Another excellent book! The boys finally realize that they need the Boosters to help them win. Did you get the part when Jess taught the boys how to cheer better than they were doing at that time? Awesome! Thanx again, Amazon.com, for letting me type down my review on another great book!

This book proved its point on equality, and was very enjoyable. It has been one of my favorite books since the time I first read it. The boys got what they desereved and the girls got thier moment of glory.

This book gives a spur to basketball life as Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, along with their friends form a basketball team called the Honeybees. At first, they think it's too hard being a Honeybee, and constantly want to quit. However their determination gets the better side of them, as they battle other teams to become the champions. However, the boys who are on the Wolverine team condemn the fact that girls can play basketball. They declare that the girls will never measure up to the boys' standards. So the Honeybees decide to boycott the boy's games. And the boys start losing, and keep losing, because they have no one to urge them on. They beg the girls to be cheerleaders, and the girls agree on one condition..there have to be boy cheerleaders too! With Steven (Jessica and Elizabeth's brother) as the Honeybees coach, all of the Honetbees and the Wolverines learn the value of being hard workers and players,that sincere effort matters more than winning, and that nothing more is accomplished in basketball than being a team.

This is definently a must read- although more mature readers may find it a bit babyish. It taught me to be independant and not always tag along with my friends (in the book it was Elizabeth who did not want to lose her sister, Jessica). Also it was not like a fairy tale it was not something that you could not relate to. All the episodes in the book were things that could happen to anybody. I thought that the Author should have stuck to one story line instead of using two- Elizabeth and Jessica growing up and Ballet classes. I think that it should of been just about them growing up and how they changed in Middle School when Jessica started getting worried about her appearance and what the popular crowd thought of her. Jessica started putting her popular freinds in the Unicorn club ( which she manages to get into) before her very own identical twin sister. This makes Elizabeth very upset as she doesn't really like all those glamorous girls! And they should've made another book about their ballet classes and joined it to the sequal. But all in all I loved the book. I am a great fan of Sweet Valley.

Elizabeth and Jessica have dressed alike for who knows how long. But now the are growing apart...

Jessica wants to spend all her time with the Unicorn club, which consists of girls who are snobby and poplular, while Elizabeth is dying to write for the Sixers, the first-ever sixth grade newspaper. When Jessica joins the Unicorns, Elizabeth is worried that Jessica won't have time for her. So she starts writing for the Sixers. But then, Jessica impersonates her twin and does something horrible to Lois Waller, Elizabeth's friend. Now the whole school is laughing at Lois. How can Elizabeth tell Lois that she didn't pull the prank, that Jessica impersonated her?

My favorite part was when Elizabeth, Amy, and Lois got back at the Unicorns for teasing her.

This book was so marvelous I just couldn't put it down. I've read it many times, and each time I read it, the story gets better and better. I recommend it to all Sweet Valley fans.

Ever since 12-year-old identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield entered the sixth grade, they've begun to grow apart. Jessica, for one, wants to join the snobby Unicorn Club, but Elizabeth doesn't. Liz thinks they're very superficial and mean (which they are), and her opinion of them proves right when they invite her to join, but only if she agrees to play a trick on Lois Waller, an overweight classmate. Liz would rather be a part of 'The Sweet Valley Sixers' (a new middle school newspaper) than be a member of the Unicorns, yet she doesn't want to mess up her twin sister's chance of joining either. How can Elizabeth be loyal to Jessica, yet also be true to herself at the same time? Will she go ahead with the prank or drop out of the club entirely?

I loved this book this was the third Sweet Valley book to make me cry. Olivia's death was so sad and at her funeral everyone said such wonderful things about her. For all the other people who wrote reviews and were wondering why Olivia becomes reincarnated I think I have an answer for you. SVU #8 was written almost four years before SVH Eathquake and Aftershock. Obviously Francine Pascals had not yet decided to kill off Olivia so she wasn't dead. There are a lot of descrepencies between the series. You really have to read SVH and SVU as if they weren't even related. Or else you'll go out of your mind. So I agree Francine Pascals should keep better track of her characters but it wouldn't really be Sweet Valley with people coming back to life every now and again now would it? (Hint William White, Nicholas Marin, Christian Gorman, and now Olivia Davidson.) This two part mini series was the perfect way to end Sweet Valley High the Senior Year is even better. As long as I can read about the twins I will pleased. Long live Sweet Valley in any shape size or form! And a little ghost every now and then isn't gonna bother me!

Aftershock takes you back to all the Sweet Valley High memories,the Dari Burger, the Wakefield home, and most of all, Olivia Davidson. While Elizabeth struggles to remember the earthquake, Jessica tries to forget it. Jess is haunted by her dreams of 12 year old Alyssa. Ken is heartbroken over Olivia, and Enid is convinced that it was Devon Whitelaw who saved her. This book is a must read for SVH fans.

The Wakefields stay at Fowler mansion when their house is ruined. While things in Sweet Valley are ruined and the town tries to rebuild itself, Jessica Wakefield is haunted by the tragedy that she believes she caused- the death of Alyssa, the 12 year old she watched fall to her death. Nothing that anyone says to her can make he think differently. Then she meets a young boy whose father lies in a coma. Can helping him teach Jessica that not everything in life can be controlled? Meanwhile, Elizabeth spends time searching for who saved her and Enid from death during the earthquake. Devon claims it was him, but was it? Todd begins to wish that he had actually had the chance to kiss Lila, and she wonders what it would have been like too... Finally, Olivia is laid to rest as Ken mourns her and is asked by her parents to deliver the eulogy. How can he say that he loved her and will miss her? This book was a touching story of what happens to the twins and their friends. This book was a longer book to read then the usual, which I found to be a nice surprise, and was very fast paced- there were not any parts I wanted to skip over. I can not wait to see what happens in Sweet Valley High: Senior Class.

this book was really good. all these unexpected events happen to jessica and her friends who are visiting hawaii thanks to kimberly's aunt pippa who invited all of them. the unicorns (a club of totally snobby girls) meet kimberly's cousin, marissa. since she was so nerdy and talkative, the unicorns came up with all these mean pranks just to get her away.

i was surprised how cool jessica was acting because usually she's totally with the unicorns and i realized that she was growing up. she didnt need the snobby girls who arent even her real friends. i was proud of jessica because i usually dont like her since shes always the mean one compared to liz. although i loved liz's diary too, this one was surprisingly good.

the only thing that took away the 5th star was the way Jason was taken away by marissa. i really wanted Jason and Jessica to get together since they made such a cute couple... but i loved they way wiley dumped lila in the end, i was laughing by myself. overall, its a great book and if you need a cool book to read over the summer vacation, this is the one!

Four Words: I love this book! I have read it over and over again numerous times. Anything Hawaii or Sweet Valley Twins interests me, and Jessica was sort of my pre-teen idol. I wanted to be just like her, I wanted to BE her. I know that sounds kind of silly, since she's a fictionial character, but she just sounded so pretty, popular, and perfect. She had the life and the looks that I wanted so bad. Anyway, this book is very good, I like the diary style format. There aren't any "scenes" in this book, so, parents, it's a kid-friendly read. I'm fourteen and I still love this book, even though I was like ten when I first got it. I highly reccommend this book to everyone!

Three words... THIS WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!! After reading Elizabeth's diary, I was positive this one was going to be just as good. I was right! It may have been better, I can't decide. I was just thinking as I read the book that me and Jessica are totally alike! That is sooo cool! She can be snobby at times, sweet and caring, and fashionable! I loved how Wiley broke up with Lila at the end! Lila deserved it! I can't wait to read the Jr. High books!

This is an excellent history of the Ohio River Valley during the time period covered. However, this book is written more along the lines of a typical history book than his "Winning of America" series (The Frontiermens, Wilderness Empire, etc.) That isn't bad, it just means that it is less of the narrative style than one is used to in Eckert's books. Also, I found some of the events and happenings covered in this book to be more engaging in his other books. Eckert mentions in his introduction that he didn't want to just repeat things in this book that he had already covered in other books, but I think this is a "stand alone" book and he should have used all his best stuff for this book instead of worring about repeating what he wrote in his other books. In any case, this is an excellent book that keeps one interested; it just doesn't have as much of the "being part of the action" that is displayed in some of his other writings. With this book one is more of the outsider looking in on history instead of being involved in it; although it is still better written that most books concerning history. Also, there are a few instances of possible errors of history. For example, concerning Braddock's defeat at the Monongahela in 1755, Eckert states that Braddock was shot purposely by one of his own men. I can't think of any other historian who has no doubt on that matter. While it can not be proven that he wasn't shot by one of his own men, there is also not concrete evidence that he was. In fact, most evidence points to the opposite. Eckert, however, states it as fact. Every other historian seems to believe it not to be true, or at the most, doubtful. Eckert should have pointed this out. Also, dealing with the same battle, Eckert claims that the great Indian leader Pontiac was present. Now, there is no concrete proof that he wasn't, there also is not concrete proof that he was. So why state it as a fact? Or for another example, Eckert states that Blue Jacket, another great Indian leader was a white, captured as a boy and raised by the Indians. This is apparently not true either, as proven by DNA testing of the family's descendents involved. So why state that as a truth, when it really doesn't matter as far as Blue Jacket's activities in history are concerned? In any case, Eckert's possible errors are of the minor nature and do not distract one from the generally excellent writing and history telling; it just makes one wonder what else Eckert may be in error about. In the end, however, I don't think there is any other book concerning this area and time period that is better. Were is not for the possible historical errors, I would have given it a 4 or 5.

By far the best and most engaging chronicle of the border wars of the Ohio River Valley, Dark and Bloody River takes us back to the time and place first encountered in Eckert's other great book, The Frontiersmen. This was the first Eckert novel I read and it hooked me from the start. It begins with a description of the ancient Indians to first settle the land that would later become known to some as Kentucky and the Ohio Valley, and to others as "That Dark and Bloody Ground". It ends with the closing of the eastern frontier in Ohio in the early 19th century and the twilight of the Indian way of life. What comes in between is a classic tale of historic adventure and horror. Eckert is known for his great historical novels and this is one of the best. Here we again encounter some familiar characters like Daniel Boone, Simon kenton, and Simon Girty. Eckert gives one of the most sympathetic interpretations of the white renegade Girty to date, portraying him here as a troubled frontiersman who was more a victim of years of character assasination than the satanic monster he was remembered as. Here we also meet Lewis Wetzel and Eckert makes clear that Wetzel, though hailed as a frontier hero in his time and for decades to come, was most surely a cold-hearted killer, intent upon exterminating the Indian race from the face of North America. This is really a great book and despite being some 600 pages, has often been reread.

this book is the most informative book on the history of the Ohio river valley that has ever been written. It is informative in every detail t o geographical references and historical events! As with all Eckert writings, it's impossible to put it down! READ IT!!!!.....

If you're looking for a perfect book to learn about the computer industry, Fire in the Valley is definitly it. I rented the movie, Pirates of Silicon Valley, and it was a great movie. However, Hollywood took out so many important parts, that it only gives you an idea of what went on in the early 70's and 80's as the personal computer developed.

Being born in 1983, I grew up with the Texas Instruments computer, C-64, Apple II, Macintosh, and the mainstream desktop PCs that we use today. I was always interested in the history of computing and searched to find a book to fill in the gaps that Pirates of Silicon Valley left out.

Fire in the Valley, while not entirely definitive, still does an excellent job giving the reader all the history that he/she could want. As described in previous reviews, it does leave out the Commodore C-64, except for a few references. But this still is the best computer industry history book out on bookshelves.

I highly recommend that if you want to know more about the beginnings of Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Balmer, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ed Roberts and all the others who engineered the personal computer, take a look at this book.

Originally written in 1984, Fire in the Valley is an excellent synopsis of the beginnings of the computer industry, the devices, the people, and the egos that drive Silicon Valley in it's early days. The book is filled with details about the early computers, the hobbyists, and the fledging corporations (often three guys in a basement) that were building a mega-industry seemingly overnight. While filled with details, the book flows well and reads quickly thanks to generally lucid prose. The authors do a good job of conveying the enthusiasm and idealism of those times and interviewed many of the key participants including Steve Jobs and Bill Gates for their perspective on those days.

This version of the book brings the story essentially up to date, documenting the rise of the World Wide Web and the various wars over browsers that eventually got Microsoft into trouble.

If you like computers pick this up. If you like historical books about great periods of history (and don't kid yourself, the rise of the personal computer and the world wide web qualify) pick this up. If you want to know why the machine you currently have is designed the way it is pick this up, it's an enjoyable read.

Nobody who has read Paul Freiberger's matchless "Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer" will be fooled by spinmeisters like the author of the last sentence in the following paragraph, which just landed on my keyboard with "spin city!" scrawled in the margin:

"..However, even the industry's most innovative pioneers didn't foresee how prevalent computers would become. In fact, in 1943, IBM Chairman Thomas Watson remarked, 'I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.' Despite Watson's outlook, other computer-related companies slowly began to emerge, including Hewlett Packard in 1938, Digital Equipment Corp. in 1957, Microsoft in 1975, and Apple a year later. Then, in 1981, trailblazer IBM revolutionized the industry with the first personal computer."

Gag me with a spoon, Harold! If the author of this puff piece had ever read "Fire in the Valley", he/she would never dare to call IBM a trailblazer in personal computers!

To read about the REAL trailblazers (which admittedly do include Bill Gates and Paul Allen, as well as the Woz and Steve Jobs), you need this book. Read about Traf-O-Data, the Altair, paper tape readers, DiskBasic, the famous Letter to Users, IMSAI, the first Apple logo, CP/M, KayPro and all the rest. It's in there!

I can't believe I ever let my original copy of it get away.

.-)

I didn't know anything about this story or author when I picked up this book; I just wanted to read it because I grew up in Sunnyvale (and still live in the Bay Area). I found that the story moves along quietly and rather gently while describing serious subject matter: a family is broken apart by divorce. Meanwhile, the vast promise of the Silicon Valley is the background. It was a very honest portrayal of life and troubles in this area, very authentic to me: my father was an immigrant, drawn to California and the Bay Area as the promised land, and he was very much like the men in this book, wanting success, to make something of himself, expecting the best from his children, pressuring them to succeed because how can you possibly fail when you live in an Eichler home in a place called Sunnyvale in the place that created the technological revolution? Like the author himself, I was not the least bit drawn to the computer industry, wanting instead to be artistic and creative. Therefore, I never belonging here. I've been trying to get out of this area for years; in the book, the lead character/author moves to New York. I never realized that those of us who grew up in Sunnyvale could have similar life experiences despite differences in ethnicity, family background, etc. Your hometown influences you and your family and every part of your life. How nice to read a book that illustrates this so effectively.

This story could be centered just about anywhere. The reviewer from Sunnyvale aside (why so defensive?), this is a treatise on falling outside the clique in today's America. Whether the setting is Silicon Valley, Orange County, Fairfax County, Cambridge, etc... this writing hits home with more of us than we might like to admit. Whether it be computers, day trading, e-tailing, whatever the fast moving hot thing is, this book illustrates how easily such "progress" can wrench a family apart and leave behind wreckage and despair. Dear old Dad loves his time honored trade, dotes on his family and basically is a good but rather boring guy. Mom comes alive when she discovers an exciting place to work and this is the death knell for the traditional family. Sound familiar? Reverse the roles and it still applies. The beauty of this book is the relevance and honesty of it. Goodell doesn't need to exaggerate anything... many of us have lived through or are living through similar things. Personally, I like Michele and Leonard... even though Leonard reminds me a little too much of my own mentors. This book might make you think, but most likely it will make you nod your head thinking "I can relate". Should you, dear reader, be one of the decreasing numbers of people in a stable, well orderd family, this will be a somewhat voyeuristic read but very informative. Definitely worth the time.

Jeff Goodell's memoir about the discintigration of an American family (his own) in small-town Sunnyvale --set against the backdrop of California's surging growth of computer technology as well as the internet explosion into modern day America in nearby Silicon Valley-- shows us that behind the sterility of corporate computer America, looking further into the microchip mentality, there are actual people and their very human lives behind the mechanical scenes. The author paints a very human picture of family life when everything doesn't go perfect. There is no 'netguide' to find a handy solution, no 'Dysfunctional Families for Dummies' reference book for a quick fix. The book begins as his parents divorce when he is 19, and carries us through the next twenty years of emotional struggle as Goodell has experienced it. He deals with anger, resentment, heartache, disappointment, guilt, loss, and then assumes the responsibility for trying to fix everything that broke. I'ts not as easy as putting a new hard drive into a computer. Goodell matures as the book progresses from the cocky and condescending teen he was into the reflective and forgiving man he has become. The book is beautifully written and the reader easily drawn into the lives of the writer and his family members. Anyone who has dealt with their own family struggles (who hasn't?) can relate to this book and will find comfort from the fact that we are not alone ---everyone has a story and Goodell has poingiently given us his.

Startup tells the story of the rise and fall of GO Corporation, a maker of pen-based computer hardware and software. GO was founded in 1987 based on the idea that lightweight portable computers that used a pen instead of a keyboard would be quite useful devices, and that entirely new operating system software would be required to run them.

From the outset, the company faced a major problem: their main product was a pen-friendly operating system, but the device for which their software was targetted did not exist! Back then, the so-called portable computers were affectionately referred to as "luggables", and they all came with a keyboard. So to demonstrate the benefits of their software, GO was forced to spend its early precious resources developing its own pen computers. It was 3.5 years before the hardware group was spun out into a separate company called EO and bought by AT&T.

Kaplan's book is an interesting no-holds-barred account of the hectic start-up life and the cut-throat business world. To succeed, GO required a variety of partnerships, from hardware vendors to ISVs. In the course of wooing companies to help them, they rubbed shoulders with such big technology companies as IBM, Apple, HP, Microsoft, and AT&T. Negotiating with and placating the IBM bureaucracy turned into a major ordeal, and Microsoft's unethical theft of GO's intellectual property allowed Microsoft to become a competitive threat long before they otherwise should have been.

GO's other serious problem was that, in its 7+ years of existence, it never realized any significant product revenue. As a result, Kaplan was constantly scrounging for new investment money and was forced to make large concessions to get it. In the book's epilogue, he sums up the situation rather succintly and forthrightly: "In looking back over the entire GO-EO experience, it is tempting to blame the failure on management errors, aggressive actions by competitors, and indifference on the part of large corporate partners. While all these played important roles, the project might have withstood them if we had succeeded in building a useful product at a reasonable price that met a clear market need. ... The real question is not why the project died, but rather why it survived as long as it did with no meaningful sales."

The book may make even more interesting reading today (mid-2001) than when it was first published (1994). The intervening years have seen the dot-com boom and bust of the late 1990's, and the development of Palm handhelds, the first truly affordable and useful pen computers. GO may have burned through $75 million in its 7 year existence, but that is nothing compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars wasted on short-lived dot-coms with ridiculous business models. And the overwhelming success of the Palm devices is a testament to the power of the idea that gave birth to GO. It was a valiant and commendable attempt, but in the final analysis, GO just had too many forces working against it, not least of which may have been that it was a bit ahead of its time....

Whatever Jerry Kaplan may lack in business acumen--or business luck--he makes up as a writer. Many books, usually written by journalists, claim to take you inside the experience of starting up a company; this one, written by the founder of GO, delivers. Kaplan not only makes you feel what it's like to hire key people, chase money, and get your first customer; initially, at least, he makes you care what happens to the people caught up in this adventure. That said, about 2/3 of the way through the book, I began to get lost in the details. Skimming along, I never fully understood what happened to GO in its dealings with EO and AT&T. But the book's problems with plot development are more than outweighed by the vivid portraits--John Doerr as "a whippet in a cage"--that Kaplan paints along the way.

In Startup, Go's Jerry Kaplan (better known for his later success with onsale.com) recounts how he and his team built the company from an idea, and how due to internal politics and competition the walls came tumbling down.

Kaplan takes us through the twists and turns of forming a company, describing, in detail, how he secured venture capital and found Go's first few key people. He comments extensively on the changing competitive landscape throughout Go's history. The EO spin-off, IBM and AT&T deals and all other major events in Go's life are detailed. The book is a quick read, written like a first person novel, not a stuffy business book.

The book's biggest flaw, however, is that it is written entirely from Kaplan's perspective. Throughout, he blames situation, competitors and others for the various problems that Go encountered; Kaplan though, fails to review his own actions and how they may have contributed to Go's demise -- unfortunately this could have been the most beneficial analysis: allowing us to learn from what Kaplan perceived as his mistakes.

Over all, Startup is well written, and a "must read" for anyone working for or contemplating starting a tech company.

This Civil War book is worth reading. It is the first person story of Jamie Lockhart, a fifteen year old from Virginia. It is the amazing treasure hunt based on real events. There is high suspense and drama all the way through. The action begins when a Confederate private comes to the Lockhart farm looking for lodge. When Jamie decides to follow him on one of his mysterious midnight trips, he discovers a startling plot-and gets caught in the middle of it. The quick pace keeps the interest throughout the story. The book has a great cast as well. Jamie, Kate, and Major de Monfort are just a few. This book is worth your time.

This book had a jump start beginning and followed on through most of the entire book. I read this book in precisely one day and in the middle of the book found myself thinking back to the time I read Treasure Island as a kid (which I still am 15) And before I knew it I was racing to the exciting climax of the book.Upon reaching the end and finishing the book, I turned to the next page expecting there to be another chapter only to find there was not one.I felt this to be an extreme let down ending I wanted to know more about the turn outs of Jamie's saga but the book left you hanging.There were many good parts to the book as well however and recomend the book to anyone who likes the Civil War.In conclusion I would say that the author made a better than average debut into the world of writing.

This exceptionally well written story had me on the edge of my seat from one chapter to the next! The main character has some great adventures in the midst of a wonderful depiction of the Civil War. I passed this book along to my 14 year old. It is very easy reading and is appropriate for any age. If your homeschooler is studying the Civil War, I would recommend "Stonewall's Gold" as worthwhile supplemental reading. The author is very good at keeping the plot moving and exciting. Definitely add this book to your list of good reads for you and your family.

Rick Bass is a man who truly loves his dogs, and can put this love into words that will take your breath away. Mr. Bass is a hunter and environmentalist with a profound respect for all living things. In addition to this book being a profound outpouring of his love for the unforgettable German Shorthair Pointer, Coulter, this book looks at life through the golden beauty of an autumn day. No weather is too lousy to keep Mr. Bass from hunting his talented canine partner, and no matter how many shots Mr. Bass misses at birds suspended right in front of his gun, every hunt is perfection.

If someone were to ask me what kind of novel this is, I don't know that I could answer simply. I picked it up because it was in the biography section of my school's library (and my students are currently studying biographies), but I kept reading it because it drew me in, dragged me deep into the smell of leaves and awe of the beauty of a fine dog, and wouldn't let go. It is one of the funniest books I have read (I cannot count the times I laughed out loud); it is one of the most tragic books I have read (I grieved with Mr. Bass and revisited my own grief as I approach the one year anniversary of the death of my first dog); it is one of the most beautiful books I have read (his appreciation of his dogs' beauty -- all of them -- and the world around him has opened my eyes wider).

Thank you Mr. Bass for sharing your stories of a truly unforgettable partner in life.

I grew up in a house without a dog. 6 years ago my wife and I were given a puppy and my life was changed forever. This book truly draws out the emotions any one who has ever loved a dog feels about their "best friend". Rick Bass is a truly gifted writer (I have read another of his books)who has a tremendous ability to describe in detail the things that one's mind says to one's self. Those thoughts, reflections and feelings that we experience within our own soul are the true fabric of life that makes us human. Rick Bass has produced words that capture the essence of what it is to be bound to a dog (not own a dog--if anyone is doing the owning it is the dog). He describes so many things that every one who lives with a dog sees. Even the small details describing where Colter sleeps to the way his legs run when he is dreaming.
The pasage on page 31 says it all:
"When you live with a dog-when a dog is a member of your family-you learn soon enough to see the world at least partially through that dog's eyes: when to let it out, when to let it in, when to feed it, when it wants to play, when it is troubled....
With a hunting dog, you learn to pursue what it pursues. Generations of mankind before you might have worked to sculpt this streamlined (yet fluid, and still developing) creature that is now in your life, and now, not in generations but in just a few short years, the dog turns around and sculpts you."

I was given this book for Valentines Day by my fiancee and daughter. Being the owner of a chocolate lab, the pic of the chocolate short hair on the cover was definetly eye catching the second I opened it. I started to read the book that night and finished it the following night. The book is very hard to put down. The author talks about how he stubbles across the "best dog he ever had owned...Colter" Thats the way that I feel about my pup. Mr.Bass reflects back on many great days of hunting with out bagging any birds. To me a day in the field with no birds is still a great day, you get to spend it with a loyal friend. Rick's best friend was Colter, mine is Bailey. This book would be perfect for anyone who loves there dog more than they do shooting pheasants. The dialog draws you in and makes you feel and wish you were there seeing Colter on point and retreving birds. It's a great book and I don't think anyone would be disappointed purchasing this one. Thank you Kim and Alyssa for one of the best Valentine's Day presents ever.