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Best Survival & Emergency Preparedness

SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
Revised to reflect the latest in survival knowledge and technology, and covering new topics such as urban survival and terrorism, the multimillion-copy worldwide bestseller SAS Survival Handbook by John "Lofty" Wiseman is the definitive resource for all campers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers. Being prepared: Understanding basic survival skills, like reading the weather, and preparation essentials, such as a pocket survival kit.
Reviews
"The full-size SA Survival Handbook is incredible, but it is a large book and pretty heavy for a day hike pack."
"This book is very comprehensive and I recomened this book for everyone it is handy to keep in the house and defently a book to read here and there and it's something to practice because learning even the basic survival skills is a important skill in life."
"I've not needed any of the emergency things yet, but it's good to have just in case. It would also be good to have a copy in the glove box especially if the driver is young or not experienced with the outdoors."
"").For example, as someone who needs practice making fire, I thought that there should have been more information on fire making; however, there is plenty of information of types of fire (windshields, making fires in the snow, etc)."
"But as is, it covers too many topics, from how to deal with computer viruses (keep your software updated, use an anti-virus program) to warnings about scurvy ('always aim for a balanced diet'). There are pure factual errors (people cannot survive 12 days without water, even in cool temperatures) and frequent mixing of good and poor advice (crossing a river in a group one behind the other is terrible, exposing each to the full force of the water, while crossing in a line facing downstream, with arms interwoven, is universally recommended). For rope, climbing, and mountaineering skills, Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, 8th Edition. If you just want information on snow caves (another better alternative to an igloo), Ernest Wilkinson's slim book is out-of-print but easy to find: Snow Caves for Fun and Survival. For glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and high-angle rescue in general, Andy Selter's book is remarkably efficient. A few pages go a long way on each topic: Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue: Reading Glaciers, Team Travel, Crevasse Rescue Techniques, Routefinding, Expedition Skills 2nd Edition. For emergency wilderness medicine, Eric Weiss' books are the most popular, and they're fine."
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100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative’s Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation
A hands-on, practical survival guide from retired Navy SEAL Clint Emerson—adapted for civilians from actual special forces operations—to eluding pursuers, evading capture, and surviving any dangerous situation. Clint Emerson, retired Navy SEAL, spent twenty years conducting special ops all over the world while attached to SEAL Teams (including the elite SEAL Team SIX) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
Reviews
"I had hoped not to have to deal with the discussion of active shooters (Skill #073) or other armed aggressors, but recent events in Paris and San Bernardino, California, make these pertinent. Those of us who aren’t hero wannabes will be relieved to know that people finding themselves in such dire situations can often be saved by following Emerson’s commonsense tips that don’t require the response of blazing guns, at least not from civilians. If running is not an option, hide out of the shooter’s view, silence digital devices and follow Emerson’s additional suggestions for preferred cover objects and improvised ballistic armor. Aside from practical skills, the book has enough juicy material on SEAL and other covert operations tactics to make it a must-read for writers in the mystery and thriller genres."
"The range of skills covered in the book is diverse and some of the skills are a little extreme (hopefully, most readers will wonder why they need to know how to dispose of a body). But, again, I sense that the purpose of this information is less about actually USING each and every skill as it is making people understand that most of the skills presented are already commonly used by those with ill-intent … the power is knowing what they know and finding ways to avoid or effectively counter their methods. So, for those of us who don’t really have a need for knowing how to: Dispose of a Body (skill #86), Steal a Plane (#26) or Cross Enemy Boarders by Sea, Air and Land (#11, #12 and #13) … what does reading such a book offer? Educating people on personal, cultural, situational and third-party awareness (#17 Blend into Any Environment) is probably one of the most important skills presented in the book because it’s the one skill that can be employed to avoid using most of the other skills (by having the presence of mind to avoid a potentially deadly encounter). 100 DEADLY SKILLS is a tremendous source of USEFUL information that gets readers out of their comfort zone."
"the book prioritizes easy understanding of the subjects and add's illustrations to help you visualize them in action. lots of useful information in this book, for travelers, or just anyone whom wishes to stay safe."
"If you're a writer this book is chock full of fun scenarios that can either spark your imagination or help you describe how your hero outwitted or outfought the bad guys."
"I'm only writing this so poorly because I got the Kindle edition."
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The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
The Zombie Survival Guide is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now. Fully illustrated and exhaustively comprehensive, this book covers everything you need to know, including how to understand zombie physiology and behavior, the most effective defense tactics and weaponry, ways to outfit your home for a long siege, and how to survive and adapt in any territory or terrain. Top 10 Lessons for Surviving a Zombie Attack. This book is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now without your even knowing it. The Zombie Survival Guide offers complete protection through trusted, proven tips for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against the living dead.
Reviews
"The whole book shows that Brooks' zombies, infected and reanimated by a fictional virus called Solanum, function within a framework of realistic rules that makes them all the more terrifying."
"I havent read the entire book, just browsed through but just from what ive seen its very detailed when it comes to scenarios and survival skills."
"Max Brooks gives an in-depth tutorial into evasion, encounter and combat with the living impaired. The Zombie Survival Guide should be an essential addition to your pack, luggage or purse."
"From describing the virus, to categorizing use of strategy and weapons, the specifics and types of terrign, and tactics to use in a walking dead situation."
"There aren't really characters... it's a very interesting take on the Zombie genre (Max Brooks also wrote World War Z, and the movie is loosely adapted from it) and it talks about survival in highly realistic terms."
"This book is actually really handy to have to help prepare for any kind of disaster where you are forced to leave your home for what be an extended stay and I will be using it to make sure that I have the things I need just in case the Zombies hit our small community next!"
"Great book!"
"I am not sure if the writer has an excellent sense of dry humor or if they really believe that Zombies are walking around right now."
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Best Security How-to & Home Improvement

When The Grid Goes Down, Disaster Preparations and Survival Gear For Making Your Home Self-Reliant
When the Grid Goes Down will show you how to make your home and lifestyle more self-sufficient and the critical gear needed along the way. His company is the primary provider of survival training for the Military Special Operations community and he has instructed the National Transportation & Safety Board, FAA, US Marshals, Homeland Security, and served as a technical consultant for the film Into The Wild.
Reviews
"With the recent tornadoes and weather issues, along with the scare of what I would do should the power go out for an extended time, this book is direct and extremely helpful. I have recommended this book to several of my friends and they have started using some of these ideas in their daily lives to help them be ready should something happen."
"By that I mean he covers a broad range of subjects concerning everyday survival issues in depth enough that you know a little something about it after you read his work. The author has obviously spent a LOT of time working out the methods, tactics and techniques in this book."
"seems well written and informative."
"Really quick and thorough."
"Pretty good overview of things to be considered for the time when you May need to "Be Prepared"."
"Neat ideas to keep in mind just in case something happens and you are stuck out somewhere."
"Very simplistic, mostly common sense."
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Best Water Quality & Treatment

Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water, Revised Edition
"The definitive work on the West's water crisis." "Essential background reading for anyone who cares about the drought ravaging the West and the region's prospects for changing course before it is too late." Resiner captures Western water history in Cinemascope and Technicolor. Beautifully written and meticulously researched, it spans our century-long effort to moisten the arid West. Anyone thinking of moving west of the hundredth meridian should read this book before they call their real estate agent." "A revealing, absorbing, often amusing and alarming report on where billions of [taxpayers'] dollars have gone-- and where a lot more are going .
Reviews
"This is a timeless work detailing the history of water wealth and distribution in the West."
"Man this book is encyclopedic, with all that implies."
"While the editing causes some revisiting of projects ant times, this book gives a clear picture of the technical, economic, political, and bureaucratic forces surrounding the largest group of public works in American history."
"I recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand the history of the water "crisis" or has the least bit of interest in our nation's history!"
"It is not a perfect work: the author occasionally allows his passion to overwhelm his recounting of the facts, and it detracts from both his case and the flow of the book."
"It's easy to call all cities in the American West "cancers", and state or imply how and how much the West should've been settled, based on 20/20 hindsight and without thought for where settlers could've gone if every inch West of the 100th meridian had been settled only by a very limited number of environmentally prophetic, conscientious stewards."
"Between this book and the "King of California" a very concise history of water in the lands west of the Mississippi and then west of Sierra Nevada Mountains is painted and highlighted with political and bureaucratic bumbling that has lead to the "crisis" that lives on today."
"Although written in 1986, revised and updated in 1993, it is a useful source of history and a means of understanding how we got ourselves into the difficulties we are now facing."
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Best Gardening & Horticulture Essays

Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life: The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children's Tales
Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life is the first book to explore the origins of Beatrix Potter’s love of gardening and plants and show how this passion came to be reflected in her work. a biography written through plants.” — The New York Times Book Review “With wit and expertise, McDowell highlights the stamp of Potter’s horticultural know-how on her indelible books and chronicles a year in her exuberant gardens to create a visually exciting, pleasurably informative appreciation of Potter’s devotion to art and nature.” — Booklist. “A richly illustrated exploration of Beatrix Potter’s evolution as an author-illustrator, gardener, sheep farmer and land preservationist.” — Shelf Awareness. “In her new book, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life , Marta McDowell expands our knowledge of Miss Potter horticultural expertise and background, explaining what she grew and where. The book recounts Potter’s life through a gardening lens and is copiously illustrated with her sketches and watercolors of plants.” — American Gardener. From a watercolor of Jemima Puddle-duck hiding from a fox among the foxgloves, to sepia photos of Potter strolling the garden paths on a frosty morning, the book is a visual delight.” — The Seattle Times.
Reviews
"A Review of "Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life". The plants and places that inspired the classic children's tales. By Marta McDowell. Only rarely in a reader's life will a book come along a book that is so perfectly suited for the reader's character that it brings out the schoolgirl in her and perhaps a squeal of delight and a series of silly, wistful sighs. Part of the wonder of Beatrix Potter was that she was an amazingly accomplished artist, even from a young age. The cover is beautiful and includes a watercolor of a sweet garden gate, another of a handful of adorable little guinea pigs busy at their vegetable patch (both done by Potter, of course) and a wonderful old black and white photograph of Potter herself looking young and radiant with a posy under her nose. Of course that sent me, with schoolgirl squeals, diving into the book where I was happy to discover a most generous selection of photographs and examples of her art; watercolors, sketches and even maps of the places important in her life. The nights draw out into the darkness of the north, cut by glow of lamplight and the smell of fireplaces burning wood and coal in the village cottages. One thing I've liked about reading since I first picked up the habit is that it can take you anywhere in the world you care to go for the trouble of opening a book. After reading this section, I feel like I, too, have tromped `round the lake district and seen the green gate of Hilltop Farm. Just when you think the charming journey into the life of dear Beatrix Potter is over, you find one final gem at the back of the book. It includes what book, date, common and botanical names, and whether the reference was text or artwork."
"Neither overwhelms the other and the words flow so well. The author is not trying to fill up space with too many words or descriptions-just the right amount that flows in to the next."
"In addition to some of Potter's artwork, there are also photographs of Potter and her gardens, so photos taken by Potter herself and some more contemporary."
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!"
"I'm enjoying reading Marta McDowell's book "Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life: The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children's Tales.""
"Beatrix Potter, one learns, was a complex woman, whose love of gardening saw her through a restrictive Victorian upbringing to find her own unique place in the world."
"This book of her 'gardening life' is so beautiful."
"This little book is a real treasure, for anyone who loves gardens, and especially, anyone who has grown up loving Beatrix Potter."
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Best Children & Teens Christian Books

The Action Bible
Brazilian artist Sergio Cariello has created attention-holding illustrations marked by rich coloring, dramatic shading and lighting, bold and energetic designs, and emotionally charged figures.
Reviews
"Incredible number of stories (over 200)--this thing is THICK and solid. Similar to the Sistine Chapel, it explains Biblical truths in an engaging, dramatic, and artistic way that is relevant to our culture's art-form (i.e. graphic novels). In the same way it would be unfair to see the Sistine Chapel and complain how Michelangelo painted Cane and Able in the nude. I'd rate this PG depending on the maturity of your child and his/her understanding of Biblical text. Perfect for teenagers or kids you're looking to get hooked on Biblical studies."
"I absolutely love The Action Bible! The Action Bible isn't just for kids, I'm 30 and love it."
"Please consider that this is NOT an exact word for word depiction of the bible."
"I highly recommend the Action Bible to anyone wanted to get their kids more involved in bible reading."
"The artwork in this bible is well received by them as a supplement to the lessons, they still feel like they are "reading" the bible!"
"I got a copy to suggest it to our Youth Director at our church."
"I also have a friend and I have a hard time trying to tell him about God because he really hates it wen I tell him about God."
"If you've got any one that you want to share the truth of the Bible with and they need a little coaxing, have this book lying around."
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Best Hiking & Camping Instructional Guides

Buck, Buck, Moose: Recipes and Techniques for Cooking Deer, Elk, Moose, Antelope and Other Antlered Things
Buck, Buck, Moose also includes a lengthy section on curing venison and sausage-making. For that reason, I devoured every page of Buck, Buck, Moose . Hank Shaw lives, sleeps, eats, and breathes venison--and his passion is palpable.
Reviews
"Pretty good book."
"Great Recipes."
"Present for my hunter son."
"Hank Shaw has done it again, created another wonderful, and informative work of art!"
"So helpful!"
"I have made numerous recipes and had two dinner party's all with glowing reviews!!"
"Just got my copy and love it.The quality of binding & cover is worth the price.What's inside is a treasure."
"Delicious, easy to follow, and detailed recipes,"
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Best Teen & Young Adult Religion & Spirituality

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: Stories of Life, Love and Learning (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
This book is filled with stories that will make you laugh and make you cry. Jack Canfield is co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, which includes forty New York Times bestsellers, and coauthor of The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be .
Reviews
"This book inspires teenagers to believe in themselves without being sappy or judgmental."
"I gave this book to my grandsons and only read bits and pieces before giving it to them."
"love it great book for teens."
"This book was in good condition, the content is for teens but i enjoy reading them before giving them to my granddaughters."
"They use to read this book in elementry and i want read it my self."
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Best Foreign Language Reference

GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese (English and Japanese Edition)
Second edition of the most highly regarded teaching text book on the Japanese language, covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing to cultivate overall language ability.
Reviews
"I moved to Japan about 10 months ago and I needed a textbook to learn the language. That's true of any textbook, but with Genki it's even more so because the authors don't hold your hand and the book is written with the assumption that you are serious about learning Japanese. There is much to be gleaned from both, though the "useful expressions" sections are usually outstanding and provide supplementary words and sentences on a variety of common topics, such as counting, classroom vocabulary, train station expressions and doctor office visits. Then there are a few pages of practice, in which you will write the kanji you learned alone and in compounds, read various letters or stories and answer questions. 4) Meet with my Japanese teacher and do the conversation exercises (took 2-4 hours of class time per lesson). I feel quite comfortable in stores, restaurants, train stations, post offices, and the like. I can talk, to a limited extent, about the weather, my childhood, my job, my future plans, my schedule for tomorrow, and other common topics. Anyone serious about studying Japanese will get a lot out of this book, provided he or she is willing to put in the necessary work!"
"Don't stress too much though because there are plenty of sites to practice, such as lang-8, a free site where you help Japanese people learn English and they help you with Japanese in terms of writing, reading and speaking. This Second Edition comes with a CD, updated lessons, simpler ways of explaining grammar, and much more. If your'e grasp on English grammar is poor, well you might need to dedicate more hours into grammar, because it is DIFFICULT if you don't know what certain things are."
"Great textbook but it is made for a classroom setting and has group activities so if you are am independent learner you have to do things a little differently."
"I started with "Japanese for Busy People", but then I started a class that used this book."
"Got what I wanted 100% has great lessons and I think im going to learn a lot with this!"
"The Romanization threw me off....so much in fact that I had to go learn katakana (I already knew hiragana) before I continued past chapter two of the textbook."
"Learned a lot but it can be confusing so it is best to have a teacher to guide you since there re times were a character is not pronounced as written such as with a silent vowel or character can be pronounced differently depending on the content."
"I'm trying to teach my teenage daughter Japanese and tried other books and CD's."
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Best Encyclopedias & Subject Guides

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
New York Times Bestseller. Named one of the Best Books of 2017 by NPR, Buzzfeed, The. Atlantic , The. Washington Post , Chicago Tribune , Rachel Ray Every Day , San Francisco Chronicle , Vice Munchies, Elle.com, Glamour , Eater, Newsday, Minneapolis Star Tribune , The Seattle Times , Tampa Bay Times , Tasting Table, Modern Farmer , Publishers Weekly, and more. Refer to the canon of 100 essential recipes—and dozens of variations—to put the lessons into practice and make bright, balanced vinaigrettes, perfectly caramelized roast vegetables, tender braised meats, and light, flaky pastry doughs. "Just reading Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will make you a better cook, adept at seasoning, balancing, understanding what it really is you’re doing and why... Make room on the bedside table—and the countertop." "My favorite metacookbook...[Nosrat] offers a beautifully simple checklist for ensuring a dish ends up in a good place...This is the book of cooking grammar that so many novices would benefit from... Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is written smoothly and casually, and kept breezy via charming watercolors by the perceptive Bay Area artist Wendy MacNaughton...Nosrat’s book would be of value both to people who don’t consider themselves cooks and to people actively striving to become better ones." "A cookbook that will make you a better cook...with helpful, charming illustrations from artist Wendy MacNaughton." Samin Nosrat just published “Salt Fat Acid Heat — Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking” and I daresay this one is essential...That’s the fabulous thing about this book — it teaches readers about cooking, how to employ various techniques, and how to grasp that any subtle variations in technique can have significant impacts upon our end results. It is possible to learn how to cook great food...This book is bound to become an indispensable addition to cookbook shelves throughout America." "Nosrat’s beautiful, approachable book demonstrates how these four are the only elements necessary to make delicious meals anywhere, any time."
Reviews
"Best text about cooking I've ever read."
"I've always loved the "why" in cooking and baking (like the Cooks Illustrated approach and The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science) - but I love that she narrows it down to four basic elements. But this books and others, like Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking are important because they give you the tools to innovate and recipes become starting points. I wish I had this book 20 years ago when I started seriously cooking."
"I love the fold out on p. 193 "what should I cook" that advises to go back and read the book through before you practice...a brilliant observation that the book is about "the journey, not the destination" as are so many things we pursue and experience."
"This cookbook goes into detail about how the four elements, salt, fat, acid and heat, are used to create great dishes!"
"Not a collection of recipes, though the book does contain recipes, but a clear, thoughtful and good humored explanation of the major elements of cooking -- salt, fat, acid and heat."
"Colorful doodles keep you engaged and having fun while learning, as well as a helpful guide on what to always have stocked in terms of spices and bare necessity kitchen utensils."
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Best Catalogs & Directories

Cool Tools: A Catalog of Possibilities
Cool Tools is a highly curated selection of the best tools available for individuals and small groups. It's a habit he learned while editing and publishing the Whole Earth Catalog , the bible of counterculture do-it-yourselfers who wanted in 'tools and ideas for the 21st century.'". "Stewart Brand said that Cool Tools had captured the spirit of the Whole Earth Catalog but without taking on a counterculture and back-to-the-land philosophy. "Jeff Bezos is a fan of e-mail newsletters such as Cool Tools , a compendium of technology tips and product reviews written by Kevin Kelly, a co-founder of Wired ."
Reviews
"So in addition to hand jacks that can raise 7000 lbs., the Teeny Turner (a pocket sized driver), portable band saws, and laser measuring tools, you can find the best source on how to buy a car cheaply, make a low-budget movies, brew your own beer, rear an optimistic child, design a logo, win a fight, soak in feral (!). hot springs, learn to swim efficiently, prepare for a natural disaster, vagabond the world, do something dangerous (and live to tell about it), run for local office and win, go solar on your roof, or (a great boon to Boomers) remember anything."
"This carries me back to my childhood pouring over electronics magazines or the Aircraft Spruce and Specialty catalog imagining what I could do if I combined and use the right parts and tools."
"The categories are wide ranging, from cooking, crafts, learning, music, family, electronics and more. There's certain to be some area of immediate interest, but half the fun is the insight into the tools of the trade of some activity you may never have considered like beekeeping or world travel on a shoestring budget. (Disclosure--I received an early copy because a review I contributed years ago to the site was included in the book, but I'll be ordering more copies."
"I've learned about many 'cool tools' I've never heard about and I've bought several items based upon the recommendations in this book, " Veganomicon" "Glorious One- Pot Meals" "FitBit" and " Ultimate Fit or Fat"- and this is the part that makes this catalog so much fun to read and look at - You'll see many reviews on items you've never heard of before, such as, (for me) "Ideo Method cards" , used for brainstorming or "Making Books that Fly, Fold, Wrap, Hide, Pop up, Twist and Turn" or find reviews for an item you would like to purchase, but haven't had the time to do the research to find out which one is the best."
"I've was considering getting this book as a gift for my father as he and I both love this kind of stuff, but he's not the type of person to check out a website regularly."
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Best Quotation Reference Books

Brave Enough
National Best Seller From the best-selling author of Wild , a collection of quotes--drawn from the wide range of her writings--that capture her wisdom, courage, and outspoken humor, presented in a gift-sized package that's as irresistible to give as it is to receive. This book gathers, each on a single page, more than 100 of Strayed's indelible quotes and thoughts--"mini instruction manuals for the soul" that urge us toward the incredible capacity for love, compassion, forgiveness, and endurance that is within us all. In the 100-plus quotes, thoughts, words of wisdom, and tidbits of beauty that Strayed has compiled, you will recognize yourself over and over again, in the best and worst and most essential ways . She invites you to quietly marvel at the universe with her, and then promptly demands that you go out and participate in it, followed by a swift kick to the rear. [This book] acts like a personal guru for joy, acceptance and forgiveness, productivity, endurance and transformation . Truly amazing; it’s as though the words literally leapt off the pages of Brave Enough and generated a little cyclone of positive energy in my living room . Personal authenticity, gender politics, leaning into the light: whether writing a book or speaking one-to-one, Strayed seems, above all, unapologetically herself . Strayed earned cult status with her anonymous advice column, ‘Dear Sugar,’ on The Rumpus. In the introduction she writes that a good quote can provide in a sentence or two ‘a clear eyed perspective, or a swift kick in the pants.’ Hers do both. ‘I believe in the power of words to help us reset our intentions, clarify our thoughts, and create a counternarrative to the voice of doubt in our heads—the one that says, You can’t, you won’t, you shouldn’t have,’ she writes.
Reviews
"Brave Enough is basically a prettily-packaged collection of quotes taken from Strayed's books, essays, and talks formatted in big text and centered on the page. Not because I believe in my own sagacity, but because I believe in the power of words to help us reset our intentions, clarify our thoughts, and create a counternarrative to the voice of doubt many of us have murmuring in our heads--the one that says You can't, you won't, you shouldn't have. Ultimately, this is a very nice book that will look good on a coffee table or will make a thoughtful small gift for the holidays."
"Short little bursts of inspiration for being the best you that you can be."
"Bought as a gift for a friend who loves Cheryl Strayed and she adored it."
"If you've ever read a book by Cheryl Strayed, you know that her writing is littered with nuggets of wisdom."
"Good advice."
"Bought this book for my husband, he loves to read and this is a surprise gift for him."
"Everything was as promised and expected."
"One is my closest friends bought me this book for Christmas a couple of years ago thank God."
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Best Consumer Guides

The Wine Bible
Announcing the completely revised and updated edition of The Wine Bible , the perennial bestselling wine book praised as “The most informative and entertaining book I’ve ever seen on the subject” (Danny Meyer), “A guide that has all the answers” (Bobby Flay), “Astounding” (Thomas Keller), and “A magnificent masterpiece of wine writing” (Kevin Zraly). “…the rare 995-page manual to hit all the high notes, offer a balanced view on the history, creation, and current state of wine — and keep it lively” – Eater. "When Ms. MacNeil charts the ascending tannin levels in red wine grapes, she compares the gritty stuff to Clint Eastwood’s five-o’clock shadow. The body of this bible is a country-by-country march through winedom, offering lively regional history, sketches of notable personalities, as well as tips on the best local wines and the foods to match with them.”. – Wall Street Journal.
Reviews
"NOTE: this is NOT Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia, HJ's Wine Companion, Broadbent's Great Vintage Wine Book, or Oxford's Companion, etc etc (all of which I love & use). Traveling to Jerez and enjoying gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) with manzanilla while breathing the salty ocean air...I got that idea from this book, & the retelling of it, helped me pass my last Exam."
"The definitive wine book, although MacNeil's writing can be a bit unhelpful at times ("you don't drink this wine, the wine drinks you"."
"Reads like a digest."
"The Wine Bible has lots of wonderful information about wines."
"My only reservation is about hoe outdated some of the statistics might be."
"I knew I knew very little about wine."
"I have my copy highlighted and full of sticky notes."
"Aside from the serious stuff about grapes and winemaking, etc,, it also has nice little tid-bits like explaining why waiters in restaurants give you the cork to inspect when they open your wine (Her explanation makes perfect sense, but I'd never heard it before)."
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Best Dictionaries & Thesauruses

Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs : The Definitive Pop-Up
With each of six spreads featuring one spectacular, large pop-up as well as booklets of smaller pop-ups and text, ENCYCLOPEDIA PREHISTORICA: DINOSAURS is a magnificent display of paper engineering and creativity — an astonishing book that will be read, admired, and treasured forever. Rendered in warm earth tones and speckled with splashes of color, the three-dimensional creatures move with a life of their own as they gracefully extend their bodies into a full stretch or lurch toward readers with jaws open wide.
Reviews
"I am including a video so you can sort of see the depth and involvement this brings. Types of dinos, Carnivores, Herbivores, Feathered, Armored, Biggest etc. He wants it read as a bedtime story but there is so much info you could prob do 1 page per night and extend it out."
"I'd say that the reading level is fairly advanced - maybe 4th grade, but even at such a young age, my son gets a kick out of the animals and tries to rip their tail off or whatever."
"He is so enthralled with the dynamic of this book and encourages him to be inquisitive and learn about things they aren't teaching in daycare."
"Unfortunately he's a weapon of mass destruction so the book stays out of his reach, but I was amazed at the quality and just how many pop-ups there are in this book!"
"The book looks really thick and I expected many pages like 20, but of course the thickness is because of the good paper, and big pop ups."
"This book is crafted with great precision and artistry."
"My young nephew likes dinosaurs so he likes this book."
"Really impressive cutouts but ours arrived with some already torn."
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Best Almanacs & Yearbooks

The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2018
Praised as a "treasure trove of political, economic, scientific and educational statistics and information" by The Wall Street Journal , The World Almanac and Book of Facts will answer all of your trivia needs—from history and sports to geography, pop culture, and much more. Historical Anniversaries: The World Almanac 's recurring feature expands to incorporate milestone events and cultural touchstones dating to the book's founding year, from the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson to the publication of Little Women . Other New Highlights: A brand-new biography of the 45th president and profile of the Trump administration; official 2016 election results; and statistics on criminal incarceration and sentence lengths, health care, overdose deaths, shootings, terrorism, and much more. 2017—Year in Sports: Hundreds of pages of trivia and statistics that are essential for any sports fan, featuring a preview of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympic Games, complete coverage of the 2017 World Series, new tables of NBA, NHL, and NCAA statistics, and much more. Sarah Janssen is the senior editor of The World Almanac® and Book of Facts .
Reviews
"This book is absolutely wonderful."
"Purchased as a gift for my grandson."
"Buy this World Almanac every year."
"Additionally, I have purchased more than one copy of the book, to have one handy at every location where I might need a copy of the book."
"Ordered it as a gift for my brother who is into this information and he loves it!!!"
"Lots of information!"
"Love this book and I get it every year!"
"I like getting the World Almanac every year, to keep up latest events."
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Best Words, Language & Grammar

On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft
King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. His recent work includes Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), the short story collection The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, the Bill Hodges trilogy End of Watch , Finders Keepers , and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and now an AT&T Audience Network original television series), Doctor Sleep , and Under the Dome .
Reviews
"I could "hear" Mr. King's "voice" in my head as I read this on my iPad Kindle app. I breathed a sigh of relief when I got the feeling that writing classes and clubs are kind of a waste of time. I am glad this wasn't a "point by point HOW TO WRITE a story or a book" book, because really, writing isn't something you can do easily from a bulleted list. And then when that person you trust reads your stuff and offers some criticism, you can take it for what it's worth and use it or not."
"I may as well start out by saying that I'm a huge fan of Stephen King's and am, therefore,a bit biased, but this book stays handy on my writing desk, not entirely as a "how-to" but as a "why write" paperback coach."
"In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. The rest of it--and perhaps the best of it--is a permission slip: you can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will. Part mini-autobiography and part field manual on how to hone your craft, it's inspiring. Cigar Smoking Man-Muse - Lives in the basement. Prime Directive = Read a lot + write a lot. Whether you're an aspiring writer or just a fan of mastery, I think you'll love it."
""Fuhgedaaboudit," "man oh man," "please oh please," appears over and over throughout this book, which is very distracting. It'd be more suitable if this book is called On Writing Novel, for it's heavily geared towards his career as a novelist and how to write novels."
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Best Atlases & Maps

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. “Fair warning: It's addictive.” — NPR, “Cosmos & Culture” “In this gorgeous collection, the celebrated Atlas Obscura website is condensed into 480 pages of awe-inspiring destinations. “Odds are you won’t get past three pages without being amazed at something truly strange that you didn’t know existed.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “Richly illustrated, delightfully strange, this compendium of off-beat destinations should spark many adventures, both terrestrial and imaginary.” — Boston Globe. “Whether describing a Canadian museum that showcases world history through shoes, a pet-casket company that will also sell you a unit for your severed limb, a Greek snake festival, or a place in the Canary Islands where inhabitants communicate through whistling, the authors have compiled an enthralling range of oddities. Featuring full-color illustrations, this hefty and gorgeously produced tome will be eagerly pored over by readers of many ages and fans of the original website.”— Booklist (Starred Review). a wonderful browse [for] armchair travelers who enjoyed Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York and Frank Warren’s PostSecret .” — Library Journal. It's the kind of book that makes you want to pack in your workaday life and head out to places you'd never have dreamed of going, to see things you could not even have imagined. “ Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”. —GUILLERMO DEL TORO, filmmaker, Pan’s Labyrinth “ What a strange and wonderful book! Each page reveals some hidden realm—a realm that is frightening, or funny, or magical, or simply mad, but that always leaves the reader in wonder.”. —DAVID GRANN, author of The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon. Be grateful when visiting the Karni Mata Rat Temple if one of the 20,000 venerated rodents runs across your bare foot—it is considered good luck.
Reviews
"Revel in the places that you've seen!"
"I read a short description of the book in the travel section of the SF Chronicle a few weeks ago, and made the purchase based on that. That said, there are items about things I have no interest in seeing, e.g., “Lake Monsters of the USA,” but there don’t seem to be many of that sort of thing included. As with "Lake Monsters," even if you (or a recipient) aren't likely to visit many of the places described, I think for many curious people this would make for an interesting read even without the travel element. It's not a perfect book, and I don't think any one book can be perfect for all readers, but I do think it's very good and I can easily recommend it for anyone who might be potentially interested."
"This book exceeded my already higher-than-average expectations."
"We purchased it for our 19 year old grandson."
"Such a fascinating book!"
"Super fun and entertaini g read if the off beat and curious is your thing."
"Purchased as a gift and spent much of one night pouring through it before giving it away."
"This book is great to have around to pick up while you're waiting for your son to put his socks on, when your eyes need a screen break, during a boring conference call, when you just want to escape your little world for a few minutes."
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Best Writing, Research and Publishing

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. “Fair warning: It's addictive.” — NPR, “Cosmos & Culture” “In this gorgeous collection, the celebrated Atlas Obscura website is condensed into 480 pages of awe-inspiring destinations. “Odds are you won’t get past three pages without being amazed at something truly strange that you didn’t know existed.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “Richly illustrated, delightfully strange, this compendium of off-beat destinations should spark many adventures, both terrestrial and imaginary.” — Boston Globe. “Whether describing a Canadian museum that showcases world history through shoes, a pet-casket company that will also sell you a unit for your severed limb, a Greek snake festival, or a place in the Canary Islands where inhabitants communicate through whistling, the authors have compiled an enthralling range of oddities. Featuring full-color illustrations, this hefty and gorgeously produced tome will be eagerly pored over by readers of many ages and fans of the original website.”— Booklist (Starred Review). a wonderful browse [for] armchair travelers who enjoyed Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York and Frank Warren’s PostSecret .” — Library Journal. It's the kind of book that makes you want to pack in your workaday life and head out to places you'd never have dreamed of going, to see things you could not even have imagined. “ Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”. —GUILLERMO DEL TORO, filmmaker, Pan’s Labyrinth “ What a strange and wonderful book! Each page reveals some hidden realm—a realm that is frightening, or funny, or magical, or simply mad, but that always leaves the reader in wonder.”. —DAVID GRANN, author of The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon. Be grateful when visiting the Karni Mata Rat Temple if one of the 20,000 venerated rodents runs across your bare foot—it is considered good luck.
Reviews
"Revel in the places that you've seen!"
"I read a short description of the book in the travel section of the SF Chronicle a few weeks ago, and made the purchase based on that. That said, there are items about things I have no interest in seeing, e.g., “Lake Monsters of the USA,” but there don’t seem to be many of that sort of thing included. As with "Lake Monsters," even if you (or a recipient) aren't likely to visit many of the places described, I think for many curious people this would make for an interesting read even without the travel element. It's not a perfect book, and I don't think any one book can be perfect for all readers, but I do think it's very good and I can easily recommend it for anyone who might be potentially interested."
"This book exceeded my already higher-than-average expectations."
"We purchased it for our 19 year old grandson."
"Such a fascinating book!"
"Super fun and entertaini g read if the off beat and curious is your thing."
"Purchased as a gift and spent much of one night pouring through it before giving it away."
"This book is great to have around to pick up while you're waiting for your son to put his socks on, when your eyes need a screen break, during a boring conference call, when you just want to escape your little world for a few minutes."
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Best Etiquette Guides

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (Robert's Rules of Order (Paperback))
This newly revised edition is the only book on parliamentary procedure to have been updated since 1876 under the continuing program of review established by General Henry M. Robert himself, in cooperation with the official publisher of Robert’s Rules . Henry M. Robert III is the grandson of General Henry M. Robert and has served as president of the Maryland Association of Parliamentarians and as parliamentarian for the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP).
Reviews
"General Henry M. Robert published the original "Robert's Rules" in 1875 and 1876 and, since the copyright on that edition (and the next few editions) has long since expired, there are numerous unofficial editions on the market. With the copyright expired, even the name "Robert's" has passed into the public domain, and many imitators have slapped the name "Robert's" on books of parliamentary procedure that bear minimal relation to General Robert's work (much as many dictionaries claim the name "Webster's" without any connection to Noah Webster or the Merriam-Webster brand that carries on his work). Now in its 11th edition, published in September 2011, this book "supersedes all previous editions and is intended automatically become the parliamentary authority in organizations whose bylaws prescribe 'Robert's Rules of Order' ... or the like, without specifying a particular edition.""
"Perfect for anyone wanting to,understand how govt works and rules to abide by."
"This is a very nicely printed and bound softcover book."
"It's a good book for officials to know, I use mine a lot to advise new volunteers."
"New Version of old book... Great to have a new one to replace my worn old copy."
"I bought this for my husband, and he says it was exactuaaly what he wanted."
"In order to participate properly in union meetings, ALL MEMBERS should know these rules."
"All members of an organization (not just the officers) should acquaint themselves with the parliamentary rules for meetings."
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Best Genealogy

Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com: How to Find Your Family History on the No. 1 Genealogy Website
This book, updated in 2016 to include the most recent changes to the site , will help you get the most out of your Ancestry.com subscription by showing you how to take advantage of all the world's biggest genealogy website has to offer--and how to find answers to your family tree questions within its 14 billion records, 60 million family tree and 32,000 databases. Nancy Hendrickson is an Internet genealogy expert who has been interviewed on the subject in national publications including the New York Times , Kiplinger's , and Better Homes and Gardens .
Reviews
"Between this book, Ancestry Help and the Ancestry Community you will probably have 90% of everything you will ever need for your genealogy. All my How-To books are now going to be in Kindle version."
"I am a four year member of Ancestry and have always found the Unofficial Guide to be a very helpful book."
"I found this book to be very informative and will definitely help me in my search on Ancestry.com."
"This book fills the void and has made my search for records easier."
"Great reference book."
"Really helped to understand how to get the most out of the site!"
"For example, I really needed instruction on how to transfer info from another person's tree to my tree when we had a mutual ancestor, or how to correct errors (and there are ton of them) and that kind of thing is not covered at all that I could find."
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Best English as a Second Language Instruction

The Giving Tree
And don't miss Runny Babbit Returns , the new book from Shel Silverstein! “If you’re looking for a children’s book that teaches generosity or unselfishness, most people will point you right to The Giving Tree , Shel Silverstein’s lovely story of a tree that will do anything for the boy it loves—and for good reason.
Reviews
"All that I can honestly say about this book, what some people say is "controversial" is it ; touches on feelings. teaches about selfishness. teaches about selflessness. teaches about caring. teaches about giving. this book really tugs at all the emotions everyone goes through one time or another. It has turned into a discussion book for all my grandkids. The book is a hardback & comes with a cover resembling the cover of the book."
"She would often just read a poem from A Light in the Attic, or Where the Sidewalk Ends, but this book really stuck with me."
"One of my favorite books with a great lesson for children on giving/taking and appreciation."
"This is my family's favorite children's book and certainly mine."
"Must have for all children."
"Best childhood book ever - adults should re-read every year as well."
"Great story for my 6 year old who reads voraciously.."
"Just like I remebered!"
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