How to Be Invisible: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Personal Privacy, Your Assets, and Your Life (Revised Edition)

How to Be Invisible: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Personal Privacy, Your Assets, and Your Life (Revised Edition)
Average customer rating:

Good ideas but difficult to implement

some useful information

Ah that balancing act between freedom and law-abiding citizenship!

Keep your money and your privacy.

how to be invisible

How to Be Invisible: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Personal Privacy, Your Assets, and Your Life (Revised Edition)
J.J. Luna
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Bulletproof Privacy: How to Live Hidden, Happy and Free!

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ASIN: 0312319061

Book Description

From cyberspace to crawl spaces, new innovations in information gathering have left the private life of the average person open to scrutiny, and worse, exploitation. In this thoroughly revised update of his immensely popular guide How to Be Invisible, J.J. Luna shows you how to protect yourself from these information predators by securing your vehicle and real estate ownership, your bank accounts, your business dealings, your computer files, your home address, and more.J.J. Luna, a highly trained and experienced security consultant, shows you how to achieve the privacy you crave and deserve, whether you just want to shield yourself from casual scrutiny or take your life savings with you and disappearing without a trace. Whatever your needs, Luna reveals the shocking secrets that private detectives and other seekers of personal information use to uncover information and then shows how to make a serious commitment to safeguarding yourself.There is a prevailing sense in our society that true privacy is a thing of the past. Filled with vivid real life stories drawn from the headlines and from Luna's own consulting experience, How to Be Invisible, Revised Edition is a critical antidote to the privacy concerns that continue only to grow in magnitude as new and more efficient ways of undermining our personal security are made available. Privacy is a commonly-lamented casualty of the Information Age and of the world's changing climate-but that doesn't mean you have to stand for it.

Customer Reviews:

Good ideas but difficult to implement.......2007-09-01

Before you even read this book, you need to bear in mind that the author lived in the Canary Islands under Franco's fascist rule, and developed his lifestyle as a response to that.

This book is fairly good but a little paranoia-inducing, and covers the idea of creating a high level of personal security and protecting your privacy. It's a good idea, whether you're running from crazy killers or trying to avoid bill collectors or just don't want everyone in the world to know where you live. However, for many readers who are immediately spurred to take action, the suggestions are a bit unfeasible. If you have been using your home address for years and suddenly switch to a ghost address (private box or other non-residential address), how are you going to expunge your residential from all your old records? Luna recommends renting over buying, in that it is easier to suddenly vacate the premises if necessary, and so he would probably recommend moving somewhere else and never using that address on any official records, but clearly, that is not feasible for most people.
Much of what he recommends is common sense, like using a cross-cut shredder to dispose of all documents, which would seem intuitively obvious but not enough people do it. Readers of the book should use it as a guideline and follow his suggestions until they feel more comfortable about their level of personal security.

some useful information.......2007-06-14

At least this author doesn't rant against the government and tell the reader not to pay taxes. It is a more reasonable book than the last one I read. Some of the information is obvious, like not receiving mail at your home. Some of it is interesting - he recommends LLCs repeatedly, and just coincidentally happens to have someone in New Mexico who can hook you up. I don't know how useful his information is for the ordinary person who needs to hide from an abusive spouse, for instance. I still think that The Gift of Fear is the best book on that subject.

Ah that balancing act between freedom and law-abiding citizenship!.......2007-06-13

Luna (as does anyone who writes a book on how to maintain your privacy in an age of vanishing private spaces), has to walk a tightrope between being a responsible citizen, who abides by our laws, vs. establishing one's personal space, inviolable and free from intrusion. Although Luna's expositions of the various strategies to establish "invisibility" in the key areas of privacy ( residence, finances, activities, conversations, travel, and personal liaisons) requires significant effort and time investment, his thoughtful and straight discussion about each area, and how his strategies have evolved, makes it clear that he knows his territory, and that his recommendations are products of a smart, pragmatic, methodical, yet prudent man, one who is neither cowed by the myriad "authorities" who endlessly demand and document, and sell, our private information to others, nor (on the other hand) influenced by any "anti-government" axe to grind, or fanaticism. Thus, I felt I could trust his advice. In fact, Luna truly presents an inspiring model to follow: he is clearly living a life both private and peaceful, while maintaining a stance of quiet tough "standing up for" himself, and sharing with his readers his "spunk" and "attitude" as to how to still find "liberty and the pursuit of happiness", free from prying eyes and big brother, in our America. Highly recommended book! Thank you Mr.Luna, you mysterious shade-sporting guy

Keep your money and your privacy........2007-06-06

This book is awesome. I have only tried a few of his methods from his book. It is well written and easy to understand. His website gives you additional information and resource tools.

how to be invisible.......2007-06-05

This book is only for someone who is running from the law, or from the government for some reason. I did not find it helpful for me. The ideas in this book are unreasonable unless for some reason you are wanted and people are really looking for you. I should have been titled how to run from the law.

Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 1.5 (Apple Pro Training)

Average customer rating:

Easily understandable and complete!
It's OK
Excellent tutorials and very easy to get through
IF YOU LIKE HANDS ON LEARNING, THIS BOOK IS GREAT
A Great Hands-On Learning Tool

Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 1.5 (Apple Pro Training)
Orlando Luna , and Ben Long
Manufacturer: Peachpit Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0321496620

Book Description

Now fully updated for version 1.5, this comprehensive book-DVD combo starts with the basics of image management and takes you step by step all the way through Aperture's powerful photo-editing, image-retouching, proofing, publishing, and archiving features. Version 1.5's new features are completely covered, including the new image editing tools, expanded search capabilities, new Loupe tool, and support for many more RAW file formats. It delivers comprehensive training - the equivalent of a two-day course - in one project-based book. You'll learn time-saving techniques for sorting, ranking, and organizing images for use in different jobs, and effective ways to display images for client review, apply metadata, keep your online portfolio up to date automatically, color-manage your workflow from input to final print, and much more. Real-world exercises feature professional photography from a variety of genres, including fashion, sports, wedding, commercial, and portraiture. All the files you need to complete the exercises are included on the DVD.

Customer Reviews:

Easily understandable and complete!.......2007-09-12

For those who are serious about organizing their didgital photos, this book is a "must have" to accopmpany their purchase of Aperture 1.5 software.

The software covers all of the frustrations that we have felt in trying to organize our images in a safe and usefull manner.

I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to keep up with some of the instructions, but everything is so very clear; it was refreshingly understandable!

It's OK.......2007-08-20

I can't say whether or not this book will adequately prepare you for the Aperture certification exam as I'm having a great deal of trouble finding anyone who actually offers it in my area, but I can say that if you own Aperture you own a copy of the Aperture user's manual, and you're not going to find a lot of information in this book that isn't already in there. I was honestly going to return it, but then I carelessly set a glass of water down on top of it while I was on the phone and crinkled up the cover.

Excellent tutorials and very easy to get through.......2007-07-24

I have had mixed luck with tutorial books and self paced learning, but this is an excellent example of how to do it correctly. Not too much and not too little. I immediately was able to get 10 X as much out of my Aperture investment after just the first few chapters. I've dramatically improved my ability to deal with the hundreds of pictures I take every shoot. It really should be the manual for the program. Don't think twice. This is the book to get if you want to get more out of Aperture.

IF YOU LIKE HANDS ON LEARNING, THIS BOOK IS GREAT.......2007-03-19

Because I enjoy photography so much, my husband purchased an entire Mac system for me for Christmas and included Aperture in the package. The program came with a "Getting Started" manuel that gives the basic "how to's" of the program. However, I learn best by doing step by step projects. I purchased Aperture 1.5 Pro Training and it definitely fit the bill for me. It took me step by step through the features of this great program by using actual projects downloaded from the CD included. I learned about features I am not sure I would have discovered on my own. I am also using features I would have probably thought I would never have a need for had I not done a project with them using this book. Because you get to do actual projects, it is also easier to remember how to use the features when you go to try something with your own pictures. If you like step by step hands on learning and you are new to the Aperture program, this book will serve you well.

A Great Hands-On Learning Tool.......2007-02-16

Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 1.5 provides the new user with a very
well thoughtout approach to learning the basics and intricacies of Aperture.
By providing a CD containing the files that are referenced within each of
the lessons, the book guides you through the steps for ingesting, sorting,
storing and modifying your images. The text is, for the most part, very
clear and logical. Once in a great while the program seems to not quite act
as expected, but figuring out some small added step is relatively simple.

Overall, a great way for a beginner to learn how to access the power of
Aperture.

Goodnight Moon (Spanish edition): Buenas noches, Luna

Average customer rating:

Great for bedtime... but the rhymes were lost in translation
Great classic book, even better in Spanish
Great Spanish reinforcement
Sweet book...
Clásico

Goodnight Moon (Spanish edition): Buenas noches, Luna
Margaret Wise Brown
Manufacturer: Rayo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064434168

Book Description

Buenas noches, Luna
por Margaret Wise Brown
Ilustrado por Clement Hurd

En una gran habitación verde, arropado en su cama, está un conejito.
-- Buenas noches, habitación.
-- Buenas noches, Luna -- dice el conejito.

Y así sucesivamente, le da las buenas noches a todas las cosas que reconoce en su cuarto: al cuadro de los tres ositos sentaditos en sus sillas, a los relojes y a los calcetines, a los gatitos juguetones y a los lindos mitones.

En este cuento clásico de la literatura infantil, adorado por generaciones de niños, la poesía que encierra su texto y la ternura de sus bellas ilustraciones con-vierten a éste en un libro ideal para culminar el día.

Customer Reviews:

Great for bedtime... but the rhymes were lost in translation.......2007-07-23

My 2 yr. old loves to call out every object in the pages. Since the text is meant to rhyme in the english version - wich gives it its charm- we read it in both languages. We are delighted by its simplicity and can't go a night without it. We love it and it will be passed on to my younger one.

Great classic book, even better in Spanish.......2007-04-25

I think I love this book even more than my kids, & this is their favorite.
The simple rhyming lines are even more beautiful in Spanish. My kids can repeat the entire book... And who doesn't love Margaret Wise Brown?

Great Spanish reinforcement.......2007-03-23

I've read Goodnight moon to my now 5 month-old baby every night since he was less than two months old. Since most of the books I have are in English and I want to raise my child bilingual, I decided to get our nightly routine book in Spanish for more reinforcement. It is great, he recognizes the book that we read in English, and I can read him in my native language helping him become a bilingual child.

Sweet book..........2007-01-19

I love this book in Spanish as much as I do in English. It doesn't lose any of it's rythme in the translation.

Clásico.......2007-01-19

Classic in Spanish. Most children own the English version, so the Spanish version will be familiar. I like that it is not bilingual, and the translation is very well done. Flowing "buenas noches, luna... buenas noches, habitación..." makes it easy for children to learn vocabulary. My kids love to find el ratoncito (little mouse) on each page and la luna. I am a fluent Spanish speaker, mother and teacher. I use this book as one of my staples in class for preschoolers from baby to age 5.

Guardian Of Honor (The Summoning, Book 1) (Luna Books)

Average customer rating:

another great series start for Owens
*yawn*
Middle of the road fantasy offering
WOW!
Great Balance

Guardian Of Honor (The Summoning, Book 1) (Luna Books)
Robin D. Owens
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Heart Mate (Celta's HeartMates, Book 1) (Berkley Sensation)

ASIN: 0373802153

Book Description

With their magic boundaries falling and terrible monsters invading, the Marshalls of Lladrana must follow ancient tradition and Summon a savior from the Exotique land. . .

For Alexa Fitzwalter, the Marshall's call pulled the savvy lawyer into a realm where she barely understood the language, let alone the intricacies of politics and power. Armed only with her wits, a mystical companion and the help of the chevalier Bastien, Alexa must use her very human mind and skills to fight the encroaching evil-and resist manipulation by the Marshall's to force her to stay in Lladrana.

Now torn between her affinity for this realm and Earth, will she return home if given the chance? Or dare she risk everything for a land not her own?

Customer Reviews:

another great series start for Owens.......2007-08-14

I loved the Celta books, so I sort of resisted the summoning. They are not pure romance, but more of a adventure romance you see a lot starting to do. You might say, Owens really was one of the forerunners of this style of book.
The adventure was amazing, the emotions dead on, and I found myself really "seeing" her world building.

I really love the premise of women take from this world to save another. These would make a great movie.

*yawn*.......2007-08-05

This book was SO boring. I really, really wanted to like this book. I promise that I tried, but nothing ever happens in this story! Also, the characters and their relationships are poorly developed. Usually there is at least one redeeming quality to a book, but I can't find any for this one. The only reason to pick this book up is if you need help falling asleep.

Middle of the road fantasy offering.......2007-07-30

This fantasy offering from Robin Owen tends to stick to accepted fantasy dogma.
You have the "normal" person who turns out to be special, a menacing and malignant evil, magic, romance, struggle against the establishment and self.
The world building in this novel is interesting. It seems to be a parallel world in which magic exists. People with magic have gold or silver locks of hair. There is a complicated caste system based both on magical ability and your corresponding job as well as your birth.
The issue I had with this book is that the characters fell a little flat. The main character, Alexa, is transported to a different land, and immediately starts accepting it. Several times, it is stated that whenever someone asks for help, she feels like she has to give it. There is some superficial character building in which you learn that Alexa's friend died recently and that she grew up in foster homes. However, other than these bald facts, you never really see how these experiences have shaped Alexa. It is difficult to see Alexa as a stalwart hero-type because of the way she is portrayed in the book.
All this aside, the book was interesting to read, though predictably formulaic.

WOW!.......2007-07-27

I loved this book so much, I've read it probably 4-5 times. Robin creates another world and I love going there. The only problem is waiting for the next one. Excellent book!

Great Balance.......2007-06-12

this book balances very well between fantasy and romance. neither overpowers the other, and the overall affect is pleasantly entertaining

CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (0061) (Cliffstestprep Praxis II)

Average customer rating:

Passing the exam book
A little disappointed
A good starting point
Okay review, too easy practice tests
Happy with product!

CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (0061) (Cliffstestprep Praxis II)
E. Donice McCune , and Sandra Luna, PhD McCune
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: English Subject Area Assessments (0041, 0042, 0043, 0048, 0049) (Cliffstestprep)

ASIN: 0471787671

Book Description

Your guide to a higher score on the Praxis II®: Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (0061)

Why CliffsTestPrep Guides?

Go with the name you know and trust

Get the information you need—fast!

Written by test-prep specialists

About the contents:

Introduction

Overview of the exam
How to use this book
Proven study strategies and test-taking tips

Part I: Subject Review

Focused review of all exam topics: arithmetic and basic algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, functions and their graphs, calculus, probability and statistics, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, computer science, and mathematical reasoning and modeling
Reviews cover basic terminology and principles, relevant laws, formulas, theorems, algorithms, and more

Part II: 3 Full-Length Practice Examinations

Like the actual exam, each practice exam includes 50 multiple-choice questions
Complete with answers and explanations for all questions

Test Prep-Essentials from the Experts at CliffsNotes®

Customer Reviews:

Passing the exam book.......2007-09-17

I purchased the official book from Praxis but I didn't feel like it really prepared me for the exam. I searched for another source and found the Cliff Notes book. Not only did this book cost less than half the Praxis book, it had 3 complete exams and prepared me much better for the content knowledge exam. I have now passed the exam and got that behind me. Thanks Cliff Notes!

A little disappointed.......2007-08-24

The actual test was NOTHING like this book or the practice exams within. While it is not that the book is not good-it provides a thorough review of math concepts but it did not help me prepare for the test. The questions were phrased completely different and at a much higher level.

A good starting point.......2007-08-11

This book is a good kick-off for studying for this Praxis exam. However, it doesn't give the full breadth of the types of questions on the real test. The practice exams simply regurgitate the points made in the first portion of the book. There is a lot of math on the Praxis Math CK test not found in this book. However, it will launch a study regimen which should include other resources. Finally I did discover several mistakes and typographical errors in the book which led to some temporary frustration.

Okay review, too easy practice tests.......2007-08-04

As the previous poster stated (and I wonder if we were at the same exam today and you were the one I spoke to afterwards!), the difficulty level of the practice exams in this book are not even close to the difficulty level of the actual exam.

This book is a good refresher, and may help you figure out what areas you need to brush up on, but by no means is it complete as to the type of questions you may be asked. There are no exercise questions to help you practice, either, just the practice exam questions which, again, are overly easy. Lots of typos in the book, too.

The [[ASIN:0738603309 Praxis II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (Test Code 0061): The Best Teachers' Test Preparation book isn't very good if you are contemplating that one over this one. It has somewhat good content coverage (though not as good as this one) and it does have practice exercises, but it is filled with typos and its exams are also too easy.

I'm not sure what the best way is to study for this exam. You need a good background knowledge, which this book can help with, but the actual exam questions require you to take this knowledge and extend it - reminded me a lot of the type of knowledge you need on an IQ test. Use every review book you can, and study up as much as you can in areas you are shaky in. I found Probability For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science)) and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geometry, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to) excellent if you need help in those areas. Also, the review tests at [...] are outstanding.

Good luck!

Happy with product!.......2007-07-05

The book came in perfect condition. The delivery was very speedy even with the free savers discount. Overall, I would definitly buy from amazon again!

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with Direct X 9.0c: A Shader Approach (Wordware Game and Graphics Library)

Average customer rating:

One of the best technical books I've ever read
THE 3D Game Programming Book to Get!
You gonna have to work for it!
Excellent for anyone wanting to learn Direct X, HLSL and other game concepts
Very good book for learning how to use DirectX9

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with Direct X 9.0c: A Shader Approach (Wordware Game and Graphics Library)
Frank Luna
Manufacturer: Wordware Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598220160

Book Description

Presents an introduction to programming interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on game development, using real-time shaders with DirectX 9.0. It teaches the fundamentals of Direct3D and shader programming, after which the reader will be prepared to go on and learn more advanced techniques. The book is divided into three main parts. Part I explains the mathematical tools that will be used throughout this book. Part II shows how to implement elementary 3D techniques, such as defining 3D geometry, lighting, texturing, alpha blending, and stenciling by using shaders and the HLSL. Part III is largely about applying Direct3D to implement a variety of interesting techniques and special effects, such as working with meshes, character animation, terrain rendering, picking, particle systems, environment mapping, normal mapping, and rendering to textures.

Customer Reviews:

One of the best technical books I've ever read.......2007-05-20

I'm a software developer and am going to start working in games development shortly. I needed to get up-to-speed on DirectX 9.0c for games development really fast, and I thought I would have to take an expensive course at the local university to do so. After just completing the first 4 chapters of this book, I've changed my mind. This book has everything you would want to get a solid introduction into 3D games development. If you have any ambition to enter this field, get this book, and if you're a first-time game graphics developer like me, read it from front to back. You won't reget it.

THE 3D Game Programming Book to Get!.......2007-05-14

This book is absolutely amazing! I could gush for pages about what a great book this is, so I will keep it short and tell you simply to buy this book if you want a great intro to 3D Game Programming!

You gonna have to work for it!.......2007-03-09

Execellent Book. There's a few issue's with compiling code you will need visual studio 2005 if you dont want to pull all your hair out.
But I learn somthing new every time I read a Chapter and thats what its all about.

Excellent for anyone wanting to learn Direct X, HLSL and other game concepts.......2007-01-02

Overall this is an exceptionally well written book. The text is easy to read, and concise, though that's not to say you understand everything the first time you read it.

The code framework is also pretty good, the naming conventions are decent and the code is clearly written. The framework is consistent throughout the book, and uses inheritance and minor polymorphism which manages to hide a lot of the Direct3D / Win32 initialization, so once you are past these chapters you needn't concern yourself with this code again, and you can intend focus on the code that Frank is trying to explain.
The design is also very modular, a good example of this is found in Chapter 21: Exercise 4 where it asks you to integrate an Environment Mapped sphere for the sky, and Normal mapped water, into a scene which shows a Castle and trees / grass. This was pretty easy, as it just required shifting a few art / source files and tying some loose ends.

The book contains many exercises, a lot of which I found very helpful in understanding the material presented in the text and code samples, they give a good sense of accomplishment and I recommend them if you want to fully understand the concepts taught, and most are generally doable with a bit of research into the DirectX SDK, and rereading the text.

The text also does an excellent job of explaining key DirectX functions, and is usually a lot more approachable than the SDK. It also explains the use of the DirectX texture tool, and Terragen ( a free terrain generator, which is very easy to use)

For anyone looking to learn DirectX 9, HLSL, and the fundamental concepts behind games, then this book will serve as a solid foundation for those willing to take the time to read and understand it.

Very good book for learning how to use DirectX9.......2006-12-24

This is a great book. Mr. Luna provides an incredible amount of information all with good detail and clear wording. He doesn't waste time by teaching you irrelevant or outdated topics that aren't used anymore like other books. The more difficult topics are explained well and example code is abundant. This book is recommended for any aspiring game programmer.

Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice

Average customer rating:

Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice
Julie Hogan , Kristen Gabrielsen , Nora Luna , and Denise Grothaus
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Drug Dependency | Recovery | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0205341624

CliffsTestPrep FTCE: General Knowledge Test (CliffsTestPrep)

Average customer rating:

Good Review
teaching requirements
Good Meat-and-Potatoes Guide

CliffsTestPrep FTCE: General Knowledge Test (CliffsTestPrep)
Jeffrey S. Kaplan , and Sandra Luna, PhD McCune
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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FTCE General Knowledge Test (REA) - The Best Teachers' Test Preparation (REA Test Preps)
CliffsTestPrep FTCE: Professional Education Test (CliffsTestPrep)
FTCE Elementary Education K-6 w/ CD-ROM (REA) The Best Test Prep (REA Test Preps)
FTCE Professional Education w/ CD-ROM (REA) The Best Test Prep: 3rd Edition (Test Preps)
FTCE (REA) - The Best Teachers' Test Preparation, FTCE: K-6 (REA Test Preps)

ASIN: 0764589482

Book Description

Your guide to a higher score on the FTCE: General Knowledge Test

Why CliffsTestPrep Guides?

Go with the name you know and trust Get the information you need—fast! Written by test prep specialists

About the contents:

Introduction

An overview of the exam
Notes on how to use this book
Answers to your questions about the test

Part I: Diagnostic Test

Part II: Subject Reviews

Reviews of exam subjects, including English language skills, reading, and math
Sample questions and answers
Guidelines for writing the essay

Part III: Two Full-Length Practice Examinations with Answers and Explanations

Test Prep Essentials from the Experts at CliffsNotes®

Download Description

Strategic review and practice to help would-be Florida teachers get certified Our California teacher certification guide, CliffsTestPrep CSET, has been a resounding success. Now, this all-new guide gives aspiring teachers in Florida the reviews and practice tests they need to pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exams General Knowledge Test. There is no competition for this book, yet annually Florida hires over 15,000 teachers and would-be teachers must pass this test. This dynamic review guide includes FAQs, a diagnostic test, and reviews of the subject matter, including English language skills, reading, mathematics, and writing essays. Two full-length practice exams with answers and explanations let examinees test themselves.Jeffrey S. Kaplan, PhD (Orlando, FL), is an associate professor in the Department of Education Studies at Central Florida University. Sandra Luna McCune, PhD (Nacogdoches, TX), is Regents Professor in the Department of Elementary Education at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Customer Reviews:

Good Review.......2007-06-28

I passes al 4 parts on the first try, so I guess this book did something right! Do the practice test.

teaching requirements.......2007-01-04

this is a good review of the questions used on the FTCE exam

Good Meat-and-Potatoes Guide.......2006-09-10

I used the the September 2005 edition to study for the GK. [Hopefully there'll soon by a 9/06 guide.] It tracks precisely with the competency sections tested in all areas of the GK. My only criticism is that if you are so fortunate as to get one of those harder tests they give out, :) the practice questions on the math portion in the CN's book are not sufficiently difficult.

I also purchased the GK guide put out by REA, which isn't as good a guide to the overall GK test, but has a wider variety of practice questions. If you use this Cliff Note's book as the basis for your studies and cull through the REA guide for additional, harder math problems, all should be well. (Note: there is a rumor in Florida that the computer-based math test is almost always easier than the written test. Trust me--this is not true. :) )

Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3) (Luna Books)

Average customer rating:

Compared to the first two, a MAJOR disappointment.
I bit disappointing
Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3)
Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3)
Wonderful book!

Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3) (Luna Books)
Robin D. Owens
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

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Sorceress Of Faith (The Summoning, Book 2) (Luna Books)
Heart Dance (Celta's HeartMates, Book 6)
Guardian Of Honor (The Summoning, Book 1) (Luna Books)
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Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 2)

ASIN: 0373802641

Book Description

If horses could fly…then Calli Torcher might ride again. But a devastating accident left her in such pain she thought the chimes and chanting in her ears were a hallucination…until she found herself transported to another world, and met the Lladranans who had Summoned her.

Lladrana was a parallel, magical earth filled with exotic creatures, noble humans and enchantments--all threatened by an encroaching evil.

And when the mighty volarans stopped obeying the Chevaliers, the flying horses' unexpected rebellion had thrown Lladrana into an uproar. In desperation, the sorcerers had sought help from afar--and gotten Calli.

If she could fulfill this mission, perhaps she would also finally find all she had longed for--a mate, a home, a family. But against this great darkness, she had no battle experience, no strategy plans. She had only a bond with horses.…

Customer Reviews:

Compared to the first two, a MAJOR disappointment........2007-08-25

No spoilers.

I enjoyed the first two in this series, light, non-thought provoking reading for lazy summer days. For this third installment though, I only managed to really read the first 175 pages before I said screw it and skimmed most of the rest. Calli was such a weak, whiny, needy little girl, and even the parts I skimmed were filled with her incessant crying about NEEDING someone to love her. Calli and Marrec were both very one-dimensional, unlike the main characters of the other two books. There wasn't much world-building going on in this book; I felt like a lot of things could have been much better explained than the cursory "this is what happened, and it just works" deal we get. Unless you're the type of person who has to collect all the books in a series, Protector of the Flight really is the type of book you'd rather borrow than buy.

I bit disappointing.......2007-08-24

I enjoyed reading the first two books in this series, but I found this one to be lacking. The characters just didn't have the depth the characters in the previous books had. Owens didn't even bother to dig deeper in the relationship between Merric and Calli. Merric was so stand-offish and Calli was so needy. There was nothing to show why they even loved each other. Not to mention, they didn't even bother to tell each other. Things kept coming up, problems were solved with little to no resistance, and the characters didn't seem to even bat an eyelash. It was almost too much all bunched together and condensed to fit. I still gave it three stars, because I like the world Owens created, but I sure hope the plot line flows better and the characters are more rounded in the next one.

Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3).......2007-06-13

This continues the series with interesting twists to the magic and the characters continue to be strong. I like the concept.

Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3).......2007-05-21

A really good read. Robin Owens at her best.

Wonderful book!.......2007-03-28

One tablespoon of childhood fantasy, added a steaming cup of action, spiced with the slice of romance, and you have the perfect cup of tea! What a great story! I loved it.

Luna Marine (The Heritage Trilogy, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Moon and Marines
Luna HOOHARA!
Another good one.
absolutely awesome
The Lunar Crater-Hopping Campaign

Luna Marine (The Heritage Trilogy, Book 2)
Ian Douglas
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Europa Strike: Book Three of the Heritage Trilogy (Douglas, Ian. Heritage Trilogy, Bk. 3.)
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Star Marines (The Legacy Trilogy, Book 3)

ASIN: 0380788292
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Book Description

The revelations on Mars -- a half-million year-old legacy of the vanished star-traveling Builders -- have fed the flames of catastrophic war. A beleaguered United States and its Russian and Japanese allies struggle to hold their own against the indomitable forces of the enemy United Nations. The bloody conflict that has swept over the home planet now rages across the blackness of space -- with the U.S. Marine Corps in the vanguard, leading the charge as always.

But Mars is not the sole repository of alien wonders. The Earth's moon hides unsettling mysteries of its own-and dangerous secrets pointing toward an unstoppable threat advancing from somewhere beyond the solar system. And as scientists on both sides ract to utilize technology they have only barely begun to comprehend, the UN makes the opening move in a gambit that could end the hostilities quickly and decisively by bringing about the death of millions...without the aid of alien-inspired weaponry.

A bad situation worsens by the nanosecond. And that means it's time to call in the Marines -- to make a life or death stand on the gray shores of Luna.

Customer Reviews:

Moon and Marines.......2007-06-01

The plot of part one continues. With the characters we came to know and love on Mars and an excellent storyline. Not only were there ruins on Mars, but there is something going on on the moon aswell and was it ever our moon? The Marines are as allways on the frontline.

Luna HOOHARA!.......2006-11-23

Another good book about the future CORPS! Ian Douglas does his reseach!
Good background! Believable tech data! Another one for the almost must-read list!

Another good one........2006-03-11

Not as good as the first book, but I think that's because I'm done being dizzy from how technically acurate the book is. Author should be proud.

absolutely awesome.......2005-12-18

This has got to be one of the best sci-fi stories ever written. I was amazed. Normally, I like casual sci-fi, if even that. I picked up this series as a fluke. Just kinda curious about it, I figured, hey, This one has gotten pretty good reviews. So I picked up all three, and started reading. By the time I was only a hundred pages into the first book, I couldn't stop. By the time I was really aware, I had read all three books, and looking for the first of the Legacy series. Let me say, anyone who likes military fiction, like Clancy or Brown, or any type of Sci-Fi, PICK UP THIS SERIES!!!!!!!

The Lunar Crater-Hopping Campaign.......2005-08-16

Once again, Ian Douglas has written an excellent bit of military sci-fi. "Luna Marine" takes place two years after "Semper Mars" and continues the war with the UN. This time, however, the focus is not on Mars, but the gray shores of Luna. More alien artifacts are discovered, answering many questions from the previous book...and leaving you with many more. The combat scenes are just as good as, if not better than, the last book. Douglas also manages to use several characters from the previous book, which gives a greater connection to the reader than if he were to start with a clean slate.

Once again, there are a few cultural stereotypes that Douglas sticks in that the book could do without. Don't let that stop you from picking it up though. I recommend it to anyone into military sci-fi or the USMC.

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