Black Belt Scalawag: Charles Hays and the Southern Republicans in the Era of Reconstruction

Book Description

If you have ever believed in a world beyond the everyday, this is the book to help you find it.

A Complete Guide to Faeries and Magical Beings is a wonderful companion for those who wish to tour an enchanted world. Cassandra Eason begins with the myths, legends, and real evidence surrounding the origins and existence of fairies and then takes us on a journey throughout the world to introduce us to the many different varieties of these mysterious beings.

From fairies to viking giants, selkies to gnomes, fey beings abound. In this spritely volume, Eason shares fascinating anecdotes of people who have actually seen them. And if you'd like to meet them yourself, Eason also provides simple techniques, exercises, and rituals to attract, find, and communicate with the little people. Hang silver bells by a window. Keep potted plants in your home. Or sit quietly between two oaks at dusk or dawn.

Fairyland mirrors universal human issues: fortune versus misfortune, fate versus free will, perfection and imperfection, illusion and objective reality, different time scales, the existence of parallel dimensions, and the duality of human nature. Some people even believe that fairies are becoming more visible again, as they were in pre-industrial days, to remind us of the consequences of consumer society — the danger of being seduced by our own versions of fairy gold.

"If you want to be happy, be."
— Henry David Thoreau

Customer Reviews:

A Complete Guide to Faeries & Magical Beings.......2007-07-18

The mythology of faeries is extremely rich. So many cultures have stories and legends about faeries, little people, and other such mystical creatures. Moreover, there are probably as many differing descriptions of these beings as there are stories. Some are beautiful and genial. Others are ugly, deceptive, or downright dangerous.

A Complete Guide to Faeries & Magical Beings is a good overview of the subject. The author not only includes the information contained in a myriad of mythological stories but also touches on contemporary beliefs and recorded incidents in modern times. She even includes exercises that bring one closer to various natural forms often associated with the different types of faeries so that the reader may increase the likelihood of having his or her own experiences. A section called the "A-Z of World Fairies" is included at the back of the book for easy reference.

A good book, lots of information.......2006-06-27

I am a begginner in all Fairy information. I believe this was a great book, with lots of information to get started and continue reading.
the only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because some parts are the book are difficult to understand, I believe you have to be much more advanced in fairy information, names, etc. to be able to fully understand what she is explaining, other than that, the book is really good.
Thanks Cassandra!!!

Tuning in to the World of the Faery .......2005-05-27

I loved this book, and it is actually one of the first "how to" books I've read in a long time where I sat and read it cover to cover in just a few days.

"A Complete Guide" covers the origins of faeries, who they are, evidence, literature and legend, and the different types of faery. Ms. Eason gives many exercises and rituals throughout the book that help the reader to more deeply connect to the world of the faery. And I personally appreciate that she focuses more on the fact that the faery experience will affect the reader more through their psyche and that it's okay if one doesn't actually "physically" see the faery folk. Their effects are still felt and still working through the consciousness.

This is an excellent book for both the beginning and more advanced student, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in finding out more about the realm of the faery.

Great Info On The Small Folk!.......2004-04-25

This book has great information on the Fae and has interesting facts about them to. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to know about the Fae.

Shadow Warrior (Knights of the Magical Realm)

Average customer rating:

Shadow Warrior-A Joyfully Recommended Title
Four talented authors pulled me into the story and didn't let go until the last page!
Smokin' HOT!!!
On Your Toes Exciting
Shadow Warrior Knights of the Magical Realm

Shadow Warrior (Knights of the Magical Realm)
Delilah Devlin , Myla Jackson , Layla Chase , and Betty Hanawa
Manufacturer: Triskelion Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All Wrapped Up

ASIN: 1933471999

Book Description

In the not so distant future four former military men suffer a mystifying alteration. Transformed in a place known to them as "Hell Hospital" these soldiers were the ultimate experiment. Now their bodies react in strange and animalistic ways as these men discover they are now part man and part feline and each possesses a sensual hunger they can't control. It's up to them to find the people responsible for their genetic engineering and put a stop to a madman's quest for power while their entire existence hangs in a tenuous balance. Four women will encounter these deadly predators. Will they be strong enough to tame the beast within? Or will the fall prey to the Shadow Warrior?

Customer Reviews:

Shadow Warrior-A Joyfully Recommended Title.......2007-02-20

Shape shifters are born - right. But what if science figured out a way to make the perfect shifter and what if madmen got that knowledge and was determined to use it for their own ends?

Cougar by Layla Chase
Kol Thorstein has taken an extended leave from his Special Forces unit. He has been having odd black outs and memory lapses since he was rescued from captivity. Kol knows that if he can't control it or find the solution, he will kicked out. Zoia Stavros is a private investigator sent to track down a soldier that has disappeared. Zoia finds Kol with little trouble and after meeting him begins to wonder about the story her client gave her. Kol and Zoia figure out his problem and almost instantly understand just how much danger they could be in.

Cougar brings together a highly trained Special Forces soldier and an up and coming PI who face a problem that could get them both killed. Zoia has a lot of experience with the post-traumatic symptoms and is determine to help Kol. Kol is wondering if he has come down with post-traumatic stress disorder after his release. Kola and Zoia are wrong about the problem but together they begin the journey to face down their enemies. Cougar brings you right into the story and the entire book. After finishing I was very happy to be able to go on to the next. Ms. Chase was very successful in setting the hook and I couldn't wait to get to Zoia and Kol's ending.

Jaguarondi by Betty Hanawa

Dylan Gomez has recently been forced out of the Service and the Special Forces because of the blackouts he suffers from. These blackouts are very new to him and the worse part is he can't remember and always wakes up naked. Today is no different, well it is a bit as he is in a cage and a strange woman is standing over him demanding answers. Haley Lundberg works in Wildlife Control Management and is surprised to find a man has replaced the Jaguarondi in her cage. Haley might be a civilian now, but for a while she was in the service and part of an elite woman's force. Haley and Dylan are both shocked to see him shift back and forth between a man and a Jaguarondi - now the question is who did it and why. Dylan is pissed and going to find out but not alone because no way is Hayley going to let him go on his own. Such begins their journey to danger and discovery.

Jaguarondi has two levelheaded ex-service specialists trying to wrap their minds around something out of fantasy. Haley knows that she can't ignore what she has on film and besides she doesn't want to ignore sexy Dylan anyway. Dylan is in total denial until Haley finds a way to make him remember one of his blackouts. Knowing that no one should every mess with free will, Haley and Dylan are determined to locate who changed Dylan and where it was done. I loved the full steam ahead and don't mess with us attitude of Haley and Dylan. It was so interesting seeing two logical people trying to put logic towards a fantastic problem. Again Jaguarondi pulled me in even more and I finished the story wondering where my journey was going to take me.

Black Panther by Myla Jackson

Ramon Osceola has retreated to his island home to bring himself back under control. He has no idea what was done to him while being held captive, but it was enough for the military to retire him almost immediately after his rescue. Hannah Richards is on the run and isn't quite sure who she is running to. Hannah is a doctor who was blackmailed into doing scientific experiments on several men. She knows that her reception might be deadly when she admits who she is and what she has to offer. Ramon and Hannah connect right away but the feelings of passion are edged with rage to begin with. However Ramon can't turn Hannah away after he discovers why Hannah did it. They start a dangerous trip of rescue and revenge.

Black Panther places a very pissed panther in very close and personal contact with his doctor. Ramon knows he was given the ability to shift into a Panther but he isn't sure why or who exactly was behind it. Hannah has wanted Ramon since he was one of her subjects and now she must face his anger and request his help. Ramon and Hannah work their way from rage and desperation into passion while tracking down the person behind the experiments. The emotions that were written into Black Panther leaped off of the pages. The surprises for Ramon and Hannah kept me turning the pages. Another wonderful story in a great book.

White Tiger by Delilah Devlin

Casey McTaggert is a data gatherer in a secret government agency. She has been tracking the double agent known as the "Tiger" for several years and when it became clear he was in the US she was determine to get to him. However she is amazed to find out that the "Tiger" is actually a White tiger shifter. Khalid Razeh has been an unknown double agent for years and has stayed out of the states for a long time. He was held captive with several other men, however he was the only one the group who is not American. Khalid knows that he has to find the solution before he is used as a scapegoat. Casey and Kahlid never expected the passion that pulled them together. Casey knows even better than Khalid what the danger is they are facing and who is actually behind everything.

In White Tiger you find out that sometimes the government can be fooled but not totally ticked. Casey had access to enormous amounts of data that until she meets Khalid doesn't come together in her mind. Khalid knows his life could be in danger if he doesn't get to the bottom of why he was changed. Casey and Khalid join forces to solve the mystery despite the danger they both will face. I was so happy to find that they were joined by the others for the showdown. Casey is able to gather all the pieces of her data together to help Khalid just when it matters the most. Ms. Devlin took two characters that should not have been able to come together and not only made it work, but made it seamless.

Shadow Warrior has four outstanding stories that intertwine so well that I actually forgot I was reading 4 stories by different authors. I found the entire plot line just different enough that it captured my attention right away. I actually did not want to put it down when I had to and picked it up as soon as I could to finish it. There is not one story that I can say stood out to me more than the rest, which is why I loved the entire anthology and kept forgetting it was an anthology. My only wish was that the ending was extended just a bit more so that I could have seen the final showdown.

Shadow Warrior to me is a must read and one I know I will come back to again and again. There are very few anthologies in which I actually forget that I'm reading a collection of stories by different authors, Shadow Warrior is one and so well done that I not only recommend it highly, but I Joyfully Recommend it. Enjoy it - I know you will.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Four talented authors pulled me into the story and didn't let go until the last page!.......2006-11-11

I loved this anthology! The stories were imaginative and well thought out. Genetically enhanced shapeshifters? Sexy as hell heroes? Smart, sensual, take no bull heroines? Steamy sex? Thrilling stories? I'll take all of the above and you can get them in this book! I was rivetted from page one and the stories and love scenes flowed and had me turning pages right up to the very end. I highly recommend it!

Smokin' HOT!!!.......2006-11-10

I've read my share of sensual romance, but this one is truly smokin' hot. Best part of all, the romance is entwined in engrossing, can't-put-it-down stories of shapeshifters. Each author's story was unique and well thought out. I loved being able to suspend my belief and get totally caught up in their futuristic world. Thanks for the great read.

On Your Toes Exciting.......2006-11-10

I found this book to be gripping and sensual. The characters are well developed and all four books flow seamlessly into each other. The background was unique and diverse and the characters jumped off the pages. Well written. I'd wait in line to buy another book by these talented four authors.

Shadow Warrior Knights of the Magical Realm.......2006-11-07

I was very disappointed in this book. The whole premise was shaky to begin with. The shape-shifter who was genetically enhanced and the woman who suppossedly fall for them. The lovemaking was stilted and boring, and overall just not what I expected. Do yourself a favor and save your money.

Warriors Gone Wild: Knights of the Magical Realm

Average customer rating:

WARRIORS GONE WILD

Warriors Gone Wild: Knights of the Magical Realm
Tina Gerow , Linda Wisdom , Dakota Cassidy , and Brit Blaise
Manufacturer: Triskelion Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1933874406

Customer Reviews:

WARRIORS GONE WILD.......2007-05-10

FROM THE BACK COVER:

Journey back to the Knights of the Magical Realm where Tina Gerow, Linda Wisdom, Brit Blaise & Dakota Cassidy bring the heat in this new installment where a human bodyguard hired to keep an eye on the Lord of the Underworld's step sister...A Time Traveling Highlander out to win a cover model contest, and regain control of his sword...Seven foot warriors from the future here to protect our present...And meeting the man of your dreams in a video game that surpasses all virtual reality...Four stories, Four Warriors, Four women suddenly pulled into worlds they never imagined. Anything could happened with Warriors Gone Wild.

I norally only read Contemporary romance, so I don't even know why I bought Warriors Gone Wild, but I'm glad I did, I enjoyed all four stories, sometimes with anthology there's always one or two stories I don't like, but in this book I liked all four stories. If your into romances with a bit of a plot you will like these stories.

Average customer rating:

The Magical Realm of Sallie Middleton
Sallie Middleton
Manufacturer: Oxmoor House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

The Magical Realm
Kathleen Coyle
Manufacturer: O'Brien Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0863275486

Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (AD&D/Forgotten Realms)

Average customer rating:

Excellent Material
OK supplement; not a standout

Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (AD&D/Forgotten Realms)
Ed Greenwood , and Eric L. Boyd
Manufacturer: TSR Hobbies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Material.......2000-12-12

I found Volo's Guide to All Things Magical to be an excellent resource on magical item creation for Second Edition D&D. The type face is small, and the style is cramped, but to me that indicates that a lot of effort went into packing as much material into the book as possible, while keeping the page count and thus cost down.

The sections on magical woods, gems and metals are perfect for putting those little extra touches that take a magic item from the humdrum to the extraordinary. Since it's all there ready for you, it can also help you give consistent hints to players about what a magic item does by it's description. For instance, your player may eventually learn that magic items bearing alexandrite almost invariably have good luck powers, while those with onyx inlays are often either cursed or unlucky.

The item creation spells are probably the best feature over all. Unlike the Complete Book of Artifacts, and the Second Edition Dungeons Master's guide, this book actually gives a detailed process for magical item creation, including an example item preperation.

The book is a must have for the detail oriented person or any Dungeon Master running a First or Second Edition campaign that is going to involve magical item creation in any way. The gems and woods section above provide plenty of inspiration for adventures when your would be enchanter has to collect some of his materials by hand.

Unfortunately, the magic item creation system in Third Edition does not work at all with this book. I consider that a failing of Third Edition. It has made the construction of magic items exceptionally mundane.

So let me finish with a few words of caution, if you are not a Dungeon Master or are not interested in fleshing out the magic in your campaign you probably don't want this book. But for the Dungeon Master who is, this book is invalueable.

OK supplement; not a standout.......2000-11-07

This game supplement is a departure from the other "Volo's Guide" books. Rather than being the somewhat tongue-in-cheek tourist guides that the other books are, this is a reference guide to magic in the Forgotten Realms. This broad purview covers a wide range of topics. Included in this book are guides to magical legends (both people and places) in the Realms, discussions on magic items and their creation (the lion's share of the book), and a study of certain spells.

The most value you will probably get out of this guide is for its detail on magic item creation under the 2nd edition rules. This was always something the core rulebooks remained rather vague on, and this guide takes a good step towards laying down some more concrete details (but just a step). It includes some "recipes" for magic items and walkthroughs for the creation process. If you are interested in magic item creation for 2nd edition AD&D, this is a worthwhile supplement.

Beyond that, it introduces some new magic items, some new spells, a few artifacts, and a monster or two. Some interesting stuff, but nothing particularly spectacular. Given the changes to 3rd edition D&D (which lays down its own clear and straight-up magic item creation guidelines), there probably isn't that much of value here for players who have moved on from 2nd edition.

The Magical Realm
Average customer rating:
The Magical Realm
Kathleen Coyle
Manufacturer: E. P. Dutton & Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FM9OXM

MirrorMask (Unabridged)
Average customer rating:

An appealing, visually vivid format is presented.

"Let them join the circus. I want to join real life."

Reviewing the Children's Book- not the Script Book

MirrorMask (Unabridged)
Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
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ASIN: B000JJ4OKY

Customer Reviews:

An appealing, visually vivid format is presented........2007-01-07

Helena has been raised in a family of circus performers and dreams of a normal life - until haunting music leads her far from home to a magical world where her real life is stolen. Her only hope is to rescue her new home from a threat - if she can. MirrorMask is a film: Gaiman's story here pairs with artist/director Dave McKean to provide a blend of novella and art, supplemented by images from the film. An appealing, visually vivid format is presented.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

"Let them join the circus. I want to join real life.".......2006-04-10

I personally found the fantastical MIRRORMASK to be an enjoyable read. The story itself wasn't too terribly gripping but I loved the way in which it was written. Neil Gaiman is a master at creating new worlds and painting vivid imagery with his words, captivating me as always. But please note that while this is called the "children's edition" I'd have to say it is more like a young adult read. Granted it's a short book with only 80 pages of storytelling intersperced with illustrations from Dave McKean as well as pictures taken from the movie, in a sense it is too grown-up for real young kids to enjoy.

Reviewing the Children's Book- not the Script Book.......2005-10-12

The Children's book, like all of McKean's work, is beautiful. The story is good and funny, although not as full or deep as some of Mr. Gaiman's work. I wish the movie had wider distribution. My children are enjoying the book.

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff: You Wish (Unabridged)

Average customer rating:

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff: You Wish (Unabridged)
Jason Lethcoe
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
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ASIN: B000PSJB9I

Book Description

On his eleventh birthday, sad, orphaned Benjamin Bartholomew Piff accidentally adheres to all of the wishing rules—and, in wishing for the mother lode of limitless wishes, he unknowingly sets into a motion a chain of events that threatens to disrupt the balance between the magical realm of wishes and curses. Before long, Benjamin has been recruited by the Wishworks Factory director himself to fight the evil henchmen of the Curseworks Factory. In the process, Benjamin will reclaim his original wish—giving new credence to the old adage: “Be careful what you wish for . . . ”

Average customer rating:

The Magical Realm of Sallie Middleton

Manufacturer: Oxmoor House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I2XZJ8

Rethinking Orphanages For The 21st Century
Average customer rating:

From one who works in a county child placement unit.

Lawrence Payne, Author of: Our Mother - Her Bottles

An important book for an important topic

Excellent Collection of Academic Essays

Negative stars for this one.

Rethinking Orphanages For The 21st Century
Richard B., Ed. McKenzie
Manufacturer: Sage Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Alone in the World: Orphans and Orphanages in America

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A Home of Another Kind: One Chicago Orphanage and the Tangle of Child Welfare

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

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ASIN: 0761914447

Book Description

With welfare reform at the top of the U.S. Congress agenda, the orphanage debate has resurfaced. The current child welfare system is flawed, operating to the detriment of tens of thousands of children. Foster care, intended to act as a temporary solution, has become inadequate permanent care. While adoption is a solution for some children, many children are difficult to place or legally unavailable for permanent placement. Editor Richard B. McKenzie contends that the resurgence of private orphanages or childrenâ€™s homes will become an option for those children. Rethinking Orphanages for the 21 ^st Century reviews the policy reforms necessary for these homes to become reliable solutions for many of the nationâ€™s disadvantaged and abused children. This edited volume includes entirely new works and maintains continuity and cohesiveness as it explores a variety of topics ranging from judicial issues, child maltreatment, history of orphanages, regulation and funding, and solutions for reform. McKenzie, who grew up in an orphanage in the 1950s, includes the first and only large-scale survey of orphanage alumni, involving 1,600 respondents. He found that as a group, they outpaced their counterparts in the general population by significant margins on nearly all levels, including education, income, and attitude toward life.

Child welfare professionals, policymakers, sociologists, social workers, and family studies scholars will find this timely volume of great interest.

Customer Reviews:

From one who works in a county child placement unit........2007-05-06

You'll wear out your yellow highlighter reading Dr. McKenzie's book, Rethinking Orphanages for the 21st Century. Many coworkers in my own placement unit and our social worker counterparts agree with Dr. McKenzie and other orphan alumni that a well-run orphanage could play a major role in rescuing children from the often damaging foster-care system that we are currently forced to rely upon. Children who are removed from abusive or negligent homes pay a double price once they enter the system of marginal foster care, or group homes and their renegade staff. This book is straight forward and easy to read; but if you need statistics, those are there, also. I salute Dr. McKenzie and the other contributors to this vital book --essential reading for or anyone in the Probation or Social Services industry, or for those who simply care for America's abused and neglected children.

Lawrence Payne, Author of: Our Mother - Her Bottles.......2007-04-07

I thoroughly enjoyed Rethinking Orphanages for the 21th Century. Until I read this book, I never gave thought to the institution where I spent time as an orphanage. I loved that institution/orphanage and it was great for me.
What I loved about this book was the realistic look into the past and the current foster care system. When people hear the word Orphanages it brings up negative connotations. I wish that people would visit our contemporary foster/group homes and talk to the kids. We have done more damage with our current concept of child welfare than all the orphanages combined. Whether you can/cannot visit kids in our foster care system, either way I invite you to read Rethinking Orphanages for the 21th Century, it is a wonderful book.

An important book for an important topic.......2005-10-17

I work supporting orphanages in third world countries. I also work with children in the US who are in dysfunctional families who receive government aid. This book supports the idea of orphanages as one of the tools in caring for children in need of support. I strongly recommend this book to anyone truly looking for ways to help children in need. It's ideas should be considered based on their merit and not on a political basis.

Excellent Collection of Academic Essays.......2005-10-17

Dr Richard B. McKenzie has produced an excellent collection of academic essays essentially stating the case that orphanages have a role in modern foster care. Dr. McKenzie is in a unique situation to produce this insight. He currently works in the child care arena with foster children. Additionally, he grew up in an orphanage. While this book is slightly biased in favor of an orphanage oriented solution, it is a striking argument that our current system is not producing the best results. One wonders if there are any PhDs that are products of the foster care system that are advocating its supremacy to the orphanage approach.

However, regardless of the pros or cons of the various arguments in this anthology of academic papers, it seems likely that orphanages are destined to the back burner of American foster care. First, there is a vast amount of bias that perceives orphanages as little better then prisons or slave labor camps. These ideas are wrong headed. While it is true that orphanages are probably more regimented than foster care or a more "normal" family environment, it is doubtful that the children in foster care or in dysfunctional families are exactly experiencing the best of American society. Likewise, the rules regarding child labor do not apply to parents and those serving as parents, so it is likely that family business and household chores are demanding more unsafe labor from children than an orphanage would or could. Second, and this is honestly explored in the book, orphanages cost a lot of money compared to foster care. Essentially, an orphanage is a boarding school and has tremendous overhead. This is especially true if the orphanage provides its own school system. While some expenses can be offset by using the children's "chores" to provide goods and services, it still is phenomenally more expense than foster care. This will no doubt prevent orphanages from ever having a major role in American foster care in the near future.

If you have ever met anyone who has experienced the current system of foster care and child placement, you might wonder what could possibly be worse than the current system? Therefore, it seems reasonable to postulate that at least some effort should go to experimenting with orphanages to see which approach yields the best results. However, due to the cost that is unlikely to happen. We would rather provide bad care cheaply, than moderate care expensively. Only time will tell if this choice is a wise investment for our society.

Negative stars for this one........2005-06-19

If I could I would put a negative star on this one. I have been surprised at alot of the things I have read in my life and I will have to say that the fact that this was even allowed to be published is appalling. The fact that it has political (i.e. a judge) references negates the entire book. This book is followed too by a new initiative into the school systems, where parents are about to lose the control of whether thier kids take drugs for mental problems or not. If you refuse, you apparently are not a good parent and they remove your child from the home. Now to think, they will not only remove your child, but also they now want to put them in an orphanage too. With the knowledge that this book brings forth along with the new government initiative, this books primarily promotes institionalizing every child that has mental problem. Please pray or light a candle to whatever diety you follow, for our children in America, they are going to need it.

Rethinking Orphanages for the 21st Century

Average customer rating:

Rethinking Orphanages for the 21st Century
Richard B. McKenzie
Manufacturer: Sage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KWLX7C

Average customer rating:

Rethinking Orphanages for the 21st Century
Richard B. McKenzie
Manufacturer: Sage Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S6T0ES

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