D-A Books

This is a serious biography for all history buffs. The author has expertly woven world history, specifically British history, and the Golden Age of Piracy's pirates (Blackbeard, Bartholomew Roberts, Anne Bonny, etc.)into the background of William Kidd's life. William Kidd began his illustrious career as an honest trader and ended with the financing of his ship by unscrupulous English businessmen. He began his final journey to the Indian Ocean with one mishap after another and ended it by being arrested for piracy. Did he deliberately comit acts of piracy? Or was he a scapeboat for a business deal gone bad? This is an excellent well-researched and well-written book. I have read many nonfiction historical books, and this is one of the best. It has detailed footnotes and index. I recommend any book about pirates by David Cordingsly and Frank Sherry. My son also read a children's novel that is well-researched, has pirate photos, and nonfiction information. The author is K.J. McWilliams, and the book is The Diary of a Slave Girl, Ruby Jo.

This book makes you hostage from start to finish Was the captain out on the seas in quest for something other than treasure You Decide Great read

This book makes you hostage from start to finish Was the captain out on the seas in quest for something other than treasure You Decide Great read

Ritchie does an extremely able job of refocusing the story of Captain Kidd away from being a personal drama. Instead, he builds an image of the world where Kidd was one of many trying their luck at this (then) semi-legal trade. Piracy was the only place left for a sailor who loved the sea but not the navy.

As a reader, it was interesting to see Kidd transformed from the pirate figure of legend into a semi-competent adventurer who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time in British history. Ritchie also provides a fascinating look at the 17th-18th century justice systems.

Ritchie is less of a writer than a historian, unfortunately. There were a number of places at the beginning of the book where I felt lost as to where he was trying to go. However, as another reader notes, this improves later on in the book.

Recommended for readers with a particular interest in pirates.

A scholarly treatment of the William Kidd case and times. The author switches back and forth between presenting biographical information about Captain Kidd and an evolution of the declining use of privateers and pirates as tools of foreign policy. The writing is smooth and well thought out, providing an entertaining read.

I found the information on the attitudes toward pirates during the late 17th and early 18th centuries interesting and chock full of little know tidbits. The biography of William Kidd was eventful and conforms with what I have read in other sources. The author takes the story from early accounts to Kidd's first appearance in the Caribbean to the arrival in New York and on through the fateful trip that sealed his fate. Ritchie uses the general information on the attitude toward pirates to reinforce the conclusion that Kidd was doomed from the moment he surrendered in New York, and to provide some insight into why Kidd did surrender.

My one complaint revolves around the author's conclusion that Kidd was actually guilty of piracy and should have been convicted. It is not that the author reaches that conclusion, after all the evidence can point to that conclusion, however, I had the feeling from the first page that the author's intent was to prove Kidd guilty. Casting off the guise of impartial historian that early in the book has to raise the question - has the author's attitude spilled over into the data presented? That said, it is important to read multiple views to get a better understanding of the history, and I did find this book to be both entertaining and informative.

For an alternate view of the William Kidd story try The Pirate Hunter by Richard Zacks. P-)

This is my favorite Christmas story. It speaks to the hopeful child in all of us, who wants to believe in the unseen magic of a jolly old elf. It touches me every year since I first discovered this gem. Its power comes from the fact that it's a true story. Do something nice for yourself and read it.

I read the story of how you played Santa to the poor children. I had tears in my eyes and cried like a baby. This inspired me to do something for the children that have nothing. I went to our own post office and found some children of my own to play Santa to.

Whatever your religious persuasion, you can't help but crack a smile and shed a tear reading this book. It's not just for the holidays, but should be read year 'round. I've given it as a gift for many years now. And will continue the tradition with my own baby.

I read the story "A Christmas Story" and as a 33 year old I have been through some tough times myself but reading the story just made me cry like a baby... This is what Christmas really means. GOD has definetly left some Angels here on earth.

As an elementary school teacher I love sharing this wonderful story of a jewish man who shares the wonder of giving hopeless children a chance at hope. By reading letters to Santa written by children with no hope of receiving anything for Christmas, Jay Frankston played Santa to the joy and wonder of children of all ages in the Cleveland area for twelve years. A great story of selfless giving.

(I'd actually give this 4.5 stars, but Amazon doesn't do that. The reason is that despite the flaws in the narration, the book never ceased to keep me fascinated and entertained. I wasn't pulled out of the story loads of times or anything and the flaws didn't kill it. It's a darn good read!)

The Cleansing is a novel that moves outside of what I normally read. I admit that I have only read one other novel that had Native American themes that I remember (and that was also related to specfic). That was a novel by A. A. Attanasio, the title of which is eluding me at the moment. I've noticed that I don't generally pick up Native American themed novels, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's some narrow minded view of mine that there isn't a lot of interest for me in such novels because I, personally, don't buy mainstream or literary fiction books very often (I tend to stick to fantasy and SF and rarely go outside them except for non fiction work). I am familiar with Native Americans, particularly of the tribes in and around the Foothills of California (such as the Washo).

That being said, reading The Cleansing was a whole new experience for me, not only because it's about Native Americans and, in particular, about things I've not read much about before, but also because it's actually an entertaining read with a really interesting twist on the "werewolf" theme.

To sum it up, the story is about Wanata, a godlike being in Native American folklore believed to come to Earth in the form of a wolf to perform The Cleansing, a sort of nature-induced population control. The Cleansing has happened before, but there's a reason nobody knows about it: because it's something that is hidden, on purpose. But now, mankind isn't a fledgling little species anymore. We've conquered practically all of the globe, spreading ourselves out by the millions, building great cities, polluting everything, etc. Over six billion of us are on the planet now, and Nature isn't happy about it (hence The Cleansing). The problem is that millions of people will have to die to reestablish order. Laughing Wolf, a Native American shaman, knows what will happen and has a vision that tells him he must kill Wanata and create a new Cleansing, one that doesn't involve destroying millions of lives. Savannah, a reporter, just wants to get the next big scoop on the strange happenings in Alaska (a rogue pack of wolves attacking human settlements). The various other characters are inextricably sucked into the events, many of them receiving a shock to the senses as they begin to realize that some things aren't so easily explained and the things happening up north aren't the work of something as simple as a couple stray dogs.

One thing that really stood out to me about this novel is that it actually gives a whole new view of the "werewolf" mythology. While I don't know if Harvey intended this or not, it was there nonetheless and I thought it was really fascinating. In the novel you get the sense that the werewolf condition is like in most werewolf myths: an disease of sorts. Added to that, however, is that it is a human affliction upon nature, which presents itself in ways I thought were really interesting (imagine that instead of a human becoming a monster that can't control itself, it's a wolf becoming a man, and going back again, without all the rampaging and ability to infect other people). I got a bit of a kick out of it because I have grown a little tired of the cliche werewolf stuff (you know, like every Hollywood movie you've ever seen with werewolves, all of which try desperately to add to the myth, but only manage to keep the common mythology running without adding much to it at all).

The plot is really fast paced, so if you're not prepared to be sucked into it and pushed along at breakneck speed, well, that's your own fault. The best part about the novel is that it doesn't play any games and gets right to it: the world is bad and Wanata is going to take care of things (and humans aren't all that smart when it comes to deal with demigods, as it turns out). Savannah is just snappy enough to make me laugh, Chace is just evil enough to make me want to kill him myself, and Wanata, surprisingly, is sympathetic enough to actually make me care about what happens to him (considering he's supposed to be the bad guy). It's also interesting to point out that Harvey doesn't pull punches when it comes to showing human beings in all their forms: good and bad. There are folks who sit in the gray areas, and some who are black and white. This is something I think is very important to have within a novel like this. After all, we're talking about a restructuring of Nature and to make Wanata seem like only a bad guy would make it too easy. Humans are not perfect: some of us are evil, some of us aren't, and some of us sit in the middle. Nature, unfortunately, doesn't generally make distinctions about good and bad.

My only concerns with the novel is that for some it might have too many characters. While the pace is quick, there were a couple times where I was pulled out of the story when the author pulled me around to different characters, trying to give a wide range of views of the same thing or by trying to split the storylines. It's not a tremendous problem. I found myself getting used to it and not generally being bothered after a while, but I think perhaps reducing the amount of POVs could have helped develop the more important characters (particularly the ones that I liked: Savannah, Wanata, and Chace, though the last one I didn't like because he was good, but because he was a completely horrible human being and it would have really been more interesting to know where he came from and why he had turned out that way). There could definitely be more in the development of some of the characters, as I mentioned, but I think in the end it worked out okay anyway. I still want to know what the heck made Chace into the horrible person he is.

Overall, Harvey avoids stylistic annoyances and gives the story in a way that moves quickly and doesn't dawdle. The plot thickens and becomes more complicated as it goes along, which is both a good and bad thing. The bad thing is that the novel ends with only partial closure. Harvey has proposed a trilogy, and the way it ends is set up for that. While it does end, there are still a lot of things left to be addressed, particularly in Quiet Wolf's (Laughing Wolf's grandson) storyline and Wanata's. Hopefully Harvey intends to get the other books out soon, if they aren't out already. I'm looking forward to those sequels mostly because I would like to see more of Savannah and find out what happens, if anything, between her and Wanata. Basically, this is fast-paced reintroduction to the fantastic disaster story, filled with a wide array of interesting characters, magic, monsters, rogue wolves, and a touch of the werewolf. Not much else to say other than I really enjoyed this book and thought it was entertaining from start to finish.

This book kept me up at night for two reasons- I couldn't stop reading it and it really freaked me out!!! I've read it twice, and let some friends borrow it. I'll probably read it again, too!!!

I loved this book. It is a page turner from the front to back. As a person who hasn't been a fan or this genre - this book sold me back into reading more fiction!

Harvey does an amazing job. Steven King watch out!

BUY This book. You will love it.

The title of John Harvey's first novel stirs memories of the seventies and eighties (when titles of most horror novels included but two words, one invariably being "The"). The narrative style, however, is a throwback to a much earlier era. Harvey's straightforward and earnest storytelling brings to mind the pulps. The book exhibits energy, wit and invention, but the old fashioned prose might have readers believing it's a reprint from the first half of the twentieth, rather than an original work from the first half of the twenty-first, century.

Mining Native American legend for the raw material of his first novel, Harvey tells a tale of an ancient being emerging from his rest into the modern world. The initial focus is on the medicine men of several North American tribes, men who are haunted by dreams of the wolf spirit Wanata, whose periodic visits to the mortal plain over the centuries have inevitably resulted in the destruction of whole segments of the animal kingdom. Wanata is charged with keeping nature in balance--if a particular species has upset that balance, its numbers must be reduced to restore harmony. In the past, this meant the destruction of buffalo or deer. This time around, Wanata's target is mankind itself.

Once you get past the odd formality of the writing (it's not clear whether this was Harvey's intended effect, or simply his normal literary voice), The Cleansing is a pleasure to read, remarkably free of the common flaws that plague most first novels. Harvey guides readers through his universe with a sure hand, providing a plethora of memorable characters (freelance journalist Savannah Channing and Tungtawnee medicine man Laughing Wolf are two of his more vibrant creations) and generous doses of humor along the way. Harvey is clearly unafraid of taking chances in service of his story--although all of his characters are put in peril, the least expected and most likeable members of his cast suffer the most harm, ratcheting up the suspense quotient.

The novel suffers as Harvey's narrative slows almost to a crawl towards the end, ostensibly because this is the first novel of a planned trilogy. Hopefully Harvey is saving equally engaging material for books two and three, and not simply running out of steam. Time will tell.

What an incredible introduction to a new author. THE CLEANSING is easily one of the best, most enjoyable books I've read in a long time. Not since King's THE STAND have I been so unhappy about finishing a novel. It was a joy to read from the opening paragraph until the last page. At times horrific, intriguing and endearing, it grabs your full attention and never lets go. Each of John D. Harvey's characters, both major and minor, are multi-dimensional and unique with their own distinct voices. The reader will even find themselves empathizing with the villain in this book, a preternatural wolf named Wanata, who not only wreaks terror wherever he goes but is, himself, struggling with his own crises. Don't let the cover price keep you from grabbing this one! You won't be disappointed.

An untapped corner of the horror novel genre involves stories about dead chickens. Until now, that is.

Bobby Garfundephelt buys a sprawling, multi-building farm, with the intention of turning part of it into a bed and breakfast. Included with the farm is a chicken coop, full of loud, stupid and filthy chickens. Janice, his wife, likes the chickens, and has to repeatedly remind Bobby to feed them. In a moment of frustration, one night, Bobby sets fire to the coop, with the chickens inside. Janice leaves him. Stuck somewhere between life and death, the zombie chickens go on the attack. Led by an evil undead Rooster, bigger than the average rooster, they chase Bobby throughout the labyrinthine rooms of the farmhouse. The house has been altered and added to so many times over the past 200 years, that it has gained a rudimentary intelligence, and assists in Bobby's torment.

Arnold is a young boy with a unique ability. Remember the famous movie line, "I see dead people?" Arnold could say, "I see dead chickens." After years of seeing a blue light coming from everyone, and being attacked by undead chickens, Arnold's parents ship him to a secret monastery in France. Their specialty is chicken exorcisms. On his deathbed, the present leader of the order transfers the being, or presence, living inside him to Arnold, making him the new leader. Many years later, Arnold, now called Armand, arrives at the farmhouse, to do battle with these undead zombie chickens. Amid everything else, Armand has to deal with a chicken spirit that takes over Bobby, so that, one minute, he is cowering in fear in the corner of a basement, and the next minute, he is trying to kill Armand.

If nothing else, this is a very different sort of novel, and it's a very good novel. It's nice and strange, and the author does a fine job with it.

Take one flock of zombiefied chickens, with an uber-rooster at the head. Throw in one inept wannabe farmer living in a haunted house. Top it off with an order (no pun intended) of secret zombie chicken hunters, with a particularly talented mortal off on a solo crusade to end the plague of undead fowl once and for all. Mix well with a good dose of off-the-wall humor, some camp, and enough talented description to give you a movie in your head, and you have the makings of one very fun read.

It started out a little questionably. While Knapp is a talented author and does a good job of describing what's going on, the intentionally campy writing got to be a bit much to slog through, especially after the umpteenth time there was a description of a zombie chicken moving in such a way that a random body part fell off. Camp doesn't really translate over to writing nearly as well as film, as far as I'm concerned, though Knapp made a really good effort of it. Additionally, the backstory took a while to build up to an interesting point, though for good reason-the story behind the story is actually somewhat complex, and made what could have been a relatively simple zombie chicken novel into a more solid read.

I urge prospective readers who find the beginning to be a bit tough to get into to hang in there; it all makes more sense the more deeply you get into the story. The second half of the book grabbed me much more firmly, and it was hard to put it down after that point. The writing, though still campy, had more going on plot-wise, so I was less distracted and more enthralled. While I think the ending (which I won't spoil for you) came out of left field to an extent, it was satisfying, and left me with a good feeling about the entire adventure through zombie chicken land.

Overall, while it has a few flaws and could use a bit of tightening up in the first half, "Cluck" is definitely an amusing read. It's particularly commendable as a self-published work, and is among the best self-pub works I've ever read, nonfiction or fiction. And, as I said, Knapp is very good with descriptions, and I had a clear mental picture of what was happening the entire time, even if it didn't make sense at first. Pick this one up if you have a long plane flight, need something to read on the morning commute, or simply want something entertaining to read over a weekend. It has good re-read potential, too, so you'll definitely get your money's worth.

They're chickens. They're zombies. What - you need more? Okay, there's more - an all-powerful rooster, a car that reads Ian Fleming, a possessed house, a prophecy-fulfilling chicken exorcist, and witty footnotes (yes, footnotes).

This was truly one of the most original books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Full of intriguing characters and a wonderful story, 'Cluck: Murder Most Fowl' by Eric D. Knapp is an expertly written horror-comedy that will leave you begging for a sequel.

Eric D. Knapp's "Cluck: Murder Most Fowl" is one of the best books we've reviewed so far on Odyssey Reviews. This tongue-in-cheek (or beak) work of brilliance will surely make you laugh. The writing is on par with the likes of Terry Pratchett. The story is brilliant, the writing unbelievably good; and a nearly 100% spotless manuscript peppered with delightful egg-shaped illustrations by Ian Miller. The sheer professional sheen of the book itself, down to the artwork on the cover - is the standard all independent/self-published authors should strive for.

You will find yourself in a bizarre world of zombie chickens, Poultry Exorcists, hicks, an ancient secret organization of frauds, and a car with a bit of an attitude. There is a restless house, and something else, another force thrown into the mix just to keep it interesting.

Armand/Arnold, who is the first true "Exorciste de Volaille" in generations, discovers, after years of ridding the world of pesky undead fowl, that he's possibly met his match. A convergence of mystical forces brings together a massive rooster who's been to Hell and back, his flock of subordinate ghoulish chicken zombies; a mysterious, vengeful force; a fidgety house and a less-than-intelligent hick by the name of Bobby--and Arnold has just stepped into the filthy thick of it.

Rotten eggs, tomatoes and stumbling, rotting chickens... this bizarre world is waiting for you to discover it. I think it should be an obligation for all independent authors to add this book to their library as an example of a professional, self-published product.

This book has effortlessly earned its five medallions (stars)

Somewhere outside of Detriot Michigan, a spectral cosmic light lasting only moments, intersects the souls of a young suburban boy named Arnold and a fabulously large Rooster. Afterward, Arnold is imbued with a second sight allowing him to see the souls of those around him, including animals - especially chickens. Seeing souls gives Arnold a slight glimpse into the future as the souls actions occur just before those of their corporeal hosts. Though an advantage in sports where Arnold can anticipate his opponents every move, it also sets him apart from the rest of humanity causing his eventual banishment by his parents to a home for boys. Recognized by Father Beau as gifted in second site, Arnold is sent to France where he joins a secret order of those men charged with banishing the souls of trapped fowl to the next life. However, though the order exists, none have the site of Arnold who quickly demonstrates his. He eventually becomes Armand - the Exorciste de Volaille - the poultry exorcist!

Meanwhile, across the world, the Rooster has also been forever changed by the light. Capable of thought and even speech, the Rooster becomes king of an ever expanding farm owned an operated by Bobby Garfundephelt and his wife. However, all is not well on the farm and without giving too much of the plot away, evil takes root on the farm and Bobby is forever haunted by the undead chickens and their Rooster king. Only Armand, now aged and scared with the wounds from setting straight the worlds "fowl" wrongs, can save Bobby. Or can he?...

Eric Knapp's Cluck: Murder Most Fowl is a masterpiece. I honestly did not believe I would like this book as much as I did. Reminiscent of the Rod Serling's Twilight Zone or even the best of what Tales from the Crypt had to offer, Knapp creates a intriguing and engaging tale of three lives intertwined and changed forever. This is an incredibly creative piece of fiction that in lesser hands would have come across at best campy and at worst just plain stupid. Rather, Knapp has pulled off an amazingly entertaining novel. The graphics by Ian Richard Miller at the onset of each chapter are perfect and are displayed in the oval shape of an egg. Completing the professional and all encompassing feel for the story is the unique font titling each chapter.

I don't give out 5 stars easily and never expected to do so when I started this book. But truthfully, this is one of the most creative, different, offbeat funny, and intriguing books I've read this year. It is definitely not mainstream and one might have to be in the right mood to appreciate it's brilliance, but I believe few would be disappointed in reading Cluck (I can't believe I'm actually typing this). Good luck Mr. Knapp and congratulations on an extremely well written tale.

Todd A Fonseca, author of The Time Cavern

I have never received the books. I tried to track them down but was told the USPS does not have a tracking procedure. Please let me know what I can do.

I bought this along with Divorce Casualties: Protecting Your Children From Parental Alienation and both have been a great help to my husband!! I would reccomend both to any one who has gone through a bitter divorce and who struggle with the threats and bitterness of an X where children are involved. It has taught my husband a lot and has helped him to deal with letting go of his anger and other issues.

Even though it's titled, THE CO-PARENTING SURVIVAL GUIDE: LETTING GO OF CONFLICT AFTER A DIFFICULT DIVORCE, I wish that I had read this book BEFORE the divorce was final because of all the outstanding ideas about co-parenting, that you, your former spouse, your lawyer(s) or even the court, may not address. BUT, if you are an open minded parent and willing to do what is in the best interest of your child/children (and isn't that the reason you are looking at this book to begin with), it offers some really outstanding suggestions.

I especially love the Co-Parenting Contract. It goes beyond the divorce decree, and really sets-up some workable guidelines for parents and children.

This book addresses several topics, offering up suggestions and examples.

The book was a bit simplistic, much of the same information was covered in the New Hampshire Mandatory co parenting class. But it was still some very good advice.

Nothing ground breaking here but it's a good collection of what you probably should know.

THE BOOK: THE CO-PARENTING SURVIVAL GUIDE: LETTING GO OF CONFLICT AFTER A DIFFICULT DIVORCE...
BY ELIZABETH THAYER, PH.D.
IN THIS ERA OF SPOILED BRATS (THE PARENTS), THIS BOOK WILL HELP WITH THE CONFLICTS OF TODAY!! WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT THE REAL MEANING OF TWO PEOPLE MAKING THE COMMITTMENT OF MARRIAGE!!! SOCIETY HAS PROGRESSED TO THE SIZE OF THE WEDDING, THE DREAM OF THE PERFECT WEDDING, NOT THE COMMITTMENT OF REALLY LOVING THE PERSON YOUR MARRYING. CONSEQUENTLY, PEOPLE MARRY AND HAVE CHILDREN, THEN WHEN THE STRAIN OF MAKING A MARRIAGE WORK BECOMES TOO HARD......THEN DIVORCE IS INEVITALBLE. THEN THE GAMES.... BEGIN, ONE OR BOTH PARENTS DECIDE THAT THEIR FORMER PARTNER IS NOT WHO THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN AROUND.....SO, POISION THE CHILDREN'S MINDS AGAINST THE OTHER PARENT. THIS BOOK HELPS BOTH PARTIES REALIZE HOW TO WORK WITH THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE....AS WELL AS HELP MAKE THE CHILDREN AS COMFORTABLE WITH THE SITUATION (WHICH MUST BE FIRST IN THE PARENTS MINDS). DRAGING EACHOTHER THROUGH THE COURTS IS NOT THE ANSWER, COURTS JUST DEAL WITH WHICH SIDE AS MORE LEVERAGE, EVEN THE PSYCHOLOGISTS JUST PLAY WITH THE SITUATIONS. WE NEED MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS, AGAIN DISPLAYED IN EVERY LIBRARY IN THE UNITED STATES.

Richard's book of survival during one of this nation's worst crisis and most poorly responded to events is well written and shows how badly we are prepared for disaster. it alsoshows what levels we can rise to when needed.

I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. It pulls you in making you feel like you were there also. I'm just thankful to God I wasn't. I highly recommend this well written personal account of that day in history and the events that followed.

Once I started reading I could not stop. I thought I might be getting myself into a book that, although I felt compelled to read it I was afraid I would cry throughout. Not so. This book told the real story and revealed how moronic the entire situation became, day by day, hour by hour. I could only chuckly at how rediculous the situation became. If I didn't know better by personal experience I would think it was a satirical comedy that someone made up after a bad dream. Sadly it was all true. I agree with one of the other reviews, this is a must read for anyone that could potentially face any type of disaster, expected, unexpected, natural or manmade.
Thank you Dr.D for taking the time to chronical everything. Especially, considering that post-K there isn't much time for the luxury of such things. It is amazing your mind and memory could focus on this project.
Thank you.

We lived in New Orleans for nine years and during that time used several doctors at Memorial Hospital. Dr. Deichmann was our Internal Medicine physician. Later we moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and lost everything in Katrina, so we have a special interest and bond with those who experienced it. I remember Dr. Deichmann as a kind, quiet, professional physician and to picture him in these horrific circumstances is almost unbelievable. This book contains everything - sadness, frustration, courage, and even humor in the most dismal moments. I read it in one sitting, and will recommend it to all my fellow friends and survivors.

This account by a professional is an easy to read, yet fascinating, portrait of the scene and happenings within the hospital during the Katrina episode. It is not overly dramatic or accusing, but a straightforward and creditable observation. I really appreciate the first-hand knowledge from a respected source. It was a while before we locals could deal with too much knowledge on too many happenings or were capable of facing and digesting how and what transpired. This is a study of dedication and courage of the staff at Memorial Hospital and is uplifting and healing because of those qualities that the staff displayed for all of us out here... It gives us hope and offers redemptive healing for the sins of the community because of their sacrifices and willingness to do the same in the future. I am grateful for that and this book.

Yes for anyone who does glass painting, especially faux stained glass, this is a MUST HAVE for glass painting reference libraries. This is the only cfraft I do and I was amazed at the number of things I learned from these guys. Also the problems I've had in the past were resolved in such a way that went away thinking "Why didn't I think of that?"...because I didn't have this book! I'm on the hunt for more from these same artists/authors.

We have been so excited with the continued success of this, our first book. Worldwide sales of this title have now exceeded 50,000 which we think makes it the best selling book on glass painting. Don't miss our other books and our new book, The Complete Guide to Stamping is published in March 2004. If you have access to broadband internet, you can see our regular TV show, Alan & Barry's Craft Choice and a host of other shows on www.createandcraft.tv. We can also be seen regularly on HGTV in the United States.

Since I am a beginner to glass painting and have one book on the subject I was looking for something more comprehensive that covered other techniques. After reading the review and previewing from amazon's "look inside", I had to buy the book. "The Complete Guide to Glass Painting, is just what it says, it is a good start for beginners and and provides lots of projects, techniques and motifts for the more advanced glass painter. There are so many techniques I never though of that was not covered in my one glass book. When the book first arrived in the mail, I glanced through it quickly; now I am reading the book word for word so as not to miss a great tip. Each page is well designed and layed out for easy reading and understanding with visual direction. You can't go wrong. For those who have more knowedge, this book has 400 motifs to use or combine to create fantastic glass paintings and projects that spark ideas. If you must have a glass painting book, this will be the only one you will need. Allan and Barry, thanks for sharing your 20 years of experience, this is a great book. If the authors ever collaborated to produce anther book; I will be looking out for more of them.

If you just are getting one book about glass painting to try the hobby out then this is a good choice. It has a good overview of the materials available, step by step instructions for different techniques and templates to trace over (glass is perfect for tracing ;-) so you can get started on some small projects. The color pictures are plentiful and pretty, and the price is not too high as one might expect with color pics. Even if you are just into crafts and later find that glass painting isn't your thing the templates and pics can carry over into other crafts.

This is a good book if you know you want to try glass painting out.

The techniques presented in this book is good enough for a beginner like me to get started. However, the projects given in this book was not enough to motivate me to try them. I've found that the book was not organised enough for a beginner to go through the projects and progress from there.

Having said all this though, I still think that the book is a good reference to have and coupled with other books like Glass Painting (The Art of Crafts series) by Naazish Chouglay, you could learn more and appreciate the art as well as the techniques behind glass painting.

This book is empowering, and I know what I'm talking about - this year I was diagnosed with a nasty cancer (kidney cancer, stage IV (metastasized), grade 4 (aggressive)), so I got to experience fear like I'd never known. The book does a great job of weaving the cancer experience into the rest of life, and Ms. Monique makes it VERY clear that howEVER she feels about it is absolutely okay with her! I don't have breast cancer, but I gobbled every word and I recommend it to everyone involved with any cancer, without exception. (I'm doing very well now, btw.)

After I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer (really bad), lots of people sent me books - some very spiritual books and some science-y. This book was a breath of fresh air and made me laugh out loud. Send it to the women you know with BC, they will love it. I have given it to many.

I'm so delighted to see this book available through Amazon. The bellyaching laughs and sound advice from this book got me through chemo. Every evening, when my spirits were sinking and I was exhausted, I would treat myself to some Monique humor and inspiration. I applaud the Beth Israel Deaconess medical center for recognizing the importance of this book and publishing it.

Finally a breast cancer survivor who has brought our most valuable emotion -- humor -- to the forefront. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is facing breast cancer, or anyone who is supporting a friend or family member with breast cancer. Well written, great perspective, and it will leave you smiling and encouraged. Who ever would have thought?

As one who is symmetrically challenged, breast-wise as Spencer is, I promise this is a terrific book to read if you or anyone you love is diagnosed with breast cancer. In fact, even if no one you know has the disease, which is unlikely these days, it's a tremendously funny guide for getting through any of life's daunting little challenges. I'd say it is an absolute scream, but I don't want to scare you; it is an hilarious trip, packed also with good information about your diagnosis and what to expect. The humor shines through, a good thing in the worst of circumstances. Speaking of screaming, it put me in mind of a regular day after work when five of us ladies were hooked up to our portaports, getting our dose of poison, I mean chemo, when a four-inch cockroach scurried out from a corner and under a chair. We all hoisted up our legs (as best we could in those recliners) and started screeching and hollering for help. It was like, "Cancer smancher, this friggin dangerous beast just ran across the linoleum!" So, there are indeed laughs to be had--and more than fair are in The Courage Muscle. A great comfort.

This book touches on a lot of information that standard crystal guides are lacking. Very detailed, but sadly no pictures. Crystal Enchantments has a lot to say about scrying and stone divination. Although this book is lacking a few major crystals I was hoping to learn more about, I found out about a lot of other crystals I have never studied.

I really like this book. One of my friends swears by it. I only wish it was hardback.

this book provides a lot of information about stones and crystals that is informative and written in a fashion that isn't dry. Not many pictures, but the book is super reference.

I have always enjoyed stone, used to work with a stone wheel shaping them.

Always felt such power from the different ones, almost as if they called to me, telling me what shape they wanted to me. So I appreciate knowing more about them and their properties.

This book is mostly text with no "real" illustrations (only a very small handful of pictures and diagrams). Very informative and is most definatly a solid choice for reading material of this subject.

Written in the simple and personal style for which Conway is known, this work carries on in the tradition of a more folklorical and Pagan perspective of working with minerals. This book helps integrate history, tradition, and the more New Agey perspective, and Conway also adds a bit of mineralogy to the mix.

This work largely addresses crystals for their healing and ritual/magickal connotations, and thus adds a facet that other comprehensive works leave out. This is a must-have for all crystal workers, especially those of a Pagan or Earth-based worldview.

I PURCHASED MY BOOK 3 1/2 YEARS AGO THE WEEK AFTER MY HUSBAND OF 34 YRS DIED FROM ALCOHOLISM WITHOUT KNOWING THIS WAS TO BE MY MOST INSPIRATIONAL BOOK. I HAVE BEEN IN RECOVERY ABOUT 4 YRS NOW AND I HAVE GIVEN AWAY 10
OR 12 BOOKS. I ALWAYS KEEP AN EXTRA ONE BECAUSE I KNOW I WILL MEET UP WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN USE IT.

I picked up this little gem of a book and cant put it down. I refer to it again and again because it has so much insight on all kinds of issues people may have..it really speaks to you and I found it so comforting during difficult times. I will treasure it for a long time!

I love this book of daily reflections. It is very thought provoking and the quotes are memorable.

I love this book and read it daily. It is so ironic when you are going through something and you open the book right to an affirmation that pertains to that very situation. I bought several copies of Daily Affirmation for Forgiving and Moving On and give it out as gifts to friends that I know will benefit from it.

I own this & have gone through it. I liked it so much I picked up a copy for a friend's daughter who has just lost a significant other. Comprising of 366 pages & designed to be read one page each day. The book is an excellent tool for a healthy direction for one's getting back on track. Gentle affirmations reveal true sources in one's feelings. The book does go a long way in dealing with the loss of a relationship