Category Archives: Nick's Reviews

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Warfare – DK Publishing

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We Make War That We May Live In Peace – Aristotle

The most wide-ranging and visually arresting history of wars and warfare ever published, War: Definitive Visual Guide documents every major war or significant period of conflict in over 5,000 years of human history.

A must-have reference gift for military enthusiasts and general readers alike, no other book about warfare contains such a diverse selection of imagery including contemporary paintings and photographs, objects and artifacts, and specially commissioned artworks, maps, and diagrams.

War: Definitive Visual Guide includes a comprehensive directory of every major war, thematic spreads examining broader topics within the history of warfare, from the role of mercenaries, communications, and the treatment of wounded soldiers, and personal accounts and objects from soldiers and civilians that bring to life the human experience of battle.

From the earliest known Wars in Sumeria and Ancient Egypt War to the occupation of Iraq, War: Definitive Visual Guide combines a coherent and compelling spread-by-spread historical narrative with a wealth of supporting features to recount the epic 5,000-year story of warfare and combat through the ages.

This is the ultimate war book.  From the Bronze Age to  present day, which includes every major war, the aspects of war, witnesses to war, as well as the hardware used through the centuries.  There are full colour photographs and artwork that portrayed major battles that changed the world.

Talks about how wars were fought in the ancient world before to Christ to present-day.  Weapons from each period – ancient, medieval, modern – how they have changed as well as the tactics have, as well as categories of weapons had me turning the pages oohing and aweing.

it also talks about the mercenaries, what they fight for, and how long they have been around…Did you know they have been around for thousands of years?  It talks about the french religious wars, the chinese civil war where the communists and the nationalists lost to the communists, and the remaining nationalists retreated to Taiwan to take China’s seat on the United Nations.

As the parent of a boy, I have to say this is one of Nick’s favorite.  He had taken it to school and had it there for a week to read during reading time.  All of his friends were intrigued to see what he was reading.

** This was previously published as War: The Definitive Visual Guide**

DK Canada

#15 – This Book Made me Do It – DK Publishing

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Brush up on your know-how by doing, making, and exploring just about everything!

Activities come in all shapes and sizes, and this book shows you an incredible variety of them, from panning for gold to doing the Moonwalk.

Ever wanted to fold origami, tie-dye a T-shirt, or slam-dunk a basketball like a pro?

Interested in creating a homemade bird feeder or a flashlight that runs on candy?

This Book Made Me Do It shows you how to do all of this and more! Perfect for budding artists, scientists, sports stars, and chefs, these step-by- step projects will provide hours of educational fun, whether you’re looking for a long-term hobby, or just a way to spend a rainy day. – Publishers Website

We received this book a few weeks ago, and ever since then myself and my son have poured through it looking at all the things that you can do.  Literally everything from A to Z.  That being said, Nick hasn’t been able to choose from one thing over the other, there are just so many things that he wants to do, but just couldn’t decide!

We went back and forth for the last 2 weeks, then finally last night I said to him…”c’mon just pick one thing” …

This is what he ended up doing….wait for it…

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Don’t forget to take a look through the March Break Boutique for even more ideas and to find out more about the contest DK Canada are having !

 

#14 – How To Cook – Delicious Dishes Perfect For Teen Cooks – DK Publishing

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A beautifully designed and practical introduction to creative cooking!

How to Cook gives teens the know-how and confidence to cook their own meals, whether for themselves or to impress friends and family. The 100 easy-to-follow recipes offer plenty of ideas to get them started. From Ginger-chicken stir-fry to scrumptious mini cheesecakes, there’s a great balance of healthy meals and treats from different countries around the world. Fascinating information on ingredients, origins, seasonality, healthy eating, and insights into food culture are spread throughout the text—so young adults are kept informed about what they’re eating, but in a light and fun way.

With this great selection of adaptable recipes, food facts, and fail-safe techniques, How to Cook will get teens creative in the kitchen, and enthusiastic about food for life. – Publishers Website

What a great book for beginning cooks! I love the setup inside of the recipes, the graphics, and some pretty swanky recipes if I do say so myself!  Gazpacho, Crepes, Samosas, Cannelloni, Puff Pastry even !!  I wish I had this book when I was a teenager !!   But all fun aside, this is a really great book to have your teens start out cooking and baking their way to becoming a pretty good cook by the time they are adults!

Everything is included, from Food Basics, Putting the Fun in to Food -  Tricks and Tips, Baking Techniques, Herbs and Spices – including 100 recipes to get them started, with really down to earth, understandable recipes, with simple instructions on how to add, sift, chop, dice and slice your way to impress even your parents!  Or even that new girl you have had a crush on forever that finally acknowledged you…hint, hint…

Now, my darling son Nick went through the book when we first received it and I thought he would want to make something hearty, since he loves anything to do with food.  When he was younger, we used to bake together and pretend we were French Chefs, and have a really corny French accent as we baked.  Well those days are g one for will forever be a memory that I will love and use as ammunition in the future.  No, I wouldn’t do that, but It makes me smile ear to ear at those times we had together.  He chose to make Ginger Cookies.  You can see the results below in the pictures we took last night.  So, if you are looking top get your kids even started on learning to cook for themselves, this is the book for you and your teenager to make new memories together !

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Make sure that you click on the picture below to browse other books and to  enter a contest where you can win $150.00 worth of Better Living Books !! **contest ends APRIL 16th 2012**

#45 – Star Wars – The ULTIMATE Visual Guide Special Edition 30th Anniversary – Ryder Windham, Daniel Wallace

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The definitive companion to the entire Star Wars phenomenon, in a special updated edition: Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide uncovers the full story of the amazing Star Wars saga, with more than 1,000 images from the movies, cartoons, comics, and novels, along with merchandise, behind-the-scenes photography, and much more!

This Special Edition features brand-new overviews of the latest comic books, new information on merchandise, as well as a special feature on fan celebrations.

The History of the Star Wars galaxy, Key Characters, technology, droids, aliens, and locations.  Behind the scenes information on the making of the movies.  Collectibles and merchandise, Full colour illustrations from the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Comics, Novels, and Video Games. Publishers Website and Back of Hardcover

Seriously, who hasn’t already seen all of the movies at least once?  Either you were a die-hard fan when the first one came out way back in 1976.  Yes, it has been that long.  But in the world of Star Wars, it is just a moment away in one of the extravagant space ships on some far, far away galaxy that we have all come to know and love.

Who was your favorite character?  Luke Skywalker? Darth Vader? Yoda ? Princess Leia? Chewbacca?  Obi Wan Kenobi? Well they are all here and all of the many new characters that have evolved along the years with new and exciting worlds as well.

This book was originally published in 2005, but it was again updated and republished with new content for the 30th Anniversary in 2007.  Since the series came out there have been novelizations, new series, movies, readers, and comics that keep the universe alive even today.

As my son and I looked through the book, we loved the full colour illustrations and the not so new facts that we never knew about.  A few years ago, we entered a contest from DK in the United States for a Star Wars contest, and he happened to win!  I think the blog was asking what his favorite character was, as DK was releasing one of their now best-selling books Lego Star Wars Visual Dictionary.

Another reason he was so into Star Wars, was that he was about to compete in a Lego League competition where the kids built their own robots and competed on a course doing different things with their somewhat homemade robots.  When they did compete, they WON the spirit award for their participation at the event!

So, as May the 4th Be With You Day begins or ends where ever you may be in our own universe, come and take a look inside this book and the many others that DK Worldwide have published in honor of STAR WARS and May the Force Be With You !!

Above this post is an extra special post about May the 4th Be with You and what DK Canada is doing this year in honor of this humble occasion around the world, so it is so exciting that I can hardly contain myself it WILL be so fun, that is if you choose to participate!! For details go click here

Since this book was republished back in 2007 and it was the 30th anniversary,  since it is 2011 that means an even more special anniversary – the 35th one !! Long live the FORCE !

Star Wars Site – DK Canada – DK USA

This is the trailer for Star Wars trailer from 1997 Special Edition ENJOY !!

Q and A with Author Margaret Peot of Inkblot

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Please welcome Margaret to Serendipitous Readings. Thank you Margaret for allowing me to ask a few questions.  She has also sent along a few of her designs to compliment the Q and A!

What is it about ink blotting that has made you such a fan for over 30 years? I think inkblots are magical—an inkblot is composed only of dried ink on a piece of paper, applied in various ways, and yet the swirls and washes, the positive and negative space, gives our brains a little jolt.
When I teach inkblot making, it is always amazing to me, despite the seemingly random mark making process—drip, fold, unfold—that the blotters’ blots all look so different, and yet so akin to the makers. The oncology nurse’s blots look like MRIs, the quiet, contemplative writer’s blots look like serene calligraphic forests, the artist who likes creatures (me) makes blots that all seem to be creatures, the child who loves robots makes one robot blot after the other.

Are there one or two favourites among all of the ones that you have done? This one is one of my all time favorites, unaltered:

And this is one of my favorites, altered (meaning drawn in to with colored pencils):

I am curious, have you ever tried to ink blot on a piece of fabric for one of your other projects? Would it even be possible to do? I haven’t quite worked out how to do it. I know Andy Warhol made inkblots on canvas, which he then stretched. It would depend on the stiffness of the fabric, I think. If you were able not only to stiffen the fabric, say by backing it with paper, but also affix it within the fold line to ensure that the print at the fold was crisp, I think it would be possible. I will have to experiment with this more.

With the amount of different images, thoughts, variations, will there be an ink blot album next to be published as a work of art?

That would be a wonderfully fun book to make! I could include blots that people sent me as well—an extended version of the Gallery section in the back of Inkblot. But, I am always on a mission to help non artists—and artists, too—make interesting marks, loosen up, generate new ideas. I am currently working on two books with North Light, one on Alternative Sketchbooks and another on making a living as an artist: The Successful Artist’s Career Guide: Finding Your Way in the Business of Art.

You talk about inspiration being a huge factor in doing ink blots, what is so inspiring about them to you? I think that inkblots sidestep our inner critic in a wonderful way. You can’t really control the outcome—it is a tiny act of faith to blob the ink and water on the paper and then mash the other half of the paper down on it. And what you see is made by you and yet not made by you—so part of you, the kid part, is purely delighted at the making of something, and the critical part—the part that sometimes doesn’t let you make anything at all because it might not be “good enough,” sort of fades away—because it wasn’t really responsible for the mark, right?
When I am stuck—sad or tired, a little overdrawn at the creativity bank, or at the start of a project when blank paper makes me feel jumpy—I make inkblots. They never fail to delight and inspire me, and take me to the next surprising step.
I made this one yesterday:

What amazing talent !! What do you think everyone ?

Thank you to Margaret once again for being able to share her insights and creativity, the book gives you endless possibilities when doing these.  My son actually said right after coming home from Camp in the United States that he wanted to start on them right away!

Margaret’s Website

Inkblot Book on YouTube ( where she has created many videos for you to get started on your own projects!

These are just so incredibly easy to do, with some india ink and water, paper, you are on your way !

#33 – Inkblot – Drip, Splat, and Squish Your Way To Creativity – Margaret Peot

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Leonardo da Vinci saw landscapes and battles in the swirls of a marble wall.  The novelist Victor Hugo splashed coffee and wine on paper and found castles and monsters in the splatters.

Now Margaret Peot shows how anyone can use inkblots as keys to creativity.

For Decades, the author has been using inkblots she makes to spark her own creativity.  Now she shares her insights and techniques in this beautiful treatment of the subject.  From basic tips on paper and ink to advanced approaches for transforming splatters and ink blobs into works of art, she sets readers on a path to creating their own inkblots.

Her enthusiastic text and step-by-step approach will encourage even the most reluctant artist, and her stunning artworks will inspire readers to create inkblots that are uniquely their own. – Inside Flap Hardcover Edition

My son and I LOVE this book.  You can create just about anything your heart desires, sometimes without even noticing you are even creating something so rich and alive.  Most of you have maybe seen these before as being used in Psychiatrists or Psychologists offices as a tool.  Now, you can make them yourself and have an original to me art on your walls.  Margaret gives you the tools and tips to make your very own.  What can I say, My son and I have already used up a whole ream of paper making our own designs.  You should see the ink on our fingers !

This book is absolutely perfect for one of those rainy day afternoons when the kids come to you saying I’m Bored ! or as a camping activity.  Even as an art activity to do at school.  It does not matter if you are already an artist, or are one of those who don’t think that you are not so great at art, you will be astounded at the images you can see through the images.

Stay tuned, Margaret has done a Q and A with me. I also have ONE copy to giveaway to a lucky reader! TOMORROW!!

Here are a few of the inkblots Nick and I have done the last few days, can you not imagine what these can become !?! I’m excited.

Reference World Atlas – Everything You Need To Know About Our Planet Today 8th edition – DK Publishing

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Nick my darling son posed a quite interesting question when he received this book – “Mom, How would you go about reviewing an atlas?”  It is after all one of his favorite books in all of the ones he has received so far to review.

He is one of those kids who likes non-fiction, he especially enjoys history – wars, battles, and all of that stuff.  This book will be worn out for sure.

This atlas is unique.  Not only does it list all of the places in the world, the pictures, diagrams and text and captions are all up to date to even include even new countries or changes in their names.

The key to maps is that they are easy to navigate, to understand, compare geographical locations, and time zones.

In a section entitled “Countries of the World it gives you that little snippet of information about that particular country such as:

  • Languages spoken
  • Population
  • Formation
  • Capital
  • Total Area (bonus question – guess which country is just slightly larger than Canada ?)
  • Religions
  • Ethnic Mix
  • Government
  • Currency
  • Calorie consumption

The index itself could even be a whole other book.  The back inside cover also includes flags of the world which are also updated.

Did you happen to know that the earth is actually shrinking?

DK Publishing

 

HUGE Post – Collection of Brady Games Game Guides

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As you can see my darling son has a serious game obsession !

I am doing all of these books in one post, because a lot of the same strategies are in all of the games you see in the stores and online.

Have you ever wanted to get ahead in one of those games you are playing?  Is there something that you are stuck on and need a hint or trick to get you through to the next level?

Brady Games Guides has you covered.  With the full colour illustrations and photographs, the graphs, as well as possible tricks, cheats, and cool things that you may not have gotten have you not gotten one of these game guides will make it all worth while.

Some of the books do include spoilers, but be assured, your game playing will never be the same.  From start to finish, the books contain everything  you need to know about the game – controls, features, levels, campaigns, weapons, and even multiplayer modes that will have you glued to the game more than before…Is that even possible?

The full colour photographs taken directly from the games themselves are just awesome in my son’s humble opinion.  Right now he is glued to the UFC Undisputed 2010 looking inside the guide for tips and tricks that are new from the previous version of UFC 2009.

The guides themselves are most of the time for all games for instance Modern Warfare 2 covers Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the computer game, the reflex edition of Modern Warfare on ly covers the Wii edition, or just separate game consoles, so be careful when selecting a guide.

Brady Games also has a website where you can download certain e-guides, secret codes, and added extras for the serious gamer in your family.

Brady Games also has Facebook Page as well as a page on YouTube

These guides would even be a great addition to the games that are being given for Christmas too! They are also reasonably priced.

 

Eyewitness Oil – DK Publishing

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Our world is ruled by oil.  People have used oil for thousands of years, but in the last century we have begun to consume it in vast quantities.  From using just a few thousand barrels in the 90′s to millions now per day, it is now our most important energy source.

It is used as fuel to keep transportation going, and heat needed to generate electricity which we rely on.  It is a raw material which is used by many key substances.  Another thing…it is also running out, and the amount we are using is damaging the environment.

From the beginning to when Oil was discovered in the middle east to the present, this eyewitness book shows us the story behind oil, how it was used in the past to how it is used today, how it is one of the most utilized substances in our everyday lives – think about it, how many things we use on a daily basis that uses some sort of oil product.  There are some that you may not even know that are oil based, and it would surprise you.

Nick liked this book.  He liked the way it shows you how many things are used from oil, and how much is being abused in recent years.  Did you know he thought this was interesting that oil can be made into the print in a book, lip stick, and eye liner.  He enjoyed the full colour pictures and diagrams, as well as which countries are rich because of oil being discovered.  He really enjoyed the alternative sources of energy such as nuclear power, solar power, and of course wind power.

This is one of the updated editions where there is also a clip art cd as well as a full size colour poster that accompanies the book.

DK Publishing

Halo Encyclopedia – The Definitive Visual Guide – DK Books

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Are you a die-hard HALO fan? Do you go to the game store on Halo day to be the first in line to get the latest game?!?

If you are one of these people, you will definitely want to have this book for your collection.

This book has everything you either knew or wanted to know about HALO up to the latest HALO release ODST, and the whole universe.

  • Full colour photographs
  • Intricate step by step detailing of characters – why the wars were started, vehicles, weapons, etc.

Nick loves the weapons and the descriptions and wishes he had a few of them in his collection.  He loves the different groups as well as the differences of races not only described in full detail but in the games as well.  The images of war scenes on every single page, the informational boxes, the timelines of each and every district.  The close up of the people of these regions aren’t so bad either, as well as the protocols for each region.

DK Books

Here is a glance inside HALO Encyclopedia: The Definitive Visual Guide -

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Double Post – Gun – A Visual History & Knives and Swords A Visual History – Chris McNab

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Both books feature material from the larger book entitled Weapon which is just as stunning as these two condensed books.  Just as a sidebar, these would be great for that dad that is interested in this type of books since Fathers Day is just over a month away !

From the time that guns made their appearance on the 14th century battlefields of Europe, guns have shaped the course of human history.

Gun has over 300 images of some of the important firearms of all time.  It gives you a glimpse not only into the past, but a glimpse of what could come in the future.

There are famous firearms such as the – Brown Bess, Glock 17, Colt 45 and AK 47 just to name a few.

Among all of these weapons interesting vignettes of famous gunslinger / sharpshooters such as Dirty Harry, James Bond, Annie Oakley, and Dick Turpin.

Paired along with manufactures such as Colt, Winchester, Beretta to name a few.

Nick liked the amount of information that really blew his mind.  His book is quickly becoming threadbare even though he has had it for a short time.  He loved the attention to detail to the point that you can see the smallest detail possible without actually handling the weapons themselves, as well as the exact specifications that accompanied the illustrations.

Guns: A Visual History

Knives and Swords: A Visual History

From pre-historic axeheads, Ninja swords, to commando swords, just any sword you can think of or imagine is inside this book – the most ornate to the very basic.

There are over 300 of the important blade weapons of all time included in this edition, which is not only one of the most comprehensive, but also an informative encyclopedia for that person who expects anything then the best.

Along with the stunning images of the weapons close up, full detailing as well as annotated by experts.

Warriors of the sword – gladiators, gurkas just to name a few.

The art of swordmanship which includes – tactics, technology (blade version vs. bow) to the medieval and battlefields, to the charges in bayonet’s from WWI.

Nick really enjoyed the excerpts of the gladiators, the intricate detailing and annotations that came along with each and every sword, as well as the history of how blades came about not just for fighting but, for ornamental occasions, to using them as tools in everyday life.

Nick has to admit though, his favorite between the two was the GUN book.  His reasons, because guns can shoot farther, faster and sometimes better than a knife or sword can do.  Do you agree with him?

Knives and Swords

Here is a sampling of what is inside both books -

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Nick had the opportunity to ask a few questions to the author Chris McNab, the Q and A will be posted tomorrow, just in time for you to be able to look inside the books, learn some new things, then go out and buy your dad a copy of each for Father’s Day !

World War I and World War II H. P. Wilmott, Robin Cross, Charles Messenger

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This is the story of World War I and World War II from the beginning and how it started.From the first page to the last, the lush and sometimes catastrophic pictures both in colour and black and white of real events as they happened and artefacts of the wars which include weapons and other things that were seen or used.

It made me understand the entire picture of how and why these wars happened, the people, the countries that were involved.

The charts, diagrams, timelines, and maps gave me a better picture literally of before and after; how the countries affected changed and reformed on their own.How weapons improved and improvised making them work better and different.  Each book has guides to the both wars as well as the battlefields and memorials for those who may go and visit.

Among the many maps, there were also ones of the real routes that the soldiers took to fight, or getting to an area.

The paragraphs of actual soldiers talking about their recollections, experiences, and impressions was very interesting; I really enjoyed those parts of the book.  I really liked the chapter on how the world recovered afterwards, how they rebuilt cities and how new laws were made.

World War I

World War II

Eyewitness Forensic Science – Chris Cooper

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If you seen or heard talk about CSI’s or Forensic Sciences on tv have you ever wondered about what they do and how they do it?  I wondered so much that I got this book.

This is the updated edition which includes a clip art cd for your own personal projects, as well as a full size poster that you can hang on your wall.

It showed me how the creative ways they first used to solve crimes in the beginning.

How they can find how and what time that people have died using bugs by seeing how old the bugs actually are using a timeline.  How they gather evidence from a crash scene and how delicately they do it.  Man, they have a lot of things they have to do when attending a crime scene.  This is just the beginning.

I liked how they can gather pieces of explosives and then decide what kind of explosive it is, then it is on to gathering other fragile information such as fingerprints, or stuff like soft drink cans or bottles.

I really liked how they can find different guns, and the different ballistics they use to pinpoint different types of guns and ammunition.

It is amazing how cautious they are, what they touch, and how they touch it, to be able to get  information from the piece of evidence they are taking into evidence; and of course the measures they take to secure the crime scene.

DK Books

How to Be A Genius – Your Brain And How To Train It – John Woodward

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Full of puzzles and activities to not only train your brain, but to also boost your brain power !

I like the fact that it is very organized, full of colour posts.  It is interesting to see how the brain as well as the different parts of the brain work with one another, and separately.

The simple experiments that you can do by yourself or with a friend are cool too.  I plugged my nose and ate a banana.  Guess what, I couldn’t taste it like it said in the book.  I also tried the one where you get a piece of paper towel and I got all the saliva off my tongue as I could, I tried tasting the banana again; guess what I still couldn’t taste it.

The brain puzzles are really fun too woah

From meeting your brain, senses, to how your memory works, to helping to solve problems, learning how to be more creative, learning how your brain makes you the way you are is great.  This book is for kids that are inquisitive on how their brains work, and how amazing our bodies are, especially our brains.

Here is a sampling of what is inside -

DK Books

Browse Inside

Math Dictionary Canadian Edition – DK Publishing

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When you were a kid and came home with math homework, eventually forgetting what something meant was a real drag wasn’t it?  Not only could you not finish your homework, you may have lost marks on your grades for it.  Well, have no fear! DK has this amazing reference book for not only your children, but for us parents that will help us  not only explain, but show you everything you want or need to know about math.  I know, I know, I can hear the screaming from my son now, about having do math homework or even having a book about it lurking on the bookshelf.  This is a really good book.  Starting from A to Z, it has definitions, images and diagrams that are super easy to understand and to get you out of that math funk.

This book is geared for children ages 8- 12 years.

Here is a sampling of what is inside -

DK Canada

Eyewitness Vietnam War – Stuart Murray

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This copy of EyeWitness Vietnam War DOES NOT have the clip art cd and full size wall poster.  Hopefully it will be reissued soon with the new improvements!

Nick’s Likes

  • How it describes the situation of why the war started and their beliefs towards why the war started.
  • The weapon descriptions and armed vehicles they used are shown
  • Talks about the countries involved and how the US president at the time was assassinated (JFK)
  • Talks about how the new warfare that was being implemented and used
  • Vietnamese money and what they spent money on
  • Pictures are bright and Detailed

DK Books

Eyewitness Russia – Kathleen Berton Murrell

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I am sorry to say, this Eyewitness book is NOT one of the new re issued books, which includes a clip art cd and a full size wall poster, but, I hope that they re issue this one and the rest soon these are GREAT books for kids!

Nick’s Likes

  • The history of Russia – early history, 9 different names
  • Russian Civil War – weapons, vehicles they had
  • Talks about modern Russia and being an independent democracy
  • Communist faction and how it was destroyed
  • Wealth of the nation and how they make money
  • Famous writers – Tolstoy – how they interpreted life in Russia
  • Religions – Past and Present how it is and how it was
  • How growing up in Russia is like
  • The Bear being the National Symbol of Russia
  • Cyrillic writing and translations

DK Books

Eyewitness Spy – Richard Platt

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I have to admit, these have to be the BEST books ever the Eyewitness Series – full of colour photographs, and information that makes them a one stop book for many topics imaginable.  Here are Nicks thought’s on this particular book, yes, he is back and will be form any books to come.

Nick’s Likes

  • description of the different types of spies
  • the first spies and the history of how they started
  • the modernization of spies – how they work now compared to how they started and what has advanced since they started
  • the technology has sure changed from simple (pigeons) to the complex (iPods, computers)
  • most famous rogue spies  such as George Blake for the way he betrayed the beliefs of their old countries because of being upset and wanting something different.

This is also one of the newer revamped books which includes a clip art cd and a full size wall poster.

DK Books

Eyewitness Soldier – Simon Adams

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soldierPlease welcome my favorite guest blogger my son Nick, as he gives his review of this book that he really likes and it is quite evident here at home, where he looks at it a lot.

Eyewitness Soldier is one of those books that is great for one that is wanting to learn about soldiers.  Actually, all of the eyewitness books are awesome for this.  They have loads of information, plenty of pictures, and this one has a clip image cd-rom that can be used on your computer, for making different things that you may like.

Here are some other things he liked about the book:

  • Shows different types of soldiers – uniforms, equipment.
  • Shows the different types of soldiers – platoon, battalion, companies and more.
  • Talks about specialized soldiers such as mercenaries and how they participate on conflicts.
  • Also shows the ranking system from Private and up, selections and differences.
  • Again, it comes with a clip art cd-rom, to use with your own personalized projects.
  • The different types of operations – attacks, formations.
  • Has many informative on – Special Forces, SAS, Marines, Green Beret, German Units that were used in the Olympics.
  • There is also a HUGE wall poster that is also included (full size) with a little bit of everything from the book.

Suffice to say, this is one book he will be referring to again and again for a long time.

DK Books

The Soccer Book – The Sport, The Teams, The Tactics, The Cups – David Goldblatt

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the soccer bookWhen this book came to my door, I was excited for my son who received it, but I had absolutely no idea how great and fact filled this books was.  It is absolutely filled with illustrations about every facet of the game of soccer, the rules, the history, the tactics, the skills,  EVERYTHING.

The covers of the book itself is even patterned as a real soccer ball as well to give it even more authenticity.  At a whooping 399 pages, this book will not soon leave your home if you have multiple children that are crazy about the sport of soccer.

My son Nick who has graciously lent his thoughts about the book as well.

  • Even better than any other soccer book I have read
  • Has every single little detail about soccer you would ever want to know and then some

His Favorite features are:

  • The maps of countries, locations, the illustrations of accessories, equipment
  • History of how soccer became such a phenomenon
  • Statistics
  • Championship Cups
  • Rules, different types of soccer
  • REALLY GREAT BOOK ! If you love soccer

Last and final thought from Nick – This book TOTALLY blew my mind !

DK Books Canada

Soccer: The Ultimate Guide – Martin Cloake, Glenn Dakin, Adam Powley, Aiden Radnedge, and Catherine Saunders

by

Soccer The Ultimate GuideOne day when DK Canada was on it’s first day on twitter, they had sent me this beautiful book for my son who is an avid soccer fan and player.  When it finally came in the mail, he and I both were amazed at the amount of data, pictures, and information was complied.  I opened it and thought that this book is one of the most comprehensible books out there for sports.

As part of my review of this fabulous book, my son will give his expert opinion of it as well, so would you all please welcome my son to his first blog post, assisted by me of course!

1.  What was it you liked about this particular book?

  • Teaches you the rules and history of the game of soccer from the begining
  • Shows you how the sport has grown over the years
  • Teaches you about all of the teams that play soccer, helps you understand them.
  • Stats, Stats, Stats.
  • You are able to look at your favorite team
  • Teaches you all about the positions, why they are important, and different skills and equipment you need to be able to play soccer.
  • Interesting facts about soccer the game,stats and facts that you may not have already known.

For myself, once I opened the book, I was not surprised and have to agree with all of the points that my son has expressed. At a little over 150 pages, it is literally packed full of information that will have your child fully informed of all of the different teams, rules, positions, and so much more.  It is also great for a child or adult who is new to the game or just starting out.  It is packed FULL of full color photographs and amazing detail.  It will make you go back to it and use it as reference, or just to take a quick look.  Both educational and informative and best of all FUN!

Thank you to my son for expressing his honest and humble opinion, and I am sure that he will keep this book for many years to come.

Thank You DK Canada for sending this book, and allowing us to be able to explore it together.

DK Canada

BUY THE BOOK – chapters.indigo.ca / Books a Million / Amazon