Average customer rating:
- MOVING THE CHILD FROM RETREAT TO ENGAGEMENT
- A critical piece, but not the only piece of the puzzle.
- Do the program, ignore the propaganda
- A nice component, might not be a comprehensive treatment approach
- Great method, BUT....
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Autism Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle--A New Developmental Program that Opens the Door to Lifelong Social and Emotional Growth
Steven E. Gutstein
Manufacturer: Future Horizons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Interpersonal Relations
| Relationships
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Autism & Asperger's Syndrome
| Children's Health
| Personal Health
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Special Needs Children
| Children's Health
| Personal Health
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Family Health
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Special Needs
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
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Engaging Autism: Helping Children Relate, Communicate and Think with the DIR Floortime Approach
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Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communications Problems
Accessories:
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Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
ASIN: 1885477708 |
Book Description
A practicing psychologist offers a new approach to developing social skills and relationships in children diagnosed with autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Gutstein describes ways to steer these children onto a bright new path of self discovery and social awareness, one that will ultimately bring them home to meaningful friendships, shared emotions and heartfelt connection with the people in their lives.
Customer Reviews:
MOVING THE CHILD FROM RETREAT TO ENGAGEMENT.......2007-10-14
RDI enables the child to move from the self-imposed safety of a static system of his/her own making to engagement in the fluid world at large. The steps are based on the developmental stages of a normal childs venturing into world while he/she looks to the caregiver for support and referencing. The child on the autism spectrum ventures out until the world becomes confusing and chaotic and because he/she does not look back at the caregiver for a broadening understanding becomes overwhelmed and retreats into stimms or idiosyncratic habits to create a static, safe or predicatable environment. The child looks odd as he/she is not engaged in the fluidity life. The words static and fluid or big with RDI as the idea is the child is constantly controlling his/her environment to block out anything which might change the order they seek. The step by step process of RDI is a very optimistic idea in action as it can be used with a 2 year old or an older more entrenched Aspergers child with defined obsessions for example - basically it doesn't matter the treatment begins with breaking into the child's stimm or obsessions in a playful fashion to make them used to the interruptions of their solo activities. This is pretreatment then the program moves through levels based on developmental stages. Level 1 for example is about co-ordination and self referencing with the care giver and the child is never allowed to move forward without the caregiver right there step by step - this is a back and forth relationship play level, based on facial gazing for information - infact avoiding language at this stage is very important as the child should learn to read anothers face at this point the caregiver says "I need to see your words" - once the child has mastered back and forth - gaze reading and shared joint attention it progresses to shared novel interactions that involve spontanity, a higher level of emotional attunement and fluidity. The goal is for the child to become an initiator and to become adept at keeping co-ordination when actions and reactions grow more complicated. I believe this program is a neccessary component to any intensive program with developmentally disabled children as ABA only goes so far - ABA is great at working with these kids excellent memories to teach rote skills - but it does not provide for the rich experience of life which can not be predicted and which gives life meaning. Lynn Koegal at UCSB discovered looking back over her 20 years of videos that the kids who really mainstreamed indistinguishable from typical peers and became independent adults had self-initiation skills and this is the ultimate outcome of RDI. That they learn through referencing the other, where the self is in the relationship, and the payoff is equally enjoying what they can add or initiate in relationships.
A critical piece, but not the only piece of the puzzle........2007-08-27
I was given this book by another parent whose son has autism, and my son has a preliminary diagnosis of PDD-NOS. While I do agree that an important part of the missing piece for specturm children has to do with their inability to read and respond to the emotional and social cues of their peers, I have my doubts as to whether or not that certain "piece" is the most critical and primary component of autism that needs to be adressed first and primarily in order to begin the process of recovery. Frankly, I am dubious of any therapy that requires parents to spend $3,000 on a four day seminar before they can purchase more therapy, which will likely have to be paid for out of pocket. I find that the RDI's official websites use of guilt and fear in goading parents out of their precious resources is not only irresponsible, but generally reprehensable as well. When I hear something like recovery, or hope for you child's fullest potential, initially comes with a three-thousand dollar cash outlay plus the cost of travel and hotel accomodations, so that someone can tell me over the course of four days, that my son has a deficit when it comes to socialization, I immediately become suspicious. Buyer's beware I say: when therapists have our children's best interest at heart, they never use guilt or fear to get parents into their offices so that treatment and help can begin to lighten the already heavy load of caring for a child with autisim spectrum disorders.
Do the program, ignore the propaganda.......2006-09-18
If you're a parent looking into treatment options, then I most definitely recommend this book as a part of your treatment program. It's one of the few 'step by step' approaches to teaching social skills out there, and it seems to make sense.
Unfortunately RDI falls into the "Just use us, we want to be the only game in town!" mentality that so many treatment approaches do. If you explore RDI further (i.e., decide to do a conference or consultation after reading this book), you may be told that:
- Your ABA program is making your child "more autistic", even though they appear to be getting better this is only a short term illusion, underneath it all they are getting more autistic. (Despite research that indicates the exact opposite).
- Language fundamentals (i.e., asking questions, following directions, speaking in sentences using correct grammar, using description) are not a core defecit of autism (despite the fact that the DSM-V lists language delay as a diagnostic criteria for autism) and so they are not targeted.
- The child's age when they begin treatment isn't important, the birth to five time frame for early intervention is arbitrary (again, despite huge research to the contrary - children certainly make progress later in life but a correlation with stronger progress with earlier intervention has certainly been established).
- You do not need to work on teaching your child language skills (i.e., vocabulary, pronouns, categories, concept words, sentence/narrative formation), they will just 'get' all of this if they do RDI, even though RDI doesn't specifically target these skills.
This is some of the information that was presented when I went to an RDI conference and checked out their website, from Dr. Gutstein himself. So I recommend this program to parents with a warning - keep your common sense. Do not fire your speech therapist or your verbal behavior consultant if you're happy with these programs and you think they are working. I like RDI, I think it's a great program and worth doing, but some of the information they are passing along to parents as 'fact' seem more like their own theories that do not appear to be consistently supported by research.
A nice component, might not be a comprehensive treatment approach.......2006-08-28
For those of you who like to skim, my 'nutshell' review of RDI: It's a great program for social skills and joint attention. It's not a complete program for an autistic child. Now for the wordy version...
The negatives of RDI are, in my opinion, not within the program itself but in what this program claims to do. RDI wants to be a core treatment approach for remediating autism, when it doesn't appear to be nearly comprehensive enough to accomplish this. If you take a look at the most common autism remediation approaches (currently, these are mostly ABA based) you'll see that they contain instruction for language, fine and gross motor skills, self help skills, reading, visual processing...the list goes on. RDI ONLY targets what it considers to be the 'core' deficits in autism, largely things such as relatedness to others, ability to cope with and pay attention to new stimuli, and the ability to adapt quickly to a changing environment. This is good stuff, but the program seems to operate on the premise that the other skills will just fall into place if you target the 'core' skills, or that if the child has other issues (i.e., receptive language or reading delays) that these are not 'really' autism, they are a co-existing condition that the child has in ADDITION to the autism and I guess you find another program to target them. A good example to highlight this is language...RDI says that since 85% of autistic children develop language on their own, this is not a true core deficit in autism. Personally, I could not disagree more. True, some language may develop, but that does not mean it matures to a level commensurate with the child's intelligence. Difficulties with 'concept' words, complex sentence structure, narrative formation, verbal reasoning and auditory processing remain present in many autistic children. The fact that not 100% of them have this issue doesn't mean it should be discounted - not 100% of people with OCD have compulsions with their obsessions, but this doesn't mean compulsions aren't central to the disorder.
RDI also presents rather alarming information on its website and at seminars about the supposedly dismal fate of autistic children who 'only' achieve a high IQ and normal school placement (reading between the lines here, this is a criticism of ABA, which often uses these as evidence of its success), saying that only 3% of children with normal IQ and school placement will live independently according to some surveys. The problem is we're comparing apples to oranges here - the children from the actual ABA studies aren't being looked at (and it's my understanding that the follow-up studies from the original Lovaas study were very positive), rather, we're assuming that those children are commensurate with other autistic children with a normal IQ, who may never have received treatment at all.
After that little rant, let me say that I actually do like RDI a great deal, as a COMPONENT of a treatment program. There are some things that cannot be taught in drill form, and conversation, reciprocity, and social language are among them. You can sit a child down at a table and teach them adjectives. You cannot sit a child down at a table and teach them how to share their joy and opinions, how to make observations about the world around them, how to want to interact (and I mean truley interact for interactions sake, not play along so long as the activity is somehow inherently rewarding to them). RDI centers everything around interactive social activities that are, for me at least, the 'missing piece' in many behavioral programs. Another very, very important component of RDI is the development of joint attention, which some research suggests is one of the most important factors in a child's prognosis and yet is extremely difficult to work on in a practical way. RDI does a wonderful job of working on this and I think this alone probably makes a huge difference for many kids.
My bottom line: I would use this for a child I thought had advanced beyond ABA, or as a part of another, more comprehensive (not necessarily ABA, but a teaching-based) program for a child who still had language, academic, or motor needs.
Great method, BUT...........2006-07-10
RDI is a self-proclaimed deficit-based approach, meaning it attempts to remedy the core difficulties in disorders such as autism. Many methods such as ABA, on the other hand, are based around teaching specific skills. For example, an ABA program might involve sitting a child down and teaching them 10 new vocabulary words, whereas an RDI program might focus on teaching children to attend to their parents speech and actions so that new vocabulary is learned naturally (yes, that is a much simplified explanation, but a general overview for anyone unfamiliar).
All of this is great, backed by a growing body of research, and seems highly practical and useful, BUT, there is one word of caution I'd like to throw in here. Consider this analogy...what if this book were about working with children born with physical disorders such as cerebral palsy? A method to treat the root causes of CP would be great, true. But without advanced medical technology, how likely would it be that a therapy method alone would cure all children with this disorder, leave them entirely able to walk, talk, and move with no trouble? How practical would it be, then, to rely entirely on a method that goes at the root cause WITHOUT looking into alternative methods and adaptive equipment to help kids with CP eat, dress themselves, move around, and communicate, in the event that therapy alone did not cure them and take care of all of these issues?
This is what I wonder about RDI vs. ABA and Floortime (which has recently added an intensive language-teaching curriculum based around specific language skills). Suppose that not all children are 100% remediated (which even the most enthusiastic proponents would probably agree is unrealistic), and that they do not all learn to pick up information through the usual channels? At this point, isn't some specialized teaching needed for specific skills? Unfortunately RDI has recently dissociated itself from ABA but I think these two approaches represent two ends of a spectrum...the degree to which you think you can change a child and eliminate their deficits vs. the degree to which you adapt your teaching to their special needs. For most children, there will need to be a balance between these two approaches.
Another thing I wondered about while reading the book was whether or not remediating social deficits would necessarily result in increased sociability. I'm not saying it will or will not, but am quite curious. I am not on the autistic spectrum and have the full range of social skills expected of a 'neurotypical' person as described in this book, and yet I'm still a very solitary creature. It's not a matter of not understanding how to socialize, but a matter of inherent motivation. I wonder, can this be created in people by teaching them HOW to socialize, or is it like me and golf...I know how to play it, sure, but that doesn't mean I care to.
Overall, I like this method and I'm excited to see this fresh wave of thought in the field of autism treatment. I just wish that all of the various therapy programs out there would start to play nicely and realize that none of them have all the answers, as it seems the best approach is an eclectic one.
Book Description
Journey to the Vastness of Your True Being
Once you've experienced the power of the present moment, what's next? Eckhart Tolle, who ignited a spiritual awakening in the West with his best-selling The Power of Now (New World Library, 1999), invites listeners to join him on a path that takes us even further into the profound experience of pure presence. Through the Open Door is Eckhart's highly anticipated return to audio, featuring new teachings on: • Achieving "Space Consciousness"—learning to focus on the underlying field from which all forms and thoughts arise • Refining your alertness to become alive and present with every cell of your body • The illusions that lead to suffering, spiritual longing, and the need for more time in our lives—and how to dispel them • How to discover "true liberation" beyond the limits of the thinking mind and the "little self," and more. Eckhart's listeners often report that they play his recordings time and again in order to experience his unique ability to transport them to a state of awakened consciousness. Now, the legions of fans who turn to this modern spiritual beacon for guidance are invited to follow him Through the Open Door—into "a new world of vast aliveness."
Customer Reviews:
Visiting the Now.......2007-10-01
I read The Power of Now The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment a number of years ago, but was recently drawn back to Tolle's work during a major change in my life. I was yearning for peace, and center, and stillness. In addition to re-reading the book, I discovered this CD. His voice and teachings, so clearly presented here, were soothing to my jangled, overwhelmed nervous system. I've never heard him speak in person, but I felt the power of his presence as he helped me re-tune into my own presence, and (of course) the Present. I will be keeping this CD handy for those all-too-frequent times when I need help being in the Now.
The Door Is Always Open.......2007-08-07
I have read and listened to Eckhart Tolle for several years. For me, these two CD's were a welcome reminder and a further invitation to step into Being and Stillness, which requires no step at all. Listening to Eckhart's voice becomes a meditation in itself. His use of language is direct, simple, effective, and with a twist of unexpected humor!
It will always be worth my Time.......2007-07-29
I can only speak for myself. Open door has and is a very positive tool to what I need in terms of my spirituality. I recommend it to those who are seriously, sincerely in the path. Enjoy!
This is a live workshop.......2007-07-10
I did not see this anywhere in the description, so was unhappy to discover when playing the first time, this is a live workshop recording. I tried to be okay with that, give it a chance, but it lost me nearly immediately. In listening, I nearly jumped out of my chair when a lot of unexpected laughter leapt out at me. Not very peaceful, the effect I was seeking.
Ekhart's voice is slower than on other recordings. Being live, one gets to hear the audience laughing, coughing and making the usual audience noises. Combined with his slower-than-usual voice, it was impossible to enjoy. Had I known it was a live recording, I never would have purchased it.
Tolle at his best.......2007-02-16
Well, yes...it may seem like the same old message and yet it seems we must hear it thousands of times before we GET it. That has certainly been the case for me, my "unconsciousness" being the hardest habit to break.
Tolle makes the truth utterly entertaining in his own open style.
One review here has mentioned not being able to conceive moving beyond what we call "thought". Tolle points out here (and in his book "The New Earth") that we are not thinking at all, but running habituated tapes in our minds. The place called "Being" is the true place of thought...ever new, fresh, creative, and NOW. If you are compulsively "thinking" about past or future, believe me you are not Being. Tolle points out the difference...as it seems we equate our compulsive neurotic thoughts with "intelligence". Not so, as I can say from being in both places (if only I could be in the Being place always!).
Is Being a place where you can function practically in the world? You bet your boots it is, and so much more. However, it is an unconceiveable place for your ego to entertain. The only place to recieve this GRACE is beyond ego, which is beyond thought. The interesting thing is...
going to the place of Being is something I remember from childhood...and other times when I have been so absorbed in the moment (doing something like art) I moved beyond the endless analytical mind. Truly a "mind vacation"! And it has an unmistakeable familiarity. I know this is THE REAL ME, covered up by ego crapola.
Anyone who enjoys AH Almaas and The Diamond approach will feel a familiar message here in "Essence" and the "Diamond Mind/Heart".
These 2 masters speak of the same place which is available to all, and indeed our natural birthright. One need not be "enlightened" to experience what Tolle is describing. Experiencing Being IS THE ENLIGHTENMENT. Check your ego at the door and find the vast possibilities within. It is within your reach if you want it bad enough! I'm afraid a burning desire is required...and nothing less.
Book Description
When a loved one dies, most of us assume the door to communication with that person has closed, and all we are left with are memories. Yet, in this profoundly inspiring book, Jeffrey A. Wands, rising star of the medium world, offers a different perception, one that suggests that a unique if not incredible form of contact has opened.
Another Door Opens takes readers on a dramatic tour of the beyond that will change them forever. Writing in his trademark conversational style, Jeffrey A. Wands gives us an entirely new definition of death and, most interestingly, the opportunities it presents. By recounting real-life stories of those who've used Wands' psychic ability to reach their loved ones in the beyond, this book offers intense and unforgettable examples of how the wisdom of the dead has helped change and enrich the lives of the living. The result is a book that shows readers how to keep the door open to those who've passed through to the other side -- and how to use that connection to open doors in their own experiences.
In his unique voice Jeffrey A. Wands delivers an awe inspiring and deeply moving reading experience and brings new insights to our continuing relation-ship with those in the world of spirit.
Customer Reviews:
Insightful reading.......2007-09-27
I've enjoyed reading both of Jeffrey's books. There is a sincerity and honesty that is presented in earnest for critics and colleagues alike. I have seen Jeffrey in person, on television and listened to his radio shows for many years..., IMO, his accuracy in retrieving information is unrivaled in all but the fewest of psychic circles.
BOR-RING.......2007-09-26
I've hung-out with this guy. He is about as psychic as my cat is. Not very bright... repeats the same limited vocabulary over and over. Don't waste your time or money. He has NO more knowledge about any of this than You do.
Great Read.......2007-08-31
The narration by Jeffrey Wands in this book is so flowing and smooth. It's as if you are sitting along side and he is talking to you. He explains many questions about who he is and how his abilities work. I recommend this book if you have any interest at all in the spirit world and how the spirits work.
Helped me Tremendously!.......2007-08-20
I really enjoyed this book immensely. I have had much death in my life and this book has helped me to look at these deaths in another light. Thanks.
Book.......2007-05-07
I did'nt care for this book. I felt like the author was trying to hard to convince readers that he has psychic abilites.
Book Description
The updated and expanded 2002-2003 12th edition of the New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica offers invaluable assistance to anyone looking for a safe, affordable place to live outside the United States. This useful book contains all the ins and outs and dos and dont's and much more indispensible secret insider information about all areas of living in Costa Rica. It guides you step by step and shows how to live on a budget; how to start a business and includes 100s of sure-fire tips for making money; how to stay busy and happy ; where to; live in Costa Rica; how to aquire residency; shortcuts for learning Spanish; how to take advantage of the many tax savings for foreign residents(make up to $80,000 a year tax free), how to find high-interest investments paying 13% or more annually; how to make the break from the rat race and start a new exciting life; and even how and where to find quality peo!ple for companionship. -
Customer Reviews:
Truly a "Golden Door" .......2007-07-31
For many years Costa Rica has attracted Americans who live there for all or part of the year. Many of the ones I've spoken with say that Christopher Howard's book made the transition much, much easier. This new edition is especially helpful. It takes readers step by step through the process of finding real estate and also explains how to have fun - sunning on beautiful beaches, swimming in the ocean, playing golf or just hanging out with the neighbors. Costa Rica has excellent but low-cost medical care, and Howard's book tells readers how to find it. The book is indeed a "Golden Door."
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!.......2007-06-19
Christopher Howard is clearly the leading expert on Costa Rica retirement and living. He does all the research for you and gives you all the facts and information you need to make your trip a big success! These nuggets of wisdom can come only from someone who has lived in Costa Rica for nearly two decades and loves his work. Each new edition just keeps getting better and better. After you treat yourself to this masterpiece, you may want to take one of Mr. Howard's tours. If you do, you'll save much time and money in the process. You'll soon value him as a good friend as well as an amazing writer!
THE DOOR IS NOT SO GOLDEN.......2007-04-01
My wife and I read Christopher Howard's book (2X each), and found that it is overly commercial (with local CR advertising), poorly organized, has an over-emphasis on purchasing property and housing in Costa Rica without prioritizing renting first to see if you can, as an ex-pat, handle living in the culture of a foreign country. Howard's claim that you can "Live for less than you ever dreamed possible and enjoy all of the amenities of home." is vague and misleading, albeit repetitiously stated by most promoters of Costa Rica from authors to list-owners on CR blogs. Howard's claim that "Central Valley...Decent affordable housing ranges from $50,000 to $100,00..." is more often than not in "Gringoville" areas. American-built and developed housing is definitely emphasized. Tico neighborhoods are not. In fact, the statement that CR is such a cheap place to live is a plainly false, and unfortunately, a myth that represents most of what makes up Costa Rica today. The fact is that CR is fast losing it's luster (which it certainly once had) for being a lower cost of living country compared to the US. Americanized Housing and property developments are going up almost daily, promoted mostly by Americans and the prices are increasing all of the time. In areas like Escazu, Santa Ana, San Rafael, Tamarindo and many others, prices often exceed property values in the US. These "Gringoville" areas are promoted by Howard. Alternatively, what happened to the small 2 bedroom 1 bath or 2 bath houses in a middle class Tico neighborhood? These little homes are rich with Tico culture and are often safer crime-wise than the American, gated enclaves. Many Tico houses are well built and established with beautiful yards, plants and flowers.
Howard's book has good points. There are valuable listings in the midst of of the commercial advertising. Information about immigration and legal matters for obtaining residency is overly simplified, but certainly worth reading. The book is good, it's got a lot in it, but if you plan to live in Costa Rica, you need to read more. You need to get the skinny on the real Costa Rica which is the land of Ticos and not Americans.
Very Helpful.......2007-03-16
Not sure if we're ready to move to Costa Rica yet, but the book sure gives us lots of "food for thought." It covers lots of subjects that a person wouldn't normally think of.
Good info, but poorly written.......2007-02-22
There was a lot of great information in this book, but the grammatical and spelling errors got a little annoying. Every second or third page had an error of some sort. There were also quite a few ads in the book...didn't bother me too much, but some people may be annoyed by it.
Book Description
"A collection of chilling stories...eerily believable and truly spooky...very strongly recommended..."--Midwest Book Review
Most people think of ghosts as rare, elusive creatures that are more or less inaccessible to the average Joe. Sure, we read about them, watch TV shows about them and tell stories about them, but we'll probably never run into one--right? Don't be so sure. Even if you've never personally encountered a ghost, chances are you know someone who has.
The Ghost Next Door takes a revealing look into the lives of average, everyday people from across the country who have had experiences in the realm of the unexplained. Whether you're a true believer in ghosts or a hard-nosed skeptic, you're sure to get a chill or two when you read about the woman who was visited by her grandfather...on the night of his funeral! Or the man who was forced to move by a troublesome spirit...only to find it had followed him!
As you make your way through these and other genuinely spooky stories, you'll probably find that ghostly encounters are a lot more common than you had imagined. Could there be a "haunted house" in your town? Perhaps on your very street? Maybe even right next door?
Customer Reviews:
Not as scary as you would think. .......2007-09-16
This book was a nice collection of short stories, but not as scary as you would think it would be. The reviews make is seem hard to put down. But it wasn't hard at all. There were one or two stories that were creepy. But as a whole, I was dissapointed. I didn't like the way that the author presented the stories either. It was confusing. He didn't introduce the person he got the story from well. His comments on each story, written in italics, and with too many ellipsis marks were overdone...
I don't need to have the author's voice try to scare me as I read. If it is a good story, it will do that naturally. I wouldn't label this book as a waste of money, because it goes on my shelf with the rest of my collection.
Very Interesting Reading.......2007-04-18
This is one of the better books I have read on the subject of Ghosts! It is kinda creepy, and facinating and will keep you interested till the last page.
Oh, but it IS creepy!.......2006-06-20
I have to say that I really enjoyed this title. A bit short, yes, but quality writing. And for me, it's more about quality than quantity. I'd rather have a concise book that is interesting and well-written than a Bible-sized book that's stuffed with poor writing and dry information stripped from some internet site.
One reviewer states that the "creepiness factor" of this book pales in comparison to books by King or Straub. Obviously, somebody needs to point out to that reviewer that King and Straub write FICTION. This book is about REAL occurrences. And, actually, I found parts of this book to be QUITE creepy, especially given that these things actually happened.
The Ghost Next Door is recommended reading by yours truly.
Average but entertaining.......2006-04-28
No one need worry about reading this book alone in the middle of a stormy night. This is an average but entertaining book, and nothing much beyond a "creepy feeling" occurs in it. Unlike the macabre stories of a King or a Staub where a bump in the night is sure to leave you hiding under the bedcovers or calling your best friend for the reassuring sound of a familiar voice, this book is a collection of the strange events that most of us have had in the course of our lives. There is probably no one who hasn't had some sort of run-in with the unexplainable, something that reminds one of the familiar tales told around the camp fire on family outings or scout jamborees. Most of them are of strange sounds at unusual times of day, doors that open when they shouldn't be able to, or lights that go on or off without the assistance of a human hand. It is primarily this simple type of story that rings as true and strikes a familiar tone. An interesting book and one that will reassure the reader that they aren't "the only one" to have such experiences.
As for the why of this phenomenon, read Beyond Coincidence by Martin Plimmer).
Great easy read whether you believe or not........2006-02-25
I am pretty agnostic as to the existence of ghosts, but I enjoy reading people's accounts of encounters. This book is a very easy read. It is no literary masterpiece--it reads more like an unedited diary of other people's oral histories--but it is entertaining. I like to read one or two of the stories at a time as a nice, brief break.
Book Description
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Subject: This Book
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Customer Reviews:
Great Light Summer Reading.......2007-09-10
Absolutly delightful! Im a huge fan of Meg Cabots to begin with, I grew up with the Princess Diaries and she never seems to disappoint. I could not put it down, I found the story line exciting and the way the book was written though emails was absolutly amazing! If you like light hearted romance with a little bit of a twist to it then I most definatly sugguest picking this one up!
Predictable, silly, a waste of time.......2007-08-16
The Boy Next Door is just another chick-lit novel, a genre I am not a fan of, but I wanted to read something light and romantic for a change. The only thing that separates this book from many, many other similar novels is that it's written entirely as emails sent between the main characters. It is an annoying gimmick, but the author does a fair job of making it work, despite the fact that most people would (hopefully) never dish about their sex life using their company email address. This book is completely predictable and pretty much a complete waste of time. Cabot should stick to writing Young Adult novels. If you want a QUALITY romantic read, I recommend either Bridget Jones Diary or Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
The best "airplane" read ever..........2007-08-13
I read this book during two three hour flights (while entertaining my five year old son!). It was really an enjoyable, light book. The style of the book (written all in emails) allowed for multiple points of view from each of the characters (even minor ones). I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Very Funny!
Cute, light "dessert" kind of read.......2007-06-12
Ok so it's not Tolstoy or anything but I thought it was fun! I liked the idea of the whole book being written through office emails, though it was a little hard to keep track of who was writing what email sometimes lol. The storyline of a character falling in love under the guise of a false identity has been done a thousand times over but this was a refreshing take on the old idea.
The romance was fun to watch develop and I loved the little arguements back and forth between all the friends but as far as the "conflict" part of the story, I thought the girl overreacted JUST a wee bit lol and I was disappointed to see the cliche romance ending on something that was so seemingly original in thought but there were some laugh out loud parts and like I said, it is a nice "dessert course" read to take in between more heavier tomes.
different yet fun.......2007-06-02
i didn't know the whole book will be based on e mails. I was a little bit skeptical about it but i''ve read queen of babble and i love it. so i gave it a chance and i thought it this book was cute, fun and enjoyable. some of the e-mails were really long and i thought wow if i have to write that long i rather call the person myself. But hey its the new century email is the way to communicate nowadays. I really like the book and i enjoy it very much.
Product Description
This book was written by the Boy Scouts founder, Dan Beard, with his wife, Lena and daughter, Adelia. Birds of All Kinds is one of the many "edu-tainment" books that Channel Craft carries. Being an "edu-tainment" item means that it provides a combination of educational information in a format and composition style that is entertaining for young readers.
Customer Reviews:
Dan Beard; Field and Forest Handy Book.......2007-01-21
Excellent book for any outdoor explorer. Interesting for adults, too. Now our sons want his other books!
Perfect for a young man.......2007-01-05
My son read the covers off the first D. C. Beard book we got (The American Boys Handy Book) and I can tell this will swiftly suffer the same fate. Detailed instructions for dozens of projects... he can't put it down.
great fun!.......2006-03-19
Originally written 100 years ago, this delightful book shows you how to enjoy the Great Outdoors. Divided seasonally, the author shows you, via illustrations and diagrams, how to make kites, bird houses, aquariams, boats,sleds, moccasins, shirts, and various camping utensils. For the more adventurous, he shows you how to construct bridges, dams, piers and outdoor dwellings of different kinds. He also provides tips for camping out in your own backyard.
Dan Beard was one of the founders of the American Boy Scouts and an irresistibly cheerful, "can-do" attitide makes this book fun for the serious and armchair outdoorsperson alike.
Handbook for raising Tom Sawyer.......2001-06-20
I hardly know where to begin. Like the Boys' and Girls' Handybooks, this hefty little book is full of ideas from a bygone era. Written in 1906, the activities are not always the kind of things our kids can do today...but this is a book of IDEAS! While you might not want to camp in a swamp, this book will tell you how. That information might come in useful for another project someday. The book also has historical value--the vocabulary is sometimes quite dated--but that's part of the fun!
Other ideas from the book, which is organized by season: Kites, herbarium, quail farming, bird houses, cages, aquaria, carts, rafts, boats, camping, indoor ideas, outdoor cooking, sleds, packs, and so much more. Oh, and DO learn how to cook a muskrat!
Book Description
All through recorded history people have predicted life after death. But only now, with modern resuscitation methods, are we beginning to see Beyond Death's Door. Does death represent the end of this life or the beginning of another? Does anyone know what happens after death? Has anyone been there? What does it feel like? Is there evidence to support the biblical descriptions of hell? Anyone who has ever pondered these important questions will find new, fascinating food for thought in Beyond Death's Door, a significant book by a leading heart specialist the recounts the experiences of individuals who have survived clinical death and returned to tell us about it.
Customer Reviews:
DON'T KNOCK IT .......2007-03-03
THIS BOOK CAUSES PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT OUR LIFE. THIS BOOK AS I READ IT DOES NOT CAUSE PEOPLE TO TURN TO GOD OUT OF FEAR. THERE ARE ALOT OF ATHEIST OUT THERE READING THIS BOOK WHY? BECAUSE DEEP DOWN WHEN THEY'RE ALONE IN THEIR ROOM THINKING, "WHAT IF THEY'RE RIGHT AND I'M WRONG? LOOK ARE THERE CRAZY PEOPLE THAT SAY THEY DIED AND WALKED WITH JESUS? YES THERE IS. BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE LYING. I DON'T READ BOOKS LIKE THIS TO INCREASE MY FAITH,I READ BOOKS LIKE THIS TO REVIEW THEM. IF I NEED TO INCREASE MY FAITH I READ GOD'S WORD. NOT MANS WORD. I BET THE ATHEIST ARE LOVING THIS REVIEW. DO I BELIEVE IN GOD? YES, DO I HAVE PROOF THAT GOD EXISTS? I HAVE NO MORE PROOF THAT HE EXISTS, THAN YOU HAVE THAT HE DOESN'T. WHAT I DO HAVE IS MY BIBLE (YOUR BIBLE?) YES MY BIBLE, THE SAME BIBLE THAT SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DISPROVE AND HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT BECAUSE GODS WORDS ARE NOT JUST WRITTEN IN BLACK AND WHITE HIS WORDS ARE SPIRITUAL. SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BY SCIENCE IS HOW A MAN COULD BE CHANGED WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, THAT'S WHY THE BIBLE HAS BEEN A STUMBLING BLOCK TO THE UNBELIEVERS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE IN GOD, IF THEY ARE WILLING TO CHANGE THEIR SELFISH LIFE STYLES, I KNOW PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE THAT HELL EXISTS, BUT HAVE DENIED ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST IN THEIR LIFE IN ORDER TO PERSUE THEIR OWN DESIRES. COME TO JESUS NOT IN FEAR BUT COME TO HIM KNOWING THAT HE CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE HERE ON EARTH, AND ONE DAY WE WILL BE WITH HIM IN HEAVEN. READ THIS BOOK NOT TO INCREASE YOUR FAITH, BECAUSE THAT BOOK HAS BEEN HERE LONG BEFORE THIS ONE. WHAT IS IT CALLED? THE BIBLE.
Apalled by reviews.......2006-06-06
I have not read this book. I am considering it therefore I read the reviews with interest. I must say that I am apalled at some of the criticism leveled against the author.
Here is an atheist cardiologist that shares information from his own experience which changed his belief system and he is being attacked by people that don't want to believe what he is saying.
Listen folks - the guy was an educated atheist. He was not some rabid fundamentalist from the backwoods of Arkansas. He did not have any preconceived ideas that caused him to blindly accept what he was experiencing. Neither does he have an agenda.
You atheists that are distrusting of theists - fine, that is your choice. But when members of your own belief system present counter evidence at least be big enough to listen and not attack the messenger. He goes on to say that he knows of NO agnostic or atheist that has experienced an NDE that remains an agnostic or atheist. This is further testimony for you to consider from your like-minded brethren.
Or is all of this talk about being open to truth just a lie??? What will it take for some of you to even CONSIDER the possibility of a God or life after death?
Critically important information.......2006-05-15
This is a short book written by a highly credentialed cardiologist. He also was a self-described atheist . . . until he stumbled onto the information which comprises the theme of this book: Life continues after bodily death, and a few people have a had a peek behind the curtain and have described what they saw.
Dr. Maurice Rawlings compiled the stories of the post-resuscitation experiences of his own, and other physicians', patients. CPR is a relatively young technique that has become widely familiar to even lay people during the last 30 years or so. Rawlings goes into possibly a little more detail on CPR than most of us are interested in. I suspect that is what some of the other critcal reviewers are referring to as "filler". I also found it boring.
The recountings of the "beyond death's door" experiences were riveting. They have great entertainment value, however when one considers the real life implications (or end of life, as it were), the result is profound and terrifying.
Make no mistake -- Dr. Rawlings is now what is referred to in American culture as a "Born Again Christian". He believes what he has written and he offers a simple, available solution: Belief and trust in the Jesus of the Bible. Rejection of Jesus results in passing on to hell after physical death. Rawlings is quite clear about this, and supports his belief using references from the Bible. I found his previous atheistic position, his systematic compilation of "experiences" for the book, and his subsequent conversion to a STRONG Christian position to be compelling.
Obviously, this talk of Christianity and such repels most unbelievers, and leaves many in a frothing at the mouth rage (see other reviews). However, the author has written transparently. Take it as you will, but as Rawlings presents it, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS BUSINESS.
He is not the best of writers, but he is adequate. He is apparently a competent scientist, and has done readers a great service by putting this book together.
I note criticisms from other reviewers that Rawlings did not fully develop some of the resuscitation stories, or did not explain why some "good" people, or churchgoers, seemed to have been headed to hell. Perhaps the answer is that the author did not attempt to embellish, or judge, but just report. By his own description, the survivors' memories of these experiences (especially the hellish ones) are fleeting and evaporate completely rather quickly.
Rawlings wrote a subsequent book, To Hell and Back. It contains much recycled material, is a little preachy, and contains perhaps MOSTLY filler. I do not recommend it. I do however highly recommend this book for anyone interested in examining and thinking about the life after death phenomenon . . . and shouldn't we all.
Christian Propaganda.......2006-03-07
As a Paramedic myself, I have spoken with patients that were brought back from clinical death multiple time. Their heart was still fibrilating, and we got there quick enough to get it into a normal rhythm. None of them even remember the enourmous shocks used to get their heart "thinking" again. Not one of those people have ever spoken to me, even when specifically asked, about any afterlife experience. Don't get me wrong, I do believe they happen. However, as a Non-Christian in this increasingly Christian fanatic country, I do not appreciate being scare into thinking I must convert or go to hell. I have read many other books that encompass all religions, and their experineces on the after life, from a non-judgemental view. He left out many cultures/religions that are pre-biblical that exist to this day, or are enjoying a renewal under our protective Constitution. So as an educated man, I think he has done a great disservice. He should have added A Christian Man's Stories to the title. I'd have read it anyway just for the educational point, but would appreciate more of an unbiased point of view, instead of an attempt at conversion. I'd really have given this zero stars if it was available.
Good and Intriguing; Thought Provoking.......2005-07-06
First of all, I am a firm believer in life after death. I found Rawlings' stories of peoples trips to the afterlife truly fascinating. In saying that, I don't think Rawlings added enough information as to how the "event" changed peoples lives for the better. Secondly, with respect to those who had died and gone to Hell, Rawlings doesn't give any information as to why those people may have gone to Hell. Where they bad people to start with? Were they general jerks? Background information of this sort would have helped.
I agree with another review that some of the book was filler: how to do CPR; what you need to do to change your life for the better; and so on. I would have preferred less filler and more on the lives of those who died with a brief history of their backgrounds.
Average customer rating:
- Quaker oral tradition: Abenaki and Quaker cultures meet
- Arrow that hits the mark
- Bruchac At His Best
- Historical fiction at its best!
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Arrow over the Door (Puffin Chapters)
Joseph Bruchac
Manufacturer: Puffin
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Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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Children of the Longhouse (Puffin Novel)
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The Kidnapped Prince: The Life of Olaudah Equiano
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ASIN: 0141305711 |
Book Description
For young Samuel Russell, the summer of 1777 is a time of fear. The British Army is approaching, and the Indians in the area seem ready to attack. To Stands Straight, a young Abenaki Indian scouting for King George, Americans are dangerous enemies who threaten his family and home. When Stands Straight's party enters the Quaker Meetinghouse where Samuel worships, the two boys share an encounter that neither will ever forget. Told in alternating viewpoints, The Arrow over the Door is based on a true story.
Illustrated by James Watling.
"Thoughtful and eminently readable." (School Library Journal)
Customer Reviews:
Quaker oral tradition: Abenaki and Quaker cultures meet.......2007-03-23
Samuel Russell was a young Quaker boy, who thought it would be better if his family wasn't nonresistant. He thought he should be able to protect his family if the British came, or, more realistically, the Indians attacked. It was also hard for him to endure the taunting of the patriotic neighbors, especially as he did wish to join them.
Stands Straight was an Abenaki who was concerned about fighting for the British, a concern shared by others in his family. They decided to surround a meeting of the Americans they are supposed to be fighting, and judge from their response whether they are hostile or not.
Chapters alternate between the two boys until they meet inside the Quaker meetinghouse. The arrow over the door was a sign of friendship and protection from the Abenakis to the Quakers. This book is based on a true incident during the War for Independence, and is one of the many stories in Quaker history. Quaker ideas are incorporated, as is the history known of the Abenakis.
The book is written on a level for 9 - 12 year olds, although younger children would easily follow the story if read aloud. Some of the attitudes Samuel demonstrates are not the best, but in the end he came to see that his father was right in his nonresistance. I would recommend the book for learning about these two people groups in this time period, as I have not seen much about them; also as it is a retelling of history, not pure fiction.
Arrow that hits the mark.......2006-11-06
I read this book to my daughter as we studied the formation of the thirteen colonies of America. The gracious and touching story of the Quaker family brought home to us some of their views and ideologies in a far better way than a essay on the matter would have done. Reading the cameo of the Native American boy and his world painted thoughtfully in the story, we felt like we had been given a tiny peek into their world of thoughts, values and ways. The interaction between the Native Americans and the Quakers then came as a beautiful culmination to the build up and we came away feeling like we had been there. A well written and thought-provoking book. I would read it again.
Bruchac At His Best.......2000-06-30
Native American literature is such a new genre but it will be a thriving one if THE ARROW OVER THE DOOR is any indication. Joseph Bruchac is an Abeneki Indian who is both rediscovering his family's culture and teaching us all about the peaceful acceptance of others through out the pages of this book. Samual, a young Quaker, and Stands Straight, a young American Indian, have seperate lives which are on an inevitable path towards each other. Their meeting and the way in which they handle themselves shapes the immediate fate of their communities. The book is based on an actual event and offers much to readers of all ages.
Historical fiction at its best!.......2000-06-26
Both of the little-understood groups featured in this book, Quakers and Native Americans, are portrayed with depth and understanding in this short account of a true 1777 incident near Saratoga, NY. The incident - in which Quakers were gathered in silent worship when a tribal group recruited to fight for the British came upon them - has been passed on orally among Quakers and others, although it has remained tainted by old conceptions of the "savage" Indian. This book corrects those faults and re-tells the story in more accurate detail than has been done previously. Though written for children, adults will also be rewarded in historical understanding and modern sensibilities by reading this wonderful book.
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