WORLD WITHOUT END, by Ken Follett.

I do a lot of traveling. Maybe you do too. Usually when I go places, it’s on an ordinary day, with not much happening. I’m going to experience day-to-day life in that location. I don’t make a habit of visiting places specifically for big events --- you’ll never catch me in New York City on Thanksgiving for the big parade, or Washington, D.C. for a Presidential inauguration, or anywhere there’s a political convention, Olympic Games or a big carnival. I’m not that kind of tourist. But there are plenty of you who are --- those who want to be at the big events, who are drawn to the crowds and the excitement. And that’s fine, as long as you don’t expect me to go with you, because I’ll be just as happy staying at home and watching it on TV, with chips, salsa and Dr. Pepper close at hand. None of us has access to time travel, but if we did, I expect that it would be the same way. I would go back in time, like a shot, but I’d be lining up to go to English country houses in the 1930s, or taking a first-class trip on an ocean liner in the Gilded Age, or something else elegant and fun, with good cooking and good company close at hand. Some of you, however, would be lining up to go to Gettysburg or Super Bowl III or some other major historical event, just to see what it was like.In WORLD WITHOUT END, Ken Follett has written a big book --- big enough to make both types of people happy. This work of historical fiction spans events in the English city of Kingsbridge from 1327 to 1361. Kingsbridge was the site of Follett’s previous excursion into the medieval world, the majestic THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, and he returns to it two centuries later, changed in many ways but still recognizable.Most of the charm of the first book came from the richness of detail in everyday medieval life, with Follett providing a guided tour through the monastic, courtly and architectural worlds of the 12th century. In WORLD WITHOUT END, he performs much the same service for the 14th century, documenting the intrigues of the increasingly corruptible prior of the Kingsbridge monastery, the rise in power of the merchant class, and the intricacies of bridge-building and cathedral redesign. The novel explains and explores the entire feudal system, from the lowly serf to the battle tactics of the English nobles, and does so not just comprehensively but in a comprehendible way.However, Follett is not just interested in the day-to-day realities of medieval Europe. He takes his characters to the Battle of Crecy, one of the turning points in the Hundred Years War, showing both the high strategies of the opposing generals and the suffering of the wounded troops on both sides. The 14th century was also the start of the Black Death in Europe, and Follett’s cast of characters --- although severely depleted by the disease --- must figure out strategies for coping with the widespread death and destruction caused by its foul spread.Where WORLD WITHOUT END slips out of the medieval world is in its protagonists, who aren’t modern, necessarily, but certainly have attitudes that are recognizably modern. Follett’s favorite characters in both Kingsbridge books are the innovators, people in the medieval world who recognize the transformational power of technology. In THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, his characters built fulling mills and flying buttresses. Much of the focus in WORLD WITHOUT END is on rebuilding the 12th-century infrastructure while making advances in other technologies like cloth-making and medicine. (Follett is especially scathing about the use of ancient Greek medical techniques used by his monks as opposed to scientifically-based methods developed and disseminated by his nuns.) The book of course is chock-full of plots and counterplots and long-buried secrets, but it is also about how the people of the medieval era began the process of setting the modern world into motion.Follett’s novel is a long tour of medieval England, meandering and convoluted at times but always enthralling and powerful. It is the perfect book for any long trips you might have scheduled, no matter why you’re planning on going where you’re going.

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, by Khaled Hosseini.

After 103 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and with four million copies of The Kite Runner shipped, Khaled Hosseini returns with a beautiful, riveting, and haunting novel that confirms his place as one of the most important literary writers today. Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love. Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss and by fate. As they endure the ever escalating dangers around them-in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul-they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival. A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love.
Entertainment Weekly
Hosseini's depiction of Mariam and Laila's plight would seem cartoonishly crude if it were not, by all accounts, a sadly accurate version of what many Afghan women have experienced. The romantic twists and fairy-tale turns are not so accurate. But, as in The Kite Runner, they are precisely what make the novel such a stirring read. Childhood promises are sacred; true love never dies; justice will be done; sisterhood is powerful. It's unrealistic, and almost impossible to resist. B+.

Do You Really Need back Surgery?Author: Dr Aaron G. Filler MD PhD

Do you eat, sleep, breathe, walk, or sit? If you answered yes to any of the questions mentioned, then you need to read, Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, by Dr. Aaron Filler.Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, is one of the most revolutionary, pertinent, and easy to use medical tools for the average person, that is available on the market today. Dr. Filler cleverly divides the book into two parts. The first deals with Maintaining, improving, and trouble shooting, spinal health. Humorous anecdotes pepper the pages and help illustrate, to the average person, practical and applicable plans for injury detection and prevention. Filler, gives readers insight into yoga, meditation, and other alternative/supportive techniques, right along side revolutionary medical industry advances, and the latest in ergonomics. Beautiful, easy to read and understand charts, clearly explain side effects of commonly used pain medications. My only complaint with part one, is Dr. Fillerฦs painfully short references toChiropractic care. The second installment of Dr. Filler's, Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, quite literally covers the nuts and bolts of surgery and treatments. The second section discusses surgery and post operative periods at length, while it answers practical questions that someone facing surgery may have and may be afraid to ask. An extra added bonus is a section on insurances and diagnostic (ICD-9) coding.As a medical professional I appreciated its thoroughness. As a patient suffering from back pain, I appreciated its frankness. Without a doubt, Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, is a valuable reference book that should be on bookshelves from libraries and medical schools, to the average home.

Superman The Day of Earth Died

In the year 2014, the remaining heroes fight against Khyber's forces. Jimmy and Luthor suit up and join the Parasite in the battle. On the way out, Parasite asks Lois to call him Clark, but she refuses again.
Watching the view screen, Lois sees Parasite begin to lose his power before falling to one of Khyber's soldiers. Lois' tearfully says goodbye to Clark. Luthor's defenses begin to push back the invaders, when Khyber suddenly appears. Luthor starts to attack him, when Superman reappears.
Superman grabs Khyber and forces him above the clouds and into the sunlight. He tells the villain that he spent years trapped at the Earth's core before he could absorb enough energy to break free. They battle in the sky and Superman gets the upper hand. When he is about to deliver the killing blow he hesitates, and Khyber takes advantage to finish the Man of Steel.
Suddenly Sirocco flies up and impales Khyber. Below, Khyber's forces all drop dead. They thought it would finally be over, but the fighting continues. Three years later Lex dies in battle. They bury him next to Superman.
Years later the survivors live off Luthor's stockpiles, but gradually their numbers dwindle. In 2045 Lois dies and Jimmy buries her next to Clark. Eleven years later, Jimmy writes his final journal entry, having not seen another human since Lois died.
In the present, Arion explains to Superman that civilizations need to rise and fall, and the longer he delays the fall, the worse it will eventually be. In order for mankind to survive, Superman must let civilization be destroyed.

Let's Eat Out! Your Passport to Living Gluten and Allergy Free

Let's Eat Out!" will make you hungry and give you the power to protect yourself from food allergies at the same time. This series is an amazingly comprehensive guide that is sure to help thousands of people to feel more in control of their lives.
Addressing ten food allergens in seven international cuisines was a project that took years of research. The result is an allergy free passport, 496 page, full color book that includes 175+ menu items with descriptions, and preparation questions for you to ask to restaurant staff, and so much more that will give you the inspiration to once again go out to eat. There are snack ideas, beverage categories, quick reference guides and extensive detailed menus to learn about. Knowledge is power and so is asking the right questions. The authors give you the knowledge as well as the right questions to ask in order to protect yourself and/or your loved ones who have food allergies. The book even includes information on 50+ global airlines that offer special meals.
The main book is so easy to use with color coded tabs on the chapter pages, making it simple to open up to Indian Cuisine or American Steak and Seafood, among others. Each chapter offers an interesting overview of that culture's cooking habits, which I promise you will make your mouth water. The introduction and first couple of chapters are a step by step guide that will help those who are new to dealing with allergies as well as those who have lived with them for years. Written in layman's terms, you will not need your doctor sitting beside you in the restaurant in order to order!
In addition to the main book there are small passports available that are meant to be carried along in the pocket as you explore the world of dining out. Whether you are a world traveler or simply heading into town to sample some various cuisines, these smaller guides are for quick reference. Three of them focus on certain cuisines, while a fourth offers a multi-lingual phrase guide that is dedicated to communicating special dietary needs. This passport provides translations from English to French, German, Italian and Spanish.
The series is the first of its kind and promises to enrich the lives of many people. A well-written, professionally researched, gorgeous and sturdy book that is likely to become a common sight in many a restaurant and home.

The Simpsons Library Of Wisdom: Comic Book Guy's Book Of Pop Culture

A family member (who obviously knows me too well) recently gave me this book as a gift. It turned out to be both a wonderful trip down memory lane (and my present...and probable future...) and a rather shocking revelation as to how much of a geek I really am, as I closely identified with much of what was in the book, as far as even noticing the Dr Who references, even though I have never seen the show. I had no idea I was so well versed in pop culture. I'm a little disturbed by what I have learnt about myself through reading this book.The Simpsons Library Of Wisdom: Comic Book Guy's Book Of Pop Culture takes the reader deep into the life and mindset of Comic Book Guy, the proprietor of The Android's Dungeon And Baseball Cards in Springfield.Topics covered include comics, science fiction and fantasy, the Internet, fantasy gaming, baseball-card conventions, wrestling, film culture, and the all-important novelty T-shirt (and underwear). He provides an essential guide for those fanboys wanting to achieve successful romantic encounters (theoretically), a lesson in the anatomy of Tuberosum broyhilleus rotundomus: the great American couch potato (subject showcased: Homer Simpson), and a guide to comic-book retailing and putting the competition out of business. You will learn, from his personal experiences and professional expertise, how to survive conventions (a handy guide to the essential backpack is included) and how to keep and store your collection, amongst other things.The book is so well written that I could actually hear the voice of Comic Book Guy (who is voiced by Hank Azaria) as I read Comic Book Guy's dialogue boxes. His trademark sarcasm and sense of superiority shines through and the illustrations beautifully capture his inner emotions, from the nervous single geek ready for a romantic night out to the frozen-in-awe (occasionally) fanboy experiencing a brush with greatness (Stan Lee, William Shatner and Adam West, amongst others).I hope to see a second edition, or a sequel, to this book in the future as, although it was faily comprehensive in most respects, to my disappointment certain aspects of popular culture were glossed over, such as collectable toys - although collectable food (eew!) was covered rather comprehensively - costumes, and films, and there was absolutely no reference to LEGO (and there should be!).This book makes for a great gift, either for yourself or for the geek in your life, as well as for fans of The Simpsons, although other titles in the series, which include The Bart Book, The Homer Book, and The Ralph Wiggum Book, may be more accessible to these fans.

The Miracle Within by Jack Mccubbin

The beauty of developing life is captured eloquently in the book, “The Miracle Within” by Jack McCubbin, M.D. and Cathy Schaffer. For every woman who is now pregnant or is considering having a baby, this beautiful book will be an inspiration.
Photography, artist’s depictions, loving quotations, and a gentle, guiding narration will carry the reader through nine months of the gestation process. Straightforward, easy to understand, text portrays every step of the development of a baby. Guidance in the way of taking care of yourself as an expectant mother is given, regarding what you eat, what you partake of, the exercise you need, and tests you might have performed. The emotional side of pregnancy is also discussed, in a caring, loving manner.
The authors are well versed in their guidance. Jack H. McCubbin, M.D. has delivered thousands of babies and Cathy Schaffer, PA-C, has worked extensively with women suffering from high-risk medical problems during pregnancy. Together, they offer a book that is a helpful tool and resource for information, but is also an awe-inspiring collection of photographs of every stage of fetal development. This book should make an appearance at every baby shower and ought to be on the list of things to buy, right along with those prenatal vitamins.