D-A Books

I just read book 2, Bayou Savage, "The Ghost Wars" and picked up and finished this first book becasue I love these characters. I throughly enjoyed both books!!!! My opinion is that if Jeff Foxworthy wrote a ghost fighting action hero series, they would read like these book. The Razor character is my favorite....

I can safely say this is one of the coolest books I've ever read. Russell takes guitar playing to a new level in this thriller about a "Guitar Ghost Hunter" who battles ghosts with an Old Fender Guitar, and the legend and circumstances surrounding his life and death. If you like science-fiction that won't take you 6 years to finish reading, you'll love this book. Perfect for readers of all ages, and musicians in particular.

Imagination! The author can hardly harness all of the ideas that flow through this work. So innovative and creative that one never knows exactly what's going to happen. Once you think you have it figured out...bingo! - another plot twist. A marvelous new, fresh take on the "200-year-old man" concept. Musicians will love this book!! It's a page burner!

What a cool idea to have a ghost slaying guitar! The futuristic setting and the flashbacks to the 20th and early 21st Centuries are right on. I found myself trying to be a part of the whole story. The Savages are such real characters. Bayou trying to please his father and Razor, the ghost ass kicker, always ready for the challenge. The song references brought back many great memories and the humor throughout the book had me reading with a smile on my face. Hopefully, there will be more of the Savage family coming!

I loved this book. An original story that was fun to read. My imagination soared to new heights, stretching my mind. Intellectually and spiritually stimulating.

Hello Reader! Thank you for checking out Secrets of My Soul. Of my 3 book collections, Secrets is the first, and readers have told me that it is their favorite book of poems. I am really proud of this book. Although it was the first, I continue to read this book everywhere I go . . . schools, community events, etc. High school students love this book for its love poems. Female readers love this book for the encouragement, hope and lessons that it shares with the lady soul. Men love this bookb because it's honest and in touch with the identity of being a descent human being.

"Dare me to pursue this, to pen the secrets of my soul in Father Time's precious ink, royal black and memory gold. I do it cry the truest tear, for a writing heart never bleeds fear." I hope that you will be intrigued by what I do with words in Secrets of My Soul. I love alliteration and rhyme, but most importantly, I live to give meaning in each poem that I write. There's something in this book for everyone: man, woman, boy, girl. There's something for us all. There's a lesson. There's a lyric. There's life. Enjoy it!

Secrets of My Soul
Reviewed by: Wanda Starkes, C&B Books

Ms. Latorial Faison's, Secrets of My Soul, collection of poetry is uplifting - And a delightful ray of work. Intelligently written, Latorial explores various issues and plights regarding self, family, and the world describing them in words filled with spirituality, empowerment, love and joy.
I especially enjoyed the positive energy that I personally felt as I read each one of her poems. I look forward to reading more poetry by Ms. Faison's in the near future.


Her poetry is a wonderful 'Fruit of Thoughts'.

I finally read Latorial's book and all I could think was "these poems were written for ME!" Ms. Faison's words struck so many chords in me. Her poems spoke to my soul and helped me reveal secrets that had been locked in me since childhood. She is a talented writer and I can't wait for her next book!

Secrets of My Soul is an excellent book of Poetry. A real mind opening experience was created. Another rather interesting book is The Throne Room. They are a must. Happy reading!

Before I was an author I was a poet and Secrets of My Soul is why. I love words and the playful way that poets make words do what they say. Latorial Faison is indeed a poet. She had me from title poem and when I stumbled upon "Mirrored Soul," I knew I had found someone whose work I'd eat up...hungrily. I've also become a avid fan of haikus and #9 is my favorite with her wordplay with sun/Son. If you only buy the book for "You Never Did Own Me," trust that by the time you get to "I Dare You," you will be glad you did.

I'VE KNOWN OF AND ENJOYED "SHELTERS, SHACKS & SHANTIES" SINCE MY GRANDFATHER GAVE ME THE ORIGINAL EDITION, WHEN I WAS A MERE PUP.
A LOT OF THE ITEMS HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY "FIELD TESTED" (SUCH AS THE "TRICK" OF MAKING A BOG-SHANTY FOUNDATION OUT OF A BRUSH-MAT!) AND REALLY PROVEN TO "WORK" IN THE WILD, OVER A YOUTH FRITTERED AWAY PLAYING "SASQATIL," AS THE THE GREYHAIRED ELDER INDIANS CALLED HIM.
AS A YOUNGSTER I THOUGHT NOTHING OF GOING OUT FOR A COUPLE WEEKS WITH 25-30 POUNDS OF GEAR, FEASTING ON FISH AND CORNPONE AND SLEEPING IN A SIMPLE BEARD-INSPIRED STICK-SHACK TO KEEP THINGS "CIVILIZED."
EVEN THE BOG-SHANTY WAS BUILT, AND DAN BEARD'S SUGGESTION FOR MAKING A STONES-AND-SOIL HEARTH FOR COOKING WAS TESTED AND FOUND PRACTICAL! (YES, YOU CAN COOK ON AN OPEN HEARTH, IN A POLE SHACK, ATOP A WOODEN FLOOR, BUILT ATOP A 7-FOOT-THICK PAD OF BRUSH, WITHOUT MAKING AN ASH OF YOURSELF!)
THE TRICKS AND TIPS REALLY WORK, IN "THE REAL WORLD," AND THE ADVANTAGE IS THAT ALL OF THESE STRUCTURES UTILIZE SUCH SMALL STICKS & TIMBERS THAT THE SO-CALLED "GREEN IMPACT" IS TRIVIAL; SUCH SAPLINGS AS ARE USED ROUTINELY DIE AS THEY ARE CROWDED OUT BY BIGGER TREES, AND THE THINNING-OUT FOR BUILDING MATERIALS FREES UP WATER AND NOURISHMENT FOR THE MORE ESTABLISHED TIMBER.
SO LONG AS SOMEONE DOESN'T GO BONKERS AND TRY TO BUILD A HAMLET IN A HECTARE OF TIMBER, AN OCCASIONAL SHELTER, SHACK OR SHANTY SHAN'T STRESS MOTHER NATURE, UNDULY!
EVEN IF YOU NEVER BOTHER WITH SUCH PRIMITIVE CONSTRUCTION, EVERYTHING YOU'LL READ ABOUT WAS SOLIDLY BASED ON HOW THINGS WERE DONE BY "PREHISTORIC PEOPLES," GOING BACK AS FAR AS YOU CARE TO LOOK!
YOU'LL CERTAINLY GET A VERY NOVEL HANDS-ON INSIGHT INTO HOW EARLY PEOPLES HAD BUILT THEIR DWELLINGS, AND THE BOOK'LL BREAK KIDS OF THE TIRESOME MYTH THAT "ALL INDIANS LIVED IN TEEPEES." (GIVE ME A BREAK!) JUST MAKE SOME OF THESE SHACKS FOUR OR SIX TIMES AS WIDE, AND ONE OR MAYBE EVEN TWO HUNDRED FEET LONG, AND YOU'VE GOT PRETTY GOOD VERSIONS OF THE LONGHOUSES OF THE IRIQUOIS CONFEDERATION!
THE BOOK'S ALSO GREAT FODDER FOR FUN FANTASIES AND DELIGHTFUL DAYDREAMS, AND DOZENS OF IMAGINARY DEEP-WOODS OUTINGS, AS WELL AS BEING A WONDERFUL RESOURCE TOOL FOR WRITERS WHOSE OUTDOOR WORKS OCCASIONALLY TURN THEIR BACKS ON EDDIE BAUER & CO.
ENJOY!

I was looking for ideas on simple structures for the homestead. The book is a bit dated, but you have to go back to find simple, uncomplicated ideas. We have grown so accustomed to specialized fasteners, tools and other hardware. Building a simple shed can be expensive when you have to buy materials. We have an abundance of raw materials and this book provided some ideas towards cost effective structures.

This book is great! I would recommend this to anyone 12+, because the shelters are quite hard to build. It is excellent for boy scouts. I got this for Christmas and in my troop were starting on plans already! Great for any wilderness lover and I recommend all the related books!
1/16/08

I know that most people will find this book to be anything but "green" however, I found this concept to be perfect in a world that sometimes forgets what it is like to be young at heart. Some of the shelters are not safe and one should always supervise young children who if left alone will build forts and such, yet there is a certain allure about thinking you are back in time and surviving on your own wits. Great ideas for survival campouts or if you like getting out "there" and just might once or twice get too far out "there" and find yourself in the need of an overnight shelter. Loved the book and will use or adapt many of the detailed plans.

This book is great! I would recommend this to anyone 12+, because the shelters are quite hard to build. It is excellent for boy scouts. I got this for Christmas and in my troop were starting on plans already! Great for any wilderness lover and I recommend all the related books!
1/16/08

I recently watched Ken Burns's magnificent series, The War, which left me with a desire to read some good fiction about D-day. A friend recommended "The Sobs of Autumn's Violins" to me, and I was glad he did. Like the Burns series, this novel tells the larger story (in this case, the preservation of the D-day secrets) through the tales of ordinary people who become extraordinary in the face of life and death struggles. However, this magnificent novel adds a new dimension to what is portrayed in the Burns documentary, namely the personal stories of English and French participants; for me, this really fleshed out the story of D-day.

I particularly enjoyed the way Homer structured his novel, interweaving several plot threads in short chapters, all of which end with a cliff-hanger. Somehow he makes all the diverse plot threads come together at the end without any awkward contrivance.

Make sure you have food and drink handy when you read this book, because you won't be able to put it down!

I share the opinions of the other 13 (so far) reviewers who have rated this WWII thriller five stars. The book tells a fascinating tale of behind-the-scenes intrigue prior to the Great Invasion. Homer's characters are well-molded, as is his plot. The book moves at a deliberate pace and rarely depends on contrived coincidences to advance or change the plot. Homer unerringly captures the mood of the southern coast of England as it prepared for the historic invasion amid the massive influx of troops from America. I've read a lot of fiction about World War II and this is up there in the top rank. An outstanding piece of work that will keep you glued from the first moment you start reading to the last.

Fantastic! Very well written with unexpected twists and turns. I am sad to have finished it. Wish the author was more prolific. I am planning reading his other book.

When I was considering buying this book I saw the Amazon reviews were all 5 stars and my immediate thought was "how many friends did the writer get to send in these reviews?". Then, however, I read the book and, believe me, they were right. Not too many of these stories can generate these types of reviews because this story has been done many times already, but Homer carries it off and exceptionally well. His writing is clear, precise and flows well. I really enjoyed this and before I finished the book I ordered the "Mirror of Diana" his next one. If you enjoy novels about spies, WW2, nazi's and D-Day you'll love this. The only book that is as good is "Eye of the Needle" and that is saying something special.

This is a very well written, articulate well constructed story. I know it is said often, but I really could hardly put it down. I very seldom buys books for others, just based on my enjoyment of it, but I have bought several copies, and had them shipped to friends all over both coasts. Excellent read.

Kurosawa illuminates for us his whole life, warts and all. Upon reading this I never knew what a sensitve person this man was, from the time he was an early member of the Japanese Communist Party to his older brother's tragic suicide, Kurosawa leaves no stone unturned in this revealing autobiography. Although it does not cover his whole life (I believe in stops in 1980) he spends a great deal discussing each of his film projects all the way from his early days at the Toho Studios. I am reminded of my favorite quote from Kagemusha, "The shadow of a man can never desert that man. I was my brother's shadow. Now that I have lost him, it is as though I am nothing."

The book got into Kurosawa's mind and laid down the roots of his philosophy in filmmaking. It showed his genesis as a filmmaker. It gave insight into how his films happen. A beautiful work -- I loved it.

Kurosawa's insistence on the need for a good script in his films is inspiring to future script writers. I have not written any of these yet his book makes me want to write scripts when I am more of a travel writer. If you want insight into why this man made the beautiful and provocative films that he did, this is the book for you.

One of the greatest pleasures imaginable is to investigate a body of cinematic work, and then, to learn about its creator from his own persepective on his life and art.

There is tremendous satisfaction in seeing the personality of the director reveal itself in the work and to re-view the films with new knowledge of the creator. This may not be a false track, although auteur theory has a bad rap right now. Kurosawa, in the conclusion of his autobiography said, "look for me in my films".

Kurosawa was a genius, his films full of life and compassion, and strength. He did not look away from ugly truths in his life or art. (Read the autobiography and understand the significance of this approach!)

I recommend this book as the touchstone for a deeper appreciation of the art of Kurosawa, for an understanding of his complex personality, and for the human warmth that comes across in his reminiscences. By the end of the book, you will want more, of course. It will seem to end abruptly and too soon. You will have many questions that you will wish to have answered. But then, we'll take Kuroswa's advice. We'll look for the man in his films.

Some people have criticized this book, saying Kurosawa does not go deep enough into his films, particularly his later ones, and why he did what he did. In all honesty, maybe the popularity over this book is poorly done - all the reviews on the front and back cover talk about it like Kurosawa will explain his movies in detail, and most often advertisements will talk about how if you like his movies you should read the book. But as Kurosawa himself says in the preface, he did it really out of encouragement from friends and in an effort perhaps to do what Jean Renoir did do and John Ford did not. As the title suggests, it is really a more personal, casual, reflection upon his life from his birth to the filming of "Rashomon," his first international success, in 1950. In a way, the personal route may be a humbling experience to the film guru or the Kurosawa fanatic. Too often directors or filmmakers are treated - as many artists are, in fact - more like a synopsis of their latest work. We constantly hear about how masterful Stanley Kubrick was and what his methods were, but who was he really? What school did he go to? Who were his friends? His teachers? What was his family like? What were his boyhood passions? Who is this man behind the camera?

Kurosawa tells us that in his story from his first memories as a child ("I was in a washtub naked," page 3) through his school years and through a tough young adulthood. It is all very well written, and actually quite interesting, particularly the segments on Mr. Tachikawa, who we can probably thank for Kurosawa's love of painting, his brother forcing him to face his fears, (not only of water, but of death as well) and two daring but stupid moments in a mountain village where he almost killed himself to impress the local children.

Kurosawa's growth is nearly coincidental with Japanese history. Just as Japan was constantly changing through out the 20th century, so to was Kurosawa. Forced to participate in a military program at his school, he takes every opportunity to belittle or make a fool of his army captain. His venture into art is like an odd adventure, going from joining a socialist art movement (nearly being captured by the Japanese secret police!) to living on his own to writing scripts and eventually joining Photo Chemical Laboratory. (later Toho Studios) He discusses marrying an actress because he was afraid of never being married before the "Honorable Death of the Hundred Million" many Japanese believed they would commit if invasion seemed immenant. This eventually goes on to his work as an Assistant Director, and later making his very own films through Toho and later Daiei after the Toho Studio strikes. These parts will be more to the liking of the film guru, as Kurosawa does give backstory to the inspirations behind his early work.

During this time period he speaks a lot of his family and the friends he got to know. His brother is such a remarkable and likeable character that when he commits suicide you really do feel sad. I took a particular love for Kurosawa's father: although some may see him as a bit harsh when he berates his wife for placing fish wrong or getting upset with his son for failing courses, one shouldn't dismiss him with the simple western stereotype of the tough father for he does have a heart. When Kurosawa's wife becomes pregnant and he pays a visit to his family, his father gives him a large bag of rice and says it is for his pregnant wife, not wanting her to go hungry in a time when food was scarce in Japan.

Perhaps, in the end, it is really fitting that Kurosawa focus so much on his personal feelings rather than his film. If you have watched his films and studied them, you will see the influences from his past life in those very films. "Something Like an Autobiography" was written long before Kurosawa made "Dreams," yet I found myself recalling the film reading this book. Besides his references to mountain climbing, he also talks about how in his father's village children would place flowers over a rock, and he learned that long ago a warrior had been killed and the villagers buried him there out of pity and placed the rock over his grave, so now children place flowers on it whenever they pass out of respect. Sound familiar? I also smiled at the section near the end when he discusses a Daiei studio executive - one who had been so steadfastly against making "Rashomon" - coming on TV and speaking for the film as if he was the mastermind behind it. I was thinking of the Deputy Mayor in "Ikiru," who is against the park project from the beginning yet after Watanabe's death takes all the credit. Maybe Kurosawa alludes to this kind of art reflecting life on page 163 when he mentions the oddly impeccable timing of "The Cuckoo Waltz" while dubbing "Drunken Angel."

This is a recommended read for any one interested in film or Akira Kurosawa's life - it is easy to read, full of wisdom, and is very frank and personal. As I said, it's not a 198 page thesis on his films, but as Kurosawa says in the book he does not enjoy explaining his films - he puts into his films what he has to say and leaves it at that. As the last line of the book says, "There is nothing that says more about its creator than the work itself."

I really enjoyed this book. The photo foldouts are really great-they feature reenactors in full dress. This book provides for a great reference to anyone interested in a Grunt or special operations uniform.

The text is also good, although alittle too technical at times.

Overall, a great reference book for any WWII reenactor.

This book is a fine companion for someone who is already familiar with the overall story of D-Day. It has a larger than usual section on amphibious landing craft, and on the function of specific battalions and units too often overlooked in most discussions of D-Day. It has one to five quality pictures or diagrams on every page (not the ones you usually see). Focuses on the equipment used and apparel worn and gives lots of detail on each.

Just when you think that this is another re-hashing off all the often-copied stuff that's in every D-Day book you've ever seen...
Guess again, Skippy. This isn't your Daddy's D-Day book!
Gawne thankfully dusted off UNPUBLISHED information on largely ignored subjects regarding the Normandy landings, and I for one am glad to have this book in my collection.
Amphibious forces, Engineers and even Navy Beach Masters were all there, but you never see them in other books. Gawne takes previously unknown information, couples it with outstanding graphics and puts them together in THE BEST book on the subject to come out since.... well, I can't say when another such book was ever written!
And even though I'm a huge Airborne fan, I have to say this:
"Thanks, Jon, for not having half the book on Airborne forces! We needed another book on the subject like we needed more holes in our heads!"

My father was a D-Day medical officer June 6, 1944. Historians who write definitive books about Americans at D-Day and fail to mention the Army/Navy gap assault teams, LCI sailors, Army Engineer Special Brigades and attached Naval Beach Battalions, have left out the "backbone" of the Normandy invasion. Jonathan Gawne's Spearheading D-Day: American Special Units in Normandy set the record straight in 1998. Military authors should not feel bad if their books were published before Spearheading D-Day. Up to 1992, when Gawne first wrote about the "forgotten sailors of the invasion beaches," most naval historians were unaware that their own were some of the first ashore on D-Day. Spearheading D-Day, covering American forces in France, is simply the best invasion book published since Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day.

didn't buy this book earlier!!! Absolutely top notch history of the special sea-bourne American units at Normandy. Maps & photos and narrative all combine into an informative and captivating tale. Even if you are a D-Day buff with a large reference library, you will learn much from this excellent edition. It seems pricey, but it is worth all of it & more. You will not regret getting this one!
I hope this sets a pattern for books about the British & Canadian units and their efforts and successes that day. When you realise the scope of just the American beach landings, you will see the huge, multi-volume collection that would be needed to address *all* the units involved. Buy it and and spend some time with it.

Storky is a fun book written from Michael "Storky" Pomerantz's point of view in diary form. It was fun to follow the daily happenings of this freshman boy. He starts out with a journal on the computer and then figures out someone may be reading his personal thoughts, so decides to just type the pages and print them out, but not save them.

Storky's sister reveals some of his inner most thoughts, showing that she was the one reading the journal. Being of nerd fame, all Michael wants to do is get through his freshman year of high school without being noticed too much.

Storky tries very hard to be accepted by his father, who lives outside the home--and tries to accept his mother's antics and deal with the mixed-up, crazy Jewish family traditions all while trying to maintain a semi normal life. Every day is a new adventure for Storky, right up until the end when his mother meets and marries his dentist. All through the dating process, he wants to hate Dr. Berman but finds he can't hate a man who has befriended him in the only way he knows how. Michael ends the school year planning another person's life and gets the girl, not the one of his dreams or that he thought he would get--but someone better.

Armchair Interviews says: Most of us can relate to that freshmen year in high school. Nice story from boy's point of view--written by D.L. (Debra).

Written in the journal-entry style a' la Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, this book will make anyone who has ever been a high school freshman laugh every few pages. The diary follows the first year in high school for Michael "Storky" Pomerantz, as he tries to lose his nickname, get a girlfriend, and learn about making the right choices in life. Unfortunately he is not only saddled with a useless divorced Dad in the throes of a mid-life crisis, but other calamitous events in the life of a 14-year old: the uncontrollable male body part he nicknames "Rex" (who causes embarrassing things to happen while he is trying to impress girls at the blackboard with his Spanish skills), a mom who begins dating (gasp!) the pudgy family dentist, a friend who introduces him to alcohol, and Michael's own age-appropriate musings and wonderings about sex. First-time author Deborah Garfinkle (note that the publisher uses the "J.K. Rowling-don't-let-the boys-know-it-was-written-by-a-woman" name change), gets right into the head of a smart, sarcastic and sensitive young teen with great skill. The character of Michael is unmistakably Jewish and living a very middle-class, 3-times a year, Reform Jewish existence in San Diego. Librarians: beware of the maturity of the themes, but know there are many young high-schoolers who will be passing this hilarious book from hand to hand and waiting most impatiently for the certain sequel.
Reviewed by Lisa Silverman.

Now I am Over 13, but Didnt Want An Account So Don't Get The Wrong Idea

Now Mike Pomerantz aka Storky is a freshman in highschool and is going through some normal teenage things.

I thought this was a well written book for a female women, but unless you have some real bad hormone problems most guys arnt like that(or that much of a pervert) So If Your A Girl And You Have Read This Book DO NOT THINK THAT EVERY GUY THINKS LIKE THAT.

This book was a highly entertaining book and slightly disturbing on my part but yeah...Well I would Highly Recomend This Book To People :)

A lot of people have talked about how this book about a GUY was written by a GIRL (or, rather, a woman). Yeah, she did it. Very convincing. But the real story is that really that she wrote a funny, touching, believable story about a character I wish I knew. Good show!

This book not only "swooshed" me back in time to my own high school days, but it also brought memories of my children's high drama of high school. How little reactions (both mental and physical) have changed since then ... and I confess, that was a looooooong time ago.

Although Storky's a male, and I'm a female, this author brought not only Storky's feelings but the feelings of all the characters into this story ... in funny and pathetic ways of which we can all relate.

And, YES, like most teen boys from time immemorial, there's the inevitable Miss Popular for Storky to lust after, an insensitive father ... and the other high school problems that will trigger the memories of all who read this well-written book. This is a page-turner for teens and for their parents and grandparents, also. I could see the "comic tragedy" of teens shining through the pages AND, in hind-sight, the healthy learning experiences for Storky and the realistic characters in this book.

I recommend this book for ALL AGES. It was a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane for me. A great job, Debra Garfinkle! Keep 'em coming; you have found your niche.

I met Dr. Sheftall in Phnom Penh when I was there in 2004. I came back to my native Cambodia to live but my family and I were getting sick often due to the living conditions there. Dr. Sheftall really helped us out. We were lucky to find him at the time. His descriptions of the Cambodian generals were hilarious - we also had first hand experience with some of the officials there and his commentary was spot on. I am looking forward to a sequel. Job well done Dr. Sheftall!

Striking It Rich is my bed-sided book. I used to live in Phnom Penh for a few years and understand the people as well as their culture. A society in which the power is Gun and Money. I really admire Doctor Sheftall because he dared to risk his life by playing golf with those military generals. The author is a super intelligent, talent and funny person. Through the very incredible, amazing golf stories and other ones in his life in Southeast Asia, Doctor Sheftall shared his life experiences in a very funny way but he really means it: My eyes darted between my beautiful angel, her husband, the AK-47, her nipple pressing against the front of her pajamas, the door, her husband, the AK-47, her nipples, the door... Then a strange calm came over me......

I couldn't help laughing with the way he wrote the stories. You will enjoy it. I would recommend to anyone to this book and of course to the golf players.

Rein Forest

Reid Sheftall, an American doctor who specializes in burn and reconstructive surgery lives and practices medicine in Cambodia, a country in which feuds are sometimes settled by splashing acid on one's enemy.

At 46, Dr. Sheftall wondered if he, a practicing surgeon, could return to the game of golf and play respectably on the professional tour, while keeping his day job. He had been a promising junior some 28 years ago when he quit playing golf to pursue other sports. It wouldn't be easy to qualify for the Malaysian Pro Golf Tour, but the temptation lingered. While running a medical center in Phnom Penh and treating children of unfortunate acid attacks, he practiced his swing by hitting balls at ships cruising by on the Mekong River.

How he became part of that pro tour is revealed in his recent memoir, Striking it Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals, Patients and Pros. Sheftall utilizes his golfing adventure as the framework to chronicle his work as a surgeon, as well as the joys and pitfalls of being a 46-year-old bachelor living in Cambodia.

For instance, when he played in his second pro tournament, the Chevrolet Open, Dr. Sheftall was concerned about his travel expenses to and in Pattaya, Thailand, where the tournament was being played. An expensive hotel in a Thai beach resort could be a budget-buster for the third world surgeon. So, he found an inexpensive hotel - a real bargain at only $[...] per night - even if it was located down a dark alley. It did not occur to Sheftall that this was a house of ill repute until the all- female "bell-hop" staff appeared dressed in string bikinis. All night, he heard banging on doors and giggling girls running in the corridors. Due to the commotion and lack of sleep, he nearly missed his tee time the next day.

Striking it Rich includes numerous entertaining experiences and tips that are appropriate for golfers and non-golfers. What appears to be a story about a middle-aged fellow and his quest to become a professional golfer after years away from the game, morphs into a collection of stories of unexpected humor and heart-touching encounters. The reader is treated to a peek into the life of a struggling golfer on the pro circuit who is also a doctor that continues to treat patients. Dr. Sheftall must also learn dating etiquette in a foreign country. This is one of those rare books this reader hated to finish, knowing the story continues as the doctor continues to golf his way across Southeast Asia.

I recommend this inspirational book to anyone looking for more than mere entertainment in their leisure reading. Striking It Rich opened up new areas of interest for me, including a fascination for life in a part of the world I knew little about prior to reading this book. Dr. Sheftall's story inspired me to face new challenges in middle age and to provide assistance and awareness for the unfortunate victims of acid attacks in Cambodia.

Half the profits of the $19.95 book go to Operation Kids, a charity founded by Dr. Sheftall in 2001, to provide free surgery for burned and disfigured children of the developing world who otherwise can not afford treatment.



A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Reid Sheftall graduated with a physics degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When he was only 21, he became a member of the University of Southern California faculty. Later, after a brief stint as a card counter in Nevada, he went to medical school. He completed his surgery residency and a fellowship in pediatric burn reconstruction. Dr. Sheftall currently lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he serves Director of the American Medical Center, Phnom Penh.

Dr. Sheftall is also the author of The Tour Player's Handbook: Strategic Decisions Under Pressure in Tournament Golf. Readers may email him with questions or comments at [...].

This is a fantastic book which combines a unique golf odyssey with some fascinating cultural insights on southeast asian culture. For a full review, please see my article on thesandtrap.com, at [..]If you aren't intrigued enough by the story line to buy the book, remember that half of all proceeds from sales go to fund Dr. Sheftall's charitable efforts in Cambodia. Happy reading!

I first noticed this book while looking for something new to read about Cambodia which is the birthplace of my adopted daughter. Being the father of an avid junior golfer myself, I figured this book would be a great change of pace from the usual geopolitical issues which plague this poor nation. The fact that the photographer who took the cover photo was a college friend of my wife's and that Dr. Sheftall practices both golf and medicine at the hotel where my only Cambodian friend is employed as a bellman made the book irresistable. I was not dissappointed.

This book is about golf and much more. It is about a man who has made the most of his talents both on and off the course. It is about taking a healthy attitude toward golf and life, about being part of something bigger than yourself and recognizing both the obligation and reward of giving back to others. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Sheftall shows that it is possible to have a heck of a good time along the way and this is how you'll feel as you read this book. Sure, both life and golf can be really bad at times, but if you, like this truly gifted man, really want to be a player in both, you can have a grand time.

So pick up this book and have a better time than you probably will out on the golf course. The author is one of the good guys in the world and I hope he takes the time to write a sequel. With or without golf, this is one fascinating life.

Dr. Parks' book "Teacher Under Construction" is great! I am currently in college now to major in mid-level social studies and English. This little book really opened my eyes to the things I should prepare for. I am quite nervous about teaching but now I am more confident. Thank you for writing this, Dr. Parks! Tessa Suzanne White

NOTE: I am submitting this as a copy of the review from AvanteGuard Teacher's website, since it is what I might say.

TOP PICK: If I'd had Teacher Under Construction, a book written specifically for middle-school teachers, I suspect I would have gotten more sleep, fewer headaches, and organized my time more effectively. This book is a must-have gem for the new or initially-licensed middle-school teacher. Your pedagogy classes don't cover this stuff, and it seems that too few resources are dedicated to the squirrelly (but infinitely fun) middle schooler. (TOP FIVE AvantGarde Teacher Review)

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this book, "Teacher Under Construction". I am seeking my first teaching position right now and this book was a huge help in my preparation. This book will be a great reference resource for me.

I taught 7th grade for the first time last year as a veteran high school teacher and learned by trial and error some of the things discussed in this book. While experience is the best teacher, it was great to read it from someone who really knows what they are doing. A Must.

This is an AWESOME overview of teaching in a junior high! Spend 2 days reading this, and you'll save yourself 5 years worth of trial-and-(lots of) error!

NOTE: Review written by Jim T., (K-12 instructor), Orange County CA. I used Donna's status.

In this book Robert D. Lupton reveals subtle problems that can arise when trying to minister to intercity people. He does an excellent job of revealing the issues, but reveals few solutions. It may be because there are no easy answers, or his later books will reveal the solutions he found later in ministry. Still I would recommend the book to all who work with needy people so they are at least aware of how their attempts to help can cause pain to those they want to help.

"Take no thought for tomorrow...don't worry about what you will eat or wear...don't lay up treasures here...give your coat...share your bread." It is not very sound financial advice and it definitely runs counter to Western values, but sadly it even runs counter to many Christian church's values. Robert Lupton has many years of experience running a ministry in urban Atlanta and this experience has given him valuable insight not only in how to minister to the urban poor, but also on much of Jesus' teachings. Though much of the book focuses on the American inner city, I found much of what Lupton wrote applicable to cross-cultural ministry here in the Philippines. Lupton often struggled in his ministry because of his economic status and the ever important perceptions that the people he ministered to had toward him and his family. Is it hypocritical to be in a higher economic class? While Robert Lupton and his family didn't worry about food and health, many others in the area he was working in did worry about such basic necessities. How does a Christian handle this sort of thing? Give it all away? I don't believe the Bible provides any clear cut answers, but the quotes at the top of this review show that maybe our values as Christians today are different than the values of Christ, the head of the Church. If nothing else, this book shows the importance of the poor and the special place in God's heart for the poor.

The book is written in an interesting style, there are nine parts with several short sections in each part. Often these sections were only 2 pages in length, which made for easy reading. But I found it hard to pull everything together, to make sense of what the author was trying to say. Non-fiction books should make its thesis and supporting points clear and understandable, but this book does not. Overall the book was worth the read if you can get past the unusual, scattered writing style.

By far the best book i've ever read! (and i have read a tons!)

this is a work of compasionate and wise genius. about how to be fully human and truly live out Christ call to an incarnational minstry among the poor. the lessons learned here apply to every area of life and all walks of life. writen in very down to earth language yet extremly deep and rich in content. not one word wasted. it does a great job of stripping all the western trappings that have been placed on the Christian faith and separating the american way of life from the way of life Christ lived and has created and invites us to live out amongts people. a true labor of love!

I would highly recommend this for anyone who is considering the commission of Jesus to journey together in life. Lupton, by simply retelling his own urban experiences, relays profound insights about living the Christian life, and especially practicing ministry. It is helpful when thinking about urban ministry, but would apply to any setting.

Easy read. It shows you that God's grace is everywhere, even where you least expect it!