In the past, you may have used Amazon's "Take a Look Inside" feature. This allows you to look at a few pages of a book, usually including its table of contents and the index if it has them. But you can't do this with all of the books on their website. And all too often even when you can, you don't always get enough information to make certian you want to buy it.

Google Book Search is another source you can try if you find Amazon isn't giving you enough information. In fact, you may want to try it first.

This feature on Google allows you to search for words and phrases inside books, and usually will also give you limited previews of the books containing the search terms you've used.

Use Google's "Advanced Search" feature to conduct a searche using one of four options: "with all of the words" you enter, "with the exact phrase," "at least one of the words," or "without the words." You can also specify criteria such as a particular author's name or character name.

To use Google Book Search:

• Go to www.google.com.
• At the top left of the page you will see several Google links. Click on the "more" link.
• A drop down menu will appear. Click on the bottom link in that list-- "even more."
• A page listing a number of Google links and products will open. The Google Book Search link is the third item in the left hand column. Click on it.
• To the right of the input box at the top of the page you will find two links. Click on "Advanced," choose the type of search that best suits you need and you're on your way.