Recumbent Bikes - recumbent bike, exercise bikes

Visit Store Now !!

UPDATE ON 12/27/2010. After one year of steady use, I am very pleased with the machine. In my original review (below) I reported a clicking noise, but I finally figured out that it was because the locking knob on the seat adjuster was not tightened down; once corrected the bike has been silent. It has been ridden an average of 2 1/2 hours per week. There have been absolutely no problems with the bike. My only complaints (and they're not show-stoppers) are 1) the useless book ledge, 2) the handlebars aren't usable unless you lean forward, and 3) the need for plugging the unit into an electrical outlet (rather than having a battery). Please note that I unplug my bike when it's not in use, as I expect the transformer unit would burn out much sooner if left plugged in all the time. SUMMARY: A great machine, and I highly recommend it.



The remainder of this review was written in December, 2009:



Please note that this review is written based on only ONE WEEK (Comments added 1/7/10) of use, so it can't possibly address performance over the long term. If I remember to, I'll come back in a few months and give a more complete review.



First, the machine was shipped promptly and arrived on time. The package was somewhat damaged, but all the bike parts arrived in good condition. It appears to me that the Chinese manufacturer packaged the bike for containerized shipment, and not for individual transport. Nevertheless, all was okay.



Assembly is straight-forward. I was interrupted (neighbor's horses got out), but total assembly time was probably about one hour, working alone. Note that I'm an experienced assembler, having put together many wagons, carts, bikes, trikes, etc. in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Also note that Step 5 (page 11) calls for REMOVING the seat rail bracket; the bracket on my bike WAS NOT already installed, and, not reading the instruction, I installed the bracket, as that's what the diagram suggested. No big deal, but you'll have to remove it later. Other than that glitch, all went smoothly. By the way, all the tools that you will need are included in the package - nice touch.



With only one week's use, the machine has been absolutely silent in operation; I certainly hope that continues. (ADDED 1/7/10: After a month's use, it has developed a clicking sound as I pedal.) By default, the bike starts at intensity level 3. Stepping up to level 4 is detectable but not severe. Further steps seem to increase resistance at a higher level.



I cannot grasp the front handle bars while sitting with my back against the backrest; in fact I can barely touch them with my finger tips. To grasp the handles I must lean forward. Not a biggie, but I would prefer them to be located in front of the electronic display, rather than behind it.



As to the electronic panel, it appears to me that the MPH shown is high; at 80 RPMs it registers 16 miles per hour, while my old bike showed 13 MPH. The display registers about 25 calories per mile at resistance level 4. The heart rate monitor shows about 5 beats per minute higher than my Polar unit, but I can't say for sure which one is closer.



I do not like the way the "time" feature changes between "elapsed time" and a one-minute countdown display at 6-second intervals - I would prefer it to stay on the elapsed time screen. If there is a way to reset this feature I haven't been able to find it. (ADDED 1/7/10: Press the LOCK button to keep on elapsed time and MPH.)



Also, my old bike stopped the elapsed-time clock whenever I quit pedaling, but this one continues to run - a stop to answer the doorbell reflected 5 minutes of exercise time while I was away. (ADDED 1/7/10: Press the STOP once (only once) to pause the display, and the top left button (I forget its label) to resume.)



I have not used any of the programmed workout programs, because I exercise at 78-82 RPMs for 30 minutes, varying pedal resistance during the workout (I'm a 70-year-old male, and I'm not trying to build endurance.)



The "magazine rack" is merely a small ledge. It will hold a magazine, I suppose, but I place my very small MP3 player on it. I don't believe that some of the larger players would stay on the ledge.



I knew this before I ordered the bike, so I can't really complain, but I would much prefer the display unit to be powered by a battery, as my old bike was. The Schwinn 220 must be plugged into an AC outlet - without electricity you don't get any readouts, and can't vary resistance.



The Schwinn 220 seems to be pretty stout, and my overall impression, at this point, is favorable. If it continues to function like it does now, I'll be pleased with my purchase. Time will tell. (ADDED 1/7/10: So far, so good.) Schwinn 220 Recumbent Exercise Bike

I've been searching for some time for a decent, affordable recumbent exercise bike to replace a rowing machine I'd quite using because of knee problems. It seemed the really solid ones were well over the thousand dollar mark, and the less expensive ones were... well, junk. I tried a Schwinn 240 at a local sporting goods discounter, but (1) I couldn't adjust it to fit me and (2) it wobbled and creaked as I tried to pedal it. I had about given up hope of finding an affordable unit when I tried a 220 at another discount store. It was poorly assembled, but it did fit, and pedaling it was comfortable. They could order me one and have it "just a few weeks", they assured me. I said I'd think about it.



Back home I read the Amazon reviews for the 220. Even better than the 240, said some, and it has the same 300lb rating, which means it should be just as strong. Hmm. I thought about it overnight, and decided to bite the bullet. Two days later I came home from my morning bike ride to the coffee shop to find a large cardboard box sitting on the back porch. I got out my pocket knife, opened the box, and - this is important- removed the assembly manual before doing anything else.



I studied the manual for a while- it's one of those modern multi-country ones with no text, just a lot of diagrams. Think Ikea. It was clear enough. I removed the pieces from the box and carted them upstairs one by one. Assembly was clear and straightforward, making allowances for those little production tolerances you inevitably come across in anything made in a semi-automated factory. I didn't have any of the problems some reviewers mentiopned, probably because I read the assembly manual fully and made sure I'd identified all the parts before starting. A few tips:



1. The bolts come in two types: Flat head, for attaching the feet (parts A), and round head for everything else. The round headed bolts are labeled in order of increasing length- B, D, E, F. Simple. Don't unwrap them all at once- just peel back the plastic to expose the bolts you need for the task you're working on.



2. The curved washers are for attaching screws to curved surfaces, That includes joining the front and rear assemblies together- here, the bolts are already inserted in the assemblies when you unpack- and attaching the column that holds the computer.



3. There are a number of interconnecting cables running through some of the assemblies. Most are simple mini-headphone type connectors (1/8" mini plug), but there are also a couple of flat, multi-wire connectors at the top and bottom of the column holding the computer. If you take care to align these when assembling, they'll slip together easily with little or no force.



4. Some of the cables are held in place with twist ties and rubber bands. Don't remove these ties and bands until you've connected the cables, or you're likely to lose a cable inside the machine.



5. Follow the instructions religiously. Coming up with shortcuts and "improved" methods will get you into a lot of trouble.



6. Don't tighten any bolts until you get all the bolts in for a given assembly. This is especially important when installing the seat assembly. There, tighten the bolts at the front support before tightening the bolts at the rear support.



7. The funny shaped metal piece sealed in with the bolts and washers is a screwdriver and pedal wrench. And remember: The left hand pedal has a reverse thread.



8. You'll notice that there are *two* sets of mounting holes for the seat back. Being 6'2" and having a long torso to boot, I used the lower holes in order to mount the seat back higher. You may have to experiment with this to find the best setting for you, but I'll suggest that if you're over 5'10" you start with the higher seat back position. (If more than one person will be using the machine, you may have to compromise on one position or the other.)



Once I'd studied the assembly manual and had all the pieces laid out, actual assembly took perhaps 30 minutes. I plugged in the power supply (a 9-volt wall wart), punched "Quick Start", and started pedaling. Easy. Pushing the "+" and +-+ buttons increased and decreased resistance smoothly- I found that I liked spinning at 4. I haven't tried all the programs and other settings because, frankly, I don't care about programs and automation and such. All I wanted was a knob that says harder <-> easier. But I do like some of the features, like the built in pulse monitor and the timer. Very useful. Some reviewers have complained that the front "handlebars" are too far away to reach. Those aren't handlebars; those are handles to make it easier to get up, for those users who might have some difficulties in doing so.



Short summary: This is a well made (for the money), easy to use, comfortable machine that will probably get a lot of use once the weather cools down and I can't bike every day. Until then, it'll be for rainy days. I'll update this in a few months after I get more miles in.



UPDATE:



I've been using this bike daily for a month and a half, and I'm still very pleased with it. My favorite feature? It's silent, which means I can watch TV while spinning without turning up the volume. I'll pop in a DVD from the library- usually a documentary series- and before I know it, I've done 30 minutes of solid exercise.



UPDATE II:



I've now been using the 220 daily for just over 4 months, and I'm still very pleased with it. Everything still works, none of the parts have deformed or loosened, and the foam in the seat is still stiff and supportive. My knees have strengthened to the point that my arthritis is far less of a problem than it was. I'm pleased.



UPODATE II: It's been 8 months now, and I still use it every day I can't go bicycling. One tip learned: If yours goes "clunk" on every revolution as you pedal it, the chances are extremely good that you have a loose pedal. The pedals may not appear loose, but if you snug both up with a wrench, the noise will probably go away. - Stationary Indoor Bike - Exercise Bikes - Recumbent Bike - Exercise Bike'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Recumbent Bikes - recumbent bike, exercise bikes stationary indoor bike Recumbent Bikes - recumbent bike, exercise bikes

Good And Evil - god game, pc game

Visit Store Now !!

In over 20 years, I've never seen a game provoke such diverse response as this one. The five stars here reflect my reaction; you should not, I repeat NOT, use this as a gauge to whether =you= will like it. There are some simple questions to ask yourself before plunking down your hard-earned cash.First of all, how good is your mouse? Seriously, I went from a good logitech wheel mouse to a cheap optical while playing this game and the optical mouse was dramatically better. I've also played it with different kinds of finger-pads, and with at least one (with the right mouse button on the side), the game is almost impossible. I can't even imagine using a trackball (but I haven't tried, so I don't know for sure). B&W uses a revolutionary gesture recognition system which is great once you get to using it--but not if there's even a slight hitch with your pointing device.Second of all, how fast is your machine? B&W runs well on 800mhz, 32MB graphics card, 128MB RAM--but game saves take quite a while and there are some jitters. I wouldn't even venture this on less than 600mhz. Smoothness is key.These two points can't be over-stated. If your hardware is not up to snuff, B&W will frustrate you. (Some reports have it that any sort of "odd" hardware will make B&W mis-behave but I haven't seen this.) Now, looking at the finer points:What kind of gamer are you? B&W is not a fast-paced action game. There are some time constraints placed on you at various points, but mostly, B&W is more of an experience than a game in the traditional sense. If you're the kind of person who likes to "beat" computer games and drive toward the finish quickly, you won't get much out of this. If you can take pleasure out of the actions that you can do and the effects that these creates, you might find B&W very pleasing indeed.In some ways, B&W feels like an adventure game. You have tremendous freedom to do what you want, but until you do certain things, the story isn't advanced. Are you a casual gamer? This is less important depending on how you answered the last question. If you're a casual gamer who likes Quake, you may find the learning curve not worth the return. I spent several sessions doing nothing but learning how to interact with the game. I found this process interesting, but if you've only got a half-hour every other day to play, and you favor quick results, this probably won't work for you. I did find that once I learned how to interact with the game, I could leave it for a week, come back and pick right up again, though, which makes it less involved (to my mind) than your average RPG or adventure game.If you're a casual gamer and playing the game at a leisurely pace, I suspect that you won't find any of the bugs some people are complaining about. The more interesting question in some cases is "Is it a bug?" I may have hit bugs while playing and just not recognized them. B&W is that kind of game.What pre-conceived notions do you have going in? Back in '77 I was out of the country for a month, and when I came back everyone was talking about "Star Wars". When I finally saw it, I was, of course, disappointed, since no movie could be =that= good. No game could be all that this has been hyped to be. Worse for game author Molyneux, people were expecting "Star Wars" from B&W and got "Dr. Strangelove". (Both great movies but =entirely= different experiences.)The key thing to enjoying this game seems to be deliberate pacing. The longer you take on each level--training your creature, getting your skills up, mining the world for all it's worth--the more enjoyment you'll get out of it. You'll have fewer nasty surprises and you'll have a "godlike" understanding to go along with your "godlike" powers.But that absolutely requires you to be able to enjoy the very action of playing, and for you to set your own goals that you can meet while discovering things about it. Otherwise you'll just get bored or frustrated or angry.Hope this helps! Above all, have fun! That's what it's all about! Black & White

Okay, I'll admit it. I was skeptical. The game couldn't be as good as everyone says it is. Thanks to a couple industry connections I got a sneak peek at the game -- a day before it goes on retail shelves.Well, it's better than excellent. This game is a classic. It really is.Some highlights:- Superb graphics. The ability to swoosh and zoom in on every little bit of the island is incredible. You can zoom over mountains, zoom into huts, zoom up into the sky: it's really amazing.- Superb sound. If you have positional speakers, the sound is quite effective. Moreover, it's one of the few games where sound actually enhances the game: you hear splashes, can hear the villagers go about their business, can even hear the cries of the villagers if (heaven forbid) you choose to become an "evil" god and start tossing them willy nilly into huts, flinging them across the town square, or dropping them from dizzying heights. It's amazing.- And, of course, superb AI: you're god and you choose a creature -- cow, ape, tiger -- to represent your god-like self. The creature -- with only minimal learning -- begins to adopt a personality. You pet it when it does good things (the creature giggles and laughs) and you whack it -- slap it back and forth -- when it does bad things (like, er, eating the little villagers, not that I advocate that ... ahem.)- A fascinating tutorial. If it's your first time playing, you're guided along by dual consciences -- a devlish little red guy (advocating destruction) and a blissed-out, sandal-wearing little British gentlemen (advocating kindness and compassion). As you get your bearings, these two little creatures float about the screen and point things out ("Pick up the little rock here and bring it to the sculptor!" "Check the scrolls. Scrolls are good!" "Hey, get real, do you *really* wanna save that villager from drowning?") It's pretty entertaining just watching these two little avatars compete for your attention.The tutorial shows you how to move -- which is a little difficult at first, but you can remap the key board keys -- shows you how to construct your "temple" (and takes you inside of it for a really whacked out view of *TOTAL* control. The temple contains rooms -- a save game room, a help room, a library room -- which, in turn, contain various "picture frames" that allow you to replay certain events, zip right to specific tasks, and more. The temple is pretty darn cool in itself.)Aside from teaching you the finer points of the game -- movement, in particular -- the tutorial really unveils the incredible richness of the world -- and truly gives you a god-like feeling. The tutorial offers you several challenges -- a few are a little difficult since you're not familiar with the world and it takes some time to figure out how move about and find things -- but as you complete the challenges you come to understand the complexity of this game. The "cartoonish" of the Sim games suddenly becomes apparent as you play 'Black & White' and face some pretty interesting moral dilemmas. You can choose how to resolve each dilemma, but once you choose, you must of course face the consequences. Do the villagers worship you? Do they fear you? Do they respect you? Is there a more subtle (and perhaps complex) chain of events that is triggered by your individual "god-like" actions?It's interesting, too, that it's possible to be a morally "complex" god. You don't *have* to be 100% good. You can throw in a little, er, terror to make the villagers stand up and take notice.Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating that this game presents gamers with an "authentic" moral universe. But I understand -- and this only after a few hours of play -- that as far as "games" go, Black and White offers unique moral universe of its own devising -- with a specific set of rules and consequences. For that alone, the game goes slightly -- ever so slightly -- past the idea of "gaming" and approaches the realm of sophisticated simulation. (It's better, I'll add, then the traditional "historic" wargame that attempts to very carefully model real world events. B&W is a game which creates a unique universe and then models it amazingly well -- both graphically and (yes, I'll admit it) emotionally.)Maybe B&W succeeds so well because it offers (even more so than the "SIMS" simulations) the sophistication of truly *interesting* (and often unpredictable) artificial intelligence. Or maybe it's the fact that the game encompasses a complex world that (taken on its own terms) offers a variety of subtle challenges not usually found in computer games.But buy this game: it's fascinating. - Games - Black And White - Pc Game - God Game'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Good And Evil - god game, pc game god game Good And Evil - god game, pc game

Battery Charger

Visit Store Now !!

I own a Ryobi 12-Volt cordless hand drill, whose battery charger died. Finding that Home Depot no longer carries any 12-V products (they've powered up to 18-V on everything), I checked Amazon and found what I thought was correct. The description stated that it charged ALL Ryobi 12-V batteries. Well, it doesn't. The probe end of the old batteries is a different shape than this charger. Had to return the charger (full refund) but then had to purchase a new drill ($79) and chuck the old one, which also had a great hand vac with it, but without a chargeable battery, it's useless. Ryobi 140295003 12-Volt Battery Charger

Although the status indicator on this charger never changes to "done", it may be due to the old batteries I am using. However, it does charge the batteries every time and for the price, it works flawlessly. I would recommend this charger to anyone who needs a replacement.

Although this is the product I wanted & it is a good product - I could unfortunately not use it! My husband requested the Ryobi charger but did not take into consideration that living in Australia we cannot use the same electrical products as in the USA! USA uses 110v & Australia 240v'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Battery Charger Battery Charger Battery Charger

Cell Phone Battery

Visit Store Now !!

2 weeks ago I purchase this battery to replace my one year old Blackberry Curve. With a week I found this replacement battery is ever worse than one I replaced and I am very disappointed. This make me uneasy to purchase and battery from this vendor. Blackberry Curve 8520 / 8530 / 8330 / 8320 / 8310 / 8300 OEM C-S2 Li-Ion Battery

Do not buy any item in this store are about

irresponsible, I made a purchase at this shop and me

given a tracking number, then I fail to see that

I made a claim, and he says giving me another number, sent to do my research I discovered that

Posting number belongs to someone else's package and

another product in the end no one responded to my

buy and lost my money and take into account this observation and do not buy anything from this seller's my recommendation

I purchased this item for my Blackberry 8330. I received it several weeks ago but just now charging it. Fast shipping and the price was great. When I opened it from the package and put it in the phone, it was 3/4 charged. Currently charging it so we will see how long the battery lasts. I'm due for an upgrade soon so if this battery only lasts a couple of months...for $2.97..it was well worth the purchase in my opinion.

When I bought the product it says new but it requires charge almost every two hours.This shows to me that the product that i bought from amazon.com was either fake or used.Please try your best to satisfy your cousomer

I was planing to change my phone and service, since I started getting battery problem with my old BBerry 8300 and memory problems. But my plan did not go so well. I could not create a budget to get me one of those toys (iPhone or something like any coffeeshop you go, you see people playing with it). I had to set my priorities first and decided to use my Bberry until it really dies on me. I got my battery, brand new from Amazon and it ship very fast eventhough I preferred regular mail. It is working perfectly and you can't beat the price. Thank you to the guy who sold this to me.'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Cell Phone Battery Cell Phone Battery Cell Phone Battery

Sansa Accessories - sansa charger, fuze

Visit Store Now !!

This contains everything you will need to connect it to you car, laptop, or stereo. My only complaint would be that I had to shave the case next to the usb connection to allow it to connect properly and that the retractable stereo cable that they sent was white, not black like the picture.



I was able to successfully remove the cover by using a knife and sliding it along the side to release the latches. You have to be careful not to push the knife in to far and scratch the players case. SanDisk Sansa Fuze Charging Combo and (Clear) Protective Crystal Cover Case, USB 2in1 Sync Data Cable,Car & Wall / Travel Charger, Crystal Clear Covering Case, 3.5mm MP3 Jack, and Screen Guard

In hopes that just one person won't make the same mistake I did, unscrew the little round piece that slided into the belt clip and insert that into the back of the clear plastic case FIRST. Then snap the clear plastic case onto the player. I didn't put the round piece in first, and now I am afraid to try and get the clear plastic case off because it may break. Other than this one issue, the package works great and will probably extend the life of my player!

I bought this along with my Sansa Fuze player. Have used the auto charger and the wall charger several times. I would say these are necessities for travelling--even prefer using the wall charger when I'm at home. The only other thing needed is a skin for the player. I chose not to use the clear plastic cover since I read a few other reviews where people had trouble getting that cover off without having to break it.

I am a Baby Boomer and thought I totally missed the entire MP3 Ipod You pod thing. The SanDisk was recommended by my IT Whiz Kid Son-in-Law. I did it, I understand it, I use it and still I slip and call it a scandisk. Go figure. I got the 8G model and have loaded it with audio books and music. So easy, just click and drag from my laptop once I purchase them on line. I ride the train to work everyday and have listened to 5 novels. I love it because it is small enough to be very light, fits in my pocket or in my old lady bra, and is so very easy to use.

I was impressed with how many actual things you got in the package for a measly 10 dollars. You get the case, a belt clip (that screws into the back of the case - remember to do this BEFORE assembling it!), wall charger, car charger, universal charging cord and a nifty little cord/real that you use with the plug in your car stereo. I like the last one because of the auto-real feature (guess I am a kid at heart and like toys!). Plus you get a screen cleaner and a screen cover (keep it from being scratched).



Anyway you slice it that is a lot of stuff for 10 bucks plus shipping...



OK I will admit everything is not top shelf, but the case is hard and solid and I can reach all the controls after I installed it, and I think the belt clip will lat a wile if I am careful with it. I would not turn this stuff over to a kid because they would break it in a week, but a careful adult should make it last quite a wile...



Well worth the price to me, and then some...

Love all the stuff that comes with it. Everything works well however; I do not like the difficulty the hard case poses to the on/off and lock key.

The hard case makes it difficult to reach the on/off button with out long finger nails and a second hand.

This is a great kit for the Sansa Fuze at a great price. The chargers, sync cable, and audio cable all work. The plastic case fits very snug and offers great protection for your Fuze.



A warning to potential buyer!



You will need to modify the plastic case if you want to use your original sync cable and easily use the on/off/hold button. I used a Dremel tool to widen the bottom opening. I also thinned the side opening for the on/off slider button. You will probably want to do this before you attach the case, because it can be a pain to pop apart.

This was inexpensive, compared to buying all this stuff as OEM products. I think the quality is good enough to do the job. If you want better quality, shell out a lot more money for the OEM stuff! As for me, I'll stick with this. Everything fit well, and seems to work just fine.



Some Notes:



Clip

I wish the clip weren't white. Black would match everything much better.



The clip comes in two white pieces: the round part and the clip part. Because the clear case is hard to get off, don't snap it on the player before you install the round part on the back portion of the case. That round part is a post that will snap into the clip part. This is nice, because it means you can unfasten the player from the white clip part if you don't need the clip.



Case

Case fit perfectly. I expected it to look a bit cheaper than it did. Cool.



It's a hard plastic case that will protect from scratches, but not as well from drops as a silicone case might. But perhaps if the drop were short enough, the case would take the damage and the player would be fine.



I could see how others were having problems getting it off without breaking it. That's just because it has a tight fit, and they kept the plastic thin so that it wouldn't thicken up the player too much. I looked at the way the tabs fit the two pieces together so that I would know which half to pry up if I needed to take them apart. Use a very thin, but rigid tool (not a normal screwdriver, it's too thick) and some care & patience, and I'll bet you could pry them apart without breaking them.



USB cable

...also looked better than I thought. Seems to work just fine. It fit well with the case installed, as well.



Audio cord

The ratcheting audio cable is the kind like window blinds - you pull it out to the length you want, and it locks itself. Then, to retract, you pull it just a bit. - Sansa Charger - Fuze - Sansa Case - Sandisk'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Sansa Accessories - sansa charger, fuze sansa case Sansa Accessories - sansa charger, fuze

Homeschool Schedules - homeschool, homeschool curriculum

Visit Store Now !!

I've read a lot of homeschooling books in planning for my children's education and I learned something from each one, whether I liked the book or not! This book, however, is a planner's dream! It truly has you plan from the bottom up, applying thought to aspects of homeschooling that I had not previously considered.



Cathy Duffy begins by having you come up with your own philosophy of education. As she puts it, "If there were no laws requiring you to educate your child, what would you want them to learn anyway?" Wow! That question really gets to the heart of the matter for most people choosing to homeschool. Then, she has you consider your thoughts about how you want to teach and run your school (teach different ages together, work directly with your children or have them work independently, real books vs. textbooks, field trips, adhering to a schedule or remaining flexible, etc.). She has you take a sort of quiz about your preferred approaches to learning that shows which styles might appeal to you most. After leaning so heavily toward Charlotte Mason after all my reading, I was somewhat surprised to find that I have an equally high regard for unit studies and--gasp!--unschooling (a "curriculum" choice that petrifies me a bit)! She describes the various homeschooling methods (traditional, Charlotte Mason, classical, unit study, unschooling, independent study, eclectic, and umbrella programs). Then, she asks you to consider your confidence/experience level, time available to teach, finances, and religious beliefs. In addition, one of the most important differences about this book is that it addresses your teaching style and your child's learning style. This is such an important consideration when deciding what curriculum to choose. I'm sad to admit that I've been so gleefully planning what I want them to learn and what I think they'll enjoy that I've given very little SERIOUS thought to their perspective about things. Not anymore...



Finally, the discussion of her top 100 picks begins. The curriculum choices are introduced with a chart. The format helps you pick resources that are aligned with what you now know are your homeschooling preferences. Each curriculum is ranked for the following criteria: (1) Multi-sensory/hands-on (2)structure/rules-oriented (3) logical/analytical learners (4) social activity (5) amount of parent instruction (6) independent study vs. one-on-one (7) amount of writing (8) prep time (9) grade level specific vs. multi-level (10) ease of use for teacher (11) necessity for teacher's manual (12) supportive of Charlotte Mason's philosophy (13) supportive of classical education (14) religious affiliations. Using the chart, it was easy to look for a unit study or Charlotte Mason approach that would accomodate my Wiggly Willy and my Sociable Sue who work at different grade levels.



Some critics of the book feel that the author leans too heavily on Christian resources so I actually did a count for those interested. Of her 100 picks, there were 15 Catholic choices, 41 Protestant choices, and 54 were religiously neutral. (They don't add up to 100 because some would work for both Protestants and Catholics, some neutrals could add religious supplements, etc.) If you consider that probably AT LEAST 50% of homeschoolers are keeping their children at home so they can offer religious instruction, I don't think those numbers are in any way out of balance.



If you are looking for an umbrella curriculum (one that covers all the subjects) you should know that she really goes in depth into only two, Calvert School (neutral) and Sonlight (Protestant). However, some of the unit studies she discusses could be used as a full program with a few additional choices for neglected subjects. (Only one of the seven unit study programs, Five in a Row, is religiously neutral.) If an umbrella curriculum is what you're looking for, you would be better off requesting catalogs and information from companies offering that service rather than buying this book. Otherwise, the curriculum choices included in this book fall under the following categories: (1) phonics/reading/literature (2) math (3) grammar and composition (4) spelling and vocabulary (5) history/social science (6) science (7) unit studies (8) foreign language (9) miscellaneous.



Her picks definitely cover a wide range of methodology. Some will appeal to you and some won't. What I find is that in researching something that is appealing (usually on Amazon), I invariably follow link after link until I wind up reading so many reviews that I more fully understand the pros and cons of each curriculum choice I make. What a wonderful thing! I would rank this book with the top four homeschooling books I have read (Rebecca Rupp's "Home Learning Year by Year," Charlotte Mason's "Original Homeschooling Series," and Karen Andreola's "A Charlotte Mason Companion"). 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style

We just got back from the 2005 Indiana state homeschool convention -- what a vast array of curriculum in their exhibit hall! It was just the place for Moms and Dads to look at what's new and compare with the old. There is so much new curricula on the market today that for many, especially those new to homeschooling, it can be rather confusing and overwhelming. Cathy Duffy's newest book 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum has come along at just the right time to help us sort out all our many choices.



I love Cathy Duffy's dedication at the beginning of this book: "To the thousands of dedicated homeschoolers who have resisted the impulse to imitate "real school" and have chosen instead to figure out what is best for each of their children, even if it meant writing their own curriculum. You have made the world of homeschool curriculum far richer than the most well-funded schools in the world."



And what Cathy has done in her book is to help us do just that -- figure out what is best for each of our children. Under her direction, using pertinent questions and an easy-to-use chart, a homeschooling mom can determine which of the eight approaches to homeschooling would fit her child's learning style and her own overall goals and priorities for her child's education. It takes the guesswork and confusion out of homeschooling.



The largest portion of the book is taken up with Cathy's reviews of her "100 Top Picks" for homeschooling books and curricula. She gives us thorough descriptions and necessary ordering details, strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum, and her own impressions on how it would work with the different learning styles. One of the best features of this book is an amazing eight page chart putting all the information together so parents can see at a glance and compare and contrast all the details of each "Top Pick."



I would suggest that if you're having a hard time wading through all of your curriculum choices, you might consider buying 100 Top Picks. Keep it handy, because you'll be consulting it often. - Homeschool Curriculum - Homeschool How To - Charlotte Mason - Homeschool'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Homeschool Schedules - homeschool, homeschool curriculum charlotte mason Homeschool Schedules - homeschool, homeschool curriculum

Weapons

Visit Store Now !!

I could tell that Massad Ayoob's THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY was going to be a good read when I saw the first photo of the first chapter: it showed how one should handle getting a hug while carrying a concealed firearm. This sort of practical and useful information is what fills this book. I own other books on carrying concealed firearms, but this is the first one I've seen that was able to do an authoritative and exhaustive catalog of the things that need to be considered. I've been carrying for more than two decades, and I am impressed with this book.



Gun Digest did the right thing in getting Massad Ayoob to author this book. Ayoob is a police officer, competitive shooter and trainer who is also a master writer and riveting storyteller. As an individual licensed to carry a concealed firearm, I've been reading his informative columns and books since the `80s. As a criminal defense lawyer, I'm familiar with the high esteem in which the Bar holds Ayoob as an expert witness on such matters. His training is held in high regard by the firearms community, and he has designed holsters and other police gear that have been very favorably received. Ayoob's ability to precisely and accurately communicate legal information to lay people is renowned - and it's certainly on display in this book. I can't think of a better author for this book.



Ayoob's 254-page THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY covers a breadth of subject area that I would have found intimidating to contemplate. Fortunately, it appears that his decades of training police and civilians in firearms matters well prepared him for the task. The book, well illustrated with hundreds of clear black and white photos, begins with an overview of considerations that come with carrying a concealed firearm, as well as thoughts about why concealed carry might be something that would be helpful to a given woman or man. Ayoob then delves in some detail into the legal considerations of where, how and what to carry, modifications, ammunition, etc. He discusses when deadly force can legally be used, illustrating and fleshing out his points with true stories to keep it interesting, but always carefully writing in such a way that accurate information is conveyed. The author is always cautious to ensure that he recommends the safest legal course of action to his readers. There's no macho loudmouthing here - Ayoob is thoughtful and precise in his discussions of legal matters . . . and the subject warrants no less.



The practical matters of what might best suit an individual for carry are delved into in great detail, all illustrated with photos of different women and men of different builds - really demonstrating the points under discussion. Ayoob mentions small but vital considerations that most folks only learn after years of carry. Sitting down with THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY gives the reader access to a master's knowledge of how to select a wardrobe for concealed carry, which defensive loads to use, the dangers of overpenetration, the advantages and disadvantages of every type of carry option and well-illustrated tips on the use of such. Open carry and IDPA competition are given consideration as well.



This book is not about how to shoot or how to select a carry gun for a given individual's needs: Ayoob's well-received 2007 sister volume, THE GUN DIGEST BOOK OF COMBAT HANDGUNNERY, provides guidance in these areas. While I've referred new shooters to the COMBAT HANDGUNNERY book, I believe the new 2008 GUN DIGEST BOOK OF CONCEALED CARRY is perhaps more even more vital for them to own. I would recommend that anyone who considers carrying a handgun add both of these books to their library. While they would provide an unbelievable education for a newbie, a veteran concealed carrier will find great and valuable information in them as well.



I have given copies of Ayoob's COMBAT HANDGUNNERY book as gifts to shooter friends, and you can bet that I will be buying copies of this new CONCEALED CARRY book to supplement these gifts. I don't know a defensive handgun shooter who would not derive some benefit from this book, and I'll be ordering some for friends and family members. Amazon has a pretty astonishing price on this book, by the way, at about 35% off the cover price that you'll find in your neighborhood bookstore. Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry

I have known the author of The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry for about ten years now, and also know several of the people mentioned and pictured in this book. Reading through it felt like attending an extended lecture from one of Mas's classes at the Lethal Force Institute. I have personally taken a number of those classes and thought I would have a strong feeling of "been there, heard that" reading this book, but instead found myself either learning or remembering something important in almost every chapter. You might expect this book to feel like an advertisement for the latest whiz-bang product from some company advertising in a gun magazine. Not so. Rather, it is a compiliation of Mas's fifty odd years of carrying firearms for self protection, and over thirty years teaching this material to others. Reading it feels like sitting down for drinks and an extended Q&A session with the author.

The chapters are laid out in a logical fashion such that the reader should just start at page one and continue until the end of the book. Too often, books in this category are set out in a pick and choose format, where the reader needs to look at the table of contents or an index to find something relevant. With Concealed Carry, just start reading and continue learning until you hit the back cover.

Mas starts with why people carry firearms, and the lifestyle choices and changes that such a decision will require. Once he has helped get your mind right about the concept, he moves on to choosing firearms and ammunition for self defense. The firearms he recommends are those he has shot, or seen work in law enforcement, shooting classes, and competition. The primary need in a defensive firearm is reliability. Mas shows that you don't have to spend thousands on a custom firearm in order to achieve this. Most firearms shown are off-the-shelf items from your local gun shop with only tritium sights or laser grips added for night use. He only recommends those which work, and which he has used.

Once you have picked out a firearm, you'll need a holster. Mas goes through them by type, including strong side hip, inside waist band, cross draw, shoulder, pocket, and ankle holsters, among others. He goes through the advantages and disadvantages of each, and explains situations where one choice might be better than another. Just like with the firearms, Mas tells the reader which holsters he has used and which work for him. By virtue of having taught thousands of people over the years, Mas also explains what works for different body types that do not necessarily work for him. Many instructors fall into the trap of "what works for me must work for you too." Not Mas. He freely acknowledges that his style of carry may not work for women, large males, those who spend lots of time seated, etc. The holster chapters are extensive and well written. They also allow the readers to obtain information as to what will work best for them. I would advise anyone considering purchasing a "one size fits all" type nylon holster at a gun show to put that same money into this book and learn what works and what doesn't.

Once Mas has the reader squared away as to attitude, hardware, and holsters, he then moves on to the final two topics: clothing and practice. Those who carry learn how to dress around the firearm so as to keep it out of sight in public. Most people do not want to see non law enforcement officers carrying firearms openly in most states. Some hard headed gunnies refuse to acknowledge this. Mas explains the harm that can result from ignoring this fact. He has a whole chapter on clothing choices specifically designed to keep self defense firearms concealed. When you carry firearms for self defense, eventually you learn to dress around the gun. This book will jump start the process.

Most people who carry firearms for self defense will take only one training class, usually the one to get the license, if even that. Mas explains the perils which can befall someone who chooses to carry only some of the time, or not practice the skills needed to draw and reholster a firearm in a self defense situation. He is a big proponent of competition in order to help develop those skills, including IPSC/USPSA, NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup), and especially IDPA matches. The irony of the situation is that those who carry on a daily basis, train with professional instructors, and regularly compete with firearms become less likely to need those skills the better they get.

I rank this book as a "must read" along with In The Gravest Extreme, by the same author. For about the same cost as a box of premium self defense ammunition (useful) or a gun show special holster (not useful), get this book and read it cover to cover. It answers lots of questions about concealed carry and is the next best thing to actually taking a class from Massad Ayoob.'

Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information

Weapons Weapons Weapons