No comments about Jack Russell Terrier: Your Happy Healthy Pet.

2 comments about Training Spaniels.

1. This book is well written and laid out in a way that makes sense. It's a step by step type of book that anyone can follow. I've read several books on training spaniels to hunt and retrieve. This is one of the better ones. I've owned and bred Field Bred English Springer Spaniels for the past 18 years and recommend this book to anyone with a pup to train. This was one of the first books I read on training spaniels and is still one of the best.



2. The best book I have read on training gundogs. The author shows you how to recognise your own faults when training a young dog.
   Should be read by all parents?

5 comments about When Cats Reigned Like Kings: On the Trail of the Sacred Cats.

1. Considering the august reputation of the author and the number of pages, I expected a much more scholarly discussion on this subject. I was disappointed to wade through so many personal stories of her cats performing typical cat antics. While cute to a degree, less would have been an improvement so that the real topic could shine through. The title promises much more than is delivered. Too many cutsie remarks and exclamation points detract.
   
   Some fascinating information is included, and that did keep me reading, but one has to excavate for the good stuff. The interviews and descriptions of the places traveled are interesting and worth the time. Exploring some additional cultures would also have been appropriate.
   
   However, I commend Geyer for adding to the anecdotal nonfiction shelves about felines.
   
   Whle the book is not a total waste of time, be prepared for a lot of fluff if you're looking for the real story.



2. I very much enjoyed reading this book since I am very much a cat person. I have a special interest in cats since I work at an egyptian museum and have done quite a bit of research on cats especially the Egyptian cat goddess, Bastet. I love the way Georgie Geyer humanized the cat and the research she put into the book. Not to mention the wonderful humor and the warmth in which she portrayed the cats. I loved seeing the cats in a different perspective and traveling with the author to unusual places that I probably will never see.



3. This book is superb and the service from Amazon could not be equalled.



4. I do not know if it was because I am a cat lover, but I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history. Ms. Geyer is an interesting author and has written a real page-turner. I thank her for making information which could have been dull bright and interesting. I now know more about the origins of my own beloved cats.



5. Back in November, I read an excerpt of this book in Geyer's column and thought: I've got to get this!!
   This book is well-written, and hooked me right from the beginning. Geyer's interest in the human-cat relationship takes her and you the reader to Egypt, Burma, Japan, and Thailand, plus her descriptions of the main cat breeds is helpful and informative. There are two sections of pictures, one section showing her own two cats the late great Pasha and her current cat, Nikko, as well as photos from her various travels. The second set shows the breeds of cats discussed in part two and all have a high 'aawwww' factor. Plus there is an appendix chronicling the evolution of the human-cat relationship throughout the world. All in all a great read!

1 comments about Yorkshire Terrier: Your Happy Healthy Pet.

1. "Yorkshire Terrier, 2nd edition (Wiley, 2005), by Marion Lane, is a guide to 'a little dog with a big personality.' This book contains the information a new or prospective "Yorkie" owner needs, including selection tips; pointers on feeding, grooming, and health; advice on housebreaking and basic training; and more. Author Lane is editor-in-chief of the ASPCA magazine Animal Watch." (summary by South Texas Library System)

5 comments about Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: A Complete and Reliable Handbook (Rare Breed).

1. It is a nice introduction to the Swissy with beautiful photos. The book, however, reads like a brochure. It is inappropriately priced in the textbook range, which it is not (not worth more than $30). The book is superficial and could greatly benefit from some more detailed information. That being said, it does cover some general topics nicely.



2. Great book with lots of personal input by Mr. Barton. I was not sure what to expect when I got my pup other than what I saw on the internet and what the breeder told me. It was all pretty on target, but in this book, Mr. Barton introduces more subtle and intersting accounts of the characteristics of the breed and now I can see all this dveloping in my own Swissy. ...



3. I just purchased my third copy of this book. Once I loan my copy out to friends or family, it disappears! I'm not telling anyone else I have a new copy! So obviously it is a VERY interesting and informative book. I agree with one of the previous reviewers however. When will you be writing another book?!? Thanks for the information you provide without boring us with unnecessary details.



4. I really enjoy this book, I wish it was longer, my 2 yr old daughter loved all the colorful pictures of the puppies and dogs. Very informative, and helpful.



5. This is a very informative book. From the history, selecting a breeder, feeding and training. It's a must have for any "swissy" owner. The photos are terrific and I can't think of a thing that Mr. Barton has left out!

5 comments about Dogs: The Ultimate Care Guide: Good Health, Loving Care, Maximum Longevity.

1. For the past month, I've been up to my elbows in a variety of dog manuals trying to learn the ins and outs of choosing and owning a dog. All of them have been pretty good, but I have to say that this one is by far the best of the lot.
   
   Not only is it lavishly illustrated and written in a very laid back, easygoing style that makes it accessible to anyone from age 9 to 90, it's comprehensive to the point of being encyclopedic. This book covers it all, from the temperament of 50 popular dog breeds and their suitability for city or country living, from common behavioral problems (such as barking, chewing, and anxiety). So in that regard it truly is the bible of dog manuals. That's not to say that it's not the only book worth having or that there aren't other good books for the first time owner, but that it's the perfect primer, in that it introduces you to all the most important things you need to know before picking and choosing a dog.
   
   I can't recommend it highly enough.



2. The book arrived on time and in new condition. It has everything from training techniques to health issues. This book covers all the basics you need to know when owning a dog... and a little more w/o being too much info.



3. like the title says this book is great. its written by vets and other experts and has illustrations and quick reference charts. detailed pages on what seems to be a-z problems and is filled with fun and lesser known facts. as well as advice. its covers from the very beginning of getting a dog to when they get old. it also has first aid and basically everything you need to know as a dog owner.



4. I'd give this book 4 stars for its content, but the way it's written drops it down to 3. It's pretty comprehensive, covering nearly every important topic, but doesn't delve very deeply into any. The big problem though, is that it is very annoying to read because every few sentences are a quote from some 'expert' so half the text ends up being stateing who said it. Such as "...blah blah blah... says so and so of the blank department of behavioral sciences for blank, etc etc." Ends up reading more like a high school essay than a book. I expect the authors of a book to take the time to actually reorganize and rewrite all these random thoughts and not just string together a bunch of quotes.



5. This book has been a life saver and a nerve tonic to all of my puppy and dog questions. Being a first time dog owner can be an anxious experience and this book is full of knowledge, facts, and common sense solutions to all that can ail a dog.

5 comments about A Practical Guide to Corals for the Reef Aquarium.

1. This book is excellently illustrated and very easy to use. It is a wonderful identifier reference book and contains basic lighting, ease of keeping and many other facts that people need to know when they are purchacing corals. I would highly recommend this book.



2. This is somewhat like a small encyclopedia of corals. I believe for the photos alone many would find the book enjoyable that are not practicing this hobby.  The photos are breath taking and helpful and does a very good job at providing information on the requirements for the coral types. Unfortunately it is lacking in more detailed information on each species.
   Certainly not definitive but very helpful. If you are a marine hobbiest I do not recommended it as the only book  you should own on corals but if you are a reef aquarist it should be in your library.



3. I've found this book to be, quite simply, the best, easiest-to-use reference guide for quickly identifying and getting essential information -FAST!- about most of the corals you'll find offered for sale in your local fish shops, and rank it right up there with Scott W. Michael's book "Marine Fishes, 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species" as the other must-have buying/reference guide for the saltwater aquarist. With its beautiful pictures, "A Practical Guide to Corals..." will also be an excellent addition to any coffee table!



4. A good starter guide for the novice reefer.I found lots of basic information,all care charts were to generalized.Good reading for identification yet lacks Big Time on care of each specific group. Look for the new release in March 2001 for hopefully a more detailed read.



5. This is one of the best books that I have seen on the description and care of the most common corals for the reef aquarium. It gives information on each coral such as Common name, Scientific name, Lighting needs, Water flow, Aggressiveness and Difficulty of care. This is not a book on "how to" setup a reef tank book but an excellent reference guide on corals and the proper care of these animals. Many great pictures and short but very informative descriptions make this a must have to the Reefkeeper. By the way, Eric Borneman (a.k.a. Eric Hugo) is one of the best known most knowledgable contributors on the Internet and reefkeeping Mail and Usenet Groups.

2 comments about The Complete Book of Austrailian Finches.

1. Lots of good pictures, great introduction to many of the Australian finches and their compability. Care, breeding, health, etc.



2. The book is a good guide, available with suitable photographs.
   However , a detailed feature on goldian finches , especially a chapter devoted exclusively to the breeding of gouldian finches would have been better. The book has enabled me to give the right light and shade conditions plus food supplements to finches. So far I have successfuly bred society finches and have even placed goldian eggs in society finches' nest.Results still awaited. But contrary to the fact that gouldians feed their first clutch , I wish to pinpoint that though a chick did hatch successfully from the initial clutch , the parent birds made no effort to look after it. This is in total contradiction to the details given in the book.

4 comments about The Greatest Horse Stories Ever Told: Thirty Unforgettable Horse Tales (Greatest).

1. My twelve year old thought the book too full of negative stories and dying horses. While a more experienced horseperson may appreciate the realism, this is not the book for a little girl who always loves to draw her horse and puts glitter in his mane even before barrel races.



2. Don't buy this book unless you wish to be bored with prattle. There is no "story"- - only 3-4 pages of a diary-like perspective of one person talking to another person...in numerous chapters. They are not even tales. There is no theme either. More like boring gossip among elite and wealthy. It's a real sleeper. Not sure how it got published, except there is always someone who might like such idle talk. Title is most misleading.



3. The GREATEST horse stories EVER told? Well...let's put it this way. These are definitely some of the better stories, and certainly the book as a whole offers an eclectic and therefore engrossing range of stories. But don't hold the book's title against it. It really is a nice mix that ranges from the first-person accounts by Jane Smiley of her dear old friend Mr. T. and Colonel Alois Podhaksky's description of his time spent as the Director of the Vienna Spanish Riding School (home of the Lipizzaner stallions) to a story of a real life horse whisperer and Maxine's Kumin's thoughtful answer to the question, "Why is it that girls love horses?" Here too you will find racehorses, cow ponies, hunters and the people who know and care for them. This book is a sure beat for anyone who loves horses, or is interested in what makes those who love them tick.



4. My non-horsey boyfriend bought this book for me for my birthday. The book name is kind of generic, but I figured he at least got an E for effort. However, once I got started I have been savoring each story. This is definitely a book for horse lovers....real horse lovers. A story taken from "My Horses My Teachers" by Podiesky (sp?) is outstanding. The story about Buck Brannamen - "The Horse Whisperer" was another I'll never forget. Ignore the stupid name and buy this book. Make a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night and just get lost in the stories.

4 comments about The Practical Canary Handbook: A Guide to Breeding & Keeping Canaries.

1. I ordered this book after buying a canary to learn about these birds and their care and habits. There is a lot of useful information in this publication. I wish in certain chapters that it would give more detailed information. Overall I would recommend it.



2. The Canary Handbook is a good product. Good paper,easy reading and beautifull color pictures. I am fully satisfied with the product. The only thing thats bothering me is that Amazon.Com uses a hugh carton box filled with air-plus-book to mail the product, making overseas shipping/postage extremely expensive.



3. This is a good canary book with a great section on the best types of food.



4. this is up there with the best of books ive read on the canary,it is very informative very interesting.each night i read this book, it has thought me alot, gave me understanding and peace of mind when im wondering what to do next or why did this or that happen?its in the book.thanks for a good book on such a wonderful little bird.