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Reviews Written By: AKBV2C313MZY7

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	The ABS Diet: Get the Flat Stomach Everyone Wants - In Just 6 Weeks
	"Haven't I read this before?"	2009-09-05
Caveat: I haven't read the book. I HAVE reviewed the principles of this diet, however, on the Men's Health website. My initial reaction was that this seems to be a diet plan that was derived from the Oz / Roizen book, "You: On a Diet". So much of what this book recommends are the same as those that were outlined in very clear detail by Oz / Roizen, right down to the cheating and the use of nuts as an integral part of the program. I must also add that having "six-pack abs" is indeed a function of desirable genetics, and a lack of belly fat. This book should help with the latter, but only providence could help the former. Admittedly, this book promises to help you flatten your belly - now THAT almost everyone can do.
	The Abs Diet: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life
	"Haven't I read this before?"	2009-09-05
Caveat: I haven't read the book. I HAVE reviewed the principles of this diet, however, on the Men's Health website. My initial reaction was that this seems to be a diet plan that was derived from the Oz / Roizen book, "You: On a Diet". So much of what this book recommends are the same as those that were outlined in very clear detail by Oz / Roizen, right down to the cheating and the use of nuts as an integral part of the program. I must also add that having "six-pack abs" is indeed a function of desirable genetics, and a lack of belly fat. This book should help with the latter, but only providence could help the former. Admittedly, this book promises to help you flatten your belly - now THAT almost everyone can do.
	Landscaping With Tropical Plants
	"Designing Your Tropical Paradise"	2009-02-26
This book is one of the best books for planning and designing a tropical garden. If you live in USDA Zone 8 or higher you can make very good use of this book, though it also offers suggestions on how to achieve a tropical "effect" in colder zones as well. I grow many of the plants they suggest in my Pasadena, CA garden and have had great success with them. This book is especially useful in explaining the elements of a tropical landscape, contains a sampler of tropical plants for home gardens, and labels photographs fairly well (with the exception of one major gaffe - mislabeling a Strelizia reginae as a Banana - twice). Over all, this is a useful, well-written book for the home gardener.
	The Tropical Garden
	"Inspiration, Not Instruction"	2009-02-26
I have read this book and own it. It is one I revisit for its lush photographs and to remind me of my vision for my own garden. The work is rich with history and inspiring photos, however the subject tends to be large grounds and commercial developments. It is not intended to be instructional, nor does it really explain the design process when creating a tropical landscape. Some photos label plant materials used, while others just focus on landscape structures. It is worth owning, but is limited in its utility.
	Line of Beauty
	"Britain's most literary gay author"	2007-03-15
Others have written well of this book. I simply wanted to add that I think Hollinghurst in general fills a niche in the gay fiction genre, in that he is first and foremost a richly talented writer with acute observational skills, and intensely intimate introspective capabilities (forgive the alliteration). That said his writing is also hot. He unabashedly explores the sexual lives of his characters, which makes him exquisitely modern and insouciant. Straight women friends of mine have enjoyed his work as much as my gay male friends precisely for this quality. Seldom does an avid reader come away from a novel with such a sense of satisfaction and intellectual fulfillment. Alan if you read this - we are all waiting for more.
	Piano Stylings of the Great Standards (Piano Stylings of the Great Standards)
	"Beautiful Arrangements"	2006-03-02
Just a note about the pianist that might like this. These arrangements are great for people who are not quite at the point of being able to improvise independently as jazz pianists, but will give you many musical ideas toward that. Many of the arrangers are people you've never heard of, but the style in which they play like Dick Hyman (who has arranged and performed on several Woody Allen movies), you will recognize. I wouldn't recommend this book to a beginning player - the rhythms are too complex and some of the velocities might be difficult, but for the intermediate to advanced player, you will find challenge and enjoyment in the very rich and harmonically complex arrangements. Keep them coming Steinway!
	The Schools Our Children Deserve
	"The Other Side of No Child Left Behind (or untested)"	2005-08-07
Not only am I a teacher, but I am a product of the kind of public school for which Alfie Kohn advocates. We definitely and desperately need this voice in the debate over education. I fully approve of his regime. I was not a terrifically motivated kid, academically speaking, before entering Kindergarten, but during my elementary education grew to become a highly self-motivated and intense learner. I not only had projects and assignments at school (which included research papers and even some traditional math work), but was constantly engaged in projects at home (teaching myself French, extremely engrossed in geography, reading articles of interest from the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, and designing board games with highly complex probabilities.) Many of my classmates had similar experiences. My school was a public school in an unremarkable, middle-class suburb. Kohn's argument results in the kind of education I got up to 6th grade. We took the standardized tests, and did as well or better than neighboring schools on average. What's all the fear about? Read this book. If you are a parent or educator, you REALLY need to read this book.
	Rufus Wainwright - Poses [Bonus Track]
	"Approaches the Genius of Joni Mitchell"	2004-08-22
For the first time in a long time we have the opportunity to enjoy a singer-songwriter of great and lasting talent. Musically, Rufus Wainright draws from many traditions including Tin-Pan Alley, Pop, Musicals, Folk, and I am sure there will be more genres that he will explore. I think he is much more akin to a Joni Mitchell than a Randy Newman (actually, kind of an insulting comparison, in my opinion). His lyrics are clever and sensitive, and are not quite as offhand as they may first appear. They are importantly tied to his musical phrasing, as well - much more like Joni Mitchell compositions. To be sure, he is his own musician, and stands strongly on his own two feet. It is a bonus that we are given the gift of a major talent, who is gay and proud of it, but that his raison d'etre is not being a gay man, but being a great artist. Buy POSES. It is a remarkable achievement.
	Sun-Drenched Gardens: The Mediterranean Style
	"Defines the Aesthetic"	2004-02-26
This an important work for those concerned with garden design. There are many examples of the Mediterranean Style, with emphasis on French, Italian, and Californian interpretations. The volume is light on text and heavy on pictures (and they are of exceptional quality). At times, the captions neglect to inform the reader of the dominant plant's identity. This is a good introductory volume for the hobbyist and would be a valuable tool for designers to use with clients to clarify and illustrate the style. Great advocacy for use of drought tolerant plants.
	Funny Games
	"Very well directed / pointless violence"	2003-05-23
The two stars are for the directing. It is nicely filmed, and creative. That is all I can say that is even remotely redeeming about this film. The film reminded me of a 70's slasher movie called "The House by the Lake", in which the subject of domestic terror is explored. This film is excessively, physically and psychologically violent. It is gratuitous not in it's portrayal of gore, but in it's senseless portrayal of human evil and base cruelty. Perhaps this is the point of the film, and if so, it is a point best left unmade. Clearly, the television news illustrates this for us on a daily basis. If I were to categorize this film for an unsuspecting viewer, I would call it a Suspense / Horror film. Basically, you would then understand what you are getting into. For it's genre (strictly speaking: Suspense / Horror), it is very unique and interesting, causing the viewer to question their desire to watch such films. Otherwise, stay away. Very disturbing and unnecessary.
	Virtual Resort: Spring Break
	"Worth the price"	2003-04-21
This is a nicely designed, easy to manipulate, sim/tycoon game. The graphics are good, and it has a low learning curve. Of course, these kinds of games are not for people who like action or shooters, so just know that there are no real "disasters" or anything. I got tired of the limited number and type of items I could place, and would have liked to have seen a sort of "shop generator" or something to really customize it. You can't even change the colors on the buildings to create a theme or atmosphere. Overall, though, it is worth the price, and will provide you with several hours of enjoyment. It is fun to go back to after you have sort of played it out, and just see what kinds of layouts you can create. Happy gaming!
	Monopoly Tycoon
	"Monopoly Tycoon is a misleading title"	2003-04-06
The game works like this: You are given ever increasingly difficult goals (eg. make x amount of dollars by the end of three years) and you build up your ability level. Sort of. It is more of a mission-driven game than a classic tycoon game, which is why I think the title is misleading. So my critique is: It is not really a tycoon / simulation game at all. You do not get to keep the properties you build up, though you do get to pick the colors, style, and quality of the buildings - which is a little pointless given that you lose the buildings at the end of the level. The game should be cumulative - the board game certainly is. The game does have good graphics, but I find that they only mask an uncomplicated and boring game. It is really unimaginitive, and doesn't inspire creativity at all. Other tycoon games are a better bet, and I would recommend Railroad Tycoon, Roller Coaster Tycoon, or possibly Maximum Capacity: Hotel Giant, for something truly challenging and engrossing.
	Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2003: The Travel Skills Handbook for Independent Travelers
	"A great resource needed only once . . ."	2002-11-18
I find that Europe Through the Back Door is an excellent resource for the novice traveler. It is particularly geared toward younger people, and those on a tight budget. It is useful for learning the basics of independent travel in Europe(washing your clothes in the sink), while many of his observations are useful elsewhere (Mexico, South America). Mr. Steves has been criticized for divulging several of his "Back Doors", or secret corners of less discovered Europe, and thus ruining them. He admits this in not so many words, but continues to publish them anyway, indeed his whole series is built on this practice. My advice is to avoid his recommendations lest you find yourself in a small Portuguese beach town with 400 other Canadians / Americans clutching ETTBD to their breast. If you really want a "Back Door" experience, go to the towns that guidebooks describe as "ugly" or "not much to see". There may not be the plethora of museums and attractions, but you will find a quiet, out-of-the-way cafe in these places, and an opportunity to rub elbows with the locals. Sardinia comes to mind, but I won't say which towns. This criticism aside, I recommend this book for it's practical advice, but you need not buy it every year, since it is rarely updated in full. The major updates have traditionally been in the section on his "Back Doors", which as stated, I would avoid.