History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

There's a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps (Cat in the Hat's Lrning Libry)

Average customer rating:

Great for young children
Map on My Lap
Fun way to learn about maps
The best of this series!

There's a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps (Cat in the Hat's Lrning Libry)
Tish Rabe
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375810994
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Book Description

The Cat in the Hat introduces beginning readers to maps–the different kinds (city, state, world, topographic, temperature, terrain, etc.); their formats (flat, globe, atlas, puzzle); the tools we use to read them (symbols, scales, grids, compasses); and funny facts about the places they show us (“Michigan looks like a scarf and a mitten! Louisiana looks like a chair you can sit in!”).

Customer Reviews:

Great for young children.......2007-08-13

This is a fun book for introducing young children to maps. I will use it in my early childhood classroom but I wish I'd had it when my own chldren were young. They would have loved it!

Map on My Lap.......2007-03-14

Children enjoyed this book. Used in map unit for PS and elem. settings.

Fun way to learn about maps.......2007-01-04

This book is classic Dr. Seuss...fun, silly, and children don't realize they're learning something. Great book for teaching about maps. I bought this for my 6 year old prior to going on vacation. We had been looking at maps and talking about what states we'd be driving through on our trip. He enjoyed listening to the book and because of the way the information is presented (fun and silly rhymes), he has retained what he learned. He has even referred back to specific bits of information we read from the book (i.e. Never Eat Shredded Wheat to remember North, East, South and West.)

The back of the book contains a glossary of terms mentioned in the book. Highly recommended as an additional tool for teaching about maps.

The best of this series!.......2006-07-19

The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library books are all great tools to get beginning readers to read and explore different topics at the same time.

There's a Map on my Lap is my favorite in this series. It explains in typical Cat in the Hat rhyme and stance all the different uses for maps.
It explains the difference between a globe and a map, what latitudes and longitudes and other features of maps are. You learn to read a map by using the windrose or a grid.
The book goes well beyond town or country maps. It features weather maps, topographical maps and even marine charts.

What truly separates this book from the crowd: it is shockfull of hands-on things to do. It begins with peeling an orange while leaving the skin in one piece to demonstrate what a world map should really look like - brilliant idea! Then it goes on to make a map of your room, town, imaginary countries. Or how to measure the length of a curved road on a map using a straight ruler and string.

At the end of the book you find a glossary that explains the "big" words like topographical map and others again. Also a list of more books about maps and globes for children.
If you like doing hands on things with your preschool through 2nd graders this book is for you! Hours of fun and education all rolled into one big happy Cat in the Hat poem.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrates Dogs and the people who love them (Canfield, Jack)

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
very disappointing

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrates Dogs and the people who love them (Canfield, Jack)
Jack Canfield , and Mark Victor Hansen
Manufacturer: HCI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0757301479

Book Description

A Collection in Words and Photography

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2006-01-09

There were a few enjoyable stories but it is definitely not worth buying. It seems like the authors didn't have enough material for a book but wrote one anyway. I was done with it in an hour.

very disappointing.......2005-07-28

I have bought the other chicken soup for animal lovers in this series and was very pleased with them, this one is another matter. The book is small, only a very few stories and I read the whole thing in about an hour. For anyone looking for a good animal book pass this one by.

Mrs. Katz and Tush (Reading Rainbow Book)

Average customer rating:

univeral themes
Mrs. Katz and Tush
A wonderful story, even if the illos have some bloopers...
Diversity in its finest
How to be a mensch

Mrs. Katz and Tush (Reading Rainbow Book)
Patricia Polacco
Manufacturer: Dragonfly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0440409365
Release Date: 1994-03-01

Book Description

In this special Passover story, Larnel Moore, a young African-American boy, and Mrs. Katz, an elderly Jewish woman, develop an unusual friendship through their mutual concern for an abandoned cat named Tush. Together they explore the common themes of suffering and triumph in each of their cultures.

Customer Reviews:

univeral themes.......2007-03-22

What a beautiful story to show children that, despite our differences, i.e. age, race, family background, we still have some many important things in common. Characters have wit, charm and integrity. Story is very moving and good for all ages.

Mrs. Katz and Tush.......2006-07-28

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read. In fact, it is one of the most beautiful (in language and illustrations) books I have read--period. Patricia Polacco is a master at bringing diverse, meaningful relationships to life. Every sensitive, mature parent should buy this book for his/her child!

A wonderful story, even if the illos have some bloopers..........2004-03-30

This is the story of a loving friendship between an elderly Jewish lady from Poland named Mrs. Katz, and an African-American child named Larnel. Mrs. Katz lives alone in her apartment and doesn't have anyone to visit her. (It's not stated in the book, but, since this appears to be a predominantly African-American inner city neighborhood, one wonders if she was left behind by the Jewish community when the more affluent members moved to the suburbs? In real life it has happened...) Larnel's mother stops by to visit her every other day or so, and brings Larnel with her.

One day, Larnel gets the idea to give Mrs. Katz a kitten from the litter that was born in the basement of his apartment building. (Get the pun -- Katz/cats? Actually, the name "Katz" has nothing to do with "cats," but it's cute anyway.) Mrs. Katz names the kitten Tush, which is Yiddish for "bottom," because it has no tail. Larnel agrees to help her care for Tush, and from this sharing, a lifelong friendship grows.

The story is well-written, the characters are well-developed and "real." The illustrations are vibrant, beautifully done, and ethnically accurate. Well, almost. There are a couple Jewish bloopers. For one thing, the menorah sitting by Mrs. Katz's window only has seven branches. A Hanukkah menorah has nine -- eight for the eight days plus an extra for the "servant" candle. The seven-branched menorah mentioned in the Bible was specifically for the Jerusalem Temple, and is not usually found in the home. Since Hanukkah was mentioned in the story, I have to assume that this was supposed to be a Hanukkah menorah.

The second blooper is the scene in the bakery. Mrs. Katz is shopping for PASSOVER -- a time when no leaven is to be found anywhere in a Jewish home. It is not just a matter of eating matzoh. The entire house is cleaned of anything even resembling leaven, and even owning leavened products is forbidden. That being the case, why is she shopping for her Passover feast in a bakery, of all places? She is clearly pointing at a cake or some rolls, and these would NOT be served on Passover! So nu, maybe she's a Reform Jew and not so strict? But in that case, why is that very Hasidic-looking gentleman in the corner shopping there? Surely HE would not serve bread for Passover! (...)

These are relatively minor quibbles, given the overall good quality of the book. But when it comes to children's books, I insist on total accuracy with regard to Judaism, because these are the images that will stick in the mind for years to come. Granted, this is not a "Jewish" book per se, it's a multicultural book -- which is all the more reason to pay more attention to the Jewish details, lest the reader(s) be misled. For the bloopers I'm docking it a star, but it's still a great story and I highly recommend it to both Jews and gentiles.

Diversity in its finest.......2003-03-06

Ms. Katz and Tush is an excellent choice for educators and parents to use when explaining diversity.
In the book, a young boy is introduced to an elderly jewish woman through his mother. The boy develops a bond with the elderly lady, and the two are friends forever.
This book enables children to develop an understanding about life in different cultures. It shows them that different is good and you can learn a lot from someone of a different culture.

How to be a mensch.......2002-07-03

I have read this schmaltzy tale of friendship bridging two cultures dozens of times. Not once have I finished it with dry eyes. This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Mrs. Katz, a widowed old woman befriended Larnel Moore, a young boy. She gifted him with Yiddishisms-and good cooking. "Kugel! Such a kugel I baked for you today." She also gave a heart as warm as the sweater she knitted for him.

In turn, Larnel also performed many mitzvot (good deeds). Mrs. Katz needed a friend. He became that friend. He gave her a cat, too, for when he couldn't be there. Mrs. Katz took the kitty, who reminded her of her Myron, who was ugly as a child, too, "but such a person!" She named the kitty Tush, Yiddish for `behind,' because she had no tail. When the cat escaped through an open window, Larnel did everything to find her. His everything included prayers.

Larnel became a grandchild to Mrs. Katz, and she his grandmother. Everything else is commentary.

Book Description

Everyone is talking about the neighborhood pet show, and Archie can't wait. His friends are bringing dogs and birds, and he is going to enter the cat who lives near by. But when it's time to go, the cat is nowhere to be found. The contest is about to start. What can Archie do?

"The succinct, satisfying story is illustrated with vibrant, brilliantly colored paintings." (Booklist)

Customer Reviews:

Archie, charming as ever.......2001-08-19

It's the day of the neighborhood pet show, and Archie plans to take his cat. But where IS the cat? Archie can't find it, so Peter, Roberto, and Susie reluctantly go to the pet show without him.

Ensuring that each contestant is a winner, the judges give out blue ribbons to everyone, creating categories on the fly, such as "cat with the longest whiskers," "friendliest fish," etc. Archie finally arrives, but an old woman shows up just as Archie is displaying his hasty last-second entry (a jar, containing a germ). Beside the old woman is Archie's cat. The old woman is given the blue ribbon for displaying the cat.

Archie displays good humor and grace. The old woman offers the blue ribbon to Archie, but he insists that she keep it. Archie and his friends all enjoy themselves.

Like most of Ezra Jack Keats' books, _Pet Show_ is populated with children and adults of several ethnicities, but primarily African-American. The book design is marvelous. Basically the book looks like _A Letter To Amy_ and _Whistle for Willie_.

My son and I read this one all the time. He's almost 2 1/2 years old, and while I expect that most children are enjoying this at age 4 and age 5, my son thoroughly loves it. When we reach the section where Archie is late for the pet show, he almost can't contain himself until he sees Archie's silhouette racing along, jar in hand, and he belts out "Here Goes Archie!"-- _Pet Show_ is a winner.

Ken32

Pet Show - Cute Even For the Moms and Dads Who Read It :).......2000-09-08

Poor Archie. In the previous EJK book "Hi Cat," a darn alley cat follows him home after wreaking havoc with his day. Now, in "Pet Show," Archie is ready to enter the contest with said cat -- but cat has vanished. Archie ultimately displays cleverness as well as kindness, a wonderful lesson for little ones. EJK's books are always visually gorgeous, with colors and textures that delight readers. But even the grownup who reads this book will appreciate clever little Archie and the reminder that sometimes, tough situations require a little ingenuity and a helping of grace.

Great children's book and what pictures!!.......1999-07-23

I liked this book because of its colorful illustrations that enliven the story. The stories that Ezra Jack Keats write are so good to use for children to relate to. I recomend his books to teachers to use in bibliotherapy and for just anyone to read. I also have read "Peter's Chair" and again just as in all his other books you find real life situations in relation to life. Then there's his wonderfull illustrations.

Average customer rating:

still excellent 40 years later
Carbonel, King of the Cats
My favourite book as a child!
Enchanting

Carbonel: The King of Cats
Barbara Sleigh
Manufacturer: NYR Children's Collection
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1590171268
Release Date: 2004-10-31

Book Description

Back in print in the U.S. for the first time in over 30 years.

Rosemary's plan to clean houses during her summer break and surprise her mother with the money hits a snag when an old lady at the market talks her into buying a second-rate broom and a cat she can't even afford to keep. But appearances can be deceiving. Some old ladies are witches, some brooms can fly, and some ordinary-looking cats are Princes of the Royal Blood. Rosemary's cat ("You may call me Carbonel. That is my name.") soon enlists her help in an adventure to free him from a hideous spell and return him to his rightful throne. But along the way Rosemary and her friend John must do some clever sleuthing, work a little magic of their own, and—not least— put up with the demands of a very haughty cat.

Customer Reviews:

still excellent 40 years later.......2007-01-04

This was a favorite book from my childhood. I just ordered it for my own daughter, who just loves cats. (We have three.) Even though she's 15, she still loved reading "Carbonel: The King of Cats." I'm so pleased that it's back in print! Some children's books are so good that you don't have to be young to enjoy them. This is one.

Carbonel, King of the Cats.......2007-01-03

This book was one of my favorites growing up. It is an excellent tale of a magic cat and a witch's hat, broom, and cauldron, which 2 children bring together to restore Carbonel's rightful place as King of the Cats. Animal lovers will enjoy this book very much.

My favourite book as a child! .......2005-02-08

My dad, a teacher at a local polytech, would often bring home castoffs from the school's library in case I found something in them I'd enjoy. Amongst my pile of discovered treasures were illustrated paperbacks of The Wizard of Oz series, an SE Hinton that I found fascinating because it was so 'grown up' for me, and a water-damaged hardcover copy of Carbonel: The King of Cats (which had one page in it bound upside-down).

Because of all the travelling our family did, I've long since lost my childhood collection of books, but I will never forget the Summer evenings I spent imagining myself in the the far away land of Tottenham Grove - arguing with conceited black cats, eating cucumber sandwhiches for lunch, and muttering short but eloquent spells to asuage the bruised ego of a flying broom.

I admired Rosemary's take-charge, independent spirit, blushed at the hint of possible romance between her and John, and for a while, I checked every black cat I encountered for evidence of royalty.

After all these years, I'm excited to know that Carbonel is still in print because I can't wait to introduce this King of Cats to my own children. Very much a predecessor to Harry Potter, I know this story has enough thrills, suspense, fun and, yes, magic to keep even the most sophisticated young readers thoroughly entertained.

Enchanting.......2004-11-30

My 4th grade teacher read this to us. She made us put our heads on our desk while she read to us, we all felt we were much too old for this book but were instantly drawn in and couldn't wait till she got to the end. I loved this book as a child, and as a parent, and now a grandparent. If your younger child loves Harry Potter, this is a great book, especially for a girl. It has a strong female protagonist and just enough humor, as well as mystery and magic, to keep everyone interested.

Average customer rating:

Nice book, but...
Cute book, Great series
Vehicle for discussion of differences
You are what you eat...
Cute Read

Yoko
Rosemary Wells
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786803959

Amazon.com

It is Yoko's first day at school, so of course her mother wants to send her off with healthy comfort food for lunch--a delectable package of homemade sushi. "Have a wonderful day at school, my Little Cherry Blossom," her mother says as Yoko climbs into the bus. And it would have been, had it not been for lunchtime. Timothy brings a peanut butter and honey sandwich. Tulip has Swiss cheese on rye. The Franks brothers have beans and franks. But when Yoko opens her cooler of rice rolls with "the crispiest cucumber, the pinkest shrimp, the greenest seaweed, and the tastiest tuna," one of the Franks brothers announces, "Ick. It's green. It's seaweed." Tulip and Fritz chime in, "Yuck-o-rama."

Rosemary Wells (Voyage to the Bunny Planet), with her expressive, bright-eyed, chubby-cheeked animal kingdom, has once again successfully tapped into the emotional world of children. The embarrassment of bringing an uncool lunch to school! What child hasn't wanted to hide under the cafeteria table when caught with a gooey enchilada or a slice of vegetarian lentil loaf? Fortunately, Yoko's teacher concocts a plan to stop the teasing. Parents who have more ambitious hopes for their children's lunches than Fritos, PB&Js, and Oreos will be relieved to discover that the happy ending does not include Yoko's giving up her comfort meal or, more importantly, her heritage. (Ages 4 and older) --Gail Hudson

Customer Reviews:

Nice book, but..........2007-03-16

My son brought this book home for us to read together. It starts out fine, with the Japanese cat Yoko bringing her delicious and healthy bento box lunch to school, only to have the rest of the kids make fun of it.

I was dissatisfied with the main character's reaction--she becomes a victim. I was also dissatisfied with the teacher's reaction: just ignore them and they'll go away. Well kids don't. They keep on until they are stopped. I guess in l998 the 'no bullying' rule was just being put into effect into schools around America (I had just come back from living overseas and was surprised at the strides schools had made in dealing with kids' classroom problems). Maybe the author hadn't learned about it yet? Yes, the teacher does enforce an International Food Day but still, nobody will touch little Yoko's deluxe bento box. What does she do? She goes and sits under a tree. I kept thinking, in real life, at this point in time, hopefully the mother would have gotten indignant, gone up to the principal and the teacher and demanded that the kids be taught in class to respect each other's ways of life and foods, and then at home would have sat Yoko down to tell her she has nothing to be ashamed of, that sushi has nourished their people for a very long time and she shouldn't feel pressured to eat what they eat (velveeta is just plain poisonous!)I know from personal experience the effort and time it takes to make sushi. It isn't hard but it is time consuming and in the end, well worth the effort. Raw fresh fish-- coupled with rice and wasabi--rocks!

Anyway it's nice that Yoko makes one sushi convert. You can't force people to eat differently but they need to be taught from day one that if you have nothing good to say about something don't say anything at all. Respect for others, self-respect and pride (the positive kind)in one's culture are important lessons that need to be taught starting in childhood. Fearlessness is another. I hope the author makes this character more self-assertive and less a victim of the dominant culture.

Cute book, Great series.......2007-03-08

We've read all of the Yoko books which include characters who are cats, racoons, mice and other animals. The characters are sweet and kind (well, maybe not so much The Franks!). These books are great because as a mom, I can read them over and over and they're charming and smart and teach lessons without being preachy.

Also, Yoko is of Japanese descent (yes, I'm sure you couldn't tell by her name!). My daughter is half Japanese, so that is why we initially read the book. In this story, Yoko brings sushi to school and the other kids make fun of her. In the end, she makes a friend. Highly recommended.

Vehicle for discussion of differences.......2007-01-09

This was a great vehicle for discussing differences in a kindergarten classroom!

You are what you eat..........2006-08-10

I teach in a 1st grade in an area with predominately Spanish/Mexican students with Filipino and Samoan children, and poor children...kids caught up in new lives in America and old cultures going back and forth into and out of places and designations...in the melting pot. So I like to use books, literature, to bring forums for child discussion of the differences and uniqueness that we blend in our room and that might exist beyond our walls and down the highway in an area where affluence is securing real estate and isolation and America's different kinds of mixes.... Plus this last year we were trained to understand our teacher role is "to unwind the dominate culture, or registers of language of the dominate cultures teaching explicitly the registers of "language of the disciplines" so that the class experiences are understood by all"...well you can read Ruby Paine on poverty for what we were trained to do...mostly get info to kids who might be isolated from mainstream or "educated" constructs or contexts is my take on it..... Anyway I like to try new things and experiences with kids I teach. I am a doing kind of teacher so I do things with students... ,1st graders they are thinking, filtering , processing every experience and adding it to their little selves. So of course having raised three of the pickiest eaters on the planet one of my joys is food in the classroom.

This book, Yoko, I always pull out to give me a really good excuse to get sushi over to the class and then by way of working with the families encourage the sharing of some of the tamales, lumpia and other treats that come out of "multi-cultural" experience. This story addresses this "unit" of mine which is really what I do on Fridays..Food Friday, (my sharing)...and I typically use the book to initiate-send us into the unit- our first sushi Friday which is my treat for them because what I'm really doing is teaching acceptance, differences, culture, insight into one another. Wells has always got a kind of unique capacity to voice a common child experience with the nuance from reality in her story line. She is genius.. For instance Yoko is a little kitty student, her mom's Little Cherry Blossom, and shy and self effacing as they come, and she becomes embarassed over her scrumptious sushi at her new school when The Franks(gotta love this) two twin dogs turn to her at lunch with a big fat yuck-fest. How we got to lunch in the story is so classroom charming-anyway the Franks are always a bit mean-not entirely mean just mean enough they always need an adult to boundary them, correct them and have them eat a little dirt-this is why I love Wells.Ah we always teach Franks and Yoko's don't we, the "lumbering 'in the head out the mouth'almost bully" and the delicate flower...yes this is life in school social dynamics. Inserting this bit of discomfort Wells allows the story to unfold learning for this class (and then for you using it with your students-)not only about another's kind of food so embedded in their cultural context- but we are right up against how differences often evoke rejection, fear, dismissal, even meanness. Wells gives this little class an experience in endorsing the gentle Yoko and her food and even liking the Frank's franks and beans while turning this into an opportunity to dissuade those Franks from judging and hurting. You'd be surprised, you literacy sheering No Child Left Behinders, how the story in such a whole language liberating way illustrates the dimensions we teachers are able to manage teaching that aren't listed in your Standard lists of "why we are here". One year I had a student who had never tried fruit, other years kids never eating outside of their cultural context and let me reiterate poor kids don't get to go Italian or Chinese or whatever. They might get a Happy Meal but money doesn't afford restaurant experiences so easily on my side of town. I actually found that shocking...at one time in my career almost beyond shocking. So as I have my classroom "Greek grapes are nice festival"(singing of course "I heard it through the Grapevine") or my "Seuss all about eggs and ham", my "Let's eat-it's pioneer times" or "my gravy train" or one of my many Friday "belly up to the Italian soda bar" sessions, maybe doing "my Matzo and you" days I'm outside of scripted instruction(oh no thinking up my own curriculum the ultimate NCLB nightmare) but Yoko is guiding us into the wonderful world of food and humanity. Somehow after tasting olives and grape leaves and baklava it's just more interesting to read a good myth and settle into curricular objectives...so we eat to broaden our world view in my little first grade in Oxnard, (I say turning on the cheer thinking of the Italian cafe when we serve up the lattes and testing my smoothie maker to prepare for the date nut shakes I like to grind up-) ....as I am always working on the Sarah Puglisi Standard, "try something new, experience life", read Yoko with your kids and go hit a couple Thai, Pakistani,Korean, Vietnamese, Danish, god help you Scottish, French, German food places if you are so lucky to be able to bring those things to them, or go to markets in Chinatown, Little Italy, over in the barrio...live a little...go to the Farmers market and talk about how food springs from places like us and not like us.If you personally don't have a child then you just might invite a niece, nephew, kid on your block for filet. Mignon. Open up that child to understanding your own food , your own people, other people, it is a celebration of life...and don't be surprised if your 5 year old scrunches up their nose and isn't always as excited as you are. You know you can only do so much with haggis....Or as my husband is noted for pointing out..."sushi is gross raw fish, Sarah". There is one in every crowd, in Wells this honor is held by two-The wonderful Franks. Pass them their beans, they know it, they love it. This story is a wonderful gift to children before 8 or so...but embed it in a food experience. Bon appetite.

Cute Read.......2006-07-13

This is the charming story of a sushi-eating cat, Yoko, who struggles to find acceptance from her classmates after eating her favorite food for lunch. Yoko's teacher arrives at a clever solution for encouraging acceptance of her students' culinary diversity, and Yoko finds a friend. The book is well-illustrated and a cute read for a three-year-old.

Tarot of the Cat People: A Traveler's Report (with Tarot Deck)

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Best Deck Ever!
Great!!
Absolutely not for beginners
Cat Deck
Beautiful and Mysterious

Tarot of the Cat People: A Traveler's Report (with Tarot Deck)
Karen Kuykendall
Manufacturer: U.S. Games Systems
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0880795328

Product Description

Science fiction and fantasy combine to create a stunning tarot deck and book set by Karen Kuykendall, situated in a distant place known as the Outer Regions, where people have a mystical rapport with cats. Book is 192 pp. Ill. (pb).

Customer Reviews:

Best Deck Ever!.......2007-03-13

I purchased this deck back in 1997. It's the best deck I've ever used. There is a cat on ever single card, and the cats seem to give more meaning to rest of the imagery. The backs of the cards have a really nice hypnotic design that almost reminds me of the artwork of Shag (google him if you don't know who he is).

I've used this deck for countless readings, and the results are always detailed and insightful. The booklet that comes with the cards is interesting, but I never use tarot card booklets. For me, it's better to study the imagery on the cards and deduct my own meanings.

Booklet or no booklet, these cards are great.

Great!!.......2007-03-09

I love love love this deck. It is a beautiful piece of artwork, and a definite for cat lovers, but it is much more than just a sum of the artwork. No matter what card, there is always a feeling of hope associated with this deck. I was amazed at how much of a difference this deck made in my readings, until I misplaced it, and has to wait for a new deck to arrive from Amazon. I would recommend this deck to ANYONE and EVERYONE with an interest in the tarot. First time readers should not be concerned that the deck will lose them, it lends itself well to readers of all levels.

Absolutely not for beginners.......2007-01-31

I bought this deck many years ago- and though I've bought many since, it remains a trusted friend and companion. Though I can't speak for this precise printing of the set (mine were printed in 1984- this is a reissue so I can't speak for the color quality or stock quality)- I can talk of its general performance.

Though this deck was my first venture into Tarot, I strongly advise if you are new: You may wish another deck. This is highly a fantasy deck- relying on you having already understood some of the most basic symbolism inherent to the cards. The elemental symbolism of the suites is heavily downplayed though still present- one must look close to catch the meanings beyond those simply laid out in a laundry list in the book. However, in a rare turn around, the artist took into account the fact some suites represent certain aspects of a person's physical features as well and honored them in the designs of the humans in this deck. If you are someone who generally has a hard time picking a card to represent the questioner- that aspect at least is made easy.

There is also the major arcana to take into account- some of which are changed from the more typical 22 cards seen in a Waite style deck. The Heirophant has become the High Priest- while Judgement has become Rejuvenation. Beyond that odd seeming swap around, the Major Arcana are very easy to understand and interpret by their art alone- the minor arcana however are much more difficult. In these you see this is by in large a story deck, bordering on novelty. The cards retain their meaning and symbolism, but it's presented in odd ways that are sure to throw a new reader.

I know it certainly took me a very long time to get the hang of it, having this be my first deck...though now it remains one of my most beloved decks.

Cat Deck.......2006-03-03

Interesting cards. The artwork is unusual and eye catching. I like what the card description says. A must have for tarot card collectors and for cat lovers.

Beautiful and Mysterious.......2004-10-02

This is a beautiful, intruiging, fantastical, and yet adorable tarot card set. I love it. While I don't own any cats myself or consider myself a true "cat fanatic," the imagery of the cats on these cards is mysterious and yet quirkily adorable. I would recommend this set by all means.

Managing People Is Like Herding Cats: Warren Bennis on Leadership

Average customer rating:

Managing vs. Leading
Quick Review
Also, Herding Cats Is Like Managing Transitions
Common sense and somewhat repetitive
A tape on leadership, not management.

Managing People Is Like Herding Cats: Warren Bennis on Leadership
Warren G. Bennis
Manufacturer: Executive Excellence Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 189000961X

Book Description

Bennis offers insights into developing leaders, the competencies of great leaders, ten traits of dynamic leaders, and how leaders constantly reinvent themselves.

Customer Reviews:

Managing vs. Leading.......2002-12-02

Initially I was intrigued by the title of this book - what has `cat-herding' to do with managing people? Bennis' statement that `cats can't be herded, but they can be led' makes sense in a quirky way. Much like cats, people are quite resistant to any sort of rules or change that are being forced upon them; they react much better if they are gently led. I think one of the biggest challenges that we all face is leadership - defining leadership, and then defining ourselves within that definition. Managing and leading are not the same thing, and it's the leaders rather than the managers who will be truly successful throughout the next decade, and beyond.
Bennis states that there is a `leadership crisis' in the United States, and offers four contributing factors. The first is the `growing disparity between the rich and the poor'. I wholeheartedly agree - nothing erodes trust in our leadership than seeing CEOs making millions, while John Q. Public has been downsized out of a job, and no longer has health insurance for his kids.
The second factor is what Bennis calls the `inverted trust factor'. This has to do with trust in government, and how that trust has eroded. This book was published in 1999; we've all seen the brief surge in trust that followed the September 11th tragedy; however, as Osama bin Laden continues to elude us, I feel that trust in our government is on the downswing again.
The third factor Bennis calls the `abandoned other half', those who have been laid off and downsized. With a growing population and a shrinking job market, what chance do American workers have of finding a decent job with good wages and benefits?
The last contributor to the `crisis' is the lack of empowerment felt by American workers. Bennis states "Empowerment and restructuring are on a collision course". As America downsizes, those who do remain employed don't have a warm, fuzzy feeling that they will remain employed for long. Pervasive fear of losing one's job doesn't bode well for creativity or initiative.
BUT.....Bennis offers hope. He feels that if we can become LEADERS, rather than managers, we have a shot at heading off the crisis that he sees coming. He offers some thoughts on the competencies and traits of leaders, which, on first read, seem like basic common sense. However, many of us may not take the time to stop and think about ways to actually BE a leader, and so instill and inspire leadership in others. In a nutshell, Bennis believes that true leaders have a vision, a set of intentions, which sets the direction and leads to a goal.
I personally enjoyed this book. While much of it is common sense, it is presented in such a way as to make you think twice, and to make you wonder how it applies to you and your own occupation, be it CEO or first level manager

Quick Review.......2002-07-07

I found the book a rehash of 1980's thinking by a university professor. Japan good. US bad. Unions good, Marx good, business people bad - what a waste of money.

Also, Herding Cats Is Like Managing Transitions.......2001-04-18

Apparently another reviewer agrees with Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun and I agree with both of them. There is nothing new in this book nor does Bennis make that claim. He has observed that this book offers his last and best comments on the subject of leadership. In it, he has assembled his best ideas from a number of previous books he authored or co-authored. Let us all hope that this is not his final contribution to the subject.

Bennis begins with an especially apt quotation of T.S. Eliot's comments on his cat The Rum Tum Tugger: "For he will do as he will do, and there's no doing anything about it. When you let him in, then he wants out; he's always in the wrong side of the door." As an owner of countless cats myself for more than 20 years, I can personally affirm that Eliot's cat is normal. It really makes no difference what you name a cat nor what you say to it. The best advice I can offer is to remember that a dog's idea of God is a human being but that a cat's idea of God is a cat. For thousands of years, the human race has deified certain rulers (e.g. Caesars), many of whom (like cats) saw themselves as deities. Until recently, many corporate CEOs embraced the "command and control" leadership style. Several of them are on record as viewing themselves as omniscient and omnipotent, victims of what I characterize as "The Ozmanias Syndrome" which is inevitably fatal for them and often for their spheres of influence as well.

Back to Bennis and this book. To those who aspire to lead people, here's his advice: "Be humble. Stop trying to `herd cats' and start building trust and mutual respect. Your `cats' will respond. They will sense your purpose, keep your business purring, and even kill your rats." Bennis' clever use of similes and metaphors aside, I rate this volume so highly for three reasons. First, it offers what is probably the most personal glimpse we are likely to have of Bennis, very much in the same spirit as Stephen King's On Writing. Also, Bennis is deeply concerned about an ever-worsening "leadership crisis" of global proportions. He explains why others should share that concern. Finally, as noted earlier, he assembles in this volume his most important insights and observations on the subject of leadership. For that last reason, I am most grateful (much as I enjoyed the pleasure of his personal company) because those insights and observations suggest HOW to respond to the aforementioned "leadership crisis."

Bennis organizes his material with two Sections (The Leadership Crisis and What Makes a Leader?) and an Epilogue (Reflections on Retirement). Drawing upon personal experiences which extend back to his childhood, Bennis explains why he views self-invention as an exercise of the imagination: "That's basically how we get to know ourselves. People who can't invent and then reinvent themselves must be content with borrowed postures, secondhand ideas, fitting in instead of standing out. Inventing oneself is the opposite of accepting the roles we were brought up to play." This is an affirmation with profound implications. Those who possess sufficient courage, determination, and (yes) endurance to gain self-knowledge will eventually achieve beneficial change. So long as this immensely difficult process continues, periodic reinvention is inevitable.

Meanwhile, paradoxically, Bennis suggests that there are certain human values which must remain constant throughout that process. They include integrity, dedication, magnanimity, humility, openness, and creativity. Values-driven leaders, while increasing their self-knowledge, must possess non-negotiable standards of moral and intellectual honesty. They must have a passionate belief in something. They must be "noble of mind and heart; generous in forgiving; above revenge and resentment." As Bennis observes, "Magnanimous and humble people are notable for their self-possession. They know who they are, have healthy egos, and take more pride in what they do than in who they are." They must be willing to try what is new and be receptive to new ideas, however bizarre, with "a tolerance for ambiguity and change, and a rejection of any and all preconceived prejudices, biases, and stereotypes." With regard to creativity, Bennis asserts that "we must restore our sense of wonder, break through our own preconceptions and see everything new and fresh -- as we did when we were children." In sum, leaders have both vision and virtue.

In his Epilogue, during which he reflects on the subject of retirement, Bennis shares two basic ideas. First, that all of his own personal heroes "were always in transition. They were always redesigning, recomposing and reinventing their own lives. Also, "that people who have been successful in their careers and in life are also successful in all transitions." This book is really not about "herding cats"; rather, it is about principled self-governance. It is also about values-driven leadership as (in effect) a "work in progress" throughout transitions in life. Now more than ever before, our world desperately needs leaders whose vision will inspire us and whose virtue will guide us during our own quest for self-knowledge from one transition to the next.

Common sense and somewhat repetitive.......1999-12-07

This is the first book that I have read by Bennis, and I didn't find anything earth-shattering in it. The book did have some good chapters, but the majority of it rehashed most of the other books on leadership I have read. I suppose there is nothing all that new under the sun. Although the book isn't very long, some sections of chapters appear to be re-hashes from earlier chapters. It reads as a collection of his essays, with common themes sewn throughout (ex: Managers do things right, Leaders do the right thing). For those that are leaders (or aspiring leaders), the information in Herding Cats will serve to reinforce what you should already know.

A tape on leadership, not management........1999-12-06

I was disappointed in the content of the two tapes. The title suggests that it instructs on the management of unmanageble people, but Bennis spends most of the tape speaking in generalities about leadership (and seems to look down his nose at managers as lacking leadership qualities). The title might better be something along the lines of < >.

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