The Ultimate Math Refresher for the GRE, GMAT, and SAT

Book Description

A comprehensive math review for the GRE, GMAT, and SAT. This math refresher workbook is designed to clearly and concisely state the basic math rules and principles of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry which a student needs to master. This is accomplished through a series of carefully sequenced practice sets designed to build a student's math skills step-by-step. The workbook emphasizes basic concepts and problem solving skills. Strategies for specific question types on the GRE, GMAT, and SAT are the focus of the Lighthouse Review self study programs.

Customer Reviews:

Definatly written by a mathamatician .......2007-09-27

This book is good. To the point and well explained with no extra fluff, it is exactly what it says, a math refresher especially useful for those of you, like me who haven't taken a math course in 8 or 9 years. This book is helpful. I reccommend it.

After "Ultimate Math Refresher," NOW I'm ready to study for GRE.......2007-08-28

** UPDATE - I got a 780V and 670Q on the GRE. Couldn't have done it without this book. Spent two weeks after review below playing around with "tactics" in the Barron's book...I would have benefitted more by mastering every one of the concepts in the Ultimate Math Refresher. Then again - I'm not a math person. I can see where math people would find the book too easy and not helpful. To the math people go the tactics - to B.A. folks like myself - bone up on the basics with this easy-to-use book. Good luck! **

I spent about a month doing every single problem in this book - there are 33 sets of problems, 10 - 20 problems each set. Total time invested...maybe 20 hours? My practice scores on the math part of the GRE have gone up somewhat. But the point is, I'm no longer mystified by the problems. NOW I'm ready and equipped to study the GRE books and learn tactics, etc.

The Math Refresher really is a pre-course for GRE math study. It starts with prime numbers, fractions, decimals, etc...all the basic stuff you learned before 8th grade but have long ago forgotten. The best part of the book walks you through percentages (part = whole X percent) and ratios. Toward the end there is a decent section with 20 or so typical word problems, and it was nice to see me finally getting most of those questions correct. (After bombing them repeatedly on practice tests.) There are also good sections on geometry, factoring, variables, proportions, work problems, distance problems.

Having said all that - be prepared to BEGIN your GRE study after this refresher. That's where I'm at. I now have 2 weeks to prepare, with practice test scores at 770 V and 660 M. (ha, I don't really believe that...my math scores vascillate between 520 and 660 - my V is usually around 660. But I did log that score over the weekend following completion of the Ultimate Math Refresher.)

This is a good workbook, written simply with step by step instructions for solving math problems. There are no multiple choice answers...this is a workbook that makes you work out each problem yourself. Want several hundred math problems that get you up to speed on basic math operations? This book works. THEN start studying the GRE prep books. Good luck!

Unbelievable simple.......2007-08-23

I bought this book looking at the product details and the content. I was expecting it to have some tips and trips to save time in calculation or computation. I must say that I was very disappointed with it. 10th graders perform more complicated math than what is shown in the book. It is oversimplified and gives a false sense of confidence to the test taker. Returned the book immediately.

Excellent, but has one TINY flaw.......2007-07-03

In preparing to retake the GRE, in an attempt to finish my PhD, I was very nervous about the algebra section, since I haven't used any of this for many years. I found the "Ultimate Math Refresher" and have been really thrilled with its explanations and step-by-step exercises. The one little flaw - at least for me - is that each section has very few exercises with which to practice the problems, then it just jumps to the next level. I needed more practice and ongoing reviews of what I had learned in earlier sections. Again, the explanations are excellent, so I purchased an old college workbook and combined the instructions from the "Math Refresher" with the exercises in the workbook. I highly recommend this book, but if algebra is a special challenge, or if it's been quite awhile, and you feel you need more practice, this book may not be enough alone.

Great review of forgotten skills.......2007-06-27

I've been out of school for over 25 years and needed a refresher for the GRE. This book has been great. Everything just started coming back to me.
The authors show how to do each type of problem without assuming prior knowledge. I feel much more confident now.

Average customer rating:

Perfect for the lit-crit-for-clits claque...
Big Bad Woolf
Brilliant and Entertaining
Painted lives
To the Lighthouse

To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf , and Eudora Welty (Introduction)
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0156907399

Book Description

Subject of this extraordinary novel is the daily life of an English family in the Hebrides. “Radiant as [To the Lighthouse] is in its beauty, there could never be a mistake about it: here is a novel to the last degree severe and uncompromising. I think that beyond being about the very nature of reality, it is itself a vision of reality.”-Eudora Welty, from her Introduction.

Download Description

Virginia Woolf is one of the greatest novelists of the twentieth century, and To the Lighthouse is perhaps her crowning achievement. The story of the Ramsay family and the guests visiting their summer house in the Hebrides, Woolf?

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for the lit-crit-for-clits claque..........2007-09-22

This is not a book for everyone. It wasn't meant for me, and it is not one that I'll ever re-visit, but I can acknowledge that it is a minor classic.

Much like the far-superior Under the Volcano, this book focuses on how the thing is said, and not the thing itself. The plot is spare and banal, and what little action there is is tangential: what matters to Woolf is the inner psychology, the interpersonal dynamics, the thoughts, perceptions, emotions and feelings.

The book has a calamitous exordium, populated with clunkers such as this:

"Then, up behind the great black rock, almost every evening spurted irregularly, so that one had to watch for it and it was a delight when it came, a fountain of white water, and then, while one waited for that, one watched, on the pale semicircular beach, wave after wave shedding again and again smoothly, a film of mother of pearl."

But, gradually, the lyricism and prose pick up, and become almost sublime in many parts. Woolf does not have much to say, but she says it very beautifully, once she's found her sea-legs.

To the Lighthouse is very overrated at #15 on the MLA 100...it should be ranked far beneath All the King's Men, Appointment in Samarra, and the incredibly brilliant Pale Fire. (Most English professors would doubtless disagree, bless their politically-correct little hearts.) That said, it does deserve a spot on the list, and is not an aesthetically-devoid waste of time like Wide Sargasso Sea.

Big Bad Woolf.......2007-09-01

Ah, "To the Lighthouse." I've never been a fan of it. This coming from an English major... I just don't like the stream of consciousness writing style. You know, there are many that give huge kudos to Woolf for her writing. I do enjoy her grasp on imagery and description, and she has a wonderful understanding of the human experience. This doesn't mean that the book was really all that enjoyable to me either of the two times I've read this now for classes.

Brilliant and Entertaining.......2007-07-22

Virginia Woolf (1882 - 1941) was a well known writer, critic, feminist, and publisher. This was her fifth novel.

As background information, I read her first novel "The Voyage Out" published in 1915, skipped her second novel - which is considered to be a flop, Night and Day from 1919 - and then read "Jacob's Room," her third, then went on and read "Mrs. Dalloway," her fourth, and next read "To The Lighthouse," etc. Also, I read some of Woolf's non-fiction.

"The Voyage Out" is simple and straightforward work and it might remind the reader of a Jane Austen novel, but it set on a ship and then at a remote location. It is over 400 pages long, and has an Austen theme. After her second novel - which did not do very well - Woolf decided to be more risky and creative with the next book. She changed her style and approach to the novel and Woolf uses the stream of consciousness technique to bring a sense of the chaos and shortness of a young man's life around the time of World War I, Jacob's life, i.e.: from the pandemonium of Jacob's life as portrayed by Woolf through the use of the stream of the consciousness technique, we eventually have clarity in the novel. She carries this writing style on into the similarly chaotic story in the novel "Mrs. Dalloway."

This is her third novel using her stream of consciousness technique and she does it in a very dramatic fashion. The story is centered on the life of Mrs. Ramsay, a beautiful woman in her early fifties, and her older husband, and their eight children, plus other guests and neighbors and domestic help all at a beach house somewhere in Scotland on a warm summer day. Her husband is an academic and a bit remote. Mrs. Ramsay is more down to earth, and she is mostly loved and admired by all.

As in the novel "Jacob's Room" the reader is left dangling as Woolf moves from character to character, giving the reader glimpses of their inner emotions. It is hard to determine what Woolf is doing and where she is going. But what she seems to be doing is celebrating a moment in a life. This is done very effectively with the stream of consciousness technique, and very dramatically as the story proceeds. The prose is brilliant and awe inspiring in some spots, and we see the genius of Woolf.

To say a lot more would ruin the story for the reader, but most will appreciate the way the story unfolds, and it unfolds very dramatically after a seemingly slow and complex start. The change has an effect on the reader - or so I found. Some think that it is Woolf's finest work and it would be hard to find fault with that assessment. She takes her ideas from "Jacob's Room" and applies them to a more complicated and dramatic setting at a family get together at a beach house, and it works.

This is a must read novel.

Painted lives.......2007-06-01

An extraordinary book, at once light as air and dense with meaning. From the smallest happenings (a family gathered at a seaside house) seen in two brief glimpses (a long summer afternoon before the first world war, and a single morning ten years later), Virginia Woolf distils a profound meditation on love and loss, hope and disappointment, and human relationships, especially the precarious and limiting balance between men and women. But it is impossible to summarize in a sentence what Woolf achieves in two hundred pages, so let me just pick on three specifics: art, thought, and time.

ART. The Harcourt Harvest Book paperback edition has a beautiful cover, apparently a tinted turn-of-the century photograph of a beach with the sea and a lighthouse beyond. It is a perfect evocation of the period and of lazy summers by the sea. Yet the credits say it is adapted from a photo by a much later artist, Herbert List; presumably the period air and the uncanny overtones of Seurat's "Grande Jatte" are the work of the designer, Liz Demeter. I mention this partly because a book's cover is like incidental music; it creates the context in which you start reading, and this is perfect. But also because visual art also plays an important part in the book. One of the guests of the owners of the house, the Ramsays, is Lily Briscoe, an unmarried woman in her thirties. We first see her as she is painting in the garden: "Lily's picture! Mrs. Ramsay smiled. With her little Chinese eyes and her puckered-up face, she would never marry; one could not take her painting very seriously." So of course we take her for a mere amateur; and Lily similarly puts herself down, conditioned by a climate which denied creativity to women except as wives and mothers. But when we get to look closer at Lily's picture we see that it is extremely advanced for its time, and her thought processes are as rigorous as anything we hear from the paterfamilias Mr. Ramsay, a once-celebrated philosopher. Indeed in the glorious closing chapters of the book, it is Lily, struggling to express balance and feeling in paint, who comes closest to giving meaning and permanency to the whole family history. One recalls that one of Virginia Woolf's closest friends in the Bloomsbury Group was the art critic Roger Fry, who coined the term post-impressionism. Lily, far from being a minor character, stands as the alter ego of Woolf herself, achieving in touches of paint a very close analogy to what the author manages so marvelously in words.

THOUGHT. But fine as Virginia Woolf's visual descriptions are, her main medium is not sight but thought. The two days at the seaside are described entirely through the minds of various individual members of the family and their guests. There is occasional dialogue, but no third-person narrator. A paragraph may start with the thoughts of one person about another, switch smoothly to the mind of that other person, and then return to the first again. And often the thoughts of the first character will change significantly between one moment and the next. Affection can switch suddenly to anger and back again; Woolf knows that most emotions, especially given the complex ties that bind families, can seldom be contained by a single label; through her apparent contradictions, she builds up a truth that is richer than could have been attained by consistency alone. Again, I think of the visual arts and the multiple viewpoints of cubism, but though a modern writer, Woolf is not a modern-ist; her technique is concealed, not flaunted; she is not a "difficult" writer in the sense that Joyce or even Faulkner are. As a results, her portraits come through with great warmth, especially that of Mrs. Ramsay, willingly adopting a supporting role to her curmudgeonly husband (or almost willingly -- with Woolf that is important), but blessed with a radiance of personality that illuminates the entire book, even when she is not at the center of it.

TIME. Most novels tell a story that unfolds gradually over the course of time; this doesn't. The outer sections of the book take place virtually in real time; the action happens at about the same speed as it takes to read about it. But for all intents and purposes, these sections are static compared to the ten-year duration of the narrative as a whole. Only one thing happens in either of the outer sections that could really be called an event, and that involves two minor characters whose relationship to the Ramsays is never clearly specified. But that does not mean lack of movement. The rapidly shifting juxtapositions and viewpoints build up a dense texture of relationships and feelings that reach a certain stability at the close of the first (and longest) section, but leave you wanting more. In painting terms again, one might call this opening a still life -- except that the various figures in it are now linked by quasi-electrical charges, so that the balance between them is not static but dynamic, presently in equilibrium but capable of further motion. In effect, you could close the book at this moment and write your own narrative. Instead, Virginia Woolf does something quite extraordinary. In the ten short chapters of the twenty-page interlude entitled "Time Passes," she takes on the role of narrator for the first time, and tells what happens in the next few minutes, the remainder of that night, the ensuing nights, the changing seasons, the course of the War, and the passage of years. She writes of impersonal things -- the house, the garden, the wind, the sea -- throwing in small nuggets of personal information almost as afterthoughts. When the Ramsays finally return, much has changed, and the former golden days seem tarnished. But by the end of this marvelous novel, Virginia Woolf has burnished them to a new shine, less brilliant perhaps, but deeper and more lasting.

To the Lighthouse.......2007-05-31

The book is a poetic third person narration, that takes place on the Isle of Skye around WWI. The book begins as Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay take a summer trip to the Isle, along with their bevy of children. So, begins the story of a lives entwined,and told at a pace of varying rhythms and point of views. One might say that the pages hold a search for meaning in a world of chaos. Life cycles are central, to the themes of preservation and life. The ligthouse itself, sometimes seeming mysterious and ellusive, transitions by the story's end. James, taking note of the contrast in perspective recognizes that "nothing is one thing". In this story, even the wind and furnishings are given a haunting voice. As the house is being packed and cleared , the wind asks "Will you fade? will you perish?" The objects answer, "We will remain."

Average customer rating:

A Must Read
Wonderful new series by Ms. Macomber
Macomber creates a series classic
Easy and Heartwarming
Five Stars

16 Lighthouse Road (Cedar Cove, Book 1)
Debbie Macomber
Manufacturer: Mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 1551668300

Amazon.com

Perennial favorite Debbie Macomber does what she does best in 16 Lighthouse Road, introducing fans to the scenic Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, Washington, and its panoply of characters, including family court judge Olivia Lockhart who makes news when she denies the divorce petition of Cecilia and Ian Randall. Decreeing that the young couple had not tried hard enough to make their relationship work following the tragic death of their newborn daughter, Olivia's decision brings her to the attention of recent Cedar Cove arrival, newspaper editor Jack Griffin. And Jack's attentions are not entirely unwelcome for the long-divorced Olivia. In addition to her continued involvement in Cecilia and Ian's ongoing negotiations, Olivia's life is further complicated by her mother, Charlotte, her daughter, Justine, and her best friend, Grace, as they struggle with the difficult situations life tosses their way. Charlotte becomes enmeshed in trying to solve a mystery left to her by a mute stroke victim she befriends just before he dies. Justine has found the perfect man for her, one who shares her ambitions and thoughts on relationships, but why does she keep thinking about the boy she knew in high school who has grown into quite a man? And Grace's husband, Dan, has disappeared--again--and Grace has no idea where he is and when or if he'll be back. The multiple story lines and numerous relationships make reading at times challenging, but Macomber fans, old and new, will stand up and cheer as the prolific author lodges her protest against the disposable personal relationships all too common today. --Alison Trinkle

Book Description

Olivia Lockhart

16 Lighthouse Road

Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Reader,

You don't know me yet, but in a few hours that's going to change. You see, I'm inviting you to my home and my town of Cedar Cove because I want you to meet my family, friends, and neighbors. Come and hear their stories -- maybe even their secrets!

I have to admit that my own secrets are pretty open. My marriage failed some years ago, and I have a rather . . . difficult relationship with my daughter, Justine. Then there's my mother, Charlotte, who has plenty of opinions and is always willing to share them.

Here's an example: I'm a family court judge and she likes to drop in on my courtroom. Recently I was hearing a divorce petition. In Charlotte's view, young Cecilia and Ian Randall hadn't tried hard enough to make their marriage work -- and I agreed. So I rendered my judgement: Divorce Denied.

Well, you wouldn't believe the reaction! Thanks to an article by Jack Griffin, the editor of our local paper (and a man I wouldn't mind seeing more of!), everyone's talking.

Cedar Cove -- people love it and sometimes they leave it, but they never forget it!

See you soon . . .

Olivia

Customer Reviews:

A Must Read.......2007-08-11

I could not put this book down it is that good. The way Ms. Macomber weaves the story lines of the characters is fantastic. I feel as though I know each character and can hardly wait to see what happens next.

In addition, I can truly visualize Cedar Cove and want to visit in person!

I highly recommend this title/series

This is the second series of Ms. Macomber's that I am reading, she is fast becoming my favorite author.

Wonderful new series by Ms. Macomber.......2007-06-05

In this new series, Ms. Macomber introduces us to a new series. The series takes place in Cedar Cove, Washington, a scenic little town where the people are interesting and their stories could be real. The series follows the people who live in the title address and the characters they interact with. In this book we meet Olivia Lockhart, who lives at 16 Lighthouse Road. Olivia is a family court judge who makes news when she denies a prenuptial agreement dissolution for a couple, Cecilia and Ian Randall, who are seeking a divorce after the tragic death of their newborn daughter. We also meet Olivia's mother, Charlotte who makes friends with a stroke victim, Olivia's daughter Justine who is in a relationship with a much older man who is also drawn to an old schoolmate. We meet Grace, Olivia's best friend, who is dealing with the disappearance of her husband and the newly arrived newspaper editor Jack Griffin. Olivia finds herself drawn to Jack and they start to see one another. As they work through their relationship, we also get an inside view to many other relationships at work through the town.

Ms. Macomber draws us into a wonderful new world where the people jump off the page at you and are extremely likeable. I enjoyed the first book to the series and enjoyed meeting all the new characters. As Ms. Macomber leaves us wanting more with the other storylines, I am quite glad to say that Ms. Macomber continues with many more books in the series, including 74 Seaside Avenue, which releases in August of 2007. I have placed this book in my "keep library" with the rest of this series and would encourage anyone who enjoys a good, contemporary, series to pick this book, and the rest of the series, up.

Deidre - Night Owl Romance Reviews
[..]

Macomber creates a series classic.......2006-11-23

As a relative newbie to the works of Debbie Macomber, i have to say, she has yet to disappoint me. With this novel, the first in her Ceder Cove series, she has made me a devoted fan for life. I literally sat down with this book, and was unable to put it down until i was finished.

"16 Lighthouse Rd" introduces us to some incredibly memorable characters.
Olvia: Family court judge, who's torn between her feelings for the new editor of the local newspaper, and her ex.
Charlotte: Olivia's mother, who goes in search of the family of a recently decesed friend.
Grace: Olivia's best friend, who is dealing with a pregnant daughter, and the mysterious disappearence of her husband of 35 years.
Cecilia & Ian: a young married couple who struggle to deal with their demons after the death of their newborn baby
Justine, Seth & Warren: an unusual love triangle, that will definitely have you rooting for her to make the right choice.

There are many more wonderful characters here, and their interweaving storylines mesh perfectly together. All i can say is that with the Ceder Cove series, Macomber has created a wonderful family that i can't wait to visit and spend time with again.

Easy and Heartwarming.......2006-11-14

In this first of the Cedar Cove series, easy-to-ready author Debbie Macomber introduces the reader to a Pacific Northwest town that sounds just about perfect. Cedar Cove, Washington, is a quirky blend of old-time Main Street and 21-st century real-life modern problems, in a combination that makes "16 Lighthouse Road" impossible to put down.

In this book, we meet family court judge Olivia -- whose unexpected ruling in the divorce trial of young navy couple Cecilia and Ian draws the reader right into the heart of the town. Then there is Olivia's irrascible mother Charlotte, who likes to sit in the courtroom and knit, and Olivia's dear friend Grace, whose husband is acting extremely strangely.

Just put up your feet, make a cup of tea, and try not to wish that real life had such easy solutions. This is just a delightful treat, nothing more, nothing less, just perfect.

Five Stars .......2006-11-03

A great beginning to the series. Judge Olivia Lockhart denies Ian and Cecelia Randall their divorce because she feels they're still in love and are making a terrible decision in haste she's also attracted to newspaper man Jack Griffin. Ian and Cecelia met and married quickly due to Cecelia's pregnancy but their baby girl died a few hours after being born. Cecelia was left to handle the birth and death alone Ian was away in the Navy and wasn't told of anything after their daughter was dead and buried. Charlotte Jefferson mets a stroke victum Tom Harding they become friends despite the fact Tom can't speak. Grace Sherman's dealing with husband who keeps disappearing on her and shutting her. Olivia's worries over her daughter Justine who's dating a man who's much older then her as much as Olivia tries to support her daughter living her own life Olivia feels Justine's making a mistake. The end left you wanting to read more.

Average customer rating:

The master at work
Very Slow to Start: 100 Page Introduction and No Literary Hook !
A Faulty Page Turner
Masterfully Written
Lights Out!

The Lighthouse
P.D. James
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0307275736
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Book Description

A secure and secluded retreat for the rich and powerful becomes the setting for an unsettling series of murders.

Combe Island off the Cornish coast is a restful haven for the elite. But when one of its distinguished visitors is found hanging from the island’s famous lighthouse in what appears to have been a murder, the peace is shattered. Commander Adam Dalgliesh is called in to handle the sensitive case, but at a difficult time for him and his depleted team. He is uncertain about his future with his girlfriend Emma Lavenham; his principle detective Kate Miskin is going through an emotional crisis; and the ambitious Sergeant Francis Benton-Smith is not happy about having a female boss. After a second brutal killing, the whole investigation is jeopardized, and Dalgliesh is faced with a danger even more insidious than murder.

Download Description

P. D. James is the author of 18 books, most of which have been filmed for television. Before her retirement in 1979, she served in the forensics and criminal justice departments of Great Britain’s Home Office, and she has been a magistrate and a governor of the BBC. The recipient of many prizes and honours, she was created Baroness James of Holland Park in 1991. In 2000 she celebrated her 80th birthday and published her autobiography, Time to Be in Earnest.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

The master at work.......2007-09-19

I feel that anyone who loves mysteries loves P.D. James and needs no encouragement from me. Therefore I will only say that this is great as you wonder if Adam will ever get the courage to ask Emma to marry him. That is almost as big a mystery as who is the multiple killer.
If you don't know Adam Dalgliesh and P.D. James this is not the book to start with as you need to know the history of Adam and his fellow inspector Kate Miskin to really enjoy this book in the fullest. Start with "Cover her face" or "Unnatural Causes" or best yet just follow the list inside any of P.D. James books.

Very Slow to Start: 100 Page Introduction and No Literary Hook !.......2007-09-02

I have read a number of James's novels and think that her early work "A Mind to Murder" is a near perfect murder mystery. Now, she is near the end of her career and has twenty books or so in this series of detective novels.

Also, I read her recent work "The Murder Room" and I had the same impression as the present novel. For both of these books there is almost no information on the crime for the first hundred pages or so, and there is no review of the crime scene nor is there any sort of police investigation. That is, there is no literary hook or anything else to get the reader interested in the book other than James is the author. Instead, there is a lengthy prologue followed by page after page of character introduction with lengthy background descriptions of each character.

The reader is getting ready to scream "enough, stop" by the time the action begins. P.D.James is a wonderful writer but these last two novels are very slow, almost boring, and it goes on for 500 pages. Commander Dalghliesh is mentioned in the first sentence of the book and then seems to disappear.

I return to what I have learned from reading a number of her works. James's best works are probably behind her, probably far behind her, and if you want an enthralling read, read her earlier works. They are masterpieces. The present work and like her prior novel just before is a bit ho hum.

Many James fans will like it but those new to James should be warned about a very slow start for a mystery novel, and that they should look for earlier work by her to really get an understanding of what James is all about.

Neutral recommendation: 4 stars.

A Faulty Page Turner.......2007-08-11

Sadly, Adam Dalgliesh, the leading mind of the book, is by far the least interesting. The episodes of his affair of the heart with the damsel Emma are worth skipping altogether. (In fact, the entire prologue is tedious.) However, the locale and the possible suspects are all first rate as is the reason for the crime(s). Also, note that the most important chapter in which Dagliesh figures out the exceedingly clever why and where for seems to come out of nowhere. There are other missteps along the way, too.

Yes, this book needed an editor, but then would someone of P.D. James' repute take advice? I don't know. I haven't read her acclaimed autobiography.

Yet to be truthful, it was an enjoyable read.

Masterfully Written.......2007-06-01

I would have gone with 5 stars if not for the first 80 or so pages. If you get past the long drawn out introduction of the characters, the story is excellent, as is the writing & setting. A novel that grips you to the very end

Lights Out!.......2007-05-17

More cookie cutter PD James, with an antiquity threatened by an obnoxious person who goes around giving everyone reasons (convincing ot not) to kill him, with endless detail on everything under the sun, including the contents of people's pantries (James seems to take an increasing interest in food in her later books--everyone drinks fresh-squeezed orange juice and freshly ground coffee, by the way). Dalgleish, who has not been interesting in twenty years, continues to fret, in a dull way, over his tepid love affair with the lovely and brilliant Emma. Kate Miskin gets a love life of her own (she should be well into her forties by now), but it's dull too. The rest of the characters, from the high-born old lady to the young street waif and the various morose but well-spoken middle-agers are all types we've seen from James before, done this time with little energy. The mystery itself is not bad, but one loses interest as the pages go on and on and on. James has done much better in A Mind To Murder, Unnatural Causes, Shroud for a Nightingale, The Black Tower and A Taste for Death. Her last three books suggest an elderly author simply going through the motions. This may be good enough for the fawning print reviewers, who these days I suspect will say anything she writes is wonderful; but it you want the Great James, you must read her earlier work. In retrospect it seems that James probably peaked with A Taste for Death (her best crime novel, though not her best mystery) and has been on a slow decline for the last twenty years. Her last three really add nothing to her distinguished body of work, beyond allowing Dalgleish to find a happiness with the brilliant but banal Emma.

The Ultimate Verbal and Vocabulary Builder for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT and LSAT

Average customer rating:

Well worth every penny
Place to start for SAT but not great for GRE
quite helpful, but not just by itself
Just a series of multiple choice tests
Good deal!

The Ultimate Verbal and Vocabulary Builder for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT and LSAT
Lighthouse Review Inc
Manufacturer: Lighthouse Review Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0967759412

Book Description

Standardized tests require extensive verbal and vocabulary skills. Questions are often answered incorrectly simply because the test-taker does not know the meaning of key words used in the question. This book provides a comprehensive verbal and vocabulary builder for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. Includes over 1,700 words commonly seen on these tests together with methods and tools designed to teach the meaning of words in context. Also includes 16 carefully designed exercises and 16 practice sets. These exercises and practice sets clearly and concisely increase vocabulary skills without the use of rote memorization. Book uses "self reference" antonyms, synonyms, and context to impact word meanings in a user-friendly, easy to learn manner.

Customer Reviews:

Well worth every penny.......2007-02-11

This book was amazing!

It is very simple and very straight-forward with the sole purpose of helping your improve your vocabulary...and it works. I got through the book in 8 days, completing two chapters a day. It took me approximately two or three hours of work per day to work with this book. It gives you the tools to really understand a word and remember it. Don't try to save time by not looking up the words and not finding antonyms and synonyms for the words. It will not work. You have to get down to the nitty-gritty and then you will see results. Words that would not stick, I wrote down on flashcards and reviewed them along with the 300 word list from Barron's Passkey to the GRE book.

Say the words out loud, repeatedly do the exercises at the end of each chapter and it will pay off on the GRE exam. I promise! By the way, it is a one-time use book....you will scribble on every page and no one else will be able to use it, but that is what it is....a work book. Buy it!

Place to start for SAT but not great for GRE.......2006-11-03

The words are very basic even for the SAT. Words included are things like "sever" and "enhance". I am studying for the GRE and am finding the Barron's GRE prep book much better for the vocabulary work.

The technique of giving a brief description and sample sentence is good but can be found in other places as well.
The other good point is the words are not in alphabetically order so you don't end up just learning words that start with "A" but never get to "V".

quite helpful, but not just by itself.......2004-06-14

The book takes a different approach on vocabulary building. Unlike the other test prepration of books I have seen, this book does not present you with list of words to memorize.

The best feature of this book is that it makes you work on each new word. I agree with the authors on the fact that this is an effective approach. However, the words listed in this book are not quite the standard of GRE/GMAT. This book would be helpful to those who might be writing the SATs or are just beginning their GMAT/GRE preparation with a very limited vocabulary.

I don't regret buying this book at all, since it isn't very expensive and also i can use the "strategy" of this book with more complex words.

Just a series of multiple choice tests.......2002-12-31

I found this book pretty useless. All it is is a series of 16 multiple choice tests in which you choose the answer that most closely approximates the word given. Sample question: amorphous means a) shapeless b) passionate c) property transfer d) vase-like e) parallel. Each test is preceded by very short definitions of the words plus each one used in a context sentence. It would be okay, I guess, as a superficial refresher, but I didn't find it challenging, and there was no discussion of strategy for the GMAT verbal/vocab section, which is more what I was hoping for.

Good deal!.......2002-11-15

I am a returning student (about to enter graduate school). We are required to take the GRE. This book was a very helpful refresher for me, and you can't beat the price. Service was quick and helpful too!

Reincarnation: The Missing Link in Christianity

Average customer rating:

Fascinating book!
Effective in a negative way.
Fascinating and Spiritually Satisfying
Okay, to all of the skeptics!
Finally relevant!

Reincarnation: The Missing Link in Christianity
Elizabeth Clare Prophet , and Erin L. Prophet
Manufacturer: Summit University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0922729271

Book Description

This true story of a soul's life after death will change the way you look at A provocative work that makes the case that Jesus taught reincarnation. Using evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and Gnostic texts, it argues persuasively that Jesus was a mystic who taught that our destiny is to unite with the God within.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating book!.......2007-08-08

This book is overwhelming. Extremely well written. Random revelations for me: Karma provides the situation, but there is still free will. We can take action today to change our future. Reincarnation provides a way to defend God's justice while defending Old Testament law. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: "The measure you give will be the measure you get." Jesus said we must come to terms with God while we are alive.
We must pay our karmic debts while we're living. Earth, not hell, is the place of punishment. Resurection occurs while we are alive; the spirit can work out its own salvation. If Jesus had a beginning, and became God's son, then others can also become God's sons. Jesus never said he was the ONLY son of God. How is man saved? By worshipping Jesus, or emulating him? Many Orthodox Christians believe Jesus is a way to escape punishment for sins, not a way to achieve union with God. Moses gradually became divine while on earth.
Jesus taught the kingdom is not a time or a place. Kingdom means the power to rule (inwardly). The path to God is different for each person. You don't have to be perfect to begin the process of divination. Faith, grace and works are a tripod -- each indespensible. Grace is God meeting us half way. He doesn't pick us up and carry us into eternity. Jesus' single sacrifice did not cancel our need to balance our bad karma, over this lifetime, many lifetimes. Paul said: "We need to work out our own salvation."
Orthodox Christianity inflated the power of grace to astronomical proportions. Gnostics saw grace as a boost, a leg up, rather than an elevator ride to the top of the mountain. Jesus rekindles the divine spark in our souls, and we're on our way! Amen!

Effective in a negative way........2007-04-19

This book was only effective in forcing me to seek out any other book on the subject. The history she went over I have no problem with. It is everything else that I find quite annoying. She seems to ignore alternatives to how she interperets scripture and what one person says about reincarnation, being born again, life before this current one, etc.
She also ignores concepts, themes, and issues that today may shed light on the subject. She doesn't address or let the readers know of any other authority on the subject, which to me, makes me that much more skeptical of her credibility and ability to write on the topic.
I feel that I am alone in this and that is fine, each book affects each person differently. I guess I was just looking for more, and the author(s) didn't deliver.

Fascinating and Spiritually Satisfying .......2006-05-05

I was assigned a research paper for my English class and we were permitted to pick whatever topic we wished. Reincarnation is something that has always fascinated me, and since I am a Christian who believes in reincarnation, I decided to write my paper on reincarnation in early Christianity, the Bible, and its revival in modern society. I needed 15 sources, but this book could stand on its own! Prophet discusses historical justification for reincarnation in Christianity as it relates to Jesus' teachings, the Bible, and the Roman Empire. It discusses the lost years of Jesus, and the possibility of him visiting India, and employing mysticism in his teachings. The practicality of reincarnation as she argues it left me spellbound. I was a believer to begin with, but after reading this, I am even more convinced that reincarnation belongs in Christian theology. Did you know there are approximately 28 MILLION Christians who believe in reincarnation? This is only one of the amazing things you will discover if you read this amazing book! Its food for the mind and it quenches the soul that believes there is more out there than our beloved Christianity is telling us! Trust me, it is amazing!

Okay, to all of the skeptics!.......2005-08-14

Well, this book has definitely valitated my belief in reincarnation. The Christianity bible(King David) is WAY to black and white for me. And the whole concept of reincarnation brings forth a better understanding of what the WHOLE meaning of life is. I claim to be a Christian since I strive to emulate Jesus christ. Christ's teachings and his whole persona has always had an impact on me, especially his shed of blood on the cross, I cry almost every Christmas just thinking about it! I still believe he was that "special" person, the son of God, or even God in flesh because of all of his special supernatural powers and gifts that he had. I also have a great open mind to the way other religions practice like Kabbalah and Buddism because mediation, in my opinion, is also a missing link in the "belief" system of christianity. I don't like the fact that they believe it's a form of letting evil spirits come in. So, I love Christ he will always be in my heart, but also accept the way other religions like to practice AND what they believe even though some don't believe he was "the son of GOd" and believe he was just a teacher. I also have great respect for the Buddah too.

Finally relevant!.......2005-08-07

I cannot really add anything to the other positive reviews without being repetitive. One point however, and no small point I believe, is that the book actually makes Jesus relevant to those who have either given up Christianity or, like me, never related to it at all. Christianity without reincarnation simply makes no sense - with it, the pieces fall into place, and Elizabeth Clare Prophet spells out how.

Bay Beacons: Lighthouses of the Chesapeake Bay

Average customer rating:

One of the Best on Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses

Bay Beacons: Lighthouses of the Chesapeake Bay
Linda Turbyville
Manufacturer: Eastwind Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1885457073

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best on Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses.......2000-11-20

This is an excellent book on the existing lighthouses of the Chesapeake Bay, and a must-have for anyone interested in lighthouses.

A chapter is dedicated to each of the remaining lighthouses of the bay, and is teaming with historical facts surrounding the lighthouse in question. Along with wonderful, large color photographs of the lights as they presently exist, many chapters include additional black and white prints of the lighthouses in earlier days.

The introduction is very good and gives a nice overview of the lighthouses and their history in the Chesapeake Bay, and sets the stage for what follows in the book. A general map of the Chesapeake Bay showing the location of each of the lights is also included.

The text is very informative about each lighthouse covered, right down to the dollars spent on each light, the approval process for those monies, construction, light keepers, daily life at a lighthouse...and in some cases, the move of a lighthouse to another location in order to save the light from destruction or for posterity. Other facts are discussed as well, many unique in nature. Did you know that nuclear power was once used in a lighthouse? It was, and in the Chesapeake Bay.

A framed section with identification information on each lighthouse is also included in each chapter, detailing such items as date of establishment, lighthouse position, light characteristic, height, range, etc.

Book Description

From the busy Atlantic waters to the rugged Pacific coast, explore the country's most historic and beautiful lighthouses with amazing 3-D pop-ups. Lighthouses! A Pop-Up Gallery of America's Most Beloved Beacons features more than 25 color photographs and original illustrations showcasing America's coastal guardians.

From the historical to the technical, author Al Mitchell, a renowned expert in the field of lighthouse study, explains the important roles played by each beacon through the years.

This unique tribute includes 5 amazing, architecturally accurate 3-D pop-ups designed by acclaimed paper engineer Linda Costello.

Beautifully illustrated pop-ups stand approximately 9 1/2 inches tall and 5 inches in diameter and demonstrate each lighthouse's unique design and function.

Pop-ups include some of the most famous landmarks in the country: Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina's distinctive black-and-white barber pole; Old Point Loma Light, the beacon for California's Gold rush traffic; and Florida's prominent Ponce de Leon Inlet Light.

This is the ultimate book for admirers of lighthouses and architecture.

Customer Reviews:

Lighthouses.......2007-07-30

This is a beautifully crafted book. It has obviously been put together with care. The pop-ups are well done and work perfectly. The illustrations are stunning, soft and lovely. There is a well researched history about each lighthouse, even the binding and cover show that it is special. While it is not a book for a young child, older children who are interested in this subject or know any of the buildings should enjoy it. Any adult who is interested in lighthouses will definitely want this book. For a collector of pop-up books it is a wonderful addition to any collection.

Average customer rating:

Nice, but US centric
Home Again
Home Again

The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses
Samuel Willard Crompton , and Michael J. Rhein
Manufacturer: Thunder Bay Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1592231020

Book Description

The sheer beauty of the elegant, lonely lighthouses along our shores — and their unspoiled, scenic natural settings — has captivated our collective imagination. More than simply picturesque, the lighthouse has become an enduring symbol of salvation, fortitude, and heroic folklore. The Ultimate Lighthouse Book is a panoramic, lavishly illustrated history of these legendary buildings and celebrates the rich heritage of our ancestors’ courageous efforts to guide mariners through treacherous seas and storms. Over 200 color photographs are featured in this fully revised, expanded and updated edition.

Customer Reviews:

Nice, but US centric.......2005-07-26

Nice photography, nice text but too US-centric to deserve the title "Ultimate book" knowing that the worlds most interesting lighthouses are in Europe and this book only shows you US lighthouses (I have to admit, they are kinda nice too).

If you are looking for a more comprehensive book there are other options.

Home Again.......2000-09-13

The cover picture of the West Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, Canada was of particular interest to me since my Grandfather Capt Michael Howard sailed his schooners out of Brae Harbor and used the light as his guide. The lighthouse is now a hotel and restaurant and reservations are a year in advance. I stay nearby several times yearly and have breakfast there regularly. it is a beautiful spot ad you have to be there to appreciate it. When I first saw the text I was so pleasantly surprised that of all the lighthouses in USA & Canada they picked the home area of my Mom & Dad!!

Home Again.......2000-09-13

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge: Restored Edition

Average customer rating:

Great book
What a great story for little guys and girls
The Little Red Lighthose and the Great Gray Bridge
"A Great Book" Said Josh
Most memorable book of my childhood

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge: Restored Edition
Hildegarde H. Swift
Manufacturer: Voyager Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152045732

Book Description

Lighting up readers' hearts and imaginations since it was first published in 1942.

Customer Reviews:

Great book.......2007-05-07

This is beautiful book with a fun story that my almost 4-year-old son really enjoys.

What a great story for little guys and girls.......2007-03-09

I was given this book by a friend at my shower. My little boy is now 2 1/2 and this book is in the regular rotation of stories. I chose to read this book to my sons class and gave each of them a copy for their libraries. It is a great story about how size doesn't matter and that even the littlest lighthouse has a very important job. Some fo the language is a bit dated, but otherwise, the story is current for today. By the way, we will be touring this little light house under the George Washington Bridge this coming Spring -as testament to its importance, it still stand there today.

The Little Red Lighthose and the Great Gray Bridge.......2005-09-29

Anyone who loves lighthouses will love this book. I Love the way the author makes the Lighthouse, Bridge, and boats come to life as though they are talking to each other, and how important Lighthouses are to navigation.

"A Great Book" Said Josh.......2005-04-24

I don't normally read picture books unless I'm hanging out with little kids but Josh (aka Bradley Whitford) mentioned this one on The West Wing as "a great book" so of course I had to read it. The story is in the same vein as The Little Engine That Could but is about a little red lighthouse who guides the ships on the Hudson River. One day, a great gray bridge is built over the little red lighthouse and he starts to feel useless and unimportant. But by the end of the book, he has learned that even though he is small, he still has great worth.

Like Josh says, this was a great book. If I had read it as a kid, I think I would have loved it to pieces. It's wonderful because of its implicit lesson - that even those who are small can accomplish significant goals and make a difference in the world. I can see why kids loved it and hopefully, kids are still reading it. I'd recommend it if you get a chance to read it. It gets five stars both for the book itself and the enjoyment I experienced reading it.

Most memorable book of my childhood.......2004-11-26

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge is my favorite book from childhood. I spent the beginning of my life in Manhattan, NY right by the Hudson River. This book felt like it had special meaning to me since it was so nearby. But even if you live in California or England or China this book is still fantastic and wonderful and leaves you feeling good about the world and about yourself. Read this book to a kid today.

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