Reviews (6)

Onomasticians, a book for your library!
If you research the history and meaning of names AND use Gematria, your results will be exquisitive! You will need this book as an auxilary.
Incredible Book!
I would recommend this book to anyone. While reading it with a circle of friends, we realized that many of the descriptions attributed to each name were amazingly accurate, and some of my friends even admited that though certain descriptions came as a shock to us, they personally recognized it as part of their personality. Even if you don't believe in the deep meanings this book has to offer, it's always just fun to read with or without friends. as always, great job Rabbi Blech!

A beautiful resource for people looking for meaningful names
What I love about this book is that it does not just give you the simple meanings.It also gives a pasuk (a verse from the Torah) that applies to the name and give you the deeper meanings of the name and blessings associated with it.I used Your Name Is Your Blessing to help find a name for my second child.I have since lent it out many times.It seems to have disappeared, so now that I am expecting again, please G-d, I am buying it again because I enjoyed it so much last time.This is a very special baby naming book.It is one you will never regret buying.Confession: I even read it way after my child my born and named, simply because I enjoyed it so much. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baby Names    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Gematria    4. Jewish    5. Judaism    6. Judaism - General    7. Names, Personal    8. Religion    9. Personal names    10. Reference works    11. Religion / Judaism / General   

Reviews (35)

pretty good
Rise and fall of the mafia.Good history on the Gambinos and other mafia.Some typos and a clear violent book. Read the book it's pretty good. I had to use sticky yellow paper to write down notes and keep track of the story the book has lots of pages so you might get lost in the story.There's present and past stories that's why I got lost so I had use notes. Interesting book overall life of an outlaw.

Gambino Crime Family - Explained!
This book does more than only focusing on the Gambino Crime Family. It throws light on the history, rise, power, and decline of the big five crime families. Because, out of the five, Gambino Crime Family was the most powerful and organized, so it tells you in detail about the bosses of this family, which includes: Albert Anastasia, Carlo Gambino, Paul Castellano, and John Gotti. However, Vincent Mangano, who was the boss of the family before Anastasia, is ignored in this book, which is quiet strange, as he played the most important part in Gambino Crime Family for more than twenty years. Many reviewers have complained that Davis has given too much detail on Gotti, but I think it is because it was Gotti who gave the Gambino Crime Family the face we know.
Can't review just yet. Haven't read book
Have not read the book as yet. I am sure it will be very interesting. Australia is a long way and it takes some time for parcles to arrive. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. General    3. Sociology    4. True Crime / Espionage    5. Crime & criminology    6. Family history    7. Genealogy    8. True Crime / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Celebrities    5. Children    6. Children of celebrities    7. Children of the rich    8. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    9. Reference   

Reviews (7)

Good for the money
I hear this book is some kind of industry standard book for other musicians, and I enjoyed it. The cure for writer's block
Ever had writer's block?This book is the cure!Along with Davis' THE CRAFT OF LYRIC WRITING and SUCCESSFUL LYRIC WRITING, THE SONGWRITERS IDEA BOOK forms a brilliant trilogy that is essential for the person who wants to write lyrics.I'm rather surprised by reading some of the negative comments below.My guess is that those people merely leafed through the book without actually reading it.This book is NOT an easy read.It is not something that can be scanned.It must be read and studied very carefully.It is very important to understand part 2 of the book (pages 15 through 34) before moving ahead.This is the section wherein Davis analyzes the different types of the creative mind.In only a few short pages Davis introduces a lot of important concepts that need to be understood.The reader must take her tests and figure out which type he is.Then and only then is the book of value.I had to read part two several times before I really understood it.But once I had a firm grasp of those ideas, I found the book to be extremely valuable.Davis basically says that when one is blocked, that he needs to come at it from the other side of the brain.She then proceeds to give exercises that make it easy to access the unused part of the brain.While ostensibly for the lyricist, I think the principles can be adapted for any kind of writing.I think this is a great book and I am grateful to Sheila Davis for writing it.

Title is misleading
Pro: Excellent catalog of types of lyrics. Also good coverage of different elements that make hit songs. Read more

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Instruction & Study - Songwriting    3. Lyric writing (Popular music)    4. Music/Songbooks    5. Popular music    6. Reference    7. Writing Skills    8. Writing and publishing    9. Music / Reference    10. Musical scores, lyrics & libretti    11. Rhetoric   

Reviews (2)

Value depends on accepting the book's purpose
Page 1 of 'The Unabridged Pentium 4' (TUP4) claims 'there is real value in understanding how the architecture has grown over the years,' where the 'architecture' is the IA-32 register set, instruction set, and software exceptions.If you accept this premise, you will find TUP4 to be a valuable book.If you are looking for detail on the lowest-level of programming on IA-32, you should download Intel's free IA-32 Intel Architecture Software Developer s Manual.
Possibly a definitive manual of the P4?
Well should the title say Unabridged. It would not go nicely for you to drop this 1633 page tome on your feet!
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Subjects:  1. Computer Architecture    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Communications / Networking    5. Hardware - Personal Computers - PCs    6. Microprocessors    7. Networking - General    8. Pentium (Microprocessor)    9. Computer architecture & logic design    10. Computers / Hardware / Network Hardware   

Reviews (2)

J. Chrys Dougherty - early review
I haven't had time for more than a brief review of both volumes, but since our family from Derrylehan, Donegal, is descended from the O'Daughertaighs of Inshowen, this work is a treasure of infomation of which I have long known but now for the first time have had access to in an excellent translation.I have traced all references to the O'Dohertys in both volumes, but have not yet had time to trace the grandmother's McMahans of Fermanaugh. These books are a big help to anyone wanting to understand the culture of Ireland from the 11th to the 17th century.

First Ever English Translation of the Four Masters (1846)
A very impressive work, in 2 volumes, hardbound, with four color frontis and the almost forgotten original map of Irish Family locations.The fold out map is about 20 x 25 and is the best of the genre.The Annals by the Four Masters are perhaps the most noted source in Irish history and this was the first translation into English (1846).The formal text is complete from the 12th to the 17th century.In addition, the annotations cover Irish history from the earliest times. We have been waiting for this edition to be published !(note that Connellans translation preceeded that of O'Donovan.)Helpful index to the old map has been added for the first time.These Annals are in the English language.A few pages have some age markings on them from the original, and it remains a magnificent set of books.All in all, this is one of a kind, with a distinctive color frontis, some celtic lettering, and a map that has been out of print for over 150 years .If you have been waiting for the Annals as we have,Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Ireland    2. Genealogy    3. History    4. History: World   

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Reference   

Reviews (1)

Still scratching my head
After spending more than a week of trying to validate the information in Marianna Haun's latest book, I've come away less impressed by the whole X-factor theory than I was after reading the first book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals / Pets    2. Genealogy    3. Genetics    4. Heart    5. Horses - General    6. Pets    7. Race horses    8. Reference    9. Research    10. Size    11. X chromosome   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (39)

Our obligation as a White (at least I think I am. . .)
I began to read this book upon recommendation from my librarian. I became enthralled with it as a reader, yet felt that it was my duty as a citizen of the United States and a southerner to ingest it. Growing up in the SC and VA exposed me to an education in history that was white washed and I am angry about that. This book brought an understanding home to me of the African journey in a way that years of research hasn't. I appreciated the author's acknowledgement of his own discomfort.
Just as good, if not better, than Ball's book
Readers reluctant to read THE HAIRSTONS because of its similarity to Edward Ball's SLAVES IN THE FAMILY should not be dissuaded. In some ways, this is a better book.
Amazing story of shared history, forgiveness and reconciliation...
When Henry Wiencek was doing background work for a book on old houses, he visited a plantation home in North Carolina called Cooleemee.Cooleemee has been owned continuously by the Hairston family, and the present owner is Judge Peter W. Hairston.Wiencek asked Hairston if he knew of any descendents of Cooleemee slaves, and he was introduced to Squire Hairston.This chance encounter lead Wiencek on a seven year odyssey to discover the history of not just the white Hairston family, but the black Hairston's as well.The Hairstons: An American Family in Black and White is an incredibly fascinating book that reflects not just the history of one family, but the story of our nation.Fortunately for his readers, Wiencek writes this historical narrative to read like a novel.
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Subjects:  1. African American families    2. Biography    3. History    4. History: American    5. Slaveholders    6. Slavery    7. Slaves    8. Southern States    9. U.S. Local History - Southern States    10. United States - General    11. Black studies    12. Family history    13. Hairston family    14. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    15. USA   

Reviews (72)

Ranking the pillars of our world
To sit down and attempt to devise a list that limits the billions of human beings that have lived to a mere 100 as the most influential is quite a Herculian Task. However, Michael Hart has essestially succeded where many a writer could have failed. There's no question that a list of this magnitude is open to debate and disagreement indeed I myself question the ranking of some the historical figures on this list. For example, Beethoven at #45, Oliver Cromwell at #41, and Michelangelo at #50, though certainly impressive and accomplished in their fields, should not (IMO) be ranked higher than Henry Ford #91, Joseph Stalin #66, or William the Conqueror #68 all whom have had a much more profound impact/influence on history and western civilation. Certainly many will question his decision to rank the Muhammad as the most influential person who ever lived. However, once one reads his reasons it begins to shed light on why a man who lived nearly 1500 years ago influences our lives even today.Hart's explanation and reasoning for ranking these historical figures where he does is sensible, thought provoking, and well written. This is book is terrific read for anyone interested in learning about the men and women( though only 2 appear on the list Queens Elizabeth and Isabella)who have influenced and continue to influence our lives.

A BOOK THAT SHOULD BE REPUBLISHED
The 100 has been a life-changing book for me.It has "unlocked" history for me - allowed me to relate to it and retain information - like no other book I've read.
Jesus Christ Was the Most Influential Person Who Ever Lived

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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. History - General History    4. Reference    5. World - General    6. Dictionaries of biography (Who's Who)   

Reviews (19)

Looooved it!
Great, great book on the diva's of style. I will love and cherish it forever.I also go back sometimes and reference it to see how good-bad I'm doing.This is a must by!

a brilliant short history of self-invention
In 'The Power of Style,' writer Annette Tapert and Diana Edkins, then curator of photography at Conde Nast, have created a short history of self-invention --- specifically, the transformation of English, French and American women into society figures and "style icons." You may know nothing about most of these women except their names: Daisy Fellowes, Rita Lydig, Millicent Rogers, Pauline de Rothschild, Mona Bismarck, Elsie de Wolfe. Others you know mostly as auras: Diana Vreeland, Coco Chanel, the Duchess of Windsor and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Good. The less you know, the better.
When style WAS the only appropriate feminine power
This book showcases women who rose to public prominence through their individual style. Not all were born wealthy, not all were pretty but each of these women had an inner spirit and an outstanding sense of style that caught the eyes of the public (and of wealthy, influential men).
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    3. Biography    4. Celebrities    5. Fashion    6. General Biographical Works    7. Photo Essays    8. Photography    9. Subjects & Themes - Fashion    10. Women    11. Women - 20th Century History    12. Fashion design    13. Photography / Fashion   

Reviews (1)

Sweden unleashed
If you have any Swedish heritage (and a surprising number of Americans do), then look no further for an informative and practical reading experience about Sweden. It's all here: history, cultural references, highlights of different regions, and maps and old photographs that let you connect with the country-and your heritage.
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Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Reference    4. Sweden    5. Swedish Americans   

Reviews (3)

Good primer - - - I hope
I have to admit this book was a bit overwhelming for someone trying to get a handle on geneology, and just focusing on certain of his lineage without too many frills. This is not a criticism, however, since this book is supposed to be a reference book more than anything else, and the author is trying and succeeding in giving us as much information as she can.I did read it from cover to cover to get the lay of the land, and found it well-written, thorough, and careful in its exposition of the subject. It was recommended by the more general Geneology 101, and was a good follow-up. This book took 101 a step further in showing us how to take max advantage of the net and save some foot steps.
Perhaps the best thing available in this crowded field
Regular readers of my reviews (here and elsewhere) will know that I cast a chary eye on books that purport to introduce the reader to the miracle of "Internet genealogy." I've read and reviewed dozens of such titles from the viewpoint of a researcher of more than thirty years' experience (beginning in the days of spiral notebooks and 3x5 cards) who is also a thoroughly wired computer geek and a heavy user of the Internet. I have long maintained that online research is simply the (sometimes) more convenient continuance by other means of traditional, tried and true methods. There is no "royal road to genealogy," no universal database from which you can immediately download your entire lineage back to Adam. Most of the books I've seen fall into two categories: Introductions to traditional genealogy with a thin icing of information on genealogical software and Internet how-to, and "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Computers and the Internet"-type volumes that include specific genealogical applications as an afterthought. There are a few, like Elizabeth Powell Crowe's *Genealogy Online: Researching Your Roots* (1998), Matt Helm's *Genealogy Online for Dummies* (1998), and Pamela Hahn's *The Unofficial Guide to Online Genealogy* (2001), which actually are quite useful and are worth reading (though all three are inevitably becoming dated), but these are very much the exception. The rest are simply exercises in marketing.
Online Genealogy PLUS Great Techniques
This work is one of the first that seems to approach the use of the internet as a great tool, while still supporting and instructing standard research techniques. Easy to follow and loads of examples make this book a useful helper with my own family research. Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer network resources    2. Genealogy    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Internet    5. Internet - General    6. Internet resources    7. Reference    8. Reference / Genealogy   

Editorial Review

Along with millions of lives, the Holocaust stripped away the official recordsand family mementos that anchor personal histories. In 1989, after both the opening ofCzechoslovakia to the outside world and the death of her mother Frances, a concentration-camp survivor, journalist Helen Epstein made her first tentative efforts to uncover herown history. Armed only with a 12-page letter written by her mother, she retraced familyfootsteps from the provincial town of Brtnice to Vienna, where her great-grandmotherJosephine had killed herself in despair. In Prague, her spirited grandmother Pepi, who hadbeen orphaned at age 8 and left in poverty, rose from those ashes to run a fashionabledressmaking salon. Pepi married a man who repudiated Judaism so completely that theirdaughter Frances learned of her background only as the Nazis rose to power. Epstein'smeticulous research beautifully conjures the drama of their lives and times, carving outthe surrounding culture until these three women stand against it in stark relief. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

We should ALL know where we came from so well...
In WHERE SHE CAME FROM, Cambridge, Massachusetts-based award-winning author Helen Epstein has penned a meticulously-researched memoir to the four generations of Czech and former Czechoslovak women in her extensive family, from her mother's side of the brood.
A Wonderful Book for College Classes
Beautifully written, WHERE SHE CAME FROM is also the product of very serious and exhaustive research. It is a magical and haunting book. It brings alive a period of Jewish women's history that is only now being written about in English. Travelling through pre-Holocaust Central Europe with Epstein is an amazing experience: the reader follows both the process of investigation of family history and the emotions this opens up for the writer.
A Wonderful Read
This is a fascinating chronicle of three generations of the author's female ancestors. It is probably the only book in English that tells the story of Jewish women in Prague in the the first half of the twentieth century. Helen Epstein has a special talent for recreating social history and bringing it alive. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Children of Holocaust survivors    6. Czech Republic    7. Genealogy    8. Historical - General    9. Holocaust    10. Jews    11. Judaism - History    12. New York    13. New York (State)    14. Prague    15. Religious    16. Women    17. American English    18. Europe    19. Family history    20. Modern fiction   

Reviews (5)

John Grenham - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors
I live in Ireland and I bought this book about October, 2001. It's an updated version of the 1993 book. Having looked through many books in libraries, I found this to be the ultimate guide to Irish genealogy. I have succeeded in tracing my family back to the eighteenth century from information about parish records, census records etc, as John lists them so well. It gives details of sources county by county in chronological order. The church record listing is also excellent. This is definitely the Irish genealogy bible.

The modern "bible" for Irish research.
This handy paperback is the first place to start for Irish research. Written and designed to be used by researchers at all levels of experience
Tracing Your Irish Ancestors by professional Irish genealogist John Grenham is specifically written and designed to be used by researchers at all levels of experience, from the novice beginning to the seasoned professional. Organized into three major sections, Part 1 surveys the most basic genealogical sources for researching Irish ancestry; Part 2 provides a more advanced application of genealogical research project tools and resources; Part 3 is a reference guide to a comprehensive range of materials that include county source lists and church records. Also very highly recommended as a reference work for Irish-oriented genealogical researchers is the second edition of Brian Mitchell's A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland (080-6316845, $20.00).
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Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Ireland    4. Irish Americans    5. Reference   

Subjects:  1. Connecticut Valley    2. Deerfield (Mass.)    3. Genealogy    4. History    5. Indians of North America   

Reviews (2)

An excellent idea
The very fact of this encyclopedia's existence is an excellent idea. So far as I know there is no comparable encyclopedia in scope and quality of American- Jewish men. There of course should be. The short biographies that I read were well- written and informative.
An amazing project
This was an amazing bat mitzvah gift for my daughter (thanks Eve!) that was just in time to help her with her school report on Henrietta Szold.It is causing problems for me, however; this is the second night I'vestayed up late reading it, even though I need my sleep.On the other hand,I now know a lot more about Gilda Radner, Judy Blume, Letty CottinPogrebin, Golda Meir, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, Rosalyn Yalow, MollyPicon, Lilith (the magazine), Roseanne, how Jewish women are portayed ontelevision, Jewish women in popular fiction....This is an amzingproject, and a fantastic set of books.I highly recommend this set toanyone who is considering it enough to be reading this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Dictionaries    4. History    5. Jewish - General    6. Jewish women    7. Jews    8. Jews In The U.S.    9. Reference    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Women In The U.S.    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Women's Studies - History    15. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    16. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    17. American history: from c 1900 -    18. Jewish studies    19. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    20. Reference / General    21. Reference works    22. Social history    23. USA    24. Women's studies   

Reviews (11)

Family History Journal
This is a wonderful gift to leave your children.The questions are ones that you may not think to ask.When completed, you are leaving your children something that money can not buy.

DON'T WRITE IN THIS BOOK!!!!
Now that I've spent hours filling in much of this book, I'm appalled to notice that the pages are NOT ARCHIVAL QUALITY.A family keepsake on ACID-BASED PAPER that will disintegrate in a few years?What were the authors and publishers thinking?I mean besides how to make a bigger profit....

The greatest companion to have when starting your memories
For a couple of years now I have been reading books on preserving memories, geneology and the like.Some were too technical, others too scattered in their approach.Finally, I found these books by Bob Greene and D. G. Fulford.They are just the ticket for giving to family members to stimulate their recollections, as well as getting me started.I have lost several family members in the last few years.The ones who remain will be writing something their children will keep as precious due to these books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blank Books/Journals    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family Relationships    4. Genealogy    5. General    6. Reference    7. Family & Relationships / Family Relationships   

Reviews (3)

A Must Buy for Aspiring Genealogists
I have long been interested in taking the Accredited Genealogist Exam, but have been frustrated with the lack of specific material showing me how todo that.This fills that narrow niche.It has inspired me to prepare morefully for that exam.

Very Useful for Genealogists
This reference guide is recommended for those who wish to take the accreditation examination offered by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. It is also recommended for others who are doing professionalresearch.

Spend more wisely.
This book compiles information readily available for free.Read more

Subjects:  1. Careers - Other Specific Fields    2. Careers / Job Opportunities    3. Certification    4. Examinations, questions, etc    5. Family/Marriage    6. Genealogists    7. Genealogy    8. Reference