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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Vicki_Landes has commented on (35) products
Fake
by
John Dedakis
Vicki_Landes
, August 10, 2019
Picking up where "Bullet in the Chamber" left off, "Fake" pushes its protagonist harder, further, and faster than ever before. Still reeling from recent events in the last novel, Lark Chadwick presses forward in her true-to-form way only to find herself fighting against the ugly side of modern journalism. Unfortunately for her, it's only the beginning as the career field she's loved and thrived in for so long suddenly becomes fraught with falsities, fiction, and frenemies. Why bother reporting the truth when fake news leads in the viral headlines?DeDakis brilliantly combines the hot subject of fake news - one we can't seem to get away from any more - with a high intensity plot full of scandals, secrets, and international incidents (...or are they fake?) that we've come to expect from his Lark Chadwick series. While his previous novels have concluded with the subtle insinuation that more would be coming, this one leaves the reader SCREAMING for what's potentially unfolding in the next book. "Fake" is exhaustingly suspenseful - I had to walk away from it a few times just to breathe and the ending left me shell-shocked. "Fake" is a must-read for thriller fans and well as those who love political fiction. I'd also recommend it for those looking for diversity and inclusion in the story line as the novel tips its hat to the #metoo and LGBTQ communities. Very well done!
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How to Get Your Message Out Fast & Free Using Podcasts: Everything You Need to Know about Podcasting Explained Simply
by
Kevin Walker
Vicki_Landes
, April 30, 2013
The idea of running your own podcast (or better yet, your own successful podcast) can sound a bit daunting for many of us. However, author Kevin Walker says it doesn’t have to be. In his book, “How to Get Your Message Out Fast and Free Using Podcasts: Everything You Need to Know About Podcasting Explained Simply”, he handholds his readers though the process, making it much easier than expected. If you are even remotely interested in podcasting, this is a must read! “How to Get Your Message Out Fast and Free Using Podcasts” is an impressive step-by-step manual on organizing, recording, producing, and marketing an audio or video podcast. Walker keeps every bit of information in an easy to understand, usable format �" perfect for those of us that develop headaches when trying to comprehend the technical jargon associated with this sort of endeavor. Well organized, the book manages to cover the basics without confusing the reader or making anything feel overwhelming. One of many things that I really liked about this how to manual is that the author picked two types of recording software �" GarageBand and Audacity �" and walked you through each process. You learned exactly what settings to set and how, with specific directions on where to find these settings. I felt like I had a knowledgeable friend standing patiently next to me and telling me exactly what to do. Further, he also included an appendix with additional information on ‘Sound Enhancements and Special Effects’ �" options that you may not want (or need) when you are just learning but can pick up later when you get proficient. This ensured the material in the main chapters remained uncluttered and only contained the essentials for the beginning podcaster. “How to Get Your Message Out Fast and Free Using Podcasts” is a must read for anyone wishing they knew how to podcast! While the book is targeted at the beginner, it’s a great resource for the more experienced podcaster as well. The additional information at the back of the book on RSS tags, useful services and programs, and even the glossary are a wealth of good information for anyone. Reviewed by Vicki Liston, author of “Europe for the Senses �" A Photographic Journal”
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John's Gospel: The Way It Happened
by
Lee Harmon
Vicki_Landes
, February 20, 2013
Author and Bible scholar Lee Harmon releases his second book and sequel to his “Revelation: The Way It Happened”. This time deciphering the fourth New Testament book, “John’s Gospel: The Way It Happened” offers a fresh, enlightening, and downright surprising look at these scriptures while explaining why our traditional translation simply does not make sense. While “Revelation” concluded with the protagonist, Matthew, as a Jewish-Christian boy reaching the ‘manhood’ age of 13, “John’s Gospel” picks up with a more grown-up, discouraged Matthew during his 28th year. As the story begins, the apostle John, aware that his life is coming to an end, is compelled to pen his last letter. A stubborn Matthew refuses but a Gentile woman now living in Matthew’s boyhood home agrees to transcribe John’s words. The trio discusses and debates the text as John explains why the customary idealism of a ‘conquering warlord Messiah’ who comes to wipe out and destroy all ‘bad’ in the world is way off the mark. Matthew’s obstinacy provides the platform Harmon needs to delve into his explanations, which are structured and clearly detailed. Not only does he make his points, he makes them exceptionally well and with plenty of source material to back them up. “John’s Gospel: The Way It Happened” embodies the same brilliant organization and style of its preceding volume, “Revelation: The Way It Happened” - with a fictional story woven in and out of Harmon’s interpretation of the biblical gospel. And like his first book, he ensures that Bible scripture, his interpretations, and the fictional story stand out as discernible sections by using separate fonts and utilizing appropriate spacing. The organization is imperative in being able to follow Harmon’s train of thought and he provides that and much more in this skillfully organized format. As with “Revelation”, “John’s Gospel” is easy to follow and enjoyable to read, especially for those less inclined to read a straight forward, biblical analysis (read: dry). Harmon writes with passion grounded in intelligence and a profound background on the subject which not only makes the book educational but entertaining. Its message is one that those frustrated with the rigid legalistic or fundamentalist translations of the Bible will greatly appreciate, identify with, and even happily embrace. The set up of the book works in a relaxed story-reading scenario for families or as prepared Bible study utilizing sections or chapters as starting and stopping points. Regardless of the environment in which it’s used, ‘John’s Gospel: The Way It Happened” is a must read for any Christian. Once again, very well done! Reviewed by Vicki Liston, author of “Europe for the Senses �" A Photographic Journal”
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How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Private Investigation Business [With CDROM]
by
Michael Cavallaro
Vicki_Landes
, June 15, 2012
Working as a private investigator has a mysterious and exciting allure for many. However, there’s much more to the business than simply following people around and collecting money from clients. Author Michael J. Cavallaro hopes to enlighten, encourage, and prepare the would-be investigator with his latest book, “How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Private Investigation Business”. “How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Private Investigation Business” is a step by step guide on exactly what the title reflects - making it in the private investigations field. Are you the type of person that would excel in doing this type of work? Cavallaro drills his readers with plenty of questions to help them find those answers. Then he goes on to describe the type of training and certifications needed, how to set up a business in general, how to investigate a case, the different types of case possibilities, and much more. A CD-ROM is included and contains a ready-to-use business plan and plenty of helpful resource material. Despite containing a few editing mistakes, the book definitely has a great deal to offer the future investigator and it can be used as a starting point for beginners and a resource for the experienced. Even if you don’t know anything about the occupation and what it entails, Cavallaro lays it all out for anyone to follow. After reading it in its entirety, you could confidently decide if the field is right for you. Further, its business startup sections are applicable to almost any business, not just the public investigator. I’ve read several ‘how to start a business’ type books published by Atlantic Publishing Group and this section seems to be a standard inclusion. Not that this is a negative point - it’s just an observation. The information is extremely valuable and should be included. Simply, that if you’ve read one of their business start-up books, you’ll recognize the gist when you get to these sections. I did find the organization a bit jumpy though. The book begins with tackling the basics of what an investigator does as well as recommended training and certification steps. Afterwards, it moves into standard business startup guidelines and then back to nuances of the occupation. Next, we jump back to standard business practices and then back to investigation specific items. This bouncing between general business information and niche-focused details continues on through to the end of the book and makes following one particular line of thought more difficult. I would have liked to read *all* of what was expected of an investigator up front, starting at the beginning with training and certifications and on through cases, investigation practices, etc. The second half of the book could then consist of all the necessary general start up steps, detailing the business license, business plan, financial considerations, and on through taxes, employees, insurance, and more. Although the jumpy organization was a tad distracting, the book as a whole is a fantastic resource and a must-read for anyone looking to get started in the field. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Sandy Baker
Vicki_Landes
, March 11, 2012
As spring begins to show signs that it’s right around the corner, stores ready themselves for the influx of customers looking to buy their lawn care essentials. But what do you do if the prospect of spreading poisons and dangerous chemicals on the same ground your barefoot children and pets run around on doesn’t exactly appeal to you? Then it’s time to start thinking about lawn care in terms of organic standards. And author Sandy Baker has exactly what you need to get started in her book, “The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” “The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care” is a comprehensive book, details a myriad of steps, organic options, and common problems inherent with transitioning a lawn from ‘traditional’ to ‘eco-friendly’. Baker begins with the various reasons why people may want to switch and then gets into the actual concept of what organic lawn care entails. Later, she explains how to get your soil tested so you know what nutrient deficiencies you are up against and how to overcome them. She gives helpful hints for getting rid of weeds, pesky insects, fungus, and other unwelcomed infestations. There is even a section on how to mow your lawn the correct way. Chock full of ideas and possibilities, the book is a map for the would-be beginner and a fantastic reference book for the experienced organic landscaper. Baker is thorough in her explanations, ensuring that her methods are understandable for any reader regardless of skill level. Well-organized, the book flowed from one section to another with ease. I only noticed one small issue with the editing: page 230 discusses weeds and some various ways to stop them. Baker notes, “Instead of digging the weeds up individually, use the vinegar and citrus oil method for that small area.” However, this ‘vinegar and citrus oil method’ had not been discussed prior nor is it addressed after this reference is made. It wasn’t until I got to the end of the book that I found an appendix. Appendix D (page 273) explains this method and details the recipe. Had I not browsed the appendices, I would not have found this recipe and the ‘vinegar and citrus oil method’ I’d read about on page 230 would have remained an irritating, unanswered question. This issue could be easily fixed with the addition of a short notation, like “(see Appendix D, page 273)” immediately following the first mention of this new method. “The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care” is a must-read for anyone looking to leave behind the traditional, unnatural way of caring for their yard. Sandy Baker’s safer, eco-friendly steps allow for a healthier - and eventually even easier - way to maintain everything underfoot! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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How to Build Maintain & Use a Compost System Secrets & Techniques You Need to Know to Grow the Best Vegetables
by
Kelly Smith
Vicki_Landes
, August 30, 2011
As the ‘green’ movement moves to mainstream life, many people ask the question, ‘What more can I do to reduce my carbon footprint and help the environment?’ Enter composting! Author Kelly Smith gives the ‘whys’, ‘hows’, and ‘wheres’ in her new book (which is printed on recycled paper), “How to Build, Maintain, and Use a Compost System: Secrets and Techniques You Need to Know to Grow the Best Vegetables”. “How to Build, Maintain, and Use a Compost System” is an organized and comprehensive discussion on all things compostable. Smith begins by introducing the beginner to the subject with vivid descriptions and lots of possibilities. The benefits as well as potential issues are also discussed as well as myths and answers to a myriad of questions. She also gives plenty of options that range from the inexpensive set ups to store bought systems. Sidebar articles from people who compost regularly are also included to give readers various viewpoints on the subject. Further, the extensive appendices offer helpful sources for additional reading, finding others in your community that also compost, a glossary of terms, and places to purchase composting items. I found the book to be exceptionally thorough on what goes into composting. There was probably more than I’ve ever thought I’d want to know but reading from the perspective of someone with no background or knowledge on the subject, it was a perfect introduction. Smith’s clear descriptions as well as her pictures assisted greatly in understanding what exactly she was trying to convey while her obvious passion got me excited about starting a compost pile of my own. I especially liked the included building plans for an enclosed system; I think this is something many people - who wouldn’t otherwise want an open pile of decaying matter in their yard - would be extremely interested in having. She not only takes the concept of ‘living green’ into account but aesthetics as well. Good for the environment, less garbage trucked to landfills, readymade fertilizer for your garden - these are all benefits from the simple act of composting. Large yard or small plot and even no yard at all, “How to Build, Maintain, and Use a Compost System: Secrets and Techniques You Need to Know to Grow the Best Vegetables” gives you the down and dirty on how to get started and do your part! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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A Complete Guide for Single Moms: Everything You Need to Know about Raising Healthy, Happy Children on Your Own
by
Janis Adams
Vicki_Landes
, August 10, 2011
Now more than ever in our present society, it’s completely normal to see single parents taking on the task of raising children on their own. Whether by choice through adoption or surrogacy or by surprise via an unplanned pregnancy, divorce, or death of a partner, the goal remains to successfully nurture the child to adulthood. For those single moms out there that feel alone in their situation and unsure in how to do it all on their own, author Janis Adams has many of those answers in her new book. “A Complete Guide for Single Moms: Everything You Need to Know About Raising Healthy, Happy Children on Your Own” is an all-inclusive collection of solutions, advice, and support for women finding themselves in the position of ‘mom’, no matter how they got there in the first place. Information is presented from all sides - adoption, divorce, death, etc - and gently guides the parent through a myriad of age groups, issues, gender specific considerations (ie. raising a son vs. a daughter), and much, much more. Most of the suggestions given are not only good common sense practices but applicable to any parent - male or female, single or couple. The book makes me think of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” but with language and various nuances focused on the single mom specifically and gives you much more than just the pregnancy aspects of motherhood. “A Complete Guide for Single Moms” is a wonderful read for any single mother - or any parent for that matter - struggling to balance life with their newfound role of ‘primary caregiver’. Adams never strays from a consistently high level of empathy and encouragement as she offers one good piece of advice after another. The book starts at a very basic level in order to encompass any and all potential questions so even those new moms that know absolutely nothing about being a parent will find answers and strength within the pages. More experienced moms may find some of the subject matter a little on the rudimentary side but there is still plenty of information that they may have previously not considered and will find to be rather thought provoking. I especially liked Adams’ insistence on mothers maintaining their own health and wellbeing; moms too often forget about themselves in an effort to be a ‘super mom’. This often-ignored advice ensures that you are at your best so you have your best to give. Well done! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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Your Complete Guide to Making Millions with Your Simple Idea or Invention: Insider Secrets You Need to Know
by
Castle, Janessa
Vicki_Landes
, August 02, 2011
Have an idea for an amazing, new, or revolutionary product but don’t know quite where to start? Think the prospect of obtaining a patent is too cumbersome or expensive? Author Janessa Castle lays down the road to success in her book, “Your Complete Guide to Making Millions with Your Simple Idea or Invention: Insider Secrets You Need to Know”. “Your Complete Guide to Making Millions with Your Simple Idea or Invention” is a map through the confusing and convoluted fog of steps needed to take your idea from ‘brainstorm’ to ‘paycheck’ while sidestepping the typical mistakes many make in this process. Castle takes the dreadfully dry subject of patent application and puts it in easy to understand stages, making the overall process much clearer and straightforward. She offers pros and cons to patenting, hiring various types of professional help, using non disclosure agreements, and much, much more. Further, she gives alternatives to patenting, such as licensing and copyrights, so the reader can decide on their individual situation’s best course of action. The book’s appendix is chock full of valuable information, including examples of essential legal documents, fee schedules, application examples, inventors’ organizations, and even an invention checklist. The only small editing issue I saw was on page 106 when the subject of registering was discussed. The corresponding registration symbol, ® was typed so small that it could not be read without looking closely and squinting. Conversely, the copyright section on page 118 and corresponding © was much larger, making it easy to read. Other than this issue, I found the editing to be exceptionally high quality. “Your Complete Guide to Making Millions with Your Simple Idea or Invention” is a must read for anyone looking to take their idea to the next level as well as those bewildered by the patent application process and are looking for a helping hand. While patenting a product may be expensive, Janessa Castle makes sure you begin the journey with your eyes wide open and as educated on the steps as possible. Well organized, it’s *the* first place to start making your idea a tangible and profitable reality. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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How to Hide A Practical Guide to Vanishing & Taking Your Assets with You
by
David Wilkening
Vicki_Landes
, July 28, 2011
It’s not often that a book truly grabs me and begs to be read. I find plenty of books that are fascinating but when I came across, “How to Hide: A Practical Guide to Vanishing and Taking Your Assets with You”, my curiosity got the best of me and I just had to read it. While I’d never considered disappearing, I found the premise absolutely intriguing. Even if you are perfectly happy with your life the way it is, I guarantee you’ll take a second glance at this book. “How to Hide” is essentially a how-to guide for completely leaving your current life behind and going somewhere else to start all over. Author David Wilkening gives plenty of potential reasons some may feel this is their only course of action - divorce, abuse, witnessing a crime and feeling unsafe or vulnerable, etc. From the very beginning, Wilkening takes the responsible route with a number of disclaimers. He notes several times that the steps in the book are not for those looking to commit illegal acts or trying to get out of paying their bills. He further discusses the negative effects a disappearance might have on those left behind. In fact, the first 34 pages are dedicated to these disclaimers, possible repercussions with jilted loved ones, and the overall seriousness of disappearing. He makes it crystal clear that hiding is not a subject to be taken lightly. After reading “How to Hide” I realized it wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be, specifically with regard to ‘assets’. I define ‘assets’ as anything of value: cars, boats, homes, investment accounts, etc. So ‘taking your assets with you’ by this definition would mean a way to maintain ownership of these items when disappearing. However, the advice given in the book said to sell everything and take only what you can fit in your car or on your person - hardly feasible if you have a large amount of ‘assets’. Upon finishing, I concluded that ‘assets’ for the purpose of this book meant ‘cash’. Wilkening does give a thorough amount of information on off-shore bank accounts but this is hardly practical for a majority of readers that aren’t looking to hide, much less those that are. While it’s definitely an option, his focused audience - the bankrupt, the divorced, and the abused - most likely cannot use this information in their respective realities. “How to Hide: A Practical Guide to Vanishing and Taking Your Assets with You” is still an interesting read, written in a clear and concise style for those truly needing to disappear and start over. While there are enough editing errors to warrant mention, they did not deter from the book’s overall impact. The book is otherwise well organized and researched and David Wilkening does a fine job presenting the information at a level all readers can understand and apply. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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How to Solar Power Your Home Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Martha Maeda
Vicki_Landes
, July 20, 2011
Whether you’re a ‘green’ supporter or concerned about the rising costs of energy, solar power has a certain allure. More and more families are turning to alternative power sources as a means of reducing their carbon footprint and saving money. However, if you think that it’s as easy as sticking a couple solar panels on your roof (like I did!), you’re in for a startling reality check. Author Martha Maeda takes the mystery - and myths - out of adapting a house to accommodate solar energy in her book, “How to Solar Power Your Home: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply”. “How to Solar Power Your Home” is an exceptionally well put together and eye-opening read into the pros, cons, and overall how-to’s of capturing the sun’s rays and converting them into a usable energy source. Once far too expensive for the typical homeowner, the necessary equipment has developed in strides and with various governmental rebates and tax incentives can soon provide a household with the same amount of power it previously expected from the local utility company. It’s not a transition to take lightly and Maeda explains a myriad of considerations to take into account before making the plunge. She teaches not only the fundamentals of electricity so the reader can assess their own situation and needs, but gives many options on everything from different types of equipment to whether to hire a contractor or going the DIY route. I especially liked the chapter, ‘Making Your Home Energy Efficient’ because it gives the reader some real-world actions to take even if they can’t afford to solar power a home right away. So many of the recommendations in this section are easy, inexpensive, and can make a big difference in their energy consumption immediately. I love a book that can keep me thinking long after the last page is finished and “How to Solar Power Your Home” does just that. While it has really given me a more realistic look into the subject of solar power, it also educates on the energy crisis in general. I was a little daunted by the sheer amount of required factors that go into equipping a home but at the same time, motivated to take the small steps towards a more efficient lifestyle. Further, Maeda’s organized approach gives the book a polished, professional feel so I felt confident that the information I was reading had been carefully put together. Whether you are ready to go solar now or perhaps down the road, “How to Solar Power Your Home” is a must read! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Painting, Faux Painting, or Mural Business [With CDROM]
by
Bishop, Melissa Kay
Vicki_Landes
, July 12, 2011
“How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Painting, Faux Painting, or Mural Business” is a step by step guide to turning a hobby or part time job into a booming money-making company. Author Melissa Kay Bishop presents this how to guide for the would-be business owner in hopes that it will ease their transition from ‘casual painter’ to ‘professional artist’. For the artist, most efforts are centered on the creative aspects of painting. However, Bishop ensures that the potentially mundane but important business aspects are not overlooked. Her advice could be effectively used by anyone looking to start a business but her recommendations are tailored specifically to the needs of a painting company. For example, she covers insurance but then gives the various considerations and options which would best serve painters. Bonding, permits, licenses, and ethics are only some of the many subjects included. She also includes a helpful companion CD which includes applicable business forms discussed in her book as well as a business plan model which can be adapted for a variety of needs. I was especially pleased that a color section was included in this book. The black and white pictures didn’t clearly show textures or paint techniques so the color pages really made a difference. Not all of the black and white pictures were replicated in color but that didn’t deter at all from the section’s effectiveness. I did find several editing errors; the most glaring was in the section on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Bishop refers to them as ‘spiders’ on page 162 but four pages later calls them ‘octopi’. Having read (and reviewed) several website building books, I’ve yet to see SEOs referred to as ‘octopi’. Further, this can cause confusion for those readers with no previous SEO knowledge. I also thought the basic painting techniques included towards the end of the book seemed almost like an afterthought and didn’t really belong in this book. Not only were the instructions vague, a person interested in setting up a painting business would already know the basics and not need this information. This section would be better served in a ‘faux finish 101’ how-to book. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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101 Recipes for Making Cheese: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Cynthia Martin
Vicki_Landes
, July 08, 2011
I admit - cheese makes my world go round. So when I had the opportunity to review a book about making cheese, I jumped at the chance. “101 Recipes for Making Cheese: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” was an enticing idea. While I was a little worried about the thought of actually having to create some of my favorites from scratch (what if I completely mess it up and get sick or what complicated steps would I have to attempt to follow?), author and cheese expert Cynthia M. Martin quickly put my fears to rest. “101 Recipes for Making Cheese: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” begins with an introduction of the many types of cheeses as well as a history of its accidental discovery. Both fascinating and fun, the book continues with what ingredients work best (and which don’t), a basic lesson in chemistry and how chemicals, cultures, and molds are a must, and what equipment you can expect to need and use. Martin spends some time on each subject, covering the important information but not weighing you down with every possible tidbit related to cheese. She begins her recipe section a mere 57 pages into her book so after only a short fundamental background, you are already on your way to making your first batch! She presents straightforward, crystal clear instructions on a myriad of cheeses. I absolutely love how she starts with super easy recipes for the beginner and builds onto the more involved while always maintaining that uncomplicated feel. Further, she divides her recipes into sections such as Semi-Firm, Ripened, Brine-Washed, Firm, and Blue Cheeses, giving a well-organized and professional impression of the book. She completes her work with sections on what wines and beer best compliment your creations, fondue, and how to start your own cheese making business. The book is simply a one stop shop of all things cheese! “101 Recipes for Making Cheese: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” is a fun read for anyone interested in cooking but especially those concerned with what exactly goes into their food. What better way to feel confident that your cheese is made from the freshest ingredients, that there are no unexpected fillers, artificial flavors or colors, and are prepared with the highest standards than to do it yourself? Simple to follow recipes make the process especially enjoyable for children with adult supervision. Lactose sensitive or intolerant? Believe it or not, there are even ways to make your cheeses easier on your system! Author Cynthia M. Martin makes sure you will never look at mac and cheese the same way again! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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Complete Guide to Building Affordable Earth Sheltered Homes Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Robert McConkey
Vicki_Landes
, July 07, 2011
The Green Movement is one of the hottest trends today and as it continues to gain popularity, so do many alternatives to our traditional lifestyles. One such alternative is the use of earth-sheltered homes. While built for any number of reasons, the earth-sheltered home is mostly renowned for its ability to save an astonishing amount of energy. Author and fan, Robert McConkey looks to educate his readers on these amazing homes with his recently released book, “The Complete Guide to Building Affordable Earth-Sheltered Homes: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply”. “The Complete Guide to Building Affordable Earth-Sheltered Homes: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” is a comprehensive look at what exactly goes into the construction of an earth-sheltered home. From contemplating making the change to living closer to the earth to each of the pros and cons, McConkey lays it all out in an easy to understand format. He continues with a history of earth-shelters, discussing land considerations, types of building materials, waterproofing, lighting, energy saving practices, and much, much more. I was absolutely floored with the sheer amount of information he was able to cram in his book, all while keeping the subject light and interesting. For example, he walks you through the process of pouring concrete and framing the house step by step so even someone like me - with no experience beyond digging tunnels in a sandbox as a child - can comprehend and picture in my mind. Further, he has such passion about his subject that it easily sparked my own imagination on what it would be like to live in such a home. I’d never even considered an earth-sheltered house yet now I’m ready to get out there and build! The only negative aspect of the book that I saw was the quality of many of the pictures - they are blurry. Whether it was a picture of a historical earth-sheltered home or a new one under construction, the lack of clarity was frustrating. There were also a couple of pictures with words that were completely illegible. Page 139 shows a diagram but the words contained were unreadable. Page 188 introduces a picture by saying, “The following picture shows how grade stamps work” but the only legible portion of the picture is the large title at the top, ‘Reading a Grade Stamp’. Everything else contained in the picture is too blurry to read, making the inclusion of this diagram useless. “The Complete Guide to Building Affordable Earth-Sheltered Homes: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” is THE how-to book on building your own earth-sheltered house. An absolute must read for the ‘green’ fan and those interested in an affordable, sustainable way of living. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks & Stone: Stonework Projects and Techniques Explained Simply
by
Flynn, Brenda and Flynn, Mike
Vicki_Landes
, June 30, 2011
Love the look of stone but have no idea where to start? Want to try and do the work yourself but not sure if you are up to the task? Atlantic Publishing Group has released “The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks and Stone: Stonework Projects and Techniques Explained Simply” to answer these questions and more. With the expertise of veteran stone artisan Brenda Flynn, readers can confidently begin incorporating rock into their projects. “The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks and Stone” is a how-to guide on the use of rock in architecture and landscaping. Written with the beginner in mind, author Flynn covers the background and history of its use over time, different types of rocks, their physical properties, and what they are best used for. She also provides ample project ideas to spark her readers’ imaginations as to what they could try in their own homes. I found the book to be extremely orderly in its organization, allowing the beginner to learn the basics but also serving as a good reference for those with previous building experience. Flynn writes in a clear and descriptive language which is imperative in an effective how-to book. I would have like to see more pictures, though; some of the projects described didn’t have a single picture while most only had one or two of the finished project and none of the actual process. Further, quite a few picture captions have the readers noting different color shades in the rock but the pictures are in black and white. A section of full color pages would have greatly added to the understanding of the author’s aim in showing the various nuances of the rocks described. I especially liked Flynn’s thoughtful addition of the legalities of collecting rocks; I would have never guessed that gathering from such places as a national park or in a river bed is illegal! She mentions this and the importance of respecting private property several times to ensure it is not missed - a responsible and admirable inclusion to her text. All in all, a fun and creative introduction into the myriad ways to use rock and stone! --Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”
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Ad/HD Success! Solutions to Boosting Self-Esteem the Diary Method Ages 7-17
by
Kerin Bellak Adams
Vicki_Landes
, May 16, 2011
Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnoses have exploded over the last ten years. Children normally labeled as ‘problems’ are now being seen in a new light, needing patience and sometimes drug intervention to be able to function normally in an academic setting. Stigmas, however, remain and a child’s self esteem can suffer greatly in trying to adjust. And while many authors concentrate on the science of AD/HD to inform parents on what it is, how it works, and why it’s happening, author Kerin Bellak-Adams takes a slightly different approach. “AD/HD Success! Solutions for Boosting Self-Esteem; The Diary Method for Ages 7-17” is meant to be used by both parents and students but it is the student’s entries which guide the progress. The book is full of diary pages to be filled out and focuses on building up self worth and confidence. The diary pages are broken down by age group for appropriateness and all have plenty of room in which to jot down answers and feelings. There are also pages for daily accountability checks and self esteem levels which help the child remember what they need to do as well as ‘check in’ as to how they feel about themselves. Bellak-Adams includes a question area for parents to gently help with patience, positive vs. negative incentives, coping strategies, and prioritizing. The final section shares Bellak-Adams’ success stories. These short passages provide examples of ‘The Diary Method’ program’s use and what positive aspects have come from using it. “AD/HD Success! Solutions for Boosting Self-Esteem; The Diary Method for Ages 7-17” is a quick and easy read for parents who need more than just the ‘science’ of AD/HD. Bellak-Adams gives proactive measures for parents to get their kids on the right track NOW. Since the book doesn’t take long to read, the program implementation is that much faster. Age appropriate information further helps parents give their kids a focused agenda for boosting self esteem. The book is also sprinkled with quotations by successful people �" some of which had ADD tendencies �" which push kids to believe in themselves and try their best. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses �" A Photographic Journal”
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365 Ways To Motivate & Reward Your Nonprofit Volunteers Every Day With Little Or No Money
by
Melissa Sequeira
Vicki_Landes
, April 04, 2011
365 Ideas for Recruiting, Retaining, Motivating, and Rewarding Your Volunteers: A Complete Guide for Nonprofit Organizations Sunny Fader Atlantic Publishing Group 1405 SW 6th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471-0640 www.atlantic-pub.com 978-1-60138-149-1, $24.95, 2010 Title for Amazon: A must read for any nonprofit organization! When a company considers bringing volunteers into their organization, they may initially think, ‘Great! Free help!’ And while volunteers may not require an hourly wage, there’s more that goes into their integration and into their daily schedule than simply finding them something to do. The reality is that there is a whole lot more! Author and veteran volunteer Sunny Fader hopes to assist in this endeavor with the release of her new book, “365 Ideas for Recruiting, Retaining, Motivating, and Rewarding Your Volunteers: A Complete Guide for Nonprofit Organizations”. “365 Ideas for Recruiting, Retaining, Motivating, and Rewarding Your Volunteers” is a fantastic step by step book on the successful use of volunteers. Written with the nonprofit organization in mind, Fader explains exactly what needs to be done even before you begin recruiting and continues to follow through with good advice at every stage of the process. She debunks various volunteer myths, explains how to make the recruitment message appealing to potential applicants, and shows the importance of screening. Further, she details the hows and whys of integrating the volunteers with paid staff members and stresses the uses of motivational tactics to retain quality candidates. Fader also includes success stories from various organizations and sprinkles them throughout; the reader has the ability to learn from these tried-and-true examples of real life situations. Fader shines as she imparts her 30 years of experience with nonprofit organizations and wraps this enormous amount of information up in a delightful, easy-to-read book. She fully explains her steps without overburdening the reader and maintains a lighthearted feel throughout �" it’s business casual in written form. Well organized and edited, the book projects an authoritative, ‘expert’ feel. I would think that any nonprofit which hopes to either bring in volunteers for the first time or improve upon an existing program will greatly benefit from Fader’s advice. “365 Ideas for Recruiting, Retaining, Motivating, and Rewarding Your Volunteers: A Complete Guide for Nonprofit Organizations” is an absolute ‘must read’ for any organization that uses an unpaid workforce to accomplish parts its mission. A struggling economy doesn’t mean scraping for volunteers or having to go without; even the smallest nonprofit can successfully obtain and retain unpaid help with the right tools. A+! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses �" A Photographic Journal”
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How to Build Your Own Web Site with Little or No Money: The Complete Guide for Business and Personal Use
by
Bruce C. Brown
Vicki_Landes
, March 09, 2011
When I requested “How to Build Your Own Web Site with Little or No Money” for review, I expected the typical ‘how to’ book of basics of putting together a simple internet page. What I got, however, was well above and beyond my wildest expectations. The book is so much more than anything ‘typical’; it’s an honest to goodness ‘Web Site Bible’. “How to Build Your Own Web Site with Little or No Money: The Complete Guide for Business and Personal Use” is *the* book to have if you are interested in building a Web site. Author Bruce C. Brown walks you step by step through every possible nuance related to the subject. What I especially liked about the book is that it didn’t just tell you how to format content and graphics then send you on your way; Brown includes marketing analysis and strategy advice, search engine optimization suggestions, a Pay-Per-Click walk though, and utilizing blogs and social networking to your advantage. It’s everything you’ll need to make your Web site not only attractive but successful. Perhaps a bit daunting to read initially (720 pages!), “How to Build Your Own Web Site with Little or No Money” quickly puts your mind at ease when you realize Brown’s language isn’t just technical jargon. Readers with some computer experience will easily understand Brown’s information but he also incorporates a glossary for those a little light on the lingo. Everything is organized and broken down to aid in the learning process and for effortless reference later. Whether you are building a site from scratch or improving an existing one, the book has something for any aspiring Web designer. The only ‘off’ thing I found about the book was the way it was printed. Each of the pages was printed at a slight angle instead of straight across; when opened, every left page slanted up while every right page slanted down. This made reading slightly irritating at first but it wasn’t long before I quit noticing the slant. I’ve reviewed several books for Atlantic Publishing Group in the past and none have had this issue. So, I’m assuming my copy’s printing problem was unique. Other than this minor point, I was extremely pleased with the quality and content. VERY well done! --Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses - " A Photographic Journal”
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Employee Body Language Revealed: How to Predict Behavior in the Workplace by Reading and Understanding Body Language
by
Stalter, Harmony
Vicki_Landes
, March 03, 2011
Ever wish you could read someone’s mind? Author Harmony Stalter says you can practically do that if you know what to look for. In her new book, “Employee Body Language Revealed: How to Predict Behavior in the Workplace by Reading and Understanding Body Language”, she discusses what subconscious behaviors reveal about a person’s demeanor. You’ll never look at another person the same way again! “Employee Body Language Revealed” is a fascinating exploration of human emotion and the corresponding body language that goes along with it. Stalter presents an extremely well researched book on the various aspects of reading another person, explains ‘open’ and ‘closed’ stances, and why each is displayed subconsciously. Further, she combines several singular behaviors into group and explains that no one behavior should be used to determine a person’s mindframe; certain mannerisms can mean totally different things depending on the context. Stalter teaches you how to ‘read’ others while also learning to alter your own body language. Why look hesitant and unsure when you can exude confidence, relaxation, and happiness with a few minor behavior modifications? Clear and articulate, her information is organized for easy comprehension and quick reference. “Employee Body Language Revealed” is the perfect read for managers and supervisors but learning to interpret non-verbal communication is a skill that anyone can benefit from. There are very few books that I consider ‘recommended for anyone’ but this is definitely one that fits into that category. In the wake of such tragedies as the recent Tucson, Arizona shooting and the myriad of violent school and workplace incidents, it’s imperative that we all take better notice of those around us in an effort to minimize or avoid these types of manmade disasters. If more people could aptly read body language, could a potential event be averted? There’s always that possibility… and books such as this can open these doors. “Employee Body Language Revealed: How to Predict Behavior in the Workplace by Reading and Understanding Body Language” is a must read! Learn and immediately apply your new-found knowledge on those around you; it’s not only intriguing but it will help you relate to others on a completely different interpersonal level. Eye-opening and unbelievably amazing! --Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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199 Internet-Based Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars: Secrets, Techniques, and Strategies Ordinary People Use Every Day to
by
Rowley, Lee and Cohen, Sharon and Askenburg, Bill
Vicki_Landes
, March 01, 2011
Author Sharon L. Cohen outlines the ins and outs of internet business success in her book, “199 Internet-Based Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars: Secrets, Techniques, and Strategies Ordinary People Use Every Day to Make Millions”. While hoping to motivate and inspire, she offers sound advice on what it takes to start an online business while maintaining a realistic grasp on what that involves. Her business ideas were less than exciting but all in all, a decent reference book on the subject. More than ever, people are choosing to shop online instead of going to a traditional ‘brick and mortar’ store for a myriad of reasons. These reasons can range anywhere from not wanting to deal with parking lots and crowds to saving time and gas or just being bored. Whatever the reason, more and more entrepreneurs are looking to cyberspace to build their passion and income. And Sharon L. Cohen shows you how. “199 Internet-Based Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars” begins with a solid background on business and tackles such subjects as a business plan, marketing, customer service, and much more. Cohen continues by breaking down her 199 businesses into sections for easy navigation; the groupings around the same theme give her readers additional options that perhaps they hadn’t previously considered. Further, some ideas have ‘sideline businesses’, closely related spinoffs that are only slightly different than the initial one. While I did find some of her suggestions good, I was a bit disappointed overall; some of the ideas offered seemed to be hardly worthy of her subtitle, “Secrets, Techniques, and Strategies Ordinary People Use Every Day to Make Millions” - such as an internet site for selling crickets (#26) or worms (#27) as fishing bait. I also found the subtitle to be misleading. Big, bold letters tell us that ordinary people use the contained techniques to make millions yet she says, “You will not make millions on your first attempt at starting an e-commerce store”. Granted, she is trying to give her readers a realistic look at the difficulties of starting a business (which applies to traditional storefront or website) but this statement – 32 pages into the book – is not what the cover is implying. 199 Internet-Based Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars: Secrets, Techniques, and Strategies Ordinary People Use Every Day to Make Millions” is a good look at what it takes to start an internet business, complete with a sample business plan appendix. Targeted at those with intermediate computer skills, Cohen does include some lingo definitions and suggests supplemental training for those whose skills aren’t up to par. A good ‘business basics’ book.
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Warnings The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather
by
Michael Smith
Vicki_Landes
, February 24, 2011
Of all the things we take for granted, weather forecasting and severe weather warnings probably rank up near the top. We normally only notice – and complain – when forecasts are wrong; praise for accurate reporting just doesn’t happen. Meteorologist and author Mike Smith hopes to bring a more positive light to the criticized field of forecasting while exploring the history of weather warnings in his book, “Warnings: The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather”. “Warnings” is an intriguing look at the development of early warning systems and the difficulties in deciphering constantly-changing weather patterns. While many have the ability to write a book such as this, Mike Smith has the unique advantage of claiming, ‘But I’ve been a major player in its improvements!’ The book gives readers a firsthand account of some of the most disastrous storms of the last half century, showing Smith in the forefront of technological advances. Further, he describes early weather forecasting protocol and the surprising fact that at one time, forecasters were not supposed to give severe weather warnings! Smith goes on to detail lives lost in the government’s efforts to stay out of the warning business and his own struggle to overcome that political red tape. The inclusion of pictures further illustrated how important early warning systems are to life and property. The book ends on a positive note, giving the reader a sense of relief as he describes current warning practices while alluding to the fact that there are plenty of advancements yet to be made. “Warnings” is the perfect read those with any level of interest in weather – from a healthy curiosity to a professional involvement; storm chasers and meteorologists alike will find it as informing as it is entertaining. As someone who has very recently earned her masters in emergency management, “Warnings” gave me plenty of alternative viewpoints to think about. For example, I’d never considered the ‘disconnect’ between a meteorologist’s warning and the political resistance of initiating action before it’s absolutely necessary (read: Hurricane Katrina). Normally it’s viewed as the emergency manager’s inability to get proactive support but in actuality that process starts as far back as the initial weather forecasts – that crucial step we take for granted. “Warnings: The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather” gives you a fresh perspective on the field of meteorology and the history of severe weather warnings. Smith has passion and a child-like fascination with weather which emanates from the pages. I absolutely loved how his obvious devotion to the subject came out in each and every sentence. Very enjoyable and educational read! Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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How to Publish a Kindle Book with Amazon.com: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Resser, Cynthia
Vicki_Landes
, February 24, 2011
Interested in getting into the digital publishing field but feeling intimidated with the sheer amount of information you think you’ll need to learn first? Author Cynthia Reeser has solved that seemingly overwhelmingly obstacle with her book, “How to Publish a Kindle Book with Amazon.com: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply”. Already an established writer, Reeser offers sound advice and suggestions for the hopefuls out there. “How to Publish a Kindle Book with Amazon.com” walks you step by step through the process of converting files into Amazon’s Digital Text Platform, along with helpful hints and tips on writing, editing, pricing, marketing and promotion. She also elaborates upon publishing for blogs, newspapers, and magazines within the Kindle system. I was impressed with the amount of details and descriptions which will make it easy for readers at any computer skill level to follow. Despite the number of self-publishing avenues available to the would-be writer, Reeser sets the ‘how to’ standard high by employing the same principles set for a traditionally published book. By focusing on this important information, her readers can apply the same methods to their digital works for better success. For example, the traditional publishing process mandates that books go through an enormous amount of editing, revisions, and above all, proofreading, proofreading, and more proofreading. Who wants to pay good money for a book full of misspellings, incomplete information, or poor grammar? Reeser insists that digital publications should be no different and she’s absolutely right. Too many self-published books are out on the market but are in dire need of a major editing overhaul. Therefore, utilizing these traditional publishing standards can make your book stand out above the rest. Simply put, “How to Publish a Kindle Book with Amazon.com” is the best ‘how to’ book I’ve read in years! Even if you know absolutely nothing about the Kindle, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a digitally published author. Reeser is encouraging and motivating and her information is fun to read while maintaining a professional quality. She displays a contagious excitement for her subject and an eagerness to share her wealth of knowledge with others. A must read for writers looking to get their work ‘out there’ without the rejection letters! Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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Kennedy Green House Designing an Eco Healthy Home from the Foundation to the Furniture
by
Robin Wilson
Vicki_Landes
, February 16, 2011
When Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his family realized that their house had been infested with hazardous black mold, they were faced with an extremely difficult undertaking – tear down their beloved home. Yet in the midst of this family tragedy, they did much more than just rebuild a place to live; they ensured that meticulously high ‘green’ standards were utilized throughout the entire process. This is a family that could have easily just constructed a monstrous and showy house that concentrated on suiting their lifestyle. But they didn’t. And the result is nothing short of both amazing and admirable. “Kennedy Green House: Designing an Eco-Healthy Home from the Foundation to the Furniture” is a stunning visual testament to the Kennedy’s commitment to environmentally-friendly living. Author Robin Wilson captures the building design development and final results with unparalleled style, an upbeat personality, and obvious enthusiasm – she really puts you there! She shows just how America’s royal family sets this ‘green’ precedence for others while including tips on how the rest of us can incorporate these standards in our own homes. Her inclusion of examples, the ‘Green Pages’ with various options, drawings, company names and contact information, and merging recycled items with the new ones give readers a place to start on their own journey towards ‘green living’. Wilson proves that even without a Kennedy-sized bank account, it’s possible to build or renovate with dramatic style and all while respecting the fragile environment. Beautifully written and chock-full of vibrant photography, it serves as both a quick education guide to environmentally conscious systems and an entertaining coffee table book. The subject matter is current and seeing such a prominent and influential family put such importance on ‘going green’ speaks volumes. Those who enjoy eco-living type books as well as photography fans will love “Kennedy Green House”. And it’s a fantastic way to get a sneak peek inside of a Kennedy home! “The Kennedy Green House: Designing an Eco-Healthy Home from the Foundation to the Furniture” is not only a gorgeous book but a celebrity endorsement of eco-friendly standards. Robin Wilson entertains and informs with descriptions, photographs, and processes meant to motivate the reader into considering how they could bring ‘green’ into their own homes. Definitely worth a look! --Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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Complete Guide to Creating Oils Soaps Creams & Herbal Gels for Your Mind & Body 101 Natural Body Care Recipes
by
Marlene Jones
Vicki_Landes
, February 09, 2011
Journalist Marlene Jones releases her first full-length book titled, “The Complete Guide to Creating Oils, Soaps, Creams, and Herbal Gels for your Mind and Body”. Within its pages, she introduces the concept of aromatherapy, a little of its history, the different ways essential oils can be created, and how they can be used safely and effectively. She also discusses the creation of soaps, creams, salts, gels, and other health and beauty products that can be made from the comfort of your own home. “The Complete Guide to Creating Oils, Soaps, Creams, and Herbal Gels for your Mind and Body” includes a section on essential oils to avoid, something that I don’t usually see as separate in typical aromatherapy books. Usually, these books lump all oils together – typically just in alphabetical order - and run through description after description, making it seem like ‘information overload’ to the beginner. Jones’ separate chapter ensures that these potentially harmful substances are set apart and stand out. A good show of responsible writing on the author’s part. While I found the book to be a good but very basic introduction to the subject of aromatherapy, I did see some problems. First, most in the aromatherapy field consider Robert Tisserand to be the father of modern aromatherapy and his book, “The Art of Aromatherapy: The Healing and Beautifying Properties of the Essential Oils of Flowers and Herbs” is considered to be the ‘aromatherapy bible’ of sorts. Yet Jones doesn’t mention Tisserand or his book even once in her work, not as a reference or included in her further reading section. Second, she doesn’t even tackle the important distinction between essential and fragrance oils until the very end of chapter 10, almost 200 pages into the book. This distinction makes or breaks whether certain oils can be considered ‘aromatherapy’ in the first place; readers should have to get 2/3s of the way though the book before learning this. Third, I did like the idea of adding color pictures to the book but the single color section in the middle didn’t really add to a better understanding of the subject matter. It was more of a little visual interlude, pretty and more pictures of wet rocks than I would have cared to look at but that’s about it. Fourth, the bath salt chapter was unusually short – only 4 pages. I would have either completely left this chapter out since it isn’t mentioned in the title or added quite a bit more information. A basic bath bomb recipe is offered but no mention of the types of salts that can be used, their different mineral contents, mixing of various salts, and the purpose or reasons each would be included for various ailments. Further, mica was noted as a colorant but not the fact that it is an eye and skin irritant and should be used with caution. Similarly, the perfume section, located at the end of chapter 12, only mentions ingredients for making your own perfume but has no recipe or ratio to follow; this section is located at the end of a chapter chock full of recipes for other concoctions. Finally, the book has some contradicting information. For example, she notes on page 34 that it takes more than eight million Jasmine flowers to make two pounds of essential oil but on page 86, the ratio is 3.6 million flowers to make one pound of oil. Doubling the latter figure only gets you 7.2 million, but not ‘over eight million’. Even a minor discrepancy such as this can lower the book’s credibility. I did like Jones’ writing style and the book was very well organized and edited; I found no noticeable spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. She’s obviously passionate about her subject and has a good knowledge bank to back up her information. However, it’s definitely not an authoritative source on the subject of aromatherapy.
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Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit 10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World
by
Tom Rand
Vicki_Landes
, February 04, 2011
Author Tom Rand sees alternatives to burning fossil fuel not only as an important consideration but absolutely unavoidable if we are to alter the rising carbon emissions problem on a global scale. With that in mind, he has released his book, “Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit: 10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World”. This work captures ten clean technologies which desperately need funding for continued research and development but also have the potential to stop the global warming trend. “Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit” is an absolutely fascinating discussion on each of these ten clean technologies presented, both with pros and cons. The information contained also notes their possible impact and the companies that are currently working through the obstacles to bring them to light on a large, commercial scale. Complete with gorgeous photography worthy of a ‘National Geographic’ magazine, “Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit” serves as both an informative ‘green living’ book and a vibrantly colorful coffee table book. For the most part, it’s very well organized and edited, only displaying a couple of errors. The only obviously noticeable issue was the incorrect notation of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’ name in this sentence, “TelePresence is to video-conferencing what Mark Phelps is to swimming.” Oops. “Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit: 10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World” will be thoroughly enjoyed by not only those well-versed in green technologies but an eye-opening read for those just beginning to learn about these important alternative energy options. Frankly, I was amazed at how far behind the United States was in compared to other countries’ efforts in minimizing fossil fuel dependence. While lifestyle habits in these other countries have made the incorporation of ‘cleaner living’ a little easier than in the U.S., other difficult obstacles such as much higher tax rates make their commitment to this endeavor a truly selfless example worth following. Rand does an excellent job not only informing his readers of what these technologies are all about but what people – real people – are doing to further this global effort. His writing style flows with inspiring language and motivation that will kick start even the most stubborn of skeptics. Well done! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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Complete Guide to Food Preservation Step By Step Instructions on How to Freeze Dry & Can & Preserve Food
by
Angela W Duea
Vicki_Landes
, January 25, 2011
“The Complete Guide to Food Preservation: Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Freeze, Dry, Can, and Preserve Food” is a comprehensive book covering the in’s and out’s of safely packaging food for long-term storage. Author Angela Williams Duea displays an obvious passion for the subject and vividly describes the various aspects of the selection, preparation, and combinations of certain foods so that they may be stockpiled. Whether you are looking to preserve food in order to save money, to have organic options at your disposal, or you are saving the extra from your garden, this book has more than enough information to get you well on the way to your culinary and storage goals. “The Complete Guide to Food Preservation” is extremely thorough and meticulous in its descriptions of the full range of possibilities when considering what type of preservation method to utilize. I was almost overwhelmed with what could actually be done with even the simplest of foods! Williams Duea keeps her readers from being totally inundated with information by separating the methodology from the recipes; step by step directions for correct preservation processes take up most of the book, structured as easy to find chapters and sections while the actual recipes are located in an appendix. All in all, I found the book to be extremely well organized and edited but I did find two ‘off’ spots. While very minor, one was a caption noting a picture’s ‘bright colors’ yet the picture was black and white. The other was a caption about halfway through the book naming the person pictured and what she was doing (ie. ‘Laura uses her juicer to make fresh and nutritious carrot juice’) yet no other picture in the entire book gives such a personal indicator caption; it didn’t fit with any of the other pictures and captions which reflect a very general and impersonal feel. “The Complete Guide to Food Preservation” is the perfect read for anyone interested in saving food for the long-term, regardless of reason. As I am completely inexperienced at any aspect of canning, I found the descriptions and processes easy to follow and am excited to try some of them out for myself. Beginners will love Williams Duea’s clearly motivating style and more experienced will find it a useful reference book. An appetizing read! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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Complete Guide to Companion Planting Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Garden Successful
by
Dale Mayer
Vicki_Landes
, January 24, 2011
Do you have a green thumb? Or is it more of a black thumb of death? If you just can’t get your garden to grow, author Dale Mayer says it may not be you at all. In her book, “The Complete Guide to Companion Planting”, she explains how the specific pairing of certain plants can have either a positive synergistic effect or a disastrous one, depending on what plants you try and grow together in the same space. And the results of two compatible plants can be truly amazing! Mayer begins her book with a conceptual explanation of companion planting, along with some history and biological benefits to this type of gardening. She tackles such subjects as good and bad critters, garden maintenance, and fertilizing. She also explains how easy it is to start a garden, whether you have a large space in which to grow or only a fence line or patio. The remainder of the book focuses on a myriad of herbs, vegetables, annuals, perennials, wildflowers and weeds, bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, shrubs, bushes, vines, and fruits. With each of these items, she lists what plants would make good companion matches as well as those plants that won’t. These pairings can be based on one plant’s ability to enrich the soil for the other or on one plant root’s shallow depth with another’s deep reach to conserve valuable space. Either way, the results can range from a higher yield to tastier produce, even less space needed, and much more. Mayer makes it incredibly easy for her readers to simply go to the short paragraph which contains their plant of interest and quickly find what they are looking for without having to labor over long, drawn out passages. This makes the book perfect for not only the beginning gardener, looking to get started without being overwhelmed, but also the experienced one, needing a good reference book and perhaps some fresh, new ideas. Mayer’s style flows with a laid back and easy feel, making her information and advice fun to learn. Straightforward and simple, anyone can learn to successfully raise a garden with “The Complete Guide to Companion Planting”. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply - Including Heirloom Tomatoes
by
Everhart, Cherie
Vicki_Landes
, January 20, 2011
“The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes” is chock-full of everything imaginable relating to tomatoes. Author Cherie Everhart begins with a history of the tomato and its gradual spread across the world. She walks the reader through a comprehensive list of the various types of tomatoes to include heirloom varieties with descriptions and recommended uses of each. For example, some tomatoes are better for using in sauces while others are better for slicing and eating fresh. Everhart also gives detailed information on how to grow tomato plants with soil, lighting, watering, fertilizing, and companion planting in mind for optimal results. She also gives specific state extension center resources to assist the reader in soil analysis and a garden log for easy recordkeeping. Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, “The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes” has something for you. I had no idea there could be so much to learn about tomatoes! While they are relatively easy to grow, I found the additional information on tomato history and all of the different varieties and uses quite fascinating. Further, I thought her recommendations on growing specific plants nearby in order to enhance the growth or taste of the tomato to be a fun way to experiment if you already know the ins and outs of basic gardening. Everhart writes with an easy style that makes learning about this debated ‘fruit or vegetable?’ quick and fun. You’ll be ready to plant before you even finish reading! “The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes” is the perfect read for the beginner as well as the experienced and even the large area, greenhouse, and container gardener. Easy to follow information makes starting the process extremely fast while case studies from the experts on their ‘tried and true’ techniques can assist in avoiding unnecessary mistakes. I especially liked Everhart’s inclusion of organic methods. Many people today grow their own gardens to provide healthier alternatives to chemically fertilized foods and a cheaper alternative to the expensive grocery store organic selection. Her valuable information helps the would-be gardener grow their own food while ensuring they maintain that ‘organic’ distinction. A must read if you are even thinking about planting tomatoes! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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Complete Guide to Building Your Own Greenhouse Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Craig Baird
Vicki_Landes
, January 15, 2011
“The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Greenhouse” is a comprehensive look at the myriad of considerations that must be addressed in order to build and maintain a successful greenhouse. Items such as location, typical climate, surrounding structures, amount of time and money to be allocated, building materials, types of plants to be raised, and much more are only some of the items author Craig Baird says need to be decided on before a single tool is picked up. He provides an enormous wealth of information as well as lessons learned and advice from the experts so that even the simplest and least expensive greenhouses can be efficient and flourish. Once he details some greenhouse history and the various pre-construction considerations, he walks the reader step-by-step through plans that range from easy to expert. One of the drawbacks of the book is that the author does not include pictures with each of his plans; many of the plans note only descriptions of the required steps which make it difficult to imagine what exactly the author’s intended end result is suppose to look like. Further, there are some minor ‘holes’ in his step descriptions – minor in that it may not make a difference in the overall construction but still mildly irritating. For example, page 263 discusses replacing a hinge and calls for ‘golf tees (optional)’ in his supply list. However, as he goes through the steps of taking off an old hinge and putting on a new one, he never once mentions why or how the golf tees are used. “The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Greenhouse” is a fantastic read for both beginning and expert gardeners looking to extend their plants’ growing season. The book gives plenty for the would-be greenhouse gardener to think about so that they can go into a construction project or kit purchase and hopefully avoid any negative or progress-halting surprises. Written with a clear, simplistic, and enthusiastic style, even a novice can quickly learn the basic concepts and start planning a project immediately. “The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Greenhouse” is a quick and easy read and leaves you with the motivation and inspiration to get started right away! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Anne Kocsis
Vicki_Landes
, January 13, 2011
The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning Anne B. Kocsis Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. 1405 SW 6th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471-0640 www.atlantic-pub.com 978-1-60138-366-2, $24.95, 2010 Title for Amazon: This will completely change the way you think about housecleaning! With an ever-growing amount of information pointing to the health and environmental dangers of chemical-laden products, it’s no wonder that the green movement has grown to encompass home cleaning practices. But many people out there, while concerned, may have no idea where to start in adopting healthier cleaning habits. Enter “The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning”. Author Anne B. Kocsis makes the switch to ‘the green side’ easy, cost-effective, and just plain interesting! “The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning” is a fun, straightforward guide to keeping your house clean and the environment – and your personal health – safe from the myriad of deadly toxins found in typical cleaning supplies. She explains in simple, easy to understand terms what each chemical is, why it is dangerous to have in a living space, and green alternatives that don’t skimp on cleanliness. There are even dangers with such seemingly harmless items like room fresheners and dryer sheets. I just couldn’t believe how much we are exposed to on a daily basis! If you are like me, housekeeping falls well behind other priorities in my busy life (as evident by the state of my home) and the sheer thought of reading about eco-friendly cleaning would be educational but extremely boring. Yet Kocsis’ writing style makes even the subject of housekeeping fascinating – and coming from someone who is less than domestically inclined is saying something! Who knew you could do so much with just a handful of all natural and environmentally-friendly ingredients? By the time I was finished reading, my book was filled with little bookmarks and highlights of all the different things I want to try. I’ve never been excited about cleaning my house until now. Believe it or not, “The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning” is a captivating read! I not only learned an enormous amount about the dangerous substances we live and breathe around everyday but how to minimize exposure to these items while reducing our carbon footprint. And the most exciting part is that it’s so easy to incorporate these changes into your life with very little effort. Definitely a book that will make a substantial impact on how you think about your health and home! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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Revelation The Way It Happened
by
Lee Harmon
Vicki_Landes
, December 14, 2010
Author Lee Harmon tackles the most elusive and mysterious book of the Bible in his new release, “Revelation: The Way It Happened”. Within its pages, Harmon explores what he believes to be a more probable interpretation of Revelation’s meaning. Fascinating, intelligent, and definitely plausible, “Revelation: The Way It Happened” is a powerful read. “Revelation: The Way It Happened” is the study of the book of Revelation and told from a first century Jewish-Christian perspective and takes into account the current events, traditions, practices, and language of that day. By utilizing this viewpoint, it becomes clearer as to what Revelation’s author John might have been writing about; instead of the traditional futuristic and puzzling apocalyptic scenario, Harmon presents the scriptures as the historical facts of the war for Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and the tyrannical reign of Nero. “Revelation: The Way It Happened” is an enlightening and enjoyable read! Harmon’s fictional story breathes life into his analysis of the scriptures and makes the study entertaining and easy to follow from the characters’ frame of reference. In order to distinguish between inspired scripture, the author interpretations and explanations, and the fictional story, Harmon uses different fonts and spacing for each. This allowed for great ease in reading and thought transition. Further, Harmon ensured that he didn’t just provide random ideas; his translation of this biblical tome is grounded in not only scripture but published literature and the historical writings of the day. I found his analysis to be intellectual, thought-provoking, and intriguing. In addition, the book was extremely well-organized and edited; I found no discernible spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. If you’ve ever poured over Revelation with frustration and left with even more unanswered questions, “Revelation: The Way It Happened” will be a breath of fresh air. Author Lee Harmon doesn’t profess to be a prophet or have some sort of mystic connection with God; he’s just a ‘regular’ Christian with a drive to find applicable explanations. By paralleling world history with the writings contained in the book of Revelation, he presents a profound and possible scenario. A must-have for any serious bible student! Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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The How to Relax and Sleep Book: Discover Simple Methods That Empower You to Master Anxiety and Stress
by
Monika M. Suchy Pt
Vicki_Landes
, October 05, 2010
Physical Therapist and author Monika M. Suchy puts her many years of physical therapy experience into print with the release of her first book, “The How To Relax and Sleep Book: Discover Simple Methods That Will Empower You To Master Anxiety and Stress”. Within its pages, she gently guides her readers through the possible obstacles which can get between them and a good night’s sleep. “The How To Relax and Sleep Book” explores the many different problems people can have when attempting to not only fall asleep, but stay asleep. Suchy offers a variety of helpful tactics to counter anxiety and stress such as conscious breathing, meditation, yoga, stretching, and guided imagery. Further, she discusses some related and interesting topics like insomnia, the Circadian Rhythm, and various health problems that can cause sleeping problems. Containing a handful of editing errors and enclosed in a simplistic but attractive cover, “The How To Relax and Sleep Book” is a quick and easy read for those looking to get a better sleeping experience. While Suchy wisely begins with a general disclaimer that her book should not be used as a substitute for a doctor’s advice, she explains that the methods contained are what she has found to be the most successful during her tenure as a physical therapist. She offers detailed step-by-step instructions on the different techniques, making them clear and effortlessly applicable. I found some of the instruction to be just as usable during the day and outside the comfort of my home. The conscious breathing techniques, active meditation, and stretching can even be done in the office, walking to the car, or sitting in a waiting room; you don’t have to wait until the evening hours to incorporate such stress and anxiety reduction into your life. “The How To Relax and Sleep Book” is written with a calm and comforting tone, making it feel like you are getting some encouraging advice from a good friend and not just reading a book. Suchy provides an area at the end in an ‘Appendix’-labeled section where the reader can note personal routines, affirmations, track sleeping patterns, observed results, and more, making “The How To Relax and Sleep Book: Discover Simple Methods That Will Empower You To Master Anxiety and Stress” a truly personalized experience. Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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How Much Is Enough Making Financial Decisions That Create Wealth & Well Being
by
Arun Ford Abey
Vicki_Landes
, September 27, 2010
Now more than ever, most people are looking to stretch their budget and make every dollar count. In these times where the economy is unstable at best and inflation runs rampant, it has become essential to reevaluate current living expenses, honestly explore standards, and plan for the expected costs in the future. But how are you to know how much is enough? Financial gurus and authors Arun Abey and Andrew Ford offer their aptly named book to answer that very question. “How Much Is Enough? Making Financial Decisions That Create Wealth and Well-Being” is a well-rounded guide to short and long term financial planning. While asking the tough questions, they force their readers to take a good, hard look at the concept of ‘money’ – the psychology and resultant behaviors behind the power we give it – and why we may not be where we think we should be. Abey and Ford present some extremely profound information and I found the application to my own situation to be both surprising and eye-opening! “How Much Is Enough?” will completely alter your view of ‘money’ and ‘wealth’ while informing you to what is possible with some effort. The authors utilize the examples of successful individuals such as Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs to create a foundation for their information while motivating the reader to think of more than just ‘income creation’. Instead, they promote a ‘give to receive’ approach – giving back to further global growth and heighten personal satisfaction. “How Much Is Enough?” provides a truly holistic method towards financial stability and ultimately, real happiness. Normally when I review books, I ensure any recommends I give are directed to only those interested in the basic genre(s) it fits within; very rarely do I read a book I think everyone should read. But in this case, I cannot think of a person or group that shouldn’t read this book! We live in a society in constant need of more cash and more toys while never finding that feeling of satisfaction in attaining ‘success’; even lottery winners have not found the happiness they expected in their winnings. Authors Arun Abey and Andrew Ford help find balance, modify money attitudes, and alleviate the stress in future financial planning. By far, “How Much Is Enough? Making Financial Decisions That Create Wealth and Well-Being” is the most enlightening book I’ve read all year – an absolute must read! --Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”
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Cholesterol Revitaliser: Insider Secrets to Revitalising Your Health and Lowering Your Cholesterol Naturally!
by
Stuart Brown
Vicki_Landes
, August 20, 2010
British author Stuart Brown releases his new book, “Cholesterol Revitaliser: Insider Secrets to Revitalising Your Health and Lowering Your Cholesterol Naturally!” in an effort to shed some light on this confusing subject. While scores of books have already been written on cholesterol and its impact on good health, Brown’s book is short, sweet, and to the point. He presents his information in an ‘executive summary’ sort of way and doesn’t try to impress or confuse his audience with medical terminology. “Cholesterol Revitaliser” is the ‘down and dirty’ for quick cholesterol management. Brown breaks his book down into several sections: the basics, eating right, cooking right, treatments, doctors, ‘insider secrets’ (his recommendations), grocery shopping, and additional resources. The basics obviously cover what cholesterol is and how and why it affects the body the way it does. Eating, cooking, and shopping right conveys food choice and preparation recommendations while the treatment section covers both natural and pharmaceutical ways of lowering the numbers. His ‘insider secrets’ are mind and lifestyles change suggestions that would make managing one’s cholesterol much easier if implemented. My favorite ‘secret’ (and the one which also stands as a personal pet peeve) is not rewarding children with food. This ‘secret’ can do so much more than change cholesterol numbers; it can lessen the chance of obesity later. Using food as a reward teaches children to equate feeling good about themselves with junk food. Later on, these children begin using the same types of food when experiencing self-esteem issues which can lead to weight gain and even obesity if not controlled. Obesity leads to more self-esteem problems which require more food to feel good and the cycle continues. Simply alleviating food from a reward system has the potential to completely avoid this dangerous cycle altogether. While taking into account the ‘Queen’s English’ spelling style, “Cholesterol Revitaliser” does have some minor grammatical errors – mostly sentence fragments and improper capitalization. There are also a couple of redundant areas. For example, chapter two has a section called, “Cut Down On the Salt” and then chapter four covers the same information in a section called, “Reduce Salt”. The only really outstanding ‘oops’ in the book is in this sentence, “Take a leaf out of the Adidas Ad (sic), and, ‘Just Do It!” Nike execs will be fuming… “Cholesterol Revitaliser: Insider Secrets to Revitalising Your Health and Lowering Your Cholesterol Naturally!” is an easy-to-read, easy-to-apply book of recommendations for natural cholesterol management. As a busy single mom with genetically high cholesterol, I’ve already been able to incorporate many of Brown’s suggestions with minimal effort. A fun, healthy read! --Vicki Landes, author of "Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal"
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From Crisis to Recovery: Proceedings of the 6th Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Conference
by
Doherty, George W.
Vicki_Landes
, May 10, 2010
While natural and man-made disasters continue to garner attention from international onlookers, the emergency and disaster management community continues to look for ways to better prepare and respond to these scenarios. The United States’ federally-mandated four-pronged approach – prevent, prepare, respond, and recover – allows for a comprehensive methodology when considering what actions should be taken before, during, and after a given event. Yet much of what is categorized as ‘emergency management’ by the general public is physical – stocking supplies, having adequate shelter, and clean-up, for example. A truly all-encompassing plan includes the psychological and sociological implications of disasters. Editor George W. Doherty presents the “Proceedings of the 6th Rocky Mountain Regional Disaster Mental Health Conference” to address these important aspects of emergency and disaster management. “Proceedings of the 6th Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Conference” contains the presented material from the November 2007 conference held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In keeping with its theme ‘From Crisis to Recovery: Resilience and Strategic Planning for the Future’, subjects such as police suicides and traumatic stress in the workplace, psychological first aid for both responders and the communities they assist, ethical considerations, strategic planning and state-level implementation of behavioral health response, the importance of non-verbal communication and multicultural work, and special population needs are discussed throughout the text. As a graduate student in emergency and disaster management, I found the subject matter to be relevant, interesting, and applicable to the many facets of the field. While the text reflects no discernible spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors, I found the format to be ‘uncomfortable’. The book’s size is larger than I would consider normal or typical and the font size is enormous. It seems as though most books, especially those utilized by the emergency management community, are smaller and easy to throw in a bag to read on the go. Although lightweight and in paperback format, my copy of the book quickly began showing wear and tear because of its cumbersome size. Editor George W. Doherty’s “Proceedings of the 6th Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Conference” is a fantastic resource for behavioral health related subjects in the emergency and disaster management field. A must have for any responder’s library!
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How to Become Smarter
by
Nikolai Shevchuk
Vicki_Landes
, May 03, 2010
Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal” Russian-born microbiologist Nikolai Shevchuk takes his years of self-tested theories about food and delivers this knowledge in an easy to read format called, “How To Become Smarter”. Although I found the title misleading when considering the direction of the content, Shevchuk’s book is crammed full of all kinds of information you won’t find in other food resource books. “How To Become Smarter” is Shevchuk’s comprehensive and in-depth study of foods, food additives, and elimination diets and their affect on mental clarity and mood. While well documented and interesting, he also responsibly notes several times in the book that these experiments are self tests and not clinically proven. His tests do have limitations, though as his results are subjective and based on opinion, there are no experimental or control groups utilizing various ages or ethnicities, nor could there be any blind or double blind set ups for validity. He does point this out several times throughout the text to avoid misleading his readers. Shevchuk tackles such subjects as natural versus unnatural foods (ie. additives, flavor enhancers, coloring, etc), raw versus cooked foods and the chemical changes which occur as heat is added, and the effects of these foods on mood, concentration and such disorders as Attention Deficit and Hyperactivitiy Disorder (ADD/ADHD), testing, reading, and writing abilities, and a wide range of emotions and social tendencies. He offers elimination diet ideas for all types of intellectual, emotional, and social goals while pointing out that these diets are a temporary fix and not permanent solutions. The book ends rather abruptly after his chapter on social intelligence; Shevchuk offers no wrap up or conclusion for the reader. I did find Shevchuk’s “How To Become Smarter” title to be quite misleading; I was definitely not expecting a ‘food book’. Something like, “Mood Food”, “Feed Your Mind”, or “Anything and Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Food” would better suit the text while appealing to a wider audience (such as those interested in alternative, natural, and holistic health and wellness). With over 400 pages of details, observations, comparisons, research, suggested foods to eat or eliminate which relate to specific goals, the title “How To Become Smarter” didn’t seem to do the book justice. Nikolai Shevchuk writes an intelligent, organized book on the mental and physical effects of food on the human body. Meant to serve as informational versus clinically proven fact, “How To Become Smarter” is a great resource!
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