless myths and folktales as for their deep wisdom and profound insight.

Balancing Heaven and Earth reveals, for the first time, Johnson's own fascinating and mystical life-from his near-death experience at the age of eleven to the lifelong soul journey that has informed his writing and taught him how to live a spiritual life in the endlessly challenging modern world. Full of compelling, humorous, and surprising stories of encounters with an assortment of "sages, saints, and sinners," it lays bare Johnson's own inner world and its dazzeling landscape of powerful dreams, mystical visions, and synchronistic events.

Beginnning with a vivid retelling of the childhood accident that claimed the lower part of his right leg, Johnson describes the life-defining moment when he was transported by a mystical vision to a realm that exists just beyond ordinary consciousness-a realm he calls the "Golden World." With this experience, described as "both my curse and my blessing," Johnson is launched on a spiritual quest that leads him in search of Eastern wisdom, to encounters with such wise men as J. Krishnamurti and D.T. Suzuki, and finally to Carl Jung, who shows him his destiny revealed in a dream. Johnson's experiences lead him to a unique understanding and acceptance of the slender connecting threads at work in all our lives, guiding us and shaping who we are-"call it fate, destiny, or the hand of God."

As much a personal guide as a memoir, Balancing Heaven and Earth teaches us to follow , as Johnson has, the subtle influences of dreams, visions, and even our deepest sufferings in order to live attuned to our spiritual selves. A pure delight for Johnson's many fans and a splendid example of his trademark blend of illustrative myth and psychological insight, this is a work of incomparable beauty and inspiration showcasing the wisdom of a lifetime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

meeting robert johnson again & for the first time
On a vacation on the island Kauai, I found this book in the most geographically westward bookstore in the US.Walking into the store, I headed toward the book and picked it up, almost without thinking. A used well worn copy with lots of notes and underlinings by it's previous owner(s).I knew on a deep level I had the right book in my hand without doing anything more than looking at the cover.Having read He, She, We, and Contentment, I was already familiar with the author, but this book took me to another level.I love memoirs, read tons of them, have considered writing my own, and this is truly one of the richest most lovely ones I've come across.Robert Johnson is truly one of the most loving, unassuming, emotionally brilliant men on the planet. I really appreciate his honesty in sharing his struggles, his loneliness, and pain while seeking connection with the golden world.

A Wise Mentor
I find myself savoring this book, picking it up at odd moments when Robert Johnson's humble, wise words offer just the "slender threads" of inspiration and guidance I seek.What impresses me most is his disarming honesty and acceptance of the pitfalls of growth and learning.He sees his own "inflation" (self-importance) and "deflation" (feeling less than others) as opposing aspects that further him on his journey.

What I take away from this book is a renewed curiosity and zest for recording my dreams; more compassion for my stumblings, knowing them as integral steps in my own heroic journey; and a sense of allowing, realizing that all serves my evolution toward wholeness.

This is a book that I'll save, and refer to again and again.

Rev. Donna Belt

review of Balancing Heavaen and Earth by Robert Johnson

I've written two reviews and each time it disappears when I edit it.I really want to review it too

help!

Incredibly insightful
It's been a while since I last read this amazing book, which is the autobiography of Jungian analyst and author Robert Johnson.As if Johnson's life story weren't interesting enough, he intersperses his account with many subtle gems about Jungian psychology and other telling observations about life.I enjoyed reading this book the first time, but I'd forgotten just how much until I re-read it.It's a veritable gold mine of wisdom imparted by someone who really knows not only how to write, but how to live.

The Quest of the Golden World
Robert Johnson has been a great teacher, mentor, and inspiration for many in the exploration of the inner world, and ultimately the discovery for what he has known as 'the golden world'.It is a homecoming and a place of bliss and repose.I had the privilege to study and share time with Robert in the U.S. and India. He provided for me a taste of that world and a living inspiration in the very real possibility of developing a sacred and blissful rapport between the inner and outer worlds we inhabit. I was delighted to find in this book my own tiny contribution in suggesting to Robert that he take a polaroid camera to India. The realm of Enlightenment is the destiny of all humanity, and here is the humble story of one man who is pointing for us the way to follow... if we are willing to find the courage to do so. ... Read more

Product Description

The first book in the epic saga of humankind's war of transcendence

There is a milestone in the evolution of every sentient race, a Tech Singularity Event, when the species achieves transcendence through its technological advances. Now the creatures known as humans are near this momentous turning point.

But an armed threat is approaching from deepest space, determined to prevent humankind from crossing over that boundary—by total annihilation if necessary.

Customer Reviews (22)

not worth it
couldnt get past the first two chapters.filled with more technical crap than a storyline as far as i am concerned. before two chapters ended i already fully understood absolutely nothing about the characters already introduced, maybe i should read book one first oh wait it says book one on the cover????i tossed it in the bag to go to the library for free.

High tech lover
It took me awhile to even look at this book why I don't know but once I did all I can say is wow, becuase it was a great read and the author knew what he was talking about with respect to some of the theories about ways to go faster then light or way around it infact it was his explanations that really sold me on this book and now I really want part 2. Incidently one of the few negatives was no artificial gravity on the human ships but hey to each his own!
It is a nice respite from Star Trek and Starwars!

Earth Strike: Star Car Carrier: Book One
Received via Whispernet for my Kindle, this book is an excellent book in an overall sense. Story line is excellent and the continuity is very good. An excellent sci-fi read, especially if you are into space sci-fi like I am you will enjoy this book and this author has several outstanding other sci-fi books that are well worth getting and reading!!!!

well written
Well written book, but it wasn't for me.
Maybe I've outgrown the genre of space battles and brave human warriors slugging it out with powerful alien invaders bent on total destruction.

A decent book for a light read, maybe something for on the beach during a summer vacation.
A reminder of the pulp sci-fi from the 1950s, a lot of which was nice but not stellar.

You get what you need
This is written in the tradition of the author. If you have read his stories before and liked them, this book is more of the same.
He has his formula down and the only thing I could ask for was more depth of character.

I enjoyed this book even though it was similar to others I've read of his books; I look forward to the next installment. ... Read more

Product Description

There is nothing more delightful than a tomato still warm from the sun, or a strawberry so perfectly ripe that it stains your fingers.

Customer Reviews (8)

Gave it away
I am a cookbook junkie and I just didn't like it.The recipes were too involved and sheik for my liking.I gave it away

Spectacular!!!
Childhood memories brought back to life.Wonderful pictures and great recipes are presented in this well-done with love book!

one of my favorite books
this is one of my favorite books to read and re-read, the recipes are delicious and the stories in the book are really interesting

wonderful and practical book
This book is beautifully presented, and it also has recipes that are just complex enough to be challenging but not so much that you don't feel like doing it. Maybe a little daunting for a complete beginner, but maybe not if you have some patience!

Each recipe is a little bit special and has its own particular twist that you might not have considered on your own.So far I made the steak with three dipping sauces and the shrimp served with a reduced vinegar, butter and herb sauce. Both delicious. It makes good reading too--great to read the stories of various farmers and local producers of the food they use.

Couldn't put it down
I admit that I'm not one to "read" a cookbook. I'll glance and thumb, and then it goes on the shelf in the cupboard until I need it. This book? Well, I read it, I talked about it, I was encouraged to try a few recipes, and then I read it again. Right now, it is on the counter, right by my organic blueberries from my CSA.(I'm making the blueberry cake again.) Chef Crump took me where I needed to go to solidify my "elitism". I demand good, fresh, whole food, and I pay for it (sometimes dearly), and among my friends, I'm a kook. But I'd rather go without some expensive coffee to pay for better food from my CSA, and I feel great helping farmers who care about the final product.It's all about choices, as Crump so succinctly points out. This cookbook is a keeper. The recipes are seasonal, easy, and delicious. It's earned its place on the counter, not in the cupboard. ... Read more

Product Description
When you draw a heart in the sand, call on the four winds for assistance, or ask the rain to wash away a bad habit, you are practicing earth magic. By working in harmony with nature, we can transform ourselves, our lives, and our world. This tried-and-true guide offers more than one hundred spells, rites, and simple rituals you can perform using the powerful energy of the earth.
• New cover • New interior design

... Read more

Customer Reviews (61)

A great followup
An excellent, gentle guide to including natural magic into one's life.A great sequel to Cunningham's first book on natural magic.
This book and others have helped me to come to terms with the mystical side of every soul and the universe we live in - without eroding my more mainstream belief in the one G-d.

Earth Power!
This is a great little spell book for anyone interested in nature/Folkloric magick. This is a very simple book with no serious rituals.

Wonderful book
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3HH8XWNG6UOB0 This is my review

Earth power
This book is fantastic as long as your looking for spells and charms to do.This book doesn't talk about some much about the spiritual aspects of earth magic but more about the magic it self.

nice and simple
As a skeptic who wants to believe, I find myself getting a lot of books on similar subjects. I find this to be one of my most favorites.I've dabbled with it here and there, getting mixed results, but as an agnostic rather than say...a pagan maybe that's to be expected.What is really nice about the book is its simplicity in text.It doesn't scream "light 4 black candles, 2 blue candles on a full moon on this month"rather it gives simple instructions to allow anyone at anytime to do any of the things inside of it.The simple relaxed approach allows for a TON of different "spells" to fit inside, often up to three on one page.I bought this book a while back and lost it, so I repurchased it again.I like this newer version less, the beautiful illustrations inside have been taken out completely.This is a shame since they enhanced the beauty of the book. ... Read more