Krups 867-42 Il Caffe Bistro 10-Cup Coffee/4-Cup Espresso Maker
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $215.00 -- our price: $169.99
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Editorial Review

By combining a regular coffeemaker and espresso machine, this1500-watt appliance makes it possible to satisfy every coffee cravingwith a single, compact unit. Separate water tanks permit simultaneouscoffee and espresso brewing for satisfying everyone at once. Theespresso-machine side includes a steam nozzle with a foolproof frothingattachment for creating coffee drinks like cappuccino and café latté.Making espresso follows tradition: tamping the proper amount of coffeeinto a filter basket inside a filter holder, twisting the filter holderonto the machine, pouring water into the machine's boiler, and twistingthe control knob, which instantly goes from the off position to brewingespresso or frothing milk. Depending on the amount of water, up to four2-ounce cups will then be brewed into an 8-ounce glass carafe.

Making regular coffee also adheres to tradition: inserting a filterinto the filter basket, spooning in coffee, pouring water into thecoffeemaker's tank, and pressing a button. Depending on the amount ofwater, up to ten 5-ounce cups of coffee will then be brewed into a50-ounce glass carafe, which sits on a warming plate. Removing thecarafe from the warming plate pauses the brewing process for 20 secondsto accommodate a midbrew pour. A programmable digital clock/timer makesit possible to brew wake-up coffee at a selected time up to 24 hours inadvance. For safety, the machine automatically shuts off two hoursafter brewing. The machine has a bright plastic exterior, measures 13inches wide, 12 inches high, and 10 inches deep, weighs 4-3/4 pounds,and carries a one-year warranty against defects. An illustrated bookletprovides clear operating instructions. --Fred Brack

Editor's note: This item may arrive with water inside from themanufacturer's pressure test. This is a normal occurrence and doesn'tindicate a problem with the machine. ... Read more

Features

• Measures 13 by 12 by 10 inches; 1-year limited warranty, 90 days for parts and service
• Dual-purpose machine brews 10 5-ounce cups regular coffee, 4 cups espresso
• Separate water tanks permit simultaneous coffee and espresso brewing
• Steam nozzle with frothing attachment covers making cappuccino and caffe latte
• Programmable 24-hour clock/timer for "wake-up" coffee; 20-second pause for mid-brew pour

Reviews (39)

This ismy cappuccino, latte coffee dream maker machine
I call this my cappuccino, latte coffee dream maker machine.

If you are looking for a cappuccino & latte coffee maker combo this is the machine for you.The manual that comes with this machine has even picture detail to walk you through making your first cup of latte, cappuccino or just a cup of coffee.I would take the manuals advice and get familar with each item.Because if you do not you will get confused and frustrated.It took me maybe 30 minuts to make my first and after that it has been every morning a Latte on my way into work without having to stop in Starbucks.Just by their coffee (or any coffee will do) and make your own.You can even control your calorie intake by making your own with this Krups coffee maker.

I think that it is a wonderful thing to have the coffee maker making your coffee; when you are opening your eyes getting out of bed. Your coffee is already made.If you are not the Latte every morning type of person.This Kurps coffee espresso combo machine has every type of person in mine for coffee makers & coffee drinkers.

I just think that this machine is durable.The time on the clock is easy to program.The manual is easy to learn to make espresso.It is even easy to make your steamed milk and your froth that goes on top of your lattes & cappuccinos.

Now, you will need to purchase the Krups stainless still Frothing pitcher to go along with the machine.If you make as many Latte's as I will the $10.00 price for the pitcher is not bad at all.It is seperate piece.The machine will already have the measuring spoon in it.To me that is all you need.

The only thing that I do not like to do is to clean the frothing attachment.Please follow that manuals instructions.It would be a wise thing to do.

This is a wonderful machine and I LOVE MINE.

Hated it!!!
We were so excited when we bought this machine, it was a gift to ourselves and we thought we would end up saving money making our tasty coffee treats at home well.......

For the first few months it worked just fine, then it suddenly had all kinds of kinks appear. The espresso maker stopped working JUST when the warranty ran out. No steam and no espresso. The coffee maker still works but doesn't make coffee any better or worse than a cheap coffee pot. The lid on the pot broke after about 4 months. If you don't fit the pot on the heating pad just right you will have a countertop of coffee so you have to stand and watch it start to make sure that won't happen. The timer works fine but because of the aforementioned problem doesn't matter much!!

We were very disappointed overall with this machine and I really can't in good conscience recommend it at all!!!! Stay away!!! run for the hills ...seriously!

My first espresso maker, and I love it!
I got this machine about 7 months ago and had never made a single shot of espresso before. The instructions were very clear and the machine is very easy to operate. The froth attachment works very well. I have not had any problems with the espresso maker or the coffee maker. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Asin: B00004SPCV

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (08 September, 1999)
list price: $6.99 -- our price: $6.99
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Editorial Review

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under thestairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley.

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets andHarry Potter and thePrisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (5018)

I swore I would never read this book, and I was wrong!!!
There was a certain time in my life, when I completely despised Harry Potter books.My 25 year old sister (23 at the time) told me they were so good, but that still didn't change my mind.She even took me to go see the Chamber of Secrets when it was in theatres, and I still didn't like it too much.When I chose to read this book as a part of an English 12 project, it was awesome.
The characterization that J.K Rowlings uses, especially with Snape, it almost makes YOU hate him as much as Harry does!I also noticed that in the other books, it stays the same, but it's remarkable how she characterizes Professor Dolores Umbridge in Book Five, Order of the Phoenix.Again, it makes you absolutely DESPISE her!The theme is focused on the world of wizardy and witchcraft for most of the books, shifting rarely to the Muggle world.There aren't that many symbols in the book, other than the Invisiblity cloak and the Mirror of Erised.The cloak, which Harry recieves on Christmas by Dumbeldore, however unknown at the time, used to belong to James Potter, Harry's father.Dumbeldore later tells him that James gave it to him right before he died, and Dumbeldore passed it on to Harry.It symbolizes a father's legacy to his son, and also symbolizes both of their rebellious behaviors by using it to sneak around.The Mirror symbolizes Harry's greatest desires, beacuase whenever he looks in it, he sees his parents.The setting of the story begins at Four Privet Drive, in London, England.But most of the story takes place in Hogwarts, the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.The plot, I would LOVE to explain, but I don't want to spoil it for all of you who haven't read it.Personally, though, I think it has an OUTSTANDING plot line!I hope you enjoy it!

A Classic Start
This is an excellent begining to a wonderful series with the makings of a classic.

Mystical, Imaginative, Magical!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a great book by J.K. Rowling. I could not stop thinking of this book for the whole time I was reading it. I read this 309-page book in one week and loved every second of it. The plot of this book is very interesting. A boy, Harry Potter, is left on the doorstep of his Aunt and Uncle's house that are very normal and like being normal. They keep Harry in a cupboard under the stairs at night and make him work during the day. One day, a letter comes for Harry. This letter asks Harry to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry goes and learns of a whole other world. He learns to fly a broom, becomes the quidditch seeker, and much more. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are Harry's best friends and Draco Malfoy is Harry's enemy in school. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is Harry's biggest enemy that wishes Harry dead. Harry and his friends as well as all the people at Hotwarts learn much magic. The author puts many unexpected twists into the book. For instance, Rowling makes you believe that one character has problems, but is a good teacher, but this character doesn't have any problems once so ever and is actually helping Harry's biggest enemy. This was what was compelling about it, because I never knew what was going to happen next. Harry Potter is very unique because no one has really done anything like it before. It has captured readers by surprise at how good it is. It shows a new side of fantasy writing and opens up doors for other writers as well. ... Read more

Isbn: 059035342X
Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft    4. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Imaginary place)    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Magic    8. School & Education    9. Schools    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Wizards    12. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

The Joy of Work: Dilbert's Guide to Finding Happiness at the Expense of Your Co-Workers
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (September, 1999)
list price: $15.95 -- our price: $10.85
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Editorial Review

Scott Adams's latest work is not a collection of Dilbert cartoons (though recycled strips are liberally sprinkled throughout); it's a dialogue between the man and his fans disguised as a tongue-in-cheek guide to surviving the corporate life.There are chapters on "Office Pranks," "Surviving Meetings," and "Managing Your Co-Workers," with enough weird stories and practical jokes to make any middle manager nervous, especially as many of the tricks and tips come from e-mails sent to Adams by his fans (one tip: never let anyone else use your computer). If these messages are any indication, the creative tide has turned, and now the corporate world is following Dilbert's lead. In the office blocks of America, life is imitating art imitating life, creating a pleasantly postmodern working environment. The final chapter of The Joy of Work, "Handling Criticism," includes a response to Norman Solomon's The Trouble with Dilbert, which accuses Adams of selling out and supporting the corporate hierarchy that he claims to satirize. Adams's response is thorough and convincing, with just enough nastiness (jokes about Solomon's hair, for example) to demonstrate that although Dilbert may not have a mouth, he certainly has teeth. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Mischievous stories and humorous take on workplace stress
This book, by the creator of the Dilbert comic strip, offers tips on surviving the workday.The author includes mischievous stories from other professionals as well as some of his own.The book is an entertaining look at overcoming workplace stress and still funny five years after publication.

Good one.
I usually prefer the Dilbert strips by themselves, as opposed to a book containing strips and Adams' commentary.However, this one was funny.Adams' chapter on "Office Pranks" had me in stitches!

Dot-com boom book still laugh-out-loud funny
Clearly written during the dot-com boom, this book is nevertheless enjoyable for its laugh-out-loud humor. It's written tongue-in-cheek as a guide to enjoy work - you're there most of the time, might as well have fun. Being devious is key. Some of the practical "jokes" that readers have sent to Scott Adams border more on cruelty than humor, but hey, you wouldn't take this advice seriously anyway. Reading it in the dot-bomb era is fun, too, as it shows the "take this job and shove it" attitude that the stock option days led to.

The latter part of the book is Scott Adams' musings on creativity and humor. He tries to keep the same tonality as in the rest of the book, but you can tell he's a bit more thoughtful about this. It, too, is a good read, albeit different than the first part of the book. ... Read more

Isbn: 0887308953
Subjects:  1. Business Life - General    2. Corporate culture    3. Form - Parodies    4. General    5. Humor    6. Humor in the workplace    7. Industrial management    8. Social aspects    9. Topic - Business and Professional    10. United States   

Web Design & Desktop Publishing for Dummies
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (09 December, 1997)
list price: $19.99
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Reviews (4)

A great book, but a misleading title.
Other reviewers have offered high praise for this book, and I strongly agree with them. However, I feel obliged to offer a few counterpoints, since most readers will purchase this book sight unseen.

Roger C. Parker is a recognized expert in his field, and this book exemplifies his experience as if it were his portfolio and resume. From lessons on defining your message to practical tips on layout and the proper uses of color and type, most readers will certainly find some helpful bit of advice in this book. BUT IT ISN'T ABOUT WEB DESIGN!

This book contains no code, NONE, not one tag. Though there are good illustrations explaining the usefulness of tables and frames, for example, this book will not give you even the slightest hint as to how to create these elements on a page. The same can also be said of graphics. (However, the book does provide excellent insight into the subliminal impact of perforations, folds, and paper texture). And while technology marches on, this book has not - it remains a relic from the age of 28.8K modems.

So let us appreciate this book for what it is, a fantastic book on the fundamentals of graphic design. But readers might be better served by Parker's master work "Looking Good in Print" (ISBN 1566048567); its lessons apply just as well to PowerPoint and the World Wide Web. Fans of this series who actually want to make web sites might also consider "Web Design for Dummies"... it's about web design.

Great stuff for newbies!
Today, I received my copy of this amazingly simple but thorough treatment of web design and desktop publishing. I'm a freelance writer and need to ramp up my tech skills. This book is launching me ahead at incredible speed with its simple advice. Roger Parker writes like the mentor you've always wanted. I will order more of his books because he makes good sense and doesn't sound techno-crazy. Every freelancer needs this book just to keep up.

Better than the other 'Dummies'
I'm actually going to purchase the book now, having already read the book.I checked out 10books on desktop publishing at my local library and narrowed the field down to the three I thought were best in providingconcise, valuable information.Two of the three were written by RogerParker, and the Dummies book seemed written for a person who needs valuableinformation fast. I own my own small business and this book fit my needsthe best. ... Read more

Isbn: 0764501399
Sales Rank: 325084
Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Internet    2. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    3. Computers    4. Data Processing - General    5. Design    6. Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Internet - General    9. Web sites    10. Desktop publishing software    11. Publishing on the Internet   

Introduction to French Poetry (Dual-Language) (Dual-Language Book)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 1991)
list price: $7.95 -- our price: $7.95
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Reviews (2)

A survey of French poetry and a fun way to hone Frenchskills
This is a thin volume, but in it is a wonderful little collection of mini-bios and examples of the works of excellent French poets. As the title implies, the poems are in French on the left pages, and in English on the opposite sides.

Honestly, even if you aren't enthralled by poetry, this is a practical way to familiarize yourself with some colloquial (albeit sometimes antiquated) French language.

This is a cheap item ($7.00), and worthy of collection. The intro even has a brief lesson in metrical arrangement patterns.

I think this book serves well to illustrate how beautiful the French langague can be, especially when artfully manipulated by such historical talents as Victor Hugo and Voltaire.

4.1 stars.

Great Poetry but difficult when read in french
Dual language books, like this, are great ways to improve on language skills. I found this book to be a great way to improve my french comprehension.Poetry is difficult to read in foreign languages, even withdictionaries, because the images are often abstract and very hard tounderstand with using only the actual definitions of words. So with thisbook, having the english translation next to it was a great way to help myfrench, help my understanding of larger images, and enjoy the poetryitself. The poetry is beautiful. I really recommend this book. ... Read more

Isbn: 0486267113
Sales Rank: 124990
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Continental European    3. French poetry    4. History and criticism    5. Poetry    6. Poets, French    7. Translations into English    8. Poetry / Single Author / Continental European   

Arthur Rimbaud: Complete Works (Perennial Classics)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (04 April, 2000)
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Reviews (17)

Rimbaud, oui; Schmidt, non
The rating by no means refers to Rimbaud's poetry, but rather to Schmidt's poor translation.It is as if Schmidt is trying to "force" poems, even going so far as substituting incorrect English words simply to make the poems rhyme.He also presents them in a somewhat disjointed manner, lumping them by era or even themes.

If you want to enjoy the beautiful poems of Rimbaud, turn to Wallace Fowlie's well-respected translation (available here at Amazon.)Fowlie also presents the original French text side-by-side, so if you do have some knowledge of French you can get a better feel for the heart of Rimbaud's work.

controversial translation of a controversial poet
This book was one of the most fundamentally influential books for me as a developing poet. I think it's by far the best translation of Rimbaud, much more enjoyable to read than the Pleide edition, which seems to me outdated. It may be true that Schmidt took some creative license and his translations of these poems may not be as literal or as accurate as others, but his gift for interprettation makes the poems better than in other translations, and that to me is more important than just strict accuracy. When I read these poems, I know I'm reading Rimbaud--the imagery, the atmosphere is all his. It doesn't bother me at all if from time to time the translator must re-position a word here or adjust a phrase there, or even invent an approximate figure-of-speech for one that doesn't exist in English--the main thing is that this translation is compelling and easy to understand and has Rimbaud's poetic style and ideas down to a T.

David Rehak
author of "Poems From My Bleeding Heart"

complete works by a. rimbaud.
i find the translation quite smooth and literary; however in comparison to other translations, schmidt tends to be overly literal, which is not always helpful and doesn't leave much space for personal interpretation, which is rather important when reading rimbaud. but even if some of the verses' meanings are "forced" onto the reader, the meaning and rhythm are conveyed properly, which makes this book a good read. ... Read more

Isbn: 0060955503
Sales Rank: 223646
Subjects:  1. Continental European    2. French Poetry    3. General    4. Poetry    5. Poetry / General    6. Rimbaud, Arthur    7. Translations into English   

A Dangerous Profession : A Book About the Writing Life
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (02 November, 1999)
list price: $19.00 -- our price: $13.30
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Editorial Review

Part memoir, part literary criticism, novelist Frederick Busch's A Dangerous Profession could serve as a warning to post on the door of every creative-writing program in the nation. Take, for instance, Busch on the glamour of the writer's life: "Yes, the thrill of rising at 5:30 a.m. and writing in the dark cold, or typing late at night after jobs that eat our hearts and livers..." Or Busch on the literary marketplace: "Something that is part of the gift is also a compulsion: that we seek the darkness, not the light; that we serve up grindings of glass in blood sauce rather than the Fifth Avenue soufflé most readers want." Or, finally, Busch on the attitude of the world at large to writers: "...we are the enemy."

What drives people to an activity so manifestly difficult, unprofitable, and against common sense? The author of 21 books, Busch illustrates the ancient need to tell stories by reflecting on writers as varied as Melville, Dickens, Kafka, and Graham Greene.Busch is a perceptive reader as well as an accomplished writer, and it's a pleasure to read criticism so clearly passionate about books as art and not just ideas. The most moving part of A Dangerous Profession, however, is that in which Busch meditates on his own sources of inspiration, including the complex and elusive figure of his own father. There is a little bit of oh-pity-the-suffering writer here, but not a lot--and, in fact, much more of oh-pity-the-suffering-writer's-wife (husbands not included, since Busch doesn't have one). Eclectic, witty, and never less than stunningly written, A Dangerous Profession is a memorable tribute to the rewards as well as the rigors of the writing life. --Mary Park ... Read more

Reviews (5)

save your cash
I hate to say it, but i struggled through this book. I was looking for a book with more advice; more substance---a book I could sink my teeth into. "A Dangerous Profession" was NOT the one.

For us [brave enough to ADMIT it] wannabe 'writers', there are better books than this:.....There are too many books about creative writing to mention. But if I had the chance to 'do-it-over', I would NOT buy this book.

Busch gets inside the writer's mind
The very title is a challenge. "A Dangerous Profession." About writing? What's so dangerous? Suffocation by towers of manuscripts?Rejection of your work by editors? Paper cuts? Who does Frederick Buschthink he is; Richard Branson?

No, what this university author's talkingabout in this collection of pieces are those writers who take risks withtheir works. Not to write the next potboiling, page-turning best-seller,but something more lasting and more personal. These are writers who liveout their lives according to a sort of literary DNA, doing what they mustat whatever cost to themselves.

There's Herman Melville, who felthimself finished at age 33 because the book he believed in, "MobyDick," had earned him "the scorn of reviewers -- they questionedhis sanity as well as his skill -- and, by the end of his life, a total of$157." There's Graham Greene's exquisite career writing about how webetray love, loyalty, ourselves. Or, as Busch puts it: "follies werehis subject matter, finally -- how, in love, we betray the beloved; how,worshiping God, or a god, or a hope of one, we betray that hope or wish;how, striving to do good, we cause damage."

There's CharlesDickens, whose "David Copperfield" is nothing less than a novelabout writing and the power of the written and spoken word can hold overits audience. The novel is also a reflection of the man himself, whocarried on stage readings of his works that would leave him exhausted andprobably hastened his end. That's writing capable of killing.

But Buschdoesn't sustain the promise implied by the title, so the book's not adirge. He leavens it by including essays on bad popular writing and badliterary criticism, memoirs recalling his early literary career, and ashort humorous look at the writer's life from the point of view of the(usually) long-suffering wife.

It's tough to explain to someone whodoesn't write why putting words on paper can be so difficult, why writerscan turn into divas in their self-absorption and why those who work so hardto become so good seem capable of sacrificing so much. Busch's look at thewriting life reminds us why it is so.

very informative
You should read this book if you are a beginning writer who wants assurance that others too have written and been rejected over and over again. IF you think you would like to be a novelist to have glamour, fame,and fortune, than read on so that you can persuade yourself to go intoanother line of work.

Frederick Busch knows about the dangers ofwriting, he is a best selling author of more than twenty works of fictionand non- fiction, but you do not see him on nightly TV.Busch examineswhat makes him and the writers that he admires including Charles Dickens,Herman Melville and Ernest Hemingway continue to write in the darkesthours.The reason is simply to share stories.Busch is the writer ofthe sixteen essays that are in the book.If a writer is honest withhimself, he hopes that what he writes will be interesting to the readers.

Called a Notable book of 1998 by the New York Times, A DangerousProfession will captivate writers and readers alike, inspiring them topick up books that they would not normally want to read, which has been thecase with me.I would recommend this book to any one who likes to read. ... Read more

Isbn: 0767903986
Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Authorship    3. Books & Reading    4. Books and reading    5. Busch, Frederick - Prose & Criticism    6. Busch, Frederick,    7. Composition & Creative Writing - General    8. Criticism    9. Language    10. Literary Criticism    11. Reference    12. Writing Skills    13. Busch, Frederick    14. Literary Criticism & Collections / Essays    15. Views on authorship   

Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 September, 1995)
list price: $12.95 -- our price: $10.36
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Editorial Review

Think you've got a book inside of you? Anne Lamott isn't afraid to help you let it out. She'll help you find your passion and your voice, beginning from the first really crummy draft to the peculiar letdown of publication. Readers will be reminded of the energizing books of writer Natalie Goldberg and will be seduced by Lamott's witty take on the reality of a writer's life, which has little to do with literary parties and a lot to do with jealousy, writer's block and going for broke with each paragraph.Marvelously wise and best of all, great reading. ... Read more

Reviews (227)

A must read!
Anne LaMott has been an author and creative writing teacher in California. And in her book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, she tells us how she helps her students start writing, often using their own lives as fodder. Her simple advice is: Write, write, write. She suggests we try hard to recall our first memory, first day of school, first love, first of everything. So many of us have stories to tell, but we don't get started with pen to paper, hands to keyboard. She reminds us not to worry about the first draft, and to worry about libel later!

I laughed as she described an editor by comparing them to a friend who will "put your pet down" when you pet has outlived its usefulness, and you can't do it yourself. This brand of humor is what you can expect from this and many of her books.

Check her out. It took me forever to read Bird by Bird because I highlighted endlessly and took copious notes - and I thought of my first memories. You will, too.

Other Lamott books: Blue Shoe; Crooked Little Heart, Rosie; All New People, Hard Laughter, Plan B: Future Thoughts on Faith plus she has short stories in many other books.

Not just for writers
As an aspiring opera singer, I think "Bird By Bird" speaks to any artist who is struggling with the desire to share their gift with a world that is full of rejection.Anne's insights are fantastically sarcastic and full of truth.Thank you for speaking my mind, Anne.I have quoted you through tears of laughter to more than one friend.

She held my hand, this is a masterpiece
Thank you Anne,
you held my hand,
when I was at that fragile time after publishing and before getting any feedback.Any writer will benefit from her wit and inspiration, whether they are just starting, trying to publish, or whatever. ... Read more

Isbn: 0385480016
Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Journalism    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Reference    8. Writing Skills    9. Reference / Writing Skills   

Pretty Hate Machine
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 November, 1989)
list price: $25.99 -- our price: $25.99
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Editorial Review

Considered the breakthrough album that delivered a more palatable version of industrial music to the commercial audience, Pretty Hate Machine left its dingy mark on pop culture. The abrasive "sonarchy" of the album was first churned by despondent club-goers who roiled with the rhythms and aligned with the angst-ridden convictions. Since its release, the album's tempered deviations came to signify an aesthetic reverie for machine-driven martyrdom. Permeated by hissing engines and dissonant strains, the tracks cascade outside channels of modern complacency. Hits like "Head Like a Hole" and "Down in It" are recognized by the acidic beats, piercing riffs, and lyrical hostilities which snare the listener with disparaging rhapsody. Not for the light-headed, Pretty Hate Machine afflicts the inner sanctum and strikes a nerve. --Lucas Hilbert ... Read more

Features

• Import

Reviews (319)

Genius
Trent Razor is a abosulte GENIUS...His lyrics are so angry and yet can be depressing...He has some true talent.

Groundbreaking.
Hailed as the album that brought pop sensibilities into industrial music, "Pretty Hate Machine" is a real breakthrough in its genre.Nine Inch Nails (aka Trent Reznor) constructed an album of pain and anguish, of a mood of loss and anger, or mourning.The arrangements are sparse, far moreso than Reznor's later work, and its a much more pop record than any of his other material, and its got its own unique charm to it.

The album succeeds best when Reznor keeps the backgrounds simple enough to really allow his voice to carry the work-- blessed with the ability to really invest passion into his singer, he excels at the morbid ballad "Something I Can Never Have", prodded gently by the mournful piano line and the fantastic "Sin"-- full of anger and rage over a straightahead beat, Reznor really cuts right into it and the results are nothing short of stunning.The infectious rhythms and the great delivery together with an irresistable chorus hook sink the song right in your head.Add to that a couple really great angry tunes to open the record up (the anthemic "Head Like a Hole" and "Terrible Lie"), a great wacky piece with a funky bass line that threatens ballad form even as it rejects it ("Sanctified"), and a couple pieces with confessional lyrics and great delivery ("Kinda I Want To", "The Only Time") and you've got a great record.In fact, the only thing on here that doesn't really work for me is closer "Ringfinger"-- it always seemed a bit lifeless.

One other thing Reznor excels at is a sense of unity in his works-- "Pretty Hate Machine" is successful not just as a collection of songs, but as an album with a unified feel.It does drag a bit on the second half (although "Sin" is there to shake it up), but overall its a fantastic debut.Recommended.

I don't see what the craze about this album is...
Maybe I have a different preference of my music than this album. There are a few good songs on here, but what kind of music is it? I couldn't help but to feel it was a mixture of pop and metal. I will say that is an interesting blend, but it came out all mixed up.

I listened to this album and it sounds to me the man is angry and heading into a hole he can't get out of. Behind his lyrics is the twisted sound of his guitar and crazy sounding electric funk beats.

On the other hand, some songs like "Sanctified" and "Head Like a Hole" are pretty good. They have a cool groove to them. These songs sound like they actually tried to make something meaningful.

I'm not going to be rude, but this album was not as good as everyone says. You could grab someone off the street who has had a tough life and they could probably write lyrics to the same extent as well as music like Trent Reznor. I can't really "feel" his pain because his lyrics are whack and confusing. I just had to listen to the instruments rather than his voice.

However, this is just my opinion. It did start a cult following and many other artists cop this style of music. Millions of fans can't be wrong about this album if they all enjoyed it.

If you're like me, you'll probably be more interested in artists like Screaming Trees, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. ... Read more

Asin: B000000GPY
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Industrial    3. Industrial Metal    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. United States of America   

Rage Against the Machine
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 November, 1992)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Not since the days of the Clash and the MC5 has rock seen such political force as in the uncompromising debut from this L.A. quartet. Expanding the hip-hop/metal style of bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage tap the spirits of vintage Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, coupled with hardcore punk intensity and Public Enemy-style grooves. "Bombtrack" opens the LP with a shot of adrenaline and singer Zack de la Rocha's infuriated chorus of "Burn, burn, yes, you're gonna burn!" The intensity doesn't let up an inch on the militant "Killing in the Name" (with the inspiring chant, "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!"), the ultrafunky "Bullet in the Head," and the engrossing "Fistful of Steel." Tom Morello combines time-honored metal guitar riffs with sounds that suggest a hip-hop scratcher over a rhythm section that simply takes no prisoners. Intelligent and aggressive, this is unimpeachably one of the best hard-rock records ever made. --James Rotondi ... Read more

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (496)

Ridiculous
This CD is ridiculous.When I put it in my CD player and put the headphones over my ears I was expecting a good album.I wasn't expecting to be dancing in ecstacy for forty minutes in my bedroom.

Review from a centrist Liberal
Yes, there are liberals who hate this garbage too. This political crap is nothing but extreme left-wing propaganda spreading their brainwashed views of political correctness in the same way that FOX News does it from the other extreme side of the political spectrum. What I find absolutely ridiculous about 'RATM' is that they're a rock band spreading hatred towards rich corporations, and yet Sony is their record label. Ha!! Let me laugh for a minute, because that's like Ozzy Osbourne being signed by a christian label. If RATM were true to their beliefs they should be signed to an indie label. I'll need to remind you people that I'm not a right-wing nut or a neo-con who worships O'Reilly and Hannity, because in the same way that RATM sucks, so do artists extreme right wings idiots like Toby Keith and Darryl Worley spreading their false patriotism and using it as a tool to make more money from 9/11.

I have to give RATM props because Tom Morello is a great guitarist, but other than that these guys are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites.

The Definitive Rock Album of the 1990s
Rage Against the Machine's self-titled, debut album was the definitive rock album of the 1990s and, more than any other album from its time, has influenced the mainstream rock genre as it flows through the airwaves today. Although Rage's influence on the evolution of rock music has generally been overlooked and understated by critics, if one were to analyze the current state of rock music, he/she would be hard pressed to argue that it could still be what it is today without Rage.

Rage spawned the rap/rock revolution (for better or worse), infused rock music with intelligent social and political commentary at a time when the genre was severely lacking it, and helped rock music evolve to its current state. Listen to the entire album once, all the way through, and you will see why. An amazing band, with amazing musicianship, lyricism, and insight, Rage should go down in history as one of the most influential rock bands of its generation, although it seems as though the scope of its influence may always be overshadowed by other deserving bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Regardless, what's most important is that the music will always be there for us to enjoy, and the music can never lie.

Trust me and the others who have taken the time to express their opinions on this album -- if you are a true fan of rock music, you owe it to yourself to own this album. ... Read more

Asin: B0000028RR
Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Heavy Metal    4. Pop    5. Rap-Metal    6. Rock   

The Alien Legacy
by Sigourney Weaver
Average Customer Review:
DVD (21 August, 2001)
list price: $79.98
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Editorial Review

An interesting feature of Alien, Aliens,Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection, worth watching together if only for thechance to see how different directors handle essentially the same idea. The results are decidedly mixed. Ridley Scott's Alien is the most traditional of the bunch, essentially a haunted-house picture set on a space freighter, where a monster is picking off crew members one by one. James Cameron's Aliens is the all-out adrenaline bath, a pulse-pounding action thriller from start to finish. It plays a little like a Western in outer space, where the settlers are waiting for a cavalry that never comes--and the Indians are acid-veined aliens. And David Fincher's Alien 3 is the rock-video version, in which substance and storytelling are sacrificed to editing and imagery, as the aliens attempt to take over a space penal colony. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• THX
• Widescreen
• Box set
• Dolby

Reviews (159)

LIKE THE REVIEWERS SAID BELOW,BUY THE ALIEN QUADRILOGY
This is an OK set,but the Alien Quadrilogy is FAR better. The Alien Quadrilogy is a nine disc set, with two versions of all four movies, and they are the theatrical version, and the director's cut(Alien only) or special edition (Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection) of each film. And there is about 50 hours of special features. It's $74.99 at Amazon.

This Alien Legacy set contains only one version of each film and they are the theatrical versions of each film (except for Aliens).

I've got the quadrilogy but not the legacy.
Alien: A classic. story: starts out, the crew of a commercial
starfrieghter are awoken from their hypersleep when the ships
A.I. reads that their is a S.O.S. coming from a strang planet.
They set their ship down the planet. Ship crashes they are stranded. They find a derilict ship, they go down to investigate.
One of the crew members that is lowered into a hole doesn't responed. They pull him up. they find a parasite attached to his
face. They cant get it off they try cut it. Acit comes out. Eats
throught floor. Thing seems to come by itself and die.
crewmember regains concousness,seems to be fine.
They eat dinner, he starts to thrash out like a crazy person
a Alien comes bursting out his chest escapes
in the labyrinth of the Nostromo, sheds its skin grows big
kills all the crewmembers except for. Ripley escapes, blows up
ship, finds out alien is on shuttle blows it out of the airlock.

Aliens: A classic: Story: Ripley upon blowing the nostromos
engines escaping in the shuttle, the Narccassis, blowing
the monster out ofthe airlock, she goes in hypersleep.
But, she ends up not being found for 57 years. A deep salvage
team finds her, brings her and her cat Jones to a space
station they revive, she finds out how long that she has been
out their. She has a meeting with Van Lewen and his Co-workers
to discuss why she blew the Nostromo's engines. She
tells them that a xenomorph was involved but no one believes
her when she says that their is hostile life on LV-426.
To her shock she finds out that 20 years after the nostromo's
engines blew people had started colonizing LV-426, and other
planets. She tries to warn Van Lewin by saying that they
could be in danger. But he doesn't listen. While she is
in her apartment Burke, and luitenent Gorman knock on her
door to tell her that they've lostcontact with
a colony on LV-426, and that her so-called "xenomorph" may
be involved. He says that if she goes in with the marines
then her liscence as a flight officer will be granted back to
her. She goes in with the Marines. They find one survivor
wich is a little girl named Rebecca Jordon, but her nickname is
"Newt." They ask her what killed her family, but she is
too traumatized to tell. They explore the atmosphere proccesser.
Find a nest, aliens come out, kill most of the marines, they
try to evacuate, a alien gets on the dropship. Dropship crashes.
They must blow up the colony, they do, Ripley, Bishop, Hicks, and
Newt escape, only when they escape the queen attaches herself
to their ship, she lays an egg(but that wont be revieled till Alien 3...it a queen facehugger in the egg) They blow the queen
out of the airlock. They think its all over. They go in hypersleep.





Alien 3 Also a Classic. Story: Newt, Hicks, Bishop, And Riply
are in hypersleep, the egg that the queen laid erlier has
hatched a queen facehugger is lose on the Sulaco. It jumps out
pokes a hole Newts cryo tube, cuts itself. Acid leaks
out, starts an electrical fire, the queen attaches itself to
Ripley's face. Computer automatically ejects theire tubes into
an escape pod. face hugger hops out. Hides somewhere in the pod.
The pod detaches from the USS Sulaco. Pod lands on Fury 161,
wich is a penal colony filled with rapists and murderers.
Pod hits the ground, a saftey support crashes through Hick's
cryo tube, his head gets splattered and smashed.
What leaks through a whole in Newts cryo tube. She drowns.
Bishop Gets smashed to bits. Alien facehugger lays embreyo inside
dog, bursts out dogs chest. Prisoners have no weapons.
They lure into the lead. kill it. ripley sacrafices herself.
and that is enough!

What can be said about this classic series ...
OK the 4 discs in this set are great ..... They had been digitally remastered THX sound and the video is better than the first disks that came out with the individual movie .... BUT .... if you are an aficionado of both the Alien series and of video DVD's then don'y buy this set but kick out double the bucks to buy the 2003 Alien Quadrilogy .... There are tons of new sceneces on that set AND most importantly all the movies were reworked and are BRIGHTER CRISPER and well just plain unbelievable .... ... Read more

Asin: B00000ILDH
Subjects:  1. Science Fiction   

WHY GAY GUYS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (08 June, 1995)
list price: $10.00
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Reviews (2)

Why Gay Men are Poisoning Today's Women
Gay men have it all wrong.They think that straight men are just plain evil, this book tells it as THEY see it.Not all straight men think Tiramisu is a Japanesse restaurant, in fact it is my favorite dessert.This book thinks that straight men are sexist pigs, when in fact gay men are just as sexist when they look at other men.Ladies beware, because when you finally meet the right man (and you will), your Best Gay Friend just might try and take him from you.

Heart felt... NOT This book was hella funny. I loved it.
This is the best book that I have ever read in my life. It was funny and short. Just enough to get you to want more. I loved every moment of it. If you are gay, or a girl who has a gay friend, GET THIS BOOK! It is great!! ... Read more

Isbn: 0684800535
Sales Rank: 514634
Subjects:  1. Friendship    2. Gay Studies    3. Gay men    4. Gay wit and humor    5. Gender Studies    6. General    7. Humor    8. Social Science / Gay Studies   

The Sopranos - The Complete First Season
by Sopranos James Gandolfini
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (12 December, 2000)
list price: $99.92 -- our price: $89.93
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The Sopranos, writer-producer-director David Chase's extraordinary television series, is nominally an urban gangster drama, but its true impact strikes closer to home: Like 1999's other screen touchstone, American Beauty, the HBO series chronicles a dysfunctional, suburban American family in bold relief. And for protagonist Tony Soprano, there's the added complexity posed by heading twin families, his collegial mob clan and his own, nouveau riche brood.

The series' brilliant first season is built around what Tony learns when, whipsawed between those two worlds, he finds himself plunged into depression and seeks psychotherapy--a gesture at odds with his midlevel capo's machismo, yet instantly recognizable as a modern emotional test. With analysis built into the very spine of the show's elaborate episodic structure, creator Chase and his formidable corps of directors, writers, and actors weave an unpredictable series of parallel and intersecting plot arcs that twist from tragedy to farce to social realism. While creating for a smaller screen, they enjoy a far larger canvas than a single movie would afford, and the results, like the very best episodic television, attain a richness and scope far closer to a novel than movies normally get.

Unlike Francis Coppola's operatic dramatization of Mario Puzo's Godfather epic, The Sopranos sustains a poignant, even mundane intimacy in its focus on Tony, brought to vivid life by James Gandolfini's mercurial performance. Alternately seductive, exasperated, fearful, and murderous, Gandolfini is utterly convincing even when executing brutal shifts between domestic comedy and dramatic violence. Both he and the superb team of Italian-American actors recruited as his loyal (and, sometimes, not-so-loyal) henchmen and their various "associates" make this mob as credible as the evocative Bronx and New Jersey locations where the episodes were filmed.

The first season's other life force is Livia Soprano, Tony's monstrous, meddlesome mother. As Livia, the late Nancy Marchand eclipses her long career of patrician performances to create an indelibly earthy, calculating matriarch who shakes up both families; Livia also serves as foil and rival to Tony's loyal, usually level-headed wife, Carmela (Edie Falco). Lorraine Bracco makes Tony's therapist, Dr. Melfi, a convincing confidante, by turns "professional," perceptive, and sexy; the duo's therapeutic relationship is also depicted with uncommon accuracy. Such grace notes only enrich what's not merely an aesthetic high point for commercial television, but an absorbing film masterwork that deepens with subsequent screenings. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Box set
• NTSC

Reviews (239)

unmitigated praise, and a caveat
After a few years, it's interesting to go back to the Sopanos--which is now conceived, to intricate degrees, many years in advance--and realize major portions of it were inchoate.And I'm not just talking about the pilot, where Irena is played bysomeone else and Adrianna doesn't appear to be anyone's girlfriend.Throughout the season, reference is made to a Sopranos family boss--Jackie was only the *acting* boss--who's very elderyl and imprisoned.The real boss isn't mentioned past this season, but it's noteworthy that his name--Eckley or Ercoli--is also the name of Tony's newly discovered retarded uncle.Also, Joseph Gannascoli plays a civilian in a bakery scene.Most importantly, I think, are the ways Gandolfini's and Falco's performances changed.In a way, Falco became more sublte while Galdofini painted in broader strokes.In later seasons, Carmella's intelligence and strength became more apparent while Tony became more operatic, no longer an average guy in unique circumstances, but a tragic,larger-than-life figure who moved with Brando-like breadth from evil to benevolence.For me, anyway, the show just got better and better as the years progressed.

But the show's beginnger is still very auspicious.Even the title is brilliant.Does "The Sopranos" refer to the nuclear family Sopranos, or the crime syndicate Sopranos?In that title is the key to what makes this show so damn brilliant.The Sopranos is very much mob entertainment.Characters get clipped, scuffles with the FBI are inevitable, macho low-IQ dudes drop malaprops like cluster bombs, cherry-picked Italian is mixed in with plenty of American expletives, food is heavy.But at the same time, the Sopranos is the most modern of shows.Prozac, DVD players, the post-911 economy, intra-ethnic group fighting, recovery programs, the internet--all play important parts.Some have called the Sopranos timeless, and it is, but it's also very much *of* its time.

That doesn't mean the Sorpanos isn't respectful of its predecessors--consider the casting of Imperioli, Sirico and Bracco (Goodfellas), or Chianese (Godfather).In Goodfellas, Imperioli gets shot in the foot by Pesci, but this time around he does the shooting.his only comment?"It happens."In the Godfather, oranges always symbolize death, so naturally Tony buys a bottle of OJ right before he gets shot.

And you really can't overpraise the show's brilliant use of music.Examples abound, but my favorite is "White Rabbit" throughout Down Neck as very subtle commentary on the increasing over-reliance of prescription drugs.It links Tony's use of Prozac and an attempt to disagnose AJ as ADD, presumably so he can be put on ritalin.It ends when the two make sundaes for each other, suggesting the chemical dependency of old maybe wasn't so bad.

One episode, Boca, contains such hypocrisy, however, I had to take my score down a star.(It was written by the same husband-wife team who wrote the artless flashback Christmas episode in season 3, so maybe I just don't jibe with their style.)What's my beef?Ok, this.This is, to my knowledge, the only time the show actually took a moral stance on something.The girls' soccer coach has had consensual sex with a minor (16 or 17) and everyone in the show is ready to spill blood over it.All well and good--who thinks soccer coaches should diddle their players?

One problem:this is the Sopranos.If the show is going to start expressing outrage, it sure did pick a weird place to start.Let's briefly catalog the various atrocities committed by show's characters.The men on the show all beat women up, be it tony with Irena or Christopher with Adrianna. In a few seasons a pregnant woman would be beaten to death.The girl was 20 years old, only a few years older than the girl in this episode.They all routinely cheat on their wives.They all routinely murder!When Artie Buco asks his wife, "Who's worse?The soccer coach or Tony Soprano?"the answer should be pretty obvious. Only one of them murders, hits women, sets his uncle up for a fall.This episode is particularly bad for the show to be sanctimonious, considering it ends with a female character being verbally abused and humiliated with a meringue pie (another allusion--this one to the movie Public Enemy).One of the things the show does best is show the hypocrisy of the characters.But this wasn't such an episode.The viewpoint is so uniform one can only assume it's also the *show's* perspective as well.That's why no one asks, "why are you so worried about this, Tony?You kill people; you disgrace your wife every day; you lie to everyone you know, every day; and your girlfriend is barely above the age of consent herself."

It's craw-sticking caveat, but it's not enough to wreck the show, which sets a bar for great drama very little in the movies, and certainly nothing else on TV, can clear. Some critic looking to get quoted on the box set called it "the most important cultural event in 25 years."That's hyperbole, obviously, but it's not hyperbole to say it's hitherto the very best thing ever on television.

Everything You Hear About This Show is True
I have this tendency to avoid all things popular.Don't know why.Maybe some leftover teen rebellion thing, but I stay away from things that are wildly popular.
Like THE SOPRANOS.

Heard about it, heard about it, heard about it.But, after THE GODFATHER films and GOODFELLAS, what more could be possibly done?

Then 9-11 hit.And I got stuck putting in incredible amounts of overtime (nuclear security and all).So I decided to catch up by renting the First Season of THE SOPRANOS and sneaking into the Safety Office to use their VCR.
And I was hooked.If I couldn't finish the tapes by the end of my shift, I was cutting into my sleep to finish them up afterwork.

All the good things you hear about this show are true.Its wicked sense of humor, superb writing, brilliant casting.That it makes you really love these characters--even as you know how brutal and repulsive they can be--is a true testament to the talents of everyone in front of and behind the camera.

Make sure you see the episodes in order though.It's like reading a great book and watching everything play out in front of you.

Great Mob Show , with a Great Season To start !
When i first saw the show i was hooked it kept you going its a really good story line in the first season their wasnt one dull episode in fact some of them were very good the collection is of course set up perfectly with great menus and previously on & next on the sopranos gives a nice touch to This HBO collection. Of Course the price is pretty steep , but its great entertaiment ... Read more

Asin: B00003CXOO
Subjects:  1. Television   

HoMedics PA-1 Action Massager with 3 Custom Massage Heads
Average Customer Review:
Health and Beauty
list price: $60.00
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Editorial Review

This electric massager is on call 24/7 to relieve sore muscles byproviding steady massage at different speeds, from gentle to invigorating. Itwill massage hard, medium, or soft, depending on which set of attachments you'vetwisted onto the two pivoting heads that direct massage waves deep into muscles.The attachments are 1-3/4-inch-diameter color-coded domes. The massager has afoam-cushioned handle for comfort. It's 13 inches long to reach the entire back,the head is 6 inches wide, and the power cord measures 12 feet. The massagercarries a two-year warranty against defects.--Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• 2-year warranty against defects
• Massages steadily at variable speeds, from gentle to invigorating
• Three head attachments for custom massages: hard, medium, soft
• Foam-cushioned handle
• 13 inches long; 6-inch-wide head; 1-3/4-inch-diameter head attachments

Reviews (9)

Better than I thought.
I bought this with doubts of whether the quality would be that great, being that I'm not real big on the HoMedics line of products. It turns out it's actually a very good product. It's not very loud at all for a stick massager, and the 12 foot cord comes in handy. It's fairly lightweight, but some older people (my grandparents for one) might have trouble holding it themselves for doing their own backs. Te quality seems very good so far, I assumed it would be pretty cheap looking and feeling when I received it, but it really is a good value. I considered purchasing the better (and more expensive) HoMedics massager, but this one has turned out to be just fine, especially for the money saved. Try it out, you might be pleasantly suprised as I was.

Awesome!!!
I got this for my husband for Valentine's Day, and we love it, including my 4 year old son.It works wonders for any sore spot, specifically the back.Even if your not sore, you still want to use it.What's great is you can use it yourself to massage your back, or you can have someone else do it.It's very easy to hold, and it has a control for how fast or slow you want the massage.It also comes with different ball like attachments, ranging from soft to hard.It depends on what kind of massage you are looking for.I recommend this to anyone that enjoys receiving or giving massages, for pure relaxation and relief of muscle pain.

You can feel your blood flowing
I bought the massager based on an article I read in a womens mag about increasing bone density with daily massage. This was one of the models listed and it feels so wonderful. Then my 87 year old mother in law tried it. She has had numbness in her feet and ankles causing her to use a cane when outside. She raved about the circulation that she felt after using it and when she went to bed that night her feet were not cold as they normally are. Then she walked to the grocery store which is something she hadn't been able to do in over a year. So I am a real fan and will probably get another-this time for my Mom. ... Read more

Asin: B000050FFI
Subjects:  1. Spa    2. Massagers    3. Personal Care   

Timex T300B Digital Tuning Clock Radio with Nature Sounds
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $39.99
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Editorial Review

If you need assurance that you'll wake up in the morning, the Timex T300B digital tuning clock radio with nature sounds provides threeseparate alarms. You can choose from four nature sounds for the alarm: brook,ocean, wind, and forest. The digital AM/FM radio features 18 preset stationmemories, and the LCD display is backlit with an amber glow. ... Read more

Features

• Amber-glow LCD screen with backlight
• Wake to AM/FM radio, buzzer, or 4 nature sounds
• Triple-alarm system
• Digital AM/FM radio
• 18 preset station memories, 12 FM and 6 AM

Reviews (60)

Good, but not the best.
I've had this alarm clock for 4 years now. The first three years it worked perfectly, and sounded perfectly. But on the fourth year, it started not going off in the mornings.

One of its 'conveniences' is that if you get up at the same time every morning, you don't even have to hit the "Set Alarm" button, you just simply crawl into bed. Its always on, until it gets older. And then as older things do, it forgets.

If you're planning on getting a newer alarm clock within a few years of owning this one, then I'd say buy it. But if you want one thats going to last, this simply isn't it.

Benefits:
- Easy to use and navigate once you realize what you're doing
- Looks decent and not overly complicated for a nightstand
- Gives you the ability to wake up to nature sounds, radio, or the incessant alarm
- Has a sleep radio function for those of us who can't fall asleep without noise on

Detractions:
- Can be hard to read if its not on your nightstand next to the bed, LCD's just weren't meant for distance viewing or side viewing.
- Even the dimmest setting of the background light is too bright for my taste
- You have to wire the wire antenna to the metal lamp shade to pick up optimal radio quality (don't ask)
- The Snooze button lost its operational use after 3 years, doesn't work at all anymore.

So that just about sums it up. I liked it, but now its getting a replacement while it goes to the basement for a clock.

Best Alarm Clock Ever!!!
Love this clock!Very small foot-print for use on a night stand.I have no idea why people would have a problem with it - "the buttons are too small"?, the "the light is too bright"?Good grief!I liked it so much that I bought a second one for my husband.Now we both have one.I'm even thinking of buying another one for the kitchen!And the price can't be beat!

get anything else
disappointing device. the display is too bright, in three levels of too bright, no less. i have to put a baseball cap over it or it lights up the room at night. the volume knob is hard to control - it is a thumbwheel that barely sticks out. once you do get it it goes too loud or too soft. very touchy in lower volume range. tuning not superb in the extreme. bizarre layout of buttons on front panel, which are easily hit by accident. the display layout is not logical and many indicators are extremely tiny lettering - good luck determining if that is "fm" or "pm" and is that referring to the alarm status or the normal status? but what the hey, it's cute, so even though i gave it one star, let's pretend it's a shiny tin foil star. ... Read more

Asin: B00004VXAB
Subjects:  1. t300, T-300, t-300, Timex clocks    2. nature sounds, clock radios, timex,    3. digital clock radio    4. Clock Radio (Radios)    5. Accessories (Accessory)