Review of In Our Humble Opinion: Car Talk's Click and Clack Rant and Rave (Paperback)

Sheesh, talk about pigeonholing actors into a genre, you folks are beingway to hard on the brothers here. Why are you upset that they think aboutother things besides cars? I guess they have a life and youdon't.

Incidently, I really did enjoy this book, lame jokes and all. If Iwant to hear their opinions on Ford Explorer transmissions and Chevy beinga rock, I'll turn up my public radio station and kick back. Or pick up oneof their other books that focus more on their "car show."

THISbook is something different -- it is part autobiography part politicalessay. It is a witty, intelligent take on life (from two different pointsof view, two for the price of one! Where else do you get a deal like that?)and the problems we face in America today. AND what to do about them. Theycover the predictable traffic laws of course, but also education andHollywood violence. And they even have the guts to disagree with eachother! Great book for the college student trying to find topics for aposition paper...

I recommend this book heartily, for anyone who isinterested in what really makes the Tappet brothers click and clack.

Product Description
"If you are a fan of the program, you'll love every page of this." (Baltimore Sun)

"Self-deprecating wit." (Publishers Weekly)

"Hitting on all cylinders, the brothers cover topics from Starbucks' ridiculous nomenclature...to UFOs to theories of education." (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

This madcap collection of original rants, raves, musings, and declarations from the hosts of "National Public Radio's most popular non-news show" (New York Times), addresses a variety of topics from politics and computer addiction to Hollywood and coffee culture in short, pithy, sometimes caustic-but always amusing-essays.

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Review of Unfinished Business: The 10 Most Important Issues Women Face TodayWith New Introduction (Paperback)

The book title is deceptive and often the focus veers way off womens issues (or maybe it takes the holistic view that all issues are womens issues).For example the chapter entitled Education is mostly about school vouchers and how each political party feels about those without any attempts to tie this in to the effect on women.If you are looking for different political takes on random issues, then you will be more satisfied than if you were looking for different political takes on womens issues (as the book title might suggest that it is about).It is about social support policies, which maybe because of stereotypes we think of as womens work.

So now it's established that this is more about party policies on social support in general than about women.Each chapter has a version written by Perry and a version written by Malveaux.Each gives their party's take on that issue and drops names of various policies and groups that are pushing those policies.At the end of each chapter is a list of activist organizations for the republican and the democrat sides of that issue.I liked having both takes lined up side by side and having names dropped so that I could maybe have a clue when I see something pop up later.The focus is very time specific, with what policies are in the works right now (in 2002), so the book won't age well.

A distraction for me were the copious typos through out the book.My favorite by far was "welfare deform" - a mispelling and not an ironic misnomer, used in the section on economic safety nets.It's as if a spell checker was run on the book, but an actual person didn't go over it before it was printed.I knew what they meant, but it was still distracting.

Overall, if you aren't into politics at all, then this contains a plethora of jumping off points.If you are more into politics and have researched any of the issues here, then the treatment is probably so brief that you will tend to not get much on that issue - this book is unlikely to change your mind.That said, no one knows that much about ALL issues (do they?), and this is a fast read, so it is worth the time to get that overview and those jumping off points.

Product Description
Women have made a lot of headway in society, but they need to continue to exercise their power and take action, say Dr. Julianne Malveaux and Deborah Perry. In this lively bestseller, they show us how, offering not only a spirited debate but a deeper understanding of the issues that affect our lives and futures, including:

Abortion € Crime € Work and Family € Equal Pay and Benefits € Education € Social Security and Welfare € The Economy € Race Matters € Foreign Policy € The Environment

Click Here to see more reviews about: Unfinished Business: The 10 Most Important Issues Women Face TodayWith New Introduction (Paperback)

Review of Unfinished Business: The 10 Most Important Issues Women Face TodayWith New Introduction (Paperback)

The book title is deceptive and often the focus veers way off womens issues (or maybe it takes the holistic view that all issues are womens issues).For example the chapter entitled Education is mostly about school vouchers and how each political party feels about those without any attempts to tie this in to the effect on women.If you are looking for different political takes on random issues, then you will be more satisfied than if you were looking for different political takes on womens issues (as the book title might suggest that it is about).It is about social support policies, which maybe because of stereotypes we think of as womens work.

So now it's established that this is more about party policies on social support in general than about women.Each chapter has a version written by Perry and a version written by Malveaux.Each gives their party's take on that issue and drops names of various policies and groups that are pushing those policies.At the end of each chapter is a list of activist organizations for the republican and the democrat sides of that issue.I liked having both takes lined up side by side and having names dropped so that I could maybe have a clue when I see something pop up later.The focus is very time specific, with what policies are in the works right now (in 2002), so the book won't age well.

A distraction for me were the copious typos through out the book.My favorite by far was "welfare deform" - a mispelling and not an ironic misnomer, used in the section on economic safety nets.It's as if a spell checker was run on the book, but an actual person didn't go over it before it was printed.I knew what they meant, but it was still distracting.

Overall, if you aren't into politics at all, then this contains a plethora of jumping off points.If you are more into politics and have researched any of the issues here, then the treatment is probably so brief that you will tend to not get much on that issue - this book is unlikely to change your mind.That said, no one knows that much about ALL issues (do they?), and this is a fast read, so it is worth the time to get that overview and those jumping off points.

Product Description
Women have made a lot of headway in society, but they need to continue to exercise their power and take action, say Dr. Julianne Malveaux and Deborah Perry. In this lively bestseller, they show us how, offering not only a spirited debate but a deeper understanding of the issues that affect our lives and futures, including:

Abortion € Crime € Work and Family € Equal Pay and Benefits € Education € Social Security and Welfare € The Economy € Race Matters € Foreign Policy € The Environment

Click Here to see more reviews about: Unfinished Business: The 10 Most Important Issues Women Face TodayWith New Introduction (Paperback)

Review of Gifted: 1,000 Gift Ideas for Everyone in Your Life (Paperback)

A fantastic resource for hundreds of "I never knew that was out there" gift ideas.The book is well organized into 30 chapters with gift ideas for teens, parents, kids, bosses, gay, mom to be, etc.Each suggestion is followed by a short description and a web site address.Every web site I went to was easy to find and easy to navigate (no "under construction" messages!)

Who knew you could buy a customized Rubik's cube with your photos on each side, Nesting dolls with your family painted on them, a tonsillectomy survivor kit, a bowling ball with Hello Kitty on it or a Jello shot kit.I certainly never knew these things were out there!There are dozens of "...of the month" ideas and lots of resources for customized items.

At best you'll find something that will leave everyone thinking you are a clever and imaginative gift giver.At worst you'll get a good laugh out of some of the ideas.


Product Description
1,000 gift ideas for everyone in your life-no matter what their type!

From a self-proclaimed shopaholic, Gifted identifies more than 20 different personalities-from The Curious Kid and The Sporty Adventurer to The Big Boss, The Quirky Pal, and The Sweet 16-and provides specific and original ideas for each one.The first gift guide to organize gift recipients according to personality type, Gifted:

- Provides essential shopping info, such as where to buy each gift online and how much they cost
- Inspires out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to gift ideas
- Presents unique services, stores, and products
- Introduces new and creative occasions for giftgiving, such as the Nouveau Divorcé, The Mommy-Any-Minute, and the Gay Hooray

About the Author
Sarah Weidman has been a producer and development executive in reality television at companies that include MTV, Sony Pictures Television, and the Style Network.She has been featured as the "Go-to Gift Guru" for KCBS News in Los Angeles.Ms. Weidman lives in Los Angeles and spends her free time on the hunt for the latest-and-greatest products and services.

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Review of Working for the Man: Inspiring and Subversive Projects for Residents of Cubicle Land (Paperback)

Any book that starts with the disclaimer "Doing some of the things in this book may get you fired. You've been warned" has to have some true gems inside. Buckle your seat belt, sit back in your cubicle and take in the numerous hints on how to be successful, in spite of "the man."

At first blush, you might think that everything in WORKING FOR THE MAN is geared toward the negative aspects of cubicle living. Not so. There are very funny sections here about surviving your boss's tirades, preparing for performance evaluations and many other tactics --- not just to survive but to flourish. On most pages there are small quotation boxes with a numbered rule. These are fun and easy to digest. "Rule 11: The shorter the message, the more trouble you're in. `Call me as soon as you get in' is bad. `See me' is really bad."

Boss case studies include the Could-You-Get-Me-A-Cup-of-Coffee (or bagel, etc. and never pay you back) Boss, the Change This One Thing (or two, or three, also known as the sea of red ink) Boss, the Reader of Pop Psychology Business Books Boss and of course the ever-popular It's 5 o'clock on Friday But I Really Need You to Get This Done Boss. Everyone can relate to at least one of these classifications.

Author Jeffrey Yamaguchi challenges his readers to be creative. Take, for example, the chapter on co-workers. Here you have the opportunity to complete individual scenarios, exactly as your mood suits you. In the chapter on "friendly competition" we are offered numerous opportunities to engage in activities that you do every day at work anyway, so why not make them fun? Some are riskier than others, so proceed with caution! The meetings pool and most emails in a day contests look like fun.

The absolute winning chapter is "Surreptitious Projects." You can get in some serious trouble, but they really are hysterical. "Truth in muffins: Set out a tray of muffins or doughnuts or bagels. Then, put a sign in front of the tray that says `For Upper Management Only.'" Or everyone's favorite: On the vending machine leave a message for the vending distributor to "please stock with those little bottles of Jack Daniels."

And "comments from a concerned coworker" are priceless: "Please stop leaving food out, even if it's wrapped and stored in your desk drawers. I am starting to see bugs. Sometimes my desk is completely covered in giant roaches. They seem to appear and then hide in the blink of an eye."

WORKING FOR THE MAN is a primer, a "must-have" for anyone working in corporate America who truly sees the humor (often preceded by frustration) in the sometimes frivolous work environment. To survive, we must rise above the trivialities of daily living. Now, to really live and thrive, try implementing some of these treasures! In the now-immortal words of Yamaguchi, "Don't get mad, get inspired."

--- Reviewed by Marge Fletcher

Product Description
A book for the subversive worker lurking in every cubicle-from the creator and author of 52 Projects.

For anyone frustrated with the soul-killing monotony of a nine-to-five job, this quirky collection helps beat the office blues, inspire creativity in seemingly dead-end situations, and preserve a bit of integrity in a conformist corporate culture. Learn how to:

- Survive long, boring meetings with breath-holding contests- Plot out a "sick day" calendar to maximize time off- Write your novel on company time- Create the most pro-worker cubicle to instill a false sense of your total commitment- Anonymously send your boss a Happy Secretary's Day bouquet

About the Author
Jeffrey Yamaguchi is the author of 52 Projects and the publisher of 52Projects.com, as well as the popular websites bookmouth.com, workingfortheman.com, and whatsyourproject.com

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Review of There's Still a Person in There: The Complete Guide to Treating and Coping with Alzheimer's (Paperback)

I work in a continuing care retirement community and I also have agrandmother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's almost 4 years ago.This isthe best book with the most current information I have read in a long time. I especially enjoyed reading the stories of how other caregivers havecoped with caring for their loved ones with this disease.People withelderly parents or grandparents would benefit greatly by reading this book. This disease has already claimed 4 million across America and in the next20 years will take over as many as 14 million.Very easy to understand andit offers some great general and detailed info on Alzheimer's disease.



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