Living on the Edge: Amazing Relationships in the Natural World

Book Description

Now Available in Paperback!No one engages the natural world the way Jeff Corwin does. One of America's favorite nature-show hosts, Corwin demonstrates awe and respect for nature in a way that is both wildly funny and educational. In this beautiful book, illustrated with his own photographs, he reminisces about his at-times-perilous and often hilarious journeys as he explores the fantastic relationships among the diverse flora and fauna in four exotic ecosystems: the Sonoran Desert of Arizona; the Savannah of southeastern Africa; the Costa Rican rainforest; and the Llanos grassland in Venezuela. From a lizard that ejects a blood-like squirt from its eyes when in danger to perhaps the most bizarre turtle on the planet-we meet some wonderfully unique creatures and learn about their interdependence and competition in their natural habitats.

Customer Reviews:

On the wild side..........2007-07-09

Join Jeff Corwin as he shows us the dry, hot desert of Arizona, the life and death struggle in southeastern Africa, the rain forests of Costa Rica, and the grasslands of the Venezuela. Along the way we learn about life, death, love, and the web of nature. He also pops in facts and short stories, many of which are as funny as you can get without a Nun's outfit, a donkey and a jar of peanut butter.
The book itself is a lovely hardcover, with full color photos and something I would be proud to have on my coffee table if I had a coffee table. And it is so enjoyable to read you could easily finish it in a day if you wanted to.

The Best Nature Book Out There.......2005-10-28

Jeff Corwin is not only a great tv personality but is also a very good author. I have read his book like three times already and each time I read it I like it even more.The pictures, all of which he took himself, are great and I like how he goes into his life experiences with animals. Also, I like how he sprinkles humor throughout the book. I have learned so much from Jeff Corwin and he is the reason I am majoring in Environmental Science. He has made me realize how important it is to protect the environment and all of the animals in it.

Poetic imagery for the Natural world.......2005-10-17

This book is great! Altho I am a big fan of Jeff's and the Jeff Corwin Experience, I am still blown away by this book. Jeff describes everything vividly, yet in a beautifully poetic way (i've never heard of so many diff ways to describe the sunset). I was really surprised b/c he isn't like that on the show. I loved that many lesser-known animals are introduced, as well as the more common ones. Also, I loved that Jeff gave us the pecularities/specialties of each animal so I'm not just reading the same old boring stuff that I've read in too many nature books or seen on tv. I've learned a lot of things that I never knew about (ie: the symbiosis btwn strangler fig & wasp) and Jeff describes them all so vividly that it was even better than watching the show. The only complaint I have is that there's not enough pictures. But as I read along, I realized that Jeff already painted the whole scene for me that photos would just be icing on the cake. I totally and whole-heartedly recommend this book to any nature lover!

Web of Life.......2005-09-21

Gives good complex look at the animals in different environments and shows the environmental issues challenging each place. Filled with stories from Jeff Corwin's life and his own encounters with both exotic and extraordinary animals.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side .......2004-12-06

This is a very entertaining and educational book. I'm a fan of The Jeff Corwin Experience, and this book did not disappoint me. It is very well organized and well written, and I was amazed at the way it managed to drop me right down into the middle of the Costa Rican rainforest or the African savannah. What I particularly liked was the variety of bizarre and fascinating details that Jeff adds. I found myself sharing these bizarre facts (like giant anaconda orgies that can last for weeks and weeks...woohoo!)with all sorts of people who, no doubt, thought I was some sort of animal expert now. But best of all is Jeff's obvious enthusiasm for the subject matter, particularly the topic of conservation. It's hard not to enjoy his stories when he presents them with such passion and humor. I definitely recommend this book to Jeff Corwin fans and any readers who want to take a walk on the wild side.

Customer Reviews:

Another great book.......2007-05-16

This book is just about as complete as everyone else that has reviewed says. I really only wanted North American trees and that is precicely what I got. A very fine book that is well organized with abundant photos, drawings and discriptions. I am just a novice so the more complete of a book the better. The only thing I wish is that I had an old beat up one to take into the woods.

The one I reach for.......2006-11-23

There is no one book that will satisfy all your tree needs, but this one comes closest. Though it is Canada-centric, it should be useful no matter where in the US you may live. The pictures and line drawings are excellent, but most importantly they are consistent throughout. The "Quick Recognition" bits are a wonderful feature.
It is organized as an identification book but I use it more as an encyclopedia and wish it was organized alphabetically by genus. This is a book you read, then go for a walk, then read again. Highly recommended to everyone.

The best tree book.......2006-06-05

Every attempt I've made to identify a tree with this book has been successful. Worth every penny.

Great Field Guide.......2003-09-11

This is a great book to help with the identification of tree specimens that you find in our northern forests. Beautifully illustrated, with pictures of leaves (and fall color), flowers, fruits, and the bark of both mature and young trees, Farrar really provides horticultural enthusiasts with all the tools they need to make correct identifications (in most cases, of course). In addition to the pictures, other botanical information is provided such as max heights, growth rates, silhouettes, reproductive information, ranges, etc.

My only small complaint with the text is that the ranges for several species are incomplete, covering only the areas in Canada and the very northernmost United States. Many species have a much broader native habitat, and it's often necessary to reference a second text for that information. Other than that; however, it is a great text that even includes "quick recognition" tips for most species. Farrar gives us a valuable resource for horticulture lovers and woodsmen of the north.

The leading candidate?.......2003-06-07

This book is among the leading candidates in the race for best tree identification book ever. It has a huge advantage in that it first appeared in 1917 (as Native Trees of Canada, already a good book) and has been continually revised and updated since. This book pretty much has it all: clear distribution maps, fine line-drawings of details and pretty decent color pictures of various other details (including bark).

Of course Canada has the 'advantage' of not having many tree species, which makes it easy for an author to be complete. Just imagine Harri Lorenzi trying to cover Brazil to the same degree of detail!

It is a pity the US has no other books on this same scale, and that this degree of detail is only available for its Northern part (OK, California has some fine tree books too!).

Shade Trees for the Central and Northern United States and Canada
Average customer rating:
Shade Trees for the Central and Northern United States and Canada
Sharon A. Yiesla , and Floyd A. Giles
Manufacturer: Stipes Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Shade | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Trees | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Seed-Bearing Plants | Trees | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 087563379X

Field manual of trees: Including southern Canada and the northern United States to approximately the southern boundary of Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, westward to the limits of the prairie
Average customer rating:
Field manual of trees: Including southern Canada and the northern United States to approximately the southern boundary of Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, westward to the limits of the prairie
John H Schaffner
Manufacturer: Long's College Book Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Trees | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00087RXBO

Field manual of trees: Including southern Canada and the northern United States to the southern boundary of Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, westward to the limits of the prairie
Average customer rating:
Field manual of trees: Including southern Canada and the northern United States to the southern boundary of Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, westward to the limits of the prairie
John H Schaffner
Manufacturer: R.G. Adams & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Trees | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008CQH3Y

Trees and shrubs: Field marks of all trees, shrubs, and woody vines that grow wild in the northern and north-central United States and in southeastern ... Canada (Roger Tory Peterson field guides)
Average customer rating:
Trees and shrubs: Field marks of all trees, shrubs, and woody vines that grow wild in the northern and north-central United States and in southeastern ... Canada (Roger Tory Peterson field guides)
George A Petrides
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Shrubs | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Trees | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00070O8SI

Trees of Canada and the northern United States
Average customer rating:
Trees of Canada and the northern United States
Frederick Howard Montgomery
Manufacturer: Ryerson Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Botany | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0770003249

Trees and Shrubs : Field Marks of All Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines That Grow Wild in the Northern and North-Central United States and in South-Eastern and South-Central Canada
Average customer rating:
Trees and Shrubs : Field Marks of All Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines That Grow Wild in the Northern and North-Central United States and in South-Eastern and South-Central Canada

Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000HW3JHM

Trees of the Northern United States and Canada
Average customer rating:
Trees of the Northern United States and Canada
John Laird Farrar
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MU9EQ4

Book Description

Moon Handbooks: Baja simply brims with detailed recommendations of virtually every hotel, motel, resort, and campground in one of Mexico's hottest travel destinations. Featuring discerning restaurant reviews and details on kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, hunting, cycling, hiking, and other recreational activities, this is the most thorough guide on Baja available. "With 15,000 members in our Club and the largest selection of Baja books in the world, one fact is clear: Moon Handbooks: Baja is consistently our best-selling guide. Veteran or novice, on road or off, you'll appreciate the valuable detailed information Joe provides. Don't go to Baja without it!" - Hugh Kramer, President, DISCOVER BAJA Travel Club

Customer Reviews:

Easy to Use.......2003-08-30

I gave this guide 5 stars because it is the most complete and easiest guide of Baja out there. I found this book to be very complete. Even two building towns where you can just buy gas and eat are mentioned in this guide. It contains most of the "necessary" maps within its pages, but I would recommend buying a map devoted to the area in which you plan to go. I found this book to be up to date, but I have spent the most time in the northwest part of Baja. I also own the Lonely Planet guide to Baja and I much prefer the Moon's guide (mainly because in my experience it is more complete).
The format of the guide is also very easy to use. The information is laid out in a very logical format. You can just look through the book to find something to do in the area you are going, rather than needing to know what you want to do and then finding out where you can do it.

comprehensive but not selective.......2002-10-10

If you're spending 2 months driving down and up, this would be a great book. But Cummings doesn't provide much advice for the person who only has a week or so to spend in Baja and must pick and choose. Even after reading the whole book you don't get a sense for what are the nicest destinations. This is important because a lot of Baja destinations are popular for people with a passion for a particular activity and if you don't enjoy that activity you'll probably feel trapped there.

Tip: If you must go to Cabo, avoid Cabo San Lucas and the Corridor and stay in San Jose del Cabo (a real Mexican town closer to the airport). Also rent the heaviest SUV that you can and drive the coast road (dirt) out to Los Frailes for snorkeling and camping on the beach (dogs are welcome).

A great book for the Baja traveler, especially if driving........2002-02-08

First I want to compare the 4th edition of this book with the third. Most of the changes in the 4th edition are the color maps and updated info on the Cabo area. While the maps are nice, there are better sources for Baja maps.

Now back to the review of the book itself. I love this book, I have the 2nd and 3rd editions also, and they have been used extensively for Baja travel. While the road conditions and prices obviously will change they are good guidelines of what to expect. I think this book is most suited to travelers that are driving and offers great info on side trips off the beaten path. The road conditions regarding if 4wd is required is helpful, even if things could have changed since publication. Also great info for boaters especially concerning boat ramps, and fuel availability.

I found the hotel ratings to be pretty accurate about the conditions and facilities. In my opinion the best book published on general Baja travel.

Lots of inaccuracies.......2001-09-02

Although this book contains lots of good information, it has too many inaccuracies. It looks as though the author has not updated his database of accommodations. I found too many wrong phone numbers, wrong mailing addresses and wromg email addresses. I know these things change, but if they have all really changed this much, there should be a disclaimer or they should not be included at all.

There are two pages of what the author calls "Useful Web sites", but they are not very useful and he does not include any web sites for the many listed accommodations and resorts that have their own web sites.

Let's read about Hawaiian Islands ("Let's read about" books)
Average customer rating:
Let's read about Hawaiian Islands ("Let's read about" books)
Erna Fergusson
Manufacturer: Fideler Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Australia & Oceania | Explore the World | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006AUFPE

Student Study Guide for Campbell Reece Biology 7th
Average customer rating:
Student Study Guide for Campbell Reece Biology 7th
Martha R. Taylor , Campbell , and Reece
Manufacturer: Pearson Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Biology Biology

Study Card for Campbell-Reece Biology Seventh Edition

Biology AP Edition

CliffsAP Biology (Cliffs)

Biology in the Laboratory: with BioBytes 3.1 CD-ROM

ASIN: 0805393943

Average customer rating:

Almost a Brand New Book

If you are an AP Biology student using the textbook, GET THIS...

If you are an AP Biology student using the textbook, GET THIS...

Biology: Student Study Guide, Sixth Edition

Very good study guide for college biology

Biology: Student Study Guide, Sixth Edition
Martha R. Taylor , Neil A. Campbell , and Jane B. Reece
Manufacturer: Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Biology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Biology | Biological Sciences | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Biology, Sixth Edition

CliffsAP Biology (Cliffs)

Cracking the AP Biology Exam, 2006-2007 Edition (College Test Prep)

How to Prepare for the AP Biology (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Biology Advanced Placement Examination)

AP Biology Flash Cards

ASIN: 0805366342

Customer Reviews:

Almost a Brand New Book.......2007-02-07

The seller had sent the book in time, which has been well kept and almost like new. however the CD which comes along with the book was missing.

If you are an AP Biology student using the textbook, GET THIS..........2005-12-30

...This IS a condensed textbook, with great detail and review. THis is not intended to be an AP exam prep book, but it sure CAN be, it just has a LOT of detailed not required on the College Board examination. The concept maps and INTERACTIVE questions are the BEST review because I am a visual learner. As long as you're up to the challenge, be sure to check out this book, as well as an AP prep book (Cliffsnotes, Barron's, and Princeton Review). Peace and good luck.

If you are an AP Biology student using the textbook, GET THIS..........2005-12-30

Biology: Student Study Guide, Sixth Edition.......2005-09-05

It's a condense textbook basically ,covering everything you need to know about the textbook, although it shouldn't be anyone's substitute to the text, the study guide provides a good guide to what to know and expect on exams. It also offers more questions to practice and to familiarize yourself with, and that always helps.

Very good study guide for college biology.......2004-08-29

This is a good study guide for reviewing the essential topics in college bio. It is a good resource that helped me to learn bio. If you really want a great source for knowing the type of questions to expect on your college biology exams get the following by Patrick Leonardi: The Ulimate Study Guide for Biology: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations Volume 1 (Topics: Organization of Living Things & Chemistry of Life, Structure and Function of the Cell and Energy Pathways, Reproduction and Heredity, Genetics)
Volume 2 (Topics: Evolution, Ecology, Kingdom Bacteria, Kingdom Protista, Kingdom Fungi, Viruses, Plant Form and Function)
Volume 3 (Topics: Kingdom Animalia, Organization of the Animal Body, Animal Form and Function, Animal Reproduction, Development and Behavior)
Taylor's study guide and the Leonardi's study guide helped me with college biology, made my life a lot easier.

Student Study Guide for Campbell's Biology

Average customer rating:

Useful for AP bio
Great book for a hard class!
Great study help!

Student Study Guide for Campbell's Biology
Martha R. Taylor
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Biology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Biology, Sixth Edition
CliffsAP Biology (Cliffs)
Biology: Student Study Guide, Sixth Edition
Biology

ASIN: 0805319425

Customer Reviews:

Useful for AP bio.......2000-12-27

This book is great if you are taking AP biology with Camobell's Biology. Teachers tend to give students the questions from this book. The book contains the answers for all of the questions, but doesnt explain how they got the answers. You actually have to read the book. But, the questions are difficult, and similar to the ones on the AP exams, so it is good practice. I only gave it 4 stars because I think they could have given better summaries of the chapters and explanined the reasoning behind the answers in a way students would understand. Overall, a great buy and useful study tool!

Great book for a hard class!.......1999-11-22

This book is a great help. Any class (Either AP or Regular Biology) taught out of Campbell's Biology is going to be tough. This book breaks down long, often tedious chapters into straight foward sections. Also there are many practice questions at the end of each mini-chapter and the answers are in the back. (This is good for your grade, 'cause teachers often give you worksheets with these same questions on them! Hahaha) The only problem is that sometimes the chapters are too abridged and you miss out on something important, so I still recommend reading the real chapters---but if your in a pickle and their is only 15 minutes until class, just read the study book. Enjoy!

Great study help!.......1999-04-05

I used this review book with the Campbell's biology book in AP Biology and let me tell you, it helps. It gets every detail to within a few pages and helps you memorize key facts and figures of the book. Recommend for anyone who is using the Campbell's book.

Average customer rating:

Student Study Guide for Campbell's Biology

Manufacturer: Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HWRBCG

Student Study Guide To Accompany Biology

Average customer rating:

Student Study Guide To Accompany Biology
Burton S. Guttman , Iain Campbell , and Johns Wilson Hopkins
Manufacturer: Mcgraw-Hill College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0697223825

Student Study Guide: An Introduction to Concept Mapping for Campbell's Biology

Average customer rating:

Student Study Guide review
Nice Book
wonderfully written!

Student Study Guide: An Introduction to Concept Mapping for Campbell's Biology
Martha R. Taylor
Manufacturer: Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Biology: Student Study Guide, Sixth Edition

ASIN: 080531881X

Customer Reviews:

Student Study Guide review.......2005-09-03

A very good study guide with the exception of missing info in the description. It did not specify what Campbell edition it corresponds to. As we are using the sixth edition to prep for the AP exam, it is not totally current. The study guide is to accompany the third edition. It arrived in excellent condition.

Nice Book.......2000-11-05

This book is great, I am a sophomore who ordered this too. I used a friend's 4th edition, but it was not good. Then I ordered this edition on Sept 20th and it was shipped Nov 3rd, I think it is worth the wait. I have now gotten it and I enjoy using it and those hilarious comics in the beginning of each unit!

wonderfully written!.......2000-06-23

I was a sophomore student who took AP Biology and used this guide to help me during tests. This guide reinforced many crucial concepts and most of all, it reviewed in the most interesting way.

Student Study Guide For Biology (Campbell, Reece) SIXTH EDITION

Average customer rating:

RED--not read!

Student Study Guide For Biology (Campbell, Reece) SIXTH EDITION

Manufacturer: Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Biology, Sixth Edition
Biology
CliffsAP Biology (Cliffs)
Preparing For The Biology AP Exam: With Biology
Biology: Student Study Guide, Sixth Edition

ASIN: 080536837X

Customer Reviews:

RED--not read!.......2005-07-04

The Study Guide appears to be self-published and is printed on heavy, dark red stock (to keep from photocopying, I'm sure). However, it is difficult to read for any length of time.

The Study Guide does not have a separate answer key. Instead,the answers to the questions are simply marked with an asterisk, making it difficult to actually puzzle through a question and then see if it is right. The student has to be ready to cover the asterisks (in the gutter of the one-sided text) with a narrow strip of paper (about 1.5"). It is a cumbersome process at best.

These two drawbacks would not hinder me from recommending this Study Guide. Buyers should at least be informed.

Biology / with CD-ROM and Student Study Guide - Neil A. Campbell - Hardcover -

Average customer rating:

Biology / with CD-ROM and Student Study Guide - Neil A. Campbell - Hardcover -

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 020179344X

Product Description

Publisher: Edition:

Biology 4e/ Student Study Guide for Biology 4e/ And

Average customer rating:

Biology 4e/ Student Study Guide for Biology 4e/ And
Neil A. Campbell
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0805319727

Campbell Biology Concepts & Connections, Campbell Student Study Guide

Average customer rating:

Campbell Biology Concepts & Connections, Campbell Student Study Guide
Campbell
Manufacturer: Not Avail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0201344165

Book Description

Hydroxyacetophenones constitute the starting material for a wide variety of syntheses in organic chemistry. They are versatile building blocks serving many different applications, such as specialty polymers, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. In this Handbook the diverse ways of obtaining over 3000 hydroxyacetophenones are described and their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data references are indicated. The Handbook is presented in dictionary style, with a logical classification of the ketones, making the information easily available for consultation. Ketones are classified methodically. They are thus easily accessible from three tables: - the molecular formula index - the chemical abstracts registry - the usual names index. This completely revised and enlarged edition includes:- 10 additional chapters compared with the previous edition which had just 2 chapters - an additional 1500 ketones - updated information for ~1200 ketone entries - the addition of di- and polyketones - approximately 3500 references. This Handbook is the reference on hydroxyacetophenones. It is a powerful synthesis tool for the researcher or industrial producers. Nowhere else are so many compounds covered or the physical properties and relevant syntheses provided. It provides a wide choice of hydroxyketones required to achieve syntheses based upon this range of intermediates.

Handbook of Hydroxyacetophenones: : Preparation and Physical Properties

Average customer rating:

Handbook of Hydroxyacetophenones: : Preparation and Physical Properties
R. Martin
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MUGPAW

Book Description

The main objective of this volume is to create a bridge between control theory and its numerical analysis aspects. It is unique because it presents both subjects in a single volume. The book combines an exposition of linear control theory and the corresponding modern relevant computational techniques such as orthogonal polynomials, Padé approximation, numerical linear algebra, and some topics on nonlinear differential equations. It can be considered as an introduction to control theory for numerical analysts looking for a wide area of applications and as an introduction to recent numerical methods for control specialists. Audience: Aimed at advanced students at a doctoral or post-doctoral level, engineers, and researchers in control theory and numerical analysis.

Amazon.com

Mary Robison's stories are infused with a quiet menace. The trick of her writing is the way she uses the reader's own expectations to create that sense of unease. Her stories--published over the years in The New Yorker and now collected in Tell Me--are made of handfuls of moments, put together without benefit of the usual revelatory short story structure. In "Coach," a football coach and his family move to a new town and try to fit in. In "I Am Twenty-One," a newly orphaned college student takes an art history exam. This lack of plot makes us yearn for conflict, and we begin to imagine all sorts of things going wrong, all sorts of dramatic turns of event. They don't come, usually, and this dynamic of unfulfilled expectation results in strangely effective stories. Of course, none of this would matter if Robison couldn't write. But she can, beautifully and without showiness. She has a neat way of making her themes resonate across every line of a story. In "Independence Day," a woman splitting up with her husband finds her old life slipping away. At one point, her daughter Hallie rides away from their house on her bike: "Hallie spun off on her ten-speed. The bike made the promising ticking noises of time speeded up, of escape." Robison is the rare minimalist whose bare-bones fiction is actually a pleasure to read. --Claire Dederer

Book Description

Chosen from Robison's three long-unavailable collections, along with four new stories, Tell Me reflects the early brilliance as well as the fulfilled promise of Mary Robison's literary career. In these stories (most of which have appeared in The New Yorker), we enter her sly world of plotters, absconders, ponderers, and pontificators. Robison's characters have chips on their shoulders; they talk back to us in language that is edgy and nervy; they say "all right" and "okay" often, not because they consent, but because nothing counts. Still, there are small victories here, small only because, as Robison precisely documents, larger victories are impossible. Here then, among others, is "Pretty Ice," chosen by Richard Ford for The Granta Book of American Short Stories, "Coach," chosen for Best American Short Stories, "I Get By," an O. Henry Prize Stories selection, and "Happy Boy, Allen," a Pushcart Prize Stories selection. These stories-sharp, cool, and astringently funny-confirm Mary Robison's place as one of our most original writers and led Richard Yates to comment, "Robison writes like an avenging angel, and I think she may be a genius."

Customer Reviews:

Not filled out enough.......2004-03-05

Robison's style of writing short stories is to plunk you down in the middle of a scene to give you a momentary glimpse in the life of others. However, nothing really monumental happens during these glimpses, and the story just ends at some arbitrary comment by one of the characters, leaving you wonder what her point was. This style works when there's conflict and you're left wondering what happens next, but Robison doesn't build any.

However, her writing is very pleasing strictly from an aesthetic sense, she describes people and places well, and does a fairly okay job of character development, but there's not much motivation because as I said, there's no conflict or suspense or hint at plot.

Great Stories.......2003-07-24

These are all great stories. Mary Robison's Tell Me is a terrific collection of contemporary short stories. They mostly involve women with some sort of artistic bent stuck in a plastic suburban world that somehow suffocates them, yet these women are not miserable or suffering. They simply deal with their lives in an effective way. I enjoyed reading this collection. It's a good one.

her greatest hits.......2002-12-08

classic stories such as "Coach" and "Pretty Ice" and "Yours" are finally together in one volume!

Tell Me a Story: 30 Children's Sermons Based on Best-loved Books (New Brown Bag)

Average customer rating:

Tell Me a Story: 30 Children's Sermons Based on Best-loved Books (New Brown Bag)
Phyllis Vos Wezeman , and Anna L. Liechty
Manufacturer: Pilgrim Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Taste the Bread: 30 Children's Sermons on Communion (The New Brown Bag)
Touch the Water: 30 Children's Sermons on Baptism, the New Brown Bag (The New Brown Bag)
Brown Bag: A Bag Full of Sermons for Children
Captivating Childrens Sermons: Crafting Powerful, Practical Messages
Filling Up the Brown Bag (a children's sermon how-to book)

ASIN: 0829816356

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books