11.   In her guide to African-American celebrations, local author Eklof takes you through the four major passages of life, including the Awakening of Intimate Ties.

12.   Not every author has taken immediately to the notion of writing a book for dummies.

13.   Periodically, the authors take a break from big-picture themes to provide insights into day-to-day life.

14.   Still, the authors took some convincing.

15.   The author takes a look at some of the elaborate fantasies railroad buffs have conjured up in their yards.

16.   The author takes a special pride in this book.

17.   The authors took pains to adjust for other known risk factors for stroke, including smoking, exercise, weight and fat intake.

18.   The authors took pains to review the horrors of the Third Reich.

19.   The author himself takes an ecumenical approach, following the example of Thomas Merton, who spent his last years exploring Buddhist spirituality.

20.   The author himself took plenty of liberties with the great stone pile.