Audio Books

If it's a Discworld book and it has the Witches in it, I'm all in. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are two of the funniest characters in Pratchett's novels. Who couldn't love these two apparently doddering and bossy old women who are simultaneously clueless and wise? Magrat Garlick comes into her own in this novel and becomes an integral part of the team, as she takes on the role of godmother, complete with wand (never mind that it's stuck on pumpkins). Send these ladies on a journey across the Discworld, and throw in oversexed tomcat Greebo (who enjoys some truly hilarious scenes in human form), and you've got another classic Pratchett. Thanks, Terry!

- C.A. Wulff, author of Born Without a Tail

I am a fan of Terry Pratchett and the alternative world on the Disc. This book has all of my favorite Pratchett elements: the witches, fairy tale, plays on words, and even some thought-provoking bits. It's not really about whether you are good or evil, but about which direction you're facing. Go, Granny Weatherwax!

One of Terry Pratchett's better books (and that is saying something)! Great introduction and plot.

Although set between "Wyrd Sisters" and "Lords & Ladies" this book is a stand-alone episode featuring Granny and Nanny, plus Magrat trying her best to be a Fairy Godmother (with less-than-stellar results.)

As is typical with Pratchett, it's very well written with sprinklings of wry social commentary. Although there are numerous chuckles, I don't recall any laugh-out-loud moments, but I will say the plot was tighter than many other offerings. All in all, a solid effort.

Recommended for anyone, and epscially fans of the Lancre Witches arc.

This is easily the best of the Discworld novels that centers on the three witches, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. This time, another witch who works as a fairy godmother on the side dies without having trained a replacement, and Magrat gets nominated as her successor. This means journeying to far-off Genua, a very South Louisiana kind of place, to make sure that the hidden princess, Ember Ella, doesn't marry the prince. But the plot is a lot more complicated than that, with a family feud, a voodoo woman and a zombie (both of whom, naturally, are more than they appear), a cat temporarily turned into a man, and a delightfully stirred-together collection of fairy tales. Because, as Granny keeps pointing out, stories have a life of their own. Actually, the book divides into two parts, with the hilarious trip to Genua giving the author the opportunity to haul out every cliché known to little old British ladies traveling in foreign parts. After they arrive, the plot shifts gear to a more sophisticated level of conflict and relationships. And you will have to wonder whether Granny -- always one of the Good Guys -- doesn't have a deep-down streak of Bad in her. Pratchett's command of the language and highly inventive turn of phrase are especially on display this time: "The wages of sin is death but so is the salary of virtue, and at least the evil get to go home early on Fridays." But he can come up with thoughtful insights, too: "Genuan cooking, like the best cooking everywhere in the multiverse, had been evolved by people who had to made desperate use of ingredients their masters didn't want." (He's right. Think gumbo.)

If it's a Discworld book and it has the Witches in it, I'm all in. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are two of the funniest characters in Pratchett's novels. Who couldn't love these two apparently doddering and bossy old women who are simultaneously clueless and wise? Magrat Garlick comes into her own in this novel and becomes an integral part of the team, as she takes on the role of godmother, complete with wand (never mind that it's stuck on pumpkins). Send these ladies on a journey across the Discworld, and throw in oversexed tomcat Greebo (who enjoys some truly hilarious scenes in human form), and you've got another classic Pratchett. Thanks, Terry!

- C.A. Wulff, author of Born Without a Tail

I am a fan of Terry Pratchett and the alternative world on the Disc. This book has all of my favorite Pratchett elements: the witches, fairy tale, plays on words, and even some thought-provoking bits. It's not really about whether you are good or evil, but about which direction you're facing. Go, Granny Weatherwax!

One of Terry Pratchett's better books (and that is saying something)! Great introduction and plot.

Although set between "Wyrd Sisters" and "Lords & Ladies" this book is a stand-alone episode featuring Granny and Nanny, plus Magrat trying her best to be a Fairy Godmother (with less-than-stellar results.)

As is typical with Pratchett, it's very well written with sprinklings of wry social commentary. Although there are numerous chuckles, I don't recall any laugh-out-loud moments, but I will say the plot was tighter than many other offerings. All in all, a solid effort.

Recommended for anyone, and epscially fans of the Lancre Witches arc.

This is easily the best of the Discworld novels that centers on the three witches, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. This time, another witch who works as a fairy godmother on the side dies without having trained a replacement, and Magrat gets nominated as her successor. This means journeying to far-off Genua, a very South Louisiana kind of place, to make sure that the hidden princess, Ember Ella, doesn't marry the prince. But the plot is a lot more complicated than that, with a family feud, a voodoo woman and a zombie (both of whom, naturally, are more than they appear), a cat temporarily turned into a man, and a delightfully stirred-together collection of fairy tales. Because, as Granny keeps pointing out, stories have a life of their own. Actually, the book divides into two parts, with the hilarious trip to Genua giving the author the opportunity to haul out every cliché known to little old British ladies traveling in foreign parts. After they arrive, the plot shifts gear to a more sophisticated level of conflict and relationships. And you will have to wonder whether Granny -- always one of the Good Guys -- doesn't have a deep-down streak of Bad in her. Pratchett's command of the language and highly inventive turn of phrase are especially on display this time: "The wages of sin is death but so is the salary of virtue, and at least the evil get to go home early on Fridays." But he can come up with thoughtful insights, too: "Genuan cooking, like the best cooking everywhere in the multiverse, had been evolved by people who had to made desperate use of ingredients their masters didn't want." (He's right. Think gumbo.)

There is not much to be said about this book other than that it is well written, easy to read and is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. Once I started reading I did not want to put it down and would recommend it to anyone interesting in this genre.

Bill and Babe now have voices that will always be there for us to hear anytime we pick up this book. Their joy of life, depth of humility, and tough courage would be an inspiration for any life, but their lives were truly extraordinary. The pages speak in their Philly accents and give us a chilling glimpse into some of the most courageous and horrific battles of the European theatre. Thanks, Robyn Post, for this great first-hand account!

I really enjoyed this book. Have read all the other BOB`s related books and this is a great and worthy addition.

Great insight into Wild Bill and Babe. Great characters, great fun.
At the current price you cannot loose however I would spend a lot more because it is worth it.

Looking forward now to reading Don Malarkey and Buck Comptons personal accounts due for release this month.

Throughout this whole book, I was constantly in tears. It truly brought to life what these men had gone through and the "bond" they formed. This really opened my eyes to alot about the war and this wonderful Regiment of the 101st Airbourne. Sad as it was of all they had to go through and endure; their strength and determination left me spell-bound. We should never forget anything about this turning-point in our History and all the sacrifices our brave men went through.

Brothers In Battle, Best of Friends

This book is a must for anyone intersted in WWII. Just two Stand Up GI's Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron telling their factual stories as it was from their upbringing in the depression, to the front lines in Normandy, Holland, the Bulge, and the end of the war in Europe. If you want to know how it was, with no fluff, then this is a great read and,
YOU ARE THERE!!

Great book...good quality...arrived in record time. I will highly recommend ordering this book for a Christmas present for any age.

This story will rank among my all time favorite Christmas stories! It is heartwarming and humorous, and conveys the true spirit of Christmas!

This book is a GREAT human interest story that uses a man's skill-carving, with a family need for a nativity. In the process of carving the characters and the friendliness of a woman and her son, Jonathan changes from a bitter, lonely man to a believer.

Each year I buy myself a new Christmas book, looking for something unique..Just ran up on this book at a company book sale and stood in awe as I read the story. I knew this was "the one" for this year. Not only is the story heartwarming but the illustrations are perfect. My children are grown as well as my granddaughters and I plan to buy copies for all of them.

A friend and I are often comparing notes on wonderful new and old books and stories for children (and adults), especially at Christmastime. When I saw this book, I knew it would fill the bill as a perfect gift to her to add to her wonderful collection of children's books. I was right--she loved it. I'd never heard of this story before, but, in my opinion, it should be much better known and read. It's so sweet. I'm certainly sharing it. It's perfect for reading aloud. Again, a real good experience with you folks.

James Rowe's story is one that makes you appreciate how good we have things in our day to day lives. I love POW tales because I am always hoping the person(s) can find a way to escape to freedom. This story was fine but I would say a little darker & more depressing than most POW tales I have read.

Interesting but written more as a novel and not as an actual recount of his 5 year imprisonment in the hands of the North Vietnamese. The minute detail of his every recollection during his 5 years of captivity makes it difficult to believe that he himself wrote his memoirs. Nevertheless I salute him for his bravery, his will to survive and service to his country.

This book should be on everyone's "must read" list. It should also be on the must read list for evey high school student. This book is very well written and easy to follow. It is also very hard to put down once you start reading it. Being a Vietnam War Veteran myself, I would highly recomend this book to anyone.

Incredible story of this man and other POW's in Vietnam. This is one of, if not the best, books I've ever read. One of the many points I took away was how the will to live sustained Nick Rowe and so many others. Maybe more so, it gave me an appreciation for the freedoms we take so much for granted. I finihed the book days ago, and can't get it out of my mind. Great book, Great leasons, Great man.

I served with 1st SFG during Vietnam. I knew Nick and the young soldiers knew about his experience as a POW. He was a fine and well respected leader within the SF community. The book is exciting and takes its' place within the accurate historical realm. To set the record straight there were plans in the making and at least one effort to rescue Nick. Also suggest reading "Raider" about CSM Gallen C. Kittleson who had been selected as part of the rescue attempt for Nick. Also suggest reading "Code Name Columbus."

Anyone who has ever read any of Karens books knows that there is no other writer in this day and age that hits every emotion that we all go through in this life, in our own search for why we are here, who we are, and the battles that can and do happen in this life.

The number one moral is that Gods Love and our love for others is the strength to keep us all carrying on in this journey in life. There is hope in all of her books.

It is such a "blessing" to read a book, that everyone whether a believer or not in God who touches our lives in everyday situations with family and friends. There is not one of her books that I have ever been disappointed in. Once you read one of her books you will be "hooked" and can't wait to read the next one.

Seagull
<><
Las Vegas, NV

A friend got me started on Karen's books. Now I have read almost all of her books. When I start one, I find it very hard to put it down - I just want to keep reading to the end. All the books in this series and her other series' are great. I can't wait to find out what will happen to the Baxter family next.

The book is a wonderful nonfiction that displays God's awesome faithfulness and presence through the continued story of The Baxter Family. I was so taken that I could hardly put the book down and I'm eager to begin the Sunrise Series. These books are encouraging in my life as well, reminding me of God's promises and truths in my own life. Thank you for encouraging me in my walk with Christ!

This is one of Karen Kingsbury's best books, and certainly her best love story. An award winning book, it's also by far the best of the Firstborn series. She's crafted the characters in the Baxter family so well that you feel as though you are a member of this family. I highly recommend Forever! The Candidate: A Novel

I thought that this new part of the series was packed with excellent marriage advice that is both practical and Biblical. I love this series, and how Kingsbury portrays God's graciousness and mercy.

I first had this book read to me when I was in the first grade, now I am 25 and still remember the book! Recently I bought it to give to a friend as a baby gift. I read it again and loved it all over again. Its so creative I love it and would recommend it to everyone! Great for a gift for your own children or others.

I teach preschool and used this book as an introduction for our post office theme. The reading level is a bit high for my age group, but they really enjoy seeing the different types of mail that pull out of the "envelopes" in the book. Very interactive and fun to read.

I love this book for a couple different reasons. First, I like the idea of reading other people's mail. Second, I like the idea that classic fairy tale characters send each other mail. Third, I like the fact that the letters are not printed within the book, but are in envelopes. This means that you are physically opening each letter.

This book is so much fun. The wicked witch gets junk mail, Cinderella gets a request to publish a book on her life, and Little Bear gets a birthday invite, to name just a few.

This is one of my most favorite children's books ever written. I give it to all my friends. Every page has a little surprise.

The anniversary book is significantly larger than the original and so loses some of the charm. However this shallow dip in nursery fairy tales is fun for both the listener and reader. New shrink wrapped books include stationary and 'postage' to encourage the young to build a habit of writing and mailing notes. The story is from a UK perspective and follows a postman who delivers the mail in a community of fairy tale characters. Some of the humor is dated (good for grandparents). Children will enjoy having the book read to them and opening the many envelopes to extract their contents. This book was a favorite of my children back in the late 1980's.

We're in the middle of an acquisition and many of our employees are less engaged and some good ones have taken other jobs due to uncertainty. This book works because it has a clear structure that makes it easy to find pertinent advice, well researched data with sources clearly noted and most of all action plans, (e.g. To Dos, Quick Start) that help implement ideas immediately. I've also found it helpful in general skill building because the authors offer techniques and tips for things like improving listening, (listen for the "blinking" word) and starting conversations, (examples of good open ended questions). When I'm not looking up something specific, I keep it on my desk and open it randomly just to find ways to think about my own skills and my own job satisfaction and what I can do to improve them both.

The format of this book is excellent. It is driven by the alphabet and not only has the basic idea for each area but also details real life stories that relate to each topic. None of the stories were unfamiliar and was a good/bad thing because I found we were horribly ordinary in our experience and at the same time that was comforting to know. Great tools, easy to employ, presented in an easy to read and "get" format. A must for managers, business leaders, et al.

Love 'em provides easy to follow guidelines for building loyal, committed, and productive teams. The strategies are easy-to-implement, inexpensive, and best of all - they work! I keep Love'Em as a quick reference for any employee retention or satisfaction issues that arise, and the updated version provides several new tips and techniques. I highly recommend this book for managers of teams large and small.

Love 'em or Lose 'em: Getting Good People to Stay (4th edition)

this book is a must read for management-----keeping your best people in a challenging
economy is a must in this" Flat World "Global Economy. If you haven't the "insights" to Keep 'Em, '
then you will "Lose 'Em". Best get on with the 'stay interview" and the other key ideas in this must have edition.

Whether you are concerned about the cost of "A" level talent leaving, or the even greater cost of disengaged talent staying, this workbook is your rescue tool. Hitting all of the keys from The Gallup Organization's research based findings on how great managers get the best out of people, (as published in "First Break all the Rules" and "12: The Elements of Great Managing"), consultants and trainers Kaye and Jordan-Evans provide 25 (the 26th is really a check list, not a separate idea) ways to keep good employees - these action oriented ideas are also the route to engaging every employee.

Starting with `A' (Ask) and running thru `Y' (Yield), before leaving the alphabet with the `Zenith' test of your RPI (Retention Probability Index), this workbook provides both the ideas and motivational logic for engaging employees thru great managing. Although the workbook has been in publication for several years, it is as timely today as when it was first distributed. Read it for ideas, keep in on the shelf as a reference; but do get a copy of this most useful book on how to engage people.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

I absolutely LOVE this book...............I have my special copy, and I am 'over 37'........and I also give it to special people in my life. It is delicately beautiful....and....lets us all know that puppies are more human than human beings.....

I use Officer Buckle and Gloria with kindergartners when I teach my humane education classes. I found it well-written because it was "engaging" for the students, keeping the attention of the children as it moved forward to its happy conclusion. The colorful illustrations throughout the book were great for helping communicate the action. I recommend it for pre-K and K children as a way to enhance their love and appreciation of dogs! Donna Forst, M.A., Education Coordinator, Hawaii Dog Foundation

I'm substitute teaching and I just read this book to a bunch of first graders. I was cracking up laughing all the way through (the kids were a bit puzzled). Cute book and entertaining for all ages - nevermind the ages 4-8 designation. The illustrations are priceless.

My almost 2-year old son can't get enough of this book. This was also his sister's favorite childhood book (she still loves it, and she's now 11). She began reading it to him a couple of months ago at bedtime, and now he asks for a reading every night, and some mornings too! "More officer buckle and glorwia mease, officer buckle and glorwia mease!"

Be advised, this book is quite funny. Officer Buckle is a safety instructor, going to schools to give safety lessons. Unfortunately, he doesn't actually keep the kids engaged with his lessons. That is until he gets a partner, Gloria, a police dog. Together, Officer Buckle and Gloria's safety class is a hit at the schools. When Office Buckle thinks that it's Gloria that the kids want to see, he couldn't be more wrong. It's both of them that keep the children entertained and learning. My three kids and I all get a big kick out of this book. The illustrations of Gloria make them all laugh and the moral of the story about the importance of team work comes across in a fun and entertaining way. I wouldn't have minded if Officer Buckle and Gloria came to my school when I was younger.

This third of Burgett's four books about his experiences in the 101st Airborne during World War II reveals a young man (19 at the time) at what could be easily seen as his finest (or worst) hours. The author gives this book an intense personal touch that is missing in many accounts of this unit during its defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Burgett takes the reader into the hell he lived through, vividly describing the shortages of basic military necessities such as weapons and ammunition, the incredible struggle for Noville in the early days of the battle and the withdrawal back to the main lines, and the difficulties of being ready to fight after coping with the harsh winter of the Ardennes and the lack of sleep, food, and water.

But what really comes through most clearly in this account is death. Burgett sees much of it in just a few weeks. He sees close friends (the "old men" of his company) and replacements die in what seems to be a random pattern. He takes the lives of German troops without a shred of remorse, yet almost shoots a fellow paratrooper who shot a prisoner of war.

Burgett does not portray himself as a hero--only as a man doing his job. He was very good (and I would also say lucky) at what he did. His story is not the nice neat narrative found in many accounts of the Bulge. It is dark, chilling, and brutal. It makes one wonder what men like him endured--both during the war and the many years since. I highly recommend it and the others volumes about his time in the 101st.

Donald Burgett gives a great view of WWII through the eyes of a 101st airborne paratrooper.

It has taken me far too long to review this book. But what I should say is, this book was single handedly responsible for sponsoring my adoration of military history books and the history of the Second World War.

It is very well written, easy to read, accurate to the finest detail without ever losing the story. It stands alone as one of the finest examples of a first person account of the war by an American paratrooper of the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne. It would have been a classic by itself, but it the companion piece to a priceless series of four part series by Burgett.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of battles so clearly written I'm sure you could find the streets today. The story of destroying German tanks in the dead of a fog is gripping as anything that happened during the epic Battle of the Bulge.

The impact of this book was one that made me want to be a paratrooper, helped spawned a life-long (over twelve years at this point) love affair with history, one trip to Europe and lead to my BA in History. My copy has been dog eared, read three times and kept in a place of honor among my over 250 World War Two history books.

My only regret is I haven't met the author.

The real story of how a few ill equipped, but determined Allies held the line and were victorious over one of the greatest war machines ever assembled. This truly was the "Greatest Generation"!

"Seven Roads to Hell" is paratrooper Donald Burgett's memoire of the defense of Bastogne by elements of the 101st Airborne and 9th Armor Divisions during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Burgett, a member of A Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, has captured the foxhole-level details of the heroic defense of that key Belgian crossroads.

Burgett picks up the story as his unit goes into a rest area after the fierce fighting of Operation Market-Garden in Holland. His unit has been decimated by weeks of combat, and desperately needs rest and refit; instead, the tired and poorly equiped paratroopers are rushed to the front in the Ardennes to help stem a sudden German offensive. The paratroopers lack winter clothing, food, water, and ammunition, but with the elan of the airborne, undertake the defense of Bastogne against German tank and infantry units.

Burgett has provided some commentary on the larger picture, but sticks largely to telling the story as it was visible to him. Burgett is nothing if not honest in his telling and graphic in his details. He and his fellow paratroopers freeze, starve, fight, and strive to make sense of the chaos that is ground-level combat. Burgett's prose is straightforward and he has a terrific eye for details. There is no sense here of the false heroic; Burgett and his mates are fighting for each other.

This book, like Burgett's earlier book on D-Day, is highly recommended to the reader with an interest in the Second World War and especially in infantry combat. Those present and former members of the 506th Infantry may find it an especially inspiring piece of regimental history.