"Second Half" by Susanna Chelton Sheehy - Book Review

Elden Publishing (2007)ISBN 9780978927110"Second Half" is the second novel in the "Second Half Trilogy" series. A third novel is on its way. In this novel, Jane is a sixty-year old woman who has never been married or had children. She has two wonderful best friends in her life. The story begins with Jane burning out in her career. She decides to start a magazine called, "Second Half." It is directed towards women who are over 45-years old. Jane has to deal with the stresses of starting a magazine. Her experiences with her employees also teach her some huge lessons.At this time, Jane also falls for a handsome widower named Gordon and she buys a dog. Gordon brings a spark of life into Jane's. Through Gordon's family, Jane discovers what she has been missing out on. She learns about both the good and the bad sides of having a large family and pets. When Jane first meets his family, "she felt like a drop of water in the ocean as a wave moved toward the shore." As time passes and she acclimates and feels accepted by them, "she still felt that way, but she belonged with that wave." Gordon also teaches her about what she has been missing out on sexually. At 60, she finally has a man that rocks her world.I loved this novel. I could really relate to it. What Jane was feeling at 60, I am feeling at 40. Her character gives me a feeling of hope in that it is never to let to start a new lease on life, nor it is too late to find the true love of your life. Jane's relationships in this story are very interesting and present some challenges. I enjoyed watching her grow through her experiences with them and the pets. Animal lovers will especially love reading about Jane's experiences with the animals. It definitely isn't easy for her to adapt to both the new family members and the animals but she knows that the hard work is worth it.Susanna Chelton Sheehy has written the perfect book to be given as a gift. "Second Half" is definitely one that a woman can curl up with and enjoy on a quiet afternoon. It is also an excellent choice for a women's reader group. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

"No Matter What" by Jordana Ryan - Book Review

Amira Press (2007)ISBN 9781934475041Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/07)Since age ten, Cassandra has had a difficult life. Leaving a candle burning in her home, her house burnt down and her parents died. Carrying the weight of blame and guilt at not having been the one to have died has affected all of Cassandra's relationships. During her early teens she began dating Brenden. At seventeen, she discovers that she is pregnant. She doesn't want to ruin Brenden's future or be a further burden on those who have taken her in, so she runs away. Trying to raise her daughter as a single parent is really rough. Cassandra finds herself engaging in risky, promiscuous behavior as an escape, yet she finds that it just makes her life worse.Four years after running away, Cassandra returns home to face the consequences of her decisions. She wants her daughter to have a good life and to know her father. Brenden and Cassandra have to struggle to get past the anger that he feels from her leaving him and not letting him know about his daughter. Cassandra has to deal with not feeling worthy of a man like Brenden. Other relationships also need healing."No Matter What" is a book about healing old wounds. Cassandra and Brenden both have to deal with serious consequences of actions that they have taken as a result of their grief from their past. Brenden's own mother abandoned him at age five. When Cassandra left him, he did everything he could to avoid being in a committed relationship. He hurt a lot of women with his actions. He too must heal now."No Matter What" is a very deep book. The characters have to deal with overcoming some very painful situations and emotions. This is the type of novel that you will want to read with your friends so that you can talk about it. It leads to a great deal of introspection and really makes you think about what it would be like to have faced everything that Cassandra has at such a young age. It is very hard to judge someone who has gone through so much. Enjoy this novel. dr seuss cat in hat history

Auction Profits Unleashed - The Secret to Profiting With E-books on EBay?

An e-book that shows you step by step how to generate profits on eBay by selling e-books is nothing new you might say, and you’d be right!You’ve probably heard that the world and his wife are selling 1 cent e-books on eBay and that the market is saturated and there’s no money in it – right again? Well sort of...If you are fed up with being sold massively hyped how-to e-books by people calling themselves experts and then finding that you haven’t made any money, consider this – the expert is probably making more money selling you and me the book than he is from actually working the system he sold to you in the book! So what has this got to do with making money selling books on eBay? Read on...Someone who produces an e-book and who actually walks the walk and talks the talk is a rare and beautiful thing.Step forward Lee McIntyre and take a bow.Not heard of him? Well that’s about to change…In his new book Auction Profits Unleashed he has come up with an innovative method for extracting every ounce of profit from your eBay book auctions.He shows you step-by-step how to achieve the same and here’s just a snippet of what is covered:
Using the traffic boosting power of Ebay - forget pay per click, free ads etc
Getting your customers to spend more than they thought they were going to
Building a super responsive list and selling to them over and over
Plus Lee works full-time as a teacher so he has built up his business in his spare time. So one of the beauties of this book is that he explains how to virtually automate this system so that you only need to spend ½ an hour to an hour each day on it once it is set up. And of course Lee explains exactly how to set it up.Auction Profits Unleashed [http://www.reviewit.info/auctionprofits.html] is written in a down-to-earth style that is easy to read, follow and duplicate.Perhaps you’ve tried selling e-books on Ebay in the past without success? Well this is a genuine step by step guide that I am sure will make you want to take another look and if you’ve never tried selling on Ebay then you will discover what you’ve been missing and how to go about getting it.Discover the cash machine on Ebay today Click Here [http://www.reviewit.info/auctionprofits.html] dr seuss cat in hat book

Arthur and George By Julian Barnes

George Edalji (that's Ay-dal-ji, by the way, since Parsee names are always stressed on the first syllable) is the son of a Staffordshire vicar of Indian origin and his Scottish wife. George is thus a half-cast, to use the language of his late-Victorian and Edwardian age. He's a diligent, if not too distinguished a scholar. He is uninterested in sport, is of small stature and doesn't see too well. He sleeps with his father behind a locked door, is in bed by 9:30, becomes a small town solicitor who develops an interest in train timetables and, by way of outlandish diversion, publishes a traveller's guide to railway law.Arthur Conan Doyle (later Sir Arthur) is born in Edinburgh, completes medical school and generally accomplishes whatever task he sets himself, including becoming a world famous writer. Despite the fact that he kills off his creation, the detective Sherlock Holmes, ostensibly to devote time to tasks of greater gravity, popular demand insists that he raise the character from the dead. He does this and proceeds to generate even greater success than before. He marries happily twice and pursues and interest in spiritualism, amongst other good causes.Perhaps because of who they are, the Edalji family become the butt of the campaign of poison pen letters. When they complain, all they accomplish is the focusing of further unwanted attentions on themselves. When a series of ripping attacks on animals remains unsolved, George, somehow, becomes the prime suspect. Convinced of his villainy, police, judicial system, expert witnesses, jury and press see him convicted of the crime and sent down for seven years. Good conduct sees him released after three.Sir Arthur wishes to do good and takes up George Edalji's case. He researches the facts, analyses the possibilities, tracks down neighbours and officials who have been involved. He creates an alternative explanation of events and presents it to officialdom, seeking a pardon and compensation for George, who by this time has transferred to London to start a new life. The two men meet and the incongruity of their assumed expectations of life are as irreconcilable as they are irrelevant to their joint focus on George's case. After official review, however, the Home Office Committee eventually concludes in an ambiguous manner. Edalji was convicted of the crime and the conviction is declared unsound; but crucially he is not declared innocent. He is therefore found not guilty but then not innocent either and so not worthy of compensation. When, years later, Sir Arthur dies and his associates stage a spiritualist gathering in his honour in the Royal Albert Hall, George is invited and attends, complete with binoculars lest he miss a detail of the proceedings. The illusion of the event draws him in and at one stage he feels himself to be the centre of attention, only to find that it is a near miss. Most of the detail refers to himself and his father, but the reality then points to another who is immediately identified.But, paradoxically, the quiet George Edalji and his Parsee (not Hindoo) father, Shapurji, were always the centre of attention simply by being who they were. Even Sir Arthur, the son's eventual champion, states this in one of his letters when he writes that it was perhaps inevitable that a dark-skinned clergyman taking a station in central England would attracts other's attention of a kind that would seek to undermine him, vilify him and attempt to oust him. The message is clear, that to be different from an assumed norm is to invite hatred, envy, discrimination and eventually ignominy. It is presented as a universal assumption, an unwritten element of universal common sense. Thus, as an intruder, the usual rules of justice will never pertain, a reality alluded to late in the book when George, scanning the Albert Memorial with his binoculars, discovers a statuesque embodiment of the concept of justice that is not wearing a blindfold.What is eventually so disturbing about Arthur and George, however, is the realisation that both characters are outsiders. George is set apart from his Staffordshire peers by his skin colour and perceived race. Arthur, however, lives no humdrum life. He attends private schools, qualifies as a doctor and then becomes an international celebrity by virtue of his writing. He takes up minority causes and identifies with them but, despite his obvious separateness from mainstream society, in his case his position is never interpreted as a threat or a handicap, obviously because the separateness of privilege has a different currency from the separateness of even relative poverty.Now an enduring memory of my own school history lessons was a textbook reproduction of a mid-Victorian cartoon of the universal pyramid of creation. It had God at the apex, immediately in touch via the saints with the Empress of India and then, layered beneath in widening courses were the gentry and aristocracy, the members of government and civil service, the professional classes and merchants. The working classes could perhaps temporarily ignore their poverty in the solace offered by knowing that they are a cut above members of all other races who, themselves, were just one up from the apes. It was not many more layers down to the low animals, most of which slithered or crawled. Arthur and George ostensibly tells us much about racism and racial discrimination in a society that was portrayed as the apex of a worldwide empire, a heavenly focus for aspiration. It also tells us about the power of presumption and has much to say very quietly and by suggestion about social class and its ability, especially in Britain, to legitimise difference as originality or eccentricity in some areas, differences which elsewhere would be threats. dr seuss book collection

Restless By William Boyd

In offering a review of a novel by William Boyd I could certainly be accused of bias. I would proudly plead guilty, since I regard him as one of just four or five British writers who are capable of constructing supreme works of fiction, written in a framework that is both informative and thought-provoking and all this set within a continuum of contemporary or historical events which themselves become re-interpreted by the fiction. In Restless, Boyd's latest novel, he has re-stated this ability and, if anything, written it larger via a smaller form.The historical element in Restless is supplied by the activities of an offshoot of World War Two intelligence. Ostensibly a private, dis-ownable initiative of a particular group, Boyd suggests that it formed an integral part of the British strategy, during the early part of the war, to force the United States to join the Allied effort. The fact, therefore, that it was undermined and subverted so that it perhaps aimed to achieve the opposite of its brief was probably par for the course when espionage meets its freelance counter, but the denouement is surprising and wholly credible.In front of this backdrop of fact meeting fiction, we have a landscape of human relationships. Ruth is a single mother in Oxford. She, herself, has had certain German connections, nay relations, hence the motherhood. She makes a living teaching English to foreign tutees, has several dubious visitors, dreams about completing an aging PhD and generally spends much of her time looking after a precocious five-year-old. And then her mother becomes someone quite unknown to her. The widow in the Oxfordshire retreat suddenly becomes part Russian, part English, with a French step-mother. She possessed several different identities before she became Mrs Gilmartin and most of these were fiction to provide cover for the others. How many of us, after all, can claim to have known our parents before they were parents?So, as Mrs Gilmartin the mother reveals to her daughter via instalments of an autobiography that she is really Eva Delectorskaya, recruited in Paris to conduct a campaign of wartime disinformation in the United States, the complications of life gradually attain the status of the mundane. Recruited, perhaps, because she was rootless and thus expendable, Eva proved herself intellectually and operationally superior to her manipulative managers and survived the posting that was supposed to achieve their subverted ends and, at the same time, erase her potential to supply evidence. Many years later, Eva, now Mrs Gilmartin, feels the need to get even, to expose the double or triple-cross for what it was and deliver at least a prod to the comfortable, self-congratulatory but traitorous British establishment that ran her. Daughter Ruth becomes the means.So one messy life tries to tie up its soggy ends via the actions of another who is apparently yet to attain the same depths of complication. And she succeeds. The fright is delivered. The memory that Eva, the mother, was fundamentally brighter than the upper class Brits who were trying to manipulate her is rekindled. Her training was perfect, but she went beyond it and the plan backfired, irrelevantly as it turned out because greater events intervened. But years later, Eva, Mrs Gilmartin, is still brighter than her boss and, through her daughter's efforts, she brings a special kind of justice to bear on the double-dealer who ruined, but also perhaps made her life.In characteristically humble terms, William Boyd reminds us at the end that we are all watched, all awaiting the cupboard to reveal its skeleton, but in our more mundane lives, it is unlikely to be as colourful an event as that which Eva Delectorskaya, Mrs Gilmartin, and her daughter Ruth uncover. seuss book collection sets cat hat

Prescription For Murder - The True Story of Mass Murderer Dr Harold Frederick Shipman - Book Review

What an extraordinary book this is, very well researched by Brian Whittle and Jean Ritchie. It tells the story of the infamous mass murderer Doctor Harold Shipman, known to his "friends," as Fred.Doctor Shipman was tried and found guilty of fifteen murders in 1999. Latest research suggests he may well have killed 250 people, and possibly even more than that. That makes him Britain's worst known mass murderer and puts him right up there in the first division of evil. Most of his victims were elderly women. Trusting women. Vulnerable women. Only too keen to accept a "vitamin" injection from the friendly GP, or a "flu jab". It will do you good dear. Give you a tonic.The man had a fascination with morphine. He watched his own mother dying of cancer, helped by morphine. He developed a morphine habit of his own, and killed his victims using morphine, a particularly stupid method, seeing as morphine is so easily traceable. "Stupid", was favourite word of his. He considered himself above mere mortals and loved to belittle "stupid" underlings. That says a lot about the man. He avoided detection whenever possible by having the bodies cremated. For years no one thought to challenge him. You just don't think badly of the hard working family doctor, do you? At least people didn't, back then.This book published in 2000 refers to him as being on suicide watch in Manchester's Strangeways prison. What the writers didn't know at the time of course was that he would indeed commit suicide on the eve of his 58th birthday on 13th January 2004.I particularly liked the coverage of the early years, the sixties, as he was growing up and courting and marrying. Surely the roots of his crimes were growing there. And where exactly the writers obtained such detailed accounts I have no idea, but the resulting work is a monumental achievement. Excellent and poignant photographs too.For anyone studying crime, or the psychology of murderers, this book is an essential requirement. It isn't pretty and it isn't cheerful, but it is a compelling account of the tragic events that unfolded in Cheshire town of Hyde. Hyde will recover, the last sentence in the book. I will second that.ISBN: 0751529982By Brian Whittle & Jean Ritchie dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Book Review for The Scent of God, by Beryl Singleton Bissell

The Scent of God by Beryl Singleton Bissell is a work of fine art, reminiscent of a painting by Rubens or a haunting Saint-Saëns melody. The beautifully crafted memoir offers words that glisten like gems on each page. Lush imagery, redolent with heady scents and vibrant color, transports the reader to locales ranging from the sanctified to the exotic. Readers will savor every chapter of this alluring tale.The story begins in 1947 in Saddle River, New Jersey. Beryl, one of four siblings in a Catholic family, catalogs her mortal sins at an early age and is riddled with guilt when her mother serves meat on Friday or the family misses Mass. Her father's binges and the rage and panic his drinking elicits in her mother, cause Beryl to seek comfort in nature. With her siblings, she happily tramps through the lakeside woods - swimming, fishing, tobogganing, and exploring abandoned farmhouses. In sixth grade, Beryl begins attending a private boarding school run by Catholic nuns who teach her about a God of unconditional love. This knowledge calms and thrills the young girl, who longs for stability and acceptance.When Beryl is thirteen, her father's drinking causes him to lose his position as vice-president of a New York bank, but he is offered an alternate position in Puerto Rico. When the family relocates to the tropical island, Beryl draws inward, avoiding friends and life outside the home. Beryl's sister's popularity and her mother's critical harping about her weight increase her sense of displacement. Witnessing the drowning of a young boy, however, brings her face to face with her own mortality and the superficiality of earthly success. This new knowledge, in combination with a mystical experience of God's love and the breakup with her "first love" -- a handsome young Puerto Rican boy -- set her on a course toward a life of commitment to God whose love is eternal and unchanging.At the age of eighteen, and in spite of her parent's initial disapproval, Beryl enters the Monastery of Saint Clare in Bordentown, New Jersey. With visions of becoming a saint, she thrives on the simple goodness of the daily processes in the cloistered nunnery, enjoying working in the bakery, her daily prayers, and the quiet camaraderie of her sister nuns. Her experiences in the monastery are lovingly and honestly recounted, providing a rare glimpse into this life.Twelve years later, Beryl is deeply ensconced in the tranquility of the monastery when she receives the news that her father has taken ill, and that she needs to return home to assist her mother with his care. Returning to the island reawakens her senses."I woke that morning to the sound of waves crashing on the beach below, the pink and gold of the rising sun playing across my face. Despite my father's condition and my mother's frailty, I felt a wild surge of happiness. Eight floors below my window, a receding wave shimmered back toward an oncoming breaker, leaving a froth of bubbles to mark the edges of its ride. A solitary man jogged along the beach, the wet sand forming silvery halos around his footprints."In the course of caring for her father, and in the most delectable and surprising twist of this true story, Beryl meets Padre Vittorio, a handsome Italian priest who preaches at the local church of Saint Jorge. At first irritated by the man, Beryl slowly finds herself falling in love as she gets to know him better, igniting the most painful yet wondrous struggle of her life.It would spoil the story to reveal more. Suffice it to say that the segment of the book involving Vittorio is sensual and captivating, never offensive, and completely addictive. Be forewarned that The Scent of God will lodge in your heart and invade your dreams for years to come.Thankfully, the author is working on a sequel to The Scent of God. This reader anxiously awaits the next chapter in Beryl's delightful true-life saga. dr seuss cat in hat history

Change, Happiness, Success And Our Core Values

The saying that "change is the only constant thing in this world" holds profound meaning in every sense of the word. Backed by this universal truth is also the dictum that there is no such thing as 'forever'. However, amidst all these acclaimed universal truths, there are things in this world that stay eternal: One of them our set of core values the fundamentals that enable us to find happiness and success in our lives.In his # 1 National Bestseller book that sold over 10 million copies, author Stephen R. Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1990 ed.) illustrates his own personal experience on change. As a parent, he claims that to change a situation, we first have to change ourselves, and to change ourselves effectively, we first have to change our perceptions. However, Dr. Phil argues that it's more complicated than that. Illustrated in his book Life Strategies - Stop Making Excuses! Do What Works, Do What Matters (1999 ed.), he firmly wants to instill in our minds the glaring truth about change that we can not change what we do not acknowledge. In similar fashion, I totally agree on his argument. It's like saying that the hardest thing to open in this world is a closed mind - therefore making change difficult to occur.There are some people who have a mindset to make some changes in their lives and choose to be happy. Even the great Chinese philosopher Confucius would agree in his belief that "man must be wise and unafraid to live a happy life" - a philosophy similarly shared by his contemporary, Mencius where he enumerates three mature virtues of his 'great man' as wisdom, compassion and courage deliberated in Lin Yutang's book, The Importance of Living (1962 ed.) a must-to-read book for daily living.Likewise, Stephen R. Covey focuses the "Character Ethic" as the foundation of success things like integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty and the Golden Rule.In his book, he presented Benjamin Franklin's autobiography as the epitome of these values "a man's effort to integrate certain principles and habits deep within his nature", he explained. The Character Ethic, according to Covey teaches us that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.In addition, Anthony Scire's dynamic and contemporary book The Power of 2 (2003 ed.) promotes building solid relationships over the long term and encouraging us to be "nice, kind and good" to everyone we know and meet. This highlights Henry James's core value of kindness:"Three things in human life are important", he said. "The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind." In the same book, then eminent Bishop Fulton J. Sheen admonished us to also take control of our emotions so that we may live a successful and happy life. He said: "Each of us makes his own weather determines the color of the skies in the emotional universe which he inhabits."Change therefore is inevitable in our lives. If - and when it comes, our core values should help us adapt to the consequences of change. Hence, as exemplified by great and wise men of past and present generations, our happiness and success depend upon our core values and attitudes. dr seuss cat in hat book

No-No Boy, An Asian-American Novel

No-No Boy by John Okada is an "historical" fiction written by a Nisei, or first-generation Japanese-American, set in the time shortly following WWII. Okada's words paint a generally sad, foggy picture of a young Nisei named Ichiro who has returned home after a two-year prison sentence for refusing to fight in the war against the Japanese. What I found most disheartening about his refusal a là Muhammad Ali was not his punishment but that he went against his own heart's belief, that America is a place worth fighting for.Okada gives voice to his own American military experience as the story encompasses numerous situations that war has affected the country and its leader's treatment of Japanese in America, most of which are obviously unfortunate. Ichiro spends the entirety of the story brooding his cowardice and wishing his family were more Americanized. By not fighting, we learn that he appeased his mother who further pisses him off: she's stuck on the crazy notion that Japan won the war. To make matters worse, his father passively watches his younger brother abandon the family to join the army himself, perhaps because of Ichiro's own omission.Ichiro's stubborn, mostly self-inflicted depression helps him to ignore (perhaps he is unable to perceive) hope even when it kisses him on the mouth (Emi, the "widow" of a freedom fighter) or pledges its friendship (Kenji, his dying war vet companion). Yet Okada constantly, unfailingly presents hope through Ichiro's encounters with those whose hearts have also been war-wounded. Through this fuzzy mass of despair in Ichiro's life opportunities remain abundant and a future lies apace; as flawed a state America is, the spirit of fairness persists for those who would wholeheartedly seek and preserve it. Just as Ichiro is neither Japanese nor American, No-No Boy is both depressing and inspirational. dr seuss book collection

Black Order By James Rollins

"Black Order" is a diverse story that requires much concentration and patience with some areas of very technical terms. The story in general is good as it weaves several areas of the world into its web of intrigue. The belief of our origins, intelligent design or evolution, is a factor the reader must absorb in order to understand several sections of the book. If you will not allow your mind and your religious beliefs to run free during the reading, I don't suggest you read this book. If you can allow that, you will enjoy the many ways both go in this story.As World War II waned, the plunders of the German scientists were sought by most of the allied nations. Germany had advanced quite far, a fact known by those in power in the allied nations. The German's involved in those scientific advancements fled to various hiding spots throughout the world, thus making the search for them and their knowledge difficult. Some of those fleeing were Nazi's attempting to free themselves to avoid prosecution. But many were the knowledgeable persons responsible for the sought research.The book begins in Poland in 1945 near the end of the war, giving several incidences that occurred while some were trying to flee the entire area. It immediately shifts to present day in the Himalayas where Dr. Lisa Cummings was culminating research of high-pressure systems on humans at various levels of altitude. While Dr. Cummings was researching and taking photos a helicopter approached to request that she come to a local monastery where a mysterious ailment had struck almost all the inhabitants. Reluctantly she went.Meanwhile, Commander Grayson Pierce of the secret organization, Sigma Force, was summoned to Denmark to assist in some strange happenings. They were searching for Darwin's original family Bible. This led to many adventurous visits and escapes through Copenhagen. Some other Sigma Force members became involved, Logan Gregory, Director Painter Crowe, Monk Kokkalas, and Kathryn Bryant. Also appearing was Commander Pierces love, Rachel Verona.Another locale was in the game preserve at Zululand, South Africa where more strange things were happening. The scene shifts from all of the areas involved and more people were introduced into the story, all of which made the story get deeper into mysterious and frightful scenes. As chapter after chapter opens new doors to what had happened and what was happening, all of which create havoc with the Sigma Force team and the ones they came to help. You will feel chased by the huge killing machine animals that had been created.The scientific areas get very involved so be sure you stay connected with what you read. It will all make sense as you proceed thorough the book. Don't give up. I almost did and I would have been much less knowledgeable about the things that author Rollins teaches us while keeping it entertaining. seuss book collection sets cat hat

Site Stealer Review

In this article, I would like to do a review for Harris Fellman's ebook called Site Stealer (a.k.a. Sal the Site Stealer). I strongly believe the methods and techniques taught in this book can help many people to create some extra income online if they apply them.First, two major reasons why I recommend Site Stealer:1. It's the FASTEST way to make money online - without a doubt, the DUPLICATION model you're about to learn in this book works if you apply it.2. The product has a low price tag (ONLY $37) and is OVER-delivering.. there are tons of great bonuses and video tutorials.. it's unbelievable at this price tag. I do think the product is under priced. The model or techniques taught in this product will benefit both the beginners and experienced users. If you have been buying one product after another and are still at the lost... THEN you must stop buying and apply the Site Stealer's model.So what is it all about?You will learn how to make money online by duplicating other sites that are already successful. In another words, you are going to learn how to "COPY FROM THE BEST". It's NOT what you think, the method is completely LEGAL! This happens all the time in the world of business... some examples are Coca Cola and Pepsi, McDonalds and Burger King, Pizza Hut and other fast food chains. Everyone is copying the successful model from one another. Why reinvent the wheel?With Site Stealer, you are going to learn how to adopt the same strategy in your Internet Marketing business. It will walk you through 5 Level of Site Stealing... Beginners can immediately use and apply level 1 and 2, there is a video walk through showing you step by step how to do it. Level 3-4 is for the Intermediate marketers and Level 5 is for the advanced marketers - this is where you become the boss and invite people to duplicate and steal your model.Let's take a peek inside the Site Stealer's System:* How to identify successful sites - you are going to discover the proven technique of spotting those successful sites that you can duplicate and profit from.* Get an updated list of which sites you should steal and duplicate right away - you will appreciate this one as it saves you lot of time and get you started immediately.* How to steal the entire site - you are going to learn some UNDERGROUND techniques that have never been revealed before. Again, these techniques are 100% LEGAL. The gurus are using it all the time BUT they never tell.* Easy-to-Understand Videos on How To Steal Sites - Wow! I love this one as I prefer to watch rather than read.* 17 Different Step by Step Video Tutorials - this one is for the total beginners. Experienced users can skip these if they want.* A 30 Minute one-on-one call with a Profit Creation Expert.* And so much more... you will also get tons of bonus.Conclusion...After reading through the Site Stealer book, I realize now how those experts make money online. The KEY is not to reinvent the wheel. The key is to STEAL IT, MODIFY IT, and DUPLICATE IT! This is truly the fastest way to make money online. You will learn all the exact techniques in Site Stealer.Another thing I like about this book is that there are many video links inside the chapters to show you exactly how to use and apply the techniques taught. So you know how to do it correctly. It really makes you feel that the author (Harris Fellman) is walking the TALK.If you can stop buying other products and start applying the Site Stealer system, you will start making money very soon and get way ahead of the competition.Find out more information on Site Stealer here and download a money-making ebook for FREE [http://www.ebiz-quadrant.com/reg/ss/bonus.html] dr seuss cat in hat quotes

To My Senses - By Author Alexandrea Weis - Book Review

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It seems there is always a purpose if we seek it out. Alexandrea Weis' novel, "To My Senses" reminded me of that. It also reminded me that we need to follow our heart's desires. What more can you ask of a good read? Romance, lush New Orleans settings, intrigue, conspiracy, art... it's a very fulfilling book.Nicci Beauvoir isn't really into the whole debutante life. She's done that, grown up in it, and now she wants to settle into being a nurse. She's completing her studies and will soon be ready to make a difference in the world. Her father would prefer she take over the family scrap metal business. But one evening, while attending a lawn party, she comes face to face with an inviting diversion. David Alexander is a struggling artist, obligatorily under the firm grasp of his benefactor, Sammy. There is something to be explored here.Nicci is swept off her feet, slowly, through a day of fishing, a visit to a coffee shop, and a collapse on David's couch, where he proceeds to capture her image on the canvas while she sleeps. He is passionate in his art, in life. He is just what Nicci needs in hers. There is trouble though. Nicci's father's business is in need of diversification. A plan is under way for a take over. Warnings are given and a possible saving grace is discovered. Somehow, David knows all about it.Nicci turns to Dr. Michael Fagles, a "safe," controlling man who only wants a wife to be exactly as he sees fit. He directs Nicci, and she allows him. Her passion is gone, for Michael has none to share. Will she be doomed to spend her life under the thumb of this loveless moron? Will she find herself again, and find the raw emotional life she needs to embrace her true goals?Alexandrea Weis paints an artistic, character driven novel, set in pre-Katrina luscious New Orleans, and offers life lessons to readers along the way. The pages are filled with self examination, romance, intimacy, hints of connections to the crime worlds, and lavish parties. My favorite scenes involve delightful cottages that leave me aching to explore New Orleans. A fantastic book to curl up with and get lost in, Weis introduces readers to characters that will linger in the mind like a sultry summer night. I trust there will be more from this author in the future, and I look forward to that prospect. dr seuss cat in hat history

Rich Dad Poor Dad - Book Review

In Robert Kiyosaki's book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, he clearly points out that anybody can become rich. Nevertheless, he cautions that it's more difficult for the children of the poor and middle classes because they have been taught incorrect information. For example, their parents have told them, "go to school and get good grades so you can go to college and get a steady job with good benefits." These people have been taught to think, "I can't afford it" instead of (as the rich do) asking, "How can I afford it?" There is absolutely nothing that you cannot afford. When you honestly desire something you'll figure out how to obtain it.One barrier that stands in the way of individuals accomplishing this goal is fear of failure. You will fail sometimes but you have to turn it into a great opportunity by learning something from it and moving on. There is not one rich person who has not failed, but, the trick is: when they fall down they immediately stand up again, learn from it, and their great desire to attain their goals only grows larger.A great example of this principle is the Battle of the Alamo. This was a complete failure for the Texans. They lost many soldiers. In spite of this, or rather, because they understood the secret of turning a failure into a success, they used the Alamo to stir up the Texans to victory. Even today, more than 150 years later, Texans still talk about the Alamo with pride. And they LOST! Successful people are not afraid of losing. They understand that losing is a part of the processWhat we have to understand is that your life is going to be difficult, unstable, and full of failure whether we are rich or poor. You cannot avoid that. Might as well utilize the opportunities life throws at you and run with them. Do not fight against these opportunities! You can be stable and poor/middle class or take a risk and become wealthy. You make the choice.So what do you do about it? How do you start? Start acquiring some income producing assets. An income producing asset is:1. A business that does not require you to be there.2. Stocks3. Mutual Funds4. Real estate5. Notes (IOU's)6. Royalties from music, scripts, patents, etc.7. Anything else that has value, creates income, & has a market.NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact. dr seuss cat in hat book

The Children of Hurin - by JRR Tolkien

The Children of Húrin, a new book of fiction set in J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional land of Middle-earth, first arrived in bookstores on April 17, 2007. How? J.R.R. Tolkien passed away on September 2, 1973.Whenever a new book arrives by a long-dead author, certain inevitable questions crop up. Is this a newly-discovered manuscript, found boxed away in a dusty attic? Is it even new material at all, or simply a repackaging of previously published material? Or is it even (sacrilegiously) not even written by the said author, but marketed under his/her name for the purposes of sales and popularity?Thankfully, The Children of Hurin does not fall into the last category. It is entirely written by J.R.R. Tolkien (outside of a few minor editorial changes). Those who are aware of Tolkien's earlier mythology (published in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales) already knew at least part of the tale of Túrin Turambar and the rest of Hurin's cursed family.Christopher Tolkien (J.R.R. Tolkien's son and also the editor of all of his father's posthumously published material) merely pieced together the numerous versions and scattered pieces of the story that already existed, creating a single coherent story.The Children of Húrin does not contain much new material. Most of the tale that appears here was published previously, in the aforementioned books as well as the twelve-volume History of Middle-Earth series, which consisted of Tolkien unfinished stories and notes.The world became familiar with Middle-earth through The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who delved into Tolkien's further writings became aware of the tremendous depth that Tolkien had created when building his fictional world.The events in The Lord of the Rings take place in the Third Age of Middle-earth. Tolkien had begun writing tales of his fictional world as much as twenty years before he began writing The Lord of the Rings, and he already had an established background history, from a creation story through the First and Second Ages.J.R.R. Tolkien's early tales focused primarily upon the First Age, especially three tales known as his "Great Three". "The Tale of the Children of Húrin" was one of these "Great Three", and the tale most near to complete.The other two major tales, "The Tale of Beren & Luthien" and "Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin", are much more fragmentary, with quite obvious holes in the narrative."The Tale of the Children of Húrin" appears in various degrees of completeness in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, and other small discarded fragments of the story appeared in The Book of Lost Tales, Part II and The War of the Jewels, volumes II and XI of The History of Middle-Earth.This new version of The Children of Húrin is an attempt to publish a single, unbroken narrative of the story from beginning to end. The version told in The Silmarillion was little more than an overview, and the more complete version given in Unfinished Tales omits some important pieces of the story. It is also broken up by distracting editorial commentary.And it works. Publishing the tale in complete form, without confusing editorial notes and breaks in the narrative, allows the reader to fall headlong into Tolkien's created world. That is exactly how the story is intended to be given.But readers beware! The Children of Húrin is not a stroll through the green shire. There are no cuddly hobbits or Tom Bombadils to brighten the story. It is dark and mournful, resembling the Finnish and Norse mythology that inspired it as much as much as the green world of Frodo and Bilbo. Pride, anger, suicide, and even incest are part and parcel of the tale, and the heroes seldom ride into a happily-ever-after.The Children of Húrin tells the story of Túrin Turambar, the son of the great warriors of men. When Túrin is a child, his father leaves to join a great alliance of men and elves to do battle against Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. By way of reference, Sauron (the great Dark Lord of the Lord of the Rings) is merely one of Morgoth's lieutenants.The battle does not go as anticipated...the alliance is routed and Húrin is taken prisoner by the Dark Lord. Húrin possesses knowledge that Morgoth needs, but he mocks the Dark Lord instead. Thus Morgoth places Húrin and all his offspring under a curse. He sets Húrin high on a hill and gives him sight so that he can watch the curse play out on his helpless progeny.Túrin grows up to become one of the greatest warriors of the realm, but all of his choices turn to ill. Misfortune and poor decisions haunt the hero throughout his life, and his overwhelming pride plays a defining role.The Children of Húrin does not possess the lighthearted charm of The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, but it is an immensely readable and powerful story that belongs on the reading list of any fan of Tolkien, fantasy, or great literature in general. dr seuss book collection

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The Garden Of Eden And Other Criminal Delights By Faye Kellerman

The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights, by Faye Kellerman, is a collection of mostly crime fiction short stories, each having a brief introduction by the author. Published by Warner Books, ISBN: 978-0-446-53039-2, the book is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy mystery and suspense fiction.Known for her crime fiction novels featuring L. A. homicide detective Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, Decker's Orthodox Jewish wife, Kellerman includes two previously unpublished Decker/Lazarus short stories within her collection. The sleuthing pair is as interesting and complex in "The Garden of Eden" and "Open House" as they are in the novels. Kudos to Faye Kellerman for maintaining Decker and Lazarus's characterizations in the short stories. The story "Bull's-Eye" is another short story that features the Decker clan, only this time readers are also introduced to Cindy Decker as she and her father work to solve a case. Again, Kellerman succeeds in keeping Peter Decker true to his fictional self and to readers by maintaining his character of being a concerned, supportive father in "Bull's-Eye."My other favorites among the stories that comprise the collection are "The Stalker," "Mummy and Jack," "Bonding," "Mr. Barton's Head Case," and "Holy Water." While I actually enjoyed all of the crime fiction, these stories stood out for several reasons. The twist at the end of "The Stalker" is one of the best that I have recently read. I enjoyed "Mummy and Jack," a collaboration between Faye Kellerman and her son, Jesse, for its tone, voice, style, and dark humor. "Bonding" is one of my favorites because of its ending and its hard-boiled edge. "Mr. Barton's Head Case" entertained me with its cross genre appeal and its well done blend of crime fiction and speculative fiction. "Holy Water" is a favorite because I found it unique and imaginative.My least favorites of the collection are "Free Parking," "The Luck of the Draw," "Small Miracles," and "The Summer of My Womanhood." The reason I liked them less was because they were not crime fiction stories. They were all well-written, but they appeared out of place to me in this particular collection. However, the book's blurb did mention that the collection contained other writing that offered "readers glimpses into Kellerman's private life." Still, I would have enjoyed the collection even more if the book had only contained crime fiction short stories.Overall, I do not regret having bought the book. I like supporting good fiction, especially good short fiction as the short story can sometimes seem like it is becoming a vanishing literary art form. Despite my slight disappointment that the book did not contain a few more crime fiction stories, I think the collection was worth reading, and recommend that readers, particularly those who enjoy short crime fiction, read The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Innocent In Death By JD Robb

Innocent in Death, by Nora Roberts writing as J. D. Robb, is the latest novel of the suspense series that takes place in a futuristic New York City. Amid a frigid, winter setting, Lieutenant Eve Dallas works to solve the murder of Craig Foster, a school teacher who appears to have been an all-around good guy. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN: 978-0-399-15401-0, the book appeals to readers who enjoy mystery, police procedural, and romantic subplots.Roberts/Robb does a wonderful job at creating three dimensional characters in Innocent in Death. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a no-nonsense, smart cop who takes no prisoners once she believes she knows the culprit that is responsible for Craig Foster's murder. Beneath Dallas' cool posterior lies a slightly less chilly interior. Beyond the walls that Dallas has probably built as a defense mechanism is a witty, sarcastic woman who is fiercely in love with her husband, Roarke. While I enjoyed the entire book, I especially enjoyed how Roberts/Robb shows the intense passion that Dallas and Roarke share by weaving words in such a way that the novel's romantic subplot drew me deeper into the story. When someone from Roarke's past slinks into town, Roberts/Robb uses her word-weaving skills to show Dallas' more vulnerable side.Innocent in Death touches on several themes, in my opinion. The author shows that appearances can be deceiving, that past mistakes in life does not define one's present or future, and that love does conquer all, sometimes.Although Nora Roberts has written twenty-three previous suspense novels as J. D. Robb, Innocent in Death was the first book I had read of the series. Despite Innocent in Death having been the first I had read of Eve Dallas, the book was written in such a way that I understood the parts that touched on Dallas' past without needing to have read any of the previous books. Over all, I enjoyed Innocent in Death from its first page to its last. The novel has good pacing, well done suspense and characterizations, and a chilling culprit. I look forward to reading the next novel in the series and as many of the past novels as possible, and recommend that other mystery/suspense lovers read Innocent in Death, also. dr seuss cat in hat history

"Deep Inside LiteBlue" by Ronald Williams Jr. - Book Review

For every job there is room to improve work conditions. For every job there are several co-workers who will complain but never do a thing, to that one who speaks up and makes things better...or not. At the very least, they have tried. One of the most important jobs in America, in my mind anyway, is the United States Postal Service. In Ronald Williams, Jr.'s book, "Deep Inside LiteBlue," he discusses the inside scene of the USPS, and the typical challenges that are dealt with. Many of these things are just as readily occurring in nearly any job you could think of. Williams' experience is more relatable than you might imagine.Have you ever wondered what that letter you stick a stamp on goes through before it reaches your mother's hands some 300 miles away? The next time you complain about another first class stamp price hike, take a moment to consider the travel costs of your letter. What has to happen to ensure delivery? A whole lot of shaking in going on. "Deep Inside LiteBlue" explains the inner workings of the USPS: the technology, the people, the supervisors, the trays per minute processing, the mandatory holiday work. Then he goes into the progress he's seen in overcoming problems along the way. He looks at morality building, lack of understanding of the system by supervisors, problems on the line, overtime, sick time, wasted time. Many of the situations he speaks of are happening in all kinds of business and there is the true purpose of this book...to enlighten the masses about efficiency in business practices.So what exactly is the LiteBlue? The heart of the matter: the people of the USPS.
Williams comes from a job which we all rely on. He is an interesting guy working an interesting and vital job. His book speaks in an every man voice, encouraging others to stand up for what is needed in the workplace. dr seuss cat in hat book

Thinking Inside the LiteBlue Box, by Ronald Williams Jr.

Did you receive any mail today? Chances are, you sure did. How did it get to you? You might be surprised to learn the USPS is a business like any other. In Ronald Williams Jr.'s book, "Thinking Inside the LiteBlue Box," you will see a side of the postal service that you might not have even considered. So what exactly is the LiteBlue? The heart of the matter: the people of the USPS.Building on his first book, "Deep Inside LiteBlue," Williams looks at the big picture. What exactly is going on in this business of correspondence delivery? Many of the same issues that go on in nearly any other business. There are management issues, regarding unions and interpersonal problems. There are moral issues. There are safety troubles. There are personality, cultural, and attitude issues. If your local business office has these problems, so does the USPS. What can be done? Williams has numerous ideas, two books full! Chances are that his ideas will work for any business, not just the one he's inside of.In his every day guy tone, Williams proves that he's not just any worker bee in the hive. He takes initiative and shows readers how to do the same, no matter where you work. His encouragement to make the changes you envision, you the every day worker in whatever job you do, is priceless. For every job there is room to improve work conditions. For every job there are several co-workers who will complain but never do a thing, to that one who speaks up and makes things better...or not. At the very least, they have tried. See what Ronald Williams, Jr. has done, and be inspired. dr seuss book collection

Improve Your Ballet - The Ballet Bible Review

Becoming a ballet dancer can be difficult. It is not something that can be learned overnight, nor can it be mastered in a few months. Taking ballet classes is imperative to learn the proper techniques necessary to become a truly magical ballet dancer whose every move and step personify grace and
beauty.As a resource for beginning through advanced ballet students, The Complete Ballet Bible Package written by Anita Leembruggen, reinforces what students learn in class. It's like having your own private tutor at home.Broken into three components, ebook, audio and ballet dance videos, these user friendly formats allow you to navigate through every ballet exercise with ease.Part 1 - titled "The 3 Simple Rules of a Prima Ballerina" is a pdf ebook with over 200 pages of text and detailed pictures. This guide not only shows you how to do a movement or gesture correctly, but shows you how most dancers do it incorrectly, and tells you WHY. No other book I have ever read shows you this. I feel this is a fundamental aspect to learning.Part 2 - titled "Audio Terms and Definitions" is a audio software package that allows you to find any ballet term and learn its meaning. For each exercise, step, position, and/or pose, a simple point and click allows you to do any of the following: Scroll through the whole list of terms. Find specific terms. Learn the correct French accents for specific terms. Click a button to hear each term sounded out for you with clear and concise definitions and a visible pronunciation guide.Part 3 - titled "Video Demonstrations" is a collection of over 60 videos on ballet technique. If you are a visual learner like myself this is a real benefit. Being able to watch how to correctly perform a Ballonce or Entrachat Quatre whenever you like, and as many times as you like, is an excellent method to reinforce proper technique.All in all the The Complete Ballet Bible Package is unlike anything else I could find on the market. It is a flexible online teaching tool that provides you with a visual model of ballet steps, exercises, and principles typically taught only in an educational setting. seuss book collection sets cat hat

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Book Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, recently released on July 21, 2007, is undoubtedly the most widely-anticipated book of the year, completing Harry's seven-year journey through the wizarding world to confront his nemesis Lord Voldemort, along with a host of other issues. With any finale of such a monumental and popular series, there are bound to be victories, disappointments, criticisms, and praise for nearly every plot decision made by the author. The final product, though, is a remarkable end to the Harry Potter series, and a fitting conclusion to the problems raised in the previous books.After reading the previous book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, numerous plot lines had been developed that left me worried about J. K. Rowling's ability to wrap them all up neatly and provide a satisfying conclusion in one more book. The issue of Harry Potter finding the remaining Horcruxes in the space of one book, while it had taken the previous six to locate and destroy only two Horcruxes seemed the most pressing issue. Additionally, the fact that no one, including Harry and Dumbledore, were quite sure what the Horcruxes were and where they would be located presented an even more apparent problem. Furthermore, Rowling used the theme of the Deathly Hallows to further the plot, and spent much time examining Harry's attempts to understand such universal themes as how to deal with death and the search for truth.Remarkably enough, although not unexpected, Harry, Ron, and Hermione manage to locate the missing locket and determine where the other Horcruxes were hidden by Voldemort, including the cup of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw's lost diadem. Even Neville plays an important role in the fall of Voldemort by taking care of the snake Nagini, and Harry eventually learns that, because of Voldemort's attack on him as a baby, he is the final Horcrux. Learning that he must sacrifice himself to Voldemort in order to end the war is one of the more dark yet touching sequences in the book, as Harry discovers that Voldemort can not be defeated unless the part of his soul trapped in Harry is destroyed. Harry bravely sacrifices himself and manages to survive Voldemort's curse, causing Voldemort to destroy the Horcrux on his own.The theme of the Deathly Hallows themselves also play a large role in the story, as Harry learns what they are and that he already possesses two of the three Hallows. He also learns that Professor Dumbledore made it his quest to discover all three of them, although his motives were not quite as pure as Harry's. Through gradual revelations of the life of Dumbledore, Harry learns that the exalted professor had just as many flaws as any other human being, along with an irritating tendency to leave Harry in the dark about nearly everything. But Harry eventually learns some valuable truths about Dumbledore, even though they may have been unpleasant truths for him. Instead of following in Dumbledore's footsteps and pursuing the Hallows to gain enormous power to defeat Voldemort, Harry makes the more wise decision to do his best to reduce Voldemort's power.One of the most intriguing questions of the series has been the issue of Severus Snape and whether he was "good" or "bad." It turns out that the answer to the question is a not-so-simple "a little bit of both." Harry discovers, through Snape's memories, that Snape always loved Lily Potter and had turned away from Voldemort the minute that he threatened Harry's mother. Although Snape acted out of his selfish attachment to Lily, and emphasized Harry's resemblance to James Potter who had tortured him as a youth, Snape had worked with Dumbledore to protect Harry until the very end. His last act before dying from the snake Nagini's bite, is to give Harry the last pieces of the puzzle to understanding that Snape and Dumbledore's efforts to protect him resulted in Harry ending up as master of the Deathly Hallows, as well as the destroyer of Voldemort's Horcruxes. Without Snape, selfish and mean as he was, Voldemort may have proved even more dangerous, or Harry may not have learned some important truths about Snape, Harry's mother Lily, and even Aunt Petunia.The two major themes of death and truth run through nearly every page of the book. While feeling lost and inadequate to the task of locating and destroying Horcruxes, Harry slowly learns about Dumbledore's past actions that reflect none too well on the professor. Dumbledore comes out looking as though he made some grave mistakes in his past, even touching upon the Dark Arts and the subjugation of Muggles, as well as having manipulated Harry for much of his life in order to protect him and lead him to his eventual defeat of Voldemort. Harry realizes that Dumbledore had led him to the correct path, but that it would be up to Harry and his friends to walk the path and overcome the problems faced along the way.Death also plays a large role in the book, with several of the supporting characters entering the clearing at the end of the path by the end of the story. Hedwig, Mad-Eye Moody, Lupin, Tonks, Dobby the house elf, and Fred Weasley are some of the casualties along the way, along with a number of Death Eaters and their supporters. The book does not skirt around the issue of mentioning the war in the wizarding world, and in war it is expected there will be casualties, many of them bitter and seemingly arbitrary. Harry learns how to deal with the death of close friends and the importance of continuing his quest even though he knows more death may come before the end, but that Voldemort must be defeated for the war to stop.The book used the challenges facing Harry and his friends, and the introduction of new challenges as ways to keep the story moving forward and to illuminate various aspects of previous books. Much more of the history of Dumbledore, Snape, and the wizarding world at large was revealed in this book than in any other in the series. Rowling showed that Voldemort's quest for power took him from the forests of Albania to distant caves to medieval towers and even to the desecration of a grave, all in an attempt to gain one more tool to escape death and kill Harry Potter. Harry, on the other hand, followed a quest to learn the truth about his family, his strained relationship with Snape, and the vague life and teachings of Albus Dumbledore.Not surprisingly, Harry defeated Voldemort in the end by attempting to reduce Voldemort's power and understand the events that had so affected his life. Voldemort, as an aspiring immortal villain, trapped in an infinite present of gaining more power, was defeated by the simple disarming spell of a boy who understood the road he had traveled, leading from his childhood, though happiness, tragedy, and hope, on into a brighter future for the wizarding world and the Muggle world. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

The Story Of Noah A Book Review

The Story of Noah by Patricia A. Pingry is a simple retelling of the biblical story appropriate for young children. Here, you'll find no mention of why God wanted to flood the earth, or of the evil being done around Noah (although the author says "Noah's friends laughed at him, 'That Noah is crazy,' they said. 'It never rains in this desert.'").But we do learn God wanted Noah to build the ark, that Noah did, and that Noah filled it with pairs of animals. We learn that it rained a lot, and that eventually, the land was dry again. Then "Noah looked up and saw colored stripes in the sky. This was the very first rainbow." The author concludes:"'Look for My rainbow after every rain,' God said. 'It means I love you.'"This last part isn't terribly correct. Genesis 9:12-16 says:"And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."But the idea of covenants and God destroying the earth may be too complex for this book's target audience (infants to preschoolers).What I Like: It would be tough to find a more simple retelling of this favorite Bible story. The illustrations, by Stacy Venturi-Pickett, are charming, with a friendly-looking Noah and plenty of cuddly animals.What I Dislike: I wish the author had found a better way to explain the symbolism of the rainbow. Also, while the illustrations are kid-friendly, they are mostly in pastels; younger readers generally prefer bright colors.Overall Rating: Good.Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but infants and toddlers will like this book, too. dr seuss cat in hat history

My ABC Bible-My ABC Prayers A Book Review

Bowman, along with illustrator Stacey Lamb, have taken an old idea and made it fresh. In My ABC Prayers every two-page spread features a whimsical illustration, a letter, and a five sentence "prayer." Most of these prayers are words of thanks, and most do a great job of using topics young children can relate to. Some are unexpected, too. For example, I'm not surprised to see a prayer of thanks for all of creation, or for the rain or sun. But Bowman also includes things like doctors ("Thank you, God, for DOCTORS/Who help me when I'm sick,/Who give me special medicine/So I feel better quick."). Some prayers stray away from thanks, and offer instead basic truths. For example, "O is for ONE./There's just ONE God who loves me,/There's just ONE God who cares./There's just ONE God in heaven/Who listens to my prayers."My ABC Bible is similarly designed. Each letter of the alphabet is identified with one thing in the Bible. For example, "A is for ANIMALS" from Noah's ark, and "B is for BETHLEHEM,/Where Jesus Christ was born./See him in the manger/So cozy and warm?" Also mentioned are Joseph's coat of many colors, Daniel, Elijah, Goliath, Hannah, Isaac, Lazarus, Mary, fisherman's nets, plagues, Esther, rainbow, and more. Each is explained only briefly. For example: "R is for the pretty RAINBOW/See it up above,/Shining brightly in the sky/Showing us God's love?" and is designed to be a spring board for more conversation or reading on the topics.What I Like: The fun, lighthearted illustrations, the introduction to prayers of thanks, and the basic biblical concepts presented in this duo.What I Dislike: In My ABC Bible, "X is for EXCITED" isn't ideal. On the other hand, it would be pretty tough to find a word beginning with the letter X that also fits into a book about the Bible... dr seuss cat in hat book

Zacchaeus and the Happy Day - A Book Review

Zacchaeus and the Happy Day, by Rhonda Gowler Greene, is a retelling in rhyme of Luke 19, where a chief tax collector climbed a tree to get a peek at Jesus Christ, then hosted a meal for Jesus and donated his ill-gotten gain to the poor.Greene does a good job of helping us feel the anticipation crowds must have felt while waiting for Jesus to walk by, then explaining the biblical story in an entertaining way:"He tried to findthe perfect spotwhere he could see. But he could not.He tried this way,that way too.What could small Zacchaeus do?Oh, how he wishedthat he could see.Then he spied -a sycamore tree!"The author emphasizes that while Zacchaeus was a man of sin, Jesus showed him only love. Then:"His greedy heartgrew BIG that day.He said, 'I'll gladly repaymoney I took from the poor -all I took and even more."Zacchaeus is converted from a man who cruely takes from others to a man who is "kind and giving."What I Like: I love that Greene chose a story from the Bible that is rarely told to children. Too, the tale is told clearly, and without preaching.What I Dislike: Santiago Cohen's illustrations are bold and modern, but the colors are rather dark and muddy.Overall Rating: I hemmed and hawed about whether to give this book a "Good" or a "Very Good" rating. Although I dislike the illustrations, I am delighted to see this biblical story told for children. Therefore, I give it a "Very Good."Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but many toddlers will like this book, too.Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2007; ISBN: 0310711002; hard back, $9.99 dr seuss book collection

The Power of Positive Reading

Today, I reached for a little book in my library that I purchased at a second-hand store about a dozen years ago.This volume is a first edition of Norman Vincent Peale's classic, "The Power of Positive Thinking."I can't tell you how rewarding it is.In it you'll find the genesis of many of today's self-help nostrums.There are secrets of developing self-confidence, restoring your flagging energy, and achieving inner peace, and if you apply them exactly as suggested, they'll probably work very well.What I'm struck by as much as the content is the tone of the book, which is consistently polite and respectful. This is a welcome respite from the haranguing we're exposed to relentlessly in contemporary media, and even in popular self-help books.Perhaps the closest any current voice comes to Mr. Peale's is that of Wayne Dyer. There's no scorn or vitriol in either gentleman's books, and that's incredibly refreshing.At times, Peale sounds totally up to date and pertinent, though his specific examples are quaint. He tells how old grandfather clocks, with their large pendulums promoted calmness because they seemed to whisper that there's plenty of time.Modern clocks tick so quickly that they frantically and nervously seem to say that we have to get back to work.Substitute ubiquitous cell phone ring tones, email, instant messaging, and voice mail, and you'll probably see as I did that Peale was ahead of his time.Want to succeed?The formula hasn't changed a bit. One of its key ingredients is rediscovering the power of positive reading! seuss book collection sets cat hat

"The Dark Dreamweaver" - Book Review

If author Nick Ruth wanted to keep me up at night and have me spend every available moment with my nose stuck in his amazing book, "The Dark Dreamweaver," he totally succeeded! I usually prefer books about animals, especially horses, but this book got my attention right from the start and held on to it for three days. In fact, I have read it three times; I could not put this book down!What really impressed me about this book is that it wasn't a sad or scary story at all. There was no mention of doom or gloom. The magic in "The Dark Dreamweaver" seemed so real. It's as if I was actually living the wizardry and the adventure. I felt like each page took me to new places with fun-filled characters. I felt I was living in a land of total magic.What makes this read so great is it's fast pace. I kept my nose and eyes on each word, making sure I didn't miss a thing. It was so captivating that I would re-read a part I really liked. I simply could not get enough of the adventure and the book's two main characters.What really jumped out at me were the dreams in this book and how good and evil confronted each other. This kept my interest because adventure was on every page. The adventure in "The Dark Dreamweaver" was also inspiring. I could relate to the challenges the characters had. Although the title has the word "Dark," it was not scary at all. I loved "The Dark Dreamweaver" and can't wait to read the next book in the series!I would highly recommend "The Dark Dreamweaver," as it is extremely well-written for kids and adults. It is so well-written and captivating, that my Dad is reading it and he can't put it down either! dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Interview With Nick Ruth, Author of "The Dark Dreamweaver"

Nick Ruth didn't set out to be an author when he sat down to write The Dark Dreamweaver; he was just looking for a way to connect with his son. The two share a love of reading, and Nick decided to surprise his son with a personalized story. What started out as a short story grew into a 224-page book that has won awards and attracted fans around the country.Nick is a lifelong resident of Baltimore, Maryland. He has degrees in biology and computer networking, and he works as a computer network administrator. He and his family share their home with three cats and various other creatures, some of whom appear in The Remin Chronicles in various guises. In his spare time, Nick enjoys reading, playing guitar, and writing music. Nick is currently working on book three of The Remin Chronicles.Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Nick. To begin, would you tell us a little bit about the plot behind "The Dark Dreamweaver?"Nick: Boy meets wizard; Boy helps wizard; Evil defeated yet again. I happen to love the tiny summaries in the TV guide that attempt to tell the plot of epic movies in 10 words or less so that's my little contribution. The story revolves around an imaginative young boy named David, who befriends a cursed wizard and goes on a magical journey to break the curse and defeat the power-hungry wizard Thane. The journey takes place in the world of Remin, which is where our dreams are given their appearance of reality through the magic of dreamweaving. We meet talking sea serpents, a man that resembles a jellyfish, a man with replaceable heads. Magic and fun characters. This book has it all.Tyler: Nick, how does David's journey begin? I understand he goes to Remin, the land of dreams, so is he dreaming during the book or is it reality he is experiencing? I am reminded of "The Wizard of Oz" where Dorothy's adventure is supposed to have really happened in the book, but in the film, it was all a dream.Nick: Funny you should mention "The Wizard of Oz." A frequent question during bookstore appearances is: What kind of story can be found in "The Dark Dreamweaver"? Most people instinctively want a familiar reference point when discussing a new book, and my answer is that "The Wizard of Oz" book (not the movie) is a good comparison. I don't think I'm giving anything away by saying that Remin is a real place. David encounters a wizard who is cursed so that he lives the life of a butterfly in endless repetition. David meets the wizard in the form of a caterpillar and the journey begins.Tyler: How did the idea of the world of Remin come to you?Nick: I love this question. Here's a bit of well-known trivia. When L. Frank Baum was working on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", he was searching for a name for his magical land and happened to glance at his filing cabinet where the drawers were labeled A-N and O-Z. I think he chose the right drawer as I'm not sure "The Wonderful Wizard of AN" would have captured the public's fancy. I'm a huge fan of those "Behind the Music" shows and I love finding out about the influences behind the books that I read. The story behind the story is sometimes a lot of fun, and "The Dark Dreamweaver" is no exception. I have a pretty detailed description on my website so I'll just hit the highlights here.I'm a big believer in reading to your children, and so every night I would read to my son David. He loved the Magic School Bus stories, and I'm sorry to say that I became bored reading the same stories over and over again. Kids love repetition, but me, not so much. We invented a Magical David character and I started to make up scenes where my son would appear in the stories to help out Miss Frizzle and her kids. He loved this so much that I decided to invent a short story where he was the main character. I envisioned a ten pager but it took me two hundred pages to tell the story that became "The Dark Dreamweaver."Many of the elements in the story are taken from David's experiences. We spent one summer finding Monarch butterfly eggs and raising the caterpillars, and one day while pondering what kind of story I could write, the idea that one of the caterpillars talked sparked my imagination and soon there were numerous questions to be answered. Who was this caterpillar and where was he from? Each answer led to another question and slowly but surely the story blossomed. Several of David's Lego creations made their way into the story, and the glass wand filled with colored glitter that we picked up at a festival ignited the magic in the tale.The name Remin comes from the concept of rapid-eye movement, or REM, which is the sleep state that involves dreams. Take that, Mr. Baum.Tyler: I love it, putting one over on L. Frank Baum, although I'm a huge fan of his as well. What do you think makes Remin stand out from other fantasy worlds in other books?Nick: Wow, tough question. Our world and Remin are linked. What happens in Remin doesn't stay in Remin. I think that's a little unique. Destroy Oz and everything is still the same in our world. Destroy Remin and nobody is going to sleep well anymore.Tyler: I understand the subplots offer some lessons on environmental science, and key roles for children, among other lessons. Do you feel children's books have a responsibility toward the reader beyond entertainment?Nick: Yes and No. Reading is the important point here. I have an eight-point plan on my web-site called BLASTOFF to help parents help their kids to become lifetime readers. I think that I have the responsibility to present an entertaining story that any parent would be happy to read to their kids and if I can make learning fun in the context of the story, then that's a bonus. Children will have plenty of time to learn about the darker sides of life so my books are designed not to keep your kids up at night. I think every good children's story offers lessons and no matter how deeply you bury those idea in your story, kids figure it out.I didn't write a story to teach a lesson. I just wanted to write a good story. The butterfly lessons in my book come naturally from the story, so it was an easy decision to expand that a little bit and add some facts at the end of the book and try to help kids become interested in the world of the butterfly.Tyler: What is the lesson to be learned from "The Dark Dreamweaver"?Nick: The main theme for the book is the power of imagination. Much of the magic in the book comes from inside the people that populate the story. David learns that there are things more important than what he wants, and that working together is better than going solo.Tyler: The recommended reading age for "The Dark Dreamweaver" is 9-12 year olds. Do you recommend parents read these books with their children, and do you think adults would also find them appealing?Nick: I still enjoy reading Dr. Seuss, so I can't be too objective here. A good story appeals to all ages, so I think that adults will enjoy the story as well. I highly recommend that parents read to their children and so this is a good place for me to layout the BLASTOFF plan.Bedtime (make time to read)Librarian (help find books that interest your kids)Audio (don't ignore audio books)Self (become a reader yourself)Together (read as a family)Open-minded (be open-minded about what they read)Force (don't force it)Fun (if it's fun they will gravitate toward it)I had many kids tell me that they've read my book multiple times and that is one of the highest compliments that I think I can get. Remin is just one of the many worlds that are out there to explore and I hope that children or parents who read this interview will find out about Remin and then explore more worlds like Oz, Narnia, and Xanth.Tyler: I love the acronym, Nick. As opposed to children, what sorts of responses have you received from parents about your books or the blast-off idea?Nick: Well that's something that doesn't get asked too much. Most of the questions I get are focused on the children who read the book, so it's nice to talk about what parents think of "The Dark Dreamweaver." One of my favorite quotes is from a mother who thinks the book will make a great movie, and several parents have mentioned that they read it to their kids and when they were done the kids took the book and read it themselves. That always brings a smile to my face, and that's where the blast-off idea came from. Making children life-long readers is one of the best things you can do for them, and I have given several radio interviews talking about this 8-point plan. Easy to remember and descriptive of what will happen to your child's mind when the world of books is thrown open for them to explore.Tyler: Without giving away the end of the story, I understand the characters triumph using their wits and wisdom, and that the book has very little fighting. Did you intentionally steer away from a more traditional wizards and warriors, epic battle type story, and why?Nick: The structure of my story was greatly influenced by my son, who isn't a big fan of violence, and so "The Dark Dreamweaver" is a fairly bloodless fantasy. While my whole family loves Harry Potter, I think J.K. Rowling went a little too far in Goblet of Fire during Voldemorts rebirth, and because my book is geared toward a slightly younger audience I made a point to keep the intensity dialed down.My vision of Remin didn't really fit the mold of the whole Dungeons and Dragons environment so I think I've created a unique little world while still maintaining a comfortable magical quality. I actually see the "traditional" fantasy world as a myth. Look at OZ, Xanth, Narnia, Droon and Harry Potter. Not your typical D&D like Lord of the Rings or Eragon. I think a lot of children's fantasy softens the sword and sorcery angle which can be a little jarring for young minds.Tyler: Our eleven year old reviewer at Reader Views, Aja King, loved "The Dark Dreamweaver" so much she has read it three times and now her father is reading it. Is this typical of the response you have received so far from the book? What have readers told you they like best about "The Dark Dreamweaver?"Nick: Aja and I have struck up an online dialog and her reaction to my book is close to what I have heard from other children and parents. Because it's skewed a little younger than Harry Potter, it's a great introduction to fantasy books. The children I have met have all read the book multiple times and they like the fantastic characters as well as the idea that their dreams travel to another world before returning to them while they are sleeping. They love the fact that David doesn't just see the magic around him but actually participates. I originally wrote this story for an audience of one (my son) but the fact that it has found a much larger audience is very gratifying.Tyler: Nick, how old is your son now, and is he still giving you ideas for books?Nick: David is now almost 12 years old. Many of the best ideas in my stories come from his experiences and imagination. I expand on them or alter them for story purposes but my son is definitely an integral part of all of the best things in Remin. I wrote the first book when he was 6 and now he's co-writing a Remin book with me, as well as working on his own book series. He's my biggest fan.Tyler: That's wonderful, Nick. Not many children have parents who encourage them to be writers. I understand the second book is already published. Can you tell us a little bit about the second book?Nick: I never planned on a series. In fact I never considered myself a writer. I work in the computer industry and this started as a story to entertain my son. The first book was a fluke. A story that begged to get onto the paper and flowed almost without thought. It was like the land of Remin planted the dream into my head while I slept and all I had to do was write it down when I woke up. When I presented the story to my son I was emphatic that there were no other stories, but he was so thrilled with the adventure that it wasn't too long before I started wondering if there wasn't another story to be told.David wanted his cousins to travel to Remin, and that became the starting point for what became the second book, "The Breezes of Inspire" which actually takes place in an entirely new world that is connected to Remin. Giant talking plants, a forgetful sea serpent and angry four-armed environmentalists are along for the ride and although it was a much harder story to write, I'm very satisfied with the results. With butterflies in the first book, the second book touches on the idea of symbiosis where two different life forms join to their mutual benefit. When I finished this book, I again told my son that this was the last book.Tyler: Do you know how many books will be in the series? Is it a planned number of volumes as with the Harry Potter books or will you keep writing them as long as readers want them?Nick: I guess I should never say never. The third book is halfway through the first draft so I guess if the first two books continue to sell and win awards there will be another Remin adventure. There are not a planned number of books but each new story that I write gives me hints about other possible storylines. Each story is a stand-alone adventure so it can go as far as my imagination takes me. I have glimmers in my mind that could produce as many as six books in the series and I'm sure if I head down that path even more ideas will present themselves.Tyler: It's ironic that you mention six books. You know, L. Frank Baum tried to make his sixth Oz book the last one, but the children insisted on more, so after a couple years, he returned to them and ended up writing fourteen before he died. And even then, the publishers had to hire other writers to continue the series. Have you considered writing other types of books like Baum wanted to, or will you stick to children's fantasy for now?Nick: I have a little note on my computer where I have several other ideas scribbled down, but I think I'm locked into children's fantasy for the foreseeable future. Maybe when I retire I'll tackle some of my other ideas. David's interests drive a lot of my activities, so as long as he has an interest in Remin, I'll continue to explore that world.Tyler: Fantasy is probably the most popular genre for children's books. Yet there are those adults who are opposed to fantasy. Why do you think fantasy (or fairy tale) stories remain so important for children? What benefit does it provide them?Nick: This is the type of question that could result in a book-length answer. Kids are highly imaginative and I think as we turn into adults we forget how big a part imagination played in our own lives. Working on the book took me back to my childhood, where we built forts in my backyard and dreamed about flying. I think kids use fantasy to protect themselves from the dangers of the real world and to keep themselves from growing up too fast.Some of our best children's classics come from parents writing stories to entertain children. "Winnie the Pooh" originated in much the same way as my book with A.A. Milne inventing his world for his son Christopher. J.M. Barrie told his stories to a friend's children. He recognized the importance of fantasy in a child's life and embodied it in Peter Pan who became the poster boy for the power of imagination.I'm perplexed with adults who oppose fantasy. Thomas Edison was chastised for being a dreamer and became one of our greatest inventors. Thinking outside the box is a benefit in this fast moving world, and fantasy is definitely an outside-the-box activity. It will take an awful lot of imagination to solve some of the issues confronting us today.Tyler: Nick, before we go, will you tell our readers what your website is so they can find out more information about The Remin Chronicles series and where to purchase a copy of "The Dark Dreamweaver"?Nick: Gladly. You can learn all about the series at amazon or http://www.darkdreamweaver.com. My site has information about the series as well as some fun things to do including the theme songs for both books which I wrote and performed. David added some harmonies to the "Breezes of Inspire" theme song so check it out if you get the chance. It's been a lot of fun.Tyler: One last question, Nick. You mentioned theme songs, which seem unusual for a book. Are you hoping to expand the books into multimedia ventures, such as cd's, or films?Nick: No. The theme songs are just a way to make the books stand out a little bit in a very competitive industry. I had written other songs for my own enjoyment so when the book was published it was just a nice marketing tool. There's nothing better than enjoying your work and I like noodling around with my guitar, so it was another easy decision to write a song to help sell the book. Playing the theme songs during appearances is also a nice entertainment bonus. Aja has a theme song for her book "Three Grin Salad," so maybe we're at the vanguard of a new trend in book marketing.My son of course would love to see the book made into a film and "The Dark Dreamweaver" was an honorable mention at the 2006 Hollywood Book Festival, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm just going to keep playing in the literary world of Remin and see what the future holds.Tyler: Thank you so much for joining me today, Nick. I hope your imagination remains fertile for the many children out there waiting to read more of your books. dr seuss cat in hat history

"The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones" by Michael E. Platt - Book Review

Dr. Michael E. Platt's new book "The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones" -- how I lost my fatigue, hot flashes, ADHD, ADD, fibromyalgia, PMS, osteoporosis, weight, sexual dysfunction, anger migraines -- is very thought-provoking and well-written. In this book Dr. Platt takes on the traditional medical community who primarily base their treatments on clinical studies funded by pharmaceutical companies. His frustration lies in the fact that there is little to no incentive for studies about natural hormone supplements because no patents are available for these products and patents are where the real money is. I found the book to be very well-written and reader-friendly for the lay person.Dr. Platt's approach was very well-organized and his ideas seem to be ahead of his time. As there are almost no research studies done on Dr. Platt's approach, he used case studies from his clinical practice to support his claims. He is a board certified internist with over 35 years of clinical experience. He approaches illnesses looking for the cause, instead of just treating the symptoms, and has had tremendous success over the years. His premise is that because hormones control every system in the body, the underlying causes of illnesses happen when they are out of balance. Dr. Platt writes in his book "Until doctors get back to treating their patients instead of lab tests, until they start listening to patients instead of drug companies, and until they open themselves to a more logical and healthful approach to medicine, we are destined to remain on the bottom of the list of civilized countries when it comes to health care."I found "The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones" to be very interesting and I went to Dr. Platt's website to see what it offered. He has a free evaluation that you can take to see if you possibly have imbalanced hormones. I took and received an immediate answer. While the premise of the book is excellent and I agree with a lot of what he is saying, I am having a hard time locating a physician in my area that follows his premise. Hopefully, that will change as more information is released on this topic and physicians see success in the treatments. I applaud Dr. Platt's efforts and hope that his approach will inspire the medical community.Clancy Lane Publishing (2007)ISBN 9780977668328Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (6/07) dr seuss cat in hat book

Interview With Michael E. Platt, Author of "The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones"

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to be joined by Michael E. Platt, M.D., author of the newly published 2nd edition of "The Miracle of Bio-identical Hormones."Michael Platt, M.D. is a bio-identical hormone expert and wellness physician. Unlike most physicians, Dr. Platt believes in being pro-active and treating the causes of illness rather than solely the symptoms. He has successfully helped patients relinquish medications and use natural bio-identical hormones to increase health in his patients. He has devoted thirty-four years to balancing hormones.Tyler: Welcome, Dr. Platt. To begin, could you give us a definition of "bio-identical hormones" for readers who are not familiar with the term?Dr. Platt: Bio-identical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones the body produces; they are readily recognizable to the body and can reproduce the same functions.Tyler: Dr. Platt, would you tell us a little bit about your medical background and education and how you became interested in bio-identical hormones?Dr. Platt: I went to medical school at N.Y. Medical College and did my internship and residency in Washington, D.C. at Washington Hospital Center. I am board-certified in Internal Medicine. I started out my career working with various HMO's because in the old days their "reason for being" was preventive medicine. When insurance companies bought them out, preventive medicine was thrown out and it became "managed care." This was their way of saying: what's the least amount of money we can spend and still keep the patient alive? Subsequently, I worked at various medical groups, became a hospitalist, and also took care of a large number of convalescent home patients. The latter ingrained in me a strong appreciation for preventive medicine. Putting everything together--my work in clinics, hospitals, convalescent homes--gave me a strong exposure to traditional medicine. It became clear that medicine practiced this way often ignores the causation of illness. This led me into the world of bio-identical hormone therapy.Tyler: I understand balancing hormones is still not a common topic in medical school, yet you have devoted most of your life to studying it. Why do you think it hasn't gained more attention?Dr. Platt: Most doctors appear to be more comfortable with advice provided by drug companies. Since bio-identical hormones are natural and cannot be patented, drug companies have no interest in promoting them for health. As you may or may not be aware, almost everything doctors learn in medical school is based on research done by drug companies. Needless to say, there is no mention of bio-identical hormones. In spite of this, the popularity of Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHT) will continue to grow due to patient demand and successful BHT outcomes with patients.Tyler: The subtitle to your book is "how I lost my fatigue, hot flashes, ADHD, ADD, fibromyalgia, PMS, osteoporosis, weight, sexual dysfunction, anger migraines." Would you give us an example or a success story detailing how balancing hormones has helped someone with one of these ailments?Dr. Platt: I approach a patient's problem from the cause; I do not prescribe band-aids. Hormones control every system in the body so it is easy to see there are a lot of medical conditions that can be positively influenced by getting hormones into balance. Throughout my book, patients tell their own stories about being un-well and how hormones have restored them to optimum health. Instead of relating a particular example of a specific patient who was helped, please allow me to approach your question from a different direction.The majority of patients who come to me with "incurable" diseases often have a condition known as ADHD. ADHD may be one of the most unrecognized and misunderstood of all medical conditions. It is a condition that has been misrepresented by the medical community as many doctors do not actually focus on or understand its underlying cause.I approach ADHD strictly from a hormonal aspect, since it represents an imbalance of hormones--too much adrenaline, too much insulin, and too little progesterone. It is possible to eliminate this condition, in many cases, within 24 hours. The reason I mention this particular condition is that it is associated with many other conditions such as fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, bipolar disorder, rage problems, endometriosis, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes. When you view it from this perspective you can appreciate right away how restoring hormone balance can be life altering.Tyler: Dr. Platt, you have been described as a physician who is not a favorite of pharmaceutical companies. What do you see are the dangers of large pharmaceutical companies and their relationship with the medical field?Dr. Platt: The medical system in the U.S. is a multi-trillion dollar a year industry. It thrives on profits it makes from disease and illness, not on wellness. It provides millions of jobs, if you include all the ancillary industries involved with medical care. The medical system also provides a huge source of tax revenue for the government, so there is no incentive to change things. If people want to be healthy, they must become pro-active about their health and not rely on an industry that is not dedicated to their well-being. Drug companies obviously have no interest in a person who is healthy; and drug companies have almost complete control over how most doctors practice medicine.Tyler: You have expressed frustration that pharmaceutical companies fund much of the research being done, but research is seldom done on natural hormone supplements because no patents are available for these products and patents are where the real money is. Could you explain why patents aren't available for these products, and do you have any suggestions for how this matter can be resolved?Dr. Platt: It is estimated that prescription drugs are perhaps the leading cause of death in this country. The body cannot recognize synthetic chemicals; synthetic chemicals can create toxicity in the body. The body can recognize natural products and can accept them according to need.The issue of synthetic vs. natural will slowly be resolved through patient education. Please be aware that although my book addresses some of these issues, it is not intended to be a diatribe against the medical field; I am proud to be a practicing board-certified internist. I include discussion of these issues to outline part of the reason some people are not well.Tyler: I understand one of your major concerns is about estrogen replacement. Would you elaborate on that issue, please?Dr. Platt: Estrogen, to my way of thinking, is a toxic hormone. It can cause six different cancers in women, as well as strokes and heart attacks. It causes women to have cramps, PMS, and migraine headaches with their period, and can cause fibroids, endometriosis, fibrocystic disease, gall bladder disease, asthma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Interestingly, women never stop making estrogen. So why is this hormone being replaced with such regularity in light of the fact that it is such a toxic hormone? The only hormone that has to be replaced is progesterone--a hormone that prevents every downside of estrogen.Tyler: I understand the issue of estrogen has a personal connection to you in relation to your mother. Would you mind telling our audience a little bit about your mother's illness and how it affected you?Dr. Platt: My mother died at the age of 61 of breast cancer. She had been estrogen dominant her whole life, developed fibroids, had a hysterectomy and was subsequently placed on Premarin. At the time of her death I was looking toward the causation of illness. It was readily apparent that estrogen was the contributing factor for her problems. However, I put a number of things together and realized the cause of her problems was actually lack of progesterone--even to this day an unknown hormone to most doctors.My mother had a large abdomen, but no fat on her extremities. The only hormone that can cause this is insulin. Could her increased estrogen and increased insulin be related? Shortly after her death, I had what you might call an epiphany. I remembered that men and women have identical hormones. I suddenly realized I had inherited her low progesterone because my whole life I had been over-producing insulin (daytime fatigue, sleepy when driving, craving sugar, fighting weight, ADD in school, etc.) At this point I started using natural, bio-identical progesterone and my whole life changed course. Needless to say, my mother's illness had a profound effect on what I do today.Tyler: The second edition of "The Miracle of Bio-identical Hormones" is being released this summer. Why did you feel a need for a second edition?Dr. Platt: The second edition was primarily the result of my reading about a tragic event that occurred in December, 2006, in Massachusetts. A beautiful four-year old girl died of an overdose of medication she was receiving to treat her "bipolar disorder." Both of her parents were arrested and will stand trial for the child's death.The child was more than likely ADHD. Her doctor had been treating her with dangerous prescription drugs for two years and apparently had never seen her. The people at her school, as well as the social service department that was following her case, apparently observed she was being overdosed. The pharmacist, as reported, provided refills of the medications, apparently every other day, another example of overdosage.The question is, who is responsible? The parents? The whole medical/social system? Were the parents even aware their daughter might have ADHD? I approach maladies such as ADHD and bi-polar disorder, from a hormonal aspect. I believe I am able to heal patients such as this little girl with natural bio-identical hormones. As far as I know, I may be the only physician in the world who approaches such challenging conditions with this protocol. Note: It is a documented fact that thousands of children a year die from prescription drug overdoses for a disorder few doctors seem to understand.So, I felt it was necessary to share my approach to this condition, and I added more about it in the second edition. In addition, I added a chapter about osteoporosis. In my opinion, women's bodies and emotions become brutalized with the use of medications such as Fosamax, Actonel and Binova, all of which actually prevent bone from healing.Tyler: I visited your website http://www.drplatt.com and saw a questionnaire there to help people determine if they have hormone imbalances. What advice do you have for them if that is the case?Dr. Platt: The questionnaire on the website at http://www.drplatt.com is answered promptly by the office; the answers provide information that may indicate a need for hormone replacement. People who read the book will discover answers for what they need on their own. With this knowledge, people can visits their own doctors to request the specific tests I talk about that would benefit them. It will also provide them with precise advice on which bio-identical hormones and dosages could be of benefit. For those who prefer, they are welcome to make an appointment to come see me. 90% of my patients are from out of town and out of the country, including physicians and their families.Tyler: Dr. Platt, your work remains controversial and the pharmaceutical companies remain powerful. Do you think there is hope for change in the near future? Is the future of medicine going to be pro-active and about preventive medicine?Dr. Platt: My work is certainly controversial because I take people off their drugs and put them on bio-identical hormones. Prescription drugs are the leading cause of death and morbidity--this is the standard of care. As long as drug companies continue to tell doctors how to practice medicine, this will not change. However, I predict there will be a ground swell of people who will rebel against the status quo, and many doctors will give in and grudgingly change the way they practice. Again, not because they embrace it, but because their patients will demand it. I love medicine. It is very rewarding to have a patient say to me, "Doc, in my entire life I have never felt so good." I hear this all the time; traditional doctors never hear this. So yes, people will become proactive about their health and will become aware of the power of preventive medicine.Tyler: Thank you, Dr. Platt, for being here today. Do you have any last advice you would like to give to our readers?Dr. Platt: In "The Miracle of Bio-identical Hormones," my patients share their own stories; they describe how they felt before arriving in my office, and how their lives transformed once they got off medications and received bio-identical hormones. I carefully explain, in a reader-friendly way, why they may not be well, and, how they can get better. Readers will be able to identify with many of my patients. Hopefully, they will receive the understanding that they too can achieve wellness.Tyler: And finally, Dr.. Platt, where can we find more information about "The Miracle of Bio-identical Hormones"?Dr. Platt: This book is an enhancement and expansion of the first edition. More insight may be obtained perhaps from reading comments from readers on Amazon.com or finding the reviews of the book that are included with the second edition. dr seuss book collection